Chapter Text
“So, what have you come up with, my Lord?”, Yunho asked as he adjusted the sapphire stone on San’s chest that held the ruffles of the white shirt together.
San snorted but stayed quiet nonetheless as he put on his short black gloves. There were little silver stones sitting on the line of his thumb, which harmonised perfectly well with the pin on his black waistcoat. He threw a side eye into the mirror that stood on its long, elegant, and golden legs in the corner of the room, right next to the balcony. His hair was slicked back, not even a strand falling into his eyes as it accentuated his sharp jawline. Yesterday he had worn them a bit more freely, but the occasion longed for a more sophisticated look.
“I guess the way you tart yourself up is speaking for yourself.”
“You were right in winning over his heart”, San said absentmindedly, trying to flatten out the folds in his clothes that must have happened during their journey. “As long as Wooyoung doesn’t reciprocate my feelings, I won’t marry him. But we’ve been given five months – maybe that’s a good compensation for the time we’ve lost. Time with Wooyoung has always been something special after all.”
His advisor had a content smile on his lips, “Now there you go. This is the San I know.” He took some steps back, whistling at San’s attire, “I must say – not only Wooyoung will be impressed by those looks. I’m sure the guests will be charmed as well.”
Prince consort Hongjoong’s parents were coming over. It was a rather far distance they had crossed for them to visit the royal palace – coming from the outer Northenlands. The king and queen had given Yunho a list of events for the next days in which they wished San would participate. It wasn’t really a duty and San could easily decline, but since Wooyoung was attending most of those events too, it was a good way to spend time with the prince.
A knock got the boys out of their thoughts as Mingi – one of San’s servants who had come along the far way – put his head through one of the door wings. His short blonde hair looked like hay that hadn’t been combed for a while as he gaped at San’s appearance, eyes sparkling.
“Marvelous”, he said, making San give him a nod back in appreciation. “The prince consort’s family had arrived. I should announce to you that the tea table is already laid. They will await you in a couple of minutes.”
San gave him another nod, before he adjusted his bow a last time. With all the white ruffles, he would have to be careful to not let it hang in any of the dishes or tea while being in the company of the royal family and Wooyoung. An easy task. San had been through harder times. “Thank you for the information, Mingi. You and Yunho don’t need to attend. Have some leisure time.”
That made the advisor sputter next to him, “N-not attend? But my Lord, I-“
San gave him a pointed look, one eyebrow raising as he gave him a smile, “You want to watch me flirt and court the prince as you listen to the talk of adults trying to exchange pleasantries?”
The words Yunho had prepared got stuck in his throat as he nodded his head in understanding. “Me and Mingi will enjoy our leisure time.”
“Perfect!”, San beamed as he grabbed his dark blue coat; maybe they would be going outside over the course of the day – San wanted to be prepared. Although the sun had been warm and healing yesterday, the night had been a bit rainy, and ice had covered the grounds. It was due to the weather that the tea wouldn’t be held in the pavilion that San had predicted it would he held at but in the conservator – the winter garden – of the palace. San remembered it to be full of plants and curtains as the walls laid open in wide windows reaching from the ground to the ceiling. Curiosity made him wonder if the room still looked the same.
It was a weird feeling to stride through the wide halls of the palace all alone. Usually, Yunho was always at his side. However, as long as he was here, he wouldn’t exposed to threats. His eyes wandered to the white clad guards at the side and greeted them with a nod as they greeted him back. The royal palace was heavily guarded from the in- and outside. Even as they had entered the property the day before, they had gone through various stages of guards checking their identity.
San reached the ground floor of the palace, already seeing the dull white dress layering around the queen’s body. Her ashen hair was pulled in a high and decorated updo, the same colour as prince Seonghwa’s hair, which was seated in a small ponytail. His hair was fairly short, just around the same length as San’s had been, however the hairstyle looked elegant as the hair was held in the nape of his neck by a thin dark blue ribbon. He wore trousers and a jacket in the same royal blue, floral patterns wrapping around the sleeves’ ends and around the middle of his chest. The collar stood firmly up to his chin, accentuating his long neck. There was white ruching and a blue ribbon hiding beneath his jacket, but San thought that he probably wouldn’t lay down the jacket in the February’s midday cold.
