Minjoo slowly placed back her teacup on the table before roaming her eyes lazily around the hall, murmurs filling her ears. She couldn’t help but to let out a sigh, discreetly, she can’t afford to be scolded by her mother in the middle of this important yet boring meeting.

Fixing her posture, she tilted her chin up and tried to listen intently to the discussion, she already noticed the heated tension around the hall. Her gaze went to her Father, the King was glaring at the person across them, a representative from the Hanteon.

She bit her lower lip, this wouldn’t end well, given that both parties are arguing and wouldn’t get along at all. Even the Queen was very distressed and worried, trying to calm her husband down. The last thing they wanted to happen is for the King to execute the representative and add fuel to the fire.

“Tell that King of yours to face me personally,” Minhoon’s baritone voice echoed, furious. The representative’s lips curved up into an amused smirk, obviously having fun provoking the King. “Our Majesty is not available, he won’t order me to go here if he’s not busy,” He said, and flinched after Minhoon smacked the table, creating a loud bang.

Minjoo also yelped a bit, even the people around the hall were surprised at the sudden harsh action.

“Cowardice.” The King exclaimed before standing up from his throne, a dagger gaze remained on the bewildered representative. “You may now exit from my kingdom’s premises, lowly human.” He grunted and walked away, his fists clenched. The Queen immediately followed him, along with the guards.

The elders and the representative remained frozen on their seats, Minjoo sighed and shook her head. She quite expected it already but her father exploded quite early, that was the last straw.

“Well, then,” The representative cleared his throat and stood up, also walking away with the elders following him and begging for him to understand the King’s actions and all. The princess grimaced, standing up from her seat also.

Before she could even exit the empty hall, Yujin appeared, meeting her halfway with a worried expression. “Hey,” The guard greeted, Minjoo forced a smile. “I heard that it didn’t end well, again,” Added by Yujin.

The princess shrugged, sighing. “It never ends well.” She muttered tiredly, also in distress about the matters. She would like to blend in with the discussion, however, her father forbade her to speak in the middle of the meeting and said that he would handle it alone.

Yujin noticed that the princess was gloomy and tired. “Do you want me to you to your chamber, princess?” She offered with a small smile. Minjoo looked up, meeting her gaze. “You have training,” She said but the warrior just snorted. “They wouldn’t mind if I’m late for fifteen minutes or so. Let’s go,”

Both of them reached Minjoo’s chamber after a few minutes of walking. “You should go now,” The older woman said softly which made Yujin pout. “Why do you want me to go there immediately? You don’t want to spend time with me anymore, princess?” She asked, faking a hurt tone and puppy eyes.

Minjoo rolled her eyes playfully, a smile forming on her lips. “It’s not that, you pup. I don’t want for the General to scold you for being late, you might get punished too.” She reasoned out, sitting down on her bed.

The warrior skipped towards her, huffing cutely. “Hey, it’s worth it anyway!” She said, grinning before kneeling down, taking off Minjoo’s shoes. The princess blushed, groaning. “I told you, you don’t need to do this for me. I have hands too, I can perfectly take those off myself or you could call Hitomi,” She whined but Yujin just stuck her tongue out, still in the process of taking the shoes off.

“I’m just treating you like a princess. Let me be.” Yujin said, reaching for the more comfortable slippers under Minjoo’s bed and made the princess wear it before standing up, straightening her clothes. “Should I hang around for a while?” She asked with a cute dimpled smile.

Minjoo rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. “No,” She answered firmly which made Yujin whine. “Go now, the training must be probably starting now!” She said, standing up and tried to push Yujin towards the door. The warrior grinned, letting herself get pushed there slowly. “I don’t care about it, I’m your guard. I'm supposed to be with you 24/7. I will complain about this—”

She was cut off by Minjoo’s pair of lips. Great technique, it always works for Yujin. Sometimes, her whipped-ness for the princess is unbelievable, Minjoo really got her on control, after all, Yujin’s owner is her.

