How To Kill A King:

Episode 9

The palace was grander than he’d ever imagined. He’d seen it before, from a distance, when his father frequented the markets there to fetch high bids on his textiles. Memory did not do it justice. The gates loomed above them, white stone walls with tiled rooftops that glinted in the sunlight. There were three sets of double doors made from light brown wood, and the one in the middle opened as if the palace knew its owner had returned. 

It overwhelmed him, the grandeur of this place when all he’d ever known were the small apartments and brothels he’d lived in. Min-jun shrunk back a bit, which only caused him to decrease the distance he’d carefully maintained between the King and himself, his back against the King’s chest. These people, murderers, have been languishing in this luxury for years now.

“It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it?” the King murmured. “I felt the same way when I returned. Still do sometimes.” 

They entered a busy courtyard. People in elegant, expensive garb bowed to them as they passed. Min-jun’s eyes were drawn to soldiers in red and black hanbok: the protectors of the King. They let them pass without hesitation. None of them had any idea of the blatant threat he posed. 

They passed another gate, equally as grand but not as threatening, arriving in the Outer Court, and the Throne Hall greeted them in all its majesty. The two-tiered hall was vibrantly painted. Large, rectangular windows with green shutters were placed between polished red wood. It was beautiful for a place that held such potentially hostile power.

“Sun,” the King said. “Take the horses back to their stables. I’m sure they’re all tired.” 

“Yes, your Majesty.” Sun dismounted in one fluid movement. The King followed suit, turning to help the much less experienced Min-jun off the horse, his hands finding Min-jun’s hips and lifting him up. 

“Hye-jin, let the servants at the villa know that Min-jun has arrived. They are to treat him with the utmost respect. I will not stand to have any of my consorts mistreated like this again.” 

Government officials in red and gold approached them as they filed out of the Throne Hall, and Min-jun certainly didn’t trust a single one of them. He wasn’t sure which ones were members of the families that had tried to kill him, but they all looked at Min-jun like a curious specimen the King had brought home.

They bowed to the King, greeting him with a solemn chorus of “Your Majesty”. 

“It’s good to see you are all in good health today,” the King said, stepping between them and Min-jun, shielding him. Hmph, he didn’t have to try so hard. 

“Thank you, your Majesty. Your Majesty is looking well today as well. One would’ve never suspected you’d left the palace.” 

He didn’t tell anyone he’d left the palace?

“You’re full of compliments today, Minister Ji Ryun.” The King smiled, unbothered by the way they’ve clearly outnumbered him. “It’s good to save them for when you truly need to make use of them.” Cornering the King like this, when he had no one but Ji-won and his sangmin consort nearby. Surely, this wasn’t allowed. The King did nothing to even out the playing field. Where was that iron fist he ruled the Kingdom with? 

“You’ve always been wise for your age, your Majesty,” said the Minister. “I am certain that quality of your soul will only increase.”

“Indeed. Ah.” The King stepped aside to reveal Min-jun, who was still too busy wondering about the admissibility of this encounter. “This is his Royal Highness, Royal Noble Consort Hui. He was ambushed on his way to the palace. We were lucky enough to catch word of the plot before it could be carried out, but I’m afraid it caused a bit of a delay in our travels.”

“Ambush?” one of the men squeaked. He was average-looking in every way, perhaps a bit younger than the rest, with large, expressive eyes. Eyes that seemed rather nervous right now. “That must’ve been very hard for you, your highness.” 

“It hasn’t been the first time, and I doubt it will be the last.” 

The minister took Min-jun’s hand. “Still, to be made to feel so unwelcome before even arriving …”

He withdrew his hand, moving a bit closer to the King. “It would’ve been foolish of me to expect a warm welcome. I’m sure whoever sent those assassins only had the fortune of the King in mind.” 

“Certainly, have mercy on their souls.” The minister chuckled, his eyes relieved. “Yes. I can see you are an open-minded young man. The King will undoubtedly find a suitable companion in you.” 

Liars. The lot of them. 

The King’s arm was at his back again. “I’m sure my companion is tired after such an ordeal. Ji-won, lead him to his quarters. Hye-jin should’ve informed the servants of his arrival by now.” He dipped to whisper in Min-jun’s ear. “I’ll go see you later tonight. Do not wander unattended.” Releasing him, the King stepped forward, speaking to the ministers now. “I hope my absence hasn’t created many inconveniences for you.” 

“Of course not, your Majesty!” 

Ji-won grinned when Min-jun turned to him. He gestured to the gate that led to the Inner Palace. “Your suite is in the Jangmi Villa. It’s a bit of a walk. Would you prefer for us to wait on a palanquin instead?”

“No.” He didn’t like being closed off from the world like that. Besides, the last time he was in a palanquin he was almost murdered. “I prefer to walk.”