*Bang’s POV*

I blocked his sword with my own and swiftly stole the opportunity and swiftly took him out from his feet. Chanyeol fell, landing hard on his back. I pointed my sword at his neck, directly under his chin. “Alright, Alright. I’m down.” He held his hands up in surrender. I retreat my sharp weapons and held my hand out and helped him to his feet. “I have to say, you’re really improved a lot.” He said, dusting himself off, picking up his own weapons.

“I am older and more experienced than you.” I reminded with a slight smirk. He rolled his eyes. “Don’t underestimate me Bang. Age is just a number. I have some tricks that you’ve never even seen before or even witnessed.” He defended.

I raised an eyebrow at this, “Oh yeah? Then why don’t you show me, huh?” I challenged. He paused for a moment, not expecting the challenge. “They’re super dangerous. I can only use them in dire situations.” He said. “Mm hm.” I responded unconvinced, putting my sword back in its sheath.

“But seriously, you’re like one of the best fighters here. I guess that’s why they assigned you as the crowned Prince’s personal guard.” Chanyeol said.

I shook my head, “Shouldn’t everyone be good at their job? You’ll fail otherwise.” I said, undermining his compliments. “Yeah, but your fighting is amazing. You’re so swift, you make it look easy. It’s almost pretty to watch.” Chanyeol went on, his tone becoming more and more teasing.

He stopped and raised an eyebrow, “And I’m not the only one that thinks so.”

I stopped what I was doing to follow the younger’s line of sight. Standing outside the training ground was the crowned prince. He was leaning on the wooden fence, staring in our direction. He blushed when we made eye contact and quickly ran away.

“Looks like someone wants to see you~.” Chanyeol sing-songed, walking past me, slightly bumping his elbow against my arm. I chuckled before following him back inside the guard headquarters.

I freshened up and changed into my uniform before going into the palace.

I roamed around the castle in search for the teen, but I couldn’t find him. I asked a few of his servants, but they didn’t know where he went either. “Where could he have gone?” I breathed, deciding to check outside in the meadow behind the castle.

A cold breeze blew gently from the east, bending the tall golden grass. Winter will be coming soon.

I scanned the nearly empty field in search of the mischievous prince. There was barely anyone back here. Only two to three gardeners were in the distance picking the last of the fall flowers and grooming the tall grass. This was the only place in the entire Kingdom where flowers didn’t grow, except for a few flowers here and there, but other than that there was only grass. It was always grown tall and turned golden in the fall and winter. Other than that, there was nothing special about it. In fact, it was probably the most dangerous spot in the palace since it was usually empty and near the edge of the woods. A perfect place for a royal to get kidnapped. Yet, it was Junhong’s favorite place.

Just then somebody suddenly jumped on my back, wrapping their arms around my neck and legs around my waist. I stumbled backwards a little at the unexpected shift in weight. “Ah-ha! I got you!” The 19-year-old laughed, climbing off my back.

“You shouldn’t do stuff like that.” I told him, straightening my uniform. “And why not?” He questioned, making on his heels, arms behind his back, a mischievous smile on his lips. “Because you’re a prince. Prince’s shouldn’t behave like that.” I simply answered.

He pursed his lips, studying me closely, “No~, that’s not it. It’s because I caught you off guard.” He said, slowly walking around me.

“And?” I questioned.

“I’m the only one that can throw you off guard!” He popped up on the other side.

I raised an eyebrow at this, “Is that so?”

“Mm hm,” He hummed proudly. I couldn’t help but chuckle at how proud his response was. “Why are you so proud of that? A personal guard of a prince should never be caught off guard.” I told him.

“Because, you’re never off guard! So, it’s like a special gift I have.” He smiled cheekily.

I shook my head, “You might be able to throw me off guard, but you’re still predictable.” I said. His smile slowly faded, “What do you mean?” “I knew you were going to be out here.” I stated.

“So? That doesn’t mean anything. That could just mean you know me well.” He argued.

“And I knew you were going to say that.” I said, proving my point, only to receive a pout in return. “I’m not that predictable.” He muttered, folding his arms.

“So, is there anything that you needed?” I asked, changing the subject, seeing as though I won. “Huh?” He questioned, not understanding. “You were at the training grounds today.” I said. “Oh! Uh, that…” He said, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “I didn’t need anything.” He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. …I just wanted to see you…” his cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink. He was unable to look me in the eye.

I couldn’t help but laugh at his sudden shy demeanor. “Are you sure you’re 19? You’re such a kid.” I laughed, ruffling his hair.

“Yah!” Junhong spat, knot appreciating the action, but he didn’t bother to fix his hair. “Yes. I am 19 about to be 20. So, I’m not a kid.” He straightened up. “Really now?” I questioned. “Mm hm. So, when I turn 20 you can’t tease me anymore.” He said.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Because, I’ll be an adult, so you can’t tease me like a kid.” He informed.

“Only a child would say that.” I said.

Junhong frowned, “Whatever. Just don’t treat me like a kid.” He mumbled. I held back a chuckle and folded my arms. “It’s going to be a big party.” He smiled changing the subject. He leaned on my arm.

