“Byul, how many did we lose?” Seulgi and Moonbyul were making their way to the Imperial Commander’s Office.

“Two. They… they were part of the newly trained batch.” Moonbyul watched Seulgi pause and prayed towards the lavender skies of eventides. “We caught five but four of them manage to poison themselves. Commander Kim has gone to personally interrogate the last one.”

“Next time, only dispatch those with higher experience in situation of ambushes.” Moonbyul nodded her head before the duo continued. “Call in the ghosts, I’ll head back after I finish my report.”

Moonbyul stopped and kept her eyes on Seulgi’s back who continued her pace. The first time she met Seulgi was during their trainee days at the academy. Seulgi had turned eleven when she was enrolled into the Royal Martial Arts Academy with the seventh prince’s recommendation. Upon Seulgi’s arrival, there was a rumor that circulated in addition to Lord Bae’s admission: Seulgi was Joohyun’s future partner. Just like Joohyun’s parents. The two inseparable duo arrived and left the royal palace together. In the Royal Martial Arts Academy, it was well–known that Seulgi came to the royal palace because of Joohyun. Although the how’s and why’s remain fabricated as it swam in and out of several ears and mouths.

Although some say it’s because Seulgi managed to catch the seventh prince’s interest during his first visit to the Bae estate. The rumors failed to cease once it was evident that Joohyun would wait for Seulgi by the school’s entrance.

Rather, it fueled the suspicions when Seulgi changed from a shy and quiet child to a social butterfly that everyone learned to adore after Joohyun’s first visit. No one knew what went on between the two, but it was unknowingly accepted that Joohyun was the reason for her change of behavior. 

Eventually, the public display of friendship they claim to enjoy evolved into a social norm among the academy trainees as well as the palace staffs. Their relationship intrigued others even more once Joohyun left for war. They claim that absence makes the heart grow fonder. 

But because of Seulgi’s role as the seventh prince’s imperial guard, it was difficult for anyone to bring up the rumor and confirm it with her for fear of offending. In the end, Seulgi became a captain in the blink of an eye, making it harder to discuss such trivial matters with. 

Although Seulgi demonstrated great leadership and quick–wittedness in threatening situations, Moonbyul had noticed that Seulgi was rather oblivious about matters of the heart. So, she took it into her own hands to help her comrade out. When Seulgi made her imperial lieutenant, she ruled that the rumor remain restrained until proven otherwise and to continue to keep it away from Seulgi unless she brings it up, for she has more important issues to deal with.

Everyone enthusiastically obeyed and it ripened into a past time topic for random discussions. Until the day both the captain and the seventh prince turned sixteen. Joohyun’s engagement to the seventh prince spread rapidly like wildfire. The day after, had every palace staff unconsciously grieving in waves of silence when they heard that their captain had fallen into a drunk comatose. 

Hearing that Seulgi had awakened three days later, their spirits somewhat shifted. Then they begin to see her frequent the training grounds more than usual. But instead of seeing her change into a steadier and more vigorous leader, it was as if a spirit had inhibited her body, stealing her appetite and sleep alike. 

Pity dispersed among the palace. It was common for parents to decide on their children’s marriage. It was even more common that the royal family only wed among other blood of nobility. However, it happened to be Seulgi who had received the short end of the stick. 

This captain was someone they adored and respected, having gone through thick and thin together, whether it be during training or harassment from the arrogant royalties. Captain Seulgi was someone they all would voluntarily die for. But there was nothing they could do when the engagement was announced through a royal decree from the King himself. 

Sorrow was an understatement of what Moonbyul felt for her comrade in arms. An agreement silently swept through the palace to forget anything regarding the blooming relationship between their captain and the eldest miss of the Bae clan. The topic of discussion was then banned. 

If it was not for Moonbyul, who decided to confront her about her feelings towards the newly betrothed of the seventh prince, Seulgi would have never made it out of the psychological torment she accidentally slipped into.

…

The Imperial Commander’s office was a large building off