In the royal garden, where crimson camellias and white daffodils bloomed defiantly against the bite of early winter, two chairs faced each other across a round, ivory-colored table. The breath of frost hung lightly in the air, curling like whispered secrets around the flowers' delicate petals.
Jade stepped into the royal quarters, the brisk winter breeze threading through his cloak, bringing with it a quiet flutter of anticipation that stirred beneath his composed exterior.
He sat down on the chair prepared for him, his gaze naturally drifting to the empty royal seat opposite.
'Her Majesty must be running late.'
The thought echoed softly in his mind as he folded his hands neatly in his lap.
It had been late last night, just as he was preparing to retire from his daily duties, when a court lady from the Queen's quarters had arrived, informing him of an unexpected luncheon with Her Majesty. The sudden invitation had stolen his sleep, setting his heart to restless wandering through the long, silent hours of the night.
Memories flickered—of that previous meal with Queen Genie, seated alongside the two royal consort candidates. He remembered how laughter had passed easily between the Queen and Moonsen, light and warm like spring despite the cold tension sitting between them. Even though Jade had been right there, the two had looked as if they were alone in the world.
A faint sense of disappointment crept into his chest—but before it could settle, a bright, familiar voice broke the reverie.
"Jade!"
Startled, he rose to his feet and turned.
Queen Genie approached with quick, spirited steps, her presence full of life against the pale winter backdrop. Behind her, court ladies trailed gracefully, and royal guards followed with silent discipline.
Despite the crispness of the air, the sight of her warmed Jade more thoroughly than any cloak or fire could.
The Queen swept into the royal chair, strands of her dark hair catching the light as she moved.
"Have you been waiting long?" she asked, slightly breathless.
"Not at all, Your Majesty," Jade replied, lowering himself into his seat once more.
A cold gust brushed past, tossing his dark hair gently across his forehead.
Seeing his face again—closer than she expected—Genie felt her heart stir with a curious flutter. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, smiling awkwardly as if to mask the moment.
"Haha… I hurried here, thinking you might be cold waiting for me."
Behind her, the court ladies exchanged amused glances, nodding in cheerful agreement.
Jade's lips curved into a small, genuine smile. Even the biting winds of winter couldn't match the warmth her presence brought him.
The Queen looked at him carefully, her fingers absently brushing a fold of her thick robe as she spoke. "Would you prefer to dine indoors?" she asked gently. "I had them prepare this table here because… the winter flowers blooming in the garden were so beautiful today. But—I worried you might find it too cold."
Jade shook his head, a warm smile softening his features. The faintest wisp of his breath curled in the winter air.
"I'm fine, truly. But… is it not cold for you, Your Majesty?"
Genie smiled, lifting her hand to lightly pat the heavy, blue royal robe draped around her shoulders.
"I'm quite resilient to the cold," she declared with playful confidence.
At that, Jade couldn't help but chuckle, a quiet laugh slipping past his lips. His mind drifted to a memory only the two of them shared—a sharp contrast to this composed royal luncheon.
That time on the deserted island.
The vivid image surfaced: Genie trembling from the cold, drenched from head to toe in seawater, hugging herself for warmth, her proud posture giving way to raw vulnerability.
A teasing glimmer flickered in Jade's dark eyes.
"Strange… I seem to recall Your Majesty wasn't particularly fond of the cold back then."
At his playful remark, Genie's face twisted in mock horror.
"Oh—that time! That was truly dreadful." She huffed, cheeks coloring slightly as if the embarrassment of that memory still lingered. "Soaked to the bone, starving, lost in the middle of nowhere… Ugh. I don't ever want to remember it again."
Her indignant grumbling made Jade laugh quietly, the sound like a low hum beneath the winter breeze. But then, her voice softened, carrying something more fragile.
"Well… I'll take that back." Her gaze lowered shyly, lingering on the frost-lined rim of her tea bowl. "I don't want to forget it after all. Because… it's a memory with you."
