Fortune's End [3/6]
Part 1 / Part 2
Luhan noticed Chanyeol’s absence immediately, the vacant seat blaring an unknown issue.
“Where is Chanyeol?” Luhan questioned Baekhyun. He did not miss the way the man looked completely disinterested in the question.
“He is ill,” Yixing answered.
“Ill?” Luhan frowned.
“Chanyeol de Kai is being cared for, you should not worry.” Baekhyun appeared wholly unconcerned.
“May I see him?” Luhan felt a particular soft spot for Chanyeol, considering him one of -no, probably his only real friend in the castle.
“It is not appropriate for one Gariadon to visit another,” Baekhyun responded, his voice monotone. He turned his attention to the lively discussion occurring further down the table, glancing away momentarily.
“What is proper?” Luhan’s biting question had Baekhyun staring at him, quirking in eyebrow.
“Excuse me?”
“What is proper? You seem to have all of the rules and regulations memorized, yet I know none of them.” Luhan challenged.
“Ah, Luhan de Jongdae, such knowledge will take time. I pray you have the opportunity to understand as much as I do once you acclimate yourself to the ways of the Western Court.” Baekhyun was condescending, tilting his head to the side as he smirked.
“I shall speak to his highness of this, perhaps he can find a way to educate me on the proper decorum.” Luhan returned the smirk, sipping his tea as he watched Baekhyun blanch - a momentary loss of control that was quickly covered up with a nod and words of encouragement.
Luhan didn’t mention decorum or court propriety to Jongdae. His biting words towards Baekhyun were forgotten by the time Jongdae entered his chambers in the early morning hours. The prince was exhausted, his movements slow, the dark circles under his eyes making him look far older than he was.
The concubine laid on the niceties, coddling and comforting the prince before giving himself to Jongdae, gasping at the shock of an orgasm he wasn’t expecting. It was a natural reaction, he told himself, trying yet again to reconcile his actions with his beliefs - with his hatred of what Jongdae stood for.
“We should go for a walk.” Jongdae surprised Luhan with the suggestion. The concubine had expected the prince to fall asleep almost immediately after his release just as he had for the past few nights.
“Hm.” Luhan agreed, unable to turn away a chance at leaving his chambers. He dressed quickly, helping Jongdae with his shirt once his own robes were in place.
Jongdae took Luhan’s hand in his own, leading him towards the door.
The prince knocked on the door, the guards outside opening the door without casting a glance at the couple who emerged. Jongdae led the way, down the long and winding passageways, up a winding stone staircase to a roughly hewn wooden door. Jongdae pushed the door open, a gust of wind nearly knocking the pair back.
Leading Luhan onto the castle parapet, the prince walked at a steady pace, Luhan nearly tripping over his robes as he was led forward. The night air was cool, the winds howling as the men traversed the walkway. Jongdae paused halfway across the walkway, pulling Luhan close. “Welcome to the best view of Dinas Gwynn you shall ever see.”
Jongdae let Luhan’s hand slip out of his own, the concubine using his newfound freedom to brace himself against the cold. The night sky was brilliant, hundreds of twinkling stars danced in the inky void, torches from the castle walls licking and crackling up towards the wide expanse of the night sky. Below them lay the city, white stone illuminated by the nearly full moon, the flickers of fires spotted here and there among the eerily white structures. Further yet, past the city walls, lay a void, a freedom of sorts that interested Luhan more than the elaborate prison he was housed in.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Jongdae sucked in the cool night air. “Refreshing.”
Luhan nodded, staring out at the place past the city walls, the place that would lead him to freedom one day if he worked hard enough.
The sounds of trumpets blaring at such a late hour had Luhan jumping in surprise, Jongdae laughing at his concubine’s reaction. The prince moved. Standing behind Luhan he pulled him into an embrace, whispering into his ear, “My knights are returning.”
“At this hour?” Luhan mumbled.
“They have likely captured those who dared to act out against my father,” the prince explained in hushed tones, adding, “We shall celebrate tomorrow.”
Luhan remained silent, listening as shouts sounded, the grating and groaning of the city gates rising ripping through the still of the night.
“You will be by my side,” Jongdae whispered, “as we celebrate.”
Luhan felt dead inside, wanting desperately to reach out towards the void, desiring it to swallow him whole, his inability to accept his situation still nagging acutely at his mental state.
When Luhan awoke the next morning Jongdae was already gone. Luhan felt a pang of disappointment. He was anxious that he had, in some way, set himself back with the Western Prince - therefore delaying his road towards freedom. When Kyungsoo appeared with his breakfast and the news that he would need to ready for a grand celebration, Luhan understood. Jongdae had left to deal with those returning, not because of his disappointment with Luhan. Or at least that is what he hoped.
The concubine’s tea was cancelled for the day; Luhan informed of such by Baekhyun. The man milled about Luhan’s room, a few hours of beyond awkward silences before Baekhyun announced that he would return soon. The procession to the celebration would require a strict hierarchal show by the Gariadon. It was another reminder that Baekhyun lorded over him in terms of court ritual. It was something Luhan may have pressed yet again if it wasn’t for his desire to have Baekhyun leave his room and give him some peace.
An hour later Baekhyun returned, flaunting his own ceremonial robes of a deep forest green, bowing to Luhan in a sign of respect. They departed the room under armed guard. “You shall lead the Gariadon to the feast,” Baekhyun explained. He walked two steps behind Luhan as they stopped at each door along the long hall.
Luhan realized that the concubines were housed by rank. His room was the last room on the long passageway, Yixing next, followed by the other concubines. It was a veritable mimic of how they sat when they took tea, their hierarchy clear.
Luhan paused at the end of the passageway, uncertain of where to step next. Baekhyun whispered directions in his ear. Luhan followed his words until the din of an ongoing celebration made it clear that they had arrived at the feasting hall.
The guards standing sentinel at the doors opened them wide and bowed to the line of concubines as they entered. Luhan’s eyes darted around the room. Baekhyun once again filled in the void of his knowledge, directing him to his seat. Luhan's nerves grated at the condescending tone Baekhyun assumed. Luhan didn’t see Jongdae at the table, nor anyone he would consider of the knightly class. Those chatting gave the concubines only a cursory glance as they took their places at the table.
“They shall arrive momentarily.” It was the only explanation that Baekhyun provided once they took their seats, Luhan assuming his place near the head of the table.
The room was far more impressive than the hall where the concubines took tea. Three fireplaces blazed, each hearth at least ten feet. The table was of a dark, almost black wood with places to seat fifty persons. The table was set with ornate silverware and drinkware. Plentiful amounts of meat were scattered along the impressive span of the table-scape. Luhan had never seen anything of the sort. Narrowing his eyes he considered how many starving people of the East such a feast could serve.
If anything, his distaste for the Westerners had only grown with his repeated encounters with Jongdae. It was the overblown pride of the Westerners that amplified the brutality of their crimes, their sense of right adding to the outright insanity that dictated their way of life. Luhan would need to leverage what he had set in motion during the last three nights, he reminded himself, and find a way towards freedom soon. He would escape, he had to. For Minseok.
Trumpets sounded as the doors were thrown open, Luhan following suit as those gathered around the table rose in greeting. He looked towards the door, hands clasped as he waited for Jongdae to enter.
The sight of the Prince of the Western Kingdom precipitated a deep bow from those gathered. The sound of a large number of people, boots hitting stone, echoed in the great feasting hall. Luhan saw that Yixing and Baekhyun still had their heads bowed as the men approached. He mimicked their behavior, he did not raise his head to look upon those entering.
Luhan sensed his presence when he passed by to take his place at the head of the table. “Please, sit,” the prince ordered. Luhan raised his head in time to feel Jongdae reach out and grasp his hand. Luhan was surprised at the public gesture, noting the way Jongdae looked at him with affection.
Luhan’s hand was still in Jongdae’s as the prince began to speak, proclaiming, “Let us celebrate the demise of those who dare challenge the rightful Western Kingdom. Please eat and drink in the honor of the brave knights that have so selflessly protected our kingdom from an evil presence.” Jongdae squeezed Luhan’s hand, letting it go as he raised his wine cup. “To Sir Yifan and Sir Minseok, Enill!”
Luhan held his wine glass aloft. He was ready for the toast, playing along, when he looked across the table, to the person sitting parallel to him. His eyes moved as the name sunk in, the visual in conjunction with the verbal hitting him full force.
“Drink!” The prince proclaimed, Luhan unable to move, his body frozen in shock. Was it…how could…had he gone mad…had Jongdae said…had…
“Are you well?” Jongdae whispered, Luhan barely realizing any time had passed. He looked at Jongdae, then to his wine cup. He took a drink, remembering where he was. Setting the cup down he stared ahead, unable to look away no matter the consequences. It couldn’t be…it…could it…
The same single-lidded eyes. The same wide cheeks. The same small mouth. He was staring back. Those dark eyes, the same deep brown that Luhan remembered twinkling with mischief as they fell into a pile of hay, laughter turning into kisses, into a love that was so deep it had torn Luhan’s heart out night and day for over ten years. Minseok.
“Minseok, I have missed you,” Baekhyun moved closer to the knight.
No. No. No. Luhan watched in horror as Baekhyun all but draped himself over Minseok, melding into his side. Luhan didn’t have the mental capacity to glare at Baekhyun, didn’t have the mental capacity to acknowledge what his fellow concubine was doing. He was frozen at the sight of him. Minseok.
“Minseok, I should personally convey, yet again, how much my family owes you.” Jongdae sliced through the tension that seemed invisible to everyone other than two lost souls, reconnecting after a decade spent apart. Jongdae reached out to pat Minseok on the shoulder. “You are, truly, my best knight.”
“It is nothing, your highness. I wish only to protect the rightful rulers of this land.” Minseok turned towards Jongdae, a crooked smile playing on his lips. Luhan felt his chest tighten, his world spin. Minseok was free. Minseok was a knight in the accursed army he hated more than anything else in the nightmare of a world he lived in. Minseok…had betrayed him. The ransom, the vagrant lifestyle was for naught. Minseok was…
How, how was it possible? How could Minseok ride under the banner of the same men who had so viciously taken him, ripping him away from Luhan with a bloody, fiery storm of violence? How…
“Yifan, I applaud your efforts as well.” A tall, blonde haired man nodded at Jongdae. He seemed disinterested in the accolades. Jongdae quickly turned his attention away from the quiet man and back to Minseok.
“You have been away from court too long, Minseok. I present to you my Gariadon, Luhan.” The prince moved an arm to rest behind Luhan.
Minseok made eye contact, Luhan wishing he could push Jongdae away. Despite his anger there was something there, a feeling that he didn’t want Minseok to think he was owned, that he was attached, that he belonged to another. Yet, Minseok had betrayed him, hadn’t he? Not to mention the fact Baekhyun was making it clear that his master had returned.
Luhan used all of his willpower to break eye contact with Minseok, looking instead down the long table. The feast was loud and boisterous, the tension crackling around him seemingly foreign to those who ate and drank down the long stretch of dark oak. He spotted Chanyeol, looking pale but smiling at Kai as he drank. He noticed Yixing and Sehun as well, Sehun’s arm draped around his concubine.
“Drink, eat,” Jongdae whispered at Luhan, the concubine tensing.
