The first night in the palace was full of emotions for Hana. It was her first time away from home, her first time surrounded by strangers, her first time forced to measure every word and gesture.
Upon arriving in their chamber, the three girls had to choose their sleeping spots and prepare for the night. The room was spacious, its walls painted in soft ivory, lanterns casting a golden glow that made everything look warmer than it truly felt.
After a while, several palace maids entered in a silent row, carrying trays filled with different dishes for dinner. One by one, they placed the food neatly on the low tables. When everything was set and the lids were lifted, releasing the scent of spices and fresh broth into the air, an older woman stepped inside.
"Young ladies," she began, her posture straight and commanding, "I hope everything is comfortable and that your stay will be pleasant."
She paused, scanning each of them carefully.
"You may call me Lady Yoon. We will meet every day during the selection period. For any need you have, you must address it to me only. Do not speak to anyone else within the palace. And do not leave your chamber. If you are found wandering alone, you will be disqualified without discussion."
Her eyes hardened slightly.
"For now, have your dinner and rest well. Tomorrow will be a full day. There is an appointment for a complete physical examination and a skills verification. Do you have any questions?"
One of the girls raised her hand timidly."How… detailed will the medical check be?"
"Very detailed, young lady," Lady Yoon replied, lifting one eyebrow. "I mean it. Very detailed. Is there something you need to hide?"
"Oh, no. Of course not. Just curious," the girl answered quickly, nodding.
"Then eat and prepare yourselves. Sleeping time approaches." Lady Yoon turned gracefully and left the room.
Silence settled.
Hana sat down, and the other two followed. A strange worry crept into her chest at the mention of the examination. She trusted the concealer she had applied earlier—but what if it was not enough?
She had eaten nothing since morning, and the palace dishes looked exquisite.
"Do you want these eggplant fritters? I don't like eggplant," one of the girls said, pushing a plate aside. "My name is BoRa. My father is the Minister of Rites. Oh, I'm starving!"
She immediately stuffed her mouth with noodles and a large piece of meat. Her appetite explained her generous curves and round cheeks, which moved adorably as she chewed.
"You may take them. I do not eat fried food," said the third girl coolly, glancing briefly at Hana before returning her attention to her salad. "Call me YoNa." She sipped her soup delicately, pinky finger slightly raised.
"Oh, YoNa is the daughter of the Minister of Military Affairs," BoRa added between bites. "We live next to each other. Our families visit sometimes."
"Really? That must be nice—to be friends," Hana said warmly.
"We are not friends," YoNa interrupted calmly. "Our families know each other."
The atmosphere stiffened instantly.
BoRa lowered her eyes, suddenly quiet.
Trying to ease the tension, Hana smiled.
"My father is also a minister. He oversees Taxes and Finances. And my name is Hana."
BoRa brightened at her smile.
"The daughter of a thief, you mean," YoNa whispered before taking another spoonful of soup.
Hana froze.
Her chopsticks hovered mid-air as she stared at the thin girl across from her.
"What did you say? I must have misheard."
YoNa set her spoon down and stood.
"This soup is disappointing. I expected better from palace cooks. And I am tired." She turned her back dismissively, allowing her maid to remove her gown and prepare her for bed.
"Do not mind her," BoRa whispered gently. "She is always like that. People say she is mean… but I think she is just… sad."
BoRa then leaned over and grabbed a piece of meat with her bare hands, chewing loudly in an attempt to pretend everything was normal.
"She is not sad… yet," Hana said quietly.
She rose so abruptly that the table nearly tipped.
"Nara, prepare me for bed."
Within minutes, three sleeping arrangements were laid neatly on the warm palace floor—three young women sharing one chamber, all dreaming of the same crown.
But only one of them lay awake long into the night.
In her chest, something had ignited.
A sparkle.
Not of innocence.
Not of fear.
But of something far more dangerous.
And it refused to let her sleep.