The House of Emerald Dragon.
The main residents for the Royal family.
The ground is called the House of Emerald Dragon. However, the compound was huge. It consisted four others royal residents, including the main house itself. Each and every house resided the family members of the Royal family. The Ki Royal Family.
The main house of course is The House of Emerald Dragon. It's the official palace resides by the King; Wang Ki, The Queen; Wangbi Ki and The King's Royal Concubine Jung Bin, along with their royal staffs. There were two wings in the palace; the east and the west. Wangbi Ki resided in The East, while Jung Bin took her place at The West.
The second house is called The Sapphire, where The Crown Prince and his family resided. It's the official house for every Crown Prince before they take the throne as the King. For now, Seja Ki Miju and Sejabin Athea live there, with their three princesses.
Next to The Sapphire resides the other two house; The Pearl, a house for the royal princess; Gongju Ki Myung Yu, and The Red Ruby, a house for the other prince in the Royal Family of Ki.
Daegun Ki Min Jun.
"Aside of those houses, there are also a Hwarang Palace for the royal guards and knights, The Rose Banquet; the main hall for any royal occasions and The Pheonix, where the nation administration happens," said the senior officer that ushered Uk around the palace ground. They were riding a horse cart while watching a serene view of the main heart of the nation.
"Here we are! The House of Emerald Dragon..."
***
"The arrival of Commander Kang Ji Seok and Gisa Ahn Uk !" with a grand announcement, the main door to the throne room opened before their eyes. Uk and Ji Seok walk along the green emerald velvet carpet towards the throne where Wang Ki resided in calm demeanor.
"Jeonha mama, it's an honor to meet you!"
Both Ji Seok and Uk kneel before the King. Wang Ki smiled, giving a signal for both of them to look up to him.
"Commander, it's been a while!" Wang Ki greeted Ji Seok politely.
"Yes, jeonha mama. The last visit was during the sword training with the princes. It's long time ago. Now, everything has changed. I am old and both of princes have grown up," Ji Seok uttered words after words in care and full of respect.
"Ah, yes! Now, seja jeoha is among the best swordsman, thanks to you!"
"It's my pleasure!" Ji Seok bowed at the king again.
Wang Ki's sights fall upon Uk, who remained composed at his position.
"Commander, who is this gentleman?" asked Wang Ki.
"He's the knight who used to serve the boarder, jeonha mama. Too bad he desired to retire from the military!" Uk felt heat on his cheek. Ji Seok sounded like a teacher complaining his wrongdoings to his parents.
"Oh? But why? You look young and sturdy!" Wang Ki expressed his curiosity and disappointment.
"I've been in the military since I was 16. Now that I'm in my early 30s, I think it's time for me to live the life that I want and give others an equal chance as well," Uk voiced out his opinion. The words coming out smooth and polite, but still, anyone can noticed the stern and high determine spirit within them.
"I bet it's a waste of talent if you leave without a legacy. It's not like we can meet someone talented like you everyday," Wang Ki talked while reading a scroll in front of him. After a while, the king drew a smile on his face.
"I'm glad of your willingness to challenge yourself for a new post. I can guarantee you, it's just a small, tiny job compared to what you used to do as a knight and a soldier," said Wang Ki. He took a royal seal, dunk the rubber into the red paint and carefully stamped the seal onto the scroll.
His assistant carefully took the scroll from his table. The man descended the small stairs in front of the throne and marched towards Ji Seok and Uk. He handed the scroll in a manners.
"I hope Min Jun daegun will learn a lot from you. As his bodyguard, his safety is your main duty, however, feel free to share all your knowledge to him," said Wang Ki. "Although, I'm not sure whether he is willing to listen. He's just a mere young man; only 20 years old," the king frowned a bit, letting a huge sigh as a sign of a concern towards his child.
Uk held the scroll tight inside his grip. He was full of determination, for the sake of his freedom. Handling a teen isn't new for him; he got a variation of subordinates when he was in the military. Some even as young as 15 years old.
Everything seemed easy for Uk.
"If there's nothing to be discuss, I guess we should leave now. Thank you, jeonha mama, for your gratitude and hospitality," Ji Seok dragged Uk up. Both of them bow before Wang Ki and slowly retreat from the throne room.
"To The Red Ruby," said Ji Seok to the horseman. They hop into the cart and move to the next destination.
***
Everything seemed well taken here in The Red Ruby. The compound wasn't that large compared to The Emerald Dragon, but it was neat and clean. There were a lot of flowers bed and tall bongsai tree. The leaves part had been pruned into many kinds of shapes.
"It's quite. And calm," said Uk to Ji Seok. He snuffed the air deep.
"The air is fresh as well..."
"It should be fresh, clean and healthy. A place suitable for someone who has an illness."
Uk turned his head immediately towards Ji Seok. His brows entwin and his eyes were asking for a clear explanation from the senior officer.
"Who?"
"The patient is none other than Min Jun daegun himself," said Ji Seok.
Uk fell into a deep silence when he heard the information. Now, he felt the tense! Not only he had to ensure the safety of the prince, the prince himself has an illness!
Looks like this is not an easy task! Not at all!
"What kind of disease that daegum had?" asked Uk.
"It never really disclosed. Only some people who are closed to the royal family knew about it. However, from what I heard..." Ji Seok glared at Uk. "It can't be cured," with that, the senior officer shook his head.
In silence, Uk felt pity for the prince. Must have been a dreadful life to have such a deadly disease. What's the meaning of having all but not everything.
Looks like health is indeed priceless.
Their arrival put the house staffs in alert because soon after, a man and a lady lightly run towards them.
"Greetings, Commander!" the man bowed at Ji Seok. He replied the polite gesture with a light bow as well.
"So, this is the new bodyguard?" the lady asked.
"Yes. I am Uk," Uk politely introduced himself.
The lady bowed in respect, however, her waving eyes caught Uk's attention. Since they came to greet him and Ji Seok, both of the staffs couldn't keep their composure. They were aware and perhaps worrying about something.
"Can we see Min Jun daegun?" Ji Seok asked them politely. As per verdict by Uk, they started to get antsy once they heard the name.
"Er... Daegun jaga... He..."
"He what?" Uk inquired them hastily. The lady almost jump in shock, but the man remained calm in those turbulence emotion.
"He's not in the house right now,"
"Where did he go?" asked Ji Seok. The man shut his eyes tight.
"His... Usual place..."
Ji Seok glared at Uk. The man gazed at him, with puzzling mind.
"That's not a good sign..." said Ji Seok. He quickly grabbed Uk's forearm and lead him to the horse cart.
"Where are we going?" asked Uk.
"We have to bring Min Jun daegun home. Now!"