ONE STEP AHEAD

The more the queen thinks of it, the more she continues to see the benefit of making her son marry Minister Jang's daughter. If he is not interested in power or power sharing, definitely he will have no issues of trying to control her son when he becomes king.

"This for sure will be the end of Suk bin Choi, finally I get my hands on what I have been running after for good 20 years." The queen smiles and looks at her attendant. "What do you think? Shouldn't I pay that woman a visit?"

"Of course your majesty, when you get there I think you should even bring up the marriage issue before the queen dowager or the kings does."

"That's true, it will serve as a card to play. But I have to bring up the issue when the queen dowager and king are present."

"Your majesty." Lady Sung calls. "Why don't you tell Suk Bin Choi about it first, then she will start looking for the perfect candidate for her son. Then, you inform the dowager and the king and be in charge of the entire marriage process.

"A great idea indeed!" The queen exclaims with a smile. "I am happy to have someone like you as my attendant."

"You flatter me so much your majesty." Lady Sung says and bows shyly. "So, should we go pay Suk Bin a visit?"

"Yes, I will like to see how terrified she will look when I mention the word marriage to her."

"She will be already aware that you have a plan, and she dares not go after Minister Jang's daughter."

"How can a mere royal noble consort go after such a mighty family?" The queen asks and scoffs. "She dares not try such."

"Yes your majesty. Should we go now?"

"Of course." The queen smiles and stands. "Let's go pay the devil a visit."

"Yes your majesty." Lady Sung stands and bows making way for the queen.

The queen steps out of her chambers and walks to see her rival. Lady sung and all of her attendants and guards follow.

"Is Suk Bin Choi inside?" The queen asks an attendant.

"Yes your majesty." Lady Baek bows. "Your majesty, it is me lady Baek, the queen her majesty is here to s-"

The queen enters the room not allowing the attendant announce her arrival.

"Your majesty." Suk Bin Choi stands and bows. "Welcome, what brought you here?"

The queen ignores her greetings and sits taking her position as the elder in the room. "What do you mean by 'what brought me here?' Can't an elder no longer check on a junior?"

Suk Bin sits opposite the queen. "I am sorry your majesty, that was not what I meant, but if you had informed me earlier about your arrival, I would have prepared we-"

"I didn't come here to eat or drink Suk Bin. Why are you acting like you like me anyways? Everyone knows how much you despise me in the palace." The queen says sternly.

"What are you talking about your majesty?" Suk Bin Choi asks pretending not to know anything.

"Keep on pretending." The queen clears her throat. "The princes have come of age, and I think they should get married now."

"Actually." Suk Bin whispers and looks at the queen with a smile. "I have been meaning to tell you this earlier. The princes should get married soon."

The queen frowns at her rivals attitude. She didn't get what she was expecting, she was expecting her to fidget, but she isn't. "You seem prepared anyways, what do you have in mind?"

"I am always prepared your majesty, and I do not have anything in mind. I just want to see my son get married to the best girl in our country." Suk Bin Choi smiles. "What about you? What do you have in mind? Do you plan to use this method to crown your son?"

"Suk Bin!" The queen cautions.

"I am sorry your majesty." Suk Bin bows.

"Do not worry, with time I will put an end to this fight of us over the crown prince title." The queen smiles and stands. "I will inform Mom, her majesty and the king about the new development. I hope to see what you can do."

Suk Bin stands too. "You will commend me when you see what I have already done with this new development."

The queen can already sense that her rival is up to something, she is probably a step ahead of her. Did she by chance already know about the Ming princess? The queen asks in her mind. "Let's see to that."

"The queen title doesn't fit you at all, too dumb for my liking. You came here to threaten me with marriage, when my son is going to marry the Ming princess." Suk-bin whispers in her mind and smiles. "Good bye your majesty."

The queen walks out half scared and half confused. Why was she that confident and what plan does she have? "Lady Sung!" The queen calls as they walk back to her chambers.

"Yes, your majesty."

"Send for Minister Jang as soon as we get to my chambers, tell him I need to see him today. I think Suk Bin has something in mind."

"Yes your majesty." Lady Sung bows.

"I hope she is not aware of his daughter yet, please do not have your eyes on his daughter yet." The queen hopes.

Back at Suk Bin Choi's chambers, she sits and gently pats her hand on the small wooden table before her. "Lady Baek!" She calls.

"Your majesty!" Lady Baek answers and walks in. "Do you need anything your majesty?"

"Did Minister Jang receive the letter?"

"Yes your majesty." Lady Baek nods. "He collected the letter from me himself."

"Are you sure?" Suk Bin asks again.

"Yes, your majesty."

"The queen has already proposed the princes getting married to me."

"What?" Lady Baek asks.

"I am sure she has her eyes on Minister Jang's daughter, but I think we are one step ahead of her."