Up in the princess’s quarters on the second floor of the palace paper was flying about. The crown princess of Eterna was frantically trying to finish all her paperwork before the festival this evening. The endless stacks of papers on her desk were mocking her. Seriously, how come her father gets to go to the festival regardless of how much paperwork he finishes and, she can’t? Life was truly unfair. Because of her father’s unjust ultimatum she has been working nonstop for the past three days in order to finish in time.

Princess Hyorin smiled happily as she just signed her last petition form. She stretched her arms delicately and giggled. ‘Done at last!’ Thought Hyorin happily. She quickly summoned her maids to take the atrocious paperwork away. As they were slowly piling all the paperwork off her desk, floor, bed…etc the princess was deciding what her commoner outfit would be for the evening.

There were so many possibilities! Since it was the annual festival of Eterna everybody was going to dress up. That means the princess can finally go in her average everyday clothes because honestly always dressing up as a ‘commoner’ can get pretty tiring. ‘I could wear the pink gown I had tailored several months ago. Technically I never wore it outside, but what about the yellow dress I bought with Hyunjae two weeks ago? Jaestar said I looked amazing, so I had to buy it. Oh the decisions…’

Just as she was about to make a choice the newly hired made timidly tapped her on the shoulder. “Um…Princess Hyorin we cleared out all the finished documents in your room. You may resume working your majesty.”

Hyorin looked at the young maid in a confused manner. ‘Continue working? What is this madness?’. In her politest tone of voice she inquired. “Continue with what?” The young maid in response to the princess’s inquiry sidestepped to reveal several stacks of fresh paperwork being delivered to her room. Hyorin gaped. “What is this?!”

The maid quickly bowed her head respectfully. “The king sent you several files. He says since he is very busy with the upcoming council meetings he can’t properly tend to them. He request you look over them.”

“Daddy…why?!” Princess Hyorin glared at the accumulating stacks of paper hoping that the intensity of her glare would cause the papers to spontaneously combust. “You know what? I technically finished my paperwork on time. I am going to get ready for the festival. Tell daddy I will look over it later.”

“B-but your highness, the King specifically said…”

“That I am allowed to go to the festival if I get my paperwork done, which I did.” The princess skipped towards her closet gleefully. “Today is a day to have fun. Actually, why don’t you take the rest of the day off and enjoy the festival?” Hyorin proceeded to quickly grab the dress she decided upon earlier and sprinted off to the bathroom.

The stunned maid blinked in bewilderment. The princess was indeed unstoppable.

-

Over at Councilman Oh’s study Sehun and Yixing were diligently working on the proposal. Sehun was piously taking down notes whereas Yixing was scaling the elevated bookshelves in search of material that maybe useful for the proposal.

 “Yixing hyung, can you locate the list of Eterna’s exportable commodities? I need that in order to begin section seven.” Asked Sehun tiredly. Honestly Sehun wanted nothing more than to collapse in his luxurious king sized bed. He has been so focused on re-writing the proposal that he has barely been sleeping, never the less eating normally.

The same goes for Yixing. Yixing’s primary job is to help Sehun on the proposal. As Councilman Oh’s most trusted scholar he was expected to know pretty much everything pertaining to international relations. Councilman Oh asked him to be Sehun’s man of reference. After climbing up and down various bookshelves Yixing brought back an assortment of books on the Economy of Eterna. “Your father has yet to get the updated list. I memorized it though. It should be arriving before the council meeting so I will just list it for you now so you can finish this section. You can attach it afterwards.”

Sehun smiled at his hyung. “Thanks Yixing hyung. You are a lifesaver.”

Yixing laughed. “What am I here for?” He pulled out a chair and took a seat directly in front of Sehun. “I finished section eight, nine, and ten. So after this section we should be done.”

Sehun gaped in amazement. “When did you finish?”

“Hm…I finished sometime earlier this morning.”

“Even the maps of the trade routes? That should have taken about three hours by itself!” Exclaimed Sehun.

