In the dead of night, King Jiang's chamber was ablaze with torches, the brightness cutting through the silence. James Grant entered, dropping to one knee.
"James, how is Yuna Ji?"
"King Jiang, I've settled the little girl. She insisted on sleeping with Miss Yvonne May, so I've stationed extra guards nearby for protection."
King Jiang nodded.
"Listen carefully, James. For now, I don't plan to send Yuna Ji back. You'll watch over her—don't leave her side. And I want you to find a way to make her happy."
James Grant let out a surprised noise, looking at King Jiang.
"James, you're the most handsome man in Jiang Territory. Even men can't help but feel their hearts race when they see you. I need you to leave Yuna Ji with a good impression of our land."
At King Jiang's words, James Grant looked troubled.
"Can't you send someone else, King Jiang? I really can't handle this."
"It's settled, James. Only you are up to the task. I've already sent word to King Grant in Jiang Territory. That's the decision. You may go."
Leaving King Jiang's chamber, James Grant let out a deeply dissatisfied sigh.
"That kind of girl is actually King Grant's daughter. Sigh."
"Matron Noon, is something troubling you?"
Matron Noon looked at Yvonne May standing outside. Yvonne's face was clouded with worry; she nodded.
"Yuna Ji has fallen asleep, hasn't she?"
Matron Noon nodded.
"There aren't many days left, are there?"
Matron Noon lowered her head and nodded.
"King Jiang is currently negotiating territory with the May Domain. They should reach an agreement soon, and then we'll have to return."
Yvonne May sat down on a wooden stump in the courtyard, her mood bleak.
"If only time could stop, how wonderful that would be—stopping in those days I spent in Grant Capital. Every day was joyful. Every morning, I could hear Luxin chasing after Yuna Ji. Yusheng and the others finally made it back, but I still haven't learned. Thunderfire taught me how to weave grass; last time he returned, he promised to teach me more, but soon we'll have to leave. Matron Noon, I'm scared. I've never been this scared before."
A hand pressed gently on Yvonne May's head. Matron Noon sighed, at a loss for words and unable to offer any solution.
"I realize now—once we return, I'll be nothing but a piece of wood, a sacrifice to unite the May Domain tribes. As long as the May Family's rightful line persists, any tribe that rebels will be considered traitors. Time... if only we could go back."
Matron Noon pointed toward the house.
"Yvonne, Yuna Ji came here all alone. She faced countless hardships along the way. She's just a six-year-old child. You two are so alike—both children of tribal leaders. But there's one difference: you were born to endure and obey, while Yuna Ji has always followed her own will since birth."
"Matron Noon, I know what you're trying to say."
Yvonne May glanced into the house and shook her head.
"Maybe I can't do it—not like Yuna Ji. On the way here, I thought about whether I could be brave like her, face the future no matter what happens. But I can't. I'm weak. I only like to lose myself in beautiful memories of the past, unable to move toward the future. Maybe that's just how my life will be."
The next morning, after Yuna Ji woke up, she played with Yvonne May in the courtyard for a while, then called out.
"James Grant, I'm hungry! Get us something tasty."
Though he could hardly stand it, James Grant could only force a stiff smile and give the order.
"Yvonne, are you leaving soon? Since I'm already here and my father and the others probably know, why not let me go play in the May Domain with you?"
Yvonne May's smile faded instantly. She shook her head and squatted in front of Yuna Ji.
"Yuna Ji, you have to go back. Don't make King Grant and Yusheng worry."
"I don't want to! That guy Qiao Yusheng is always talking about boring stuff—so annoying. And if I go back, my father will definitely hang me at the palace gate and give me a beating. No way I'm going!"
Yvonne May laughed, gently stroking Yuna Ji's head.
"Yuna Ji, let me ask you—if you were me, what would you do?"
Yuna Ji looked at Yvonne May in confusion, then asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Yvonne. You're you and I'm me—how could I possibly be you? But I really like you, Yvonne. You're pretty and gentle, and just so nice."
Yvonne May laughed and nodded.
"That's right, Yuna Ji, you're you and I'm me."
At that moment, Yuna Ji gave Yvonne May a mischievous look and made a funny face.
"Yvonne, if I don't like something, I absolutely won't do it! Hmph, I may be young, but I know a few things. My eldest sister married just because Father said so. She may look fine on the outside, but at night, she cries!"
Yvonne May looked at Yuna Ji in surprise.
"And my second sister—even though I've only met her a few times, Qiao Yusheng says she's really sad now. Why do women always have to listen to men? Why can't men listen to women?"
