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Minghao would never understand why and how his knights would lay their lives on the line for him over and over, he knows that he’s the next heir to the throne so it comes with the territory, but this? For their training?
“Alright, again.” A gruff voice filters through the open field, an anxious hush falling over the other knights-in-training as the subject to their lead’s command gets up, his knees a bit wobbly.
“Yes, Knight Seungcheol.” Mingyu grunts and stands on his feet, a small cut on his cheek accompanied with rough bruises on his arms (and probably his legs from the falling). The blood starts to slowly drip off his chin before he wipes it away, fast and unforgiving to his skin.
Minghao’s eyes glance over the taller knight’s face, his gaze settling on the furrow on Mingyu’s brow.
“Mm.. pretty..” Minghao mutters to himself, his chin in his palm as his lead in waiting peeks over his shoulder.
“Which one, Your Majesty?” It’s almost comical how his lead hops a little to see over Minghao’s shoulder.
“Oh hush, I didn’t say anything.. but off the record, Mingyu.” Minghao smiles as Seungkwan nods his head almost too quickly and the prince rolls his eyes fondly and draws his attention back to the knights.
Mingyu is now in a wider stance, Seungcheol in front of him with a small but sharp sword in hand, the blade pointing towards the taller’s face.
“Listen Mingyu, and everyone else too-“ the other knights brace and look at each other nervously before returning their attention to the pair, “watch your stance, always. If this were real battle, Mingyu could have been decapitated in a moment.”
Mingyu flinches and Minghao does the same. Again, the prince gets it, but damn. These are still young adults basically, the youngest in the training troupe being only 16. Minghao turns towards Seungkwan, his eyes not leaving the hard slope of Mingyu’s shoulders to his back.
“Seungkwan, how old is Mingyu again? I forget, there’s so many knights in this batch of training.”
Seungkwan hums as he thinks for a moment before replying, a small smile in his voice: “He’s actually the same age as you, Prince Minghao, 19 years old.”
Minghao nods once and looks towards the pair again, now letting his thoughts wander freely with the mental permission that this was someone at the same age as him and not too much younger.
Mingyu steels himself with his training sword, his shoulders pulling downwards as he thrusts his arm towards his opponent. He manages to snag the tip of his sword on Seungcheol’s, but the other swiftly twists his wrist and shallowly cuts the other’s arm, a long line appearing on his skin. Mingyu hisses and side steps, ignoring the blood that starts to angrily pool in his new wound, his free hand now coming around to land a hard chop on the elder’s neck. Seungcheol grunts and nearly drops his sword from the unexpected attack but Mingyu doesn’t relent, now his leg coming up and kicking the other in the back of his knee, causing him to buckle, his knees hitting the dirt floor with a thud.
The other knights watch in a hushed disbelief before someone barks out a loud and nasally laugh. “Wow.. wow, he really got you there, Cheol.” A thin but strong-looking knight steps forward, his eyes flitting towards Mingyu before he extends a hand to the other kneeled on the ground.
“Can it, Jeonghan. I let my guard down, that was on me.” Seungcheol huffs as he’s hoisted upwards and he dusts himself off before lowering his sword and offering his hand to his opponent.
“Good job, Mingyu. Keep it up and you could even surpass Junhui.” Seungcheol jerks his head towards the head knight, Jun pretending to be offended.
“Alright alright, let’s not give him a giant ego. He was good this time, I’ll give him that.” Junhui snorts but offers an honest smile to Mingyu, who was now beaming.
“Alllright, that concludes training for the day. Everyone else, good job on your assessments. We’ll be having a later start tomorrow.” Seungcheol smiles as the others cheer and clap, excited for a break in their hellish schedule for once.
There’s a break in the cheering for a moment, a sudden hush falling in the group as a loud clapping is heard. The knights and knights in training alike turn their heads towards the sound, Prince Minghao suddenly in view.
The knights kneel, surprised with the sudden appearance of their King-to-be. Minghao walks around the corner from the small window he was at, a hand raising at his side as he dismisses the others.
“No need to be so formal, I *was* spying on you all. You may rise. Also, enjoy your late mornings tomorrow.” Minghao smiles easily, his head nodding as he greets the knights that walk past. He walks over to where Mingyu is standing, his eyes trailing from the ground up to the taller man’s face.
Mingyu is frozen, still smiling but a bit smaller in the presence of the prince. “Hello Prince Minghao, I am humbled to be in your presence.” Mingyu offers a deep bow, and Minghao smiles and offers a small bow back.
“Nonsense, you did amazing back there. I couldn’t even track how you moved.” Minghao comes a bit closer, his hand starting to raise at his side before he suddenly remembers something.
He peeks over his shoulder and sees Seungkwan, his eyes rounded and almost sparkling as he watches Minghao. “You,” Minghao starts, not unkind, “meet me inside the dining hall, I would like a private moment here with Mingyu.”
“But- “
“No buts, I am your Prince.” Seungkwan huffs quietly but obeys, leaving the two alone in the dirt field as the sun begins to set, a stunning orange and blue spattering the sky.
Mingyu shifts anxiously in his place, unsure what the prince could want with him.
*Did I mess up? Did I not bow in time? I hope I’m not in tr-*
The thought gets cut off as Minghao’s hand finally comes up to lightly graze the taller man’s cheek where there is a cut and some dried blood.
“I was just thinking about how I don’t get it, why you all train so hard and get hurt when not in battle..” Minghao’s voice trails off before he pulls his hand back, apologetic. “Ah- I’m sorry, I should have asked if I could touch your face..”
Mingyu shakes his head almost too quickly, his hair flinging into his face. “You can touch me anytime, Prince Minghao. I am your knight in training.” Mingyu quickly replies, his eyes shining. He realizes how that could have sounded and a pretty flush appears at the apples of his cheeks.
Minghao *giggles* (to Mingyu’s amazement) before nodding and now cupping the other’s cheek, a flush appearing on his own face to match the other’s.
“I see.. well.. again, you were very skilled, Future Knight Mingyu.. may I offer something for you?” Minghao pulls his hand away and it doesn’t escape him how Mingyu’s face follows for a fleeting moment, before the taller man nods his head.
*Maybe a handkerchief for my wounds?*
Mingyu’s eyes widen when Minghao steps closer, their heights not far off from one another as Minghao places a gentle but firm kiss to the spot right above where his cheek was cut. Mingyu’s hand comes up to cover his own cheek, shock apparent in his features.
“My Prince-“ Mingyu starts, the flush deepening.
“Hush, Mingyu. I am the Prince as you said, dont worry.. and this is my gift to you.” Minghao places his hands on the spot on Mingyu’s curled arm where the thin but long slice was made, his gaze going downwards.
“Make sure you’re taken care of properly in the infirmary, that is an order.” Minghao’s brow furrows in worry before looking up at Mingyu, his features softening as the taller man nods his head dumbly, his hand still covering his cheek. Minghao reaches to pull Mingyu’s hand down and offers a gentle squeeze.