"Princess Ran! It's an honour to finally meet you." I was greeted by many emperors and generals, as we entered the feast.

Ogum stayed by my side, and he introduced himself to the crowd as well. As Ogum started a talk about politics with some other emperor, I spotted Hoon standing by the fireplace all alone.

He's all alone.... I wonder if it's boring for him? I thought as I walked over to him.

I was about to think of a way to make him come here when music started to blast through the stage.

"King Ogum, I'll be glad to be your first dance!" An excited young princess came to him, her eyes twinkling.

"I'll be more than glad." He said and took her hand, winking at me on the way.

I smiled and watched as Ogum and the princess danced in the dance floor.

"Are you just going to let someone else grab your one just like that?" I jumped up in surprise when I heard Hoon's voice next to my ear.

"Well, no one said that we are together." I said, chuckling.

We stood there in silence, watching them for a few minutes.

"Go on. Grab a girl and dance." I said, elbowing Hoon.

"Pfft.... The only one I want to dance with is right next to me." My head snapped towards him at his words and he gave me his hand.

"What do you say, princess?" He asked, giving me a charming smile.

"I'm sure the slaughter king owes me a dance after all." I said, giving my hand to him.

He guided me to the crowd of dancing couples and started the dance.

"I'm sure he does. After all, you were mine right then." He said and twirled me.

I blushed at his words, knowing that it came from the genuine side of him. Our dance went on until a stranger came up to us.

"I'm the Prince of the Kyosu kingdom. May I seal this beautiful woman for a second?" He asked, giving Hoon a very charming smile.  

Hoon lowered his head and smiled, leaving me with the stranger.

"Well, well I am honoured." He said, placing a hand to my waist and twirling me around.

"Oh please, why an honour?" I asked, as we danced.

"To meet the most rumored princess who is known to be courageous and brave. That's certainly a honour." He said, giving me a small smile.

I laughed at his reply and danced with him for a bit more, before he excused himself and told his goodbyes.

"Have a good night, princess Ran..." he said, tilting his head to the side, revealing his well toned neck.

I stopped as I saw Jae's familiar burn mark on his neck. My eyes narrowed and met his hooded ones, which was now matched with a dangerous smile.

"..... It was simply a pleasure to have a dance with you." He said before I could even speak a word.

His grip on me tightened, as he pulled me closer. I tried to free myself from him when his lips touched my ear.

"I was instructed to tell you that master himself would meet you....soon." he said before leaving me alone in the dance floor after placing a kiss on my hand.

I watched him leave the feast unnoticed, his companions following him out. I kept standing in the middle of the dancing couples and waited, unable to think of what to do. Just then, a hand grabbed my elbow and pulled me back.

"Princess?" I turned around to find Hoon looking at me, concern painted in his eyes.

"Hoon... t-" I suddenly lost control of my wobbling legs and toppled forward, but he caught me in time.

"Are you okay!? What's wrong?" He looked more scared than I was, so I reassured him that I was fine.

"The man who danced with me.... H-he had Jae's mark on his neck." I said, as his fingers dug deep into my shoulders.

"He's the Prince of Kyosu...." I remembered his introduction and Hoon nodded.

"Don't worry about it. I'll look into it." He soothed me with his words once again.

I nodded and he let go of me. He instructed me to stick with the crowd and walked to the doors to leave the feast. 

"Hoon. Be careful..." I said just when he was about to leave.

He smiled and nodded, leaving me behind. I watched as his shadow disappeared around the corner. A sigh escaped my lips as I turned around to bump into something.

"My apologies..." both of us said at the same time before looking our faces.

"Ah.... princess!" I smiled back as general Wook's gaze fell on mine.

"Long time no see, general." I replied, giving him a smile.

"Are you okay? You look....Pale." he said, scanning my face.

"I'm alright." I reassured him and gladly he looked satisfied by my answer.

"How about we get some fresh air?" He asked, pointing towards the doors.

I glanced forward to see Ogum having drinks with the other emperors. I knew he would use this opportunity to make allies.

"Sure. Lead the way, general." I said, as he smiled and took the lead, holding my hand.

We talked as we walked through the silent corridors, as darkness surrounded us.

"I missed these times." He suddenly said, as I nodded in agreement.

"So, how are you doing here?" I asked, as he chuckled.

"Well, it is neither easy nor hard." He said shrugging.

I spotted a curb by the gardens and suggested to sit there. He nodded and followed.

I sat down first and patted the space next to me, indicating him to sit. He chuckled and came forward. I watched him as he stepped into the moonlight, since I couldn't take a good look at him since we met.

"I forgot to tell you princess, you look absolutely stunning tonight." He said stepping into the moonlight.

I opened my mouth but no sound escaped. I scrambled to my feet and stepped towards him in horror. My eyes traced the huge burn mark on his cheek, and trailed down to the burn marks oh his arms and neck.

"Wook! What happened!?" I exclaimed, stepping closer to him.

