Tanan, who had been watching the exchange with growing curiosity, finally glanced at Jade for clarity. The question hung between them, unspoken but clear.
Jade gave a small nod, offering explanation without revealing more than necessary. "Her Majesty and I met San-gi on our return journey from Arabia a few months ago. Circumstances brought us together for a time."
Tanan's eyes widened slightly in recognition.
"Ah, that explains it, Minister," he said with genuine amazement. "So this young man knows Her Majesty…"
"I only stopped by to collect the design documents for the court's arrow commission—and, of course, to see you while I was here," Jade said, offering Tanan a polite smile.
Tanan returned the gesture with humble appreciation.
"It's an honor to have the Minister visit in person." With that, he stood and gave a slight bow. "Please wait just a moment. I'll fetch the designs right away."
He stepped outside, leaving Jade and San-gi alone in the quiet room. A breeze stirred the paper screen beside them, and San-gi, still wide-eyed, leaned slightly toward Jade.
"You're really a minister," he muttered under his breath. "And she's really the queen…"
Jade only gave him a sidelong glance, but there was a rare warmth in his eyes—as if somewhere deep inside, he too was still adjusting to the weight of everything that had changed.
Tanan and Jade had known each other for over a decade now. Ever since Jade joined the Hana Kingdom court as a young warrior, he had relied on Tanan's arrows for the military—finely crafted, battle-tested, and unmatched in precision.
As they waited in the quiet room, San-gi still looked like his mind was spinning. He stared at Jade as if seeing him for the first time.
"Wait… So your real name is Jade? You lied?" he asked, incredulous.
Jade smirked faintly and gave a single nod.
"Yes. My name is Jade."
"But you really do seem like a dragon though. Wait, then Gene is…" San-gi paused, rubbing his forehead as if trying to physically process the realization. "Oh, wow… She's Queen Genie… I can't believe I didn't see it. That's why you treated her so respectfully. I thought you were just being weirdly formal."
Jade said nothing, but the amused glint in his eyes spoke volumes.
Just then, Tanan returned with a neatly bound stack of design papers in hand. San-gi was already half-turning to Jade again when Tanan cut in sharply.
"How dare you call the Minister by name?"
San-gi stiffened, looking genuinely startled.
"Right, right… You're the Minister," he said quickly, clearing his throat and glancing apologetically at Jade. "Minister Jade…?"
Jade let out a soft chuckle.
"That's fine."
San-gi clasped his hands and leaned toward him, hoping to light up his entire face.
"Can you please tell Master Tanan to accept me as an apprentice?"
Jade turned his gaze to Tanan, raising one brow in quiet questioning.
Tanan exhaled through his nose, clearly reluctant, but the weight of their long friendship—and perhaps the absurd charm of San-gi—was beginning to wear down his resistance.
"I haven't taken any apprentices in years," Tanan muttered. "But if he's a friend of the Minister… I'll make an exception."
Jade smiled and gave a small nod.
"If he causes too much trouble, just send him home anytime, Tanan."
Tanan let out a rare, hearty laugh.
"Yes, Minister."
San-gi practically shot to his feet, throwing both arms into the air in celebration.
"Yeah! I'm accepted!"
He spun toward Tanan and gave a deep, exaggerated bow that nearly sent him tumbling forward.
"Master Tanan!!! I'll try my absolute best! I won't disappoint you, sir!"
Tanan raised a brow at the display, but his expression softened ever so slightly.
"You'd better not," he said. "We don't waste arrows here. Or time."
San-gi straightened, grinning from ear to ear.
"Yes, Master!"
By mid-September, the autumn breeze had swept through the palace of Hana Kingdom, rustling the golden leaves and casting long shadows across the palace grounds. In the midst of this seasonal change, Genie found herself fully immersed in the reality of her new role—not as the princess, but as Queen, the sovereign ruler of Hana.
She moved between duties with quiet determination, still adjusting to the weight of the crown. Frequently, she visited her father—now formally addressed as the Former King Gen—who had taken up quiet residence in the serene court pavilion prepared for his retirement. Their exchanges were brief but meaningful, filled with unspoken understanding as power shifted from one generation to the next.
Jade, too, was quickly adapting to his new responsibilities as Minister of the Military and Affairs. While outwardly composed, his days were long and his nights often sleepless, filled with reports, council meetings, and the delicate work of winning the loyalty of old court officials while laying the groundwork for a new reign.
