`knights' ward—

@im jinah Jaehyo then realized that he is dealing with a hair color changing female. Never had he seen a hair color changing creature before as he only seen creatures with extra tails or wings or something which human naturally don't have but noted that the female have something in common with the rest of the beings living within the castle - they don't smile. Eyeing at the transparent blue blade in the female's palm, Jaehyo chuckled at the female's words. His fingers wrapped around the tip of the blade before pulling it away from his pockets. "I don't recall any checking of goods which includes weapons, do you?" He asked an obvious fact. "You might harm innocent people with that." He smirked, never stating that he is on the innocent side.

@im jinah Jaehyo's smirk wavered from his face as he came in contact with a beauty. He's almost free from that place, Jaehyo furrowed his brows slightly before composing a calm look and glanced around the female. Why would a female carry swords? Why didn't he met her before? Jaehyo had to think up of something quickly and with his consistent "visiting" to the castle, Jaehyo have quite some ideas. Hearing the female's words, Jaehyo's lips curled back into a smirk. "Sorry to intrude. It seems that I've walked into the wrong room." He spoke, "I was supposed to go to the king's room. But His majesty is always everywhere else, isn't he? Therefore I couldn't locate him. So you do mind letting me through?" He gestured towards the exit. Jaehyo isn't lying about going to the king's room but he didn't say what he will do there. He fixed his eyes into the female, hoping that she will believe him and let him past.

@im jinah Skimming his eyes through the seemingly empty yet luxuriously decorated room, Jaehyo took soft breaths as he tried tip-toeing across the room to the door. He didn't know which room he was in and all he knows of is that he isn't in a safe territory. Though the room seems quiet, Jaehyo had a strange vibe within him, it's like the room is dangerously quiet.

Nevertheless, he knows better than anyone to be cautious and what he needs to do now is to get out of the room immediately. Jaehyo was shifting towards the other side of the room, his hands reached out for any beautiful objects which caught his eyes and shoving them into his pockets without any hesitation. Jaehyo smirked as he got closer to the exit. "Didn't think that this place would be so easy to walk through." He mumbled silently as he reached out to grip the handle.

@cha hakyeon "Yaah told you it's fine..." the girl chuckled a bit, looking up at the much taller male. And right when he lifted his hand to pat her head, her eyes squeezed shut instantly at the sudden bursting out feelings i her mind. It was cheery and comforting at the same time, and she liked it a lot.

A small grin formed her lips, accompanied by slight red tints appearing on her cheeks at his words. "Well you should," she responded in slightly playful manner before chuckling again. "So... how would you treat your guest today?"

@yoon bora He chuckled weakly and nod his head. "Sorry about that Bora..It was the first thing that came to mind to be honest" he nodded his head yet again and sighed slightly. He reached out and gave her head a gentle pat.

He grinned happily, he couldn't believe she actually remembered his remark, something he himself was shocked of doing. He was surprised that Bora actually visited him but he didn't think it would be so soon. "I guess I did huh? I'm glad you came though."

@cha hakyeon "It's alright," the girl muttered, before shaking her head lightly. Glancing up to the male, "Really, thanks for saving me back there... ---Just don't scare me off again," forming a small pout, her black gloved hand lightly hit his upper chest.

"Well I..." throwing her gaze down to the floor, the girl bit down her bottom lip before shrugging her shoulders slightly. It should be something normal for her to pay a visit right? But she couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed, that light tints of red appeared on her cheeks, "I told you I'll visit you someday right?"

@yoon bora A feeling of guilt rushed over him as he saw the other's mood drop. He felt bad for fooling her into believing she was wanted by His Majesty, anyone would have been scared to death if they knew the King wanted to see them..in a serious manner..especially when you were a thief.

He chuckled in hopes of lifting the mood and walked over to her, patting her on the head gently. "I'm sorry..again" he apologized once more but this time adding a bow. "Anyways.. what brings you to the castle? You didn't..really come to see me..did you?" he asked while he tilted his head.

