As they ventured deeper into the forest, Seong felt a growing sense of unease. Every rustle of leaves, every snapping twig, sent shivers down his spine. He regretted leaving the guards behind. He was armed with only his sword and dagger, his usual light attire offering little protection against the dangers of the forest. Yeong, however, walked ahead, her curiosity undiminished, her fingers reaching out to touch every leaf and branch. Does she even know fear? He remembered her trembling hands as she held the infant just yesterday, the memory now seeming surreal. She had claimed to have witnessed the entirety of creation, yet she behaved like a child, her every action filled with a naive wonder.

"Don't touch everything," Seong said. "You might get a rash."

Yeong ignored him, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. A moment later, a soft cry escaped her lips. She was examining her finger, her face contorted in pain. Seong hurried towards her, taking her hand in his.

"You've been pricked by a thorn," he observed.

He tried to squeeze the thorn out, but his efforts only intensified the pain. Yeong, startled, slapped him across the face. Seong, his cheek stinging, was more surprised by her angry expression than the slap itself. He smiled.

"Are you angry?" he asked, amused.

"What?" Yeong retorted, her brow furrowed.

"I've never seen you make that face before," Seong explained, his smile widening.

Yeong, realizing her outburst, quickly composed herself. Seong drew his dagger and carefully removed the thorn, a single drop of blood welling up from the wound. He flicked the thorn away, a strange sense of relief washing over him. She bled, just like everyone else.

"Sahngjon may have shown you many things," he said gently, "but there are things I know better than you. So don't ignore my warnings."

He turned and continued walking, Yeong trailing behind him. She no longer reached for the leaves and branches. Seong chuckled to himself. Perhaps she has learned a little bit of fear after all.

They walked in silence for a while, the only sound the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. They reached a small stream, and Seong knelt by the water, splashing his face and hands. Yeong followed suit, then settled on a rock across from him.

"I apologize for yesterday," Seong began. "I was out of line."

"I know," Yeong replied flatly.

"I have many questions," Seong continued. "Will you answer them honestly?"

"If I can."

"How did you meet Hwan? What happened the night the star fell?"

Yeong remained silent.

"Why did he send you here?" Seong pressed. "It doesn't make sense. He never lets go of what he wants. Why would he just... give you to me?"

Yeong frowned. "He didn't send me," she corrected. "I came here. He merely helped me."

Seong knew there had to be more to it, but he doubted he would get any answers from her. "Then why did you come?" he asked.

Yeong didn't reply. Seong's gaze softened as he looked at her.

"Why are you so secretive?"

Yeong met his gaze, her eyes deep and mesmerizing. Seong felt a strange warmth spread through his chest. He found himself staring at her, captivated by her beauty. He traced the delicate lines of her face, the beads of sweat on her forehead, the stray strands of hair that framed her face, the sun-kissed skin that was now peeling. She was beautiful. He had forgotten, amidst her cold demeanor and harsh words, just how striking she was. A sudden longing to see her smile, a genuine smile, bloomed within him. He quickly pushed the thought aside, ashamed of his inappropriate desire. He clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on the ground.

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"Sahngjon's will is not for everyone to bear," Yeong finally said, breaking the silence.

Seong's gaze snapped back to her. "Can Hwan bear it?" he asked.

Yeong shook her head. "I didn't tell him."

"How can I earn your trust?" Seong asked.

"The truth will reveal itself eventually," Yeong replied. "You'll know when the time is right."

"Can't you just tell me?"

"Why are you so impatient?" Yeong countered. "Are you afraid?"

"Afraid of what?"

"Afraid that you're not the rightful Guardian."

"Do you think I care about that?"

"You seem to."

Seong met her gaze. "I've told you, I don't care about the title. My duty is to protect my people, not to cling to a name."

"Your people," Yeong echoed. "Does that include Cheon Hwan?"

"Of course it does. He’s not a monster," Seong replied.

"Most think he is."

Seong shook his head. "Hwan has goodness within him," he insisted. "I've always known it. I won't give up on him."

"Have you forgotten what he did to you?" Yeong retorted, her voice rising slightly. "Did you see any goodness in him that night?"

Seong flinched, the memory of that night a painful reminder of his brother's betrayal.

"You don't know everything," he said.

"I've seen your entire life," Yeong countered.

"Then you should understand," Seong argued. "We have good memories too. Hwan..."

"He used you," Yeong interrupted. "He hid behind you, letting you take the blame for his actions. You protected him, time and time again. You risked your life for him. And he values your life based solely on its usefulness to him."

Seong's lips tightened. He bowed his head, his hands clasped tightly together.

"Why are you trying to convince me?" he asked.

"I'm not trying to convince you," Yeong retorted. "I'm simply frustrated by your naivety."

Seong chuckled. "I thought you were incapable of emotion," he remarked. "But you're angry. And afraid. You even flinched at a thorn."

Yeong's brow furrowed. "I'm not an idiot," she said. "I know what you're implying."

"I'm not implying anything," Seong insisted. "I'd rather see you angry than indifferent."

He smiled at her, but she didn't return the gesture. He sighed, then changed the subject.

"The princess of Dahn is on Birahng," he said. "She knows about the Myeonghyeons."

"And Wicheong Palace?"

"If she knew about Wicheong Palace, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Ryang won't be able to return for a while. He's pretending to cooperate with the princess, but it won't last. We can't hide forever. As you said, I need to prove myself to Sahngjon."

"And how do you intend to do that?" Yeong asked.

"I'll reclaim Birahng in Sahngjon's name," Seong declared, his voice filled with a newfound determination. "That's where it begins."

Yeong's face twisted into a scowl. Just as she was about to retort, Seong's expression hardened, his gaze drawn to something behind her. Yeong turned, following his line of sight, and a low growl rumbled through the trees. A leopard crouched in the shadows, its eyes fixed on them, its muscles coiled.

A chill shot down Seong's spine, his blood turning to ice. He cursed his recklessness, his disregard for the guard's warning. He had only a basic weapon, useless against such a ferocious beast; even properly armed, he would be no match for a leopard. The beast was still some distance away, however, and perhaps one of them could escape. He made a quick decision.

"Run," he said. "I will distract it."

"What are you saying?" Yeong asked, her voice surprisingly calm despite the imminent danger.

"I have my brother," Seong replied, his gaze fixed on the leopard. "But you’re the only one."

With a shout, he charged towards the leopard, drawing its attention. The leopard exploded from its crouch, powerful hind legs launching it after Seong. Yeong didn’t turn to flee. Though Sahngjon's favor remained unclear, it was clear Seong was running towards a gruesome death. Yeong, instead of fleeing, ran towards the beast. In the blink of an eye, the leopard caught up to Seong and leaped, its powerful body hurtling through the air. Yeong thrust her hand towards the leaping predator. Crimson droplets erupted from the leopard's straining muscles, blooming into a macabre mist. A grotesque twisting sound ripped through the air as the leopard's life force abruptly vanished mid-leap. Its withered body crashed into Seong, knocking him to the ground.

Am I dead? The silence was deafening. Seong slowly sat up, his body trembling. Something heavy and limp slid off him. He looked down and saw the leopard's lifeless body, its fur matted, its eyes glazed over. Yeong stood a few feet away, her chest heaving.

"What was that?" Seong gasped.

Yeong didn't reply, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Seong, his eyes wide with fear, scanned his surroundings. A thick mist hung in the air, the stench of blood heavy in his nostrils. He looked at Yeong, his heart pounding. Her expression was cold, her eyes devoid of emotion.

"You did this?" he asked.