Chapter Text
Sunghoon never asked to be King.
Frankly he could do without the stuffiness of court, or the suffocating politics, or the weight of the royal jewels that decorated his head like a beacon of the future he was meant to lead. The ornate golden throne felt too big and he in his riding trousers and waistcoat felt much too small.
But as the Crown Prince of the kingdom of Chaconne, he didn’t get much of a say in the matter. For someone meant to inherit nothing less than a large corner of the world, he certainly felt powerless.
It didn’t help that his Crown Prince status had only been put in place a some years prior, when his older brother had snuck off to fight on the front lines during a time of unrest at the borders. He had been slaughtered with the rest of his battalion, and the news hadn’t been made known to the castle until over a week later. Sunghoon, only thirteen at the time, had officially ascended to Crown Prince status and had resumed his brother’s responsibilities before they even finished burying his empty casket.
He attended meetings with his father and extra, supplemental lessons to catch him up to where he needed to be. No longer was he merely the Second Prince, left alone unless called upon for delegation or charming a neighbouring duke’s daughter or a count’s son. That duty fell to his younger brother, Jungwon, who handled his new role with dignity and pride.
Sunghoon envied him.
More than once, he’s complained to his faithful guard Jake about the sudden shift in status. Jake had been permanently assigned to Sunghoon after he completed his training. He had been a duke’s son who lost his father in the same war that had taken his brother. He remained at the castle and raised amongst the staff before going through his guard training to make himself useful to the crown. A way to pay back their generosity, he always said.
Sunghoon wished he could have that option.
Instead he sat there in the throne room as his father listened to the concerns of the people. He knew he was supposed to be paying attention and learning from him, but there was only so many times he could hear Lord Jinyoung complain about Duke Hyunsuk farming too close to his own property line before he understood that the problem wasn’t the property line but rather Lord Jinyoung’s own superiority complex. They allowed him to run his mouth until it was out of his system, they offered to investigate the matter and he would leave happier than he came in. They needed his grain, so they let him get away with a little more than most.
When Jinyoung left, Sunghoon fought the urge to slump in his seat. He accepted the water offered to him by Jake, taking a quick sip before his father turned to him.
“Prince Sunghoon, are you paying attention?” He raised his eyebrow.
“Yes sir,” Sunghoon quickly handed the glass back and sat up straighter, if possible.
Unfortunately, Lord Jinyoung wasn’t the only one that had his complaints about the current planting problem.
“I just don’t understand his complaints, Your Majesty. He hadn’t even been using that plot of land- he hadn’t for years. The lines of property get blurred farther out.” Hyunsuk, the Duke of Black, said impatiently.
“So is it not possible that as the lines get blurred, you may be overstepping into his property?” His father raised the question.
Duke Hyunsuk didn’t answer right away, bowing his head. “Well I’m not sure what he would like to do about it now, it’s far too late in the season for any sort of uprooting or replanting.”
“Perhaps work out a deal,” Sunghoon spoke up after a moment. “Based on whatever percentage of his land you used, give him a percentage of your profits. Then, come the last harvest, go out together to firmly draw the property lines. That way we won’t lose the crops you’ve already planted there, and Lord Jinyoung can be satisfied with the loss of profit he’s experiencing by being denied parts of his own land.”
Duke Hyunsuk stared at him surprised. Sunghoon fought the urge to shy away.
This particular solution had been burning in the back of his mind for three years now, when he first started sitting in on his father holding court. He thought it to be the obvious solution, but feared overstepping his duties as a Crown Prince. Not to mention, he wasn’t entirely sure the Duke’s and Lord’s of the neighbouring properties took him seriously as a Crown Prince. Now that he was a little older, and less than a year away from being crowned, he could speak up more.
“Do you think it wise, Your Highness? What if he demands more profit than he is owed?” He asked after a moment.
Sunghoon considered his concern before nodding once. “I would like to think that Lord Jinyoung is a little more tactful than that. He knows the profit he reaps in comparison to yours. I would hope he asks for a fair price.”
“If you think he is asking for too much and will not budge on his number, bring the issue back to me. I will mediate out a fair solution.” His father added.
Duke Hyunsuk bowed his head to Sunghoon first, followed by his hand over his heart and a deeper bow directed at his father. “Thank you, Your Highness, Your Majesty. I will try to reach a compromise with Lord Jinyoung on my own first, so as to not further burden you with this issue.”
“Good,” His father nodded, and with that, Duke Hyunsuk bowed once more and exited the throne room.
His father didn’t say anything to him about his solution, just waved in the next Duke with a problem only he, the King, could clearly solve.
Sunghoon took it as a good sign, at least.
After several more complaints, Sunghoon was excused for the rest of the day for personal study time. With his tutor having left the castle and a replacement yet to be seen, they let him handle his own studies for the time being.
He wandered down the hall, the click-clack of his boots accompanied by the clanking of the guard’s armour Jake wore. They didn’t speak the whole journey from the throne room to his chambers. He kept his eyes forward, resolutely off the cerulean sky outside. There wasn’t a single cloud to hide its beauty. He was sure if he did chance a look out the window, he would see the children of the kitchenmaids splashing about the duck pond to keep cool.
Usually Sunghoon was diligent and self disciplined enough to settle in and actually study, but with an unexplained fog plaguing his mind, the only thing he was studying was the ceiling of his chambers as he sprawled out on the couch.
“Your Highness, I don’t think that position is very befitting of the Crown Prince.” Jake commented from the doorway.
“What about befitting of your oldest and bestest friend?” Sunghoon offered, not even bothering to look up at him as his eyes traced every little detail.
The hand painted beams and boards were familiar to him, but he never got tired of searching them for something new. Green flora sprawled across the oak wood, ivy crawling up and over the beams and spilling onto the next panel. Hidden within the foliage were little woodland animals, peeking around the vines. White rabbits nestled in bushes, foxes sprinting through the tall grass, humming birds fluttering to the white lilies littered amongst the leaves. Sunghoon's personal favourite were the blue swallows, soaring up high and far away. He could spend hours combing through the images belonging to his brother’s childhood.
“That’s another matter entirely.” Jake chuckled. “Are you alright? You’ve been out of it all day.”
“That’s just it,” Sunghoon shrugged. “I’m not sure what it is, my brain just feels muddled.”
“Perhaps a break?” Jake offered. “You’ve been going since yesterday with complaints and taxes and budgets, maybe you just need to rest.”
Sunghoon closed his eyes automatically and nodded. “Perhaps.” He agreed quietly.
He loved Jake, he really did, and when he had been nothing more than a side character in his brother's story, he felt like he could genuinely tell him anything. Thick as thieves, the nursemaid used to say. But now with the crown weighing down his thoughts, he kept them to himself. He never wanted to put Jake in a situation other than plausible deniability, lest his father found out and took his anger out on Jake’s position. He might get to choose his guard staff now that he was old enough to make such decisions, but if his father decided he had made the wrong one, he would be forced to dismiss him entirely.
“You should rest Your Highness,” Jake insisted. “The Princes will be here in a few days, and you’ll need all the rest you can get.” He reminded him.
Sunghoon squeezed his eyes shut at the thought and refrained from groaning in complaint.
It’s not that he had anything against the Princes of Blossom. In fact, he rather enjoyed conversations with them when that’s all he had to worry about when their father met with his and his older brother. They were a neighbouring kingdom that they had been tentatively allied with since the Battle of I-land nearly ten years ago, and the Princes were around his age.
The problem came from the reason behind their visit.
There were whispers of unrest at their borders again, and while they were nothing more than rumours at this point, his father was nervous that they saw his lack of marriage or ascension to the throne as a sign of weakness. He was, after all, not the first choice of King and felt leagues behind where he should be. They delayed his coronation as an act of self preservation, to ensure stability after the loss of his brother. And they were poorer now then they ever had been, having won the war but left with all the debt that entailed. While his Kingdom wasn’t entirely impoverished, he had heard of many families struggling to make ends meet with rising taxes and the drought that wrought their land two years ago.
Crown Prince Heeseung was accompanying his brother, Prince Sunoo, to strike up a marriage contract between their nations. It was Heeseung’s first time being trusted with solely representing his Kingdom, and Sunghoon’s first time being courted for marriage. It was brought to him by an illusion of choice, but really, there wasn’t one. To ensure their nations safety and comfort, a marriage between the crowns would be imminent.
“Prince Jungwon, Your Highness,” one of his deputy guards, Chan said, opening the door.
“Let him in,” Sunghoon sighed. “I appreciate the concern Jake-ah, but I’ll be fine.” He promised, standing up to greet his brother, Jake’s own shoulders squaring back as the second Prince entered.
Jungwon bowed until Chan closed the door. Once they were alone, all three boys relaxed immediately, and Jungwon cracked a smile. “I swiped some cookies from the kitchen,” he said, bringing his arms forward and pulling his hand out from his sleeve to reveal a napkin wrapped up tightly with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Jungwon-ah,” Sunghoon tried to scold him, but it was hard to be taken seriously when he was already sitting down and loosening his cravat.
“You too Jake hyung,” Jungwon insisted, sitting down and leaving a space for Jake.
Jake casted a glance to the door before a grin spread across his lips and he joined them on the couch.
For a moment Sunghoon was twelve again, hiding away under a kitchen table with Jungwon and Jake eating pastries that didn’t fit the beauty standards set by his mother required for presentation to guests.
“You and abeonim were handling the lords for a long time today,” Jungwon noted. “I thought you might need something sweet after handling so many bitter men.”
“Thank you Jungwon-ah, I appreciate it.” Sunghoon sighed, eating the cookie happily, careful to avoid crumbs or dripping the chocolate swirled in the dough, still warm like they had been swiped straight from the oven.
“I overheard some of the guards talking, they said abeonim was going to go out on a tour tomorrow?” Jungwon cocked his head to the side. “Why aren’t you going?”
“He said it was confidential King business that I would be permitted to know once I’m crowned.” Sunghoon sighed, leaning back into the cushions. “But without a tutor, that leaves me with a free day since abeonim doesn’t want me handling any of the lords complaints by myself.”
“A free day? The Crown Prince?” Jungwon gasped dramatically. “Is that even possible?”
“Evidently,” Sunghoon said, licking the chocolate off his fingers. “But you’ll be busy with your piano lessons and ballroom classes, so I suppose it’ll just be me and Jake tomorrow.” He glanced at Jake who shot him a guilty smile.
“Actually, the Head Guard asked me to attend the training session to help with sword demonstrations.” Jake told him. “You’ll be assigned a B guard tomorrow.”
Sunghoon blinked at him before he released a long exhale. “So in a horrible twist of fate, the first free day I have had in months is consequently the only day you’re both busy?” He sighed, rubbing his forehead.
“Sorry hyung, but maybe you could go riding? Jungwon suggested. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“I do miss Gyeoul,” he hummed, looking at his ceiling again. “Maybe I will go riding,” he looked back at Jake. “Do you know who I’m being assigned?”
“Jung Jihoon,” Jake said carefully.
“My brother's old guard?” Sunghoon clarified. “The notoriously strict one that never let him leave the grounds?”
“I’m sorry,” Jake winced.
“Well, that’s that then, I suppose I’ll be stuck on the grounds all day.” He back on the couch again, losing any sense of propriety the longer they sat there.
“I’m sure you’ll find something,” Jungwon encouraged him.
They chatted and caught up until the sun set. Jungwon retired to his own chambers and Jake bowed out, taking his post outside until the night guard would replace him. While he had chambermaids available, Sunghoon typically liked to take his own regalia off, like stripping his mask away. It wasn’t until he was out of the confines of the fine velvet overcoat and hard leather oxfords that he truly felt like himself again.
He ended his day much like he spent it- alone with his thoughts and dreams of freedom.
-
In the morning he was awoken by the chambermaids and his page announcing the arrival of his temporary personal guard. Sunghoon rose, allowing them to wipe him down with soft cloth damp with rose scented water. He had a sort of cold detachment from the process- he performed it like he would any other duty expected of a Crown Prince. Jihoon, who his older brother had fondly nicknamed ‘Rain’ due to an unfortunate incident that involved a heavy downpour and a week's worth of royal garments being ruined on a trip when he was small, bowed to him in a way that made Sunghoon’s skin crawl.
He knew Jihoon was still around, but he hadn’t spoken to the man since the funeral. It was weird to see him do an action that used to be reserved for his brother.
“Your Highness,” Jihoon greeted. “I will be accompanying you today for whatever task you wish to complete.”
Sunghoon nodded in return. “As I’ve been relieved of any duties today by the King, I wish to go riding.” He told him.
“Anything but that.” Jihoon said immediately.
Sunghoon raised his eyebrow. The chambermaids already adjusted their clothing choices, pulling one of his simpler jackets without any gold or silver detailing, and forgoing any waistcoat to begin with. Luckily, he had already argued with them into allowing him to wear his riding pants pretty much every day, sans official meetings with advisors or banquets. He found them more comfortable than the breeches he was meant to wear, and he liked being able to have more freedom in his movements.
“Leave us please,” he told the chambermaids, who curtsied with their heads bowed low before moving to the exit. “Thank you,” he added as they opened the door.
His head chamber maid, Jihyo, turned and smiled at him quickly before following the rest out.
They were all scared of him now as the Crown Prince. One little misstep could result in them being dismissed, or worse. He understood their concerns, even if it pained him to think that they thought so poorly of him. So, he did his best to ease their fears whenever he could.
“Jihoon, I wish to go riding.” Sunghoon repeated, grabbing his riding boots to make a point.
“Apologies, Your Highness, but unless authorised by His Majesty the King, you may not be permitted to leave the grounds.” Jihoon told him firmly.
Sunghoon pulled his boots on and adjusted the sleeves of his coat. “You’re welcome to stay behind if you wish. I won’t be leaving the grounds, just riding through the fields behind the castle.” He offered.
“Your Highness, I would advise-”
“Jihoon, with all due respect to your past accolades, you are a guest in my guard at this very moment.” Sunghoon interrupted. “My regular guard is unavailable, so I am stuck with you. Now, if you would like to ensure the safety of the Crown Prince on his first ride of the season, please, by all means, join me. However, if you continue to argue against me, I have no problem going on my own.”
Sunghoon hated pulling the Crown Prince card. It felt lowly and cowardly in such situations. But he also couldn’t just sit around all day and wait for one of the vultures at court to approach him with their own marriage proposals or land deals or budget cuts, where he would have to make polite but firm small talk and dance around the politics that coated every conversation he had.
“Your Highness you can’t just go off on your own-”
“Can’t I?” Sunghoon raised his eyebrow. “Come with me or stay behind, I don’t care. But I’m going riding.” He said finally, leaving his chambers without any further discussion to be had.
Wisely, Jihoon didn’t argue further, just followed Sunghoon out of his chambers and down the long corridor. His steps echoed on the stone walls, but he kept his pace quick and light. If he was lucky, he could make it out of the castle without being subject to a mind numbing conversation about the weather or the crops.
He zig-zagged through back halls and passageways, a leftover habit from when he was young and could actually slip away from his nursemaid to explore the castle with Jungwon. Jihoon, to his credit, stayed close to him, never losing Sunghoon from his sight all the way through the servants entrance and to the stables.
“Your Highness, what you just did was highly irregular and irresponsible,” he scolded him.
“Jihoon, you are sounding more like a nursemaid than a royal guard,” Sunghoon commented, entering the stables with confidence.
“Your Highness!” A young boy gasped and stumbled back from one of the horses, dropping into a low bow.
“None of that Woonhak,” Sunghoon shook his head, encouraging him to stand with a wave of his hand. “How is Gyeoul?”
“She’s right as rain, Your Highness,” he promised. “I’ve been brushing her every day and feeding her the best oats and hay.”
“Good, thank you,” Sunghoon smiled softly and ruffled his hair. The boy shied away from his touch and smiled bashfully. “I’ll be taking her out riding today.”
“Would you like me to saddle her up for you?” He offered.
“No, that’s alright, I’ll do it.” He said, motioning to Jihoon. “Could you set one up for my friend, though?”
Woonhak nodded and ran off.
“I didn’t know you were so familiar with the stable boy.” Jihoon observed, following Sunghoon to his horse's stall.
“Woonhak was born at the castle, he grew up here.” Sunghoon told him. “He’s a quite few years younger than Jungwon, his eomma is one of the head bakers.”
Jihoon studied Sunghoon closely. “Why do you know all that?”
His horse was a beautiful black mare he had raised and trained himself. She was the colour of fresh ink on a page, and ran smoother than any steed or stallion they had on the grounds. She was quick too, and reacted well with even the lightest tug on her reins. Sunghoon took pride in Gyeoul, and she had always been a point of interest when he would host younger delegates.
But right now, she was simply his horse. More than that, she was his means of escape from the stuffy castle walls. He retrieved the leather saddle and tossed it over her back, fastening it in place with practiced ease. He hooked up his saddlebags before he finally responded.
“You learn a lot when you’re allowed to run amok.” He chuckled sadly, patting Gyeoul’s nose gently. “Hi girl, we’re gonna go for a ride today.” He whispered.
“Run amok?” Jihoon repeated.
“Surely you remember a time when I wasn’t next in line for the throne?” Sunghoon scoffed a little. “I used to reign terror over this castle when I was a child.”
“I’m not sure I would call it ‘reigning terror’, Your Highness. All the servants adored you.” Jihoon pointed out.
He supposed he was right, though he knew he hadn’t been the easiest child to wrangle, of that he was sure. Always restless, always wandering off to parts of the castle that lacked the proper supervision befitting of a Prince, Crowned or otherwise to explore or play. But looking back at his childhood, the staff never seemed particularly exasperated with him. He remembered a time when laughter echoed through the grand halls, when the hand-laid stones were a place of wonderment, rather than the harsh reminder of his isolation from the rest of the world.
“I grew up well.” Sunghoon conceded, leading his house out of the stable so he could climb on.
“Just a moment, Your Highness, my horse isn’t ready.” Jihoon advised.
Sunghoon glanced at Woonhak, who was deliberately taking a long time to saddle the horse up.
He might not have been an absolute monster to raise, however, he also knew that the nursemaids used to draw straws when it came to him and his siblings. The winner got to handle Wonyoung, his little sister and the youngest amongst them, and the loser got him.
“Jihoon, you’re about to find out what my ‘reign of terror’ was like for the staff.” He told him.
“Your Highness,” Jihoon said, a warning in his tone as he moved to position himself in what Sunghoon considered to be a very valiant effort in keeping him subdued.
Unfortunately for Jihoon, trying to placate him with his title only made his desire to flee grow.
“Catch me if you can.” He said before he kicked his horse into action, practically flying out of the barn.
“Prince Sunghoon!” Jihoon shouted after him indignantly.
Sunghoon laughed and went faster, pressing his body close to the neck of Gyeoul, encouraging her to go faster down the fields.
He was content for a moment to stick in the fields, but it wasn’t long before he deviated through the woods and down the path to the nearby village. He could hear Jihoon behind him, calling his name and asking his whereabouts, but it got fainter and fainter with every gallop until he could no longer hear the older man’s voice.
He wasn’t even paying attention to where he was going. All he could focus on was how it felt to be on horseback, weaving through the woods and down a path meant for merchants and vagabonds alike. The filtered light of the midafternoon sun broke through the foliage, warming him up comfortably.
Sunghoon didn’t know how long he rode for, only that he liked the way the wind caressed his face like a lover he had been parted from for too long. He would have closed his eyes to bask in it if he didn’t fear accidentally veering off the path and riding directly into a tree. For now, he just enjoyed the feeling of his hair being ruffled and pushed back.
He felt free.
He slowed down when he caught sight of the village, bringing Gyeoul to a trot as he hesitated on the edge of the treeline. He watched a few children play in the field, giggling and chasing after each other in a game that made sense to no one but them. Even from here he could smell fresh bread and hear their laughter and it drew him forward. He stayed on horseback until he got closer, dismounting when he realized a woman had come out to meet him with distrustful eyes. She called the children over and ushered them inside.
Sunghoon bowed quickly. “I’m sorry to bother you ma’am, may I tie my horse up to your post while I head into town?” He asked her quietly. “I can offer gold in exchange.”
“You’re offering gold to tie your horse up?” She asked in surprise. “Most just offer a few copper pieces.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have any copper on me,” he confessed. “Will gold work? She’s well behaved, shouldn’t get into any trouble while I’m gone.”
She still looked hesitant, so Sunghoon pulled a satchel out of his saddlebag that he kept in there for emergencies. He pulled out a few gold pieces and handed it over to her. “I’ll give you more when I return.” He promised.
She turned the pieces over in her hand before nodding slowly. “Oh, alright.”
He smiled warmly and bowed again. “Thank you ma’am, I appreciate it.” He turned back to Gyeoul and pointed a finger at her. “Behave, Gyeoul.” He said warningly before turning to the road before him and setting off down it.
He had been into the village a few times when he was younger, but he hadn’t actually had a chance to explore it. And from the woman’s general reaction, he was confident the average person wouldn’t know him. With his simplest coat on, he could be any lord or duke from a neighbouring area at best, certainly not the Crown Prince.
With that thought, he relaxed more into his step, and looked around curiously. Each house along the street was about the size of the stables back at the castle, with a river rock foundation and a timber exterior. Some of the windows were open to welcome the warm weather, and the smell of delicious lunches spilled outside as he passed. Many of the houses had flower beds or gardens outside that seemed to be used to grow herbs and simple vegetables like green beans or tomatoes.
Every step he took along the cobblestone street clicked with his heel, not unlike how it sounded in the castle. Only, in the castle, his steps echoed loudly, the sound surrounding him as he traced through the halls he had been down a thousand times before. It alerted guards and staff of his presence, and commanded respect. Here, in the streets, he could barely hear it over parents calling for the children, families chatting and laughing, and the distant sound of live music mixed with the thrum of the market place. Here, no one paid him any mind aside from brief nods or small smiles of acknowledgement as he passed.
The peace of the village was disturbed by a booming voice shouting and approaching him quickly.
“You kids get back here!” He heard a man yell. “I’ll chop your hands off you little thieves!”
Sunghoon turned quickly enough to have two boys crash into him. He stumbled back a little and looked down at them surprised, automatically throwing his hands out to steady them. They looked up at him fearfully, all skin and bones and sunken eyes with a loaf of bread and a few apples clutched in their hands. The one on the left couldn’t be much older than Woonhak, and the one on the right was even younger than that.
He looked up in time to see the shop owner coming around the corner with a meat cleaver. “You found some! Thank you,” Sunghoon said immediately, taking the apples from the first boy's hands. “I thought I would never find apples here.”
“Sir, this doesn’t concern you.” The man seethed.
“Doesn’t concern me?” Sunghoon blinked. “I just asked these boys to grab me some bread and apples. I’m new to town, so I didn’t know where to go.” He explained. “Oh, did they forget to pay you?” He frowned, looking down at them. “You must’ve dropped the money on the way, right? Oh well,” he sighed and pulled out a few gold coins, handing it to the shop owner, along with a few extras to sweeten the deal. “Is that enough to cover it?” He asked.
The shop owner stared at the handful of gold and cleared his throat, standing up tall. “Yeah, I would say that about covers it.”
“Good I’m glad, I’m sorry for the mix up.” Sunghoon apologised with a bow.
The owner left and Sunghoon crouched down to the boys level, handing them the apples back along with more gold. “I wish I could do more.” He said quietly.
“Thank you sir,” the older one said, taking the younger one’s hand and dragging him away.
The younger one stumbled along, turning back to look at him and waved as best he could with the loaf of bread still clutched in his arms. Sunghoon offered a small smile and waved back, and sighed as the boy lit up and turned back to listen to his brother. He would have to figure out how to send someone out here to do a wellness check on them, and see if there was anything else he could do to help them.
Sunghoon sighed. He set a few pieces of gold aside for the woman watching his horse to ensure he had it, and tucked the rest back into his satchel before he continued his trek down the road.
The main square was a bustling marketplace, with fresh fruits and breads and meats all around. Trinkets and nicknacks and doodads all lined up in stalls with sellers preaching stories of new and old, a blend of fiction and reality that made it all the more exciting for their buyers. There was live music somewhere off to the side and Sunghoon stopped for a moment to take the whole scene in.
It was like the world brightened a little with all the life and people around. The sun shined a little more, reflecting off the fountain in the middle and making the rushing water sparkle. He joined the flow of the villagers quietly, looking through each stall curiously.
“You look like a fine gentleman,” one of the sellers told him. “How would you like to own something that was once worn by the former Crown Prince, may the Gods bless his soul?” He offered.
Sunghoon pressed his lips together as the man retrieved the gaudiest, ugliest pin he had ever seen. Every single colour clashed with the one next to it, and it was much too big to match with normal, everyday attire. His brother would have been rolling in his grave if he knew what this man was trying to pass off as fashionable for royals.
He bought it immediately, if only to show Jungwon and laugh about it.
He continued through the streets and stalls, never straying too close so as not to be singled out by the merchants. He heard a surprisingly familiar voice and turned to see two guards off to the side, chatting at a fruit stand. His eyes widened and he quickly turned away, ducking and weaving through the crowd. He spotted two more guards by the honey mead stand, and another three at the cured meats. Panic seized his chest, and he ducked into the first shop he saw. He shut the faded red door behind him and peaked out the window, narrowly missing two of his abeonim's personal guards as they walked by.
“What are you doing?” A voice asked.
Sunghoon startled and he looked over at the man standing there with a broom and raised eyebrow. His gaze drifted along the rows of shelves and the oak counters, taking in the old bound volumes and collection of quills. It seemed he had stumbled into what looked like a book shop that also sold stationary, ink and quills. The man in question was in a loose blouse tucked into brown trousers. He had a small face and raised eyebrow, his tanned skin smudged with dust and ink.
He was handsome, Sunghoon realised. And clearly unimpressed.
Sunghoon cleared his throat and looked around before he decided on his story. He nodded towards the stationary. “I came to buy a quill and ink.” He said.
“A quill and ink.” The man repeated, deliberately turning his eyes to Sunghoon's hand, which was gripping the door handle so tightly he was sure his knuckles were turning white.
“And a book.” Sunghoon added.
“A book.” The man repeated again dryly as he leaned against his broom handle.
“That’s what you sell here, isn’t it?” Sunghoon raised his eyebrow in return as he dropped the handle, looking around again. “Books and quills and ink? Are you going to sell me anything or should I take my business elsewhere?”
The man shrugged and set the broom aside, heading behind the counter. “We’ll start with the quill and ink then.”
Sunghoon nodded and followed him to the display, keeping the door in his peripherals. The man in front of him observed him as he looked through the beautifully carved quills. Each one had its own unique colour and carving, images of tree lines and ocean waves carefully etched into the wood. He lost himself for a moment, engrossed in the craftsmanship.
“You’re not from around here, are you?” He asked finally.
“What? What makes you say that?” Sunghoon’s head shot up as he looked at him with wide eyes.
“You mean besides your reaction?” The man snorted. “You’re dressed too fancy to be from the village.”
“Am I?” Sunghoon looked down at his wardrobe, as if he hadn’t known he stuck out like a sore thumb.
“Yeah, you look royal.” The man said casually, and Sunghoon’s heart sped up in fear. “What, are you a lord or something from the castle?”
“Yes,” he latched onto the excuse the man presented him with. “Yeah, I just arrived a few days ago, I’m a delegate from-” he trailed off. “I suppose I shouldn’t tell you, since nothing is official yet.”
The man shrugged. “Do you have a name, at least?” He asked, leaning against the back wall as Sunghoon resumed his inspection of the craftsmanship.
“S-Solon,” he said, stumbling over the first name he could think of- his favourite character from a story the nursemaid used to read to him growing up.
“Are you sure?" The man raised his eyebrow again.
“Of course I’m sure!” Sunghoon insisted. “What’s your name?”
“Jay.” He introduced. “Do you like it?”
“Your name?” Sunghoon blinked in surprise.
Jay raised his eyebrow and nodded to the quill in his hand. “The quill, do you like it?” He asked.
Sunghoon looked down at the quill in his hand. It was the one he had admired the most. No matter how many times he put it down, it kept somehow finding its way into his hand. It was a sturdy wood stained a deep pine green, with wildflowers carved into the base. The gold tip was polished and clean, sized perfectly for writing letters or signing papers. Despite the designs, the quill sat comfortably in his grip, like it was made for him. It reminded him a little of the paintings on his ceiling, and he couldn’t help but hold it a little tighter.
“Yeah,” he said softly. “I’ll take this one.” He looked up at the shop keeper again.
Jay nodded and took it from him to box it up with a pot of ink. The wrapping was a green not dissimilar to the trees of the forest around the castle, and he slid it over to where a book and a box sat for sales.
“And a book you said,” Jay stepped out from around the counter to look around the shelves. “Anything in particular?”
Sunghoon shook his head. “Just a bit of reading for the boring days at court.” He offered. “One I won’t have to worry about being careful with like I would from the Royal Library.”
“Are there boring days at court?” Jay chuckled, browsing the shelves, eyes scanning every spine to find exactly what he was looking for.
“Plenty,” Sunghoon deadpanned. “It’s all very tedious work right now until plans have settled.”
“I don’t suppose you could tell me what the King has in store for us, hm?” Jay asked.
“Classified, sorry,” Sunghoon said, watching Jay curiously. “What are you looking for?”
Jay didn’t answer, crouching down to take a volume off the bottom shelf. It wasn’t overly thick or thin, the pages already yellowing with age. The ruby red cover had washed out to a maroon with time, the edges frayed and peeling. It looked well loved and often read, and Sunghoon wondered why Jay had it out for sale.
“We get a lot of our books by donations,” Jay explained, as if he could read his mind. “You know, estates that get cleaned out, families that move to bigger towns and don’t want to take everything with them, old libraries or shops that go out of business and have extra inventory, things like that. Most of the books in here are second hand, if that’s alright with you.”
“That’s more than fine,” Sunghoon nodded. “I’ll know it’s good if someone else has read it before.”
Jay observed him carefully. “You’re not like the snobs we get from the castle,” he commented curiously. “Aren’t lords usually supposed to want everything new and perfect?”
“I feel like that’s an overgeneralization of lords as a whole,” Sunghoon raised his eyebrow in return. “Also, for a shopkeeper, you sure spend a lot of time trying to convince me not to buy your products.”
“I’m not a shopkeeper,” Jay told him. “I’m his son.”
“For a shopkeepers son, you sure spend a lot of time trying to convince me not to buy your abeoji’s products.” Sunghoon corrected his sentence, and Jay scoffed in annoyance at his smart-ass remark.
“I guess I’m just used to stuck up jerks from the castle coming into our village and demanding everything be handed to them on a silver platter.” He said hotly.
“The castle doesn’t even use silver platters anymore,” Sunghoon corrected, and Jay groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“You’re kind of annoying, you know that?” He said bluntly.
“I’ve been told.” Sunghoon nodded, despite the fact that no one would ever dare breathe anything resembling such a statement in his direction.
He kind of liked it. He couldn’t remember the last time someone spoke with him so casually, let alone insult him directly to his face. Even Jake, who was his closest friend, struggled to tease him nowadays. So this felt nothing short of freeing.
The bell above the door rang, indicating another customer. In his haste to follow Jay down the aisle, he had turned his back to the door and couldn’t see who had walked in.
“Jay-ah, are you here?” An unfortunately overly familiar voice called out.
“Hey, I’m here, just with a customer!” Jay called back. “Come on, I’ll package this up for you.” He held the book up, and Sunghoon’s eyes widened a fraction when he realised that meant he would have to turn around and face the very person that could give his whole ruse up.
He had the innate urge to hold onto this moment in time and never let go. It’s the most normal he’s felt in years, and he found it refreshing to stand here and talk with a shopkeeper's son as if he really was just a normal man out for a book.
He ignored the fact that even if he was a lord, Jay probably should have spoken a little more formally with him anyway. He chalked it up to his own nervousness and the abrupt meeting that threw propriety out the window.
Cold dread filled his stomach and clenched around his lungs at the idea of letting this go.
“No,” he said quickly. “I mean, I’ll, uh, take it as is, I’ll probably read it the moment I get to the castle anyway, so don’t waste the wrapping.” He insisted, taking the book and carefully shoving it in his bag. “How much do I owe you?”
“For everything? Six gold and four silver, your quill is still-”
Sunghoon dug out ten gold from his satchel, shoving it in Jay’s hand before he went the long way around the shelf to avoid the counter. He was out the door without another word, and ducked down an alleyway to avoid the large window in the front of the shop.
He was three streets away when he realised he had forgotten the beautifully carved quill and fresh pot of ink back at the shop. His energy depleted immediately and he slumped against the wall for a moment to catch his breath. Judging by the sun’s position in the sky, he figured now would be a good time to head back to the castle, while it was still plausible that he had managed to evade Jihoon in the woods. He found his way back to the main road, only to stop short and press himself against the wall as more guards passed.
They must have finished their sword training and took the new graduates out to the village. Jake had told him about it once, how it was a congratulations of sorts to make the new kids feel welcomed. He waited a few minutes, staying tucked against the corner.
Across the backroad, there was rustling by some old crates and bags. Sunghoon’s gaze snapped to it, eyes widening as he prepared for a stray cat or fox to come out and attack him for his audacity of hiding in the same alleyway. To his surprise, it was a little dog that might’ve once been white, but was now matted with mud and what looked to be dried blood. The dog growled at him, but it was weak and feeble. Sunghoon approached the dog slowly, carefully, and reached into his satchel to produce a piece of the cured beef he had purchased earlier, holding it out to her.
“Go on,” Sunghoon whispered, now in a full crouch in front of her. “Take it.” He whispered.
The dog snapped its jaw around the beef, chewing on it and watching Sunghoon with distrustful eyes.
Sunghoon remained still, hand out reached for the dog to sniff him. The dog crept forward when she finished her snack and sniffled his hand.
“Are you hurt?” He asked, tentatively scratching behind her ear when it moved closer.
The pup seemed to warm up to him enough where he could shed his jacket and drape it around her, picking her up carefully. He brought her under his arm as he continued to dart through the village, using the skills he had built growing up hiding from nursemaids to evade the guards at every turn. The dog was content, at least enough to continue to allow him to carry her, so he did his best not to jostle her as he ran. He still wasn’t entirely sure what the extent of her injuries were, and he didn’t want to aggravate any of them further.
And that’s how he arrived at the woman’s house. He left the rest of the gold he had with him on her front step before he carefully mounted Gyeoul, who didn’t seem to know what to make of the dog in his arms.
“Let’s go home.” Sunghoon told her, steering her out back to the field.
He only glanced back once as he crossed through the long grass before he set his gaze towards the path that would take him back to the castle.
The trek back felt heavier, harder than the ride out. It also seemed much shorter- too soon he was back in the valley and approaching the stables as if he had never left in the first place.
When he arrived at the stables, Jihoon was there waiting for him, very unimpressed. “Where have you been?” He seethed.
“The forest,” Sunghoon lied easily as he dismounted. “I found this dog in there, wounded.” He turned to Woonhak, who was watching Sunghoon worriedly. “Woonhak, could you please fetch the head of the stables? He’s probably the best one to handle an injured dog.”
“Yes Your Highness.” Woonhak bowed, escaping what would likely be a nasty argument to follow.
“Where. Were. You.” Jihoon repeated.
“I told you, the forest-” Sunghoon tried, only for Jihoon to storm over to him.
“No, you weren’t. I scoured the forest. And the fields. And the valley. You were nowhere to be found.” Jihoon glared at him.
“Just because you couldn’t find me doesn’t mean-”
“You are not a second Prince anymore, Your Highness.” Jihoon barked at him. “You are the Crown Prince-”
“The Crown Prince of Chaconne, I know, I know,” Sunghoon sighed. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself-”
“With what blade? What gun?” Jihoon countered. “You don’t know what or who could be in those woods. What if there was an assassin in there? Bandits? Wolves? Then what?”
“There’s not-”
“But couldn’t there be?” Jihoon countered immediately. “The point is you don’t know for sure, and yet you still galavanted off to god knows where to do god knows what. You have responsibilities now, Prince Sunghoon, big ones that you don’t seem to take seriously. I could have been executed if the King returned before you did. You could have left behind a whole kingdom for your brother to run by himself if something happened to you, leaving the people and the monarchy in shambles again because they lost another Crown Prince.” He motioned to the general direction Woonhak had run off to. “And if you think that boy would have been spared from the King's mark of execution, think again. He probably would have been the first one to go for enabling you to leave without me.”
Sunghoon bowed his head. “I’m sorry, Jihoon.” He said quietly. “I wasn’t thinking.”
“I know you weren’t,” he sighed, crossing his arms. “You’re just like your brother, you know. Stubborn.” He scolded.
Sunghoon stayed quiet, holding the pup a little closer.
The idea that his one careless action, his one breath of freedom could have such dire consequences felt like a bucket of cold water over his head. He took a deep breath. “I forgot myself in a moment of insanity. I’m grounded again, and I apologise for the inconvenience or stress it might have caused you. It was unbefitting of a Crown Prince.”
Jihoon eyed him. “Your Highness, if I may be so bold,” he started.
Sunghoon, despite himself, raised his eyebrow. “As if you haven’t been bold enough, scolding the future King like you just did?” He said, though he was mostly joking.
Jihoon must have caught on, because he quirked a little smile. “Your Highness, perhaps the problem is that you don’t think of yourself as the Crown Prince. Perhaps you should think harder about what it means to be a good leader.”
Sunghoon nodded slowly. Their conversation was cut short as the head of the stables came in.
“Your Highness,” he bowed his head quickly. “Woonhak tells me you’ve brought a mutt in?”
“She’s injured, I think,” Sunghoon turned to show him. “But I couldn’t see under all the matting. You handle the hunting dogs as well when they get injured. I was hoping you would be able to help.” He said carefully. “She will stay with me once she completes treatment.”
The Head of the Stables looked a little thrown off by the request, but he brought over a small table for Sunghoon to lay her down on.
“Do you care much for this coat, Your Highness?” He asked after a moment. “Your scent is keeping her calm, so I’d like to keep it here if possible.”
“By all means, whatever will help,” he nodded. “I have plenty of others.” He insisted.
He shooed them out of the stables politely so he could work on the pup. Woonhak insisted he could handle putting Sunghoon’s horse away, so the Crown Prince was left with nothing to do besides return to his chambers.
He felt thoroughly scolded by Jihoon, but also knew he was right. He asked him to remain posted outside so he could be alone with his thoughts. He paced the floor, spinning on his heel to change directions while he tried to think of what to do. On one hand, he would never regret going into the village. The market, the people, his people, the kids- he hoped they were okay and warm and fed tonight -the store fronts, the music.
The book shop.
He shook his head and took a deep breath, pushing those thoughts away immediately. He might not regret going, but it wasn’t something that could happen again. Jihoon was right, he really had to stop playing pretend and actually try to change his attitude and behaviour towards his status. He had to focus on being present, and soak up every bit of knowledge he could from his father.
Sunoo would be arriving in a few days time. He had to be prepared. This marriage had to work. For every grand thing he saw in the square today, there were ten cases of poverty wreaking havoc on the village. Closed stores, empty stalls, the kids who stole the bread and apples and the store owner who looked one bad day away from joining them on the street. And if that’s how a village so close to the castle lived, he couldn’t imagine what those along the border had to handle.
Sunghoon sighed and plopped down on his coach, rubbing his eyes. The abrupt movement knocked his bag over, the contents spilling out. The fake broach and the rest of the cured meat toppled out, along with his empty coin purse and the book he had gotten from Jay.
He picked the book up and started flipping through it curiously. He hadn’t bothered asking what it was about, he just accepted Jay picked well. He stopped to read a page when his door opened.
“Sir Jake requests entrance,” his page announced.
Sunghoon shoved the book in his bag again and hid it beneath a pillow. “Let him in,” Sunghoon cleared his throat.
Jake bowed as Sunghoon stood, and they waited for the page to close the door before Jake straightened up.
“How was sword training?” Sunghoon asked, taking a seat again.
He returned his gaze to the ceiling, as if that was all he had done today. It wouldn’t be the first time he let his mind wander as he traced the familiar artwork. Jake had seen him waste away for hours, surely he would believe that he hadn’t left his chambers today for anything aside from maybe a meal or two.
“It was fine, we went to the village after,” Jake told him, his hands behind his back.
“Oh? Did you bring me back a treat?” He grinned.
“I saw my friend when I was there,” Jake continued, wandering over to the couch.
“You have other friends?” Sunghoon teased. “This is news to me.”
“Sunghoon-ah,” Jake said quietly, and Sunghoon’s smile dropped as Jake held out a familiar green package to him.
“What is that?” He asked after a moment.
“You know what it is,” Jake raised his eyebrow. “Jay asked me to give it to Lord Solon at the castle.”
“So shouldn’t you give it to Lord Solon, then?” Sunghoon raised his eyebrow.
“Sunghoon-ah, I was there when the nursemaid read those stories,” he said bluntly. “Solon was always your favourite.”
Sunghoon sighed, holding his hand out. “Thank you for delivering it for me.” He said quietly.
“What were you doing in the village today?” Jake asked. “Jay said you were alone, where was Jihoon?”
He fiddled with the edge of the box. It really was beautiful, despite the simplicity of it. He could see this belonging to an upscale shop in one of the townships, rather than the little shop in the village. Love and care had clearly gone into even the smallest detail, and he couldn’t help but be endeared by it all.
“I don’t know.” Sunghoon said quiet. “It won’t happen again, I promise.” He added. “Jihoon already scolded me, so can we put it to rest, please?”
Jake sighed and sat beside him on the couch. “You bought one of Jay’s quills?” He nodded to the box. “Can I see?”
“His quills?” Sunghoon repeated. “He told me he wasn’t the shopkeeper though.”
“He’s not,” Jake pointed to the box. “He did make the quills though.”
Sunghoon opened the box and pulled it out, observing it curiously with a new found interest. He traced the engravings and glanced up at his ceiling to compare the two. Just as he thought, it looked as if the quill had been pulled from the panels and molded and stretched into something tangable that he could hold. He spun the quill around his fingers like his brother had taught him when he was a kid. The gold tip glinted in the dying sunlight and he leaned back against the couch.
He could feel Jake's eyes on him, but couldn’t bring himself to return the gaze.
Jake sighed and leaned back beside him. “Did you have fun at least?”
“I did,” Sunghoon nodded immediately. “It was nice to be amongst the people I’m meant to lead one day.”
Jake nodded. “You’ll be a good King, Sunghoon-ah.” He insisted. “Or should I say Solon?” He teased him.
“Shut up, it was the first name I could think of.” He whined, getting up and moving to his desk where he replaced his regular quill with his new one. “He already clocked that I’m from the palace, if I told him my real name he would’ve immediately known I was the Crown Prince.” He waded up a piece of paper and threw it at Jake. “I’m lucky I didn’t call myself Jake, considering he knows you.”
Jake shrugged. “Jay’s a good guy, don’t stress about it. He thought you were a little weird but that’s it.”
Sunghoon glanced out the window above his desk. Behind the field and past the trees, he could faintly see the smoke from the chimneys of the village. He turned away quickly and raised his eyebrow at Jake. “I was a little weird?”
“Don’t act so surprised.” Jake scoffed playfully. “You’re way more weird than he thought you were.”
Sunghoon’s jaw dropped and he grabbed the nearest pillow, launching it at Jake’s face. “Oh it’s so on,” Jake gasped, chasing Sunghoon around his chambers with another pillow.
Sunghoon would take his Crown Prince duties seriously tomorrow. For now, he let himself joke around with his friend.
Chapter Text
Sunghoon had only one task today, and it was to ensure the details of the welcoming feast for the Blossomer Prince’s were sound.
He usually hated completing such menial work, especially when he could be doing something useful like shadowing his father in a council meeting or even speaking with the lords that lived on their estate. But given the circumstances involving his little trip yesterday, and his mother’s absence as she and his sister had set off to make an appearance at the royal designer's new shop a few days away, Sunghoon welcomed such a simple task. Especially considering his mother wouldn’t return until the day before the Prince’s were set to arrive, he liked to ease her troubles wherever possible. It was something he enjoyed doing as the Second Prince, and not something he often got the opportunity to do now.
His chambermaids dressed him for the day as Jake stood there, going through the list that had been brought to him. “Your Highness, you have to check on all of this by the end of the day?” He raised his eyebrow.
“Plenty of those things can be done at once,” Sunghoon pointed out. “Many of them will take place in the main dining hall, or even in the kitchen if we truly want to be out of the way. Abeonim is adamant about completing his own meetings before the Blossom delegation arrives, so he can give full focus to the contract.”
Just as he did with his morning routine, Sunghoon spoke of the marriage contract with a cold detachment, as if it were a fact that was not happening to him personally, but rather a matter of the State, of the Crown.
He understood Jihoon’s points, to an extent, about how he never truly felt like the Crown Prince. He often felt like he was playing dress up in his brother’s clothes and crown, despite them all being new for him. But sometimes it felt as if he would go insane if he let himself truly feel everything. If he started thinking about these moments and tasks as anything but a duty he must fulfil, he wasn’t sure he could handle the pressure.
Jake watched him worriedly for a moment as the chambermaids bowed and exited, and Sunghoon automatically reached up to tug on the fabric of his shirt so they peeked out from his sleeves. “Let’s go, the sooner we finish this, the better.” Sunghoon’s shot Jake a small smile as they headed out together.
“Your Highness, this is still a fairly long list,” Jake insisted, his eyes scanning over the parchment again, eyebrows furrowed.
“My eomeoni does this all the time by herself,” Sunghoon reminded him, checking the list. “It shouldn’t be too hard with the two of us.”
Famous last words, usually. He knew the reason their banquet and parties went on without a single hitch was because of his mother’s attention to detail. Every little thing went through the process of her approval. He had seen her do it, the way she picked every piece apart so that the grand scheme of things ran smoothly. He only hoped he had inherited more than just her sharp nose and the mole that littered his skin.
“I think you grossly overestimate our abilities,” Jake snorted quietly, and Sunghoon raised his eyebrow at him. “Your Highness.” He tacked on.
Sunghoon chuckled a little and shook his head, resisting the urge to shove Jake like he would if they were alone. There were maids and guards everywhere in the halls, he wouldn’t want to get Jake in trouble for seeming improper-
“Solon-ssi?”
It didn’t register at first but when Jake elbowed his side, he turned to face Jay, who was standing there with a bag slung over his shoulder.
“Jay-ah, what a surprise,” he cleared his throat, accidentally dropping the formalities like he had in the shop. “What are you doing here?”
“I have an audience with the King today,” he said, looking between them curiously. “I didn’t think I would see you so soon, or I would’ve returned the quill myself.”
“Oh, that’s fine,” he waved it off. “Jake returned it well, it’s in my study now.”
“Right,” Jay nodded slowly, his eyes taking in his whole outfit. “This is a lot more... ostentatious than what you wore yesterday.” He observed.
“Yesterday was an outing I would prefer you keep to yourself,” Sunghoon told him firmly. “This meets the demands of Court.”
“It looks uncomfortable.” Jay raised his eyebrow.
Sunghoon was regretting allowing his chambermaids to have their way with his coat this morning. Even he struggled to see the appeal of the jewels inlaid on the fabric, the intricate designs seeming over the top for such menial tasks he was meant to complete today. The velvet was soft at least, and it hugged the silk spun shirt he wore underneath comfortably, but it felt like he was being confined in that moment. He couldn’t bring himself to look Jay in the eyes as he cleared his throat.
“It is,” he confessed quickly before glancing around, afraid of being caught admitting to such things by the staff that milled around the castle in their second hand frocks and restitched coats. “It was nice to see you, but we really must be going, we’re being waited on.”
“Oh, yeah, of course, demands of Court,” Jay repeated, waving him off. “Hey, maybe later we could head back into the village? The three of us could grab a drink at the tavern.”
Sunghoon blinked a few times, trying to formulate a response to such a casual offer. He couldn’t recall ever being invited… well anywhere. Not so simply, without beautiful calligraphy adorning a gold trimmed envelope and the fate of an alliance on the line. “No, sorry, I can’t.” He said after a moment. “I’m busy.”
“Another day then,” he nodded and continued his route to the throne room.
They waited for him to be out of sight before they turned down the corridor to the dining hall.
“What is he doing here?” Sunghoon hissed at Jake.
Jake’s mouth fell open and for a moment, Sunghoon believed he was just as clueless as he was. But then his eyes widened in realisation and he threw a glance over his shoulder. “He got the job,” Jake said quietly. “Jay’s going to be your new tutor.”
“What?” Sunghoon tripped over an edge of a carpet, and Jake kept him upright as they turned down the next hall. “And you didn’t tell me?”
“All I was knew was that I was to deliver the summons, I didn't think anything of it at the time.” Jake argued.
“Regardless, this means he’s going to know I’m the Crown Prince.” Sunghoon whispered, trying to implore the catastrophic consequences of Jay finding out his secret through his tone.
“I mean, at least he’ll be living in the castle,” Jake reasoned, his voice barely audible over the echo of their footsteps. “So it’s not like he’ll go back to the village and tell everyone.”
“Yeah, but he’ll know.” Sunghoon repeated anxiously.
“He was going to find out eventually, especially once you have your coronation.” Jake pointed out.
Sunghoon didn’t know how to explain the absolute dread he felt pooling in his stomach. He didn’t know how to make Jake see what a big deal this was for him.
It had nothing to do with Jay.
Jay might be sarcastic and blunt, but Sunghoon trusted he wouldn’t go blabbing around the castle that he had met him before in a bookshop. If he was not only considered but chosen as his tutor, he must be smart, right? Certainly smart enough to understand the serious ramifications for everyone involved.
It was just that, for a brief moment in time, Sunghoon felt normal. Jay hadn’t been scared to talk to him, or talk back to him. He said he was annoying, he called him out on his bluff, he talked to him like he would talk to anyone else and Sunghoon didn’t want to let that go.
They let the conversation drop as they entered the dining hall, Sunghoon offering a smile to the staff who were setting up dishes for them to taste and mock set ups for the table placements.
“Your Highness, it’s a pleasure to have you with us today,” the head baker and Woonhak’s mother, Heejin, bowed quickly.
“The pleasure’s all mine,” Sunghoon said earnestly. “There’s certainly more difficult things I could be doing today, and instead I get to sit here and eat your delicious food.” He smiled warmly.
“You flatter me, Your Highness,” she chuckled, bowing again quickly. “Please, have a seat.”
“My guard will be joining me,” he informed her, motioning to Jake. “He will act as my second opinion, as my brother is unavailable for the task.”
More like Jungwon had heard that the most important thing to do today was approving details for the banquet and consequently made himself scarce. Jake had said he wasn’t even in his chambers when he had gone to deliver his request for him to join him, and the page had indicated that Jungwon wouldn’t return for a while. As the Second Prince, Jungwon wasn’t required to assist with such things, but Sunghoon always appreciated his brother’s opinion. Hence why he wanted him here in the first place.
No matter, it was his loss.
“Of course, Your Highness,” she nodded and they set up a second place for Jake.
The tasting actually took a lot less time than Sunghoon had initially anticipated. Everything was delicious, and as Jake was well versed in Blossomer customs, he confirmed whether it would be a good fit for the Prince’s or not. The placements as well took almost no time, already as lavish yet cost effective that they could manage, and they were gorgeous.
Something Sunghoon had anticipated taking all day was over by mid afternoon.
“I feel like I’ve somehow miscalculated,” he furrowed his eyebrows. “Eomeoni usually takes all day,” he glanced at Jake worriedly.
“The Queen usually does everything on her own,” Heejin pointed out. “It usually doesn’t take as long when you or the Princess accompany her.”
Despite the reassurances, Sunghoon went over everything once more just to confirm that it was okay. The last thing he wanted was for this mother to return from a long trip and have to reconfirm everything because he had confused a detail or missed something important.
Finally he was satisfied. He thanked the staff, smiling warmly as he and Jake left for them to finish their work undisturbed.
The next thing on the list was to check their chambers. As the Prince’s would be here for an extended period of time, they wanted to ensure the chambers were comfortable and well located within the castle. Sunghoon found this more unnecessary than the banquet prep, as they were just putting them in the same chambers they had used last time, and no one had stayed in them since.
Besides, he thought, if all went according to abeonim's plans, Prince Sunoo would be sharing my chambers before the summer was through.
That thought left Sunghoon’s head as soon as it entered. He refused to entertain it for very long at this point. There was no use in stressing over something that may or may not happen. So what if Sunoo sharing his chambers meant that the little piece of freedom he had left would vanish? No longer would he be able to relax with Jake and Jungwon like when they were young, proprietary would be a permanent fixture even in the dying light of dusk, like the old red couch or the midnight blue curtains. He wouldn’t focus on that for now.
“For such a large castle, I seem to be running into you quite a bit.” Jay’s words were amused as Sunghoon turned to face him surprised.
“What are you doing over here?” Sunghoon asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
“My chambers are in this wing,” he explained. “I’ll be the new tutor for the Crown Prince starting tomorrow.”
“And you’ll be staying at the castle?” Sunghoon clarified, hands clasped behind his back out of habit.
Jay nodded and glanced at Jake, as if he hadn’t realised he was there until now. “Have you been assigned to Solon?” He raised his eyebrow.
“What? Oh, no,” Jake shook his head. “We got acquainted the last time he was here. His visit period was brief, so I’m just wandering with him while he explores.”
“Can I join you? This place feels like a maze,” he confessed. “I'm fairly certain the throne room alone is bigger than my home back in the village, so it all feels a little overwhelming.”
Sunghoon hesitated. They were about to check in to chambers with staff that would out him as the Crown Prince the moment he stepped in the room. That same heavy panic returned to his chest, and he turned to Jake immediately. His guard shot him a look that suggested he already knew what he was about to say, and that he didn’t approve of it in the slightest.
“Why don’t you accompany Jay up to the main area? Show him the important places while I drop into my chambers for a while?” He suggested, the lie finding his tongue worryingly fast.
“But-” Jake started to protest.
“It’ll be fine,” he insisted. “I can find my way. I’d like to lie down for a while anyway. The journey was long, and I haven’t gotten much rest.”
Jake frowned and studied Sunghoon, sighing and bowing a little out of habit before turning to Jay. “C’mon, I’ll show you the way to the library first. That’s where you’ll hold most of the lessons, unless otherwise requested by his Highness.” He explained, stepping away to join Jay.
“Yeah, alright,” Jay agreed, though confusion was clear on his face.
As they walked away, Jay stole a glance back at Sunghoon, who offered a small smile and waved, before turning on his heel and venturing further into the wing.
The check of the chambers was similarly faster than he had originally anticipated. His main job was to assure that the welcome gifts were in place and the overall set of rooms given to the Prince’s had royal approval for comfort.
Once he was politely and formally shooed away by the chambermaids, he had the absolute out of body experience of walking through the halls alone. Without Jake’s footsteps accompanying his own, his thoughts were much louder. He hadn’t had a quiet moment like this in years, always joined by a guard or a maid or someone to keep an eye on him so he didn’t escape past the stone walls.
He continued on through the halls, watching out the windows as the set over the ridge and behind where he knew the town to be. There was a soft golden glow that washed over the field, the pond where he and Jungwon had learned to skate and swim off to the left. It was bright and brilliant from this vantage point. Sunghoon leaned against the window ledge, opening the glass pane to catch the last rays of the day and the soft spring breeze that came with it. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, letting himself relax for just a moment.
“Have I done something to offend you?”
Sunghoon startled a little, turning to look at Jay, who stood there with his arms crossed.
“I thought you were getting a tour from Jake?” He asked, glancing around for any sign of his guard.
“I ditched him near the main ballroom I think,” he explained. “Why? Are you avoiding me for a reason?”
“I’m not avoiding you.” He said immediately as Jay stepped closer.
He automatically moved back. That only served to give Jay space by the window, which he filled without hesitation. Jay took in the sight out the window, his eyes a soft honey brown in the dying light.
“Let’s see, you ran away from the shop without your quill,”
“I was late for an appointment,” Sunghoon tried to argue.
“You were very quick to deny meeting up for drinks,”
“I need special permission from the King to leave the grounds,” Sunghoon defended- and at least that was the truth.
“And then you sent me away with a guard while you went to your chambers, despite telling me he was guiding you through the castle too.”
Sunghoon didn’t have an excuse for that one. He remained quiet and looked back out the window instead of answering.
“Have I done something to offend you?” Jay repeated, settling in beside him. “Was it how I spoke with you in the shop? I realise now that as a Lord you deserved a level of respect I hadn’t shown you.”
Sunghoon stayed silent for a long moment before taking a deep inhale of the scent of wildflowers and pine trees. “No,” he said quietly. “Not at all. You’ve been a breath of fresh air, actually.”
Jay turned his gaze to Sunghoon, who kept his own eyes on the horizon. “So why the cold shoulder?” He asked. “Is it because I’m not titled?”
“No, that’s not it at all,” Sunghoon said quickly, waving his hands in a panic.
“Good, because that would be a very shitty thing to do,” Jay scoffed before he softened. “You didn’t strike me as someone who cared much about that anyway.”
“I don’t.” Sunghoon said automatically- and it was true.
He never much cared for titles until they cared for him. Then, he had no choice but to care about them. He was forced to accept them, adhere to them, and respect them.
“So what is it?” Jay continued to pry.
Sunghoon sighed. “Jay-ssi, I don’t- I can’t-” he struggled, closing his eyes. “Can we just enjoy this moment, please? I rarely get to enjoy the sunset as is.”
Jay seemed to really stop and consider Sunghoon before he nodded in agreement. They remained in that moment for a while, listening to the whistling through the trees and the last bird calls before they settled down to sleep.
As twilight descended and the sky turned indigo, Sunghoon could hear rushing footsteps. He closed his eyes and stood up straight, shutting the window and locking it.
“There you are,” Jake gasped. “I was worried when you weren’t in your chambers.”
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” Sunghoon shook his head, stepping away from the window. “I’ll be returning to my chambers now.”
“I’ll walk with you,” Jay offered. “Our chambers are in the same wing, right?”
Sunghoon hesitated for a moment. “There’s something I need to discuss with Jake in private first,” he said finally. “Can you find your way back to your room?”
Jay’s face flashed with hurt in the dim light, but it was gone as quickly as it came. “Yeah, I can,” he said, stepping away and offering a big, sweeping bow that mirrored those the Lords would do to give him a false sense of power. “Thank you for gracing me with your presence, Lord Solon.”
“Jay-ssi,” Sunghoon said in a small voice, his chest aching.
Jay nodded to Jake before he turned and walked in the opposite direction, disappearing in the shadows before long. Sunghoon listened to the echo of his footsteps until they resembled the pitter-patter of raindrops.
“Why are you doing this to yourself, Sunghoon-ah?” Jake asked. “He’s going to find out tomorrow when you show up for your lesson anyway.”
“I just wanted one more day.” He said quietly.
“One more day of what?” Jake frowned.
Sunghoon glanced back out the window for a moment, but it was too dark now to make anything out.
“Never mind,” he mumbled before turning to Jake with a small smile. “To my chambers then?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jake said it out of habit, and the ache in Sunghoon’s chest latched onto his lungs the whole way back.
-
The next morning, Sunghoon took his breakfast in his study after having a bath with water he heated himself.
Here, he had a more clear view of the pond where a family of ducks had taken up residency. A child, one of the kitchenmaid’s babies, was breaking what looked to be a loaf of bread up and tossing it into the water for the ducks to go after.
Jake entered his room with the chambermaids not long after, and Sunghoon sighed, standing and allowing them to dress him accordingly. This suit was a dark, forest green, the waistcoat a cream with gold accents.
“This seems rather fancy to attend a lesson?” Sunghoon raised his eyebrow, adjusting the sleeves as the chambermaids bowed and left.
“The King requested you make a good impression on the tutor. He doesn’t have time to find you a new one before the Blossomer Delegation arrives.” Jake said, studying Sunghoon. “He’s going to find out today.”
“I know.” Sunghoon said quietly before sighing, turning back to Jake with a grim smile. “I guess we should head to the library then, hm?”
Jake nodded. “I’m sorry,” he whispered as they exited through the chamber doors, even if he didn’t quite understand Sunghoon’s grievance.
“It’s okay,” Sunghoon whispered back.
They made their way through the winding halls. Sunghoon acknowledged every maid and guard on the way with a soft smile.
“Ryujin, how’s your brother doing? Recovering well?” Sunghoon asked one of the maids who was typically assigned to the throne room and delivered food during meals.
“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you,” she curtsied before scampering away.
Sunghoon sighed a little and continued on. “Jaehyun, I heard you’ve been promoted, congratulations.” He offered to the guard posted outside the library. “You’ll join my brother's personal guard soon, right?”
“Yes, Your Highness, it’s a great honour to be trusted with protecting the life of the Second Prince.” Jaehyun bowed.
“Jungwon is definitely in good hands.” Sunghoon offered a smile, but that only seemed to throw the guard off. He sighed and nodded to the doors. Jaehyun opened the door with another bow, and he entered without another word as the younger guard announced his arrival.
“Give more money from my personal vault to Ryujin when you get the chance, the medicine for her brother is expensive. And take Jaehyun under your wing when possible, he’ll be under a lot of pressure as a first time personal guard.” Sunghoon instructed Jake quietly as they strode into the library, their footsteps muffled by the long carpet. “I might ask for you to be assigned to Jungwon for a couple days, so you can train Jaehyun up. I’ll see if Jihoon is available to take your place for a bit.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Jake nodded, though his eyes were light with fondness. “I’m sure they appreciate the thought.”
Sunghoon waved it off. “They do a lot for our family, this is the least I can do.” Jake nodded and turned his gaze forward, forcing Sunghoon to do the same. Jay was there, staring at him with wide eyes.
“Lord Solon,” He said quietly, the tension rolling off him in waves.
Sunghoon didn’t correct him. He couldn’t so much as open his mouth. The same panic that visibly seized Jay’s entire body seemed to be wreaking the same havoc on his tongue, tying it in knots until he couldn’t do much more than hold eye contact Jay clearly didn’t want to have.
Jake cleared his throat. “May I present Crown Prince Sunghoon of Chaconne.” He announced, and Jay flinched at the introduction before falling into a ninety-degree bow.
“Your Highness,” Jay breathed.
“Hello.” Sunghoon greeted, just as tense.
Jay stood back up and approached him carefully in a way that broke Sunghoon’s heart a little bit.
“You don’t- you don’t have to do all that,” Sunghoon insisted after a moment when he realised Jay was coming escort him to the table as the other tutors in the past had. “You can just sit back down.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jay bowed his head and did as he was told.
Sunghoon took his seat and looked over at Jake helplessly, who was watching the exchange uneasily. He nodded towards the doors, and Jake nodded in return, going to stand guard so as to not have anyone eavesdropping in.
“About the other day-” Sunghoon started.
“I apologise for my abrasiveness and forwardness,” Jay said immediately. “Please Your Highness, I meant no disrespect, had I known-”
“I had every opportunity to tell you,” Sunghoon waved him off, trying not to show his discomfort with the conversation. “I didn’t on purpose.”
“I understand that, but-”
“My point is,” Sunghoon interrupted. “I would appreciate it if you kept that visit to yourself-”
“-Of course Your Highness.” Jay said immediately.
Sunghoon sighed and squeezed his eyes shut. “I appreciate your cooperation.” He said finally. “Shall we start?”
Jay pulled out some materials from his bag. “I only brought a few things to get started. It was explained to me that I would have access to the Royal Library through this position, I just haven’t had a chance to find any materials yet.”
“Everything here is at your disposal.” He confirmed. “Though if you ever wanted to bring anything from the shop, you’re more than welcome to.” He added, hoping the mention of the shop would comfort him.
It had the opposite effect, with Jay glancing at him and nodding before averting his eyes. “I’d like you to take some basic Flickian and Blossomer tests, if that’s okay. Just so I know where we’re starting from.”
“I’ll tell you now, my Blossomer is abysmal.” Sunghoon informed him gravely. “It sits awkwardly in my mouth, and the grammar makes no sense to me. I’ve focused mostly on Flickian because until recently, Blossomer wasn’t as needed.”
“That’s okay,” Jay told him. “Take the test anyway, it’s more for my benefit than yours at this moment.”
Sunghoon shrugged and looked over the two tests curiously. “If you would like to look through the shelves while I do this, you can,” He offered.
Jay got up without another word, bowing to Sunghoon quickly before he started wandering through the shelves. It was quiet except for the echo of his footsteps when he reached the parts without the lush carpeting, and the scratching of quill on paper.
Jake had found his way back to Sunghoon’s side and looked over his shoulder. “I see you’ve almost completed your Flickian test,” he observed.
“I have,” Sunghoon said proudly.
“And I see you have completely avoided your Blossomer test,” Jake added, amused. “I have,” Sunghoon said in the same tone.
“You have to learn Blossomer eventually, you know.” Jake reminded him.
Sunghoon sighed. “Blossomer is difficult, and I know just enough to engage in pleasantries. Isn’t that enough?” He complained.
“Not when you start making diplomatic visits to Blossomer.” Jake pointed out.
Sunghoon resisted the urge to stomp his feet. He was far too dignified for such things at this age. “I’m having a bad day, you know.” He reminded him.
“I know,” Jake sighed. “And as your friend, I will support you,” He promised. “But as your babysitter, you have to do the Blossomer test.” He said firmly.
“You are not my babysitter!” Sunghoon protested immediately, sitting back up straight.
“I’m the head of your personal guard and that’s kind of the same thing.” Jake scoffed. “I wouldn’t lose you on horseback.”
“That’s because you wouldn’t be tricked into letting Woonhak saddle up your horse,” Sunghoon snorted.
“I also would make you pick a better fake name.” Jake added. “Solon, really?”
Sunghoon bristled. “Solon is a perfectly fine fake name,” He told him. “Jay-ssi, Solon was a believable name, right?” He looked over his shoulder to see Jay standing there with wide eyes and at least seven books in his arms, another in his hand to add to the stack. “Oh,” Sunghoon got up immediately and headed over, automatically reaching for the stack.
“It’s alright, Your Highness, I’ve got it,” Jay insisted, taking a step back.
“Don’t be ridiculous, one more book and it’ll topple over your head,” Sunghoon scolded him. “I can’t lose another tutor so soon to such a simple injury, my father would have my head.”
Jay looked at Jake immediately.
“It’s a figure of speech, he doesn’t mean it literally,” Jake promised. “He’s just terrible at remembering the weight of his words.”
Sunghoon shot him a glare before taking five of the books from Jay’s hold. “To the table then?”
Jay nodded and followed him back over. “It wasn’t, by the way.” Jay cleared his throat. “What wasn’t?” Sunghoon asked, setting the stack down.
“Solon. It wasn’t a believable name. I mean, it might have been if you didn’t stumble over it when you gave it to me.” It was the same attitude Sunghoon had experienced in the shop, but the tone was timid like he was testing the waters.
“It was the first one I could think of,” Sunghoon sighed and sat back down.
“I see you didn’t even touch your Blossomer test,” Jay raised his eyebrow.
“Because I had to help you with the books,” Sunghoon nodded. “I was doing a selfless act for the benefit of one of my loyal subjects, and you’re hung up over a piece of paper?”
Jay stared at him before looking up at Jake. “Is every session going to be like this?”
“Possibly. He charmed his last tutor out of making him learn Blossomer.” Jake nodded.
“Hey! I would never do such a lowly thing,” Sunghoon disagreed. “I just explained the benefits of knowing Flickian more in terms of our current trade routes.”
“And it had nothing to do with the fact that she was Flickian, or that you called it a romantic sounding language and asked to study the poetry so you might understand it better?” Jake asked him, unimpressed.
“Flickian is a romantic sounding language, and studying poetry did help me.” He said, matter-of-fact. “It’s not my fault she took it as flirting.”
“She was in love with you.” Jake deadpanned.
“She was in love with the idea of me,” Sunghoon corrected him. “She didn’t know me enough to love me.”
“If I may, I was told you were quite a studious Prince, Your Highness,” Jay told him tentatively. “They told me you spend hours in the library or your study.”
“I like self study, things I can do on my own that I think are going to benefit me or my country.” Sunghoon shook his head. “Most of the tutors I’ve had are dull and boring anyway, I struggled to stay engaged on my own with them. It was easier when I still took my lessons with Jake and Jungwon.”
“Well, I will do my best to keep you engaged then, Your Highness.” Jay nodded. “We’ll go through the test together, alright?”
Sunghoon sighed but nodded, sitting up straight. He repeated after Jay, stumbling over the Blossomer accent. He was getting flustered by his lack of expertise, but tried not to show it. His tutor was patient throughout the lesson, stopping only to correct his pronunciation when it was really necessary.
They must have spent hours on the Blossomer test alone, taking up their whole lesson with it. Jay didn’t give him even a moment to stop and think too hard about how formal he suddenly was with him, or the legitimate fear in his eyes when he realised what was happening.
This was the last thing he wanted.
The way he wouldn’t hold eye contact, or even directly respond to Sunghoon without adding ‘Your Highness’ onto it. He spoke with Jake fine, and that might have hurt more than if he remained proper for the whole lesson. Once again, there was a perpetual chasm between him and the rest of those in the room, and he had no idea how to cross it.
As the lesson finished up, the bell tolled, signalling it was time for the lords to arrive with their grievances.
“We’ll continue from here tomorrow, Your Highness.” Jay told him, waiting for Sunghoon to stand before following suit, gathering his supplies.
“Would you like help bringing these back to your chambers?” Sunghoon asked him. “We can make a detour to the East wing before we return to the throne room.”
“No, no, it’s alright.” Jay shook his head immediately, shoving three books into his satchel, the other five stacked in his arms. “I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you, Your Highness.”
Sunghoon sighed. “Jaehyun?” He called out, and Jay startled a little as the younger guard came rushing in.
“Yes, Your Highness?” He asked with wide eyes.
“Would you do me a favour and escort Jay-ssi to his chambers? Assist him with the books please.” He instructed.
“Of course, Your Highness.” Jaehyun nodded quickly, taking most of the stack from Jay’s arms automatically. “Anything else?”
“That’s all, unless Jay-ssi needs any more assistance for the day,” he nodded. “I’d like to ensure that his transition into the castle is as comfortable as possible.”
Jaehyun bowed awkwardly with the books. “Yes, Your Highness.” He agreed immediately. “I’ll also have Beomgyu check in with him, if it pleases you. With my transfer to Prince Jungwon’s guard, I would like to offer him a second familiar face in my stead.” He said, somewhat timid presenting the idea.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Sunghoon nodded immediately. “You’re already thinking like a head guard, I appreciate your attention to detail.” He praised him.
Jaehyun, for just a moment, beamed at the praise before he quickly remembered himself and bowed again. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
“This really isn’t necessary,” Jay tried to protest belatedly.
“We look after our staff in this castle, Jay-ssi. All our staff.” Sunghoon said, taking in a deep breath and drawing his shoulders square, hands clasped behind his back. “You will do your best to remember that.”
“This way, Jay-ssi,” Jaehyun instructed, nodding towards the door, heading towards the exit. Jay bowed to Sunghoon before following the guard out.
Look back, Sunghoon willed him. Look back and see me.
But he didn’t.
Sunghoon sighed and nodded to Jake. “Let’s go to the throne room then.” They headed out of the library wordlessly.
-
Later that night, after he finished his dinner and shedding the suffocating jacket and waistcoat, he shrugged on a more comfortable cloak and stepped out of his chambers, a lantern in his hand in case it was dark on his way back.
“Your Highness?” His night guard, Chan, raised his eyebrow. “Where are you going at this time of night?”
“I have a personal errand to run,” He said. “Alone, preferably.”
“You aren’t supposed to leave your chambers without a guard present,” He reminded him.
“It’s alright, I won’t be long.” He insisted. “Please, Chan, I’ll be okay.”
Chan eyed him warily before glancing away. “If you don’t return within the hour, I’ll come after you.” He warned him.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Sunghoon shot him a smile and headed down to the stables.
He trekked through the passageways if only to get down there sooner. He wasted no time ducking into the stables.
“Woonhak,” he called out. “Are you here?”
“Over here, Your Highness,” he waved him over from one of the far stalls.
Sunghoon made his way over. “The puppy I brought in, has the Stable Head looked at her? Is she okay?” He asked, arriving at the stall and stopping.
A soft smile graced his lips as he saw the little white puppy drinking out of a water dish. She was bandaged up and still limping a little, but overall she looked significantly more healthy and relaxed, even after only a day.
“She’s doing very well, actually. The Stable Head said she should make a full recovery, Your Highness.” Woonhak nodded. “You should be able to take her back to your chambers, if that’s what you would like.”
He nodded and crouched down. The pup wandered over to him and sniffed his hand before pushing her head into his palm.
“Your Highness?”
Sunghoon looked up at see Jay of all people standing there, looking rather confused.
“What are you doing here?” He asked quietly.
Jay pointed to the stable entrance. “My apologies, Your Highness. I was taking a walk around the ground and saw you rushing in here.”
Sunghoon nodded slowly, still petting the pup from where he was crouched down. “Would you like to say hello?” He offered.
Jay stepped further into the stall curiously and crouched beside him, reaching for the dog to sniff him. “What’s wrong with her?” He asked quietly.
“I’m not sure,” Sunghoon confessed. “I found her hungry and injured in the village, so I brought her back here for treatment.”
“I dug out one of the old cat beds and washed it, and then I lined it with that coat for her to take with you to your chambers,” Woonhak stood up. “I’ll go grab it.” He remembered himself and bowed quickly. “Your Highness.” He tacked on before rushing off to another part of the stables.
“You found her in the village?” Jay repeated, surprised.
Sunghoon nodded. “When I was trying to get back to my horse, I hid in one of the alleyways to miss the guards and she was there. So I fed her and brought her back with me.” He explained.
Jay glanced behind him to make sure Woonhak was still absent. “You could have gotten in major trouble, Your Highness-”
“Jay-ssi, please,” Sunghoon interrupted, an exhaustion that wouldn’t be solved with a good night's rest creeped into his bones. “When it’s just us you can drop the title. I won’t be offended.”
“But, Your Highness-” Jay tried, and Sunghoon sighed, carefully pulling the dog- Gaeul, he decided -into his arms as he stood.
“Have a good night, Jay-ssi. I’ll see you tomorrow for the lesson.” He nodded, turning to Woonhak, who had returned with the bed and some food in a bag. “Thank you Woonhak, you’ve been a big help.” He smiled softly.
“Of course Your Highness, it’s my pleasure,” the boy beamed.
Sunghoon nodded and headed out of the stables and back towards the castle. “Wait, Your Highness,” Jay called after him. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
“I’m perfectly capable of finding my own way back, thank you.” He said, his words sharpened with pain.
“I know,” Jay nodded. “Still. I’ll walk you.” He held up the lantern. “Your hands are full, you’ll need light.”
Sunghoon sighed but didn’t argue further. He was silent during the walk back to his chambers, the familiar echo of two sets of footsteps a comfort as the lantern casted shadows across the stone walls.
“There’s no need for this, you know.” Sunghoon reminded him, annoyed.
“What’s wrong with my desire to ensure your safe return, Your Highness?” Jay asked with a raised eyebrow.
Sunghoon sighed again, holding Gaeul closer. “I liked it better when you thought my name was Solon.” He grumbled.
Jay was quiet for a moment. “Why did you pick Solon?” He asked carefully.
“He was a character from stories our nursemaid used to tell us.” Sunghoon explained.
“No, I know that he’s a character, that’s why I gave you the Book of Vargr.” Jay said, and Sunghoon whipped around to look at him, stopping in the middle of the hall. "I meant why did you pick his name specifically?"
“You gave me a book about Solon?” He asked, surprised, completely avoiding the second question until he could formulate a proper response.
“Well, all of them,” Jay shrugged. “You haven’t read it yet?”
“I’ve been busy with prep for the Blossom Delegation,” he shook his head as he tentatively kept walking. “I haven’t had the chance to look through it.”
Jay shrugged. “When you said Solon, it was the first thing I thought of,” he said honestly.
“Well, I appreciate the thought behind it. I’ll read it when I can.” He nodded.
“Let me know what you think,” Jay added.
Sunghoon nodded again, and they fell into a comfortable silence the rest of the way back. When they turned the corner, Chan looked at them surprised.
“Thank you for the escort, Jay-ssi,” Sunghoon said, facing him.
“It was my pleasure, Your Highness,” he bowed to him, turning and bowing to Chan as well. “Have a good night.”
“You too,” Sunghoon said quietly as Jay turned on his heel and headed back down the hall towards his own chambers.
“You picked up a stray on your way back, Your Highness,” Chan observed.
“This is Gaeul, she was injured in the forest,” he introduced the pup in his arms. “I had left her in the stables to be patched up, but now she’ll be in my chambers.” He explained.
“That’s not what I meant, Your Highness,” Chan gave him a little knowing smile, and Sunghoon looked back at where Jay had retreated.
“He saw I was alone and insisted on walking me back,” Sunghoon shrugged.
Chan hummed but didn’t push the matter further, opening the door for him, as his hands were full. “Have a good night, Your Highness.”
Sunghoon nodded to him and headed inside.
Chapter Text
Sunghoon ended up staying up all night.
It wasn’t intentional. He sat down with the book Jay had sold him, intending to only read the first chapter or so before tucking himself into bed.
Instead what happened was he was sucked into the story and ended up reading by the fire until he dropped off to sleep leaning against the couch with Gaeul curled up next to him, instead of in her bed.
And that’s the scene Jake found when they opened his door in the morning.
“Your Highness,” Jake sighed like a disappointed parent before he went over and crouched down. “Your Highness,” He repeated, nudging him a little.
Sunghoon startled awake and held the book to his chest protectively, instinctively curling around it so it couldn't be taken away. “It’s time to wake up already?” He asked in a daze, looking up over the couch and out the window, where the bright blue sky greeted him.
“Your Highness, have you slept on the floor all night?” Jake asked him in disbelief.
“I guess? I didn’t mean to, I was reading,” He mumbled, rubbing his eye as he sat up, setting the book down on the couch carefully.
He winced as pain shot through his back and hips from being curled up in the awkward position all night. Once he stood, he nodded to the chambermaids to dress him while he tried to not let the aches get to him. They seemed to take pity on him and rushed to complete their jobs.
“Your Highness, let us know if you’re still in pain later, we can draw you a bath tonight.” Jihyo told him with a curtsy.
“I will, thank you,” Sunghoon nodded as the girls bowed and exited.
“What were you reading that was so interesting?” Jake asked, picking up the book from the couch when Sunghoon wasn’t paying attention, looking over the cover curiously and opening it to a random page to scan.
Sunghoon snatched it out of his hands, his cheeks burning as he set it on his desk. “I have a lesson now,” he informed him.
“Wait, I saw Jaan and Jino in there,” Jake ignored Sunghoon and grabbed the book from his desk, much to Sunghoon’s dismay. “This is a book about the Children of Vamfield?” He blinked, looking through it.
“Jay picked it out in his shop for me,” Sunghoon reached for it, taking it from Jake’s hands again. “He said it’s the first thing he thought of when I told him my name.”
“Jay knows the Children of Vamfield?” Jake blinked. “I thought the nursemaid made those stories up.”
Sunghoon shook his head. “I’m nearly done with this one, I’m going to ask Jay today if there’s any more.”
Jake raised his eyebrow. “With all due respect Your Highness, will you have much time for reading once the Prince’s arrive?”
Sunghoon frowned at that. “Well, surely my time won’t be entirely dedicated to entertaining the Prince’s, will it? What would be the point of getting me a new tutor if he was only to be used for a few days?”
Jake didn’t answer. Sunghoon knew he wouldn’t- questioning Sunghoon, even in private, wasn’t something he did often nowadays. Questioning the King and his ways was not something Jake had ever done, even as a child. Sunghoon both respected him for his faith and worried about the blindness it gave him. Regardless, even Sunghoon wouldn’t risk the whispers of treason within the walls to question his father, so instead the subject was dropped immediately, and Sunghoon headed towards the library.
“Good morning, Beomgyu,” Sunghoon greeted the guard posted outside the library.
“Your Highness,” He bowed.
“Jaehyun told me he would have you meet the new tutor and assist him in transitioning to the castle,” Sunghoon said. “How is he settling in?”
He could tell that Beomgyu was trying very hard not to make a face. “He's settling well, I think.”
“Is that so?” Sunghoon raised his eyebrow.
Beomgyu hesitated. “He’s a bit... stubborn, Your Highness. I went to introduce myself as Jaehyun requested, and he practically shooed me away because he was in the middle of reading something. And when I returned a little later to try again, he was already leaving his chambers to return to the library. I helped him bring another stack back to his chambers, but if I hadn’t followed him I’m not sure he would’ve asked for help. After we got the books back to his chambers he almost immediately left to take a walk.”