@cha hakyeon Upon hearing the next statement of the male, the girl widened her eyes a bit in disbelief for a split second before eventually sighed in relief. However, before she could even make a reply, the male continued and her eyes widened again followed by the change of her expression, a smile rose upon her face and her eyes formed crescents. "Well... if that so... thanks I guess," her shoulders raised a bit, throwing her gaze down to the floor slightly shameful for accussing the male for turning her in earlier.

@yoon bora He chuckled quietly, shaking his head at her. "Did you actually believe I would turn you in? His Majesty doesn't even know about your business in the palace nor your frequent visits." he answered her softly. "I'm sorry if I disappointed you though..it was the only way to distract the guards getting you" he smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

@cha hakyeon When the male finally spoke again, the girl's eyes glanced up at him, still with the disbelief and disappointment evident in her gaze. But soon it changed completely into confusion at how the male speaks, some of his words were unclear, faint and hard to catch.

Feeling dumb as ever, the girl's face leaned up, a bit closer to his with her eyebrows furrowed. "...what? What do you mean?" her head's tilted.

@yoon bora Hakyeon contemplated when he should spill the beans about the truth, that he was just playing with her. Bora's expression was rather saddening to watch. It showed a sense of disappointment, as if she had expected something more than what he had done but he wasn't sure why or what.

"That is..if you will meet His Majesty in the first place" he pretended to mumble making some words loud enough for Bora to hear but other parts faint and difficult.

@cha hakyeon The girl instantly frowned at his words, even though they meant she wouldn't be harmed and would be--well-treated?. It was seriously, somehow disappointing that everything was meant only to turn her in to the king. Disappointment was visible upon her expression as her hand still struggling to free itself from his grip.

"Then tell /His Majesty/ I don't mean anything bad today, aish.. He should be really thankful that I'm here because I care..." the girl snorted.

@yoon bora He was tempted to laugh out loud, tell her the whole thing was just to keep her from getting into any more trouble with the palace but now he was inspired..no, motivated to go further with the lie. Clearing his throat he nodded slowly and turned his back to face the wall.

"I guess you're not as clueless as I thought you were. Your Majesty wants you unharmed and well treated, his reason? I have no idea but I'm just following orders like a loyal butler."

@cha hakyeon Even though she was strong, she knew the butler was stronger than her and nothing she could do about it. What now? stomp on his feet? Kick on his knee? Those were stupid but maybe either of them would work?

However, before she could even decide, her eyes noticed the two reaching an empty basement, instead of a luxury room which she would be assuming as the king's. Why did he bring me here?

"Ah I'm okay... --what now? the king told you to keep me unharmed?" her dark brown orbs stared up into his, still couldn't believe that he's going to turn her in. But if that's the case, why should he bring her to this empty area?

@yoon bora Without saying a word he lead Bora down the staircase towards the basement, keeping sight of anyone who might expose both of them. Though the thief wasn't exactly helping him with the situation with her endless struggling and complaining he managed to get into a room down in the basement that wasn't used.

Releasing her out of his grip he sighed and looked at her with a relieved expression. "Are you okay? You didn't get hurt right..?" he asked scanning her up and down, checking for any visible injuries and what not.

@cha hakyeon "No, Hakyeon i'm not. Believe me, I'm not," her statement was punctuated by her pants, her breaths messily intruding in her words as she tried to convince the butler.

When the male spoke to the guards, calming them down, she was about to let a long relieved sigh out but before she even managed to finish it the male's next remark brought an inaudible gasp out instantly.

So this was why the male told her to visit him long ago since last they met? Only to turn her in to the king? She couldn't believe she had herself expecting something she knew she shouldn't be.

Now that only the two are there on the staircase, the girl tried to struggle out of his grip. "I can't believe this, let me go..!"

