Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The golden ornaments; outside of the church, a snowy scenery, pure and white. But under that elegant dome, in front of the throng that wore a grave expression, standing with their intertwined hands and gazes full of grief, people were looking at the funereal deathbed.

Crying in those circumstances was not allowed. The farewell of a person towards his eternal rest, on a coffin of gold, opened for a last goodbye, deserved the major respect that the townspeople could give. That was the painful silence of a farewell that pierced like a dagger the hearts of the inhabitants of that kingdom.

For the king Seungcheol had passed away before his illness, leaving behind his dear people, but above all, a husband and a sweet child of only 13 years old. The townspeople loved his king; again, his departure brought sorrow to the kingdom, because there wouldn't be a monarch that worried for them as a universal father anymore.

The priest, after pronouncing some words in Latin, that requiem, requested the noble and small family to walk towards the coffin to offer their adieu to the king. The young prince with the name of Junhui, with his big and beautiful owly eyes shining for tears that weren't allowed to fall, felt that his feet were planted on the ground, without being capable to advance and see his father, being aware that he wasn't only on a peaceful dream, for he would never wake up again. His eyelids, closed perpetually.

Noticing the unwilling child, Jeonghan, stepfather of the prince, the one that contracted marriage with the king Seungcheol after they met, following years of the queen Siyeon's death, took the hand of the little boy and offered him a faint smile.

“Come on, Jun, let's say farewell to your father.”

The young boy raised his gaze towards Jeonghan, who had a sad frown on his beautiful factions, always soft and pretty, but now just full of disguised distress.

Junhui blinked several times, fearing that one traitor tear escaped from his big eyes, filled usually with innocence; now being only melancholic orbs. He nodded in a dim manner and allowed the adult to guide him by the hand towards his father. After all, he was a widow, he lost someone beloved too. Junhui lost his father, but Jeonghan lost his lover, his husband.

They approached the coffin, adorned with elegant white roses. They also solemnly, surrounding the man's body like a bed, giving that essence of beauty in the absence of life. Junhui looked at his father's serene face. In his signature king suit, his long eyelashes resting on his pale skin. He would no longer open his dark eyes, no longer hear his deep, affable voice calling his name. Just as his mother had passed away when he was younger, now his father had left him just the same. He felt so lonely all of a sudden.

A light squeeze to his hand made him remember the presence of his companion. Jeonghan inhaled deeply, keeping the tears to himself.

“Actually... I'm not really lone, isn't that right?”

He thought, seeing how Jeonghan discreetly wiped one tear that had escaped.

Little did prince Jun know...

Little did he know, in his innocence and loss, that the day his father died, meant a change for his fate.

Chapter Text

The pale light streaming through the small window. The white sky from the snow that fell at times. Midwinter, on the ground, under his bare feet that he placed on the side of the bed. Gray sheets in a bed already made, the pillows well accommodated. The stuffed cat from his childhood, the only vibrant color in that little place; in that plain, lonely room. He reached a hand towards the window and opened it. The bars where he could slip his arm, allowing the light to graze his pale skin, even if the sun was hiding behind the winter clouds. The cold bristled the hairs in his arm.

He backed away when he heard footsteps down the hall. The door opened.

“Junhui, here are your tasks of the day.” The voice of the younger boy made him smile softly.

The fact that Seungkwan was sent to hand over his tasks was one of the little things he genuinely appreciated. Unlike Minhyuk, Seungkwan actually saw him in the eyes without fear.

“Thank you, Kwan” he gave a warm smile and walked over to the other boy to accept the sheet where his chores of the day were written. The castle was a big place and Jeonghan liked to have everything in order, especially when he had planned a Winter Ball soon and would hold a party inviting other kings and queens from the nearby realms. 

Jun sighed just thinking about the "celebration". Jeonghan held those banquets at the expense of the town's wealth, that had it hard for the conditions they lived in, some of them in a deplorable situation. Many were hungry and winter was not kind to anyone. Or at least that was what Mingyu told him. Junhui, with his freedom reduced and living as a slave, had at least one bed and food secured each day.

Seungkwan withdrew from the room with a nod, leaving Jun alone to change his bed clothes. His wardrobe did not differ much. The garments of dull colours, old. Loose pants, a white flannel shirt that had to be tucked onto his pants for how big was for him. A wool sweater to which he never buttoned the front because he thought he looked ridiculous. He wasn’t exactly a vain person, but he didn't want to look like a dwarf (everyone denied their existence, but he was sure that somewhere in the forest they had their residence, he remembered his mother’s tales about them).

He put on his boots and went to wash his face with the bucket of water that was in the corner. He might have a small room, but he always maintained it clean and organized.

He did not have a mirror, but he could see his reflection in the water surface, vaguely. His big eyes, heart-shaped lips, sowed with moles along his cupid’s bow. The square and strong jaw, the black hair contrasting with his pale skin since he didn’t expose that much to the sunlight. His reflection didn't tell him anything. Only that he kept growing. At 19, he was just a young man who saw his features become more evident every day. He rinsed his face and dried himself with the towel.

Then he stood up and hurried to get out to the large abandoned hallway. The area of the castle in which he was had more rooms similar to his, where the king's servants slept and lived. He walked while reading his tasks to decide where to start. Usually, the chores were assigned by Mr. Kim, or Mingyu if he got lucky, even if he stayed in the kitchen the majority of time.

He wasn’t surprised anymore by that treatment since the other servants were the same towards him, for they didn't even glance at him. Very little of them, including Seungkwan and Mingyu, treated him as if he was a normal person, and he was thankful for it.

And Jun was normal, but for some reason Jeonghan had created a rumour around him; that Junhui had become unstable after his father’s death and that he could be dangerous if he put his mind to it.

Clearly, pure lies. But they gave Jeonghan an excuse to justify the fact that he sent the prince, legitimate heir of the kingdom of Diamant, to serve as thrall. Alienate him of the nobility that ran through his veins, that the boy wasn't an obstacle for him anymore. Jun didn't complain much, he could not do anything against Jeonghan. Not when he had strange tricks up his sleeve, when he had already poisoned the hearts of the castle about the prince's image.

In any case, the young boy was grateful that he was allowed to live, if those conditions could be considered as “living”. It wasn’t that he conformed with it, but leastwise he wasn’t three meters underground.

"Although it would be the best… Being with my mother and father" he thought.

He decided to help first in the kitchen. He was amused that Mingyu was so skilled in culinary arts but at the same time very clumsy with the rest of the things.

“Ah, Junhui! Your breakfast is right there. Please eat it before you start with your work. The king wants us to begin with the preparations for the banquet he’ll host next week, so I'm gonna be busy and I don’t think I’d be able to see you until later.” The tall boy smiled at him, his fangs showing. Kim Mingyu, son of Mr. Kim, the king's head chef, was the only person Jun could consider the closest of a friend.

Jun nodded and smiled back at him, then he headed to get his breakfast where Mingyu pointed at, in which there was a plate with a slice of freshly baked apple pie and a glass of warm milk.

“Thank you.” After thanking and as the brunet boy had said, he decided to eat before proceeding with his work.

He walked with his breakfast through the other corridors leaving the kitchen. That wing of the castle wasn't the elegant one, but the area used for the maintenance of the place. That morning it was more busy and with more movement, and the reason was Jeonghan’s banquet and its preparations. Mingyu already had commented about it, everyone was immersed in their respectives tasks.

He continued walking along the undecorated halls and rooms until he came out to a small garden that was not very well maintained, since no one went there. Again, the wing of the castle he was in, was where the servants lived. Jeonghan didn't mind keeping that place nice, because nobody of matter see it and he only sent his guards around, he never went personally.

He surrounded a waterless fountain with an angel sculpture, and he sat on the border to start eating. It wasn't snowing for the moment, but the ground was already a white mantle that creaked under the sole of his boots. He chewed a piece of pie that he put into his mouth with his fork. 

Mingyu was aware that Jun was very fond of apples. He perfectly remembered the apple tree that was located in the main garden of the castle, in the area where Jeonghan resided. The tree that his mother and him had planted when she was still alive and Jun had the tender age of 5 years old.

Those memories used to bring a smile to his beautiful face. Not that he was wretch, but he didn't find much meaning in his life either. He wanted to act, to do something about the situation of his town. He just wanted to do something else, for someone. For him. 

He wasn’t allowed to leave the castle, after all, the only things he could do were the ones he was ordered to. His conversations were brief, with Mingyu or Seungkwan, when he had the opportunity to see them. No one else spoke to him, not a single word, out of fear and mistrust, what Jeonghan sowed on them. And he never went to town.

Little he knew about their plight, but Mingyu, who sometimes did errands in the town personally, got to know about the situation people lived in, how difficult times were for many. Junhui really wanted to get out and see with his own eyes the place that the realm had become to; the kingdom his father had loved and cared.

How much had it changed?

With that frequent questioning that assaulted his thoughts, Jun finished his breakfast in silence and cogitation. When he was about to get ready and start his work day, he saw on his peripheral vision a movement between one of the branchless trees in that forsaken garden. It caught his attention.

He smiled immediately, waving at the animal. The bird leaned his head to the side, as if he had sudden curiosity for the svelte young man, with eyes like the owl had.

Something that no one could deny, even with the beguile thoughts Jeonghan made them believe, was that Junhui possessed an unrepeatable and incomparable beauty. Inwards and out, he was a beautiful person. The boy was gifted with pulchritude, pureness and liveliness. Delightful beauty, as a white rose that never withers.

Sempiternal June’s flower, that stands up over the snow.

Junhui was solely beauteous. Everyone could appreciate and admire his delicate features that an artist would die in the attempt to portray. 

But his biggest beauty was the one in his heart.

Despite the rejection from the others, Jun had no doubt in helping everyone as he could. He was patient, considerate, gentle and affable. He was especially kind and admired by children and animals that always followed him. Mingyu even called him “an animal enchanter”, for they felt attracted to him by his pure and amiable heart, as beautiful as his exterior.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

On his knees, scrubbing the floor, his hands frozen from the constant contact with the water. He started to hum a melody from his childhood, a lullaby that his mother used to sing for him over restless nights, when nightmares did not allow him to sleep.

His mother always told him that the moon fit him as a crown.

«Why do you say it fits me as a crown?»

He had asked, curious. Laying on his bed, in his kingly room that was left abandoned without being occupied. He only conserved his stuffed cat from that place.

His mother, a beautiful and graceful woman, features that he inherited from her, smiled at him; she, sitting at the side of his bed, caressing his black strands. 

«Little prince, you seem to be the moon’s favourite. Your skin glows beautifully under her light, your hair is the foe of the night that surrounds her, your eyes shine more than the stars that give her company. I wouldn’t be surprised if the moon falls in love with you when you grow up. She is your crown»

And even if he didn't understand her words, he did understand the warmth of their intention.

Those memories that came, in his quiet labour. On the castle walls where he used to run back and forth at ease. Where people smiled at him, where he could visit the garden that his mother cared for, where his rosebush of white roses and the apple tree lay.

All, left behind. Lingered, as it was left in the past.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

With sweat on his forehead, carrying two heavy buckets of water in his arms, he advanced across the limpid floor that was different from the one he used to walk on. That was the wing where Jeonghan and his closest guards lived. Where he used to live.

It was strange that his chores were assigned near that place, he was not a fool and he knew that Jeonghan did his best to keep him busy with mundane chores, out of the sight of any noble or accidental villager.

But that day it was his turn to clean the marble floor of the great ballroom.

It was too much for one person, but he clenched his teeth and as used he was of heavy workloads, he just finished it as quickly as possible.

He walked carefully so he didn't drop the buckets. The corridors weren't stark at all. There were things that he remembered from his past that remained there; others had changed and he supposed that at the hand of Jeonghan, since he was sinful of vanity.

Medium chandeliers on the ceilings of the corridors lined up, the walls of intricate wallpaper, looking like gold from the gleaming glitter. Paintings, so many of them. He was not surprised to see more than one self-portrait of the now king. Delicate vases, flowers that seemed not to wither. Aconites, yellow carnations, imperial crowns, yellow hyacinths, orange lilies... he was not surprised by the meaning of those flowers, most of them with things related to "pride, vanity, disdain." He didn't know if Jeonghan was aware of the meaning of those flowers, but they adorned the castle perfectly for someone like him.

With no warm light anywhere, because only the pale winter light from the sky came in from the windows, he kept moving, until he heard voices. He walked slowly, because he recognized that soft, masculine and alluring voice.

The king Jeonghan.

Junhui remembered where in the castle he was. He knew his way to the great ballroom, but he had to remember himself that the hallways could lead anywhere. One of them was the great room where the king's throne resided. With curiosity, the kitten let himself be guided cautiously towards the voice that resonated as an echo in the main ward where it was coming from. He found a slightly open door and leaned out.

Of course, inside was the vestibule with a high ceiling and a pure gold chandelier that was like an incandescent sun in the vast, cold room.

The huge windows let in the pale light, outside it was already starting to snow again, the curtains were mid-drawn. The bright red carpet formed a straight path from the oblong door, which he could recall, led to the wide stairs at the front of the castle, to the front garden, where the nobles arrived. The only entrance to the palace. That vestibule was the only thing that kept him away from his freedom, out of that prison. 

But the door was being guarded by Jeonghan’s sentries, with their golden armours and drawn spears. 

Through that small slit he could not see much of the king, but he was aware of his presence there. Until the main door opened and he heard mighty steps being smothered by the carpet. 

He saw two soldiers, with another type of armour and swords hanging at the side of their hips. Jun felt agitated at seeing that they were dragging a man, that had his knees tracing a path in the carpeted floor and with his head down, for they were seizing him by his elbow fossa.

A dirtied hair covering his lowered face, the haggard figure with worn out clothes and groans of pain coming out his mouth, made Jun grimace out of empathy. The soldiers reached the bottom of the throne steps, where Junhui couldn't see anything, because a column covered his view. But he didn't doubt that instead of having two thrones as it should be, there was only Jeonghan's; somehow he suspected that.

The stained glass windows on the adjacent walls, with their mosaics of starry sky and violaceous colors, had a very strange change in light, but it was momentary.

The voice resonated again.

“What have you brought to me?”

Jun’s stomach felt a knoth. Only bad memories he had. The few ones had been buried somewhere under the snow, and it wasn’t going to melt to let them out for his disposal, to regard some kind of piety to Jeonghan’s image.

“Your majesty, we have brought the tax evader.” One of the guards spoke. Hoarse voice and stern words.

“This shameless man did not want to pay the thirteen silver coins of the month,” said the other.

Jun frowned. Thirteen silver coins a month? That was an exaggerated sum. Not that he lacked anything in his life, but Mingyu commented that with five silver coins a person could buy food for more than a week, counting that there was bread, fresh milk, goat cheese and even honey and some fancy spices. Not forgetting the meat too. 

So, with that equivalency in mind, thirteen coins must have been a lot to pay. Pay what? Taxes, had the soldier mentioned? He realized that something else had changed: Jeonghan raised the taxes to the townspeople. That was something relatively normal, but in his father’s reign the amount had always been… fairer. 

“Oh, how interesting. Clearly, never fails to appear someone that thinks is smarter than the others. A fox in a chicken commune. But such decadent skin I see...” Again, the king’s voice spoke, with a tint of disdain, camouflaged in the soft tone, “Do you think you are smarter than me, sir...?”

“He’s the blacksmith, Im Yongseob.”

“Mmmh... I see.”

The man kept his gaze lowered, still held by the men in that position, as if he had an invisible pillory on him. He did not seem wounded and that gave a little relief to Jun.

He heard the susurrus of moving cloth. Soft steps.

“Then, Mr. Im, do you believe you are smarter than my men?”

The latter did not give an answer.

“Do you believe you are smarter than me?”

Only silence.

Then Jun could see movement and a slim figure appeared from behind the column that was covering his vision of the king seconds ago. He didn't get surprised by the elegant and ostentatious clothes. Jeonghan’s attire made him look like a golden statue. The high crown over his blonde curls, the cloak over his shoulders, grazing the floor with graceful repose. 

To his surprise, Jeonghan had the same face, no changes at all. Youthful and delicate. Six years had passed since King Seungcheol’s death and Jeonghan should be 41 years old, at least some kind of aging mark had to be on his pretty face, yet that was not the case. He looked the same, untouched by the years. Jun could even dare to say that he looked even younger than before.

He saw the king get closer and stand up before the immobilized man.

“Mr. Im, do you think this is the manner to treat your king? Ignoring my questions? Even worse, with the shameful weight of a crime over your shoulders” Jeonghan said with a scandalized voice, “That is not a good behavior. Why have you not paid your taxes?”

In the absence of an answer or even a sound acknowledging the noble's presence, Jeonghan clicked his tongue. His hand went to the man's chin and forced him to look at him.

“Do not even dare to think that we didn’t notice, I have eyes all over the town. I see even the smallest things, how you live your meaningless and pathetic lives… How many of you are insolent enough to try to deceive me. To me, your king!” 

With dark eyes, the man gave an odium gaze to the acclaimed king.

Then a grimace that seemed to mimic a smile appeared on Jeonghan's lips. “Very well… are you going to pay me the thirteen silver coins of the month?”

“It is a lot of money…” Barely a whisper. Finally, the man spoke and Jun noticed the blood on his mouth. He'd believed that he hadn't been hurt. Very naive from his part.

“Huh?” Jeonghan raised a brow.

The blacksmith pursed his lips, looking with so much contempt at the king. It seemed as if he was restraining himself from not bursting and saying something he would repent of, but Jeonghan held him tighter and tilted his face towards him. His long nails almost digging into the skin.

“Then work more.”

He slurred out the words as if he were speaking honey, but the restraint of his clenched jaw at the obvious impatience highlighted the nature of his intentions. Mr. Im wrinkled his nose.

“Want to say something?” Jeonghan tilted his head to the side. 

Jun shook his head, he could sense the anger boiling in the man’s throat and he had the impulse to warn him to keep shut. But he couldn’t do anything.

“I am not going to pay a king who demands an excessive amount and who simply uses it for luxuries and vanities, like wasting money and food to feed people at unnecessary parties to appeal to his narcissism.” He said it with the fury hidden in his chest, as if expelling poison in those words.

Jeonghan parted his lips slightly and with the other hand he raised his index finger, then he wiggled it as the gesture you make to a kid when you want to nag them for a mischief they did.

“How disrespectful, Mr. Im” A shadow seemed to cover his brown eyes.

Jun almost let out an anguished sigh, but held back for he was still hiding.

“That’s the truth, nobody respects such an egocentric and selfish king, that rathers his own luxuries that the lif--

Jeonghan moved his hands to the man's cheeks, holding for him to stop talking. Then he leaned even more towards him.

“This town has me sick, but its people more… If it weren't for you fools giving the money, everyone would be ablaze and begging for their pathetic lives at my feet. Do not forget what I’m capable of, Mr. Im” he expressed with a deeper voice, leaving behind the mellifluous touch of the previous words, “Or you pay me, or…”

He pulled away a bit and released the man who gasped and moved his cheeks to release away the pain.

“Or what?” he almost spitted.

Jeonghan denied in disapproval.

“I thought you were smarter… At this point you have already insulted me in many ways” Jeonghan started walking and raised his arms in disbelief, “First, you don't pay your taxes and you want to make us look foolish. Second, you don't seem to consider paying your debt and aside from that, one thing that I will not allow is that you insult me.” A serious and cold gesture settled on his beautiful features. “That I am not going to overlook... You are a criminal. People like you only cause problems and are of no use to me. I will take my payment somehow. And I already thought about it.”

He looked up the other side of the hall, at another of the doors. Jun watched as a guard nodded at the signal and proceeded to open the door, where other soldiers entered carrying a young boy who looked badly injured and could barely fight the firm grip of the men dragging him. 

The smith stared at the scene and his expression changed from one of anger to one of utter horror and concern. Jeonghan seemed amused by his reaction.

“Changkyun!” he screamed.

The young man raised his battered face, he had a split lip, but he was able to speak. 

“Father…”

The blacksmith spat blood at Jeonghan's feet who made a disgusted face. “You are a miserable!”

Jeonghan’s cold face seemed to not waver at hearing that insult.

“I don’t like when they make fun of me, and even less, when they insult me. I was not planning to receive a payment from you in good faith. You are a tax evader, but it looks like you couldn’t care less about what happens to you” Jeonghan gesticulated with displeasure, “That is why I will collect the payment myself. Your precious son is old and strong enough to serve me.”

“No!” the smith screamed and then he received a blow on the back of the neck that knocked him to the ground. Jun covered his mouth with both hands so as not to give himself away.

Jeonghan let out a heavy sigh.

“No matter what you say, it has been decided. You will pay with your son’s life. He will serve to me” The icy voice said. Then with a wave of his hand, he ordered the guards to take away the man who began to fight to get rid of the guards.

“Changkyun!”

He managed to kick one off balance, then nearly knocked out another with his head, but instead of running towards his son, he managed to grab a sword from the soldier and stumble away at Jeonghan with the blade facing him. Junhui widened his eyes at the impending attack, because the other guards would not reach him in time.

But the king simply raised his hand and the blacksmith stopped short. A wicked grin made its way in Jeonghan’s lips.

“I really thought you were smarter.”

“Father, don’t!”

The man's eyes were wide, he couldn't even speak. He was frozen and had no autonomy.

Jeonghan advanced towards him with slow steps and stood in front, chin raised, looking straight into the panicked blacksmith's eyes. Changkyun moved desperately and pleaded to Jeonghan, but he didn't even give him a glance.

“I wonder what your heart is like…”

The blacksmith dropped the sword, but from his expression, it was not deliberate. Something was keeping him from moving, all his muscles in an exaggerated contraction. He seemed paralyzed by an invisible force. Jeonghan raised his hand and placed it on the man's chest, on the left side. He felt his throbbing and frenetic heart under the skin and worn out clothes.

Junhui held his breath.

“Will it be for any use, this heart of yours?” The man widened his eyes and Jeonghan, without looking away, buried his hand in the smith's chest. As if the presence of tissues were not an impediment. The man with the cold face retracted his hand back and Junhui couldn't believe his eyes: in Jeonghan's hand, still beating, lay a whole heart. Some blood began to drain down Jeonghan's arm, drops fell on the carpet the same color as the crimson liquid.

In a few moments of realization, the blacksmith with his greatest expression of horror, had the urge to scream, but his eyes rolled back to his skull, going white, and when Jeonghan made another movement with his free hand, he fell to the ground with a hard sound that resonated in the hall. Changkyun couldn't believe it. His eyes fell on his father, motionless.

Jeonghan, examining the heart, walked towards his throne and Jun could no longer see him. He didn't know if the sound of the beating was from the blacksmith's heart in the king's hand or his own disturbed heart.

“Take the boy to the dungeon, we'll take care of him later. As for this one” Jun figured he was referring to the inert body on the ground, “… you know where it belongs.”

The soldiers set off without looking disturbed by the previous scene. Jun, with nausea in his stomach and bile about to leak from his gut, wondered how many times they had witnessed this to act so numb about it.

They dragged the young Changkyun who was still in stupor and they also did the same with the body of Mr. Im. Jun couldn't see him, but Jeonghan kept examining the heart and muttering things in a low voice, sitting on his throne, the only one in the room. The young prince backed away before anyone realized he was snooping. He'd already risked a lot by staying there and still had a lot of work to do.

But the images kept repeating in his head. At what point had Jeonghan transformed into that kind of monster? What would the current situation of the town be like and how bad were the conditions of its inhabitants? Apparently, by what he'd seen with Mr. Im, it couldn't be good at all.

He felt more uneasy than ever with those questions and his thoughts circling around the issues and the helplessness of not being able to do anything.

He could only be like this, on his knees on the floor, scrubbing and lowering his head.

Without a voice in his rightful realm.

Chapter Text

The silky golden hair, the brown eyes with the lowered lashes. The marbled skin, smooth and youthful despite his true age. The beautiful features.

Jeonghan brushed his blonde strands carefully, in front of the mirror where he could be reflected perfectly. He was wearing his elegant nightwear, in the room with a spacious double bed that had long been occupied only by him. He admired his face. He was aware of the beauty he held and was proud of it. People might fear him, but they couldn't deny how beautiful he was. Pleasing the view of the others.

He was the most beautiful being in the kingdom without a doubt.

And besides, he was the king. Everything was at his disposal, he had great power. He didn't need anything else.

Getting rid of King Seungcheol hadn't been easy. The poison in small doses those years made effect in the end, but it took a lot of time and effort. At least seeing the result was worth it. Seungcheol was a man of great strength from enduring so much despite seeing his own deteriorating health.

But in the end he succumbed. He had his great fall.

Jeonghan wouldn't lie, his death had hurt a bit. Perhaps he had grown a little fond of the king... But in the end, the feelings were only hindrances. Hurdles between him and his true goals. He couldn't allow that.

He put the brush on the dresser, next to his crown of pure gold. It was perfect, just like him. He leaned his neck back, touching his smooth skin, then his defined jaw, and finally his lips. There could be no one more beautiful in the kingdom than him.

No one possessed his enchanting beauty. He shone like gold.

The mirror in front of him started to oscillate. Jeonghan raised an eyebrow when he stopped seeing his reflection as the glass smeared to a blood-dark scarlet color.

“No one called you.”

Instead of its reflection, ripples moved on the glass that seemed to have a life of its own.

“Thou did, your majesty. With your thoughts. You shall remember we are connected by the blood that runs through your veins.” 

Jeonghan grimaced; but it was true. “And what did I call you for?” he replied with sarcasm. 

The color of the mirror permuted to obsidian black.

“You are doubtful.”

The king raised an eyebrow.

“Doubtful? What would I have doubts about? I have the whole kingdom in the palm of my hand.”

“What about prince Junhui?”

At the mention of that name, a frown formed on his glabella.

“How do you even dare to refer to him? What about that useless brat?”

“Have you seen him?” The voice, which sounded like a distorted version of his, was starting to drive him on edge. It could be very useful to him, but sometimes it just fed him up and appeared when it felt like it.

“No. I do not need to know a single thing about him, the least the better.”

“The beauty that shines like gold. Like the sun. He, who reigns the day, who illuminates everything... But it is not a very kind light to everyone, it hurts the eyes. Instead, silver has a different shine. Like the moon, with a gentle light that everyone can admire. Delicate and considerate of looking out for others.”

There was an oscillation and again it was his reflection that was staring back at him. He clenched his jaw.

“What in the damn…?”

He relaxed his brow, he didn't want to see those wrinkles on his face. He let out a sigh. Junhui was a subject that he didn't want to touch. He didn't hate the boy, but he didn't care for him either. He was neutral in his stay at the castle. He was aware that he had relegated him to a mere servant, but the others did not even glance at him and the guards were instructed to treat him like an ordinary young man.

Erasing all traces of nobility from him hadn't been difficult. After all, the fear he instilled was enough to keep the young prince at bay. And the boy one never caused him any problems. That little lamb personality of his served him well.

And there was another important point: The townspeople believed that he had passed away.

No one could claim a dead prince as their ruler, so no one had any hope that the kingdom would change. Jeonghan as the king was the only option and nothing else. Poor Junhui, inheriting the supposed disease that killed his father, but in him, due to the enormous sadness of his passing, he was defeated earlier in an untimely death.

Everything had set perfect to get rid of that boy. Although he was already 19 years old and would continue to grow. But there was no need to worry about his fate, yet. Jeonghan hadn't killed him. But why? He couldn't answer that, he just hadn't. He was never a threat to him. 

But Jeonghan suspected something, why did the mirror mention Junhui? Why now? He was not stupid. If the water was being disturbed, it was because a rock had fallen to the surface. And he wouldn't let it get to the bottom.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

Hands on the stone, the balcony covered in snow, but at the moment it was not snowing. Fingers with ornate rings, from where he was, at the distance and outside the gates, he could see the town. His main source of wealth. Horses coming and going with merchandise, things to take to the palace, with the Winter Ball nearby. Jeonghan put all his servants to work on it. He wanted it to be flawless. After all, that dance could signify an alliance with the Elfen Kingdom.

He sighed and backed into the room, where his guards waited for him. He let the heavy cloak slide across the floor as he walked with easy steps. His thoughts kept haunting the words the mirror had spoken to him the night before. Was it implying that there was someone with greater beauty than him? And even worse, was that someone the futile orphan boy, Junhui?

He wanted to laugh bitterly at such a possibility. It was impossible for anything to shine brighter than gold. If Jeonghan put everyone in his kingdom in line before him to choose the most beautiful being, even from other kingdoms, they would choose him, no matter how much hatred and resentment they had for him. What the mirror said was something worthy of fatuity. Yet he was uneasy. The mirror hadn't said anything more to him, but he had a feeling that if he asked it, then he wouldn't like to have an answer. And that irked him.

He didn't want to see the boy with his own eyes. After all, he would not stoop to such a thing. Junhui didn't cause trouble, he was a good servant. But Jeonghan had sent him to the other commoners in the castle area where they lived, that was 5 years ago. No, he wouldn't go to see him face to face. For more nobility in his blood, he didn't doubt that he had lost manners or even spoke like the other townspeople who lived in the palace under his service.

He had told the guards to be vigilant and keep an eye on him, but apparently he was so ordinary that all he did outside of his daily chores was sit and watch the animals and talk to them. Sometimes he read, because despite wanting to keep him ignorant, it didn't seem very harmful that he might have some books.

Jeonghan didn't see the boy as a threat at all. No, when he already had everything under control. After all, he had taken it upon himself to erase all traces of "Prince Junhui." And now, only the indefectible image remained that his plans had worked, since the young man was just another presence, without importance, in that castle. In the great kingdom of his.

For those reasons, he was still reluctant to believe the words from the mirror, or maybe it was just annoying him or trying to deceive him.

“After all, it's made from me…”

He walked with his guards at his sides, until he came to inspect the great hall. Everything shone. A crystal chandelier over his head, the walls with heavenly paintings, another throne, where he would sit admiring and looking for people of the nobility who could be of any use to him.

“Flawless.”

“Young Junhui took it upon himself to clean the marble floor, sir” one of the guards spoke.

Jeonghan looked at him with a misplaced expression, but he didn't know if that surprise had been because the man had dared to speak without his permission or because of his need to mention Junhui.

Again. Like a swallow with a broken wing that does not stop hitting the glass so that you let it in and not leave it be buried in the snow.

“Oh, I see.” He looked at the shiny slab. Apparently the boy did have servant skills, as the floor gleamed. Jeonghan, a little fed up from the day before and now because of the unnecessary comment from his guard, turned to see him.

Totally expendable.

He smirked. Malicious. He approached him and immediately the man in the armor, but without a helmet to protect him from the neck up, tried to maintain a neutral expression when the king caressed his cheek.

“He did a great job cleaning this floor, how much effort did it cost him...? I guess his knees and hands ache from scrubbing the floor to death” He began to whisper in a silky voice.

The guard swallowed when he felt the king's gaze inspect his face, then those brown eyes fell on his neck. Jeonghan, with his hand still on the man's cheek, had a ring with a claw that was as sharp as a dagger, on his index finger. The menacing gold ring, almost buried in the guard's skin.

“It is a pity that he has to repeat the work for this is still very filthy and I cannot allow the nobles to dance on such a floor.”

The guard frowned trying to understand, but it all happened very fast.

Jeonghan released his face and reached his hand back, then flung it forward. With one slash, he tore the man's neck with the ring, which was now dripping with blood. The man's eyes widened in fear as he clasped his hands to his neck, futilely trying to stop the bleeding. But it was impossible. He fell to his knees right to the ground and spat blood, as it spread further, pooling beneath him as he now fell onto his side, struggling to breathe and losing his life little by little.

Until the movement ceased and Jeonghan solely sighed. He licked the blood off his ring and immediately started giving orders to the other guard who didn't seem too surprised at the scene. He ordered him to remove the body of the recently deceased guard, but to do so by dragging it across the ground, taking no care not to form a trail of blood.

He asked another of his guards to order Junhui to clean the floor again, and to do it quickly, because they no longer had much time to waste. Then he simply walked into the hall where his throne was. He was still the king. He still had the power. And above all, nobody was more beautiful than him.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

Jeonghan came from a small kingdom in the mountains. They didn't have such a rich town for lack of fertile soil and the absence of rivers abundant in fauna. But they managed well with mining, although little by little the resources to sell were running out. Gold had not made an appearance for years, even though there were still reserves left, and diamonds were hard to come by. The villagers were simply too incompetent in the mines.

Jeonghan and his twin brother, were the princes, legitimate children of King Taehyung and Queen Wheein. The latter, a witch, had inherited her magic abilities to her children. And Jeonghan, who since childhood always used every opportunity in life to the fullest for his benefit, became an expert in magic thanks to the books and teachings of his mother. Unlike his brother, who possessed a very great magical gift, but he preferred not to use it out of fear of not being able to control it.

Their mother taught them the virtuousness behind magic and the good things they could do with its help, how to heal or protect nature. But Jeonghan couldn't care less about that. He did not understand how having such magic and power, his mother didn't use it to make their kingdom richer and more influential. He would be the one who would occupy the throne and had no intention of reigning such a conformist and poor town. But he had to start pulling the strings as fast as he could.

His mother had an artifact that was difficult to obtain for someone who mastered those arts: A magic mirror, unique of its kind. She had told her sons that the mirror was capable of containing one's own magic, enhancing its effect and besides, conferring invaluable knowledge of all kinds. It was a perfect weapon. And yet she did not use it, because she considered it a dangerous instrument.

«If the person's heart is poisoned from the beginning, the mirror will know it. It will take advantage of one's own wickedness and sow more discord in the person. Especially if magic is used selfishly and for purposes that affect others at one's own expense»

So that mirror remained covered with a simple cloth, in a room in the castle with old trifles.

One ordinary night, where his parents and brother were already sleeping, he eluded the guards and took his mother's key (with his own improving magic) to enter that room. He opened the door carefully, and the moonlight streaming through the windows showed specks of dust rising at the intrusion. He walked cautiously between the objects covered by more sheets, until he recognized in a corner, near the window through which the moonlight entered, the hidden mirror.

He swallowed hard and approached nervously. He put his delicate hand on the fabric and removed it. He only saw his own reflection. The curls of blond hair, the delicate features, the soft gaze and brown eyes, the look of surprise that could pass as innocent fear. An angel under the moonlight.

There was nothing abnormal in that mirror, it looked like a common one.

Jeonghan reached out his hand and his fingers touched the cold glass. He felt a chill, but the moment he made contact with the surface, the mirror wavered in undulations that initiated from the prince's fingertips, spreading out to the periphery.

The young man gasped. When the instrument stopped waving, it took on a dull, milky hue. For a few moments nothing happened, until a voice spoke to him. Deep, but soft and gentle.

“Oh, what a surprise…”

Jeonghan smirked, proud of himself.

“Was it my magic that woke you?”

“That is correct, I can recognize a talented person even without looking at them.”

“Can’t you see me?”

“Only thy reflection” The voice was coming out from the glass white as marble, “May thou allow me to say that thou are the most beautiful man I have ever had the good fortune to meet? And I have met a lot of beautiful people in the past.”

The young prince smiled even more. He was aware of his astonishing beauty, of course he was. They had always told him and he never got tired of hearing it.

“It is an honour to be awakened by thou...”

“Jeonghan” he introduced.

“Jeonghan... And for which reason this old mirror owes the privilege of the presence of such a talented young man? Thy potential impresses me.”

“Is that true?” The blonde stepped closer to inspect the artifact. Every time the voice spoke, the waves moved on the surface.

“That's right, I never lie. It is one thing that characterizes me.”

“Interesting... And is it true that you know things that others do not? Things difficult to access?” he asked cautiously.

“As long as I am able to observe, yes. In this state, however, those abilities are of no use to me.”

Jeonghan grimaced. “Why is that?”

“The reason is simple: I need eyes to see. A simple reflection is not enough. I need a connection to the outside world.”

The blond crossed his arms.

“And let me guess... The connection is made by someone like me, right? Someone with a physical body. A bearer.”

The mirror made an approving sound.

“I am surprised by thy cunning. Of course, I am just a mirror that can contain the magic of others and make them more powerful, as well as grant them knowledge that puts them to an advantage.”

Still, with all those qualities, Jeonghan decided to ask.

“And if you are so magnificent, why did you end up abandoned in this room, covered with a sheet, condemned to perish in the dust and trifles?”

To his surprise, the mirror released a deep laugh.

“Very observant... The reason is that the men and women who use my power end up dying naturally and I no longer have my bearer. I lose my sight; my role. Then I fall into the hands of others and many do not know how to use my power... Or they end up fearing it.”

“Like my mother” he thought.

“I see... So owning you confers more power towards a person.”

“In my humble reasoning, it does.”

Jeonghan smirked again. He didn't plan to live in a kingdom like the one his parents ruled. He needed a bigger town. Use his magic with people to make them useful and to work for him for his riches. Although it wouldn't be wrong to use that magic also to preserve his beauty. Growing old was one of his biggest fears.

As if the mirror read his thoughts, it spoke again.

“Thou are also the most beautiful bearer I would have, should thou choose to seal the pact with me. If so, I would take care of keeping thy beauty intact even after the years go by. It would be a shame for such a beautiful flower to wither.”

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow. “Is it something you would do?”

“It is.”

The prince, who had already made the resolution to become someone with power, and besides, the option to preserve his beauty, and above all, to be incomparable in this regard, felt that he couldn't miss the opportunity.

“This pact, how is it done? How can you help me?”

The waves oscillating in response.

“A single drop of thy blood is what it takes.”

“Blood?” Jeonghan looked at the white surface. Of an unalterable and pure color. He understood.

If he made that pact, he would have what he always wanted. He wasn't born for so little. And the mirror itself had recognized his potential and his beauty.

He looked around for a sharp object and found an old dagger on a dusty antique piece of furniture. He took it in his hands and glanced at the mirror. All that was between his objectives and him was a drop of blood. He pricked his index finger and didn't even flinch. He returned to face the mirror. He was sure.

He brought the injured finger close and let the crimson liquid stain the surface. Suddenly everything began to turn red. Jeonghan withdrew his hand, watching the changes in the mirror that now showed him a dark scarlet.

“We have sealed the pact. From now on, I will be at your service. If your powers grow, I'll make them greater. I will keep every trace of your magic and through your eyes I will see the world and help you to know things that you cannot see.” Jeonghan was surprised to notice the change in the voice in the mirror. It was no longer neutral and deep, but was a distortion of his own voice.

He smiled widely at those words.

The mirror changed again, but this time to a golden color, like gold itself.

“Now… Where do we start?”

Chapter Text

With a queasy stomach, he went back to his room. His hands felt shaking, so he held the sides of his shirt, taking the fabric to calm the tremors, walking with his head down and his knees tired. Crossing the corridors he could see that it was beginning to snow hard again. It would be a heavy day, but at least he had already done the worst part. All he wanted was to shut himself up in his prison for a few moments. Wash the traces of another person's blood that had remained on his body. Take away the images that may form in his head about it and haunt him as nightmares when the night falls.

The whole castle felt warm, but that was normal. He didn't doubt that it was Jeonghan's doing, that he somehow kept the cold away. After all, cold was his least favorite thing along with that time of the year, so performing a Winter Ball was his greatest hypocrisy.

He grimaced and kept moving forward. He nearly collided with several of the other servants for being so self-absorbed.

He had done it for him. He was sure. He had done it with the intention of getting to disturb him. Jeonghan had awhile without even acknowledging or remembering his existence, why now? Junhui had kept a low profile, all to be left alone. To avoid that kind of thing.

“Human lives are not worth so little. They are irreplaceable. They are unique. They are the most valuable” He thought over and over again.

He walked past the archway that led to the old garden and paused for a few moments. He took three steps back and observed an owl that was over a branch. That bird could simply take flight and be free, leave that place whenever it wanted.

Sometimes he wondered why Jeonghan had let him live, if he would just cast him into oblivion. If he only wanted him to wither as a nefarious flower.

Maybe it was the sadism itself, the pride, the arrogance...

Junhui sighed and lowered his eyebrows in a sad gesture. Whether he lived or died, everything would be the same. He couldn't do anything for the people at Jeonghan's mercy, because he lacked power. But most of all, he lacked freedom.

He resumed his way to his room, his eyes were tired from enduring tears of helplessness. And not to mention the state his body was.

He'd just take a little nap. He would allow himself to be enveloped by such a heavy winter afternoon. As heavy as layers of snow forming on the ground, burying things beyond. He was not fractious, and yet he no longer had the slightest bit of will to lower his head, for all of his life, for all that he had left before him.

He entered the room, closed the door. He advanced to the basin of lukewarm water and the disconsolate reflection stared back at him. He gently washed his face, still with shaking hands. He adjusted the black strands. Little by little his lips took on its reddish color. He dared to give a small smile, just at the distant memory of a comment from his mother.

«You are the most beautiful flower in the garden, Junhui»

«No, mother, that is you»

«My little prince, but my beauty is not the one that rivals the moon herself»

«Isn’t the sun more beautiful, mother?»

