Her Majesty continued, "As I have heard no objections from you, I am assuming your father is to proceed with his plans for the contest for your hand."

Jongin sighed, "Yes. And as I have stated before, it would not have mattered if he had my consent or not."

"Alri-"

Jongin interrupted, "However, I have a condition."

He continued, "I would like to revise the plan. I don't want you to look into the girls' backgrounds."

His mother was shocked and at a loss for words as she spluttered, "Jongin, what if she's tainted? What if she's a e?"

"Deal or no deal?"

She frowned, "I will consider it."

Jongin smiled, "I'm glad."

He got up and bowed to his mother, "Now, if you'll excuse me. I have other matters to attend to."

He turned to exit, and then his mother said, "What about Shuijing*?"

*shuijing means Crystal, or should I say Krystal? ;)

Jongin turned and gave his mother a cold smile, "Don't mention her in my presence."

With that, he walked out of the room. 

*~*

Dressed in her red commoner robes, she stepped out and slipped into the darkness. The swordswoman had a small knife hidden in her shoes and a very sharp hair pin concealed by her hair. She had also used a bit of makeup to alter her look and make herself look less suspicious. She quickly rounded a corner and saw that someone different was waiting for her at the usual meeting spot. She narrowed her ey