"Namjoon..."

Seokjin rolled around in bed, lightly tossing his arm out over the empty space next to him. Namjoon looked up from the scroll he was reading, giving the sleeping beauty his full attention.

Seokjin had never slept with Namjoon -- neither to procreate, nor out of fatigue. Fascinated by the noble's sleeping habits, he put the scroll down next to him for a moment, laying both his hands on his knees to watch Seokjin speak while under the trance of sleep.

"I miss...you..." he breathed, exhaling with each syllable.

Namjoon smiled and blushed at the comment. A feeling of warmth and endearment surrounded the royal's heart, augmenting his happiness tenfold.

What did I do to deserve you, my love?

At that thought, Namjoon tiptoed over to the empty side of Seokjin's bed, sat on the edge with careful ease, and slipped himself into a comfortable position, facing his lover.

Sleep well, my precious tree of life.

Pulling himself closer to Seokjin, he relaxed his body and fell fast asleep, joining the young man in dreamland.

"What's your kill count, Chomin?" Sura asked, pulling the belt on her robe tightly.

"Since I came here? Or overall?" Chomin smirked, laughing with a cocky edge to his voice.

"Which do you think is more relevant to me, slow ass?"

"Don't get fresh with me, bitch."

Sighing in exasperation, Sura pressed her lips into a thin, straight line. "Answer the question."

"Ten guards, plus that little girl. She was with the person you call Seokjin, but I wasn't sure if you wanted me to kill him too."

"No, no, Chomin. You did your job. I want that man to suffer for what he did."

"...what did he do?"

Coughing up an empty laugh, Sura looked out onto the mountains.

"Stole my crown and my future."

Chomin looked up at the woman, taking in views of her sharp jaw, spotless face, and pale onyx eyes. Her hair rippled and fell in various places,  covering her shoulders and upper back. The plain grey robes she was forced to wear in the mountain palace flew in the wind like the kingdom flag, outlining the back side of her stature.

"Stole your damn cool, too."

"Where are we going after this?" Sura said, stopping herself from hissing at him.

"My brothers and cousins have a hideout down south. We go there, then we make a plan."

"Let's hurry it up then."

Sura and Chomin began their long journey to the south, where trouble would soon start brewing.

"Taehyungie, how has First Lord Kim been doing?" Seonbi asked, cutting the thorns off a rose from the many she picked earlier.

"He's been doing much better. His Majesty has been taking care of him."

"They really are a cute couple, aren't they?" she said, smiling.

"Not as cute as we are," Taehyung replied, giving Seonbi a small wink.

The lady giggled, wandering over to Taehyung to give him a small kiss. He smiled as Seonbi's lips graced his, and returned the favor to her.

"Love, I'd like to speak with you for a minute."

"Of course, my lord."

Taehyung walked Seonbi to a fountain near the palace harem, looking around to make sure no one else was around them.

"I haven't known you very long, Seonbi."

"Yes, my lord. It has been a month, if I am correct."

Taking the lady's hand into his, Taehyung smiled. "However...it feels as if I've known you forever."

Seonbi smiled back, blushing.

"Seonbi...there are many things I want to experience with you in the future. More precious kisses and hugs, for example."

"M-My lord..." Seonbi stuttered, flattered by his praise.

"More moonlight walks and horse rides."

Taehyung brightened the area around him with his smile as his cheeks puffed and the corners of his mouth grew high.

"Maybe one day...marriage."

Seonbi covered a gasp with her hand, placing the other on her chest and over her heart. An indescribable feeling of joy welled up inside her, and tears began to form in her eyes.

"T-Taehyung..."

"Maybe even then...a child," Taehyung whispered, mirroring her gaiety.

"I understand that we might not be ready for those things right now...but I'd really like to experience them with you. So...I'd like to ask you..."

Seonbi wiped her tears away and smiled. "Yes, Taehyung?"

Going through the folds of his belt, Taehyung pulled out a silver ring, presenting it to Seonbi as it glimmered in the sunlight. Both Seonbi's hands went to her chest, trying to externally control the happiness overflowing inside her.

"Please...promise me that no one else will ever reach you while we wait for that time to come."

"Taehyung, yes! I promise with all my heart," Seonbi said, happily holding out her hand so Taehyung could put on the silver band.

Examining it more closely, Seonbi saw that the words "Kim Taehyung" were engraved on the ring. Blushing madly, she embraced the noble, feeling happier than any lark.

Out of the harem doors walked two women with the raised heads and perfect postures of elites. One had dark brown hair that fell down to her straight hips, billowing with her periwinkle dress. The other had raven black hair tied in a daenggi-meori (traditional Korean hair style) and her golden robes fell in layers to her feet.

Immediately letting go of Taehyung -- who stood off to the side in respect for his lady -- Seonbi bowed towards Hyera and Cheonmyeong, lowering her eyes.

"Greetings to Hyera and Cheonmyeong," she whispered, expecting a reprimand of some sort.

However, she was greeted with kindness.

"Sister, how have you been?" Hyera asked, smiling as she placed her hand on Seonbi's shoulder. Her blue sleeves covered her nimble fingers and glossy nails, gently adding to Hyera's touch.

"We haven't seen you since you wrote to us," Cheonmyeong added, kneeling down to Seonbi's level. She placed her index digit underneath Seonbi's chin and raised her head so that she was eye level with the lady.

"Y-You...you harbor no resent towards me..." Seonbi realized out loud.

"Seonbi-sshi, we are no angels either. We have done many things in the past as well," Cheonmyeong said.

Hyera agreed. "When we read your words, we were moved by your sincerity. We felt that it was time to bury the hatchet as well."

"And so we have. We no longer chase trivial, material things. We take care of each other. The other ladies are beginning to do the same," Cheonmyeong added.

"Please accept me, Lady Hyera. Lady Cheonmyeong," Seonbi said, getting up with the ravenhaired woman.

"Seonbi-sshi, we already have."