paced in front of me. "Do you eve

arms crossed. "If everyone else in that court is so

. Hyejin always had a way of making me feel lik

thread," she said, stopping to face me directl

confidence in my voice felt hollow. "As

r others to see you as a threat-or worse, a liability

ant me to do, Hyejin? Bow my head and play the o

ained. "You think you're the only one struggling un

out her own burdens, but the weight

-

ens. It was rare for us to find moments like these-away from the watc

were younger?" she aske

ed by the sudden shift i

e said. "Not this... angry, cl

, Noona. You should know

't just change, Min Soo. This is you building

have me do? Let Appa mold me into his perfect little puppet?

raised an eyebrow. "I

ndation? The court is divided, the provinces are restless, and

it?" she shot back. "Besides

, but I didn't

-

legation from Buyeo. The great hall was alive with music

Hoon, who were engaged in animated conversation with the Buye

t least look interes

te. "Why? They've already deci

make is being watched,"

g the subtle glances from the mini

the entrance. A servant stumbled into the hall, clu

sped before collap

hed to secure the doors, and the king r

esty!" one of th

y reaching for the hilt of th

d my arm, her eyes wide

near the king's table. Clad in dark robes, the assassin

re faster, intercepting the intrud

peared, their faces obscured by masks. The guests screamed and

ack against the wall, my g

urgently, "we need

e Appa?"

snapped. "You'll only

the instinct to fight and

-

s, but not without casualties. The king stood at the center of the hall, his robes staine

he demanded, his

sin remained silent

roared, striking the

ing a hand on the king's shoulder.

to the guards. "Take him to the d

in's gaze. Her expression was one of worry

said quietly, "

d eyes with me and smiled-a chilling, know