white rose. // jinjoo

prologue: the first meeting

"Minjoo, my dear,"

Twelve year old Minjoo's ears perked up at the familiar voice of her mother from behind. She immediately closed the book that she was reading and faced the Queen with a gentle smile on her lips, her back straightened in an instant. "Yes, Mother?" She asked, curious why the woman personally seeks for her and even made an effort to go to her chamber, not just asking a servant to call out for her and ask her to go to the library instead.

The Queen smiled back at her daughter, taking a few steps. "I want you to meet someone, lovely," She said, turning to the servant who's near the door and did a gesture— the servant nodded and opened the door for the awaiting visitors outside.

Minjoo was puzzled, but she just nodded quietly and watched her mother turn to her. "Remember General Ahn's daughter that I've been telling you whenever we're drinking tea?" She asked gently and the princess nodded slowly. Yes, she indeed remembers. The queen did mention the General's daughter a few times to her, complementing how good her fighting skills are and very intelligent, such a handsome beauty too. It's a big deal because she's a girl and still very young yet she's already following the footsteps of her father and also excels in those kinds of fields. It's rare to see such a maiden—or just, girl— that knows how to hold and use a sword.

"Of course, mother, I do." She whispered, blinking in confusion. "And what's with it?" Added by the princess making the Queen smile.

Exactly after that, two persons entered her chamber. Minjoo averted her gaze on her mother and stared at the newcomers. She sees the familiar smile of the Legendary Warrior and Great General of the Beairterre, Ahn Seungjin, but Minjoo is unfamiliar with the young girl who's quietly following him behind.

"Good day, your Majesty! And Princess Minjoo, it's been a while since we've last seen each other, yes?" The General exclaimed, chuckling as his heavy footsteps got nearer, chains dangling on his silver, shining armour. He didn't forget to bow to the both noble as a sign of respect, the kid behind him mirroring his gesture.

Minjoo grinned. It's no secret that the general and the princess have a good friendship and are close to one another. As a matter of fact, Minjoo even sees Seungjin as her second Father. Seungjin always protects her and he's a wise and funny man, that's why Minjoo likes him.

"Indeed, General. I heard from one of the servants of ours that you're training the new recruits. Good luck to them, hopefully, they won't witness your wolf side!" The princess said, smiling brightly and watched the General barks out a laugh as he walked closer to them. "Haha! Yes! Don't worry, I'm going easy with them. But I do destroy their armour whenever I go furious. They are quite handy." He shook his head to express his stress and disappointment that he felt towards the care-free aspiring warriors.

"By the way, this is the reason why I was called by the Queen," Seungjin shifted into a serious and fatherly demeanor. He turned back and gestured to the quiet girl to take a few steps forward which the girl complied. The general then patted the young girl's shoulders. "Princess Minjoo... This is my first born, my only daughter," He introduced, and smiled.

Minjoo's eyes stayed still on the young girl's hazelnut orbs, she doesn't know why but she's captivated and can't even avert her gaze from the young girl and the latter is even staring back, she can even feel that the girl is staring right at her soul with those deep gaze of hers.

"Her name is Ahn Yujin," Seungjin continued, ruffling his daughter's hair. "And from now on, she'll be your guard, your protector, your warrior, your wolf— she will be anything you want her to be. She will protect you from threats, harm, or just anything that will put you in danger." He said, looking proud. The general then tapped Yujin's shoulders and the young girl looked at him.

The princess was a little bit disappointed when the eye contact broke, she tried to ignore it and just smiled.

Yujin spoke suddenly, eyes on the Queen and fixed her posture. "Greetings, your Majesty. I'm Ahn Yujin, the daughter of the great general Ahn Seungjin, I vow to protect Princess Kim Minjoo even if my life will be at risk, and even if it'll cost other people's lives." Her voice is firm and husky, full of fire of determination and then bowed again but this time, she's properly delivering her greetings.

The Queen nodded, very impressed. She felt at ease and light, because she knew this kid would keep her Minjoo safe.

Minjoo just stared at her, and kept her mouth shut, but she's observing Yujin's words and actions.

Seungjin turned to them and proudly smiled. "I assure you, my Queen and princess, that Yujin is capable of protecting your Highness Minjoo. I'm confident, she's the daughter of a great general warrior anyway and a pure-blooded Ahn." He laughed wholeheartedly while shaking his head a bit. He then encouraged Yujin to talk to the princess as he and the Queen would discuss something regarding the matter about the royal soldiers and warriors.

The two girls awkwardly stood there in the middle of the chamber as Seungjin and the Queen exited the place, leaving them to know each other because surely, they would spend a lot of time together now that it was finally declared that the kid Ahn is officially Minjoo's protector for life.

Minjoo gulped, a little bit tensed. She doesn't know if she would start a conversation, but looks like Yujin doesn't have any slightest intention to entertain her either. She took this time to examine Yujin. The young girl is just in the same height as her, but she's definitely younger than the princess, her eyes are droopy and unreadable but sharp, her brown-ish middle length hair is messy, got a proud nose, and pouty lips. Yujin also looks absolutely like her father, their resemblance is uncanny.

When she was about to speak, Yujin opened her mouth and what the general's daughter had said shocked her.

"You're beautiful." Said Yujin with a poker face but her gaze is soft. It's sincere and innocent.

Minjoo's cheeks started to warm.

"I... T-Thank you," She breathed out.

And what Yujin did next made her more surprised.

Yujin smiled, showing her bunny teeth. Minjoo didn't quite expect that, she thought the kid Ahn was the type of girl who's very timid and cold, a kid who doesn't smile. And her bunny teeth are absolutely adorable and splendid.

"You're really pretty, princess. You remind me of the white roses in our garden," The younger said, smile not fading as she took a few steps closer. She was amused at the princess' reddening cheeks.

"Nice to meet you, Princess Minjoo."

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A/N: the moment i finish all of my school requirements, i would drop chapter one~ hope y'all liked this~ please comment or upvote ^.^ also, please do use #WhiteRose_JinJoo in twt if you wanted to react, ask, or just anything

Beairterre pronounced as Be-yer-teer, it's the name of the royal Kim family's Kingdom