But Genie just smiled and nodded.
"Okay, then let's head for dinner first. The terrace in my chamber?" Genie asked as she turned to walk ahead.
Chief Han quickly interjected, "No, why don't you go to the pond garden beside your chamber, Your Majesty? We have prepared dinner at that terrace."
Genie turned back again, looking first at Chief Han, then at Lady Park, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Dinner at the pond garden?" Genie repeated, then thought to herself, 'Well, I don't mind eating there, but you've never set up dinner in that place before. Why the pond garden tonight?'
Chief Han and Lady Park only offered awkward smiles.
Genie narrowed her eyes, then smirked.
"Sure. I don't know what's going on, but let's do so. The pond garden sounds great. I haven't walked there in a while because of all the work. Let's go," Genie said, striding ahead toward the pond garden.
Chief Han and Lady Park exchanged a knowing smile and followed behind her. The court ladies and royal guards trailed after them.
Without hesitation, Genie pushed open the gate to the pond garden. As she stepped inside, colorful lanterns floated into the evening sky, illuminating the beautiful flowering trees around them. At the far end of the garden, a dinner table had been carefully prepared.
Genie's eyes widened as lanterns floated up into the evening sky, glowing against the darkening horizon.
And there stood Moonsen.
He stood by the pond garden, surrounded by court ladies and royal guards, while a group of musicians began to play a celebratory melody.
The beautiful sound of strings filled the air, wrapping the garden in music. Genie froze in place, stunned.
"Your Majesty," Moonsen stepped forward with a graceful bow. "Congratulations on your twenty-fifth birthday. We are sorry we were unable to celebrate you last December when Your Majesty first turned twenty-five."
Genie just stood there, still caught in the moment, her surprise written plainly across her face.
"How did this…" she murmured, glancing at the musicians, the chefs lined up beside the dinner table, then back at Moonsen.
Turning around, she caught sight of Chief Han and Lady Park, both smiling warmly at her.
'They knew…' Genie realized.
Even the court ladies and royal guards behind her seemed a little astonished by the scene.
Slowly, Genie's lips curved into a smile. She looked back toward Moonsen, her gaze flicking up once more to the lanterns drifting skyward.
"This is…" she whispered with wonder, before meeting Moonsen's eyes. "This is truly amazing. Did you come up with this idea?"
Moonsen smiled and lifted his hand gently, gesturing toward Chief Han and Lady Park.
"We all came up with this together," he said with quiet humility.
Genie turned back, her eyes lingering on the two. Chief Han and Lady Park exchanged a glance, their smiles warm and knowing.
"No," Chief Han said softly, his voice carrying the weight of honesty, "Administrator Moonsen was the one who first suggested it."
A faint laugh escaped Genie, light as the lanterns rising into the heavens. Her smile deepened as she looked up, the night sky shimmering with floating colors. Dozens of lanterns glowed like small stars, their reflections rippling across the pond's still water. The sound of string instruments filled the air, tender and dignified, weaving a melody that wrapped around the garden like silk.
"This is… truly beautiful," Genie whispered, her voice soft but clear. She turned slightly, letting her gaze rest on Moonsen, then on Chief Han and Lady Park together. "Thank you. I really do appreciate it."
Moonsen bowed his head, his expression full of warmth and apology.
"Your Majesty, I am still sorry," he said earnestly. "When your birthday passed last December, I remained silent. I should have honored it."
Genie shook her head, her smile mild, touched with something almost wistful. The lanternlight caught on her eyes, making them glimmer softly.
"No. You did nothing wrong. I had only just begun my reign as Queen last year. I didn't want my birthday to overshadow the weight of that responsibility, so I let it pass quietly."
Her gaze drifted back to the glowing night sky. The lanterns floated higher, like prayers rising toward the heavens. Then she turned to Moonsen again, her tone gentler now, as though meant only for him despite the crowd listening.
"That's why this late celebration feels even more precious to me. I never expected it… and I am truly thankful."
