I Love You, Your Majesty 9a/10
Title: I Love You, Your Majesty
Chapter: 9a/10
>> Character List ||| Chp: 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6a | 6b | 7 | 8 | 9a | 9b | 10
Genre: AU, Romance, Various
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: 2min, Onew/OC, JongKey
Disclaimer: I only own the story. :D
Summary: Once upon a time, there lived two lovable princes; Prince Onew and Prince Taemin. Everyone respects and looks up to them, they were the perfect role models. But really, there's more to them than just being Princes. (Omfg I seriously fail at giving summary ._.)
A/N: I have to split this chapter to 2 cos it's like, 24 pages long on Ms Word (LOL GUESS HOW MANY WORDS IS THAT =X) I'm almost done beta-ing chapter 9b so I'll post it by tomorrow. Enjoy.
C H A P T E R N I N E ( P A R T O N E )
“Jinki hyung? You look pale.” Key pointed out.
Jinki looked up to stare at his cousin. He smiled slightly, feeling a bit glad to see someone other than the princesses and guests he had to entertain for the night.
“Kibum-ah, is Taemin back?” Is Yoonhae back? Jinki wanted to add. He had been feeling extremely uneasy, like an unknown thought of Yoonhae being in danger was nagging him.
“I don’t know I was about to ask you the same thing.” Key replied solemnly. From the corner of his eyes, Key could spot Sulli giggling with her sister. “By the way, I heard Sulli said that she’s going to be engaged with Taemin-ah.”
Jinki didn’t scream or anything but his eyes widened and his mouth formed into a big “o”. Key rolled his eyes at how dumb Jinki looked at the moment.
“Yes, hyung, arranged marriage.” Key emphasized. “We can’t let this happen.”
Jinki rubbed his temple. “I swear I’m growing older faster than I was planning to. All these things just happen to make me have wrinkles.”
“Not funny, hyung.”
“Ugh.” Jinki grunted. He then noticed someone entered the ballroom, looking like a lost puppy. He felt a gush of relief upon recognizing the person.
“Taemin!”
Key immediately turned towards the direction Jinki was gaping and let out a muffled shriek. Taemin noticed them and smiled, trotting enthusiastically towards his hyungs.
“I’m back. I’m sorry and I’ll explain everything later.” Taemin spoke softly in case people start noticing that something was wrong.
“It’s okay. We told them you were busy handling some documents.” Jinki hugged Taemin, thoroughly relieved that his brother was fine. “Are you all right?” Is Yoonhae all right?
“I have small cuts here and there but I’ll live, hyung. I’m sorry to make you worry…” Taemin trailed off. He winced a little because it wasn’t him who was unwell- it was Minho. “I’ll tell you what happened later.”
“Where’s Jonghyun?” Key asked. Where is Yoonhae? Jinki added mentally.
“Are you worried about him?” Taemin grinned mischievously. Yes I am worrying about her. Jinki bit his lip.
“Y-Yah, it’s not like that…” Key blushed.
“He’s fine too. He’s taking care of Minho.” Taemin bit his lip. “Minho is-“
“Prince Taemin!”
Taemin beamed at the approaching princess. “Hello, Princess Sulli!”
“Oh my - you are really gorgeous.” Sulli chuckled. Taemin took her left hand and pecked its back. Key fought the urge to throw up right there but he rolled his eyes.
Jinki gulped. Bad move, Taemin. Don’t make her fall deeper for you… And where is Yoonhae?!
-*-
Yoonhae couldn’t support her own weight - the pain was agonizing. Losing her balance she leaned on the wall nearby to support herself. She sunk down - sitting on the soil, which was now covered with her own blood. Her shoulder stung like someone had just ran a train past it.
Junhyung had collapsed onto the ground as well. Yoonhae thought he was dead at first but judging that the wound on him was nowhere near any organ, Junhyung couldn’t have died.
“Yah, are you out of your mind, Yoseob?!” Doojoon scolded as he gathered Junhyung in his arms. “How can you hurt your comrade!”
“I didn’t aim any vital points, he should be okay! He probably passed out from the shock…” Yoseob retorted as he crouched next to Yoonhae - who was clutching her shoulder, breathing heavily. “Are you all right?”
“… What did- what did you do that for?” Yoonhae asked as she groaned in pain. Yoseob quickly examined Yoonhae’s wound.
Seconds before Junhyung shot her, Yoseob had taken out a gun and aimed it at Junhyung’s right upper arm. If he hadn’t, Yoonhae was sure Junhyung would have killed her by shooting through her heart. She was thoroughly grateful (although the pain was a bitch) that he missed and shot her in the shoulder instead.
“I don’t want hyung to kill anyone. And a girl at that.” Yoseob looked very guilty.
“The castle soldiers are going to be here soon.” Doojoon sighed. “Let’s get going.”
“We can’t bring her to the base.” Yoseob shook his head. “And I’m not leaving her here to die.”
“We can’t let them catch us either.”
“Hyung.”
Yoseob stared into Doojoon’s eyes - and the leader of the group understood. He nodded before taking Junhyung’s uninjured arm and wrapped it around his own shoulder and supported the now unconscious man up.
