Chapter Text
The phoenix is more than just a creature of fire. It represents rebirth and revenge, rising anew from the ruins of its past, bound to the cycle of life and death. But be careful – The phoenix’s heart knows only two truths: love and destruction.
Jungmo eyes move from the words on the page to the with red inked colored picture below. A creature like he has never seen before. Immense, ethereal wings stretched wide, fire enveloping its body in a warm, protective hug. It is beautiful. Majestic. The kind of beauty that is too perfect for this world.
Too beautiful to be real – that’s why it is a legend after all. All the beautiful things in life are fiction.
He looks up from the beautiful image to face reality. He’s surrounded by the massive library that his father gifted him to his 10th birthday. You heard right, his 10th birthday. A gift so puzzling for a child of that age. He remembers staring at the towering shelves, wondering why in the world a boy like him would need this many books – books on everything from ancient histories to poems he couldn’t even understand back then. But still, he had been grateful. Who wouldn’t be? The first time he entered the room alone, he had felt like an explorer uncovering a fresh, unknown world. He would sprint down the aisles, feeling the leather-bound books as he passed, eager to open each one and admire the illustrations. He still remembers the way the books smelled the first time – some crisp and new, others old and musty. He’d even spent days organizing them by color just for the fun of it. It had been magical.
But now. Whenever he enters the library he feels like the walls are moving in. Like the space he’s in is inching closer, trying to suffocate him. The rows of books coming to life, whispering behind his back, mocking him. Still here, after all these years, they seem to say. Still hiding from the world beyond.
This room is everything he knows about the world outside the palace. As a prince he is not allowed to go beyond the walls. This is probably also why his father, the king, has been giving him everything else. To distract little Jungmo from asking questions, from wanting to see the life outside of everything he’s ever known. To taste the life waiting outside his sheltered existence.
The library is his world, but it is not enough. It would never be enough. It could never satisfy his curiosity for the unknown.
He puts the book down on the table in front of him, before getting up from the seat. The walls once again feel like they’re moving in, inching closer with every breath he takes. He closes his eyes, and moves closer to the light breeze hugging his skin until it finally kisses his face. He opens his eyes again, staring out of the window, into the palace’s massive garden. The scene before him resembles a scene from fantasy book: vibrant flowers in every color imaginable, neatly trimmed hedges, and fountains that sparkle under the moonlight. The garden is a paradise. But as beautiful as it is, this is not what interests him. His gaze moves up from the garden to the distant city lights twinkling in the distance like stars. The life outside the palace.
The city, so far away, seems like a miniature world. The difference between the lush, peaceful garden and the busy life outside is striking. The garden is his own personal prison while the city represents the unknown – a world of freedom and possibilities that has been denied to him.
Longing overcomes him, an uncontrollable desire to get rid of the cuffs that’s keeping him attached to this place and to finally reach out the twinkling stars that call to him in the distance. The beauty of the garden is nothing compared to the mysteries that lay beyond his imagination. His heart aches for it. A life that’s vibrant. Not the kind of vibrant like the garden in front of him. Something real. Something raw. Something that’s only been of existence in the books filling this room.
He turns away from the window. When will it be his turn to rise from the ashes and put out the fire of curiosity? After 21 years it is time to rise anew, to let his own fire of curiosity consume him and guide him toward the unknown.
***
The soft clinking of knives and forks against plates fills the room as Jungmo drifts deeper into his thoughts. What day is it? Monday? Tuesday? Or has Friday already come? He’s lost track of time, each day blending into the next. A constant spiral, repeating over and over again – same routines, same faces, the same sounds, even the same familiar smells.
When is this going to end. When.
“Darling?” A gentle voice pulls him from his thoughts. He blinks, meeting a pair of warm brown eyes filled with concern. “Are you alright?”
He nods, forcing a small smile as he watches his mother tuck a loose strand of jet-black hair behind her ear. Her kind eyes shine with that familiar softness as she smiles back at him. “You’ve been zoning out again,” she says softly. “Are the lessons getting too overwhelming lately?”
The lessons. They’re the only real distraction from this place. If it was up to him, they could be increased. “No, the lessons are fine. I just haven’t gotten enough sleep today.”
