"Sir, Jade has moved his position from captain of the King's royal guard to that of the Princess," said Ju Man, the Minister of Land, his tone grave and deliberate.
He sat across from Lee Bae-won, the Minister of Administration, in the privacy of the latter's residence. Between them sat Ju Tak, who was Ju Man's son and Lee Bae-won's son-in-law at the same time. Their families had been bound by marriage for over a decade—Ju Tak had wed Lee Jan, Bae-won's only daughter—thus fusing political ambition with blood ties, consolidating a formidable force within the Hana Kingdom's elite.
Their shared goal was simple yet treacherous: to ensure Ju Tak succeeded King Gen. With the King having only one child—Princess Genie—the path to the throne was narrow and uncertain. And now, troubling signs have begun to appear.
Lee Bae-won closed his eyes in deep contemplation. The silence was heavy, broken only by the subtle rustle of silk robes as Ju Tak leaned forward, his voice barely more than a breath.
"I agree with my father, Sir. I believe the Princess is gathering her own loyalists—she's quietly building a faction in the palace. I guess she's preparing to claim the throne for herself."
Lee Bae-won sighed, his eyes still shut, then shook his head slowly. "Don't be hasty. This is not something we should rush into blindly."
Ju Man, who had long become obsessed with seeing his son crowned as the next king—especially with many officials rallying behind them—pressed further. His eyes were wide with urgency.
"Sir, we must act before she gathers more support. Think about Jade. He's the most respected military figure in the kingdom. Even if he hasn't been formally named Minister of Military, everyone expects it's only a matter of time. If he aligns with the Princess, her influence will grow exponentially. I believe King Gen is aware of this—perhaps that's why he approved Jade's transfer to her guard."
At that moment, the paper door slid open quietly.
Lee Jan entered the room carrying a small wooden tray with porcelain tea cups, the fragrant steam curling into the tense air. Behind her stood her nervous servant, Onny, eyes wide with concern.
"Ma'am, please, I can carry it," Onny whispered, unsure if it was proper for her mistress to serve in such a setting.
Lee Jan offered a knowing smile as she knelt and placed the tray on the table with practiced elegance. "Close the door," she said coolly.
Onny obeyed without question.
Jan then seated herself beside her father, facing her husband and father-in-law. Her gaze was sharp, unreadable.
"If you don't mind," she said calmly, "let me in on what you're discussing."
Lee Bae-won exhaled slowly. "It concerns the Princess. It seems she's quietly gathering allies inside the palace."
Before anyone else could speak, Ju Tak interjected with a laugh, trying to brush away the tension. "Don't worry, my love. We're just making sure everything stays under control. I mean, come on—I'm the one who'll be the next king, right? How can a girl who vanished for eleven years suddenly return and claim the throne? She doesn't even know this kingdom anymore!"
Ju Man shot his son a sharp glare and struck him lightly on the knee. The smile vanished from Ju Tak's lips.
"Don't be foolish," Ju Man said sternly. "This is no time for arrogance. We must prepare our strategy with precision. The Princess is not to be underestimated."
With eyes as sharp and calculating as a blade beneath silk, Lee Jan tilted her head and asked, her voice cool and sweet like poisoned honey, "So… who has joined the Princess's side, if you don't mind sharing?"
Lee Bae-won's expression grew graver still. His voice dropped like a stone in still water.
"Jade. The Captain of the Royal Guards."
In an instant, the sly smile vanished from Lee Jan's face. Her expression darkened, losing all trace of warmth. A storm cloud in a silk dress.
Ju Tak, ever perceptive when it came to his wife, stiffened. He knew—though it was rarely spoken aloud—that Lee Jan and Jade had once been engaged. Eleven years ago, before the Princess had left the kingdom, there had been talk. Rumors about their engagement. No one knew why it fell apart. But when it did, Ju Tak, who had nursed a quiet, unwavering affection for Lee Jan for years, had stepped in. Their marriage pleased both families and solidified their alliance, forming one of the most powerful noble houses in the palace.
