An update! Thank you for the reviews. RL, wow another essay love it! I'll see for the end ;) haha that's awkward xD yah, there will be more surprises, and I save the battle ;) About JH you'll find it later hehe...well, YB is a soldier so trust is something important to him, and yes he's confused with the situation he's a Guardian but was like being leaving out from anything, hahaha...they need to learn that XD Really glad to know you enjoy the story. Sorry I update Sunday now, Monday for this one at airport! :p AceLey, hehe glad can surprise you too :D yeah, you're not the only one said that, these two really need to learn about 'privacy' XD glad to know you like it, don't worry not soon ;)

Okay, hope you'll like this chapter. I own nothing from POTW, all mistakes are mine.

Ch. 13 Going Home

Princess Hye Su was pacing back and forth inside her chamber. She rubbed her palm in anxious. Two weeks have passed since Seo left Palace. Have he reached the other Kingdom safely? Every day she goes to prayer room, prays to Gods to protect him. But they are running out of time now. There was voice among court members demanding for punishment of Lord Seo and general commander Kim immediately. She let out a heavy sigh pacing around her room.

"Your Highness, please calm down."

"How can I?" She said to her maid before pacing again. "I have to do something. Yes, I have to do something." She lifted her gaze turning around to the maid. "I must talk to father."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Princess Hye Su left her room heading toward King's chamber. She knows it was late now but she needs to talk with his father. She saw soldiers standing in front of King's chamber. One of the soldier left his spot approaching her.

"Your Highness."

"I need to meet His Majesty." Princess Hye Su said.

"Forgive me but His Majesty…"

"I need to meet my father." Princess Hye Su cut the soldier off. The soldier then bowed his head and turned around. Moment later he came out and told her to come inside. She walked through the guards heading toward the meeting room. She left her maid outside and walked inside. Her father was inside already waiting for her. She bowed her head a little before took a chair opposite from him.

"What makes my daughter come at this late hour?" King In Su eyed his only daughter. He could see the stress on her face.

"Please forgive me for coming in this hour, but there's a thing I need to talk." Princess Hye Su saw her father inhaled before smiling a little.

"Tell me what is it?"

"Don't let them do that, please father. Lord Seo and Commander Kim are good person, they won't ever do such thing. Please father."

King In Su took a long breath and rose to his feet. "I wish I can but," He pursed his lips together before replying. "I can't ignore the court. For now we could only wait."

"But father," Princess Hye Su left her chair approaching her father. "They demand for the punishment. And I still didn't know about my Guardian." She lowered her gaze.

The King turned around to his daughter. He took her shoulders and lifted her chin. "You're worried about him, aren't you?" He smiled a little when he saw the small nod. "Look here, my daughter has grown up now." He caressed her cheek and kissed her forehead. "I promise you, I won't let something bad happen to them."

"Thank you father."

"Now go and have rest."

Princess Hye Su bowed toward her father before leaving the chamber. She believes her father for he always keeps his words. Feeling the anxiety was off a little she headed back to her chamber.

After his daughter left the room the King sat back to the chair. "Still no information from them?"

"I am afraid no, Your Majesty."

King In Su clenched his fist letting out a heavy breath. "We don't have much time." He hit the table with his clenched-fist. "Tomorrow morning bring High Priestess to meet me." He said to the guard.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I miss my soft bed. This ground is not good for my back."

"You're getting older." Lord Seo let out a chuckle glancing toward his best friend. He leaned his head against the wooden wall staring at the flickered flame before them.

"I missed my youth." Commander Kim stretched out his legs leaning his back against wall. "We should have vacation sometimes, like before." He turned to his best friend and saw the man smiling a little. "What do you think?"

"That's a good idea. You remember the tree house we made together when we're child?"

"You fell off breaking your nose, right? And your parents punished both of us. Of course I remember it." Commander Kim let out a laugh remembering their childhood.

"I missed it too. Maybe we should make another one?"

"And break all of our bones." Commander Kim laughed.

Lord Seo joined in the laugh but then let out a small sigh. "You think they've done their task?"

"I believe in my soldiers, they're my best." Commander Kim then turned to the King's Guardian. "Worry not. He would definitely accomplish his task. He's your son after all."

Lord Seo chuckled lightly turning to the general commander. "And your pupil."

"My best pupil."

However, their laugh died when a soldier approached their room and kneeled down in front of the door. Commander Kim approached the small window at the door as it pushed open. After the soldier left the door he turned around to the Guardian behind him. "Seems like the time is coming, old friend."

Meanwhile at Lord Jang residence, Jang Byuk So and Ji Woon were having talk in meeting room when Hyo Won burst inside. "How many times have I told you to knock before entering?"

Hyo Won lowered his head. "I'm sorry father." He then lifted his gaze. "But I bring this."

