“What are you doing here?” 

Youngjae stared back at Woobin. “I mean to ask you the same thing.” This situation was a little surprising, if Youngjae was to be honest. “I didn’t know you were close to Princess Haewon.”

Woobin shrugged his eyebrows. “I’m pretty sure we share the same feelings and thoughts about this.” Because, he could say the same thing.

“Good morning, Prince Youngjae and Prince Woobin.” Mirae bowed as soon as she entered the vast underground garage. She looked up between the two Princes and their Knights – she had never seen such a large group of guests before. Including both Princes, each had two Knights with them. “Are you here for…”

“Princess Haewon,” they both answered at the same time. 

Mirae couldn’t help but stare curiously between the two royals. “Then, I’ll bring you both up to the guest room while I go notify the Princess.” She sends a polite smile before returning to Bronze and asking him to lead them there.

***

“How’s the suit?” I look at Daehyun amusingly. Now that his wounds are all close to healing completely, he's back to his complaining self. Though, it had only been a day that I was freed from it.

“It’s so uncomfortable. How do they wear it?” Daehyun grumbled while tugging at the different areas of the suit in order to make it less suffocating.

“I guess they’re just used to it.” I chuckled while leaning back against the wall of his bedroom. Now that Daehyun was a Knight, he was offered a different bedroom in the area of the castle that was shared by the other Knights.

“Who are those people?” Daehyun changes the topic.

“What people?”

“The pictures that are hung up outside on the walls.” His face was still grimacing as he spoke.

“Oh.” The portraits come to mind. “They’re of Knights that served the royalts of this castle.” I smiled proudly while thinking of the reason why we have the portraits in the first place. “They’re there to remind us of the Knights that did so, loyally.” One day, Yongguk and Daehyun’s pictures will also be hung there.

Knocks on the door interrupted our conversation and it opened up to reveal Mirae.

“Princess.” She looked lively as she bowed. “There are guests here.” She knew how isolated I was and I’m sure she was just jumping with joy as she stood before me.

“For me?” I had to be sure. 

“Yes, Princess. They said they were here for you.” Her smile grew wider.

I sighed. The castle was still in a huge mess and guests came? “I’ll meet them in the guest room in a moment.”

Mirae sends a nod before disappearing back out into the halls.

Guests? There's more than one? That’s another first.

I turn back to look at Daehyun. “Are you done? We need to go greet them.”

“Me too?” He looked back up at me in surprise. “Humans?”

“Yes. Humans.” I chuckled. “This will become normal for you.” I can’t wait to introduce him to the ideas of banquets and royal dinners. He’ll have a field day with those because I already know he’ll hate them.

We made our way down the hall towards the room and when I walked in, the sight was shocking to say the least. At first glance, it seemed like a whole lot of people but it was only due to the growing number of Knights.

“Hello, Prince Youngjae and Prince Woobin.” I walked over to a seat with Daehyun trailing behind me. As I settle, I didn't forget about the newbie and shooting him a look, I notice Daehyun appearing a little lost about what to do. 

“Do I act like that?” He attempts to whisper while looking at the Princes’ Knights.

“Yes, just like that,” I replied, finding hilarity in his behavior.

“Hello, Princess Haewon,” the two reply in unison before giving each other a look and suddenly directing their attention on the new Knight. 

“A new Knight, Princess?” Youngjae asked curiously.

“Yes, he is.” New as in this morning when my father officially gave him the position.

“Seems…a little different.” Woobin couldn’t help but stare at the Werewolf and his mannerisms.

“His situation is a little different.” I used Woobin’s words to answer. “This is Daehyun.” Their eyes widened while once again looking between each other and returning the same look towards me. “You both are aware of my habit so there’s no use with me trying to hide it.” I chuckled. My father reminded me to think of an alias for Daehyun but I didn’t feel the need for it yet. 

“What family does he belong to?” Woobin asks.

I looked at Daehyun before responding. “He was Lone Werewolf.”

“Lone Werewolf?” Youngjae responds in shock.

“What’s wrong with me being a Lone Werewolf?” Daehyun couldn’t hold his silence at the reaction of the two Princes.

Youngjae suddenly realizes how rude he is and clears his throat. “There’s nothing wrong with it…it’s just –“

“That doesn’t happen,” Woobin finishes Youngjae’s sentence and chooses not to sugarcoat it.

“What are they saying?” While standing behind my seat, Daehyun looks down at me.

“You’re the first, Daehyun,” I answered with a smile. “And yes, it doesn’t happen, Prince Woobin…but it’s not impossible,” I added. Lone Werewolves never become Knights but it’s more because there have never been opportunities for it to happen.

Lone Werewolves were the ones that didn’t want to have such contact with humans ever.

“They say so much about you already at the gatherings.” Woobin clicks his tongue.

About that – they all already look at me strangely but with this becoming another reason for them to talk about me, it isn’t too bad. I was proud of it. “Why are you two here?” 

“We heard about the attacks on your castle,” Youngjae begins. “I was worried so I came.”

Woobin doesn’t add to it but I’m guessing he felt the same way. The ruthless Prince’s cold front had started to unravel before my eyes. 

“Thank you for your worries. We have a few bumps and bruises but we’re all fine,” I replied with a smile. I saw the two before me eye the bruising that was still around my neck. It had already been three days since the attack in my bedroom but the fading mark was a little stubborn. I reached up and touched it. “It doesn’t hurt,” I assured them. “Besides, one good thing came out of it.” 

“What is that?” Woobin pries.

I motioned at the Werewolf standing behind me. “I’ve gained a very loyal Knight from it.”

Due to my words, the two looked up at Daehyun once more.

“He protected you?” Youngjae responds in pleasant surprise.

“With every ounce of his being.” I still remember how Daehyun fought while I was in the cell. I don’t think it’ll be something I can forget easily.

“Maybe I have judged you too soon.” Youngjae sends the Werewolf a smile. “For a Lone Werewolf to choose to protect a royal, that’s very commendable…Daehyun.”

I looked up at my Knight, observing his expression. I’m sure he was confused. “You should thank the Prince for his compliment.” 

“I should what?” Daehyun doesn’t surprise me with his reaction. 

“Where are his manners?” Woobin sighed while returning a look of displeasure. “If he keeps acting this way, it’ll be a problem.”

“Do you think your personality