Sensing her husband's gaze on her, Lee Jan quickly resurrected her placid smile. Cool, elegant, untouched.
"Well then," she said lightly, "Jade… the Captain. So he's now the Princess's royal guard. How interesting."
Ju Man leaned forward, his eyes kind, though shadowed with concern.
"Don't worry too much, my dear. We'll handle this. Jade is a loyal warrior, yes—but one man alone won't tip the balance. The Princess will not be King. We will not allow it."
Lee Jan let out a soft chuckle, low and dismissive, as though the very idea of Princess Genie claiming the throne was some childish fantasy. After all, no woman had ever ruled Hana Kingdom. Not once. Not in its long and blood-lined history.
'It won't happen', she told herself, standing slowly and smoothing out her robes.
"Well then, carry on with your discussion," she said with a graceful bow of her head. "I'll be in the garden, knitting your name into your new official uniform, my husband."
She winked at Ju Tak, who grinned like a boy.
"I can't wait to wear it, my love."
Lee Jan bowed to her father and father-in-law with perfect grace, then turned and stepped out of the room.
The moment the door slid shut behind her, her face changed entirely. Like a mask being removed. The soft serenity gave way to a chilling, glacial fury.
Outside, her servant Onny stood stiffly by the door, eyes widening as she caught sight of the transformation.
"M-Ma'am…? Is there anything I can—?"
"The tea tasted awful," Lee Jan snapped, her voice as cutting as glass. "What do you think we are, to be served something so bland? Bring them a new pot. Immediately."
"Yes, Ma'am!" Onny stammered, bowing so quickly she nearly tripped over her own feet. She darted off toward the kitchen in a flurry of silk and panic.
Lee Jan didn't wait to watch her go. She stormed down the corridor and slipped into her private chamber, a small room she used for solitude—or what passed for it in the palace.
There, before a gilded mirror, she sat. Her cosmetics lay arranged in perfect order: red pigments, black powders, gold-lined brushes. Her own reflection stared back at her, painted in the colors of power. But she didn't see herself.
She saw her.
Princess Genie.
And next to her—Jade.
Lee Jan's fingers curled into tight fists as she leaned closer to the mirror. Her breath fogged the glass slightly.
"So… Jade is with her," she whispered, voice trembling with tightly wound rage.
She bit her lip until it nearly bled, recalling the tales that had spread like wildfire across the kingdom. Of how Jade had rescued the Princess. Of how he had crossed oceans and lands to bring her home from Arabia. How the people had cheered them on—like some fairytale.
It had been unbearable enough. And now, he had moved his position—left the King's side to guard her.
Lee Jan clenched the edge of the vanity table, her knuckles white as she stared into the mirror. Her reflection blurred, not from tears, but from rage... and something deeper. Shame. Humiliation.
Eleven years ago.
The scent of fresh sweat and steel lingered in the courtyard, where soldiers trained with the discipline of wolves. The air was warm, but a storm was brewing in her chest. She had stormed across the palace grounds, her jade-colored robes billowing behind her, ignoring the concerned whispers of attendants.
She had just heard the news from her father.
Jade had refused the engagement.
No explanation. No audience. Just silence wrapped in shame.
She found him near the edge of the training ground, standing alone, his sword sheathed and resting against the post. His face was calm, unreadable, as always—too calm, considering what he had just done.
"Sir…" Her voice cracked as she stepped closer, her heels tapping against the stone tiles. "I don't understand. Why wouldn't you want me as your wife?"
Lee Jan's voice curled around the air like smoke—soft, almost sultry. Her eyes locked onto him with a fiery intensity, desperate and possessive all at once.
Jade lowered his gaze to the ground, jaw clenched, refusing to meet her eyes.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, the words heavy with regret. "I can't marry you."
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Why?" she asked again, stepping closer. "Because you don't like me?" She leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can make you like me…"
Her words hung between them like a blade. A test. A temptation.