The kiss didn’t last long, it’s just a short sweet kiss but enough for Yujin to go crazy and crave for more. “Now, go,” Minjoo whispered, her lips still ghosting above Yujin’s ones. The warrior was about to protest when Minjoo gave her a sharp glare which made her purse her lips, her imaginary tail lowering down and staying between her legs.

“After your training, I will give you more.” Minjoo bribed and Yujin perked up immediately. It’s a very tempting offer. “Now go to your training, be back safely.” She demanded, pushing Yujin out from her room with a smile. The warrior huffed, puckering her lips a bit. “Fine. Tss.” She finally gave up, responding with a defeated groan.

The princess nodded, giving her a pat on the cheek. “Good pup.” She cooed before taking a step back, ready to close the door when Yujin stopped her from closing it. She gave her a weird look, but Yujin just smiled, pointing at her cheek. Minjoo immediately understood what she wanted.

With a sigh, Minjoo placed a peck on Yujin’s cheek before whispering. “Don’t tire yourself much, alright? Be careful.” She said, leaning away. Yujin did a salute gesture. “Will do! See you in a bit, princess.” She responded and finally dashed to the corridor with a bright grin.

Minjoo could only shake her head and closed the door after, her grin equally as bright as Yujin’s.

It’s been more than a year since that kidnapping incident— everything between Yujin and Minjoo are still going smoothly, they are still close friends but behind closed doors, they act like a couple, they kiss, they cuddle— and just anything even though they are not official but Yujin couldn’t care less about it, Minjoo doesn’t seem to mind it too. As long as they have each other, they are the happiest.

Although Yujin is busy with her training and errands, she never forgets her duty to protect Minjoo. As much as possible, she will stick beside the princess whenever she doesn’t have any schedule.

The only thing that is not going well is the peace talk with Hanteon and Beairterre.

Beairterre already reached them for a talk, discussion and all. They are indeed planning a war to the kingdom, however, it can be sorted out with discussion and offers. Minhoon is never fond of wars, it's not like he’s a coward but he doesn’t want to lose his citizens and given that Hanteon is known for being violent and bloodthirsty kingdom who likes to colonize other peaceful kingdoms, plus the alliances, Beairterre might lose especially if it would be a surprise attack.

So while trying to discuss things with the other party, they are already gathering some allies too, fortunately, many agreed to be with them as they don’t like Hanteon, wanting for that kingdom to be destroyed. The talk, as expected, never really ends well every time. They’ve been trying to discuss it with some representatives for a year now, while training their warriors behind their backs, just in case.

But the chance of having peace went down into the drain when Hanteon wouldn’t accept a lot of their offers, as expected, they want Minjoo— they want for their heir and Beairterre’s heir to marry. Minhoon would never accept that, over his dead body. Plus, Minjoo is already set to marry Hyunjin.

Minjoo knew about this and she couldn’t help but to cry into her sleep sometimes, why do they really want Minjoo to be married to people who she doesn't even love, heck doesn’t even like? It’s like she’s just a toy, like a puppet. It feels like that. Why do they even like her? Why do they fight over her? For sure, it’s her beauty. Sometimes, she couldn’t help but curse the gods above for giving her such a face. Every woman would kill people to get her beauty. However, this so-called blessing became a curse to Minjoo.

Fortunately, Yujin is always there, reassuring her and making her feel better about getting such a face, and body, and wit, if Yujin didn’t exist, she must be in despair now or worse scar her face out of anger. And she’s so thankful that Yujin also admires and worships her flaws, her everything— not just her outer appearances, she always looks beneath her face also. After all, Minjoo is just more than just a face unlike what most people think of her.

Maybe if she didn’t meet Yujin, she must’ve already lost her sanity. At this point, she treats Yujin as her everything.

Minjoo shook her thought, sighing before walking near to her bed and sat here silently, staring at nothingness. These thoughts scared her yet made her feel so safe. She knew she had to stop these blooming feelings for the warrior, but she couldn’t help but to fall deeper each day, she wouldn’t even deny it. Often these days, whenever she’s with Yujin, she feels so happy and she could say whenever she thinks of their future, she doesn’t even feel scared anymore because she knows that the young warrior would do everything to keep her safe and happy. She would just let herself fall deeper into the abyss called Ahn Yujin.

