Kang Hana's POV

I sensed Beomgyu shifting uncomfortably in his seat next to me, and his father hadn't even arrived yet. 

"Calm down, Choi, your dad isn't going to eat you." 

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one he's going to go bonkers over." 

I rolled my eyes and focused on my phone. It had been precisely 22 minutes since the King had called us for the meeting, but he had yet to arrive. As I texted Soobin some updates about the week, an unknown number popped up with an incoming call. I couldn't answer it, though, as the King walked into the room. 

I quickly stood and respectfully dipped my head, stowing my phone in the front pocket of my jeans.

"Ms. Kang Hana, it's a pleasure to see you again after such a long time," Mr. Choi greeted, his deep voice resonating through the library. 

I respectfully bowed again and replied, "Yes, it has been a while, Mr. Choi. I hope you've been doing well." 

He chuckled, "Of course, Ms. Hana." 

"Now, Beomgyu, I have something to discuss with you," Mr. Choi began, turning his attention to his son. 

"Today, we'll be traveling to Busan for a party hosted by the Park family. As you know, King Park Jimin is celebrating New Year at his castle and has invited us. Princess Park Chaeyeong will also be present, and I want you to become acquainted with her. Ms. Hana, I've called you here to let you know that all girls, including bodyguards, must wear a dress on that day. I'd like you to keep a close eye on Beomgyu, it's where we'll encounter some of our rivals."

I nodded in comprehension, acknowledging the concerns about the potential stalker issue. 

"And Beomgyu, please attempt to build a good rapport with Princess Chaeyeong. She is one of your suitors, so I'd rather you avoid causing any offence," Beomgyu's father explained. 

"Suitor? Father, I'm only 24, and I still have a few years before becoming King," Beomgyu's voice wavered during his response. 

"I understand, my Son, but it's beneficial for the public image if your relationship is established a few years in advance. This way, it won't appear as a forced marriage when the time comes." 

Beomgyu began to protest, but his words were cut short. 

"Enough, Choi Beomgyu. You both are dismissed," his father declared sternly.

I nodded, acknowledging the King's instructions. We both left the room, with Beomgyu following closely behind me. Suddenly, I came to a stop, realising that I needed to wear a dress for the upcoming event, even though I didn't own one. The only dress I had used for these types of missions had been ruined when it got caught in a fight with an idiot who had cut the dress with his knife.

"Choi, do you know of any dress shops nearby?" I asked, a bit annoyed by the sudden dress shopping task that had been thrust upon me without warning. 

"Yeah, there are plenty," he replied. 

"Alright." 

"Wait, if you're going dress shopping, can I join you?" 

"Aren't you supposed to get ready too?" I retorted. 

"That's not until tonight. Besides, if I let you go off on your own, you might end up choosing a dress for a funeral rather than a New Year celebration." 

I scoffed, "I may wear the same black clothes every day, but I have a good fashion sense, Prince Charming," I replied, emphasising the last two words.

"I'm still joining you."

"Do whatever you want", I said, heading to my room.

"If you let me do whatever I wanted, I don't think we'd be talking right now, Princess."

My cheeks heated up at his suggestive tone, "Excuse me?"

"You're excused", he replied, turning to me with an innocently evil smile. "So what time are we meeting?"

"Around 12:00, if you're not there in the parking lot by then, I'm leaving without you, Choi."

"I'd never be late for anyone. Especially for you, Princess", he said, throwing a wink which was supposed to be flirtatious.

"Ok. Sure", I said, walking around him, slightly rolling my eyes.

Finally, it was 11:55, and I entered the parking lot to find Beomgyu already there, leaning against one of the cars with his hands in his pockets. His eyes were closed, and he seemed to be listening to something on his earphones. Our outfits were nearly identical – denim jackets and blue jeans, though I wore a black shirt while he wore a white one. To an observer, we could easily be mistaken for a couple. 

Approaching him, I tapped his shoulder to get his attention, and he turned to me with a smile, removing one of his earphones. 

"Shall we go?" I asked. 

He nodded, and we both climbed into the car. I started the engine, and we were off.

While we were out on the streets, I kept my eyes peeled for a suitable dress shop that wasn't too expensive. 

As I was considering moving to the next street, Beomgyu suddenly yelled, "Yah! Stop here! Stop right here!" 

Alarmed, I braked the car near the street corner and rushed to Beomgyu's side. 

"Are you okay? Are you feeling ill? Are you hurt?" I asked, checking his forehead and neck with the back of my hand. 

