Violence inevitably entered their lives on a regular basis. Though the rule of law has been re- established in the kingdom, there were always people willing to challenge the royal authority for greed, for power, for misguided notions of their own justice. Even after the war with Kim Dae-hyun the rebel, Taeyeon still had ridden out with the city militar in her fair share of skirmishes, and Sooyeon had found it necessary to defend herself several times outside of the safety of the palace walls. But within the kingdom, Sooyeon's expecting peace to reign, and it was a sore disappointment to her when Jiwoong's teacher requested the presence of his parents. Jiwoong had been in a fight, and has won quite handily. The boy he pummeled now spot a black eye and a bloody nose on top of his wounded pride, for he is two years older and nearly a hand's span taller than the prince. Taeyeon swaggered all the way to the lesson room, when they arrived, Mr Bae, Jiwoong's teacher was writing at his desk. The crown prince in one corner of the room and the boy in the other. Jiwoong looked up at the sound of his parents entering, at first eager, then abashed. Taeyeon attempted to move towards him, but Sooyeon tugged her back to the desk, where the teacher stood quickly and bowed deeply. "Your majesties," he said. They both dipped their heads to return the respect. Mr Bae is a patriarch of sorts, having seen three generations of children come and go through his classroom. He has never favored nepotism, his only concern was making sure every child under his care can recite history, write clearly, and make tallies without counting on their fingers. "What happened?" Sooyeon asked. Mr Bae raised his voice slightly, better to be heard by everyone in the room, especially those who have been separated into corners. "Some of our students forgot that words are often more powerful than fists." Sooyeon nudged Taeyeon's foot with her own, knowing without looking that the regent is currently a study in skepticism. "What was the cause?" she asked again. Mr Bae beckoned to his pupils, who now shuffled forward and stood in front of the adults, heads hanging. "Jimin," he called the boy, "Explain to the Empress why the crown prince hit you." Jimin's toes traced intricate patterns on the floor. "I t'k sumth..." he mumbled. "Clearly, now. Stand up straight and look at the Empress when you speak," Mr Bae scolded, though his voice is not nearly as harsh as it could be. Jimin lifted his chin, but his eyes were still downcast. "I took something, your majesty," he said. "Did it belong to you?" Sooyeon asked gently. "No, your majesty." Sooyeon glanced at him, his hair tousled and clothes askew. Jiwoong is not prone to passions, but then Sooyeon had never really seen him provoked. She has sheltered the prince with her love and does not regret it for a moment. But her heart was stricken with a pang of realization--her son is growing up, becoming a person with his own desires and ideals, and some day he will not need his mothers. "Why did you take it?" she asked. Jimin shrugged. Mr Bae opened his mouth to chastise him, but Sooyeon gestured subtly with her hand. "Why did you take it?" She repeated. "Wanted it," Jimin said, and next to him Jiwoong bristled. "Where is your mother?" Sooyeon asked. Jimin's chin dropped again. "Don't have one." "He's an orphan," Mr Bae said. "Parents died at the hands of the Pyongyang rebels, his parents were few of the unlucky ones that tried to fight Kim Dae-hyun on their own and they were killed on the spot." Sooyeon bent down to touch his cheek, and he finally looked her in the eye. He is crying, and ashamed of it. "You might be surprised what people are willing to give you, if only you ask," she said. "Have you apologized?" "Yes," he said, lips trembling. Sooyeon looked at her son, his own lip stuck out in defiance. The tilt of his chin mirrored Taeyeon's exactly and Sooyeon would laugh if not for the situation. "Jiwoong, have you apologized for hitting Jimin?" "Yes, umma mama," he said. "Did you also apologize to Mr Bae for disrupting his classroom?" "Yes." "Then let's go home," the Empress said. She wanted to hold her hand out to Jiwoong, but he was already drifting towards Taeyeon, retreating to his appa in the face of his mother's disapproval. "I'll make sure he's seen to the orphanage," Mr Bae said. "No need, Jimin will go to the palace with us, his parents died for us, now it's our responsibility to take care of him." The Empress said smiling at the boy, and so they walked home, through the palace halls to their chambers, Jiwoong's face screwed up with silent frustration. He knew he was going to receive a lecture at home in addition to the punishment he had just endured. "Yoon ah, see to it that Jimin here gets a warm meal and a hot bath, then take him along to your chambers." Sooyeon instructed, the young woman nodding as she took his hand and led him deeper into the palace. Jiwoong automatically took his seat in the little chair next to Sooyeon's desk, the final destination for any and all misbehavior. Sooyeon sat in her own chair; while Taeyeon stood behind Jiwoong, arms folded. "Seja," Sooyeon began. "Hitting Jimin was not the way to get back what he took." "He wouldn't give it back," Jiwoong said. "Did you report to your teacher?" Unknowingly mimicking Taeyeon, Jiwoong folded his arms. "He said he wasn't afraid of him and he stuck his tongue out at me." Like a little dam bursting, he continued talking. "He takes our things! He always takes our things. He tried to take my wristband." He touched the little band around his wrist, a gift from his grandmother, the queen dowager. Taeyeon finally spoke. "He's much bigger than you. Did he hurt you?" Jiwoong looked over his shoulder. "No. I waited around the corner for him." Taeyeon gleamed down at him but Sooyeon looked appalled. "Go to your chambers, Jiwoong," the Empress spoke. "We'll discuss your punishment later." Jiwoong hopped off his chair, but there was