The moon hung shyly behind gray clouds, as if it too wished to hide the secrets that haunted the palace that night. Areum gazed out the window, but it wasn't the beauty of the night that captivated her. Something was wrong. Her instincts were sharp, as though a sixth sense whispered danger.
Footsteps in the corridor paused briefly outside her door before moving on. That was the third time since afternoon. Her face tensed. "They're watching me," her heart whispered.
In the main hall, Wang Joon sat deep in thought. Ever since the bloody symbol was discovered in Areum's chamber, he had been investigating in secret, without her knowledge. He didn't want to burden her — especially not now, with Areum so deeply involved in her study of Seol Hwa's history.
But Wang Joon knew something far greater was unfolding. He just wasn't ready to tell Areum. Not yet.
The Symbol Within the Bloody Painting
Areum reopened the Seol Hwa manuscript, still scented with the faint fragrance of dried mulberry leaves. This time, she studied an ancient illustration of a woman who resembled her. The woman stood before a mirror, and etched on the mirror was the same symbol — the Three-Season Flower.
Areum's heartbeat quickened. Could it be an image of her from the future? Or a descendant of Seol Hwa she had inherited traits from?
She copied down the symbol and searched for references in the old history books hidden in the palace's secret library. There, she discovered stories of wise women who had been hunted and silently killed, all connected by the same emblem.
The Visit of Prince Ji Seok
That night, someone knocked gently on the outer chamber door. Without guards, without ceremony, Prince Ji Seok appeared. His face was calm, but his eyes carried secrets.
"I don't have much time, but you need to know," Ji Seok said. "The name Raena… it's not just from the future. It's a code name. Someone within this palace has been waiting for you — to continue a mission left incomplete centuries ago."
Areum was stunned. Ji Seok continued, "And the bloody history of Seol Hwa? It wasn't committed by outsiders. It was by her own blood."
Areum collapsed into a seat. The world seemed to stop. Who could she trust now?
Shadows & Voices in the Night
At midnight, a soft whisper echoed from the direction of an old corridor long sealed by the palace. Though uneasy, Areum followed the sound slowly and cautiously.
The corridor led to the palace's underground. The stone walls were cracked and damp, but one section appeared different — a false wall.
With a gentle touch, Areum slid the wall aside. Dust and stale air greeted her. Inside the hidden chamber, she found a weathered wooden box.
She opened it. Inside was only one letter.
To Raena,
If you are reading this, then fate is already in motion. I knew my bloodline would lead to this moment. The choice is no longer entirely yours. But truth and blood cannot be united. Choose with your heart, not by your family's name.
— Seol Hwa
Areum clutched the letter tightly. The night air grew heavier with tension. She knew this was the turning point of all destinies once written… and now, she had to choose her own path.