“You should wake Kikwang and Dongwoon up.” Doojoon advised. “I seriously don’t give a fuck about the other two.”
“I don’t even know who they are.” Yoseob disappeared back into the building - Yoonhae’s childhood home - and came out few minutes later with two men who Yoonhae had managed to knock out before she aided Taemin and Minho’s escape.
Yoonhae wanted to tell them to leave her be - she didn’t even wish to be associated with these people - but she remained silent as she gazed into Yoseob’s eyes. The man didn’t look like he had bad intentions. The pain on her shoulder made her unable to do anything at all. She gritted her teeth, blaming herself for being so careless.
She totally predicted that Junhyung and the gang would be armed with weapons. But Yoseob’s action had distracted her at the wrong moment and so she didn’t manage to dodge Junhyung’s attack on time.
“Don’t pass out on me.” Yoseob told her as he carried Yoonhae bridal style. Kikwang and Dongwoon gave him a weird look.
“We’re taking her?” Dongwoon confirmed.
Yoseob nodded at him. “To the base?” Yoseob shook his head. “To where?”
“To a nearby inn. We need to treat her wounds… And Junhyungie’s too.” Doojoon answered in Yoseob’s stand and then led the way. Kikwang seemed like he wanted to ask something but shrug it off and followed - immediately went to Doojoon’s side to help him support the unconscious Junhyung.
“W-Why?” Yoonhae managed to whimper despite the pain that was eating her.
“We’ll tell you later.” Yoseob exchanged glances with Dongwoon. “By the way, how do we address you?”
-*-
“Please don’t do this. This is their only home… You can’t take it away from us!”
“Why can’t I? You haven’t paid for your taxes last since three months ago and I have enough waiting. I want the money now or you have to leave!”
“I’ll do something - give me some time, I’ll pay you!” A middle-aged woman cried, sinking to her knees to beg the soldiers. “Please don’t take this home away from them!”
“Aunty!” Junhyung ran out from where the six boys were hiding. The woman’s eyes widened. “Junhyung, go back to bed!”
“We were not sleeping! Why are you crying?” 7 years old Junhyung hugged the woman. “Please don’t cry!”
One by one the boys came out of the room and stared at the lady who took care of them for the past years. Their eyes began to tear as the woman sobbed.
“Aunty, don’t cry!”
“We love you!”
“Oh what the fuck, is this some drama?”
The middle-aged woman glared at the soldiers who were pestering their peace. “Mind your words in front of the kids!”
“You mind your words, old hag.” One of the soldiers stepped out and grabbed the woman by the collar. “Watch who you’re talking to.”
“You are not the castle’s soldier.” The lady narrowed her eyes. “The kingdom are full of wise and reasonable people - you are just a bunch of corrupts!”
“How dare you!” The soldier slapped the woman hard in the face.
“YAH! AHJUSSI LET GO OF HER!” Hyunseung jumped onto the soldier and scratched his face.
“ARGHHHH THIS BRAT!”
The rest of the boys launched themselves on the soldiers. Unfortunately, there’s nothing much a bunch of children could do to inflict injuries on a group of trained adults, so soon the kids were whimpering and crying as the soldiers pinned them to the floor.
“H-H-How could you hurt children?!”
“I’m feeling nice. So I’m giving you until tomorrow morning to pay up.” The soldiers got up and let go of the kids and they hastily scrambled up and ran towards their guardian. “It’s not our fault you decided to take care of orphans when you are poor enough to even feed yourself!”
The soldiers left laughing. The children could do nothing but cry and hugged their guardian. The woman cried along with them, whispering to them that everything was going to be all right. But they all knew it wouldn’t be.
“Hyung.”
Junhyung’s eyes snapped open and the first thing he saw was Dongwoon’s worried face. As the former rubbed his eyes, the latter motioned him to stay in his position and not get up.
“Your wound isn’t so bad but I think it’s better if you stay still.” Dongwoon told the older man. “Your condition is clearly way better than hers.”
Junhyung shifted on the bed he was on to look towards his right. The female assistant he shot was now being taken care by Yoseob. From the looks of it she was panting from a mild fever - probably from her wound.
“Thanks. Yoseob.” Junhyung murmured. “For stopping me before I murder someone.”
“No problem.” Yoseob replied; relieved that things went smoothly according to his plan. He was afraid that Junhyung would yell at him and threw his temper blindly.
Yoseob never wanted to be bad. Heck, he never wanted the rest of his group mates to turn nasty at all. He quietly finished up the bandage before putting everything aside and stood up, heading towards the sink to wash his hands. Kikwang and Doojoon were sitting down on the floor across the room, staring at the two separate beds where Junhyung and Yoonhae were lying on.
Dongwoon rummaged through one of the tattered backpack of theirs and found a medicine. “Should I give this to her? I think it would reduce her fever.”
“I gave it to her already.” Yoseob told Dongwoon.
For a moment, all the guys froze in their spot looking at each other. Without a word, they gathered together (or more like Junhyung climbed out of his bed, Dongwoon supporting him and they both crept their way towards the already waiting Doojoon and Kikwang - Yoseob simply took a few steps to be there).
“I’m tired of all this.” Kikwang told the group. “… We’re not making things better.”