"It's coming?" Jang Byuk So rose from his chair and took the small scroll from his son. He read the message and slapped the table clenching his jaw.

"What is that?" Ji Woon approached his old friend.

"Those little brats." He hissed and then grabbed his son's uniform collar. "I told you to kill them. And now because of your incompetence they have met the Prince."

"I'm sorry father. I'm sorry."

"What do you mean? They have met the Prince?" Ji Woon asked. "What should we do now?"

Jang Byuk So released his grip. "But there's still good thing you didn't kill them." He then added. "We're going to the second plan."

"But…"

"Don't worry," Jang Byuk So turned to his old friend holding the paper up. "But we only have one chance. Call the court member tomorrow." He then turned to his son. "Prepare all of your man, and I meant all of them."

"Yes father." Hyo Won nodded his head and was about to leave when his father took his arm.

"And don't disappoint me again, understood?"

"Yes Sir." Hyo Won bowed before leaving the room.

After the commander left the room Ji Woon said. "You think the plan will work?" But then regretted it when Jang Byuk So took his collar.

"I have planned this for years, and I won't let anyone get on my way. You need not to worry, old friend, you better prepare for tomorrow, because tomorrow," He leaned closer to his old friend. "It begins."

Jeong Hyang looked around her as she passed the court-yard. She lowered her head when soldiers glanced toward her and walked quickly. She walked with her gaze on the ground that she didn't notice the person in front of her. She stumbled back but the person grabbed her arms and pulled her. She lifted her gaze and saw it was the Guardian.

"Didn't High Priestess teach you to watch your way when walking?"

Jeong Hyang pinched his arm lightly. "You startled me."

Yun Bok let out a small chuckle. "Where were you going?"

"I thought to have a walk, it's boring in the house with nothing to do."

He can understand it must be boring for the Priestesses. While he and Young Bok have task to accomplish the Priestesses have to stay at the house all day. "But you should bring Min Jee with you." He then remembered about the young Priestess. "There's something I want to ask."

"Yes?" Jeong Hyang waited.

Yun Bok looked around him before saying. "I just need to confirm something, about Priestess Min."

"What about her?"

"How close are you with her?"

Jeong Hyang knitted her brows. "Me and her? Well, we are grown up together and close, why did you ask? Wait, you are jealous?"

"What? No!" Yun Bok cleared his throat. "I'm not jealous. Why would I?"

"So, you didn't love me." Jeong Hyang teased.

"Of course I…" He stopped when the Priestess giggled and realized she just teased him. "Jeong Hyang, I'm serious."

"I'm sorry." Jeong Hyang said to the frustrated Guardian. "Why do you ask about Min Jee?"

"Actually, I saw her sending message yesterday. I think she's messenger."

Jeong Hyang's eyes widened. "You sure it was her?"

Yun Bok nodded. "I'm afraid yes. Don't you think it's odd, she accidentally meet my brother inside forest, and seemed to know the fastest road. I remembered High Priestess said you're the only one know the road."

Jeong Hyang lowered her gaze. "She is a good girl, I know her."

Yun Bok slapped his head mentally. He should have known it would make Jeong Hyang sad. "I'm sorry, but, maybe you should be careful."

Jeong Hyang lifted her gaze and offered a small smile. "I will, don't worry."

Yun Bok gave a nod and smile. He then noticed a necklace on Jeong Hyang's neck. He didn't see it before.

Jeong Hyang noticed the Guardian was looking at the necklace around her neck. "This is from my parents."

Yun Bok lifted his gaze. "Your parents?"

"I have it since I was a baby." She took the pendant holding it in her hand. "This was the only thing that bound me to my parents. I will wear it whenever I'm afraid or I need their strength."

Yun Bok kept his hand at his side although at moment he wants to reach for her hand. But it won't be appropriate in public. "Don't worry, everything will be fine, I promise. Soon we're going back to our Kingdom."

Jeong Hyang took a small breath. She really hopes it will. She offered a small smile to the Guardian.

Yun Bok was about to ask if she has her lunch when Yun Bok approached them.

"We must go now. The court meeting is about to start."

Yun Bok gave a nod toward his brother before turning to Jeong Hyang. "Please stay at the house. And remember what I've said earlier."

Jeong Hyang nodded her head and watched as the Guardian and the commander walked hurriedly toward the main building. She inhaled a deep breath looking up at the sky. She closed her eyes bringing her hand to the pendant on her chest.

Yun Bok gazed at the court members of North Kingdom. Finally today the Prince brings the issue to court meeting. He and Young Bok attended the meeting as the guest of the Crown Prince. All member courts have settled on their seat waiting for the Prince. He and Young Bok were given seat on the second line near the throne. On the first line opposite from them was the Prince's uncle. The man held his head up smirking as the other court member beside him whispered something to his ear. Yun Bok was surprised when the man turned his gaze at him and gave him a scornful smile. He clenched his fist and heard Young Bok clearing his throat.

