The whole room is filled with snores from the five of them, but they get immediately woken up when someone barges into their room. The person who barged in announces loudly that it's already morning and that the sun has shown itself so it's time for them to open their eyes. He goes over to the window before pulling the blinds apart, gaining groans from those who were asleep just seconds ago. With an evil smile on his face he brings his hands far apart before banging the pan he's holding with the metal ladle. He bangs it multiple times until all five of them have woken up, despite some of them grumbling.

"Ah, Choi Jongho!" Wooyoung shouts. "What is this atrocity so early in the morning?" He kicks the air before he dives back onto the mattress, pulling the blanket over his head.

"Wake up!" Jongho exclaims loudly, going over to Wooyoung before pulling the blanket. "You're in someone else's kingdom, have some decency to wake up at the same time as Their Majesties!"

San sits up on the bed, his hair like a bird's nest as he yawns. "Have Seonghwa and Akira woken up?"

"Even more than that," Jongho says as he approaches Yeosang and Mingi who's sleeping on the same mattress before using his foot to take the blanket off of them. They grumble, but are forced to wake up. "Their Majesties are already at the dining room, waiting for all of you to join them for breakfast."

"They're already waiting for us?!" Hongjoong springs up, suddenly wide awake. He doesn't say anything more as he jumps out of bed, claiming the bathroom first.

"Indeed," Jongho nods while closing his eyes. "That is the attitude that I'm looking for from all of you. Now get going!" He bangs the pan again, this time nearer to the others. "I want all of you to appear in front of Their Majesties in less than 10 minutes. How dare you make them wait? I don't care whatever it takes, use the plenty of bathrooms we have in this palace, and move!"

Slowly, they get out of bed one by one, thinking how Jongho is acting like an instructor at a camp, disturbing their peaceful sleep and forcing them to get ready when they don't want to. Three of them go outside to search for other bathrooms while Mingi waits in front of the bathroom Hongjoong is currently using, his head lolling from side to side as he's still sleepy.

By the time the timer hits the 9th minute, all of them are already smartly dressed in suits, although Jongho had expected less from them. He beckons for them to follow him, and like chicks following their mother, they trail him towards the direction of the dining hall since they're still unfamiliar with the ways around the Lucida palace.

After the coronation ceremony, Seonghwa and Akira had invited all of them to stay at the palace for a few days, but they decided to only stay for a day. They would visit the Lucida town before making their way back to Nyla since now there's a new upcoming event: the closed ceremony for San's coronation as the Shadow King. After much persuasion from Wooyoung, San finally relented and agreed that they'll hold a small ceremony for him, but only among them. No one else would be invited since the 'secret' is supposedly kept securely.

From afar, Mingi sees Yunho coming from the opposite direction, looking different than when they had met at Nyla since his everyday style now has changed; Yunho has made sure that his hair is slicked back. With his new hairstyle, he looks more mature, more refined and he looks like someone they won't dare cross over.

But Mingi knows it's not the case when Yunho's face breaks into a smile seeing them making their way into the same direction as him, breaking into a small run as he joins the group.

"Going to the dining hall?" Yunho greets them.

"Yeah," San replies. "Jongho told us that Akira and Seonghwa are already waiting so we didn't want to make them wait longer."

Yunho frowns before turning to look at Jongho, who's whistling as he looks away, feigning innocence.

"Uhm.." Yunho trails off. "They haven't gotten out of uhm-" he presses his lips, "-their room."

All eyes turn to look at Jongho with fire in their eyes, but Jongho nonchalantly says, "It's common courtesy to wake up before Their Majesties."

"Anyway, since we're here already," Mingi decides as he walks forward, followed by Yunho before the rest trail them.

Hongjoong, Wooyoung, Yeosang and San are still giving daggers to Jongho, who's pretending that he has never done anything wrong. The doors to the dining room are pulled apart for them, and they get silently impressed by how they don't even have to push them themselves. In the dining hall, the flurry of servants are busy serving breakfast for them, the spread making their jaws drop. To them, this isn't merely breakfast, this is a feast.