“Are you sick? Do you need a physician to check on you?” Jungmo sighs, glancing away as he rubs his temple. He loves his mother dearly, but sometimes her concern feels a little too much to handle. “No, I’m fine. Really,” he says, trying to keep his tone light. “Please, don’t worry too much.”
“Okay,” she says, continuing to eat. “Oh by the way,” he looks back up to her at this “Your cousin came over a while ago. Maybe you should spend some time with him. Have some fun in the garden. It’ll do you good.” The garden, huh? Jungmo’s gaze drifts back to the breakfast table, the familiar spread of fruits and pastries seemingly tasteless today. A distraction might be just what he needs, but the idea of spending more time in the garden feels both drowning. His cousin’s face could at least bring in some change, distracting him from the daily boring schedule.
“That sounds nice,” he replies, though his tone lacks enthusiasm. “I’m sure it’ll be refreshing.” He forces another smile.
His mother’s worried expression softens as she takes a bite of her breakfast, her attention returning to her own plate. Jungmo’s mind drifts back to the city lights – the tiny stars of possibility that seem so distant yet so captivating.
As Jungmo pushes his food around his plate, he just can’t stop thinking about the distant stars. Every clink of cutlery, every familiar scent, every repetitive routine only reminds him that he’s going to be trapped here until he takes his last breath – or until he becomes the king, but that’s the same as dying anyway. The only time he feels even remotely alive is when he loses himself in his books – those rare moments when his mind can escape the dullness of daily life explore new worlds.
The thought of his cousin’s arrival manages to provide him a brief distraction, but he just doesn’t seem to be able to escape his thoughts. Is the city ever going to be more than a distant dream? Is he ever going to grasp the opportunity to break from his cage and escape into the unknown?
With a sigh, he glances up at his mother, who is now chatting cheerfully with the servants about the day’s events. Jungmo’s mind is elsewhere. As he finishes his breakfast, he immediately gets up to leave the suffocating dining room.
“I’ll be in the garden,” he says and starts through the halls of the palace, his footsteps echoing off the marble floors. The grand corridors that feel like empty, hollow paths leading nowhere. His thoughts circle around the same question: When will things change? When will he finally break free from this routine that suffocates him more with each passing day?
As he steps into the garden, his eyes immediately shift to the figure pacing by the fountain. Minhee’s platinum blonde, shoulder-length hair sways in the wind. He looks like the perfect royal – if not for his carefree personality, untouched by royal expectations. Unlike Jungmo, Minhee isn’t the king’s son. He’s allowed more freedom, more opportunities to live and discover himself.
“Jungmo!” Minhee greets him with a broad smile, his relaxed nature almost infectious. “I thought you forgot about me. What’s the matter? You look like you’ve been buried under a mountain of books again.”
Jungmo chuckles, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You could say that. The same routine, day in and day out.”
Minhee stands up to lay in the grass. “Come here, join me“ Jungmo looks down at Minhee like he grew a second head. This is what he meant by carefree – a royal laying on the ground like a commoner, in clothes that could feed families for a year. But honestly whatever. After checking to make sure no one is watching, he carefully lowers himself beside Minhee.
“Close your eyes.“
“Minhee, what is this abou-“
“Just do it.“ Minhee’s voice is light but insistent. Jungmo sighs, giving in, and shuts his eyes.
He waits for his cousin to say something but he never does. At first there’s absolutely nothing. Just silence. Then he slowly starts to notice the sounds around him. The bird seem to be engaged in a heated conversation. He wonders what kind of problems bird could have. He wishes he could be a bird for a day. Being able to fly away from his cage and enjoy the air outside of it. His mind drifts as he listens to the gentle splashing of the fountain, imagining the water flowing through his body, cool and calming. For a moment, it’s peaceful – like he’s not the crown prince with endless duties and a suffocating title. It’s almost like diving into one of his books, losing himself in a different world where he’s free from the weight of responsibility.
“You know,” Minhee starts softly, breaking the silence. “You should sneak out.” Jungmo furrows his brows, but decides to keep his eyes closed. “I’m quite experienced at it. I can cover up for you”
Finally opening his eyes, Jungmo turns around to face Minhee, who still has his eyes closed, soaking up the sun. What? “Bullshit. I can’t do that, you know my father.”
A faint smile tugs at the corner of Minhee’s lips. “I do. I know that he’s never going to let you leave. Not unless you take it into your own hands.” He opens one eye, studying Jungmo’s expression. “Do you really want to keep living like this?”