"No, I'm perfectly fine. I just wanted to point out that this boutique is very famous for its dresses. Why don't we take a look there?" he suggested, offering a smile as he pointed to the store.

I shot him an annoyed glance and retorted, "No, that place looks way expensive as hell." 

He dismissed my concern with a wave of his hand and said, "Nonsense, why say that when I'm right here? Let's just take a look, alright? If you don't like it, we can go to another store." 

I helped him out of the car and reluctantly agreed, keeping a watchful eye on our surroundings as we entered the boutique. The moment we stepped inside, a delightful fragrance of fresh flowers enveloped me. The boutique was adorned with opulent decorations, featuring glass and diamond accents from floor to ceiling. Shelves displayed an array of perfumes and accessories, adorned with elegant rose motifs.

The boutique was a haven of opulence and elegance. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, soft glow across the room. The walls were adorned with intricate floral patterns that seemed to come to life in the ambient light. Mirrored surfaces added an illusion of even more space, giving the boutique an airy and grand feel. 

The displays were a masterpiece of design, meticulously showcasing the luxurious items within.  They glistened like jewels in a treasure trove. The accessories section featured ornate jewellery, delicate hairpieces, and finely crafted clutches, all presented with the utmost care and sophistication. 

Every corner of the boutique exuded an air of extravagance, making it the ideal place for selecting an outfit that would match the grandeur of the upcoming event.

I joined Beomgyu's side and softly whispered, "Isn't this a bit extravagant for a one-time event? It's my money, after all."

 A mischievous grin crossed Beomgyu's face as he turned to one of the boutique employees, who was bustling around, and beckoned them over with a friendly nod. The employee immediately approached us, offering a series of deep bows. 

"Could you kindly show us some dresses suitable for my friend here?" Beomgyu inquired. 

"We're attending a New Year's party tonight, and we're looking for something elegant." 

The boutique employee gave a polite nod and asked, "In which colour would you prefer, Miss?" 

Beomgyu turned to me with a questioning look, and I replied, "Black, please."

I glanced at Beomgyu, his eyes seemingly piercing through me. "Seriously? Black, again?" 

"It's the dress code for bodyguards, okay?" I explained. 

Taking my hand, he guided me upstairs, where an employee had arranged several dresses on a table. I let out a sigh, anticipating this shopping excursion to end soon. It appeared that Beomgyu was more enthusiastic about this whole endeavour than I was. 

He presented a black dress for my consideration. This one was adorned with intricate patterns and holes throughout and was too short for my taste, and I shook my head in weariness. I needed a dress that conformed to the dress code while still being comfortable for combat. 

Beomgyu then offered another black dress, this time with a more hopeful tone. 

"Why don't you try this one on? I think it would look lovely on you." 

Without much hesitation, I headed to the dressing room to assess the dress on my body. The black dress I tried on was a work of art. It was an embodiment of elegance and sophistication. 

The fabric was sleek and soft, clinging gently to my form without restricting movement. Diamonds adorned the neckline, their glimmer creating a mesmerising contrast with the dark fabric. The off-shoulder design added a touch of allure, exposing my collarbone and shoulders. What made the dress stand out was the intricate detailing. 

 The dress also featured a thigh-high slit, allowing for freedom of movement while adding a hint of seductiveness. The overall effect was both alluring and practical, perfectly blending the requirements of a bodyguard's dress code with a touch of glamour.

I pulled the curtains aside to reveal the dress to Beomgyu, but he seemed engrossed in a phone call. I discreetly cleared my throat to grab his attention, and as he turned towards me, his jaw dropped in surprise.

Choi Beomgyu's POV 

Sitting on the sofa, I waited for Hana to emerge with the dress. I received a call from Taehyun in the meantime. 

"Hey, Beomgyu, you up for a party at my place tonight?", Taehyun's voice came through the phone. 

"I don't think I can make it, Taehyun. I have a party to attend in Busan today. Maybe another time?", I replied, regret lacing my words. 

As I was about to explain further, I heard a throat clearing behind me. I turned to the source of sound and was momentarily speechless. I had never seen someone look so angelic. Hana stood with her arms gracefully behind her back, the dress hugging her curves so perfectly it seemed custom-made for her. 

I got up, completely forgetting about the call, and walked towards Hana. As I stood before her, her cinnamon fragrance enveloped me, and I stared into her eyes, half expecting this to be a dream. 

"You look so beautiful," I muttered to myself. 

"Sorry, what?" Hana asked.

