Waking up can be really harsh, especially if your dreams are better than reality. Spending couples of days at the Eastern border has definitely take it tolls on her. When her personal maid, Sooyoung, entered the room to prepare her morning routine, dressing her up, Joohyun felt her heart heavy and unmoved. The fact that she was about to head back to the West with her father’s army later, did not settled well within her. It was her first trip, she daresay. Princess Joohyun, of almost 21 years of living, never stepped once out of the Western borders. She even rarely stepped out of the castle, to begin with. And it took a great amount of begging and even desperate tears, that the King himself finally allowed her to be part of his journey to the East. But she knew her father was more worried that she would be left alone in the castle, although there are knights and guards to protect her, but after the late Chancellor’s passing, King Bae had been slightly paranoid than usual.   “The weather looks fairly good today, don’t you think so Princess?” Sooyoung compliments as she laces the bodices tight around Joohyun’s back, “I reckon with this weather we might arrive the castle possibly earlier.”   “Oh please, I’m in no—… rush.” Joohyun breathes out after Sooyoung pulls the final lace firm behind her, before tying it.   Sooyoung faces her with a sympathetic look on her face before combing her hair. And after a few minutes, Joohyun was ready to go, after she slips into her white glove. It seems that most of their men and Lord Kang’s own were already outside the manor. And Joohyun thought the view of these knights were enough for a century battle. But her eyes quickly did not miss the sight of a familiar girl, not in her white button up shirt and pants, but in a teal green cotton dress, looking glum. Joohyun met her eyes with Seulgi, and gave a smile towards the latter, only to be returned with an almost force smile instead. And this somehow concerned her as she knew Lady Seulgi, for the past couple of days, had been giving her one of the best smiles she had ever seen, and seeing the latter’s state right now intrigues her.   “Why are there so many men from Lord Kang’s family going with us?” Joohyun whispers beside Sooyoung, as they wait for her carriage to be pulled by.   “I heard Lord Kang is bringing her daughter with us,” Sooyoung nods at Lady Seulgi who stood solemn by her mother’s side, “Extra protection maybe?”   “She’s coming with us?” Joohyun eyed her maid, clearly she was not update of this information, “She’s coming back with us to Westeros?”   “Yes.”   Joohyun wanted to feel happy with the confirmation but something about Seulgi’s expression did not seem right. As she was about to further more questions, her carriage came to view and she had to bid the Kang’s family goodbye. The people wished her well and bowed deeply to her and when she faces Lady Kang, the woman also graced a courtesy, wishing safety arrival and then she inserts.   “Seulgi here would be living in the same ground as you, Your Highness. I hope you could teach her few likeable things that could gain…additional points that fit the eye of her future suitor.” Lady Kang bows her head once more.   Future suitor? Joohyun thought in her mind, No wonder. “I’m not one with much experience my lady, but I will…try.”   She gave one last look at Seulgi who seems to be avoiding her eye, before turning back to Ser Minho who offers his hand and helped her into the carriage. The carriage soon jolts after she settled down on her seat. Joohyun crouch her head at the small window, casting one last look at the people waving and soon the shadows of The Kang’s Manor disappears.     Joohyun was almost dozing off when the carriage abruptly halts. Her book slips from her hand and landed to the carriage floor with a thud. She heard yelling voices ahead and she was about to push her small window open but a hand blocked it. Neighed of horses and thuds of footsteps could be heard louder and Joohyun was now worried and at the same time, wondering whatever is going on out there. After many minutes passed by, the shouts fades and her tightly sealed window slightly crack opens. Joohyun took a small peek and it was almost pitch dark outside with only the full moon illuminates their way through. As the horse once more pulls her carriage, Joohyun smells a foul stench coming from the outside but she pushes the thought away, as she wrinkles her nose.                                                 ***   She heard some faint shouts and hollers outside her carriage. And hearing Seungwan gasping from time to time definitely woke her up much to her small displeased. But soon, she too, looks outside the window taking the view as they were on a grey brick bridge, hovering above still black water. A loud groan of a door being pulled open and soon their carts amble inside and Seulgi was in awe. Greeted her was widespread land, unlike back at the East their land was broad, yet filled with natures and trees, but here there are lots of white taverns, filled with a variety of selling. The ground was very earthy and dust could be seen in the air as their horses galloped their way through. Seulgi also did not fail to noticed certain grim looking bystanders in the midst of happy ones, and again she compares it to her home which was an unfamiliar view.   “Look!” Seungwan spoke, as she points upward and ahead.   The castle stood magnificent on top of a hill, unlike the parched, dry land they were on earlier, there were trees surrounding the castle like great armies defending their citadel. And the horses climb on a slope before they meet once more with another large set of an open door. Their carriage then soon stops and several thuds of feet was heard before her carriage door open wide and the knight she saw back then came to view.   “We’ve arrived.” The knight she soon yet to know his name, spoke as he offered his hand while Seulgi steps out from the carriage after a day and a half.   She captures the view behold her eyes with a smile and Seulgi also accidentally caught the grin coming from the knight which he quickly changed it to a stoic expression when she laid her eyes on him. Seulgi went to her father’s side who was already conversing with people from the royal council. The King who was exchanging few words with the knights’ then walk towards them and the councils greeted him with a deep bow.   “Jaerim, I’m afraid we need to discuss further matters inside as soon as possible,” King Bae announced, while her father nods firmly. “And as for you Seulgi, the maids will show your way to your bedchamber. Do rest well and make yourself comfortable.”   Seulgi manages with a “Thank you,” before following two young maiden who bows at her and lead her the way towards a different path.   They were met with a great expanse of green on the side as they walk on the path, enhancing another different part of the castle. And within the remains of the castle is a dampness that does not belong to the air outside. Despite the courtyard being open to the elements, the odour and humidity are quite different. They were soon met with grey walls which gave an eerie feel especially if night comes. Seulgi noticed that there were so many routes and she made a plan that she would venture out to every corridor, but not today. For she was sore and tired after sitting the whole day in the carriage, not to mention some crooks almost attacked them in the middle of the night. The two maids than led her into a right path, ascending to a wide staircase and there lies her bedchamber. The only one on that particular tower.   “The bed is warm and the food would be soon delivered by your...?” One of the eldest between two, looks at Seungwan as if asking for approval.   “Yes, yes, I’m her personal servant.” Seungwan declares as she repeatedly gave short bows towards the two maids. “You can leave anything regarding Lady Seulgi in my hands.”   The younger gave a small smile towards her, before the elder then spoke, “Very well then. But the King has ordered for us to also keep an eye for you, My Lady.”   “Well thank you.” Seulgi nods with a short bow, which the two maids bowed deeply once more. “But I’m not really hungry at the moment. I’m slightly weary. A short nap will do.”   The two maids look at each other, quietly discussing before the younger spoke, “Then would you perhaps prefer to have dinner at the banquet later on with the Princess?”   The word Princess immediately trigged her and she knew her Highness would sooner or later inquire her about Seulgi, following her back to the King’s Landing. Well the plan was sudden, and after the talk she had by the river with the Princess back then, she knew the woman would ask about the sudden decision.   “That sounds nice. I would prefer that instead.” Seulgi stated before she herself, questions, “I’m sorry but may I know your names?”   “Hyojung at your service,” The eldest spoke with a courtesy, while the younger smiles at her, “I’m Yoobin, My Lady.”   “A pretty name, for pretty ladies.” Seulgi beams at the two, a bit oblivious on how the maids were blushing crimson.   “Thank you, My Lady. If there’s nothing more, we would like to take your servant to further train her with the castle…only if there isn’t anything you need from her?” Hyojung expresses as her eyes darts back to forth from Seulgi to Seungwan.   “Oh no, I won’t be needing her just yet.” Seulgi places a hand on Seungwan’s shoulder, which the latter shudders for a bit. “But I do need her to help me remove this dress and unpacked my belongings for a moment, would that be alright?”   The maids shook their head, “Oh, we’ll help you with that My Lady.” Their eyes already eyeing the baggage wh