Yi Sung's proclamation only consisted of two important things. The newly appointed Minister Of Personnel is Park Ki Ho from the Southern faction, while Kwon Jiyong shall be reinstated formally in three days as a grand prince and shall perform his duties alongside with the King.

Even if Kwon Jiyong left his title and lived far away on his own, his records and contributions to the kingdom were as clear as the summer sky that no one even dared to voice out their objections. But deep inside, Minister Kim and his fellow faction members felt the decision of the King was preposterous. How could there be two monarchs ruling the nation? Even if Yi Sung was the king, everyone understood Kwon Jiyong's influence on him.

Aside from this, Kwon Jiyong's wife's family's power couldn't be denied. The head of the family is a governor and a former professor. The eldest son topped the military exams and became the King's most trusted royal guard. Meanwhile, the daughter became the wife of the most powerful man next to the king. Apart from these, everyone knew Park Ki Ho's outstanding governance in Gwangju and he had the support of the scholars since he was a former educator. Who in the right mind would protest to his appointment? Wouldn't that amount to straight off challenging the scholars?

When the assembly was done, Minister Kim stormed out of the court with his hands balled into fists. His fellow faction members went after him and surrounded him with questions he couldn't even answer.

"Chief State Minister, what shall we do now?"

"Only the less important positions were left to us. Even the Ministry of Personnel now belongs to the South."

"We need to make a move now or else the Southern faction might get back at us."

Minister Kim heaved a sigh as his head started to ache. He at least expected the King would consider his faction since he was the Queen's father but he was dumbfounded at the sudden turn out of events.

Minister Kim stood speechless and immobile, and it only made Minister Lee Sungjae grin as he walked past the man.

"Aigoo... What a wonderful morning. Don't you all think so?" Minister Lee's eyes sparkled with a taunting mischief as he spoke to Northern faction officials. When his fellow Southerners all agreed, he bowed lightly at Minister Kim, then walked away.

"The King made a wrong move this time," Minister Kim said, his eyes never leaving Lee Sungjae's arrogant back. "Inside the palace, there is no such thing as eternal allies. The more a man had been deprived of recognition and power, the more desperate and dangerous he would be. Minister Lee is no different from us. He might be even worse."

--------------------

After catching up with each other, Sandara and the queen went to the king's pavilion. Since it was getting hotter these days due to the arrival of summer, the queen asked the servants to make some jehotang, a drink made from oriental herbs, to prepare their bodies from the heat wave of summer. Sandara asked for some pastries and sweets, too, knowing her husband liked it.

When the Yi Sung and Kwon Jiyong arrived, the two were surprised, the former being the one stupefied the most.

Surely, he liked sweets. But his uncle? Yi Sung was so sure the picky eater was already grimacing behind him. Unfortunately, he wasn't.

As Kim Jisoo and Sandara greeted them, Kwon Jiyong returned it with a curt nod before giving his wife a tight-lipped smile. Yi Sung wanted to laugh at his uncle's expression. He was having a good time seeing his uncle's discomfort.

Over the refreshing drinks and sweet snacks, Yi Sung started to blabber even more making Kwon Jiyong's temper worsen. 

"Aunt-in-law, don't you know uncle doesn't like sweets? Jungjeon, please take note of this as well as we will be seeing uncle frequently in the palace."

Sandara was surprised at Yi Sung's statement, and when he turned to Kwon Jiyong to confirm it, the man was only sending deathly glares towards Yi Sung's direction.

So it means he was only lying to her when he asked her to prepare pastries for him? What for? To please her? The thought made her heart skip a beat, and she realized Yi Sung was only teasing his uncle while Kwon Jiyong, her easily annoyed husband started to look like a rain cloud was over his head. 

If Kwon Jiyong's mood worsens, who knew what this ice berg might do again? Wouldn't she and the ones in t