End

"I SAID NO, YOUR MAJESTY!"

Pouting, Lee Hwi folded his arms and grumpily sat down at his desk, daring not to even look at his angry queen. Having sensed a quarrel earlier, even Court Lady Kim and Bok Dong vacated the room, leaving Hwi to defend for himself. Hell, they probably would've taken Noh Ha Kyung's side anyway. Who was he kidding to think any of them would dare take his side this time?

"OUR SON IS BARELY FOUR!" Noh Ha Kyung reminded him for the 88th time. "So no, you may NOT take him hunting!"

She never raised her voice. Now, for the first time ever, she did what everyone thought wasn't possible... Noh Ha Kyung had discovered the highest pitch in her voice.

"I can't risk anything happening to him!"

Hwi bit his lip and looked anywhere but his fuming wife.

"And you, Your Majesty, of all people should know anything can happen!"

Many times he wanted to interrupt her, to assure her he had this all under control, that he'd take extra precaution with their energetic little boy. More importantly, he wanted her to understand the importance of introducing a young royal to the hunting grounds. But, she'd probably start hurling ripe peaches at him if he even dared to interrupt.

"Oh I've never seen her this angry before!" Bok Dong said in a loud whisper that only Court Lady Kim could hear.

Eavesdropping wasn't on his to-do list, but the queen was just too loud for them to completely ignore. Might as well just have a look.

"His Majesty is definitely sleeping outside tonight," he added.

The response was immediate. Court Lady Kim pinched him on the arm, a painful reminder to watch his tongue on royal grounds.

"Ow!" he scowled.

After a very brief silence, the two watched as His Majesty rose from his desk and started towards the Queen, hands crossed behind his back.

"Do you trust me?" Hwi asked her in a neutral low tone.

Silence.

Hwi had experienced this before, but this was something beyond a love confession. This was their first real couple quarrel. Even if his grandmother, The Grand Queen Dowager, rose from her grave, a couple therapy session with her couldn't save them right now.

It was entirely up to Hwi.

He thought carefully before looking up at his Queen, who'd barely moved a muscle. Even without any movement or sound, he felt completely at her mercy.

"My Queen," Hwi croaked. "Remember last autumn before my grandmother passed away? She said behind every successful king is an amazing queen."

This time, her lips moved but she didn't.

"What are you saying, Your Majesty?"

She didn't turn to look at him, no, not yet. Until his conscience is restored, he didn't deserve her undivided attention.

"I... I'm saying take motherhood off the table for a minute and look at this whole picture from a Queen's point of view," Hwi replied in a low tone. "We're raising a perfect future king here."

He'd expected her to angrily whirl around and glare at him. Instead, he was greeted by the glistening tears on her flawless face.

He never made her cry.

Not like this. The tears that he brought were tears of joy, of happiness, not sorrow. Hwi's heart dropped to the ground.

"No."

Her response was barely a whisper.

"You're trying to raise a perfect king," she said. "I want to raise a good king."

Hwi looked up, his words lodged in his throat.

Was he... being too hard on their son?

"When it comes to our son, I am a mother before I am a queen, Your Majesty."

With that, she left his quarters without another word.

Or glance.

Later in the evening, Lee Hwi watched from a distance as Taeyeon chase some soldiers around in the main courtyard. On the opposite side, Noh Ha Kyung was also in observance, beaming at their son as if Hwi didn't exist just a few feet away.

"I'd go make amends if I were you," Bok Dong whispered from behind him. "Especially if I don't want to sleep outside."

Hwi, too stressed to respond with his usual glare, gave a sigh and strode towards his queen.

"He's so full of energy," Hwi said to her.

Silence.

"You're right," he continued. "Anything can happen outside of the palace."

Finally, Noh Ha Kyung turned to him.

"We only have one shot at this," she said quietly to him. "To be the best version of ourselves we can be, for him, for this kingdom."

Hwi nodded.

Even if she didn't spell it out, he knew exactly what she meant. For a moment there, he'd almost forgotten that this little boy was his only shot of redemption for their royal bloodline. More importantly, Taeyeon was their nephew... to whom Hwi owed everything.

"My Queen, I've been so foolish," said Hwi. "Please forgive me."

Noh Ha Kyung gulped and turned to face her husband. She noticed it immediately, the worry and stress that was etched on his face. He didn't have to tell her that he'd lost sleep because of their quarrel.

"I can forgive you if you take better care of yourself," she replied.

Hwi gave a small smile and nodded.

"You really are the mother of this kingdom," he said. "With you by my side, I know we'll be able to weather any storm."

With that, Hwi wrapped his arms around her, gently pulled her body against his before leaning in slowly to kiss her on the forehead. It was a soft, sweet kiss to not only make up for his foolishness but also an assurance.

"I love you, my Queen."

Together, they became lost in the calm, the serenity of the palace, watching as their young son darted across the courtyard, a practice sword in hand.

The sun had begun to set, the soft warm light stretching upon every inch of the palace to way beyond their eyes could see. It was this spring that Joseon was most beautiful and prosperous.

In only two years, Hwi had not only strengthened alliances with neighboring kingdoms, but also introduced the major ports to the outside world. Unlike his predecessors, he ruled with grace and precision, earning the love and support from not only his subjects but also foreigners... a Ming diplomat even offered his daughter to be Hwi's concubine.

"So this is what a dream come true really feels like," Hwi said to Bok Dong one day after their unusual morning assembly in the great hall.

The eunuch gave a confused expression.

"A-are you referring to the quiet assembly because the kingdom is at peace or your Q...

Hwi smirked.

"Both."