Perfect Crown in Royal Academy of Korea - Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty Four: A Publicized Tragedy
The summer of 2012. Heejoo, who succeeded in early graduation, enjoyed campus life at the age of nineteen. While agonizing over how to spend the long summer vacation, Heejoo planned an overseas trip.
Her father, who listened to the travel plan with an uninspired face, attached one condition. To go to America where Sung Taejoo was.
At her father's word that he held no intention to treat her as an adult until she became twenty years old, Heejoo followed without complaints. Because if she merely waited for 6 months, she would be an adult.
"At a time like this, if Oppa were also in America, I would have seen his face concurrently as well."
—My words exactly.
At Jungwoo who trailed his ending words as if regretful, Heejoo giggled. Jungwoo was staying on the opposite side of the globe following Grand Prince Leean. It was because of the service schedule of Grand Prince Leean, who was active as an international organization ambassador.
"When do you say you return?"
—Are there about 20 days left.
"Is the service activity worth doing?"
—Does one do service because it's worth doing. One does it because one must do it.
Heejoo, who was picking clothes to put in her carrier, tilted her head for a moment. During conversations with Jungwoo, this kind of moment arrived occasionally. When a cold aspect, which it appeared he himself did not even perceive, was revealed.
He was mostly a tender person, and also for the most part altruistic, but that he could be so was because he was indifferent to the world. A peacefulness that he could maintain because there was no emotion he consumed.
Therefore, the thought that there would be an appearance of Min Jungwoo that she did not know occasionally arose. Despite having seen him for 3 years since she was sixteen years old.
It was so even when he, having gotten his license, bragged about his first car. The shock when he appeared riding a clamorous supercar, when she thought he would ride an unnoticeable jet-black sedan.
To possess an inner self that was difficult to predict meant one of the two. Either he was not honest, or I who watched him was not honest.
Compared to him, Grand Prince Leean....
"Is the Prince adjusting well?"
—Grand Prince Your Highness?
"Because it appeared he wouldn't even be able to sleep in a place that isn't home, yet his service seems steady."
—Grand Prince Your Highness has a constitution for this kind of thing.
"Is that so?"
Heejoo, who replied thoughtlessly, thought. That he likewise was not an easy type to predict.
Jungwoo, who finished the phone call with Heejoo, cracked his neck. It felt as if his muscles, which became stiff due to the grueling schedule, were screaming.
"How do I endure the future 20 days."
Jungwoo, who muttered alone, stared out the window. Grand Prince Leean, who was playing soccer with refugee children, was visible. Hyun, who was absorbed in the goalkeeper role, was heating up while shouting repeatedly. It was a joyful face, as if sweating under the scorching sun wasn't even disagreeable.
Thinking he should take a shower one more time, just then, a phone call was hooked from his father.
"Yes, Father."
—Is Grand Prince Your Highness beside you.
At the word asking without even a common greeting or inquiry after health, Jungwoo threw his gaze out the window. The appearance of Wan, who was still kicking the ball while sweating profusely, was visible.
"No, he isn't together with me, but why...."
—Pack your bags first.
"Pardon?"
—Return to Korea. Right now.
"Is there some matter?"
—The eunuch of the Great Hall... has ascended the eastern eaves.
Wan stared at Jungwoo, who came out wearing a black shirt and black pants. Just as he was thinking why Jungwoo, who hated sweating more than dying, was acting that way, it was visible that everyone standing behind was wearing black clothes.
"Your Highness, pass!"
The ball Hyun kicked bumped against Wan's calf and stopped. Wan repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists without realizing. It was an anxiety his body remembered.
"What matter is it."
At the word asked with a voice already choked, Jungwoo avoided his gaze.
"We must leave for Korea right now."
"......"
"His Majesty the King... is said to have passed away."
Wan, who took a grand breath in, knitted his brows. It was difficult to understand Jungwoo's words. Why suddenly, Royal Father. Why, when he had never heard a word that he was sick. Did an accident break out like during Royal Mother's time. Then what about Brother. Then what about me.
While the flow of thought continued endlessly, a tinnitus like a siren rang in his ears. It also felt like the sound of Hyun's crying was heard, but his ears became muffled swiftly.
"...Your Highness."
"......"
"...Your Highness."
"......"
"Grand Prince Your Highness!"
