🌹 A Silent Dance
The Dano Festival sparkled with life, its colors and sounds wrapping around Yun Yuhua like a dream. She wandered through the crowd with joy in her eyes and a small jade charm in her palm — a gift that had made her day feel even more special. With a smile tugging at her lips, she returned to the swing where Ae-shim waited. But just then, a burst of firecrackers cracked through the air, startling the crowd. Laughter turned to gasps as people jolted and shifted in every direction. Yun Yuhua felt herself being pushed, her balance faltering—
Then, suddenly, a hand seized her wrist. Before she could fall, someone had pulled her away — swift and sure. She stumbled forward in a daze, catching a final glimpse of Ae-shim's wide-eyed face.
"Ah! Yuyu!" Ae-shim's voice rang out, but it was swallowed by the chaos. Yun Yuhua didn't understand what was happening. She didn't even know why she was running — only that someone was leading her, and her feet kept following. Her heart pounded, not from fear, but something else... something breathless.
By the time they reached the quiet bank of the Seong Juk Bridge, she finally tugged her arm free. Her breath caught in her throat as the stranger turned around, grinning like a mischievous boy caught stealing sweets.
Seo Ju.
Flushed from the run, he couldn't stop laughing. He tried to hold it in — failed — and laughed even harder.
"Sire?" Yun Yuhua blinked while being completely stunned.
"I can't believe you actually let me drag you all the way out here," he teased with his eyes sparkling. She stared at him, flustered and unsure whether to be annoyed or amused. But his grin was infectious.
"You... You just grabbed my hand out of nowhere!" she huffed. "I didn't know if I should scream or strike you!"
Seo Ju tilted his head, still catching his breath. "And yet," he said softly, "you didn't let go."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The wind brushed past gently, carrying with it the distant hum of the festival. Yun Yuhua's cheeks warmed as she looked away — but she smiled quietly, helplessly. So did he. In that small pocket of stolen time by the river, beneath the fading echo of firecrackers, the world briefly belonged to just the two of them.
After resting by the river for a while, Yun Yuhua finally turned to Seo Ju with a soft breath.
"I should head back. My brothers are waiting," she said. Seo Ju nodded with the teasing glint in his eyes flickering momentarily — as if tempted to make one last joke about her trying to escape him again. But instead, he smiled gently and stepped to her side.
"I'll escort you home, m'lady," he said with mock formality.
Yun Yuhua squinted at him. "Just call me Yun Yuhua."
He broke into a grin, clearly amused. "I heard your brother call you Yuyu. May I call you that too?"
She looked at him, skeptical and cautious — but more amused than she let on.
"Hm... I don't know," she mused as she turned away. "Not yet."
Seo Ju chuckled, following without protest. They walked in comfortable silence as the festival sounds drifted back to them — softer now, like echoes fading into the night. After a moment, Yun Yuhua turned her head just slightly, stealing a glance at him — but quickly looked away again when she noticed him noticing.
"Yes?" Seo Ju teased, keeping laughter in his voice.
She shook her head, picking up her pace. "No."
He laughed again and caught up easily.
"You should go home," she said over her shoulder, trying to sound firm.
"I am," he replied smoothly. "It's this way."
Yun Yuhua shot him a quick look, half convinced he was still teasing. She tried to keep walking — but her steps slowed just a little. And though she never admitted it out loud, a quiet part of her was glad he hadn't let her walk alone.
As they neared the inn, a flicker of unease stirred in her chest. Why hadn't Seo Ju left yet? She could feel his sharp, observant gaze lingering, but she refused to ask. Just as the familiar path came into view, Seo Ju suddenly stepped before her and pulled her back.
A sword sliced through the air—right where she had been standing.
Without hesitation, Yun Yuhua lunged right foot forward, kicking the assailant's wrist as the blade clattered to the ground. She twisted, delivering a swift kick to his face that sent him crashing into a tree along the path. Another figure emerged—another blade flashing. Seo Ju seized the fallen sword and raised it instinctively, positioning himself between her and the second attacker.
