The royal children entered one by one, bowing before their father. The king addressed Kyeongshin first, his eldest son, who had recently become a father himself.


    "Are you learning the ways of fatherhood?" he asked.


    Kyeongshin, still unaccustomed to the title, said with a sheepish smile. "Being a son is challenging enough. Being a father seems even more daunting."


    "I hear your son is thriving," the king continued. "And your wife? Is she recovering well?"


    Even a father was still a son in his father''s presence, and a hint of concern lingered in the king’s eyes.


    "She remains bedridden," Kyeongshin replied, "but I’m looking after her."


    "She has no one else to rely on within the palace walls," the king reminded him. "Make sure she has everything she needs."


    "Yes, Father."


    The king''s gaze shifted to Kyeongyul and Kyeong''ui. Kyeongyul, recently married, was also expecting his first child. Even Kyeong''ui, the youngest, had come of age this year. The king felt a surge of pride as he looked upon his grown children. His gaze lingered on Kyeong''ui, his favorite. It was no secret within the palace that the king held a special affection for his third daughter. The court men often remarked on their striking resemblance, and the king couldn''t help but marvel at his daughter''s beauty, a reflection of his own features, yet uniquely her own.


    But there was no time for such sentimental thought. The king''s expression hardened, his voice grave as he addressed his children.


    "You''ve all seen the star, heard the unrest. You know why I''ve summoned you."


    "Is it because of the star, Father?" Kyeongshin asked cautiously.


    "Indeed," the king confirmed. Despite the late hour, his eyes were sharp, alert, the weariness of the day forgotten.


    Kyeongshin, however, seemed oblivious to his father''s concerns. "While this star does resemble the descriptions in the wicked scripture," he said skeptically, "is it truly a matter of such urgency that you summon us at this late hour? Celestial phenomena are not uncommon. It was blind faith in prophecy that led to Wi''s downfall."


    The king''s gaze hardened. Kyeongshin, realizing his misstep, quickly lowered his head.


    "The wicked scripture may be filled with absurdities," the king stated with suppressed anger, "but we cannot ignore the unrest it stirs among the people. We must investigate, quell any potential uprising. A third of our population once lived under Wi rule. Do you think they have forgotten their old beliefs?"


    "No, Father."


    "When my grandfather purged the Wi royal family, one prince disappeared. We have no information regarding his fate. If those remnants, fueled by this celestial event and these foolish rumors, incite a rebellion, do you have the competence to put it down?"


    "My thoughts were wrong, Father."


    Kyeongshin''s submission did little to appease the king''s anger. "Why do you think Wi, a kingdom full of internal conflict, managed to endure for a thousand years?"


    "Because they held people’s faith," Kyeongshin replied.


    "Never underestimate the power of faith," the king warned.


    Kyeongshin bowed his head in acknowledgment.


    "This incident demands a response," the king continued. "The court will address the unrest. But this star itself cannot be discussed openly. I trust you understand why."


    Silence filled the room. Kyeongshin, chastised by his father''s earlier rebuke, remained silent. Kyeongyul, always reticent, offered no opinion. Kyeong''ui, sensing the tension, carefully ventured, "Are you concerned about those among the officials who still cling to the Azure Scripture?"


    The king smiled faintly. "That is half the reason," he replied, his gaze sweeping over his daughter. "What is the other?"


    "If the court reacts too hastily," Kyeong''ui said carefully, "the people will only see greater significance in this celestial event."


    The king''s smile widened, a hint of pride in his eyes. Kyeongshin bristled at his father''s approval, his gaze fixed on Kyeong''ui with open resentment. Her answer was nothing extraordinary, yet their father''s blatant favoritism, though a familiar sight, still stung. The king, ignoring his eldest son''s displeasure, continued.


    "The astronomers believe the star points towards Birahng. I need one of you to investigate and quell the unrest."


    His gaze settled on Kyeongshin, but he hesitated. "I cannot be seen venturing to Birahng to investigate the superstitions of a fallen kingdom, Father."If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The king''s eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "I am the king. The one ordering this investigation."


    "That''s not what I meant..." Kyeongshin said, stammering.


    "It is precisely what you meant," the king said. "Even if you volunteered, I wouldn''t entrust you with this task. This is not a matter to be mishandled by someone who lacks the necessary weight."


    "Father..."


    "Enough," the king said sharply, silencing his son''s protests.


    A heavy silence settled over the room. Kyeongshin, stung by the rebuke in front of his siblings, seethed silently. Kyeongyul, ever cautious, offered a tentative suggestion.


    "Father, perhaps it would be wiser to send a trusted official, someone well-versed in the Azure Scripture. While we are eager to serve, our understanding of such matters is... limited."


    The king''s frown deepened. Both his sons had disappointed him, Kyeongshin with his arrogance, Kyeongyul with his timidity.


