The Second Bodyguard || Re-written (Any x oc)

Chapter 3

"Meeting adjourned" Soo-won spoke, those words eliciting chairs to drag backwards as the generals of the kingdom left the room. Azumi remained in place, at the king's side, as she watched people she had befriended shuffle out of the room while quietly murmuring to one another. She watched all this with a blank expression, before turning when she was addressed by the King's advisor.

"Azumi, you almost fell asleep during the meeting. If you're going to be king Soo-won's bodyguard, then stop acting like a child" Kye-sook hissed, the corners of his lips pulled down into a grimace that did not fit his face. Although he was much older than Azumi, his face kept some youthfulness because of his peaceful upbringing. And yet, Azumi still mentally referred to him as a wrinkly old man.

"Sorry, it will not happen again" Azumi responded, the words escaping her lips before she could even think about it. Kye-sook rolled his eyes, having heard that a million times from the irritating girl. Soo-won chuckled, amused by their banter as his gaze finally turned from the map sprawled before him to his childhood friend.

"You're dismissed. I'll call you if I need you again today" Soo-won smiled brightly, Azumi giving a smile back before gliding out of the room. As soon as the door shut, that smile dropped, and a deep sigh escaped her lips. She did not know how much more of this she could take. She had heard that the fire tribe chased Hak and Yona off a cliff just the day before Soo-won was enthroned, and yet he appeared before all with a calm face. She had not been present when the news was told to him, but Tae-jun had come to her after, begging for her to punish him. The king refused, so he hoped that the remaining best friend would inflict punishment on him. She had almost cried on the spot, but she saw how distraught the general's son had been, so she pushed her emotions aside and helped calm his blabbering.

And yet, she could not show her face when the king was being crowned.

And even now, while she was still recovering from the news, Soo-won seemed like an impenetrable wall. His smile was ever-present, his bright aura and childlike curiosity reminding Azumi oh so much of their dear childhood. But she knew it was not the Soo-won she once knew. This one did not flinch at the news of his best friend's death.

"Azumi not smirking? It seems I don't know you anymore" A familiar voice teased, and Azumi's downcast emotions instantly disappeared. A smile perked the corners of her lips, and her eyes opened once again to the find the general of the wind tribe before her, a warm smile on his lips and a kind look in his eyes.

"Old man, just the person I need" Azumi smiled, sending him a wink. The elder man chuckled softly to himself, holding out his arms to the younger female.

"I told you to call me gramps, did I not?" He asked, Azumi smiling warmly at his response, before eagerly stepping into his embrace. They did not care about the odd glances from other generals or servants, they were just happy to be in each other's presence again.

"Hak and Yona made it to the wind tribe. But after the fire tribe threatened us to fall under Soo-won's rule, they left to seek advice from the oracle. Did you hear..." He whispered into her ear, causing Azumi's grip to tighten on the back of his clothes, which was all he needed to understand. They leaned back, Mundok now taking up her considerably smaller hands and giving them a comforting squeeze.

"If you ever need a break, some supper and a bed are always available to you" He offered, a kind look on his face with a seriousness in his gaze that reassured Azumi that he was serious, which left Azumi smiling brightly at his offer.

"Thank you, that means more to me than you could ever know. And I might just take up that offer" Azumi smiled, sending him a look. Mundok easily read this glance, and a chuckle escaped his lips as he shook his head slightly.