Captain Yoo Jeongyeon had held a grudge against the royal family her entire life. She believed she deserved to be the one sitting on the throne with all the power. The Yoos were usurped. That was the story that was told over the last few generations. An influential family from Japan wanted to expand and at the time the Yoos weren’t able to do anything about it. She vowed to take revenge. She built a working relationship with the Kims and trained to be a guard worthy of being captain. There she met her future partner, Im Nayeon, the only person who ever dared to challenge her. They often fought with each other but their relationship was still as strong as ever. 

“What are you thinking about?” Nayeon asked as she s her arms around Jeongyeon’s waist. 

“A lot of things. Without you, I think I would’ve already gone crazy.”

“I don’t think so, you’re stronger than that.” 

“I’m really not.” 

“You are. You wouldn’t be here if the king didn’t think you were strong enough. You shaped our daughter into a guard. When I saw her earlier she greeted me saying, ‘Co-Captain Im.’ Stop saying you’re not strong because I know for a fact if you weren’t you would’ve strangled the king’s throat the moment he told you you were the new captain of the royal guard.” 

“I was tempted to.” 

“But you didn't.” 

She didn't say anything and instead turned around to face her partner. She leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss onto Nayeon’s lips. Nayeon knew what that meant. It was Jeongyeon’s way of saying thank you. Nayeon wanted more than that though. Jeongyeon gasped in surprise when her partner started kissing her more fervently but soon relaxed into it. It only lasted a few moments but it told her all she needed to know. Her partner was there for her and that was enough. They sat in a comfortable silence and reveled in each other's presence. 

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Royal doctor Park Jihyo admired the royal family. She knew the family was brave and bared rumors better than anyone. She saw how badly they were treated by the general public. They suffered so much and yet no one saw it. She heard the muffled sobs of the prince, the cries of frustration from the king, the yelling from the queen, but surprisingly the whole time she had known the princess she always held a calm and collected demeanor. The only times Jihyo had ever seen the girl cry or be anything other than calm were all concerning her brother. The princess was a fighter, keeping all the pain she held to herself. Everyone always dismissed the royal family and that was the one thing that truly frustrated the doctor. 

“Everyone thinks the royal family is so cowardly. They are quite the opposite,” she said to no one in particular. 

“You may think so, others may not, everyone has different understandings,” Tzuyu responded, even though she knew the comment wasn’t towards anyone. 

“You’re always so honest.” 

“Would you rather I lie?” 

“No, I like people who are honest about who they feel.” 

“We are on the same page then.” 

“It seems so, Assistant Chou.” 

“So Doctor Park, is the royal family really what you think it is?” 

“I want to think so, but as you said everyone thinks differently. What do you think?” 

“With how I was raised, I was