His hand moved to the travel bag slung over his shoulder. From a small side pouch, he carefully pulled out a folded letter, its edges slightly worn from the journey. Holding it with both hands, he extended it to her with a respectful bow.
Genie accepted the letter, blinking in surprise.
"What is it?"
Jade smiled gently.
"It's a letter from the children in Arabia… the ones you used to teach."
For a moment, Genie froze. Her fingers tightened around the parchment.
"…What?"
Her hands trembled slightly as she unfolded the letter.
The opening line read:
Her breath caught.
As her eyes moved across the page, her surroundings faded—the lantern light, the cool breeze of the autumn night, even the presence of Jade beside her. All that remained were the innocent, uneven letters of children she had once held close to her heart.
Each word struck her like a soft blow to the chest. Warmth flooded her eyes, and before she could stop them, tears began to pool and fall, streaking silently down her cheeks.
She bit her lip, clutching the letter to her chest as though it were a fragile treasure.
The final line of the letter shimmered on the parchment like a child's dream—pure, bright, and full of love.
A single tear traced its way down Genie's cheek.
"Your Majesty…" Jade's voice was low, gentle, filled with quiet concern.
Startled, Genie gave an awkward laugh and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, embarrassed by her sudden outpouring of emotion.
"Ha… I don't know what's gotten into me," she murmured, forcing a smile. "I must have been moved by the letter… I just…" Her voice trembled. "I miss the children in Arabia. I miss… the freedom I had when I was just a princess. I didn't expect it to come flooding back all at once like this…"
She looked away, her expression crumbling for just a heartbeat.
At only twenty-three years old, Genie had already taken on the solemn weight of ruling an entire kingdom. The crown on her head was not just an emblem of power—it was a burden. Heavy. Constant. And lonely.
Jade watched her in silence, his heart tightening. The moonlight shimmered over her figure, making her appear more fragile, more human, than ever before.
Then, as if coming to a decision, he took a slow breath and stepped closer.
"Your Majesty," he said firmly, but not without warmth. "Forgive me if I overstep… but I will always remain by your side—quietly, steadfastly—protecting and supporting you. You are never alone. So… please don't carry it all in silence. Don't be too sad."
Genie looked up at him, her heart caught between comfort and disbelief.
"Jade…" she whispered.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other. The golden lantern swayed in the cold night breeze, casting flickers of light over Jade's solemn face. His words weren't spoken as a subject to a monarch—but as a man to a woman he cherished deeply.
"How did you even get this letter… from the children in Arabia?"
A gentle smile curved Jade's lips.
"You mentioned them once… how much you missed them." His eyes softened with warmth. "That's when I started looking into it. I asked a merchant who travels between the continents to deliver a message and bring back their reply. It was the fastest way."
Genie's eyes widened. Her fingers tightened around the letter again. She looked up at him, seeing more than just a loyal minister—she saw someone who had listened, who remembered, who acted from the heart.
'He must've moved quickly. For the letter to have arrived so soon… he must've done all he could.'
A deep wave of gratitude surged within her—quiet, but overwhelming.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you, Jade. Truly."
"I'm glad you liked it, Your Majesty," he replied, his voice hushed. His gaze lingered on her—gentle and tender—carrying a depth of feeling he could no longer hide.
It was love, unspoken yet evident in every glance, every gesture, every word he didn't say.
And under the quiet glow of the lantern, Queen Genie felt her heart ease—not just because of the letter, but because someone had cared enough to bring her a piece of herself she thought she had lost forever.
Someone who saw the woman behind the crown.
"Aren't you Official Ju Tak's wife? What brings you here?"
Inspector Wooki's eyes widened in surprise as he recognized Lady Lee Jan standing before him.
Lee Jan bowed her head, her face shadowed with a devastating mix of grief and resolve.
"Are you alright? Has something happened?"
Her voice trembling but determined, Lee Jan said, "It's something I've never been able to tell even my husband... I've kept it a secret for the sake of his honor. But for the sake of the kingdom… I can no longer hide it. That is why I came to you, Inspector."