«Oh, the sun is beautiful, but he's not very considerate sometimes. The moon, on the other hand, can be admired and she will never hurt us. She is a gentle and patient beauty. Imagine that the moon, still surrounded by thousands of stars, still shining thanks to the sun, is the most beautiful one. Nothing more lovely in the sky»

He felt the sting of tears, but he stood up and sat on his bed. Junhui didn't care much about that aspect of himself. The outer beauty. But if he could choose kindness and gentleness through his smile, then that would always be his choice, without a doubt.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

Jeonghan made his way through the ostentatious corridors of the castle, with profuse steps, the heels of his boots hitting hard against the elegant carpet and marble floor. He didn't have his guards near him, the only thing he wanted was to understand why that name had to be mentioned. Again. 

He thought that the servants avoided Junhui. He thought there was a rejection on their part towards the young man. But clearly that wasn't the case.

While reviewing the dishes that would be served at the Winter Ball with the chef and his son, he overheard some maids talking to each other in low tones.

«Did you see Junhui? Everyday that passes he becomes more beautiful. He reminds me a lot of his mother, but he has King Seungcheol dark hair»

«As he grows he does. I had never seen someone so charming...»

Jeonghan, frowning and not caring much already about the wrinkles ruining his skin, couldn't help but feel disgusted. He hadn't taken action on the matter because the kitchen was not a space that he wanted it to be affected by his anger. He needed it to be in top condition. So he spared those tasteless little townspeople.

Had they not seen someone that charming? Then who was Jeonghan? Did they dare to say something like that in front of his presence?

He was wonderful! Powerful! Beautiful!

And Junhui was a simple bland boy.

But fed up with those comments, with the thorn of doubt, with that sudden attention that the prince was receiving, he decided not to postpone that question any longer and go directly with his mirror. Each step he took, the louder it resounded in the castle. On the walls, with the force to knock down the pictures. Waving the chandeliers. The cape didn't even touch the ground from how fast it was moving. He even felt a bit ridiculous for letting something about the prince upset him in such a way. But he only had to ask one question and find out.

He crossed the hall, the stained glass windows changing color with his step. The guards were undeterred by his thunderous walk. The golden garment like a sun leaving a trail of fire behind it. He spread his arms, the two doors responded to his magic and opened wide. He entered the royal chamber, where the mirror awaited him. He went straight to sit across from it. The reflection of him appeared momentarily, then the usual ripple to a gold painting was displayed in front of him.

“Your majesty.”

His mouth twisted.

“It is not particular that you get carried away by your emotions and much less show them on your face, I thought you choose to avoid certain expressions that ruin your beautiful countenance.”

“Enough.” He didn't want flattery: he wanted the truth. The mirror of course understood his heart better than anyone.

“Did you come to ask me about the prince?”

“Not necessarily” he grumbled.

“Oh, then, what is the issue, majesty?”

The king looked to the side. What was his question? He thought it over cautiously. He returned his hardened gaze to the mirror; a soft, curved smile forming on his lips.

“Do you remember when I used to ask you who is the most beautiful in the kingdom?” Mellifluous voice running with ocher words.

“Mmmh, sure I do, your majesty.”

Jeonghan nodded. It was something that appealed to his vanity, but it reminded him that his power and beauty were in each of his hands and others could tell with a simple glance. He was at the zenith, above all. He ran a hand through his blond curls, pausing to touch the crown with his knuckles.

“Then, answer me one thing… Who is the most beautiful in this kingdom?” he asked with confidence.

The mirror stood still for a few moments. Then that golden color began to wave greedily.

“I’m afraid, your majesty, that the answer for that question has changed. It is not the same as years before.”

Jeonghan dropped his smile. “What?” his voice sounded harsh and frowned immediately.

“You see, in this kingdom there is someone who is so beautiful that instead of wilting, he becomes a flower with a new petal each day.” He meant that Jeonghan was getting old and that without his magic, he would lose that youth, the mask he kept, hiding in a veil the ugliness of his heart. And on the contrary, there was someone who every day bloomed to be the most beautiful rose in the garden.

And although he already sensed the answer, he dared to ask.

“And who is that someone...?”

“Heart as pure as snow itself, a child of the moon…”

The mirror wavered and a reflection was shown in the water. Jun's face looking down, with a small smile, in his prison, with dark hair and porcelain skin. His red lips like crimson buttons.

Jeonghan's fury was born from deep within. The castle was plunged into darkness, taking the heat away, leaving only a cold, as if winter sneaks between every accessible space to dress everyone within it. The only flame was in the hands and in the hysteria of the king. Every second seeing the prince provoked a furious impulse to want to burn everything in his path.

In his room, as if pulled out from his sleep, Junhui opened his eyes and realized that he was trembling. The castle, always in constant warmth, felt so icy that he couldn't help but shiver at the sudden change. It was still snowing outside, but Jun noticed that the snow was turning black. He walked to the window and stood on tiptoe to look through it at the snow that looked like ash. What was happening?

The king rose to his feet, overturning his chair.

“My lord…”

“What do I have to do?” His head was spinning, looking for some solution, some way.

One way to crush that flower.

“Guards… Guards!”

Seungkwan, who was passing with towels to be left in the king's bathroom, stopped in the middle of the hall, near the doors of the royal chamber, at Jeonghan's raucous shout. He stepped back so that the soldiers wouldn't pass over him. They entered the door and closed it behind them, but not completely in their haste to attend to the king.

And instead of going on his way, Seungkwan decided, at the cost of his safety, with all curiosity taking hold of him, to approach cautiously to spy on the reason for the king's anger. He'd also noticed the change in the castle's temperature. Something very bad was happening.

He saw the guards approach the king.

“Take Junhui to the dungeon. Lock him there. But do not hurt him, do not kill him…” Seungkwan saw the reddish face of the king, his beautiful face distorted with anger, his hands, clenched fists. There was no light in the castle, only the pale lighting coming through the windows, “Don’t kill him, for I’m the one who will do it, with my own hands, understood?” 

At those words, Seungkwan dropped the towels out of disbelief and started to back away.

Kill Junhui…?

He was no fool and he knew that Jun, the crown prince to the throne, the true royalty of the realm and the only hope of the people against the unjust king, was a presence that Jeonghan didn't want. But he'd made him a servant, had spared his life. Why did he want to kill him now?

Without knowing the reasons, without even thinking about it further, Seungkwan started running as fast as his shaking legs would allow him. He almost slipped a couple of times, but he didn't stop. He didn't stop until he reached the young prince's room. He burst into it and saw the man looking out the window, his hand out, catching snowflakes as black as his hair.

“Junhui!”

The sudden scream made him startle and turn around to face him.

“Seungkwan?”

The boy, with flushed cheeks and heavy breathing, looked at him with great fear.

“You have to escape,” he said, trying to regain his breath.

“I beg your pardon?” Junhui got close to him, without understanding, “Escape? Why?”

Seungkwan grabbed his wrist and dragged him out of the room.

“There is no time!” 

They started running, because Junhui was dragged away by the minor. He did not resist out of confusion. He noticed that the castle felt different. Gloomy, heavy atmosphere. Something was very wrong. Did it have to do with him? Where was Seungkwan taking him?

The boy who guided him examined everywhere with his eyes, for some space that would serve as a hiding place.

“No! He's going to find it... It's dangerous for him to be here”

Seungkwan kept advancing and running with Junhui behind, without letting go.

“Seungkwan! Explain to me what's happening, please...”

They were both agitated. They turned down a corridor and, to their bad luck, guards approached, their armor clanging loudly. They were sighted. Seungkwan stopped suddenly and almost fell, if not for Junhui stabilizing him. He turned abruptly and went back in his footsteps.

“Where?!”

“Hey!”

They heard the guards start running towards them. If they got caught, they were doomed.

And Junhui understood the seriousness of the situation: they were searching for him.

“Kwan, turn to the right!” The youngest did as the prince asked. 

He could see the arch that led to the abandoned garden and decided to go that way, at least mislead the guards, but then he realized that Junhui could escape that path. If he climbed the iron fence and got to the other side, he'd have a chance.

They stepped on the blackish snow that had accumulated on the ground, advancing towards the fence with dangerous spikes at the top.

Seungkwan grabbed the prince's shoulders and looked at him seriously. “Listen…” he gave a deep inhalation and then let the air out, “the king wants to kill you, I don’t know why, but you have to escape. You cannot die.”

Junhui widened his eyes in surprise. So that was the reason, Jeonghan had finally made up his mind to kill him. Why had he waited so long...? Why now?

“Junhui, you’ve got to escape!” Seungkwan pushed him so he started climbing.

“But-” He grabbed the iron fence, the guards were closer, he could hear the metal of their swords clash against their armor, “What about you?!”

Seungkwan, still pushing him and helping him to go up, smiled ruefully.

“Don’t worry about me, prince. You have to survive, that’s all that matters.”

The guards entered through the arch into the garden, they were about to circle the fountain to go towards them. Junhui made it to the top, barely holding on and avoiding tearing his skin with the spikes, but Seungkwan wasn't climbing. He leaned down and stretched out his hand.

“Come with me!”

Seungkwan saw the guards just a few feet from him, he was only inches from the ground.

“There’s no time!”

He pushed himself up, but instead of taking Junhui's hand and climbing, he pushed him. The young man gasped and went back, his right leg was momentarily caught in one of the spikes, but the thrust had carried him back, and with his weight swinging, he fell backwards towards the other side of the fence, not without first tearing the back of the calf, causing a wide cut.

He felt like he lost all the air of his lungs as he fell backward onto the snow-covered lawn. On that side, it was white, as it should be. He rolled to the side, trying to catch his breath. The pain in his leg and the stupor in his head from hitting the ground was the only thing he felt at first.

“Junhui, run!”

He held his leg and saw the guards tussle with Seungkwan, one of them trying to climb up to get him, but to no avail, as his armor wouldn't allow it.

“Seungkwan!”

Junhui tried to stand up.

“Run!” The young was immobilized and the guards began to drag him, the others still wanted to go towards him.

There was no option. They had Seungkwan, who had sacrificed himself for him. He felt the lump in his throat and his vision blur. He had to flee. 

He struggled to his feet and limped, just moving swiftly in the direction of the forest. The shouts of the guards behind. The castle that had been his home. All behind.

The adrenaline in his body easing the pain in his leg a bit, his lungs demanding more air. The cold penetrating his skin as he wore his simple clothes, not suitable for the cold; only with his sweater unbuttoned, the fine fabric shirt, his pants torn on one side. He limped faster, and when everything got darker and the trees were just dry black trunks, no trace of green, no living thing in the distance, with a haze rising at every step, he entered the place, so he realized where he found himself.

Forbidden lands, the forest to which no one dared to enter, due to the dangers that it entailed.

Junhui never planned to flee in the past, because the Black Forest was a direct passage to death.

But there he was. Perhaps die among those branches that trapped him like hungry hands, those luminous eyes of animals that he did not know, that unfortunate land, crunching under his feet...

He didn't know how far he went, but as he tripped over exposed roots and fell on dry, dark leaves, he realized the pain in his leg and the fatigue in his muscles. He looked at the wound for the first time and noticed the abundant blood that didn't stop running. He let out a startled gasp. He had to do something. He couldn't just lie there.

He crawled with effort, each movement a new wave of pain to his injured leg, but he had to keep going. His face muddy with dirt, his clothes dirty and full of blood, the cold in his body.

He continued to advance with each part of his being in a dichotomy, to stop before overexertion or to move so as not to die.

He wasn't aware of how much more he advanced, because there was a moment when his body couldn't take it anymore and he collapsed. The last thing he saw was snow falling. Creating a white bed around him.

Chapter Text

The heavy odor of alcohol in the air. Winter couldn't be felt inside the place, due to the mass of men and women. The music that didn't interest him, the many drunken voices and the dances they did between the tables. The typical darkness of a seedy bar. 

The hunter, at the bar, with his ax securely fastened on the belt at his hip, looking at the old wood, his own beer in hand. He grimaced and blinked, his vision suddenly blurry. A fight behind him, as always, some drunktards would have started it accidentally. He didn't care. He didn't, until an elbow hit him hard on the back of his neck, causing him to spill the beer over himself and see stars and constellations behind his eyelids for a few moments.

He spun around with a jaded expression, and not quite sure who hit him, he threw a random punch at the first man he saw. He hit an unwary man on the chin. He realized, with a head cloudy from the alcohol, that everyone was fighting everyone.

Someone kicked him from behind and he turned to return the hit. The owner of the bar, Baekho, tried in vain to calm the men and women who beat each other indiscriminately. It was difficult to see the faces in the scanty lighting. Wonwoo was already feeling pain in his knuckles and someone had broken a chair on his ribs. But he had a lot of experience fighting.

He'd been a soldier.

In the days of King Seungcheol's reign, his army of men was the most fearsome. But since King Jeonghan had taken control of the town, only the naïve people who believed it would be the same, remained. Wonwoo would never serve someone like that. Selfish, sadistic and arrogant. With no real goal. Not good for others. If it weren't for the wealth of the town and its fertile lands, the forests with abundant prey, the rivers full of fish... He'd have discarded them. But the king at least had the decency to leave them alone; to those who could afford the excessive taxes.

Wonwoo shook two drunks off his shoulder and continued to fight against faces he couldn't distinguish, until the characteristic metal of the armor of the king's golden soldiers was heard. Everyone recognized those sounds. It wasn't common for them to get into fights, so frequent in that bar, but there they were, breaking into the doors and taking every man and woman they could, dragging them out. Wonwoo, who was still holding another drunk by the shirt around the neck, was about to hit one of the soldiers, but more went against him to immobilize him. He didn't want to spend the night in a prison cell. Not again.

They took him roughly, dragging him out like the others. The pale light of the December sky blinded momentarily his eyes, which had become used to the dark atmosphere of the bar. The cold hit his cheeks flushed with alcohol and his warm breath escaped from his mouth as ephemeral smoke. The guards forced him to fall to his knees and then released him along with the others who were positioned in a row.

He wiped blood dripping from his nose with the sleeve of his flannel shirt. He'd left his leather jacket on the bar. The cold was greater on his legs where the beer had fallen and still hadn't dried. Dark brown hair fell over his forehead drenched in sweat. One of the guards, of a higher rank, the one in command, removed his helmet and started walking in front of them. It was quite unusual for them to meddle with the townspeople, especially since the king's new soldiers believed themselves superior to those who didn't willingly serve the ruler, and therefore didn't think it was worth being near the hoi polloi, with the sole exception if a major crime was being committed, not a drunken fight.

Wonwoo watched the blood fall on the white snow below him. He raised his dark eyes to the passing guard, inspecting each of them. The hunter was fed up with all those soldiers. But it wouldn't be easy to fight them, not with their heavy golden armor protecting them. And he much less didn't want trouble with the king. He didn't even want to see his face.

“Well, well… All of you are not so different from rats, the stench and grime emanate from you. As soon as you're brought out to the light, you show how wild you are” said the official, looking at them from above with a mocking smile. Wonwoo rolled his eyes, “Anyways, that has no matter, we didn’t come here to tell you what you already know. Who of you is Jeon Wonwoo, the hunter of Yabbay?”

At the mention of his name, Wonwoo raised a suspicious eyebrow. Were they looking for him? He didn't remember doing anything to get in trouble. At least nothing that would attract the attention of the guards. The officer looked between them.

“No one? How strange… For what I’ve heard he’s a man proud of himself and his reputation.”

It was true. He did his job like no one else. He sold the prey that he hunted with his own hands and traps, no one like him knew the forest and could survive among the dangerous and uncertain nature. Of such quality were his acquisitions that most of his prey ended up in the castle, so they used to leave him alone, because they needed the meat that he'd give them, the spices and exotic fruits that were only found in the forest. The king liked wild strawberries, those that Wonwoo knew where to find without problems.

In the Yabbay Forest, which was like his second home, there was no man who could move like him. He knew it as an extension of himself. Every sound, every tree, every creature.

But Wonwoo didn't live by his reputation, if not for being a great hunter, what would be left of him? A man who didn't think about the future, with a past that he preferred to leave behind, with a present without much to fight for. As much as he wanted to be a rebel, he didn't feel like a hero. On the contrary, what could he do? The king had already taken their peace of mind, had already taken many young men with him to be part of his unscrupulous army. His parents had been taken from him. But he still had the forest, his abilities. The strange stubbornness of him, even if there wasn't much that mattered anymore.

His life was summed up to hunting, drinking at the bar, arriving at his lonely house, shutting himself between those walls in the grim environment. Nothing worth fighting for. Nothing, just his loneliness. His freedom.

“Then… Jeon Wonwoo?”

“What are you him looking for?” he finally spoke, voice deep.

The officer looked at him and smiled.

“Not us, but the king. His majesty wants to meet him personally. And it's not that he has much of a choice about it.”

The king? Why would the king want from him? They'd wanted him to join his army before, but Wonwoo refused and they no longer insisted. Did he want to force him?

“What would his majesty want from a simple hunter?” he answered. The guard scoffed.

“Not even I can explain it. But it is urgent” He took steps towards him to face him and crouched slightly, “So, do you know Jeon Wonwoo?” The hunter's dark eyes scanned him. What were his options? He didn't have many, but he neither wanted to see the king, no matter how much he requested it. Anything related to that narcissist could only bring bad things.

“Sir, you’re looking at him” another guard spoke. He took off his helmet and Wonwoo recognized him as one to whom he sold the squirrels he killed. They weren't hard to come by and this particular soldier liked them. Wonwoo didn't understand why, but if he got paid for it, he didn't ask questions.

The officer looked back at the hunter and his smile widened. Nothing but a mephistophelian smile showed in that expression. Well, he no longer had a choice of escape. He grunted as the soldier motioned for the others to pick him up by the arms. He stood up and shook them off him. The officer began to walk and spoke with his back facing him.

“You see, I already mentioned that it is urgent and the king wants to see you now, so you will have to accompany us. It is not your choice. He motioned again and Wonwoo felt his wrists being taken carelessly, putting on handcuffs. Was it necessary?

He had no choice but to follow the other soldiers to the castle. They put him in a carriage and advanced towards the palace. Wonwoo felt his instinct warning that the king surely wouldn't want anything good from him, but there was no more he could do to avoid it.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

He opened his eyes. The hooting of an owl almost whispering in his ear. He blinked, shooing away the haze of sleep.

He was face down, on dry, dark earth and leaves. He felt a twinge in his leg, the pain that prevented him from moving without a thousand needles lashing his nerves. He saw his hands stained with blood. The snow like a blanket of white color over him. He coughed at the cold in his chest and closed his eyes when he tried to pull himself up with the force of his arms; he felt too weak. He managed to turn and laid on his back, the afternoon light falling, the snow had stopped its descent. It'd be dark soon, he didn't have much time.

He didn't have much strength.

He saw the watchful-eyed owl, staring up at him from a branch. He straightened up again with the help of his arms and sat up to finally inspect the wound on his leg. His pants were ripped so it was easy to see it. An open cut that covered most of his calf, bleeding little by little. Jun bit his lip and the memories before the loss of consciousness came to him suddenly.

“Seungkwan...” he felt the lump in his throat, the burning of tears that threatened to fall. He had to stop the bleeding, but first he needed to wash the wound as it could become infected, because he'd crawled on the floor of that dirty and abandoned forest. 

The owl hooted again and flew over his head, from one branch to another, from tree to tree. Junhui looked at him, panting and pained. It hooted over and over again. The injured young man frowned. He rolled over to his knees and did his best to get to his feet.

The adrenaline of the chase had already left his body, only the pain was the constant in him. In all areas of his beaten body, in the leg that was difficult to move. He grabbed the back of his knee and tried to move forward. He almost fell headlong, if it weren't that he held onto a tree. Perhaps only then could he move. Like the owl, from tree to tree, slowly but steady, as his current state allowed it.

He didn't know where to go, but at least he had to keep moving, that was the only sure thing on his mind. So he lunged as best he could to the other tree in front of the one he was leaning against. The roughness of the wood on his fingers, the firmness of his grip, the muscles trembling from the cold and the effort. He clenched his jaw to launch himself into another tree, as the owl flew to a branch above his head and then appeared to leap into the tree to his left.

“Huh...?”

He hooted again and Jun seemed to understand.

«You have a special gift, Junnie. Animals naturally adore you. They seem to be looking for you, because you understand them very well»

Maybe his mother was right. That owl seemed to want to help him. He put a smile on his pale face and his lips, always a beautiful crimson color, were now a purplish color.

“Understood… I’ll follow you.” 

Still holding his injured leg, he launched himself towards the tree and waited for the owl to fly to another, to mark his path. He was leading him somewhere, so he'd trust him. He jumped to another branch and Junhui lunged for the next log. His leg didn't want to cooperate much, but he was still standing.

And so he followed the bird that began to trace a path for him, among the dark bare trees, the remains of some fallen ones, the snow on the ground where he left a trail of his blood and the dry leaves that looked like black ash. Until in the distance he could hear the characteristic sound of running water.

“A river!”

He hurried on, limping a bit, the owl going faster as he saw the prince pick up speed, until he could visualize and hear more strongly a river and water hitting the rocks. The current was so strong that there was no way it would freeze. He made his way to the bank and collapsed on a stone. He helped himself with his arms and moved as close as he could to the water. He accommodated his outstretched leg and reached into the pocket of his worn pants until he found a handkerchief he always carried. The only memory of his father that he kept, it had his initials embroidered with gold thread. Jeonghan didn't know he had it, for he hid it very well from the current king.

He plunged it with his trembling hands into the water and ignored the icy sensation on his bare skin. Then, with the damp handkerchief, he ran it as cautiously as possible over his wound. Jun bit his lip to stifle the groan of pain that the action caused, but he forced herself to keep cleaning, removing the blood. He didn't know how much he'd lost in his unconscious state. The sky was almost dark, so he'd been collapsed for a few hours; but he hadn't died. He was just very weakened.

He cleaned up, enduring the pain. His wound looked very deep and nasty, without the blood and dirt on it. He tore the rest of the pants fabric to free his calf and then tied his father's handkerchief around the circumference of his leg to prevent more blood from escaping.

He sighed, exhausted from the overexertion he'd done until now. He looked out into the water and his reflection was the only thing he saw. He washed his face, as he was so used to doing, cleaning his porcelain skin, removing the dirt. Letting his beautiful doll-like features become visible again. He shivered from the cold and he had to keep moving, but he couldn't get very far from the river. Because a river always leads to civilization. Towards his town.

That was where he had to go. One way or another.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

Through the carriage window, entering through the heavy metal grating and rising up to make way for them, Wonwoo could see the royal palace. 

From afar it was one thing, but up close it was just wonderful. Sure, it wasn't the same one he remembered. Gold things seemed to abound. It'd changed a lot since King Seungcheol's death. He had been a simpler man. Jeonghan seemed to spare no expense on his own tastes.

The carriage advanced until it was at the entrance of the enormous castle. He saw more gold-armored guards outside, there was a lot of movement of merchandise. Wonwoo had sold meat and some berries to the palace merchants in the last days.

Among them Kim Mingyu, who was part of the king's cooks. Nothing better than the products of the forest that only a good hunter could obtain. The young chef told him that King Jeonghan had plans for a winter ball. Those ridiculous celebrations that only used the money and food of the people to waste it because of the selfishness and arrogance of his ruler.

As it stopped, the soldiers on his flanks opened the carriage door and forced him down. He staggered a bit because he had his hands cuffed. The ax on his hip was still there at least.

“Hurry, the king hates to wait.”

The officer took him by the elbow and began to walk, forcing the hunter to follow him. Wonwoo felt the ground beneath his feet, crunching with snow, but it was black. It wasn't helping his foreboding at all. He frowned.

“Snow has to be white and pure”

He climbed the wide stairs, with a guard behind him and the officer taking his arm as he advanced. His boots crunched on the corrupted soil a few moments before the sound changed under his feet, as the heavy doors slid open and he stepped into the great hall where the king was received. It gave him a chill. For some reason he didn't feel the warmth one would expect when entering an enclosed space from the wintry outside. The castle felt gloomy, icy. The stained glass windows seemed not to want to let in the pale light of the sky. They moved him across the red carpet and he saw the elegant gold throne at the end of the path.

They stopped. He looked around, genuinely disinterested, but mostly, looking for a potential escape route in case he needed it. He could fight the soldiers even if they had their armor on, he could knock them down still handcuffed, he was a tall and strong man, and he knew how to fight. If only the guards on the gates...

He heard a loud bang. He returned his gaze to the front and frowned as he saw the king entering from one of the adjacent doors. The cloak floated behind him from the speed with which he walked towards him. He looked annoyed, but upon seeing Wonwoo, he smirked. With guards at his side, he advanced in front of the hunter and watched him from head to toe.

“Jeon Wonwoo, the hunter of Yabbay in the flesh, isn’t that right?” he said almost sweetly, but the other man couldn't feel it at all. Instead, he held his gaze, skeptical of whatever his next words were. Jeonghan raised an eyebrow when the hunter didn't answer him, “Has the cat got your tongue?”

He held his chin and Wonwoo wanted to withdraw those fingers that seemed to burn his skin, but caught himself and clenched his jaw. It wasn't pleasant to be in front of him. The king approached.

“How quiet… But I'm thankful that my favorite hunter agreed to come. Last week's strawberries were well received, by the way.”

“Did you bring me here just to thank me, Your Majesty?” Wonwoo smiled sarcastically. But Jeonghan didn't seem annoyed, on the contrary, his own smile widened.

“You are the most decent man I have seen in a long time” Again that lustful gaze swept him. The hunter fought the urge to roll his eyes. Had he really gone there for the king to stare at him? Did he want to turn him into his lover? No way, the king was too narcissistic, absolutely not his type of person.

Jeonghan let out a sigh.

“You are perfect for the job, you know how to move through the forest better than anyone, and physically I don't think you have a problem since you look so capable. But,” Jeonghan moved the hand from his chin towards his chest. He smiled showing all of his teeth “is your heart capable too?”

Wonwoo didn't understand and was already tired of the king's words. He looked at him hard with his dark eyes.

“What job?” Did he want to make him his personal hunter? Or would he finally obliged him to be part of his royal guard? Whatever he asked from him, he preferred to die. He didn't want to give that man anything, any part of himself (the preys he used to sell to him were something else).

Jeonghan pressed on his chest and Wonwoo felt a stabbing pain that made him lose his breath.

“Jeon Wonwoo, have you killed a man before?” Jeonghan whispered in his ear.

Images, buried memories. Blood on his hands, as if he'd lived through it yesterday. The snow, which should be white, covered in crimson under him. A younger Wonwoo. More naive.

The king slammed his hand away and the hunter fell to his knees, gasping for air. What had that been? He shook his head.

“Yes, I think you are the one. And I can't waste more time” He gestured towards the guards to get Wonwoo to his feet, “I need you to do something for me, something very important…”

“Why would I do that...?” Wonwoo looked at him disdainfully, fed up with him, trying to catch his breath.

Jeonghan blinked softly and wiped the blood that was still under Wonwoo's nose from the bar fight with the sleeve of his elegant shirt.

“Because you have no option. You can not decide what to do or not. I am your king…” he explained softly. Wonwoo turned his head to stop Jeonghan's touch. “But I will give you a reward,” he said in a cheerful voice now, “and it’s something convenient for you, something you can’t refuse.”

Wonwoo didn't want anything. Nothing from him, none of his dirty games. He didn't need anything.

“I don't want money, I manage fine, thank you” he smiled dryly.

“Your freedom.”

“What?” he frowned immediately in confusion. His freedom? Wonwoo was a free man.

Then he understood.

The king, with his complete authority and power, could take any man and lock him in the dungeon, leaving behind into oblivion. Let him die in the dark. Nothing good could come from him, he already knew that.

“Your freedom is something you should fight for, it is not just anything. It is what you value the most, am I right? You disavow the idea of being my guard, you have refused every time I have asked and I have never forced you. You would even refuse the great honor of being my lover and it is not something I would ask of a commoner” Jeonghan laughed bitterly. Nothing about his laugh sounded genuine.

“Pardon, "your majesty", you're not exactly my type” he answered avoiding any gesture. And it was true. Who could like someone with such great internal ugliness?

The blonde gave him an annoyed look.

“I suppose your eyes are dysfunctional…”

“Your highness, if my eyes did not work, my arrows wouldn't hit prey with such precision.”

Jeonghan took him by the jaw tightly and leaned in very close to him. His brown eyes were shining. He was really upset.

“Then you'll be the man with the worst tastes I've ever known” he said through clenched teeth. “Now, I’m gonna tell you what you’re gonna do, and you’ll obey or you’ll lose you freedom. And believe me, this is pretty convenient to you, for not only will I forgive your insolence, I will also order my guards not to bother you ever again... You are not a stranger from the dungeons, are you?” A pernicious smile made its way to his lips.

Wonwoo snorted, fighting the grip of the king's fingers.

“I'm not going to give you a chance to choose this time... This is very important.”

He already knew that. He knew that he never had a choice the moment the king asked something from him. But what was so important? Wonwoo wouldn't give up his freedom, because it was the only thing he lived for. The tranquility of the forest, no matter how lonely he lived. So he'd do whatever he was asked for. Whatever it was, for the king to leave him alone once and for all. Even if he had to get blood on his hands... Again.

“What do you want me to do?” He just wanted to get over with it as quickly as possible. If he was that capable for the job, then he would just do it.

Jeonghan's smile was unlike any of his previous ones. This was genuine. Full of evil. The knot in the hunter's stomach, his instinct telling him to flee from that man, increased.

“I need you to hunt a little lamb… I need you to bring me his heart.”

Chapter Text

He checked the sharp edge of his ax. Perfect for hunting animals. Not humans.

« I need you to hunt a little lamb… I need you to bring me his heart »

The king had said.

He clearly instructed and chose him for the job since he was the fittest man for the task. To begin with, he had to go deep into the Black Forest, the one that everyone believed was cursed. There the land wasn't fertile, the trees had no leaves, and the few that did wore dark, withered leaves that seemed to swallow everything. Endless bushes, with creatures hidden among them. The sky always pale; in the winter it was a more hostile place. 

Within that place there was a strange energy and force that one would prefer to avoid. Especially someone with such good instincts as Wonwoo. But something as important to him as his freedom was at stake, so he took the job. Though he disliked the idea of killing someone for he wasn't a mercenary. Not anymore.

All that gave him a bad feeling, he did not trust Jeonghan at all. It was a weird set up.

King Jeonghan tasked him with going to the Black Forest to find a fugitive from his castle who had stolen something important to him and killed several of the guards before escaping. Someone like that was a danger to the peoplestown.

“As if you care about us…” he thought.

And the hunter told him that if he wanted that man to die, he simply had to leave him in the forest by himself and wait for him to die of natural causes, after all, very few people possessed the ability to survive in the wild, including Wonwoo, who knew how to navigate very well, even if it was in the Black Forest and not in the Yabbay Forest where he used to hunt and live. But the king insisted.

« I want his heart. I want a physical proof that he died»

Wonwoo knew how cruel and wicked Jeonghan was, but was still surprised at the level of sadism he showed. Asking for a heart, literally?

Again, he didn't like the idea, but his life was at stake and he wasn't thinking to grant his freedom just like that. Besides, the man who he had to kill was a murderer and a thief, more scum of society; and it wasn't that he was the most decent man, but he did abide by a moral code of not picking on children, older adults, or women. 

But a man like him, capable of staining his hands with the blood of another man... Someone without scruples, he could handle something like that.

“His heart, uh? A little lamb’s heart? Such a curious choice of words”

He had everything ready, but he told the king that he'd rather go hunting first thing in the morning. Unless that man was crazy and dared to mobilize in those conditions, where the night temperature drops drastically (even worse in winter) and the beasts go out for food, then perhaps that would save him the worst part and only limit himself to look for the corpse, take his heart and give it to the king, so he would leave him alone once and for all.

First hour in the morning, with the pale December sun illuminating the dawn, Wonwoo would go in search of his prey. In search of the little lamb.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

As soon as the sky lost its light, Jun stopped moving. He hadn't made much progress anyway, but at some point his leg had stopped bleeding and that was good news, up to a point. He was still in that hostile forest and worst of all was that without fire or shelter, he was at the mercy of whatever lurked there, any nocturnal beast that went hunting.

The owl hadn't abandoned him. If his leg wasn't injured, he could climb the tree and try to take refuge there. Although his biggest problem was that he was freezing to death. He could safely ignore the hunger, but the icy wind blowing through his light clothing was chilling him inside. He was in trouble as he couldn't keep moving because his body didn't cooperate in those moments, apart from the fact that in front of him there was only darkness.

The owl's large eyes gleamed and he hooted.

“Hey… It is time for you to go hunting” Jun said weakly, his teeth chattering, “you have to feed yourself, you already took care of me a lot, thank you” he managed to smile a bit. He addressed the bird that tilted his head ninety degrees.

Junhui, hugging himself, a bit away from the river, but still listening to the harsh current, was sitting with his back leaning against the rough trunk of a tree. The moonlight was the only thing that allowed him to figure the shapes and shadows around him. They were terrifying, inside the forest, they looked like claws, hands ready to grab him and attack him. He was scared. He didn't want to die there, he didn't want to die like this.

He felt the sting of tears and hid his face into his arms to cry after holding on so long, after such a tiring day, where he discovered that the king had decided to kill him, where one of his only friends had been captured by the guards and his whereabouts and fate were now uncertain, where he got a horrible and painful wound on his leg and where he was alone in the Black Forest, in the darkness of the night, with the cruel cold on his bones and a mantle of loneliness covering his miserable current state.

He sobbed silently so as not to alert anything in his surroundings. 

Why did Jeonghan hate him so much? He'd never done anything to him. On the contrary, he had even behaved docile and resigned when he decided to take away his position as prince, sole heir to the throne, to make him be a simple servant of his. 

At first he believed that the other king, who loved his father (now he fully doubted it) could work alongside the young man to cope with the loss of Seungcheol side by side, supporting each other.

But not a year had passed and Jeonghan changed drastically.

At first, Junhui believed that he was still in mourning, a poor widower who had no choice but to be the new king, because the prince was still too young to take the position. The little boy at that time felt great empathy and sorrow that Jeonghan had to bear such responsibility in a time of pain for the loss of his loved one. Jun was still deeply hurt by the death of his father, but he couldn't take the throne because of his tender age of thirteen.

He'd been so naive. It'd all been a mask of the grieving widower that had to carry with the weight of ruling an entire kingdom by himself.

As soon as he decided it was time, when being crowned, the new king of Diamant didn't seem very oblivious to how a kingdom was run and led from the beginning with an iron fist. Junhui, still very young, didn't understand what was happening, but he did notice the changes in the environment. 

New servants arrived at the castle, the former guards and soldiers of his father, who used to wear silver armor, now were replaced by other men Jun didn't know and their armor shone the color of gold. The decorations grew in number, being more ostentatious, more luxurious.

Jeonghan started to dress differently and everything around him seemed to have a heavy aura; vicious. He wasn't a regular person, he had tricks up his sleeve. He was powerful, more than just a man could be, and not about brute force, something different, and he had taken advantage of the whole situation, of his family. He was a trickster. A deceiver.

He took advantage of the death of his mother. Of the death of his father. Of the kingdom. And of his youth.

Junhui, prince and heir of the throne, was awakened by the guards one rainy morning in June, on his fourteenth birthday, when he was sent to that room that looked like a dungeon. When he was reduced to a mere servant, when his existence was tainted with the gloomy oblivion of the memory.

All those years, living in the uncertainty of whether his people remembered him, or if they held a grudge and hatred for him for having abandoned them in the hands of a king as ruthless as Jeonghan. He didn't know which was worse.

He kept crying until he heard the sound of a bush moving very close to him, on his left. He lifted his head from his arms and the wind hit his damp cheeks so he felt the immediate chill, the soft icy touch. He squinted, trying to see something in the dark, but failed at first to figure out what it was that was moving toward him. 

He was afraid to be in such a vulnerable situation, and when he looked up, he realized the owl was gone. He looked back at the sound moving towards him and could only see a small shadow, because the clouds covered the moonlight at that point.

Until the animal showed itself.

A reddish-furred fox approached him carefully, inspecting the young prince with curiosity. Junhui had never seen a fox in person, only in books where thanks to them he knew the typical fauna and flora of his kingdom. He thought of it as a beautiful creature and he didn't consider them as dangerous. It was a wild animal, but it didn't seem to be about to attack. So he stayed still and just watched the animal.

The fox sniffed him and Junhui followed it with his gaze, when the little mammal went to his side and with its snout, hit the prince's arm. Jun smiled, between his icy tears and the fear from before dissipating. He dared to move his hand and put it in front of the curious animal. Instead of biting him or being aggressive, the fox licked the back of his hand.

“You are really pretty…”

The vulpine looked at him when he spoke, as if it understood. Its brown eyes focused on him.

“I don't have any food… Or did you come to tell me something?”

As if they spoke the same language, the fox jumped over his legs to the other side of the ground and ran a little, but turned to see him.

“Huh? Do you want me to follow you?” He placed his hands on the sides of his legs and pushed himself up with the strength of his arms. He whined a bit, but leaned against the log to straighten up.

Limping, he began to walk in the direction of the fox, at his slow pace. Instead of running on, the animal waited for him, and when the prince reached its side, it led his way in the dark.

Junhui didn't know where the vulpine was leading him, but he followed him confidently. He didn't understand why animals were so kind to him, but he was internally grateful for their help. Like the owl that led him to the river. And now the fox, who was leading him to another place, among the labyrinth of trees.

He limped on for a while longer, until the orange creature stopped in front of a thick-trunked tree, wider than his shoulders. He squinted to try to see the darkness in front of him, but saw the fox leap into the trunk. Jun was surprised and leaned a little closer, realizing that it was hollow. He smiled at the realization: that was a refuge.

He leaned in and entered one foot first, then cautiously plunged fully into the hollowed-out space of the trunk.

The wind couldn't touch him inside. Everything was dark, but around him, palpating with his hands, he felt only dry leaves, the internal roughness of the tree and the fox next to him. It calmed his cold skin a bit, because it was warmer there. 

He leaned back and touched the end of the gap. Jun breathed a sigh of relief. He was able to stretch his injured leg a little and the fox settled into his lap, enveloping him in his own warmth.

“Is this your home? Well, thank you so much for your hospitality. It is cozy here.”

He'd stopped shaking and the extra warmth from the fox helped too. At least he wouldn't freeze to death out there and wasn't so exposed to predators and nocturnal animals.

At last he had the luxury of closing his eyes. In the morning he would continue on his way.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

The pale sky. Wonwoo knew that it would start snowing later. And the extra layers of snow wouldn't help in tracking down the man he had to hunt. Like animals, they all always leave footprints. 

And he was an expert at it, after all, a good hunter was one who could follow the trail of a deer for miles. Even in the winter, the still snow used to make work easier.

He put the ax on his belt and left his cabin. He checked the knives tucked into his thigh belt and pulled on his leather jacket and boots. He dispensed with his bow and arrows. Humans weren't as fast as animals, and he was faster than the average human anyway.

The Yabbay Forest where he lived was the same as the Black Forest, only it was divided into regions. Three, to be exact. But just as no one wanted to go to Black Forest because of its hostility, much less were there people who ventured to the grounds beyond. 

No one knew what it was after the thick canopy at the end of the cursed forest, where hardly anything more than trees and rocks could be visualized.

However there were legends in the town, that beyond the intricate trunks and roots was a forest even more beautiful than that of Yabbay, full of mythical creatures and dwarfs.

“Dwarfs… Dwarfs don’t even exist” he said with a deep laugh, walking among the trees he knew very well.

He'd never been in the Black Forest. He had no need. Unlike the other villagers, it was not fear that kept him away from that place, but the lack of prey and vegetation that would be of use.

He continued on his way for half an hour, until he felt the change in the land. 

The difference was becoming more noticeable little by little. From green grass and white snow, to dry leaves and infertile land. The cold grew heavier, and if it weren't for his thick jacket, he would be shivering. The trees also became different. Dry and dead logs became more abundant. 

He pulled his ax and sharpened his hearing and sight. He was more careful with the ground, the least he wanted was to get an ankle tangled in exposed roots and hurt himself in some way.

He scanned each space he could, looking for any alteration that was a sign that a human had passed by. The hunter was almost certain that he'd find a corpse, but he paid attention to every sound nonetheless. Strangely, everything was quiet in that place. Neither the sound of insects, nor the sound of the wind. As if the whole forest was dead.

He took his ax and walked, making as little noise as possible. He didn't have any trouble, it was his habit to be silent as he was a hunter after all. However, it took him a little longer to explore that wicked and ill-fated forest, until he noticed a first sign. He smirked and hurried over to the snow that stood out from the rest.

Crimson drops, a trail of blood.

“He’s wounded… Well, he couldn't have gone that far in that case.”

He dropped to one knee and touched the sleazy snow. He grimaced.

“The snow must be pure, how many more times will it have to be stained...?”

The blood was dry. He stood up and noticed the trail of blood that followed ahead. He held his ax firmly and advanced.

First they were drops, blood that had fallen little by little. Until he noticed a more linear stroke.

“You crawled from this point. Abdomen or leg? Which of them did you hurt?”

He came to a point, where there were intrinsic branches, and found a more widespread bloodstain. Wonwoo crouched down again and noticed that the snow was deeper in that space, the cape was lighter in the center, and around it, it seemed to have accumulated like a delineated edge forming an irregular figure.