They take their seats, waiting for the two to come. Funnily, they feel as if they're waiting for strangers who have a higher status than them when in fact, they're the people they've known for long. Seonghwa especially to San and Wooyoung; they practically grew up together so they find it slightly funny how they're nervous to see him.

After the crowning yesterday, they didn't have the opportunity to see them since the two were quickly whisked away to continue with their day-long event. So now is officially the first time they'll meet after the couple officially became the king and queen of Lucida. Their feelings are a mix; they know that even though they're friends... treating the two who are now king and queen like lifelong friends feels somewhat odd.

With their thoughts accompanying them, their bodies automatically react to the sound of the doors opening; standing up and bowing as both of them enter the dining hall. Seonghwa and Akira look surprised that they're already here, before they quickly approach their guests and apologize profusely.

"We're sorry we weren't here faster," Akira grimaces. "Both of us couldn't sleep-"

"Then we went on an adventure," Seonghwa wriggles his eyebrows. "Anyway, we went back to our room, fell asleep again and woke up late. So apologies."

"It's fine," San says. "Yesterday must be tiring for both of you."

As Seonghwa pulls the chair for Akira to sit and he joins them, he nods. "It was more tiring than I anticipated. So we just dozed off like there's no tomorrow after we could go back."

"But it's all done and dusted," Wooyoung says in a singsong voice. "Can you believe it?" He shakes Yeosang who's on his left, before shaking Mingi on his right. "I'm close with two kings," then he winks at Akira, "and a queen."

"Before I pinch your eyelids shut permanently, I think you can stop winking at my wife," Seonghwa says casually.

"I wasn't winking, brother," Wooyoung refutes. "My eyes twitched, but it's all fine now." He taps his eye as he bares his teeth to Seonghwa.

The others burst into laughter and they start eating, all seemingly returning to what they used to have at Nyla. Although now not all of them are living in the same kingdom, to feel like how it was back then is precious to them, no matter how short it is. Despite thinking that it's a feast, the plates are wiped clean by all 9 of them, leaving the maids picking up the plates easily since there is no food waste left.

Yeosang leans back against the chair, a hand on his stomach as he says, "I may be kicked out of my own house because I cut off the engagement I had, but look at who's stuffing his stomach at the Lucida palace. I really did have to lose some to gain some."

Seonghwa leans forward. "Did your family contact you after?"

"No, they really meant it when they kicked me out," Yeosang says. "If you know them, you'd know that they're the type to stick to their words- well at least in terms of taking care of their reputation. So to them now I'm a child who has marred their reputation, hence why I'm now considered homeless."

Akira listens to this and she casually asks, "Any news about your sister?"

Yeosang laughs before uttering, "That day you ultimately scared her out of her wits. I don't think she'll ever disturb you and your husband ever again, but I did somewhat hear that she threw a rampage after finding out about the news of your marriage."

Akira smiles in satisfaction. "Well that's a way of sweet revenge." She looks at her ring, thinking how badly she must've had traumatized Yeosang's sister, who's - to put it simply - obsessed with Seonghwa. She remembers how she just took out the dagger from her boot before slicing her palm with it to show what blood colour she has - all done when she can't even see her own blood colour.

"But you're-" Seonghwa starts but stops when the doors to the dining hall opens again, and in comes another person that makes Akira's blood boil even by looking at her alone.

Jihyun waltzes in like she owns the palace, unnerved by the eyes of the strangers on her as she's too focused on going over to Their Majesties to relay her greetings for today. She's wearing a dress that looks too tight for her body with a neckline that shows all the things that no one wants to see.

"Good morning, Your Majesties," she starts before her eyes sweep to the rest, looking more than unwilling to greet them but does it anyway. "And... friends?"

"You are?" Wooyoung asks, already having a bad feeling by her presence alone. He doesn't like how she seems to have no respect to the king and queen, walking in as she pleases.

"Their Majesties' advisor. I have a reputation you see-"

"I see," Yeosang butts in. "Too bad we don't have time to hear all about your reputation." He turns to the rest, "We're planning to visit town before going back to Nyla, right?"

"Ooh, I heard there's a famous place which sells sweets in Lucida, can we go there?" Mingi puts up his hand.

