Chapter 23
As he glanced at the iridescent fireflies in the glass cage, Prince JiangSu asked Eun Jung, “Do you know why fireflies glow?” Not knowing the actual reason for the phenomenon, Eun Jung ventured a guess by saying, “Because they want to share their gift of light with everyone.” Finding Eun Jung’s uncomplicated perception of the world rather endearing; Prince JiangSu smiled to himself, and gently planted a kiss onto the top her head. Thinking that her answer was likely incorrect; Eun Jung tilted her face upwards to look at Prince JiangSu and asked, “I’m wrong, huh?” Seeing her wide-eyed expression; Prince JiangSu found that he didn’t have the heart to tell Eun Jung that she was mistaken, and instead decided to say, “Maybe you’re right. But I’m not a firefly, so I can’t really tell you what they do or do not want.” Recognizing that Prince JiangSu was only humoring her; Eun Jung endeavored to come up with a better response to answer his question.
When she was unable to think of any other plausible answers, Eun Jung asked, “Do you know why they glow?” Nodding his head to confirm that he did know; Prince JiangSu proceeded to explain by saying, “They glow to scare away predators, and to provide directions for each other. But more importantly, they glow to attract potential mates.” Slightly taken aback by Prince JiangSu’s extensive knowledge of the topic, Eun Jung asked, “Since when did you become such expert on fireflies?” As a mischievous grin appeared on his face, Prince JiangSu pointed his chin towards Eun Jung’s left shoulder and teased, “Ever since the day you introduced me to your little friend.” Despite finding Prince JiangSu’s playfulness quite charming; Eun Jung pretended to be affronted, and acted as though she intended to remove herself from his lap. Fearing that he had upset her; Prince JiangSu quickly wrapped his arms around Eun Jung’s small waist to pull her back towards his body. With a look of genuine remorse, Prince JiangSu said, “Don’t be angry. I promise that I won't talk about your tattoo anymore."
More than happy to remain in Prince JiangSu’s arms; Eun Jung observed cheerfully, “You sure have changed a lot. I can hardly believe that you’re the same peeping tom, who barged into my chambers while I was taking a bath.” Realizing that Eun Jung was talking about their first awkward encounter; Prince JiangSu replied, “Well, I can’t believe that you’re the same wet cat that defied every single one of my orders.” Amazed that their relationship had transformed so dramatically; Prince JiangSu continued to say, “If you and I were fireflies, I’m sure that we wouldn’t have been attracted to each others' glow.” Unable to figure out why Prince JiangSu had developed feelings for her; Eun Jung asked tentatively, "How come you're attracted my glow now?” Resting his chin on Eun Jung’s shoulder; Prince JiangSu explained pensively, “Soo Jin, you may not know this, but before you came into my life; I hated everything and everyone around me. I learned at a very young age that there were hidden motives behind everyone's warm smiles, excessive praise and kind gestures. I really felt that being the Crowned Prince of Korea was no different than being a bird, trapped in a gilded cage, surrounded by vicious beasts waiting to swallow me whole.”
Upon hearing the consternation in Prince JiangSu’s voice; Eun Jung became anxious to comfort him, but was frustrated when she did not know how to do so. As she leaned her cheek against his, Eun Jung observed solemnly, “You must have felt so lonely.” Slightly nodding his head in affirmation, Prince JiangSu replied, “That’s probably why I was always so mean to everyone. But all of my loneliness disappeared on the night that you prepared the porridge for me. Your simple gesture proved to me that there was still someone who cared for me as Seong JiangSu not Crowned Prince JiangSu. And so to answer your question, it was on that night that I started to fall in love with you. I know that as long as you remain by my side, I’ll never feel that loneliness again.” Despite desperately wanting to promise Prince JiangSu that she would never leave him; Eun Jung knew that such a pledge could never be kept, and could do nothing more than place a lingering kiss on his cheek.
Turning her attention back to the glass cage, which contained the fireflies; Eun Jung asked Prince JiangSu, “Will you be upset if I told you that I wanted to release the fireflies?” Seeing the perplexed expression on Prince JiangSu’s face; Eun Jung quickly explained, “As long as I’m around, I don’t want the things or the people I love the most, to feel as though they’re trapped in cages.” Understanding Eun Jung’s unspoken intention, Prince JiangSu replied, “Of course I won't be upset. The fireflies are yours; so if you want to release them, then that’s what we’ll do.” Once they had changed into warmer clothes, Prince JiangSu and Eun Jung made their way towards the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion to release the fireflies. Standing on the bridge leading to the pavilion, Eun Jung opened the golden lid to the glass cage, and watched as the fireflies fluttered out of their enclosure. As they flew away, Eun Jung grabbed a hold of Prince JiangSu’s hand tightly, and said, “Thank you for everything.”
When nearly all of the fireflies were out of sight, Prince JiangSu observed, “It’s a shame that beautiful moments like this can’t last forever.” Turning her body to get a better view of Prince JiangSu’s face; Eun Jung replied, “Even though this moment can't last forever, I’ll never forget that I shared it with you.” Before Prince JiangSu had the chance to process her response, he observed an alarmed expression overtake Eun Jung’s face, and asked worriedly, “Soo Jin, what’s wrong?” Pointing towards the center of lake; Eun Jung replied, “I think I see a young boy over there!” Spinning around to see what Eun Jung was talking about; Prince JiangSu immediately spotted the figure of a young boy flailing around in the water. Without a second to lose; Prince JiangSu jumped into the lake, and swam over towards the young boy. Once he had grabbed a hold of the frightened child’s body, Prince JiangSu quickly swam towards the nearest shoreline.
Ignoring the intense pain she felt while running across the bridge; Eun Jung was able to make it to the shoreline, just in time to help Prince JiangSu pull the young boy out of the lake. Once they were on dry land, Prince JiangSu and Eun Jung watched as a massive amount of water came spewing out of the young boy's mouth. Relieved to see that the child's breathing had become less labored; Prince JiangSu picked the young boy up into his arms, and said to Eun Jung, “Let’s go back home and call for a royal physician to tend to him.” Nodding her head in agreement; Eun Jung carefully stood up, and did her best to keep up with Prince JiangSu’s hurried pace. Upon entering the main gates of the Jaseondang, Prince JiangSu called out loudly for their attendants to immediately summon a royal physician. Once a royal physician had finally arrived; Prince JiangSu ushered Eun Jung out of their bedroom, to allow the man to tend to the child without any distractions.
As they stood outside, Eun Jung expressed her concern that Prince JiangSu would become ill if he remained in his wet clothes. Not wanting her to worry about him; Prince JiangSu quickly left to change. Having properly changed out of his soaked garments, Prince JiangSu made his way back to the outer courtyard. When he arrived, Prince JiangSu saw that Eun Jung was sitting on a bench just outside of their bedroom. As he took his seat by her side, Prince JiangSu noticed that Eun Jung was holding onto a thick cloth. Before he could ask her what the cloth was for; Prince JiangSu watched Eun Jung get up from her seat to walk behind him. As she used the cloth to dry Prince JiangSu’s hair, Eun Jung observed, “You’ll get sick if you sit out here with a head full of wet hair.” With her focus partially divided between Prince JiangSu and the young boy; Eun Jung said, “I hope that little boy is okay.” Agreeing with her sentiments, Prince JiangSu replied, “Me too. But I wonder what he was doing around there. It's strange for such a young child to be left unattended near the lake."
another interesting chapter keep it coming till the next chapter... 
