Ha Noon's
CHAPTER 8: The King Who Always Became Father
Night had arrived, but Ha Noon did not want to stop his curiosity about the various kinds of science. At first, Ha Noon was frustrated with classroom learning, but the longer he found that knowledge was interesting to explore. However, Ha Noon was not the type of person who was so ambitious, he only studied everything purely with curiosity.
Ha Noon leaned against his headboard in white pajamas, his pupils focused on reading every word on the pages of books about the history of the kingdom that existed around the world. Realizing how vast the world was, he felt that it was a waste of his time to spend his entire life inside the palace, it would be great to be able to explore around the world. He thought, it might be a good idea to take a few trips when he grows up. After all, when her brother became a king and had a queen, her duties would be greatly reduced as a princess, as it was better to make use of her time to see the world.
The more he moved the page, the more he felt curious about every corner of the world. His mind traveled very far while his body just relaxed in his room in pajamas.
Tok tok!
“Mr Princess?”
Ha Noon's attention was distracted hearing Mom Suri's voice, she raised her head to stare at the big door that closed her room, “So.”
The door opened, Mom Suri just stepped one foot into the room, making Ha Noon frown. “Sorry to interrupt your night, Princess. His Majesty the King calls you.”
Ha Noon's eyebrows shot up, he hurriedly closed the book in his hand and placed it on top of the small cupboard next to his bed. “What's up? Will you finally punish me?”
“I don't know either, Princess, but His Majesty the King is waiting for you in his private room?”
“In father's private room?”
Mom Suri nodded, “I don't think it's about punishment, Mr. Princess.”
Ha Noon nodded in understanding, “Alright, I will leave soon.”
Ha Noon did not have to bother styling himself to look neat as long as the King asked him to come to his private room, he even just put on his sleeping shoes and let his brown hair down. The lace on his white pajamas swayed following Ha Noon's steps so hurriedly, as if he couldn't make the King wait or not he would get into trouble.
Ha Noon sighed trying to shake off his nervousness before knocking on the door of the room.
“Come.”
Instantly Ha Noon's heart exploded hearing a heavy sound from inside the room. Ha Noon slowly opened the door. Ha Noon stepped in with a nervous feeling, staring at his father who was sitting on the sofa with one
a private waiter serving tea. King tilts his head, “You can get out.” The personal servant nodded in understanding, then exited the room leaving Ha Noon and the King both in the room.
The king smiled, “You love lavender tea, don't you? Sit.”
Ha Noon nodded stiffly, he stepped forward and sat right in front of the King. “What does Your Majesty call me?”
However, instead of answering Ha Noon's question, the King laughed amusedly, “Are you afraid of being punished to call me so formal?”
Yes, yes, although it seems that he really took the risk, but actually he was very afraid of being punished, and the words of his father made him feel ashamed.
“Isn't that why I was called?”
“I didn't even punish your sister, then why did I punish you?”
Ha Noon looked at his father with his eyebrows linked, “Dad won't punish me?”
“Drink her tea first.”
Ha Noon sighed resignedly, then took the warm cup in front of him, took a sip of one gulp and let the warm liquid flow in his throat, then smiled in relief.
King smiled gently, “Your taste is very similar to your mother's taste.”
Ha Noon looked at the king, then put the cup back on the table. “So, dad really won't punish me?”
King closes his eyes, “It is not fair if I punish you but do not punish your brother.”
“True, then why don't you punish brother?”
“How long will you keep questioning this?”
“I'm curious. I mean, anyone knows me and brother broke royal rules, and I should've punished us. Moreover, brother is the future king, isn't father too soft?”
King chuckles amusedly at his daughter's last sentence, “It looks like our daughter is an adult even though she is still 7 years old.”
Ha Noon pinched his lips, “Don't tease me.”
The king again chuckled, then placed his cup on the table, and sighed harshly. “Noon,” Ha Noon raised his eyelashes hearing the changing intonation, “Are you very interested in martial arts?”
Ha Noon again lowered her eyelashes, she felt heavy to answer this question. King sighed, “What no, answer honestly.” Slowly, Ha Noon nodded small. The king lowered his head, weighed every sentence in his head, sighed, and re-aligned his head, “What became
princess charged you?”
Ha Noon shook her head calmly, “ Being a princess doesn't burden me at all, I just want to learn martial arts, that's all. It has nothing to do with wanting to protect myself or anything, I'm just interested. I don't want to compete with anyone either. I think being a princess is fun, and I just live this life like running water. However, when I find two different springs, sometimes I want to choose the direction I want to go. That way, I can wholeheartedly carry out my responsibilities without feeling unfair.”
