Chapter Text
The new troops arrive at the palace in the morning.
There are so many men that they swarm the entire courtyard, the sound of their armors clanging as they move and their boots stomping against the ground as they march through the main gates are loud. Up from the balcony, Prince Kai monitors as the new elite unit of soldiers spills around the yard within the palace complex. Most of them would be hired as simple gatekeepers. There's determination in their eyes, as well as nervousness at the newness of the place. Some of them have yet to have their growth spurt. Others look pretty intimidated by the opulence of the temple. A few of them look downright terrified. None of them know each other yet. Or their duties whatsoever. As they wait for instructions, or for someone to come receive them and commence their training, they amble aimlessly, while others remain rooted in place obediently. The new Body of Royal Guards silently warm up under the sun, too uncomfortable and awkward inside their armors. At the moment, the kingdom is thankfully at peace. It has been decades since the last war struck. These soldiers have a lot to be thankful for. Castle surveillance wouldn't demand too much from them. Like their lives.
Kai is pretty bored, to be honest. His Advisor dragged him out of his room claiming he should introduce himself to the new recruiters. As usual. Kai is used to it, but that doesn’t mean he likes it. He feels like most of the new employees either despise him or worship him. Ultimately, they should kneel at his feet by all means. He won't be seeing most of them again anyway, that's for sure. So he has to endure the hindrance.
He keeps watching the men stretching and jogging, as he listens mindlessly to Jaehyun’s comments about how the entire army looks out of shape and uncoordinated. It's when Kai spots a tall man standing by the back, his head low. There's something about him that stands out. His posture is more stable than the others. This one actually seems like he was made to be wearing the armor. His body proportions fill it nicely. The sword by his hip doesn't seem to weigh at all.
When his head lifts, Kai is struck by shock. The man is handsome . With broad shoulders and long legs accompanied by sharp lines and pale skin. His eyes are cold and at the same time full of depth as he watches his companions engage in a wrestle by the center of the field. He does not seem interested in the slightest.
“Who's that?” Kai asks, chin tilting towards the far end of the field. Jaehyun's eyes sweep the crowd curiously.
“Uh?”
“That one over there,” Kai points with a finger this time, curiosity stretching in him. It's not hard to spot the man. He's distant from the flock of soldiers. “The tall one.”
When Jaehyun locates him among all the silvery armors, his lips curl downward. “Christ, that pale guy? Has he ever been under the sun?” He's definitely not enthralled like Kai is.
“Do you know his name?”
“No idea. There are too many of them. They've been transferred just today. Why?”
Kai licks his lips, and finds uncertainty in his mouth. He doesn’t quite know why. He's just fascinated. “He's just… I need a new personal guard. That's all.” He says, though that particular reason hasn't crossed his mind until that very second.
“You do? What happened to Johnny?” Jaehyun looks surprised. Johnny was around until a few days ago, and Kai was not really rushing to replace the man.
“I've dismissed him. He's gotten married recently, so I thought it would be nice for him to have free time to enjoy his wife.” He explains, eyes still following the nameless soldier who seeks shelter under the shadows of the curved roofs.
“Without a job?” Jaehyun looks even more appalled.
“I paid him generously for his services, of course.” Those golden coins would not make any difference in Kai's fortune. Besides, he hates the fact that so many people waste the majority of their time tending to him. A grown man. He likes to see his servants enjoying themselves in their free time, living a royal-duty-free life. Like normal people with regular jobs. Jaehyun just sighs, knowing that if he scolds the Prince, it will fall on deaf ears. He’s in a trance.
“You could have told me sooner. If you need a new guard they must undergo rigorous training with the soldiers. Test them out. You're to have the best of them all.”
“There's no need for that. It's too much work. I think that one should do. He's big and strong.” Kai says with a dismissive gesture in his hand. “Where's he from?”
“I don't know anything about these men. But most of them come from the southern area. Maybe he's from there.”
The countryside. Kai hasn't been to the southern region that often, but he remembers how lovely the villages were. How much simpler living there must be. The sense of freedom and friendliness he felt crossing through those stoned streets, in the lonely limits of his carriage. The soldier really doesn't look like someone who grew up on a farm. He looks like royalty. His skin is smooth-looking. His black hair is luscious and healthy. His nails are clean.
“Have him at the master hall to see me this afternoon, will you?” Kai requests with his mind made up. Jaehyun doesn't look pleased, but he knows better than to contradict the Prince.
“I should alert your parents first. We can't just hire a new guard like this, overlooking the bureaucracy.”
“Just tell Mom and Dad that I've been unattended for a while now. They'll hire the first person that volunteers.”
“You're right. They must have their little prince under protection.” There's a teasing tone to Jaehyun’s voice, and his smile is joyful. Kai rolls his eyes at him. He's the only one allowed to joke with him when no other royal individual is present. Which is a rare occasion. Kai appreciates it nonetheless. He needs it sometimes other than the constant harshness that comes with his bloodline.
“Cut the teasing. Just go get him.” He says, biting back a smile. Jaehyun shakes his head at him, still uncomprehending.
