"Still nothing?" the Queen asked, focusing her gaze on her plate of steak. Her knife pierced the meat, allowing the juices to spill out on the gold surface it sat on. Steak had always been her favourite meal. And yet now, she couldn't even bring herself to place the fork at her lips.

The King shrugged, stuffing his face, "He's fine, my love. If the Guardians had him, we'd know. I've got this all under control. Just have a little faith in me."

"I know. Its just... You are taking this very well for someone who just lost his son. I don't even know how you can sit there so comfortably... Am I the only one freaking out?"

"There's nothing to freak out about," Ryujin commented. "Father's got this under control. The Royal Army are on it, you know they always get what they search for."

The Queen shivered as she pressed her lips into a thin line, "yeah, I know. Unfortunately."

The last part was a mumble to herself. She shoved a piece of the steak into her mouth but it instantly takes lime blood to her. Who knew where Minho was? Here they were dining as though nothing had happened while they weren't even sure if the Prince had eating since the last time they saw him.

Her eyes fell upon the others in the room. Ryujin being the King's only daughter was obviously spoilt rotten with her sapphire tiara matching her long ball gown embedded with gems and gold lace. Her shoulder length black hair was braided into two Dutch braids and her make-up was light and focused on her distinguishable features. She chewed merrily at her steak while glancing around the room until finally locking eyes with the Queen.

The Queen had long, ginger hair braided into a bun and fair skin that showcased her large chestnut eyes perfectly. Her dress was white and also had gold embeddings while a diamond and gold crown sat on her head.

The Queen was not Ryujin's biological mother. She was the King's second wife that he took after the passing of his first. Ryujin detested the look of her mother's crown wasted on the lady before her's head but then again, she didn't know why. Her step mother treated her like more of a daughter than her biological mother ever did. Technically, Ryujin knew she should like her for that but something about this lady never sat right with her.

"Minho's fine," Ryujin stated harshly. "Stop freaking out and just eat. Starving yourself won't bring him back."

***

Minho awoke with a pounding headache, instantly causing him to wince in agony. Immediately, he felt the bed shift beside him and turned to see a boy sitting there, a warm smile adorning his face.

"You're awake!" the boy grinned. "Thank goodness! I thought Chan killed you."

"Chan?" He repeated before remembering where he was. His eyes widened in shock, pointing at the boy in confusion. "You're a Guardian? You don't look like one."

The boy pouted, "why does everyone keep saying that?" He sighed. "I'm not a Guardian. I signed up to be one but Nathaniel said I was 'too cute'. Now I just work as their assistant. Which is basically their servant but they wanted a better, more inviting name for it."

Minho chuckled slightly at the boy as he pulled himself up into a sitting position.

"So, where are the Guardians?"

"They are in the living room. You woke up just in time! Nathaniel and Seungmin are due to be back within the next couple of hours!"

The prince's eyes widened, "Nathaniel? As in the Leader of the Guardians Nathaniel?"

"Yep," the boy grinned. "I bet he'd be ecstatic to see you! Not sure if you heard but the whole town of Pohang was burnt down and rumour has it the bandits did it. Maybe you'd be able to provide answers."

"You think I'd burn a town down?"

"Of course not! You were unconscious when I happened but I think you'd have some information on it. After all, you are a bandit capture, aren't you?"

Minho furrowed his eyebrows, "I'm not a bandit capture... Do you not know who I am?"

"No," he shook his head. "But now I'm getting the impression I should. Are you important? Are you a leader of a town? An official? Are you a part of those rich folk in the Royal Territory?"

The surprise on the latter's face was unmissable as he scanned the boy in amusement before asking,"who are you?"

The boy's eyes furrowed in confusion, "I already said... I'm the Guardians' assistant."

"No. I mean what's your name?"

"Oh, Jeongin," he grinned. "My name's Jeongin."

"Where are you from, Jeongin? Which town do you originate from?"

"Busan. Born and raised."

"And they don't teach you anything about the outside world over here?"

"The outside world?"

"As in, the other towns, the landscapes, The Royal Territory."

"We are taught about how the country divided and other towns within the Guardian Territory but that's about it. Well... I do recall learning something about the King during my first year of middle school but I didn't pay attention back then." He paused. "Maybe my lack of knowledge in that subject is why I was rejected as a Guardian..."

"So, you don't know anything about the Royal Territory and Family?"

"No... Why? Are you from there? Are you a Royal Servant?"

"Jeongin," he grabbed his shoulders and stared intensely at him. "I'm the Prince. The King's son. You know the King, right? The Guardians' greatest rival? Yeah, I'm his son, his heir to the throne."

"Oh," his initial shock was quickly replaced with a scorn upon comprehending his words. "Oh. That's not good."

"Not good at all. When Nathaniel returns, the first thing he'll want to do to me is kill me. You need to help me escape this place. Please."

Jeongin immediately took several steps back and held his hands up in surrender.

"Nope," he shook his head. "No way. I won't partake in this. The Guardians count on me. They depend on me to keep you safe and here. I will not betray them. Never. I'm sorry. You seem like a good person but I can't do that. I'll talk to him if you wish but I won't help you escape. I won't even consider it."

"Come on," Minho leaned closer to him. "The Guardians rejected you as one of them. Why would help a griuo of people who wouldn't even consider your skills? Do you wish to continue like this? If you help me, I swear I will take you back to the Royal Palace with me. You'll be treated like royalty. No one will ever send you around again."

"No! Stop tempting me! You're lying. You wouldn't do that. Besides, I don't want to join the Guardians for the power and respect, I just want to help save my town. And who knows, maybe if I keep you here, they'll consider including me." He smiled to himself. "I'd really give anything to become a Guardian."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Oh, he is sure," a soft voice came from the door. Minho turned his head to see a familiar pair of emerald eyes and immediately raised an eyebrow.

"You again, huh?" He sighed.

She nodded with a grin before turning to Jeongin, "Chan needs help cleaning up the kitchen... And Hyunjin said he'd appreciate it if you'd take the box by the front door down to the neighbours."

"Now?" he questioned. "But who'll look after him?" he pointed to Minho.

"I'm here, aren't I?" she approached them.

Jeongin scanned her carefully, "Chan said not to leave you alone with him."

"Well, Chan also said he needs help in the kitchen so get going."

The boy glanced at her then the Prince then her again before sighing.

"He better be alive when I return, Erin. Or Chan will kill the both of us."