Chapter two! The campfire crackled, and two different sparks lifted up and got caught in the soft wind that moved through the soldiers camp. Surprisingly the wind forced them in different directions. There was a strange calm around the world, as if nature and all things were breathing a well-deserved sigh of relief now that Bo dang is defeated. The general rolled her dagger in her fingers, considering the fire again. The calm annoyed her. She preferred having a duty, a goal, and a task to accomplish. Her eyes moved around the camp, it was dark, calm and quiet, meaning everyone was asleep. She doesn't know why she feel so empty. Was it the fighters blood? It had to be. How else could one explain the lack of comfort in complacency? A soft sigh came from behind her, but Taeyeon didn't bother looking. She could sense Heechul coming. She could hear his footsteps, and narrowed her eyes in a glare as the man sat beside her. "You couldn't sleep?" He asked gazing at her. She smirked. "How can I? The queen wants me to marry the princess in a week, me of all people, even after finding out the truth about who I truly am." "I know you're confused but you don't have to be. The queen is probably scared you'll take her throne, and finding out you're a woman, a very strong one at that, made her concerns grew. Marrying the princess to you is the only way her majesty saw fit in keeping her throne." "I don't want her throne, I'm not competing with her, I'm also not of royalty blood, I just want to protect the nation." "That's not how she thinks, politically you'll be the person the people would want if the chance's given. She had no son, the princess is too naive to rule, and those sons of the late king's sisters are as useless as a common maiden, so I do understand where she's coming from." "But, I can't give them the son they want, the princess should marry someone who can give her all the happiness she deserve." "Taeyeon, I don't know about you but I think you can give her that. You're affectionate and a warrior, you have no competition, not a single man can compete with you." Taeyeon chuckled. "Of course you'll say that, but don't forget I still don't have the instrument to technically impregnate a woman." "Maybe the queen doesn't need a son or an heir, maybe she just needs you on her side to protect the throne. This is politics." "You know, I don't do politics, Heechul." The general fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Well." “Well?” Heechul leaned back on his hands. “The queen needs someone to aid the empire, someone to help her maneuver around difficult people.” “You mean she needs a lackey for her dirty work.” “If you want to put it that bluntly, then, yes. You are a Champion who would keep her opponents quiet.” “As quiet as the grave,” she said sweetly. "People fear you, no one would dare try to take the throne so long as you are near it. Not even the princess's useless cousins." "I don't know what to say." "You don't have to say anything, the queen has the knowledge of who you really are, yet she's resolute about you marrying her daughter, I'll say go for it, heavens know you deserve the throne." "Again, I don't want the throne, how many times do I have to say that? I can't imagine my life seating around a hug chair all day long, while people force themselves to please me. I only know how to fight." "Then fight, at least now you have a reason to." "I don't need a reason to fight for my nation, I'm a solder, it's my duty to protect the nation and everyone in it." "Marrying the princess is also protecting the nation Taeyeon, don't you see it?" "See what?" A mimicry of a smile curled Heechul's lips as he stared into her eyes. "You could change the system, you could render wellfare for all soldiers and palace guards, you could help with places of healing in every province and a home for every orphaned child." Heechul said with that smile still on his face. "Isn't that what you've always wanted to do?" He adds. The general nodded in understanding and with that she stood to walk back to her room. "Goodnight." She muttered as she walked away without waiting for a reply. She surely has a lot of thinking to do. Moreover, it was already late and she needed to let her head and mind rest, if she was planning on thinking clearly. ~~~ Sooyeon had always expected that she would be married away one day to some noble, decent man. As the princess and the only daughter of the late king, it was even possible that she would be married away to another kingdom entirely. What the princess had not expected was to be married so sudden and to a woman. It was two days ago that her mother, the queen informed her of her decision to marry her off to the general of the dragon troop. "But queen mother, she is a woman and a solder, you also know how I hate anyone that displays violence, even if that person is a warrior that protects my people.” Sooyeon had said when her mother broke the news to her, she couldn't help the hot angry tears streaming down her face. The empress sighed deeply before walking over to her daughter, “Sooyeon, as your mother, I understand what you’re going through." Once she’s standing in front of her she laid a heavy hand on her shoulder willing her daughter to calm down. “It pains me to ask this of you, but if not for my sake then for the sake of your people, for the throne, you will have to sacrifice your happiness, you are after all the princess, your people look up to you.” Looking into her mother's pleading eyes the princess realized that she has no say in the matter and so she lets the tears she had been trying to hold back fall freely. Sobbing, she moved closer to her mother who wasted no time in consoling her daughter, “I'm sorry, my love, but I’m sure you’ll learn to fall in love with the general.” The empress tried to soothe Sooyeon as much a mother should. Disgust was written all over the princess's face when she pulled away from the hug, “I don't think I would ever fall in love with someone who conquers and takes over people's homes. I don't think I would ever fall in love with someone who would rather murder and enslave thousands.” Sooyeon raised her chin defiantly, firm in her beliefs. Just because she’s being forced to marry this woman, doesn’t mean she has to play the role of a devoted wife. "Oh dear, she does what she does for her country, for you and she's not violent, she's a solder, a warrior, doing what you should have been doing." The queen smiled at her daughter softly. "Besides, she's not all about fighting battles and conquering, she's a great and honorable woman." Yes, she'd heard good things about her, she just