Yunho steals glances at the black panther, which is dutifully walking beside the young woman as they pass through town, the residents parting to give them way while they look on fearfully at the wild animal. Even his horse is distancing itself from the black panther, neighing everytime the animal seems to slightly divert its course. He runs a hand on his horse's mane, trying to tell it that the black panther is not a threat.

At least, that's what the young woman had promised him. She promised to him that the black panther won't pose a danger to any of their people, considering that it only follows her orders. With that, she also promised that she came to the kingdom under the pretext of peace, and she's not looking to stir any trouble.

What she came for is merely to restore the kingdom to how it is.

That was what she had told him, and he took her word for it.

The general is 100% sure that the young woman is the person Wooyoung and Akira met at the Ileara palace from the description of her appearance alone; striking pink hair, pink nails, white robe over a dress and most importantly - a black panther as a companion. As he subconsciously looks at her longer than he can keep his eyes on the road, he feels a blush coming as the woman catches him off guard.

"Have you never seen a woman as pretty as me that you can't stop staring?" she asks, a smirk on her lips as she turns to look at him.

He blinks, a bit flustered that he was caught staring so he clears his throat, failing at how he's trying to hide the fact that he's not slightly entranced by her. He found it hard to believe that they had told him how this was the woman who had lived in isolation looked like, but now that she's in front of his eyes he can't help but be curious. She looks slightly mischievous, childish, yet there's an aura around her that tells him he should not be taking her lightly; especially for someone who's mingled with magic.

"It's a bit odd," he says frankly, "your appearance I mean."

She laughs, and he could swear there's pink glitter dusting her face. "Why? Did you expect a witch to look old with wrinkles on her face, a pointed nose with an overgrown mole near it? I assume you're one who is influenced too much by the tales you read." She winks, "Don't you think, if I'm capable of magic, I'd make sure that I look youthful all the time?"

"So is your age not as how you look like?"

She chuckles. "You must be a really straightforward and honest person. Perhaps... there's a reason I didn't go down along with the kingdom." There's a twinkle in her eyes as she says it.

"You're invincible?" he deadpans.

"Ever heard of immortals?" she smiles, "Perhaps I'm one of them."

"Ah," he utters shortly. "You're old then."

She glares at him, but he only smirks as he looks forward, satisfied that he has made his way around her dilly-dallying. He finds this woman... unique and he has absolutely no idea on what this woman is planning to do to cure Seonghwa. He can only hope that this woman is not some bogus witch who thinks that she can take advantage of Akira...

"What are you?" she asks.

He scoffs. "Excuse me?"

"I mean... what is your position in the palace?" she grimaces. "I told you that I'm not that good at socializing yet. Living away from people does things to you and you forget how to act."

"Sounds like someone I know," he mutters under his breath. "I'm the general of Lucida's army."

"So you've had direct contact with the queen?" She tilts his head, "The black-blooded queen?" There's a glint in her eyes, and he restrains himself from saying something hurtful.

"Why do you have to point out the fact that our queen has black blood?" He sighs, "We're all the same in the end."

She chuckles, further bringing Yunho into confusion as to what to make out of her. "Relax, I don't mean it in a condescending way. In fact, it intrigues me and I'm slightly impressed. I'm pretty allergic to white-blooded rulers, so to have a queen with black blood..."

"Is that why you changed your mind? You finally decided to help our queen because she's a black blood?"

She smiles, brushing away pink strands of her hair out of her eyes. "That isn't solely the reason. I found out about something interesting, and I don't even think that your queen is aware of it herself."

The general remains quiet, not wanting to bring the topic up about the possibility that Akira's mother is from Ileara, and that she possibly holds the key to curing the curse. He frowns as he looks at Sara, already starting to question her motives of coming here.

"You aren't... perhaps... looking to do something to Her Majesty, are you?" he speaks up.

When she turns to look at him, confused, she huffs. "I came all the way here because I wanted to help her get back her husband, and you're accusing me of wanting to do something to your queen? I don't mingle much with humans but I'm pretty sure that's rude."

"I mean..." he trails off. "How else are you going to cure the curse?"

She rolls her eyes. "I told you that I was the palace witch. I've lived long enough to witness how the curse works." She breathes, "After the destruction of Ileara, I probably found out a little bit too late."

"So you do know how to cure this curse," he says, sceptical.

"Trust me." She puts up her palm, smoke rising out of thin air as it swirls. "I know my stuff."