“Good day, San”, he greeted with a soft smile as he found the warrior coming up to the royal pair. “Have you slept well?”
“Like back in the days, my Prince”, he answered with a little bow. A lot of time had passed, and San wasn’t really surprised that Seonghwa had picked up on the royals’ courtesy. It had been years back when Seonghwa, San, and Wooyoung had played together as children. It didn’t come as a surprise to San that Wooyoung was the only one who would speak completely informally to him. However, if that were the case, it needed to be proven another day and not when a special occasion was taking place where everyone tried to show their sweet side.
San looked around as they waited in front of the little winter garden. “His Majesty, Hongjoong, and Wooyoung are missing?”
Seonghwa laughed lightly, “My consort is right around the corner getting his parents. My father is about to ready the tea and food that our servants and the ones of Hongjoong’s family have prepared, while Wooyoung…”, Seonghwa trailed off with a steep smile.
“Late as always… I suppose”, Hongjoong said as he came around the corner of the hallway. Unlike Seonghwa, he looked more casual. Just a blue waistcoat with small patterns over a white shirt with a little white bow. He definitely wore his black hair the shortest of all the young men running around in this household, but that was perfect for the earrings covering his lobes to shine.
“Probably”, Seonghwa smiled benignly as he folded his arms with a happy glance to his husband. San admired the look Seonghwa and Hongjoong exchanged. It seemed like they were communicating without words as their eyes wouldn’t leave each other for a few seconds. With a little dust of pink on his cheeks, San averted his gaze feeling slightly inversive watching something that seemed so personal but also blushed at the thought that he had shared some long glances with Wooyoung every now and then too. He just loved the prince’s grey eyes so much as one could easily lose themselves in the sight.
Hongjoong held the door open for an elderly couple to appear. They had more years on their shoulders than the royal couple, but they were still shimmering in young colours as they clinkered in the golden jewellery all over their bodies. Seonghwa and San bowed slightly in politeness. It was funny how Seonghwa kept the etiquette like that. As a prince and especially the heir, there was no reason for Seonghwa to bow to anyone. The boy still showed respect and San liked that about Seonghwa. He would make a good king one day.
The queen held her dress to run up to the visitors. “My dear friends!”, she greeted as she gave them both a warm hug. “Welcome to the palace. I hope the journey has been good.”
San cringed slightly at the small talk that was already exchanged. As successor of the warrior clan he – of course – was also trained in etiquette, but sure enough it wasn’t one of San’s favourites to exaggerate like that.
Just as the queen was about to progress with her questions about their arrival, the king came around the corner and told them to take a seat at the table.
San looked a bit awkward as he glanced to the staircase reaching up to the higher levels where the royals’ bed chambers were situated. Where was Wooyoung? Of course, he could handle himself in such a setting, but it felt… weird, to put it frankly.
The family didn’t appear bothered by the fact that the younger son was missing, so San put on a happy face too.
And as expected, the winter garden had stayed the same. The large round table in the middle was decorated in a white tablecloth with patterns of flowers woven in colours of autumn leaves. There were biscuits and cakes sitting all around the table as well as prepared but empty cups at every chair. The green oxidised copper skeleton holding the windows was in a perfect colour to blend into the big leaves of plants San had never seen bloom outside. They must have all been presents from other lands. The glass door leading outside was closed, two guards standing outside to keep watch but not intrude on their teatime. San also saw the way the guards closed the doors to the hallway, leaving the guests and royalties in their little dome of glass.
Seonghwa led the way inside, patting a chair, “This is Wooyoung’s spot”, the prince said and gestured to the one next to it for San to sit.
San gulped at the way Seonghwa smirked at him. They really wanted them to get closer.
“And you must be the younger prince’s suitor, am I right?”, Hongjoong’s mother asked with a fragile smile on his thin lips, making San nod with a grin.
“I’m courting Prince Wooyoung, yes”, San said – not wanting to use the word ‘suitor’ for himself. San was… merrily a friend but explaining that to the old folks could take some while. San didn’t think he would be excited about discussing his feelings on this table now. “My pardon, my name is Choi San. I’m the successor of the Choi warrior clan of the west”, San rushed out, heart accelerating in his chest as he had forgotten that not everybody on this table knew him.