Soon, a particular date on the royal calendar arrived—a quiet yet significant tradition: the Queen's first private meal with her top candidate for the royal consort. As the cool breeze drifted through the open corridors of the palace, Genie stepped into the pavilion overlooking the lotus pond, where the meeting was to take place.
There, seated politely across from her, was Moonsen.
The man was in his late twenties, calm-faced and meticulously dressed, his posture straight yet deferential. He rose at her approach and bowed low before sitting again as she took her seat.
"It is truly an honor to dine with Your Majesty," he said sincerely.
He leaned forward and, using both hands, poured steaming tea into her porcelain cup, the gesture careful and respectful.
Genie lifted her teacup with grace, her gaze settling calmly on the man across from her. The soft rustle of the pond's lotus leaves and the warm scent of pine teased the edges of the pavilion. She set the cup down with a delicate clink and tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Well," she said with a light, teasing tone, "I'm trying not to think it's awkward to see you as a candidate for royal consort." Her lips curled into a smile—gentle, yet edged with royal charisma. "Thank you for thoughtfully preparing this meal. What are these dishes, and why did you choose them?"
It had only been a few weeks since Genie had ascended the throne, yet in that short time, her presence had transformed. Once the bright and observant daughter of the king, she now carried herself with quiet power. Her words were calculated, her expressions commanding—not from force, but from a deepening confidence rooted in purpose. The court had already begun whispering of her distinct blend of warmth and authority.
Moonsen, seated respectfully with his hands resting atop his knees, offered a humble smile before gesturing toward the carefully arranged dishes before them.
"These dishes are, in order," he said, "raw blowfish dressed in sesame oil, pine nut porridge, and grilled scallops. Each was chosen with great care. They are neither overly seasoned nor ostentatious—simple, clean, and kind to the stomach. I hoped they might reflect something of Your Majesty's spirit."
He paused for a moment before continuing, sincerity woven into every word.
"Your Majesty leads Hana with both strength and compassion, always pursuing peace and caring deeply for the people. These dishes, though modest, are refined in flavor and intention. They don't rely on lavish garnishes to stand out, yet they remain elegant and beautiful—just like Your Majesty, who values inner purity over outward show."
Genie's brows lifted slightly, caught off guard by the thoughtfulness in his answer. It wasn't just flattery—it was insight, the kind that struck close to the truth.
"You're remarkably perceptive," she said, a genuine smile softening her features. "How did you come to understand the spirit of Hana… and what I strive for?"
Moonsen's expression grew fonder, almost wistful.
"Well, that is because…"
But before he could finish his sentence, a quiet stir rippled through the garden.
Jade stepped into view, walking toward the pavilion with the usual composure that cloaked his tall frame. His ceremonial black robes swayed faintly with his steps, and his eyes, though as calm as a still pond, flickered for the briefest moment when they landed on Genie and Moonsen sitting across from one another.
Jade had come with urgency, a scroll tucked beneath his arm, containing detailed reports on the needed reinforcements along Hana's northern border. Tensions with the Ash Kingdom had grown sharper in recent days, and his duty was clear—ensure the queen was informed, and ready. Plus, he also wanted to tell Genie about running into San-gi—just a small, lighthearted story to brighten her day.
But as he crossed the outer steps of the palace garden and stepped onto the stone path that led to the pondside pavilion, his steps faltered.
From afar, through the shifting curtain of autumn leaves, Jade saw her.
Queen Genie.
She sat beneath the wooden canopy, haloed by sunlight dancing off the water's surface. Her posture was graceful, the gentle tilt of her head animated by laughter. And across from her sat Moonsen—one of the royal consort candidates. The man leaned forward slightly, speaking with a soft enthusiasm that brought a smile to Genie's lips. Her eyes sparkled, her laughter ringing clear in the open air like the chime of silver bells.
The sight rooted Jade to the ground.
Lady Park, breathless from hurrying, reached him at that moment.
"Minister," she said in a hushed voice, "Her Majesty is currently dining with Candidate Moonsen."
Jade nodded slowly, lowering his gaze. "I see. I came to report on the northern defenses, but… I'll return later."
His words were formal, proper. But his feet didn't move.
Instead, his eyes remained fixed on her—on Genie.