“I think.” Doojoon mumbled. “We should stop.”
“What? After all those things we went through… You want to back out? We haven’t even achieved anything yet!” Junhyung hissed.
“Lower down your voices.” Yoseob sighed. “Sleeping lady over there. We’re turning into bad people.”
“We are already bad people, Yoseob.”Junhyung gritted his teeth. “I know it’s all really stupid and confusing - I swore never to murder anyone but this is necessary. We need to make the princes suffer. We need to make the kingdom fall. We need to - to just avenge Aunty’s death!”
“No.” Dongwoon murmured softly. “The only one who wants to avenge her death is you, hyung. You and Hyunseungie hyung.”
Silence followed - and Junhyung gaped at the four men he was facing. They all had the same look on their faces: exhaustion.
“We promised - sworn to be brothers. So we followed you because we had to stick by your side.” Kikwang uttered. “But you… You changed, Junhyung-ah. You’re not the same.”
“All you and Hyunseung ever think about is revenge.” Doojoon stated. “… There’s nothing but misery and more pain after revenge, Junhyung-ah. Let’s stop this before it gets out of hand. Let’s just… move on.”
“Move on? MOVE ON?” Junhyung stood up, face twisted in anger and betrayal. “OUR AUNTY DIED PROTECTING US FROM THOSE BASTARDS AND YOU ASKED ME TO MOVE ON?!”
“Lower down your voice.” Yoseob repeated.
“What? You don’t love her? You DON’T CARE that she died?!” Junhyung ignored him. “She died for us, she was the reason why we all live… Why can’t we just do a simple favor to her and make those bastards suffer and-“
“Junhyung.” Yoseob rounded his fists. “I care if one of us died to achieve your so called revenge! I care even when you didn’t even care how one of us fainted or wounded. I care for what and who I still have around me… I don’t want to keep holding on to the past. That’s not what she wanted.”
“That’s what she wants!” Junhyung raised his voice again. “She wants us to never forgive those people who took everything away from her. From us!”
Yoseob stood up to match Junhyung’s eye level. Something flashed in Yoseob’s eyes but Junhyung didn’t know what. With a slow, broken voice, the former gave a tired smile at him before saying,
“No, Junhyung. That’s what you want.”
-*-
“Tell me you are not serious.”
“Okay. I’m serious.”
Jinki’s face paled as he swallowed, his fists clenching. Jonghyun - as playful as his answer to Jinki’s question sounded like - was feeling tensed as he tried to put on a calm mask. Key seemed to look down again, feeling uncomfortable that everything hadn’t turned out well like he expected to.
Taemin sat next to Minho’s bed, leaving the older ones standing there frozen thinking about a certain assistant’s whereabouts. The ball ended a moment ago and Taemin was more than eager to return to Minho’s side. Of course he was worried about his noona too - but he was more anxious about Minho’s condition right then.
“Taemin.” Jinki spoke slowly - trying not to sound angry or distressed - “Please tell me what happened.”
Taemin took a deep breath and told them about how Minho and he were chased by a group of people who wanted to kidnap him, so he could be absent from the ball. Jinki stayed still and quiet, occasionally unclenching his numb hands as he listened. Key simply spaced out while Jonghyun gave him a ‘why-are-you-not-nagging’ look.
As Taemin was done recapping what happened, Jinki felt his heart stopped beating.
Yoonhae was left behind. Was. Left. Behind.
And she hadn’t come back.
“I already told them to look for her… I’m sorry, hyung.” Taemin’s eyes got teary. “I know I’ve caused you a lot of trouble… I didn’t mean to.”
Key was the one who made a move then - he engulfed Taemin into a hug.
“I’m really, really glad that you’re okay. Minho too.” Key murmured, and then Taemin felt his shoulder getting wet. Key was crying. This made Taemin cried even more. Key seldom cries and the fact that he was shedding tears at the moment showed how anxious he must’ve felt throughout the day.
Jinki stayed nailed on the spot, eyes focusing at nothing in particular. Jonghyun watched the scene in silence before letting out a sigh, deciding that he must leave the castle once again.
“I’ll be right back.” Jonghyun attempted to leave but as he brushed past Jinki, his movements halted at Jinki’s words.
“You are going to be Key’s assistant right?”
Confused, Jonghyun nodded.
“Then stay.” Jinki spoke firmly. “The ceremony starts early in the morning tomorrow. Key will be inaugurated and you need to be there too. I can’t afford both of you being absent.”
“But Yoonhae-“
“Yoonhae’s fine.” Jinki declared, the words rolling off his tongue painfully. He didn’t know if he were convincing them or himself, “She’s strong, she’ll survive. Go and get some rest. You too, Key, Taemin.”
Jonghyun observed Jinki’s expression for a few seconds before pulling Key to exit the room. Key had wanted to protest - he wanted to stay with Taemin and Jinki - but he knew Jinki was right. They had an important day tomorrow. Besides, he hadn’t really scolded Jonghyun for leaving like that… So he let Jonghyun led the way to his own room.
Taemin exchanged an uncomfortable gaze with Jinki. “I’m going to stay by Minho’s side tonight… I promise I will get some sleep.”