"I really want to know how the Prince will bring that man down." Young Bok said in low voice to his brother. The man reminded him to Lord Jang. He won't surprise to know they have many similarities.

"I wonder too." Yun Bok said. He noticed the members on the opposite line seems like are in the man's side. While, the members on the line in front of him are the Prince. Suddenly all the court members rose from their seat and bowed. He and Young Bok also stood up and bowed their head as the Prince and general commander walked inside. The Prince settled on the throne and they sat back to their seat. The man then stood up and said.

"Your Highness, as the leader of court member I, also the other member I believe, was wondering why do we have to be summoned this morning."

Yun Bok watched as the man gave a small bow before straightening his back facing the Prince. He saw the Prince glanced at the man before looking at the other members.

"Today, I held this meeting because there is something I must reveal to the court."

"Forgive me Your Highness but, I do believe that there is rule in this court, which is any issue shall be confirmed by the court leader before being discussed in court meeting. And as the leader court I am afraid I never get any confirmation about this."

Yun Bok saw the Prince turned his gaze to the court leader. He noticed the Prince was calm.

"It seems like the recent issue about army dismissed the rule from my mind, my fault. But, everyone is gathering here at this morning hour and we shall not disappoint the other members, don't you agree?"

Yun Bok looked at the Prince and caught small smile on his lips. Despite his young age he could take control over the court. He believes the Prince could become a great King one day. He saw the court leader inhaled tightening his jaw slightly but then bowed toward the Prince.

"As Your Highness wished."

After the man returned to his seat the Prince speaks up. His face turned to be serious.

"As all of you know my father, the King passed away of illness." The Prince looked over the court members before adding. "Or it was what they said."

Soon the room was filled with murmurs. Yun Bok glanced at the man and noticed his clenched-fists. He turned his gaze when one of the court member stood up.

"Forgive me Your Highness but we are afraid we don't understand what Your Highness meant by saying it wasn't because of illness."

"Yes, my father, the King, has struggled with illness until his last breath, but," After a pregnant pause the Prince added. "I recently found that it was intentionally planned."

Young Bok glanced at his brother beside him as everyone gasped and started to talk to their side. The Prince's uncle rose from his seat calming down the other members.

"With all respect Your Highness but I don't think…"

"You should know it better uncle." The Prince cut off. He then turned to the other members. "I found evidence that someone tried to kill my father."

"Who is the man?" One of the court members stood up and asked.

Yun Bok watched as the other members whispering to their side in confusion, except the King's brother and the other three men beside him. He then moved his gaze back to the Prince. The Prince lowered his head slightly and said in solemn angry voice.

"The King's brother, your leader." The Prince raised his hand pointing at the court leader.

"That's impossible!"

"How could it be possible!?"

"Silent!" General commander shouted at the surprised nobles.

"As much as I like surprises but why would I kill my own brother? And, what makes Your Highness think it was me?"

"I don't think, I found the evidence." The Prince gave a nod toward the commander.

Yun Bok and Young Bok watched as the general commander called his soldier. And then soldiers dragged two men into the room. The men's hands were tied in front of them. They dropped their gaze as soon as they saw the King's brother.

"How…?"

"Why uncle, you seem to recognize them." The Prince said to his uncle. "Yes, they are King's doctors that you have tried to kill. Fortunately I could save them before they get killed and bring your dirty secret with them into hell."

"That's absurd! I have nothing to do with those men!"

Yun Bok watched as the court leader yelled pointing his finger toward the former doctors. The room once again filled by murmurs and whispers as everyone was shocked by the revelation.

"Tell me great doctors what this man has ordered you to do." The Prince said to the doctors.

"The…King's brother…told us to…to…" One of the doctors spoke up.

"Shut up! I never give such order!" The court leader denied.

"Continue. Tell us what you have told me before." The Prince said to the doctors ignoring his uncle.

"He told us, to…poisoned the King…"

"That's a lie! I never gave such order."

"Then what is your explanation for this?"

Yun Bok saw the Prince took a scroll from general commander and unrolled the paper showing it to them. The man's eyes went wider as he saw the letter.

"Guards! Arrest him!"

Yun Bok and Young Bok saw as soldiers came in and grabbed the court leader's arms. The man struggled to free himself but the soldiers held him tightly. The Prince then stood up approaching his uncle.

"You will be punished for murdering my father."

Yun Bok could see the Prince's anger as he said to his uncle between his clenched teeth. For his surprise the man started to laugh.

"You think you can stop me? No one can stop me, even your poor father or you."

