The First Sparks of Rebellion
POV: Cheng Court / Xae Rin
The morning sun barely pierced the heavy mist surrounding the imperial palace. Inside the grand hall, Xae Rin sat rigidly on a chair of carved jade, eyes fixed on the ministers gathered before him. Their faces were pale and strained, voices careful, measured.
"The Crown Prince," the Prime Minister began, bowing slightly, "we are concerned… about the rapid consolidation of your power. There are murmurs among the people, doubts… even fears."
Xae Rin's hand tightened around the armrest. "Doubts and fears exist where loyalty is weak," he said calmly. "Those who serve me with conviction have nothing to fear. Those who do not… will answer to Heaven."
A murmur ran through the chamber. A younger minister, emboldened by the whispers in the corridors, dared to speak. "Your Highness… surely even Heaven would not favor such… unilateral decisions. Some of us… question whether your rule aligns with the sacred law."
Xae Rin rose, towering over them. His voice was quiet but carried the weight of steel. "The sacred law is not what is convenient. It is what is just. And those who betray that justice will fall."
The Prime Minister's eyes flickered with calculation. He is not just a boy. He is prophecy incarnate.
POV: Nae Yi / Cheng Dynasty
In her tower, Nae Yi observed the council through a crystal orb, her expression serene, almost bored. Yet the heart beneath the calm was a tempest. Ministers whispered rebellion; soldiers questioned loyalty. Good. Fear and chaos are fertile soil.
She moved to the altar, fingers tracing the intricate carvings of dragons and celestial symbols. "Let the boy learn that ruling is never simple," she murmured. "Let the ministers think they hold power. But I… I hold the knife."
Her lips curved in a faint, cruel smile. "And soon… Giyeok will wield it for me."
POV: Giyeok / Li Dynasty
The western border was quiet. The forests stretched endlessly, the night thick with mist and the scent of pine. Xiao Xing stood close, sharpening his blade, his movements precise, silent.
"You seem troubled," Xiao Xing observed.
Giyeok paused. "…I am thinking." She never elaborated. Thinking for her was dangerous; feelings, riskier.
"About Cheng?" he asked.
"Yes," she admitted softly. "About what awaits us there… what Nae Yi has planned."
He reached out, resting a hand lightly on hers. "…You will not face it alone," he said quietly. "No matter what happens, I'll be there."
She inhaled sharply, her chest tightening. "…Then Heaven help us," she whispered. And for the first time, her perfect composure cracked.
POV: Rebellion / Ministers & Soldiers
Within the palace, the first sparks of rebellion ignited. Ministers met secretly, plotting to challenge Xae Rin's legitimacy and sway the city guard. Words were the first weapons — accusations, slander, and manipulation.
The Prime Minister whispered, "Strike subtly. Question the Crown Prince's alliances. Turn generals against him. Spread fear — and wait for the opportune moment to move."
Soldiers loyal to the conspirators began gathering, silent and disciplined. The city's air was heavy with tension, each step on the palace floors a potential spark to ignite war.
The rebellion was growing, invisible yet unstoppable, like water seeping under walls.
POV: Xiao Xing & Giyeok / Li Dynasty
By nightfall, Xiao Xing and Giyeok were moving stealthily through the outskirts of Haemun, their breaths visible in the cold air. The distant flicker of torches hinted at unrest in the city — the rebellion had begun.
Giyeok's hand brushed against his as they moved. "…Do you feel it?" she asked softly.
"I do," he replied, voice low. "And I will face it. But… you?"
Her eyes met his. "…I will fight for you. But soon… I may be forced to choose between you and the only master who shaped me. I do not know if I can survive that choice."
He stopped, gripping her shoulders gently. "Then we will face it together. Whatever comes, we stand as one."
For a brief moment, the tension eased, and their hands lingered, fingers brushing. The world outside was a storm waiting to erupt, yet in this instant, they found a fragile sanctuary in each other.
POV: Nae Yi / Cheng Dynasty
Back in her tower, Nae Yi watched the city burn with silent fires of unrest. The Prime Minister's subtle manipulations were clever, but the Crown Prince's resolve was stronger than she anticipated.
"Patience," she whispered to herself. "The game has only begun. The boy grows, the brother waits, and the girl… the girl will deliver him to me, or die trying."
She moved to a cabinet, retrieving a small carved figurine of Giyeok — a reminder of her control, of the weapon she had shaped, honed, and would one day release.
Outside, the night was quiet. But Nae Yi's smile promised a storm.
Closing Scene: Foreshadowing
As the first day of open rebellion faded into night, torches flared across the city. The whispers had turned to shouts. Soldiers marched, ministers plotted, and the air itself seemed to hum with tension.
Xiao Xing and Giyeok found themselves atop a hill, looking down at Haemun, torches like fireflies against the darkness.
"We cannot wait," Xiao Xing said softly.
"No," Giyeok replied. "…But the closer we get, the more dangerous it becomes. And I fear… I may not be able to protect you forever."
He took her hand in both of his, holding it tightly. "Then I will protect you," he said, voice firm. "Until the last breath in my body."
And in the distance, Nae Yi's laughter carried on the wind — faint, cruel, and certain. The blade of destiny had been unsheathed.