“… Do what you want, Tae.” Jinki smiled tiredly before walking away, going to his own room. He was stopped when a sad looking Taemin tugged his sleeve.
“I’m sorry.” Taemin apologized, his voice fragile. “I’m really, really sorry. I have been really difficult towards all of you… I shouldn’t have gone out of the castle and-“
“Taemin.” Jinki turned back and cupped his cheeks. “I’m not angry with you. Remember when I sneaked out of the castle with Yoonhae? There was chaos back then too… Remember what you told me?”
Taemin blinked his tears as he shook his head.
“You said you’re glad I was fine and that they caught the bad men. And that everyone needs a break.” Jinki closed his eyes, pushing aside the resounding thought in his brain screaming but they hadn’t caught the bad men this time and Yoonhae isn’t back. “I’m really relieved and grateful that you came back in one piece. And Minho too.”
“But Noona isn’t back, hyung.” Taemin choked. “What if something bad happens to her?”
“You need to stop being so pessimistic, Taemin-ah.” Jinki forced a chuckle. I need to stop thinking negatively too. “I’m sure she’s all right, considering that she could capture a man armed with a rifle in less than 10 seconds.”
Taemin hugged Jinki and buried his head on Jinki’s chest. “Hyung, I feel so horrible…”
“Don’t be like that.” Jinki cooed. He honestly wasn’t in the best mood to comfort someone right now but he wasn’t lying when he said he was thankful that Taemin was fine. “Everything will be okay… Why don’t you go take care of Minho now? I want to go and get some rest too…”
Taemin sniffed then and straightened up. He wiped the remaining tears and nodded. “Good night, hyung.”
“Good night, Taemin-ah.”
They exchanged tired smiles and then Jinki left. He went to his own bedroom and his eyes immediately fell on the empty sofa at the side of the room.
He wished more than anything that Yoonhae would be sitting there to lull him to sleep as he laid his head on her laps again. But that was nothing more than a mere wish, so he got changed into his pajamas and threw himself onto the bed.
It felt like he hadn’t slept for an hour when someone knocked on his door. He wasn’t really deep asleep - after all it was impossible to sleep properly when his important person is missing. A jolt of hope pinched his heart as he hurriedly opens the door.
To his dismay, it was only Kyuhyun.
“I’m sorry for disturbing your rest, Prince Onew. We couldn’t locate Lady Yoonhae… We have combed the area three times, Your Majesty.” Kyuhyun reported, face looking clearly disappointed and worn out, “But we found traces of blood at the area Prince Taemin asked us to search at. I’m still asking the men to patrol around the town without making too much noise so the citizens wouldn’t get disturbed.”
Jinki felt the pit of his stomach lurched and burnt as the word blood came out of Kyuhyun’s mouth. He stammered some praises to Kyuhyun for his good work and asked him to keep searching before he closed the door, immediately dropping to the floor.
Please be alive. Please be all right. He chanted mentally. Please.
For the first time in his life he wished he wasn’t a prince… If only he could go and look for her by himself. But again, it was just a mere wish.
-*-
Yoonhae stirred from her long slumber and sat up. The surrounding was unfamiliar and she felt giddy from sleeping too long. She scanned the room and was slightly surprised to see four sleeping boys. The ones he recognized as Junhyung and Yoseob were sleeping on the other bed while the other two slept on the floor messily.
She checked herself then - her clothes were still dirty and there were bloodstains on the shoulder area… but at least she was still wearing clothes. Which meant they didn’t do any improper things to her. She then realized her wound was bandaged.
Why would they treat their enemy’s injury? She wondered. Then she remembered how Yoseob had saved her… Perhaps they are not really bad people.
“You are awake.” A tall man came out of the bathroom fully dressed - but she could tell he just showered from the nice fragrance of shampoo and soap. “You’ve been unconscious since two days ago… Fever from your wound I guess. You should thank Yoseob for taking care of you later.”
Yoonhae wanted to reply but her throat was dry so she let out a cough. Doojoon filled a glass with water and handed it to her.
“I’m Doojoon.” He introduced himself as he sat on a chair next to the bed Yoonhae was on. “I suppose you already know that the one who shot you was Junhyung, and the one who saved you was Yoseob. The one with short hair over there is Kikwang and the one looking like some misplaced Arab Prince is Dongwoon.”
Yoonhae sipped the water and nodded, trying to absorb why she was being introduced to the ‘bad guys’.
“I’m really sorry for Junhyung’s acts.” Doojoon continued drying his hair. “… I guess I should really fill you in about the details of what happened. I never meant for things to get so far. You and the princes wouldn’t even get involved if we had stopped Junhyung or Hyunseung from getting too far.”
“I don’t understand.” Yoonhae frowned. “Why are you telling me this?”
Doojoon looked at her in the eyes. “… The castle people… Are they heartless people?”
“What? No, of course not.”
“Well.” Doojoon sighed. “If I told you everything… Would you give Hyunseung back to us?”
Yoonhae didn’t detect any hint of trick or lies in Doojoon’s eyes. There were only two emotions swirling there: helplessness and sincerity. Doojoon wasn’t a bad person.
She then shifted herself to kneeling position and gestured at him to continue. Doojoon gave her a thankful smile before beginning his story.
