The grand hall buzzed with tension as court officials gathered, their voices a low murmur of agitation. Queen Genie sat atop her throne, her posture rigid and expression firmer than ever before, eyes narrowed with determination.
"Your Majesty! We must immediately remove Minister Jade from the candidates for royal consort!" Ju Tak's voice rang out, thick with indignation and barely restrained fury.
Minister Lee Baewon, Lee Jan's father, stepped forward, his face etched with stern resolve.
"Your Majesty, it is utterly unacceptable to keep someone who has committed such an offense as a candidate for the royal consort."
Queen Genie closed her eyes briefly and sighed, a deep weight settling over her chest. The anguish she felt was hidden beneath a composed exterior, but the burden was immense.
Minister Han Son observed the queen's conflicted expression with quiet calm.
"Minister Jade has not yet returned from the border. When he does, we must hear both sides, investigate the matter thoroughly, and only then reach a decision. It is not too late for justice to prevail."
Ju Tak's fury boiled over.
"Minister Han! Are you suggesting my wife is lying?!"
"No, that is not what I mean…" Han Son's voice remained measured but firm.
Lee Baewon joined his son-in-law's protest, his voice heavy with grief and righteous anger.
"Minister Han, my daughter endured this humiliation alone, without telling even her own father. She came forward now for the sake of the Hana Kingdom. Do you truly believe Minister Jade should remain a candidate under such circumstances?"
A sudden silence fell over the hall. All eyes turned to Queen Genie.
Her voice cut through the tension—cold, clear, and commanding.
"Everyone, calm yourselves. Be quiet."
The officials exchanged startled glances, taken aback by the queen's unusually sharp tone. They waited in tense silence for her next words.
Queen Genie's icy gaze pierced Ju Tak and Lee Baewon.
"How can you speak so carelessly about a man's private life before the king of this country—when Minister Jade has not even returned yet? How can you slander a loyal subject of Hana Kingdom with unconfirmed rumors?"
Ju Tak's composure faltered, his voice shaky as he tried to justify his accusations.
"Your Majesty… but there is evidence. While I was away in the provinces, Minister Jade secretly entered my home and tried to assault my wife. When our servant returned, Jade fled hastily over the wall, leaving behind this robe. The servant witnessed the entire scene and took the garment as proof. How can we possibly keep such a man as a candidate?"
Lee Baewon's tone was heavy with sorrow and indignation.
"Your Majesty… beyond my daughter's personal humiliation, how can we keep as a candidate someone who would stoop to assault a woman? That would bring disgrace upon the Hana Kingdom itself."
Queen Genie sighed deeply, frustration knotting her chest. Her mind raced, struggling against the crushing weight of these accusations.
'No,' she thought fiercely, 'Jade is absolutely not that kind of man.'
But the words caught in her throat, unwilling to escape her lips. The bitter conflict between duty and trust tore at her silently.
An official from the Ministry of Administration stepped forward with a respectful bow.
"Your Majesty, regardless of the full truth behind this matter, allowing a candidate tainted by such a scandal to remain would set a poor precedent for the future."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the gathered ministers, many nodding solemnly in support.
Queen Genie listened quietly, weighing the gravity of the situation.
After a long pause, she spoke with steady resolve. "I have heard your opinions. Whether the allegations are true or false, it is clear that many believe General Commander Jade should no longer be a candidate due to the scandal.
Now, I will ask for the ministers' judgment. Those who believe Jade should remain a candidate, despite the unresolved accusations, please stand to the left. Those who think he must be excluded because of the scandal, please stand to the right."
Her words hung heavy in the air as the ministers shifted uneasily. One by one, they moved with thoughtful expressions, carefully choosing their side.
Minister Han Sowon stood firmly on the left, a steadfast supporter of Jade's innocence. Meanwhile, Minister Ju Tak and Minister Lee Baewon took their place on the right, their faces solemn and resolute.
Queen Genie scanned the hall, her heart pounding as she noted the numbers. The ministers were nearly evenly split—an uncertain balance hanging between justice and caution.
Chief Han moved swiftly, her voice calm but deliberate as she began counting the ministers' positions. "One, two… two more officials stand with those seeking to exclude Minister Jade, Your Majesty."
