In the deep dawn, where only the moonlight illuminated the pitch-black darkness, a sharp blade approached the throat of Queen Genie, who knelt before it.
The garden in front of the king's chambers, once filled with the fluttering memories of spring cherry blossoms, was now stained with the blood-red glint of countless soldiers' swords, surrounding the kneeling Queen Genie and the man aiming his blade at her neck.
Genie looked at the man wielding the sword with trembling eyes.
"How… How could you… do this to me…?"
"Your Majesty, I have been waiting for this day."
Stepping out of her chambers, Genie, the Queen of Hana Kingdom, clad in a deep blue night robe, no longer carried her usual dignified and majestic aura. Instead, she appeared as nothing more than a 25-year-old woman, shaken before an unfathomable reality.
The man, looking into the Queen's wavering eyes, gripped his sword even tighter, pretending to be unaffected. Yet, his own eyes had already begun to tremble.
The Queen, who had been kneeling and staring at him in confusion, suddenly clenched her fists and stood up with determination.
As she rose, the man adjusted his grip, keeping his blade firmly against her throat.
"If you can kill me, then do it."
Her fearless demeanor, her complete lack of concern for her own life, made the man's right hand tremble for the first time.
"If the reason you have stayed by my side all this time was to kill me… If that was truly your purpose… then do it."
In that moment, the man saw a vision of Genie as she had been when they first met—just a twelve-year-old princess.
Tears faintly formed in his eyes.
Piercing through the darkness, Genie could not possibly see the man's faint tears.
She spoke once more. "Now is your chance."
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[June 1382, Hana Kingdom]
"Ha…"
Jade let out a deep sigh as he woke from his sleep.
Though the dream was hazy, he could recall a woman standing at the harbor, gazing up at him as he boarded a ship, bidding him farewell.
"That was a strange dream…"
The morning sunlight streamed through the window, brightening the room.
Jade hurriedly gathered his belongings and left the inn.
Just as he was about to step out the main door, the innkeeper called after him.
"Sir, you left this behind."
Turning around, Jade saw the palace entry permit in her hands.
"Thank you."
He gave a slight nod as he accepted it.
"You've stayed at our inn for a few days now, and it feels sad to see you go. If you ever return to Se-won Village while working at the palace, please visit us again."
Jade smiled faintly and nodded.
"Yes, I will. Thank you for your hospitality."
Today was Jade's first day as the newly appointed royal guard for the Princess.
With a large pack slung over his shoulder, Jade made his way through the bustling marketplace, heading toward the palace.
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On a spring day when pale pink cherry blossoms fluttered through the air, a cool breeze swept across the palace training grounds, where the princess and her martial arts instructor stood.
Dressed in a blue training uniform with a matching headband, Princess Genie of Hana Kingdom, who had turned twelve last December, swung her longsword to the left and right under the watchful eye of her instructor, Do-han.
"Left. Right. Put more strength into your right arm. Again. Left. Right."
Genie sighed and lowered her sword to the ground.
"Teacher, I'm exhausted. Can't we rest for a bit?"
"Haha. Your Highness, what will you do if you're already this tired?"
"What do you mean, 'already'? We started after lunch, and it's nearly two o'clock now. I want to go to the library and read books," Genie pouted.
Do-han chuckled, shaking his head, and picked up the sword she had set down.
"I told you never to show your opponent the flat side of your blade, didn't I, Your Highness?"
"Yes, yes. I'm sorry," Genie replied half-heartedly as she plopped onto the ground, exhausted.
Just then, Do-han's face lit up as he noticed someone approaching the training ground from afar.
"Your Highness, do you know who's coming?"
Genie turned around, following his gaze.
A tall figure with broad shoulders, deep, pensive eyes, a straight nose, and perfectly symmetrical lips was walking toward her.
"Could that be…?"
Genie's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the man's handsome face.
"Yes, Your Highness. That is the new royal guard I mentioned earlier."
