Chapter Fourteen: A Warning in the Dark

Dan-Bi had always known the palace was a place of secrets.

It was why she had spent her life learning how to keep her own.

But some secrets whispered too loudly in the dark.

And tonight, she had stumbled upon one.

---

The corridors of the royal library were empty at this hour.

Most scholars had retired for the night, but Dan-Bi had stayed behind, searching for records on past military strategies.

She had been careful, her steps light, her presence unnoticed.

Or so she had thought.

Until she heard voices.

Low. Urgent.

She stopped, pressing herself against the wooden shelves, straining to listen.

"…The king grows weaker by the day. The ministers are already choosing sides."

Dan-Bi's breath hitched.

A coup?

Here?

Now?

Another voice, sharper. "The Crown Prince remains an obstacle. If he resists, he must be removed."

Her pulse pounded.

They were planning something.

Against the prince.

And she had no doubt that if she stayed any longer, she would not leave this library alive.

She needed to leave.

Now.

But as she turned—

A hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Dan-Bi spun, instinct taking over, her other hand darting toward the dagger hidden in her robes.

But before she could draw it—

"Easy, Scholar Han."

Her breath caught.

The Crown Prince.

His grip was firm, his gaze unreadable.

She swallowed, quickly masking her alarm. "Your Highness."

He didn't let go.

Instead, his eyes flickered toward the direction of the voices.

Then back to her.

And that was when she realized—

He had been here, listening too.

He knew.

Slowly, he released her wrist, stepping back. "We should leave."

Dan-Bi nodded, composing herself. "Yes, Your Highness."

They moved swiftly through the hallways, silent but alert.

When they reached the outer courtyard, the prince finally spoke.

"You shouldn't have been there."

Dan-Bi stiffened. "Neither should Your Highness."

His lips twitched at her defiance. "And yet, here we are."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, his gaze sharpened. "Be careful, Scholar Han."

Dan-Bi inhaled deeply, choosing her next words carefully.

"I could say the same to you, Your Highness."

Something unreadable flickered in his expression.

Then, without another word, he turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Leaving Dan-Bi standing alone—

With a new weight pressing on her chest.

She had wanted to avoid him.

But now—

Their fates were tangled more than ever.

And there was no turning back.