Chapter Text
“Kim Gyuvin!”
The loud shout of the royal captain echoed in the hallways of the castle, the said Gyuvin, sprinted as fast as he could with the widest grin plastered in his face. He knew he was in trouble by the sound of metal clanking together gradually getting aggressive. He found himself stuck in a dead-end, nowhere to go but to face the wrath of someone who is fuming steam on both ears.
As the footsteps of heavy shoes reverberated the cobblestone floor, Gyuvin began to sweat coldly and slightly quiver, ofcourse, he wouldn’t admit that. The silhouette of the person in armor slowly fades and is now face-to-face with the Crown Prince, the sight of the knight with brows furrowed and veins popping on his neck is something that would cause a commoner their head.
Gyuvin’s smile earlier was nowhere to be found and all his energy went low as his knees fell down to the cold hard ground.
“Please forgive me Sir, I am sorry for disrupting your training…”
Being the Crown Prince doesn’t mean being the wisest, considering the fact that he is now on his knees bowing down for forgiveness. He might be the future king, but he’s an airhead sometimes. The knight raised one of his brows and heaved out the deepest sigh while making Gyuvin stand up.
“What would I do to you? You’re always causing trouble and I am not there always to protect you, you know?” The knight exclaimed, fixing the shiny armor he’s wearing. Gyuvin, on the other hand, had his head hung low. Indeed, he is a troublesome twenty year-old, but he still had that empathic personality that he was taught to be.
“I’m sorry, Jiwoong hyung. You know me, I don’t like doing nothing, and being the Crown Prince is so boring…” Gyuvin complained with exaggerated hand gestures, the childish persona seemingly did not vanish during the young one’s puberty.
“My dear young brother,” Jiwoong put his heavy armored hand juxtaposed to Gyuvin’s soft silk tunic shoulders, “that does not mean you have to interrupt our formal meetings and training!” The heavy hand that was once on the younger’s shoulder wasn’t on his shoulder anymore but instead was met with the back of his head.
Gyuvin winced in pain, pouting as he rubbed the sore spot where his brother hit him.
“I said I was sorry! I’m not going to do it again!”
“Promise to me, Gyuvin.”
“I promise.”
The brothers exchanged vows, though Jiwoong was not convinced and is sternly looking for lies hidden behind Gyuvin’s orbs or two fingers crossed behind his back. He still did give his brother a quick smile before reverting back to his sharp expressions.
“If I catch you making trouble again, I’ll have to do something about it. You might be the Crown Prince, but I’m still your older brother, got that?”
To say that Gyuvin was nervous was an understatement, he was basically pissing his pants with how audible his gulp was. In fact, it is factual that despite his position as a Crown Prince, his brother still has the authority. After all, Kim Jiwoong is the Royal Guard Captain of the Kingdom of Lobelia.
“Come on, you need to eat already” The older one grabbed his brother’s still cold hands and dragged them towards the dining room of the castle.
Despite the six year age gap between the royal siblings, they still basically grew up together. Jiwoong gave up his title as the Crown Prince when he was fifteen to show his loyalty and passion for soldier duties, hence, the crown was passed on to Gyuvin.
“Jiwoong hyung! Gyuvin hyung!” The screech caused for the people inside the vast dining hall to look towards the entrance of the room. Everyone collectively bowed down as the Royal Captain and the Crown Prince were present in which the two replied with a nod and a smile.
Jiwoong and Gyuvin sat down beside the one who called up to them, Yujin, their youngest brother. The three are the sons of the king and the queen ruling the said kingdom.
“Hyung, when will you teach me those soldier stuff? I want to be one already!” The youngest pleaded and tried to persuade the eldest among them. He surely does have vexatious brothers, you wouldn’t hear it from him but he adores them a lot. Gyuvin, who got a scolding, was quietly munching the food immediately served to them in peace for the sake of his head.
“Yujin, ask Father, not me..” which was then replied by an annoyed huff.
The Crown Prince chuckled and satirized the look his younger brother was making because of the rejection he was having. Though, he was momentarily interrupted by a voice that made his ears perked up.
“More gravy, Your Highness?”
That voice. What a soothing voice. It felt like wings wrapping around him warming his cold body. Their voice felt like walking in a pavement surrounded by forget-me-nots with butterflies flapping its wings as the sun shines so bright.
