Lady Gwak's chest swelled with pride, her smile widening. "Of course. I played a significant role in this village, helping the people when they were in need."
Genie didn't flinch. "But then, why did you charge such exorbitant interest, driving the very villagers you claimed to help into even greater hardship?"
The words landed like a sharp blow. Lady Gwak's smile faltered, and she blinked, caught off guard by the question.
The murmurs from the crowd grew louder, their voices a rising tide of unrest. The Supreme Judge, the magistrate, and Ju Tak exchanged startled glances, confusion and tension thick in the air. Ju Tak turned to the magistrate, his expression questioning, silently asking what was happening. The magistrate, equally bewildered, could only shake his head in fear.
Genie pressed on without hesitation. "Lady Gwak has long tormented the people of this village through predatory lending practices. It is unjust for someone like her to inherit the hard-earned assets of Gwak's son."
The villagers erupted into cheers, their voices rising in a unified roar of relief and triumph.
Genie turned back to face Lady Gwak, her gaze unwavering. "Moreover, did you truly raise Gwak's son with love and care?" she asked sharply. "Or did you mistreat him while slandering his biological mother? The villagers, of course, know the truth better than anyone."
She paused for a beat, letting the weight of her words settle over the crowd. "If Lady Gwak inherits his assets, she will only continue to exploit the villagers. She is not fit to inherit. It is more proper for Gwak's son's wife to receive the inheritance."
At Genie's clear and resolute judgment, the villagers' cheers grew even louder. It was the joyous shout of countless souls who had suffered under Lady Gwak's oppressive rule for far too long. A collective sense of justice had finally found its voice.
As Genie's verdict resounded through the square, a vote was held immediately. In full view of the crowd, the ballots cast by the villagers were opened one by one. The result was nothing short of overwhelming—a decisive victory for the princess.
Supreme Judge Hwan, his face reluctantly etched with resignation, announced the final result. "With 528 votes, Princess Genie has won the second competition."
The cheer that followed was deafening. Not just Genie's retainers but even the villagers who had long endured Lady Gwak's tyranny erupted into joyful applause.
Jade, standing at her side, smiled warmly and clapped for Princess Genie, pride shining in his eyes.
Only Ju Tak's faction and Lady Gwak were left utterly defeated, their faces clouded with despair.
Supreme Judge Park spoke next, his voice carrying the weight of the moment.
"Thus… According to the rules, since Princess Genie has already won two of the three competitions, she is now the final victor of the royal succession contest."
The village square resounded with jubilant cheers for Genie. Led by Minister Han Son, Genie's followers and attendants shouted in unison, their voices filled with reverence and celebration.
"Long live Princess Genie!"
"Congratulations, Your Highness!!!"
Princess Genie lifted her head, her eyes tracing the wide expanse of the sky above. A quiet sense of fulfillment washed over her.
'You have achieved what I alone could not.'
At that moment, the wife of Gwak's son approached, her face streaked with tears of gratitude. She bowed deeply, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Your Highness… Thank you so much for righting this injustice… I don't know how I could ever repay this kindness... I will use part of my late husband's inheritance to help the villagers…"
Genie stepped forward, embracing her warmly, her heart full of compassion. "I am glad your injustice has been cleared. I will do my best to make Hana a more just nation."
That evening, after the day's competitions had come to a close, Princess Genie's entourage stood at the entrance of Canin Village. The ministers and attendants gathered in quiet contemplation, casting regretful glances at Genie and Jade.
"Your Highness, are you sure you won't be tired staying here?" Moonsen asked with a touch of concern in his voice.
Genie offered a soft, reassuring smile. "I'll stay another day in Canin Village to inspect the area before I leave. We've come all this way, so I can't just pass through. Besides, didn't the villagers say they've been struggling because of usury? I want to see how we, as the government, can help them."
Han Son, the Minister, turned to Jade, who stood quietly by Princess Genie's side. "Please take good care of Her Highness, Captain Jade."
"Yes, don't worry," Jade replied, his voice steady and polite.
Genie and Jade watched as Han Son, Moonsen, and their guards disappeared into the distance.
With Moonsen's departure, a strange sense of ease settled over Jade. Seeing him leave so coolly, Jade couldn't help but reflect on how foolish he had been to feel offended by Moonsen's closeness to the Princess. It was clear that their relationship was nothing more than one of loyalty and duty.
"Shall we go now?" Genie asked with a bright, cheerful smile, her eyes glinting with quiet determination as she looked at Jade.
Jade couldn't help but smile back, the tension from earlier slipping away.
Meanwhile, in the village magistrate's office, Ju Tak's group sat in despondency, their faces etched with frustration and worry.
Ju Tak's voice rang out, sharp and filled with fury as he glared at the magistrate.
"What was that all about? Didn't the villagers support Lady Gwak, the noblewoman?"
The magistrate lowered his head, his face flushed with embarrassment.
