Chapter five:
The Jade Banquet Hall glittered with light.Silken lanterns cast a golden glow over the polished jade floors and the ceiling paintings of previous kings.
The Court musicians played soft melodies and the courtseans danced the traditionalfan dance in tandem — an elegant distractions for sharp minds and sharper tongues.
It was the first time since the crowning, two years before, that the court had gathered to observe Crown Prince Wangyeon in a "social" capacity. And they were not here for just for "dinner".
They were here for the girl. To take a look at the said future Queen.
Min Ah, daughter of the Prime Minister. The kingdom's most renowned Val.
She finally entered the hall through the double doors of the hall.
Clad in layered robes of sapphire and silver, her long black hair adorned with crystal pins that shimmered like ice, Min Ah walked into the banquet hall with her chin lifted and a smile that dared anyone to look away.
"Your Highness." she greeted
She bowed deeply but only to the King.To Wangyeon and every other Noble, she offered the barest nod.
Wangyeon who seated at one level above the court, lifted his gaze slowly from the silver cup in his hand. His eyes lingered on her and he remained assessing, not admiring.
"Your Highness " she said as she walked gracefully towards him with a warm smileon her face.
"Val Min Ah." he said and returned his gaze to the silver cup he was holding.
His tone was cold but controlled.
"I trust your crown isn't too heavy yet?" she asked as she sat next to him.
He said nothing to her.
She raised a brow, amused. Guys never ignored her.
The court chuckled politely but they could all feel the tension even though it was wrapped in polite gestures
The banquet began.
Dishes were served in surplus, wine flowed continuously from jars to cups. The Courtiers whispered behind their painted fans.
Min Ah, still seated beside Wangyeon watched as her father entertain the gathered lords with wits and care — but his words were carefully laced with implications.
"I've always thought the strongest men needed someone equally sharp at their side."
The prime minister said to a group of lords sitting at a table.
"There's something poetic," Min Ah said later to Wang yeon who was still sitting next to her. sipping tea, "about fire meeting ice. If they don't kill each other first."
Wangyeon said nothing still, the only word he had said to her through out was her name which he said more to himself than to her
Then eventually he rose mid-course and the entire hall fell silent immediately.
He looked down at Min Ah, his expression was blank but his voice remained sharp.
"Let me be clear, Val Min Ah. This match may serve politics but I will never belong to anyone."
Gasps echoed.
Even the Queen's smile stiffened.
Min Ah stood slowly and gracefully hiding her shock behind a fake smile.
"Of course not, Your Highness," she said with a smirk. "Weapons are never owned, only wielded." she said but this only earned her a look of contempt from Wangyeon who left the banquet angrily.
Later That Night
The banquet had long ended and the halls were quiet but in the private garden overlooking the frozen koi pond, Min Ah stood alone beneath a cherry tree.
She stared at the moon's reflection.
"He hates me," she said aloud with a frown.
"You expected affection from a boy with a ghost for a soul and a blood moon for heart?"
Her father answered with a dry and amused voice as he emerged from the shadows.
"He's not like the other royals," Min Ah murmured.
"He shouldn't be,He's dangerous and you must learn to tame danger, not flirt with it." he said.
She didn't respond, Instead, her thoughts drifted — not toward taming him, but breaking past him.
"If he was born of a blood moon," she whispered, "then what would it take to stand beside him?"
She touched her chest.
For the first time in years, she wondered:
'What lies have I been told about my own power?'