The sound of her voice was like a clarion call, echoing across the battlefield. Her troops, emboldened by her leadership, cheered louder, their voices rising in a wave of victory.
Sitting on the ground, Ju Tak could only watch in stunned silence, his hopes dashed, as Princess Genie's triumph was sealed before his very eyes.
Jade stood frozen for a moment, his gaze fixed on the enemy's camp, where the jubilant cheers of Princess Genie's troops rang out. His heart stirred with a deep, unexpected emotion.
Princess Genie stood tall in the midst of it all, her figure framed by the rising flag. With a triumphant smile, she held the banner high, her posture exuding strength and authority. The cheers of her soldiers filled the air like a symphony of victory, and Jade couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment.
"Your Highness..." Jade whispered under his breath, his voice thick with awe.
In that instant, something clicked within him—a realization that shook him to his core. He had always known Princess Genie was destined for greatness, but now, standing there amidst the victory, he saw the truth more clearly than ever.
She wasn't just a princess anymore. She was a future king in her own right.
Jade's heart trembled with the thought. The moment was so powerful, so undeniably clear, that he could almost see the future unfolding before him. Princess Genie, the warrior-queen, the ruler who would one day lead with wisdom, strength, and compassion.
It wasn't just the victory on the battlefield that struck him—it was the certainty that, one day, she would wear a crown, and her reign would be remembered as one of triumph.
In that moment, Jade realized something deeper than mere loyalty. He recognized her as the queen she was always meant to be.
And as the noise of the celebration washed over him, Jade couldn't help but feel a surge of pride—pride in serving her, in being a part of her journey.
'She will be a great queen,' he thought to himself, the conviction settling in his heart like an oath.
The words lingered in the air, heavy with resolve and sincerity.
Jade's voice had grown steady, his heart laid bare before the vast emptiness of the night. The weight of his decision hung in the air, a decision he had struggled with for so long.
'And I can't… I can't stand with the Ash Kingdom and betray her. I've decided to follow my heart and follow Princess Genie on her side. She's the one I'll follow. The one who cares for the nation, for the people, with love and seeking of divine wisdom.'
His destiny had been bound to hers long ago. And now, more than ever, Jade knew that Princess Genie was not just a ruler in the making—she was already a queen in spirit.
That night, after the first round of the competition ended, cheers echoed throughout Princess Genie's office. The mood was light, filled with the triumph of victory. Jade, Moonsen, and Han Son gathered around her desk, all eager to congratulate her.
"Your Highness, I heard you led us to victory with a perfect strategy. Impressive," Minister Han Son said with admiration, his eyes gleaming with respect.
"I'm just in awe of your strategy, Your Highness," Moonsen added, his broad smile revealing his genuine appreciation.
Princess Genie chuckled sheepishly. "I attended military strategy classes in Arabia," she replied modestly. "But I must give credit to Captain Jade, who helped me explore the competition site the day before."
She gestured to Jade, who was seated at the far end of the room.
Moonsen, Han Son, and even the court ladies present clapped for him, their applause echoing in the room. Jade bowed his head humbly, his expression one of quiet humility.
"It's mostly Her Highness doing her best job," he said, shaking his head. "I was only there to support and did really nothing."
Princess Genie looked around at her loyal followers, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. "It's really God who granted us this victory," she said with quiet reverence. "Thank you all for your help. Let's do our best in the remaining rounds of the competition."
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Lady Han quickly opened it and returned with a servant of Supreme Judge Hwan.
"This is a servant of Supreme Judge Hwan, Your Highness," the servant said, bowing his head. "Here are the details for the second round of the trial."
The servant politely handed a scroll, and Princess Genie received it with a nod.
"Thank you," she said.
The servant bowed once again and left the room.
Genie unrolled the scroll and began reading aloud:
"The second trial will be held in Canin Village, focusing on a dispute among the village's citizens. The villagers will vote on who presents the most clever judgment and solution to the issue. The contestant with the most votes will win the second round."
Jade, Moonsen, and Han Son all nodded thoughtfully, processing the information.
Princess Genie glanced at them, her lips curling into a small smile. "So, here it is. The second round."
