Chapter 26
Since he was so intently focused on Eun Jung’s radiant smile, Prince JiangSu barely registered that she was speaking to him. He was only able to regain his senses, upon seeing Kwang Sun forcefully pull on Eun Jung’s arm to compel her to move forward. Worried that the sudden exertion would aggravate Eun Jung’s injury; Prince JiangSu hastened his pace to make his way over to them. When he was a few feet away from her; Eun Jung immediately observed the concerned expression on Prince JiangSu’s face, and quickly reassured him by saying, “Don’t worry, my ankles have healed really well.” Before he could respond to Eun Jung’s statement, Prince JiangSu found that his attention was suddenly diverted, when Kwang Sun whined loudly, “Prince JiangSu, let’s go!” Despite nodding his head to consent to Kwang Sun’s wishes, Prince JiangSu still sternly reproached the child by saying, “Okay, but don’t always expect to get your way.” Amused by Prince JiangSu’s fatherly tone; Eun Jung asked jokingly, “Why shouldn’t he? You always expect to get your own way.”
Recognizing that her good humored observation was not sitting well with Prince JiangSu; Eun Jung quickly added, “But I personally like a man who’s determined to get what he wants.” Not letting onto the fact that he found Eun Jung’s attempt at backpedaling extremely adorable; Prince JiangSu replied gruffly, “Nice save. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to get going before Kwang Sun pulls off my arm.” When she saw the eager expression on Kwang Sun’s face, Eun Jung readily agreed to Prince JiangSu’s suggestion. Without any further discussion; Prince JiangSu and Eun Jung, each took a hold of one of Kwang Sun’s hands, to guide him towards the covered pavilion near the center of the garden. Upon arriving at their intended destination, they found that the maids had already laid out the materials and tools needed to build the kites. Under Prince JiangSu's careful supervision, Eun Jung and Kwang Sun soon found that they had constructed two very sturdy looking kites.
When he was finally satisfied by the way the kites had turned out; Prince JiangSu suggested that they each personalize their own kite with a hand drawn painting. Fearing that his painting would be copied; Kwang Sun hastily grabbed his kite, and walked to the other side of the pavilion to get started on his artwork. Having observed Kwang Sun’s strange behavior, Eun Jung turned to Prince JiangSu to ask, “Can you believe that he’s being so secretive about his painting?” Turning away from Eun Jung, to shield his own kite, Prince JiangSu replied to her inquiry by saying, “Yes, I can. He’s probably worried that a certain somebody here will copy his painting.” Realizing that Prince JiangSu was referring to her; Eun Jung quickly spun around indignantly, and grabbed a hold of her own paintbrush. As she began to draw her painting, Eun Jung declared, “If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought that you two were father and son.” Upon hearing Eun Jung’s declaration, Prince JiangSu resolutely set down his paintbrush and made his way over to where she stood.
Without any notice; Prince JiangSu wrapped his arms around Eun Jung’s shoulders, and embraced her tightly before saying, “I wouldn’t mind if our first son was like him.” Eun Jung was slightly taken aback by Prince Jiangsu's statement, and asked in disheartened tone, “Our first son?” Thinking that she might have preferred to have a little girl first; Prince JiangSu gently placed a lingering kiss on Eun Jung’s cheek before adding, “It’s okay if our first child isn’t a boy; I’d still be happy if we had a little princess, who’s exactly like you.” Unable to ignore the uncomfortable sensation in her chest; Eun Jung replied tearfully, “JiangSu, if I’m ever lucky enough to become the mother of your children, I’d hope that they were all exactly like you.” Finding the tearful delivery of Eun Jung's response rather alarming; Prince JiangSu asked her worriedly, “Soo Jin, are you okay?” Eun Jung nodded her head to confirm that she was fine, and quickly replied, "You know that I have this weird habit of crying when I’m happy.”
Once she had regained her composure, Eun Jung changed the subject by suggesting, “We better finish our paintings before Kwang Sun has a fit.” When they had each completed their paintings; Prince JiangSu, Eun Jung and Kwang Sun reconvened, at the center of the pavilion, to show each other what they had drawn. Careful to keep his kite concealed from plain view; Kwang Sun hid it behind his back, and asked Eun Jung, “Princess Soo Jin, what did you draw?” As she held up her kite; Eun Jung closely examined Prince JiangSu’s face, and smiled upon seeing his reaction to her painting. Kwang Sun tilted his head from side to side in an attempt to figure out what she had drawn. Finally at his wits end; Kwang Sun gave up on the endeavor and asked Eun Jung, “What are those squiggly lines supposed to be?” Interjecting himself into the conversation; Prince JiangSu replied, “Kwang Sun, Princess Soo Jin has clearly drawn a picture of me.”
