The Crown Prince could no longer ignore it.
It was not just a passing thought.
Not just a fleeting mistake.
It was consuming him.
Ever since that night, he found himself searching—watching—always drawn back to Dan-Bi.
His sharp tongue. His quiet strength. His unyielding gaze.
It was unlike anything he had ever known.
It was maddening.
But what was even worse?
Dan-Bi had moved on as if nothing happened.
The Crown Prince clenched his jaw as he sat in court, pretending to listen while the ministers debated yet another trade agreement.
Across the hall, Dan-Bi stood unfazed, engaging in discussions as if the world had not just shifted beneath them both.
The Prince hated it
"Your Highness?"
The Prince blinked.
Minister Cho was speaking to him.
"What is your ruling on the border taxation?"
For a split second, the Prince had no idea what the man was talking about.
Then, he caught Dan-Bi watching him—curious, calculating.
Something in the Prince stirred.
"Increase it by five percent."
A murmur spread through the court.
"Your Highness," Minister Cho hesitated. "That is significantly higher than anticipated."
"Then it is what they should anticipate," the Prince said smoothly. "Unless, of course, our ministers believe we should be weaker than our neighbors?"
Dan-Bi's lips twitched.
Not quite a smile.
But not disapproval either.
The Prince exhaled slowly.
At least he had his attention now.
That evening, as Dan-Bi was gathering scrolls in his chamber, a servant arrived.
"Scholar Dan-Bi, you have been summoned by the High Ministers."
Dan-Bi stilled.
"For what reason?"
The servant hesitated.
"They did not say."
Dan-Bi's grip tightened on the scroll.
This was dangerous.
The only time scholars were summoned privately was when they were suspected of something.
And with everything happening—
He already knew who had orchestrated this.
Dan-Bi entered the council chamber with his usual composure, masking his unease.
Four ministers sat before him, their faces unreadable.
"Scholar Dan-Bi," one of them spoke. "There have been… concerns about your loyalties."
Dan-Bi raised a brow.
"Concerns? I serve the kingdom, as I always have."
Minister Cho leaned forward.
"There are rumors, Scholar Dan-Bi. That you have… an unusual closeness with His Highness."
Dan-Bi's fingers twitched.
So this was it.
They weren't just questioning his loyalty.
They were questioning his relationship with the Crown Prince.
Before he could respond, the chamber doors swung open.
The Crown Prince strode in.
"I was not aware that my personal scholar required interrogation."
The ministers visibly tensed.
"Your Highness," Minister Cho spoke carefully. "We are simply ensuring that there are no… inappropriate alliances."
"Inappropriate?" The Prince's voice was dangerously calm.
"Forgive us, Your Highness, but Dan-Bi is a commoner, and you—"
"And I am the one who chooses my company," the Prince interrupted.
Dan-Bi inwardly sighed.
This was not how he wanted to handle this.
"If there is an issue," the Prince continued, "then it should be brought before me. Not through cowardly whispers."
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances.
Dan-Bi finally spoke.
"Your Highness, I am more than capable of answering their questions myself."
The Prince turned to him, unreadable.
A silent challenge.
Dan-Bi met his gaze steadily.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then, the Prince gave a small, knowing smirk.
"Of course you are."
But as he turned to leave, his expression darkened.
This was not over.
Not even close.