“And here you lost consciousness... There should be a corpse here.” He frowned and stood up, noticing more drops of blood ahead; curiously, the pattern was almost in a zig zag. He jumped on the roots and realized that they were going from tree to tree. 

He assumed that the man couldn't move easily because he was injured, and he leaned against the trunks so he wouldn't have to crawl through the snow, the black soil, and the dry leaves.

The man had lost a considerable amount of blood, for the trail he left continued half a kilometer, until the first sound that reached the hunter's trained ears was the river. It made sense. The river reached the town. If the man was aware of this, he would follow it so as not to get lost wandering in the forest. So he continued his course to shore and get more clues to the whereabouts of his prey. But that's where the trail ended. No more blood.

He sighed. He knew it wouldn't be that simple, so he had to be more attentive, but the man couldn't be far from the river, so he looked for any clues. More outraged snow, footprints. Something, which would betray the passage of a human there. 

He followed his way blindy, small shambles in the undergrowth, the snow had been slightly stirred by the night wind, but he smiled when he finally noticed some footprints.

“An animal?” He made a confused gesture, “It doesn't look like it was chasing him and it doesn't seem like a large animal that was a threat…” But the tracks were there and he just had to follow them. He felt that he was close. Very close to his prey.

He wasn't going far from the river, he was still listening to it, but he went a bit into the trees. Sometimes the trail was lost, but he recovered it later. The person hadn't been careful to cover his traces.

“He doesn't have in mind that someone would follow him... Why not? Did he suppose the king would just let him die here?”

The whole situation seemed absurd to him. But his job wasn't to complain or ask strange questions, just to do his work, get that man's heart, and deliver it to Jeonghan. And he would be free, completely free. Or at least he hoped the king would keep his word, but he doubted it, had no illusions. It was hopeless to have some faith in their lovely king. But at least it was better than nothing.

Something caught his attention, an orange reflection in the trees ahead from his peripheral vision as he checked some broken branches. He looked up, but the vibrant specter that stood out from the dull landscape disappeared.

He gripped the handle of his ax tightly and stood up. An animal perhaps. A fox? He’d seen them before, but he wasn't expecting to find one in that dead forest.

“Small footprints… I see.”

He moved faster to where he caught sight of it.

Not far from there, the animal ran towards a tree with a hollow trunk where a little lamb, ignorant of his destiny, rested peacefully. Ignorant of his persecutor, in the dream world, asleep in the arms of nature. Junhui felt something wet on his cheek and slowly opened his eyes, first seeing darkness, then a bright light, from the cloudy sky typical of winter color.

He looked at the fox at his side and smiled, but the animal seemed restless, as he jumped from his lap and walked in circles outside of the trunk, as if on guard over something. Jun immediately felt his anxiety. Animals, with better instincts than humans, couldn't be wrong. Not quite knowing what was going on, the prince struggled out of the trunk and looked around cautiously. The fox sensed a threat and he wasn't going to find out.

He came out and the small mammal didn't hesitate to bite part of the pants of his good leg to pull, it wanted him to get going.

He was hardly going to ask himself the mental question of why the fox was so restless, until he heard somewhere and near him the sound of leaves flustering, almost so imperceptible that he would have ignored it if it weren't for the animal having put him on alert. As if someone walked on them. The heavily camouflaged crunching of snow. Someone was approaching very silently.

The fox started running and Junhui followed him as best he could with his injured leg. The adrenaline in his body beginning to flow into his muscles. He ran into the trees and looked back, in time to see a dark silhouette of a tall, broad-shouldered man appear near the hollow tree.

He looked forward and kept trying to run as long as his injured leg would allow it.

Wonwoo reached where the trail pointed, near a wide hollowed-out tree.

“He spent the night here…”

Some sounds caught his attention, but when he moved his dark eyes he saw nothing. He was just listening to something ahead. He sprang into action and followed the noise.

Jun gained a bit of advantage, seeing the fox in front of him, the orange fur hard to be missed. It'd lead him somewhere, he was sure that if he followed it, he could hide or lose his pursuer. But his gait was unsteady, he was barely running, holding his injured leg as he limped.

To his bad luck and from the adrenaline and blood flowing in his ears, he didn't notice a branch under his feet that grabbed his calf.  He stifled a cry of pain to keep from giving himself away and having not fallen, he helped himself with his hands to free his leg out of the tangle of branches that caught him. 

He began to bleed again because the wound was exposed and the branches tore it more, but in the unnatural silence of the forest, he heard his pursuer advancing on him. And he did it fast.

He got up as best he could and had to put all his effort into clenching his jaw and holding the pain to run as he could. He hoped he wouldn't collapse, but the fox was guiding him, not in a linear manner, but in a zigzagged pattern.

Wonwoo jumped over the exposed roots without a problem, moving nimbly through the trees. He couldn't see, but he listened. How many times had he not followed such a prey? It was a matter of time. And Jun was in a panic, he was a wounded and lost lamb, leaving a new trail of blood behind him.

The hunter reached the binweed area and saw something sticking out. A piece of cloth… No. A bloody handkerchief. He took it and examined it for a few moments, barely giving it more than a glance, for he saw fresh blood on the snow. He smirked and tucked the cloth into his belt.

“You’re mine.”

He jumped the roots and ran in the direction of the new blood. That meant his prey knew about him, he was very close. Wonwoo would end all of that at once. At least he would bring the wounded man out of his misery.

Junhui was panting, his heart in his throat, his legs shaking, and his vision blurry, but he forced himself to continue. Why were they following him? He knew it couldn't be any good. The only thing he could think of was that Jeonghan sent someone to kill him. It had to be that. He wasn't going to leave him alone, it was more than clear that he wanted him dead.

Jun felt the tears in his eyes, but shook his head. No, he wouldn't indulge him. He frowned and although his speed was decreasing, he kept moving. He had the idea of reaching the river and jumping into it. The current would be a lot for him, but it was faster. It would drag him away from that person behind who was keeping up with him and would reach him soon.

And then Wonwoo caught up with him, saw the back of the man, with the fox ahead, who stopped abruptly and howled. Jun was surprised at the animal's reaction and then heard footsteps in the snow behind him. He wanted to keep running out of sheer fear, but he stumbled at the worst moment.

He fell forward with a cry over the white cloak. The hunter came to him and raised the ax above his head, ready to drop it at any moment on his prey.

The prince sensed the man's shadow looming over him and turned to see. His hands on the ground to back away, sitting in the snow. He looked up at the hunter. Wonwoo's tall, dark figure, with his ax raised to the pale sky.

And the hunter looked down, with a gesture that went from threat to astonishment.

He was not a man, he was just a scared boy.

But that wasn’t all.

Full moon eyes. Rose petal lips. Constellations scattered on the skin. Hair painted with the night, winter skin, like snow. Candid gesture, the poor scared little lamb.

Ah, the pure, innocent snow that has never been stained. That was what he was seeing. Beneath him, he didn't recognize the murderer and thief Jeonghan mentioned to him, no. It couldn't be like that.

No, what Wonwoo saw was the white snow.

And he had been about to stain it.

Chapter Text

Above him, ax still raised, Jun could finally see the man who had been sent to kill him.

He was tall with broad shoulders, and his hair appeared to be dark brown and slicked back. Jun was able to notice every detail, because at the point of death, time was slowing down. He stopped hearing the river, only the blood flowing strongly in his ears. 

What he assumed was a hunter, would finish him off in a few moments. He met his gaze with the other's and dark eyes looked at him. Perfect angles on his face, an unreadable expression.

Junhui closed his eyes. He didn't want to see. He didn't want to feel. It was the end. He let out a sigh from his trembling lips, like a silent sob.

But Wonwoo dropped the ax. To the ground under his feet. Such a face... It couldn't be forgotten. He'd changed a lot. Too much. He had blossomed from a small button to a beautiful flower. Still he couldn't believe it. Was he the same? Was he the king's son? Was he the prince...?

It couldn't be possible because the prince had died, they all knew that. Jeonghan said it was unfortunate that the little prince got sick like his father and died after him. Oh, prematurely withered flower.

But Wonwoo remembered it, or well, rather than remembering, he couldn't forget him. The last time he saw him was at the king's funeral, although before he'd already seen him on several occasions, because the prince loved his people and on his rides around the town, he always stuck his head out of the carriage to greet them all. The hunter had already seen him. Was he real?

Jun slowly opened his eyes when death was late in coming. He looked at Wonwoo, who was watching him intently, frowning in confusion. He seemed conflicted. He no longer had the ax in his hands, he no longer rose like a shadow about to engulf him. Instead, he backed off, as if something surprised him to the point of wanting to run out of there. As if Junhui were the threat now.

The young man exhaled softly, trying to find a way to escape if he still had a chance, but barely moved a bit, he groaned at the pain in his leg. In the chase he hurt himself even worse. Wonwoo was pulled out of his thoughts by the groan of pain and finally realized the other's wound. As he'd assumed, he hurt his leg. And still the poor bunny had managed to run from him to that point.

If it was the prince... If it was him...

“Did Jeonghan order you to kill me?” Jun gasped, holding onto his injured leg. He was tired, sore and frustrated.

“Jeonghan...? Not the king, not his highness, just Jeonghan?” Wonwoo thought of the boy's way of referring to the demon they had as their monarch. The boy addressed him in such a casual way that not even the hunter himself did, with all the abhorrence and disrespect he had for the king.

The more he looked at the young man, the more unreal he seemed. In the kingdom there could be no one like him; in the world actually. Black hair in contrast to pale skin. Oh, clear and pristine snow. His big owl eyes, staring expectantly. Jun knew that he couldn't run away. Not from Wonwoo, not like this. Not even if he was unharmed he could.

“It was him, am I right?” Jun lowered his head sadly, “What does he want from me…?” The latter was said in a low voice, but Wonwoo heard it.

“Your heart…”

Junhui looked up suddenly. So that was it. And that man would rip it off his chest. The life pulsing inside him. But why wasn't he already doing it? Why didn't his misery end at once? Or was he playing with him? Because at the hands of the hunter, the prince was at his mercy. He could do nothing, neither fight nor flee. 

And he didn't want to beg either, he still had royal blood no matter how much Jeonghan wanted to deny it. He would die solemnly, as his father always taught him. Honor without glory, but honor above all else.

Even though the hunter could have finished in an instant, something stopped him.

“You are not a thief or a murderer…” He began to unroll his thoughts. Jun was shocked at those words. Was that what Jeonghan had told him? That Junhui was a detrimental fugitive who had stolen from him and also, snatched someone else's life on the spot?

“Look in the mirror first, Your Highness…”

“No! Of course not! I will never…” He left the sentence on the air and looked around in frustration. He would never do something like that. He would never stain his hands with other people's blood.

“Then what are you? Who… are you?” The man's deep voice gave him chills. To Jun, he was still intimidating, even though he was speaking in a very thoughtful way, very calm given the circumstances of the situation. He might even dare to say that there was a trace of unease in his tone of voice. But he still had the ability to break him like a fragile twig.

“Who am I?” Of course, he couldn't recognize him. It had been a long time since he had been outside the castle, he hadn't shown his face to the people. And he grew a lot in those years, his features changed, they matured. He didn't know how different he was now, but he only had one name, and he wore it proudly wherever he went. “I am Junhui. I am…”

“The prince.” Wonwoo finished the sentence gravely and took two steps back, his eyes widening in surprise at the realization. Then it was real, the prince was in front of him. Alive.

It was impossible to confuse someone like that. His porcelain features, his pure essence. Although the years passed, he was the same prince, son of King Seungcheol.

Everything fell into account. Jeonghan had sent him to kill the prince and take his heart to him.

“The heart of a little lamb”

It made sense. That damn man. How long had he hidden him? He lied about his death, his very existence, because Junhui was a threat to his throne, everyone loved him. They had loved him...

“That is correct. I am the prince.”

The young prince. Not a ghost of him. In front of his eyes, so vivid that he bled, that he spoke. The higanbana in the middle of the snow, an unexpected resurrection.

“That’s unbelievable.”

The hunter seemed lost. Junhui didn't understand his shocked reaction. In that case, Jeonghan hadn't mentioned that he was going to kill him. He also deceived him, like everyone else, like he always did. Oh Jeonghan, devious to the core.

The young man hissed again at his injured leg. He was no longer so sure if the hunter would kill him, but he couldn't trust. He analyzed his situation and even if he couldn't run or defend himself, at least he would try. He stood up, but he fell instantly, he was bleeding a lot. Wonwoo noticed his movements, snapping out of his stupor.

“Did Jeonghan hurt you?” He pointed to his injured leg.

Junhui denied. “While I was running away…” He backed away with his arms and the hunter realized that he was trying to get away from him. He was still afraid that he was going to hurt him. But how could he even touch him? He would be damned forever. It'd be his biggest hamartia.

“Stop. I will not hurt you” He lowered his eyebrows and raised his hands as a sign of peace. Junhui frowned, confused. Was he trying to trick him?, “I'm serious. It is not that I have accepted the job out of loyalty to the "king".”

Then Jun understood a little more. Mortified at the worst, his lips returned trembling words.

“Did he hurt you? Did he hurt your family?”

What a surprise Wonwoo was taken by the boy's concern when he was in those conditions. Could there be someone like that? Have that compassion for the man who had come to murder him?

“No. My family…” He didn't like to talk about it, “That was a long time ago. But he threatened to take something important from me, so I could not refuse.”

That's why he was there, of course. Junhui understood very well.

“I am so sorry…”

The hunter wanted to laugh, not mockingly, but at how strange the prince was.

“Why are you apologizing?”

“That you have been obliged to do this…” Jun looked down in pity, his full moon eyes about to drop crystals, tears held back. All fear was gone. He couldn't help but wonder how anyone could be so bad as to play with other people's hearts. Why did he want him dead? Why involve others?

“Don’t apologize...” Wonwoo reminded himself that he was talking with the king's son that he fully respected when he was alive, even after his death. He was talking to the same prince. He cleared his throat, “You do not need to apologize. It is not your fault.”

And now what? What he had to do, originally, was to kill the boy, take his heart out of him and take him to Jeonghan. That was why he had come there. The point was, he couldn't do any of that. He wouldn't touch a petal to that flower. He felt anger at Jeonghan. How did he ever dare to stain the purest snow?

The prince heaved a heavy sigh, now he had nowhere to go. He couldn't return to the castle and in the town he didn't know anyone, he didn't even know how they would receive him. He was alone, for a long time, he was a forsaken soul.

“Kill me…” He asked in a strangled voice, the walls of his throat demanding to close from the knot that formed. The world didn't want him alive, he no longer had anything. He would put anyone who got involved with him at risk, like he did with Seungkwan.

“What?” Wonwoo felt that he didn't hear well, but he didn't doubt that those were the young man's words.

Junhui looked up with affliction in his eyes and the hunter felt his chest immediately constrict at the sight. What he was asking was the product of loneliness. He felt abandoned. Wonwoo had no doubts that the king kept him locked up in all those years. Isolated. Caged as a grieving bird.

“No.”

The prince closed his eyes slowly and smiled sadly, his head dropped down.

“You need to take my heart to him so he can leave you alone, so he does not punish you. Besides, no matter where I run, he will find me. It is in vain…” He had given up.

The hunter dropped to one knee in the snow surrounding the young man, a stain of blood still forming on it from his unattended wound. He could see him eye to eye in that position.

“Listen me well, prince” Jun dared to look at that man, those dark eyes staring at him carefully and he had the sudden urge of hiding from those penetrating orbs, “You cannot die. You are the only thing we have left of the kingdom we used to live in, the inheritance of King Seungcheol and Queen Siyeon. Jeonghan is not our rightful king, but you are, which is why he wants to kill you. Do you understand your importance?” He tried to keep his already deep voice slow, not so harsh, not unpleasant. So he said each word slowly and thoughtfully enough that the boy wasn't startled.

“My… importance?”

Wonwoo nodded, trying to observe the other's face and not take his eyes off the prince, who kept wandering in mind, surely reflecting on what the hunter was saying.

“Or are you going to give in to Jeonghan and give him what he wants just like that?” 

Perhaps a bit of himself was being expressed in that speech. He could not allow the town's only chance to prosper, the only flower in the garden, the remnant of a hope that was believed to be lost... That was alive. Wonwoo wasn't going to trample on that lily flower.

Junhui began to see everything from a different perspective, lifting his thinking from the fog of pain and loneliness. The hunter was right. Giving his neck, his heart to the king... he couldn't give his life just like that. Seungkwan had even sacrificed himself for his sake, for his salvation.

“Because he believed in me…”

It was true that he couldn't do it alone, but what the man told him was true. He was the only hope of the kingdom, he was the prince, the king's legitimate successor, his father. The one who could save the people from Jeonghan. He looked at the hunter a little frightened, but then he smiled and Wonwoo calmed down a bit as the prince came to his senses.

“It is true, I cannot give myself to Jeonghan that easily. He is used to winning, he needs a few losses to learn humility. I am grateful to you…” He stared at the hunter, with a questioning gesture.

“I am Jeon Wonwoo” He briefly introduced himself upon realizing the unspoken question. Junhui nodded and after wiping the palm of his right hand on the surface of his sweater, he reached out.

“I am grateful to you, Jeon Wonwoo, for you have forgiven my life.”

Indeed, that was definitely the prince, manners were very present. 

The hunter accepted his hand and shook it. Funny as it seemed, Jun might have the cold and majestic look of snow, but he was very warm like a campfire in the middle of winter. Wonwoo didn't stain the white cloak, but now he was in a quandary. He had to take responsibility for allowing the boy to live. Jeonghan waited for him with the tender boy's heart and he couldn't give it to him, so he had to think of something else. 

And more importantly, Junhui was right when he said that he had nowhere to go, after all the castle, his home, was the least safe place in the kingdom for him. The town might think he was dead, but the king had eyes all over the place.

There was only one place left, away from prying eyes and unknown to most people except for one more besides himself. That was his cabin. No one wanted to enter the forest on his own, even if this was Yabbay's who had a reputation for being beautiful and peaceful. For Wonwoo none of that bothered him, living among nature gave him a natural protection as it kept the townspeople and Jeonghan guards away. It was the perfect place.

Although it seemed troublesome to him, he had to, as he was responsible for the prince's life now. For the honor he once had, serving King Seungcheol; he would take care of his offspring. He would take care of the hope of the people, until he somehow found the assurance that Junhui could overcome Jeonghan and claim his throne.

“Prince.”

The latter returned his gaze.

“It is odd to be called like that…” He smiled with bashfulness. Seungkwan and Mingyu just called him "Jun."

“Junhui?” Wonwoo corrected himself. He felt a little lost, he was not very good at dealing with people since he was a top notch sullen and everyone knew it, much less he knew how to treat a noble (who was just a boy younger than him). The hunter had few friends. In reality, he only considered one person as friend.

“That is fine, thank you”. Courteous even when he was bleeding to death and on the verge of fainting if he wasn't taken care of immediately.

“You will come with me” He picked up his ax and placed it on his hip belt. Jun watched him carefully without understanding at first, “I may have spared your life, but the next man they send will not be so pious. We are not all insubordinate before the king” He sighed and faced the boy.

“What…? But where will you take me? Besides, I already endangered you for you did not obey Jeonghan and--

“I thought that we had already agreed that you are not going to surrender to him. Do not worry about me, Prince Junhui, I can handle myself very well” He dropped one knee back to the ground for support and settled his arms on the young man's body, one hand between the hollow of his knees and the other on his back. Jun was scared by the sudden closeness, but seeing that Wonwoo wouldn't hurt him, he calmed down.

The hunter lifted him without a problem, carrying him carefully, although Jun hissed up his injured leg again, so the man settled him back on the ground.

“I think it would be better if…” He looked for something in his pants pocket and when he took it out, Junhui recognized it right away. It was his father's handkerchief, “This is yours, right?”

The prince smiled wistfully.

“My father’s, actually.”

Wonwoo blinked twice and saw the bloody piece of fine cloth. He'd noticed it before, but it had embroidered gold initials that he recognized until now.

1. C.

“I see…” The hunter looked at the handkerchief some more and Jun couldn't guess his expression. Then he looked at the prince with questioning eyes, as if tacitly asking permission. 

The boy nodded and bit his lower lip as the man carefully placed the handkerchief on his wound to stop the bleeding. Wonwoo was as cautious as possible, after all he didn't have healing or delicate hands, he wasn't Minghao. On the contrary, his hands had already been stained with blood, they were those of a hunter who kills to live. Firm and strong.

However, he did a decent job tying the cloth over the other's calf and did the same actions as before to lift the prince. This time Jun held onto his neck with both arms, because he felt very vulnerable otherwise. He felt deep inside that he could trust the hunter, that he'd keep his word not to harm him. And he had no other choice anyway.

Wonwoo stood up and surveyed the landscape. The trees around him, an unwanted labyrinth, but he had a good visual memory and knew where he had come. His sense of direction was almost perfect. He looked up at the sky, but there was no trace of a sun to give him an idea of the time, although it couldn't be too late. He would have to carry the prince for a long time and for that he was grateful for his good physical condition.

He began to walk, always scanning the view from side to side. That place gave him a very bad feeling and what he least wanted was to be surprised in some way, even less now that he had to fight for two. 

Junhui, for his part, tried to fix his gaze on something other than the hunter's face with his sharp angles or the feel of his arms around him. In his life, the prince hadn't been so close to someone since his parents had passed away, so all those feelings were new. So close his ear to the other man's chest, he could hear his heartbeat. Stable and rhythmic. 

He had a bad thought that made his stomach turn. The thought that Jeonghan wanted to take the hunter's heart for not obeying him. For letting Jun live. He tried to get the image out of his head.

He shifted his attention and looked at the forest. The man seemed to guide himself very well, because every step he took was safe and steady, as if he knew exactly which way to go. The prince was feeling a bit embarrassed, but he suppressed his thoughts and decided to focus his attention on his injured leg. It was a dull ache, like it was completely torn apart, although he already knew that wasn't the case, he felt that way. He just hoped it hadn't gotten infected in some way.

He didn't know how long they traveled, but Junhui worried that the hunter would have to carry him a lot, so when he noticed the change in the trees and looked down at the snow on a dark green grass, but alive, he knew that they had come out of the Black Forest.

“Excuse me…” he dared to speak. Wonwoo seemed very distracted in his thoughts, he didn't say a word on the way. He performed each of his movements automatically, after all, walking through the woods was the most natural thing for him.

“Hmph?” His deep voice echoed in his chest and Jun felt it clearly.

“Could you put me down, please? I can try to walk from here.”

But the hunter looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

“I’m not so sure about it,” he replied skeptically. Junhui resisted the urge to pout.

“It must be tiring to carry me around, you have already done it for a long time, I think it is time for me to move on my own.”

Wonwoo shook his head. “It is faster this way.”

“But--

“Prince, I’m capable.” He turned to look down at him with a smirk.

So Junhui fell silent.

Through that forest, Wonwoo walked home. The young man thought of himself when he wandered through the long corridors of the castle and its abundant rooms. When he used to. Now it was just a prison. The hunter, however, was free there.

Little did Junhui know that his freedom was being used as a bargaining chip for the prince's life. But that Wonwoo would worry about apart.

It began to snow at some point along the way and Wonwoo quickened his pace, as if he was not at all affected by carrying someone else (but he was used to carrying his prey and was sure that a male deer weighed more than the little lamb in his arms).

The snow falling on them, the hunter didn't feel the cold and Junhui shivered a little at the sudden flakes coming to rest on his skin. Wonwoo realized this and stopped suddenly. Certainly the young man didn't have suitable clothes to be outside one day in December, how had he managed not to freeze to death until now?

He crouched down and Jun took that as a signal to get up and finally walk on his own, but as soon as he stood up with both legs supported, he felt the stabbing pain that took his breath away for a few seconds.

The hunter began to remove his leather jacket and Jun watched him carefully. He wondered momentarily if Wonwoo had gotten warm from the effort of carrying him there, so much that he didn't mind the growing cold. But none of that was the case. 

The man took off his jacket and then looked at the prince. His skin scattered with freckles, watchful brown eyes, like a curious owl's. Crimson red lips with an exquisite heart shape. Black hair with constellations of flakes falling on it. He couldn't help staring at him. He didn't have the opportunity to admire the beauty of others. 

There were relatively beautiful people in the village. Miyeon was. Minghao too. Even Mingyu, the son of the king's chef to whom he sold his prey sometimes. But Junhui was different.

“The most beautiful in this realm... I would dare say that even of all the others.” He thought of a few seconds of captive reverie. Then he blinked and all of that was left behind. Life was harsh, he already knew that. And the beauty was also cruel. An example of that was Jeonghan. As magnificent as gold... But rotten coal inside.

“Here.” He held out his hand with his jacket and Jun tilted his head looking at the garment in confusion.

“Eh…?” Then he understood and then he frowned, “No! It is yours and it is cold–

“Just take it.” Wonwoo had little patience. 

And Jun was really stubborn.

“I said no. I am not going to let you get cold because of me. I can bear it very well, thank you very much, but no. I refuse.”

Wonwoo sighed and waved his jacket for the boy to take it.

“No, put it back on.” He said all that while trembling, but he couldn't allow the man, kind enough to carry him there and spare his life, now get cold because his body couldn't bear to cool down a bit. He crossed his arms and refused several times to take the other's jacket.

“Junhui, put the jacket on,” Wonwoo motioned once more for him to take it, his other hand pricking the bridge of his nose.

The prince was caught off guard when the formalities were scrapped. Not that he cared, because he had a lot without being treated like a prince. He was most familiar with being addressed as a mere servant. He noticed that the hunter had lost his meekness, so he obeyed.

“I cannot believe I’m going to do this… I am sorry.”

He took the jacket and after a resigned sigh, he put it on. He was invaded by an immediate warmth that almost made him smile in relief, but he kept it to himself. He was still offended by allowing the hunter to go cold because of his weakness.

“There is no need to apologize.” And Wonwoo couldn't help but think that Junhui should care more about him than the others. No one could be that good.

The jacket fit him well, after all they were both the same height. Perhaps Wonwoo was beefier and bigger, and the prince slimmer in that respect.

“Good, let’s keep going.”

He approached with outstretched arms to carry him again, but Junhui stretched out his hand with his palm facing the hunter.

“I can walk.”

Dark eyes stared at him.

“Junhui.”

“Jeon Wonwoo, I can walk by myself, thank you for offering, but it is enough. I will not allow it anymore. I’ll follow you closely.”

The man kept looking at him, but realizing that the prince would stand firm in his decision, he simply rolled his eyes at the stubbornness.

“Fine. As you please.” 

He continued walking and Jun followed him with an unsteady but sure step. He looked at the hunter's broad back. Even the way he walked looked intimidating. If he wasn't such a good man, Junhui wouldn't have had a chance against him.

Wonwoo followed the path he knew well, in the Yabbay Forest with its white snow and tall trees, animals roaming around, a clear and visible sky. He was two meters ahead of the other young man, so he had to slow down so as not to leave him behind. He looked at him momentarily to see where he was going and the prince, with his head low at first so as not to trip over anything, realizing that the hunter turned to see him, looked up and smiled at him. The hunter returned his attention to the front slightly embarrassed at that small action.

So they continued, Junhui following in the footsteps of Wonwoo, who suddenly turned back to make sure the prince was still with him. When at last, after a while, he could see his cabin rising up among the trees and grasses that survived the winter.

He stopped and waited for Jun to come to his side.

“We have arrived.”

Jun moved his curious eyes to the cabin, not knowing at what moment it appeared. Wonwoo opened the door and gestured for him to enter. The prince smiled softly and nodded. The moment he was under the roof he realized that he'd missed that feeling of protection. The place was gloomy, just pale light streaming in through the windows. It was spacious, however, although at first glance it didn't seem so.

Wonwoo still didn't close the door.

“I have to go to town. I am not a doctor, but I know someone who can help” he muttered, watching as Jun observed his home. There was barely furniture, a light fire used the night before, a wilted flower in front of a small portrait.

“I understand… Go safe” he said.

“You don't have to talk to me so formally, prince.”

He couldn't forget that he was in front of Seungcheol's son, in front of the one who was supposed to be his king.

“Oh” Jun smiled sheepishly, “I understand, you don't have to talk to me so formally either then, I'm…” He didn’t finish his sentence.

Wonwoo pondered a bit, but nodded. He could address the other informally because he was younger and he had asked for it as well.

“Don't go out. Here is food, fire and everything you need. Feel free, Prince Junhui…” He was going to ask for his jacket, but he saw that the boy looked very comfortable in it, so he took a scarf that wasn't even hanging on the coat rack and went out.

When the hunter left, Jun dropped to the carpeted floor of the living room. His leg couldn't support him anymore. He let out a sigh because the day wasn't over and yet he had felt it very long. He touched his chest, his heart was still there, beating.

How would Wonwoo convince Jeonghan? How could he fool him? To the biggest deceiver.

He brought his knees together and rested his hands and head on them. The aroma of the forest, firewood, the freshness of mint, coming from the garment that gave him warmth.

“Ah!” he screamed when he realized that Wonwoo had walked out without his jacket. He felt guilty and awkward. He pouted, but a strange emotion washed over him. No one had treated him like this in a long time. Just Mingyu and Seungkwan.

Although it was different. Junhui felt that it was different in some way.

Chapter Text

Junhui woke up to the sound of voices that at first sounded far away. He opened his eyes and realized that he fell asleep in front of the fireplace. His leg had stopped bleeding, but he didn't see that his handkerchief was completely soaked in blood and the pain brought out a groan as he tried to examine.

He listened to the voices. One of them he already recognized, for it was deep and belonged to the hunter. The other was new to him. Higher and softer, he seemed to reproach Wonwoo for his tone. He heard the crunch of snow and then the front door opened, letting the cold and two men into the place.

Wonwoo sighed and the stranger walked until he was completely in Jun's field of vision. He was just a boy a little older than him, he looked about Mingyu's age. Slim, tall, and with honey-colored hair contrasting with almost equally clear eyes. He carried a black briefcase in his hand and had curious ears that gave him the appearance of an elf. Maybe he was one.

The young man brought his hand over his mouth.

“It’s really him, Wonwoo…”

“Well, he needs your help, Hao, as I told you, he has a pretty scandalous wound on his leg.”

The honey-haired man nodded gently and smiled, to proceed to approach Jun who was sitting on the carpet that tried to stand up, but the young man made a motion with his hands for him not to move.

“Prince Junhui, I still remember your child face on those walks around town. You have grown a lot” he mentioned in a voice full of nostalgia. Then he touched his chest, “My name is Xu Minghao and I am the son of the apothecary. I am a doctor, or well, it is what I am doing and want to believe.”

“Minghao, you have the hands of a healer, sometimes I think you do magic.” Wonwoo crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

“Magic… That doesn’t exist, Wonwoo.”

But Jun knew that magic was real.

Minghao, as he had introduced himself, crouched down and kneeled in front of the prince, again smiling warmly.

“Would you allow me?”

The young man stretched out his leg gently and Minghao held it carefully to accommodate it on a cushion. Jun was leaning on his side, as the wound was on his calf. 

Jun grimaced as the young doctor began to carefully remove the handkerchief. He was very gentle, unlike Wonwoo's hands (not that he was rough, just that his hands were strong and steady, Minghao's moved with caution and skill). He removed the handkerchief and Jun stretched out his hand palm up.

“I suppose it must be important for you.”

The prince nodded. Minghao was about to hand him the bloody handkerchief, but Wonwoo approached them.

“If you don't mind, I'll clean it, so we deliver it to you in optimal conditions.” Both young men looked at the hunter, Jun nodded with a smile, and Minghao handed him the handkerchief. Wonwoo took it and walked away from them to resume what they were doing.

Minghao examined the prince's leg. Most of the posterior extension had a relatively deep transverse wound. The gastrocnemius muscle seemed to have torn enough to allow him to stand up but caused him tremendous pain. Apart from that main wound there were other lacerations that appeared to have been caused by something else.

The hunter returned with the clean handkerchief, but stood aside. He had many injuries in the past, it was common in his trade as a hunter. He still remembered that time a male deer nearly impaled him against a tree. He broke two ribs and had an ugly wound on his right side, but Minghao treated him very carefully and he had healed perfectly. Many times, his injuries were treated by the younger. He never got tired of saying that Minghao had magic hands.

“If I believed in those things, I would say that you are related to an elf with healing powers” he once told him. And Minghao only rolled his eyes in response.

“How did you do this wound?”

Junhui grimaced, as Minghao began to clean the dried blood in areas where it wouldn't hurt the prince.

“With the spike of a fence. My leg got stuck when I tried to jump it, I went backwards and my leg was torn from the fall because it got caught.” But only the image of Seungkwan being dragged away by the guards could come back in his mind.

Minghao shot him a quick glance and nodded.

“It is quite deep. I'm going to disinfect it first.” He looked in his bag and Junhui saw that he took out a small glass bottle very well sealed, it had a label on which there was something written in very impeccable italics. It contained leaves suspended in a greenish liquid. They were actually eucalyptus leaves and juniper berries that Minghao had crushed and combined with lavender oil, alcohol, and water. 

Then he took out a clean white cloth. He opened the jar and the scent was quite pleasant.

Minghao poured some of the liquid onto the clean cloth, until it was wet enough, then looked at the prince.

“It is going to sting at first.”

But the younger one nodded.

“I can bear it.” For some reason, while still lying on the carpet on his hips, waiting for the doctor to treat him, Jun sought out the hunter with his gaze. 

He was still further away from them, watching them from afar, arms crossed. He didn't seem oblivious to those things, however, Junhui imagined that this posture he was taking was that of a person who puts a barrier between what is in front of himself, a kind of intangible protection that would keep him at bay. His serious and imperturbable countenance returned his gaze, and Jun had to avert his as he felt strangely unable to meet his eyes with the other man's penetrating dark orbs.

He felt the cloth being gently placed on his wound and hissed a little at the burning sensation, but seconds later he felt the freshness of the mixture and the discomfort didn't last long.

“I will let the antiseptic act for a moment. I am going to have to close this wound manually, because it does not look like it is going to do it by itself.”

Minghao rummaged in his bag and took out a transparent silk bag where Jun could see a kind of dark gold colored thread. Taking a good look at the briefcase of the young apothecary's son, it was very well organized and Junhui observed in amazement the small compartments, the bottles arranged between the small belts, the surgical materials and some dried plants in more silk bags. Everything in complete order.

He knew little of the world, for it was reduced to the castle, his room-cell, and the withered garden in which he used to sit in his spare time. Now he was on the outside. He hadn't had much of a chance to meet the animals or plants he read about in the castle books. Or to meet more people in general.

Minghao looked kind, one of those who help others because it's in his nature. The way he looked at Jun, with such gentleness and compassion, gave him a sense of hope. Although there were such cruel and selfish people in the world as Jeonghan, there were also men and women who were like Minghao. Or like Wonwoo, who had risked disobeying the king and helping him in such a way. Only the latter didn't seem very open in his acts of nobility.

“Good, that will do.” 

The honey-haired young man carefully removed the cloth, examining the wound again. It didn't seem infected, that was a good sign. Minghao looked at him and smiled, then turned in the hunter's direction. He was still on his knees with his hands on his thighs in a solemn position and the hunter saw him from the position from afar with his arms crossed firmly on his chest.

“The most reasonable thing to do is put him to sleep, that way I can close the wound more easily. Besides, I don't want him to be in pain during the whole procedure.”

Wonwoo, who had three barely visible scars from wounds that had to be sutured by Minghao, in which on one occasion he had to be conscious since it was an urgent situation, knew the pain of the needle going in and out with the thread on the skin. He definitely didn't want the young prince to suffer that.

“I agree.”

Junhui watched them and blinked in confusion. Minghao stood up.

“I'm going to make a poppy infusion that will put you to sleep and relax you enough. Wonwoo, do you have honey?”

The huntsman just nodded and Junhui saw both men heading to what he imagined was the kitchen of that gloomy cabin.

Junhui allowed himself to lie flat on the carpet as the others stepped out of his sight. Despite having slept a bit, his body felt very tired. He was already used to that fatigue because sometimes the tasks assigned to him in the castle left him that exhausted.

But this was different, a more internal weariness. Not just his body, his mind couldn't find rest. He couldn't stop thinking about the next few days. All of his life lived between the past and the present. He was aware of his little chance of changing his life, under the tyrannical cloak of his stepfather. 

But now he was miles from the king and what was once his home. Now he was in the cabin of the hunter he'd sent to kill him, under the care of a healer who had treated him with such kindness even though he'd met him that day.

“No, he recognized me as the prince”

He wondered if the people remembered him. It hurt him to think they hated him.

For the first time, Junhui had a fear of the future to come. Although he wasn't longer at Jeonghan's mercy, his shadow still hung over him as long as he was occupying the throne that didn't belong to him.

While the young prince tried to collect his thoughts and ease his restless mind, Minghao prepared the infusion and argued with Wonwoo.

“How is it possible, Wonwoo? You said you wouldn't get blood on your hands again. That you’d leave that job behind.” His gaze shifted between the jar of honey and his friend, who ran a frustrated hand through his dark hair. He'd finally told Minghao the real reason why he had the prince himself in his cabin. He reserved it for him so far because he wanted to keep his friend as calm as possible once he met Junhui. Or rather, when he recognized him.

It was unbelievable, after all. Like watching a talking corpse, but Minghao and Wonwoo had already seen many of those, and Junhui was more alive than anything.

“I know, but Jeonghan threatened to take the only thing that matters to me, Hao. What would I do without my freedom? Tell me, what would you do without it?” He leaned against the oak table and placed his hands on the edge.

Minghao looked at the boiling water, bubbles forming on the surface of the small cauldron.

“You know my position on human lives. You know it very well.”

Wonwoo rolled his eyes. Of course he knew. And he didn't want to hear his friend teach him a lesson about the importance of life and respect for it. His speech of primum non nocere that the hunter knew perfectly well as the way from his cabin to the village without getting lost. Minghao even was a vegetarian because he refused to consume the blood of another animal.

He already knew that, and it reminded him the kind of man he was. A hunter. A mercenary.

Again, the image of the crimson drops on the snow came to his mind, a ruby that has no value. He had to shake his head to physically take away the thoughts.

“Minghao, keep in mind the risk I took. I couldn't do anything to him. Not when I found out who he really is. You know that I owe all my loyalty to King Seungcheol and what little honor I have left.”

Minghao looked at him with lowered brows, crushing the poppy seeds.

“I'm aware of that, Wonwoo, and I'm concerned for both you and the prince. To think that King Jeonghan could be so heartless... I mean, I have no doubt, this town may be rich in resources, but it is poor in morality and the people don't have the money they should because it all goes to that opulent castle full of vanity.”

The huntsman agreed.

“So you've made up your mind to protect him.” Minghao poured the boiling water over an aluminum cup that already had the necessary ingredients for the infusion.

In reality, Wonwoo didn't even know his actions or decisions. He was always a determined man, but he felt a bit lost. Knowing that the prince was alive was the hope of a people under the control of an illegitimate monarch who seemed to be irrevocable.

The problem was that everyone believed that Jun was dead. Worse still, he had to bring the heart to Jeonghan, which had been his initial task. If he didn't, the king would be suspicious. He'd be after Wonwoo. He would follow after Junhui. And he didn't want to involve Minghao.

But could he deceive the deceiver? Because that seemed to be Jeonghan's gift. He was hiding behind his pretty face. He dressed in gold, but he was so rotten inside that Wonwoo wondered if the others who were enchanted did not only see the reflection of that gold that covered him, not knowing that inside, he did not shine more than coal.

“He has no one, Hao,” he said after a brief silence.

“You’re mistaken” Minghao took the cup in his hands, to go back to the prince. He looked at the brown eyes of his friend, a gentle, compassionate gesture, as it used to be in him, “He has you, Wonwoo.”

And he withdrew from the kitchen, leaving a thoughtful hunter who had yet to think about how to proceed. Wonwoo preferred to dedicate himself to one task at a time. Treating the prince's wound was his priority for the moment.

Junhui heard the footsteps and settled back so that he was still on his side, but leaning on his elbow, to observe the doctor well. He saw Minghao come into his field of vision again, with a steaming mug; the young man looked up at the fireplace, which had the fire almost extinguished.

“You don’t know how to light it, right?”

Junhui denied. Minghao sighed and looked towards Wonwoo with a raised eyebrow. He also sighed and rolled his eyes to warn his friend not to reproach him for anything, he pulled the ax from his belt.

“I'm going for firewood.”

“Thank you.” The honey-haired one answered, then sat back on his knees and blew a little on the infusion that was still hot.

Jun had a memory of his mother doing the same thing before drinking her tea. Minghao seemed as elegant as she was, he had that kind of serene beauty.

“Drinking it all will make you drowsy and put you to sleep for a while. Not only will it help you rest, but it contains only a little opium that will keep you asleep no matter what.”

Junhui nodded and then settled down better to drink the tea. He accepted the cup and observed the golden liquid.

“It has honey, it is not that distasteful.” Minghao smiled.

“You do not need to address me in such a formal way, I am not used to it.”

The doctor made a surprised gesture and then changed to one of mortification. He understood Wonwoo's anger towards Jeonghan, he could feel it himself.