He needed to escape, to take his emotions elsewhere, where they were not under constant scrutiny. Betrayal, despair, anger, were all coursing through him, exacerbated by Jongdae’s sudden clinginess. He felt like he was falling. A complete emotional collapse was occurring within - yet he had to hold it together, at least until he was back in his chambers. The pain, the intensity, was mind-numbing.
“Your highness, when did your Gariadon arrive?” Minseok asked Jongdae, not bothering to look at the concubine. Luhan stared at the knight, trying hard to control his expression. He knew, he had to recognize him- or had he forgotten? Was Luhan no more than a flitting and unimportant moment in Minseok’s life? The anger was so intense at the thought that Luhan felt sick, he was fighting back tears, fighting back yelling, at making a scene.
“It has been a turn of the moon, I believe,” Jongdae answered.
Minseok didn’t inquire any further after Luhan. He fell into a long conversation with Jongdae over the state of the campaigns in the East, the hordes that were still filtering over the border were having great success, apparently. Luhan found the conversation distasteful, even if he was only half listening. The shock to his senses was too great to pay attention to what was going on around him.
The flow of wine and food was constant, Luhan picking at the meat that was passed his way. He didn’t drink the wine, not trusting himself to fall into an inebriated state at the moment. He watched, silently, as those gathered descended into drunkenness, concubines, knights, and nobles alike loosening their tongues as time passed.
Those gathered began to move about the table as the effects of the wine kicked in. Some left to relieve themselves, others wandered down the hall to engage in riotous discussions with those too far away to converse with while seated. The atmosphere of the celebration had turned informal, several men and women making their way to the head of the table to speak with Jongdae. Luhan bowed and smiled at the visitors, not speaking a word. They weren’t there to talk to him anyway; he was a decoration.
Luhan spent the majority of the time looking anywhere but across from him, not daring to catch Minseok’s eye. He couldn’t handle the painful revelation, not at the moment.
“Luhan, are you well?” Baekhyun asked loudly. “Have you fallen ill from your time stalking the walkways in the middle of the night?”
Luhan clenched his fists. How had Baekhyun known? “I saw you out my chamber window,” the concubine provided, smiling deviously. Did Baekhyun know about his past with Minseok or was there something else there? Baekhyun had always looked at Luhan distastefully, only seeming to tolerate him because of his rank. Now Luhan was reading more into the situation, wondering if his clashes with Baekhyun may have had a deeper meaning.
“I am feeling a little unwell,” Luhan answered tersely, unable to avoid noticing that Minseok was looking at him. Yet the knight’s gaze showed little concern, only a hint of interest present before he turned his attention back to the other knights gathered around Jongdae.
“How terrible to hear. Perhaps you should take your leave?” Baekhyun suggested, before adding, “I think this may be a long night, for some of us.” He looked at Minseok fondly, the insinuation in his statement clear.
Luhan waited for the knights to wander away, Minseok having disappeared to relieve himself. Baekhyun was halfway down the table conversing with Yixing before he took his chances with Jongdae.
“I am not feeling well, may I take my leave?” Luhan whispered to Jongdae, noticing how the prince frowned at his words. He had decided to chance it, asking for a reprieve from the celebration, hoping that Jongdae would agree in his tipsy state.
“What is the matter?” The prince was slurring his words, yet his expression showed genuine concern.
“I think it will pass soon, however, I believe I need rest.” Luhan hoped Jongdae would believe him.
“Yes, of course, rest.” Jongdae grabbed Luhan’s hand, patting it gently. “I won’t be able to bear it if you are ill.” Luhan feigned gratitude before standing, desperately needing to get away.
Luhan maneuvered around the men and women who crowded around the table. His eyes were firmly planted on the ground as his mind dissected the plethora of emotions he was feeling. When he reached the door he found guards ready to accompany him, of course, given the fact he was asking to take his leave. They couldn’t have the prince’s concubine escaping.
Luhan had noted the way from his room to the hall. He quickened his pace and strode towards a measure of privacy, a time to digest the events of the last few minutes, the armed soldiers a few steps behind him.
He was a few feet from the bottom of the staircase when the footsteps of the guards fell away, the sudden silence noticeable. Luhan turned around, confused, only to find himself face to face with a knight of the Western Kingdom.
“Why are you here?” Minseok hissed, taking a step forward, causing Luhan to step back lest he be run over.
“So you do remember me,” Luhan spat, staring Minseok down. In ten years Luhan had grown taller. Minseok was now the smallest of the pair when once they had been the same height. Somehow, in this situation, it made Luhan feel like he had some power, imaginary as it may be given the perilous nature of his mind at the moment.
“Answer me,” Minseok narrowed his eyes.
“I was taken, the same as you. Ah, but it seems that you're not captive anymore, now are you?” Luhan bit his tongue lest he betray how hurt he was, how devastated he was at finding Minseok dining with the enemy.
“You should-“
“Minseok!” It was Baekhyun, his voice echoing down the passageway.
One last, long look, and Minseok turned, stalking away, returning to his concubine. Luhan felt like a hollow shell, retreating to his chambers, a lifetime of belief shattered in the matter of an evening. He hated the Westerners even more now.
Luhan hadn’t bothered to get out of bed. He’d thrown the covers over himself as soon as he entered the room and had remained that way through the night and into the morning. He was too angry to cry, too distraught to sleep, his only company the sound of the howling winds outside his window. Outside his prison. Numb. He was numb.
Jongdae stayed away that night, freeing Luhan from having to tell him to leave. He wouldn’t- couldn’t handle such an encounter in his current state.
Kyungsoo was alone when he brought breakfast. He set the tray down on the trestle bench and all but ran to the bed. “Are you well?”
Luhan shrugged off the covers and sat up. “I am not feeling well, I will not be taking tea today.”
Kyungsoo appeared genuinely frightened by his condition. “Please, eat. You need to gather strength.”
“Why didn’t you tell me he was a knight?”
“Pardon?” Kyungsoo was easy to read. Luhan could tell the instant he felt uneasy, his entire posture changing.
“Minseok.” Luhan had a physical reaction to the name, a pain that made him want to recoil.
“Ahh, I…I do not know all of the knights of this court.” Kyungsoo bowed deeply. “Please, forgive me! He has been gone from court for so long!”
Luhan knew that the boy was lying, knew that he very well was aware of Minseok’s position. Yet he found it a waste of time to argue with the boy, not when the truth had been revealed. What good would it do to antagonize someone who had been genuinely kind to him?
“How long has he been gone?” Despite swallowing any accusatory remarks, Luhan had no qualms about interrogating Kyungsoo. In the last few weeks they had fallen into an easy relationship. Perhaps not a friendship, but there was something about the boy that had Luhan trusting him not to report his inquiries for personal gain.
“Three seasons, at least,” Kyungsoo reported. “Do you know him, sir?”
“How long has he been a knight?” Luhan ignored the question, earning a rebuke from Kyungsoo.
“If I answer your questions it is only fair you answer mine.” It was the boldest statement Luhan had ever heard from the boy.
“Yes, I knew him… a long time ago.” Luhan tried not to sound pathetic when he recounted the simple statement, yet he was sure there was sadness in his voice. Why was it utter despair and not fury that was overtaking him? He was angry, sure, but a large part of him was sad. He mourned his wasted years, he mourned a man he used to know. He mourned, a sadness inherent in his feelings.
“I know very little,” Kyungsoo spoke as he went about his work, his hands moving over the table in the room, straightening as he explained. “His highness favors him for his loyalty. It is whispered he is from the East.”
“He is,” Luhan confirmed.
“I am not certain the circumstances of his knighthood, only that it occurred many years ago. At least six years.”
“Baekhyun is his concubine.” It was a statement. Luhan knew from the previous night it was the truth, a sickening reality. How could he- Minseok, of all people.
“Aye. He is rarely at court, however, so Baekhyun spends most of his time watching over the other concubines. That is all I know of him, sir.”
“Thank you.” Luhan collapsed back into bed. “Kyungsoo, thank you.”
The boy sighed. “Try to eat, please.”
Kyungsoo returned to straightening up the room, Luhan ignoring his breakfast. When the eunuch spoke it was in a low voice, Luhan having to repeat the words in his head before he could understand what the boy was saying. “Yifan, did you see Yifan?”
Luhan thought back to the feast, remembering that Jongdae had mentioned another name aside from Minseok’s. “I am not sure, what does he look like?”
“Tall, blonde.”
“Ah, yes. He was rather quiet.”
Kyungsoo fell silent after that. Luhan returned to his misery, pulling the bedcovers over his face as he brooded.
The day after Minseok arrived at Dinas Gwynn, Luhan was dragged out of his self-imposed exile.
Baekhyun barged into Luhan’s chambers, pulling the bedcovers off of the concubine. “Your presence is required this evening.”
Luhan wanted to see Baekhyun about as much as he wanted to see Minseok, the very sight of the man sickening him.
“Are you too ill to attend?” Baekhyun raked his eyes over Luhan’s form. “The ceremony is very important, it should reflect poorly on you if you are not present.”
“What is this ceremony?” Luhan realized there was no life in his words, his tone dead and disinterested.
“Yixing is being joined to his master in Eriall,” Baekhyun explained.
So Yixing had finally controlled Sehun into what he wanted - he had played the game most effectively and now he was gaining his freedom. Luhan wanted to laugh at the thought.
“I shall expect you to lead the Gariadon to the ceremony as is fitting your rank. Kyungsoo and Nana shall have your ceremonial robes brought to you.”
The door shut. A turn of a key. Luhan stared at the ceiling, wondering how long it would be before his mind would reach the point of no return.
Luhan couldn’t understand most of the ceremony, the words foreign to his ears. It was a minor problem compounded by his interest in closing off his senses lest he remember he was once again standing only a few feet away from Minseok.
Luhan went about the actions that were required of him, leading the men and women to their masters, standing at Jongdae’s side, feigning a small smile now and then when it was appropriate. He caught Minseok staring at him more than once, quickly averting his eyes.
Yixing was dressed in the clothing of a nobleman, no longer a concubine as he took vows, his tall and lanky knight beaming from ear to ear throughout the ceremony.
Baekhyun had mentioned Yixing would be leaving court after the ceremony, given freedom to spend time with his new consort before returning as a fully recognized nobleman. Luhan listened to the vows, each word indicating another moment closer to Yixing walking away from Dinas Gwynn.
After the ceremony the couple fell into conversation with those who attended, mingling with the crowd. When Yixing reached the concubines he smiled fondly at Luhan.
Luhan managed to congratulate Yixing, his ill will not extending to a man who had shown him only kindness and a much needed dose of brutal honesty.
“You are free,” Luhan muttered as he embraced the former concubine.
“As you shall be,” Yixing spoke into Luhan’s ears, the words only for the two of them.
“I hope you are happy, and I shall miss you.” Luhan glanced at Sehun as Yixing broke their embrace. The knight was watching Yixing with love in his eyes, a fondness that one could not ignore.
“I shall miss you, too.” Yixing hugged Luhan to him tightly once again, whispering. “You shall find your own ounce of freedom, soon. Remember what I said, the day we met, Luhan.”
Yixing was soon pulled away by other well-wishers, Luhan left to debate the merits of how much giving his body had gained him. For Yixing it had presented freedom, for Luhan it was a maze of confusion and anger.