No, Jungmo immediately thinks but doesn’t say it out loud. It’s the one thing he’s feared all his life – to live like this until he’s the king himself. Until he doesn’t have the time anymore to enjoy the little things beyond these walls. “It’s simple,” Minhee continues, his voice calm. “You leave at night while the guards are busy patrolling inside. I’ll cover for you, say we’re studying in the library if anyone asks.”
He can’t help but scoff at this. Minhee is too carefree for his own good. This would never work.
“I know what you’re thinking. But listen,” Minhee leans in, his voice low and serious “You’re harmless to everyone in this palace. All you do is escape in your library and read. What else do you ever do? No one’s watching you like they’re watching the others.”
A small pout finds its way to his lips. Unfortunately he’s right. He doesn’t ever do anything else.
“But how would I even find the city?” Jungmo’s doubt creeps into his voice. “And what if someone notices me?”
Minhee waves off the concern, leaning back into the grass with that signature grin of his. “No one knows your face Jungmo. But I’ll give you some clothes I wear when I go out. And as for the city? Just follow the lights.”
The lights. Those tiny, sparkling stars.
“It’s a bit of a walk,” Minhee admits. “But it’s not dangerous. The only tricky part is your return. We’ll need a signal and a time.”
Jungmo watches his cousin, curiosity getting the better of him as Minhee continues, eyes shimmer with excitement. “I’ll create a distraction. Don’t ask what, it’s not important. But as everyone’s focused elsewhere, you’ll slip back into the garden. Then, you’ll climb up to your room.”
“Climb up?”
Minhee chuckles “I’ll leave something for you to climb. Don’t worry, even with those noodle arms of yours, you’ll make it up.”
Jungmo swats at Minhee’s shoulder, but he can’t help the small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Minhee sits up, mirroring Jungmo, his expression softening. “Jungmo, I’m serious. I’ll help you. No one’s ever going to know.”
He bites his lip, his mind an explosion of what-ifs. What if his father finds out? What if it all goes wrong?
“Do you really want to keep living like this?” Minhee’s asks, as if he can read his mind “Isn’t it worth the risk?”
Jungmo looks away, eyes drifting afar where the distant city lights flicker during the night like bright promises. It is worth the risk. Suddenly it feels like his life is actually starting. He’s living.
***
When the time has finally come, he finds himself in front of the mirror, a reflection so utterly unfamiliar to him staring back at him. His normally opulent silk garments with intricate embroidery have been swapped for simple attire: a plain tunic in dull browns and loose pants secured at his waist.
For the first time, Jungmo looks less like a prince, and apparently more like one of the countless commoners who fill the streets beyond the palace gates. That’s what Minhee said at least.
“You still look too much like a prince if you ask me. But we can’t do anything about that face.“
Jungmo scoffs, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “I suppose that was a compliment?”
Minhee just grins, saying nothing as he rises from Jungmo’s bed and strides over to him. He throws an arm around Jungmo’s shoulders, both of them now standing side by side in front of the mirror. “The time has come, dear cousin. Are you ready?”
Ready? The question lingers in the air. The question remains unanswered. After being confined within the palace walls for all his life, he is finally on the about to experience the world outside. What if it doesn't match his expectations?
A thousand what ifs rush through his mind. But he doesn't have enough time to think them through. It’s now or never.
“Stop frowning, cousin. This is going to be good for you. I just know it.”
“Just don’t end up running away with some girl,” Minhee adds with a teasing chuckle, finally letting go of Jungmo.
“Or boy. I don’t discriminate.”
Jungmo grabs a pillow and throws it at Minhee, laughing. “You’re so stupid.”
“I’m serious though,” Minhee catches the pillow with a playful smile. “It’s time you spread your wings.”
Jungmo smiles, taking one last look at the mirror. The commoner's clothes feel strange on his body, but every moment that goes by, he gets used to the sense of freedom they provide. No longer feeling like he’s crown prince Jungmo anymore. But someone new. Reborn.
"You’re sure this will work out?" Jungmo asks, his voice quieter now.
Minhee gives him a smile. "Trust me. I did this before and I’m not dead right? You’ll be fine."
Jungmo takes a long breath, attempting to calm his pounding heart. Now is the time. Both excitement and fear overcome his body, but he tries to focus on the excitement.
