If he were being honest with himself, Kai did not even know why or what in the name of the Goddesses he was out here. Why he felt the need to join his guards knowing damn well they could accomplish the job, was a mystery he wished to solve. Fascination? Lust? Curiosity? He wasn't certain. His heart pounded against his chest in a way it was not normal. Just the way it had the first time he'd met Sehun. At first sight Kai had been drawn, then confusion that progressed to muddle headed. He could not stop staring at Sehun, no matter how embarrassing it had been for a person of his station, at same time trying to understand why he felt that way.  The emperor had to use great deal of will power, to force himself to look away. Sehun was pretty, all lean and toned, but Kai had seen people more prettier than the boy, he had them in his Harem. Yet no one had ever made him look at them for more than a few seconds, no matter how awesome they were or might be the most beautiful person in Varal. Kai could proudly say, nothing had ever turned his head or grabbed his attention the way Sehun had. Was it the hair? Definitely not, but goddesses above, Kai had never seen anything so mesmerizing to the point of even shocking not just the people around, but himself by blurting a stupid question they way he had. He was the ruler of an empire, always composed as he should be. But that had seemed to change around this mysterious air mage. It was more than the hair. There was something he could not point a finger at, making him restless and his chest tight when not near Sehun. Kai wanted to be near him, he wanted to touch him, do things– scratch that, he did not just want to touch Sehun. He wanted to consume him and had no idea why he felt that way. Sehun was like a treasure that Kai most certainly would be damned for taking such a treasure as his, at same time he couldn't help but want to have it. He was like the light at end of a dark tunnel. A beacon. Kai couldn't resist his call.  Something about the young mage Sehun called to him. Like something deep within Kai recognized something deep within Sehun. It was different from anything he had ever felt— Kai knew it was different. With every fiber of his being. Not even the late empress had made him felt that way. And Kai had loved and respected her with all his damn heart. For all his years, Kai felt like he'd been trapped in ice, his body numb and only feeling warmth for the first time. At last spring had come. But he only felt warmth when next to Sehun and Kai couldn't afford to lose him. He couldn't suppress his urge to keep Sehun close. Even if it meant employing him by any necessary mean to keep him close. At the moment Kai's restlessness was momentarily soothed. He found the tightness in his chest loosening for the first time now that he had Sehun before him. Kai had spent most of the time during his visit to his uncle asking about Sehun, to the point his uncle's husband raised an eyebrow with a look af surprise. Siwon was one of those people that hardly showed emotions whatsoever, it was a Choi traits. Siwon's younger brother Minho was like that too. It had prompted Kai to divert the topic. His uncle however was eager, too eager to indulge all of Kai's questions about Sehun.  It could be said Sehun had been on his mind since that fateful encounter. What came next he might not be sure of, but something with a strong voice that he could not ignore deep within him, told him Sehun belonged by his side, and that was not a thought Kai had ever expected to feel about another soul. Not since the late empress had died and taken a part of him with her. Then today the opportunity came. Kai had been on his way to see his mother, when his son returned with only two guards out of the twelve Kai sent with him. When Kai saw the dried blood on Hyunjin's neck he had nearly lost it. Who dared touch his precious son? Fear and anger had mixed together, bubbling up in his chest. His son, even though not the type to share affectionate gestures with Kai, had quickly reached out to hug him and words came tumbling out. And surprisingly the anger had decreased the moment Hyunjin mentioned Sehun, being the one to help in the end when the guards couldn't hold it.  It was shocking as well as pleasant to hear Sehun was the hero in Hyunjin's story.  Lying. Sehun had lied to Hyunjin, although Kai wasn’t sure for what possible reason. Those things he told Hyunjin did not add up, not to Kai at least. Though Kai had many questions, like how Sehun knew where to find Hyunjin or how he knew something was off, but he was glad the fate had brought him a reason to keep the mage close to him. Which prompted Kai to make a decision. And when he had ordered his guards to summon the boy after a quick call to his uncle that informed him they were yet to return, Kai had felt the urge to go himself. Something told him Sehun wouldn't come to him easily. And he had been right. The two colored hair mage had almost made him laugh out, playing the innocent card. Kai knew Sehun was playing dumb, he knew damn right the shadow guards as well as his decree were legit. Sehun for some reason did not like Kai, and did not wish to be near him. Yes Kai had picked up the contempt and disgust hiding underneath the surface of Sehun's face, Kai wouldn't be whom he was if he couldn't pick up when someone dislike him no matter how much they tried to hide it. Though it was baffling, because Kai was certain he had never met