Yixing sheepishly laughed. “I had spare time?”

“I see why you are my father’s right hand man.” Sehun casually looked out the window. The sun was about to set in a few hours which means that the annual festival should be starting soon. Every year Sehun and Yixing would meet up with their friends and enjoy the festival. This year though, they never thought they would be this busy.

As they were both about to get back to work the doors to the study room burst open revealing a rather chipper Kim Jongin. Jongin then proceeded to march over towards the two bookworms and placed a dainty basket filled with sandwiches and pastries between the two.

“Joonmyun hyung told me to deliver these to you guys since he figured you two haven’t eaten yet. He also told me to tell you to hurry up and get ready for the festival. He will meet us near the knight’s performing plaza. They are picking the new knight this year for the mentorship and hyung figures you wanted to watch, right Yixing hyung?”

Yixing looked at Jongin eagerly, “When does it start?”

“Yixing hyung!” Whined Sehun, “You can’t leave me now, we need to finish section seven.”

“Oh no worries Sehun.” Chirped Jongin as he swung his arm around Sehun’s neck. “You are coming with us.”

“What?!”

“Joonmyun hyung is concerned for your health, and you know how he gets. Going out to have fun won’t kill you, that and I am supposed to have both of you delivered to him dressed properly, fed, and on time. SO LET’S GET A MOVE ON PEOPLE!” Jongin then proceeded to stuff a sandwich in both Sehun and Yixing’s mouth and dragged them outside of the study to freshen up prior to forcing them to go to the festival.

-

Meanwhile outside the Jung residence stood the physician’s daughter, Han Saehyun all suited up and ready to attend the festival. She was standing outside admiring the comfortable abode in which her friend lived. Sure it wasn’t a very big house, but whenever she walked by or decided to visit there was always a feeling of warmth radiating from the house. It didn’t matter what time of day it was there was always someone there, someone to come home to.

Unlike their cozy family home, Saehyun’s house was almost always empty, excluding business hours. Her family only consists of her and her father. Her father, Dr. Han was a world renowned physician specializing in herbal remedies. Unfortunately being world renowned also meant your presence was in high demand. He was often summoned outside of the city for business.

Thinking about this topic made her rather depressed, thus to elude the looming topic she decided to knock on the front door of the Jung household in hopes of seeing her friend and dragging her also to the festival.

“Hyuuuunjaeee! Come on! We are going to be laaaate!” Whined Saehyun unhappily. She heard some movement inside and after about a minute of waiting Hyunjae opened the door. She was also dressed nicely for the festival, but rather than dressed as a girl she was dressed as a boy. Her boyish maroon tailcoat and her black hat fit her nicely.

“…Should I even ask why you have fancy boy clothes?”

“In my defense these were Youngjae’s several years ago. I did not go out of my way to buy it.” Replied Hyunjae curtly.

Saehyun tilted her head in curiosity. “Why are you even dressed as a boy?”

Hyunjae gestured to her parcel. “I promised to have all of Shakespere’s sonnets done from some nobleman sometime this week. I finished early and we agreed to meet up during the festival.”

“Oh I see. By the way, where is Youngjae? Isn’t Youngjae coming with us this year?” inquired Saehyun.

“He said he was coming. Let me check.” Rather than walking upstairs and kindly knocking on his door, Hyunjae decided yelling was more effective. “YAH! JUNG YOUNGJAE! ARE YOU READY YET?!” Saehyun wasn’t even fazed by Hyunjae’s odd methods of communicating with her brother. It happened way too many times.

The same thing can be said of Youngjae. Rather than opening the door and kindly replying to his sister he also deicided that yelling was the best course of action. Without even opening the door he yelled, “NOONA! I CAN’T GO! I HAVE A MIDTERM NEXT WEEK. I NEED TO STUDY.”

“YOU SAID THAT LAST WEEK!”

“I FORGOT I HAD ONE THIS WEEK.”

