Sungyeol must have figured out there was something odd going on when Hyora cast the eavesdropping prevention spell. “What kind of job is it that needs this sort of precaution?”

“Something concerning the fate of our kingdom,” Hyora answered, sitting back down again. She explained the current situation of the kingdom, where the cards were, and what she needed of him. For a minute he was silent, pondering the weight of her words and the seriousness of her offer. Eventually, however, he inclined his head and agreed.

From that point on, it felt as if the conspiracy dominated Hyora’s life. While she was at the Academy, she had to gather information from her contacts among the students. Sungyeol ended up reporting to Hoya instead. Her twin figured that she had her hands full with other things anyway.

It was true. She had to maintain contact with Myungsoo and others, and she was constantly attending this or that social event hosted by whichever nobles. On the surface, it was just her participation in court activities, but in reality she was gathering and extracting whatever information she could from those she talked to. Under the seemingly meaningless chatter were subtler messages. Although Hyora didn’t always know what their words referred to, she at least knew the nature of what had changed. It was up to Hoya and others to piece together whatever she passed on.

Even though she had zero interest in her fiancé, and the feeling was mutual, the wedding plans proceeded. She had more measurements and fittings than she could ever remember having in such a short span of time. Her mother was intent on orchestrating this ceremony into the most blown up and grandiose occasion ever, if she was to have her way.

It got to the point that she needed a break from it all. The spy work had always been fun for her, but not that Hyora played such a central role in it all, she discovered that it was a lot of work.

She ended up going to Sungyeol for a favor.

“Hey, you know some people in the city outside of the Royal Academy, right?” she asked, sitting on the bed in his room. Nobody had understood why she had chose to befriend him, Sungyeol himself included. However, once she had, others had grudgingly began to treat him a bit better. They weren’t cozy with him, but they at least didn’t shun him all the time either.

“Yes, I do. I don’t know how else I’d survive.”

“Good.” Her legs swung outward and back inward to bump the side of the bed. It was a habit she’d never dropped, despite her mother’s nagging about fidgeting. “Can you take me out to meet some of them?”

He looked up from his homework to stare at her. “What? You? Go out into the city? Would your parents approve?”

Hyora couldn’t help but snort. “They don’t have to know. Besides, I’m pretty sure my father would think it good experience.”

“Still. You’re a noble. Going around the city…you are most definitely going to stick out like a sore thumb.”

“I think I can manage, ‘kay?” Hyora answered, putting on her best imitation of a city girl. Discerning different accents wasn’t the only thing she had picked up over the years.

Sungyeol’s eyes widened, and he looked impressed. “Never mind, then. I think if you put on some city girl clothes, you’ll do quite well.” He returned to his scribbling.

“That’s what you get for underestimating nobles,” she teased.

“I must warn you, though, I haven’t really had close contact with some of these people in a while.”

“It’s okay, you have an excuse now. You’re introducing them to your new friend, after all.”

He paused in his writing. “Actually, I have someone you should meet. I’m actually not all that close to him, but he contacted me. He just arrived in the capital and wants to meet up. A very friendly fellow. Pretty much everyone who meets him likes him. It won’t be so awkward.”

“Well, then. Fine. When is this happening?”

“This Saturday. I’ll take you. What about Hoya?”

“He will most likely be too busy,” Hyora replied. “I’m not sure he’d appreciate me sneaking out like that, either. But he’ll live.”

***

On Saturday she met Sungyeol a few blocks from the Royal Academy back gate dressed in clothes she’d borrowed from Gayoo. Her maid hadn’t liked the idea of Hyora running around the city with only Sungyeol as accompaniment one bit, she had grudgingly conceded that Hyora could use a night of relaxation. As long as she didn’t get drunk or into other such trouble, it would be fine. Also, Gayoo had been forced to admit that Sungyeol, tall as he was, would make a good bodyguard.

In addition to wearing commoners’ clothes, she also had her hair in a single braid, as was the fashion among the city girls. She was glad she hadn’t kept her hair super long, the current trend for noblewomen because it allowed for more complex hairstyles. She would have stood out a lot more. Instead, her hair just brushed past her shoulders, partly because Hwasung’s fashion favored shorter hair and partly because she found long hair to be a bit of a hindrance and annoyance.

“So where exactly are you meeting this friend of yours?” Hyora asked as they navigated the crowded streets. It was past noontime, and everyone was bustling about on some sort of errand or other She narrowly avoided colliding with at least three different people and had to apologize profusely to one matronly woman who had squawked at her for accidentally stepping on her toe.

“Almost there,” came the reply. With Sungyeol leading the way, mostly all she had to do was stick close behind him, and the way parted in front of them.

Soon enough, they reached a small tavern on a street corner. Although it wasn’t the nicest of buildings, worn and old, it was well kept and clean. They entered to be greeted by a server.

“Long time no see, Master Sungyeol,” the woman said. She looked to be in her thirties, with a bright, friendly face. There was a homely look to her that most noblewomen lacked, and Hyora liked that about her.

“Your friend is here already,” the lady added, pointing toward a corner table. The two headed over.

The friend was a young man around their age, with pale blonde hair that was a bit on the long side, the ends falling over his ears and touching the back of his neck where it met his back. He got up and greeted them with a bow and smile. “Sungyeol, it’s good to see you again. And you must be Hyora. Pleased to meet you. I’m Dongwoo.”

She could see what Sungyeol had meant in their conversation earlier that week. This person had a very open and friendly face, and when he smiled, his eyes vanished into narrow crescents, and you couldn’t help but beam right back, whatever mood you were in.

The longer she and Sungyeol talked to Dongwoo, the more Hyora’s good impression of Dongwoo intensified. He wasn’t immature, but he was such a positive and light-hearted person, that he seemed almost childish. It was if his mere presence could erase any troubles or stress that people felt.

It wasn’t until about halfway through their meeting that Hyora realized that she was flirting with him. This was a bizarre discovery since she was usually very much in control of her actions and aware of her effect on people.

More surprisingly he seemed to be reciprocating, albeit shyly. When she and Sungyeol finally left the tavern, her face was flushed. “That went very well,” Sungyeol remarked, casting a glance at her.

“He’s just like how you said he would be,” Hyora answered, thoughtful.

“I’m pretty sure he likes you,” Sungyeol laughed.

“But we just met,” she protested.

“You like him, don’t you?”

Since when was she ever that obvious about her feelings?

“Maybe. We’ll see.”

Nudging her slightly, he said, “I’ll arrange for us to meet again, if you’d like. But I’d say don’t get too attached. You’re going to get married in a few months, right?”

Her heart sank. Somehow, Hyora had all but forgotten. Blinded by the sunlight, she mused to herself, thinking of Dongwoo’s smile.

Sad, really, that she had a hand in the fate of the kingdom but had no say in her own future.