It must’ve been the way Soohyun had slept last night because she can’t seem to get out of her bed easily. Her arms ache so bad, it almost felt like it was injured but then she knew it was nowhere near injured, it’s impossible. She probably just slept in the wrong position last night. Settling with that, Soohyun finally managed to stand up and wash her face. It was still to early, she guessed, because the sun didn’t look like it has already shone. The sky was in the middle of the colors of blue, black and a hint of orange. She stared at it for a while before going back to what she was doing.

After a few minutes of preparing herself—to a point where she can agree to herself that she looked decent enough to walk in the palace hallways— she then walked out of her room. There were royal guards stationed outside her room and the sight of them early in the morning was something she just couldn’t get used to. They all look stiff and proper, as if they were not human at all. That somehow gave her the creeps whenever she’d pass by them.

A few more walks and Soohyun found herself reaching the dining hall in no time. Apparently, she wasn’t as early as she thought she was. Everyone was already there, on their respective seats and was about to start their breakfast even without her. The King, who was sitting at the farthest end of the table noticed her presence and motioned for her to take a seat right away.

“Have a seat and take your breakfast,” he said in a scarily commanding tone. His voice was low and everything was just eerily quiet and that seemed to magnify his voice to tens and thousands deeper, sending chills down to Soohyun’s body.

“We don’t have the whole day for this. Soohyun, I need you to accompany Hamin to Serah. He’ll be having a talk with some of the officials there and then they’ll be having a friendly match after,” he said, directing his gaze over Soohyun who hasn’t touched her food even a little bit. “You know what to do right?”

The chills from his voice never failed to send her to a slight panic. He didn’t particularly liked when someone doesn’t answer him right after he asked something so the initial reaction Soohyun had was to raise her head up and give a nod.

“Good. Now eat and finish your breakfasts fast,” the King said and everyone seemed to be back at eating after listening to what he had just said.

Soohyun tried to ignore the occasional glances she would get from her siblings, as if none of them wanted her to be there. She had gotten used to it, in fact that’s how she lived for the past nineteen years of her life. But still, having to deal with it every time she has to be with them still feels exhausting. After they all had finished their breakfasts, Hamin—who was the second after the eldest child— came to her.

“Just sit somewhere where I couldn’t see you, alright?” Hamin started with the obvious scowl on his face.

“I know,” Soohyun shortly answered.

“Good. But stay near because I still need you to win that match,” he said, taking steps away from her. Before he could finally disappear from her sight, she heard him say something along the lines of the people at Serah are stupid for challenging him even though it’s a friendly match or something like that.

Soohyun couldn’t bother herself more with her selfish brother. All of them were selfish though. None of her siblings felt like real siblings even though they lived and stayed together in the palace for years. They only talked to her when they need her and then disregarded her when they don’t see her useful for the day. They weren’t any different to those people who they claim to hate and hold grudges to. They’re all the same after all.

Before she could even dwell thinking how awful her family is, Soohyun headed to the garden at the back of her room. It was the only place she could find real peace. After having to deal with everyone on the palace, feeling exhausted was an understatement. She found herself a spot on the grass as she sat on it carefully. Minutes after she arrived, she heard soft footsteps coming her way. When she looked back, she couldn’t help but smile back. It was her friend after all— the only friend she has.

“Bora!” Soohyun exclaimed, extending an arm so they could end up in a tight hug after. Bora ran as soon as Soohyun looked back and called her name. The tight hug immediately came as soon as they reached each others arms.

“I thought you weren’t allowed to roam around?” Soohyun asked in disbelief.

“I am but I made ways to meet you,” Bora said with a smile on her face. “You promised to show me something interesting. I couldn’t just miss that.”

There was something awfully comforting in Bora’s presence. As if she was the older sister Soohyun was looking and craving for. She provided that comfort she couldn’t find in her family. She knows her more than any of her family does— what she likes and what she doesn’t. Trivial things like that didn’t seem to matter with her family. They only cared whether they liked it or not. Bora must’ve noticed the sudden change in Soohyun’s expression as she lightly tapped on her shoulder, helping her regain herself before she could think of the worse.

“What are you going to show me today?” Bora asked in a smile. In an instant, Soohyun flashed a grin as she made a leap towards the thing she wanted her to see the most.

Soohyun went behind the tree, almost a few steps away from where Bora was standing, and seemed to be getting something behin