“Alright then,” he says, his voice firmer now. “Let’s do this.”
Minhee pats him on the back. “That’s the spirit. Now, follow the plan. You’ll sneak out through the back, by the garden while they’re busy inside. I’ll cause a distraction if anything goes wrong.”
Jungmo nods, mentally running through the steps. Everything has been planned, down to the smallest detail. But still, nothing can prepare him for what awaits beyond the palace gates.
As they head for the door, Minhee turns back with a wide smile on his lips “Just remember, cousin. Don't fall in love with your freedom too much.”
Jungmo mirrors the other's smile. “I won’t. But maybe I’ll run away with someone after all.”
Minhee laughs softly, shaking his head.
And with that, they move silently through the palace halls, heading toward the unknown—Jungmo’s first taste of life beyond the walls, his first step toward the world he's only ever dreamed of.
***
As soon as Jungmo steps outside, doubt come crushing in. What if this was a mistake? What if his father is right, and he's on his way to his death? But it’s too late. He’s already out. There is no going back.
He takes a deep breath, feeling the cold air flood his lungs. His eyes drift to the stars covering the sky. Where is this night going to lead me? Everything feels uncertain, like the sky itself—so endless, yet unreachable. How will his life change from this moment on? Will it change at all? He wonders how many others are looking at the stars right now, thinking the same thing. Maybe someone out there is dreaming of breaking free just like him. Maybe they’re all destined to meet somehow. Tonight could be the night where everything changes.
A chill flows across his skin, making him shiver slightly. He’s thankful for the thick clothes Minhee gave him, but it doesn’t fully block out the cold creeping in. His gaze lowers from the stars to the tiny, distant lights of the city. His own stars – the stars that have been calling out to him for so long, always just out of reach, flickering in a distance and reminding him of the world so distant from his own.
It’s finally time.
A smile pulls at the corners of his lips, slow but certain. Doubt still lingers, but it no longer controls him. All or nothing, he thinks to himself. His time to rise from the ashes has come.
One last time, he glances at the palace, the only world he's ever known. The grand walls, the cold soulless floors, the heavy silence that fills its empty halls. It’s all a cage. A beautiful one, sure, but still a cage. Just standing there, he takes in the sight before him, painting it in his memory.
“I’ll be back, father... mother,” he whispers, though it feels more like a promise to himself than to anyone else.
Then, without another thought, he starts walking. The city lights glow in the distance, and this time, they’re not just a dream. They’re real. And he’s finally reaching out to them.
***
When Minhee mentioned he’d be walking for a while, he wasn’t kidding, but Jungmo hadn’t fully understood what “a while” meant. Now, it feels like he’s been walking forever. Yet, strangely enough, he doesn’t mind. With each step, as the distance between him and the palace grows, so does his excitement. The closer he gets to those twinkling lights, his personal stars, the more it grows. He’s been daydreaming about what lies ahead – what kind of people will he meet? What adventures await him?
And now, the stars have transformed into bright lights. The distant cityscape, once a mere miniature world in the distance, has expanded into reality. The lights are now illuminating his path, bathing him in their warm, inviting glow. He’s nearly there. The city is no longer a dream; it's alive and within his grasp.
Body overwhelmed with excitement, he starts sprinting. The city draws in closer with every step, and then, suddenly, the quiet of the palace walls are replaced by an explosion of sounds – the noise of bustling crowds and distant laughter.
He stops at the edge of the city, eyes wide as he takes in the scene before him. People are moving from every side. Fast. Laughter and chatter blend into a melody. Stalls line the streets, overflowing with colorful goods. The aromas are an explosion of flavors, including crispy fries, roasted chicken, and fresh bread.
Jungmo just stands there, absorbing the vibrant energy of the city. It’s a world so different from the silent, orderly palace he’s left behind. This is real. This is what he’s been yearning for. And now, it’s all right here, ready to be discovered. Right in front of him.
Finally waking up from his trance, he starts to walk into the cheering crowd. His eyes sparkle in excitement as he looks at every single stand. Where should I start? “Hey, young man! Try these skewers! I promise you’ll love them!” Jungmo turns toward the voice, finding himself face-to-face with an older man, his face lit up with a welcoming smile. He’s holding out a handful of skewers, his small stand tucked between two larger ones. “Oh, sure,” Jungmo replies, stepping closer as he reaches into the pocket of his jeans, feeling for the coins Minhee had given him. “Oh no, it’s a present,” the man says warmly. Jungmo freezes, hand still in his pocket. “I can pay, really. You don’t–”
“It’s okay, young man. I haven’t seen your face around here before. These are your first skewers. Next time you can pay.”
