Capítulo 13: CHAPTER 12- FB-II
The storm had left the palace shrouded in an eerie stillness. Outside, the rain-soaked gardens glistened under the weak morning light, their beauty marred by the unease that hung in the air. Inside the queen's chamber, the atmosphere was no less tense. The ornate room, usually a haven of serenity, now felt suffocating, weighed down by invisible forces conspiring against the queen and her newborn son.
"Seonghwa," the queen whispered, her voice trembling. She held her son, Prince Min Soo, close to her chest, her gaze fixed on the dark clouds that lingered beyond the window. "Do you think... am I a fool to fear this prophecy?"
Her maid and confidante, Seonghwa, approached with cautious steps, her face a mask of concern. She had served the queen faithfully for years and could read the turmoil etched into her mistress's expression.
"Your Majesty, you are no fool," Seonghwa replied softly, bowing her head. "The weight of such words would trouble even the bravest of hearts."
The queen's lips tightened into a thin line as she glanced down at her child. Min Soo's small, peaceful face seemed so unaware of the storm that had heralded his arrival and the prophecy that now threatened his future.
"A child born in the storm, his fate as dark as the sky," the queen murmured, her voice barely audible. "They speak of him as if he is a curse. But how can such innocence bring ruin?"
Seonghwa hesitated before responding, choosing her words carefully. "Prophecies are as dangerous as the men who wield them, Your Majesty. And there are many who would twist such words to serve their ambitions."
The queen's grip on Min Soo tightened. "My brother-in-law will not let this go. The Duke of Jeongju sees Min Soo as a threat to his aspirations." Her voice wavered, but her eyes burned with resolve. "He will stop at nothing to see him removed."
Seonghwa moved closer, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "And the king? Will he stand by you?"
The queen's expression hardened. She turned away, her silk gown sweeping across the floor. "The king is blind to his brother's schemes. He sees only what he wishes to see."
Seonghwa dared to place a gentle hand on the queen's arm. "Then you must act, Your Majesty. If the king will not protect the prince, you must find a way to do so yourself."
The queen paced the room, her mind racing. She could already hear the whispers in the court, the veiled insults disguised as polite conversation. The Duke of Jeongju's presence loomed over the palace like a dark cloud, his ambitions poisoning the very air she breathed.
"Seonghwa," she said abruptly, her tone sharper now. "Do you remember the look on his face when Min Soo was born? The way he smiled, as if he were already plotting his next move?"
"I do, Your Majesty," Seonghwa replied grimly. "The Duke is a man who thrives on opportunity. He will not wait long to act."
The queen stopped pacing and turned to face her maid. "Then we must act first."
Seonghwa's eyes widened slightly. "What do you mean?"
"I will not sit idle while the Duke schemes against my son," the queen declared, her voice resolute. "If he wishes to play this game, then I shall meet him on the battlefield he knows best: the court."
The queen crossed the room to where Min Soo lay in his cradle. She knelt beside him, her fingers brushing his cheek. "You are my son," she whispered. "You are the future of this kingdom, no matter what they say."
Seonghwa watched silently, her heart aching for her mistress. She knew the queen's determination could move mountains, but the forces arrayed against her were formidable.
"Your Majesty," Seonghwa said cautiously, "the court is not a place for open battles. You must tread carefully. The Duke has allies, and his tongue is as sharp as his ambition."
The queen rose to her feet, her gaze steely. "Then I shall sharpen my own."
Before Seonghwa could respond, there was a knock at the door. A servant entered, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty, the king requests your presence in the council chamber."
The queen's eyes narrowed. "What does he want now?"
The servant hesitated. "He did not say, Your Majesty, but... the Duke of Jeongju is with him."
The queen signed as she heard his name; she then get up and was seen entering the chamber with her head held high, every inch the royal consort; which was two miles away from her chamber. The king sat at the head of the long table, his expression unreadable. Beside him, the Duke of Jeongju lounged in his chair, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
"Ah, sister-in-law," the Duke said smoothly as she entered. "How radiant you look this morning."
The queen ignored him, her focus on the king. "You summoned me, Your Majesty?"
The king gestured for her to sit. "We were discussing the matter of Min Soo's guardianship."
The queen's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her face calm. "Guardianship? What do you mean?"
The Duke leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "Surely you must understand, Your Majesty, that the prince's safety is of utmost importance. With the prophecy hanging over him, precautions must be taken."
"And what precautions would you suggest?" the queen asked coolly, though her fists clenched beneath the table.
The Duke's smile widened. "A regent, perhaps. Someone to oversee his upbringing, to ensure he is properly guided."
"Someone like you?" the queen shot back, her voice icy.
The room fell silent. The king shifted uncomfortably in his chair, but the Duke's smile did not falter.
"Your Majesty," the Duke said, addressing the king, "I only have the kingdom's best interests at heart. Surely you can see the wisdom in my suggestion."
The queen rose to her feet, her voice ringing with authority. "Min Soo is my son, and I will not have him raised by anyone but me. Your so-called wisdom is nothing more than thinly veiled ambition."
The Duke's eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly masked it. "Your emotions are understandable, sister-in-law, but emotions have no place in matters of state."
The queen stepped closer to him, her gaze piercing. "And greed has no place in this palace."
The tension in the room was palpable. The king finally spoke, his tone weary. "Enough. This discussion is over."
The queen turned and left the chamber, her heart pounding. She knew the battle had only just begun.
Later that night, the queen sat alone in her chamber, the weight of the day pressing heavily on her. Min Soo slept peacefully in his cradle, unaware of the storm brewing around him.
Seonghwa entered quietly, her face pale. "Your Majesty," she whispered, "I overheard something... troubling."
The queen's head snapped up. "What is it?"
"The Duke," Seonghwa said, her voice trembling. "He plans to challenge your position. He's already gathering support among the court."
The queen's blood ran cold. "How much time do we have?"
Seonghwa hesitated, then said, "Not long."
The queen rose, her mind racing. She moved to the window and stared out at the darkened palace grounds. The night was silent, but it was the kind of silence that came before a storm.
"I will not let him win," she murmured, her voice fierce.
A sudden noise made her whirl around. The sound had come from the cradle. She rushed over, her heart in her throat, only to find Min Soo still sleeping. But there, on the pillow beside him, was a single black feather.
Her breath caught in her chest. She turned to Seonghwa, who looked equally alarmed.
"What does it mean?" Seonghwa asked, her voice barely audible.
The queen's gaze hardened. "It means he's already started."
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