The Light in the Dark

Chapter 1: Rookie

Jungkook caresses his hands over his chest to flatten out the wrinkles in his uniform, wanting to look nice and crisp for his first day. Wearing the navy blue jacket with six, big gold buttons lining the front all the way down gave him a sense of dignity and success. He had been working hard for the past two years to finally come to this position; a royal guard.

Once he buttoned up his jacket, he could almost feel the praise coming from his father. Jungkook knows how proud his father would've been if he were still here to see him dressed up. Jungkook only wants to honor him, and is nothing but excited to start working.

He smooths his black hair back so his bangs hang on either side of his forehead. Jungkook laces up his black boots and heads out of his room into his kitchen to grab an apple before he goes.

The castle isn't far from his home. It would only be a ten minute walk, which he's actually looking forward to every day. He likes to see and say hi to all the people in his village, knowing that his father did the same.

It was a cloudy day outside, the sun peaking through when it was able to. Jungkook closes the door to his small cottage and makes his way down the path that leads to town. People are all ready out and about this early in the morning. The shop clerks and bakers are milling around, setting up for the day. Jungkook assumed that everyone was prepping for the big celebration coming up in just a few days. He wants to say it's one of the Prince's birthdays. He doesn't know, or really care.

Jungkook greeted and smiled at people he passed, all of them giving him an approving look at his new work attire. He even took the time to stop by the bread bakery and say hi to his old boss and to show off his uniform. The baker smiled and congratulated him.

It was always a special thing to stand this close to the palace gates, but it was something else when they opened up for him and allowed him to walk down the long stoned pathway leading to the main entrance. Jungkook always thought that the castle was one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen. It towered over the village in a glamorous manner. It had huge stained glass windows that complimented the white, gold, and blue structure that piled high into the sky. Four separate towers shot aimlessly from the base, making Jungkook crane his neck to pick out the pointed tops.

There were a couple other guards walking beside him. They didn't talk, so Jungkook stayed quiet as well. Instead of going through the big wooden doors that connect the outer wall with the palace courtyard, Jungkook follows the men to the left of the bridge and they take a stone stairwell that leads to the guard station underneath the palace grounds.

Jungkook was overwhelmed by the giant space that was already crowded with guards. He walks through the throng of men and goes to the back of the room where he was told to meet his training guide. He spots a red headed guy and sees his name tag is the one he's looking for.

"Hey, are you Hoseok?" Jungkook asks while getting the red haired boys attention.

The boy turns to him and puts on a big smile. "Sure am! What's the name of the lucky guy who gets my assistance today?"

Jungkook grins, already liking this guy's energy. "I'm Jungkook."

The older guard shows him around the station and points Jungkook to his locker where his gear should be stored.

"You don't have a sword yet; you'll get that before your shift starts."

Jungkook nods, feeling more excited. "I wonder where I'll be posted."

Hoseok shrugs, "It changes quite often, but they have been doubling the amount of guards on the bedroom floor due to the increase in imposters and thugs."