It was only natural, for the good of the nation, that Her Majesty would seek to establish a royal consort.
Yet, hearing her proclaim it so boldly stirred an unexpected sadness in his heart.
He couldn't pinpoint the source of his discomfort, but one thing was certain—she felt distant.
It was as though all the time they had shared, all the closeness they had once enjoyed, had transformed into an unreachable dream.
For a brief moment, Genie's eyes drifted toward Jade, who steadfastly refused to meet her gaze.
There was a quiet sorrow in his deep, lake-like eyes—an emptiness she couldn't ignore.
'Jade…'
Though they were mere feet apart, the space between them felt wider than it ever had before.
In the evening, after the military training had concluded, Jade stood alone on the dais, gazing at the sky above the green trees. The warm hues of sunset bathed the landscape in a soft glow. It was in that still moment that his subordinate, Danjin, called out to him from behind.
"Minister, what's on your mind?"
Jade turned around to see Danjin approaching with a wide smile, his cheerful expression contrasting with Jade's somber mood. Jade offered a faint smile in return, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
Danjin, noticing the distant look in Jade's gaze, pressed on.
"What's bothering you, Minister?"
"Nothing," Jade replied, his voice quiet and distant.
Danjin, ever perceptive, gazed at him with a friendly glint in his eyes.
"You know, sometimes sharing your thoughts can bring about an incredible solution."
Jade chuckled softly at that, the corners of his lips curving slightly.
"Well..." He hesitated for a moment, his mind drifting to Genie. She had looked so charismatic and composed earlier, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—the smile that had always brightened his day was absent. "How do you… exactly make someone happy?"
Danjin paused for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered the question.
"I'd say… think about what that person would like and give it to them."
Jade nodded slowly, as if mulling over the simplicity of the answer.
"Right…"
Danjin, noticing Jade's contemplative expression, laughed lightly, his voice teasing.
"Who are you thinking about, Minister? Is there perhaps someone you…?"
Jade cut him off, a faint smirk on his face, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"Nope. It's late now. Let's head back."
As Jade turned and began walking away, Danjin lingered for a moment, staring at his back with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue.
Late at night, after a heated meeting with the Ministry of Land, Queen Genie returned to her chambers.
"Han, has there been any word about someone visiting the Royal Hall today?" Genie asked, her voice quiet but laced with a hint of expectation.
"No one else has come today, Your Majesty. Were you expecting someone?"
Genie nodded, though she tried to hide the trace of disappointment in her eyes.
"No, it's nothing. Let's go to the chambers."
Just as she turned to leave, Lady Park, with her usual teasing smile, spoke up.
"Your Majesty, are you perhaps waiting for Minister Jade? Shall I go and call him for you?"
Supreme Lady Han shot a sharp look at Lady Park, clearly disapproving of her forwardness.
Genie flushed with embarrassment, her words faltering.
"W-what are you talking about—"
But she couldn't finish her sentence.
A figure appeared in the distance, walking into the garden of the King's pavillion.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with deep, lake-like eyes and a sharp nose, he carried himself with quiet strength. His smile was gentle, but there was something more—an unspoken connection.
It was Jade.
"Your Majesty."
At his arrival, Genie's face instantly brightened, her smile softening with warmth and relief.
"Jade."
Jade hesitated for a moment, uncertain of what to say, but he knew he had a purpose in mind.
He was trying to follow Danjin's advice—to give the person what they wanted, to make them happy.
"Your Majesty... is there something you need?"
Genie tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly in confusion at the sudden question.
"What?"
Jade felt a flush of embarrassment, a deep heat creeping up his neck. He was asking the Queen what she wanted, and he couldn't help but feel awkward. But he didn't stop.
"Because, as the report must have already mentioned, I'll be leaving the palace for a few days for the regional military inspection."
"Oh..." Genie said, finally understanding his intent. "It's okay. I have everything I need here in the palace already."
Jade nodded slowly, a wave of foolishness washing over him.
'She's the Queen. What a ridiculous question to ask her what she needs,' he thought to himself.
But then Genie spoke again, her voice soft, almost wistful.
"Perhaps... letters from the students I taught back in Arabia?"
Jade's attention snapped back to her, his mind shifting focus.
Genie chuckled lightly, a faint, almost bittersweet smile crossing her face.
"But I suppose that's impossible."
Jade didn't speak immediately. He remained silent for a moment, but his mind was already working, calculating the fastest way to have a messenger sent and retrieve those letters from the students she had taught long ago.
