The two men stared at each other for a heartbeat.
Ju Tak was the first to look away.
All eyes followed Genie as she turned toward the prisoner.
"State your name and the one who sent you."
"... Ju Tak sent me," the assassin replied.
Ju Tak squeezed his eyes shut.
All the ministers now turned their gaze to Ju Tak.
"Y-Your Highness… This... This is some sort of misunderstanding..." Ju Tak stammered.
Genie cut his words. "Keep talking. Was I the first one you were assigned to follow?"
The assassin shook his head.
"No. Your Highness, Ju Tak had other people shadowing as well. He instructed us to always be ready to kill without leaving a trace, in case someone turned away from him."
At the assassin's words, the ministers who had been aligned with Ju Tak turned their gaze toward him with feelings of betrayal.
The assassin continued. "On the list of people to follow, there wasn't a single one who didn't stand with Ju Tak."
Even Oh Gun, Ju Tak's right-hand man, now looked at him with betrayal in his eyes.
Princess Genie's voice rang out, cold and commanding. "I see. Can you show me that list?"
The assassin, resigned to his fate, reached into his tunic and produced a small, folded piece of parchment. The royal guards swiftly retrieved it and handed it over to Genie.
With a solemn nod, Genie read aloud the names that had been marked for execution. "Supreme Judge Hwan. Oh Gun, from the Ministry of Land. Government Inspector Kim San. Personnel Commander Hwang."
The hall fell deathly quiet as Genie continued, her voice unwavering as he called out each name. One after another, twenty names were announced, and each one sent a ripple of panic through the room. Those whose names were read trembled visibly, their faces pale and eyes darting nervously around the hall, unable to escape the suffocating grip of reality closing in on them.
When the last name was called, a chilling silence enveloped the assembly. Genie folded the list neatly, the sound of the paper crinkling like the quiet before a storm. She turned her gaze slowly to the ministers, her eyes cold, unreadable.
"These are all the people who stood with Ju Tak," she said, her voice calm yet filled with an undeniable authority.
The officials whose names had been spoken trembled, not just from fear, but from the weight of what their choices would mean. Their lives, their loyalties, and their futures hung in the balance. Each one of them could feel the sharpness of her gaze, and in it, they saw no room for compromise.
With the regal poise of one who had already claimed the throne in spirit, Genie spoke again.
"Now, the choice is yours. You can remain loyal to Ju Tak and be branded traitors, or you can sever all ties with him, pledge your loyalty to me, and serve as the ministers of the next ruler of Hana Kingdom." She paused, letting her words settle in the air. "If you choose to stand with me, I will forgive all past offenses. You are all valuable members of our kingdom and will play a crucial part in the future development of Hana."
She let the silence stretch for a heartbeat before her voice cut through it once more.
"Now, those of you who wish to stand with me, move to the right. Those who wish to remain loyal to Ju Tak, stand to the left."
The room held its breath.
The atmosphere in the assembly hall was thick with anticipation as Princess Genie's commanding presence filled the space. One by one, the ministers who had once supported Ju Tak stood, their steps measured and resolute, and moved to the right side of the hall. It was as though the power that had once held them in Ju Tak's thrall had been shattered with one simple act of defiance.
In mere moments, the left side of the hall, which had once been teeming with Ju Tak's supporters, was now empty, save for Ju Tak himself and his father, Ju Man. They remained standing, like two men in a sea of shifting allegiances.
Genie's gaze softened as she turned toward the ministers who had made the choice to stand with her. A sense of relief washed over her, but it was quickly replaced with a quiet, resolute strength.
"From now on, you will be my loyal officials, and we will lead Hana together," she said, her voice warm yet laced with undeniable authority. "Forget the past and serve me faithfully."
The officials who had once been aligned with Ju Tak knelt, their heads bowed in reverence. One by one, they pledged their loyalty to Princess Genie, their voices filled with a mix of gratitude and newfound resolve.
Supreme Judge Hwan, his voice thick with emotion, opened his mouth. "Your Highness… Thank you for giving us this opportunity…" His voice trailed off, his heart heavy with both regret and gratitude.
The other ministers echoed his words, their gratitude flowing like a wave through the hall. They had been given a second chance, one they knew they could not squander.
Among the loyalists who had always stood with Princess Genie—Han Son, Moonsen, and the others—there was a sense of pride and admiration in the air. Moonsen, his eyes alight with awe, could not hide the admiration he felt for the princess. His thoughts were clear, his loyalty unwavering.
'Your Highness, I'm in awe of your charisma and strategy… I pledge my loyalty to you.'
Meanwhile, in the royal physician's room, Jade lay on the bed, his shoulder swathed in large bandages, the pain from his injuries still sharp. The ointment had been applied, but it did little to ease the discomfort that lingered. His thoughts, however, were not on his wounds but on Princess Genie.
'Your Highness…'
Her voice echoed in his mind, a comforting melody that played over and over as he recalled the events of earlier. He could still feel the gentle pressure of her hand on his arm, guiding him through the pain.
"Don't worry, Jade. I'll take care of this. Right when we arrive at the palace, you go and see the physician and take rest." Her words had been soft, yet firm, as though she refused to let him suffer for her.
"No, Your Highness. I'll be by your side."
She had looked at him with soft, concerned eyes, those eyes that held such quiet strength.
"No, Jade. Go, take a rest. It's time for me to stand up. You did everything you could for me."
Her words had settled over him like a balm, and despite the ache in his shoulder, he couldn't help but feel the weight of her care for him. His gaze had lingered on her face, unsure if he should leave her side, but he had given in, knowing she was right.
"...Your Highness…"
As Jade lay on the bed now, his mind replaying the moment over and over, he let out a small sigh, his heart heavy with worry.
"Your Highness…" he muttered again, his voice quiet but sincere.
Deep, unspoken affection filled the space between his words, a devotion that transcended mere duty.
In a quick second, the entire story of Ju Tak's plot to assassinate Princess Genie—already victorious in the royal succession contest—spread like wildfire through the palace, even reaching the Noble Women Society.
"What?!"
Lee Jan's voice broke the silence, filled with a mix of disbelief and fury. Her eyes widened as the news sank in.
Onny, her loyal servant, trembled, her body shaking with the fear of delivering such dire news. She had just overheard the palace maid's frantic whispers and rushed to inform her mistress.
Lee Jan's eyes flickered, a storm of emotions swirling behind them—fear, anger, and a growing sense of betrayal. Her fists clenched at her sides. How dare that Princess do this to us?! she thought, her thoughts spiraling.
She whirled toward Onny.
"What are you waiting for? Summon the Noble Women Society to the private hall right now!"
Onny, still trembling with the weight of her task, bowed quickly and bolted from the room. Her heart raced as she went to carry out Lady Lee Jan's command.
Soon after, Lee Jan pushed open the door to the private hall for the Noble Women Society, expecting to find the usual gathering of women. However, to her surprise, the room was empty. Not a single woman was there.
"What's going on here?!" Lee Jan's voice rang out in disbelief, her eyes scanning the vacant hall. "Why didn't any of the ladies come?"
She turned to glare at her servant, Onny, who stood nervously at her side.
Onny, visibly shaking, stammered in response, "I... I did call them, Ma'am. I really did, but…"
Before she could finish, the door opened once again, and Lee Jan's gaze flickered toward the newcomer with a forced smile.
It was Lady Ju—her mother-in-law, the wife of Minister Ju Man.
"Mother!"
Lee Jan greeted her with a strained, almost mocking smile.
Lady Ju walked into the room with an air of solemnity, her face etched with sorrow.
"It's over," she said, the weight of the words hanging heavy in the air.