"Fourteenth prince, Wang Jung, I hereby restore all of your royal titles and reinstate your position as the Grand General. As a gift of appreciation for your loyalty, I grant you a plot of land in Songak."

"Thank you for your benevolence, your majesty." Jung replied as he continued to bow before him.

"That is all, you are all dismissed except for the fourteenth prince."

"Yes, your majesty." His royal subjects and ministers as the quickly filed out of the throne room and then, it was only him and Jung.

So was not sure where to begin. He and had Jung had always been far from close despite them being brothers. So had been send out of the palace long before Jung was born and and by the time he had returned to the palace there was too much bad blood and anger between them for any sort of relationship and though he no longer harboured any ill feelings towards him, he knew they would never be best friends.

"Jung, I- I'm sorry. For all the things i've done out of rage and pettiness. You were caught in the middle of everything and I took it all out on you. I know that you loved Soo too."

Jung nodded in response.

"I was at fault too. I was childish and instead of facing the truth, I chose to take everything out on you. We were both in the wrong. I did so much to spite you." Jung replied.

"Soo died waiting for you, you know? Every day, she waited, hoping you would come see her. She never forget you, not once. Even though she was there with me in person, I know that her heart belonged only to you. Sometimes.. I think about it and wonder what would've happened if I didn't put my name on those letters." Jung added on. He looked up at So, searching for a response, but was only met with the sight of a broken man. A man that had been broken a long time ago. So Jung continued on.

"She knew she was pregnant with Seol before she left the palace and even though the pregnancy almost killed her, she refused to give it up. I begged her every day until I realized that she would give up anything to protect the child. The child was the only thing that kept her happy after she left so I know you will understand why she cannot live here and be a princess. As long as she wishes to, she can come visit you whenever she wants. I know Soo would've been happy to see you guys together. But I do hope that you will not reveal her true parentage to her, at least not until she's old enough to decide for herself."

How was one supposed to respond to this? Even after all these years, it wasn't any less painful to think about Soo and especially how much she had suffered. Once again, So was at a loss of words.

"My wife knows of her true parentage and even though I may not be her real father, we both love her the same. She is in good hands with us so don't worry. Her siblings also love her plenty and she is happy here." Jung says once again, a fond smile plastered on his face.

"You are her father, her real father. You are the one who has always taken care of her and loved her. Blood is just something you can't change, it is the love and devotion that you show that really proves your worth as a parent."

And although the words stung, they couldn't be any more true. So had a terrible childhood, one that he wouldn't wish upon his worst enemy, so he'd rather his daughter have a happy childhood, even if it meant never being able to be a father to her. And even though it hurt, Jung truly was a good father to Seol. The tears pricked at his eyes as he said this to Jung but the smile that appeared was genuine and true because at the very least, there was good that came out of his sacrifice. It was all so bittersweet.