For a brief moment, silence settled over the gate. The lanterns swayed faintly in the night breeze, casting long, moving shadows over the courtyard stones.
Jade lingered, watching their silhouettes fade into the distance, before slowly turning back toward his residence.
He walked down the quiet hallway of his house and entered his private bedroom. Unlike the other ministers, whose residences were located outside the court, Jade had chosen to remain within the palace grounds. His duties over the military demanded it, of course, but truthfully, he stayed for another reason—one that tugged persistently at his heart. He wanted to be near the Queen, even if only in glimpses from afar.
Lighting a single candle, its flame flickering softly against the walls, he opened the top shelf of the wallside drawer. Carefully, he retrieved the gift he had purchased that very morning—a delicate jade bracelet, nestled in a precious silk box. Holding it in his hands, he let his gaze linger on the piece for a moment.
A small, wistful smile curved his lips.
"It's time to give this to Her Majesty," he murmured to himself, as if speaking directly to the Queen even then.
Clutching the box with a mix of anticipation and nervousness, he stepped out of the room and back into the palace courtways. The quiet hum of the early afternoon was broken only by his own measured footsteps. Pausing, he closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly.
"And… is this also the time to confess my heart to her now, Lord?" Jade whispered, his voice barely audible over the stillness of the palace.
His prayer, sincere and unguarded, seemed to echo softly against the stone walls, carrying his longing and devotion into the quiet air.
Genie put down her spoon and chopsticks on the table with a gentle smile and stood up. Moonsen watched her with a warm expression, while Chief Han and Lady Park lingered a few steps behind, their eyes filled with quiet pride.
"Thank you. I truly appreciate it," Genie said, her voice soft yet sincere, as she walked away from the table.
"Your Majesty, would you like to take a walk around the pond for a while, if it's convenient?" Moonsen asked politely.
Before Genie could answer, the court musicians began playing a gentle, flowing melody, filling the garden with enchanting notes. Genie chuckled lightly and nodded.
"Why not?" she said, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the musicians. "With such beautiful music, a walk around the pond sounds perfect. Thank you, everyone."
The musicians bowed politely and continued playing, their music blending harmoniously with the soft rustle of spring leaves. Genie and Moonsen began walking slowly around the pond, the court ladies and royal guards trailing respectfully behind them at a distance, giving them space.
"Your Majesty, this year, I promise I will ensure your birthday celebration is held on time," Moonsen said, his tone serene and courteous, "unlike last year, when we unfortunately had to postpone."
Genie shook her head gently, a small, wistful smile forming on her lips.
"No need, Moonsen," she said. "I've been thinking, I'd rather we focus on celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, as a national and court celebration. My own birthday… we can skip it, just as we did last year. That is my command as the Queen."
At Genie's words, Moonsen nodded with deep acknowledgement and understanding.
"Your Majesty, your wisdom and decision are far beyond mine. I am always learning from you," Moonsen said, his voice calm yet sincere.
Genie looked at him and returned a gentle smile.
"I'm learning a lot from you too, Moonsen. You are only a few years older than me, yet you carry yourself with such serenity and composure. And your care for our people… it's inspiring. It's truly a blessing to have a royal official like you serving the Queen," Genie said softly, her gaze drifting to the pond's quietly glistening surface under the night sky.
For a moment, the two of them walked in silence, their footsteps soft on the garden path. Then Moonsen paused. Genie's steps also faltered, sensing the subtle shift in the air.
Slowly, Moonsen reached into the folds of his royal official silk top and drew out a small, delicate silk box. With both hands, he presented it to Genie, his expression composed yet tinged with reverence. He opened the box, revealing a gleaming emerald ring nestled within.
Genie's eyes widened, and she stared at him in disbelief.
"What is this?" she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and gentle curiosity.
Moonsen's gaze met hers, steady and sincere.
"Your Majesty, this is a gift for your twenty-fifth birthday," he said calmly, yet there was a warmth beneath his composed demeanor that spoke of care and respect.
"Well, thank you so much," Genie said softly, her eyes fixed on the emerald ring resting in the silk box. "I… I've never really received a ring from anyone before, so this is… quite special."
Moonsen's gaze met hers, steady and sincere, carrying a weight that made her chest tighten slightly.
"Your Majesty, there's one more thing I want to say," he continued, his voice calm yet imbued with earnestness.
Genie looked at him, curious, a small frown of thought forming on her brow.
"I admire you," Moonsen said simply.
A quiet silence settled over the pond garden, the distant lanterns casting soft, flickering reflections on the water. The court ladies and royal guards, keeping their distance, watched with respectful stillness.
