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

Chapter 17

"I see. So this person named Hiyou brought the drug to the coastal towns of the water tribe?" Soo-won asked, munching on his food with a bunny-like expression on his features.

"Right. He's probably the ringleader of the Nadai smugglers. He's a despicable enemy who stabbed a close aide of min. I don't know the exact location or the agenda, but I've heard he's doing business with merchants from south Kai around Sensui," Lili said, nibbling her bun with an adorable expression on her face. This entire exchange was very cute and childish, very informal and unlike the king of Kouka. Azumi would have cooed over the two cute royals, if not because they were not talking about a drug that ruined people's minds.

"Mhmm, mhmm! Oh, some red bean soup please" Soo-won said, before being distracted by a passing waiter and holding up his hand like a schoolboy. This seemed to piss Joo-doh off further, making Azumi chuckle and lean back further in her chair. Azumi once again would have enjoyed this situation a lot more if she was allowed to eat the food, but to act her part as a bodyguard, she could not eat the mouth-watering delicacies placed strategically across the table to make her stomach grumble.

"You two... Is now the time to be taking a break at a cafe?" Joo-doh complained, a tick mark throbbing on his temple while glaring at the king.

"It can't be helped. I arrived here after riding about a day on horseback" Lili reasoned, resting her chin on palm and pouting at the thought of the painful journey. Even for Azumi, who had been on horseback for a quarter of her life, found the journey tiring.

"Sweets will energize us. Joo-doh, why don't you eat a dumpling, too?" Soo-won grinned childishly, picking up the dumpling between his chopsticks and holding it out to Jo-doh as if to feed him.

"I don't need one!" Joo-doh snapped, slamming his hand on the table while simultaneously leaning away in disgust. Azumi's hand slapped to her mouth as she tried to block the sound of her snickers, making Soo-won smile upon noticing.

"You seem to have hired a short-tempered man," Lili observed, munching on her bun once again while staring at the general with a bored expression.

"That's the interesting part about him. But now that I've looked at the entire town like this... I've caught onto Sensui's peculiarity. This town is the first I've seen with people with such hardened eyes" Soo-won chuckled, smiling brightly at his bodyguard before becoming more serious.

"Nadai destroys their minds and bodies, and it alters their personalities too. I advised my father to take measures many times, but... He won't listen to me. I'm not going to ask him anymore. I came here because I won't let this beautiful land be sullied by another country anymore," Lili spoke, also becoming serious. Although, she donned a more forceful expression than the king, for Soo-won seemed amused by her fiery determination.

"Just the two of you?" Soo-won asked, his eyebrow steadily rising to join his bangs. Lili pouted and shot him a glare, offended by his judgement.

"Do you mean to call us reckless?" Lili asked snidely, making Soo-won's smile soften and his gaze to return down to the food spread out before him.

"I think general Joon-gi has found himself with several complicated positions. However, even if it is reckless... I don't think someone who is making their best effort to break through the current situation is foolish. As long as your thinking about the water tribe in earnest... You ought to do as much as you can without hesitation. I believe that general Joon-gi is only thinking about the water tribe too," Soo-won reasoned, looking up only to blink in surprise as Lili was tearing up. Azumi leaned out across her chair and pat her shoulder comfortingly, making the noble smile and place a hand over Azumi's.

"Despite your appearance, you say some pretty blunt things too" Lili chuckled, amused by the man she had hired only that afternoon.

"Huh?" Soo-won asked, cocking his head in a cute manner.