Jungmo smiles warmly, accepting the food. His father was wrong. He just arrived in the city and the first thing he got was free food and a welcoming, kind smile. This was a good idea. He made the right decision. Jungmo is nibbling on his food as he continues to make his way through the bustling marketplace. His eyes are wide, absorbing everything – the vibrant noise of laughter and conversation, the rich mix of scents from spices, fresh bread, and roasted meat, the sparks of life all around him. So this is what he’s been missing out on. For the very first time in his life, he is a part of something so much bigger, a world beyond the palace walls he’s been chained to. Now, truly free.
As he finishes the last skewer, he finds himself drawn to a small stand covered in vibrant masks – brightly painted, with all kind of beautiful designs. The kind he’s only ever seen in books, each one more elaborate than the next. Some are playful, with wide grins, others fierce, with sharp eyes and bold colors. Jungmo reaches out, brushing his fingers over one that’s painted in deep reds and golds. It's beautiful in a way he can’t quite explain.
Even though his face is open for everyone to see, he feels like he’s wearing a mask right now. He’s one of those people running around with carefree happy smiles. Just another face in the sea of people around him. Even if it is only for one night, the thought of not being crown prince Jungmo fills his heart with so much peace he can’t even put into words.
Suddenly, as he is still deep in his thoughts, something shifts at his side. A tiny pull – so subtle, he almost misses it. His hand instinctively moves to his waist, where his coin pouch should be, but it’s gone.
His heart skips a beat. He looks around quickly, scanning the crowd, his mind racing. Did someone really just steal from him? In the midst of everything, he spots a figure moving through the crowd, fast but casual, like they don’t want to draw attention. Then, he notices it – the flash of his pouch in the person’s hand.
Jungmo starts moving, eyes locked on the figure ahead, making his way in and out of the crowd. There’s an incredible thrill rushing through his body, his feet moving on its own as he can feel his pulse quickening. He doesn’t even know why he’s running right now. It’s not like he needs the money this badly. But his feet move on their own.
The alley is narrow and dark, and the only sounds are his soft footsteps against the stones. His eyes stay glued to the person ahead of him, barely catching glimpses of them as they move through the shadows. They finally stop in front of a small, run-down building, fiddling with Jungmo’s coin pouch like it’s no big deal.
Jungmo slows down, keeping a safe distance as he tries to catch his breath. He looks up at the sign hanging above the building’s entrance. It's an inn – a place Minhee had once casually mentioned, where the locals hang out late at night.
And now, here he is, standing in front of the legendary building he’s only ever had from in stories.
He could just turn around and leave, but something in him won’t let him. This is it. This is his chance to step into something real, something he never thought he’d be part of. He moves closer, ready to confront the thief – and step into the unknown.
***
It’s like he’s entered a new world. The inn is nothing like he imagined. It's so much more than his mind could have ever comprehended.
Warmth fills the room as soon as he enters – a mix of the heat from the fire crackling in the corner and the energy filling up the room. The room has a warm, almost crowded atmosphere due to the low ceilings and its wooden beams. Lanterns hang from them, swaying, their flickering light casting warm, golden patches over everything. It smells like burning wood, alcohol, and food – real food, roasted meat and freshly baked bread lingers in the air.
The walls display a combination of different wallpapers and old paintings, with worn and peeling edges. Cracks run through the plaster like veins, showing the building’s age, but instead of feeling old and uninviting, it adds a sense of charm. The tables and chairs don’t quite match either, like they were assembled from leftover wood. But clearly, no one seems to mind.
Laughter echoes through the room, loud and full of life. At the nearest table, a man staggers to his feet, mug held high, yelling out a messy toast as ale splashes onto the floor. His friends burst into cheers.
And then there’s music. He hasn’t even noticed it before, but now it’s all around him, drifting through the air from the far corner, where a group of musicians is playing something animatedly. The sounds of chatter and laughter mix together, making everything feel alive.