@yoon bora “Hak—Hakyeon?” he heard the thief call out to him as she halted in front of him. Her eyes showed a sense of pleading and he knew well what she was implying. Turning to face the guards he bowed his head at them. "Butler, this...THIEF has been sneaking into our castle" he heard the guard that called out to him early say. "She's probably taking advantage of the palace's current state to steal our belongings" another spoke out.

"Calm down everyone" Hakyeon spoke up, glancing at everyone. "The king is fully aware of this thief's presence and he requested that the next time I saw her that I would bring her to him" he reached out and took her by the arm. "So if you'll excuse me, I'll be heading up to the King."

Turning around, he dragged Bora out of the hallway where the guards were standing, slightly dumbfounded. He paused at the staircase that lead to both directions.

@cha hakyeon She should have felt the familiar presence of someone she knew, but the vibes were all mixed together in the air, confusing her like heck and so she almost couldn’t differ which was which, which was whose.

Her heavy breaths could be heard, while her legs got herself running away from the shirokage guards, those ‘mentally deaf’ knights who didn’t want to listen to her explanations at all..

...although she knew it was a part of her fault, for getting into the palace with her usual thief way, sneaking in through one of the windows. And she got caught while doing it. Oh-so-clever.

It was pretty quiet behind the walls of the great shirokage kingdom, so nothing but footsteps, breathy pantings, voices of those stupid knights, and her own low whispering curses could be heard, almost echoing against those brick walls, filling the whole hall.

"B-Butler Hakyeon! Catch that thief!"

...Hakyeon?

Upon hearing the very familiar name, the thief’s sprint halted instantly, her head turned around quick. Hakyeon, that demon butler, he could probably help me out of the situation... right?

“Hak—Hakyeon?” hesitantly calling, her voice echoed a bit, her eyes were wide open, hoping that the butler would hear her call and actually help her... or will he turn her in instead?

@yoon bora Hakyeon sighed out loud as he walked down the main staircase to the foyer. The castle was in a mess and countless events that were depressing had took place here. From mourning to depression, people in the kingdom were having a terrible time coping with the new scenario. Hakyeon knew he had to stay strong in times like these because being one of few butlers around the palace was tough and people would request assistance a lot more than they had before.

As he arrived in the foyer he heard loud yelling which seem to be a guard or butler's voice and running sounds. There was also a familiar presence in the area but he couldn't make out who it may have been. Curious as to what or who it may be he entered into the hallway of which the sounds were coming from and soon enough the scenario unfolded itself.

Multiple guards, four to be exact, were chasing which seemed to be a female. Without hesitation he quickened his pace and headed towards them. "This girl always gets herself into trouble whenever I see her" he mumbled to himself as he stopped a few meters away from the female to give her enough space to come to a halt..if she needed it.

"B-Butler Hakyeon! Catch that thief!" he heard one of the guards yell out as they too had slowed down.

@cha hakyeon

Her eyes were wide open, one hand holding the short staff as a weapon--even though she knew it wasn't enough against those swords and lances of the guards who just caught her red handed, sneaking in through the windows.

No matter how many times she tried to explain--no, she didn't even have the chance to speak since those stupid knights accused her as a thief beforehand. Well that was true though, she's a thief but it's not like she was going to steal anything at the time. The situation was totally out of control.

They kept on telling her to just surrender, turn herself in, and everything. She knew well that since the kingdom being in sad, mourning atmosphere, they must have assumed thieves would take the advantages and everything, but Bora seriously didn't mean to do it. "I'm not here to steal anything." she had lost count of how many times she had said it to the guards--yet they didn't seem wanting to even listen to her.

With a bag thrown over her shoulder, Grace entered the rooms she had been shown to. They looked quite comfortable and she looked around. She had been told that she would get a room assigned later and for now to just take a bed here and make herself comfortable. So without really caring about anyone, she looked for a bed that looked unused, put her bag aside, her shoes off and threw herself onto it, falling asleep exhausted.

[anyone (preferably knight) can claim this and talk to her. Or rather wake her up]