With that, the princess decided to rest. It was a long day, but then she remembered, she would attend the dinner later with the Hwangs. For sure, they would ask stuff again about her and Hyunjin.

Whatever, she will just think of wonderful things, and by the means of that— Yujin’s smile would be the greatest example.

—

“You’re working too hard,” Hyewon pointed out, biting on her bread as she watched Yujin fight a wooden dummy. The younger warrior huffed, looking through her shoulders. “I need to.” She muttered her answer and started to punch the poor dummy, instantly breaking when Yujin’s fist landed on its base, earning a whistle from Hyewon.

“Woah, chill out. That wood is so freaking thick and hard as a rock.” The older teased, grinning but Yujin remained neutral, flexing her slightly numb fingers before punching another wooden dummy. The other warriors in training stood there in shock, watching Yujin destroy those dummies effortlessly with bare hands. They are still not used to it, this werewolf Ahn never fails to amaze them every time they train.

Yujin ignored them and just kept destroying the dummies while chanting ‘need to be stronger for Minjoo, need to properly protect Minjoo, train hard for Minjoo’ in her mind, repeatedly which made her more energized. The princess is her source of motivation and energy.

She was about to punch the last dummy when someone called for her attention.

“Yujin,” It’s her father, General Seungjin. The warrior stopped immediately, huffing a bit before turning to her father, giving him the same intensity of gaze, not backing down. “Spare some dummies for the other warriors,” He said and the warrior rolled her eyes. “They can’t even crack it after ten punches. Most of them wouldn’t even use it.” She reasoned out with a sharp glare.

General Seungjin sighed, just nodding along and averted his gaze. Deep inside, he got scared a bit with Yujin’s eyes, there’s a glint of red there, obviously she was annoyed. “Go, your older cousin wants to see you. Looks like Sooji wants to train with you,” He said, and Yujin’s eyes lit up at the mention of her older cousin from her father's side, Ahn Sooji. Seems like her older cousin already finished her seven months long mission.

The Ahn clan consists of twelve members, they might be a small family but their clan would be the most powerful in Beairterre as they are the only people who hold unordinary power and strength.

“Well then, may I go now?” Yujin asked, her voice a little bit chirpy. The general nodded. “You may, I will finally properly introduce the other remaining members of the Ahn clan like Sooji and Yukhei to the princess soon. Maybe tomorrow at dinner.” He said and Yujin nodded with a small smile, before running at full speed yet stealthily, some warriors didn’t even notice her exiting the training ground.

—

“Yujin!” Sooji exclaimed the moment she saw her younger cousin entering the barracks, meeting her halfway for a hug. Both of them embraced each other for a bit before Sooji pulled away to pat Yujin’s head.

“Pup, how are you?” The older asked, grinning as she ruffled Yujin’s hair to show affection. The younger Ahn mirrored her grin. “Same old, same old.” She responded which made them chuckle both.

Yujin is the youngest Ahn in the clan, also the sole daughter of the chieftain, which is Seungjin so she grew up surrounded by her cousins. They are close, considering that they all grew up together however, among them all, Sooji and Yujin are the closest since they are the only girls in their circle of cousins and siblings. All in all, they are only five— Yujin, Sooji and Yukhei are siblings though, Taehyung and Yeonjun are also siblings.

Although Sooji is five years older than her, they still got along well like sisters.

“Woah, you’ve gotten taller again.” Sooji pointed out, huffing and very upset. Yujin laughed. “Woah, you’ve gotten older again.” She teased, earning a light smack from the older which made her laugh more.

Sooji scoffed and rolled her eyes, but she’s smiling. “Whatever.” She flipped her hair. “Let’s go to train, shall we? Let’s test this sword I bought for you.” She said, grabbing the sword that’s inclining to the wall. Yujin’s eyes lit up. “You bought me a gift?!” She asked excitedly. Sooji just stuck her tongue out.

The older never fails to give her gifts after her mission since unlike Yujin, she could travel around the continent for her mission; however, her cousin can only stay here to protect the princess. And so, she always brings her gifts or souvenirs that she bought in other countries.