Chapter Text
The dinner table was covered in the morning's leftovers. In the giant dining hall, even the entire castle, no one had bothered to clean the mess that King Choi had created. His stress was spreading to everyone else, including his own family. Beomgyu seemed to be the only person in the castle that didn't mind the threat of war, though he found it odd that no one had cleaned.
The dining hall was laden with chandeliers. One big, oak table sat in the front, for the royal family of course. There were 12 seats, 5 along each side and 2 at each head. There were several long tables aligned throughout the hall for events, such as a feast, or a celebration with another kingdom. However, they hadn't had one of those in years. The kingdom of Leona was fighting to keep relationships between any neighboring countries for the past 17 years, and all because of one prophecy that Beomgyu liked to think wasn't even right.
As a child, Beomgyu was allowed to see no one. He wasn't allowed to go to public school or talk to any other children, for fear that he would be harmed. Other countries hated the idea of a powerful leader from Leona, and it was all that the Chois could do to keep Beomgyu safe. They told him this. But he had imaginary friends- he didn't need anyone else. He liked to tell them that, "I would never hurt anyone. Just because I might be a powerful ruler, which I won't, doesn't mean I want to take over other countries. That's so stupid. I need them just like they need Leona!" He would have liked to tell the world that, in that moment. But at seven years old, he didn't have much of a say.
Even at 17, he didn't have a say. He knew he was the cause of this war, or tension, or whatever was going on. He couldn't keep track anymore. His father was always out on missions, kidnapping spies, sending out spies, trying to protect his kingdom and his family. It was a matter of time before Sae attacked- but no one had a plan.
Beomgyu walked along the tables in the dining hall, running his finger on the wood. His mind ran back to when he was a child, how he would have loved to play hide and seek with someone in the hall. Of course, he had his little brother, but that's not the same. A friend, someone he could confide in, someone who saw him as who he was and not who he was supposed to be.
"Gyu?" His mother called, pushing open the large doors. "There you are sweetheart, your father has been searching for you." She strode towards him, lifting her dress to avoid stepping on it.
"Oh, he's here? I didn't know." Beomgyu turned to his mother and met her halfway. "What does he need from me?"
"You know what he wants," Queen Choi said, her voice gentle. Her eyes met Beomgyu's understandingly, and she reached for his arm. He pulled away and tensed his jaw. "Sweetheart, I know-"
"Mother, it's fine. I'll go find him." He faked a smile and touched his mom's hand, walking past her to the door.
"Beomgyu, he just wants the best for you. He's looking out for you."
"This is the 6th one this week. Sixth. None of them are good enough. Why doesn't he just watch me himself? Maybe if he hung out with me, talked to me, knew anything about me... then he'd realize that I don't need protecting."
The prince breathed out, leaving the dining hall and heading towards the throne room, where his father always was. He walked along the marbled hallways and let his eyes get carried away outside of the huge windows lining the outside wall. His father would never trust him. Beomgyu's not afraid of war, in fact, aren't princes supposed to fight? Following the long hall, Beomgyu passed no one. It was unusual, there were often people cleaning. But today there was no one. Maybe he'd ask Minho later.
Winding stairs were one of his favorite things in the world. Although it sounds odd, this particular staircase has been his favorite part of the castle for his entire life. The sleek stairs, winding down the wall were so beautiful to him. The shiny, white, crystal clean material made everything shine brighter. Even the rail was beautiful. It was elegant, like he wanted to be. Once down the stairs, he finally began actually seeing people. They all greeted him the same, "good afternoon your Highness." "How are you sir?" "Your father is looking for you young sir." So on and so forth. Regardless of the fact that he wanted to be elegant, he hated when people spoke to him as if he was higher than them. He's tried telling them that he's a person, like them, he's no different. But they refused to quit speaking with honorific titles, they refused to accept that he was of the same flesh that they were.
The door to the throne room always took his breath away. That damn door. Shiny, as always, covered in gold accents. Giant pillars accentuated the details of the doors, beautiful murals surrounded them. He loved that too.
The guards bowed to him as he walked through the doors, laying his eyes upon his father and several men in front of his throne. "My son, I'm glad you've come! I was just going to call for you." Beomgyu smiled politely, pretending like he cared to see any of these people. He took his seat upon his throne and swallowed guilt as the 10 or so men bowed to him. "Son, I've found someone, and I'm serious this time." King Choi whispered.
Beomgyu must have looked suprirsed, because King Choi nudged him playfully and adjusted his crown. "Step forward." The 10 men stood in a line, none of them standing out. When the "chosen guard" stepped out, though, Beomgyu's heart stopped.
His hair was a pale blonde. "How did he..?" Beomgyu stopped himself from speaking anything else. He had doe eyes, a shiny brown, and a strong, slim figure. He looked to be about Beomgyu's age, and he was handsome. King Choi smiled, and gestured for the man to approach the podium. Beomgyu stood without thinking and stepped down the stairs to meet him.
"What's your name?" Beomgyu asked, still taking in the boy's strong features.
"Kang Taehyun, your Highness the Crown Prince." Beomgyu shook his head and mouthed, "no honorifics," so that his father wouldn't see or hear. Taehyun smiled softly, but still bowed to the Prince.
"Kang Taehyun will be your guard from now on, Beomgyu. Until this tension between the kingdoms is dissovled, he will be by your side from dawn until dusk, then outside your door in between. You may ask anything of him. Now, go on, get aqquainted." The king nodded upon the boys and shooed them out, then continued conversation with the remaining 9 men.
Beomgyu and Taehyun awkwardly shuffled towards the door, Beomgyu leading.
"I guess I'll show you around the castle then?" Beomgyu said, gesturing out the door.
Taehyun slid his finger along the sharp blade in his pocket. "Sure," he nodded, while thinking about the easiest way to deceive him.