The Prince never visited me that night like he usually did, and I never asked why.
After that dream, sleep refused to come that night. The palace had its own heartbeat, slow, deliberate, always whispering. The rustle of silk robes outside my quarters, the sound of footsteps fading down long corridors… everything felt alive, listening.
I turned on my side, staring at the thin candle still burning low. My mind refused to rest. Every look, every stare, every word from the Queen replayed like a scene in slow motion.
Her voice, sharp and cold like winter steel. Her eyes, sharper. She didn't just dislike me… she feared something.
Something about me.
I sat up, brushing my hair aside. "Keep your eyes on your enemies…" my father's voice echoed.
Right. I would.
But how do you keep your eyes on someone who hides their dagger behind a smile?
The door slid open quietly. My hand instinctively reached for the small dagger I kept under the mat, but it was just Hyejin.
Her face was pale.
"Someone's been asking questions about you," she whispered, stepping inside quickly. "The Queen's attendants were in the servants' quarter… asking who you really are."
My blood ran cold.
Who I really am?
What did they find? What did they suspect?
"Did anyone say anything?" I asked in a low tone.
"No, but Poong Yeon…" she hesitated. "He's been watching you again. And tonight, he went into the King's chambers."
My breath caught. "The King's chambers? Why?"
"I don't know," Hyejin said nervously. "But after he left, I overheard a guard say the King wants to meet you privately… tomorrow."
Tomorrow.
At dawn.
Of course.
I dismissed Hyejin and laid back down, though rest still refused to come. The sound of the wind outside seemed to taunt me, a reminder that in this palace, walls had ears and shadows had tongues.
Morning light spilled into the court like liquid gold. The Crown Prince stood there already, sword in hand, practicing. His movements were graceful, precise, yet so human. There was an ache in his stance, something unreadable but real.
I paused, watching him. The way the sunlight kissed his hair. The faint smile that formed when he saw me.
God help me.
"You didn't sleep," he said softly, noticing the fatigue in my eyes.
"Neither did you," I replied, stepping closer.
He chuckled, lowering his sword. "You were on my mind."
For a moment, I froze.
He looked at me as though he hadn't meant to say it out loud. The silence that followed was… thick.
"I mean, your training," he added quickly, a nervous laugh breaking the tension.
"You've improved so much, it's… distracting."
I smirked. "Smooth recovery, your Highness."
He grinned shyly, and we began to spar, the clashing of blades filling the courtyard. His every movement was fluid, familiar. But when our swords crossed and our faces drew close, the world seemed to still.
His breath brushed against my cheek. My heart betrayed me, pounding so hard I feared he'd hear it.
Then suddenly,
"Your Highness!" a guard's voice echoed through the courtyard.
The Prince stepped back immediately. A servant approached with a letter sealed in crimson wax. He handed it to the Prince, bowed deeply, and left.
The Prince broke the seal. His expression darkened.
"It's from the Queen," he murmured. "She summoned you… and my father wishes to see you after."
I exhaled slowly. "So it begins."
He reached out, gently taking my wrist before I could turn away. His voice was low, almost trembling. "Whatever happens in there… don't be afraid. I'll be watching."
For a moment, I almost said something I shouldn't, don't risk yourself for me. But the words got lost somewhere between reason and the warmth of his hand.
The Queen's chamber smelled of jasmine and politics.
She was seated beside the Prime Minister, her father, both faces carved from stone.
"So…" the Queen began, her voice deceptively calm, "the woman who saved my step-son's life finally stands before us."
Her eyes raked over me. Slowly. Deliberately.
"What kingdom are you from?" she asked in a tone that already assumed guilt.
I bowed slightly. "I come from far away, Your Majesty."
"Far away," she repeated with mock amusement. "So far, you've brought strange words and stranger influence to my son."
I remained silent, though my hands clenched behind my back.
Her father spoke next. "Tell me, how did a woman like you fight ten armed men? What dark magic aided you?"
I met his gaze, unwavering. "Survival is my only magic."
The Queen smirked, unimpressed. "How poetic."
Her fan snapped shut. "You see, Crown Prince speaks your tongue now. He uses words not of our world. You've bewitched him, haven't you?"
"I taught him words," I replied evenly. "Not obedience."
Her smile faltered. The air thickened.
Before she could respond, the door slid open and the King entered.
Everyone bowed.
He looked at me for a long moment. There was something searching in his gaze. Something that made my skin prickle.
"Rise," he said finally. "I have questions."
My pulse thundered in my ears.
This was it, the moment where truth and danger would collide.
But as I lifted my head, I caught sight of the Crown Prince standing quietly in the doorway, his eyes locked on mine.
And in that instant, I knew…
No matter what happened next, my life in this palace would never be the same again.