The king looked at Ha Noon with a pushy gaze, as if watching back the footage of his daughter's life, ever since he heard the sound of a baby girl crying when she just arrived in this world, he said, until he himself put a crown of the princess on his head. 7 years, and it was not a little time. However, the King felt 7 years was like a wink. How can, a baby who is always in his arms 7 years
then, now have a firm stance on his life? His daughter grew up so fast.
The king took his warm cup, sipped a few sips of lavender tea, then put the cup back on the table. “Sorry because I've been holding you too tight to keep you secret. You know that the rule has been in existence since the kingdom was built, and for many years it was written in the law, where the decision was taken by the vote of all ministers. With our royal system, I can't
letting the minister know of this, or not internal divisions will occur. You know, even a king like me can't stop the ministers. As if, the position of this king is only to fill the empty throne.”
Ha Noon shook his head, “I understand, dad. You don't have to apologize, I should be the one apologizing for not believing in you. I'll keep this a secret, I'll make sure the minister doesn't know about this. If there's a small problem, I swear I won't hold the gun again.”
The king nodded proudly, then took another sip of his tea. Ha Noon also felt like he had neglected his tea for so long, so he also took a sip of his tea.
“Noon,”
“Hmm?”
“Remember this, being strong is important. Your brother is right, we can't forever trust the people in the palace. However, being strong on the outside did not forever last. If you want to live on, the thing you need to strengthen is the inside of you. Whatever happens, you can't let that defense break. People looked at women of her intelligence and honor, holding weapons was considered to be damaging to the image. Noon, you have to be a woman who can play smart with them. Don't let them know your weaknesses, don't let them look down on you. Even if you are blocked by a large stone, make it a stepping stone, do not destroy it, you are wasting your strength. You understand?”
Ha Noon's pupils focused on looking at his father, keeping every sentence his father spoke into his small brain, then nodded in understanding, “I understand, Father.”
King smiled proudly, “You must be tired, go back to your room and rest.”
Ha Noon stood up and lowered his head as a sign of respect, then left the room. The King's pupils did not escape from the back of his little daughter who stepped away. In his heart, he deeply wished that the future that awaited Ha Noon was a bright future that could make him smile happily even if he was no longer in this world. Hopefully, learning martial arts is just a hobby. He hoped to God that his daughter would not need to use that weapon in the future.
5 Years passed, Ha Noon had stepped on his 12th year. For the past 5 years, Ha Noon kept his promise not to let the ministers know about his secret, and it raised a lot of suspicions in Ha Noon's mind. 5 years is not a short time, but it's not a short time, but he was able to keep this secret safe, whereas in just a few weeks the King instantly knew it, wasn't that strange? If what Mom Suri said was true that there was another party who had accidentally learned about this secret, it should have spread quickly. However, for 5 years, Ha Noon had not heard a single rumor circulating. This only made Ha Noon even more convinced, that this was not about the other party, but Ha Noon did not know what his motivation was to do this.
Logically, if he really wanted to destroy Ha Noon's secret, he should have spread rumors among the ministers when he realized that the King did not bring this to justice, he should have taken action. It was impossible for him to be unaware of this for 5 years. On the other hand, Ha Noon could have asked this to the King, but he respected the decision of the King who from the beginning did not want to divulge who this complainant was.
Ha Noon's pupils focused on the tip of the arrow that would hit the smallest red circle. He had a target, and he was confident in his calculations, he released an arrow that he had long withstood. However, the arrow stuck at the second smallest circumference, and Ha Noon sighed violently venting his disappointment.
“You've done well, why so disappointed?”
Ha Noon turned his head and looked at Ha Gilyu who was walking leisurely towards him, Ha Gilyu's hand landed lightly on Ha Noon's crown-head. Ha Noon is not happy with her brother's praise, “I never made it.”
“That's natural, lately you've been busy with your political class, and have trouble finding the right time to practice to keep your secret safe.”
“Not only me, brother also seems very busy preparing for the ascension.”
Right, Ha Gilyu will ascend the throne in five more weeks. Six months ago, on Ha Gilyu's 20th birthday, the King announced Ha Gilyu's accession to the throne this year. In court, many ministers disapproved of this because Ha Gilyu was too young to ascend the throne. Ha Yunjin ascended the throne when he was 26 years old, just as the previous King died. In history, the,
Ha Gilyu became the youngest Crown Prince to ascend the throne. However, in the end the King managed to convince the ministers despite having to beg.
“Teach me a few more things while sister is free. When you become king, you won't have time to teach me anymore. In fact, uncle has stopped teaching me.”
