Chapter Text
'What good's a sword if the knight wielding it can’t even ride', Seonghyeon goaded his brother as they raced through the woods
Martin in return made his horse move even faster. They both knew it was a losing battle though. Seonghyeon won every single time.
They raced through the woods laughing and throwing jabs until they reached the lake. It was a beautiful one. Surrounded by flowers and with plenty of shade from the tree. It had been Seonghyeon's favourite place to come to ever since Martin had first shown it to him.
Seonghyeon sat near a rock. Removing his book and starting to sketch the lily-pod growing while Martin moved around picking flowers. Probably to gift his soulmate Juhoon like a lovesick fool.
'How much are you dreading that gathering' Martin asked him casually. The question made Seonghyeon groan in frustration.
'I really wish we could've done a private thing. Just us and James'. Martin just chuckled. Though his eyes looked at his brother in fond exasperation.
'We both know the 18th age is a big deal Seonghyeon. And anyways, there's no way the king and queen are letting their 'kitten' have a private party'. Purposely putting the nickname in air quotes to annoy him.
'Shut up hyung' Seonghyeon snapped. Though his red cheeks gave him away.
Martin just laughed at his misery as he started walking from the other side. His eyes looking to the side where some pink orchids were growing.
‘Oh also’, Seonghyeon started ‘Do you know why the soldiers-
‘GET DOWN RIGHT NOW!’, came Martins frantic shout interrupting whatever Seonghyeon had been starting to ask.
Seonghyeon didn’t waste a second thinking and just instantly went down. He heard an arrow whoosh right past where his head had been like a millisecond ago. His heart started pounding rapidly. He heard the sound of Martin’s sword being drawn and him shouting at Seonghyeon to stay behind him.
He looked up to see another arrow, this time in Martin’s direction. His stomach clenched in fear. But before he could open his mouth he saw martin dodge it, his eyes burning with an intensity Seonghyeon knew Martin very rarely let out.
They both heard the sound of footsteps running in the opposite direction. Whoever it was deciding confronting Martin was not worth it. Martin ran after the culprit into the woods. Seonghyeon got up, ready to run behind him in fear for his hyung.
‘Hyung wait--!’
‘Stay right there Seonghyeon. don’t you dare move’
Seonghyeon stopped there as Martin ran behind the guy. He wanted to follow him but he knew he would be no help if it came down to fighting. He sighed in frustration as he waited in tense silence for Martin to come back. He was still reeling from the shock of almost being killed by an arrow.
He walked over to arrow buried in the tree. It was a very non-descript thing. A simple black color with a blue tip. Probably laced with some poison. Seonghyeon shivered a little imagining the arrow going through him. He waited near the rock in fear and anticipation for what felt like ages. Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound behind him and tuned around in alarm. Only to instantly sag in relief at seeing his brother.
Martin was walking out, a cut on his temple. He had the person who attacked them hanging over his shoulder, unconscious.
‘Are you okay’, Seonghyeon asked him, staring at the gash on his head. His voice came out surprisingly steady.
‘Yes. Don’t worry he got the worst of his’, Martin said with a wild looking smile while looking him over from head to toe. His eyes had a protective edge, before asking,’ are you okay?’
‘I think so. I mean I’m not hurt anywhere. Just very confused’
‘He’s an assassin. Or at least I think he is. We’ll only know for sure after we interrogate him.’, Martin,s voice was tight with tension.
‘An assassin?!’, Seonghyeon couldn’t hide his surprise ‘ why would an assassin come after…..’
His voice tattered off as the realisation came to him. Martin let him think it through. He felt sad as he looked at his brother but couldn’t really do anything.
’18 is a big age. You know that. A lot of things are going to change. A lot of people are scared of you landing a high standing mark and the kingdom getting even stronger.’
Seonghyeon knew that. But to turn something so wonderful like a soulmark into just a political alliance was disgusting.
Martin’s eyes softened as they looked at him.
‘ You know though. Compared to me you got off easy. I had to endure this almost every day before turning 18.’ Seonghyeon remembered those days. Martin had fought a lot. But after all his hyung was a kid who had always understood the responsibility handed to him as the crown prince.
‘The next month will be hard. but I’m not letting anything happened to you, okay.’, Martin’s voice had a sharp edge to it. And looking up at him, Seonghyeon believed him completely. He felt his stomach loosen a bit.
‘Please as if I need your help’
‘Sure you don’t kitten’ Martin used the nickname as he walked ahead to tie their catch to his horse.
‘Stop calling me that you oaf. That jokes gotten older than you have’ Seonghyeon retorted with a scowl on his face. But he knew Martin was just trying to make him feel better. He loved his brother for it.
‘Come on. The quicker we get back to the castle the better it will be for us.’