He doesn't refute anymore as they pass the arched entrance to the palace, the guards looking alarmed at the black panther casually tagging them. Yunho only manages to give an awkward smile, too tired to even explain why he is now bringing a wild animal into the palace, with a young woman who is possibly an immortal with the key to curing their king. He hops off the horse, letting the staff take it away before he turns to Sara, slightly glancing to Micko.

"How... are we going to..." He tilts his head towards the panther, "leave him?"

She blinks. "Aww, we have to leave him outside?"

"Then what, are you seriously expecting to bring a wild animal inside the palace? We don't even let our horses in, let alone a black panther." He slightly flinches when Micko does a low growl, looking at him with its red eyes, but he remains with his stance.

"Well..." She presses her lips into thin lines, jutting out her chin. "Where you keep your horses then."

"No," Yunho replies. "I don't trust your companion with our horses."

She rolls her eyes. "I told you that I told Micko that he's not allowed to eat anything, or anyone for that matter. Don't worry, I can," she clicks her tongue, "go on for a hunt and bring back something for him real quick. Trust me, he's more timid than he actually looks." As she says this, Micko does a low whimper before snuggling up to her. "See? He's a good boy."

He sighs, before he turns around to where the stables are. "We do have a cage, but it's unused and the lock's flimsy. I swear if I hear one peep of our staff complaining that our horses are injured, eaten, or our livestock are disturbed, I won't hesitate to kick you out of the palace."

She hisses, shaking her head. "Are you sure you're the general? You sound more like a concerned farmer to me."

He grumbles before breathing out, letting a cloud of cold air cover her face. "I oversee a lot of stuff in this palace, not just the army. Just like you have a long history with the palace of Ileara, I have with mine."

"A loyal servant, aren't you?" she utters as she walks past him, Micko trailing behind. "What's the use of being so loyal if in the end you're going to be abandoned right after?"

He catches up with her, managing, "You don't talk about our rulers like that."

She hums. "I'm not talking about your rulers." She smiles, "I'm just talking from experience."

He turns quiet, seemingly feeling slightly guilty as it seems like quite a sensitive topic for her. When they do arrive at the cage near the stables, several horses neigh as they see the black panther, but the latter gives no response as it obediently moves into the cage that Yunho has opened up for it. He watches as the wild animal sits politely on the ground, wagging its tail as Sara grabs a hold of its head, squishing their faces together.

She does something akin to baby talk as she says, "I'll come back for you, so sit here politely okay? Don't do anything, don't even eat anything they give you." She glances over her shoulder to see the general staring at her, "We don't know if they might want to poison you, so it's better to be safe than sorry. I'll bring you more delicious food later on."

Yunho only waits awkwardly at the entrance of the cage as he holds the door open. He trails the woman with his eyes, looking down at her as she stands in front of him, tilting her head. He walks out of the cage with her following him and he locks it. He only sighs as he turns to walk back to the palace with the woman barely catching up with him.

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Her Majesty must have been informed of your arrival, so I believe she must be waiting for you." He pauses, "She's already waiting too long for an answer to the curse."

As soon as they ascend the flight of stairs though, Sara stops in front of the heavy doors, letting the guards open them up as she observes the condition of the palace. She breathes, "Her husband is not the only one with the curse in this palace is it? There's someone else." She sighs, "A much, much, stronger presence."

He's silently impressed by how quick she caught it; further convincing him that she's speaking the truth. Still, he has his guard up in case she's only looking to take advantage of the queen.

They enter the palace and sure enough, Akira is already approaching them at the foyer, a flurry of maids behind her. Yunho immediately bows his head as he sees Akira, but Sara remains upright, the corners of her lips held upwards.

"I'm Sara Chae; so we meet again..." she trails off. "Should I be calling you Your Majesty?"

"I don't mind the formalities." Akira extends her hand, looking to shake the guest's hand. "Akira is enough for you."

Sara smiles, taking her hand as she shakes it, promptly noticing the scars the queen has all over her arms. "I see you're prepared for my presence," she utters, "I'm honoured."

"We have a lot to talk about," the queen says, "but I wonder if you... are planning to see him straight away."

"Ah," Sara exclaims. "It looks like even my purpose of coming here is relayed to the palace. I'll go straight to it then."

Yunho nods to Akira and the maids disperse, where only the three of them will be going to look over Seonghwa. Sara follows the two in silence, her eyes travelling to different corners of the building interior. Surely, as compared to the old Ileara palace, Lucida's palace looks a thousand times better.

"I have a lot of questions to ask you," Akira says over her shoulder. "But not before you tell me what's wrong with my husband."

