Prince and the Pauper: Chapter One

[aznmen]

Title: The Prince and the Pauper
Author: Aznmen
Pairings: JaeMin, JaeSu, YooSu, YunChun
Words: 2256
Summary: When Prince Changmin falls off a balcony and the pauper, Jaejoong, saves him, it's the start of their own story. The kingdom is at war and an alliance marriage is necessary... what will happen of the Prince and the Pauper?


Chapter One:

Jaejoong and Changmin were astride two horses; Jaejoong’s black hair flew behind him, and Changmin was seen behind, attempting to catch up to him. The years had been kind on them, and Changmin’s beauty hadn’t faded as he became an older teenager. Jaejoong, now an always-clean boy, lost his baby looks and had darker eyes. Still, the look he was showing was clearly mischievous.

“Jaejoong, you’re cheating!” Changmin cried, urging his horse to go on faster.

Jaejoong smiled as he looked back, “No, I’m not! You’re just a horrible horse rider! I’m going to win!” Whispering encouraging words into his stallion’s ear, the horse ran faster, its legs galloping at full-speed.

Pouting, Changmin watched as Jaejoong’s magic with animals continued to let him win. Dismounting from his horse, he led her to her stable, and took off her saddle. “You should at least let me win sometime!”

“Would that make you feel any better?” Jaejoong asked, already cleaning up his horse.

Wiping her down, Changmin shook his head, and then realized Jaejoong didn’t see him, “I suppose not… but I will win against you one day! Just wait for it!”

Jaejoong shook his head, smirking, but continued to finish cooling down his horse.

Jaejoong had stayed at the castle ever since rescuing Changmin, and the two were still best friends. Changmin insisted that they stayed in the same room, but after hitting their teenage years, the two of them decided that it was better to sleep in different rooms.

Jaejoong received lessons on proper speech and etiquette. He also, after being requested by Changmin, joined Changmin in lessons of horseback riding, martial arts, archery, and Latin. He enjoyed each class, but Changmin always hated horseback riding, explaining why he was so bad at it. In retrospect, Jaejoong didn’t quite like Latin, and insisted on using it anyway, botching up words all the time.

Glancing at the sun’s place in the sky, Jaejoong bounced on his heels, “Changmin… hurry up!! It’s almost lunch time!”

Changmin shook his head, laughing at him, but also hurried up. He was hungry as well. Patting his horse’s rump, he followed Jaejoong.

As they neared the castle, Jaejoong insisted on running, and the smells seemed to fly into their noses. That only lured Jaejoong to the kitchens faster, and Changmin ended up slowing to a walk. The smells, while absolutely exquisite, and seemed to be of much better food then normally prepared. Was something going to happen today?

Finally opening the doors, Changmin headed to the kitchen and shook his head after seeing Jaejoong already in the kitchen with the cooks. Jaejoong had befriended the cook earlier in his stay there. It was the easiest way to get food.

“Moira?” Changmin called, entering the kitchen as well. “Do you know why there is such a nice palate today?”

Moira shook her head, but one of the passing by maids rushed over to Changmin. Her eyes sparkled with gossip - he knew one of the help would know - and she quickly clasped her hands together. “Milord, they’re actually talking about marrying you off to one of the local princesses! She’s visiting here today, and she’s absolutely gorgeous. You’ll love her! She seems to be really sweet, although a little haughty…” With a smile, the unknown maid quickly retreated, and Changmin threw a thank you out to her.

Jaejoong was grinning at him while also sipping one of the soups from a spoon. “What do you think about that? A fiancé already!”

Changmin shook his head at Jaejoong’s actions and sat down on one of the barrels. A fiancé. A wife. He knew this was coming, but to think that he had just turned 17… he was surprised he hadn’t been married off sooner. Why now?

“Changmin… you’re talking out loud.” Jaejoong smirked, now having a bun in his hand.

Changmin smiled, “Well, it helps organize my thoughts better, right?”

“… hmm… well, I’d want you if I were a girl, Changmin, if that makes you feel better.”

“Oh really?” Changmin asked, his eyebrow raising.

“Oh yes, I’m sure that any girl would want a rich, powerful man who falls off his horse, and can’t beat anyone in a race… I think that’s every girl’s ideal man.” Jaejoong went on, sampling the spiced apple cider.

