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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