“All right, if you wish. Equally, you can address me however you want. By the way, I hope you excuse Wonwoo if he suddenly is very brusque with his words. He isn't a very sociable person to say, but he is a good man.”

Jun puffed on the tea a bit and after a small sip so as not to scald his tongue, he shook his head with a smile.

“I don't doubt it, he has been very kind to me. He and you, thank you very much.”

Minghao looked at him with his eyebrows still lowered.

“Prince Junhui, I'm really glad you're…” But he stopped at his words. Instead, he opted for others, “I'm glad you're fine. You are not alone.”

Wonwoo came in carrying firewood over his shoulder.

“Actually, I’ve had some good people who have taken care of me, not all of them follow Jeonghan's orders to the letter” Junhui's smile faltered, “My friend Seungkwan sacrificed himself for me so that I could escape. And there is also Mingyu. I hope he is well, he is a very dear friend too.”

Wonwoo recognized the name. And Minghao did too. They glared at him at the same time.

“Mingyu? Chef Kim's son?” Wonwoo put the wood on the side of the fireplace, trying not to disturb the prince.

Junhui nodded, averting his eyes a bit towards the hunter's forearms, as they were uncovered and he'd noticed some scars on them. “How do you know him?” He tried not to stare too much.

“I've sold my prey directly to him, and he usually goes to the bakery a lot where I sell some of the fruits I collect.”

“Then…” He had an idea but then dismissed it, however Wonwoo raised an eyebrow when he fell silent and didn't finish his sentence.

“What?”

“Nothing, it's just that... I'm really worried about Seungkwan and only Mingyu could know about his location, but there would be no way to ask him, since I don't want to involve him or put you in danger” He looked worried at Wonwoo, “It is a selfish request.” 

His gesture turned muffled, apart from the fact that the infusion was already working and he felt lighter. Looser.

Wonwoo couldn't risk him. Not that he mistrusted Mingyu, as he seemed a sincere man with good feelings, apart from the fact that the prince trusted him. But the hunter couldn't go ask him such a thing, he couldn't go to town when he was supposed to be still on a "mission" and trying to find an idea to fool Jeonghan. He couldn't fulfill that request for Junhui, as much as he wanted to.

“I can do it. Wonwoo can't, neither you, it's very dangerous. But they don't know anything about me.” Minghao smiled.

The two men looked at him. Both were surprised.

“Do you know Mingyu?” Jun asked and Minghao immediately looked away and smiled slightly.

“Not better than you, not even close. But you must know that he is a very clumsy person and I have dealt with his wounds several times. It's strange, I thought you had a doctor in the castle.”

Junhui wanted to laugh, but he barely let out a soft smile, feeling very sleepy all of a sudden.

“Yes, Mingyu is very clumsy and he's always having accidents in the kitchen. It's true that we have a doctor, I thought Mingyu was going with him. Apparently he prefers to go to town, I didn't know.”

Minghao blinked several times in surprise at that revelation.

“Well, he comes to our apothecary and I usually treat him, so I know him, I could pass your message to him, he must be worried for you.”

“Are you sure?” Wonwoo, arranging the wood to light it at the fireplace, looked at them with a stern gesture. Junhui had his eyelids half closed and he could barely see him after the haze of exhaustion that was taking hold of him.

“Yes, Wonwoo, I'll be careful. You focus on protecting the prince and taking care of yourself. Once I get back to town we have to be very cautious.”

“Minghao, don't expose yourself too much either, I don't want to involve you any further.”

The brown-haired one shook his head.

“Mingyu is…”

From there, Junhui no longer paid any more attention to the conversation around him, because he drank all the infusion and it was taking effect quickly. The taste hadn't been too bad from Minghao's consideration of adding honey. He felt himself falling backwards and the dream pulling him, until he let himself go and knew nothing more, because his own body stopped feeling like part of himself.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

When he opened his eyes again, he was in another room and it was dark. Perhaps late in the night, from the position of the wandering moon that could be seen from the window. Barely, because it'd started to snow at some point, and it seemed that the silver queen was crying those crystals without end.

Junhui leaned on his elbow, as he was lying on his side, to observe well where he was. The room dimly lit by the light of a gas lamp on the table next to the bed. It was a simple space, just an oak wardrobe, the bed he was in, the window next to it, and the table underneath.

He was covered almost to the shoulder by a thick blanket, so he didn't feel the cold.

But there was something important that he wanted to see, and after blinking away the sleep, he pulled back the blanket that covered him and flexed his leg. He felt pain, but it was bearable. He took the lamp and brought it closer to get a better look.

He had a perfectly wrapped bandage on his leg, with a very neat herringbone pattern that Junhui was fascinated by. Also by the fact that he hadn't woken up until then. He felt warmth in his chest at the thought of Minghao's care. And of course, from Wonwoo's, that made him feel a bit embarrassed when he realized that he'd probably been the one who had brought him there.

His leg could heal as it should now, and he wasn't feeling that much pain anymore, just discomfort. And as it is due, the night is saved for three things: the rest of the creatures under the dark sky, the time of the lovers, or simply to clear the things that disturb the mind.

He lay back down and covered up to his chin with the blanket, watching the moon and the snow fall. He felt a comfort in that landscape, he'd never seen it that way in the castle. Not from his cell at least, because the window was so small that it couldn't even show the queen of the night completely, just a few traces of her silver light.

He didn't know what would happen now. He was in a situation that he did not understand. He felt as wandering as the moon that night. He felt falling like snow itself. He wanted to be held. He wished someone would stop his fall.

Chapter Text

Jun awoke to the distinctive song of a black-hooded chickadee. He opened his eyes and they went straight to the window, more like a habit than anything, since the pale light came from there and outside a silent winter landscape welcomed his eyes that cleared the dream in two blinks.

He straightened up and observed that on one of the branches of the deciduous trees, the little bird continued to sing as if nothing in the world was more important than its melody. Junhui was surprised about it, since very few birds dared to approach the castle. The few he'd seen were pigeons, sparrows, and that owl that guided him through the woods.

But this little bird was as close to the cabin as if it were just another tree. With the confidence that there was no threat in that place. He smiled and as if he'd completely forgotten about his injured leg (actually, he did), he pulled the sheets off and sat on the edge of the bed. His bare feet touched the wooden floor and he moved to the window to see directly through it. He walked without problem, but there was a slight discomfort in his leg, which made him look down and see the bandage.

Then he remembered his injury, but his surprise was greater when he realized that it no longer hurt. It was strange, because such a wound couldn't be so easily ignored, and yet, he had walked with almost no problem.

He completely forgot to look through the window, bending down and being careful to move the bandage a little without removing it completely, since Minghao had done a great job of bandaging it properly and even aesthetically.

He just wanted to check it.

His nose wrinkled a little when he moved the bandage, but his wound didn't look too bad. He could move, he could walk. He could heal.

He repositioned the bandage and sighed. Minghao definitely had magic hands. Now Junhui didn't doubt that he was an elf and that he had deceived them. Or so he continued to believe at least, with the idea of magic being so real to him. He dared to walk out of the room, not without first observing, for the first time, what it was like.

With the pale light of the snow, he could see how simple it was. He saw the tall oak cabinet, a closet. And on top of it, Jun observed that something was sticking out. He approached out of curiosity and didn't need to tip to reach the object. But his hands betrayed him, for it fell on his head.

He stroked the area with his lips in a pout, until he could tell what it was that fell over him. A bow.

His eyes widened. That was from the hunter. A rustic handcrafted bow with a wide curve, with leather for a better grip. Junhui rushed to return it to its place. He hated weapons, he hated violence. He always avoided it.

Deciding on his best judgment not to be so intrusive to this unfamiliar place, he assumed he was in the hunter's room. But where was he?

He opened the door, and got his answer. He jumped startled up and screamed, which escaped him, so his gesture of covering his mouth was useless.

But he quickly calmed down when he recognized the peaceful man, sitting on the floor in the short hallway next to the bedroom door, arms folded across his chest, back leaning against the wall, legs bent, head bowed. Well, that didn't last long, because the hunter looked up and his gesture didn't seem very happy.

Junhui realized what was happening: Wonwoo stayed the night guarding outside the room. It could not be anything else. Had he done it for him? The prince was embarrassed. He wasn't used to so much care for him.

Wonwoo withdrew the sleep from his eyes and looked up. Jun was still recovering from the surprise.

“You’re awake” His voice sounded deeper than normal. Since Jun didn't respond, his dark eyes looked down at his leg. The impeccable bandage was still there, “How’s your leg?”

“Good... Actually, very good. I would like to thank Minghao.”

“It won't be too soon... But you will.”

“If everything goes fine” thought the hunter. He'd barely slept, spending all night looking for some way that the day would not come without coming up with an idea to fool Jeonghan so that he wouldn't suspect anything.

“It must be uncomfortable to be in that position, are you alright?” 

That concern again, Wonwoo wanted to chuckle, but kept it back. “I have slept this way many times. At least the wall is more comfortable than a tree trunk.”

Junhui, who had already spent a night inside a tree, had to agree with him. Wonwoo stood up and looked him up and down. The prince felt very exposed under the scrutiny of those sharp eyes. If he looked closely, the hunter didn't appear to be much different from the fox that had found shelter for him. Curious that Wonwoo himself had lent him his roof. His bed.

Junhui was truly not used to being cared for like this. Wonwoo had even been on guard overnight. He didn't know how to react to such a meaningful thing; for a forgotten, someone destined to perish in the shadows.

“Are you hungry?”

The question caught him off guard, but was effective in pulling him out of his negative thoughts. Wonwoo turned on his back and started walking, so Junhui followed him.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

Minghao couldn't wait. So he pulled the hood of his winter cape over his head and left the apothecary to the village that welcomed him with the early snow and the people who had already risen as soon as the sun did. He walked among them without paying much attention. They recognized him, but it wasn't that they looked at him for more than a few seconds.

If his memory served him well (it did), then the bakery was open at that time, and a tall, familiar figure would already be coming out with the necessary products in his arms.

It was exactly like that. Just as Minghao reached the bakery, the tall dark-haired man came out of it with a smile and the first bread of the morning freshly baked in a bag that he held carefully so as not to throw it away.

Minghao quickly walked over and grabbed him by the wrist. In order not to scare the other young man, he momentarily glanced at him from under the hood for recognition and Mingyu immediately calmed down, before he began to struggle.

Minghao dragged him out of the main streets of the town. He didn't even trust the Yabbay trees very much, after all, the king had ears everywhere. 

But there was a place where he was certain that not even the eye of a crow could reach.

He kept walking between the alleys and the immediate vicinity of the forest, avoiding as much as possible that people saw him with the son of the king's head chef. Mingyu followed him smoothly, his long legs didn't waver with the agility and speed with which the doctor was moving, instead they walked at the same pace.

They finally reached the apothecary, but surrounded it until they reached the rear, where Minghao released Mingyu to maneuver and remove some branches and leaves that served to hide the entrance to his basement. He took out the key from his neck and opened the doors, only lifting a flap. He pointed his hand forward and downward, indicating for Mingyu to enter first.

He looked at him with a frown, a little confused. Sure he had a lot of questions, but he'd followed him there without even hesitating, so the older one sighed and with his usual clumsiness tried to maneuver his best to avoid falling face first with the bags of bread in the dark stairs in front of him.

Minghao looked at the surroundings, at the forest behind his property, at the barely rising sound of the village and the people in the streets. He wasn't a trusting person, so he watched for a few more seconds, and making sure no one had followed or seen them, he finally entered the basement, closing the doors behind him.

He knew that place even in complete darkness. He moved confidently and heard a knock and Mingyu complaining. The ever so clumsy Kim Mingyu.

As Minghao searched for the gas lamp to light it, he heard more things falling and making unnecessary noise, more groans from his companion.

“Could you stop moving, please? Stay put, Mingyu,” he finally spoke. He turned on the lamp and hadn't realized how close the other man was to him.

“There aren’t rats in here, right?”

Minghao stared at him, expressionless. Not amused.

“Of course, because I’d love to have rats, oh, dum vivunt in peste… No, Mingyu, this place is free from rodents, what are you even asking.” He hung the lamp on one of the overhangs he had placed on a column in the basement, to give them enough light.

Mingyu, with what little he could observe, since his eyes were trying to adjust to the little light and darkness that there was, could notice the basement very well ordered (except for the shelf of books that he turned over with his head when he arrived). There was the desk behind where Minghao was, with an ink container and some scrolls neatly arranged on the surface. More shelves with books, another table where there were glass containers of different shapes and artifacts that he didn't know what they worked for, as well as a shelf full of jars with what appeared to be plants and liquids that the doctor kept with apprehension. In one corner, a simple woolen mat stretched out on the floor.

Minghao pulled the hood off his head, revealing his entire face. His honey-colored hair was flawless despite wearing the hood.

“So... are you going to use me for your experiments?”

Minghao narrowed his eyes. Mingyu and the endless joking comments. He did it because he was nervous. He always seemed to be, in situations like this.

“What?”

Mingyu was very confused, but he still laughed. The doctor had to put his hands to the other's mouth because he knew how loud Kim Mingyu laughed at times. That raucous laugh could be heard up the street.

“Shhh! Don’t be so loud!”

Mingyu chose to smile, and the hand that wasn't holding the bread bag, wrapped around Minghao's slender wrist to release his lips and speak. “Okay, okay…” He smiled showing his canines, “What did you bring me here for, Hao? It's very early.”

He told Wonwoo and the prince that he knew Mingyu because he treated him for his injuries as the older one was so clumsy as to be frequently hurting himself. He had told Junhui that perhaps the prince knew him better than he did.

There was a truth and a lie in his words.

True, Mingyu started going to his apothecary, where his father had given him the task each time to treat the other young chef and Minghao always did. So often, so constant. They became close, how could it be helped? Since they were both 18 years old. So, Mingyu and Minghao had known each other for 5 years now.

There was a certain familiarity between them.

A lot of familiarity actually.

After all, they were lovers.

“I thought that the night was our moment, the mornings and afternoons we owe to our trades…” Mingyu stepped forward a bit and stood closer to Minghao, to observe a scroll unfolded on the desk behind the smaller one, he smoothed it out with his fingers.

“It is true, we agreed that the night is our moment, but there is something urgent, a complicated situation, Gyu. We need to talk.”

Mingyu nodded softly, understanding the gravity in Minghao's always calm voice. He never understood what the scrolls said, but that was Minghao's handwriting and he liked to observe the neat lines. He looked directly into the shorter's brown eyes and smiled again.

“What's the matter? I'm all ears” He brought his hand to the boy's sharp cheek and the medic leaned at the contact almost immediately.

No one knew about their true relationship.

They just hid it really well.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

Wonwoo had to act fast. Jeonghan wasn't the least bit stupid. He hadn't gotten to where he was by sheer luck.

After making sure the prince ate something, he went to prepare to go hunting. He placed the bow on his back with some arrows. His infallible ax already nestled in his belt. He put on his leather boots and leather jacket. It had started to snow at some point and that would make the task he had in mind tedious for him, however, it gave him an excuse in turn.

When he was about to leave his room, he almost knocked Junhui. He had to hold him by the shoulders when the young man lost his balance backward in surprise. Exactly like a scared kitten.

“Careful.”

Jun looked directly at him, with a worried expression. He was a very expressive person, his eyes could not hide anything.

Every time he saw him up close, he realized the purity of his interior, because it was reflected outwards. And Wonwoo was always able to see that. In Jeonghan's case, despite his external beauty, to the hunter's eyes wasn't someone he could admire. After all, he didn't see the outside of the king, only what his heart transcended outward.

Junhui, on the other hand, was a peculiar case. Like finding a beautiful ornamental box, but when you open it, you find the real treasure inside. Not even because he was a tangible jewel, he shone, but because of his genuine and affable heart.

Wonwoo sighed, how strange it felt that the prince's beauty was capturing him like that. He didn't want to trust the beautiful, as a hunter who found bright and pretty mushrooms and flowers, he knew that they could hide a deadly poison.

Even though Junhui was as pure as snow itself, it can always be stained.

He didn't want to hold an oleander between his lips.

He didn't want to be disappointed anymore.

He would protect the prince, the hope of the people. That was all.

He released the young man and walked down the hall. Junhui was already following him with his irregular gait, although his leg was infinitely better, that didn't mean that it wasn't recent and serious. He was thankful for Minghao's skills.

He went to the front door.

Wonwoo trusted his plan in the same way he trusted the surface of a frozen lake in early December - he couldn't be sure how long it was going to hold up.

“Are you going hunting again?” Jun entered the room. His hands clutched the wall for stability. Wonwoo had already opened the door to go out, the cold hitting his face right away.

“For a heart that can fool the king, yeah.”

Jun's eyes widened twice its size, horrified. Wonwoo knew immediately what went through the young prince's mind. He rolled his eyes, as he had so many times before Minghao's scolding.

“Don't worry, I'm not going to kill anyone. Or well, not a person. The closest thing to a human heart is a pig heart. Or wild boar in this case, they are very similar in the end.”

Jun's expression dwindled to one more of relief, yet he still grimaced. The idea of the death of any creature had never been much to his liking. But Wonwoo at least wouldn't take the life of another human being because of him. And he wouldn't put himself at risk. Although the prince couldn't help but be worried.

“Do you think it could work...? Can we deceive Jeonghan?”

Wonwoo looked down at the ground thoughtfully.

“I don't know, but we have no other options. Today I will take him that false heart and we will only have to wait. Whether it works or not is not certain, but we must try.” 

It wasn't the answer Jun wanted to hear, but he knew it was the most realistic. Still, his chest felt the rising anguish. It wasn't even a concern for himself. He had accepted his position to Jeonghan, a little lamb to everyone else. Helpless, despite having the courage to fight whatever he was capable of.

But he no longer wanted to involve more people, for others to suffer because of him. It was something he couldn't bear. Seungkwan had been a victim already, and he still didn't know the whereabouts of his friend, although Minghao promised to find out about it.

Still, Jun was scared. If Wonwoo was affected by his fault...

“Don't go out, stay here. If for some reason someone else comes, I don't want you to think twice and run to hide. Lock yourself in my room and don't think about going out,” He gave instructions with his serious voice.

“And what if it’s Minghao?”

The hunter denied, adjusting his gloves.

“Minghao is too cautious, don't expect him today. Wait for me and no one else.”

For some reason those words managed to calm his troubled and anguished heart a bit. “Take care, please.” He asked with his soft voice.

Wonwoo looked at him with an indecipherable frown, his dark eyes wavering, but eventually they met Jun's at that distance and he nodded.

“I will. Stay alert, Prince Jun.”

The young man also responded with a nod.

And that's how they said farewell, without certainty, only promises. Just trusting that the other would be okay, that the snow would cover their tracks.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

Jeonghan slowly came to the surface of his large bathtub, the windows were tightly closed, but the curtains were drawn, so the cold light entered the entire place.

The castle still had the unusual icy presence for all who dwelt there. Evil gnawing at the walls, a cold invasion of ill omen.

Jeonghan, covered in dark crimson liquid, opened his eyes, feeling rejuvenated. But his bad mood still didn't quite go away. At least the blood that had bathed him had given him some comfort. A knock on the door, Jeonghan wiped the red thick liquid from his face with a towel.

“Who dares to interrupt me?” he said in an annoyed voice.

“Your Majesty, Jeon Wonwoo, the hunter, has arrived.”

At the mention of that name, a satisfied smile finally appeared on the king's handsome face.

“Tell him to wait.” 

“Just as I waited for him”

And Jeonghan proceeded to wipe the blood from the golden strands of his hair in a leisurely manner.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

The hunter was already fed up. Really exasperated. A frown was the only thing that varied in his upright posture.

How long had he been there? The annoying guards were behind him, their swords drawn, as if they were going to slash him from behind at any moment. So the last hour he’d been with the maximum attention of each movement, he couldn't lower his guard.

He had logically thought that Jeonghan, knowing that he already had Junhui's "heart" that he wanted so much, would immediately claim his trophy, but no. He was making him wait. And Wonwoo knew it was on purpose.

But he could bear that. His legs, used to walking through the uneven forests and even near the mountain, were not tired, his attention always so acute for every situation that was disturbed in his vicinity, ready to attack, defend himself or flee. Only Wonwoo never ran away.

After what seemed like an eternity, with impatience about to burst a vein of pure frustration, some doors opened and his hearing was sharpened at the steps that entered the room, next to the king and his typical lavish and luxurious clothes, with his closest guards following him, prepared to lay down their lives for the king.

“How little value do they have for their life to give it up for someone like that?”

Wonwoo straightened up and crossed his arms over his toned chest, with his stoic demeanor. He wouldn't show a hint of exhaustion or annoyance, just a cold gesture. As cold as the place around them. The castle so dim.

It wasn't the comforting chill of snow. It was the icy brush of metal that Wonwoo knew so well, because he had been hurt so many times that way.

Jeonghan advanced with a very calm pace, with all the time in the world behind him. He went to sit on his throne, not looking at the hunter. The guards stood side by side on the throne, pointing their spears at Wonwoo in case they were too slow if the hunter decided to attack their king.

“Like that makes a difference” Wonwoo kept the smile for himself.

Lengthening the moment further, Jeonghan settled himself until he was content with his position on the ostentatious throne, and at last, he looked towards Wonwoo. He wasn't smiling, with that typical malicious smile that he always wore.

“Jeon Wonwoo. I had even asked my chefs to cook dinner for two, I didn't think you'd be so early” he said sarcastically. Wonwoo couldn't care less about the man's expectations of him. His opinions were worth as much as any unfortunate bug that ran into the path of his boot sole and the floor.

“Yeah, well, what a pity, I don't think I can stay for dinner, Your Majesty.” He shrugged, but his deadpan, deep voice only irritated Jeonghan. Still, the king only sighed. The only reason why he forgave the man was because of his great attractiveness and because he was the only one capable of bringing him the heart of the naive Jun.

“Well, he isn't the only one capable, but I will not move my own hands for a lost cause”

“Did you bring what I asked you?” In case the answer was negative, not even all the hunter's appeals would make Jeonghan spare his life.

Wonwoo just uncrossed his arms and untied the leather pouch from his belt. Then, caring little how rude he was, he threw it straight at the king, who ignored his bad manners and just grinned widely in anticipation of seeing what had been brought to him, catching the bag in midair.

He opened the bag and his smile reached his eyes. Wonwoo felt sick at such excitement over something like that. His blood boiled at the idea that this emotion came from the joy of Junhui's death, even if he was still alive, but the hunter couldn't help it.

The heart of a boar and a human were too similar. But it wasn't a perfect play. With Jeonghan and his tricks, one could never be one hundred percent sure. So Wonwoo could only hope it was enough to fool him.

Jeonghan took out the heart and held it in his palm.

“Did he suffer until the last moment of his death?” he asked as he inspected the vital organ. Wonwoo had to take a deep breath through his nose to contain his anger.

“Of course.”

“Oh” he muttered in a singsong voice, shooting him an amused look, “I was aware of your past as a mercenary, but I didn't think you were so cruel to make a mere child suffer, Jeon Wonwoo.”

If it weren't for his incredible self-control, Wonwoo would already be on the king's throat, and perhaps, his own heart would be in Jeonghan's hands, but he just shrugged. The blond seemed satisfied. He continued to inspect the heart and let out a relieved sigh.

“I am a man of my word, believe it or not. You're free” With his empty hand, he made a nonchalant gesture towards his guards, “Take him.”

Wonwoo felt the soldiers grab him under the arms and struggled to get them to release him, there was no need for them to accompany him to the exit, he would gladly go towards it on his own feet.

Jeonghan no longer paid attention to him, he kept humming while he saw that heart in his hand. His good mood (which wouldn't last long) showed in the satisfied smile of his beautiful face.

“Finally... Only me... I am the most beautiful in this kingdom.”

Chapter Text

The snow began to fall again, Junhui was sitting in the hunter's room, looking out the window, the white cloak deposited on the bare tree branches. 

He had been reflecting, thinking about his current position in life. He felt great regret, as if adrift. With two feet on the edge of the ledge, not knowing when it would fall with him.

His knees brought to his chest, he held them, making his body even smaller, seeking the protection he needed. He wasn't used to doing nothing. Every day, from the time he opened his eyes, until he went back to his bed to rest a few hours, Jun only worked. The tasks assigned to him, the servant that he was.

The prince that he now pretended to be.

No. Not even that. He was just a fugitive. Hidden in a corner of the cold world, in the cabin of a hunter who had spared his miserable life. Did he really have any value?

He was born in a golden cradle, but he'd been condemned to a bronze cage as soon as his precious family perished. The best thing for him would have been to die with them and spare the world his unnecessary presence.

He sighed and felt the sting in his big eyes. He hid part of his face between his forearms. Everything hurted; the body, the soul, his heart. He wanted to fight, but he felt like under an avalanche. He wanted to be sure of something, no matter how minimal, but he had nothing.

He was worried about Wonwoo. For exposing him to something worse happening to him, since he would bring another heart to Jeonghan and not his. The king wasn't the least bit stupid.

That anguish he tried to keep at bay kept coming back to him. He just wanted to see the hunter walk through the door. Meet those dark eyes again.

He also cared for Minghao, who had told him that he'd try to find out Seungkwan's whereabouts. And of course, nothing had him more concerned than the fate of his friend who had sacrificed himself for him.

Why did people do that for him? Seungkwan, risking everything for him to escape.

Minghao, also taking a risk to calm his troubled mind.

And Wonwoo, sparing his life even though doing so could cost him his.

He didn't want others to make those sacrifices. He had already lost his parents. He couldn't bear to lose his friends now.

He let the tears fall. Lately he could only do that. Cry. He felt incompetent, while others acted for him.

He was buried under snow, or he was the snow falling on others.

[ ･*:.｡. .｡.:*･ ]

He barely had the heart in his hands, Jeonghan didn't care anymore about other things. He barely paid attention to when the hunter was taken away.

He would keep his word. Half truth. Jeon Wonwoo was an onyx, a gem without comparison. He was too strong and capable, he would not tire until he had him among the soldiers closest to him. With the protection of a man of that caliber, he would have nothing to worry about. His power would be greater. Although the king could take care of himself quite well.

The only problem with Wonwoo was that his loyalty would never be given to him. So he'd have to use his resources to make him one more soldier among his troops. His tricks never failed. The hunter's heart would be his, in every sense of the word.

But he'd let him go for the moment to give him a false assurance, and above all, because his attention was already on something more important.

In the end, Junhui, the young prince, would no longer be an obstacle for him. He had taken a long time to murder him.

But the work was already done. The heart of the lamb in his hand.

Beauty had only one face and it was his, nothing more. No one else. The most beautiful flower in the garden had withered. He stood with the most majestic golden petals, with no one to overshadow him.

He stood up and walked to one of the doors that led into one of the many hallways of the vast castle.

He had returned the heart to the bag in which the hunter had brought it. His footsteps echoed in the desolate place. Heat came back to the castle when the smile on his face returned, having finally fulfilled his wish.

Of course, that change wasn't noticed in the current place where he walked. He opened the door at the end of the ostentatious corridor and a few stairs down were what appeared behind.

He came down in the gloom, knowing his way very well. The only light entering was visible when he reached the bottom of the stairs. It entered pale through the small windows of that space that looked like a great cellar, with rows of stone shelves with hundreds of drawers. The floor was also stone, with accumulated dust, because only he went to that place. The dust rose with the footsteps of his boots skimming the ground.

No one else was allowed in. Any intruder would suffer instant death.

But Jeonghan made his way through the corridors created by the furniture, which looked like a library. The specks of dust illuminated by the light that reflected the snow from the windows.

The vines with thorns hugging each of the shelves, in a protective way. A library that instead of storing books, protected something else. Something that only Jeonghan could own and control. That only he could read.

He kept going until he reached the end, where he found a shelf unlike any other. It wasn't made of stone like the rest, but gave off the characteristic shine of gold metal. A ray of light conveniently illuminating that space in the background. The gold that it was made of was pure. Only three drawers were occupied. His greatest trophies.

“Hello mother, hello father” He smiled at the names engraved on the brass plates that identified two of the drawers, “And hello, Seungcheol, how long no see... This time, I brought a new neighbour, someone you know very well” he spoke softly to the drawer with the name of the former king of Diamant.

Jeonghan ran a finger across the surface of that drawer.

He always considered himself a heartless person, it was ironic that in his power he had so many others. But what little heart he'd ever had, if there was no other option for him but to confess, had partly belonged to Seungcheol.

It would be a lie to say that he never felt anything for him.

He couldn't tell if it was love, Jeonghan didn't know such a feeling. It wasn't his priority. He was blind with power. Blinded by the reflection that the mirror gave him.

Keep the beauty and nothing else. To be admired, to be feared. Not to be loved.

But by the time Seungcheol had accepted him, despite Queen Siyeon's death, the dark-haired king had genuinely fallen in love with him. He'd opened the doors to his castle for him. From his heart, which he had given him before Jeonghan took it for himself.

He had trusted him.

And all that love that he'd given him, in Jeonghan it created a small light.

But it hadn't been enough to illuminate the dark inside him.

No matter the affection he had for King Seungcheol, he was an obstacle to him. To reach more power. For a kingdom enough that was finally able to give him what he deserved, what he was born to do.

The promises the mirror had given him.

For that reason, he killed him. And the heart that Seungcheol had offered him, he had taken.

And to his grave, the only light that was ever born in Jeonghan had been carried away. With Seungcheol's last breath, the candle flame had gone out.

The gentle gesture with a certain melancholy that formed on his face turned into an irate expression. He grunted when he dropped the tear, wiped it away from leaving evidence. Not a single stroke on his cheek, just the strange warmth of its passing. He pushed all memories from his mind, like a blazing fire that burned them out of him.

Instead, he turned his attention to a specially reserved drawer. He stared into the empty space for a few seconds and whispered something under his breath.

On the plaque, a name appeared that hadn't been there before.

Junhui.

The drawer was on top of Seungcheol's.

“Say hello to your son... First the king, second the prince.”

He opened the gold drawer and opened the bag to remove the heart that was still fresh. He watched it, this time without a smile, just cold eyes.

He left the vital organ with everything but life, placing it carefully in the bottom of the drawer. Then he closed it and let out a satisfied sigh. He no longer had anything to worry about.

But he wasn't going to let it go that easy.

He wouldn't claim victory yet.

[ ･*:.｡. .｡.:*･ ]

Wonwoo didn't go directly to the cabin, he had to go through the bakery first, to exchange some wild fruits that he had obtained in the forest, for bread and fresh milk. He had to feed the prince (and he wanted to see if Mingyu was around).

He didn't find the young chef and wasn't going to risk approaching him anyway. He just wanted to see that he was okay, to pass the message to Junhui.

He didn't know about Minghao as of yet, and to protect his best friend, the best thing he could do was not make contact with him.

The young doctor would find a way to get the news to them.

He took the bread and hurried out to the bustling streets of the town, at that time the people were on their work shifts, walking among them was not a quick task, they delayed him. And he still had a way to go to get to his remote cabin in the woods.

Wonwoo had a bad feeling and he didn't know exactly where it was coming from. But he was sure that he would not be calm until he returned to Junhui.

[ ･*:.｡. .｡.:*･ ]

Snow falling, accumulating on the ground. Jeonghan watched from the balcony of his royal room, hands clasped behind him in a solemn gesture, chin high and proud, the people beyond. That place where nothing escaped him. As far as he could see, everything belonged to him.

He stepped back and smirked. Then he removed the crown of pure gold that contrasted with his blond strands, leaving it on the dresser where the mirror was. He stared at his reflection, until the surface began to move in waves.

The dull golden glow covered everything.

“Your Majesty, what a pleasure.”

“Let's get to the point.” Jeonghan brushed his hair carefully. “Tell me, mirror, in this realm, among all people and all things…” He smiled widely, knowing the answer, anticipating it, “Who is the most beautiful inhabitant of it?”

There were a few seconds in which the surface remained unchanged. Jeonghan lost patience very quickly at the lack of immediate response, when it was obvious.

“Mirror.” His voice hardened, “Who is the most beautiful in this kingdom?” He quit the games. The smile on his face was gone.

“My king…” The ripples reappeared, “I know what your heart expects me to answer... Undoubtedly, expect to see your own reflection. I am afraid the answer remains the same.”

The distorted voice spoke and Jeonghan felt that he did not understand any words, as if the mirror said that to him in another language.

“What?” He blinked, with an incredulous smile.

Then the surface of the mirror changed again. Jeonghan's heart stopped when he saw what it was showing him.

A melancholic beauty, a pure and beautiful face, the sculpture created with the ivory of the moon. Big and serene eyes painted from the trunk of a willow, hair black as night, skin caressed by snow in its porcelain pale, and parted lips marked by the constellations above them, reddish and letting out the breath of someone who is more than alive.

Junhui.

Jeonghan's vision was clouded with anger, his first reaction was to laugh, without humor, the surrounding feeling of his pride being broken, he had been mocked.

The hysterical laughter gave way to infuriated screams. He struck his fist against the mirror, but instead of breaking or damaging the surface, part of his hand disappeared to the middle of the forearm, erasing the image of the boy who was sitting on the bed in a room in some unknown place.

They had laughed at him.

“That damn hunter... Jeon Wonwoo!”

He withdrew his hand from the mirror and without having to ask, showed the image of the man with short dark brown hair, his sharp features, pushing his way through the townspeople in a hurry.

“No... you're not going to run away.” Jeonghan grinned madly, his blond hair a mess from holding his head in despair. All of his anger was shown in the shadowy castle. The cold he hated so much came in again.

“A fate worse than death awaits you…” Eyes wide, jaw clenched. “Guards!”

He had eyes everywhere. The village, the Yabbay Forest, the Black Forest, wherever they went, Jeonghan would find them. He didn't understand the hunter's reasons for sparing the prince's life, but it was clear that he was even giving him shelter.

Jeonghan would catch them. He would handle them with his own hands.

He heard the sound of his soldiers rushing into his room and smiled with his ideas in mind.

Outside, not only in the immediate vicinity of the castle, but throughout the kingdom, the snow fell, blackish, like ashes from a scorching fire that began to die out, polluting everything around.

[ ･*:.｡. .｡.:*･ ]

Wonwoo stopped to get more things to bring to Junhui. He used to eat a lot of meat, to keep his body strong, but he had seen the way in which the prince felt a lot of empathy for animals and how difficult it was for him to consume the food that is obtained by killing another creature.

Like his friend Minghao, he would have to feed the prince in another way. Junhui wasn't going to ask him for anything or complain to him. Hopefully Wonwoo had learned to be observant.

He bought fruit and more vegetables that he could prepare.

He stepped through the people, the bow hidden under his jacket, the only thing in sight was the knife on his belt. The boots stepped on the snow that had accumulated on the ground. The pale sky above him.

He moved with agility, his shoulders barely brushed against the others, he was like a wind breaking through all of them.

Until the sky felt darker. The gentle, white light of the falling snow changed. It wasn't white flakes that descended around them. The white snow he stepped on turned to coal.

Black ashes began to snow over the town. Wonwoo stopped, like everyone else at this strange event. The bad feeling he had, increased. Something was happening, and it wasn't good news.

Wonwoo frowned, that same black snow was the one he had seen around Jeonghan's castle.

His keen ear was alerted by the sound of metal colliding. The crowd raised a murmur, and then shouts and heavy footsteps filled the air. As well as the characteristic sound of horses trotting quickly.

Towards his direction.

Wonwoo didn't think twice and started running. Pushing people no matter what. He was sure they were after him. 

For now, the crowd protected him from the eyes of the soldiers, he just had to leave the main streets, go down an alley and run into the forest. Once inside known territory, Jeonghan's soldiers would have no chance against him.

But he didn't have it easy either. As soon as some people were moved off him, in front of him a horse stopped abruptly, raising its front legs high above his head.

Wonwoo was faster and managed to dodge the horse's blow in time, rolling over the stone street covered in dark snow. There were more screams and metal rising amid the scared voices.

People began to run in all directions, everyone knew that the presence of the royal guards was not good news, no one wanted to stay to be a collateral damage of that confrontation.

Wonwoo jumped to his feet, oranges scattered under him. He couldn't run or fight with his hands full, so he put the bags down and kept running. He was fast, but no faster than horses.

One stepped in front and was barely able to stop to change direction. He heard the metal of the sword swing close to his ear.

They weren't playing games.

He ran again, adrenaline rushing through his bloodstream, muscles hot, and his eyes fixed on running away. He didn't want confrontations. He had promised not to kill anyone.

And if he arrived drenched with other men's blood to Junhui, he would surely disturb the young prince.

Clearly, he wouldn't run away without putting up a fight.

Horses and soldiers stepped on his ankles, he pushed people who didn't get out of his way. He had to get to the forest.

In his peripheral view, the gleam of a spear's metal made him dodge barely, but it ended up ripping part of his shoulder, though it damaged his leather jacket more than the skin beneath it.

He took the spear, seizing the momentum and yanked it hard. The soldier fell from his horse and Wonwoo kicked him hard in the stomach. He spun around and another spear threatened to pierce his chest, but he too caught it midway and threw the other man away.

He didn't have much luck in the back, for a guard who came up behind him, ended up slitting the back of his leg, although it wasn't that deep. He stumbled a bit before returning to his steady, alert position.

He was in a vulnerable situation, more soldiers were coming towards him and they all had some object capable of piercing and making him bleed to death.

“Damn it!”

He let his instincts guide him. He took the hunting knife from his belt and placed it in front of his menacing face, in a defensive position for anyone who dared attack him.

He was completely surrounded.

He glared at them with his dark, sharp gaze, his fast breathing, the only thing he heard, his keen hearing as an alarm, the blood flowing with high pressure, so much so that he could feel it at his temples.

The golden glow of armor, elegant helmets. An inhalation. The air in the lungs.

An exhalation.

Another wavering sword, he dodged a blow from a man beside, kicked to his knees causing him to fall, and buried the knife in his elbow joint that was not protected by armor.

He drew back in time to dodge another attack, this time with a spear. Someone kicked him in the side, taking his breath away momentarily, but he recovered quickly and grabbed onto that leg, twisting it, and threw that body with all his might away from him.

The muscles working at their maximum capacity.

A soldier managed to strike him with the sword again, but it was a shallow cut to his forearm. Wonwoo lunged at the man and knocked him over with his shoulder, causing the soldier to stumble backward and fall. Then he kicked him in the head to knock him unconscious.

The armor was beautiful, it protected the soldiers, but it slowed them down. Lousy movements. And Wonwoo was too agile and fast, they didn't come close to his combat level.

He was moving like a blast. His elbow dug into the head of another soldier. It hurt like hell from the helmet, but managed to push the man away from him.

He only had to make a path.

More soldiers kept arriving, while more he shook off like plagues.

They weren't attacking him at his vital points, although Wonwoo was fast, he was still vulnerable to his back attacks. He only received superficial cuts, but nothing lethal.

Either they were too useless or they avoided killing him on purpose.

He reached down to make a clean, deep cut in another soldier's knee. He knocked another off when he kicked his ankle. A spear scratched his right cheek, Wonwoo again caught it and buried it in the soldier's bare thigh area.

He growled and pushed more men off him, kicking mercilessly, searching for bare areas of armor to rip soft tissue.

Sweat and blood mingled, despite the cold and black snow falling around him. His breathing raged.

He snatched the spear from another soldier and buried it in the side, kicking back another soldier who had dangerously raised the sword above him. Someone injured his right thigh that nearly knocked him to the ground. His whole body ached like hell, adrenaline barely working at that point, but still doing its job.

His knife dug into another soldier's shoulder, as he pulled it out of the skin with a grunt to kick another man from behind as the soldier lunged at him.

"How many more?!"

He jumped to knock out a soldier with his elbow, rolled across the dirty ground, dodging another sword that came dangerously close to his neck. He kicked a soldier from behind in the popliteal fossa to knock him down.

He was getting tired by now and his body was full of cuts here and there. They weren't deadly, but together they could be a problem. He had to flee.

They didn't compare to his combat skills in the least, but they were more than him.

Those who couldn't get up because he attacked them without mercy, were still obstacles on the ground, but others returned to him without having enough.

Wonwoo fought skillfully, better than those soldiers, because he had once been one, and not just anyone, but one of the elite.

He headbutted a soldier and received a blow to the side that nearly made him fall. He couldn't prevent all the hits. Even though they weren't killing him, they would leave him almost dying. Perhaps those had been Jeonghan's orders.

“Cut him up like a pig and bring him to me alive... It doesn't necessarily have to look like he actually is”

Surely he had said.

Wonwoo was already fed up, he was still in a frenzy, fighting as he had many times in the past. But he had to get out, only one chance to escape. He was clearly at a disadvantage.

“Wonwoo!”

He recognized that voice rising above his growls, the cries of pain from the others, and his heavy breathing. He widened his eyes and searched for the source of those words that desperately called his name. He surely looked like a maddened animal.

He raised his head, pausing for a moment in their fight. The crowd had already dissipated and only he and the soldiers remained in the wide street of the town.

And someone else who saw him a little away from the chaos, but too close for his liking. The winter cape, the honey-colored hair blowing in the cold breeze, light brown eyes filled with anguish.

Minghao! What was he doing there?

“Run!”

Wonwoo didn't understand.

