In the garden pavilion, Eun-bi was engaged in a game of Janggi. She frowned at the chess pieces before her, wondering what her next move ought to be in order to claim her win.

The problem was, this was the first time she tried playing chess, and it went beyond her understanding. Her mind couldn't seem to fathom around the mechanics of such a game.

How did people develop complicated strategies for this, when all she ever wanted to do was to plough through the enemy's defence line?

Still confused, her legs began shaking restlessly, and she even propped her feet up on the seat while gnawing on her bottom lip. It didn't matter if she was sitting before the King right now. After all, he had already witnessed her unfeminine behaviour countless times and yet remained unperturbed.

In fact, her spontaneous attitude was exactly the reason he chose her to partake in his games.

Seeing her distressed state, his face broadened into a teasing smile. "Do you need my advice?"

He was getting closer to breaking her fortress and eliminating her general. Accepting his help was equivalent to admitting her defeat, and it was far too early for that.

"No!" She held out a palm. "I can do this! Just allow me some time to think. Where is my horse? Can I use it to help my general escape?"

The dignified ruler threw his head back and laughed. "My little daughter-in-law, there are rules to adhere to in this game. You can't make yours as you like. The general must stay within the fortress."

Disappointed, Eun-bi pouted and made a move on the board that she thought little of. "Fine."

The King was a master at chess, but it seemed like he would purposely fall behind in their previous matches, before eventually catching up to her and securing his victory.

Was he trying to prolong the end of the match so that he could annoy the hell out of her? Or was he simply finding a reason to spend more time with her?

When it was her turn again, she pondered her next step. Toying with a chess piece in her hand and flicking it through her fingers. She had long since given up on the rules of this game.

"I love my horses," she concluded. "If I want to keep them safe, I'll have to give up the others. Farewell, my general and soldiers."

The King who was watching her, simply chortled. "To think you would abandon the leader with the highest authority in a game..." he mused. "What happens if there's an ambush when we're both together? Should I be worried about my safety?"

"That...depends on my mood."

"Oh no. How could you?" He clutched at his heart in feigned hurt. "I'm hurt, Crown Princess."

She spun the chess piece between her fingers playfully. "I'm not finished with my words, Your Majesty. I don't abandon my family and you're my father."

Touched by her words, he held his chest again, but this time out of genuine joy. "I surrender. I admit my loss this round."

As she grinned, his eyes narrowed slightly, as if sensing that there was something amiss about her. "Are you alright? You seem rather restless today."

She pressed her hands to her cheeks. "Am I?"

The King scrutinised her expression. "Is my son tiring you out at night?" he asked and leaned forward in curiosity. "Will we soon be expecting a–"

"If you finish that sentence, Your Majesty, I will hurl my shoes in your face."

He sat back and chuckled. "Forgive this nosy old man. Please, take it at your own pace. I understand it's not an easy feat for you to live according to the palace's rules, but I want you to know that I'm thrilled to have you join our family. Ever since your arrival, the days here don't seem as dreary as they were before."

The King's sincerity moved her heart and left her at a loss for words. It was rare to have him speak to her about his honest feelings.

"I'm humbled by your words, Your Majesty. On second thoughts, I'll keep my shoes," she teased.

However, his intuition was accurate. She was restless, and she knew the reason behind it. Receiving that letter had disconcerted her, and she had spent the entire night in her room decimating that wretch rose by ripping off the petals one at a time.

Yul definitely wasn't the one who gave the letter and rose to her. It was someone else whose identity remained a mystery. Someone who had their eyes on her from the shadows. When she asked Byeol for a schedule of the maids entering her chamber that day, there were several of them who cleaned her room, and it was difficult to identify which one of them was the culprit. If she were to interrogate them all, she feared she could never locate the true perpetrator.

Who dared to leave her a threat? And why?

Did they wish to frighten her? Because they would certainly be disappointed to find out that she wasn't. In fact, she was burning with rage.

If she were to find that person, she would definitely give him a good beating and break all of his fingers so that he wouldn't be able to write another ominous letter to her again!

Her attention returned to the King, who wore a suspicious smile on his face, and winced at the foreboding feeling crawling across her skin.

From his expression, she knew he was planning something in his mind.

"My little daughter-in-law, now that you're officially the Crown Princess, I would like to assign you a task."

A dreadful feeling crept over her. "No," she answered with a sweet smile. "I would like to decline, Your Majesty."

He chuckled, as if he knew she would not accept his task this easily. "Why? Will you not give me a chance to hear me out?"

"Because the last time I accepted your task, it was difficult!" she complained. "Remember the first challenge you gave me when we first met and I accepted it? When I finally thought I won, it was far from over and I landed myself in the Selection! That went on for months!"

He shook his head slowly, his smile never slipping away. "But you did it. You won and look who you've become."

"I did, but it wasn't easy. Becoming a Crown Princess was something I never asked for," she reminded him. "If not for Yul, I would have never considered it in my life."

The King reached for the teapot to refill their porcelain cups. He watched whiffs of steam rise from the tea, as if he was considering her worries carefully.

"I didn't ask to be the monarch either," he eventually confessed. "Sometimes, when your life has been decided by the heavens, you can never run away from it. I accepted mine and worked hard to the best of my ability. If I'm remembered as a good King, that is an honour. If I'm remembered as a bad King, that, unfortunately, can't be helped."

"So, will you still decline it?" When Eun-bi didn't respond, he clasped his hands and looked fairly disappointed. "Shame. It is a task that only you can fulfil. In fact, it would be more meaningful if you're the one in charge. Isn't it your wish to build an academy someday?"

That last line piqued her curiosity. "An academy for the women in our country?"

"Yes, for the women," he confirmed. "As you're aware, since the birth of this nation, society has remained prejudiced against women and that is partially my fault. If you succeed, you will receive overwhelming support from our female citizens and establish a strong-holding in your status. Think about it."

"And if I fail?"

"You...might lose everything that you currently have," he answered honestly. "However, I will never suggest a task like this if I do not believe in your abilities. Rest assured that you will not be alone in this. As a King, I will grant you my full support. As for the Crown Prince, well, I believe you know how he feels towards you."

Eun-bi was in a dilemma. It was more than a gamble of her new title, because it would place her life on the line. If she failed and caused trouble, she might even risk her family's lives.

Yet, when she recalled memories of that cold night with Jin-hee and the other abducted slave girls, it was upsetting to see how poorly dressed and malnourished they were. To witness how they refused to return their homes after being sold by their families, Eun-bi could only imagine how they must have felt while en route to Ming, as if they were stepping through the Gates of Hell.

Lifting her chin, she met the King's gaze with an unwavering confidence.

"I accept your task."

A/N: Please comment a blue heart 💙 if you're here with me on this journey with Eun-bi & Yul!