Save You || Huang Renjun

Chapter 2 | "loosen up"

"Let's move out. The royal family is gathering now." Jeno said with a firm nod, all of the guards pulling up their masks and walking out of the room.

Miyeon was a ball of nerves. She hadn't even formally met the prince yet and she already broke one of the cardinal rules. Never meet their eyes.

She silently scolded herself over her carelessness, she couldn't afford any more mistakes today. As she walked beside Chenle, she felt the eyes of the servant around her. They were all staring at her as she passed.

Everyone knew the princes guard, but they didn't know her. An outsider. She shook off the thought, pushing her shoulder back and straightening up. Her gold-speckles flashing in the bright hallway, staring straight ahead as they entered the throne room.

"Ah, Jeno, you've arrived." Said a loud voice.

"At your service, King Huang." Jeno replied, all four of them dipping into a deep bow as they addressed the royal family.

Instinctively, Chenle and Jaemin went to stand a few feet behind the princes, taking up their posts as guards. Miyeon remained standing, her eyes cast to the floor, behind Jeno.

"And who do we have here, Jeno?" The king asked, taking notice of Miyeon.

"Park Miyeon, your majesty." Jeno answered as she dipped into a deep bow. "Prince Renjun's new guard."

"Ah yes, you come under the highest recommendations of Master Lee. You far surpassed expectations on your training examinations, so I trust that my son will be in good hands, right Miyeon?"

"Of course, your majesty." She said, keeping her eyes down and her voice level.

"Excellent. Thank you, Jeno, for bringing everyone. Go ahead to your posts."

Jeno dipped his head, walking to go stand against the wall behind Mark. Miyeon took the cue and followed suit, walking past the princes to the wall behind Renjun. She could feel his eyes following her as she passed, but she refused to look up, clutching onto her sword with one arm as she controlled her breathing.

"Now, everyone here knows what today is. My eldest son's 25th birthday." The king patted Mark happily on the back. "Today he will fully fulfill his role in the public as crown prince, and with that, all of my children will step up to take their places as royals."

The room broke into polite applause at the King's proud sentiment, Miyeon joining in quietly.

"Now, we shall head to the center of the city to address the people. Let's head to the carriages."

Miyeon's eyes widened as the royals began to move out, watching as how Jeno and Jaemin fell into step a few feet behind Mark. Chenle gave her an encouraging nod, signaling for her to do the same to Renjun.

"So, you're new." She almost jumped at the sound of a voice next to her, turning to see another boy smiling at her. "Hi, I'm Yangyang! One of Renjun's assistants and best friends."

"And I'm Haechan!" She jumped again at the sound of another voice from her other side. "The other assistant/best friend."

"Oh, I'm Miyeon. The new guard. It's nice to meet you both."

"Hmm Miyeon, pretty name." remarked Haechan. "I think the three of us will be good friends." He smiled at her.

"Hey, loosen up." Yangyang said, nudging her side.

Her muscles tensed at the foreign contact and she quickly regained her rigid posture.

"Oh right, you're trained by Master Lee, right? No wonder you're so stiff." Yangyang lamented with a chuckle. "You'll relax eventually, and just wait until-"