Yeosang squints at the bandage on Seonghwa's face, hand subconsciously trying to touch it but his hand is immediately slapped away by the king.

"Don't touch it," Seonghwa reminds him, and the doctor gives up.

"You're still good looking," San offers. "So don't worry."

"You're worried about that, weren't you?" Wooyoung grins as he chomps on some garlic bread. "You're scared Akira wouldn't like you anymore once you gained that scar on your face."

"I wasn't, but I know that you would act that way."

"He was," Akira replies, earning laughter from the rest.

However this time Seonghwa doesn't refute as he only eats his breakfast in silence, slurping on the mushroom soup as the rest get absorbed in conversation. Yeosang and Hongjoong are the ones who notice that Seonghwa seems uncharacteristically awkward around Akira, the first time they've ever seen him like this after both of them got married. The doctor and blacksmith look at each other, but they know better than to pry in their private matters. Instead they keep their silence as they join in the rest.

Jongho notices how Akira is playing around with her food, barely eating but when he looks over to her husband, he seems to be gobbling up whatever he can find, as if not enough to satisfy his hunger. He sighs as he returns to eating his own breakfast, wondering what could be the first strike to have the married couple acting that way.

"You're not hungry?" Yunho asks as his hands quickly fly to steal some food off the queen's plate, but Akira does nothing to stop him. He chews slowly, his suspicion of the couple having a somewhat tense air between them confirmed.

"No," she says. "I just don't feel good."

"It's normal to have fights once in a while," Yunho utters, stealing more food from her plate. "But don't let it get too quiet between the two of you for too long. Communication is important."

"We're not-" she pauses, trying to think of whether yesterday could be considered a fight. "-fighting. It was just a difference in opinions."

"Well, whatever you want to call it..." The general swallows before downing it with water, "Don't let it get to both of you. Both of you need each other the most during times like this."

She throws a look to Seonghwa beside her, who is scooping up more mashed potato onto his plate. Some of the gravy has gotten on the corners of his mouth, but it seems that he either doesn't bother to clean it up or he doesn't realize the mess he has made. She shakes her head and mumbles again.

"I really did marry a toddler it seems."

Her hand automatically reaches for the napkin, then she dabs Seonghwa's mouth clean and complains about how he can't seem to eat properly without making a mess. He only stays rigid in place, waiting for her to finish cleaning up his mouth. When she's done she throws the napkin on the table before facing her own plate.

They continue to eat, and for today it seems that the rest are planning to return to Nyla directly.

"It's so weird," Wooyoung whispers to San. "They're fighting aren't they?"

"Silent treatment?" San guesses.

"And it's none of our business," Mingi states.

"We better get going," Yeosang announces, giving signals to the rest of them with his eyes to not pry into the couple's matters.

"You're going already?" Seonghwa says, eyes glancing towards Akira but he says nothing to her.

"Yeah," Hongjoong agrees. "Thank you so much for the warm hospitality and everything that you've provided us."

"Have a safe journey back to Nyla," Akira speaks up, standing up from her chair. "And we've packed more food for all of you since you couldn't go back yesterday. We're really sorry we couldn't join you for that event." She refers to San's coronation as she glances over at Seonghwa. "Things here in Lucida still need some attention."

"It's fine," San utters, smiling and showing his dimples. "We understand your situation here."

"And Akira," Wooyoung whispers to her, making sure that Seonghwa is not listening. The king looks out of it anyway. "If my brother really said something that hurt you, don't hesitate to get angry at him. Even though he's getting better, he still needs a little bit more practice to not say things that hurt other people."

She gives a weak smile. "I'm just scared that I'm the one who said some things that could have hurt him."

When they are speechless Mingi comes swooping in, extending his arms as he gathers them one by one. "I really think it's time to get going. If it rains we're going to be held back so best we go while the sky is clear."

Yunho and Jongho accompany the rest to the main doors, watching them as they load their luggage again and making sure that they are set for the long journey. As they have filed into their separate carriages, the king and queen appear to send them off, waving to them as the carriages finally make their way out of the compound.