“FINE! MAKE SURE YOU ACE IT. DO YOU WANT ANYTHING FROM THE STALLS?”

“NAH, I AM FINE. TAKE HYUN NOONA AND HAVE FUN!”

Hyunjae quickly buttoned up her coat grabbed Youngjae’s old pair of dress shoes and motioned for Saehyun that she was ready to go. “BYE.” She called out to Youngjae.

“BYE NOONA.”yelled Youngjae from behind his door.

“Bye Youngjae! Study hard!” Chirped Saehyun happily. “Fighting!”

“THANK YOU HYUN NOONA! HAVE FUN! BYE! TAKE C-” And with that Hyunjae promptly shut the door. Smiling, she then proceeded to drag Saehyun towards the bright lights of the festival.

“Hyorin unnie said she was meeting us at the violet fountain right?” questioned Hyunjae.

“…I thought we were meeting at the lavender one.” And thus they started to bicker. The two ladies eventually decided that since Hyunjae needed to meet up with her commissioner at the violet fountain they would go there in hopes that it was the intended meeting place.

Unknown to both of the girls walking down the street, Youngjae who was supposedly ‘studying’ dejectedly sat by his window watching both of the girls walking merrily towards the festival.

-

On the other side of town three good-looking, well-dressed young men were trying to fight the crowd in order to meet up with their other good-looking friend, Kim Joonmyun. They were failing horribly. Despite being youthful, strong young adults they were having great difficulty forcing their way through the mass of vibrantly dressed people.

Jongin who was very adept in weaving through massive crowds of people couldn’t help but be slightly put off with his two companions who were not so adept. At the moment he was watching Yixing apologize to the fourteenth person they bumped into.

“I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to bump into you. I am so sorry.” Yixing bowed his head and apologized repeatedly.

The little boy in whom he was apologizing to looked at him weirdly. Frankly the little kid didn’t know what to do about the frantic nobleman in front of him. “Um…it is okay mister. I wasn’t looking, you don’t have to bow.”

 “Does your head hurt? Do you need to see a doctor?” Insisted a guilt ridden Yixing.

“Uhhh…No thank you mister? I am fine; I just need to find my mom and dad.” The boy really wanted to leave.

“Oh I need to apologize to them too. Would you mind taking me to them?” Upon hearing that the boy was simply terrified, what would his parents think if he they heard he bumped into a stranger that insists he has caused detrimental damage to the boy’s well being, and judging by his festive clothing a nobleman no less.

“Um…I am going to go now.” The boy quickly sprinted towards the crowd of people never to be seen again.

“W-wait!”

“Hyung. Let the boy go. You are scaring him.” Reasoned Sehun.

“What if I caused him permanent brain damage? What if he wanted to become a politian but couldn’t because at an early age he bumped into me and lost valuable brain cells?” Cried Yixing. “I could have ruined his dreams!”

Jongin couldn’t help but point out, “Yixing hyung, I honestly think you are frailer than that kid. He will be fine. He ran into you. You are lucky he didn’t pick pocket you. At this rate we are never going to meet up with Joonmyun hyung.” Sighed Jongin, “Come on lets go.” This time Jongin was determined to make it through the crowd.

Sehun and Yixing nodded and trailed after Jongin diligently to avoid being left behind. Once they re-entered the throng of people the two noblemen realized that Jongin was one hell of a bulldozer. Nothing could stop that boy from plowing his way through the crowd; the sad thing was that he wasn’t even looking back.

After ten minutes of weaving skillfully though the mass of Jongin successfully made it to the Knight’s performing plaza, AND with time to spare. Feeling rather proud of his accomplishment he turned around with his hands up in hopes of hi-fiving his friends. Unfortunately he just realized that while crowd weaving Sehun failed to keep up.

Yixing barely managed to follow Jongin without apologizing to the dozens of people he bumped into. He was panting heavily, hair slightly disheveled. “W-we l-lost Sehun.”

