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"A beautiful wreck, a colorful mess

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"A beautiful wreck, a colorful mess..."
- Kehlani, "Honey"

It's been a few days since I've been accepted as a "visitor" in the palace. Eunwoo has helped me yield swords, as well as Seungcheol teaching me proper protection techniques. I think I've gotten pretty good. 

I change into the beautiful hanbok and admire it, smiling to myself. I wonder why they only wear it for celebrations nowadays- in Joseon, it was a cultural achievement. Maybe I should've paid attention to history... I would've had these questions answered with my own knowledge.

"Nice outfit, you ready?" Eunwoo asks as we enter the grounds, the wind breezing past us slowly. I nod happily, following him towards a sword. Passing it to me, I open it, admiring the beautiful, sharp metal connected to the handle. Wow, I sound like a psychopath. He opens the sword that is strapped to his waist, the black belt tugging as he adjusts it.

"I know we've already started learning, but before you came here, have you ever fought with a sword before?" 

"No... I haven't."

"And you're a deity?!" Eunwoo tilts his head, tossing his sword up in the air. I flinch as I watch him catch the shining weapon, scared that it wouldn't land upright in his open hand. Luckily, it does, and I'm saved from watching the possibility of harm to the gorgeous prince. "That's awfully weird. Did you bring your powers with you? I mean, can you bend water... or something?"

"Not that I... know... of?" I say questionably, looking down at my dry palms. Nope, no water bending as I hold tightly on to this sharp sword. Seems like I'm still known as the water deity thanks to my surname. That's awfully great. A blessing and a curse. "Anyway, just get on with it. Throw my 'deity' title out of the window."

"Out the... window?" He looks at me weirdly, obviously not getting the metaphor... or whatever it's called. As a journalist, my literary terms are not good... how funny for someone who majored in literature... ugh. "You have some funny vocabulary, Youra. Teach me in return for these sword-fighting lessons on your literary technique."

I chuckle, nodding. "Now, show me how to fight!"

"Okay, as someone once said, "the object is to cut down your enemy." Have the confidence, the caution, and the strength, and you've already mastered how to use a sword. Never underestimate or overestimate your opponent- you must be centered with your inner self." He explains, pointing his sword directly at my face. I internally giggle a bit, remembering when all four princes had the tip of their swords threatened at me- and I could imagine my frantic face as I deny my injustice. What a great first impression- and look where we are! I can't even tell the time, but it's almost night- and everyone's still roaming about.

"The stance you will learn is the deception stance," He explains, drawing his sword to the sky. "Pose like this."

I try to follow along, but I already know how stupid I look. My arms tuck inwards, and I must look like a dinosaur because I'm squatting like I need to pee! Ugh, how does Eunwoo look cool and I look like an old grandma?! 

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