→ BALCONY

@Woohyun Sohee didn't want to come off as desperate, but it was something to do- and it had benefited her for the future days to come. Sohee had already known by even speaking about this in the palace she was putting the knight in danger, but she had a feeling that no one would suspect. Sohee had nodded in reply to the others words, finding it easy to feel alright about the plan; why would she be uneasy?

Quiet had lingered for a moment between the two before the princess' gaze was back on Woohyun, hearing him break the silence. She had noticed his smile, feeling a small tingle make it's way down her spine. "I trust you enough to ask you to teach me." She replied before speaking once more, "Lead the way.."

@[R] Sohee Woohyun was a little taken aback by the princess's reply. He was surprised that she wanted to start so soon. He had expected that they would start in the morning, but the more he thought about it, practicing at night was the best option. This way no one would be awake to discover them. He nodded in agreement and smiled at the slightly younger royal, replying, "Sounds good."

After thinking for a few minutes, Woohyun thought of the perfect place to go. It was a place that he doubted anyone from the castle knew about, and it was still safe for the princess. His smile widened as he added, "And I think I might know a place that we can go for tonight." He paused for a minute, "But it's a long walk from here. Do you trust me?"

@Woohyun The female had sighed before thinking everything over. She might as well start tonight, being that she wasn't going to sleep anyway. But would the other permit it? Sohee shook her head slightly, getting caught up in her own thoughts.

"Let's start now." Sohee spoke, nodding firmly. She knew the other was capable, and that was exactly why the princess wanted to learn from him. She'd get better if he was teaching her; that was to Sohee's understanding.

@[R] Sohee Woohyun nodded slowly, considering what she said. Being able to protect herself would probably make her feel more safe. Maybe if she felt safer, it would be easier for her to open up to him. He looked over at her. She looked so determined in that moment that it seemed like he couldn't say no. He knew she would work hard, and if she had a plan then it would be okay. Right?

He sighed before flashing a small smile in the princess's direction, stating, "I wouldn't let that happen. I'm actually very capable of protecting you. Probably the most qualified knight around to protect you." He paused for a moment before adding, "But. If it is what you really want, fine. When do you want to start?" He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall, looking at her with slight amusement. This was the first time he had heard of a girl wanting to learn how to fight.

@Woohyun It was obvious to Sohee that this had been a trick question for the other; if she were him, she'd just say no and go on with her life. But she wasn't him, and she wanted to learn. Sohee wasn't exactly at the point of paranoia, but she was beginning to become more and more cautious of things...and people at that. In Sohee's eyes, her world was more dangerous than people thought.

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't have a plan." The female replied, her voice hushed. She knew that in the castle, even the walls had ears. The younger female had flinched, realizing that was only patting her on the head. She also knew that if anyone else saw this, rumors would spread; but that wasn't just going to be her problem, it'd be Woohyun's too. "I..." Sohee began, letting out a small huff. "What about the times that you can't be with me, or anyone can't be with me." She pointedly spoke, continuing, "I'll just be dead...without getting a chance to defend myself."

@[R] Sohee Surprised by the princess's request, Woohyun did not answer for a while. What had she just asked? He didn't quite understand why she wanted to learn how to fight, especially with many guards around to protect her. Should he teach her? It was something that was very risky. What would the King and Queen say if they saw? Looking at the younger girl, he could tell that it was something she really wanted.

After a long moment, he walked closer to the princess and replied, "If you are serious about it, I will teach you. But it has to be kept secret or I may lose my job as your guard." He gently patted the girl's head again, smiling down at her before asking curiously, "Why do you want to learn how to fight though? Do you not feel safe with me here?" His eyebrow rose in a teasing manner.

@Woohyun Sohee was no mind reader, and she definitely couldn't tell what was going through the others mind right now. She had soon disregarded it as she listened to him speak soon enough, mentally agreeing with what he was saying. The female was surrounded by people 24/7, but those people feared her. There was nothing Sohee hated more (other than her parents) than getting people's sympathy.

"That's..." Sohee trailed off, shaking her head as she decided that the topic of Woohyun's jokes were irrelevant. A small spark of curiosity had lit up Sohee's eyes, the female slowly deciding that she could trust the other. "Would you possibly be willing...to teach me how to fight?" Sohee began, awkwardly clearing afterwards. She was waiting for the other to say 'no', knowing that female's weren't allowed to be taught this, but this had been a personal interest of the younger.