Sunghoon nodded in understanding. “Thank you for trying, Beomgyu.”
“Of course, Your Highness. It was my pleasure.” Beomgyu bowed and opened the door of the library for them.
Jay was already there, pouring over a thick tome and frantically taking notes. His quill was stained a light green, and Sunghoon wondered if it was another one of his own creations he liked so much he decided to keep it. The sunlight filtering in through the windows warmed the room, and made his tanned skin seem golden. There was a smudge of dust above his furrowed brow, and his sleeves were roughly pushed up, so engrossed in whatever he was reading that he didn’t have time for trivial things like a handkerchief for his sweat or rolling up the fabric cleanly.
A small smile flickered to Sunghoon’s face as he slowed his step to observe Jay in what he assumed to be his natural state, if only for a moment longer, before clearing his throat. “Jay-ssi,” He called out.
Jay jumped and knocked over the pot of ink, spilling it over the oak. He cursed under his breath and set it up quickly. Luckily, not a lot had spilled, but still enough that Jay had hauled the tome up and into his arms to protect it from any damage. Sunghoon took three long strides to the table and gently moved the pot out of the way before cleaning up the spill with his handkerchief.
“Your Highness, it’s okay, don’t ruin that for something like this,” Jay insisted.
“I could call for a staff member,” Jake offered.
“It’s just a piece of fabric,” Sunghoon dismissed, mopping up the mess easily. “And it’s mostly cleaned up now, so don’t worry so much.” He glanced up at Jay. “I’m sorry I startled you.” He offered.
“You didn’t startle me,” Jay scoffed immediately. “I don’t startle.”
Sunghoon raised his eyebrow and motioned to the stain on the table. “Clearly that’s not the case.” He deadpanned.
“I didn’t startle, I was moving my hand as you happened to call my name, the two are not related.” Jay corrected him, checking to make sure the stain was mostly dry before setting the tome back down.
“You brought the book up and held it like a baroness clutching her pearls in shock,” Sunghoon teased him.
“That isn’t even a comparable scale. Pearls can be replaced, by hand if you must. This tome could not be replicated anywhere else, at least not easily.” Jay rolled his eyes.
Sunghoon huffed a laugh. “Considering it’s from the Queen’s personal collection, you might not be far off.”
“From her personal collection?” Jay’s eyes widened and he stepped away from the table.
“Don’t worry about it,” Sunghoon waved off his concern. “She’s not all that concerned about it, it’s considered her personal collection because she brought it over when she married the King. Anything she wouldn’t want to share is in her chambers. If it’s in the library, it’s at your disposal.”
Jay sighed and put a small piece of paper between the pages to save his place before he closed the tome carefully.
“Why were you reading about the history of the monarchy in Memor anyway?” Sunghoon asked curiously, peering at the cover.
“We’ve never had any books about Memor come through the shop,” Jay explained, running his hand through his hair. “I was curious.”
Sunghoon watched the movement, drawing his eyes back to the smudge along his forehead. Sunghoon folded the cloth in his hands so the ink stain was hidden within, and reached up without thinking to wipe it away.
Jay flinched away from him at the sudden movement and shot him a confused look. Sunghoon hoped his face didn’t look as hot as it felt as he clicked his tongue at him. “Stop moving,” he scolded him.
“Why are you trying to put ink on my forehead?” He asked, dodging Sunghoon’s second attempt.
“I’m not,” Sunghoon dismissed, trying for a third time. “Now hold still.”
“You just wiped up the ink spill with that!” Jay protested, dodging again.
“By the Gods,” Sunghoon muttered, throwing the cloth down and grabbing Jay’s jaw gently to keep him still as he pulled the sleeve of his jacket down down over the palm of his hand, reaching up and using that to wipe the dust away. He retracted from him, the black velvet smudged with a streak of grey. “You had dirt on your face.” He informed him, letting go of his face when he realised he no longer had to hold it.
Jay scowled a little and blushed a bit. “You could’ve just told me, you didn’t have to do all that.” He mumbled.
Sunghoon’s ears turned red because really, he hadn’t thought of that. “What’s done is done,” he cleared his throat.
“We should start the lesson,” Jay said, sitting down. “You still have a lot of Blossomer to learn, Your Highness,” He added, the title tacked onto the end almost as an afterthought.
Throughout the whole exchange, Jay hadn’t used proper language with him once. That thought loosened the knot forming in his chest, and he settled down easily, trying to give all his attention to Jay.
After about an hour of butchering every word Jay asked him to say, they decided to take a break. Sunghoon threw proprietary out the window and slumped down in his seat, resting his forehead on the table with a heavy sigh.
“Your Highness,” Jay said carefully. “If I may, I think you’re focusing too hard on the Blossomer accent.” He told him.
Sunghoon sat up as he turned that over in his head. “What do you mean? Isn’t the accent important to be understood?” He furrowed his eyebrows.
“To an extent, yes,” Jay nodded. “But I think it’s more important that you understand the words you’re saying rather than how you’re saying them.”
Sunghoon nodded slowly. “The words are difficult,” he explained. “It feels like they don’t sit right.”
“It’s an unfamiliar language, it’s using different muscles in your mouth than Chaconian does. I want to try focusing on the actual words instead of the sound for now, if that’s okay. I think you’ll find it’s easier to say the words when you fully understand what they mean.” Jay explained, writing out a list of common words and phrases, along with their translations.
Sunghoon leaned over curious to see what he was writing when the door to the library opened.
“Your Highness, Prince Jungwon requests an audience.” Beomgyu announced.
“Send him in,” Sunghoon sat up straight, standing to greet Jungwon, who looked panicked and out of breath. He frowned and stepped out from behind the table. “What wro-”
“They’re here,” Jungwon said quickly, panting a little to catch his breath- he must have ran the whole way here.
“Who’s here?” Sunghoon’s frown deepened.
“The Blossomer Princes,” he said, his eyes wide. “They’re here.”
“They’re early?” Sunghoon blinked.
“We have to go greet them.” Jungwon informed him.
“But nothings ready for them,” Sunghoon’s eyes widened. “Abeonim is in a council meeting right now, they’re supposed to be getting the supplies for the feast tomorrow.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Jungwon insisted. “They're here now, someone has to greet them.”
Sunghoon swallowed his panic and he turned to Jake. “Have someone fetch the crown, we need guards and staff outside for their arrival. Anyone not outside needs to be in the village- they’re a few days early, so while we can’t have the grand feast until the Queen and Princess return, I’d like to give them a decent welcome feast. The market in the square should have what we need for that. If you see Jihoon, send him my way. I shouldn’t be without a guard but I trust no one else to get the staff sorted quickly, and I would like you to be able to use others from my personal guard to help.” He instructed, his hands folded behind his back to hide the shaking.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Jake nodded and headed off without a second to spare.
“Jungwon-ah, you meet with the page they sent ahead. Keep him entertained, learn about the journey so we know what to expect when they arrive. If it was difficult, have Ryujin finish preparing their chambers. She’s the quickest, most detailed when it comes to these things.” He added. “Keep Jaehyun with you, do not send him off. I will meet with the Page as we head out to greet them.” He told Jungwon, who quirked a small smile and nodded.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jungwon bowed his head a little and headed back out.
“Jay-ssi, I have a favour to ask,” Sunghoon turned to him last. “Our official translator isn’t set to arrive for a few days yet, as we hadn’t expected their arrival before the week was finished. I know when you were hired, it was for getting me proficient in Blossomer and their customs, but clearly we haven’t had enough time. It’s a big thing to ask of you, but would you remain with me to translate? The Prince’s themselves are proficient in Chaconian, but their travel party might not be.”
Jay blinked before putting his hand over his heart and bowing- the ultimate sign of respect, usually reserved for the King himself. “It’s my duty to serve the Crown, Your Highness. I will do my best to translate effectively.”
If Sunghoon had more time, he would stop and marvel at sight. No one had ever offered him such a bow before, and an unfamiliar pride filled his chest. However, the fact of the matter was, he didn’t have time. He nodded once and headed out of the library.
“Beomgyu, head to the stables and inform Woonhak of the arrival of the Blossomer Delegation. We need feed and water for the horses, and stalls readied for them. We treat every member of this party with respect, including their horses, do you understand?” He instructed. “We also need a horse and carriage prepared for a trip into the village. A guard and a few kitchenmaids will have to go.”
“Right away, Your Highness,” he bowed quickly and nearly sprinted down the hall.
Sunghoon strode down the hall. He sent Lily, one of Jungwon’s chamber maids, down to help Ryujin in the Prince’s chambers, and Chaewon to the stables with Sakura and Yuqi to head into town. Changbin, one of the his guards, would accompany them on the road.
“You know everyone by name?” Jay whispered as they continued through the halls.
“Of course I do,” Sunghoon shot him a confused look. “I’ve lived with them all long enough, it would be rude not to know.”
Jay blinked in surprise but didn’t make any more observations. He kept up well with Sunghoon’s fast pace, never falling behind, all the way to Sunghoon’s chambers.
“Am I even allowed in here?” Jay stopped outside as Sunghon didn’t even wait for Chan to open the door, pulling the handle himself.
“It’s my chambers,” Sunghoon told him. “I can have anyone I want in here.” He said dismissively, heading in.
Jay trailed behind without any other complaints. Sunghoon’s chambermaids were already there and waiting.
“Your Highness, her Majesty, the Queen, was supposed to return with the garments intended for the Blossom Delegation’s arrival,” his head chambermaid, Jihyo, informed him worriedly.
“No matter,” he shook his head. “This suits me fine.” He insisted, holding his arms out as they removed the coat to at least add a waistcoat to the ensemble.
“Your Highness, perhaps we should change your riding pants? Something more formal might be more appropriate.” Jihyo offered, holding up a pair of breeches.
“There’s no time to go through all of that,” Sunghoon shook his head. “The Blossom Prince’s have seen me in worse, and frankly less. They won’t be offended by riding pants.” He promised.
“Less?” Jay repeated, over by Sunghoon’s desk where he had the quill and book from Jay’s shop.
“Prince Heeseung taught me and Jungwon how to swim in the pond,” he told Jay. “He’s the Crown Prince, but he was too young to join in the meetings with my hyung and our abeonims, so he got to play with us.” He smiled fondly at the thought. “They’re kind people, you’ll like them.”
Jay was shoved to the side by one of the chambermaids to retrieve his chair, where Sunghoon sat as they did his hair and put on his crown. Sunghoon stared at his reflection as he was transformed before his eyes to look every bit the Crown Prince that he was supposed to be.
“Sir Jihoon, Your Highness,” Chan announced.
“Send him in,” he called back. “And Chan, can you go to the stables? There’s a carriage set to depart, I’ve sent Changbin with the kitchenmaids, but I would prefer a second guard with them.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Chan said, and Sunghoon thought there may have been a small smile on his face as he left.
“Your Highness,” Jihoon bowed a little. “A very frantic looking Jake sent me to find you.”
“Sir Jake is carrying out his duties as both the head of my personal guard, but also my most trusted ally,” Sunghoon informed him, sitting a little straighter. “I sent for you to accompany me outside.”
“Me, Your Highness?” Jihoon blinked in surprise. “Surely Chan, or even Changbin would be more suited-”
“I’ve sent them both with a party of staff out to the village to fetch last minute feast preparations.” He interrupted, glancing at Jihoon as best he could. “We don’t know what could be in those woods, I’d like to make sure they’re safe on their journey.”
Jihoon smiled and bowed his head. “Of course, Your Highness. It’s my honour to stand at your side.”
Sunghoon nodded, only to be scolded by Jihyo, who was trying to get the crown to sit as it should on his head. He apologised quickly, and he could hear Jay covering his laugh with a cough. The tutor was sitting on the floor now with Gaeul nestled in his lap, petting her carefully around the wounds.
“I don’t believe we’ve met,” Jihoon said. “Are you a... Special Guest, of his Highness?” He asked carefully.
Special Guest was practically a slang term for lover around the castle, one applied to his father’s mistresses or visiting Lord’s ladies. Sunghoon could feel his cheeks heat up. He tried to focus on his annoyance rather than his embarrassment at the accusation.
“Do you really think so lowly of me that I would welcome the Blossom Delegation with a guest of that nature at my side?” Sunghoon asked him, raising his eyebrow and hoping his ears weren’t too red. “Especially considering what his Majesty, the King hopes is the outcome of this visit?”
“I- no, no, Your Highness,” Jihoon sputtered. “I just, he’s not familiar, and I know all the staff-”
“He’s my new tutor,” Sunghoon interrupted him. “Jay-ssi has graciously agreed to translate any Blossomer required, as we haven’t had much time to advance my own skill.”
Jihoon bowed to Jay quickly. “My apologies, I meant no offence.”
“It’s alright,” Jay said slowly. “I suppose in a way that makes me His Highness’ special guest?” He trailed off, unsure as he continued to pet the puppy, who seemed perfectly content to sleep right there.
The chambermaids around him giggled a bit. Behind him, he could hear one whisper about how she wished to be Jay’s Special Guest. He cleared his throat, standing up, cand checked the full effect in the mirror. “It’s all alright, then?” He asked, changing the subject.
“It suits you, Your Highness,” Jihyo said softly.
Sunghoon offered her a small smile and a nod. Jihyo had been there throughout his transition from Second to Crown Prince, and had heard his many complaints about the actual crown that had been too big and awkward on his head at thirteen. Now that he was older, it seemed to fit better, but he appreciated her assurances anyway.
“Thank you,” he nodded. “We should go, they could be here any minute.” He turned to Jay, who had his gaze steady on Sunghoon since they put the crown on. “Jay-ssi? Is everything okay?” He blinked.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Jay cleared his throat and stood up, carefully setting Gaeul down on the couch in the middle.
Sunghoon nodded. The chambermaids dispersed to carry out their own duties, except Jihyo who would be joining them out front.
“We’ll have to get you a book on etiquette,” Sunghoon mumbled to Jay as they made their way through the halls. “I’m not sure I’ll have time to teach you what you’ll need to know around royals.”
“What I’ll need to know?” Jay blinked. “I’m only translating.”
“There’s a dance to these things,” Sunghoon muttered. “For now just stay close, alright? Keep your hands folded and your posture straight.” He glanced at him. “Until you’re formally introduced, remain quiet. Bow as the others do, and if you get nervous, tap my elbow.”
“Why is there suddenly so many rules? Your Highness, I’m not sure I have the necessary training for this,” Jay told him quickly. “All this for the delegation?”
“Technically, it’s how you always should behave,” Sunghoon admitted. “I was meant to go over expectations with you in our first lesson.”
“And you didn’t?” Jay shot him a look.
“I didn’t want you to follow those expectations,” Sunghoon shot him a look in return. “I apologise, I didn’t know I would ever have to require you to follow them. You’ll do fine, relax.” He said encouragingly as they headed out.
“Right on time, Your Highness,” Jungwon murmured as Sunghoon took his spot in front.
“I do my best,” Sunghoon mumbled back. “Where’s the Page?”
“The medical ward,” Jungwon answered. “Apparently it was a bad time at sea. Once he finally calmed down enough, he felt sick.”
“There they are,” Jihoon pointed out the carriage as it came over the valley.
They remained in their positions as the carriages pulled up, and the second Page stepped out to open the door. First out stepped the Crown Prince Heeseung, every bit as regal and handsome as Sunghoon remembered him to be. He offered Sunghoon a small smile as he helped his brother, the Second Prince Sunoo out of the carriage.
“Welcome to Chaconne,” Sunghoon said, bowing while his staff followed suit. “The journey must have been rough.”
“It was,” Heeseung agreed. “And long, despite being ahead of schedule. I’m sorry if we’ve inconvenienced you.”
“Never,” Sunghoon said immediately. “The Blossom Delegation is always welcome in Chaconne, you know that.” He offered a small smile in return.
“I’m sure you remember my brother, Prince Sunoo,” Heeseung introduced, as if Sunghoon hadn’t spent several summers of his childhood running through the fields and forest at the back of the castle with him.
“It’s a pleasure to make your reacquaintance, Your Highness,” Sunoo bowed again.
“The pleasure’s all mine,” Sunghoon insisted. “And I’m sure you remember my brother, Prince Jungwon,” he introduced, and Jungwon bowed quickly.
Heeseung glanced at Jihoon and then Jay before returning his gaze to Sunghoon questioningly. “Have you made staffing changes since we were last here?” He asked.
Sunghoon knew what he was really asking and fought hard to keep his smirk off his face. “Not many, no. This is my tutor, Jay. He’ll be acting as a translator until our official one arrives. And you remember my hyung’s guard, Jihoon,” He motioned to him. “Jihoon graciously agreed to watch out for me as my usual guard, Jake, handles expediting what we can for your arrival. He’s seeing to many of the adjustments personally.”
“Ah, I see,” Heeseung nodded, relaxing just a touch. “Well, Jake was always very good with things like that, I feel better knowing he’s involved.”
Sunghoon pressed his lips together quickly. “Why don’t we get you all inside and to your chambers?” He offered. “Allow you to relax and decompress from the journey?”
Heeseung nodded. Some instructions were shouted out, and Sunghoon was grateful for Jay in his ear, mumbling the translations even if he didn’t necessarily need them. They headed inside, Sunoo falling into step with him.
“How was the trip?” Sunghoon asked him curiously.
“Long,” Sunoo sighed. “I’m sorry we’re so early though, it must have come as quite a shock.”
“I’ll admit we aren’t fully prepared for your arrival,” Sunghoon said quietly, now that it was just the four Prince’s, Jaehyun, Jihoon and Jay. “I’ve just sent out a group to bring things in for a feast. Your grand, welcome feast will have to wait a few days, but our kitchen staff will whip something good up for you.” He promised.
“The food here never disappoints,” Sunoo smiled warmly. “And how do you feel about all of this?”
“Straight to the point, hm?” Sunghoon chuckled. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect our borders, both of them. If this alliance gains strength and validity in the eyes of our people and our enemies through marriage, that’s what we’ll do.”
Sunoo nodded once before his attention turned to Jungwon, who asked about a festival back in Blossom.
Someone tapped his elbow, and Sunghoon glanced over to Jay curiously. “Marriage?” He whispered.
Sunghoon blinked and nodded. “The King and Prince Heeseung are striking up a marriage contract between the crowns.” He mumbled back.
Jay studied Sunghoon with a frown, but didn’t ask anything else.
Jake was just exiting their chambers as they tried entering, causing a collision at the door. Sunghoon was amused watching his guard catch the other Crown Prince with wide eyes.
“Your Highness,” Jake blinked in surprise.
“Hello again, Sir Jake.” Heeseung held on to his arms, still off balance.
Jake blinked again before he scrambled to set him up right and dropped into a ninety-degree bow. “My apologises, Your Highness, I meant no disrespect.”
“It’s really not a problem,” Heeseung insisted. “I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”
Jay tapped Sunghoon’s elbow again, and Sunghoon leaned back, glancing at him. He nodded towards the scene and raised his eyebrow. Sunghoon pressed his lips together and shook his head, hoping Jay understood that it wasn’t something he could talk about in the open. His tutor nodded and Sunghoon straightened up.
From the corner of his eye, he could see Sunoo looking at him, and he offered a small smile. The second Prince returned it before sharing an amused look with Jungwon.
“Ya,” Sunghoon called out. “How come you never give me a ninety-degree bow when you knock me over?” He raised his eyebrow.
Jake flushed pink and stood back up. “Because you’re always daydreaming. If you didn’t get lost in thought so much, you wouldn’t run into me so often.”
Sunghoon scoffed a little, but smiled fondly as he shook his head. “Alright, let’s let the Prince’s rest,” he insisted. “I’ll send Jake to fetch you for dinner.”
“Thank you, Prince Sunghoon,” Heeseung bowed a little. “We appreciate the early hospitality.”
“We appreciate your understanding,” Sunghoon returned. “We’ll see you for dinner.” Sunoo waved and headed in with his brother.
With Jake returned to his side, Jihoon excused himself. He didn’t leave without nodding to Sunghoon with a small smile and approval in his eyes. Sunghoon hadn't done all this for Jihoon’s approval, but warmth bloomed in his chest now that he had it.
Together, he, Jungwon, Jaehyun, Jake and Jay headed back to his own chambers. “Are there any updates?” He asked Jake.
“I ran into Beomgyu on my way here, he said that Woonhak and the rest of the stable hands got everything secured for the horses, and Chan, Changbin and the kitchenmaids should be back soon.” He nodded.
“Perfect,” Sunghoon sighed with relief. “Jaehyun, you may take a break. Jungwon will be with us, there will be no need for the additional security. I would like for you to get some rest before we really have to get into the swing of everything.”
“Of course, thank you, Your Highness,” Jaehyun bowed quickly and left them to finish their walk to their chambers.
“I suppose I’m relieved of my duties as well, for now?” Jay asked from his other side.
Sunghoon hadn’t even thought about it. “You are,” Sunghoon nodded slowly. “You’re welcome to stay with us, if you’d like. We’ll just be in my chambers until we’re needed.”
Jay seemed to weigh it in his head before nodding and continuing on with them down the hall. They were silent until they entered his chambers, leaving their stiff postures and proper language at the door. Jungwon threw himself onto Sunghoon’s desk chair and threw his legs over the side in what must be one of the most uncomfortable positions Sunghoon had ever seen.
“Eomma is going through a fit,” Jungwon sighed. “She’ll be devastated that she wasn’t here for their arrival.”
“She and Wonyoung will be back soon.” Sunghoon promised. “She loves the Blossom Princes, it’ll be fine.”
“I’m pretty sure she’s more excited for your engagement than you are,” Jungwon snorted. “She adores Sunoo hyung.”
“That’s because Sunoo will sit and have tea with her, unlike her own youngest son.” Sunghoon said pointedly, heading over to the wooden box that had been left on the table near his vanity.
“You know, if you’re so concerned about Eomma having tea with someone, you could always do it.” Jungwon rolled his eyes, looking over the contents of his desk.
“I used to,” Sunghoon rolled his eyes pointedly in return. “But she takes her tea when Abeonim takes in the Lord’s concerns, so I need to be in the throne room.”
Jungwon sighed and picked up the quill he had sitting on his desk, looking for something to play with. Sunghoon had managed to take off his crown and shake out his hair before realising what exactly Jungwon had picked up.
“This is pretty hyung,” Jungwon said earnestly. “Where’d you get it?”
“Don’t touch that,” he scolded him, taking it out of his hands. “It’s not a toy.”
“I know that,” Jungwon said, a little affronted by the sudden scolding. “It’s just a quill.”
“It’s my quill,” Sunghoon sighed, setting it down carefully and pointedly not looking at Jay, who was observing him curiously. “And it’s one of a kind, so I don’t want others touching it. That’s why it’s here and not in my actual study.”
“Was it expensive?” Jungwon furrowed his eyebrows.
“To me,” Sunghoon nodded immediately.
Jungwon eyed him curiously but nodded slowly. Sunghoon softened and ruffled his hair affectionately before loosening his cravat and sitting on the couch next to Jake.
“Did you get it from your Special Guest?” Jungwon, ever the gremlin, asked after a moment. “Your what?” Jake sputtered, staring at Sunghoon with wide eyes.
Sunghoon turned around in his seat and stared at Jungwon with wide eyes. “Where did you hear that?”
It hadn't even been an hour, and Jihoon's single off-handed comment had already spread as far as his brother?
“The chambermaids were talking about a Special Guest in your chambers today.” Jungwon grinned devilishly. “Am I right? It was a gift from your Special Guest? Why, hyung, how scandalous.” He gasped dramatically.
“No! No, it’s all a big misunderstanding!” Sunghoon vehemently shook his head. “I’m going to kill Jihoon, I swear.” He sighed, slumping back into the couch and rubbing his temples.
“ Jihoon? Your Special Guest is Jihoon? Sunghoon!” Jake scolded immediately. “That’s got to be a breach of contract somewhere! And he's old enough to be your father!”
“What? No!” Sunghoon groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “There is no Special Guest! It was a big misunderstanding, nothing but gossip from the chambermaids that you should know better than to believe.” He looked between them.
“I’m sorry, I feel like I’m missing something,” Jay spoke up after a moment, Gaeul content in his lap. “What’s the big deal about Special Guests?”
Sunghoon wanted to die from embarrassment.
Jake grimaced. “When staff talk about Special Guests, they’re usually referring to mistresses or flings that Royals or Lords have. It’s to be polite and not outright call them out.”
Jay blinked and turned to Sunghoon. “So they thought I...”
“Yes.” Sunghoon said quietly.
“And when they said...”
“Yes.” Sunghoon repeated, surely as red as a tomato by now.
“Wait, Jay-ssi is your Special Guest?” Jungwon sat up. “After what happened with your last tutor?”
“I didn’t do anything with her!” Sunghoon protested. “Like I said, it was a misunderstanding because Jihoon had never met him before and he was with me when they were getting me ready to meet the Blossom Delegation.”
“I can’t believe- is that a dog? You have a dog?” Jungwon blinked and ran over to where Jay had the puppy in his lap, like he had earlier.
“I don’t have a dog,” Jay shook his head. “She was here earlier too.”
“Hyung, you have a dog?” Jungwon looked at Sunghoon amazed.
“I found her in the forest when I went riding,” Sunghoon hated how easily the lie fell off his tongue- he rarely kept things from Jungwon, and while he had originally intended to share his trip to the village with him, it seemed in bad taste now. “She was staying in the stables so the Stable Head could patch her up. She’s still healing, so be careful.” He warned.
Jungwon nodded and carefully pet the puppy, the conversation about Special Guests and all they entailed dropped with the new found distraction.
“Your Highness,” a small voice called out through his doors.
Sunghoon got up and opened the door without much thought. One of the Pages in training was standing there, fidgeting with a letter in his hand.
“Hello, Kwanie,” Sunghoon offered a gentle smile, bending down a little to be more the boy's height. “Is that for me?” He asked, motioning to the letter.
“His Majesty, the King is summoning you, Your Highness.” He said, offering the letter to Sunghoon. “He expects you in the throne room immediately.”
“Thank you, Kwanie,” Sunghoon nodded, accepting the letter. “Jake-ah,” he called back into the room to see all three of the boys on the floor, taking turns playing with Gaeul. He blinked a few times before shaking his head. “We’ll be there soon.” Sunghoon promised.
“The King asked me to escort you, Your Highness.” The boy stood firm.
Sunghoon’s heart dropped. “Sir Jake,” he looked back over to see Jake already standing. “Jay-ssi, Jungwon-ah, you two can stay here if you’d like. I don’t know how long this will take.” He fixed his cravat and smoothed down his hair, squaring his shoulders back.
“We’ll come with you,” Jay said, getting up carefully.
“A summons from the King like this isn’t usually a fun experience,” he warned him. “You two can stay here, seriously.”
“Jay hyung is right,” Jungwon stood- when did Jungwon start calling him hyung? -and fixed his own outfit. “If Abeonim wants to give you trouble for the Blossom Delegation, I want to be there to personally attest to how quickly and effectively you handled the situation.”
Jungwon was a pain in the ass sometimes, but he was Sunghoon’s pain on the ass, and probably the best little brother he could ever hope to have. He sighed but nodded once, glancing at Jay. “You, however, are under no obligation-”
“My obligation is to the Crown.” Jay nodded to the box by the vanity. “I choose that one.”
Sunghoon was reminded of Jay’s hand over his heart as he bowed to him, the first one to really treat him like the King he was meant to become. He nodded once and headed out, letting Kwanie lead them down the halls.
It was silent the whole way to the throne room, nothing but the echo of their footsteps on stone floors following them. When they reached the room, Kwanie let them in, bowing. They filed into the room, Jake dropping to one knee, with Jay quickly following suit, as Sunghoon and Jungwon fell into ninety-degree bows.
“Prince Sunghoon, I heard that you received the Blossom Delegation in my absence.” He raised his eyebrow.
Sunghoon stood then, squaring his shoulders back. “Yes, I did.” He said, keeping his voice steady.
“And how do you think that went?” He asked.
“As well as it could have, given the restraints.” Sunghoon nodded. “I hear the horses and carriages were received well, anyone still suffering from seasickness is recovering in our medial ward, and Prince Heeseung and Prince Sunoo are currently resting in their chambers while we await the return of the kitchenmaids and guards.”
“And why didn’t you fetch me? I heard you were giving all kinds of orders.” The King pressed.
“You were in a meeting,” Sunghoon blinked once. “You asked not to be disturbed, so I took on the responsibility. Had I not been so familiar with the delegation arriving, I would have pressed the matter more and retrieved you myself. As it was, I’m rather friendly with the Blossom Princes, and they were both very understanding about our position.”
“Abeonim, he was really good,” Jungwon added. “He knew what needed to get done, and he sent the best people to do the job.”
“I heard you sent your head guard away,” the King said, unimpressed with his eyes fully on the Crown Prince.
“I trust Jake with my life,” Sunghoon said firmly. “I certainly trust him to mobilise the staff accordingly.”
The King stayed silent, his gaze drifting to where Jake and Jay were still kneeling. “I recall only summoning one son, and here you are, with a whole group, including your tutor?” He raised his eyebrow, turning back to Sunghoon.
“He served as a translator, as our time was cut short and the official translator isn’t here yet.” Sunghoon explained. “Really, abeonim, the whole reception went as well as it could have on such short notice.”
The King didn’t show any signs of acceptance or contentedness with the situation at all.
He also didn’t show any signs of displeasure either, so Sunghoon wasn’t entirely sure what his deal was.
But he wouldn’t apologise.
Despite his shaking hands and panic-hazed brain, he knew he had done well. He knew the inner workings of this castle more than anyone ever gave him credit for- he knew who to send where and what needed to be prioritised in preparation for their arrival. And he knew the Princes. Sunoo would want to take a nap upon their arrival because he always slept poorly on the boat, and Heeseung, never one to leave his younger brother unattended for long, would spend most of his time catching up on correspondents while he waited for Sunoo to wake up.
He stood a little taller, drawing his shoulders back more so he was standing at his full height. He met his father's eyes directly, refusing to back down. He could see Jungwon glancing at him in his peripheral, and could feel Jake and Jay’s gaze on him. After a moment, his father nodded and sat back in his throne.
“Tomorrow, after your lesson, I would like for you to take the lead on receiving complaints.” He said finally. “It’s the day the people come in to speak with us.”
Sunghoon blinked in surprise. “Really?” He said without thinking.
“You proved yourself a future King today, I don’t see why you can’t start presenting yourself that way to the public.” The King nodded.
Sunghoon bowed his head. “Thank you, abeonim. I look forward to this new responsibility.” His voice was steady despite his fingers twitching against his thighs as he trying to keep still.
“You are dismissed.” The King informed him.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Sunghoon bowed again and headed out with the other three trailing behind.
They were all silent again, remaining that way the whole journey back to his chambers.
He tried not to show any of them just how relieved he was. He was fully expecting a scolding, a punishment of some sort for his actions. It had been one of the reasons he had been trying to insist they stay behind in the first place. He didn’t want Jay or especially Jungwon to see him be punished. Jake, who was always by his side by design, had seen it before, and had always wisely kept it to himself, but he needed to be strong and stable for Jungwon. It was hard to keep that image if his little brother saw him get berated by their father.
“Well that’s exciting,” Jungwon said finally. “Abeonim is finally letting you take some of the complaints.”
Sunghoon nodded, though his mind was far away from his body. The cold detachment he had when the chambermaids got him ready in the morning, or when talking about the wedding his father was hoping to hold by the end of the summer, seemed to apply here too. Jungwon was right, it was exciting, it should be exciting, but mostly he just felt numb once the relief wore off.
Dealing with the subject's complaints. Not just any subjects, his subjects, his people. Those that relied on his father, who would rely on him, to make their kingdom prosperous. There was so much to do in the meantime- have a proper banquet for the Blossom Delegation, fittings, meetings and he still had only scratched the surface of what he needed to learn to be more versed in Blossomer. Perhaps outside of Jay’s lessons, he could ask Sunoo and Heeseung to practise with him-
No, he realised. Perhaps Sunoo, maybe, but Heeseung was here as a Crown Prince who would go through his coronation before the end of the year. Heeseung was nearly a King, and this was his final test. Securing a stronger alliance through marriage between the next King of Chaconne and his own younger brother. The irony wasn’t lost on him that had his older brother still been around, he would have already become King, considering he was a few years older than Heeseung. And while Sunghoon might have still been arranged to marry Sunoo, at least he could focus on that a little more without all his other duties getting in the way.
Sunghoon also wasn’t sure what part he was meant to play in all this. Was he still meant to court Sunoo, like tradition permitted? Did that make sense, when they’ve known each other nearly their whole lives? Did it matter, considering they would be married regardless? Once they were married, they would have to find a surrogate- a royal marriage was nothing without the guarantee of an heir to follow -but what would that mean for them? Typically the Queen would handle such things, and with Sunghoon becoming King, would that force Sunoo into that role? Would he even want it?
Sunghoon pushed those thoughts away as soon as they came. That was looking far too far into the future, and if he thought about it too long he might start pulling his hair out. He felt unsteady now, with a new responsibility being placed on his shoulders, and his racing mind was doing nothing to help him.
“Your Highness,” Jay said gently, pulling him back to the present.
“Hm?” Sunghoon stopped walking, turning to look at him.
From the corner of his eye, he could see Jake looking at him surprised, and he glanced at him, mirroring his confused expression.
“I was just asking if it would be alright if I returned to the library? I left the tome there, and if there’s nothing else you require of me, I’d like to continue reading it and making an adjusted lesson plan to accommodate the Blossom Delegation’s early arrival.” Jay explained.
Sunghoon nodded slowly. “That’s fine. You don’t have to ask, you’re not required to do anything outside of your job, much less hang around a couple of boring royals.” He waved him off dismissively.
Jay smiled softly and placed his hand over his heart, bowing a little. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He dropped his hand to bow to Jungwon and Jake before heading in the opposite direction.
Sunghoon watched him go for a moment before turning around and nearly crashing into Jake in the process. “What are you doing?” He blinked in surprise, stumbling back.
“So you couldn’t hear me or Jungwon calling your name, but Jay says a little ‘Your Highness’ and suddenly you’re all ears?” Jake’s eyebrows shot up.
“What?” Sunghoon blinked again.
“Did he just bow to you with his hand over his heart? Does he know what that means? Does he know what that implies?” Jungwon added, grabbing Sunghoon’s shoulders and shaking him. “Does he know what it could mean for him if the wrong person sees it? There’s already rumours going around that he’s your Special Guest, this could be bad.”
Sunghoon looked between them. “You two are being ridiculous, those are just rumours, and the longer he’s here the more the staff will understand that.” He huffed, shrugging off Jungwon’s hands and brushing his shoulders off for good measure. “I’m going to the kitchens to check on the progress of the feast for dinner tonight. Are you two going to join me?”
“Of course,” Jake nodded, but Jungwon stepped away.
“I’m going to check on the Blossom Princes and see if Sunoo hyung wants to go exploring now that he’s rested.” Jungwon said, already taking another step away.
“Be careful,” Sunghoon warned him. “There’s a bunch of new people in the castle that we don’t know, and we already sent Jaehyun off for the day.”
“It’s fine, I’ll stick to the passages,” Jungwon waved him off and ducked behind a curtain to do just that.
Sunghoon sighed and changed his path to head towards the kitchens.
Chapter Text
Getting up the next morning was proving to be a very difficult task. After a little too much wine the night before at dinner to help his nerves, he vaguely remembered stumbling back to his chambers, with Jake practically shoving him on the bed and forcing him under the covers to go to sleep.
It was an unnecessary move meant to protect Sunghoon’s image. He held his alcohol well, actually, and he was perfectly poised throughout the night until he went to stand up, and all the blood and wine rushed to his head. He remembered making a believable sounding excuse about being exhausted after the excitement of the day, and only stumbled once on his way out of the banquet hall with Jake at his side. His friend then, of course, had to practically drag him back to his chambers.
But now, in the morning, he was regretting the decision. It was like he had played his very own drinking game- take a sip every time his father mentioned or alluded to the marriage.
He had been three glasses deep before the main course had even arrived.
He rolled out of bed and groaned, rubbing his eyes annoyed. He staggered over to where he kept the dried beef and pork he requested from the kitchen, and put some in the bowl for Gaeul, who trotted over to eat happily. Sunghoon patted her head carefully before stretching with a wince.
At least his body felt better than it had when he spent the night on the floor.
The chambermaids and Jihoon entered not long after. He tried to remain attentive so as not to make their jobs any harder, moving however they needed him to. They dressed him in a royal blue coat with silver trimming, and even went as far as to put him in a fancier waistcoat that forced his posture into perfection. He skipped breakfast to avoid putting anything into his queasy stomach. The thought of food alone made him nauseous, and this corset wasn’t helping. If it wasn’t for the fact that he was being presented to the people today, he would’ve requested to do without it.
“What are the plans today, Your Highness?” Jihoon asked. “Jake filled me in a little, but I don’t have much to go off of.”
The reminder that Jake was off with Jungwon to help train Jaehyun up as a personal guard had his stomach settling a little bit. While Jake’s attentiveness was often credited to him knowing Sunghoon for so long, Sunghoon knew it was because Jake genuinely took his job seriously. While Jaehyun might not have the bond with Jungwon that Jake had with him, he was confident that after a few days under his guards wing, Jaehyun would be one of the best guards on staff.
It would hopefully also keep Jake out of trouble now that the Blossom Delegation had arrived.
“I have lessons with Jay-ssi in the library first, then we have lunch with the Blossomer Delegation before I’m to receive complaints from the people today.” He laid out for him. “Jihyo, could you make it a point to check on Gaeul throughout the day? Or assign someone you trust to the task? Make sure she has food and water and the chance to go out. I would do it myself, but I’m unsure when I’ll be able to return to my chambers.” He paused. “There's a little boy in the kitchen right now, right? I’ve seen him by the pond, perhaps he’d like a little playmate?” He added.
Jihyo smiled and nodded. “His name is Kieran, he’s one of the kitchenmaid’s sons. I’m sure he would be delighted to play with the puppy, Your Highness. I’ll set up a rotation right away.”
“Thank you.” Sunghoon nodded. “And I’d like to apologise, I didn’t take her in to make more work for you-”
“I know, Your Highness. She was in need, so you helped her.” She offered him another small smile. “I remember you bringing in all sorts of animals when you were younger. It’s really no bother.”
Sunghoon smiled back and bowed his head bashfully. “Thank you for your understanding.”
Jihyo waved him off. “Now get to your lessons, you don’t want to keep your tutor waiting.” She shot him a little knowing smirk before crouching down and gathering a sleepy Gaeul in her arms to take outside.
Sunghoon didn’t like her implications, but followed her instructions regardless. He headed out with Jihoon at his side, and he was surprised to find a different guard, Jisung, outside his door.
“Where’s Chan?” He asked, looking around.
“I’m just covering for him, Your Highness. Sir Chan should be back tomorrow.” He promised.
“Is he alright?” Sunghoon frowned.
Jisung hesitated for a second before nodding too quickly, insisting he was fine. Sunghoon didn’t believe him, but Jihoon put a hand on his back and ushered him forward, insisting he would be late if he didn’t hurry to the library.
He was right, but Jihoon physically moving him away from a slightly panicked Jisung tipped him off that no one was telling him the full truth. Chan was his guard, so he was confused as to why they were seemingly hiding his whereabouts from him. He didn’t get much of a chance to interrogate Jihoon before he was in front of the library.
“You can remain stationed outside,” Sunghoon told him. “I don’t need a guard in my lessons.”
“It’s improper, Your Highness.” Jihoon scolded him. “Especially considering his reputation-”
“The reputation you gave him?” Sunghoon reminded him with a raised eyebrow.
Jihoon clamped his mouth shut. “I’ll remain outside.” He finally agreed.
Sunghoon nodded once before turning to Beomgyu. The guards eyes were sunken in, like he hadn't slept the night before. It was the complete opposite from his generally cheery disposition. “Beomgyu? Are you alright?” He frowned.
Beomgyu jolted to attention and sniffled. “I’m fine, Your Highness,” He insisted. “Jay-ssi is already inside.” He said, opening the door and bowing his head to hide his face.
Sunghoon entered the library on full alert. When the door shut behind him, he turned to look at it. He was confused by the sudden shift in energy the staff seemed to be going through. He turned back to see Jay leaning back in his chair, reading through a familiar blue book.
“You found it,” Sunghoon said, surprised as he motioned to the etiquette book he was meant to give him on his first day.
“This is all very specific to Chaconne,” Jay said, his eyebrows furrowed. “If I follow these rules with the Blossom Princes, will it be alright?” He looked up at Sunghoon.
Sunghoon tried to leave his concerns at the door and joined Jay at their regular table. “It should be alright,” He nodded. “Blossom is actually considered a lot more friendly than Chaconne, so they’ll appreciate your manners. This will also help you around the King, should we need to use your translating skills before our official one comes in.”
“Should I start practising with you, Your Royal Highness, the Crowned Prince?” Jay asked, reading the title out of the book. “Or Your Grace? I kind of like the sound of that,” He offered, looking at Sunghoon amused as he sat down.
Sunghoon’s nose wrinkled in disgust. “Your Grace sounds so pretentious.”
“I hate to be the one to break this to you, Your Highness, but ‘pretentious’ is sort of the royal family's whole deal. It comes with the castle and the silks.” He pointed out, marking the page and setting the book aside.
“We haven’t regularly used Your Grace since my Great Grandfather was in power.” Sunghoon shook his head. “Some of the older staff refer to my mother as Your Grace, but she usually rejects the title.”
“Your Grace sounds dignified.” Jay argued.
“Or you could just call me by my name?” Sunghoon suggested, trying not to seem as amused as he was. “Just a thought.”
Jay hummed. “Or perhaps Lord Solon?” He teased him.
“If the nursemaid hears you call me that, she’ll have a heart attack, I swear.” He chucked. “We grew up believing she made those stories up.” He sat up straighter. “Actually, I wanted to ask if you had any more of those books?”
“Which ones? The Children of Vamfield books?” Jay asked, though he had moved on from his teasing tone to more of the Tutor Tone he took on before he typically had Sunghoon run through the Blossomer alphabet.
He nodded. “I’ve nearly finished the one you gave me, surely there’s more? They only just escaped the Orphanage, there’s no way that’s the end of the story.” He insisted, purposely ignoring the paper Jay set in front of him, along with a quill and ink.
“I’ll write my Appa and see if he can set any aside for you,” Jay nodded, tucking the etiquette book away and pulling out a few on Blossomer. “And if anything comes in, I’ll have him let me know.”
“Thank you,” Sunghoon grinned.
Jay caught his gaze and smiled back a bit shy, before he cleared his throat and tapped the page. “Translate this,” He said, pushing the quill closer to him.
Sunghoon sighed dramatically but got to work. Perhaps part of his problem was that he hated feeling inadequate in something that shouldn’t be this difficult. All jokes and flirty tutors aside, Flickian had actually come rather easy to him. He held several full conversations with the Flickian Prince, Riki, and his younger brother Taki several times when he had visited them last. He even had a handle on the polite forms when speaking with their new King, K. Blossomer never made sense to him.
He sighed a bit and pushed those thoughts out of his head, really trying to focus on the translations. He figured Jay was taking it easy on him, since these phrases seemed more familiar, easier to translate. He tried to mumble along, sounding out the phrases as he translated to, as Jay put it, ‘work out’ the unused muscles in his mouth.
When he finally finished, he sat back up and slid the paper over to Jay, who had been reading through a worn, brown leather book. Jay pulled the paper closer curiously. “And how do you think you did?” He asked, going through each line.
“I’m not confident I got anything right,” Sunghoon confessed, leaning back in his chair.
“Well considering you just answered me when I spoke Blossomer, I would say you’re probably better at it then you’re giving yourself credit for.” Jay commented casually, still going through the answers.
Sunghoon sat there, stunned. He hadn’t even realised Jay had spoken in Blossomer. When Jay finished marking it, he slid the paper back to Sunghoon, who was surprised to find that he got mostly everything right.
“I think you just need to stop doubting yourself so much.” Jay added as Sunghoon stared at the paper.
They continued on with the lesson, going through basic conversations he would be expected to know how to navigate with other Blossom officials. Sunghoon found himself almost enjoying the lesson. Jay talked, a lot, but that meant that he knew how to explain things well. He would launch into stories, switching back and forth between Blossomer and Chaconian so Sunghoon could hear the difference, and also learn to understand the context in which things are said. While it would still take a lot of practise, and he wasn’t sure he could speak it with anyone else yet, he still felt like he left with a better understanding then he entered with.
And he was entertained. He had pretty much forgotten the odd behaviour of the guards this morning, more invested in Jay’s stories than anything else. He didn’t even feel exhausted or nauseous anymore, which was definitely a bonus.
When the bell rung signalling lunch, Sunghoon startled into sitting up straight. “Will you be joining us in the dining hall, Jay-ssi?” He asked, helping Jay tidy up.
“I shouldn’t,” Jay shook his head.
“Why not? Lunch is when my abeonim allows the staff to join us,” He insisted. “Please, they always make far too much food. Jake will be there, since Jungwon will be forced to attend. You could eat with him? Perhaps it would be a nice distraction.” He offered.
“For me, or Jake?” Jay snorted. “Can I ask now, about him and the Prince?”
Sunghoon regarded him carefully. “Can you keep a secret?” He asked finally.
“I haven’t said anything about the first time we met, have I?” Jay offered his proof.
Sunghoon sighed and offered a small, sad smile. “In another life, I’m sure Jake and Heeseung hyung would be very happy together.” He said honestly.
Jay blinked a few times. “Together, like, together-together?” He clarified.
“Please remember, Jay-ssi, we were all very young when the war started. During the Battle of I-land, we became more permanently allied with Blossom, which is why the Blossom Princes spent so much time here. Heeseung was too young to join our fathers and my hyung in the meetings, so he often spent time with the rest of us.”
“You said he taught you how to swim,” Jay remembered, and Sunghoon nodded.
“Jake was with us too. Before he was a guard, his father was a prominent Duke in our Kingdom, who had been killed during a battle on the front lines. With no mother or a closer estate, he ended up staying with us. Him becoming a guard was his way of paying the Crown back, in his own words.” He continued, screwing the lid back onto the ink pot.
Jay nodded slowly. “What does that have to do with Prince Heeseung and Jake being together?”
“They’re not,” Sunghoon shook his head. “They were... quite close, as we grew up. The Princes would come every summer, and Jake is fluent in Blossomer himself. He and Heeseung snuck off sometimes, but that was really the extent of it.” He hesitated. “Heeseung isn’t like me. He was never a spare Prince like I was. Prince Heeseung has always been the Crown Prince of Blossom, and has always been the one intended to take over the throne. He knew who he was and what he would have to do his whole life, and yet he still let himself get caught up in...” He waved his hand around, trying to remove himself from the situation to present it to Jay objectively, with that same disinterest he was getting more prone to using. “All that.”
“You say it like he had a choice,” Jay raised his eyebrow.
“There’s always a choice.” Sunghoon said bluntly. “And he chose to follow his heart over his head, despite his responsibilities.”
“There’s never a choice when it comes to your heart,” Jay disagreed quietly, slowing down his packung up until he stopped completely. “You don’t get to choose who you love.”
“We are Crown Princes, meant to rule a nation. We must ally ourselves with those that will most benefit our people, we don’t get the luxury of love.” Sunghoon said flatly, refusing to let any pesky emotion rise to the surface. “So yes, in this instance, there was a choice to be made, and they both made the wrong one. With Heeseung’s coronation set for the end of the year, their choice is just making it more difficult for both of them every time they see each other.”
Jay stayed quiet as Sunghoon finished packing up his things and slid it over to his tutor, the cold detachment settling in his bones. The previously easy going atmosphere had cracked and broken down into something more awkward and stale. He pulled at his cravat subtly, trying not to choke on the intensity.
“What a miserable way to live.” Jay said finally, and Sunghoon made the mistake of looking up at him.
He looked at Sunghoon with such pity that it made him squirm. He was one of the richest men in the world, and yet the one thing he couldn’t afford was autonomy over his own heart. Sunghoon cleared his throat and stood up straighter.
“I’ve never known any other way,” He said honestly. “Even as a second Prince, I was never meant to be anything more than a transaction fee for troops or food for my country. At least when I’m King, I can find suitable matches for Jungwon and Wonyoung. People they can perhaps be more than just content with. If I’m lucky, maybe they will be granted such a choice.” He offered, stepping away from the table. “Join us for lunch, please. For Jake’s sake.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Jay nodded, bowing again with his hand over his heart.
Sunghoon couldn’t understand why Jay’s hand over his heart felt a lot like ripping out this own.
“Your Highness,” Jihoon’s voice came from the door. “Prince Sunghoon, the bell tolled, we must get going.”
“My apologies, Jihoon. We were just cleaning up,” Sunghoon called back, heading out with Jay on his heels.
They didn’t speak the rest of the way to the dining hall. In fact, Jay barely acknowledged him except for a slight bow of his head before he headed over to where Jake was sitting with Jaehyun. Jake was seat in such a way that Heeseung at the head table was in clear view. Sunghoon was a little amused by Jay sitting down right in Jake's line of sight as he headed to join the table. He sat between his father and Heeseung, mumbling an apology for being late.
He remained fairly silent throughout the meal, his eyes scanning the hall curiously. He couldn’t spot Changbin or Chan amongst the guards, and he made a mental note to seek them out after he spoke with his people. He didn’t actively engage in much conversation, speaking when spoken to but not putting forth much effort. He kept replaying the conversation with Jay over and over in his mind, and how it was the complete opposite to the one he had with Jihoon.
He was doing as he was supposed to. He was putting his Kingdom first, his crown, his country, his people. That was what he, the Crown Prince, was meant to do. It’s what Heeseung was always meant to do too. He had no control over his friends or their actions, but he knew them both to be smarter than to get caught up in a scandal at court. He hoped by having Jake assigned to Jungwon, it would keep them separated a little longer. He wasn’t sure what he would do once Jaehyun was trained, but he could cross that bridge when he got to it.
He quietly excused himself once it was appropriate to do so, his appetite escaping him the more he got lost in thought. He knew Jihoon had fallen into step with him, and waited for the moment he was distracted enough so he could slip away.
While he knew why there was a guard constantly assigned to him in particular, and how it had to do with his older brother who had far too much free, unsupervised time on his hands, that didn’t mean he always particularly agreed with it. He just needed a moment to breathe, a moment alone so he could sort out his thoughts. He ducked into one of the servants' passageways and headed down that corridor until he came out on the other side, closer to the throne room. He settled by the window and pushed it open, taking in a long, deep breath.
He had silence and peace for only a moment before he heard the familiar sound of steps echoing off the walls.
“I thought I’d find you here,” A familiar voice said.
Sunghoon turned to look at Heeseung, who was offering a small smile as he joined him at the window.
“Your Highness,” Sunghoon bowed his head. “Or, Your Majesty?” He offered, grinning a little.
“Just hyung will do, Sunghoonie.” Heeseung snorted, leaning against the windowsill next to him. “How’s King training going?”
Sunghoon wrinkled his nose and turned to look back out the window. “When the bell tolls, I’ll be heading to the throne room to receive complaints for the first time.” He informed him.
“It’s always a weird feeling to start those sorts of duties,” Heeseung agreed. “But you’ll do fine. I’ve heard good things about you throughout the castle since I’ve arrived, that’s always a good sign.”
Sunghoon sighed. “It’s a duty I must perform, nothing more.” He shrugged, his brain still muddled and messy from this morning.
Heeseung glanced at him. “You’ve been adjusting well, Sunghoon-ah, especially in the last couple of years.” He told him honestly.
Sunghoon didn’t say anything, just kept his eyes trained on the field and forest outside. “I’m surprised you found me first, I thought for sure it would be Jihoon.” He admitted, changing the subject.
“I sent him to check the library, to see if you returned there. I figured if you’re hiding away from your guard, there must be a reason.” Heeseung responded, graciously accepting the change.
“I just needed some fresh air,” Sunghoon sighed, leaning out the window a little more. “And Jihoon isn’t the best conversationalist.”
“Why do you have a new guard?” Heeseung asked curiously.
“Jake’s training Jungwon’s new personal guard. He’ll be back with me in a few days time.” Sunghoon shrugged. “So you’ll have time to figure out what you’re going to do.”
“What I’m going to do?” Heeseung blinked in surprise.
“About Jake,” Sunghoon rolled his eyes. “Even Jay-ssi clocked it yesterday hyung, you two aren’t subtle.”
“Jay-ssi, hm? Is that the name of the man you had whispering in your ear?” Heeseung smirked at him. “I’ve heard rumours about your Special Guest-”
“He’s my tutor,” Sunghoon interrupted quickly. “I don’t have a Special Guest. I asked him to help translate yesterday as I’m still trying to become more fluent in Blossomer.”
Heeseung hummed and studied Sunghoon for a long moment. “He seems nice.” He finally offered.
“He is,” Sunghoon nodded once. “And a good tutor, I’m pretty sure I’ve learned more Blossomer from him in the last few days than I ever had from any other tutor.” He continued. “And he’s kind, and funny when he’s not being all uptight. He’s stubborn too, opinion wise, but he’s always open for discussions. You’d like him hyung, I think you two would get on well.”
Heeseung kept his curious gaze on Sunghoon. He reverted to Blossomer, asking him a question. Sunghoon furrowed his eyebrows, trying to search for a translation in his mind, but anything that wasn’t fairly standard procedure wasn’t something Jay had gone over yet. Sunghoon shook his head. “Sorry hyung, he’s a good teacher but not a miracle worker. Any kind of casual conversation will have to wait a little longer.”
The older man patted Sunghoon’s shoulder. “It’s alright Sunghoonie, it’s a little advanced for someone new to it. I’m sure your Jay-ssi will go over it with you eventually.” He conceded as the bell tolled. “I should let you get to your people. Tonight when you’re done, you should meet us in our chambers. Jungwonnie and Jake are going to be there, we’ll spend the evening together like we used to one last time before we start the contract negotiations tomorrow.”
“Do you think it’ll take long?” Sunghoon asked him.
“...the evening?” Heeseung furrowed his eyebrows.
“No, the marriage contract. The negotiations. Do you think they’ll take long?” He repeated. “How soon do you think we’ll wed?” Sunghoon hoped he was playing his questions off as bored and indifferent, but Heeseung had a way of exposing his feelings more than he ever liked to.
Heeseung eyed Sunghoon with that same curiosity he had when they spoke about his tutor. “Are you in a rush to marry?” He asked instead. “Sunoo asked to wait until after his birthday, so you two wouldn’t be whisked away for your tour before his celebrations. It’s one of the only requests he had for the contract that our abeonim approved of.”
Sunghoon shook his head. “I was just curious. My eomeoni and Wonyoung aren’t back yet, and the Queen likes to be involved in every stage of planning for such things.”
Heeseung smiled fondly. “Perhaps we’ll ask her to plan for Sunoo’s birthday then. We’ll still be here, and he wants a large celebration for his of age party.”
“I’m pretty sure if you ask her, she’ll demand the wedding be moved up,” He warned him. “She loves Sunoo, she’d do anything for him.”
Heeseung chuckled and leaned forward to close the window and lock it. “You better go to the throne room before Jihoon reports you missing.” He advised. “We’ll see you tonight.”
Sunghoon nodded. “I’ll need to stop by my chambers and check on something, but then I’ll be over.” He promised.
Heeseung nodded and patted his shoulder again before turning on his heel and heading back the way he came. Sunghoon ducked through the servant’s passages again to get to the throne room quickly, arriving at the same time as a distraught looking Jihoon.
“Your Highness,” He gasped, seemingly appalled by his rough and sudden appearance.
“My apologies, Jihoon, I should have told you I would like some air and time alone,” He said immediately. “It won’t happen again.”
Jihoon sighed and shook his head before opening the door for Sunghoon. The staff in the throne room ushered him forward, and for a minute he hesitated between the thrones. Was he meant to sit on his own, off to the right of his father’s? That’s where he had been sitting since he was thirteen, he couldn’t see why that would change for only a day-
“Your Highness,” Jihyo gestured to the ornate golden throne, larger than life with a Kingdom’s worth of responsibilities carved into every available surface, and he followed her instructions numbly.
He sat on the throne and waited. Surely it would feel different? This big, daunting chair in the middle of such a grand room should feel different. But he could barely relax in the worn down seat as his own chambermaids bustled around him to sweep his hair back and get his crown balanced on his head. Jihyo offered him a small, encouraging smile before she took her place in the lineup. His father arrived shortly after, and he wasted no time taking Sunghoon’s throne.
So he really was just going to observe for the day.
Sunghoon found sitting up straighter made it easier to breathe in his outfit. He settled in as they let the first of his subjects through the doors.
Frankly, it was all very run of the mill complaints overall. While he spent more time with his father when he was taking in the Lord's complaints, these didn’t differ much from those. A missing cow here, some stolen bread there, a crop agreement broken that merely required some mitigation and a sincere apology, everything was as it was with the Lords, just on a smaller scale.
And he found himself even enjoying it. Sunghoon liked problem solving, and that’s all this was, frankly. He talked the farmer down from pressing charges with the promise of a guard present while his neighbour returned his cow. He helped negotiate a threeway crop agreement that benefitted all parties far more than either one alone had, and he compensated the store owner for his lost bread, and the day of sales it took him to come to the castle to finally lodge his complaint.
“Ryujin,” he beckoned the attendee over. “Can you find Jake for me?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” She curtsied and headed off.
“Why are you calling for your Head Guard now?” His father spoke for the first time, and Sunghoon startled a little.
He had forgotten he was there.
He turned to face him. “Because I’d like him to assemble a small group to do a sweep of the village. That baker said he was from the village near here, how can we show our people that we are strong if the village closest to the castle is suffering so much. I’d like to know how they’re living and if there’s anything we can do in our immediate power to improve their ways of life, even marginally.”
The King regarded him for a long moment. “A King is never to explain his choices if he feels they are correct ones, and he never turns around in his throne, certainly not to defend himself.” He said dryly.
Sunghoon’s heart dropped a little but he quickly turned back around, wishing his hair wasn’t off his ears so it could hide how red they were.
“Kwanie, find Ryujin. Tell her to cancel the order from the Crown Prince.” He added.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Kwanie said, bowing quickly and rushing off after Ryujin.
“But Abeonim-” Sunghoon protested, turning around again.
“What did I say?” The King said firmly.
Sunghoon turned back around, letting his cool mask fall back into place despite his erratic heart and rapidly heating head. What was the point of having him sit here and handle situations, if he wasn’t to try and prevent them from occurring again?
They didn’t let the next person in until Ryujin had returned with Kwanie at her side. Once they were settled back into their original positions, the doors opened again.
An old woman waddled in, hunched over with a cloak wrapped around her body. She gazed up at Sunghoon and smiled, showing a few missing teeth in the process. Her skin was leathered by work in the sun, and her hair was grey and scraggly like it had been dried out too harshly. Liver spots peaked out from her collar, and Sunghoon had to refrain from getting a chair or a glass of water for her himself.
“Find her a seat, please,” He told Jihoon quietly.
“It’s alright, Your Highness,” the woman croaked. “I won’t be long, I just have to catch my breath first.”
“Take your time,” Sunghoon encouraged her gently. “Jihoon, please,” He nodded to him again.
Jihoon was down the platform heading towards one of the stray chairs off to the side when the woman lunged at him, faster than he thought possible for someone of her age. She drew a blade out from her sleeve, her eyes wide and wild with nothing but anger and hatred as she aimed the dagger straight for his heart.
Everyone else in the room reacted faster than he could.
Before he knew it, Jihyo was in front of him, shielding him with her body as his father shouted out orders. Jihoon dragged him up and out of the throne, pulling him towards the exit.
“We want the True King on the throne!” The woman wailed. “Death to the False King!”
Two guards tackled her to the ground, and there was a sickening crunch as her ribs, brittle with age, gave out underneath their weight.
Sunghoon glanced at Jihyo, who was still standing there in shock, the handle of the blade lodged in her stomach. His eyes widened as she pulled it out, almost in a trance, her dress dying dark with blood before she collapsed to the ground.
“No!” Sunghoon shouted, fighting against Jihoon’s grip, his heart breaking in his chest.
“Your Highness, don’t look,” Jihoon instructed, even though it was too late. “We have to go,” He insisted.
“But- but she-” Sunghoon stammered, still trying to fight as his knees gave out.
“We don’t know if she was working alone, Your Highness, we have to go now,” Jihoon insisted, dragging him into the servants passageway of all places. “You have to lead me through here. How do we get back to your chambers?”
Sunghoon shook his head. “Not mine, please, my brother, I have- I have to see Jungwon,” He insisted, panic seizing his mind and refusing to let go. “Is he okay? Where is he?”
“We’ll find the Second Prince,” Jihoon promised. “Please, Your Highness, your chambers?” Sunghoon led him through on autopilot, taking the familiar twists and turns.
“The Blossom Delegation,” Sunghoon said faintly. “The Princes, can you find them too, please?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jihoon nodded.
“And Jake,” His throat tightened, his breath feeling heavy in his lungs until he couldn’t exhale anymore. “And Jay, and-”
“Your Highness, this was an attempt on your life.” Jihoon said bluntly. “I’m sure they’re all fine, for now we need to get you to safety.”
Sunghoon clamped his mouth shut and let Jihoon get him to his chambers.
“Jisung, do a search of Prince Sunghoon’s chambers,” Jihoon barked out as they turned the corner.
“Yes sir,” Jisung jolted into action, disappearing into his chambers to do a check.
Sunghoon was slumped against the wall with Jihoon caging him in protectively, as if he alone could stop any other attempts. Sunghoon tried to calm his heart, or to breathe properly, anything, but every time he closed his eyes, he could see Jihyo in front of him, the light draining from her eyes as she bled out from a wound intended for him. Jisung popped back out minutes later.
“It’s clear, and I’ve been here all day.” Jisung said.
Jihoon nodded and got Sunghoon inside. “Do not let anyone you do not recognize in this room, do you understand me?” Jihoon said firmly. “You are currently the last line of defence to protect the Crown Prince.”
Jisung nodded quickly and pulled his sword out. Jihoon nodded and closed the door.
Sunghoon struggled with his corset top. It was too tight, too constricting. His chest was heaving but he was getting no air in his lungs. He couldn't catch his breath. A throbbing formed in his temple as his shaky fingers and sweaty palms kept slipping from the clasps.
“Your Highness-”
“Don’t touch me!” Sunghoon stumbled away from him, desperate to undo everything himself. “Find my brother, I want him here. Now.” He demanded.
“But-"
“That is an order,” He shouted.
Jihoon disappeared out the door, like a man on a mission.
Sunghoon felt dizzy. Gaeul wasn’t here, which meant she must still be with the kitchen staff. That was fine, the kitchens were relatively hidden away, they should be fine. The guards were protected with their general armour, and the younger ones were out for training today. He hoped the pages and the nursemaids were smart enough to hide, and that any of the chambermaids were locked up. He was grateful his mother and sister weren’t here, they were two less people to worry about.
So it was just Jungwon then. He, Jake, the Blossom Princes and Jay. They were the only ones Sunghoon had no idea where they were, if they were okay, if they were being invaded as they spoke. He looked down at his hands, his sleeves. There were little splatters of red, so dark they were almost black, speckling his skin and the fabric, and if he had actually eaten much at lunch, he might’ve been sick.
Jihyo's blood was on his hands.
He gave up on his corset and instead staggered over to the washing bowl from this morning. There was still the rose scented water in there, cooled with time and a little murky from when they had wiped him down before dressing him. He grabbed the cloth and scrubbed at his hands and wrists until every drop of blood was gone. But he could still feel it like a phantom on his skin, so he kept scrubbing. He paid no mind to the water that splashed over the side of the bowl, or the dampness of his sleeves. He scrubbed his hands raw.
After what felt like hours, there was a knock at the door, and Jisung’s voice was coming through as an announcement. Before he could even finish reciting the names, Jungwon was through the door and in his arms, nearly knocking the bowl over.
“Hyung!” He cried, clinging to him.
“You’re okay!” Sunghoon breathed in relief, pulling back to look over him thoroughly, to make sure there was no injury. “You’re okay,” He choked, pulling him back into a hug.
“What happened?” Jake asked quietly, heading in.
“I was receiving the people, and this woman came in, and she- she had a dagger,” He recounted shakily. “She- she stabbed- well she was aiming for me but- Jihyo, she,” He squeezed his eyes shut. “She died for me,” Sunghoon breathed out. “That woman, she was shouting things that didn’t even make sense.”
“What things?” Jungwon pulled away to look at him with furrowed brows.
“She said I was a False King, and they wanted the True King on the throne. Whoever they are.” With Jungwon in his sight, his hands finally stopped shaking enough that he could remove the corset and breathe a little easier.
Jake’s eyes darkened. “They’re a deranged group of people that popped up a couple years ago.” He muttered. “They think the King faked the late Crown Prince's death.”
Sunghoon and Jungwon both stared at him. “They think he didn’t die?” Jungwon repeated. “But we had the funeral, we buried a coffin.”
“It was empty,” Jake reminded him. “They said they couldn’t recover his body, remember?”
“But... why would they fake that?” Jungwon frowned.
“They thought it was the King’s way of delaying the turnover of power. Your older brother should have been King for a few years now already, but after his death and it was turned over to Sunghoon, they kept delaying the coronation.” Jake sighed. “They think it’s intentional.”
“Why do you know all this?” Sunghoon asked quietly.
“The Guards talk when they’re drunk. The King said it's one of the reasons he doesn't want you on his tours.” Jake winced. “Clearly keeping you here isn’t helping either, and they’ve been attacking carriages with the royal seal.”
Something connected in Sunghoon’s brain from this morning. The staff’s gloom, the way the guards in the castle were more tense. Jisung outside his door, Jihoon stopping him from asking too many questions. “Where’s Chan and Changbin?” He asked quietly.
“They’re okay!” Jake said quickly. “A little banged up but alive. They’re just recovering in the medical ward. The kitchenmaids were all okay too,” He promised.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Sunghoon demanded, storming over to him. “You’re my best friend, my most trusted ally in this castle and you didn’t tell me about potential assassination attempts on my life?”
“Why do you think we were so freaked out when you snuck into the village!” Jake shouted back. “You scared the shit out of us, Sunghoon!”
“But you didn’t say that!” Sunghoon exploded, but a part of the conversation with Jihoon came flooding back to him. He had brushed it off as Jihoon’s general concern about bandits or wolves in the woods, but in light of this new information, Sunghoon had actually been in real danger if they had known who he was.
“You snuck into the village?” Jungwon asked, surprised.
“I didn’t mean to,” Sunghoon insisted. “It just happened, I promised I wouldn’t do it again,” He told him.
“And you didn’t tell me?” Jungown pressed.
“I didn’t tell anyone! The only two people who know are Jake and-” Sunghoon clamped his mouth shut.
“Two people know?” Jungwon stormed over to join them by the couch. “Who else knows?”
“Jay,” Sunghoon confessed. “I met him at the bookshop in the village before I knew he would be my tutor.”
Jungwon was quiet for a minute. “So that’s how you knew the market in the village would have everything they would need for the feast last night.” He whispered.
“What?” Sunghoon looked at him confused.
“I had been trying to figure it out. When you were delegating tasks yesterday, you instructed them to go to the village and you said that the market would have everything they needed. I didn’t know how you would’ve known that, considering we haven’t been to the village in years.” Jungwon explained.
Sunghoon collapsed onto the couch and held his head in his hands. “So what do we do?” He whispered.
“You do nothing,” Jake said, just as quietly. “ We up your security, we do better screenings on the people we let in the castle, we wait for the King’s orders and see what he says.” He sat beside him. “You do nothing but let us protect you the best that we can.”
“I can’t just do nothing,” Sunghoon insisted. “I need to learn swordplay, I need to address the people, I need-”
“To sit here, and take a deep breath.” Jake interrupted him. “We’ll find you a swordplay instructor, but for now, you need to relax.”
They spent the rest of the night huddled up. Jungwon ended up crashing on his bed first, and Jake followed suit on the couch.
Sunghoon stayed up and read the rest of his book by the fire, when a note was slipped under his door. He headed over, picking it up carefully. He recognized the writing on the back and headed over to the fire to read it properly.
Your Highness,
I heard about what happened. When I came by to check on you, they stopped me at the end of the hall. Apparently they were given instructions to not let anyone pass that they didn’t recognize, and I haven’t been around long enough to know every guard in the castle yet.
I asked if I could write you a letter instead, and while they agreed I’m not actually sure if this will get to you.
If it does happen to get to you, I hope you’re alright. I heard one of your chambermaids was killed in the transgression, and you seem the type to stress over such things. If she's the one I met that day in your chambers, you seemed close to her as well, so I wanted to offer my condolences. I'm sorry for your loss. I hope you know it’s not your fault, and that there was nothing you could have done to prevent this from happening. That woman killed her, not you, so I hope you don't blame yourself. I know you said you take care of the staff in this castle, but know that it’s the staff's job to take care of you, too. I haven’t been here long, but I’ve only heard positive things about you from everyone else. Any one I’ve spoken with about you would do the same thing, I’m sure.
Sunghoon wasn’t sure what to do with this information. Jay had been asking about him amongst the staff? Enough to know they liked him? The reminder of Jihyo's death made his throat tighten, but he tried to cling to his words- there was nothing he personally could have done to stop what happened. Jihyo moved on her own accord, the old woman committed the crime, Sunghoon was blameless in practically every way except for being born.
That didn't stop the ache in his chest as he looked over to where his crown sat in the box that Jihyo always carried to his room proudly. The crown she insisted suited him. She had been one of the few constants he had when he was shifted into the Crown Prince position, and with her gone, he felt a little more empty.
He shook his head quickly and kept reading.
They told me Jake was with you, which means you should have no reason to skip out on Blossomer practise tomorrow if they don’t let you leave-
Sunghoon snorted quietly at that. A near death experience and Jay was still insisting he learn Blossomer? He really was a ridiculous man.
-and I’ve sent one of my favourite Blossomer books along with the letter. I remember you saying Flickian poetry helped you learn the language, so I’m hoping Blossomer poetry will have a similar effect.
Sunghoon smiled softly at that and he pulled his knees to his chest as he kept reading.
In all seriousness, I hope you’re okay. I hope you sleep, and eat something. And I hope I get to see you tomorrow for your lesson.
Yours,
Your tutor,
Your faithful tutor,
This is ridiculous, I don't want to rewrite this whole thing because I don't know how to sign off a letter to a Prince,
Sincerely?,
Park Jongseong (Jay)
Sunghoon reread the letter three times, pressing his lips together as he read through what Jay had tried to scratch away. He wasn't sure if the end was intending to make him laugh, but he couldn't help the small giggle that escaped his lips at the several failed sign offs. He clutched the letter and got back up, lighting his lantern by his desk. He sat down and wrote a return letter, thankful for his words and his worry. He selected a book off his bookshelf carefully and snuck back over to his door so as not to wake Jake or Jungwon. Jay supposedly sent a Blossomer poetry book over, so he wanted to show him the Flickian ones that really made him fall in love with the language. He knocked on the door softly. It opened up a little, and Jisung poked his head in. “Is there something I can get you, Your Highness?” He asked quietly.
“This letter says there should have been a book along with it?” He held it up.
Jisung nodded and reached over somewhere before presenting the worn cover. It was familiar, and it took Sunghoon a moment to realise it had been the one Jay had been reading while he completed the test Jay had given him earlier today. “We just had to check it before giving it to you.”
Sunghoon accepted it and held out his response to Jisung. “Can you make sure this gets to Jay-ssi, please?” He asked softly.
“He’s waiting at the end of the hall,” Jisung whispered to him, glancing around. “If you want to poke your head out, Your Highness, you could probably wave to him.”
Sunghoon blinked in surprise but nodded and took a single step out, glancing down the hall. Sure enough, Jay was there, leaning against the wall in the torch light, waiting for some kind of confirmation that he had received the gift.
“Jay-ssi,” Sunghoon called out.
Even the softness of his voice echoed through the hall enough to reach his tutor. Jay straightened up and looked over towards his chambers. From here, Sunghoon could see his grin as he waved. Sunghoon waved in return before holding up the little green book and his letter he even sealed with the royal stamp. He handed it to Minho, another one of his guards, who looked amused with the whole silent conversation. Minho took it down the corridor to Jay, who accepted it with a thankful bow.
Jay turned and bowed to Sunghoon, hand over his heart as usual. Sunghoon nearly choked on a fresh wave of tears- he wasn’t sure how much Jay knew, or what he heard about the situation, but having him show such a blatant sign of loyalty and respect was almost overwhelming after the day he had. Jay then waved and turned, heading back to what Sunghoon assumed was his chambers.
“Oh, wow,” Jisung murmured.
“What?” Sunghoon looked over at him.
“Nothing, I just...” Jisung trailed off. “I haven’t seen anyone bow like that for you before. Are we allowed to do that now?” He glanced at him.
Sunghoon hesitated. “It’s probably best if we keep it limited for now. I’m not sure what the King would think.” He admitted.
Jisung nodded slowly before he turned to Sunghoon fully, placing his hand over his heart and bowing ninety-degrees. Sunghoon’s eyes widened and he glanced at Minho who had returned, noticed Jisung and followed suit without question.
“Just once, then,” Jisung said quietly before straightening up. “Just so you know where we stand, Your Highness.”
“Those people who sent that woman are a very small percentage of this Kingdom.” Minho added. “Anyone in this castle would vouch for you as King.”
Sunghoon really did choke up then. “Thank you, both of you,” He whispered. “I know I should get back in but, uh, is there any updates on Chan and Changbin? Are they alright?”
The light died in Jisung’s eyes. “You found out,” He said quietly.
“Jake told me,” he nodded. “It’s alright, I understand why it was kept from me. But now I need to know if my guards are okay.”
“They’re okay,” Minho answered instead. “I visited them before my shift here. They’re just recovering, Chan lost a bit of blood but the doctor said he’ll be fine after a few days rest.”
“And you promise you’re telling the truth?” He pressed. “My worries won’t be quelled if you’re lying.”
“On my cat's lives, Your Highness,” Minho insisted. “All nine of them for each one. I’m not lying.”
Sunghoon cracked a smile. “That’s so ridiculous that I’m actually inclined to believe you.” He told him.
“You should go in and get some rest, Your Highness,” Jisung said softly. “You’ll be safe in there, I promise.”
“I know,” Sunghoon nodded- he had full confidence in Jisung and Minho, along with Seungmin and Jeongin at the other end of the hall, the last of his personal guards but certainly not the least. “Thank you for your work, I appreciate it.”
“Of course, Your Highness.” Jisung nodded.
They bowed as he headed back in and they shut the door properly. Instead of bed, Sunghoon settled down by the fire and opened the book of Blossomer poems. He was elated to find that it had been thoroughly annotated and translated into Chaconian in familiar writing, and he wondered if this had been something Jay always did, or something he did especially for him for studying purposes.
No matter. Sunghoon got to work reading, whispering the words of poems he couldn’t quite understand yet until he drifted off late into the night.
Chapter Text
“Sunghoon-ah, one of these days you’re going to fall asleep on the floor and you won’t be able to get back up,” Jake’s voice scolded him awake.
“Is this a habit of his?” Jungwon asked surprised.
“Becoming one, certainly.” Jake huffed, and for a moment the Royal Guard fell away, leaving his best friend behind. “Grab his legs, help me get him onto the couch.”
Sunghoon groaned and curled up instead, automatically bringing the book to his chest and hiding it away.
“Oh good, you're awake." Jake muttered before clearing his throat. "Good morning, Your Highness. It's time to get up,” Jake told him. “You’re allowed to leave your room now, the chambermaids are waiting outside.”
“Just tell Jihyo-” Sunghoon stopped himself. He took a moment to reorient himself with the room as he sat up carefully. “I’ll get up,” he added quietly, wincing as he stood, every muscle in his body screaming in protest.
“And what did you fall asleep reading this time?” Jake raised his eyebrow, but his voice was a little softer as he observed him.
Sunghoon brought the book back to his chest protectively, the letter tucked safely into the pages. He crossed the room in a few long strides, placing the book next to his quill on his desk- the worn brown leather suited his green quill well, and he took a moment to appreciate it before taking a deep breath. “Send the chambermaids in.”
Jake nodded and opened the door. Jungwon relaxed on his couch as the guard stood at attention.
The chambermaids entered, though they were dressed in matching black frocks and red-rimmed eyes. He bowed his head. “I would like to apolo-”
“Your Highness,” one of them interrupted him, her words strained and clipped. “Don’t apologise, please. Jihyo did her duty yesterday, don’t tarnish her memory by apologising for being the one to survive, as she intended."
Sunghoon clamped his mouth shut, and the other chambermaids shifted anxiously, glancing back and forth between him and the maid. Considering just yesterday, they wouldn't so much as dare to look in his eye, he could appreciate this being their ground to stand on. He nodded once. “I can appreciate all she’s done for me and still feel sorry for your loss.” He said finally, trying to keep his voice steady. “I cared about her too, and I’ll miss her deeply.”
“We know.” Another chambermaid said quietly. “Any of us would do the same though, Your Highness.”
Guilt festered in Sunghoon’s chest, heavy and suffocating. He didn’t want people dying for him, certainly not staff members who deserved to go home to their families. He swallowed and nodded with a quiet thanks, and let them ready him for the day.
Jake was watching him concerned as they finished readying him. They left with a bow and that... was that.
Sunghoon was meant to just go on with his day.
When they left the room, the guards had dispersed except for Minho, who nodded to him as they passed. The nervous energy he had been expecting wasn’t present. Sure, the castle seemed quieter, the guards and staff passing by not up for chatting, but it felt more like a response of grief than any kind of grudge they might have held against him. Jaehyun and Jihoon met them outside the library and Sunghoon hesitated.
“If you’d like to keep Jake hyung today, you can,” Jungwon told him quietly. “Jaehyun’s training can wait.”
The image of the woman lunging at him flashed in his brain, and Sunghoon shook his head immediately.
“I think yesterday proves that it can’t,” he said honestly. “It’ll be okay.” He insisted.
Jungwon nodded and he and Jake bowed to Sunghoon before collecting Jaehyun and heading down the hall towards his chambers.
Jihoon bowed to Sunghoon, who motioned to the doors. “You can remain posted outside,” he said quietly. “I don’t need a guard in my lessons.”
“Respectfully, Your Highness, I have orders to remain at your side.” He at least seemed apologetic about the situation.
Sunghoon sighed but nodded, heading into the library. Jay was, as always, already there and waiting for him. He was reading the book Sunghoon had given him, and despite the situation he smiled softly.
“Jay-ssi,” he greeted.
Jay’s head snapped up, and a brilliant smile lit up his face as he stood. “Your Highness, I see they let you out.”
Sunghoon found himself mirroring Jay’s grin, problems forgotten for a moment as he moved to join him at the table. “They cleared the castle, so it’s safe for now.” He nodded, motioning to the book. “Do you like it? It’s my favourite.”
“I do,” Jay agreed. “I can see why you enjoyed Flickian when this was your lesson plan.”
“I’m enjoying the Blossomer poems too,” Sunghoon added quickly. “I appreciate that you translated them so I could understand them better, it really is helping.” He promised.
Jay smiled again and Sunghoon settled into his chair. “What’s on the agenda today?” He asked curiously.
Jay pulled out some handwritten sheets, and Sunghoon recognized a few of the lines from the book the other man had gifted him. He got to work immediately, determined to understand every poem in that book.
Or, rather, communicate with his future husband and in-laws. Right? That’s why he had been doing this in the first place, that’s why Jay was here. He slowed down and sat up slowly. “Jay-ssi, can you translate something for me?” He asked curiously, shifting his legs a little- he hadn’t even realised their knees had knocked together until he lost the warmth Jay had been providing.
“On the sheet?” He furrowed his eyebrows, looking up from the book again. “That kind of defeats the purpose of an exercise.”
“No, it’s something Heeseung h- Prince Heeseung said to me.” Sunghoon set the quill off to the side and folded his hands together, reminded that Jihoon was in the room with them.
Jay’s eyebrows then shot up in surprise. He nodded and marked the page, setting the book down. “I can try.” He motioned for Sunghoon to continue.
Sunghoon repeated the phrase for Jay as best he could, muscling through the awkwardness of the language. Jay just stared at him, his face scarily neutral. Sunghoon waited for a moment before he repeated it, wondering if his pronunciation was that bad.
“When did he say that to you?” He asked instead. “Just for context purposes.”