"I want to visit the blacksmiths they have in town," Hongjoong speaks. "I want to see what they're making these days."

"I'll follow wherever you guys go," San shrugs. "I'm interested to see how their buildings are in town."

"Then let's go," Wooyoung invites them, giving a sharp look towards Jihyun before smiling sweetly at Akira and Seonghwa. "If you may excuse us?"

"Do you really have to go back today?" Akira asks. "That's kind of a pity since all of you came from far. Why not stay another day?"

"Thank you for the invitation," Hongjoong replies. "But we have to attend to our matters too." His twinkling eyes show that they must not say what the 'matters' are, especially when Jihyun is there.

"Make sure to eat properly before you go on the journey," Seonghwa reminds them. "And bring back lots of souvenirs! Mingi, I'm sure your parents and brother would like them."

Mingi nods excitedly, already thinking about all the stuff he can bring back and give to his family.

"What about the four of you?" San asks, referring to Akira, Seonghwa, Jongho and Yunho. "What are your plans for today?"

"We'll visit town too," Akira utters. "But mostly to show our faces to the people, just as an effort to get closer and friendlier with them."

"Ooh," Wooyoung speaks up, glancing at Jihyun, who is already catching up on the game they're playing, "the people must be really lucky to have both of you as their rulers."

Jihyun is standing there, ignored, and she's already breathing heavily as if ready to lash out. She grips the handle of her bag, hearing their conversations which conveniently put her name out of it. She hates being ignored; all her life she's been hearing praises - how she's pretty, smart and respectable. So she absolutely despises how these bunch of nobodies are blatantly pretending as if she doesn't exist, as if she's not someone worth the attention. She slams her bag on the table on purpose and this manages to make them stop their conversations mid-sentence.

"What do you think you're doing?" Yunho stands up, pushing his chair back so hard that it almost tumbles backwards.

Akira puts up a hand before shaking her head, and this makes Yunho sit back down but he's still looking at Jihyun sharply.

"If you'd like breakfast, I can call them over to prepare some for you," Akira says slowly. "Angry because you're hungry? If only you came earlier, you could've joined us."

"I already ate, Your Majesty," she says through clenched teeth. "I had my breakfast early just so I could accompany both of you for your visit to town later."

"Oh, so you had your breakfast." Akira stands up, staring into Jihyun's eyes. "Then we can start with our schedule for today." Her expression changes to something friendlier as she looks at the rest. "Have fun in town today, and have a safe journey back to Nyla."

"Thank you, we will!" Wooyoung chirps.

The five of them stand up, giving their goodbyes to the ones left, wishing them luck for their schedule today. As soon as the five leave the hall, Akira turns to Jihyun again, who looks like she's about to breathe fire soon.

"I'm honoured to have you together with us today," Akira says, noticing that despite looking like she's about to lash out soon, her eyes can't stop flicking towards Seonghwa. To make a point, Akira taps Seonghwa's shoulder as he stands up and he immediately intertwines his fingers with hers.

Jihyun almost scoffs at this but she controls her expression, stepping aside before letting them pass, followed by Yunho and Jongho behind them. She grabs her bag grudgingly, crosses her arms as she trudges forward, left behind by the two rulers and their convoy. She grips her bag handle tightly until her knuckles turn white, grinding her teeth.

You think that you're all that just because your blood is part royalty? Jihyun thinks to herself, watching as Akira lightly punches Seonghwa's shoulder, laughing. You really think that having black blood is special, Akira Hwang?

"What are you doing?" Yunho asks from afar, snapping Jihyun out of her thoughts. "We're leaving, get in the carriage."

She walks towards the door, where Yunho is already waiting. She juts out her chin, claiming, "Are we taking the same carriage as them?"

He looks at her as if she's grown horns on her head before chuckling, obviously mocking her. "You must be joking. There is no way we're taking the same carriage as Their Majesties." He points to another carriage behind the one Akira and Seonghwa are taking. "You're taking the carriage with us. With me, Jongho and another two soldiers. We're keeping an eye out for any threats." He looks at her, "Unless you're one of them too."

