The sun had barely risen, its gentle light spilling across the palace grounds, casting long shadows that seemed reluctant to leave. The air was cool and crisp, but inside the training courtyard, tension hung heavy and suffocating.

Bang Chan stood rigid in his polished armor, every piece in place, every movement controlled. His jaw clenched as the palace steward droned on beside him about his new assignment - words that buzzed around his ears like an annoying fly.

"...and you are to ensure his safety at all costs," the steward concluded, his tone one of practiced importance. "Do try to control your attitude this time."

Chan barely resisted rolling his eyes. Control your attitude. The palace was full of rules, expectations, and endless criticism - a constant reminder that he belonged to this life of duty, whether he wanted it or not. His family had served the kingdom for generations, each son born to protect the royal line, each death marked only by quiet honor. Chan's grandfather had died protecting a crown that barely remembered his sacrifice. Now Chan was bound by that same invisible chain, and the weight of it made his shoulders ache.

He exhaled slowly, pushing back his frustration. This was his life. His duty.

But nothing had prepared him for what came next.

The steward cleared his throat. "Here comes His Highness now."

Chan turned, his eyes landing on the figure approaching the courtyard. His brow furrowed as recognition struck him like a slap.

It was him - the boy from the woods. The liar. The imposter. The same defiant eyes, the same infuriating smirk.

Changbin's steps faltered for just a second as he met Chan's gaze. Surprise flickered across his face, quickly replaced by irritation. He came to a stop, his arms crossed over his chest, exuding royal impatience.

"Oh, great," Changbin muttered. "It's you."

Chan stiffened, his jaw tightening. "You're the prince?" The words dripped with disbelief and disdain.

"Yes," Changbin snapped, his eyes narrowing. "Are you still going to accuse me of lying?"

Chan swallowed the retort on his tongue, his mind scrambling to process the situation. This arrogant, stubborn boy was the prince he was supposed to protect? The same boy who had spent the night sneaking through the woods like some reckless child?

This was his assignment?

It felt like a cruel joke.

Changbin lifted his chin, his voice sharp. "What, not bowing to your prince?"

Chan's fists clenched at his sides. He bowed stiffly, just enough to meet protocol, his voice clipped. "Your Highness."

The steward, sensing the hostility crackling between them, clapped his hands awkwardly. "Well, I'll leave you two to get acquainted. Remember, Sir Bang Chan, the prince's safety is your utmost priority."

As the steward walked away, a tense silence settled over them.

Changbin tilted his head, his lips curling into a half-smile that didn't reach his eyes. "So, you're my new bodyguard? What a pleasure."

Chan's teeth ground together. "The pleasure's all mine."

They stared each other down, neither willing to look away, the memory of their midnight encounter still fresh.

"I don't need a babysitter," Changbin said coldly.

Chan's gaze hardened. "Trust me, I'm not thrilled about it either. But it seems your recklessness requires supervision."

Changbin's eyes flared. "Recklessness? At least I'm not a self-righteous know-it-all who thinks he's better than everyone."

"You're right," Chan shot back. "I'm not better than everyone - just better than spoiled brats who don't understand the meaning of responsibility."

A flash of hurt flickered across Changbin's face, so quick that Chan almost missed it. Almost. But the prince recovered, his expression twisting into defiance.

"Responsibility?" Changbin spat. "Don't talk to me about responsibility when you know nothing about my life."

"I know enough," Chan snapped. "I know you sneak out at night, putting yourself and the kingdom at risk. I know you act like the world owes you something."

Changbin's fists clenched, his voice shaking with anger. "The world doesn't owe me anything. But it sure as hell takes everything from me. My freedom. My choices. My life."

Chan was momentarily stunned into silence. There was something raw in Changbin's voice, a pain that mirrored his own. He didn't want to acknowledge it. He didn't want to see anything of himself in the spoiled prince.

But it was there - a quiet desperation, hidden behind walls of arrogance and pride.

"Maybe if you acted like a prince," Chan said finally, his voice low, "you wouldn't feel so trapped."

"Maybe if you acted like a human being," Changbin retorted, "you'd understand that not everyone wants to be what they're forced to be."

The silence that followed was sharp and painful. They stared at each other, two people bound by duty, both resenting the chains they wore.

Chan straightened, his voice hardening once more. "Whether you like it or not, Your Highness, I'm here to do my job. Keep yourself out of trouble, and we'll both survive this."

"Don't tell me what to do," Changbin shot back. He turned on his heel and marched toward the palace doors, his shoulders tense, his movements stiff with anger.

Chan watched him go, frustration bubbling in his chest. Protecting the prince was going to be the most miserable assignment of his life.

But deep down, a nagging voice whispered that maybe, just maybe, they weren't so different after all.

And that terrified him more than anything.