Early in the morning, the chirping of birds echoed throughout the Kwangho Army Base.

Awakened by the crisp dawn air, Ki Joo stirred from his sleep. A sense of refreshment spread throughout his body after a long, deep slumber, likely thanks to the fragrance pouch Eun Chae had given him the night before.

Feeling lighter than usual, Ki Joo got up and stepped outside his quarters, heading towards the training field. There, he heard Eun Chae calling him.

“Good morning, Lord Kwangho!”

Eun Chae, holding a wooden sword in one hand, approached Ki Joo with evident joy, even from a distance. It seemed she too had come out for early morning training.

With hopeful eyes, she asked, “How was your sleep? Was the fragrance pouch helpful?”

“Thanks to it, I slept well.”

“I knew it! That pouch was meticulously crafted by my sister!”

Pride swelled in Eun Chae as she spoke, her shoulders squared.

“She struggled to find the perfect blend of herbs and fragrances for aiding sleep. Who do you think is responsible for that, my lord?”

Eun Chae’s laughter made Ki Joo’s hand twitch. He almost reached out to pat her head like a puppy wagging its tail for a reward. How could a man be this adorable?

“If you need another one, just let me know! I’ll bring it to you anytime.”

“Cough… Alright, you did well.”

Feeling somewhat awkward, Ki Joo coughed and continued, “Is there anything you want? I owe you for a good night’s sleep. Make a wish.”

Waving off the offer, Eun Chae joked, “No need, my lord. What are friends for?”

“Friends?”

“Don’t you remember? I said I would become your friend.”

Ki Joo certainly remembered. It was ludicrous for a trainee to propose friendship with a monarch.

“You’re spouting nonsense again. If you don’t have a wish, I’ll leave.”

“Wait! Shouldn’t you ask at least three times?”

As Ki Joo turned to leave, Eun Chae quickly grabbed his robe, stopping him. With a determined look, she made her request.

“Please teach me martial arts!”

Although she had topped the last exam, it was mainly due to archery. But she knew she couldn’t rely solely on a bow in future confrontations. Her experience fighting Bae Young-gam’s goons had painfully shown her the physical disparity she faced against men.

Eun Chae knew she had to become stronger, to overcome the gender disparity in combat.

“Martial arts?”

“Yes, martial arts.”

She reasoned that the brief instruction Ki Joo had given her the night before had been effective. If she could learn from him, she believed she could become significantly stronger.

Ki Joo considered the request, then finally spoke.

Teaching martial arts was a simple enough task for him.
“Come to the western training ground tonight.”

“!”

At Ki Joo’s consent, Eun Chae beamed brightly and bowed deeply.

“Thank you, my lord!”

As Eun Chae bowed, Ki Joo nodded lightly and then turned to walk away.

“Hehe…….”

Eun Chae couldn’t help but let out a giggle as she watched Ki Joo walk away. The thought of receiving training from him filled her with anticipation.

Suddenly, she heard Biyeong’s voice behind her.

“What are you laughing about?”

“Ah, Brother Biyeong!”

Turning around, Eun Chae was surprised to find Biyeong standing close behind her. They bumped foreheads with a ‘thud’ due to the sudden turn or perhaps Biyeong leaning in too close.

“Ouch!”

“!”

After the light collision, both Eun Chae and Biyeong rubbed their foreheads, which brought out a small chuckle from both of them.

Biyeong, with a gentle smile on his face, looked at Ki Joo walking away in the distance before turning his gaze back to Eun Chae.

“It seems you’ve gotten quite close to Lord Kwangho. You used to be so scared of him.”

“After getting to know him, he’s different from what I thought. I don’t understand why such terrible rumors about him are spread.”

“Rumors are not to be trusted.”

Eun Chae nodded vigorously in agreement with Biyeong’s words.

“But, how’s life in the army? Are you adjusting well?”

“Ah! In fact, Lord Kwangho agreed to teach me martial arts.”

“Lord Kwangho?”

Biyeong looked puzzled at Eun Chae’s declaration.

Lately, Ki Joo’s behavior seemed different than usual. He was not one to show interest in the training of soldiers or to involve himself in test systems. Especially, this change seemed more pronounced around Eun Chae.

Was it Biyeong’s imagination, or was Ki Joo showing particular interest in Eun Chae?

“Recently, he even corrected my posture during training. I think I can secure the top spot in the next exam!”

“That’s good to hear.”

Biyeong’s face remained smiling, but inside he felt a twinge of discomfort.

Was it because of Ki Joo’s involvement in her training?

“Next time on leave, it would be nice if Brother Biyeong could join us.”
At Eun Chae’s suggestion to spend the next vacation together, Biyeong’s discomfort melted away like snow in the sun.

He stroked her hair with a relieved heart and said, “Alright. Let’s definitely spend the next vacation together.”

No matter how close Eun Chae got to Ki Joo, her closest person was still Biyeong. No one could match the bond they had built over a decade.