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The grand hall was alive with the murmur of nobles and the flickering glow of lanterns. Among the gathered dignitaries, the royal sons of the empire sat with quiet dignity—each one bearing the esteemed surname, Chul.
The first prince, Chul Kwan, held himself with an air of solemn wisdom, his dark eyes watching the court with measured patience. The second prince, Chul Doh, was far less reserved. His mind was not on the festivities, nor on the noble daughters vying for his attention, but on the girl who danced before them.
Song Jae.
His fascination with her was not born of idle admiration. It was a memory—haunting, unshakable. She reminded him of a woman long gone. A concubine, one whose beauty had drawn the envy of the palace, yet whose life had been cruelly ended by Tae Yong.
She had never officially entered his palace, but she had already overshadowed his other concubines, a threat to their fragile positions. Second prince Chul Doh had tolerated Tae Yon presence solely because of her powerful family connections—ties that he might need in the uncertain future. To offend them over a woman was a dangerous game, one he dared not play.
But there had been more to her than mere status.
She had danced with a grace that seemed to defy reality, moving with a mesmerizing fluidity that no other had possessed. Now, as Song Jae glided across the polished floor, he saw that same brilliance reflected in her movements.
She was captivating.
Watching her perform brought an unfamiliar sense of tranquility to his otherwise troubled mind. She had an innate ability to bring him peace, a gift that Tae Yong—his future consort—utterly lacked.
Every interaction with Tae Yong left him with nothing but disdain. She was arrogant, commanding, too accustomed to power. Had it not been for his mother's unyielding counsel—that Tae Yong's family ties were indispensable for securing the throne—he would have long discarded her.
While Chul Doh was lost in his silent musings, the third prince, Chul Haneul, was captivated by something entirely different.
Beauty.
Song Jae was not merely graceful; she was stunning. The way she moved, the way she carried herself—it was the elegance of a woman who knew her worth. He found himself intrigued, watching her more closely, considering possibilities.
Perhaps she was worth more than just admiration.
A consort, perhaps?
Her family's influence could serve him well, should he choose to seek greater ambitions. For now, he would observe. There was no need to act hastily.
As the final note of her performance hung in the air, a thunderous applause erupted from the crowd.
The Empress Dowager's face, which had moments ago been shadowed with displeasure, now shone with delight. The unfortunate incident from the garden—the one that had threatened to taint Song Jae's reputation—seemed all but forgotten in this moment of triumph.
Song Jae never could have imagined that a single dance, performed on impulse to avoid her sisters' teasing and the noble daughters' mockery, would entangle her in the court's web of intrigue.
But fate had other plans.
The Empress Dowager's voice rang through the hall, warm and commanding.
"Come here, my child," she beckoned, her tone filled with rare affection. "Let me take a closer look at you."
Song Jae hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward. She lowered her head, her posture respectful.
"Queen Mother," she said softly, "I hope my dance did not offend you. I merely wished to present something special for your birthday."
The Empress Dowager laughed lightly, her gaze filled with amusement.
"Do not speak such nonsense, my dear. Your dance was exquisite. I loved every moment of it."
At her words, Empress Hyo-Sonn straightened, quickly adding her voice to the praise.
"Yes, absolutely," she said with practiced grace. "Your performance was magnificent. We were all thoroughly enchanted."
Around the hall, murmurs of agreement followed, though not all were genuine.
Even those who had once scoffed at Song Jae's dance, deeming it unrefined, now found themselves forced to nod along. With the Empress Dowager's open favor and the Empress's approval, there was no room for dissent.
And yet, deep in their hearts, they all knew the truth.
Song Jae's dance had been exceptional. No one else could have commanded the stage the way she had.
The Empress Dowager's smile deepened.
"I would be honored if you would consider becoming Princess Chul Yun-Hee's study partner," she declared, her voice carrying through the hall. "You shall join Duke Lee's daughter in this esteemed role."
A hush fell over the room.
Song Jae blinked, momentarily caught off guard, but she did not falter. Instead, she bent her knees into a graceful curtsy, her voice carrying quiet reverence.
"Thank you, Queen Mother. I am deeply grateful for this honor."
She understood the significance of this moment.
The Empress Dowager's favor was not something granted lightly. It was a privilege, but it was also a game. In the palace, everything was. She knew how to play. Sweet words, well-placed compliments, and flawless grace—these were the weapons of survival.
With an innocent smile that masked the wisdom in her eyes, she curtsied once more before retreating to her seat, her posture composed, her movements elegant.
But even as she sat down, tension thickened in the air.
The noble daughters, once so eager to mock her, now seethed with resentment. Their lips were pressed into tight lines, their hands clenched in frustration beneath their embroidered sleeves.
