The letter trembled slightly in the king's hand.
Minsoo watched his expression carefully as his eyes moved across the words.
Then—
His gaze hardened.
"What is it?" she asked.
The king lowered the letter slowly.
"Insu," he said. "He's in danger."
Minsoo's breath caught.
"What?"
"He's been ambushed in the eastern forest. Only a few guards are with him."
The courtyard seemed to grow colder.
Something about it felt… wrong.
And then—
Minsoo froze.
A memory struck her.
"The letter—"
She turned abruptly and ran.
"Minsoo!" the king called after her, but she was already gone.
⸻
She rushed through the palace halls, her heartbeat echoing in her ears.
The letter she had seen days ago—
The one that had made no sense.
She had kept it.
Hidden.
She reached her chamber, quickly retrieving the folded paper with trembling hands before rushing back.
When she returned, she placed it before the king.
"I saw this earlier," she said, slightly breathless. "But the message was unclear… I didn't understand it then."
The king took it immediately.
His eyes scanned the faded ink.
The words were fragmented. Incomplete.
But when placed beside the new message—
His expression darkened.
"It wasn't unclear," he said quietly.
"It was unfinished."
Minsoo felt a chill run down her spine.
"What do you mean?"
The king folded both letters together.
"This was never meant to be sent alone," he said. "It was meant to confuse… to delay."
A trap.
And they had just walked into it.
⸻
"Prepare the horses," the king ordered sharply.
Guards moved instantly.
"I'm going to the forest."
Minsoo stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, wait—what if this is—"
"A trap?" he finished.
Their eyes met.
"I know."
The answer stunned her.
"Then why go?"
His voice dropped, firm and unshaken.
"Because if it is not… then Insu dies."
Silence.
There was no argument against that.
The king turned to Suho.
"You will remain here."
Suho's brows furrowed.
"Your Majesty—"
"That is an order," the king said firmly. "Protect Minsoo. Do not let anything happen to her."
Suho hesitated.
Then bowed.
"…Yes, Your Majesty."
⸻
Not far from the inner palace, hidden behind stone corridors untouched by light—
Two figures stood in hushed conversation.
"You're certain he will go?" one voice asked.
A low chuckle followed.
"He has no choice."
The second voice was calm. Certain.
"For a king like him… loyalty is his greatest weakness."
Footsteps approached.
Unnoticed.
Insu's father had heard enough.
His heart pounded as realization struck him.
The king's uncle…
Treason.
Without wasting another second, he turned to leave—
He had to warn the king.
Now.
But before he could take more than a step—
A sharp sound cut through the silence.
Then—
A blade burst through his chest from behind.
His body froze.
A gasp escaped his lips.
Blood stained his robes as the sword was pulled free.
He collapsed to the ground.
The last thing he saw—
Was the shadow of the man who had just ended his life.
"Loose ends," the voice said coldly.
"Must always be dealt with."
⸻
By the time the sun began to set, the king had already left the palace.
Mounted on horseback, surrounded by his personal guards, he rode without hesitation toward the forest.
Toward danger.
Toward the unknown.
The palace gates closed behind him.
And with that—
The trap was set in motion.
⸻
Darkness fell.
And with it came unease.
Minsoo stood by the window, her hands clenched tightly.
Something was wrong.
Everything felt wrong.
The king was gone.
The palace felt… exposed.
Her chest tightened.
"They knew," she whispered. "They knew he would go…"
Before she could think further—
A sound broke the silence.
Footsteps.
Not one.
Many.
Her body tensed.
The door burst open.
Men flooded in.
Their faces hidden. Their movements swift.
Minsoo stumbled back, fear gripping her chest.
"Who are you—?!"
No answer.
Only the sound of steel being drawn.
They were not here to speak.
They were here to kill.
⸻
Before they could reach her—
A hand grabbed her suddenly from the darkness.
"Run."
The voice was low.
Urgent.
Minsoo turned in shock.
"Suho—?!"
He pulled her back, dragging her through a hidden passage before the attackers could react.
"Move!"
They ran.
Fast.
The sounds of pursuit echoed behind them.
Minsoo's breath came uneven.
"They're after me too…?"
Suho didn't slow.
"Yes."
The single word sent fear crashing through her.
"This was never just about the king."
⸻
They finally stopped deep within a narrow corridor far from the main palace.
Minsoo's legs felt weak.
Her heart refused to calm.
"You need to hide," Suho said quickly. "Now."
Minsoo shook her head immediately.
"No."
Suho frowned.
"This is not the time—"
"I need to go to him!" she said, her voice breaking. "If this is a trap—he's walking straight into it!"
"I know!" Suho snapped.
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Painful.
Then his voice softened slightly.
"But if you go now… you will die before you even reach him."
The truth cut deep.
Minsoo's lips trembled.
Tears welled in her eyes despite her efforts to hold them back.
"He's in danger…" she whispered.
"I know," Suho said quietly.
Her strength finally broke.
Tears fell freely.
The king was out there.
Surrounded by enemies.
Unaware of the full danger closing in on him.
The palace was no longer safe.
The enemy was already inside.
And no one knew—
Where the next strike would fall.
⸻