On a chilly autumn morning, Queen Genie made her way toward the Jeru Garden, where the group meal session for the royal consort selection was about to begin. The crisp air carried a faint hint of approaching winter, rustling the amber leaves beneath her feet.
At the center of the elegantly arranged table sat the final three candidates. Moonsen, Jade, and Pyo. The seat at the very center remained empty, reserved for the Queen herself. Moonsen and Jade took their places on her left, with Jade seated furthest from her, while Pyo claimed the seat to her right.
As Genie drew closer, her eyes instinctively sought out Jade. His dark hair fluttered gently in the early winter breeze, strands catching the soft sunlight like silk. She felt her heart quicken, an involuntary tremor she fought to suppress.
Steeling herself, she stepped forward with measured grace.
At the sight of the Queen approaching, the three men rose immediately.
"Your Majesty, welcome," Moonsen and Pyo greeted her warmly.
Jade nodded silently, his expression composed though his heart raced beneath the calm facade.
"Your Majesty, you've arrived," Jade said quietly.
Genie deliberately averted her gaze from Jade, instead meeting the eyes of Moonsen and Pyo as she took her seat at the table.
Feeling the crispness of the morning air seep into her bones, she broke the silence with a gentle remark.
"It seems winter is arriving. I hope none of you are feeling cold."
Moonsen smiled politely, his gaze attentive and respectful.
"It's nothing, Your Majesty. I only worry that you might be more sensitive to the cold than we are."
At Moonsen's gentle remark, Jade's thoughts involuntarily drifted to a memory long buried but never forgotten—a cave on a remote island, where Princess Genie had shivered in silence, her lips tinged blue from the cold as a storm raged outside. She hadn't complained once, but he had seen the way her fingers trembled, how she tried to hide her suffering behind royal pride.
The wind whispered again through the Jeru Garden, and before he could stop himself, Jade cast a glance toward her. But someone else moved first.
Moonsen stepped forward, unfolding a fine silk cloth dyed a deep, elegant violet. It shimmered subtly in the morning light.
"With your permission, Your Majesty," he said with a graceful bow, "if you place this over your lap, it should help you stay warm."
Queen Genie blinked in surprise, then offered him a soft, appreciative smile.
"Thank you, Candidate Moonsen. That's very thoughtful of you."
As she accepted the cloth and gently spread it across her lap, Jade felt a flicker of unease rise within him. Her smile—so rare and precious—was not for him this time.
Seated a little apart, Pyo watched the exchange with a calm, detached gaze. He seemed almost amused, but not in bitterness. Having quietly accepted that he was no longer in Her Majesty's heart, he had already begun to release any lingering hopes. His peace was genuine.
Moonsen, still standing beside the Queen, appeared buoyed by her appreciation.
"Your Majesty," he began, "since you enjoyed the dishes I prepared last time, I brought a few more selections today."
Genie raised her brows slightly, caught off guard by his consistent thoughtfulness.
"You didn't have to go to such trouble again. What have you brought this time?"
At his signal, a court cook stepped forward and delicately placed a small, steaming bowl before the Queen.
"It's pumpkin porridge," Moonsen said with a warm smile. "After learning that Your Majesty enjoys pine nut porridge, I asked your ladies-in-waiting and found that you also favor this one. I hope it brings you warmth this morning."
Genie looked at the golden-hued porridge, fragrant and softly steaming, then back at Moonsen. There was genuine care in his eyes—care that had been prepared quietly, with effort, and without demand.
She gave a slow nod.
"I see. Thank you."
Jade's hands tightened slightly beneath the table. He said nothing, but his heart stirred restlessly.
Across the table, Jade's gaze never left her face.
He watched the subtle lift of her lips, the way her fingers lingered on the warm porcelain bowl. He tried to convince himself it was only a moment of politeness. But when her eyes remained on Moonsen—warm, appreciative, and open—he felt a sharp, unfamiliar ache deep in his chest.
'Your Majesty… you won't even meet my eyes today.'
He lowered his gaze, careful to keep his face unreadable. But a tightness in his throat betrayed him inwardly. The very composure he had trained himself to master over years on the battlefield now felt like a prison. He couldn't speak. He couldn't move. He could only sit still and watch the one he loved smile at another man.