"This? Oh it's a battle scar every general should handle, princess." Wook said, laughing nervously.

I was still not convinced by his answer so I reached to his cheek and touched the mark.

"Does it...hurt?" I asked as he chuckled, shaking his head.

"No, princess. Please stop worrying." He said, cupping my hand in his.

"This pointless bloodshed wars are upto no good for sure. It was my goal to end them but-" I muttered but Wook stopped me in the middle.

"And you did. That's what you've been doing since you had authority within these walls." He said as I smiled.

"Today, we all share that happiness of peace, thanks to you, princess Ran." He said.

I didn't reply but smiled at him, earning a honest smile from him as well.

"We should head inside." Wook said after a few minutes of silence.

"Sure. Guide me general." I said, mockingly.

"Stop calling me by that!" He said, a laugh escaping his lips.

"But it bugs you, and I like to bug you!" I told back, laughing.

"You know that I hate to be bugged. So why are you doing this?!" He complained childishly as I laughed loudly.

We continued towards the feast once again, digging up our old memories.

"Ahh....I feel much better." I said, stopping to stare at the moon for a little.

Wook walked few steps ahead and stopped as well, staring at the moon with his back turned towards me.

"It feels as if we've gone back to our childhood..." I said.

"I enjoyed those times very much, princess. The times when you were free from all types of responsibilities." He said as I chuckled.

"....me too. But I'm happy in the present time too. " I said, walking upto him.

"Let's go." I said and walked forward.

I turned around to see Wook staring at me from where he was standing previously.

"Are you really happy, princess?" He asked.

For the first time, I sensed hatred in his voice. I remained silent as he came up to me and placed his hand on my shoulders.

"You had everything taken away from you. Your home; your family; your people and your freedom." He spat out.

"What ar-" I started but he stopped me.

"The next thing you know, those two would want your life. Will you still be ha-" He asked me.

"Wook!" I shouted.

He fell silent immediately, as I shouted at him.

"It's true. It all is the damn truth! But I'm happy now! The past maybe a bumpy journey, but I found happiness over the time. I found love..." I said as he looked at me, guiltily.

"I'm sorry, princess. I was at fault." Wook said, avoiding my eyes.

"I know you care for me. So please don't apologise. But if you have a doubt with my happiness, ask me. I promise to tell you first if any harm comes my way." I said, hugging him.

He didn't say anything but hugged me back, burying his head in my hair.

"No harm came my way yet, so no need to worry." I said, pulling away from our embrace.

"What about king InHo's attack?" He asked me, his eyes looking concerned.

"Some parts of the past are best untold." I said, trying to forget the horrible memory.

"Okay. As long as you are okay, princess." He said and took my hand, stepping towards the feast.

Wook and I met Hoon and Ogum at the door, who was impatiently waiting for me. The feast was going normally, but their expressions made me uneasy.

"Where have you been, princess?" Ogum asked me concerned.

"Went for some fresh air. Not to worry, general Wook accompanied me." I said as Wook bowed down and excused himself.

"What's wrong?" I asked, scanning the room.

"The Prince of Kyosu was found dead in his room. I saw it from my own eyes." Hoon said as I gasped in horror.

"Which means, it was a decoy who danced with you, princess. It was Jae's pawn." He continued as I tried to figure out everything.

Ogum started to discuss about our departure as soon as possible. As the conversation went on, I noticed Hoon zoning out, looking far away.

"Hoon, what are you staring at?" I asked him, looking forward to see what he's looking at.

"Um... princess, isn't that king Joo's general?" He asked pointing at Wook.

"Yes. General Wook. The one who escorted me here." I said, looking looking at him.

"Then why does he have that mark on him?" He asked as I followed his gaze.

Surely, I noticed the familiar Jae's mark on the back of his neck, nearly visible because of his hair.

"No way...." I muttered as I walked to him, although Hoon stopped me.

"Step away, Hoon." I said and he stepped away, after giving me a concerned look.

I ran through the crowd and finally found Wook. I stopped him by grabbing his hand.

"Princess Ran?" He looked confused.

"Wook.... why do you have that mark on the back of your head?" I asked suddenly, without thinking twice.

He didn't reply but his hand travelled to the back of his neck. An evil smile I've never seen before crossed his face.

"Why do you have that!? tell me!" I shouted, partly since he scared me.

"Well, some parts of past is better untold, isn't It princess?" Wook said, the same wicked smile dressing his face.

This isn't you Wook... I thought.

"Not my words. It's your words, princess." He said, shrugging.

I watched as his words stabbed me right in the heart. My best friend and most trusted companion looked as if he turned into a whole different person in one second.

"What did he do to you?" I asked Wook.

"Nothing. It's my choice princess." He said, stepping towards the door.

"But, I should say that tonight's dance was.....magnificent." He said before giving me the wicked smile I feared.

"And I'll make sure to say that to master Jae." He said and left me standing alone in the room, after giving and one small wave.