Chapter 1

14 years ago… (December, 1706)

Lightning struck down from the sky…clouds filled the night sky…no moon or stars were presenced. Only the sound of thunder and whistling of the strong wind…before the heavy rain began to poured down… It was known as the hardest storm that ever struck Sone Kingdom… The day, when the only heir to the Kwon family was born..

"Is it a boy?" General Kwon rushed into the room

"Master.." The butler said with a distress look on his face

"What happened?" General Kwon took notice the gloomy atmosphere in the room

"Mistress.. she.." The butler said as he looks at the doctor, who was now holding the newborn child in his arms…

"I'm sorry.. General.. I tried.. We can only save the child" The doctor said as he handed over the newborn child to General Kwon

"No.." General Kwon took a few steps back and refuseก to hold his own child, who was wailing

"Master" The butler said as he approached his master

"She can't possibly leave me… no…" General Kwon slowly approached the bed, where his lifeless wife laid

"Just tell me… It's not true… At least…tell me..that it's a boy.." General Kwon said desperately as he reached for his wife's cold hand

"…I'm sorry..General.. You got a daughter.. A very lovely daughter" The doctor said as he smiled weakly at the child, who looked back at him with her brown eyes

"No.. My child is not a girl…I'm not allowed it to happen.." General Kwon said as he looked up..somehow his eyes changed from sadness into something that shock everyone in the room…

"I have no daughter… but a son.." General Kwon said as he walked to the doctor and snatched the child away into his arm.. he lookrf at the child and smiled

"I only have a son…Yuri will be his name" General Kwon announced before he let out a hysteric laugh

Everyone in the room went into a complete silence and looked at their master laughing like a mad man… They began to worry about the life of their young master…and from then on.. Yuri was raised as a boy…as the only heir to the honorable Kwon family…

…14 years later… (Summer, 1720)

Lavishing with her dark hair and a tall figure..Yuri practiced her fencing skills in the courtyard with Sooyoung...a young servant, who had been her friend since she could remember. Even though Sooyoung was a servant in her household, still Yuri never treated her as a servant…more like a close friend and most trusted right hand…

"Com'on Sooyoung! Is this all you've got?" Yuri shouted and smirked as she continue on attacking Sooyoung endlessly

"Aish!" Sooyoung hissed as she finally be able to stop Yuri's attack and began to fought back

Both of them kept attacking each other and dodged from time to time.. it might looked like a fierce battle between the two but there were smiles on their faces.. They enjoyed the duel very much. With a final and a swift movement of her light sword Yuri successfully disarmed Sooyoung as she caught on Sooyoung's sword mid-air without much effort.

"I win" Yuri said with a bright smile on her face

"You're getting too good" Sooyoung said as she took her sword back from Yuri

"No.. You're getting too rusty" Yuri joked and laughed

"You…" Sooyoung said but soon joined Yuri

The two young girls laughed together then walked back to the mansion…A certain figure smiled with satisfaction as he witnessed the sight of how magnificent his daughter had become and his smile grew even wider..

"Father" Yuri said as soon as she entered the spacious study room and looked at her father who stood at the window

"I have trained you since you can walk.. I think you're ready" General Kwon said as he turned around to faced his daughter

"You mean..?" Yuri asked

"It's time for you to enter the Royal Army Academy" General Kwon said with a serene smile

Yuri looked at how her father smile and knew very well that she had to complied just like what she had been doing for all her life. She had been raised to be a boy and most importantly to be the next master of this family. She took in a deep breath and nodded. Her father walked to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She could feel that he was proud of her, but that was all. Yuri silently sighed to herself…

A few months later, Yuri found herself in a new environment, the Academy filled with young men around her age carrying their trunks preparing to be put in the dormitory.. She silently sighed to herself as she got out of her own carriage with Sooyoung behind her.

"So this is your school..huh?" Sooyoung said, as she looked at the place filled with nobles' young heirs 

"Yeah.. Not quite pleasing, isn't it?" Yuri said as she smiled at Sooyoung

"Well.. It would be more fun if you outdone them all" Sooyoung said

"I don't think I need that much of a spotlight" Yuri said as she got her hand on her own trunk

"I don't think you can avoid it.. since you already gain some attention already" Sooyoung said as she lightly coughed and saw that all the young men were staring at Yuri

"Isn't that Kwon family's carriage" One of the young men said

"So the rumor is true then.. A girl will be joining our Academy…"Another said

"Che.. How long can she last? I don't think she can last that long.. A girl after all" Another said and people began to laugh in agreement of his words

