Alliance of Flames

❀༶•┈┈୨୧┈┈•༶❀ Where Power Meets Passion ❀༶•┈┈୨୧┈┈•༶❀

The winds shifted that night. Not just in the heavens, but in the fate of the kingdom. Goryeo’s moon glowed with a haunting silver light, casting shadows that danced like ghosts across the palace walls.

⚔️ Princess Hana stood at the peak of the Crimson Tower, her royal robes billowing behind her like a storm cloud. Her eyes—once soft and kind—now shimmered with fierce determination.

“Let them try again,” she whispered to the sky. “This time, I won’t just survive... I’ll conquer.”

Suddenly, a soft flutter echoed behind her.

A raven, black as ink and elegant as night, landed gently beside her.

Tied to its leg: a red ribbon and a note.

Hana opened the scroll, heart pounding.

✉️ “Meet me where the blossoms fall. Come alone. —Jiwoon”

Her heart skipped.

King Jiwoon... the mysterious ruler of the Northern Kingdom. Cold in battle, but strangely warm when his eyes met hers.

Could she trust him? Or was this another trap?

But something deep inside her—stronger than logic—pulled her forward.

———❀༶•┈┈┈•༶❀———

Later that Night — Blossom Garden

The garden was quiet… too quiet. The moonlight made the cherry trees look like frozen fire. Pale petals floated in the air like snowflakes.

And there, standing beneath the oldest tree, was King Jiwoon.

He wore royal armor tinged with deep black and red, and a cloak as dark as midnight. His sword rested at his side, but his gaze… it burned only for her.

“You came,” he said, voice low like thunder on the horizon.

“I don’t run from danger,” Hana replied, stepping closer. “Even if it wears a crown.”

Jiwoon chuckled. “Bold, as always.”

She crossed her arms. “Why did you call me here?”

He pulled something from his sleeve—a map.

“This,” he said, unfolding it, “is your palace. Marked with the locations of secret tunnels, hidden spies… and all the people working for your stepmother.”

Her eyes widened. “How did you—?”

“I have more ears than the wind,” he said. “And they all whisper the same thing: Goryeo is ready for a new queen.”

Hana's heart pounded. “You want me to start a war?”

“No,” he said, stepping closer. “I want to win one with you.”

Their faces were inches apart now. The tension between them thickened like summer air before a storm.

“I’ve seen you fight, Hana,” Jiwoon whispered. “I’ve seen the fire in you. It’s time Goryeo saw it too.”

She stared at him—this powerful man offering her something no one ever had.

Not protection. Not pity.

But power.

“And what do you want in return?” she asked.

Jiwoon’s eyes softened. “You.”

Her breath caught.

“Not your throne. Not your army. You.” he said. “Your trust. Your mind. Your fire.”

Her heart fluttered wildly.

🩷✨💥

“I can’t promise love,” Hana whispered. “Not now. Not yet.”

“I’m not asking for love,” he replied. “I’m asking for a promise. That when the time comes... you’ll choose me.”

She hesitated… then slowly reached out and took his hand.

“I promise.”

Their fingers intertwined beneath the moonlight.

An alliance was born… and so was something far more dangerous.

———❀༶•┈┈┈•༶❀———

Next Day — Throne Hall

Lady Myung stood proudly beside the King’s regent. Her smile was sweet, but her eyes were poison.

By her side, Sook-Yi wore shimmering blue silk and a fake expression of concern.

Hana walked into the court dressed in silver and scarlet, the colors of rising phoenixes. Her steps were strong, her back straight, her presence undeniable.

“I request the floor,” she said, bowing.

“Granted,” murmured the Minister, cautious.

Hana held up a sealed scroll. “I bring evidence of betrayal within this palace. Spies paid by Lady Myung. Hidden poison stores. Secret messages to foreign enemies.”

Gasps echoed across the room.

“This is a fabrication!” Lady Myung snapped. “She seeks power through lies!”

“Then let the court open the Queen’s chambers,” Hana said. “Let truth decide.”

Royal guards marched forward.

An hour later… they returned. With proof.

Scrolls. Vials. Names.

⚖️ The courtroom exploded in shouts. ⚖️

“The Queen Dowager must be tried!”

“She endangered the royal bloodline!”

“This is treason!”

Lady Myung’s face turned pale. “This is heresy! She’s just a child—!”

“She’s a princess,” the Minister corrected. “The true heir.”

Sook-Yi clung to her mother, crying. “We’re ruined! Mother, do something!”

But Lady Myung only stared at Hana. Her smile had faded. But in her eyes—there was still a flicker of venom.

“This isn’t over,” she hissed under her breath.

Hana leaned close and whispered, “No. It’s just beginning.”

———❀༶•┈┈┈•༶❀———

That Night — Secret Garden Pavilion

Fireworks lit the sky in celebration. 🎆✨

Dancers twirled in silks. Lanterns glowed golden.

But Hana sat quietly at the edge of the pavilion, gazing into the koi pond.

Jiwoon arrived, his steps silent.

“You did it,” he said, handing her a cup of warm plum wine.

“We did it,” she corrected, raising her glass. “To burning down what held me back.”

Jiwoon clinked his glass to hers. “And building something new from the ashes.”

She looked at him.

For the first time… her walls lowered just a little.

“Do you really believe in me?” she asked softly.

He nodded. “Enough to start a war. Or give up my throne.”

“Don’t,” she said, a faint smile on her lips. “I’d rather rule beside a king than mourn one.”

Their fingers touched once again.

❤️ Sparks danced not just in the sky—but in their hearts. ❤️

And above them… a full moon rose. Watching. Waiting.

———❀༶•┈┈┈•༶❀———

Meanwhile… deep in the dungeons

Lady Myung sat in a dim cell, her hands trembling.

A shadow entered. A cloaked man. Eyes glowing red in the torchlight.

“My Lady,” he said, bowing. “The time has come.”

“Awaken him,” she whispered. “Bring me… the Dark Prince of Baekje.”

☠️ A new enemy stirs in the dark… and he knows Hana’s deepest secret. ☠️

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

To be continued…

(Episode 5: An ancient threat rises. Hana’s past is unraveled. And Jiwoon faces a deadly choice between duty and love...)

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