I knew the summons would come.
I just didn't expect it so soon.
Seven days after the full-moon night, seven days after Taehyun kissed me under the stars and promised to burn the palace if anyone hurt me, a eunuch in dark purple robes appeared at my door before breakfast.
"Lady Seo-Hwa," he said, voice high and cold, "the Empress Dowager requests your presence in Phoenix Palace. Now."
The way he said "requests" made it clear it was an order. Refuse, and guards would drag me.
I was already dressed in simple pale green today, hair in a low bun, almost no makeup. I wanted to look harmless. The Empress Dowager hated anything that looked like a threat.
Two of Taehyun's personal guards started to follow me. The eunuch lifted one thin eyebrow.
"Her Majesty said alone."
The taller guard looked at me. I gave a tiny nod. Taehyun had warned me this might happen. He also told me exactly what to do.
I followed the eunuch through the palace. Everyone stared. Some ladies hid behind fans and whispered. I heard the usual:
"She's dead today..."
"The Empress Dowager will skin her alive..."
"How is the villainess still breathing?"
Phoenix Palace was huge and red. Everything screamed old power. Dragon and phoenix carvings fought on every wall. The air smelled like old incense and fear.
They made me wait outside the main hall for almost an hour. On purpose. To make me nervous.
I used the time to breathe slow and remember the original novel. The Empress Dowager was scary smart. She controlled half the court from behind her screen. In the book she never dirtied her own hands... she just made other people do it.
Finally the doors opened.
I walked in alone.
The hall was dim. Red curtains everywhere. At the far end, behind a carved wooden screen, sat the shadow of the Empress Dowager. Only her outline showed. That was the rule. No one beneath the emperor could look at her face.
"Kneel," a cold female voice said.
I knelt on the hard stone floor. It hurt my knees immediately.
"You have become bold, Lady Seo-Hwa," the voice said. "Burning poison. Confessing in front of the court. Spending nights in my son's palace. Do you think rules no longer apply to you?"
I kept my head low. "This unworthy one knows her place, Your Majesty."
A soft laugh. Like ice cracking.
"Then why does the whole palace say my son is bewitched by a snake?"
I stayed quiet. Silence was safer sometimes.
She continued. "A red cord was stolen from my rooms. Someone tried to kill you with it. People think I ordered it. Do you think that too?"
Smart. She was testing me.
I lifted my head just enough to show respect. "This one does not dare guess Your Majesty's thoughts. I only know someone wants me dead. I am grateful to still breathe."
Another long silence.
Then, "Stand up. Come closer."
I stood and walked until I was three steps from the screen. I could smell her perfume now... heavy roses and something bitter.
A pale hand appeared from behind the screen. Long nails painted gold. She held a small jade box.
"Open it," she ordered.
I opened the lid. Inside was a single hairpin... white jade carved into a phoenix, eyes made of tiny rubies.
A gift? Or a trap?
"It is beautiful," I said carefully.
"It is poisoned," she said calmly. "One scratch and you die slowly, foaming at the mouth. Take it."
My heart stopped.
She wanted me to refuse in front of witnesses. If I refused, I insulted her. If I accepted, I might die.
I closed the box gently and bowed low.
"This unworthy one is not worthy of such a precious gift. But I will treasure Your Majesty's kindness."
Then I tucked the box into my sleeve.
Silence again. Longer this time.
Finally she spoke, voice almost amused.
"You are either very brave or very stupid. We shall see which one. You may leave."
I backed out of the hall without turning around. My legs were shaking.
As soon as the doors closed behind me, I almost ran.
But I didn't go back to my rooms.
I went straight to Taehyun's palace.
He was in his study, reading reports. When he saw my face, he stood up fast.
"What happened?"
I told him everything. When I showed him the jade box, his face went white.
He took it carefully with a silk cloth and opened it.
"Nightshade crystal on the tip," he said quietly. "One scratch really would kill you in minutes."
He looked at me like he couldn't believe I was still alive.
"Why did you take it?" he asked, voice rough.
"Because if I refused, she would have killed me right there," I said. "And because now we know for sure... she wants me gone."
He pulled me into his arms suddenly. Hard. Like he was scared I would disappear.
"I'm sorry," he whispered into my hair. "I should have gone with you."
I hugged him back. "You couldn't. It would look like you don't trust her."
He pulled away just enough to look at my face.
"From now on, you wear only things I give you. Hairpins, clothes, everything. Understand?"
I nodded.
That night he didn't let me go back to my rooms.
He kept me in his palace again. This time I didn't sleep alone on the huge bed.
He held me all night. Arms tight around my waist, face buried in my neck.
"I won't lose you," he kept whispering whenever I moved.
I believed him.
But I also knew the game had just become deadly.
The Empress Dowager had made her first move.
I had to make mine.