Until the doctor picked up a lamp and dropped it. The coal from the black snow and the fire raised a wall of flames that quickly reached the sky.

That was his chance. He kicked another soldier and ran in the distraction and the flames that all began to consume and surround everything, to catch a riderless horse, on which he climbed without thinking.

He was about to leave, but before his heart stopped. Soldiers who seemed to have no end came to go against him, and Minghao, who they'd seen him help the fugitive, was immediately seized.

They pulled him off his hood before he could escape, he was at the mercy of all those men in armor and bigger than him. Minghao screamed in surprise when he couldn't escape their grasp, no matter how hard he tried.

Wonwoo wasn't moving forward yet, he wasn't going to leave Minghao like this. But he didn't have time. He couldn't delay any longer. If they had found him, surely Junhui would be no different. Jeonghan has eyes everywhere and tricks that no other man could use.

And Minghao's gaze towards him was enough. He saw his lips move without hearing his voice in a suddenly deaf world, as they dragged him smoothly towards a carriage that looked like a cage. They had surely brought it for Wonwoo.

He watched his friend from the wall of flames, helpless.

“Go away”

He clenched his jaw and yelled for the horse to start trotting away, just in time to see the soldiers throw his dear friend into that chariot and others more willing to cross the wall of fire to go after him.

He stopped hearing the screams, the trot of the horse, only the wind, only the tears of rage and helplessness disappearing behind him, the burning of his body, of his chest full of regret.

“I'm sorry, Minghao…”

But his friend was strong. He trusted that he would be okay. It was the only thing he could do.

He had taken a chance for him. Fool Minghao, always so incapable of leaving him alone. What would become of him without the boy? He had already saved Wonwoo a ton of times in the past, in a thousand ways. And again. He could never pay him, he was in a lifetime debt. His friend who hurt no one, on the contrary. In the hands of the cruel Jeonghan.

This world did not deserve people like that, like Minghao. Like Junhui.

As much as his heart weighed, to feel that he had lost something so precious, he had to be strong too. Although the world lost sense and everything seemed so unreal all of a sudden.

The soldiers were already following him on their own horses, he would have to get rid of them.

He saw the forest closer, once inside, Jeonghan's men would have no chance against him. He would take them off like flies. He pulled off his jacket, prepared to use the bow and arrows. Hell with not killing. They had taken his best friend, they had cut him up like an animal in the slaughterhouse. And worst of all, he was sure that they would go looking for Junhui.

He couldn't allow that. He wasn't going to lose him either. No damn way.

[ ･*:.｡. .｡.:*･ ]

Junhui, who had been deep in thought, was taken away from his inside world when he saw the snow change from its pure white color to a dark charcoal that began to turn the pale landscape of a musky hue.

He got out of bed carefully and looked through the window. His heart sank and a bad feeling crept into his chest.

Something was happening, the sudden calm of the forest ceased to be a comfort to him, like a wolf lurking in the bushes, hidden in the shadows.

The birds had stopped singing. That was also a bad sign.

A predator was nearby.

Junhui was a helpless prey. Again.

Only this time, no one would have mercy on him.

Chapter Text

The black snow continued its fall. Like ashes wanting to swallow everything in its path. Even the Yabbay Forest was being corrupted.

But Wonwoo couldn't think of anything other than the pure snow that should be kept that way. He had the mind of a soldier. Of a mercenary. His muscles already prepared, the horse entering the forest. Jeonghan's soldiers would have no chance.

He heard them near him. He would have to lure them to kill them there and not take them directly to Junhui. He would have to get the flies off himself right there.

He positioned his bow and kept his balance, saw them among the trees, their own horses trotting almost in step with his horse. He taut the rope with an arrow and squinted at one of the soldiers.

He inhaled and exhaled, and waited.

One opening, the stupid helmetless guard stepped out of the protection the trees gave him to approach to attack Wonwoo with his sword. The man didn't have time to even glance at him, as he fell from the horse with an arrow between his eyebrows.

He loaded the next arrow onto the string, but didn't draw the bow immediately, leading the horse through the forest that he knew as an extension of himself. He had grown up there, his parents guided him in that same grass, the trees were so familiar to him.

He listened to more soldiers approaching on their horses and without looking at them, he counted five. He let them come closer, invade his flanks, surround him from behind.

One of them approached with the spear on his right and another on his left already had his sword raised above the head. When he saw the silver reflection move towards him, Wonwoo leaned back and took the spear in his hand to direct it at the neck of the soldier on the other side.

As beautiful and effective their armor was, having their necks unprotected was the worst decision. Beauty is useless if it is purposeless at the end of the day.

The guard fell like a dead weight. Wonwoo kicked the soldier who was still next to him, knocking him off his horse.

There were only three more left. He drew his bow back and waited a little longer, the horse trotting swiftly beneath him, the trace of his heavy breathing. A broad-trunk oak was ahead. He saw an arrow move on the periphery, stuck into a tree near his head, it hadn't reached him, since he was going faster than them. Until he took the reins and forced the horse around the oak tree, causing him to now face the soldiers straight ahead.

He raised his bow and shot the arrow at the fastest approaching soldier, piercing his neck squarely. He wasted no time in putting another arrow into the bow and directing it toward the joint of the soldier's neck and shoulder, which fell from the momentum of his arrow buried deep in the skin.

He passed by the side and finished him off with another arrow that penetrated from his right eye socket, piercing his head to the ground. He couldn't leave them alive and risk it.

Only one soldier was missing who seemed to be smarter than the others in seeking protection among the trees. That one also had a bow. It was a matter of skill between archers or Wonwoo fought in close combat against him.

The hunter entered the shadows of the trees, losing himself among the tall bushes, the dark gray sky giving him an advantage that he decided to take off.

The soldier stopped walking his horse when he lost sight of him. He readied his bow and moved it around him, looking for the opportunity to attack the hunter.

Wonwoo let his horse trot on its own, raised his arms and hung onto a tree branch, climbing onto it without problem. He pushed himself up until he was fully on his feet. He ran over the other branches without losing his speed or balance. His horse was just a distraction.

The soldier pointed at the equine running through the trees. Until he realized that he had no rider. He hesitated as he launched the arrow and Wonwoo fell on top of the horse and the man. He punched him and took his helmet off. With the hunting knife that he already had in his hand, he slashed his neck that knocked him out of the game immediately.

He tossed the body to one side and settled onto the horse to keep advancing. His serious gesture was as cold as metal itself. The blood on his hands once more. The one he vowed never to spill again.

They had taken the person he had promised that, his best friend. They had killed the only people for whom a different man would have been, his parents.

But he would not allow them to touch a single hair of Jun. He would protect him no matter what.

He had to get to Junhui as soon as possible.

➴➴➴

Jun looked out the window and felt anguished as he watched the dark snow falling, turning the once pure and comforting landscape like a coal stain that at any moment could set everything on fire and consume the forest leaving nothing behind.

Something inside him asked him to run away, but Wonwoo had told him to lock himself in his room and wait for him. And that would do, he would trust the hunter. Until seeing him one more time.

But the forest fell into a deep silence. There were no insects or birds singing. It was a bad sign, everything around him was like the surface of a frozen lake that under its waters holds something dangerous and the moment you step on the ice, it will give way, leaving you at the mercy of whatever is lurking underneath.

He put his hand to his chest and felt his heart beating erratic with fear. Something was wrong, something evil watching him in the shadows, he could feel it.

He only heard his own trembling breathing.

“Wonwoo, where are you...?”

A sudden crash sent him back with his eyes closed, falling to the floor on his back. The sound of the crystal being smashed into pieces, some glass flew near him.

He reached over to cover his face with his hands, but some crystals tore the skin from his arms.

The guttural growl emanating from the chest, a heavy, menacing breath.

Jun felt his heart leap before even opening his eyes and looked at what had burst through the window of the hunter's room. He withdrew his hands slowly and fearfully. He opened his eyes little by little.

A dissonance was what he saw. Something that he could not understand due to the lack of form at first instance. A blue eye as cold as ice and a golden eye of sickly yellow stared at him as if he were as insignificant as a bunny beneath his predator.

The grayish hair like the ashes that fell imitating the snow in a vulgar way, covered the hair of that nameless creature. The muzzle showed elongated and yellowish teeth, which dropped a thick and greenish drool. It was a four-legged creature and its legs had claws that were too long to be comfortable walking on, but that beast didn't seem to care about that.

It opened its jaws and a bifid tongue unfolded, long and falling almost to Jun's feet that felt unable to move and provoke the demon in front of him.

The animal's tail moved in a dance similar to that of a cobra approaching its prey. A tail that did not seem to fit the creature, since it was so long and with an irregular mosaic of colored squama, as if a lizard had let go of its tail and that beast had placed on it as an ornament.

Jeonghan had sent his damn chimera to get him. It would kill him right there or drag him into the castle with the cruel king to take care of the young prince with his bare hands.

At least the chimera would kill him right away, Jeonghan wouldn't have that same mercy.

Jun felt the adrenaline in his body, he had the jaws of the beast over him, it was slowly approaching his trembling body.

He couldn't stay there for long

“Are you afraid?”

The darn creature spoke and Junhui's heart gave a painful leap in his chest. Its distorted voice sounded strangely familiar. Again that dissonance, something that did not fit, as if that beast was painted from a twisted imagination, someone wanting to play God. An animal so wicked that it belonged to a cage in Tartarus itself.

There were several voices.

“Easy, boy, I'll just play with you for a bit…”

He felt his blood run cold. The animal's maws did not move, the voices overlapping into a single one that spoke to him came from somewhere he couldn't understand. But he recognized the tone.

The tones.

The sweet voice that had soothed him when he was a child with nightmares, the male voice that had raised him into the man he was, the soft voice that had healed his leg. The lively voice that every morning greeted him with the day's work.

He felt the sting of tears, the world suddenly blurred.

That monster kept looking at him and seemed to smile, like a deformed wolf born of pure evil.

“Play with me for a while, little prince. Little Junhui.”

Jun let the tears fall, of grief and rage, the nausea in his stomach. Jeonghan sent that beast to hurt him, not just physically. It wouldn't give him a quick death.

The voices of his mother, his father, Minghao and Seungkwan.

He was fed up with the illegitimate king.

“No!” With his good leg he kicked the beast and got to his feet to run out of the room. He opened the door and heard the growl and heavy stomps chasing him from behind. He nearly stumbled across the room, the beast knocking over some furniture, leaving its claws scarred into the wooden floor.

“Junhui!”

The prince screamed in rage and lunged forward, barely dodging the creature's attacks. He wouldn't be anyone else's prey. He was tired of being chased, of running away.

He saw Wonwoo's ax leaning against the fireplace and went straight for it. He was aware of how vulnerable he was to that beast, but he wouldn't allow himself to be taken easily. Not without fighting.

“Argh!” The weapon was heavy, but he managed to swing the ax enough to cut the animal in some part of its body that he could not define because of the ashen hair that was like a discordance of dirty clouds.

He took advantage of those moments to run to the door, the beast jumped over the old armchairs and his powerful claws reached somewhere on his shoulder. The fabric tore, as well as his skin that began to bleed right away.

He opened the door and was able to go outside, his shoulder hurt, that arm held the ax in his hand and his other hand closed over his open wound. His black hair and skin that looked paler than usual, the blood that stained his porcelain complexion.

The tears burned as did his skin. Blood fell on the black snow combined with the white cloak the morning had left behind. His injured leg ached again and he fell to the ground.

“You have nowhere to run.” Growled back the beast, with the voices of his loved ones all distorted and spectral.

Jun had an expression of anger and pain. He turned to back away with the strength of his arms and legs that wanted to give in at any moment. He was too tired and angry, but he wasn't going to give in to that aberrant animal.

He pointed the heavy ax at him.

“You're not going to kill me so easily! Did you hear me, Jeonghan? I know you are listening to me... I'm tired of you and your tricks!”

If he had commanded that beast to get him, then Wonwoo would also be in danger right now, Jun's heart suffered the anguish just thinking that. He felt all that woe and glower regretfully.

“Oh, little Junhui, but you're just a weak little boy…”

“I am not!”

He tried to get to his feet as best he could, still with the ax pointed at the beast that began to surround him, the serpent tongue protruding from its jaws, grazing on the ground. It was showing the sharp yellow fangs and its heterochromatic eyes kept staring at him with a certain air of superiority, as if Jun were a defenseless little lamb.

The prince swung the ax to get it away from him.

But that did not stop the beast that lunged at him with open jaws, as if to eat him in one bite.

Jun fell onto his back on the cold ground and protected himself by putting Wonwoo's ax between him and the animal, trapping its jaw so that it couldn't reach him and close his maws on him. The viscosity began to drain on him, its breath was putrid in front of his face and Jun could barely breathe that scent of death.

The strength of the animal was too much and Jun already felt his arms about to succumb as he tried to keep it at bay, above all, the pang in his shoulder increased and he couldn't resist for long.

The animal's claws sank into his chest and Junhui screamed in pain.

Wonwoo heard that cry and every nerve in his body went into immediate alert, the blood in his arteries boiling, his muscles searching for where to unleash their strength. He also felt some fear. The prince was in danger, he herded the horse to go faster, with all the anxiety and desire to kill the damned one who had hurt the prince.

They would pay dearly.

Jun felt his arms give way and the world became darker, since the beast brought his maws closer to his face.

Then the animal howled in pain as if it were a wounded dog. Jun barely heard the hiss of arrows arrive one by one, all falling on the chimera's loin. Without stopping, without mercy, one, then another, Wonwoo did not stop shooting as he circled the animal from the horse.

He was a hunter, no matter what kind of beast, that animal had become his prey, not his predator.

Jun shook off the chimera that stumbled to recover, its loin was full of arrows, blackish blood draining from the open wounds. The young prince could barely understand what was happening, until he saw Wonwoo reach out towards him and approach on the horse.

He had come for him, to save him. He smiled despite the pain and stretched out his arm for Wonwoo to take it.

The hunter helped him get on the horse so they could leave, they were not safe anywhere, but they had no choice but to keep moving.

Jun clung to Wonwoo with his arms still shaking. He noticed the blood staining the hunter's clothes and hands, all the wounds he had. He'd had his own fight and it didn't seem easier than Jun's.

His voice couldn't get out, he only heard the horse trotting, their ragged breaths, the wind blowing hard in his ears. So he just clung to Wonwoo's torso so as not to fall, burying his head on the other's shoulder, trying not to hurt him, but seeking comfort. At least he was still alive and that relieved him too much.

Wonwoo was too worried about getting them out of there, but he felt that his body, however strong it was, was doomed to yield at any moment for all the blood he had lost. But he couldn't give up. He would go on even if he had to crawl through hell with his body broken, even if the flames threatened to destroy him completely.

Totus ardeo. Iam amore virginali. Ignis Divine... Totus ardeo.

He felt Jun hug him and that calmed his iron heart a bit. Although the world was stained that ash gray, the pure snow was still alive and he could paint the world with that white and innocent color.

He didn't have Minghao to heal their wounds, that was a disadvantage, he could not return to his home, or to the town, or to the Yabbay Forest. And he knew perfectly well where he was going, which wasn't the best option, but he couldn't turn around anymore.

“Wonwoo! It is behind us!”

He snapped out of his thoughts and looked back. 

Sure enough, the chimera was hot on their heels, it seemed furious and was faster than the horse because of the ease with which it had caught up with them.

It pushed itself up onto its back legs and attacked the equine, without them being able to do anything but fall with force to the ground with the dead, dark earth. Wonwoo cursed and forced himself to stand up even though his body felt shattered on all parts.

The chimera began to butcher their horse. He helped Junhui to his feet, who couldn't watch the animal being killed in such a way.

They couldn't run, the prince still had an injured leg and Wonwoo couldn't carry him with his current condition. Even if they did, the beast would reach them without problem even if they could use both their legs to flee from there at full speed.

The beast with the bloodstained muzzle approached them like a rabid wolf, all the arrows that Wonwoo had thrown at its back were still there.

They wouldn't kill it so easily.

Miserere Dominus. Quem patronum rogaturus?

Wonwoo placed Jun behind him and began to back away with him, not breaking the connection of his dark and sharp gaze with the chimera of the pale eye and the ocher eye.

“You have nowhere to run.”

The hunter growled, he was not intimidated by Jeonghan's pet, on the contrary, he only felt disgust and hate.

He glanced over his shoulder, Jun's terrified face behind him, wide scared eyes staring back at him. Even in that state he looked beautiful.

He wouldn't hand him over to Jeonghan. He would have to step over him, and that was no easy task.

“Don't worry,” he whispered to calm him down, he even smiled without realizing that gesture that came naturally, Jun's eyes shone and his lips wavered on something he couldn't say.

He turned forward and set the bow in firing position. He only had two arrows left, it was more than enough. He placed them both on the rope and pointed at the beast just as it lunged at them.

Jun closed his eyes and hugged Wonwoo's torso as the hunter bent the bow horizontally and released the arrows.

The beast stretched out its claws and opened its maws, propelled toward the men to finish them off.

The image through its dissonant gaze, the hard, defiant onyx orbs of Wonwoo, the prince clinging to the hunter with his full moon orbs closed with fear that prevented him from witnessing.

But everything turned black for the chimera. An arrow in each eye, blinded like a chest without a key, the broken pale glass, the gold buried deep in the ground.

The beast howled and fell one meter from the humans, writhing on the ground, forever blinded.

Just as the beast growled in agony, Jeonghan felt the blood falling from his eyes like crimson tears, his jaw clenched tightly and his breathing had become hampered by pain. He leaned forward, still feeling his back burning as if hundreds of arrows pierced his skin. His face filled with anger, staring into the mirror that showed the hunter holding hands with the prince, running through the Black Forest under a corrupted sky. More snow like coal began to fall.

“Your Majesty, you are hurting yourself, you must stop.”

“No.”

He mumbled, hands fisted on the dresser, fingernails buried in palms, more blood flowed out. Wonwoo had blinded his precious chimera. His beloved creature. The damn hunter never got tired of messing with him and Jeonghan was already fed up with that man who for some reason insisted on protecting a lost cause like Junhui. Why on earth was he risking his life for that crownless prince?

He couldn't understand it. But that only fueled his anger.

They had entered his territory, the Black Forest only responded to him.

He smiled with all the accumulated evil. They would not come out of that alive. He put his hands to his face to wipe the blood that had run down his cheeks, he still had many tricks to show. He stuck his bloody hand into the mirror that showed him the image of the hunter and the running prince.

Junhui tried to keep up with Wonwoo who was holding him by the hand so as not to let him fall. The dead trees, the undergrowth around him, he recognized the place. He'd been there before and it was not pleasant at all. It was dangerous to be in that no-man's-land, forgotten and abandoned like rotten wood that does not even serve to light the fire that relieves the harshest winter day.

He heard a screech above his head that startled him, the sound was louder than normal.

That nauseating noise continued to multiply, more squawking, the sound of the birds surrounding them. Wonwoo looked up at the flock that looked like a black mist circling above them. They couldn't move fast enough to get away from the demonic birds. The hunter did not know if the blurred vision was due to all the lost blood or because everything had become darker and the light did not enter that place, although the night had not yet arrived, the sky of ashes continued to fall.

One of the crows flew toward him with an irritating croak, felt it rip the skin off his right arm. He heard a cry from Jun in time to see a crow tear some part of his back as well.

He had to get him out of there, but the crows prostrated on the dead branches and those that flew, saw them with lateral eyes and red as blood rubies, ready to attack.

Wonwoo stopped and pulled Jun to him, as close as he could, wrapping his arm around him, protecting his head, the dark strands beneath his bloody fingers. He pulled the knife and looked at the feathered beasts around him. There were too many of them, like saprophytes waiting for their flesh to rot so they could take it with their beaks and tear every inch of their bodies.

“Come on, damn birds, come on! I'm not afraid of you.”

Junhui clung to Wonwoo clothes again and looked at the black birds, so calm that he had that bad feeling again. That stillness was not a good sign.

“Wonwoo…” He barely whispered his name, the croaks rose along with the flight of the crows that fell on them.

The hunter moved the arm that had the knife firmly held against the feathered beasts, removing what he could from above him, the other arm was on Jun's head, protecting him as much as he could in that situation.

But the scavengers were in the majority. They were launching at the same time and he couldn't stop them all. Their claws and beaks hurt their exposed skins.

Wonwoo took Jun's hand again to run out of there, while he kept stabbing the crows that came in front of him. He no longer felt the new wounds at that point.

The murk of birds took away his vision, at least he felt Jun close, while the young prince removed the crows he could with his free arm.

As if it was not enough, the roots of the dry trees seemed to come to life, crawling like dead snakes to slow their advance. The thorns dug into their ankles.

They were in trouble, everything looked so dark, a mist was rising, the cold was greater with that black snow. From the sky crows fell upon them, with disgusting caws; from the ground the roots moved to catch them with elongated and wrinkled fingers.

Junhui was no longer sure if they could escape from there alive, but he kept holding Wonwoo's hand as he did his best to get them out of there.

Their visibility got worse, the hunter didn't realize he was heading straight for a steep incline that ended in a cliff. The hunter's leg gave way on the stone and he fell, but Jun was still on solid ground and grabbed a tree trunk, so he managed to stop him, although Wonwoo was already about to fall.

He didn't have the strength to support himself, he was already in his last consciousness. Too exhausted to give that impulse and climb back. His whole body ached because the adrenaline had been used up.

“Let go of me Jun, you're going to fall too!” He yelled at him with his deep voice amidst the cawks that did not stop ringing over them. Junhui felt the tears again falling like an endless river.

“I won't! I am not going to do it!”

He would not let him fall, but he also didn't have the strength to help him up, even if his hand held him, he could do nothing to save the hunter, only delay the inevitable.

But he couldn't let go.

“Let go of me, Jun!”

Wonwoo wanted him to survive, he could do it (he really doubted it, Jeonghan would never let them get out of it alive). Junhui was too precious for that world, a diamond, a gift. The hope of a kingdom, the most beautiful flower in the garden, the one that should never wither.

“I won't…!”

The prince looked directly at the hunter, the tears falling, the plea on Wonwoo's face for him to drop him and for him to be saved. His fingers could barely hold onto the rough trunk, from the older's wrist.

“No, I can not...”

Maybe his heart had a broken compass. Perhaps it was not like that and for the first time it was pointing in the right direction. Perhaps the best thing was to leave behind the world that had turned its back on him. May his steps lead him to a better place.

Then Junhui let go of the tree. Wonwoo's eyes widened in surprise.

“Silly prince, he prefers to fall with me, a man who is not worth it, just a simple hunter... At least I will die seeing his face. At least I will have something beautiful and pure to cherish in my last moments. The snow will be my deathbed in the end”

They fell, Jun did not let go of Wonwoo's hand and the hunter hugged him against his chest, covering his head and trying to at least use his body to protect the prince until the end of his last breath. 

They rolled over the hard rocks of the hill until they felt the free fall of the cliff. They closed their eyes, at least they would fall together.

The wind on their heavy bodies going down.

Jun barely felt the hit, he didn't know how high they'd fallen, but Wonwoo made sure to use his own body as a shock absorber in the fall, he had received all the impact, so Jun could still open his eyes.

He lifted his head from the chest of the hunter who was already unconscious and had a bleeding gash on his brow, so the crimson fell down the middle of his face, covering his already serene features.

Jun felt fear and brought his hand towards Wonwoo's cheek.

“No... Wonwoo.”

But he still felt the hunter's heart beating, very weakly, under the hand that was still on his chest. His own conscience hung by a thread, he no longer had the strength to stay awake.

“Wonwoo…” he called him again, without an answer. He was so devastated to let more tears fall.

The darkness began to come to him. He had nothing else left.

Until a light opened from the huge wall of vines in front of them. Jun could barely see, because a small silhouette like a shadow appeared between his eyes that struggled to stay open.

“I can't believe it…” He heard an unfamiliar voice. He hugged Wonwoo's body under him protectively. Holding on to him until the end.

“Don't... hurt him.”

Those were his last words, before the world was finally just darkness.

Chapter Text

Murmurs were the first thing he perceived, before his awareness came fully. A gloomy environment, just a pale light entering from somewhere.

His head ached, as did his entire body. A wooden ceiling, the feel of the sheets around him, the scent of stew coming from some other room, where he supposed were those voices. It's then that he realized that someone was watching him from above.

A curious face, quite young. The boy who was looking at him seemed to be even younger than Seungkwan.

Junhui suddenly straightened up and the other young man threw himself back in surprise and fell backward from the chair he was in, next to the bed where the prince was. Jun looked at him, confused, and before he could say or ask anything, the young boy stood up and ran out of the room.

Finally, with his consciousness recovered, everything began to make sense. And the memories washed over him at once, causing a rising anguish in his chest. He gasped at the memory of the dark forest, the feathered creatures with sharp claws and beaks, the hideous beast with odd eyes.

He clutched his head, trying to push those images away.

“Wonwoo...? Wonwoo!”

Of course, the hunter memory was the one that came through with the most force. A face filled with blood, a motionless body that absorbed his fall.

Junhui pulled off the covers and lunged off the bed, stumbling at first on his still-not-fully-recovered leg and the new wounds that had been added in the last chase.

He was in a simple room in which there were two beds, the one in which he was lying and the other in front of it, well done. A window overlooked a strange landscape that seemed to retain a green blanket under the snow. There was a bedside table with an unlit gas lamp and a brass jar with a full glass of water. Although what most caught his attention were those miner's picks arranged on the wall as unusual decoration.

But Junhui didn't observe anything else and ended up opening the door through which that boy had run. He remembered a silhouette as the only memory before losing consciousness. Was it him?

He stepped out into a small hallway, the scent of food getting stronger and he felt his stomach growl in response. The light of the place was warm, he walked down the hall, the voices became clearer and he could understand what they were saying.

“He's too pretty, like the flowers of the valley. And his eyes...!”

“Okay, Chan, I understand that you haven't seen many people other than our faces that have already made you tired, but you better not have excessive reactions in front of him.” A little high-pitched male voice.

“Jihoon, let the boy appreciate beauty. We all notice it, don't we? That boy is special. We haven't seen many people in so long and the boy is truly beautiful. Not even Joshua…” Another different voice, more lively.

“Soonyoung, he's coming from the other side of the wall of vines. We can't tru-

“But you brought him here, didn't you? Jihoon, still, with all the mistrust, you brought the boy and the other moribund man.”

“Moribund man? Wonwoo!”

Junhui slowly approached and heard another new voice.

“I don't think he's bad. He has a very pure beauty, it must reflect his heart.”

“I agree with Hansol!” The first voice he heard spoke again, the most youthful one.

“Hmm... If I'm honest, his features remind me of someone.”

Junhui reached the end of the hall and carefully peered out.

There in what appeared to be the dining room and kitchen, four men were gathered. A man at the stove, with brown hair and light eyes of the same color. On the table was the boy he saw when he woke up, next to a man leaning on the hip with very small eyes. And the fourth man was leaning against one end of the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. He was short in stature and Junhui thought he recognized his silhouette.

“To who?” Asked the youngest. The small-eyed man nodded.

“I think I know who you mean... But do you think it's possible that he is-"

“Ah!” The young boy who had surprised him crossed his gaze with Jun again upon seeing him behind the wall.

The rest of the men turned to see him. Junhui didn't know where to hide or what to do.

“Well, it's true, you said he woke up.” The other light-eyed boy who had been cooking approached him and held out his hand. “Hi, I'm Hansol, don't worry, we won't hurt you. What is your name?”

The warm smile he gave him was enough for Jun to come out from behind the wall and take his hand shyly.

“Junhui.”

As if saying his name had been some kind of incantation, the two men who seemed to be the older ones dropped their jaws in surprise.

“Junhui did you say?” The small-eyed man approached him with a face of disbelief, to which the pale man lowered his head reflectively. The younger ones also seemed confused at the reaction of the two olders. “Jihoon, you were right…”

The shorter one looked down at the ground, as if he wanted to pierce the wood with his gaze.

“Son of Queen Siyeon and King Seungcheol... Shouldn't he be dead?” he said in a low voice.

Jun was startled at the question. “Dead?”

“Do you know him, Jihoon?” asked the light-eyed young boy who had introduced himself as Hansol, looking up at the short man with a frown in confusion.

“Guys, you'd better use your best manners,” Jihoon suddenly looked up directly at Junhui with a grave expression, “for we have nothing more and nothing less than a prince as our guest. The prince of this kingdom. Our prince.”

The two younger ones, Chan and Hansol, turned their heads like a spring towards Jun, who was still trying to make sense of everything. The boys felt that the aura around the young man who had arrived injured along with the other man, became different. They understood the importance of Junhui right away. Still they didn't know how to react.

“It can't be... he's alive. That means Jeonghan lied. Damned!” The other oldest almost spat, then relaxed his brow and looked at Junhui with soft eyes. “No wonder someone so beautiful... You kept your innocence, Prince Jun.”

Jun stepped back and blinked several times, he realized until that moment when he put his hands to his chest that he had new clothes that barely fit for his height and apart from it, his arms were bandaged. But there was no trace of his old, torned and bloodstained clothing.

“Who are you...?” He asked, his throat suddenly dry. “And where is Wonwoo? Where do you have him?” That question was the one that most urged him to be answered. The hunter wasn't in the same room as him and he knew he was in worse condition, so his condition mortified him completely.

“Wonwoo? I guess he's referring to the other man... Well, first things first. Prince, it is my honor to meet you, I am Soonyoung.” The man's eyes disappeared as he grinned widely and gave him a little bow.

Jun bowed his head in courtesy, his face still showing anguish that he hadn't answered about Wonwoo.

The youngest of them stood up and bowed awkwardly to him, with very large eyes and nervous posture.

“I'm Chan. I took care of you while you were unconscious.”

Soonyoung laughed outright. “You will have to excuse him, the brat didn't want to get away from your bed for fear that something would happen to you, prince, apart from the fact that he kept saying that your beauty is superior to that of any flower or any other majestic creature of the forest.”

“Soonyoung, stop it!” Chan complained in embarrassment.

Jun also felt shy lowering his gaze with reddish cheeks.

“Soon, behave yourself.” The short man detached himself from the wall and walked until he was a meter in front of Jun. He seemed to be looking at a ghost. “I introduce myself, I'm Jihoon, and don't worry about the other man, I will take you with him, but first we need to clear up a few things.”

Jun almost breathed a sigh of relief. They would take him to Wonwoo, which meant that he was alive. He was the only thing that mattered to him at the moment. So he nodded.

“Junhui, we thought you were dead. Like your parents.”

The young prince felt the old pain that he was used to every time he remembered that his parents were no longer in this world. He nodded again, more weakly.

“Did you know them directly?”

“Well of course! We miners were part of his army. And these boys here are the sons of those brave men and women who perished in the ranks... Or who Jeonghan exterminated because they no longer served him.”

Jun blinked in confusion at the new information.

“Miners? My father's army?”

He also remembered again that he was not the only one who had lost his parents. Chan and Hansol's faces looked just as distressed as his when they remembered their parents. He felt empathy and wanted to comfort them, they looked younger than him. They reminded him of Seungkwan and a new wave of melancholy washed over him.

2Sure, we miners know how to fight, but when Jeonghan threatened to kill us all for being an obstacle to him, since we will never serve someone like that... Well, we had to flee the castle and return here.” Soonyoung explained and Jihoon nodded absently.

“Here where?” Jun asked with lowered eyebrows.

Soonyoung stretched his arms. “Well, on the other side of the wall of vines. Nobody dares to enter here and anyway they cannot, we're well protected.”

Junhui widened his eyes. He had heard from the other side of the wall. Not the Yabbay Forest. Not the Black Forest. Not the town. It wasn't one of those places of the kingdom, so there was only one place left.

The one to which no one ever entered for fear of its creatures. That place where live the…

“Dwarves!” he exclaimed suddenly. “Are you dwarves?” He asked with bright eyes, remembering the stories he'd heard.

The four men just blinked.

Until Soonyoung gave the widest laugh Jun had ever heard. Jihoon shook his head and touched his forehead. Hansol smiled too. Chan looked too confused.

When Soonyoung calmed down, he explained, wiping his tears from laughing so hard.

“No, prince, we're just a humble population of miners... Or well, we were a population in the past, but as you see, since Jeonghan came to power, of our people there are only the five of us left. The others perished long ago.” He smiled sadly, but then returned to his amused face, now pointing at the other man who was still with his hand on his forehead, as if trying to hide his face. “The misconception that we're dwarves that the people of Yabbay town have we owe to Jihoon. A poor idiot dared to enter our territory before we were protected and met with the fury of Jihoon. He barely was able to escape after the beating he got.” He resumed laughing, “The only one he managed to see was Jihoon angry and from there the legend spread that we're all dwarves, when the only dwarf is hi-

Jihoon stomped on him to shut up, which was effective, as Soonyoung jumped up holding his injured foot in the air. The pale-skinned man gave Jun a soft look, but with some irritation.

“As Soonyoung says, we are not dwarves, we are miners. It's a misunderstanding and that's it. We are normal men. Only we didn't come from the same place as the Yabbay people.”

Jun felt his cheeks burn at the misunderstanding.

“Sorry, they always tell us about the legend of the dwarves and I thought…” He looked down with red cheeks.

Jihoon sighed. “It's okay, prince, don't worry.”

The prince nodded, still avoiding looking up, though one detail caught his attention. Sooonyoung mentioned that there were only 5 left, and so far, he had only seen 4 of them.

“Five?” He asked quietly, but the others heard him.

“That's right, Seokmin is another survivor. But he is a special case, from time to time he visits us, but most of the time he's away and I think it will stay that way until life comes to an end for one of them.”

Junhui looked at Soonyoung who was explaining that to him.

“Them?”

The man nodded, smiling. 

“Love is born in the most mysterious places, don't you think so, prince?”

“Love…”

“Yes, I think so…” he said softly. His mind came back to the uneasy thought of how Wonwoo was doing and he put that anguished look back on, feeling the sorrow on his chest.

After a short silence, Hansol clapped his hands twice.

“It is done! Well, prince, you just woke up and Jihoon promised you explanations. For a miner there is no better way to tell stories than with a good plate of food in his hands to refresh the memories.” Hansol spoke animatedly, while he took the plates and utensils. Junhui, out of habit and courtesy, offered to help him.

“It's not necessary, you are our guest.” Soonyoung took him by the shoulders and seated him on the table that looked more like a bench. He supposed that those men, those miners, who were the only ones left, must live together, with only their company remaining, holding to each other like a family.

“Just as I hold on to Wonwoo... We have lost everything, that's what happens”

He sat up and smiled gently, grateful. The four men looked at him for a moment, with surprise, enraptured as if a star shone in that house with that simple gesture.

“We rarely witness such beautiful things, like the purity of the snow that comes every winter. No, we who are so used to diamonds were surprised by a greater beauty, ” Jihoon thought, shooting a quick glance at the prince as he served food for the five of them.

When everyone was seated and Junhui had the delicious aroma of the stew in front of him, he thanked with a nod and waited for them to start eating to do so as well.

Jihoon and Soonyoung smiled, despite all those years, Jun was still the same. A prince from head to toe.

“We have a lot to tell, don't we? Why don't we start with who we are? No dwarves, of course, that only applies to Jihoon”, said the oldest of them, amused. Jihoon gave him a bad look, but he got down to eating and let that comment slip.

So Soonyoung started their story and Junhui listened to him carefully.

The Diamant kingdom owes its name to the great production of diamonds and precious stones throughout its history. It is divided into four major regions: The town of Yabbay, where merchants and villagers from the majority of the kingdom reside, since the castle towers over the town like a fortress at the end of the road.

There is the Yabbay Forest, the place where those who are born to a family of hunters live, it is more a quiet forest surrounding the town that bears its name, where there is an abundance of animals, fruits and spices for those who know how to search and move between nature.

There is also the Black Forest, which is a region that not many dare to go to, since in this world there are places that are destined to keep pernicious energies that on the contrary would be destructive in a place where there is life. It is a dead and desolate forest, no man's land. Perhaps in the past it was like Yabbay, but an evil power infected the earth, the roots of the trees, and the few animals that dared to enter that region.

And finally, the great region behind the wall of stone and vines, there at the end of the Black Forest, where no one dared to go for the legends that frightened even more than those of the dead place. Behind the wall there is talk of creatures that do not want to live with humans, of a magic that is very far from being for our understanding. Of some ruthless dwarves who do not want outsiders to enter their lands.

Apparently, they were only legends and that region had been a town like Yabbay, now forgotten. The town of Diamant, the main provider of wealth for the kingdom. For the mines were abundant and the miners had their homes there in the past, in which that town had been so large and full of inhabitants, prosperous and serene. Before the arrival of Jeonghan and the war that took place.

Junhui had no memories of that. The only things he remembered after his father's death were the walls of his new room, the faces of new servants, the gray clothes. That Jeonghan made him another one of his slaves. He only devoted himself to the castle labours. He didn't know what was going on outside.

What was once a kingdom of peace, completely changed.

The town of Diamant had naturally remained behind the wall since always. They barely had contact with the Yabbay people because the miners were dedicated to two things: mining, or some of them were part of King Seungcheol's army. With whom they made a pact.

“We miners are good at making pacts, after all we're businessmen,” Soonyoung said after drinking his mug beer. Jihoon nodded in agreement.

“A pact?”

The miners were always a reserved people and dedicated to their tasks. The reason why the people of Yabbay did not know of their existence was because they didn't usually leave their region. The precious stones were exported directly from there. The mining town, very united, enjoying that peace, made a pact with King Seungcheol when he began to rule.

That was the Carat Pact. The miners were an old town that was older than the Kings and Queens of Diamant themselves, so much so that they were already there when Yabbay was occupied, when the Black Forest still had some life.

The miners wanted their life to be peaceful, to keep it that way. In exchange for the king's protection, that no one was going to disturb their people, they would provide the main sustenance of the kingdom, which was the precious jewels that they mined. And the others would not know of their existence, no one would bother them.

“We miners are very mistrustful and we don't like changes, this is something that comes from our ancestors, prince. King Seungcheol was very kind to be different from other kings who wanted to force us to join with those of Yabbay.”

Hansol and Chan ate in silence. Junhui wondered if they already knew that story or if it was the first time they were hearing it.

The Carat Pact also stipulated that some miners were part of the king's army, those more adept. In return, no person would enter their territory.

This for the same protection of the mining town. After all, they, who had lived their whole lives and history in those mines, lost the greed that other men possess when being in contact with precious jewels. Wealth was not something the miners cared about. Other men and women would go crazy with so much opulence with which they worked, but the miners would not.

“We value values. The family. Not stones, no matter how beautiful they may be,” Jihoon said, remembering that people outside his village went mad with greed when they found out about the wealth that the miners handled.

The protection they were asking for was because if another kingdom or people knew of the existence of their endless mines of riches and their ability to enter them, then there would be no doubt that they would attack them for that power.

Junhui began to understand better.

His father and mother respected that pact. Some miners with fighting skills went to the castle to be part of the king's army.

This is how some of those miners (within them, Soonyoung and Jihoon) met the little boy with skin as pale as porcelain, with reddish lips as a strawberry and hair as black as night, running in the corridors of the castle and greeting everyone with great joy and kindness.

Junhui, the rightful prince of Diamant.

The young man was surprised. He did not remember any of that, he assumed that his father protected the identity of the miners. He barely had vague memories of those warriors who protected the kingdom.

The times when their armor were a simple and determined silver color. Not golden and ostentatious.

“Everything changed when your mother died... The king could never get over her death.”

Jun lowered his head. The memories that are well remembered are those loaded with many emotions.

He still remembered his father's low eyebrows and his watery black eyes. Junhui used to accompany him until the evening, he didn't want to leave him alone. Even though he himself felt the pain of his mother's departure and the kingdom their queen's departure... Seungcheol had lost the love of his life.

“And nothing was for the better when Jeonghan arrived.”

A presence that Jun didn't understand at first. The man looked younger than his father despite being the same age and was so beautiful that little Jun, with his childish mind, compared him to a beautiful dandelion, for his blond hair and gentle smile.

He realized now that it was a fake one, like a mask someone wears at a royal ball. Where no one can discover your identity. Your intentions. Death may roam among all of them, but one can never see it, unless that mask is removed and the poison is shown in the eyes.

Eyes are not deceiving.

Jeonghan's eyes never had life for him. But he had been blinded like everyone else by that false kindness and the beauty that he possessed.

Above all, his father, who entrusted him with the heart that he never thought could give to someone else after Siyeon's passing.

Until Mors came for him too. And not naturally. Junhui was shattered, the kingdom without its king and queen. Him without his parents.

The miners mourned that loss as well. And as they had done with Queen Siyeon, they mourned for 17 days in a row for Seungcheol. A beautiful diamond that Jun remembered, at his father's funeral, pinned on his royal clothes. Now he remembered, now it made sense. The miners had given it to him on his deathbed. Junhui kept his tears silent thanks to all those men and women.

But with the death of the king, someone had to come to the throne, and Junhui was too young at that time.

So the only option, accepted by the deceived and desperate people, was for Jeonghan to take over the reins of the kingdom.

The miners disagreed, but they, who had never established relationships with Yabbay, could not just appear out of nowhere and convince them that there must be another option.

