"Mother."
Queen Jisoo and Eun-ji were having a meeting, alone.
The said person, turned around with a questioning look.
"What's the meaning of all this ?" She asked in a demanding tone, "What ?" Queen asked, "All this, you're creating Hwarang." "Hwarang is to protect the king and the royal family." Queen stated simply.
But Eun-ji knew that this wasn't her only meaning of creating Hwarang. She wanted all the officials under her control by keeping their sons as hostage. She clenched her fist, head down, feeling lightheaded. But she knew if she lost her control right now, it'll be far more than worse.
Then something crossed her mind. She never knew that her mind could think of something like this. She smirked to herself and then faced the queen.
"I don't have a problem with that but I would like to present a proposal."
"What ?"
"I want to teach the Hwarangs."
Queen Jisoo felt her breath hitched, she froze on the words that she just heard. She never thought that she would hear something like this from her beloved daughter, the one she liked the most. She surely changed a lot during her stay in the west. But Queen Jisoo isn't going to give up and that's for sure.
"It's not possible."
"And why is that ?"
"No females will be allowed in Hwarang house."
"Then......." Eun-ji trailed off, "I will go there as a male."
Queen Jisoo this time was beyond shocked. She wanted to throw up everything she ate, right there but unfortunately couldn't and so kept her cool. But this idea of Eun-ji surely made her disgusted.
They bickered for good another few minutes, Eun-ji left the room with a victory smile plastered on her face. Queen Jisoo now went to deep thought about how to keep her safe when she herself made the decision to show herself more.

On the other hand, Jidwi had lost his bracelet in a fight with Sunwoo. They were now seated in the shop of Pi Joo-ki. Eun-ji was also there but she made sure to put on a disguise. "What do you mean by you lost the bracelet ?" Pa-Oh asked.
Jidwi showed him, his hand and Eun-ji shook her head with a displeased look, "You know that this bracelet proves that you're a sacred bone and the next king of Silia." She stated. "If they say that I am not the king because I don't have it. I will not bother." He shrugged, "I did not protect you properly. I deserve to die." Pa-Oh lowered his head, "What is gonna happen to us, if you die ?" Eun-ji butted in, "I agree with her. If my mother doesn't state that I am the king, no one will know who I am." Jidwi said. "Must you do this ?" Pa-Oh asked, "What ?" Jidwi said confused, "Scaring me." Jidwi chuckled.