My eyes softened as she crossed her arms over her chest, subtly covering the exposed skin. The intimate urge to kiss her overwhelmed me, and for a fleeting moment, I imagined our lips locking in a passionate embrace. 

However, I resisted that impulse and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. My fingers lingered on her soft cheek for a while longer, savouring the delicate touch, before I reluctantly pulled away. I signalled the boutique employee to finalise the dress, unable to hide the emotions that swirled within me.

Hana returned to her regular attire, and we headed to the counter to settle the bill. I watched as she reluctantly reached for her wallet, her eyes widening in shock at the dress's staggering price tag, a whopping $60,000. Hana gulped nervously, her pout evident as she handed her card to the cashier. 

Her reaction was endearing, and I couldn't help but chuckle softly. I stopped her before she finalised the transaction, earning a curious look from her. 

"Let me pay for you," I insisted. 

Hana protested, "No way, Choi, there's no way you're paying for that dress. It's mine, anyway." 

"I insist," I countered, trying to assure her that this expense was negligible for me. 

Reluctantly, Hana agreed, but not without a promise, "Fine, but I will repay you this evening when I get into touch with my bank account, okay?" 

I shook my head, grinning as I offered my card for payment. "No, instead of repaying me, I'll ask you for a wish in the future." 

"A wish worth $60,000? That doesn't seem very fair to you," Hana questioned. 

I flashed her a mischievous smile, the start of something unspoken between us. "Trust me, my wish will be a challenge, something that'll make you think that paying for this dress was a breeze." 

Hana's dimples deepened as if she couldn't help but smile, and the sight was enough to make my heart race. I could have sworn that my knees nearly gave way under the weight of emotions, if it weren't for the solid counter in front of me.

Kang Hana's POV

I had to give credit where it was due, and Beomgyu surprised me. Not only had he spared me from a lifetime of debt, but he also managed to bring a genuine smile to my face for the first time in eleven years. Don't get me wrong, I'm financially well-off, but dropping $60,000 on a single dress was excessive. In fact, that sum could easily cover the cost of renting a flat in Seoul. 

We drove back in companionable silence, each passing moment stirring up soft flutters in my chest whenever Beomgyu glanced at me. I wanted to resist these newfound emotions, to push them away, but I also didn't want to repeat the mistake of shutting someone out of my life as I had done with so many others, then again, he was a prince and I was a bodyguard. He was my client. If I thought about it, I only truly considered one person a friend—Soobin.

Upon our return home, Beomgyu advised me, "Pack your suitcase, okay? We'll be leaving in a few hours." 

I nodded and entered my room with the extravagant purchase in hand. I began packing, including the stupidly pricey dress, a pair of heels, makeup, jewellery, and of course my weapons. As I finished, Beomgyu appeared at my door, his tie in hand, wearing a slightly frustrated expression. 

He changed into formal attire, though not the outfit he'd wear to the party, as royal protocol mandated the Prince always looked well-put-together. I approached him and took the tie, deftly folding and adjusting it. But I could feel his gaze on me. 

"What?" 

"Has anyone ever told you how pretty you are?" 

I couldn't help but roll my eyes and replied, "Actually, it did happen when I was in 5th grade. There was this guy from my class who came up to me, told me I was pretty, and even kissed my cheek. If I hadn't left that school the same year, we might have become something more." 

Beomgyu scoffed, "I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have been as handsome as me."

"Choi Beomgyu, are you jealous?"

"What do you think, Kang Hana?", he said, his eyes gleaming mischeveously.

I turned my attention back to his tie, which had somehow formed a complicated knot, and I tried to take it out, but it was too tight. To loosen the knot, I pulled Beomgyu closer to me using the tie, and I started working on it. 

That's when Beomgyu said, his voice deep and low, "If you put your face that close to mine, I can't promise I can control myself." 

I choked on the air and faced him, asking, "What?" 

Just as I said that, the knot came apart in my hands, and I worked on his collar to put the tie around his neck. 

"Nothing, Princess." 

With that, he walked away, leaving me in my own thoughts. I turned back to packing my things and met up with the royal family when it was time to leave.

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So, people, I'm out with a new chapter and I really wanted to include a Choi Beomgyu's POV in between because he is completely in love with Hana at this point, and it is his first time seeing her in a dress. 
The next chapter is going to be just about the party, and we have two new characters: King Park Jimin (from BTS) and Princess Park Chaeyeong (Rose from BlackPink) of Busan.
Are you guys ready for some drama in the next chapter?

Gyuubearrr21