The king was paler than ever when Seokjin entered his room. He was laying on his bed, covered with sheets. The boy predicted that he would look ill but he never even dared to assume that his father would look this ill. He could clearly see the navy-blue and mulberry-like veins through his skin; they were like oddly connected lines on a parchment paper.

When the king heard the door closing, he opened his eyes and looked at the sudden visitor. He acknowledged the boy’s presence with a firm nod and motioned him to come closer. Seokjin obeyed him and crouched down beside his bed. He seemed even more ill from up close.

“I’ve heard you wanted to see me, Your Majesty,” he started speaking, using the honorifics that he was taught to use, even with his father. Considering that the royal family didn’t consider him a relative, it wasn’t actually a surprise.

“Seokjin…” the king whispered, his voice terrifyingly raspy and somewhat dry. He looked like he was about to pass out any moment but the boy wasn’t taken aback. The royal medical man had informed the family that the king was a victim of poisoning. Someone must have put something in his food or he might have touched something that was actually contagious. Not even the psychiatric knew what had happened exactly. It was an unknown mystery to all of them.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“I want you to be king,” he stuttered feebly. He wasn’t his usual powerful self. He was really a dying old man; he was just like a servant who was about to see miseries of the underworld. After all, death didn’t make a difference peasants and royals; it came to collect them, no matter their age, gender or status.

King Wanggun’s words didn’t even surprise him. He was well aware of the fact that he was the eldest of the heirs who were apparent to the throne and since he received the news of the Crown Prince’s death, he knew that he should better be prepared for a possible coronation.

What really struck him was the following:

“I want you to take over Hubaekje and Silla and create a united kingdom. That’s my last wish and as my son, I want you to fulfil it. You must fulfil it!” he emphasised with a sudden strike of energy and left Seokjin absolutely devastated.

He had no idea that his father was planning to take over the other two kingdoms as he had made a deal with both parties. In Silla’s case, it was a plain contract that ensured that they wouldn’t generate hatred between the two kingdoms, therefore no war or riot was permitted between their people. Not to mention that in Hubaekje’s case, it was his marriage with Myungeun! He may not have been 19 years old yet but a deal was a deal, he couldn’t disregard the rules, no matter what happens. Not just for the kingdom’s sake but also for Myungeun’s sake!

“But how, father? We had made a deal with both Hubaekje and Silla! How can I ignore them?” he cried helplessly but his father merely shook his head.

“Deals are meant to be ignored. They exist only until one of the parties changes their mind. Now, it’s going to be you,” the king said matter-of-factly as he vigorously grabbed the collar of Seokjin’s hanbok and