[Official Royal Announcement]
To the citizens of the Seoul Empire,
It is with regret that we announce that tomorrow that Yoo Joonghyuk's position as Crown Prince will be stripped away and he will be removed from the line of succession. This decision was made in the best interest of the empire's future. We ask for your understanding and support during this transition as we strive to uphold the values and prosperity of the Seoul Empire.
With gratitude for your loyalty,
-His Majesty the Emperor, the star of the Seoul Empire
Those were the words that were printed on the letters that the royal palace distributed across the empire, the royal family's signature at the bottoms of each letter serving to legitimize their contents. Naturally, the news spread like wildfire. Everyone, from the nobles to the peasants, was taken aback by this sudden turn of events. The shock and disbelief were palpable, and people could be heard whispering about it in every corner of the empire.
The crown prince had always been a controversial figure among the people, known for his intimidating and brash nature. However, despite his flaws, there was no denying his capability to become the future emperor. He possessed a certain charisma that made him stand out among others. Many saw him as a symbol of hope for the empire's future, believing that he had the potential to bring about positive change. Though, of course there was a subset of people who simply refused to see past his misgivings, for the prince could not rise to prominence without making his fair share of enemies along the way. His brashness had also been responsible for the suffering and discontent among some segments of the population, and his removal from power brought a sense of relief to them.
But no matter what opinion one held about Yoo Joonghyuk, the announcement left everyone questioning the motives behind the drastic action by the royal family. Was it a result of political maneuvering, personal vendettas, or a genuine concern for the empire's well-being? The uncertainty surrounding the situation only deepened the sense of confusion and disillusionment among the people.
The news became the new topic of discussion at every tea party and noble event, stirring up conversations and debates amongst the elite class. Once such gathering was held by a group of noblewomen, attended by Lee Seolhwa and Min Jiwon.
"I can't believe His Majesty would come to such a decision..." one of the girls said in disbelief.
"As capable as His Majesty is… I just can't help but wonder if this really was a good idea."
"Did something happen in the royal family that we don't know about?"
"I'm not sure, but it would explain why His Highness will be stripped of this title,"
"But I'm curious, what's going to happen to His Highness…?" The question hung in the air as the women thought about it carefully. All their minds lingered on the fate of the previous empress, Yoo Joonghyuk's mother. When she'd been ousted from the family, she was treated as if she ever existed, completely disappearing from the emperor's side and the public eye. Similar occurrences happened to other members ousted from the royal family, all of them denied any state support or financial resources, leading to their disappearance and presumed demise. Some even suspect foul play, speculating that the royal family may have been involved in their deaths.
Then, Lady Jiwon turned her attention to Lee Seolhwa, who was quietly sipping tea as she listened in on the conversation. "What do you think, Lady Seolhwa?" she asked, causing everyone to shift their attention towards her. Being one of the only people that had a close relationship with the crown prince, there was a great deal of curiosity in the group about her perspective on the matter.
Lee Seolhwa looked at them before placing her teacup on the table and said, "I don't know for certain, but I believe His Highness has a plan for this situation." Her tone conveyed a sense of self-assurance, though whether the physician was privy to information they weren't or if she was simply going off a personal hunch, the group couldn't tell. Either way, they decided to take her word for it. The idea that someone as prolific and talented as Joonghyuk could fade away into nothing left a bad taste in everyone's mouths.
"Well, since Yoo Joonghyuk is being expelled, the second prince will be promoted as the new crown prince, right?"
"I think...?"
As the girl fidgeted with her fingers, her anxious voice broke the silence, expressing her inner turmoil, "I might sound harsh, but can the second prince even compare to what His Highness has done for the Empire?" The room fell into a contemplative silence. Unlike Joonghyuk who'd taken an active role in serving the empire, the second prince was known to be much more weak-willed, his mother taking the reins and handling the royal matters he was supposed to be responsible for. And that was even though Joonghyuk had a considerably heavier workload than him. Some even speculated that Joonghyuk had already taken on the role of the emperor, given the emperor's penchant for laziness.
The solemn truth weighed heavily on them. Despite their own opinions on the matter though, nothing good would come out of talking badly about the royal family, especially the man bound to be the next emperor. Coming to an unspoken agreement, the group chose to tactfully move on from the uncomfortable topic, allowing the conversation to gracefully shift back to the lighthearted ambiance of the tea party.
-----
On the day that the crown prince's dethronement was to be held, a sense of anticipation filled the air. People from all walks of life, from peasants to nobles, gathered outside the palace, eager to witness a monumental moment in history. The streets surrounding the palace were bustling with activity as the crowd grew in size and commotion.
Inside the palace, the noble attendees made their way to the grand throne room, where the ceremony would take place, already having secured their privileged positions to witness the occasion firsthand. As the time approached, a hushed silence fell over the throne room, and all eyes were fixed upon the grand entrance, awaiting the arrival of the crown prince and the commencement of the proceedings. The tension in the room was palpable, as everyone prepared themselves for the ceremony.