"Because men are stronger than women, so women have to listen to men, Yuna Ji. That's how it's always been in the tribes, and..."
"But I'm really strong too!"
As Yuna Ji spoke, she flexed her arms in demonstration. Outside the courtyard, James Grant blinked, as if he'd just heard something unbelievable.
"Look, outside in the courtyard—there's that brother who looks like a woman. Isn't he listening to me right now?"
Yvonne May laughed, glancing at James Grant. At that moment, James Grant glared at Yuna Ji with an angry expression.
After eating, James Grant took them to the street as Yuna Ji requested. Along the way, many women and men glanced in their direction. James Grant felt strangely uneasy all day, especially since Yuna Ji refused to call him by name and instead kept calling him 'the brother who looks like a woman.'
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Happy times always pass quickly. On the fifth day, Yvonne May was informed that those sent to fetch her had arrived in Jiang Capital.
"Are you really leaving, Yvonne?"
Yuna Ji clung to Yvonne May's hand, unwilling to let go.
"Yuna Ji, I'm leaving today. You should hurry home too. Once things settle down in the May Domain, if I get a chance, I'll..."
Looking into Yuna Ji's innocent eyes, Yvonne May couldn't continue. Her voice choked, tears glimmering in her eyes.
"Oh, Yvonne, when I get home I'll train even harder. When I get stronger, I'll lead soldiers to help you—how about that?"
For a moment, hope flickered in Yvonne May's eyes, but she quickly shook her head.
"Yuna Ji, when you're a bit older, you might have to get married—maybe even marry into Jiang Territory."
Yuna Ji pouted and let out a sound, glancing at James Grant beside her.
"Don't tell me I'll have to marry this guy."
Yvonne May burst out laughing, while James Grant stared at Yuna Ji in helpless frustration.
"Even if you wanted to marry me, I wouldn't take someone who doesn't act like a girl."
Days of pent-up resentment finally erupted. Yuna Ji puffed out her chest and stood in front of James Grant.
"Hmph, who'd want to marry you? If we went out together, people would think we're sisters!"
Yuna Ji giggled, while James Grant looked absolutely furious, then lowered his head and walked away.
"Anyway, I'm never going to listen to Father. If he tries to force me to marry someone, I'll just run away like I did this time. Hmph."
"Run away?"
Yvonne May lifted her head. The people sent to fetch her were already ready to depart, and her belongings had been packed.
At the north gate, Yvonne May mounted a horse. Yuna Ji looked at her, choking back tears.
"Yvonne, when I'm a little older, I promise I'll come help you."
Yvonne May nodded, looking at Yuna Ji with deep gratitude. Then she turned to face the road north.
"In the end, I still can't make a decision. If only time could stop."
After Yvonne May left, Yuna Ji lingered at the gate, her eyes filled with hope.
"She won't come back. You'll never see her again in this life!"
For reasons unknown, James Grant spoke up. After several days together, though Yuna Ji had been a headache, he found happiness in her company and, for a while, forgot many of his troubles.
"Hmph, if Yvonne doesn't come back, I'll just go find her. Are you going to send me home?"
James Grant shook his head.
"You can stay as long as you like—it's up to you."
"Really?"
Yuna Ji clapped her hands together, her eyes shining as she looked at Tianzi Jiang.
"Of course it's true. You're the daughter of King Grant, and our Jiang and Grant families have been friends for generations. Naturally, we'll treat you well."
Just then, the low bellow of a cow horn sounded.
"Something's wrong—the cattle have gone mad!"
Tianzi Jiang had just turned his head when he saw a crazed bull charging toward them. Startled, he grabbed Yuna Ji and dove to the side, rolling several times on the ground. The bull dashed out the doorway and disappeared into the distance.
Yuna Ji looked dazed and lost. Tianzi Jiang helped her up and brushed the dirt from her face.
"Th... thank you."
It was a long while before Yuna Ji managed to speak.
"So much fuss—still just a girl after all!"
Tianzi Jiang muttered, then smiled.
Meanwhile, in Grant Domain, Joseph Qiao had just fought his first battle and won a decisive victory. They had successfully broken through the enemy's defenses at the northern border and burned their supplies.
"Are you alright?"
Sophie Grant looked at Joseph Qiao, who sat on the ground in silence, while Lucille Xing laughed and bragged about how many enemies she'd killed.
"I'm fine, Sophie. I wonder how Yuna is doing?"
"Ah, don't worry about that. That rascal Yuna should be fine. Now, let's rally the troops—we're about to move out and strike deep into enemy territory next time."