Author note-
I am writing this story from
Dani FMC POV .

So at point you may feel she is missing alot of things but trust me.In the later part  will unfold beautifully

Dani POV -

We were on our way to DONGNAE.
I was not wearing my Royal Hanbok inshort, i wasn't dressed like A Crown Princess.
But more comfortable what Soldier wears. My uncle wanted to hide the Truth that, i was once a soldier fought for this country. His conclusion is if the Crown Prince found out about it, then he can manipulate, the Whole Court Members against me.

Honestly even after all the dirty play, he is afraid of Crown Prince. It's amusing that only One person is a threat to the
Whole Haewon Cho Clan.

Eunji  came  along with me, she thinks maybe i will change my mind and Switch my side to the Crown Prince. So she brought me, my Dresses and other beauty accessories.
Some of the Royal palace from the Crown Prince-  six soldiers comeing with us, for the protection.

Beom-il- Stop!! From here now on you will go to DONGNAE magistrate office, beom pal is there. He is recently appointed there. You wait with him and i will be escorting Crown prince to Royal Palace. And yes i will.... put your name to Father then you go your way and will go my way.
He told me as come near to my horse.

I was debating within myself whether to slay his head or Follow his command.
But what can i do, it's not like, i can go against Cho Hak JK Uncle.

I nodded - Okay but make sure you will tell him that, i also accompanied you in this one.
I said as i tightened my hold my horse and patted Eunji hands on my waist.
She refused to sit with anyone else of the soldier but one soldier was continuously giving her side glances.

He is good person, since the time i came here  the Royal palace. I saw him everytime giving me respectable bow.
His name is Won young.

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I reached DONGNAE, there was a party held in the celebration of Beom Pal appointed as Magistrate.

The scene i saw infront of me made me scoffed - Same man in power hungry world.
They waste food while some people crave even one single grain of rice.

One man stumbled and kick off the food on the floor.

One man -You must have drunk too much.

Other one- Let me bow before the magistrate on this glorious day.

My horse neighed high, sensing the tension in the air, and I struggled to maintain control as I scanned the horizon for any immediate threat. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, the kind that precedes a storm or a battle. Just as I tried to calm the restless beast beneath me, a man appeared, running toward them, his breath ragged and his face flushed with urgency.

“Something terrible happened!” he gasped, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying the weight of impending doom.

The urgency in his tone sent a ripple through the gathered crowd, and without hesitation, everyone began to follow him.

I urged my horse onward, keeping pace with the others, though my mind was racing with questions. What had transpired? Who was in peril? Yet, in the chaos of the moment, there was no time for answers, only action.

As we moved, I glanced back at Eunji, my trusted ally, who remained vigilant at the edge of the clearing.

Danj- Stay here,There could be danger lurking nearby, and we need eyes on the perimeter.
I instructed firmly, my voice carrying the authority of command.

Eunji nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Her presence was a comforting assurance; she was as skilled as she was loyal, and I trusted her implicitly to safeguard our rear. She also hidden her identity just like me.

With only one soldier at my side, I pressed forward, the adrenaline sharpening my senses. Whatever awaited us, I knew we had to be prepared to face it, together, with courage and resolve. The path ahead was uncertain, but we were bound by duty and determination, ready to confront whatever lay ahead.

The scene in fornt was not less than nightmare for them but for me, i have seen way worse things in the battlefield.

Beom pal - What is all this? Are these all are corpse?
He asked the soldier patrolling there.

He nodded - They were found in Jiyulheon on Geumjeong mountain.

Beom pal was visibly shaking-  Not on my first day in office.. what about the culprit? Do we know who did this?

- There is a suspect, a man name Yeong-sin he was, who was being treated at the clinic. Has been gathering bamboo poles  all around the DONGNAE. There were Bamboo spears on top of the walls.

They were discussing something but i decided to roam around and find out what really happened here.

I saw a man sitting on one of the Wodden platform( I don't know what they are called but if you know, please let me know).

I signaled the won young to be alert while i go check him.
I hide my face with a thin cloth.

Someone was inspecting his face and he hide it by looking away.
Then i saw Crown Prince Bodyguard, what is he doing here, so that means he is somewhere here?

But Beom- ill went searching for him.
Whatever i don't care, even after reading my letter, he is not showing any mercy on me so why should i huh?

I went closer to them, then i thought maybe i should stay away from this matter.

