(Kingdom of Medang)
Morning air in the Kingdom of Medang hung heavy with a fine mist. The scent of incense mingled with ylang-ylang petals scattered at dawn. In the palace courtyard, soldiers stood in neat formation, drums pulsing softly. The royal court was preparing, with full ceremony, to welcome a delegation from a distant empire.
But far behind the stone walls—unseen by the common crowd...
"Are you sure we can trust this man, Father?"
Sri's tone was calm, but her eyes were razor-sharp. She stood beside her father, a commanding man with hair tied high and a gaze that could cleave through silence—the kingdom's Grand Commander, and her own blood.
"No," he replied without turning. "Which is exactly why we must keep him closer. Diplomacy is welcomed not only with open hands… but with sharp eyes."
Raka chimed in, eyes scanning the scroll of names from the incoming Yi delegation.
"Some of them raise red flags. One in particular—former military advisor in the North, infamous for playing both sides."
Sri nodded slowly. Her mind wasn't just on diplomacy… but on the growing threat from within. She'd sensed it for a while—restless nobles, anxious under the current King's reign. And high-profile ceremonies like this, where foreign kingdoms met Medang's crown… always made the perfect stage for betrayal.
Meanwhile...
(In the Dynasty of Yi)
Chen Lu Han examined his reflection in a jade mirror. He wore his formal robe—crimson and gold—with a dragon-etched belt resting snug around his waist. Behind him, Han Yue adjusted the prince's collar with methodical care.
"Your Highness, are you sure you want to join this delegation?"
"Of course. After my fourth brother bribed a palace guard to spike his own tea just so he could blame my sixth brother, and the seventh tried hiding a scorpion in Consort Three's jewelry chest… I figured it was time I… took a vacation."
"This isn't a vacation. It's a state mission."
"Then let's call it a diplomatic getaway, dear Xu."
Chen smiled serenely. But his thoughts had long since wandered ahead.
He knew his brothers were quietly killing each other. He knew each step he took could be his last. But unlike them, Chen didn't just survive chaos—he used it.
Just days earlier, he had discreetly planted a forged letter—outlining a coup, supposedly penned by his eldest brother. By sheer coincidence, the letter was found by one of the Emperor's most trusted ministers.
The result?
The Emperor was furious. His eldest son was detained.
And Chen?
Chen was appointed Chief Delegate to Medang.
When the imperial edict was delivered, Han Yue had only sighed long and deep. Mei Lin nearly fainted.
"So… the letter. That was your doing too, wasn't it, Prince?"
"Mei Lin, don't accuse me without proof. But if I had written it—wouldn't it be the most beautiful piece of treason ever crafted? I even used rose-petal ink."
And so… the Yi delegation set sail southward, toward the Kingdom of Medang. Beneath silk banners and diplomatic smiles lay ambition, poison, and power games.
What awaited them in Medang wasn't just a meeting between two great nations—
It was the beginning of a storm… one that would test loyalty, and unravel lies.