“As I said before, we are very mistrustful and we don't like changes. And we also have good instincts, Jeonghan never gave us a good thorn. We were correct.” Soonyoung gave a bitter laugh.

At the time of his ascension to the kingdom, changes were soon made and the first thing Jeonghan sought was the loyalty of his men. He needed an army.

But among those in the ranks of Seungcheol's army, there were many who did not accept him as king and there was an internal conflict.

All the miners who had gone to the castle were against him, Jeonghan's mask began to fall apart, but many were still blinded by him. There was a division. Those who wanted to keep their armor of silver and those who wanted to wear the armor of gold.

The miners and other men had only loyalty to Seungcheol. Wonwoo, a young soldier at the time, was one of those men.

And all of them paid dearly for it.

They lost their families the same day. Jeonghan ordered the men who gave him his loyalty to murder the families of his detractors. Thus had the hunter's parents perished.

But with the miners it was different. They were a double problem. Not only did they not want to be part of his army, the people as a whole opposed giving him the diamonds, as Jeonghan, upon discovering the existence of their ability to enter the mines and leave with the precious stones, ended up losing his mask. Completely and go insane with power.

He threatened the mining town.

“But we're business men and promises are important for us. King Seungcheol's Carat Pact was not to be broken. Unfortunately that Jeonghan is a smart one, right? Nothing escapes him.” Jihoon looked through the window with a frown. “Not wanting to serve in his army he took it as a broken covenant. He brought the troops and gave us an ultimatum. Either we worked for him or the whole town would pay for it.”

They went on strike. No miner accepted his conditions.

“Jeonghan wanted to keep most of the diamonds for himself. He didn't even think about the kingdom. We refused all that.” Jihoon's face suddenly turned grim. Jun felt his stomach turn over, he stopped eating, anticipating what was to come.

Jeonghan didn't accept the insubordination. The miners were the only ones who could mine, but if they refused, then they would have to pay. All or nothing, that's how Jeonghan acted.

They aroused the anger of the new king.

A miner heard the plan from one of the gold-armored soldiers. Jeonghan planned to take all the diamonds and precious stones that the miners had obtained for the town's economy and then kill them all. He would exterminate them, for having become an obstacle to him.

“We knew what to expect. But still we were not prepared.”

They hid most of the gemstones back in the mines they knew so well, leaving only a few as decoys.

It was a massacre, as soon as the golden armored soldiers and Jeonghan crossed the wall. The miners fought back. Men, women, children.

But they killed indiscriminately.

“We were able to protect only a few..."”The two older ones looked at the two younger ones, their faces filled with sadness. Their relatives had been taken away that tragic day. “But many perished later. We discovered that days before Jeonghan had poisoned our river, from which we drink water. Some had the misfortune to carry that poison in their veins when we fought. It was easier to win over us like this.”

They were not expecting Jeonghan's tricks either. The magic of him. He was too powerful to defeat.

Death was everywhere. Entire families eradicated.

“And the few who were dying decided that if we were going to perish as a people, then so would our mines.”

They demolished them, the entrances collapsed, with everything and precious stones inside. Jeonghan couldn't have any of them. The last anger was invoked. And in the end only 7 were left standing from that bloody and ruthless fight.

“But even so…” Another bitter laugh. “Even though there were only Seokmin, Jihoon and I left, and four little children, we had no choice but to hide. Bury the dead in the mines. Jeonghan took the diamonds that were not lost and left. Leaving us in our oblivion. And the town that was Diamant, of the great miners of Diamant, completely disappeared in one day, because of the greed and selfishness of an illegitimate king.”

“We were protected by silver, and gold destroyed us, because the diamond we got was our condemn.”

There was a silence. The atmosphere flooded with great regret.

“Only seven from a prosperous town... Four children survived?”

Junhui looked at Hansol and Chan, who looked at each other and their faces fell even more. Jihoon sighed.

“It was not enough for him to take away our jobs, our people. Although we hid well, one day he arrived with us, the only survivors, wanting to make a negotiation... The shamelessness of that man…” Jihoon furiously denied. His hand into a fist, shaking. “He murdered little Aaron, we couldn't do a thing. And he took Seungkwan away. We never heard from him.”

At the mention of the young man's name, Junhui widened his eyes. The stab went straight to his heart. Seungkwan, son of miners. Of the few survivors of his people, as a mere servant, far from his own. Where would he be? What would have become of him? He had the same doubts as the miners.

“But Seokmin, Jihoon, and I promised to protect Hansol and Chan with our lives. Seokmin even gave himself up for it.”

Junhui didn't want to ask, but he still did, cautiously.

“And Seokmin... What happened to him?”

Soonyoung smiled softly. At least it didn't seem like a dire gesture.

“I mentioned before several times, we are businessmen, of pacts. We have come this far and lived in peace because Jeonghan cannot enter this territory. Or well, he can do it, but he can't find us. We are protected.”

Jun tilted his head in curiosity. Soonyoung went ahead to explain.

“One day a man arrived, with the same nature as Jeonghan, not in his personality or behavior, of course, if not, with a similar power. A mysterious man, but very kind. We gave him an inn, he arrived wounded and lost. But that's another story and our soup is already cold. I'll just tell you that that man made a pact with us. In exchange for protection with his magic, we would let him live in our territory, a little further north, in cold lands. Although that wasn't his most important requirement…” Soonyoung stretched his arms over his head. “I don't know what he went through in his past, but I know what we went through. There was mutual mistrust. For the sake of making sure he fulfilled his part, for the sake that we weren't going to betray him, he asked Seokmin as a guarantee.”

“A guarantee?”

“Yes, he took it with him. So Seokmin can be our insurance that he protects us with his magic and in turn, we could not betray him because he has Seokmin in his power.”

“Is that why you said he comes only once in a while?”

All four nodded.

“Although his visits have been greatly reduced lately. He cast a spell on our Seokmin's heart,” Soonyoung exclaimed dramatically.

“Did he cast a spell on him?” Junhui asked in alarm.

“No, he didn't cast a spell on him. Joshua is a good man and he keeps his part of his word. We let him live in our territory and he gives us protection. Seokmin is perfectly fine with him,” Hansol said, picking up the dishes.

“Love always transforms people. It is the only thing in the world that can irreversibly change everyone.” Soonyoung said smiling, as he looked directly at Jihoon that he noticed that smile he knew so well and snorted, looking away with his red cheeks standing out against his pale skin.

“Joshua is the name of that man who protects you?”

All four nodded again.

“That's how it is. And it's the only thing we know about him, because we don't even know where he came from or what his past is. It must not be pretty, for the way he came to us. Maybe Seokmin knows more about him, but he might not want to tell us anything.”

“A story for another time” they had said.

At last, Junhui let out his breath in a long sigh, he had learned many things in such a short time. So many things he didn't know, the history of his kingdom, a new facet of his father. Of everything that surrounded him.

“Thank you for telling me about you and the mining town. I'm really sorry for what happened…”

“Oh, prince, you too have lost a lot. We thought Jeonghan had kill... “ He broke off. “Well, it is a joy to know that you're alive. And that we find you in time.”

The four of them smiled at him and Junhui returned the gesture.

“I still owe you my story, right?”

“Sure, we miners love stories, didn't I already say it?” Soonyoung smiled widely and Chan nodded beside him animatedly.

Knowing about them and their people. Of what had happened to them. The way their father and mother had protected them and how Jeonghan eliminated them... Junhui was more determined. To what? He still didn't know very well. But the regret that he felt in his heart, of all the things that Jeonghan had taken from so many people, gave him the strength to carry on. Not to give his neck easily.

He wouldn't lose anything else. He wouldn't lose any other person. Not anymore. He was glad that Jihoon had found them.

Then, in the next beat of his heart, his eyes widened when he remembered the hunter.

“Wonwoo! Where is he?” He asked, suddenly greatly worried.

The miners saw the urgency in his tone and Jihoon remembered when he met the two men and as the younger hugged the most wounded man.

Jihoon stood up and his face turned very serious. Junhui was suddenly afraid. As if the relief that Wonwoo was alive wasn't enough.

“Follow me, prince.”

Chapter Text

The snow did not fall there. And the one that lay like a blanket on the oddly green grass below, was white, pure and uncorrupted, unlike the one that stained the soil of Yabbay. But there, in the lands that were once occupied by a mining town, Jeonghan's magic could not reach.

Junhui followed Jihoon with his heart beating so hard that he felt it hit his chest.

He walked with small steps behind the shorter man, who had a serious face. They had left the miners' cabin and had surrounded it to head down a small path behind it. The trees stood leafless, but they didn't look threatening.

The afternoon was still in its splendor, with the sky pale and calm. Hansol, who was the one who was almost as tall as Jun, lent him his clothes, so he didn't feel cold. Junhui was holding onto the sleeves of the sweater and his hands were clasped against his chest. To Jihoon, the young man looked so distressed that he couldn't help but feel the same way. However, he kept his face neutral.

They walked down the small path and Jun saw another cabin in the distance, only smaller than the one the miners lived in.

Jihoon pointed at it with his chin. “It was mine and Soonyoung's. But since Seokmin is no longer with us as before, we all went to live in the bigger one, to take care of Chan and Hansol.”

Junhui rushed to his side and looked at the calm profile with an expression of doubt.

“Yours and Soonyoung's? You are...?” He didn't finish the sentence, he left the question hanging.

"Soonyoung and I... It's complicated." He didn't say that in an annoyed way like Jun thought he would at first, instead, Jihoon looked directly at him and finally gave him a small smile.

“I understand.” Jun nodded, smiling too.

But the smile didn't last when they reached the cabin. Jihoon turned the knob without using keys, but he paused before opening it. Then he looked at Jun behind him and Jun had that nervous expression again.

“Prince, I don't know what is the relationship between you and that man.” He lowered his head for a few moments and then released his breath in a sigh. That put Jun more on edge. “He's fine, just... We better get inside.”

The young man nodded nervously and Jihoon opened the door. Jun followed closely behind.

The cabin was the same as the other, only simpler. The warm, homey atmosphere was still there, but the light coming in was the pale reflection of the snow outside through the windows. Mainly the room, which they passed by. The furniture was less there. There was a fireplace. Junhui didn't observe much, he had an inner feeling that something was wrong. They walked down a short corridor and again stopped in front of another door.

This time, Jihoon simply opened it and walked over to the table at the side of the bed. There was only one, and it was wide. Junhui bit his lip upon seeing the person occupying it.

Jihoon lit the gas lamp and stepped aside for Jun to come closer.

The prince walked to the side of the bed with slow steps, with the index finger of his right hand on his upper lip and the left hand gripping the fabric of his sweater, on his chest.

Wonwoo had a peaceful expression. His black eyes closed. Short dark brown hair, a few strands falling over his forehead. He seemed asleep.

But his torso was bare, covered only by bandages that were wrapped around his right shoulder. More bandages covered his arms that were outside from the sheet that covered him below, the pectorals covered with more bandages with the intention of protecting his wounds. The room was warm, there was no cold in there.

What caught Jun's attention was the wound that was beginning to heal, on the hunter's eyebrow. The profuse scrapes and bruises that stained his skin. Yes, he seemed asleep, but he was very injured, the abundant bandages and those wounds that couldn't be covered because they were small and abundant. Junhui felt his heart grow small in grief.

Wonwoo looked in peace and Jun was relieved at least a little to see his chest rise and fall gently, a sign that he was still alive and breathing.

He reached out a trembling hand to him and placed it on his chest, on his left side, very gently, on the place covered by the bandage. He waited until he felt the hunter's heart beating.

Junhui felt the sting of tears. Wonwoo had saved him. Many times.

And he ended like this.

He was fine, he could walk, he was conscious. Just the pain from the blows, bruises on his white skin, and a few scratches. But he was still standing and his injuries weren't as many as Wonwoo's.

“He hasn't woken up once.” He heard Jihoon's voice and remembered that he was in the room as well. For a moment, he was lost in Wonwoo's vision and forgot everything else. His concern for the other man was so great that it hurt him.

He was very afraid of losing him too.

“He hasn't woken up...?”

“Prince. He may not look like it, but that man-

“Wonwoo, his name is Wonwoo. Jeon Wonwoo,” Jun said in a soft but firm voice. Jihoon, who was leaning against the wall and couldn't see Jun's face with his back to him, could imagine his expression.

“Wonwoo may seem stable, but he lost a lot of blood and I have seen many men be in the same state and they never woke up.”

Junhui's heart gave a painful skip. He kept looking at Wonwoo as if taking his eyes off him for a second would make him disappear.

“What? But Wonwoo... He is strong.” He didn't mean to, but his voice started to tremble as well.

“And I'm aware of that. If he wasn't, he wouldn't be breathing right now. But we are not doctors, we were barely able to treat your wounds in a superficial way.” Jihoon watched as Junhui turned and looked at him with bright eyes. “We also don't have magic that can help him. We don't know how long... he will stay that way.”

And sure enough, Junhui could notice the hunter's paleness, the faint beating of his heart, his breathing barely visible.

“Wonwoo... He can't die,” he said quietly. “He can not. We have to do something, whatever, we have-

Jihoon approached Jun who began to make desperate gestures and put a hand on his shoulder so that the young man would look directly at him.

“There is a way,” he said. And that managed to calm the prince, who looked at him carefully. The tears accumulated in his big eyes.

Jihoon didn't want him to cry. There was something about Junhui, a certain vulnerability. However, he could tell that there was also strength. Inside him. But not a common one. Something different. Behind those eyes that were about to overflow, there was something else.

“What can I do to save him?” He blinked and he didn't let the tears fall.

“I said there is nothing we can do, as we are just simple miners. “But I know someone who can surely help you.” 

Junhui watched him expectantly.

“Joshua. His magic isn't especially healing, but he'll know what to do.” Jihoon stared absently through the window for a few moments. “He always knows what to do.”

“Take me to him, please,” Junhui asked without hesitation. Jihoon returned his gaze to the young man and smiled softly at him.

“I would if I could, but the only person who knows exactly where Joshua is, is Seokmin. He is the only one who can take you with him.”

Junhui returned to that gesture of anguish, so Jihoon rushed to calm him down.

“But luckily for us, Seokmin is coming tomorrow. He let us know through Joshua's owl that he was coming to visit us. Then we will tell him everything and he will take you to Joshua. Only he can help you. So for the moment we have to wait.”

Junhui nodded, processing all of that. There was a chance to restore Wonwoo's vitality. That mollified him a bit. But it was not enough to leave that feeling of unease alone.

“It's okay, I will wait. But I'll stay here with Wonwoo until Seokmin arrives.”

Jihoon opened his mouth to reply, but Jun's eyes were decisive. He himself had seen him cling to the man with what little strength he had left. He understood very well.

He nodded and turned away from Jun. “I'll send Chan later to get you something to eat. Anything, we'll be in the other cabin. Anything you need, prince.”

Junhui also smiled sadly at him.

“I have long since ceased to be a prince, no matter how much you call me that.”

Jihoon looked at him in surprise. Junhui really didn't realize his own worth.

“That's not true, Prince Junhui. For all of us you will always be... You will always be our little prince. Only and legitimate heir to the throne of Diamant.” The miner went to the door and before exiting, he pointed at Wonwoo with a motion of his chin. “And from the way he protected you, then you must understand how valuable you are, as a person and as a noble.”

Junhui stared at him, not knowing what to say. Jihoon again gave him a sincere smile.

“Besides, not many times do we have the pleasure of seeing something so beautiful and gentle at the same time. The beauty you possess is priceless. Prince, we are glad that you are alive.”

The young man felt shy and only managed to nod and say "thank you" when Jihoon closed the door and left. Junhui really didn't know how he would get used to that.

He sighed and started looking for a chair, which he found on a work table in the room. He dragged it and placed it to the right side of Wonwoo's bed, where he sat down to watch him again. Even though Jihoon said they weren't doctors, they had really done a good job healing his superficial wounds. He assumed that someone who works in the mines is no stranger to it, due to the accidents they may have.

Still, Wonwoo had gotten the worst of it and Jun couldn't help but feel guilty about it. He took the hunter's free hand on his own. It was warm even though the cold outside was incipient. He felt the rough skin with some typical scars of someone used to hard work, in contrast to his soft hands.

“Wonwoo, you don't know how much I thank you for saving me. Not just that you've spared my life, but everything you've done for me,” he spoke with his soft voice. “I don't know if you can hear me or if my words reach you, but I am scared.” He looked at Wonwoo's chest again, rising and falling.

“I'm afraid of a lot of things right now.” He gave the man's hand a light squeeze. “More than anything, I'm afraid of losing you. And I am truly grateful to you, because you are by my side. You decided to stay by my side and even protect me... Why?”

Junhui smiled and felt the warm tears forming a path on his cheeks.

“You are a good man, Jeon Wonwoo.”

The prince lowered his head, his vision blurred with tears. Wonwoo's hand in his hands. He inhaled and let out a shaky breath, then through his red lips, he let a song fill the room.

Just a lullaby he remembered from his sleepless nights. He began to sing with his sweet, angelic voice. Of endless meadows and full moon nights. Of a cunning fox who befriends a curious owl. From a magical forest with friendly and beautiful creatures. From a love story in lost times.

He sang with a voice that did not betray him. With tears that kept falling.

Because somehow he hoped his words would reach Wonwoo, showing him that he was there with him. That he wouldn't move from his side. That he would watch over him now as the hunter had done before in the same way.

That he would do everything he could to save him. Junhui just wanted that hunter, Wonwoo, to look at him one more time.

Let him see the pure white snow once more.

[ ❄ ]

A constant commotion. Rumors from the townspeople had reached him. Mingyu, who was now listening to his father's instructions, was nodding absently. He kept thinking about the events of the previous days. A great blaze had struck the town, they had to put it down among many. Mingyu was in the palace at the time of the fire, but he heard the rumors.

A fugitive had been pursued by the king's golden guards. And it wasn't just anyone, but the hunter of Yabbay himself, Jeon Wonwoo.

Mingyu was worried, because that meant Junhui was also in danger. Not only was that distressing him, but he'd found no information regarding Seungkwan. He simply disappeared from the castle without further ado.

From what Minghao told him, Junhui was being protected by Wonwoo after escaping. Obviously there were rumors within the castle, regarding the young man. To the rightful prince buried in the shadows of his kingdom.

Seungkwan had helped him. And now he was gone too. He didn't know the whereabouts of both.

Even worse. He hadn't been able to get out because the castle was in chaos. The king did not allow them to come and go at ease. Mingyu was locked up and the uncertainty as to whether Wonwoo had escaped together with Jun was great.

He nodded to what his father told him, he had understood his warning about all the other things he ordered.

“Take this tray of food to the dungeon, it is for a very special prisoner, Mingyu, the king wants us to feed him very well and for only one person to come near him, so I will let you do it. Don't screw it up, the guards will take you with him.”

With the tray in his hands and the food that he had prepared himself at some point in the morning, without remembering having done it to keep going over in his mind all the events and above all, Minghao.

Of course, Mingyu was worried about Junhui and Seungkwan, they were his dearest friends. Even for Wonwoo, whom he barely knew and from what Minghao had once told about him, but he already had respect for him for taking charge of protecting the young prince and taking care of his beloved for those years.

The town where Minghao lived was riddled with guards and the chaos of Wonwoo's runaway was still present. He hoped he was okay, maybe caring for the wounded. He was the best doctor he knew. Better than his father, better than the castle doctor.

Minghao had the hands of a healer and Mingyu hoped that he was fine above all else.

He wanted a chance to get out of the castle and go see him.

So, as strange as the orders of his father seemed to him (they never had such attention with a prisoner before, they barely fed them), he followed the guards who guided him through a place in the castle that he didn't know. Darker, toward the dungeon, with thicker, gray walls.

The armors and footsteps were the only thing that echoed in the long corridors that no longer had windows. Only the torches on the walls, far apart, barely showing where they were going.

He held the tray as firmly as possible. He was taller than the guards next to him, so he saw them from his height. Despite living in the castle since he was a child, he rarely had the opportunity to be so close to them. For some reason, the golden armor guards didn't give him any peace. Instead, he remembered the silver armor of King Seungcheol's soldiers. They had always given him that air of calm and protection.

He missed that serene silver color. It was comforting for him. It reminded him of someone special, for the very essence that gave him that maturity.

He saw some stairs and they went down them, the darkness was greater there.

They came to a wider corridor, with cells where there were small windows that let in the pale winter light. Some were empty, others had people in beds, or standing holding the bars.

Mingyu tried not to make eye contact with them. Inside himself he knew that many were innocent people who had been locked up there for unjust reasons. But of course, there must be people who did deserve to be in that place.

He decided to dedicate himself to follow the guards through that corridor that smelled damp and desolation, leaving the food that he had prepared for the prisoner and retracing his steps to look for an opportunity to leave the castle and find out more about the town. Above all, see Minghao and make sure he was okay.

Meanwhile, he would just have to find an excuse to give his father to let him out and-

“Kim, the king's direct orders are for you to feed him and make sure he eats everything. There should be nothing left on that tray. Last time he didn't want to taste a bite of anything. If you have to force him, don't hesitate.”

They had arrived in front of the cell at the back, barely entering the light from the window, Mingyu still didn't pay attention to the prisoner, because the deep voice of the guard pulled him out of his thoughts.

The other man came up with the keys to unlock the cell. Mingyu realized that deep down, the only occupied cell was this one. It was wider than he thought, even the size of his room, in the area of the king's servants.

“Eat everything? I understand…” That strange requirement. He must be an important prisoner for the king.

The guard who opened the door stretched out his arm for Mingyu to enter the cell. He looked at them in confusion. Did they expect him to just walk in with the prisoner? What if he was dangerous?

He supposed that if they were direct orders from the king, he had no choice but to swallow his cowardice and feed that person locked there.

He hadn't seen him so far, a figure covered by a sheet, going very unnoticed in bed. Just a vague silhouette. He entered and the cell door was closed behind him.

“Remember, Kim, he has to eat everything. Last time he didn't want to taste anything and force didn't do much good, but if you have to use it, go ahead.” The guards walked away, he heard their footsteps echoing down the hall. They really planned to leave him at his mercy. And besides, they expected him to use force if necessary.

But he had no opinion on the matter.

The cell had the bed where that covered figure was, a window in the back wall with bars close together. There was an empty bucket and a chair.

He took it and placed it in front of the bed, still holding the tray of food.

It was evident that this prisoner was receiving special treatment from the king. The food that Mingyu had prepared wasn't given to just anyone.

Pumpkin soup, roasted duck in orange sauce accompanied with sautéed asparagus. Red wine. Potato gratin with provolone, rosemary and bay leaf. A glass of goat's milk and his famous apple pie.

Unless it was the prisoner's last meal, in a very rare act of kindness on Jeonghan's part, this was almost luxurious.

He cleared his throat and placed the tray on the bucket, which he turned over as a table.

“Excuse me…” he called the person. Maybe he was sleeping. He didn't want to come close to bothering him, but he had no choice.

“You have to eat, please cooperate.”

Mingyu was not good at confrontations, he preferred to maintain a peaceful and calm demeanor. But if he had to face something, he would.

The prisoner did not reply. Mingyu got up and walked over to the bed. He leaned forward a little to see if he had movement, when he heard a trembling sigh under the sheet.

He froze.

Many times, on those occasions in the basement of Minghao's house, with the little light from the gas lamp, with their  shadows reflected on the back wall, in the corner where the mat was placed.

So many times they had been together. Minghao beneath him, always complied to his touch, always surrounding him when Mingyu sank finding his way into him. The younger's arms clinging to his back, Mingyu finding a refuge in Minghao's long neck.

All those times, Minghao so quiet, barely making noise, Mingyu wanted to hear him, but the younger was stubborn and kept quiet, biting his lip or letting Mingyu's kisses steal the sounds from him before letting them escape.

But at times, Mingyu would approach Minghao just to listen, the rare occasions when he let his lips express what his body felt. Under Mingyu, in his arms, alone in that space that belonged to them, sometimes he let out a trembling sigh.

Of pleasure, of fear, of indecision. Of longing. Of relief.

Mingyu recognized that sigh so variant that could only belong to one person.

He reached over to the sheet and gently removed it, his heart in his throat. Brown eyes stared directly at him, honey-colored strands falling over his delicate face.

“Hao…” he whispered in pain and relief.

Pain, for the situation in which his lover was. Relief, because he could see him. Because he could feel him.

A hand came out from under the sheet and reached for his face. He didn't know when he let the tears fall.

“Gyu... I didn't think I'd see you again, you don't know how glad I am.” Minghao's face looked tired, there was a purple shadow on his cheek, the trace of a bruise. Mingyu felt immediate anger that someone had dared to hurt him.

He dropped down, his forearms on either side of Minghao's head so as not to hurt him, and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. The trembling hand of the younger on his cheek.

When they parted very slightly, they did not stop looking at each other directly.

“Why are you here? Why does Jeonghan have you here? And even with special treatment.” He looked at the tray and the fancy food.

“Mingyu.” Minghao tried to straighten up, but he felt very weak and the older helped him sit up. He wore the clothes he wore under his winterhood, those that showed the boy's thinness, always hidden under baggy clothes. “I helped Wonwoo escape and they caught me. I started the fire.”

Mingyu sat on the bed and tried not to frown as he saw more shades of colors like watercolor on Minghao's skin that was in view, like his neck, part of his collarbones. His wrists surrounded by a purplish bracelet on his skin.

He had a weary expression.

“I understand... And Jeonghan treats you this way because he knows you are important to Wonwoo? Does he want to use you to lure him?”

Minghao looked down and shook his head with a sad gesture.

“He's not using me to attract him. Not when he found a better use for me…”

Mingyu was alarmed.

“What use, Hao?”

Why did Jeonghan want Minghao? It was true that he was a good doctor, but there was no reason other than to be an incentive to the hunter by being a dear person to him.

Then why?

Minghao looked directly at him again. And he began to relate to him how his capture had been. And what he had long ago suspected of himself that he feared, now was a reality from which he could not escape.

[ ❄ ]

Minghao knew little about combat, only what Wonwoo had once taught him. More at the insistence of the hunter so that he knew how to defend himself, than for the pleasure of learning to fight. He'd never needed those skills, but when they opened the carriage door, he took the opportunity to launch himself against it and knock out one of the guards.

He fell into the accumulated black snow in front of the castle, but didn't hesitate to move. Wonwoo had always told him that he had to act fast. He stood up and hurriedly kicked the guard next to him on the back of the knee to throw him off.

He turned and ran. He didn't want confrontations, he wasn't that strong, just agile and fast, he had to use that to his advantage. He heard behind the guards running after him, but Minghao moved like a leaf blown by the wind.

He'd never been to the palace, he didn't really know it. They had closed the only gate through which they could enter and exit, but the wall that surrounded the immediate vicinity of the palace had irregularities through which he could escape.

He ran and his cloak flapped in the wind behind him. His boots kicked up the ash snow. He had a lot of territory to cover, but he could do it. He couldn't get caught or it would be the end.

He rounded the castle as fast as his legs would allow, remembering his days with Wonwoo in the forest. Despite being older than him, he was always like his brother.

Minghao had found him once when he got lost in the Yabbay Forest, going to collect medicinal plants. Wonwoo was 14 years old, he was only 9. The son of hunter parents had a scandalous wound on his right knee, but still he extended his hand to Minghao who thought wouldn't get out of there, to help him find his way to the town.

Minghao treated his wound and they became friends naturally. Minghao taught him about the medicinal plants found in the forest and how to treat wounds himself (although Wonwoo told him that he was not as good at it as he was). And the young hunter taught him to locate himself in the forest, how to climb trees with skill and of course, he taught him to defend himself.

They became very close friends. Wonwoo, a hunter and also, a soldier in King Seungcheol's army, always went with him after a fight and Minghao treated his wounds with care and took care of him.

They watched each other's backs, they had learned a lot from each other. They were family. Minghao was the only thing Wonwoo had left after the death of his parents. The only person next to him.

“But he has Junhui, and the prince will take care of him too, I trust he will” He thought, as he ran in his good physical condition for his time in the forest, accompanying Wonwoo on their free afternoons.

He observed a wall that wasn't so high and that he could climb, he just had to get to it. The guards followed him, but they had fallen far behind because of how fast he was (and how slow they got in the gold armor). He saw the trees behind the wall and knew that once he got there, they couldn't catch him.

Then, a golden figure appeared in front of him. But he was not a guard.

The reflection of a crown on the blond hair, the ostentatious clothes, standing on the black snow. The golden cape on his shoulders.

Minghao stopped at the sudden appearance as he turned around one of the areas adjacent to the castle. He had never seen him face to face, but he recognized King Jeonghan without a problem.

“Oh, look what we have here, a precious jewel, a treasure that was always well hidden, but now it appeared in front of me.”

Jeonghan saw the young man in front of him. Clearly beautiful. With bright brown eyes, honey-colored hair, delicate and androgynous features.

“Just as beautiful, as his extinct extirpation”

He didn't know how that boy had escaped into his own kingdom. Not even the mirror felt him.

Xu Minghao was his name, son of the apothecary. The town's doctor at his young age. Someone had protected him very well since his birth. They had hidden his true nature.

But the moment he stepped on his territory, in the castle, Jeonghan sense it right away. An unusual and powerful source of magic. Different from the ones he knew. What ran through the veins of that boy was a very special blood.

He grinned when he felt it and immediately went looking for him, before he escaped from his incompetent men. And now holding him close, he could feel it better.

An elf of flesh and blood. Or at least, the once extinct breed, throbbing in the blood of his arteries.

Minghao fell back in his footsteps, ready to surround Jeonghan and run, but the ashes beneath him changed constitution. It was no longer just blackish snow, but a viscous liquid that caught him in no time.

“You don't serve me dead, you're not like the others. You are better in my hands, not wasting your magic so... Particular.”

Healing magic, only that of an elf could be like this. And not only that, the key to maintaining his youthful beauty, after all, elves were immortal, and Minghao, despite not being a full elf, had that power within him.

Yes, he was definitely being wasted. Jeonghan would take care of him. Minghao looked at him with a frown.

“Was it your mother or your father? Whom did you get that inheritance from?”

The medic didn't understand the king's words, while he tried to get away. Jeonghan approached him.

“Or is it that you don't know? Elf.”

Minghao stopped and looked back at the king, surprised. He had a distant memory of his mother. The two of them, Minghao with a dying bird in his little hands.

“Hao, you can save him”

“But how, mother? He is very hurt, not even dad can help him” he asked her with tears. His mother, with the same brown eyes and unusually blond hair, smiled at him to calm him down.

“Because you are different. You and me, we are not like your father. And unlike other people, you can heal with those special hands of yours”

Minghao didn't understand, but his mother's hands caused his to lay one on top of the other on the bird's body.

“If you want to help, Minghao”

And he remembered that inside his heart he felt the urge to save that creature. He wanted it so hard that when he opened his hands, the little bird was fine, just a little disoriented.

Minghao didn't want to believe it. He never wanted to believe it.

“You're exaggerating, Wonwoo, it's just that my techniques are very good and that's it.”

He had told his friend after treating him when he had come down with smallpox and the hunter felt about to die. But with Minghao's care, he healed without a problem.

Wonwoo always insisted on his "magic healing hands".

And having the king in front of him with that malicious and satisfied smile, calling out to him in such a way, Minghao awoke the fear he had.

His mother had simply disappeared. He never knew what happened, his father never told him anything. One day he woke up and she was gone.

From that moment, when Minghao was only 12 years old, his father began to protect him even more. He thought it was natural after losing his mother. He did not want to believe that they were different from others. That he was more than just human.

“Too bad even you don't know. But I will teach you, Minghao. Come with me.” Jeonghan reached out to him.

The young man with brown eyes and honey hair stared at him, he had stopped fighting the stickiness that couldn't let him move.

“I don't need anything from you, yourMajesty.”

The king did not waver in his smile. “Just as stubborn as your dear friend the hunter. Only I'm not going to give you a chance to just walk away. You will be mine and there is no discussion.”

Minghao's eyes widened, Jeonghan moved closer to him and realized that he couldn't run away. The blond man placed his hand in front of his face and he knew nothing more.

When he reopened his eyes and woke up, he was in that cell. It took a while before a guard came in with him and put a pile of food in front of him, forcing him to practically finish it all.

But he didn't taste anything. He completely refused. The guard beat him several times, but he stood his ground and did not eat. He lay on that bed, staring up at the grim ceiling.

His next visit was less pleasant and the main reason why he felt so drained.

The king himself entered his cell, Minghao did not have time to do anything, as the guards immediately immobilized him. They were bigger and heavier than him, he couldn't fight them no matter how hard he tried.

Jeonghan walked over to him and grabbed him by the neck, raising his head to face him.

“I can't do anything more than this for now.” His free hand came back over his eyes and he was deprived of sight. Then he felt a tug inside him, as if something very intimate was being taken from him.

He didn't know how long it lasted like that, not seeing anything, Jeonghan's hot hand on his eyelids, his arms tightly held by the guards and feeling that they were taking something very important from him.

As if Jeonghan was sucking the life out of him.

No, he was actually absorbing his magic. The one he was not entirely aware of.

At some point Jeonghan let go of him and the guards dropped him to the ground, as he couldn't stand up. He felt that his body had lost all of his strength and energy. He was so weakened that it was even difficult for him to breathe normally.

“I hope you will accept my kind feast next time. As you can see, I need you strong, you still have a lot of magic left and I will not stop until it is all for me. That is why you cannot die yet, much less from starvation. Be gentle and accept what I give you. Maybe I'll bring a nice guy to make you feel a bit sorry to turn him down.”

He heard Jeonghan's voice from somewhere, the footsteps of the guards and their heavy armor. He couldn't answer, didn't even know he felt capable of getting up and going to bed. He stayed on the ground.

He heard them go and it took a while longer before he could regain some of his energy and climb onto the bed, sink under the covers, and rest what he could, because Jeonghan would surely come back again for him.

[ ❄ ]

Mingyu listened to him carefully, he had drawn Minghao against his chest, while the younger stroked the fabric of his shirt over his beating heart.

“So you're an...?”

Minghao closed his eyes. “I don't know, I mean, only part of me is, I'm still human like you.”

Mingyu kissed the crown of his caramel hair.

“I don't think so. If the king wants you so much, it is because you are very valuable. I always knew that you were special.” He held him tighter against him. He felt helpless. He knew of Jeonghan's power, he knew that it would be difficult to escape.

“But not impossible”

“Mingyu, I don't want to give that man more power, I don't... I'm very tired,” he said in a low voice and the dark-haired boy's heart broke.

“You won't, Hao, I won't allow it. Besides, I'm sure Wonwoo would never forgive me. If I have a chance to get you out, then I will. I'm not going to let him do anything bad to you.”

Minghao nodded. He had completely lost hope, but when he saw Mingyu's face he was. No, when he heard his voice again... Hope came back to him.

He had told him that Wonwoo had escaped, that he shouldn't worry that much about Junhui because he trusted the hunter to take care of him. And vice versa, Junhui would also watch over the hunter.

At least for that part, they had a hope outside.

“You must eat, Hao, your food will get cold.”

The younger looked at the tray set in front of the bed.

“You know I don't eat meat. The previous meal was almost entirely based on foods of animal origin. I could not…”

“I know that, love, I'll help you with that. I take care of finishing what has meat, but you must eat everything else, you cannot starve. Besides, I prepared it myself, it's good.”

Minghao looked up with bright eyes.

“You're right. You convinced me with that last one. It's like a very unusual date, right?”

Mingyu returned his gaze and smile.

“You have a strange concept of romanticism, did you know that?”

Minghao nodded, finally smiling.

“You've already told me, many times.”

Mingyu pressed him against his chest again and left another kiss, but this time on Minghao's forehead.

He took an oath to himself. That he would get Minghao out there somehow. For no reason in the world would he leave him in Jeonghan's hands.

He wasn't going to allow it.

He vowed to protect what he loved most in this world, even if it was against the king himself.

Chapter Text

Junhui woke up to the sound of knocking on the door. He startled and blinked several times, still leaning against his forearms. The soft fabric beneath him, the brown hair over the hunter's arm.

He raised his head and his eyes fell directly on Wonwoo and his peaceful expression. He still did not wake up and Jun felt the anguish again blossoming in his chest.

The knocks interrupted his flustered thought and he cleared his throat before speaking.

“Yes?”

“Prince! I'm Chan, Jihoon sent me to let you know that Seokmin will be arriving soon.”

With that message, Junhui stood up like a spring. He looked through the window and saw the white cloak covering the landscape. The sun had barely risen and he didn't know when he fell asleep, but he watched over Wonwoo at night, accompanied by the moon, entering through the window. Watching his chest rise and fall as a sign that he was still alive. Putting his hand over the other man's heart, to make sure it kept beating.

“I'm going!”

He took the winter cloak that Chan had brought in the night before along with his barely finished meal. His appetite was greatly reduced by all the emotions disturbing him, but it was his turn to stay strong and he finished it all in the end.

He took Wonwoo's hand and gave it one last squeeze before leaving.

“I'm going to help you, Wonwoo, you are going to wake up, I promise you.”

For some reason, he couldn't stay with that simple gesture. He felt his heart pounding, but he moved even closer to the unconscious hunter and placed a kiss on his cheek.

It was a gesture his mother gave him when he went to sleep, but it wasn't a good night kiss. It was a temporary goodbye kiss, hoping to leave in that small action a promise that he made to himself and it was to do everything in his power so that Wonwoo would return to his consciousness and recover from his injuries.

Without further delay and giving the hunter one last look, he approached the door and opened it. Chan looked directly at him for a few seconds and then looked away in a sheepish manner.

“Good morning, Chan, thanks for coming to let me know.”

“No need,” said the younger in a low voice. “I'm going to stay to take care of…”

“Wonwoo,” Junhui said with a soft smile.

“Wonwoo, yes. I'll take your place while you go with Seokmin.”

“Thank you very much, I entrust him to you, he's very important to me.” The prince ruffled the brown hair and Chan lowered his head, red cheeks. He only managed to nod.

Junhui walked down the hallway of the cabin until he reached the door and went out into the winter landscape. He put on his winter cloak without putting on the hood and walked down the simple snowy path to the largest cabin, where Soonyoung was waiting for him outside, with a cup of cinnamon tea that he immediately offered to warm up.

The young man accepted it with a grateful smile.

“Seokmin is always early- Since I've known him he has woken up with the sun and is very punctual.” Soonyoung also drank his own tea, looking out over the evergreen forests, the beautiful snow-covered pine trees, and their layered dark green leaves. 

“You said Joshua asked for a collateral and you needed an insurance too. Did Seokmin volunteer or...?”

Soonyoung looked at him with a very wide smile and his eyes almost disappeared.

“Joshua chose him. Between all of us, he pointed to Seokmin without hesitation. He didn't even look at the rest of us.”

Junhui took a sip and nodded. “Wow... How curious.”

“Yes, very curious.” Soonyoung raised his eyebrows and widened his eyes. “But it was no surprise, Seokmin was the one who watched over Joshua when he was injured and he stayed longer watching over him while he recovered. He did not refuse to go with him. And to this day he doesn't seem to want to go back.” Soonyoung told him, tapping his heel on the ground to brush the excess snow off his boot.

“Can he do it?” The young man continued to warm his hands with the steaming mug.

“Come back and stay with us?” The miner looked toward the pines and the path that lost between them. He pouted his lips. “Yes he can. It's obvious that we let Joshua stay in peace in the northern lands. And it is obvious that Joshua's protection is quite effective. Everyone fulfilled their part, and Seokmin as insurance was never necessary. We're all trusted men. Men off pacts. We keep our promises.”

Junhui nodded in understanding again.

“That's good,” he smiled and Soonyoung stared at him, to smile again.

“Oh prince, it really is good to have you back. Seokmin will be very glad to see you. More than anything because your smile is like a beautiful flower sticking out of the snow. Pure, beautiful and strong.”

Junhui felt his cheeks start to heat up with embarrassment. But his chest felt full when he heard those words, especially because the "strong" part was not expected.

Was he strong? According to Jeonghan he was a useless kid. In his view of himself he was too weak to ensure his own safety. If he compared himself to Wonwoo, a hunter with great strength, agility and speed, combat skills and endurance...

What kind of strength did Jun possess?

“So it's Seokmin's decision to stay with Joshua?” He decided to change the subject and hide his red cheeks that contrasted against his pale skin with the cup of tea in one last sip.

Soonyoung pouted his lips again, it was more of a nod.

“Of course, at the end of the day, you always stay where your heart keeps you... An example is me, who stayed here,” he jerked his thumb over his shoulder toward the large cabin.

“For that reason, prince, you don't want to get away from that man and you want to save him with such might”

Junhui blinked, analyzing Soonyoung's words and then smiled tenderly in understanding.

“Jihoon told me that you came to this cabin together to take care of Hansol and Chan.”

The miner looked at him in surprise, but then lowered his gaze and smiled fondly. The smile that a person has when thinking of a loved one, or someone special.

“That's how it is. And like you can intuit, that's why Seokmin stayed there. We cannot hold him back, he has already found his true home.”

And Junhui understood. He was delighted to hear those words, to learn of the nature of Seokmin and Joshua's relationship and their reasons for staying together.

But he couldn't help but feel a longing.