But then i heard-  I agree, Your Royal Highness.

So.. that Man is Crown Prince Lee Chang.

Huh ohhh my luck..

Dani- You go back to Eunji and tell her  to rest here for the night, i will be back soon.

Won young- But Her Royal Highness, how can i leave you alone here?
He questioned me.

Dani-Okay no need to worry about that, if beom pal saw them, he will understand. Just follow me.
I told him as i followed Crown Prince and his Bodyguard.

They went inside a village. I think they are Investigating something, maybe the Medical Journal stolen from King's palace, The Crown Prince is behind it.

He stopped a man.

Mu yeong- Are you kim, the medical herb supplier?
He asked him.

He nodded. Muyeong went towards him-

Mu yeong- I hear...You supplied medicinal herbs to Julhyeon?

Kim- I know nothing  about what happened.

Mu yeong-  No we are here about something else. We are looking for Physician Lee Seung-hui for something important. Do you know where he is ?

Physician Lee??
Who is he?
I thought.

Lee- All i did was supply herbs. I don't know  anything. My apologies,  but i am busy.
He said as he was going inside a house.

Crown Prince- He is not done talking. Do the low -class not learn manners?
He said  in his authoritative tone.

A Brat Totally Spoiled brat he is.
I murmured under my breath.

He stopped on his track and turned towards him- My elderly father has not eaten all day because of all the fuss .
I shall at least bring him some water
If you wish to flog me go ahead. I am going to draw water.
He responded to him.

Mu yeong went inside the house, i crouched down and change my path to listen him carefully from inside the house.

Mu yeong took out some money from his bag and gave him. Maybe he wasn't opening his mouth that's why.

Lee - Yesterday  Seo-bi a Physician at Jiyulheon came to see me.

Mu yeong- There is survivor  from Jiyulheon. Where is she now?

Lee - I don't know , but she probably went to frozen valley. She came to me
and asked about resurrection plant that grows there. People say it can bring the dead back to life. She doesn't seem normal.
He told him.

Wait... no is he talking about those people about whom, i heard of secretly from Master Ahn Hyun's room.
There were some weird kind of full or disease spread in Yeong Sin village.
Some say they went crazy or some say someone did black magic or etc etc.
Lots of rumors about them spread but the only way to save ourselves from them is to Slice their head...

Ohh noo.. those corpse are those monsters is he talking about them, Eunji and Beom Pal is there. I have to go back and save them.

I didn't care to hear their conversation more and quickly turned around and order won young to follow me back to DONGNAE magistrate office.

Magistrate Office, DONGNAE

The Sun is almost set. Looks like Night is approaching and so is the Danger.

I quickly ran towards the same place, where Beom Pal party was held and i left Eunji with other soldiers.

Glad she was there, eating something with others.

Won Young  helped me going down from Horse. Then i ran straight towards them.

Dani- Eunji, where is Beom pal?
I was heavily panting.

Eunji quickly patted my back and gave me water to drink.

Eunji- Crown Princess what happened, please take a deep breath.
Master Beom Pal is at magistrate office.

Dani- I have to... stop them, they are Danger.
I said as i was about to leave.

Eunji- But who will listen to you in this state. Will Master Beom Pal recognize you?
She asked me.

Won young bowed towards me- If you want your Voice to be heard, we have your ROYAL PLATE OF CROWN PRINCESS. PLEASE YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS USE IT.

I nodded towards him and told Eunji to stay here, i will be back.

When i reached the Place, people in huge amount gathered here, almost blocking  the entry gate.

Tow person was kneeled down here, like they were arrested by them.
I have to think straight before the Sunset.

Beom pal- Imprison those lunatics right this instant.
He ordered his guards.

That women- My lord , My lord You must evacuate the people. You must flee right now.
She said as the both were dragged away.

I entered after pushing some people out of way kindly.

Dani- Beom Pal-ah it's been a while.
I told him.

He looked at me suspiciously but then something clicked him mind after looking at me from head to toe.

Beom pal- D.. Dani right?
He gave me a big tooth smile and hugged me.

But i pulled away from him - She was saying right. These corpse will come alive After sunset and eat everyone.

I turned around and shouted at them-
Leave , leave from here and hide in your home and make sure you have Fire with you, they runaway from it.
Beom Pal , it's like a plague i  have seen it before. It's a nightmare for any country.

