"No?" the king repeated, glaring at him with an intimidating stare.
Soo Hyuk chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.
"The people consider the crown prince unfit to govern," he said carefully.
The king's eyes narrowed.
Soo Hyuk swallowed, then continued, his voice steady.
"Father… power isn't just about ruling. Power is having the strength to protect what matters most."
He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"If power falls into the wrong hands, everyone suffers. Not just the people… but the one who used cruel means to get it."
He looked up at the king.
"So if the people cannot trust the crown prince, then they need someone they can trust."
The king stared at him, stunned.
"So you don't trust yourself to be the crown prince?" the king asked, pressure in his voice.
Soo Hyuk hurried to speak, panic rising.
"Father… please. I'd rather stay relaxed and be pampered by my older brothers…"
He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the king's annoyed expression.
He forced a sheepish smile and continued, voice tight.
"By birth… and by character, my older brother should still be the crown prince."
He gritted his teeth, counting every second, hoping the king would end this quickly.
"And if the people choose someone else… who will protect the crown prince?"
He paused, then answered confidently.
"The people, father. And if they ever doubt him, I will protect my elder brother by all means."
He tried to make it sound like a joke… but the words felt heavier than he intended.
The king looked at him silently, his expression unreadable.