The Flower Princess

All Dohyun could blurt out at the moment was, "Wow…"

The Princess's chambers were magnificent, almost unreal in the evening light. The palace wasn't as big as the Prince's, but even so, it was breathtaking. The outer walls guarding the palace were draped with soft green creepers, some curling around and blooming with delicate pink roses. The stems were lined with thorns, clearly the plants were chosen not just for beauty, but to deter wandering hands.

But what truly stole one's breath was what lay inside those walls.

The mid-sized palace rose like a serene jewel in the fading light. Its rooftops curved elegantly like the wings of a crane, lacquered in a gentle shade of old rose that shimmered gold where the last rays of sunlight touched. Wooden pillars painted in muted jade held the structure in graceful harmony, each carved with patterns of clouds and peonies as if the palace itself breathed with quiet life.

A wide stone path led inward, but it did not lead to a courtyard.

It led to water.

Right at the center of the palace grounds lay a vast, mirror-still lake, its surface tinted with dusk. White waterlilies drifted like fallen stars, and between them, soft pink cherry blossoms floated lazily, carried by the evening breeze. The petals glided across the water as though guiding one's eyes toward a small pavilion built at the lake's heart, connected only by a narrow wooden bridge.

The pavilion lanterns were already lit, their warm glow reflecting in ripples of pink and gold. The entire scene looked like a painting come to life -- delicate, quiet, untouched by anything beyond these walls.

Dohyun swallowed, unable to look away.

He had never seen beauty crafted so gently… nor a place that felt so dreamlike.

Without even realizing it, Dohyun had already stepped past the gates. He was so absorbed by the palace's beauty that the carriage, his belongings, and even his sleeping friends slipped entirely from his mind. For a moment, the world had narrowed into nothing but petals on water and the soft glow of lanterns.

"Hey - how could you leave us like that --"

Minho's voice cracked through the stillness. Both boys stumbled up behind him, Minho clutching a small bundle wrapped in cloth, probably Dohyun's things, while rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He paused mid-rub, hand frozen against his face as he finally looked up.

Kang didn't even speak. His jaw simply fell open.

"Hey… if you still don't like your position, just talk to Samchon and hand it over to me," Kang said, dead serious.

'No, thank you," Dohyun replied, still mesmerized.

The outer court of the palace was strangely unguarded -- quiet, almost trusting -- but the inner court told another story entirely. Women moved like soft shadows across polished stone, sweeping fallen petals even though the palace seemed incapable of looking anything but perfect. Two female royal guards stood at the entrance of the main chambers, lavender fabric peeking through their white uniforms. A golden emblem of Hwachon, carved with meticulous detail, gleamed on their chests.

Both women had sharp black eyes, their long hair tied into high ponytails. Identical swords rested at their hips, though they held shields and spears in their hands -- silent, alert, immovable.

"I think you guys should leave now," Dohyun murmured, finally remembering his companions.

"I'm not leaving till I see the princess," Minho said, stubbornness already settling in his voice.

"Suit yourself." Dohyun took his things from Minho and stepped toward the inner gate.

The gate itself was nothing more than a massive wooden door, yet even a simple slab of wood looked ethereal under the princess's domain -- engraved with delicate patterns, polished to a soft glow.

But the moment the three came close, the two guards moved as one. Their spears crossed in front of the entrance, metal ringing sharply in the quiet.

A clear signal:
Not allowed.

Or rather, men were not allowed.

"Oh, I'm appointed as the Princess's Royal Guard."

The women exchanged looks of sharp, suspicious, almost annoyed eyes. Dohyun immediately reached into his sleeve and offered the sealed letter Uncle Hwang had given him. One of the guards accepted it with clear reluctance, unfolded it, and read silently.

"The Princess did not request a male guard…" she muttered, lifting her gaze to scan Dohyun from head to toe.

Her partner exhaled through her nose. "Hmph. But we cannot defy Lord Yu Gwon's orders. Very well, you may enter."

Their spears withdrew in perfect sync.

The wooden doors parted with a deep creak, letting warm, perfumed air escape from within.

Dohyun stepped inside.

A hard clunk sounded behind him.

He turned in time to see his friends blocked by the crossed spears.

"Are you both also appointed by the Prince?" one guard asked coolly.

"Uh… no-" Kang began.

"They're my subordinates," Dohyun tried quickly. "They accompanied me all the way here, so-"

"Then that is precisely the end of their usefulness."

The woman's glare flicked to the boys. "You will not become a qualified guard of the Princess if you required protection to get here. Am I wrong?"

Her disapproval was palpable; they clearly despised having men this close to the Princess's inner court.

Dohyun met his friends' eyes; no words were needed. They understood -- withdraw or cause offence, neither of them could afford.

"There are irkingly too many men around today," the quieter guard muttered under her breath.

Minho stepped forward suddenly, his face tightening as if he were preparing to sacrifice his life. The guards even braced, expecting some bold foolishness.

Instead, he pointed at Dohyun with burning seriousness.

"Do not forget our promise."

He jabbed a finger with each word, "Every. Detail. You promised."

"Uh…okay."

Only then did Minho and Kang retreat to the carriage, defeated yet strangely satisfied.

Dohyun turned toward the main hall and froze.

A familiar, unwelcome silhouette stood there.

He had broad shoulders, a low bun, and an ugly confidence.

Lee Goram.

What is that stinky buffoon doing here?

Of all people, why must he be the first face Dohyun sees in this ethereal place?

Before Dohyun could slip away to avoid him, a voice thundered:

"You there!"