A celebration followed the joining, the brightest element of the event being the fact Minseok was seated far away from Luhan and Jongdae.
“I hope we shall find such happiness, Luhan,” Jongdae whispered to Luhan, the concubine paling.
He feigned illness for a second night in a row, the Western Prince frowning as his concubine retreated to his chambers. Luhan hazarded one glance back towards the table as he left, his eyes meeting Minseok’s. The man stared at him through the din of celebration.
Luhan remained absent from the Concubine’s tea for a week. His only contact was with Kyungsoo, Nana, and a belligerent Baekhyun, paying a daily visit in an attempt to guilt the senior concubine out of bed. Jongdae stayed away, Kyungsoo whispering that he had heard the prince was too afraid to be taken ill to chance a visit to Luhan. It was better that way, Luhan thought, that he would scare the prince away. He did receive letters, long and detailed, Jongdae pouring out his worries high level as he spoke of his wishes for Luhan to recover quickly. Luhan crumpled each letter and threw them into the fireplace. He found such correspondence only compounded his unstable mood.
A sadness shifted to pure anger to regret and back to anger in the week he kept to his chambers. A thousand memories melded into a thousand futures he had planned for himself. It resulted in a bitter and resolute persona. Luhan would do anything to be free, he decided, to spite them all.
The morning that Luhan arose from bed, determined, was the last morning the Gariadon would be allowed the freedom of tea for many weeks. It was a future that no one could have foreseen, even the man that villagers once called seer.
The Concubine’s tea was stiff, formal, as Luhan sat at the head of the table. He could sense the other concubines’ distrust of him, likely born of his absence and the whispering that most certainly followed his disappearance from formal ceremonies. He didn’t doubt Baekhyun had likely fueled any ill will directed his way.
Yixing’s seat was empty, a reminder of the loss of a Gariadon, the person who would fill the empty space not yet formalized. Luhan realized at that moment how much he missed Yixing sitting to his right, his blunt statements and matter of fact outlook no longer shielding Luhan from Baekhyun.
“The masters will be embarking on a hunt tomorrow.” Baekhyun was in high spirits, annoying Luhan. “A select few Gariadon shall accompany them.”
“Who shall attend?” Luhan asked, dreading that he would be among those sent.
“It is by rank, of course. You shall attend, I shall ride with Minseok.” Baekhyun gestured to Chanyeol and another concubine. “Tis a select few that are given such a privilege.”
Luhan remained quiet as he considered what a hunt may entail. Perhaps he would have a chance at running away. The thought gave him hope. Perhaps it would all be over soon. When a week, two weeks prior he had found freedom in Jongdae’s bed, he now looked for any way to escape, no longer feeling he possessed the ability to play such a power game.
“Luhan, if you are well enough I should like to walk you through the management of the Gariadon soon. You are the highest ranking among us, after all, it shall be your duty once you are educated on the matter.”
Luhan wanted to laugh, instead he fought back. “You seem to like ruling over us all, Baekhyun. I shan’t take that away from you.”
Baekhyun did not respond, finding conversation with another, ignoring Luhan’s bold statement.
Luhan found sleep elusive that night, formulating in his mind what he would do if the possibility of escape presented itself to him. Jongdae didn’t visit, which Luhan was thankful for. The last thing he wanted was to face the Western Prince and his urges. No, he wasn’t going to submit, not that night. Not if running away was a possibility - trading his body for freedom relegated back to the plan of last resort.
Nana visited early in the morning, a hunting outfit in hand. She helped him into a royal blue tunic and dark brown trousers, pulling the leather boots onto Luhan’s feet as he leaned against the wall for support. After dressing him, the serving girl admired her handiwork. “You are very handsome.”
The sun had barely risen over the horizon when Baekhyun stalked into his room, dressed in his own, forest green, hunting clothes.
“Let us go, the masters shall be ready soon.” Baekhyun didn’t wait for Luhan, leaving the concubine to trace his steps from afar.
The sight of two dozen horses in the courtyard, bridled for hunting, was impressive. Luhan balked at the large steed that he was directed towards. “Tis His Highness’s steed.” The servant explained, the large black stallion giving the impression of danger and unpredictability.
The prince and his knights filtered out of the castle, taking to their steeds with an easy air. Jongdae caught Luhan’s hand in his own, squeezing it. “You are feeling well today, I hope.”
Luhan had caught sight of Minseok with Baekhyun, momentarily distracted that he did not hear Jongdae.
“Dare I think you look at another?” Jongdae questioned, positioning his hands on Luhan’s hips. The action gained his concubine’s attention.
“No,” Luhan answered simply. Jongdae mounted the horse, pulling Luhan onto the steed after him. Luhan wrapped his arms around the prince, holding tight as the procession of nobles and their prized horses began their journey towards the hunting grounds.
Luhan noted the gate that he had never before seen, a northern passage out of the castle proper, leading to freedom outside the city. A forest loomed ahead, perfect hunting grounds. The thought of foliage to cover his tracks gave Luhan hope. Perhaps he could escape, darting off when no one was looking, provided he was allowed to dismount Jongdae’s horse at some point.
The sky turned grey as the men dismounted, the terrain growing too uneven to continue on their horses. A pack of dogs chased their prey, the men following after. “Stay with the other Gariadon,” Jongdae instructed as he strode into the dense forest, bow and arrow in hand. Luhan watched him go, considering when he should make his escape. He had convinced himself he had to take the opportunity. Recent circumstances only increased his sense of urgency, his need to be away from the Western Kingdom forever.
Baekhyun, Chanyeol, and the other concubine, a woman by the name of Sun Young, were quick to approach Luhan.
“A storm is upon us.” Baekhyun pointed towards the sky. “We should secure the horses.”
Luhan helped corral the animals towards the thin birch trees, the perfect width for tying the horses lest the panic in the impending storm. After the work was done Baekhyun moved to Minseok’s horse, recovering a traveling bag. “We should ready food.”
Luhan bit his bottom lip, his eyes darting towards the woods. He could escape, if only he wasn’t being watched. Soldiers had accompanied the hunting party, though most of the men had followed Jongdae when he left. Baekhyun was the main source of surveillance for Luhan now, and his eyes rarely left Luhan for more than a few passing seconds. He considered attacking the man and running. Chanyeol would likely follow him, right? He debated the action as he watched Baekhyun bend over a fallen tree stump, digging through his pack.
A high pitched caw was the only warning. Baekhyun looked up within seconds of the raven clawing into his face. Screaming, the others charged towards the strange scene. Luhan recognized Tao at once and, understanding what was occurring, he turned heel and ran as fast as he could, disappearing into the forest.
Luhan ran, jumping over fallen branches, ducking under the fallen limbs that were mounted in the earth. The wind was blowing, a seemingly constant occurrence in the West. He ran, struggling against the strong breeze and unable to look back as he chased freedom. He could hear Baekhyun’s screams as he ran, knowing Tao must be drawing blood in an attempt to give Luhan an opportunity to escape. When the sound of screams stopped, Luhan had little time to consider if the attack was over or if he had covered enough distance to no longer be privy to the noise.
A light rain began to fall as Luhan continued to run, the ground growing wet and causing him to slip a few times. Every time he found himself half on the ground he hoisted himself back up and continued. There was no way to know if soldiers were already after him, and if so how close they may be. He was certain that his absence would not go unnoticed for long. It wasn’t as though he escaped from a crowd- there were only four concubines present.
He ran east, the only direction he was certain of, and his certainty was very faulty at best. He had no way to know what lie on the other side of the forest, nor how to reach the Eastern Kingdom without being caught. He was deep in enemy territory, without food or water, only the desire for freedom pushing him forward. It was a risky, reckless position to be in, but one that was infinitely better than a life lived under lock and key, warming a Western Prince’s bed while a traitorous ex-lover looked on.
The rain began to come down in sheets, blinding Luhan as he pushed through the underbrush. His clothing was soaked through, his hair plastered to his face, his feet unable to find stable footing for longer than a few minutes at a time. Stumbling forward, through the downpour, he grasped at branches to steady himself. He cursed as the sharp underbrush cut his hands. It sliced through his tunic, scraping up his face as he ran.
The underbrush was so dense in this part of the forest, it was impossible to make out the ground under the vegetation. Not that if he had been able to see the ground clearly he would have avoided it; no, he was too focused on looking ahead, not at what he was stumbling over.
A loud snap was the precursor to an intense amount of pain. Luhan collapsed to the ground as his left foot felt like it had been shorn clean from his leg. Unable to stop himself, he cried out in pain, gasping as he reached towards his afflicted leg. He couldn’t see what his leg was caught in, he assumed it must be some sort of hunting trap. The pain was excruciating, worse than any pain he had ever felt in his life. The fact that his chance at freedom was likely gone didn’t even occur to him, his entire body reacting to the searing burn, unable to consider anything but the immense amount of hurt.
The rain was still coming down, letting up only slightly. Luhan tried to tug his leg free of whatever trap held him, but the pain was so intense he could do nothing more than collapse onto the ground, writhing as he grew dizzy from blood loss.
So he would die like this, he thought. Alone in a Western forest, having been betrayed by Minseok, having given himself to his enemy in the name of freedom, only to find his last breaths would be taken under a Western sky.
A caw. Tao. Luhan knew he must be near, unsure where, his vision growing hazy, he tried to call to his friend. “Tao…Tao.” He lost consciousness, his head falling back as the blood loss proved to be too much.
Luhan coughed, spurting up a mouthful of rainwater as he regained consciousness. He felt so cold, wet and miserable, the pain still unbearable. Sticks snapping indicated someone was nearing, the noise of heavy boots clear as Luhan grasped at his leg, knowing he was about to be found out. By whom, he didn’t know, but it likely didn’t matter. His escape would be shared among the Westerners, if his current injury didn’t kill him they most certainly would.
“Luhan!”
He tried to focus his eyes, only realizing who was approaching when the man was bent over him. Minseok.
Minseok began clearing away the vegetation, when his hand hit Luhan’s leg the man scrunched his face up in pain, crying out.
Minseok gasped as he took in the sight, choking back further emotion while he spoke evenly, “Luhan, you are caught in a trap. Please, lie still, I will free you.”
Luhan let his head fall back. Minseok, of course it was Minseok who found him. Why not be betrayed once again, this time leading to his death? A funny, horrible life he led. Why would he expect it to end any differently?
Luhan lay limp, unmoving as he heard a blade hit metal, Minseok grunting. A few seconds later Luhan felt the pressure around his ankle disappear. “Move back!” Minseok ordered. Luhan was surprised to find enough strength to drag himself backwards a few inches before the sounds of the trap snapping shut sounded.
Luhan watched as Minseok leaned in to inspect his injured leg, the pressure from Minseok’s hand making him wince. “It isn’t severed, thank god. Though I think the bone may be broken.”
“Does it matter?” Luhan spat, his voice hoarse.
Minseok narrowed his eyes at the injured man.
“They will kill me anyway. Does it matter my leg is broken?” Luhan struggled to prop himself up on his elbows, his arms slipping on the wet ground.
“I won’t let them kill you,” Minseok said firmly.
“And I am supposed to believe that? You are one of them, are you not?” Luhan gave up trying to prop himself up, collapsing back on the wet ground. “Why aren’t you killing me now?”
