All that could be heard were swords clashing and the huffs of Minho and Hyunjin as they allowed themselves a playful fight. By the looks of it, Hyunjin was winning but it was obvious the prince had been training hard for a long time and still gave the Guardian a run for his money. The morning sun had risen about an hour ago and was shining down at the garden where all the Guardians and Jeongin had gathered to watch the fight.

Chatter filled the streets beyond the Guardians' Building as the townspeople began to wake up and begin their daily errands. Birds chirped in the nearby forest and for some odd reason, the rushing water of the stream seemed louder today.

Erin sat on one of the stairs in front of the door with a cup of tea in her hands and wore a deep pink and white hanbok. Beside her, Chan and Nathaniel wore a white and green hanbok respectively and both had their hair tied up into a bun. On the step in front of them, Seungmin and Chaeyeon cuddled and held hands all the while maintaining bashful expressions. In fact, they had been practically inseparable since their engagement a week ago. Jeongin stood by the door, watching the fight with wide, impressed eyes in his grey and olive green hanbok.

The fight played out for almost thirty minutes before Hyunjin finally managed to trip the prince. They all cheered him on as he bowed dramatically then helped the prince back to his feet.

"Good game," Hyunjin grinned. "I see you've been practising a lot."

The prince returned the smile, "not nearly as much as you it seems."

"Don't be too hard on yourself. I've been fighting even before I was an embryo," he joked as he led him towards the door. There, everyone cheered them on again until Nathan finally decided to explain the plans for the day.

"The Pohang army are expected to arrive at the docks from Jeju at dusk so I expect everyone to be there by the time they arrive. In the meantime, there have been some bandits spotted in the nearby woods so Hyunjin and I will be headed there to sort things out. Chan, I'd like you to pop into the barracks and check on the soldiers. Seungmin, I'd like you and Minho to continue practising fighting techniques and Jeongin, could you be a darling and deliver all the wedding supplies to Jang residence, as in Chaeyeon's former owners' residence. And finally, the Leaders of Daegu and Mokpo's wives are expected to be in town at midday so I'd like Chaeyeon and Erin to keep them company and show them around. Whenever you finish your errand, you can always come back here to find another thing to do or you can have the rest of the day to yourself. Everyone alright with that?"

There was a chorus of agreements before finally, everyone left to do their tasks, leaving only Seungmin, Minho, Chaeyeon and Erin at the Guardian Building although in different areas.

"I have met the Leaders of Daegu and Mokpo's wives many times before but since it's your first time, there are some things about these ladies you need to know," Erin explained, pulling out her makeup and searching her closest for the perfect hanbok. "First of all, they come from insanely rich families. These ladies have been spoilt rotten their whole lives and see themselves as the most important creatures on Earth so treat them that way. Treat them like royalty and often compliment them but also act as though you know you are important. Don't let them know that a week ago, you just a servant. If they ever ask you about your past, change the subject by complimenting them."

"And if that doesn't work?" Chaeyeon asked as the latter helped her into a purple hanbok and braided her hair into a neat back braid.

"Oh, trust me, it will. I've never met a pair of ladies so full of themselves," Erin commented, finishing off the look with a matching rich lilac daenggi and a bit of makeup. After dressing herself in a burgundy hanbok and a crimson daenggi, Erin led Chaeyeon to the living room with the intention of teaching her a few 'noble lady rule', however, that immediately went out the door when they found Seungmin and Minho in the room. Needless to say, Chaeyeon and Seungmin decided to hang out together, heading outside to talk and leaving Erin alone with the prince.

"You look amazing," he commented, reminding her of his presence.

"Oh come on," she rolled her eyes, heading to the kitchen to make herself a cup of green tea. "If you are trying to flatter me, it's not working, your Highness."

He followed her and stood by the door frame, watching as she placed a pot over the fire.

"I wasn't trying to flatter you, I meant it." He allowed his eyes to scan her attire before meeting the pair of emerald eyes again. He grinned. "Still have your dagger."

She pulled the knife out of its hiding place and twirled it in her hand.

"As I said, I don't go anywhere without it."

Finally, Erin allowed herself to properly gaze at the prince. He wore one of Hyunjin's loose white tees and a pair of black trousers. He had sweat dripping down his face and coating his neck and appeared out of breath but with the smirk kissing his face, Erin had a hard time convincing herself not to fall for him.

She cleared her throat as soon as she realised he had caught on to what she was thinking and instantly averted her gaze to her pot of boiling water.

"Want some tea?" she asked, turning her back to him.

He chuckled lightly, "if it's alright with you."

She held herself tense up as the sound of his footsteps became louder but immediately suppressed the anxiety coursing through her veins.

"How was practise with Seungmin?"

"Practically hopeless," he laughed. "The boy's lovesick. He wouldn't stop going on about Chaeyeon. Is he always like this?"

"No. He's been crushing on her for the past three years but she continuously rejected him. Now sh's finally agreed to marry him. Can you blame him?" She stood up and turned around only to find Minho directly in front of her.

Everything inside her went haywire, jumping and flipping around all at her heart's command. Her brain told her to close the gap between them and kiss him, her eyes even forced her glance down at his lips. Her last ounce of sanity was short-circuiting and she swore she felt herself lean in slightly. She felt like screaming at her brain and heart and everything. She tried to pull herself away from him but he snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Her eyes were trembling, glancing around at a hundred miles a second. She gulped as she watched him raise his free hand and bring it towards her cheek and just like that, she felt her whole body shut down. She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing for this torture to just end or something. But instead of feeling his lips against hers, she felt his hand touch her forehead.

Her eyes snapped open to see the prince smirking devilishly.

"You seem very flushed, Erin. Are you sure you are well enough to meet the Leaders' wives? Perhaps you should get some rest."

There was no concern behind his words, it was just his way of teasing her and she knew that.

"I'm fine," she stammered. "It's just... very hot in here."

"Trust me, princess," he cooed, releasing her waist and winking at her. "The only thing feeling hot in here, is you." With that, he took several steps back. "And possibly the water too. Better get it off the fire before it all boils away."