He paused mid-step, glancing back over his shoulder at the dimly lit corridor he had just left. The warmth he'd hoped for—that quiet, fleeting hope—had slipped between his fingers again.
"I promised to respect her decision…" he reminded himself.
But his expression betrayed the words he whispered. Gone was the composed, dignified Minister Jade who had walked to her door. In his place was a man quietly unraveling, trying to contain feelings he dared not voice.
He forced his feet to move again, shaking his head to scatter the ache—
"Jade!"
A bright, familiar voice rang out behind him.
He stopped at once, spinning around in surprise.
"Your Majesty?"
Queen Genie was hurrying toward him, the soft silk of her robes fluttering behind her as her ladies-in-waiting scrambled to keep up. Her hair gleamed under the lantern light, and her cheeks were flushed from the cold and the rush.
Seeing her, Jade's face lit up with disbelief—and something tender.
The Queen stopped in front of him, catching her breath. She smiled, radiant and a little breathless.
"I ran because I thought you had already left."
Jade's heart jumped at her words. He quickly lowered his gaze, trying to contain the smile that threatened to take over his face.
"You didn't need to run, Your Majesty," he said softly, the emotion in his voice carefully hidden. "You could've just sent someone for me."
"But if I didn't see you now, I'd have to wait until tomorrow," she replied simply.
He looked at her then, truly looked—and in that moment, the ache in his chest melted away, replaced by something lighter, warmer.
Her honesty fluttered against him like a spring wind.
And Jade, despite all his efforts to remain composed, felt his heart stir again.
"But what brought you here today?" Queen Genie asked, her voice light with curiosity.
Jade's demeanor shifted, the warmth in his eyes giving way to the steadiness of duty. "I came to report on the border reinforcements, Your Majesty."
"Ah, I see." She nodded thoughtfully. "I was just about to summon you for that. Shall we return to the office?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
They turned together, their footsteps falling in quiet rhythm along the palace corridor. The faint rustling of her gown and the crisp breeze outside were the only sounds between them. But just as they reached the royal office—
The door opened, and standing calmly inside was Moonsen.
"I thought you had already left, Candidate Moon," Genie said, surprised but offering a gracious smile.
"There was something I forgot to give to Your Majesty."
Moonsen stepped forward and offered a small, intricately tied box with both hands.
Genie raised her brows slightly and accepted it.
"A gift?"
Moonsen gave a modest chuckle.
"I noticed you often wear similar ribbon ties, so I had one prepared in a new color. I hoped it might suit your taste, Your Majesty."
Curious, Genie untied the ribbon and opened the lid.
Inside lay a ribbon of soft blue silk, delicately embroidered with faint water-drop patterns that shimmered like morning dew under candlelight.
"Oh… this is lovely," she murmured, brushing a finger over the fabric. Her expression softened. "The color is so pretty…"
Jade's gaze instinctively shifted to her, watching the way her eyes lit up. The knot in his chest tightened.
Moonsen watched her reaction, his own features easing into quiet satisfaction.
"Then I'm glad. I'll take my leave now."
He bowed respectfully and exited, the quiet click of the door closing behind him feeling heavier than it should.
For a moment, neither Jade nor the Queen spoke. She still held the ribbon in her hand, the faintest trace of a smile lingering on her lips.
And Jade, standing beside her, said nothing—only looked away, his heart caught in a silence he could not name.
Queen Genie stared down at the ribbon in her hands, the soft blue silk catching the candlelight with a shimmer like water beneath the moon. Her gaze lingered on it longer than she intended, her fingers gently brushing the delicate pattern. She was visibly moved.
Jade cleared his throat softly and spoke in his steady, composed voice. "Your Majesty, shall we head into the office now?"
Genie, startled slightly from her reverie, looked up.
"Yes. Let's."
She closed the gift box gently, then followed him inside, the air between them taut with unspoken thoughts.
Inside the Queen's office, Jade stood tall as he delivered a clear and thorough report on the border reinforcement strategy. His voice, though calm, held an undertone of weight—as though each word cost him more effort than usual.
When he finished, he bowed respectfully.
"Then, I shall take my leave now, Your Majesty."
The abruptness of it caught Genie off guard.
He hadn't lingered at all—not a pause, not a moment's hesitation. Just duty and departure. A quiet pang of disappointment bloomed in her chest.
"Must you leave right away?" she asked suddenly, her voice quieter than she'd intended.
Jade, taken aback, stopped mid-step.
"It's not that I must…" He hesitated, his eyes flickering with hope. "Your Majesty… do you have something else to say to me?"