Chapter: 9a/10
>> Character List ||| Chp: 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6a | 6b | 7 | 8 | 9a | 9b | 10
Genre: AU, Romance, Various
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: 2min, Onew/OC, JongKey
Disclaimer: I only own the story. :D
Summary: Once upon a time, there lived two lovable princes; Prince Onew and Prince Taemin. Everyone respects and looks up to them, they were the perfect role models. But really, there's more to them than just being Princes. (Omfg I seriously fail at giving summary ._.)
A/N: I have to split this chapter to 2 cos it's like, 24 pages long on Ms Word (LOL GUESS HOW MANY WORDS IS THAT =X) I'm almost done beta-ing chapter 9b so I'll post it by tomorrow. Enjoy.
C H A P T E R N I N E ( P A R T O N E )
“Jinki hyung? You look pale.” Key pointed out.
Jinki looked up to stare at his cousin. He smiled slightly, feeling a bit glad to see someone other than the princesses and guests he had to entertain for the night.
“Kibum-ah, is Taemin back?” Is Yoonhae back? Jinki wanted to add. He had been feeling extremely uneasy, like an unknown thought of Yoonhae being in danger was nagging him.
“I don’t know I was about to ask you the same thing.” Key replied solemnly. From the corner of his eyes, Key could spot Sulli giggling with her sister. “By the way, I heard Sulli said that she’s going to be engaged with Taemin-ah.”
Jinki didn’t scream or anything but his eyes widened and his mouth formed into a big “o”. Key rolled his eyes at how dumb Jinki looked at the moment.
“Yes, hyung, arranged marriage.” Key emphasized. “We can’t let this happen.”
Jinki rubbed his temple. “I swear I’m growing older faster than I was planning to. All these things just happen to make me have wrinkles.”
“Not funny, hyung.”
“Ugh.” Jinki grunted. He then noticed someone entered the ballroom, looking like a lost puppy. He felt a gush of relief upon recognizing the person.
“Taemin!”
Key immediately turned towards the direction Jinki was gaping and let out a muffled shriek. Taemin noticed them and smiled, trotting enthusiastically towards his hyungs.
“I’m back. I’m sorry and I’ll explain everything later.” Taemin spoke softly in case people start noticing that something was wrong.
“It’s okay. We told them you were busy handling some documents.” Jinki hugged Taemin, thoroughly relieved that his brother was fine. “Are you all right?” Is Yoonhae all right?
“I have small cuts here and there but I’ll live, hyung. I’m sorry to make you worry…” Taemin trailed off. He winced a little because it wasn’t him who was unwell- it was Minho. “I’ll tell you what happened later.”
“Where’s Jonghyun?” Key asked. Where is Yoonhae? Jinki added mentally.
“Are you worried about him?” Taemin grinned mischievously. Yes I am worrying about her. Jinki bit his lip.
“Y-Yah, it’s not like that…” Key blushed.
“He’s fine too. He’s taking care of Minho.” Taemin bit his lip. “Minho is-“
“Prince Taemin!”
Taemin beamed at the approaching princess. “Hello, Princess Sulli!”
“Oh my - you are really gorgeous.” Sulli chuckled. Taemin took her left hand and pecked its back. Key fought the urge to throw up right there but he rolled his eyes.
Jinki gulped. Bad move, Taemin. Don’t make her fall deeper for you… And where is Yoonhae?!
-*-
Yoonhae couldn’t support her own weight - the pain was agonizing. Losing her balance she leaned on the wall nearby to support herself. She sunk down - sitting on the soil, which was now covered with her own blood. Her shoulder stung like someone had just ran a train past it.
Junhyung had collapsed onto the ground as well. Yoonhae thought he was dead at first but judging that the wound on him was nowhere near any organ, Junhyung couldn’t have died.
“Yah, are you out of your mind, Yoseob?!” Doojoon scolded as he gathered Junhyung in his arms. “How can you hurt your comrade!”
“I didn’t aim any vital points, he should be okay! He probably passed out from the shock…” Yoseob retorted as he crouched next to Yoonhae - who was clutching her shoulder, breathing heavily. “Are you all right?”
“… What did- what did you do that for?” Yoonhae asked as she groaned in pain. Yoseob quickly examined Yoonhae’s wound.
Seconds before Junhyung shot her, Yoseob had taken out a gun and aimed it at Junhyung’s right upper arm. If he hadn’t, Yoonhae was sure Junhyung would have killed her by shooting through her heart. She was thoroughly grateful (although the pain was a bitch) that he missed and shot her in the shoulder instead.
“I don’t want hyung to kill anyone. And a girl at that.” Yoseob looked very guilty.
“The castle soldiers are going to be here soon.” Doojoon sighed. “Let’s get going.”
“We can’t bring her to the base.” Yoseob shook his head. “And I’m not leaving her here to die.”
“We can’t let them catch us either.”
“Hyung.”
Yoseob stared into Doojoon’s eyes - and the leader of the group understood. He nodded before taking Junhyung’s uninjured arm and wrapped it around his own shoulder and supported the now unconscious man up.
“You should wake Kikwang and Dongwoon up.” Doojoon advised. “I seriously don’t give a fuck about the other two.”
