Seo-yun looked around, trembling in her dress as she tried to ascertain the culprit behind the arrow shot inside her room. She tried to grasp the strapped letter which came with the vicious intruder while unfolding it immediately. The content she read jumbled her brain causing her to seek for support.

Maybe, this is it. The solution to her mama's worries and sleepless nights.

She had been a good woman, loyal and true, obedient, devoted, meek yet confident still, what had that got her?

Removing the crown in her head which she believed unbefit her, her focus turned icy towards the towering palace looming in her vision as she understood that her only choice was taking the bull by the horns.

Beckoning on her maids to style a regal look fit for an empress, she wiped the last stray tear cascading down her cheeks.

"Daejong, this is my last tears for you", she twirled the ring on her middle finger as she swapped it to her fourth finger, an eccentric look gracing her lovely face.

This palace has changed her, most especially, Daejong has changed her. Despite her soft exterior, she will use fearlessness to work her way up the highest rank and remain at this top destined for her. After committing this crime, she is sure to leave strong impression in history as the rebellious woman who grabbed the empress seat with her might as would be written by the royal historians.

" Don't blame me for this, Deajong for you took my heart but gave me nothing in return," she smiled but it didn't even reach her eyes.

Her dress was trailed with beautiful daisies but her make-up looked ruthless to prove delicate appearance doesn't equate to a delicate demeanor. If heavens are putting her character to a test, she would prove to them she isn't a pushover.

...

The weather became unpredictable as the cloud darkened slightly. Daejong sat in his bedchamber which had been converted to a meeting room for his military personnel who discussed and prompted him of Yoona's search.

It has been a month yet no sign of her. Searching for someone had become an arduous task he had become weary .

Can't it all end? Can't there be peace for them? Has fate not toiled with them enough?

Still in deliberation with his officials, one of his eunuch breezed in with a troubled expression disrupting the tranquil meeting .

Dark cloud formed on the chief eunuch's face when he saw his subordinate's unbridled display.

"Forgive him your majesty!" he supplicated on his behalf as he kowtowed before the monarch. "He's a new recruit and hasn't learnt his manners yet. Hurry , kowtow before his majesty and ask for his grace, " he admonished as he stared at the eunuch, his gaze pregnant with a glint of ruthlessness.

Daejong huffed and waved them up, amused at his servants.

"What is the commotion about?" he asked the eunuch who staggered in shock at his majesty's voice, but more tensed at what he's about to convey.

"Your majesty, just outside...standing outside..." he trailed off, he dared not continue with this abomination.

Daejong and the chief eunuch gazed towards the entrance of the big square room while the officials stood in defensive stance to ward off any attack. Hell be damned! weapons aren't allowed inside the emperor's room hence the battle might be way too dangerous for them. But at all cost, Daejong must be protected.

...

She was a bit unsettled ever since arriving the emperor's palace with her trail of servants and had been completely tranquil but scared at what might be the outcome. As she stood with a regal determined look, she basked in a sea of gazes around her.

The servants, guards and few officials who looked at her serene flawless look marvelled at her audacity and effrontery.

For her, this was a precious moment. One which would be a stepping stone to her future rise in power and fame, or her path to doom.

"His majesty invites you in, your esteemed highness," she heard the eunuch say as she extracted her consciousness from her thoughts.

She muttered a rushed prayer under her breath which sounded more like incantation charm.

Watching as the door glided open with a tensed look on the servants' face, she waltzed in gracefully.

In a room dominated by men, she was the only female as her servants dared not venture in with her and it seemed she was the only relaxed one.

The room which was very large seemed pretty small as she occupied a standing position close to the officials who looked stunned. She recognised the sweet smell of her favorite flower just before she saw the gorgeous vases of jasmine on one corner of the room. The breakfast table just few meters beside the flowers looked untouched though covered. Seems he's still skipping meals.

She removed her eyes and placed it on the still Daejong who was furious at her appearance. A strong lump formed on her throat which she swallowed with difficulty. It was already too late to turn back time.