"Oh, so that's him…"
For a moment, Genie stared blankly at the approaching man.
"What was his name again?"
"His name is Jade. He's not only handsome but also kind-hearted. His martial skills are exceptional—he even won first place in the national warrior competition. I worry Your Highness might fall for his looks."
"Hey! What kind of nonsense is that?"
Genie laughed in embarrassment.
Just then, Jade reached her.
"Greetings, Your Highness. This is Jade, newly assigned as your royal guard."
Genie quickly stood up and replied awkwardly, "It's nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you."
"The pleasure is mine, Your Highness."
Jade then turned to greet Do-han.
"It is an honor to meet you, Master. I look forward to working with you."
Do-han chuckled heartily and patted Jade's broad shoulder.
"Never mind me—just take good care of Her Highness. Her previous guard left for Arabia so she has been without a royal guard for months, relying solely on me. My only request is that you always put the Princess's safety first. Take good care of her, Jade."
Hearing this, Genie felt a sudden pang of sadness.
"Teacher, are you saying you won't see me anymore? Why are you speaking so dramatically?"
Do-han laughed warmly at her reaction.
"Your Highness, don't be too demanding of this young man. I am an old warrior in my sixties with grandchildren, but this one is only twenty-three. He may not have my patience."
At this, Genie curiously turned to Jade.
"You're twenty-three?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
She had many questions she wanted to ask him, but decided to save them for later.
"Anyways, please teach me well. I want to become someone who can protect herself."
Do-han proudly looked at Genie.
"Your Highness is quite strong-willed. Jade, please continue her training."
"Yes, I got it."
Just then, the court ladies approached, led by Lady Han.
"Your Highness, shall we go for lunch?"
"Yes."
Genie gestured toward Jade and introduced him to the court ladies.
"This is Jade, my new royal guard from today."
Then, she turned back to them.
"And these are the court ladies who assist me. I hope you all get along well."
Jade bowed lightly.
Seeing Genie awkwardly introduce them to each other, Jade found her quite endearing.
Genie stared at his smile for a moment before snapping back to her senses.
"Oh, Lady Han, what's for lunch today?"
"We have prepared royal tteokbokki, Your Highness."
"Ooh, royal tteokbokki… That sounds wonderful."
A bright smile spread across Genie's face.
"Jade, do you like tteokbokki?"
"Yes, I do, Your Highness."
Satisfied, Genie grinned.
"Alright, let's go eat!"
Jade followed behind her, while Do-han watched them depart with a smile.
"Haha, it seems Her Highness has already forgotten about me. Jade, please serve her well."
----------
"Your Majesty, the people's grievances are reaching the heavens. You must designate a successor as soon as possible to stabilize public sentiment."
Minister of Administration, Lee Bae-won, spoke.
King Gen seated on the throne, let out a deep sigh.
"There is still one month left, as promised to the people. Why are you in such haste, Minister of Administration?"
Minister of Land, Ju Man, stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, do we simply seem impatient to you? Everyone is deeply concerned about your health. If something were to happen to you..."
At those words, King Gen furrowed his brows in distress.
"It is not that I am unaware of your concerns. However, I have given my word for one month. Please honor that time. During this period, I will pray to the divine and seek wisdom."
Minister of Culture, Han Son, turned around and addressed the officials in a firm voice.
"Has His Majesty ever broken a promise to us? No, he has not. I believe that honoring the agreed time is our duty as his subjects."
At Han Son's words, the meeting hall fell silent.
Only then did King Gen's expression relax slightly.
"Now, this concludes today's meeting. If you have anything more to say, come to my office."
----------
King Gen sat in his office chair, clasping his hands tightly in prayer.
"O Lord, what is the right path? As a father, I do not wish for my child to be trapped within the palace walls but to pursue their dreams freely. What decision would You have me make? Please give me wisdom."
As King Gen prayed earnestly, suddenly the thought of his eldest son, whom he had lost long ago came into his mind.
A faint tear welled up in his eyes.