"I think my heart is already set."
The words echoed in Queen Genie's mind as she sat before a bowl of steaming seafood stew, the scent of fresh herbs and ocean brine wafting up in comforting spirals. Yet the warmth of the meal did little to steady her thoughts.
'Did Jade understand what I meant yesterday?'
Her gaze dropped to the swirling broth, but her mind wandered far from the royal pavilion.
It had been the first time she'd seen Jade since realizing what her heart had been whispering all along. She had spoken those words with careful weight, hoping he would catch the meaning beneath their simplicity.
"Your Majesty, how does it taste?"
The voice of Administrator Pyo—the third royal consort candidate—brought her back to the present. His eyes were polite, but watchful.
Startled, Genie straightened and quickly offered a composed smile.
"Yes, it's very good. Thank you."
A flicker of guilt passed through her like a gust of cold wind.
This meal was important to Pyo—an opportunity to present himself not just as a consort candidate, but as a person of substance. Yet her thoughts had been adrift, anchored elsewhere… to Jade.
Trying to move the conversation forward, Pyo ventured again, "Your Majesty, may I ask—what do you usually enjoy doing during your rest hours?"
"I enjoy reading," she replied, gently setting down her spoon. "And writing, as well…"
As the words left her lips, another thought nudged its way in.
'Jade likes to read, too. But we've never spoken much about books… Next time… I want to ask him what his favorite book is.'
The corners of her lips curved slightly at the thought, but once again, she drifted into silence.
From a short distance away, Chief Han and Lady Park stood beneath the shade of the pavilion, their eyes discreetly tracking the Queen's mood.
"Her Majesty seems… distracted," Lady Park murmured, noting the faraway look in Genie's eyes.
Chief Han folded his arms, nodding faintly. "Well, if her heart is already set… what more is there to be done?"
Soon, the luncheon came to its ceremonial end.
Administrator Pyo stood and offered a respectful bow.
"Pyo, thank you for the delicious seafood stew you prepared today," Genie said softly as they rose from the table.
"I'm glad Your Majesty enjoyed it."
Genie offered him a faint, apologetic smile, her eyes momentarily dropping to the ground.
"Shall we walk for a bit?" she asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
They began strolling through the palace garden, the autumn wind rustling through the trees like whispered secrets. Despite the tranquil beauty surrounding them, a quiet weight pressed on Genie's heart.
'I was so deep in thoughts of Jade… I can barely remember what I talked about with Candidate Pyo… How careless of me. I feel so sorry…'
Beside her, Pyo remained composed, his steps measured and his gaze steady. After a moment, he spoke with calm clarity.
"Your Majesty," he said, "there's no need to feel sorry toward me. I believe… Your Majesty has already made her choice."
Genie turned to him, startled. His words cut through her thoughts like morning sunlight through mist.
"How did you know…?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.
A gentle, knowing smile spread across Pyo's face.
"It was clear someone else was on your mind," he said simply. "But please… don't feel guilty. You are human, too, Your Majesty. You have a heart—how could anyone fault you for that?"
Genie stared at him, her heart swelling with a deep and unexpected gratitude.
"Thank you," she said sincerely. "I promise to listen more carefully and be present during our next group meal."
His expression softened further as he gave a respectful nod. "I look forward to it, Your Majesty."
He bowed deeply before taking his leave, his footsteps quiet against the stone path.
Genie stood still, watching his retreating figure disappear beyond the colonnade.
'Candidate Pyo is a good man. I pray he meets a loving wife—someone who will see his quiet strength and stand by his side with warmth and pride.'
The wind carried away her thoughts like fallen leaves, and with a small breath, she turned back toward the palace—toward the future that was slowly beginning to take shape in her heart.
That night, beneath the soft glow of the moonlight, Jade sat alone in the quiet of the military garden, a book resting in his hands. The crisp autumn breeze rustled the pages now and then, but he barely noticed. The words before him blurred into the background as his thoughts wandered to a certain smile—a smile that had been haunting him since yesterday.
"Minister Jade!"
Startled, he looked up to see Danjin hurrying toward him, breathless and wide-eyed.
"You're not asleep yet?" Jade asked, setting his book aside.
Panting and flushed from excitement, Danjin came to a halt before him.
"I came to deliver good news, Minister!"
Jade raised an eyebrow, trying to mask the flicker of anticipation in his chest.
"What kind of good news makes you run through the palace at this hour?"
With a grin that stretched ear to ear, Danjin leaned forward.
