The Shadows That Knows
Min-chae’s fingers twitched toward the dagger hidden beneath her sleeve.
The figure before her stepped into the dim moonlight, revealing a face she had not seen in years.
•
(smirking): "Did you miss me?"
Her breath came slow, measured. No one in the South should know who she was.
Min-Chae
(coldly): "You are mistaken."
•
(tilting his head): "Am I?"
His voice was too familiar. A voice from a past she had tried to bury.
A shadow from the Northern Kingdom. One of her brother’s men. A man who had once been loyal to her—until the day he wasn’t.
Jae-Seok
(grinning, stepping closer): "Min-chae Kim… or should I say, the exiled Third Princess?"
Min-chae didn’t flinch, but her grip on the dagger tightened.
Min-Chae
(softly, dangerously): "What do you want?"
Jae-Seok
(leaning against the balcony rail, feigning ease): "You’ve done well for yourself. A queen in all but name. If only your dear brother could see you now."
Her chest burned at the mention of him.
Min-Chae
(coldly): "State your purpose, or I will carve the answer from your throat."
Jae-Seok chuckled, unfazed.
Jae-Seok
(mockingly): "You were always so dramatic."
Then his voice dropped, eyes gleaming with something darker.
Jae-Seok
(lowly): "Your brother has not forgotten you, Min-chae. And neither has the North."
A gust of wind swept through the balcony, but the chill she felt had nothing to do with the night air.
Jae-Seok
(leaning in): "They know where you are. And they are coming."
Then, before she could react—he was gone.
Min-chae stood frozen, the weight of the past crashing over her.
Hana (Min- Chae Maid)
(rushing in, out of breath): "My lady! There is—" (pauses, seeing Min-chae’s face) "—what happened?"
Min-chae slowly turned, her expression unreadable.
Min-Chae
(softly): "Nothing."
She moved past Hana, disappearing into the shadows.
Because if the North was coming for her… she would be ready.
Lady Konstantina's Chambers - The West Wing
Konstantina sat by the fire, watching the flames flicker, her expression calm, but deadly.
Irena (Konstantina's Maid)
(whispering): "The rumors are spreading. They say she is a witch, that she cursed Lady Sophia."
Konstantina
(smirking): "Let them talk."
Irena (Konstantina's Maid)
(hesitating): "But His Majesty protects her."
Konstantina
(smiling, but with venom): "Then we must give him a reason to doubt."
She picked up a delicate silver vial from the table, tilting it in the firelight. A clear liquid swirled inside.
Irena (Konstantina's Maid)
(whispering, eyes widening): "Is that…?"
Konstantina
(gently placing the vial down): "It will not kill her. Only… weaken her."
Irena (Konstantina's Maid)
(nervous): "And if she survives?"
Konstantina smiled, eyes glinting with malice.
Konstantina
(softly): "Then she will learn… that even ghosts can bleed."
Lady Sophia's Quarter - The Sickroom
Lillian sat beside Sophia’s bed, wiping a damp cloth across her lady’s forehead.
Lillian (Sophia's Maid)
(whispering, voice trembling): "My lady… you must eat something."
Sophia
(weakly, barely opening her eyes): "It will pass."
But Lillian knew the truth. It wasn’t just sickness. It was something else.
Sophia’s fingers curled weakly over Lillian’s wrist.
Sophia
(softly, barely above a whisper): "Lillian… if I die…"
Lillian (Sophia's Maid)
(shaking her head, eyes filling with tears): "No, my lady. Do not say that."
Sophia
(weakly): "If I die… find out who did this."
Lillian swallowed, her heart pounding.
Because she already had her suspicions.
And she feared the truth would be more terrifying than she could bear.
King August sat on the gilded throne, his gaze sharp as Min-chae entered the hall.
She moved like a storm barely contained.
August
(watching her): "Something troubles you."
Min-Chae
(quietly, but firm): "You should tighten your security, Your Majesty."
August
(leaning forward): "Is that a threat?"
Min-Chae
(smirking slightly): "A warning."
August
(eyes narrowing): "From whom?"
Because saying it aloud would make it real.
Min-Chae
(finally, voice cold): "The North is coming."
The room fell into silence.
Then—King August laughed.
A sharp, low, knowing laugh.
August
(smirking): "Let them come."
Min-chae’s blood turned cold.
Because he had been expecting this.
And that could only mean one thing.
Min-Chae
(slowly, realization dawning): "You knew."
August
(softly, watching her reaction): "I did."
Her fingers clenched at her sides.
August
(standing, stepping closer, voice lower): "Tell me, Min-chae. How does it feel to be the hunted… rather than the hunter?"
But inside, something cracked.
Because she had spent years hiding in the dark. Years escaping the ghosts of her past.
Because she had spent years hiding in the dark. Years escaping the ghosts of her past.
... It was time to face them.
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