"Who goes there!"
Nalan moves to step out, but Erya holds her back.
"Fetch the Noble Consort," Erya whispers urgently. Confusion crosses Nalan's face as she glances between them, seeing their tense expressions.
"We'll only get a reprimand. No need for alarm," Nalan says.
Erya shakes her head. "You don't understand. Just go," she insists, pushing Nalan away to the corner they came from.
One soldier arrives, yanking Erya and Yetsune from behind the pillar. "Where's the third person?" He demands.
Erya smiles courteously, hands folded demurely atop her navel. "There are only two of us here."
"Which palace are you from?" He asks, suspecting they may be princesses or nobles judging from their appearance.
"We're from the Moon Palace," Erya answers.
He bows slightly. "You must be His Majesty's honored guests," he acknowledges with a tone of respect. "Please don't linger here. I'll escort you back."
As they start to leave, a voice shouts, "Wait!"
Erya and Yetsune freeze on the spot while the soldier turn towards the dias. "Your Highness," the soldier bows.
"Bring them here," commands the First Prince.
"You heard him, please go ahead," the soldiers tells them.
Slowly, they walk towards the dias with lowered heads. Hakian, sparring with Cirdan and a few soldiers, notices and halts.
Cirdan follows his line of sight. "Who are they?" He asks.
"I don't know," Hakian replies, tossing his sword to one of the soldiers before striding toward the dais. Cirdan follows, intrigued.
Hagian narrows his gaze at the ladies standing before the dias. Somehow,there is a nagging feeling that he's seen them somewhere.
"Raise your heads," he commands.
As Erya and Yetsune comply, shock flashes across Hagian's face. He never expected to encounter the defiant beauty from the House of Fragrance within the palace walls.
"Well, well, what have we here?" Hagian smirks.
Bayan, engrossed in his book, briefly glances up. He notes one lady's bold glare and the other's evident fear of Hagian before returning to his reading with a subtle shake of his head.
Erya steps forward, shielding Yetsune. She can tell from the sneer on his face that he doesn't intend to let them go easily.
"Who would have thought the rogue who attempted to abduct a lady in public is actually a prince?" she spits.
"Such audacity!" He kneels at the dias edge. "You're aware of my royal status, yet you dare speak with disrespect?"
Erya's fists clench white with fury, recalling Yetsune's near-death. "You should be ashamed," she hisses spitefully.
His expression darkens. "You dare address imperial family with such contempt?" Hagian snarls. "Seize her!"
As Erya assumes a defensive stance, Yetsune intervenes. "Stop!" she cries. "Harm us, and the Emperor won't spare you. We saved his life and serve the Noble Consort."
He seems scared at first, until he bursts into a hysterical laughter, pounding his thighs. Yetsune's shoulders slump in realization that her threat hold no power over him.
Hakian and Cirdan join the scene. Hakian is taken aback at the sight of the ladies, puzzled as to why the ladies from the House of Fragrance are in the palace.
"Did you bring them here?" he asks Hagian.
"I wish. These two are actually the heroines who saved our father. They even serve the woman in the Moon Palace. Surprising, isn't it?" He laughs again, arms spread wide.
Hakian's gaze shifts to the ladies. Erya's murderous glare at Hagian is apparent. She might act rashly if Hagian continues unchecked.
Leaning close, Hakian whispers, "Let them go. If Father learns of your actions at the House of Fragrance and your treatment of them here, you won't be punished lightly."
Hagian gives him a sidelong glance, brows furrowed as though he is seriously considering the warning.
Cirdan slips over to Bayan. "Don't speak to me," Bayan says before he can utter a word.
"Keep pretending," Cirdan scoffs, pointing at Bayan's book. "It's upside down."
Bayan quickly corrects it, maintaining his facade of disinterest. Cirdan tuts before refocusing on the unfolding drama.
Seeing as the Hagian is distracted, Erya holds Yetsune's hand wanting to take the chance to leave. But after a few steps, Hagian's attention snaps towards them.
"Who asked you to leave?" He bellows but Erya continues dragging Yetsune away. "Impertinent wench. Seize them!"
Erya's ears catch the rush of the wind. She swiftly sidesteps, dodging the attack of one soldier and shoving Yetsune away to safety. As others charge, she bends backward, her arc sending a soldier soaring over her to land on his feet.
Seeing as she doesn't intend to be subdued easily, they draw their swords and charge towards her at once. She nimbly evades their attacks, switching from offense to defense.
Yetsune's eyes anxiously follow each move, watching to ensure Erya doesn't get hurt.
Hakian grasps Hagian's elbow. "Stop this madness!"
Hagian snaps his elbow away. "Stand aside."
"Hagian!" Hakian thunders, his jaws clenched with impotent frustration.
"I said step aside!" Hagian yells back, inching closer to Hakian. "Are you going to defy me?" he drawls, tension crackling between them.