After bidding Accountant Cha's mother goodbye, leaving the same way that Eun-bi came in was a lot more difficult than she thought.

As soon as she reached the moon gate adjoining the main courtesan house, the same insane woman from earlier was waiting for her. Her hands placed on her hips, determined to catch Eun-bi, who had infiltrated their courtesans' sleeping quarters.

Recognition lit her eyes when she caught sight of her. "I found you, you little mice!" She waved over the guards angrily. "Seize her!"

"Damn!" Eun-bi groaned. "Can't you show some mercy, old woman?"

The woman spluttered in disbelief, now red in the face. "Old?!"

They exchanged profanities. Eun-bi charged across the courtyard amid the performance, darting through bewildered patrons and courtesans. Startled yells and squeals unfolded, trays of wine and food flipped to the side. Poor Jin-hee looked around in confusion, mumbling if she should run or hide.

As the madwoman screamed and chased after Eun-bi, some drunkards began cheering loudly for her successful escapade.

"Run, run, run!"

This was getting ridiculous.

A laugh spilled from Eun-bi's lips. She bolted through the main exit gate and onto the road, her thighs burning in exhaustion, but adrenaline continued to pump her veins. A quick glance over her shoulder revealed the woman and at least five of her men chasing after her.

The distance between them narrowed. Hands reached out for her, but missed her sleeves by mere inches.

Eun-bi's laughter caught in her throat, replaced by a sense of trepidation.

In the past, her luck was pretty good. Whenever she got into trouble, she would somehow evade getting caught.

But maybe not this time.

Just as that thought crossed her mind, hooves thundered from behind.

An arm slipped around her waist. She squeaked when she got picked off the road and onto a saddle. Her back slammed against someone's chest, feeling arms circle around her waist. As the horse charged forward, her hands instinctively clutched onto the reins for dear life.

Soon, the cries of their pursuers faded into a distance.

Relief swept through Eun-bi just as a small laughter bubbled in her throat at the absurdity of everything. She got saved once more. It was a miracle.

She glanced down and immediately recognised the creature she was on. "Bo-mi?! What are you doing here?"

The voice that spoke in her right ear was all too familiar. "You left us behind."

Even before he spoke, she already knew who it was from his scent. Even the way he breathed was easily recognisable.

"No, I didn't leave you both! I was out on an investigation."

Disappointment imbued in Yul's tone. "In a courtesan house? You should not have entered."

Oh no. This wasn't the way she wanted him to find out she had been in there.

Turning her head jerkily like a creaking door, she gulped nervously. "H-how angry are you?"

He did not bat an eyelid. "Very."

"I swear I didn't go in alone! Your guards were with me. And Lady Jin-hee too!"

It was true she hadn't gone alone, but she could sense that he still wasn't happy with her answer. "There are dozens of drunk men in there," he said furiously. "It still wasn't safe. You weren't safe."

Eun-bi was aware of how Yul was always concerned about her safety. She knew the root of his protectiveness and the pain he had suffered over the years for losing someone precious.

But if she had told him of her plan of entering the courtesan house, he would definitely forbid her to go.

Although he was doing it in the best of her interest, she hoped that this protectiveness of his wouldn't change into something else someday and hurt her. Shackling her in his golden cage forever.

She grew quiet; her smile fading. "I must seem like a foolish and reckless girl to you, don't I? I'm always causing you trouble."

"No, that's not–" His voice cracked, sounding frustrated. Hurt. "I'm not stopping you from doing what you want, but I was worried. I was hoping you would wait for me."

"Oh." Now, she felt incredibly foolish for overthinking. "But how can I let the Crown Prince wander into such a filthy and noisy place? Think of all the courtesans there. They would get attracted to your good looks and I can't let that happen!"

"What about you? You're wearing this dress..." He shook his head, frustration gripping his tone. He bunched the material of her courtesan dress between his fingers. "I do not trust other men when they see you like this."

The horse slowed to a stop and Eun-bi half-turned to look at him, brows raised.

"Should I take off my dress now?" she teased. "Right here and now?"

His body stilled. Even though there wasn't a slightest change in his stone-like expression, the tip of his ears turned red.

In a split second, he reached behind him and threw something over her head–her favourite midnight-blue coat of his. It swallowed her whole, engulfing her in complete darkness.

She squeaked in surprise and fumbled with the fabric. "What are you doing, Yul? I can't see anything here."

"Stay in there quietly until we reach home."

Peals of laughter erupted from her. He didn't want her to see his embarrassed state.

"But it's hot," she whined playfully. "At least, let me breathe a little–ouch! I just struck myself in the chin."

She rubbed her sore chin just as Yul broke into a light chuckle behind her. Smiling, she freed her head from the coat, readjusted it, and wrapped around herself tightly.

Up ahead, a carriage waited for them. The horse soon came to a slow stop beside it. The brothers, an amused Jung-ho who was shaking his head and a smiling Hyun-jun, led the vehicle. Sitting on the inside was Jin-hee herself. Her back turned against them, looking small and angry. Her face buried in her knees as she tried to cover up her disguise in embarrassment.

After greeting the brothers, Eun-bi chuckled and called out with an apology. "I'm sorry for today, Jin-hee. I didn't mean for us to get caught this way."

A muffled voice returned. "Never again," she said. "I hate you."

Although Jin-hee was pouting, Eun-bi knew she never meant her words. All she needed was some time to calm her anger.

Eun-bi turned to Hyun-jun with a grin. "Please escort her back home safely, Hyun-jun."

The boy chuckled, unfazed at tonight's events. "Of course. Good night, Your Highnesses."

***

After returning to the palace with Yul with their guards, fatigue hit her.

With him around, her defence fell away. She dozed off in his arms, her chin resting on his shoulder comfortably. She could barely keep herself awake when he carried her to his room, coaxed her awake for a quick bath and a change of clothes, before tucking her into bed.

The next morning, when she reached for him like always, she found his side of the bed empty. She mumbled incomprehensible words into her pillow and tossed around in bed. The noises alerted her court ladies outside, and Byeol entered the room promptly.

"Where's His Highness?"

According to Byeol, the Queen Dowager had summoned them to her quarters.

However, Eun-bi slept right through it.

"What?!" She flung aside her covers and sat up in bed, now wide awake. "Why didn't anyone wake me up?!"

Her court lady gave an apologetic smile. "Because the Crown Prince has instructed us not to wake you up."

He was a funny man. While his anger towards Eun-bi for putting her own life at risk remained, he couldn't bear to wake her up from her sleep.

However, he didn't know how badly she wanted to score points with the Queen Dowager.

Eun-bi rolled out of bed quickly. As much as she would love to run out in her night attire, she would be punished if the Queen Dowager saw her in this state.

Her eyes narrowed with determination. "Quick, Byeol. Dress me up as best as you can in the next five minutes."

"Five minutes, Your Highness?!" Byeol began panicking. "That's not enough to fix the nest in your hair!"

Eun-bi snorted in amusement. "It's not that bad if the birds aren't here yet," she said. "Now hurry and give me a dress. A war is coming."