Chapter Text
It happened like a scene from a bad movie. Ryu Gunwoo, all of twenty-six and currently minding his own business at an affordable, small restaurant nearby his shabby apartment building, was listening absently to the TV in the corner playing the afternoon news. It was the same content that everyone had been talking about for weeks, to the point of repetition: Queen Seomyang was reaching seventy-eight years of age and a rumour that she had taken ill had sprouted like a bad vegetable. She had no direct heir; she’d never had children, and now everyone and their grandparents were talking about the royal family tree with a microscopic lens. A popular topic of discussion was the ‘scandal’ from over fifty years back. The day soon-to-be Crown Princess Suryeong had left the palace only days before the Crowning Ceremony, never to be seen again.
You see, Queen Seomyang had in truth been the second daughter of Deogun Daewang, the former King. This had all happened back when Gunwoo’s grandmother had been a young woman, but it had been quite the scandal at the time. Back then the two Princesses had never been seen by the public eye. The eldest princess was to have her ‘debut’, so to speak, of being a representative of the family on her twentieth birthday, where she would have also been named Crown Princess. This, however, never happened.
There were various rumours at the time, but the leading belief was that Princess Suryeong had fallen in love with a commoner and run away with him, like some fairytale. The way the public viewed the monarchy had changed in time. Nowadays, most people thought it romantic to have run away in the night with her lover. There was even more curiosity and gossip in recent days regarding the elopement due to what some were calling the 'succession crisis'.
If Princess Suryeong, having never been officially cast out of the family, had gone on to have children of her own with her mysterious lover… then, with Queen Seomyang having no children, they were the first in line for the throne. The other possible successors was Queen Seomyang’s second cousin or his son, who was currently sixteen. Well, the polls were revealing enough there.
Inevitably, because people were always nosy, everyone was now wondering what had happened to Princess Suryeong and what drama could be sniffed out.
It was interesting, Gunwoo supposed, as he finished off his rice soup. But if the first Princess had had children, and even grandchildren, wouldn’t reporters have sniffed them out by now? Could a princess really hide away from the royal family her entire life, in secret?
And then, with comedic timing, two men in black suits, with stern faces and earpieces—the very stereotype of ‘I Work As Security Personnel For A Rich Person’, entered the small restaurant. And they were looking at Gunwoo.
I... have a bad feeling about this.
The woman on the afternoon news channel spoke softly in the background, “… Queen Seomyang has stated she will make an announcement regarding the issue of succession later this month, but states her wish for the public to remain calm, as any succession would not be happening for some time yet…”
-ˋˏ ༻✿༺ ˎˊ-
“Ryu Gunwoo-ssi?” One of the suits asked. “Would you perhaps be Ryu Gunwoo-ssi?”
Gunwoo stared at them blankly, filled with unease. And what if I said no? Would you leave me alone?
What the hell is this?
“…”
The two men in suits glanced to one another. Gunwoo noted that the other woman in the restaurant had not looked up from typing on her phone. But then--their eyes met, briefly, before she dropped her gaze as if nothing had happened. She took a sip of broth now, not even a spark of interest in the man being accosted by two suited bodyguards so out of place in the room. Gunwoo's suspicious feeling grew.
Nothing. Really? It was a small space; she could hear everything. Why is she pretending not to see anything? They stand out like two golden spoons prancing around.
The owner… She was nowhere to be seen.
Gunwoo bit his cheek. Why does this feel... planned?
Crap. Did I piss off some mob boss without knowing it? The idea was ridiculous. All I've been doing for the past years is studying. Who the hell could I have pissed off?
“Ryu Gunwoo-ssi,” the suited man in the front called again as Gunwoo gazed at him with increasing discomfort and suspicion. “I apologise in approaching you in such a manner. My name is Kim Taehang, I am the Head of Security for Her Majesty, Queen Seomyang.” He then bowed and held out some kind of... identification card. It had his picture and basic work information.
Kim Taehang. Head Of Royal Security.
This is so suspicious. The man, supposedly Kim Taehang, rose from his bow, though still kept himself in a position with a slight dip of his chin. It was unnerving Gunwoo. Was this some kind of prank? How the hell did they know his name in the first place?
“My colleague is Yoon Eun-gyeol, my second-in-command.” The other man bowed in the same manner as his co-worker and also offered his identity card for Gunwoo’s apparent perusal.
Please, just get to the point.
“And the woman?” asked Gunwoo. They were noticeably not mentioning her.
Kim Taehang paused. Because Gunwoo was observing him closely, he saw the corner of the older man’s mouth twitch upward.
Bastard, you think I wouldn’t notice this setup?
“Ah, yes…” Kim Taehan cleared his throat. “That would be Royal Secretary Yanghee, of Royal Personal Affairs. Yanghee-ssi, I believe your cover has been blown.”
