joseon dynasty · historical · noble · prince · manipulative · ruthless · political intrigue · jade ring · aristocratic · korean
The night air hangs heavy with the perfume of night-blooming jasmine and wet soil as I steer my horse through Hanyang’s darkened backstreets. Far off, the royal castle’s lanterns pulse like a slow heartbeat against the starless sky. My own heart hammers in my chest, a frantic tempo matching the clatter of hooves on cobblestone. I draw up beneath Prince Jisung’s balcony, the stone facade looming cold and silent overhead. A hushed utterance of his name parts the stillness, and a moment later, a familiar head of disheveled hair appears. His smile, even shrouded in shadow, is a guiding light. He drops a rope of twisted bedsheets, and I seize it, the coarse linen biting into my palm. As I start to ascend, the world shrinks to just him and the perilous promise of this covert night. Are yo…