As memories of her mother flooded her mind like pages from a faded album, Diana couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for the warmth of those summer nights long gone. She remembered the tender embrace of her mother's arms, the soothing lullaby of her voice as she drifted off to sleep.
One particular memory stood out among the rest—a summer night when she was just seven years old. Resting on her mother's knee, she had fallen asleep, only to awaken to a mysterious bracelet adorning her wrist. The 'Bracelet of Life and Fate,' as her mother called it, was woven from five colored threads, each one a symbol of her mother's wishes for her future.
As she lay on the cool floor of her chamber, the weight of exhaustion tugging at her limbs, Diana couldn't help but feel as though she were living in a dream. The events of the previous night—the whispered conversations with Sung, the tender moments shared in the moonlight—felt like fragments of a surreal fantasy, both sweet and heartrending in their intensity.
"Wow... Really, if I put my head on the floor, I could fall asleep in a minute..." Diana murmured to herself, the weariness in her voice tempered by a strange sense of clarity.
Despite the exhaustion weighing heavily upon her, her mind remained remarkably clear as she revisited the conversations she and Sung had shared throughout the night.
"Will you come to the coronation ceremony tomorrow?" Sung's question echoed in her mind, stirring a mixture of anticipation and apprehension within her.
As the anticipation for the coronation ceremony filled the air, Diana's excitement was palpable.
"Of course! How can I miss my mourning clothes?" she replied eagerly to Sung's question, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Sung's request lingered in her mind, his plea for her presence during the ceremony echoing in her thoughts long after their embrace had ended.
"Please watch me, Lady Diana," his words whispered like a gentle breeze, stirring a flutter of anticipation in her chest.
But her moment of reverie was interrupted by the familiar voice of Soyong, her ever-watchful companion and confidante.
"Hello, Lady Diana? Can you do something about the corners of your mouth? I think they'll go up to the sky if you leave them alone," Soyong teased, her playful tone betraying the concern in her eyes.
"W... What are you talking about?!" Diana exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at being caught in her daydream.
But Soyong's playful demeanor quickly shifted as she pressed Diana for answers.
"Aren't you really going to tell me whom you met and where you've been?" Soyong's pout mirrored Diana's own as she awaited an explanation.
As Diana looked at Soyong, a wave of affection washed over her, prompting her to speak from the heart.
"Hey, Soyong. I like you very much," Diana confessed, her voice soft but sincere.
Soyong's reaction was swift, her disbelief evident in the sharpness of her gaze.
"What's wrong with her all of a sudden? Don't try to sneak away like that!" Soyong retorted, her tone a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
But Diana was undeterred, her determination to express her feelings unwavering.
"I'm going to love you in this life, in the next, and in the third—So let's stay together for a long time, okay?" Diana's declaration hung in the air, a testament to the bond they shared.
Soyong's response was laced with humor, her words tinged with affectionate exasperation.
"Oh, this life is overwhelming enough. But even in the next life? Don't even think about it. Think about what you're gonna do with him, not me!" Soyong quipped, her playful demeanor returning as she tossed a ball of thread towards Diana.
As Diana caught the thread, she couldn't help but notice its color—a vibrant shade of red that seemed to pulse with energy.
"Huh? It's... It's red. What's with the red thread all of a sudden?" Diana wondered aloud, her curiosity piqued by Soyong's unexpected gesture.
As Soyong's words lingered in the air, a sense of curiosity tugged at Diana's thoughts.
"When I think of him, I think of this red color," Soyong mused, her voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia.
"Who's... Him? You mean, His Highness?" Diana ventured, her brow furrowing with confusion.
"Oh! I guess you thought so, too?" Soyong's response was cryptic, leaving Diana to ponder the implications of her words.
"...Well, Mina and I would understand each other so well in this stuff. Yeah, I guess... We're destiny of fate," Diana replied, her tone tinged with a wistful longing.
"Huh...? D, What?" Soyong's confusion mirrored Diana's own, prompting a sheepish grin from the latter.
"Never mind! Let's just stay together forever and ever, huh?" Diana declared, her arms outstretched in a playful gesture of camaraderie.
But her moment of levity was interrupted by the sudden appearance of an officer in a sharp uniform, his presence casting a shadow over their exchange.
"Are you Diana from Han family?" the officer inquired, his voice stern but polite.
"Yeah... That's me..." Diana replied, her nerves prickling at the unexpected interruption.