Yun Yuhua spotted the movement behind him. She launched forward and kicked the second assassin off balance, sending him stumbling back down the path. Then, turning to Seo Ju, her brow furrowed.
"Are you okay?" she asked, reaching out and gently pressing her hand to his shoulder, worried for the wounds he still carried. Seo Ju blinked, surprised by her sudden concern—but before he could reply, both attackers rushed them again.
Yun Yuhua grabbed the sword from Seo Ju's hand, stepping ahead of him—and with one fluid motion, she cut them both down. The strikes were precise. Effortless. Lethal.
Seo Ju stared in awe. "You..."
The words caught in his throat. Yun Yuhua lowered the sword and turned back to him, now fully focused on his injuries.
"Are you still bleeding?" she asked quickly, eyes scanning him for signs of distress. Seo Ju didn't answer right away. He was still processing what he'd seen.
"I'm fine," he said softly. "But... thank you. For worrying."
Yun Yuhua nodded, but her hands lingered on his arm as if making sure for herself. Seo Ju chuckled under his breath. This little girl is trying to help someone twice her size... They kept walking forward until they were near the inn.
"Yuyu!"
The shout tore through the moment. Yun Yuhua turned toward the voice just as Tian Ke came into view—and right behind him, Qian'ai stormed forward with his sword drawn.
"Who are you?!" Qian'ai barked, immediately raising his blade at Seo Ju.
"Stop!" Yun Yuhua yelled, stepping in front of Seo Ju without hesitation.
"Why are you helping him?" Qian'ai demanded as his glare cut straight through Seo Ju. Yun Yuhua stood on tiptoe to block his view, arms outstretched. Behind her, Seo Ju let out a muffled laugh.
"He's just someone who helped me," Yun Yuhua said firmly. "Some strangers attacked us out of nowhere."
Qian'ai looked unconvinced, but before he could argue, Tian Ke stepped forward and gently pinched his shoulder.
"As long as Yuyu is safe, let's go home," Tian Ke said calmly. Qian'ai lowered his sword with a scowl and turned away, muttering something under his breath. Tian Ke chuckled quietly. Yun Yuhua exhaled in relief and turned back to Seo Ju.
"Take care," she said sincerely. Seo Ju gave her a quiet smile, eyes softening. As Yun Yuhua started walking again, Tian Ke lingered, watching Seo Ju closely.
"Thank you for protecting my sister," he said. "But I'd appreciate it if you kept your distance."
Yun Yuhua groaned, overhearing it. "Ke Gege! Let's go," she said, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him away.
Tian Ke finally turned to follow her. Seo Ju watched them go, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.
"Two protective brothers," he murmured. "One with a sword. Both... definitely swordsmen."
Seo Ju chuckled to himself as the faint aura Qian'ai had unleashed still lingered in the air. Seo Ju turned back toward his temporary lodging.
Yun Yuhua continued walking as Tian Ke trailing behind. She came to a halt, finally fed up with how slowly he was moving.
"Yes, Ke Gege?" she asked, glancing back. Tian Ke stepped forward with a grin.
"Who was that guy? Seriously. He looks suspicious. Acts like he's into you—but his reaction was all off."
Yun Yuhua sighed. "He's... just someone I met in the crowd. We're not really friends."
Tian Ke raised an eyebrow. "Not friends. Then what?"
"We're getting to know each other... maybe to become friends," she said carefully. Tian Ke let out a long sigh.
"So basically, a stranger who might be dangerous."
Yun Yuhua's gaze drifted away as she recalled the night she'd treated Seo Ju's wounds. She turned her face away from Tian Ke.
"He's... friendly."
"So he's not handsome, right?" Tian Ke asked. Yun Yuhua chuckled.
"He's... a little."
Tian Ke groaned.
"Meimei, that's never going to happen. Judging by his outfit, he's a Joseon nobleman. It's complicated."
Yun Yuhua laughed it off. "Yes, I know! Don't worry... but..." She pulled something from her sleeve. "Ta-da! For you!"
