The Shadow Queen
The Silent Arrival
✨ Character Introductions ✨
👑 King August Alexander Anderson Hall
Age: 32
Description: Tall, Black Hair, Light Grey Eyes, Strong feature with a naturally authoritative aura
Personality: A reserved and calculating ruler, torn between duty and personal desires.
Though he is a skilled warrior and strategic king, he struggles with the emotional aspects of his marriages.
He never crowned Konstantina as queen, leaving the court divided.
He admires Sophia for her kindness but does not feel passionate love toward her.
He married Min-chae out of obligation, but her mystery unsettles him.
👑 First Wife - Konstantina Stella Giannakopoulos
Age: 29
Description: Long Black Hair, Green Eyes, Elegant and Regal appearance, Always stress in luxurious gowns
Personality: Intelligent, manipulative, and deeply ambitious.
She has been by August’s side since childhood and expected to be queen.
Her patience is endless, but her schemes are deadly.
She despises Min-chae immediately but hides it behind politeness.
She does not love August in a romantic way—she loves power.
Every action she takes is a calculated move toward securing her position.
👑 Second Wife - Sophia Mirror Jan
Age: 24
Description: London Black Hair, Baby Brown Eyes, Delicate Features, Often wear soft pastel-coloured dresses
Personality: The complete opposite of Konstantina—kind, soft-spoken, and genuinely caring.
She was born in a poor family but was chosen by August because of her warm nature.
She is loved by the people and the court, making Konstantina jealous.
While she appears weak, she is observant and wise.
She believes in fairness but does not yet realize how dangerous the palace can be.
👑 Third Wife - Min-Chae Kim
Age: 26
Description: Long Jet-Black hair, Grey Eyes, Usually dresses in red and black, Always veiled in mystery
Personality: Cold, highly intelligent, and deadly skilled in martial arts.
She does not seek power, only freedom—which is why she agreed to marry August under strict conditions.
She shows no emotions to outsiders, making people fear her.
However, she has a deep sense of justice and protects those who deserve it.
She never smiles in public, nor does she show vulnerability.
🛎️ The Maids and Their Allegiances
💛 Irene - Konstantina's Maid
Loyal to: Konstantina
Personality: Arrogant, cruel, and ambitious, just like her mistress.
🌿 Lillian - Sophia's Maid
Loyal to: Sophia
Personality: Believes in kindness but it's terrified of the palace darkness
🕶️ Mira - Palace Maid
Loyal to: No one, but watches everything
Personality: Quiet but highly intelligent
Celestine Castle - Midnight
The cold wind howled through the palace corridor as a lone figure stepped onto the stone path leading to the East Wing.
Her robes, a deep red and black trailed behind her barely swaying against the breeze
The torches lining the walls flickered, casting ghostly shadows against her unreadable face
August
(watching her from the shadows) You walk like a ghost
Min-Chae
(without stopping) Ghosts do not breathe
August
Nor do they make men tremble
Min-Chae
(turning slightly, her cold gray eyes meeting his) Then you should have left me in the dark, Your Majesty
Silence stretched between them, broken only by the distant sound of an owl hooting in the woods beyond the palace walls
August
(his voice low, unreliable) You understand what this means, Min Chae?
Min-Chae
(crossing her arms) It means nothing to me. You own me your life, and this is how you chose to repay it, As long as you abide by my conditions, I do not care
August
(his expression flickering with something unreadable) You will love in the East Wing. No one will disturb you
August
(softly) They will not welcome you here
Min-Chae
(turning away) Then I shall not welcome them either
Elsewhere in the Palace - The Servants Quarter
The dim candlelight flickered inside the cramped servants' hall, where three maids whispered among themselves. The scent of lavender and old parchment lingered in the air.
Irena (Konstantina's Maid)
(leaning closer, voice dripping with malice) Did you hear? His Majesty has taken another wife.
Lillian (Sophia's Maid)
(shocked, hand over her mouth) A third one? Poor Lady Sophia... She has suffered enough
Mira (Palace Maid)
(frowning, her fingers tightening around the edges of her apron) A third wife, yet no announcement, no celebration. Isn’t that strange?