"My apologies, Sir… As the magistrate, I've mostly kept company with Lady Gwak, who holds the most influence in the village… I must have trusted her words too blindly and failed to understand the true situation of the villagers."
Ju Tak shot him a look of disdain, his anger rising like a storm.
"What are we going to do now? Princess Genie has triumphed in the end!" Oh Gun cried out, his voice tinged with hopelessness.
The room fell silent, a heavy weight pressing down on them. But then, a thought struck Ju Tak like a bolt of lightning. A rule about the royal succession in Hana suddenly flashed into his mind.
His eyes, once filled with frustration, now gleamed with a calculating sharpness. He turned to his loyal followers, the corners of his lips curling into a cold, almost sinister smile.
"No, it's not over yet," he said, his voice low and deliberate. "If the heir to the throne dies for any reason before the king's coronation..."
The group's eyes widened, a spark of realization lighting up within them as the implications of his words settled in.
"Then the next candidate will become the king..." they murmured in unison, understanding now the dark path Ju Tak was suggesting.
The innkeeper bustled out to the courtyard, carrying a tray laden with a hearty meal. Jade stood up with a respectful nod and accepted the offering, his posture impeccable as always.
The innkeeper chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"How is it that you still look so handsome, even after more than a decade has passed? From royal guard to captain of the royal guards—truly remarkable!"
Jade shook his head with a slightly embarrassed smile, the warmth in his expression betraying his modesty.
The innkeeper turned to Princess Genie, her smile widening as she spoke with genuine respect.
"It is truly an honor to have Your Highness stay at our humble inn."
Genie returned the smile graciously.
"Captain Jade told me many wonderful things about this place. Thank you for preparing such a lovely spot for us to stay."
The innkeeper's face softened further, her pride in her establishment evident.
"It's my honor, Your Highness." She then cast a playful glance toward Jade. "I'm so glad you've returned, Captain. You were still a bachelor back then, but now I'm sure you have a wife and children, yes?"
Jade's face flushed slightly, and he awkwardly cleared his throat.
"No, I'm not married," he replied, his voice low and soft.
The innkeeper raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"How could someone as handsome, tall, and capable as you still be unmarried?" she exclaimed, clearly taken aback.
Genie, watching Jade's embarrassed reaction, couldn't help but think to herself, I'm curious about that too...
The innkeeper let out a hearty laugh.
"I've said too much! Please forgive me." She waved her hand dismissively. "Anyway, enjoy your meal. Oh, and there's a lantern festival at the village's back gate tonight—do go and take a look. It's quite the sight."
With a final smile, the innkeeper turned and disappeared back into the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone.
Genie's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Jade, we can't miss the lantern festival, right?!"
Seeing the princess's bright, eager expression, a small, fond smile spread across Jade's face.
"Sure."
Colorful lanterns drifted upward into the dark night sky, casting a soft, glowing light across the village. Genie and Jade stood apart from the crowd, watching in silence as the lanterns rose higher and higher, their colors bright against the blackness of the evening.
"It's so beautiful..." Genie murmured, her voice filled with wonder as she watched the lanterns float away, their soft glow making the sky feel alive.
Jade glanced at her, taking in the expression of pure admiration on her face. Her large, round eyes sparkled as she gazed at the lanterns, her smile radiating warmth and tranquility.
"Jade," she said, turning her gaze to him, her voice gentle. "Thank you so much for everything... for the two trials. If it weren't for you... I probably wouldn't have made it."
Jade shook his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"No, Your Highness. You deserved to win."
Her eyes met his, and she smiled softly, the brightness of her expression outshining the lanterns above them.
"You're like an angel from God, sent to protect me."
At her words, a quiet, tender smile spread across Jade's face. He could feel his heart flutter at the sincerity in her voice, but there was a sting too—one he couldn't ignore. She trusted him completely, even though he had deceived her in the past. Despite his past lies, Genie had always believed in him, always treated him with loyalty.
And in turn, he felt a deep sense of devotion to her. But what was this feeling? What was this fluttering of his heart that always stirred whenever she was near?
He couldn't quite explain it, but it felt as if something more was blooming in him, something he didn't know how to name.
"Can I ask you one question?" Genie's voice broke through his thoughts, her wide eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Yes, Your Highness," he replied softly, his gaze fixed on her.
"Why didn't you marry... back then?"
Her question was direct, yet gentle, as if she feared she might be prying too much.
Jade froze, his eyes locking with hers. Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause. He silently gazed into her eyes, trying to hold on to his composure.
"Is there someone you care for...?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, filled with an unspoken hope.
At the question, Jade's heart began to race, the rhythmic beat of it louder in his ears. He couldn't look away from her eyes, as if he were searching for something in them—something he hadn't realized he was looking for.
"Your Highness..." His voice faltered slightly, the weight of her question pressing down on him.
What could he say? How could he explain what he had been feeling, all this time?