Chapter Fifteen: The Edge of a Blade

The warning had not been an empty one.

Dan-Bi knew that the moment she stepped into the scholars' hall the next morning.

The air was heavier. The glances sharper.

Someone knew she had been in the library last night.

Someone was watching her.

---

She remained calm, her steps measured as she moved to take her usual seat.

But even as she opened a scroll and dipped her brush in ink, her mind was elsewhere.

Had the Crown Prince done anything with the information?

Was he already moving to counter whatever plot was unfolding?

Or was he—

"I hear you were out late last night, Scholar Han."

The voice was casual. Too casual.

Dan-Bi glanced up.

It was Minister Song's son, one of the younger officials training under his father.

She smiled lightly, tilting her head. "I often study late. Is that unusual?"

The young man's lips curled. "Not at all. But one must be careful where they linger. Some places are… dangerous after dark."

A warning.

Or a threat.

Dan-Bi met his gaze evenly. "I appreciate the concern."

His smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Of course."

Then he turned, walking away as if the conversation had never happened.

Dan-Bi forced herself to return to her scroll, though her hand gripped the brush tighter.

She was being watched.

And if they suspected her of knowing too much—

She was already as good as dead.

---

That evening, she took the longer route back to her quarters, her senses on high alert.

She had barely crossed the stone bridge when she felt it—

A shift in the air.

A presence behind her.

She moved instinctively, side-stepping just as a figure lunged from the shadows.

A blade flashed.

Dan-Bi twisted, barely dodging the strike.

Her heart pounded. An assassin?

No—this was a warning.

A test.

They weren't aiming to kill her.

Not yet.

The attacker came again, faster this time.

Dan-Bi's mind raced. She had trained in combat, but in a direct fight, she was at a disadvantage.

She needed to—

A blur of movement.

A sharp clang of steel.

The assassin was thrown back, their blade knocked from their grasp.

Dan-Bi turned, chest heaving—

And froze.

The Crown Prince stood between her and the attacker.

His sword was drawn, his stance steady.

The moonlight glinted off the edge of his blade.

Dan-Bi exhaled sharply. "Your Highness—"

"Stay back."

The order was quiet but firm.

The assassin hesitated, clearly reassessing the situation.

Then, without warning, they turned and fled into the night.

Silence stretched in their wake.

Dan-Bi stared at the prince, her thoughts spinning.

Why?

Why had he—

The prince slowly sheathed his sword, his gaze flicking to her.

"You're hurt."

Dan-Bi glanced down.

A thin cut traced along her forearm, blood beading against her skin.

She hadn't even noticed.

The prince sighed, stepping closer. "Let me see."

Dan-Bi tensed. "It's nothing—"

But he had already reached for her arm, his grip careful yet firm.

The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through her.

She swallowed, forcing herself to stay still as he examined the wound.

Then, to her utter shock—

He pulled a strip of cloth from his sleeve and began wrapping it around her arm.

Dan-Bi stared.

This was dangerous.

This was too close.

She needed to step away—

"You're reckless, Scholar Han."

His voice was quiet, unreadable.

Dan-Bi exhaled sharply. "And Your Highness is not?"

A ghost of a smirk. "Perhaps."

Then, as he tied the cloth into place, he murmured—

"You should be more careful."

Dan-Bi's fingers curled.

She didn't know if it was a warning or… something else.

But one thing was clear.

The Crown Prince had just protected her.

And neither of them knew what to do about it.