Genie lifted her eyes toward the lanterns as they floated into the darkening sky, one by one, like a thousand stars breaking free from the earth. Their glow painted her face in shifting hues of gold and crimson, yet within her heart, a trace of longing flickered.
Even though he was not there, his presence came unbidden to her thoughts.
'Jade… I wish you could see this with me,' she thought, a bittersweet smile brushing her lips. It lingered for only a heartbeat before she let it fade, concealing it beneath her queenly poise.
Moonsen, standing a step closer, studied her with quiet respect. His voice was calm, almost reverent, as though the music itself carried his words.
"Your Majesty, though your birthday has already passed these three months, may I ask, Do you have a wish tonight?"
Genie's gaze lowered to him, her expression softening. The lanternlight caught in her eyes, making them shine like water touched by dawn.
"A wish?" she echoed, her lips curving gently. "Yes, I have one."
She turned, her gaze sweeping across the gathered faces—the court ladies standing with their hands folded, the guards at attention, the musicians with their bows poised, the chefs watching from the edges of the terrace.
Her voice rose, steady and warm.
"My wish is that this kingdom may walk in the right path with God. That His truth and justice guide our steps. And also, I wish for all of our people to live in joy and peace."
That evening, as Jade walked with measured steps from the library toward the military yard, his eyes were caught by a sudden brilliance against the night sky.
Lanterns—countless, radiant lanterns—were rising into the heavens, their colors flickering like blossoms of fire drifting upon the wind. They floated higher and higher, filling the spring night with quiet wonder.
Jade halted, his breath caught in his chest. His gaze lingered long upon them, the deep pools of his eyes reflecting their glow.
"The pond garden…" he murmured, almost to himself, his voice low and wistful. "The lanterns are flying in the pond garden."
For a moment, he imagined the laughter of courtiers, the gentle music of zithers and flutes, the murmur of voices warmed by celebration. His lips curved faintly.
"Perhaps the court people are enjoying themselves with the lanterns right now."
A soft chuckle escaped him, though it was laced with something more fragile than mirth. His eyes softened as his thoughts wandered where his words dared not.
"It would have been nice if Her Majesty were there too, watching them."
A pause, heavy as silence. Then, in the solitude of the night air, he added, almost as if confessing to the sky itself.
"… With me."
Meanwhile, Genie lifted her chopsticks with unhurried grace, the warm aroma of sauced beef and freshly steamed rice rising in the evening air. She placed the first bite into her mouth, savoring the tender flavor seasoned with care.
Her eyes softened, and she nodded faintly.
"It is good," she said, her voice calm yet warm as she swallowed. A gentle smile curved upon her lips as she looked toward the chefs waiting at a respectful distance. "Truly… it is good. Thank you."
The line of chefs, dressed in neat robes, exchanged glances of pride. Their faces brightened with relief, and together they bowed deeply, their voices subdued with reverence.
"It is our honor, Your Majesty."
The lantern light flickered above them, casting ripples across the pond. Genie's delicate smile lingered as she turned back to her meal, the music of zithers still echoing softly in the garden. Yet behind that smile lay a quiet heaviness, one that no feast nor celebration could wholly ease.
Jade passed through the towering gates, their wooden beams glistening faintly under the lantern light, and stepped into the quiet expanse that led toward his residence. The antique building within was elegant yet austere, its tiled roof shining with a faint sheen of evening dew.
The two royal guards stationed at the entrance straightened and bowed low the moment they saw him.
Jade returned their salute with a calm smile, his voice carrying its usual composed warmth.
"You may go and take your rest now."
The guards lifted their heads, startled.
"No, Minister Jade," one said carefully, shaking his head. "Our duty continues until dawn."
Jade's smile deepened faintly, though his tone left no room for protest.
"It is fine. If there should be any trouble, I will bear the responsibility. You have served well enough tonight. Go and rest."
The two men exchanged hesitant glances, then bowed again, more deeply this time.
"Thank you, Minister Jade," they said together.
Their boots made soft thuds against the stone as they turned and disappeared into the dim-lit corridors of the court.