Seowoo approached his mother's residence, a smile plastered on his face, making his youthful appearance look even more elegant.
The palace corridors were quiet, the air filled with the soft scent of incense and polished wood.
His heartbeat quickened as he approached the door. He had just been summoned by his mother.
Never had he imagined a day would come when his mother would call for him.
The door flung open. Royal Noble Consort Yeonhwa sat gracefully on the embroidered cushion, anticipating her younger son's presence. The room was dimly lit by lanterns, casting gentle shadows on the walls. She lifted her head to meet his gaze as he strode in.
He curtseyed before his mother, and she motioned for him to sit.
Consort Yeonhwa glanced up briefly, then pushed a cup of ginseng tea toward him — a popular royal tea used to calm and relax the mind.
Seowoo bowed and gently sipped the tea. His heart was racing so fast that if his mother had been silent, he bet she could hear it.
"I heard the ministers urged the king to depose the crown prince," she said.
Seowoo's hand stiffened. He gently dropped the teacup on the table, trying to conceal his hurt.
The first thing she could ask about was that? She couldn't at least pretend to ask about his journey.
He pretended to cough to ease his anger.
"Yes, Mother," he answered simply.
Consort Yeonhwa nodded, then took a sip of her tea to calm her nerves.
"Mother…" he began, intending to discuss his achievements, but his mother interrupted him.
"Seowoo, you're not thinking about becoming the crown prince, right?"
"What?" Seowoo asked, snickering, hurt yet again.
"Seowoo! Your brother was born with the king star," Consort Yeonhwa said, concern written all over her face. She tried to grab her son's hand, but Seowoo jerked his hand away from her.
Consort Yeonhwa shook her head. She prayed she wouldn't experience her sons killing each other over the crown. That would only give the wicked Lord Shikryeom satisfaction. She was aware the king would never make Seowoo the crown prince—not when he still felt guilty toward his dead son and the queen.
If Seowoo tried to fight for the throne, it would give the sly, cunning man another chance at a bloodbath, and she really hoped history wouldn't repeat itself.
She hoped her sons could support one another and not give the sly man a chance to divide them.
Seowoo clenched his fist, knuckles white as rage simmered within him.
"What about me, Mother?" he asked, grabbing the hem of his robe, devastated.
"Don't be like this, Seowoo. The king will never consider you as the crown prince," she said, then grabbed his robe.
"Why? Because I was not born with a king star?" He gulped, fighting back the tears that strengthened to fall.
"No! Hyun Min was born with the king star, so it's only natural he becomes the king," she said, feeling devastated as she looked at her child.
"Mother!" he screamed. Must she always remind him that she only truly cared about his elder brother?
"Why? Why can—" he couldn't finish his sentence. It was a baseless thing to ask. He didn't need her answer to hurt him any further.
Sniffling, he forced a smile.
"Thank you, Mother. Every royal born is king. Thank you. I will surely remember your endless love," he said, then curtseyed briefly before exiting the Royal Noble Consort's residence.