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

Eighth Flag - Don't Shove Societal Issues In A Royal's Face

"Yeah, well, it's not a reason to make it easier for them, is it?"

Hyunjin completely ignored him, throwing the rope he'd brought along over the wall. They were currently in the very back of the Rising Moon Palace's garden, and Hyunjin had seemingly memorized the guards' patrolling schedules, so he wasn't all that worried about getting caught – unlike Felix. Without even glancing back, he swiftly climbed up the wall with the help of the rope and quickly reached the top.

"Hyunjin—!"

But the Prince disappeared as he climbed down the other side. Not a single noise followed, and Felix stared up at the wall with anxiety gnawing at his guts. For a moment, he was quite tempted to just let Hyunjin go on his own and find the trouble he was so ardently looking for, but his conscience wouldn't let him.

Damn me and my good heart...!

Against his better judgement, Felix grabbed the rope and started climbing. It wasn't anything too bad, he'd done something similar during PE classes back in primary school, but he was admittedly sweating a bit by the time he reached the top (and he certainly didn't get up there as quickly as Hyunjin did). He leaned against the edge of the wall to catch his breath, but the tile he'd put his hand on suddenly dislodged, and he slipped forward. A startled yelp escaped him as he fell, but two strong arms stopped his fall short, saving him from a rather abrupt landing.

"Holy—"

"Are you alright, Felix?" asked Hyunjin, looking down at him with an amused grin. "I didn't know you were so eager to fall for me—ow!"

Felix didn't even feel bad about hitting his shoulder. "Dumbass! Don't say that sort of stuff! And- and put me down already!"

Hyunjin chuckled, but lowered him to the ground, as requested. Felix's legs were shaking a bit, but he managed to stay upright on his own and promptly put some distance between him and the Prince, painfully embarrassed, and the tips of his ears burning.

Damn this man – why does he have to be this smooth!?

"Alright, enough wasting time," urged Hyunjin, gesturing for him to follow. "We ought to hurry if we wish to have some time to spare – we must be back before diner time, after all."

"Where are we going, anyway?"

Hyunjin grinned smugly. "Shouldn't you have asked that before following me?"

"I'm going back."

"No, no, no, it was but a jest! Felix! Felix!"

.

As it turned out, Hyunjin's grand escape plan was nothing more than a leisure walk through the streets of the city, in the middle of which was located the palace – and how wild was that, truly, that Felix hadn't even known a whole damn city surrounded them after living there for months?

They were both wearing capes with hoods in order to mingle with the common people and not be spotted by the patrols, and it quickly became obvious that this wasn't Hyunjin's first rodeo as he swiftly guided them through various streets and alleys he seemingly knew like the back of his hand. Though still a bit worried, it didn't take too long for Felix to warm up to Hyunjin's idea. He hadn't even realized how much he'd missed civilization until he was thrown right into it. The bustling streets, the food vendors on the side, the little shops and stands, the music in the background...

This city was alive. Flourishing, filled with riches and happy people.

To think, had I not been here, they would currently be in the middle of a war...