"Officer Baek wants to see you for a while," the officer informed her, his words sending a shiver down her spine.
"Uh... Soyong, I think-" Diana began, turning to her friend for reassurance.
"Yes, go ahead. Take your time. I'll go ahead and get a good seat," Soyong replied, her tone supportive despite the frustration evident in her demeanor.
"Seriously, that girl..." Diana muttered under her breath, a mixture of exasperation and fondness coloring her words as she followed the officer, her mind racing with questions and uncertainties.
In the sprawling expanse of the palace yard, Diana's encounter with Lord Young sent a flurry of thoughts racing through her mind.
"Lady Diana," Lord Young's voice cut through the air, his presence commanding attention even amidst the bustling activity of the palace.
"Lord Young!" Diana greeted him with a polite nod, her gaze lingering on his impressive figure. There was something about him, she thought, a sense of strength and authority that seemed to radiate from every pore.
"Aren't you really busy right now?" Diana inquired, her curiosity piqued by the unexpected encounter.
"Yes... I have to leave right away," Lord Young replied, his tone betraying a sense of urgency.
"Is there something wrong?" Diana pressed, her brow furrowing with concern.
"Rather than there's something wrong... There's something you should know," Lord Young began, his words measured and deliberate.
As he spoke, memories of Sung's warning flashed through Young mind, the urgency of his words echoing in her ears.
"The door to Seoul is open now. Lady Diana said she wanted to finish her work, so note that. And make sure you don't put too much pressure on someone who's leaving soon," Sung's words reverberated in his mind, a stark reminder of the dangers lurking within the palace walls.
"Lord Young...?" Diana's voice trembled slightly, her mind racing to grasp the implications of his words.
"...That's not gonna happen, but. There's an unexpected danger lurking in every big and small incident in the palace," Lord Young explained cryptically, his gaze intense as he met her eyes.
"You mean..." Diana's voice trailed off, her thoughts swirling with the weight of his revelation.
"For example... There could be a treason," Lord Young continued, his words sending a chill down her spine.
"A... Treason? So... Is he talking about rebellion...?" Diana's mind raced with possibilities, her heart pounding with apprehension at the thought of the dangers that lay ahead.
Lord Young's words hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the tranquility of the palace yard.
"As the position of the intended royal grandson was vacated, His Highness suddenly ascended to the throne. As a consequence, His Highness had to provide against every danger since childhood. It looks so peaceful and serene, but... The palace is the place where you don't know when and where you will be hunted and preyed on," Lord Young explained, his tone grave as he spoke of the hidden dangers lurking within the palace walls.
Diana felt a chill run down her spine at his words, the realization sinking in that danger lurked in every shadow, every corner of the palace.
"I see what you mean. I'll keep my head straight, so you don't have to worry. Well, I'm good at running away in an emergency! I was in track and field when I was in elementary school," Diana replied, attempting to lighten the mood with a touch of humor.
Lord Young offered a faint smile at her attempt to ease the tension, his gaze softening ever so slightly.
"Well, I'll see you off first, and I'll—" Lord Young began, but Diana interrupted him before he could finish.
"No, it's fine! Now I can walk around the palace with my eyes closed—" Diana interjected, eager to reassure him that she could handle herself.
But her attempt to change the subject was thwarted by the sudden appearance of Chayeon, her voice cutting through the air like a sharp blade.
"Oh, Diana. You were here," Chayeon exclaimed, her tone falsely cheerful as she approached.
"...Chayeon?" Diana's voice betrayed her confusion as she greeted the unexpected visitor.
"I've been looking for you for a long time! Soyong is waiting for you, let's go," Chayeon insisted, her smile too bright to be genuine.
Diana's suspicions were immediately raised by Chayeon's sudden friendliness, but she knew better than to confront her in front of Lord Young.
"Oh... Let's go. Lord Young, I'll go now," Diana said hastily, eager to extricate herself from the situation.
As she bid Lord Young farewell and turned to leave, Chayeon's voice rang out once more, her words dripping with malice.
"Did you seduce the officer this time?" Chayeon's accusation caught Diana off guard, her brows furrowing in confusion.
"Pardon?" Diana replied, her voice tinged with disbelief.
But Chayeon simply smiled brazenly, her intentions clear as day.
Diana's intuition nagged at her as she followed Chayeon down what was supposed to be a shortcut through the palace grounds.
"...Shouldn't we go that way?" Diana questioned, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"No, this is a shortcut," Chayeon insisted, her tone brimming with confidence.
