A chilly breeze passes over them, sending shivers down their spines. They can hear tapping on the wooden floors in their chamber.
They turn their heads to look around and see nothing. A ghost appears in front of them. Both of them were terrified of seeing the ghost. "Who are you?".
The ghost greeted them respectfully, "I am one of the Imperial palace guards. The crown prince killed me after I barged into his chamber. I swear I wasn't intruding into his chamber, I heard someone screaming for help. I witness him trying to take advantage of a palace maid. I heard that you both are planning to investigate the crown prince. I would like an act of revenge. Please include me in your plan?"
Prince Liam glares at the ghost, "You are intruding into our chamber and then listen to our conversation."
Bobby chuckled, "Yes, I am sorry, but at least I am being honest. I don't deny that I am listening to your conversation. That's because I'm also investigating the crown prince. I tried to find out more about him and his family members."
Olena interrupted, "Might be a good idea. If we can't intrude into their room, the ghost could sneak into their room."
The ghost chuckled as he can see through the souls in their bodies. He asked, "Did you both swap your bodies? Ha... ha..."
Prince Liam whimpered, "Er... Don't even mention it, but yes... You can see us?"
The ghost continues to speak, "Yes! I can see your souls"
Olena responds, "We will be very grateful if you could help us. But, how can I return your favour? We can't just be taking but giving you nothing in return"
The ghost replies, "My name is Bobby. I have a mother who is old, she is living alone in a hut near the village next to the palace. If you could help to visit her by checking her out. I am more than happy"
Prince Liam asked the ghost, "Do you know a way we could get our souls back into our own body again?"
The ghost answers, "Once a human dies, their souls will release from their body. They cannot possess their own body again after they die, but they could revive by entering the body of someone who just died within a few hours" He continues, "A ghost must not intervene in human affairs, their soul will dissipate forever. Please remember."
Olena asked, "Do you know where we can recruit trustworthy mercenaries to help us with the investigation?"
Bobby replies, "The village where my mother lives now, has a legendary master. His name is Master Woon. Maybe you can seek help from him."
Prince Liam is excited. He really hopes to meet Master Woon, "We can visit the village tomorrow. Kindly lead us to visit."
In the dawn of the day, when the sun is slowly rising, Julia wakes up early in the morning to prepare some food for the queen. Julia put the food in a basket and brought it over to the queen's chamber together with her servant.
The eunuch informed Queen Aliyah about Julia's visit. Farah is getting annoyed. Queen Aliyah noticed the mood swing in Farah, and the queen agreed to meet Julia.
Julia bowed to greet the queen. Queen Aliyah glared at the eunuch.
He became afraid and ranted at Julia, "You have no manners! Meeting the queen, do you not know how to greet the queen? Kneel before her!"
Julia gets startled by the ranting, quickly goes down on her bended knee. She dare not look at the queen.
Queen Aliyah asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I came to greet you and I made some food for you," Julia speaks in a soft tone.
The queen's attendant took the basket from Julia and showed it to the queen. The queen and Farah looked in the basket.
In the basket, it has several types of dishes. A bowl of pumpkin congee, steam meat, omelette, and vegetable dumplings.
She woke up before dawn to make the dishes and put a lot of effort into making it. Hoping to win the heart of the queen.
The servant took out the dishes from the basket and arranged it on the table.
"Bring Miu Miu here" the queen instructed the attendant to bring her favourite dog.
A minute later, the attendant brought a fluffy brown Pekingese dog into the chamber.
Queen Aliyah carried the dog, Miu Miu and put it on the table. She feeds the dog with the food Julia made.
It sank Julia's heart seeing it. She hides her emotion. It made Farah happy. She was laughing in her heart.
Bobby, Prince Liam, Olena, and a few of his palace guards visit the village. The commoners are flocking the boisterous street market, crowded with carts.
Bobby grins, "We are here at this village, but I do not know where Master Woon is."
Olena scratched her head and wobbled, "This is like looking for a needle in a haystack."
Bobby throws up his hands in confusion, "Nobody knows where exactly he will be. He often travels"
Olena gives a proposal, "Let's set a challenge. If anyone can beat the royal guards, they probably have excellent skill in martial art."
Prince Liam is inexperienced with swordsmen and mercenaries. He is not happy with the idea, but he agreed, "I dislike the idea, but then it's better than coming here for nothing. If we try, we probably have 15% to find some mercenaries, but if we don't try, the chances will be 0%. So let's do it. Grrr."
Prince Liam walks toward a commoner in the street. He gave him some silver coins, "Please help us announce a street challenge. They can try to fight against these men here. If anyone can beat them, we will reward them with gold bars."
The man happily agreed to help Prince Liam after receiving the silver coins. He announces a challenge on the street.
When the villagers come to know that the reward will be several gold bars, it was really indulging for them. The villagers queued up to take the challenge. Unfortunately, many of them were beaten up by the guards.
Three women, Leah, Yoona, and Sora were watching the displeasing challenge from the rooftop. The blood in their veins boiled, exploded after seeing many of the participants were suffering from injuries after the battles.
They noticed the nobles are watching from the top of the restaurant. It must be the nobles. Who else in this village could afford to offer the gold bars to set challenges? The three women couldn't tolerate it anymore. They hop from the rooftop into the restaurant.
Yoona whirl around, whipping out the sword at her back. She made a gesture to cast her sword towards Prince Liam, "The peoples are hurting. Stop the challenge right now or I will slice your neck."
Olena interrupted, "Why are you bothered? Nobody is forcing them to take part?"
Sora, Yoona, and Leah were glaring furiously at Olena.
Sora pointed her finger in the direction towards a bunch of villagers who were sitting in a corner, groaning in an agony of pain.
She bawled at Olena and Prince Liam, "Basically, you are using gold bars to lure them into a fight. Can't you see the people crying in pain? Do you really want to continue to hurt the villagers?"
Prince Liam tells them, "Castaway your sword, and we'll talk." He uses his fingers to push the sword away.
Leah was simmering with anger, "Why are you still insisting to let the people here continue to fight?"
Prince Liam argued back, "Why don't you stop the guards?"
Leah jumps down toward the guards. She has beaten them up into a pulp.
It raised the spirits of Prince Liam and Olena as they see that Leah alone can beat them all. They desperately wanted to recruit the three ladies.
Prince Liam gave the gold bars to the three women and asked his guard to retreat.
Olena said, "We are actually here looking for Master Woon, but we have no clue where he is."
Yoona, Sora, and Leah wonder why they wanted to meet Master Woon, and what thoughts were running through their mind. Sora asked, "Why do you want to meet our master?"
Prince Liam and Olena stared at them happily. Prince Liam explained, "I am actually here to recruit for mercenaries. Who has superb skill in martial art and someone good with medicine skill?"
Olena continues, "Yes, that is the whole reason we set up for a challenge. Hopefully, we could get to meet some skilful swordsman. They informed us we could find them here in this village."
Yoona laughed, "A swordsman will never take part in such a challenge."
Prince Liam nodded his head, "Not really. At least the three of you appeared in front of us today. The trip is worthwhile. I would be upset if I have to go back to the palace with no achievement again. I sincerely hope you will work for us. He is Prince Liam, the youngest son of the king."
Sora, Yoona, and Leah as soon as they heard he was the prince. They greeted him with respect and sincerely looked apologetic.