"I think you have a long way to go there…Buddy" Sooyoung said with a hint of worry 

"I think it more fun this way…You know.. I like to be challenge" Yuri said and lightly wave a goodbye to Sooyoung and entered the Academy fearlessly

Right after the welcoming ceremony all the students are sorted to different towers and unfortunately for Yuri as she is the only female here in the Academy she was sent to the separate tower, where it was meant for other female students… She found herself in an empty tower all alone… Yuri let out a light smile… well at least she has a peaceful place for herself… with that her life as a student begins…

In the Academy, Yuri had learned many things. Although she had learned most of them from her father already…whether the strategies in battlefields or even geography…she knew all of them by heart since she learned all of these from when she could remember. Many students dislikde her for her advance knowledge and most even hated her just because she was born a female. Thus made Yuri became a loner with no friends and she did not mind…since it had nothing to do with what she had to accomplished here…

"It's absurd already for a girl to join the Academy" A remark that Yuri often heard whenever she entered the Great Hall for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

"It's because she's General Kwon's daughter…That's why she can be here.. " A phrase that she often heard in the hallway

Words always came with the look that at first made her so frustrated. The discrimination that she felt made her wanted to just shut them all up… but she knew that she better stayed calm and kept her cool. She knew better that using force would not do any good, especially to her family reputation. She kept her head high and bear it all… the pain she felt, the insults that came her way…and the bullies that often gave her troubles in every corners of school. She knew all of their tricks and never once fallen for them. She found it quite absurd for them to think that simple tricks could drive her back home. After all, she never was born to be a girls, she was raised to be one of the boys.

Finally, it was time for the fencing class. In every households, most of the young heirs would probably had some basics. Some even had a little talent, but unlike Yuri, she had both talent and skills since she practiced with Sooyoung everyday and learned the swordsmanship directly from her father. Nobody would expect her to be so great in fencing. Judging from her appeal alone from her smaller body and slender shoulders who would have thought that she could win all of them with ease. Until one person came along and it was no one other than Siwon, the eldest son of the Duke of Estrella..

"I have heard your reputation for quite some time… A mere girl joining Academy pretend to be a boy" Siwon said with a grin on his face

"Why don't we speak less and let's our swords do the talking?" Yuri said as she smiled back

The crowd let out a light "Ouch" and haughty laughs erupted as all the gaze casted at Siwon waited to see his resolution. Without a word, both of them striked at the same time as their swords collided mid-way. Amazed by how strong Yuri was, Siwon began to fear that he might probably lose the fight. He could see the determination and confident in her eyes as they both back away..and circling each other...waiting for a right moment. Yuri knew that Siwon had more strength than her, the first collide between them had confirmed that to her and she knew that to win this duel, the only way was to use her agility. Siwon was impatient and did not like to circling around for so long. He wanted to end things fast and it better ended like what he wanted too. Charging towards Yuri with all of his strength hoping to finish her in one blow..Siwon never expected Yuri to quickly dodged his attack as she swayed to the side and used her sword to block Siwon's sword from making a contact with her body. She smiled confidently upon seeing how rash Siwon could be. She knew that she coul win this duel. Siwon took a quick glance at Yuri and followed up with another attack. Yuri quickly blocked them all and finally attacked back. She swiftly ed in her sword with speed and accuracy Yuri finally injured Siwon at his shoulder. Siwon glanced at his shoulder and saw that his uniform had a sharp cut on. He hissed out in frustration and Yuri did not wait, as she dashed in to keep her advantage and continued attacking Siwon to the point that he could not keep his balance anymore and fell to the ground. Siwon tried to reached for his sword but it got kick away from his grasp by Yuri and a sharp tip of Yuri's sword pointed on his throat.

"Yield" Yuri said with a triumphant smile on her face

"Yield.." Siwon said bitterly

Yuri sheathed her sword and gave Siwon her hand, but got rejected by a quick slap as Siwon got on his own feet and grabbed his sword then walked away. People looked at Siwon before turned to looked at Yuri, hesitantly. Some of them soon followed Siwon as some walked towards Yuri and congratulated her. Yuri lightly smiled. Ever since then as if the line had been drawn between her and Siwon. They will never become friends…nor alliance…they can only be rivals…