Beom pal and other officers laughed at me.

Officer- Silly women don't you know, you should ask permission before speaking.
He shouted at me , disrespectfully.

Won young pulled out his sword
- Watch what you say before Her Royal Highness.
He said as he pressed his Sword against his neck.

Dani- Leave him Won young. Beom pal
Let's go from here, evacuate all these corspe.

Just then someone said from the crowd- It moved.

I stood stilled.

No

Not again

Trigger warnings-
Blood and gore scenes

That women corpse was twitching and she came back alive, standing still.So it is resurrection plant result and a man ran towards her but she bite him on his shoulder after making weird noises.
One  by one many corpse  standing and making weird noises.

Everyone was running here and there and the corspe were running after alive people and eating and torning their fleshes of skin. Alot of blood was on the ground

Won young hide me behind him and i also pulled out my sword.

Dani shouted- Every guards stay alert, when they come closer or attack you slice their head off Understood!!!!

But when i didn't heard any response, i looked at their faces. They all are horrified and some even runaway from here.

Beom pal- Dani... dani these corpse are walking.

Dani- No they are running after everyone, Go hide in some place and don't come out till sunrise okay.
He nodded at me and went to hiding.



Won young started fiercely slicing the Dead people's  Head off.

Everywhere was blood and Screams.

Dani found herself in the midst of chaos, surrounded by the chilling sight of people transforming into zombies, their once-human forms now grotesque and menacing. The air was thick with the scent of fear and decay, a pungent reminder of the dire situation unfolding around her.

With each passing moment, more individuals succumbed to the terrifying fate, turning upon their neighbors with a hunger that defied comprehension.

Dani's heart pounded in her chest, but her mind remained sharp and focused, the teachings of her master echoing in her thoughts like a guiding light.

As she unsheathed her sword, its blade gleamed under the dim light, a beacon of hope amidst the encroaching darkness. Her grip was firm, her stance steady, each movement a testament to the rigorous training she had undergone. The art of the sword was not merely a skill, it was a dance—one that she had mastered with precision and grace.

With a swift motion, she engaged the nearest threat, her sword slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. The upper part of the zombie head  fell away, a testament to her skill and determination.

As she moved through the horde, her blade became an extension of herself, cutting through the chaos with a fluidity that seemed almost otherworldly.

Her focus never wavered, each strike calculated and deliberate, turning the tide against the undead swarm. Yet, even as she fought, Dani couldn't shake the feeling of sorrow for the lost souls, now trapped in a nightmarish existence.

But there was no time for mourning—not now. With each foe she felled, she forged a path, clearing the way not just for herself but for those few survivors.

Slicing few heads but then i heard a child crying.

I saw a mother carrying her child kn her back trying to reach a man, He clearly wanted to save her and the baby too but the damage has already done and horde of zombie cornered her. She was helpless and crying.

Someone from above  took the baby and the women captured deep inside those flesh eating monsters.

I saw a bow and arrow was left on the ground.

Dani-Won young take  cover for me .
I shouted at him and in two second he came towards me holding back the monsters from back.

I tored open my hand sleeves and wrapped it around the arrows and one by one i set the crown of Monsters on fire.

Hours later i was exhausted and on the verge to give up but Won young stood tall on his 6 feet and protect me from any danger.
Then we found the numbers of monsters is decreasing, so we also found a safe place and hide there.
I don't know when the sleep took over me and i was woken up by Won young
In the morning.

Won young- Your Royal Highness,  wake up. I think coast is clear.
He told me and i followed him.

Slowly people were coming out of their hiding place and some corpse were seen inside the house, like they were taking shelter.

Beom Pal was shouting at his officer-
Save me ? NOW? DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE GONE THROUGH? I WOULD HAVE DIED LAST NIGHT IF NOT FOR HER.
He said while pointing  at that women.

That officer tried to put the blame on That women and a man, and now when i saw him clearly . It's Yeong Sin , my brother.

Dani- What is happening here? That man is my brother Yeong Sin , he served in  war for this country and now you are blaming him??
I shouted at him.

Beom Pal- Do you know him?
He asked me.

Dani- Yes i know, he is soldier now release him and about that women. I need to talk to her release her too.
She ordered to them.

Won young stood tall behind Dani as her Shield.

Dani- What is your name  ?
I asked that women.

MY name is Seo-bi  and i am nurse at Jiyulheon. I saw what happened there two days ago. They come alive at night.
They are harmful My Lady.

