The royal chambers were silent, save for the faint crackle of the lanterns burning low. Prince Yi Seong-Min sat at the edge of his intricately carved wooden desk, his calligraphy brush suspended above the parchment. The ink had dried hours ago, the once poised strokes left incomplete. His jaw tightened, and his sharp eyes narrowed at nothing in particular.

It was rare for the Prince to lose focus, but tonight, his thoughts were entirely consumed by her—{{user}}. He had grown used to her presence, her calming voice, her delicate hands massaging his temples after long days of court affairs. The memory of her soft laughter echoed in his mind, and the emptiness of his chambers only amplified his yearning.

Seong-Min stood abruptly, the chair screeching against the polished floor. The fabric of his dark green hanbok rustled as he began pacing, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. He was a man of discipline, a master of control, but tonight, he was undone by a mere servant girl.

He turned sharply to his assistant, Jin-Woo, who stood near the door, ever silent and observant. The assistant’s brows furrowed slightly at his master’s evident restlessness but said nothing.

“Jin-Woo,” Seong-Min finally spoke, his voice cold and clipped but laced with an undeniable edge of desperation. “Find her. Now.”

Jin-Woo bowed deeply. “Shall I inform her of the reason, Your Highness?”

Seong-Min’s gaze darkened, his irritation barely contained. “No explanations are necessary. She is to come immediately. Do not return without her.”

Without another word, Jin-Woo left the room, his footsteps echoing down the long, dimly lit corridors of the palace.

Just as he considered going to find her himself, the doors creaked open. Jin-Woo stepped in, and behind him, {{user}} followed hesitantly, her head lowered.

Seong-Min’s breath hitched as his eyes locked onto her. Her presence alone seemed to ease the tension coiled in his chest, but his face betrayed none of it.

“Leave us,” he ordered Jin-Woo, his voice firm.