the heart's desire

(At the Chanel Mansion – The Sisters' Plans)

Fang swallowed hard, remembering how disastrous the last attempt to spy on Mi-Suk had been. But he couldn't afford to show weakness.

Fang: (smiling) He knows how to do his job, Lady Chuma. Don't worry about anything.

Chuchu watched Fang for a moment, evaluating whether she could trust his words. Then, slowly, a smile formed on her lips.

Chuchu: (lowering her voice) Good. Because we can't afford mistakes now.

Chuma looked at her sister, a calculating glint in her eyes.

Chuma: (intrigued) What are you plotting, Chuchu?

Chuchu picked up a small dagger from the table, running her fingers along the sharp blade.

Chuchu: (smiling) If Mi-Suk came back from the dead, then we need to find out how and why. And if someone is helping her… we need to cut the problem at the root before it grows out of control.

Chuma slowly smiled.

Chuma: (murmuring) Blood calls for blood…

Fang felt a shiver run down his spine.

He knew that when the Chanel sisters plotted something, someone always ended up dead.

And this time, that someone could be Mi-Suk.

(In the Gardens – The Letter's Revelation)

The cool afternoon breeze swept through the imperial gardens. Cherry blossom petals drifted gently through the air, creating a peaceful scene—a cruel contrast to the storm brewing inside Claudete/Mi-Suk.

Bora hurried toward her, clutching a folded piece of parchment. Her face was pale, her eyes filled with worry.

Bora: (breathless) My lady, I found this. It seems to be a letter Ji-Hye sent to an associate about… your "disappearance."

Claudete extended her hand calmly and took the letter. She unfolded the parchment, her eyes scanning the precise, cruel handwriting.

A dense silence settled between them as Claudete read every line. When she finished, an ironic smile played on her lips.

Claudete/Mi-Suk: (lowering the letter) Interesting… Seems like Ji-Hye was more involved than we thought.

Bora frowned.

Bora: (serious) What exactly does the letter say, my lady?

Claudete lifted her gaze, lightly swaying the parchment between her fingers.

Claudete/Mi-Suk: (reading aloud) "Make sure no one discovers the truth about the poison. Her disappearance must seem natural. If complications arise, eliminate any threats before they become a bigger problem."

Bora's eyes widened.

Bora: (trembling) Then… she really planned everything…

Claudete/Mi-Suk: (laughing without humor) And she had the audacity to think I'd stay dead forever. Seems like I've disappointed some people by coming back to haunt them.

Bora swallowed hard.

Bora: (cautious) My lady, this information is dangerous. If Ji-Hye finds out we have this letter, she might try something worse.

Claudete traced her fingertips along the parchment's edge, deep in thought.

Claudete/Mi-Suk: (coldly) It doesn't matter. I'm not backing down now.

She lifted her gaze, her expression filled with determination.

Claudete/Mi-Suk: (firmly) It's time to confront Ji-Hye and Ji-Mi and put an end to all these lies.

Bora hesitated, her heart pounding.

Bora: (whispering) My lady… I know you seek justice. But Ji-Hye and Ji-Mi are dangerous. They have allies and may already be prepared for a confrontation.

Claudete tilted her head slightly, analyzing Bora with an amused glint in her eyes.

Claudete/Mi-Suk: (smirking) Bora, my dear… Have you ever seen me lose a game?

Bora took a deep breath. That look… that expression…

This wasn't the same Mi-Suk she had once served.

This was another woman.

A woman who wasn't here to forgive.

Bora: (determined) Then, how do you wish to proceed, my lady?

Claudete turned to observe the gardens around her. She realized how fragile Mi-Suk must have seemed to these people—a naïve girl, powerless to fight against fate.

But now… Now she was in control.

Claudete/Mi-Suk: (calm but dangerous) First, we make them feel comfortable. When snakes think they're safe, they come out of their holes.

Bora: (nodding) And then?

Claudete smiled, tearing the letter into small pieces and letting the wind carry the damning words away.

Claudete/Mi-Suk: (murmuring) Then? They'll wish I had stayed dead.

Bora felt a shiver run down her spine.

Ji-Hye and Ji-Mi had no idea what was coming.

(Searching for the First Prince – Palace of New Chin – Night)

Third Prince Hyeon, Second Prince Victor, and Claudete/Mi-Suk organized a search for the missing First Prince. The palace corridors were lit by torches as they made their way toward the residential wing.

Third Prince Hyeon: (worried) He could be in danger. We need to find him before it's too late.

Second Prince Victor: (watching carefully) I don't trust this. Feels like a trap set by The Shadow.

Claudete/Mi-Suk: (determined) Regardless, we can't ignore it—even if we have our differences.

As they continued their search, a mysterious shadow appeared at the end of the corridor.

???: You're wasting your time. The First Prince is not here.

Second Prince Victor: (ready for confrontation) Who's there?

The figure stepped into the light—it was a royal messenger, his expression serious.

Royal Messenger: (kneeling) Forgive me, Your Highnesses. I bring a message from the First Prince.

Third Prince Hyeon: (surprised) What does it say?

Royal Messenger: (handing over a scroll) "I have departed on an urgent mission to uncover more about The Shadow. I will not return until I have solved this mystery. Protect the kingdom in my absence."

The princes exchanged glances, absorbing the revelation that the First Prince had acted on his own.

Claudete/Mi-Suk: He went after The Shadow alone?

Third Prince Hyeon: It seems so. He didn't want to put us in danger.

Second Prince Victor: (sarcastic) As if we weren't all already knee-deep in this mess.

Third Prince Hyeon: (determined) We need to find out where he went and help him. Together, we will face The Shadow and any threat that approaches our kingdom.