The woman’s drawn eyebrows rose, “The Choi warrior clan? Is he from-“ She trailed off with her words, looking at the king showing his teeth in a smile.
“Our dear San is the son of my former headguard, that’s correct. I would have let him stay at my side, but I didn’t want to stand in love’s way as he had found himself a girl not long after the fights in the north.”
San’s ears burned in a blush as they talked about his parents.
On San’s other side, Hongjoong was taking his seat, making San turn to him to escape to listen to the old people retelling stories about his parents that he never wanted to know.
“Hello”, San said with a smile, offering a hand, “I never got to introduce myself to you in person.”
The smile that was sent his way was adorable. It wasn’t a beaming one like Wooyoung always had for him but a shy one as he took San’s hand. “My name’s Park Hongjoong; I was excited to meet you. Seonghwa and Wooyoung always had so many tales about you. When I learned that you were to marry Wooyoung, I was thrilled to get to know you, although-“
San’s smile froze as he felt the grip around his hand tighten until it hurt slightly. Hongjoong leaned a bit closer so that the words would stay between them.
“I heard you declined the marriage. I love Wooyoung like a brother. If your aim is to hurt him, you have not one but two enemies.”
San was shocked at that, “I’d rather take my own life than hurt him.”
The harsh grip ended as Hongjoong leaned back with that shy smile again, “Then we will have no problems. Nice to meet you, San.”
San was aware that the decline could bring him some problems, but he never thought about what the royal family would think and do if he ever hurt their second son. If time hadn’t changed some things, then even Seonghwa was hyper-protective over his little brother. Perhaps he trusted San more since they knew each other for years, but San shouldn’t risk too much. He was still in a lion’s den if he so wished to hurt their cub.
San would never hurt Wooyoung though. He’d not even think about it.
The doors to the hallway were suddenly opened by the guards. Maybe it was already time for the tea… but that assumption was wrong.
Good gracious Lord.
San stood up, one hand flattening out the ruffling at his chest. He was glad that the tea hadn’t arrived yet. He would have spit it out in an instant.
There was the soft ringing of bells as he appeared hastily in the room. His cheeks were red like rose pedals, either due to the running or because of some light rouge. The ringing came from the bells hanging onto the thin pale pink ribbon holding half of his hair in a bun at the back, while the rest was falling in soft straight lines to the middle of his neck.
San was so used to Wooyoung’s natural waves that it took him some seconds to realise that it was really Wooyoung standing in front of him.
He wasn’t wearing make-up. San knew he didn’t since Wooyoung had always hated the feeling it gave to his skin. And still, Wooyoung’s lips were glossy like cherries as they stood on his olive skin. His hands were in dusky pink gloves with white lace at the end, a little white ribbon sitting on his hand’s backs. If all of this hadn’t San cost his sanity by now the dress he wore certainly did. Wooyoung had always been the type to do whatever he wanted, be it fashion’s choice or what his loose mouth sometimes said. Yet, Wooyoung never failed to charm San any less in all the years he had spent with him. Even during the ones he had nothing but his unrhythmic words written on paper.
The dress had the same pale colour as the gloves. The cut was like the one of his peach blouse from the day before, leaving out space to show his collarbones and beginnings of chest. A darker pink ribbon sat on the dress at the left side – right where his heart was as the sleeves followed into little puffed fabric. The dress followed along his body line to his waist before it opened in a wide skirt. The left side was held up, revealing more of the white underskirt that fell in layers like the one of his mother. The folds of the longest layer only reached up to his knees though, and San found himself staring at the white high boots – laced up all the way into a fine ribbon – for some seconds, before the clearing of a throat brough San back into reality. Back to the tea table from which he had just stood up as the only person.
To avoid the awkwardness of the situation, San offered his hand with a smile in Wooyoung’s direction. “I awaited you.”
Wooyoung’s eyes widened at San before he looked to the rest of the table, bowing. “I apologise for my lateness.”
Hongjoong’s mother chuckled a bit, “How could we not accept the apology of such a beautiful young man. How I wished Hongjoong would have taken a liking to dresses too sometimes.”