A year ago or thereabout, they had met in the most unpredictable situation and unconventional way.She knew he was the one as the encounter imprinted itself in her memories and brought her to the palace, but when she arrived, he wouldn't even give her a warm welcome. Could he not see they were meant to be?

His cold voice cut deep into her skin as he spoke for the first time since her arrival.

"Leave my room this instant! Your crime of impersonating an empress shall be addressed later."

Her heart skidded to a stop and her courage almost left her.

The emperor almost went mad at her dress code. How dare her put on the crown made for only one woman in Shu. The golden crown dazzled him and made him nostalgic. He made the royal jeweleries makers polish and redecorate the crown for his woman, yet another woman dare wear it before her. The crown was supposed to make him happy but bedecked on another not his, made him feel disgusted.

"Royal consort Choi, you disgust me so leave before I throw you out," he spited out .

The old Seo-yun would have collapsed in tears but before him was a new creature, she remained unmoved and unfazed, her long eyebrow creased into a frown and her lips curved in a snort as she dared Daejong in a silent combat.

Daejong who could not breathe the same air with her ordered her immediate ejection.

"I know where to look for her, " she roared with mirth in her eyes as she unhanded herself from the brute men.

"What did you say and who did you mean," he stifled in shock as he waved the men to stand at ease.

She chuckled and drew closer, the hurt in her heart disguised with a smile. He didn't want her close but allowed her to be because of that woman? Life is such an irony.

She sat crossed-leg before him, sipped his tea before him and adjusted her sleeves.

"I said I know where to look for her," she repeated with a calmer voice.

Everyone in the room, Daejong inclusive felt it was a bluff. Daejong didn't want her stir up his hidden emotions and hurt so he went straight to the point even if she meant to toy with him.

"Where?" he asked with every bit of doubt pressing down on him. Why would she help a strong rival but he hoped she really knew.

"Make me Empress and I shall tell you" she replied with an eccentric look.

Daejong sighed in self mock, he almost believed her sincerity not knowing the ambitious woman came to make her desire come true.

"Sit here please," he waved at the corner of the room stunning her who expected some display of emotions from him. Daejong motioned for the men to come close and continued the meeting pretending Seo-yun was a mere decorative furniture in the room. The down part of this furniture is its outstanding crown.

She knew she wasn't taken seriously. Even as she sat through the first five minutes of the meeting to know what they planned on doing, she might as well have been invisible for the men never took notice of her as they discussed matters of utmost importance. But she knew in her heart, she understand more than anyone would guess she was an unwanted woman. As she sat in deep hurt despite her new resolutions to give up on love, she formulated a plan with her intelligence and cleverly stood up to fight for her ambition.

"Your majesty, recognize this?"

Daejong who volleyed glances at her and back to his men fixed his gazes on her; not her but the object of attraction in her hands.

Smirking at him as he stood to strode across the room and towards her, she edged closer to minimize the distance between.

"This... this... where did you get this?" he asked the clever one who had turned cold.

"Do you believe me now?"

...

"My lord! my lord! " a man screamed as he flew into his master's room, fear and tension built on his face.

"My lord, the young miss... no... the royal consort has caused big trouble this time."

Choi sang-min who was writing calligraphy stopped with no last look at his calligraphed work at the mention of his daughter.

"What has she done?" he asked with a calmness that made the servant tremble.

"Rumour has it she wore a phoenix crown to see the emperor!"

"What?" the minister screamed with obvious apprehension in his face. He smacked his fist on the desk as he stood up.The sound of his voice had a tremble uncommon for men of his character and his appeared changed to one of despair. It seemed he aged in that second as his face contorted fiercely.

Wearing a phoenix crown without being crowned can be covered up, but, she wore it to see Daejong? The dark dragon he has come to be wary of? How would he bribe the emperor, the one man that holds the key to his life or death.

"Stupid child," he screamed , "You just tied a noose around my neck and handed it to Daejong to play with!"

He grabbed his official hat and sped off on an already waiting horse to the palace.

Choi Seo-yun will finally be the undoing of him and his family, he mourned.