On a mild autumn day, bathed in golden sunlight and accompanied by a gentle breeze, Jade sat alone at the pavilion overlooking the royal pond. The water shimmered under the light, calm and clear—yet his heart was anything but.
Today marked his first formal meal with Queen Genie regarding the appointment of the royal consort. Yet, it wasn't the significance of the position that had him on edge. It was her.
His heart pounded, not from duty, but from something far more personal—something he could no longer suppress.
Looking back, his emotions had always stirred whenever she was near. Her voice, her presence, the way she looked at him—it had always shaken something within him. But each time, he buried those feelings beneath layers of duty, reminding himself of who he really was: a spy from Ash.
He had been afraid.
Afraid to confront the truth of his heart. Afraid of what it would mean if he loved her.
But now, he could no longer deny it.
He was in love with Queen Genie.
And somewhere along the way, protecting her—and protecting Hana for her sake—had become more important than the mission he had carried for the past eleven years.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady the storm inside him.
Then, he heard footsteps approaching from behind.
Jade turned his head.
Under the autumn sun, Queen Genie, dressed in pure white silk, looked more radiant than ever. The soft light of the afternoon seemed to enhance her elegance, making her appear ethereal.
Jade rose swiftly to greet her, his pulse quickening at the sight of her.
"You've arrived, Your Majesty," he said, his voice betraying a hint of admiration.
"Please, have a seat, Jade," she replied with a gentle smile, her eyes twinkling.
They both sat across from each other in the pavilion, the serene pond before them mirroring the peaceful atmosphere that had settled between them.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting?" she asked, her tone light and warm.
"Not at all, Your Majesty. I just arrived as well." Jade answered quickly, though his gaze drifted nervously.
He couldn't meet her eyes for too long, his heart fluttering in his chest.
Genie studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes noting the slight tension in his posture.
"Jade, are you feeling unwell?" she asked, a note of concern in her voice.
"No, Your Majesty. Do I look like it?" he replied, offering a sheepish smile, though he couldn't quite mask the anxiety gnawing at him.
Genie, still feeling the lingering sadness from her dream of parting with him, now found her heart lifting just by being near him. His presence, as always, had a way of soothing her.
She noticed how stiff and uncertain he seemed today, which made her smile teasingly.
"Are you nervous because of the royal secretary appointment?" she asked, her voice playful.
"N-no, Your Majesty..." Jade stammered, taken aback by her keen perception. "I'm just—"
"Haha, well, that's good to hear," she interrupted, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Now, what food have you prepared to share with me today?"
"Please bring in the meal," Jade said politely, signaling to the palace chef who was waiting nearby.
The chef brought forward a large silver pot, placing it carefully at the center of the table. Court ladies followed with an assortment of side dishes, including white kimchi, its crispness a contrast to the warmth of the meal.
Genie leaned forward, her curiosity piqued as she examined the pot.
"What is this?" she asked, her eyes wide with interest.
Jade opened the lid with a small smile, revealing the contents.
"This is..."
He let the mystery linger for a moment before lifting the lid fully.
Genie's eyes widened in surprise.
"This is...!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with astonishment.
Inside the pot was royal-style tteokbokki—perfectly seasoned, glistening with sauce, and topped with a delicate sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Jade watched her reaction, his heart pounding, nervous yet pleased by her genuine surprise.
"Jade! How did you come to prepare royal tteokbokki?" Genie asked, still staring at the dish in awe.
Her tone was filled with both wonder and amusement, and Jade couldn't help but smile.
"Eleven years ago, on the day I first met Your Majesty… You asked me if I liked royal tteokbokki. I remember you having it for lunch that day as well."
Genie looked at Jade as he spoke and the vivid memory of their first meeting unfolding.
He was twenty-three then—tall, with broad shoulders, deep, soulful eyes, a sharp nose, and that perfectly symmetrical, beautiful smile. A man with the quiet strength of someone who had already seen much of the world, yet with a softness in his gaze that only someone who cared deeply could possess.
