But in an instant… a bright light followed.
My eyes opened.
Eomeoni was there, laying her head beside me. The white curtain gently surrounded my chamber.
With the slightest movement of my hand, she stirred.
Her eyes filled with tears.
“My dear… uri aegi!”
Dr. Seo rushed in, checking my pulse with trembling hands.
Sohwa burst into the room, gasped, then turned and ran back out, calling for the others.
“Wangja Mama has woken up!”
“He’s healthy, Jungjeon Mama,” Dr. Seo added with relief in his voice.
Sohwa’s POV
I heard a sound behind the curtain.
“Wangja Mama has woken,” Dr. Seo said to Jungjeon Mama.
I ran inside—and saw our agissi, awake.
Without thinking, I ran back out and told Eunchae. Then I sprinted toward the King’s royal office.
The birds were chirping more brightly than ever.
The breeze—it felt cooler, sweeter, like the heavens themselves were rejoicing.
I ran, shouting for the world to hear:
“The prince has woken from his deep sleep!”
Just as I reached the doors, they flew open.
His Majesty rushed out, eyes wide.
“Is it true? Is my adeura awake?”
Tears were already in his eyes.
He didn’t wait for an answer. He ran straight to the prince’s chamber.
Eunchae’s POV
From outside the palace, I saw Sohwa running and shouting,
“Wangja Mama has woken up!”
The moment Baekho and I heard her, we moved.
I ran inside. Baekho took off toward the town to spread the news.
Baekho’s POV
As soon as I heard, I ran to the town with all the strength I had.
I shouted at the top of my lungs:
“The prince has woken up! The prince has woken up!”
From houses, alleys, rooftops—I heard voices answer me:
“The prince is awake?”
People ran toward the palace gate, cheering, weeping, smiling.
And then I turned back, sprinting toward the palace again.
Blacksmith Jang’s POV
The forge roared, metal glowing bright red beneath my hammer.
I was shaping a blade for the guards — the way the prince preferred. Strong spine. Clean edge.
Sweat poured down my brow when I heard it:
“The prince has awakened!”
I paused.
Another voice followed — louder, real.
“Wangja Mama is awake! He lives!”
The hammer slipped from my hand.
It clanged to the ground.
For the first time in months, the fire didn’t warm me.
Something inside my chest did.
I stepped outside.
The town was alive—running, crying, shouting, laughing.
I looked toward the palace, then down at my hands, still stained with soot and iron.
“He’s back…” I whispered. “That damn stubborn boy actually came back.”
And then, for the first time in years—
I smiled.
“THE PRINCE HAS AWAKENED!”
I shouted with everything I had.
And I joined the others as we rushed toward the palace.
Not as a blacksmith.
Not as a subject.
But as a man proud to have known him.
Carpenter Han’s POV
I was strolling through town around midday, offering help where I could.
Then I heard it:
“The prince has woken up! The prince has woken up!”
The voices rose from the palace road. People stopped. Listened.
Then we ran.
All of us — toward the palace, to see him return from his long sleep.
Farmer Kim Dalsu’s POV
I was knee-deep in muddy water, tending to the spring sprouts.
The sun was high. The scent of wet soil filled the air.
Then I heard it.
A voice, faint at first. Then louder. Echoing from hill to hill like a prayer.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“The Prince has woken up!”
“Wangja Mama is awake!”
I froze.
My hands still in the earth. My old heart skipped a beat.
I stood, wiped my hands on my tunic, and looked toward the palace.
“He’s alive…” I whispered. “Our Jinseo…”
Then I laughed — a sound I hadn’t made in years.
“Go! Tell the others!” I shouted to the boys nearby. “The prince has returned!”
And as they ran off, joy bursting from their heels, I looked to the sky.
“Thank you, heavens. Thank you for bringing our boy back.”
Joon’s POV
I was at the clinic, wiping sweat from an old man’s forehead. His breath was shallow, but steady.
Around me — coughs, moans, the scent of herbs and fever.
We did what we could. What he would’ve done.
Jinseo-hyung taught us to never turn our backs on the suffering.
Then I heard it—faint at first.
“The Prince has awakened!”
I froze.
Not another dream.
More voices came — louder, nearer.
“Wangja Mama has woken up!”
A murmur swept through the sick room.
People sat up. Eyes widened.
“The prince…?” the old man rasped. “He’s back?”
No one told them to move. But they did.
Even the sick rose from their mats. Some limped. Others carried those who couldn’t walk.
And we went — together.
Through the alleys. Past the market. Toward the palace gates.
People poured from every corner of Soryun. I was among them, crying and laughing.