The group discussed their plans for the upcoming second round of the competition late into the night, strategizing and preparing for what lay ahead. The hours flew by as they fine-tuned their tactics, each person contributing to the effort in their own way.
Soon, the clock struck midnight. Princess Genie, seeing that her subordinates were visibly exhausted, decided it was time to wrap up the meeting.
"Thank you for staying late with me," she said, her voice warm with appreciation. "Let's end here for today and rest for tomorrow."
At this, Moonsen, Jade, and Han Son stood up, each bowing respectfully before they made their way to the door.
"Have a good rest, Your Highness," Han Son said with a proud smile before he left the room.
Moonsen, his eyes soft and filled with affection, turned to Genie and said, "Good night, Your Highness."
Genie returned his smile, her gaze gentle. But as she did, she noticed a shift in the air—Jade's posture had become stiff, his expression a little tighter. She saw the way he glanced at Moonsen, and something unspoken passed between them.
"Good night," Jade said shortly, his voice tight and slightly tense. He turned on his heel and walked out the room, leaving the two of them behind.
Moonsen gave one last smile and bow to Genie before leaving, following after Jade.
Princess Genie nodded in response to Moonsen and stared at the exit where Jade left with puzzled expression, sensing the subtle discomfort that had arisen in the room.
She was about to say something when Lady Han, who had been quietly observing, spoke up.
"Shall we move to the Princess's chambers, Your Highness?" Lady Han asked, her voice gentle, as though sensing that the atmosphere had shifted.
Genie nodded, her thoughts lingering on Jade's departure. She hadn't missed the slight tension that had hung in the air, nor the way Jade had reacted. It was strange—she couldn't quite place it, but something had felt off.
"Yes," Genie replied softly, rising from her desk. "Let's go."
Genie, accompanied by her court ladies, made her way to her chambers.
The weight of the day's events lingered on her mind, and once inside the privacy of her room, she sat on the bed, her thoughts turning over and over. The cheers from earlier, the victory, and the strange feeling she'd had during the meeting—it all felt so surreal.
After a while, she rose from the bed and walked to the window. Without a second thought, she climbed out, landing softly on the ground below. Her court ladies, none the wiser, stood guard outside her chamber door.
Princess Genie's heart raced as she remembered the shortcut to the military officer's garden. She ran swiftly, scaling the palace wall with ease, her movements graceful and familiar.
As a child, she had often snuck out of the palace, running through the gardens and exploring the world beyond the walls. That same adventurous spirit surged through her now.
Breathing heavily, she entered the quiet garden. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery light over the path. It was past midnight, and the palace was silent, most likely deep in slumber.
"Have they all gone to bed...?" she murmured to herself, her voice barely a whisper. Just as disappointment began to settle in, a voice called out from behind her.
"Your Highness?"
Princess Genie froze and turned. There, standing under the pale moonlight, was Jade.
His eyes, deep and lake-like, shone with quiet intensity. His sharp nose, symmetrical mouth, and striking features were illuminated by the soft glow of the night. His tall frame, broad shoulders, and that effortless, perfect smile made him look even more handsome than she remembered.
For a moment, she simply stood there, taken aback by his appearance.
"Did you come alone?" Jade asked, his voice a mixture of surprise and gentleness.
Catching her breath, Genie nodded, though she was unsure what to say next. She had come here with something on her mind, something important, and now that she had his attention, her words were caught in her throat.
"I have something I must tell you," she finally said, her voice soft.
Jade's posture stiffened, his gaze locking onto hers with concern. "What is it...?"
Genie hesitated, then spoke shyly, her eyes lowered. "After the second round of the competition tomorrow, I plan to stay overnight in Canin village to inspect the area. I don't want to bring too many court ladies or guards with me..."
She trailed off, her meaning left unsaid, but Jade, watching her intently, understood immediately. The quiet understanding passed between them, and though she hadn't finished her thought, he knew exactly what she was asking.
"I understand, Your Highness," he replied, his voice steady. "I will accompany you tomorrow to inspect the village."
Princess Genie couldn't suppress the smile that spread across her face. The thought of him accompanying her, of having him by her side, made her heart swell with something unexpected.
"Okay, great! Good night!" she said with renewed confidence, turning to leave.
Just as she took a few steps, Jade's voice stopped her.
"Your Highness."