This daughter is determined today.


    Kyeong''ui had always endured the boundaries he set. He had kept her confined, her ambitions suppressed, but he knew the day would come when she would step onto the battlefield, her life a gamble in the pursuit of her desires. It was a boldness he hadn''t witnessed in Kyeongshin, his heir apparent. Pride warred with apprehension as he considered her unwavering resolve.


    Dahn, despite its outward strength, was still a fragile kingdom, its borders porous, its grip on the northern territories and southern coast tenuous at best. Kyeongshin lacked the strength, the ruthlessness, to secure their hold. Yet, a volatile successor was as dangerous as an incompetent one. Three times since the Founder had the throne been contested, each succession marked by bloodshed and court intrigue. Kyeong''ui was no stranger to this history, but she had yet to grasp the true cost of power, the sacrifices it demanded.


    Can she withstand the coming storm? Will the people, the officials, tolerate further bloodshed? And can I, her father, bear the weight of another potential bloodbath, a war waged within my own family?


    The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken anxieties. Finally, the king spoke.


    "What do you require for this endeavor?"


    Kyeong''ui paused, her mind racing. Her father''s question was a test, a challenge to prove her worth. She couldn''t ask for more than she had initially proposed, nor could she appear uncertain. And most importantly, she wanted to surpass Kyeongshin, to claim a power he had never possessed.


    "Five Cannon Ships*," she declared, her voice clear and steady, "manned by three hundred soldiers, in addition to the oarsmen."


    The king''s eyebrows rose in surprise. "Five Cannon Ships, each capable of carrying a hundred soldiers, in addition to the crew? That''s a fleet, not an escort."


    "I intend to transport a large quantity of weapons," Kyeong''ui explained. "Birahng is vulnerable to pirate raids. We''ll need to establish a fortified position upon landing."


    Kyeong''ui''s request was substantial. The king, however, seemed to think it was insufficient. Kyeongshin, on the other hand, thought it was excessive. Their father, who had seized the throne through bloodshed, had never entrusted any of his children with such military might.


    "Father," Kyeongshin interjected, unable to contain his frustration, "five Cannon Ships are beyond Kyeong''ui''s capabilities. She has no experience commanding such a force. Besides, you sought a discreet investigation, to avoid alarming the court. Where will you find the manpower to fill these vessels?"


    "I have soldiers who are not under the Board of War," the king replied.


    "What?" Kyeongshin said, surprised. "What do you mean? Why would such a force exist? You never mentioned..."


    "If you consider why such a force exists," the king interrupted, "you''ll understand why I kept it secret to you."


    Kyeongshin''s voice rose in protest. "How can you entrust such a force to Kyeong''ui?"


    "My incompetent son has failed me," the king said with a cold gaze. "It is my daughter who will undertake this task. She deserves a proper escort. They are the most elite soldiers in the realm, more than capable of protecting her."


    "Cannon Ships are meant for battle," Kyeongshin argued. "Loaded with soldiers and weaponry, anyone will raise suspicion."


    Kyeong''ui, seeing her opportunity, stepped forward and explained her plan.


    "A pleasure cruise will allow us to maintain a low profile. We can conceal weapons and provisions in chests disguised as cargo, and decorate the warship''s upper decks for festivities. This should be sufficient to deceive the common folk. However, the officials are not easily fooled. Therefore, we''ll fill some chests with valuable treasures from the royal treasury and present them as gifts to local officials along the way. Their gratitude will quell any suspicions and appease the local populace. It''s a strategy that benefits us on multiple fronts. Birahng is renowned for its scenic beauty, making a pleasure cruise a fitting cover. And with a younger princess leading the expedition, rather than the heir apparent, it will further deflect suspicion. Even if the high officials harbor doubts, they won''t dare voice them openly."


    The king''s expression softened, a hint of approval in his eyes. Kyeongshin, however, grew increasingly agitated.


    "But Father."


    "I will grant your request, Kyeong''ui," the king said, ignoring Kyeongshin''s protests. "But for your plan to succeed, the preparations must be carried out discreetly under the cover of darkness, and the departure should take place at dawn. Can you be ready within three days?"Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    "Yes, Father."


    "If, during your investigation, you encounter any remnants of the Wi rebellion," the king warned, "ensure their complete eradication. Should the situation prove beyond your capabilities, send an immediate report. Knowing your limitations is a valuable skill."


    "I understand, Father."


    "This is not a mere pleasure cruise or a military exercise," the king reminded her. "Even if there''s no significant threat in Birahng, you must devise a strategy to quell the unrest caused by that star."


    Kyeong''ui bowed her head in acknowledgment.


    "I will assign you a capable advisor," the king added. "I''m not comfortable sending you alone."


    "But, Father, I have Hongyoo," Kyeong''ui said.


