Kim Jin's voice deepened, steady and sure.
"You love God. You walk the path of the gospel of Jesus Christ. You cherish peace, and you live to serve and to help others. That is Hana's heart, its essence. And yet—" He shook his head slowly, his beard shifting with the motion. "Violence, conquest, colonization, invasions… You've never once had a taste for them. And those—those are the very foundations Ash Kingdom thrives upon."
Jade inhaled deeply, the truth of the words striking chords that reverberated through his chest. Slowly, solemnly, he nodded.
"You can't be more right, sir," he said, his voice low, carrying both weight and reverence.
Then Jade lifted his eyes, the composure on his face shifting into unshakable honesty.
"But there is one more thing I never told you."
Kim Jin's gaze sharpened, curious.
Jade's voice steadied.
"Though I oppose almost everything Ash Kingdom has ever stood for… I never opposed you."
Kim Jin's eyes quivered, a faint tremor betraying the storm within.
Jade's voice was steady, but beneath it lingered the echo of old wounds.
"You saved me when I was an orphan, wandering the streets after my parents were killed. You took me in as your own, sheltered me, and even sent me to the Ash Kingdom's military school."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then Kim Jin shook his head slowly, his white beard brushing against his chest.
"It wasn't solely for you," he admitted, his tone rough, almost weary. "I saw the talent in your hands, the discipline in your body. I knew you could rise high in the Ash Kingdom—and perhaps bring me reward in return." His eyes darkened, a flicker of old bitterness surfacing. "Because I…" His voice lowered to a whisper, "I never loved Hana Kingdom. My family was cast out long ago for an ancestor's mistake. We begged for help, but the kingdom never gave it. Instead, we carried our shame while they looked away. So I despised this land. Sending you away—using you—felt like justice."
Jade's face remained unreadable, the stillness of a blade sheathed.
Kim Jin gave a hollow laugh, one that did not reach his eyes.
"But in the end, I couldn't change you. Couldn't bend your character to my will. I cannot script your life as if it were mine to command." His voice faltered, then steadied again, heavy with resignation. "If you must hate me for it, for trying to use you, then hate me."
Jade lowered his gaze, his voice emerging deep and steady, almost like a vow.
"Sir… I hold no grudge against you. I am sorry if I've disappointed you, but I carry no hatred in my heart. Even if you sought to use me—for status, for reward—I believe God wove all things together. He led me to Hana Kingdom… and to Her Majesty."
The sincerity in his tone cut through the still air. Kim Jin's chest tightened, an unfamiliar warmth stirring within him.
Jade went on, his eyes unwavering.
"So I thank you. For saving me when I was nothing but a lost boy wandering the streets. I will always remember you as the man who gave me a home."
Kim Jin swallowed hard, his breath unsteady. A tide of emotion rose against his will, swelling with a deep, wordless ache.
A moment later, the two men walked side by side through the hushed palace corridors until they reached the exit gate.
"I'll go on my own from here," Kim Jin said softly. His eyes lingered on Jade, heavy with unspoken thoughts. "Goodbye."
Jade gave a slow, deliberate nod, bowing with quiet respect.
"Have a safe journey, sir."
Kim Jin turned and stepped beyond the gate, his figure receding into the night.
Jade remained behind, watching him go—his silhouette framed in the fading torchlight—until the shadows swallowed him whole.
Kim Jin had already taken several steps into the night when he paused. Slowly, he turned back.
"And Jade," he called, his voice carrying gently through the cool April air.
From the palace gate, Jade straightened, answering with a respectful nod.
"Yes, sir."
Kim Jin's lips curved into the faintest of smiles.
"May everything go well with Queen Genie. I'll be cheering for you." His tone was calm, almost serene, like a benediction.
A rare softness crossed Jade's face. He smiled faintly in return, a silent acknowledgment of the blessing.
Kim Jin turned once more, his figure growing smaller with each step. The lanterns flickered against the deepening night, and the scent of fresh blossoms drifted on the spring breeze. The trees whispered in their April green, their branches swaying as if bidding farewell alongside him.
Inwardly, he reflected, his thoughts quiet and clear.
