Yuna's POV
The arrow is still vibrating in my wall when Kael moves.
He's across the room in two strides, pushing me behind him, his body a shield between me and the shattered window. His hand goes to the dagger at his belt—he's armed even in private, I realize. Always ready for attack.
Chen! he shouts.
The door crashes open. Commander Chen takes in the scene instantly—broken glass, arrow, threatening note.
Secure the perimeter. Now! Chen barks at guards in the corridor. I want every rooftop searched, every shadow checked. Someone just tried to kill the Emperor's agent.
As guards scatter, Kael examines the arrow without touching it. Crossbow bolt. Professional grade. Fired from the eastern rooftop, judging by trajectory. His voice is ice-cold. They were aiming for her head.
Missed by three inches, Chen observes. Either bad aim or a warning shot.
Warning, I say, my voice steadier than I feel. The note says so.
Kael carefully removes the note, reads it, and his jaw clenches. They want you to stop investigating. He looks at me, something fierce in his eyes. Will you?
No.
Good answer. The corner of his mouth almost, almostcurves into a smile. But you're moving quarters. Tonight. To the secure wing with double guards.
That will make the court gossip even worse.
I don't care about gossip. I care about keeping you alive. His intensity makes my breath catch. You're valuable to me, Yuna. As an agent, he adds quickly. Too quickly.
The moment stretches, charged with something unspoken.
Chen clears his throat. Your Majesty, perhaps we should discuss security protocols for your agent's first official day tomorrow.
Right. Tomorrow. My first day as the Emperor's personal agent, where the entire court will judge whether a former maid deserves this power.
I barely sleep that night despite the new quarters and double guards. By dawn, I'm exhausted and terrified.
Mina arrives to help me dress. The whole palace is talking, she warns, fastening my robe. Half think you seduced the Emperor. The other half think you're a spy. Nobody thinks you actually earned this position.
Let them think what they want.
Yuna, these people will test you. They'll try to humiliate you, prove you don't belong. She meets my eyes in the mirror. Don't let them break you.
The first test comes immediately.
I enter the Hall of Records—my new workplace—to find thirty officials staring at me like I'm a rat in the grain storage. They're all men, all nobles, all furious that a woman was appointed over them.
So, the senior clerk sneers. The Emperor's pet has arrived.
I force myself to stay calm. I'm Agent Yuna, here under His Majesty's direct orders to investigate palace matters. I'll need access to
You'll need access to nothing, another official interrupts. We don't take orders from servants playing dress-up.
I'm not a servant anymore.
Once a maid, always a maid. The senior clerk steps closer, trying to intimidate me with his height. Go back to pouring wine, girl. This is work for educated men, not illiterate peasants who spread their
Can you read Zenshi script? I interrupt.
He blinks. What?
Zenshi script. The ancient language used in historical imperial records. Can you read it?
That's... that's irrelevant
I can. I taught myself from books in the palace library when I was supposed to be cleaning them. I look at the other officials. I also read, write, and speak three languages, memorize documents after seeing them once, and understand palace law better than most of you because I've spent twelve years watching it applied—and misapplied, throughout this court.
The room goes silent.
Now, I continue, channeling every bit of authority I possess, His Majesty has given me a mission. You can either help me serve the empire, or explain to the Emperor why you're obstructing his direct orders. Your choice.
The officials exchange glances. The senior clerk looks ready to explode, but a younger one steps forward cautiously.
What... what do you need, Agent Yuna?
Records of all deaths in the palace over the past fifteen years. Cause of death, investigating officials, and any follow-up reports.
They scramble to obey.
I'm reviewing the first set of records when Commander Chen appears.
Walk with me, he orders.
It's not a request.
We walk through the palace gardens in silence until we're away from listening ears.
You handled the clerks well, Chen finally says. But pretty words won't protect you from a knife in the dark.
I know.
Do you? He stops, turning to face me. The Emperor has given you power that men spend lifetimes trying to earn. That makes you a target. Not just from Minister Han's faction, but from every ambitious noble who sees you as an obstacle or opportunity.
I understand the risks.
Do you understand loyalty? His scarred face is harsh. Because I need to know: are you using the Emperor for your revenge, or do you actually care about protecting him?
The question cuts deep because part of it is true. I did start this for revenge.
But then I remember Kael's exhausted eyes in his study. His admission of loneliness. The way he smiled when I challenged him—like I'd given him a gift no one else could.
I serve the empire because destroying corruption serves my personal goals too, I say honestly. But somewhere along the way, keeping the Emperor safe became just as important as getting justice for my mother. I can't separate them anymore.
Chen studies me for a long moment. Then nods.
Good. Because if you ever betray him, I'll kill you myself. He says it matter-of-factly, like discussing weather. But if you truly protect him, you'll have my complete support. Including combat training. You're useless in a fight.
I survived sixteen years in this palace.
By hiding. You can't hide anymore. He gestures toward the training yard. Dawn tomorrow. I'm teaching you to defend yourself.
After Chen leaves, I return to the records room. Most officials have left for lunch, giving me privacy to search.
I find my mother's death record within an hour.
Name: Lira (no family name, common-born) Occupation: Palace seamstress
Cause of death: Suicide by hanging
Investigating official: Physician Kang
Notes: Subject displayed no prior signs of depression. However, servants confirmed recent unusual behavior. Case closed.
My hands shake holding the paper. They barely investigated. Barely cared. Just another dead servant.
But something nags at me. Physician Kang. Why does that name sound familiar?
I search for more records and find something that makes my blood run cold.
