… ━━━ THE WINNER OF THE BOAR HUNT IS REVEALED ━━━ …
・ ・ ・ ・ AFTER A CONCLUSIVE CHECK, the chief eunuch leans in to whisper in the king’s ear. the results are mumbled behind a hand so that no one may read their lips. both the participants and their fathers wait with bated breath to see which team will emerge the victor and be granted a feast with the king - as well as bragging rights for at least the next month. the injured are being tended to, but still, it’s a moment that is met with trepidation.
when the king sits up, he smiles at both of his sons. “ we have the results.” he says jovially, speaking loud in the clearing so that everyone might hear him. “ and i believe you’ll find them surprising.” it’s been awhile since anyone has seen the king in such a good mood, but the chill in the air and the hunt always manages to make him feel like a young man again.
first, his eyes settle on prince san. “ you seem to have had a little trouble with your team today.” he takes a look to where the young lord yonghan is being tended to in a tent, then back to him. “ as the supreme commander, i know you’re used to losing men. it must be hard to come back to your home and face an injury from the game we’ve shared in today, but your men have done well. the sow you presented to me was a total of 70 KILOGRAMS - a fine weight, indeed. she will help to feed the lot of us today.”
“ however,” and here, his eyes turn to the crown prince. it is perhaps the first time jin has seen the king look on him with pride in his eyes, and a genuine smile. “ the team that emerges victorious today is our crown prince’s, who has proven himself a capable leader. the male boar you’ve presented me with was a total of 77 KILOGRAMS.” he pauses, then looks to the team that stands behind him. “ you’ve all earned your place at my table. you will be invited to the palace on the eve of JANUARY 1ST to collect the feast as your win.”
he leans back then with a smile and it is clear that he’s pleased with the results. “ for now, let us feast on the boars that my sons have gifted to me. i crave the meat of the wild pig scorched by the fire.”










