Seonghwa ran down the palace halls, not caring who saw him. He had to warn her.

He didn't bother knocking when he got to Kita's room, he just flung the door open ran inside. "Kita! Kita, I need... to talk to you..." He slid to a stop.

Kita and Wooyoung had frozen by her closet, a pile of clothes lay on the floor at their feet. They had turned to look at him, eyes wide.

"What's going on here?" He asked quietly. He noted that she was wearing travel pants, a loose shirt, and leather boots instead of her normal dress.

Wooyoung dropped his gaze to the ground and he took a few steps back. Kita, on the other hand, stood up straight and took the clothes in her arms and placed them on her bed before walking back to Wooyoung and taking his hand in hers, causing him to look up and smile at her.

"Hwa. I'm leaving. I... I can't go with King San. That's what you came here to tell me is going to happen, isn't it? Well I can't. I won't. I... I going to leave, and Wooyoung is coming with me." She watched her brother for a moment, trying to figure out how he was going to react.

"We have to hurry." He said suddenly. "Father is going to make the announcement in about an hour." Seonghwa hurried to her bed side and started stuffing clothes in a bag.

The other two said nothing as they helped.

"Where will you go?" He asked Wooyoung.

"I don't know yet, just away from here. We will both be running so we will have to stay off the roads."

"Good. I'm going to go grab a few supplies for you from Yeosang."

"No need to, I've already brought them," the wizard said, shutting the door behind him. He always had a knack of showing up exactly when he was needed.

The prince gazed fondly at him, then moved aside to the other could stand next to Wooyoung. "I packed some food to get you started, as well as some canteens of water. I infused these stones here with magic, they will make a onetime explosion when you throw them. These seeds will grow various fruits and vegetables in three days. And this mirror is bewitched to communicate with a mirror back in my room, so you can keep us updated. There's also some clothes for you Youngie."

He turned to face Kita and pulled her into a hug.

"Thank you, Yeosang." She said, fighting back tears.

"I just wish I could do more for you, but I know you'll be in good hands. Just stay safe, ok?" He stepped back.

Seonghwa was immediately there, holding his sister close. "We've never been apart... What am I going to do without you?"

"You'll be just fine." Kita said, but she sobbed into his chest. "I'll see you again. I promise."

"We should go." Wooyoung said, coming to place his hand on Kita's shoulder. Seonghwa nodded in agreement.

Kita glanced up at her brother again, then reached up to unclasp her necklace and pulled off her ring. "Keep them safe for me, Big Brother." She said quietly.

He held them to his chest and nodded.

Yeosang held up the packs and helped the couple put them on. "Not much time left. I'll help you out of the palace. Head down to the beach and follow the cliff. From there, you're on your own."

With one final glance, the three of them left Seonghwa standing by himself in Kita's room.

Yeosang used his magic to shield them. It was a simple illusion spell, so anyone walking by them couldn't see them unless they looked closely. They weaved their way through side corridors until they got to one of the back doors. The wizard muttered a few other words and he became visible. "My spell will last another fifteen minutes. Hurry." He said, then vanished through the door.

Wooyoung took Kita's hand and led her down the path to the beach.

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A shadow flashed on the far side of the path. It ran to the edge of the cliff and lit a single torch that had been placed there.

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Seonghwa tapped his foot nervously. He had to work to keep his face straight as he stood next to his parents in the throne room. King San stood in front of them, keeping his face neutral.

They were all waiting for one of their maids to return with Kita.

He felt a presence behind him and knew it was Yeosang. He must have just stepped out of his room, which was a good place for him to come from as it only had one entrance, that most people knew of.

The air was heavy with anticipation.

King San rolled his neck, closing his eyes as he did so.

His emotionless face sent chills down Seonghwa's spine. He was very thankful Kita had decided to run.

When the maid returned without the princess, stating she wasn't in her room or anywhere in the palace, the other king turned slowly to the royal family.

"What did you do with her?" His voice was deep, commanding.

"We did nothing, she must be here somewhere. Keep looking." Seonghwa's father said, pointing the maid back to the door. Several guards joined her.

"I must say, I find this very... disappointing. You accept my proposal, but then the princess is a no show." King San stared at his fingers, flexing his hand in front of his face.

Seonghwa tightened his grip on his sword.

"There will be no need for that, Princeling." The other sneered, but he still lit the tips of his fingers on fire. "I will not do anything. For now." His eyes flashed the family. "But don't test me. You know what I'm capable of. I will send my own men out to aid in the search. If she is not found, however..." He grinned, then sent a small stream of flames to engulf one of the hanging flags. He laughed as he tilted his head back, then walked out of the room.

"Do you know where she is, Seonghwa?" The queen asked, walking over to her son. He didn't answer her. He couldn't lie to his mother, so he stayed silent and glared after the other king.