Staring at Prince JiangSu in disbelief; Kwang Sun observed dryly, “But it doesn’t look anything like you.” Refocusing his gaze onto Eun Jung face; Prince JiangSu replied, “You have to look at the painting with you heart.” Although she knew that Prince JiangSu’s response was directed at her; Eun Jung was eager to put an end to Kwang Sun’s confusion, and quickly explained, “I didn’t draw Prince JiangSu. I drew the sea.” Having heard Eun Jung’s explanation; Kwang Sun placed his little hands on his waist, and firmly asked Prince JiangSu, “Don’t you know that it’s not good to lie.” Flashing a smile at the cheeky little boy; Prince JiangSu replied, “I know that; but I was only guessing, so you can’t say that I lied.” Accepting the logic behind Prince JiangSu’s statement, Kwang Sun said, “Oh, I guess you’re right.” Curious to find out what Prince JiangSu had drawn; Kwang Sun turned his attention from Eun Jung's painting to ask, “Prince JiangSu, what’s on your kite?”
As he held up his kite to show Kwang Sun his painting, Prince JiangSu glanced over towards Eun Jung, and smiled before replying, “I drew a firefly.” Amazed by Prince JiangSu’s lifelike rendering, Kwang Sun quickly declared, “I really like fireflies. But they’re very dangerous. I saw them flying around yesterday and followed them to the lake.” Astonished by Kwang Sun’s revelation; Eun Jung proclaimed remorsefully, “He almost drowned because of me.” Shaking his head, Prince JiangSu reassured her by saying, “It’s not your fault; the people who were watching him should have been more careful.” Since he was eager to present his own artwork, Kwang Sun simply ignored the suddenly serious atmosphere, and proceeded to hold up his kite to ask, “Does anyone know what this is?” Despite thinking that Kwang Sun had drawn a picture of a very furry cat, Prince JiangSu ventured a guess by asking, “Did you draw a lion?” Nodding his head happily, Kwang Sun declared, “Ding, ding, ding! You’re right; it’s a picture of a very brave lion, just like my father.”
Unable to deny that General Seok was indeed very courageous; Prince JiangSu observed reluctantly, “Yes, your father is very brave.” Just as he finished his statement, Prince JiangSu heard someone reply, “I’m extremely humbled by your highness’s generous praise.” Surprised by the stranger's sudden appearance; Eun Jung looked at Prince JiangSu and Kwang Sun to gauge if either of them knew the man’s identity. Having recognized the familiar tenor of General Seok’s voice; Prince JiangSu quickly turned around, and saw that he was already in a deep bow. Once he had given his permission for General Seok to stand, Prince JiangSu observed in a formal tone, “General Seok it’s been quite some time since we last met.” Before General Seok could respond, Kwang Sun leaped up into his arms and excitedly said, “Look at my kite!” Only slightly nodding his head to acknowledge his son’s kite; General Seok remained focused on Prince JiangSu, and replied, “It has been a very long time indeed. However, I’m very glad to see that your highness has grown up to become a very distinguished man.”
Placing his attention back onto his son; General Seok observed the cheerful expression on the child's face, and formally bent down onto one knee to say to Prince JiangSu, “Please accept my deepest gratitude for saving Kwang Sun’s life.” Slightly taken aback by General Seok's gesture; Prince JiangSu hastily motioned for the revered General to stand, and replied in a less formal tone, “Please don’t mention it. I’m glad that I was there in his time of need.” Completely surprised by Prince JiangSu’s seemingly altered disposition; General Seok began to wonder if his marriage to Princess Soo Jin had brought about the drastic change. Refocusing his attention onto Eun Jung; General Seok asked, “Princess, do you not remember me?” Caught off guard by General Seok’s inquiry; Eun Jung stared at him wide-eyed before slowly stumbling back into the seat behind her. Upon registering Eun Jung’s frightened expression, Prince JiangSu quickly made his way over to her and asked, “Soo Jin, are you okay.” Still too unnerved to speak; Eun Jung could do nothing more than glance upwards at Prince JiangSu to nod her head.
Taking note of the bewildered expression on Eun Jung’s face; General Seok said, “Princess Soo Jin, please don’t be too concerned if you can’t remember me. I believe that the last time we met; you were no older than fifteen. I wouldn’t expect you to remember a plain person, such as myself.” Relieved to hear that General Seok had not recently seen the real Princess Soo Jin; Eun Jung smiled at him before she nervously replied, “General Seok, you’re too modest. I can tell that nothing about you is plain. I do apologize for having been unable to recognize you.” Delighted with the Princess's generally pleasant disposition; General Seok observed happily “I’m very glad that I was able to convince your royal father to agree to the union between yourself and Prince JiangSu. If I may be so bold, I would like to say that you compliment our Crowned Prince very well.” Unaware of General Seok’s part in the arrangement of their marriage, Prince JiangSu declared, “So you’re the person who I should thank for bringing us together.” Staring at General Seok face; Eun Jung said to herself, “JiangSu, I’m not sure if you should thank him or blame him for this mess.”
