I got up from sitting on the floor when I heard what the eunuch said.
"What do you mean, ninjas?"
"The enemy of the palace. They're attacking us!" the eunuch shouted.
"Hide the queen!" another eunuch shouted.
The head court lady assisted me.
"Your Highness, let's hide."
My heart started thumping. I honestly didn't understand what was happening outside.
"Get my other clothes."
"What?"
"I need to change."
"Why?"
"So that I can go outside."
"But you need to hide, Your Highness."
"I need to go to the king's chamber."
"But what if you get caught by the ninjas?"
I sighed. I had no time to explain. I hurriedly grabbed my clothes and removed the queen's garments.
Has the war started now? But it was still vague who the real enemy was.
After I changed and grabbed a weapon for protection, I went to the door, but the head court lady stopped me.
"Your Highness, please hide yourself. Don't go outside."
"Stay here and protect yourself. I need to go to the king's chamber."
"You know I can't protect myself if something happens to you. I will surely die."
"It's a matter of life and death now. I didn't become a queen just to hide from the war. I'll go."
The head court lady tried to stop me, but I pushed her hard to escape. Even the eunuchs were shocked to see me out; they realized too late that I was the queen.
I ran as fast as I could to escape them. I ran toward the king's chamber. As I ran, I heard footsteps behind me. I hid in a corner to see who the ninjas were. Luckily, they didn't find me. I had to be very careful not to get caught, even though I was wearing an ordinary dress.
I ran, walked, ran, and walked on my way to the king's chamber. I stopped again when I saw two ninjas walking ahead. I hid in a corner so I wouldn't get caught.
"The queen is not in her chamber, nor is the king."
"So where are they? Did they know ahead of time that we were coming?"
"I don't know. Probably."
I thought they were simply talking about us not being in our chambers. To my shock, one ninja suddenly stabbed the other, making me gasp. It was a loud gasp—I hadn't expected it.
The ninja who killed the other heard me.
He looked toward the corner where I was hiding. I put my hands over my mouth to stop any more sound. I could hear the loud beat of my heart. I could feel he was nearing where I was. But he stopped walking toward me when another ninja called him.
"What have you done to him?" the newly arrived ninja asked.
"He was useless."
I peeked at them secretly. They were whispering, and I couldn't even eavesdrop properly. It took a few minutes before they finally left.
Once they were gone, I stood up and stretched my legs. They had gone numb from sitting for so long. When I felt better, I started to walk again.
If the king was not in his chamber, then where was he? Maybe hiding in his office? Or the library?
I continued walking without any clear plan. I needed to find the king and make sure he was okay.
As I walked, I hadn't noticed that ninjas were coming in my direction. I stopped when I saw their silhouettes. I tried to go back, but ninjas were coming from the other side too.
Suddenly, someone pulled my hand. I gasped, but he quickly covered my mouth and pulled me into hiding.
The ninjas looked in our direction, but they didn't come to check. I was still curious about who had pulled me.
When the ninjas were gone, the hand over my mouth was removed. I could finally see the person who saved my life.
"Min Yun!" I screamed, but not too loudly.
"What have you done?" Min Yun looked pissed.
"What do you mean?"
"Your head court lady told me you ran away. Why did you do it?" he asked, looking worried.
"I was just trying to save the king. That's why I left."
"How many lives do you have that you're not afraid of death? Did the book tell you that you're not going to die tonight?" he said angrily.
I could feel the anger in his voice. I had made a mistake again.
"The book didn't warn me," I said. "I'm sorry."
"You never fail to put yourself in danger. What if the ninjas had caught you? What could we possibly have done? I don't even know if I could forgive myself."
"Min Yun…"
"Just please stop being stubborn. You always escape from your court ladies and eunuchs. Your intention to save someone keeps putting your life at stake."
"I was concerned for the king."
"And you're willing to risk your life for that?"
"We are talking about the king—your best friend!" I shouted, too.
"If I were the king, would you do the same?" Pain struck in his voice.
"What is that question all about?" I couldn't understand him. I knew I had made a mistake again, but why was he asking me that?
"Answer me!" he demanded.
"Min Yun, I don't understand…"
"You like the king, right? That's why you're willingly sacrificing yourself for him?"
My mouth dropped open. I couldn't understand why he was acting like that.
He smiled bitterly. "Silence means yes."
"Look, Min Yun. We both knew from the beginning why we were doing this. It's always been for the king to survive. I married him because I wanted to help him defeat his enemy. Aren't we still on the same path?"
Our argument was cut short when we heard a commotion. We went to where the loud noise was coming from. The soldiers and ninjas were fighting!
"Go to the library. The king is there."
"Aren't you coming with me?"
"I'll help my soldiers."
I held his hand, which made him stop. "Min Yun…"
He didn't say a word, then pulled his hand away from me. He ran quickly before I could stop him.
I wanted to go to him, but it would only lead to more problems. I followed what he said—that I should go to the library. Even though I felt tired from running, I still kept my pace. I walked toward the library.
But before I arrived, I saw a familiar face standing in the king's chamber. It was Ji Han. What was he doing here? Did he have a plan for the king?
I silently moved closer to see what he was up to. But as I neared, he started to walk away. Out of curiosity, I followed him. I knew I had made a big mistake again in the eyes of Min Yun. I hadn't followed his instructions again.
I silently followed Ji Han, trying my best not to let my footsteps be heard or make any noise. When he stopped, I stopped too.
I didn't know where he was going. The place was dark and scary. But why did I feel like Ji Han had something to do with the ninjas?
I got my weapon from inside my hanbok. In case I got caught, at least I could defend myself—or so I thought.
I stopped following him when I could no longer see his figure. I looked around. It was just a second that I had spaced out, and now he was gone?
I walked again and looked around, hoping to see Ji Han. But he was nowhere to be found. I didn't know where I was anymore.
"Are you following me, Your Highness?"
I felt like someone had poured ice over my whole body when I heard Ji Han's voice from behind. I slowly turned around to see him.
He was smiling—but this time, it was creepy, like in horror movies.
"Ji Han."
"I know you're following me," Ji Han said with authority in his voice. "Care to tell me why?"
"Ji Han." That was the only word I could utter. I didn't know what to say. I was speechless.
The situation had gotten worse. Surely, Min Yun would loathe me. Maybe it was better to die now than to see Min Yun hating me.
"You don't know this part of the palace, right? I guess so, just by the look on your face."
I secretly held the weapon in my hand, which was placed at my back, just in case Ji Han tried to attack me.
He walked toward me, and I stepped backward.
"You even changed your dress now. Why? So they wouldn't know you're the queen?"
"Don't come near me," I finally said.
He smiled like a wild wolf. "Okay."
I thought he would listen, but when I stepped backward again, I felt a figure standing behind me—and the last thing I remembered was darkness.