Jongin rubbed his temples and sighed tiredly. “I knew I shouldn’t have let that rich boy go on his own. Yixing hyung and you stay here and wait for Joonmyun hyung? I will go back and find Sehun.” Yixing breathlessly nodded and gestured for Jongin to go on without him. He was still exhausted from the previous crowd weaving endeavor.

On cue Jongin took a deep breath and prepared himself to fight the crowd once again. Trying to find Sehun in a crowd of people was no easy task. It took great skill in order to know what to look for. In other words he proceeded to walking towards the areas of the plaza with the most females. He was bound to find Sehun there.

As he made his way near the violet fountain, since that was where all the ladies were at, he noticed someone wearing something awfully similar to Sehun’s fancy coat. Jongin smirked, he quickly picked up his place in order to get a good running start for when he was going to flatten Sehun for making him late.

What he failed to notice was that there was someone dressed in a red coat in his way. Before he could register the boy properly, he accidentally knocked the kid over, causing him to drop his delicately wrapped parcel.

“Hey! What was that?” Cried the boy unhappily. He quickly bent over and picked up his parcel checking it for damage.

“Sorry kid. I was in a hurry.” Jongin’s eyes were focused on trying to locate Sehun.

“Yah, at least look at people when you are talking to them Kim Jongin.” The scribe boy reprimanded.

“Hey, how do-” Upon closer inspection Jongin realized he just bumped into the same little boy from three days ago. “Oh hey kid. What are you doing out here?”

“I have a package to deliver.” Replied the boy curtly. He was still clearly unhappy about being nearly run over.

Jongin couldn’t help but laugh at the boy’s expression. “Are you trying to be a messenger or something kid? Let me tell you now it is a pretty hard job.”

“Nope. I rather not run around delivering things. I write.”

“So you are telling me a kid like you is a scribe.”

“Stop calling me kid. I am not that young, AND I have a name.” Sassed the scribe boy.

Jongin, who was very amused by the boy’s demands agreed. “Fine then, what’s your name?”

“Jung Youngjae.”

“Well I have to go beat up my friendnow, good to see you again Youngjae.” Jongin smiled and waved.

Being the snarky person he is, Youngjae couldn’t help but add, “I feel bad for your friend. You have an unnatural tendency to squish people. Bye Jongin.”

“HEY THAT IS HYUNG TO YOU!”

-

During the meantime Sehun somehow managed to find his way into a group of overly friendly acquaintances. The group of people consisted from family friends to…people who he has never even met before. Oh how troublesome it is being a nobleman, and the son of a councilman no less. Despite him constantly trying to hint to everyone he needed to go, it only made them more forceful about making him stay.

“Sehun dear, I haven’t seen you in months! How has your mother been darling?” said one of his mother’s friends. Honestly he couldn’t tell them apart anymore.

“Um… she is great. Uh…I am kinda meeting-” but before he could finish he was dragged away by another one of his mother’s many acquaintances.

“Sehunnie. I want you to meet my daughter, you remember the one I told you about?” inquired the other lady happily.

Sehun who was more than uncomfortable at the moment knew there was only one answer to that question. “Oh…uh yeah. I remember Ms. Hwang, I would love to meet her, but I-” But once again before he could finish someone else deicide to drag him away. He had a terrible feeling he was going to be stuck here for a while. He could already see the rest of his evening spiraling downward into a pit of despair and possibly matchmaking sessions. 

Sehun wasn’t the type to be rude to people, but that is what usually gets him stuck into these types of situations. His pride as the son of a respected councilman refuses to let him be disliked by anyone. Well, anyone but Jongin that is.

As he was trying to devise an elaborate means of escaping the mob of family friends he didn’t notice one of Ms. Hwang’s many daughters pulling on his coat causing him to lose his balance, thus accidentally forcing him to collide with a young woman in a very extravagant yellow evening gown. Before even looking at the girl, Sehun quickly turned around and offered his hand. With is most charming smile he apologized, “I am sorry for bumping into you like that.”

