To her left, Moonsen of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs faced the entrance, his expression composed yet alert. Danjin took his seat opposite Moonsen, muscles tense with silent questions swirling in his mind.
'Why has Your Majesty summoned both Moonsen and me together at this early hour?' he wondered, eyes flicking between the two.
Queen Genie's gaze settled evenly upon him as she spoke with quiet authority, "I have a request for you, Danjin."
"Speak, Your Majesty," Danjin replied, his voice steady but curious.
"This concerns the annual cultural envoy event with the Ash Kingdom we discussed at the state council meeting," she continued. "Moonsen here has been entrusted with overseeing this year's envoy."
Danjin looked up directly at Moonsen, who returned a calm smile and a nod of acknowledgment.
The Queen's eyes deepened with purpose.
"As you know, Danjin, I intend to undertake a secret mission to the Ash Kingdom, timed to coincide with the envoy's arrival."
"I wish to select a warrior to accompany me on this mission," Queen Genie said, her voice steady yet carrying an unyielding resolve. "Choose the most skilled officer among the ranks—but exclude those of the highest positions."
Danjin, the Vice Commander, blinked in surprise, his composure faltering for the briefest moment.
"Y-Your Majesty... Does that mean you will not be accompanied by Minister Jade this time...?"
The suddenness of his question brought a faint, knowing smile to the Queen's lips—a quiet acknowledgment of the unexpected nature of her decision.
"Yes, that is the choice I have made."
The Vice Commander's disbelief was palpable as he pressed on, "May I ask the reason for such a decision?"
Up until now, the Commander-in-Chief had been the unwavering shadow by the Queen's side on every important journey beyond the palace walls. To depart with another warrior—a lesser-ranked one no less—was nothing short of startling.
Queen Genie met his gaze evenly.
"Upon reflection, I realize I have not given enough chances for other warriors to rise and prove themselves."
She paused, allowing the weight of her words to settle in the room like a quiet flame.
"I believe it is right to entrust great responsibilities to new warriors, to nurture their growth through experience."
"And so, this time, I will take a different path."
Danjin's eyes brightened with understanding, and he nodded with a newfound respect.
"Such profound wisdom... Your Majesty truly is wise beyond measure."
Hearing Danjin's admiring words, Genie maintained her composure, but a subtle warmth of embarrassment rose within her. Deep down, she wrestled with a quiet guilt—feeling as if she had excluded Jade from this secret journey not solely for duty or strategy, but because of the complex, personal feelings.
Danjin's voice broke through the moment with resolute clarity.
"Understood, Your Majesty! I will return to the training ground immediately and select the most capable warrior to accompany you on this mission."
Without delay, Danjin bowed deeply and exited the Queen's office, moving swiftly through the palace halls toward the vast officers' training ground.
The sprawling field was alive with motion. Warriors clashed in disciplined sparring matches, their movements sharp and precise, their bodies weaving through formations like living weapons.
Across the field, Jade walked calmly, his keen eyes scanning each pair with a practiced gaze, silently assessing their skill.
"Minister Jade!" Danjin's voice called out, drawing his attention.
Jade turned to find the Vice Commander standing before him, his cheeks flushed from the cold morning air.
Lowering his voice, Danjin leaned in and whispered the Queen's directive into Jade's ear.
Jade's expression remained composed, but a subtle tension tightened his jaw. "I understand. Since Your Majesty has commanded it, I will lead the selection."
Danjin nodded solemnly.
"Then, Minister, I will not interfere, as this responsibility has been entrusted to you by Her Majesty."
Jade masked the bitterness stirring inside him with calm professionalism.
"Understood. I will prepare a report on the selection in the office."
"Very well."
Danjin's sharp eyes caught the unusual stiffness in Jade's posture before he turned and hurried away.
"Hyap!" "Hap!" The sounds of clashing swords echoed sharply in the cold air.
'Your Majesty truly wishes to exclude me this time...' a shadow darkened Jade's gaze as he resumed overseeing the warriors' sparring, his heart quietly heavy beneath his disciplined exterior.
Late at night, beneath a sky draped in ink-black velvet, the deserted marketplace lay shrouded in silence. No commoner's footsteps disturbed the stillness; only two figures, cloaked head to toe in black, moved like shadows among the empty stalls. Their faces hidden beneath dark cloth, they met in secrecy, voices hushed yet laced with urgency.
