At the crack of dawn, Ha Ran was already outside, helping the servants with laundry, cooking, and cleaning. She would never dare let anyone wait on her. In her grandmother's mansion, she had never allowed the servants to do more than they needed; she always handled whatever she could herself.
"Dal Rae-nim," one of the servants whispered, "why has Lady Ha Ran been away from the Moon residence for so long? She's such a gentle soul. She even helped Man Bok ahjussi chop logs yesterday."
Dal Rae sighed, lowering her voice. "Ha Ran was always a good child—bright, cheerful. But when she and her sister were at the palace, they once stole a book of documents from the king's study. Master Moon sent her away to live with his mother to reflect on her behavior."
"Eighteen years?" the young girl gasped. "That seems too long for such a small mistake. She's already so kind—far kinder than Lady Yu Na."
"Enough," Dal Rae warned sharply. "What happens within the Moon family is not for us to discuss. Go help Ha Ran get ready for her presentation to the king."
The young girl hurried off to Ha Ran's room, where Ha Ran was already slipping into a dress she had brought with her. It was a soft reddish hue, though the fabric was worn and the style long out of fashion. The girl smiled politely.
"Young Lady Ha Ran," she greeted.
"Oh! You're Choon Hwa, right? How do I look?"
Choon Hwa bit her lip, unsure how to answer.
"You look like you're from the countryside," came another voice. "You're supposed to be a woman of nobility… or at least half."
Yu Na stood at the doorway, her gaze sweeping over Ha Ran from head to toe. "Choon Hwa, bring me my yellow and pink hanbok. She can wear that for today."
Choon Hwa hesitated, then scurried away.
"Unnie," Ha Ran said softly, smiling. "Thank you for letting me borrow your dress."
"Of course. You're so concerned about the Crown Prince's reputation affecting mine," Yu Na said sweetly. "And yet, this is the only dress you have?" She lifted the hem of Ha Ran's skirt, exposing a small tear. Sliding her finger into it, she looked her sister dead in the eye—and ripped it down the middle.
Ha Ran gasped, clutching the torn fabric. "Unnie!"
"Don't call me that." Yu Na's voice turned cold. "We may share a father, but your mother was a lowborn woman who seduced him. You are the shame that entered our family—and the shame that was cast out for your insolence toward the king."
Ha Ran froze. Those old documents… they never stopped following her no matter how far she'd gone.
"Now, get ready. We're leaving soon."
------
Ha Ran had never set foot inside the palace throne room before. She had only ever seen the outer courtyard, where guests used to play. The chamber was breathtaking—the ornate carvings on the columns dusted with gold, the golden throne that commanded silence. Ministers and council members stood along on either side of Ha Ran and her family, murmuring at the rare presence of women in the court.
The king's gaze swept over them, cold and assessing. No one dared speak until he did.
"Minister of War, Moon Bang Won," he said. "A pleasure to see you, accompanied by your daughter, Yu Na. I hear your other daughter has returned from the countryside, after years spent with her grandmother."
"The honor is ours, Your Majesty," Minister Moon replied with a bow. "These are my daughters, Yu Na and Ha Ran."
"Ha Ran… what an interesting name," the king mused. "Ha as in river, Ran as in overflowing, yes?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Very insightful."
"A name for a woman of deep emotion," he said, studying her.
Footsteps echoed through the hall.
"Entering Crown Prince Young Hoon and Prince Jae Hoon!" the eunuch announced.
Ha Ran's eyes immediately found Jae Hoon—pale, delicate, dressed in soft blues and a colorful sash. He looked every bit the noble son. Then came the Crown Prince—tall, clad in black with crimson accents, his gaze shadowed and commanding. The brothers were like night and day.
But there was something familiar about him.
Ha Ran squinted. Broad shoulders… dark brows… That face—she knew it. Her stomach dropped.
It was him. The man she had scolded the other day for not helping Man Bok with the logs.
Her eyes widened, and she slowly raised a hand to cover her face as inconspicuously as possible and—so awkwardly that it drew even more attention.
Young Hoon frowned, noticing the woman who had half-covered her face. What is she doing?
When the princes reached the throne, they bowed to their father.
"Yu Na is a vision, isn't she?" Jae Hoon whispered under his breath. "Like a rose with thorns. I've heard she's turned down more marriage proposals than all the noblewomen combined."
He glanced at Ha Ran, who was still trying to hide behind her sleeve. "Who is that one?"
Young Hoon followed his brother's gaze. The woman seemed oddly familiar, though her behavior was unlike any court lady's. Perhaps she's one of those who believe one look from me will shorten their lifespan.
The king's voice rang out, silencing the whispers.
"Crown Prince Young Hoon and Lady Yu Na. I have granted your betrothal, believing the union between our royal house and the Moon family will strengthen both names."
"We are honored, Your Majesty," said Minister Moon, immediately bowing.
The Crown Prince stepped forward. "Your Majesty, though I understand the importance of alliances, I am concerned for Lady Yu Na's reputation. She is a noblewoman whose name has already been dragged through rumor. I would not wish this marriage to tarnish her further."
The king's expression did not change, but his eyes sharpened.
One minister spoke up, "The Crown Prince is correct. A rushed union could bring scandal to Lady Yu Na and to Minister Moon. If the minister's reputation falters, we risk losing his counsel in the coming war."
Another countered, "On the contrary, the Crown Prince's image is what needs mending. He has been branded a cold-blooded warrior, the God of Death they call him. A graceful wife like Lady Yu Na could only improve how the people see him."
"The people," a third interjected, "have never once seen them together. To them, this betrothal reeks of politics—lust, power, or worse."
As the council's arguments grew louder, Yu Na leaned toward her sister, hissing under her breath, "This is turning into a disaster! I don't want to marry the Crown Prince, but the king won't annul it unless there's another way!"
Ha Ran's gaze flicked to the king. He wasn't watching the bickering ministers—he was watching the Crown Prince.
Why him? she thought. He's sent the prince to every war, ruining his image, and now he ties him to our family? Why? Who does it benefit to go to war? To weaken him? To control him? Or to destroy him and us both?
Her mind raced. Then she whispered to Yu Na, "Just follow my lead."
Yu Na blinked. "What are you going to do?"
Ha Ran smiled faintly. Then she stepped forward and knelt before the throne.
"Your Majesty!" she said clearly. "I have a proposal—a solution that might please everyone."