love, undercover [moonsun au]

Before

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                     This was not the way she planned it. The brunette was expecting a lot of yelling, some hysterics, the kind of drama that warrants a reality TV show but nope. Instead Yongsun felt like she was sitting in on one of her father's meetings. As if the matter of her going to college in America was as important as national security or diplomatic treaties. In a way, it was, hence the gloomy atmosphere in the room making everything grey and dull as ever.

Yongsun's father sat at the head of the table he uses to talk to his officers and she next to him while his advisor stood to the side. Piles of paperwork lay in front of them - the envelope holding her future sat atop it all.

"What is this?"

"My acceptance letter, appa."

"Seouldae?" He asks, finally taking the envelope and opening it.

Yongsun can see the glimmer of hope in his eye and for a minute she wants to cave in. To make him proud and follow all his plans for her to a tee. But then she remembered what she wants for herself more - a life away from the suffocating one she had right now, a life for her own.

"No, sir. It's the Berklee College of Music," she answers him proudly.

Music school has always been Yongsun's goal; and to be accepted into one of the best ones in the world? It was beyond even her wildest dreams.

"And the ones from Harvard, Stanford, Princeton?"

"I...I already declined them, sir." At this, Yongsun's father shoots her a cold stare that sends chills down her spine but he says nothing.

Her father's advisor quickly begins typing away on a laptop only to move the screen towards him for him to read. Yongsun feels a burst of dumb courage flow through her veins, urging her to speak up further and tell her father of her plans.

"Appa, I'm 21 years old now and starting a new chapter of my life in college...I feel like this is something I should do alone, without the guards or you and eomma hovering over me every single step of the way. I-I've booked a slot for the dormitory on campus and once I've settled in, I'm going to get myself a part-time job to pay for my other expenses."

"Yongsun-ah, are you sure this isn't just some elaborate plan to rebel against us and run off with some American hooligan who lives with a fraternity and drinks himself to death? Have you any idea of the life you intend to get yourself into?"

Yongsun had to stifle a laugh. The last thing she wanted right now was some hooligan to fool around with; yes, she wanted to have fun and experience those college parties she'd seen countless times in western movies and shows but that was it. Getting away from her family and carrying out her plans to afford a future life independent of all this was enough of a burden to bear at that moment.

"Appa, I've wanted to become a musician for as long as I can remember. I'm not letting a boy or anything else stand in the way of that dream. I just want to learn to be independent and earn my degree, I promise," she pleads, fixing the best puppy-dog eyes she could muster at her father.

"Fine, you may go. On one condition: you are not to create any scandal or do anything that would draw negative attention to yourself and this family while you are there. Your studies are the top priority and you want to take more responsibility as you say, so prove it."

She couldn't believe her luck. Yongsun got up and did something out of character with regard to her relationship with her father - she hugged him tight and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, appa! Thank you thank you thank you, I promise I won't let you down!"

Her surprised father had to smile at that. "Okay, now run along and get your belongings in order. I'll speak with Seungjae about your travel procedures and schedules."

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                       Moonbyul, in her 2 years of working as security detail, has never come face-to-face with her boss. Yes, she communicates with her direct superiors everyday but not the actual person she helps protect. Now that she's about to walk into a private audience with him, she has no clue what to do and can only pray it goes smoothly.

"Agent Moon, please surrender your weapon at the door then have a seat. His Highness will be arriving shortly," her senior announces curtly, turning to leave.

Trying to calm her nerves, Moonbyul's eyes were on her surroundings, darting around. She had never been to this part of the palace before; her clearance level not being high enough yet to enter it. The room was a simple oak-paneled office with shelves of books lining the walls, a huge work desk, and a table for meetings in the middle. Apart from the expensive fixtures in it, there was nothing in the room to indicate it being owned by royalty except for the lone family picture hanging above the mantel.

"His Royal Highness Kim Sang-yeop has arrived."

The raven-haired girl quickly gets up and bows deeply in front of the king. His advisor hands him a manila folder which he scans through before addressing her.

"Agent Moon ByulYi, Private First Class S Division, 21 years old - currently assigned to my external security detail, correct?"

"I have a high-priority assignment for you, Agent Moon and I need to know you'll be able to succeed with it," he says without waiting for her response. The king strolls over to the portrait of his family on the wall and stares at it for a long time before speaking again.

"What do you know of the Princess?"

Byul scrambles to put together a decent answer. What did she know about the princess? Nothing much, really. She hasn't even seen the girl in person. Byul only knows the princess is the king & queen's only child and they were of the same age as each other.

"T-the princess is your only heir, sir and she, uh, must be going to college soon."

"Do you know where she intends to attend school this fall?"

Buy shook her head, having absolutely no clue on the answer and where this conversation was leading that involved her.

"This stubborn daughter of mine insists on going to music school in America!" the King huffs, "and she wants to go alone! Live by herself in a dormitory instead of her own apartment that would be fully stocked with her needs! As if I would let her do that."

"And this is where you come in - I want you to be my daughter's personal guard during her stay in college. Pretend to be her roommate with no idea of who she is, go to the same classes as her, befriend her and all while keeping her safe."

Byul's head was beginning to swirl with the weight of the assignment & the pressure it entailed. She knew she wasn't that qualified yet hence her reluctance. "With all due respect, Sir, I feel I am unqualified for this highly important mission. I'm sure my seniors would be more capable to-"

"Agent Moon, you are the only one qualified out of all our field agents; mainly because you are the only woman on active duty and have not come across my daughter yet. This isn't without reward. Should you manage to keep the princess safe and unaware of your identity, a big promotion & raise will already be waiting for you."

You're basically babysitting her while in school, Byul. Get it together this is a good opportunity for you! The raven-haired girl thought to herself. Without much further ado, Moonbyul gave in and responded to the king with her agreement.

She just had to keep an eye on the girl and be her friend, how hard could that be?