"Get him out of my sight!" The Prince shouted in angry clenching his fists. He was about to turn around when his uncle added.

"You can't stop me or my army! They're moving to In Kingdom right now and soon there will be war!"

Yun Bok's eyes widened upon hearing the words. Suddenly the door pushed open and a soldier storming inside.

"Your Highness, the army…has crossed the border."

"What do you mean?" The Prince asked the soldier.

"The army has crossed the border."

The Prince clenched his jaw and turned to his laughing uncle. "What have you done?"

"You should take my advice my dear, never let your enemy inside your house."

Yun Bok clenched his fists as the man turned to him and Young Bok and gave a smirk. The soldiers then dragged the laughing man out of the room. He dropped his gaze down and suddenly feels fear creeps up in him. 'There would be war in In Kingdom'

"We will use this route, it is the fastest."

Yun Bok and Young Bok looked down at the paper map as the general commander explained. After the meeting the commander took them with the other battalion commanders of North Kingdom. They lifted their gaze when a soldier came and whispered something to the commander.

"There is something wrong?" Yun Bok asked when the soldier left the room.

"Seems like Lord Jang's army completely encompasses the Palace."

Yun Bok and Young Bok turned to each other in horror. Young Bok then said to the commander. "What should we do now?"

"But they haven't reached inside yet, still we need to move fast. We have to change the strategy. I will take my army and attack the Palace from two sides, at once."

They saw the commander pointed east and west side of In Kingdom Palace.

"While we get their attention you will have to go inside the Palace from the other side, but the problem is I don't have the route of secret passage into the Palace. The man was supposed to send it to me but he was caught before could cross the border."

"Do you mean," Young Bok then remembered the scroll his father gave him before leaving Palace. His father told him to give it when they come at urgent situation. "…this?" He took the scroll out his shirt and handed it to the commander.

"Yes, it is. Thank goodness you bring this with you. Okay let's see."

They leaned closer when the commander unrolled the paper and spread it on the table. Yun Bok eyed the map. He recognized the secret passage from Princess Hye Su's chamber. Beside it there are also two other passages from praying building and Queen chamber. He never knew about the secret passage before. And the last one is the biggest and longest. It connects the back yard of the Palace and the mountain outside the city. He guesses they will take the route and go inside the Palace.

"As you see here, you will go from this passage and wait. We are going to attack from outside and inside at the same time, it would confuse the army."

Yun Bok and Young Bok nodded their head and the commander continued.

"We are leaving before dawn. You, and you, and you," The general commander pointed his finger toward three of commanders. "Will go with them. And give whatever they need."

"Yes, Sir."

"Okay gentlemen we need preparation, let's move!"

After the emergency meeting Yun Bok and Young Bok followed the other commanders. Around dusk they headed back to their chamber. The soldier has come with their uniform and swords already. After changed his clothes to uniform, put his swords on his belt, Yun Bok left his room. He thought to meet Jeong Hyang. He was waiting for the Priestess at their usual meeting place, behind the house. He took a long deep breath. Tomorrow he will finally go back to his Kingdom. He hopes they won't be late. If it was only Lord Jang's army he was sure they won't win the King's army but, with the North Kingdom's army it won't be easy.

"Guardian,"

Yun Bok turned around when he heard Jeong Hyang's voice. "Hey,"

Jeong Hyang's eyes wandered upon the Guardian's new uniform. Looking at the uniform she was suddenly reminded that he is a soldier. "We're soon leaving? I heard the army has crossed the border."

Yun Bok nodded his head. "Yes, unfortunately we couldn't prevent them. We are leaving before dawn. So, maybe you should prepare."

"I have nothing to bring besides myself." She took a deep breath. "I'm ready."

Yun Bok gave a nod and offered a small smile. He could see the Priestess was worried. "Don't worry, I will protect you." He was surprised when Jeong Hyang threw her body hugging him. "Jeong Hyang,"

Jeong Hyang closed her eyes hugging the Guardian. "I know you'll protect me. I just, don't want something happen to you."

Yun Bok put his hands on the Priestess' back. "You don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine, I promise."

Jeong Hyang took a long breath, inhaled in the Guardian's scent before pulling off. She tried her best to fight the tear and smiled when she saw his smile.

Many of soldiers filled the court-yard ready to depart. Jeong Hyang glanced over the uncountable soldiers around her. This was the first time she saw so many soldiers. She turned her gaze when the Guardian turned his head.

"Don't worry."

Jeong Hyang inhaled before nodding her head. She will ride with the Guardian while Min Jee with commander Kim. Finally the time is coming. To tell the truth she was afraid. Even more than her nightmares or anything she has faced in her life. She reached for the pendant on her chest as the general commander shouted and roars broke the night silence.

It starts. Thank you for coming and reading, hope you'll come again :)