My Prince | sunwon

3

19 years old

It'd been too long—far too long.

Five years too long.

Sunoo's stomach coiled into nauseating knots as the returning guards and knights neared the castle of Lotus Falls. He'd tried his best to stay in touch with the prince while he was away but over time the letters slowed, shortened, grew impersonal, and then simply stopped. He'd considered, more than a few times, reaching out but he kept convincing himself that too much time had passed and that Jungwon was likely angry with him; for if he wasn't, why hadn't he been the one to write?

He heard murmurs on occasion about the prince and how often he accompanied his father around the kingdom—as well as outside the kingdom, heard how handsome he'd grown to be, and how sought after he was—both within the kingdom and outside of it. He supposed it made sense that the young prince let his friendship with Sunoo fizzle; he had much more important things (and people) to attend to.

Not everyone he had trained with were coming to the castle, many of them were being posted at key villages and ports within the kingdom. Sunoo wasn't sure what he would have done had he been sent anywhere outside the castle. Jay was also being brought to the castle, which made Sunoo happy. They'd grown quite close over the last five years; not as close as Sunoo and Jungwon. No one could ever replace the closeness he had with Jungwon. Had. He wasn't sure if anything of that closeness could be salvaged at this point.

He eventually told Jay that he lived within the castle walls and that his father was advisor to the king. He didn't, however, disclose his relationship with the prince. Which he was grateful for now, seeing how there would be nothing to show for it.

"Are you excited to see your family again?" Jay asked lowly from his side.

Sunoo smiled softly as he turned to him. "I am. What about you though? Will you be able to return to your village and see your family before starting your assignment at the castle?"

"I hope so. I had inquired about it back at camp but couldn't get a straight answer. It would appear it is up to the king if he will provide us any leave to reconnect with family."

"He will," Sunoo said and Jay didn't question him. He figured if anyone would know the likelihood of the king granting leave, it'd be Sunoo as his father worked so closely with the king. Surely, he'd know some of his tendencies.

The royal guard was awaiting their arrival, and Sunoo would be a liar if he tried to say it didn't break his heart a bit to not see Jungwon with them. He always thought that Jungwon would be the first one in line to greet him. He sighed and prepared himself to appear unbothered by the absence of his best friend. He glanced to his left; or maybe Jay was his best friend now. The consideration made his heart ache.

Seeing his parents though, that lightened his heart and reminded him just how much he missed them over the last five years. They had been able to visit a few times. Not as many times as they had promised, but enough.

As they all exited their transport the lead royal guard approached. Despite wanting to run to his parents, Sunoo—along with twelve other new guards and knights for the castle—stood at attention awaiting their command.

"Sir Sunoo," Hoochul greeted, causing more than a few heads to turn his way. He flushed lightly under the attention. "It is great to see you back."

"Happy to be back Ho—" he cleared his throat quickly. "Sir. It's good to be back sir."

Hoochul gave him a kind smile and nod before addressing the group of them, going down the list of assignments. Many of them were on rotation of posts—gates, gardens, within the palace, along the wall. But Sunoo froze when Hoochul got to him. "Kim Sunoo, your assignment is within the palace. You will be Prince Jungwon's royal guard."