“Oh,” Sunghoon blinked and furrowed his eyebrows as he tried to remember where in the conversation Heeseung had asked it. “I asked him how long he thought the marriage contract negotiations would take, and how soon he thought we would be wed. So we were talking about that, and how I was learning Blossomer.”
“And what did he say about it?” Jay asked, his jaw jutting out a little.
“He just said it was advanced for a beginner and that you probably haven’t gone over it with me yet.” Sunghoon frowned, assuming he meant about the phrase. “Why? Is it something bad? Should I be offended?”
Jay stared at him for a long moment before he shook his head and sighed. “It’s hard to translate into Chaconian, let me figure it out and I’ll get back to you.” He said finally.
Sunghoon nodded slowly. “Alright.” He said quietly and went back to his test.
Jay did not pick up the Flickian poems again.
The rest of the lesson was much quieter than it had started. When the bell for lunch tolled, Jay was already bowing and respectfully declining joining them for lunch, citing he was tired and would like to go lay down.
“You must eat something though,” Sunghoon insisted.
“I’ll be fine, Your Highness,” Jay waved him off. “Don’t worry about me.”
Sunghoon frowned as they headed out of the library. “Jay-ssi, please. Join us for lunch.” He insisted. “You can rest after.”
“Is that an order?” Jay raised his eyebrow.
Sunghoon blinked, his heart clenching at the thinly veiled accusation. Foolishly, he had thought he and Jay had come to some sort of understanding when it came to who he was. Who he wasn't. But that chasm between them grew despite the minimal space between them, leaving Sunghoon to teeter at the edge anxiously.
To his credit, Jay looked guilty the moment the words left his lips.
“No,” Sunghoon said softly. “Just a request.”
Jay observed him for a long minute before sighing and slumping his shoulders forward dramatically. “Fine,” he said.
Sunghoon nodded once and led the way to the dining hall. The walk was silent, and Sunghoon wondered what he had said that offended Jay so much. He contemplated straight up asking, but he also didn’t want to confront him in front of Jihoon. So, he kept his shoulders back and his head high until they got to the hall.
It was pure chaos when they arrived.
“We need to leave at once,” Heeseung said firmly.
“You only just arrived,” his father protested. “We haven’t even begun negotiations.”
“I apologise for the abrupt turn around, but it can’t be helped.” Heeseung stood his ground. “Our father passed, I have to return to receive my coronation.”
“You are not escaping negotiations that easily, your coronation can wait.” His father narrowed his eyes at him. “Is this because of yesterday? Prince Sunghoon is perfectly fine, and the threat has been eliminated.”
“While your failure to properly search those who enter the castle does not necessarily give me an overwhelming sense of confidence, my desire to return home has nothing to do with that.” Heeseung set the letter down on the table. “My mother has written us to return home at once in light of my fathers passing, so that I may be crowned King. We will return after the summer is over.”
“That will be too late!” His father protested. “The unrest at our borders grows more precarious every day, this alliance needs stability.”
“My kingdom needs stability,” Heeseung countered. “What kind of alliance would this be if my own country crumbles to the ground?”
“If your whole country crumbles at the loss of its King, perhaps it’s not as strong as I originally thought.” His father bit out.
“What’s going on?” Sunghoon interrupted, straightening his spine as he strode over to the table to join them.
“He wants to abandon our alliance.” His father scowled.
“I have to go home for the coronation. My father passed. My people need a King.” Heeseung told Sunghoon, devastation locked in his eyes.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Sunghoon said softly, resting his hand on his shoulder. “Abeonim, we can’t keep them here. He needs to do right by his people.”
“He needs to do right by us.” His father argued. “Who’s to say he won’t run off and leave us to fend for ourselves?”
“I’ll go with them,” Sunghoon said immediately.
“What?” Heeseung looked at Sunghoon surprised.
“And what good will that do?” His father raised his eyebrow.
“Prince Sunoo and Prince, now King Heeseung, came here in good faith to form a strong alliance that is intended to last generations.” Sunghoon pointed out. “While it can’t be helped that they need to return, there’s no saying we cannot send our own delegation. It shows good faith in the Blossom Kingdom, as well offers our condolences for the loss of their King and support of their new one.” He refrained from fidgeting, standing his ground. “It’ll be a small party, me, some guards, perhaps Jungwon? Just enough to show we are serious about this alliance.” He turned to Heeseung directly. “Because we are serious about this alliance, King Heeseung.”
Heeseung’s shoulder squared back and he turned to his father. “King Sihyuk, I mean absolutely no disrespect to you or your kingdom, but how can I justify committing to an alliance when my own country is suffering?”
“An alliance goes both ways.” Sunghoon added.
His father looked between them, clearly unimpressed with how they were teaming up. Finally, he scoffed and shook his head. “Fine, fine. Go to Blossom. That means you will be charged with negotiations.” He told Sunghoon firmly. “Are you sure you can handle that?” He raised his eyebrow.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Sunghoon said immediately. “I’ve been to enough council meetings, I know what we need.”
His father observed him before turning to Heeseung. “Understand that the only reason I’m agreeing to such a ridiculous request is that it has the added benefit of getting Prince Sunghoon out of the country until we can eradicate these radicals who are trying to eliminate him.”
“Of course,” Heeseung nodded. “And please know we in Blossom will do everything in our power to keep the Chaconne Princes safe. It’s in our best interest to do so.”
The King stood up to address the staff who were trying not to be caught listening in the conversation. “Well then, you all heard that. Send a page ahead to inform the Queen of Blossom that her sons and mine will be returning to Blossom at once. Then, ready the carriages and supplies for their journey.” He announced.
Everyone abandoned their meals to hop up and run around. The orders were vague, and Sunghoon thought they looked a little like chickens scrambling around for feed, unsure entirely where to go, just that they needed to go now. He frowned as Beomgyu passed him anxiously.
“Beomgyu, you can go to the stables,” he told him. “Help Woonhak with the carriages.”
“Yes, Your Maj- Highness,” Beomgyu stumbled over the honorific before turning with more purpose and heading out the door.
“Ryujin, could you take point on making sure everything is packed correctly for me and Prince Jungwon?” He asked her. “Your attention to detail will help for weather appropriate garments. Take Lily with you.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” she curtsied and motioned for Jungwon's head chambermaid to follow.
“I’m going to Blossom too?” Jungwon asked curiously, joining them at the head of the table.
Sunghoon didn’t want to confess to him that it was because he didn’t trust that the radicals wouldn’t turn to him as a new target if he left. It was safer for Jungwon to come with him to Blossom than to leave him behind.
“That’ll be fun!” Sunoo piped up from his spot at the table. “You two haven’t been to Blossom in ages, I think it would be wonderful if you came.” He added.
“Alright,” Jungwon nodded immediately.
“We’ll take my guards,” Sunghoon added. “Chan and Changbin can stay here and rest up, but we’ll take Jake, and maybe Minho and Seungmin? Jisung too.” He listed off. “They’re all proficient in swordplay and Minho can easily fill Chan’s deputy guard position in his absence, I’m sure Jake would appreciate the assistance.”
“We’ll send Jeongin off in the other direction in a carriage,” Jake added, joining their little group. “They attacked Chan and Changbin because of the royal seal. If we send out a decoy the other direction, maybe we can throw them off long enough to get you out of the woods.”
“I don’t want him going alone,” Sunghoon said immediately. “Send Jaehyun and maybe Beomgyu with him?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jake nodded. “I’ll get that set up right away.”
“I’ll have our people start packing our things,” Heeseung nodded, turning on his heel and disappearing out the door.
“I’ll help you with yours,” Sunoo offered Jungwon enthusiastically, and together they raced out of the dining hall.
Very few people remained, including Sunghoon and his father, who was still staring at him with a raised eyebrow.
“Sunghoon, you have to be very careful.” He warned.
“I know, abeonim,” Sunghoon nodded. “We’ll arrive in Blossom safely-”
“Not that. The alliance. Make sure you don’t accidentally sign away our kingdom to the Blossomers.” The King interrupted him. “I did not work this hard for our kingdom to prosper this much for you to throw it all away on a whim.”
Sunghoon blinked. That's not where he had expected this conversation to go. “Of course abeonim,” He nodded again. “If you’d like, send me with a list of requests. I’ll stick to them during negotiations.”
The King nodded. “Stop by my study before your departure.” He instructed before standing and heading out with his own guards.
Sunghoon’s shoulders slumped forward briefly and he turned to see Jay still standing there, arms crossed as he leaned against the table behind him. His eyes remained on him, a mask of indifference doing nothing to mask the concern in his eyes.
“Jay-ssi,” He said carefully.
Jay studied him closely. “You’re going to ask me to come, aren’t you?” He asked quietly.
“I’m still not proficient in Blossomer, and the Queen doesn’t speak any Chaconian.” He approached him carefully. “You’re under no obligation to agree to come. That’s not your job, it’s not what you signed up for. If you would like to return to the village, to the shop, we’ll even drop you off on the way-”
“Do you want me to come?” Jay interrupted.
“I do.” Sunghoon said without hesitation. “It’s... it’s difficult to trust people, right now.”
“And you trust me?” Jay raised his eyebrow.
“With my life.” Sunghoon answered easily.
It wasn't an honour he gave out often.
Jay looked around. The staff had scattered, and they were left alone in the dining hall, save for Jihoon who continued to stick close. His eyes wandered as if he was searching for the right answer before he sighed. If Sunghoon didn’t know better, he would say it sounded like defeat.
“You better introduce me to your guards then,” he said finally. “I don’t want to be denied access to the carriage or a horse just because they don’t recognize me.”
Sunghoon lit up, but tried not to show it. “Absolutely, and please, raid the library if you’d like. You can take anything with you that you can carry or fit in the carriage.” He promised, and was pleased to see Jay light up just as much. “Thank you, Jay-ssi. I’m not sure what I would have done if you said no.”
“You probably would have been fine,” Jay said honestly. “Prince Sunoo probably would have helped you as much as he could have.”
Sunghoon furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, and he wanted to ask exactly what Jay meant by that- despite their impending marriage, Sunoo spent far more time with Jungwon than he ever did with Sunghoon, even as children -but Jihoon cleared his throat to gain his attention.
“While I know you sent some servants ahead to start on it, perhaps you should take some time to pack, Your Highness?” He suggested. “You still need to meet with the King before we depart.”
Sunghoon nodded. “Of course, right,” he agreed. “Jay-ssi, meet us in the front in a few hours.”
“Yes, of course,” Jay nodded in return. “Would we be able to stop in the village, by chance? I have to grab something from the shop.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged,” Sunghoon agreed. “I’ll see you soon.” He said and headed off with Jihoon at his side. “I’d like you to stay here, Jihoon.” He said once they were clear of the dining hall and alone in the corridor.
“But, Your Highness,” Jihoon protested. “Have I not proven myself trustworthy these last few days?”
“You have,” Sunghoon nodded. “That’s why I want you to stay behind. My eomma and sister are set to return tomorrow, I’d like to charge you with ensuring their safety.” He said quietly. “And I’d like you to ask Chan and Changbin about the people who attacked them, see what you can find about these radicals.”
“...Your Highness?” Jihoon frowned as he took a step away to study him.
“A group of people have decided I am a False King before I am even crowned, and are angry enough to kill me for it. My head chambermaid I’ve had since I was a child died because of their beliefs, I don’t want anyone else suffering the same fate.” He said firmly. “Especially not my sister.”
“That’s why you’re insisting Prince Jungwon go with you to Blossom,” he realised quietly.
“When I’m gone, I don’t want them turning their anger to him. My brother is innocent, he has done nothing wrong.” Sunghoon said. “Can I trust my family's safety to you?” He glanced at Jihoon who nodded immediately. “And the retrieval of information?”
“I will do my best, Your Highness,” Jihoon stopped and placed his hand over his heart, bowing to Sunghoon.
“Stop that,” Sunghoon scolded him, his ears red. “Come on, you’re right. I should go help pack before Ryujin gets too overzealous.”
They packed quick and light. They spared what provisions they could, and prepared the two carriages- one set for Blossom and one set as the diversion.
The last thing Sunghoon had to do was retrieve the list from his father.
When they arrived, Sunghoon was ushered in alone, Jihoon left outside. He casted one last glance back at Jihoon surprised, who frowned in return. Once Sunghoon was inside, the guards and pages within his father’s study exited, leaving Sunghoon and his father alone for the first time in perhaps his whole life.
“Abeonim?” He started, unsure. He folded his hands behind his back and stood at attention, his shoulders drawn back and his chin up but not daring. This wasn’t a challenge or a duel, it was merely a conversation.
It should be, anyway.
“Do you think of me as a joke, Sunghoon?” He asked quietly.
“No,” Sunghoon said immediately, frowning. “I hold only the highest respect for you, abeonim.”
“At your ripe age Sunghoon, you should refrain from referring to me as Abeonim. Say only Your Majesty or Your Grace from now on.” He instructed him. “Others follow your example, Sunghoon. They will follow the precedence you set.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Sunghoon bowed his head, trying not to show his confusion or the slowly rising trepidation with the situation.
“So, if you do not think of me as a joke then why have you treated me as such?” He raised his eyebrow.
“...Your Majesty?” Sunghoon frowned.
“When the Blossom delegation arrived earlier than we anticipated, you took it upon yourself to be in charge instead of coming to get me. I demanded Prince Heeseung stay within the castle, and you insist that they not only leave but you go with them. I give orders to the servants, and you overrule them, directing them elsewhere.” He scoffed, moving to stand in front of Sunghoon.
“A few of the staff just seemed confused, is all. I simply directed them to where I knew their talents lie, and where they are the most comfortable so that they would see to your orders being fulfilled. As for King Heeseung, I only-”
He heard the resounding thwack before he registered the burning of his cheek or how hard he hit the floor. He knew his father to be a strict and orderly man who kept fit, but he hadn’t expected him to hit quite so hard. Sunghoon kept his gaze on the floor, and stayed completely still at his father’s feet.
“He is not yet a King, and neither are you,” His father calmly, pulling out his handkerchief to wipe his hands. “Disrespect me or my authority again, and I’ll send that little Duke’s son you’re so fond of off to the troops, where he could make himself useful, and wed Jungwon and Wonyoung off to distant Counts and Lord’s Daughters, never to be seen again. Do you understand me?” He discussed the future of everyone he loved the way one would discuss tea or the weather- with a feign interest and inherent boredom.
Sunghoon took a deep breath. He could taste copper on his tongue and a stinging in his cheek- he must have bitten it on the way down. His ears were still ringing, but he managed a nod. “Yes, Your Majesty,” He added.
“Good. Now pick yourself up off the floor. By the Gods, you’re the Crown Prince, have some dignity,” He sniffed before returning to his desk.
Sunghoon scrambled up and stood at attention once more, staring dead ahead, making certain to not make eye contact or show any signs of fear or discontent. The King set a piece of paper down and tapped it twice. “Here is my list of demands. Those that are underlined are nonnegotiable, anything else may be amended but the less changed the better.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Sunghoon repeated.
“Understand, I want what’s best for you, Sunghoon.” He sighed like Sunghoon was a headache he couldn’t shake. “I forgave that little stunt you pulled the other day, and even let you take the lead in receiving complaints from the people. Please understand that I am doing this for the good of our Kingdom, and the good of your future on the throne. If it’s seen as acceptable for the Crown Prince to overrule the King, soon others will start to question the Crown, and by the time you inherit the throne there will be no respect or heedance to your words, only chaos and anarchy. You do get that, don’t you?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Forgive me,” He bowed quickly, taking the list as he stood back up.
“Yes, yes,” He waved his hand. “Now go, and write when you arrive.” He told him. “I’d like to see my sons get to Blossom safely.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Sunghoon bowed again, and took the dismissal for what it was.
He supposed he should feel shock, or confusion, or anger at the situation. Just two days ago, his father was praising him for acting as the King he was meant to become and entrusting him with the concerns of the people, and now even clarifying frighteningly vague instructions was seen as borderline treason? The King might not have been the most hands on father in the world, but he certainly had never laid a hand on him before, not like this.
Instead of that, however, Sunghoon just felt numb. He let the cold detachment he was so prone to using nowadays take over as he rejoined Jihoon in the hall.
“Your Highness, is everything alright?” Jihoon asked him carefully.
Sunghoon nodded. “His Majesty was just going over expectations, that’s all,” He informed him. “Let’s hurry now, before they leave without us.”
Jihoon frowned. “Your Highness, your cheek...”
Sunghoon’s hand flew up to his face, and he was surprised to find a wetness there. His fingers shone with a ruby red, deeper and more brilliant than the family jewels. It wasn’t a lot, but enough.
Rings. The King always wore rings. One must have caught on his skin when he-
Sunghoon shook his head and raised his handkerchief up, wiping it carefully. “It’s no matter, shall we?” He motioned down the hall.
When he got outside, he was met with equally concerned looks from Jake and Jungwon, who took his excuse of bumping into a maid who happened to be lifting a tray well. He was known for getting lost in thought and bumping into things when he wasn’t paying attention, and he never appreciated his own clumsiness more than that moment.
More concerning however was Heeseung’s knowing look as he repeated the excuse, and Sunoo’s frown as he reached up with a cloth wetted with alcohol to clean the wound with care and concern.
Jungwon bounced through them and into the carriage, Sunoo joining him after being assured multiple times that Sunghoon felt okay.
“Must have been a sharp tray,” Jay mused, heading over.
“I told you we don’t use silver ones anymore, these ones are newer and haven’t been sanded down properly. Mistakes happen,” Sunghoon waved him off. “Will you be joining us in the carriage?” He asked curiously.
“I’ve asked about a stop in the village, so we’re going to head off first and then rejoin you on the road.” Jay explained. “Then I’ll probably be sitting with the driver.”
“Take Jake,” Sunghoon said immediately. “He’s the best swordsmen and one of the most brilliant strategists I’ve seen-”
“Which is exactly why he should stay with you, Your Highness.” Jay interrupted. “I believe I’ll be going with Jisung.”
“Be fast,” Sunghoon implored him. “With those people out there, it’s dangerous and I worry-”
“I appreciate the concern, Your Highness, but I can take care of myself.” Jay chuckled and motioned to the carriage. “Go on, we’ll see you in a bit.”
“What I was going to say is I worry that I will not have time to find another translator on such short notice if anything were to happen to you,” Sunghoon quipped, one foot on the step of the carriage. “It would be very inconvenient for me.”
“Well, I would never try to inconvenience you, Your Grace,” Jay taunted with a flourished bow. “Especially not by being impaled or shot-”
“Jay-ssi.” Sunghoon said abruptly, cutting off his jests, the humour dying on his tongue.
Jay bowed again, this time normally. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I didn’t mean to.” He said quietly, clearly aware he had overstepped so soon after the incident.
“I know.” Sunghoon sighed. “I’m serious, Jay-ssi. Be careful.”
“I will. I’ll see you in no time.” He offered his hand to help Sunghoon into the carriage.
Sunghoon hesitated before taking it, letting him steady him until he sat down. He squeezed his hand briefly, and Sunghoon almost didn't want to let go. But it was Jay who let go first before he closed the door and offered him one more smile and small wave. He moved over to where Jisung was waiting with the horses, pulling himself up onto Sunghoon's own horse, Gyeoul, and followed the guard down the road. The decoy with Jeongin and the others set off, while their own, small delegation set off down one of the main roads.
“We should be able to make it out of the forest by sundown, Your Highness’,” Jake said through the window of the carriage. “Or at least out of the thick of it. We’ll have a constant rotation of guards after camp has set up so you may sleep as well as you can.”
“Thank you, Jake,” Heeseung said. “We appreciate your diligence.”
Jake shot him a grin. “Just doing my job, Your Majesty,” He winked before going up ahead.
There was silence for a moment between the four Prince’s before a little bark brought their attention to Jungwon, who was holding his bag rather peculiarly.
“Jungwon,” Sunghoon said slowly. “Don’t tell me you brought Gaeul in your bag.”
“Okay,” Jungwon nodded. “I won’t tell you that.” He paused. “For an entirely different, unrelated reason, Sunoo hyung, will you pass me that bag of jerky.”
“Of course Jungwon, you must be very hungry after today's events,” Sunoo nodded, handing it over to him.
Heeseung and Sunghoon exchanged glances.
“Sunoo,” Heeseung said, just as slow. “Is there a dog in that bag?” He asked.
“No, of course not,” Sunoo shook his head. “Completely off topic however, Jungwon-ah, would you like some water as well?”
“Yes, of course.” Jungwon nodded and took one of the water flasks, dumping a little into the bag, which was followed by several more barks and whines.
“Jungwon, you brought Gaeul?” Sunghoon scolded him as the bag fell away and her head popped out. Sunghoon reached forward automatically, petting her with a small smile.
“Well I couldn’t just leave her there! Kieran’s very young and the whole castle is tense after what happened with Jihyo and, well, Jay hyung loves her so much so when I heard he was coming I thought it would be best if we brought her along.” He pulled out his big round eyes that typically got Sunghoon to do nothing short of moving a mountain or taking a star from the sky just because he wanted to know what it looked like up close. To top it off he brought Jay into it, like he somehow knew that would guarantee Sunghoon would be swayed in his favour. “I’m sorry, are you mad?”
Sunghoon sighed dramatically. “I supposed I can’t be too angry then,” He mused. “Just next time you’d like to make a Great Pup Escape, let me know, okay? I’ll help you.”
“Okay!” Jungwon lit up.
“Speaking of great escape,” Heeseung turned to Sunghoon. “Thank you, Sunghoon. I know from experience it’s not easy to defy the King’s wishes.”
“I don’t think of it as defying his wishes,” Sunghoon shook his head. “Would you truly be in any state of mind to negotiate anything while your kingdom was left like that? While mourning your father?” He took Heeseung’s hand in his and squeezed. “This way you can put out any fires at home without compromising the schedule.” He dropped his voice. “And you can mourn in peace, surrounded by friends and family. You did this for me when it was my brother who passed, and you’ve been one of my greatest supports since. I’m merely returning the favour.”
Heeseung squeezed his hand back. “Regardless of intentions, I am grateful.” He said softly.
Sunghoon nodded and took his hand back. They chatted quietly as they drove along, taking turns holding Gaeul and telling stories from the times they were apart that couldn’t be shared over letters.
As it grew dark, they pulled off to the side to set up camp for the night. The guards were quick to pitch the tent the royals would be staying in, along with the secondary tent for the pages and guards who were off rotation.
They got a fire started and shot and skinned game to cook. They fashioned a leash for Gaeul so she couldn’t get too far, and Heeseung poured over a map with Jake, their shoulders pressed together as they spoke in low voices. Sunoo pulled out little squishy treats dusted with powdered sugar that he intended to present to the court during one of the bonfire festivals the castle held during the summer, and showed Jungwon how to roast them over the flames until they were a golden brown and sticky in their mouths.
And all the while, Sunghoon was on high alert. Jay and Jisung still hadn’t returned, they hadn’t heard or seen anything suspicious thus far which meant their departure was still rather secretive. Every twig snap or whistle through the branches felt like a threat, and the shadows were only held at bay so much by the fire at the centre of their camp. Sunghoon paced, played with Gaeul and even tried to settle down to read some more Blossomer poems, only to be teased relentlessly by the younger Princes. No matter what he did to occupy his mind, it kept drifting back to two things- the safety of this camp and...
He shook his head and scowled, sitting inside the tent with a lantern as he tried to continue to read the poems.
“And where did you get a book of Blossomer Love Poems?” Heeseung asked, ducking into the tent.
“Why?” Sunghoon held the book to his chest defensively. “Poetry helps me learn the language.”
“Really?” Heeseung cocked his head to the side.
“It did for Flickian,” Sunghoon shrugged and reopened the book. “Will the Flicker Princes be at the funeral, do you think? Or your coronation? Or Sunoo’s birthday? He’s good friends with Prince Riki and Prince Taki, is he not?” He tried to change the subject.
Heeseung offered him a knowing, sad smile. “So you don’t want to talk about the book, how about your cheek?”
Sunghoon’s hand flew back up to cover the cut that had long since stopped bleeding. “It’s nothing.” He insisted.
Heeseung hummed and nodded, but Sunghoon could see he didn’t believe him. He turned his head so the older man couldn’t see it. “I disrespected the King and his position. He was just teaching me my place, that’s all.”
It was clear that Heeseung didn’t approve of his explanation, but that was fine. Sunghoon didn’t need his approval. Stubbornly, Sunghoon tried to return to reading. While he didn’t fully understand all the poems, he was enjoying Jay’s annotations and translations in the margins.
“I see you brought your tutor with us,” Heeseung mused.
“I need a translator.” Sunghoon brought the book up to hide his face.
“One of us could have helped you, or we could have found a translator in Blossom.” Heeseung pointed out. “It didn’t have to be him.”
“Yes it did.” Sunghoon responded automatically. “Are you here to interrogate me because of some baseless rumours you heard from a chambermaid? Because I thought we went over this already.”
Heeseung sighed. “I’m not asking as a Prince or a King or anything like that. I’m asking as your friend, Sunghoon. Why did you bring him along?”
Sunghoon closed his eyes. “Maybe you should spend more time asking me questions as a Prince or a King,” He shot back. “That’s what you are.”
“Don’t be like this, Sunghoonie.” Heeseung said, still just as gentle in his words despite being met with his coldness. “Just answer the question.”
“I almost died yesterday,” Sunghoon breathed out. “And I had to watch someone I care about die instead. Someone who cared about me, who believed in me, who thought I would be a good King one day.” He shut the book. “Jay was the first person to bow to me with his hand over his heart.”
Heeseung remained silent, watching him with a type of understanding that Sunghoon didn’t want to unpack in this little tent. It wasn’t big enough to hold all that baggage or feelings he didn’t quite know how to explain.
“Part of the reason I wanted to come with you was admittedly a little selfish. I’ve had several staff tell me they would have done the same thing in Jihyo’s position, but... I don’t want people dying for me, hyung. With me out of the castle, no one has to be put in that position.” He explained quietly. “But people know who I’m closest with, whose death would hurt me the most. So I brought Jungwon, and I brought Jake. I left Jihoon and Jeongin behind to take care of Wonyoung and my eomma. And with the rumours spreading so fast that Jay is my Special Guest, however false they may be, the last thing I would ever want is for him to suffer because someone thought he was special to me.”
It was a hindsight thought, but a genuine one nonetheless. Despite his best efforts to dispel the rumours, they were still there and that made Jay a potential target of the radicals. It all worked out for the best. He was honest when he said he did want to support Heeseung and Sunoo, and he was honest when he said he did want to help negotiate this contract between the Crowns. But that didn’t change the fact that getting himself and as many loved ones that he could take with him out of the country was nothing but beneficial.
“But he is, isn’t he? Special to you?” Heeseung approached the topic like one might approach a wounded animal.
Sunghoon didn’t know how to respond. He spared one helpless look to Heeseung before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He put Jay and all the confusing emotions that came with him into a little box and filed it away in his mind to be dealt with later. He relaxed and shrugged his shoulders. “I care about all my staff.” He said finally, and reopened his book, hoping that would end the conversation.
Heeseung opened his mouth when they heard voices outside. They were familiar and welcomed as Sunghoon shot up and abandoned his book by the lantern to head outside. Heeseung was on his heels, and they got out of the tent in time to see Jisung and Jay dismount.
“Sorry we’re late,” Jisung told them. “Jay’s eomma insisted on feeding us before we left,” he pulled out a large bag. “And we brought leftovers.”
The camp cheered excitedly and took the bag to distribute amongst them all. Jay dismounted and tied up the horse, turning to Sunghoon almost automatically. Sunghoon straightened up as he approached.
“I brought something for you.” Jay said, digging through his bag before presenting him with two books.
Sunghoon took them curiously and flipped through the first one. When familiar names caught his eye, his head shot up as he stared at Jay with wide eyes. “You found more.” He said quietly.
“I didn’t know if you brought the last one, and surely you can’t keep yourself entertained the whole trip with just one book of poems.” Jay tapped them. “My appa wrote me back and said I was lucky because a couple more came in.”
“I think you underestimate how much I love poetry,” Sunghoon snorted as he looked through the books more thoroughly before realising what Jay was implying. “Wait, is this what you went to pick up?” He asked him.
Jay cleared his throat and looked away. Even in the dim light of the fire, Sunghoon could see an adorable blush grace his cheeks. “I mean, I wanted to see my family once more before setting off for however long we’re in Blossom.” He stumbled over the excuse. “This was just an added bonus.”
Sunghoon held the books close. A feeling festered in his chest, one that was becoming increasingly familiar over the last few days but he didn’t have a name for. And Jay was stubbornly not looking at him, his eyes staying fixated on the fire in the centre of the camp.
“Thank you, Jay-ssi,” Sunghoon said quietly.
“Of course, Your Highness. I told you I would do it.” He nodded and cleared his throat before his gaze caught on something else. “Is that Gaeul?”
“Jungwon snuck her into the trip.” Sunghoon chuckled as Jay bowed quickly and made his way over to greet the pup.
“Sunghoon-ah,” Heeseung said quietly from behind him, and Sunghoon whipped around to look at him uneasily. “If you ever want to talk about... the books, let me know, okay?”
“Will do hyung, thanks.” Sunghoon nodded in return with absolutely no intention of doing so.
He was sort of regretting asking Jay to come along. He was certain it didn’t look good to the Blossom Delegation, given the rumours, and he made Sunghoon’s head spin every time he got too close. Maybe it was the scent he wore? Sunghoon could very well be allergic to it. Actually, he was sure of it. There would be no other reason for his body to react like that just because Jay got close.
He shook his head and disappeared back into the tent to rearrange his bag to fit the two new books.
Chapter 6
Notes:
Some important names/places for you:
Chaconne -> the Kingdom Sunghoon and Jungwon are from, where Sunghoon is the crown prince
Blossom -> the Kingdom Heeseung and Sunoo are from, where Heeseung is the crown prince
Memor -> where Sunghoon and Jungwon's mother, and the current Queen of Chaconne, is from
Vamfield -> a region in Memor where the stories of the Children of Vamfield stem from
Dimena -> where Heeseung and Sunoo's mother, and the current Queen of Blossom, is from
Flicker -> a Kingdom apart of the Battle of I-land Alliance (with Chaconne and Blossom), where King K and the Princes Riki and Taki are from
There's a lot of mention of these places this chapter, so I just wanted to make sure it was clear!
Chapter Text
It only took a day of travelling after that to reach the boat. Sunghoon spent much of it reading or practising his Blossomer with Sunoo and Heeseung. A few times, when the other three were asleep in the carriage, Sunghoon would bother Jay the little port window that opened up to where the driver sat.
“And how do you say this?” Sunghoon asked, holding the poetry book out to him.
Jay read out the line before handing it back. “Your Highness, surely you can find something else to entertain you. What are the other Princes doing?” He leaned down a bit to see Sunghoon through the window.
“Sleeping,” Sunghoon scoffed quietly, getting up on his knees to see him better. “I can’t sleep during the day, it doesn’t suit me.”
“I would have thought sleeping during the day would be a Prince’s greatest pleasure,” Jay snorted.
Sunghoon rolled his eyes in a very unprincely like manner. “I don’t know what you know about royalty, but there is rarely any time for me to relax in my chamber long enough to sleep.”
“No, you spend your free time saving dogs and accosting shop owners,” Jay teased him.
“I did not accost you, and you told me you weren’t the shop owner,” Sunghoon raised his eyebrow.
“You ran inside and slammed the door like a lunatic, then demanded I sell you a quill and ink and a book while looking around like the walls themselves were trying to catch you.” Jay informed him. “It was bizarre enough without you running off after overpaying and leaving your quill behind.”
“That’s not fair and you know it,” Sunghoon huffed. “You know exactly why I was reacting like that.”
“Yes, now I do. But at the time it was a very weird experience.” Jay waved his hand at him. “Turn around before we drive over a bump and you hit your head,” he scolded him.
“I’m much too dignified to hit my head,” Sunghoon disagreed, which was just a fancy way of telling Jay that he couldn’t tell him what to do.
They did proceed to hit a bump shortly after that, and he slumped back down into his seat, defeated and in pain. He decided to abandon his book and chose instead to watch out the window as the land passed by.
His land.
He rested his chin on his arms, letting the wind blow through his hair as he enjoyed the sun warming his face. He contemplated shedding his coat and rolling up his sleeves, just to expose more skin to the welcoming breeze. Doing so would be considered rather improper with the impending engagement to Sunoo all but signed upon, but he also knew Sunoo had seen him in less when they were children, so he wasn’t sure what the procedure would be for them.
He supposed it was lucky that he knew Sunoo. He knew of cousins and friends of the court that had arranged marriages where the first time they met their forever spouse was the day of the ceremony. He had seen friends of his sister be married off to men twice their ages merely months after they first bled, only to be set aside for a mistress once they sired an heir.
He at least knew Sunoo well. He got along with his family, he was around his age and their union came with the promise of armies and grain. Really, he couldn’t ask for a better match as a man in his position. As an additional bonus, his marriage delayed Jungwon and Wonyoung’s, so he could preserve their childhood for a while longer, just until he was crowned and could find them matches that actually suited their tastes. It was a perfect win- win, with absolutely no downside that he could reasonably see.
The sun was warm and comforting, and Sunghoon closed his eyes to bask in it for a while longer. He could smell wildflowers and pine in the air, and beyond the thundering of the carriage and the horses that accompanied them, he could hear birds chirping away in the trees, in search of their own mates and matches. The fields were a lush green, weeks away from bleaching golden, ready for the first harvest. And there was not a cloud in the sky, nothing to hide away the beautiful blue it adopted. It reminded him of the field and valley outside the castle. Flashes of honey skin and a soft laughter flitted through his head, sleeves pushed out of the way like the bothersome thing they were, warmth, comfort when their knees brushed under the table in the library-
“You seem close to your tutor,” Sunoo’s voice startled him out of his daze.
“Sorry?” He blinked a few times to clear away the rest of the thoughts that lingered on the edge of his mind. “My tutor?”
“Your tutor,” Sunoo nodded to the port window. “Or rather, your translator now, is that right?” He asked curiously.
Sunghoon nodded in return. “You haven’t had much time to get to know him, but I think you and hyung will get along with him fine.”
“Jungwonnie says he’s really nice.” Sunoo added, picking at a stitch on his pants. “Heeseung hyung said he brought you books back from the village.”
“He did,” Sunghoon brought one of them out. “See?”
Sunoo reached out to hold the book, and Sunghoon instinctively drew back before he realised how ridiculous it seemed that he was so protective over a book of all things. He handed it to Sunoo willingly after that, though he fidgeted in his seat the whole time as the younger Prince flipped through it.
“The artwork is incredible,” He marvelled. “Can I borrow it when you’ve finished with it?” He asked, looking up at Sunghoon with bright eyes.
A little, selfish corner of his mind begged him to say no. That was his book, one given to him specially. Sunghoon wasn’t possessive over many things. He had come to learn and expected to share most things with Jungwon and even Jake, not out of necessity perhaps but more so out of love. Even his mind and soul belonged not to him, but to the kingdom, the people he would rule over one day. His body was an extension of the land where he would sow the seeds of their future. So he didn’t stake claim over many things- even his best clothes would be moved into Jungwon’s closet if his little brother liked it that much -but his books, the ones that felt that important, were his and his alone.
But Sunoo was also to be his future husband. What Sunghoon had he would have to share. Chambers, studies, wardrobes, beds, these would all become things that were no longer only his own.
And yet sharing that book in particular felt more intimate than Sunghon cared to admit.
“Of course,” He said anyway, because Sunoo was good and soft and his smile when Sunghoon agreed was adorable, and he should want to see it more often.
Sunoo returned the book to his hands safely. “Do you think I’ll be allowed to return to Blossom after this trip?” He asked after a moment.
Sunghoon shot him a confused look. “Why wouldn’t you?”
Sunoo glanced out the window, watching the fields slowly taper off into a township on the coast. “My eomma said she hasn’t been home since she married my appa.” He explained. “And I remember the Queen, your eomma, saying she’s only been back once.”
“Memor and Dimena are a lot farther away from Chaconne and Blossom than Chaconne and Blossom are from each other,” Sunghoon reminded him quietly. “Sunoo-ah, I don’t plan on keeping you trapped in some tower in the castle, you will be free to come and go as you please.”
Sunoo didn’t answer, keeping his gaze out the window. They both knew it was more complicated than whether Sunghoon would let him leave or not, but it was hard to have a substantial conversation about it. With the marriage negotiations still untouched and the future still unsure, having any conversation about the marriage was inherently difficult.
“You’ll have to help me through the transition from Second Prince to King’s Consort.” Sunoo spoke up again. “Hyung said it was difficult for you to adjust.”
“Unlike many other Second Princes we know, I was never vying for more power or the crown,” Sunghoon told him. “It was a position thrusted upon me with little preamble.”
“Then we are in similar positions,” Sunoo nodded.
Sunghoon observed him curiously. “I sort of always figured we would wed,” he confessed. “If as Second Princes, to ensure the alliance.”
Surprise was clear on Sunoo’s face, his eyes flickering to Sunghoon’s side where Jungwon was curled up, his head on his shoulder and Gaeul in his lap and back to him and- oh.
Sunoo had never expected to marry Sunghoon at all. Or, perhaps, he never considered it. If he was to marry a Prince of Chaconne, it was clear his choice was Jungwon. Suddenly, Sunoo’s tendency to find Jungwon in a crowd, the way they would disappear for hours at a time, the letters written back and forth, it all made sense.
Sunghoon’s heart ached for them. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
Sunoo’s smile was soft and sad, and nothing like the adorable one from earlier. “It’s not your fault, Your Highness. I’m sure I’m not the only one in this union whose heart belongs to another.”
He didn’t get a chance to question the Second Prince about his thought process. The carriage came to a stop and Jake knocked on the door.
“We’ve arrived at the docks, Your Highness’.” He announced. “The crew says you must be out of the carriage before we can load it.”
Sunghoon and Sunoo shook awake their respective brothers and together they dismounted out of the carriage. Jungwon continued to cling to Sunghoon tiredly, and he reached up to smooth his hair down. “Once they’ve loaded everything up, we’ll find a cabin for you to nap in, okay? I know sea travel doesn’t always agree with you.”
Jungwon nodded and pulled away to go chat with Sunoo while Sunghoon turned to Jake. “Have we done a sweep of the ship? Examined the crew?” He asked, squaring his shoulders back. “I want to make sure there’s nothing or no one on board that will compromise the safety of my brother or the Blossomer Princes or the staff-”
“Or you?” Jake added. “Your Highness, I would like to remind you that the attempts were made on your life. No one else has yet been threatened.”
He sighed and clutched the book of poems a little tighter. “Jake, please.” He said quietly. “A sweep.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jake bowed quickly and set off to send Seungmin and Minho to do the sweep of the ship with a couple guards from the Blossom Delegation while Jisung and another Blossom guard interviewed the crew.
Sunghoon instead looked around. With the sea being over a day's ride from the castle, he very rarely got to come out and enjoy it. The seaside village was far more lively down the pier on the other side, where merchants and crews mingled and pushed sales of food or worldly things they picked up on their travels. No one seemed to pay them any mind- the private dock used by royals and officials was always heavily guarded, and besides, there was no way to make money at a dock rarely used.
He watched as children tugged on their mothers skirts, begging for a piece of candy from a far off land. Merchants shouted about one of a kind items brought in after weeks or months at sea while those interested bartered or negotiated a cheaper price. The scene reminded him of the village square back near the castle. Everyone he could see seemed bright and full of life, shrieking with laughter as they played games and browsed pieces of culture from lands they may never see.
These were his people. They seemed happy, despite the hardships of the last few years. They were finding joy in a task as simple as getting fresh fish for dinner. A familiar ache in his chest formed as he longed to join them in the crowds.
“We have some time before the ship is set to depart, Your Highness,” Jay’s voice came from his left. “Would you like to take a look at the market?”
“Oh, I shouldn’t,” Sunghoon shook his head and took a step away from the crowd, looking at Jay. “I stick out like a sore thumb in crowds, remember? You clocked I was a royal the moment you saw me.”
“In regalia like that, sure,” Jay nodded. “Take off your jacket and waistcoat.” He instructed, shrugging off his own.
“Pardon me?” Sunghoon blinked, looking around quickly and moving in front of Jay to hide him away as he stripped out of his jacket.
Jay only laughed. “Just do it,” he insisted. “It’s okay, I promise. Unless you need a chambermaid to help you.” He teased him.
Sunghoon shot him an unamused look before he reached up and started unbuttoning his waistcoat, shrugging that and his jacket off at the same time. Jay thrusted his own coat towards him, putting Sunghoon’s princely attire and the book he still carried in the carriage they were preparing to load. He then grabbed his own satchel, and turned back to see Sunghoon still looking unsure, holding Jay’s coat in his hands. “Go on, put that on.” He insisted.
“It won’t fit properly.” Sunghoon argued.
“That’s the point. You want to fit in, right?” Jay raised his eyebrow. “Put it on, it’ll cover how expensive your shirt looks.”
Sunghoon did as he was told. He was right, Jay was a touch shorter than him but his shoulders were broader, so the jacket was ill fitting and baggy. It wasn’t uncomfortable though, and it had a faint smell of pine trees, old books and warm vanilla.
“What are you doing?” Jungwon asked, and Sunghoon spun around quickly, guilt already clawing at his stomach.
“His Highness is interested in the market,” Jay said candidly, double checking his coin purse. “So I’m taking him over.”
“We can do that?” Jungwon looked at the Blossom Princes then Jake, who had returned from his duties. “Can we go too?”
“No, and Prince Sunghoon isn’t going either,” Jake shook his head. “There’s too much risk.”
Sunghoon opened his mouth, whether to agree with Jake that this whole idea was preprosperous or to argue, he’ll never actually know, because Heeseung raised his hand and looked between all of them. “Who actually knows what Prince Sunghoon looks like, though? What any of us look like?” He pointed out. “If they don’t know who we are, is there any real risk?”
Jake opened and closed his mouth a few times, trying to formulate any kind of response. Sunghoon knew Jake would cave even before the guard threw his hands up and stormed off to dig through a trunk to help them find more suitable clothes. Heeseung always had that effect on him. He couldn’t imagine being that smitten, losing the strength to stand by his decisions just because someone else had a hold of his heart. He fidgeted with one of the buttons on Jay’s coat, casting another glance over at the crowds.
“Look at me,” Jay instructed.
Sunghoon turned his head to do just that, only to flinch away as Jay raised his hand. Something shifted in Jay’s eyes, and it probably meant nothing good for him. It was an understanding that Sunghoon didn’t want him to have.
“Your Highness-” he started quietly.
“What are you doing?” Sunghoon interrupted, looking at the hand Jay still had raised.
Jay moved it towards his head again, and this time Sunghoon moved away more dramatically to make it seem more intentional rather than a flash of the memory from his father's office.
“Stop that,” Sunghoon scowled.
“Stop moving,” Jay countered, reaching again.
“What are you doing?” He repeated, ducking away from Jay’s hand again.
“I’m not trying to wipe your forehead with an ink filled cloth, if that’s what you’re asking.” Jay scoffed, reaching again.
“I never did that to you! I even showed you, you had dirt on your forehead.” He protested.
As he stopped long enough to argue, Jay finally managed to grab his jaw between his thumb and middle finger. Sunghoon stayed incredibly still, holding his breath as Jay finally reached up and mused his hand through his hair.
“You looked too clean, Your Highness, too put together. Like you’ve never done a day of labour in your life.” He explained. “Relaxing your hair a little will help.”
“Did you have to grab me to do it?” Sunghoon asked, trying to seem as affronted and annoyed as possible so Jay wouldn’t focus on his rapid heartbeat or the warmth that flooded his cheeks.
Jay merely rolled his eyes and dropped his hand from Sunghoon’s face. “Annoying, isn’t it, Your Highness?” He scoffed.
“Quite, I’ll be sure to avoid such situations in the future.” Sunghoon rolled his eyes in return. “So, is it okay? Do I look like a commoner?” He asked, looking down at his outfit and fixing the jacket reflexively.
Jay was quiet for a long moment, observing Sunghoon before he spoke. “There is nothing common about you.” He said softly.
Sunghoon’s head snapped up to look at him with wide eyes. His cheeks warmed again, and Jay wasn’t fairing much better. A blush creeped up his neck, and his ears were red- clearly it hadn’t been a thought meant to be spoken aloud.
“Are you two ready to go?” Heeseung asked, and Sunghoon turned to find the other four staring at them with varying degrees of surprise and intrigue.
Except Sunoo, who just offered him a soft, understanding smile.
Sunghoon noticed the way Jungwon was pressed against Sunoo’s side, shoulder to shoulder despite all the space around them that they could occupy, and offered one in return.
“We’re ready to go,” Jay said, and Sunghoon glanced at him, only to realise he had taken a rather large step away from him. He frowned at this revelation, but Jay moved on. “Your Highnesses, I’m going to ask that you stick close.”
“Jay’s right, just because it’s unlikely that someone won’t recognise you, doesn’t mean it’s a guarantee.” Jake nodded. “We have the most experience being in this type of place, so stick around the two of us. If anyone gets lost, return to the ship immediately.” He instructed.
“Of course, Sir Jake. We will all be on our very best behaviour,” Heeseung assured him. “Lead the way?”
Jake nodded, avoiding Heeseung’s amused gaze as he headed towards the market.
Sunghoon’s head was on a constant swivel as he quietly marvelled at all the stalls. He stepped up to one that boasted about fast drying ink and refillable quills from Memor, but Jay quickly pulled him away, his hand warm and calloused in Sunghoon’s.
“They’re a sham,” Jay mumbled. “Real refillable quills come from Flicker, not Memor, and the craftsmanship is sloppy. I can make you one when we get to Blossom.”
Sunghoon blinked but nodded. “Alright.” He agreed, letting Jay lead him through the crowd, their hands falling apart as they walked.
There was another stall that was boasting about having more things that belonged to the ‘Crown Prince’, just like he had seen in the village outside the castle. Sunghoon automatically made his way over to take a look, Jay following behind him.
“Oh, now look at you, two fine young men such as yourselves must certainly have taste.” The woman behind the stand gasped. “These belonged to the Crown Prince himself,” she motioned to some of the clothes and jewellery.
“Hyung! Hyung! Jake hyung bought me some candies from Flicker-” Jungwon stopped beside him and looked at the booth curiously. “What’s this?”
“Treasures from the Crown Prince,” He told Jungwon. “The late Crown Prince, right?” Sunghoon clarified, picking through items that definitely had no place in his brother's closet.
“Certainly not,” the woman sniffed. “Anyone worth their gold knows that it's nearly impossible to actually get anything from the late Crown Prince these days.” She motioned again. “This is from Crown Prince Sunghoon, the next King of Chaconne.”
Sunghoon pressed his lips together, picking up a string of pearls he had certainly never worn before- he did have a string of pearls from a visit to Memor, but that was stored safely in his desk as a reminder of the other half of his heritage he only brought out for festivals or special occasions. Besides, his pearls were a soft pink with a rainbow hue to them from the freshwater mussels that were native to his mother’s land, and these were a vibrant white with a silver sheen that was more prevalent in the Blossom clams.
“His head chambermaid herself sold me that just yesterday. She’s quite the minx.” The seller added, which only proved Sunghoon’s theory further that these had nothing to do with him. “Listen, you look like a nice young man, so I’ll give you a deal on the pearls. Perhaps you can gift them to your girl, make her day?” Her gaze turned to Jay who was looking over Sunghoon’s shoulder curiously, pressed against his side with his hand on the table- a way to keep himself between Sunghoon and the crowd, lest they try something. He hadn’t even registered that Jay had been doing it, the warmth comfortable and somehow familiar. “Or any lover that suits your taste.”
Sunghoon heard Jungwon hide his laughter behind a cough, and rolled his eyes at him. “How much for the pearls then?” He asked curiously.
“Your H- Solon,” Jay said, stumbling over the title and into the fake name Sunghoon would apparently be adopting in this village too. “You can’t be serious.”
“They’re not for me,” he shook his head and looked back at the merchant. “How much?”
“Usually I charge twenty gold for such a piece, but for you handsome, ten gold.” She smiled warmly.
Sunghoon started digging through his pockets, much to Jay and Jungwon’s astonishment. “You can’t be serious,” Jungwon blinked. “Hyung, tell me you’re not actually considering it.”
“What’s the point?” Jay added as Sunghoon pulled out some of the gold.
Sunghoon handed it over, and she packaged up the necklace nicely before handing it over to him.
“It’s a pleasure doing business with you,” she told him.
“Thank you,” Sunghoon nodded and reached for Jay’s bag to tuck it away, bowing quickly and heading off again with Jay and Jungwon and tow.
“Why did you buy your own necklace?” Jungwon whispered to him.
“I didn’t,” Sunghoon glanced at him. “Those definitely weren’t my pearls, and her story was fake anyway- Jihyo would have never sold something like my necklace to a swindler.” He shook his head. “My pearls from Memor are safe in my chambers. These probably aren’t even from Memor, the shape and colouring are all wrong.” He continued.
“So why’d you buy them?” Jay frowned, confused.
Sunghoon shrugged. “The same reason I brought the broach in the village, a seller tried to convince me it belonged to my hyung. I thought it was funny.” He said. “Anything else you want to see while we’re here?”
It was only a half truth. They may be pearls from Blossom, but he only had the Memor tradition in mind. His eomma once told him of how in Memor, giving a string of pearls to a lover was the equivalent to giving a ring, like the tradition in Chaconne. When his father was courting his eomma, he had gifted her the very pearls she had passed down to him. He was terribly sentimental about anything regarding his eomma, so the idea of then giving those specific pearls away to anyone else wasn’t ideal, but he sort of liked the idea of the tradition. With his own impending engagement, he thought it would be a nice gesture- Blossom pearls purchased in Chaconne for a Memor tradition.
Jungwon pulled him back over to where Jake had bought him sweets, only for Jay to fall victim to his puppy dog eyes. He bought him another bag of sweets, along with a few chocolates for Sunghoon.
“Oh you didn’t have to-”
“I insist.” Jay took his hand and placed the chocolates in his palm, his honey skin a contrast against his own paleness.
A buzz shot up Sunghoon’s hand in his hold, and it faded only when he let go. He ate as they continued to wander through the crowds, Jay’s hand on his lower back to guide him every once in a while when he got too distracted. Jungwon held onto his arm so he didn’t get lost, and he could see Heeseung amongst the people, and assumed that Jake and Sunoo were there along with him. They stopped and tried different delicacies and looked at various items.
Sunghoon’s favourite part about the whole thing was the stories people told. Whether they were real or not, he was enthralled with the whole experience of hearing them. As a child, he didn’t get to travel much outside of the immediate area around the castle, much less somewhere as far away as Flicker or Dimena. Even with Blossom, he had only been a few times, and they were arguably the closest kingdom to their castle, and had only been to Memor once when their Queen had passed and his mother was required to attend the funeral. The closest he had ever gotten to most of the places in their stories was through books or tales from the staff at the castle.
“Your- Solon-ah,” Jay said quietly, glancing around. “We should head back to the ship.”
“In a minute,” Sunghoon waved him off. “So what happened when you found the volcanoes in Dimena?” He asked the merchant, his eyes bright.
Jay reached down and grabbed his hand again, squeezing it. “I can tell you about the volcanoes of Dimena, I’ve read a dozen books on them.” He promised.
Sunghoon shot him a look and frowned. “But I-”
“There you three are,” Jake said, joining them at the table. “They’re almost ready to depart.”
“Where’s your friends?” Sunghoon asked, looking around curiously.
“Back at the ship already,” Jake shrugged. “The crew has stocked up, they’re only waiting for us to depart.”
Sunghoon sighed and bowed to the merchant, who offered him a small smile in return. The old woman picked up a stone, pitch black, sharp and jagged. The part where it had clearly been broken off from a larger piece had peaks and dips, like a wave frozen in time. He observed it curiously, and held his hand out automatically. She placed it carefully in his palm. It was heavy, and it felt almost like glass. The flat parts were smooth and felt nice against his fingers.
“What is it?” He asked, despite the exasperation from his head guard and brother.
“It’s lava that solidified and cooled rapidly. It’s all natural.”
“How much?” He asked curiously, his eyes widening a little.
“It’s free,” she told him. “For listening to an old woman’s stories. Not many people care enough to know where the obsidian comes from before they purchase it.”
“Your stories were my favourite part.” Sunghoon insisted and bowed again. “Thank you, I’ll make sure to treasure it.”
“Safe travels,” she held her left hand up flat before moving it up and down, then left to right, then around in clockwise motion- a gesture familiar to him by one of the chambermaids he had known his eomma had brought with her when she moved to Chaconne, and his nursemaid growing up. It was believed to impart good luck and good fortune on the receiver.
Sunghoon returned the gesture reversed, just as it should be to symbolise his gratitude, and was pleased to see the woman’s face light up in delight. They bid her goodbye and Sunghoon followed Jake back to the ship with a smile on his face as he fidgeted with the obsidian.
“I’ve read about that,” Jay mentioned, which didn’t surprise Sunghoon in the slightest. “How do you know about that?”
“Our Eomma is from Memor,” Jungwon piped up. “That’s one of their customs.”
“I know that. I just didn’t know that they would teach you those sorts of things,” he admitted. “The Crown always seemed more concerned with Chaconians themselves than paying any sort of tribute to anyone else. My parents were devastated to find out Chaconne doesn’t celebrate the Winter Solstice officially despite their close connection with Blossom.”
“Hyung, you’re Blossomer?” Jungwon asked surprised.
Jay nodded. “I lived there for ten years before we immigrated to Chaconne.”
Sunghoon looked at him curiously. “We’ll have to change that when I’m on the throne. With our alliance secured, we should introduce holidays from Blossom to show how strong our bond is.” He nodded once. “And while His Majesty might not concern himself with many Memorian customs, our Eomma likes to share them with us from time to time, and any staff she brought with her like her chambermaids and our nursemaid.”
“I suppose I should’ve guessed you had some exposure, all things considered,” Jay mused. “I mean, you did tell me your nursemaid told you the Children of Vamfield stories.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Jake piped up furrowing his eyebrows.
Jay looked between the three of them. “Vamfield is a real place in Memor,” he said slowly. “Solon is a very traditional Memorian name, which is what I called you in front of the merchant. That’s probably why she did the gesture for you. All the names in those stories are Memorian, except Sooha which is Chaconian.”
They all stared at him as they finally got out of the crowd and headed towards the ship. Jay glanced back at them and blinked a few times.
“What?”
“You mean to tell me our childhood dreams of going to Vamfield are very much a possibility?” Jake asked finally.
Jay shrugged before nodding. “There are probably some restrictions but ultimately, yes.”
Jake turned to Sunghoon. “You lied to me!” He accused him in the most unprofessional manner Sunghoon had seen him in years.
To be fair, he supposed, this Vamfield business had always been very serious for Jake when they were kids. And in the market, they weren’t able to keep proprietary out of necessity, so his mindset was a little different.
It was the first time in a very long time Jake felt like only his best friend and not his head guard at all.
He had missed him, a little bit.
“I did no such thing!” Sunghoon argued back.
“You told me we couldn’t visit Vamfield!” He pointed at him.
“We couldn’t! We were nine!” Sunghoon said, exasperated.
“You said it wasn’t real!” He added.
“How was I to know Vamfield was real? It’s not as if I had ever been to Memor at that point!” He protested. “I didn’t lie to you on purpose!”
“I was heartbroken when you told me I could never meet Jaan in person,” Jungwon sighed dramatically.
Sunghoon turned to him, unimpressed. “While the place is real, I doubt there’s a bunch of vampire lords running around,” he said flatly before turning to Jay. “Right?” He mumbled.
Jay smiled fondly before shrugging again. “The stories must come from somewhere, who’s to say there isn’t? Any real vampire lord would never reveal himself.” He said, laughing as Sunghoon shot him an affronted look.
“Jay-ssi, you’re supposed to be a scholar, a man of knowledge , not speculation!” Sunghoon scowled.
“What is knowledge if not the fruit of speculation, Your Highness?” Jay offered in retaliation.
Sunghoon looked between the three of them, absolutely floored. “This is outrageous.” He deadpanned.
“What’s outrageous?” Heeseung asked curiously, wandering over from where he was speaking with the captain of the ship.
“Vampire lords in Memor.” Jungwon grinned. “We just found out their homeland is real, so we believe it possible to find them.”
“Vampire lords?” Heeseung repeated with furrowed eyebrows, looking at Jay for clarification. “Vampire?”
Jay said something in Blossomer, to which Heeseung looked even more confused.
“You think there’s people feeders in Memor?” He looked between them, absolutely bewildered.
“Is that the direct translation?” Sunghoon blinked, looking up at Jay who winced.
“More or less, it’s not really a concept in Blossom.” He mumbled back.
“No, Your Majesty, that’s not...” Jake looked between all of them, at a loss.
“Sir Jake, perhaps you could accompany me during the launch and tell me about these uh... Vampires?” Heeseung asked him.
Jake glanced at Sunghoon who waved him off in dismissal. Jake looked like he was ready to offer his arm before deciding against it, walking towards the bow of the ship. They drifted closer and closer together as they walked, leaving barely any space between them as they leaned against the rail.
“I’m going to find Sunoo hyung,” Jungwon announced.
“Jungwon-ah, maybe you shouldn’t-” Sunghoon stopped himself as Jungwon turned back to him with a flash of hurt that he covered quickly.
Sunghoon realised then that Sunoo might not be alone in his feelings.
“Go on,” Sunghoon said quietly, nodding toward where Sunoo sat, talking with a bunch of the staff excitedly.
Jungwon lit back up and ran over to join them. He watched Sunoo laugh and greet Jungwon brightly, like they hadn’t seen each other in ages when it was really less than an hour.
“Are they...?” Jay trailed off, glancing at him.
Sunghoon cleared his throat and stepped away from Jay. “I must find the sleeping quarters, I’m exhausted from the ride here. Perhaps later we can have a quick lesson?” He asked. “Being this close to Blossom, I should probably have at least a little bit better of a hold on the language, right?”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Jay bowed to him quickly. “Shall I escort you down? Since your guard is otherwise occupied?” He offered.
Sunghoon shook his head. “That won’t be necessary.” He told him. “Enjoy the launch, Jay- ssi.” He quirked a small smile before turning and heading down into the hull.
A staff member directed him down the hall to where he and Jungwon would be staying. His things were already there, and it wasn’t until he saw his jacket that he realised he was still wearing Jay’s. Sunghoon sat down on the bed and closed his eyes, taking a few deep breaths.
Today had been overwhelming, to say the least. So many revelations, so many sights and sounds and people. He pulled out the obsidian piece from his pocket and turned it over in his hand a few times before setting it carefully to the side, along with his book that had been brought in from the carriage. He finally shedded the jacket, hanging it nicely on the hook by his bed to be returned later. For now, Sunghoon wanted nothing more than to go to sleep and escape everything for a little while.
He curled up on the bed, trying to force his mind to drift far away from today's events.
Somewhere between the warm hand on his back guiding him through the crowd and the knowledge that he was breaking his brother's heart, he fell asleep.
Chapter Text
Sunghoon was woken up in the way of being grabbed by the front of his shirt. His eyes flew open to see a man with a mask over his nose and mouth staring back at him, hatred and anger clear in his eyes. It was the same look that woman had the day in the throne room. Sunghoon thrashed around automatically in response. He managed to strike the assailant across the face and launched himself out of bed.
“Guards!” He yelled, running for the door- he could see the bar across, which meant the man had locked it beforehand. “Guards!”
He yelped as the man pulled him back by his shirt, yanking it so hard the fabric ripped along the seam. He stumbled back, flailing his arms around, trying for another hit while avoiding the knife he pulled from his belt. The moment he could feel the man’s hand across his mouth he bit down, hard enough to draw blood. The coppery, foul taste exploded in his mouth, and he turned enough to spit in the man’s face, causing him to stumble back.
“Guards!” He yelled again, running back for the door again.
He could hear banging and shouts from the other side. He tried to reach the door again, but the man grabbed his ankle and hauled him back. Sunghoon slammed into the floor and he groaned, still trying to kick and scream and fight his way out of the hold. He dodged every attempt the man made to stab him, hissing in pain as he managed to slice his bicep.
“Who are you?” Sunghoon demanded. “Who sent you?”
The man didn’t respond, just continued to go after Sunghoon, who rolled out of the way and managed to finally get up.
All at one the bar across the door clattered to the ground, and the door flung open. The man threw the dagger at Sunghoon, only for him to be pulled out of the way at the last minute. He took one look at the guards filing in before leaping out the window. Minho ran after him, peering out the window.
“I saw him land in the ocean,” he announced. “There’s no way he’d survive the fall, let alone the swim back to shore.”
Sunghoon was still being held, and he was sort of grateful for it because his legs didn’t feel stable enough to hold his weight. Whoever had him put pressure on the cut on his bicep to try and stop the bleeding, and he barely refrained from hissing in pain.
“I thought you two did a sweep,” Jake turned to Minho and Seungmin.
“We did, sir. The ship was cleared.” Seungmin insisted.
“And you were supposed to interview the crew,” Jake turned to Jisung, who held his hands up.
“I did, they all had the appropriate documents stamped by the King himself.” Jisung promised.
“And why was no one posted outside the Crown Prince’s room?” Jake demanded.
“Jake,” Sunghoon tried to stop him before it was too late.
“Well, sir, that’s your job.” Seungmin said after a moment. “You’ve always done it yourself or assigned someone when you’re indisposed.”
Jake was silent, standing up a little straighter.
“So why weren’t you posted outside of the Crown Prince’s room?” Minho turned the question around, assuming his role as Deputy Head Guard.
This wasn’t helping anything. Sunghoon squeezed his eyes shut and leaned further back into whoever was holding him. The guards continued arguing back and forth as some of the Blossom guards joined in, the argument escalating more by the minute.
“Are you alright, Your Highness?” It was Jay’s soft voice in his ear.
“I’m fine,” Sunghoon mumbled back. “I should see a medic though, you can’t stop the bleeding forever.”
Jay nodded in agreement. “Can you stand?” He asked, and Sunghoon nodded slowly, but despite his assurances, Jay did not let go of him. “Can you direct me to the medic?” He asked the Blossom guards.
They all got silent, and Jake’s eyes widened when he finally looked at Sunghoon. “Your Highness, I’m so sorry-”
Sunghoon held up his hand. “I’m the one who dismissed you and then left without informing anyone.” He looked at the Blossom guards again. “The medic, please.”
“Right this way, Your Highness.” One of them bowed, heading out the door.
Jay helped Sunghoon down the hall, Jake joining them after giving a few orders to the rest of his guard.
“Your Highness, please,” Jake whispered. “Please know I had no idea, they told me the ship was clear, I didn’t think there was any threat-”
“Jake-ah,” Sunghoon said quietly. “It’s alright."
“But it’s not, I should’ve been there, someone should’ve been there-”
“Jake,” Sunghoon said firmly. “This isn’t helping. I’ve said it’s alright, the assailant is gone, and what I really want is to get to the medic immediately.”
He fell silent as they continued down the hall, though Sunghoon could tell the guilt continued to weigh down every step he took.
When they arrived at the medics, the nurse rushed forward and helped Jay arrange Sunghoon on the bed. Without the pressure of Jay’s hand on the wound, it bled freely.
“Your Highness, we’ll have to get your shirt off so I can tend to the cut, alright?” She told him. “Would you like to try and salvage the shirt, or may I cut it off?”
“You can just cut it off,” Sunghoon nodded, leaning his head back as she worked quickly with a pair of scissors, cutting the length of satin that kept his shirt laced shut, and down his arm to give her the most room to work with.
The second nurse was sterilising the needle and getting the thread ready for the stitches he would clearly need. He hissed as the first nurse started disinfecting the wound.
“Excuse me, Your Highness, I’ll return momentarily,” Jay said, bowing quickly and taking his leave before Sunghoon could even open his mouth to ask him to stay.
He supposed that it wouldn't be proper to ask him for such a thing. He was grateful Jay had even gone as far as to minimise the bleeding as much as he could, and brought him to the medics office in the first place. Jay was not obligated to stick around the moment he was in someone else’s care.
“Make conversation with me,” Sunghoon told Jake, looking away from where the nurses were prepping to stitch the cut shut. “Distract me, anything. What did you and the Blossom Princes get up to in the market?”
Jake hesitantly recalled his time with the Blossom Princes, about how Heeseung kept buying them both treats and little trinkets.
“He bought Sunoo a refillable quill from Memor,” Jake told him. “To encourage him to write home often once you’re married.”
“We passed that stand too,” Sunghoon nodded. “Jay said that the craftsmanship was terrible, and that real refillable quills are from Flicker.”
“Really?” Jake raised his eyebrow.
“He said he would make me one when we got to Blossom,” Sunghoon winced at a particularly harsh tug. “Perhaps I’ll ask him to make one for Sunoo as well.”
Jake blinked in surprise and opened his mouth to say something when the door swung open. “Hyung,” Jungwon gasped and ran over.
“Jungwon-ah,” Sunghoon greeted.
Jake caught Jungwon before he could throw himself at him at the Crown Princes in bed. “Your Highness, he’s still getting stitches, you’ll have to hug him after.” Jake insisted.
“What happened?” Jungwon frowned, looking between them.
Sunghoon sighed and recounted the attack. There was no point in lying, even if he wished to shield his brother from the truth. The whispers would circulate the ship soon enough, and he had no intention of his brother finding out about it from anyone else.
What he hadn’t accounted for or expected, however, was Jungwon straightening up and turning to Jake with a glare.
“You’re supposed to keep my hyung safe.” He said in a low voice that had Sunghoon shifting in his seat as the nurse finished off the stitches.
“Your Highness, I...” Jake was clearly at a loss, his eyes wide with anxiety and regret.
“Perhaps you should reexamine your priorities on this trip,” Jungwon continued.
“Jungwon-ah,” Sunghoon said quietly as the nurse finished wrapping his bicep with gauze. “It’s not his fault.”
“It is,” Jungwon turned to him sharply. “Perhaps you’re blinded by your friendship with him, but his first job is to keep you alive, hyung. Not galavanting off with the Crown Prince of another country.”
“You’re one to talk,” Jake muttered. “Galavanting off with your brother’s betrothed.”
“They’re not engaged yet!” Jungwon whirled around to face him. “Sunoo hyung is my friend and more importantly, my equal. And perhaps the most important, my connection with him does not put my brother, the Crown Prince, in imminent danger.”
“Leave us, please,” Sunghoon told the nurses, who both bowed.
“Yes, Your Highness,” the head nurse said, stepping out with the second nurse hot on her heels.
It was only then that Sunghoon realised Jay was back in the room, looking anywhere but at them. “Jay-ssi, will you hand me that blanket?” Sunghoon requested, motioning to the corner.
Jay bowed quickly and retrieved it, handing the blanket over. There was a pink hue to his cheeks that Sunghoon decided would be best to unpack later. He could only handle one crisis at a time.
“Jungwon-ah,” He said once he was covered properly. “I was the one who sent Jake off. I’m the one who went off on my own without telling anyone.”
“And he should know you have a habit of doing that!” Jungwon protested. “Or do I need to remind you of the village again?”
“The village wasn’t Jake’s fault, either. It wasn’t even Jihoon’s fault, it was my fault entirely because I am the one who left without a guard being informed.”
Jungwon stamped his foot in frustration, clearly unhappy with the situation no matter what the explanation was. “Then you can’t just keep running off without telling anyone Taehyung, you’re going to get killed!” He shouted.
Sunghoon inhaled sharply. The silence following his words was suffocating. A heaviness swelled in his chest and pushed against his lungs, making it hard to breathe. His ears rang as too many memories came rushing back to him at once, fragments and moments he had been pushing away since he was thirteen. Jungwon didn’t look much better, eyes glassy with unshed tears, reflecting Sunghoon’s devastation back at him.
He hadn’t stopped to consider what these attempts on his life might have looked like to Jungwon. What his moment of freedom might seem like to him. Kingdom and Crown aside, they had lost their eldest brother because he left without a word, because he wanted to escape and be amongst the people.
They didn’t even get to say goodbye.
Something shifted in his chest, and he took a deep breath, clearing the emotions in his throat away. “Jungwon-ah, I’m sorry for leaving without telling anyone,” He said, because someone needed to say it to him. “My guards did their due diligence. They swept the ship and interviewed the crew, and I will admit, that felt secure enough for me. Clearly we were all wrong, and I promise we will all be more diligent in the future.” He nodded to the pair of them. “But fighting amongst ourselves solves nothing. We are all we have right now, Chaconne must seem like an inviolable Kingdom, and we must represent that as a unit.” He softened, dropping his Crown Prince mask to look at his best friend and brother. “I blame neither of you for either of your connections with the Blossom Princes, so you shouldn’t blame each other or yourselves, okay?”
Jungwon sniffled and wiped his eyes quickly. “I’m sorry hyung,” He mumbled to Jake.
“I know,” Jake sighed. “I am too, I shouldn’t have brought Sunoo into this.”
“I started it,” Jungwon chuckled sadly. “I know you care about Sunghoon hyung, I know you’ve dedicated your life to this. I was just scared.”
“I know.” Jake repeated, reaching up and ruffling his hair. “We’ll get through this together. As a unit.” Jake shot Sunghoon a grin, who returned it in earnest.
“And thank you, Jay hyung, for coming to get me.” Jungwon bowed to him quickly.
Jay looked panicked with the Prince bowing to him, and he quickly fell into his own, ninety- degree bow. “It’s really no bother, Your Highness. I figured you would probably want to see him.”
Jungwon looked between Jay and Sunghoon quickly before turning to Jake. “I saw Jisung standing outside, right?” He asked.
Jake nodded. “And Minho and Seungmin are doing a second round of the ship. Apparently they had split off from the Blossomer guards during the first round, so they want to be more thorough this time.”
“Perhaps we could do a headcount then, and see if any staff are missing? We could rule out the possibility that it was a staff member that way.” He offered. “I’d like to help, to make up for my harsh words. With Jisung posted outside, it should be fine.”
“If you’re sure, Your Highness.” Jake bowed quickly, before Jungwon turned to Jay, who was still lingering by Sunghoon’s bed.
“Jay hyung, would you be willing to stay and keep my hyung company?” He requested, and Jay bowed again.
“Of course, Your Highness,” He said, though his tone sounded a little shy and unsure.
“I do not need to be babysat,” Sunghoon protested.
“Don’t think of it as babysitting, just company during your stay in the medical cabin.” Jungwon smiled warmly and stepped forward, kissing Sunghoon’s forehead in a way Sunghoon used to do for him when he was young and sick or terrified by a thunderstorm outside the castle. “Rest well, hyung.” He said softly, heading out with Jake a moment later.
Sunghoon stared at the door, astonished. “He was angry Jake wasn’t around and then immediately steals him away? I will never understand him.” He sighed, leaning back into his pillows.
“Perhaps he was serious about making it up to Jake. You all seem close, and he seemed apologetic.” Jay suggested, pulling up a chair.
“Jake grew up with us, so he always felt like a brother,” Sunghoon sighed, eying Jay warily. “Jay-ssi, you don’t have to stay just because Jungwon asked you to. If you’d like to leave, you may.”
Exhaustion may have been creeping up on him, but he could practically taste the unease that surrounded Jay. Maybe it had been the blood, or the argument, or- well, no. Jay had scrambled out of there as soon as they started working on his wound. He had gone to retrieve Jungwon, sure, but after that he continued to linger by the door and refused to look at him. Was it guilt? Technically, Sunghoon had been lying because he had told Jay that he was going to rest, but it wasn’t like Jay was a trained guard, or knew what the protocol would be for that. And actually, he had denied letting Jay escort him to his room, partly because he hadn’t seen the need, and partly because Jay had a way of making Sunghoon just say whatever was on his mind, good or bad, and he was worried about spilling Sunoo’s secret. He burdened him enough with the talk of Heeseung and Jake, he couldn’t ask him to hold more information like that.
He was also grateful that he hadn't yet asked about the mention of his brother's name. He wasn't sure he had the energy to explain it.
“What makes you think I want to leave?” Jay blinked, settling into the chair comfortably and pulling out a familiar book.
“You just don’t seem at ease,” Sunghoon confessed. “You haven’t since we got here.”
Jay cleared his throat, and that pink hue returned with a vengeance to his cheeks. “It was... improper.” He said finally. “For me to see you like... that.”
Sunghoon glanced down at his bare chest that was now covered with a blanket and pressed his lips together in amusement. “Are you really the same man who demanded I strip down outside so I could seem less Princely?” He couldn’t help but tease.
The pink hue on his cheeks darkened to red and Jay cleared his throat again. “That was different, it wasn’t like I could see anything.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “I would appreciate it if we could move on from this conversation.”
“As you wish,” Sunghoon chuckled, relaxing back in his bed. “What did you bring?”
“I hope it’s alright, I stopped by your room and picked up the Blossomer book. It was on your night stand.” He looked down at it. “My eomma used to read me all kinds of stories from all over when I wasn’t feeling well, and you said you wanted to do a brief lesson before we got to the shores of Blossom. I figured we could hit two birds with one stone this way.” He explained, holding it up. “I’ve marked a few of my favourites, I thought I could read them to you so you could hear what they sound like. Then if you have any questions, you can ask them.”
Sunghoon quirked a small smile, a fondness surging in his chest for the man in front of him. He truly thought of everything, and even factored in things Sunghoon might not have considered when it came to caring for himself. He nodded. “Alright then, it sounds like a good plan to me.” He told him.
Jay nodded in return and opened the book to a marked page and licked his lips before starting in a low voice.
“Is it thy will thy image should keep open; My heavy eyelids to the weary night? Dost thou desire my slumbers should be broken; While shadows, like to thee, do mock my sight?”
He was unsure if it was the way Jay spoke the words with such softness, like every syllable was a precious jewel that needed care to convey the feelings of the writer, or the quiet timber of his voice, but Sunghoon felt lulled into almost a trance-like state as he continued reading the sonnet. He didn’t even stop at the end, instead, moved on to the next one. That one too whispered comfort in his ears and relaxed his muscles.
By the third sonnet, his eyes slid shut, and he was nearly asleep before Jay spoke the last line.
“Sleep well, Your Highness.” Jay murmured. “You’re safe to do so now.” With his permission, Sunghoon dropped off into a much needed rest.
-
He was alone in a room. It was large and decorated with gold and silver. It looked untouchable. Infallible. His footsteps echoed as he took a turn about the room, trying to figure out where he had seen this place before. He would have almost thought it was the throne room back at the castle. Except it couldn’t be.
Up on the raised platform sat an altar in place of his father’s familiar throne. It was large, and long enough that he could lay down on top and there would still be space. Unlike the rest of the decorations about the room, the altar was cracked, weathered down with time. Like a moth to a flame, he was drawn towards the marble slab.
“Your Highness.”
Sunghoon turned around and saw Jay standing on the other side of the room, farthest from the platform. The shadows seemed to rescind around him, a soft glow emanating from his honey skin like his own personal summer day. The smell of pine and wild flowers invaded his senses, an intoxicating combination that came with the faint sound of sparrows in the trees and frogs hidden in the tall grass near a crystal clear pond.
“Jay-ah.” He breathed out.
Jay smiled so softly at him, Sunghoon knew it must have been a dream. The Jay he knew wouldn’t offer him such an unfiltered look of adoration. He held out his hand to him, beckoning him forward. Sunghoon took a single step before he stopped, turning back to the altar which seemed to hum with disscontempt at his drifting attention.
“Your Highness,” Jay repeated, and Sunghoon spared him a glance.
"Why won’t you call me by my name?” He asked quietly.
Jay didn’t respond, but there was a sadness that washed over his face. Still, he held his hand out, silently begging Sunghoon to take it. He took another step forward, before stopping entirely.
“Your Highness?” He frowned.
“I’m sorry,” Sunghoon whispered before turning on his heel and heading back to the altar.
He casted one final glance over his shoulder, only to see the shadows swallow Jay into the darkness.
“No-!” He lurched forward, only for strong hands to grip his biceps and pull him back, slamming him on top of the altar and keeping him there.
Someone was looming over him, blood dripping from their mouths as they grinned at him grotesquely.
“Death to the False King,” They hissed in the old woman’s voice before stepping aside to let a swarm of people, all dressed in black and shadows to hide their faces.
“Death to the False King,” Someone repeated.
The whisper dispersed through the crowd. It was an overwhelming sound, louder than any shout ever could have been. They closed in, closer and closer, before the first knife drove down into his chest.
He screamed in pain, and weakly swatted at their hands, trying to push them off. Another knife in his stomach had him howling. Dagger after dagger landed in his body as the others landed on top of him. They piled up, squeezing all the air out of his lungs, and he foolishly wondered if he would suffocate to death before he would bleed out.
He screamed in agony, he screamed for help. But no one came. When he looked up at the first person who had fallen on top of him, Jihyo’s lifeless eyes were staring back at him-
“-hoon-ah!” Someone shouted.
Sunghoon bolted up, only for his head to come in contact with something hard. He groaned and crumpled back against the pillow. It was damp with sweat and tears and he squeezed his eyes shut as his heart rate slowed and the pain in his forehead subsided.
The door opened, and Jisung stood there with his sword poised.
"I heard shouting," Jisung gripped his sword, looking around the room. "What happened?"
"It's alright Jisung," Sunghoon waved him off. "It was just a nightmare."
"Are you sure, Your Highness? I could do a sweep of the room, if you'd like." He insisted.
Sunghoon cracked open his eyes and offered him a small smile. "It's alright," he repeated soothingly. "There's nothing you can do about a dream. Please return your post."
"Should I send for the Second Prince? Or Jake?" Jisung offered, slowly putting his sword away.
"It's late, don't bother them now. Thank you for your concern, Jisung." Sunghoon insisted.
Jisung glanced at Jay, who had his gaze fixed on Sunghoon. He seemed to relax a touch and bowed. "Of course, Your Highness. Call if you need anything else."
Sunghoon nodded and Jisung stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. He found it rather funny that Jay had gone from being denied entrance to his room due to unfamiliarity, to being trusted enough to be in one alone with him.
“Are you alright, Your Highness?”
He glanced over to see Jay sitting on the edge of the bed, concern so clear on his face that it was palpable in the air, and a red mark on his forehead from where they collided. Horrifyingly, his throat closed around his words until he was choking on the reassurances he had given to Jisung so easily. Tears sprang to his eyes.
Scared didn’t even begin to describe what he was feeling. Devastated, terrified, lost. Nothing seemed good enough.
Without so much as a word, Jay seemed to understand Sunghoon’s plight. He reached forward and took his hand in his, squeezing it gently before rubbing circles across his knuckles with his thumb. It was such a small, simple gesture, but it alone seemed to calm him down. Selfishly, Sunghoon almost wanted to ask for more contact, something to ground him further. But he had enough mind to remember his state of undress, and how awkward Jay had been about it, and settled for the small comfort instead.
“Your Highness,” he started quietly.
“Why won’t you call me by my name?” Sunghoon interrupted, his voice hoarse from shouting.
Just like in his dream, Jay fell silent and wouldn’t answer him. Sunghoon sighed and squeezed his hand, closing his eyes. “Can you say it? Just once?” He whispered.
Maybe if Dream Jay had said his name, he would’ve made a better choice. Maybe he wouldn’t have had to endure such a terror from the deepest, darkest corner of his mind. It was just a dream, but the ache in his chest wouldn’t go away. The pressure just kept building and building, until he feared he may explode.
Dream Jay had no chance though, because this Jay, the one sitting in front of him, had never said his name before. It wasn’t something he could imagine.
Just like Dream Jay, however, he felt so close, and yet just out of reach. “Your Hi-”
“Jay-ah,” he interrupted quietly. “Please.”
His voice cracked on the word, and despite his seeming discomfort with Sunghoon, Jay gathered him in his arms before the sobs started to wrack his body. Sunghoon clung to him, trying to muffle the sound of his cries against his shoulder so as not to alert the guard outside.
“I’ve got you,” Jay murmured into his hair. “I’ve got you, Sunghoon-ah.”
Jay said his name the same way he read poetry. It was soft and careful, like it was precious and full of a deeper meaning only he understood. There was cadence to it, he spoke it like a song not yet sung, like a flower not yet bloomed. There was hope and potential and anticipation, like winter on the cusp of spring.
For a moment in time, Sunghoon didn’t feel like there was a wide chasm between him and those around him. With a single utterance of his name, Jay built a bridge and let him cross it, just so he could hold him.
Tomorrow, they would pretend this never happened. It would remain in the darkness, kept like a secret they would never share.
