The streets of the royal capital shimmered beneath the golden glow of lanterns. Music danced through the air, mingling with laughter and the clattering of drums. Silk ribbons hung from the windows; the scent of roasted chestnuts and jasmine filled the night. It was the New Year Festival, the most awaited day in the kingdom—a night when every prince and princess paraded through the city, blessing the people in honor of the gods.
Children waved paper flags as the royal carriages rolled past, their wheels glimmering like stars under torchlight. Men bowed, women smiled, and the air hummed with joy. But beneath the sound of celebration lurked something dark—a secret wrapped in betrayal.
At the far end of the city walls, General Wu, once the king's most trusted ally, stood in the shadows of the watchtower. His soldiers moved silently through the alleys, placing small metal devices beneath the cobblestones.
"Before midnight," he whispered, "the streets will burn, and with it, the royal bloodline."
He looked up at the fireworks bursting in the sky and smiled coldly.
"The kingdom will fall under my rule."
Meanwhile, in the palace, Sen ruyeon and the king's second son, sat in his chamber, his brow furrowed. The letter he had just read trembled in his hands an anonymous note warning of the general's plan to annihilate the entire royal family and half the city's population.
His heart pounded. He had always disagreed with his father's cruelty and the endless wars that bled the people dry. But this… this was madness.
He could not let innocent lives be destroyed because of their family's sins.
He clenched his fists. "I will stop this… even if it means standing against Father himself."
As the evening deepened, the royal parade began. The grandest carriage, adorned in gold and ivory, rolled slowly down the main street. Inside sat Prince Dik, the youngest of the royal son ,a boy with eyes too kind for the crown he wore.
He squirmed in his seat, tugging at the heavy velvet collar around his neck.
"Big brother," he groaned, "this dress is so tight. Can I remove my jewelry at least? I can't even breathe properly."
His eldest brother, looked sternly at him. "No, you may not. You are a prince—learn to behave. And remember, I know you helped Sen Ruyeon back in the mountains. I know he's your friend, but today isn't the day for your childish impulses. Do not create any drama. Understood?"
Dik sighed, eyes flickering toward the lively street outside the window. The smell of roasted sugar and the laughter of children made something ache deep inside him. His mother used to bring him to these festivals before she died. Every year, they would release a sky lantern together—one for hope, one for dreams, and one for love. Since her death, no one had ever taken him out again.
When the second prince turned his head to wave to the crowd, Dik made his decision.
With a silent breath, he slipped out through the back of the carriage. The parade noise swallowed the sound of his boots hitting the cobblestones. He tore off his jeweled necklace, flung away the stiff cloak, and ran free.
The streets were alive with lights and laughter. He ran past vendors selling sweet dumplings, children chasing after sparklers, and couples releasing glowing lanterns into the sky. His heart raced, but not from fear from excitement, from the thrill of being ordinary again.
He stopped near the riverbank, where hundreds of lanterns floated like stars upon the water. He smiled softly.
"Mother," he whispered, "I'll fly one for you tonight."
But as he turned toward the lantern stalls, a hand caught his wrist.
"Hey, pretty boy," a voice sneered. Three men stood in the alley, their breath reeking of ale, their grins sharp as knives. "What's a delicate thing like you doing out here alone?"
Dik froze. He had never faced men like these before commoners hardened by the streets, eyes hungry and cruel.
"I—I was just leaving," he stammered, trying to pull his hand free.
But one of them grabbed him harder. "Leaving? Not before you keep us company."
"Let go of me!" Dik shouted, struggling, but his fine skin and royal upbringing had never known a fight. His arms were pinned easily; his voice drowned in the noise of fireworks.
They dragged him deeper into the alley, laughter echoing off the brick walls. Tears welled in his eyes.
"Please—someone help!" he cried.
But no one heard.
At that same moment, Sen Ruyeon rode through the side streets, disguised in common clothes. He had ordered a few loyal guards to search for the bombs hidden beneath the festival grounds. His chest felt tight the clock was ticking toward midnight.
Suddenly, he heard a muffled cry from the alley to his left. He drew his sword and rushed toward the sound.
There, under the flickering torchlight, he saw them— three men surrounding a boy in torn silk, his golden hair gleaming faintly in the dark. Recognition struck him like lightning.
"Dik?"
Dik struggled helplessly as the men pinned him to the cold ground. His heart pounded, tears stinging his eyes. Just as one of them reached for his face, a sharp clang split the air a sword struck the cobblestones beside them.
"Step away from him!" a familiar voice thundered.
out of the darkness, a flash of silver cut through the air.
Steel met flesh. One man screamed and fell. Another stumbled back, blood staining his sleeve. A commanding voice thundered, "Step away from him!"
Dik blinked through tears and shock. The man standing before him wore polished armor that gleamed beneath the lantern light.
"Big brother…" Dik breathed.
Second prince blade dripped with rain and rage. He stepped forward, eyes blazing. "Are you hurt?"
Before Dik could answer, another figure emerged from the shadows—one that made his breath catch. Sen Ruyeon.
The rebel prince. The man his brother hated more than anyone.
Dik's eyes widened. "You… you're with him? What's going on? Didn't you hate each other?"
Second prince exhaled, lowering his sword. "Yes, I still do," he admitted. "But he told me the truth. Listen, Dik—don't panic after what I'm going to say."
His voice dropped, low and heavy. "Tonight, the whole street is going to blast. The general has planted bombs everywhere. I'm going to search and defuse them. You'll go with Ruyeon. He'll keep you safe. That's an order."
Dik stared at him, stunned. "And why do you think I'll run away? I'm also a prince of this country. I want to protect our people. I'm not going to run from my responsibility."
Second prince clenched his jaw. "Shut up, Dik. You're my responsibility. Father told me to protect you. So don't argue. Run as far as you can and survive. Do you understand? You must live. Take care of yourself. Stop being stubborn and stay safe. I'll come for you after this mess is over."
Tears welled in Dik's eyes. He wanted to protest, to stay beside his brother, but his throat felt tight. Before he could speak, Sen Ruyeon's voice broke the tension.
"If your brotherhood has finished," Ruyeon said dryly, "can we move now?" He stepped forward, grabbed Dik by the arm, and pulled him toward the street.
Second prince called after them. "Ruyeon!"
The older prince turned.
"I have a favor," Jian said, his voice softening. "Take Dik to the midnight lantern before leaving the city. He… he loves the festival. It might be his last time celebrating."
Ruyeon paused, then nodded once. "I will."
Dik looked back one last time. "Let's see what happens," he murmured, forcing a small, sad smile.