The woman at the other table finally dropped the act. She sighed dramatically and rubbed the back of her neck, muttering with a pout, “Damn… eyes like a hawk… this damn family…” She stood and approached. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and was wearing jeans and a basic t-shirt with a cartoon duck and a grey jacket, and yet she put her hands together and bowed like she was on a historical drama.
Gunwoo stared at her—at them all. A prank show. This is a prank show. It was the most logical solution, as this was reality and not some webnovel. He sighed and adjusted his glasses. At the very least, will I get paid for them taking my time?
To go have to go through such nonsense…
“Ryu Gunwoo-ssi,” the ‘Royal Secretary’ began, “ah, no, that is…” Her voice changed, probably so it would more dramatic on camera, “His Royal Highness, Ryu Gunwoo, grandson of the late Princess Suryeong, and grand-nephew to Queen Seomyang. Her Royal Majesty is pleased to have finally found you.”
They all stared at him.
"..."
"..."
"To have finally found you… grandson of the late Princess Suryeong… His Royal Highness…
… Queen Seomyang has stated she will make an announcement regarding the issue of succession later this month…"
This. What bullshit are you spewing? Do you seriously expect me to believe this?
“I see,” said Gunwoo flatly. I need to make my reaction as boring as possible, so the footage will be scrapped. Try someone more gullible next time. That aside, was this kind of prank appropriate, at a time like this? You’re not using my face for your content. If this got out, would I even be able to show my face at the civil service examination centre? He could see the captions now, in bright, bold lettering: ‘Man Thinks He’s The Queen’s Grandson! Ha ha!’ playing over clown music.
He kept his tone neutral and inoffensive. “This seems like an… interesting idea for a prank show, but I would prefer to be kept out of it. Thank you.” He bowed his head politely. Goodbye. I’m leaving.
“Uh—w, what?”
They stared as he headed for the door, as quickly as possible. He’d already made it outside before they chased after him. That display of shock on their faces; they were making a good show for the camera.
“No—wait! Your High-urgg, ah, Ryu Gunwoo-ssi!”
Fuck, they even have a car waiting outside. It wasn’t a State car, the kind you saw on TV in processions with the recognisable plate numbers and hood ornament, but it was clearly expensive with tinted windows and a sleek design, somehow looking both discreet yet eye-catching. Already there were people walking by who peered at it curiously, assuming there was some celebrity in the area. They’d obviously invested a lot in this show. Gunwoo walked quickly, feeling mildly horrified, and tugged down his baseball hat. My face would have been everywhere.
Sure, people had said in the past that he looked a little bit like Queen Seomyang when she had been a young beauty, but that had all been old people when he was a child. It was just something people said when they pinched your cheeks as a kid; Queen Seomyang was held in high regard, that was all. Nobody took comments like that seriously. There were plenty of people with dark eyes, the kind that even looked the darkest of blues in some lighting.
Don’t be ridiculous, it’s not possible. My grandmother died in my mom’s early thirties. My grandfather died when I was in elementary school. Neither of them were well-off. They were normal people. Neither of my parents mentioned being secretly related to the royal family.
He felt silly for thinking about this.
Then a creeping voice whispered, didn’t they die before you could really know them?
“Ryu Gunwoo-ssi, please, wait!”
Damnit, shut up.
“Ryu Gunwoo-ssi, if you would please listen, for just a moment—”
Tsk. They’re persistent. The suits had caught up with him. One of them held out their phone, and on the screen… an elderly woman with a very recognisable face. Gunwoo felt his eyes widen. Without realising, he had come to a sudden halt in the street.
“Ah, my grand nephew… I see you look just like my sister, hm?” She smiled; it made her eyes twinkle mischievously. “This is a rather unusual introduction, I'm afraid, but if you would be so kind, my dear, I would very much like to meet with you. It would be truly wonderful to finally meet my grand nephew, after all this time.”
Gunwoo glanced up to the guy in the suit. He held out the phone for Gunwoo to take, bowing. Mostly because his brain was shocked, Gunwoo took the phone. Damnit, no, wait. He held it awkwardly. She can't really be... Yet her face was the most recognisable one in the country. Is it... an actor in makeup? Fake background?
Another face appeared on the video call, just as the expensive car from before stopped by the side of the road behind him.
“Ryu Gunwoo-ssi.” It was undoubtedly Royal Secretary Shin of National Affairs on the screen now, another entirely recognisable figure. A no-nonsense woman in her sixties, she was often seen by the Queen’s side and giving statements to the public. “I apologise for the secrecy, and our unusual introduction. We believed it best to approach you with the upmost discretion, as we understood the news would be shocking and wished to both protect and respect your privacy by preventing the truth from being revealed to the press. Her Majesty has long wished to find her sister, and when she discovered that Princess Suryeong had a child, and grandchild, Her Majesty knew she would very much like to meet you. There are no obligations, Ryu Gunwoo-ssi, and I assure you: this is not a prank, as it appears my colleagues have somehow led you to believe, nor will this be broadcasted on any kind of television show.” She spoke calmly; if it was an imitation, it was eerily done.
