Can I See You Again

Highest Value Owner

That day the whole youth went back to the palace to write and collect their answer papers. While waiting for the results of the exam to be announced soon after being examined by the jury team, they sat in their respective rows feeling anxious. Those hopeful faces, fused together creating a new atmosphere so awkward.

However, the anxiousness of the young men changed in awe when they saw two young princes who seemed from afar now walking side by side with the guards in front of them. Prince Yul and Prince Hon walked towards the king's throne making all eyes on them. Their charms are both beautifully wrapped with luxurious clothes matching attached to their bodies. His name alone is a prince, of course it will look extraordinary, they said.

But at the same time, there was a noise of gossip from the youths.

“Wah, really. The royal family is absolutely amazing". 

They raised what was in front of them as high as the sky.

“From any aspect one of them both more worthy to hold the title Crown Prince”.

And bring down others, as if the truth belonged to their narrow insight.

“True. Bad rumors about the Crown Prince are undeniable to anyone".

They don't know anything.

“But, I was very curious how that despicable Crown Prince looked".

They all know only about hate.

“The rumor, his face was damaged due to skin disease. He covered his face as he exited his residence”.

Who does not know, becomes aware of hatred. 

“Already. After all, we have never seen the Crown Prince directly. It would be very dangerous if the king knew what we were talking about this”.

And the others, pretending, then want to drop.  

Just then, Young held the wound on his arm tightly while smiling faintly at the ravings of the youths around him. He sat in the noise that made him sick.

Depressing. This world, filled only by hypocritical humans who only know about hatred.

**

From a distance, the judges who were in charge of discussing while carrying the papers answered by the youths. One of them approached the king's throne talking to the king's personal bodyguard. Shortly after, an officer walked in front of the young men.

“Who is the owner of this blank paper?! The blank paper on the state examination is a form of contempt for the king! Confess immediately!" the screams of a rebel officer made the ministers stand up from their seats.

All the young men looked at each other. And so did Young. He turned his head to look at Jung Hyun. Jung Hyun was silent at the time, confused and shaking slowly, a sign of ignorance. 

“The paper is mine, Your Majesty,” a young man raised his right hand without hesitation.   

Everyone is shocked. The young man was the young man who was line next to Young. The same young man, who arrived late, who stopped the show, and now boldly collected the blank papers. The ministers looked furious with the young man.

“That boy again,” they said.

Prime Minister Han clenched both his hands anxiously. This time, his son was completely outrageous.

Hearing the young man's confession, the king stood up from his throne. The king walked with all the papers the young man answered before the young men.

“Why are you collecting blank answers?" ask king.

While looking down respectfully, the young man remained silent, he looked back, right, and left, trying to calm down. Seeing and listening to blasphemy for the sake of blasphemy people around him.

Seeing that sight, Prime Minister Han brought his anxiety running to the king's side.

“Your Majesty, I know this is very inappropriate, but allow me to..”.

“Because I don't want to answer that question, Your Majesty,” replied the young man loudly without fear of making Prime Minister Han's words come to a halt.

The people who heard the young man's reply were completely unexpected.

“Why?" ask the curious king.

“You wrote a question on a fancy cherry blossom patterned paper. The paper was fragrant, with gold ink on it, with a state stamp. Meanwhile, the question, I do not approve it”.

The king stepped slowly, walking towards him closer. He looked at the young man with a thousand question marks.

“Who asked for your approval?” ask the king back.

Hearing the king's question, the young man clenched his hands nervously. He tried to fight his heart. But who would have thought, when no one dared to look at the king up close, the young man raised his head without hesitation before the king, but his eyes still looked down, looking respectful. The officers planned to ambush the disrespectful young man, but the king stopped him.

“Hamba stands here, in front of His Majesty respectfully apologizing for his servant's carelessness. I know you didn't ask anyone for approval, but, the question on the paper, I didn't agree. You asked our opinion on the victory of the eldest son of the chief minister of war over Lee Young the eldest son of the state adviser at the previous show, he said, and writing it on fancy paper with a state stamp is something that cannot be denied. However, if you ask my opinion about Lee Young's victory over Won Bin then I can write the answer,” replied the young man. 

Everyone seemed shocked to see and hear the courage of the young man. 

“So you mean, I was wrong to think Won Bin was the winner? Wasn't it obvious I told them to show their sword skills. And we all saw, how Won Bin was so good with that sword,” the king denied.

“If it's just a show, it means there's no winner. However, since this is an assessment, I think Lee Young the son of the state adviser is the winner. Won Bin uses his emotions, but Young uses his wits. Won Bin uses his sword to attack, but Young uses himself to defend. Won Bin tries to beat Young, but Young doesn't seem to want to win. Since His Highness firmly said this was just a show, I think that was the only reason Young didn't attack. We can all see who's trying to attack. Young, he's trying to hold on so as not to hurt anyone. Although servants are not swordsmen, and servants do not know the two of them at all, at least the servant can see, who is trying to keep your honor. Young missed many times the chance to win, because this was just a show" the young man told the king.

“Because on the paper there is a state stamp, which means it can not be contested, I can not write anything on the paper because I do not agree. If the servant writes a statement of rebuttal, it means the servant rebelled the royal order,” the young man added firmly.

Hearing the young man's reply, the king approached him and held his shoulder.

“What is your name and from which family?” ask the king.

“I'm Jun, son of Prime Minister Han,” he replied nervously.

Everyone looks shocked. Because all they knew was that Prime Minister Han had no son and only one daughter.    

“Congratulate to this young man,” command the king who greeted the applause of the astonished youths. Prime Minister Han smiled proudly.

The king gave the three papers of the answer to Jun.

“This young man, is the owner of the highest score in history in the state examination. He answers two flawless questions with perfect grades. He seeks to achieve justice by the logic and wisdom he possesses. Make sure this young man receives the best education in the country,” said the king who amazed everyone.

Jun fell silent in a place of disbelief at what the king said.

Just then, at the same time from the corner of the palace, Lee Young saw a young man standing watching the king. Only half of the young man's face was covered in cloth. Before long, the young man realized Young was watching him. In a hurry the young man left the place as soon as possible. 

“Cloak that is too luxurious if worn by ordinary people,” Young spoke to him.

However, Young suddenly regained his senses. The young man he had just seen was wearing the same belt as the king.

“Crown Prince?” thought.