Chapter Text
The white envelope sat on Soobin’s night stand. He had two options. But did he really? No wasn’t an option. He opened the letter once again and read over it. The hand of Prince Huening Kai was on the line. Love was not what he seeked but power. Royals didn’t marry for love anyway, so this was as close as he could get by marrying his best friend. His issue with the whole situation was that Prince Huening had decided not to pick a partner based on simple meetings, he wanted to be fought for. If he wanted to see the other princes scramble around like fools then Soobin would be the silliest of them all to please him. He would do what he needed to do. If Soobin married Prince Huening Kai then their chunk of the Kingdom would be the largest and most powerful. Kai was a beloved prince and the opportunity for his hand meant the opportunity for the people to rally behind the new couple. Soobin was known as a kind Prince. Their marriage should have been a given, but it seems the boy was still childish and wanted to see a show. If he must complete silly tasks he would. He would do what was needed to secure the Huening territory and have a nice husband he could get along with. Soobin only worried that he did not know his competitors. There were a few he knew would be there; Kang Taehyun he was the same age as Hueningkai and was very powerful with his wit, he would be a tough competitor, Choi Beomgyu would purely join for fun as he had enough wealth and power but loved to do silly things like this. He knew people who would not; Nam Jaein he had no chance as his family has disrespected the Huening family long ago; Choi Yeonjun he wouldn’t attend as he didn’t need to, he held the largest kingdom out of everyone and was known to not like getting his hands messy or involving himself in childish things. He would be someone very sought after when he finally decides to marry, but with his cold personality Soobin wasn’t sure anyone would marry him for love, his only option was to try and find someone with at least similar power, but that wouldn’t be Prince Huening. Soobin was confident that no matter who showed up, he would win.
“Mr. Jeon, check a yes in participation and send the letter directly back to Prince Huening Kai. Gather the full information for me.”
“Yes, your highness.”
Kai just wanted to have fun, he would obviously pick Soobin. The pair were childhood friends and everyone assumed that the two princes would wed one day. Soobin chuckled to himself. Time to get ready for a show.
Soobin fixed the white jacket as he stepped up the stairs to the castle. His all white outfit with silver jewels vesting designs and his black bangs down were meant to show his pure beauty and an innocence. At least that’s what he was told as he was dressed. It felt silly to dress up so much but this wasn’t just a public appearance where he could get away with looking fancy, no this was the time to show up and show out like back in the old days. He wasn’t first but he wasn’t last. He walked into the palace and was led to the main room. Kai sat on a throne at the front with his crown upon his head. He saw Prince Kang Taehyun, Prince Lee Daehwi, and Prince Lim Jimin. He walked to the front as his name was spoken loudly. Claps erupted as he walked from the crowd that was seated. Of course this competition was open to the public, even cameras recorded it to be released, Soobin knew Kai would do this. He placed a hand over his chest as he bowed. He sat and pressed his forehead to the ground until Kai called him to stand.
“It is a pleasure for you to join Prince Soobin.”
He bowed his head and as Kai reached his hand out he took it and squeezed it. Kai smiled and tried not to giggle. He pointed to the empty spot next to Taehyun. He bowed again and walked over and stood. There was soon one spot left and Soobin was waiting to see who it could be. Prince Choi Beomgyu was in spot five out of six, so they waited for the last one. Everyone he thought would come was already here. The door opened.
“Announcing the arrival of Prince Choi Yeonjun.”
Everyone stood still but the room felt like the air was sucked out of it. They were all shocked. Claps filled the room louder than for anyone else, they were just as shocked. Soobin watched him once he came into sight. He could only see his back, but he seemed to be wearing all black. Much different from the bright colors of the others. Everyone wore bright colors of their kingdoms or white, but he wore all black with small jewels catching the light.
“A pleasure for you to join Prince Yeonjun.”
“Shall it be a fair game?”
Everyone sat stunned, no one had yet asked any questions. You wouldn’t dare to in this situation. Kai nodded and held his hand out. Yeonjun took it and leaned down, pressing a kiss to it. He stood and let go of Kai’s hand. Many people gasped. That wasn’t something you just did, why would he do that when no one else has? It was inappropriate and out of line.
“Just there next to Prince Beomgyu.”
Yeonjun nodded, bowed, and turned. Soobin was shocked. It had truly been years since he had seen Yeonjun. They saw each other a few times as kids of royals for events and schooling, but once Yeonjun hit 9 he was put into private homeschooling and many years went by without anyone seeing much of him. The most he was seen was when his mother passed away, the media covered it heavily and the boy's face was all over the place, he had just a blank and distant stare. Once the shock died down everyone was lucky to catch a glimpse of Yeonjun. Soobin hadn’t seen his face in so long. It was the same, but different. Now at 24 he was a grown man. He looked the same but a mature version of the child that Soobin knew. He lost his baby fat in his face and his eyes were much sharper. He held himself in a manner that didn’t even seem a smile would fit. His aura was bone chilling, but he was handsome. Soobin kept finding himself peeking down the line to the oldest there. He couldn’t help himself. He was shocked. Yeonjun didn’t even waver as he stared forward with his chin held high.
“Thank you all for coming and taking time out of your schedules for this. You already received the time of events. As you know tomorrow we begin with the showing of skills. We start with personal choice and then we will move on. There will be times to change clothing if that is needed. For the rest of the night there will be free time. I’ll have a guard come to your room when it’s dinner. Follow the guard in front of you now to your room for this event.”
