CHAPTER 31
Outside, the skies finally broke, and rain poured in unrelenting sheets, drumming against the palace roof as though the heavens themselves mourned the loss of the king. The steady rhythm filled the chamber, a somber backdrop to the low murmur of voices.
One by one, the elders, nobles, and ministers stepped forward, bowing their heads and offering words of condolence to Muwon. Their voices were solemn, but beneath them, a current of unease pulsed.
Elder Baekjin finally spoke what the others seemed to be holding back.
"Your Highness… there is only one person we suspect might be responsible for His Majesty's death."
Muwon's gaze lifted slowly, wary, as elder Baekjin voice took on weight.
"Sihyun."
For a heartbeat, the room felt colder. Muwon simply stared at them, unable to form words. His mind rejected the claim, but the elders pressed on, their expressions grave.
"They quarreled just yesterday,"
Elder Miran said,
"over the matter of the dead guards. Harsh words were exchanged. It is not unthinkable that this may have driven him to… an unforgivable act."
High priest Sangwook added,
"It would be wise to put him to trial. If he is innocent, the truth will clear him. If not… then justice must be done."
Muwon's thoughts churned, torn between disbelief and the cruel logic of their words. He didn't know what to say, didn't know what to believe. Finally, his voice came low, almost weary.
"Leave me. All of you."
They exchanged glances but obeyed, bowing respectfully. Before stepping out, general Gunho paused, his tone almost paternal.
"We are here to help guide you, Your Highness… especially with the decisions you cannot yet make for yourself. You will soon be king."
Muwon's eyes flickered at the words, but he said nothing. When the last of them departed, the room was silent except for the rain, and Muwon stood alone, the accusation against Sihyun lingering like a bitter shadow.
When the last of the elders' footsteps faded, the chamber fell into an aching stillness, broken only by the steady roar of rain outside.
Muwon stood there for a moment, unmoving, his gaze fixed on the lifeless figure before him. Then, as if the weight of everything finally crushed the breath from his chest, he sank to his knees beside the bed. His hand trembled as it reached out, closing gently over his father's—cold now, the warmth forever gone.
"Father…"
The word broke in his throat, shattering into a whisper.
His eyes blurred, tears spilling freely down his cheeks as he clutched the still hand tighter, like it might somehow anchor him.
"I don't know what to do anymore… why did you have to leave me now, of all times?"
His voice cracked, and the tears fell harder.
"I thought I was ready… but I'm not. I'm not ready for this."
The rain outside seemed to fall heavier, each drop echoing his grief.
"What if… what if you were right about Sihyun?"
Muwon's voice grew smaller, broken.
"What if I've made a terrible mistake? What if I've been blind this whole time?"
His forehead lowered until it pressed against the edge of the bed, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
"I can't bear the thought of regretting… and yet, I already feel it clawing at me."
His grip tightened, desperate, like a child seeking comfort.
After a long, aching silence, he whispered, barely audible,
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry, Father… for everything. For not being the son you needed… for not being the man you wanted me to be."
The words hung heavy in the air, swallowed by the relentless downpour, leaving Muwon alone in his grief—kneeling in the shadow of both loss and doubt.
By the time Muwon had composed himself enough to face the world again, the rain had eased to a steady drizzle, though the heaviness in the air remained. In the council chamber, the five elders sat in their usual places, their expressions carefully arranged into masks of sympathy.
General Gunho spoke first, voice low but firm.
"Your Highness, we must think of the future. The kingdom cannot afford uncertainty. You should take the throne as soon as possible."
Muwon's gaze lingered on the table for a long moment before he finally raised his eyes to them.
"No,"
he said quietly but with weight.
"Before anything else, I want an autopsy carried out on my father."
The words seemed to ripple through the room. The elders exchanged glances—brief, sharp looks quickly smoothed into polite surprise.
"An… autopsy?"
Elder Baekjin voice carried a note of feigned confusion.
"Yes."
Muwon's tone hardened.
"I want to know the truth. I want the royal physician to examine him thoroughly. Only after that—only after my father is laid to rest—will I take the throne."
Behind their solemn nods, the elders' thoughts were anything but calm. They had poisoned the king themselves, and now this sudden demand was dangerous. All they needed to do was find out who the physician would be, and ensure the result pointed exactly where they wanted. A bribe, a whispered instruction—and the report could claim the king's life had been taken by magic. That way, suspicion would fall neatly on the Demon Sorcerer already within the palace walls.
Elder Jaesuk cleared his throat delicately.
"As you wish, Your Highness. But… about Sihyun's trial—the court is prepared."
Muwon's jaw tightened.
"No. We wait. Until the autopsy is done, I will not allow accusations to be made."
A pause, then reluctant nods from all five elders.
"You may go,"
Muwon said. His voice was quiet, but the dismissal was final.
One by one, the elders rose and bowed, their robes whispering against the floor as they left him alone again. Alone with the rain, the dim light, and the growing sense that the shadows in his father's court were darker than he had ever realized.
The echo of their footsteps faded as they moved away from the chamber. Once they were far enough down the corridor, Elder Baekjin glanced over his shoulder to ensure no one lingered nearby.
"Autopsy…"
he muttered, voice low and bitter.
"The boy is going to be a problem."
Elder Jaesuk gave a thin, sharp smile.
"Not if we move quickly. We find the physician before he does."
"The loyal ones are already gone,"
Elder Miran added, her tone calm but eyes glinting.
"Any man who values his family over truth will see reason if we offer enough."
"Reason?"
Elder Jaesuk scoffed.
"Call it survival. We'll make it clear—his findings must point to magic. Something only the Demon Sorcerer could have done."
Elder Miran steps slowed.
"And if the prince resists the idea?"
"Then the court will not,"
General Gunho replied smoothly.
"The people have been warned about sorcerers their whole lives. If they hear the king was killed by one living under the same roof… they will demand justice before the prince even speaks."
A dry laugh escaped Elder Baekjin.
"Justice. Yes. That's what they'll call it."
The group paused at the junction where their paths would split, the rain outside pattering against the palace eaves.
"Find the physician,"
Elder Baekjin said finally.
"Before sunset. Bribe him, threaten him—do whatever must be done. We can't let the prince's sentiment ruin years of careful planning."
Their eyes met in silent agreement, and without another word, the elders disappeared into separate corridors, each carrying the weight of a shared secret that could topple the kingdom if exposed.