By now they had all caught up with him: the duo of suits and the woman from before. Suit #2 opened the car door, revealing the smart leather interior. There was a file on the seat. And then, the woman, the one in duck t-shirt calling herself the Royal Secretary, held out a photo. It was old in black and white, but well-maintained, and pictured two young women, both teenagers. The younger one was clearly the Queen as a young girl, and the older one… the older one…
That's my grandmother. She looked exactly like she did in his mom's old photo album. I've always thought she looked like mom, too. From her high school photos.
His heart twinged painfully. His expression stiffened and paled.
It had been a long time since he had looked at those old photos. After starting university, he’d done his best to put all of the past out of his mind. I might be remembering wrong. Isn’t that more likely?
“Ryu Gunwoo-ssi,” Royal Secretary Yanghee said to him, speaking hesitantly after seeing his expression, “… I know this must be deeply shocking news. Her Majesty has waited a long time to find her family again. She really does just wish to meet you in person. " She said kindly, "... would you like to meet your family?”
His hands clenched around the phone. Damnit, did she have to put it like that?
He felt a flash of irritation, along with the other squirming emotions.
What was this, emotional manipulation?
The video… He hesitated. Suit #1, whatever his name had been, spoke up, likely picking up on Gunwoo’s discomfort. He gestured at the Suit #2, who then closed the car door. “I understand this is a lot to take in, Your Hi—that is, Ryu Gunwoo-ssi. But please, as unexpected as this is, I hope you can see we approach you with no ill intentions and speak only the truth.” Of all things, he then held out a small card. Rich red in colour, it had the the royal family’s emblem in the centre in gold foil. He turned it over, running a thumb over the smooth surface. The back had the Royal Secretary Shin of National Affairs' contact information. It also had another number added in handwriting. “The second number is the Queen’s private line. She wrote it herself, Ryu Gunwoo-ssi. Also,” the man tapped at the Royal Secretary Yanghee's arm, who then fumbled through her pockets. The moment was a little jarring in its discomposure, enough so that Gunwoo found some of his wits finally returning. The woman opened a small engraved metal box and pulled out another one of those red cards. Gunwoo took it only because it was an instinctive reaction to someone giving you their business card.
She said, “Yes, um, and mine. Please do call. Please. Please. Any of these numbers will do.”
Gunwoo drew his eyes from the cards to the Royal Secretary, the one with the duck shirt, to the two security detail, to the phone displaying the… Queen. She was watching him with an unreadable look, but there was something... hopeful about it.
“…”
This is... I need to think.
“I think this is, perhaps, enough shock for one day,” Queen Seomyang spoke out with finality. “You three, its time to leave the poor boy alone. And, Ryu Gunwoo. I would very much like to meet you at last. A proper meeting. I... I do hope you’ll reach out.”
She was addressing him. “Ah. Yes, Your Majesty.”
She smiled softly, and the video cut off. He saw his pale reflection in the dark screen.
Suit #2 took the phone and handed the Suit #1 a folder—the one from the car he’d glanced earlier. Suit #1 then offered it to Gunwoo.
“These are details of how we found the late Princess Suryeoung’s whereabouts, and you, Ryu Gunwoo-ssi. It also, ah, has the records of the DNA test that was secretly administered.”
What the fuck? The man looked rightly chastised under Gunwoo's stare.
“And how did you get my DNA?”
Suit #2 paled. Royal Secretary Yanghee cringed. Both avoided eye contact.
“Ah, ahem,” Suit #1 said, having been thrown to the wolf by the other two, but knowing it was better to reveal their secrets now rather than let Gunwoo read all about it in his apparent stalker file, “we used hair follicles and, ahem, some samples of fingernails.”
You… went through my trash.
Suit #1 adjusted his collar as the length of time Gunwoo stared at him grew longer and longer.
“Once Her Majesty had given the order to find you, it was thought best to gain undeniable proof of your identity before we proceeded further. Um, the Queen does not know about the method your DNA was… attained…”
Royal Secretary Yanghee snorted softly and scratched her cheek. She spoke through the side of her mouth, mumbling, “She probably does now… seeing how shocked you were when you saw her…” She pressed her lips together, shutting up. Gunwoo resisted the urge to rub at the headache forming between his eyes.
“Would you… like a lift to your place of residence?” Suit #1 said hopefully.
“No, thank you.” A speedy denial.
Of course they know where I live, Gunwoo thought bitterly. They knew where I was eating… What else do they know?
“How long have you been… tailing me?”