With that, she began weaving her fabricated tale, each word dripping with sorrow and urgency.
As her story unfolded, Wooki's face drained of color—shock and rage wrestling within his eyes.
When Lee Jan's final words fell silent, she raised her hands to cup her face, breaking into dramatic sobs that filled the room.
Fists pounding the table, Wooki abruptly rose to his feet. "My lady! This is intolerable! No matter how high-ranking the Minister of Military is, such a thing cannot be overlooked!"
Tears still falling, Lee Jan murmured, "I fear I may be causing unnecessary trouble by speaking out…"
"Trouble? No, my lady. This cannot be ignored." His voice burned with righteous fury. "I will go to Her Majesty immediately and report everything."
With that, Wooki stormed out of the inspection office, clutching Jade's robe tightly in his hand.
Left alone, Lee Jan finally lifted her head, a cold, victorious smirk curling at her lips.
Just as Inspector Wooki, his face flushed with fury and clutching Jade's robe tightly, marched out of the inspection office, the Deputy Inspector stepped in his path.
"Sir, what's the matter?" the Deputy Inspector asked cautiously as he passed by.
"I'm going to Her Majesty immediately!" Wooki snapped, his voice sharp and urgent.
"To Her Majesty? What happened?" the Deputy Inspector pressed, eyes narrowing with concern.
"Jade, the Minister of Military, tried to assault Lady Lee Jan, wife of Minister Ju Tak! I'd heard whispers that they were once betrothed, but to violate a married woman—this is unforgivable!"
Trying to maintain his composure, the Deputy Inspector inquired calmly, "Who told you this, Sir?"
"Lady Lee Jan herself!" Wooki barked.
"Sir, don't you think it's reckless to rush to Her Majesty based solely on one woman's word? Shouldn't we investigate first before raising such a serious claim?"
Wooki's expression hardened as he shook his head vehemently. "There's no time for that! Do you realize what time it is? The royal proclamation is just days away. When do you expect we'd find the time to investigate? I'm going now!"
With that, he shoved past the Deputy Inspector and stormed away down the corridor.
Behind the shadowed corner, Lee Jan watched silently, a cold smile curling at the edges of her lips.
'Everything's falling into place…'
Chief Han strode swiftly into the royal office, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor. Inside, Queen Genie sat at the head of the table, surrounded by the heads of each department, their voices blending into serious discussion.
"Your Majesty," Chief Han announced quietly, "Inspector Wooki has come to see you."
Queen Genie turned her gaze toward Chief Han, her expression calm but attentive.
"The Inspector? Please inform him that we are currently in a meeting with the ministers and ask him to return later."
A flicker of hesitation crossed Chief Han's face.
"He says it is urgent, Your Majesty. Should I ask him to wait for now?"
Queen Genie's curiosity was piqued. "No. Bring him in immediately."
Moments later, Inspector Wooki entered the chamber, bowing deeply.
"Sorry to interrupt you in the middle of a meeting, Your Majesty. I am Inspector Wooki. I apologize for interrupting the meeting with the ministers, but I have something urgent to report."
The room fell silent. Every eye—those of the queen and the ministers alike—fixed sharply on the inspector.
Genie asked, "What is the matter?"
Inspector Wooki's face darkened with grave seriousness as he met Queen Genie's steady gaze.
"It concerns Minister Jade."
"Minister Jade?"
Wooki nodded firmly.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Minister Jade attempted to assault Official Ju Tak's wife."
A collective gasp rippled through the room. The ministers exchanged shocked glances, and even Queen Genie's composed exterior faltered for a brief moment.
Suppressing the sudden flutter of her racing heart, Genie's voice remained calm but authoritative. "Do you have any proof to support such a grave accusation?"
Wooki reached behind him and pulled forth a long, finely embroidered robe, the silver threads gleaming under the chamber's light. "This garment—embroidered with Minister Jade's name—is the evidence we have gathered."
Genie's breath caught. The weight of the accusation, now tangible in her hands, pressed down on her chest, and for a moment, her heart felt as if it were crumbling.