@[R] Sohee The knight noticed that the royal seemed to be taken aback by his comment. It was kind of amusing to him that she was so surprised, but at the same time it was a little sad. At that time he was curious about her past, but he wasn't going to ask the princess about it, because obviously it wasn't something he needed to know. Hearing the story. Woohyun laughed once again. It was the most ridiculous story he had ever heard. He replied jokingly, "A blood contract with the witches? There aren't worse stories the servants could come up with? That's not very clever." It was sad to him that the princess felt alone. No one deserved to feel that loneliness.

The slightly older knight put his hand over his heart in mock disappointment, replying, "They're not that bad! I think they're funny!" He stopped walking when he noticed that she turned to look at him. Curious, he looked back at her, "What is it, princess?" He didn't know whether to be worried or excited that she was asking a favor from him.

@Woohyun The female had stood there and blinked for moment, not sure of how to reply to this...was this sincerity she was hearing? But Sohee had shaken the idea from her thoughts, not wanting to assume anything. Instead, the female had decided to reply to his next question. "All of them are ridiculous...though the best one I've heard so far.." She replied, scoffing slightly. "I'm a witch apparently. When I was little I got lost in the woods and I 'apparently' made a blood contract with the witches." Sohee shook her head, chuckling bitterly at the idea. It wasn't that she felt no one was on her side- the female 'knew' no one was on her side, and hearing this from a random knight that she had met just days before felt odd...but there was a connection.

"If you want a true opinion, they're horrid." Sohee replied, not being one to sugar coat things. Turning to face the knight, Sohee had hesitated before speaking, "I'm not tired, and I have a favor to ask."

@[R] Sohee Sohee was right. As a knight in the castle, he had definitely heard the various rumors about the princess. Many of the servants would share all of these stories. But the thing was, he didn't care. In response to the princess he shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I'm not the type to believe rumors easily. Is this why you are cold? Do you feel like no one is on your side? Because you're wrong. As your knight, I am on your side." A little amused by the princess's next comment, Woohyun let out a low chuckle and asked, "Which one do you think is the most ridiculous?" Woohyun definitely noticed that she was talking more than usual to him, and he hoped that this meant he was making progress.

Woohyun put his hands up in defeat and answered in mock hurt, "Okay fine no more jokes for today. Are my jokes really that bad, princess?" He followed her as she walked, making sure that what she was doing was safe. Realizing that it was cold, Woohyun motioned toward the castle and asked, "Don't you think we should go inside, princess? It's pretty late, and you need to rest."

@Woohyun Sohee had always assumed everyone was against her. The female mostly convinced herself that no one was to be trusted for even a second, and she had her own suspicions about Woohyun as well; though the other had seemed completely harmless. Hearing those words had made Sohee tense up, clearing in a slight awkward manner. "You must know about rumors though; you're a knight in the palace." Sohee replied, shaking her head slightly before letting an amused smirk grace her features. "My soul was apparently robbed from me. There's more, but the rest of them are just ridiculous." The princess wasn't sure what made her talk this much, though she'd mostly placed the blame on her boredom. Sohee tended to be much more easy-going when she was bored.

"Not necessarily." She replied, heavily sighing as she began to walk towards the edge of the balcony, over looking the lit land that had outstretched in front of them. It was nice, but the city had been full of bad deeds. The night air had chilled the female, but it didn't bother her in the least.

@[R] Sohee This was exactly why Woohyun considered his job interesting. Sohee, although she often seemed emotionless, always said things that brought a chuckle out of him. He asked, "I'm not here voluntarily?" He flashed a more kind smile at the princess before adding, "I don't mind guarding the princess though. You see, I don't think you are as cold as you try to be." Not wanting to press his luck, Woohyun pulled his hand back before she could get angry.

Slightly surprised by the soft chuckle he heard, Woohyun's head turned t stare at the princess for a moment. Had he really heard that? Or was it his imagination. Masking his surprise, he looked at the princess curiously before asking, "Do you want to hear another joke, princess?"

@Woohyun "You're not here voluntarily, but I might as well act grateful." She replied, mumbling, "You're far more better than some of the scum I've come across in this palace..." Sohee had been slightly surprised, feeling the other pat her head. No one in the history of anyone has ever patted the female's head, and Sohee wasn't sure whether to yell at the other, or to let it slide. It was better just to let it slide.

