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

Third Flag - Don't Fall For the Main Protagonist

"I suppose so..." Felix thought about it for a few seconds, then sighed in resignation. "I'll talk to him. But... not today. I'm tired. Can you... ask him to come back tomorrow?"

Jeongin simply smiled again. "I will. Until then, however, I want you to eat something and get more rest. I don't want you fainting again!"

Felix couldn't help but chuckle a bit at that. "Yes, sir."

.

The next day, Hyunjin returned. He held a much more... subdued, expression, and he didn't say a word as he came to sit beside Felix's bed. After a few seconds of silence, Felix finally sighed, deciding to speak first.

"I hate when people make decisions about my life without my permission," he stated firmly. "You had no right to decide my future of the sort, and putting me in a position where I can't refuse you is disrespectful and upsetting. And frankly, so far, that's pretty much all you've been doing: disrespecting me because of my social status and treating me as if I have no will of my own." Felix paused for a moment, then sighed again. "But Jeongin said that you must have had a reason for doing what you did. So tell me: why did you ask for me to be appointed as your personal guard?"

Hyunjin stayed silent for a moment, then nodded solemnly. "You are right. My attitude so far has been... less than graceful, to say the least, and I deeply apologize for it. I shouldn't have treated you this way, but I assure you that it was never my intention to cause you any grief." Without warning, the Prince bowed his head, expressing his genuine contrition. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have acted and talked so callously when I am the one to blame for the position you are now in."

"While I appreciate the apology, it still doesn't answer my question," replied Felix, though his tone had softened a bit, now.

"That's..." Hyunjin bit his lower lip, then sighed. "There is no easy way to say this, I suppose... but one of the assassins managed to escape."

"What?"

"When some of our men went to investigate, they only found fourteen bodies, though there should have been fifteen of them. One of the assassins managed to get away, meaning that word of your involvement in the affair has already reached the ears of whoever was behind the attempt in the first place," explained Hyunjin, obviously trying to be as gentle as he could be with the revelation.

Felix gulped, feeling himself grow a little cold. "You're- you're saying they'll come after me? Because I helped you?"

Hyunjin reached out, grabbing his hands, and squeezing them tightly in reassurance. Felix was startled by the earnest, determined glint in his eyes when their gazes met.

"You have nothing to fear, Felix," assured firmly the Prince. "To be frank, you were appointed the position not because of your skills or as a mean of compensation, but because it is the best way for me to repay the life debt I owe you. Though I understand you wish to go home, you cannot do so safely until we've found the one behind the assassination attempt and, until then, I swear on my life to keep you safe."

Felix shook his head, feeling the sting of tears growing in his eyes. "You can't- you can't promise that."

"I can," insisted Hyunjin. "Having you act as my personal guard is the best cover. Infiltrating the palace is no easy feat, and I am one of the best fighters in the kingdom – staying by my side is the safest you'll ever get."

"Then how did those assassins get to you in the first place?" scoffed Felix.

At that, Hyunjin appeared a little embarrassed. "That... was a mistake on my part, I'll admit. I snuck out into the city under disguise, as I do every so often – I never expected for my hidden enemies to pick up on that pattern, is all. But I'll be much more careful, now! I won't let you down, Felix!"