can't believe her mother would make such an important decision on her behalf without even considering her opinion. She's the princess for heavens sake, she definitely has a say on the matters of her life. But is it too late now that the queen has already made her decision? She knows her mother. Nothing and no one would make her change her decision no matter what. She's a woman of her words and that's for sure. ~~~ Taeyeon stood by the huge painting of her brother, the one that was suppose to be the general today, tears pooled her eyes as she remembered the last conversation she hard with him. Ever since she was a child, she'd always been obsessed with martial arts and the art of war. Her only brother took it as his job to train her secretly without the knowledge of their father. Jiwoong had always known his little sister was born to be a warrior. Two figures were engaged in near brutal combat. Both were clad in plain white training cloth and a veil mask that covered most of their faces. One figure was slightly more feminine than the other taller, sturdier frame. The woman raised her sword when the man managed to drive her back against a wall. She’s not one who gives up easily and so she readied herself to go on the offensive. She swiped once, twice and then had to dodge the man’s wide swings that are aimed at her head. One strike is almost too close for comfort as the woman had bent over backwards at the hips to avoid getting her head chopped off. The man’s swing had been wild and out of control. The woman capitalized on this and hits him in his back with the hilt of her sword. The man refused to give up and swung his other shotter arm towards the woman, succeeding in catching her off balance. He stabbed the sword towards the ground, hoping to catch the woman’s foot, but she kept sliding away, she brought her sword down at the kneeling man, but he blocked just in time. They continue fighting one another, swinging wildly or ing their swords in the direction of their bodies, but they’re both evenly matched it seems. The man and woman push each other away with their shoulders and sometimes kicks. Anything is fair in love and war and this was war. “Noonim!” a little boy exclaimed as he ran over to the sparring pair. The man looked back at the boy taking his eyes completely off his opponent. The woman seized the opportunity to swipe his sword away from him and make pointing with both his and her sword at his throat. The man looked at the woman in disbelief as smugness rolled off the woman’s body in waves. He doesn’t even have to see her entire face to know that she’s smirking. After staring at her for a few moments the man turned back around to address the boy who had disturbed them, “What’s the reason for this interruption?” “Forgive me. Mother is asking for you.” The little boy bowed his head lowly in shame. The woman, Taeyeon – lowered the swords and addressed the boy, “Tell mother that I’ll be joining her shortly.” The boy lets out a relieved breath, “As you wish.” And with that he ran away as fast as his short legs could carry him. “Taeyeon, this isn’t fair. I was about to win when he distracted me.” The man grumbles. “Victory is victory, brother.” Taeyeon said untying the mask off her face and as he suspected she’s smirking at him. “I have defeated you! Remember, bro – a moment’s distraction can change the duel’s outcome. A slight distraction can bring about defeat or death!” ​Jiwoong rolled his eyes with a fond smile on his face. He was the one who had taught her these very words and now they were thrown in his face. He’s always known that his little sister was a genius, it’s just that she could be insufferable when she was proven right, which seemed to be always the case. “Yeah, I know. I was the one who taught you that and now the student becomes the teacher.” Jiwoong chuckled as he took back the sword Taeyeon was extending towards him. “Not teaching, only reminding.” Taeyeon responded as she started following Jiwoong. “Let me tell you, your skills are impressive. A good student absorbs knowledge swiftly and well, just like you, Taeyeon.” her brother stated proudly as they walked down the corridor. “Really?” Taeyeon couldn’t help but be happy at the compliment she received from her dear brother. “I’m only a good student thanks to my wise teacher.” Taeyeon is quick to reassure Jiwoong. “Your new teacher is wiser.” Jiwoong said as he placed Taeyeon's and his swords away. “New teacher? Who is that?” Taeyeon asked thoroughly confused. “Our mother will teach you what women must know. You'll be married someday and you’ll have to care for your spouse the same way our mother has cared for our father. I have no doubt that you’ll make a fine wife.” Jiwoong stated placing his hand on her shoulder. Taeyeon just stared at him and then narrowed her eyes slightly, "Then I have a condition. I will not marry until father appoints you the next Kim warrior." Taeyeon continued staring, her posture defiant. “But…” “That is my final decision.” Taeyeon doesn’t even give Jiwoong a chance to respond back. “You know, it’s not right for a woman to make such demands.” Jiwoong sighed, knowing full well that he won’t be able to change his sister's mind once it’s made up. “Well I’m not like any other woman now, am I?” Taeyeon smirked. “Besides, you know it’s true. I have even heard father praise your skills. He speaks of your bravery and the many tournaments you’ve won. You’re proficient in warfare and deserving of the title. So there’s nothing to worry about, isn’t that so?” Taeyeon looked at Jiwoong with pleading eyes. Jiwoong can only nod at Taeyeon. Once Taeyeon's married she’ll have to leave her home to live with her spouse and become mother of the kids for the man she ends up marrying. Then the House of Kim will be left with no heir and since their father is an old man he’ll need to appoint a successor soon. Taeyeon was adamant it’d be Jiwoong, even though he's handicapped. ​"​​​​​​Taeyeon." Jiwoong halted, and she spun around looking at him. "Would you promise me one thing?" "What is it?" *"Your first child if he's a boy, would you name him after me?" Taeyeon laughed. "Of course, since I want him to be a warrior just like you...why not?" She answered though blushing hard. "But what if it's a she?" "Than you name her after mother, that would be perfect, mother is pretty strong too, don't you think?" "She is, but I hope it'll be a boy so I can name him after you." "Thank You." Jiwoong smiled sweetly at his sister, their conversation dying just as they reached the kitchen where thier mother was cooking dinner. Taeyeon wiped at her tears furiously as she re