Ji-hwan barely had time to process his new position before his first test arrived.
A stack of royal documents was placed before him—sealed orders for military deployment. Seong-min sat across from him in his private study, watching as Ji-hwan unfolded the first scroll.
"Read them," Seong-min instructed.
Ji-hwan swallowed. These were not documents an ordinary secretary would handle. This was a test.
His fingers tightened around the parchment as he read through the first decree. It was a routine deployment order… but something was wrong.
Ji-hwan's eyes flickered to the signatures. One belonged to Minister Choi, a man Ji-hwan knew had betrayed the king in his past life.
He hesitated.
Seong-min leaned forward. "Something troubling you, Lord Yoon?"
Ji-hwan forced his expression into neutrality. "No, Your Majesty."
He placed the document down carefully, hiding his unease. If he warned Seong-min, he would stand out. If he said nothing, the king would walk into a trap.
Seong-min's gaze remained sharp. "Good. I expect a full report by morning."
Ji-hwan bowed and took the documents. As he stepped out, a low voice whispered near his ear.
"So eager to impress the king?"
Ji-hwan turned to find Prince Gyeong-ho smirking at him.
"Careful, Lord Yoon," the prince murmured. "The last time you stood too close to the throne… you lost your life."
Ji-hwan forced himself to remain calm. He would not let history repeat itself.
But now, he was trapped between a king who would not let him go—and enemies who still wanted him dead.