The moment the king arrived, silence swallowed the hall.
Every voice died. Every movement froze. Plates were abandoned mid-air, servants stiffened where they stood, and even the flames of the torches seemed to flicker more cautiously. Minsoo felt her breath catch in her throat as her eyes landed on him.
It was him.
The man who had spoken so casually.
The man she had doubted.
The man she had never believed.
Her knees weakened.
He wasn't lying…
The king's presence pressed heavily on everyone, an invisible weight that demanded obedience. His gaze swept across the hall slowly, cold and piercing.
"What is happening here?" he asked.
No one answered.
Fear sealed every mouth. The ministers, who moments earlier had spoken so boldly, now stood like statues, their faces drained of color.
The king turned sharply toward the Director of the Ministers.
"You," he said. "Explain."
The director's lips trembled, but no words came out.
Still, silence.
Minsoo felt her chest tighten. She knew if no one spoke, the punishment would be far worse. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward before fear could stop her.
She knelt immediately.
"Your Majesty," she said, her voice steady despite her pounding heart, "we were instructed to prepare a meal for the ministers."
The king's eyes moved to her.
Minsoo swallowed and continued.
"I prepared my dish with confidence. I knew what I made, and I know how it tastes. But the ministers here refused to admit the truth. They lied, insisting the dish was poorly made when it was not."
A low murmur rippled through the hall.
The king raised a hand, silencing everyone.
"Is that so?" he asked quietly.
Minsoo bowed her head.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The king studied her for a long moment, then said, "If you are so certain, then serve me the dish. I wish to taste it myself."
The words struck the ministers like thunder.
Fear gripped them instantly. They knew. They knew how extraordinary the meal had been, and now the truth could no longer be buried.
Servants rushed forward, placing a table and chair before the king. Minsoo rose on trembling legs and carefully served the dish, her hands steady despite the weight of countless eyes watching her.
The king lifted his spoon.
The first bite changed everything.
His expression shifted subtly—his brows tightening, his eyes darkening with intrigue. He took another bite. Then another.
What is this taste? he wondered.
It was rich, layered, overwhelming. It felt as though his senses had been pulled into another world entirely. Without realizing it, he began eating faster, driven by something deeper than hunger.
Within minutes, the plate was empty.
The hall remained silent.
The king set his spoon down slowly and turned his gaze to the ministers. They shrank under it, their bodies trembling.
"Have you come here to lie," he said coldly, "so you may take women with you and treat them however you wish?"
The ministers collapsed to their knees at once.
"Your Majesty, forgive us!"
"We beg you!"
"We meant no harm!"
Their voices shook as they pleaded, heads pressed to the floor. The king stood.
"Leave," he commanded. "Before I decide to punish you further."
They fled immediately, scrambling over one another as they ran.
The hall exhaled in relief.
Everyone was set free.
Everyone—except Minsoo and Miso.
The king turned to the guards.
"Take them."
Confusion and fear flooded Minsoo's chest as she and Miso were seized. They were forced into a cage, their protests swallowed by the clanking of iron. A dark cloth was pulled over their faces.
Moments later, everything went black.
When Minsoo awoke, noise filled her ears. Shouts. Laughter. Insults.
The cage rattled as it moved through the streets. Children threw stones and debris, chanting cruel words. The king had announced he was returning with a witch he encountered during his hunt, and the people believed it.
Minsoo held Miso close as they endured the humiliation.
At the palace gates, the noise faded.
A woman stood waiting.
She was beautiful, graceful, and dressed in fine silk. When the king dismounted from his horse, she ran to him and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
"Miya," someone whispered.
She was the king's concubine.
The only woman permitted to touch him. The only one who could calm him when his nightmares consumed him.
As Miya hugged him, her eyes drifted toward Minsoo.
Jealousy flashed instantly.
She tightened her embrace and asked softly, "Your Majesty… who is she?"
The king smiled faintly.
"A witch I found on my hunting ground."
Minsoo's eyes widened in shock.
When Miya noticed the way the king's gaze lingered on Minsoo, anger darkened her expression. She shot Minsoo a look filled with venom.
The king turned to Minsoo.
"You are a surprise."
Minsoo and Miso exchanged glances, smiling weakly, unaware of the cruelty behind his words.
The king smiled wickedly.
"Take them away."
As the guards dragged them off, Miya's eyes followed Minsoo. Later, inside the palace, she asked, "What surprise do you have planned for her?"
"That is not for you to worry about," the king replied.
Minsoo and Miso were thrown into a prison, their hands chained, heavy wooden restraints locked around their necks. Minsoo managed a faint smile.
"So this is the surprise," she whispered.
That night, whispers woke them.
A man opened the prison door and freed them.
"Follow me," he said. "Do not look back."
They ran through dark corridors until he stopped and told them to wait. Then he disappeared.
Suddenly, the doors burst open.
The king appeared, surrounded by masked men and dancers. He took his seat as a performance began, while Minsoo and Miso stood at the center, terrified and confused.
When the performance ended, one man removed his mask.
It was the same man who had freed them.
"My name is Suho," he said. "It means Guardian."
Realization struck Minsoo like a blade.
He had betrayed them.
The king rose.
"I ordered him to release you," he said. "I wished to see whether you would attempt to escape."
Rage burned in Minsoo's eyes.
Then the king spoke again.
"Execute the girl."
Miso screamed, collapsing in fear.
Minsoo fell to her knees instantly.
"Please, Your Majesty! Spare her! I swear we will never try to escape again!"
Tears streamed down her face as she begged.
At last, the king raised his hand.
"Release her."
Miso ran into Minsoo's arms. They cried together before being dragged back to prison.
In the silence, Minsoo whispered,
"I will protect you. No matter what."
They slept, unaware of what dawn would bring.
At daybreak, Minsoo was summoned by the king.
The guards dragged her into the palace, where the elders and the king awaited. She bowed deeply.
The king stood and said,
"This woman made something that robbed me of control. Today, she will face judgment."
He drew his sword and stepped closer.
Minsoo's heart raced.
"As king of this land," he declared, raising the blade, "I hereby—"
The sword fell.