The Court Maiden's Prince

The Mountain Pass

The caravan moved steadily along the narrow mountain path.

The air was cooler here, the wind carrying the scent of pine and distant water. Wheels creaked softly against stone, and the horses breathed slow and heavy as they climbed.

Beside the lead palanquin, Crown Prince Seo-Joon rode in silence, his gaze fixed ahead.

“We will reach Nyuong-gum before nightfall,” he said at last.

Princess Yoo-Na looked toward him.

“Is it as beautiful as you once described?”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“More so.”

“It truly is,” Young-Sik chimed in from behind. “I went last year. The blossoms fall like snow—and the food is even better.”

“Prince Young-Sik,” Queen Min-Ah said gently, “you must not interrupt.”

“It is quite all right,” Yoo-Na replied, amused.

Young-Sik beamed. “See? It is permitted.”

The moment softened them—if only briefly.

But the road ahead remained quiet in a way that felt… too still.

“Mother… I am hungry.”

The Queen smiled, reaching to pinch his cheeks lightly.

“Of course you are.”

She turned slightly.

“Bring the biscuits.”

A young court lady approached.

Eun-Ae.

She bowed, carefully offering the basket.

The Queen accepted it and handed one to her son. Then, softly, she began to hum.

The melody was gentle—familiar. It seemed to settle over the caravan like a veil, easing the tension that none of them had spoken aloud.

“That is beautiful,” Eun-Ae said quietly.

“It is a lullaby,” the Queen replied. “Passed from mother to daughter.”

A pause.

“You may learn it, if you wish.”

Eun-Ae nodded eagerly.

The Queen sang again.

This time, Eun-Ae joined her.

For a moment, there was only the song.

The wind slowed.

Even the creaking wheels seemed to quiet.

Then—

something shifted.

A faint sound.

Sharp.

Out of place.

Eun-Ae hesitated.

“…Your Majesty—”

The Queen’s voice faltered.

A breath.

A single, suspended moment—

Then—the arrow struck.

It drove deep into her chest, the force jolting her backward. Crimson spread quickly across the pale silk of her garments.

The song ended.

For a heartbeat, no one moved.

Then everything broke.

“Protect the palanquins!” Seo-Joon shouted.

Soldiers rushed forward, forming a defensive ring. Shields locked. Archers raised their bows with shaking hands.

Princess Yoo-Na stepped forward with her attendants, taking position without hesitation.

Young-Sik clung to his mother’s arm.

“Mother…?”

His voice trembled, small and frightened.

“Mother, this is not real… is it?”

The Queen’s hand lifted weakly.

She touched his cheek.

“Be strong… my child…”

Her gaze shifted—to Eun-Ae.

“I beg you… Take care of him.”

Eun-Ae nodded, tears forming but unshed.

The Queen looked once more at her sons.

Then her hand fell.

And did not rise again.

Seo-Joon dismounted.

For a moment, he did not move.

He simply stood there, looking at her.

Then he knelt.

His jaw tightened. His breath caught—just once.

His hand hovered… then closed into a fist.

He rose.

Mounted again.

Sword drawn.

From the treeline, figures began to emerge.

One.

Then several.

Then dozens.

Weapons in hand.

Advancing.

The ambush had begun.

Seo-Joon raised his blade.

His voice did not waver—

But something deeper had settled beneath it.

“Hold the line.”