Have you gone crazy?

Yetsune's initial excitement about life in the Aisin palace has faded, replaced by a crushing boredom. Their fear of encountering the Imperial Consort leaves them no choice but to stay confined to their residence.

"I can't bear to stay here any longer. It's unbearably tedious," she laments, meandering through their residence's garden. 

Erya sighs, absently toying with a stick. "We have no choice but to endure until the one-month ultimatum ends."

Yetsune echoes her sigh. Days has passed since their arrival, yet they've had no opportunity to meet the First Prince, the supposed next Crown Prince. Her encounter with the Empress has already instilled a deep-seated fear of having such a cruel mother-in-law.

"I miss Yettiri and Lord Azryn terribly," she says.

"I miss Lord Azryn's peach blossom wine," Erya adds, her mouth watering at the memory.

A group of maids passing through the garden bow in greeting before continuing on their way.

"They are the ones," they whisper.

"The ones who saved the Emperor?"

Yetsune and Erya slow their pace, eavesdropping on the hushed conversation.

"I heard they angered the Imperial Consort a few days ago."

"She won't let them off the hook, that's for sure," another murmurs before their voices fade into the distance.

Erya halts, shooting a knowing look at Yetsune, who averts her gaze. "See? I warned Your Highness not to get involved."

"But that beautiful woman would have been harmed if we hadn't intervened," Yetsune responds.

Erya purses her lips, choosing her words carefully to avoid disrespect. "You can't continue trying to save everyone, Your Highness, especially once you become Crown Princess."

Yetsune raises a brow. "What good is the title if I cannot protect those around me?" She locks eyes with Erya, challenging, "Are you saying I would remain as powerless as I am now, even as Crown Princess?" Erya's lips part, but she finds herself at a loss for words.

Yettiri could command everyone in the palace. Yetsune, however, was merely a figurehead, soon to be married off. Each time she rebelled against her parents, Erya suffered the consequences, and she could do nothing to prevent it except seek help from Lord Azryn or Yettiri. The thought that this helplessness might persist even after becoming Crown Princess is unbearable. She would be bullied, like the beautiful woman from the other day. They stand frozen, gazes locked in silent conflict until someone speaks behind them, "There you are."

They break eye contact to find the Empress's elderly attendant approaching. Erya curtsies, while Yetsune, growing used to paying respects to those of lower status, follows suit.

The Head Attendant smiles politely. "I am merely a Head Attendant. Esteemed guests such as yourselves need not be so courteous."

As they rise, Yetsune asks casually, "What brings you here?"

Surprised by the ease Yetsune's informal tone for a commoner, the Head Attendant replies, "Her Majesty has requested your presence at the Phoenix Palace."

Erya and Yetsune exchange worried glances, wondering if they've done something to be punished. They follow the Head Attendant as she leads the way.

The imperial princes are gathered at the imperial academy. Since their birth, the Emperor has guarded against them, refusing to grant official titles or fiefdoms.

The Second and Fourth Princes face off in a chess game in the pavilion while others observe. The Fifth Prince, Cirdan, is practicing archery with a few others on the archery range nearby.

"Why don't you concede now, Bayan? You two are boring me," the First Prince, Hagian, remarks, lazily lounging on a wooden chair and popping grapes into his mouth.

But Bayan ignores him, eyes intently focused on the board while Hakian patiently waits for Bayan to position his piece. He finally plays his black piece and Hakian picks a white piece, observing the board. Bayan holds his breath, anxiously anticipating his next move. 

"Oh brother…" Hakian shakes his head as plays his piece. "Seems I have won this round again." He leans back in his seat, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

Bayan shuts his eyes in defeat, his hopes of defeating Hakian crushed again. The First Prince cackles, seizing the opportunity to taunt him. "Just accept you're no match for Hakian," he mocks.

Ignoring Hagian again, Bayan begins rearranging the board, much to Hagian's annoyance at failing to get a reaction.

"Let's play another round," Bayan demands, unwilling to accept defeat.

Hagian frowns at the prospect of enduring yet another chess game. He stands and snatches the black chess bowl from the stool before Bayan can select a piece. Bayan glares at him, trying his hardest not to satisfy him. He knows what Hagian wants from him is a reaction, to toy with him for his own amusement. 

"Give me the bowl, Hagian," Bayan demands, rising to confront him.

"Don't be childish, Hagian. Give it to him," Hakian supports him.

Hagian detests when Bayan ignores his taunts, it makes him feel he's being looked down on. "You shouldn't indulge this spineless prince, Hakian. He might start thinking too highly of himself," he sneers, evoking mocking laughter from the others.

Bayan tries to snatch it from his hand but Hagian grabs his hand with one hand and twists him around. 

"Let me go!" Bayan yells in pain.

Hakian pinches the bridge of his nose. "Let him go," he says, fed up with his brother's nuisance.

Instead, Hagian shoves Bayan against a pillar, pressing the black chess bowl against his neck. Bayan jerks his elbow back to break free, causing Hagian to dodge and release his grip. Seizing the moment of Hagian's surprise, Bayan easily grabs the bowl and returns to his seat.

Hagian fumes, his hands curling into fists. "How dare you?" he seethes, but Bayan simply begins playing his piece, ignoring him yet again.

Enraged, Hagian storms towards Bayan, raising his fist to punch—Swish! His expression shifts to terror as an arrow whistles past, barely missing him as he swerves. Their eyes widen in shock as the arrow hits the pillar behind Hagian. They turn towards the direction it came from, finding Cirdan at the archery range, bow still drawn.

Cirdan lowers his weapon and waves at Hagian, calling out, "My mistake! Looks like I still need more practice."

"Cirdan!" Hagian roars, humiliated, while the other princes painstakingly maintain neutral expressions.

Cirdan smirks in satisfaction as he hangs the bow on a nearby shelf and saunters towards the pavilion.

"Have you lost your mind?" Hagian bellows as Cirdan enters.

"Why so serious? I wouldn't possibly try to murder my own brother." Cirdan reclines in Hagian's abandoned chair, popping a grape into his mouth. "It was merely a clumsy mistake. Didn't you dodge it just fine?"

Hagian tries to hit him but Hakian grabs his hand in time and shakes his head to dissuade him. Hagian, seething with anger, clenches his teeth and snatches the grape bowl away before taking another seat.

"So immature," Cirdan mutters, shaking his head with a wry smile.

Hagian is still fuming when a fun topic occurs to him. "Did you hear about the ladies residing in the palace?" 

"Many ladies are living in the palace, which ones are you referring to?" Hakian asks, placing his white piece on the board.

"The ones who saved Father during the hunt," Bayan answers, his gaze locked on the board as he contemplates his next move.

Cirdan scoffs in surprise. "How unexpected that even you're privy to palace gossip." Bayan shoots him a glare before rolling his eyes and refocusing on the game.

Hagian seizes the opportunity to prick him again. "I heard one of them humiliated the Imperial Consort. No wonder he knows."

Cirdan leans in, intrigued by the prospect of juicy gossip. "Someone that daring exists in the imperial palace?" he asks with amusement in his tone.

Hagian shifts forward, eager to share the details. Bayan remains unbothered, he already knows the story from his mother's rant that he couldn't help but listen to.