Sohee had blinked for a moment, chuckling slightly as she heard his irritation. There had been times when the girl would let her original behavior show; being that she used to be the light of the castle as a child before her baby sister was born. But it wasn't her sisters fault why she was like this- it was Sohee's own fault.

@[R] Sohee Woohyun nodded in agreement, imagining an out of shape knight. That would never work out for obvious reasons. He flashed a slight smile, "Good point. That kind of knight wouldn't be very reliable. So you should be glad that you have me." He gently pat her head, thinking it may bother her but not caring. According to him, skinship led to friendship.

He looked back at the princess with an amused smile as he replied, "To get to the other side -- er, no -- to go shopping -- no, not that either -- damn it." He looked at Sohee's expression, hoping for a slight change. At times he could tell that her guard would come down a little, but she would realize it and put it back up again. He always tried his best to appear happy around her because he hoped that at some point she would smile back at him.

@Woohyun Sohee didn't know how to properly express this to even herself, but the laugh of this knight...it was pleasurable. Though Sohee would never admit that, not even on the day she died. Upon hearing the other's words about being out of shape, the female had glanced towards him momentarily, sighing as she shook her head. "No one would." She replied, noticing the sunset soon dying off. It had left her mind completely empty now, longing for the vibrant colors to return.

Tuning back into the other, she remembered he was going to tell a joke. Hesitantly, the female decided to reply. "Why..." She slowly spoke, turning her head to now fully look at the male standing near her. Sohee always wondered what made him so happy, though she wasn't curious enough to ask quite yet.

@[R] Sohee Woohyun couldn't help but laugh at the princess's remark. Even though it was said in a monotone, he still thought it was funny. He replied matter-of-factly, "Working out is probably the best thing for me. You wouldn't feel safe with a jiggly, fat, and out of shape knight, right?" He flashed a joking smile in the royal's direction, knowing fully well that she wouldn't return the smile. He had never seen her smile since he had started guarding her.

"Why did the forgetful chicken cross the road?" He looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to answer. He figured that even though she thought it was stupid, she would still play along. He was hoping that eventually one of his stupid jokes would get her to crack a smile.

@Woohyun Sohee wasn't necessarily forgetful, but some things were just deemed not important enough to remember; for instance, being chased around by people in the palace. The princess had been slightly startled when she realized there had been a presence next to her, but quickly, Sohee had come back to her normal cold exterior, her eyes staying the empty shells they'd been. "It doesn't hurt to workout." Sohee replied, her normal mono toned voice. The other hadn't done anything to annoy her quite yet, therefore, she wasn't going to be snappy with him. If Sohee had learned anything from her 19 years of living in the castle, it'd been if you play along, it'll end faster.

"I highly doubt it, but you'll do as you please anyway, I assume." She replied, now leaning against the stone guard wall. Sohee had been far from tired, but there wasn't much to do now but sleep; that went for her, at least.

@[R] Sohee Woohyun heard a couple of maids whispering as he walked past them. The princess was apparently on the balcony, the one place in the whole castle that he had not looked yet. How had he not thought of that yet? Since the day he had began guarding the princess, he would always be able to find her on the balcony. Turning on his heels, he quickly made his way to the balcony. He sent all of the maids away and slowly approached the slightly younger royal. Standing next to her, he spoke with a hint of amusement, "You really like to play hide and seek with me, don't you princess?" He looked out at the sunset before adding, "I should've guessed you were here."

He tried to be playful with the princess because this was the way that he was usually able to make people come out of their shell, but somehow it hadn't worked yet. She seemed distant and cold most of the time, but he had already decided not to give up. Looking over at her, he asked, "Do you want to hear a joke? It'll cheer you up!"

@Woohyun The sun had been setting on yet another day in the palace, Sohee taking one's advice to see the sunset from the balcony. The colors had made her white satin gowns practically glow, the female resting her petite hands on the guard wall. A sigh had escaped the female's lips as she'd thought about her life in general, deeming that she was bored. Though things lately had been getting interesting; a relatively knew knight had been assigned to Sohee, being that there was still an assassin out for the princess, and the king and queen couldn't have their 'daughter' killed, could they. Though Sohee knew they hadn't truly cared about her as a person- she was just valuable. More like her title was.

Sighing, the female had heard approaching footsteps, a maid obviously had entered the area. "Miss, it's getting late." The lady softly spoke, keeping her eyes lowered. Sohee had only stared off into the distance, chuckling dryly. "And?"