King's POV
"Your Highness, are you sure you were okay?" the head eunuch asked.
"I'm fine," I answered.
"We were so worried about what happened. I'm sorry, Your Highness," the head court lady said as she knelt in front of me.
"I said I was fine. Thanks to Min Yun's cousin."
"But still, we committed a grave sin. We just let it happen," the head eunuch insisted.
"I needed to talk to Captain Park Min Yun. Call him."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The head eunuch left the room.
My mind was occupied because of that woman.
"Reflexes," I murmured, then laughed.
"I will get the tea for you, Your Majesty," said the head court lady.
I nodded, and she left.
I sighed. I had too many questions to ask about that woman. Only Min Yun could answer them.
***
"Your Highness," Min Yun greeted me with a bow.
"You've been busy the whole day," I said.
"I just made sure that everything will be okay. But I heard that something happened to you. Are you okay?"
I smiled genuinely and remembered the woman. "Your cousin saved me," I said.
Min Yun's face looked shocked. He seemed unaware of what had happened.
"Park I-Jun, the one you told me about," I continued.
"She came here to the palace?"
"She was with the guard."
"I didn't know that, Your Majesty. I'm sorry."
I shrugged. "I am thankful that she came to the palace. If she hadn't been here, maybe no one could have saved me."
Min Yun didn't respond.
"I want to grant a wish for your cousin. Or maybe give her a gift?"
He looked me in the eyes. I saw a bit of hesitation, but it faded right away.
"Ask her to attend the festival tomorrow," I said.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I smiled.
***
Teresita/I-jun's POV
It was already night, but Captain Min Yun was still not there. Ji Han was already sleeping while I decided to wait outside. He had been busy the whole day, so I wasn't able to see him.
"I-Jun," someone called.
My mind was too occupied that I didn't even notice that Captain Min Yun had arrived.
I stood up and greeted him.
"You look tired."
"Why are you here?"
"I waited for you."
"It's late at night."
"You've been busy."
"I just made sure that everything was set since high-ranking officials will attend the festival tomorrow."
I nodded.
"I heard what happened this morning."
I looked at him.
"He is inviting you to the festival. Because you saved him, he will grant you a wish or give you a gift."
I was amazed by what he said. It felt like I was a superhero. Thanks to that book, I felt special.
"Aren't you mad? Because I went to the palace without telling you. I also caused a commotion."
"It wasn't your fault. It was a coincidence that you were there and saved the King. If not, maybe the King would still be suffering from pain now."
"I'm just happy that he's okay—that everybody is okay."
"You have good reflexes."
I laughed.
"Let's go inside. I need to rest and wake up early to go to the palace."
I nodded, then went inside.
***
I woke up when I heard Ji Han and Min Yun talking. I looked out the window — it was already morning.
I was about to stand up when I saw a beam of light coming from the book.
I got it and opened the book.
"Chapter 3," I said.
I started reading it. It talked about the festival that would happen today.
"Kim Man Shik doesn't like the young king. He even contradicted the decisions of his father in the past and was ready to do it again to his son."
I stopped for a while. Kim Man Shik was the Minister of War. He had the position to make such contradictions. I had already seen similar stories on TV, where ministers were portrayed as evil.
"They should watch him," I muttered.
But how could I tell the king and Captain Min Yun without looking suspicious?
I continued reading, hoping to find something more.
"He plans evil today. He wants to ruin the festival. It will happen exactly in front of him."
I stood up. I needed to go and warn them. But how would I do that?
I went out of the room and saw Ji Han fixing his belt.
"You're awake," he said.
"Am I late?"
"No, no."
"Where is Captain Min Yun?" I looked around.
"He left just a few minutes ago."
I nodded.
"Come, I prepared the food. We need to eat before we go."
I sat down and started eating.
While eating, I kept staring at Ji Han. I wanted to share what I discovered, but I was too hesitant.
"You keep staring at me," he said, clearly uneasy.
I bit my lower lip. Should I tell him?
"Are you okay?" he asked again.
"I'm not. I feel like someone might ruin the festival today."
He looked shocked. "What are you talking about? It sounds like you know what will happen."
"No, it's just a feeling," I said. I didn't want to add more, afraid he might think I was suspicious.
"Sometimes, feelings are wrong," he said, smiling.
"What if it's right?"
"I-jun, don't talk like that in the palace. If anyone hears you, they'll throw you in jail."
"Are you going to report me?"
"Why would I do that? We're friends."
I stood up and sat beside him.
"Kim Man Shik," I started.
"You know him?"
"I don't trust him. He'll do anything to hurt the king," I said with a serious face.
"What?"
"Just please believe me. I trust my instincts."
"How do you know him?"
"I… I… I just know him."
He held my hand. "I don't like him either. Captain Min Yun doesn't like him either."
"So my guess was right."
He stood up. "But we can't directly say his name. If the minister finds out, he'll have us thrown in jail."
" We need to go to the palace now."
" Do you know what exactly will happen?"
"No. that's why we need to go there and find out what it will be."
***
We arrived at the palace before the event started.
"You mentioned yesterday that you will be performing," I told Ji Han.
"When is that?" I continued.
"After the grand entrance of the ministers and the king, we'll have our introduction dance."
I nodded.
"Are you thinking about something?"
"It will happen later."
"What?" he whispered.
"The evil plan might happen during the introduction dance," I whispered back.
"How did you know?"
"I said I just trust my instinct," I replied in a lower voice.
"Please don't do anything that could harm you."
"Yeah, I promise."
"I'll go now. Just stay here, okay? People are coming in now."
"I will. Don't worry about me."
He left.
