In the year 800, Ethan Lancaster ascended to the throne at the age of 19 after the death of his father (a brilliant king named Ash). He was forced to marry Jumper Ashcroft, the princess of a neighboring kingdom.

Ethan is an intelligent and popular king. He devises policies that benefit not only the court but also the people. Ethan is also of modest height, only 1.75 meters, but he compensates with a handsome face that captivates many girls.

But he hasn't agreed to date any girl yet because… he has a secret that only he knows.

Ethan has a secret bodyguard named Flame Vesper, or simply Flame. Flame is a tall, muscular, and very strong bodyguard. Flame is always by Ethan's side, protecting his king, but unfortunately, Flame is blind.

Ethan has a very close friend named Y, who is the prince of the kingdom of Wemm. The two have been close friends since childhood and are childhood sweethearts. But then one day Ethan's father killed Y's father, which sparked hatred, and from then on, Y and Ethan stopped being friends.

From that point on, wars raged incessantly.

Two years later, when peace returned to the kingdoms of Wemm and Eldoria, Ethan recruited a new bodyguard named Bu Silvercrest, or simply Bu. Bu and Flame frequently clashed, vying for the title of protector of their respective kings. Shortly after recruiting the new bodyguard, a terrible event occurred in the kingdom of Wemm: the mysterious disappearance of the king. Soon after, Y ascended to the throne.

——————————

On a rainy day, Y personally rode his horse to Ethan's castle to have a serious talk.

-Tell me… where is my older brother?

Y asked in an angry voice. His eyes stared straight at Ethan as if he wanted to devour him alive.

-Your brother…? *chuckle* I don't know anything about your older brother. I don't even know his name or what he looks like.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Y grabbed Ethan by the collar and threatened him with the small dagger called "Vile" that he always carried for self-defense.

-Calm down.

-I CAN'T CALM DOWN! WHERE IS MY BROTHER? CONFESS NOW!

-I DON’T FUCKING KNOW.

-STOP LYING! I HAVE PROOF THAT MY BROTHER HAS BEEN TO YOUR KINGDOM!

No sooner had he finished speaking than Y punched Ethan straight in the face. Ethan's lip bled. Upon hearing the loud noise, Flame immediately rushed in and helped Ethan. Flame then chased Y out of the castle.

-Are you okay? My king?

Flame said with a worried voice. Ethan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said:

-I’m okay. You don’t need to worry.

-I apologize for the delay. It is because of me that you were injured. Please punish me.

Ethan chuckle

-Hah. Why? You didn't do anything wrong, and besides, the injury isn't that serious.

-But it-

-shh… it’s fine. You don’t have to worry about me.

Flame looked away and said:

-But… What if I said… I want to worry about you!

-Huh…

The awkward atmosphere was broken by Bu's knock on the door.

-Your Majesty, our soldiers suffered heavy losses after the hunting trip.

-What? Why?

-There are traps in the forest… I suspect they are traps set by the Wemm side.

-Trap? How many people are still alive?

-There were initially 50 people, but only 21 remained when they left.

-Damn it.

Ethan was furious. His grip tightened. Ethan released his grip on his sword and walked away. Flame followed without a word, protecting him in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Ethan looked behind him and said:

-Don't follow me.

Flame sigh.

-Didn't I swear from the beginning? I would protect you anywhere, anytime, and I would protect you with my life.

Ethan looked annoyed, then turned away.

-I am the king. You are my bodyguard. My rank is higher than yours, and what I say is an order!

Flame freeze and Ethan goes away. Flame looked down at the floor in silence. Then a voice broke the silence.

-Why do you look so dazed?

Flame turned around to look.

-Nothing.

Bu approached and put his arm around Flame's shoulder.

-I know. I know you have feelings for him.

-Tsk. Stop talking nonsense.

-Nonsense?

Bu laugh

-Okay, okay, stop lying, I know exactly what your heart is thinking, Flame\~

-Tsk. Get out.

-Oh, why are you so upset?

-I’m not! Don’t talk to me like that! We are not friend. We are rival… We are co-work.

-Fine fine!

Wemmbu left without another word. Flame, with an annoyed expression, decided to go find Ethan.

—————————

At Y's castle, in a small, secret room, Ethan was tied up. There, he was stripped naked except for his underwear. His mouth was gagged, and he would be constantly guarded by servants.

-Well, well, look at the prey offering itself up to the wolf!