“I don’t even know who they are.” Yoseob disappeared back into the building - Yoonhae’s childhood home - and came out few minutes later with two men who Yoonhae had managed to knock out before she aided Taemin and Minho’s escape.
Yoonhae wanted to tell them to leave her be - she didn’t even wish to be associated with these people - but she remained silent as she gazed into Yoseob’s eyes. The man didn’t look like he had bad intentions. The pain on her shoulder made her unable to do anything at all. She gritted her teeth, blaming herself for being so careless.
She totally predicted that Junhyung and the gang would be armed with weapons. But Yoseob’s action had distracted her at the wrong moment and so she didn’t manage to dodge Junhyung’s attack on time.
“Don’t pass out on me.” Yoseob told her as he carried Yoonhae bridal style. Kikwang and Dongwoon gave him a weird look.
“We’re taking her?” Dongwoon confirmed.
Yoseob nodded at him. “To the base?” Yoseob shook his head. “To where?”
“To a nearby inn. We need to treat her wounds… And Junhyungie’s too.” Doojoon answered in Yoseob’s stand and then led the way. Kikwang seemed like he wanted to ask something but shrug it off and followed - immediately went to Doojoon’s side to help him support the unconscious Junhyung.
“W-Why?” Yoonhae managed to whimper despite the pain that was eating her.
“We’ll tell you later.” Yoseob exchanged glances with Dongwoon. “By the way, how do we address you?”
-*-
“Please don’t do this. This is their only home… You can’t take it away from us!”
“Why can’t I? You haven’t paid for your taxes last since three months ago and I have enough waiting. I want the money now or you have to leave!”
“I’ll do something - give me some time, I’ll pay you!” A middle-aged woman cried, sinking to her knees to beg the soldiers. “Please don’t take this home away from them!”
“Aunty!” Junhyung ran out from where the six boys were hiding. The woman’s eyes widened. “Junhyung, go back to bed!”
“We were not sleeping! Why are you crying?” 7 years old Junhyung hugged the woman. “Please don’t cry!”
One by one the boys came out of the room and stared at the lady who took care of them for the past years. Their eyes began to tear as the woman sobbed.
“Aunty, don’t cry!”
“We love you!”
“Oh what the fuck, is this some drama?”
The middle-aged woman glared at the soldiers who were pestering their peace. “Mind your words in front of the kids!”
“You mind your words, old hag.” One of the soldiers stepped out and grabbed the woman by the collar. “Watch who you’re talking to.”
“You are not the castle’s soldier.” The lady narrowed her eyes. “The kingdom are full of wise and reasonable people - you are just a bunch of corrupts!”
“How dare you!” The soldier slapped the woman hard in the face.
“YAH! AHJUSSI LET GO OF HER!” Hyunseung jumped onto the soldier and scratched his face.
“ARGHHHH THIS BRAT!”
The rest of the boys launched themselves on the soldiers. Unfortunately, there’s nothing much a bunch of children could do to inflict injuries on a group of trained adults, so soon the kids were whimpering and crying as the soldiers pinned them to the floor.
“H-H-How could you hurt children?!”
“I’m feeling nice. So I’m giving you until tomorrow morning to pay up.” The soldiers got up and let go of the kids and they hastily scrambled up and ran towards their guardian. “It’s not our fault you decided to take care of orphans when you are poor enough to even feed yourself!”
The soldiers left laughing. The children could do nothing but cry and hugged their guardian. The woman cried along with them, whispering to them that everything was going to be all right. But they all knew it wouldn’t be.
“Hyung.”
Junhyung’s eyes snapped open and the first thing he saw was Dongwoon’s worried face. As the former rubbed his eyes, the latter motioned him to stay in his position and not get up.
“Your wound isn’t so bad but I think it’s better if you stay still.” Dongwoon told the older man. “Your condition is clearly way better than hers.”
Junhyung shifted on the bed he was on to look towards his right. The female assistant he shot was now being taken care by Yoseob. From the looks of it she was panting from a mild fever - probably from her wound.
“Thanks. Yoseob.” Junhyung murmured. “For stopping me before I murder someone.”
“No problem.” Yoseob replied; relieved that things went smoothly according to his plan. He was afraid that Junhyung would yell at him and threw his temper blindly.
Yoseob never wanted to be bad. Heck, he never wanted the rest of his group mates to turn nasty at all. He quietly finished up the bandage before putting everything aside and stood up, heading towards the sink to wash his hands. Kikwang and Doojoon were sitting down on the floor across the room, staring at the two separate beds where Junhyung and Yoonhae were lying on.
Dongwoon rummaged through one of the tattered backpack of theirs and found a medicine. “Should I give this to her? I think it would reduce her fever.”
“I gave it to her already.” Yoseob told Dongwoon.
For a moment, all the guys froze in their spot looking at each other. Without a word, they gathered together (or more like Junhyung climbed out of his bed, Dongwoon supporting him and they both crept their way towards the already waiting Doojoon and Kikwang - Yoseob simply took a few steps to be there).
“I’m tired of all this.” Kikwang told the group. “… We’re not making things better.”
“I think.” Doojoon mumbled. “We should stop.”
