"Yeah. Last time, it only took about twenty counts, didn't it?"
"..."
Did I go too far?
Sahan had expected her to fire back with her usual sass, but her uncharacteristic silence unsettled him.
"Sahan."
"Huh?"
"Do you smell something burning?"
He sniffed the air. "Nope. I don't smell anything."
Really? You can't smell my insides burning with anger?
Lynn's pride flared, as unwavering as ever. With a fierce glint in her eyes, she raised her wooden sword and pointed it straight at him.
Drip, drip.
Did I push her too far?
What started as harmless teasing had clearly struck a nerve. Sahan couldn't help but smirk as he tightened his grip on his sword. Lynn, however, was all business now. Her fiery gaze locked on him as she shifted into a fighting stance.
"Go ahead, Lynn. Make the first move."
Accepting the challenge, she stepped forward with confidence and swung her wooden sword in a wide, precise arc.
Clack clack.
Her movements were faster and more fluid than before. She directed her strikes with better control, her balance steady. While she still struggled with the finer details, it was clear how much progress she'd made since their first sparring session after she lost her memories.
The sharp sound of wooden swords clashing echoed through the air. Each impact reflected her focus, her expression sharper and more determined than ever.
When she swung swiftly at his right, Sahan raised his sword to block. She didn't falter, quickly recovering her stance and bringing her weapon down at him again. He deflected it just in time.
Their swords clashed briefly, the sound ringing through the air as they tested each other's strength.
Up close, Lynn flinched and bit her lip, and Sahan caught the gesture with a faint, amused smile. He wasn't even using his full strength, but her determination piqued his interest.
"Not too much for you, is it?" he teased.
"Just… shut up," she shot back, her grip tightening.
"Oh, look at you. All serious now. Think you're tough enough to break my arm?"
"Just focus, Sahan."
"Wow, it's kinda scary when you're this intense, Lynn."
His playful tone made her unintentionally relax her hold for a moment, though the corner of her lips twitched in a reluctant smile.
"Weren't you the one who told me to stay on guard?" she countered.
"Oh, so now you're quoting me?"
"Yep. And breaking an arm? Sounds tempting. Want to test me?"
Her muttered response carried just enough irritation to show her pride had been bruised.
At her words, Sahan's confident grin faltered, and his face visibly paled.
"Wait hold on! You don't need to be this cautious with me."
"And why not?" she challenged.
"Because… well, there's no reason to be," he stammered.
"Uh-huh?"
"I mean, I'd never actually hurt you, okay?"
His reassurance, though teasing, caught her off guard. For a second, she faltered, but before she could respond, Sahan pushed slightly harder with his wooden sword, forcing hers back with a soft clack.
He casually tossed his weapon onto the nearby rack, his movements smooth and effortless. Turning back to her, he smiled.
"Seriously though, you've gotten way better."
"Of course. And I'm just getting started," Lynn said with confidence. "So you'd better be ready."
"Heh, I like that attitude. I'll look forward to it."
Before she could react, Sahan reached out and ruffled her bangs like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Startled, Lynn froze, her wide eyes darting up to his face fair skinned, sharply defined, and undeniably handsome. She suddenly recalled the whispers she'd overheard yesterday, the ones from the other women.
Oh…
As the memory came back to her, Lynn found herself studying his features more carefully. His thick eyebrows framed a perfectly straight nose, and his deep brown eyes, with their gentle tilt, gave him a warm, approachable expression.
His skin, glowing faintly in the sunlight, was so smooth it seemed almost out of place for a man.
No wonder everyone keeps talking about him.
She squinted slightly, her gaze lingering on his face as if trying to memorize every detail. Noticing her scrutiny, Sahan finally let out a soft chuckle.
"Are you admiring me again?"
"What?" she blurted, startled.
"You're staring so hard, I'm worried my face might wear out."
For a split second, she considered raising her wooden sword at him again and even she was surprised by the impulse.
One of them is cold and stoic as a statue, and the other's as smug as a clueless pup, she thought, rolling her eyes.
Out of nowhere, Hwan's image flashed in her mind, and Lynn let out a quiet sigh. Pressing her hand to her brow, she paused, debating whether to ask the question that had been nagging at her.
Keeping this to myself isn't helping. I just need to ask.
"Hey, Sahan," she began, her tone firm.
"Hm?"
"Is Hwan… feeling unwell?"
"Hwan?"
Sahan's face twisted slightly in confusion, his expression almost asking, What are you talking about?
"You think Hwan's sick? Why bring that up?"
For a moment, his face shifted, as if he were hiding something.
"No, not exactly," Lynn said with a casual shrug, trying to sound indifferent.
"I just noticed he has… a lot of scars."
That night, under the pale moonlight, his body had been covered in countless scars.
As Lynn murmured her observation, Sahan's lips curved into a mischievous grin.
"Oh? So, when exactly did you get such a good look at Hwan's body?"