With that Yuri spends her school years with more friends than she had when first came to the Academy, but as time goes by things got rougher and rougher. Though gaining some friends like Taemin, Minho and Onew…most things did not quite change. She first encountered Taemin when he got bullied by one of Siwon's followers once behind the Academy's stable and got there in time to stopped him from getting beat up. Knowing that Yuri was there, all the fellows left Taemin unharmed and fled the scene. From then on Taemin had been one of her closest friends in the Academy. Although he might not be so great in fencing like Yuri and Minho..but he definitely one of the best long distant shooter in the Academy. No one can prevailed him when it came to shooting a rifle. Onew soon joined their group as he was one of Minho's best friend. In Minho's case, things were quite different. Yuri first encountered Minho in her fencing class although he might not be as rash as Siwon, but he was indeed one of the best three of the class. He was the first one who came up to Yuri and congratulate her on her victory over Siwon..and at first Yuri doubted his friendship, but later they came around as good friends and since then Yuri's group began to be known as the best four. They helped each other in learning and practicing their skills. Onew came in handy when they need some one to explain subjects like chemistry and physics, while Minho and Yuri would help Taemin and Onew about melee fights and other practical skills. 

3 years later (Spring, 1723) 

Once a year, The King would paid a visit to the Academy before the 3rd year students would graduated in the next few months. This time the King decided to brough his daughter along. It was a tradition for a King to paid his visit at the Academy in order to watched a duel between the students as to see how strong the Academy can produced soldiers and royal guards to the Kingdom. Jessica looked at the duel with not much interest and let her eyes wander around the large courtyard until her eyes noticed a certain figure. Somehow that person seemed different from others. Compared to the others around him, he was quite shorter…she did not know why but she found 'him' to be more interesting than the ones that dueling in front of her at the moment..

"Next is the duel between our best students of the year.. Sire" Headmaster said as he bowed deeply

"Ah.. General Kwon's heir, isn't it?" The King said with a satisfying grin on his face

"Kwon Yuri, Choi Siwon. Please come out" Headmaster said then Yuri and Siwon stepped out from the crowds walked towards the center of the courtyard

"Duke of Estrella's heir… Siwon.. Long time no see.. young man" The King said as he could feel that this duel would be very interesting

"Father.. I heard that General Kwon only has a daughter… Is that her?" Jessica asked as she cast a look on Yuri as she was quite surprised to see that the certain figure that interested her earlier was no other than Yuri

"Yes.. That is her.. Amazing, isn't it? General Kwon did well raising her as his heir.. you can barely distinguished her from the males" The King looked at the sight in front of him amusingly

"But isn't it unfair.. She's a girl after all" Jessica said as she looked at Yuri curiously

"She will be fine… As I heard the rumors… She is far more than fine" The King said as he watched at the duel began 

Yuri and Siwon drew out their swords and in their fighting stances. Yuri looked at Siwon with a serious look on her face, while Siwon looked back at her with a grin. Yuri knew better than anyone that Siwon was good, perhaps if she did not enter the Academy..he would probably became the best, but unfortunately his only flaw was that he always got his head too high and not careful enough. He always thought that he would have an easy win somehow. Then at the sound of a gunshot, both of them striked each other at the same time. Jessica's jaw dropped at how fast Yuri reacted and how strong she was able to stopped Siwon's attack in one blow. The two began to fight each other back and forth. The King watched the match amusingly upon seeing the two young heirs fought each other as if both of them were men. He was quite surprised to see how Yuri handling herself and using her slender figure to agilely dodged the attacks. More importantly, what amused him the most was her sharp reflex and she could fought back without much difficulty.. He then slightly turned his head towards his daughter, who had been bored ever since they got here…but seemed to be so engrossed in the fight and even flinched when Siwon's attack was almost hurt Yuri..

"I see. You worry about her?" The King asked

"Of course! She's a girl and Siwon is bigger than her…" Jessica said as her eyes still fixed on the duel

"She still doing fine" The King said as he looked at the duel, where Yuri had more advantage over Siwon

Yuri put all of her focus on Siwon's attacks and fought back. She defendws herself from one of Siwon's attack and ed her sword forward and finally injured Siwon with a tip of her sword. Siwon took a few step back and looked at his injury on the arm. Luckily that Yuri's sword only manage to cut through his uniform… Siwon immediately striked back and this time Yuri twirled her sword and finally disarmed Siwon before she pointed her sword upon Siwon's face asked him to yield…and Jessica let out a relief sigh.

