Today was going to be a life-changing day for Dohyun, one that would hinge entirely on the decisions of the royal officials. After eleven long years of working like a slave, it was finally the day of his promotion but the position he was assigned would determine his fate.
Three court soldiers were to be given newly designated posts. Dohyun had his eyes on a very specific one. After all, he needed to prove his loyalty and that he was not the son of traitors.
He stood between two other men, both as well-built as he was, but he raised his chest proudly, demonstrating his strength and capability. Today, they all wore the royal uniform -- a deep red robe adorned with exquisite embroidery and a golden flower blooming on the chest, the symbol of Hwachon, the village of flowers.
"Hey…I heard there's going to be two royal guards. You think you'll get in? I think I'm definitely getting in, though."
Minjae, the man on Dohyun's right, leaned toward him. His breath reeked of fermented fish. Dohyun grimaced and turned his head to the side. How could someone not care to clear their breath on a day like this? He had expected nothing less of Minjae.
"How dare you ignore your senior!" Minjae snapped, his flaring, fat nose nearly covering his tanned face.
"We are no longer senior and junior," Dohyun replied firmly, still avoiding Minjae's gaze. "We'll be equals from now on."
"You--"
The royal doors swung open, sunlight spilling into the room. Two men entered, clearly royal officials of the Prince of Hwachon.
The first wore pristine white silk under a dark brown coat trimmed in gold. A sword hung at his hip, partially concealed by the coat. His hair was tied neatly in a bun, covered by a golden Sangtugwan, the emblem of the state emblazoned on it. His black eyes scanned the room, and the scar stretching from his upper left lip to the lower right gave him a dangerous edge. Sir Ahn. One glance confirmed his high standing among the officials.
Behind him came another man, gentler, with a soft smile and warm brown eyes. His hair was long, loosely tied back with a bun, and he wore a blue coat over white silk. He held a fan, possibly sharpened metal, instead of a sword.
Dohyun's chest tightened. Uncle Hwang. The man who had given him life after his parents had been branded traitors, who had fought for him to have a place in the royal court. One of the main officials of the court, and the only reason Dohyun had survived this far.
"I won't take much time. Let's be quick." Sir Ahn's voice was deep, with an edge of urgency. He pulled an envelope from his robes and began reading aloud.
"Kim Seokjin. Position - Front Royal Escort of the Princess.
Song Minjae. Position - Royal Guard of the Prince.
Yue Dohyun. Position - Royal Guard…" He paused, eyes narrowing at Dohyun, "of the Princess."
The decision was made in a matter of seconds. Sir Ahn gave no further look or explanation and left the room, leaving only Hwang behind. He smiled politely.
"Congratulations. You may assume your new positions immediately. Seek guidance from your seniors as needed. As for the Royal Guard of the Prince, follow me." He glanced at Dohyun, whose bowed head betrayed nothing -- neither shame nor happiness -- but Hwang immediately sensed the turmoil.
Minjae, riding the high of his new post, shoved Dohyun aside with his shoulder, flaunting the position Dohyun had worked eleven years to earn. Serving the prince, a dream now gone.
Why? Why must it happen to me? Dohyun thought, chest tightening. He had bested Minjae in every trial, in every test of skill, yet he was relegated to serving a princess he had never seen -- someone who rarely appeared in public.
Hwang gestured for the others to leave. The room cleared, leaving only the uncle and Dohyun.
"What is this, Dohyun?" Hwang asked gently.
"Uncle… you know this is wrong, don't you?" Dohyun's black eyes, dark as ink, lifted slowly, blurred under a mist of frustration. "I have more experience than anyone here! Why can't I serve the prince? The officials… Sir Ahn did this on purpose, right? Because he resents my father!"
"Yue Dohyun!" Hwang's voice rang, grabbing his full attention. "I know you feel wronged but listen. They didn't want to give you any promotion at all. I had to insist that talent, not favoritism, be recognized. This position is the closest they would allow."
He stepped forward, placing strong hands on Dohyun's shoulders. "This is all I could do to help. The Princess's chambers operate differently than the Prince's. Prove yourself there, and you may earn a far greater position. Don't belittle this chance. Use it to climb higher."
"But… the Princess's chambers… hardly have any men. I'll feel awkward being surrounded only by women." Dohyun glanced away, cheeks reddening.
Hwang chuckled. "That's not a problem. Who knows? Maybe you'll even find your ideal woman there."
"Uncle--"
"That's enough for now. I have to meet with Song Minjae. Pack your things for the Princess's chambers." He drew an envelope from his sleeve and handed it to Dohyun. "Here. Deliver this to the princess. I've included a special request on your behalf."
With a heavy heart, Dohyun accepted his fate and stepped out of the court. His boots hit the stone path with a heaviness that matched the weight inside his chest. A short distance ahead, two familiar silhouettes waited -- both dressed in light blue robes beneath their white uniforms, though their garments carried no emblem. Their hair was tied neatly into buns… well, almost neatly.