The prince’s consort sputtered, “M-mother!?” A careless laugh fell over the table as Wooyoung approached with a slightly ducked head in embarrassment. San just smiled his way as Wooyoung took his hand, letting himself be led up to the chair next to him. His hand felt so right in San’s although the touch was more a phantom of a feeling than actual handholding.
Part of the etiquette, San thought with a little pained expression.
Just as he adjusted Wooyoung’s chair to the table, he made sure to bend down next to his ear. “You look beautiful.”
Wooyoung’s eyes widened and his cheeks got red as San sat down next to him with sparkling eyes and a cute smile. Ah – so no rouge.
“Thank you”, he said with a stunned cute gape, and San couldn’t stop smiling and staring at the prince. He looked more than beautiful. He would make San lose his mind if he watched him just a bit longer.
Grateful for the distraction, San looked up to the king clapping his hands. “The tea!”
The doors opened in no time, servants rushing in to serve the tea after the queen explained in high tones what sorts she had brought to taste. San had never liked tea that much and would do his best to stay with only two cups until the visit was over. The biscuits would entertain him most and if they didn’t, then surely the beauty next to him would.
San stole another glance, heartbeat sitting out as he saw Wooyoung laugh at something one of the servants said while pouring him a cup. By all the heavens, Wooyoung looked so beautiful. San silently wished for Yunho’s company. He didn’t know if he would be able to keep his posture like this. His head already felt like mush just by being in the prince’s company.
There was a fluffy cream coloured cloth in Yeosang’s hands that he pulled over the backrest of Wooyoung’s chair. Probably his coat. So, San wasn’t that wrong in bringing his own.
“How are the lands doing?”, the king asked, making Hongjoong’s father answer.
“The borders are still not as secured as we wish but the knights are holding up fine.”
There was a shiver going through Wooyoung’s body at the words. The prince looked up at his parents and then to Seonghwa. Every time they talked about tactics, war, or just a fight in general – Wooyoung feared for Seonghwa to leave again, like he had to a couple of years ago. It was just the time Wooyoung had grown up an adult when his brother was asked to assist in the scramble that was going on in the north. It was also the time Seonghwa got to know Hongjoong – so, of course it hadn’t been entirely bad. Wooyoung had just been in a constant panic and fear for his brother to return safely.
His brother looked rather comfortable with the conversation though and it didn’t seem that the situation needed him.
Wooyoung sighed relieved and played with the fabric of his pink gloves.
“Do you want a biscuit, Wooyoung?”, San asked him in a gentle voice as he already reached for the basket in which the little cakes were sitting in.
And that was another thing. San was looking fine today. Back when he had entered the room, his mind had been full of possible excuses to mutter, but all of them fell down the second he saw San. He had taken a deep bow towards the guests in an attempt to hide his burning face.
He had… mild success. But gosh San looked hot.
“Yes, please”, Wooyoung smiled at his friend, trying to ignore the way his heart pondered in his chest. He watched the way San held the ruching at the front of his shirt flat to his chest as he stood to get the basket without his wardrobe hanging into any of the dishes on the table. The prince watched the way San handled himself so well with admiring eyes. He had always been kind and polite but so elegant? It must have come with the years but, urgh-
Wooyoung felt the heat rise to his cheeks again as he averted his eyes before San would catch him staring.
To his misfortune, his eyes landed on his personal servant, who gave him a challenging smirk as he tipped his own cheek to signalise Wooyoung that his had been in a deep red.
Wooyoung growled in his head. I know that, Yeosang. No need to make my misery even bigger.
“I recommend the one with strawberries, if it is still the case that you like berries?”
The sentence was more a question as San wanted to make sure that Wooyoung’s likes had stayed the same, making the prince’s skin tingle. San still remembered such little things about him? But who was he to talk… he did too.
“I love them”, Wooyoung giggled and took the cake out of San’s hands, slightly gracing San’s gloved hand and it made a shiver go down his spine. As Wooyoung realised that he was laughing, he tried to hide it with his empty hand, but San wouldn’t have that, pulling the wrist gently away.
“Your smile is pretty. Please don’t hide it. I love to see you happy.”
The words fell out faster than San’s mind could catch on, making not only the noble warrior but also the young prince blush in crimson.
