Sung Hyun

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Ye-Seung stepped forward, hiding behind a poker-face which made it hard for Sung Hyun to read him. The scabbard hung around his right side; Untypical of a skilled swordsmen in Joseon.

'He must be left-handed.' Sung Hyun eyebrows furrowed. This could either mean he's too skilled or not skilled at all. Left-handed sword masters were as rare as pearls in the sea. He was a palace guard; come to think of it he guarded the crown prince. He must be special.

Ye-Seung stepped closer to Sung Hyun; the closer he got the more his shadow overwhelmed her. Sung Hyun unsheathed her sword. 

"Beat him, Sung Hyun!" Prince Chin-Hwa hollered; his stentorian voice took Sung Hyun aback.

Ye-Seung took this opportunity to attack first. His blade cut through the air, within seconds, the space between the blade and Sung Hyun's neck could not be seen. Her neck stiffened in an effort to stop it from trembling. With each tremble she felt the blade on her skin.

'He's fast....' She peeped at the blade from the corner of her eyes trying to take in the reality of what had just happened. 'too fast.' She gulped as her gaze meet with Ye-Seungs.

Chin-Hwa pointed at Ye-Seung, pushing himself up from his chair before slamming his palm on the wooden table in front of him. "Yah! That's unfair!" He blared, veins almost popping on his forehead.

Yeon-Seok shrugged his shoulders; a small grin painted his pale face. "That's how the world is... Ye-Seung, grab him; let's get out of here."

Ye-Seung motioned with his head for Sung Hyun to follow. Without complaining; she followed silently.

Sung Hyun scratched her temples, her eyes wavering between the crown prince and Ye-Seung as they walked in front of her, "This doesn't make any sense..." she asked picking up her pace to match his, "Why would you need me if you already have someone as strong as Ye-Seung?"

The crown prince, Yeon-Seok, released a contemptuous sigh, refusing to turn around to face Sung Hyun. "Ye-Seung is a strong big man, he doesn't need his skills to survive. But you... you're a weak little man, how do you manage to subdue 5 palace guards so easily?" He questioned; outwardly, not seeming like he'd like to know the answer but inwardly, curiosity was eating him bit by bit.

Sung Hyun halted, fixing her gaze on Yeon-Seok in scrutiny. "I'll try not to take offense in that." She drawled.

Yeon-Seok cleared his throat, "Ye-Seung, take him to his quarters, we will practice tomorrow." he commanded as he stopped in front of a door where four servants stood with their heads hanging low. Ye-Seung nodded and signalled for Sung Hyun to follow him again.

The palace was like another world. Sung Hyun surveyed the path she was lead through. Coming from the outside, you'd never image just how much the people inside the palace walls were enjoying life. They didn't have to think what their next meal would be; it would be brought to them by at least four servants. They lived in so much luxury that almost nothing could satisfy them anymore.

Almost everything was new. All the wood, the stones and even the tiles. Flowers lined each path.

Ye-Seung abruptly stopped and Sung Hyun who had been following him close behind bumped her head into his back. "Here will be your new quarters." He droned on glancing at Sung Hyun with bored eyes before turning around to leave without another word.

Sung Hyun turned around to face her new 'home'. Eunuchs entered and exited the doors. The residence was huge; although the design wasn't as impressive as the rest of the palace building it still felt lavish to Sung Hyun. She stood afar. She lost track of time as she explored the area. Finding herself on the rooftop. Where she could be alone and find solace as she watched the moon rise up in the sky as the landscape lost the light of the sun.