Minji lay restless in her bed. Though her head was mostly clouded with theories, she couldn't quite place why the dinner felt so strained. While Minji did keep her eyes on her food the whole time, she felt the cold stare Rachel directed at her. Was that the reason why it was strained? She had no idea.

The dinner started off really lively but everything seemed to have turned for the opposite the moment Della and the Crown Prince spoke of the same topic. Politics. They deliberately tried to push each other's buttons and Minji knew exactly what that was. Della must've thought the prince wasn't good enough as a leader. He was a lot more passive and appeared easy to control. He would've been easily devoured by the nobles who were hungry for power and that would not end well for the Kingdom.

Minji felt bad for the prince. It didn't seem like he had any choice as he was the only legitimate heir of the royal family and he's young. Way younger than Minji herself. She had asked Lucy for more information about the royalties and apparently, the Crown Prince is the King's youngest child. They originally thought that the Queen Consort was infertile thus led the King into getting a concubine but in the end, the concubine was deemed useless after birthing two daughters. Not only that, shortly after, the Queen Consort was able to bear a child and that was the crown Prince they know today.

***

Two hard knocks were given to the door of a small hut by a figure in black cloak. After a few moments, the door creaked open and another figure emerges. "Come on in,"

"What brings you here?"

"Sua, I need your help and I'm sure you know what it is,"

They both shared a look before Sua turned and head to the other room without saying a word. She came back soon with two cups of drinks and handed one over, "Look," she started as she held the other cup close to her mouth.

"I don't know how to help you," she took a sip of her own drink as she eyes the other intently. "He's not an easy target. One wrong step, they'll find out everything about us and send the whole kingdom to kill us and our sisters,"

"Also Dami," Sua sighed.

Dami looked up and Sua could see how anxious she was by the look in her eyes. She felt bad for her, she really did but she had priorities.

"I have children to take care of. I can't just risk our safety for a bounty,"

"I know-"Dami groaned in frustration. "But I made such a huge mistake! I mean- even tasting a drop of that poison would've killed and I don't understand how she survived a whole fist of them!"

"Was it the one that I gave you?"

Dami nodded.

"Are you sure you didn't switch them out?"

"Yes, all the side effects were just like what you've told me,"

Silence once again engulfed the dimly-lit room as Sua pondered harder. Soon after, she chuckled as if she had come up with a peculiar realization.

"The Lady must've had someone protecting her, and this person is aware of our plans. Perhaps someone who had been lurking around without rousing any suspicions,"

"Or someone who knew advanced magic," Sua clicked her tongue in annoyance. She mumbled something that Dami couldn't make out what and soon after, a jade bracelet appeared on the latter's left wrist. "I can only help that much. This can only be seen by those who had mastered the forbidden arts to a certain degree," Sua took hold of Dami's wrist.

"How would that help me take down the Crown Prince?"

"It wouldn't, at least not directly. I assume that person's goal is to eliminate all the powerful figures in the Kingdom and our lady's saviour here, might be exactly who they needed dead," Sua then gave a subtle smile, the expression of a loving mother visible on her features as she gently pat Dami's head.

"Be careful."

***

"Gahyeon?"

Lucy slightly flinched. "My Lady! What-"She quickly straighten her back and bowed at Minji.

Minji found Lucy's jumpy behaviour odd but she realizes soon that it may be due to her sudden presence in the maids' quarters. Her eyes scanned the room and fell on the luggage beside Lucy's feet.

"Where are you going?"

"Oh," Lucy gave Minji a sheepish smile. "I'm going to meet someone special," Minji frowned at her words but it went away as quickly as it came when she considered that such reaction might be unsightly. She's not Gahyeon, Minji thought. She's not exactly in the spot to be protective of her like she did with Gahyeon.

So instead, "You have a lover?" Minji asked. Lucy's eyes widened and clearly she was flustered at the question. Minji almost chuckled at the sight.

"No!" Lucy's voice got louder as she stumbles to explain what she meant. "It-It's my sister. She just came back from her trip and her birthday is coming soon. Uhm... I want to be there and celebrate it with her,"

"When is her birthday?"