Gyuvin was about to turn to look at the owner of the voice.
Yet, suddenly, the table vibrated. Mid-way his turn towards the voice, his attention quickly diverted to the sound of wine glass falling over. The juice inside spilled all over the table.
“Yujin! What are you even doing?!” Jiwoong immediately stood up, getting napkins for his younger brother and helping him wipe off the stains.
Quickly, the young third prince apologized in front of all the nobles which they deemed as accidental and rather adorable.
The Crown Prince then looked behind him to see no one anymore. Although, curiosity is trying to eat his brain, it was momentarily and instead helped his brothers.
“Let’s get your tunic washed, Yujinnie” He replied.
The chimes rang as the door was opened. A person came in wearing a court uniform and went towards the direction of the three brothers.
“Your Highnesses, the King would like to speak to you three in the throne room.” The male politely stated, bowing as a sign of respect afterwards.
“We’ll be there in a moment, thank you, Matthew.” The eldest Kim replied, smiling differently towards the royal ambassador. Tint of red appeared in Matthew’s cheeks all of a sudden.
Gyuvin didn’t miss the chance to shoot his older brother a questioning look in which the latter saw in the corner of his eyes. The Crown Prince smiled deliberately and grabbed his younger brother to walk to the throne room, leaving Jiwoong and Matthew behind.
Upon walking, they made their way to the laundry room to get Yujin a clean tunic to wear before going to the throne room.
As the heavy wooden door was opened by the royal guards. There were no people inside aside from his parents and Jiwoong, who got there before the two.
“Father, you were asking for our presence..” The oldest prince stated while the three of them bowed all at the same time.
“My sons.. come closer..”
Getting closer, the smile on the King’s face wasn’t like the smile that he puts on to others. It was the smile of genuinity, alongside the presence of the Queen Consort, they indeed looked regal.
Yet, the King is a powerful man. Even if they were the Majesty’s sons, nervousness is still present in their muscles.
“Jiwoong,” The said guard looked up immediately to his father.
“You’re doing splendid work handling the Royal Guards.” To which Jiwoong bowed down and said his gratitude to his father’s compliments.
“Yujin..”
“Yes, Father..”
“Your teachers told me about your excellency in academics, keep it up then I’ll grant you your wish in soldier training”
Yujin’s eyes sparkled like the fireflies that illuminated the castle gardens. He bowed down three to four times and the smile on his face never left.
The room was filled with happiness because of the youngest of the family. Even the King was grinning and chuckling. Although, it went all down when he saw the next he’s going to talk to.
“Gyuvin.”
The harsh tone that left the mouth of the royal slapped Gyuvin. It doesn’t seem like a positive start for him.
“My Crown Prince, what am I hearing about you causing trouble again?”
The brown-haired hung his head low, literally a child being scolded except it is way more authoritarian.
“I’m afraid I need to punish you.”
“Father, it wasn’t Gyuv—”
“Silence! I don’t want to hear excuses from you.” The king exclaimed to Jiwoong’s attempt to save his brother from punishment. The two prince looked at him in concern of what was going to happen.
Will he go into the dungeon? Will he be beheaded? Will he be stripped off his title?
Thoughts rampaged his mind like the sounds of horse hooves galloping. What’s about to happen to him?
“As a Crown Prince, you have to be ideal, people should kiss your shoes when they see you,”
“Yes Father, forgive me.” Thick was the atmosphere inside the golden walls of the throne room. Gyuvin bowed as low as he could.
He can’t really promise either, it’s his way of enjoying the moment. He’s just nineteen, and it’s a chance for his youth to be memorable.
“I understand, Gyuvin. However, I still need to punish you..”
“..well, I appointed a personal guard to keep an eye on you.”
Gyuvin’s shoulder dropped like an apple on a tree. “I’m already so restricted, now, I’m even more?” He thought.
Even so, this is the consequence of becoming too carefree and forgetting his role as a Crown Prince.
“Please come in!” The shout of the King made the doors open with a figure as stiff as a stick and his blasé facade covered in the shiny silver armor akin to Jiwoong.
“Your Majesty,” The guard then bowed to each one of the people inside the room.
Gyuvin examined the Royal Guard, he was a young boy, maybe even younger than him.. broad shoulders, built body, plump li–
“Gyuvin, this is Gunwook. He will be your personal guard for the rest of your life.”
“PARDON?!”