Sakura's Petals
Retrogressive
THE CROWN PRINCE'S RESIDENCE HALL
“What? You saw the movement from within the Yunti residence?”
“True, Jeoha.” said Eunuch Hyun. “Qing's bodyguards seemed confused when they came out of the house and when they returned, they returned with several healers.”
“Tabib?”
“Yes, Jeoha.”
“Either why, suddenly my feelings are not good. Is possible?”
THE TEMPORARY RESIDENCE OF PRINCE YUNTI
“The wound was deep enough and he lost a lot of blood. Without a more skilled healer, we don't think he will be able to be helped, Your Majesty.”
“What do you mean? Where can I get a more expert healer?”
“Honestly, there is no physician more skilled than the court physician, Your Majesty. Only the palace can heal wounds this severe.”
Yunti started to panic. “Just do the best you can do, you understand?”
“But, Your Honor, I cannot..”.
Yunti has waltzed away. He feels dizzy. It was impossible to bring Hwa Ryong back to the palace, but he had no other choice. Bringing Hwa Ryong to Qing was something impossible, given how far away the place was. Joseon Palace is the only hope for Hwa Ryong to reopen his eyes. Yunti also felt resuscitated. He realizes that Hwa Ryong belongs not only to him, but to the Crown Prince, his father and mother, as well as to this country, Joseon. Hwa Ryong leaves Joseon, leaves her homeland and parents, and lives with her only friend, it is not at all something that a person who loves him wholeheartedly does. He realized he was so selfish. He thinks so much about himself. He had no idea how much sacrifice Hwa Ryong would have to make if he had to marry her. Hwa Ryong will live languishing in the Qing palace like a prison. Hwa Ryong will live like a lifeless doll because he will no longer be able to taste happiness. Something he had just realized was a terrible thing and was able to make his heart break. Loving her does not always have to be. He only realized that sentence when he saw Hwa Ryong dying. Hwa Ryong or the crown prince had stressed many times for her, but jealousy had blinded her eyes. How stupid, deaf, blind he was to never realize it.
With a heavy heart, he sighed. “Prepare a stretcher to take him to the palace.”
His guard looked shocked. “But..”.
“Quick make the preparations!”
“Good, Your Highness.”
THE MAIN PALACE HALL
“Prince Yunti is outside, you say?”
“True, Jeohna.”
The Crown Prince directly descended from his throne and walked out of the Main Hall, followed by the Queen.
The Crown Prince walked quickly down the palace hallway and by running towards the palace gate. As soon as he arrived, Yunti and the Crown Prince looked at each other.
“What brought you here?”
Yunti opened the stretcher door, revealing Hwa Ryong who was drowning in it. The Crown Prince was shocked half to death.
THE CROWN PRINCESS'S RESIDENCE HALL
Hwa Ryong was taken care of by the best court healers. The Crown Prince and Yunti waited outside the room with a pale look. It was inconceivable how their lives would be if something happened to Hwa Ryong.
The Crown Prince looked at Yunti with a murderous look. “I won't let you go after what happened today.”
Yunti looked at the Crown Prince, resignedly. He realized that what he had done was wrong. Hwa Ryong was not properly kidnapped and treated like a prisoner by her. “You can kill me if it can make your heart relieved.”
The Crown Prince's eyes widened in shock. Yunti's answer was not something he expected or predicted. His nimble gaze to Yunti now changed into a confused look. “You..”
“I have decided not to hurt Hwa Ryong anymore. As her best friend for ten years, I must respect her decision and stop forcing my love on her.” Yunti looked sad as she said her heart. “I feel very guilty seeing his condition like this. He even wants to end his life for you. Something that proves that I can't take her heart because her heart is yours. I will try to revoke the decree of the Father and annul it so that you can unite. But there's one thing I want from you before then I'll give Hwa Ryong away completely to you.” Yunti turned his head towards the Crown Prince after a long time of steadily looking down. “Ppromise that you will take care of him and make him happy.” he said, sincere.
For the first time after such a long time, the Crown Prince looked at Yunti dumbstruck. “I promise, even if to fulfill that promise I have to risk my life, I will keep it.”
“Good.” says Yunti. He walked away from the Crown Prince. “I'll be back to Qing now.”
After Yunti was no longer seen, the Crown Prince decided to enter the Crown Princess' room. The healer had treated Hwa Ryong's wounds and was now busy concocting medicine in front of the room.
The Crown Prince could see the pale look of Hwa Ryong from a distance. His heart was like a moment. Hwa Ryong is willing to try to end his life for her. He also recalled their first meeting in which Hwa Ryong dared to help him even though it left his leg torn and lost a lot of blood. He also remembered very well when Hwa Ryong threw his body to try to protect the Crown Prince when there were bandits who came. Hwa Ryong even tried to protect the Queen with her own body. Hwa Ryong was always injured while at his side. Instantly, guilt rippled in his heart. Suddenly, he feels that Yunti's attitude is not always wrong. Yunti must have been sad to see Hwa Ryong get hurt by his side and tried to snatch Hwa Ryong from him to protect Hwa Ryong. Tear drops fell on his cheeks, something that rarely happened. The Crown Prince only cried once. At his mother's funeral.
“I promise that I will love you and always make you happy, Hwa Ryong. So, please wake up so I can start making you happy soon.”
As if Hwa Ryong could hear that, Hwa Ryong's eyes opened slowly. The first thing he saw was the ceiling of his room decorated with cherry blossom carvings. This must be the palace, he thought in relief.
“Hwa Ryong!”
“O-oppa?” he said, weak and at once relieved.
“I'm sorry. I have failed all this time to be your husband. I failed to take care of you. I failed to make you happy.”
With her power still weak, Hwa Ryong wiped the Crown Prince's tears and wiped them away. “If Oppa wants to make me happy, please don't cry in front of me like this. Every tear that falls from your cheek, as if boiling my heart, Oppa.” The Crown Prince tried to smile and Hwa Ryong smiled. “I'm sorry too, Oppa. I've always worried you all this time.”
The Crown Prince tapped on the tip of Hwa Ryong's nose, anxious. “You are indeed naughty. In a month alone, you've been treated four times by a healer, you know that? Your wounds that have not dried up.” Hwa Ryong chuckled amusedly. “The injuries you get after becoming the Crown Princess are far more than what the general gets. I suspect. Don't-don't you be a general, yeah, in the past?” The Crown Prince managed to comfort Hwa Ryong. A sincere smile and amused glee filled the room.
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" Love is not just a feeling, but a commitment, and above all a sacrifice. "
- picturequotes.com
The Imperial Throne of the Qing Dynasty