“People from different kingdoms are invited. My sister Sooyoung is gonna be there!” he said excitedly. His eldest sister Choi Sooyoung was married to the crowned prince of the air Kingdom a few years ago. She couldn’t visit much, so Junhong was always ecstatic at every chance he got to see her. He was close to his sisters.

“It’s going to be huge!” He beamed. “You’re going to be there, right?” he said, looking me in the eye. It was a strange question, but I answered anyway, “Of course I’ll be there. What makes you think I won’t?”

“I just want to make sure. Both of my sisters are going to be there, and I want you there too.” He said, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink again. I smiled at him, “Of course I’ll be there. I’m your personal guard.” I assured him.

However, he didn’t seem satisfied by this, but he didn’t say anything about it. Instead he scrunched his brow, thinking of something else. I waited silently for him to speak again. “Umma and Appa say I have to have an , but I don’t want to go with anyone.” He pouted, thinking deeply about it.

I ruffled his hair again, catching him off guard. “yah!” “Don’t think too much about it. You still have months to figure it out.” I said, removing my hand. He looked at me and smiled, “You’re right! Let’s go to the city!” He suddenly burst.

“Whatever you wish,” I laughed, “But you should put on your cloak. It’s chilly outside.”

“It’s not that cold.”

“Junhong~,”

“Okay, Okay. Be right back.” He gave in. “meet me at the stables.” I told him before he dashed inside.

I walked around the castle to the stables and prepared two horses for our trip to the city. Junhong didn’t return until twenty minutes later. “You took a while.” I teased. “Yeah. I had to get the servants off my back. They insisted on going with me, but I told them that I will be fine because I’m going with you. And that none of those bandits can touch me.” He smiled proudly. My chest tightened at his words, but I forced a small smile.

Junhong slipped on his light yellow, decorated cloak. “Here.” He said, handing me my black leather cloak. “How did you get this?” I questioned. “You can’t get sick either.” Was his answer.

After I slipped on my cloak, we climbed on our horses and we were off. I let Junhong lead the way, riding closely behind him.

Ever since the rapid growth of the outcasts, all the kingdom’s have heightened their security. Expanding their armies and recruiting more guards, especially tightening their security around their fertile princes. Junhong was almost kidnapped over a few months ago, but I was there to save him. His parents have been concerned since then and have not allowed him to go anywhere alone. The risks are even higher since he’ll be turning 20 soon.

We roamed around the city, Junhong stopping at every shop that caught his eye, aweing at the foreign Knick knacks they displayed. It was a typical day in the city, but Junhong always seemed excited and amazed when he visited, especially when there was new stuff. It was cute.

“Do you want anything?” He asked me as we walked throughout one of the small Knick knack shops. “Me?” I repeated, note expecting the offer. He nodded innocently. “I don’t need anything.” I shook my head. “Awe~, come on.” He urged. “Let me get you something.”

I raised a slight eyebrow, “Why do you want to get me something?”

The rose color returned to his cheeks again as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Because…you do a lot for me…” He said, “…and because I want to…” He avoided eye contact. He was getting more nervous, “…and...and…and can’t I just get my friend a gift? Gee!” he said, hitting my arm. “Why are you getting flustered? I was just asking a question.” I laughed.

He pouted, his cheeks burning a deeper shade of pink. “C-Come on. Let’s get you something.” He tugged my sleeve, pulling me through the small shop.

“Ah-ha!” He chirped, picking up a black rope necklace. “This is perfect.” He smiled, handing me the necklace. A silver letter ‘Z’ hung from the center of the rope as a charm. “Z?” I questioned. The teen nodded and leaned forward. “Z for my secret name Zelo.” He whispered, “Z, so you can always remember me when you have to go out on your guard duty things.” He explained.

“Why not choose the letter J then?”

“Because, Z is just a secret between you and me. Only we know about it.” He explained. I opened my mouth to ask another question, but he cut me off, snatching the necklace from my hand. “No more questions Yongguk. Gee, just accept my gift.” He ordered. I laughed, following behind him as he went to pay for the small item.

“Here.” He returned the necklace to me once we were outside the shop. “Shall I put it on?” I said, already pulling the necklace over my head. “How do I look?” I smiled cheekily once t was completely on.

He studied me, then smiled, “It looks good. But you should keep it hidden, so that way no one can ask you what Z means, and so that it doesn’t mess up when you do your guard stuff.” I reached over and carefully tucked the piece of jewelry underneath the collar of my uniform. “There.” He smiled once he was done. “Our little secret.” He beamed, almost too excited about the idea.

“You’re a strange kid.” I told him, poking his nose. “I’m not a kid.” He argued. “Oh, I forgot. Then you’re just strange.” I corrected. “That’s okay, because that just makes me different from everyone else. Plus, you’re strange too. We can be strange together.” He smiled cheekily.

I shook my head, but before I could come up with a response, I noticed that the sun was going down. “We need to head back to the palace before sunset.” I said, getting serious, observing the area. Junhong pouted, seeing that his fun was over.

I waited for him to climb on his horse first before climbing on min. I observed the area closely for any bandits. Thieves and bandits start coming out around sunset and we were cutting it close. Thankfully, we made it back to the castle just as the sun settled.

I walked Junhong into the palace after putting the horses back in their stalls (he insisted on going with me). “I will you see you later your highness.” I bowe