They heard some voices say, "Why do you think the king doesn't show his face ?" "I heard because he is an eunuch and the biggest moron in this world." Jidwi's face saddens, "And have you heard about his twin ?" "Yeah, they say that she's kept hidden because no one is there protect her. Think, she can't even protect herself." "No wonder why the Queen does everything." "I am afraid that he will show up one day and try to act like a king." "I totally agree." Pa-Oh stood up, "What are you going to do ? It's not like you can do anything." "I will kill them." Eun-ji looked at the older male as if he had gone insane. "I wish I were an eunuch and a moron." Jidwi chuckled bitterly, Eun-ji looked at him in shock. "Jinheung." She breathed, placing a hand ontop of hers, "Hiding cannot become a habit." Eun-ji stopped him there, "Can you please stop ? I have more important things to tell."
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The king's birthday parade was going on and Eun-ji was watching it from the balcony of the shop of Pi Joo-ki. She was out in the capital and not with any disguise causing all the people, those who saw to awe her. She was worried about how Hana was doing. Hana was supposed to be back within a few days. She wasn't out with her brother, so that no one would suspect them. She had more than 4 guards trailing behind her, which is another reason why she can't meet her brother.
She saw as the Queen passed by. The Queen looked at her, their eyes meeting for
a brief moment before she looked away again. Eun-ji watched as the parade was soon out of her view.
Eun-ji then turned around and was about to leave the place but stopped when she heard an all too familiar voice. She ordered all the guards to leave her alone, they hesitated for a moment but had to leave as the sacred bone went a bit harsh with her next choice of words.
She eavesdropped on the conversation between Jidwi and We-hwa.
"I have zero wish to let you join Hwarang.so get lost." We-hwa said.
Eun-ji knew about him as he was the chief instructor of Hwarang. When Jidwi left the room, he came face-to-face with the person he was trying to avoid through all this. Eun-ji.
"What are you doing here ?" He asked, she just dragged him by his dress to somewhere quiet, "What were you thinking ? Why do you want to join Hwarang ?" She asked, clearly not impressed by her brother's actions. "I am trying to be stronger, stronger for my throne, stronger for my subjects and stronger for you." Eun-ji now let go of his hand, "He didn't want to ruin Silia, he wants to change it with Hwarang. And I want to join to make myself stronger enough for all of you." Jidwi said, "And then again, how can I leave you alone there with so many man surrounding you 24/7 ?" This time, he got a smack in hand. "I am capable of protecting myself." Eun-ji huffed.
"Oh no, you're not."
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Later they were at the palace grounds. Jidwi sat on his palanquin recalling all the events that happened with him today. "Are you planning to give up soon ?" Eun-ji asked after watching his worried state, "No. I won't, I will try again tomorrow. If I give up now, I won't be able to stand against mother when I need to." He said, a small smile made it's way in her face as she watched her brother, the same brother she loved, idolized and adored at the same time.
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Eun-ji was now walking back to her room as it was late at night. But she stopped when she noticed something suspicious about the guards. 'What are they doing in such positions ?'
She walked forward, towards them and saw something more interesting. Some people were tied up in poles.
She approached a guard and asked him what was happening. The guard turned around and was shocked by her sudden presence. He quickly bowed and replied, "Some criminals broke into Najeong and caused a commotion there." She raised one of her brows, 'Najeong ? Why did people broke into that sacred place ?'
She then nodded and walked towards the place where the people were tied.
"What's going on here ?" She asked in a cold voice. The person who was standing at the front turned around and noticed who it was before bowing. He was a bit shocked on why she would be out at this hour. Afterall, Eun-ji held the highest power in whole Silia just after the queen now. "Lady Eun-ji, they broke into the sacred Najeong and started a fight." He said. Eun-ji looked at the young masters, eyes emotionless.
The young masters were also a bit surprised to see the young lady out at this time of the night. But what surprised them most was her emotionless face. "Look. Please send words to my father. My father is-" Sooho was cut off in the middle of his sentence. "You don't understand, do you ? If you enter Najeong alive, you will leave dead. If you enter dead, you will be skinned. Stop being impatient and wait quietly. The Queen still has not decided what to do with you yet." The guard who was in charge said. The young men goraned and sighed knowing that this is not going to end simply.
"It wouldn't have happened if you didn't send that ridiculous letter." Sooho complained. "What do you mean ? You're the one who sent that letter." Ban-ryu retorted. "Can you please stay quiet ?" Eun-ji spat causing both of them to shut up.
Eun-ji completely understood now why this happened and who was behind all this. She clenched her teeth.
"How dare you raise your voice here ?" The guard asked, whipping the floor.
"And especially when Lady Eun-ji is standing infront of you."
Eun-ji showed him a signal to stop and so he stopped talking.
She sighed and looked at Ban-ryu, their eyes meeting for a brief moment before she averted her gaze and said, "Let me know about their punishment." The guard bowed and with a last look she left the place. She didn't fail to notice how cold Ban-ryu's eyes were. They were the exact opposite the other day when they were alone in the woods.
Ban-ryu couldn't believe that this was the same woman he met in the woods a few days ago.
'It's not possible, is it ? How can someone have two sides infront of different people.'
Both of them thought at the same time.

The next day it was decided that the young masters can leave the place only if they sign the oath of being a loyal Hwarang of Silia. We Hwa sat on a chair and announced this. Eun-ji was walking towards them and heard the whole thing going on, she stood beside where Wi Hwa sat.
"Is this a way of getting young masters into Hwarang ?" Eun-ji asked in a low voice so that only We Hwa could hear them. He smiled again and said, "Probably."
They never talked before but they knew who each other were and their role in creating Hwarang.
"Excuse me. Can we just leave this place by signing that ?" Sooho asked.
"That is correct." We Hwa confirmed. "You should've told me earlier. I was going to do it anyway." Sooho said, "Please untie me." Guards untied him and he stood up, approaching Ban-ryu, "Too scared to apply, huh ?" He smirked and walked towards Master We Hwa and Eun-ji.
"Those who want to sign and go home, tell me immediately." We Hwa said and a lot of young masters demanded to be untied and return home by signing the oath.

"Why aren't you signing up?" Eun-ji snapped her attention to the voice, they seemed familiar. Ah..they were the grand sons of Suk Hyun Jae.
"I want to do it. It sounds exciting but I will not do it." The one tied to the chair, who Eun-ji recognized as Han Sung, the younger one among the brother said. "Why ?" Asked his brother, Dan Se. "Because I am the grand son of Suk Hyun Jae." "Listen, even if I sign the oath, I cannot become a Hwarang because I am half-breed. You're the last true bone of Suk family. Grandfather would not want you to die here." Han Sung nodded and said, "Please untie me as well."
Almost everyone left except for Ban-ryu. "Aren't you going to sign up ?" Wi Hwa asked, he cracked a smile and said, "I don't wish to be the Queen's dog." "Then wait for the next step to begin." Wi Hwa chuckled and left the place.
Eun-ji stood there, watching him. She then walked closer to him, "You said that you don't want to be a Hwarang. May I know why ?" "I said that I don't want to live as a Queen's dog. I can't go against my family." She sighed, and wiped of the blood on his cheek with her sleeve.
"Please take care of this and your health." She said. Ban-ryu was surprised on why she would help her enemy, afterall Ban-ryu was always opposing the Queen's power. His cheeks were dusted with a little bit pink blush. His eyes widened the moment he realized he was blushing.
She then got away from him and said, "Untie him." The guard was hesitant at first but let Ban-ryu go. Ban-ryu was thankful to her but he didn't want anyone to think that she did it out of pity. And so he left without any words.