Each of them nodded and were escorted out. It was quiet as they walked. Soobin smiled as the guard opened his door for him. He bowed.
“Dinner will be at 6 pm sharp. I’ll retrieve you at 5:45pm to walk to the dining hall, your highness.”
“That sounds lovely, thank you.”
He stepped inside and closed the door. He waited 2 minutes then heard a knock. Of course this was expected. He walked to the door and opened it and saw Kai.
“Hey Soobin.”
“Come in.”
Kai smiled and walked in. The boy rushed to his bed and jumped down.
“That was fun.”
“You know you’re actually crazy.”
“That’s not a nice thing to say to your possible future husband who you are fighting for.”
Soobin laughed as he sat next to the boy.
“You just wanted some fun, yeah?”
“Oh yeah it’s been fun hasn’t it? I mean Prince Yeonjun showed up, isn’t that crazy? I sent an invite almost as a joke because I knew he wouldn’t come and look who showed up.”
“I haven’t seen him in years. Doesn’t his father keep him away from the people? Why would he let him do such a public thing?”
“A bit. More recently he’s been making more appearances. You’re just too busy reading to pay attention! People just talk about how cold he is though so maybe he kept him away to hide that. Don’t know. But isn’t it exciting?”
“It is exciting, Ning.”
“So what do you have planned for tomorrow? Which of your talents will you show Soobin?”
“Wait and see.”
“I'm impatient Soobinnie, please.”
Soobin laughed and hit Kai’s arm lightly.
“You’ll see tomorrow!”
“Fine, fine.”
“So this is all a game right?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you have a winner already Kai, right?”
“Oh no. I don’t have a winner. This is a real competition. Everyone is on a level playing field. No friend benefits Soobin, you better bring your all.”
Soobin nodded. How odd? He didn’t think he would need to compete, but here he was. He needed to fight for Kai, so he would. There would be no friend benefit or preference. There was a knock and the door was opened.
“Your highness, Choi Yeonjun.”
“Oh! I wondered where you ran off to.”
Kai sat up and got up quickly.
“You two have fun.”
“Us two?”
Yeonjun’s voice was light as he spoke.
“Yes, everyone is sharing rooms, that's why there are two beds. Your last name is both Choi and by age you two are together.”
“Oh. Yes your highness.”
Kai smiled as he bowed and walked out. Yeonjun carried his own bags in as the butler looked down.
“Did he not carry them for you?”
“I can carry them.”
“But did he not?”
“He was adamant on taking them. My late arrival is from retrieving them myself and carrying them. I don’t need others to do my tasks.”
Soobin only nodded and bowed his head to the man.
“You may be dismissed, Prince Yeonjun can unpack his own items it seems.”
The man bowed and closed the door. He looked at Yeonjun and then away.
“So this is all rigged yeah?”
“What?”
“You and Prince Huening are going to have a kick out of watching us make fools of ourselves? I mean from the scene I walked in on it seems you two are already lovers.”
“We are no such thing. Prince Huening and I are just friends.”
“Then why jeopardize friendship? Marriage can ruin it.”
“Prince Huening and I will make amazing kings. The pairing of us will bring supporters from many nations and the power we will hold will be very good. With our two combined kingdom’s we will have a larger part of Korea than even you hold Prince Yeonjun.”
“So everything is business in this world? Friendships don’t matter?”
“Do they matter to you?”
Yeonjun stilled and then turned as he unpacked.
“Friendships…I guess not.”
“Exactly.”
Prince Yeonjun was odd. He unpacked so quietly and Soobin grabbed a book from his bag. He didn’t need his judgement. Everyone knows that love is never the goal when marrying as a royal. That’s so silly.
After dinner Soobin walked into the room and saw Yeonjun laying in bed with his light off. Maybe he stayed with Kai a bit too long just chatting. His arm was out of the blankets and the way he gripped and ungripped the sheets told Soobin he was still awake and just staring out of the window. It was dark so he could only see his bare arm as the light from outside the room hit it.
“Sorry to have been out so late.”
“It’s fine.”
“I’ll change uh over here just don’t look.”
“Okay.”
He stayed facing the window and Soobin changed without worry. He laid and looked over. The man’s back was still to him.
“So uh what are you doing tomorrow?”
Yeonjun shrugged and Soobin stared at him.
“You don’t know?”
“What are you doing?”
“Well…archery if I’m honest.”
“Hm.”
“You won’t tell me?”
“I’ll decide when I wake. I don’t know yet.”
“You don’t care to win do you?”
“I only want to win if it’s fair.”
“Which it is. I talked to Kai about the same question after you brought it up today and he said it’s fair. He doesn’t have a bias towards anyone.”
“Alright then. If that’s honest, I’ll win.”
“You can’t just decide you will.”
“We don’t think the same, Prince Soobin. If I say it, then it’s mine. I will achieve it. I say I will win, so I will win.”
“Well if you think I’ll lose, you’re silly.”
“Game on then.”
“Game on.”
Soobin turned and looked towards the wall. That Choi Yeonjun was so frustrating. When he awoke Yeonjun was gone. He must have left for breakfast without waking Soobin. How annoying. Soobin was frazzled and didn’t set his alarm. He couldn’t have said anything? So rude.