Pyo, who had been sipping his tea quietly, let his gaze flick between the three.
A faint chuckle escaped his lips—so quiet it barely stirred the air, but laced with amusement nonetheless.
'So even the legendary warrior Minister Jade gets jealous…'
He hid his smirk behind his teacup.
Still, there was no malice in his heart—only a strange fondness for the awkward yet undeniably human mess of emotions playing out before him. In this chilly morning, mixture of feelings tangled invisibly across the breakfast table like threads in the wind.
"Onny, there's something you must do."
Lee Jan wore a sly smile as she gave her order.
Onny's eyes widened.
"But, my lady… Isn't that a lie…? Perhaps you should reconsider…"
"Watch your mouth! Did I ask for your opinion?! You're my servant. Just follow my orders. Why must you always argue?"
Terrified, Onny bowed her head in fear.
"I-I'm sorry, my lady… I'll do as you say…"
Onny stepped outside, trembling as she looked up at the darkening sky.
'But still… Surely this is something that shouldn't be done…'
Meanwhile, deep within the marble halls of the royal palace, Queen Genie sat at the head of a long lacquered table in the royal office, surrounded by the royal officials regarding foreign affairs issues. The scent of burning sandalwood filled the air, faint but grounding, as the discussion turned grave.
"Your Majesty," the Minister of Foreign Affairs began, his brows furrowed with concern, "the Ash Kingdom is behaving strangely. Traditionally, they would have sent a congratulatory envoy—or at the very least a formal letter—upon your coronation. But not a single representative has come. Their silence is... suspicious."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the gathered officials. Moonsen, seated closest to the Queen, leaned forward slightly.
"It does appear there's been a shift in Ash's diplomatic posture toward Hana," he said thoughtfully. "Shall we dispatch a trusted envoy to assess the situation?"
Queen Genie remained silent for a moment, her eyes fixed on the flickering candlelight. The weight of every decision—political and personal—seemed to rest on her shoulders.
"If we act too hastily, we may risk provoking them further," she replied calmly. "What I seek with Ash is not tension, but peace—and long-term coexistence. We will begin by reinforcing the border, as Minister Jade previously advised. Let that be our quiet message of strength."
The room nodded in quiet approval.
"As for our cultural consort exchange," she continued, her voice composed, "we'll proceed with it as we have in years past. Tradition can be a steadying force amid uncertain winds."
"With wisdom, as always, Your Majesty," said the Minister Han Sonbowing his head respectfully.
The Queen gave a slight nod.
"That will be all for today. May each of you have a peaceful night."
One by one, the officials stood, bowed deeply, and exited the chamber, their rustling robes fading into silence.
All except Moonsen.
When the doors finally closed, Queen Genie looked up.
"Candidate Moon," she said gently, "is there something more you wished to say?"
Moonsen hesitated, then stepped forward with quiet resolve.
"Your Majesty… I remained only to say this. With the day of your royal consort selection drawing near, I imagine your heart may be conflicted. Whatever your decision may be, I give you my word—I will continue to serve you and the Hana Kingdom with unshakable loyalty. Please, make your choice freely and without burden."
The sincerity in his tone touched her. A small, grateful smile bloomed on her lips.
"Thank you," she said softly. "Your words ease more than you know."
Just then, a soft rustle at the chamber's entrance interrupted the moment. Lady Park appeared, her expression slightly strained.
"Your Majesty," she said with a bow, "Minister Jade is at the door."
Genie blinked.
"Jade…?"
Before she could respond, Lady Park continued, her tone apologetic.
"When I informed him that you were currently in discussion with Candidate Moon, he declined to enter. He said it was not urgent… and that he would return another time."
For a brief instant, something unreadable passed through the Queen's gaze. Then she simply nodded.
"Very well. Thank you."
As the door closed once more, a strange stillness settled over her heart—a quiet, unspoken ache she dared not name.
As Jade walked away from the royal office and through the quiet palace garden, the crisp evening air nipped at his cheeks. Leaves rustled softly in the wind, brushing past stone paths and flickering lanterns. Still, none of it reached him. A heavy weight pressed against his chest.
He exhaled slowly, watching his breath cloud in the cooling air.
"At this hour… when the sun sets, I shouldn't have expected anything."