Past Promises

Long Live The King.

"You think too high of yourself, Prince Lee," the Prime Minister spoke. "His Majesty has abdicated the throne to the Crown Prince, the decision couldn't be challenged," he glared at the First Prince.

"Is that so?" The First Prince said. He lifted his right handand suddenly few soldiers ran into the Main Hall and each stood behind the ministers.

I could see few others guarded the door and some on their horses and lined up in the front court.

"You planned a revolt?" The Prime Minister tried to come closer to the First Prince but held back by a soldier.

"Treasonous!" The Crown Prince slammed his hands on the throne and stood up.

The First Prince smirked and said to the ministers, "I am also the rightful heir to the throne and I was almost crowned as the Crown Prince but my dear brother was born and I was kicked out of the Palace!" He said these words without even looking at the Crown Prince.

"And then I was told that I can get all the support I could have if I want the throne," he chuckled. "Don't you see that Dear Brother, they don't like you," he looked at the Crown Prince but his face still bore the same facade.

"Stop this, First Prince!" I begged him. But then he pulled out a paper from his clothes and unfolded it.

"This," he said and lifted the paper towards the Crown Prince. "All the things I would get if I were to overthrow you, Brother."

"Who are behind you? Spill it!" A minister shouted with rage. Then a soldier grabbed him from behind.

"No need to rush, Minister Kim," the First Prince said and he nodded to the soldiers that stood behind the ministers.

The soldiers drew out their swords and pointed it to the ministers.

"Audacious!" The ministers were taken aback by the soldiers' action.

"Stop all this, Older Brother!" The Crown Prince shouted but the First Prince ignored him.

"Just let go of the throne, Your Highness," a minister said and he stepped forward from the rest of the ministers.

"Minister Yun, you?!" The Prime Minister said.

Minister Yun cleared his throat and said, "Admit it, Prime Minister Ji, you don't want a young and inexperienced King! The First Prince is a better choice for us!" As he said these another minister stepped forward then another until there are 10 of them showed their face and their support for the First Prince.

"Look at these faces, Brother," the First Price said, "These are the people that you should be aware of." The Crown Prince knitted his brows. There's something in the First Prince's words that suddenly soothed him. Then he smiled.

"Is this a right time to smile, Your Highness?" A minister asked with a sarcastic tone.

The First Prince drew out his sword and pointed it towards the Crown Prince.

"Audacious! This is treason!" The Prime Minister shouted.

Then the First Prince turned around and stepped closer to the ministers that supported him.

"Your Highness," Minister Yun bowed to him, "We will serve you well."

With an expressionless face, the First Prince swung his sword to Minister Yun and it cut through his body. His blood splattered on the floor.

All the ministers gasped.

Minister Yun was shocked and spoke through his bloody mouth "Your...Highness... you..." Then he dropped to the floor, dead.

"What's the meaning of this, Prince Lee?!" A minister grabbed the First Prince by his collar. "We are your alliances!"

"Don't lump me with the likes of you," the FirstPrince snorted then he pushed his sword into the minister's left chest.

He nodded at the soldiers and then they swung their swords towards the remaining treasonous minsters. One by one dropped to the floor and then the soldiers dragged their bodies outside.

The First Prince then said, "This should serve as a reminder for what will happen if you betrayed this nation." He turned around and looked at the Crown Prince, he dropped to one knee and his head bowed down to the throne.

The First Prince's voice echoed through the hall as he pronounced his loyalty to the Crown Prince, "Long live the King."