“Luhan,” Minseok spoke softly, “There are things you are not aware of, reasons-“
The pain was ignored for a moment as Luhan let loose what he needed to say, what had been festering in him for days. “Ten years, Minseok. I spent ten years wandering, lying to innocent villagers to earn as much coin as possible, all because I wanted to pay a ransom. How stupid of me, to throw my life away for a fantasy.”
The clatter of armor indicated that soldiers were nearing, their shouts loud. Luhan guessed there were at least half a dozen of them. Minseok shot Luhan a pained look as the men neared, Luhan looking away, too angry to care.
Suddenly Minseok grasped Luhan’s hand in his own, squeezing it for a moment before pulling away. Luhan turned to look at the knight in surprise, the moment too short to come to any sort of understanding.
“Sir Minseok!” They had been spotted.
“He is injured,” Minseok stood, explaining rapidly. “The Prince’s Gariadon was trying to find his way back to camp when he stepped on a trap. He shall need to be carried back.”
Luhan felt himself being lifted from the wet ground, only realizing it was Minseok who was carrying him when he was inches from the other man’s face. “Hold on,” Minseok instructed him, pulling Luhan tightly to his chest. Luhan wrapped his arms around Minseok’s neck, begrudgingly burying his head in the man’s shoulder as Minseok began to walk. He would have protested, if it wasn’t for the intense pain and the realization that Minseok had just tried to save his life. If Jongdae would believe the story was another matter, entirely.
The rain began abating as they walked, Luhan still wet and shivering, the pain in his ankle burning. “Please, hang in there. We will back to camp soon,” Minseok whispered. Luhan grimaced as each step forward jostled him ever so, each movement another intense bolt of pain shooting through his body.
It seemed like forever, the time it took for Minseok to carry him back to camp. When they arrived there were shouts. Luhan was too dazed to realize who was speaking and what was being said. Crying out as his body was lifted, Luhan slumped forward, only realizing he had been placed on a horse when his face was nearly buried in the animal’s mane.
“I am taking you back,” Minseok spoke, wrapping his arms around Luhan’s middle, holding him tightly as he spurred the animal into a trot. The wind was whipping as they made their way back to the castle, Minseok returning him to his prison. Luhan would have argued, spewed words of hatred, if he had been able. At the moment he was only able to focus on staying semi upright, the world dim and foggy.
Luhan awoke to near darkness, the flicker of a few candles the only illumination in the room. Blinking rapidly he tried to sit up. Then he felt the pain in his ankle and immediately collapsed back into bed.
“Luhan.”
It was Jongdae, sitting at his bedside. Luhan felt the prince take his hand, gently caressing the back of it with his fingers. “Rest, you are injured.”
Luhan closed his eyes, recalling what had happened. He wasn’t dead or thrown in some decrepit dungeon, which must mean Jongdae believed whatever Minseok had told him. So he had saved him after all.
“The healer says you will recover.” Jongdae sounded concerned. Luhan didn’t want to understand what it meant, what the worried words from the Western Prince implied.
Luhan slipped back into darkness, not waking again until there was sunlight streaming into his chambers.
The dramatic happenings among the Gariadon were not over. Luhan didn’t learn of the full extent until a few days after his injury. Each day that passed he felt stronger, his leg bandaged, tended to by Kyungsoo and inspected twice a day by the court healer. By the third day he could hobble towards the trestle bench, his injured leg useless as he attempted to steady himself with each jump forward.
Jongdae visited every night, usually only to look upon Luhan without saying a word, sometimes reaching out to run his hand through the concubine’s hair. Luhan bore the affectionate touches, pretending to be asleep as soon as he heard the key in the lock. The fact that he wasn’t being sentenced to death for his attempted escape shocked him. This fact alone giving him some hope that all was not lost - he could recover, he could try again. He could play the game again.
On the third day following his injury, he surprised Kyungsoo when the eunuch arrived with his breakfast.
“Sir! You are up!” Kyungsoo nearly spilled the tray as he rushed to set it on the table, eying Luhan with concern.
“I am.” Luhan smiled weakly. “Though I doubt I will take tea today.”
Kyungsoo cast a puzzled look at Luhan before whispering, “The tea ceremonies are not being held, not anymore.”
“What?” Luhan had come to understand the concubine’s tea as some sort of unbreakable ritual.
“Yixing de Sehun escaped,” Kyungsoo spoke in hushed tones.
Luhan widened his eyes. So he had done it - he had used Sehun towards his goal of freedom?! Luhan had once thought Yixing was as set on freedom as he was, all of his talk about using his body towards that goal hard to ignore. Yet at his joining ceremony he looked genuinely happy, so much so Luhan had come to believe that perhaps the man was in love - and willing to stay in the West.
“The Prince has ordered all Gariadon to stay in their chambers until further notice,” Kyungsoo explained. “Though part of that may be due to you and Baekhyun’s injuries.”
“How is Baekhyun?” Luhan wondered how much damage Tao had done, clawing into the man’s face. When he had gained full consciousness the day after his injury he had panicked, worried Tao had been killed after the attack. When he had sat up enough to look out the window he spotted a familiar black bird circling overhead, alleviating his fears.
“He shall be scarred, but not badly.” Kyungsoo added, “I dare say you suffered the worse injury. How the bird must have scared you to run away like that.”
Luhan wondered if that was what Jongdae thought - if that is what Minseok had told everyone - Luhan had run in terror at the sight of Tao attacking Baekhyun. If so, he would assume such a tale as the truth, fulfilling the lie as best as he could in the interest of self-preservation.
“His highness will be overjoyed at the news of your progress.” Kyungsoo beamed at Luhan, unable to hide his own happiness at his recovery.
“Kyungsoo?” Luhan shouldn’t ask the question - no, he should let it go. Yet, he was speaking to someone he trusted, at least enough to ask such a thing to.
“Hm?”
“What of Minseok?”
“Ah, he left court the day of your injury,” Kyungsoo reported.
Luhan looked towards the window, towards the overcast sky. He couldn’t help but wonder - where had Minseok gone. The fact he was so engrossed in thinking about the knight caused him to feel utter disgust at his mental weakness.
“Kyungsoo said you were up and about today.” Jongdae beamed at Luhan.
Luhan nodded. He was sitting up in bed, his injured leg still causing him a good deal of pain. He had decided not to feign sleep when Jongdae came that night. The reason was a horrible lie that he repeated to himself time and time again, hoping he would come to believe it. He told himself it was because he needed to understand what Jongdae thought happened some days prior. It was not because he wanted to know where Minseok had ridden off to, no.
Jongdae sat down slowly, not wanting to jostle Luhan. When he was seated he reached for Luhan’s hand. “You have no idea how afraid I have been, that you wouldn’t recover.”
“I am feeling better each passing day.” Luhan’s tone was emotionless. The way that Jongdae fawned over him made him feel uncomfortable. It spoke of a connection that Luhan did not want to form - affection, dare he say some kind of deep-seated bond that was wholly one-sided on the prince’s part. Yet…in a way it served the Western Prince right, to fall for him, to want what he could never have - Luhan’s heart. Perhaps it was silly, petty even, but if it was the only blow that Luhan could deal to the Western Kingdom than it might be enough.
“That day…” Luhan tested the waters. “I was so afraid.”
“It must have been horrible to see such an attack, I can understand why you ran.” Jongdae looked upon Luhan with understanding. “It is a blessing Minseok was able to find you and return you to me.”
Return him to Jongdae. That is what Minseok had done, carried him back to his captivity. Luhan swallowed his anger for a moment. “Minseok, he seems so loyal.” He was fishing for information on Minseok as subtly as possible.
“Hmm.” Jongdae appeared momentarily distracted, staring at Luhan’s hand, resting in his own. “Luhan, I will be away for a while.”
“Away?” Luhan repeated, forgetting about Minseok.
Jongdae sat up, positioning himself just so in order to look into the concubine’s eyes. “It is time I return to the front. It is not good for our warriors if I am gone too long.”
So he was leaving to wage war against the East, why Luhan would expect anything less was foolish.
“I - please, do not laugh at me.” Jongdae sucked in a breath before continuing. “I wished, hoped you could accompany me, but it is not possible in your condition. I shall return before the seasons change, and you shall have time to heal.”
Luhan let the words fly, not holding back. He regretted them as he spoke, worried he had set himself back. “Why? Why did you want me to accompany you?”
Jongdae let Luhan’s hand go. He looked worried, or perhaps sad, Luhan wasn’t sure which one. Dragging his hand through his hair he sighed. “I am a fool, Luhan, a complete and total fool and missing you is one of those things that makes me foolish.”
Luhan digested Jongdae’s words, feeling uncomfortable. When he didn’t say anything Jongdae continued, “Did I ever tell you about my mother?”
“No.”
Jongdae sighed. “She was a Gariadon, not even an Eriall. She was one of many - my father, he keeps more than one Gariadon.”
“You are half Eastern?” Luhan had never considered that Jongdae could be anything but pure blooded Western.
Jongdae chuckled. “Yes, surprising, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Luhan was shocked.
“Anyway, my mother never truly had my father’s love, not with a harem at his disposal, not when he already loved his chief Gariadon, enough to make him Eriall. My mother was a sad woman, Luhan, and that sadness was the thing I remember about her most. She died when I was young, always unhappy. That is why I knew I could only ever have one Gariadon, and whoever I chose had to be someone I thought I could love, not someone who would waste away as my mother did.”
Luhan saw the pain in Jongdae’s expression. He almost felt bad for him - almost.
“Ah, so that is why I wanted you to accompany me. That is why I will miss you - because I want this to be more than a physical relationship. I want more than that.”
It was as close of a declaration of love that Luhan would get out of the prince at the moment and it was enough to make the concubine feel like he had somehow accomplished something; that he hadn’t wasted his time spending nights in Jongdae’s arms.
“I shall be here when you return,” Luhan assured the prince, knowing that the only reason he would be at court was because he hadn’t found an opportunity to escape, but Jongdae didn’t need to know that. He didn’t need to know that, nor hear any falsehoods of Luhan’s own feelings. No, he didn’t need to have hope beyond what he had created in his own mind. Jongdae could fool himself with thoughts that his concubine was falling for him, deluding his mind with the possibility that his slave had begun to feel things for him.
“Hm, and I shall think of that every day.” Jongdae smiled fondly.
Luhan pursed his lips, unable to return the affectionate words. In many ways he was relieved that Jongdae would be gone.
“In my absence, I don’t want you cooped up in here all day- when you are well enough to walk, that is.” Jongdae surprised him. “I have instructed the servants and guards to allow you certain freedoms while I am gone. You shall be allowed out to the gardens, and I give you freedom to move about the keep, as long as you take the guards with you.”
It was safe to say, Luhan thought, that Jongdae was hopelessly smitten with him. Either that or he was stupid; allowing Luhan more freedom was begging for another escape attempt.
“Thank you.” Luhan was genuinely grateful for the opportunity, though not for the reasons Jongdae likely believed. “I shall cherish such trust.”
“Consider it my present for not being able to take you with me.” Jongdae pouted. “I really shall miss you.”
Luhan breathed a sigh of relief when Jongdae left shortly after his confession. It had been too much to stomach, remaining silent as the man who was responsible for so much misery in his life talked of fondness, of a painful separation, and of the false promise of freedom like it was something Luhan should swoon over.
