The last time Hwayeong had felt this way was when she was back in Hwacheon.
That moment when the royal envoy had arrived—
Not with Hwajin’s nameplate, but hers.
The moment her father had seen it, his pupils had shaken violently.
He had pulled her close, voice trembling in her ear.
「Hwayeong... soon, you will leave my arms.」
Then, with an iron grip on her shoulder, he had whispered:
「Just nod. No matter what happens, just nod.」
That same feeling was creeping over her now.
Something had gone terribly, terribly wrong—yet everyone acted as if nothing had.
“Maybe... Her Majesty is a truly terrifying person.”
“What?”
“...Nothing. Never mind. Anyway, I should take a nap.”
She had only returned at dawn after throwing Sinyeong unconscious, barely catching any sleep before Sohwa burst in, shaking her awake.
She was still exhausted.
Just as she lay back down, Sohwa grabbed her shoulder.
“If you sleep now, you’ll struggle to sleep later.”