Back to Ban-ryu's house, "No. I will not live as a Hwarang under the Queen." His father looked at him and walked towards where he was standing. Before anything else could happen, he felt a sharp pain in his cheek. He placed his hand on the cheek where his father hit him, the same place where Eun-ji wiped the blood off just a few hours ago.
"If you act like this infront of Master Youngshil, it will not end simply." Ban-ryu's father said. "Do you think that I am still a little scared child ? Go and hit me all you please." He said, eyes showing no fear.

He slowly sat down infront of Master Youngshil or his stepfather. "You do not want to become a Hwarang ?" He started, "You shouldn't have made a trouble then." "My apologies. He is being stubborn." The next thing that happened surprised Ban-Ryu even more. His stepfather began to hit his father. Until to the point where blood began to come out. Master Youngshil stopped hitting and wiped the blood off his hand with a piece of cloth and turned towards Ban-ryu, "Do you feel miserable ? This is what power is about. If you cannot control it, you will be controlled. Will you control or be controlled ? Make a decision." Unconsciously, tears rolled down from Ban-ryu's eyes and he could feel his cheeks getting wet. "Do not pity yourself for something like this. The world is a lot more tainted than you could imagine." He wiped off his tears with the same cloth he wiped off the blood earlier. Ban-ryu didn't knew how to react.
"Become a Hwarang. Go and get yourself power." Master Youngshil adviced.
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Eun-ji was in front of Pi Joo-ki's shop. She wanted to meet We Hwa and she knew that this was the place she would find him.
"What brings you here ?" Wi Hwa asked, "I believe we never met officially." Eun-ji said sitting in the seat infront of him. "It's fine since I know who you are but why did you take the responsibility of teaching the Hwarangs ?" We Hwa asked, curious. "I have seen myself how weak the young masters are." "Are you sure that you don't have any other intentions ?" We Hwa asked. "So, you want to know the truth." We Hwa chuckled, "Then listen, I want to change Silia..no wonder why Silia is the smallest and weakest among the three kingdoms..it's just pathetic seeing us like this...and it is only possible if someone takes down the present officials..who are the reason behind this, I want to build a peaceful and beautiful Silia with the help of Hwarang if you let me because it's only the young masters who can change Silia, no one else. Not even the king can change Silia." Eun-ji stated. We Hwa was bit stunned but soon his lips curled up into a smirk. "Then, welcome in this mission. But it won't be easy." "I am aware of this and I ain't going to back up." Eun-ji smirked back.

"Follow me." We Hwa said, Eun-ji followed him inside another room in the shop. They entered to see Pi Joo-ki talking to.....Jidwi.
Jidwi was a bit shocked with the presence of Eun-ji but played like he didn't knew her and so did the later. "Hi." He said but was ignored by We Hwa. Instead We Hwa asked Pi Joo-ki to turn around and mumbled something about him going crazy. He then ordered him to follow. Eun-ji was confused with all this but followed We Hwa nonetheless. Jidwi also followed them.

"I heard Hwarang is being controlled by some crazy old fool. Hwarang belongs to that old fool, not the Queen." A voice said and We Hwa once again smiled, as if he wasn't bothered with all this rumours. "I think crazy old fool is a bit much." Eun-ji cracked a smile at his sarcasm.
Pi Joo-ki was trying dresses suitable for Hwarang and to cut it short, none was to the liking of both Eun-ji and We Hwa. Jidwi sat on the chair beside We Hwa, "You said you wanted to change it, not ruin it. But you must tear it down in order to change it." "What do you wish to say ?" "A nation with happy subjects and a suffering king. The subjects do not worry about the nation but the king does care about his subjects. Is that the nation you desire ?" Jidwi asked, making We Hwa think about his words and Eun-ji rise her eyebrow, she had a clear look of , 'since when did you became witty ?'  "I want to live in a nation like that." Jidwi finished, sending Eun-ji a look of 'I always was dummy'
"Who are you ?" We Hwa asked suddenly, "Someone who wants Silia would change for real." Jidwi replied. "And that's my half truth."
Pi Joo-ki wore a white hanbok which wasn't that bad according to Eun-ji. "Darn it." "Should we try this ?" Eun-ji butted in. And without any word Jidwi went and tried the same dress.
He was looking extremely handsome. "You will never find anyone like me."
We Hwa was finally convinced.

"I never really knew that you could be so handsome." Eun-ji lightly punched his hand, "It depends upon the person. I am genuinely handsome." Jidwi said and both of them laughed.

'I wish everything remains the way it is. I can't afford to lose you all next time. I don't know how you will react to my illness but until then stay like this.'

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Whew...my longest chapter. Thank you for reading!!!
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