Although the person spoke but Song Jae still didn't know who it was she just felt the voice was familiar.
Song Jae struggled with all her might, but it was futile. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she was dragged into the shadows, away from the warm glow of the palace halls. Never—never in all her years—had she heard of anyone being kidnapped within the palace walls.
How could this happen to her?
If only she had stayed in the crowded hall, surrounded by the safety of the noble guests. But now, she was utterly alone, her breath ragged as fear curled in her chest like a coiled serpent. Worse still, she had no idea if her captor harbored ill intentions.
A warm hand clamped over her mouth, silencing the scream bubbling in her throat.
"I'm going to remove my hand," a low voice murmured near her ear, its tone laced with warning. "But if you so much as think about screaming, I'll do something... unimaginable."
Song Jae's body stiffened. That voice—it was familiar were had she heard it before.
Her captor loosened his grip, and she spun around, her eyes widening in shock as she took in the face of the man before her.
"Chul Kwan?" she gasped.
The first prince and also the crown prince of the empire.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice sharp with a mixture of fear and anger. "Why did you bring me here? Do you want rumors to spread about us?"
Chul Kwan smirked, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. "Firstly, you should learn proper etiquette. When addressing a member of the royal family, you should at least know how to bow."
He tilted his head, watching her reaction. "Secondly, why would I want rumors to spread when you're already infamous? Your reputation precedes you, Song Jae."
She sucked in a sharp breath.
"And thirdly," he continued, stepping closer, his voice dipping into a conspiratorial whisper, "I brought you here to confirm something."
His breath ghosted against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Instinctively, she jerked back, desperate to put space between them.
Chul Kwan watched her reaction, his smirk deepening. "Did you tell anyone about what happened that day?"
The question sent a fresh wave of panic crashing over her.
"What are you talking about, Your Highness?" she asked cautiously, her hands balling into fists.
His gaze sharpened. "You know exactly what I mean."
Song Jae hesitated before shaking her head. "I swear on my life, I haven't spoken a word about it. If anyone knows, it would have come from your side, not mine."
Chul Kwan let out a soft chuckle, as if entertained by her attempt at defiance. "Relax. I was only confirming."
His expression darkened slightly before he asked, "Tell me, how did you know I was from the royal family?"
Song Jae's breath hitched.
She had made a mistake. A grave mistake.
How had she slipped up so easily?
His identity had been a mystery when they first met. He had just returned to the palace after five years—his features had changed drastically. There was no possible way she should have recognized him. And yet… she had.
'Think, Song Jae. Think.'
She swallowed hard before forcing a nervous smile. "Your Highness, when I first met you two weeks ago, I didn't recognize you. It wasn't until I saw you at the Empress Dowager's banquet just now that I realized who you were."
Chul Kwan's eyes narrowed. She was lying.
If she had truly recognized him just now, she would have been visibly shocked. But instead, she was trying too hard to seem calm.
Interesting.
Still, he chose to let it slide—for now. There would be time to uncover the truth.
His gaze lingered on her, analyzing, dissecting. He wasn't sure why he found himself drawn to this fragile-looking girl. Normally, he had no patience for weak women. And yet, something about her intrigued him.
Song Jae exhaled shakily, relieved when he finally took a step back.
But her mind was racing.
Had he believed her? She had never been good at lying—even in her past life. Whenever she tried, her voice wavered, her hands trembled. Just like now.
And if Chul Kwan was anything like the man described in the novel… he was not someone easily fooled.
"Well," she said, trying to mask her unease, "is that all, Your Highness?"
"For now," Chul Kwan replied, a smirk playing at his lips. "But I'll be watching you. So behave yourself."
Song Jae lowered her gaze. "Yes, Your Highness."
With a curt bow, she turned to leave, her heart pounding.
As she disappeared down the dimly lit corridor, her thoughts drifted to her two little twin sisters—Song Seo and Song Kyong. She had been away from them for too long.
She couldn't afford to let this strange encounter with Chul Kwan distract her.
Song Jae thought while walking she had to find a way to avoid him.
The villain. The man fated to kill her in the original novel.
Chul Kwan was dangerous, and if she wanted to survive, she needed to keep her distance.
But there was something even more important at stake—her sisters. If anything happened to Song Seo and Song Kyong, all her efforts to regain her father's trust would be meaningless. She had promised to watch over them. She couldn't fail now.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the grand banquet hall. The air was thick with the scent of wine and delicacies, the low hum of conversation blending with the soft melodies played by the court musicians.
Yet, as she moved through the crowd, her thoughts drifted back to him.
Chul Kwan.
From what she remembered, he had always avoided the company of women. He barely acknowledged their existence. And yet, for some reason, he kept seeking her out.
Why? Song Jae couldn't understand it.
In the original novel, he had fallen in love with the female lead. But even then, he had never so much as held her hand. His aversion to physical contact was well-known—so why did he keep invading her space?
Although He had touched her just a few times, but the proximity was enough to unnerve her. It was as if he were testing her boundaries, waiting for a reaction.
She hated it.
Brushing aside her unease, she made her way to her seat, only to be met with the piercing gazes of her twin sisters.
"Where have you been, sister?" Song Nabi asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
"You've been gone for far too long," Song Nari added. "The performers have already finished their dance."
Song Jae forced a smile. "I went out for some fresh air."
Song Nabi scoffed, her lips curling into a mocking smirk. "Fresh air? Really?" She leaned closer, her tone dripping with fake concern. "Don't be offended, okay? But we all know the second princess consort has a terrible temper. I warned you before, but you didn't listen."
Song Jae clenched her fists under the table, resisting the urge to wipe that smug look off Nabi's face.
How was she supposed to know they'd have to perform for the Empress Dowager?
In her past life, she had played the piano, violin, and flute with ease. But if she had chosen the flute earlier, Song Nabi and Song Nari would have realized something was off.
After all, the old Song Jae had been known for her laziness, lacking any notable skills or discipline.
To maintain the illusion, she had chosen painting—an art she had mastered in her previous life. It was the perfect excuse, an easy way to explain away her newfound talent.
But there was one problem. Her art was dark. A reflection of pain, loss, and death.
It was a side of her she couldn't afford to reveal.
"Well," Song Jae said, her voice deceptively calm. "Be careful not to badmouth the second princess consort." She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "If she hears you, you'll be in big trouble."
At her warning, Song Nabi's expression faltered. She quickly glanced around, her sharp eyes scanning for eavesdroppers.
Only when she was sure no one had heard her did she fall silent.
No one wanted to risk offending the future member of the royal family—especially not the notoriously difficult second princess consort. A single misstep could mean punishment from the Empress or, worse, the Empress Dowager.
Just then, the doors to the banquet hall opened once more.
Chul Kwan strode inside. Song Jae felt her body tense as he made his way to his seat.
Their brief encounter still lingered in her mind, unanswered questions swirling like a storm.
Why did he keep approaching her?
And more importantly…
What did he want from her?