He chuckled and looked at Ethan with a contemptuous expression.

Ethan couldn't speak a word because his mouth was gagged. He could only remain silent in helplessness.

Y looked Ethan up and down, then took a rope and repeatedly whipped him. The marks on Ethan's naked body became increasingly clear with each blow. Ethan couldn't scream or resist; he could only endure the pain.

-What's wrong? Does it hurt?

Y bent down and looked at Ethan with a smirk.

-I'm going to ruin your life. Now I'm going to steal your wife!

Ethan watched Y leave with a helpless look in his eyes. Ethan had been weak and sickly since childhood, suffering from many illnesses such as asthma and heart disease. Now, all he can do is wait for death to come.

____________________

-Ethan!

Flame shout.

Flame searched for Ethan for four hours without finding any trace of him. Frustrated, He punched a tree, blaming himself and worrying about Ethan. He then suspected Ethan had been kidnapped. Without hesitation, he attempted to sneak into Y's castle.

As darkness fell, it presented the perfect opportunity for Flame to sneak into the castle. He climbed in through a window and stole the soldiers' uniforms. As he made his way through the corridor, he encountered Y.

Where are you going?

Y asked.

Flame lied, saying he was looking for a soldier because he had a mission to complete with him.

Y nodded and let Flame go.

Flame then searched throughout the room and accidentally discovered a secret passage leading to the basement. Flame crept down and found an iron door. Flame knocked and asked.

Who is inside?

Flame stood on tiptoe and looked through the glass. A naked figure tied to a chair appeared through the glass. Flame immediately recognized it as Ethan and broke through the iron door. Flame rushed in, and the sight before him made his heart ache. Ethan's body was covered in rope marks; each wound filled Flame with pity. Flame immediately untied Ethan, took off his own shirt, and draped it over Ethan. He lifted Ethan up (in a princess style) and left in secret.

At Ethan's castle, Flame gently laid Ethan on the bed and applied antiseptic to Ethan's wounds.

-My king, are you in pain?

Ethan didn't answer, seemingly too exhausted after being tortured.

-Alright, sir, please rest. I'll have the servants bring up some delicious food to entertain you.

Flame left.

—————————————

While King Ethan lay in bed, exhausted and in pain, his wife, Jumper Ashcroft, was busy partying at lavish gatherings.

Jumper was surrounded by handsome guys, but she paid no attention. She had drunk too much and was unsteady on his feet, bumping into a girl with white hair and blue eyes.

-Are you okay, lady?

The girl with white hair spoke in a soft voice, yet it was full of charm and masculinity.

-IS THAT YOUR VOICE??

Jumper was surprised and shouted.

-Yes…

-YOUR VOICE IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!

-Thank you… I guess…

-WHAT IS YOUR NAME!!!

-…Sorry… I can’t tell you.

The girl with white hair hesitated, then quickly left. Jumper tried to chase after her, but she couldn't catch up.

———————————

Flame brought the food into Ethan's room and fed him each dish. Ethan obediently opened his mouth for Flame to feed him.

-Are you still in pain, sir?

-No.

Ethan gazed at Flame for a while, then ruffled Flame's hair.

-Thank you.

Flame blushed and turned his face away.

-That's my duty, you don't need to thank me.

Ethan chuckled softly, and Flame continued feeding him. The two stayed in the room until nightfall, and only after making sure Ethan was asleep did Flame dare leave the room to clear the dishes.

————————

Morning.

Jumper sits in her room, furious because she can't figure out who the girl from last night was. Jumper decides to mobilize a large search party to find out who that beautiful girl with short white hair was.

At that time, Flame was inside Ethan cleaning up.

-You should change your clothes, sir.

-um.

-Here are your clothes, sir.

Ethan accepted the clothes Flame gave him. Flame quietly left the room.

As Flame stepped outside, he was pushed against the wall. He looked up and saw Bu.

-Are you crazy?

Flame said irritably, but Bu smirked.

-Flame… do you want to protect Ethan?

Flame was silent for a moment, then said,

-Of course.

Bu smiled.

-I just heard about a new weapon that can kill everyone with a single blow.

Flame laughed.

-What kind of weapon is that powerful?

Bu grabbed Flame's shoulder.

-I'm going to go look for one today. Do you want to come with me?

Flame hesitated for a moment, then decided to stay with Ethan. Bu stepped back and left.