Thanks a lot for the votes guys! I love you all. ~~~ The next few weeks were a blur of visiting, from family and friends and political allies Sooyeon did not even know Joseon had. It seems as though half of the kingdom wishes to pay respect to the first son of the royal family, the first in what everyone seemed to think will be an enormous family of new royals as though it was Sooyeon's responsibility to replenish the royal line herself. Taeyeon had been by her side through it all, at attention in her regent attire when they have guests, just beside Sooyeon's right hand, making it possible not miss the way the regent paled every time a guest speaks about "the next one" in passing, as though it is self-evident. Though, there is some comfort in knowing that she is not alone in her doubts about raising one child, let alone dozens that some people seem to expect. When they are alone, an entirely soft and careful Taeyeon begins to emerge. She would set her weapons to the side, more careful than Sooyeon has ever seen her, and takes Jiwoong in her arms, holding him close. There is something almost comical, every time the regent settles into the rocking chair in their bedchambers with him on her knee. With time, she learned to feed Jiwoong, to take care of him when he is sick, and when Sooyeon cannot be near, in fact Jiwoong fusses for everyone but Taeyeon. Jiwoong had been riding with Taeyeon since he was born, taken on various excursions to the city and outskirts of the farmlands surrounding the palace. During his early months Taeyeon took him riding at night, whenever he was fitful and could not sleep. It was common for the guards to see Taeyeon plodding wearily along the streets of the city, one hand clutching a restless bundle in a sling to her front. When Jiwoong was older, he went in a cradle board on Taeyeon's back, watching the world recede behind them. ~~~ Today Jiwoong is three and he was allowed to ride with Taeyeon once again to his grandparents home, he would be sitting in the saddle like a big boy, resting securely against her stomach. Taeyeon and Sooyeon would be taking their usual trip to the Kim's household to spend the last weekend of the year with the regent's family. The entire city knows of this tradition ever since the crown prince was born, taking only a light comitatus of hand-picked guards along with them. "I think you and Jiwoong should ride the carriage." Taeyeon said. "He's been begging to ride with you for weeks and I also don't want to ride in a carriage." Sooyeon returned. "Hmm," Taeyeon hummed, just as the door bursted open to reveal a joyful Jiwoong. He tripped haphazardly down the few steps, which sent his parents surging towards him, but he landed surely on two feet. Jiwoong has always been a sure-footed child, which is a fortunate companion trait for his curiosity. Most recently, when Taeyeon had visited the palace library in search of an important record with him, she left him for a minute to search through the record, only to find him atop of a bookcase, about to ambush the librarian from above, and just managed to snatch him in mid-air. She'd never told Sooyeon about this incident, just as she'd never told her about the many dozens of times Jiwoong might have cracked his head but did not. "Appa" Jiwoong said, hurtling himself in Taeyeon's waiting arms. The regent stood straight with Jiwoong on her hip. She has long since become accustomed to the name he liked to address her, tired of correcting him each time he calls her appa. "Are you ready?" She asked seriously. "Yes." "Are you sure?" "Yes." Sooyeon kissed him on the cheek. "Remember, not to give appa trouble when riding with her. You are a responsible young man, you need to stay good, okay?" Jiwoong's dark eyes reflect Sooyeon's solemnly. He drew a big breath, opened his mouth, and said, "Yes." In his every actions, Jiwoong is very much Taeyeon's child, the resemblance is so extremely uncanny. They went down to the stables together each mum holding his hand, Jiwoong babbling excitedly the whole way about his horse, the gentle white stallion Taeyeon rides when she is with him. Jiwoong greeted Guna by name as he is led out of his paddock by waving both hands enthusiastically; Taeyeon had become familiar to adjusting on the fly to Jiwoong's sudden movements and windmilling antics. Guna sniffed him, searching for the sugar cubes and fruit slices Jiwoong liked to sneak him and, ever affectionate with animals, the little prince gave him a kiss on the nose. Sooyeon held Jiwoong while Taeyeon mounts; he squirmed the entire time, reaching for his appa, eager to be out in the open on this breezy summer day. Taeyeon finally placed Jiwoong in front of her, where he sat proudly in the saddle, looking around at everyone to make sure he is seen. He kicked his heels. "Go Guna-ya!" he said. Guna, to his credit remained placid. "Jiwoong," Sooyeon called once but the warning was clear. The future king stilled, remembering the multiple discussions about behavior when riding with appa. Sooyeon liked to tease Taeyeon that Jiwoong resembles her in this too, the way he heeds to the sharpness of her voice. She does this knowing that Taeyeon's response will be to prove how little she actually may heed Sooyeon when pressed. When they are all mounted and the guard had arranged themselves in an formation, they moved out, taking the main thoroughfare through the city. People have turned out to line the way, waving with flowers. The Empress acknowledged that with her usual grace, smiling and keeping a stately pace. Then a child suddenly darts into the street, directly in front of Guna. Whether she wanted to take a closer look at the royal family or she simply wanted to cross the street does not matter; Guna shies away, spooking the horse next to him, which in turn sets off some of the other horses. Half the procession is caught in a scrum of heavy, snorting bodies and Taeyeon suddenly found herself struggling to keep her seat. She is clutching Jiwoong to her body with one hand, controlling Guna's reins with the other, trying to guide him with her knees, and looking for Sooyeon out of the corner of her eye. Her heart is beating madly against her ribcage, a barrage fit to drown out the whinnying and warning cries. Guna settled quickly enough; he is well trained, as if Taeyeon would allow her son to ride a skittish horse. The guards reformed their lines and the girl had disappeared, perhaps aware of the mess she had left behind. Taeyeon was still casting her eye about for her when Sooyeon touched her shoulder. "It's okay," she said, as though soothing a horse and ridder alike. "That girl--" Taeyeon began, lips forming a thin line. "We're fine," Sooyeon assured and smiled at Jiwoong. "Aren't we?" Jiwoong giggled childishly and looked up at Taeyeon, absolutely unafraid. "Yes, appa, we are alright," he said cutely. "Weren't you scared?" Taeyeon asked. Sooyeon could see frogging, swallowing down the fear. "No," he said, that simple truthfulness that both his parents takes such pride in, that Taeyeon appreciates even as it surprises her. "I'm riding with Appa, I know I'm safe." The way he trusted Taeyeon is absolute, it never occur to him in the least to be scared when ever he's with her. His heels twitched and Sooyeon's smile became a reproving eye. But Taeyeon is suddenly exhilarated, and when they finally passed through the crowd, she gave Guna a nudge and he raced across the plains, Sooyeon and the guards trying to catch up, and Jiwoong giggling all the way. ~~~ It was finally time for the crown prince to begin his lessons, the regent had wanted him to be home schooled for security reasons, but Sooyeon thinks it will be better for him to mingle with other children, as the future king he must learn how to interact with different kinds people, a school would be a good start. She's sure the school for the nobles will give Jiwoong a fine education, teaching him of writing, history, culture, literature, languages and nature. He will make friends and become a true citizen of Joseon. "He's five," Taeyeon said. Sooyeon could see how stiffly her shoulders were set, remembered how they've argued for weeks now. Taeyeon really wants to keep Jiwoong at home and teach him all he needs to learn herself--how to shoot an arrow, take control of a conversation. She has spent nearl