Dan-Bi exhaled slowly, forcing composure.
The Queen thought she held all the power.
But she underestimated him.
He leaned forward, voice low.
"If you truly wished me gone, Your Majesty," he said, "I would already be dead."
The Queen's fingers paused against the porcelain teacup.
Dan-Bi let the silence stretch.
Then, deliberately, he pulled another parchment from his sleeve and placed it before her.
She didn't move.
Dan-Bi smirked.
"I wonder," he mused, "what would happen if the ministers knew that the Queen—our beloved symbol of virtue—had been secretly moving royal funds into private accounts."
For the first time, the Queen's mask cracked.
Dan-Bi pressed his advantage.
"You may hold power now," he said, "but even you cannot silence the entire court."
She watched him, gaze sharp.
Then, slowly, a smile curled her lips.
"You play well," she admitted.
Dan-Bi's heart pounded, but he kept his expression cold.
"Stay out of my way," he murmured. "And I will stay out of yours."
The Queen chuckled softly.
Then she leaned back, studying him.
"You remind me of someone."
Dan-Bi stiffened.
Don't say it.
The Queen's gaze flickered.
"I suppose it makes sense," she mused. "After all, you are your mother's child."
Dan-Bi clenched his jaw.
"Deny it all you want," she whispered, "but I see her in you."
A shiver crawled down his spine.
But he didn't let her see it.
Instead, he straightened and gave a curt bow.
"This conversation is over."
Then he turned and strode out.
The Queen didn't stop him.
But as the doors shut behind him, a single thought echoed in his mind—
Did he just buy time… or seal his fate?
Dan-Bi barely stepped into his chambers before a voice cut through the shadows.
"Who are you?"
He froze.
Seong-Jin stood near the window, hands clenched at his sides.
In his grip—
The birth record.
Dan-Bi's breath caught.
"…Where did you get that?"
Seong-Jin's gaze was unreadable.
"You should have told me."
Dan-Bi exhaled sharply.
"There was nothing to tell."
Seong-Jin took a step forward.
"You're lying."
Dan-Bi lifted his chin.
"And if I am?"
Seong-Jin's jaw clenched.
"This changes everything."
Dan-Bi forced a laugh.
"You assume too much. A forgotten record doesn't make me royalty." and besides are you sure of what you are saying what makes you think am royalty?
Seong-Jin's eyes darkened.
"Then deny it."
Silence.
Dan-Bi's hands curled into fists.
"I am not your sibling."
Seong-Jin's breath hitched.
Dan-Bi stepped closer, voice quiet but firm.
"I am not your sibling," he repeated. "Do not mistake my presence here for something it is not."
Seong-Jin's grip tightened around the parchment.
"…Then what are you?"
Dan-Bi smirked.
"Exactly what I have always been."
A scholar. A fighter. A threat.
Seong-Jin stared at him.
Then, without another word, he turned and left.
Dan-Bi stood there, his pulse roaring in his ears Confused on what to believe,,,