Three days had passed since that kid returned to the palace. This morning, yet another peaceful dawn unfolded. The air of a world untouched by technology was astonishingly pure—crisp, cool, and so still it felt as though nothing in existence could disturb it.

I—Bạch Xoa—stretched with great satisfaction before walking to the stream behind the house. Each strike and stance of my martial routine cut cleanly through the air; my arms sliced the morning chill with sharp whooshing sounds.

Clap... clap... clap.

Applause echoed from somewhere nearby.

Startled, I darted my gaze around.

"Your martial arts are really strange. I've never seen anything like it."

A voice drifted down from above.

I looked up to find a young man perched casually on my roof, watching me. He leapt down effortlessly and approached.

"Who are you? Why did you break into my house?" I asked warily.

"Relax," he said, raising his hands. "I'm a close bodyguard of Prince Hắc. I'm here to watch over you."

"Watch me?"

I frowned.

"Well... something like that."
As he spoke, he nonchalantly dug a finger in his ear, then walked a slow circle around me, examining me with zero restraint.

"What level are you exactly, that the little prince has to assign someone to keep an eye on you?"

"Ask your master. And stop circling me like you're appraising livestock."

My tone sharpened.

"Alright, alright. Let's get acquainted."
He grinned. "Name's Tam La, your bodyguard."

"...I'm Bạch Xoa."

"Brother Xoa~," he cooed in an oily voice that made my skin crawl.

And from that moment on, Tam La stuck to me like an odd, overly enthusiastic tail.

"I'm bored. You're a local—know any fun places?" I asked.

"Wanna go to Mount Hoàng Xà? Prince Hắc and his brothers are having a hunt there," Tam La said, eyes shining.

"Let's go."

We set off together. Tam La talked endlessly the entire way, as if silence itself was a form of torture. When we reached the foot of Mount Hoàng Xà, I looked up and immediately cursed.

"Are you insane?! I can't climb a mountain!"

"With skills like yours, you can't climb?"
Tam La pointed to a narrow trail winding along the mountain's side. "Take that path."

"What?!"

Naturally, he moved with the ease of a wildcat. I, meanwhile, clung to the rocks like someone seconds away from plummeting to my death.

"Wait for me! One slip and I'm dead!"
I shouted, on the verge of tears.

Two hours later—dusk had begun to fall.

"Huff... huff..."
I braced myself on my knees, lungs burning as though ready to burst.

"Crouch low and follow me. Don't let anyone spot us. This area is sealed off to protect the nobles," Tam La whispered.

We crept into a patch of bushes, then hid behind a temporary rest hut built for the hunting party.

Peeking out, I saw Hắc standing in an open clearing, bow raised.

Thud... thud...

His arrows embedded cleanly into a deer far ahead—dead center each time.

Cold.
The thought rose instinctively.
This kid was dangerous.

Behind me, Tam La was tearing apart a chicken leg, chewing loudly like he was at a festival.

"Are you insane? You want us to get caught?!"
I hissed.

"Relax. I've done this hundreds of times," he mumbled between bites.

Footsteps approached. Tam La reacted instantly, dragging me behind a tall stack of wooden crates.

"Third Prince, please don't be upset. Maybe the Fifth Prince just got lucky."

"Lucky? Father praises him every single time!"
A young man fumed, his voice sharp with jealousy.

"Please calm down."

"Let's go."

Their footsteps faded.

Tam La and I exhaled in unison.

The palace really was no different from a political drama—scheming everywhere.

"That's enough, let's go back. I'm sick of this, and I'd prefer not to die today," I groaned, clutching my head.

"Can't. They're all returning to camp right now."

"...Damn it."

Soon after, a large group gathered again. The king's voice boomed:

"Bring out the dishes. Let us enjoy the feast."

He laughed heartily.
"Little Hắc, you always make Us proud."

"You flatter me, Father," Hắc replied, calm as ever.

A cold female voice cut in:

"That tone is unacceptable. Mind your manners."

Hắc didn't even spare her a glance.

"It's not your place to discipline me, Your Highness."

"Enough!"
The king snapped lightly. "Stop arguing. Everyone, eat."

Every word carried clearly to where Tam La and I hid.

Then, unexpectedly, Tam La whispered:

"Wait here. I'll grab some food for you."

"You idiot! Are you begging to die?!"
I grabbed his arm.

"Trust me."
He grinned wide.

And then he slipped away, leaving me alone with a churning stomach and a very bad feeling