“Father!” Seulgi sprang up from the bed, gasping for air.

“Seungwan, she’s coming to! Quick, pour a cup of water for her!” It was only in this chamber room, that one could witness the Seventh Prince of the Li Kingdom obeying a general's daughter to serve tea for a mere guard, her personal guard at that! But among the three of them, it was a common scene. Having grown up with the other two, it was safe to say that they were one of the few Seungwan considered her family amidst the bloody battle for the throne.

Seungwan looked back at Seulgi, then she rushed towards the round table at the center of the room to pour out a cup of water.

“Seulgi–ah how are you feeling?” Joohyun helped her sit up and lean against the bedrest as Seungwan returned with the cup of tea.

“Another nightmare?” Seungwan handed her the cup and settled down next to them on the bed. She noticed beads of sweat dripping off from Seulgi’s temple.

“The same nightmare.” Seulgi downed the cup. “I should’ve never looked back.”

“Nightmare?” Joohyun took the cup of tea away and stood up. “The one about your father?”

Seulgi froze. She hadn’t been able to process Joohyun’s presence. “H–hyun?”

“Who else would I be?” Joohyun chuckled. She recognized the faint bear–like facial features. A distant memory she had grown up seeing. She moved across the room to return the cup to the table.

“Are yo–” Seulgi groaned and reached for her head as she attempted to swing her legs off the bed.

“Does your head still hurt Seul? It was a hard fall when you crashed into Joohyun’s carriage.” Seungwan grabbed both sides of Seulgi’s head to look for any more injuries.

“Carriage?”

“At the returning ceremony.” Joohyun returned to Seulgi’s side.

Seulgi looked at Joohyun, inspecting her from head to toe.

That’s right. The Li Kingdom had, once again, won a five–year war against enemies of the north. The King, Lee Donghae, had his heirs and ministers welcome the return of the Northern Military Army, Wolfsbane. The crown prince was arranged to receive General Taeyeon and her party, but for some unknown reason, Seungwan was the one at the front.

As the seventh prince’s imperial guard, Seulgi was supposed to be by Seungwan’s side at all times. But unnotified of the sudden change, Seulgi had her people dispersed around the area to protect the Bae party from any sudden ambush instead.

Just as Taeyeon’s entire Wolfsbane army entered the city gates, an arrow shot out from behind Taeyeon who had stopped her horse to greet her receiver. The arrow headed straight for the seventh prince!

Seulgi, who was keeping watch from the top floor of a nearby restaurant inn, jumped off and hurled her sword to redirect the arrow, a palm’s span away, from Seungwan’s forehead. She gave a loud whistle, calling on her men to locate the assassin while spinning like a roasted chicken to avoid the incoming drizzle of arrows as she spiraled downwards. The crowded streets of civilians, rich and poor, welcoming the army’s return quickly scattered in a frenzy. More men masked in black appeared, their intention: to kill.

Seulgi used the rain of arrows to ricochet herself higher into the sky, but an incoming hairpin threw her off balance. Luckily, it was the blunt side that came in contact with the back of her head. The sudden force knocked her off focus and she plummeted into one of the army’s carriages, more precisely, Young Miss Bae Joohyun’s carriage.

…

“Are you alright? Did you get hurt anywhere?” Seulgi scanned Joohyun once more.

“Seulgi–ah, I’m fine.” Joohyun stood up and hopped up and down to show her well–being. “It’s been years and your nagging is still annoying as ever. Need I point out that you’re the injured one?” She played ignorant to the sudden beating of her heart.

Five. It’s been five gruesome years since Joohyun left Seulgi back with the seventh prince to go to war.

When Seulgi turned twelve years of age, General Taeyeon’s presence was requested as northern enemies declared another war against the Li Kingdom. Following in her father’s footsteps, Joohyun volunteered to assist Taeyeon in battle. However, instead of bringing Seulgi along with her, she tricked Seulgi into staying back. She suggested that Seulgi become Seungwan’s guard. The three of them have been inseparable ever sinc