'So, Jade… you chose your path. Perhaps you have already chosen the way of God—the way the Savior walked. And I… I kept you shackled to a path of struggle all these years. Yet now, I feel strangely at peace watching you walk free. Maybe it means I truly did care for you, deeper than I admitted, even to myself.' His chest rose and fell with a long breath. 'All the best for you, Jade. The next time we meet… I wish to be not just an older man, but a wiser one.'
At the break of dawn, Jade strode toward the palace gate as the servant had told him that a guest had come for him.
His pace quickened. The cool morning air brushed against his face, carrying with it the faint fragrance of cherry blossoms drifting down in pale showers.
'This time it must be Detective Bong, he thought, his steps purposeful yet silent.'
And just as he expected, Bong stood before the gate. Draped in a flamboyant crimson robe that shimmered in the pale light and paired with sleek black silk trousers, he looked every bit the wealthy merchant he pretended to be.
"Good early morning, Minister Jae," Bong greeted with a practiced smile, his tone smooth. "I came to discuss the military weapons you've requested. We've prepared only the finest."
Jade's expression remained unreadable, his faint nod the only acknowledgment. He knew well the mask Bong wore—merchant for the guards and servants, detective beneath the disguise.
"Good to know," Jade replied calmly. "Come in."
The gates groaned softly as they were pulled open. Bong stepped inside, his silk robes catching the light of the rising sun. Together, they walked into the palace grounds.
It was still and serene at this hour. The courtyards glowed faintly in the first gold of morning, the air crisp, carrying the delicate songs of birds stirring awake. Petals from the cherry trees fell like pale rain, scattering across the stone path as though marking their way forward.
From behind, Bong lowered his voice, the whisper barely breaking the quiet.
"Can I meet Her Majesty this morning?"
Jade's steps slowed. His eyes flicked subtly across the courtyard—toward the walls, the gates, the rooftops—searching for wandering eyes or hidden ears.
Seeing no one nearby, Jade leaned slightly toward Bong, his voice low and controlled.
"I'll go to Her Majesty's pavilion at once and request if she's available."
He lifted his hand, pointing toward a modest building nestled by the corner, where spring flowers swayed gently in the morning breeze.
"Please wait. I'll send a servant to guide you once I know more."
"Yes, sir," Bong murmured, bowing faintly.
Without another word, Jade turned and moved swiftly through the palace grounds. His stride cut across courtyards and stone paths, his black robes brushing past cherry blossoms scattered like fallen snow. Each step carried him closer to the Queen's pavilion, and with every pace, his heartbeat quickened.
The Queen's garden was tranquil, kissed with the soft glow of dawn. Dew clung to the leaves, glimmering like pearls, and the faint perfume of blossoms lingered in the crisp air. By the pavilion doors, two royal guards stood vigilant, their spears gleaming in the morning light.
Jade's eyes softened as he neared. Just the thought of her—Her Majesty, his Queen—warmed him, a joy and serenity welling within.
'Even if she sleeps, he thought with a quiet smile, I will wait at her doorstep until she wakes. Just to see her face, even once, is worth it.'
He came to a stop before the guards, lifting his chin with measured calm. The guards glanced at him, and one stepped forward with a respectful bow.
"Minister," the guard said, his voice steady, "Her Majesty is not here."
A small crease formed between Jade's brows.
"Is Her Majesty at the office then?" he asked, his tone composed but his heart tightening with concern.
The royal guards exchanged a quick glance, their hesitation betraying unease. A silence stretched between them, heavy and unspoken.
Jade's eyes narrowed, a faint sharpness cutting through his calm expression.
'What is going on…?' the thought burned quietly in his mind, his chest tightening with unease.
His voice, low yet edged with command, broke the silence.
"Where is Her Majesty?" he asked again, his gaze piercing.
The guard on the left shifted uncomfortably, his grip tightening on his spear before he finally spoke.
"Minister Jade," he said with careful formality, "Her Majesty is… on her private time right now. We don't know what she is doing at the moment."
Jade's brows furrowed deeply, a shadow passing over his composed face. The words carried no disrespect, yet they gnawed at him, vague and evasive.