"I think we're going the other way..." Diana persisted, unable to shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her.
But Chayeon brushed off her concerns with a casual wave of her hand. "Oh, look who's there. They're Lord Kooju and Lord Bohnak, right?" she exclaimed, pointing towards a pair of figures in the distance.
Diana's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Lord Kooju, her apprehension growing with each step closer to the enigmatic figure.
"Lord Kooju...?" Diana murmured, her eyes fixated on the imposing figure in the distance.
And then she saw him—Lord Kooju, with his cool yet piercing gaze that sent shivers down her spine.
"Lord Kooju... No, let's just stay here," Diana insisted, her voice barely above a whisper as she instinctively recoiled from the encounter.
But her unease only deepened when she noticed the presence of another figure beside Lord Kooju—a man whose eyes bore a striking resemblance to those of a poisonous serpent.
"His name was Bonhak Jung... If I remember right," Diana muttered under her breath, her mind racing with thoughts of the dangerous game being played out before her eyes.
"Why is he with Lord Kooju...?" Diana wondered aloud, her voice laced with concern.
As she strained to listen in on their conversation, her senses heightened by the air of tension that surrounded them, Diana was jolted back to reality by the sound of Lord Kooju's voice.
"Misfortune of... His Highness... I might... for that..." Lord Kooju's words sent a chill down Diana's spine, their ominous implications ringing in her ears.
"Huh?" Diana's eyes widened in shock as Lord Kooju's gaze met hers, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Hey, you're a little weird," Chayeon remarked, her tone teasing as she observed Diana's reaction.
"What do you mean?" Diana replied, her voice strained with tension.
"You're totally mesmerized right now. Anyway, what are they two talking about? I think I heard something... Shall I go talk to them?" Chayeon suggested, her eagerness palpable.
"No!" Diana exclaimed, her instincts screaming at her to stay far away from the dangerous game unfolding before her eyes.
Chayeon's persistence grated on Diana's nerves as she stood her ground, refusing to be swayed by her friend's reckless curiosity.
"What? Who are you to say no?" Chayeon retorted, her tone sharp with irritation.
"Don't you know Your Highness is waiting?" Diana countered, her voice firm with resolve.
"Hah, you think his highness will recognize our vacancy? You're making a big deal out of it," Chayeon scoffed dismissively, her disregard for protocol evident in her words.
"Stop talking nonsense and just go," Diana urged, her patience wearing thin.
But Chayeon's suspicions only seemed to grow stronger, her brow furrowing with concern. "Hey, wait a minute. That sounds suspicious... It's like he's..."
"Hey. Didn't you hear what I said? It's late, so let's go. There's nothing to be suspicious about. Viceminister Kooju is not that kind of person," Diana interrupted firmly, her voice tinged with frustration.
"What do you mean he's not?" Chayeon demanded, her gaze probing for answers.
"He's more clean and innocent than anyone else. Don't accuse him without even knowing him," Diana replied, her tone leaving no room for argument.
With a finality in her words, Diana turned her back on Chayeon, determined to put an end to the conversation once and for all. But her relief was short-lived, as the unexpected appearance of Young Lord Taesoo cast a shadow over their exchange.
"I think I shouldn't have taken a step," Young Lord Taesoo remarked, his voice tinged with regret as he excused himself from the scene.
Diana couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the unfolding situation, her mind racing with questions and doubts.
"Why is it turning out this way...?" Diana wondered aloud, her voice barely above a whisper.
And as the ominous presence of the snake-like man loomed in the distance, Diana couldn't shake the feeling that she had been led into a trap by Chayeon's group.
"By any chance... Did they bring me here on purpose...?" she mused, her thoughts swirling with suspicion and apprehension.
As the resonant beat of the big drum reverberated through the palace, signaling the commencement of the grand banquet, Diana found herself swept up in a sea of vibrant colors and bustling activity.
Flamboyant flags adorned the sky, their hues dancing in the gentle breeze, while the paper lanterns illuminated the courtyard with a warm glow. The court musicians, their instruments in hand, began to play, their melodies weaving through the air with grace and elegance.
"His Highness graces us with his presence!" a voice announced, drawing the attention of the gathered crowd.
Amidst the throng of nobles and courtiers, Diana struggled to find her way through the dense crowd, her eyes fixed on Sung Lee, who stood poised to ascend the podium. Despite the conflicting emotions swirling within her, she felt a compelling urge to witness the momentous occasion.
