"The princess has disappeared again!"
Lady Han rushed into the palace kitchen of the princess's quarters.
The court ladies, who had been having breakfast, immediately put down their spoons and stood up in alarm.
Led by Lady Han, all the court ladies of the princess's residence ran out into the garden.
In the garden, the royal guard Jade was leisurely practicing his swordsmanship in the air.
Seeing the court ladies rushing towards him, Jade lowered his sword.
Lady Han asked urgently, "Officer, have you seen the princess?"
"No, I haven't. Wasn't she still asleep?" Jade asked back.
Just a while ago, he had checked that the "Sleeping" sign was still hanging at the entrance of the princess's chamber.
Lady Han sighed. "It seems the princess has sneaked out of the palace alone again. She's truly incorrigible."
"Where does she usually go when she leaves?" Jade inquired.
"It changes each time. But she most often goes to the market district."
"Then I'll head to the market district right away."
Jade quickly crossed the palace grounds in search of the princess.
----------
At that moment, Princess Genie was strolling through the Six Markets, browsing headbands worn by warriors.
"May I try on that blue one?"
Genie pointed at one among the many hair accessories.
"Of course, my lady."
The merchant handed over the blue headband she had indicated.
Genie held up a small mirror from the stall and tried on the headband.
"Would this suit Jade?"
She murmured to herself, tilting her head to examine her reflection from different angles.
The truth was, Genie had sneaked out to the market today to buy a gift for her new bodyguard, Jade.
Last night, while reading the intelligence report about the newly appointed guard, she discovered that his birthday was just a few days away.
"Since he's newly assigned, I should get him a gift as both a welcome and a birthday present. That way, we can grow closer!"
Excited, Genie had jumped out of bed at dawn and rushed to the market in secret.
"My lady, it suits you well. Are you buying it for yourself?"
Genie responded with a delighted smile.
"No, it's a gift for someone else. How much is it?"
"Ten cents, my lady."
The merchant, noticing her silk hanbok, assumed she was from a wealthy family and named his price accordingly.
"Ten cents?"
Genie's eyes widened.
"Why does a warrior's headband cost ten cents?"
She was taken aback.
"This is a high-quality ribbon imported from Arabia. Naturally, foreign goods are expensive."
The merchant explained, mistaking Genie for a naïve noble girl unfamiliar with the ways of the world.
Genie checked her coin pouch.
The court ladies, worried that the princess might sneak out, had already removed most of the coins in advance.
She sighed in disappointment.
"His birthday is coming soon, and I wanted to give him something…"
All she wanted was to offer a small token of appreciation to the newly appointed guard.
Of course, she could have asked the court ladies to purchase a gift for Jade.
But she didn't want to.
She wanted to personally browse through the items and select the gift herself.
Seeing her hesitate, the merchant asked, "Are you short on money?"
Genie hesitated and mumbled, "Well, that's…"
At that moment, a deep male voice rang out.
"Ten cents."
The merchant smiled, pleased, and took the money.
"Thank you. I hope you enjoy giving your gift, my lady."
Genie turned to see who had spoken.
"Oh? How did you…?"
Jade knelt down to match her eye level.
"If you leave without saying a word, everyone worries."
His voice was gentle.
"I-I'm sorry… I purposely checked that the 'Sleeping' sign was in place so I wouldn't cause trouble, but…"
Genie felt guilty, knowing that another commotion had surely erupted at the princess's residence because of her.
"From now on, please call me."
Jade smiled softly.
Genie stared at him in a daze as he knelt and met her eyes with a gentle expression.
She had been with him for almost a month now, yet she still couldn't get used to his strikingly handsome face.
"O-okay… I will."
She responded absentmindedly.
Jade chuckled as if he found her reaction amusing.
"Shall we go now?"
"Yes!"
Genie cheerfully swung the blue headband in her hand and started walking.
Jade followed her one step behind, matching her pace.
Watching her skip ahead, swaying lightly as if she were dancing, a small smile appeared on his lips.
"But… who is that gift for?"
Jade shook his head.
"Not that it matters to me."
Above them, the clear early summer sky stretched endlessly, dotted with drifting clouds.
----------
"If that is Your Majesty's decision, I shall follow your will."
Han Son, the Minister of Culture, spoke as he gazed at King Gen in the royal office.
King Gen let out a deep sigh.