Irena (Konstantina's Maid)
(snorting) She must be a nobody. Lady Konstantina has been waiting for her crown for years. And Lady Sophia? The people adore her. What place does this third wife have?
Lillian (Sophia's Maid)
(worried) What if the king truly loves her?
Mira (Palace Maid)
(quietly observing) If he did, he would have given her a place in court. Instead, she was sent to the East Wing… away from the public eye.
Irena (Konstantina's Maid)
(smirking, voice laced with disdain) She must be hideous, then.
Lillian (Sophia's Maid)
(hesitating, whispering as if afraid to be heard) Or… she must be dangerous.
Mira (Palace Maid)
(chillingly, her eyes darkening) Secrets don’t stay hidden in the palace for long.
Lady Konstantina's Chambers - West Wing
Golden lanterns cast soft light over the luxurious chamber filled with velvet drapes and golden embroidery. Konstantina sat near her vanity, brushing her long black hair with slow, deliberate strokes. Her emerald-green eyes glowed in the candlelight, reflecting something sharp.
Irena (Konstantina's Maid)
(standing behind her, voice dripping with devotion) Your Majesty, she is nothing compared to you.
Konstantina
(smiling at her own reflection, her voice smooth as silk) Not yet. But I do not trust women who lurk in the shadows.
Irena (Konstantina's Maid)
(curious, tilting her head) Would you like me to find out more?
Konstantina
(smirking, placing her brush down gently) Slowly, my dear Irene. Let her believe she is invisible. Then we strike.
Lady Sophia's Quarter - West Wing
The scent of fresh jasmine filled the air as Sophia sat by the open balcony, watching the city below. The moonlight illuminated her soft features, but her eyes were clouded with quiet sadness.
Beside her, an open book lay on her lap. She wasn’t reading it; her mind was elsewhere, drifting between the words but never fully absorbing them. It was her escape—a world of pages that offered solace from the weight of palace politics.
Lillian (Sophia's Maid)
(nervously, holding a tray of tea) Your Majesty, are you alright?
Sophia
(softly smiling, but there was an emptiness in her eyes) I am fine, Lillian.
Lillian (Sophia's Maid)
(hesitant, lowering her gaze) The new wife… do you think His Majesty loves her?
Sophia
(glancing down at the book, then letting out a soft sigh) I do not know. But if she has truly come to live here, she must be prepared for what is to come.
Lillian (Sophia's Maid)
(whispering, glancing at the flickering candle’s flame) I hope she is strong enough. Because I fear the palace will swallow her whole.
Sophia
(pauses, placing her finger on the page, her eyes flickering back to Lillian) The palace does not forgive weakness. And neither will I.
The East Wing - Min Chae's New Quarter
Min-chae stepped into the dimly lit chamber, taking in the simplicity of the room. Unlike the opulence of the West Wing, her quarters were quiet, secluded, untouched by unnecessary luxury. The silence was a welcome companion.
A gentle breeze rustled the silk curtains. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulder as she stared out at the courtyard below. Even in the darkness, she could feel the palace watching her. Judging her. Waiting for her to fall.
Min-Chae
(murmuring to herself) Let them watch
Her fingers traced the hidden dagger strapped to her thigh. Let them plot. Let them whisper. Let them blame her for all the things they do not understand.
Because when the time came, she would show them exactly who they had invited into their home.
Whispers in the Dark
The East Wing - Min Chae's Quarter
Min-chae sat in the dimly lit chamber, the only sounds being the crackling of a small fire and the wind outside. The East Wing was eerily silent, cut off from the rest of the palace. It was as if she did not exist.
She preferred it that way
Her fingers traced the cool steel of the dagger resting on the table. This place… this palace… was a den of vipers. She had seen it before, in the Northern Kingdom, when false smiles hid the sharpest daggers. She had survived that. She would survive this.
A knock broke the silence
Hana, the only maid assigned to Min-chae, entered hesitantly. Her eyes flickered with worry.
Hana (Min- Chae Maid)
(whispering, bowing her head): "My lady… they are speaking of you."
Min-Chae
(unbothered, pouring tea): "Let them."
Hana (Min- Chae Maid)
(nervously looking around): "They say you are a ghost, that His Majesty was cursed after marrying you."
