The Lionesses cell meeting was not held in the hidden training room, which was now too risky, but in an abandoned storehouse tucked deep within the royal stables—a place foul-smelling enough to deter casual investigation. The only light came from a single, hooded lantern, casting long, nervous shadows that danced with every slight gust of wind.
The atmosphere was electric—a volatile mix of terror and resolute defiance. Gathered in a tense, strategic circle were the core members of the Lioness network: Lady Ji-su (the commander), Afiya (the head of palace intelligence), Scholar Aisha (the source of the financial evidence), and two other trusted agents—a laundry matron, Sora, and a junior chef, Min-ho. And at the center, Princess Anansi—Maya.
Ji-su, radiating quiet authority, outlined the imminent danger, her voice a low murmur that barely cut through the wind. "The vote on the territorial cession is set for the full moon—three days from now. Prime Minister Choi has distributed the propaganda to ensure the populace believes any resistance comes from a 'foreign monster.' If that decree is sealed, our opportunity, and Joseon's sovereignty, is lost."
Maya, using the coded ledger's transcription, laid out the full extent of Choi's network: the bribe amounts, the foreign envoy's presence, and the names of the three traitorous border generals. The revelation sent a palpable ripple of shock and cold fury through the small group.
"We have the truth, but we lack the stage," Maya stated, her gaze sweeping over her small but formidable force. "To save the kingdom, we must move the game pieces."
She unveiled her counter-strategy, the audacity of which left the others momentarily stunned.
The plan was a high-wire act of infiltration, distraction, and forced confrontation:
The Diversion (Min-ho and Sora): The junior chef, Min-ho, would use his access to the court kitchens to initiate a "controlled fire" in the non-critical servants' quarter immediately before the banquet. The resulting smoke and panic would force the entire court and all high-ranking officials to evacuate.
The Trap (Ji-su): Lady Ji-su, utilizing her Matron status, would subtly redirect the evacuation. Instead of going to the usual muster point, she would lead the key Council members and the Prime Minister to the Royal Gifting Chamber, a spacious but rarely used hall directly adjacent to the main dining area. This chamber would be their unscheduled "emergency Council meeting."
The Infiltration (Afiya): During the fire and the forced evacuation chaos, Afiya, using her guard uniform as cover, would use a pre-arranged method to slip into the Sealing Chamber where the final decree would be held until the vote. She was tasked with obtaining the original signed copy of the treasonous cession treaty.
The Exposure (Anansi/Maya): Once Afiya delivered the decree, Maya would burst into the Gifting Chamber, where the Council was trapped with Choi. She would not only have the coded ledger and the cipher scroll but the physical, signed treaty—the undeniable proof of treason—to present directly to the Council and any royal family members present.
The risks were staggering. If the fire got out of control, or if Ji-su failed to redirect the Council, or if Afiya was caught entering the Sealing Chamber—all of them faced immediate, brutal execution for treason and sedition. The fate of two kingdoms hinged on the perfect execution of these four interconnected tasks.
Afiya, ever the professional, raised the first objection. "The Sealing Chamber is not just guarded; it is warded. I can get past the men, but the wards will signal an alarm the instant I touch the outer door."
Scholar Aisha, pale but determined, interjected. "The wards are keyed to the Joseon Royal Seal and specific pressure points. I have cataloged the ancient warding scrolls. I can create a temporary counter-seal—a pressure-release agent—from ground obsidian and royal amber. It will give Afiya a thirty-second window of silence."
The logistics were debated for hours. Min-ho and Sora calculated the precise amount of smoke to generate maximum chaos without causing actual injury. Ji-su planned the exact route for the forced evacuation, identifying the bottlenecks and the moments of highest distraction.
Finally, the discussion turned to the most dangerous part: the presentation.
"You must not only expose him, Anansi, you must unite them," Ji-su warned, her eyes burning with urgency. "Choi will claim the treaty is a forgery and that you are an agent of chaos. You must use the power of your West-Seu lineage—the power of the Onyx Phoenix—to legitimize your claim. You must be prepared to speak of both thrones, to show them that saving Joseon means accepting you."
Maya nodded, the gravity of the mission settling over her like a heavy cloak. This was not a fight for personal survival; it was the final, devastating move in a game of political chess.
"I will not be the Serpent from the poster," Maya vowed, looking at each member of the cell. "I will be the voice of truth. We strike during the royal Autumn Banquet—the night before the scheduled vote. That is when the most nobles and the most food will be in one place."
The final decision was made. The Lionesses rose from their strategic circle, bound by a shared, dangerous purpose. They exchanged no embraces, only fierce, silent nods of commitment. The stage was set for chaos, and Maya knew this was the point of no return.