On the left side of the hall, Ju Tak stood surrounded by his supporters, a thin smile tugging at his lips. His allies shared knowing glances, their expressions already celebratory. From the right, Princess Genie stood calm and composed, her chin slightly lifted, betraying no sign of reaction to their smugness.
Far at the back of the grand assembly hall, Jade and Moonsen stood, watching Princess Genie's back. The air was thick with anticipation, and the soft murmur of voices in the room faded into a low hum as all eyes turned toward the Princess.
"I am truly honored to support Her Highness in this journey," Moonsen whispered, his voice reverent.
Jade didn't respond right away. His eyes remained fixed on Genie, as if weighing the magnitude of what lay ahead.
Moonsen leaned in again. "I'm not nearly as experienced as you, Captain Jade. I hope you'll help guide me through this."
Jade turned toward him, surprised by the sincerity behind the younger man's words. He met Moonsen's gaze and saw it clearly—sharp intelligence, quiet loyalty, and unshakable belief.
'He really is something,' Jade thought. A strong one to have on her side.
"Me too," Jade replied quietly. "Let's do this well."
At the throne, King Gen's gaze shifted between Princess Genie and Ju Tak. The hall fell silent once again.
"Will the two candidates please step forward and affirm their oaths of fair conduct?"
Princess Genie and Ju Tak, standing on opposite sides of the hall, strode forward until they stood side by side before the ailing king. Though they faced him together, the tension between them crackled like fire waiting to catch.
King Gen lifted the scroll once more and read solemnly.
"Princess Genie and Ju Tak—do you each vow to participate in these trials with fairness and respect, to uphold the dignity of the crown and abstain from deceit?"
"Yes, I promise," Genie answered immediately, her voice clear and unwavering.
"I promise," Ju Tak echoed, his tone clipped and firm.
King Gen continued. "Do you vow to place the happiness and well-being of the people of Hana above all else, and to make this your guiding purpose in seeking the throne?"
"Yes, I promise," Genie said, her voice carrying purpose like a drawn sword.
There was a brief pause.
"…I promise," Ju Tak said, slower this time, his face unreadable.
King Gen rolled the scroll back with careful hands and set it aside.
"Then by these oaths, let it be known that Princess Genie and Ju Tak are now the official candidates for succession to the throne of Hana Kingdom."
The hall erupted in hushed voices, the weight of the announcement settling into every corner like dust. The trials had begun—not just of politics, but of spirit, truth, and legacy.
King Gen's voice rang out, commanding the attention of the court. "Supreme Judge Hwan will proceed with the announcement of the first trial."
At the back of the grand chamber, Jade and Moonsen stood in silence, their eyes fixed on Judge Hwan as he stepped forward. His presence was imposing, and his gaze was as stern as the weight of the moment. With quiet authority, Hwan unfurled the ancient scroll and surveyed the room. A deep silence settled over the gathering, thick with anticipation.
The judge's voice broke the stillness, carrying the gravity of the occasion. "The first trial will be a military strategy competition. The winner will be determined by the outcome of a mock battle. The location for this trial will be Mount Southern."
A slight, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of Ju Tak's lips, a gesture that spoke volumes. His eyes gleamed with an air of triumph.
'Mount Southern... no easy place to compete. It is situated right behind my ancestral lands. Princess Genie will have no knowledge of the terrain, no strategy to rely on, even with Jade at her side.'
Jade's gaze lingered on Princess Genie, her posture regal but her shoulders betraying a quiet tension. With pleading eyes, he silently offered his support.
'Your Highness, you can do this. I will be there for you, every step of the way.'
As the announcement echoed through the grand assembly hall, signaling the end of the proceedings, Genie, Jade, Moonsen, and Han Son gathered in the privacy of her royal office. The heavy wooden door closed behind them, and a sense of quiet determination settled over the room.
Genie turned her gaze to Jade, her expression serious yet resolute. "Jade," she said, her voice carrying a weight of purpose.
