Chapter Text
Hyojin had barely finished changing after training when a maid caught him in front of the bathing house door.
“Sir Hyojin, His Royal Highness is summoning you,” she briefly said, only waiting for a nod from Hyojin’s side before continuing her walk down the corridor.
Soft laughter erupted from the room behind Hyojin. “Seems like Prince Minkyun has chosen his new favourite,” a mocking voice sounded.
Hyojin didn’t even want to turn around to see who said it, just waving it off before making his way to the Prince’s chambers.
On his way there, Hyojin once again wondered what exactly his position of being the “Prince’s personal knight” meant. They weren’t involved in any war, giving no reason on why the Prince would need one-on-one protection. None of the other royals had had a personal knight for quite some time either, causing even more confusion. But no one asked any questions when the Prince requested a personal knight, it being Hyojin specifically.
When Hyojin arrived at the chamber the Prince usually remained in at that time of the day, he knocked on the heavy wooden door three times, waiting for his permission to enter.
Once given, Hyojin slipped through the door, being met by a dark emerald back with a gold neckline he knew ran all the way down to the hem of the jacket. The velvet tie that held together the long hair fit perfectly with the rest of the outfit, completing it in a majestic yet relaxed way.
“You called, Your Royal Highness?” Hyojin announced himself after closing the door behind him, not moving from his position.
With a swift twirl, the figure in front of him turned around, his ponytail swaying in the movement. “Ah, Hyojin, you came,” he smiled, walking towards the knight.
“Certainly,” Hyojin nodded, feeling his muscles tense with every step the Prince came closer to him.
“Right on time,” the Prince smiled brightly, “I need you to do something for me.”
“Surely, what is it?”
“You see,” the Royal started, twirling around again and stepping to the side, giving Hyojin a look at the table in the middle of the room. “Someone delivered this, and I need you to try it.”
“‘Try’? The cake?” Hyojin wondered.
“Exactly,” Minkyun nodded, “it wasn’t said who sent it here, and there was no trace of anyone either. And you don’t want the Prince to be poisoned, right?”
“No, of course not.”
“Come, then. Take a seat.”
Hyojin followed the order, though he was uncomfortable sitting down in the velvety chair. He watched carefully as the prince pulled the sharp knife through the soft cake, placing the small slice on a separate plate and giving it to Hyojin alongside a fork.
It wasn't that Hyojin was necessarily afraid of dying, but usually, his duty only took him to the battlefield on rare occasions.
The royal cut another piece of cake, placing it on yet another plate for himself, sitting down across from Hyojin.
“Go on, try it,” Minkyun pressed with a smile, mindlessly pouring a glass of wine and placing it in front of Hyojin as well. “This was served with the cake,” he briefly explained. Minkyun seemed a bit too at ease in the situation he had portrayed to Hyojin, but the knight stayed quiet, the fork he was given still in hand as he looked at the cake in front of him.
With silent movements, Hyojin took a piece of the sweet pastry. He had long since learned not to show nervousness to the outside, even less if it was about looking death in the eye. He felt imbecile and unprofessional for feeling nervous when just sitting across from the prince.
Even though Minkyun was an authority to him, that wasn't the main reason for Hyojin‘s feelings. Hyojin had known the other since he was born, given that Hyojin had been taken into training for the royal guards as soon as possible by his father. They basically grew up next to each other and had only had a few interactions when they were younger as most often they were pulled to their rightful side to learn to settle into the lives that were predetermined for them. But even with the little contact they were allowed to have, Hyojin had quickly caught himself finding an interest in the Prince which he knew wasn’t just the admiration you usually had for a member of the Royal Family. He, since then, had tried to push it aside, and with his schedule constantly full with training, he often had managed to do so. Yet, every time he would pass the other, his heart would flutter, reminding him of the feelings he shouldn’t express, or much rather not even have.
Because if he would ever dare to act upon his feelings, it would be Minkyun who would be in the most danger.
The sugary treat almost dissolved on Hyojin‘s tongue. It actually surprised him how well it was made. Maybe it was because he was barely allowed to eat sugar in his diet, but the cake was the sweetest dessert he remembered to have ever tasted.
"And?" the Royal spoke up, gaining the other's attention easily. "Is it okay?"
Hyojin waited silently for a few moments, in case the poison would only set in slowly, but his throat stayed filled with only the sugary taste.
"It's safe to eat," Hyojin confirmed, putting his fork down.
A gleeful expression appeared on Minkyun’s face as he nodded and handed Hyojin the glass with the red liquid. "Now this."
After a short swirl of his wrist, he took a sip. It was the same wine Hyojin knew they served at banquets or other festivities, so he set down the glass again.
"This is also perfectly fine."
