Side Chapter: Before the War — A Night of Stars and Secrets
The Queen wasn't supposed to sneak out of the palace.
But she did.
Wrapped in a moon-gray cloak, her long silver robes tucked beneath dark layers, she moved like wind through the secret garden behind the eastern courtyard — the one Hyunsoo had shown her during their youth.
It was the one place the guards rarely patrolled. And the one place she could breathe.
She found him waiting beneath the plum tree, already leaning against the trunk like he'd known she would come.
Hyunsoo didn't wear armor tonight. Just loose, navy robes, a black sash tied around his waist. His sword rested beside him in the grass, but his eyes — those deep, unreadable eyes — were watching her like she was both sunrise and eclipse.
"You're late," he said.
"I'm a Queen. I arrive when I please."
"You're reckless," he said softly. "Someone could've seen you."
"They didn't."
He arched an eyebrow. "That's what you always say before chaos follows."
She smiled as she sat beside him, brushing her fingers over the soft moss under the tree. "You're more worried about me than the kingdom, General."
He didn't smile.
He never smiled when they were alone like this.
"You are the kingdom."
She looked at him, the way she always did when no one else was watching — like he was her compass, her constant. The only thing untouched by the politics, the pressure, the crown.
And yet, they both knew… she wasn't supposed to love him.
He was born to serve her.
She was born to rule over all.
And still — he reached for her hand.
Not to hold it. Just to feel it. Their pinkies brushed.
"That day on the battlefield," she said quietly. "When you carried me out of the wreckage. You didn't even flinch."
"You were bleeding."
"So were you."
"You're more important."
"I don't want to be."
He turned his head, finally facing her fully. "You don't get to choose that."
There was silence.
Then she said, "Do I get to choose this?"
Her fingers tangled with his. Her heart was thundering.
Hyunsoo swallowed. "If you do… it will cost us both."
"I know."
"And you'll still have to marry someone for the throne. The Council won't allow—"
"I know that too."
He leaned closer.
"I will never ask you to love me in the shadows," he whispered.
"I already do," she breathed.
He stared at her, like he was memorizing her. Etching her into his soul. As if he knew fate would rip them apart and this was all they'd ever have.
And then he kissed her.
Slowly. Deeply. Like time itself had bowed to them.
Her hand gripped the back of his neck. His fingers wove into her hair. There was nothing gentle about the hunger in it — it was years of stolen glances, aching restraint, and dreams they both dared not say aloud.
When they parted, their foreheads rested against each other.
She whispered, "Will you stay with me? Even when it all burns?"
His voice was steady. "Even if the stars fall, I'll still find your light."
---
But behind them, the wind shifted.
And somewhere in the shadows of the palace walls…
Someone had been watching.
A man with cold eyes and a stolen heart.
Jiwoon.