“T-thanks for giving me the biscuit”, Wooyoung replied stupefied in a squeaky tone.
San rasped, “Of course” and minded his own business after that. Damn.
“We haven’t heard from you since the day you left, San”, Seonghwa now started, watching their little interaction with a fond smile, “How have you been? I heard you have been winning your clan’s tournaments since the day you came back. I assume you must exceed in your sword-fighting.”
San grinned, “Not only sword-fighting, my prince. It’s our clan’s speciality to fight in any given circumstance.”
There was a flash of excitement in the prince’s eyes, “How fascinating. I’d love if we could have a sparring fight another day? And, if we are talking casually like that, you can address me with my name. It would make me happy to relive old times again.”
San smiled and nodded eagerly. It wasn’t as uncomfortable as he thought.
A hand on his right arm made him turn his head, the touched spot immediately running hot as he realised that it was Wooyoung. A Wooyoung with very sparkly and excited eyes. “Oh my god, yes! Let’s do some sparring tomorrow!!”
Seonghwa laughed meanwhile San felt his stomach drop to his feet.
The crown prince patted the younger prince’s head two times before shaking his head, “Not tomorrow, Woo. You know that Hongjoong and I are showing around his parents through the capital, right?”
The younger boy grumbled as he folded his arms. “The day after.”
Seonghwa chuckled again, eyes thinning in happy lines, “The day after.”
Although the conversation was cute and full of kindness, San’s heart beat thousand times per second. What did they mean? “Sparring?”, San voiced hesitantly. “I don’t want you to get hurt, Wooyoung.”
That made the prince gasp, “What!? Don’t play that card. If someone should watch out for getting hurt, it’s your ego after I am done with you.”
Although Wooyoung sincerely looked offended, San just knew that with his physique alone he could seriously hurt Wooyoung and it worried him. He didn’t want to spare with him.
A snort came from behind, “Please invite me, I wanna watch him try.” Another gasp followed from Wooyoung as he stabbed his servant with his eyes.
“Mum, did you hear what Yeosang said? Can we finally dismiss him?”
“Nobody gets dismissed, Wooyoung”, his mother dispraised with a sharp glance. “Now stop bickering when we have guests.” The words didn’t come across as sharp as intended since the queen giggled behind her hand.
Definitely a habit Wooyoung picked up, yes.
Wooyoung pouted as he slipped down the chair.
Stupid San. Stupid Yeosang.
It was true that Wooyoung had won a few sparring fights when they were younger. However,…
Wooyoung run his eyes over the fabric that was stretching around San’s shoulders. The buttons on his chest fighting for their life, holding the waistcoat together. His cheeks grew hot as the tea in his cup - steaming - at the thought of how his body must look underneath.
Stupid thoughts!
Wooyoung clasped his hands over his cheeks lightly, but it didn’t go unnoticed by the others on the table, ending their political discussion to pay him attention.
“Wooyoung?”, the queen asked hastily as she saw the younger son’s face burn up in an unhealthy red.
“I-I…”, Wooyoung started, the heat growing at the unwanted attention. He wobbly got out of his chair, feeling a worried hand of support on his arm. “I’m feeling unwell. I’m gonna get some fresh air. I’m sorry.”
The queen’s soft expression fell. “Unwell?”
Oh oh, Wooyoung. Wrong choice of words.
The king and queen were already halfway out of their chair, Seonghwa already standing as Wooyoung’s eyes flickered to the glass door. Yeosang already took the coat from the backrest when San interfered – getting a hold of the cloth.
“I’ll go with him.”
Wooyoung looked up to San, nodding slightly at the offer. He went to knock on the door waiting until the guards outside turned his way.
“My Prince?”, they asked in unison and looked up to Wooyoung.
“Fresh air”, he mumbled as he swayed with his arms a bit, wanting to grip for a handrail that wasn’t there. They should really install one. Just as the hand went into nothingness, another appeared on his waist, supporting and holding his body upright.
I’m gonna faint. I’m gonna faint. Wooyoung’s thoughts were racing as he squinted his eyes. San really didn’t realise that he was making things worse at this point.
“Woo-“, Seonghwa started but San turned over his shoulder.
“We’ll be back in some minutes. I’ll watch over him.”