"Her Majesty finished her final private meal with the third candidate today. But the palace is already buzzing with rumors—it's said that you will be chosen as the Royal Consort!"
Jade's heart skipped a beat.
He inhaled slowly, steadying his voice. "And where did you hear such things?"
Danjin chuckled.
"From the court ladies. Everyone's talking about it. They say Her Majesty looked most serene and joyful after meeting with you. Congratulations, Minister!"
A faint flush touched Jade's ears, but he shook his head modestly.
"There are still two group meals remaining. Don't let idle talk cloud your thoughts… and let's hope Her Majesty doesn't hear of such rumors."
Despite his composed words, he could feel the rapid beating of his heart.
Danjin laughed and gave him a playful nudge. "You're always so humble, Minister. But if you do become the Royal Consort, please don't forget about me!"
Jade allowed himself a soft chuckle and waved a hand toward the path leading back to the residence. "That's enough now. Go on and get some rest. It's late."
"Yes, Minister! Have a peaceful night!"
With a respectful bow, Danjin trotted away, still beaming.
Once alone again, Jade lifted his gaze to the full moon hanging silently in the sky. Its light bathed the garden in silver, calm and ethereal. And in that quiet light, he saw her smile again—Queen Genie's radiant warmth, the one she'd given him as they walked through the Jeru Garden.
His heartbeat stirred anew.
'There's still time. Don't get ahead of yourself,' he told himself firmly.
Yet despite his self-restraint, a quiet smile bloomed across his face, mirroring the moonlight's gentle glow.
Meanwhile, in the dim stillness of her chamber, Lady Lee Jan sat stiffly at the edge of a cushioned seat, her fingers obsessively nibbling at the edge of her nail. The silence gnawed at her nerves.
"Onny should be here by now…" she murmured, her leg bouncing anxiously.
A knock sounded on the door.
"It's me, Onny," came the voice from outside.
"Come in—quickly," Lee Jan called, her tone sharp.
The door creaked open, and Onny stepped inside, cheeks flushed, her breath uneven as if she had sprinted through the palace.
"Well?" Lee Jan demanded. "Did you hear anything?"
Onny hesitated, glancing down as she caught her breath.
"Yes, ma'am… I did."
"Then say it!" Lee Jan snapped. "What's happening with the Royal Consort appointment?"
After a moment's hesitation, Onny answered, her voice cautious. "It seems… Minister Jade will likely be chosen."
Lee Jan's expression darkened.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes… I heard it while I was delivering spare garments to Lord Juwontak. The court ladies were talking excitedly. They said it's almost confirmed… that Her Majesty will name Minister Jade."
"No…" Lee Jan whispered. Her hands clenched in her lap. "No—this can't be. Jade must not become the Queen's husband!"
Her voice rose into a sudden cry, piercing through the quiet chamber. Onny flinched instinctively, shrinking back a step.
Then, nervously, she ventured, "Ma'am… with respect, you are Lord Juwontak's wife now. Perhaps… it's time to forget about Minister Jade…"
"What did you say?" Lee Jan's voice turned low and cold.
Onny's face paled.
"I—I spoke out of turn. Forgive me, ma'am. I didn't mean to offend…"
"You dare lecture me?" Lee Jan rose to her feet, her eyes blazing.
"N-no, ma'am! I'll go prepare your evening meal…" Onny stammered, quickly bowing and backing toward the door.
Alone in the quiet solitude of her chamber, Lee Jan's eyes burned fiercely as they fixed on the blank wall before her. Yet her mind was far from empty.
The image of Queen Genie and Jade flickered unbidden through her thoughts—an unexpected vision that refused to fade.
She recalled the day she had seen them together outside the prison walls, during one of her visits to her imprisoned husband. The Queen had glided past with her usual regal dignity, her presence commanding even the air around her. Behind her, Jade moved silently—handsome, composed, a figure carved from calm and strength.
At the time, an uneasy knot had formed in Lee Jan's stomach, a quiet warning she had chosen to ignore.
But now, as Jade stood among the final three candidates for royal consort, that knot had twisted into a roaring storm of anxiety and jealousy.
"No," she whispered to the shadows creeping across the room. "My Jade must never become the Queen's husband."
A dangerous light ignited behind her eyes, sharp and unwavering.
"Oh right…" The words escaped her lips with a venomous delight. "So this is how I'll do it…"
A sly, knowing smile curved across her face—one born of cold calculation and dark resolve, as if she had uncovered the vicious plot.