Shaking his head incredulously, Changmin should have known. To think that Jaejoong would be serious for once.

“You’re thinking out loud again.”

“I know.”

“Yup.”

“Yup.”

Although unofficial, Jaejoong was practically part of the family, but not in any way able to inherit the throne. Still, being part of the family meant that he was able to sit at the nice table. The right-handed seat next to Changmin became his designated seat, and he smiled that it was still so when the girl came. She was sat on Changmin’s left side, and Jaejoong let himself check her over.

She was indeed beautiful. Long black hair curled down to the small of her back, and some of it curled beautifully into her face. She had dainty hands and a wonderful figure. Her features were soft, and despite her black hair, she was pale as a doll, and wore an attractive white dress.

Noticing him staring, she smiled at Jaejoong, who nodded his head back to her. Her smile seemed pure as well; she didn’t seem to be that bad! Jaejoong looked away, imperceptibly nodding his approval.

Changmin, being late, came in and sat in between them. The fiancé looked slightly stunned, and Jaejoong understood why. Changmin had run out and changed after the horseback excursion - Jaejoong hadn’t - and so he looked much more nicer than Jaejoong did. Leaning over, Jaejoong tapped Changmin’s shoulder. “Why’d you change? Now I look like crap…”

“Because this is a more … important occasion than it is to you.”

“But by changing, you just showed that you knew about it before your father told you… now he knows you asked one of the help.”

Cursing lightly under his breath, Changmin shook his head. “Oh well, I’m hungry… do you know why father hasn’t come in yet?”

Jaejoong shook his head, “I don’t know, but you might want to talk to the little miss over there, she’s looking awfully lonely.”

Changmin’s mouth formed a slight “oh,” and turned to his other side.

“May I ask milady’s name?” Changmin asked, smiling at her.

She grinned at him, “Yes, you may. My name’s Bo Mi.”

“Bo Mi.” Changmin repeated, letting the name be tested out on his tongue, “It’s a very pretty name.”

Bo Mi nodded to him, a grin on her face.

The king came rushing through the doors, his hand wiping the sweat off his brow, “Sorry I’m late! The horses got tired, and we had to stop and walk with them.” Quickly rushing into his chair, he sat back and let out a long sigh. “Ah! Bo Mi, you are here! How is your brother?”

“Well, you’ll actually be seeing him soon! He’s coming to visit the castle as well!” Bo Mi beamed, her face lighting up at the thought of her brother.

The dinner finished up faster then any of them expected, but once it finished another surprise was in store for them. The doors opened once more, not unlike when the king came rushing in, and in came a tall, majestic looking man. He was clean-shaven, with shaggy brown hair that seemed to fall down with what might be called a ‘casual elegance’. Changmin was instantly stunned by the man’s good looks, yet, when glancing to and from Bo Mi and the new comer, he was surprised by their similarities until he immediately felt stupid. This must be Jung Yunho. The other prince… her brother.

Jaejoong looked up as well with the others as the man had come in. Smiling at the man before him, he turned to the king for introductions. Instead it was Bo Mi who stood up.

“Yunho!!” Rushing over, she gave the stranger a big hug, and then turned to face the table. “This is my older brother, Yunho!”

The king stood up in respect, as did Changmin. Jaejoong, however, was probably stunned by the appearance, but also stood up rather hastily in an attempt to seem normal.

Yunho bowed in front of all of them, his sister still at his side, and opened his mouth in introduction. “My name is Yunho, and I’m prince of the Jung region. You already know my sister, Bo Mi, and I am accompanying her in her trip here. I hope you will allow my stay, and any hospitalities you offer will be greatly appreciated.” Bowing once, Yunho smiled at them.

Bo Mi grabbed onto Yunho’s arm, and smiled at him.

Jaejoong was given the honour of showing Yunho around the castle, and around the grounds. Changmin even allowed Yunho to use his horse while Jaejoong took him around.

“This is Nelli,” Jaejoong patted Changmin’s horse happily, “She’s Changmin’s horse, and she can go fast, but not when Changmin is riding her.” Laughing lightly to himself, “Changmin is horrible at horse riding.”

