The day started with Maidservant Kim busily preparing Jang-Uk's abode for his eventual return from Songrim. Her determination was palpable as she scrubbed every corner and fluffed every pillow. She was convinced that Jang-Uk would return with a wife.

"You may want to prepare yourself, Mu-Deok," Kim teased, using her familiar bird analogies. "The nest is being prepared. You might lose your perch."

Mu-Deok huffed. "If I'm losing any perch, it'll be because of a stronger eagle, not a fluttering sparrow."

Though her tone was sharp, doubts began to creep into Mu-Deok's mind. Could Kim be right? Could Jang-Uk have found affection elsewhere in Songrim?

Meanwhile, in Songrim, Jang-Uk stood before Park Jin, having mastered the rules of the institution with speed no one expected. He believed he had earned the right to leave Songrim.But Park Jin had other plans.

"I see you are eager to leave," Park Jin began, holding out a book bound in worn leather.

"However, your next task is to master this."Jang-Uk took the book, opening it only to find... nothing. Every page was blank.

"This is Master Seo-Gyeong's Words of the Heart. It reveals itself only to those who can focus their energy properly. If you wish to leave Songrim, you must succeed."

In Songrim's grand library, Jang-Uk sat with his chin propped on his hand, glaring at the blank pages of Master Seo-Gyeong's Words of the Heart. Every trick he had tried—dipping the edges in ink, holding the pages up to firelight—had yielded nothing. The words were hidden, stubbornly refusing to reveal themselves.

"Focus my energy, huh?" Jang-Uk muttered to himself, flipping through the blank pages again. His frustration grew with every passing second, but he refused to give up.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard outside, a small crowd of Songrim's mages gathered, whispering among themselves. Their hushed tones were laced with mockery.

"He's just a troublemaker," one scoffed. "What did he think? That learning the rules quickly would make him worthy of Songrim?"

"Exactly," another chimed in. "Master Seo-Gyeong's book only reveals itself to those with true discipline. He doesn't have what it takes."

Their laughter grated on Haerin's ears. She stood nearby with Seo Yul, Dang-Gu, and Ji-Hoon, who had joined them after hearing about Jang-Uk's latest challenge. Haerin's frown deepened with every snide remark.

"I don't see them trying to read Words of the Heart," Dang-Gu muttered.

"They wouldn't dare," Seo Yul replied quietly, his gaze fixed on the group. "They're cowards who thrive on tearing others down."

Haerin had heard enough. Without hesitation, she strode toward the group of gossiping mages, her footsteps sharp and deliberate.

"Is there a problem?" she asked, her voice calm but edged with steel.

The mages turned, their sneers faltering slightly at the sight of Haerin. They knew who she was—Park Ji-Hoon's sister, known for her fierce temper and quick wit.

"Haerin," one of them began, trying to sound casual. "We were just discussing Jang-Uk's... predicament."

"You mean you were laughing at him behind his back," Haerin corrected, folding her arms.

"If you're so confident he'll fail, why don't you try mastering Words of the Heart yourselves?"

The mages exchanged uneasy glances.

"That's what I thought," Haerin continued, her tone cutting. "Jang-Uk may be stubborn, but he's also one of the most determined people I know. While you sit around gossiping, he's working harder than any of you ever will."

Her words hit their mark. The mages shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her gaze.

"And one more thing," Haerin added, stepping closer. "If I hear another word about Jang-Uk from any of you, I won't be so polite next time."

The mages muttered half-hearted excuses before scattering.

Haerin turned back to find Dang-Gu grinning from ear to ear.

"That was incredible!" he said, practically bouncing on his feet. "You just scared the life out of them."

Seo Yul's lips curved into a rare smile. "They won't be bothering Jang-Uk again anytime soon."

Ji-Hoon, who had been observing the entire scene with quiet pride, nodded approvingly. "You handled that well, Haerin."

Haerin shrugged, trying to play it cool despite the warmth in her brother's praise. "Someone had to say it."

Jang-Uk, meanwhile, decided he had had enough. If the book wouldn't reveal its words, he'd simply find another way. He slipped away from Songrim and made his way home, stopping to enjoy sweet treats along the way.

As he prepared for a bath, Maidservant Kim couldn't hide her surprise.

"Back so soon?"

But Jang-Uk didn't stay long. By the time Mu-Deok returned home, he had already left again. She raced through the town to find him, her heart pounding with urgency. Elsewhere, Dang-Gu and Cho-Yeon debated when to stage their fake break-up in front of the three sisters.

"We need a big scene," Dang-Gu suggested. "An argument, maybe even a slap."

Cho-Yeon blushed but agreed to postpone for a few days. Despite their plan, there was undeniable chemistry between them.

Rain poured relentlessly over the stone pathways of Songrim, a cold and biting storm that drenched the entire fortress. Despite the warmth of the halls and the shelter available, Haerin found herself standing in the middle of the dock, her clothes soaked and sticking to her skin.

