Through the mansion's gate, the Crown Prince emerged from the darkness.

Dozens of the palace soldiers swooped in after him, surrounding all of Old Scholar Cha's men in a matter of seconds. They raised their weapons high, poised and ready for attack.

Down the small flight of stairs, the rest of the soldiers parted for their prince to walk through while Jung-ho shadowed his back.

When the moonlight irradiated Yul's cold, handsome face, the world seemed to shine even brighter. Their gazes locked and Eun-bi felt a wave of relief washing over her, knowing that she was no longer alone in this predicament.

Yul had come for her, just as he promised he always would.

He was her pillar of support she could fall back on. Her other half. When they were together, nothing felt impossible.

A noise behind her—shoes scuffling hastily—stole her attention away from her husband. Turning around, all she saw was Old Scholar Cha's menacing grin, before a streak of silver slicing downwards to her face. There wasn't enough time for her to respond.

She was going to be killed.

Next to her, Accountant Cha shouted a warning. He moved quickly, pushing her aside, and she landed on the ground.

She let out a gasp as he took the hit on her behalf. The sword sliced open his left shoulder, blood soaking through his clothes.

His interference didn't stop the old fox from turning towards Eun-bi. Lunging for her once again.

A rush of cold ran through her veins. Acting on instinct, her hand got a fistful of dirt and gritty little stones. She flung them at Old Scholar Cha, giving him a temporary blindness.

That did it. He let out a loud curse, stumbling once, and there was a quick flash of movement between them. A familiar figure stepped in, shielding Eun-bi from the danger.

Yul.

Old Scholar Cha howled in pain, his sword dropping to the ground. He clutched at his bleeding wrist, eyes fixed on the long, nasty cut. "Damn you!"

Yul narrowed his eyes, watching as Jung-ho apprehended the man. He placed his blade against the latter's neck, exerting enough pressure to make him bleed. "Get down on your knees."

Letting out angry cries, Old Scholar Cha crumpled to his knees before the Crown Prince, who glared down at him coldly. Even if Yul didn't speak a word, his presence was overwhelming. The authority he exuded was natural and unquestionable.

But the only one who wasn't afraid of him in this state was Eun-bi.

"Yul!" She stood up and stumbled forward, still reeling in the aftershock of her near-death experience, but he turned and caught her swiftly. His muscular arm held her upright and steady on her feet.

"Breathe," he instructed calmly, holding her close to his chest and patting her back lightly in consolation. "I'm always with you. I will let nothing happen to you."

She nodded dazedly. "H-how?" Her gaze swivelled between him and an injured Accountant Cha in confusion. "What happened to the both of you? The last I recalled, we were not on the same team."

She didn't miss the two men glaring at each other.

"W-we still are not." Accountant Cha winced and clutched at his bleeding shoulder. "It's because he has my mother in his hands. We made an exchange–I'll give him the man who wants to hurt you and he will return my mother safely. Ever since we left the palace, he and his men have been shadowing us all the way." He mustered a faint smile. "If I tried to harm you, they would have me killed first."

Eun-bi glanced up at Yul. Despite how unsympathetic he looked to others, she knew he would never hurt an innocent person. Everything was an act.

His features remained hard and angry around the edges, but there was a speck of appreciation in his tone. "You've my gratitude for saving her life," he told Accountant Cha. "But it does not atone for your crimes."

The latter nodded. His face paled as blood trickled down his arm. "I know."

"Your shoulder..." Eun-bi's brows pinched in concern. "We need to get him to a doctor quickly."

Yul gave a quick nod. He turned towards Old Scholar Cha, taking in his weak, pathetic state. "I will kill you," he said icily, "but not in front of my wife. The King has given his permission for your execution tomorrow morning."

And to his soldiers, he flicked two fingers. "Take him away."

Metal chains snapped onto Old Scholar Cha's wrists quickly. He yelled out several protests while they led him away.

And throughout the entire time, the boy whom he once called his son watched on in silence.