So Sunghoon let the Crown Prince mask slip away, the faux bravery and calmness going with it, and let himself be scared.
And he let himself be comforted for it.
-
The next morning, Jay was still asleep in his chair, his fingers laced with Sunghoon’s.
Sunghoon let himself have one more stolen moment before quietly extracting his hand away from him.
Jay slowly woke up, yawning and stretching. “Morning, Your Highness.” He mumbled.
“You didn’t have to stay there all night you know,” Sunghoon reminded him. “You could have gone back to your own room.”
“I figured you shouldn’t be alone right now.” Jay shrugged. “I am going to get cleaned up though, will you be alright?” He asked, standing up and stretching.
And that was that. Without even discussing it, they both put last night behind them.
Sunghoon nodded and rested against the pillow again. “We should get to Blossom today, so prepare for docking.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Jay bowed his head. “Would you like for me to plan a lesson for today?”
Sunghoon shook his head. “There’s much to do before we arrive, perhaps something for the carriage ride that you could look over after?”
Jay collected his jacket and the second book he had brought for himself. “Alright, I can do that. I’ll send your guard in to help you to your room.”
“Oh, I don’t need-”
Jay shot him a look that made it clear that it wasn’t up for discussion. Sunghoon clamped his mouth shut and nodded once, thoroughly reprimanded without a single word spoken.
Jay could give Jihoon a run for his money in that regard.
“You’ll have to forgive me, Your Highness. Everyone is far more on edge after the assassination attempt, and I think it would look terrible if after all that, you still wandered the halls alone.” He sighed after a moment.
“I understand,” Sunghoon told him honestly. “And I appreciate your concern, Jay-ssi.”
Jay opened his mouth like he was going to say something before he promptly closed it. “I’ll see you for lunch, Your Highness.” He bowed his head and slipped out the door.
Minho enter a moment later with a bow. “Jay-ssi told me you would need assistance heading to your room.” He informed him.
Sunghoon merely nodded and let Minho fuss over him, for lack of a better word. They gathered the Blossomer book Jay had brought, the blanket Sunghoon had used to cover himself, and the tattered remains of his shirt.
“Are you sure you still want this, Your Highness?” Minho frowned at the ruined fabric. “I don’t think you can salvage this.”
“Perhaps not,” He agreed quietly. “But I’d like to keep it, all the same.”
Minho sighed but folded it over his arm. Sunghoon wrapped the blanket around his shoulders and followed his guard out of the room, all the way back to his own quarters. He washed up carefully, avoiding the stitches, and got dressed in something decidedly more Princely than he had been wearing yesterday. He hoped it would send a message that he was not deterred by what happened, that he was still strong.
When he looked in the mirror, he hoped he could trick himself too.
He opted out of breakfast and decided instead to wander around the boat with Minho trailing behind him. They didn’t speak, but Sunghoon didn’t mind. It gave him time to think.
Eventually, he made his way to the top deck. Sunghoon stood at the bow of the ship, watching the waves crash against the hull.
“Sunghoon-ah,” a familiar voice called out, and he turned to face the future King of Blossom.
“Hi hyung,” Sunghoon nodded his head in greeting. “Care to join me?”
Heeseung slid up beside him. His hands were folded behind his back and his shoulders were squared, which typically meant that this conversation would be between Crown Princes, instead of two friends. Sunghoon mirrored his posture, wincing just barely at the tug of his stitches. The moment of pain was not unnoticed by Heeseung, who shot him a concerned look. He merely shook his head once and took a deep breath, relishing in the smell of the ocean air.
“I would like to apologise for what happened yesterday.” He said quietly. “I fear I was the reason your Head Guard was otherwise occupied.”
Sunghoon barely glanced at him. “It’s alright. I’ve already told Jake I don’t blame him. It would be pretty hypocritical of me to hold it against you.” He sighed. “What happened yesterday was no one’s fault but my own, truly. Please don’t worry about it.”
“Of course I’m worrying about it, and you should too.” Heeseung disagreed. “Sunghoon-ah, twice now people have tried to take your life. Is that not concerning to you?”
“Of course it’s concerning, but what good does worrying get me? If I start worrying about everything, I’ll get nothing done. It’s best if I don’t think about it and instead just focus on the task at hand- negotiating the terms of the alliance.” He looked up at the clear sky and basked in the warmth of the sun for a moment longer. “You don’t have to apologise for anything, alright? I lived, I’m okay, that’s all that matters.”
It was a brave face he was slowly becoming accustomed to putting on when it came to anyone mentioning the assassination attempts.
Anyone but Jay, that was.
He pushed that thought away immediately- whatever moment of weakness he had last night would not happen again. It could not. If not for his sake, then for Jay’s. Much like how he wouldn’t share his deepest feelings with Jake out of fear of his father’s retaliation, he didn’t want to put Jay in that situation, either.
“When we reach the castle, I would like you to see a physician right away,” Heeseung added. “Just to take a look at your arm.”
“When we reach the castle, I will first pay my respects to the Dowager Queen and the late King. After I am sure you and Prince Sunoo are well, then I will have the physician look at my arm.” He promised.
“What do you mean, when you’re sure we are well?” Heeseung blinked in surprise.
“You’re my friend first before anything else, hyung. You just lost your father. And while you and Sunoo seem to be handling the news well, it may be different when you’re actually home.” Sunghoon explained.
“Yes well, as the Crown Prince, I’ve gotten very good at distancing myself from who I am and who I am meant to be. My feelings and the feelings of the Crown rarely ever align.” He glanced at Sunghoon, who kept his eyes on the horizon. “A talent I imagine you are becoming increasingly more familiar with.”
Sunghoon took another deep inhale. “Does it ever get easier?” He breathed out.
From the corner of his eye, he could see Heeseung fix him with an understanding smile. “Heavy the head that wears the crown.” He offered instead.
Sunghoon nodded in agreement, and they lapsed back into silence.
The Crown may be a heavy thing to hold, but he appreciated that for a moment, it didn’t feel like he was the only one.
Chapter Text
They arrived in Blossom a few hours later, and Sunghoon marveled at the sight of the pier. Intricate hand painted banners were hung along the outside of the seaside store fronts, and people raised bouquets of beautiful purple and white flowers in their direction. He could vaguely make out some of the greetings the Blossomers were shouting, but the thing that struck him was the energy. The music that drifted up to them, joining the voices of the people like a song, serenading them as they readied themselves to depart the boat.
Heeseung seemed surprised at the fanfare that greeted them.
“What’s all this?” Heeseung asked one of the footmen waiting for them at the bottom of the gangway.
“A warm welcome for our new King, Your Majesty.” He bowed.
Heeseung’s eyes widened a fraction and he looked out at the crowd, waving shyly. Sunoo joined him at his side, smiling widely and encouraging his brother to do the same.
Jay joined his stride down the gangway, leaning over to him. "They're saying Long Live The King," he murmured to him. "And they're using flower language too. Those are purple clematis, they symbolise royalty. And those are chamomile and primrose, which stand for energy in adversity and new beginnings."
"So you speak Chaconian, Blossomer, and now Flower, is that it?" Sunghoon teased him.
"I also dabble in Flickian and Memorian," Jay shot him a small smirk before he turned back to the scene in front of them, his smile shifting into something more genuine. "But it seems like Prince Heeseung is well love here. The people want him to be king."
Sunghoon looked back at his hyung and his betrothed. They greeted their people warmly, somehow familiar with a town of strangers. Sunoo seemed to be thriving under the attention, chatting with everyone he passed, however briefly. Heeseung wasn't as outgoing, but he smiled warmly and bowed his head, accepting the clematis, primrose and chamomile until his had his own brilliant bouquet.
Well, at least one good thing that would come from their marriage is that Sunghoon could trust the social events to Sunoo. He wasn't nearly as outgoing as the younger Prince, perhaps it would be nice have someone to fill the awkward silence.
He watched Jay crouch down to retrieve a fallen primrose from the ground and offered it to a little girl who had been hiding behind her eomma's skirt. Sunghoon nearly slowed his pace to see if he could hear the Blossomer spoken, but he continued forward with Jake at his side.
"There's something we need to discuss," Jake mumbled in broken Memorian.
They had picked it up as children from their nursemaid, and used it around the guards and staff when they wanted to have a sense of privacy. He knew Jake had fallen off of it and hadn't really spoken it since, but he had kept up a casual study for his eomma's sake. So the fact that Jake felt the need to speak in another language had him rolling his shoulders back, a carefully soft but neutral look on his face.
"When we get to the castle," Sunghoon mumbled back. "When we get to my chambers."
Jake didn't respond, and Sunghoon didn't expect him to.
There was a second carriage there to greet them at the end of the pathway, which suggested that the Chaconne Princes and Blossom Princes travel separately.
“There will be no need for that,” Heeseung waved them off. “We will all travel together.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The footman bowed and opened the carriage door for them.
One by one, they climbed inside. Jungwon took his place across from Heeseung, who had Sunoo by his side.
“Your Highness,” Jay caught up with him again, a chamomile tucked behind his ear.
Sunghoon paused, a little distracted at how the pretty blossom complimented his honey glazed skin before he realised Jay was holding out a sheet and board, along with a quill.
“Your homework, Your Highness,” He offered with a small but cheeky smile.
“No ink?” Sunghoon raised his eyebrow, accepting the small package of items.
“A refillable quill from my own collection, Your Highness. It should last you the journey.” Jay explained. “Unless of course, you continue to scribble out your answers. Then I fear it may not last past the first question,” He joked.
Sunghoon scoffed. “You are insufferable.” He told him blandly.
“Of course, Your Highness,” Jay bowed his head, before once more offering his hand to help him into the carriage.
Sunghoon hesitated for a moment before he accepted the help and got in. He pulled the chamomile out from behind his ear and offered it to him. Sunghoon accepted it with a small nod, and Jay shot him one more smile before heading to the front of the carriage to join the driver.
Energy in adversity, Jay had told him.
He tucked it into his inside pocket and immediately turned to his homework, determined to make something of it before they arrived at the castle.
He was perhaps too invested in going over the sheet, since he hadn't realised the other occupants of the carriage were looking at him amused until he looked up at Heeseung to ask a question. The words died on his tongue immediately.
“What?” He looked between them all, bewildered.
“You should be careful, hyung. Unless you want the rumours of your Special Guest to spread to Blossom as well.” Jungwon teased him.
Sunghoon looked at him, affronted. “Excuse me?”
“I heard Jay hyung was in the medical ward all night,” Jungwon whispered, so the taunts would stay in the carriage alone. “I heard he didn’t leave until the morning.”
“Since when were you such a gossip?” Sunghoon blinked. “You were the one who insisted he stay to keep me company while you and Jake investigated.” He pointed out.
“And did you need his... company? All night long?” Heeseung joined in, trying and failing to keep his teasing smile from his lips.
Sunghoon shot him an incredulous look. “We were working on my Blossomer, and fell asleep.” He said, which was not entirely the truth, but also not a lie.
“Your guard, Jisung, said there was an incident last night, and that Jay hyung was with you.” Sunoo confessed, and Sunghoon felt a dramatic sense of betrayal fill him as Sweet Sunoo started in on the teasing.
“Jisung is in the business of gossiping now, is that right?” He asked, his head on a constant swivel between them.
“It wasn’t gossip so much as a report to Jake hyung, whom we were all with when he made such a report. I don’t think it was his intention to actually gossip.” Jungwon added. “So what was this incident that Jisung was not equipped enough to explain?”
Sunghoon turned his gaze out the window, away from their awaiting eyes. Flashes of his dream, of his nightmare, of the events following filled his mind, but he couldn’t put them into words. If he closed his eyes, he could still smell the musk that seemed to follow Jay around as he pressed his nose into his shoulder. He could remember the feeling of shattering like a crystal glass on a ballroom floor, and how Jay held him tight enough to keep all his pieces in place. It was the first time in a long time he had let his emotions overcome him in that way, and he wasn’t even mortified the way he thought he should be. He only felt relief.
But he couldn’t explain that to them without unravelling everything else. He swallowed and sat up a little straighter, slamming his mask into place, effectively pushing those thoughts and memories far from his head.
“Nothing of concern,” He said briskly, refocusing on his sheet. “Now, if you’ll allow me a moment of silence, I would very much like to work on this Blossomer assignment from my tutor so I may have a half decent conversation with the Queen Dowager.”
“Hyung...” Jungwon said quietly having sensed the shift in energy, looking at the Blossom Princes, who grew quiet at the turn in mood. “We were only teasing.”
“I know,” Sunghoon nodded, and he softened a little so Jungwon wouldn’t think he was mad of all things. “But there’s nothing to tease or tell. Jay-ssi simply followed an order, your order, may I add, and that’s all there really is to it. Nothing else happened.” He told him, holding up the sheet and portable desk. “So, please, allow me a moment so I don’t make a total fool of myself in front of the Queen Dowager today. My first impression as a suitor of her son is important.” He reminded him.
Jungwon fell quiet and Sunghoon felt guilty about it, but at the end of the day, this is what he was here to do. And frankly, he wasn’t sure how Blossom looked upon Special Guests, or if the whispers of him bringing one with him, no matter how false they were, would seem like an insult to the Crown.
The other three engaged in quiet conversation about all the festivities that would be coming in the next few weeks, what with the late King’s celebration of life, Sunoo’s birthday and the Summer Solstice all around the corner, every day would be filled with excitement. While he was focused on the sentences before him, he also was half paying attention to Heeseung’s explanation of what a celebration of life would entail.
“Instead of going into an official period of mourning, we prefer to celebrate the life they lived,” Heeseung explained. “My father was a good King and a great man, so his celebration of life will be massive. It’ll last a week, at least. Which will bring us to June 20, the Summer Solstice, which is celebrated until June 22. Then we get a day of recovery before it’s Sunoo’s birthday. After that, I’ll have an official coronation.”
“Oh wow, so the Kingdom will be in a constant state of celebration for like, two weeks?” Jungwon asked in wonder.
Heeseung nodded. “It also means gifts from the castle to the surrounding villages, and then we send representatives from the castle out to the Duke’s farther away to ensure they follow suit. But we’ve never really had issues with it before.”
“It’s a lot of fun,” Sunoo added. “And hyung says there’s a day break between the Solstice and my birthday, but honestly the festivities are so constant that it doesn’t really feel like it. We get to go out to the village and participate in the Solstice activities with them, and then we invite them to the castle for my birthday.”
“And the people love Sunoo, so,” Heeseung grinned proudly. “Really, I know it’s not the right circumstances, but this is the best time for you two to be visiting.”
They continued to chat as Sunghoon struggled through the worksheet. He furrowed his eyebrows and mouthed the words, but the translation wasn’t coming to him.
“Need help, hyung?” Sunoo offered, leaning forward curiously.
“I can’t remember what this word means,” Sunghoon confessed, turning the sheet to Sunoo.
“It’s a greeting, it’s the polite way of saying ‘nice to see you again’.” Sunoo advised. “The rest of what you’ve written is right though.”
Sunghoon nodded and wrote down the answer. “Can I go through the pronunciation with you?” He asked, looking up at him pleadingly. “I would ask Jay but he’s obviously a little out of reach.” He motioned to where he knew Jay was sitting with the driver.
“Of course, yeah,” Sunoo nodded, sitting up a little straighter.
Sunoo was patient and kind with him about his pronunciation, but he felt a little silly and self conscious doing it, especially in front of Heeseung who also piped up with subtle corrections and explanations. Not for the first time, he desperately wished he had at least a few more days with Jay to perfect at least the first conversation, but it was becoming increasingly clear they were running out of time.
They had only spent a few hours in the carriage before the peaks of the castle came up over the ridge.
“Sunghoon-ah, I’m serious,” Heeseung said suddenly. “You get your arm checked once we get inside.”
“After I greet the Dowager Queen,” Sunghoon argued. “It doesn’t even hurt that much, it’ll survive a few more hours.”
“Is it really bad?” Sunoo asked quietly. “They wouldn’t tell us anything.”
Sunghoon shrugged his good shoulder. “It could have been worse,” He said honestly. “The assailant jumped out the window when he saw all the guards come in, and there was pressure on it until I could get it stitched up.” He told him. “I’m okay now, don’t worry.”
Before long, the carriage pulled to a stop, and there was even more fanfare greeting them than at the dock, if that was possible. Staff, lords, ladies and even the Dowager Queen herself were there, waiting for Heeseung, who they let get out first. The Dowager Queen moved forward and embraced Heeseung without a second thought.
Just as Sunghoon suspected, the moment Heeseung was in his mother’s arms, his brave facade he had in place since finding out about his father’s passing fell away, and he was simply a boy seeking comfort from his eomma. Sunoo joined them shortly, and Sunghoon and Jungwon stayed off to the side to give them space.
Jake stood next to Jungwon, which left Jay to stand at Sunghoon’s other side. “How did the Blossomer sheet go?” Jay mumbled to him.
“Good, Sunoo looked over some of my work and he said I did well. He and hyung helped me with some pronunciation on the way over. I’m not sure I got it as well as I could have, but I think I’ll be okay, at least for the first conversation.” He paused. “However, I would rather have you translate than flounder through the conversation at the risk of a miscommunication, so stay close, okay?”
“Of course, Your Highness. Always.” Jay bowed his head a little, and Sunghoon tried not to pay any attention to the warmth in his chest that spread down to his fingertips and toes as he passed the board and quill to Jay.
He looked up as the Dowager Queen called his name and stood up a little straighter with a small smile.
“Queen Jisoo,” He bowed ninety-degrees, encouraging the rest of his entourage to do the same. “Thank you for welcoming us into your home on such short notice.” He said in the best Blossomer he could muster, a little reserved with such a large audience.
“Nonsense Prince Sunghoon, you know you and your family are always welcome here, regardless of the circumstances. You are to be family soon anyway, so it’s really no bother.” She held her arms out to him as Jay translated in his ear. “Now, stop acting like a stranger, I’ve known you since you were a boy.”
Sunghoon offered a bit of a wider smile, but Jungwon beat him to the hug. She chuckled and held onto him, before opening up the hug to include Sunghoon the way she had held her own sons. Sunghoon joined without a second thought.
“Heeseung sent word about what happened before you left,” She whispered in broken Chaconian. “You will be safe here. I promise.”
He nodded once. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” He mumbled back in Blossomer.
She released them both. “I will leave you to get settled then, I know it must have been a long journey. We will reconvene for your banquet dinner tonight.”
Sunghoon nodded and they bowed again, thanking her for her kindness. He was thankful that he retained enough of Jay’s lessons to mostly understand what the Queen was saying.
Seungmin, who had somehow ended up on Gaeul duty, handed the pup off to Jungwon as they were led to their own chambers.
“Jungwon-ah, you can’t expect the guards to look after Gaeul when you’re the one who insisted she come along,” Sunghoon scolded him.
“Seungmin hyung likes dogs, and Minho hyung just likes animals in general,” he pointed at Jay. “He brought Gyeoul along, and I don’t see you scolding him.”
“I didn’t choose the horse I rode because it was the Prince’s,” Jay furrowed his eyebrows. “She just seemed to like me when we were grabbing them. Jisung said it would be fine.” He turned to Sunghoon. “So she’s your horse?”
Sunghoon nodded. “We had a horse handler on board though, so I didn’t see an issue.” He shrugged. “She’s a little temperamental when it comes to strangers, but if they had any issues they knew they could’ve come get me.” He turned back to Jungwon. “So that is entirely different than sneaking my dog on this trip who was perfectly safe in the kitchens.” He raised his eyebrow.
“She can be a guard dog,” Jungwon said defensively, holding her close. “She can bark you awake if there’s an attacker.”
Sunghoon sighed and reached over at the very non-threatening pup who did nothing but lean into his touch and lick at his palm. “Oh yes, she’s terrifying.” He said dryly, but his heart wasn’t in it. “I appreciate the thought, Jungwon-ah.” He said finally. “I’ll ask the chambermaids to get her a bed and some food right away.”
Jungwon nodded and handed her off to Sunghoon as they reached his room. “I’ll meet you in your chambers, I’m just going to get settled.”
Sunghoon nodded and they continued down the hall to the next room, which was presented as his. The footman that was guiding them spoke nervously fast, and Sunghoon tried to refrain from furrowing his eyebrows to not further induce any panic in the poor man.
“The guards and tutor will be staying just down the hall instead of the servants quarters. It was a request of King Heeseung’s due to the issues you’ve been experiencing. King Heeseung said to keep your guards close to you.” Jay mumbled to him.
“The guards and you?” Sunghoon looked at him surprised.
“Unless you have another translator on staff.” Jay raised his eyebrow in return, amusement on his face. “He said your guards and translator, those were His Majesty’s words specifically.”
“And the rest of my staff?” He asked, turning to the footman, Jay repeating the words in Blossomer.
“They will stay in the servants quarters with the rest of the staff. Their accommodations are fair, Your Highness, and they’ll be shown the quickest route to your wing of the castle.” Jay translated for him.
“Thank you,” Sunghoon said, for both the footman and Jay’s efforts.
Jake remained with him while Jay followed the rest of his guards down the hall to assist them in translating any of their own questions. He did a sweep of the room before ushering Sunghoon inside.
“Okay,” Sunghoon nodded, setting Gaeul on the bed as he pulled the chamomile blossom out from his pocket, carefully slipping it between the pages of one of the Vamfield books. “What did you want to tell me?”
“We’re missing a footman.” Jake said quietly.
Sunghoon blinked in surprise, before a deeply unsettled feeling rose in his chest. “Is that so?”
“Everyone’s papers were clean. Jisung checked them twice.” He added, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.
Sunghoon frowned, setting Gaeul down on the floor carefully. “What are you saying, Jake?” He asked slowly.
“I’m not saying anything, Your Highness, because anything I say could be considered treason.” Jake pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, presenting it to Sunghoon wordlessly.
Sunghoon took it, unfolding it without a moment of hesitation. At first glance, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The papers looked as they always did- information about the staff member, what their job typically entailed, any additional talents they may have that would lend themselves well to the job. And at the bottom it was signed and stamped with the royal seal to indicate that they were approved by the King himself to be on the staff. At first, he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to be looking at. While he hadn’t approved any staff members himself before, his father had taught him how to do it and what to look for, and gave him a mock trial for it when it came to picking his personal guard.
Then he thought about what Jake had said about how him saying anything would be considered treason and sat up straight. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“No, Your Highness, that would be considered treason.” Jake said firmly. “But I do think it’s curious that anyone from the outside who enters the castle is thoroughly examined and patted down extensively specifically to weed out any hidden weapons, and somehow the one on the old woman was missed despite its large size.”
Sunghoon stared at the sheet. “So you think he’s approving these attempts?” He did not have to specify who he was.
“I would never say that out loud, Your Highness.” Jake said instead.
Sunghoon frowned, staring at the Royal seal. He traced the pattern in the wax that was supposed to mean safety and security. Even a few days ago, Sunghoon would have thought Jake’s accusations were ridiculous. But he thought back to the manic look in his father's eye as he demanded he refer to him as nothing but Your Majesty, and the threats he made against Jake, Jungwon and Wonyoung. He swallowed harshly, but didn’t get a chance to answer him when the door opened to reveal Jungwon and Jay.
“Look who I found lurking,” Jungwon teased.
“I wasn’t lurking!” Jay protested immediately. “I just wasn’t sure what the procedure was if there wasn’t a page or guard outside the room.”
“You can just come in,” Sunghoon said, quickly folding the paper and shoving it in his pocket as he stood. “You don’t need to wait for a page or guard.”
“If just anyone can walk in, what’s the point of the page or the guard?” Jay frowned.
“Just anyone can’t. You can.” Sunghoon clarified, heading over to where his luggage had been unloaded. “Jungwon and Jake do it, I’m giving you permission as well.”
He pulled out a piece of parchment, matches, a candle, and his personal seal. Hidden in the bottom of his bag was the quill box he had purchased from Jay’s shop in the village. He uncapped his ink, dipping the quill quickly, and wrote out his expressed permission to allow Jay entry before lighting the candle. He let the wax drip onto the page, and when the puddle was big enough, rested his seal on top.
The whole thing was done in total silence. He blew the candle out and set it aside, careful to not drip the wax on a desk that was not his. He carefully peeled his seal off when he deemed it dry enough and looked over to Jake expectantly. “Can you sign off as the witness, please?”
Jake walked over and picked the quill up carefully. “Your Highness, this won’t help the rumours,” He mumbled to him, leaning over the paper but not quite signing it.
“I don’t care about the rumours anymore,” Sunghoon said bluntly. “With everything that’s going on, if there’s an emergency, the last thing I want is for anyone I might need to be stopped at the door.”
Jake sighed and signed off despite his protests. Sunghoon blew on the ink to help it dry quicker before he folded it and handed it over to Jay.
“You trust me?” Jay asked quietly, looking up at Sunghoon.
“With my life.” Sunghoon murmured back.
They remained frozen for a moment before Jay accepted the paper and put it into his pocket. Before anyone could say anything more, there was a knock at his door.
“The Royal Physician, Your Highness. Sent by His Majesty, King Heeseung.” Jisung’s voice filtered in through the heavy wood, and Sunghoon groaned, dropping his head into his hands.
“He’s so annoying.” Sunghoon mumbled, pressing the heel of his hands into his eyes. “I told him I was fine.”
“He cares about you, Your Highness. There’s nothing wrong with having one more person dedicated to your well being.” Jake pointed out.
Sunghoon sighed again. “Let him in,” He called out, already working on his jacket and waistcoat.
“Should we leave, Your Highness?” Jay asked, eyebrows furrowed.
Sunghoon shook his head and shrugged off his outer layers, sitting on the couch so the physician could come in to take a look at his arm.
-
The visit was quick and relatively painless, and then the chambermaids were coming in to help him get ready for the big dinner the Queen Dowager had planned for them. Jungwon was whisked away by his own chambermaids, which left Jake and Jay in the room with him. Jake took his position between Sunghoon and the door while the chambermaids worked, and Jay found a spot on the floor to play with Gaeul, much like he did the last time he was around for this process.
Then one of the chambermaids asked Jay a question, and he smiled shyly and answered in Blossomer. The maid lit up and they were suddenly in a lengthy discussion about something or other. Sunghoon recognized a few words here and there, a couple phrases he remembered learning, but other than that, he was completely lost. It didn’t help that Jake was fairly fluent in Blossomer as well, which meant everyone around him was engaged in the conversation, while Sunghoon had to sit there quietly as the chasm between him and the rest of the room widened for a completely different reason.
He was ready in no time and ushered out of the room in a dark blue ensemble with white and gold detailing. Sunghoon found he was merely going through the motions, a numbness settling into his bones as he donned his Crown Prince mask. It was far easier to disassociate from the world for a while then try to make sense of all the jumbled information in his brain. Jake’s accusations against his father, all the Blossomer he’s learned and desperately tried to retain, the nightmare that still lurked in the corners of his mind- it was all a big mess he couldn’t be bothered to sort through. He was on autopilot, bowing when he should and following the others down the hall, all the way to the banquet hall.
“Your Highness, are you okay?” Jay whispered, startling Sunghoon out of the monotony he found himself in.
He glanced at Jay quickly, surprised to see the concern etched in every crevice of his face. “I’m alright,” he said quietly. “Don’t worry about me.”
Jay shot him a smile that suggested that worrying about him was just something he was going to have to accept. It made Sunghoon’s heart ache a little. He opened his mouth to say something, only for the sound of horns and an announcement of his arrival to interrupt him. He turned back to the front quickly and headed into the grand banquet hall.
“Prince Sunghoon,” the Queen Dowager greeted warmly. “Welcome.”
“Thank you for hosting, Your Highness.” Sunghoon said in his careful Blossomer, bowing to her before joining her, Heeseung and Sunoo at the table with Jungwon, who had been returned to their party after being changed.
Dinner was a rather quick affair. The Queen Dowager must have known after such a long journey, their socialising would be abysmal. Sunghoon leaned over to Heeseung, who sat to his right. “I wanted to thank you for having my guards and translator room so close to my chambers. And for sending the physician.”
“I figured you would want them close,” Heeseung smiled softly. “I also figured you wouldn’t actually seek the physician out yourself. What did he say?”
“Nothing,” Sunghoon admitted. “Just that I was lucky it didn’t cut any deeper and that it was cleaned and stitched well. If I’m lucky there will be minimal scarring.”
Heeseung nodded. “I’ll be busy with the preparations for all the festivities taking place over the next few weeks, and nothing will be finalised until my official coronation, but I was wondering if you would like to start negotiations tomorrow? Just so we have a base to work off of? It’s my understanding that his Majesty wants the wedding in Chaconne.”
Sunghoon could feel Jungwon’s eyes on him, and he could see Sunoo sneaking glances at them from Heeseung’s other side. He tried to ignore it, because if he didn’t, the guilt would eat him up alive.
“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll take a look at the list from His Grace tonight.” He bowed his head a little, and they resumed eating.
The rest of the dinner was delicious yet uneventful, the conversations staying mainly between the Queen Dowager and her sons. They spoke about the plans for the celebrations, and Sunghoon was delighted to hear that the Flickian Princes would be making an appearance for the festivities.
Then they were released back to their chambers, where Sunghoon dressed down to his night clothes and curled up in front of the fire with his book of Blossomer poems, Gaeul at his feet.
He fell asleep like that.
-
He was in a long hallway that seemed to stretch past where he could see. When he glanced out the window, he could tell it was meant to be the clearing near the castle back in Chaconne, but it wasn’t as he remembered. The grass was a sickly yellow and the pond was bone dry. The cattails that curtained it were shrivelled up, revealing a destroyed duck’s nest in the ruin.
Just like the throne room, it was a place so familiar, and yet, just not right. He had to pick a direction. One, he knew, led towards the throne room. The other led towards the library.
He would like to think he learned from his last dream. If Jay offered his hand, Sunghoon would take it. The sunshine Jay had to spare would chase away the shadows slowly closing in on him.
“Sunghoon-ah.” A soft, familiar, warm voice called his name, and Sunghoon turned towards him immediately.
“Jay-ah.” Sunghoon breathed out, managing to take three steps towards him before-
“Your Highness.”
He stopped cold in his tracks.
This couldn’t be happening.
Sunghoon knew he shouldn’t. The look on Dream Jay’s face suggested as much. But he couldn’t help it when the title was thrown out again by another, younger voice.
He turned towards the other end of the hall where Jake and Jungwon stood, waiting for him expectantly. With them, his baby sister who he hadn't seen in nearly a month. Wonyoung smiled warmly and waved to him, and his chest felt like it was caving in. He missed her, and he was certain the guilt of leaving her behind while he ran off to Blossom would remain in his heart long after they returned.
“Your Highness, you’re going to be late,” Jake said, standing at attention. “We mustn’t keep them waiting.”
“Who?” Sunghoon took a step towards them.
“Sunghoon-ah,” Jay said softly.
He barely had a chance to turn his head towards Jay before Jungwon was calling his title again. His head felt heavy, his shoulders weighed down by an invisible cloak. He looked up to the window to see his reflection sporting an ornate golden crown reserved for the King, and the heavy fur passed down for generations for their coronations.
“Your Majesty, your people are waiting.” Wonyoung insisted.
“But Jay...” Sunghoon turned back to look at Jay, only to see him further away than he remembered.
“Your Majesty, there’s no time,” Jungwon insisted, reaching out for him- when had he gotten so close?
“But-” Sunghoon looked over his shoulder again in time to see shadowed hands latch onto Jay’s arms.
Unlike his last dream, Jay did not simply melt into the shadows. He thrashed around, wailing in agony, screaming his name, begging him for help.
But Sunghoon’s arms were in Jake and Jungwon’s grasps, so he was left to watch in a muted horror as Jay was torn apart and swallowed by the darkness.
When he finally turned away from the massacre, it wasn’t Jake and Jungwon holding onto his biceps anymore, but his father, sneering at him. Wonyoung was behind him, frozen in pain with the same dagger that caught his arm embedded in her stomach. Jungwon and Jake were collapsed at her side, a pool of blood creeping towards his feet.
“Death to the False King.” His father hissed before he wrestled Sunghoon to the window and tossed him through the glass.
And then he was falling and falling and falling-
Sunghoon shot up on the couch and promptly fell off it, gasping for air. The feeling of falling still lingered in his bones, and his muscles twitched as they prepared for an impact that would never come. He coughed and dry heaved, gulping air as best he could.
Gaeul was going crazy, barking and running around the room. She scratched at the door, whimpering and whining as Sunghoon shakily got to his feet. His vision tilted and he very nearly collapsed again, had a pair of hands not shot out to steady him.
“Easy now,” a soft, comforting voice whispered. “I’ve got you.”
“Jay-ah,” he gripped his arm automatically. “What are you...?”
“Jisung came and got me. He said you were screaming in your sleep again, and he didn’t know what else to do.” He mumbled.
Sunghoon looked over at Jisung who was nervously shifting from foot to foot. He offered the guard a small smile and a nod. “Thank you Jisung, that will be all.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” he bowed quickly. “Let me know if you need anything or anyone else.” He added before popping back out to his post.
Sunghoon sighed as Jay helped him sit back down. “I’m fine, really. It’s just a nightmare.”
“Clearly a big enough one to freak out Gaeul,” he scoffed, petting the pup that came to his side. “Would you like to talk about it?”
Sunghoon wasn’t sure how much he should actually say, considering the contents of his dream involved Jay being torn apart by some faceless darkness. And even if it didn’t involve that, even if he had made up his damn mind and chose Jay when he said he would, that was somehow even more embarrassing to confess.
“I had to make a choice,” he said carefully. “And I got tricked into making the wrong one. Well, I guess I didn’t technically pick it, I just hesitated too long and it forced me to the wrong one. Then I was thrown out a window.” He winced, leaving out his siblings and Jake's involvement in the dream.
Jay stared at him for a moment before he stood up, heading towards the window. He inspected it curiously. “It seems much too small for a body to go through,” he mused. “I think you’re safe, Your Highness.”
Sunghoon stared at him incredulously before scoffing, his horror momentarily forgotten- though he supposed that may have been Jay's intention. “It wasn’t that window specifically. It wasn’t even in this castle, we were back in Chaconne.”
Jay turned back to him with a curious expression. “We?”
Sunghoon froze, turning away from him and back towards the dying embers of the fire. He got up and busied himself with relighting the fire, crouching down to try and coax the flames back to life.
“Your Highness, in your dream, did I... was I the one who...?” Jay trailed off uneasily.
Sunghoon turned so fast he fell backwards onto the stone floor. Of course Jay would hear he was involved and assume he was Sunghoon’s downfall. “What? No, you didn’t throw me out the window.” He couldn’t believe that was a sentence he had to say out loud.
Jay helped him back up and sat beside him on the couch as they watched the fire come back to life. He glanced down at the book that had fallen to the floor and picked it up, flipping through it. “You’re making it through this quickly.”
“I finished it already,” Sunghoon mumbled, his gaze locked on the flames. “I’m rereading it now. I like your annotations in the margins.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Jay look at him surprised. He hoped any red in his cheeks could be attributed to the sudden warmth in the room. Jay left his side, but still, Sunghoon refused to look. When he returned, it was with another, familiar book.
“The Children of Vamfield stories,” Jay held it up. “Can I read to you?”
That made Sunghoon turn to him surprised. “You want to read to me? Is this like a Blossomer lesson?”
Sunghoon was rewarded with a small, fond smile as Jay searched his face. “No,” he said decidedly. “It’s not a lesson. I would just like to read to you, Your Highness.”
“Say my name,” Sunghoon requested quietly, almost out of instinct as he turned and curled up on the couch to face him.
“I would like to read to you, Sunghoon-ah. Is that alright?” Jay repeated, and it sounded prettier than any prayer Sunghoon had ever heard.
He was convinced he would never get over the sound of Jay saying his name. “Alright.” He nodded, relaxing against the cushion.
Jay opened the book and started reading a story that seemed more centred on Solon, and the secret he was forced to keep from his brothers. They barely made it a few pages in before the timber of Jay’s voice lulled him into a blissfully dreamless sleep.
Chapter Text
Sunghoon woke up warm and comfortable and not at all like he spent the night on the couch.
He sat up quickly, looking around, surprised to see he was in bed.
He could have sworn he had drifted off in front of the fire with Gaeul at his feet and Jay’s voice in his ear, tucked up on the cushion.
Embarrassment flooded his cheeks when he realised that meant he must have been moved, and the only one who could have done it was now passed out on the couch in his place.
He threw the covers off, careful not to disturb Gaeul at the end of his bed, and crept over to the couch quietly. Jay was still asleep, arms crossed as he snored lightly. Sunghoon delicately pulled the blanket up around him so as not to disturb him, only for the door to open a moment later.
Before Jake could make the announcement, Sunghoon’s hand flew up in a shushing motion, gesturing to Jay on the couch. Jake frowned but nodded, whispering to the chambermaids as they came in to help Sunghoon get ready for the day. They all nodded and bowed, setting to work quickly and quietly.
Unlike his usual routine of disassociating as they cleaned him with the rose water- or, lavender water in this case, which was much more common in Blossom -he was hyper aware of everything around him. He minimised his own sounds and movement as much as possible without compromising the chambermaids tasks. He didn’t want to risk waking Jay up in the middle of it.
When they deemed him presentable, he requested breakfast in his chambers, enough to feed four, and asked another to retrieve his brother from the next door down. The maids bowed and agreed before slipping out of the room.
“Your Highness,” Jake started quietly. “What are you doing?”
“What do you mean?” Sunghoon whispered back.
Jake motioned to the couch. “You have a duty. A standard you must uphold.” He reminded him, as if Sunghoon could ever forget.
“You do not need to remind me of my duty, I am well aware of it.” He bristled.
“Are you?” Jake challenged. “Jisung came into the chambers last night looking for him specifically. He said he was the only one who could help.”
“I didn’t say that, that was a call Jisung made in his own judgement.” Sunghoon whispered back. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
“To you, sure.” Jake motioned to the door. “He stayed all night, he slept with you-”
“-He slept on the couch!-" he interjected.
“And you think that’s what the chambermaids are going to say when they gossip?” Jake frowned.
Sunghoon clamped his mouth shut and closed his eyes, taking a few deep breaths before he sighed. “I don’t understand. You’ve always said to pay no mind to the gossip. When the same whispers were going around about me and the last tutor, you said it shouldn’t matter because I knew the truth.”
“It was different.” Jake said bluntly.
“How is it different?” Sunghoon whispered, though in his heart of hearts he knew Jake had a point. Still, he could not bring himself to admit it. “It’s the same rumour with another tutor-”
“That one wasn’t true.” Jake interrupted.
Sunghoon took a step back. “I haven’t... I haven’t compromised my virtue, Jake.” He whispered.
Princes and Princesses were held to certain standards in Chaconne, so as not to sully the royal bloodline, or accidentally sire any illegitimate heirs that could threaten the line of succession. They were to remain pure until their wedding night, until the rightful heir would be produced. Sunghoon took it seriously, he always had, but even more so after his brother passed and he became the prime, shining example. It was the reason the rumours were a big deal in the first place. It may have become a little more lax over the years, but Sunghoon never considered any other way.
Jake knew just how seriously Sunghoon took his duties, and while he may have slipped up from time to time with a lingering touch from a visiting duchess here or a stolen kiss from one of the older stable boys there, it was never something as serious as that. Never anything past innocent infatuation that died out the moment Sunghoon remembered his place.
Betrayal coiled in his stomach as he stared at Jake, trying to comprehend another wild accusation coming from his trusted friend.
“No. But your heart is another matter.” Jake pointed out.
“My heart is no matter because it doesn’t matter.” Sunghoon refuted immediately. “I am loyal to the Crown and my country. That is all. My heart belongs to them. That will not, cannot, be compromised.”
Jake gave him a look of such deep understanding that it made his skin crawl. “Oh Sunghoon-ah, you don’t get to choose who your heart belongs to.” He was nearly inaudible, and Sunghoon had flashes of the secret glances and lingering touches that he and a certain newly almost crowned King shared when they thought no one was watching.
“Well I have. I did.” Sunghoon cleared his throat to dislodge the emotion that was stuck there. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to wake my tutor for breakfast so he can help me learn some more Blossomer ahead of the negotiations I will be partaking in today regarding my marriage.” He said stiffly, heading over to Jay just in time for the staff to return with breakfast and Jungwon in tow.
“What’s going on?” Jungwon asked hesitantly. “Why is Jay hyung asleep on the couch?”
Sunghoon paid him no mind, shaking Jay’s shoulder gently.
“Jay-ssi, it’s time to wake up.” He mumbled. “We have breakfast.”
Jay mumbled something that was decidedly Blossomer, but Sunghoon didn’t know what he was saying. He shook him a little more. “Jay-ssi?”
Jay’s eyes opened quickly in surprise as he looked up at Sunghoon dazed, before his gaze flickered to where Jake and Jungwon were standing.
“Your Highness,” He seemed frozen for a moment before he scrambled up, dropping into a bow. “I’m so sorry, Your Highness, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
Sunghoon wouldn’t admit to his heart breaking a little at Jay’s panic, because that would mean admitting his heart wasn’t fully committed to his Crown and country like he claimed. He cleared his throat again. “It’s no matter. I appreciate your understanding and assistance. It won’t happen again, I promise.”
Jay’s head snapped up, and he opened his mouth to say something. Sunghoon turned away and towards Jungwon, who was still looking confused about the whole situation. He offered as genuine of a smile he could manage and motioned to the little table in the corner of his room. “I thought we could eat together before we’re caught up all day with the King.”
Jungwon nodded slowly, casting a glance at Jake who returned it with a tight lipped smile. He took his seat across from Sunghoon, who insisted he dish up first.
“Jay-ssi, I don’t think I’ve retrieved those pearls from you since I bought them in the market. Could I have them before my meeting?” He asked him, dishing up a plate for him and Jake.
Jay nodded, accepting the plate carefully. “Are meetings a cause to dress up?” He asked curiously, taking a bite.
“In a sense. But the pearls aren’t for me.” He said without much thought, taking a bite of his own food.
“Who are they for?” Jungwon frowned.
Sunghoon froze with a bite halfway to his lips. He glanced at Jay, who seemed just as confused and then to Jake, who frowned in return.
“Hyung?” Jungwon waved his hand in front of Sunghoon’s face. “Who are the pearls for?”
“It’s a Memor tradition to present pearls to your betrothed.” He said slowly. “And we’re half Memorian.”
He didn’t want to hurt Jungwon, but he didn’t want to lie to him either. He felt the need to both manage his expectations and protect his heart.
He wasn’t sure how to do both. Or if he even could.
“They’re for Sunoo.” He said finally when he realised Jungwon just wasn’t getting it.
Jake choked on the sip of tea he was having, and Jungwon’s fork clattered to the plate, splattering a bit of sauce onto the table cloth. The savory cream sauce seeped into the tablecloth in the silence.
“What? So soon?” Jungwon asked finally, his eyes wide.
“Not officially. King Heeseung can’t sign off on anything until he’s crowned, but that is the primary point of our meetings today, yes.” Sunghoon said carefully, watching him, mildly concerned with his reaction.
Jungwon sat up straighter and wiped his mouth. “But you’re confident the engagement will go through?”
Sunghoon frowned at his little brother. Guilt had bubbled up and made home in his chest, and he supposed it would always be there. But ultimately, they all knew why they were here. They knew why the Blossom Princes had gone to Chaconne in the first place. Unofficially, the wedding was slated for September, during the Fall Equinox.
“Jungwon-ah, you know the engagement will go through.” He tried to say it as gently as possible. “That’s why we’re here.”
Jungwon stood up, dropping his napkin onto his plate. “Forgive me, I’ve lost my appetite.” He said quietly before bowing and exiting the room as quickly as he came.
Jay set his plate down a moment later. “I’ll retrieve those pearls for you, Your Highness.” He said softly, following Jungwon out the door, and he was fairly certain that meant his next lesson would be cancelled.
Sunghoon felt the rigidness in his back snap. He slumped forward and held his head in his hands. He was caught between his brother’s happiness and the good of two nations. The weight of the world on his shoulders was heavy, and he could barely handle the pressure anymore.
A familiar hand landed on his shoulder, and a sob caught in his throat. “I’m sorry, Your Highness.” Jake whispered.
Me too, Sunghoon thought, squeezing his eyes shut.
-
“You look tired,” Heeseung commented as Sunghoon entered the room with Jungwon and Jake at his sides, Jay trailing behind him.
A breakfast that Sunghoon had intended to use to go over expectations and a game plan ended in disaster. Jungwon hadn’t looked at him since they picked him up from his room, and Jay had just as quietly handed over the pearls that had been hiding in his bag since the market. Jake had been as normal as expected, but now even he was far more tense than Sunghoon would have liked.
“I didn’t sleep very well,” Sunghoon confessed quietly, taking his seat. “My apologies, Your Majesty.”
Heeseung frowned at that. “Is it your arm? We can postpone the negotiations if you would like to rest.”
Sunghoon shook his head. “There’s no point in prolonging this.”
Heeseung nodded, though his eyes flickered between the rest of his party. Sunoo beside him had a neutral expression, as if he didn't have any kind of vested interest in the outcome regardless.
Sunghoon knew that expression well. He knew all it hid. The guilt returned with a vengeance when the crack in the expression came in the form of a lingering glance at his brother.
“Well then, first, for the record, we’re here to establish the initial negotiations of a marriage between the Crowns of Blossom and Chaconne, in the form of Second Prince Sunoo of Blossom and Crown Prince Sunghoon of Chaconne.” Heeseung read off his notes as the official scribe worked on the account. “I would like to invite the Chaconian representatives to open the negotiations.”
-
The negotiations were long. His father's demands were difficult to work around, and he felt bad about bringing them into the conversation. Heeseung seemed just as hesitant to bring forth any of his own demands, which came from a list left by his father.
“A lot of these seem rather reductive.” Was the first thing Jungwon had said since breakfast, when they had decided to take a break. “You’re friends, aren’t you? I can’t see you or Heeseung hyung turning your backs on the alliance.”
“It’s not a matter of me and hyung being friends. It’s about the King of Blossom and the Crown Prince of Chaconne striking up an agreement that will ensure security for their respective kingdoms.” Sunghoon told him, rolling his neck back and forth after hours of keeping perfect posture.
“But you two are the King of Blossom and the Crown Prince of Chaconne.” Jungwon insisted. “Why can’t you guys just promise not to attack each other?”
“It’s not that simple.” Sunghoon sighed. “Do you remember the drought a few years ago? It devastated our lands. The crops were few and the livestock kept dying because they couldn’t be kept properly, which meant there was less meat and dairy to go around. We only managed to pull out of it because of our alliance with Memor and the seafood and grain they provided for us. That was an alliance made when His Majesty married Eomma.” He explained, standing briefly from the sofa they had retreated to for the recess. “The point of the alliance negotiations is not only to ensure security now, or for a little while, but for future generations. The marriage officialises it, and gives it face in the eyes of our people and the enemies.”
“Okay, but what about Flicker? We’re allied with them, aren’t we? Without a marriage?” Jungwon pressed.
“That’s different. That’s from the Treaty of I-land, which was a three-way treaty between us, Blossom and Flicker. Three-way treaties are always uneasy, so eventually, we may need a marriage pact with them as well.” Sunghoon sighed, rubbing his eyes.
“Am I going to have to get married to Prince Riki?” Jungwon asked, alarmed, his nose scrunching in disgust. “I’ve always seen him like a brother. I don’t think Wonyoung would like him either.”
Sunghoon shook his head. “If I can help it, I’m going to delay yours and Wonyoung’s marriages. Hopefully my marriage will satisfy His Majesty enough to withhold from marrying you off until I can assume the throne and find you suitable matches myself.”
“What if I don’t want to get married?” Jungwon asked quickly.
The weight was back for a minute, large and heavy and crushing. Sunghoon took a shaky breath. “I don’t mean to be cruel Jungwon-ah, please understand that,” He said quietly. “There is not much asked of a Second Prince. Stay out of trouble, be prepared should something befall the Crown Prince, and marry well. That’s all that’s asked of you. While I hope to find you a suitable match, not marrying is out of the question.” He finally managed to make eye contact with him. “I’m sorry.”
Jungwon held his eye contact for a long moment before he looked away. He didn’t say anything else.
Sunghoon sighed, closing his eyes for a moment to centre himself before he returned to the table to finish the negotiations. Heeseung was already there, alone for a moment.
“Are you alright?” Heeseung whispered to Sunghoon.
“Heavy the head that wears the crown.” He murmured in return.
Heeseung glanced back to where Sunoo was perched at the window. He was seemingly staring out the window, but Sunghoon could see his brother’s faint reflection in the glass and knew what, or who, he was really looking at.
“Indeed.” Heeseung sighed before straightening up. “Shall we?”
Sunghoon nodded and fixed his posture that would hold a crown straight, had he been wearing one. Heavy or not.
-
In a way, Jungwon was right. The negotiations were a little easier between friends. Neither of them wanted to see the other fall, so both were more susceptible to actual amendments. He managed to get most of his fathers list secured, like increased security on their shared borders. Luckily, there were quite a few things that seemed to match up on their lists, so the focus was on the details of the big things, like the official trade route his father wanted to establish. Sunghoon wasn’t sure he had spoken about tariffs more in his life, which was saying something considering the amount of times he sat in on his father and the lords discussing the ever rising domestic taxes.
The pearls burned in his pocket. Sunoo was sitting right there, and when they called it a day, he should have presented them then. They might not be able to sign off on anything official until Heeseung’s coronation, but the engagement was as good as decided. He should have done something about it.
Instead, they all shook hands with a promise to see each other at dinner, and that was that. They went their own ways, back to their own chambers.
Sunghoon walked into his own chambers and straight to the couch, where he collapsed with his face shoved in his pillow. Exhaustion was hitting him hard now, his muscles sore from staying perfectly straight on the old wooden seat. Maybe Heeseung wasn’t his friend, maybe he was trying to kill him too- it certainly seemed like that with how terrible that chair was.
Although his exhaustion was amplified by Jungwon’s hurt, and Jake’s expectations, and whatever silent treatment Jay was giving him. For just a moment, he let his frustration overcome him and he screamed into his pillow.
A moment later, his door opened.
“Your Highness?” Jake’s voice startled him.
Sunghoon sat up abruptly. “I’m going riding.” He said, getting up.
“Your Highness,” Jake said, following Sunghoon around the room as he changed and got ready to go, Gaeul on his heels, just as curious. “Is this really the best time? With everything going on?” He asked.
“I need a moment to myself,” he told him. “Given my position, riding is the closest thing I get to that.”
“But Your Highness, with the assassination attempts and the deal so close to being struck, is it really wise to tempt the fates?” Jake tried, watching helplessly as Sunghoon pulled his riding boots on.
“I can no longer remain still, Jake. I need fresh air, I need to get out of this room,” he insisted, heading to the door. “If you’re worried, we can bring someone else with us.” He opened the door, startling Jisung on the other side, which reminded him of another problem he had been trying to figure out how to solve. “Jake, please retrieve Minho for our ride, I need to speak with Jisung.”
“But Your Highness-”
“That’s an order.” Sunghoon glanced at Jake, who snapped his jaw shut and sighed, heading down the hall towards the guards room.
When he looked back at Jisung, the poor guard looked terrified. Sunghoon softened and offered a small smile, which at least seemed to ease him a little bit. “You’re not in trouble,” Sunghoon started off. “I would first like to thank you for your discretion and quick thinking these last couple of nights.”
“Of course, Your Highness. Your safety and security is my top priority.” He bowed quickly.
“I have something to ask of you,” Sunghoon took a deep breath and dropped his voice. “In the future, should you see that it was nothing more than a nightmare, I would like for you to let it run its course. There’s no need to retrieve anyone to help me.”
Jisung furrowed his eyebrows briefly, and seemed to hesitate. “Permission to speak freely, Your Highness?” He asked tentatively.
Sunghoon nodded and watched as Jisung struggled to find his words.
“Your Highness, Jay-ah is a very kind man.” He started slowly. “And he seems to care about you very much. Even when we had gone to the village, his primary focus was retrieving those books for you.”
Sunghoon nodded again. “And I appreciate that you went with him, I don’t think I ever said that.” He added.
“Of course, Your Highness, it was my pleasure.” Jisung bowed again. “But what I mean to say is... well, and forgive me if I’m out of line, Your Highness, you have gone through two terrifying experiences in a very short amount of time. And every time I’ve seen you with him, you seem much more at ease.” He hesitated again, watching him, clearly unsure.
“You can speak freely, Jisung. It’s alright.” Sunghoon encouraged him.
“I brought Jay to you last night because you were calling for him in your sleep.” He said finally. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but you sounded scared. He eases your mind. I can’t protect you from bad dreams, none of your guards can, but I think he can.”
Sunghoon blinked in surprise but nodded slowly. “Thank you for your honesty, Jisung.” He said quietly. “But my request stands. Don’t retrieve anyone, please. If it seems really bad, you can wake me up.” He paused. “From what I’ve heard, you haven’t told anyone exactly what’s been happening in your reports.”
“No, Your Highness.” He shook his head. “It didn’t seem like something you wished to share.”
“You’re right,” Sunghoon nodded and glanced down the hall at the sound of the echoing footsteps. “Please keep it that way, Jisung. These will pass, I’m sure. There’s no need to alarm anyone else.”
“Of course, Your Highness.” Jisung bowed again as Minho and Jake returned to his sides. “Enjoy your ride.”
“Thank you, Jisung.” Sunghoon shot him a small smile and headed out, flanked by a guard on either side.
He rode until dusk, and retired early, hoping the physical exhaustion would be enough to keep the nightmares away.
And when he woke up screaming after watching his loved ones be slaughtered on a battlefield, he was alone. Jisung popped his head in to confirm he was physically alright, and asked if he would like him to get anyone for him.
“I’m okay.” Sunghoon insisted.
“Of course, Your Highness.” Jisung bowed and stepped back out, closing the door. Sunghoon didn’t get back to sleep.
-
The castle was in a whirlwind of preparations for the next few days. Sunghoon barely saw Heeseung or Sunoo, as their attention was needed elsewhere for the Celebration of Life and the Summer Solstice, respectively. Jungwon offered his assistance to Sunoo, which meant his presence was scarce in their wing of the castle as well.
He received three letters; one from his mother, one from his sister and one from Jihoon. His mother and sister both asked how he was holding up, both were horrified to learn of the attempt on his life, and both wanted to know if he knew when they would return. Wonyoung’s letter continued to bemoan the fact that she was alone now, without either of her brothers around to speak with, and Sunghoon couldn’t help but smile at the constant that was his sister's annoyance with him.
Jihoon’s letter contained an update on his injured guards. He said Chan and Changbin were awake, and expected to make a full recovery and return to the guard soon, a fact that was a cause of celebration amongst his guards. He also said Jeongin, Beomgyu and Jaehyun had returned safely to the castle with no injuries- whether the decoy worked or was even necessary was still yet to be seen, but he was relieved to hear that the guards were all okay.
Jihoon’s letter also read like an official report that had probably been scanned over many times. He briefly mentioned anything Changbin or Chan could remember about the attack, and regretfully informed him that the maids had been inside the carriage and hadn’t gotten a good look at anyone either.
Sunghoon returned the correspondence and sent off the letters, as well as one for their father assuring their arrival, before sitting down as Jay was ushered in for his daily lesson.
“Your Highness,” Jay bowed.
“Jay-ssi, welcome,” Sunghoon nodded, motioning to the seat across from him. “I finished those worksheets you gave me.”
“Already?” Jay blinked in surprise. Sunghoon nodded and stifled a yawn.
That was another, pesky problem he couldn’t seem to get a handle on. Nightmares plagued his sleep every night, no matter what he tried. Lavender and chamomile tea, reading to sleep, rotating between the couch, the floor and the bed, nothing seemed to help. He had taken to working on his Blossomer during the witching hours after a nightmare jolted him awake, and his erratic heartbeat wouldn’t allow him to slumber once more.
And it was always the same. Every night he watched everyone he ever loved be murdered senselessly before he was killed in the process. He would have Jisung silently check on Jungwon, and then the other guards and Jay just to assure him they were okay. Every night, Jisung would ask if he was sure he didn’t want Jay to come see him, and every night Sunghoon would say no before curling up with Gaeul and a Children of Vamfield story, or the book of Blossomer poems, or one of the worksheets he had received from the lesson the day before.
“Your Highness?” Jay’s voice cut through his thoughts and brought him back from whatever haze he had settled into.
Sunghoon hummed in acknowledgment, blinking quickly to try and wake up a little more.
“You look exhausted,” he said quietly, glancing over to where Jake was standing by the door and dropping his voice. “Are they still happening? The nightmares? Jisung won’t tell me.”
“I’m fine,” Sunghoon mumbled, clearing his throat and sitting up again. “Can we work on pronunciation today?”
Jay nodded slowly. “Of course Your Highness,”
They worked on pronunciation for a while, and despite his exhaustion, Sunghoon felt a little better about it. The accent didn’t sit so awkwardly on his tongue anymore, and he could hold more than a basic conversation with Jay without thinking too hard about it.
After he yawned for the nth time however, Jay turned to look at Jake. “Can we have a moment alone?” He requested.
Sunghoon looked at Jay surprised before turning to Jake who mirrored his expression.
“You can’t ask a royal guard to just leave the presence of their charge,” Jake said after a moment.
“I’m not asking a royal guard. I’m asking my friend to give me a moment with his friend.” Jay insisted.
“That’s not how it works.” Jake informed him.
Jay shot him an unimpressed look and turned to Sunghoon. “I’d like a moment alone, Your Highness. If you’ll allow it.”
Sunghoon could feel himself crack under the pressure almost immediately, and tried not to think about how easily he let Jay sway his mind.
“It’s alright, Jake. A moment alone shouldn’t be a problem.” He looked over to his guard. “I know you’re worried about rumours, but it’s only you and Jisung around right now. Minho is on break, Seungmin is with Jungwon who is with Sunoo, and there shouldn’t be any staff around otherwise. And if there is, you can come in first.”
Jake looked between them and sighed. “Alright. I’ll be right outside.” He warned, stepping out.
Jay stood and offered his hand to Sunghoon, who simply stared at it confused.
“What I’m about to suggest is highly irregular and improper,” he said after a moment. “I just... I can’t watch you like this anymore. I want to help. Will you let me?”
Will you let me?
That question played on a loop in Sunghoon’s mind, over and over. This moment, this scene, had been the thing plaguing his nightmares for a week now. Jay, standing there, offering his hand, offering his help, and there was always something or someone that pulled Sunghoon away. It was always Jay’s demise.
He dug his nails into his palm, hard, to prove to himself that he was awake, and this wasn’t another nightmare where he would have to watch him disappear.
With his free hand, he hesitantly reached up and took Jay’s.
He had held it briefly before, whenever Jay offered it to help him into the carriage like a gentleman. But it was always short lived, and there were so many other things happening that he couldn’t really focus on it. His hands were rough and calloused, probably from his time lifting heavy boxes of books and climbing the ladder to put them away on the top shelf. But they were warm, comforting, and Sunghoon liked the way it fit in his.
Jay helped him stand and led him over to the couch. He sat down at one end, and motioned to it. “Lay down.” He instructed quietly.
“This doesn’t look like a Blossomer lesson,” Sunghoon pointed out, still standing.
“It’s not.” Jay agreed candidly. “Lay down?”
Sunghoon hesitated, but he never took his hand out of Jay’s. It felt like a test, one that he didn’t know how to pass.
“It’s improper.” Sunghoon whispered.
“I said as much,” Jay reminded him.
Sunghoon shifted from foot to foot. All the distance he tried to create, all the space he tried to force between them over the last three days, disappeared almost immediately with only the slightest push from Jay. He had tried so hard to keep their relationship as professional as possible, and yet with one small request that was tossed out the window.
“I’m to be engaged soon,” Sunghoon tried as a last resort, his voice small.
Something flashed across Jay’s face, so fast Sunghoon had no hope of fully understanding it.
“I know.” He whispered back, but he didn’t expand.
Sunghoon knew he had to say no. He knew he had to pull away and probably even dismiss Jay from his chambers. The Flickian Princes were set to arrive tonight in time for dinner, he should be focusing on that. He should find Sunoo, he should ask to be pencilled in for a dinner, or a walk, or something one would do when courting their future spouse. He should-
“Sunghoon-ah,” Jay said softly, squeezing his hand, and Sunghoon’s heart stood no chance. “You’re swaying on your feet, you can barely keep your eyes open, you’re exhausted. I don’t know why Jisung hasn’t come to get me when you have your nightmares but-“
“I asked him not to.” Sunghoon confessed, and Jay froze.
“Oh.” He said simply, his hand dropping out of Sunghoon’s.
“I’m to be engaged soon.” He repeated, because he wasn’t sure what other excuse he could say that didn’t sound damning. “Jake had a point, you being in my chambers in the morning didn’t look good to the staff. I can’t have anything happen that would pull my marriage into question, not with all the skirmishes on the borders or the False King accusations,” he tried to sound every bit as Crown Prince as he could, but his voice wobbled. “And... and I don’t want to become reliant on you. I don’t know how long these nightmares will last, but I can’t rely on you to be the one to chase them away all the time.”
Jay studied him for a long moment before he exhaled sharply. “What if I want you to rely on me?” He offered quietly.
Sunghoon stared at him. “I...what?” He blinked a few times as Jay stood up.
“I want you to rely on me.” He repeated, face to face with him. “I want to soothe your worries and chase away your fears in the night and I want you to want me to be the one to do it.”
“Jay-ssi-”
“Sunghoon-ah,” he interrupted. “You’re to be engaged soon. Once you’re engaged, Prince Sunoo will be at your side, and you will have no need for a translator or a tutor.” He motioned to the couch. “Let me serve my Prince until he no longer has a use for me.”
Sunghoon was speechless. He could only nod once, and Jay sat back down. Sunghoon followed his instructions to lay down until his head was positioned in his lap. Jay’s fingers traced patterns on his scalp, and every muscle in his body relaxed at the sensation. He yawned again, his eyes sliding closed automatically as the exhaustion of everything finally caught up to him.
He felt warm. Safe. Comfortable. His mind drifted but didn’t stay on any worry for too long. Like this, he could pretend for a moment that he didn’t have any responsibilities or things he would have to deal with. It was a feeling he often had when he was alone with Jay, everything melted away and he could just be for a moment.
He wondered briefly if this feeling was what brought Jake and Heeseung back together time and time again, despite the risks.
At the thought of Heeseung, a memory resurfaced of their conversation in the hall outside of the throne room in Chaconne, when he had asked him something in Blossomer. Sunghoon hadn’t understood it at the time, and nothing Jay had taught him yet had helped.
It felt important.
“Jay-ah,” Sunghoon mumbled. “Did you figure out the translation yet? For what Heeseung hyung said to me that day?”
Jay’s hand stilled momentarily before it continued. When he didn’t respond right away, Sunghoon nearly turned to ask again, convinced he hadn’t actually heard him.
“He asked if you were in love with him.” Jay said quietly. “The exact sentence he said was ‘are you in love with him?’.”
“Who?” Sunghoon furrowed his eyebrows.
“You said you had been talking about Prince Sunoo. So I assume he meant him.” Jay’s voice sounded tight.
Sunghoon recalled the conversation, and yes, they had spoken about Sunoo and the marriage contract, but Heeseung hadn’t asked the question when they were talking about that. He had asked it when Sunghoon had been telling him about-
Oh.
Sunghoon felt incredibly stupid.
Here he had been, warning Heeseung that even Jay had noticed that there was something going on between him and Jake, that Heeseung needed to figure out what to do, that he and Jake needed to be more careful because everyone was starting to catch on that there was something more between them. And all the while, Heeseung had seen right through him.
Heeseung hadn’t been asking him if he was in love with Sunoo. He knew he wasn’t.
Sunghoon’s throat tightened as he recalled every time Heeseung had reached out, offered an ear to listen, and tried to subtly bring up the feelings Sunghoon had been so desperately trying to bury and hide away. Heeseung knew it before he did. He saw it. He was trying to help.
He owed his hyung an apology.
He realised now that Jay had been right. There was no choice when it came to the heart. That was as true for Heeseung as it was for anyone. He was beginning to realise Crown Princes are not excluded from that rule, no matter how hard he tried.
-
Jake was the one to wake him up, and he was alone in the room when he did. “Where’s...” he looked around.
“Jay left about an hour ago. He said you were asleep and to keep an eye on you.” Jake studied him. “Are you okay, Your Highness?”
Sunghoon took a deep breath. “I don’t think he plans to stay on staff after I marry.” He breathed out. “He might not even stay through the engagement.”
Jake offered Sunghoon a sad, knowing smile. “I wouldn’t think so, no.” He agreed.
“I think that’s a shame.” Sunghoon whispered. “I’m starting to really like learning Blossomer.”
“I know, Your Highness.” Jake, a moment where the guard persona dropped, rubbed his back. “Come, the chambermaids are waiting outside to get you ready for the dinner tonight to welcome the Flickian Princes.”
The chambermaids were let in after he took a moment to centre himself, and they got him ready in record time. “Is my brother going to be entering with us?” He asked curiously.
Jake offered him a small smile. “Prince Jungwon has been with Prince Sunoo, Prince Riki and Prince Taki since they arrived.” He chuckled. “It’s cute, Your Highness. He seems happy amongst friends.”
Sunghoon nodded. It didn’t necessarily surprise him that Jungwon had found refuge in the other Princes. He knew that tactic well, it was one he used to indulge in himself when he could. He was sure this trend would continue until the moment they left Blossom.
“And Jay-ssi?” He asked hesitantly.
“Of course your translator will be there, Your Highness.” Jake said slowly. “Are you sure you’re feeling well enough for this dinner, Your Highness? I can tell King Heeseung you’re feeling ill and would like to rest.” He offered.
Sunghoon shook his head, rolling his shoulders back. “No, it would be rude to not greet the Flicker Princes.” He sighed. “Besides, I’m not sure I would get much rest anyway.” He added, habitually moving to fix the sleeves of his coat, only to find them adjusted already.
“We noticed you always fix your cuffs, Your Highness. So we adjusted how we dressed you so you wouldn’t have to anymore.” The chambermaid said in broken Chaconian, bowing to him.
Sunghoon blinked a few times. Nothing had ever been wrong with how his sleeves had been done before. Fixing his sleeves had always been a conscious choice to combat the helpless feeling that came with being dressed like a doll everyday. It felt like he was doing something for himself. And now that it was done for him, it felt like another piece of autonomy was chipped away.
“Thank you,” he said anyway, because he knew they had only been trying to help. “You may go now.”
“Of course, Your Highness.” She bowed again and led the chambermaids out.
Sunghoon took a couple of deep breaths before nodding once. “Alright,” he turned to Jake. “Let’s go.”
Minho and Seungmin were waiting outside with Jay and surprisingly Jungwon, while Jisung elected to stay behind at Sunghoon’s room.
“Jungwon-ah, will you be sitting with us?” Sunghoon asked him.
Jungwon glanced at him. “I’ll be sitting with Prince Sunoo, Prince Riki and Prince Taki as a show of support.” He informed him. “It was just more proper to enter with my own delegation.”
Sunghoon nodded, keeping his gaze straight ahead. He wondered how long Jungwon would be mad at him, and if he would ever forgive him. He doubted it. It wasn’t like the heartbreak would go away, it would be paraded around for the rest of their lives as Sunoo took his position as the King’s Consort.
He had to stop thinking about it. He needed a clear head tonight.
They arrived at the banquet hall soon enough, where they were greeted by the Flicker Delegation.
“Sunghoon hyung,” Riki lit up, heading over happily, Taki on his heels. “Riki,” Sunghoon couldn’t help but smile in return.
The younger Princes barely remembered to bow before hugging him. He was surprised by the sudden contact, but wrapped them up in his arms to hug them back regardless. “You’ve both gotten so tall,” he admonished in Flickian. “Especially you Riki, what are they feeding you over there?”
“Our crops have been good the last couple of years, if that’s what you mean,” Riki pulled away, still grinning. “But K hyung is pretty tall too, so it’s not much of a surprise.”
“And you’ve certainly grown into a handsome young man, Taki,” Sunghoon added.
Taki sometimes needed a little extra attention, Sunghoon discovered. As the Third Prince, he often got overlooked, so Sunghoon always took great care in making sure he never did.
“Thanks hyung,” Taki straightened up a little bit, puffing his chest out proudly.
“You should go sit down, but we’ll catch up later, okay?” He smiled softly.
They bowed in return and headed to where they were meant to be seated. Jungwon bowed and followed them, taking his seat next to Sunoo.
“You weren’t kidding about your Flickian. It’s really good.” Jay mumbled to him.
His smile widened without his permission. “Thanks. When we established a trade route with Flicker, I wanted to make sure I could speak with the merchants.” He explained as they headed to their own section. “And all jokes aside, I really do love Flickian poetry. I think it’s pretty.” He admitted.
“Which is probably why it suits you.” He offered quietly with a teasing smile and it took Sunghoon a moment to realise Jay was flirting with him.
“Jay-ssi,” he hissed, his cheeks colouring. “Behave.” It was all he could think of to say.
“Of course, Your Highness. Forgive me.” He bowed his head quickly before straightening up as they got to the table.
“Sunghoon-ah, it’s good to see you,” Heeseung said it as if it had been months rather than days since he last saw him.
“You too hyung, how have the preparations been?” He asked, taking his seat beside him.
Heeseung caught him up on all the ceremonies he had been through so far, and the one they would all need to attend tomorrow. Sunghoon listened attentively, nodding along as Heeseung complained. He knew it couldn’t be easy going through the process while he still had to mourn his father.
Dinner was celebratory and long. King K had sent Flickian spirits along with his brothers as an apology for being unable to attend, and once the Queen Dowager had excused herself, the alcohol was free to flow.
Sunghoon limited himself to two, untrusting of his current mental state to let it go too much. He watched the younger Princes release their inhibitions and let themselves be just young men for the night. No staff were present besides a few guards at Heeseung’s request, so their reputations would be saved.
Heeseung was a giggly drunk, openly flirting with Jake who looked like he wanted nothing more than to indulge him, but still restrained himself in the eyes of the little crowd they had. Jay had excused himself for the night, returning to his chambers. Sunghoon longed to join him, if only to escape the increasingly inebriated royals. But he was a man of honour, and he was raised with manners. He would not slink off without being dismissed by the host.
“Sunghoon hyung, come join us for a game,” Taki said excitedly, waving him over.
“He doesn’t like drinking,” Jungwon dismissed immediately. “Besides, this one works better in teams of two.”
Sunghoon nodded in agreement. “It’s alright, you four have fun,” he waved them off. “I’m okay to just watch.”
“We can play it individually,” Sunoo suggested. “So Sunghoon hyung can play with us.”
“No, I want to be on your team.” Jungwon shook his head before wincing.
Sunghoon imagined with the amount he had already drank, his head was probably spinning a bit. He didn’t want to make it worse. He understood Jungwon was monopolising Sunoo’s time for as long as he could, before he couldn’t anymore. “It’s alright.” He repeated. “Actually, I would like to return to my chambers, if that’s alright?” He turned to Heeseung, whose smile dimmed a little.
“Oh, yes. By all means, you’re not obligated to stay. It was just a bit of fun.” He promised.
“Shall I accompany you back?” Jake asked, standing up.
Sunghoon shook his head. “You stay, I’ll be alright.” He promised. “Let Minho and Seungmin have some fun too,” he nodded to them.
“Your Highness, neither of us would mind accompanying you back,” Seungmin told him earnestly.
“Just have some fun. It’s alright.” Sunghoon insisted. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.” He bowed to Heeseung and headed out and down the hall.
He returned without incident, though the shadows did make the hair on the back of his neck stand up straight. His nightmares were replaying in his mind, and he half expected it to be Jay outside his door instead of Jisung.
But no. The shorter guard was there, alert, like he always was. When he spotted Sunghoon approaching him alone, he looked around confused.
“Are you alone, Your Highness?” He frowned.
“I let them stay behind and drink for a while,” Sunghoon offered him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry I cannot offer you the same freedom tonight. Perhaps during the Solstice Festival?” He suggested.
“It’s alright, Your Highness. I’m not a big drinker,” he waved him off. “Sleep well.” He opened the door for him.
Sunghoon bowed his head in thanks.
It didn’t take long for him to get ready for bed or tuck himself in. The two drinks in his system mellowed his nerves enough to lull him to sleep.
As quick as he was to sleep, he was quick to wake, visions of poisoned goblets and his loved ones drowning in their own blood enough to rip him out of his dreams and gasp for breath. Jisung opened the door and looked around for which place Sunghoon had opted to sleep. He spotted him on the bed and bowed quickly.
“Are you alright, Your Highness?” He asked quietly.
“Have my brother and the others returned?” He asked through gulps of air.
“Yes, Your Highness.” He nodded. “They were all a little drunk, but perfectly safe.”
He nodded and closed his eyes, trying to catch his breath.
“Would you like me to get someone for you, Your Highness?” He asked him the question vaguely, but they both knew who someone referred to.
“No, I-” Sunghoon started his usual dismissal, when Jay’s words echoed in his mind.
Let me serve my Prince until he no longer has a use for me.
Jisung looked at him expectantly, cocking his head to the side curiously. “Your Highness?” He repeated tentatively.
He shouldn’t. He really shouldn’t. He should tell Jisung the same thing he had been telling him the last few nights. He should try to go back to sleep. He should-
“Yes please,” he said in such a small voice, he was worried Jisung might not even hear him. He didn’t have the courage to say it louder.
But Jisung just offered him a small, kind smile and a nod of his head. “I’ll be right back, Your Highness.” He said before disappearing back out the door.
The moment between agreeing and waiting for his arrival had to have been the longest of his life. Doubt filled his mind, and insecurity wrapped its arms around him and held on tight. What if he didn’t come? What if he was angry about being woken up? What if-
“Sunghoon-ah,” the honey voice soothed his worries almost immediately.
He looked up to see a dishevelled looking Jay in his doorway, concern clear on his face. He was still in his nightclothes, like he had rolled out of bed and come running for him.
“Jay-ah,” he greeted quietly.
As Jay approached the bed, Sunghoon turned his gaze to Jisung. “Thank you, Jisung. That will be all.”
“Of course, Your Highness. I’ll be outside if you need me.” He bowed his head and closed the door behind him as Jay sat on the edge of his bed.
“What’s wrong?” He asked softly, reaching forward to caress his cheek, brushing away a tear he hadn’t even realised he shed.
A bold move on his part.
“I... I needed to see you,” Sunghoon confessed quietly. “You appear in my dreams a lot. My nightmares. You’re always harmed.”
“I’m here,” Jay promised, taking Sunghoon’s hand, placing it over his heart and holding it there. “Unharmed.”
His heartbeat was warm and steady beneath his palm, and Sunghoon was fascinated with the feeling. They stayed like that, frozen in time as Sunghoon committed the feeling to memory.
“Can you read to me?” He asked quietly.
Jay nodded, pulling away slowly to retrieve the book and a chair.
“You don’t need that,” Sunghoon moved over to make space for him in the bed.
Perhaps he was a little more bold too.
Jay paused, glancing up at Sunghoon, hesitation clearly colouring every move he made. “Are you sure?” He asked, studying Sunghoon to see if he shared his uncertainty.
“You need to leave before it’s light.” Sunghoon reminded him. “If Jake sees you, he’ll have my head.”
Jay nodded slowly and climbed in. He settled against the headboard as Sunghoon curled up under the covers. Jay carded his hand through his hair a few times before he opened the book of Blossomer poems, reading through them one by one.
Sunghoon drifted off to sleep easily.
Chapter Text
True to his word, Jay was gone the next morning without any evidence that he had been there at all. Besides, of course, the faint smell of wild flowers, pine and aged parchment that usually clung to his skin. Sunghoon hugged the pillow to his chest and willed himself to drift off again.
He almost managed to drop back off to sleep before Jake was coming in with the chambermaids to get him ready for the day. He jolted awake and rolled out of bed, silently letting them get him ready.
He tried to go numb as he always did, but his heart wouldn’t slow enough to allow it. He kept thinking about Jay, about the way he ran to him, the way he held him. Did he sleep well? He hoped he had, it wouldn’t be fair to rouse Jay from his slumber every time if he couldn't get a good night's rest. He wondered if there would be lesson before the festivities tonight, or if-
“Your Highness, King Heeseung has requested you take breakfast with him today.” Jake interrupted his thoughts.
“Hm?” He looked up, surprised to find they were already done. “Oh. Are you sure? Isn’t it the big ceremony tonight?” He frowned.
“Yes, Your Highness. But it won’t take place until dusk, and King Heeseung insisted.” Jake confirmed.
“Alright,” Sunghoon nodded slowly. “Let’s go then.”
They headed down the hall, silent as they walked. Nothing but the echo of their footsteps accompanied them. They weren't necessarily chatty out in the open like this, but it wasn't like they were this silent. Usually, Jake would be giving him updates or going over his schedules for the day. When he glanced over at his guard and best friend, he realised something was wrong.
“Jake-ah, if you have something to say-” he started.
“I have plenty to say, Your Highness. Just not in the open.” Jake said quietly.
Sunghoon glanced at him with a frown- he understood almost immediately. “I don’t think it’s fair.” He mumbled. “Considering where your heart lies.”
Jake shot him a look. “Did it ever occur to you, Your Highness, that maybe that’s why I disapprove so much?” He suggested.
Sunghoon stopped abruptly, turning to Jake apologetically. “I’ve been trying,” he insisted quietly. “It’s... difficult.”
“I know.” Jake agreed immediately, his own shoulders dropping briefly. “I’m not trying to be cruel, Your Highness.” He hesitated and glanced around. “Perhaps we could finish this conversation later? After you have breakfast with the King?”
Sunghoon nodded slowly and resumed walking. They were silent for a while longer, any topic of conversation they wanted to engage in was too risky out in the open corridor where anyone could overhear him. Sunghoon thought back to the market, where the guard persona had fallen away and he could just bicker with his best friend without fear of reproach.
All of this felt more complicated than it should be. The politics of court were always a delicate, fickle thing, but he used to be good at keeping it separate from Jake and Jungwon, who still wouldn’t speak to him.
Though, he supposed it was bound to happen eventually.
They arrived at the agreed room and Sunghoon was announced. He entered with Jake at his side, falling into a bow as Heeseung stood, Sunoo by his side.
“Your Highness, please, take a seat.” Heeseung offered with a warm smile. “We have much to discuss.”
Sunghoon bowed once more to each of them before taking his seat. “Should I have brought Jungwon along?” He asked curiously.
“No,” Sunoo was the one to speak up. “I chose this time since I knew he would still be sleeping off the spirits from last night.”
Sunghoon blinked in surprise, exchanging glances with Jake. “Is everything alright?” He asked slowly.
“I’m afraid I’ve allowed a lot of my time to be taken up by the remnants of my boyhood, and I would first like to apologise for such an oversight.” Sunoo bowed his head. “While the contract is not yet signed, we both know it’s inevitable. Heeseung hyung- uh, King Heeseung has agreed to sit in on today's breakfast as a chaperone.”
Sunghoon looked at Heeseung like a deer caught in a hunters trap. It’s not that he wouldn’t have come had Sunoo been the one to summon him, he would have just brought Jungwon along. Which, apparently, is what Sunoo was looking to avoid.
“Sunoo-yah, you can drop the formalities for now,” he told him softly. “It’s still us, despite the contract. There’s only Heeseung hyung and Jake in here, I think it’ll be alright.”
Sunoo relaxed almost immediately and he sighed. “I’m sorry hyung, I’ve never... courted, before. Not properly. I'm not sure what I’m doing.”
“It’s alright Sunoo,” he nodded encouragingly. “We’ll figure it out. It’s more important to be aware out there. Alone we can relax a bit. I’m sure this is going to be awkward at first, there’s no point in keeping it awkward in private.”
Sunoo nodded and poured his tea for him. “I thought we could make our first public appearance tonight. Nothing drastic of course, just a dance at the ball that’s going to honour my father. He was fond of you, I’m sure he would approve of you being a part of the first dance.” He explained. “And... and it would be good for Jungwon too, I think.” He admitted quietly.
Sunghoon was sure it would be quite the opposite. It would probably break Jungwon’s heart to lose who he assumed would be his dance partner to his brother, and it would probably be a harsh reminder that at the first stroke of fall, he would lose him forever.
Though, he supposed that’s what Sunoo meant by good for him. It would get him at least used to the idea.
“Alright,” Sunghoon nodded. “If it’s alright with the King and the Queen Dowager, I would be honoured to have your first dance tonight.”
“Please, my Eomma loves you,” Sunoo chuckled. “I’m pretty she’s more excited that you’re marrying into the family than for the alliance itself.”