Queen Genie took a slow, steadying breath and nodded, forcing herself to remain composed despite the heavy weight crushing her chest.
"Then it is decided. Minister Jade will be removed from the candidate list."
Her voice was clear, but beneath it trembled the fragile threads of a heart breaking quietly.
She lifted her gaze and fixed it on the assembly.
"However, should this incident be proven false, those responsible for fabricating such lies—including the inspector—will face the consequences without mercy."
With that, she concluded the meeting.
"We shall end here today."
The room fell silent before the ministers bowed deeply to the queen.
Queen Genie rose gracefully from the throne, her movements deliberate yet heavy with unspoken pain. As she stepped down from the dais and walked out of the grand hall, the soft, warm light of the early winter sun filtered through the windows, casting a golden glow that seemed almost at odds with the cold weight settling in her heart.
Chief Han and Danjin exchanged concerned looks, watching her carefully.
"Your Majesty… are you well?" Danjin's voice was cautious, gentle as if afraid to disturb the queen's fragile state.
Genie's eyes flickered with exhaustion and sorrow.
"I need a moment of rest in my chambers."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will prepare some warm tea for you."
Chief Han stepped closer, his brows furrowed with worry.
The queen's steps were measured as she made her way toward the royal chambers, each footfall echoing the ache tightening in her chest.
"Jade will return the day after tomorrow…"
The thought settled heavily within her, and her heart ached with a pain unlike any she had known before.
In that quiet moment, she finally grasped the true meaning of a wound buried deep in the soul.
'I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you…'
Three days had passed since Jade had finished overseeing the border reinforcements in the distant provinces. His steps were light, and a hopeful smile played at the corners of his lips as he entered the palace grounds. The familiar scent of polished wood and blooming chrysanthemums greeted him, filling him with a quiet excitement. Soon, he would see Queen Genie again—perhaps share a warm meal to celebrate his appointment as national envoy. The thought alone buoyed his spirits.
As he made his way through the palace corridors toward the grand assembly hall, he became aware of numerous eyes watching him—furtive glances, whispers quickly stifled as he passed. A vague unease began to creep beneath his skin, but he pushed it down, unwilling to spoil his hopeful mood.
Just as he reached the threshold of his office, a familiar figure came running toward him.
"Minister!!!" Danjin's voice was urgent, his face pale and drawn.
Jade chuckled softly, still unaware of any trouble.
"Danjin, how have things been these past few days? I was just on my way to attend the meeting at the assembly hall."
But Danjin's shoulders sagged, and his gaze dropped to the floor.
"Have you not heard, Minister...?"
Jade frowned, confusion knitting his brows.
"What do you mean?"
Danjin's eyes flickered with pain as he met Jade's gaze.
"You've been excluded from the candidate list for royal consort."
The words hit Jade like a cold wave crashing against a rock. His heart thudded painfully in his chest, the breath catching in his throat.
"W-What… do you mean?"
The cheerful certainty that had accompanied him vanished, replaced by a hollow dread.
"Lady Lee Jan, wife of Ju Tak, told the inspector that you tried to assault her," Danjin said gravely, his voice low and bitter. "The inspector reported this to Her Majesty immediately, without any investigation..."
Jade stood frozen for a moment, his mind blank, struggling to process the accusation.
"What nonsense is this? Why would Lady Lee say such a thing..." His voice cracked, disbelief and hurt thick in his words.
Danjin's expression darkened as he continued, "She even presented evidence—this robe bearing your name—that you tried to assault her. Regardless, you must hurry to the grand hall. Her Majesty and all the officials are already gathered."
Jade swallowed hard, a cold knot tightening in his stomach. Without another word, he turned and ran toward the grand hall, every step pounding with desperation.
'Your Majesty, no... this isn't true. I trust you won't believe such lies…'
As he neared the grand hall, Danjin waited at the entrance, eyes heavy with sorrow.
"Is Her Majesty inside?" Jade gasped, catching his breath.
Danjin nodded solemnly, pushing the heavy door open.
"Please enter… Everyone is waiting for you, Minister."