Chapter 7: Daehyun – Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

In the royal library, Prince Daehyun confides to his friend Hyukjin that he feels suffocated by King Yeonsan’s reign and fears he will lose his sanity if it continues another year. Hyukjin reveals that other royal guards and soldiers have lost faith in the king and are waiting for change, though no one dares speak openly. The two recall a childhood oath of brotherhood inspired by Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but Daehyun dismisses it as childish, weighed down by guilt over past violence. Hyukjin reports that the investigator Wonsik believes they need a high‑ranking government official to lead their coup—the Great Event—because they lack influence. Daehyun agrees, noting that no official trusts him and that the assassin Nameless Flower continues to eliminate potential allies. A group of officials enters, grumbling about taxes, but they fall silent when they see Daehyun. After they leave, Hyukjin delivers Wonsik’s final news: the girl Daehyun has been searching for is alive.

Key Events

Daehyun and Hyukjin discuss the king’s tyranny in the royal library, wary of eavesdroppers.
They recall their childhood brotherhood oath and the times Wonsik saved them.
Hyukjin conveys Wonsik’s advice: a government official must lead the Great Event.
Daehyun raises two obstacles: finding a trustworthy official and the ongoing killings by Nameless Flower.
Officials enter the library, then hastily depart upon seeing Daehyun.
Hyukjin reveals that the girl Daehyun sought has been found alive.

Character Development

Daehyun is torn between his former idealism and his present cynicism. He still remembers the oath to serve the state and save the people, but he feels tainted by bloodshed and struggles to believe in honor again. His practicality is sharp, but his emotional burden is heavy.
Hyukjin remains steadfast in his loyalty to Daehyun and the cause. His disappointment at Daehyun’s dismissal of their boyhood pledge shows that he still clings to the dream they once shared.
Wonsik is confirmed as a crucial ally; his past sacrifices (shielding the prince from a bee‑log) prove his dedication, and his strategic advice shapes the coup plan.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Suffocation: Daehyun’s opening whisper that he feels as though he is suffocating symbolizes the oppressive weight of King Yeonsan’s rule over both the prince and the kingdom.
The brotherhood oath (borrowed from Romance of the Three Kingdoms) represents lost idealism. The contrast between the youthful promise and Daehyun’s current despair underscores how tyranny has corroded hope.
Shadow and surveillance: The constant checking for eavesdroppers and the way officials falter at Daehyun’s presence highlight the pervasive fear within the palace.
The Great Event: The coup is referred to with hushed reverence, a dangerous but necessary ambition.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal for laying out the practical obstacles to the rebellion. It establishes that Daehyun and his inner circle recognize the need for a figurehead with political capital—a problem that will drive the plot forward. More importantly, the revelation that the girl (Iseul) is alive injects new hope and urgency into Daehyun’s personal mission. The chapter deepens Daehyun’s internal conflict between his bloodstained past and his desire to do good, setting the stage for his eventual choices.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Daehyun dismiss the brotherhood oath as “child’s play,” and what does that reveal about his state of mind? Daehyun feels unworthy of the idealistic vow because he believes his hands are stained with blood. He has lost faith in his capacity for goodness and honor, viewing the oath as naive in the face of the king’s cruelty. This reveals profound guilt and a sense of corruption, contrasting with Hyukjin’s lingering hope.

2. What are the two main concerns Daehyun raises about executing the Great Event, and why are they significant? First, they need a trusted government official to lead, but no official trusts Daehyun because of his reputation as a “mad prince.” Second, the assassin Nameless Flower is killing off potential allies, shrinking their pool of supporters. These obstacles highlight the extreme risk and isolation of their cause, emphasizing how precarious the plot is.

3. How does the news that “the girl” is alive change the stakes for Daehyun?
It provides a tangible reason to continue the rebellion beyond abstract justice. If she is alive, Daehyun has a personal stake in overthrowing the king—not only to save the kingdom but to rescue someone he cares about. It rekindles a sense of purpose that his cynicism had nearly extinguished.