Sehun let alone offend him in some way. But the way Sehun had gazed at him, seemed like he had a grudge against Kai. It was part of why he wanted to have him close, to unmask whatever it could be. "Majesty!" A voice had Kai snapping back to attention. The Fire-hounds had taken human shape, while the others sheathed their weapons. Kai narrowed his eyes on them. The way they stood around Sehun spoke of a great comradeship, precisely they had the other day. Protective of him. And Kai found that he approved of the way they chose to protect Sehun. The young mage should be protected like the treasure he was. However Kai was genuinely curious, why they saw the need to do so? Sehun was obviously strong and could hold his own, not many could accomplish something a shadow guard couldn't– even though Jungkook had lost conscious suddenly. Taking down blood mages required a lot of power. Or maybe it was pure luck? Kai beg to differ. An experienced person like him should be able to tell the strength in Sehun, even though he seem to be concealing it. For the first time ,Kai wished he had Namjoon's power, in order to unveil the mystery surrounding Sehun. He found himself wanting to crack Sehun's head open and peer inside. See if he could untangle the mess he was sure he’d find there. "Greetings majesty!" His cousin dropped to one knee and the others followed suit, save for Sehun that seem to be lost in thoughts. Kai waved them off with a hand his eyes on Sehun. Sehun's eyes looked vacant, and his body was trembling slightly, almost imperceptibly.  Even when he finally gazed at Kai, almost a full minute later, the vacant look didn’t leave his eyes. As if Kai wasn’t really there. "Sehun?" Junmyeon snake a hand into Sehun's. Kai couldn't help his frown as he gazed at their linked hands. The contact seem to snap him out of his trance. Sehun's eyes slowly focused from their empty stare and finally settled on Kai properly. "Greetings your majesty!" He looked away as he said it, with a studied casualness that almost took the bite out of his words. Almost. Kai nodded in return. "What can we do for you?" Junmyeon asked, hand still holding Sehun's that seem to subconsciously tighten his hold around Junmyeon's. Like Sehun needed something to ground him, an anchor of some sort. Kai's eyes flickered between Junmyeon's face and his hand. His cousin quick as ever, seem to sense Kai's disapproval and quickly released Sehun. Sehun reached out as though unwilling to let go, before he quickly caught himself and dropped his hand to his side, lips pursed, in a slight pout. And Kai couldn't help but find it endearing. "I am here for him" Kai jabbed a finger at Sehun. Sehun wet his lips with his tongue, and Kai found himself staring at the boy’s mouth in a way he knew was predatory but could not help. "You can go ahead, I am taking him back with me." He told them, but his eyes remained on Sehun. "Well done on the job, I expected nothing from the squad." None of them seem to bask in the praise, they were frowning, staring at Sehun as though waiting for something. "What?" Sehun let out, he was clearly trying to keep his tone light, but Kai could sense the tension underneath. "What do you mean take me with you majesty?"  "You saved my son's life, and thus I needed to offer you something in return." The elites had a look of subtle surprise, expect for Baekhyun. It was clear Sehun saving Hyunjin's life was news to them. "I appreciate it majesty, but i do not need anything. I didn't do that for a reward." Sehun sounded genuinely perplexed. "I insist." Kai said, a soft smile dancing on his face. "No I refuse."Sehun shook his head shuddering as though mortified. Kai had been right. The boy wasn't even trying to hide the fact he didn't want to be near Kai. "Majesty! I think you should let him be, since he does not want to." Junmyeon spoke, head cocked to the side. "Please let us continue on our way. We're really exhausted." The death mage said, hands clasped behind him, shoulders tensed. The skinwalker and the fae shifted forward, almost blocking Kai's view of Sehun, but remained silent. "Why don't you offer him whatever it is here, he can choose to accept or not." The Kitsune's tone was a masterclass in condescension, that Kai chose to ignore. Minseok's fingers flexed as though ready to draw his weapon if Kai insisted on taking Sehun.  Truly amusing. "You dare order the emperor?" Wonho let out a harsh sound, stepping forward, but Kai waved a hand, silently telling the shadow guard to stay still. Wonho grunted, but obeyed.  Kai spared a moment to look at them, really look at them. He was surprised they counter his words. Normally people would be trembling either excited or in fear in his presence, eager to please him. Not a person had ever argued with him outside his close family, thus it was a new concept. This was a first in his almost forty years in life. Looking past them, Kai looked to Sehun. Sehun's head was down, and he was scuffing his shoe against the sidewalk. He looked so…young and there was a vulnerability there. Kai wondered, not for the first time, what it was that Sehun had against him. He wondered if he would ever tell him. Because there was something about the way Sehun looked at him, some tension, some undercurrent, some unspoken recognition. "I wish you to become Hyunjin's guard," Kai said "That's what I want to offer you." "What do you mean?" Sehun sounded more curious than angry. "Be Hyunjin's guard. The crown