"What do you think, Your Highness?"

  Yoong Il blinked. She let her thoughts drive her away from reality once again. But when she gazed around her surrounding, the Two Ministers and Commander Kwan's daughters seemed to not notice her odd behavior. She should have been aware of the life circling around her presence.

  "Pardon?"

  Hyun Bin, daughter of Ministry of Rites, smiled kindly at the Princess. Between the other girls, her smile was the most genuine one. "Min Uk says Kwang Gyeong has a great charm when he holds sword in his hands."

  At the familiar name, the guards who stood surrounding by the pavillion shifted. A few of them appeared to be leaning closer toward the girls, taking an interest of their conversation. Let them know. Nothing important would come from them anyway. The least thing Yoong Il would ever want was hearing these girls talking about pretty boys in the palace.

  Min Uk's small cheeks reddened, she flashed a look at Hyun Bin. "I didn't say that!"

  Hyun Bin hid her light giggles with her fan. "Oh, I heard it quiet a deal. I know you've been prying on him, especially when he practices. He is such a beauty, isn't he?"

  "I- I never pried on him! Even once! Gods above, Ryung, help me with this."

  Min Uk's hopeful expression lingered on Ryung Kwan for moments, but the Commander's daughter only paid attention to the apple in her grip. She took a mouthful bite. "That's a fact though."

  "See? What have I told you? There's no need to conceal your hidden feelings, Min Uk. I will not be judgemental to it, for I agree he is breathakingly handsome myself."

  "I don't care whether you judge my feelings or not! It is not the truth." Min Uk shifted her eyes onto the Princess, hopeless expression spread on her face. "Your Highness, please do not listen at this utter nonsense."

  Yoong Il curled her lips into a practiced smile. "I remain neutral on this, Min Uk. But I share the similiar thinking as Hyun Bin, he is indeed a beauty."

  That was entirely a lie, of course. Kwang Gyeong was anything but beauty, for he shared war and ruthless blood with own his father. It was only a matter of time until he revealed his true colors to those girls.

  Yoong Il had once seen the boy giving a terrible punishment to a royal guard, he'd been bleeding greatly from Kwang Gyeong's tough punches. When Yoong Il had caught them accidently, the poor guard avoided his gaze from her. Then Kwang Gyeong turned to face her. "Your Highness," he'd snarled, indignation blazing through his demonic eyes, "may I help you?"

  She'd glanced at the guard, he still did not look at her presence. "I need him to escort me toward my chamber." The Princess flashed a thin smile to the monstrous boy before her. "If you might?"

  Kwang Gyeong considered before spitting at the poor guard, he didn't even bother to wipe the dirt off his bruised face. "We're not done yet, you pig." The Minister's son immediately strode to the dark corridor, the flickering lights from oil lamps swallowed his figure.

  "Get up, guard." Yoong Il had demanded without looking at his way, and he did. When the Princess glanced at him, he only stared at his heels, shame clouded his entire face. "Don't be too grateful. You may return the favor soon enough."

  The guard had bowed slightly. "Yes, Your Highness." The voice came from him was surprisingly hoarse and deep. Given from his young face, the boy would have been no more older than Yoong Il's whole seventeen years.

  The next day, Yoong Il had informed the King she needed a new private guard. When the bruised guard appeared before her chamber with a sword on his hips, she found that the boy's name was Daehyun.

  Now, sitting inside the Hyangwonjeon Pavilion along the other three girls, the Princess could see the lake clearly. They girls drowned in their own conversation, and Yoong Il watched the scenery before her in silent. The rustling leaves of cherry blossoms were blown by passing wind, some of them fell to the bridge, then floated on the lake's surface.

  When the Princess stood, the girls stopped talking and turned toward her with widen eyes. "Your Highness! Why the sudden rush?" asked Hyun Bin, she raised from her seat, the others followed.

  Yoong Il spread a smile across her face. "I'm afraid I have another business to attend. It's been a pleasant moment spending my time with you all."

  The girls exchanged uneasy glances between one another. "Do you want us to accompany you, Your Highness?" offered Min Uk.

  "Ah, no, no. Though the offer sounds pretty intriguing to myself." The Princess's smile did not fade. "But perhaps I would like to have a word with you, Min Uk? If you please."

  "Of course, Your Highness." Min Uk forced a smile. Her brows furrowed in worrysome, the girl couldn't hide her emotions well nor a gifted liar. It was clear as glass she concerned of the upcoming events. The Princess rarely talked to one of the Ministers' daughters alone, and the girl noticed that.

  The other girls bowed at Yoong Il, and she returned the posture. "We will meet again." Yoong Il said, then turned her back to them.

