Chapter Text
You would never forget the first time you saw him. He was standing on a balcony that overlooked the courtyard with his father, the king. Even then, he held his head high, the way a prince should.
It was his eyes that first struck you. The way he looked out at the crowds of people, his people, without fear or hesitation.
He had just recovered after being at deaths door for over a month, and he still looked slightly ill. His cheeks were hollow and his lips pale, and you thought how miserable he must be standing in the cold winter air after such an ordeal.
Your family, along with hundreds of others, was there to show your respect. Not even a week ago, there were rumors that he wouldn’t make it through the night. The kingdom had gathered together, hoping for a miracle but expecting to hear the worst.
“Poor boy.” An elderly women said to your mother as the people cheered, the miraculous recovery of the prince a relief to all. “They say it was poison. Which means it must have been someone close, to get past the food tasters and all…”
“Must be such a lonely life.” Your mother had sighed. “Never knowing who to trust, or who’s close because they care and who just wants your power.”
You felt a pang of sympathy for the young prince as the two spoke. It sounded like a lonely life indeed.
“I heard they’re investigating the royal guard. Such a shame when even the people who are supposed to protect you may not be loyal.”
“I’ll protect him.” You chimed in. In your mind, everyone deserved to be surrounded by people who would look out for them, and if no one else could be trusted to, you would do it yourself. “I’ll join the royal guard and keep him safe.”
“What a sweet girl.” The elderly women said with a smile, patting your head. “Maybe one day they’ll change the laws and you can.”
You were only vaguely aware of light trickling in through the thinly veiled window when you woke up, your mind still groggy from sleep. It was the same dream you had increasingly often. It was funny, you thought, how a memory from the age of 7 could shape someone’s life as drastically as it had yours.
it was later than you had meant to get going, but it only took you a few minutes to slip on your boots and comb your hair. You had slept in your clothes the night before, too tired to change after the long ride. All you could do was hope your shirt wasn’t too terribly wrinkled.
Your sword swung slightly from your hip as you made your way down the inn’s stairs, having no time for breakfast.
“Good luck, boy.” The innkeeper called after you as you made your way toward the door.
“Thanks. I’ll need it.” You called over your shoulder.
You still couldn’t believe how close you were to achieving what you had been working towards for years. With any luck, you would pass the final test the next day and become part of the royal guard. You had the skill, you knew you did; as long as no one guessed that you weren’t actually a boy, everything would be fine.
Your horse, Vince, was waiting for you in the stables, already brushed and saddled. You stared at the boy leading her to you in surprise.
“It isn’t everyday that one of us goes to join the royal guard.” He explained before you could ask. “I heard you were a stable boy too, once. It’ll be nice to be represented.” He held the reins out to you, and you took them with a nod.
The inn you had stayed at wasn’t far from the castle, and you were within the gates before you knew it. It brought back so many memories of the previous times you had visited, and you felt a wash of excitement and dread. How the next few days went would make or break your future, and you had no idea what you would do if you failed.
The keep looked exactly the way you remembered; spirling towers and walls so huge that it made you wonder how such a building could be constructed, let alone maintained.
It was market day, and you were forced to dismount to make your way through the cobbled streets, full of people from surrounding villages selling goods to one another.
There was a guard not far off, and you hoped he could help you figure out where you needed to go.
His helmet shaded his face too much for you to be able to see his eyes, but you could practically feel him watching you as you approached.
“Do you know where I would find a Captain Kim Namjoon?” You asked, and you heard the man within the helmet snort.
“And what business would you have with him, child?”
“All due respect, I’m not a child, and I don’t see how it concerns you what my business is with the Captain.” Vince was getting antsy with so many people around–something he was far from used to in your small village. You patted him soothingly, hoping the guard would answer your original question soon.
The helmet turned away from you, and you heard a sigh from within. “You’ll find him in the barracks. He’s getting ready for the try-outs tomorrow. You shouldn’t bother him.”
“Where are the barracks?” You asked, ignoring his last comment.
“To your left. There’s a big building in the way, so it isn’t easy to spot. Just keep walking past it, you’ll get there.”
You were shocked that the guard had suddenly decided to be helpful, but you didn’t have time to ask him any further questions. You were running later than you had intended already. “Thank you. I look forward to potentially working together.” You said, giving the helmet a smile. If the man within smiled back, you had no idea.
The barracks were exactly where he told you they would be, and you left Vince outside tied to a post while you ventured nearer. You knew you shouldn’t, but you tried the door experimentally. It swung open easily, and you stepped inside curiosity gnawing at you explore.
To one side of the building, there were rows beds that clearly belonged to people already. But to the other was a room almost identical, but the beds were bare of sheets and belongings. Above the door read the words “New Recruits.” This was where you would sleep if everything went according to plan.
“Care to explain to me why you’re here?”
You spun around to face the person who had spoken to you, and found yourself looking at a tall man in his late-20′s-to-mid-30′s with his arms crossed. He was clearly with the royal guard, you could tell by his uniform, which meant you were probably in trouble for wondering around where you hadn’t been authorized to be.
“I’m looking for Captain Namjoon.” You explained hurriedly.
“Well, you found him. So how can I help you?” The man asked, his amusement barely hidden on his face. When the Captain had been described to you, you pictured an older man, perhaps with a beard, muscular and intimidating perhaps. This man was the complete opposite. His face still looked young, and his eyes were full of mirth. While he clearly had muscles, he was slender, and wasn’t half as intimidating as you thought he would be.
