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"You're all the talk in Scholar's Hall," Hyun-kyung said, coming into the room with an armload of the books Da-hye requested. "Everyone is jealous you're the one that gets to teach the Prince. Especially with the big project you're already taking on." 

"I wish I wasn't," Da-hye said, helping her unload the books onto the already overflowing desk.

"Oh, come on, you know what they say about brain and brawn. They're always attracted to each other." 

Da-hye rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips. "You know that's a load of blackjack, Hyun-kyung. You've never liked the brawny military boys who always ran laps by Scholar's Hall." 

Hyun-kyung shrugged. "The Prince has more than just that though. I've always favored his eyes. They remind me of a puppy." 

Da-hye hummed to dismiss the topic but found herself agreeing with her fellow scholar. Prince Jungkook--while a talented swordsman and master of taekwondo--never seemed to fully fit in with the brawn crowd. She remembered a few years ago when came to visit Namjoon in his private library late one night--the very place they stood--and found the elder Prince reading to his younger brother.

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The younger prince rested his head in Namjoon's lap and was nearly asleep. When Namjoon noticed your arrival, he pressed his finger to his lips and continued to read until Jungkook was fully asleep. The two of you continued on with your work attempting not to wake the younger sleeping prince. 

"He gets nightmares," Namjoon told you. "From the war games and from when the Clubs spy got into his quarters."

Jungkook had looked so different compared to how you were used to seeing him. Sometimes you'd pass the archery grounds or the practice fields and see the Prince out there alone, practicing long after all the other recruits had gone to the barracks. His eyes were closed and his hair was down over his forehead instead of pulled back in the traditional way. The ends of his hair were drenched in sweat and despite his slumber, his hand still curled as if holding a sword.

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Da-hye shook out of her thoughts and continued to arrange the books and various papers. "The reason I do not want to teach the Prince is that it will take away from my work. Not to mention, despite any interest or fondness he may have towards scholarly subjects, I doubt anyone so accomplished in the sphere of brawn can be successful enough to declare themselves worthy of the throne." 

"Can one not be accomplished both in brain and brawn?" a new voice asked. 

Prince Jungkook walked into the room, his footsteps faint, but present, causing both women to freeze. Their eyes wide, it took them a moment to bow and politely greet the Prince. 

"It's not impossible, Your Highness, but extremely difficult." Da-hye stood straight and kept her eyes locked on the Prince. 

"Well, do remember I'm supposed to be teaching you as well," Jungkook said, walking to lean against a nearby table, that was weighed down with books. "And, from where I'm standing, I'm not sure how a scholar such as yourself is meant to learn anything I could teach you." 

Da-hye clenched her fists. "I think you'll find, Your Highness, that the Queen was mistaken. I am in no need of any of the techniques you could teach me. I am perfectly capable of protecting my work myself."

Jungkook arched an eyebrow. "Is it not the duty of the Royal Guard to protect you, Miss Scholar?" 

"I should think so," Da-hye said. 

"And, am I not a member of the Royal Guard?"

Da-hye sighed. "Your Highness, while yes, you may technically be a member of the Royal Guard, it is still their duty to defend you as well."

"If you'll excuse me, I think it's time I get going," Hyun-kyung said. She bowed twice, "Da-hye, Your Highness."  She walked out of the room, leaving the scholar and the newly crowned Crown Prince alone. 

"I guess, we should get started," Da-Hye said, walking towards the table, her arms out to grab one of the books. 

"You should know," Jungkook said, holding out his hand, halting Da-hye's movements. "I'm only here on my mother's orders as well." 

"I supposed we're even then." 

"I suppose."  

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"You do know I am capable of reading?" the Prince said, his voice tired but tired. "You do not need to stand over me." 

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I just wish to be diligent." 

"Please work on your projects, Scholar. I do not wish to interrupt your work unless necessary." 

Da-hye nodded and sat down on the opposite side of the desk and began reading and making notes to add to the timeline. Most of the history contained in the Ace was preserved, but not in an organized manner, making Da-hye read and cross-reference various sources to create a rough timeline and account of events. 

"What is the point of this?" the Prince asked, his voice, while soft, startled Da-hye. 

"What do you mean?"

"This guy," he said, motioning down to the open book. "He says on one page that to be a good King you must have wisdom, but on the next says that we must rid ourselves of knowledge." 

"Do you think there's a difference between knowledge and wisdom?" Da-hye asked.

The Prince withdrew his gaze from hers and stared out into the vacant library for a few moments, his eyebrows knitted together and his eyes deep within the recesses of own mind. 

"I guess, someone could have a lot of knowledge, but if they misuse that knowledge or don't use it a way beneficial to the people, they wouldn't be wise." 

"Good," Da-hye said, her lips pursing. "But, let's say both are true. You must both possess knowledge and rid yourself of it. What could that mean? How could it be possible?"

Jungkook sat for a moment, staring off into space again. Da-hye noticed the way his jaw clenched and his fingertips curled when he was in deep thought. 

"Is it supposed to be about giving away knowledge? Teaching?" 

"It could be," Da-hye said, shrugging. 

"You don't know the answer?" 

"Of course not." 

"But, you're supposed to be a scholar and my teacher! You're supposed to be the teacher!" 

"There are many answers," Da-hye said. "Scholars disagree on them and no one knows truly what it could mean. The author lived centuries ago." 

"If we don't know what it's saying, then why am I reading? What bearing does this have on being King?" 

"That's for you to figure out, Your Highness. I am simply here to advise you." 

Jungkook was becoming increasinly frustrated, his eyes becoming more distance and veins popping out of his neck as he looked down at the book. He slammed it shut and stood up from the table. 

"Isn't there something else you can teach me? Something I can do with my hands?"

"I-I not really. Not until you get the basic reading done first. You don't have to like it, or even agree with it. But, I suggest you take it back to your quarters so that you can finish half of it before our next meeting." 

Jungkook groaned and brought his face to his hands. 

"Hello, Your Highness?" a voice called from near the doorway. 

Da-hye peaked through the maze of bookshelves and spotted a guard, noticeable by his black robes and red collar. It was only when he came out of the sunlight and into the dim library that she felt her stomach churn like butter. 

"Oh, Mansik," she said, bowing. "What brings you here?" 

"I have a letter for the Prince," he said.

Jungkook walked over to the guard and took the letter from him. "Guards don't normally deliver letters." 

"Ah, yes, well, your attendant was rushing around like a pig headed to slaughter," he said. "I thought I'd help him out. Not to mention, I heard rumors you were with Da-hye, and I will always use to see her." 

"Please call me Scholar Song," she said. "It is impolite to address me any other way."

"Ah, Da-hye, you do like to tease me," he said, nudging her shoulder with his, pushing her into the Prince. 

"Your Highness," Da-hye said, bowing, her cheeks reddening. She turned back towards the guard, who still had a smile spread across his face as if he couldn't see the way Da-hye's shoulder tensed and how her eyes were locked on the floor. 

"Mansik," Jungkook said. "Your timing is actually perfect. Scholar Song and I are finished. Would you mind accompanying me back to my quarters?" 

"Of course," the guard said, his eyes now focused on the Prince. The Prince's eyes were slightly narrow and his face a tree trunk, solid and unmovable. 

"I'll see you next lesson, Scholar Song," the Prince said, half-bowing and heading towards the doorway. Da-hye caught his eyes at when he called her 'Scholar Song' and felt a small smile cross her lips. 

The door to the library flung open. The Prince's attendant stood in the doorway with one hand clutching the door frame and the other resting on his chest, trying to get air in. 

"Your Highness," he said. "Cassandra, she's making a prophecy."