As she reminisced, she turned her gaze toward him now. Jade had changed, of course. His shoulders had grown broader, his once youthful features now marked with the subtle signs of maturity. But those eyes—they were still the same clear, steady eyes that had comforted her in moments of doubt. And his smile, still beautiful, now carried with it the weight of the years that had passed.
"Royal tteokbokki is still my favorite dish," Genie continued, a smile tugging at her lips. "But since I often dine with ministers, I rarely get to have it. Thanks to you, I get to enjoy my favorite food again after such a long time."
Seeing her so happy, Jade's smile deepened, the joy in her expression infectious. It made his chest swell with something he couldn't quite put into words—contentment, affection, maybe even something more.
He scooped a generous portion of the tteokbokki into her bowl, his fingers steady as he did so.
"Thank you, Jade," Genie said softly, her voice warm with appreciation. "I'll enjoy it."
And she did. With a contented hum, she took a big bite, savoring the perfect balance of soy sauce and sugar, the comforting heat of the dish enveloping her senses.
"It's delicious!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she eagerly took another bite.
Jade watched her, his own appetite momentarily forgotten as he took in the sight of her joy. He couldn't help but smile, as though her happiness made everything around them feel brighter.
From a distance, Lady Park and the court ladies stood, watching the scene with a quiet admiration.
"It's been so long since I've seen Her Majesty look this happy," Lady Park remarked, her eyes soft with fondness.
Chief Han, standing beside her, nodded in agreement, a gentle smile on her lips.
"Since ascending the throne, she's been so devoted to the nation… so often tired. But today, she truly looks joyful."
"If Minister Jade is appointed royal consort," Lady Park mused, "I believe Her Majesty would be truly happy."
"Yes…" Chief Han's voice was tinged with a note of uncertainty. "If only everything could go just as Her Majesty hopes…"
She tried to suppress a sudden wave of unease, the quiet worry settling within her chest.
Meanwhile, at the table, Genie finished the tteokbokki from the large silver pot, setting her chopsticks down with a satisfied sigh.
"Did I eat too much and leave you with too little?" she asked, suddenly concerned.
Jade chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Not at all. I ate plenty as well."
"Then, shall we take a walk together in the Jeru Garden?"
The late afternoon sun cast a golden hue across the palace grounds as Queen Genie extended her hand toward Jade. Just yesterday, she had shared a pleasant meal with Candidate Moonsen—polite, composed, and dutiful. After their formal exchange, she had seen him off with the grace befitting a monarch.
But with Jade, things felt different.
She didn't want to say goodbye so soon.
Now, side by side, Queen Genie and Jade strolled through the Jeru Garden. The crisp scent of autumn leaves mingled with the gentle rustling of branches overhead, and the soft gravel crunched beneath their feet. A cool breeze stirred the edge of her cloak, and for a moment, everything was quiet—peaceful.
"Isn't it a little awkward?" she said suddenly, glancing up at him with a soft laugh. "You and I… having such formal meals, all in the name of the consort selection?"
Jade chuckled in return, though it sounded slightly forced. In that fleeting moment, an image surfaced uninvited in his mind: Queen Genie smiling across the table at Moonsen, their shared laughter echoing faintly in the banquet hall. It had stirred something restless in him.
His smile faltered. His eyes, normally so composed, shadowed with unspoken thoughts.
Genie tilted her head, concern crossing her delicate features.
"Did something you ate earlier upset your stomach?"
Jade offered her a faint smile and shook his head, saying nothing.
"No, I'm alright, Your Majesty," he finally murmured. "I only hope this consort selection process hasn't been too burdensome for you."
"It's all right," she replied softly, hands clasped before her. "It's something I needed to do… something expected of me."
He nodded, but silence bloomed between them once more.
Then she stopped walking.
Jade halted beside her, eyes drawn to her sudden stillness. She turned to face him fully, and for a moment, the garden faded into a hush. She looked up at him—into his deep, lake-like eyes—and smiled, her gaze clear and unwavering.
"But…" she said gently, "I think my heart is already set."
Jade's breath caught.
His heart pounded louder than the wind in the trees. A question rose in his throat, trembling at the edge of speech.
'Your Majesty… where is your heart leading you to?'