  When she was about to remove her slippers and replace it with her danghye, she heard Ryung Kwan whisper, "I told you not to talk about boys with her. She despises it." At this, Min Uk froze in her tracks. From Yoong Il's side vision, she sensed Hyun Bin elbow the Commander's daughter with her might. The Princess acted like she did not hear anything.

  Daehyun, along three guards whom Yoong Il could not recall, trailed behind her as she walked around the lake with Min Uk as her accompany.

  Slowly, they were walking through the bridge, distancing from the pavilion. Two guards stalked ahead both girls, while the others, including Daehyun, followed behind.

  The Princess sniffed through the air. "I've always loved spring breeze. The smells of cherry blossoms and its fresh air never fail to amaze me. Don't you agree, Min Uk? Or are you simply more a summer person?"

  Min Uk appeared to be more comfortable around her. "I believe I am more autumn, Your Highness. It is a time where neither is too cold nor hot. The breeze is warm, and the days are short. The color of the leaves shifted from red to brown as they fall. I think it is echanting, seeing the animals prepare for winter to come during that time."

  "You're similiar to Won-Shik then." Min Uk's shoulders bounced upward at the Crown Prince's name. Yoong Il laughed. "Don't worry, it is not a sin to share the same perception as the Crown Prince."

  "I also don't think it is, Your Highness."

  "You see," The Princess started, "when we were children, Won-Shik and I have always spent our Sunday evenings here. We often played hide and seek, or sat on the edge of the bridge while telling tales to each other. Ah, how I miss those moments."

  Min Uk sparked an interest within her eyes. "May I ask what tales are you telling him, Your Highness?"

  "Oh, a thousand tales about Masulsa and the Great Purge. We usually do not get many information about such thing, for we have yet reached our maturity." The edge of the bridge ascended to the Princess's vision, calling to her. "But Won-Shik has warrior blood running through his veins. He insisted on learning about them. Then our tutor suggested we learn in this pavilion, so that the King would never find out."

  Min Uk stared at her in sideway, eyes widening. The guards did not respond at the mention of the King, nor did Daehyun. Only simply looked ahead and walked. But only a fool wouldn't recognize that they'd been listening to the girls' conversation for them to talk during meal time.

  Yoong Il winked at the girl beside her. "Don't bother, it's just between you and I. A secret between friend and friend, yes?"

  "Y-yes, Your Highness."

  As the reached the end of the bridge, Yoong Il took Min Uk's hand and walked toward nearest cherry blossom tree. They both sat on the bench, their back on the lake and pavilion.

  The Princess's dark brownish eyes shifted onto Daehyun, who only returned the gaze with a hollowed stare.

  Daehyun stared at her for a moment. After he took the meaning of her look, he nodded at the other guards, they all stood distantly a few meters away, circling around the bench, but not facing the girls. When they were out of earshot, Yoong Il held both of Min Uk's palms and leaned closer, her voice barely heard, "Tell me, since when do you have feelings for my brother?"

  A lightning shock sent through Min Uk's face and body. Her lips parted, eyes looming of terror and fear. Because it was not Kwang Gyeong whom the girl had been prying on, but Yoong Il's brother. The Crown Prince of Joseon. Her Won-Shik. Yoong Il had been talking about him only to bait Min Uk from her hidden secrets.

  "Oh, dearest Min Uk." Yoong Il squeezed her grip, and loosened it. She held the urge to claw Min Uk's skin open. The poor girl was already trembling immensely. "We are friends, are we not? Your secrets are safe with me."

  Min Uk shook her head, she bit her low lip. "Of course, we are friends, Your Highness. But-"

  "I know you often visit his chamber at night." The Princess said, Min Uk averted her gaze in shame, "he can be charming at times. Love makes fools out of us, Min Uk. Sometimes we are willing to do anything it takes to get our loved one's attention. In your case, it includes of you trailing me toward the Queen's cell jail, yes?"

  Min Uk's eyes began to water, her head remained low, unable to look the Princess in the eyes. Her lips trembled as she whispered, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I truly am. Please, Your Highness. I will do everything you wish, if it takes you to forgive this foolishness of mine."

  The Princess smiled pleasantly. She stroked the girl's hair behind her ear. "You promise? That you will do as I wish?"

  The Minister's daughter nodded clumsily. "I promise, Your Highness."

  Yoong Il lifted the girl's chin until she looked at the Princess in the eyes. Her smile vanished, only dark eyes with a thousand threats looming within them. Min Uk froze in her touch.

  "Then," The Princess hissed, "Never tail me again."