This is my first one-shot (although I'm considering making it a three-shot), and I don't typically write in the first person, so constructive criticism is appreciated. Just a possible take on past events. I hope you enjoy it!


I galloped blindly across the fields, the sword at my hip a familiar weight. I needed to get out, away from people. I could not afford to have anyone see me like this.

How could he? Rage and betrayal blinded me, and I needed time to collect myself before facing my family. How could he do this to me? Hadn't I always been the perfect son? Supporting him in his wars, defending his back? And now, because of a prophecy, little Il was going to inherit the throne? Up until today I had never been seriously bothered by my pacifist little brother, but now humiliation choked me. Everyone had been expecting me to be king. I had spent my life listening to their comments, striving to be a fierce warrior, worthy of the throne. I was a hero, loved by the people.

What will I tell them? I wondered. How can I explain to Yong-Hi that Su-Woon would never be King? That all the things that should rightfully have been his, as the only son of the eldest son, were lost? Because of a prophecy. I've never liked the Gods. They don't revive my men on the battle field, or spare Yong-Hi the ravages of birth, and their false prophets had been a constant challenge to the throne. False Gods are nothing but false promises, and I have never been able to abide by that. I had driven the priests out years ago, and Father had allowed it, but now their words were tearing us apart.

"Yu-Hon," Father said, as I settled across the table. Neither of us touched the tea in front of us, and the servants had all been dismissed. "I have always been very proud of you." I had stared at him, shocked, for my father was never a man given to displays of emotion.

"Thank you," I replied with a bow, after a slight pause. Father met my eyes and, after a lengthy silence, continued.

"I will not mince words." I nodded, because fancy words were neither needed, nor welcomed between warriors. "Il will be my successor." The world froze as I heard my father's decision. He gave me time, in silence, to reconcile a lifetime's expectations with this abrupt new reality.

"Why?" I choked out, barely able to breathe.

"My end is near," he said, and it was true, he had been bedridden for months, "and the Gods have been much in my thoughts." I waited because I couldn't find any words to add to that. Did he regret our wars, our victories? "The prophecy of the return of the red King, the red star that shone the evening of Yona-chan's birth, her hair... I believe she must be Hiryuu." Yona? Sure she had red hair, but that was it. She cowered when I entered a room. How could she possible be the brave warrior king reborn? And she was a girl. "I want to leave the kingdom to her." Her? Over my intelligent, accomplished son? "Unfortunately, I will not live long enough to see her on the throne. I will instruct Il to abdicate once she turns eighteen. She will certainly be old enough to rule, by then."

"They could marry," I eventually suggested, trying to salvage the situation for my child. "Su-Won could rule and Yona could live an ideal life in the palace." From what I've seen of the little redhead, she was perfectly happy running around the palace with her toys and fine clothes. Su-Won would still get the place that was rightfully his, and Yona could enjoy a pampered life for as long as she lived. It seemed like a perfect solution, but Father was shaking his head.

"If she is Hiryuu, then she must rule once she is of age." That astounded me. Women don't rule. They raise rulers, or marry them, but how could some fragile little girl possibly hold the loyalty of the five Generals? Surely Father could see that they would never accept someone so weak. The resolute look in my father's eyes showed me that no, he did not see that obvious truth.

War Dancer threw his head back and drew me from my thoughts. I looked at the surroundings and realized that I had been out longer than I had planned. The sun was low in the sky and Yong-Hi would send men out to search, if I did not return soon. It was a needless worry on her part, but women are prone to such things, and it came from a loving heart. I am well aware of the treasure I have in a loyal and dutiful wife. It is a pity her health is so fragile, or I would take her with me more; I am proud to have such a wife. Su-Won inherited her good looks and kind heart, but I know he will prove himself on the battlefield when he is of age. He is diligent in his training, and loved by the people. Turning War Dancer around, I headed back to my family. I still had no answers - I could not defy my lord father, even in this - but the ride had allowed me to think.

With the worst of the emotional storm over, I considered my options. My father would not change his mind, I was certain of that. In that, as in so many aspects, we are too much alike. But if he opposed a marriage between Su-Won and Yona, how else could my son hold the throne? An idea rose up in me as I rode closer, the family's secondary residence now in sight, dark and terrible. If I killed Yona, Il would almost certainly step aside for me. He has never been greedy, and the death of his daughter would devastate him. Father would tell him that he was a placeholder King, until Yona came of age. If Yona was dead, then he had no reason to hold the throne. Yona, being a fragile girl, still sleeps with her mother, and their chambers are guarded, but I have more than enough skill to sneak in unnoticed. I debated telling Yong-Hi of my plans. She would support me, I knew, and she would be more familiar with the routines of women and children than I am. If I choose to pursue this route, her information will be valuable. I would have to wait until Father passed. I can't - even now, after his betrayal - find it in me to do something so harmful to him. Besides, he would suspect me and my plans would be for naught. Il has alway been naive; the thought of me attacking his family would never cross his mind.

I spotted Yong-Hi first, sitting outside with Key-Sook, pouring over their books. Key-Sook was truly hopeless with any sort of weapon, but he had a sharp mind and was a great help in organizing their finances and settling disputes between the servants. I heard daily about what a boon he was, even if his arrival had come on the heels of his father's death. The agreement had been that he would work for us until he was experienced enough to gain employment elsewhere, but I know Yong-Hi's expressions well; she is determined to keep the lad. I let my eyes wander away from the pair and found Su-Won walking up the road, and handful of servants behind him, drawing some sort of contraption with them. I almost smiled, wondering what my son had organized this time. The warmth in my chest constricted my lungs as I looked over my most beloved people. Could I do it? Could I kill a child - my own niece - to ensure my son's place in the world?

"Father!" Su-Won greeted, looking up with a warm smile. Yes, I thought, meeting his eyes. For him, I could do that.