The grand doors swung open to the sight of the emperor, queen and second prince in all their glory. They made their way into the opulent throne room, adorned in extravagant attire embellished with shimmering jewels and intricate embroidery. They exuded an aura of regal splendor, especially the queen and second prince, who had made extra arrangements to have their garments meticulously crafted with intricate details, and embellished with luxurious fabrics, jewels, and gold accents. The nobles in attendance couldn't help but be captivated by the resplendent display of wealth and power before them, further emphasizing the grandeur and prestige associated with the royal family.
With an air of privilege, the royal family proceeded to take their seats upon the thrones. All eyes were fixed upon the queen, who was poised to ascend to the position of empress, and the second prince, who would be officially crowned as the new crown prince. The ceremony held a dual significance, not only marking the removal of the crown prince's title but also the coronation of the new successors.
The attendees turned their attention back to the entrance once more , seeing Saintess Yoo Sangah make her entrance. For this occasion, she was the figure designated with the duty of carrying out the removal of Yoo Joonghyuk's title as the crown prince. Dressed in a dignified and ceremonial attire befitting her role, the Saintess exuded an aura of grace. Each of her strides were purposeful as all eyes watched as she made her way to the throne.
Standing in front of the Royal family, Saintess Yoo Sangah bowed respectfully to them before turning her attention to the assembled crowd. Her gaze swept across the room, taking in the faces of all the attendees, the majority of them being high ranking nobles. Eventually her eyes fell upon Han Sooyoung and Kim Dokja, who were watching her with serious expressions. They simply nodded to her in acknowledgement.
The Saintess then stepped forward, her voice clear and commanding as she addressed the onlookers.
"People of the Seoul Empire," she began, her words echoing through the grand hall, "we stand here today to witness a momentous occasion, a transition of power that will mark the dawn of a new era for our Empire." She steadily held everyone's gaze. "Yoo Joonghyuk, crown prince of our empire, has served with honor, guiding us through times of prosperity and adversity. His contributions to our Empire are immeasurable, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his unwavering commitment."
As she spoke, the Saintess couldn't help but hear a subtle scoff from the queen behind her. However, Sangah chose to focus on the task at hand. Everyone's eyes were on her, she needed to maintain her professionalism.
"But before we proceed," she continued, her voice carrying a note of anticipation, "I would like everyone to turn their attention to the doorway and witness the final entrance of Yoo Joonghyuk as the crown prince of our magnificent empire." Yoo Joonghyuk stood at the entrance, making his grand appearance. Clad in the royal attire befitting a crown prince, his presence demanded attention and respect.
The familiar garments he wore, the very same ones he donned when he ascended to the position of crown prince, served as a poignant reminder of his past and the many responsibilities he had carried. The crown atop his head, a symbol of his status and authority, gleamed in the soft light. For the audience watching on, it would be the last time Joonghyuk would enter the palace as the son of the royal family, becoming nothing more than a stranger once he left. But for Yoo Joonghyuk, he had been nothing but an outsider to the palace for a long time now.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Yoo Joonghyuk's demeanor remained composed as he strode forward with measured steps. The stoic look Joonghyuk wore contrasted starkly with the second prince, who awaited with a look of amusement. Even in the face of his impending disownment, everyone noticed the dignity Yoo Joonghyuk carried himself with, embodying the honor that defined his tenure as crown prince. The onlookers couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence for the man.
Yoo Joonghyuk stopped in front of the Saintess Yoo Sangah and knelt, his head bowed in submission.
"All citizens gathered today," she spoke resolutely, "It is with a heavy heart and a solemn duty that we gather here today to witness the transition of power within our realm. In accordance with the emperor's decree and the will of the divine, it is time for the title of crown prince to pass to another,"
"Though the path ahead may be uncertain, let us embrace this change with unity and fortitude. The future of our empire rests in our collective hands, and it is through our own resilience and solidarity that we shall forge a new era of prosperity," she concluded. As the weight of her words settled upon the room, the significance of the moment became clear to all present.
Yoo Sangah turned her attention to the second prince, "Your Highness, please step before me," she said, gesturing next to Yoo Joonghyuk. The second prince wordlessly implied, kneeling beside his brother with a slight smile on his face. Regarding the two carefully, she approached Yoo Joonghyuk. Ever so delicately, Sangah lifted the crown from his head and transferred it over to the second crown prince.
The room remained silent, the only muffled sound of rustling fabric was heard as Sangah continued the process, taking the cape and brooch from Yoo Joonghyuk and fastening them upon the second prince. Looking to her side, she signaled for her assistant and retrieved the coronation sword from their grasp. Sangah presented it to the second prince, supporting each end of the sword as it lay horizontally on her palms. The second prince slowly reached up to take it, his eyes shining in awe as if he couldn't believe what was happening. The sword was hefty in his grip in his grasp as he held it with both hands wrapped around its hilt. The transfer of power was complete.
"Now I present to you, our new Crown Prince, Yoo Junghun!" Yoo Sangah declared. The room erupted into applause, though notably there were some that were not as enthralled to clap along. Yoo Joonghyuk, now stripped of his title, stood up and looked at everyone. His expression was unreadable. He turned his attention to the prince beside him, who was beaming giddily at everyone. As Sangah said, it was a new era for the empire,
....
...
...the era of the royal family's downfall.