Arriving at the tall gates of Minister Jang's property, Nara was greeted by one of the maids.
"Minister Jang is waiting for you in his office. Go straight to him," the maid said with a cold stare.
Nara held the silk wrap closer to her chest and walked toward Minister Jang's chambers, where the lamps were still burning.
She announced herself and waited until she heard his voice granting her permission to enter.
Removing the hood from her head, she revealed an exhausted face marked by a sleepless night and the intense focus she had devoted to learning everything from Minah.
"So, tell me. What did you learn? Did you pay attention? Do you know what you must do?" Minister Jang asked anxiously from behind his desk.
"Yes, Sir. I made sure to understand everything. I brought the necessary items with me as well," Nara replied, placing the silk wrap carefully on the desk.
Minister Jang took it and slid it beneath the table.
"You may leave now. Tomorrow we will begin the procedure on Hana," he said, dismissing her with a gesture of his hand.
Nara left his office and barely managed to reach the door of her chamber. As soon as she stepped inside, her strength failed her. She collapsed to the floor, too exhausted to remain standing, her eyes closing almost instantly.
The following day, Minister Jang sent a maid to summon Hana and Nara to his office.
Hana had been enjoying her afternoon tea, while Nara sat nearby embroidering a blouse for herself.
When they entered the study, they found Minister Jang seated at his desk, with Lady Jang beside him.
"Come and sit down, girls," ordered Lady Jang.
Hana looked surprised. It was rare for all of them to gather like this.
Minister Jang placed a long envelope wrapped in silk on the desk.
"I received this from the Palace. It concerns the upcoming selection for a Queen," he said, glancing at the envelope before lifting his eyes to Hana. "You have been invited to participate. The selection begins on August 15. On that day, you will enter the Palace. From now on, we have two weeks to prepare you."
Hana's face lit up instantly. A satisfied smile curved her lips. She had been waiting for this confirmation.
"As we all know, there are several stages to pass before one is officially chosen as Queen. I wish I could influence matters within the Palace, but that is largely beyond my reach. Therefore, everything must be flawless before you step inside. Especially your body," Minister Jang continued, fixing Hana with an intense look.
"Yes, Father," she replied softly, lowering her gaze.
"Your mother and your maid will prepare you. Starting today, we will ensure that you are placed into a Queen's skin, Hana," he declared, striking his palm lightly against the desk for emphasis.
Lady Jang rose and motioned for the two girls to follow her to Hana's room. In her arms, she carried the silk wrap Nara had brought the night before.
Once inside, she sat down and gestured for them to do the same.
"Hana, you are almost perfect to become a future Queen. We must eliminate that 'almost.' That is why your father has found a solution. The birthmark on your body cannot be removed, but it can be concealed. Nara has learned how to do it, and we begin today. There is no time to waste. Nara, do you remember what to do?"
"Yes, my Lady," Nara answered with a nod.
"Remove your blouse and let her begin, Hana," Lady Jang ordered. Then, turning to Nara, she added, "Take what you need and prepare everything."
Hana gently removed her silky pink top and undergarments, remaining half-naked before her mother and her friend. A faint blush rose to her cheeks as she crossed her right arm over her chest.
Nara felt equally embarrassed and lowered her eyes respectfully.
"My Lady, I will begin now," Nara said quietly as she opened the pouch and removed the materials.
There, beneath the curve of Hana's left breast, lay the mark.
Round. Dark. Striped in a peculiar pattern that made it resemble a coin pressed into her pale skin. It was nearly the same size as one.
Nara carefully followed the steps she had learned.
She took a thin layer of bleached pork skin and applied a measured amount of the special adhesive—knowing it required precision, as it could easily become messy. Holding her breath to steady her hands, she placed the delicate piece directly over the mark.
With gentle, precise taps, she ensured it adhered perfectly.
Then she wrapped a long strip of white fabric tightly around Hana's bust to secure the area.
"For now, this is sufficient," Nara said as she wiped her hands. "You must avoid bathing or letting water touch the area. Do not engage in strenuous activity. Stay out of the sun. And you must not sweat. Keep the bandage in place for three days. After that, we will check how well it has bonded."
"Are you certain it will remain in place? It will not fall?" Hana asked nervously while pulling her top back on.
"The adhesive is extremely strong. Only very hot water could weaken it. That is why bathing must be avoided," Nara replied calmly.
"And no one will notice? What if someone sees the edges?" Hana pressed further.
Nara reached into the pouch again and retrieved a small red box.
"This is a Chinese cream. Once we confirm that the skin layer is firmly attached, you may use this to conceal any visible edges. It blends with your natural tone and does not remove easily," she explained, opening the box to show its contents.
At that moment, the door swung open and Lady Jang stepped inside.
"So," she asked, her eyes sharp with anticipation, "is my daughter now wearing a Queen's skin?"