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Third Prince Lee Soo-hyuk, charming and effortlessly captivating, walked with a grace that drew lingering glances from everyone who passed. Even in simple disguise, his striking figure was impossible to hide — sharp eyes framed by long lashes, a gentle jawline, and a calm, princely aura that seemed to glow beneath his travel-worn cloak. His beauty alone could quiet the busiest marketplace.
The queen's child soo hyuk , dressed in plain clothing and hidden beneath a wide hat, moved through the bustling market with a soft longing in his eyes — longing for a life far from palace walls. He kept his face lowered, careful not to be recognized by palace guards who might be searching for him under the queen's orders.
He inhaled the sweet scent of rice cakes as the vendors eagerly tried to pull him toward their stalls.
"Mister!"
He turned, eyes drifting downward to the little girl tugging at his robe.
"Yes?" he replied, bending down on one knee so he could speak to her properly.
"Can you…" The girl's words were swallowed by the loud growl of her stomach. She covered her face with both hands and smiled sheepishly at Soo-hyuk.
Soo-hyuk nodded quietly and handed her a rice cake.
"Wow!" she gasped. "Thank you so much, mister!" She bowed repeatedly, her smile bright and pure.
He smiled too. Moments like this always reminded him how fortunate he was to have been born a noble. Next time he snuck out of the palace, he promised himself he would bring enough food to share with every child he found.
Lost in thought, he felt the girl tug gently at him again.
"So… what do you want in return for your generosity?" she asked, leaving him stunned.
"What do you mean?" he asked, confused by her seriousness.
"Yes, mister! There's no such thing as free in this world."
Soo-hyuk burst into laughter.
"No," he said softly, touching her cheek with gentle affection.
Her eyes widened in protest. "No! My mom said there's no such thing as a free gift. And she said we must always show gratitude."
Soo-hyuk chuckled, entertained by her determination.
"And how do you plan to show gratitude?" he asked, teasing.
The girl thought for a moment, then suddenly grabbed his hand and ran with him.
"My mom said even the little things count!" she shouted as she pulled him through the crowd.
They came to a sudden stop before a large gathering of people.
Soo-hyuk opened his mouth to speak, but then—
He heard the gayageum.
Beautiful, fluid, enchanting.
His feet moved on their own as he pushed through the crowd beside the little girl. His breath hitched the moment his eyes found the young lady performing. Time seemed to stop for him. Her beauty was unlike anything he had ever known, and the way her fingers danced across the gayageum strings made his heart tighten.
"That's Haesoo," someone beside him said. "We call her 'Heaven's Piece.'"
"People said she could soothe the hearts of thousands with her music," another villager chipped in.
"We looked forward to her performance, but she doesn't play for free—only for the little one," the little girl said, giggling.
Soo Hyuk nodded, his eyes fixed intently on Haesoo. She flashed a disarming smile at her audience, and at that moment, Soo Hyuk felt his heart stop, mesmerized by her.
"Hey!" Haesoo yelled, snapping him wide awake from his fantasy.
"Give it back?"
The thugs burst out in laughter, raising Haesoo's coin box high out of her reach.
"Darn it! You little wench, how dare you play without paying," the one who seemed to be the thug leader said.
Haesoo scoffed. Pay? Is this crazy bastard for real? she wondered.
Soo Hyuk stared in disbelief at the thugs, anger coursing through him. How dare a mere thug demand money from someone for performing? Where were the palace guards when they were needed?
He bit his lips, realizing he couldn't rush to her rescue without being seen by the guards. He shook his head, contemplating how a prince could ever neglect his people when needed. He shook his head again.
No! He shouldn't… Before he could convince himself otherwise, he found himself standing right in front of the thugs.
"How dare you harass a lady?" he said in unison with a voice to his left. Soo Hyuk looked to see a man standing beside him.
The leader of the thugs cackled. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Do you dare harass a lady?" Eun asked calmly.
"What?" The thug stretched forth his hand, intending to throw a punch at Eun. Soo Hyuk stepped forward, blocking his fist before it could land.
"Alright, alright. Give it back to her, okay?" Soo Hyuk said, patting the little thug lightly with a smile on his face. Violence doesn't solve everything; he just had to settle this so no one got hurt.
"Laughs? This?" the thug asked, then flipped the coin box into the air, making coins rain down.
Unable to contain herself, Haesoo charged at the thug, but before she could hit him, he shoved her toward Soo Hyuk, and the punch landed squarely on Soo Hyuk's cheek.
Eun attacked the thug as they charged at Haesoo, shoving them away before their fists could land. He brought his foot straight into one of the thug's faces.
Haesoo charged at the thug leader. She kicked him hard, sending him crashing into a fruit cart while the coins still flipped high into the air dramatically.