“When will I find my home...?”

The prince without family. The prince without a castle. The prince without his kingdom. The prince... That only had a hunter by his side.

He thought again of Wonwoo and that he needed to save him. He wouldn't waste time on longing, when he had a mission on hand: A promise to keep.

They walked a little further, under the front of the cabin where there was a wooden bench similar to the one he'd seen in the dining room.

Jun conceived the image of the miners sitting face to face, with a pleasant meal and with the forest surrounding them, the gentle breeze. Hansol serving the dishes that were passed from hand to hand, Jihoon serving the drinks, Chan and Soonyoung laughing at a joke from the oldest in which the youngest's laugh rose above the others.

And he could perfectly imagine Seungkwan fitting in with them. Joking, laughing, being supportive.

But Jeonghan had taken all that away from him. His family.

His chance to be happy.

He pushed those thoughts away; he couldn't stay thinking about that for Soonyoung took his fingers to his mouth and gave a long whistle. Then he raised his right arm and began to move it from side to side.

“Seok!”

Junhui looked in the same direction in which the older was heading and saw a man with a hat that shone with the rays of the sun that seemed to impose on the winter landscape.

He was riding a pinto horse and was approaching through the path between the trees.

“Soon!”

The horse trotted towards them and Junhui got a better look at the man up close. The brown hair sticking out of his hat contrasted with his tan skin.

The equine stopped and the man in the winter cloak got down. He gave them a smile that Junhui found very bright and up close he could see some freckles on his face. He was shining a lot. He had leather gloves and more than a miner, he looked like a knight with his boots and the sword that Junhui could see resting in his hip, on the side where the cape revealed his clothing.

Both miners greeted each other with a hug.

“It's nice to have your ass back, but it won't be for long," Soonyoung said as he patted Seokmin on the back. "You have to help the prince.”

They separated and Seokmin looked at him without understanding. Then his dark eyes observed Junhui intently for the first time and he opened them in surprise.

“The prince? Prince... Junhui?”

The aforementioned nodded timidly. Then Seokmin's smile brightened even more, if that was possible.

“I can't believe it ... Well, you turned into a very handsome young man, I'm not going to lie!” He said animatedly, gesturing towards the younger and taking off his hat in a repeated bow.

Jun didn't understand why everyone commented on his beauty. Was he really that beautiful as they said?

“Nice to meet you and excuse me for I would like to ask you a favor…”

Seokmin looked back at Soonyoung, with both eyebrows raised.

“Take him to Joshua.”

The expression wavered for a moment, as if he was thinking about the idea.

“Tell me his story first,” he smiled softly.

“Seok, you see, the prince wants you to take him to Joshua because it's an emergency and only he can help him. So as soon as possible…” Soonyoung explained.

Seokmin's lips molded into an "o" and he nodded. “I see. In that case we have to go as soon as possible.”

“Don't be suspicious, Seokmin.” Soonyoung looked up at him, raising his eyebrows and nudging him playfully. “I know you want Joshua just for yourself.”

The other adult laughed and shook his head several times, embarrassed.

“It's not that, I don't distrust the prince at all, just seeing him makes his purity evident. I'm sure Joshua will be delighted to meet him.” Seokmin looked at Junhui with warm eyes and the prince smiled sheepishly. “It's just that I wanted to see the boys. But that can wait.”

“I am very grateful.” Junhui bowed his head cordially and heard Seokmin's pleasant laugh.

“I am honored, Prince.” Jun looked up at him and the smile the other man gave him was fond. “Really, I'd never see the day when-

But he broke off, looking at Soonyoung with a more serious gesture all of a sudden. The other miner seemed to understand something that Junhui did not.

“Anyway, we'd better hurry, the trip isn't short as one might think” he returned to his smile, but this time it was softer. Junhui nodded, not asking anything. Soonyoung for his part touched his shoulder lightly.

“I'll bring Lilili, I'm sure she'll be delighted to ride again, especially to see D.K, her old friend.”

The young man tilted his head in confusion and Soonyoung laughed outright.

“Lilili is a very stubborn mare who always wants to be riding, very hyperactive,” he explained. And then he pointed to the horse that lay quietly beside Seokmin, which he'd arrived on. “And he is D.K, who by the way, also fell in love with Joshua and that's why he went along Seokmin with him.”

The taller miner tapped Soonyoung on the arm.

“Stop being so dramatic. Joshua sends you his regards, by the way, he says he's working on investigating a way to... You know, the mines.” He gestured with his hands, again looking at Soonyoung in a way that only he understood, but that Junhui did not.

“Okay, say hi from us too and thank you in advance. I'll go for Lilili, I won't be long.”

He made a military-style farewell and retired. They waited for him, still outside the cabin, with a clear sky to travel, in appreciative silence.

And as he promised, Soonyoung returned right away, with one hand on the end of a rope and a beautiful white mare following closely behind. Junhui approached her and patted her gently. The equine immediately lowered her head towards him.

“Woah, she likes you. But I'm not surprised,” Soonyoung exclaimed, grinning widely.

Junhui kept stroking the mare and smiled. As a child, there were many horses in the castle stable, which he visited almost daily. They seemed amazing to him and very capable animals. As well as intelligent and with good instinct.

“Very well, prince.” Seokmin eased himself back onto D.K and took the reins. “Will you accompany me?”

Junhui looked at him for a few moments with his big eyes and then he nodded shyly but decisively. Soonyoung helped him get on the mare that he already had the saddle. He adjusted his winter cloak and looked at the miner who smiled at him from below.

“Joshua is a good man, I'm sure he will help you and he will like you, after all, it is impossible that someone does not like you.”

Junhui became embarrassed again. He really didn't understand what was in him for all of them to say those things.

“I'm just a plain and useless boy”

“Thanks for everything, Soonyoung. Take care of Wonwoo for me, please.”

“Aye, aye, captain, he will be safe in our hands.”

Junhui sighed in relief, but not quite. He wouldn't stop feeling that unease until he saw Wonwoo open-eyed, the dark orbs staring back at him. Conscious and above all, alive.

“See ya Soon, say hello to the rest,” Seokmin said, putting his hat back on and lowering the brim in farewell. “Ready?” He raised an eyebrow at the prince who nodded vehemently.

With that last, he herded the horse and Junhui followed closely, entrusting Wonwoo to those miners, to go to the northern lands to get help with the intention of seeing him awaken again.

❄❄❄

The trees around, the calm trot of the horses leaving their tracks on the snow road. The sky was clear and cloudless. The weather was cold, but it could be tolerated.

Junhui followed Seokmin closely. The other man, with his hat and perpetual smile, from time to time would turn to make a comment about the path, like that in spring the flowers of all colors seemed to be chaperones and that the birds flew near his head when he passed by.

The young prince listened to him attentively and could imagine everything the older man told him. He didn't know much of the outside world, but the little he saw was more than enough to amaze him.

He wondered if Wonwoo, with his immense knowledge of the forest, would be equally fascinated in this place different from Yabbay Forest.

Maybe he would smile.

And Jun smiled at the idea.

“From now on it will get colder and maybe snow will fall, but once we enter Joshua's territory, you will see the advantages of possessing a little magic,” Seokmin commented.

He seemed very calm, as if no problem could beset them. And Jun thought that he trusted Joshua so much that he had such faith in protecting him. Although of course, Seokmin had a sword and the only reason for carrying something like that was because he knew how to use it.

Maybe it was his own paranoia or that the last few days he was very stressed due to the constant attacks and surprises of Jeonghan. But he tried to convince himself that he was safe there. For the moment.

As Seokmin said, later down the road the temperature dropped a few degrees more and he had to pull on the hood of his winter cloak when it started to snow gently. Some flakes accumulated on Seokmin's hat.

The wind was increasing and they had to go slower because the snow was more abundant there. So much that Lilili jumped several times to be able to trot, purposely seeking to sink into the snow.

Seokmin, who had D.K, a calmer horse, saw the mare and prince having fun in the deeper snow areas.

Until the mare, quite hyperactive, trotted a little deviated from the path they had followed and Junhui couldn't control her because she seemed to want to go to a specific place.

He heard Seokmin's whistle so they wouldn't get too far from him, but Lilili seemed not to listen either the miner or the prince who was riding on her.

Worried and not knowing what to do, before being able to do something, the white mare stopped in front of a tree, with her head bowed, it seemed that she was inspecting something.

“What is it, Lilili?” Junhui craned his neck to see, but didn't visualize anything. Until he heard it. A high-pitched sound. A barely perceptible chirp.

The young man jumped off the mare and approached to see what she was sniffing curiously.

A small bird, barely a few days old, with few feathers and closed eyes, wept incessantly. With a heavy heart, Junhui knelt down and gently took the little bird in his hands to give it some warmth.

“Oh, poor creature, it must have fallen out of the nest.”

Junhui raised his head to search for a nest in the leafless branches of the tree, while he protected the bird in his cupped hands. How had he survived so long? And Lilili had found it.

“You're very perceptive, huh?” he commented to the mare who brought her head close to him and hit him lightly to be caressed. Junhui laughed softly, but kept searching in anguish for the nest from which the bird would've fallen.

“Prince Junhui!” He heard Seokmin's voice and D.K trotting behind him.

“Prince Jun- Oh, there you are!”

Seokmin came to his side and got off the horse to approach the young man with a worried gesture, looking at him from head to toe, looking for any wound or something out of place, with one hand on the handle of the sword in case he needed to protect the prince or if there was some danger.

But seeing Junhui safe and sound, with a calm, if slightly downcast expression, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Good thing I found you. Although these lands are safe, it's better not to push our luck.”

Junhui nodded with lowered brows.

“Yes, sorry, I didn't want to deviate, but Lilili seemed determined to find this little friend.” Jun brought his hands to Seokmin and separated them slightly so that he could see the little bird. The miner heard the poor animal weeping in dismay.

“Poor birdy.”

The prince nodded. “I'm looking for a nest, but I can't see it,” he said in a disconsolated tone and Seokmin smiled softly at him, putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Hey, it may not be safe to return it to the nest, it may fall again.”

Jun's eyes gleamed, feeling his throat closing as he felt empathy for the poor unfortunate creature. He didn't want to leave the little bird to fate, but he didn't know what to do.

“It doesn't look hurt, it's just abandoned.”

That made Junhui feel more sadness within himself. Seokmin noticed his downcast expression and gave him a squeeze on the shoulder.

“Joshua can help. Let's take it with him. He especially loves birds and he has an aviary where he takes care of them, because... Well, Joshua doesn't like the cold and you'll see why the birds follow him a lot. Surely he will take care that the little one survives.”

That made Jun look up and smile hopefully.

“Really?” He asked in a high-pitched voice and Seokmin nodded.

“My Joshua- Huh! I mean, Joshua, he's pretty good at what he does.” He laughed nervously and Junhui smiled.

“I understand. I will be indebted to Joshua for I will ask him a lot.”

Seokmin denied, still smiling. 

“He's not that kind of person. Don't worry about it, prince.” Then he reached a hand out to him. “Come on, we're nowhere near and we'd better do it before more snow falls or a storm hits us.”

Junhui nodded and let Seokmin help him onto the mare while he took care of the lonely bird. The miner then got on his horse and herded him. Again, Jun followed closely, wondering what Joshua would look like and what kind of man he was, from the wonders he'd heard from him.

They continued advancing along the path, now white, for a while, in silence, since the cold was greater and they didn't want to breathe the icy air through their mouths. They pulled up their hoods and the horses trotted faster to warm up their muscles and not feel so cold.

Until at one point, Seokmin diverted them from the path and they entered between the trees. Coincidentally, in that area it did not snow, in fact, there was not even a light layer of snow. Any. Just grass, when they passed the evergreen trees and came to a sunlit clearing that minutes before had been covered by falling snow.

Junhui found it curious, it was like finding an oasis in the desert. That sunny clearing surrounded by sentinel trees, clear green grass.

The equines shook off the snow and Seokmin got off his. Junhui did the same and looked at that place with curiosity, turning in circles when he felt that he was in another world.

“And we haven't entered Joshua's territory yet, this is just the gate. Or the corridor before the door, if you want to put it more literally,” Seokmin commented, removing the glove from his right hand and watching the prince's reaction with amusement.

“It doesn't feel like it's winter,” Junhui said, still holding the bird protectively against his chest.

“As I mentioned earlier, Joshua doesn't like the cold.”

Junhui paused for a few moments. That sounded like something familiar to him. It resonated in a certain way in his unconscious mind. In the memories that arose and he had the vision of the castle always warm even in the coldest of winter. All thanks to Jeonghan's magic.

“Because the king doesn't like the cold”, he heard one of the servants say.

He felt a chill, but didn't have a chance to dig deeper because something caught his eye.

Seokmin opened and closed his hand several times, the one without the glove, trying to gain some warmth and motility in the joints frozen by the cold they had left behind.

“Shua,” Seokmin spoke softly in a whisper, looking down at his hand in which a seal that had the shape of a sun appeared and suddenly took on a golden glow. Junhui was shocked. He had never seen magic directly, but on the back of the miner's hand, that symbol glowed. “Ready.”

He placed his hand on the bark of the nearest tree and Jun's surprise only increased when the trunk began to acquire a pattern of golden lights that extended from where Seokmin's hand touched it, as if they were veins of gold.

Then, as if a veil were being lifted, around the clearing, the forest that seemed to be in the middle of spring expanded.

The ragged snow disappeared alongside its velvety-leaved trees, giving way to lighter, greener lawns, birds singing in the pleasant, warm weather.

“We're in Joshua's territory now. If the miners' forest is protected, you cannot imagine the protection here. Only Joshua and I can get in and out. And well, you of course, since you're coming with me,” Seokmin explained, as he put the glove back on.

Junhui smiled widely, fascinated to witness magic in such a way.

“From here we go on foot, let the horses walk around the place and be free. They can graze without problems.”

Seokmin approached the pinto horse and took the bag that he hung from the saddle, to carry it over his shoulder and cross it over his chest. Then he reached forward to signal the prince to walk ahead.

Junhui nodded and was aware that there was another path ahead of them that they could follow without getting lost. It was impossible, because it was full of flowers on the sides, placed in asymptotic lines to guide the way.

The prince, who missed spring and its wonders, gazed in amazement at that forest in which he forgot they were on cold winter days. It was like having entered another reality. He took off his winter cloak and carried it on his forearm, walking in the warm sun, caring for the little bird that had stopped chirping and seemed very calm in his hands now.

“How does he do that?” Asked the young man, looking at the clouds like little sheep, finding various shapes in them.

“I really don't know. I'll never understand magic, no matter how much Joshua explains it to me. I'm a fool, but you prince seem to be someone very intelligent, and if you ask him, surely Joshua will answer you and you'll understand him without problem.”

Junhui laughed softly. “I don't think you're a fool.”

But Seokmin hit softly with his knuckles on the side of his head and stuck out his tongue. Junhui laughed louder.

In a short time following the path, Jun could see a large cabin, surrounded by more flowers, and above all, the birds that perched on the branches of the trees. Seokmin was right, they seemed to be very comfortable there. There were many species, even some he did not recognize.

The miner went ahead of him and opened the door, taking off his hat and brushing off the trail of remaining snow before entering when he realized that he'd forgotten. Then he walked in and Junhui followed closely behind.

The cabin was warmer and more spacious from the inside. There was a living room with a fireplace and shelves of books. It all seemed very normal. They kept walking until they entered a room where there was a sweet smell of cinnamon coming from.

“Seokmin, you came back! And this time you did not forget to remove the snow before entering. Didn't your miners complain about the fact that I have you all to myself again?”

Junhui heard a very soft male voice as he entered the room, where there were clotheslines with many leaves upside down and flowers on the tables. Then he saw the back of a dark-haired man who seemed to be working at a table where there was a crucible and a pot on the fire, which he stirred.

“Soonyoung, as always. He says hello and thanks you for the mine, by the way.” Junhui watched as Seokmin put his hat on one of the tables where there were flowers and approached the man from behind, but stopped midway and looked at Jun, as if he had suddenly remembered that he arrived with him.

Neither of them could say anything, because Joshua turned suddenly, looking directly at the prince with a smile.

“And are you going to introduce me to the fine gentleman you brought with you?”

Jun felt heat on his cheeks when he saw Joshua for the first time. The fine gentleman should be him, with his deer eyes and warm gaze, with his soft features and his smile and voice like honey. And still, he had a strong constitution that wouldn't have to envy Wonwoo anything.

However, Joshua had a very elegant demeanor about him that in a way intimidated him. Although not in a bad manner.

“Ah! Well, you see, he is Junhui. He's not just anyone... he is a prince. Our prince,” Seokmin said, scratching the back of his neck nervously as he introduced the young man.

Joshua observed Junhui for a few moments.

“The Prince of Diamant,” he stated suddenly. “I thought the royal family had…” Seokmin, and Junhui especially, waited for him to finish the sentence, but he didn't, instead he just nodded thoughtfully. “Then it is my honor to meet you, prince. Although I was not born in Diamant I am aware that this forest is still your territory, in that case, you are clearly my prince as well.”

Joshua bowed and Junhui's shyness was greater. 

He shook his head several times in denial. “No, not at all, I don't…”

Joshua raised an eyebrow and then smiled again. Junhui fell silent, his cheeks red.

“And to what do I owe the honor of your visit, Prince?”

Seokmin and Jun looked at each other. The miner nodded and leaned back on a table. So Junhui had to explain.

“Jihoon and Soonyoung told me about you and that you would be able to help me. So I apologize in advance for I have come to ask you for a favor.”

Joshua was paying attention to him and nodding at his words.

“Don't talk to me so formally, prince. And don't worry, I have no problem helping.” His eyes fell to the young man's closed hands. “I guess it doesn't exactly have to do with the poor newborn bird you have there.” 

Jun was shocked and then smiled awkwardly, looking down in embarrassment.

“That would be another favor, sorry.”

“You don't have to apologize for anything." Joshua laughed in good faith. “A very pure boy that you are. Like the snow itself…” He said that last in a low voice, so none of those present heard him. “Of course I will help the sparrow, but I would like to know the main reason for coming to me. I'm flattered that Soonyoung and Jihoon are so confident in my abilities.”

Seokmin snorted from his spot and crossed his arms. “That's because you're amazing, obviously.”

Joshua turned to the miner and gave him a different smile from the others and Jun felt the warmth in his gaze. He felt his heart pound as he recognized something he had seldom seen.

“Anyway, I would like to know how I can help Junhui.” The wizard looked back at him and Jun nodded.

“It's because of Wonwoo, he's... An important person to me and he was horribly hurt. He can't wake up and I don't want him to-

He broke off, noticing the stinging of tears that threatened to flow. Joshua nodded in understanding.

“He needs to be healed, I see.” Joshua put a thoughtful hand to his chin. “My magic is not especially healing. But…” Then he looked at Junhui analytically. It was strange. As if he saw something in him or knew something about his person that the prince did not know.

“But I know how we can help him. Or rather, how you can help him, prince.”

“Me?” Jun pointed to himself, surprised. How could he help Wonwoo? He was a simple man without power or talent in anything special.

“That's how it is.” Joshua walked to face him and Jun seemed to see something familiar on his face that he couldn't pinpoint exactly.

Joshua looked back at Seokmin and the miner raised an eyebrow, apparently he didn't understand what was happening either.

Afterwards, the wizard clasped both hands on his chest, as if he were holding back some kind of emotion.

“Tell me, prince, have you ever seen a real unicorn?”

Chapter Text

Unicorn.

Junhui blinked several times without understanding the question.

His mother had told him about unicorns, which were majestic creatures with magic, that they had great power, but for that reason they were very distrustful and meeting them was very difficult. Even more so to approach them in case of having the fortune (or bad fortune) of being in front of one.

“No... I've never seen a unicorn. As I understand it, it is not an easy thing to find them.”

Joshua's smile was wide.

“It's true, unicorns are difficult creatures to find. They're very rare and they're all too wary. They don't like humans, with great reason. There was a time when there was a hunt for them and many perished because of the human's ambition to use their magical properties at the cost of their death,” Joshua commented, as he took some of the dried flowers from the ropelines.

“Are they real?” Seokmin asked, raising both eyebrows in surprise. “I mean, we've all heard of them at one time or another, but no one has seen any. At least no miner believed Wonho when he said that he saw one in the forest, but that he left so fast as soon as the unicorn saw him. In the end we believed that he saw a horse and he imagined the horn.”

Joshua turned to him and laughed softly, shaking his head.

“Oh, but of course unicorns exist. I'm sure Wonho saw a real one, because they always run away from men... Although there are certain exceptions.”

The older looked at Junhui again, with eyes that knew very well something that he did not. Joshua had wise eyes, so it seemed to the prince.

Seokmin put his hands on his hips and looked at him curiously.

“Exceptions?”

Joshua walked over to the miner and placed a hand on his chest, gently, as he continued to smile.

“There are always exceptions. Absolutisms do not exist. Not even at the poles that we want to define as good and bad. There is no absolute badness, there is no complete goodness, there is always a nuance that comes out of those colors that we believe are total.”

Seokmin blinked, staring into Joshua's eyes for a few seconds. Then he shrugged.

“Well, you're the one using the brain here, I'm just bringing the firewood.” He laughed openly and looked at Jun who smiled at the miner's good humor. “So what is the exception?”

Joshua looked closely at Junhui again.

“Prince, are you a virgin?”

The question was too sudden and sounded very scandalous in the ears of the young man who blushed up to his ears, just like Seokmin who was not expecting such a thing. Joshua had asked too calmly and raised an eyebrow at the rowdy reaction of the other two men.

“We're all adults here,” he laughed softly, waving his hands around the room. “There's no need to be shy, right, Seok?”

The miner began to babble incoherently and Jun was staring at his boots with his face burning.

“Yes, I am a virgin…” The prince replied sheepishly, barely a whisper, but Joshua heard him. It was true that he had never done anything related to the sexual aspect, more than anything because he didn't have time to think about it and there was no one with whom he could experiment, after all he'd been locked in his room as a servant of the king and he never had the opportunity to fall in love with someone to give up such an intimate part of himself. So Junhui remained innocent in that area.

“Then you meet all the requirements! That is clear considering that you have not killed any person with your own hands.”

Junhui raised his head in alarm and shook it several times. The very idea scared him. He would never be capable of something like that. He appreciated the life of all creatures as a gift that should never be taken away. He couldn't imagine himself in a situation where he took the life of someone else.

The older’s gesture suddenly became very serious.

“Very well, then I'm not mistaken about you. You really are like the immaculate snow. You see, and before you ask me —he pointed at them with his index finger with a smile— unicorns are really very suspicious creatures because humans are quite... Tricksters.” Joshua walked over to the pot and watched the contents as they boiled. “Humans are the only creatures that all others must fear. More if they possess magic and use it improperly…” His gesture darkened because he seemed to remember something specific. Or someone.

Junhui thought of Jeonghan and all the evil that he had brought into his kingdom and his people by using his magic at his whim, with selfishness and little empathy for others.

Seokmin crossed his arms and listened carefully. Joshua took one of the flowers from the table and began gently plucking the petals from a daisy, using small tweezers.

“Still, we cannot define all of humanity by a few withered and derailed. Unicorns can account for it, after all, despite fearing and mistrusting most humans, there is an exception. Certain people who may approach them and borrow a little of their magic.”

Junhui was also listening intently, curious at the older's words. Joshua tossed the petals into the pot and then took another white daisy, holding it up in front of him for all to see it.

“Those who have an innocent body, a gentle and kind personality, hands free from sin stains... Those who are more pure of heart.”

He shifted his gaze from the white flower to Junhui and smiled fondly.

“Just like you, Prince Junhui.”

The young man brought a hand to his chest. To his beating heart.

Was it true? Was he pure? All he wanted in this world was to find peace for others, protect the people of Jeonghan and for the miners to recover their mines without being prevented by the king to take advantage of the wealth that nature gave them, to recover their people without having to hide more.

All he wanted was...

“Wonwoo”

He looked at Joshua with a determined frown and bright eyes.

“Does that mean I can ask a unicorn for help to save Wonwoo's life?”

Joshua nodded softly.

“It sounds easier than it really is, in the end only you will be able to prove your purity towards the unicorn and above all, asking for help doesn't mean that they will give it to you, so you must trust your essence and your heart to that the unicorn lent you its help... Since their healing magic is in their blood and in their horns.”

Junhui's eyes widened in surprise.

“In their blood? Will I have to hurt it...?” He asked in horror, feeling a little less capable of accomplishing the task.

Joshua looked at him in amazement and then chuckled again, pleasantly.

“Definitely I have no doubt, I'm sure they will help you. If I had doubts before, they have been clarified at this moment.”

However, Junhui was still distraught. “I don't want to have to hurt any creature, no matter how much I want to save Wonwoo…”

But Joshua quickly denied, reassuring the younger.

“It is not necessary to kill him. Not even I would dare to do such a thing and I am not pure of heart.”

Seokmin frowned and Junhui didn't understand why Joshua was saying that, with a dejected face, with that now saddened smile of his.

“All you have to do is extract some of its blood and I will prepare the medicine that will awaken your hunter.”

He opened the palm of his hand and an empty syringe appeared. Junhui didn't know if he was more astonished that the object appeared out of nowhere or that Joshua knew that Wonwoo was a hunter when he never mentioned it to him. He guessed that magic worked in unknown ways and understood what Seokmin was referring to earlier, he couldn't quite understand how it worked.

“I see... I understand. So I really don't have to hurt it.”

“No, you don't have to worry.” Joshua smiled gently at him again. “I'm sure the unicorn wouldn't mind helping you, apart from the fact that you have a gift with animals and-

The wizard interrupted himself and frowned, as if he was about to say something he shouldn't have. He shook his head and turned to put the entire flower in the pot, looking at the contents with a troubled expression.

“It's nothing.”

Junhui and Seokmin looked at each other without understanding, the latter even shrugged, so they let it pass.

“And where can I find a unicorn?” Junhui looked at the syringe he would use, which Joshua had placed on a table to his right, where there were jars of different spices. Would he really be able to get one of those wonderful creatures to help him?

“In this forest, but outside of my restricted zone.” Joshua was still preparing the potion. “I'm sure you won't have a problem finding it, because unicorns love sweet things.” The wizard poured honey into the preparation and laughed merrily, “and it is a coincidence that you are quite sweet, prince.”

He looked back over his shoulder and winked at Junhui who got too embarrassed and wanted to hide somewhere.

“I do not-

“Shua! Don't embarrass the majesty anymore, please.” Seokmin scolded him, pouting.

“Oh, Seok, don't be jealous, for me you are more than a sweet, you are the whole desse-

“There are children present!” Seokmin waved his hands awkwardly and Joshua's laughter filled the room, as did the sweet scent of whatever he was preparing.

Junhui smiled warmly upon seeing the two men's relationship. He now understood what his mining friends were referring to. He was glad that Seokmin had found his true home.

Would he be able to find one someday? Of being the heir to his kingdom and taking care of everyone? To have a relationship similar to theirs?

He could only wonder ...

“Think of Wonwoo Jun, that's the important thing!”

His thoughts went back to the main reason he had gone there.

“Joshua, I will find the unicorn and ask for its help. Please tell me about it.”

Both olders looked in the prince's direction upon noticing his determination. Like a thorny white rose that withstands the heaviest snow, towering over it.

Beautiful, pure and strong.

“Of course. We will accompany you to look for it, but only you will be able to approach it, which I do not doubt. I repeat, you have a gift.”

Joshua looked at him that way again, like he knew something he didn't, but it was very fleeting.

The prince nodded. “I'll do it.”

“Very well, the perfume is almost ready.” Joshua turned and stirred the contents of the pot that had taken on a mellifluous color.

“Perfume?” Seokmin asked, leaning over to see the contents over Joshua's shoulder.

“Yes, Junhui will put it on himself, I already said that unicorns love sweet things, this will make it easy for us to find one.. Or rather, for one to find us.”

“Have you been preparing it since before Junhui arrived?” Seokmin asked again, this time astonished as was the prince.

Joshua stopped smiling, but it wasn't a serious gesture in a bad way, just plain serious. He kept stirring the pot with eyes that seemed fixed on nothing in particular. He looked thoughtful.

“Yes, even before he entered my protected area. After all, from the moment he stepped foot in the forest, I could feel him.”

[ ❆❆❆ ]

They went out on their horses. Seokmin in D.K, Joshua on his black horse S.coups, and Junhui in Lilili.

After the perfume was doused (which was quite nice and sweet, not too much) and Joshua helped the newborn sparrow, they went out riding into the woods, outside the wizard's area, in search of the unicorn.

Leaving the enchanted space by Joshua's protection, the cold returned. All three of them had on their winter capes, Seokmin had put on his hat again.

The horses trotted slowly through the trees, snow under their hooves.

Junhui followed the two older ones, not knowing exactly how to look for the unicorn, but keeping a watchful eye at all times.

The wind had died down, so the cold was tolerable.

Joshua stepped ahead of them, leading the way, suddenly seeming to know where to go. His horse trotted faster, and the rest followed with the same intensity.

“Did you see something, Shua?!” Seokmin asked between the sound of the horses and the speed with which they were moving now, leaning forward.

Junhui couldn't see anything, but he thought that Joshua could sense the unicorn somehow. Maybe it was a  magical gift he had, feeling others.

After all, he said that he could sense Junhui when he entered his territory.

Suddenly, Joshua stopped, not before reaching out an arm to signal them to pause as well.

The horses slowed to a complete stop. The wizard pulled back his hood and climbed down from his black equine, removing his gloves and rubbing his hands together.

Seokmin got off as well, followed by Junhui, who looked curiously at where they were. They were fortunate that it was still late afternoon and that the pale light of the winter sky was still there, although it was a darker gray, for night would not be long in coming.

Searching at night wouldn't be that easy and Junhui didn't want to wait any longer, because Wonwoo's life was in danger. The sooner he could help him, the better.

“Prince, Seokmin and I will stay here, come.”

Junhui, still wearing his hood, nodded shyly and approached Joshua who asked him to extend his hand. He did so, palm up, where the older one placed the empty syringe.

“I can feel a trace of magic around here, there is a frozen lake ahead-

“Feel the magic?” So his theory wasn't wrong. But one aspect failed him. Joshua nodded.

“Yes, I can feel the magic of creatures and human beings. It's a strange ability that not many possess, but I suppose it was inherited to me.” He laughed dryly. “Although of course... It is not very sharp for everyone.” His expression turned strangely grim but then he changed it, regaining his serene face and stared at Junhui, putting a hand on his shoulder to reassure him.

“If all goes well, all you have to do is go for a walk around the lake, don't go into it for safety, okay?” Junhui nodded. “All right, just walk around and the unicorn will be attracted to you. They are certainly curious, especially when they meet a human like you. I think that in their vision, someone like that is as rare as snow in summer, or an exotic flower. Or as they are for us.”

Jun still didn't understand that. Why would he be so special?

He felt something strange in his stomach. A pang of understanding born deep within his being. Earlier, Joshua had told him that he could feel the magic of creatures and people, so...?

“And how will he get the blood?” Seokmin approached the two of them.

“Well, if he asks, I'm sure the unicorn will want to help him.”

“And how will I know that he will let me do it? Besides, I don't want to hurt him unnecessarily…” he said looking at his boots with a certain air of anguish.

Joshua patted him on the shoulder

“Don't worry, you'll know and you won't hurt him. I mean, you only need to extract a little blood and your hands are very gentle.”

“Not as gentle as Minghao's…”

The thought of the medic and Wonwoo's friend also caused him a pang of concern. For some reason he felt agitated inside.

Still, he put his doubts aside and held the syringe tightly. He didn't have to remember that what he would do needed all of his concentration. Get unicorn blood... he never imagined something like this.

After a reassuring smile from the two olders, the prince started to walk towards where the frozen lake was, the calm surface a dark blue in the areas where it was not covered by snow.

He walked around, trying not to get close to the water as Joshua had instructed him, just taking careful steps around, in the thick snow that covered the vegetation. The trees surrounding everything, he could not see between them, only admire the peaceful landscape.

For a moment he felt like the only human in existence. He felt like he was in a very vivid dream. A few days before he had been in a small room like a prison, with just a window with bars that allowed him only to look up at the sky.

Now he was on the outside, looking for a creature that he believed only belonged to tales and myths of the people to keep the fantasy in the world.

Everything seemed to be so different to him now.

The way he had to be cautious when supporting his leg that had been injured in escaping, as he was still recovering, although he could move quite well. Thanks to Minghao's care and the time he rested at the miners' house, he felt better.

He looked for a place to wait and found a rock on which he could sit to admire the calm lake, its surface reflecting a uniform sky. The coniferous forest around, the calm passage of snow, in flakes that began to fall so slowly that it hardly seemed that it was snowing.

Junhui sat up and rubbed his hands together as he blew his warm breath onto the skin already cold from staying outside. He took the syringe out of his pocket and looked at it.

Would he really be able to get some unicorn blood? To begin with, would a unicorn actually approach him?

Joshua trusted that it would happen, because he said he was pure. Junhui simply didn't understand why.

Was it because he was a virgin? Or because he had not killed or harmed another creature? Or was it his heart that confirmed that purity?

He couldn't know it, but if it helped to awaken Wonwoo, he must believe in it with all his conviction.

He closed his eyes and waited. Nothing happened.

He fretted with every minute that passed. The flakes were beginning to fall faster, filling even the frozen lake with a soft white coat.

Junhui sighed and an idea came to him. His mother had told him that there was no good creature in this world who didn't like music.

Joshua hadn't commented on it, but he supposed unicorns wouldn't be enemies of a little lullaby.

He took a breath into his lungs, it came cold to them, but he didn't care.

He began with a humming, a soft melody that quickly flooded the space where he was, because the only sound present was his.

His voice was as soft as silk gliding over skin, like the gentle breeze causing a dance on the white petals of the lily.

The prince sang a childhood song that he remembered from his happy memories. A song that told a tale of the moon and the night. Of eternal lovers who from time to time could come down to earth to meet each other.

He closed his eyes again and concentrated. Many things were projected behind his eyelids.

His mother on the side of the bed, singing for him with the magnificent voice she had inherited to him. The garden through which he ran as a child, spreading his arms to the night and speaking to the moon as if she could hear him.

An owl guiding him out. A fox leading his way.

And finally, a man with dark brown hair and sharp features, a strong body and great skill. With ebony eyes and penetrating gaze. Of a broad back in front to protect him, of strong arms that surrounded and supported him like no one had ever done before.

Wonwoo's face and his name aloud. A tear escaped Jun.

And when he opened his eyes, he was so shocked that he almost fell off the rock backwards.

In front of him, a few meters away, was the visitor who was waiting.

A unicorn larger than an ordinary equine and majestic like no other living being. Fur that could be as white as snow, but with hair that appeared to be pure silver. And his horn shone like a diamond.

The prince brought his hands to his mouth to hide his amazement.

“It's a real unicorn!” he could only think.

He felt suddenly nervous. He'd heard many things, but he didn't know how to react. Joshua asked him to trust himself, so he regained his composure and stood up as cautiously as he could.

What he least wanted was to take a wrong step and appear clumsy in front of such a creature.

He stood up and blew out his breath gently. Without expecting it, the unicorn approached him directly.

The fantastic animal's head bowed down and Junhui didn't know how it was possible to be even more surprised.

He also bowed, since he hadn't forgotten his manners, after all, no matter how much Jeonghan tried to lower him to a mere slave, Junhui was still a prince and had been educated in such a way.

The unicorn straightened up and leaned closer to him. Junhui hesitated a bit, but in the end he stretched his hand forward, until the unicorn's head met his palm.

The fur was as soft as the cotton sheets he slept on as a child. He dared to caress the animal and soon realized that the unicorn was really fascinated with him and not vice versa.

It clung closer to Junhui, demanding more caresses from him, smelling his hair and his clothes, eliciting laughter from the young prince.

The unicorn was very warm and apparently it realized that the human, being only a human, felt the cold more strongly, therefore, the unicorn covered the prince with its body.

Junhui was delighted, he kept stroking the unicorn and every time he spoke, the animal seemed to respond to his soft voice.

“You're wonderful…” he whispered, stroking its loin.

Joshua said Jun was pure, but this unicorn couldn't be compared. Its beauty was incredible and he felt privileged that something like it allowed him to be so close.

But he had to remind himself why he'd come looking for it. For its blood.

Junhui took the syringe back and grimaced. He didn't want to hurt it, he didn't even know how to proceed. The unicorn was confident beside him, because Jun radiated innocence and sweetness. He contained every one of the characteristics that they liked in humans. Joshua knew better than anyone.

Even children, innocent by default, were not approached as such. Only to a purity that remains even as adults.

Junhui looked at the creature with sad eyes.

“I beg your pardon, but I really wanted to ask you a favor.”

He didn't know if the unicorn could really understand him, so he tried to open his heart at the same time that he expressed what he wanted with his words.

The animal backed away to face him, as if it really meant to listen to him.

“You see, there is a very important person to me who at the moment is very hurt and cannot wake up. This man is called Wonwoo.” Jun smiled, still lowering his eyebrows. “He saved my life. Several times. He has been very kind to me and I don't even know how to thank him for what he has done for me.”

The prince looked down, feeling the tears pool again in his eyes.

“And I'm scared because I don't want to lose him. I have lost a lot of people already, I don't want the same thing to happen with Wonwoo, I don't want to lose him…”

A tear fell, like a crystal.

The unicorn brought its nose close to him to wipe the tear from the boy's cheek, who smiled softly at the gesture.

“So I wanted to ask you if you could give me a little of your blessed blood. I ask it as a humble man who knows his limitations and seeks help from a great creature like you with the power to heal beyond our hands,” he finally expressed, waiting for his heart to reach out to the unicorn.

The animal was still for a few moments, until he shook his head up and down. Jun's eyes widened. Was that a nod?

The animal turned on its side and Junhui knew that it was. He moved the syringe with trembling hands to a part of her broad neck and carefully drew the blood.

Unlike the gorgeous yet discreet colors of the unicorn, its blood was like liquid gold.

Junhui extracted all the blood that he could, aware of any gesture of pain in the animal, but it wasn't like that, he was able to fill the entire tube (about 10 millimeters only) without problem.

He withdrew the syringe and reached for his father's handkerchief that he had kept close to him to clean the area where he had taken the blood.

“Thank you very much really. I will be eternally grateful to you,” he said, daring to hug the unicorn, who made the same gesture, wrapping its head around him.

Then, unexpectedly like everything that creature did, the unicorn stepped back to face him again.

The animal closed its eyes and tilted its head towards Jun, the diamond-like horn beginning to glow with a white light. It approached the prince until the horn touched the prince's forehead.

Junhui did not back down, on the contrary, he let the touch flood him, closed his eyes tightly and felt something strange inside him. A sense of power, a tingle that came from his veins, from a part of him that he didn't know very well.

The essence of the unicorn lit him up. In the forest a beam of light that extended towards the sky, was seen by the miners, it was seen even from Yabbay.

It was seen by Jeonghan, from his castle. And especially he, as a person with magic, could feel a change, an awakening power.

Surprise was overthrown by rage and his face twisted into a fury, his fists clenched and the white light grew even larger, blinding everyone in the Diamant realm with the intensity.

Joshua and Seokmin, who were near the lake, had to cover themselves with their forearms, until the light gave its last gleams and ended up being a fine line that disappeared as it arrived.

Soon only the snowflakes remained, falling calmly, as if nothing had happened.

Junhui also fell.

Unconscious, on the bed of snow. The unicorn disappeared.

Joshua and Seokmin ran towards him when there was no more light. They found the young prince with a serene gesture, with snow caressing his pale skin. His black hair contrasted even more. He was like a flower sticking out.

No, the flowers even envied the beauty of him.

Seokmin crouched worriedly before him, trying to wake him up, but Joshua, who also stood next to him, took him by the shoulder and shook his head.

“He's fine, don't worry. We'll take him back to Jihoon and the rest.” Joshua took the syringe filled with the golden blood. “Meanwhile, I'll take care of preparing the potion as soon as possible.”

Seokmin looked at him closely and sighed in relief.

“I'm glad he was able to convince the unicorn to help him, but what was all that light...?”

The miner carefully carried the prince, calling the horses with a whistle. Joshua looked at the syringe with a serious gesture.

“Seok, unicorns can't understand people, no matter how pure. Not normal people at least.”

The horses arrived and Joshua tucked the syringe into the bag that he hung from his horse's saddle.

Seokmin looked at him without understanding.

“What are you talking about? So how come Jun-

“Unicorns, as magical creatures, can only understand their equals.” Joshua looked at him as well and then smiled. “Our prince is special, that's why the unicorn came to him. That is why he responded to his call. Junhui does many things without realizing it... But only today did he wake up.”

Seokmin's eyes widened and Joshua nodded.

“Yes, and he is more powerful than he was before. Now he will not be able to ignore his potential that was so hidden that hardly someone who can feel it with as much emphasis as I could know it.”

“That's why Jeonghan never felt him…”

Joshua's face darkened. Seokmin never mentioned that name, but this was an exception.

The wizard denied.

“But he won't be able to ignore it anymore. Much less when the unicorn offered something to Jun that he will not be able to hide from anyone... Not only did it give him its blood” Joshua smiled again, looking tenderly at the prince who was being carried in Seokmin's arms. “He really is special. Times are going to change, and he is going to lead us towards that future.”