prince" Kai did not mind repeating himself, when it was Sehun. Sehun reeled back as though physically slapped by the words, his eyes went to Bang Chan, confusion etched into his face like he was trying to figure out where things went wrong. Should that mean something to Kai? "I refuse." Sehun said, eyes snapping back to Kai. "And who do you think you are to refuse his Majesty?" Yuri finally spoke, her gun raised. His sister in law was always level headed and rarely loss her cool. It was obvious she'd had enough. "Why can't I refuse? I thought Varal was a continent of free will?" Sehun asked, Kai didn’t like the bite with which Sehun said that words. Yuri grunted, cocking her gun. Kai knew she wouldn't fire unless he asked her to, thus he wasn't worried she was pointing a gun at Sehun. The elites were different though, they took formation, shielding Sehun, and Kai could see their hands going to their weapons. They would draw them and fight Kai's guards if they perceived the threat might be real. "Lower your weapons!" Kai ordered, and Yuri immediately did as asked. The elites looked to Sehun as if asking for his permission. Interesting. "I will not ask again." He was getting angry at the sign of disrespect from his own subjects. The way they reacted was if they answered to Sehun. Kai didn't mind if that happened to be the case, however what he minded was being ignored and his words meaning nothing. When they should be to the whole continent. He was the boss here and deserved respect. Kai was ready to put them in place when they finally stepped aside. "Why in the name of the goddesses do you want me to become the prince's guard?" Sehun sounded so truly miserable, so defeated, that Kai's budding anger at the elites deflated in an instant. "You proved to be worthy of being his guard." Kai meant it. Sehun was capable. Hyunjin seem to have taken a liking to Sehun, judging from the way his eyes shone when saying Sehun's name. Sehun winced, a look of real hurt crossing over his face, and Kai tried to ignore how that expression felt like a knife twisting in his own gut. "You have more capable guards for the job, I am barely a paladin." It was clear Sehun suppressed the urge to shout in frustration, keeping his voice as calm as he could manage. Something told Kai, Sehun would be best for this job, he would protect Hyunjin with his all. "You're my choice." Kai said simply and he wasn't going to change his mind. Sehun continued to shake his head back and forth. "Do I need to send a special request to the Lans?" Kai asked. Sehun wasn't dumb, he would pick the threat even though subtle. Kai knew he was being unfair, but he would have to get Sehun to agree by whatever means. He was certain if he let Sehun out of his sight without agreeing for the job, it would be extremely difficult to get to see him again, let alone become Hyunjin's guard. In other words, Kai would not be able to have Sehun close. Sehun's gaze remained averted, but Kai could still see the glassiness of his eyes. Blinking rapidly, Sehun stared at him, seemingly at a loss for words, so Kai figured he should just power through. "I can do that if that's what it would take to have you where I want you." Sehun laughed bitterly. It sounded wrong coming from him and Kai felt a little guilt for closing all possible exits for the boy. He allowed Sehun to get himself together. Emotions flickering on his face that was hard to read considering Sehun was back to avoiding his gaze. A bird cawed above them, Kai glanced up to the see an usual raven descending, to perch on Sehun's shoulder as though it had done so a thousand times. It wouldn't be anything remarkable for a raven to form a bond with its owner. However a Raven this size, with eyes that color, and intelligence behind those eyes, was. The Raven looked around, purple eyes accessing each person on Kai's side until they settled on Kai and remained on him for a long moment. Odd. Kai had never seen a Raven like this. The Raven surprised him further when it brought a wing to gently rub Sehun's cheek. Sehun let out a sigh, leaning into the touch and nodding to himself. Kai was speechless, caught between astonishment and wonderment . What just happened? No one said more, all taken by the Raven's sudden appearance. The silence became strained, but Kai didn’t know where to begin. In the end, Sehun was the one who broke it. "Can I have a chance to at least think about it?" Clearly compliance wasn’t usually Sehun's strong suit, but he seem to have understood Kai would not back down. Sehun had to be the one to give in. Good. "Unfortunately no, my birthday is coming up within three days, I want you there with Hyunjin before then." With the sudden attack on his son, Kai did not want to think of what might happen during his birthday. Someone would probably take advantage of the situation to cause trouble. And truthfully Kai's mind would be at peace knowing Hyunjin was in good hands. Sehun nodded jerkily, scrubbing a hand down his face as his Raven leaned against him as if to comfort him. "What about the order? I am months away from graduation."  Kai quirked an eyebrow."That will not be a problem. You are allowed to study and do your job at same time. I know you can manage." He did not want to give Sehun an opening. Sehun seemed relieved? Had the boy thought Kai would deprive him of the right to complete his training? That would be cruel of him. Sehun had potential and if he sharpen it, It would be in Kai