"Wha- what?!"
Lynn's eyes widened in shock, and she stumbled over her words. Sahan, sensing his chance, jumped in like a hunter catching prey. His shoulders shook with excitement as he teased her without mercy.
"Wow, you're even stuttering! So it's true, huh?"
"No way!"
"Such a little voyeur, huh? Lynn, I'm disappointed."
"Wh-what? V-voyeur? Are you out of your mind? It's not like that at all!"
Her cheeks turned bright red, and her indignant shout only made Sahan laugh harder.
This is exactly the reaction I was hoping for, he thought, chuckling as her face turned from pink to crimson.
Fine! I'm not letting you get to me anymore! Lynn snapped back, her resolve firm.
"What? We've already seen plenty of each other, haven't we?"
"...Huh?"
For a second, Sahan froze. His jaw dropped, and he blinked once, then twice, before bursting into laughter.
What's with this guy and his weird laughter? Lynn thought, frowning at him.
"Ah, I guess you're right," he said between chuckles. "Nothing to get worked up over."
"...Huh?"
"Between us, anyway."
Why do I feel so annoyed right now?
Sahan tilted his head with a grin. "For a warrior, having scars isn't exactly shocking. I've got my fair share too, you know."
"You too?"
For a martial artist, scars were part of the journey. I had my own scattered here and there.
But the image from last night crept into my mind again. Hwan's scars weren't just ordinary marks. They were deeper, harsher, a testament to pain I couldn't fully understand.
"What's on your mind? Wait a second… are you picturing Hwan's body again?"
"W-What? Excuse me?!"
Lynn's startled yelp made Sahan's lips curve into a sly, amused grin.
"Oh, really? Should I say… my body, then?"
"WHAT?!"
Her mortified gasp only fueled his amusement.
Oh man, this is too good, he thought, holding back a laugh.
With a casual shrug, Sahan continued as if he hadn't just dropped a verbal bomb.
"I'm covered in scars too, you know. Want to see them?"
"...Ugh."
"What's the big deal? We're close enough to share everything, aren't we?"
"Hah! In your dreams!"
"Hey, imagination can only take you so far, right? If you're curious, just say so I'll show you."
He smirked and adjusted his clothes like he might reveal something, completely unfazed by her reaction.
What is wrong with him? How can he say stuff like that without any shame?
Her face burned as she frantically tried to shift the conversation.
"Sahan, don't you have somewhere to be?"
Stretching his arms above his head with a lazy grin, he finally replied, "Alright, alright. I'll go. It's getting late anyway."
"...Fine. Just go already!"
"Anyway, keep working on that training."
Lynn let out a frustrated sigh as she watched him stroll away, his carefree attitude leaving her both annoyed and oddly feeling a little deflated.
***
"Father, it's me."
The grand red doors slid open as Bi Young entered the King's chambers. The air was heavy with the sharp scent of tobacco, smoke curling lazily from the King's long, golden pipe.
"Well, well," the King said, his voice calm but cutting. "You've been keeping to yourself lately."
"…"
"Is my son holding a grudge against his father? Tell me, what brings you here at this late hour?"
Bi Young hadn't sought a private meeting with his father since that day. Though he'd prepared himself, being here now stirred a deep unease.
He bowed slightly, meeting the King's sharp gaze. The older man lay half reclined on an extravagant bed, exuding an air of casual power.
"My earlier judgment was flawed, Father," Bi Young began evenly. "I failed to fully understand your intentions. For that, I apologize."
The King chuckled, a deep, satisfied sound. "Haha! That's more like it. You never disappoint me you're my son, after all!"
Sitting up with a pleased grin, he seemed content with the apology. Bi Young, however, remained composed, steering the conversation forward.
"I hear the transaction with Bliderin is about to begin."
"Yes, the preparations are complete," the King said, waving dismissively. "I sent our response earlier this evening."
"Then it's only a matter of finalizing the terms," Bi Young said, his voice steady. "And their demand is…?"
The King stretched, his movements deliberate and slow, as if the subject bored him. "They want the entire former Schleiman Territory. It's bound to raise criticism it wasn't easy to claim but Bliderin doesn't care."
"I see."
"To Byro, the land is nothing more than dirt," the King said with a smirk. "Our real focus is on securing the weapons."
Drawing from his pipe, he let the smoke linger between them before it dissipated.
Bi Young's gaze shifted briefly before returning to his father. "The exchange will take place in Bliderin, I assume?"
"Yes. Representatives from our side will oversee it."
"Allow me to go, Your Majesty."
The King, who had been absently running his fingers along the edge of an ornate vase, stopped. His eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of interest breaking his indifference.
"I, Bi Young, firstborn of the Byro Kingdom, pledge to see this transaction through to success."
For a moment, silence filled the chamber. Then, slowly, the King's lips curved into a smile, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
"Very well," he said, his voice rich with approval.