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

제 86 부

The entire palace was a breathing chaos.

Every servant, despite the rank, had been on the run since the special task force announced that the Prince was missing. All senses launched at its peak. Eyes like lions, ears like tigers, and noses like wolves—adjusted for a single purpose. Rooms were meticulously inspected, from the lowest storage up to the royal chambers and offices on the third levels of each pavilion. No matter how small, no matter how dark, no matter how filthy—they had no escape from the bright sheet of yellow lamp lights encapsulating the whole palace. Tunnels and all secret passages (known to a few) were thoroughly examined.

History has indeed repeated itself. Same instance, but different stakes. Upgraded levels of emotions and accountability. The same horror that happened eight years ago transmogrified into a grimmer case. As what has been prophesied, no marriage would mean a lack of counterattack against the union of the second and fourth star of the Taeyanggye. The waning of the moon marked the outset of the kingdom's unimaginable destruction.

Rumbling footsteps savaged the courtyard. Non-stop to and fro marches, scurries, and sprints of the hwarangs, guards, and even the court ladies—all reporting to Jae Joong and Dae Wong as they stood in the middle of the wide quadrangle, waiting for good news.

No signs of Sae Joo. Anywhere.

Multiple units of hwarangs had searched outside the palace, through all passageways possible. Using their torches, they fought the dark, bone-chilling woods and called the Prince's name. They risked their lives, journeyed through the thick shaves of ice terrains, and looked at places with high possibilities of fatality. Ravines, dried rivers, caves, and even up the snow-enveloped trees and beneath the pit holes.

Some clans traced the courtesans and through their mistresses, they found them in different places—technically houses—either dancing, singing, painting or simply having deep conversations with noblemen.

All of them shared the same answers: We have no idea.

The whole incident was like searching a needle through a mountain of haystacks. It felt like the whole universe had conspired to hide a person who vanished without a trace.

Or was there?

When Shun and his three other comrades were back on the palace, they saw hwarangdos dashing towards the King, the iron ornaments in their armors clanking. The leaders bowed and formed a semi-circle before the King and his right hand.

First to report: The purple ivy leader with cold sweats assembling on top of his forehead. "Sire, we searched through the eastern forest. No signs of the Prince.

Then the Red Dragons. "Your Majesty, my men are still on the hunt in Ojin Hill and Myeongsong Valley. But so far, nothing positive yet."

Came the turn of the Indigo Beast. "I've divided my men and tasked them to trace the entertainers. Some of them were on the Noble Village. I regret to inform you that we got no clues from them."

Dae Wong groaned and rubbed his temple, "Alright. Continue your search and report any progress as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir!" the leaders responded in unison and bolted.

Shun and his colleagues advanced towards the King and bowed, making their presence known. Dae Wong's face creased. "I suppose all of you have good news."

"I'm afraid none, Your Lordship," answered Shun, turning his head.

"Go. And don't return until you find the Prince. Of all people responsible, you're the one who should have kept a keen eye on him. You knew that there would be a drinking party. One of you should've had the initiative to tell us so that we could send more men to secure the area. That person could be you, Shun since you are his bodyguard. So all these skills that you've shown us were just a part of a big bravado, but in reality, you have failed to execute your job well."