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This morning was different from the ones Choi Han was used to.
During his time in the forest of darkness, he had taken the habit of waking up early. His sleep had always been restless and often disrupted by monsters.
When he had returned to this place to live with his family, the walls of the Super Rock Cave or the high towers of the Black Castle had allowed him to let his guard down for a bit.
He would still wake up early, and spend most of the morning on the training ground. The place was peaceful, and surrounded by the people he had allowed close to him.
Despite his tremendous strength, he preferred it when he could fully relax instead of always looking out for any form of potential danger.
But this morning, when Choi Han woke up, he was laying in a bed that wasn’t his. In a room that wasn’t the one he had at the villa. He could feel unknown people roaming around the place, and his acute hearing helped him to spot people talking in the hallways.
And while this situation should have made all his senses in high alert, it did not. Choi Han wasn’t shaken nor about to grab his scabbard on the nightstand. He simply remained still on the mattress.
He didn’t want to risk waking up the sleepy figure in his arms.
Alberu Crossman had his head resting on Choi Han’s forearm. And the prince’s own arm was hooked over the swordmaster’s chest.
The subtle frown wrinkling Alberu’s forehead most of the time had been washed away by slumber, and his tense shoulders seemed more loose now.
It was unusual, but oddly pleasing to see.
Alberu was often waking up way earlier than Choi Han, so it wasn’t a familiar scene stretching before the swordmaster’s eyes.
Choi Han hoped it eventually would grow into something he was to witness more often. Even if he doubted it would ever be possible; especially after the Crown Prince’s coronation.
The thought of Alberu’s schedule becoming more clogged than it already was after his rise to the throne bothered Choi Han greatly. But there was nothing he could do to prevent it from happening. It couldn’t be helped.
Choi Han would thus stand by his future Emperor’s side for as long as the man will need him - providing him discreet but strong support.
And it apparently started by letting Alberu use his forearm as a pillow. Choi Han doubted it was very comfortable, but didn’t risk to shift their position.
Rays of Sun were piercing through the thick curtains of the canopy. It wasn’t the pinkish color of dawn Choi Han was used to seeing anytime he was walking out on the training ground at the earliest hours of the day. The morning was still young, but the Sun was already far high in the capital sky.
Alberu Crossman was enjoying his day off. The best way possible, if you asked Choi Han. A poor attempt at catching up with his sleeping hours. At least he would feel rest for a day.
It was good enough.
Choi Han’s eyes traced the sleeping face of his Prince, catching on the soft curves of his features, the gap of his thin lips. They lingered on the closed eyelid, hiding away his dyed pupils. And eventually glanced down at Alberu’s necklace, still on, dangling down his neck between his exposed collarbones.
Choi Han regretted Alberu hadn’t come to the villa for a short visit instead of staying at the capital for his break; Choi Han didn’t mind coming all the way here himself, but knew Alberu wouldn’t have been forced to sleep with his necklace on there. He was almost never taking it off in his own house.
‘The Royal palace had stopped feeling like my home soon after I turned eight.’ Alberu had once said. And it lingered in Choi Han’s mind since then.
He was glad Alberu had found a place he could call his home since then, but still was a bit upset at the fact that the place he was staying during most of his time still felt unsafe.
After this realization, the swordmaster had started to visit the palace more. At first, by accompanying Cale-nim and the kids every time they came. Then by accepting to train the royal knights once or twice a week; by staying longer after their weekly sparring that had started to feel too short.
Alberu had listened to all the excuses Choi Han had given him, and had never commented on it. He had let his Instructor-nim do as he pleased.
After all, Choi Han was terrible at lying. And Alberu was very good at finding out secrets.
They had never talked about this. And had never felt like they needed to.
As long as Alberu allowed it, it was fine in Choi Han’s books.
The voices in the hallways turned slightly hired as something broke outside the room. And the Crown Prince’s smooth forehead immediately wrinkled as he was already stirring up.
Ah.
Choi Han schooled his disappointment, and the blue gaze falling immediately on him helped it to fade away.
“Good morning, your Highness.” His words earnt a little smile from his prince, and Alberu sifted next to him into a more comfortable position.
“Good morning, Choi Han.” His eyes narrowed slightly when he turned, greeted by a bright sunbeam filtering through the canopy. Alberu’s eyebrows shot up. “What time is it ?”
He curiously inquired, even if his voice sounded only mildly interested.
“I’d say about ten a.m.” Choi Han offered, smiling to himself when Alberu’s face returned to his bare shoulder. “Maybe His Highness should rest more.”
“Maybe.” Alberu chuckled, and the sound rang softly in Choi Han’s ears. “But I’d feel bad trapping you in bed with me.”
“I don’t mind.” The answer quickly came, and Alberu’s smile morphed into a grin. And a subtle blush dusted over Choi Han’s nape. The hint of mischief in Alberu’s eyes always made the pit of his stomach tighten.
Choi Han was genuine saying this. He wouldn’t mind spending the whole morning there instead of on the training ground. As long as Alberu got enough rest, Choi Han didn’t mind the way the Crown Prince decided to spend his day off. It was the first since a very long time - and after seeing the sheer despair in the eyes of Alberu’s attendants when they heard the news, Choi Han had managed to make an educated guess on the reason why; this palace needed Alberu to work. Much more than Alberu needed this place to feel good.
This was also the reason why the future Emperor had insisted on staying at the capital instead of visiting the villa during his resting day.
“Of course you don’t.” the tip of Alberu’s fingers traced the muscles of Choi Han’s arm, sliding his hand in the other’s palm. “You should be more careful saying things like this, Instructor-nim. What if I decide I want to stay there for the entire day ?”
The reply came about as fast as the first one.
“I wouldn’t mind either.”
Choi Han meant it.