The council meeting ends with an unsatisfying conclusion hovering in the atmosphere. Chairs and tables slightly screeched as the nobles make their way to the exit, scoffs and mutters under their breaths. Bora had heard some, and she kept note of every voices who dare to insult her sisters, just in case their tongues are worth the keep to cut and feed to the dogs. She showed a silent hostility to Lord Park, who stole a glance at her before leaving.

But that's not what Bora was upset about the most. Her veins was pulsing when Yoohyeon spoke such in front of the Council. Her fists was sweating so much as her skin craves for air to breathe.

As she made sure every single noble left the castle until the main doors are closed, Bora's steps towards Yoohyeon was fast-paced and furious, and the red carpeted floor was fueled with fire under her soles. Her hand grabbed her sister's shoulder from behind and harshly turned her around, almost tripping Yoohyeon on her heels.

Her pent-up anger expelled right at the spot. "You bloody idiot!" Bora cursed, much to the sisters' surprise. They never saw her this angry to the point that her choice of words turned foul.

The bewildered Yoohyeon raised her voice. "The hell is wrong with you?"

Bora stepped closer. "Do you hear yourself, Yoohyeon? Have you no shame? To the council, no less!"

"What are you getting at?"

"There was never a Queen ruling the kingdom solely. The idea is ridiculous!"

"What makes you think it's ridiculous? This is a perfect opportunity for us, to show we do not need to depend on men only. We can rule!"

"It never happened in our tradition!"

"Enough." Minji finally intervene after talking to the Duke. She approached the circle of sisters while the old man followed her from behind, keeping an appropriate distance from them with his head low. Minji glared at every sisters one by one, Gahyeon slightly flinched under her piercing gaze as their eyes met briefly. The older sister glanced at Yoohyeon then and said, "If it never happen, then we will make it happen."

"What? Not you too!" Bora snapped. The other sisters began to look at one another at this revelation. It has always been the King to rule, but for a Queen to take control of Insomnia alone . . .

A mocking scoff silenced the sisters. Bora hanged her head down with a shake in the head, a hand on her hip while the other on her head. "Both of you are tedious bunch."

She finally looked up, her hands by her side. "We, you say?" A cynical smile crept on her lips. She kept her eyes on a blank-faced Minji, who does not seem to be bothered with her sister's defiance.

"You're wrong, Minji. We all may be the Crown Princesses, but I have seen doom since the very first seconds Father inaugurate us as such."

Her ankle averted into a direction, ready to leave. "I will never involve myself in something that disrespect our family's tradition, even if it's about the throne itself. I'll withdraw."

"Bora!" Handong called her out, but she had already abandoned her agape sisters in the middle of the throne room. The maids scurried to Bora's side and followed suit. Her footsteps echoed until the noise became silent, only the anxious breath of the remaining sisters filled the coldness of the castle.

Siyeon lowered her head, but she looked at the corner of her eyes. Her heart began to thump as she saw the little smile on Minji's and Yoohyeon's faces. Although they never acknowledge each other's similar expressions, their minds spoke the same about their goal.

One down, six to go . . .

***

It's late evening. Yoobin and Siyeon was strolling around the garden. After a hectic day inside the gray-toned castle, the greenery of the outside world pictured their desire to have peace and quiet.

Siyeon noticed that Yoobin was trying to say something but hesitated. She would end up closing her mouth before opening again, then close again between her sighs.

"You looked troubled," Siyeon finally spoke.

"Do you not?" Yoobin countered. She was confused of how questionably calm her sister is, as if she knew what was going to happen, but little did she know it was only a facade.

Siyeon is afraid, there's no telling what will become of Insomnia had the tradition changed. It is not about gender dominance as the problem, but it was the hunger she saw beneath the light in Minji and Yoohyeon's eyes. She recalled every single detail of it since the commemoration of their Crown Princess titles.

"What do you think? About this whole situation?" Yoobin's question cuts her daze. Siyeon watched the sky darkened for nighttime, Nocturna and Luna rises up to the horizon bidding the Sun a cold-hearted goodnight.

Siyeon shrugged. "What can I say?" She paused and blindly followed Yoobin's steps on the stony path. The flowers, albeit their bright colors and beauty, looked wrinkled and depressed under the moody clouds. The petals failed to support its masters' head, Siyeon wondered if it'll be the same with the future Queen of Insomnia.

"They have their own kingdoms behind their eyes."