Night Prince

A Certain Chaos

"Your majesty, we're ready." Captain Pyo Chi Su of the royal guards informed King Ri.

On the outside, Pyo Chi Su may be fooling everyone as a responsible and firm captain but truthfully, the man was cursing on the inside. He was just about to enjoy some "medicine" with his mates when his royal majesty requested for him. 

These were one of the rare occurrences that the man wasn't drunk because he habitually drank past noon. It would seem King Ri caught him before he could drink that day and already, Pyo Chi Su was craving the sweet taste of his "medicine".

"Take five of your best men with you. My son has requested another town visit. Your job as always is to keep Prince Ri safe." The King ordered.

"Understood, your majesty. We will bring the royal highness back in one piece." Pyo Chi Su saluted before he marched out of the throne room.

♔♔♔

An hour later

The royal guards were doing one last sweep of the town in preparation for Prince Ri's town visit. Back at the palace, baskets of yakgwa were being loaded onto the carriage; presents from the royal family to their loyal civilians.

Prince Ri was currently eyeing the bouquet in his hands, occasionally touching up the flower arrangement until he deemed it perfect as a gift for a certain bright-eyed beauty. 

Next to him, Pyo Chi Su was eyeing the prince incredulously, finding it appalling that their future leader was playing with flowers. The soft and wistful look in Prince Ri's eyes and the giddy smile on his face did nothing but solidify Pyo Chi Su's conclusion that the future of their kingdom was at stake. Was King Ri really going to leave the throne to Prince Ri? A softie?

"Pfft, I'm more man than he is." Pyo Chi Su scoffed underneath his breath.

"Did you say something, Captain Pyo?" Prince Ri looked up with curious eyes.

Damn, the prince had a good hearing...

"I was saying we should be able to leave soon, your highness." Pyo Chi Su made up on the spot.

"Perfect." Prince Ri smiled before he stroked the petals of the rose lovingly again.

Pyo Chi Su was just about to curse internally once again when one of his guards ran up to him, worry etched upon his face. "Captain!"

"What is it?" Pyo Chi Su sighed exasperatedly.

"It's not safe. The town is under attack." The guard wasted no time in explaining the situation.

"Close the gates! Your highness, we need to-wait, where did he go?" Pyo Chi Su panicked when he realised the prince was missing.

Right at the spot where Prince Ri was standing laid the bouquet of flowers he was holding, clearly trampled on by someone or something.

This was not good.

"What are you waiting for? Find him!" Pyo Chi Su commanded.

With that, the royal guards scrambled to find the prince, not knowing that he had in fact run off towards the town the minute he heard there was an attack.

♔♔♔

That morning, clouds mingled with each other, occasionally overlapping, occasionally growing apart against the soft blue hue of the sky. A medley of silverish cotton covered the town Seri resided in a thin sheet of grey. 

It was certainly a morning different from the usual. Gone were the sun-kissed pavements and houses and in its place were shadows cast by the clouds expanding well into the horizon.