He had returned.
Not just for the palace—
For all of us.
The Five Boys’ POV
We were training in the fields, just outside Soryun — doing what Jinseo-hyung taught us.
Daeyoung led the drills.
Minjae adjusted our formation.
Sungho groaned about sore legs.
Jisoo reminded him that pain meant progress.
And Harin, as always, tried to outpace everyone.
Then we heard it.
A voice — distant but clear.
“The prince has awakened!”
We froze.
Then another voice, closer now:
“Wangja Mama has opened his eyes!”
We dropped our weapons.
For a heartbeat, no one moved.
Then Sungho yelled, “Let’s go!” and we ran.
Barefoot. Breathless. Like we were ten again.
“Do you think it’s real?” Harin asked.
“It has to be,” Jisoo replied.
“He promised he’d return,” Daeyoung said. “He never breaks promises.”
Minjae didn’t say a word.
But the tears in his eyes said everything.
When we reached the palace gates, they were open. Bells ringing. Lanterns rising.
He was awake.
Our prince.
Our brother.
Our light.
Jinseo’s POV – Mother and Father
Eomeoni looked at me, eyes overflowing with tears and joy.
I couldn’t speak… but seeing her smile made everything worth it.
Then I saw him.
From behind the curtain — tall, still, proud.
Abeonim.
He stood just like he did when I was young. Watching over me. A quiet strength.
Technically, I’m still young — twelve. Three more years, and I’ll be a husband. Hehe…
Eomeoni’s voice was soft, warm — like the peach blossoms she always smelled of.
“You finally came back, my little Jinseo-ya… I’ve sat by your side every day since the moment you fell into your deep sleep. I’m so glad you returned, my dear aegi…”
She wrapped me in her arms. Her scent hadn’t changed.
I breathed in.
I was alive. My second chance wasn’t in vain.
By afternoon, Eomeoni asked Abeonim to come in. She stepped out to give us space.
I tried to sit, but Abeonim gently stopped me.
“Rest,” he said.
He took my hand. His was rough, scarred — a warrior’s hand.
He looked at me with the same eyes he always had. From the moment I opened my eyes in this world.
“Son,” he said. “This world is mysterious… but mystery doesn’t stop humanity from striving.”
“You are going to be a great king. A king who fears God. A king who is wise. A king who put God first. One who loves his people.”
I swallowed hard.
“I won’t disappoint you, Abeonim. I’ll protect those who love me. I’ll protect our country. And our people will fear God… as I do.”
He smiled. He pulled me into a firm embrace.
“Dr. Seo,” he called.
Dr. Seo entered. Eomeoni followed, carrying food.
“What will my son need to recover?” Abeonim asked.
“Rest. Good food. Light exercise to restore blood flow,” Dr. Seo answered.
“I must walk outside,” I said. “They need to know I’m okay.”
Daeyoung’s POV
From a distance, we saw Wangja Mama walk outside his chamber.
The people cheered. He was back.
And slowly, he returned to his room.
I couldn’t stop myself. “I’m glad you’re back, Wangja Mama!” I called out, my voice bright with joy.
Blacksmith Jang’s POV
We stood together, packed shoulder to shoulder, hoping to glimpse the young prince.
And then — he appeared.
From the chamber steps, he walked out.
Pale. Slower than before. But alive.
The city of Soryun had grown because of him.
“I’m glad you’re back, Wangja Mama,” I whispered.
Joon’s POV
I was in the middle of the crowd when I heard someone shout:
“There he is! Wangja Mama! He’s outside!”
I didn’t need to see him.
Just hearing those words… it was enough.
He was alive. He was back.
Jinseo’s POV – Recovery and Revelation
For the rest of the week, I rested, walked, ate, and trained lightly.
Eomeoni and Abeonim were always close.
So were my six attendants.
Every day since I woke up, I’ve done what I was told: exercise.
First thing in the morning, I pray.
Then breakfast — meat and vegetable soup, made by my lovely Eomeoni.
Eunchae always tastes it first, like he has since the day we met.
On the first day, it was just walking and stretching — light yoga to get my blood flowing.
I didn’t feel tired, even though I ran for three hours.
I was surprised my servants kept up, though we only ran around the training grounds.
I added a bit of light weight lifting afterward.
I know cardio is supposed to come first, but… whatever.
In the evenings, a healthy dinner and a warm bath are a must.
By Tuesday morning, my body already felt better.
I followed my usual routine — prayer, breakfast, training.
Then I attended court with Abeonim.
He teaches me rules and regulations.
He told me that when I become king, there will be a lot of paperwork.
