Ji-woo's Pov

 "So what should I do first? Ji-woo raised her head and looked at Lady Inhae like she was about to cry.

 "I'm trying my best" She said in a low voice almost a whisper.

 A smile curved on Lady Inhae's lips." Tomorrow we start"She stated and took her exit.

 Ji-woo collapsed back to the floor, resting her head on the table. She thought she had been on the right track, turns out out she still had a lot of figure out.

 She pondered on Inhae's words as she thought about Ji-soo. " Letting go of sentiments"

 She sighed, maybe Lady Inhae was right, she had to step up and set her priorities straight and maybe sometime later she would have time for sentiments.

 *****************************

Present

 Walking into the Deungdae training hall, Ji-woo observed the Deungdae students who had been training ceaselessly. 

 They were all busy doing one thing or the other, some were either practicing their swordsmanship or their magic while some were working on their strength. 

 While the supreme ruler addressed the students, Ji-woo's eyes kept wandering through the students unconsciously looking for Ji-soo.

 Lately she had been so swamped up in a lot of activities that she had little or no time for herself.

 Lady Inhae made sure she was always preoccupied either in the library or on the training ground or visiting different rulers each day. Lady Inhae had insisted on training Ji-woo herself and Ji-woo could now totally understand why she was called the 'iron woman'

 "No time to slack off" She always countered when Ji-woo would ask for a break. She was free today all thanks to this meeting.

 Suddenly her eyes unexpectedly locked with Ji-soo's and when it did, an immediate sense of guilt filled her mind that she did not even know when she looked away and followed closely behind the rulers on their way out.

 She knew she had let Ji-soo down in so many ways, she genuinely felt so sorry that she kept glancing back when she was outside the hall.

 The supreme ruler was in front discussing with the rulers as they walked back nodding and gesticulating at each other.

 "Ahh Hugyeja would you like to join the Deungdae students in the competition" Sangho turned to ask Ji-woo who was completely lost in thoughts.

 " Hugyeja"Sangho called again this time more loudly jerking Ji-woo back from her thoughts.

 "Uhh" She moped confused.

 "Are you interested in doing the Deungdae in the competition"Sangho asked again staring directly at her.

 Ji-woo looked towards Lady Inhae who nodded approvingly then back to Sangho.

 "Yes sire, I'll be honored"