Min-Chae
(scoffing, sipping her tea): "A ghost? How unoriginal."
Hana (Min- Chae Maid)
(anxious, twisting her hands): "Lady Konstantina’s maid, Irene, has been spreading rumors. The servants… they mock you. They say you are hiding because you are deformed."
Min-Chae
(placing her teacup down with a soft clink): "Rumors are a coward’s weapon. Let them play their little games."
Hana (Min- Chae Maid)
(whispering): "But, my lady… if you allow them to walk over you, they will not stop."
Min-Chae
(smirking, eyes glinting dangerously): "Then we shall see how they fare when they step too close to the abyss."
The Grand Hall - Afternoon
The palace was alive with chatter, nobles and servants alike whispering about the mysterious third wife. Despite being married to the king, she had not attended a single gathering, had not been presented at court, had not even been seen.
Konstantina, adorned in a deep emerald gown, sat beside Lady Sophia at the grand dining table. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, her lips curled in amusement as Irene whispered in her ear.
Irena (Konstantina's Maid)
(softly, smirking): "The servants say she hides because she is ugly, deformed. Perhaps His Majesty pitied her."
Konstantina
(chuckling lightly, her emerald eyes glinting with malice): "Pity is a dangerous thing, Irene. It turns weak men into fools."
Irena (Konstantina's Maid)
(giggling): "Shall we send her a gift, my lady? A mirror, perhaps?"
Konstantina
(smirking, twirling the golden goblet in her hands): "No need. Let her continue lurking in the shadows. The moment she steps into the light… she will break."
Sophia, dressed in soft ivory, remained quiet. Her brown eyes flickered with unease.
Sophia
(softly): "Must you be so cruel, Konstantina?"
Konstantina
(raising a delicate brow): "Cruel? My dear Sophia, we are simply stating facts. A wife who refuses to show her face is a wife unworthy of a crown."
Sophia
(lowering her gaze, fingers gripping the edge of the table): "Perhaps she does not wish for a crown."
Konstantina
Chuckling): "Then she should not have married a king."
The Countryard - Nightfall
The palace guards trained in the courtyard under the moonlight, their swords clashing, their heavy breaths filling the cold night air. Among them, a shadow moved unseen—silent, quick, deadly.
Min-chae balanced effortlessly on the wooden beams above, watching, analyzing. A lifetime of discipline had taught her patience, control.
One of the guards below swung too slow, his opponent nearly cutting through his defense.
Min-Chae
(softly, murmuring to herself): "Sloppy."
She could take them all down in minutes. The thought amused her.
A sudden movement caught her attention.
A lone figure—hooded, lurking near the servant’s entrance to the West Wing. Suspicious. Too suspicious.
The hooded figure moved swiftly, weaving through the darkened corridors. But Min-chae was faster.
In a blink, she was behind them.
Min-Chae
(coldly, pressing a dagger to their throat): "You have five seconds to explain why you are sneaking through the palace."
Hooded Figures
(panicked): "P-please! I meant no harm! I-I only carry messages!"
Min-Chae
(voice like ice): "Messages for whom?"
Hooded Figures
"Lady Konstantina… I only deliver what I am told—!"
Her eyes darkened. She had expected palace games, but Konstantina was moving too soon.
Min-Chae
(low, dangerous): "Tell your mistress… I do not play by her rules."
With a flick of her wrist, she sent the figure stumbling forward, disappearing into the night.
She had been content in the shadows. But it seemed they would not let her rest.
If they wished to test her..
The First Strike
The East Wing - Min Chae's Quarter
Min-chae sat in silence, her fingers tracing the hilt of her dagger. The palace was restless tonight. Whispers coiled like snakes in the air, slithering from corridor to corridor.
She had received the message loud and clear—Konstantina was already making her move.
Hana (Min- Chae Maid)
(pacing anxiously): "My lady, the rumors are spreading faster than wildfire. They say you cursed the palace, that His Majesty’s judgment has been clouded since he married you."
Min-Chae
(calmly, sharpening her blade): "People fear what they do not understand."
Hana (Min- Chae Maid)
(lowering her voice): "And Lady Sophia… she has fallen ill."
