That's the thing. Kusanagi is heavily implying that Yona and Soowon are pretty similar and would work well as rulers. Probably better than with Hak. Yona also constantly puts her relationship with Hak at last spot. You did say that Yona's journey is to be with Hak but as long as Hak's not dead everything else is more important (as soon as Hak was still alive she didn't care about him being in jail). So the people already love her with Soowon so why not go with it? Hak will understand. He never dreamt of marrying her anyways and never wanted to be king. Hak is alive and that's all that matters.
ooh you bring an interesting perspective. Hak and Yona are great invidually, but Soo won and Yona would be really great together as rulers. Man are the sooyonas aware of this? They would like it very much.
However, I disagree with your other points. If I got this right, you think Soo won and Yona should rule together also because:
- Hak does not want to rule.
- Yona would easily prioritize politics over Hak.
- Hak would be fine with her doing that.
The first point is a popular one against King Hak, which is baffling. He does not particularly want to rule, but he is not against it in anyway. In fact it suits his purposes, which I will talk about in minute. But generally, Hak not particularly wanting higher positions is exactly why he would make a great king. Hak’s entire character and conviction is built on wanting to protect. It was only about yona, then it became about the HHB, and this arc we see it become about all of Kouka. If he ascends to the crown, it will be with the mindset to protect and nourish, without any political prejudices or agendas. This is a point in Hak’s favor, not against him.
As for Yona, I said her journey is to be with Hak exactly because she cares about him more than anything else. She did not return to the castle because of any more important matters, but because of his safety. She was fine with him being in jail because it is either that or him being killed after discovering Soo won’s illness. She would hardly ignore his feelings on such matters.
So the question is Hak’s feelings and his purposes.
Is he really fine with her ending with Soo won like he was at the beginning of the story?
We got the answer at the beginning of this arc. One scene was the ultimate anti-parallel to how he thought in the past.
You see him looking at her beside Soo won,
amid cheering and crowd approval and he thinks
You immediately think of Hak from chapter 1, who had no wishes or personal desires, who was willing to sacrifice his happiness for Soo won and Yona to be in their rightful places,
Then the line is clearly drawn
He is different now. He is reaching up, wanting to be closer, more equal, to stand beside her confidently.
This could not have been more starkly different from chapter 1 Hak, who only watched from afar.
This Hak knows he could protect everyone easily by just stepping away, but he does not want to. It is not enough. He wants her, he wants a place among them, proud and belonging. So he decides
The question remaining is where he wants to go? That is not exactly clear, but it is shaping up.
From Yona saying she does not need an exclusive bodyguard anymore, to Soo won’s description of the ideal successor to the throne.
So what is it? The general? A personal guard after all? The thing is, none of these would give Hak what he wants. Because it not just about protecting Yona from the sidelines anymore. He wants to be beside Yona, and now he also wants to protect Kouka. The position that can unreservedly give him both is only one.