The crown prince didn’t seem appeased by that, but also didn’t want to make a hysteric panic out of it. So, he sat back down, swallowing his worry for his little brother. As soon as the guards closed the door, San felt the cold seep in his clothes. He pulled his own coat closer. He had taken it the second Wooyoung had voiced to leave the room.
He still held the cream-coloured coat of Wooyoung, so San took his hands of the prince to throw it around his shoulders. He would need to make sure that they weren’t spending too much time outside as long as Wooyoung was in this dress. As beautiful as it was, it was really short and probably not really warm.
“Careful”, San said as he pulled the strings of the coat to a knot in the front, making a little ribbon. Now San saw the whole coat finally as it fell down to Wooyoung’s ankles, and it made his fingers feel numb. There were flower patterns in the middle of both sides. Embroidered tulips, roses and daisies wrapped along the ends of the fabric with enrichments of golden tendrils. The pattern wasn’t small and it made the huge dusky pink ribbon in the front – that San had made – seem so perfectly fitting.
San inspected Wooyoung’s face closely, hovering just inches from his. Wooyoung backed up a bit, wide eyes at the sudden vicinity.
“Are you feeling dizzy?”
Wooyoung shook his head, eyes still widen in shock. The expression made San dip his head to the side.
“Do you want to take a walk, perhaps?”, San tried since he wasn’t sure what Wooyoung needed to feel better, but the constant red colour in his face made him worry. He didn’t want to invade his personal space and check his temperature, but he feared Wooyoung could suffer from a cold or fever. However, it didn’t add up to San, given that the prince was perfectly fine when he met him yesterday in the yard.
Wooyoung nodded weakly and waited for San to lead the way, letting out a held breath when San was finally no longer close enough that he was able count the lashes on his eyes.
Way too close. How should I calm down when the reason for my panic is with me?! Wooyoung’s thoughts were sincere but yet, not less grave. He should stop thinking about San in that way. It’s not like San wanted him in any way…
They fell into a slow rhythm and Wooyoung made sure to make big playful steps at the stone path – jumping from one big stone to the other instead of walking normally like San did. San chuckled at Wooyoung’s behaviour though, mimicking him just seconds after watching.
This feels right, Wooyoung thought as he threw San a laugh. This feels like back then.
“Thank you, for coming with me”, Wooyoung said after they had walked through the naked gardens for a while, only the almond trees blossoming in the cold wind.
“I hope you feel better now. You worried us”, San remarked as he watched Wooyoung put his hands on the little stone bridge’s balustrade. The prince nodded and giggled as he heaved himself onto the stone.
“My Prince!”, San exclaimed as he immediately stepped closer, hands hovering in the air as he saw Wooyoung stand on the balustrade.
“It’s Wooyoung!”, he hissed but fell in a laugh, “Oh, look at your face! You look like you’ve seen a ghost!”
“I just…”, San’s voice got timid. Wooyoung wasn’t a baby. He was 23. He shouldn’t… “I just don’t want you to get hurt. That’s all.” The warrior offered a hand towards Wooyoung, but the prince didn’t see it as he spread his arms to the side to balance out his steps.
“So… San”, Wooyoung started as he carefully put one boot in front of the other. “How has your life been?”
San had not been ready for such a deep conversation, smiling tiredly as he remembered the time, they had lost but didn’t let it ruin the mood.
“It had been wonderful”, San sing-sang instead, earning a little suspicious side-eye by the prince. The little bells on Wooyoung’s ribbon ringed lovely with every step he took, making San’s heart beat higher and filling it with familiar warmth. “When I was seven, I met the loveliest boy on earth.”
That made Wooyoung laugh happily. His dark straightened hair wiggled with the sweet sound as he bent over slightly. “Don’t be such a charmer”, Wooyoung cackled but challenged San with eyes glinting in mischief.
“I’m nothing but an honest man.”
“Man”, Wooyoung snorted, making San gasp in pretended offense.
“My training has paid off and I have grown nearly a head over you!”
The prince laughed, “You’re still the lovely, little boy I- iiiigh!!”
Wooyoung shrieked as he stepped onto a slippery part of the stone balustrade due to the icing of last night’s weather. The white boot slipped off – luckily on San’s side and not the water’s – and made Wooyoung fall.