"All of you are doubting me now, aren't you?" She sniffs, "I'm pretty sure I remember two people trespassing my place, even going as far as begging in front of the doors. Now I'm coming back for you, and you're acting so prickly."

There's a flash of guilt in Akira's eyes before she sighs, stops walking and turns around to face Sara. "I'm sorry. It's just that," she takes a deep, long breath, "too much is going on and it was a surprise to have you appearing in our kingdom without being asked to. It just seems too good to be true."

"Ah," Sara breathes, sweeping her hand to the front so that they can start walking. As they continue walking, she says, "As you said, we have a lot to discuss, but not before I see His Majesty."

Akira glances at her, but says nothing more. As they arrive in front of the locked room, Sara takes a deep breath, as if sniffing anything she can pick up from the room.

"He's already awake, isn't he?" Sara says simply as she watches the guards unlocking the door.

"Hmm," Akira hums in agreement. "Only... he's not acting as himself. He hasn't even spoken a full sentence ever since he woke up."

"Most of them aren't themselves when they get the curse," she replies, pushing the door open before the queen and the general. There's a lilt of amusement in her voice as she relays, "Because that's the point of the curse."

Sara steps inside, indifferent to the pulsing black tendrils around the room, her main focus the king who is currently staring at the wall in front of him, mouth locked.

This time, Seonghwa doesn't even turn around when the door is opened or when the three enter the room.

The two women do not notice how hesitant Yunho looks to be stepping into the room, his slightly nervous eyes glancing towards the black tendrils then to the king. He's waiting, as if he would be consumed by the effects of the curse again, then expose his intentions to Akira about how he had attempted to kill him off. He maintains a distance between the two women and the king, hands behind his back as he tries to think about something else. He feels like if he were to focus on the surrounding of the room, the thoughts will soon return...

"You're not strong enough," Sara says to Yunho, to which Akira only manages to look on without a word. "It's better if you just wait outside and close the door."

Yunho tries not to look like he's affected by the fact that Sara had caught him red-handed, so he sticks up his nose as he says, "I can't be leaving you alone with Her Majesty."

There's a mysterious smile on Sara's face as she utters, "It's also not a good idea to leave you alone with the king," she pauses as her eyes flit to Yunho, holding his stare, "because your deep thoughts aren't that pure either."

"Sara," Akira says, slightly perturbed.

"Ask your general whether he'd want to leave or stay," she replies simply before turning back to look at Seonghwa. "Too bad you can't ask your husband what had happened."

"I'll leave," Yunho says quickly, already feeling challenged now that Akira looks like she doesn't know which side she should be on. He retreats, eyes never leaving Akira as he begs with his eyes for her to at least remain with her trust in him.

Yunho steps out of the room, but he doesn't close the door. He distances himself from the room until he's out of sight. Still, he tries as hard as he might to listen on to their conversation.

Sara chuckles lowly, a hint of amusement under her tone. "You put a lot of trust in people, for someone who has been hurt a lot."

"What do you-" Akira starts, but soon she changes her question, "How do you know?"

A twinkle in Sara's eyes as she relays, "I don't know how many times I'll say this, but like I said; I know a lot of stuff. Well, at least more in certain aspects."

"What did you mean by the curse affecting Yunho?"

She titters, "I'm guessing your trustable general did not tell you one bit about how he was almost consumed by the curse, hmm?"

When Akira only stares at her, speechless, she continues.

"While you were away, your trustable general was in the room, alone with the sleeping king. You know what he did?" She lowers down her voice, "The general tried to kill your husband by choking him in his sleep."

"You better watch your mouth," Akira says, hard as she grabs the witch's wrist.

Sara laughs. "I know you'd be acting this way when you find out, but please, do the honour of asking him directly. See how much he can lie about it." She takes a deep breath, "You may not be aware of it, but the curse, especially one that's teeming like this," she points to the black tendrils in the room, "can affect those in the vicinity. Do you know what the curse does to the cursed?"

"It helps you act out on your deepest desires."

She nods. "Exactly. But have you ever stopped to ask what is your general's deepest desire?"

The queen's pupils tremble as she knows of the answer, but refuses to verbalize it.

"I know you do know about it, or at least you suspected it. Your general was in this room, and the curse got to him, but he wasn't strong enough to fight it. Thus, he tried to kill your husband." She holds the queen's stare before glancing over to the king. She wiggles her hand out of Akira's grip. "But still, you can't blame him. Everyone has their deepest desires, but not everyone is strong enough to fight it. It just so happens everything was aligned that well on that day."