Part 4>>>
Luhan noticed Chanyeol’s absence immediately, the vacant seat blaring an unknown issue.
“Where is Chanyeol?” Luhan questioned Baekhyun. He did not miss the way the man looked completely disinterested in the question.
“He is ill,” Yixing answered.
“Ill?” Luhan frowned.
“Chanyeol de Kai is being cared for, you should not worry.” Baekhyun appeared wholly unconcerned.
“May I see him?” Luhan felt a particular soft spot for Chanyeol, considering him one of -no, probably his only real friend in the castle.
“It is not appropriate for one Gariadon to visit another,” Baekhyun responded, his voice monotone. He turned his attention to the lively discussion occurring further down the table, glancing away momentarily.
“What is proper?” Luhan’s biting question had Baekhyun staring at him, quirking in eyebrow.
“Excuse me?”
“What is proper? You seem to have all of the rules and regulations memorized, yet I know none of them.” Luhan challenged.
“Ah, Luhan de Jongdae, such knowledge will take time. I pray you have the opportunity to understand as much as I do once you acclimate yourself to the ways of the Western Court.” Baekhyun was condescending, tilting his head to the side as he smirked.
“I shall speak to his highness of this, perhaps he can find a way to educate me on the proper decorum.” Luhan returned the smirk, sipping his tea as he watched Baekhyun blanch - a momentary loss of control that was quickly covered up with a nod and words of encouragement.
Luhan didn’t mention decorum or court propriety to Jongdae. His biting words towards Baekhyun were forgotten by the time Jongdae entered his chambers in the early morning hours. The prince was exhausted, his movements slow, the dark circles under his eyes making him look far older than he was.
The concubine laid on the niceties, coddling and comforting the prince before giving himself to Jongdae, gasping at the shock of an orgasm he wasn’t expecting. It was a natural reaction, he told himself, trying yet again to reconcile his actions with his beliefs - with his hatred of what Jongdae stood for.
“We should go for a walk.” Jongdae surprised Luhan with the suggestion. The concubine had expected the prince to fall asleep almost immediately after his release just as he had for the past few nights.
“Hm.” Luhan agreed, unable to turn away a chance at leaving his chambers. He dressed quickly, helping Jongdae with his shirt once his own robes were in place.
Jongdae took Luhan’s hand in his own, leading him towards the door.
The prince knocked on the door, the guards outside opening the door without casting a glance at the couple who emerged. Jongdae led the way, down the long and winding passageways, up a winding stone staircase to a roughly hewn wooden door. Jongdae pushed the door open, a gust of wind nearly knocking the pair back.
Leading Luhan onto the castle parapet, the prince walked at a steady pace, Luhan nearly tripping over his robes as he was led forward. The night air was cool, the winds howling as the men traversed the walkway. Jongdae paused halfway across the walkway, pulling Luhan close. “Welcome to the best view of Dinas Gwynn you shall ever see.”
Jongdae let Luhan’s hand slip out of his own, the concubine using his newfound freedom to brace himself against the cold. The night sky was brilliant, hundreds of twinkling stars danced in the inky void, torches from the castle walls licking and crackling up towards the wide expanse of the night sky. Below them lay the city, white stone illuminated by the nearly full moon, the flickers of fires spotted here and there among the eerily white structures. Further yet, past the city walls, lay a void, a freedom of sorts that interested Luhan more than the elaborate prison he was housed in.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Jongdae sucked in the cool night air. “Refreshing.”
Luhan nodded, staring out at the place past the city walls, the place that would lead him to freedom one day if he worked hard enough.
The sounds of trumpets blaring at such a late hour had Luhan jumping in surprise, Jongdae laughing at his concubine’s reaction. The prince moved. Standing behind Luhan he pulled him into an embrace, whispering into his ear, “My knights are returning.”
“At this hour?” Luhan mumbled.
“They have likely captured those who dared to act out against my father,” the prince explained in hushed tones, adding, “We shall celebrate tomorrow.”
Luhan remained silent, listening as shouts sounded, the grating and groaning of the city gates rising ripping through the still of the night.
“You will be by my side,” Jongdae whispered, “as we celebrate.”
Luhan felt dead inside, wanting desperately to reach out towards the void, desiring it to swallow him whole, his inability to accept his situation still nagging acutely at his mental state.
When Luhan awoke the next morning Jongdae was already gone. Luhan felt a pang of disappointment. He was anxious that he had, in some way, set himself back with the Western Prince - therefore delaying his road towards freedom. When Kyungsoo appeared with his breakfast and the news that he would need to ready for a grand celebration, Luhan understood. Jongdae had left to deal with those returning, not because of his disappointment with Luhan. Or at least that is what he hoped.
The concubine’s tea was cancelled for the day; Luhan informed of such by Baekhyun. The man milled about Luhan’s room, a few hours of beyond awkward silences before Baekhyun announced that he would return soon. The procession to the celebration would require a strict hierarchal show by the Gariadon. It was another reminder that Baekhyun lorded over him in terms of court ritual. It was something Luhan may have pressed yet again if it wasn’t for his desire to have Baekhyun leave his room and give him some peace.
An hour later Baekhyun returned, flaunting his own ceremonial robes of a deep forest green, bowing to Luhan in a sign of respect. They departed the room under armed guard. “You shall lead the Gariadon to the feast,” Baekhyun explained. He walked two steps behind Luhan as they stopped at each door along the long hall.
Luhan realized that the concubines were housed by rank. His room was the last room on the long passageway, Yixing next, followed by the other concubines. It was a veritable mimic of how they sat when they took tea, their hierarchy clear.
Luhan paused at the end of the passageway, uncertain of where to step next. Baekhyun whispered directions in his ear. Luhan followed his words until the din of an ongoing celebration made it clear that they had arrived at the feasting hall.
The guards standing sentinel at the doors opened them wide and bowed to the line of concubines as they entered. Luhan’s eyes darted around the room. Baekhyun once again filled in the void of his knowledge, directing him to his seat. Luhan's nerves grated at the condescending tone Baekhyun assumed. Luhan didn’t see Jongdae at the table, nor anyone he would consider of the knightly class. Those chatting gave the concubines only a cursory glance as they took their places at the table.
“They shall arrive momentarily.” It was the only explanation that Baekhyun provided once they took their seats, Luhan assuming his place near the head of the table.
The room was far more impressive than the hall where the concubines took tea. Three fireplaces blazed, each hearth at least ten feet. The table was of a dark, almost black wood with places to seat fifty persons. The table was set with ornate silverware and drinkware. Plentiful amounts of meat were scattered along the impressive span of the table-scape. Luhan had never seen anything of the sort. Narrowing his eyes he considered how many starving people of the East such a feast could serve.
If anything, his distaste for the Westerners had only grown with his repeated encounters with Jongdae. It was the overblown pride of the Westerners that amplified the brutality of their crimes, their sense of right adding to the outright insanity that dictated their way of life. Luhan would need to leverage what he had set in motion during the last three nights, he reminded himself, and find a way towards freedom soon. He would escape, he had to. For Minseok.
Trumpets sounded as the doors were thrown open, Luhan following suit as those gathered around the table rose in greeting. He looked towards the door, hands clasped as he waited for Jongdae to enter.
The sight of the Prince of the Western Kingdom precipitated a deep bow from those gathered. The sound of a large number of people, boots hitting stone, echoed in the great feasting hall. Luhan saw that Yixing and Baekhyun still had their heads bowed as the men approached. He mimicked their behavior, he did not raise his head to look upon those entering.
Luhan sensed his presence when he passed by to take his place at the head of the table. “Please, sit,” the prince ordered. Luhan raised his head in time to feel Jongdae reach out and grasp his hand. Luhan was surprised at the public gesture, noting the way Jongdae looked at him with affection.
Luhan’s hand was still in Jongdae’s as the prince began to speak, proclaiming, “Let us celebrate the demise of those who dare challenge the rightful Western Kingdom. Please eat and drink in the honor of the brave knights that have so selflessly protected our kingdom from an evil presence.” Jongdae squeezed Luhan’s hand, letting it go as he raised his wine cup. “To Sir Yifan and Sir Minseok, Enill!”
Luhan held his wine glass aloft. He was ready for the toast, playing along, when he looked across the table, to the person sitting parallel to him. His eyes moved as the name sunk in, the visual in conjunction with the verbal hitting him full force.
“Drink!” The prince proclaimed, Luhan unable to move, his body frozen in shock. Was it…how could…had he gone mad…had Jongdae said…had…
“Are you well?” Jongdae whispered, Luhan barely realizing any time had passed. He looked at Jongdae, then to his wine cup. He took a drink, remembering where he was. Setting the cup down he stared ahead, unable to look away no matter the consequences. It couldn’t be…it…could it…
The same single-lidded eyes. The same wide cheeks. The same small mouth. He was staring back. Those dark eyes, the same deep brown that Luhan remembered twinkling with mischief as they fell into a pile of hay, laughter turning into kisses, into a love that was so deep it had torn Luhan’s heart out night and day for over ten years. Minseok.
“Minseok, I have missed you,” Baekhyun moved closer to the knight.
No. No. No. Luhan watched in horror as Baekhyun all but draped himself over Minseok, melding into his side. Luhan didn’t have the mental capacity to glare at Baekhyun, didn’t have the mental capacity to acknowledge what his fellow concubine was doing. He was frozen at the sight of him. Minseok.
“Minseok, I should personally convey, yet again, how much my family owes you.” Jongdae sliced through the tension that seemed invisible to everyone other than two lost souls, reconnecting after a decade spent apart. Jongdae reached out to pat Minseok on the shoulder. “You are, truly, my best knight.”
“It is nothing, your highness. I wish only to protect the rightful rulers of this land.” Minseok turned towards Jongdae, a crooked smile playing on his lips. Luhan felt his chest tighten, his world spin. Minseok was free. Minseok was a knight in the accursed army he hated more than anything else in the nightmare of a world he lived in. Minseok…had betrayed him. The ransom, the vagrant lifestyle was for naught. Minseok was…
How, how was it possible? How could Minseok ride under the banner of the same men who had so viciously taken him, ripping him away from Luhan with a bloody, fiery storm of violence? How…
“Yifan, I applaud your efforts as well.” A tall, blonde haired man nodded at Jongdae. He seemed disinterested in the accolades. Jongdae quickly turned his attention away from the quiet man and back to Minseok.
“You have been away from court too long, Minseok. I present to you my Gariadon, Luhan.” The prince moved an arm to rest behind Luhan.
Minseok made eye contact, Luhan wishing he could push Jongdae away. Despite his anger there was something there, a feeling that he didn’t want Minseok to think he was owned, that he was attached, that he belonged to another. Yet, Minseok had betrayed him, hadn’t he? Not to mention the fact Baekhyun was making it clear that his master had returned.
Luhan used all of his willpower to break eye contact with Minseok, looking instead down the long table. The feast was loud and boisterous, the tension crackling around him seemingly foreign to those who ate and drank down the long stretch of dark oak. He spotted Chanyeol, looking pale but smiling at Kai as he drank. He noticed Yixing and Sehun as well, Sehun’s arm draped around his concubine.
“Drink, eat,” Jongdae whispered at Luhan, the concubine tensing.