San did not even hesitate, arms reaching up to catch the boy falling. One hand settled on his back while the other had found almost naturally beneath his knees. The jingling of the bells was loud in the quiet afternoon. Wooyoung’s eyes were closed, hands pressed to his own chest as his heart beat violently. The feeling of falling was still nesting uncomfortable in his stomach that he didn’t even notice the broad hands on his body.
“Wooyoung?”
The prince slowly cracked one eye open and then the other as he looked into San’s face adorned with a worried frown. “Heaven, you should watch your steps. My heart is suffering.”
Wooyoung blushed, “Oh, uhm…”
That was it. San didn’t care about personal space anymore. He carefully let Wooyoung down, making sure the prince was standing securely on both legs. One hand was still on his waist - and it wouldn’t leave so soon - while the other was touching Wooyoung’s forehead as gently as possible.
San’s frown only grew.
No fever.
“I- I…”, Wooyoung tried to find words under San’s fierce gaze. “I still must have been dizzy. I’m sorry.” It was a lie since Wooyoung had never been dizzy in the first place.
Dizzy in the gleam of San’s sexy body, his mind snickered at him and sometimes Wooyoung would have loved to shut up his annoying thoughts.
San took a step back, not wanting to break Wooyoung’s comfort too much. “No climbing on balustrades when dizzy”, he chided with risen eyebrows as he offered his hand for the utmost time. And this time – Wooyoung took it.
“Yeah, no climbing when dizzy”, Wooyoung mumbled, pretending to be pouting.
“How are you feeli-“, San started but stopped as he felt Wooyoung’s hand lay on top of his. He couldn’t feel his skin due to both of them wearing gloves but still the warmth that emitted from it. So tender. So elegant and soft. San wondered what his hand must felt like without it.
“I’m fine”, Wooyoung smiled up at him, “Better!”
“That’s great”, San smiled back, leading their steps carefully towards the conservatory again. The laughter inside sounded dully against their ears, getting clearer as the guards opened the door for them.
They hadn’t even taken a step inside when the king had already risen to his feet.
“Son, are you-“
“I’m fine”, Wooyoung replied hastily, not meeting their eyes. “I’m sorry for worrying you all.”
“Oh, it’s fine, sweetheart”, Hongjoong’s mother appeased, giving him a warm expression. “Your health is the most important. Besides, you two just came back in time for the second round to start.”
“Exactly!”, the queen exclaimed, clasping her hands with a little laugh, “They rhapsodised about their special tea leaves while you had been away. I can’t wait to taste the magic of Northernlands!”
“It won’t be disappointing. Whenever we dish them up, it’s a whole spectacle!”, the noble woman gushed, making the queen gasp in excitement.
San helped Wooyoung sit down, before he retreated his hand from his body as he realised Hongjoong, Seonghwa, and Yeosang had picked up on their handholding.
He used the noise of the opening door wings as a possibility to clear his throat. Servants were coming in, holding cans of steaming liquid as they walked around to pour the nobles different kinds. Some requested, some as a surprise.
“Wahhh”, Wooyoung looked into the well decorated ceramic cup. “It’s so yellow. I think I’ve never seen something that yellow! Look, San.”
The boy leaned closer to smile at Wooyoung who excitedly showed his cup. San took some of the sugar in case he or Wooyoung would need some before his eyes fell on Seonghwa.
The crown prince sat in front of the same cup of yellow tea as his brother, however, his eyes were less amused.
“Oh ooff”, Wooyoung quietly said as he scrunched his nose, smelling the tea. It must have been less well-scented as the rose tea he had drunk before.
Seonghwa reached for a spoon and it baffled San. Wasn’t it of good etiquette to try something before readjusting the sweetness? He didn’t go for the sugar though. He didn’t go for anything as he put the spoon inside the cup, eyes gradually widening in shock.
What was wrong?
But it didn’t take a second for San’s to realise what was happening when Seonghwa pulled the spoon out of the liquid, metal corroded and vitriolised. Gasps fell from all around the table as they must also have witnessed it, but all San saw was Wooyoung who already had the cup pressed to his lips. His stomach plummeted, cold sweat breaking out.