"Yes, Your Highness," Jade replied with an unwavering courtesy, his posture perfectly poised.
"I'm going to need your help for the first trial. Tomorrow, we leave for Mount Southern," Princess Genie said, her voice calm but resolute. "But we leave in the evening, under the cover of darkness, so we draw no attention from the opponents. You'll be joining my forces for the mock battle," Genie declared, her tone firm, yet hopeful.
Jade's response was immediate, without a flicker of hesitation. "Yes, Your Highness. I'll be ready."
Han Son nodded approvingly, his gaze softening with a hint of admiration for the loyalty and readiness that emanated from Jade. "Your Highness, with Jade by your side, you'll have nothing to worry about. He's a skilled strategist, and together, you'll surely succeed. Please, if you require any further assistance, do not hesitate to ask."
Moonsen also gave a small but encouraging smile. He stood slightly apart from the group, his presence solid and reassuring. "I'll always be here for you, Your Highness," he added, his voice calm but filled with quiet strength.
Genie's eyes flicked between them, gratitude shining in her gaze. She gave them a smile, small but sincere, one that conveyed her appreciation without the need for words.
"Thank you all," she said softly, her voice filled with quiet determination. "I truly appreciate your support."
Jade stood at the entrance of the palace in the evening, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the setting sun bathed the sky in shades of crimson and gold. The summer air was cool at this time, a sharp contrast to the heat of the day.
He was there to survey the site for the first round of the competition, which would take place the following day. His thoughts lingered on the upcoming trial, but a sense of calm surrounded him as he waited for Princess Genie.
"Jade!"
The cheerful call of the princess broke through his thoughts, and Jade turned, startled by the sudden sound. There, standing with an energetic smile, was Genie, dressed in a blue military uniform that fit her perfectly. The blue ribbon on her head fluttered slightly in the evening breeze, completing the look.
A rush of memories hit Jade, vivid and sharp, as the sight of her brought him back to their first meeting, eleven years ago. He remembered the 12-year-old Princess of Hana Kingdom, Genie, standing before him in a similar blue uniform, the same blue ribbon adorning her hair. How much she had grown, how much had changed since then.
A small, affectionate smile tugged at the corner of Jade's lips as he looked at her.
"I almost didn't recognize you, Your Highness," he said, his voice warm with a touch of teasing.
Genie raised an eyebrow, her smile playful as she crossed her arms. "Really?"
"No, no. Anyone would recognize you as the Princess."
His tone was light, playful, yet beneath it was a genuine fondness that had grown over the years.
Genie's laughter rang out, pure and bright, before she motioned toward the path outside the palace entrance. "Come on, let's go quickly."
Her energy was infectious, and without a moment's hesitation, she turned and led the way. Though they were heading to prepare for the upcoming trial, this rare moment of solitude between them felt like an escape from the usual duties that weighed on both of them. It was an unspoken understanding, a brief reprieve from the world that always surrounded them.
Jade followed her, trying, and failing, to hide the smile that lingered on his lips. Something about the way she moved, her confidence, the way she held herself—so sure, so strong—made his heart feel lighter.
'It's been a long while since it was just the two of us,' Jade thought as he followed behind Princess Genie, his eyes fixed ahead. The moonlight cast long shadows on the path, the quiet hum of the night surrounding them. His mind drifted back to a time long before the pressures of the competition and the weight of the kingdom's expectations had settled over them. Back to when it was just the two of them, stranded on an isolated island, fighting for survival.
The memory came to him in flashes—both vivid and sharp, like a dream he couldn't shake. The smell of salt in the air, the sound of crashing waves, and the feel of the cold, rough stone beneath his fingertips as they made their way through a cave in search of shelter. It had been a life-threatening situation, a test of endurance and wits, but in the midst of it, something had shifted between them. They were not just a princess and her protector—they were two souls, finding their way in a world that had thrown them into chaos.
Jade's lips curved into a small smile at the thought.