The last few days passed for Yi Yun in a kind of feverish haze. The hunt for the killers, the smuggling of Hwangu pills, the golden sword of the Ming emperor, the fights, the wound, the unexpected title, the farewell with Prince Rui — all of it piled up at once, leaving no time to reflect. And that was not even counting the mad story with the ancestral spirit that had possessed his body and forced him to say and do things Yi Yun would never have said or done of his own will.

  He intended to punish the terrified Eunuch Mo, who had helped with that plot, once they returned to the capital, though he understood that the true culprit was his grandfather, Chief State Councillor Kim.

  Despite the cold northern weather and the long hours in the saddle, the return journey felt like a long-awaited rest for Yi Yun.

  At first they rode through fairly wild country, and the Crown Prince could fully enjoy the quiet and calm. Even the usually chatty royal guards now seemed reluctant to draw him into their conversations about the best taverns, someone’s marriageable sisters, or best plans for spending their pay.

  In truth, Yi Yun’s only real companion on the road from Anju was that very ancestral spirit, Yi Ho. For reasons of his own, the ghost had decided to postpone his departure to the better world, and Yi Yun kept catching sight of his silhouette, now to the left, now to the right of the road. In the end, Yi Yun accepted the inevitable, made another offering, and invited the honored relative to share the road home. Since then they would drift into unhurried conversations, riding far enough from the soldiers that no words carried back.

  Yi Ho knew much, but as a conversationalist he was a little tedious. Perhaps it was his archaic manner of speech, or the abundance of quotations; at times Yi Yun felt as though he were talking to a book. Or was it that the long years of unseen existence had left their mark?

  His ancestor was unsure whether he wished to return to the palace. On the one hand, the warded grounds were safe; on the other, the past century had grown dull. Perhaps, Yi Ho mused aloud, he should spend some time in the capital, studying new fashions and changed manners of the subjects. He even offered to gather rumors for Yi Yun. It could become a considerable help in the factional struggles awaiting the Crown Prince. Long dead though he was, the prince still wished to be of use to his country, and Yi Yun understood that perfectly.

  March teased with its changeability. One moment a branch bent over the road delighted the eye with budding blossoms and poured a tender scent into the air, stirring the heart. The next, gray clouds rolled in and a snowstorm buried the mountain road. Spring could not yet defeat winter, and in villages people had begun to worry whether frost would strike the buds and bring famine by autumn.

  Just before the capital, a small detachment rode out to meet them, and Yi Yun was glad to see Hyun at its head. His younger brother, however, looked troubled. They exchanged brief greetings; the guards who had come with Hyun merged with Yi Yun’s escort, and the two princes rode a little ahead to speak in private.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “How was your journey, elder brother?” Hyun asked ceremoniously.

  “Nothing worth remembering,” Yi Yun shrugged. “Did you arrive long ago? The sword…?”

  “All is well,” Hyun nodded, casting a quick glance over his shoulder.

  “Father is angry, right?” Yi Yun asked with understanding. “But no, first I wanted to inquire about you. Are you very angry with me?”

  “I?” Hyun put on a mask of polite surprise. It rang false.

  “We did not even have time to talk then,” Yi Yun didn’t take the offered opportunity to retreat. “I swear I did not try to steal the title from you, Hyun. You saw it yourself…”

  Hyun fell silent, biting his lip. The cold wind played with the blue hem embroidered with silver flowers.

  “I can not say I am not hurt,” he said at last, staring into the distance. “But yes, I know Prince Rui made his choice very… unexpectedly.”

  “And you are not angry with me?” Yi Yun asked hopefully.

  “No, I suppose not,” Hyun nodded. “But Father is very displeased.”

  “I can imagine,” Yi Yun sighed. On the road he had still hoped his father might rejoice in his achievement, but royal pride, it seemed, had been wounded too deeply. “I will likely have to kneel and beg forgiveness for leaving the palace without leave.”

  “Your servants were arrested,” Hyun said meaningfully, then looked away again.

  That could not be good. Servants were arrested when their master’s offense was graver than an unauthorized outing. Could Father suspect him of treason?

  “We can tell him everything!” Hyun turned back, brows drawn. “About that spirit, and that it was all Councillor Kim’s doing. Let your eunuch testify. You will be cleared. We can find the shaman who performed that rite. And you kept the amulets they fastened to your clothes, didn’t you?”

  “No, Hyun,” Yi Yun pressed his lips together and shook his head. “You know we can not give cause for rumors about the royal family. We can not be anyone’s puppets. It is all right. I will take responsibility and set it right.”

  “If you think that is best,” his younger brother said, unusually somber.

  “But I will need your help,” Yi Yun smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “I want to ask three things.”

  “Sure. What do you need, elder brother?” Hyun lifted his head attentively.

  “First, see that Eunuch Mo is arrested,” Yi Yun jerked his chin back toward the following detachment. “Do not confirm his ravings about spirits. Say he lost his wits from fear. But I want the scoundrel’s heels properly singed for treason.”

  “Of course,” Hyun nodded. “And the second?”

  “Since all my servants were arrested, I will have to borrow yours,” Yi Yun snorted. “Have them lay out a mat before the throne hall when we arrive. I should repent as is proper.”

  “Ah,” Hyun laughed tensely. “Shall I tell them to help you change out of travel clothes at once?”

  “Yes, that would be best,” Yi Yun agreed. His brother remembered palace proprieties better. “By the way, the guards you brought — are they for me?”

  Hyun hesitated again, and Yi Yun knew he had guessed right.

  “Only if you decided to flee,” Hyun replied at last.

  Yi Yun laughed. The joke tasted bitter.

  “If I chose to flee, they would not stop me,” he reminded his younger brother. “Father has no faith in me at all.”

  Hyun only sighed and shook his head. From the low clouds, fine snow began to fall again.