She had anticipated Konstantina’s hostility. She had not anticipated her to act so boldly—to strike at Sophia so soon.
Min-Chae
(narrowing her eyes): "When did this happen?"
Hana (Min- Chae Maid)
(softly): "Last night. The palace is already whispering that it began after your arrival."
Min-chae exhaled slowly, a controlled, measured breath. She could feel the weight of the trap closing around her. Blame her. Make her the villain. Push her into the light before she was ready.
So this was Konstantina’s game.
Min-Chae
(coldly, standing up): "Very well. If they wish to speak of ghosts…"
She slipped a hidden blade into her sleeve.
Min-Chae
(darkly, eyes gleaming like steel): "Then let us haunt them properly."
Lady Sophia's Quarter - The West Wing
Sophia lay in bed, her skin pale, a thin sheen of sweat coating her forehead. The scent of medicinal herbs filled the room, but none seemed to bring her relief.
Lillian (Sophia's Maid)
(worried, wringing her hands): "My lady, please… you must eat something."
Sophia
(weakly, shaking her head): "I have no appetite."
Lillian (Sophia's Maid)
(hesitating): "People are saying… Lady Min-chae’s presence has brought misfortune."
Sophia
(softly): " It is not her."
Lillian (Sophia's Maid)
(startled): "My Lady?"
Sophia
(whispering, barely audible): "This sickness… it is not hers to bear."
A knowing look crossed her face.
She was weak, but she was not a fool
The Grand Hall - Afternoon
The nobles had gathered for their afternoon meal. Konstantina sat in her usual place, dressed in deep green silk, her raven-black hair adorned with gold pins. She held her goblet with effortless grace, a picture of royal composure.
Konstantina
(smirking, feigning concern): "It is truly unfortunate what has happened to dear Lady Sophia. I pray for her swift recovery."
Irena (Konstantina's Maid)
(whispering at her side): "The court already whispers of Lady Min-chae’s ill omen."
Konstantina
(smiling slightly, sipping her wine): "Do they? How… tragic."
A hush fell over the hall as the doors creaked open.
A figure entered—graceful, slow, draped in red and black. Min-chae.
For the first time since her arrival, she had stepped into the public eye.
Min-Chae
(calmly surveying the room): "How generous of you, Lady Konstantina, to be so concerned for the Second Wife’s well-being."
Konstantina
(masking her surprise, smiling sweetly): "Ah, our elusive Third Wife graces us at last."
Min-chae stepped forward, her black silk robes trailing behind her like the whispers of a storm. The room felt colder, though the torches still burned.
Min-Chae
(tilting her head, voice deceptively soft): "Forgive me. I was unaware my presence—or lack thereof—caused such distress."
The nobles exchanged glances, uncertain. She was beautiful, striking even. But there was something about her—a sharpness, an edge honed by something far deadlier than palace life.
Konstantina
(raising her goblet): "We only wished to know the woman our king chose. Surely, you understand."
Min-Chae
(smiling—dangerous, unreadable): "Of course. But I must admit, Lady Konstantina… I find it curious."
Konstantina
(arching a brow): "Curious?"
Min-Chae
(stepping closer, lowering her voice so only Konstantina could hear): "That you care so much for Lady Sophia’s health… yet her maid was seen meeting with an unknown figure just last night."
Konstantina
(smile freezing for half a second): "...Surely you are mistaken."
Min-Chae
(softly, a blade hidden beneath her words): "Am I?"
Konstantina’s fingers tightened around her goblet. This woman… she was not supposed to be this perceptive.
The court was watching. Listening.
Min-chae had turned the whispers against her into something else entirely—doubt.
Konstantina
(composing herself, smiling again): "You are quite bold, Lady Min-chae. I hope you do not make enemies so easily."
Min-Chae
(smirking slightly): "Enemies are of little concern. I prefer the truth."
Then, King August entered.
August
(glancing between them, his gaze settling on Min-chae): "You have finally stepped into the light."
Min-Chae
(turning to him, her eyes unreadable): "It seems the shadows could not hold me forever."
August
(softly): "Indeed."
The tension between them all was palpable, thick like the night before a storm.
Min-Chae had struck first.
And now, she would wowt for Konstantina to strike back.
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