"In three days," Minji's shoulders slumped at the thought that she'd be left alone. While there are other maids to take Lucy's spot and tend to her, she just didn't like the fact that a familiar face wouldn't be by her side. Lucy as always, caught onto Minji's dejected mood and placed both of her hands on the lady's shoulders in attempt to cheer her up. "It's alright, I'll be back in no time,"

"Can't I join you?" The duke did let Minji get out of the residence to visit the royal family once in a while, but she hadn't been anywhere else than there. She's unsure whether it's allowed or not but Minji didn't care. No harm in exploring the world as long as she has Lucy and a bunch of guards with her right? "I'll ask my father about it, so can't I?"

"Sure," Lucy retracted her hands, "But the place I live in is nothing like this residence, are you sure, Lady Jiu?"

"Of course!" If anything, Minji felt excited. This house is way too big and it felt stuffy with the amount of servants and guards there were around. She didn't have a choice but to put on an act the moment she stepped out of her chambers. It gets tiring.

"So, your sister..."

"Yes?"

"What is she like? Does she look anything like you?" The Gahyeon in Minji's life doesn't have any siblings so she was curious. It seems that this world's copy of her friends had totally different lives and honestly, Minji should've known that the moment she met Della and Rachel.

"A lot said that we're total opposites. She can look scary at times, but my sister is really gentle and caring," Lucy said, "And we don't look similar at all,"

That's cute, Minji thought.

***

In the throne room, the King could be seen pacing back and forth. His features were that of a distressed man. His audience were his children and the knight's captain.

He stopped and glared at his only son.

"You told me that this issue has been dealt with," the King spat. "Repeat what you just said," he commanded as he pointed at the captain.

"There were a group of rebellions caught camping in the South forest," His eyes stayed on the floor as he restated his words from earlier.

The King closed his eyes to calm down but he struggled. He once again commanded the captain to leave the room before approaching the Crown Prince and taking hold of his collars. The prince stayed expressionless but Della saw his hands trembling on his sides and she almost snickered. Put that cocky prince in his place, she thought.

"What on earth have you been doing the whole time? I told you to get rid of all these wenches," he snarled and Della grimaces at how he addressed the rebels. "Not let them multiply in numbers!" The King pushes his son as the prince fell down to the floor. "Just look at yourself! Weak and incompetent! I knew that recently you let Rachel defeat you in a spar in front of all the royal knights, how dare you call yourself a man! Moreover my son, the future ruler of this Kingdom,"

The prince didn't try to get up. He stayed on the marble floor with his eyes stuck on it. To some eyes, especially the King's, he looked pathetic.

"Just because you were born with a golden spoon, you don't have the right to act foolish. I'm a ruler of this Kingdom before I am your father," the King's expression softened a little. He still look stern but he was no longer popping veins out of rage. "When you are deemed worthless, I can always give my seat away to someone more competent than you are," he added.

He turned around and walked back to his throne, "From now on, Rachel will take over the knights and deal with this mess," he eyed Rachel, "I hope you won't make the same mistake as he did."

***

The travel to Lucy's household took some time but Minji let herself bask in the fresh air and new scenery around her. It took a while to convince the duke to let her go out further outside but in the end, he gave up when Minji started pleading with what he would say an endearing little pout. At this point, Minji's exploiting the duke's love for his daughter.

Now, they were stepping down the carriage and was met with a relatively small residence in the outskirts of the town. Throughout their way here, she'd learned that Lucy's sister is a baroness, which means that Lucy is of a noble family. It was common to have daughters from a lower ranking nobility serving as a maid in a much higher one.

A few servants greeted them at the door but compared to the amount that Minji was used to, it was way smaller and much more comfortable. This puts a bright smile on Minji's face and she caught a few of the servants staring at her and she also caught Lucy prowling by her side at the sight of these impolite servants. Minji didn't mind of course, but she kept her mouth shut. 

Lucy led the lady to one of their few guest rooms but they stopped in their tracks when someone jumped on Lucy from behind. Minji's mouth gaped at another familiar face. This time, it was Siyeon.

Countless of thoughts went over her head and only one stayed. This Siyeon is Lucy's sister. Minji kept staring at her with her mouth slightly agape and Siyeon smirked at her. What?

This made Minji closed her mouth and straighten her back before looking at Lucy instead.