He needed to escape, to take his emotions elsewhere, where they were not under constant scrutiny. Betrayal, despair, anger, were all coursing through him, exacerbated by Jongdae’s sudden clinginess. He felt like he was falling. A complete emotional collapse was occurring within - yet he had to hold it together, at least until he was back in his chambers. The pain, the intensity, was mind-numbing.
“Your highness, when did your Gariadon arrive?” Minseok asked Jongdae, not bothering to look at the concubine. Luhan stared at the knight, trying hard to control his expression. He knew, he had to recognize him- or had he forgotten? Was Luhan no more than a flitting and unimportant moment in Minseok’s life? The anger was so intense at the thought that Luhan felt sick, he was fighting back tears, fighting back yelling, at making a scene.
“It has been a turn of the moon, I believe,” Jongdae answered.
Minseok didn’t inquire any further after Luhan. He fell into a long conversation with Jongdae over the state of the campaigns in the East, the hordes that were still filtering over the border were having great success, apparently. Luhan found the conversation distasteful, even if he was only half listening. The shock to his senses was too great to pay attention to what was going on around him.
The flow of wine and food was constant, Luhan picking at the meat that was passed his way. He didn’t drink the wine, not trusting himself to fall into an inebriated state at the moment. He watched, silently, as those gathered descended into drunkenness, concubines, knights, and nobles alike loosening their tongues as time passed.
Those gathered began to move about the table as the effects of the wine kicked in. Some left to relieve themselves, others wandered down the hall to engage in riotous discussions with those too far away to converse with while seated. The atmosphere of the celebration had turned informal, several men and women making their way to the head of the table to speak with Jongdae. Luhan bowed and smiled at the visitors, not speaking a word. They weren’t there to talk to him anyway; he was a decoration.
Luhan spent the majority of the time looking anywhere but across from him, not daring to catch Minseok’s eye. He couldn’t handle the painful revelation, not at the moment.
“Luhan, are you well?” Baekhyun asked loudly. “Have you fallen ill from your time stalking the walkways in the middle of the night?”
Luhan clenched his fists. How had Baekhyun known? “I saw you out my chamber window,” the concubine provided, smiling deviously. Did Baekhyun know about his past with Minseok or was there something else there? Baekhyun had always looked at Luhan distastefully, only seeming to tolerate him because of his rank. Now Luhan was reading more into the situation, wondering if his clashes with Baekhyun may have had a deeper meaning.
“I am feeling a little unwell,” Luhan answered tersely, unable to avoid noticing that Minseok was looking at him. Yet the knight’s gaze showed little concern, only a hint of interest present before he turned his attention back to the other knights gathered around Jongdae.
“How terrible to hear. Perhaps you should take your leave?” Baekhyun suggested, before adding, “I think this may be a long night, for some of us.” He looked at Minseok fondly, the insinuation in his statement clear.
Luhan waited for the knights to wander away, Minseok having disappeared to relieve himself. Baekhyun was halfway down the table conversing with Yixing before he took his chances with Jongdae.
“I am not feeling well, may I take my leave?” Luhan whispered to Jongdae, noticing how the prince frowned at his words. He had decided to chance it, asking for a reprieve from the celebration, hoping that Jongdae would agree in his tipsy state.
“What is the matter?” The prince was slurring his words, yet his expression showed genuine concern.
“I think it will pass soon, however, I believe I need rest.” Luhan hoped Jongdae would believe him.
“Yes, of course, rest.” Jongdae grabbed Luhan’s hand, patting it gently. “I won’t be able to bear it if you are ill.” Luhan feigned gratitude before standing, desperately needing to get away.
Luhan maneuvered around the men and women who crowded around the table. His eyes were firmly planted on the ground as his mind dissected the plethora of emotions he was feeling. When he reached the door he found guards ready to accompany him, of course, given the fact he was asking to take his leave. They couldn’t have the prince’s concubine escaping.
Luhan had noted the way from his room to the hall. He quickened his pace and strode towards a measure of privacy, a time to digest the events of the last few minutes, the armed soldiers a few steps behind him.
He was a few feet from the bottom of the staircase when the footsteps of the guards fell away, the sudden silence noticeable. Luhan turned around, confused, only to find himself face to face with a knight of the Western Kingdom.
“Why are you here?” Minseok hissed, taking a step forward, causing Luhan to step back lest he be run over.
“So you do remember me,” Luhan spat, staring Minseok down. In ten years Luhan had grown taller. Minseok was now the smallest of the pair when once they had been the same height. Somehow, in this situation, it made Luhan feel like he had some power, imaginary as it may be given the perilous nature of his mind at the moment.
“Answer me,” Minseok narrowed his eyes.
“I was taken, the same as you. Ah, but it seems that you're not captive anymore, now are you?” Luhan bit his tongue lest he betray how hurt he was, how devastated he was at finding Minseok dining with the enemy.
“You should-“
“Minseok!” It was Baekhyun, his voice echoing down the passageway.
One last, long look, and Minseok turned, stalking away, returning to his concubine. Luhan felt like a hollow shell, retreating to his chambers, a lifetime of belief shattered in the matter of an evening. He hated the Westerners even more now.
Luhan hadn’t bothered to get out of bed. He’d thrown the covers over himself as soon as he entered the room and had remained that way through the night and into the morning. He was too angry to cry, too distraught to sleep, his only company the sound of the howling winds outside his window. Outside his prison. Numb. He was numb.
Jongdae stayed away that night, freeing Luhan from having to tell him to leave. He wouldn’t- couldn’t handle such an encounter in his current state.
Kyungsoo was alone when he brought breakfast. He set the tray down on the trestle bench and all but ran to the bed. “Are you well?”
Luhan shrugged off the covers and sat up. “I am not feeling well, I will not be taking tea today.”
Kyungsoo appeared genuinely frightened by his condition. “Please, eat. You need to gather strength.”
“Why didn’t you tell me he was a knight?”
“Pardon?” Kyungsoo was easy to read. Luhan could tell the instant he felt uneasy, his entire posture changing.
“Minseok.” Luhan had a physical reaction to the name, a pain that made him want to recoil.
“Ahh, I…I do not know all of the knights of this court.” Kyungsoo bowed deeply. “Please, forgive me! He has been gone from court for so long!”
Luhan knew that the boy was lying, knew that he very well was aware of Minseok’s position. Yet he found it a waste of time to argue with the boy, not when the truth had been revealed. What good would it do to antagonize someone who had been genuinely kind to him?
“How long has he been gone?” Despite swallowing any accusatory remarks, Luhan had no qualms about interrogating Kyungsoo. In the last few weeks they had fallen into an easy relationship. Perhaps not a friendship, but there was something about the boy that had Luhan trusting him not to report his inquiries for personal gain.
“Three seasons, at least,” Kyungsoo reported. “Do you know him, sir?”
“How long has he been a knight?” Luhan ignored the question, earning a rebuke from Kyungsoo.
“If I answer your questions it is only fair you answer mine.” It was the boldest statement Luhan had ever heard from the boy.
“Yes, I knew him… a long time ago.” Luhan tried not to sound pathetic when he recounted the simple statement, yet he was sure there was sadness in his voice. Why was it utter despair and not fury that was overtaking him? He was angry, sure, but a large part of him was sad. He mourned his wasted years, he mourned a man he used to know. He mourned, a sadness inherent in his feelings.
“I know very little,” Kyungsoo spoke as he went about his work, his hands moving over the table in the room, straightening as he explained. “His highness favors him for his loyalty. It is whispered he is from the East.”
“He is,” Luhan confirmed.
“I am not certain the circumstances of his knighthood, only that it occurred many years ago. At least six years.”
“Baekhyun is his concubine.” It was a statement. Luhan knew from the previous night it was the truth, a sickening reality. How could he- Minseok, of all people.
“Aye. He is rarely at court, however, so Baekhyun spends most of his time watching over the other concubines. That is all I know of him, sir.”
“Thank you.” Luhan collapsed back into bed. “Kyungsoo, thank you.”
The boy sighed. “Try to eat, please.”
Kyungsoo returned to straightening up the room, Luhan ignoring his breakfast. When the eunuch spoke it was in a low voice, Luhan having to repeat the words in his head before he could understand what the boy was saying. “Yifan, did you see Yifan?”
Luhan thought back to the feast, remembering that Jongdae had mentioned another name aside from Minseok’s. “I am not sure, what does he look like?”
“Tall, blonde.”
“Ah, yes. He was rather quiet.”
Kyungsoo fell silent after that. Luhan returned to his misery, pulling the bedcovers over his face as he brooded.
The day after Minseok arrived at Dinas Gwynn, Luhan was dragged out of his self-imposed exile.
Baekhyun barged into Luhan’s chambers, pulling the bedcovers off of the concubine. “Your presence is required this evening.”
Luhan wanted to see Baekhyun about as much as he wanted to see Minseok, the very sight of the man sickening him.
“Are you too ill to attend?” Baekhyun raked his eyes over Luhan’s form. “The ceremony is very important, it should reflect poorly on you if you are not present.”
“What is this ceremony?” Luhan realized there was no life in his words, his tone dead and disinterested.
“Yixing is being joined to his master in Eriall,” Baekhyun explained.
So Yixing had finally controlled Sehun into what he wanted - he had played the game most effectively and now he was gaining his freedom. Luhan wanted to laugh at the thought.
“I shall expect you to lead the Gariadon to the ceremony as is fitting your rank. Kyungsoo and Nana shall have your ceremonial robes brought to you.”
The door shut. A turn of a key. Luhan stared at the ceiling, wondering how long it would be before his mind would reach the point of no return.
Luhan couldn’t understand most of the ceremony, the words foreign to his ears. It was a minor problem compounded by his interest in closing off his senses lest he remember he was once again standing only a few feet away from Minseok.
Luhan went about the actions that were required of him, leading the men and women to their masters, standing at Jongdae’s side, feigning a small smile now and then when it was appropriate. He caught Minseok staring at him more than once, quickly averting his eyes.
Yixing was dressed in the clothing of a nobleman, no longer a concubine as he took vows, his tall and lanky knight beaming from ear to ear throughout the ceremony.
Baekhyun had mentioned Yixing would be leaving court after the ceremony, given freedom to spend time with his new consort before returning as a fully recognized nobleman. Luhan listened to the vows, each word indicating another moment closer to Yixing walking away from Dinas Gwynn.
After the ceremony the couple fell into conversation with those who attended, mingling with the crowd. When Yixing reached the concubines he smiled fondly at Luhan.
Luhan managed to congratulate Yixing, his ill will not extending to a man who had shown him only kindness and a much needed dose of brutal honesty.
“You are free,” Luhan muttered as he embraced the former concubine.
“As you shall be,” Yixing spoke into Luhan’s ears, the words only for the two of them.
“I hope you are happy, and I shall miss you.” Luhan glanced at Sehun as Yixing broke their embrace. The knight was watching Yixing with love in his eyes, a fondness that one could not ignore.
“I shall miss you, too.” Yixing hugged Luhan to him tightly once again, whispering. “You shall find your own ounce of freedom, soon. Remember what I said, the day we met, Luhan.”
Yixing was soon pulled away by other well-wishers, Luhan left to debate the merits of how much giving his body had gained him. For Yixing it had presented freedom, for Luhan it was a maze of confusion and anger.
