Youngjae was quiet the whole time he led Jimin to where Village Leader Seokjin was. Jimin had asked him questions, but the only response Jimin was able to get was the sound of the Supplier's calm breathing.

"Lower your voice," Youngjae warned, speaking with almost no movement of his lips as he ducked his head.

Jimin looked around and clamped his mouth shut when some people of the sector were passing by. He knew that people of other sectors were rarely found in the Supply Sector, but never had he imagined that it would be too rare that he received looks from every Supplier that walked past him.

For sure, he would stand out among them with his blonde hair, pale skin and blue eyes. Anyone would know that he was a Healer.

"You will get your answers from Village Leader Seokjin," Youngjae said quietly. "I do not have the rights to reveal anything without his consent. Be patient."

Jimin nodded, taking the time to memorize the rare scenery of that sector as well as the way to Village Leader Seokjin's residence. Supply Sector was probably the most intimidating place to be in since every one of the people seemed to have a root of royalty with them. They were the finest people among all.

Everything about them would link with the word 'proper'. They were dressed properly, they eat properly, they walk properly. They probably breathed properly.

Not one of them could be considered as poor. The buildings were well built and painted with gold. Everything seemed to shine brightly, holding the color of the sun in every part of the sector.

Jimin figured that the Cultivation Sector was definitely his favorite next to his own sector. At least, the Cultivation Sector breathed life.

"We are here," Youngjae announced when they arrived in front of a huge gold building. He was led inside and Jimin almost chuckled at how the interior design of the building was also gold, gold and gold. He might have to heal his eyes after this visit.

Village Leader Seokjin was sitting comfortably with lots of food in front of him. The older man's eyes sparked brightly upon seeing him, invited him to sit and eat with him. He was of course friendly, different than most Suppliers as he seemed to defy most of the stereotypes.

Jimin bowed deeply, apologetic that he had to refuse the offer. He didn't think he had the time or the patience any longer. He needed to know about Red Dahlia. The village leader seemed to catch the hint, signaling Youngjae to close every door and window while asking Youngjae to stay.

"You have questions," Village Leader Seokjin stated. The friendliness on his face earlier had slowly vanished, consumed with the gravity of the situation.

"Yes," Jimin confirmed. He didn't think it was of use at all if he beat around the bush. It was better to ask away. "It is about the flower you sent to me. Red Dahlia."

The older male let his head nod slowly. "Do you already know what the flower means?"

He took a deep breath and nodded. The village leader looked into his eyes, waiting for his answer. For some reason, saying the answer felt like a heavy task to do. He struggled to utter that one word that had been occupying his mind.

"Betrayal," he said quietly.

Both Suppliers in that room said nothing. They did not tell him whether he was right or wrong. Jimin glanced at Youngjae whose face remained static, only his eyes blinked once in a while. He stood like a soldier on duty next to the village leader.

"Why did you send it to me?" Jimin questioned carefully, not wanting to show his impatience.

Village Leader Seokjin looked at him for a long time wordlessly. A thought came to his head. Jimin swallowed nervously. It could not be that they were thinking that he was a Dual, could they?

"I am not involved with the Duals," he declared.

Village Leader Seokjin's expression remained the same. "I know."

Unable to solve the puzzle, Jimin calmly asked, "There must be a reason why you sent me that flower, so I need to know, what is it?"

"To warn you." Village Leader Seokjin turned in his seat before he stood up gracefully. "I believe Supplier Yoo has informed you of it. It appeared in my dream, Red Dahlia. I am sure that you are aware of the linkage between Red Dahlia and the Duals, yes?"

Jimin furrowed his brows. "Yes. During the attack, the Duals left Red Dahlia on the bodies of those that they murdered," he said, reiterating what Taehyung told him. "It symbolizes them. Betrayal. They betrayed the village and the people."

Village Leader Seokjin nodded, scratching his chin. "I do not see anything that I should correct."

Jimin's frustration grew, unable to control the heavy sigh that escaped him. "But why did you send it to me? What does it have to do with me?"

"Something bad is coming."

"If something bad is coming," Jimin said, slowing the pace of his words coming out of his mouth. "Shouldn't you make an announcement so the whole village can be ready?"

"I do not wish to make the same mistake as the past leader," Village Leader Seokjin calmly said.

Youngjae finally moved, and finally spoke to support the village leader. "We are trying to make it as discreetly as possible. The plan is to take down the Duals bit by bit without telling the world about it."

Youngjae pushed a chair toward Jimin as if he knew that Jimin needed it. Jimin slumped into it, sitting as his mind tried to register everything that had been told. He understood each of what the two men had informed him. They were right about it.

Something was still missing, though.

"What do you mean when you said you wanted to warn me?"

Village Leader Seokjin drew in a long breath as he leaned back, his hands clasped behind his back. "You came in my dream, Healer Park. It is unfortunate that I did not see details in my dream. You, along with Red Dahlia appeared in my dream."

"Why me, specifically?"

The village leader's gaze fell on him. "My instinct tells me that a Dual is among those of who you associate yourself with."

Jimin sucked in a sharp breath. A lump built in his throat, then, and he swallowed it down while his heart made dangerous thump against the wall of his chest.