Yunho looks over his shoulder to find the couple talking, but it really seems that both are still not wanting to lose out in this cold war.

"I'll be off to the garden," Seonghwa utters. He doesn't look at her as he says this. "See you at lunch."

She remains quiet as she bites her lower lip, but before Seonghwa can turn around she interjects, "Are you really going to act this way just because I told you that I'm not ready for kids?"

Yunho and Jongho's jaws drop slightly as they hear this, panic rising to them as they realize that they're about to be in the middle of their fight. Yunho nudges Jongho to the side, signalling with his head so that they'll move out of the picture, and they sidestep the couple while trying as hard as they might to not get involved. They quietly close the doors, leaving the two out in rising daylight trying to iron things out between them.

"I'm not acting in any way," Seonghwa mumbles, playing around with the hem of his shirt. "I'm just tired."

"Tired my ass," Akira interjects as she grabs his hand and pulls him inside, opening the door with one hand begrudgingly before dragging him up the stairs, stomping all the way until they reach their room.

She makes him sit on the bed but he only blinks, a bit taken aback by how she had just dragged him all the way without a word. She fishes out the first aid kit before opening it loudly, as if trying to make a point. She takes out the ointment and fresh bandage. Still quiet, she rips off the old bandage on his face, making him cringe but she doesn't let him complain as she dabs the ointment on the wound roughly before slapping on the bandage on his cheek. She closes the first aid kit as they wallow in silence after.

"At least change the bandage on your face, you idiot," she huffs. "You didn't even change it this morning when you woke up did you?"

He looks down, biting the inside of his cheek. "I forgot."

"How can you-" she starts, but gives up as she closes her eyes and releases a heavy breath. She says slowly, "Change the bandage regularly or you'll get an infection. If you can't do it, ask me to do it." She stands up, storing away the first aid kit. "I'll be at the meeting room because I have a discussion to attend to. I told them that you won't be joining because you're still affected by yesterday's events. So don't worry about it. See you," she reaches for the door handle, "at lunch." She gives a weak smile to him before closing the door.

"Akira-" he gets cut off when the door is already shut, and he's pretty sure that she won't hear him anymore.

He sighs in frustration as he can't gather the courage to apologize to her. He feels stupid knowing that they're fighting over something that could've been talked out yet they couldn't. He feels useless too; he's pretty sure all the palace staff, the ministers and their associates only look at Akira as the rightful queen. To them, he's probably an extra baggage who doesn't know how to manage administrative matters but only knows how to maintain the palace garden.

In their eyes, he's not on the same level as Akira.

At the hallways Akira is walking as fast as she could, as if she's trying to get away from their bedroom. But when she arrives at a corner where no one else is around she stops walking, leans against the wall before she slides down to the floor. Her head is in her hands, but she simply needs the time to collect herself before she meets the others.

"That idiot," she says under her shaky breath. "That stupid idiot."

"Your Majesty," a voice comes and she almost knocks her head on the wall.

Jihyun is looking at her, a half smile on her face. "I was thinking that maybe you'd like to walk to the meeting room together?"

She stands up, pretending that she wasn't startled by her advisor's sudden appearance. "Sure." She walks forward faster, and leaves Jihyun trying to catch up with her.

"Your Majesty," Jihyun catches up with her, but already out of breath.

"You're breathing really hard, not enough stamina?" There's a smirk on Akira's face as she says this.

"I'm not- used to-" she pauses to take a deep breath, "-physical exercise. I very much prefer to stay in a shaded area."

Akira side eyes her, claiming, "I can tell. You're a noblewoman who can't stay too long under the sun or have her feet walking longer than a minute."

Jihyun looks at the queen, irritated but does not dare to refute; it's the truth anyway. "I'm used to being pampered since I was born, so surely you can't blame me on behaving this way."

"Someone who always gets her way, huh?"

"Most of the time."