“What? After all those things we went through… You want to back out? We haven’t even achieved anything yet!” Junhyung hissed.
“Lower down your voices.” Yoseob sighed. “Sleeping lady over there. We’re turning into bad people.”
“We are already bad people, Yoseob.”Junhyung gritted his teeth. “I know it’s all really stupid and confusing - I swore never to murder anyone but this is necessary. We need to make the princes suffer. We need to make the kingdom fall. We need to - to just avenge Aunty’s death!”
“No.” Dongwoon murmured softly. “The only one who wants to avenge her death is you, hyung. You and Hyunseungie hyung.”
Silence followed - and Junhyung gaped at the four men he was facing. They all had the same look on their faces: exhaustion.
“We promised - sworn to be brothers. So we followed you because we had to stick by your side.” Kikwang uttered. “But you… You changed, Junhyung-ah. You’re not the same.”
“All you and Hyunseung ever think about is revenge.” Doojoon stated. “… There’s nothing but misery and more pain after revenge, Junhyung-ah. Let’s stop this before it gets out of hand. Let’s just… move on.”
“Move on? MOVE ON?” Junhyung stood up, face twisted in anger and betrayal. “OUR AUNTY DIED PROTECTING US FROM THOSE BASTARDS AND YOU ASKED ME TO MOVE ON?!”
“Lower down your voice.” Yoseob repeated.
“What? You don’t love her? You DON’T CARE that she died?!” Junhyung ignored him. “She died for us, she was the reason why we all live… Why can’t we just do a simple favor to her and make those bastards suffer and-“
“Junhyung.” Yoseob rounded his fists. “I care if one of us died to achieve your so called revenge! I care even when you didn’t even care how one of us fainted or wounded. I care for what and who I still have around me… I don’t want to keep holding on to the past. That’s not what she wanted.”
“That’s what she wants!” Junhyung raised his voice again. “She wants us to never forgive those people who took everything away from her. From us!”
Yoseob stood up to match Junhyung’s eye level. Something flashed in Yoseob’s eyes but Junhyung didn’t know what. With a slow, broken voice, the former gave a tired smile at him before saying,
“No, Junhyung. That’s what you want.”
-*-
“Tell me you are not serious.”
“Okay. I’m serious.”
Jinki’s face paled as he swallowed, his fists clenching. Jonghyun - as playful as his answer to Jinki’s question sounded like - was feeling tensed as he tried to put on a calm mask. Key seemed to look down again, feeling uncomfortable that everything hadn’t turned out well like he expected to.
Taemin sat next to Minho’s bed, leaving the older ones standing there frozen thinking about a certain assistant’s whereabouts. The ball ended a moment ago and Taemin was more than eager to return to Minho’s side. Of course he was worried about his noona too - but he was more anxious about Minho’s condition right then.
“Taemin.” Jinki spoke slowly - trying not to sound angry or distressed - “Please tell me what happened.”
Taemin took a deep breath and told them about how Minho and he were chased by a group of people who wanted to kidnap him, so he could be absent from the ball. Jinki stayed still and quiet, occasionally unclenching his numb hands as he listened. Key simply spaced out while Jonghyun gave him a ‘why-are-you-not-nagging’ look.
As Taemin was done recapping what happened, Jinki felt his heart stopped beating.
Yoonhae was left behind. Was. Left. Behind.
And she hadn’t come back.
“I already told them to look for her… I’m sorry, hyung.” Taemin’s eyes got teary. “I know I’ve caused you a lot of trouble… I didn’t mean to.”
Key was the one who made a move then - he engulfed Taemin into a hug.
“I’m really, really glad that you’re okay. Minho too.” Key murmured, and then Taemin felt his shoulder getting wet. Key was crying. This made Taemin cried even more. Key seldom cries and the fact that he was shedding tears at the moment showed how anxious he must’ve felt throughout the day.
Jinki stayed nailed on the spot, eyes focusing at nothing in particular. Jonghyun watched the scene in silence before letting out a sigh, deciding that he must leave the castle once again.
“I’ll be right back.” Jonghyun attempted to leave but as he brushed past Jinki, his movements halted at Jinki’s words.
“You are going to be Key’s assistant right?”
Confused, Jonghyun nodded.
“Then stay.” Jinki spoke firmly. “The ceremony starts early in the morning tomorrow. Key will be inaugurated and you need to be there too. I can’t afford both of you being absent.”
“But Yoonhae-“
“Yoonhae’s fine.” Jinki declared, the words rolling off his tongue painfully. He didn’t know if he were convincing them or himself, “She’s strong, she’ll survive. Go and get some rest. You too, Key, Taemin.”
Jonghyun observed Jinki’s expression for a few seconds before pulling Key to exit the room. Key had wanted to protest - he wanted to stay with Taemin and Jinki - but he knew Jinki was right. They had an important day tomorrow. Besides, he hadn’t really scolded Jonghyun for leaving like that… So he let Jonghyun led the way to his own room.
Taemin exchanged an uncomfortable gaze with Jinki. “I’m going to stay by Minho’s side tonight… I promise I will get some sleep.”