“You know, I had just been saying that about my Eomma and you the other day?” Sunghoon chuckled. “You better be prepared when we go back to Chaconne, she will be bombarding you with all sorts of advice and questions.”
Sunoo laughed and nodded as they ate. Luckily, chatting seemed to be something they could do without feeling copious amounts of pressure or awkwardness. He asked Sunoo about his painting, and Sunoo asked about the fencing lessons Sunghoon was set to start in light of the assassination attempts. They argued about cake flavours and the places they wanted to travel most. It was a generally enjoyable meal.
But if there was ever a pause, a lull in the conversation, Sunghoon’s mind didn’t hesitate to wander to a certain shopkeeper's son, who was probably preparing for his Blossomer lesson as they ate. He knew Sunoo could tell he wasn’t always present, because he could see the moments Sunoo wished it was his brother in his seat, too.
When the food was finished and the promise was renewed to give him the first dance of the evening, Sunoo excused himself.
“If I don’t find Riki and Taki before they get bored, we may not have a ballroom to dance in.” He explained with a laugh, ducking out of the room.
“I’m sorry for the tricks, Sunghoonie. Sunoo insisted it be me to call on you to avoid the possibility of you bringing Jungwon.” He explained.
“It’s alright, I figured as much. And he wouldn’t be wrong, I would absolutely invite Jungwon out of habit if it had been Sunoo.” Sunghoon agreed. “Is there anything I should prepare ahead of the ball?”
Heeseung shook his head. “Nothing of note. The preparations are done, we’re just waiting for the arrival of the day's guests. You may return to your normal activities for the day.” He nodded towards the door.
“Thank you, hyung. I’ll see you tonight.” He bowed quickly and left with Jake in tow.
“Have you figured out who my instructor for swordplay will be?” He asked curiously, his steps a little quicker on the way back.
“Minho will be overseeing your sword training with Seungmin’s help,” Jake explained.
“Minho?” Sunghoon looked at him surprised. “Not you?”
Jake scowled. “Minho said I would be too soft on you during training.” He grumbled, much to Sunghoon’s amusement.
“Clearly he’s never seen us when there’s only one of the apple cinnamon scones left from the kitchens.” Sunghoon joked.
“He’s right, you know,” Jake sighed. “I would be too afraid of hurting you to train you properly. Minho is a good teacher, he’s trained half your personal guard, he’ll be efficient.” He explained. “Your Highness.” He tacked on quickly, glancing around the halls as if there were any staff nearby. “You start today after your lesson with Jay, so try to keep today's lesson about the material. Right, Your Highness?” He said pointedly.
Sunghoon sighed but nodded. “Perhaps while I’m with Minho and Seungmin, you could do me a favour?” He dropped his voice. “I would like you to continue looking into that footman who attacked me, find out everything you can. I know we know he was approved by the King to be on staff, but I want to know if he had spoken to anyone else.”
“Your Highness?” Jake furrowed his eyebrows.
Sunghoon knew it had been a topic Jake had avoided after his first accusation, both out of fear of treason and his own obvious discomfort. But with Jihoon’s own search sounding dry through his letters, which were probably being monitored, and Sunghoon’s increasing anxiety through the night, something had to be done. They couldn’t stay in Blossom forever, and when he returned he would be bringing everyone he loved back into the danger he had been so desperate to get them away from. Even now, every moment not spent on a, frankly, distracting set of feelings he had no hope of sorting through, was spent on worrying about his sister or his mother, or worrying about what would happen to his siblings and Jake should he fail to bring the contract up to his father's standards.
If Jake would have free time during his swordplay lessons, it would be the perfect opportunity to snoop. He was a naturally open and friendly person, Sunghoon had seen him make friends with even the sourest, surliest guards. He could certainly charm anyone who may have information into submission.
“Are you sure, Your Highness?” He asked slowly. “You may not like what I find.”
“I probably won’t,” Sunghoon agreed. “But I would rather know what we’re going up against than continue to be tormented in the dark.” He nodded once. “This is a big task, and it’s probably dangerous, so I would understand if you were apprehensive. I’m not going to force you to do it if you don’t want to.”
Jake stood a little straighter. “Your safety is my top priority. I will do my best to uncover as much information as I can.” He promised. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, Your Highness.”
There was a cool draft in the hall that raised goosebumps on his arms. It didn’t make sense, this close to summer. He glanced out the windows they passed, watching the trees sway in the wind as storm clouds started rolling in. He hoped for Heeseung and Sunoo’s sake, the rain held off until after twilight so they could finish performing the funeral rites. More than once, Jake had to nudge him along, back to his chambers.
He liked the rain. He liked riding in it, or swimming in the pond back in Chaconne, or curling up on a window sill and watching it pour. He found it calming.
When they turned the corner, he could see Jay chatting with Jisung outside his door. He was smiling at something the guard said, and heat flashed in his chest. It creeped up his neck and burned his ears.
He didn’t know how to act after yesterday. So much had happened between them and he wasn’t sure how they would look in public anymore. He pulled at his cravat subtly as they got closer.
“Your Highness,” Jisung greeted, and he and Jay bowed together.
“Good morning,” Sunghoon nodded in return, hoping he wasn’t as red as he felt.
“Good morning,” Jay offered him a small, fond smile.
This was ridiculous. He was a full grown man, the heir to the throne, he had no business being this flustered over a smile. He cleared his throat and motioned to the door. “Shall we? I’m afraid our time is limited today.”
“Of course, Your Highness. I was informed you would start receiving swordplay lessons. I’ll make sure our lessons don’t run over time.” Jay promised, opening the door and holding it for Sunghoon.
They settled at the table as usual, pulling out various books and parchments. Jay’s knee drifted closer until their legs were pressed together under the table and out of sight.
“To my understanding, there’s a ball tonight.” Jay said, getting right down to business. “So I thought we could go over some phrases you might need, as I won’t be able to be by your side when you’re dancing.”
Sunghoon nodded slowly and relaxed as the lesson carried on. He was relieved to see Jay acting the same as he always has. While he was still a little unsure of how he was supposed to act in a mostly private setting, where the only witness was Jake who had already made his stance on the topic clear, he appreciated that at least the lessons would carry on as normal. Mostly.
He was hyper aware of just how close he was. Jay was warm, he could feel it where their legs touched, and every accidental brush of his fingers on the back of his hand felt like a shock through his whole body. This, again, felt slightly ridiculous. He was only just starting to come to terms with the feelings festering in no small part of his heart, and suddenly his whole body was like one big bundle of nerves.
“-Your Highness?” Jay’s voice cut through his thoughts and Sunghoon turned to him quickly.
“My apologies, yes?” He cleared his throat again.
“Your mind was wandering, are you alright? Did you sleep well?” He frowned, reaching up before he seemed to remember himself and pulled his hand away quickly.
Ah. At least he wasn’t the only one struggling. Jay just hid it better.
“I did, thank you,” he said softly. “There’s just a lot on my mind.”
Jay’s eyebrows furrowed in concern. “The lesson can wait, if you’d like to take a break?” He offered.
It was endearing how much he cared. Sunghoon’s heart clenched, and he offered him a small, genuine smile in return. “We both know it can’t, but thank you.”
Jay sighed and got back to the lesson, stealing looks at Sunghoon to gauge his reaction. In turn, Sunghoon zeroed in his focus so he wouldn’t be a complete disaster at the ball tonight.
They worked all the way through until Minho and Seungmin were there to collect him for his swordplay lesson.
Sunghoon helped Jay clean up, glancing at him.
“You’ll be there tonight, right?” He asked quietly. “To help translate for me with the Blossom Nobility?”
“Of course, Your Highness. This was just to help you should you be required to dance.” He promised.
Sunghoon nodded. “Good,” he dropped his voice. “I’m happy you’ll be there.”
Jay’s hand ghosted over his, and a thrill shot up his arm. Jake was distracted with Minho and Seungmin, chatting as they waited for them to finish. He turned his hand over subtly to offer his palm in return.
For the briefest moment, their hands were linked together. The littlest touch that meant so much more than he could ever imagine.
It was dangerous. This was dangerous. Sunghoon could easily become addicted to this feeling.
He supposed it would be for the best if Jay didn’t stay after the engagement. He wasn’t sure he could handle having him so close yet out of reach.
He took his hand back quickly and straightened up, clearing his throat. “Thank you for the lesson, Jay-ssi.” He said, thanking every god above his voice was stable.
“Of course, Your Highness. You’re improving more and more everyday.” He promised, bowing quickly. “I’ll see you tonight.” He added before heading out of the room.
Sunghoon was quick to change into an outfit similar to one he would wear for riding and followed Minho and Seungmin outside. It was overcast enough that they didn’t have to worry about the sun in their eyes or heat exhaustion, and there was the distinct smell before rain. It was a rather pleasant day, all things considered.
“Alright Your Highness, I know it’s been a while since you’ve had a sword lesson. Can you show me what you remember, so I know what we’re working with?” Minho nodded to Seungmin, who handed Sunghoon a wooden sword typically used to train children and kept one for himself.
Sunghoon dropped into the stance he remembered from his lessons years ago. Seungmin let him take the first swing before the scrimmage really started.
He wasn’t terrible. Or, at least, as terrible as he could have been. He suspected Seungmin was taking it easy on him- he had seen some of the practice matches between Seungmin and Minho before, he knew he could probably take him down with one arm tied behind his back if he really wanted to.
“You’re not bad.” Minho mused. “The instinct is there, we just need to hone it in. Focus it.” He nodded, reaching out for the sword.
Sunghoon handed it off and watched Minho fly at the other man. Despite being caught off guard, Seungmin parried it cleanly, and immediately went onto the defensive as they moved through the blocked off area. It was almost like a dance between them, where the lead and follow changed based on whoever took over the offensive. It was beautiful, in its own way.
He knew a part of that was because Minho and Seungmin had known each other for so long and often spent their days off together, forming a cohesive bond that was prevalent in the way they behaved with each other. He hoped he could get even half as good as them, even without the friendship they had.
“Hyung! What are you doing?” Riki’s voice broke all three of them out of their concentration, causing Seungmin to stumble and fall back.
He looked over to see Riki, Taki, and Sunoo heading over with a reluctant Jungwon. “What are you four doing out here?” He asked, moving to help Seungmin up, only to be beaten by Minho.
“We saw you guys from inside and Riki and Taki wanted to check it out,” Sunoo explained.
“Well, if you would like to watch me get beat up by my deputy Head Guard, by all means,” Sunghoon motioned off to the side.
“I’m not going to beat you up, Your Highness,” Minho said, brushing the grass off the other guards back. “You’re sparring Seungmin today.”
Sunghoon sighed and rolled his sleeves up before accepting the wooden sword again. The four younger princes settled into the grass as he fell back into the stance.
Minho was ruthless but fair as he pushed Sunghoon throughout the training. He corrected his stances and adjusted the way he moved, giving him tips as he tried to counter Seungmin’s attacks.
When he finally called for a break, his legs felt like jelly, and his arms were too sore to lift even the wooden sword. He collapsed next to Jungwon, who handed him a flask in return.
“What’s this?” He blinked, uncapping it curiously and sniffing.
“Cold tea,” Jungwon admitted. “The flask was a gift, but I only like to drink socially so I wasn’t sure what else to do with it.”
Sunghoon shrugged and took a sip. “Leave it to you to use a flask for tea of all things.” He teased him, but honestly, it just felt good to talk with his brother again.
Even if he would hate him all over again after tonight.
“So why are you learning swordplay?” Taki asked curiously.
Sunghoon glanced at Jungwon and Sunoo. The Blossomer Prince subtly shook his head, which he took to mean they hadn’t quite shared with the younger Princes exactly what had been happening the last little while. He was grateful for that. The less people who knew the better.
“Just something to do,” Sunghoon shrugged. “I like to keep active.”
“We should get inside, Your Highness.” Seungmin suggested after a sip of water. “The chambermaids should be waiting for you by now.”
“Of course,” Sunghoon nodded, handing the flask back to Jungwon. “You four should head in as well, get ready for the ball tonight.” He recommended. “I’ll see you there.”
He stood and helped all four of them up. They were quick to abandon him, but as he was turning to Minho and Seungmin, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
“Sunoo-yah,” he said, surprise colouring his tone.
“We’ll be entering separately, so I just wanted to confirm you’re still okay with the dance tonight.” He explained.
Sunghoon nodded in confirmation. “Of course, yeah. I’ll ask you to dance once the festivities start.” He glanced at Jungwon who had paused halfway back to the castle to wait for Sunoo. “Have you told Jungwon yet?”
Sunoo winced. “No. He has to enter with you, so I was hoping...” he trailed off. “It’s a lot to ask of you hyung, I just... I can’t bring myself to do it.”
“It’s alright, Sunoo.” He said, his mind drifting to his own situation. “I’ll tell him. He’ll understand.”
“Alright.” He took a deep breath. “When we arrive, please escort my Eomma to her seat, and then return for me. I think it’ll be nice, since she’s not meant to dance.” He told him.
“Of course. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.” Sunghoon promised.
Sunoo nodded and bowed quickly before running to catch up with Jungwon.
Sunghoon sighed and rubbed his forehead, his energy depleting quickly. This was starting to feel a lot more complicated than he ever thought possible. He inhaled the sweet grass scent and listened to the birds chirping in the trees as he tried to collect his thoughts. Distantly, there was a part of his brain that wanted him to flee into the woods, away from the problems that plagued him.
But Minho and Seungmin were fast, and he would be caught. Or, he wouldn’t be caught and instead would die at the hands of assassins he was sure were lurking about, waiting for the right time to strike.
He sighed again and forced himself to focus on the feeling of the remnants of a spring breeze caressing his face.
“Are you alright, Your Highness?” Seungmin asked carefully.
“I’m alright,” he nodded, turning back to them. “Let’s head inside.” He cleared his throat, rolled his shoulders back, turned on his heel and picked up his Crown Prince persona on the way back to the castle.
Unbothered. Untethered. Unbreakable.
-
“Jay-ssi is requesting entrance.” Jisung called into the room as the chambermaids worked on his outfit.
“Send him in,” Sunghoon called back, leaned over as they tightened the corset.
“What sort of torture are you putting yourself through?” Jay asked after a moment of silence, standing next to Jake briefly before Gaeul demanded his attention and he took to sitting on the floor instead.
“It’s not torture,” Sunghoon denied, though his ribs would probably protest. “It’s fashion. It’s apparently popular in Dimena, which is where the Queen Dowager is from. I’m paying my respects, of sorts.” He explained, taking a deep breath and relaxing when it no longer felt too constricting.
“And you’re meant to dance in that?” He raised an eyebrow.
“It actually helps with posture. I typically wear one when meeting with the Lords in Chaconne.” He told him. “Did you come here to make fun of my clothing choices?”
“I would never do something so dastardly, Your Highness. You wound me at the implication.” Jay put a hand over his heart. “I came because Minho and Seungmin are napping before it’s their turn to take over for Jisung at the door, and Minho threw a pillow at me for using a lantern to read.”
“That sounds like them.” Sunghoon nodded, straightening up and looking in the mirror curiously.
The corset was navy blue with silver detailing over a white blouse, which was excellent considering the crown they insist he wear. It was smaller than his other one, a little more delicate, which was far more suitable for dancing. It had the added bonus of keeping his hair out of his eyes, which he appreciated after struggling throughout his whole swordplay lesson. They miraculously let him keep his black riding pants for the occasion, which was another small blessing.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Jay trying not to stare, and no small part of him was pleased to evoke such a reaction.
“Prince Jungwon, Your Highness.” Jisung called out.
“Send him in.” Sunghoon called back.
Jungwon stepped into the room in a deep violet coat with gold detailing and a golden waistcoat. He nodded to Jake and Jay, and bowed to Sunghoon before joining Jay on the floor with Gaeul.
The chambermaids left a moment later, leaving Sunghoon alone with the information he had to deliver to Jungwon, and consequently, Jay.
He took a deep breath as he turned to them. “Jungwon-ah, there’s something I have to tell you.” He said quietly.
“Straight to it then? No hello, how are you, you look nice?” Jungwon asked, still playing with Gaeul.
His annoyance spiked, but he tried to tamp it down. He tried telling himself that he understood why Jungwon was upset, and that it would have to mellow out eventually. He couldn’t let it get to him, it would make no difference if he villainized his brother.
“Hi, how are you?” Sunghoon asked after a deep breath. “You do look nice Jungwon-ah, I like that colour on you.” He told him quietly.
Jungwon didn’t answer right away. He kept his attention on Gaeul, petting her carefully. There was a silence that fell over their little group, and Sunghoon was running out of time to warn him about the impending dance.
“Jungwon-ah,” Jay said gently. “It’s not his fault.”
Jungwon’s head snapped up to look at Jay with wide eyes. Jake’s gaze bounced from Jay to Jungwon to Sunghoon and back again, looking like he was preparing to jump in the middle of a fight at any moment. Sunghoon’s shoulders dropped as much as they could have in his current outfit as he sighed.
“Jay-ah, it’s alright.” Sunghoon said softly. ”Jungwon, I will be asking Sunoo to dance with me tonight. It’s a request from the Late King and a show of good faith towards Blossom and this alliance. I wanted to tell you now so it wouldn’t shock you later.”
Jungwon’s sharp gaze turned to him. He studied Sunghoon, really studied him, before he nodded once. “Alright.” He said finally. “Save me a dance too?”
Sunghoon relaxed and nodded. “Always.”
With that, the matter was perhaps not settled, but at least put to rest for the time being. They headed out not long after, collecting Jisung at the door as Seungmin took over his spot.
“Thank you for trusting me to come along, Your Highness.” Jisung perked up. “I appreciate the invite.”
“Of course,” Sunghoon smiled softly. “Besides, the others volunteered to stay behind. I’m pretty sure Seungmin-ssi is aiming to play with Gaeul.” He chuckled.
“He’s been talking about her pretty much every night, so I would imagine that’s the case.” Jisung agreed.
Sunghoon chuckled at the thought. He didn’t mind if Seungmin spent most of the time in his room. He trusted him, and he actually liked that someone could spend more time with her.
Despite the slight chill in the air from the incoming storm, Sunghoon felt truly at ease for maybe the first time since the initial attack.
Their entrance was announced, and they stepped down the spiral staircase covered in a lush, maroon carpet and into the Grand Ballroom. The polished white marble floor seemed to sparkle under the crystal chandelier, candles flickering but lighting the room enough to cast away any shadows. Everyone was dressed in beautiful jewel tones- emeralds and sapphires and rubies glittering as they turned around the room. An eight piece band was playing off to the side, and flutes of champagne were being served around the room.
It was a sight to behold, and a testament to the love they had for their late King.
“Prince Sunghoon, Prince Jungwon, over here!” Riki appeared in front of them, leading them over to where he and Taki had taken up a table. “We save you spots with us.”
“Thank you,” Sunghoon said in Flickian as he smiled warmly. “It’s quite the turn out.”
“He was a good King,” Taki said, jumping at the opportunity to speak his mother tongue after keeping up with the Chaconian the four younger Princes had settled into from the last few days. “He cared about his people.”
“I can see that.” Sunghoon glanced around curiously. “Have King Heeseung and Prince Sunoo made their appearance yet?”
“Not yet, I think they’re waiting for the bells to toll,” Riki looked up at the large clock on the far side of the wall. “Should be soon.” He glanced at the guards and translator flanking their sides curiously. “You brought staff?”
Sunghoon looked at the three of them habitually. “Jake is always with me for safety purposes, and since the other two got to have a moment of rest last night, I thought it only fair to bring Jisung-ssi along. Besides, if we were to get separated, then I know Jungwon-ah could have his own guard.”
“Safety? What risks are there at a ball like this?” Riki blinked in surprise.
Sunghoon forced a smile. “It’s just a precaution. Pay them no mind, treat them as you would any other guest here.”
Riki shrugged and sipped at his champagne as the bells tolled, and the announcement horns rang out.
“Now presenting his Majesty King Heeseung and his royal Highness Prince Sunoo, with their mother the Queen Dowager Jisoo.” The page announced at the top of the stairs.
In direct contrast to the shining jewels of the Blossom Court, the royal family were dressed in white and silver, a cluster of diamonds amongst the gems. Sunghoon thought they all looked stunning.
When Heeseung reached the bottom, he slipped his hand into the awaiting one of a pretty girl with long, brown hair that cascaded down her back. She was in a scarlet gown that glittered in the candle light. She curtsied to him and he bowed in returned.
Jake stiffened beside him, and Sunghoon reached back blindly, nudging his arm. “Relax,” he murmured. “It’s just a tradition.”
“A tradition you are about to perform with your betrothed.” Jake mumbled back under his breath, and Sunghoon didn’t know how to comfort him beyond that.
Sunoo glanced around the room, before his eyes landed on Sunghoon. He took it as his cue to step forward and offer his hand first to the Queen Dowager. She smiled warmly and allowed him to accompany her to the perch with her throne, where she looked as regal as ever. Sunghoon bowed to her before returning to Sunoo’s side.
“Thank you hyung,” He breathed out.
“We’re in this together.” Sunghoon reminded him, leading him out to the section of floor that had been left empty for dancing.
They took their place across from Heeseung and his partner. They bowed to each other before the music commenced, and they began their dance.
“Who is hyung dancing with?” Sunghoon asked curiously.
“A cousin on our Appa’s side. He was close with his sister growing up, but she passed away a few years ago. So her daughter is here in her place.” Sunoo explained. “Why?”
“Why do you think?” Sunghoon glanced over at Jake.
Sunoo stole a look at Jake’s unfiltered sour expression and pressed his lips together. “What a sad group we make, hm?” He sighed, spinning out and back in.
“We’ll get through it,” Sunghoon offered a sad smile, stepping away and back again.
“Jungwon-ah has been talking to Riki and Taki about going to Flicker for a while, instead of going back to Chaconne right away.” Sunoo whispered. “He wants to miss the wedding.”
“I’m not surprised.” Sunghoon mumbled. “Would you want to watch him marry Heeseung hyung?”
Sunoo sighed. “I don’t like how he’s mad at you. It’s not your fault. You’re as much of a victim as I am of court politics.”
“I don’t mind him being mad at me if it spares you.” Sunghoon confessed. “I couldn’t imagine...” He snapped his mouth shut, but the damage was done.
“...Jay hyung being mad at you?” Sunoo supplied. “It’s alright hyung, I’ve known for a while where your heart belongs. I clearly would be a hypocrite if I were bothered by it.”
Sunghoon offered Sunoo another sad smile. They finished their dance in silence, and had the next one to encourage others to join the floor. After the second, Sunghoon bowed to Sunoo, who bowed in return before being pulled away by someone of Blossomer Nobility.
“It was their cousin,” Sunghoon informed Jake.
Jake flushed pink. “No matter, he can dance with whoever he wants.” He muttered.
“I suspect if he could dance with whoever he wanted, he would be over here with you, rather than over there with the lords.” Sunghoon pointed out.
Jake shot him a look. “You’re not helping, Your Highness.” He hissed.
Sunghoon bowed his head. “I’m sorry.” He said quietly, and they fell silent.
He sat off to the side for a while. Jungwon, Riki and Taki had callers ask for their hands throughout the night, and he mingled with whoever came for him, However, the initial dances sent a clear message that he wasn’t available for anyone else. He did have a dance with his brother, who actually smiled at him of all things, so he called it a win.
Other than that, he spent the night as a wallflower, watching as different combinations of aristocrats and nobles took to the floor. His eyes caught on those that were clearly lovers. They always seemed to have lighter steps and brighter smiles, and were always the last to part from each other.
“In the village back home, they used to have balls like this,” Jay’s honey voice in his ear had him sitting up a little straighter. “Well, perhaps not quite this decadent, but they would light up town square, and we would all put on our best clothes, and the local violin teacher and the meat shop owner's son and the apothecary woman would come play music, and we would dance well into the night.” He explained. “Anyone could come, they would set up a table for food and everyone would chip in.”
“That sounds lovely,” Sunghoon said wistfully. “There is always politics to these events, and a number of rules we’re meant to follow. After you’ve entered society, you attend a number of balls hosted by different noble families for the opportunity to find a husband or wife. When you ask someone to dance at the ball, you’ve made your interest clear. For the week after, you await for callers. If you ask for a dance more than once, and they accept, it’s nearly guaranteed you will be engaged by the end of the season.”
“The season?” Jay repeated.
“That’s what it’s referred to as. The Debutante Season.” Sunghoon said, lowering his voice while still taking on a dramatic quality.
“It sounds more like a hunting season.” Jay snorted.
“It is. Eomma’s are ruthless and desperate to find their children partners, and the Appa’s talk business. It’s dreadfully boring.” He sighed.
“And just by asking someone to dance, you’ve made your intention clear to them?” Jay clarified.
“Not just to them, to the entirety of society.” Sunghoon motioned around, glancing up at Jay to see him standing there with his hand out.
”Will you dance with me?” He asked.
He froze, staring at him with wide eyes. “Jay-ah...” He breathed out.
“I can’t take you out to the floor, I know that,” He said quietly. “But I may have a solution.”
With a quick word to an amused Jisung and slipping away from a distracted Jake, Sunghoon was following Jay out one of the backways and down a corridor.
“Where are you taking me?” He whispered, his hand firmly clasped in Jay’s
“You’ll see.” Jay shot him a smile over his shoulder, and Sunghoon would go just about anywhere if it meant he would keep smiling at him like that.
Jay tugged him up a staircase and pulled back a curtain to reveal the upper balcony of the ballroom. It was currently unoccupied as the ball was much smaller than the royal family was used to hosting. They could still hear the music clearly from this high up, and there were plenty of curtains and pillars that would keep them in the shadows.
Sunghoon peered down curiously before turning back to Jay who bowed with his hand outstretched. He slipped his hand in his time for the next song.
Unlike the routines that had been drilled into him since he could walk, the dance with Jay was wild and sporadic and a little silly. Jay would spin him to and fro, pick him up, pull him close and turn him around. Sunghoon tried to stifle his laughter as they moved around the balcony, lest they caught any attention from downstairs.
They danced in the shadows and ducked through the light, never once disconnecting their hands.
In his unrivalled joy, Sunghoon stumbled over a part of the rug that had curled up. Jay was quick to reach out and steady him, pressing him against the pillar as they giggled and caught their breaths, shushing each other and whispering warnings that never seemed to actually register.
And maybe it was the two glasses of champagne he had on an empty stomach, or the way Jay’s dark eyes shined like pieces of obsidian in the dim light, or the wide smile on his pink lips that revealed the cutest dimples in his flushed cheeks that he had ever seen, but Sunghoon had the sudden urge to just be closer.
He wasn’t sure what he was thinking when he wrapped his arms around Jay’s neck and pulled him in for a giddy kiss, but whatever it was had disappeared the moment their lips touched.
He tasted like champagne and sunshine, the scent of wildflowers and pine invading his senses as the kiss deepened.
Sunghoon burned for him. He could feel the heat of one of his hands on his lower back, the other against the pillar to support his weight so he didn’t have to rest against the cold stone. Sunghoon’s hands were shamelessly in Jay’s hair and around his shoulders, pulling him closer and closer. His crown got knocked off his head somewhere in the heat of the moment, falling harmlessly to the carpet.
“Sunghoon-ah,” Jay murmured against his lips. “Hey, Sunghoon-ah,” he pulled away enough to whisper to him, though he kept darting forward and stealing little kisses between breaths.
Sunghoon hummed to show he was trying to pay attention, but it was getting increasingly difficult with Jay pressed against him.
“We have to stop,” Jay whispered, resting his forehead against Sunghoon’s, their noses still bumping.
“I know.” Sunghoon murmured.
Neither of them moved, still wrapped around each other, hidden in the dark side of the pillar.
“If this were a normal ball, I would ask you to dance again.” Jay told him.
“If this were a normal ball, I would say yes.” Sunghoon breathed in return.
They took a few moments to collect themselves. Sunghoon fixed Jay’s hair, and Jay straightened his crown.
Sunghoon darted forward, stealing one more soft kiss. If this was the last time, the only time, he wanted one to cherish.
Jay returned it without hesitation, but pulled away before they could return to their pillar.
They passed their reflection on the way back, and Sunghoon was pleased to say that they could absolutely pass off as looking normal, if perhaps a little drunk.
They returned in time to be ushered outside for the funeral rites. “Where were you?” Jake whispered in his ear.
Sunghoon glanced at him and couldn’t help the small smile that found his lips. “He asked me to dance.” He mumbled. “And it’s rude to decline a gentleman’s offer.”
Jake was looking at him exasperated, but didn’t say anything further.
And when Sunghoon slept that night, he dreamt of a shop keepers son, a ray of sunlight dressed in a cream white that complimented his honey skin and obsidian eyes. It was a large ballroom, but they were alone, the only two people in the world as they danced and danced, not a shadow in sight. There was no choice, no consequence. For a night, at least, he could have Jay in his arms without worry.
And when Sunghoon woke the next morning, with the sun rising in the east that didn’t even compare to the brilliance of Jay’s smile from the night before, he choked on a sob and buried his face in his pillow to avoid alerting Minho, who was posted outside his door.
Because that’s all it was. That’s all they were. A dream.
A fantasy.
The hit of reality was enough to keep him in bed for as long as it took Gaeul to get restless, at which point he summoned his guard and his chambermaids, who helped him get ready to face the day.
They fixed his sleeves.
He let them.
Chapter 11
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“Your Highness.” Jake stepped into his chambers without even an announcement.
Sunghoon was curled up on the couch reading. With the morning off before Heeseung’s coronation in the evening, he had opted to relax in his room before Jay would come for his Blossomer lesson.
Or try to relax, anyway. His mind was a mess and if he stopped reading for even a moment, his thoughts consumed him. He kept thinking about the kiss, about his dream, about his nightmares. Did one good dream outweigh every horror from the darkest corners of his brain he had been subjected to since the second assassination attempt?
And the anxiety from the kiss was wreaking havoc on his nerves. For a moment, he had felt light and free and happy. However, the idea that someone saw, that they could have been caught, weighed on him. If they were spotted, if they had gotten caught, he wasn't sure what would happen. He knew Sunoo and Heeseung didn't hold it against him as his friends, but would their kingdom follow suit? Would his? There was already a movement trying to keep him from the Crown, would this give them the ammunition they needed to get the general public on their side?
“Your Highness, I spoke with the staff,” he said, coming around to the other side of the couch with a grim expression.
He had nearly forgotten that amongst the drama surrounding the war between his heart and his head, he also had someone trying to have him killed. That someone quite possibly being his own father.
He glanced out the window that overlooked the forest, and mourned the fact that he did not run when he had the chance.
“And?” Sunghoon closed his book and sat up, leaving space for Jake on the couch.
“They said he had been recently brought onto staff. Apparently he kept to himself, didn’t say much, but the King would summon him once in a while.” Jake explained. “It’s not much to go off of.” He said apologetically.
“It’s enough to cause concern.” Sunghoon sighed, rubbing his forehead. “They really didn’t know anything?” He frowned.
Jake shook his head. “Like I said, apparently he kept to himself. I asked if there was a journal or any letters or anything, but nothing was left behind.”
Sunghoon laid back on the couch and stared up at the ceiling. “I’ll write to Jihoon to see if he can find anything out on his end.” He said quietly. “Though, I’m worried the letters are being monitored.” He confessed.
“It wouldn’t surprise me.” Jake slumped back on the couch.
They remained like that for a while, both stewing in their own minds with the meagre findings. It wasn't enough. Nothing that could solidly pin the attempts on anyone, let alone a King, was coming to light. All they had were suspicions that only had validity to them because of behaviour they witnessed first hand.
Sunghoon closed his eyes, lost in thought as he tried work through the spiderweb of problems without breaking any of the threads.
“Sunghoon-ah,” Jake said quietly.
Sunghoon cracked open his eyes to look at him curiously. “Yes?”
Jake took a deep breath. “I know you probably don’t want to talk about whatever is going on with Jay, but-”
“Don’t worry,” Sunghoon interrupted, closing his eyes and letting his head fall back on the arm rest as his dream came back to him. “I think last night was a goodbye.”
“Sunghoon-ah,” Jake tried again as Sunghoon got up.
“It’s no matter,” he insisted. “I just got a little distracted, I was swept up in it all. He comforted me when I was struggling with my nightmares, so what I’m feeling is probably gratitude. You don’t have to worry, he’s basically already confirmed he’s going to quit as my tutor once I’m engaged and we’re back in Chaconne.”
“Nightmares? You’re having nightmares?” Jake sat up, looking confused.
Sunghoon walked over to the desk in the corner, looking over Jihoon’s letter again to see if he missed anything.
“It’s fine, I’m fine.” He said shortly.
He couldn’t help it. It was a knee jerk reaction when Jake, who made it clear where he stood on the subject, brought the topic up.
Maybe if he dismissed it enough, he could convince himself it meant nothing too.
“Sunghoon-ah-”
“Jake,” He interrupted. “I want to focus on these assassination attempts. That should be my focus, that is what’s most important right now.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jake stood and bowed his head.
Sunghoon took a second to breathe before he started speaking again. “Say, hypothetically, it was the King trying to assassinate me. Why would he do that? Especially now, when we have such a solid alliance being made under the condition that I marry?”
“Maybe he feels threatened?” Jake suggested.
“By the alliance?” Sunghoon furrowed his eyebrows.
“By you.” Jake corrected.
“Me?” Sunghoon looked up from Jihoon’s letter in surprise. “What have I ever done to deserve his mistrust? I’ve been nothing but loyal and willing, even before I was a Crown Prince.”
Jake glanced at the door, as if he feared it would open any moment and reveal the King himself had been listening in the whole time. “Your Highness, surely you’ve noticed something is... off, with the King, as of late?” He approached the topic carefully.
“Perhaps, but it’s been a generally exhausting few months with the lords and the new taxes they imposed.” Sunghoon frowned, thinking back to before the Blossomers arrival to see if there was any other behaviours that jumped out at him. “I don’t see how that correlates with me.”
Jake looked hesitant to say much more. Sunghoon sighed and set the letter aside.
“Please speak freely, nothing will be held against you.” Sunghoon assured him, though it hurt his heart to think Jake felt the need to hold back after all these years.
“It’s the staff, Your Highness.” Jake told him. “They listen to you. They respect you.”
“Well... yes.” He blinked slowly. “That is typically how staff and the staffer work.”
Jake shot him a look that definitely told him to stop being deliberately obtuse, and while Sunghoon would admit that the occasional quip or remark he made was to intentionally aggravate him for the fun of it, this was not one of those times. It had always been explained to him, by his parents and senior staff alike, that he was inherently respected due to his position. That respect elevated when he ascended to Crown Prince status, and would elevate again when he became King.
Or, rather, if he became King. That prospect was looking less likely by the minute.
“Yes, but Your Highness, they like you as well.” Jake said it like it wasn’t common, and that only left Sunghoon more confused.
“What do you mean?” He frowned.
“You play with Woonhak and give Ryujin money for the medicine for her brother and you assigned your personal guard to train Jaehyun so he would feel more confident in his new position and you thank your chambermaids every morning and you speak with the staff like they’re people. By the Gods, you say staff, when most people would just say servants.” Jake listed it off one by one. “You remember when they tell you things, and you follow up with them every time. When you’re left in charge, you know who is confident in what, and where their strengths lie and assign them accordingly. They have faith in you as a leader because you have faith in them as people, your people.”
Anyone in this castle would vouch for you as King.
That’s what Minho had said the night of the first attack. He and Jisung had seen Jay bow with his hand over his heart, and they had both followed suit without question. Not because they were required to, but solely because they wanted to. Just so you know where we stand, Jisung had told him.
He remembered being terrified to lead the last minute preparations for Heeseung and Sunoo’s arrival, and the absolute relief when it went well. He even got Jihoon’s approval from the whole ordeal. After he had chastised him a few days prior for his reckless behaviour, his approval felt fulfilling. Rewarding. Like an indication he was doing something right.
“Forgive me, Your Highness-“
“Knock it off,” Sunghoon mumbled. “This whole ‘Your Highness’ business. It’s just us here. Just be my friend, Jake.”
He hadn’t meant for the last part to slip out, but it made Jake stop and soften a little.
“Sunghoon-ah,” he started again, gently, and that meant whatever he was about to say would absolutely hurt. “You inspire the kind of loyalty that had Jihyo take a dagger for you. All because you are kind to them.”
“But... they’re my staff,” Sunghoon said lamely, trying not to choke up at the memory of Jihyo- she often haunted his dreams, a constant reminder of who he was and what that meant for others. “Of course I’m kind to them, they do so much for us, and I grew up beside a lot of them.” He protested weakly. “Frankly I wish they would treat me with less respect sometimes, it’s suffocating.”
When he first became the Crown Prince, he noticed the change almost immediately, he just couldn’t pinpoint it. Not only did he move into his brother's old rooms, but the staff were treating him differently too. The guards that used to play with him wouldn’t anymore, the maids that would dance and sing with him would barely manage a smile, and it wasn’t until Jake returned from his guard training at sixteen years old that he realised he hadn’t been called by his name properly in three years without Prince in front of it.
So he had always tried to be kind and personable, because the ground had fallen away beneath him and left a huge chasm between them that he could never cross. He hoped that if he never changed his behaviour towards them, maybe they would realise he was still the same person underneath the weight of his title.
“Why did you go to the village that day?” Jake asked him softly.
Sunghoon opened and closed his mouth a few times. He wasn’t sure how to explain it. He hadn't set out that day to go to the village. He thought he would've have been content to ride around the castle ground. But when the village came into view, when it was just within his reach, everything changed.
He wanted to see it, he wanted to know his people. He wanted a taste of what the world outside the castle walls had to offer.
It felt like freedom.
“Why did you want to go to the market by the sea?” Jake tried.
Once again, Sunghoon was at a loss. It came back to his people, their stories, everything everyone had to offer, because everyone has something to offer. And those things weren’t material, or even substantial, they were feelings and emotions and stories and complaints and joys, all meant to be shared with those around them.
“You love your people, Sunghoon-ah. You always have. And it shows. Your staff get to see that directly.” He explained. “The current King is not so... inclined to such behaviours. The staff respect him because they fear him, not because they like him. And a positive respect is always stronger than a negative one.”
“So... he sees me as a threat to his what? Power? Throne? I’m to be Crowned next year anyway.” Sunghoon’s head was spinning.
“And whose decision was it to push back your coronation another year, instead of following through in December like you were meant to? You were meant to be Crowned last year, when you turned twenty-one.” He countered.
“But I wasn’t ready!” Sunghoon protested. “I didn’t have enough training, or time to prepare, I’m thirteen years behind compared to where my brother was!”
“The whole point of Crowning the next King while the last one is still alive is so you have that mentor to help you through your first few years! But Sunghoon-ah, you have been ready to be King since the first time they told you that you would have to be one! You might miss your freedom as a Second Prince, but you have always accepted the responsibility gracefully and shouldered it well.” Jake said firmly. “I don’t care about circumstances or birthright or any of that, you were born to be a King. You were born to wear that crown.”
“But I don’t want it!” Sunghoon shouted before he fell silent, hanging his head in shame as a heavy tension settled in the room.
It wasn’t a thing he ever admitted to out loud. He would sit by a window and long to escape into the forest behind the castle. He would open the glass and lean out as far as he dared to inhale the sweet spring breeze, and bask in the soft summer sun and would dream of being a blue swallow, like the ones that graced the ceiling of his brother's old rooms. One that could fly far, far away. He would count the stars in the night sky and wonder what lay beyond them, and if he would ever see it. He listened to the stories of the merchants at the port, attentive and invested in every single one, genuinely, because they travelled to places he couldn’t even dream of.
But he would never admit out loud that the Crown that had been thrusted upon him at thirteen years old was too heavy, and that he never wanted it in the first place. It was improper, and ungrateful. It was no ones fault, either. There was no one to blame besides the tragic circumstances that led him to this position, and he didn’t want to let anyone down.
“I know.” Jake whispered. “I’m sorry. It sounds reductive, but that may be why you’ll be such a good King to begin with.”
Sunghoon squeezed his eyes shut and took a few shuddering breaths. “So my abeonim is trying to have me killed over a throne I don’t even want? Is that it?” He summarised. “Because a few guards bow to me with their hands over their hearts?”
“That’s the working theory at the moment, yes.” Jake winced.
There was a knocking at the door and Jisung’s voice announcing Jay’s arrival.
“Don’t let him in,” Sunghoon called back, turning away from the door to wipe his eyes.
“You shouldn’t push Jay away.” Jake said suddenly, and Sunghoon tossed him an incredulous look.
“But you said-!”
“I was wrong.” Jake said bluntly. “I know how hard it is to stay away, I know that distance makes the heart grow fonder, I know how painful it is and I wanted you to be spared from all that. But I also know I haven’t seen you smile like you had last night in a very long time, and I think if you have to give it up forever one day, you should be able to cherish it now. I’m sorry I tried to get in the way of it.”
He said it with such conviction, it made Sunghoon do a double take. He studied his best friend and slowly relaxed against the desk. It was his turn to soften, to understand what was being left unsaid. He owed him that much.
“You should go see Heeseung hyung today.” Sunghoon told him quietly. “Before the coronation.”
“He doesn’t want to see me.” Jake looked away.
“I don’t think that’s true.”
The door opened and they both looked over surprised as Jay walked in with purpose. Sunghoon blinked before a panic seized his chest. “Jisung, I said don’t-”
Jay held the paper up that Sunghoon had signed and stamped for him the day they arrived, granting him entrance under any circumstances. He looked unimpressed, with a facial expression nearly identical to the one he wore the day Sunghoon had charged into his shop. The realisation startled him, and he automatically straightened up.
Beneath the annoyance, he could see hurt and fear and pain, and his heart ached knowing he was the cause.
“Jake,” Sunghoon mumbled, never taking his eyes off Jay. “Go see him please.”
“Be smart.” Jake mumbled back, bowing to him and then Jay before he headed out of the room, hopefully to find his own star-crossed lover.
Once the door was closed, leaving them alone, Jay held the paper up and shook it again. “You know, I never thought I would have to use this.” He told him.
“Why did you?” Sunghoon asked quietly.
Jay motioned to the door exasperatedly. “Because you told Jisung no.”
“What if I didn’t want to see you?” Sunghoon countered, just to counter, as Jay got closer out of annoyance.
“Then you would be a jerk, because you don’t get to kiss me like that and then refuse to see me.” He pulled his bag that held his books and papers for tutoring off and tossed it to the side. “It was bad enough you didn’t ask for me last night, which I thought we had moved past-”
“I didn’t ask for you because I didn’t wake up.” Sunghoon interrupted. “I slept through the night. I didn’t have a nightmare.”
That stopped Jay short, like he hadn’t considered it a possibility. “Oh well that’s... that’s good, then, I guess.” He nodded jerkily, clearly still in the middle of reevaluating the situation. “Did you have a good dream then?”
Sunghoon thought about Jay dressed in white, spinning around the grand ballroom. A small smile graced his lips as he nodded.
“The best kind of dream.” Sunghoon agreed quietly.
Jay’s shoulders slumped. The fight seemingly drained out of him now that he had a moment to breathe.
“I’m sorry for forcing my way in, I just assumed the worst when you didn’t ask for me last night.” He said apologetically.
“And what would the worst be, in this case?” Sunghoon asked, a little amused with Jay’s antics.
“That you hated me, that you regretted it.” He mumbled.
“I could never hate you,” Sunghoon reached forward and took his hand. “And I certainly don’t regret it.”
Jay peeked up at him from beneath his lashes, which was extra endearing considering Jay had always been the bolder of the two of them.
“I dreamt of you last night,” Sunghoon confessed. “We got our second dance.” Jay leaned forward and rested his forehead against his.
“What are you doing to me?” Jay whispered, sounding both awed and exasperated at the same time- it was a tone Sunghoon was becoming familiar with as time wore on. “I had been so careful to be proper around you when I found out you were the Prince, I tried to keep my distance because even before I knew you were set to be engaged, I knew there was no chance for us. I tried to stay away from you as much as I could, even when you asked me to come along to Blossom.”
Sunghoon pulled him closer- he chose not to mention all the times Jay had offered his hand to Sunghoon, or the way he was the one who insisted he take him to the market by the docks, or the books that sat on his desk, read and reread more times than he cared to admit. “Is that why you never called me by my name? To stay away?”
“It felt too personal.” He mumbled. “But what am I supposed to do when you’re sitting there in tears begging me to say your name? You acted like it would save you.” Jay pressed in closer. "I couldn't find it in me to deny you anything you asked for."
Something inside Sunghoon snapped, and he started telling him about every bad dream he had had in the last few weeks. He rambled like a sinner in church, recalling every horror he lived through each night, every death, every massacre and how it all came back to him.
“And I just remember thinking after the first one, if you had just said my name, maybe I wouldn’t have been so tempted by the altar.” He concluded, holding his breath as he awaited Jay’s response. "Maybe I would have chosen differently."
And Jay held him together so he wouldn’t fall apart. He rubbed his back and kept him close. For a moment the weight fell off his shoulders, now that he no longer had to live with the dark corners of his mind alone.
“You should’ve told me.” Jay mumbled.
“I thought you stayed the first night out of obligation.” Sunghoon confessed. “And Jisung brought you the second night without consulting me.”
“And then you shut me out.” Jay frowned.
“You weren’t the only one trying to keep distance.” Sunghoon leaned forward enough to nudge his nose with his. “I’ve watched Heeseung and Jake practically our whole lives be torn apart by something like this, and I’ve watched it hurt my brother and Sunoo more and more since we left Chaconne. And yet somehow they all knew before I did just how doomed I was.”
“I thought Heeseung hyung thought you were in love with Sunoo?” Jay furrowed his eyebrows.
“He didn’t ask me if I was in love with Sunoo. He asked me if I was in love with you.” Sunghoon clarified, blushing wildly. “I had been warning him that you had already caught on to something happening between him and Jake, and he had asked about you. And when I told him what I knew, that’s when he asked me that. We talked about Sunoo and the contract afterwards.”
“Oh.” Jay said in a small voice.
“How ironic that Heeseung saw between us the very thing I had warned him to be careful about.” Sunghoon chuckled breathlessly.
“Permission to speak freely, Your Highness?” Jay asked, and Sunghoon nearly scoffed and pulled away.
“I will hit you with a sword, you know. Minho-ssi said I’m getting quite good-”
Jay’s lips were on his before he could finish his sentence, and he couldn’t even be mad about the interruption. He kissed him back feverishly, shedding his stuffy jacket on instinct as Jay pulled him back onto the couch behind them, careful not to trip over Gaeul who was shooting off to her bed in the corner. He was in Jay’s lap, hands in his hair and in desperate need of air before any semblance of sense returned to him.
“This doesn’t look like a Blossomer lesson,” Sunghoon mentioned briefly to him between kisses.
“I mean, I’m technically a Blossomer. Study me.” Jay offered.
Sunghoon had to pull away enough to release the bubble of laughter that erupted in his chest out of pure surprise at the comeback, pleased to see Jay’s kiss-bruised lips in a wide grin in return.
“And just how would that work?” Sunghoon asked, his own smile wide and unshakable.
Jay hummed and reached up with one hand, keeping the other on his hip, and cradled his face delicately, as if holding on any harder would damage him. He pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
“Bbyam.” He whispered, pressing another kiss to his nose. “Ko.” And another, to his brow. “Ima.”
One, to his temple. “Mori.”
One, to the shell of his ear. “Gwi.”
The exhale of air made him shiver, and he pressed closer automatically.
Jay pressed another kiss to his neck. “Mok.”
And finally, he kissed him again, slow and sweet and deliberate. Sunghoon kissed him in return, every nerve in his body set ablaze.
“Ippsul.” Jay whispered when they finally pulled apart.
Sunghoon hummed and pushed his hair back. “That’s not what I thought you were going to make me do,” He chuckled.
“What did you think was going to happen?” Jay smirked.
“You said I should study you. I thought you were going to have me pick a poem you gave me and recite it.” Sunghoon admitted, pressing a soft kiss to his neck. “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” He mumbled. “Thou art more lovely and more temperate,” He pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,” Another to his temple. “And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
“You memorised it?” Jay asked, sounding a little breathless.
“It reminded me of you.” Sunghoon confessed, ghosting his lips over Jay’s eyelids as they fluttered shut. “Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,”
“Oh,” Jay choked out, touched but clearly caught off guard and very much losing control of the situation.
“And often is his gold complexion dimm’d,” Sunghoon kissed down his neck again. “And every fair from fair sometime declines,”
Jay’s hand traced patterns along his spine as he kept kissing every part of him he could reach.
“By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimm’d; But thy eternal summer shall not fade.” Sunghoon whispered, moving back to capture his lips.
“Not lose possession of that fair thou owest; Nor shall Death brag thou wander’st in his shade, When in eternal lines to time thou growst; So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”
He murmured the rest between kisses and breaths, moving closer as Jay deepened the kiss the moment the last word left his lips.
There was no thought Sunghoon could hold onto longer than a second. His conscious mind was far away, and the only thing he could manage to think about was how warm and safe Jay felt, and how he wanted more than he could have.
Jay groaned beneath him. “Sunghoon-ah, we have to stop,” He mustered, though he wasn’t doing a very good job at convincing him.
“I know.” Sunghoon agreed, capturing his lips again.
“We have to stop,” Jay repeated, kissing him back. “You’re to be married, you can’t do this right now.”
“I’m not getting married today,” Sunghoon protested, and Jay pulled away enough to offer him a sad, knowing smile.
“I know,” He murmured, brushing Sunghoon’s hair back. “But we’re risking enough without risking your virtue, too.” He pointed out. “It’s an outdated tradition, but a tradition nonetheless. I know those are important to you.”
Sunghoon sighed, resting his forehead against Jay’s shoulder. He held him close and rubbed his back. “It’s a ridiculous one put in place to avoid siring any illegitimate heirs. We don’t have that concern.” He grumbled.
Jay chuckled and pressed a kiss to the side of his head. “I don’t want to get you in any more trouble.” He told him.
“I’m sorry Your Highness, let me check in with Prince Sunghoon,” Jisung’s slightly panicked voice came through the door, and Sunghoon scrambled off Jay’s lap, grabbing his jacket from the floor and pulling it back on.
They rushed to fix each other's hair and straighten their clothes as they heard Jungwon argue with Jisung.
Sunghoon snatched the letter from Jihoon from his desk and sat beside Jay in time for Jungwon to come through the door.
“Jisung-ssi, you know I have permission to enter,” Jungwon furrowed his eyebrows, glancing over to Jay and Sunghoon, who looked over in return.
Jisung shot Sunghoon an apologetic look, and Sunghoon shook his head subtly as he stood to show he wasn’t upset with him. “Jungwon-ah, to what do I owe this pleasure?” He asked, smoothing out his outfit.
Jungwon still seemed a little displaced about being initially denied entrance, so if he noticed anything was odd, he might have just brushed it off.
“I wanted to talk to you, I didn’t realise Jay hyung was here.” He looked over his shoulder curiously. “You got a letter from Jihoon?”
“We started doing a Blossomer lesson, but the conversation drifted to home,” Sunghoon explained. “Jihoon was updating me on Chan’s recovery.”
“I hope Chan hyung is okay, I know Jisung is upset he can’t be there.” Jungwon frowned. “But I needed to speak with you in regards to my plans this summer.”
Sunghoon knew where this was going, so he nodded and motioned to the couch. “Are you comfortable with Jay-ah here? I can finish my lesson later.” He offered, pulling his chair up.
Jungwon got that same odd look on his face he had gotten yesterday when Sunghoon had spoken to him about the first dance with Sunoo, and it was sort of weirding Sunghoon out.
“I’m okay with it,” Jungwon nodded slowly and cleared his throat. “I’ve decided I’m not going back to Chaconne.” He announced.
Sunghoon was grateful for Sunoo’s warning about Jungown’s plans. If he had to hear this for the first time now, when he was already hyper aware that his time with Jay was falling away fast in the hour glass, he might have had a small breakdown.
“Is that so?” He said instead, leaning back in his chair.
“I’ve spoken with Riki and Taki, and they wrote to King K to see if I could stay with them for a while.” He explained. “I would be back for your coronation.”
That felt like a kick in the chest. Sunghoon stared at him. “You would leave for over a year?” He clarified, and Jungwon nodded.
“Jungwon-ah...” he breathed out.
In a way he should be happy. Jungwon in Flicker meant he should be out of harm's way. But he also hated the idea of losing his brother for over a year.
“You can’t change my mind. I’m telling you this out of respect for you as my Crown Prince and my older brother, but you can’t stop me.” Jungwon added.
Sunghoon sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Okay.” He said quietly, nodding and standing up. “Is that all?” He asked.
Jungwon nodded, glancing at Jay who was resolutely focused on the letter from Jihoon. “Do you have any ideas about the attacks?” He asked him, turning his attention back to Sunghoon. “They said they attacked the carriage because of the royal seal, right?”
“No,” he lied immediately. “We still aren’t sure, we don’t have a lot of information.”
The last thing he wanted was to tell Jungwon about their suspicions that their father was behind the attacks. Until he was sure, until they could do something about it, there was no sense of putting his brother in any more danger than necessary.
Jungwon sighed, leaning back against the couch and getting comfortable. “So what are we going to do?”
Jay and Sunghoon exchanged glances. They couldn’t exactly ask him to leave without being suspicious, so they sat down and tried to come up with a plan.
Guilt festered in Sunghoon’s chest as he withheld the one piece of information they actually had.
-
They had separated to get ready in soft pastel colours, a stark contrast to the brilliant jewel tones from the night before. They were light and airy and gave a distinctly summer feel.
Sunghoon however, was unsure of the colouring choice for him in particular. “Pink?” He repeated, looking himself over in the mirror with barely hidden distaste.
His waistcoat was a soft cream colour, that paired well with the peony pink jacket that had been a gift from the Blossomer Crown. They had put that same, smaller crown back on his head to keep his hair back, and distinguish him as another royal in the crowd. They even convinced him to change out of his riding pants, and into something more befitting of a man in his position.
“It suits you, Your Highness,” Minho offered as he filled in for Jake.
“Does it?” He frowned. “I’ll wear it, of course, but I’m not sure I would say it suits me.”
Jay and Jungwon entered in their own changed attire- Jay in a more formal shirt and trousers, while Jungwon was in an ensemble not unlike his own, only in a shade similar to a green hellebore.
“Oh, hyung, you’re...” Jungwon trailed off. “They put you in...”
“I’m fairly certain His Majesty did this on purpose to tease me,” Sunghoon said dryly.
It would very much be Heeseung’s style to tease Sunghoon as much as he could when he couldn’t be there with them for the majority of the day, too busy becoming King to join their party. The new King knew about Sunghoon's distaste for the colour pink, so he figured this had to be his doing.
Not long after, they were retrieved by a page, and they set off down the hall with Minho, leaving Seungmin and Jisung behind to patrol their wing of the castle.
Jungwon and Minho struck up a conversation behind them, and Jay leaned over a little.
“I think you look lovely,” He murmured. “The pink suits you.”
Warmth spread through Sunghoon’s chest and up his neck.
“Pink definitely suits you,” Jay whispered with a smirk, even quieter, and it took every bone in Sunghoon’s body not to turn and shout at him for flustering him when he was meant to look calm and collected or kiss him senseless, pressed against the stone wall.
Either option sounded alright to Sunghoon, but it was more difficult not to give into the latter desire.
They arrived at the Grand Ballroom, Sunoo joining them almost immediately, relief flooding his face at no longer having to be alone.
They weren’t allowed to actually attend the coronation itself.
Blossom regarded it as a sacred tradition meant to be speculated between the Gods, the Crown, and the Successor. Since the King had suddenly passed, thus leaving the Crown position empty, the Dowager Queen had to take up the responsibility.
That meant, however, that the rest of them would wait in the Grand Ballroom for Heeseung to emerge, officially a King.
“I can’t believe you’re not even allowed in there,” Sunghoon commented to Sunoo quietly now that his blush had cooled and he could trust his voice again.
“It’s tradition,” Sunoo grumbled. “You know, I’ve never really wanted my brother's Crown before, but he’s not even allowed to tell me what the process is. I’m far too curious, I want to know.”
Jay peeked around Sunghoon to look at Sunoo curiously. “I could tell you.” He offered.
Sunoo shot him a confused look. “How would you know?”
Jay shrugged. “We get a lot of books that come through the shop back home, and a ton from other kingdoms that fell into people’s collections. We had a large Blossomer collection come in about a month before I started working for the palace, and I like reading about history. It fascinates me.”
“You’re saying you read a book about the coronation process in Blossom? A process that’s not even supposed to be talked about amongst anyone but the High Priests?” Sunoo clarified, clearly in disbelief.
“I’m not saying there’s any validity to it,” Jay admitted. “It seemed like a handwritten manuscript, but the pages and ink would date it to about a hundred years ago. When my Appa realised what it was, he refused to put it on sale. It’s still sitting in the backroom somewhere because he doesn’t have the heart to destroy it.”
Something shifted on Sunoo’s face, and his eyes widened. “Are you sure it’s a hundred years ago?” He clarified.
“More or less, yeah.” Jay shrugged before nodding. “Why?”
“There had been rumours going around of a Priest that went rogue, so he took all the teachings he was receiving, wrote them down and fled out of Blossom. They talk about him like a fairytale now, a lesson to learn from. They don’t even speak his name.” Sunoo explained, and Jay, who was always eager for more information and to learn something new, grabbed Sunghoon’s hips to shift him over so he could take his spot, falling into a hushed, excited conversation in Blossomer with Sunoo, who seemed just as excited to talk gossip with Jay.
Sunghoon blinked a few times and glanced over to Jake, who had rejoined them at the last minute, a little rumpled but ultimately smiling a little more than he had been. He motioned to where Sunoo and Jay were talking, and Jake pressed his lips together to keep from laughing.
Sunghoon couldn’t help the soft smile that found his lips. Of course Jay knew about the secret, sacred ritual that even Sunoo wasn’t aware of. It was so very Jay of him to just pull this information out of nowhere, information he acquired by chance, and consumed because he found it interesting. He remembered the tome from the library back in Chaconne, how large it was and how content Jay had seemed to be reading from it.
And Sunoo loved to talk and gossip. He was never cruel or malicious, but even growing up he loved to tell the stories of their staff or, even more so, recount all the interesting pieces of news from the debutante season in Blossom. He loved to speculate and guess who would marry who, and who would leave who.
So combine Jay’s love of facts and Sunoo’s love of stories, and Sunghoon realised he would need to be very careful or he might lose all his companions, romantic or otherwise, by the end of the trip, purely based on this conversation alone. They would need no other company but each other.
It sort of made him fond though. Jay clearly didn’t hold any resentment towards Sunoo, anymore than Sunoo held resentment against Jay. They were both just very good, kind people who liked to chat. He appreciated the friendship they seemed to be striking up, at least.
It would make the rest of their time in Blossom more pleasant, he supposed. It might make Jay’s departure in Chaconne that much more painful, but he would cross that bridge when they got to it.
The horns sounded and all conversation fell away as the page announced the arrival of His Royal Majesty, King Heeseung.
Heeseung stepped up to the balcony proudly, his shoulders drawn back and his chin tipped up as he balanced one of the prettiest crowns Sunghoon had ever seen. It was a gorgeous piece of metal work, though it reminded him of the wildflower crowns they used to weave as children. Only this one was hammered out gold and silver, with pearls embedded in the petals. It was stunning and regal, and very much suited Heeseung. The lone diamond in the centre of the crown sat in the middle of his forehead, reflecting the last rays of light streaming in through the windows, welcoming the new King to their lands.
“Every crown is made for each new King,” Jay murmured to him, and he tried not to show any reaction when his lips brushed the shell of his ear. “It’s a part of the ritual, the King will choose flowers meant to represent himself and what he hopes to accomplish during his reign.”
Sunghoon hummed. “It’s beautiful.” He mumbled back. “It suits him.”
This suited him. Heeseung held up the sceptre that had been passed down for generations, and the sea of people who had been waiting for him took to one knee, bowing their heads for him.
It was very clear to Sunghoon that Heeseung was born to lead. He inspired respect and love in his people. He remembered how he had been received when they arrived in Blossom, the hundreds of primrose, chamomile and purple clematis brought before him to welcome him home as the new King. They wanted him to be King. It was the type of respect every ruler desired.
He was led by the page to the other side of the balcony, to the large window that opened onto a platform, where his title was announced again. From outside, Sunghoon could hear cheers and cries and shouts of joy from the people, filtering in on the breeze.
From there, they were dismissed to the feast awaiting them in the banquet hall, where they ate rich food and drank sweet wine. They made toasts to Heeseung’s health, to the health of his nation, to the Gods that blessed them.
He felt a little guilty about Jake and Jisung, who had to stand with the other guards by the door, and Jay who was forced to stand behind him in case any Blossomer noble tried to talk to him. Sunoo had to join his family at the head table, which left Sunghoon and Jungwon with Riki and Taki, though the three Prince’s were more inclined to speak with each other than include him in the conversations.
When the dinner finished, Heeseung stood and thanked them all before dismissing them for the night.
“We have five whole days of festivities with the Summer Solstice and Prince Sunoo’s birthday. The best thing I think any of you could do is get plenty of rest.” He chuckled, and the crowd laughed along with him
When Sunghoon reached his own chambers, he was quick to shed the stuffy Prince clothes and light the fire in the fireplace, curling up on the couch with Gaeul. He was finishing his day where he started it. He watched the flames flicker until he drifted off.
Notes:
The poem Sunghoon recites is Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 and is the original inspo for the title of the fic. Also, Jay does in fact remind me of a summer day, so it fits well.
Chapter 12
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The first day of the Summer Solstice was spent in the castle, getting decorations decided for when the festivities would spill into the walls and grounds for Sunoo’s birthday, as well as getting fitted for their new outfits for the occasion. There were more of the light pastels, and Sunghoon was devastated to find out he would be stuck in the pink pallet for the rest of the celebrations.
“It creates a theme hyung,” Sunoo explained as Sunghoon stared in the mirror unimpressed. “Besides, it’ll make it easier for the people to know who is who if they have a colour to associate with them.”
“But why am I pink?” He frowned.
“Because it suits you,” Sunoo shrugged, leaning back in the seat.
“You all keep saying that,” Sunghoon grumbled, refraining from fidgeting with the hem.
“Pink does suit you,” Jay commented from where he was reading a book Sunoo had snuck him from the royal library.
“I don’t want to hear a word from you,” Sunghoon pointed at him, much to the annoyance of the tailor. “You don’t have to do all this, so you don’t get a say.”
“It sounds to me like the Crown Prince doesn’t value the opinion of his loyal subject.” Jay sighed. “That’s really sad, I expected better from the future King.”
“You were born in Blossom,” Sunghoon scoffed, arguing for the sake of arguing. “Are you really considered a loyal subject if you didn’t live in Chaconne for the first half of your life?”
“I wasn’t born in Blossom by choice,” Jay rolled his eyes. “And I didn’t move to Chaconne by choice. Holding decisions made for me as a child against adult me now is rather unreasonable, Your Highness.”
Sunghoon narrowed his eyes at him through the mirror and glanced over at Sunoo, who was trying very hard not to laugh at the two of them.
Well, he was glad their bickering provided entertainment for him, especially considering he was hiding from Jungwon, trying to create that distance between them as best he could.
He wished he could tell Sunoo it was alright if he wanted to spend time with Jungwon before he left for Flicker with the other Prince’s.
Then it was swordplay with Minho and Seungmin, where Minho still insisted he fight Seungmin for the time being so he could correct his stance and movements. He once again garnered an audience of his brother and the Flicker Princes, along with Sunoo and Jay.
Jay wasn’t even really paying attention, trying to read the book as fast as he could so he could return it to Sunoo before the end of the day, when the royal librarian would catalogue each book to ensure nothing was missing.
That didn’t make it any less distracting.
“Don’t you all have anything better to do than sit around and watch me learn how to fight?” Sunghoon raised his eyebrow.
They all exchanged glances before shaking their heads.
“This is pretty entertaining hyung,” Jungwon grinned impishly at him, and Sunghoon resisted the urge to throw his wooden sword at him in annoyance.
“Prince Sunghoon, I implore you to focus.” Minho said. “I would like to see one more match with you and Kim Seungmin before I decide if you’re ready for real blades.”
Sunghoon sighed and tucked the wooden sword into his belt, shedding his jacket and waistcoat as a way to fight the ever growing heat that came with the mid afternoon sun and constant physical activity. It was Riki who whistled at him, and he tossed his jacket right at his face without much thought to it.
“If you’re here, you’re to be silent.” He instructed. “I need to focus.”
“Yes, hyung.” Riki, Taki and Jungwon all said at the same time with ridiculous grins on their faces.
Sunghoon fell back into his position, rolling his sleeves up and nodded to Seungmin to start the duel. He let Seungmin come at him first before they danced around each other in mock combat.
Something caught the back of his boot, and Sunghoon tumbled to the ground with a groan. Seungmin placed the tip of his wooden sword beneath his chin.
“I win again, Your Highness.” Seungmin informed him, as if he didn’t know.
“Do you?” Sunghoon asked, smirking a little.
Seungmin looked down at his stomach where Sunghoon had managed to get him. He even looked mildly impressed, which was a huge compliment when it came to Seungmin.
“I think you’re ready,” Minho said, and Sunghoon could see him trying to hide his grin. “You can use mine, just be careful.” He warned them.
The lesson carried on with the real swords until they were both bent over, drenched in sweat and gasping for air.
“I think you’ve done well for the day, Your Highness,” Minho said, patting Seungmin’s back as Sunghoon handed his sword back. “We can stop here for now, and pick it back up in a few days, after Prince Sunoo’s birthday.”
“Thank you, Minho-ssi,” Sunghoon panted. “And thank you, Seungmin-ssi.”
“It’s an honour to assist you, Your Highness,” Seungmin answered, bringing his hand up over his heart briefly as he was still bent over.
It wasn’t quite a bow, but the sentiment was the same and Sunghoon’s chest felt a little lighter at the action.
He flopped down beside Jay and refrained from leaning against him. Instead, he chose to lay back on the grass. He was stopped short, a hand cradling the back of his head for a moment before it could touch the ground. Jay set his book aside for a moment and retrieved his jacket from Riki before moving under Sunghoon’s head. He laid his head down gently against the makeshift pillow before picking his book back up without a word.
It was such a small gesture that could easily be brushed off as a concerned staff member looking out for the Crown Prince, but Sunghoon could practically feel the care behind it. His heart fluttered a little as he closed his eyes to take a rest in the sun before they would have to head inside.
Once inside, Jay read the whole way back to their chambers, until it was time to split off from Sunoo. He actually did manage to finish it, handing it back to the other Prince, his eyes alight. “Thank you, Your Highness. I appreciate it.”
“Of course, I thought you would.” Sunoo nodded with a bright smile. “I’ll find you something else when I get the chance. I’m sure you’ve read the folktales before, but there’s a manuscript somewhere with alleged ‘first hand accounts’ in the library. I would be happy to find it for you.”
“That would be amazing, thank you, Your Highness.” He bowed to him quickly.
Sunoo waved goodbye, and Jungwon disappeared with the Flicker Prince’s again. This left Sunghoon with Jay and his guards, who accompanied them down the hall. They remained silent until they greeted Jisung, who smiled softly as they headed inside for their Blossomer lesson.
“It was nice of Sunoo to lend you the book,” Sunghoon commented as he stepped behind his partition to get cleaned up, peeling off his blouse and starting with the lavender water the chambermaids had prepared for him earlier.
“He gave it to me this morning after our conversation last night,” Jay explained. “He called it an olive branch.”
Sunghoon hummed. “He knows, Jay-ah. About everything.” He admitted. “I think he knew before I did. He mentioned it in the carriage on the way to the port in Chaconne.”
“I thought so,” Jay sighed. “He approached me with friendship first, I hope that’s alright. He said he didn’t see why we would have to be distant in our positions. I don’t think he knows I plan to leave once we’re back in Chaconne.”
The reminder made Sunghoon stop for a moment. He took a deep breath and continued, washing his hair quickly before drying himself carefully. “I think it’s good, actually. I’d much rather you two be friends than enemies. None of us want to be in this position, it’s just a matter of duty.” He sighed, pulling on the new, clean shirt. He didn’t bother tucking it in or adding a waistcoat or jacket, stepping out from behind the partition.
Jay was on the floor, the fire already started as he played with Gaeul, talking to her in a cutesy baby voice that brought a fond smile to Sunghoon’s face.
“So? What’s the Blossomer lesson today?” Sunghoon asked curiously, a towel wrapped around his shoulders since his hair was still wet.
Jay looked up at him, his eyes trailing down as he sucked in a sharp breath. “By the Gods, Sunghoon-ah.”
“What?” Sunghoon looked down at his outfit confused. “What’s wrong?”
Jay stood up and approached him slowly, like he couldn’t believe he was real. Sunghoon stood perfectly still, watching his every move. Jay rested his hand on his waist, and he could feel the warmth so distinctly at the point of contact, it made the rest of him feel cold. His fingers ran through his damp hair, collecting the cool moisture so when they trailed down his neck, it left goosebumps in their wake.
“You’re so beautiful,” Jay murmured, his eyes bouncing around his face like he was struggling to take him all in.
There was something so enticing about the way he said it. Here he was, dressed down as much as he could be, no jewels or rare metals or expensive clothes in sight, and Jay was still staring at him like he had never seen anything more precious in his life. Sunghoon could feel heat flush his neck and cheeks, which just made Jay smirk and lean forward, pressing a few kisses to his jaw.
“Pink is definitely my favourite colour on you.” He whispered, and Sunghoon shuddered at the feeling of his breath fanning across his skin, holding onto Jay’s biceps to keep himself steady.
Jay moved up and kissed him sweet and slow, pulling him closer if possible. Sunghoon melted in his hold, deepening the kiss almost immediately with his arms around his neck to keep him close.
Jay entertained his desire for a few moments before he pulled away, breathing hard.
“I should actually teach you some Blossomer today,” Jay admitted, resting his forehead against his. “We’ve fallen behind on lessons.”
“I can’t imagine why,” Sunghoon mumbled, pulling him back in for another kiss.
He almost seemed to have convinced Jay that this was a much better use of their time before Jay’s teacher mode took over and he pulled away slowly.
“If you pass your vocab test on the first try, and get through the conversation scenarios you need to learn, we can spend the rest of our time studying... poetry, again.” Jay bargained, taking his hand and leading him over to the table.
Sunghoon groaned but sat in his chair regardless. “Now you’re just being mean.”
“Believe me, I’m aware I’m actively working against my own best interests,” Jay grumbled, taking his own seat. “But these things are important and it’s in your best interest to learn them.” He sighed, pulling out the sheets and handing them to Sunghoon, who diligently got to work.
-
The next day, they were awoken early and ushered out to the carriages so they could get to the village for the festivities.
And what a sight to behold it was.
The cobblestone streets were lined with vendors like they had been in Chaconne, and music filled the air as the town square had been transformed into one large dance floor. Everyone was dancing, old and young. Children weaved through the crowds with flower crowns made of daisies and daffodils braided in their hair, shrieking with laughter over a game they were playing that only they seemed to understand. Lanterns were hung around to be used for light late in the night, once the sun set. Sunflowers, peonies and lavender decorated every ledge and windowsill, and everyone was dressed in soft, light colours as they chattered amongst themselves excitedly.
Sunghoon was in awe, looking around with wide eyes to take it all in. “Your Highness, may I have this dance?”
Sunghoon looked to see Jay offering his hand to Sunoo, who lit up and nodded, taking it without question. Jay pulled him out to join the fray, and they fell into step with the rest of the crowd easily.
Sunghoon and Jungwon exchanged confused looks, before he casted one towards Jake questioningly. Jake merely shrugged, clearly unsure of where Jay’s mind lay.
But they looked to be having fun, with Sunoo throwing his head back in laughter as Jay spun him around. They danced until the song ended, and they returned to their group with matching smiles.
“C’mon Jungwonie, I’ll show you how to do it!” Sunoo said excitedly, grabbing his hand and pulling him out to the crowd.
“Your Highness? Care to try?” Jay grinned at Sunghoon, a sparkle in his eye.
A giddiness settled into his bones as Sunghoon couldn’t help but smile back, taking Jay’s hand. He laughed as they fell into step with the crowd. He tripped a little, but Jay was always there to correct him, to lead him through the unfamiliar steps.
“We shouldn’t be doing this,” Sunghoon reminded him.
“Why not? I danced with Prince Sunoo, why can I not dance with the Prince of my own country?” Jay pointed out, mischievous smile on his face.
It suddenly made sense why he had asked Sunoo first. He glanced over to see Jungwon laughing as Sunoo led him through the dance, his own wide smile a permanent fixture on his lips.
“You two planned this,” Sunghoon couldn’t wipe his grin off no matter how hard he tried.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Your Highness.” Jay smirked as Sunghoon stumbled a little into his chest, holding him close for a moment under the guise of stabilising him before they started dancing again.
They sped up as the music crescendoed, louder and faster as they moved. For a moment, Sunghoon was back on the balcony, dancing with Jay like they were the only two people in the world. Only, they didn’t have to hide in the shadows and shy away from the light. For a moment, only a moment, they could be in each other's arms in the warmth of the sun.
This was their second dance.
When the song came to a close, Sunghoon was out of breath as he bowed to Jay, who returned it happily. They returned to Heeseung, Jake and Jisung who were watching the four of them amused.
“Did you enjoy yourselves?” Jake asked with a small smile.
“It was wonderful,” Sunghoon said quickly, grinning as they followed the lanterns down the street. “We should come back to the square before we leave, I’d like another dance.”
“Of course, Your Highness.” Jake bowed his head a little.
They continued down the path, stopping in at different vendors to look through their stalls. Sunghoon kept an eye out for any stall claiming to sell royal items, the way he had seen in Chaconne. Either everyone was on their best behaviour because they knew the King would be around, or it wasn’t as common of a practice in Blossom because he couldn't see any. They passed a jeweller who specialised in working with the white pearls from the freshwater clams, specific to the Blossom region, and Sunoo stopped to look at them curiously.
“These are pretty,” he complimented the seller shyly.
“We harvest them ourselves, Your Highness. No two pieces are the same.” The seller told him, motioning to the necklace.
“Do you want one?” Heeseung asked, stepping up beside him, clearly ready to spend any amount on his little brother.
“Didn’t you already give Sunoo hyung a string of pearls?” Jungwon whispered to Sunghoon who immediately winced.
He never found the right time to do it. Sunoo was always with the other Princes, or they were in a meeting, or he was with Jay or Minho and Seungmin for his various lessons. He figured he could wait until they were back in Chaconne, when his father and Heeseung could sign off on the contract.
He wouldn’t admit there was a small part of him that always hesitated when there was a decent opportunity, if only because every time he thought about those pearls, Sunoo’s neck was not the one he pictured them around.
Luckily, Sunoo settled for a bracelet instead, which Heeseung bought for him happily.
Though, Sunghoon found as they wandered through, people were more inclined to offer their products up for free, especially any food or drinks. He thought for a moment it was a goodwill gesture towards their King, Prince and their companions, but he watched as two little kids that reminded him of the two he had met in his own village asked for some bread, and the woman at the stand gave them each a bun willingly.
He smiled softly as they continued through the streets.
To see a town so at ease, so selfless and kind, it truly seemed to reflect their new King in the best way possible.
“I’m going to stop in here,” Jay motioned over, and Sunghoon was unsurprised to see a bookstore.
“We can join you,” he offered.
Jay shook his head. “Enjoy the festival, Your Highness. I’ll only be a few moments, I’ll catch up.” He promised, bowing quickly before retreating into the shop.
Sunghoon watched him for a moment before turning back to the merchant who was explaining their quill design to them.
“Excuse me,” someone said, tapping his shoulder. “Spare some change, sir?”
Sunghoon turned around and immediately pulled out some gold, handing it off to the man. “I’m afraid I didn’t carry much with me today, will this be enough?” He asked.
“It’s plenty, thank you Your Highness,” the man said, turning immediately and heading off in another direction.
Sunghoon blinked in surprise. He couldn’t tell if the man hadn’t realised he was a Prince until he turned around, or if he had just forgotten to use honorifics the first time, but it felt a little off to him.
“Your Highness? Are you alright?” Jisung asked him quietly. “Hm? Oh, yes,” Sunghoon nodded, shaking off the interaction.
They continued down the path, with Heeseung and Sunoo taking turns telling them about different things they saw. There were young women doing a ribbon dance, braiding the ribbons down the pole before dancing back out to undo the knot, then they started all over again. Young men displayed their strength at log toss, while other children and young adults tried their hand at archery. It wasn’t long before they made it back to the town square, where they were still dancing, though it looked like a new set of steps than the one Sunoo and Jay had shown them earlier.
“Does Your Majesty dance?” Sunghoon asked Heeseung curiously.
“I like to,” Heeseung nodded in agreement. “I would need a partner though,” he glanced over at Jake.
“I can spare my guard, if you would like,” Sunghoon offered casually. “He’s aware of Blossomer customs, so I’m sure the dance is familiar to him.”
“If you don’t mind, that would be lovely, thank you.” Heeseung’s smile brightened a little as he stepped in front of Jake. “Would you be so kind as to lead me in a dance, Sir Jake?” He asked shyly.
Jake glanced at Sunghoon who nodded quickly, and his best friend grinned in return. “It would be my honour, Your Majesty.” He let Heeseung pull him into the dance as it circled around the centre. Jungwon and Sunoo joined them moments later, which left Sunghoon with Jisung.
“I wanted to thank you, Jisung-ssi.” Sunghoon mumbled to him, his eyes trained on the smiles on his friends' faces. “For all your discretion, and quiet support these last few weeks.”
Jisung offered a small smile. “You have always been kind to us, Your Highness. I think you deserve your own happiness once in a while. I’m happy to help you achieve that in whatever way I can.” He bowed his head quickly.
Sunghoon smiled fondly. “You’ll be rewarded when I’m King,” he promised.
“Truthfully, Your Highness, my friends and family are all in the royal guard. So if I could just remain with them, that would be reward enough.” He said honestly.
Sunghoon’s grin widened a little, and he turned his gaze back ahead. “That can certainly be arranged.”
They fell into a comfortable silence as they watched the other four dance. “Excuse me, spare any change?” A vaguely familiar voice asked him.
Sunghoon turned, ready to apologise, when the man from earlier leaped at him, knocking him over.
There were shouts all around him as the townspeople scattered when they realised what was happening. The music stopped abruptly, instruments ringing in dissonance as they were abandoned so the owners could flee to safety.
“Death to the False King!” The man screamed, drilling the dagger down.
Sunghoon managed to dodge it before the man was ripped off of him by Jisung, who tossed him back a few feet and hauled Sunghoon up off the ground.
“Are you alright, Your Highness?” He asked quickly.
“I’m fine,” Sunghoon assured him as people pushed past them, and he could hear someone, probably Jake, yelling for him in the distance, but they were struggling to make it through the panicked crowd.
“We have to get you out of here,” Jisung looked around quickly.
Sunghoon’s eyes caught movement behind him. “Jisung, watch out!” He shouted, and the guard barely had time to draw his sword to parry the man’s long dagger.
The man was relentless, making up for his lack of skill with force and stamina alone. Sunghoon looked around for anything that could help, only to be grabbed from behind. He thrashed around, trying to use some of the tactics Minho had taught him on top of his swordplay lessons, and managed to successfully get his captor in the temple.
The guy stumbled back, before he roared in frustration and came at him again.
He seemed surprised when a sword sprouted from his stomach before he staggered and fell to the ground.
Sunghoon looked at Jisung in time to see the older man sheath the dagger into his side. Jisung’s eyes widened in pure shock before he cried out, collapsing as the man withdrew the dagger.
Rage and despair took over Sunghoon’s very being. How dare this wretched man think he can hurt his guard and get away with it?
He grabbed the fallen guards sword and charged at the man, who deflected his blade with ease. He tried to remember everything Minho and Seungmin had taught him, weaving and dodging as he fell back on the defensive.
He tripped over backwards on the body of the second man, and in a last attempt, he raised the sword.
The man might have been quicker, but Sunghoon’s blade was longer. The man dropped his dagger out of sheer surprise as he glanced down at the blade that lodged into his chest.
He dropped almost immediately. Sunghoon barely had a moment to catch his breath before Jake was closer, calling his name and getting him up off the ground.
“Your Highness!” Jake shouted, grabbing his free arm. “We have to go, now,” he said firmly.
“We have to get Jisung,” Sunghoon insisted, trying to fight against his hold. “He’s hurt, we have to help him!”