“Uncle must have been very busy because of the border business. After all, I've taught you all the basics, I'm sure you can practice well on your own. And I promise,” Ha Gilyu thrusting her pinky finger, “I will keep you company practicing even when I become king, I will do anything to remove that ridiculous rule from the law, I will do anything to remove that ridiculous rule from the law, and we can train in front of a lot of people. You can even challenge those arrogant ministers and make them kneel under your sword.”
“I promise.”
Ha Noon chuckled.
“Alright, you need to rest. Come back.”
Ha Noon nodded in agreement, and the two returned to the princess.
***
A soldier stepped in haste while carrying a worn scroll in his hand. “Your Majesty!” With a resolute voice with a slip of vibration, the soldier knelt before the King. “I'm sorry, Your Honor, I bring news from the border.” he said while propping out the worn scroll.
The king tilted his face, ordering Gim Hanji to take the scroll. Submissively, Gim Hanji took the scroll and gave it to the King. The king opened the scroll. However, the face is getting more and more
it wasn't nice when he finished that messy letter. It is very clear that the author was in such a hurry to write this letter, describing the state of emergency that occurred at the border.
“Call all ministers and generals for emergency meeting!”
“Good, Your Majesty!” The soldier swiftly stood up and carried out the order.
The entire minister was in a fuss after hearing the news from the border, and the generals were silent only a thousand languages alarmed the soldiers guarding the border.
“This is absurd, everything is fine for the past 30 years, why did they suddenly attack?”
“6,000 troops, that's a very large amount.”
King sighed, “Great General,”
“Ya, Your Highness.” A 52-year-old man came out from the bran, kneeling before the King.
“How many warriors are at the border?”
Ring Giya, the Great General who has been loyal to the kingdom for more than 30 years bitterly swallowed the fact that he wanted to take out, “Including children and women, all 2,000 warriors, Your Majesty.”
“Kids? There are children at the border?” The entire minister was getting excited to hear the Supreme General's reply.
“Because of this I have said that women should not hold weapons or be soldiers, Your Majesty.”
Ha Gilyu clenched her hands furiously hearing the words of one of the ministers, “Is it the fault of women if they want to have a child?”
“A soldier should have devoted their life to protecting the kingdom, even if they had to leave their family, they should die with pride protecting the kingdom, Your Majesty!”
“For 30 years they guarded the border just because of the burden of the name ‘wari’ they bear, is death a worthy gift for them!? Soldiers are not royal slaves, they are
it is the people who are worthy of the kingdom! They are human beings who deserve a family!”
“The soldier is a royal citizen who devoted his whole life to protecting the kingdom from any distress. As the future leader of this kingdom, Your Majesty, I hope you understand that it should be a warrior who has great pride when they sacrifice their lives to protect the kingdom.”
“Enough!” The entire hall became silent hearing the frustrated cries of the King. “Grand General, gather 8,000 soldiers, leave immediately for the border! This is the King's order!”
“Good, Your Majesty!” Ring Giya swiftly stood up and left the hall.
The entire minister held their voices waiting for the Great General to leave the hall, and one of the ministers with a high superior stared lowly at the king sitting high on his throne, “Your Majesty, how
with the accession of His Highness the Crown Prince? With the problems at the border, performing the throne-raising ceremony is certainly not a wise thing, Your Majesty.”
Some ministers who still had respect for the king lowered their heads, indicating that they were not on this man's side. Of course, some of them believe that an unexpected attack indirectly indicates that the elevation of the crown prince is not necessary, and all ministers strongly agreed that the crown prince's accession should be annulled.
The king knew the contents of the minds of these ministers, and he felt humiliated in his heart. “The ascension of the crown prince's throne will remain.”
The head that sat directly stood up, Ha Gungi glanced in disbelief at the king. In fact, the crown prince himself looked at the king in disbelief.
“Your Majesty, the border is under attack, this is not the right time to think of the throne.”
“I have my own reasons. If news of the border attack reaches the ears of the people, our internal system will be fractured. Therefore, with the news of the elevation of the throne, the people will only be busy with news of the elevation of the throne, so that we can maintain internal harmony.”
“So, you are thinking of making this throne as a diversion issue?”
“Your Majesty, we should not lie to the people.” support other ministers.
“The most important thing in this kingdom is the people. As a government servant, it should prioritize the people no matter what. The soldiers are already fighting with all their lives to protect the royal line, and we must protect this kingdom from within, by protecting the people who are the main system of the kingdom.”
