Chapter Text
The scent of cheap liquor and sweat clung to my clothing as I walked through the barracks I now called my home. Tired from today’s missions and slightly tipsy from tonight’s supper, I decided to step away from the campfire and my comrades. I yawned while the sound of faint laughter and drunken roars could be heard behind me.
Five steps away from my tent, I could hear familiar vulgar sounds. I cursed under my breath, grabbing onto the dagger in my pocket. I purposefully dropped it; the clanking noise caused the commotion within the tents to come to a halt. Whispers quickly filled the quarters.
“Shit, someone’s here.”
After waiting a few moments, I pulled back the fabric of the tent to reveal two men scrambling to tie their clothes on.
“You’re lucky it’s just me.”
“You know it’s hard for us to be alone together.”
I rolled my eyes as I marched to my bed.
“Man, you’d think he’d be happy after the announcement of his promotion.”
“Not in the mood, Ichiro.”
“What’s wrong, Ren?” Ichiro’s partner, Minato, pouted.
“I’ve been told I’m being relocated. Closer to her.”
“The Princess?”
“At least you’ll be elbow-deep in silks and perfumes instead of grime and sweat.” Ichiro giggled.
“You really deserve the promotion, Ren.” Minato smiled. “After you saved Lord Tsuno, he was beaming with praise and gratitude.”
“It wasn’t my intention to be promoted.”
“You also won’t have to deal with the smell of unbathed, drunken men.” Ichiro deeply sniffed the air before recoiling in disgust.
“I’d rather be drunk than have to babysit a spoiled heir.” I deadpanned.
“Aren’t all royalty to some degree act that way?” said Minato.
“Which is why it disgusts me.”
“Maybe that’s why you became her bodyguard? To bring some sense to her?”
“Supposedly, I’ll be her escort to the nearby kingdom,” I replied to Ichiro. “She’s arranged to marry their Prince.”
“Damn,” Ichiro nodded, “I guess you can’t make a move on her.”
Minato slapped his partner’s shoulder. I rolled my eyes, lacking the energy to retort. Silence stretched out after I sighed heavily.
“We’ll miss you, Ren.”
“Yeah, and your stench.” Ichiro leaned towards me, sniffing and quickly gagging. “When's the last time you bathed?”
I shrugged. “Four days?”
You'd better clean yourself daily if you're going to live in the palace.” Minato lectured.
I rolled my eyes. “I don't have the time. If I'm lucky, I can wash my hands.”
“You're also not allowed back in here unless you announce yourself.”
I smirked at Ichiro. “Just don't get caught with your pants down the next time you’re screwing like rabbits.”
-
The moment I stepped into the palace, I was already greeted by the scent of incense.
My new uniform was still foreign to me, as I had never worn such soft silk garments. The black trousers and evergreen coat emblemed in gold threads held far more wealth than I ever had in my lifetime. Despite how stifling it was to wear three layers of fabric, it was better than having to wear full body armor all day.
Ten steps away from the chrysanthemum throne, I descended to my knees, placing my hands down as I bowed my head. I stayed there until a deep, authoritative voice spoke.
“Rise,” the Emperor ordered.
I obeyed, not daring to make eye contact with the Emperor. His stern gaze analyzed me in silence. The Emperor was known for his majestic, bronze antlers, symmetrical yet branching in every direction. His antlers stretched out farther than the throne he sat on. The magnitude of such horns was fit for a ruler.
“You have displayed loyalty to the throne, Ren,” the Emperor began, speaking calmly and deliberately, “from this day onward, your sword will protect Princess Kohana as you escort her to Gwangbaek Kingdom. I expect nothing less from you. Guard her well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I responded, once again, bowing my head. I waited with a straining neck until he dismissed me.
As I turned away from the Emperor, a court attendant beckoned me to follow her to a corridor of golden sliding doors. Nature murals were painted in shades of blue and green on the thin paper screens. The further we walked, the murals became larger and more elaborate. We stopped right in front of two screen doors adorned with several flowers of a different color palette: red peonies, white plum blossoms, and pink camellias clustered together. Cherry blossom petals fluttered across the paper as if a breeze passed through the mural.
Quietly, the attendant sat on her knees, gently sliding open the door. The warm ray of light from within shone at my feet. My eyes quickly fell upon the young woman wearing layers of expensive robes sitting at a table. While she adjusted her silk hair ties, her pale pink sleeves drooped as she raised both hands to the right side of her head.
The attendant gestured with her hand, allowing me to enter the chambers.
Stepping inside, wafts of perfume filled my senses. My head was starting to hurt. Nonetheless, I bowed my head. “Your Highness,” I greeted, “my name is Ren. I am honored to serve as your guard and escort.”
I stood there, stiffly, expecting a response. After an awkward pause, I raised my body. She hummed to a tune as if she were ignoring my presence. I clenched my jaw, loath to see what she was like. Suddenly, my eyes widened when I saw her eyes. Bright golden eyes. Her eyes were unexpectedly warm, her facial expression calm yet filled with curiosity. It felt as if I’d seen eyes like hers before, but I didn’t know where from.
“Call me Princess Kohana.” She smiled. Her voice was surprisingly rich. “You've come at the perfect time.” She rose to her feet. “Let's go to the garden.”
I furrowed my brows at her warm welcome, but I never dared to disobey an order.
The Princess swiftly grabbed her footwear and led me to a door right next to her bedroom. I pulled the door open, allowing her to step out first. I stood by the door, watching the young woman place a blanket on a patch of grass within the vast yard. After looking around the garden, I decided to follow suit.
She sat underneath one of the many plum trees grown in the yard. There was a large pond with rocks and stones lining around it. Low-hanging trees surrounded the ponds, providing shade for the aquatic life in the pond.
The Princess looked up, gesturing to the space beside her, softly tapping the blanket.
I shook my head.
“It’s not treason to sit in a garden, you know.” She teased.
“Thank you, Your Highness, but it's not my place.”
“Again, simply call me Princess Kohana.” The Princess plucked a blossom from a nearby branch, tucking it behind her ear. She held up another with a smile. “Consider it an order, then.”
I stood there for several seconds, hesitating at the idea of such inappropriate behavior. Stiffly, I stepped next to the Princess. I awkwardly knelt beside her, still obeying orders, but not indulging in her request to be so casual.
The Princess laughed quietly. “You follow rules too well.” Princess Kohana placed the blossom in my hand with a light chuckle. The warmth of her hands made me want to recoil. I ignored her jab, almost glaring at her. The Princess continued to play with the flowers above her. I almost pitied her shelteredness.
I continued to look ahead, focusing on surveying my surroundings. As I stared at the serene yard, filled with the smell of falling blossoms, it reminded me that I am trapped here for the next several months. Its peacefulness made me yearn to be on the battlefield or locked in a duel with someone. Who knew that valiance would be rewarded with such monotonous work? I clenched onto the flower in my hand, dreading the long, suffocating prison ahead of me.