After Minsoo finished encouraging and motivating everyone, she gently asked them to go and rest properly. She reminded them that a long and important journey awaited them soon, and they would need all their strength for what lay ahead. Her voice was calm but firm, carrying both care and quiet determination.
The kitchen staff, still inspired by her words, slowly dispersed to their rooms. One after another, they bowed respectfully before leaving. Soon, silence settled over the palace corridors, wrapping the night in peaceful stillness.
Minsoo also retired to her chamber. Though her body was tired, her mind remained restless with thoughts of the coming competition, the king's expectations, and the strange warmth she often felt whenever he was near. Eventually, exhaustion overcame her, and she drifted into sleep.
⸻
The next morning arrived softly, painted with pale sunlight stretching across the palace walls. Not long after dawn, a royal messenger came to summon Minsoo.
"The king requests your presence immediately," he announced.
Minsoo's heart skipped slightly. She quickly prepared herself and followed the messenger without delay.
When she arrived at the king's chamber, she stopped in quiet surprise. Beautiful dresses of many colors and fabrics were carefully arranged around the room—silk, satin, embroidered garments shimmering under the morning light. It was clear that great effort had been made.
The king stood nearby, watching her reaction without speaking.
"My king…" she said softly, unsure of what to say next.
He gestured toward the dresses.
"Try them," he replied calmly.
Minsoo obeyed. One after another, she changed into different garments while the king observed in silence. Some were elegant, others radiant, yet none seemed to hold his full attention.
Finally, she wore a yellow and white silk dress. The fabric rested gently on her shoulders, glowing warmly against her skin. The moment she stepped forward, the room seemed to grow still.
She looked at him nervously.
"My king… is this one okay?"
The king did not answer immediately. His eyes were fixed on her as though time itself had paused. He stared so intensely that Minsoo felt her cheeks grow warm.
She called again, a little louder.
"My king?"
He blinked, as if returning from a distant place.
"Oh… yes," he said quietly. "This suits you perfectly. Please dress properly and meet me outside. We are going to the market to get ingredients for the competition."
Minsoo bowed slightly and hurried away to prepare.
⸻
When she stepped outside, she noticed something unexpected.
The king had removed his royal robes. Instead, he was dressed like an ordinary man—simple clothing, nothing that revealed his status.
"My king… why are you dressed like this?" she asked in confusion.
He gave a faint smile.
"I do not want unnecessary attention. What would people say if they saw a king walking freely in the market?"
Minsoo thought for a moment, then nodded.
"You are right, my king."
Together, they left the palace quietly.
Before departing fully, Minsoo stopped briefly at the palace garden. With the king's permission, she carefully plucked a generous amount of fresh chili peppers—the main ingredient she planned to use in the competition. She carried them gently, determined not to damage them.
⸻
The market was lively and colorful. Merchants called out loudly, children laughed, and the scent of spices filled the air. Though the king walked beside her, dressed as a commoner, Minsoo could still feel his quiet presence guiding and protecting her.
At one stall, Minsoo noticed a beautiful piece of jewelry. She admired it for a moment and asked the price. When the merchant told her, her expression changed immediately—it was far too expensive.
With a small sigh, she placed it back and turned away.
Behind her, the king had been watching silently.
Minsoo then asked,
"My king, where shall we go next?"
Instead of answering, he gently placed a bundle of money into her hands.
"Go ahead," he said. "I will return shortly. Let us meet in the middle of the market when we are both done. If you arrive before me, wait there."
She hesitated but finally accepted.
"Yes, my king."
They separated.
⸻
Minsoo went straight to the grinding shop to prepare the chili peppers. When she heard the price for grinding them, her eyes widened in shock.
She whispered to herself,
"Thank God I accepted the king's money… otherwise this would not have been enough."
After finishing, she hurried toward their meeting point.
Meanwhile, the king had already arrived—but she was nowhere to be seen. His calm expression slowly turned into worry.
He turned to his guard.
"Go and search for her. I will remain here in case she returns."
"Yes, my king," the guard replied, rushing away.
Only a few minutes later, Minsoo appeared in the distance, waving happily with small flowers in her hands.
"Your Majesty!" she called brightly.
The moment the king saw her, all his worry melted into quiet relief. His eyes followed her every step until she stood before him.
But instead of greeting her warmly, he spoke with hidden concern.
"Where have you been? You made me worried. Do not do that again."
Before she could respond, a fast-moving bicycle rushed past, splashing dirty water toward her.
In a single instant, the king stepped forward and covered her with his body.
The water struck him instead.
Minsoo froze inside his arms.
Time seemed to stop.
When the bicycle had passed, she slowly lifted her head. Her flowers had fallen to the ground.
"My flowers…" she murmured sadly.
She bent down quickly, picking them up one by one.
"Leave them," the king said gently. "I will get you fresh ones. Let us go."
But Minsoo shook her head.
"I picked these specially for you… to keep in your room. They help you stay healthy."
Her words touched him deeply. Without hesitation, the king knelt beside her and helped gather the flowers.
At that moment, a palace guard approached and gasped.
"My king, please—do not do that!"
The king glanced at him sharply and signaled for silence.
The guard immediately obeyed, standing still in stunned respect.
When all the flowers were collected, the king carefully cleaned them before giving them back to Minsoo.
Together, they returned to the palace.
⸻
At the palace gate, the guard who had followed them was carrying many items. He handed everything to Minsoo.
She looked confused.
"What is this?"
The king answered calmly,
"Open it when you are in your room."
Minsoo bowed and left quietly.
⸻
Inside her chamber, she slowly unwrapped the bundle.
Her eyes widened in shock.
It was the same jewelry she could not afford at the market… along with several beautiful silk dresses.
For a long moment, she could not breathe.
Her heart trembled with emotions she could not fully explain—gratitude, surprise, and something deeper… something warm and frightening at the same time.
She gently held the jewelry to her chest.
"My king…" she whispered softly.
Outside, far down the corridor, the king stood alone in silence.
Though no one could see his face clearly, there was a quiet softness in his eyes—
the look of a man whose heart had already begun to belong to someone he could never easily claim.
And in the stillness of the palace evening,
two hearts moved closer together…
without either of them daring to speak the truth.
⸻