“Wooyoung!!”, San yelled, making Wooyoung flinch hard. He watched the liquid dance inside the cup closer and closer to the edge. His right arm reached around Wooyoung’s body as his left one gripped Wooyoung’s wrist to make the boy hold the cup still. However, all the stress made Wooyoung release the cup, staring widely at the shards on the table, liquid eating through the tablecloth in a sizzling sound.
San jumped to his feet, yanking Wooyoung – who let out a screech – with him, arms tightly around him as he dragged the second prince an armlength away from the table.
“By all the Gods”, the queen gasped as she watched the liquid dissolve the tablecloth more and more.
Seonghwa’s eyes were still widened in shock but went into a dissecting glare as he picked up his cup, pouring it slowly onto the table and watched it eat away at everything it touched.
“A whole… spectacle, you say?” His expression was so angry that his own brother didn’t even recognise him anymore. “This is acid!”, he hissed, prompting his hands against the table, rising to his feet. “Close all the exits!!”, he shouted and the guards who had been lured by the commotion set in motion.
Seonghwa left his chair, rushing to his little brother, “Wooyoung! Wooyoung, did you get it on your skin? Are you hurt?”
Wooyoung shook his head, heart beating wildly and painfully against his ribcage as his eyes were still on the hole that had burnt into the table.
“We- We can’t explain that”, Hongjoong’s mother gasped, close to tears. “Your Majesty, we would never-“
“Silence!!”, the king rasped as he got to his feet. “If San hadn’t reacted that fast, that… liquid… would have gone inside my son’s body! There’s no tolerance to show!”
Wooyoung’s lips and body were shaking more and more violently at the thought of what had just nearly happened. He just nearly… A sickening feeling spread in his gut as he saw the state of the tablecloth. Tears slipped off his eyes before he even knew it, hiccupping on his own breaths.
As if it terrified San more than the acid burning in the teacups, he jumped at the sound of Wooyoung’s wailing, running his hands over Wooyoung’s exposed arms. “Shhh, Wooyoung. You’re alright.”
But Wooyoung wasn’t. His breaths were harsh and hurt in his throat as he tried to gasp for air. His eyes were wide and lost as San picked up on his panic state.
“I would never dare to poison the princes!”, Hongjoong’s father yelled, making Wooyoung just react harsher, and it broke San’s heart. They needed to leave.
The king growled, blocking the door in an angered stance, “If you insist on that so much then why not call back your servant and see if one the teas you brought will burn the skin of your hand?”
“ENOUGH!”, Seonghwa shouted, leaving a thick silence only filled by Wooyoung’s quiet sobs. San held him closer to his chest, hoping that his heartbeat could calm him down a bit. “This all doesn’t need to be bad blood between our families. We got set up. I have seen the hollowware the teas of Hongjoong’s family were transported in. They were of ceramic and stone. Both would not be able to hold acid like that. Whoever brought the acid, did not bring it with the goods of the family.”
The king still had a sharp glint, “What do you want to imply, son?”
Seonghwa eyed his surroundings before he sighed, “Whoever brought the acid is probably already back to the capital. Making enemies out of the two most powerful families of the kingdom was for sure not a plan from the inside ranks. As your son in law, I expect smarter play from you. So, I believe in their innocence. Someone set this up.”
Just as everyone around munched on the crown prince’s words, Seonghwa turned to San and Wooyoung. “San”, he softly addressed. “Please, bring Wooyoung to his chambers. Yeosang get the physician. We don’t want to risk anything. He was far too close to the acid.”
“Yes, my prince”, Yeosang replied with a dry throat and bow before he stepped out the room.
The young prince clung to San’s waistcoat like it was his lifeline. “Should I carry you?”, San asked softly, heart breaking at the shaking of his gentle, pink-clothed fingers. The warrior didn’t even have time to burst out in rage and fire at the possible damage that Wooyoung escaped by hair’s span. No, not yet. His well-being came first. He would join Seonghwa and the others later to discuss it.
Against San’s expectation, Wooyoung shook his head, slowly letting go off San’s clothes.
San led Wooyoung out of the room and carefully up the stairs. The physician would be there for a check-up in just some minutes, but he made sure to not leave Wooyoung’s side until then.