"I can't believe she just won" Jessica said

"I think you have found yourself a new Royal Guard" The King said amusingly and smiled at his daughter

"Father.." Jessica said

"It's alright.. Since I think she's perfect for you" The King said as he applauded to congratulate Yuri and Siwon that knelt in front of him

"Nicely fought both of you" The King said as he got up from his seat

"Thank you..Sire" Yuri and Siwon said in unison 

"Yuri.. My daughter is highly impress by your skills.. It might be early to say this..since you will be graduating in the next few months…but I am more than welcome to have you as my daughter's bodyguard.. What do you think?" The King said with a smile on his face as Jessica opened to protest

"Th..That..is.. I am honored…Your Highness" Yuri said

"Good.. Headmaster.. I can see that this Academy is still very much more than capable to produce us good soldiers.. Thank you for your effort" The King said

"Thank you.. Sire" Headmaster said

With that the King and his daughter finally took their leave. Jessica looked at Yuri for one last time…so that was Kwon Yuri.. she smiled to herself.. and thought about how interesting it will become when Yuri finally become her personal bodyguard. That day, other students were celebrating for Yuri future position… It was a rare occasion for a King to asked a mere new graduate to join the Royal Guards…especially to protect his only daughter… Everyone was happy except for one… Siwon, who kept looking at Yuri with his envious glare….

The graduating soon take place at the Grand Hall, where all the Nobles were presenced as well as the King and the Princess. The Graduates received their badge and personal swords as they sworn themselves to protect the country and the Royal family with their lives. It was a festival for the capital city of Sone Kingdom..every citizen wanted to see the new graduates parade, where all of them would be in their full uniform looking dashing. It has always been the most highly anticipated event of the year… Graduating students would wore their black uniform that trim with gold, while the juniors would wore their normal navy blue uniform. After each and everyone of the graduating class received their swords…it was time for them to sworn themselves in. Another moment that people had been highly anticipated… As hundreds of graduating students drew out their swords and pointed up high at the same time..

"We solemnly swear that our lives will be for the King, the people and the Kingdom. Before we are what we are… We are the soldiers of this Kingdom…and loyal only for the Kingdom. Today we are Sone's soldiers…and forever we will be" The hundred voices speak in unison as all of the pull their swords down and stuck it down to the earth then knelt down at the same time

It was a magnificent sight to see for Jessica. As it is her first time to see the graduating ceremony… The sight of hundreds of people knelt down in unison in front of her amazed her by how disciplinef they are. The voice they used for swearing themselves as soldiers gave her a chill down to her bone. They were strongly determine and genuine… She looked at her father, who had a very satisfy smile on his face.. and remembered what he used to said to her…when she was very much younger than she is now..

"Remember this Jessica.. As a ruler.. there is nothing that has much value as loyalty…It's valued more than power… because without loyalty from your subjects.. you will have no power.. So remember this well…my daughter…value loyalty above all else" Her father's words still clear in her mind

Jessica then casted her gaze over the knelt crowd in front of hers.. wondering how many of them…could possibly given her their loyalty that they have given by words today… her eyes then quickly caught Yuri who is in the front roll and weakly smile… At least if she can has that one person's loyalty…she would be very much happy…

…

Yuri spent her time in the tower alone and looked around for one last time. This tower might only had her as its first resident and last. She weakly smiled and closed her trunk… 3 years she spent her life in this place.. through thick and thin… she found friends that she could trust…and now it is time for her to leave..She turned around ready to take her leave..and found Sooyoung standing ready to take her trunk away..she smiled.. even though she did go back home every 6 months, but it still made her miss Sooyoung since there was no one who knew her like Sooyoung

"It's time to go home.. Young Master" Sooyoung teased as she bowed her head mockingly

"You know I don't like it when you called me that" Yuri said as she walked to Sooyoung and handed over her trunk

"Well.. I think it's time for all of us servant to call you that" Sooyoung said

"Anyone could call me that… Except you and Sunny.. It's creepy" Yuri said as she walked down the stairs

"I bet you stayed in this place for three years…is way creepier" Sooyoung said with a smile

"It's finally over" Yuri said as she looked around one more time

"It's only a beginning" Sooyoung said

"I know" Yuri said as she smiled at Sooyoung's words

Yes.. Sooyoung was right.. It is only a beginning.. from tomorrow onwards.. She will no longer be a Militia students.. but a Royal Guard..who will have to go straight to the palace in an early morning… Since she got the offer..her father had been more than thrill as his every letters mention of how he already got the uniform prepared for her and all that… She silently sighed to herself, doubting of why she had agreed to did things his way from all this time… Finally in her family's carriage she left the Academy with Sooyoung just like the first time she has entered the place…silently she could felt that there is a long road ahead of her…

….