“We’ll see if she’ll grace us with her speed today…” Yunho grinned, mounting onto her.

“It will be quite a challenge for you to beat me in a race.” Jaejoong challenged, already on his horse.

“We’ll see if it’s such a challenge…” Yunho countered, urging Nelli on.

Chasing after Yunho, Jaejoong whispered the usual words to his stallion, an encouraging stroke along his ear. The horse sped across the grass, his muscles contracting letting a burst of speed flow through the steed. “There you go HaengBok, keep going. Keep going! You know you can do it.”

HaengBok quickly gained on Nelli, and Jaejoong grinned as they leveled together.

“I think I win.” Jaejoong shouted as HaengBok passed Nelli.

Yunho shook his head as he was passed, but he grinned all the same. It was surprising that Jaejoong had beat him, but he had seen the loving eyes Jaejoong had given to HaengBok, and he knew HaengBok must have been a very lucky horse to have such a master.

“These are the gardens.” Jaejoong motioned his hand out, showing off the beautiful flowers and plants growing there. “These were planted by Changmin’s mother before she died, and she used to take care of them before she got really sick. She eventually passed away, and the maids had to take care of them. They’ve done a really good job with the upkeep.” Roses twined on makeshift trellaces and various colourful flowers gave the garden splotches of life.

Yunho nodded, listening, but also liking the sound of Jaejoong’s voice.

“Do you like them?” Jaejoong suddenly asked, looking out towards the flowers.

Yunho smiled, surprised by the sudden question, and nodded his head. “They look really nice.”

Pushing him slightly away, Jaejoong grinned. Tilted to the side, Yunho quickly righted himself, only to push Jaejoong back with the force from the rocking. Both smirking at each other, they moved on.

“And these are the barracks. We won’t go in them, because … I don’t want to, but right over here…” Jaejoong continued to move on, “is the archery range… and over here is the open field where we practice fighting.”

“Archery?” Yunho asked.

Striding over to the outside range, Jaejoong stood in front of the shooting line. Nodding his head towards the straw targets, he asked, “Do you want to try?” Moving towards the rack where they kept the bows, he turned his head back to Yunho. “Do you want a twenty-pound bow? Or less… or?”

Yunho smiled, “I’m going to be lazy. Can I get a twenty-pound bow?”

Jaejoong laughed, “You are being lazy.” Still, he grabbed two twenty-pound bows, twenty arrows, and two wrist guards.

“Best out of ten?” Jaejoong asked, handing one of the bows, ten arrows, and a wrist guard to Yunho.

Quickly tying the wrist guard on, Jaejoong and Yunho stood behind thes hooting line for the targets and set aim. Letting the arrows go, they both quickly nocked another arrow and aimed again. Shoot, nock, aim, shoot, nock, aim. Finally all ten of their arrows were done, and they walked up to the targets.

Nine of Jaejoong’s were in the center, the tenth in the next ring. Yunho’s were all directly in the center, one arrow even having grazed another’s shaft and split part of it.

“I suppose you win this time…” Jaejoong pouted, taking the arrows from the target.

Changmin watched out the window as Jaejoong continued to show Yunho around. He knew his father was the one that had given the job to Jaejoong, but he wasn’t… the happiest that Jaejoong and Yunho seemed to be getting on so well.

“Changmin…?” Bo Mi asked behind him, her voice soft and hesitant.

Changmin quickly turned around, looking at his fiancé behind him, “Yes?”

“Shouldn’t… we be getting to know each other? Learning our… interests… and how to get along with each other?” Bo Mi asked, knowing the idea was a little farfetched. It wasn’t something that happened in this day and age… they would just be married, and deal with each other only because of the peace treaties between the two kingdoms.

“…” Changmin was momentarily speechless, but a little impressed at her mind. She was certainly interesting. “Alright then… what do you want to talk about?”

Bo Mi smiled, sitting down on one of the chairs. “I don’t know… we should just… get along?”

Changmin laughed. Sitting next to her, he smiled, “Alright… let’s get along.”

A/N: Ta da! First chapter~~ (the other one being a prologue xP); as you can see, I skipped in time! That's why it was a prologue xD (for those that were wanting to hear more about little Changmin and little Jae)~ Love!