Morning sunlight swept across the front courtyard of the MOA Palace, reflecting off white stone and tall iron gates that stood grand and proud. Amid the crowd of passing visitors, one figure stood almost completely still. His royal guard uniform was perfectly pressed against his tall frame, a sword hung at his left side, swaying slightly whenever the wind shifted.

Hueningkai.

He was no ordinary guard. He was the gatekeeper of the main entrance, the first boundary that no one could cross without permission. Known for his strict presence, his gaze was sharp, and his lips rarely parted unless absolutely necessary. If anyone dared to take a photo too close without consent or tried filming past the clearly marked golden line on the stone, he would straighten his posture and look directly at them. That alone was enough to make them step back. Some called him arrogant. Some were afraid. A few curious young adults tried provoking a reaction with jokes, but all failed. He remained steady, one hand always gripping the reins of his white horse, Odi.

But never with children.

Children always made his expression soften... if only slightly. If a little boy or girl wandered too close out of curiosity for his horse, Hueningkai would not scold them. He would crouch down slowly, letting them gently touch Odi, and then hand over an apple from somewhere hidden in his coat. He didn't speak much, but his eyes held a kind of sincerity only children could read. They say royal guards shouldn't show their personal side. But Hueningkai remained silent. He believed duty is duty. He wasn't there to be liked. He was there to protect.

And that day, when a grown tourist tried to push past the gate for a selfie and became angry when scolded, Hueningkai only stared at him. Voices began to rise, phones held up recording from afar, whispers floating as if waiting for him to slip. But as usual, he did not react. Then suddenly, a little girl wearing a butterfly headband ran from the crowd, stopping right in front of Hueningkai and lifting her hand eagerly.

"Mister knight, your horse is so handsome, may I give him my candy?"

Hueningkai looked at her. Then, for the first time since morning, he spoke, his voice low and almost a whisper.

"He prefers apples. But… thank you for being gentle."

**[ WELCOME TO AU TXT! KAI KAMAL HUENING IS HERE! HAVE A GOOD DREAM<3 ]**