"I do not know if this is truly the right path for her. But one thing is certain—following God's will is the best path for all."
Han Son looked at the king with warm eyes.
He had watched over Gen since his days as the crown prince and had personally taught him.
As a loyal subject, there was nothing he respected more than the king's sincere heart.
"Your Majesty, does the princess feel the same way?"
Gen chuckled weakly.
"That child has no thoughts of such matters. She simply enjoys reading books and running around."
Han Son smiled at his words.
"She is twelve, after all. It is an age for such things."
"But lately, she seems to be looking in the mirror more often."
Gen recalled how, every time he visited the princess's quarters, she would hold a small hand mirror and examine her face from various angles.
"Regardless, the deadline I promised the ministers is approaching, so I must make a decision soon. Thank you for always supporting me, Minister Han."
"I will always stand by Your Majesty."
Han Son replied with deep sincerity.
----------
Under the warm spring sun, in the palace's most beautiful garden, Jeru Garden, Genie was having the time of her life swinging high into the breeze.
At a distance, the court ladies and Jade quietly watched over her.
"Doesn't the princess seem different lately?"
Lady's attendant Park whispered.
The lady beside her nodded.
"So it wasn't just me? She's been acting strangely lately."
"She used to hate washing her face, but now she washes every morning and night. And before leaving her chamber, she spends a long time looking in the mirror, trying on different outfits."
Jade listened to their conversation and couldn't help but chuckle.
Lady's attendant Park continued, "Could it be… that the princess likes someone?"
Lady Han quickly cut in, "Hush. We should not speak carelessly about the princess."
Though he tried to dismiss it, Jade suddenly recalled the words of the market vendor:
"Thank you. I hope you enjoy giving your gift, my lady."
"Could it be… that the princess bought that gift for someone she likes?"
Jade shook his head, scolding himself for such thoughts.
----------
"From here on, do not follow me, all of you."
Genie firmly requested the court ladies.
On a dark night illuminated by the gentle moonlight, Genie had been sneaking toward the Third Royal Library when she was eventually caught by the court ladies, who ended up following her close to the vicinity.
"We will not go any closer and will wait quietly here," said Lady Han.
"I'm already twelve years old. Sometimes, I need time alone, so please don't feel hurt," Genie added, worried that her attendants might be saddened by her desire to go to the library alone.
Then, she turned and walked toward the Third Royal Library.
The reason she came here instead of her usual First or Second Royal Libraries was simple—she had overheard the maids whispering that Jade came here every night and stayed for quite some time.
'I just want to get closer to him. I'm always surrounded by the court ladies, so I never get the chance to talk to him properly. Father always told me to get along harmoniously with everyone who helps me.'
Convincing herself that her actions were justified, Genie stepped into the library with a heart pounding with anticipation.
However, as soon as she entered, she was met with nothing but silence—so quiet that even the sound of the wind could not be heard. Disappointment flickered across her face.
'What? Why isn't he here today? I shouldn't have kept the court ladies waiting for nothing. I guess I'll just read a book for a little while before I leave.'
With a crestfallen expression, Genie randomly pulled a book from the shelf, then sat down in the farthest corner, near the back of the shelves, and began reading.
The book she picked was about the god who created the world. Before she knew it, she had become completely immersed in its pages.
Though she should have been deep in sleep at this hour, Genie had ventured far from her bedchamber to read. But soon enough, her head began to bob, and she drifted off into slumber.
At that moment, Jade entered the Third Royal Library.
As usual, he calmly ran his fingers along the spines of the books, searching for the one he wanted.
Then, his gaze landed on something unexpected—Princess Genie, sitting slumped against the wall by the back entrance, fast asleep.
Jade paused, wondering why the princess had come all the way here.
For a long moment, he simply stood there, gazing at her from a distance. Then, moving carefully so as not to wake her, he slowly approached.
Kneeling beside her, he looked at her sleeping face.
'She really is still just a child.'
Seeing her so defenseless, an unfamiliar emotion stirred within him—a pang of guilt.
Startled by this unexpected feeling, Jade quickly stood up and turned away from her.
But after hesitating for a moment, he turned back again.
Kneeling once more, he gently lifted Genie onto his back, making sure not to wake her.
Carrying her out of the library, Jade glanced up at the full moon, which seemed even more beautiful tonight.
And he silently prayed that his heart would not waver.