“Why the sudden interest in this guy, anyway?”
Glancing down at the man again, Kai just shrugs. “I don't know… I just like him.” There might be other answers to that, like the man's attractiveness and the fact Kai has been feeling lonely and horny. But he'd rather not go that way. Conveniently, he needs a new guard, and that guy looks competent enough. Meant to be.
“Right. I'll still keep my eye on him though.” Jaehyun says, not hiding his disapproval. But there's nothing that will change the prince's mind.
👑⚔️🏯
Kai's heart is a drum, pounding with excitement while he sits on the Phoenix Throne. The hanja writings in his book are mingling in the pages Kai repeatedly flips, barely paying attention. He can’t focus enough to make sense of them. It seems the Prince has found something he enjoys more than reading. Thoughts of that handsome soldier keep clouding his mind. Kai can't stop thinking about him. His heart flutters every time. He wants to know his name, and age, and even learn the sound of his voice. He fidgets in his giddiness on the throne, setting the book aside when he hears footsteps approaching the hall.
Jaehyun appears by the entrance and bows shortly. He speaks formally now, hands placed neatly over his stomach. “My Grace, the requested guard is here. His name is Oh Sehun, and he's looking forward to meeting you.”
Kai, excited beyond measure, sits up and adjusts his vest and hair, straightening his posture. The queen would often reprimand him for his slouch. Not the stance of a noble. He must make a good impression here.
“Let him in, please.” The Prince can hardly contain himself.
Jaehyun nods and with one last bow, he turns on his heels. Then, the guard – Oh Sehun – comes striding through the doors, his helmet resting at his hip, and his other hand firm on his sword. He's even more stunning up close. Kai is pretty sure he hears bells from heaven ringing. The soldier is not actually that tall. Just slightly taller than Kai. His face is smaller too. And prettier. Kai is stupefied. He tries taking in everything Sehun has to show. His big hands, long nose, well-designed eyebrows. There's a lot to behold. Kai can't capture it all in one sweep of his eyes.
Sehun kneels at him, all formal and courteous. “My Grace,” He speaks in a deep, soothing voice. “I'm here at your request.”
Kai's lips pull into a delighted grin. This man is too gorgeous to be real. “I'm glad you came,” He says, trying to come off as friendly. The first step is to make Sehun like him to accept the job. But Kai has never had a problem with winning people’s hearts. “Please, stand up. Let's skip the formalities.”
Sehun does as told, but otherwise remains stiff. His eyes narrow curiously, maybe a little nervous too. He's hiding it pretty well nonetheless. Usually, people lose their cool around Kai. Despise or worship. No in-between. But Kai can't really put his finger on where Sehun stands about him. For now, they're mere strangers.
“Oh Sehun,” Kai tastes the name on his tongue. It has a nice sound to it. It's pretty, like everything else about Sehun. It suits him. “How old are you?”
“22,”
Kai perks up in his seat. “Ah, me too. That's perfect.”
The soldier's brow knits. “Perfect for what, my Prince?”
“To be my personal guard. I require one. Haven't Jaehyun told you?”
He sees Sehun shifting slightly, and his lips purse. He's unsettled. Being summoned by the Prince on his first day on the job can be quite distressing, to say the least. Kai comprehends that.
“He did mention something. However…” Sehun swallows, as though not certain of how to confront the prince. “I've just arrived, Sir. I haven't received proper training. I'm sure you must have other options. Trustworthy people. More experienced ones.”
Kai hums appreciatively and tilts his head. Sehun does have a point. But Kai won't take no for an answer. Nobody says no to him.
“Are you not?” He asks, then adds when he meets Sehun’s quizzical look. “Trustworthy, I mean.” Sehun doesn’t look like the kind of man who would try to dethrone him. But then again, no one does. Kai is willing to take that risk.
“I am, definitely. But only my words should not suffice to earn your trust, my Prince.” Sehun reasons, his eyes unmoving, unwilling to break contact. It's a little off-putting. People rarely held eye contact with Kai. Not like that, not so deeply.
“Well, I trust you. Unless you're rejecting the offer. I know the position of a Restriction Guard holds way too much responsibility. But I feel like you're perfectly cut out for the task.” Kai insists. He knows a good man when he sees one. He won't let Sehun go that easily.
“I'm not turning you down. I would love to serve you, my Prince. I will surely do my best to protect you. I hope you won't regret this decision later. It seems quite impulsive.”
“Are you doubting my decisions, soldier?” Kai questions, feeling a little affronted. Any other man would have accepted the offer in a heartbeat.
“I am, yeah.” Sehun responds, bold and straightforward. Kai appreciates that. Although reluctance is still visible on the set of Sehun’s shoulders, Kai declares.
“The job is yours, Oh Sehun. Let's hope I don't come to regret my impulsive decision.”
Sehun bows all gracefully, but does not refuse the opportunity in the end. “I'll make sure you won't.” It sounds like he's accepting a challenge more than anything.
Maybe it really is.