(In the Garden)
Claudete fixed her gaze on Victor, an expression of pure disdain on her face.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (firmly) The only option I'm considering is uncovering the truth behind this farce.
Third Prince Hyeon felt the weight of Mi-Suk's words, realizing that this amnesia had brought forth a woman more determined and far less willing to accept the expectations imposed upon her.
Tension filled the garden as Mi-Suk stepped away with determination, leaving behind a perplexed Third Prince Hyeon and an amused Second Prince Victor.
Third Prince Hyeon: (sighing) Mi-Suk, please, listen…
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (turning sharply) Listen to what? More lies? I am no fool.
Third Prince Hyeon: (sincerely) I know our marriage wasn't for love, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (skeptical) Care? Or do you only care about appearances?
Hyeon felt the sting of Mi-Suk's words. As he searched for a response, Victor observed the scene with growing interest.
Second Prince Victor: (mocking) Hyeon, maybe it's time to face the truth. She doesn't love you.
Third Prince Hyeon: (determined) I… I will do whatever it takes to regain her trust.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (sarcastic) Regain? You can start by explaining why you agreed to this marriage when you knew it wasn't for love.
Third Prince Hyeon: (taking a deep breath) I was pressured by political matters. It was an agreement between our families.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (with disdain) So I was just a piece in your political game. How interesting.
Mi-Suk's expression remained cold and calculated, as if each word spoken by Hyeon pushed her further away.
Second Prince Victor: (sarcastic) Seems like amnesia didn't erase her sharp mind.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (fixing her gaze on Victor) Amnesia doesn't take away good taste and intelligence.
Second Prince Victor: (smirking) Oh, my dear sister-in-law, you don't know anything.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (narrowing her eyes) And who are you to judge? A prince who collects marriages like trophies?
Second Prince Victor: (laughing) At least I don't hide my intentions. Unlike some.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (staring at Victor) (thinking) I'll make it clear that I won't be easily manipulated by his provocations.
Third Prince Hyeon: (remorseful) Mi-Suk, I understand that this is difficult to accept, but there's more at stake than you can imagine.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (suspicious) And what would that be?
Third Prince Hyeon: (revealing) The Shadow. He is a threat to the court, and we need to join forces to fight him.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (skeptical) The Shadow? Sounds more like an excuse to cover up the court's schemes.
Third Prince Hyeon: (urgent) It's not a scheme, Mi-Suk. He's real, dangerous, and we are all in danger.
Second Prince Victor: (seriously) Believe it or not, Hyeon is telling the truth. The Shadow is a threat that goes beyond our family disputes.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (still doubtful) And why should I believe you?
Third Prince Hyeon: (genuinely) Because, Mi-Suk, even though our marriage didn't start with love, I don't want to see you in danger. You are my wife, and I…
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (interrupting) ...need my loyalty to fight this Shadow. I get it.
Mi-Suk's expression remained unreadable, but something in Hyeon's eyes showed a genuine desire to protect her.
Second Prince Victor: (with unexpected respect) Sometimes, the truth is stranger than fiction. And right now, we need to set aside our differences and join forces.
Claudete/Mi-Suk: (finally agreeing) Very well. Let's deal with this threat. But after that, don't expect things to go back to how they were.
(At the First Prince's Mansion)
The First Prince's mansion was always calm and orderly, but that night, the tranquility was interrupted by the hurried arrival of Fong, the prince's loyal servant and spy. He ran through the hallways, past the guards, until he reached Ying's private chamber.
The First Prince was seated in a noble wooden chair, a cup of wine in his hand, when Fong burst in unceremoniously, panting and visibly nervous.
Fong: (shouting) Master Ying! Master Ying!
Ying sighed, already irritated. He despised when Fong barged in like this without even knocking.
Ying: (frowning) Fong… If this is another one of your nonsense reports, I swear—
Fong: (interrupting, desperate) That miserable Mi-Suk has returned from the dead!
The silence that followed was heavy.
Ying's face, usually composed and controlled, twisted into pure fury. His fingers clenched so tightly around the wine glass that he nearly shattered it.
Ying: (gritting his teeth) What do you mean, Fong?
Fong: (nervous but pleased that he had his master's full attention) Yes, my lord! One of my spies brought me this terrible news. Everyone believed she was dead, but somehow… she returned.
Ying abruptly stood up, spilling some wine onto the carpet. He began pacing, clearly enraged.
Ying: (muttering to himself) How could this happen? I planned everything so well… The poison was lethal…
Fong: (trying to calm him) Master, maybe she wasn't truly dead. Perhaps the poison only made her unconscious for longer than expected…
Ying: (furious) That doesn't make sense! No one survives that dose!
Fong flinched slightly but quickly recovered, forcing a reassuring smile.
Fong: (trying to be optimistic) Master, you will have what you desire. I will make sure of it.
Ying stopped pacing and looked at Fong with cold, calculating eyes.
Ying: (threatening) Then do something about it, Fong! If she's alive, she might start investigating. If she finds out who poisoned her…
He didn't finish the sentence, but Fong understood the message clearly. If Mi-Suk uncovered the truth, she could expose everything to the emperor, and Ying's plan to take the throne would crumble.
Fong smirked maliciously and bowed slightly.
Fong: (confident) Leave it to me, my emperor.
Ying narrowed his eyes at the title. He wasn't emperor yet. But soon, he would be.
Ying: (murmuring) No matter what, that woman will die for real this time.
He picked up his wine glass again, taking a long sip as his mind already started working on his next move.
Mi-Suk had escaped death once.
But no one escapes twice.