More than hurt. That was very clear. There was so much blood. Too much blood. And Jisung wasn’t moving despite the chaos around them. But he couldn’t leave, not again.
“We don’t know how many more there are,” Jake told him, hauling him back. “We have to go, now.”
“But-!” He tried to protest.
“Sunghoon, now.” Jake choked out, and Sunghoon couldn’t argue with him anymore.
He let Jake drag him away, back to the carriages where Heeseung, Sunoo and Jungwon were already huddled into one.
“Where’s Jay?” He asked, turning back to Jake.
Jake looked around. “He never got back to us after he went into the book store.” He said. “We’ll come back for him.”
“No,” Sunghoon tried to break out of Jake’s hold. “I can’t- I can’t leave him too, Jake, please,” he begged. “Let me go find him. He could be in trouble.”
“The only person in trouble right now is you, Sunghoon-ah! They’re after you.” Jake insisted.
Sunghoon opened his mouth to protest, only for Jake to shove him back hard enough that he stumbled into the carriage, three pairs of hands holding him back as Jake grabbed the horse he had rode in on, swung his leg over and took off back towards the town.
That’s not what Sunghoon meant, he hadn’t meant for Jake to be the one to go back for him. Panic filled his chest- was he about to lose them both?
“Drive! Now!” Heeseung shouted, and Sunoo reached forward to hold the door shut as the carriage took off.
The fight drained from Sunghoon as it hit him that his own selfishness might have just cost him three lives.
“Hyung,” Jungwon said quietly. “Are you hurt? Did they get you anywhere?”
“Jisung,” he said faintly. “Jisung got killed.”
“I know,” Jungwon sounded like he was on the verge of tears. “I’m asking about you hyung, is any of the blood yours?”
His peony pink jacket that had been so carefully measured and stitched for him was splattered with poppy red blood. It seeped into the clothes, spidering along the fabric, absorbing into the detailing like a morbid masterpiece. It was everywhere, his chest, his arms, his legs, but he didn’t feel any pain to indicate he had been injured. He could distantly feel someone wipe his face, and when he looked down at the handkerchief in Sunoo’s hand, it came away scarlet.
“No,” Sunghoon mumbled, dazed as he stayed planted on the floor of the carriage. “I... I think I killed that man. It’s his blood.”
His grip tightened on Jisung’s sword, which he still had in his hand, even though no one tried to take it away from him. Jisung dedicated his life to this sword, he wielded it with pride and honour every time he withdrew it. To let go meant to dishonour his legacy, he was sure of it.
He could only hope it was the blade that took that man's life. He deserved worse, for his crimes.
When they arrived at the castle, they went into an immediate lockdown, though he could hear Heeseung give a description of Jay and Jake, should they return.
He was ushered in quickly and taken to the medical ward to be examined, to ensure he wasn’t harmed in the process. He still didn’t let go of the sword until Jungwon had to literally pry it out of his fingers so he could get washed up.
It was always in sight, even as he scrubbed his hands raw. He could still feel the blood slip through his fingers and cake under his nails, no matter how spotless they looked. He might have killed that man, but it was Jisung's blood on his hands.
The sword was returned to him before they left, and he held it at his side as they headed back to his chambers. He felt removed from his body, like his feet had a mind of their own and he trusted them to take him where he needed to go. He kept trying to wrap his mind around exactly what happened, how it happened. Jisung's lifeless eyes stared back at him every time he blinked, and he was terrified of having to see Jake and Jay's next.
When Jungwon finally stopped him outside his door, Minho and Seungmin were standing there, clearly on high alert. They must have heard about the attack then, but given the confused looks on their faces, they hadn't heard the worst part. It was being left to Sunghoon to tell them.
“Where’s the others?” Seungmin asked carefully.
“Jake went back to find Jay,” Jungwon informed them quietly. "We got separated before everything happened."
“And where’s Jisung?” Minho asked.
Sunghoon felt his throat close around the words as his lip trembled briefly before he pressed them together. The silence stretched between them as he gripped the sword tighter.
“Your Highness, where is Jisung?” Minho repeated, his voice matching the tenseness of his shoulders.
“Gone.” He breathed out.
“No,” Seungmin whispered, leaning against the wall, his eyes wide.
Minho was silent, staring listlessly at him like he couldn't believe it.
“I’m sorry,” Sunghoon choked out before swallowing hard. “I’m so sorry,” he covered his mouth with his hand, trying to hold back his tears with sheer will alone.
It all felt like it was happening too fast. Just a few hours ago, they were dancing in town square. Now he was in his room, trying to write a letter of condolence to Jisung’s family. Which meant writing a letter to Chan, his deputy head guard who was still recovering from his own attack, that his friend, the first guard he trained, his family, was gone, and they might not even be able to produce a body for him to mourn.
Jungwon had left and returned at some point, just as restless and anxious as he was, but he didn’t say anything, just sat with Gaeul on the floor as Sunghoon hunched over at his desk.
“Your Highness,” a voice called out.
Sunghoon looked over to see Seungmin standing there, his shoulders squared despite the red puffiness of his eyes.
“Yes?” Sunghoon cleared his throat, turning to him.
“Sir Jake and Jay-ssi are requesting entrance, Your Highness.” He informed him.
It took Sunghoon a moment to actually process what he was saying. He stood up, abandoning his letter to rip open the door.
“You’re okay,” his voice caught in his throat as he threw himself at Jake first. “Thank you,” he breathed out.
Jake hugged him back. “I wasn’t going to let you lose him too.” He mumbled.
“You came back too,” Sunghoon added. “I’m just as grateful for that.”
“Of course I did.” Jake scoffed lightly, but held him a little tighter.
Sunghoon squeezed him a little harder before pulling away and turning to Jay, who hadn’t stopped scanning Sunghoon for injuries since they arrived. He threw his arms around Jay and hugged him close, burying his face in his shoulder.
“Are you hurt? In any pain?” Jay mumbled in his ear.
“You’re alive,” Sunghoon breathed. “That’s all that matters.”
Jay held him a little tighter, rocking them back and forth.
“No more running off to bookstores,” Sunghoon chastised him.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jay agreed quietly.
“And if you do need to go, always take someone with you.” He added.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jay nodded.
“Preferably a guard.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You brought plenty of books from the Chaconne library,”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And you have Sunoo sneaking you books from the Blossom library.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You don’t need more books.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Certainly not more than you need your safety.”
“Sunghoon-ah,” Jay said gently, pulling away enough to cradle his face. “I’m okay.” He promised. “I’m right here. I’m sorry I left. But I’m here, unharmed.” He pushed his hair back.
Sunghoon’s throat tightened and he hit Jay’s chest weakly. “You scared me.” He whispered.
“I know,” Jay murmured, pulling him back in for another hug. “I’m sorry.”
“So what are we going to do then?” Jungwon asked from the couch quietly. “We thought the attacks would stop in Blossom.”
“I don’t know.” Sunghoon sighed, pulling away from Jay a little bit, but he was grateful for his arm around his waist to keep him up.
“Did he look familiar at all?” Jake asked gently.
Sunghoon shook his head. “We should do a headcount again anyway, just to be sure.”
“A headcount? You mean of the staff?” Jungwon blinked in surprise. “Why?”
Sunghoon and Jake exchanged looks.
“Do you two know something?” Jungwon asked, confused.
They didn’t answer, and Jay pulled away from Sunghoon to look at him properly. “What do you know?”
“We don’t know anything, not for sure. We just have a theory.” Jake exhaled finally. “We don’t have a lot of evidence to support it, so we didn’t want to suggest it until we were sure.”
“I think after the third attempt on my brother's life, we can start hearing theories.” Jungwon said dryly.
“Even if it’s treason against the King?” Sunghoon asked quietly, looking up at Jungwon miserably.
Jungwon seemed to take a second before he shook his head in disbelief. “You think it’s our Appa trying to kill you? Why would he do that?”
Sunghoon sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you.” He mumbled.
“No, I just- why would he want to do that? He loves us, he wouldn’t try to hurt you.” Jungwon frowned.
Sunghoon thought back to that day in his office, how quickly he threatened Jake and his siblings should he fail to secure this alliance, the cut on his cheek that was just about healed, and looked away.
“What?” Jungwon repeated, exasperated. “I don’t want any more secrets hyung, people are dying over this, you could die over this. We need to know everything so we can help you.”
Sunghoon flinched at the reminder, Jisung’s lifeless body flashing in his mind.
“I’m sorry,” Jungwon whispered immediately. “I just want to help you.”
Sunghoon squeezed his eyes shut. “He called me into his office before we left. He said I undermined his authority as King by giving staff instructions and not retrieving him for the Blossom delegation arrival. He said I wasn’t to refer to him as anything but ‘Your Majesty’ or ‘Your Grace’. He told me if I failed to secure this alliance in the way he wanted it, he...” Sunghoon took a deep breath. “He would marry you and Wonyoung off so I would never see you again, and he would send Jake to the frontlines of the army.”
“By the Gods, Sunghoon.” Jake breathed out. “And you didn’t think to mention any of this?”
“I didn’t think I would have to!” He exploded, ripping away from Jay’s hold, an automatic defense rising. “I negotiated the contract in our favour, I have an understanding with Sunoo- I’m going to marry him in September even though both our hearts belong elsewhere!” He threw his hands in the air. “I let Jungwon hate me because I broke his heart, I’m letting him leave to go to Flicker so he doesn’t have to come to the wedding, I’m letting Jay leave the moment we get back to Chaconne despite the fact that he will be taking my heart with him!” He motioned over to the man in question before taking a step closer to Jungwon. “I killed a man today because if our theory is right, if I die, you’re next, and then Wonyoung. I am doing everything in my power to make sure that you, that Wonyoung, that Jake and Jay and Sunoo and my guards are safe and protected from that monster.”
He was breathing heavily and practically vibrating where he stood. “So don’t tell me he loves us and wouldn’t hurt us, because he’s already hurting us, Jungwon.” He said in a low tone, his fists clenching at his side, digging his nails into his palms.
He was so tired. Exhaustion flowed through his veins, and he was struggling to stay standing. “I had to watch someone I care about die for me today. Again. And I couldn’t do anything to stop it. I have nightmares every night where I watch everyone I love die because I am not enough. I know people are dying, I know the risks, you don’t have to tell me, I know,” he choked up again. “I have gone through rigorous training for the last eight years on how to assess situations and make difficult choices. I have sat in on war meetings with the Council of Advisors and budget meetings with Lords. I have seen the economic collapse of my country and watched as we tried to rebuild it. I’ve been taught how to handle droughts and plagues and the loss of the line of succession, and not a single one of those lessons could have prepared me for the idea that my abeonim may have never intended for me to ascend to the throne to begin with. So if you have any ideas or suggestions or theories that don’t lead back to our abeonim, I am all ears.”
He breathed deeply, anger and pain being the only thing keeping him standing as the heavy silence stretched out between them. The chasm was back, large and glaring, and Sunghoon cut down any bridge he had managed to build.
Jungwon stared at him before he rushed forward and hugged him tight. “I’m sorry.” He whispered. “I didn’t know you were dealing with this heavy of a burden. You handled it all so gracefully, it didn’t occur to me that anything was wrong. And I haven’t been helping matters, I’m sorry.”
Sunghoon felt his knees give out as he clung to his little brother. He would move the sea and mountains for Jungwon if it made him happy, but would put them all back if it meant he was safe. He felt Jake hug them from behind, and Jay join in a moment later, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.
Despite the situation, despite the pain and heartache and fear, for a moment, the burden lessened. He wasn’t holding it alone anymore.
“I don’t want it to be true either,” Sunghoon whispered. “But there’s too much evidence right now to support the theory. Just not enough to convict him.”
“Can you show us what you guys have?” Jungwon asked quietly.
Sunghoon nodded and pulled away from the group, retrieving the papers for the footman who attacked him on the boat, and the letter from Jihoon that were surprisingly dry and vague. He let Jake take the lead on explaining things- including how the first attempt never should have happened had the required search been properly executed, and how the King himself had signed off on the footman who had attacked him. He sat quietly as Jungwon and Jay listened intently, asking for the occasional clarification or offering their own take on the situation. He kept his gaze on the fire, letting his mind wander away as his friends discussed the attempts on his life.
He drifted off at some point in the middle of the conversation, the exhaustion finally consuming him whole.
-
Sunghoon stepped onto the familiar balcony even if it wasn't his own, and overlooked the sea of faceless subjects. The crown weighed on his head, a heavy burden he struggled to hold straight. The crowd wasn’t pleased with him, they were silent aside from the disjointed whisper that prayed for his death, for his downfall.
“Sunghoon-ah.”
Sunghoon turned his head so fast, his neck spasmed with pain as the crown tilted. Jay was standing there, leaning against the very pillar where they shared their first kiss. The shadows around him didn’t feel threatening the way they usually did- in fact, it was the light of the ballroom in the Blossomer castle that felt ominous. The shadows offered safety and comfort.
There was no doubt, no hesitation. Sunghoon dropped the sacred items in his hand and knocked off his crown, running towards Jay without looking back.
Jay caught him, a brilliant smile on his face, leaning forward to kiss him when suddenly his face twisted up in pain and surprise.
The shift in his expression panicked Sunghoon. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Jay glanced down and Sunghoon followed his gaze.
He was horrified to find a dagger buried in Jay’s stomach, his own hand on the handle.
“Jay-ah,” he breathed out.
“That’s it,” a sinister voice that sounded frighteningly like his father. “The Crown requires sacrifice. This boy is nothing but a distraction.” He hissed.
“No,” Sunghoon choked out, though he couldn’t control his hand. “Jay-ah, please, I’m sorry,” he cried.
Jay didn’t answer, just casted him one more heartbroken look before he collapsed at his feet, the dagger still embedded in his stomach.
“No!” He cried out. “Jay-ah, please, I’m sorry, don’t leave me.”
“What’s one more?” His father chuckled, turning Sunghoon to see a trail of bodies behind him.
Jihyo. Jisung. Jungwon. Jake. Wonyoung. Minho. Seungmin. Chan. Changbin. Jeongin. Jihoon. Even little Woonhak, all the way back by the crown he abandoned.
Sunghoon collapsed in horror, another sob bubbling up in his throat. There was blood on his hands, so much blood, and he felt like he choking on the stench, drowning in it all as the walls bled red-
Sunghoon woke up sobbing on the floor, his chest aching and head pounding.
He was pulled up and held against something warm and solid.
“I’ve got you,” a familiar voice whispered. “I’ve got you Sunghoon-ah.”
Sunghoon’s eyes flew open and he immediately pulled away, scrambling back away from him.
“Stop! Stop!” He instructed through his cries. “I don’t want to hurt you, stop.”
“Sunghoon-ah, it’s just me,” Jay said gently.
“I know,” Sunghoon sobbed. “Please, I don’t want to hurt you. I’m so sorry, Jay-ah,”
Jay approached him carefully, crouching in front of him. “I’m not hurt,” he whispered, reaching for him again. “Come here, please,” he begged.
“No, you were,” Sunghoon squeezed his eyes shut. “I don’t know what I did wrong. I chose you, that’s supposed to fix it.”
“Sunghoon-ah,” Jay’s voice cracked. “Let me hold you, jagiya,” he encouraged him.
“I killed you,” he whimpered. “It was my hand on the dagger.”
Jay inched closer. “I’m not dead,” Jay assured him. “I promise you, I’m very much alive.”
Sunghoon didn’t fight it as Jay brought his hand up to rest on his chest, over his heart. He focused on the steady thrumming beneath his fingers, and tried to match his breath with Jay’s. Jay continued to creep closer until he was wrapped around him, holding him close and murmuring sweet nothings in his ear.
“I’ve got you, I’m right here,” Jay rocked them back and forth.
“People are dying for me again.” Sunghoon whispered, clinging to the safety of Jay’s hold.
“It’s not your fault,” Jay insisted. “No one blames you, Sunghoon-ah.”
“I blame me.” He breathed out.
“You shouldn’t.” He said firmly, pressing a kiss to his temple.
Sunghoon let himself be held, closing his eyes. “Who retrieved you?” He mumbled.
“No one, I didn’t leave.” Jay confessed. “Once you fell asleep, Jake and Jungwon headed off to their own chambers and I slept in the chair. I didn’t want to leave you alone in case you had a nightmare, but I didn’t want to move you to the bed in case it woke you up.”
Sunghoon’s heart squeezed in his chest. “Why are you doing all of this?” He whispered.
Jay lifted his chin and kissed him softly. It held so many emotions, so many wants and needs and desires, it was overwhelming. Sunghoon kissed him back without question, pulling him closer if possible.
“Say it, please.” Sunghoon asked him quietly as his lips trailed down, tilting his head back to give him more access. “Please Jay-ah.”
“I can’t,” Jay murmured against his skin. “You know I can’t.”
“Just once,” Sunghoon begged, gripping his shoulders. “Just say it once and I’ll never ask again.”
“If I say it once now, I’ll never want to stop. It’ll make leaving that much harder.” Jay whispered, kissing up his throat.
“Then don’t leave,” Sunghoon let out a breathy moan as he shifted so he was more in his lap properly.
“I can’t stay, Sunghoon-ah. I suppose I’m like Jungwon in that way, I don’t think I could stand watching you marry another man.” Jay confessed, resting his forehead against his.
“We’ll run away,” He suggested immediately. “Run away with me, Jay-ah.”
Jay smiled sadly. They both knew no matter how much Sunghoon suggested it, he would never really abandon the Crown or his people like that.
He supposed that was the problem to begin with, wasn’t it? That was the choice presented to him in every nightmare. The war between his heart and his mind had taken over his very being, but it was stuck in a stalemate. The best thing would be for Jay to leave, so he could focus on the Crown and his responsibilities and Sunoo. But he also couldn’t imagine never seeing him again.
“If you won’t say it, will you show me?” He asked him softly. “Please?”
Jay stared up at him, and Sunghoon could see his own whirlwind of thoughts in his eyes. Desire always seemed to be at war with logic, and Jay, like him, was just another casualty in the battle.
“Sunghoon-ah,” he started quietly.
“Just once,” He whispered. “Just for a night, let me be yours and only yours for one night.”
“There’s no undoing this,” Jay warned him finally. “Once it’s been done, it’s done. There’s no remedy or cure that will reverse it.”
“Good.” Sunghoon breathed out. “I want it to be a part of me. I want you to always be a part of me. Even if you have to leave, we’ll have this.”
Jay stared at him for a long moment. “If you want to back out at any moment, tell me.” He insisted.
“I will,” He pushed his hair back.
Sunghoon could see the moment his desire won out over logic. When their lips crashed together, it was messy and desperate as Jay managed to get them up off the floor and over to the bed. For a while, he was content to lay back and be ravished with kisses, before his need grew. He wanted more, needed more. He reached for Jay’s shirt, managing to tug it up and over his head. He let his hands explore the soft honey skin, mapping out every ridge and dip, committing it to memory. If this would be the only time he got this, he wanted to remember every moment of it.
Jay groaned, kissing down his neck and pressing into him a little before lifting him up enough to get his own shirt off. Despite the general cold of the castle, Sunghoon burned beneath Jay, whining as he pressed hot, open mouth kisses to his chest.
“You’re so beautiful,” Jay breathed as he pulled away to stare at him. “By the Gods, Sunghoon-ah, you drive me crazy,” He confessed, diving back in to kiss any part of him he could reach.
Ink-stained hands lifted his hips to work on his riding pants, untying them as quickly as possible before peeling them off his legs. He was now fully exposed, showing the most intimate parts of himself to the first man he ever... perhaps the only man he’ll ever...
Even in his own mind, he couldn’t utter the single, four letter word. How pathetic.
Any thought flew out of his mind as Jay spit in his hand, wrapping it around his length and started pumping. He whined, his back arching off the bed.
“Already? I’ve barely touched you, jagiya,” he murmured against his skin with a smirk, nipping at his collarbones.
Sunghoon liked it when Jay called him that. It was typically a term exclusive for courtships, but every once in a while he would slip up and utter it in his direction, like he wasn’t thinking too hard about it, and his subconscious took over. It felt like he could fly every time.
“Jay-ah, please,” He breathed out, moaning again, gripping his biceps.
“I’ve got you, jagiya, don’t worry,” He whispered, kissing him again, soft and sweet as he got out of his own trousers.
He removed his hand, much to Sunghoon’s disappointment, only for him to spit on his hand again, moving it lower and lower until-
Oh.
“Last chance,” Jay warned him, his finger just barely inside, though he sounded like he was struggling to get the words out. “We can stop here and go to sleep.”
“Don’t stop,” Sunghoon gasped, his head shooting up to look at Jay, just as annoyed as he was dazed. “Don’t even think about stopping.”
A smirk flickered to Jay’s lips. “Is that an order, Your Highness?” He taunted briefly, and a sense of levity settled into the intense situation- how very Jay of him to tease him now, even in the most vulnerable of positions.
“Since when have you ever listened to my orders?” Sunghoon scoffed, only to be cut off with a groan as Jay thrusted his finger in all the way.
“As a treat, I’ll listen to whatever order you give me tonight,” Jay offered. “Tell me what to do and I’ll do it. Any order until the sun rises.”
“Bullshit,” Sunghoon gasped as Jay lazily pumped his finger in and out to get him used to the feeling of having him inside.
“You don't believe me? I’m hurt, Sunghoon-ah,” He tutted, pressing a few more kisses against his jaw. “Go on, give it a try,” He whispered.
Sunghoon pressed his lips together to stifle a moan, very much aware of his guard right outside his room and not wanting to give them any sort of notice of what was happening.
“Faster,” Sunghoon managed, and Jay complied, speeding up as he continued the onslaught of kisses on his neck. “More,” He begged, and Jay added another finger.
“See, Your Highness, I can be good when I want to be.” He teased him, but his tone filled with fondness and affection betrayed his flippant words.
“So good,” Sunghoon groaned, braiding his fingers in Jay’s hair to keep him close.
Jay kept up the pace, and Sunghoon was almost satisfied. He felt like he needed something else, something more. He wanted to see Jay be just as much of a mess as he was right now.
“Jay-ah, I want more,” He breathed.
“Another finger?” Jay asked, adding a third automatically.
“No,” Sunghoon moaned. “You, I want you.”
Jay’s hand slowed, and he could feel him lift his head slowly. He opened his eyes- when had he closed them? -to see him looking at him with a look Sunghoon could only describe a pure adoration and devotion. He imagined his own expression mirrored it, if Jay’s soft smile was anything to go by.
“You have me.” Jay promised. “I’m yours.” He whispered, kissing his cheek in a sweet gesture as he lined himself up and pushed in carefully.
They both hissed in unison, Jay’s forehead dropping to rest against Sunghoon’s in a familiar gesture.
“Move, please,” Sunghoon groaned.
Jay’s hips found a steady rhythm despite their bodies being pressed flush against each other. Sunghoon moaned again, and was delighted to hear Jay’s own whines as they chased their respective highs.
“Jay-ah,” He panted, a twinge of desperation in his tone. “Kiss me?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jay whispered, kissing him so deeply that Sunghoon didn’t need to hear him say it.
He could feel it as clear as the sky on a summer day. It warmed him like the sun of a midafternoon, laying on a soft spot of grass as a gentle breeze brought the smell of wildflowers and pine trees to him and caressed his skin.
No, he could no longer justifiably compare him to a summer day- a summer day could only be so lucky to be compared to the man who held him like a prayer.
A wave of unnameable emotions flooded to the surface as tears sprang to his eyes. Jay kept one hand on his waist, the other reaching up to wipe away his tears as fast as they fell, their lips never disconnecting. There was a moment where Jay’s hips stuttered, and Sunghoon groaned against his lips as Jay’s hand trailed back down, wrapping around his length, pumping him at a speed that matched his thrusts. He could feel his pleasure hit a peak, before he released with a sob passing his lips. Jay followed only moments after, groaning as his orgasm rolled through him. He didn’t pull out right away, choosing to stay near and cradle him close, kissing away his tears and swallowing his moans and cries alike.
“I’ve got you, Sunghoon-ah,” He breathed. “I’m right here.” He promised.
“Stay with me,” Sunghoon begged him.
“I’ll stay the night,” Jay whispered. “I’ll leave just before it’s light.”
Sunghoon wasn’t just asking for the night, and he suspected Jay knew that too. But still, Jay told him he would listen to his orders only until the sun rose.
“Stay with me,” He repeated.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jay murmured, kissing him gently, like he was afraid he would break.
He thought he just might.
He could only hope Jay would be willing to put him back together again.
Notes:
Maybe "Yes, Your Highness." will be our "As You Wish"
Chapter 13
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Sunghoon had not expected to be sitting in a meeting with Heeseung and Sunoo on the last day of the Summer Solstice, and by the looks of everyone else in the room, they hadn’t expected it either.
“We need to figure out what to do about these attempts, Sunghoon-ah.” Heeseung said finally.
The room was free of any advisors or officials. It was only them, Sunoo, Jungwon, Jake and Jay.
“We’re working on something,” Sunghoon said quietly. “Please, just give us a little bit of time.”
Heeseung eyed him worriedly. “We may not have time, Sunghoon. These incendiaries came into my Kingdom and attacked you during one of my people's most sacred days. We need to do something, and fast. Not only is your safety under constant threat, but my people and my enemies will think I’m weak. If I can’t even protect one guest, how can I protect a nation?”
Sunghoon knew he wasn’t trying to be cruel. He understood the pressure, the expectations. He took a deep breath and nodded once. “Hyung, we have a working theory. We just need a little more time to figure out the details.” He assured him. “We hope to have as much worked out as we can for when we leave for Chaconne.”
Heeseung eyed him warily before glancing at Jake. “Secure the room.” He said quietly, turning his attention back to Sunghoon. “I’d like to hear this theory.”
“Apologies, Your Majesty, I don’t think that’s wise.” Jake told him, just as quiet.
Heeseung’s eyes snapped back to him, studying Jake for a long moment. He got up from his chair and came around the desk tentatively. He reached for Sunghoon carefully and brushed his fingers along the nearly healed cut on his cheek.
“This wasn’t a servants tray, was it?” He asked.
“No, Your Majesty.” Sunghoon mumbled, avoiding his eyes.
Heeseung hummed and leaned against his desk, folding his arms. It looked like he was contemplating something before he turned to Jay. He spoke in Blossomer, too fast for Sunghoon to pick anything up, and Jay seemed confused by whatever he had said. He returned the statement with a question, and Heeseung said something else, before glancing at Sunghoon. Jay nodded once and rested a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it once.
Sunghoon looked up at Jay confused.
“I’m not going to translate what he’s saying to Prince Sunoo.” He told him quietly.
“But...” Sunghoon blinked a few times.
“It’s in your best interest, Your Highness." He said softly.
Sunghoon turned back to the brothers as they spoke low and fast.
Sunoo seemed to be set on something, glancing at Sunghoon and gesturing wildly. Heeseung repeated a statement a few times, which had Sunoo nodding along insistently. Heeseung ruffled his brother's hair affectionately before turning back to the four Chaconians.
“We can leave as early as this afternoon to return to Chaconne.” Heeseung said finally.
Sunghoon’s eyes widened and he sat up quickly. “Your Majesty, we couldn’t ask that of you. You cannot miss the rest of the celebrations, certainly not Prince Sunoo’s birthday. A few more days will not make or break this theory.” He denied immediately.
“We’re not doing the usual celebrations for my birthday anyway, Your Highness.” Sunoo piped up. “After the attack, I had made the decision on my own. I didn’t want to risk having someone use the opportunity to plan another one.” He explained. “Blossom is serious about this alliance as a nation, but, hyung,” his voice cracked a little. “I’m scared for you. Behind the politics, you’re still our friend.”
Sunghoon took a deep breath and nodded once. “Alright then.” He stood up. “We’ll pack and leave at once.”
Heeseung nodded in return. “We’ll ready the carriages. Do you have anyone you can trust, over there? Anyone you can write?”
Sunghoon thought about it. “I’ll write Chan. I’m worried if I write Jihoon, it’ll seem suspicious.”
Heeseung agreed immediately. “We’ll leave by mid afternoon.” He informed them. “Pack swiftly.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” He bowed quickly and turned on his heels, Jake, Jungwon and Jay following suit.
When they were far enough away, Sunghoon turned to Jay. “Will you translate now?” He raised his eyebrow.
“He was just confirming with Sunoo that he was really okay to travel on his birthday. He knew you would protest against it, and he wanted Sunoo to make the decision himself.” Jay confessed. “I’m sorry for not translating it for you in the moment.”
“It’s alright,” he said softly, and refrained from automatically reaching for him.
As promised, he had left in the morning, just before the break of dawn. He had woken him up to kiss him goodbye, and nearly got distracted enough to not leave at all. But he had, and Sunghoon had struggled to get back to sleep afterwards.
Technically, last night should have been considered a mistake. It was certainly making it more difficult to not have him near, any distance too great between them.
A thought occurred to him, and it made him pause midstep.
“Your Highness? Are you alright?” Jake asked him quietly.
Jay said he would leave once they returned to Chaconne.
“Yes, apologies,” he shook his head and continued on, letting that numbness set in as he tried to remove himself from personal feelings.
He was a few days' journey away from losing him.
That thought struck another one from the back of his mind.
“Jungwon-ah, we’ll be leaving, but I believe the Flickian Princes don’t plan to leave until the week is out, so I’m going to send Seungmin with you-”
“I’m not going to Flicker.” Jungwon said firmly.
Sunghoon stopped in his tracks and turned to him surprised. “But you said...” He trailed off.
“I’m not leaving you alone to deal with our abeonim.” Jungwon shook his head. “Should I need to, I can leave for Flicker from Chaconne.”
Sunghoon nodded slowly. “Should you need to, will you take Wonyoung with you?” He requested. “If I have the opportunity to get both of you out of the Kingdom for a while, I’ll take it.”
Jungwon bowed to him, his hand over his heart. Sunghoon’s throat tightened as he stood there, staring at his little brother who looked up at him with such intense loyalty.
“Of course, Your Highness.” Jungwon added. Sunghoon nodded again and they continued on.
They all filed into their own chambers, packing as quickly as possible. They had made the decision to fill in Seungmin and Minho- Sunghoon thought they deserved as much. They had both taken the news as well as could be expected, and went to pack their own things immediately.
Seungmin had come back to Sunghoon’s room to retrieve Gaeul to secure her for travel, and promised to get the letter sent off to Chan immediately. One rider was significantly faster than a whole caravan, it should reach the castle within two days, rather than the nearly four it would take them since they were leaving so late.
“Seungmin-ssi,” he said quietly.
Seungmin stopped in the doorway curiously.
“Would you deliver the letter?” He asked hesitantly. “This isn’t an order, you may refuse. I just... the letter of condolence is inside too, and I think Chan should have a friendly face around when he reads it. As well, having someone privy to the situation at hand there for additional explanation would be beneficial. It’s a lot to ask of you, and I don’t like sending you separately but you’re our fastest rider and-”
“Your Highness,” Seungmin interrupted him. “Jisung was my friend, he was like my brother, and I loved him as such.” He said, and Sunghoon tried not to flinch. “But I don’t blame you for what happened. We all know the risks that come with this job, there is no guarantee of safety.” He put his hand over his heart and bowed. “I serve the Crown, Your Highness. In my eyes, in the eyes of your guard, in the eyes of Jisung, that has always been you.”
Sunghoon would have liked to argue that it hadn’t always been him, but he realised with a start that a majority of his personal guard had never known his older brother. Many of them were around his age, which meant they would have been in training at best at the time of his passing, or not even old enough to enlist to begin with. So, in that sense, yes. It had always been him that the guards would have seen as the next in line for the throne.
Just once, then. Just so you know where we stand, Your Highness.
Anyone in this castle would vouch for you as King.
Yes, Your Maj- Highness.
They have faith in you as a leader because you have faith in them as people, your people.
It was different coming from Seungmin, who was usually quiet and serious when it came to most things. He took his job very seriously, and he had only ever seen him goof around once or twice off duty with Minho or one of the other guards. And he trusted Jake and his opinion, but he also knew Jake was incredibly biased as his best friend.
Seungmin stood up straight again, his shoulders squared and chin held high, determination clear in his eyes. “I accept the task with pride, Your Highness. If there is anything I can do to ensure your safety, and guarantee your ascension to the throne, I will do it.”
“Thank you, Seungmin-ssi.” He said quietly, bowing his head.
“I accept my task with pride, Your Highness.” He repeated. “We’re all awaiting the moment you do the same.”
Sunghoon watched him leave and took a deep breath. Accept his task with pride? Was he ready for that?
He wrapped Jisung’s sword up carefully so he could present it to Chan when he got the chance, and finished packing. The footmen took his things out to the carriage, and Sunghoon took a moment to just breathe.
It wasn’t long before he was retrieved from his chambers and escorted outside. The others were there already, tucked into one carriage as they’ve become accustomed to doing.
“Your Highness,” Jay offered his hand to him, to help him into the carriage.
He took it and squeezed gently. “Tonight, on the boat, will you be there?” He breathed. “They don’t know to retrieve you. It was only Jisung... he was the only one...”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jay said quietly, squeezing his hand in return. Sunghoon nodded and got inside.
The carriage ride was tense and silent all the way to the boat. Sunghoon gripped the wrapped sword as he watched out the window.
“We had the body of your guard sent ahead to the boat,” Heeseung informed him quietly. “So he may be buried at home.”
Sunghoon nodded. “Thank you, hyung.” He said quietly.
More quiet followed. Even as the boat was checked over, and the crew examined, a daunting silence hung over their heads.
Sunghoon let the welcomed numbness wash over him. He wouldn’t think about what they would have to do once they were back in Chaconne, or about how he should be mentally preparing himself to take over the throne, or his mother and sister, who he would have to try and explain the situation to.
Everything felt overwhelming, so he tried to think of nothing, opting instead to zone out in his room with Jake posted outside his door.
There was a buzzing just under his skin that made him itch as he tried to clear his mind. He stripped out of his stuffy Prince attire and into a lighter blouse and a pair of soft trousers, but he still felt the anxiety crawl across his skin, like a thousand spiders. They weaved their webs of doubt and fear in his mind, nesting in the darkest corners of his heart and churning his stomach. In a last ditch attempt to relieve his discomfort, he sat on the floor, crossing his legs and closing his eyes.
Mediation rarely ever worked for him. Something about the quiet unnerved him, but he hoped the gentle sway of the ship and the sound of waves crashing against the hull would help him focus on his breathing enough. He listened to the ship creak and groan, and he could hear footsteps pass by his room. He inhaled, trying to focus on the scent of the ocean that filtered through the port window. The port window his assailant jumped out of when he tried to kill-
Okay, so meditation wouldn’t work either.
Sunghoon felt a bubble of frustration grow in his chest, but he refrained from shouting out loud. He didn’t want to worry Jake. It was like he told Jisung, they couldn’t fight an enemy if that enemy was in the confines of his own mind.
Jisung was another, terrible thought route, so he quickly pushed it away as he settled for pacing.
It wasn’t long before his door was opening and Jay slipped inside quietly, shutting the door behind him. He turned and stopped as Sunghoon froze mid step.
“What are you still doing awake?” He blinked.
Sunghoon blinked in return. “What do you mean?”
“It’s late,” he said slowly. “I had to wait for the rest of the staff to fall asleep before I could sneak out. I was expecting to find you asleep.”
Sunghoon glanced back at the port window, as if it would give him answers. He had noticed it grow dark, but he hadn’t thought much of it.
“I didn’t realise.” He furrowed his eyebrows.
Jay watched him worriedly. “Have you even tried to sleep?” He asked gently.
“I meditated.” He offered in return.
Jay frowned and moved over to the bed. “Come here,” he instructed, holding his hand out to him.
Sunghoon took it without question and let Jay manoeuvre him onto the mattress, smiling a little as Jay insisted on taking the outside.
“Will you leave before light again?” He murmured, reaching up to caress his cheek.
Jay hummed, turning to press a kiss to his palm. “You know I have to.” He whispered.
Sunghoon studied him for a long moment. “If you didn’t have to, would you stay?” He asked hesitantly. “Would you hold me in the light?”
Jay frowned, pulling him closer. “I try not to think about it,” he confessed. “There’s no sense in dreaming about what can’t be.”
“Humour me.” Sunghoon whispered.
Jay rested his forehead against Sunghoon’s. “Yes, Your Highness.” He whispered, nudging his nose against his. “I would hold you until the light, and I would throw balls everyday just to dance with you all night, and I would undress you from your King attire at the end of the day just to do it again tomorrow.”
Sunghoon couldn’t help the shy smile that found his lips. “But you try not to think about it, hm?”
“Try being the operative word here, Sunghoon-ah. Just like I tried to keep my distance and tried to keep my hands and lips to myself and tried to not get charmed by you. I’ve found I’m not very good at impulse control when it comes to you.”
“Well,” Sunghoon hummed. “It sounds like a nice routine, in another life.”
“I would do it in every life,” Jay told him. “You deserve as much.”
“You think we’ve met in every life?” Sunghoon asked, a big goofy grin on his lips.
“I don’t think there’s any life I would want to live if it meant living without you.” Jay confessed it like the words were bubbling out of him without his permission. “It doesn’t matter who, when or where we are, I think I’ll always find you. In every life.”
Sunghoon pulled him into a kiss, pulling him closer if possible. It’s soft and unhurried, and for a brief moment, Sunghoon couldn’t remember what he had been so worried about in the first place.
He pulled away to yawn, and Jay chuckled, kissing his forehead. “Get some rest, Sunghoon-ah.” He murmured.
Sunghoon nodded and dropped off to sleep, safe and secure in his arms. Sunghoon, for the first time in ages, didn’t dream.
-
He woke up well rested with fleeting memories of Jay kissing him goodbye sometime just before dawn broke.
“You look...” Jake observed him curiously as Sunghoon dressed himself- another decidedly pleasant thing about the travel time itself.
“Is it alright?” He looked down curiously, nearly positive he had worn the pine green and cream ensemble before.
“No, you look... well, you look okay, Your Highness.” Jake blinked.
Sunghoon raised his eyebrow at him. “Thank you for your kind words,” he said blankly.
“You know what I mean,” Jake scoffed, leaning against the door in a moment of lost propriety at Sunghoon’s refusal to understand. “You look well rested, you look awake.”
Sunghoon brightened a little. “I didn’t dream.” He confessed. “It was heavenly.”
Jake’s unamused look softened into something more fond. “I’m glad,” He said honestly.
Surprisingly, Sunghoon had slept in rather late. He suspected his body latched onto his inactivity of his brain and forced him to catch up on all the rest he had been missing between night terrors and whispered conversations with Jay.
They joined the others in the galley for a late breakfast, the royals, guards and staff alike breaking bread and chatting amongst themselves until they docked. They disembarked quickly, trying to expedite the process as much as they could. Sunghoon glanced over to where the market was meant to be, the suggestion to visit on the tip of his tongue, only for it to die out.
The market was effectively closed for business.
The few stationary stalls that were there were stripped and abandoned, not a piece of merchandise or a copper left behind. The port was quiet too, a few ships here and there, but no one who opened their hull to offer treasures that the world had to offer. It was like the lively village had become a ghost town in a matter of weeks.
“It’s so quiet,” Jungwon whispered, his eyes flickering around.
Sunghoon nodded in agreement. Without the distraction of the market, resetting the carriage and horses took no time and they were on the road within the hour.
The first half of the trip was long and tiresome, but no one could come up with any energy to make any meaningful conversation. Gaeul, at least, had been returned to them and was currently napping in an equally tired Prince Sunoo’s lap.
They lulled into a hazy state, where the land would go by, but time seemed to slow. Sunghoon wished he had been smarter with his packing, and would have at least thought to have a book on hand. Instead, he was left with his imagination, which hadn’t necessarily been his friend lately.
That being said, he definitely thought it was his imagination as the sun started to set and they were snacking on preserves that Jungwon had been smart enough to smuggle into his bag when he heard shouts and the thundering of horse hooves quickly approaching. Just as he was about to comment on it to the others, the carriage jerked to a stop and wobbled a little.
“Stop!” A familiar voice shouted. “Stop the carriage!”
“Chan hyung!” Jungwon perked up.
As if on cue, his usual Deputy Head Guard’s face appeared in the window of their carriage.
“Your Highness,” He huffed, bowing his head.
“Sir Chan,” Sunghoon blinked.
Chan had a nasty cut that still looked to be in the process of healing from the centre of his forehead, slashed down his nose, all the way to his jawline. It looked deep, and he was certain it would leave a scar. Besides that, even through the window, he could see the way he was holding his stomach, and how he struggled to catch his breath.
“Someone help the Deputy Head Guard,” Sunghoon instructed at once, motioning for him to move the horse back enough for him to open the door.
He got out of the carriage immediately and gripped the horse’s reins, holding his hand up for Chan to grab to help him down. Chan reluctantly allowed the help, stumbling a little as he touched down on the ground.
“Jay-ah, could you-”
Without question, Jay gave up his seat on the carriage and took the horse so Chan would have an actual seat that would hopefully be less tiresome and painful for him.
“Your Highness, we cannot continue down the road.” He wheezed. “They have ears everywhere in the castle, and I have much to tell you.”
“What do you mean?” Sunghoon frowned.
“It’s about what you wrote, what you sent Seungmin to tell me. I’m worried someone will overhear.” Chan admitted.
Sunghoon surveyed their little caravan quickly. Jaehyun was leaning into the carriage, talking with Jungwon a mile a minute. His brother was equally as enthusiastic as he nodded along with wide eyes. Seungmin had found his place beside Minho who scowled at him.
“Ya, Kim Seungmin,” He scolded, leaning forward to wipe something off his face. “You look terrible.”
“It’s good to see you too, hyung.” Seungmin nodded, letting the older guard fuss over him.
“Did you even eat? Or sleep? Or did you run yourself stupid on that poor horse?” Minho continued.
“I’m safe, hyung. I’m not hurt.” Seungmin assured him. “The ride there was easy.”
Sunghoon turned back to Chan, who kept looking over his shoulder.
“We left Jeongin and Changbin with the Princess and the Queen.” He told him. “I don’t trust the King’s guard.”
“And Jihoon?” Sunghoon frowned, though he appreciated that Chan could tell his next question had been about his family that had been left behind.
Chan shook his head. “He was dismissed, Your Highness.”
Sunghoon froze. “Dismissed? On what grounds?”
“The King merely stated that it was a move long overdue for his gross negligence of his First Born.” Chan explained. “But it was more likely because he kept poking around where he shouldn’t and asking questions. He explained to me his task, and he showed me your letters. His were being monitored, as the King thought it was odd that he was writing to you.”
“You were right,” Jake said, having dismounted his horse to join the conversation and help keep Chan upright.
“Seungmin caught me up on any additional information he knew. There might be validity to your claim, which matches up with what Jihoon had uncovered.” He pressed his lips into a thin line, glancing around at the additional staff they had around them. “It’s probably best if we find somewhere else to speak, Your Highness. In private.”
“We’re ages away from any forest coverage, and trying to stay at any Inn would result in prematurely altering the King. Where are we meant to go?” Sunghoon frowned.
Jake looked around suddenly before something seemed to dawn on him. “I... I think I might know where we can go,” He offered hesitantly.
“What do you-” Sunghoon turned to him, only to see that specific look on Jake’s face. “No.” He said immediately.
“I’m afraid we may not have a choice, Your Highness.” He said grimly.
“I couldn’t ask that of you,” Sunghoon shook his head. “I said when you became my guard you wouldn’t have to go back more than necessary.”
“It’s not about my preference anymore, Your Highness.” Jake sighed. “I appreciate your concern, but I don’t think we have much of a choice.”
Sunghoon sighed in return. “Alright then, if you think it’s best.” He helped Chan up and onto the seat of the carriage next to the driver. “Lead the way.”
Jake nodded and took the front. Sunghoon got back in the carriage, slumping back against the seat.
“Where are we going?” Sunoo asked curiously.
“Wait, if Jake hyung is leading, does that mean...” Jungwon slowly sat up staring at Sunghoon, who nodded miserably.
“What? What does it mean?” Heeseung blinked.
“We’re going to Jake’s estate.” Sunghoon informed them, wincing at the prospect but refusing to answer any more questions.
-
The ride from their current position to Jake’s estate wasn’t actually all that long. They managed to reach it by twilight, pulling up outside of the mansion on the edge of town.
“Excuse me, you cannot park-”
“It’s alright Hanbin,” Jake said, jumping down from his horse.
“Duke Arcanum,” The man, Hanbin, blinked in surprise before dropping into a ninety-degree bow. “My apologies, my Lord. I didn’t recognise you at first. I wasn’t aware that we were expecting you.”
“You weren’t,” Jake assured him.
“We’re still at minimal staffing,” Hanbin told him, anxiety rolling off him in waves. “I apologise, sir. We may not be able to recall them on such short notice.”
“It’s alright, Hanbin,” He repeated, though Sunghoon could see he was quickly growing tired with the whole thing. “It’s actually beneficial to us with less staff- we require the utmost discretion while we’re here. No one is to know.” He insisted.
“We, my Lord?” Hanbin blinked, looking at the carriage curiously.
Jake opened the door to reveal the four royals. Hanbin’s eyes nearly tripled in size as he dropped into another bow.
“Your Highness’!” He gasped. “Please forgive my rudeness.”
“It’s alright,” Sunghoon insisted. “We’re all a little weary from our travels, is there enough staff present to ready our rooms? If not, we can lend some, as we travelled with a few of our own.” He offered.
“It’s just the gardener, a single maid, cook and myself, Your Highness. If it doesn’t trouble you too much, assistance with the prep would be appreciated.” He said sheepishly. “Usually we’re well informed of Duke Arcanum's visits, and bring in staff accordingly.”
“I imagine you do,” Sunghoon nodded once. “Duke Arcanum sings nothing short of your praises when he returns to the palace, Hanbin. With our staff, however limited they may be, I’m positive you can achieve nothing short of a miracle.” He shot him a charming smile, hoping to ease the man’s mind. “We aren’t asking for perfection, just a warm bed and a decent meal. We’ll be on our way tomorrow.”
“Of course, Your Highness.” Hanbin bowed again. “We’ll get started right away.” He assured him before bowing to Jake once more. “Welcome home, my Lord.” He added before he started directing the little staff available.
“Jake,” Heeseung started.
“Let’s head inside,” Jake nodded. “We can discuss everything in my abeonim’s- uh, my study.” He cleared his throat, making his way up the stairs.
“Jake,” Heeseung tried again.
“Hyung,” Sunghoon shook his head when he looked at him.
Heeseung shot him a betrayed look. Sunghoon felt guilty, he really did. But Jake was always very adamant that no one at court refer to him as a Duke or Lord or anything of the sorts. While of course everyone pretty much knew he had been a Duke’s son, Sunghoon figured it hadn’t occurred to anyone what that exactly meant when his father had passed. Jake would have long since given up the title if Sunghoon hadn’t insisted he kept it, and lamented about it every time he was forced to go on one of his scheduled trips.
Sunghoon had tried several times to get him to accept his role as Duke of Arcanum, and tried to assure him that Chan or Minho would be perfectly capable of taking over as the head of the guard, but Jake insisted on staying. He never told Sunghoon why.
In silence, they filed into the old office, perching on various pieces of furniture as they sat down to talk.
“So, just so everyone’s clear-“
“You’ve been a Duke this whole time?” Heeseung interrupted, his arms crossed.
Jake glanced over at him. “You knew me as a Duke’s son growing up.” He pointed out. “You knew my abeonim died.”
Heeseung bristled. “But you’re a Duke. A man of title. Jake.” He said bluntly.
“I know.” Jake breathed out. “Hyung, we can talk about this later, please?” He begged. “We have so much to go over.”
Heeseung looked away and stayed silent.
Jake took a deep breath. “Okay, just so we’re all clear, nothing we say can leave this room.” He said.
Everyone murmured in agreement, and Jake turned to Sunghoon, nodded. Sunghoon drew his shoulders back and cleared his throat.
“We have little physical evidence so far of what the King is planning.” He started, pleased his voice didn’t shake as he addressed the group. “The most we have is papers of the second assassin that had been stamped and signed by the King for physical evidence. The rest are situations that don’t match up. Like how the woman managed to get past with a dagger as big as the one she had, how the second assassin had been summoned by the King several times prior to our departure, and how despite the decoy, Chaconian assassins found my whereabouts in Blossom.”
“Your Highness, if I may?” Chan raised his hand.
Sunghoon nodded and took a step back to give the floor to Chan. A hand found his back and pushed him forward again gently.
“A King can and should acknowledge another’s input, but he never gives up the floor entirely. He conducts the conversation in a meeting of a council like this.” Heeseung mumbled to him. “Stand proud, Sunghoonie.”
Sunghoon was grateful that despite his clear hurt that the information of Jake being a Duke was kept from him, he was still looking out for him. Sunghoon nodded to Heeseung who offered him a small smile and turned back to Chan, who had waited patiently.
“Yes, Chan-ssi. Please continue.” He nodded, and he didn’t even have to worry about whether his voice would waver.
A proud smile flickered to Chan’s lips, like he had been waiting for this moment, before he nodded in return.
“I have the findings of Jihoon here, which may shed a little light on the situation.” He held up the paper. “As I said before, Jihoon was dismissed due to his excessive curiosity. I think, Your Highness, he may have come to the same conclusion.” Chan explained. “Jihoon also found it odd that a more thorough search had not been conducted on the woman, and when he had asked the guards responsible for searching any visitors, they admitted they hadn’t even seen the woman come in. Jihoon believed she may have been let in another way.”
“That would make sense, actually.” Jake nodded. “The guards in charge of the search take their job very seriously.”
“Felix-ssi and Hyunjin-ssi pride themselves on their effectiveness.” Seungmin added with a nod.
“Anything else?” Sunghoon directed the question at Chan.
“After Jihoon spoke with them, Felix and Hyunjin were dismissed.” Chan informed him grimly. “They were replaced by guards from the King’s personal guard.”
Sunghoon blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected that.
“Additionally, Your Highness, Jihoon said he had seen the King meeting with a couple men privately, shortly after he received your letter confirming your arrival during one of his rounds. There were no guards or footmen present.” He explained.
“Your Highness,” Jaehyun piped up, sitting up straight. He waited for Sunghoon to nod at him before he continued. “I remember a couple of strange men lurking around the halls. I had asked them what their business there was, and they had letters signed and stamped by the King as well. The job description was odd, they were labelled as Errand Boys.”
Sunghoon digested that information. “Jaehyun, do you have a description?”
“One was massive, six feet tall and all muscle. The other was older, and shorter with greying hair and a scraggly beard.” He described, wincing. “Apologise, Your Highness. I don’t remember much more than that.”
The image of an older man hunched over, begging for change before his dagger was impaled in Jisung’s side flashed in his mind, and he turned to Jake with a grim expression. “Though the descriptions are limited, it does sound like the pair we fought in the village.”
“I didn’t see them again after that, Your Highness.” Jaehyun confirmed. Sunghoon nodded slowly. “Do we have anything else?”
“The King has been going on a lot of day trips, Your Highness. Prior to you leaving for Blossom, a lot of his trips were allegedly to placate the False King crowd. He told us he liked to check in with the situation personally, to ensure your safety.” Chan paused. “However, with you out of the kingdom, and with other evidence piling up, it became more suspicious. He would only take the same few guards every time, and also kept the trips secretive.”
“Jake informed me of such,” he nodded once. “When you and Changbin-ssi got attacked, and after the first attempt, I was told the guard were aware of the False King narrative going around and how, at the time, it was believed he was trying to manage it.”
“Clearly that was not the case,” Jake frowned.
Chan folded the paper, indicating he was done- it wasn't much, and he suspected there would be more had Jihoon not been dismissed. Sunghoon took a deep breath and glanced around the room. “So the most we have is speculative evidence.” He said finally.
“And the King’s behaviour. He sours immediately when anyone mentions you. He dismissed staff for bringing up the impending wedding and coronation.” Chan added. “He’s also been more temperamental, and unclear in his instructions. He’s been neglecting the Princess and Queen since they returned from their trip.”
Sunghoon closed his eyes. “So aside from a few witnesses we may be able to pull from staff who have been dismissed, our own observations and a single piece of paper signed and stamped, we have nothing of actual substance.” He clarified. “Is any of this enough to convict him of treason? Attempting to disrupt the line of succession is a serious crime, even for a King.”
“I don’t think so, Your Highness,” Chan confessed quietly.
Sunghoon sighed and opened his mouth to say more, but his eyes caught on Seungmin who had passed out against Minho, and Jungwon, whose head was resting on Sunoo’s shoulder. Jake stifled a yawn behind his hand. “Well, this is what we have for now, then. Perhaps we’ll make sense of it all in the daylight.” He offered. “You are all welcome to retire to your rooms, should the staff have them finished.”
Everyone murmured their agreements and got up, albeit a little sluggish, offering bows as they exited the rooms. Soon, the only ones that remained with him were Jake and Heeseung.
Jake turned to Sunghoon with a little hesitation, clearly unsure how his next statement would be received.
“Your Highness, I would like a word-”
“No,” Heeseung interrupted Jake, stepping in front of Sunghoon to forcefully take his attention. “You and I have much to discuss.”
“Your Majesty,” Jake’s shoulders slumped. “Please, it’s late.”
“I understand that,” Heeseung shot a glare at him. “Why did you never bring up the fact that you were a Duke? Kings can marry Dukes, you know. Even from other lands- my eomma was a Duchess before she married my abeonim.”
“I know.” Jake repeated.
“So what is it?” Heeseung asked, exasperatedly. “Do you not love me?”
“Of course I love you!” Jake denied immediately. “Please, hyung, it’s so much more complicated than that.”
Sunghoon tried to plot his escape without being noticed. “Enlightened me then,” he scoffed, crossing his arms.
Jake narrowed his eyes, and Sunghoon could see the exhaustion from the travel and the last few days catching up to him all at once.
This would not end well.
“Jake, maybe you shouldn’t-” Sunghoon tried to negate the argument before it started.
“I took a vow to serve the Crown of Chaconne when I was fourteen years old. Did you ever stop to think why?” He said sharply, ignoring Sunghoon’s warnings. “I had just lost my appa, my Eomma was long gone, I had inherited a whole estate as a teenager and decided to stay at the Chaconian Court and train to be a guard instead.”
“Yes but-” Heeseung tried.
“What I wanted to speak with Sunghoon about was the fact that I’m fairly certain I heard the King sending my appa to the frontlines on purpose.” He said in a low voice. “Because he had accused him of doing the same to Prince Taehyung.”
Sunghoon stared at him. Heeseung pressed his lips together, clearly understanding he wasn’t finished.
“I was young, we liked the servant tunnels in the castle. Sunghoon was going through his Crown Prince training so I was on my own. I explored the tunnels until I accidentally found the entrance by the King’s office. I heard him offer my appa the position of General at the frontlines, I heard him insist it. I heard my appa mention Taehyung.” He flung his hand in Sunghoon’s direction. “When his hyung and my appa died in the same war, we were both thrusted into positions we didn’t want. I couldn’t tell anyone what I heard because who would believe me? I was just some kid, a Duke’s son, they let play at court. So I made the decision to protect the only person I had left.”
“Jake-ah.” Heeseung said softly, any anger or frustration stripped away, leaving nothing but a quiet devastation for him.
“I love you Heeseung. I know you can marry a Duke. I know I could step away from my position and take up my title and we would be happy together.” He stood his ground, motioning to Sunghoon who was trying very hard not to be there anymore to give them privacy. “But he’s the only family I have left. I have to protect him.”
Heeseung sighed. “I still wish you would have said something.” He whispered.
“What would be the use of getting your hopes up when I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to step away?” Jake asked, slumping against his desk. “After the King pushed back Sunghoon’s coronation the first time, I was more on edge than ever. I didn’t want to risk anything.”
Sunghoon crept towards the door carefully and quietly.
“I could’ve helped you,” Heeseung insisted. “You wouldn’t have to hold all this on your own. You were a kid, you were both just kids,” he stepped forward. “I love you, Jake. I can wait, I will wait, for years if I must. I will wait for you. Until Sunghoonie’s safe, until you know he’s safe.”
“I couldn’t ask that of you,” Jake mumbled. “It’s not fair, and you have a duty to fulfil.”
“I’m a King, Jake. I can delay my own marriage if I want.” He whispered and Sunghoon finally escaped down the hall.
He was quiet as he walked down the hall. Between all the arguing, Jake had brought forth a theory Sunghoon had been secretly wrestling with since they started discussing the possibility of his father being behind the attacks. If it was true, if he really had been delaying his coronation and plotting to kill him in the process to hold onto his power a little longer, wouldn’t it stand to reason that his brother may have gone through the same thing?
There was the convenience of war, and his brother's large, open heart that loved his people and cared deeply for his country. Sunghoon would not be surprised if he had been easily manipulated into running off to the front lines where a strategic attack tragically killed the entire battalion. There wasn’t a war now, not yet anyway, but hiding behind radicals with conspiracy theories that happened to be mostly right was just as good of an excuse.
So while he was trying to grapple with that fact, he also now had to come to terms with the fact that he was the reason Jake refused to formally accept his title of Duke. They would have to sit down and have a real conversation about it, he suspected.
Over the years, Jake rarely pushed about Taehyung, or his feelings about being a Crown Prince, or anything Sunghoon had decidedly tried to avoid. It wasn’t even until everything with Jay that he had ever pushed the boundaries Sunghoon had firmly set up. So while he had mentioned Jake’s Dukedom a few times, and tried to encourage Jake to accept it when they turned twenty-one, it always ended in an argument or Jake stalking off to hack at a couple training dummies until he had cooled off. It was never a pleasant conversation, so they never spoke about it, except for when Jake returned from his quarterly visits to give an update.
He sighed and stopped dead centre in the hallway, looking around hopelessly lost. He had let his mind wander with his feet, forgetting this was not his home and there was no familiar path back to his chambers. He settled against the wall and slid down, hugging his knees to his chest.
This was all large and complicated and he felt thirteen again, sitting in a throne where his feet didn’t even touch the ground, the crown too big and awkward on his head.
He wasn’t sure how long he sat there, lost in both thought and the hall, before a shadow casted over him. He looked up to see Jay standing there, looking very confused.
“I thought that was you,” he blinked and looked around. “Where are your guards?”
“Bed, I imagine.” Sunghoon winced. “Or Jake’s with Heeseung.”
Jay hummed and sat beside him. “Are they working it out?” He asked curiously.
“I think so, I left half way through.” He sighed.
“So what are you doing curled up in the hallway, then?” Jay raised his eyebrow. “Are you waiting for Jake?”
Sunghoon shook his head, turning red as he realised how embarrassing the truth was. “I um, well. I got lost?” He said slowly. “I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”
Jay nudged him playfully. “Come with me, Your Highness. Hanbin-ssi showed us our rooms and yours, I’ll take you there.” He offered, getting up and holding a hand out to him.
Sunghoon took his hand and let the tutor haul him up off the floor. Jay didn’t let go of his hand right away, opting instead to lace their fingers together briefly as they headed down the hall.
“What were you doing wandering around?” Sunghoon asked curiously. “Surely you are just as exhausted as the others?”
Jay’s cheeks flushed pink in the dim light of the lantern he had brought with him, and Sunghoon blinked in surprise.
“I was heading to your room,” he mumbled, dropping his gaze to their intertwined hands. “I believe Chan-ssi insisted on being posted outside your room tonight, and he knows even less about... well,” he squeezed Sunghoon’s hand gently. “You had to handle a lot today, so I thought you might need...” he trailed off. “Though, I suppose it’s a little presumptuous of me to think you need me at all. You didn’t ask for me like yesterday, but I just assumed-”
“Jay-ah,” Sunghoon interrupted, endeared by the uncharacteristic shyness- he was so bold in the dark of night, beneath the covers, or whispering little cheeky comments when no one else was paying attention, that it made his shyness now that much more adorable. “I’m happy to have you tonight. I’m happy to have you as long as you’ll have me.” He promised.
Jay smiled shyly and snicked a quick kiss to his temple before dropping his hand as they turned the corner.
Sure enough, Chan stood outside one of the doors proudly despite his injuries. He spotted them with their lantern and bowed automatically.
“Chan-ssi, I’ll be taking a late Blossomer lesson tonight,” he informed the guard.
“Of course, Your Highness.” Chan nodded and opened the door for them.
Jay stepped in first and took a turn around the room, automatically looking for anything that could be seen as a threat. It was probably unnecessary, but Sunghoon appreciated the thought.
“It seems like you picked up a stray, Your Highness.” Chan said quietly as Sunghoon passed him.
It triggered the memory of the time Jay had walked him back from the stables, Gaeul in his arms and Chan posted outside his chambers. It had been a much simpler time, even if it wasn’t that long ago.
How quickly everything had spiralled out of control.
Sunghoon turned on his heel to look at Chan with wide eyes. The guard simply smiled knowingly in return, just like he had that night.
“Did everyone know before I did?” He asked, astonished.
Jay turned towards them curiously.
“It wouldn’t surprise me, Your Highness.” Chan admitted. “At least for those of us who have known you for a while.”
“Was I that obvious?” He blinked.
“I’ve known you for a long time, your Highness. I had just completed my training when you were made Crown Prince, but I had been around as a squire prior. I’ve watched the years treat you less than kind, and how adjusting to your new title meant losing pieces of yourself. You became a shell, an echo chamber of expectations.” He studied Sunghoon for a moment. “When you returned to your chambers that night, you looked like yourself again, for a moment.”
Sunghoon stared at him for a long moment. Chan bowed his head.
“Forgive me, Your Highness. I spoke too freely.” Chan said quietly, though he didn’t necessarily sound apologetic.
“ Aish, back in regular rotation for half a day and you’re already being annoyingly perceptive,” Sunghoon sighed and squeezed his eyes shut. “As always, I appreciate your candour, Chan-ssi.”
“Of course, Your Highness. Enjoy your Blossomer lesson.” He bowed his head again and shut the door behind Sunghoon.
“What was that about?” Jay blinked owlishly, already turning down the bed in preparation.
Sunghoon watched him for a moment. He had, probably unfairly in hindsight, put a tremendous amount of expectations on Jay in his mind. From the moment he had met him in that shop, Jay had unintentionally become associated with the things Sunghoon missed the most from his childhood.
The feeling of freedom and the freedom to feel.
Chan was right. The numbness he had become so accustomed to adopting whenever he needed to front as a Crown Prince, something to put on the way he did his jacket, had slowly been becoming his default state. It hadn’t helped that everyone around him treated him like he was some precious, untouchable thing that would break if jostled too much. Everyone else was careful with him, closed off, and almost apologetic if they showed any emotions, aside from very few exceptions. So he told himself it was easier, that if he tried to feel all the emotions that came with the tasks required of him, he would go insane. Instead, he felt nothing at all.
He felt things with Jay. He didn’t have a choice. Jay never gave him one. He hadn’t known who Sunghoon was at first, so he didn't treat him carefully. He was bold and forward and blunt. He called Sunghoon out, he called him annoying, he treated him with a genuine kindness that came from his heart, not one fabricated specifically for him.
And then when he saw him for the first time at the palace, he had treated him like they were already familiar, like someone he wanted to be around. He asked him to go for drinks, he asked to join them as they walked through the castle, he sought him out and demanded to know why Sunghoon kept pulling away when all Jay wanted to do was be his friend. He felt seen. He felt like he was wanted for who he was, and not what he could provide for him.
Back then, when Jake had asked why Sunghoon hadn’t told Jay who he was, why he wanted to hold onto the illusion for just a moment longer, he couldn’t explain. He didn’t know how. It was the first thing he had felt in years. He even welcomed the heartbreak that followed when Jay had started treating him just as fragile as the others, because at least that was real.
But those moments kept happening. He was a breath of fresh air in the suffocating castle. Despite his own reservations he always spoke his mind, he continued to call out Sunghoon when he thought he was wrong, and he was stubborn and opinionated. But he was also funny, and caring. He believed in love passionately and his constant thirst for knowledge made Sunghoon want to buy him all the libraries in the world, just so he could see his wide, curious eyes and bright smile.
He was warm and consistent, like his own personal brand of sunshine that Sunghoon longed to bask in whenever he got the chance. Jay was his summer day, his reprieve from the monotony of royal life, his light in the dark, and Sunghoon was truly, madly, irrevocably in love with him.
“Sunghoon-ah?” Jay said it gently, so gently, but not because he feared Sunghoon would break like an expensive vase that could never be repaired, but because he thought Sunghoon was someone who deserved to be treated gently after dealing with the harshness of the world.
“I- I should wash up.” He stammered, his heart hammering, stepping away and behind the partition.
He tried to breathe and calm his racing heart. After feeling nothing for so long, this felt like too much. He felt nearly drunk on emotions. He loved him and he was going to lose him and he loved him anyway. He felt like he was going to explode, but he didn’t know how to say any of it out loud.
He managed to strip out of his jacket, waistcoat and shirt with shaky fingers before Jay was knocking on the partition.
“Can I help you?” He asked quietly.
“Help me?” Sunghoon paused, turning to look at him confused.
Jay stepped forward, crowding him in and sitting him down on the little stool. Sunghoon watched fascinated as he dipped the cloth into the rose water, wringing it out a little before he laced his fingers with his own and started gently wiping his arm. A couple petals had stuck to the back of Jay’s hand and wrist, and Sunghoon tracked them with his eyes for a few moments before he reached up and plucked them off carefully, returning them to the water.
They didn’t speak. They didn’t have to.
Jay was practically in his lap near the end, wiping his neck for the third time as an excuse to stay close. His honey skin was golden in the candlelight, obsidian eyes focused on the task at hand with a crease between his brows as he concentrated.
“You’re so beautiful,” Sunghoon murmured, hands on his waist to keep him in place.
Jay’s gaze snapped up to look at him, and Sunghoon was delighted to see a sunset blush dust his cheeks. He reached up, ghosting his fingertips over the heated skin, mesmerised.
“Stay with me?” Sunghoon whispered.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jay breathed out, pulling Sunghoon in for a soft kiss.
Sunghoon couldn’t believe he ever tried to keep himself away from this, from him. He melted immediately, pulling Jay closer.
Eventually the stool became uncomfortable, and fatigue was starting to hit him as Jay lazily kissed down his jaw.
“It’s time for bed, Sunghoon-ah.” Jay informed him. “We have much to do tomorrow.”
“Five more minutes,” Sunghoon begged. “Please.”
He wasn’t stupid. Word would have already gotten to his father of their arrival in Chaconne by now- there was not much that happened in the Kingdom that the King wouldn’t know -and it would be suspicious if they did not return to court by nightfall. And it had already been established that Jay would leave once they returned.
This was their last night together. Sunghoon didn’t want to sleep it away.
But he yawned again and Jay pulled away, taking his hand and pulling him up towards the bed. They tucked themselves into bed and wrapped around each other without question.
“Goodnight, Sunghoon-ah.” Jay murmured.
Sunghoon held Jay closer and kept his lips closed so as not to say goodbye.
He hoped that in some other life, that Sunghoon got to hold his Jay until the break of day, and well into the morning light.
Notes:
“I don’t think there’s any life I would want to live if it meant living without you.” Jay confessed it like the words were bubbling out of him without his permission. “It doesn’t matter who, when or where we are, I think I’ll always find you. In every life.”
For those of you who haven't read this fic before I had deleted it the first time, this is the moment where the whole "in every life" thing was born. This was the start of the cameos and easter eggs and mirror scenes that connected every JayHoon in every fic.
Chapter Text
“Jake, Minho said you- what are you doing?” Sunghoon blinked a few times, staring at him from the doorway.
In the light of the day, Sunghoon could properly appreciate the large study, with its large oak shelves stuffed with records of crops, finances and family history. Prior to this trip, he had only been in the office once before. It was the day Jake had become a Duke. As the newly Crowned Prince, Sunghoon had been required to go with the King for the reading of the Will.
Jake had looked so small behind the desk at the time, only thirteen himself as his father’s squire, Hanbin’s father, had read out pages and pages belonging to the estate. Belonging to Jake, once they were spoken.
Jake had left for guard training two days later.
“Hanbin brought me all these papers I have to sign for some trade agreement with Lord Jinyoung,” Jake said, shifting things around in the drawer. “I’m just looking for the list my Appa left with all the rules for signing agreements with the other Dukes and Lords. There was something important about Lord Jinyoung, I just can’t remember.”
“Are you sure it’s in there?” Sunghoon asked, coming over to help him search. “Is it just a parchment? Did he leave it in a journal?”
“It was a small journal. It had a bunch of notes and tips in it regarding the Dukedom.” He scowled as he continued sorting through everything. “I should have organised the desk the last time I was here, I always put it off and then I’m always stuck going through a million books and papers. Hanbin tries to put a system in place but then I can never find anything.”
Sunghoon patted his back and looked around. “I’ll check the shelves, it’s got to be here somewhere.” He said, pulling anything that resembled the description Jake gave him.
“This is so odd,” Jake mumbled. “Having everyone here, having you in my office.”
“I know it’s not ideal,” Sunghoon sighed. “But I appreciate you letting us come here.”
“Duty and the Crown aside, Sunghoon-ah, you are my best friend.” Jake told him quietly. “Anything is worth ensuring your safety. Even at the sacrifice of my own comfort.”
Sunghoon fell quiet. It was too close to what the other staff had said when Jihyo died, or what Seungmin said when Jisung died.
Duty and the Crown aside, Sunghoon would kill or die before he let anything happen to Jake. He owed him so much, he refused to be the reason he fell.
He continued to pick through the shelves, searching for the journal with little luck. His nose itched from the dust, and it stung his eyes every so often. He wanted to reprimand Jake for letting the state of his office get so abysmal, but thought better of it when he saw his friends eyebrows furrowed in an almost pained expression.
They searched until Hanbin came to retrieve them for breakfast.
“I put out the whole spread, my Lord.” Hanbin explained as they strolled down the hall. “Only the best for you and the Royals.”
“And the other guards?” Jake raised his eyebrow.
“They eat separately, my Lord.” Hanbin said slowly. “As do most staff.”
“Hanbin, I’m staff.” Jake pointed out.
“But, my Lord-”
Sunghoon wanted to step in. He wanted to help. He knew one word from him would put this whole matter to rest, but he didn’t want to over step. This was Jake’s staff, his property, his responsibility. Sunghoon didn’t want to overrule him just because he could.
“Hanbin, set the table for our guests. All our guests.” Jake insisted. “I may be a Duke in this house, but to them, those men, my men, I am Head of the Crown Prince’s Royal Guard. That title takes precedence when they are around.”
“Yes, my Lord.” Hanbin bowed and hurried off.
Jake slumped forward and pinched the bridge of his nose. Sunghoon pressed his lips together sympathetically, patting his back as they continued down the hall towards the dining room.
“It’s so...” Jake struggled to find the words, pulling at the cravat he wasn’t accustomed to wearing.
“Suffocating?” Sunghoon guessed. “Dehumanising? Exhausting?”
Jake shot him an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Sunghoon-ah. I shouldn’t be complaining. I really only have to deal with this a few times a year, and really only with Hanbin, you don’t get such a luxury.”
Sunghoon shrugged. “I understand your frustrations and where they stem from. Perhaps it’s worse for you in a way. I’m a little more desensitised to it all, I suppose.” He hummed.
“You’ve certainly mastered the art of zoning out,” Jake snorted lightly. “Sometimes I watch your mind wander for hours before you return.”
“Better my mind than my body. When my body wanders, it does nothing but cause trouble.” Sunghoon joked.
“I don’t know, Your Highness. I have seen you walk into doors before because your mind wandered too far.” Jake mused.
Sunghoon rolled his eyes and nudged him as they stepped into the dining room.
-
“Sunghoon-ah?”
Hours and many thanks later, they were back on the road and on their way to the palace. The King and Princes continued to crowd into one carriage, Chan taking the spot beside the driver, while the rest of their party travelled by horse or foot, if necessary. They had been silent all the while, Jungwon holding Gaeul as he watched out the window, and Sunoo asleep against Heeseung.
Sunghoon looked over at the King now, who was watching him with an expression that he could only describe as utterly concerned.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay? You know, seeing the King again?” He asked quietly.
Sunghoon shrugged. “I don’t have much of a choice.” He pointed out. “He’s going to try to have me killed either way. At least this way we can keep an eye on him, and have a chance to catch him. We just have to act cordially until then.”
Heeseung nodded slowly. “Remember you have the Kingdom of Blossom behind you. We’re on your side, Sunghoon-ah.”
“Thank you hyung,” Sunghoon said quietly. “For everything.”
The carriage pulled up to the castle. The welcoming party was small, but Sunghoon nearly teared up in relief to see his mother and sister standing there, safe and sound with Jeongin and Changbin behind them.
“Welcome home, mon lapin," The Queen opened her arms, and Sunghoon managed to remain proper until his eomma held him close.
Mon lapin was Memorian for my rabbit, something his eomma had been calling him since he was a child. He used to jump around all over the place when he was excited, apparently, so it had become a popular term of endearment from both his eomma and his nursemaid. She hadn't called him that in years, ever since his father started suggesting he take his role more seriously. The slip of her tongue into the familiar phrase soothed an ache in his chest he hadn't even known had been there.
He hugged her back tightly. “It’s good to see you, eomma.” He mumbled, pulling away so Jungwon could have a turn, pulling his little sister into a hug next.
“Abeonim told us there was another assassination attempt in the Blossom village,” Wonyoung mumbled to him. “I’ve been so worried, Oppa.”
“It’s okay, I’m okay,” Sunghoon assured her quietly. “I won’t go down that easily.” He teased her.
Wonyoung pulled away a little and looked over the party they came back with. Her eyes landed on the coffin that they had brought with them. “Who...” She trailed off.
Sunghoon looked over his shoulder and slumped a little. “Jisung.” He said quietly. “He... he died protecting me.” A lump formed in his throat.
“Oh, Oppa, I’m so sorry,” She gasped, hugging him again.
Sunghoon hugged her back. “It’s alright.” He whispered.
“Abeonim’s out on business right now, but he’ll be back before dinner tonight to meet with the Lords.” Wonyoung smiled warmly. “He’ll be happy to see you safely returned.”
Sunghoon forced a smile and smoothed her hair down. “Of course, I’m sure he’ll want to speak with me right away.” He agreed.
They were ushered inside, but there was a tug on his sleeve. He took a deep breath and turned towards Jay, who had a soft, sad smile on his lips.
“Won’t you come in?” Sunghoon offered, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice. “Perhaps see the library one more time?”
Jay shook his head. “I should get going. With King Heeseung crowned, the contract will be signed any day now. If the wedding is still slated for mid-September, there will be too many things requiring your attention anyway. Especially considering the... other, concern of yours.” He pointed out carefully. “At least this way you were still mine, if for only a moment.”
Sunghoon glanced over his shoulder before leading Jay behind the carriage to give them a little more privacy. He desperately wished he could lean forward and capture his lips, pull him close and hold onto him tight enough it would sway his resolve. Being with Jay had begun to feel like the solution to most of his problems, but no amount of time in this stolen moment would convince Jay to stay. He knew that.
“Take care of yourself,” Sunghoon breathed out finally, rolling his shoulders back to try to keep his composure.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Should you ever need for anything, please do not hesitate to write.” He added.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jay whispered back.
“You have friends here, Jay-ah, people who care for you. We want you to live a good life.” Sunghoon’s throat tightened again.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jay’s voice cracked.
“Take Gyeoul,” He whispered. “Keep her, take good care of my horse.”
“Your Highness-” Jay blinked at him.
“Should you ever need to get here quickly, she knows the way. I’d feel better knowing you have that option.” He insisted.
Jay sighed but nodded. He stepped away, leaving too many words left unsaid between them as he climbed atop Gyeoul. He took one last look at him before he took off.
Look back, Sunghoon willed him. Look back and see me.
At the same time, a cold dread clenched his heart at the idea of Jay looking back at all, that he would have to see what sort of expression he was making as he left Sunghoon behind. He waited with bated breath to see if Jay would torture them both with one last glance.
He didn’t.
Sunghoon watched his heart ride further and further away from him until it was out of sight, and nothing was left but a hollow shell.
“Your Highness?”
Sunghoon looked over numbly at Chan, who was watching him with concern. He straightened up automatically and shoved the heartache away, letting the numbness wash over him as best he could. He swallowed and rolled his shoulders back once more.
“Apologies, Chan.” He nodded and walked over to meet him.
Chan looked over to where Jay had disappeared and back to Sunghoon. “It’s alright, Your Highness. Sir Jake sent me to check on you, he was being caught up by Jeongin, since he’s the only one who has been active the whole time since you’ve left.”
“I appreciate the concern,” Sunghoon nodded.
He glanced at where his siblings were talking, catching up on whatever trivial palace drama they both enjoyed and fawning over Gaeul in Jungwon’s arms, when something she had said to him finally clicked and triggered a thought in his mind.
“Sir Chan, what did you say to the King when you were leaving the palace?” He asked carefully.
“I informed him one of the guards had returned to tell us of your arrival the next day. I offered to go out and meet you halfway for additional protection.” Chan said slowly.
“Did you inform him of the assassination attempt?” He raised his eyebrow.
“No, Your Highness. I hadn’t even thought of it, considering your suspicions.” Chan shook his head.
“And you didn’t let him read the letter of condolences?” Sunghoon pressed.
“No, Your Highness.” Chan furrowed his eyebrows. “Why?”
“My sister said that the King had told them of the third assassination attempt.” He whispered. “But how could he know about the attempt if no one wrote to him about it? Because I know King Heeseung wouldn’t, and I certainly haven’t.”
Chan looked at him with wide eyes, looking around quickly.
“Don’t speak about it now.” Sunghoon mumbled. “I’m going to talk with my sister more, and speak with Jake before I make a definitive judgement, but would this not constitute as evidence?”
“Perhaps not on its own,” Chan mumbled. “But with the right support, or additional evidence, it might be the piece that could sway the general public.”
Sunghoon nodded and rejoined the little group that had waited for them. “Where’s Jay hyung?” Jungwon looked around confused.
“Due to the recent threats of violence, Jay-ssi has opted to resign, effective immediately. He wishes to be with his family.” Sunghoon informed him, his voice even and his face void of any emotions.
“Oh, that’s too bad,” Wonyoung frowned. “I wanted to meet him,” she turned to Jungwon and Sunoo. “The chambermaids said he was quite handsome, and very sweet to the staff.”
“Jay hyung is the best.” Sunoo agreed immediately.
“We should get inside,” Heeseung suggested. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m quite weary from the travels.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Wonyoung bowed her head. “We can catch up at dinner.” She smiled warmly.
They bid their goodbyes, allowing the Blossomer delegation to return to their wing of the castle, though Wonyoung chose to remain with Sunghoon and Jungwon as they headed to Sunghoon’s chambers.
“Oh, Wonyoung-ah,” Sunghoon turned to her, surprised. “You don’t have to come with us.”
“Jungwon oppa is following you,” she frowned. “I haven’t seen you in over a month, and in that time you’ve been targeted by assassins thrice. I missed you, and I worry about you.” She pointed out.
Sunghoon sighed and stopped, pulling Wonyoung into another big hug. She gripped his coat and buried her face in his shoulder and his heart ached for her.
Wonyoung had been really young when Taehyung passed away, only seven years old and far too little to really understand what it all meant. She had heard stories of him, and had vague memories of a back, with shoulders wide as an ocean to carry the entire Kingdom. But he understood that she hadn’t just lost Taehyung that day, but Sunghoon too. Once he became Crown Prince, he was no longer permitted to flit about or run around with his siblings. He certainly wasn’t allowed to have tea parties with his sister anymore, since he was being conditioned to have fancy dinners with Lords and Dukes.
The guilt he felt for leaving her behind returned tenfold, and he held her a little closer.
“I’m not going anywhere, Wonyoung-ah. I promise.” He whispered. “We’ll get through this in one piece.”
“I believe you.” Wonyoung mumbled. “I just want to see you for a little while, is that alright?”
Sunghoon sighed again. “How about this? I have to debrief Jungwon and Jake about a few things, and after that I’ll come to your chambers. We’ll have tea and pastries.” He offered.
She lit up. “You mean it? Truly?” She bounced up and down.
Sunghoon nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll see you soon.” He promised and she ran off excitedly, her ladies maid and Jeongin, who Sunghoon had assigned to her for the time being, trailing behind her.
“Debrief, Your Highness?” Jake repeated.
Sunghoon glanced around. “In my chambers.” He murmured, heading that direction.
Chan followed them and stayed posted outside, nodded to Sunghoon as Jake cleared his chambers as safe. Once they were inside, Sunghoon turned to them.