Officer- why not  bury them, Why they were  asleep or gotten rid of them.
My lord  you must punish them for their crimes.
He told to Beom Pal.

Yeong sin-  I am fine with being punished for my crime, but is it not more urgent to get of the bodies? When the sun sets, more monsters will come.
He  told us , more like giving that officer warning.

Beom Pla- Then Bury them quickly.

Yeong sin- They will comeback again. You must cut their head off and burn them.

I agreed with him.

An old lady from the Crowd- Burn the bodies? Who says you can burn the bodies?

I looked at Beom pal- Who is she?

Officer- She is the former commanders mother.

Ohh.

We bowed to her respectfully.

Old lady- You must never Desecrate the body you got from your parents. My Precious son is our family’s only son for three generation. If you so much as lay a finger on his body, you will have to answer me.
She threatened us.

Some people from the crowd opposing us from  getting rid of the bodies.

Officer- Well they are correct with nobleman, even if they commit grave crimes like murder, you cannot punish them without the Royal Court's Consent.
You know that right?
He informed Beom Pal.

He continued- On top of that, if burn all those bodies,  we will face an angry backlash from the upper class.

Beom pal- Then what do i do?

Officer- We should burn the peasants bodies and hold proper funerals for the bodies of the aristocrats. Then we should bury them deep in the ground. How about that?

Beom Pal- There ate so many of them. How can we differentiate nobles from peasants.

Dani- You still talk about Upper and lower class when we all are here on the verge of dying.  You people with powers are spoiled brats and Annoying. Someone first didn't carr about other person father because he wants to bout his father. People from Royal Court,  Palace or bloodline are same.
I shouted at both of them with disgust dripping from my tone.

They ignored me and when ahead talking- We can separate the bodies in silk from those in rags.

Beom Pal- Great idea.
He patted his head.

Officer- Split them in two groups.

I am really done with my Cousin brother . He was the purest soul and lovely person but look what power has turned him into.

Dani- Won young let's go from here, we will comeback before sunset and set this whole place on fire after evacuating the people.
I said as i turned my back towards the Crowd while massaging my head.

-How is someone responsible for the safely of the people this incompetent.
Someone said from the crowd in deel and commanding voice.

I was standing still, my back was still turned towards the crowd.

Then i heard crowd gasps.

Beom pal shouted-What are you doing?

I heard lots of Swords unshield,
won young too did that and same as i.

- The instant you draw your sword, you shall lose you head!!

Silence was in the air.

I slowly turned back and push won young lightly to the side-

Who are you that you dare do this?
Officer was on the ground while holding his face.

-You are not only incompetent but also endlessly vile. Because  you locked the doors to the barracks last night, countless innocent people died.
He said while pointing his sword to Officer.

- Firing your arrow at me is punished by death and annihilation of your family.
You have committed treason.

Beom Pal was shaking in fear- But who are you?

I heard something fallen on the ground

Beom pal- The four clawed dragon... you a.. are it's an honour to greet the Crown Prince...

What arr you doing ??
HE IS THE CROWN PRINCE!!
He said in loud voice.

Everyone gasp and bowed down to him, even won young bowed towards him on his knees..

Crown prince- I should kill you right this instant, but we need all the help we can get.... i shal punish you after resolving the situation.

As the sun is emerging  form the  crowd,
I saw his face and i was shocked.
My ears were numbed at this point.

IT WAS.. HIM

He haven't looked at me now  and was giving instructions to Beom Pal and officers.

Everyone- we shall obey!!

Mu yeong turned and saw me, a reflection of recognition passed on his face and he immediately half  bowed to
me - CROWN PRINCESS!!! YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS!!
He said in loud voice.

What's with the shouting and all huh!!

Then slowly  Crown Prince looked at me.
The expression on his face didn't changes a bit, just  his eyes widened.

While everyone was bowing towards the Crown Prince, I stood tall in front of him with my sword in hand. My stance was unwavering, a bold declaration amidst the sea of deference that surrounded us. The air was thick with tension, each breath a reminder of the precarious balance that existed in the court.

The Crown Prince's gaze met mine, surprise flickering across his otherwise composed features. His eyes, though regal, held a hint of curiosity, as if he were both intrigued and challenged by my audacity.

Fin.

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I am pouring my blood sweat and tears in this 🥲😃