Genie opened her mouth, the words hovering—but then faltered. She mistook his hesitation for a sense of obligation, not desire. She looked down briefly, then forced a smile.
"No… you may go."
A quiet beat passed. Jade bowed again, lower this time.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
And just like that, he was gone.
As his footsteps faded down the corridor, Queen Genie remained still. Her hand rested lightly on the ribbon box.
A sigh escaped her lips.
She had come to recognize the shape of her feelings for Jade. She thought of his voice, his silence, his loyalty. And yet somehow… they kept missing each other, as though walking in parallel lines—close, but never touching.
She thought back to the group meal with the three final candidates.
She'd purposely directed her gaze toward Moonsen and Pyo, trying not to show favoritism. She thought it was the right thing to do.
But Jade's expression that day… it hadn't been good.
'Did he think I didn't care? Did he think I'd choose someone else already? What if… he misunderstood my heart?'
The thought wrapped tightly around her chest.
Still, she couldn't bring herself to confess—at least not yet. It would be unfair to the others, and the final decision had yet to be announced. She needed to remain the Queen—for just a little longer.
And so, alone in the flickering warmth of the candlelit room, Queen Genie clasped her hands in silent prayer.
"Lord… what should I do?"
It was a bright, sun-drenched afternoon, the kind that cast golden light across the palace grounds. Royal guards stood tall at their posts, their armor gleaming as they watched over every corridor and gate with silent vigilance.
Onny, the personal maid of Lady Lee Jan, stepped cautiously into the Military Officers' Quarters. Her small hands trembled slightly as she clutched the folds of her robe. Every step echoed in her ears, each one a reminder that she did not belong here.
A guard stationed at the main gate narrowed his eyes at her approach.
"What brings you here, ma'am?"
Startled by the sudden address, Onny stammered, "I—I've come because…"
Her voice faltered. For a moment, she froze, but then she remembered Lady Lee Jan's instructions—the plan that had been whispered to her in the stillness of night. Swallowing hard, Onny gathered her courage and pressed on.
"I'm the servant of Official Ju Tak from the Ministry of Land. He left some clothes here after receiving martial arts training from one of the officers. I was sent to retrieve them."
The guard scrutinized her for a beat too long. Onny could feel her pulse pounding in her ears.
"Outsiders normally aren't allowed in," the guard said slowly. Then, with a shrug, he added, "But if it's an errand for Official Ju Tak, I'll permit it—briefly. Just take the clothes and leave immediately."
Onny bowed low.
"Thank you, sir."
The heavy gate creaked open, and she slipped inside without another word.
The interior of the Military Quarters was a stark contrast to the bustling palace. Long stone corridors stretched before her, silent and still. The officers were out on duty, and the space felt almost abandoned—like a beast sleeping in the sun.
Onny hurried through the maze-like hallways, her eyes darting nervously from one closed door to another.
'Lady Lee Jan said it would be marked with a silver nameplate…'
Then she saw it. At the very end of the corridor stood the largest room, its door adorned with an elegant silver plate that shimmered faintly in the afternoon light.
'That must be it.'
Her fingers trembled as she pulled the master key from her sleeve—the one Lady Lee Jan had pressed into her palm with a chilling smile.
The key clicked into place.
The door creaked open.
Inside, the room was exactly what she had imagined—immaculate, refined, and utterly composed. Every object was in its place, not a single scroll or weapon out of order. It was a room that mirrored its master: Minister Jade, the man known for his precision, discipline, and unshakable composure.
Onny stepped inside, her breath catching in her throat.
Glancing around to ensure she was alone, Onny moved swiftly to the wardrobe at the far end of the room. Her hands worked quickly, heart pounding in her chest. As she pulled open the doors, a faint scent of cedar drifted out—clean, disciplined, like the man who owned it.
Among the neatly arranged garments, she found what she was looking for: a navy outer robe embroidered with Minister Jade's name in delicate silver thread. The fabric was heavy, finely woven, unmistakably his. Clutching it tightly against her chest, Onny shut the wardrobe and turned back toward the door.
She didn't allow herself to hesitate. Every moment spent here increased the risk.
Slipping out of the quarters, she moved quickly through the corridors. The gatekeeper glanced her way but said nothing, allowing her to pass without suspicion—just another servant on an errand.
Still, her nerves refused to settle. Onny kept her head down, eyes scanning the palace grounds as she made her way toward the outer court. Her pulse thudded in her ears, and each step felt heavier than the last.
Just then, across the courtyard, a flash of deep crimson and gold caught her eye—Queen Genie, flanked by her chief attendant, was making her way toward the administrative offices.