“… Do what you want, Tae.” Jinki smiled tiredly before walking away, going to his own room. He was stopped when a sad looking Taemin tugged his sleeve.
“I’m sorry.” Taemin apologized, his voice fragile. “I’m really, really sorry. I have been really difficult towards all of you… I shouldn’t have gone out of the castle and-“
“Taemin.” Jinki turned back and cupped his cheeks. “I’m not angry with you. Remember when I sneaked out of the castle with Yoonhae? There was chaos back then too… Remember what you told me?”
Taemin blinked his tears as he shook his head.
“You said you’re glad I was fine and that they caught the bad men. And that everyone needs a break.” Jinki closed his eyes, pushing aside the resounding thought in his brain screaming but they hadn’t caught the bad men this time and Yoonhae isn’t back. “I’m really relieved and grateful that you came back in one piece. And Minho too.”
“But Noona isn’t back, hyung.” Taemin choked. “What if something bad happens to her?”
“You need to stop being so pessimistic, Taemin-ah.” Jinki forced a chuckle. I need to stop thinking negatively too. “I’m sure she’s all right, considering that she could capture a man armed with a rifle in less than 10 seconds.”
Taemin hugged Jinki and buried his head on Jinki’s chest. “Hyung, I feel so horrible…”
“Don’t be like that.” Jinki cooed. He honestly wasn’t in the best mood to comfort someone right now but he wasn’t lying when he said he was thankful that Taemin was fine. “Everything will be okay… Why don’t you go take care of Minho now? I want to go and get some rest too…”
Taemin sniffed then and straightened up. He wiped the remaining tears and nodded. “Good night, hyung.”
“Good night, Taemin-ah.”
They exchanged tired smiles and then Jinki left. He went to his own bedroom and his eyes immediately fell on the empty sofa at the side of the room.
He wished more than anything that Yoonhae would be sitting there to lull him to sleep as he laid his head on her laps again. But that was nothing more than a mere wish, so he got changed into his pajamas and threw himself onto the bed.
It felt like he hadn’t slept for an hour when someone knocked on his door. He wasn’t really deep asleep - after all it was impossible to sleep properly when his important person is missing. A jolt of hope pinched his heart as he hurriedly opens the door.
To his dismay, it was only Kyuhyun.
“I’m sorry for disturbing your rest, Prince Onew. We couldn’t locate Lady Yoonhae… We have combed the area three times, Your Majesty.” Kyuhyun reported, face looking clearly disappointed and worn out, “But we found traces of blood at the area Prince Taemin asked us to search at. I’m still asking the men to patrol around the town without making too much noise so the citizens wouldn’t get disturbed.”
Jinki felt the pit of his stomach lurched and burnt as the word blood came out of Kyuhyun’s mouth. He stammered some praises to Kyuhyun for his good work and asked him to keep searching before he closed the door, immediately dropping to the floor.
Please be alive. Please be all right. He chanted mentally. Please.
For the first time in his life he wished he wasn’t a prince… If only he could go and look for her by himself. But again, it was just a mere wish.
-*-
Yoonhae stirred from her long slumber and sat up. The surrounding was unfamiliar and she felt giddy from sleeping too long. She scanned the room and was slightly surprised to see four sleeping boys. The ones he recognized as Junhyung and Yoseob were sleeping on the other bed while the other two slept on the floor messily.
She checked herself then - her clothes were still dirty and there were bloodstains on the shoulder area… but at least she was still wearing clothes. Which meant they didn’t do any improper things to her. She then realized her wound was bandaged.
Why would they treat their enemy’s injury? She wondered. Then she remembered how Yoseob had saved her… Perhaps they are not really bad people.
“You are awake.” A tall man came out of the bathroom fully dressed - but she could tell he just showered from the nice fragrance of shampoo and soap. “You’ve been unconscious since two days ago… Fever from your wound I guess. You should thank Yoseob for taking care of you later.”
Yoonhae wanted to reply but her throat was dry so she let out a cough. Doojoon filled a glass with water and handed it to her.
“I’m Doojoon.” He introduced himself as he sat on a chair next to the bed Yoonhae was on. “I suppose you already know that the one who shot you was Junhyung, and the one who saved you was Yoseob. The one with short hair over there is Kikwang and the one looking like some misplaced Arab Prince is Dongwoon.”
Yoonhae sipped the water and nodded, trying to absorb why she was being introduced to the ‘bad guys’.
“I’m really sorry for Junhyung’s acts.” Doojoon continued drying his hair. “… I guess I should really fill you in about the details of what happened. I never meant for things to get so far. You and the princes wouldn’t even get involved if we had stopped Junhyung or Hyunseung from getting too far.”
“I don’t understand.” Yoonhae frowned. “Why are you telling me this?”
Doojoon looked at her in the eyes. “… The castle people… Are they heartless people?”
“What? No, of course not.”
“Well.” Doojoon sighed. “If I told you everything… Would you give Hyunseung back to us?”
Yoonhae didn’t detect any hint of trick or lies in Doojoon’s eyes. There were only two emotions swirling there: helplessness and sincerity. Doojoon wasn’t a bad person.
She then shifted herself to kneeling position and gestured at him to continue. Doojoon gave her a thankful smile before beginning his story.