“You said leaving the palace?”
“Yes.”
I went for the morning greeting and told them I’d visit grandfather’s mansion. King Bonhyeon looked displeased at my notice but didn’t forbid it.
The reason he disliked my outing was likely due to the timing. With foreign envoys, distant nobles, and merchants from all over roaming the capital, a prince causing trouble would be an embarrassing mess.
The palace’s lax security due to outsiders coming and going probably played a part.
Anyway, it’s as good as permission.
He told me to take a guard, so I decided to bring Yu Geung. Since Yu Geung’s Royal Guard unit typically handled palace events, it wasn’t outside his duties.
It’s whatever fits the situation.
“Eunuch Han must be bored.”
No one to entertain him since I’m gone.
So, I was walking the streets with Yu Geung.
“How you feeling, huh?”
Yu Geung, unable to hide his tension, snapped his head up. He was all nerves over the grand task of guarding a prince.
“Good, Your Highness.”
“Good?”
“Yes!”
“What’s so good about it?”
It’s just work.
Especially guarding a notorious prince whose next blunder is anyone’s guess. Feeling good? No way.
“Chill out, chill.”
“Yes!”
“Walk easy.”
“Yes!”
“Breathe easy.”
“Yes!”
“How about we hit a nice spot for a drink?”
“Yes! Uh, no, I mean… that’s not possible, Your Highness.”
Totally tense. I kept walking, chuckling
“You look worried. My fault for dragging you out. Guess I’m the biggest headache, right? Second’s the trouble I cause. Yeah?”
“No, Your Highness!”
I smirked.
“No worries. I’m not planning to make you my permanent guard.”
A guard’s role is someone you trust with your life.
Different from Eunuch Han, but just as close in a way.
If I made Yu Geung my guard… this stiff, boring guy wouldn’t hesitate to die for his master. No, he’d probably charge headfirst to his death.
Not bad traits for a guard.
It’s not that I don’t trust Yu Geung.
But a rigid guy like him isn’t fit for my inner circle.
No question a loyal vassal should face death for their lord. But that’s not all there is. Vassals come in two types.
One blindly follows orders. The other stakes everything to keep their lord on the right path.
If I had to pick, Yu Geung’s the latter.
For my closest ally, I need absolute loyalty, not rigid honor.
I don’t think I’ll always walk the straight path. So, keeping an upright guy close would spark conflict.
Better to keep some distance from someone like Yu Geung.
I’ve got another guy in mind for a long-term guard.
But that guy’s not around now, so picking a guard’s on hold.
Speaking of, why did grandfather call me? Actually, I’m just heading to his place, not summoned. Can’t even guess the reason.
“Would’ve been nice if he wrote it in the letter.”
Such an old-fashioned geezer.
Yu Geung glanced at me.
“Huh?”
“Oh, talking to myself, talking to myself.”
The crowd grew thicker as we walked. Wondering why, I looked around, and Yu Geung spoke.
“It seems many have gathered for His Majesty’s royal birthday feast.”
A big event’s ripple effect hit the streets.
So crowded, I bumped shoulders with everyone.
Would’ve been fun to sightsee on a day like this. But as a prince, I can’t roam freely, which sucks. Finally living in the capital, I’d love to see the sights.
“Must be a detour somewhere.”
Yu Geung answered.
“There’s an alley nearby we could take. It’s usually empty, but I can’t say for sure today, begging pardon.”
“You should’ve mentioned another route sooner. Tch.”
Yu Geung flinched at my tongue click.
“It’s so deserted, I hesitated to suggest it, Your Highness.”
“Deserted’s even better. What’s the problem?”
“The path’s a bit grim…”
“Come on.”
Grim vibe or actually grim, who cares? Worst case, I ditch Yu Geung and bolt. That’s why I’ve got a guard, right?
“Then I’ll lead you this way, Your Highness.”
Born and raised in the capital, Yu Geung knew the way. I followed him. The path was as dreary as he said.
“Calling this ‘a bit grim’ is an understatement.”
