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

Fourth Flag - Don't Attract Unwanted Attention

Felix did as instructed, then hesitantly lifted his head to meet King Bang's eyes.

"Lee Felix, for your courageous deed, I grant you a thousand pieces of gold to do with as you wish, along with five rolls of the finest silk made in this very city," he announced loudly, his proclamation already causing some whispers to pick up. "For the service rendered to this court and to the royal family, I grant you nobility, and the title of Head of the Lee Clan." This time, the whispers got even louder. "And finally, for keeping my family safe... I grant you a single favor, which you may claim when and how you see fit."

If Felix thought the whispers were loud before, then he was gravely mistaken – by that point, all of the officials around were outright talking, the buzz of their surprise and shock easily drowning out the music and any other noise. With a single gesture of the hand, however, the King silenced them, then reported his attention to Felix.

"Are these rewards to your satisfaction, Lee Felix?"

The freckled man's eyes widened, and he promptly bent forward in a traditional bow, only stopping once his forehead touched the floor.

"You are too generous, Your Majesty," he replied, hoping no one would notice the tremor in his voice. "I gratefully accept these rewards and swear not to disappoint the expectations you've placed upon me."

Felix truly had no clue of what he was supposed to say, but his answer apparently pleased the King, for he laughed and lifted his glass.

"To Prince Hyunjin's safe return!"

All of the people around immediately echoed his cheer, and Felix took it as his cue to return to his seat. Keeping his head down, he ungracefully dropped on the pillow acting as his seat, feeling like his soul could leave his body at any second. Hyunjin briefly turned around to offer him a reassuring smile, but a nearby official then called out to him, and he had to focus his attention elsewhere. Still, Felix was grateful for the reassurance, and he eventually managed to relax, enjoying the warm (if unusual) food as he slowly took in the atmosphere of the place.

Unfortunately, his peace wasn't long to last.

"Sir Lee." It took him a second to realize he was the one being addressed – was that his title, now? He couldn't quite tell if that was the right translation. "Forgive my forwardness, but may I dare ask how you came to save the Prince?"

Their part of the room had now quieted down a bit upon hearing the official's question. Felix briefly hesitated, glancing to Hyunjin again, but the Prince was still caught up in his own conversation. Still, Felix figured there was no harm in answering.

"I was lost in the woods," answered Felix, hoping they wouldn't ask too many questions. "I came across Prince Hyunjin, who was on the run from the assassins, and the two of us ended up fighting side by side to defeat them."

"I heard you bravely took the blow of a sword in his stead and almost lost your arm by doing so – is that true?" asked curiously another official.

"O- oh, not quite...? It was actually an arrow, but I didn't quite think it would hit me when I moved – I thought I'd shot the attacker first, though I was mistaken."

"So you're proficient with a bow, I understand?" The man who spoke up this time around appeared... different, for a lack of better terms. Clad in official armor and with a somewhat gruff expression, he was obviously a high-ranking soldier. "You killed seven of them, didn't you?"

Felix paled a little upon hearing that.

I killed seven people.

The number was higher than he expected. He'd thought it was three, maybe four – seven was a much higher kill count, one he certainly wasn't proud of.