Tian Ke blinked, recognizing the jade in her hand.
"Heh... is this why you snuck out without us?"
Yun Yuhua beamed. "Happy early birthday, Ke Gege!"
He took the jade and held it carefully, as if it were the most precious thing in the world. Then, with a soft smile, he pulled her into a hug, tapping her forehead affectionately.
"Thank you," he said. Yun Yuhua smiled at her fatherly, motherly brother—the one who always worried, always protected, and always showed up.
"You're very welcome. I wish you endless happiness," she said warmly. Tian Ke smiled as they continued their way back to the inn. But as they reached the door, raised voices broke through the peace.
"I don't know what happened! I really tried to help!" Ae-shim's voice cracked, as she was desperate and defensive.
"She was with a man! Who knows what he wants from her!" Qian'ai snapped. "This is your warning! If you want to take her out, then stay by her side—no matter what! We don't know what he's capable of!"
Ae-shim looked as if she might cry. Yun Yuhua rushed forward with her smile fading, trying to calm the fire before it spread.
"Li'ai Gege, calm down. I can handle it myself," she said firmly. "Don't blame Ae-shim. I was the one who chose to go alone."
Qian'ai turned his glare on Ae-shim anyway.
"She's careless. I don't like that. Anything could've happened out there! You're still not strong enough, and you know it."
Yun Yuhua froze. Those words stung deeper than he realized. She clenched her fists.
"You don't always have to protect me!" she shouted with her voice cracked. "I'm not a baby anymore!"
The room fell into stunned silence. Tian Ke and Ruqi looked at her, wide-eyed. Qian'ai's mouth opened slightly, but no words came. Realizing she had yelled, Yun Yuhua's heart dropped. Her face flushed red, and she spun around, bolting toward her room. She slammed the door and pressed her back against it, holding it shut as if to keep the world out. Her legs gave out, and she sank to the floor.
Tears fell freely—hot, angry, and full of everything she had buried. She had always tried to be strong. Always smiled when things hurt. Always played the part of the good little sister who could carry her own weight.
But she wasn't a child anymore.
She was of age now. A woman. And still, they looked at her like she was fragile. Like she couldn't take a single step without someone holding her hand. All she ever wanted was to be enough—for her brothers, for herself. But right now, all she felt was small.
A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.
She froze, wiping her tears away with the sleeve of her robe—furious at herself for crying. She didn't need to open the door to know who it was.
"Yuyu..." Qian'ai's voice was soft, almost uncertain. Yun Yuhua took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady.
"What?" she replied quietly but firmly.
Silence lingered on the other side. Qian'ai hesitated, as if the weight of what just happened had finally settled in his chest.
"I... I'm sorry. I'm just worried... Ever since what happened with Cheng Yi, I've felt like anyone could hurt you..." Qian'ai said quietly.
Yun Yuhua knew. She understood too well.
He was right—because today's encounter had felt eerily familiar, like fate was playing its cruel games again, dragging her back into the same fear, the same helplessness. She closed her eyes, pressing her sleeve to her mouth to muffle the sob that slipped through. She propped the door open just a little to look at Qian'ai.
Qian'ai stood there silently, waiting—watching her with patient eyes, as if giving her the choice to let him in. Yun Yuhua looked down, her shoulders trembling, then opened the door wider, tears spilling freely as she stepped forward and threw her arms around him.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to scream at you," she whispered between sobs. "I just got overwhelmed. I know you were only worried about me..."
Qian'ai held her close as his own eyes misted. She had grown up so much, but to him, she would always be the little girl who lost her mother at just two years old—and her father not long after. Time hadn't dulled his need to protect her. If anything, it had only deepened it.
"I'm sorry for being too protective," he murmured, voice soft against her hair. "From now on... I'll be more supportive."
Yun Yuhua let out a shaky laugh through her tears. "I love you, brother," she said with her voice full of warmth and relief. Qian'ai smiled, closing his eyes as he breathed out a long, quiet sigh.
"I love you too, my little meimei."