Genie's mind raced.
'Perhaps he means as the Queen…' she thought, trying to steady her pulse.
But then Moonsen's voice, gentle yet unwavering, reached her again.
"I admire you, adore you, and from deep inside my heart, I like you—not just as my Queen, but…" His lips curved into a warm, genuine smile. "…as a woman."
Time seemed to pause. Genie's thoughts stopped, her breath caught. Every word, every glance, every nuance in his tone slowly settled into her heart.
Her hands trembled slightly as she held the silk box, and she struggled to find composure.
"I… I am quite surprised," she admitted, her voice soft, almost a whisper, as if speaking louder might shatter the fragile moment.
And from far away at the gate of the pond terrace, Jade's steps faltered, halting completely.
'Maybe not the timing right now,' he thought, his gaze locked on the two figures framed by the lantern-lit garden.
His fingers tightened around the silk box in his hands, the cool weight grounding him even as his heart fluttered. From this distance, he couldn't hear their words, but he could see Genie speaking, her delicate gestures, the faint curve of her lips, the sincerity in her expression.
"Moonsen," Genie said softly, hiding a quiet sigh. "Thank you so much for this gift and also for your…" She paused, and a faint smile touched her lips. "…for your heart."
The moonlight kissed her features, illuminating her round, expressive eyes and the soft glow of her plump lips. Moonsen's gaze never wavered; he was captivated, unable to look away.
And so was Jade. From afar, he could only watch, every part of him wanting to step forward, to close the distance, to tell her everything he had kept hidden. But he didn't. He remained rooted, his eyes fixed on Genie, memorizing her every movement, her every smile, her every subtle expression.
Slowly, almost reluctantly, Jade turned away, letting the moment pass—but the silk box in his hands felt heavier than ever, a silent promise of what was yet to come.
'I should give this to her later,' Jade thought as he walked back, the silk box heavy in his hands. 'Maybe even my heart as well…'
Unaware of Jade's presence, Genie looked at Moonsen with sincere, gentle eyes and continued, "But I'm sorry."
At her words, Moonsen's composed smile faltered, a fleeting quiver betraying the calm he had so carefully maintained. He studied her face, searching for any hint of encouragement—but there was none.
Genie pressed her lips together and continued, her voice soft yet resolute.
"I'm sorry, Moonsen. I can't accept your heart… nor this gift right now."
Moonsen forced a bitter smile, one that barely masked the sting in his chest.
"If I wait for Your Majesty's heart, will it be okay?" he asked quietly, his voice steady but tinged with yearning.
Genie hesitated, her pulse quickening as she shook her head slowly.
"No… it's not because of you," she said, her gaze lowering for just a fraction of a second. "It's because…"
Moonsen sensed the words before she spoke them, a quiet understanding settling over him. He waited patiently, the faintest trace of sadness in his eyes, yet his demeanor remained composed.
Finally, Genie met his gaze again.
"It's because of another man… who's in my heart."
Moonsen nodded slowly, a serene sadness washing over him.
"And he's Minister Jade, I assume," he said, his voice calm, but beneath it lingered a bitter ache that he could not hide.
Genie's lips curled up faintly.
"Yes, you're right," she said softly.
'All this time I thought I hid my heart well… but I didn't,' she thought, shaking her head slowly at herself.
Moonsen let out a quiet sigh, a gentle smile softening his composed demeanor as he tried to ease the tension in the air.
"I understand, Your Majesty," he said with warmth. "It's not like I didn't know. But hearing it from Your Majesty, it's…" He paused, letting out a sigh, a playful twist to his smile tugging at the edges of his lips. "It's not that good to hear, honestly," he added with a teasing note, trying to lighten the moment.
Genie let out a faint, joking smile, appreciating his effort to lift the mood despite the heaviness of the truth.
"Thank you once again for this beautiful celebration, Moonsen," she said, her voice soft but full of gratitude as her eyes swept across the glowing lanterns, the musicians, and the carefully prepared dinner. "And… have a good night."
Moonsen bowed politely, his expression serene but edged with the quiet ache of unspoken longing.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Have a good night," he replied, then turned slowly, his figure moving past the terrace yard and out the gate, framed against the shimmering lantern light.
Genie watched him go, her gaze lingering even as he disappeared into the shadows. Her heart ached quietly for him, for the purity and depth of his feelings. She closed her eyes briefly, whispering a prayer into the night.
'Lord, please console his heart… and lead Moonsen to meet the woman you have prepared for him,' she prayed, a silent wish flowing from the depth of her own heart.