"Like what, 99.99% of the time?"

Jihyun doesn't answer.

"Is my husband one of what you're pursuing too? What else? The throne and the crown?" Akira stops to face her advisor. "Tell me, if you're really the best for this position, would you understand what those with yellow and blue blood have to go through? How they suffer to get through every day, thinking about whether they could eat the next day? Have you experienced that, when you have to refuse eating dinner just so you could save up for tomorrow?"

Jihyun feels her cheeks burning up, clearly embarrassed by the queen's words. "No, Your Majesty." She doesn't clarify which question she's answering, but it seems like she's generalizing them into one answer.

"I see," Akira says. "So you don't understand what they have to go through, but you're willing to open your eyes to their problems and be empathetic to their situation? If you don't," she pauses, "then I'm afraid that you're not the best one for this position." She starts walking again but Jihyun holds her back by the arm, almost sounding like she's pleading.

"Your Majesty," Jihyun holds on to her sleeve, "I'll try my best to become your advisor."

Akira stares into her eyes before uttering, "So now you're looking at me directly in the eyes. First day we met and you were pretending like I didn't exist. I know that Seonghwa is too handsome for his own good," she chuckles, "but you could at least acknowledge me. I'm not stupid." She starts walking again but Jihyun holds on to her arm.

"Your Majesty," Jihyun pleads. "I wasn't- I wasn't thinking straight about what I did that day. I'll do- I'll do better from now on. Please, if I lose this job my father will be ashamed of me and there's a possibility that he would kick me out of our house. I can't lose my job or else I'll lose my face."

Akira looks at Jihyun who automatically kneels in front of her, begging for forgiveness. The story of Jihyun's father reminds her of Yeosang's family; who values status presented to them by their blood colours. If she were to act rashly, she would've fired Jihyun this instant. But still, she has a little bit of conscience.

"Who said anything about firing you?" she says flatly. "I was just giving you a subtle warning, that's all." She pauses, studying Jihyun's face.

As opposed to Akira, Jihyun's face is smooth, not even a sign of a single scar. In fact, her skin looks almost translucent, and she looks surreal. She seems to have a natural blush on her cheeks, her high cheekbones being one of the features that you'll be transfixed on when you look at her.

Akira is aware that her own face is dull and marred with scars, a result of the years neglecting her skin and the exposure to sunlight whenever she had practice with the other soldiers. She's sure that if people were to guess who the queen is based on looks alone, she'll have to step down even before she can open her mouth.

"Your Majesty?" Jihyun tries again, slowly waving her hand in front of Akira's eyes.

The queen snaps out of it, then continues walking without waiting for her advisor. Both of them arrive in time as the others inside the room, and they are greeted with bows from the rest.

Jihyun skitters to her seat next to the queen, and the others mumble among themselves how the advisor seems to only be focused on herself, but not the person she's serving. While the advisor has sat down, Akira is still sweeping her vision across the room to see if the attendance is complete. When the advisor notices how people are talking among themselves, she quickly stands up again before helping to pull the chair for the queen, bowing before her mouth says a reluctant apology.

Akira says a quick thank you as she takes her seat, fixing her clothes as she clasps her hands in front of her.

"You should've done that earlier, Miss Seo," the Minister of Finance, Sir Zad says, referring to Jihyun. "What a shame for you to take a seat before the queen."

Jihyun is about to defend herself saying that she has most certainly forgotten, but Akira is quick to come to her rescue.

"Don't bother yourself with protocols like that." She pushes her sleeves back. "You do know that I'm here because I'm interested in the people's affairs, and not to show to you that I am of the highest position here. We're here for Lucida, not for me."

The others clear their throats; having your attitude pointed out by the queen herself is surely something they're not proud of. Meanwhile Jongho and Yunho are secretly smiling to themselves, loving the attitude that Akira is holding as a queen.

"But still, you are of the highest position here," one of the women in the room, Madam Reen interjects. "We should respect you."

