Eps 19 : A woman who hold the Fire

The Royal Queen Dowager Shin looked happy to welcome someone he had been waiting for. The woman wearing the golden dangui didn't even hesitate to step closer to the girl, whom the maid of the residence brought closer.

"Finally you came. Was your trip here pleasant?" asked Royal Queen Dowager Shin as ahe grabbed the girl's hand, which was wearing the plain pink dangui.

The girl smiled politely and bowed respectfully. Even though she was well liked by Royal Queen Dowager Shin, she didn't want to be seen as presumptuous. "How are you, Royal Queen Dowager? I hope you are in good health," she response softly.

"Aigoo..." The Royal Queen Dowager Shin was even more pleased with Kang Mi-Young's simple greeting. "It seems that the sky is dropping the flower of heaven on the palace. I am increasingly convinced that you will become the flower that adorns this palace."

"Its an honour to hear your compliment, Your Highness. I will try my best to undergo this training," said Kang Mi-Young with a look of determination in her eyes.

The smile of the Royal Queen Dowager Shin's face grew wider. Gently, the palace lady patted the back of Kang Mi-Young's hand.

"Great. You must try your best. A flower as beautiful as yours should be more worthy to sit on the throne."

Two pairs of eyes watched the conversation between Royal Queen Dowager Shin and Kang Mi-Young, the girl recommended by The Royal Queen Dowager during the Queen's election a few months ago, from afar. Kang Mi-Young is back in the palace at the invitation of a new concubine to train.

Emotions rumbled in Yi Baek's chest at the sight of Royal Queen Dowager Shin's radiant expression of happiness. For whatever reason, it was the most sickening sight he had ever seen. The hatred was running faster and faster in Yi Baek's veins. The man in the red robe swore that he would tear the evil woman's lips off himself.

"Kyungsoo-ya, are you sure it was the queen who gave the orders for the training of the new concubines today?" Yi Baek asked once again, confirming the news he got from Park Kyung-Soo, the Palace Secretary.

"That's right, Your Majesty. I'm sure it was the queen who invited the girls. In fact, I got news that this afternoon the Queen will hand over the list of girls who will be appointed as concubines," Kyung-Soo reported.

Yi Baek growled softly. His hands clenched tightly as Kyung-Soo gave the report. At this very moment, Yi Baek must teach his queen a lesson.

"Isn't concubine training supposed to last about a month?" Yi Baek sneers in response to his new queen, Queen Jung,'s attitude.

"I'm not sure what made the queen take such a quick decision, Your Majesty."

"I didn't know she was so desperate to gain support in the palace," growls Yi Baek, who hastily stepped into the Middle Palace—the pavilion where Queen Jung resides.

...

Sitting on her throne, Queen Jung watches the facial readings performed by face-reading experts on the girls who enter the palace today. The queen's slender index finger tapped her chin while her eyes moved to read and analyze the reading.

"After reading this, there are quite a few girls who deserve to be made concubines," the queen muttered to herself.

Her hand then grabbed the brush that was beside her and signaled the suitable girls to be appointed as concubines. Court Lady Jo watched the queen with resignation. Even so, repeatedly, Court Lady Jo gave the queen a worried look, who readily agreed with Royal Queen Dowager Shin's wishes and angered Queen Dowager Park. Really, Court Lady Jo couldn't stand the drama that Queen Jung would face in the palace.

"Your Majesty, why do you insist on making the Royal Queen Dowager's wish come true? Aren't you worried that you will lose Queen Dowager's support in the future if you do this?" asked Court Lady Jo, who could no longer just stare at her.

A smile appeared on the queen's face at the concern of her loyal servant. Queen Jung turns her attention back and looks back at Court Lady Jo.

"Why is your face so pale, Court Lady Jo? You look like someone who just received a death sentence," teased Queen Jung with a slight chuckle at the end of her sentence.

"Your Majesty, this is not the time to be playing games. Why did you make a decision like this? Don't you realize that the Royal Queen Dowager is after...."

"Yes, I know. I understand the Royal Queen Dowager is aiming for my position. But it would be easier to know all the plans. Because she will definitely use the new concubine of her choice as her playing piece."

"What if you are wrong? Don't you realize you're risking..."

"I did not enter this palace empty-handed, Court Lady Jo. Brother has warned me who to look out for. Enemies will appear when you are at your weakest. In fact, your supporters can turn into enemies if you are at your worst. I need all of that," said Queen Jung.

Court Lady Jo is silent to hear Queen Jung's crushing reply. Court Lady Jo actually had a little trouble understanding the queen's mindset. This young woman in front of her was not easy to guess. On the one hand, she seemed easy to approach and step on, but on the other hand, for some reason, there was something that made Court Lady Jo shudder.

The noise from the veranda made Queen Jung lift her face and frown. The second she was about to give Court Lady Jo's order to go find out, the door to her room was violently opened, and the red-robed man entered the room with a chilly aura.

"Your Majesty..."

Yeon-Hee immediately rose from her throne to find an unexpected visit from her husband.

With wide strides, Yi Baek immediately approached Yeon-Hee. Slightly rude, the man pushed Court Lady Jo to leave him alone with Yeon-Hee. Beads as dark as night stared furiously at the cold fog. Yi Baek gripped Yeon-Hee's shoulder before stabbing her cold and sharp gaze at his wife.

"What are you doing, inviting girls to concubine training?" Yi Baek hissed threateningly.

"I just did the palace elder's request. As a queen, I should show my respect and devotion to the palace elders."

"That old woman is not someone who deserves respect and devotion," Yi Baek sneered. His dark eyes gleamed sharply. "Are you really that sure to join this fight?"

"What fight do you mean, Your Majesty? I don't understand it."

Yi Baek jerked Yeon-Hee's shoulder violently. His attention was drawn to scanning everything hidden in Yeon-Hee's bead. His intuition told that the queen had a secret. The secret that, until this moment, is still a question in Yi Baek's mind

"What actually brought you to the palace, My Queen? I know you're hiding something," Yi Baek hissed right in Yeon-Hee's face.

Yeon-Hee, who had lowered her head earlier, slowly raised her face and returned Yi Baek's gaze with a gaze that was no less sharp. Although his irises look sharp, a smile creeps into his voice. a very different expression.

"Just a wound," she explained in a soft voice.

Yi Baek released the grip on both of Yeon-Hee's shoulders. The man felt the room temperature drop a few degrees. Yi Baek was certain that all of this was due to his aura colliding with Yeon-Hee's cold aura.The man in the red robe looked different than usual—dark and vicious even though the sun was shining brightly outside.

"So, you came to this palace for revenge?"

"Think of it that way if you wish, Your Majesty."

Yi Baek burst out laughing."Let's see how well you can hold on to your throne. Do you expect the power you have to grow until revenge is achieved?"

"You can think whatever you want, Your Majesty," replied Yeon-Hee.

"This is getting interesting, My Queen," said Yi Baek while rubbing Yeon-Hee's cheek roughly. "Let's see what kind of wound you actually have. Because the second you're one step away from retaliation, I'll destroy you. Do whatever it takes to get support. Even if you have the support of that fox woman, I'm even happier to destroy you."

Yi Baek leaves the room by violently opening the door after instilling fear. Meanwhile, Yeon-Hee inhaled and exhaled slowly. His attention turned to the garden outside his room.

Yeon-Hee knew; there was no turning back after this. She has advanced her pawns in the battle in the palace, joining other pawns who have already fought, namely King Yeongan, Royal Queen Dowager Shin, and even Queen Dowager Park.