You didn’t know what to say, so rather than try to find the words, you dug the letter for him out of one of your pockets. “It’s from my teacher. A letter of recommendation to join the Royal Guard, sir.” You held it out to him, and the Captain took it with an eyebrow raised.
“Oh really? You, a small, probably underage boy, have been recommended to me?” He didn’t look in the least bit convinced, and you felt your heart start to sink. This couldn’t end now. Not after so much time.
“Please. Just read it.” You urged, and the Captain looked down at it begrudgingly. He froze after only a moment, however.
“This is Sir Alexanders seal.” He raised an eyebrow at you. “You know him?”
“He trained me.” You nodded. You thought it would have been obvious, since you told Namjoon that the letter was from the person who taught you.
The captain read the letter in silence after that, and when he was done leaned against the door frame with his arms folded.
“You don’t look cut out for the royal guard.” He said, looking you up and down. “You don’t look like you can hold a sword, let alone use one.”
You were only mildly offended by this. You had heard similar things hundreds of times. “If you’ll give me the chance, I’ll prove that I can.” You said, with perhaps more confidence than you felt. But Alexander had always told you that if you weren’t confident in your own abilities, no one else would be either.
“Okay.” The captain nodded after a moment. “I’ll make you a deal. You and I will spar; if you disarm me, you can stay for the official tryouts. If you can’t, you’ll go home without a fuss.”
You didn’t see any other option other than to agree, so you held your hand out for him to shake. “Deal.”
You followed him to what you assumed must be the armory (judging by the weapons hanging from the walls), where Namjoon instructed you to put on some armor. You guessed this was some kind of test as well, to see how well-antiquated you were with such things.
From there, he showed you to what looked to be a training area. Namjoon had picked up a sword while in the armory, but had refrained from dawning anything other than that.
“You’re going to fight me without armor?” You asked as he drew he weapon.
He laughed at that. “I don’t need it.”
Namjoon swung first, giving you barely enough time to draw your own sword to block him. You recovered quickly however, retaliating only for him to easily step out of your way.
The armor you had on was heavier than you were used to, and slightly too big. Not to mention, the helmet obscured a great deal of your vision. It was apparent that Namjoon was at an advantage, and you pulled your helmet off to drop it to the ground the second you could.
As you did so, you noticed that someone was approaching the two of you out of the corner of your eye. You didn’t dare take your eyes off of Namjoon for a second, however, and focused on the task at hand.
As the duel went on, you continued to drop pieces of armor. First your breastplate, then the gauntlets, and so on and so forth. Each item was dropped to the ground, discarded into the dust.
“You’re not bad.” Namjoon said, right before your sword collided with his yet again, and he tripped on your breastplate.
You took the opportunity to step forward, catching the pommel of his sword with your left hand before twisting it out of his grasp.
You stepped back quickly, dropping his sword as a slow clap caught both of your attention.
Prince Jimin was sitting on a barrel nearby, a smile on his face as he watched Namjoon scramble into a bow. You followed suit as soon as your mind figured out that he really was standing there.
“Your highness.” The captain said. “What on earth are you doing out here–alone?”
He shrugged, and you couldn’t believe how much he had changed since the last time you had seen him. He was a young man now, full of poise and grace as he hopped off the barrel and walked forward.
“I was bored. And it isn’t exactly difficult to out run my dear old governess.”
“You really shouldn’t make her run.” Namjoon sighed. “She is, as you say, old.”
The prince shrugged. “I get bored sitting around all day. I wanted some entertainment–which I found.”
Namjoon looked thoroughly exasperated at this. “I’ll escort you back, you shouldn’t be wondering around without a guard.”
“I’m not wondering, and I am tired of your nagging.” Prince Jimin complained. “If I must be escorted, he’ll do it.” He pointed at you, and you felt like your heart might stop.
“He isn’t even a guard yet–and he may never be.” Namjoon protested. “Your highness…”
“He clearly knows what he’s doing with a sword, I see no reason why not.” Jimin said, folding his arms.
“Your guards are carefully sorted through and trained, I know nothing of this boy–” Namjoon started, but the prince cut him off.
“What was your name? I don’t think I caught it before.” He smiled at you, and you tried your best to act normal. Everything was fine, Prince Jimin was just casually addressing you, that was all. For a moment, your couldn’t think properly for the part of your brain that was screaming, and you could only stare at him. “You do have a name, do you not?”
You cleared your throat, trying to remember the fake name you had come up with for yourself. “Aaron.”
“Nice to meet you, Aaron.” At the look that Namjoon sent him, the prince rolled his eyes. “And I have to ask, what is your reason for wanting to join the royal guard?”
“To protect you.” You replied without hesitation. “And the king, of course.” You added. This wasn’t how you wanted to meet him–covered in sweat from an impromptu sword fight and out of breath.
“Good. I assume you won’t mind escorting me back to my rooms?” Jimin seemed satisfied with your answer, but Namjoon was far from it.
“He isn’t part of the royal guard, I must that he does not escort you anywhere.” He tried, and Jimin shrugged.
“Then I appoint him to be part of the royal guard. Happy now?” You guessed that there must be more to whatever disagreement Jimin had with Namjoon than just you, but you were too confused about the current state of things to question it.
“I’m what?” You said, more to the air than to either of the two men standing near you.
“You can’t just–” Namjoon started.
“I can, though. And I did.” Jimin turned back to you with a smile. “Come along, Aaron. We have much to attend to.”