"I'll try earning that respect," Akira utters. "I'm merely a person with black blood who happens to be lucky, that's all."

They shuffle uncomfortably in their seats, realizing how different Akira seems to be from her half sister, the pure white blood. Where her late sister prioritized her position and order, her younger sister seems to put forward the people and not herself. They might need some time to get used to this change, but they can't lie how they might prefer it this way. Maybe she is the ruler whom they truly need.

When the rest are quiet, she chuckles awkwardly. "Did I say or do something wrong?"

There is an immediate cacophony of response from them, saying that they agree and approve the way of her thinking. Yunho and Jongho nod in satisfaction while Jihyun remains quiet, feeling like the outcast again. There just seems to always be something that she ruins.

"Is His Majesty still unwell?" The Minister of Environment speaks up as the noise dies down. "He's not here today."

There's a tight smile on her face as she utters, "I guess you didn't get the memo. I told everyone that Seonghwa is not joining us today. He's still pretty shaken up." From something else. "He needs time to recover from the shock so he's," she chuckles, "probably wrapped up in his garden somewhere."

"It's an honour for us to have such humble rulers," the Minister of Development butts in, putting a hand to her chest. "It's a nice change for us and for the people."

"I think that's enough of chit-chatting between us," Akira directs. "Shall we start the meeting now?"

"As per your order, Your Majesty," Jihyun utters, distributing the files for each respective minister, providing them an overview of today's purpose.

"Based on the short visit to town yesterday," Akira starts, "I believe Lucida has a lot to improve, and there are a lot of things that we need to focus on. I may not have that much experience in administrative affairs, but I put my trust in each of you to oversee your own field." She titters, "I'm afraid my expertise is in defence, which, I trust that General Jeong is giving his utmost loyalty and work in protecting our kingdom."

"I try my best, Your Majesty," he utters. "From the reports collected from those guarding the border, everything is clear. No impending possibility of a war breaking out with other kingdoms; we're maintaining the positions and numbers of soldiers we have at each point. What we're looking for now is to strengthen the security around Your Majesties," he pauses, "considering how yesterday we were too distracted. Apologies, Your Majesty." He tilts his head downwards.

"Never mind that," the queen says, "I appreciate all that you've done and for your initiative to protect all of us." She smiles, looking at the rest of them. "Anyone else would like to report and propose their solutions?"

Akira rests her elbows on the table, clasping her fingers as she hears attentively to each and every one of them giving their inputs. Some need a lot of work, while some need a little bit less attention. By the time they finish relaying everything to her, she already has pages full of written notes, helped by Jihyun who's struggling to jot down the notes. She looks at the thick stack of notes thinking about how she'll have to go through them as soon as possible again.

The meeting finishes as they bid their goodbyes, bowing to the queen as they file out of the meeting room one by one. The only ones left are Akira, Jihyun, Yunho and Jongho.

Akira leans against her chair, her demeanour completely changing. She turns to Jihyun, uttering, "You may get off work today, you've worked hard. Oh, and um, if you want to have lunch you may eat at the dining hall." She consults her watch and sighs. "It's already 3 in the evening." She cringes when she realizes that she has missed the promised lunch with Seonghwa. "I'll leave now too," she hesitates as she sees Yunho and Jongho looking at her, "I have to see how Seonghwa is doing."

They let her leave, and as soon as she's out of the room she dashes towards the dining hall, obviously not expecting the king to be there. She bursts into the empty hall, feeling sorry that she missed out on eating lunch with him. But just as she's about to turn around to exit the dining hall, she hears a shout from someone she recognizes in the kitchen; it's Seonghwa.

Without even thinking she runs towards the kitchen, finding no one else in there but her heart feels like it would stop the moment she sees Seonghwa's feet sticking out from behind the kitchen island. She slowly walks around the island, bracing herself to see his condition.

She takes a step... sees his legs... then his torso as he lies down on the floor. She finally sees his face, and she gasps when she sees the front part of his white shirt soaked in red.

Is that... blood?