Eomeoni teaches me how to love and care for a wife.
She says that if you love her well, she will love you the same.
Baekho was stronger than usual.
I watched him slash through a tree with a single swing.
Fast. Precise. His swordsmanship is no joke.
Eunchae… he’s lost weight these past two years.
I hope it stays that way. I don’t want him to suffer a heart attack — hehehe.
Sohwa, as always, is like a worried duck.
She flinches every time I stretch too far, always afraid I’ll hurt myself.
My three soon-to-be wives — Hana, Yura, and Mirae — are cheerful as always.
Later that Tuesday, we visited the flower field.
We laughed, walked together.
Baekho didn’t laugh, of course. He was serious as ever — even more protective now.
Me, my three wives-to-be, and Sohwa made flower decorations together under the canopy.
There were so many colors around us — it was bright, vibrant, beautiful.
Afterward, we cooked together in the palace kitchen.
We made soup. We made so many dishes, laughing the whole time.
Wednesday morning the morning sun poured through the open windows, warm and slow. A breeze carried the scent of clean herbs and peach blossoms.
I sat on the veranda just outside my chamber, a cup of warm tea in hand. My muscles ached pleasantly from morning training — proof that my body was waking up day by day.
Dr. Seo knelt nearby, checking my pulse with two fingers pressed gently against my wrist.
“You’re recovering faster than expected,” he said, nodding. “Your blood flow is strong. No signs of internal strain. Good breathing. Good appetite. Good spirit.”
“I was asleep for two years,” I replied. “I’ve had enough rest to last me a lifetime.”
Dr. Seo smiled softly, but his eyes stayed focused.
“Rest is one thing. Restoration is another. It’s good that you’re moving again, but don’t rush. The body remembers pain too.”
I nodded.
From behind us, I heard familiar footsteps — light, fast, almost tripping over themselves.
“Hyungnim!”
Joon appeared, carrying a tray with sliced fruit and two bowls of honeyed porridge. He was beaming.
“I stole these from the kitchen,” he said proudly. “Well, not really. Sohwa gave me permission… sort of.”
“You bribed her with sweet potatoes again, didn’t you?” I asked.
He grinned. “I might have.”
Dr. Seo chuckled. “You two are trouble together.”
Joon set the tray down and sat beside me, handing me a bowl.
“Eat up, hyung. You still look like you skipped a few meals in the afterlife.”
I took the bowl with a smirk. “Thanks for your concern, royal nutritionist.”
We ate in quiet peace for a moment, just the clink of spoons and the occasional chirp of birds overhead.
Then Joon asked, voice quieter, “Did it hurt?”
I looked at him.
“The sleep,” he clarified. “The… darkness. Were you scared?”
I paused.
“Not scared,” I said. “Not at first. But it was cold. Lonely. Like floating through time with no anchor. It wasn’t until I remembered you all… that I started to feel warm again.”
Dr. Seo looked at me for a long moment, then nodded. “Memory heals more than medicine ever can.”
Joon swallowed hard, then smiled. “Well, you better not drift off like that again. We can’t run this place without you.”
“Agreed,” Dr. Seo added. “The palace is louder. Brighter. Better with you awake.”
I looked at them both — one like a brother, the other like a guide. And I felt it again.
Gratitude.
Not just for life, but for people like them. The ones who waited.
The ones who stayed.
And by the seventh day — my body was whole again.
System Nova Activated
System:
Master Jinseo. Your body has fully recovered. The power you hold is now stable and ready to use.
“Oh?”
Ability Unlocked:
- All Seeing
- Time Structure
“What are these abilities, Nova?”
System:
Time Structure: Enemies near you will move slower — though they won’t feel it.
All Seeing: Your senses are 100x stronger than an average human. It will be nearly impossible to deceive you.
“Should I test them?”
System:
Would you like to activate them, Master Jinseo?
“Not now,” I replied.
Evening – Jinseo’s Room
It was evening.
I sat alone, bathed in soft lantern light.
Eunchae had fallen asleep beside a scroll.
Baekho stood guard, unmoving.
Sohwa had already retired.
Then, the door slid open.
Hana. Yura. Mirae.
They stepped in, cheeks flushed, eyes full of courage.
They knelt before me, hands in their laps, breath tight.
Then, in perfect unison:
“We love you.”
I didn’t move.
“Not as a friend,” Hana whispered.
“Not as a prince,” Yura added.
“But as the one our hearts have chosen,” Mirae said, her eyes shining.
“As a lover.”
The silence that followed… was not empty.
It was full.
Full of truth, tension, and something new.
And I knew — from this night forward, everything had changed.