One of them had bangs sticking out in every direction.
Minho.
And the calmer one beside him, Kang.
Who else would wait for him on a day he needed comfort? Even in his misery, a faint warmth filled Dohyun's chest as he strode toward them and wrapped his arms over both their shoulders. The unexpected weight made the two jolt upright.
"You're here already?" Minho asked, his messy bangs flopping into an eye from the sudden movement.
"Yeah, that was quick," Kang added.
"Sir Ahn came by," Dohyun sighed. "You know how he works."
"So? Did you…?" Kang leaned forward with an expression that suggested he was the one competing for the role.
"Of course."
"You don't look happy," Minho muttered, squinting up at Dohyun as if trying to read the disappointment hidden in his blank expression.
"I'm a royal guard… for the princess."
"WHAT?!"
Their voices echoed off the courtyard walls as the two practically leapt in joy. They danced around him like festival drummers, until they noticed Dohyun wasn't moving a muscle. Their excitement died instantly.
Kang coughed. "…You're lucky to be serving the Princess."
"Right! She's the most beautiful in the entire Hwachon State!" Minho said, nose flaring with dramatic reverence. "I only saw her veiled once - once ! Even with the veil, her beauty could be felt."
"Her chambers are special too," Kang added. "They say the Princess's residence lives up to Hwachon's name -- the State of Flowers."
Minho clasped his hands dreamily. "She must smell like flowers as well…"
Dohyun exhaled long and deep. This reaction was expected. They always spoke of the princess like she was the sun rising over Hwachon. He never joined in because, to him, the princess was irrelevant.…Until now.
"I heard the Princess only takes female maids and female guards," Dohyun muttered. "I'll be the only man there. Why appoint me at all?"
"Hey," Kang tapped his chin thoughtfully, "appointed or not, the prince decides the positions. He decides for the Princess too. Even though she manages her estate, everything -- maids, guards, food, schedules -- ultimately goes through him. So if he said a male guard should be assigned to her, she can't really object."
"What…?"
That didn't sit right with Dohyun. A princess with her own estate should at least have authority over herself. Why would the prince control even her personal attendants? It sounded less like a royal sibling relationship and more like…
A puppeteer and his puppet.
He dismissed the thought.
Then Minho leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "There are rumors the prince secretly loves the princess."
"What? They're siblings!" Dohyun nearly jumped. His stomach twisted at the grotesque implication.
"They aren't related by blood," Kang said seriously. "Or so the rumors say. When the second queen ascended the throne, she already had a child. That child became the Princess. The queen had been a commoner and no one knows who the father is. Some say she used to be a courtesan. The king accepted the child anyway, but it was the prince who gave the princess a formal status in the royal court."
"Her position exists because of him. People say he cares for her so much that no one would be surprised if they married one day."
"I'm rooting for the two of them," Kang nodded solemnly.
Dohyun, speechless, blinked at both of them. He had heard vague whispers over the years, but they never concerned him enough to listen. But now… the princess was no longer someone distant. He would be serving her.
"Hey, Dohyun," Minho leaned in again, eyes narrowing with seriousness, "If you ever see her without her veil…"
He towered over Dohyun as if issuing a sacred order.
"You must describe her face to us. Every. Detail."
"Uh… okay…"
"Speaking of which...I don't see that annoying senior today," Kang pointed.
.....
It was nearly dusk. The sky glowed in a soft gradient -- yellow melting into orange, orange caressing the edges of pale clouds that stretched across the heavens like the feathers of a dove. The world looked as if it were slowly exhaling, preparing to fall into night.
The ride to the Princess's chambers was quieter than Dohyun expected. Much quieter. The silence felt almost sacred. They were travelling from the Prince's northern estate, where discipline was strict and the air itself felt sharp, to the Princess's southern territory.
As the carriage wheels thudded over wooden planks and stone paths, Dohyun leaned slightly toward the window. One glance was enough to see the difference.
The northern domain was rigid -- guards patrolling, banners aligned perfectly, the roads swept to near perfection.
But the southern estate…
The air felt warmer. Softer. As if it remembered laughter. As if the earth itself carried nostalgia. Flowering trees grew freely on both sides of the road, their petals scattering like tiny lanterns drifting in the forming dusk. Children ran between garden walls, their laughter fading as the carriage passed. The scent of blossoms lingered everywhere.
Kang and Minho, who had insisted on accompanying him just for the chance to see the Princess's chambers once in their lifetime, had long since fallen asleep. Both were slumped against each other, mouths slightly open, snoring softly with every bump of the carriage. It made Dohyun sigh in disbelief.
As they approached the chambers, the carriage finally slowed and then came to a halt. Dohyun peeked outside to see if they had reached their destination.
His black eyes caught the glow of the orange sky, a faint shiver crawling over his skin.
What stood before him was beyond anything he could have imagined.