There is no more debate, all ministers and generals cannot deny the words of the king. From the beginning, the royal system was democracy, and it was for the people, so the people should have been their top priority in making decisions. In fact, the border line is drawn very far from the civilization of the population so that no people are victims when the war occurs. This made the ministers no longer able to answer the words of the king.
“I will take that as an agreement, the meeting is finished.” without saying anything else, the king left the hall followed by his personal servants and warriors.
Ha Gungi stood there staring at the empty throne of the king, then turned to Ha Gilyu who stepped out of the hall.
Hordes of horses raced very quickly, with the Gilya Ring leading 8,000 troops towards the border. His hand that was holding the control rope tucked away an old paper, and his eyes that were focused on the straight path in front slowly began to pool in salt water. “Hold, Juha.”
“With this, it has been legitimate that Ha Yunjin, the 4th king of the Anthropon Kingdom, officially abdicated his throne as king!” The Archbishop slowly lifted the golden crown from the head of Ha Yunji, the entire palace occupant, to the,
the nobles, soldiers, and people present stood respectfully during the abdication ceremony.
Ha Noon looked up to look at her brother's face. The fact that in a week later he would become a King, did not make him so enthusiastic. “Nearly sister?” whispered.
Pupil Ha Gilyu dropped a glance at his sister, then smiled, “Who is not nervous in this kind of situation?”
Ha Noon looked back at his father who was kneeling before the Archbishop without the crown. This is the first abdication ceremony in the Anthropon Kingdom in history, or even in the world. No King voluntarily abdicated their throne, especially when they were still in their 40th year. Because of this, many assumed that his father had abdicated his throne in such a hurry, and made bad rumors start to circulate.
Many say that the King wants to escape from the Ruyong family. By abdicating his throne, Ruyong Niyi would have no power whatsoever because she was no longer the king's concubine, and the Ruyong family no longer had pawns inside the palace. Moreover, the Ruyong family did not have a female within the Ha Gilyu generation, making them unable to send new pieces.
Ha Gilyu himself knew that the rumors were not just rumors. If Ha Yunji still had the determination to hold the throne, then their families would be destroyed sooner or later. With Ruyong Niyi being the restraint of the palace family, making important information hidden in the palace would be even harder to guard. After the Crown Prince's coronation as King, Ha Yunji will take his wife out of the palace, living on a small island so they can use the illegal plant without feeling restrained. The law regarding the princess who is not allowed to hold the sword will be changed by Ha Gilyu, so that Ha
Noon will stay safe.
Ha Gilyu knew very well about this responsibility, therefore she accepted her father's decision even though she felt heavy-hearted about the sudden assault on the border.
A week passed with the empty throne, tomorrow would be the Crown Prince's coronation day, and Ha Yunji had already started packing his and his wife's belongings. After the abdication of the throne, the Ruyong family did not send a divorce letter, but Ruyong Niyi returned to his family home on the orders of the Ruyong family head.
Ha Gilyu entered the main hall, where she would perform the coronation in front of all her subjects, soldiers, and nobles. Staring at the nilar throne that in a matter of hours would belong to him, the uneasy feeling in his heart never left the place. This feeling is different from the nervousness or enthusiasm of getting the throne, more like he feels worried, full of worry.
“Is there any new news from the border?” ha Gilyu asked Ka Min, his personal soldier.
“Resistance has arrived since yesterday, Your Majesty, but I fear their arrival cannot save the remaining soldiers.”
Ha Gilyu slashed her eyes, “Isn't this weird? For more than 30 years there have been no attacks, even each kingdom has been thinking about ending communication, then how could they attack suddenly? Just as the King will perform the abdication of the throne.”
“True, Your Majesty, this is very strange, as if they are waiting for this time to attack. The abdication of the throne has never been done before, this is the first time in history. But even stranger, how did they know that there would be abdication? Unless, if there is an intruder running around.”
“Rather than an intruder, I suspect it was an insider who deliberately leaked the information.”
Ka Min widened his eyes, “Your Majesty, isn't that an overly extreme assumption?”
Ha Gilyu did not answer. Indeed, it was an assumption that was too extreme for someone who did not have any clue as it seemed. However, he felt that the attack at the border was related to someone who leaked secrets regarding Ha Noon holding a weapon. If so, that person must be an insider, given that his father trusted him so much that he would not let anyone give an explanation.
The sound of footsteps echoed at the entrance of the hall, making Ha Gilyu's forehead wrinkle. This leg sound, there could not be only one person, and Ha Gilyu was very familiar with that step, it was the footsteps of the troop of soldiers, for what they entered the hall at night like this. Ha Gilyu turned around, and her eyeballs widened, staring in disbelief at someone leading the troop of warriors, “Uncle..?”.