"You didn't tell me you brought a friend along, a very alluring lady too-" Lucy gasped loudly and pushed Siyeon aside with horror visible on her face. This made Siyeon frown before the same expression on Lucy was on her too after she was told that Minji is Lady Jiu Winston.

"Oh, shi-"she cleared her throat and her expression shifted to a serious one. She bowed at Minji, "My apologies, that was unbecoming of me,"

"It's alright," Minji replied. "You're an alluring lady yourself too," The look on both the sibling's faces at her words were gold to Minji.

After collecting herself, Siyeon introduced herself, "I'm Monica, head of the House of Dupont," Monica gave Minji a charming smile and she returned the same. Lucy almost commented on how Minji didn't introduce herself but this was Monica, her sister, so it doesn't matter she reasoned.

***

In the South forest, chaos was unfolding. Several rebels were caught by the knights led by Princess Rachel and they were huddled up, tied together on the ground. Some had cuts all over their body and were still bleeding. They were cursing and yelling but Rachel didn't pay a mind. She's here with a mission assigned by the King and sympathy shouldn't be shown to those who oppose.

With a breath, she stepped forward before kneeling down to face one of the rebels. The one she chose snarled at the princess. Rachel's hand reached for the woman's chin who turned away aggressively as she glared. "Which one of you is in command?" Rachel asked but was only met with another attempt of placing a curse on her. Thankfully, the rope used to tie them up was casted with a spell that depletes the mana out of anything that touches it, so their attempts were fruitless.

"If you tell me who the chief is, I will be merciful,"

"Lies!" A woman yelled at Rachel and the rest of the rebels followed suit. This made Rachel stood up and head over to the said woman.

"I believe you are the chief then," she said, "What were you planning on achieving by establishing a group of rebellions against the Kingdom?"

The woman laughed, "The Kingdom will soon fall," Rachel stared into the woman's eyes in silence as she waited for her to elaborate, and with a small voice that could only be heard by Rachel, she continued, "It's been falling deeper and deeper into its grave for a long time anyway, but the next most significant figure of the Kingdom will be the one pushing it further down and leading it to its untimely demise," Rachel was surprised at the woman's honesty and she didn't let it show but the woman knew.

"You must be wondering why I'm telling you all these right?" she added. "You are one of the closest to the said figure and most likely the Kingdom's only hope. Princess, do you not wish the Kingdom to be a better place? Every day, children and women were sold to prostitution and slavery, you'd be a monster to turn a blind eye to this,"

Rachel understood what she meant but she couldn't let herself be swayed. After all, these people are witches. The woman motioned the princess to come closer and with a look to the knights, Rachel did as she asked. The knights were now alerted and pointing their swords towards the woman. The woman whispered to Rachel, "I knew what the Crown Prince had been up to in the dark, and so does the rest of my sisters. Join us princess, we will make you the Kingdom's next ruler," at this, Rachel backed away with her sword drawn and before anyone could blink, the woman's throat was slit open and she was soon gargling blood with a malicious smile on her face.

Rachel frowned, she didn't want to kill the woman. She turned her head towards the the holder of the now bloody sword and was met with the Crown Prince. A part of her was scared that the man might've overheard them, "What did she say to you?" he asked and Rachel calmed down.

"Nothing, just a bunch of nonsense to save herself," Rachel said. She didn't fully believe what the woman said but if what she said were true then she needs to be wary of the Crown Prince.

***

A figure in a cloak emerged from the dark alley at night. The streets were silent as they strolled around and approached a building. With two knocks, the door opened slightly. "The moonflower blooms at dead night," the figure said and a paper was passed onto their hand. The door shuts and the figure walked away.

***

"Lady Jiu,"

Minji averted her eyes from the book she was reading and faced Lucy who was biting her lower lip as if she had a request. "What is it, Gahyeon?"

"Would you like to join me?" Lucy asked, "I'll be going in town to shop for some supplies and I might need help with choosing a present,"

"I don't really know your sister that well, are you sure you need my help?"

"No, but I think you'd be interested in exploring the town," Oh, she could've just said that. Cute, Minji thought.

"Of course," Excitement was evident in Minji's tone. With that, they prepare themselves for what Minji would call another journey.