I walked with hands behind my back, Yu Geung leading.
“I beg pardon.”
His voice was a tad deflated.
No issues beyond the gloom, so I kept going.
I’d planned to explore the streets, but bumping into people every step made me retreat here.
A prince could ride a palanquin or horse, but my country bumpkin curiosity about the capital made me skip the palanquin and walk.
Like going incognito. Not that I had a choice to hide my identity.
I picked plain clothes on purpose, but they were all this prince’s taste—blindingly gaudy gold-embroidered silk.
Not that I hate it, but for quietly strolling, it’s best avoided.
Now, I think it was a dumb move. Next time, I’m taking a palanquin.
Let those dazzling clothes rotting in the wardrobe see the world. Since they’re mine, might as well use them. That’s the deal.
Mulling over such pointless regrets, a shrill scream hit my ears.
“Save me!”
It sounded young. Like a kid’s voice.
“What’s that?”
I blurted it out, and Yu Geung answered, his face already serious.
“It sounds like a child, Your Highness.”
No kidding. I know that.
“I got that part.”
“…Likely sword ruffians.”
Sword ruffians.
My eyes widened. Sword ruffians are thugs with a blade at their hip, stirring up chaos and disorder.
If you count everyone calling themselves sword ruffians, there’s a ton. But not all who claim it know each other.
New ones join, others leave. They don’t always know their own kind.
Yet some stick together like family, while others brawl among themselves—strange, pathetic lot.
Pathetic types are everywhere, and crowded places have even more.
A gloomy alley near the bustling streets? Perfect spot for those losers.
So, what to do with these pathetic thugs?
“Your Highness, this path is dangerous, so we should turn back…”
“Captain Yu.”
I called him without looking, hands still behind my back.
“You’ve got a sword, and so do I. See?”
“Indeed, Your Highness. But please, leave the danger to me…”
“Hey!”
Our dear Captain Yu seemed to hope I’d quietly slip past those pathetic thugs.
But knowing they’re about to harm the weak and just walking on—is that the way of a sword-bearer?
More so, as a prince and a Royal Guard Captain, is that our duty?
It’s definitely not because I hold a grudge against sword ruffians.
“Captain Yu.”
Definitely not because, as a beggar, I had issues with them.
“Captain Yu?”
Definitely not because, as a beggar kid groveling for scraps, I got beat by those sword ruffian bastards and still hold that grudge years later.
It’s not like I’m some petty fool who can’t let that go.
“Aren’t you Captain Yu? Why no answer?”
For a moment, regret flashed across Yu Geung’s face, but my sharp judgment says fleeting regret’s no big deal.
“I, Yu Geung, will follow Your Highness’s will.”
His voice sagged, like he wanted to go home, but it still had some spirit.
Recalling Yu Geung running the front lines in Hyeolyunseong, this glum tone didn’t mean he hated saving a kid from sword ruffians.
Probably lamenting that his companion’s this notorious prince.
“Let’s go.”
I strode forward. A dark vibe seemed to waft from Yu Geung, but it was my imagination.
Soon, I spotted a few sword ruffians and a kid.
The child was wailing and thrashing, surrounded by four or five men.
No parents around—maybe sold off.
I’d learn the details after saving the kid.
“Hey, fellas.”
I felt a piercing stare from Yu Geung beside me, but it was my imagination.
“Huh?”
“Look, let the kid go. Don’t you feel bad, hearing those cries?”
I glanced at the child. Couldn’t tell if it was a boy or girl from the rags. Hair chopped like a mess made it worse.
Covered in tears and snot, sprawled on the dirt, it was a grim sight.
“Don’t know who you are, but move along.”
“Wearing fine clothes—don’t ruin them.”
Sharp eyes. A prince’s clothes aren’t cheap. These look plain but cost a fortune.
“Not bad eyes. We’ll get along.”
I nodded to myself and turned to Yu Geung.
“So, should we grab them for a chat? Guard Yu, catch them.”
Yu Geung’s face screamed disbelief.
“What’re you waiting for? Hurry.”