Miyeon felt completely out of her element as she and Shuhua cantered through the deserted city. She was a poisoner for God’s sake, not some common knight who rode a horse and swung a broadsword! But now she had to guide the future Queen through a viper's nest to the one place where the Minister’s fangs could not reach.

All I have to do is get us back safely! You will not fail, Miyeon. You just have to remember the way home.

But Miyeon, having only ridden from the castle to the safe house once, couldn’t tell which street she was on, much less where the safe house was located. She reined in her horse. Shuhua did too, glancing at her concernedly.

“Is everything all right?”

“Uh, yes, yes,” Miyeon muttered distractedly, looking at the houses and feeling a mounting terror build up in her chest. “I’m sure we’re on the right track, I just need to figure out which side street we go through.” She peered hopelessly at the street signs but none seemed familiar.

“You’re lost, aren’t you?” Shuhua asked calmly. Miyeon shook her head but then quickly nodded. Shuhua giggled. Miyeon rounded on her but Shuhua held up her hands placatingly. “Sorry! I’m not making fun of you. Do you remember anything about the route?”

Miyeon racked her brains. “I remember there was this strange massage parlor. The prices on the window for a foot massage were absurd! So expensive!” She huffed.

Shuhua chuckled again. “Oh Miyeon, that wasn’t a massage parlor. It probably was a shop disguised as a massage parlor. Did it have two feet and an eggplant on the sign?”

Miyeon looked at Shuhua in surprise. “Yes! How did you know?”

“Because I’ve been around this area before with Yuqi when we ran away from the castle. We spent a whole day dressed up as peasant girls and walked all over town. Good news, we’re heading in the right direction.”

Miyeon heaved a sigh of relief. She and Shuhua rode in silence for a while. With the mystery