Chapter Four: A Dangerous First Impression

The royal academy was a battlefield of a different kind—one where words cut deeper than swords and status determined one's worth before talent ever could.

Dan-Bi had spent only a week within its halls, yet she had learned one thing: the noble sons who studied here were not here to gain knowledge. They were here to reinforce their power.

And Dan-Bi, a supposed commoner with no noble lineage, was an intruder in their carefully constructed world.

---

"Did you hear?" one of the scholars sneered during a lunch break. "A lowborn passed the entrance exam."

Dan-Bi didn't react. She kept her gaze lowered, her hands steady as she poured tea.

Another scoffed. "I wouldn't be surprised if the examiners took pity on him."

"Or if he cheated," someone added.

Laughter rippled through the group.

Dan-Bi had learned early on that silence was the best defense. If she let them think she was weak, they would eventually grow bored.

But today, their taunts carried further than usual.

"What does it matter?" one noble son smirked. "In the end, even if he is intelligent, he will never be one of us."

Dan-Bi set down her cup.

She had endured worse insults, harsher treatment. But something about the casual way they dismissed her—as if she was nothing—made her fingers tighten around the teapot.

It was then that a soft chuckle broke through the air.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," a voice interrupted.

The conversation halted.

Dan-Bi turned slightly—and felt her breath catch.

The Crown Prince.

---

The Crown Prince of Joseon was many things.

To the public, he was a fool—a man who cared more about poetry and wine than politics.

To the court, he was an inconvenience—too unpredictable, too difficult to control.

And to Dan-Bi, he was the last person she wanted to attract attention from.

The prince strolled into the courtyard, his dark robes flowing as he moved. His gaze swept over the group before landing on her.

The scholars immediately straightened, their arrogance shifting into cautious respect.

"Your Highness," they greeted in unison, bowing.

The prince waved them off lazily before focusing on Dan-Bi.

"So," he mused, "this is the so-called genius commoner?"

Dan-Bi forced a bow. "Your Highness."

The prince tilted his head. "Tell me. Are you as smart as they say?"

Dan-Bi hesitated.

She had spent years learning how to speak without drawing suspicion. How to survive in a world where one wrong word could mean death.

But something about the prince's gaze—sharp, calculating—made her uneasy.

She chose her words carefully.

"I only did my best, Your Highness."

A smirk tugged at his lips. "A humble answer."

His tone was light, but his eyes held something deeper. Something unreadable.

Then, to her horror, he turned to the other scholars.

"What do you think?" he asked, gesturing toward her. "Would he make a good king?"

The group fell into an awkward silence.

Dan-Bi's stomach twisted.

It was a test.

A trap.

The prince was playing a game, and she had no idea what his rules were.

She could lie—say what every noble in the palace wanted to hear. Praise him, flatter him, pretend he was the perfect ruler.

But something about the way he was watching her, waiting—

"No."

The word left her lips before she could stop it.

Silence fell over the courtyard.

Dan-Bi felt every gaze snap toward her, some in shock, others in barely contained amusement.

The prince's smirk vanished.

"What did you say?"

Dan-Bi clenched her fists, but it was too late to back down now.

She lifted her chin.

"I said no, Your Highness."

The scholars exchanged glances, some barely hiding their grins. They wanted to see her fall.

The prince, however, did not react immediately. He only stared at her, his expression unreadable.

"And why is that?"

Dan-Bi swallowed.

"You ask a complete stranger for their opinion on your rule," she said, keeping her voice calm. "That alone tells me you already doubt yourself."

His jaw tightened.

The silence stretched.

Then, finally, the prince let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head.

"You're either very brave or very stupid."

Dan-Bi forced a bow. "Then we are in agreement, Your Highness."

His gaze darkened slightly. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

The moment he was gone, the scholars burst into laughter.

"That was entertaining," one smirked. "Shall we take bets on how long he lasts in the academy?"

Dan-Bi ignored them.

She had come here to avoid attention.

Instead, she had just made an enemy of the Crown Prince.

And somehow, she had a feeling this would not be their last meeting.