„Are you sure that you are not interested in wedding my sister,my dear friend?“

Kyungtak sighs,looking up from the tea his friend served him earlier.“What good would it do your sister to be wedded to someone like me?“

Yonghwi doesn't respond right away,taking his time to take a sip from his favorite tea before he looks at his friend with a smile.“She would have you.That's all she wants.“

„I can't give her what she desires and you know it.You also agreed with me on this matter not long ago.“

„I know and my opinion did not change.“ Yonghwi clarifies.“But you need to understand that I as her brother and your closest friend need to try helping her out the best way possible.I deem it as wrong to lie to her about trying to persuade you.“

The officer knows that Young Rae did not specifically ask his friend to have this talk with him,but it's a given that Yonghwi would try to persuade him into approaching his sister at least once whenever they meet.Yonghwi sees it as his duty to help his sister in these matters.

Kyungtak let out another sigh,shaking his head in dismay as he thinks about the situation he is in right now.Young Rae – Yonghwi's sweet and gentle younger sister – fell in love with him out of all people and although he used to yearn for her affection a long time ago,he doesn't wish for her to get closer to him now.The Kyungtak who used to visit her every morning to give her flowers is now gone.The current Kyungtak – the one she wants – thinks of flowers as nothing but a nuisance.

He can accept her as some sort of younger sister,but never more than that.

„The intruder – Dr. Jin – seems to adore her a lot.“

„But she does not adore him.“ Yonghwi retorts.“Not in that way.“

„Then she is sharing the same fate as the intruder.As much as she does not adore him,I do not adore her.“ Kyungtak's gaze softens as he looks at his friend.“Forgive me for such crude words towards your sister.“

Yonghwi smiles.“I bear no hard feelings against you and you know that.I am grateful for your honesty.“

Silence surrounds the two friends before a servant rushes in and kneels down in front of them,his head lowered.“One of the soldiers is here to inform you that an armed stranger is making his way towards our northern borders.

Anger flickers inside Kyungtak's eyes after he hears those words and he immediately raises to his feet,soon rushing out without even taking one last glance at his friend.He knows that Yonghwi does not mind.

„Get on your horse!“ Kyungtak commands the instant he gets out of the house and sees one of his soldiers waiting for him.

He approaches his own horse and climbs onto his loyal companion's back with one swift movement before heading towards the nothern borders with the soldier right behind him.

Kyungtak hates the creatures lurking around in the dark,trying to use earth's darkest hours to their advantage and sneak their way into the city.Intruders mean nothing but trouble,especially when they are armed.

It doesn't take long for him to spot the stranger as a few of his men join him on the way and when the intruder sees them coming closer,he halts,immediately signaling for his horse to stop moving.

The officer does not waste any time,immediately pulling his gun out to aim it at the stranger once his own horse halts not far away.“Who are you?And what are you doing here in this city?“

But instead of answering him,the stranger chooses to smile instead.It's a leisure smile and no sign of fear can be found in his almond-shaped eyes.Kyungtak hates people like him.People who enter the city without his permission and then behave disrespectful towards him by not even answering to his questions.

„Who are you?“ Kyungtak asks once again,his voice thickened by anger as he glares at the man in front of him.“I will not ask thrice.“

The smile on the man's face does not disappear,but he bows as much as he can while sitting on the horse carrying him on its back.“My name is Kang Moosuk and I'm here to warn you of danger nearing your city.“

„The only danger I see is you.“

Moosuk sighs.“Please put your gun down for a while and I will explain everything to you.I am of no real danger to you.There's only me against you and your men.“

Taking a closer look at the other male,Kyungtak can see no sign of malice on the other's face and if Kyungtak can be sure of something,then it's his knowledge of human nature.So he puts his gun away,albeit not willing to believe the other so easily.

„How can you expect me to trust an intruder like you?“

„You trusted me enough to put your weapon away,did you not?“ Moosuk retorts,swiftly raising his hands as if to assure Kyungtak that he means no harm with his words once he sees the officer getting a hold of his gun.“I apologize.But please listen to me.Great danger is coming and I am the only one who can help you.“

Who does this intruder think he is?Kyungtak's pride as the city's protector does not allow him to feel anything but anger over a stranger believing to be able to protect the city better than him.His heart is burning in fury.

"Your existence is of no importance to this city,so leave!"
"Such a pretty face but such a sharp tongue." Moosuk muses.
Kyungtak glares,now drawing his sword.”The blade of my sword is even sharper.Now leave.”
And this time around,the smile does disappear from Moosuk's lips.“I can't.You will need me once the danger arrives and if you feel the need to arrest me then do so.But I will not leave.“

Never has anyone refused to take orders from him before and to see it happening fills the officer's heart with all kinds of negative perceptions,something he hates to feel.But this stranger and his mocking arrogance are nothing he can remain calm about.

„Arrest him!“

• ♔ •

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