"But I wasn't affected in any way," Akira refutes. "It can't be the curse affecting those surrounding it."

"That's because you're special." She points towards the black tendrils around the room. "The curse doesn't have any effects on those with black blood. So to say, you're invincible to the curse."

"What about you?" Akira speaks up again, trying to reel in as much information as possible. "You don't have black blood."

"True," Sara nods. "I have golden blood, but I told you; I'm a witch. The curse doesn't have that much effect on me." She addresses Seonghwa, "You must be wondering why your husband isn't speaking and is seemingly hostile towards you."

Even though she's not ready to hear the answer, Akira nods anyway.

"He's protecting you," she replies, simple. She adds, "And... his body is desperately fighting the curse. Rather than letting the curse take over his body completely, he's silently going against it, but as a result both of his consciousness seem to be lost. Kind of like..." she searches for a suitable term, "a phantom stuck in between two dimensions. It's a battle between his old self and the curse."

"He pushed me away when I-" she takes a deep breath, "-when I hugged him." As she says this, Seonghwa glances over to her, eyes as if bearing a meaning.

Sara nods. "Then that confirms it. He just wanted to protect you from the curse, because he knows it will affect those surrounding it." She bends her body, as if trying to talk to him. "But Your Majesty," she says to an unresponsive Seonghwa, "the curse won't have any effects on your wife because she has black blood." She straightens up her body before she turns around, intending to walk out of the room.

"Wait," Akira says. "Are you done?"

"I'm done assessing him, and how severe the curse is over him." She shrugs, "I can get started right away, in fact."

Akira shifts her vision from Seonghwa to Sara, slightly amazed and sceptical, but follows suit anyway. She looks over her shoulder, again resisting the urge to treat her husband like she normally would, before stepping outside with the door promptly locked behind them.

Yunho is still standing there, face already bearing guilt, but even before Akira can say anything to him, Sara has swooped in.

"Your Majesty," she says, referring to Akira. "I'd like to speak for a few with you." She glances at Yunho, "Alone."

Akira nods as she sends a hesitant Yunho away, before she brings the woman over to an empty meeting room as she had said that she'd like to speak in private. She waits for the witch to close the door, resting her hip on the table. She crosses her arms before relenting.

"If you're going to say about how I'd have to sacrifice myself in order for the curse to be gone," Akira starts. "I'm well aware of that."

Sara looks confused at the mention that she frowns before she opens her mouth. "How are you even related to this curse?"

This time, it's the queen's turn to look puzzled. "I don't know how long you've lived, or whether you've heard about it, but I was told that my mother was a princess from Ileara who ran away to Nyla." She takes a deep breath as she can already feel her chest constricting from the revelation, "And that the curse is still alive because a royal member of Ileara is still alive."

"Ah, Princess Laura. She ran away from the palace because she was scared of the practice of black magic." She nods, "Of course I've heard of her. I've talked to her, in fact. But not for long, since she ran away while she's quite young." Sara eyes her up and down, her mouth slightly curved upwards. "So she had a daughter, huh?" Then she chuckles, "But I really have no idea about where you got that assumption from."

When Akira relays to her about every information Wooyoung's parents had told them, Sara only laughs while shaking her head.

"That's not how it works." She pushes her tongue to the inside of her cheek, "No one's going to die in trying to cure the cursed." She shrugs, "Well at least we'll try not to have anyone dying."

Akira almost heaves a sigh of relief but she's still wary, a few pieces of the puzzle still not slotted in. "Then why... did your pet hesitate to eat us that day?" She grimaces, "When it's obvious that you were instructing it to do so. There must be a reason-" she glances at the witch, "-it couldn't be because of our... smell."

Sara blinks, pressing her lips together. "Well, I guess Micko does have a little bit of conscience."

Akira frowns but says nothing.

She continues, "Which... brings me to the reason why I finally decided to help you and your husband. You brought another life with you- ah no, two lives and I couldn't ignore that. I may be heartless but I'm not that heartless. The least I could do is make sure that your husband will be by your side all through that. Plus, you went through all the trouble to find a cure for him."

"I have no idea where you're going."

Sara sighs. "You really have no idea, do you? Don't you even," she does a motion with her hands, "feel anything different?"

"Can you please get straight to the point?"

She relents as her face shows how she's in disbelief that Akira still hasn't caught on. "Your Majesty, with all due respect, you're pregnant. Not only that, but you're pregnant with twins."