The Dragon King took Taejo aside and began to talk with him quietly. Kira watched with Gom by her side. She didn’t hear what was being said, but she noticed the sober expression on Taejo’s face as he nodded in agreement. Looking down at the leather bag containing the last of the Dragon King’s treasures, Kira gripped it tight before tucking it into her bust wrap.
It had been ten long days since his kidnapping, and Kira was amazed at the change that had come over Taejo. It was as if he had matured a few years during his captivity. He looked older, taller, stronger, and determined. She didn’t know if these changes had occurred suddenly or if it was because Kira was finally looking at him with new eyes. When he finished talking with the Dragon King, he came over to her side and hugged her.
Kira looked at his bruised and dirty feet. “How long have your boots been hurting you?” she asked.
Taejo shrugged. “They were getting tight while we were up north, and then suddenly I just couldn’t wear them anymore. But it’s all right, Noona, I’m fine.”
She studied him closely. “There’s something different about you,” she said.
He gave her a slight smile, his face exhausted but reserved. “I did a lot of thinking in there,” he said. “I’m glad Gom was with me to keep me company.”
He rubbed the little dokkaebi on the head. Gom grimaced and continued to hug Kira’s leg.
Taejo’s face was set, and the childish features had changed into something more mature. He was no longer a little boy.
“I’m ready to fulfill my destiny,” he said. “I’m ready to be king.”
In that moment, Kira had a vision of Taejo all grown up and wearing red ceremonial robes and the golden crown of Hansong. It was what would happen if they could defeat the Demon Lord. Kira was awestruck and euphoric. This was meant to be. Taejo looked majestic, the image of a great king. She had to smile as the adult Taejo was juxtaposed with the young one before her. Then her vision disappeared.
“I’m ready for you to be my king,” Kira said, her voice husky with pride.
In the distance, they heard Jaewon’s frantic voice calling Kira’s name.
“We’re over here!” Kira shouted.
Jaewon came tearing out of the woods. He stopped short at the sight of them and then he charged forward. He threw down their bags before enfolding Kira in his arms. Gom gave an irritated grunt as he was dislodged from his hold on Kira’s leg.
“The mountain collapsed and I thought you . . .” He choked on his words and hugged her hard. “You are always giving me a heart attack. I’m going to die young because of you.”
Kira’s heart was pounding in her chest. A hot flush crept up her neck and into her face at his nearness.
“I told you I’d return,” she said gruffly. “But where’s Nara?”
“When the mountain began to collapse, she told me to run for safety and then she disappeared,” Jaewon said. “The last thing I heard her say was to look for you when the smoke cleared. I admit, I was only focused on you.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “Thank the heavens you are safe.”
“And my cousin too,” she said.
She turned to look at Taejo, only to find her cousin staring in openmouthed surprise at them. Embarrassed, she pushed away from Jaewon, who was reluctant to let go until he too noticed their audience. Taejo was now grinning.
Jaewon smiled, bowed, and then patted Taejo heartily on the shoulder. “It’s good to see you again, Your Highness.”
“If you want to marry my cousin, I approve,” Taejo said. “I know she really likes you a lot.”
Kira hissed at her cousin, giving him an angry glare, but that didn’t bother the young prince at all. Instead, he reached up and put his hand on Jaewon’s shoulder, saying, “Don’t worry about her brothers, I will make sure that they leave you alone. They have to listen to me, because I’m their future king.”
Ignoring the two of them, smiling together in perfect harmony, Kira returned to the Dragon King.
“He is a fine man,” King Dang said, a twinkle in his eyes. “You could do worse.”
Kira gave an exasperated sigh. “I have a bit more pressing things on my mind right now, Your Majesty.”
“Ah, but I disagree,” he said. “Love is the most important reason. Why else are you here? You saved the young prince out of love, did you not?”
She nodded.
“Saving the world is a noble cause, but it is a grand gesture. We are true heroes when we act out of love,” he said. “You aren’t risking your life for the sake of humanity. You risk it for those you care about. There is no greater power in the world. And that is how you will save us all.”
Kira looked at the old king with a troubled expression. “But love is also our greatest danger, isn’t it? When we are willing to risk all for love, it also means we sacrifice ourselves for others. I don’t want anyone sacrificing themselves for me anymore.”
Images of her father’s and her aunt’s sacrifices swept through her mind.
King Dang took hold of her hands. “My dear girl, if you were in a position to save someone you loved by sacrificing yourself, would you do it?”
“Yes,” she said. “Of course.”
“Then how can you stop someone from doing the same for you? Would you take away their freedom?”