She makes a disgusted face. "Me? In the same carriage as servants like-" she spreads out her palm and brings it up and down in front of Yunho, "-you?"

He's unaffected by her weak insult as he nods his head, defiant. "Yes, you're taking the carriage with these servants."

"And what makes them so special?" she utters loudly, even louder as he starts to walk away from her.

"They're special because they're Seonghwa and Akira," he replies, rolling his eyes before he pretends to bow to her, sweeping his hand to the inside of the opened carriage. "After you, Madam."

From the inside of their carriage, Akira looks at how Yunho has to deal with Jihyun as she mumbles, "Maybe we can give her a ride in our carriage..." She turns to look at Seonghwa, "Being in an enclosed space with four other guys can be pretty uncomfortable for her."

When Seonghwa hears this, he leans against her. "You know, I'm severely confused about your attitude towards her." There's a small smile on his lips, "I thought you hate her so much that you don't even mind the public display of affection we do when she's around."

She pouts, "Because you're my husband."

"And you're jealous?"

Her eyes slightly dart to the side. "A little."

"Huh, so Akira Hwang is capable of feeling jealous." He rubs the tip of his nose against her cheek, "But you don't have to worry because all I see is you."

"Still," she manages, even more as she sees how Jihyun is still refusing to get on the carriage. "As a woman, I don't want to be that mean, no matter how much she seems to be pining after my husband."

He does a sound akin to a baby gurgling as he pinches Akira's cheeks, before wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on her shoulder. "See, people all think you're all swords and fights but your heart is as pure as snow."

"I just-" she sighs, before prying herself apart from Seonghwa and sticking out her head through the carriage. She addresses Jihyun, "You can take the carriage with us."

Yunho looks surprised at this, but even Jihyun can't believe her ears as she takes slow steps towards the rulers' carriage. She seems to be looking at Akira with a confused look, still affected by the kindness shown by the queen. She doesn't know what to make out of Akira's intention, and she finds it irritating when all she could sense is sincerity.

"If I may," Jihyun utters slowly, clearly affected by the queen's invitation.

"You may," Akira says as she opens the door and tilts her head to invite Jihyun in. When the latter has gotten on the carriage, she closes the door before claiming to Yunho, "We'll go on now." This receives a nod from Yunho, although he still looks confused on why Akira is acting nice to the woman.

Jihyun takes a seat on the farthest left, avoiding from sitting directly in front of the couple. She finds it disturbing how Akira is acting so nice to her, when all she was looking for was a bad reaction from the queen; something that can destroy her reputation. But what can she do when Akira has been nothing but polite and nice?

So I am the only bad guy in this game.

"I figured you must be uncomfortable over there," Akira says as the carriage starts moving, lurching forward. "This carriage can take more people anyway."

Jihyun can barely cook up a reply as she stutters, "Y- yes. A little bit."

Seonghwa is quiet throughout their journey to town, although he does occasionally look at Akira with the proudest smile on his face. Akira tries to make small talk with Jihyun, although it's painfully obvious how Jihyun is still affected that she's rendered essentially speechless.

As soon as they get to town, Seonghwa alights the carriage first and helps Akira to get down, followed by Jihyun who has turned meek.

Looks are on them as they see the king and queen alighting the carriage, with gasps of amazement at how the rulers would take their time out to mingle with the people echoing through town.

"What is your plan on Jihyun?" Seonghwa whispers into Akira's ear, putting an arm around her waist.

"I was just reminded of the bad joke that Yeosang told us when we were planning to go to Lucida to save Yunho," Akira replies, throwing a look over her shoulder to see that Jihyun has slowly retreated herself into Yunho's convoy.

Seonghwa chuckles. "Kill them with kindness?"

"Hmm," she nods, agreeing. "And... I might also mix that with my own philosophy." She grins.

"Oh," he utters. "That one."

She leans against her husband, realizing how there are more eyes watching them. Before they have to pick up their duties she whispers to him, "I like the concept of you keeping your friends close, and your enemies closer." She breathes against his cheek, chuckling. "And I think you know which one Jihyun is to me."