Seonghyeon got up in his horse. This time going back there was no laughter. Just contemplative silence. Seonghyeon knew what was coming for him when he reached the castle. His parents were considered overprotective on a good day. Something like this would send them into overdrive. He signed in frustration. The time leading to 18 was turning out to be a bigger headache than he had been prepared for.
Upon reaching the castle Martin instantly handed his horse, with the guy still on it to his personal guard waiting for him.
‘Have him ready in the interrogation room. And tell the Captain to interrogate him. He should know the assassination attempt was by the lake and the target was Prince Seonghyeon. Have him come to throne room instantly after’, Martin ordered casually. He signalled Seonghyeon to follow him.
The argument took no longer than a few words to begin. His parents were obviously, as he’d predicted very angry and protective at their youngest being almost harmed. Seonghyeon knew this. He partly agreed with the protection measures. He could accept having 6 guards on him everywhere. He could accept a tester for his food. But not going out for a whole 3 weeks? That was way too much.
‘Dad come on. What’s the point of having 6 guards if they can’t protect me’
‘Seonghyeon this is non-negotiable’, his dad’s voice was firm
‘Kitten I know its hard but you have to understand. You are going to be targeted for the next month. Any loose ends will be seen as an opportunity.’, his mother chimed in.
Seonghyeon looked at his dad. His mom would never budge. He knew. But his dad could be persuaded with the right motivation.
‘Stop using those eyes Seonghyeonie. This is absolutely non-negotiable’, Seonghyeon huffed in anger.
Seonghyeon was planning to fight more but just then the captain came back.
‘Your Highness’, the Captain bowed. The king turned his attention to him. Seonghyeon knew his case was dismissed. He went to the side and sat. James was beside him in an instant.
‘Come on Seonghyeon-ie it’s just for a month. And I know you understand.’, James was looking at him kindly. Seonghyeon just nodded. He knew this was perfectly reasonable. Didn’t mean it wasn’t unfair.
‘The assassin caved surprisingly easily. I believe he wasn’t a proper trained killer. Just heavy help hired.’
Everyone turned their attention to Captain Minwook.
‘He was approached by a man in the local bar in the slums. He was just told to assassinate the youngest prince. And the sum was large enough that he didn’t question the absurdity of the request. He was only given one-third of the pay though. He had a fight with the man who hired him over it and the man revealed some sort of financial crisis for whoever was using this man as a middle agent’ The Captain revealed.
‘Find all that you can about who hired him. I need to know his identity.’ King Eunseok answered. His father looked angry at the whole situation.
‘Yes your Highness;, Minwook bowed again as he was dismissed. He turned to Seonghyeon and gave him a wink as he was walking out. Seonghyeon smiled, a tiny little thing, in return.
‘Seonghyeon you must be tired. Go back to your room. And James, make sure to brief every guard and check every room for the next few days’, James, his personal and most trusted guard bowed in return. Saying nothing as he followed Seonghyeon out.
‘And send Martin Seonghyeon. You probably know where he is.’, his dad called out as he went out.
They found Martin in the gardens. He’d left sometime in the middle when Seonghyeon had started arguing. Not wanting to be a part of it. He was sitting in the bench. Laughing at something Juhoon was saying with almost idiotic devotion. Seonghyeon anger softened as he looked at them. He wished one day he could have something like them too.
Juhoon had the flowers Martin had given him in his hair. He was whispering something in Martin’s ear as Martin laughed with his chest. His arms wrapped around Juhoon’s waist while other one held his hand.
As Seonghyeon walked in. Juhoon gave him a devious smile. It had taken a long time for Juhoon to open up to Seonghyeon. But once he had they’d become fast friends. He had also found Juhoon to be surprisingly unlike his elegant and shy appearance.
‘You okay Seonghyeon-ie’, Juhoon questioned him with a smirk one his face. Seonghyeon knew he’d only asked it because he knew Seonghyeon couldn’t resist ranting to him.
‘As okay as I will be with a whole army following me’
‘Oh, stop exaggerating’, his brother chimed in with an eye roll ,‘It’s only six guards and its only for a month’
‘I know hyung, I know. Doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to complain. Anyway. Dad was calling for you in the throne room.’
He saw Martin place a last kiss on Juhoon’s mouth as he stood up. Juhoon sat there for a second too before bidding Seonghyeon goodbye as he went off to do his own duties.
Later, as Seonghyeon laid in his room, he could only dread the next few days. He curled into his side as he looked at the moon shining outside.
He wished his soulmate would be someone pretty, and maybe who liked to read. But more than ever. He wished they would be someone kind. Someone who would treat their love gently, with all their heart. Seonghyeon fell asleep with the thought of his soulmate in mind.
.....................................
The next few days passed by agonizingly slow. He spent most of them reading in the library. With the occasional trip to the astronomy tower.