Jungwoo, who approached close, gripped his shoulders and shook him. Watching the gaze that was full of worry, his muffled ears began to hurt. Wan, who held onto his ears as if in agony, sank down.
"Your Highness!"
Hyun, who embraced Wan while sobbing, shouted to bring water. Although they appeared to move nimbly, in reality, everyone was in a hustle-bustle. The attendants were desperate to safeguard their superior, and their superior could not hide his despair and fear.
Wan, who placed his body on the airplane, looked listlessly out the window where only clouds were visible. On top of the table placed in front of the seat, a copy of the death certificate from the Royal Hospital where Royal Father's cause of death was written was placed. No matter if he was on the opposite side of the globe, the work processing of the Royal Secretariat was fast and accurate.
They said Royal Father's cause of death was a heart attack. They said because it was a matter that arose while he was asleep, there was no gap to use his hands, but that there were no premonitory symptoms was questionable. Thinking whether those were all empty formalities, when the royal physicians would take his pulse every single morning.
They said the funeral would be prepared by the Cabinet and the Office of the Royal Relatives, with the Ministry of Rites at the head.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince... appears to have no spirit."
The attendant sitting on the opposite side said with an embarrassed expression.
The Crown Prince who has no spirit.
It was the reason Wan was reading all these official documents. They said his older brother, who heard the news of Royal Father's passing, collapsed having been exhausted from crying. It wasn't surprising. Because his older brother, for whom even the role of the Crown Prince was burdensome, could have no way to be able to perform the role of the chief mourner.
"Is Sister-in-law alright."
"Yes, they say she has convened the Internal Court and closed the palace gates."
Irang, who had to suffer a grand matter in merely 2 years since becoming a member of the royal family, was also a worry. Therefore, Wan opened the thick document file without shedding a single drop of tear. The worry heading toward his older brother and the royal family was greater than the sorrow that he lost Royal Father.
"Your Highness, try closing your eyes even for a bit."
Jungwoo, who was beside him, said. That he failed to sleep was identical for him too.
"I must decide everything before arriving."
"There is still time."
"Did I not say I am alright."
At the firm answer, Jungwoo could not stop him further and nodded his head. Hyun was asleep on the bed prepared for the Grand Prince. Although saying he swooned from crying rather than saying he fell asleep would be a more correct word.
"Aide Kim."
"Yes, Grand Prince Your Highness."
"We will proceed with Royal Father's funeral privately."
The aide, who was startled at the Grand Prince's decision, glanced at Court Lady Choi who was beside him.
"Royal Mother's funeral was a mere 7 years ago. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can hardly perform the role of chief mourner."
"......"
"Tomorrow morning, officially announce only the fact through the Royal Secretariat. So that the citizens do not sorrow too much."
"I understand. Grand Prince Your Highness."
Jungwoo stared at that kind of Wan anew. There was no blocking in processing the work. His mind must certainly have become a ruin, yet it was a harsh concentration.
Heejoo, who arrived at the airport, felt the heavy air flowing between the people. It was because of the news of the King's demise announced this morning. The word that a private funeral was decided by the request of the Crown Prince was repeated quite a few times through the anchor's voice.
On the internet, various stories moved back and forth. A certain person who was said to have been at Gwanghwamun two days ago sorrowed saying they heard a sound shouting 'Sangwibok', and a certain person who was said to be at Gwanghwamun currently was incensed asking why they conducted the King's funeral privately.
It appeared the unexpected sad news shook the minds of the people quite a bit. Perhaps because he was a king who exhibited his appearance in official positions until a mere few days ago, it seemed a hollow mind arose. Simultaneously, voices worrying about the Crown Prince followed.
They say a funeral procedure is originally a time for the living people.
The people, who came to be unable to have that time, gathered at Gwanghwamun. Despite numerous crowds having gathered, the square was quiet. Although sounds of sniffling were heard in no small numbers, that was all. It was the firm will of everyone, who did not wish to make the King's last going path clamorous.
Heejoo, who normally held no thoughts regarding the royal family, no, rather was full of antipathy, also her mood was not good. They said the royal family of the 21st century possesses meaning in integrating the citizens. To the extent that the thought arose that it wasn't an entirely wrong word.
Even on her path to travel, people dressed cleanly in black clothes began to gather in front of monitors. From the monitor installed at the departure gate, the news of Grand Prince Leean, who had just arrived in Korea, was coming out.