A celebration followed the joining, the brightest element of the event being the fact Minseok was seated far away from Luhan and Jongdae.
“I hope we shall find such happiness, Luhan,” Jongdae whispered to Luhan, the concubine paling.
He feigned illness for a second night in a row, the Western Prince frowning as his concubine retreated to his chambers. Luhan hazarded one glance back towards the table as he left, his eyes meeting Minseok’s. The man stared at him through the din of celebration.
Luhan remained absent from the Concubine’s tea for a week. His only contact was with Kyungsoo, Nana, and a belligerent Baekhyun, paying a daily visit in an attempt to guilt the senior concubine out of bed. Jongdae stayed away, Kyungsoo whispering that he had heard the prince was too afraid to be taken ill to chance a visit to Luhan. It was better that way, Luhan thought, that he would scare the prince away. He did receive letters, long and detailed, Jongdae pouring out his worries high level as he spoke of his wishes for Luhan to recover quickly. Luhan crumpled each letter and threw them into the fireplace. He found such correspondence only compounded his unstable mood.
A sadness shifted to pure anger to regret and back to anger in the week he kept to his chambers. A thousand memories melded into a thousand futures he had planned for himself. It resulted in a bitter and resolute persona. Luhan would do anything to be free, he decided, to spite them all.
The morning that Luhan arose from bed, determined, was the last morning the Gariadon would be allowed the freedom of tea for many weeks. It was a future that no one could have foreseen, even the man that villagers once called seer.
The Concubine’s tea was stiff, formal, as Luhan sat at the head of the table. He could sense the other concubines’ distrust of him, likely born of his absence and the whispering that most certainly followed his disappearance from formal ceremonies. He didn’t doubt Baekhyun had likely fueled any ill will directed his way.
Yixing’s seat was empty, a reminder of the loss of a Gariadon, the person who would fill the empty space not yet formalized. Luhan realized at that moment how much he missed Yixing sitting to his right, his blunt statements and matter of fact outlook no longer shielding Luhan from Baekhyun.
“The masters will be embarking on a hunt tomorrow.” Baekhyun was in high spirits, annoying Luhan. “A select few Gariadon shall accompany them.”
“Who shall attend?” Luhan asked, dreading that he would be among those sent.
“It is by rank, of course. You shall attend, I shall ride with Minseok.” Baekhyun gestured to Chanyeol and another concubine. “Tis a select few that are given such a privilege.”
Luhan remained quiet as he considered what a hunt may entail. Perhaps he would have a chance at running away. The thought gave him hope. Perhaps it would all be over soon. When a week, two weeks prior he had found freedom in Jongdae’s bed, he now looked for any way to escape, no longer feeling he possessed the ability to play such a power game.
“Luhan, if you are well enough I should like to walk you through the management of the Gariadon soon. You are the highest ranking among us, after all, it shall be your duty once you are educated on the matter.”
Luhan wanted to laugh, instead he fought back. “You seem to like ruling over us all, Baekhyun. I shan’t take that away from you.”
Baekhyun did not respond, finding conversation with another, ignoring Luhan’s bold statement.
Luhan found sleep elusive that night, formulating in his mind what he would do if the possibility of escape presented itself to him. Jongdae didn’t visit, which Luhan was thankful for. The last thing he wanted was to face the Western Prince and his urges. No, he wasn’t going to submit, not that night. Not if running away was a possibility - trading his body for freedom relegated back to the plan of last resort.
Nana visited early in the morning, a hunting outfit in hand. She helped him into a royal blue tunic and dark brown trousers, pulling the leather boots onto Luhan’s feet as he leaned against the wall for support. After dressing him, the serving girl admired her handiwork. “You are very handsome.”
The sun had barely risen over the horizon when Baekhyun stalked into his room, dressed in his own, forest green, hunting clothes.
“Let us go, the masters shall be ready soon.” Baekhyun didn’t wait for Luhan, leaving the concubine to trace his steps from afar.
The sight of two dozen horses in the courtyard, bridled for hunting, was impressive. Luhan balked at the large steed that he was directed towards. “Tis His Highness’s steed.” The servant explained, the large black stallion giving the impression of danger and unpredictability.
The prince and his knights filtered out of the castle, taking to their steeds with an easy air. Jongdae caught Luhan’s hand in his own, squeezing it. “You are feeling well today, I hope.”
Luhan had caught sight of Minseok with Baekhyun, momentarily distracted that he did not hear Jongdae.
“Dare I think you look at another?” Jongdae questioned, positioning his hands on Luhan’s hips. The action gained his concubine’s attention.
“No,” Luhan answered simply. Jongdae mounted the horse, pulling Luhan onto the steed after him. Luhan wrapped his arms around the prince, holding tight as the procession of nobles and their prized horses began their journey towards the hunting grounds.
Luhan noted the gate that he had never before seen, a northern passage out of the castle proper, leading to freedom outside the city. A forest loomed ahead, perfect hunting grounds. The thought of foliage to cover his tracks gave Luhan hope. Perhaps he could escape, darting off when no one was looking, provided he was allowed to dismount Jongdae’s horse at some point.
The sky turned grey as the men dismounted, the terrain growing too uneven to continue on their horses. A pack of dogs chased their prey, the men following after. “Stay with the other Gariadon,” Jongdae instructed as he strode into the dense forest, bow and arrow in hand. Luhan watched him go, considering when he should make his escape. He had convinced himself he had to take the opportunity. Recent circumstances only increased his sense of urgency, his need to be away from the Western Kingdom forever.
Baekhyun, Chanyeol, and the other concubine, a woman by the name of Sun Young, were quick to approach Luhan.
“A storm is upon us.” Baekhyun pointed towards the sky. “We should secure the horses.”
Luhan helped corral the animals towards the thin birch trees, the perfect width for tying the horses lest the panic in the impending storm. After the work was done Baekhyun moved to Minseok’s horse, recovering a traveling bag. “We should ready food.”
Luhan bit his bottom lip, his eyes darting towards the woods. He could escape, if only he wasn’t being watched. Soldiers had accompanied the hunting party, though most of the men had followed Jongdae when he left. Baekhyun was the main source of surveillance for Luhan now, and his eyes rarely left Luhan for more than a few passing seconds. He considered attacking the man and running. Chanyeol would likely follow him, right? He debated the action as he watched Baekhyun bend over a fallen tree stump, digging through his pack.
A high pitched caw was the only warning. Baekhyun looked up within seconds of the raven clawing into his face. Screaming, the others charged towards the strange scene. Luhan recognized Tao at once and, understanding what was occurring, he turned heel and ran as fast as he could, disappearing into the forest.
Luhan ran, jumping over fallen branches, ducking under the fallen limbs that were mounted in the earth. The wind was blowing, a seemingly constant occurrence in the West. He ran, struggling against the strong breeze and unable to look back as he chased freedom. He could hear Baekhyun’s screams as he ran, knowing Tao must be drawing blood in an attempt to give Luhan an opportunity to escape. When the sound of screams stopped, Luhan had little time to consider if the attack was over or if he had covered enough distance to no longer be privy to the noise.
A light rain began to fall as Luhan continued to run, the ground growing wet and causing him to slip a few times. Every time he found himself half on the ground he hoisted himself back up and continued. There was no way to know if soldiers were already after him, and if so how close they may be. He was certain that his absence would not go unnoticed for long. It wasn’t as though he escaped from a crowd- there were only four concubines present.
He ran east, the only direction he was certain of, and his certainty was very faulty at best. He had no way to know what lie on the other side of the forest, nor how to reach the Eastern Kingdom without being caught. He was deep in enemy territory, without food or water, only the desire for freedom pushing him forward. It was a risky, reckless position to be in, but one that was infinitely better than a life lived under lock and key, warming a Western Prince’s bed while a traitorous ex-lover looked on.
The rain began to come down in sheets, blinding Luhan as he pushed through the underbrush. His clothing was soaked through, his hair plastered to his face, his feet unable to find stable footing for longer than a few minutes at a time. Stumbling forward, through the downpour, he grasped at branches to steady himself. He cursed as the sharp underbrush cut his hands. It sliced through his tunic, scraping up his face as he ran.
The underbrush was so dense in this part of the forest, it was impossible to make out the ground under the vegetation. Not that if he had been able to see the ground clearly he would have avoided it; no, he was too focused on looking ahead, not at what he was stumbling over.
A loud snap was the precursor to an intense amount of pain. Luhan collapsed to the ground as his left foot felt like it had been shorn clean from his leg. Unable to stop himself, he cried out in pain, gasping as he reached towards his afflicted leg. He couldn’t see what his leg was caught in, he assumed it must be some sort of hunting trap. The pain was excruciating, worse than any pain he had ever felt in his life. The fact that his chance at freedom was likely gone didn’t even occur to him, his entire body reacting to the searing burn, unable to consider anything but the immense amount of hurt.
The rain was still coming down, letting up only slightly. Luhan tried to tug his leg free of whatever trap held him, but the pain was so intense he could do nothing more than collapse onto the ground, writhing as he grew dizzy from blood loss.
So he would die like this, he thought. Alone in a Western forest, having been betrayed by Minseok, having given himself to his enemy in the name of freedom, only to find his last breaths would be taken under a Western sky.
A caw. Tao. Luhan knew he must be near, unsure where, his vision growing hazy, he tried to call to his friend. “Tao…Tao.” He lost consciousness, his head falling back as the blood loss proved to be too much.
Luhan coughed, spurting up a mouthful of rainwater as he regained consciousness. He felt so cold, wet and miserable, the pain still unbearable. Sticks snapping indicated someone was nearing, the noise of heavy boots clear as Luhan grasped at his leg, knowing he was about to be found out. By whom, he didn’t know, but it likely didn’t matter. His escape would be shared among the Westerners, if his current injury didn’t kill him they most certainly would.
“Luhan!”
He tried to focus his eyes, only realizing who was approaching when the man was bent over him. Minseok.
Minseok began clearing away the vegetation, when his hand hit Luhan’s leg the man scrunched his face up in pain, crying out.
Minseok gasped as he took in the sight, choking back further emotion while he spoke evenly, “Luhan, you are caught in a trap. Please, lie still, I will free you.”
Luhan let his head fall back. Minseok, of course it was Minseok who found him. Why not be betrayed once again, this time leading to his death? A funny, horrible life he led. Why would he expect it to end any differently?
Luhan lay limp, unmoving as he heard a blade hit metal, Minseok grunting. A few seconds later Luhan felt the pressure around his ankle disappear. “Move back!” Minseok ordered. Luhan was surprised to find enough strength to drag himself backwards a few inches before the sounds of the trap snapping shut sounded.
Luhan watched as Minseok leaned in to inspect his injured leg, the pressure from Minseok’s hand making him wince. “It isn’t severed, thank god. Though I think the bone may be broken.”
“Does it matter?” Luhan spat, his voice hoarse.
Minseok narrowed his eyes at the injured man.
“They will kill me anyway. Does it matter my leg is broken?” Luhan struggled to prop himself up on his elbows, his arms slipping on the wet ground.
“I won’t let them kill you,” Minseok said firmly.
“And I am supposed to believe that? You are one of them, are you not?” Luhan gave up trying to prop himself up, collapsing back on the wet ground. “Why aren’t you killing me now?”
