How To Avoid Doom Flags? : A Guide By Lee Felix

In compensation for saving Prince Hyunjin's life to the risk of his own, Felix was granted the position of the Prince's personal guard.

To say Felix was unhappy about the "reward" would be an understatement.

"No."

"What do you mean, no?" protested Hyunjin, obviously taken aback.

"I don't want it. Find someone else to be your glorified babysitter," huffed Felix.

A single day had passed since Jeongin delivered the news and, though Felix had slept on it, he hadn't woken up any happier about it the next morning. Being granted a palace position was bad enough, but the Prince's bodyguard? That was asking to be dragged into unnecessary and potentially dangerous drama.

"You can't just refuse it," insisted the Prince, visibly miffed by his reaction. "This is an esteemed position, and the pay is easily ten times more than you'll ever make outside the palace walls. An opportunity like this isn't usually given to people like you – refusing it would be foolish!"

Felix narrowed his eyes at that. "People like me?"

Hyunjin shrugged, leaning against the wall as he crossed his arms. "Of common background, I mean. And a beta, too, though that's less of a rule and more a concern of traditions."

"Wait, what's a—"

Before Felix could finish his question because seriously, what the hell is a "beta"?, the door of his room opened, and none other than Jeongin made his way inside. He immediately glared at Hyunjin, obviously unhappy to see him.

"You! I told you to leave my patient alone! Haven't you done enough damage already?" he scolded.

Hyunjin flinched, but quickly masked the guilt as he straightened up. "My apologies. I merely meant to discuss a few details of Felix's new position while he is awake, is all."

(Right, Felix had finally gotten the opportunity to properly introduce himself – a bit of an awkward moment, since his name was obviously foreign, but thankfully neither Hyunjin nor Jeongin made a big deal out of it.)

"Well, you can do that once he's capable of getting out of bed on his own. Now shoo! Shoo!"

Felix watched with no little amount of amusement and satisfaction as Jeongin forcibly pushed Hyunjin out of the room despite the Prince's protests, relief filling him when the door finally closed behind the infuriating man. Jeongin huffed, displeased, but quickly offered Felix a smile when their eyes met.

"Sorry about him. Like I said, stubborn as a mule."

"Hm."

"Are you alright?" the healer asked as he came to sit beside Felix. "Did this troublesome Prince say anything inappropriate? I'll teach him a lesson, I will."

"It's not... that, really." Felix fiddled with his fingers a bit, lowering his eyes. "I just... It's complicated, is all. Waking up here... and then suddenly learning of my new position and duties... It's a lot."

"I see." Jeongin seemed to think it over for a few seconds, then gently patted his shoulder in an attempt to comfort. "Well, whatever is happening, and no matter how troubling things might be right now, just keep in mind that, as troublesome and stubborn as he can be, our Prince rarely does things unjustified. He wouldn't have asked for you to be given this position without a reason, I'm sure of it."

"That doesn't make me any less confused," snorted Felix.

Jeongin simply shrugged. "Then just ask him. Whatever's going on, the two of you will be keeping in close quarters from here on out, so it might be best for you two to work out any issue before then, don't you think?"