"... it would've been easier if we took the stallion. That way we could've arrived earlier."

"I didn't ask you to join me, did I?"

"I know. But as wise men would say: a journey well-shared is a journey enjoyed."

"I highly doubt that, Lady Kim."

"I’m the best companion you could ever get, Park."

"The only thing I got from you is a headache," The knight grunted past ragged breaths.

The pair weaved through the bustling crowd. With each step, the thick wool of their cloaks kept weighing heavier. Underneath, their muscles succumbed to numbness, the incessant walking definitely wore their bodies down. The sunlight also added to their fatigue, the heat was beginning to seep in between their bones. Regardless of this state, they only clutched the cape tighter and marched against the flock of people. Not a single thread of their hair nor face is seen.

It was a particularly busy day in the city. It was a summery afternoon, so vendors of all sorts fuss in the street market to be able to sell their produce quickly. Several customers were present as well, milling from one stall to another, taking advantage of the lowest prices there were. Barks of persuasion can be heard here and there, loud enough to rupture one’s eardrums. Both women felt like their ears will fall off at any moment now. They were pushed and squished multiple times. The handmaiden bit her lip in frustration and tugged Chaeyoung’s sleeves to slow her down. But the knight was moving like a fired steel bullet, it seems like her only sense of direction as of the moment, is forward. So they proceed, feet aching, the sun above their head and blaring. 

The harsh conditions didn't waver the blonde. She only had one goal: to retrieve something from a certain blacksmith. The Queen’s birthday is coming in five days. She had thought long and hard on what to get for her darling. She thought of gifting her jewelry--yet she remembered Jennie is a queen, and that jewelry for her is as common as a coin. Or maybe a handmade bouquet would be sentimental? But then again, the matriarch lived in a castle with an enormous garden as a backyard. All the ideas seemed to have an exception, messy like the roaring seas. Although one thought would often emerge; her. Everything about her never failed to make Chaeyoung all roused and lovesick. How Jennie's hands can uphold the kingdom, but ultimately, it fits right against hers. How her tongue was unlike any other, witty and calculated. Yet she never spoke of hatred and has a soul finer than any saint.

She supposes she notices the littlest of things because she’s madly devoted with the older, or that Jennie by definition, is love itself. But she doesn't think about the reasons why her thoughts about Jennie are as they are; she's in love and it's simple as that. Alas, even at the most worn, hectic days, her relief came in the form of a cat-eyed beauty with a heart of gold. She realized what the perfect gift could be.

They walked once more until they’re greeted with a rugged cobblestone path leading to a workshop. Metals of all sorts hung over their heads, it echoes a soft chime whenever there’s a gust of wind. The smell of red-hot iron was strong, and the place felt like hell the deeper they advance. Chaeyoung felt the immediate temperature rise, so sheds her coat to place it over a couch. Jisoo followed suit but soon resumed amusing herself with the workshop’s interesting tools. From a distance, they could hear the hammering of metals. Loud and sharp. The blonde rose her brow and trailed towards the sound. She was met with white steam swirling against her face. When she fanned the smoke away, a lithe woman of a similar height appeared before her. She was wearing a leather apron on top of her clothes that were several times bigger than her figure. Her hair was the same color as cold ashes and had a face harder than what she’s forging. 

When she finished submerging this long instrument, she shifted her attention to her visitor. The blacksmith instantly smiled, wiping the forming sweat on her forehead. Though it was hard to return the grin because Chaeyoung could see the soot smeared on her face. The knight laughed with her belly, and the smither doesn’t have a clue why. 

“What?” The ash-haired woman asked. She put the tongs down and feigned an upset posture. Hands placed on her hips and all. She wasn’t intimidating at all. 

When the fit of chuckles died down, she replied, “You’ll scare everyone away with that face. Goddamn it, Lis,” Chaeyoung grabbed a clean rag and threw it on her face.

“Well, I apologize, it’s not like my job is smithing, isn’t it?” Lisa sarcastically replied. While wiping away the mess on her face, she went around the anvil to rummage around her shelf of finished works. The knight giggled an apology, one that could reach the younger’s ears. She sat down on one of the available stools, making herself comfortable as Lisa gets busy.

“How have you been,” Lisa mumbled. Where did she put that damn box?

“The castle’s immersed in making everything perfect for Her Majesty.” Chaeyoung noticed a few reparations around the blacksmith’s work area. The girl must’ve been holed up in this room.

“Oh, of course. You’re the most excited about it, aren’t you?” The younger teased, “Give me a second… I swear it was somewhere here…” She kneeled to what it seems to be a chest full of junk.