Moonbyul sighed as she unsheathed her sword and pointed it at the figure in the middle of the clearing.

“Don’t make me do this the hard way, Shuhua.”

No response. It was as if she hadn’t even spoken.

“Captain, we can tie her up and put her on the back of my horse—”

“I’ve already told you once, Jungkook, the Minister expressly forbade us from using force unless it was absolutely necessary.” Moonbyul glared imperiously at her new page as he quickly lowered his head, brown hair flopping over his forehead. “Let this be the last time I repeat myself.”

“Y—yes Captain!”

Moonbyul nodded and turned back to Shuhua. She hadn’t moved, standing stock still and hugging an awkwardly wrapped bundle so tightly to her chest that Moonbyul thought that it might break.

“Well? Are you a coward with no tongue? Speak!”

At that Shuhua’s head snapped up and she met Moonbyul’s gaze straight on. Byul automatically shifted back, overpowered by the ferocity in Shuhua’s eyes. But she clenched her fists and stared back. The Captain of the Royal Guard had more steel in her veins than this wild girl.

Or so Moonbyul told herself.

After what seemed like an eternity, Shuhua’s pose relaxed and she looked away. “Put up your sword. I’ll come without a fight.”

Moonbyul internally sighed with relief.

“Jung