    Kyeong''ui''s eyes darted between her father and brothers, her heart pounding with a mixture of apprehension and excitement. She had always been favored by her father, but opportunities to prove herself were rare. Kyeongshin, as the heir apparent, had always monopolized the king''s attention, a constant reminder of her limitations as the younger sibling. This was her chance, a chance she couldn''t afford to miss.


    "Father," she spoke, her voice clear and steady, breaking the tense silence.


    The king looked at her.


    "I will go," she said, meeting his gaze. "I will investigate this matter and quell the unrest in our kingdom."


    Kyeong''ui''s voice was calm, her gaze steady. The king, as if anticipating her offer, seemed unsurprised by her eagerness. It was Kyeongshin who reacted with alarm.


    "This is not your place to interfere," he interjected sharply. He turned to his father. "Father, send the Chief Royal Secretary instead. He is the most trustworthy."


    "Did you not hear my command?" the king said, "No high official will leave the capital for this task."


    Kyeongshin pressed on. "If this matter is truly so urgent, then sending Kyeong''ui is unwise. She knows nothing of governance."


    "This is not a matter of governance, but of protecting our kingdom," the king said with anger. "The very duty you shirked. Do you regret your earlier defiance?"


    "Father!"


    "Enough." The king''s voice silenced his eldest son''s protests. He turned his attention back to Kyeong''ui, who had lowered her head respectfully during the exchange.


    "Before I decide," the king began. "I have a question for you."


    Kyeong''ui lifted her head, her dark eyes sparkling in the candlelight.


    "You have never left Sunyahng," the king continued. "You have no experience in matters of state. Convince me why I should entrust you with this task."


    Kyeong''ui replied calmly, suppressing her nervousness, "Forgive my boldness, Father, but I have read the Azure Scripture, multiple times."


    The king chuckled. "Did you think I was unaware?"


    "What?" Kyeong''ui''s eyes widened in surprise.


    "I was meaning to summon you to inquire about your secret visits to the Court Library, retrieving the Azure Scripture from its hidden depths."


    A hint of amusement flickered in the king''s eyes, but his voice remained cold. Kyeong''ui, flustered, straightened her posture and shook her head.


    "I didn''t only read the Azure Scripture in the Court Library," she explained.


    The king remained silent. Kyeong''ui searched for a more convincing excuse, a way to deflect her father''s suspicion.


    "I sought to understand the people''s faith," she offered.


    "Understanding the people is the Crown Prince''s duty, not yours," the king said, his voice firm yet gentle.


    Kyeong''ui flinched, but she didn’t back down. "As a royal, I believe it is my duty to contribute to the preservation of our Throne and Intellect*, even in a small way."


    "And how do you intend to contribute to the well-being of Dahn?" the king said with a skeptical tone


    "By utilizing my knowledge of the Azure Scripture," Kyeong''ui replied, "I can be of service in this time of need."


    The king''s lips curled into a subtle smile. Kyeong''ui''s answer, though clever, was clearly an evasion. He continued.


    "I doubt your motives were so noble," he remarked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.


    Kyeong''ui felt uncomfortable under his gaze. She couldn''t bear to appear any smaller in her father''s eyes. With a resigned sigh, she confessed the truth.


    "I read it because it was... interesting," she admitted sheepishly. "Not that I believe in it, of course."


    The king''s smile vanished. "That is most certainly not acceptable. Though I suppose those tales are more entertaining than the endless texts on philosophy and governance." He paused, his gaze hardening. "But your knowledge of the Azure Scripture doesn''t guarantee your success in this matter."


    Kyeong''ui weighed her options carefully. Her father''s words were a trap, a test of her loyalty and ambition.


    If you seize your chance tonight, you must not falter.


    Hongyu''s advice echoed in her mind, a chilling premonition. How had he known? It didn''t matter. She wouldn''t let this chance slip away, even if it meant walking into a carefully laid trap.


    "I lack the necessary knowledge and experience," she admitted, her voice steady.


    "Are you uncertain of your abilities?" the king asked sharply.


    "The knowledge of the stars, the understanding of the Azure Scripture... it perished with the Wi," Kyeong''ui explained. "But fear remains. Each person will interpret this celestial event through the eyes of their own anxieties. Those who share your fears, Father, can act on your behalf."


    "My fears?" the king echoed, intrigued.


    "The fears of a true ruler," Kyeong''ui clarified.


    "And why would you share those fears?" the king asked suspiciously.


    Kyeong''ui met his gaze without hesitation. ""Because I am your heir. Reserved," she declared.


    The king felt a sudden shift within him.


    *Throne and Intellect : This phrase encapsulates both the royal authority and the prevailing ideology of the Dahn Kingdom, effectively serving as a metonym for the nation itself.