In the back, there’s a small stage. A crowd has gathered around, observing a performer in a brightly colored mask juggle flaming torches. Every toss is met with cheers that grow louder and louder.
Jungmo’s eyes scan the room, trying to take it all in. This is so far from the quiet, controlled world he’s used to, where every move and word is calculated. This— this is real. It feels like he’s stepped into one of the adventure stories he spends hours reading about in his library. For once, he’s not just the reader. He’s part of it.
He keeps looking around, his gaze bouncing from face to face, person to person, until it stops on someone who stands out. A boy, standing at the bar, talking to an older man. His back is leaned casually against the wall, one hand resting on the table beside him. Jungmo can’t see his face clearly from this distance, but there’s something about him.
His hair.
Red. Like fire. Or the roses blooming in the palace's garden. Unreal. No one has hair like that. But then again, it’s not like Jungmo’s seen that many people to know for sure.
He watches as the boy turns to the bar, dropping something onto the table – a pouch.
The prince instinctively grabs at his belt, his heart racing as the realization hits him. He’s the thief.
Without thinking, Jungmo starts moving, pushing his way through the crowd. His steps quicken, determination taking over any second thoughts. Once again, he doesn’t even know why he cares this much about a stupid pouch. He could go home without it and be fine. But maybe that’s not the point. Perhaps it's the thrill. Feeling the adrenaline rush through his veins, experiencing the unknown.
Before he knows it, he’s standing right behind the boy. His back is still turned, oblivious. The older man is gone now, leaving the two of them alone at the bar. Jungmo feels his throat tighten, nerves creeping in, but there’s no backing out now.
“Uhm, sorry?” His voice comes out weak. The boy doesn’t react. Jungmo clears his throat, louder this time. “Hey!”
The boy turns around, and Jungmo finally gets a good look at him. He’s younger than he thought – probably the same age as him, maybe a little younger. He has a gentle facial appearance, featuring plump lips, a dainty nose, and small, deep eyes that contrast slightly with the bright red strands of his hair. He’s… cute. In a strange way. Like a baby bird. A chick.
A chick that just stole from him.
Jungmo first waits for the other to say something, anything, but he stays mum, just looking at him with furrowed brows.
Jungmo swallows, trying to keep his voice steady. He points at the pouch on the bar. “That’s mine. You stole it.”
The boy glances at the pouch, then back at Jungmo. He smirks. “Oh, well you can have it back, but the money’s gone. Sorry.”
Jungmo stares at him, speechless. He’s not even sure what to say. Does he even care about the money? Not really. This whole thing is starting to feel ridiculous.
“Okay,” Jungmo finally mutters. “I’ll take the pouch then.”
The boy chuckles, clearly amused by the whole situation, but grabs the pouch anyway. He holds it out, placing it into Jungmo’s hand. “There you go. I would apologize for the money, but I’m not actually sorry.”
Jungmo watches him, baffled.
Who the hell is this guy? His gaze falls onto the boy’s hand, with delicate fingers that appear overly elegant for a criminal.
Before he can stop himself, the words slip out. “Your hair is pretty.”
The boy freezes for a second, then bursts into laughter. It’s loud, carefree, like he just heard the funniest joke in the world. His hand slaps against the bar, the other clutching his stomach as he doubles over. Jungmo stands there, mortified, glancing around to see if anyone’s noticed. Thankfully, no one’s paying attention.
When the boy finally stops laughing, he wipes at his eyes, still grinning. “Are you seriously flirting with me right now?“
Flirt?
Jungmo’s face heats up, his eyes now moving from the red-haired boy who’s still looking at him with a smirk to the crowd of people engaged in loud conversations. God, this is embarrassing. He’s not used to talking to people who are not well his family, his servants or his teachers. In fact, aside from his cousin, he’d never had a real conversation with anyone his age. The words had slipped out before he could think. Did it actually come across as flirting?
He turns back to find the boy, and to Jungmo’s disappointment he’s gone. The prince scans through the room frantically, but the mop of vibrant red hair is nowhere to be seen. Did he leave because he came across as a weirdo? Is he the reason he left? With a sigh, he leans against the bar, feeling a mix of disappointment and confusion wash over him. Well, he was a thief, but he was the first person he’s had a real conversation with outside the palace. His first real connection to the life outside his cage, and he managed to scared him away.
Good job, Jungmo.