Secret of the Two Kings (89 CHAPTERS - ON HOLD)

제 42 부

The council members tried to stop Sae Joo from meddling more in the issue. The fire had started already, and they did not want the Prince to get burned fully. However, none of them had succeeded. Sae Joo forced to speak up in the middle of the elder noblemen in front of him.

"I do know who that person might be."

Jung Ho asked, with a sneer on his face, "And who is that, Your Highness?"

Sae Joo walked a few more steps, closer to Jung Min, who was standing on the left side. "The Head of the Prosecution Department, Lord Jung Min."

The rest of the council members exchanged puzzled glances to each other. Jung Min, on the other hand, just stared at the Crown Prince, anchoring his doubtful eyes to him. Although the council had believed that Jung Min could be the next ruler, second to Sae Joo, they were still surprised that the assertion came directly from the once childish Crown Prince.

Jae Joong spoke up, "Prince, how could you say that?"

"If I am the one who shall bring misfortunes to the kingdom, I guess the next one in line after me could be the one who would bring good fortunes instead. Did you not think the same?"

The council did not respond, dipping their heads in a low bow.

In the middle of brief silence, Sae Joo stated his suggestion in order to fix their current problem. "I do have a proposal."

"What is it?" said Jae Joong.

"Maybe we could do the ritual again, but instead of my blood, it will be Lord Jung Min's."

Jung Ho scoffed with what he heard. He tried to slam the Prince's suggestion but in a more subtle way. "Your Highness, this ritual is not just done hastily as you wish, or just by any people. Should Lord Jung Min do the ritual, he must have had a twenty-four hour-fasting, and of course, he should have had taken a bath using the water from the Pyeongran Spring, with prayers from the Head Priestess... but unfortunately, he was not able to satisfy all those prerequisite."

With uttering a single word, Sae Joo was nailed into his position, realizing that his suggestion would not be possible. He scanned the council members, who were still avoiding his gazes. Some were shaking their heads in disappointment, thinking that the Prince's idea was indeed stupid. Suddenly, Jung Min stepped forward and spoke, "Actually... I did all of those things that you just mentioned, Prime Minister."

The Prime Minister's eyes widened, stunned with what his son said. His eyebrows suddenly merged into the center in a suppressed fury. "W-wh-what?"

"Yes, I did all of those, Father," smiled Jung Min, reminiscing what he and Sae Joo had talked about.

~~•~~

Sae Joo and Jung Min talked in the middle of the courtyard—the former telling that they should finish something once and for all.

"Your Highness, please tell me where we are going," asked Jung Min.

"I do not wish to entertain your questions, Lord Jung Min. Just come with me, would you?"

"If you say so, Your Highness."

Sae Joo led the way, going to the main shrine. He looked for the Head Priestess, who was doing a small ritual on the prayer area. The two approached her, disturbing her from what she was doing.

"Lady Seolji, may I speak with you?" asked Sae Joo.

The Head Priestess did not respond and continued with her prayer as if she heard no one, felt no one. Jung Min tried to stop the Prince, convincing him to go back and let the Head Priestess finish her business.