Hooking the Big One (8)

The moment I stepped into the reception room, a heavy silence fell over the place. The air felt thick enough to cut with a knife. Even the faint scent of incense that usually lingered here seemed to have vanished, replaced by a tension so sharp it pricked at my skin.

I scanned the room with a calm expression. The one ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠who had summoned ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me was already seated at the head of the table. Her posture was impeccable, back straight as a ruler, but the way her fingers gripped the armrest told a different story. She was nervous. No—more than that. She was on edge.

Good. That means my preparations are working.

Beside her stood a woman in armor, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Her eyes were sharp, scanning me like a hawk watching its prey. This must be the famous female warrior who had been guarding her lately. Her reputation preceded her—ruthless in battle, loyal to a fault. But loyalty could be a double-edged sword. Especially when the one you served was starting to crack.

"You've arrived, Jin Hwan." The woman's voice was steady, but I caught the slight tremor beneath it. She gestured for me to sit. "There are matters we must discuss."

I offered a polite bow before taking my seat. My movements were deliberate, unhurried. Never show weakness. Never rush. In this world of scheming beauties and treacherous courts, every gesture was a weapon.

"I am at your service, my lady. What troubles you?"

She didn't answer right away. Instead, she studied me, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly. Those ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠eyes—once filled with nothing but cold calculation—now held a flicker of something else. Uncertainty? Fear? Or perhaps the first stirrings of something far more useful to me.

The warrior beside her shifted her weight, clearly uncomfortable with the silence. I could practically hear her thoughts: Why is this man here? What game is he playing?

Finally, the woman at the head of the table spoke again. "There have been... rumors. Whispers in the court about my decisions. About the recent appointments. And about you."

I allowed myself a small, knowing smile. "Rumors are like weeds, my lady. They grow wherever there's fertile ground. The question is whether we pull them out by the roots or let them serve our purpose."

Her fingers tightened on the armrest again. "Do not speak in riddles. Tell me plainly—what do you know of the faction opposing my will?"

Ah, there it was. The real reason she'd called me here. The cracks in her power were widening, and she needed someone to blame. Or better yet, someone to eliminate her enemies for her.

I leaned forward slightly, lowering my voice to that perfect blend of confidence and intimacy. "I know that certain officials have been meeting in secret. I know they resent how you've favored certain... newcomers. And I know their leader is growing bolder by the day."

The warrior's hand clenched around her sword hilt. "Names. Give us names."

I met her gaze evenly. "In due time. But first, I must ask—how far are you willing to go to secure your position? Because the solution I offer... it won't be gentle."

The woman at the head of the table was silent for a long moment. Then, slowly, she nodded. "Do what must be done. But understand this, Jin Hwan. If you fail me, there will be no place for you in this kingdom."

I smiled inwardly. Fail? Oh, my dear. I never fail. I simply adjust the rules until victory is assured.

"As you command." I rose from my seat with another bow. "I will handle this matter personally. By the time I'm finished, those weeds will be nothing but ash."

As I turned to leave, I felt her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠eyes on my back. Watching. Assessing. Perhaps even desiring, though she would never admit it. The game was progressing exactly as planned. The beautiful warlord who thought she controlled everything was slowly falling into my web.

And soon, I would reel her in like the prize catch she was.

I stepped out of the reception room and into the moonlit corridor. The night air was cool against my skin, carrying the distant sound of training soldiers. Everything was falling into place. The beautiful women who ruled this fractured land had no idea what was coming.

But I did. And I couldn't wait to watch them break.