Jake, once he got away from Jay and Keonhee, felt like everything just left his body as he let himself drop his happy façade. He let out a breath as he stood in front of the gate that would take him home to Australia, wondering how he managed to get this far.

“Having second thoughts already?” Came Allen's voice as he walked over after speaking with Hwon on the phone.

“No,” sighed Jake as he shook his head. “I just feel like a big burden was placed on my shoulders,” he explained. “But I know that if I don't do this my father's debt would be passed down to me if he does something stupid,” he added.

“Hwon, despite everything, does care,” reminded Allen as he shrugged. “He only wants what's best for you and right now that's to get out of your father's debt and to make sure you and your brothers are not going to be affected by it,” he explained.

“I know,” mumbled Jake before he let out a sigh. “This is just something I'll never get used to I guess,” he mused, looking thoughtful.

“Well, I'm here, if you need me,” commented Allen as he nodded his head.

“I know,” muttered Jake as the call for boarding started. “I'm surprised you didn't go with Hwon when he had to head back,” he remarked as they stood in line.

“Hwon wanted to make sure you made it back,” responded Allen as he shook his head. “Granted, nothing should happen but we don't know at this point,” he added.

“Right,” hummed Jake as he nodded his head.

~

The plane ride back to Australia was shorter than Jake had expected, even if he had slept through most of the flight in first class.

Allen was there for the most part, making sure Jake was really okay as they made their way over to where Hwon was waiting in the terminal after landing in Sydney.

“Jake, Allen,” greeted Hwon as he stood there with someone Jake had assumed was a part of the guard.

“Your highness,” greeted Allen as he bowed in greeting.

“Hello,” greeted Jake as he bowed in greeting.

“I assume Chan is here to accompany us back?” Asked Allen as he nodded at Chan who nodded back at Allen.

“I am here more for the arrival of the new guard,” responded Chan as he nodded. “Felix would've been here but he had classes to attend to,” he added. “But yes, I am also accompanying you back to the office,” he explained as an afterthought.

“Well, let's go then,” commanded Hwon before he turned and walked away. Everyone quickly followed after him.

~

When they got back to the office building that had become Hwon's base of operations Jake was told to wait in the waiting room while Hwon had a meeting to attend to in regards to another person that was in his care.

When it was time to go see Hwon Jake felt extremely nervous. He knew that he was in the guard now, but he wasn't sure what Hwon was thinking when it came to himself but Jake was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice if it meant saving himself and his brothers from their past mistakes.

As Chan escorted him to Hwon's office Jake couldn't help but feel his nerves acting up again. He knew how much this was going to help them, but he wasn't sure what would happen after this point. He just hoped that his first official mission wasn't too daunting of a task.

“You'll do fine,” chimed in Chan as they stood outside of Hwon's office. “If you're anything like us you'll do completely fine on your own,” he reassured as he turned to Jake.

“Yeah,” breathed out Jake as he let out a soft sigh. “I can do this,” he told himself as he stood straighter, nodding to Chan. Chan nodded back and opened the door, letting Jake step inside before closing the door behind him.

Jake stood before Hwon with his head held high, an air of indifference surrounding him as Hwon watched him closely from behind his desk in a thinking pose.

Allen was standing behind Hwon to his immediate right, quietly judging Jake as he kept his expression blank.

"What lengths will you go through to guarantee you and your brother's financial safety?" Asked Hwon.

"I will do anything, including kill," replied Jake as his hands twitched at his side a sign of nervousness that he had picked up from his mother. He knew he couldn't follow through with killing someone, but he was desperate, and it was the first thing to come to mind.

"What kind of king do you think I am?" Scoffed Hwon as he shook his head. "I will not have you kill someone, do not worry," he explained. "I just need you to keep an eye on someone for me," he added. "I think you two are connected in some way," he explained. "Come in," he called, causing the door to open.

Jake turned to the door, blinking in surprise at who walked in.

“You needed me?” Asked the new person who went to stand beside Jake.

“Jeonggeun,” greeted Hwon as he moved back, leaning in his chair as he kept a hand on the table in front of him. “I know you wanted a way out, and I'm giving you this opportunity,” he explained.

“You want me to keep an eye on Jeonggeun?” Asked Jake as he turned to Hwon.

“You two know each other then?” Asked Hwon.

“We were neighbors for a time,” responded Jake as he nodded. “But I wasn't aware of him being with you,” he added.

“I came to Hwon after you did,” responded Jeonggeun as he shook his head. “But I'm not going to do anything reckless, I don't need a bodyguard,” he added.

“You have no choice right now,” remarked Hwon as he raised an eyebrow. “Either go with Jake or become homeless,” he explained. “I'm the one paying for your college education since your parents didn't want to help after abandoning you when your own brother left you,” he added.

“You leave Minhyuk out of this,” Jeonggeun nearly spat out. The only thing that kept him from walking out the door was the fact that everything Hwon had said was true. If he declined the offer then the money would stop flowing in and he wouldn't have any way to pay for his college education other than taking out loans.

“Well?” Asked Hwon.

“Fine,” grit out Jeonggeun, rather reluctantly. “I'll go with Jake back to wherever he came from,” he added.

“Good, your plane leaves tomorrow,” responded Hwon as he nodded. “ them out Allen, and make sure they make it home safe,” he added, motioning for Allen to step forward.

Allen bowed before walking around the desk to where Jake and Jeonggeun stood, letting Jake take the lead as he turned and walked out the door. Jeonggeun followed after him after Allen nudged him to go and Allen followed after them after turning and nodding at Hwon before leaving the room and closing the door.

~

Jeonggeun didn't look too happy to be leaving Australia after everything he had gone though up to this point. He knew better than to go against a king's order though, and just took it for now. He knew he was going to be done with school soon enough so he just went with it until he could finally finish his degree.

Jake hadn't seen much of Jeonggeun since before he officially become a part of the king's guard and now it seemed like he was stuck with him. He didn't mind it too much, but it looked like Jeonggeun was more against the idea.

Allen could only sigh as he understood where Jeonggeun was coming from, but he knew Jeonggeun had no choice but to comply with Hwon's orders. He just hoped that the two of them wouldn't be ripping each others throats out by the end of it. Whenever that moment came.