That said, Hyojin got up from the velvet chair, ready to head out again, but the Prince stopped him with a clearing of his throat.
"Where are you going?" he questioned, his fingers tapping the wooden table.
"Should I not leave? I have done what you had summoned me for."
Minkyun raised an eyebrow. "Did I dismiss you?"
"No, you didn’t, Your Royal Highness."
"Then why don't you sit down again?"
Minkyun's expression grew a little more cheerful when Hyojin followed the command, taking place on the seat across from the Royal again.
"You have already started eating the cake, so why don't you eat the rest too? We don't want to waste any food, right?" Minkyun asked, his eyes glinting nervously.
“With all due respect, Your Royal Highness, but I don’t think that I am in any position to do so,” Hyojin apologised.
Minkyun got up with a grin. “It’s fine, Hyojin. Stay for a while,” he said softly, walking over to Hyojin’s seat.
“But my duties…”
“Isn’t keeping an eye on me your duty?”
“Well, yes. But there is no reason for it right now. You are not near any potential danger.”
With a sigh, Minkyun sat down on the edge of the table, mindlessly taking Hyojin’s glass and watching the liquid move. “Why are you so keen on leaving quickly?” he asked, looking back up at Hyojin.
“Wouldn’t you rather be alone?”
“I like having company.”
Hyojin averted his eyes to the table, “I don’t think I’m qualified as such. I am your knight, not a friend.”
“I like having you as my company, so why can’t you be both?” Minkyun asked, looking rather disappointed in the answers given so far.
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because that's not what I’m supposed to be.”
Minkyun raised an eyebrow. “According to whom?”
“You could ask just about anyone.”
“Well, if you think so many would disapprove of it, why won’t we be friends in secret, then? You know how to keep a royal secret, don’t you?” Minkyun asked, carefully placing his hand under Hyojin’s chin.
Hyojin felt like his heart was beating out of his chest at the simple touch. “Your Royal Highness, I really don’t think this would be a good idea,” he managed to mutter.
“Please, Hyojin. At least don’t be so formal with me. We’re in private…” Minkyun sighed, letting his hand fall down onto his knee.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t, Your—”
“Minkyun. My name is Minkyun, please.”
His tone was sad, and Hyojin couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty, but he knew that he should stand to his point.
“I know I can’t force you to be my friend… and I don’t want to guilt you into it either,” Minkyun sighed. “But let's at least eat the cake? For the sake of not wasting any food.”
“Okay, if that is what you wish.”
Minkyun got up and walked around the table again, taking a seat across from Hyojin. And even though the Prince tried his best to not show, Hyojin could clearly read the disappointment on the other’s face.
They ate and drank in silence, and Hyojin could see that Minkyun thought of some ways to start a conversation, but most often stopped himself with a sigh while poking around in his dessert.
And even though the situation had turned awkward, Hyojin still heard his pulse beat in his ears which only got worse with every glance he dared to direct towards Minkyun.
“What will you do with the rest of the cake, Your Royal Highness?” Hyojin asked after he had emptied his own plate.
“Ah, I suppose the rest of the staff can have it,” Minkyun shrugged, putting down his fork and leaning back.
The red wine in his glass perfectly complemented his emerald clothing and Hyojin quickly caught himself thinking how handsome the other was.
“Thank you for joining me,” Minkyun mumbled into his glass, “I suppose you can leave now,” he added with a sigh.
Hyojin got up and bowed in a short movement. “Should I send someone to pick up the cake?” he asked.
“No, it’s fine, I will bring it to the kitchen myself,” Minkyun denied softly, also getting up to bring Hyojin to the door.
The heavy door creaked when it opened and Hyojin stepped through, his heart heavy with every step.
“Oh, before I forget to tell you, there’s a ball at the end of the week which I need you to attend with me,” Minkyun told the knight, smiling softly.
“Of course, I will be at your service,” Hyojin nodded, turning to leave.
Once he heard the heavy door close behind him, he let out a silent sigh. His heart didn’t want to calm down, his mind thinking back to the Prince’s visual every time he let his thoughts wander for even a second. With a shake of his head, he continued his walk to his quarters, not wanting to further think of what just happened. Another sigh left his lips. He knew he could act and seem professional and proper to the outside, but his heart and mind fell into a mess. Never had he thought that love could make someone feel so miserable. Minkyun had always liked joking around and getting on the good side of people, so Hyojin tried not to interpret too much into it.
“Don’t neglect your duties, Hyojin. You’re just a knight, nothing more, nothing special…” he muttered to himself, straightening his shoulders he noticed dropping. “Just follow the orders and don’t act out of selfishness.”
He just had to push away his feelings, continue like he had done before. Continue, because he knew, even if he wished for it, it couldn’t be, not for him.