“I think he’s getting sloppy,” He said immediately.
“What do you mean?” Jungwon furrowed his eyebrows.
Sunghoon recounted his conversations with Wonyoung and Chan, presenting the evidence to them as if they were a jury. He held his breath, awaiting their verdict.
“I do think Chan hyung is right,” Jake said slowly. “It might not be enough to justify it completely, but it will be enough to turn the public opinion if we can find the right tangible evidence.”
Sunghoon sighed and collapsed in his desk chair, rubbing his temples. They were back to the need of physical evidence, like a gruelling, never ending cycle that didn’t get them any closer to getting his father convicted. It was beginning to feel like an endless battle, and Sunghoon wasn’t sure how many more losses he could take before he couldn’t find it in him to fight anymore. Grief clung to his skin as he folded in on himself for a brief moment of weakness.
“Hyung, I can go have tea with Wonyoungie and tell her something came up,” Jungwon offered. “If you want to work on finding physical evidence.”
Sunghoon shook his head. “I don’t want to start poking around right away, it’ll seem suspicious.” He looked at the dyed green quill on his desk, carved with care and attention to even the seemingly most minute detail. “Besides, she’s right. I haven’t seen her in over a month, and with all these attempts on my life, it’s best if I spend some time with her.”
“Don’t say it like you have limited time,” Jungwon said, clearly alarmed. “Hyung, we’re going to figure this out.”
Sunghoon offered a small smile. “Of course we are. For now though, I’m going to give my little sister some attention.” He patted their shoulders before they left together.
Jaehyun was waiting outside the door for Jungwon, who broke off from them to find the Blossomer Prince out of habit. He walked the familiar halls with Jake at his side and inhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a moment. The smell of damp stone and the echoing of their footsteps was all familiar to him. The whispers in the halls as he passed, the muted sunlight through the large glass panes along the walls, every twist and turn. This was his home. It’s where he grew up, where he watched Jungwon and Wonyoung grow up.
He gave everything he had to be who they expected him to be. Every thought, every feeling, every ounce of autonomy he had, he gave them all up to be someone worthy of the Crown he never even wanted.
His thoughts drifted to the shopkeeper's son who rode off with his heart. In another life, he would have really liked to settle down somewhere, like a port village where they could spend their days running a shop filled with books and quills, and spend their nights wrapped up together beneath the stars. He could hold him until the sun peeked over the horizon, and there would be no expectations or fear or nightmares haunting him in the dark. Only warmth and love and light. He would never dream again, his reality would be so lovely there would be no need.
In this life, he would have settled for one more night, one more kiss, no matter how fleeting it may be.
“Your Highness,” Jake said gently. “You walked past the Princess’ chambers.”
Sunghoon stopped, opening his eyes and glancing around. They had ended up by a familiar window, where he spent the first evening Jay had been at the castle. They had stood there for ages in the silence in their unsteady companionship, neither quite sure what to make of the other. Sunghoon had still been Lord Solon, and Jay was the man he met during his spontaneous trip to the village. It had been turning from Spring to Summer. The breeze was soft, the golden rays were warm. It was the beginning of something and the end of something else.
“So I have,” he said quietly, clearing his throat and turning back, shaking those thoughts out of his head. “Come, we shouldn’t keep Wonyoung waiting,” he offered Jake a small smile and turned around, effectively avoiding his guard’s worried glance.
They were let into her room and he was seated at her calling table. Jake stood outside to afford them what little privacy they could get.
“Did you have a good trip to Concessio?” Sunghoon asked her, letting her take charge of pouring the tea and distributing the pastries.
“It was very good,” she nodded. “We brought back gifts for you and Jungwon oppa. I brought Jake oppa something too.” She added. “The designer was thrilled Eomma came to the opening, and we met a lot of citizens. They were all very kind, and asked me to pass along their well wishes for you.”
Sunghoon smiled softly. “That’s good to hear, I’m glad the trip was successful.”
She nodded and sat back down, looking at him expectantly. “What about you? How was Blossom?”
“Beautiful, as always.” Sunghoon mused. “We had the added benefit of travelling through Chaconne to reach it. On our way there we stopped at a seaside market, it was really quite amazing.” He confessed. He thought about the abandoned and desolate marketplace they had seen on their way back and frowned a little bit. “It seemed shut down on our way back though, which is a shame. I hoped to take you, I thought you would enjoy the trinkets and stories.”
Wonyoung’s expression turned grim, which triggered Sunghoon’s alarm bells. He sat up a little more. “What? What is it?”
“I don’t know much,” she said quietly. “But I’ve heard whispers around the castle. Abeonim has been increasing port taxes a lot, and abolishing any freelance marketplace. It’s not just the dock villages, my lady maid said King’s Guards were sent to nearby villages to seize any goods that weren’t being claimed properly.”
Sunghoon blinked a few times. “But... those markets have been exempt from tariffs and taxes as a way to revive our economy after the collapse a few years ago. As long as they remained local to their declared location, they were free to sell their wares.”
Wonyoung shrugged and picked at her pastry. “Abeonim has been... different, lately.” She said quietly. “Angrier. Short-tempered. He’s dismissed several guards and staff for no apparent reason, and I’ve heard the Council of Advisors and the Collection of Lords both admonish some of his decisions lately.”
Sunghoon’s heart sank as Wonyoung shifted in her seat and sat up a little straighter. “To be frank, it’s been a little... scary, lately. He even casted out the stable boy.”
“Woonhak?” Sunghoon breathed out. “On what grounds?”
“He didn’t give any, not that I heard. The Head Baker stepped away, clearly. She left with her son, Eomma is beside herself.” Wonyoung adjusted her tea cup on the saucer and cleared her throat. “When we got the news of two additional attempts on your life, combined with everything happening here... it’s been hard to remain positive.”
Sunghoon took a deep breath, his resolve settling in his chest. “Don’t worry, Wonyoung-ah. I’m here now, I’ll put an end to all this madness.”
“How?” She frowned, furrowing her eyebrows.
Sunghoon took a deep breath. “What did the King tell you about the last assassination attempt?” He asked carefully.
“He just said there was another attempt made during a festival there. It happened in the village, away from the castle.” She said slowly. “Why? Is that not what happened?”
“It is,” Sunghoon nodded. “I was just curious about what he had to say about it.”
Wonyoung watched her brother curiously. “I may be young, oppa, but I’m not stupid.” She told him quietly, eyeing him for a long moment. “What are you hiding from me?” She asked in Memorian
“Nothing I wish to disclose at this moment,” he responded immediately, shifting into their eomma's language easily. “I promise when the time comes, I will tell you.”
“But Jungwon oppa knows? And Jake oppa?” She pressed.
“Wonyoung-ah, I just need you to trust me. Please.” He said softly.
She nodded immediately. “I do trust you.”
Sunghoon nodded in return. They fell into lighter, Chaconian conversation, trying to salvage their relaxing tea time. She spoke of dramas from her travels to Concessio, how she loved all the dresses in the new collection and the designer let her take some home, the people she met and the friends she made. As she told stories about new friends, the smallest smirk formed on her lips that had alarm bell ringing in his head all over again.
“And what’s this I hear about your new Special Guest?” She teased him.
Sunghoon’s cheeks burned and he looked away, swallowing thickly. “I don’t have one.” He
said quietly.
Which was true on two accounts- Jay, clearly, was no longer around and therefore could not be considered anything to him, Special Guest or otherwise. Even if he was, giving him a foolish title like Special Guest felt reductive and cheap. Jay was so much more than that to him. He was the wind beneath his wings, the honey in his bitter tea, the warmth of a summer day. Jay was his everything.
“Oh, come now,” Wonyoung clicked her tongue. “The chambermaids told me everything, how he followed you around to your room, how handsome he was, how sweet and smart and soft spoken he was,” she listed off. “Jeongin oppa told me he came to visit you the night of the first attempt and gave you a book of romantic poems. By the Gods, you took him with you to Blossom. I want to hear about him!” She insisted.
Sunghoon sat back in his chair, staring at his tea. “He’s kind,” Sunghoon said quietly. “And warm, and soft, and caring. He takes care of me because he wants to, not because he has to. He taught me Blossomer by using poetry because I told him it helped with my Flickian. He gave me books about the Children of Vamfield, and he knows how I like my tea.” His heart hammered in his chest. “He is unbelievably kind to everyone he interacts with, he loves joking around and hiding away in the library where he can read these thick tomes just because he wants to. He loves to learn things, he’s naturally curious so he asks a lot of questions.” He took a shaky breath. “He likes to dance and he does it well. He told me of his time growing up in the village and befriended everyone he came across. He speaks like every sentence is specially crafted for that very moment. He is the walking embodiment of prose and he is the type of man a better poet than I could use as a muse for the rest of their life and never run out of material. He is my ray of light in all this darkness, my safe space, my freedom.” He closed his eyes. “I can be myself with him.”
“Oh, oppa,” she said quietly.
“He sees me, really sees me. I’m not the Crown Prince with him, I’m just... me.” Sunghoon couldn’t understand why this was all flowing out now. He suspected it had something to do with his little sister, still a romantic and not quite jaded to the rest of the world yet, who loved to love and loved to be loved in return. He hadn’t told anyone this much about Jay- not Heeseung or Jake or Jungwon. But he could tell her, he felt like she would somehow understand in the way the others would fail to, perhaps even how he failed to himself.
There was a long stretch of silence until Wonyoung sniffled. His eyes flew open and he was quick to reach forward with a handkerchief, which she accepted quietly to wipe away the tears at the corner of her eyes.
“You love him,” she said softly.
It wasn’t a question.
“Why did he leave?” She asked quietly.
Sunghoon tried to smile, but it came out more like a grimace. “Because it hurts more to miss someone within your reach than someone out of sight.”
Wonyoung got up from her seat and hugged Sunghoon tightly. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have pushed.” She mumbled.
“It’s alright,” Sunghoon sighed and hugged her in return. “It’s sort of nice to talk about him like this.”
She pulled away and sat back down. They strayed back towards their travels as they ate the sweets. Sunghoon could tell there was someone else making the little cookies. They weren’t quite the right texture or flavour, and some were overly sweet while others tasted like they had no sugar to begin with. He didn’t mention it, the same way Wonyoung didn’t mention anything about Sunoo or the impending marriage.
“Excuse me, Your Highness’?” Jake opened the door. “Prince Sunghoon, the King is requesting you join him for a meeting of the Collection of Lords.” He said quietly.
“Right, of course,” Sunghoon sighed and stood. “Thank you for the lovely tea, Wonyoung- ah.” He told her with a small smile. “We’ll do it again sometime, alright?”
Wonyoung nodded with a bright smile, waving as Jake led him down the hall.
“After the meeting, Your Highness, may I request your assistance with something?” Jake asked him.
Sunghoon nodded and looked at him curiously.
“I do work in my appa’s old office sometimes, and I was wondering if you would assist me in searching for that journal again?” He sighed. “Hanbin was hounding me to get the agreement signed and ready.”
“Don’t you typically let Hanbin handle most agreements as your scribe?” Sunghoon pointed out. “I thought he was just getting you to do it because you were there.”
Jake shook his head. “He’s been pushing me to be more involved. He wants me to start going back once or twice a month even though I’ve explained numerous times that I cannot abandon my post that frequently.”
Sunghoon sighed. “After the meeting, we will go take a look.” He nodded in agreement. “And perhaps we can take a look at revising your leave schedule once Chan and Changbin have fully recovered. Between Chan and Minho, I think your Deputies can handle an increase of responsibilities.”
“Your Highness, I cannot, as the head of your guard, justifiably take off that many times in a year.” He shook his head. “Hanbin will just have to continue to cope with the situation as is.”
Sunghoon didn’t get a chance to push it further, stepping into the council room a moment after the page announced his arrival. The Lords stood and bowed, and he bowed his head in response, humble while still commanding the room. He strode over to his father’s side, leaving Jake at the door- inside the room to provide quick assistance, but far enough away to make it seem like he was at ease.
By all accounts, he should be.
He had sat at his father’s side countless times, in this room or otherwise. He knew these Lords, he knew how this meeting should go. The Lords would bring up usually trivial things, with one or two good points, and the King would mediate this meeting for as long as it took everyone to realise that they wouldn’t be able to do more than half the things they wanted in a reasonable amount of time.
But as he took his seat, he noticed the shifting eyes around the room. Lords that were usually stone faced and rigid were fidgeting in their seats. There were less attendants, he noticed, and if Jake didn’t have his own Duke status, albeit relatively unknown amongst the current Collection of Lords, he would have probably been asked to wait outside.
“Welcome back, Crown Prince Sunghoon.” The King said, not even looking at him as he kept his gaze on the Lords around them. “I trust your delegation trip was successful?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, thank you,” Sunghoon bowed his head. “I believe the terms of the contract will work in our favour.”
“Excellent. Of course, plenty of those agreements will have to be reviewed and revised again, given our current update.” The King mused, tapping the table as he thought.
Sunghoon blinked, though he supposed he shouldn’t be surprised, given everything Wonyoung had told him. Still, he thought back to the lengthy negotiations between him and Heeseung and subconsciously frowned at the idea. “Your Majesty, if I may,” he started.
“You may not.” The King said sharply, shooting him a look before covering it up with a smile. “Let’s proceed, shall we?” He looked back to the Lords. “Who would like to go first?”
There was an uncomfortable buzz that started amongst the Lords, akin to the feeling of staying perfectly still so as to not aggravate a bee that took interest in you. Unlike the other meetings Sunghoon had sat in on, no one was clambering to start the discussion, or bring forth complaints they had been holding onto since their last meeting. They all seemed to be frozen, trying to avoid being stung.
“Oh come now gentlemen,” The King chuckled, though it lacked warmth. “Surely someone has something to say? With the Crown Prince here, it’s important you all learn to speak up around him.”
Still, the silence persisted. King Sihyuk clicked his tongue in annoyance. “Have you all achieved nothing since we last met?” He admonished. “Duke Hyunsuk, what about you? Have you fixed your little... problem?” He raised his eyebrow.
Duke Hyunsuk cleared his throat as he sat up straighter, avoiding eye contact. “It’s not that simple, Your Majesty. The people are not happy about the new taxes being implemented so suddenly. I have been approaching the situation carefully so as not to incite a riot-”
The King held up his hand, effectively cutting Duke Hyunsuk off. There was a collective intake of breath as the King offered him a tight smile.
“So what I’m hearing is that you have been unsuccessful in a task assigned to you by your King?” He clarified, his gaze fixed and unwavering on the Duke.
Duke Hyunsuk opened and closed his mouth a few times before he settled on a response with a nervous chuckle. “Your Majesty, with all due respect-”
“I am your King. I am due all your respect.” The King interrupted sharply. “That should not have to be clarified.”
Duke Hyunsuk sucked in a sharp breath before he chose his words a little more carefully. “It’s only been a few days, Your Majesty. The people are still struggling to get back on their feet these days, families are going hungry. They can barely afford their taxes as is-”
“Lord Jinyoung,” the King said loudly, cutting off Duke Hyunsuk.
The Lord in question sat up straighter, swallowing as he hid his shaking hands beneath the table. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Are you still having issues with Duke Hyunsuk farming over your shared property lines?” He asked pointedly.
Lord Jinyoung blinked a few times. “We have spoken about it, Your Majesty. We sorted it out based on Prince Sunghoon’s suggestion.” He said hesitantly. "We agreed on a fair share of profit, and then after the last harvest we are going out together to firmly draw the line so as to avoid any further confusion."
Sunghoon jolted in surprise at the mention of his name. Of course he remembered giving the suggestion to Duke Hyunsuk during the last time he received the Lords with the King. However, h e never expected that the stubborn Lord Jinyoung and the proud Duke Hyunsuk had actually considered his words, let alone implemented them. He was almost certain they wouldn't have been able to actually reach an agreement, and would have required further intervention from the King.
An unfamiliar warmth sparked in his chest, knowing that he helped them reach the conclusion of a years long feud. If only marginally.
The King’s smile tightened again. “That won’t be necessary anymore.” He told him flatly. “You will now acquire the Black Dukedom’s land and subsidiaries. Hyunsuk-ssi will no longer retain his title.”
“Your Majesty-” Duke Hyunsuk stood up.
“But, Your Majesty, if I may-” Lord Jinyoung started at the same time.
“Jake. Escort Hyunsuk-ssi out of the council room.” The King motioned with his hand, already disinterested in the repercussions of his actions.
Jake stiffly nodded and walked over to Hyunsuk, bowing a little and motioning for him to follow him. They watched as Hyunsuk shot one more look at Lord- no, Duke Jinyoung, now - before he was officially escorted out of the chambers.
“Your Majesty,” Jinyoung started again, only to freeze when the King looked up at him unimpressed.
“Are you not grateful for your new land and power? He drawled. “And this solves the problem you have nearly every year of Hyunsuk-ssi farming over into your land. Now it’s all your land. Problem solved.” He raised his eyebrow.
“Yes, quite. Thank you, Your Majesty.” He bowed his head and said nothing else.
Sunghoon casted a careful glance at Jake, who looked back at him, just as outwardly neutral as he was, even though he could see the internal panic that mirrored his own.
“I expect better from you, Duke Jinyoung,” he reminded him. “Implement the new taxes and goods restrictions in the Dukedom of Black within the week, understand?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Jinyoung bowed his head again.
“Excellent, now that that’s settled, what’s next?” The King said, looking around at the rest of the table.
Sunghoon didn’t blame them for the silence that followed.
-
The meeting had run long, and before he knew it, Sunghoon was having dinner with his full family for the first time in forever. As dinner continued, he had Jake tell Seungmin and Minho to gather everyone and bring them to the Blossom Delegation’s chambers so they could go through the new information Sunghoon found out.
Once they were settled in the chambers, the heavy door locked and secured, Sunghoon launched into the full story.
“Can he do that?” Sunoo asked quietly as Sunghoon recounted the meeting for their little group. “I know he’s the King, but can he really just take someone’s title away like that for no reason?”
Sunoo and Jungwon were sitting on the bed with Jaehyun, Heeseung was leaning against the desk, and Minho, Seungmin and Chan took up the couch as Sunghoon and Jake stood in front of the fireplace to tell the story. He told them about his conversation with Wonyoung, and how he got to experience the King’s increasing insanity in person.
“It’s not for no reason,” Heeseung sighed. “He’s going to defend it by saying Hyunsuk-ssi was falling short on his duties as a Duke, and those responsibilities needed to be redistributed in order to achieve them.”
“If what Wonyoungie says is right, then this probably isn’t the first time he’s done this.” Jungwon pointed out.
“He could break a lot of agreements we have by doing this. None of the new people he puts in power have any obligation to adhere to a contract they didn’t negotiate or sign.” Sunghoon added.
“So we all agree that what he’s doing is overall bad for the Kingdom,” Minho said slowly. “But what are we going to do about it? We still have no physical proof to support any claim.”
“And witnesses and victims are good, but if we base our entire case off of that, it will seem more like a coup than an actual accusation of treason.” Seungmin added.
“What we need is physical proof that the King is behind your assassination attempts,” Jake said, looking at Sunghoon.
“We keep coming back to this, but the problem is we have no way of obtaining any sort of physical proof.” Sunghoon sighed. “We can’t go through the King’s office, and even if we could, there’s no telling what we need to look for.”
“We’ll just have to keep trying.” Heeseung said quietly. “There’s not much else we can do.”
“I’ll go see Jihoon tomorrow,” Chan said. “He took up residence in the village nearby, I’ll see if there’s anything else he remembers.”
“Thank you,” Sunghoon nodded. “Tell him I’ll visit when I get the chance.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Chan bowed his head.
“You’re all dismissed for now,” Sunghoon sighed. “If anyone finds anything out, let Seungmin or Minho know, they will be our points of contact. Do not write it down if you can help it, word of mouth is our safest bet right now. If it must be written, it must be burned, understand?”
There was a scattered Yes, Your Highness as they all slowly exited the room, escaping into the servants passage nearby to avoid being caught.
Sunghoon collapsed onto the couch now that it was vacated by his guards and pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. His exhaustion was starting to catch up to him again, and it was providing him with a pounding in his head he couldn’t fight.
“Sunghoon-ah, shall I escort you back to your room?” Jake offered.
“No, no, I promised to help you search your appa’s office,” He protested.
“It’s alright. I can look by myself. You look tired enough. What you need right now is rest.” Jake held his hand out to help him up.
Sunghoon sighed and took it, letting his friend haul him up off the couch. “Oh, Heeseung hyung,” he turned to him. “The King said that some of the agreements will probably need to be renegotiated.” He said dryly.
Heeseung groaned and rubbed his forehead. “What was the point of agreeing to send you along to negotiate if he was going to change his mind?” He complained, and an uncomfortable silence settled over them.
“Hyung, I was never supposed to make it back,” Sunghoon said quietly after a long moment. “That’s why he agreed to it. It didn’t matter how the negotiations went, because I was never supposed to be the one to present them.”
“I’m sorry, Sunghoon-ah.” Heeseung whispered.
Sunghoon shook his head. “No matter. It might work in our favour. Try to draw the new negotiations out as long as possible. Hopefully it will give us a little more time to figure something out for evidence.” He told him.
“I’ll do my best,” Heeseung nodded.
“Thank you again hyung, for all of this.” Sunghoon added. “You didn’t have to come back with us and you did, and for that I will always be in your debt.” He bowed his head.
“Sunghoonie, enough of that,” Heeseung scolded him. “You would do the same for me, for any of us. That’s enough.” He insisted. “Now go, get some rest. You’ve had a very long day, and longer ones are to come.”
“Thank you, hyung.” Sunghoon bowed again anyway and let Jake lead him out and back to his own chambers.
He greeted Seungmin, who offered a small smile and a nod of his head. It still felt odd and out of place for him to see someone other than Chan or Jisung outside his door as the night shift, but he supposed Chan still wasn’t fully recovered and shouldn’t be pushing himself too hard until he was. Sunghoon was serious about entrusting Chan and Minho with more responsibilities once all his guards were fully recovered for Jake’s sake, and that would only happen if he got plenty of time to rest.
He stripped down and washed up with the rose water his chamber maids had prepared for him. His mind wandered to last night, Jay in his lap and the feeling of velvet rose petals clinging to his skin as he spent the better part of an hour running the cloth over the same areas a million times, as if it would wash away the pain and heartache he had endured in the last few weeks or years.
He immediately pushed those images out of his head and scowled, scrubbing his skin raw. There was no sense torturing himself over a stolen moment. He stared at himself in the mirror. His body looked tired, bruises from the man from the village falling on top of him, and from the other grabbing him. The cut along his cheek was healed now, but the one along his arm he got from the second assassination attempt on the ship was still puffy and pink, and against his wishes, probably would scar horrendously. He carefully ran his fingers over the abrasion and sighed, his shoulders dropping.
He turned away from the mirror and got dressed. He let Jungwon keep Gaeul for the night, but he was starting to regret it now that he was curled up beneath his covers, the fire flickering pathetically with dying flames. He tossed and turned, willing himself to fall asleep and quickly. He was tired, physically, and he desperately wished he could just drift off, but fear gripped his mind like a plague. What horrors would await him behind his eyelids? What tragedies would he be forced to live through again and again until he inevitably would be ripped back into consciousness so aggressively, he would have to remain awake for the rest of the night?
With that delightful train of thought, the bone dead exhaustion won out and he fell into a dark, fitful sleep.
-
He didn’t have a full nightmare, just flashes of nightmares past as he drifted in and out of consciousness, his bed seemingly too large for only him. He eventually dropped off into a semblance of sleep as the sun peaked through his window, only for his door open, startling him awake.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes to make sure he was seeing the situation in front of him right. “Jake?” He furrowed his eyebrows.
Jake’s eyes were wide and bright as he clutched a stack of what looked like letters in his hand.
“You’ll never believe what I found.”
Chapter Text
The next day was so scarily normal, it was unsettling.
His chambermaids, with Ryujin appointed the new head, came in and dressed him in his Princely attire, even going as far as to deny his request for his riding pants. According to Ryujin, the King had insisted his foolish, small act of rebellion be squashed immediately, and therefore he was forced to wear the stiff and unforgiving breeches instead.
He only stopped to speak with Seungmin briefly before breakfast, a whispered instruction to conduct another meeting at night before he was whisked away by Jake, who had ended up crashing on the couch after the revelation.
He ate with his family, spoke with his eomma about the lunch she was to host amongst the ladies of the Lords they were housing for now. They would slip into Memorian whenever she wished to complain or make a remark, so as not to offend any of the ladies that might overhear. After about the third time, the King hit the table.
"Enough of your blabbering," he scolded her. "If you are to speak in Chaconne, at my table, you are to use our tongue."
He watched his eomma deflate slightly. "Yes, Your Grace. My apologies," she bowed her head and fell silent.
After a moment of silence, Wonyoung begun to complain about a tear in her favourite dress, and the tension eased somewhat.
Sunghoon remained cool and impassive, but internally gritted his teeth.
Afterwards, he took to the library to self-study some Blossomer. Sunoo and Jungwon had joined him there, Jungwon watching curiously as Sunoo gently corrected his pronunciation as he read out some of the old worksheets Jay had made for him. He tried to focus on the language itself, instead of the curve of the letters or the drops of tea and candle wax that suggested Jay had prepared the papers late at night. That he had done all this, just for him.
Then, he had his swordplay lesson with Minho and Seungmin. Minho still had him fight Seungmin for now, sparring until the two of them were drenched in sweat. Seungmin may have won more rounds, but Sunghoon still hadn’t lost all of them. Minho’s small but proud smile felt deserved.
Sunoo and Jungwon joined him outside with Seungmin, Minho and Jake where they had a picnic and chatted about the weather. Sunoo had a small paint set with him and sketched out the landscape as they talked, presenting it proudly by the end of the meal.
Sunghoon was then brought back to his room, washed up and changed a third time before being ushered to dinner.
Heeseung looked exhausted when they met up with him, sitting up straight but clearly fighting to keep his eyes open. He had been in negotiations all day, and it was clear he had kept his end of the bargain in delaying them by the way the King was clearly stewing in his anger, face red and not even bothering to hide his glare.
Sunghoon had never seen the dining hall so quiet for dinner. They ate in near total silence, save for the scraping of cutlery along the plates, or a mumbled request to pass the salt or pepper.
As they were dismissed, Sunghoon heard his name being called and he stopped in his tracks, turning towards the King carefully.
“My office, now.” He said firmly, turning on his heels and walking out.
Sunghoon spared a glance at Jungwon and Sunoo who were watching him concerned, and Heeseung who looked ready to follow him out the door. Sunghoon shook his head subtly and nodded to Jake, heading toward the King’s office.
Like last time, his guard was instructed to remain outside.
“But, Your Highness,” Jake hissed.
“It’s alright Jake,” he murmured back, heading inside.
Like last time, he watched his father dismiss any other occupants in the room and waited for them to leave before he said anything.
He genuinely believed it would be okay. The King might be getting desperate to dispose of him, but he wasn't a fool. If he killed Sunghoon here and now, everyone would know. If he harmed him in anyway, the guards outside would be alerted.
Perhaps now, out of any moment he had been in the castle, he was probably the safest he had ever been, because there would be no way to explain away his death should the King try anything.
“I see you’ve been busy,” the King drawled.
And yet, Sunghoon’s heart rate picked up in his chest so fast he was worried the King could hear it. He kept his face carefully neutral, not quite making eye contact as he waited for him to continue.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Your Majesty.” He said quietly.
“These negotiations, they’re horrendous,” he tossed the originally drafted contract onto the desk. “What were you thinking?”
Sunghoon didn’t bother mentioning he followed the King's demands to the letter, and that he actually had achieved all of his nonnegotiable clauses with little to no loss on their end. He instead kept his hands clasped behind him and his shoulders squared as he stood at attention.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. I’m grateful you have the opportunity to correct my mistakes.” He told him instead. “We are fortunate King Heeseung wished to return to Chaconne to see the wedding through.”
“I can’t believe after all this time, you’re still not fit to rule,” the King scoffed, getting up from his desk. “Perhaps we should push back your coronation an additional year. You’re certainly in no shape to take the crown next year either. There’s too much work to be done.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Sunghoon bowed his head. “I trust your judgement. I’ll work harder.”
“You’re absolutely useless,” he spat at him, and Sunghoon could feel the warm, wet glob track down his face. “If it wasn’t for this ridiculous marriage contract we need, I would cut you out entirely.” He spat at him again, and Sunghoon had to do everything in his power not to flinch. “Perhaps Jungwon would be better suited as Crown Prince.”
Sunghoon didn’t respond, just held his breath as the King circled him like a vulture. “You should have just died in Blossom, it would certainly save the rest of us some trouble.” He sneered.
“Your Majesty,” Sunghoon breathed out, looking at him horrified.
It was one thing to know what was happening, to understand his father was the one behind his attacks, and to have an idea as to why. It’s another thing entirely to hear the wish of his death directly from his lips.
“Oh, relax,” the King scoffed. “Clearly you’re fine for now, you don’t have to look so scandalised.” He rolled his eyes, sitting back at his desk and pouring himself a glass of aged whiskey. “Heeseung is dragging his feet in these negotiations, and it looks like he’s going to back out. I need you to ensure that he can’t.” He said firmly, swirling amber liquid in the bottom of his crystal glass.
Sunghoon furrowed his eyebrows, and opened his mouth to ask for clarification, only for the King to groan and, without warning, hurled the crystal glass at his head. Sunghoon barely had time to duck out of the way, the whiskey spilling all over him in the process as the glass shattered on the wall behind him. His eyes widened a fraction but he fought to keep the rest of his expression carefully neutral.
“I know you’re not the brightest Prince in the world, but surely you can’t be that stupid?” He bit out. “I want you to ruin that Second Prince. Take his virtue, make it impossible for that false King to marry him off to anyone else.”
The irony was not lost on Sunghoon at the request, considering he had already given his own virtue away. He just wasn’t sure how he was meant to feel about the request besides a muted sort of horror. Not to mention, the words False King made his blood curdle in his veins. It must have shown on his face more than he hoped, because the King shot him a cruel smile.
“Come now, Prince Sunghoon. He’s a pretty little thing, it should be the easiest order I’ve given you yet. I’m sure if you close your eyes you can pretend it’s that precious tutor of yours.” He clicked his tongue.
Sunghoon felt like he had been plunged in the pond out back in the dead of winter at the mention of Jay. He froze completely, finally making eye contact with the King. The King chuckled and shook his head. “So the rumours are true. I heard whispers here and there that you managed to woo another tutor and got yourself a little Special Guest in him, but I had my doubts. It’s nice to know the claims had some validity to them.” He mused, leaning back in his chair.
“Leave him out of it,” Sunghoon said, a quiet rage seeping into his bones as he shook with the effort to keep himself in place. “He won’t be a problem anymore, I assure you.”
“Yes, I heard he resigned when you returned. He went back to that bookshop of his, hm?” The King held up a familiar leather bound book.
Sunghoon had to fight every nerve in his body to stop from lunging forward to snatch the book of poems back. He watched the King stand again and wander over to the other side of the room, near the fireplace. He kept his gaze on the flames, stroking them higher as Sunghoon kept his eyes on the book in the King’s hand.
“Funny thing about old books,” he said casually, before tossing it into the hungry flames without a moment of hesitation. “They tend to catch fire fast. Whole libraries can be engulfed in flames in minutes and no one would be the wiser.”
The leather had been old and worn, and dried in certain places. The pages had been yellowed with age and Sunghoon had always feared accidentally ripping one of them just by turning it the wrong way.
The Blossomer poems never stood a chance against the ravaging flames. He watched as the leather peeled back and curled in the heat, the pages filled with not only the sweet words but Jay’s own prose and notes and translations were reduced to nothing but ashes. The smoke it gave off stung his eyes and it felt like his heart was being ripped out of his chest all over again.
Sunghoon was no fool.
This was a threat.
He was threatening Jay.
Sunghoon turned his gaze back to the King who stared at him intently.
“Don’t mess this up,” the King said firmly.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” His voice was blessedly stable despite the whirlwind of emotions in his chest.
“You are dismissed. I expect an update in the next few days about your... special task.” He mused. “My Guards are making a trip to the village in three days time. I would hate to hear about an... unfortunate accident, involving the bookshop.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Sunghoon bowed low and left at his dismissal, wiping his face free from the King’s spit.
Jake was still waiting outside and frowned at the look on Sunghoon’s face. “What? What is it?”
Sunghoon didn’t say anything, not here, not around the King’s staff. He just kept walking, taking random turns until they found an abandoned hall where they could slip into the servants tunnels unnoticed. Jake didn’t ask him again, just followed his lead all the way to the Blossom Delegations chambers.
Sunghoon was grateful for the silence, it allowed him a moment to collect his thoughts so he didn’t do something stupid like turn around and push the King into the fireplace to see how he liked his heart being burned.
They were the last to arrive, and everyone looked at him anxiously.
“Your Highness,” Sunoo was the first to speak. “You have a-” he gestured to his shoulder.
Sunghoon reached up and felt the wet patch from the whiskey. He blinked. “Oh. He threw a glass at me,” Sunghoon waved it off.
“Your Highness,” Jake said quietly.
Sunghoon shook his head in response. “It’s not the worst thing he did. We’ll worry about it later, for now,” He gestured to Jake. “Jake found something in his appa’s old study here that might be exactly what we need.”
He hoped it would be enough. The three day deadline weighed on his shoulders, heavy enough to hurt.
It had to be enough.
“In his Appa’s study?” Sunoo cocked his head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“We were all focusing on trying to prove that the King was orchestrating all of these attacks, but something I had brought up to Prince Sunghoon and King Heeseung a couple of days ago was that this may not be the first time he’s done it.” Jake held up the stack of letters. “Letters, to my appa from the late Crown Prince Taehyung.”
A gasp rippled through their makeshift council and Jungwon sat up straight, alarmed. “You think he did this to hyung too?” He asked quickly.
“We suspected it.” Sunghoon nodded. “You remember how he was. He was kind, and loved his people. We didn’t think it would be hard for the King to manipulate him into going to the frontlines in the middle of the war.”
“But these letters lay out the fact that Prince Taehyung hadn’t opted to go to the frontlines himself. He wrote my appa, who had been one of the King’s head advisors at the time, saying he was forced to go by the King. The King had called into question his commitment to the Crown, to his people. He would be branded a coward if he hadn’t gone when they were in the middle of conscripting men his age, so he agreed, but he wasn’t meant to be on the frontlines. These letters state that apparently the battalion he was with didn’t even know he was the Prince. Apparently it was common to pretend to be the Crown Prince amongst the ranks to try to weasel their way out of duty. But this is his personal seal.” Jake explained, passing them around for the others to read to verify what he was saying. “Maybe we don’t need physical evidence that he’s trying to kill Sunghoon, not if we have physical evidence to support that he has already done this once, and use what we already have to show he’s trying to do it again.”
“Will that work?” Jaehyun furrowed his eyebrows. “It’s a different situation, from nearly a decade ago, do you think the people will accept it?”
“He dismissed Jihoon on the grounds of gross negligence of his first born,” Seungmin pointed out. “Which is the exact same case. And also inaccurate, if these letters mean anything.”
Sunghoon hadn’t even thought of it that way. The story of his hyung running off to join the frontlines, only for an ambush to wipe out his whole battalion so horribly they couldn’t even produce a body had been told time and time again, every year like clockwork on the anniversary of his death. But if these letters made anything clear, it was that Taehyung had not run off on his own as an act of rebellion. He was chased out of the castle by his own flesh and blood holding one of the only things he held dear over his head- his people.
Taehyung loved his people. He loved meeting with citizens and helping them with their problems, he loved visiting the village and breaking bread even with the most lost in society. He was an open, bleeding heart who just wanted to make their kingdom a better place for everyone.
Sunghoon wondered if there were threats not covered in his letters to Jake’s father? If he too had to sit there as their father threatened their younger siblings, the people he cared about, the people he loved. He wondered if Taehyung was scared, like he was. If he had nightmares like him, if he had someone who held him in the dark to protect him from the shadows, or if he was forced to face it all alone. He remembered his brother's friend, a Lord’s son named Jungkook, who had disappeared at the same time as him. It was widely believed that Jungkook had gone with Taehyung, unable to stay behind in the face of such an adventure, but they never knew for sure. He hoped in the end, they had been together, that they had each other until their last moments.
Sunghoon had spent the better part of a decade feeling like he was playing pretend. He bore his title like a costume, a borrowed coat he would never truly own with his brother’s name engraved on the crown he wore like some second rate actor. But now, he had never felt closer to him, a type of kinship that could only be inspired by tragedy. He wished he could hug his brother, just once.
Hyung, I’m sorry we couldn’t help you. He thought miserably. I hope you’re resting easy, wherever you are.
“I spoke with Jihoon again today,” Chan piped up at the reminder. “To see if he could think of anything else that would help us. He told me the last time he remembered the King being like this was around the time of Prince Taehyung's death. Any older staff would probably remember the same thing. It could support the repeat behaviour if we can get them on our side.” He added.
“Hyung said Wonyoungie said they dismissed Woonhak, and his Eomma, the Head Baker, left with him. She would be able to support it, and we could bring Jihoon in too.” Jungwon suggested.
“We don’t have a lot of time,” Sunghoon told them. “We need to figure out a course of action that we can execute in the next three days.”
“Why three days?” Heeseung furrowed his eyebrows. “Isn’t that a little optimistic?”
Sunghoon shifted from foot to foot, avoiding eye contact.
“What? What is it?” Heeseung pressed.
“He gave me terms I can’t meet, and he gave me three days to complete them.” He said finally.
“Terms? What terms?” Jungwon frowned.
Sunghoon sighed and rubbed his temples. “He’s frustrated with how hyung is dragging out the negotiations. He wants me to ensure he has to agree to the amendments.” He said carefully.
“Frankly, had he just agreed to the terms we had initially negotiated, the ones you set on his behalf, this would be a different conversation. But he wants too much and isn’t willing to give anything in return.” Heeseung frowned. “Even without everything else going on, I wouldn’t agree to the new conditions he’s giving us.”
“You would if you couldn’t strike up a marriage contract with another nation.” Sunghoon said quietly. “He wants me to,” he hesitated, looking at Sunoo apologetically. “In his words, ruin Sunoo so you can’t marry him to anyone else.”
“What, take his virtue?” Heeseung clarified, and Sunoo squeaked in embarrassment. “Blossom doesn’t adhere to those traditions though.”
“Chaconne does. So do plenty of other Kingdoms.” Sunghoon grimaced.
“Wouldn't it 'ruin' you too?" Minho asked slowly. "By taking his virtue, it would disqualify your own, wouldn't it?"
"I suppose, but it doesn't really seem like he's thinking about it in those terms. Though I suppose in some twisted way, he could use that against the Blossomers too." Sunghoon sighed, glancing around the room.
"Okay, and what happens if you don’t uh, ruin me?” Sunoo asked hesitantly.
Sunghoon glanced over to the fireplace and flinched remembering the smell of burning leather and ink. “Old books burn fast,” he mumbled.
“Sorry?” Heeseung furrowed his eyebrows.
“Old books burn fast,” he repeated, louder, unable to bring himself to say the actual threat out loud. “The Guards are going into the village in three days and old books burn fast. If there’s a sudden fire at the bookshop, it’s unlikely the occupants will be able to escape.”
Sunoo gasped and slapped a hand over his mouth, his eyes going round and glassy as he clued in first to what Sunghoon was saying.
“Oh hyung,” he said quietly.
“I don’t get it,” Seungmin frowned. “What does a bookstore have to do with-”
“He’s going to kill Jay,” Jake realised, his eyes widened. “He’ll burn his family's shop, and make sure he’s inside.”
Silence fell over the room, and Sunghoon shifted uncomfortably again. “Okay,” Heeseung nodded, straightening up. “Three days. Let’s get to work.”
They spent as much time as they dared trying to concoct a plan that seemed plausible and while they seemed to have a general idea, they couldn’t agree on any details. There were too many things that could go wrong no matter what they did.
Eventually, the guards had to return to their rounds. They agreed to meet back there the same time tomorrow before disappearing out the door.
“Your Highness,” Chan said, straightening up a little as Sunghoon looked over at him curiously. “I made another stop while I was in the village today. I was instructed to give this to you, Prince Sunoo.” He handed a wrapped package to Sunoo, who opened it without hesitation.
“Oh, wow,” Sunoo breathed out. “He remembered.”
“What?” Heeseung peeked over, his eyes widening. “What is that?”
“Jay hyung said it came through his appa’s shop, and that when his appa realised what it was he put it away because he refused to sell it, but he didn’t want to destroy it either.” Sunoo explained. “He told me he would try to get it back to us one day because it deserved to be in Blossomer hands.”
Heeseung blinked rapidly as they flipped through the stolen text.
“He says he wishes you well, Your Highness.” Chan told Sunghoon quietly.
“Thank you, Chan.” Sunghoon cleared his throat. “I appreciate you playing messenger.”
Chan bowed, his hand over his heart. “Of course, Your Highness. It’s my pleasure.” He assured him before slipping out of the room.
“We’ll figure it out,” Jungwon assured Sunghoon quietly. “Nothing will happen to Jay hyung.”
Sunghoon smiled sadly before getting up. “I’m going to head to bed. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.” He ruffled Jungwon’s hair. “I’m going to steal Sunoo tomorrow, just to give the illusion I’m following the King’s orders. Will you be alright?” He asked quietly.
Jungwon nodded. “I’m supposed to spend some time with Eomma anyway.” He promised.
“So I’ll see you tomorrow?” Sunghoon asked Sunoo nervously.
Sunoo nodded, looking up from the book. “We can meet after breakfast. We can take a stroll before your sword lesson.”
Sunghoon nodded. He bowed to Heeseung quickly before ducking out and heading back to his chambers with Jake at his side.
They didn’t speak. There was nothing to say that they could afford to have overheard. Jake bid him goodnight, and greeted Seungmin, who had taken over for Jeongin after their meeting, before heading to his own chambers.
Sunghoon offered Seungmin a small smile before heading inside. He got ready for bed on autopilot, the physical exhaustion clinging to his very being as he washed up and changed. His mind was whirling though, unable to slow down or offer him any sort of peace. He didn’t bother trying to go to bed. Instead, he settled down in front of his fireplace with a journal and a quill and ink. He took a deep breath, rolling the forest green quill between his fingers, knowing it once rested in Jay palms as he carved each little wildflower. He dipped the quill and started writing every line of Blossomer poetry he could remember, starting with the most important one.
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate; Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May; And summer’s lease hath all too short a date-
-
“This is a little mortifying,” Sunoo mumbled as they strolled along the grounds the next day. “I can feel them watching us.”
“They were probably instructed to watch us closely,” Sunghoon mumbled back. “To see if I’m carrying out the King’s wishes.”
“As if we would do anything of the sorts so publicly.” Sunoo grumbled.
“I’m sorry, Sunoo-yah.” He whispered.
Sunoo shook his head and offered a small smile. “I like Jay hyung, Your Highness. If this keeps him and you safe, I can handle the rumour mill.” He promised.
Sunghoon sighed but smiled fondly as they continued along.
“Your Blossomer did improve,” he added. “You can keep up a decent conversation with little help now.”
“Jay was very big on conversational work,” Sunghoon explained. “And it helped when you and Heeseung hyung would have simple conversations with me in Blossomer. I’m trying to keep up my self study, as I don’t want to rely on you or put pressure on you to be the one who has to translate all the time.”
“I appreciate that,” Sunoo sighed. “The Blossomer nobility are typically more relaxed than what I’ve seen in Chaconian court, so they’ll appreciate your effort more than anything.”
Sunghoon nodded in understanding. “I think you’ll fit right into daily life at Chaconian court.” He told him earnestly. “Especially with the ladies of the court, if how you’ve charmed my eomma is any indication.” He chuckled. “I swear, she’s more excited to have you join the family than for any alliance it brings us.”
Sunoo hummed. “I like your eomma, she’s kind,” He agreed. “But I think she would like it more if you were happy.”
Sunghoon glanced at him curiously. Sunoo offered him a small smile. “I think we’ve well established that this is neither of our first choices,” He pointed out. “And I think your eomma would love anyone you married, as long as you loved them in return.”
“Sunoo-yah,” Sunghoon said, a certain tiredness overtaking his voice. “I don’t think it matters if we aren’t each other's first choice, there is no choice. Not really.” He looked up at the sky, overcast just like it had been since they returned, and took a deep breath, dropping his voice. “But if this doesn’t work, if we can’t fix this... I hope you and hyung walk.” He said honestly. “You shouldn’t be tied to a Kingdom this corrupt. Jungwonie knows to head for Flicker, and to take Wonyoung with him. If this doesn’t work out, you and hyung need to return to Blossom.”
“We would never leave you like that,” Sunoo argued, just as quiet. “Hyung, we could never abandon you to face the worst fate.”
“You would have to.” Sunghoon insisted. “Hyung is a King first, that’s just how it is.” He hesitated. “Sunoo-yah, if something happens to me-”
“Nothing is going to happen-!” Sunoo tried to protest.
“If something happens to me,” Sunghoon reiterated firmly. “Can I ask you and hyung to relocate Jay and his family? If... if they’re still around, can you take them back to Blossom? Protect them at court?” He looked at him desperately. “Jake too, I don’t trust him not to...”
Sunoo softened and sighed. “Nothing is going to happen,” Sunoo insisted firmly. “But if it makes you feel better, yes hyung. We’ll look after them. We’ll protect them.”
Sunghoon smiled softly, and in a moment of forgotten propriety, he ruffled Sunoo’s hair. The younger Prince whined and complained, swatting his hands away to fix the displaced strands immediately. Sunghoon chuckled and thought that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to be married to Sunoo, should he live to see the day. He would never fall in love with him- Jay had already ruined his heart for anyone else to try and make a home there, and he could never look at Sunoo without thinking of Jungwon -but it would be nice to have a friend at his side.
-
The hour was late and the night was long enough that propriety was a suggestion no one seemed to be taking. Sunoo and Jungwon were sitting on the bed again, slumped against each other with Jaehyun propped up against the footboard of the bed, his head drooping forward every once in awhile.
Seungmin was passed out in Minho’s lap, curled up and huddled close in such an achingly familiar way that Sunghoon couldn’t look at them for very long. Minho’s normally unimpressed look softened whenever he looked at the younger guard asleep against him. Chan was on the other end of the couch, awake but annoyed at the lack of solution to their problem.
Heeseung was propped up against Jake, both of them scanning the letters and the itemized list of everything else they could come up with for the thousandth time, as if there was something they missed in the first nine hundred and ninety-nine.
Sunghoon’s gaze was fixated on the dying flames in the fireplace, going through every situation presented thus far. Most of them were too intricate to pull off in the next two days, or weren’t powerful enough to do anything more than get Sunghoon and their whole makeshift council thrown in the cellar or worse for treason.
They were no closer to saving Jay and his family, or Sunghoon, or his country from a tyrannical King who was seemingly losing his mind.
“I say we just expose him to the Lords and let them deal with it.” Jaehyun grumbled finally, rubbing his eyes. “The Lords and Dukes are in control of their little own plots of land and represent the people. If we could convince them of this whole thing, they could turn the court of public opinion against the King in no time. He would be forced to step down if they don’t call for his immediate dismissal from the throne.”
Every single person in the room that was still still awake slowly turned towards Jaehyun, who was quickly realising he garnered all the attention of the royals and senior guards alike. His eyes widened in panic and he quickly waved his arms.
“It’s just a suggestion!” He said quickly. “I just figured it would be easier trying to convince a small group of people rather than everyone at once.”
“No, Jaehyun, that’s brilliant.” Heeseung said, slowly sitting up, turning to Sunghoon. “Didn’t you say the Lords and Dukes all seemed pretty scared of him in your last meeting? He stripped a Duke of his power with very little preamble.”
Sunghoon nodded, his eyes slowly widening. “Lord Jinyoung seemed opposed to it even if he was the one receiving the land and title. No one would speak unless spoken to, and it didn’t feel like anyone felt confident enough to bring up any concerns, which isn’t how a council like that should work,” he said. “The King awarded half of those men their titles after the war, I’m sure it’s very jarring to see they can be taken away just as easily.”
“And they listened to you,” Jake added. “Even Lord Jinyoung who is notorious for refusing to take others' opinions into consideration, he stopped and listened and applied your suggestion to his problem. And clearly Duke Hyunsuk agreed if he relayed it to him.” He sat up straight. “The Collection of Lords clearly respect you, and if they’re smart, they’ll understand the best thing for everyone right now is to get King Sihyuk off the throne.”
“Do you really think you can convince them of everything that’s happening?” Jungwon asked curiously. “Do you think they’ll care?”
“I think the King’s first mistake was trying to scare the Collection of Lords into submission. And from what I saw at the meeting, he’s asking them to do things that’s only going to anger the average Chaconian. Raising taxes by insane levels, shutting down their streams of income previously guaranteed to them, closing ports to limit trade, he’s trying to squeeze every cent out of every citizen that he can, but they have no more money to give. They’re starving, and losing their homes, their joy. The King is untouchable to the average citizen, but their Duke or Lord is not. Duke Hyunsuk was talking about trying to avoid a riot, and his township is considered one of the more wealthy ones.” Sunghoon explained.
“Do we have time to approach every Duke and Lord in the Collection before the next meeting?” Sunoo asked with a frown. “Is it worth risking everything to try to convince them to be on our side?”
“The next meeting is the day after tomorrow,” Jungwon said nervously. “If this doesn’t work, it’ll be too late for Jay hyung and expose our suspicions.”
“We don’t need to approach every Lord and Duke in the Collection,” Sunghoon said slowly, turning to Jake. “Just the right ones.”
Jake seemed to understand and nodded in agreement.
“What are we missing?” Chan looked between them confused. “Who are the right ones?”
-
“Duke Jinyoung,” Sunghoon smiled warmly, Jake at his side.
“Prince Sunghoon, what a pleasant surprise,” the newly minted Duke bowed his head automatically.
“Is this a good time?” He asked curiously.
“Of course, Your Highness. Is there something you wish to discuss?” He asked, drawing his eyebrows together.
“It’s a private matter. I trust I can speak with you in confidence?” Sunghoon said, motioning for Jinyoung to follow him to his chambers, taking him to his calling room to serve tea and biscuits.
Sunghoon made sure to do it all himself, and he could see Jinyoung’s ego inflating little by little at the Crown Prince doting on him.
“To what do I owe this honour, Your Highness?” Jinyoung asked, astounded by the attention Sunghoon was providing him.
Sunghoon offered him another perfectly practised smile. “I wanted to congratulate you on receiving the title Duke. From what I hear, it’s deserved.” He offered.
Just as he suspected, Jinyoung shied away from the praise, but not in the coy way he usually did when it came to direct compliments. He seemed to genuinely dislike the new title, though clearly would never say it out loud in front of the Crown Prince.
“It was certainly a... surprise, to say the least. I certainly didn’t expect it.” He seemed to decide on instead, sipping the tea in front of him nervously.
“I thought you would be pleased about no longer having to share a farming border with Hyunsuk-ssi?” Sunghoon said, sipping his own tea.
Jinyoung hesitated. “May I speak freely, Your Highness?”
Sunghoon nodded, and hid his eyes lighting up behind taking another sip of his tea.
“Frankly, Your Highness, our crops are vastly different,” he started carefully. “I harvest grain, Hyunsuk hyu- uh, Hyunsuk-ssi farms corn, squash and beans. I’m not entirely sure what constitutes a good or bad crop when it comes to them, so I have no basis for estimating income or profit. Not to mention, my village is half the size of his township, so I’m not not currently equipped to handle a group of people that size while still maintaining my own.” He confessed, the worries flowing freely from his lips as Sunghoon drew his eyebrows together in concern, nodding along as he spoke.
These concerns were surprisingly valid. Sunghoon never thought of Lord Jinyoung as dumb or inadequate, just fickle when it came to things, but also proud and a little vain. He never even suspected he would be self aware enough to come to such genuine conclusions. He also clocked how Jinyoung had nearly called Hyunsuk hyung- clearly they were closer than anyone anticipated, even the King, and Sunghoon felt for him. The older man seemed a little lost, all things considered.
For a moment he forgot what he was meant to be doing as he listened to the new Duke’s concerns.
“It’s not to say I’m not ungrateful for the opportunity!” Jinyoung added quickly. “I’m just... frankly, Your Highness, I feel ill fit and ill equipped for the job. I worry about the people in my village, and if their quality of life will decline because a township with more people and a bigger variety of crops will require more attention, and I worry about the township falling into debt because I couldn't handle the calculations properly.”
“I understand your concerns, Duke Jinyoung,” Sunghoon said genuinely, pouring more tea for the clearly anxious man. “And I appreciate the clear love and concern you have for your people and current system. I’m sure it was quite jarring to have this thrusted on you in the beginning of the harvest season.”
“Grain gets harvested first in early September, the vegetables typically get harvested in late September,” he explained. “Having them both harvested around the same time may... well, Your Highness, I fear it may cause problems.” He admitted. “It will be a lot of paperwork and agreements to handle by myself, and Hyunsuk-ssi never trusted a scribe to help him so I’ll truly be on my own.”
If this were any other time or situation, Sunghoon would laugh. If he were to tell himself from two months ago there would be a day he not only understood Lord Jinyoung’s concerns but sympathised and related to them to a degree, he would have scoffed.
He refocused on the task at hand.
“Duke Jinyoung, this is an important question requiring the utmost discretion,” he started. “And I’m trusting you will keep it in confidence.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Jinyoung perked up at the words important and trusting, which Sunghoon figured he would- worried or not, Jinyoung was always a proud man eager to prove himself worthy.
“If given the opportunity to return the land and title to Hyunsuk-ssi, would you?” He asked carefully.
Jinyoung hesitated before deflating. “The King would never allow it, Your Highness.”
“That wasn’t my question.” Sunghoon said.
Jinyoung eyed him warily and shifted in his seat. Sunghoon softened a little. “Just as I wish for my question to remain in your confidence, your answer will remain in mine.” He assured him.
He relaxed just enough for Sunghoon to catch it.
“Yes, Your Highness.” He said finally. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the opportunity,” he repeated quickly.
“It’s alright, Duke Jinyoung.” Sunghoon said soothingly. “I appreciate the care you have for your crops and your people, but also the concern you have for the Dukedom of Black. It’s reassuring as the Future King to know how seriously you take your duties, and how candid you’re willing to be about them.”
Jinyoung practically preened at the praise for a moment before he really stopped and stared at Sunghoon for a moment. “Your Highness, if I may?” He said carefully.
Sunghoon nodded immediately. “Please, speak freely.”
“I get the feeling you didn’t call me in here just to congratulate me,” he said slowly. “May I know what this is all about?”
Sunghoon took a deep breath. “I worried about you, after the last meeting with the King,” he started carefully. “I worried for all of you. I’ve sat in on those meetings a thousand times, and a thousand times it had been loud, overlapping, but passionate voices meant to represent our people, our country. So to see men I’ve known my entire life to be outspoken be silenced like that was concerning.”
Jinyoung sighed and took a sip of his tea. “A lot of us are... nervous, Your Highness.” He admitted quietly. “You weren’t here for the last two weeks, but you also haven’t been in every meeting, as the Collection or individually even when you were here. The King-” he cut himself off. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I mustn’t.”
“Duke Jinyoung,” Sunghoon furrowed his eyebrows. “You have my support and my confidence. You may tell me.” He encouraged him.
“He has been making... forgive me, Your Highness, I don’t presume to know the mind of a royal, or that running a country is easy by any means, but some of his... decisions, lately, have been somewhat... questionable.” He cleared his throat and sat up, dropping his voice. “I worry you may not have a people or Kingdom to rule by your coronation next year, Your Highness. Speaking frankly.” He hesitated further. “Which, as not only a Lor- er, Duke, but as a Chaconian, I think is a shame.”
Sunghoon sighed, his worst fears for his country seemingly being correct. But also, Jinyoung’s seeming faith in him lit a small corner of his heart as he sat up a little straighter.
“Duke Jinyoung, we have something we would like to show you.” Sunghoon held out his hand to Jake, who handed him the letters and list to show him. “I would like to ask for your support as I aim to claim the crown.”
Jinyoung didn’t seem phased by his words as he looked through their evidence, his eyes widening more and more with each sentence.
“Your Highness, what you’re talking about is-”
“I know,” Sunghoon pressed his lips together grimly. “But I fear for my people, for my country. If this trend continues, I worry you may be right. It’s not even about my own life anymore, and perhaps it never has been.” He swallowed. “I worry for my siblings and my Eomma should something happen to me, I worry for and about the countries we’ve allied ourselves with if we continue to breach contracts, but mostly I worry for my people. What sort of life can they live in conditions such as this?”
Jinyoung was quiet for a moment before he looked up at Sunghoon, determination and faith written all over his face. He stood up, much to Sunghoon’s alarm, only to bow, his hand over his heart.
His friends had been doing it for a while, the guards under his care, even his own brother. But to see a Duke, one he’s known for years, much older and weathered and who had seen much more in his lifetime, standing there and bowing with his hand over his heart, made Sunghoon’s chest lighter. His confidence grew, his heart hammering as Jinyoung straightened up.
“You can count on me, Your Highness.” He nodded. “What do you need from me?”
Sunghoon fought the urge to smile. “I don’t wish to disclose our plans yet, as I want you to have plausible deniability whenever possible.” He explained. “But you’ll know when I need your support, all I ask is you do so proudly, and with conviction.”
“Of course, Your Highness.” He nodded again. “Is there anything else?” Sunghoon glanced at Jake who offered the Duke a short bow.
“A touch unrelated, Duke Jinyoung, but I wondered if you were still open to our agreement?” He asked sheepishly.
Jinyoung blinked in surprise. “Of course, my apologies, Duke Jaeyun,” he bowed in return. “It has always been made clear to us not to address you as such when you were on duty. We’ve tried to remain respectful of that.”
“I appreciate that,” Jake nodded as he swapped seats with Sunghoon. “However, I would like to learn a thing or two from you about running a piece of land.” He confessed. “I have my appa’s journal, of course, but it doesn’t always answer the questions I have. It know it differs a little from a Lord's duties, but any advice you have would be helpful.”
Jinyoung seemed to soften and nodded. “Of course, Duke Jaeyun. I’m happy to be of help.” He said. “Your Appa was a good man, I knew him well. He would be proud to see you invest more time into the Dukedom of Arcanum.”
Jake perked up a little as they fell into a discussion.
Sunghoon bid them goodbye and well wishes as he left. With Jinyoung’s support confirmed, he moved on to the next one, Minho falling into step with him as they headed down the hall towards the library.
-
“Lord Namjoon,” Sunghoon greeted warmly.
Of the Lords and Dukes in the Collection of Lords, Namjoon was one of the youngest and most open minded. He was wise beyond his years, and often brought a calming presence to the table amidst the chaos that often ensued. Sunghoon had never seen him lose his temper, but he had seen him win over the other Lords with his placating words.
Sunghoon had always felt relaxed around Namjoon, but that probably had more to do with the friendship he had with his older brother before his passing. Namjoon had always been kind and supportive of him, though he knew it was likely because he saw his lost friend when he looked at him.
“Prince Sunghoon,” Namjoon smiled softly and bowed automatically, book still in his hand. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“I just feel like I haven’t spoken with you in awhile. You had been away on business when I left, and we just haven’t had a chance to meet since I returned.” He said honestly. “How’s home doing?”
A weight seemed to press against his shoulders almost immediately as he sighed, putting the book back on the shelf. “Home is struggling, Your Highness. I’m just working on trying to find a solution as we speak.”
Sunghoon nodded in understanding, leaning against the bookshelf, watching Namjoon as he continued to browse through the old records of Collection and Council meetings.
“Something on your mind, Your Highness?” Namjoon asked gently. “Where’s Jake? He’s usually with you, isn’t he?”
“He’s speaking with Duke Jinyoung right now, as the Duke of Arcanum. They have some agreement terms they have to work through.” Sunghoon explained.
Namjoon hummed. “I hope when you take the throne, Jake will take his place at the table too,” he admitted. “It would be good for you to have an influential Duke like the Duke of Arcanum on your side.”
Sunghoon nodded in agreement and fiddled with his sleeve, adjusting and readjusting it. Somehow this was a harder conversation to have, like he wasn’t sure how he was supposed to approach the topic naturally.
“You didn’t answer my question, Your Highness.” Namjoon reminded him. “Is something on your mind?”
He was kind and gentle and smart. Sunghoon genuinely believed Namjoon was some kind of genius with how his mind worked, and he should have known going into this he wouldn’t be able to evade the topic for long.
“I’m worried, hyung.” He admitted quietly, automatically taking on the familiar honorific. “After that meeting with the Collection of Lords, I’m worried about the state of my country.” He confessed. “You’re not the only one I’ve spoken with who told me your home is struggling, that my home is struggling.”
Namjoon eyed him curiously, turning to him fully. “Prince Sunghoon, I’ve told you before, I will always be there to support you, just as I had been for Taehyung.” He said earnestly. “Is there something I can help you with? To ease your mind?”
Sunghoon took a deep breath and pulled the letters out of his pocket. “These are from-”
“Taehyungie,” Namjoon breathed out. “That’s his seal.”
“He wrote to the Duke of Arcanum.” He explained. “Not- not Jake, his appa. The late Duke.” He clarified. “He says he was forced to the frontlines, that they weren’t properly informed that he was a Prince, that-”
“I know,” Namjoon interrupted quietly, looking through the letters with great care. “Jungkook used to write to me when they were out there. Before the massacre.”
“So Jungkook did go with him,” Sunghoon blurted, alarmed by this revelation.
“Of course he did. He would go anywhere to try to keep Taehyung safe,” Namjoon sighed, handing the letters back, though his eyes stayed trained on them. “I still have letters from Jungkook that talk about their conditions, and things that Taehyung said happened.”
“Hyung, we think- well we suspect-” Sunghoon stammered. “We think the King sent him there on purpose.”
Namjoon watched him sadly, leaning against the bookshelf across from him. “There’s a reason I spend less time at court now,” he said honestly. “While I never had direct confirmation, there were plenty of indications of it. I never wanted to bring it up, I didn’t know how it would affect you, or Jungwon, or even the Kingdom if I did. I’ve been keeping my thoughts to myself because I was worried what would happen if I didn’t.” He studied him curiously. “What changed?”
Sunghoon showed him the list next, of all the moments that made them suspicious of the King and his plans. A quiet devastation took over Namjoon’s features as he read through them.
“Sunghoon-ah,” he said quietly, a call of his name that used to be familiar amongst his brother's friends. “What do you plan on doing?” He looked up at him.
“I’m going to try to claim the throne at the next Collection of Lord’s meeting tomorrow.” He whispered. “I would like your su-”
“You have it.” Namjoon said without question. “Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it.”
Sunghoon still highly suspected that Namjoon wasn’t really seeing him in front of him, but his older brother. He felt that often with Namjoon, like he was finding pieces of Taehyung in him, desperately holding onto whatever parts of his friend he could. But that was fine, he was learning more and more that being like his older brother wasn’t always a negative thing.
“That’s all I needed to hear.” Sunghoon nodded and went to leave.
“Be careful, Your Highness,” Namjoon said suddenly. “And be safe. Chaconne won’t be able to handle mourning another Crown Prince.”
“I will be,” Sunghoon said, and he meant it. “You too, alright? This is a delicate matter, I trust you'll keep it in confidence?”
“Of course, Your Highness.” Namjoon bowed again. “I sincerely hope it works.”
“Thank you, Lord Namjoon.” Sunghoon bowed his head and set off on his next impromptu meeting.
-
Lord Taecyeon and Duke Kibum had both been amenable to the idea. Both were younger themselves, only a few years older than Lord Namjoon, and Duke Kibum had recently dealt with a small riot in his township in direct response to the tax increase.
“I couldn’t even blame them,” Duke Kibum confessed, surprisingly open to the discussion the moment Sunghoon had asked him about any news from his township- the market Sunghoon had loved so much at the port was a part of his territory, and he was still a little upset that it was shut down. “I didn’t agree with the tax increase to begin with, and the fact that they shut down the market by the docks is devastating. That market has been around since I was a little boy. Not to mention the lack of sailors coming in is wreaking havoc on all the businesses, even if they are properly declared and paying the right taxes. They’re not receiving their normal amount of business because there’s less visitors.” He sighed, letting his arrow fly home- bullseye. “I would have spoken up already, but you saw what he did to Duke Hyunsuk. I can’t help my people if I don’t have a seat at the table.”
“I’ve always appreciated and respected your opinion when I got to sit in on meetings, Duke Kibum.” Sunghoon admitted, aiming his own arrow at the target. “You never were one to back down from a fight.”
“When you grow up with Lord Minho and Lord Taemin, believe me, you get used to standing firm in your beliefs. Duke Jinki would tell you it’s stubbornness.” Kibum scoffed, watching Sunghoon take a pitiful attempt of a shot, his arrow barely hitting the target. “I know the King doesn’t allow you to head court politics often, but may I offer some advice, Your Highness?” He asked. “Perhaps not as a King, but as a participant in the court?”
Sunghoon nodded and drew his bow again. Kibum adjusted his grip carefully and knocked his feet apart for a better stance. “The key is patience, and awaiting the right conditions,” He explained, repositioning his aim, making him pause as a breeze passed through. “Know where you stand, and which battles are worth fighting. You don’t need all the answers, just know the right one when you hear it. You have a Council of Advisors and a Collection of Lords. Use them, Your Highness. They are there to help you.”
Sunghoon loosened the bow at Duke Kibum’s suggestion and redrew to stabilise the shot. “The staff speak highly of you, Prince Sunghoon, both in personality, but also leadership. Take their opinions and desires as a good indication of your people.”
Sunghoon let the arrow fly. It didn’t quite hit the bullseye, but it was in the inner circle, stuck in the painted yellow proudly. Sunghoon lit up in a moment of pure surprise at the sudden improvement, and he turned to Duke Kibum as he offered a small, fond smile. “I think you have a good heart, Your Highness, but also a good head. Both will serve you well in matters of the people and the state.”
“I appreciate the advice, Duke Kibum. I’ll keep it in mind as I continue to grow as a leader.” He assured him. “I hope in the future I can count on more stubbornness from you, as Duke Jinki would put it. I would like to think a healthy opposition will do nothing but benefit our Kingdom.”
Duke Kibum chuckled and nodded. “You have my full support and opposition, Your Highness.” He joked.
After that, it didn’t take much convincing on Sunghoon’s part to ensure Duke Kibum would stand by him should he offer up a stubborn opposition to the current King. He reaped the additional benefit of an impromptu archery lesson, which left his arms aching in the best way possible.
Lord Taecyeon was similar in opinion, and even less tactful in his expression of it. He had dropped his voice and recounted a few of the less than tasteful meetings that had happened in his absence, his eyes wide and imploring. His township had been one of the ones hit the hardest during the drought a few years ago, and one of the ones still struggling to get back on their feet. A few investments Lord Taecyeon made had fallen through around the same time as the drought, so unlike Duke Kibum’s township, which had been thriving until these new restrictions came into place, Lord Taecyeon’s territory was already barely hanging by a thread.
“Your Highness, I don’t mean to scare you,” He insisted. “I just worry what the future holds- if there even is a future to hold.”
“I’d like to ensure a future, Lord Taecyeon,” Sunghoon assured him immediately. “I’d like to bring back some stability to the court, and the country. It just might take a little instability first to make it happen.”
“My township is one taxation away from declaring bankruptcy, Your Highness. There’s a mass grave in one of the fields because people are dropping so fast from famine and illness they can’t keep up with digging individual ones,” He swallowed and looked around worriedly. “If there’s anything I can do to help fix this mess, please, Your Highness. I would like to do so.”
And just like that, Sunghoon had guaranteed the support of half of the main Collection of Lords.
That night, he gave an update to his own little council, and appreciated their surprise at how fast he secured them.
“King Sunghoon is scary,” Jungwon whistled. "He works fast."
King Sunghoon.
Sunghoon jolted a little at the title and blinked rapidly. “Oh, no that wasn’t- I mean, I just talked with them, really. Most of them were already open to the idea, and they have their own concerns. Really valid ones, as leaders in their own right. Lord Jinyoung really surprised me, actually-”
“Sunghoon-ah,” Heeseung patted his shoulder. “I hate to tell you this, but that’s what a King is supposed to do. Listen to his people, to their concerns, and figure out the best way to resolve them. It sounds to me like most of them know the same thing that your staff, everyone in this room and a shopkeeper's son in the next village over knows- you are a King.” He wrapped his arm around him and pulled him into a side hug. “The crown suits you, Your Majesty.” He said quietly with a wide, proud smile.
Jake straightened up and stamped his foot. Sunghoon watched in complete shock as Chan, Seungmin, Minho and Jaehyun stood up immediately from their relaxed positions, spines straight and faces glowing.
“Long Live King Sunghoon,” Jake announced, his voice quiet but solid in the dead of night.
“Long Live King Sunghoon,” the four guards repeated, hands over their hearts as they bowed low to him.
“Long Live King Sunghoon,” Heeseung's voice was in his ear as he continued to hug him, and Sunoo and Jungwon’s bright voices repeated the sentiment from their spots on the bed as they joined in the bow.
Sunghoon felt utterly overwhelmed. His throat tightened and his chest somehow felt heavy and light all at the same time as he took in the show of support and faith and love from the people in this room. He didn’t know what to do, he wasn’t sure how to act. He quickly bowed in return, a full ninety degrees, if only to hide the horrifyingly embarrassing tears that were quickly flooding his eyes.
“I’ll take care of you well,” He promised. “You won’t regret your faith in me, I’ll make you proud.”
He went to bed that night feeling lighter than he had in weeks or years. He wrote a letter to Jay in the same journal he transcribed whatever Blossomer Poems he could remember. He may never send it, but it felt good to at least pretend he could share his joy, his fear, his hope with him.
He had no nightmares. Just one, simple dream.
He was thirteen again, being fitted for all new clothes befitting of his new station. He had no idea what that meant, or why it had to happen now, while he was still trying to understand that his brother isn’t wasn’t coming home.
The last thing he had to be fitted for was the crown. Instead of making him a new one, they opted to use his hyungs. It was a way to honour him, his eomma said.
Jihyo was there, younger and softer and alive, just as she had been that day. She carefully took the crown out of the box and rested it on his head gently.
“There.” She nodded. “Perfect.”
Sunghoon turned to look at her with a wince. The crowd slipped lopsided, too big and heavy for his little head. “It doesn’t fit,” He complained. “Can’t you take it off?”
She smiled warmly at his whines and turned his head back to look in the floor length mirror. “I think it suits you well, Your Highness. Lift your chin, look proud.”
The reflection staring back at him wasn’t his little thirteen year old self, but his current self. His shoulders were wider, sturdy enough to hold the weight of the world. His hair was pushed back and out of his eyes, the crown sitting comfortably like a familiar halo on his head. Jihyo too, changed. It was Jisung in the reflection, his boyish boxy smile on full display.
“It suits you, Your Highness,” He repeated. “I look forward to seeing what you do with it in the future.”
“Thank you, Jisung.” He said quietly- and he meant those words for more than just his kind words.
“You deserve happiness, Your Highness. I’m happy to help you achieve that in whatever way I can.” He said, his hand over his heart as he bowed. "Just once, so you remember where I stand."
When he straightened up however, he wasn’t Jisung anymore, but Jay. He smiled softly at him and reached forward, lifting his chin.
“Be proud, Your Highness.” He whispered. “And know we stand behind you.”
“Say my name,” Sunghoon whispered, his eyes trained on Jay through the mirror.
“My Sunghoon-ah, my King,” He murmured, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “You’re going to do so many great things, and I can’t wait to see them.”
“I miss you so much,” He breathed out. “Take care of yourself, please. For me.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jay smiled and kissed his cheek fleetingly, just once more.
When Sunghoon turned to look, he was no longer Jay, but the younger, softer Jihyo once again, smiling brightly at him. He was thirteen again.
“Would you like to see the other crown, Your Highness?” She asked him, taking it off his head and turning around.
“Other crown?” Sunghoon furrowed his eyebrows.
She stayed with her back to him for a few moments more before turning to him, flower crown in her hands. It looked to be braided out chamomile. Energy in Adversity, Jay had told him. Sunghoon couldn’t help the smile that spread across his lips as she placed it just as carefully on his head as she had the other one.
“I think you can have two,” She nodded once, satisfied with her work. “I don’t see the reason you should have to choose.”
Sunghoon turned back to the mirror. He was older again, but the flower crown remained. Jihyo was gone, but her warmth remained. He was alone, but he didn't feel lonely.
He slept peacefully throughout the rest of night, a small smile on his face.
Chapter Text
“Your Highness?” Seungmin poked his head into Sunghoon’s chambers, where he was writing another letter to Jay that would never see the light of day, recounting his good dream because he felt like he should tell someone.
“Seungmin,” Sunghoon greeted, setting his quill aside and standing up. “Is it time?”
“Not yet, Your Highness. I was hoping to speak with you.” He said. “Jeongin is here to take my place outside.” He added.
Sunghoon nodded. “Please, yes,” he motioned Seungmin to come in.
Seungmin stepped into the room and shut the door behind him.
“Have you updated Jeongin and Changbin about the situation?” He asked curiously.
Jeongin and Changbin hadn’t been there for the initial conversation in Jake’s estate, and they figured the less people directly involved the better. Not to mention, Sunghoon preferred them to focus on their assigned tasks, his sister and Eomma, respectively, or cover as the guards outside his and Jungwon’s chambers. But now that everything was coming to a head, he gave his guards permission to fill in the other two.
“Yes, Your Highness.” He nodded. “And Chan hyung should be back soon with Jihoon soon.” He added.
“Excellent, thank you Seungmin.” He nodded.
He seemed to hesitate for a moment before Seungmin detached the sword around his waist and held it out, dropping to one knee as he presented it to Sunghoon.
Sunghoon’s heart dropped for a moment- was Seungmin about to walk? His circle of trusted allies was small enough as is, he couldn't imagine losing another one of his most trusted guards-
“This is Jisung’s sword, Your Highness,” Seungmin said, which just confused Sunghoon further, but at least it interrupted his oncoming spiral. “Chan hyung gave it to me to give to you, since he won’t be back in time to do it.”
Sunghoon blinked. “You’re... giving me Jisung’s sword?” He asked in a small voice. “Why?”
Seungmin looked up at him. “Your Highness, I’m sure you’re aware that for most of us in your guard, we are the closest thing we have to family. Jisung is our brother,” he said. “We all agreed it would be fitting for you to carry his sword. He loved his job, and he loved being a guard. I’m sure he would rest much easier knowing a part of him was still protecting you.”
Sunghoon blinked a few times but accepted the sword gingerly. “Thank you, Seungmin. Truly. He was a great man.” He wrapped the sheath around his waist and buckled it carefully.
The weight eased his mind a little. They had all discussed the possibility of this ending in a battle, and Minho had suggested at the time they get him a real sword, just in case.
“I have a special task for you.” Sunghoon added. “If you’re up for it.”
“Of course, Your Highness.” He nodded.
“It is still true that you’re our fastest rider,” he started. “We didn’t want to risk warning Jay and his family prior to the confrontation in case the King retaliates, but today is the day the guards are meant to go to the village. After we have the King in custody, would you ride to the village and check on them? Don’t engage with them, if you can help it. Don’t disrupt their daily lives, just observe them for a while and sweep the area to make sure there’s no danger.”
Seungmin nodded, standing back up. “Of course, Your Highness.” He repeated, heading towards the door to leave when he stalled, hand hovering over the brass door knob.
Sunghoon furrowed his eyebrows. “What is it?” He asked.
“Forgive me, Your Highness. It’s a silly question with little relevance to today. I’ll ask another time.” He waved it off.
“No, no, speak freely.” Sunghoon insisted.
Seungmin hesitated again, his cheeks colouring a little. “Can royal guards wed, Your Highness?” He asked quietly, turning to face him.
Sunghoon thought of all the fond looks, lingering touches, and a certain sword instructor's fierce protective tendencies and smiled, a little amused. “Did you have someone in mind, Seungmin?”
Seungmin’s cheeks flushed dark as he cleared his throat and looked away. “Of... of course not, Your Highness. It’s just a question, that's all.”
Sunghoon chuckled and leaned against his desk. “Should you wish to marry, all I would require is the time frame you would like to take a leave of absence for your honeymoon.” He mused. “And should this marriage be between you and another member of staff, or perhaps another guard,” Seungmin’s gaze snapped up to him, wide and shy. “Then it would just be a matter of finding the best time to send you both on a trip.”
Seungmin shifted from foot to foot before bowing shyly. “Of course, Your Highness. Thank you for clarifying.”
“Just keep me updated,” Sunghoon insisted. “We could use something to celebrate after all this.”
Seungmin offered a cheeky smile in return. “Your Highness, with all due respect, the castle will be in party state for at least a week prior and following your coronation. I imagine you’ll be all celebrated out for weeks to come.” He bowed and slipped out of the room.
Sunghoon hoped it worked out for them.
He took a deep breath, recentering himself as he gripped the handle of Jisung’s sword.
He could do this.
He could do this.
He had to do this.
His family, his people, and his country all relied on him doing this and doing it well.
The Collection of Lords were meant to meet at the stroke of twelve. That gave him just enough time for one final meeting of his own.
-
He stood with Jungwon at his side, his eomma and sister staring at them with wide eyes.
“Sunghoon-ah,” his eomma said, sounding incredibly fragile in her mother tongue, even to Sunghoon’s own ears. “Are you sure-”
“His Majesty told you both about the third assassination attempt, right?” Sunghoon confirmed, sticking with Memorian, and they both nodded. “How did he know it happened?”
“He said he received a letter,” his Eomma said quietly.
“From who?” Sunghoon pressed gently. “Because King Heeseung didn’t write to him, and neither did I, and we left before anyone else could even try to tell him.”
She was silent, staring at her hands. Sunghoon crouched in front of her. “I don’t want it to be true either,” he said quietly. “But there’s too much evidence, too many coincidences for it to be a coincidence at all.” He took her hands in his, squeezing them. “Eomma, please, the Lords and Dukes are scared, our people are angry and hungry, and there’s still the threat of war at our borders. A war we have no hope in winning if we continue like this.”
He was desperate to make her understand, to make her see what was happening. She was trembling like a leaf, squeezing her eyes shut as Sunghoon spoke.
“I should have known,” she whispered. “I should have seen the signs, I should have-”
“None of this is your fault,” Sunghoon assured her. “I’m not asking you to fix what you didn’t break, I’m just asking you to stand with me while I try.”
“My beautiful, beautiful boy,” she whispered, bringing one hand up to rest it against his cheek. "Mon lapin. Oh, how you’ve grown.” A tear rolled down her cheek as Sunghoon leaned into her touch. “You’re a King now, and I think you have been for a while.”
“I’m trying to be,” He agreed quietly. “I want to be a good King, Eomma. I just need a chance to try to undo all he’s done.”
"Mon lapin, do what you must. Know that I will love and defend you all that I can.” She whispered, glancing over at the letters scattered on the table. “I will not make the same mistake twice.”
Sunghoon kissed the back of her hand and stood again, looking at his sister. “Wonyoungie-”
“That’s why you were asking me those questions that day,” she said quietly, switching back to Chaconian. “This is what you were hiding?”
“I wanted to tell you,” he insisted. “But until we had concrete proof and a plan of action, I didn’t want to involve you. I was trying to keep you safe.”
Wonyoung scoffed tearfully and wiped under her eyes carefully. “You’re such a fool, oppa. What good is keeping me safe if you’re in danger?” She complained. “Of course I’ll stand by you.”
Sunghoon leaned down and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “Thank you, Wonyoungie.” He stepped away. “I’d like you two to go hide for now,” he insisted. “Just so I know that you’re safe and-”
“No,” his Eomma, the Queen said firmly. “I want to see his face when he realises he’s been bested.” She narrowed her eyes. “Not to mention, having me give stake to your claim should help sway any of the lingering loyalties the Lords and Dukes may have.”
He couldn’t even argue with her because she was right. Ultimately, an endorsement from the Queen of Chaconne would probably sedate many of the qualms or concerns of the Lord’s he hadn’t already spoken to, and she could be scary when she wanted to be. And by the look on his sisters face, the one that mirrored their eomma’s so perfectly, he didn’t even dare try to suggest she go into hiding alone instead.
He took a deep breath. “Alright,” he finally agreed. “However, at the first sign of trouble, if Changbin and Jeongin ask you to leave with them, you must promise me you will. I cannot focus on my task at hand if I’m also worried about the repercussions for you.”
