Part II.   That night, Jiyong recalled the promise he had made five years ago. Almost immediately after the small acknowledgement given by Lady Yi, he knew that his coming to the palace did not mean that he has completed her wish. Jiyong has yet to become a general, and since he has nothing left to cling upon—no family, no relations, no prospects—Jiyong could only cling tightly on his current goal of becoming a general, to serve his country, and to meet Chaerin again.   He was happy, but not entirely.  He knew deep down that he was not satisfied with his current position, so he worked even harder.   And then a month passed in a blink of an eye and one sudden morning, when he did not expect his day to be any different than the days before, Jiyong was extremely surprised to be called into the headquarters of the Chief of Royal Investigation. What would the Chief want from a new officer like him?   His question was answered when he set foot into the spacious room and saw the man he has not seen in years. His eyes widen, a lump latched itself on his throat as he stared in shock at the Lord Yi, the man he had once served, the man whom allowed his freedom two weeks after his daughter was chosen as Crown Princess.   “Lord Yi,” Jiyong greeted almost immediately, his head bowed low in respect. He was too young then, to fully understand the significance of the red robe his former master is wearing, but now that he was old enough and exposed to proper education, Jiyong realized that Lord Yi was, and still is, one of the three highest-ranking officials of the State Council. It was surreal to see him face to face again, what more in a room with another high-ranking officer.   Lord Yi stared back at him, and then back at the Chief of Royal Defense seated towards his left. Then he smiled, and Jiyong found himself engulfed even more in confusion. “This is the young man I’ve been telling you about, Chief Inspector Choi.”   Jiyong could feel the settling eyes on him as he kept his eyes on the ground. With an exception of Lady Yi, he was taught after all, from young, his unworthiness to look at anyone above his status.   “Ah, I think I’ve seen him during the trainings for the Coronation.” Jiyong could feel sweat dripping down from his forehead. “Talented boy, he is. Not a surprise though, as expected from someone associated to your family, Lord Yi.”   Jiyong was surprised that the Lord Yi would inform the Chief of something as petty as him once working in his residence, that he could not help but to look up slightly. He noticed immediately that Lord Yi still had his gaze on him, and this time, he willed himself not to look away. “Yes, I have good eyes, after all. I wouldn’t take someone incompetent to be my godson now, would I?”   Before he could register the words in his mind, Lord Yi stood up and began to walk towards him. Jiyong, startled at the sudden approach, looked at the ground again. “L-lord Yi, I—“   “Let’s take a walk, Jiyong.” Without having the chance to even think of disobeying, or to be awed by the fact that Lord Yi remembered his name, Jiyong bowed in respect to the Chief Inspector before retreating from the room. He kept his distance from the Right State Councillor, but followed him faithfully until His Lordship halted his movement by the Palace pond.   “How are you faring, Jiyong? It’s been a while since I last saw you.”   Beneath the usually domineering arrogance of the Lord’s tone of voice, Jiyong sensed kindness, much to his chagrin as he stumbled for words. “Lord Yi, I…I’m fine, but I…”   “You’re confused.” Lord Yi finished Jiyong’s sentence for him. “You don’t understand why I’m no longer hostile towards you.”   Jiyong meekly nodded.   A silence lapsed among the two men, before Lord Yi grunted in response and turned around to look at him in full view. “Jiyong, as odd as it may seem, I am genuinely glad to see you earning a place here in the palace.”   “But sir, what you’ve mentioned earlier about…about me being your…” Jiyong allowed his sentence to trail off, still cautious at his words. Maybe he has heard wrongly earlier?   “Godson? You heard correctly, Jiyong.” Utterly speechless, Jiyong could do nothing but stare wide-eyed at the Lord Yi.   “You should know by now, the status of my daughter?” Lord Yi began his explanation after making sure no one was around their position. Without waiting for Jiyong’s confirmation, Lord Yi continued, “The night she was chosen as Crown Princess, she came home with an odd request of asking me to allow your freedom. I could not comprehend at first, the peculiarity of her request, but she seemed determined for an answer, so I told her I would.”   Jiyong was holding his breath without realizing, his ears perked up in not wanting to miss any words from the Lord.   “Her Royal Highness told me that if she were to be Queen one day, she would need someone she was familiar with to act as her confidant. Out of curiosity, I asked her, why you of all people? Her Highness answered that she spoke to you before, and she found out that you wanted to serve the country as part of the military.”   Lord Yi paused, recalling the night of how his daughter had told him her plan. For someone only fourteen, Lord Yi was surprised at how far ahead her thinking was, and how reasonable it seemed in his mind then. “I was skeptic at first. I thought to myself, how would a boy never exposed to militia trainings or education be able to pass the military exams of our nation?” Lord Yi chuckled, and Jiyong gulped nervously.   “But you proved me wrong, boy. You’re standing here today, in front of me, wearing the clothing of an officer. Tell me, how did you manage to come so far from when I freed you from your contract?”   “I…I worked hard, my Lord.”   Seemingly satisfied with his answer, Lord Yi reached out and patted Jiyong’s shoulder twice.   “Indeed you have. That is why you ought to understand now, why I have decided to make you my godson. I am not blessed with a male heir. You should know by now with your level of education, what that would mean to a family as influential as mine.”   Jiyong nodded, knowing in full understanding, that a family is equivalent to near catastrophe if there were no sons to inherit all that his father would leave upon his death.   “Look at me, Jiyong. You don’t have to act as how you used to act around me. You are no longer a contracted worker under my residence.” Hesitating, Jiyong lifted his head slowly and, for the first time in his life, made full eye contact with the Lord Yi. It was also then that he realized the effects of aging on the Lord’s face, and the greying strands of his hair.   “I ask of you now, Kwon Jiyong, do you accept my proposal of making you my godson?”   Knowing all too well that there was no possible way he could decline such a proposal, Jiyong wondered why the Lord bothered to even ask. He tried his best not to show how nervous he was, so he merely nodded before adding shakily, “I am truly honored.”   Lord Yi smiled in approval, before turning away. “I believe th