The grand prince's condition worsened by the hour.
His breaths came shallow, almost imperceptible, and his skin had lost all warmth. The royal physicians moved with grim urgency, but their worried whispers made the air feel suffocating.
The palace itself seemed to hold its breath. Outside the prince's chambers, ministers and guards shuffled nervously. The entire court was waiting for a miracle, and only one person stood accused of being the cause: Minsoo.
⸻
Minsoo sat in her cell, her body aching from the beatings, her hands trembling slightly as the torchlight flickered across the cold stone walls. She had been given nothing to eat, nothing to drink, and yet she refused to confess to something she did not do.
It was then that the quiet click of the dungeon door drew her attention.
The queen dowager entered, her presence commanding even in the dim light.
"Minsoo," she said, her voice icy but controlled, "I can offer you a way out."
Minsoo's eyes lifted, wary.
"Three days," the queen dowager continued. "Three days to bring proof that you did not poison the grand prince. If you succeed, I will see to your release. But if you fail…" She produced a small, sharp knife from her sleeve, holding it out between them. "Then you must take your own life."
The dagger gleamed in the torchlight, its promise of death undeniable.
Minsoo's chest tightened. Her pulse raced, and fear threatened to overwhelm her—but she forced herself to remain composed. She could not allow herself to break, not now.
She took a slow, steady breath.
"I will do it," she said quietly. "I will find the evidence."
The queen dowager inclined her head once, coldly, before leaving as silently as she had come. The guards locked the cell again, leaving Minsoo alone in the shadows with only her thoughts and the threat of the knife.
⸻
Minutes later, she found herself racing through the palace corridors, every step carrying both exhaustion and urgency. She had only one person she could trust—the king.
When she reached the garden, she saw him waiting beneath the moonlight, his figure outlined against the shimmering pond.
The moment he saw her, his expression shifted instantly from worry to relief.
"Minsoo!" he called, his voice breaking slightly.
She ran the last few steps and, without thinking, collapsed into his arms.
The king's arms wrapped tightly around her, holding her as though he could shield her from every danger in the world. The warmth of his embrace contrasted sharply with the cold fear that had gripped her for so long.
"Do not ever scare me like this," he murmured against her hair, his voice low, urgent, and filled with unspoken emotion.
Minsoo clung to him, tears spilling silently. After a moment, she pulled back slightly and told him what had happened—the queen dowager, the three-day deal, the knife, and the ultimatum.
The king's eyes darkened, a storm of anger and determination flashing in his gaze. Without hesitation, he reached for the knife in her hand.
"Nothing of the sort will happen," he said firmly, throwing the blade into the garden pond. "Do you hear me? No harm will ever come to you while I am here."
He pulled her back into his arms, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple, and for a moment, the world outside the garden ceased to exist.
"I swear," he whispered, "I will prove your innocence."
⸻
The two of them began their investigation immediately. They questioned servants, examined the ingredients, retraced every step of the meal's preparation, and inspected the kitchen from top to bottom.
But every clue they uncovered seemed to lead to a dead end.
The poison had been expertly hidden. No trace was found in the dishes, the utensils, or the ingredients. It was as if someone had anticipated every move and erased all evidence before it could be discovered.
Despite the frustration, the king refused to let despair take hold. He held Minsoo's hand tightly as they worked side by side.
"Even if it takes the entire night, we will find the truth," he said, his voice resolute.
Minsoo looked up at him, her heart pounding—not from fear this time, but from the closeness, the warmth, and the unwavering protection in his gaze.
"I trust you," she whispered.
"And I will not fail you," he replied, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. His thumb traced her cheek tenderly.
For a moment, the tension between them melted into a quiet intimacy, a shared promise amidst the chaos and danger.
Yet even as they worked together, shadows lingered in the corners of the palace.
Somewhere, the true culprit watched, waiting for the perfect moment to strike again.
And the grand prince's life still hung by the thinnest of threads.
Three days.
The queen dowager had given them three days.
If they failed…
Minsoo's life would be forfeit.
But as she looked up at the king, feeling the strength of his determination and the warmth of his embrace, she knew she would fight with everything she had.
Together, they would uncover the truth.
Or die trying.
⸻