Firework

The sudden motion sent ripples dancing across the water, droplets splashing around her like scattered jewels.

Grinning widely, she rose to her feet, water cascading down from her silk-clad form, translucent fabric clinging to her skin.

Hearing the sound of splashing footsteps echo from within, Lady Park gently pushed open the door to the bathhouse. Steam curled past the threshold, mingling with the crisp night air. His voice was soft, careful not to disturb the queen's rare moment of peace.

"Your Majesty… shall I escort you to your bedchamber?"

But instead of the serene, composed queen he expected, Genie stood in the middle of the bath, drenched silk clinging to her form, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Her eyes gleamed like a child with a secret.

"No!" she exclaimed, shaking her head with unmistakable delight. Droplets scattered from her wet hair, catching the lamplight like tiny stars. "I have somewhere to go."

Park blinked, momentarily taken aback. 

"At this hour, Your Majesty?" he asked cautiously, glancing toward the open ceiling and the ink-dark sky beyond.

"Yes—right now!"

She was radiant, alive with a sudden purpose that swept aside any thought of weariness or hesitation. It wasn't the voice of a queen issuing a command, but that of a woman chasing the spark of something she could no longer ignore.

On a quiet night when the world lay fast asleep, Jade finally returned to his quarters after spending long hours buried in ancient scrolls at the royal archives. The air was still, thick with the faint scent of ink and old parchment that clung to his sleeves.

A single lantern placed at the far edge of the room cast a soft, flickering glow, stretching shadows across the walls like the strokes of an unfinished painting. Just as he reached for the knot of his belt—

"Minister."

A whisper, low and urgent, slipped through the open slats of the wide window.

'Who could that be at this hour?'

Jade strode to the window and eased it open. To his surprise, Lady Park peeked in, wearing a sheepish, almost guilty smile.

"Lady Park?" 

"Minister, might I trouble you to step outside for a moment?" she whispered, glancing around as if the shadows themselves might overhear her. "Her Majesty is asking for you."

For a beat, Jade's mind went blank. 

'Her Majesty? At this hour?'

"I'll come at once."

Carefully closing the window behind him, Jade tied his cloak over his shoulders and stepped into the night, his heartbeat already quickening for reasons he dared not examine too closely.

The cold air hit him at once, crisp and biting, curling around his ankles and creeping beneath his robes. He moved swiftly, following the familiar, hidden paths of the rear palace passageways.

Then, at a distance, he saw her.

Queen Genie stood beneath the moonlight, restless, stamping her feet softly to ward off the night's chill. Gone were her elaborate dragon-embroidered robes. Instead, she wore a sharp, deep blue military uniform beneath a black overcoat, her figure outlined by the silver sheen of moonlight on fabric. A white fur hat sat snug atop her head, and thick gloves covered her hands.

Jade's lips curved into a soft smile before he could stop himself. She looked both regal and impossibly young, like a sovereign on the verge of mischief.

"Your Majesty," he greeted, his voice low with both reverence and affection.

At the sound of his voice, Genie turned, beaming with unmistakable delight. She waved enthusiastically with her gloved hand, as if they were childhood friends meeting in secret.

"Your Majesty… what brings you out at such an hour?" he asked, both amused and slightly alarmed.

A playful chuckle escaped her lips. "I'm going on an incognito excursion."

"Incognito…?" he echoed faintly.

"All the palace officials are off tomorrow, aren't they? I realized—this might be the only true holiday I'll get all year. I intend to use it wisely." Her eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and resolve. "I want to see how my people are really living—not through reports or letters, but with my own eyes."

The crisp moonlight caught the glow of excitement in her face, making her look almost otherworldly.

"I hope I'm not disturbing your well-earned rest, Jade," she added more gently, tilting her head slightly, her playful bravado softening into genuine concern.

"Not at all, Your Majesty," Jade replied, steadying the quickened rhythm of his heart.

"Good," she said, grinning like a child about to break every rule. "Then let's set off at once."