A Supplier's instinct was never wrong.

There was a knock on the door. Both Suppliers turned their heads toward where the gentle sound of knocks came from. Jimin stayed frozen in his seat. Supplier Youngjae informed him that the conversation had to end for the village leader had to attend a meeting. Jimin reluctantly got up from the seat. He was still having a hard time taking in the surprise upon knowing that a Dual, a traitor was among the people around him.

"Healer Park," Village Leader Seokjin called him just before he left the room.

What the male said next caused an involuntary shiver to run down his spine for what was about to come.

"Protect your loved one from the dangers around. Sacrifice is not one if it makes the traitor stronger."

*

All the moments of when Chaeyoung had spent with Junhoe were not exactly uncomfortable. Despite her dislike and objection over their arranged marriage, not once had she felt an immense discomfort when he was around. Despite the disgust she felt at the idea of being united with him, there was not exactly a time when she had a strange feeling of how she should stay away from him as though he was a dirt.

Junhoe must had noticed the silence, the discomfort growing inside of her, the flinch of her eyes when they met his. "You are unusually quiet," he commented.

Chaeyoung's growing worry twisted her stomach painfully that it left her with tightness. She chanced a glance at him whose features unchanged as he looked forward, walking with calmness with his hands behind his back. She had never seen Duals in their final form. But she was certain that Junhoe was not one, yet.

From what she could remember through broken whispers of adults, a Dual with severe cracked lips, eyes darkened until they were all pitch black with speech slurred would already be on its final stage to be in its final form.

Junhoe had not yet had any of it.

Yet, a terrifying feeling still rolled freely inside of her.

The thing with Duals was that each of their final stage was unknown. Some reached its final form at an early age, some later. It would be quick. He could be reaching his starting on that day. It could be tomorrow. It could also be possible that it would be at the end of the day. No one would know.

But anyone would know that a Dual in its final form would be utterly dangerous. Duals would kill ruthlessly. Duals would suck away the ability of their victims. Duals would become powerful than they already were. Their main goal was to take the village under their rule. They wanted to rule the world. Those who wish to serve under the Duals would have their lives spared.

"Tell me about her," Chaeyoung said after a while.

Junhoe's features changed, pupils shook, jaw hardened. He let out a dry chuckle. "Is this jealousy?"

"Far from jealous," she responded with her own form of chuckle, similarly dry. "Curious is all I am."

"I have nothing to tell," he replied, putting his attention to a stall selling food. So suddenly, the foods looked interesting to him. It never happened when it came to other topics.

"I believe you have a million things you can tell about her."

He let out a scoff. "The only thing I can tell you of her is that she is merely one of the many girls I have been with," he said so casually. The pained look flashing across his face when he said it failed to go unseen from her eyes, though.

"She is special, is she not?" Chaeyoung fixed her eyes on him as he pointlessly inspected a fruit, one after another before placing each back to its respective places. "Else, she wouldn't have known something that could be considered a deep secret."

The muscles of his face twitched uneasily. Slowly, he turned to look at Chaeyoung. Junhoe eyed her for long moments and though his gaze was far from being frightening, Chaeyoung could feel the slight shake of her legs. Despite being surrounded by all kinds of people around, her heart was drumming as fear crept in.

She would probably be less scared if her brother was with her. Or perhaps, she would feel safer if Jungkook was with her.

Chaeyoung almost yelped when Junhoe grasped on her arm firmly and pulled her away, taking her out of the crowd and they only stopped walking when they were in a rather dark alley, empty of life. His calm blue eyes had turned icy when he gazed down at her as he cornered her against the wall. She had to convince herself mentally, repeatedly, that Junhoe had not yet become a full Dual that he would be too harmful.

It did not eliminate the fact that he was still a Dual, her mind reminded her. Any Dual, no matter their primary or secondary abilities, were dangerous.

Without realizing it, as Junhoe towered over her, Chaeyoung's breath staggered. Junhoe's eyes had narrowed, looking down at her suspiciously as his expression darkened.

"What secret?" he asked. His voice lowered and deep.

She could barely hear the voices of other people from where she was. It was too far from the crowd. Only her own breaths were loud along with the sound of her unsteady heartbeat drumming in her ears.

She recalled back Hana's words, her pleas, her reasons of letting Junhoe go.

Her lips trembled but she forced herself to calm down. This was not exactly the time to let her fear control her. She was alone and showing her fearful side would not help. "What is the exact reason for you to agree to marry me?"

Junhoe visibly tensed at the question, but the tense disappeared into thin air a moment later. He did not respond to her question. Instead of showing an effort to answer, he looked at her expectantly, like he was waiting for something from her.

At that moment, Chaeyoung was certain that they both were thinking of the same thing.

"Is it really so that we both would be dutiful to the village?" she asked, wincing in her mind at the light shake of her voice when his gaze turned icier. "Or is it for your own benefit?"

When he only let a deafening silence to answer her instead, she decided to ask a different question. Her voice came in a shaky whisper.

"You are a Dual," her eyes shaking in fear, "aren't you?"

His cold gaze shook. In the silence that ensued, she got her answer.