James was there every second of the day. Seonghyeon loved talking with James. James knew each and every thing that went on with him. Partly because of the amount of time they spent together and partly because of how nosy he was.
James had also decided that since they were now spending large amounts of time inside. It was a great time for Seongyeon to improve his sword-fighting skills. Seonghyeon had always been very adamant against learning. He was already skilled in archery. What use was rolling around lifting heavy wooden swords if he could just stand far and shoot. But he knew James wanted him to try so he had agreed.
‘Yes, you’re doing great’, James exclaimed as they did some drills in the training grounds.
Seonghyeon knew it meant a lot to James that he learn, but his arms were trembling with exhaustion and he was on the verge of giving up.
‘ Thank you James’, Seonghyeon managed a smile. Despite the weight dragging his arms down.
James looked at him and seemed to realise his condition. His eyes softened.
‘Okay that’s enough for today’, Seonghyeon slumped in exhaustion. Letting James take the sword from his hand and carry it to the stand.
Just then Juhoon came to the entrance. He beckoned Seonghyeon over. Instantly, Seonghyeon’s whole entourage moved with him as he walked over to him. He’d gotten used to it by now.
‘There’s been a spotting of some dragon in the forest in the east. I think they might dispatch some soldiers.’ Juhoon told him lowly. He sounded a little apprehensive. Seonghyeon knew exactly why. While Juhoon himself was an amazing man, his family was far from the same. His dad had been a decorated finance minister until he started spending all his money hunting for dragon eggs. His brother was a loyal follower of his dad and made sure to go with his own entourage on every hunt.
‘Are they holding court right now?’
‘Yes. You want to join or are you too busy practicing your favourite sport’, Juhoon’s sarcasm wasn’t hard to spot. Seonghyeon rolled his eyes good naturedly as he walked forward. James joining him a step behind
‘It was fine. I’m pretty sure James loved it though’, Seonghyeon replied
‘You know I did Your Highness’, Seonghyeon groaned at that.
‘James please don’t call me that come on. You know Juhoon doesn’t care too’
‘You know I don’t James’, Juhoon turned to James with a smile.
‘I know you don’t Lord Juhoon, but I know our little prince does’, Seongyeon just ignored him and walked forward. He didn’t really care much for dragon hunting. But he knew Juhoon needed the support. His dad always went haywire about these things and their house would be in a state of disarray for the whole time that the soldiers were out.
The throne room was filled with nobles and messengers when they reached. Martin immediately tucked Juhoon under his arm, giving him a light kiss on the crown of his head. Seonghyeon saw the tension melt slightly out of Juhoon and smiled to himself.
‘A red beast was seen in the outer ridges Your Highness, the trees a few miles out had multiple claw marks on them.’, the messenger, a mousy looking man prattled on.
‘If we play our cards right, this time should be an almost assured success’, the king looked contemplative. Dragons were notoriously hard to find. They also stayed near their eggs as was believed. In every kingdom, an egg was a treasure of the highest value. Having an egg meant having the strongest weapon in the battlefield. While adult dragons were destructive and wild, dragons straight from the eggs could be trained to obey. Or at least that was what was believed.
Seonghyeon personally found it all to be sort of cruel and illogical. Wild beasts would stay wild no matter where they were raised. Loyalty was something that had to earned not something that could be bought.
‘Prepare the convoy and dispatch them as soon as possible’, the king ordered ‘you will also go with them’.
‘Yes Your Highness’, the messenger bowed his head as he started walking to his own men.
‘Your Highness I also have men who are ready to join your convoy. They are the best of the best and will surely help in your success’, a voice spoke up from the side where the nobles sat. It was Kim Juhan. Juhoon’s dad.
The King stared at him for a few seconds. Until Kim Juhan was bowing his head. This was a regular dance. But still made tension arise every time it happened.
‘Very well’
This too was a common occurrence. Juhan instantly sat down. Calling both his sons over. Seonghyeon saw Martin tense before letting go of Juhoon from his arms.
Seonghyeon himself started walking back to his chambers.
‘It’s very unnecessary how much importance they give to all this’, Seonghyeon confessed to James. In a voice low enough the six guards a few steps in front and behind him wouldn’t hear.
‘It is. But politically, on the off chance another kingdom gets the egg. A lot of support and resources are going to fall into their side’, James replied. They’d had many debates over this. Their answers were almost rehearsed at this point.
‘But the amount of resources they do utilize for this is also stupid. And what would even happen after the egg grows up’, Seonghyeon muttered. They were almost at his chamber. He was about to open it before James grabbed his wrist and pulled him back. He moved inside and took a whole sweep of the room, checking every nook, before letting Seonghyeon enter.
‘Goodnight James’, Seonghyeon wished him as he went inside. He entered and changed into loose pants and a white sleep shirt.
As he lay curled on his bed staring at the window, he secretly wished the red dragon would never get caught.