The morning air was breezy and warm, the autumn sunshine streaming through the windows.
One by one, ministers and palace staff filtered into the Grand Assembly Hall.
Today was the day the final three candidates for the royal consort would be announced, selected by vote from the initial ten men recommended.
Jade stood on the right side of the hall, doing his best to calm the tumult of emotions swirling inside him.
The hall quickly filled with court officials and maids, the air thick with anticipation.
Queen Genie appeared, regal in her deep purple silk robes, her golden crown gleaming in the sunlight.
With a graceful motion, she signaled to Supreme Judge Hwan, signaling for the proceedings to begin.
Hwan bowed deeply to the queen, then stepped forward with the scroll containing the names.
"Now, I will announce the final three candidates for royal consort, nominated from the ten recommended individuals by vote."
Jade's mind wandered back to the previous night, when Kim Jin had spoken with such urgency.
"Jade, you have to make it into the final three. You're the one who brought the princess back from Arabia, and you've been a great help in her becoming the queen. If you make the top three, the position is practically yours!"
Jade's heart raced in his chest, each beat echoing like a drum as he waited for Hwan to announce the names of the final candidates.
Queen Genie sat at the front of the Grand Assembly Hall, her posture straight and dignified, though beneath her composed exterior, she too felt the nervous anticipation ripple through the room. Her eyes flickered over the ministers and officials, each face filled with varying degrees of curiosity, expectation, and anxiety. It was a momentous occasion—the announcement of the final three royal consort candidates. The decision that would change the course of her reign.
Supreme Judge Hwan unfolded the parchment containing the results, and the room fell into a hushed silence.
"The candidate with the most votes is…" he paused dramatically, his voice carrying over the assembly hall. "Moonsen, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
Moonsen rose, stepping forward with grace. He bowed deeply to Queen Genie, and the court responded with an immediate, respectful round of applause. His reputation as a sharp-minded diplomat and loyal servant of the kingdom had earned him the admiration of many, and it was no surprise that he was the top contender. His impeccable family background, combined with his polished manners and intelligence, made him a clear favorite.
Jade stood motionless, his heart thudding in his chest. He had expected Moonsen to be nominated—the man's qualities were undeniable. But that didn't quell the rising tension within him. Two spots remained.
"The second candidate, with the next highest vote count…" Hwan's voice rang out again. "Minister of Military Affairs, Jade."
Jade took a steady breath, his composure unwavering. He stepped forward, bowing respectfully to the queen. His movements were practiced, precise, but inside, a storm of emotions raged. As he raised his head, his eyes met Queen Genie's. Her gaze was steady, calm, and something flickered there—perhaps a hint of something deeper—but before he could grasp it, the moment passed.
A small, clear smile played at the corner of Genie's lips. It was brief, but enough to melt the tension that had built up in his chest. For the first time that day, Jade felt himself relax.
"The final candidate is…" Supreme Judge Hwan continued, his voice echoing through the hall. "Administrative Officer Pyo."
Pyo, who had been standing near the back, stepped forward with a polite bow to the queen. The applause was polite, yet not as enthusiastic as the previous rounds. Pyo's candidacy had been expected, but he didn't possess the same strong presence as the others. Still, his steady service to the kingdom earned him a place in the final three.
Supreme Judge Hwan stepped back, signaling the end of the formalities. Queen Genie scanned the room with a steady gaze. She saw the quiet reactions of the gathered officials, the subtle nods, the quiet whispers—each minister already calculating the next move in this political chess game.
"Thank you to all ministers for your nominations and votes," she said, her voice clear and authoritative. "From now on, I will dine with each of the three final candidates, one-on-one, in the order of the vote. Each candidate will choose the meal we share and explain the reason behind their choice."
Genie's eyes briefly flickered over the three men standing before her. Moonsen, ever the diplomat, wore an expression of deep thought, his mind clearly at work on his strategy. Pyo appeared more reserved, almost detached, as though contemplating the weight of what this meal might mean. But it was Jade who caught her attention. He stood composed, his face calm, yet his eyes—those deep, lake-like eyes—betrayed a quiet intensity.
She remembered the foods she had once enjoyed—those simple, comforting dishes that had always made her feel at home. A quiet confidence settled within her. She would not let her heart sway her decision. But something within her stirred, a fleeting thought she couldn't quite grasp.
Jade remembered the dishes Her Majesty had favored, the meals that had comforted her during difficult times.