Several days passed since the arrival of the King's scroll and the Guardians ahead long embarked on a journey to the Palace with the Busan Army and ex Royal Army soldiers trotting behind. Other armies that worked hand in hand with the Guardians also got a message from the Guardians pleading them to send their forces to Seoul immediately.

They were a day away and the lights of Seoul were evident on the horizon as the sun set behind the mountains. Hushed chatter filled the camp along with tense silence. Everyone knew of what was to happen once they entered Seoul.

This will be their last war against the Royal Army: either they defeat the Royal Army or they defeat them.

"Are we really going to the Palace?" Minho raised an eyebrow, watching as she paced around her tent, grabbing whatever weapon she deemed necessary.

"We have to. Your father has Nath," Erin explained.

"Don't you think it's a trap?"

"Oh, of course it is but we need Nathan. I need Nathan. Besides, to kill the King, we need to get up close."

His eyes widened, "... Kill the King?"

She muttered a curse under her breath, realising her mistake as she finally gave him her full attention, "look, Minho, I know he's your father and everything but it is the only way."

"Is it? Or are you all just too set on the thought of killing him that you didn't consider anything else."

"Minho, he killed so many people. He killed innocent civilians, brought down whole villages. He killed my whole family. Am I just meant to send him off with a warning?"

"Well, of course not but... I just think there's another way, you know? There has got to be another way."

"But does he deserve to live?"

"... No... but he's my father."

"Your father-"

"Is a terrible man, trust me, I know. Everyone has been preaching about it since I arrived. But what you are failing to understand, Erin, is that he is still my father. I've already lost my mother, I don't want to lose him too. And I would have thought you'd understand that of all people."

The concerned look on his face was enough to make her audibly groan. He was right. The King was a horrible man. He had caused so many innocent deaths and ruined entire livelihoods. He was nothing short of the word evil.

But he was still his father.

If the King died, Minho would become King with his sister sitting beside him being the only support he will have. Life for him will become a replica of the life Nathan and Erin lived. And that was the last thing she wanted.

No one deserved to feel the way she did every day.

"Well, what should I do then? Because we can't leave him on the throne."

"I don't know," he admitted. "Just please... Please don't kill him."

His hand found hers, holding it tightly as he suppressed the bashful grin tugging at his lips.

"Fine," she sighed, squeezing his hand. "I will try as best I can to get the others in on it. I can't promise they'll change their minds but I'll do all I can."

Finally he allowed the wide grin to kiss his face, thumb gently caressing the back of her hand.

"Thank you," he placed a soft kiss against her cheek, making her blush.

She playfully slapped his arm, "hey, you have to warn me before you act all romantic."

"Why?" he smirked. "Your heart can't take it?"

Erin scoffed, "arrogant, are we?"

"I prefer the term 'confident'. My mother used to say it was my greatest charm."

She watched his face contort to a frown before he forced himself to smile again.

"You must miss her, huh?" she hummed. He nodded as he felt her leaning into his embrace.

Minho was blatantly taken aback by her action, but quickly pulled his hand out of he hold and draped that arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer.

Tucking her face in his neck, she inhaled his intoxicating scent and placed a kiss against it, earning a chuckle from him.

"Look who's being romantic now," he teased.

"I'm just shy. Leave me alone," she joked.

His other hand captured hers again and he kissed the back of it lovingly, making her pull away from him enough to see him smirk.

"Trust me, Erin, now that I know you are just as in love with me as I am with you, I'll never leave you alone."