I positioned myself beside the stage where I could see the king's movements. But then I realized that I didn't know the face of that minister. I even forgot to ask Ji Han. Why did I forget that?
In a while, people started arriving. I could see their sophisticated looks and clothes. They were clearly showing off their wealth. The important guests sat near the stage, where they had a clear view of the king.
I continued looking around. I still hadn't noticed any suspicious movements.
I heard the sound of the gong — a sign that the festival was about to begin.
The soldiers marched forward, followed by the ministers. I observed their movements closely. I still couldn't identify Kim Man Shik. Some of them were smiling, some were not. They sat on the side near the stage. Then the king entered. As he made his grand entrance, fountain-style fireworks lit up on both sides.
He looked so handsome in his royal suit. He was young and had a refined, commanding presence.
I couldn't help but stare at him. I almost forgot I had a mission to watch out for anything suspicious. I was distracted by his figure.
I looked around again, and this time, I noticed a man wearing a black suit on the left side of the stage, near the back of the king's throne.
I slowly walked over to see what he was doing. I looked up, checking for anything that might fall. I ran over when he disappeared. I went to the left side of the stage, but he was already gone.
Damn! Where was he?
I looked around and kept walking. My heartbeat started to race.
I stopped when I noticed a beam of light coming from my bag. I had brought the book, just in case something happened.
"The food," I uttered.
I rushed back near the stage where the king was seated.
I even glanced at a minister who was smiling like a dog as a court lady served the drinks.
The sound was too loud — the performers had started dancing. I spotted Ji Han in his guard suit.
I looked back at the king. He wasn't drinking — just watching the performers intently.
When the performance ended, the spokesperson stepped forward and greeted the guests.
The crowd clapped, clearly enjoying the event.
Soon after, the court ladies began distributing the food.
I felt like panicking. I tried to look for Ji Han or Min Yun, but they were nowhere in sight. I needed their help. But if I left to find them, it would be too late — the food had already been served.
I bit my lower lip, my usual habit when feeling anxious.
I ran to the stage, but the guards blocked me.
"Please, this is an emergency!" I said.
"Don't ruin the moment."
"Warn them not to eat the food! I saw a suspicious man trying to ruin the event!"
"What are you talking about?"
I was running out of time. The guests were smiling, ready to eat.
The guards didn't want to listen.
I stepped down and tried to catch the king's attention.
I shouted as loud as I could:
"Your Highness! Please stop the guests from eating the food! There is poison in it!"
The crowd gasped in horror. The guests looked confused and alarmed.
The king looked at me.
"Check the food!" I shouted again.
The king stood up and walked down the stage.
"Check the food for poison!" he commanded.
The court ladies, now trembling, used silver spoons to test the dishes.
Everyone was shocked when the spoons began to tarnish.
It meant the food was poisoned.
Gasps and cries of fear echoed throughout the venue.
The spokesperson tried to calm the crowd. "Please remain calm. We will handle this."
The ministers stood to assist the guests. But one minister stayed seated, as if nothing had happened.
Kim Man Shik.
I stared at the chaotic scene, barely noticing when the king stood in front of me.
"Your Highness," I said, bowing deeply.
"Come with me," he ordered.
I followed him.
We entered his chamber. The eunuch and the court lady assisted him.
"Leave us for a moment," the king said.
They bowed and exited.
I kept my head low, eyes fixed on the floor.
"How did you know the food was poisoned?" he asked.
I looked up. "I saw a suspicious man. I tried to follow him, but I lost him."
"This was supposed to be a day to honor my father. Now it's ruined."
"I'm sorry… but I had to do something to protect the guests."
"Thank you."
I looked into his eyes. I felt like melting.
"I just wanted to help."
"You've helped me twice now. This could've been a disaster if the guests were poisoned. But thanks to you, no one was harmed."
We were interrupted when someone entered the room.
I looked at the door.
"Min Yun," I said softly.
He looked at me, then bowed to the king. "I'm sorry."
"Your cousin helped me," the king told him.
Min Yun's eyes silently told me we would talk later. I nodded.
"The festival was ruined," the king said.
"I'll have Minister Kim speak to the guests."
"Kim Man Shik?" I blurted.
They both looked at me.
"Yes, why?" the king asked.
Min Yun stared at me, clearly wanting an explanation.
I had too much to explain.
"Ah… nothing," I said.
I didn't want to add more. They already had enough to deal with. As much as I wanted to tell them not to trust Kim Man Shik, I had no right to say it outright.
"I'll be inviting you for tomorrow's dinner," the king said. "Both of you."
Min Yun and I agreed. Then we went home.
***
"Do you want to explain what happened?"
I stopped walking and looked at him.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"You just saved people."
"I just couldn't help it. I know that I disrespected the event by shouting, but I had no other choice. I tried to find you and Ji Han, but I didn't see you."
"I am not mad at you. I'm just curious—how did you know it would happen?"
"I sensed danger. And I saw a man who looked suspicious; that's why I tried to catch him."
"How about the food? How did you know there was poison?"
I expected him to ask me that, which is why I had prepared myself.
"I saw him put something in the food. The court ladies were too busy to notice it."
He sighed.
We continued walking silently. I wanted to ask something about Kim Man Shik, but I was afraid I might look suspicious to him.
"You asked the king about Kim Man Shik. Do you know him?"
"Ji Han mentioned him. He told me you didn't like him."
He nodded. "Even the king doesn't like him. He always contradicted the king's decisions."
"But why did he let him handle the guests?"
"Because he is the Minister of War. He's good at handling people and maintaining balance in different parts of the country."
"I could sense evil in him."
"When did you sense it?"
"Just this morning, while Ji Han was talking about him."
"Ji Han is surely a talkative person."