"Meeting on the palace's side path was reckless of us," the warrior in black mask murmured, glancing nervously over his shoulder.
"I agree," Hanan replied, his tone grave. "Our Master insists there be no more incidents like the death of Druke."
A cold weight hung in the air between them.
"If we fail this time, Jade will uncover everything." The warrior's voice dropped to a whisper. "Remember, Hanan, on why you entered the palace as a warrior of the Hana Kingdom. Under Our Master's orders, you are to uncover Jade's weaknesses."
Hanan bowed his head solemnly.
"I will remember. And I have news to report."
"Speak."
"The Vice Commander mentioned that Queen Genie is selecting a new escort warrior for her secret mission."
"A new escort? Jade has always accompanied the Queen to every event."
"That has been true—until now. I don't know the Queen's reason for this change, but I intend to follow her closely and learn more about Jade through it."
The warrior nodded thoughtfully.
"Since this mission is secret and with the Queen herself, you might find clues from her—after all, she knows Jade better than anyone."
"Then I will do everything I can to be selected."
"Good. Make sure you succeed."
"I will!" Hanan's voice rang out firmly into the still night, echoing among the empty stalls like a promise made in shadow.
In the dead of night, beneath a sky scattered with cold stars, Jade trained alone on the vast grassland behind the palace. The fierce winter air bit sharply at his exposed skin, reddening his face and hands, but he paid no heed. His grip on the sword was relentless, muscles taut with practiced precision.
Each movement was a masterful dance—his blade slicing through the biting cold as if dueling with an unseen adversary. The elegance and power of his technique painted a silent story of strength and discipline, every strike echoing the years of dedication behind it.
Yet beneath the rhythm of his swordplay, a shadow gnawed at his thoughts—the memory of the assassin who had once tried to kill him alongside Druke. That ruthless figure, who fled up the mountain after Queen Genie's arrow found its mark, still haunted the edges of his mind.
A cold unease settled deep in his chest. If he is with Druke... the thought tightened like a noose.
Lost in this troubled reverie, Jade's swing suddenly halted mid-air as a voice cut through the silence.
"Jade."
Startled, he turned sharply, eyes scanning the darkness to find the source of the call.
The sharp ring of steel faded as Jade lowered his blade, halting his solitary training.
"Master."
He bowed, his breath forming pale clouds in the chill of dawn. It was more than courtesy—it was reverence. Before him stood Do-han, the man who had once been hailed as the greatest warrior in all of Hana. The frigid morning wind swept through the elder's long, white hair, carrying with it the quiet weight of memory.
"I hope I'm not interrupting your training," Do-han said, voice deep yet gentle, like a river slowed by winter.
"Not at all, Master," Jade replied, his voice composed but edged with respect.
A faint smile touched Do-han's weathered face, pride glimmering in his eyes.
"You have never faltered, Jade. Not then, not now. Even after climbing to the highest rank among the military officers, you continue to temper yourself—unyielding, relentless. That is rare… and admirable."
Jade lowered his gaze, humility softening his stern features.
"I still have much to learn, Master."
Silence stretched between them, carried on the cold wind, heavy and unspoken. Jade sensed there was more—something weightier than a casual visit. His grip on the sword hilt tightened slightly.
"But… what brings you here at such an hour, Master?"
Do-han's eyes, sharp even in age, locked on Jade's.
"You already know I came looking for you on purpose…"
Jade stood still, waiting, his breath quiet, his heartbeat steady despite the faint stirrings of unease.
Do-han finally spoke, his voice lower, reluctant, as though dragging heavy stones from his chest.
"I came because there is something I must tell you about Her Majesty."
At that, Jade stiffened, every muscle subtly coiling, his mind instantly sharpened.
Do-han hesitated, his hand brushing through his white hair as though buying time. When he finally continued, it was in a tone tinged with sorrow.
"Her Majesty has been troubled lately… about the Ash Kingdom, about the bandits running rampant across the borders. Since her coronation, there have been so few quiet days, as you know."
The wind whistled softly through the training grounds, carrying the unspoken weight of those words—a warning, perhaps even a plea.
Jade gave a silent nod, the cold wind brushing past his hair as though carrying the weight of the words to him.
"Not long ago," Do-han continued, his voice quieter, almost reverent, "Her Majesty bid farewell to the late king. She has been carrying that burden ever since, heavier than most could bear. That is why…" He paused, choosing his words carefully, "…I wish to ask you for a favor."