“Yes, mon lapin, of course.” She nodded. “When do we leave?”
Bells chimed in the distance, signalling twelve, and the start of the meeting. “Now.” Sunghoon nodded, rolling his shoulders back as he stood up straight.
The walk to the Council room was long and silent. Jungwon was on one side, while Jake was on the other, dressed in garments fit for a Duke. Jihoon was directly behind him, with his Eomma and sister on either side. They had guards flanking them on all sides, and Sunghoon would admit that, had he been on the receiving end of this encounter, he would be more than a little intimidated.
Heeseung and Sunoo had stayed behind in their rooms. They figured the optics of having another royal so openly support his claim to the throne would only hinder them in the long run. Heeseung would openly support it after all was said and done.
With Jisung’s sword strapped around his waist and the piece of obsidian gifted to him by the merchant from the dock market in his pocket, they marched forth until they were outside the door.
“Are you ready, Your Highness?” Jake murmured to him.
Sunghoon took a deep breath and gripped the pommel of the sword for a moment before he nodded.
“Open the doors.” He commanded, loud enough they may have even heard him inside.
Minho and Seungmin stepped forward and opened the doors so their whole party could enter.
“What is the meaning of this?” The King snapped, standing up as he slammed his hands on the table.
Sunghoon spared a glance at the Lords around the table. Kibum had a rather amused and smug look on his face, like he couldn’t wait to see it play out, and Taecyeon smirked, glancing at the King to see his reaction. Jinyoung looked relieved, all things considered, and Namjoon offered him a small, proud smile on his otherwise calm and stoic face.
“Take him,” he told his men, keeping his eyes locked firmly on the King.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Jihoon bowed his head as he, Minho and Changbin lurched forward.
The King was older, and apparently hadn’t taken to carrying a weapon with him, so it wasn’t difficult to actually capture him. He was loud though, shouting insults and fighting against the holds as best he could.
“King Sihyuk, you are hereby under arrest by order of Crown Prince Sunghoon,” Jihoon started.
“Have you gone mad? Unhand me at once,” he demanded. “I am your King-”
“You are under arrest for two counts of disrupting the line of succession, an act considered treason and can be punishable by death.” Jihoon finished.
“Guards? Guards!” He shouted. “Get these treasonous bastards off me!”
Sunghoon kept his gaze steady on the King as Seungmin, Jeongin and Chan drew their swords to defend, his own hand drifting over to the handle of the sword immediately.
Only, no one stepped forward.
The pair of King’s Guard lingered back, watching the scene. Waiting.
Sunghoon wondered at what point his father had turned his own guards against him.
“You deceitful, vile, ungrateful brat,” the King spat at him as Sunghoon stepped forward. “You have no proof-”
Jake and Jungwon stepped forward and dropped all their evidence on the table. The letters from Taehyung, the papers signed and stamped belonging to the second assassin, a dozen or so witness accounts from staff, coaxed out of them by the Head Baker, of the King’s strange behaviour over the last month or so alone, as well as Jaehyun’s description of the men he had seen the King speak two who met the description of the third assassins.
“We have proof.” Sunghoon said lowly.
Namjoon opened his bag and tossed a few letters onto the pile.
“Letters from Lord Jungkook,” Namjoon added. “Ones that support what Prince Taehyung wrote about in his.”
Sunghoon felt a surge of fondness and gratitude for the man in front of him. He broke his gaze from his father for a moment to nod in thanks. Namjoon returned it with a small smile, before Sunghoon turned his sharp gaze back to the fallen King.
“This is insanity!” He scoffed. “Guards! Get him, he is threatening your King!” He demanded.
Neither moved. Not even an inch.
“It’s over,” Sunghoon said firmly.
“You can’t do this,” the King told him coolly. “I refuse to abstain from the throne. You cannot force me to give up my crown, there are rules and laws in place.” He raised his eyebrow. “And when I get out of this hold, you will be the one rotting in a cell for the rest of your miserable life. The whole lot of you.”
“Due to the overwhelming amount of evidence suggesting that King Sihyuk not only orchestrated the death of the late Crown Prince Taehyung, but also has attempted on three separate occasions to have the current Crown Prince Sunghoon assassinated, I notition that he be stripped of his title and held for trial.” Namjoon said in a loud, clear voice.
“Now hold on,” the King started.
“Not to mention two of those three attempts resulted in unjust deaths of staff employed by the Crown.” Kibum mused, leaning back in his chair.
“Wait a moment,” the King tried to interject.
“And regardless of the attempts on his life, he keeps delaying Prince Sunghoon’s ascension to the throne, which is against the law that states a Crown Prince must become King by the time he turns twenty-one to ensure the new King has a mentor he can learn from.” Taecyeon added. “He claimed Prince Sunghoon wasn’t ready last year to take the throne, so he delayed the coronation to this year, and only two months ago decided to delay it to next year. The uprisings on our borders continue to grow because our enemies view our line of succession as unstable and weak. This marriage contract was meant to offer more security, but King Sihyuk is dragging his feet in the renegotiations despite Prince Sunghoon having already negotiated the contract in our favour during his trip to Blossom.”
“This is mutinous, this is treason-” the King started fighting against Changbin and Minho’s hold again.
“Prince Sunghoon is of age and has proven himself to be more than ready and capable of taking the throne. I don’t see the point in allowing King Sihyuk to delay his coronation any further.” Namjoon agreed.
“All those in favour of stripping King Sihyuk of his title, and putting the rightful heir to the throne in place, raise your hand.” Jinyoung said finally, and he raised his hand first.
Namjoon followed shortly, then Kibum and Taecyeon. The other Lords were still nervously side eyeing the King in bonds, like they weren’t sure where to put their trust.
The King laughed. “All the theatrics and you can’t even get over half the council to approve your little uprising,” he taunted.
“What are you talking about?” Sunghoon cocked his head to the side. “I have Lord Namjoon and Lord Taecyeon, as well as the Duke of Black, the Duke of Shawol and the Duke of Arcanum.” Sunghoon emphasised the last one as Jake left his side to take his seat at the table, just as he was always intended to. “The Duke of Arcanum may not have always participated in the discussions, but his seat has always been at this table,” Sunghoon informed him. “And when you wrongfully stripped Duke Hyunsuk of his title and redistributed it to Lord, now Duke Jinyoung, that second seat was also handed over to him, since the Council is always intended to be held by ten seats.”
“But- but that-” the King opened and closed his mouth a few times.
“I would like to bring forth the motion once more to strip King Sihyuk of his title, and put Crown Prince Sunghoon on the throne, effective immediately.” Jake said, sitting up straight when Jinyoung subtly tapped his back to fix his posture.
The Lords and Dukes raised their hands once more, only this time, the rest of the council followed suit.
“I second that notion.” The King's Head Guard, Hyowon, held his hand up.
He was one of two King’s guards in the room and the one that had always made Sunghoon the most nervous. He was quiet and observant like he was always assessing any situation he was in. He thought for sure this guard would be the one to start the fight with them.
Ultimately though, he was a good man. Sunghoo knew that. And this proved it.
“Traitor,” his father hissed.
Around the room, more hands shot up, murmurs of agreement following each movement. Beside him, Jungwon raised his hand.
His Eomma and sister raise their hands out of the corner of his eye.
He looked the man who had his brother killed, who tried to have him killed, who threatened Jay and Jake and Jungwon and Wonyoung in the eyes defiantly. He let the familiar numbness wash over him again, only it didn't feel numb like it used to. It wasn't a cold detachment stemming from an unwanted obligation that squared his shoulders or straighten his spine, but a real sense of duty, of confidence. People were relying on him, and he found he could handle the weight of it. He liked this feeling a lot more. It was comfortable. Stable.
I accept my task with pride, Your Highness. We're all awaiting the moment you do the same.
That's what this feeling was then.
Pride.
It felt freeing.
“Take him to the dungeons,” Sunghoon said finally.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Minho said as he, Changbin, Jihoon, followed by Jeongin and Chan, escorted the titleless man out of the room.
“Seungmin, can you-” Sunghoon turned to him.
“Already on my way, Your Majesty,” Seungmin bowed with his hand over his heart before nearly booking it out of the room.
Sunghoon took a deep breath and turned back to the Collection of Lords.
“Alright,” he said, walking over to the head of the table with only the slightest push from his brother and sister. He sat down in the plush chair, sinking into the cushion a little bit as he settled. “We have much to discuss gentlemen, but I suggest we wrap this meeting up and reconvene tomorrow to discuss details, before we send you back to your lands to spread the news.” He said.
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Namjoon nodded.
“Tomorrow I would like you all to arrive with a list of concerns you have regarding any restriction, tax, tariff, or law put into place within the last few months. I’m sure they will be long, but I would like to get ahead on trying to reverse or at least amend as many of them as possible. One thing I'm sure we can all agree on is that our people are suffering, so we are on a tight schedule.” He said, before remembering to breathe. “With Duke Jinyoung’s permission, I have also reached out to former Duke Hyunsuk to have him reinstated in the Collection. We still await response, but hopefully that means tomorrow our seating arrangement will be back to ten.”
“Your Majesty, if I may,” Kibum held his hand up, and Sunghoon nodded to him. “One of the chief concerns from the last few meetings has been the negotiations of the marriage contract between you and the Blossomer crown. Will you continue to enter the renegotiations?”
Sunghoon thought about the exhaustion that weighed on his hyung from the last few days of handling the outlandish renegotiations and shook his head. “I think King Heeseung has had enough renegotiations for a lifetime,” Sunghoon admitted. “We will likely be following the original terms we came to agreement on during my delegation trip to Blossom, or as close as possible. Has everyone had a chance to read them?” He asked curiously.
“King Sihyuk didn’t allow us to look over contracts like that, Your Majesty,” Taecyeon said after a moment of silence. “He only told us a few things.”
Sunghoon raised his eyebrow. “We will get you all copies of the contract for tomorrow. I think as representatives of the people, you should get to see not only what we gain from this alliance, but what we’re agreeing to give away. King Heeseung had his advisors and collection in the room for our original negotiations, it’s only fair you get a turn as well.” He nodded. “Are there any other major concerns that need to be addressed immediately, or can the rest wait for tomorrow?”
More silence. Sunghoon nodded again and stood. The rest of the table followed suit, and he bowed his head in respect. “Thank you, gentlemen, for your trust in me. I promise to honour it moving forward.”
They each bowed in turn, before taking their dismissal, Kibum offering him a small smile, while Namjoon patted his shoulder proudly.
“Your Hi- uh, Your Majesty,” Hyowon said carefully. “On behalf of the King’s Guard, I would like to apologise-”
“There is no need to apologise, Hyowon. I know my abeonim, I know what he’s capable of.” Sunghoon cut him off. “However, I hope you can understand why I would like to retain my guards as the inner circle. I would rather have someone with your expertise and experience handle raising the overall security of the castle than my personal security.” He said.
Hyowon looked relieved that he still had a job, more than anything. He bowed his head with his hand over his heart.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I would be honoured.” He said quietly.
Sunghoon nodded. “You can coordinate with Jihoon. Since Duke Jaeyun is officially taking his seat in the Collection of Lords, Jihoon has graciously stepped up to be my new Head Guard, with Chan and Minho as his deputies.”
Hyowon nodded and bowed his head again. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Sunghoon nodded as he left with the other old King’s Guard. When it was only him, Jake, and his family left in the room, he slumped against the table.
“That went... a lot better than I expected,” Jake admitted. “I was worried we would have to fight.”
“I’m very grateful for the unexpected help from his guards,” Sunghoon agreed. “I’ll have Chan find out if there were any threats against their families, see if there’s anything we can do.”
“Probably a good idea.” Jake agreed.
“You did well, Sunghoon-ah,” his Eomma smiled warmly and pulled him into a hug.
Sunghoon hugged her back tightly, relaxing in her hold. He could feel Jungwon, Wonyoung and Jake join the hug and let himself be propped up by the people who loved him for a moment.
“Can we get something to eat?” Jungwon asked after a long moment, causing everyone to erupt into laughter. “We skipped breakfast and lunch, I think my stomach is trying to eat itself,” he complained, though his whines seemed to be more for their entertainment than anything.
“Yes, eat first, everything else later,” Sunghoon agreed. “The Head Baker agreed to return, Eomma.” He added. “We can see if she’s willing to make us something.”
His Eomma smiled brilliantly and nodded just as enthusiastically as Jungwon. Sunghoon chuckled, and together they made their way to the kitchens.
-
The next few days were long and taxing. As Sunghoon suspected, the Collections lists were extensive, though luckily many seemed to overlap in general terms, and could be tackled at the same time. Hanbin, Jake’s scribe, had even shown up to help out with transferring all the information to Jake as best he could.
It was going well, even Duke Jinyoung (Sunghoon thought it fitting he got to keep his new title even if the affiliate land was properly returned to Duke Hyunsuk) seemed more agreeable than usual.
There was one topic they all seemed to be avoiding, for which Sunghoon was very grateful, however it was becoming increasingly apparent that they couldn’t keep it up forever.
“Your Majesty,” Duke Kibum finally said after Lord Taecyeon skirted around the topic for the third time. “Perhaps it’s time we discuss the part we're all most concerned about.”
Sunghoon sighed but nodded. “Yes, I agree. Who would like to start?” He asked, looking around at all the group.
That, it turned out, was a mistake to ask.
While the rest of their discussions had been surprisingly peaceful and collaborative, this particular discussion got heated quickly.
“At the very least, he committed treason against the Crown by disrupting the line of succession once, and attempting to do it a second time,” Kibum refuted Lord Taecyeon’s concern about the citizens' reaction to it all. "Once is a crime punishable by death for anyone else.”
“But this isn’t anyone else, this is the former King,” Namjoon pointed out. “A former King who fed into the delusions of the group of rebels who still believe King Sunghoon is a ‘False King’. Sihyuk might have been the one giving the orders and concocting the plans, but that group were the ones committing the acts. A public execution would only make him a martyr to them, it could cause an insurrection.”
“It’s not like we can bring justice on the assailants though, since they’ve all been killed or committed suicide after they failed their attacks,” Jake spoke up after a moment. “Maybe not a public execution, but an execution may be required nonetheless. He’s too dangerous to be kept in the dungeons for too long, and the trusted guard rotation at present is already small and spread thin as is.”
“I understand that, but I genuinely think he needs to be made an example of.” Jinyoung said firmly. “Because in the end, it wasn’t only the treason he committed against the Crown, but the various decisions he made on a whim that has done nothing but bring famine and fatigue to the people that made us strip him of his title. Duke Jaeyun is right, he’s too dangerous to be left alive for too long.”
“Bad or selfish decisions made by a King alone are not punishable by stripping his title, let alone by death. While they were contributing factors on our decisions, they were not, ultimately, what he was charged with. We have to look at it from an objective point of view, and we have to put the focus on the actual crime committed, which was disrupting the line of succession.” Namjoon pointed out.
“Which, once again, is a crime punishable by death for anyone else.” Kibum reiterated. “How can we expect Chaconians to respect the decision we made to strip him of his title if we don’t then follow through with punishment? There are standards we must hold not only him to, but ourselves too.”
Sunghoon closed his eyes as he listened to everyone’s suggestions and arguments. His face pinched up uncomfortably as he tried to think over the noise before finally holding up his hand. A hush fell over the group as Sunghoon finally opened his eyes.
“I will handle my abeonim as I see fit,” he said finally.
“But, Your Majesty,” Duke Jinyoung started.
“I respect your opinions on the matter, truly,” He assured them. “But this is more than just a Crown matter, or a Kingdom matter. This is also a family matter, so it’s something I wish to discuss with the Queen Dowager first.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Namjoon said finally. “That makes sense.”
“I ask that you respect my decision,” he added. “Even if it may not be one you agree with. I understand you have all been wronged by him, one way or another, and that is a factor I will be keeping in my consideration.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Kibum bowed his head. Sunghoon nodded and the meeting continued.
-
“Are you sure about this, Sunghoon-ah?” Jake asked quietly as they headed down into the dungeon.
“I’m sure.” He nodded.
When he had the discussion with his Eomma, she had been distraught over any outcome.
“Whatever you decide, I will support you,” she had said in the end. “Whatever it takes so he can’t hurt our family anymore.”
It had been a rather easy decision, after that.
And the Head Baker had been more than happy to oblige.
They finally arrived at his cell, where Changbin was standing on guard. “Unlock the cell, please Changbin.” Sunghoon instructed.
“But, Your Majesty, are you sure-”
Jake drew his sword, and Changbin got the picture, drawing his own as he unlocked the cell door. Sunghoon was thankful that he had thought to attach Jisung's sword back around his waist, the increasingly familiar weight providing him with a little comfort.
Sunghoon stepped inside and fought the urge to gag at the smell. The Fallen King had been in the cell for four days now, in the same clothes, without even a pot to piss in. His abeonim was there, tucked away in the corner with a permanent scowl on his face as he glared up at Sunghoon. Sunghoon kept his face schooled and impassive as he stood above him.
“Has the new King come to grace me with his presence?” He sneered. “Come to pay your old appa a visit?”
Sunghoon remained silent, setting the tart on the ground, confident with Jake’s sword pointed to the older man’s chest, his own swinging from his hip.
“What’s this? A last treat before you drag me out for execution?” He scoffed, glaring at Sunghoon. “Trying to be a benevolent King, are you?” He taunted.
“There is no execution.” Sunghoon said plainly as he stared at the shrivelled up man he once respected.
“So what? You’re letting me rot down here for the rest of your reign?” He raised his eyebrow.
“No.” Sunghoon said flatly, pushing the plate closer to him.
“Begging for forgiveness then? You’re doing a terrible job-”
“There will be no execution.” Sunghoon repeated simply. “No glory, no martyrdom, no audience. Just you, the walls of your cell, and the back of the guard you nearly got killed in the forest with your actions.” He nodded to Changbin, who was still poised for an attack at the open cell door.
“So you’ll starve me to death, is that it? Or do you hope the rats get me first?” He spat at him.
“I’m not a monster,” Sunghoon raised his eyebrow, but otherwise kept his uninterested look on his face. “I’m not asking you to suffer more than you clearly have.”
“So then what’s this?” Sihyuk motioned to the tart.
“A show of mercy, courtesy of Heejin, the Head Baker.” He said simply. “The blueberry tarts used to be your favourite.”
He observed the tart with a raised eyebrow. “That doesn’t look like blueberries.”
“She couldn’t find any on such short notice,” Sunghoon said. “She settled for the nightshade berries from the bushes in the forest.”
Sihyuk’s hand froze halfway to the tart and he scowled all over again. “Death by poison? How humiliating.” He scoffed. “At least give me a proper execution, befitting someone of my status.”
Sunghoon shook his head and stepped back. “May I remind you, you have no status here. Not anymore.” He said, keeping his voice devoid of any emotion. “This is a kindness so you don’t have to wait for the rats to get you. It’s your choice whether you eat it or not. Either way, this is the last time you’ll see me.” He stepped towards the exit.
“That’s it? That’s all you have to say to me?” Sihyuk exploded. “You take my throne and strip me of my title and my dignity, abandon me in this little cell and all you can say is you’re giving me a kindness?” He staggered to his feet and lurched forward, only for his knees to give out from lack of use during his time in the cell. “You’re a coward unfit for the throne! You have nothing more to say?”
Sunghoon stopped at the exit and turned back towards him. He glanced at the tart then back at Sihyuk, disinterested. Try as he might, only one sentence came to mind. One that had been haunting his reality, plaguing him with nightmare after nightmare. It had lodged in his heart and made him doubt not only himself but those around him who believe in his abilities. He took a deep breath, despite the smell.
“Death to the False King.” He said finally, stepped out the door and locking it as Sihyuk wailed behind it.
“Keep me updated, Changbin,” he said quietly. “Don’t let him fool you.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Changbin bowed, sheathing his sword.
Sunghoon patted his shoulder before turning and heading back upstairs with Jake on his heels.
“Are you alright?” Jake asked quietly.
Sunghoon nodded. And it was true, he was alright. He did what he needed to do, and frankly, felt no remorse for it. He was offering him a kindness- it was far more than he deserved. Far more than he ever showed Taehyung. Or Jihyo. Or Jisung.
“I definitely need to rest for a while though,” he sighed. “If only to get away from everything for a moment.”
“I’ll walk with you,” Jake offered. “I really appreciate Duke Jinyoung’s attention and advice, but sometimes he gets... a little overbearing.” He winced. “Perhaps he’ll leave me be if I’m with you.”
Sunghoon chuckled and nodded in understanding as they met up with Jihoon again.
“Were you successful, Your Majesty?” Jihoon asked as they headed back towards his chambers.
“As successful as I could be,” he nodded. “I wonder if he’ll actually eat it?”
“Only time will tell, Your Majesty.” Jihoon sighed.
The rest of the walk back was silent.
Seungmin was waiting outside his door when they returned to his chambers. He had opted to remain in his old ones for now, having decided it was the least of his concerns and something that could be dealt with after his coronation and wedding. Seungmin bowed to Sunghoon, and saluted Jihoon, who still seemed to be trying to adapt to his new role.
“Prince Sunoo, Prince Jungwon and King Heeseung are waiting inside for you, Your Majesty. They requested an audience.” Seungmin explained.
Sunghoon blinked in surprise but nodded. “Thank you Seungmin.” He headed inside, Jake on his heels per usual.
Sunoo was sitting on his couch, Gaeul in his lap and reading one of his Children of Vamfield books that he had agreed to lend him amongst the chaos of the last week. Jungwon was on the floor, reaching up to pet the pup on Sunoo’s lap as he read some gossip column that was big between him and Wonyoung. Heeseung was in his desk chair, playing chess by himself- he managed to somehow look like he was losing in the process.
“Making yourselves comfortable, I see.” He teased them, loosening his cravat and shrugging off his jacket and waistcoat, hanging them off his mirror.
“We were prepared to wait longer,” Sunoo told him. “We wanted to check on you.”
“I’m alright.” He said, and he meant it. “Seungmin said you three requested an audience, is anything wrong?” He furrowed his eyebrows, sitting on the couch across from Sunoo.
Sunoo put Gaeul down and shut the book, turning towards Sunghoon with a frighteningly serious look on his face as Jungwon sat up. Heeseung stood and walked over, but it was clear who would be leading the conversation as Jake joined his side automatically.
“It’s about the marriage contract.” Sunoo said after a moment.
“Is it because we haven’t signed anything yet?” He glanced at Heeseung, who pressed his lips together. “I already told hyung that I just haven’t had a moment to sit down with it with the Collection yet-”
“That’s a good thing actually,” Sunoo interrupted him. “Hyung, do you realise that with you now on the throne, neither King that struck up this marriage contract will be the ones signing off on it?” He asked him carefully.
Sunghoon blinked a few times. “I... suppose,” he said slowly.
“And that means it’s possible to change it, right?” He pressed.
Sunghoon felt his heart sink in his chest. “Are you suggesting we abolish the contract?” He asked quietly, looking between him and Heeseung, feeling a little betrayed.
“No! No,” Sunoo shook his head quickly and waved his hands for added effect. “No, hyung. I don’t want to abolish it. I want to amend it.”
Sunghoon was lost. He blinked a few times and furrowed his eyebrows at Sunoo’s pink cheeks and Jungwon pulling Gaeul back into his own lap. “I’m sorry Sunoo-yah, I don’t think I’m following.”
“With your permission, Your Majesty, I would like to marry Prince Jungwon.” He said finally.
There was another long moment of silence where Sunghoon was look at his hopefully little brother, the shy Prince and the curious King in front of him.
“It would keep the marriage between the crowns,” he explained. “Nothing else would have to change, and it would open you up for... other suitors.” His manicured nails rapt against the cover of the book gifted to him, and he pulled out the pressed chamomile Jay had handed him back in Blossom.
Suddenly, Sunghoon felt light headed.
Jungwon would be happy, Sunoo would be happy. There would still be a marriage contract that would strengthen the bond of our alliance. Nothing else would have to change. My baby brother won’t disappear to Flicker because of heartbreak. I could have other suitors, I could have-
All at once his world came crashing down again as he slumped against the back of his couch. “I would need to find another match of title,” he reminded them quietly, staring at the ceiling. “Part of this marriage was yes, to strengthen the alliance between our Kingdoms, but part of it was also to strengthen my claim to the throne. A strong, titled marriage was supposed to give the people more faith in me since my coronation had been pushed back twice.”
Sunoo studied him curiously. “According to who?” He asked.
“Pardon?” Sunghoon lifted his head to look at him.
“Who told you that a strong, titled marriage would strengthen your claim to the throne?” He clarified.
“Well... my abeonim,” he said slowly. “But it made sense to me at the time.”
“Your abeonim, who is the reason your coronation got pushed back twice? The one that tried to kill you? You’re taking his word for it?” Sunoo raised his eyebrow.
Sunghoon shot him a look. “Sunoo-”
“Sunghoon-ah, your people do have faith in you.” Heeseung interrupted. “The staff in the castle, the Lords you convinced to put you on the throne without a solid marriage contract behind you.”
“You haven’t even had on official coronation yet, and you’re already working overtime trying to fix a country you didn’t break.” Jungwon handed the gossip column over to him. “Look, they’re already writing about it. The people like you already.”
Sunghoon read over it a little bit and fiddled with the corner.
“Hyung,” Jungwon said quietly. “You’ve given up so much already. I think you should get to have one thing go your way.”
“And think of it this way,” Heeseung added. “The people might appreciate having a commoner at your side after everything they’ve endured. It might ease their minds a little because you’ll have a unique connection with them. And it's not like you haven't secured a strong, titled marriage. It's just not your marriage. I think it will suffice.”
Sunghoon had given up everything for his kingdom, and he would do it again in a heartbeat. He loved his people, he loved that he could make this a better, safer country for them. But it had cost him his freedom, his autonomy, his own hopes and dreams at a very young age.
For once, for this one thing, he wanted to be a little selfish. He could be a little selfish. This was a gift he could cherish for years to come, and it was one that would cherish him back.
“So? Hyung?” Sunoo pressed. “What do you think?” He asked.
He threw his jacket back on and grabbed the string of pearls, the ones he bought in the market that never quite made it into Sunoo’s hand like he intended them to. He put them carefully in his bag and threw it over his shoulder as he set the dried flower on his desk.
“Hyung?” Sunoo blinked, clearly alarmed.
“I think I need to go riding,” he said, his eyes bright and his smile wide as he turned back to his friends.
They all laughed and Jake stepped in front of him, fixing him up quickly. “Go get your happily ever after,” he encouraged him.
Sunghoon hugged him quickly before he turned and flew out the door, startling both Jihoon and Seungmin on the other side.
“Jihoon, I’m going riding,” he announced, already halfway down the hall. “Come with me or stay here, but I’m going!”
“I- Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” Jihoon shouted after him, chasing him down only to have to struggle to keep up with his long legs.
He weaved through the servants passage ways, having no time for polite greetings or stopping to talk to anyone in particular. He had lost enough time, he wasn’t about to waste another second of it.
“Your Majesty, that is still highly odd and improper,” he scolded him.
“And you still sound like a nursemaid.” He quipped back, rounding into the stables.
“Woonhak!” He called out.
The little boy popped up and grinned wide, bowing. “Hello, Your Majesty.” He greeted.
“Hello,” Sunghoon grinned in return. “Woonhak, I need your fastest horse.” He insisted.
“That would be Honey, Your Majesty.” He said, pointed at a tanned mare at the other end of the barn.
“Thank you Woonhak, I can saddle her up.” He nodded and managed to calm himself enough to not frighten the horse as he readied her for the trip.
He was quicker than Woonhak, even with the unfamiliar horse, and already up in his saddle as Woonhak continued working on the reins for Jihoon.
He casted a glance at the older guard and shot him an impish grin. “Don’t do it,” Jihoon warned him. “Your Majesty, I swear-”
“Catch me if you can!” He shouted and took off flying through the fields.
True to Woonhak’s testament, Honey was fast, much faster than Gyeoul had been. But Gyeoul rode smoother, with a more stable gallop. With Honey, Sunghoon was struggling to hold on over the hills and around the bends.
Eventually they made it through the woods however, and he slowed her down halfway through the field.
He tried to keep Honey at a reasonable pace as he headed through the village, not wanting to waste any time dismounting until he arrived at the shop. It was still faster than it probably should have been in the residential area.
He was pleased to see the market was starting to reform as he travelled along the streets and through the village square. He knew he was attracting looks and whispers as he raced through, but he couldn’t find it in him to slow down. Not when he was so close-
He practically threw himself off the horse and tied her up quickly before opening the familiar door and nearly slammed it shut. He leaned against it to catch his breath, his heart pounding in his ears.
“Your Highness?”
That sweet, honey voice that made his chest sing brought him back to this moment where Jay was here, and in front of him.
“It’s Your Majesty now,” he said automatically, and Jay quirked a small smile, bowing with his hand over his heart.
“Your Majesty,” he corrected quietly. “To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit?”
Sunghoon swallowed and stood up straight, trying to calm his hammering heart. “I’m here to...” his mouth dried up as Jay stood back up, watching him curiously. “I’m here to buy a quill and ink.” He blurted.
Jay blinked, clearly thrown by the statement. “A quill and ink,” he repeated slowly, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“And a book.” He added.
“And a... book?” Jay set his broom aside carefully.
“You sell those here,” he said. “I’d like to start with the quill and ink.”
“I- uh, yeah,” Jay furrowed his eyebrows. “Yeah, okay. Uh, follow me?” He walked toward the counter where the quills he carved were.
Sunghoon spent all of five seconds looking at them before he motioned to Jay. “Which do you like best?”
Jay still looked deeply troubled by the whole thing, but still, he picked up a purple quill with crashing waves carved into it. “This one, I supposed.” He frowned at Sunghoon. “Your Majesty, I have to ask-”
“Perfect, I’ll take that one.” He nodded, rummaging through his bag. “And the ink?”
Jay sighed but brought out a pot of ink a moment later, still fidgeting with the chosen quill. “Your Majesty, really-”
“Can you test it for me? Show me it works?” He stalled, pinching the pearls between his finger and thumb.
“You’re annoying, you know that?” He snapped at him.
“So I’ve been told.” Sunghoon nodded, staring at him expectantly.
Jay sighed again, louder and clearly more annoyed as he stepped over to grab a piece of parchment. In his absence, Sunghoon set the pearls on the counter. Jay returned, his mouth open, probably to admonish Sunghoon, but he never got a chance. He looked down and froze seeing the pearls. Jay was silent for a long moment before his head snapped up and he stared at Sunghoon with wide eyes.
“What is this?” He breathed out.
“In Memor, a string of pearls signifies-”
Jay cut him off, staring at him. “No, Your Majesty, what is this?” He repeated. “All of this," He motioned around to quill, the pearls, and finally to him. "What are you doing here?”
Sunghoon hadn't thought this far ahead.
He had been so elated to hear that he could have Jay without anything left standing in his way, that he hadn't stopped to consider what to say.
Jay sighed and opened his mouth to say something, and panic surged through his chest. He threw his hand up to stop him.
“I don’t want to wait for the next life,” the words rushed out of him without permission. “I don’t want to wait for the next, or another, I want you now. In this life. I want you to throw me balls every day just to dance with me all night, I don’t want a first or second dance, I want every dance.” He said firmly, motioning to the pearls. “You told me you wanted to service your Prince until I no longer had use for you, but Jay-ah, I will always have use for you. I need you.”
Jay’s eyes nearly doubled in size as stared at Sunghoon, completely baffled by the turn of events.
Jay blinked once. Twice. “But... Sunoo? The contract?” He said finally.
“He’ll marry Jungwon,” Sunghoon breathed out. “We’re amending the contract.”
“You can do that?” He asked quietly.
“Jay-ah, I’m the King of Chaconne,” he reminded him. “I can do what I want, theoretically.” He took his hand in his, picking up the pearls and putting them in his palm. “And what I want is to marry you.”
Jay stared at the pearls for a moment, perhaps the longest moment in Sunghoon’s life. Another brief panic flashed through his mind- had he been too presumptuous? Would Jay even want to marry him? It would be such a large shift for him, all his free time would be filled with teas and meetings and entertaining guests, as per responsibilities of a King Consort. Would he want all that work, just to have Sunghoon?
In one, fluid motion, Jay practically jumped the counter, collecting Sunghoon in his arms, and pulled him into a soft, familiar kiss. Sunghoon held his hips, pressing him against the counter as he deepened it, dizzy and warm and out of breath. This was it, this was their second dance, this was-
Someone cleared their throat behind them and they jumped apart, their heads knocking together in the process.
“Ow,” Sunghoon mumbled, rubbing his forehead.
“Eomma,” Jay said, his eyes wide.
Sunghoon blushed wildly at having been caught kissing Jay, by the other boys Eomma no less.
“And who is this?” She asked in Blossomer with a raised eyebrow.
Jay looked up at Sunghoon for permission, who shrugged and nodded. She was bound to find out sooner or later.
“Eomma, this is King Sunghoon,” he introduced awkwardly in Blossomer. “Of Chaconne.” He added, with a wince.
She stared at them, clearly in disbelief. “And what is he doing here? With you?” She asked, still sticking with her native tongue.
Jay stammered over his words for the first time since Sunghoon's known him. “Well, I- you see, it’s- what I mean to say is-”
“I’m in love with your son,” Sunghoon interrupted in shy Blossomer. “I’d like your permission to marry him.”
Jay’s head snapped over to look up at him with wide eyes. “I didn’t teach you that,” he said.
“I learned it myself,” Sunghoon told him, squeezing his hand. “I told you poetry helps me.”
“By the Gods,” Jay breathed out before pulling him off in another direction, without waiting for his eomma’s reply.
Sunghoon barely had a chance to bow his head to her before he was pulled into a back room filled with stacks of dusty old books. He didn’t even get to speak before Jay’s lips were on his again, and he was being pressed against the wall. Sunghoon kissed him back automatically.
“I love you,” Jay murmured against his lips.
Sunghoon’s breath caught in his throat and he pulled Jay closer as his lips trailed down. “Say it again,” he mumbled.
“I love you,” Jay whispered it like a promise he intended to keep. “I love you, Sunghoon-ah, I love you, I love you. I’ll repeat as many times as you want me too.”
“I love you too,” Sunghoon pulled him back into a kiss, wrapping his arms around his neck. “So you will marry me?” He asked.
“In this and every life,” Jay agreed immediately.
Sunghoon reached up to help him put the string of pearls on. It was difficult considering Jay wouldn’t stop kissing him long enough to let him focus on the clasp, and Sunghoon didn’t want him to stop kissing him for any length of time, period.
Finally the pearls were on and they could resume kissing properly, only for there to be a sharp knock on the door.
“Your Majesty?” Jihoon’s voice came through the door.
Sunghoon sighed. “I forgot I had the guards check in with your shop,” he grumbled, resting his forehead against Jay’s.
“What? Why?” Jay furrowed his eyebrows.
Sunghoon opened and closed his mouth a few times as his face turned an alarming shade of red. “There... there may have been a period of time where the King threatened to burn you and your family to get me to agree to his terms,” he worried his bottom lip between his teeth.
“Okay,” Jay blinked. “What were the terms?” He frowned.
“He wanted to make sure hyung couldn’t back out of the agreement, so he gave me three days to uh, ruin Sunoo so he couldn’t be married off to anyone else.” He reached up and fidgeted with the pearls around Jay’s neck- he was right, the creamy white pearls looked so pretty against his honey skin.
“And did you?” Jay asked, though he didn’t sound mad as much as he sounded unsure, his hands still on his waist to keep him close.
“No,” Sunghoon flushed a darker shade of red and looked away from him. “I um, I got the Collection of Lords to unanimously agree to strip him of his title for committing treason and took my rightful place on the throne instead?” He said it like a question, wincing a little in embarrassment.
“Let me get this straight,” Jay raised his eyebrow. “Instead of sleeping with Sunoo, you overthrew the King who tried to kill you no less than three times and was single handedly destroying this Kingdom, because he threatened to burn us alive?” He clarified, staring at Sunghoon like he was a little insane.
“I really, really love you,” Sunghoon breathed out. “And you’re innocent, your family is innocent, he had no right threatening you like that, and I didn’t trust that even if I did what he wanted that he would actually spare you. I couldn’t just let you die, Jay-ah-”
Jay cut him off, kissing him like it was the first time all over again. “I love you,” Sunghoon said desperately against his lips.
“I love you too, Sunghoon-ah,” Jay murmured back, relaxed and at ease. “I love you so much,”
Another three sharp knocks on the door sounded.
“Your Majesty,” Jihoon repeated. “I know you’re in there.”
Sunghoon sighed and pressed a kiss to Jay’s forehead before pulling away to open the door, Jay’s hand still locked in his.
When Jihoon saw their generally dishevelled appearance, he cleared his throat and looked away politely.
“Your Majesty, need I remind you that you are a King who, until recently, had been targeted-”
“Yes, yes, Jihoon, I apologise for my disappearance.” He said, squeezing Jay’s hand. “We can head back to the palace now.”
The Head Guards eyes snapped over to Jay, who bowed his head in greeting.
“Will we be taking Jay-ssi back with us?” Jihoon raised his eyebrow.
“We’ll be taking my fiancé back with us,” Sunghoon corrected.
Jihoon looked even more confused. “I feel like I’ve... missed something, Your Majesty.” He furrowed his eyebrows.
“It’s alright Jihoon, we’ll catch you up when we get back,” he patted his shoulder. “For now, we should probably finish informing your parents of your new status.” He teased Jay.
Jay nodded in agreement and they walked out together, into the light of day, hand in hand.
Sunghoon glanced out the window as Jay and his parents spoke low and fast Blossomer, and realised the sun finally decided to peek out from behind the clouds.
-
They rode back together, and it dissolved into a race, much to Jihoon’s clear annoyance.
But Sunghoon liked looking over to see Jay riding beside him, grinning widely with the pretty pearls bouncing with every stride. He looked like freedom and happiness and home.
When they arrived back at the castle, they had a whole party awaiting their return.
“They’re back!” Jungwon shouted, shooting up from his seat. “Hyung, you’re home!” He said excitedly and rushed over to throw himself at Jay the moment he dismounted.
Jay caught him and laughed, hugging him in return. “Yeah, I’m home.” He agreed, glancing over at Sunghoon, who smiled softly in return.
“And you’re staying?” Jungwon clarified.
Jay nodded and chuckled as Jungwon hugged him again. When he finally let go, Sunghoon took his hand again. Heeseung, Jake and Sunoo joined them, laughing and catching up as they head into the castle as the staff handled putting the horses away.
The rest of the day consisted of taking Jay around to introduce him to his Eomma and sister, as well as calling a meeting of the Collection of Lords to update them on the contract and his abeonim. Before the meeting, he asked Jay at least a dozen times if he was sure- with the pace of everything around the castle lately, the update needed to happen as soon as possible, but he wouldn’t bring it up if Jay had any reservations.
After he asked for the thirteenth time, Jay dragged him into the library as they passed it and cornered him in a hidden alcove, where he proceeded to kiss him until Sunghoon couldn’t think about anything except how Jay still smelled like aged parchment, pine trees and wild flowers.
“I want to marry you, Sunghoon-ah,” he breathed out. “I love you.”
“Again,” Sunghoon whispered.
“I love you,” Jay repeated, kissing him soft and slow. “And that’s not changing any time soon.”
Sunghoon kissed him back until they could hear Jihoon’s voice searching for them and sighed, squeezing his eyes shut.
“That’s going to get annoying fast.” Jay sighed, pressing one more kiss to his cheek. “Alright, Your Majesty, you have a meeting to get to. And so do I.”
“You do?” Sunghoon cocked his head to the side.
Jay held up the little calling card a servant had passed to him.
“Her Majesty the Queen has requested my presence for tea with her and the Princess.” He informed him.
Sunghoon winced, smoothing his clothes and fixing his hair. “Good luck,” he offered.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Jay blinked a few times as Sunghoon pulled him out of their hiding place and past Jihoon, who looked like he aged ten years in the last few hours.
“Beomgyu,” He greeted the guard outside the library, essentially handing his fiancé over to him. “Can you please take Jay-ah to my chambers? Ask for Ryujin to come in to help him clean up, he’s meeting with the Queen and Princess. He can wear something of mine for now.”
“Right away, Your Majesty,” he bowed, turning to Jay. “Follow me, Your Highness.”
“Your- what did you just call me?” Jay asked, alarmed, looking back at Sunghoon a few time as he followed the guard down the hall. “Beomgyu-ssi, what did you call- hey, wait up. Should I be worried-?” He asked, keeping up with Beomgyu’s quick pace.
Sunghoon smiled to himself as he watched him as went down the hall.
Look back at me, he willed him silently. Look back and-
Jay tossed one more anxious glance over his shoulder before he turned the corner, and Sunghoon couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his lips.
“Come, Your Majesty. You have a Collection of Lords to address,” Jihoon nodded in the other direction.
“We need to set up a personal guard for Jay,” he told Jihoon as they headed towards the meeting room. “If possible, I would like Beomgyu to head it. He got to know Jay a bit the last time he was here, and since he’s about to go through a ton of changes, giving him someone familiar might help ease his mind.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I’ll get right on that.” He promised.
“While we’re in the meeting, can you also get me an update on how his chambers are coming along? I imagine he’ll stay with me often, but I don’t want to presume he’ll stay with me always.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” He nodded.
“And... and check on Changbin, in the cellar?” He added. “Just to see if...?”
Jihoon offered an understanding look. “Of course, Your Majesty.” They stopped outside the door. “Good luck, Your Majesty.” He nodded and opened the door for him.
It would be a long meeting.
-
They first tackled some of the last issues they needed to correct so the Lords and Dukes could go home to their villages and townships, before they would need to return for his official coronation.
When he did drop the news about the contract amendment, the Collection seemed more confused than anything.
“So the rest of the contract is staying the same,” Duke Kibum clarified. “It’ll just be Prince Jungwon getting married instead?”
Sunghoon nodded. “After a lengthy discussion with Prince Jungwon, Prince Sunoo and King Heeseung, we came to the conclusion that the contract may stay intact with the amendment.” Sunghoon wasn’t sure lengthy was the proper term, considering how fast he ran out of there to retrieve Jay, but they didn’t need to know that. “A rather good point was also made that an engagement to a commoner might appease the people, after everything they had to endure. It might put their minds at ease to know that someone like them is by my side.”
Please let this work, please let them understand, he thought desperately. I need this to work. I need-
“I think it’ll work well,” Duke Kibum said finally. “It’s something that will drastically set you apart from the last King and be a good indicator that you will be different, without compromising on the security the Blossomer marriage provides us.”
Sunghoon was ecstatic, because Duke Kibum was usually the first one to find a reason to oppose things, so if he was readily agreeing to it, most of the Collection would follow suit. And they did, no one could come up with any reason it couldn’t go through as per the new plan, so it was approved and they moved on.
Just like that, Sunghoon would no longer be forced to choose. There was no choice. There was Jay and the Crown and he could have both.
Sunghoon’s buzz died almost immediately with the final topic, however.
“Have you decided what to do about Sihyuk, Your Majesty?” Namjoon asked him.
Sunghoon nodded. “There will not be a public execution. I don’t want to give him the audience, or frankly, the respect of an actual execution.” He said finally. “We’ve given him the option of a quick, painless death or if he would like to continue to suffer until the end. The choice is up to him. He’s currently being monitored around the clock. I have Jihoon checking on him now as we speak to see what decision he's made.”
“And you think that’s enough?” Taecyeon asked.
“I think it’s the best option that will put any concerns we have to rest.” Sunghoon nodded. “Is there anything else before we adjourn this meeting?” He asked.
When nothing else was brought up, Sunghoon stood and bowed to them, thanking them for their time and dedication before wishing them safe travels home.
Sunghoon met with Jihoon outside and started back with him towards his chambers, Jake at his side.
“So?” He asked quietly.
“Still nothing, Your Majesty. I asked Changbin if he would like a break, and he said he would be fine for a while longer. I’ll send Chan down there later to take him off shift.” Jihoon updated.
“Alright,” he sighed but nodded. “And Jay’s chambers?”
“Still being cleaned up and furnished, Your Majesty. It’s in the same wing as yours, which will be good for security purposes.” Jihoon nodded. “And I’ve spoken with Beomgyu about your suggestion, and he said he would be happy to accept the position. I'll begin training him immediately.”
“Good,” Sunghoon nodded again and turned to Jake. “Will you be returning to your estate, or remain here for the time being?”
“I’ve sent Hanbin home, and explained that my services are required here a little longer as we're still working on the transition for your guard as I delegate any additional responsibilities I had taken on during my time as Head Guard,” Jake nodded. “I’ll return soon, though. I would like to be able to show King Heeseung around.” He smiled shyly.
Sunghoon nodded in understanding, patting his shoulder. “Once the contract is signed tomorrow, you can steal him away for a while. The wedding will still be slated for September, but we’ve all sort of just agreed to let my Eomma do as she pleases with it.” He chuckled.
“Probably a smart decision, Your Majesty.” Jake teased him. “Any plans for the rest of the night?”
“There will be, should my betrothed return to me in one piece.” He nodded. “He is currently having tea with my Eomma and sister.”
Jake winced. “I hope for his sake it goes well.”
“Wonyoung will like him for sure,” Sunghoon hummed with a small smile. “She liked hearing about him, anyway.”
Jake smiled softly and nudged him playfully. “Look at you, looking all soft and in love.”
Sunghoon hummed again. “I dreamt of the day I could hold him in the sun,” he admitted quietly. “It’ll be nice to put it into practice.”
He stifled a yawn- the day had been long and exciting and long. He was struggling to stay awake, even as they arrived at his chambers.
He woke right up however, when he saw Jay leaning against the door, his arms crossed as he chatted with Seungmin and Beomgyu, laughing at something Beomgyu said. His chest grew warm as Jay turned at the sound of their echoing footsteps.
Seungmin and Beomgyu bowed, hands over their hearts, and Jay followed suit. Sunghoon smiled shyly and nodded in return. “Were you waiting long?” He asked.
Jay shook his head. “It was a very thorough meeting. We had tea and lunch before we were finished.” He chuckled. “Sunoo-yah and Jungwonie stopped by for a while, so at least I wasn’t the centre of attention for the whole day.”
“You might want to get used to being the centre of attention, mon amour,” Sunghoon teased him, the Memorian term slipping easily. “That sort of comes with the silks and the castle.”
“I suppose,” Jay sighed dramatically and glanced at the guards who were looking away politely. “Do we... uh, send them away?” He whispered.
“Do you require anything else from me, Your Majesty?” Jihoon asked pointedly.
“No, I’m turning in for the night, Jihoon. You’re dismissed.” Sunghoon nodded.
Jihoon nudged Beomgyu who made a surprised sound and turned to Jay. “Do you require anything else from me, Your Highness?” He asked shyly.
Jay shook his head. “No, I’m alright. Thank you, Beomgyu-ssi.”
Beomgyu bowed and followed Jihoon down the hall.
"I will take my leave as well, Your Majesty, Your Highenss," Jake offered a small teasing smile to him and Jay. "Good night, I'll see you in the morning."
"We will see you tomorrow, Duke Jaeyun," Jay teased right back.
Jake shook his head with a fond smile before he headed back to his own chambers.
“Seungmin-ah, I’d like it if we weren’t disturbed tonight,” Sunghoon informed him bluntly. “It has been a very long week filled with a lot of people, and ideally, I would like to have an evening of peace.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. You can count on me.” He nodded.
Sunghoon paused. “And if you’d like to send a page to retrieve Minho, so you aren’t alone tonight, that would be alright.” He added.
Seungmin blushed wildly and looked away. “I will... consider that, Your Majesty. Just to help with keeping you undisturbed, of course.”
“Yes, of course. All a matter of duty.” Sunghoon agreed, before heading inside with Jay, who almost immediately went to the fireplace to get it going.
“Your chambers are still being prepared, so I figured you wouldn’t mind staying with me tonight-”
“My chambers?” Jay repeated, standing back up and wiping his hands once the flames were steady.
Sunghoon stopped pouring the water into the basin he used to wash up and turned towards him. “Yes. Your chambers,” he said slowly.
Jay furrowed his eyebrows. “I’m not staying with you?” He asked.
Sunghoon blinked a few times as he watched Jay get closer. “You can I just- I didn’t want to presume anything,” he admitted. “I sort of just burst in and practically kidnapped you into coming back to the castle-”
“I hardly call you proposing and asking my Eomma in her native tongue if you could marry me a kidnapping.” Jay scoffed. “I’m a big boy, if I didn’t want to be here with you, I wouldn’t be.” He assured him, curling his fingers into the lapels of his jacket.
Sunghoon watched him with wide eyes, his ears colouring red- he cursed his crown for pulling his hair back so they were on full display.
Jay smirked a little and pulled him closer. He reached up carefully and took the crown off, setting it aside with a gentle thud on the table. “What’s the use of setting me up in my own chambers if I intend to spend every night with you?” He whispered, slowly undoing each fasten of his jacket, followed by his waistcoat.
“I thought you would want your own space.” Sunghoon murmured, resting his hands on his hips considering Jay was doing just fine on his own.
“Why would I want any space you’re not in?” Jay pointed out. “Unless you don’t want m-”
“I want you here,” Sunghoon said immediately, pulling Jay closer. “I want you.” He rested his forehead against his.
Jay smiled and kissed him slow and sweet, pushing the now loose fabric off his shoulders. Sunghoon started on Jay’s own ensemble, skillfully unbuttoning the jacket with one hand while the other stayed firmly on his hip.
“Neat trick,” Jay chuckled.
“Years of practice,” Sunghoon joked, letting Jay pull him towards the fireplace.
Jay hummed, pulling him down with him to the plush furs Jake had gifted and forced him to put in his chambers to combat the aches that came with his tendency to fall asleep on the floor when reading.
“Is there any reason we’re disregarding the nice comfortable bed for the floor?” Sunghoon chuckled, manoeuvring Jay to be the one beneath him, bending down to kiss along where the pearls sat against his throat.
Jay reached up and brought his face up to look at him.
“I want to see you,” Jay whispered, brushing his fingertips against his cheekbone, his obsidian eyes reflecting warmth of the flames as his thumb traced his lips. “It’s easier by the fire.”
Sunghoon pressed a soft peck to the pad of his thumb before diving back in, kissing him deeply. Jay pulled his shirt over his head after a few moments, tossing it off to the side near the couch. Sunghoon took this opportunity to get Jay’s off at the same time, before he reattached himself to his neck.
“These look so pretty on you,” Sunghoon whispered in awe, nudging the necklace with his nose as he nipped at the sensitive skin underneath. “Just like I knew they would.”
“Funny, considering they were never meant to be mine,” Jay tried to tease him, but he moaned half way through which caused his voice to pitch up in a whine.
Sunghoon stopped, pulling away enough so he could look him in the eyes. “They were always meant to be yours.” He whispered, and he meant it.
He purchased the pearls with the idea of engagement, of course. But that idea of engagement came in the middle of the market, when he was wearing a jacket whose owner had been pressed against him as a form of protection from the lively crowd. Every time he considered presenting them to Sunoo, he abandoned the idea at the last minute, telling himself it was never the right time.
It took him far too long to realise that whenever he thought of the pearls, Jay’s was the only neck he imagined them around.
This time, it was Sunghoon’s turn to see a lovely shade of pink creep up his cheeks. Sunghoon was quick to capitalise on it, pressing hot, open mouthed kisses against his neck, sucking and nipping at the skin, before soothing it with his tongue- anything to keep Jay making those pretty sounds in his ear.
“Let me love you tonight?” Sunghoon breathed, his fingers already working on untying Jay’s trousers. “Please?”
Jay nodded, groaning as Sunghoon pressed against him. “As long as I get to love you tomorrow.” Jay mumbled again, grinding his hips up, trying to get any kind of relief.
“I think that can be arranged,” Sunghoon chuckled breathlessly, slowly kissing down his chest.
He was quick to rid Jay of any more clothes, sitting back to admire the way the soft, flickering light washed over his honey glazed skin. He traced his fingers over every ridge, dip and scar he could see, in absolute awe of the man beneath him.
“Sunghoon-ah,” he complained, his face twisting into an adorable pout. “Stop teasing.”
A small smirk flickered to his lips as he deliberately took his time planting feather light kisses all the way up from his waist and over his stomach and chest. He ghosted his lips over his throat before trailing little pecks over to his jaw.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Sunghoon murmured, kissing underneath his ear.
Jay groaned and pulled Sunghoon in for a kiss before releasing him to continue his onslaught of lips, teeth and tongue back down his chest to his waist.
“That’s going to take some getting used to,” he confessed between the little sounds he made that Sunghoon loved so much.
“Don’t get too used to it,” Sunghoon told him. “Once we’re married you’ll be ‘Your Majesty’ or ‘Your Grace’.”
“I thought you said Your Grace was pretentious?” Jay groaned as Sunghoon finally, finally, spit in his hand and wrapped it around his length, pumping him slowly.
“It sounds elegant when it comes to you,” Sunghoon pressed a few kisses to his thigh before spitting in his other hand, slipping one finger inside him.
Jay seemed to have lost his words, his back arching off the soft furs beneath him. Sunghoon kept going, spurred on by his reactions. Jay was a natural poet, and had something to say about everything, so to render him speechless felt like a victory all on its own. He managed to add two more fingers before Jay was reaching down, gripping his wrists.
“Sunghoon-ah, please,” he panted. “I want you.”
Sunghoon couldn’t help the grin that spread across his lips as leaned forward, kissing him sweetly as he eased inside. He groaned, unable to focus on anything besides the feeling of Jay around him.
“Can I-?” He shifted a little, unable to find the words.
“Please,” Jay nodded, hooking his leg around his waist to keep him close.
Sunghoon started thrusting slowly, picking up the pace the more Jay groaned beneath him.
“I love you,” Jay breathed out, squeezing his eyes shut and throwing his head back as Sunghoon angled his hips a little better to reach deeper.
“Say it again,” Sunghoon begged.
After dancing around the words and denying themselves for so long, Sunghoon didn’t think he would ever get tired of hearing Jay say it.
“I love you,” Jay repeated immediately. “I love you so much.” His breathing sped up as he whined.
“I love you Jay-ah,” Sunghoon pressed his lips under his jaw, reaching down to pump his length in time with his thrusts as he felt that telling pull in his stomach.
He was the first to release, followed very quickly by Jay, who brought him back in for exhausted kisses. Sunghoon obliged as he pulled out carefully, cradling the back of Jay’s neck. He was the most precious thing in the world, and Sunghoon was determined to treat him as such.
“Wait here,” Sunghoon breathed, pressing a few more kisses to his cheeks and forehead. “Where are you going?” He complained, but let him go regardless.
Sunghoon was quick to grab a cloth damp with rose water, along with a blanket and pillow before returning to Jay, who looked half asleep already with a bit of the furs pulled to his chest.
“Oh, aren’t you adorable?” He teased, gently lifting his head to place the pillow beneath it before he set to work cleaning his betrothed up.
“It’s been quite the day,” Jay mumbled. “Some guy ran into my appa’s shop and accosted me until I agreed to marry him.”
Sunghoon scoffed, but the fond smile never left his face.
“I did not accost you.” He said, trying to keep his voice dry but failing miserably.
“You ran in like the world was ending,” Jay teased. “I was worried you had actually ran away.”
“I could never abandon my people like that.” Sunghoon hummed and finished wiping him clean, tossing the cloth aside and gently prying the furs out of Jay’s grip. "Besides, you already said no when I asked you to run away with me."
Jay chuckled sleepily, his eyes barely cracked open to watch him. With his arms now vacant, Sunghoon slipped into his hold, pulling the blanket over them and curling in close.
Jay buried his face in his hair, and Sunghoon tucked his head up underneath his chin. “I love you.” Sunghoon whispered.
“I love you more.” Jay murmured in return.
“I don’t think that’s possible,” Sunghoon disagreed.
“It’s absolutely possible because it’s true.” Jay grumbled cutely.
“You shouldn’t argue with your King,” Sunghoon tightened his hold.
“And you shouldn’t argue with your King Consort.” Jay tightened his in return.
Sunghoon couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “Yes, Your Highness.” He teased.
“Go to sleep,” Jay mumbled, but Sunghoon could see the blush creeping up his neck.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Sunghoon nodded.
“Stop that,” Jay whined, hitting Sunghoon’s back weakly.
“Annoying, isn’t it?” Sunghoon chuckled.
“You’re annoying.” Jay scowled.
“That’s the second time you’ve told me that today,” Sunghoon mused. “One might think you don’t like me or something.”
“I love you, you bastard.” Jay huffed.
“I love you more.” Sunghoon grinned up at him.
Jay pulled him into a soft kiss, just to shut him up. Sunghoon kissed him back without a second thought.
“Stay with me?” Sunghoon asked quietly.
“I will.” He pressed a kiss to his nose. “Well into the light.”
“
I’ll look forward to it.” Sunghoon hummed, relaxing in his hold.
“Sleep well, jagiya.” Jay murmured.
“Good night, mon amour.” He mumbled back.
And when Sunghoon fell asleep, he did not dream. Not while he could listen to Jay’s heartbeat beneath his ear.
-
The next morning, Sunghoon woke up with the sun streaming in the window, finally free from the clouds that had been overcasting the castle since they returned. He was still in front of the fireplace, wrapped up in the blanket and furs, and most importantly, Jay’s arms.
It was the light of day and Jay was still here. Sunghoon’s heart soared as he felt Jay trace his fingers over his shoulders and back lazily.
“Hello,” Jay whispered.
“Hello,” Sunghoon smiled, kissing his cheek. “It’s nice to see you in the morning light,” he teased.
“Now this I could get use to,” Jay grinned leaning down to kiss him softly.
The door swung open, giving Sunghoon only enough time to sit up and cover Jay.
He was used to his chambermaids seeing him in various states of undress, as their jobs entailed. His betrothed, however, was not accustomed to such things.
And perhaps, selfishly, Sunghoon didn’t want to share the sight of him just yet. Especially considering how he knew his chambermaids, and many of the female staff it seemed, found Jay attractive.
He would need to share Jay with the Kingdom one day. For today, he wanted him to just be his, and he wanted to just be Jay's in return.
“Your Majesty, it’s time to-” Jihoon stopped, his gaze shifting from the bed where he expected Sunghoon to be, to the floor, clearly unamused. “Your Majesty, when Duke Jaeyun gifted you those furs, I highly doubt he intended them to be defiled in such a manner.” He sighed like a tired parent scolding a toddler.
Beomgyu, who was training with Jihoon for the time being, kept his gaze averted.
“When Duke Jaeyun gifted me these furs, I hadn’t yet been engaged.” Sunghoon pointed out. “If you could give us a moment to collect ourselves, that would be most appreciated.”
Jihoon sighed again. “Will this be a... common occurrence, Your Majesty?”
“Most definitely,” Jay answered for him, sitting up behind him and wrapping an arm around his waist, pressing his chest to his back to remain as hidden as possible.
Sunghoon laced their fingers together. “You may want to learn to knock, Jihoon. So we may avoid similar situations in the future,” he added.
Jihoon closed his eyes and looked at the ceiling like they were already trying his patience. “Shall I tell the staff they no longer have to ready the room for His Highness?” He asked.
“Yes please, thank you Jihoon.” Sunghoon offered a small smile.
Jihoon nodded and turned to Ryujin, who had been politely turned away since she realised what was happening, blocking the other chambermaids from coming in. “I think it would be wise for us to find more furs, or padding of some sort to lay beneath the gifted fur from Duke Jaeyun.” He informed her as they filled out of the room. “If this placement in particular is about to become common, I’d rather His Highness and His Majesty not have to worry about sore backs in the morning.”
The door shut behind them and the pair looked at each other before bursting into laughter. “Is that going to happen every morning?” Jay asked through his giggles.
Sunghoon nodded, holding his sides as he tried to catch his breath. “I guarantee he will forget to knock every morning.” He added.
“Is he going to look disappointed in our choices every morning?” Jay snickered.
“Most definitely,” Sunghoon confirmed, which just sent them both into another spiral of laughter.
Jay shook his head and got up carefully, helping Sunghoon up and kissing him softly. They redressed enough to be decent, stealing one more kiss. Jay cleaned up their sleeping arrangements as Sunghoon let the staff back in to help them get ready for the day.
When they left, Jay still in borrowed clothes until he could get his own, Sunghoon adjusted his sleeves automatically, thankful for the millionth time to have his own chambermaids back.
“Do mine?” Jay held his arm out with a shy smile. Sunghoon adjusted them, kissing the back of each hand.
“Come, I’ll show you around the castle fully, since your tour never finished last time.” Sunghoon offered his arm.
Jay nodded and took it shyly. “Jake told me about the servants' tunnels, can you show me those too?”
Behind them, Jihoon sighed, not even bothering to hide his exasperation.
“Of course, I’ll show you later.” He grinned brightly, kissing his temple. “Breakfast first.” Jay nodded, following him out the door.
And they walked, side by side in the light of day.
Chapter Text
A couple months later
Sunghoon was woken up by soft lips and featherlike touches. He hummed, lifting his chin to give more access to his neck as he melted back into the mattress.
“Morning,” he mumbled, his voice heavy with sleep.
“Good morning, jagiya.” Jay whispered. “It’s a big day today, so I thought I’d wake you up nicely.”
Sunghoon hummed and traced his fingers up and down his spine. “A grave error on your part, mon amour, because now I don’t want to leave.” He teased, taking a moment to wake up a little more before flipping them so he was hovering over him.
He kissed him softly, caressing his cheek with a small smile.
“We have to get up, we have obligations,” Jay reminded him, playing with his hair. “There’s so much to do before the ceremony today.”
Sunghoon pouted at him. “Why would you wake me so sweetly just to hurt me like this?”
Jay laughed and shook his head, flipping them back over, kissing Sunghoon happily. “A little dramatic, are we?” He teased him, resting his forehead against his. “Come, Your Majesty. It’s my favourite type of night today.” He insisted.
“Is it? What would your favourite type of night entail?” Sunghoon smirked, wrapping his arms around his neck.
“One where I get to spend the whole night showing off the crown jewel, dancing with you as long as our legs will allow. Then, I get to take you back to our chambers where I will undress you from all your Kingly regalia and remind you of my love well into the light,” Jay whispered, pulling him closer.
Sunghoon couldn’t stop the smile on his face any more than he could stop the way his ears grew hot or the pink in his cheeks. Jay’s own smile widened at the sight.
“I’m serious, Hoon-ah, pink suits you so well,” he breathed out, dipping his head down to kiss along his jaw.
The door swung open and Jay sighed, dropping his head so his forehead rested against Sunghoon’s chest in defeat.
“Good morning, Jihoon.” Sunghoon greeted from beneath Jay. “Good morning, Your Majesty.” Jihoon responded.
“Learn to knock, Jihoon.” Jay requested, his voice muffled a little by his betrotheds chest as Sunghoon absentmindedly traced his fingers up and down his back.
“Perhaps one day, Your Highness.” Jihoon said. “It’s a big day today though, so your fornication will have to wait until later.”
“Don’t say it like that,” Jay sighed, getting off Sunghoon carefully with the sheets wrapped around his waist.
“Is there some way you would prefer I refer to it, Your Highness?” Jihoon asked curiously.
“I would prefer if you didn’t refer to it at all.” Jay informed him, heading over to his side of the room where his own chambermaids had set up his outfit for the day.
Sunghoon had only a few years from ages ten to thirteen where he could dress himself before he went from his nursemaid to his chambermaids as the Crown Prince, so while he mourned the loss of autonomy at times, he was rather used to it.
Jay, however, was still getting used to the requirement. He flinched when they touched him unexpectedly, and he was so busy watching them in the mirror that Sunghoon had to come and hold his face or distract him when they needed to do this hair.
Sunghoon appreciated his efforts regardless.
They headed out not long after, Jihoon and Beomgyu trailing after them. “Jihoon, do we have an update on arrivals?” Sunghoon asked.
“The Flicker King and Princes arrived very late last night, and your cousin Prince Geonu from Memor is set to arrive tomorrow. King Heeseung and Duke Jaeyun arrived early this morning.” He recited.
“And how are the preparations?” Sunghoon asked. “Have the outfits arrived?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, and Heejin has completed the cake. They’re just working on the big feast for tonight.” Beomgyu spoke up next.
Sunghoon nodded. “Thank you both, I appreciate how on top of things you have been.”
“It’s an important day, Your Majesty. It’s really our pleasure.” Beomgyu bowed his head.
Breakfast was a quick affair, considering all their guests were taking advantage of the relaxed morning to sleep in.
“I’m going to check in with the staff to ensure the preparations for the festivities tonight are set,” Jay told him as they slowed outside the main ballroom.
“I’ll head out to check if the grounds are set up accordingly.” Sunghoon leaned down and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I’ll see you in a couple hours.” He added.
Jay turned and kissed him softly with a shy smile. “I’ll see you soon, jagiya.” He murmured before heading off, Beomgyu trailing behind him.
He casted one more look over his shoulder at Sunghoon before disappearing inside the ballroom.
“Your Majesty?” Jihoon said gently. “You wanted to check the grounds?”
“Right, yes, of course,” Sunghoon said quickly, ripping his gaze away from the door Jay had disappeared behind. “Let’s go, and then I have another stop to make.” He nodded, heading off down the hall.
-
The grounds looked gorgeous, the last blooms of wild flowers providing a sweet scent in the air as the staff wove them into the wooden arch in front of the pond. There were matching flower crowns sitting off to the side, ready to be worn. They rolled out a carpet to give a distinct walking path, and the long, birch benches lined up all in a row.
Sunghoon complimented the arrangements and encouraged the staff to finish quickly so they may get ready. He even offered to help finish the last minute decorations, and it only took a few minutes of incessant insisting for them to place him on perhaps the most tedious yet important job- collecting bundles of petals to throw at the end of the ceremony. Jihoon was put to work doing the flowers that were meant to cascade down the arch.
Sunghoon would like to think they helped enough to speed up the process for the rest of the staff, who thanked him before running off to their chambers to prepare for the evening.
“Perhaps you should do the same, Your Majesty.” Jihoon suggested.
“I have one more stop to make,” Sunghoon insisted. “Then I will return to my chambers to get ready.” He promised.
Jihoon nodded and followed him to the familiar wing of the castle.
-
“Sunghoon-ah, can you help me?” Jay frowned, staring at himself in the mirror. “I’m struggling with all the buttons and ties.”
Sunghoon glanced over curiously and headed over without question, fastening everything with practised ease. “You’re so handsome,” Sunghoon mumbled.
“And you are absolutely stunning,” Jay whispered back with a shy smile.
Sunghoon grinned up at him and kissed his cheek. “Alright, what do you think?” He stepped out of the way so he could see himself in the mirror.
Jay whistled, turning a few times to see as much of the outfit as possible. “I look expensive.” He said.
Sunghoon chuckled and reached up, fixing his hair. “I think you look beautiful.” He said softly.
Jay leaned forward and kissed him, automatically pulling him closer.
“Jihoon and Beomgyu will be here to retrieve us any moment,” Sunghoon informed him, though he made no move to leave his hold.
“So let them,” Jay whispered, peppering little kisses down his jaw and whatever parts of his neck were exposed.
“It’s an important day, Jay-ah. I still need to put my crown on.” He lifted his chin to give him more access.
“I can do that,” Jay promised, pulling him even closer.
“It’ll take us longer to put everything back on then it would for us to take it off,” Sunghoon said finally with a sigh.
Jay sighed in return but ceased his actions, letting his head fall to Sunghoon’s shoulder. “I hate when you’re right about such things.” He grumbled.
Sunghoon laughed and kissed his cheek again, rubbing his back. “I’m yours tonight, all yours,” He reminded him. “And I, for one, cannot wait to dance with you.”
Jay pressed one more soft kiss to his jaw before pulling away with a fond smile. “Come, sit, I’ll help you.” He offered, pulling the desk chair over in front of the other mirror so he could reach his head easier.
Sunghoon sat and watched through the mirror amused as Jay fussed over his hair and the placement of his crown.
The door swung open, and Sunghoon tried not to laugh at Beomgyu, who had his hand over his eyes preemptively.
“At ease, Beomgyu,” Sunghoon teased him. “We’re fully dressed.”
“Pardon me, Your Majesty, Your Highness,” Beomgyu bowed quickly. “It was just a precaution.”
“I found it amusing, Beomgyu. Don’t worry about it.” He insisted.
“I see you’re almost ready,” Jihoon observed. “The ceremony starts soon, most of the guests have already gathered outside.”
“We mustn’t keep them waiting then,” Sunghoon nodded and stood up. “I’ll see you out there, jagiya,” He squeezed Jay’s hand and let him go with Beomgyu.
“Are you ready, Your Majesty?” Jihoon asked.
“As I’ll ever be,” Sunghoon nodded, grabbed the book on his desk and followed him out.
Everyone was seated on the benches outside, chatting and laughing together. Jay was sitting with Jake and Heeseung, with Sunoo, Jungwon and Wonyoung in front of them. They even had Riki, Taki and King K sitting with them, who were clearly a little confused but happy to be there. Sunghoon relaxed a little more as Jay spoke with the Flickian delegation, who seemed relieved to have someone to help translate everything.
Jihoon left his side to take his own seat as Sunghoon walked down the aisle.
A hush fell over their gathered crowd as the little three piece band from the village nearby started playing the soft, pretty notes of a traditional Chaconian wedding march.
Minho was first to walk down the aisle, with Chan at his side as his Family Tie, and Felix, one of the entrance guards that Sunghoon had rehired the moment he took the throne, on his other as the Ring Holder. Strapped around his waist was a familiar sword, one Sunghoon had given him earlier.
“Your Majesty,” Minho said quietly, looking at Jisung’s sword in his hands. “We the guard gifted that to you, it wasn’t intended to be a loan.”
“This isn’t a regift,” Sunghoon assured him. “I just thought you may want him with you as you walk down the aisle, since the rest of your family will already be there.”
Minho took it gingerly and ducked his head down to hide his face. “I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you enough for this, Your Majesty.” He said quietly. “With your coronation next week and Prince Sunoo and Prince Jungwon’s wedding to follow, I know it must not have been easy trying to accommodate a third celebration amidst all the chaos.”
“Minho-ssi, I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for my guard. You’ve shown me faith long before I ever had any in myself, and loyalty I could never begin to repay.” Sunghoon said firmly. “I care for you, all of you. You all have an equal right to be celebrated.”
Minho bowed low, with a hand over his heart. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Of course,” Sunghoon said honestly. “I’ll leave you to finish getting ready. I’ll see you outside.”
He offered Minho a soft smile, who offered a small one in return as he took to his knees, back to the entrance. Chan had one hand on his shoulder, to represent the extension of his family, and Felix sat off to the side.
Seungmin was next, following the same path, with Changbin as his Family Tie, Hyunjin, the other entrance guard that had been wrongfully dismissed with Felix, as the Ring Holder, and Jeongin as the Bearer of Faith. Jeongin drew his sword and laid it behind Seungmin, with the handle facing Minho. He then stepped over to Minho and carefully drew Jisung’s sword, laying it down so the handle faced Seungmin. He then took to one knee behind Seungmin, ducking his head down.
Sunghoon glanced at the empty space behind Minho, clearly meant for Jisung, and swallowed before nodding to the band to cease playing.
“Today, we stand before the Gods themselves, and ask of them only one thing- to bless this union of Lee Minho and Kim Seungmin, proud sons of the King's Royal Guard.” Sunghoon announced. “Minho, Seungmin, please speak your promises to the Gods, your partner, and their family.”
“I promise to the Gods to gain strength from our union, so we may better serve them and our King,” Minho said first, looking at Sunghoon- the first part was the standard promise to the Gods, but something ached in his chest as Minho included their duty to the Crown as something important enough to add. “I promise to his family that I will take care of him through everything, and will always prioritise his safety over my own,” he said to Changbin, before he finally looked at Seungmin, who was already looking at him. “I promise to you, Kim Seungmin, that I will always tease you, and make fun of you, and fight with you and for you and with you, and I will love you through it all.”
Seungmin grinned in response. “I promise to the Gods to gain strength from our union, so we may better serve them and our King. I promise to his family that I will look after him in sickness and in health, and try to never put myself in such a position where he will have to prioritise my safety over his own,” that drew a bit of a chuckle from the crowd. “And I promise to you, Lee Minho, that I will always understand you, and care for you, and love you. I promise to fight with you by my side for as long as we should both serve the Crown, and long after we retire.”
Seungmin hadn’t looked away from Minho once during his promises.
“Please retrieve your rings.” Sunghoon said, and Hyunjin and Felix rushed forward, handing their respective rings off to their respective grooms. “In the eyes of the Gods, of your families, and of the Crown, you have made your promises. Please seal them, with the exchange of rings.”
Minho was first to slide the ring onto Seungmin’s index finger on his left hand, bringing his hand up to kiss it gently. Seungmin returned the favour, sliding the gold band onto Minho’s index finger, kissing it before lacing their fingers together as Changbin and Chan retracted their hands from their shoulders to indicate that they were starting their own, new family.
“You may now join your union with a-”
Seungmin was two steps ahead of Sunghoon’s words, already pulling Minho into a passionate kiss that had their little audience laughing and cheering.
Sunghoon couldn’t help but let his eyes wander over to Jay, who was clapping along with everyone else, though his eyes remained fixed on Sunghoon. He blew him a kiss, and Sunghoon’s grin widened a little bit.
Jeongin retrieved both the swords, handing Minho Jisung’s once he extracted himself from Seungmin’s lips, sheathing it carefully. Jeongin sheathed his own and headed back down the aisle, followed by Felix and Hyunjin, then Chan and Changbin. Minho and Seungmin were the last to follow as those on the aisle seats showered them with the wild flower petals Sunghoon had arranged for them.
The attendees were released for lunch prior to the ball that would be held that night.
“I don’t understand,” Riki said to Jungwon with furrowed eyebrows. “Why the swords?”
“It’s a leftover tradition from the early days,” Jungwon explained. “With more weddings being arranged marriages back then, the offering of the swords is supposed to be seen as the union having equal footing, like if one person tried to hurt the other, the other person would have the chance to retaliate.”
“That’s why the ones who put the swords down are called the Bearers of Faith. The Faith doesn’t refer to the Gods, but to the Faith they’re putting in each other.” Sunghoon added, bowing his head to the Flickian delegation. “Thank you for attending the ceremony, I’m sure you must still be tired from your travels.” He said, switching to Flickian.
“Of course, who doesn’t love a good wedding?” King K smiled warmly and patted Sunghoon’s shoulder. “I think it’s nice you’re doing this for your guards.”
“I owe a lot to them, it’s the least I could do.” Sunghoon said honestly. “Will you be attending the ball tonight? It’s a little less grand than we usually host, but it promises to be fun.”
K’s smile widened and he nodded. “You can count us in,” he agreed.
They departed for lunch shortly after where they joined the staff and guards at the normal tables while Seungmin and Minho got to eat at the head table, typically reserved for the King.
The ball was already started when they walked in, and Sunghoon was extremely grateful Jay had arranged for the three piece from the village to play in turns with the royal band. While the music was different, and the steps were their own, the energy was the same as that day in the Blossom village.
“Your Highness, may I have this dance?”
Sunghoon looked over to where Taki was holding his hand out to Wonyoung. Wonyoung blinked a few times, a blush spreading across her cheeks as she glanced at Sunghoon for permission. Sunghoon nodded encouragingly, and she took Taki’s hand, letting him lead her out to the dance floor.
“No way,” Jungwon chuckled. “Here I was, thinking it would be Riki we would have to worry about.”
“Taki’s a good kid,” Sunghoon mumbled back. “Time will tell whether it will be a good match.”
“She seems happy to be dancing with him, at least.” Jungwon smiled warmly before turning to Sunoo. “C’mon, you showed me your village dances, it’s my turn to show you ours.” He grinned.
Sunoo lit up and practically dragged Jungwon out into the crowd excitedly.
“It was a beautiful ceremony, Sunghoon-ah.” Heeseung told him quietly. “And the newly weds look happy.”
“I hope they are,” Sunghoon nodded. “I feel a little guilty that we have to delay their honeymoon for so long, but I’m thankful Jake is allowing them to stay and be pampered at his estate after you two head back to Blossom.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Jake poked his head between theirs. “Seungmin and Minho were some of the best men I had, they deserve to have some time to themselves.” He offered his hand to Heeseung. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I would like a dance with my own betrothed.” He grinned.
Heeseung lit up and took his hand without question, joining the dance floor happily.
“I have a gift for you,” Jay said from his other side, holding out a small box. “I would have given it to you sooner, but I had to wait for Heeseung hyung to return from Blossom.”
Sunghoon cocked his head to the side and took the box, opening it carefully. It was a dainty silver cuff with metal work flowers and a few small diamonds casted in the middle of it. Jay carefully extracted it from the box, and motioned for Sunghoon to hold his hand out. He opened the cuff before clasping it around Sunghoon’s right wrist with a delicate snap.
“For a lot of Blossomers, these types of bracelets typically get passed down through the generations. But in the spirit of our own traditions, I wanted to get you one made specifically for you.” He thumbed at the diamond habitually. “Diamond is the birthstone for April in Blossom, and lilies stand for devotion. So this is like you always have a little piece of me with you.”
Sunghoon observed the piece and smiled shyly. “It’s beautiful, Jay-ah. Thank you.” He said quietly.
“I wanted you to have something from my background, the way I have the pearls from yours.” Jay explained, his hand automatically reaching up to fiddle with the necklace in question- Sunghoon had never seen him take it off since he put it on, which warmed his chest whenever he thought about it.
“I love it,” Sunghoon assured him.
Jay stepped in front of him and bowed, offering his hand. “Now, may I have this dance, Your Majesty?” He asked.
Sunghoon took his hand. “Yes, Your Highness.” He smiled, laughing as Jay pulled him out to the dance floor excitedly.
There were no shadows they had to hide in, or pillars to duck behind as they tried to catch their breaths. Jay led him to the middle of the dance floor and made good on his promise to dance with him all night long.
Pages Navigation
jayhoonlover on Chapter 1 Mon 19 May 2025 12:41PM UTC
Comment Actions
Samcat_en47 on Chapter 1 Mon 19 May 2025 01:48PM UTC
Comment Actions
wonwon04 on Chapter 1 Mon 19 May 2025 09:47PM UTC
Comment Actions
gyuiebears on Chapter 1 Mon 19 May 2025 09:51PM UTC
Comment Actions
agathakit on Chapter 1 Tue 20 May 2025 04:51AM UTC
Comment Actions
Bambittori on Chapter 1 Sun 01 Jun 2025 07:29PM UTC
Comment Actions
HeyUmmShhh on Chapter 1 Wed 04 Jun 2025 08:18PM UTC
Comment Actions
Awean on Chapter 1 Thu 05 Jun 2025 10:56PM UTC
Comment Actions
sweetvine_127 on Chapter 1 Tue 24 Jun 2025 03:12AM UTC
Comment Actions
SeungminSupremacy on Chapter 1 Tue 24 Jun 2025 04:48AM UTC
Comment Actions
sweetvine_127 on Chapter 1 Wed 25 Jun 2025 04:32AM UTC
Comment Actions
SeungminSupremacy on Chapter 1 Wed 25 Jun 2025 04:44AM UTC
Comment Actions
sweetvine_127 on Chapter 1 Wed 25 Jun 2025 06:45AM UTC
Comment Actions
swe3tie_lov3 on Chapter 1 Sun 20 Jul 2025 08:48PM UTC
Comment Actions
seulgyu on Chapter 2 Tue 20 May 2025 11:47PM UTC
Comment Actions
swe3tie_lov3 on Chapter 2 Sun 20 Jul 2025 09:35PM UTC
Last Edited Sun 20 Jul 2025 09:35PM UTC
Comment Actions
chwanii on Chapter 3 Tue 20 May 2025 09:43PM UTC
Comment Actions
somuchdard on Chapter 3 Sat 07 Jun 2025 06:39AM UTC
Comment Actions
swe3tie_lov3 on Chapter 3 Sun 20 Jul 2025 10:34PM UTC
Comment Actions
chwanii on Chapter 4 Wed 21 May 2025 04:56PM UTC
Comment Actions
somuchdard on Chapter 4 Sat 07 Jun 2025 06:58AM UTC
Comment Actions
swe3tie_lov3 on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Jul 2025 11:20PM UTC
Comment Actions
somuchdard on Chapter 5 Sat 07 Jun 2025 07:14AM UTC
Comment Actions
swe3tie_lov3 on Chapter 5 Mon 21 Jul 2025 12:10AM UTC
Comment Actions
Pages Navigation