"Still... I want to watch...!" Diana whispered to herself, her gaze fixed on Sung Lee's imposing figure as he prepared to address the assembly.
Adorned in regal attire, with golden dragons embroidered upon his shoulders and a majestic mountain depicted upon his back, Sung Lee exuded an aura of authority and dignity befitting his station. As he approached the ceremonial fire, symbols of virtue and determination adorned his path, culminating in the realization that he was not just a king, but Diana's beloved lord.
Before she could fully absorb the gravity of the moment, Diana was startled by the familiar voice of her friend Soyong, who had been searching for her amidst the bustling crowd.
"Hey, Diana! Where have you been?! I've got a good seat, but I gave way to others while I was looking for you!" Soyong exclaimed, her voice tinged with both excitement and reproach.
As the coronation ceremony concluded, the solemnity of the occasion gave way to the lively festivities of the banquet. Yet, amidst the revelry, Diana couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered within her.
"They have told me that it's going to be simple because we're still in mourning... Is this what they call 'simple'...? Especially this feast, I don't know what's going on..." Diana muttered to herself, her brow furrowing with confusion.
Soyong, ever perceptive, guided Diana to a seat amidst the bustling banquet hall, where a sumptuous array of dishes awaited them.
"Diana, sit here," Soyong instructed, gesturing towards an empty spot at the table.
Diana surveyed the spread before her—sashimi, grilled dishes, pancakes, soup, fries, pastries, rice cake, dasik, and crackers—all meticulously arranged to tantalize the senses.
Unable to resist the allure of the delectable offerings, Diana reached for a piece of tteokgalbi, poised to indulge in its savory flavor. But her appetite was interrupted by the unexpected appearance of a figure adorned in a traditional mask.
"Oh... He's one of the guys who performed the mask dance earlier," Diana observed, her curiosity piqued by the enigmatic figure.
The mask, with its orange face and long, drooping eyes, exuded an aura of mystery, its silent gaze fixed upon Diana with unwavering intensity.
"H-Hello...?" Diana ventured tentatively, her voice barely above a whisper.
In response, the mask offered a strange smile, its lips curling into an enigmatic grin that sent a shiver down Diana's spine.
"He's watching me right now... Right?" Diana thought, her pulse quickening with a mixture of apprehension and intrigue.
As the tension mounted, Diana couldn't help but wonder—was a Fool's Mask always this captivating?
"Do you... Do you have something to say?" Diana inquired, her voice tinged with uncertainty, as she awaited the mask's response.
As the mysterious figure lightly tapped her arm and gestured towards the door, Diana felt a surge of curiosity mingled with apprehension.
"Come with me," the figure mouthed silently, their expression unreadable behind the mask.
Diana hesitated, her mind racing with questions. "You want me to come with you? Why?" she whispered, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Despite the mask obscuring their features, Diana couldn't shake the feeling that there was a hint of sadness in the figure's demeanor. Yet, there was something undeniably captivating about the graceful curve of their lips, drawing her gaze inexorably towards them.
"If I follow him, will he show me his face? ...Just for a moment?" Diana pondered, her curiosity getting the better of her. With a resigned nod, she acquiesced to the figure's silent request.
"Well then, I guess it won't hurt to come with him for a while," Diana conceded, her voice barely above a whisper.
As they made their way through the bustling banquet hall, Diana couldn't shake the sense of caution that gnawed at the edges of her mind.
"I hope you're not trying to do anything stupid. Because if you are, I'll get you in real trouble," Diana warned, her tone laced with a hint of defiance.
To her surprise, the figure offered a bright smile in response, their demeanor shifting from solemn to cheerful in an instant. As Diana rose from her seat to follow, she couldn't help but notice the figure's tall, imposing stature and the faint scent that lingered in the air—a scent that stirred distant memories within her.
As the masked figure led Diana through the labyrinthine corridors of the palace, a sense of anticipation mingled with uncertainty coursed through her veins.
By the time they reached their destination, Diana's mind buzzed with questions, her heart pounding in her chest.
"You still have no idea?" a voice echoed through the dimly lit hallway, pulling Diana from her thoughts.
"Huh?" Diana murmured in confusion, her eyes widening in disbelief as realization dawned.
"This voice..." she trailed off, her breath catching in her throat as she struggled to comprehend the identity of the person before her.