What he didn’t noticed until after he bothered taking a look at her face was that she was absolutely beautiful. Her silky brown hair was tied up into an elegant updo, and her lovely pale skin was highlighted by her yellow gown. Judging by the looks of her gown she was clearly of noble class. Sehun couldn’t even remember when he last saw someone this beautiful. Now that he thinks about it…he has never seen this girl before, and that is saying something considering how many girls accost him on a daily basis.

The young girl who was previously knocked down stared at his hand for several seconds before deciding that rather than taking his hand, she would help herself up. She started to dust her gown with a frown on her face. Her yellow dress was soiled! Clearly displeased, she gave Sehun a resentful glare and continued walking as if nothing happened.

Sehun, seeing that this could possibly be a way for him to leave his ‘acquaintances’, called out to the girl, and he began to swiftly jog in order to catch up with her. Well that and he couldn’t let a girl like that leave without getting at least a name right?

The girl in yellow turned around clearly displeased at him trying to be so familiar with her. She obviously was in a rush. Once Sehun caught up to her he tried his best to redeem himself. “Sorry, about earlier. I really didn’t mean to ruin your dress. If you have time would you let me make it up to you?” He was supposed to meet up with his friends, but surely they will understand. Nobody has ever caught his attention like she did. Heck he never actually asked someone out until now.

“It is fine it is just a dress.” She shrugged. “Now if you excuse me I am late meeting up with my friends.”

As she was about to leave he quickly grabbed her hand. “At least let me know you name, so I can make it up to you another time.”

Thinking nothing of it, she agreed. “My friends call me Rin.” And with that she pulled up the hem of her gown and made a mad dash toward the violet fountain to meet her friends leaving Sehun stunned.

As Sehun was standing in the middle of the plaza in a stupor, he was easily put into a headlock by the one and only Kim Jongin. “Hitting on girls are we? Do you have any idea how long I was looking for you? Come on we are late.” Jongin proceed to drag Sehun along by his head all the way to the agreed meeting spot.

“Hyung let go!”

“No. This is what you get for disregarding Bro Code.”

-

At this time the knight’s title competition was commencing. All the knights far and wide gathered into the plaza, each waiting for a chance to prove themselves. This year one lucky knight would be able to win the mentorship from, Lee Aejung, the legendary Lady Knight of Eterna. The judges of the competition would be Aejung, Dongmin, and Woobin repectively.

“I can’t believe there is so much paperwork involved in the judging process!” Cried Aejung in despair. “Can’t I just pick my favorite one to be my mentee?”

Woobin who was sorting out the last stack of semi-finalists turned his attention towards Aejung. He was very amused at her childish expression. “Hey, don’t be like that. The overall goal is to promote knights-in-training to knights. The mentorship is only considered a bonus.” In response to Woobin’s answer Aejung pouted unhappily.

“And besides!” inserted Dongmin, “We have to pick the most skilled knight out of the current knights to become your mentee. If we were to pick our favorites…you wouldn’t be here right now.” Aejung looked absolutely appalled.

Before she had a chance to attack Dongmin for his rude comment, Woobin swiftly smacked Dongmin’s head with the stack of papers he had earlier. “Take these to the awards committee for approval.” On cue Dongmin saluted jokingly towards his brother and took off.

“He is such a jerk!” fumed Aejung unhappily. She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair with a frown on her face.

Woobin laughed. “Actually it was Dongmin who was adamant on having you as his mentee. He wanted you to be his mentee before the competition started.”

“Really?”questioned Aejung.

“Yeah, he decided that when you guys were all line up for registration.” Recalled Woobin. “He even had your title all planned out.”

“Wait…he gave me the title Lady Knight?”

“Oh no, we played rock paper scissors to see who got to name you. I won.” Laughed Woobin. “I figured that if he gave you your title you would hate him immediately.”

“…What did he want to name me?”

“Aejung the Annihilator.”