“Ah, t-tailing is a little…” Suit #1 trailed off. “Once we had found where the late Princess Suryeong had moved to all those years ago, it was quick work to find her grandson. We have known of Your High—Ryu Gunwoo-ssi’s existence for four days. The DNA test was done two days ago.”
Four days, then. If they're telling the truth. If... He was thinking as if he really believed this fantastical tale. He eyed Suit #1's collar, looking for a sign of a hidden camera.
It’s not like he had any secrets to hide. He mostly spent his days studying for that damned exam. But finding out people had been spying on you... for four days... And I didn’t have an inkling.
“Ryu Gunwoo-ssi," Suit #1 said, an apologetic crease between his brows, "I sincerely apologise for the discomfort I am causing. Please know this is an unusual situation and we do not normally operate in such a manner. This is, in the end, a matter of security for both the royal family and the nation—and for you, Ryu Gunwoo-ssi, as the grandson of Princess Suryeong.”
Hearing it like that was just… He pressed a hand to his forehead and looked away. Gunwoo realised abruptly that they were stood in the street and their strange group was beginning to draw attention. Not a lot; it wasn’t a busy street, but at this point any attention was too much attention. At least the Royal Secretary looks normal. You guys make it look like we’re filming some gangsta movie. He was still holding the file.
He sighed through his nose and put the file in his bag, making sure the royal seal was face-down, eyeing it warily. Could they have put some kind of monitoring device inside, or even in my bag? On my coat? In my apartment?
Calm down. Get through this first.
Tsk.
“I’m not…” Gunwoo didn’t know what he was trying to say. This was all just absurd. ‘I’m not a prince, I don’t want the throne’ was just too embarrassing to say out loud. If this is a scam, it's the stupidest one I've ever heard of.
“Well, then,” Gunwoo said instead, signalling the end of this interaction.
“Ah—yes. Please… remain safe, Ryu Gunwoo-ssi. Please... Please remember the Queen’s words.” Suit #1 bowed, as did the others, thankfully less like they were in some period drama as they were out in public.
Gunwoo hummed, half turned around. "… Then… don’t follow me.”
Their parting was awkward. Gunwoo was relieved when they were no longer in sight.
His mind raced all the way home.
He didn’t take out the cards or the file again until he’d broken into his savings and rented a cheap motel room. He left his bag and clothing jacket in the bathroom and patted down his other clothes to check for listening device or some kind of small device used for tracking.
They went through my trash. Better safe than sorry.
He sat on the floor and stared at the file before him, arms crossed. Cautiously, he broke the wax seal and unwound the binding, and pulled out the document from within. It was well-made, and signed off at the end in the Queen’s emblem. The front was address to him. On the third page was a detailed outline if the family tree, with his name added below. There were records of his grandparent’s movements, brief as they were in the folder; a copy of his mother’s birth certificate, her marriage certificate… his own birth certificate. He read through all of it until the final report, dated two days ago, which concluded the investigation.
[In conclusion, the DNA test between Subject A and Subject B is positive. Subject B is the only remaining living descendant of the late Subject A. The investigation is deemed closed.]
By the end of it his hands were shaking.
This... It was simply too elaborate. And there were no cameras here. He'd chosen a motel at random, far away. He stared at the photo Secretary Yanghee had given him. The youngest, just a kid, was smiling brightly. The elder one, who looked about high school age... there was something a little sad behind her eyes. His grandmother had always had an air of contentment in her photos as an older woman.
Because she left and chose the life she wanted, Gunwoo realised now.
He fell back and stared up at the ceiling, his heart beat loud in the quiet.
What the hell do I do now? He was starting to get a migraine. His day had been completely derailed. When I woke up, everything was normal. He'd left his pencil in the chapter of the textbook he was reading through. I was supposed to finish it today.
He laid an arm over his eyes and bit softly at the inside of his cheek.
What did this even mean? Had they really not found any trace of his family until now? And what did they want from him, exactly? To sign some kind of waver stating he wouldn’t try for the throne or ask for any money? What was this, a period drama? It was the 21st century. He didn’t have the time for whatever dastardly plans they were catastrophising in their minds, not even some bizarre political one. I don't want a book deal, or a WeTube channel, or a secret pay out to keep my mouth shut from some great aunt I suddenly have.
But he couldn’t help but wonder… had his parents known? Had his mom known the truth?
If she had… had she been planning to tell him? And when? When he started high school? When he graduated? Or had his grandmother kept it a secret, with no intention of telling her daughter of the life her mother had decided to leave for good? Mom had always said her parents had been happy together... Gunwoo had never imagined they had been the type to have big secrets like this.
There was simply no way of knowing the truth now. Either way, he needed to decide what to do.
And then, like the heavens parting in his clouded mind, a name appeared on his mobile. Someone was calling.
Caller ID: ‘The Kid’.