Name: Physician Kang
Occupation: Palace physician, Department of Health
Cause of death: Accidental fall from palace wall
Date of death: One week after mother's death
Investigating official: [name scratched out]
Notes: [entire section redacted]
A physician dies mysteriously one week after declaring my mother's death a suicide. The investigating official's name is scratched out. The notes are redacted.
This isn't coincidence. This is someone covering their tracks.
I'm about to search for more when a dry voice speaks behind me:
Finally asking the right questions, I see.
I spin to find an elderly man in elegant robes watching me. Eunuch Wei, the ancient head of the Imperial Household. He's served three emperors and knows every secret in this palace.
Master Wei. I bow respectfully.
No need for that, child. Not anymore. He approaches, moving with surprising grace for his age. I've been watching you for years. Waiting for you to bloom. Waiting for you to claim what you deserve.
I don't understand.
His wrinkled face breaks into a knowing smile. Don't you? A seamstress's daughter who taught herself to read and write? Who built a network of informants while scrubbing floors? Who survived twelve years of abuse and emerged brilliant? He taps the records. Your mother was my friend. I know what they did to her. And I know what they stole from you.
My throat tightens. Can you help me prove it?
I can do better. I can give you access to the Forbidden Archives. He produces a silver key. Restricted imperial records. Secrets dating back centuries. Including the truth about your family.
Why help me?
Because your mother saved my life once, and I owe her a debt I can never repay. Because the empire needs intelligent people in power, not corrupt fools. And because... his eyes gleam, I've always enjoyed watching the powerful fall when they underestimate the powerless.
He presses the key into my hand.
The Archives are in the western tower, third level. Go at night when fewer guards patrol. Find the records labeled 'Velashen Family—Confidential.' Read everything. Then you'll understand what they're so desperate to hide.
Master Wei... thank you.
Don't thank me yet, child. The truth you find might be more terrible than the lies you've believed. He turns to leave, then pauses. Oh, and Yuna? Physician Kang didn't fall from the wall accidentally. His final notes were hidden before they killed him. I saved them. They're in the Archives too.
He's gone before I can respond.
I look down at the silver key, mind racing.
The Forbidden Archives. The truth about my family. Physician Kang's hidden notes.
Tonight, I'll finally learn what my mother died protecting.
That evening, I prepare carefully. Dark clothing. Soft-soled shoes. The key hidden in my sleeve.
I wait until midnight, then slip through the palace corridors toward the western tower.
I'm halfway there when I sense someone following me.
I don't turn. Don't run. Just keep walking steadily while my heart pounds.
The footsteps match mine. Getting closer.
I round a corner and press myself against the wall, ready to fight.
A figure emerges from the shadows
It's Kael.
Your Majesty! I gasp. What are you
Following you, he says calmly. Did you think I wouldn't notice you sneaking out at midnight? His eyes drop to my dark clothing. Where are you going, Yuna?
I hesitate. Trust or lie?
The Forbidden Archives. Eunuch Wei gave me access. I'm searching for records about my mother's death.
Alone? At night? After someone tried to kill you yesterday? His voice hardens. That's either brave or stupid.
Probably both.
Something flickers in his expression, concern mixed with frustration mixed with something that looks almost like... fear?
Then I'm coming with you.
Your Majesty, you can't risk
I'm the Emperor. I'll risk what I choose. He steps closer. Besides, if you're walking into danger, I'd rather be there to stop it.
The way he says it—protective, almost possessive—makes my pulse race in ways that have nothing to do with fear.
Together, we climb the western tower stairs.
The Forbidden Archives door looms before us. I insert the key. It clicks open.
Inside, the room is vast, filled with thousands of scrolls and documents. Centuries of secrets.
Velashen Family records, I whisper, scanning shelves.
We find them near the back. I pull out the first scroll marked Confidential.
And discover something that changes everything.
According to these records, my mother wasn't just a seamstress. She was descended from the original Velashen bloodline—the true heirs before Seol's branch stole the title through murder and forgery seventy years ago.
Which means I'm not a bastard.
I'm the legitimate Lady Velashen.
Seol's entire claim to nobility is built on lies and stolen identity.
My mother died protecting this, I breathe. Proof that I'm the rightful heir.
Kael reads over my shoulder, his presence warm behind me. This is explosive. If this becomes public—
Lady Seol loses everything. Her title, her engagement, her position at court. Everything.
Which is exactly why she'll kill to keep it secret.
I keep searching and find Physician Kang's hidden notes. My hands shake as I read:
The seamstress's death was no suicide. Bruising patterns inconsistent with hanging. Evidence of struggle. When I reported concerns to superiors, I was threatened by Duke Velashen himself. He said, 'Rule it suicide or join her.' I'm hiding these notes in case something happens to me. I believe the Duke's daughter, Lady Seol, ordered the murder to protect family secrets about—
The notes end abruptly.
Because they killed him before he could finish.
They murdered my mother to hide that I'm the legitimate heir, I say, rage and grief warring in my chest. Then they killed the only witness who questioned it.
Kael's hand settles on my shoulder—warm, steady, grounding.
We'll make them pay, he promises quietly. All of them. But we need more proof. These records prove your legitimacy, but not Seol's guilt in the murders.
He's right. I need evidence linking Seol directly to both deaths.
I'm about to respond when I hear it—footsteps on the stairs.
Multiple footsteps. Coming fast.
Kael and I exchange alarmed glances.
Someone knows we're here, he whispers, hand going to his dagger.
The door bursts open.
Six masked assassins flood into the Archives, weapons drawn.
And standing behind them, smiling coldly in the torchlight, is Lady Seol.
Hello, little sister, she purrs. Looking for family secrets? Let me help you find them—in your grave.