The town was bustling and merchants could be heard promoting their goods to passers-by who looked around with interest. Minji was one of them, she couldn't help herself but be fascinated by the vintage-looking goods and foreign food served in stalls. Her mouth almost watered at the sight.

Their first stop was the boutique. Lucy brought her into a small boutique but Minji insisted that they shop at the bigger and fancier one. She even offered to pay for Lucy. Lucy rejected of course, but never did she state her reasoning.

When Minji stepped in the boutique she understood what Lucy meant.

She was instantly surrounded by the workers and a huge but rushed welcome were given. They were just doing their job, but Minji didn't want to waste Lucy's time. "I'm not here to shop, but she is," as she pointed towards Lucy. They gave each other a look as they asked what Lucy was looking for. Soon enough, they were no longer surrounded and they were led towards a more private space.

"My sister doesn't like dresses," Lucy started. "My Lady, what should I give her?" Minji panicked at the question. She didn't know what kind of gifts would be fitting in this world and she could only hope that Lucy brought her along as guidance on picking a dress but Monica doesn't like dresses. Minji pondered but she couldn't come up with anything. That was, until she remembered what her brother had given the duke after he came back from a trip.

"A brooch or a scarf would be perfect," she said confidently.

Lucy nodded.

They came out of the boutique with a bag in hand. Minji said she wasn't there to buy but after enough pestering from the workers there she decided to pick out something too. It was an indigo blue scarf with embroidered flowers on each end. Minji took it out of the bag and wore it around her neck. Cold winds were blowing and this scarf definitely did its job in warming Minji up.

Their next stop were cakes and groceries. Minji realized how organized, quick and simple Lucy were when she stood waiting behind Lucy who were busy picking out what she needed. She overheard Lucy ordering the men to deliver the bought goods to her residence. Minji was spacing out when a boy suddenly bumped into her before saying his apologies and quickly leaving without making any eye contact. She realized soon enough that her purse were gone and she ran after the culprit, bumping into other people on the way.

Lucy wasn't aware of the lady's disappearance until she turned around and saw that Minji was no longer behind her. She started panicking and ran around looking for the lady. She knew of the lady's condition and her unfamiliarity with this town, the lady's disappearance meant nothing but tragedy.

Minji ran as fast as she could and she knew she could catch the thief if she were fast enough. The thief ran into an alley and she followed suit but he stopped running when they were met with a dead end. 

"Give me back my purse!" Minji yelled but the boy only clicked his tongue before muttering something under his breath. That day, Minji witnessed the most outrageous thing in her life. The wall morphed through it the boy ran, leaving a speechless Minji behind. She could only groan in annoyance but a sharp pain went into her head before she passed out cold.

***

Sua was playing with the kids when she heard knocking on her door. It seems that I have many visitors recently, she thought. She told the children to go into their rooms before heading towards the door. She didn't open it when she felt a foreign presence right beside one she was used to. "Who is that?" she asked.

"Some lady my son robbed," the other said. "She's unconscious but she witnessed him escaping through a wall,"

"And you brought her here?"

"What else do I do? Can't we erase her memories like we do usually?"

Sua stayed quiet. If the lady wakes up in her house they might've exposed themselves and she couldn't afford signing another contract after what happened to her sisters recently.

"No, just leave her somewhere in the forest,"

***

When Minji opened her eyes she was met with leaves falling onto her face. The pain she felt earlier was gone but she didn't know where she was. She looked around and in her view only trees could be seen. She didn't move out of fear but that was until she heard shouting from a distance. Minji knew that such thing only meant trouble but a person is better than no one in this unknown place.

She walked towards the source of voice and there she saw a man attacking a woman who she soon recognized. It was Rachel but what was she doing there? And moreover, she was being attacked by some man. It reminded Minji of Yoohyeon who wasn't very good at fighting so she grabbed the biggest stick she saw and ran towards the man. He was taken aback and didn't have time to dodge which ended with the huge piece of wood smashing his head and he fell to the ground, unconscious.

Minji dropped what she was holding and turned to Rachel, "Are you alright?" she asked.

