When they left the hotel, Sehyuk made sure that everyone stayed quiet about what had happened with the Crimson Sword. Their cover had almost been blown the night before and Byungjoo had been lucky that he had killed the man. They all gathered their weapons confidently, leaving as soon as possible. 

As soon as they were outside, Sehyuk turned to Byungjoo and Hansol. “Are you guys okay? I saw that someone tried to take the sword. I didn’t see what happened to him, though.” 

Hansol glanced at Byungjoo, shaking his head. Not even Sehyuk needed to know what had happened to the man who had attacked them. It was too complicated. The young prince sighed, smiling. “We beat him and the Sword is safe. That’s all that matters.” 

Sehyuk glanced at Jenissi, who shrugged. “Okay. Well, good job to you both. Let’s get on the road.” He turned to concentrate on his horse, leaving them alone. He knew that they weren’t telling him everything, and that fact bothered him. Hansol had always been open and up front with the viscount, but how he felt the need to hide something. Sehyuk couldn’t imagine why the younger man would do that, but he wouldn’t argue with him. He was the prince, even if he didn’t feel like one or receive the right treatment for his title. 

While they were on their way, Hansol stopped Byungjoo as he was walking to his horse. He smiled at the younger man, surprising him with a hug. “Thank you,” he whispered, pulling away. As he did so, he felt someone staring at him. When he turned, he saw that it was Xero. He made eye contact with the archer, wondering why the tall young man had a problem with him. He almost felt like jealousy to Hansol. He seemed to like Byungjoo as more than just a friend, but there wasn’t anything Hansol could do about that. Xero had been the one to tell him to become friendlier with him and make an effort. That was all he was doing. Xero would just have do deal with his jealousy and get over it. Hansol ignored Xero and mounted his horse. 

Riding to Sanggyun, he stayed next to his friend as they left the town. “Hey, ATom, what’s Xero’s problem?” 

Sanggyun looked confused for a moment, then nodded, frowning. “Hansol, you’re unbelievable,” the taller man smirked at him. “You seriously don’t see it? Are you blind?” 

Hansol turned away from him, hiding his emotions from the younger man. “I do see it,” he lied. “I was just checking to make certain that I was seeing the right thing.” 

Sanggyun touched Hansol on the arm lightly, pushing his long hair out of his face. “Why does it matter? You know…Xero’s not the one that Byungjoo likes, Hansol. I thought you would have seen that by now.” He grinned, pulling the reins up tighter on his horse as they turned a bend in the road. 

Hansol watched the younger man ride ahead for a few strides, contemplating what he had just said. He blushed, knowing that Sanggyun was calling him naïve. He didn’t like that, but there could be some truth to it. He simply didn’t want to admit that he might have feelings for Byungjoo. He also wouldn’t admit to being afraid to admit it. 

Hansol became lost in his thoughts for a while, but was ripped back to reality by a yell from ahead. Xero, Kidoh and Sangdo came rushing back from where they had been scouting. When they got back to the rest of the group, Xero was having a hard time controlling his panicked horse. The tall bay gelding was crow-hopping and chomping at the bit nervously. “There’s something coming this way, and we barely