Without hesitation, she took the first step forward, as though the city below was already hers to discover.

As midnight approached, the Queen and Jade arrived at the heart of the bustling night market. Even at this late hour, the streets buzzed with life — merchants calling out their wares, children weaving between stalls, and the soft hum of conversation blending with bursts of laughter. Paper lanterns swayed gently overhead, casting warm, flickering light that painted the cobblestone alleys in gold and amber.

Despite the crowd pressing in from all sides, Jade walked steadily beside the Queen, his gaze constantly scanning the surroundings. One hand hovered protectively near her shoulder, though he kept his posture relaxed, as if merely accompanying an old friend.

The rich, savory aroma of grilled meats and sweet glutinous rice drifted through the night air, mingling with the faint perfume of summer flowers blooming somewhere nearby.

Suddenly, Genie's eyes lit up as she spotted a stall overflowing with colorful rice cakes, neatly arranged in tempting rows — white, green, pink, each dusted with fine powders or speckled with sesame seeds. Right in the center, golden with roasted soybean powder, were her favorite rice cake.

"There! Let's go there!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Without hesitation, she dashed forward like a child discovering a hidden treasure, the hem of her coat fluttering behind her. Jade's lips curled into a faint, fond smile as he watched her skip lightly between the passersby.

A plump, cheerful vendor greeted her with a practiced bow. 

"You have a good eye, Lady! These here are bean powder-coated rice cakes — soft as clouds, with the scent of mugwort spreading gently on your tongue. Care to try one?"

Genie nodded, her eyes sparkling. 

"Yes, please!"

The vendor deftly skewered one onto a small wooden stick and offered it to her, but before tasting it herself, Genie turned and held it out toward Jade, her hand expectant, as if sharing was simply second nature to her.

"Would you like to try it first?"

Jade shook his head with a quiet chuckle. 

"I'm fine, thank you, Your Majesty."

Her lips curled into a satisfied smile. 

"Then I shall try it myself."

She popped the soft rice cake into her mouth, her eyes closing briefly as she savored the delicate sweetness mingled with the nutty flavor of roasted soy. 

"Oh! It's delicious!"

Jade watched in silence, his gaze softening at the sight of her happiness, glowing brighter than the lanterns strung overhead.

"How about a whole bag, Lady?" the vendor offered, clearly pleased by her reaction.

"Yes! One bag, please."

The vendor filled a small cloth pouch to the brim, tying it neatly with a piece of string. 

"That'll be three coins, miss."

Genie blinked, startled. 

"Three coins?"

"That's right," he replied playfully, with the air of someone who knew how to make sales sound like favors.

With a slight frown, she fished her coin pouch from the folds of her coat and carefully counted out the coins into his waiting palm.

"Thank you kindly! Enjoy them, miss," the vendor said with a broad grin.

Clutching the warm pouch of rice cakes, Genie rejoined Jade, her cheerful pace slowing just slightly.

"Three coins for a bag of rice cakes... that's absurd," she muttered under her breath.

Jade glanced sideways at her. 

"Prices have been steadily rising. Ever since the battle with the Ash Kingdom, merchants have been taking advantage of the shortages."

At his words, Genie abruptly stopped in the middle of the throng, the marketplace flowing around them like a river splitting around a stone.

"This won't do," she said firmly, turning to him with renewed resolve in her gaze. "As soon as we return to the palace, I'll convene the council. We need to find a way to ease the burden on the people. How are they supposed to live in peace if even rice cakes are becoming luxuries?"

For a moment, Jade could only stare at her. Though still young, her heart burned fiercely for her people, her sense of duty shining clearer than any title could confer.

Finally, he gave a quiet nod, his voice gentle. "You never fail to amaze me, Your Majesty."

Before he could say more, Genie suddenly gasped and pointed upward.

"Look, Jade! Fireworks!" she shouted.

Brilliant bursts of crimson and gold exploded across the ink-dark sky, shimmering like falling stars. The hum of the marketplace quieted for a heartbeat as everyone looked upward in awe.