It was infuriating.
Not only had Song Jae won favor, but the Empress Dowager had spoken to her with an uncommon courtesy, even seeking her permission.
A silent war waged between the young misses, their fury masked behind feigned smiles.
Unlike Song Nabi, who returned to her seat with an air of arrogance, or Lee Cha, whose happiness was barely contained, Song Jae remained tranquil.
Prime Minister Song, seated among the dignitaries, bore an expression of measured pride.
"You must be commended, Minister Song," Grand Tutor Kim remarked, his voice thoughtful. "Your daughters have been raised exceptionally well. Both have been chosen as the princess's study partners—a privilege our own daughters can only dream of."
Prime Minister Song Myun inclined his head, his expression humble, though his eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
His daughters were no longer mere noblewomen.
They had stepped into the heart of power he couldn't help but worry.
And in a palace filled with shifting alliances and silent wars, power was the only thing that mattered.
Duke Lee leaned forward, his voice smooth and deliberate.
"Grand Tutor Kim, there is no need to be so modest," he remarked, raising his cup. "After all, your son is the second prince's study partner. It seems our children are simply blessed to have caught the royal family's attention."
Duke Lee, ever eager to assert his standing, gave a small chuckle. "Indeed, we fathers have every reason to be proud."
The three men—Duke Lee, Minister Song, and Grand Tutor Kim—shared a look of satisfaction, their expressions glowing with pride. Around them, the other officials watched in silence, their own thoughts masked behind unreadable gazes.
Later, as the banquet continued, Song Nabi gracefully returned to her seat. Leaning in close, she lowered her voice and whispered to Song Jae, a sly smile playing at her lips.
"Sister, I must say, you truly surprised me with your performance earlier. No wonder you kept it such a secret."
She tilted her head, her smile sharpening at the edges.
"With how mesmerizing you were, one could have mistaken you for a professional performer."
The words were laced with something almost imperceptible—a sweetness too cloying, an admiration that felt more like mockery.
Song Jae's expression remained composed, but her eyes flickered with keen awareness.
"Oh?" she said softly. "So, are you implying that the other young ladies who performed today are also mere entertainers?"
A hush settled between them.
Though many had danced that evening, none had captivated the audience quite like Song Jae. Nabi's words, intended as an underhanded jab, had inadvertently cast a shadow on the other noble ladies as well.
In the aristocratic circles, being likened to a performer was no small insult. It suggested a lack of refinement, an association with those beneath their station.
Song Nabi stiffened, color rising to her cheeks. "Song Jae, don't twist my words! I didn't mean it that way—I was merely complimenting you."
Song Jae's lips curled in a faint smile, her voice cool.
"How would I know that? Everyone here performed today."
A few young noblewomen nearby exchanged glances, their interest piqued by the tension unfolding before them. Some tilted their heads in subtle disapproval, silently awaiting Nabi's next move.
Realizing the precarious position she had put herself in, Song Nabi quickly sought to mend the damage.
"Sister," she said with forced lightness, "I didn't mean to offend you. I only thought that, since you're so skilled, you might teach me. My dancing is laughable, and I had hoped to learn from you—to impress my friends."
The girls around them, sensing that the moment had lost its sharpness, soon lost interest and returned to their idle chatter.
But Song Nabi knew she had erred.
Not only had she given Song Jae the opportunity to turn the conversation against her, but she had also unwittingly alienated herself from the very young ladies she had sought to impress.
As the night drew to a close, the Emperor rose from his seat, his presence commanding as he prepared to depart. His imperial concubines followed in graceful procession, their jeweled robes trailing behind them.
The Empress Dowager, supported by Empress Hyo-Sonn, exited the hall with quiet dignity, her earlier displeasure completely erased by the evening's events.
Around the room, officials began taking their leave, some exchanging hushed farewells while others lingered in quiet conversation.
The second and third princes remained behind, engaged in discussions with key court officials, while the Crown Prince, ever composed, excused himself and retreated to his palace, leaving his younger brothers to their political maneuvering.
As Song Jae prepared to leave, a presence approached her.
Princess Chul Yun-Hee.
She was poised, regal, yet there was a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. Ever since the Empress Dowager had announced that Song Jae would be her study partner, she had been eager to meet the girl who had so effortlessly stolen the court's attention.
Song Jae lowered herself into a respectful bow. "Princess Yun-Hee."
The princess smiled, her voice light. "Hello, Song Jae. It's lovely to meet you."
Their gazes met—two young women, now bound by circumstance, standing at the precipice of a relationship that could shape their futures in ways neither of them yet understood.
The night was over, but the true dance of court politics had only just begun.