    "He is merely a Royal Attendant," the king stated firmly. "He is your shadow, not your advisor. While I cannot spare a high official, I can assign a trustworthy one among the lower officials."


    Kyeong''ui''s mind raced. Most officials were loyal to Kyeongshin. To them, she was nothing more than the king''s favored daughter, shielded within the palace walls. She dreaded facing their skepticism


    "With your permission, Father," she said, "I would like to take Gahngyun Hyeok with me."


    The king''s brow furrowed. "He is your betrothed. There''s no issue with that, but he''s still a fledgling. Why do you wish to take him?"


    "Though he hasn''t officially entered court," Kyeong''ui explained, "he has accompanied his father on numerous tours of the outer provinces. He may lack experience, but his elder brother is stationed in Sahcheon, near Birahng. Should the need arise, we can easily seek his assistance. Furthermore, traveling with my betrothed will raise less suspicion than bringing an official."


    "That''s a valid point," the king agreed.


    Kyeong''ui smiled brightly, her smile a mixture of triumph and determination. The sight of her eagerness touched the king''s heart.


    "It pains me to burden my youngest with such a task," he said, his voice softening.


    "My only concern is fulfilling your expectations, Father."


    "Begin your preparations at dawn," the king instructed. "If you require assistance, pester the Chief Royal Secretary. It''s late. You are all dismissed."


    The three siblings bowed and went out.


    Kyeong''ui exited the chamber, exhaling a long-held breath. She had entered empty-handed, but now held command of a fleet of five warships. The thrill of this newfound power overshadowed Kyeongshin''s disapproving glances. The three siblings walked in silence, their footsteps echoing. Kyeongshin stopped abruptly, his gaze fixed on Kyeong''ui.


    "What are you plotting?" he asked sharply.


    Kyeong''ui asked with a sweet smile. "And why do you refuse to go, brother?"


    Her seemingly innocent question grated on Kyeongshin''s nerves.


    "The Crown Prince has responsibilities," he said with annoyance.


    "My mission is hardly trivial," Kyeong''ui countered.


    "Reconsider your decision," Kyeongshin said. "Speak with Father again tomorrow."


    "The matter is settled," Kyeong''ui said firmly.


    Kyeongshin''s frustration grew. "This is not some childish game," he warned. "Birahng may be part of Dahn, but it''s nearly enemy territory. If those Wi remnants still linger there, your arrival with a fleet of warships could spark an uprising. And those three hundred soldiers will be no match for a full-scale rebellion. With that star blazing in the sky, who do you think those islanders will support? You, or the remnants of their fallen dynasty?"


    "Do you doubt our father''s ability to control his own kingdom?" Kyeong''ui said with a hint of mockery. "That remnants of a fallen dynasty could operate so openly within our borders?"


    "What?!" Kyeongshin said, sputtering.


    "That star is nothing but a spectacle," Kyeong''ui continued, her voice calm and steady. "If the prophecy were true, it would have appeared when our great-grandfather slaughtered the royal family of Wi, not after their dynasty fell."


    Kyeongshin said angrily. "Mind your tongue! Such disrespect for our founders!"


    Kyeong''ui met Hongyoo''s gaze over Kyeongshin''s shoulder, her eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and apprehension. Hongyoo''s lips were pursed, his head shaking almost imperceptibly. Though tempted to retort, Kyeong''ui held her tongue. Kyeongshin, however, continued his tirade.


    "If you''re so confident," he challenged, "answer this. Why request troops if you believe this is a trivial matter?"


    Kyeong''ui countered with a question of her own. "And why do you oppose my going?"


    Kyeongshin''s lips curled into a sneer. "Because you are his heir, " he spat, his voice dripping with resentment. “Reserved.”


    He stepped closer, his hand gripping her arm tightly. Hongyoo tensed, his hand instinctively moving towards his sword, but he held back. Kyeongshin leaned in, his voice a menacing whisper against her ear.


    "No matter your naive fantasies, once the fighting begins, you''ll lose control. Embrace that chaos, and you are no longer my sister. Nor I, your brother. Do you still intend to go?"


    Kyeong''ui met his gaze and said with a steady voice. "I do."


    Kyeongshin let out a cold laugh. "Then return safely."


    Kyeong''ui offered a tight smile, but said nothing more. Kyeongshin turned and strode away. Kyeongyul, who had been watching the exchange with a worried expression, hurried after his brother, attempting to soothe his ruffled feathers.


    "Don''t worry, brother," he said. "She''ll return unharmed."


    Kyeongshin scoffed. "Returning unharmed would be a disaster."


    Kyeongyul stopped, his brother''s words echoing in his ears. Kyeongshin continued on, his footsteps echoing through the air of night.


    *Cannon Ship : A flat-bottomed warship primarily deployed in the Dahn navy, capable of accommodating around a hundred combat personnel, excluding oarsmen.