Her words struck like an arrow loosed from nowhere—swift, sudden, true. Jade's heart gave a subtle tremor at the sincerity hidden behind her playful tone.
Before the moment could deepen, the quiet formality of a cough interrupted them. The royal chef stepped forward, carrying a large silver tray with both hands, his every movement composed with courtly grace.
"Pardon me, Your Majesty," the chef said with a respectful bow. "This is a plate of nine delicacies, prepared specially for today's meal."
Upon the polished surface of the tray sat eight kinds of colorful wild greens, surrounding an artfully arranged stack of golden wheat pancakes at the center. Slivers of seasoned meat nestled among the vibrant greens, each dish crafted with elegant care.
"Oh—how wonderful it looks!" Genie's eyes sparkled with delight, her earlier embarrassment forgotten.
With steady hands, the chef portioned out small servings of each delicacy into porcelain bowls, placing them carefully in front of both the Queen and Jade.
"May Your Majesties enjoy your meal," he said, bowing again before retreating a respectful distance.
Jade glanced down at the feast spread before them, the sheer abundance making the polished table groan softly under its weight.
"I hope it suits your taste," Genie said lightly, catching his expression.
"I didn't expect such a banquet," Jade murmured, slightly surprised by the extravagant spread.
Genie shrugged, lifting her chopsticks with an elegant flick of her wrist.
"From that unfortunate incident last time… to this recent battle with the Ash Kingdom—you've endured so much," the Queen said softly, her gaze steady on him. "I wanted to repay you properly. Is there anything you desire?"
Jade shook his head once, the movement precise, respectful.
"I merely fulfilled my duty, Your Majesty."
"Even so," she insisted gently, her tone tinged with quiet sincerity. "If there's anything you want—no matter how small—you must tell me."
For a brief moment, his dark eyes flickered, as if searching for something hidden even from himself. But in the end, he only gave another firm shake of his head.
"There's nothing I desire, Your Majesty."
A faint smile curved the Queen's lips—not of satisfaction, but of knowing. She could see the steel of his will, the immovable dignity in his refusal. There would be no changing his mind now.
"Well then…" She exhaled lightly, brushing an errant strand of hair back from her cheek. "If you think of something later, you must promise to tell me."
This time, Jade offered her a warmer smile, softer at the edges, more personal.
"I will."
A silence hung between them—not uncomfortable, but delicate, like the pause before a song resumes.
"Oh, there's one more thing I wanted to say," Genie added casually, picking up her utensils.
"Please, speak as you eat, Your Majesty," Jade replied with practiced ease.
"Oh—right." She laughed softly. "You should start eating, too."
Without further ceremony, she reached out with her chopsticks, carefully selecting a piece of seared meat from the center of the nine delicacies and placing it into her mouth with quiet satisfaction.
Only then did Jade lift his own utensils, watching her movements with the faint amusement of someone who knew her better than protocol allowed.
Chewing quickly, Genie glanced up at him between bites. "I'm thinking of postponing the royal consort appointment for now."
The words were spoken lightly, almost as if she were commenting on the weather, but beneath the tone lay something deliberate.
Jade, for his part, didn't flinch. His posture remained composed, his expression unreadable save for the faintest narrowing of his eyes.
"As you see fit, Your Majesty," he answered calmly.
Genie's brow arched ever so slightly.
"Aren't you going to ask why?"
There was a playful edge to her voice now, the corners of her mouth twitching upward, as if daring him to break his careful composure. Jade, sensing the mischief behind her regal expression, almost smiled.
Almost.
"What is your reasoning, Your Majesty?"
Satisfied, she set her chopsticks down and laced her fingers lightly together.
"With the Ash Kingdom's sudden assault, and unrest still stirring within the capital's court, I don't believe this is the right time to be choosing a royal consort," she said. Her voice, though soft, was resolute. "It hasn't been long since my ascension. Right now, my focus must remain on governing, on stabilizing what's been shaken. I owe that much to the people before I think of myself."
"I agree with Your Majesty's decision," Jade said softly, his voice as steady as ever.