“Luhan,” Minseok spoke softly, “There are things you are not aware of, reasons-“
The pain was ignored for a moment as Luhan let loose what he needed to say, what had been festering in him for days. “Ten years, Minseok. I spent ten years wandering, lying to innocent villagers to earn as much coin as possible, all because I wanted to pay a ransom. How stupid of me, to throw my life away for a fantasy.”
The clatter of armor indicated that soldiers were nearing, their shouts loud. Luhan guessed there were at least half a dozen of them. Minseok shot Luhan a pained look as the men neared, Luhan looking away, too angry to care.
Suddenly Minseok grasped Luhan’s hand in his own, squeezing it for a moment before pulling away. Luhan turned to look at the knight in surprise, the moment too short to come to any sort of understanding.
“Sir Minseok!” They had been spotted.
“He is injured,” Minseok stood, explaining rapidly. “The Prince’s Gariadon was trying to find his way back to camp when he stepped on a trap. He shall need to be carried back.”
Luhan felt himself being lifted from the wet ground, only realizing it was Minseok who was carrying him when he was inches from the other man’s face. “Hold on,” Minseok instructed him, pulling Luhan tightly to his chest. Luhan wrapped his arms around Minseok’s neck, begrudgingly burying his head in the man’s shoulder as Minseok began to walk. He would have protested, if it wasn’t for the intense pain and the realization that Minseok had just tried to save his life. If Jongdae would believe the story was another matter, entirely.
The rain began abating as they walked, Luhan still wet and shivering, the pain in his ankle burning. “Please, hang in there. We will back to camp soon,” Minseok whispered. Luhan grimaced as each step forward jostled him ever so, each movement another intense bolt of pain shooting through his body.
It seemed like forever, the time it took for Minseok to carry him back to camp. When they arrived there were shouts. Luhan was too dazed to realize who was speaking and what was being said. Crying out as his body was lifted, Luhan slumped forward, only realizing he had been placed on a horse when his face was nearly buried in the animal’s mane.
“I am taking you back,” Minseok spoke, wrapping his arms around Luhan’s middle, holding him tightly as he spurred the animal into a trot. The wind was whipping as they made their way back to the castle, Minseok returning him to his prison. Luhan would have argued, spewed words of hatred, if he had been able. At the moment he was only able to focus on staying semi upright, the world dim and foggy.
Luhan awoke to near darkness, the flicker of a few candles the only illumination in the room. Blinking rapidly he tried to sit up. Then he felt the pain in his ankle and immediately collapsed back into bed.
“Luhan.”
It was Jongdae, sitting at his bedside. Luhan felt the prince take his hand, gently caressing the back of it with his fingers. “Rest, you are injured.”
Luhan closed his eyes, recalling what had happened. He wasn’t dead or thrown in some decrepit dungeon, which must mean Jongdae believed whatever Minseok had told him. So he had saved him after all.
“The healer says you will recover.” Jongdae sounded concerned. Luhan didn’t want to understand what it meant, what the worried words from the Western Prince implied.
Luhan slipped back into darkness, not waking again until there was sunlight streaming into his chambers.
The dramatic happenings among the Gariadon were not over. Luhan didn’t learn of the full extent until a few days after his injury. Each day that passed he felt stronger, his leg bandaged, tended to by Kyungsoo and inspected twice a day by the court healer. By the third day he could hobble towards the trestle bench, his injured leg useless as he attempted to steady himself with each jump forward.
Jongdae visited every night, usually only to look upon Luhan without saying a word, sometimes reaching out to run his hand through the concubine’s hair. Luhan bore the affectionate touches, pretending to be asleep as soon as he heard the key in the lock. The fact that he wasn’t being sentenced to death for his attempted escape shocked him. This fact alone giving him some hope that all was not lost - he could recover, he could try again. He could play the game again.
On the third day following his injury, he surprised Kyungsoo when the eunuch arrived with his breakfast.
“Sir! You are up!” Kyungsoo nearly spilled the tray as he rushed to set it on the table, eying Luhan with concern.
“I am.” Luhan smiled weakly. “Though I doubt I will take tea today.”
Kyungsoo cast a puzzled look at Luhan before whispering, “The tea ceremonies are not being held, not anymore.”
“What?” Luhan had come to understand the concubine’s tea as some sort of unbreakable ritual.
“Yixing de Sehun escaped,” Kyungsoo spoke in hushed tones.
Luhan widened his eyes. So he had done it - he had used Sehun towards his goal of freedom?! Luhan had once thought Yixing was as set on freedom as he was, all of his talk about using his body towards that goal hard to ignore. Yet at his joining ceremony he looked genuinely happy, so much so Luhan had come to believe that perhaps the man was in love - and willing to stay in the West.
“The Prince has ordered all Gariadon to stay in their chambers until further notice,” Kyungsoo explained. “Though part of that may be due to you and Baekhyun’s injuries.”
“How is Baekhyun?” Luhan wondered how much damage Tao had done, clawing into the man’s face. When he had gained full consciousness the day after his injury he had panicked, worried Tao had been killed after the attack. When he had sat up enough to look out the window he spotted a familiar black bird circling overhead, alleviating his fears.
“He shall be scarred, but not badly.” Kyungsoo added, “I dare say you suffered the worse injury. How the bird must have scared you to run away like that.”
Luhan wondered if that was what Jongdae thought - if that is what Minseok had told everyone - Luhan had run in terror at the sight of Tao attacking Baekhyun. If so, he would assume such a tale as the truth, fulfilling the lie as best as he could in the interest of self-preservation.
“His highness will be overjoyed at the news of your progress.” Kyungsoo beamed at Luhan, unable to hide his own happiness at his recovery.
“Kyungsoo?” Luhan shouldn’t ask the question - no, he should let it go. Yet, he was speaking to someone he trusted, at least enough to ask such a thing to.
“Hm?”
“What of Minseok?”
“Ah, he left court the day of your injury,” Kyungsoo reported.
Luhan looked towards the window, towards the overcast sky. He couldn’t help but wonder - where had Minseok gone. The fact he was so engrossed in thinking about the knight caused him to feel utter disgust at his mental weakness.
“Kyungsoo said you were up and about today.” Jongdae beamed at Luhan.
Luhan nodded. He was sitting up in bed, his injured leg still causing him a good deal of pain. He had decided not to feign sleep when Jongdae came that night. The reason was a horrible lie that he repeated to himself time and time again, hoping he would come to believe it. He told himself it was because he needed to understand what Jongdae thought happened some days prior. It was not because he wanted to know where Minseok had ridden off to, no.
Jongdae sat down slowly, not wanting to jostle Luhan. When he was seated he reached for Luhan’s hand. “You have no idea how afraid I have been, that you wouldn’t recover.”
“I am feeling better each passing day.” Luhan’s tone was emotionless. The way that Jongdae fawned over him made him feel uncomfortable. It spoke of a connection that Luhan did not want to form - affection, dare he say some kind of deep-seated bond that was wholly one-sided on the prince’s part. Yet…in a way it served the Western Prince right, to fall for him, to want what he could never have - Luhan’s heart. Perhaps it was silly, petty even, but if it was the only blow that Luhan could deal to the Western Kingdom than it might be enough.
“That day…” Luhan tested the waters. “I was so afraid.”
“It must have been horrible to see such an attack, I can understand why you ran.” Jongdae looked upon Luhan with understanding. “It is a blessing Minseok was able to find you and return you to me.”
Return him to Jongdae. That is what Minseok had done, carried him back to his captivity. Luhan swallowed his anger for a moment. “Minseok, he seems so loyal.” He was fishing for information on Minseok as subtly as possible.
“Hmm.” Jongdae appeared momentarily distracted, staring at Luhan’s hand, resting in his own. “Luhan, I will be away for a while.”
“Away?” Luhan repeated, forgetting about Minseok.
Jongdae sat up, positioning himself just so in order to look into the concubine’s eyes. “It is time I return to the front. It is not good for our warriors if I am gone too long.”
So he was leaving to wage war against the East, why Luhan would expect anything less was foolish.
“I - please, do not laugh at me.” Jongdae sucked in a breath before continuing. “I wished, hoped you could accompany me, but it is not possible in your condition. I shall return before the seasons change, and you shall have time to heal.”
Luhan let the words fly, not holding back. He regretted them as he spoke, worried he had set himself back. “Why? Why did you want me to accompany you?”
Jongdae let Luhan’s hand go. He looked worried, or perhaps sad, Luhan wasn’t sure which one. Dragging his hand through his hair he sighed. “I am a fool, Luhan, a complete and total fool and missing you is one of those things that makes me foolish.”
Luhan digested Jongdae’s words, feeling uncomfortable. When he didn’t say anything Jongdae continued, “Did I ever tell you about my mother?”
“No.”
Jongdae sighed. “She was a Gariadon, not even an Eriall. She was one of many - my father, he keeps more than one Gariadon.”
“You are half Eastern?” Luhan had never considered that Jongdae could be anything but pure blooded Western.
Jongdae chuckled. “Yes, surprising, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Luhan was shocked.
“Anyway, my mother never truly had my father’s love, not with a harem at his disposal, not when he already loved his chief Gariadon, enough to make him Eriall. My mother was a sad woman, Luhan, and that sadness was the thing I remember about her most. She died when I was young, always unhappy. That is why I knew I could only ever have one Gariadon, and whoever I chose had to be someone I thought I could love, not someone who would waste away as my mother did.”
Luhan saw the pain in Jongdae’s expression. He almost felt bad for him - almost.
“Ah, so that is why I wanted you to accompany me. That is why I will miss you - because I want this to be more than a physical relationship. I want more than that.”
It was as close of a declaration of love that Luhan would get out of the prince at the moment and it was enough to make the concubine feel like he had somehow accomplished something; that he hadn’t wasted his time spending nights in Jongdae’s arms.
“I shall be here when you return,” Luhan assured the prince, knowing that the only reason he would be at court was because he hadn’t found an opportunity to escape, but Jongdae didn’t need to know that. He didn’t need to know that, nor hear any falsehoods of Luhan’s own feelings. No, he didn’t need to have hope beyond what he had created in his own mind. Jongdae could fool himself with thoughts that his concubine was falling for him, deluding his mind with the possibility that his slave had begun to feel things for him.
“Hm, and I shall think of that every day.” Jongdae smiled fondly.
Luhan pursed his lips, unable to return the affectionate words. In many ways he was relieved that Jongdae would be gone.
“In my absence, I don’t want you cooped up in here all day- when you are well enough to walk, that is.” Jongdae surprised him. “I have instructed the servants and guards to allow you certain freedoms while I am gone. You shall be allowed out to the gardens, and I give you freedom to move about the keep, as long as you take the guards with you.”
It was safe to say, Luhan thought, that Jongdae was hopelessly smitten with him. Either that or he was stupid; allowing Luhan more freedom was begging for another escape attempt.
“Thank you.” Luhan was genuinely grateful for the opportunity, though not for the reasons Jongdae likely believed. “I shall cherish such trust.”
“Consider it my present for not being able to take you with me.” Jongdae pouted. “I really shall miss you.”
Luhan breathed a sigh of relief when Jongdae left shortly after his confession. It had been too much to stomach, remaining silent as the man who was responsible for so much misery in his life talked of fondness, of a painful separation, and of the false promise of freedom like it was something Luhan should swoon over.
Part 4>>>