"More than ever,"

Minji wasn't sure whether she genuinely meant that or she was being sarcastic but the thoughts went away when she saw the princess' bleeding palm. She took off her scarf from earlier and grabbed Rachel's hand but Rachel snatched her hand away and frowned at Minji. "Stay still, I'm just trying to help you," so Rachel let her.

Minji wrapped the scarf around Rachel's hand and it was definitely was too thick, but at least it would stop the bleeding. Minji looked at the princess who muttered a small thank you. 

Rachel then carried the unconscious man to leave Minji alone with her thoughts. She ran over and tried to catch up but was only met with a glare and a "Please do not follow me," from the princess who soon disappeared from her line of sight.

Minji sat down on the grass with a loud groan and buried her face in her hands. What am I going to do now? She almost cried at the thought of starving and dying from hypothermia in the middle of nowhere. While she did consider following the princess, it felt like Rachel would kill her if she does. Minji reminded herself that Rachel is not Yoohyeon, who was much more compassionate.

After what felt like an hour, she heard footsteps and Rachel emerged from behind the trees. Her injured hand now covered with bandages and she held Minji's dirty scarf on the other as she slowly approach the low-spirited lady.

"What is a lady doing in the forest? I believe Duke Winston's estate is across the Kingdom," the princess sat beside Minji. The gesture was one of a caring person but Rachel's face remained cold and expressionless.

"I don't know," Minji started. "I was robbed and passed out. Then when I woke up I'm here," she placed a hand on Rachel's shoulder and leaned closer with pleading eyes, "Can you send me home? No, send me to the Dupont's residence," Rachel back away at the unexpected approach.

"Monica Dupont?" she asked and Minji quickly nodded.

"My pleasure, but not right now," Rachel looked away, "The carriage is away and the knights are occupying the horses,"

Minji blinked. "Then when?"

"We have to wait a few hours," Minji sighed in defeat but at least she's no longer lost and alone. A few hours doing nothing should be fine.

The first half an hour went by in silence. Only the sound of wind blowing and rustling leaves could be heard. Minji sniffed as her body shivered. Rachel saw this and almost put the bloody scarf on Minji but she stopped herself. Instead, she took off her coat and handed it over. Minji eyed her with curiosity as Rachel covered her body with the scarf. The lady felt bad, but she herself wouldn't want to use a scarf with someone else's blood on it so she accepted the coat regardless.

She's very different from Yoohyeon, Minji thought. Aside from her face, nothing about Rachel reminded her of Yoohyeon. To Minji it made sense, Yoohyeon weren't raised as a princess so she surely wouldn't act like one, but Rachel weren't behaving like a princess either. She was a lot colder and had a slightly rough way of dealing with things but then again, there was an air of elegance around her. I guess that's what makes her a princess. Minji kept staring before Rachel turned to her.

The lady waited for her to say something but the princess stayed silent. It was odd, everything about Rachel was.

"So, what is the princess doing in the forest?"

"There's an official matter I need to deal with,"

"Does that have anything to do with the man earlier?"

"Yes," and silence engulfed them once again. It's such a waste that Rachel wasn't anything like Yoohyeon. Knowing Yoohyeon, she would've talked about so many things and at least Minji wouldn't be swallowed alive by boredom. She didn't know what came over her but she started humming and the hums turn into singing. She expected Rachel to give her an annoyed look but Rachel kept her eyes on the ground.

When Minji finally stopped, Rachel spoke. "You have a decent voice, but I've never heard that song before. Not even from the East,"

"The East?"

"The language, it sounds similar to the one they spoke in the East,"

"Oh..." was all Minji said but a topic came to her. "Does Your Highness indulge in music?"

Rachel snickered and Minji saw the first small smile from the princess. Minji frowned, "What's so funny? Did I say something wrong?"

"Your Highness," Minji tilted her head in confusion. "Earlier you didn't address me appropriately. It's great knowing you're no longer lost and forgetting your manners," the lady's eyes widened.

"My apologies! I didn't mean to be rude,"

"It's alright,"

They spent the rest of the time chattering away or rather, Minji asking questions which Rachel didn't give a clear answer to. It was almost frustrating and as if the princess had sensed Minji's frustration, she started asking Minji questions instead. This resulted in Minji happily telling her all the small stories of her experience.

~~~

<3