"Your Highness," Accountant Cha addressed quietly. "I've done my part of our promise of bringing you the perpetrator and I trust you will fulfil yours by releasing my mother. But I've one more request, something that you might be interested in."

"What is it?"

Accountant Cha stood up on trembling feet, clutching his wounded shoulder. But despite the pain he must be in, his eyes remained strong and unwavering. "You've gained a lover through the Selection, but I've lost mine. Will you have a match with me? If you win, I will give you the locations of all the rebel hideouts that I know of. What do you think?"

Yul narrowed his eyes. "It will not be a fair fight."

"There is no better time than this, is there?" Accountant Cha insisted. "I'm going to be a dead man soon. Will you consider this as my last request?"

Yul stared back stoically before his eyes met Eun-bi's with a questionable look. She shook her head slowly, astounded at the ridiculous request by Accountant Cha.

He was really insane, wasn't he?

But from the look on Yul's face, she could tell he was considering having a fight as well. After all, Accountant Cha had tormented her for a long time and he was absolutely displeased about that.

Yul drew out his sword slowly. His gaze flitted to Eun-bi, his tone softening. "Stay back, love."

His words stunned her. Whenever they spent nights together, he whispered sweet nothings into her ears. And yet, today was the first time he called her by such a sweet endearment in public. Perhaps he wanted to proclaim hers as his in front of other men, or maybe he just felt like calling her that.

Either way, she would take it. She enjoyed hearing him call her that way.

But she was worried. Accepting a fight meant he was risking his own safety. He might get hurt if he wasn't careful.

When she remained rooted to the ground, he reassured her again. "Everything will be fine. Trust me."

She let out a sigh of reluctance. "Fine, but be careful. If you need my help, yell at me. I'll pummelled him with my fists until he's three feet deep into the soil."

Jung-ho let out an amused snort. He took her arm and dragged her back like a disobedient child. "Not under my watch. Your sister will kill me if I simply let you do that."

Eun-bi raised a brow at her soon-to-be brother-in-law. "Not if you don't tell her."

"I'm not taking my chances, Your Highness."

She huffed. "You're no fun."

Listening to them bicker, the edge of Yul's lips curved slightly.

When their eyes met again, he gave a small nod of assurance and she conceded.

Eun-bi stepped away, placing herself within Jung-ho and the palace guards, who would ensure her security. After all, she needed to watch the match undisturbed.

Now that the Crown Prince had accepted the challenge, Accountant Cha broke out into a delightful grin. Like a child who had gotten his way.

With a rough groan, he squared his shoulders and gripped his sword with his good arm. His foot slid forward, and he charged forward like an unwounded man. His grievance, somehow, numbed his pain.

Swords clashed. Boots crunched against the gritty ground. The two men fought as if they were silently taking out their heat of anger against each other. Whenever Accountant Cha dove in with his sly attacks, Yul dodged swiftly, never allowing himself to be hit.

As minutes passed, Accountant Cha's breathing became ragged. He was growing impatient and weak. The wound on his shoulder was taking a toll on him.

He tried to thrust into his opponent's thigh, but Yul dodged and locked the sword hilt in his before twisting and hurling the weapon aside. He plunged a kick into Accountant Cha's abdomen and he fell backwards.

Yul held his sword against his throat. "Give up."

However, Accountant Cha's eyes remained hard and unyielding. "Not yet. Until one of our blood taints a sword, this match can't be over."

He was not ready to accept his defeat. He wanted to hurt someone or be the one hurt.

But Eun-bi couldn't stand by and watch the fight any longer.

She cried out. "Stop it, you moron! We just ended a fight and you want another one?" Then an idea formed in her head. "On second thoughts, if you want another fight, I'll help."

If this man wanted to feel pain, she would gladly be the one to give it to him.

She darted forward, rolling her wrist, before throwing out a fist and knocking out Accountant Cha cold with a punch to his jaw. He finally collapsed on his back, unmoving.

"There." She stepped back in satisfaction. "That's payback for what you did to me earlier."

A/N: Our Eun-bi is turning into a One-Punch Lady. 😂

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