"It can't be. Are you Lord Sung...For real...?" Diana gasped, her voice barely above a whisper, her heart racing with disbelief.
With a flourish, the masked figure removed his disguise, revealing the familiar features of Sung Lee—the very man Diana had come to know and cherish.
"Oh my gosh, he's damn handsome..." Diana's thoughts raced as she beheld Sung's handsome visage, momentarily forgetting the gravity of the situation. But as reality sank in, her mind whirled with confusion.
"That's not the point here!" Diana exclaimed, her voice tinged with urgency. "I mean, how can Lord Sung be here? It's not anyone else, but it's the main guest of today's event himself...!"
Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Diana reached out and pulled Sung into a tight embrace, her heart overflowing with a tumultuous mix of relief and disbelief.
In the tense atmosphere of the palace, Diana's heart pounded with apprehension as Sung nonchalantly stood before her, seemingly oblivious to the gravity of the situation.
"W-What the! How did you get out of your seat? How could you do this when you might get caught?!" Diana's voice trembled with urgency, her eyes darting nervously as she scanned their surroundings.
But Sung remained unfazed, his expression serene as he addressed her with a gentle smile. "Lady Diana," he began, his tone calm and measured.
"W-What is it?!" Diana exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration as she awaited his response.
"Would you look over there?" Sung's voice was barely above a whisper as he gestured towards a distant corner of the room.
Following his gaze, Diana's eyes widened in alarm as she spotted the approaching court workers, their urgent whispers barely audible over the din of the crowd.
"W-What do we do?! They're coming this way!" Diana's panic rose to a fever pitch as she turned to Sung for guidance.
But to her dismay, Sung merely shrugged, his expression betraying no hint of concern. "That's what I'm saying. I don't know what to do," he admitted with a casual shrug of his shoulders.
"You're killing me...!" Diana's frustration bubbled over, her mind racing with the urgency of their predicament.
Desperate for a plan of action, Diana seized Sung's hand and pulled him along as she darted towards the nearest exit, her heart pounding with each frantic step.
"W-Well, then—Let's get away! C-Come this way!" she urged, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and determination.
But Sung's response was unexpected. "Where are you going?" he questioned, his tone laced with confusion as he struggled to keep pace with her hurried footsteps.
Amidst the tension and urgency of their escape, Diana and Sung found a momentary reprieve in the solitude of their hiding spot. Gasping for breath, Diana leaned against a nearby wall, her chest heaving with exertion.
"Gosh, I'm dying..." Diana muttered between breaths, her voice strained with fatigue.
But to her surprise, Sung's response was light-hearted, his laughter ringing out in the dimly lit space. "You are good at catching up to the occasion and good at running. I almost fall for you," he quipped, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Diana's frustration boiled over at his seemingly carefree demeanor. "How can you say that right now?" she snapped, swatting his arm in annoyance.
Sung's laughter only grew louder at her outburst, his expression one of genuine amusement. "What are you going to do now?" he asked, his tone teasing.
Diana's brow furrowed in exasperation. "When are you going back?" she demanded, her voice tinged with urgency.
But Sung's response was cryptic, his gaze fixed on her with a mischievous glint. "Do I... Do I have to go back?" he mused, his words hanging in the air like a tantalizing question.
Diana sighed, frustration evident in her voice. "So you're gonna keep playing the clown like a fool?" she retorted, her tone tinged with exasperation.
But Sung's response was unexpectedly earnest. "Well, I'd like to keep Lady Diana laugh indeed," he confessed, a genuine smile gracing his lips.
Diana rolled her eyes at his playful banter. "Come on... Don't play with words...!" she chided, her patience wearing thin.
Before Sung could respond, a voice interrupted their exchange, causing both of them to freeze in place.
"...Your Highness? How... How did this happen...?" came the hesitant inquiry, shattering the fragile tranquility of their momentary respite.
Diana's heart raced as Hyeon Do, Lord Kooju's escort, appeared before them. She remembered his name, etched in her memory from previous encounters.
Sung's casual demeanor contrasted with the tension in the air as he addressed Hyeon. "What is your name?" he inquired, his tone calm yet commanding.
Caught off guard, Hyeon hesitated before responding. "Pardon...?" he stammered, uncertain.
Sung repeated his question with unwavering confidence. "I just asked what your name is," he reiterated.
After a moment's pause, Hyeon finally replied, "I'm... Hyeon Do... Your Highness," his voice barely above a whisper.