“You are right. I would hate him.”

-

Off to the side of the stage Yixing and Joonmyun were happily watching the title competition. It was amazing. Every knight participating in the competition was extremely skilled. Archery, Jousting, Swordsplay, you name it they can do it.

Yixing looked upon the stage in awe. These people have worked all their lives to achieve their strength. In the end every one of these people would make a difference to Eterna. They all posses the privilage to stand and fight for their country, a privilege in which was robbed from him.

His gaze was fixed upon the last finalist. Yixing had a feeling that he was going to be the one to win the mentorship this year. Just from watching him Yixing realized that he was extremely skilled. His jousting was precise and deadly. His archery was phenomenal as well. His swordplay was pretty good compared to the rest, but wasn’t up to par with his other skills. That shouldn’t matter too much though, calculated Yixing. His future mentor would be the greatest swords master of all of Eterna, Lee Aejung.

“Yixing, what are you thinking about?” Inquired Joonmyun carefully. Yixing had a tendancy to space out a lot, but that is usually because he tends to over think things. Like the difference between a dozen of flowers and a baker’s dozen recalled Joonmyun. That was a very long tedious debate.

Yixing blinked and turned to Joonmyun sheepishly. “Sorry hyung. I was guessing who would be the knight selected for the mentorship.”

Joonmyun laughed. “Any guesses so far? You have never been wrong about it so far. I think you should have been a judge. You have an eye for these types of things.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Replied Yixing shyly. “I just like watching these types of things”

“I know.” Joonmyun nodded knowingly. Before either of them could continue Jongin appeared with an irritated Sehun in tow. Sehun’s head was a disheveled mess. Joonmyun was the first to ask. “What happened to you two?”

“Sehun broke Bro Code.”

“Did not!”

-  

At the violet fountain two girls were trying to clean off the Princess’s yellow dress while the Princess sulked unhappily. “I can’t believe it! My day is ruined.”

“It isn’t that bad.” Chriped Saehyun. “You still look awesome.”

Hyorin smiled at her happily. “Aww you’re so sweet. BUT THAT MEANS WOULD HAVE LOOKED BETTER THAN AWESOME IF MY DRESS WASN’T SOILED.”

“How did this happen anyways Hyorin Unnie?” asked the little scribe boy still dusting off the side of her dress.

“Some guy bumped into me. He followed me to apologize. Which is why I was a little bit late in coming here.” Confirmed the princess.

“Was he cute?” Commented Saehyun nonchalantly.

“…I don’t know. I didn’t really pay attention. You know how I get when I am mad.”

“True.”

“Guys! Aejung Unnie’s mentee is going to be announced.” Announced Hyunjae. All three girls sprinted towards the plaza upon hearing the commotion.

-

Aejung was standing between Woobin and Dongmin respectively. They were all standing up straight and proper for the awards ceremony. All of the knights have finished their performance and it was about time to announce who won the mentorship this year.

Aejung tried to whisper as discreetly as possible. “Tell me why again you are naming my mentee?”

Dongmin shuffled closer to Aejung and smiled. “Well since I didn’t get to name you I figured this is only fair.”

“I feel bad for him. Is he going to be ‘The Annihilator’?”

“Nope. I have a better idea.”

Woobin shook his head disapprovingly. “Shhh! It is starting!” Once the basic awards were given out it was time for the three legendary knights to bestow a title for the knight who has earned the mentorship. Woobin called him up onto the stage and placed a medal of honor around his neck. Aejung stood beside him to signify their new roles as mentee and mentor. Dongmin, the flamboyant man he was twirled his sword and tapped the kneeling knight on the shoulder.

“From here on out you are now and official mentee of Lady Knight Lee Aejung, and your title shall be Woo Byungho the WARRIOR!”

-------------------------------------------------

THEME MUSIC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tLooPlf2Sw

Haha. Meet Byungho the Warrior! We are either going to like him or hate him.

I am not even sure. LOL.