She watched from a distance, her gaze locking on two familiar figures—Jang-Uk and Mu-Deok—sharing a moment under the dim glow of a lantern. The scene was quiet but charged with unspoken emotion, as though they were the only two people in the world. Haerin's lips curled into a teasing smile.

Stepping forward, the sound of her shoes splashing against the puddles broke the quiet. "Well, well. Sneaking around at the dock again? How romantic."

Jang-Uk's eyes widened as he turned toward her, clearly caught off guard. "Haerin! What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Haerin replied with mock seriousness, glancing between him and Mu-Deok. "You two have a thing for secret meetings in the rain, don't you?"

Mu-Deok crossed her arms. "It's not what it looks like."

"Sure, sure," Haerin said with a knowing grin. "But if you keep meeting like this, people will start talking. Maybe even Park Jin."

Mu-Deok's eyes widened at the mention of Park Jin, and Jang-Uk let out a deep sigh. "You're impossible."

"Thank you," Haerin said cheerfully, standing her ground as the rain continued to fall.

Jang-Uk and Mu-Deok exchanged glances before they turned and began walking back together. Haerin stood still, watching them leave with a fond smile. She couldn't deny it—despite their stubbornness and endless bickering, they truly cared for one another.

By the time Haerin began walking back to Songrim, the storm had grown stronger. The rain beat down with an unforgiving intensity, soaking her to the bone once again. Her body trembled with cold, and a slight fever began to creep over her.

Just as she reached the entrance to Songrim's courtyard, Seo Yul appeared, holding an umbrella over his head. His normally calm expression was replaced with worry. "Haerin!"

She stopped in her tracks, blinking at him through the rain. "Yul, what are you—"

"You're drenched," he interrupted, rushing toward her. "Again."

"I'm fine—"

"You're not fine," Seo Yul said firmly, his brows furrowing. "This is the second time. You're going to get sick."

Haerin felt her head begin to spin, but before she could respond, another familiar voice boomed across the courtyard.

"Haerin!"

Her older brother, Ji-Hoon, stormed over, his face a mixture of frustration and concern. He had clearly been searching for her. His sharp eyes took in her soaked clothes and pale complexion, and he didn't waste a second.

"What were you thinking, running out into the rain?" Ji-Hoon scolded, pulling off his outer cloak and wrapping it around her tightly.

"I'm fine, Ji-Hoon—"

"No, you're not." Ji-Hoon's tone softened slightly as he led her to a nearby bench. "You're burning up. You should have stayed inside."

Seo Yul stood nearby, guilt flashing in his eyes. "I should have gone with her earlier."

Ji-Hoon shot him a look. "You should both be more careful. She's not invincible."

As Ji-Hoon fussed over her—offering warm tea, drying her hair with a towel—Dang-Gu and Cho-Yeon arrived at the scene. Dang-Gu's grin widened the moment he saw Ji-Hoon's overprotective behavior.

"You're adorable when you're being babied," Dang-Gu teased.

Cho-Yeon giggled, adding, "She's like a delicate flower with a very protective gardener."

Haerin groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Enough, already."

The next day, Haerin accompanied Seo Yul to the market to retrieve an umbrella Mu-Deok had left behind. Despite the lingering effects of her fever, Haerin refused to stay put.

"You really should be resting," Seo Yul said, his tone gentle but firm.

"I'm not that fragile," Haerin replied stubbornly. "Besides, you need help carrying the umbrella back."

The air between them was filled with unspoken tension, but before they could say anything else, chaos erupted nearby.

A familiar figure darted through the crowded marketplace—So-I, the thief from the docks. She was cornered by a group of thugs demanding their stolen money.

Haerin and Seo Yul exchanged glances before stepping forward.

"Leave her alone," Seo Yul commanded.

The thugs turned, sneering. "What are you going to do about it?"

Without hesitation, Seo Yul drew his sword. Haerin stood beside him, her stance ready and determined.

The fight was swift but intense. Seo Yul's movements were precise, each strike calculated and graceful. Haerin fought with equal determination, her agility allowing her to dodge the attackers with ease.

In the midst of the scuffle, Haerin took a small scratch to her arm. Seo Yul noticed immediately.

"Haerin! You're hurt."

"It's just a scratch," Haerin assured him, but Seo Yul wasn't convinced.

He gently took her arm, examining the cut with a mixture of concern and frustration. "I'll treat it when we get back."

From a distance, So-I watched the scene unfold. Her gaze lingered on Seo Yul's gentle care for Haerin, and a flicker of jealousy crossed her face.

As the sun set over Songrim, Haerin sat on a bench near the courtyard, her arm bandaged and her fever finally subsiding. Seo Yul stood beside her, silent but watchful.

"You're too protective sometimes," Haerin teased.

"And you're too reckless," Seo Yul countered, though his lips twitched with amusement.

Haerin leaned back, her gaze drifting toward the stars. "Thank you for today. For everything."

Seo Yul didn't respond right away, but when he did, his voice was soft. "You don't have to thank me."

The rain began to fall again, but this time, they stayed under the same umbrella—together.