Sung acknowledged him with a nod. "Okay, Hyeon," he said, a playful glint in his eyes.
Turning to face Diana, Sung grinned mischievously. "The man before your eyes is just a clown passing by," he declared, his tone light but authoritative.
Hyeon seemed taken aback by Sung's audacity, but he nodded in acknowledgment. "T-That's..." he began, his words trailing off.
Sung continued, unfazed by the tension in the air. "Yes, that's the king's order," he stated matter-of-factly, his expression unwavering.
Meanwhile, Diana couldn't shake the feeling of unease creeping over her. "How... How could he be so brazen...?" she muttered under her breath, her eyes darting between Sung and Hyeon.
But her attention was quickly diverted when she noticed the blood staining Hyeon's hands. Concern etched across her features, she approached him cautiously. "Wait. Young Lord Hyeon, are you hurt?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine worry.
Hyeon attempted to downplay the injury, insisting, "It's nothing. I just got scratched a little while carrying stuff..."
Diana shook her head in disbelief. "You call this a little...?" she exclaimed, her concern deepening. "Come on, follow me. Royal Tailors is just around the corner," she insisted, gesturing for him to accompany her.
But Hyeon hesitated, reluctant to accept her help. "No, I'm fine," he protested weakly.
Diana refused to take no for an answer. "Don't be stubborn," she insisted, her determination evident in her tone as she gently urged him to follow her.
As Diana tended to Young Lord Hyeon's wounds in the quiet confines of the Royal Tailors, she couldn't shake the feeling of Lord Sung's piercing gaze upon her.
With a soft groan of discomfort, Hyeon winced as Diana disinfected his injuries. "Just hang in there," she reassured him gently. "If you don't disinfect these properly, you'll be in trouble later. Look at these scars... You don't treat your wounds on time even if you get hurt, do you?"
Hyeon kept his head down, seemingly overwhelmed by the attention he was receiving.
Diana couldn't help but find him endearing despite the circumstances. "I think he's quite cute..." she mused to herself. But her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed Lord Sung's intense stare.
"Does... something bother you?" she inquired tentatively.
Lord Sung's response was cryptic yet revealing. "Of course, many things are bothering me," he admitted. "This outfit bothers me, the mask I've been wearing bothers me, and my feelings have kept bothering me since earlier. Among them, my mind bothers me the most."
His words hung heavy in the air, his demeanor uncharacteristically somber.
Before Diana could respond, Hyeon interjected with a plea for the tension to cease. "You know... That's enough," he interjected, his voice filled with discomfort.
Lord Sung acknowledged him with a nod. "Yeah, I'm proud to see you sit there all this time," he remarked casually, as if trying to lighten the mood.
Diana couldn't help but feel frustrated by the situation. "An innocent bystander gets hurt in a fight..." she began, her tone tinged with reproach. "Why do you keep picking on the wrong one? You should take care of a sick person." Her words were directed at Lord Sung, a plea for understanding and compassion in the midst of turmoil.
As Lord Sung abruptly rose from his seat, donning the mask once more, Diana's confusion and concern mounted.
"Huh? What the?!" Diana exclaimed, her voice echoing with bewilderment. "Where are you going?!"
Lord Sung's response was sharp, tinged with frustration. "Wherever I go, do you even care? It's like you're testing my patience..."
Diana watched in dismay as Lord Sung turned to leave Royal Tailors, his figure disappearing into the distance.
"My lord!" Diana called out, her voice filled with urgency. But she knew she couldn't call out to him any louder, not wanting to draw attention from others nearby.
Desperate for answers, she called out after him, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "Are you going to Banquet Place? Or to your place?"
Lord Sung's response was cryptic, his words carrying a weight of accusation. "Why do you care where I go?"
Diana felt a pang of confusion and guilt at his words. "He's blaming... me...?" she wondered to herself, feeling the weight of his accusation heavy on her shoulders.
Summoning her courage, Diana dared to ask the question that lingered in her mind. "Are you jealous?" she inquired tentatively, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lord Sung's laughter was hollow, his response cryptic. "Haha, I'm jealous... You have a knack for making people upset," he remarked, his words carrying a hint of bitterness.
Diana was left standing alone, watching as Lord Sung disappeared into the distance, his expression hidden behind the mask, leaving her to ponder the meaning behind his enigmatic words.
Diana's heart raced as she stood face to face with Sung, her mind swirling with uncertainty and apprehension.