Seokmin also looked at the prince and smiled in the same way. He was the son of Seungcheol and he'd been a great man. He expected no less from Junhui. And if Joshua trusted him and said those words, it was also Seokmin's responsibility to help him in his way.

But the main priority of that special prince was to see the hunter awaken.

Only a man like Wonwoo could lead the way for Junhui.

Times had definitely changed. Diamant was claiming out loud for his rightful heir, and Jeonghan couldn't cover his ears at all.

Chapter Text

He opened his eyes, after a dream that felt as long as eternity itself.

The last thing Junhui remembered was a pale sky, light breaking through the clouds, and the feeling of the snow like a blanket as he fell on it.

White color predominating. The tickling of his heart.

“I went with the unicorn… I asked for its blood… The unicorn gave it to me… And after that…”

Junhui sat up immediately, throwing the duvets aside.

“Wonwoo!”

He scrambled out of bed, boots off, bare feet catching the cold. He was in the room he'd woken up in when he was rescued by the miners.

When the memories returned to him he had no choice but to leave the room, not paying attention to poor Chan who almost fell from the chair where he stood guard outside the room.

Junhui ran and behind him Chan could barely call his name.

He went out and the snow covered the grass that was previously shown without that white cloak. At what point had it snowed so much?

He ran down the path that he walked before. He stepped on the snow barefoot, with his light clothes that couldn't protect him from the cold.

But the young prince didn't care.

He saw the other cabin that he was approaching in a hurry, unable to wait any longer.

Something inside him drew him there. He knew that his feet didn't go astray.

He opened the door and entered. Soonyoung and Jihoon were in the living room and looked at him in surprise. Seokmin was also there.

“Ju-

The prince passed them by, not giving them a glance as he only had one thing on his mind. He made his way down the short hallway, but stopped before entering the room.

He put his hand on the doorknob and stood there for a few seconds, just standing there, breathing hard, heart pounding in his ears, pounding in his chest.

“What if he hasn't woken up?”

It ached internally just thinking about it. But he was confident that everything had gone well. He squeezed his eyes shut and opened the door, stepping inside quickly, practically stumbling forward.

A pair of dark eyes looked up at him.

There, in his bed, lucid and alive, Wonwoo looked at him.

What the hunter saw was the prince suddenly enter with red cheeks from the cold, standing out on his pale skin. The full moon eyes began to shine, tears accumulating as fast as snowflakes fall.

Jun's knees trembled, he had no choice but to lunge forward.

And Wonwoo had no choice but to accept in his arms the young man who held him tightly, while he pronounced his name between tears of relief and joy.

Junhui hadn't noticed, but Joshua was in the room. The wizard stood up and smiled warmly at Wonwoo, lowering his head, then gave the hunter a wink and walked away, leaving them alone in their meeting.

Wonwoo didn't expect such a reaction, however he couldn't help but feel moved. Junhui was crying on the hunter's chest and he was holding him very close, trying to calm him down.

He didn't trust his voice very much since he'd woken up, which had been only about 20 minutes before.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Joshua's face, who quickly explained the reasons why he was still alive and had woken up.

Wonwoo was amazed at the bravery of the young prince. About what he did for him, a mere hopeless hunter.

Few people had cared about his miserable existence, and then a prince comes to his life, a young man beautiful enough to be called a son of the moon, and he would do these things for the hunter. With so much love that he didn't think anyone would ever have for him.

“Hey…” he had to clear his throat at how hoarse his voice sounded. “Hi, Jun.”

“Wonwoo! You're awake!" More sobs followed that.

The prince was still clinging to him. The older man smiled and stroked the black strands.

“And all thanks to you.”

At last, Junhui pulled away. Through the curtain of tears he looked at Wonwoo's handsome face. Again those black eyes on him. In a way, his gaze looked soft and attentive. He hadn't realized that he  missed the eyes of the hunter so much.

“Joshua gave you the potion?” he asked, backing away from the hunter's personal space, his cheeks red from crying and also from the embarrassment of clinging to the man in such a way.

“That's what he told me.”

Junhui smiled, standing at the side of the bed, lacing his hands behind his back shyly.

“I'm so glad you woke up… I was so scared you wouldn't.”

Wonwoo lowered his eyebrows with a gesture of affection that he didn't think could be born from him either.

“I'm not going to disappear that easily, huh? I'm pretty tough and it's hard to get rid of me,” he said, giving Jun's chin a little tap, who started to chuckle softly.

“The great Jeon Wonwoo, hunter of Yabbay,” he said, with an adorable smile.

Wonwoo had to look away. Sometimes looking at Jun was accepting perdition. Was he ready for it?

He couldn't even choose another option.

“How are you? You don't feel cold?” He said, seeing that Junhui was dressed only in light clothes. His collarbones were bare and his pale skin might as well have been icy cold from the exposure.

“Huh? Cold?” Junhui hadn't thought of that. He looked at his clothes and was embarrassed. “I had not noticed…”

Wonwoo shook his head as he smiled and pulled the covers off himself, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Then he pulled the blanket over the prince's shoulders, covering his body from the cold of the room.

“You can't neglect yourself like this, it's good that I woke up, I won't be able to take my eyes off you, prince,” he said, adjusting the blanket better on the younger's shoulders. Junhui stared at his face, his own face still red.

Wonwoo, still sitting on the edge of the bed, slightly frowned, looking nowhere in particular, because he noticed something in the air.

“Jun, lean in a little towards me.”

“Huh?” The prince widened his eyes in disbelief.

Still, he leaned forward nervously. Wonwoo put a hand on his neck and guided him towards him, inhaling Junhui's white skin, closing his eyes with that fragrance emanating from the prince.

“You smell like cinnamon and honey, very sweet…” he whispered deeply.

Junhui felt a chill and if possible, he blushed even more. The hunter's breath caressed the sensitive skin of his neck.

“You have a good sense of smell…” he chose to say.

Wonwoo pulled away, again looking at him with those dark eyes. He smiled lopsidedly, almost in a flirting way.

“Of course, I'm a hunter, right?”

Junhui looked at him and his lips trembled. Had something changed in Wonwoo or why did he feel so nervous and sheepish around him?

“I like that scent, it suits you. It's sweet, just like you,” he said, smirking.

The young prince stammered a thank you, shrinking under that gaze, feeling a tickle in his stomach and something fluttering in his chest.

The door suddenly opened and Soonyoung poked his head on the room.

“Hey, I hope I'm not interrupting your meeting, but Joshua wants to talk to us and he says he needs all of us to listen, including you two.”

The prince jumped startled at the sight of the miner, then nodded. Wonwoo looked at Soonyoung for the first time, frowning and narrowing his eyes at him.

He waited until he left the room to ask about him and where he really was.

Junhui gave him a brief explanation of where they were and who these people were. He also clarified that there was a misconception among the Yabbay villagers that the "dwarfs" were actually human miners like them, but inhabiting a separate forest.

“Thanks heaven we weren't rescued by dwarfs, I have a pride to maintain,” Wonwoo said, widening his eyes and nodding in relief.

Junhui lightly hit him on the shoulder.

“Wonwoo! Don't be like that, they're good people, really.”

The hunter released a deep laugh at him.

“Okay, okay, I understand, prince, I'm glad they treated you well, that's enough for me.”

Junhui nodded, smiling gently. “Yes, we are lucky.”

“I'm lucky that there are people who help me like this... I never would have imagined it” he thought bittersweetly as he remembered where he came from and his past as a laggard.

But he snapped out of his thoughts as Wonwoo struggled to get to his feet. He still needed time to recover.

“Wait, Wonwoo.” Junhui hurriedly put the hunter's arm around his shoulders to help him to his feet without falling.

The older's face was drawn in discomfort, however he smiled flirting again.

“I can smell your perfume better from here.”

Junhui blushed again, but denied several times, trying not to show the new sensations inside him caused by the other man.

“Come on, don't try too hard, lean on me.”

But Wonwoo hesitated, not wanting to put his weight on the young man.

“And your leg? How is it?”

Junhui, who did not remember his injury, was surprised by the question.

“Pretty well, I can walk without problems. Let's go…” He moved his head so that Wonwoo would finally lean on him until he fully regained his strength.

They began to walk at their pace, leaving the room and going down the hall until they reached the living room, where they were all gathered.

Hansol scooted over on the long couch for Junhui to help Wonwoo sit down.

Joshua, Jihoon, and Soonyoung were standing. Seokmin in a single chair, his hat in his hands as he stared at the ground with uncharacteristic seriousness on his always animated face.

Hansol and Chan were on the long couch, where Wonwoo sat down. Jun settled into the armrest next to him.

“Hello prince, it's good to see you awake... And you, hunter.” Soonyoung greeted them.

“Wonwoo,” the man smiled awkwardly. Being a loner all his life, he found it uncomfortable to be surrounded by so many strangers, no matter how much they saved his life.

Joshua inhaled and exhaled deeply, drawing the attention of those present.

“Well, I've gathered you here because I want to tell you a story. It seems relevant to me. If you allow me…”

The miners nodded, Seokmin remained serious, Junhui smiled to encourage him to speak. Wonwoo just listened.

Joshua, seeing everyone's acceptance, began his narration. No one could expect what he would tell them.

“It all happened a long time ago. Some of you weren't even born, others were very young.” He looked at them, his eyes calm and his voice soft, but expressive. “This was in a kingdom far away from here, but not so far that it was considered difficult to reach. Of course, that kingdom has already disappeared, so it is impossible to reach it expecting a welcome, since the only thing that remains of it is ashes, because a blazing fire consumed it in its entirety, until it became a dead region. Only rubble and echoes of agony remained.”

Joshua's eyes were lost, as he began his narration.

“Clearly a catastrophe had to happen for a great kingdom to end up like this, because believe me, it was prosperous despite being smaller than the kingdom Diamant. It's just that it was condemned by the last king who ruled the land.”

Joshua paused, preparing to continue, gathering his thoughts. Then he went on.

“I will go back in time, when that king I mentioned to you, was born. At that time the people of the kingdom were happy, because the queen, the mother, finally had the firstborn who would become the protector of the people. But what a surprise everyone was when not only one child was born, but two!”

The younger miners looked at him with great interest in the story and his way of telling it, leaning forward, already caught up in it.

“That's right, the queen had twins, who despite being born on the same day, couldn't be more different. A cherub with blond hair, the oldest boy for a few minutes. And a black-haired seraph, the youngest son. Of course there was a big party, because the queen had many problems to conceive and just when they achieved that, they were blessed with two beautiful children.”

Joshua smiled softly, a little wistfully. With melancholy in his deer eyes.

“The twins grew up, the king educated them with good values, always showing them the importance of taking care of their people, of being kind and humble, despite belonging to royalty. He was a loving father.”

Joshua frowned slightly.

“And their mother, the magnificent queen, was also a protective and gentle woman. But she was exceptional, since she was not just any woman... she was a witch.”

They all blinked, most attentive in history.

“But she was not a bad witch, for she used her magic inherited from her birth to help her kingdom. To do good, not evil. And how can you guess, if she had magic in her veins, would her children have it too?”

Joshua looked at each of them one by one. His gaze lingered longer on Jun's wide eyes, then he pulled it away from him.

“Yes, her children inherited her magic. How amazing was all this! A pair of twins with power. That amazed everyone, but they kept their magic a secret, because they were only young boys who could barely control it. Clearly their mother taught them how, always emphasizing the responsibility they should have when using it.”

Joshua frowned again, as if something bothered him.

“I already mentioned that those two brothers were twins, and besides, they possessed magic. But that's where their similarities ended. The youngest son, that boy with hair like the night, had a discreet magic, which he did not use for fear that he would lose control. He was a very cautious and prudent boy... Unlike his older brother, that blonde-haired boy who looked like an angel with his obvious beauty and charisma, who didn't care about the consequences of using magic, as long as he could. He was always more uncontrolled... More reckless.”

“Did the brothers get along?” Chan asked suddenly.

Joshua lowered his eyebrows, again with that sad smile.

“Of course, despite their differences, they were very close. They grew up together, loved each other very much.”

The oldest of all those present looked at his open hands, with an unreadable expression.

“Both boys had gone from cute little boys to very beautiful young men. The younger brother's beauty was simpler, again, as discreet as his magic, like the gleam of silver. But the older brother was like the glitter of gold, extravagant, and just like his magic, flashy like fire, so majestic that you can't imagine that beauty... Or maybe you can.”

Joshua looked at Junhui again, smiling fondly.

“Well, it's not that you have to imagine his beauty, just think that he was almost as beautiful as our prince here, only if I had to choose, not even the older brother could compare to Jun, after all, external beauty doesn't matter. It is useless if the inner beauty is withered.”

They all turned to see Junhui, who felt shy under their gazes.

“Me..?” He asked in a low voice.

Wonwoo smiled, agreeing with Joshua's words. The sun can shine forever, but if the moon doesn't light up the night, then the world sinks into darkness no matter how many stars there are.

The snow must retain its purity.

“It's true, Jun, the brothers were beautiful. The older brother was so handsome that he strutted around and proudly bragged about his beauty. Nobody contradicted him, but they accepted him absorbed in thought before him. Still, you don't even have to dress in gold to be the brightest light that everyone will turn to look at or follow. The pure beauty that is born only once every thousand years.”

The prince felt really shy and Joshua laughed softly. Junhui still didn't understand all his value.

“But I strayed from the story, although of course it is relevant to mention that, because it was one of the things that stained the heart of that young prince. His vanity. His pride. The attention he needed. The power of him.”

The wizard's face darkened.

“I said that the kingdom was smaller than Diamant, because in fact, the people, despite being prosperous, were not very rich. The castle was beautiful, but not as opulent as one might expect. And the king and queen only cared about maintaining the health and well-being of their people. For the younger brother that was also enough, they didn't have to be very rich or very powerful. But the older brother was not satisfied with that, no, of course not.”

Joshua smiled bitterly.

“The beautiful prince who was like gold, needed his kingdom, when his turn to be king would come, to be as brilliant as he was... No, to be worthy of someone like him. His vision was drifting away from what was really important. The eldest son was upset with his parents for "allowing" the town to be so simple, so mediocre, so…”

Joshua stopped, looking indignantly at the ground.

“To him, his kingdom was like a piece of coal. For him, who would be the king one day, that place was too small. And it wasn't only that, his mind was filled with such thoughts little by little. The queen limited his powers. Noticing that her eldest son had great ambition to do and have more, even endangering others, regardless of the consequences, she took it upon herself to keep the prince's magic to the minimum that she could. That made him more hungry for power.”

Joshua balled his hands into fists, shaking his head.

“But it was not until one night, that the head of that beautiful prince was filled with perversion. Until then, he did not have the power to oppose his mother's magic or his father's reign. His younger brother was always inferior to him in magic and beauty, so he was never a threat to him, but his parents... They limited him, maybe because they had realized that the heart of their oldest son was not kind. He was plagued with vanity and ambition. Of cruelty that he could no longer hide.”

The wizard closed his eyes.

“And like the morning star, the prince fell from grace, offering his blood for sin. His brother warned him so much, but he didn't listen.” Joshua frowned with regret on his face. “You see, the queen had a room where she kept objects filled with great power and beauty. Relics that she had collected, some with magic, some just ancient decorations. But among all those objects, there was one that stood out for its power. Because of its danger.”

Joshua looked at them again, eyes wide.

“A mirror.”

They all looked at him in bewilderment.

“A mirror?” Soonyoung asked in disbelief.

Joshua nodded solemnly.

“That's how it is. But not just any mirror, of course not.” He shook his head several times. “I'm talking about a special mirror. With magic. If I were to talk only about the capabilities of this object it would take me more time and I have already entertained you a lot with my narration, so I will only tell you that this mirror was very powerful and therefore very dangerous. In the hands of any man or woman, good or bad, it doesn't matter, this mirror had a reputation for corrupting anyone. Because thought poisons a right man, we humans are easy to tempt —he sighed— it is easy to be blinded by power. This is what that mirror offers, but not with that alone it manages to convince and corrupt even the most incorruptible.”

He walked to the window, looking at the blanket of snow in the forest.

“This mirror can see your deepest desires, it offers you what you want most, what you most seek to possess, because the power it gives is capable of giving you what you most long for. Riches, enhance your magic, beauty and youth that last even if you are 100 years old…”

Junhui frowned, feeling his stomach lurch at Joshua's words.

“It can give you all that and more. Anything but love, of course. Love cannot be faked. It's the one thing magic can't provide.”

Joshua looked over his shoulder at Seokmin and smiled, the miner smiled back, eyes shining just for him.

The wizard continued to look out the window, again in a deeper tone of voice.

“Now, imagine all that, in someone who already has a heart that tends to evil, to superficiality. The mirror can corrupt, but in someone who decided to be selfish and devoid of love, to obtain power and wealth, it is not difficult for the mirror to blind all those things to the point of making that person cruel and perverse.”

Everyone kept their seriousness, listening to the story.

“Many people were driven mad by that mirror. The queen hid it very well, because she wanted nothing to do with it. But that mirror knows how to play its cards, it could feel the evil nesting in the older brother, drawing him to itself...And it succeeded” Joshua looked at the pale sky. “The young prince signed a blood pact. There was no turning back.”

Then Joshua lowered his head.

“So also was the condemnation of the kingdom signed. The prince obtained such great power that he took over everything. But he lost control, even for him that was a lot to process. Inside of him there was only envy, rage, pride and a lot of thorns that spread throughout the kingdom when no one accepted him as their king. When his parents died, of course.”

Joshua was silent for a few moments, as if preparing for his next words.

“Clearly, he murdered them. Everyone except his little brother,” he said quietly.

“Why did he spare his life?” Hansol asked curiously.

“Because as corrupt and hateful as he was, he still loved his brother."

“And his younger brother still loved him despite him doing all that?”

Joshua just nodded silently, no one could see his sad face.

They waited a little longer, until he spoke again.

“With the death of the king and queen, with the people's rejection of him, who felt the danger of having a king as wasteful and unstable as fire, chaos was not long in coming. The people rose up in rebellion against him... Big mistake.”

Joshua laughed without humor, his laugh sounding hollow.

“He destroyed everything in his path 'If it can't be mine, if you can't accept me, then die!' ” Joshua sighed again. “So it was. He laid waste to the kingdom with his destructive magic.”

“And the younger brother did nothing to stop him?” Chan asked.

Joshua looked at him.

“Believe me, if it had been in his power, he would have even killed him to stop all that chaos.” His voice sounded peculiarly cold. “Seeing what his brother had become, a snake full of evil, destroying everything in his path at his whim... The younger brother faced him, tried to stop him with all his might, with all the pain of his soul. But life plays very dirty.”

Joshua looked out the window again.

“When their mother discovered the magic of her beloved children, having been born from her, being brothers united by blood, the brilliant witch put an enchantment on them, so that their magic could not harm the other, that is, if someday in the future that they came to face each other, they couldn't hurt each other with their magic. The brothers couldn't cause harm to each other, their fight was in vain, even if they fought with their hands, they couldn't kill each other. That was the last wish of their mother.”

“Then what did the younger brother do when he saw that he couldn't stop his older brother?” A question from Chan again.

“Since his older brother was willing to take that kingdom to the ashes, the younger brother took it upon himself to protect the villagers at all costs, getting them out of there so that at least no lives were lost. That was what was in his power. They were two opposing forces. They were both hurt, physically and emotionally. The brothers who one day had loved each other so much, had broken their ties... Although that was really impossible, they had the same blood, they would be united until the end, no matter how much they rejected each other eternally.”

Joshua raised a hand palm up, a red fire appeared in it.

“The older brother, with his destructive magic, bringing down everything in his path, his rage consuming the kingdom.”

Then he raised his other hand. A blue and serene fire.

“And the younger brother, with his protective magic, saving the lives of the people, not allowing death to prevail over them.”

Joshua clenched his fists and the fires fizzled out.

“In the end, the kingdom was destroyed, the people fled with the help of the younger prince. The older brother was left alone, like the only one standing in hell. And the younger brother fled too, flew away, leaving everything behind. Without being able to kill or stop his brother, the only thing that was in his hands was to separate from him, because he could not forgive him.”

There was an appreciative silence. All with different levels of contemplation, of questions inside, of amazement at the story. But only Junhui with such great sorrow within himself that he couldn't keep it quiet.

“What is the name of the older brother?” He asked, afraid of the answer and everything hanging in the balance.

He knew there would be no going back when Joshua answered.

The wizard was silent for a few more moments, reflecting on this story. Pondering if he should reveal something like that.

But in the end he parted his lips and answered. His voice echoed in everyone's ears, especially Jun's.

“The older brother's name is Jeonghan.”

He felt the tightness in his chest as he mentioned that name out loud again, after promising himself that he wouldn't do it as long as he had years to live.

Junhui widened his eyes, everyone's surprise was also there, open-mouthed from his gestures. Wonwoo frowned, in disbelief, with the bitterness of remembering that man and what he had done.

The prince felt his lips tremble, as did his hands.

“And the younger brother's name is…”

“Joshua.”

The man turned to see him, with a sad smile.

Junhui looked at him with very wide, dumbfounded eyes.

The miners were also the same, of course, except Seokmin, because he had already heard that story, when Joshua arrived from his wandering around the world, because leaving the kingdom and his brother Jeonghan, he simply got lost in unknown lands, without finding his place or home, until he got there after so many years of loneliness.

Only to discover that his older brother, untouchable for him, was the new king of that kingdom

So he swore to himself to protect what he could. His brother didn't have the ability to locate magic like him, so he created a protective wall to guard the miners. Since he couldn't stand up to Jeonghan, at least he wouldn't let him hurt those people.

“Then...?” Junghan asked. “Can't you do anything against him?”

The wizard denied.

“Not me, and he can't do anything to me. It's useless... But I know someone who can deal with him. Someone who can oppose his destructive magic.”

Again the surprise fell on them.

“Is there anyone who can stand up to him and finish him off?” Wonwoo finally spoke.

“Yes.” The wizard nodded slowly.

“Who...? Who can take on Jeonghan and beat him?” The prince asked, fear in his voice again. His insight didn't prepare him for anything.

Joshua turned to see him, fixedly, with a gesture as serious and anguished as it was precise and determined.

“Only you, Prince Junhui.”

Chapter Text

As if Joshua could summon even more surprise, those words had stunned them. Junhui opened his mouth, unable to utter a word.

Everyone's gazes ranged between Joshua's confident and serene expression, and Junhui's shock and disbelief.

Wonwoo had been aware all this time that the only one who had the right to claim the throne was Jun, but not to a level of defeating Jeonghan and his magic, not directly or violently, because the prince was not that kind of person.

Was that what the other wizard was referring to?

“And how is Jun able to do that? He's a young man without magic, he alone cannot-

Jihoon approached Joshua with a frown, but the older raised his hand to stop the flood of questions, which Soonyoung would also ask him, which in Junhui didn't stop piling up inside him.

“Calm down, let me explain. First, I never said that he would do it alone, of course not. He has our support, but he also needs his people,” he began to explain in a calm voice. “Second, who said Jun doesn't have magic?”

Another rock fell into the pond, hitting the surface with more force, new waves of bewilderment and surprise.

Junhui couldn't shut up this time.

“What? That can't be possible... Magic? Me? I can't-

The prince felt his hands trembling and his voice would shake if he kept talking, so he cut himself off.

Joshua looked at him with understanding and gentle eyes. For many, possessing the gift of magic was a blessing, for others a curse. There were people like him who had learned to adapt.

Especially Joshua, that his magic flowed to protection and he directed it there, learning to control it, when he was most afraid that it would be diverted to destruction, like his brother Jeonghan's.

But Junhui's magic was unlike any he had ever felt.

Pure magic. White magic. But it was dangerous... It was a magic that was born from love, from someone with a sincere and kind heart.

Powerful, hidden inside.

“I'll explain, but first you need to see for yourself. Come here, Jun, please.”

Joshua held out his hands, palms up. Junhui looked at everyone present and then nervously approached the older.

What would he see? What would Joshua show him?

“Those of us who possess magic tend to have a very special type for each one. A color, although it does not often have to be a "color" as such, is like a signature. Spells and very general things can be done, but there will always be a spectrum that only one person can possess, because that is how the magic was born in them.”

A bluish fire appeared in front of everyone's eyes, engulfing Joshua's hands. They looked at him in amazement at this demonstration.

“My magic and Jeonghan's are of the same spectrum, it's elemental magic. That means that it has strength from an element of nature. The fire, in our case,” he continued explaining. “But there are many types, not just elements. For example, from here I can feel the powerful magic of someone who is in Yabbay. His magic is not elemental as such, it is rather primordial.”

Joshua, with his internal compass to locate other magic, could feel that spectrum of green magic, healing, very strong.

“This magic that person possesses is very special, it's very ancient... Magic of the elves.”

“Elves?” Soonyoung and Junhui asked at the same time. Wonwoo frowned, it resonated in him with a certain familiarity.

Josh nodded. “Once a prosperous folk, today, only their heirs remain, hidden from those ambitious who want their power. And in Yabbay there is one of them. His magic is primal, not elemental. It has the ability to cure any illness, to heal animals, plants, humans and all the creatures you can imagine. He has the power not to age or be affected by ills of the body or time. But again, that's just another example of magic.”

The blue fire in his hands went out.

“Jeonghan's magic and mine, even though we can do other things, is fire magic. His fire is destructive, it's red and lively, it can be golden and majestic.” Joshua frowned and closed his eyes. “My fire, on the other hand, is blue, it can also destroy, but I never used it for that. My great power is to protect. Jeonghan has a fire capable of consuming whoever it reaches and my fire is impenetrable to whoever wants to get close to it. Two sides of the same coin.”

Junhui listened to all this in amazement, paying attention to every word. He didn't know much about magic, but the way the older explained made him understand better about it. Again, Joshua had everyone curious.

“Stretch out your palms up, prince.”

Junhui did that, with trembling hands.

Joshua knew the boy had never knowingly used his magic. It had to be elemental, and in some way directed towards a special talent.

Junhui, that the animals followed him because of his affable nature, that a smile from him could melt the heart of the toughest and bend the hardest metal.

Joshua put his own hands under Junhui's.

“I'll help you, you just need to concentrate on what you feel inside, that force like a tickle, that comes out through your hands. Take it as an exercise of concentration,” he explained, looking into the nervous eyes of the young prince.

Junhui nodded, taking as much air into his lungs as possible.

He was still skeptical of possessing magic, but he knew he couldn't deny those times when he felt something was different about him.

He closed his eyes and reached inside himself to evoke that feeling.

The miners and the hunter kept the most complete silence, waiting for what was going to happen.

Wonwoo looked intently at the prince's beautiful face, his brow furrowed in concentration, the way his hands continued to shake.

Until they stopped doing it.

Joshua smiled before the others realized what was happening.

Junhui continued with his eyes closed, but he felt a cold push on his body and at the same time, as warm as the hug of a loved one.

He gave his full attention to that dual sensation, concentrating on drawing it out.

Then the others saw it too.

A sphere began to form on top of Junhui's palms. Moving like a little white flurry of snow, spinning in the air, pure and steady.

“Elemental magic. Not destructive, not protective... But of creation.” Joshua said.

Junhui opened his eyes without understanding, until he saw that sphere of white movement, very small flakes falling like crystals.

He felt so amazed that he didn't realize that Joshua had already stopped holding his hands and that it was still there, in front of everyone.

Wonwoo was surprised. He was watching the snow emerge from the prince's pale hands.

“What's this...?” he asked in a small voice.

“Your magic is transparent as ice, it is sincere, pure as snow, clean as its white color,” he began to explain. “It is huge like an avalanche, it is moldable and creative, because snow can take any shape. It's cold, yes, but that doesn't mean it's bad, on the contrary, only your magic could put out a fire without having to flood everything in its path.”

The sphere disappeared as Junhui stumbled backwards. Wonwoo held him immediately, one hand on the prince's waist and the other on his shoulder so as not to let him fall.

“Hey, easy…” he whispered, worried about his condition.

The young man's gaze seemed lost.

“Sorry to reveal all this to you, but it is essential that you are aware of your abilities so that we can train you and face Jeonghan,” Joshua explained, with sympathetic eyes. “And I also apologize because that's not all I have to explain. Junhui, your magic is not only elemental, it is primordial too, because you have an exceptional gift of healing and purity, but that was granted to you by an external being, completing your snow magic of creation.”

The prince looked at him in bewilderment, holding on to Wonwoo's forearm, he didn't feel his legs. He nodded for Joshua to continue..

“The unicorn gave you a part of its power, because your nature is innocent and untainted, that is, you have a sincere and affable heart. Your magic depends on love, not hate or ambition, but forgiveness and virtue. That snow is special, because it doesn't arise from your need to hurt or from feelings like anger.”

“A unicorn gave Jun its magic?” Hansol asked in astonishment.

Joshua nodded again, remembering that beam of light that rose to the sky, when the unicorn, a divine creature, awakened Junhui's power and gave him its own gifts.

“A part, yes. Unicorns never do that to humans, but Junhui's magic is similar to theirs in that it is born from the purest of a being. What the unicorn gave him was protection: no magic works directly against him, only over him.”

“I don't understand,” Junhui said, also remembering his contact with the unicorn. He had felt something rise up inside of him, before he lost consciousness.

“That is to say that if I attack you with my magic to cause you pain, nothing will happen to you, but if I make the roof of this cabin fall and you are under it, then I can affect you.” Everyone got a chill at Joshua's explanation. They were grateful that he was on their side.

“But don't forget that the fact that magic can't touch you directly is a great blessing. In fact, you are like a mirror, if I tried to attack you with my magic right now, it would turn back towards me, because it is unforgivable to try to harm such a pure being. It is the same case as harming a unicorn.”

Junhui nodded and Wonwoo, with more strength than when he woke up, helped the prince to sit next to him on the couch.

“Are you saying that I have magic and besides, the protection that a unicorn gave me?”

Joshua smiled, his eyebrows lowered in empathy.

“That's right, prince. You have been blessed in many ways. With beauty, with purity and magic, just because you choose the path of goodness and virtue. Only someone like you can stand against Jeonghan's hateful and destructive magic. Only someone incorruptible like you... The rest of us will easily give in to any temptation, but not you.”

The wizard moved his gaze over all those present who knew in their hearts that this was true.

“Why can't I...?”

“Because you have no intention of taking anything for yourself, for your own selfish wishes. Tell me, what do you want, Jun? What you really desire, inside of you, something you want to make a reality. Something you would fight for.”

Everyone had their own wishes. Everyone would be corrupted by them. The families they lost, the people who were taken from them, the pain caused to them were weeds in their garden. But in Jun, instead of thorns and weeds, there was only a white lily.

“I just want to end all the pain. This kingdom shouldn't suffer so much unnecessarily. There's already too much sorrow in life to add one more weight to people.” Junhui looked at his hands in his lap. “My father and mother did everything possible so that the people of the town were happy, that prosperity and love rose above tragedy and pain.”

When he was a child, the people of the town smiled more, and now, despite not having gone out to the town because he was locked in the castle (perhaps they didn't even accept him as their prince, since he was a missing person). How would they be now? Mired in oppression.

Joshua smiled, looking out the window. That snow had fallen there because Junhui awakened his magic with the help of the unicorn.

Inside of him, he ached for others.

“There are many reasons why I support my argument that you are the capable one to face Jeonghan, but only one stands out above all and makes the clear difference between you and us or other people tired of my brother.”

Junhui looked back at Joshua who had that conflicted expression on his face.

What could he do? Even with magic, he was weak and didn't have much experience in the world. And even if Jeonghan was corrupted and caused a lot of pain, he couldn't kill him.

Joshua let out a regretful sigh, Seokmin stood up and put his arm around Joshua's waist. The next words would not be easy for him, however he stared at the young man.

“Prince Junhui, you are the only one who can forgive Jeonghan if he changes his mind for some miracle.”

Wonwoo frowned, Jihoon made a fist with his hands, Soonyoung looked at the ground in anguish. Hansol and Chan remained serious. Seokmin just stayed by Joshua's side.

And Junhui widened his eyes.

“What...?”

“Any of us would kill him given the chance.”

Junhui stood up again and this time he didn't fall. He pointed to himself in bewilderment.

“Isn't that what you want me to do? To kill him?”

Again that expression in Joshua, of dealing with many things, many mixed feelings.

“Of course that's what we want. Ask any of us.” The wizard pointed to the rest and no one denied his words.

Then Joshua pointed at him. 

“Would you do it?”

Junhui, who had been wondering the same thing recently, in a state of conflict, was surprised by what Joshua said. He believed that the others hoped that by “confrontation” they meant that he would end Jeonghan's life.

“No... I'm sorry, but I can't kill him,” he said, looking down regretfully.

And the wizard smiled, as if he was waiting for those words.

“That's why you're the only one who can deal with him. Because you won't do it with hate, it's just not in you to do something like that.”

Wonwoo clicked his tongue. “Are you telling me we're going to let him live?” He said, in disbelief, not agreeing with that.

“Jeonghan doesn't deserve forgiveness.” That was Jihoon. “Why would Jun forgive him too? He locked him up and treated him like a servant. He made us believe that the only hope we had was dead!”

Junhui jumped startled at those last words.

“I don't think Jeonghan should be forgiven either, but Joshua is wiser than us,” Soonyoung said, his eyes closed and his arms crossed.

Joshua kept his cool. “And that's the example I want to give. Yes you, hunter.” He looked at Wonwoo. “And you, miner” Then Jihoon, “you can go and try to kill him, but the only thing you will achieve is to increase his magic and the dead will be you if he doesn't use you as puppets.”

Wonwoo stood up, annoyance still on his expression.

“Still, if Junhui weakens him enough, we should kill him given the opportunity.”

“I agree,” Jihoon added.

Joshua looked at them with a serious and unflinching face.

“I think you don't understand what I mean.”

“We do! Have you been to the town of Yabbay? Every one of them would choose to see him dead if the opportunity were on the table,” the hunter said.

“And we have to avenge our people who perished for him!” Soonyoung took Jihoon by the arm to calm him down, but Jihoon pushed him away.

Wonwoo walked over to Joshua and Seokmin stepped between them, not letting the hunter take another step towards the wizard.

The taller, stockier man looked at him with menacing eyes, until Junhui braced his arm, making him step back.

“Please, stop arguing!” asked the young prince. “Do not talk about killing someone with such ease, we are talking about the life of a person.”

Jihoon took him by the shoulder and looked at him harshly.

“We're talking about the same person who killed your father, who relegated you to a life of oblivion and service, who filled your kingdom with pain and sorrow.”

“Jihoon-

“No, Soonyoung,” he said firmly, cutting off the other miner's attempt to silence the truth. He looked back at Junhui with cold eyes. “Prince, Jeonghan doesn't deserve anyone's forgiveness, he has to pay for all the damage he has caused. To you and everyone.”

Then he looked at Joshua. “You said it yourself, you can't forgive him.”

But the wizard kept his face firm.

Junhui shook his head. “Enough, don't talk like that…”

Wonwoo turned around and took the prince by the shoulders, staring at him.

“Jun, tell me, would you really forgive Jeonghan after everything he's done to you?”

Junhui didn't look at the dark eyes, looking away from him. He continued with an anguished expression.

“Please, I…” He squeezed his eyes shut, feeling a tightness in his chest and anxiety building in him, making it hard for him to breathe.

“Leave him alone already!” Chan said, getting to his feet, fed up with the pressure they put on the young prince. Hansol did the same.

Junhui took advantage of that moment when the attention went to the youngest of all those present and he let go of Wonwoo, running towards the door, towards the winter forest.

He ran hoping no one would follow him.

Everyone inside the cabin watched him go with concern and varying degrees of guilt.

“The surface of one frozen lake, transparent that it is, can crack with a lot of pressure,” Joshua said quietly, turning and looking at the open door through which the prince had gone. “In the end, we can't do anything when the two face each other, because it will only be between them. You focus on covering the surface of the lake with more layers so as not to break. Together we can make our prince stronger.”

Wonwoo looked down, with a worried expression. He had been carried away by his own hatred. He recognized his own corruption. He was not a worse man than Jeonghan, but he was not an example of kindness. He was already stained.

He understood that he made a mistake.

Junhui couldn't get his hands dirty like him. That should be his greatest purpose.

“I'll go get him. I have a feeling it'll only get colder and it's dangerous for him to be alone out there,” the hunter said, walking outside.

“We'll look for him too.” Hansol took off his winter cloak and threw it to Wonwoo who raised both eyebrows. “I have a feeling that you will find him before us, if so, put that on him.”

The hunter nodded, to continue on his way. He would not let his prince prowl alone with his own thoughts. He would apologize to him.

He would promise to protect his immaculate self.

[ ❄︎❄︎❄︎❄︎ ]

Junhui ran aimlessly. In his head everyone's words echoed over and over again.

Forgive or kill? Did he have magic that he could control? Hate or love? Purity or corruption?

The dead prince for the people.

Junhui opened his eyes that were suddenly cloudy.

He was unaware of the ground he was stepping on and tripped over a stone, going forward and rolling down-hill.

He hit himself several times as he kept falling, he tried to protect himself in vain, but he reached the end, with the body not responding, because the tears came first and he felt full of emotions that he had to let out.

He stayed laying on the ground for a while, hugging his knees, not wanting to think about the burden, until he sat, still shedding tears. He let out a whine of pain in his leg that until then hadn't given him any problems.

He looked at the bandage and it had blood again.

It seemed strange to him that it would happen because until that moment Minghao's healing on his leg had been perfect. Had the wound reopened?

He couldn't see well, because his tears wouldn't stop coming out. He cried for many things, because he was like that. His heart suffered strongly, he only wanted the best for everyone.

But what was the best?

Would he really be able to face Jeonghan and decide a fate for him?

He hid his face in his hands.

Wonwoo and the miners who went looking for him noticed that snowflakes began to fall from the sky, as it was suddenly snowing again.

“Why me...?”

“Don't be weak, Jun! You're a prince! Even if the people have forgotten you, if you are dead to them, you are still the only thing they have, their last hope…”

He thought, but he kept wanting to bury himself under the snow.

“Only me...?”

The blanket of white expanded around him and throughout the forest it snowed harder.

Junhui removed the bandage from his leg, his body trembling from the cold. The blood stained the snow that covered him little by little.

He saw those crimson drops and had a bad feeling.

As if the fact that the wound on his leg had reopened was related to something else. He had healed almost perfectly with Minghao's care.

Where would he be? Surely in the town of Yabbay. Mingyu would still be in the castle. Seungkwan... Where would he be?

His heart felt a great sorrow that could not be shaken off.

The cold in the forest was greater, so much so that the miners and the hunter who were looking for him, had to hug themselves, calling to Jun.

The prince tried to adjust the bandage again, but touching his wound inadvertently he saw something that made him freeze.

He stared at nothing, because the image that passed through his head was graven despite its brevity.

It was Minghao, in a bed in a bare room, like the one he had in the castle, like a cell, with his arm falling to the side and his pale face, so weak that he seemed sick. With honey eyes and hair like a dry trunk.

“What was that...?”

“Jun!”

A deep voice snapped him out of his thoughts, blinking several times.

He looked up and from up-hill he saw the tall figure of Wonwoo, calling out to him.

“Jun!”

The prince lowered his eyebrows and seriously thought whether he would draw the hunter's attention or not. He had run away because he felt overwhelmed. Snow covered the forest and he barely noticed it around him.

He squeezed his eyes shut and then screamed.

“Wonwoo! I'm here!”

The hunter above, with a keen sense of hearing, stopped and recognized where that voice had come from.

He searched his gaze, getting closer to the hill, and further down was Junhui sitting on the snow. There was blood under him and Wonwoo became alarmed.

“Jun!”

He scrambled down skillfully without tripping once, towards the prince. He arrived with him and approached, looking worried.

“You got hurt?”

The prince looked at him with big eyes.

“Wonwoo... I'm fine, it's my leg, my wound opened, but I'm fine.”

The hunter moved closer to get a better look, frowning. Then he grabbed Jun's chin and tilted his head so he was looking up.

“Sure you're fine? It seems to me that you caused that and I don't need to be Joshua to suppose that.”

Junhui watched the snowflakes falling from the pale sky.

“It is me...?”

“Junnie, forgive me, please.”

The prince returned his gaze to the hunter and Wonwoo's dark eyes looked at him with a soft and guilty gesture.

“You don't need to apologize, you have your reasons and I understand,” he said, his voice soft.

Wonwoo began to adjust the bandage on his leg and shook his head sadly.

“But I am me, you are you. Which means your heart must be kept pure. Forgive us for trying to influence you with our feelings of resentment... You are not like that. You are too good.”

Junhui took Wonwoo's hands when he finished helping him with the bandage.

“Wonwoo, you have a lot of faith in me…”

The hunter smiled softly. He reached out his hand and brushed a few snowflakes off Junhui's black hair.

“Well, you are my prince,” Wonwoo said smiling.

For some reason, the young man was embarrassed and his white skin flushed red. He looked down shyly and the snow stopped falling. His heart began to beat rapidly.

Wonwoo took out Hansol's cloak and put it on Junhui, delicately, protecting him from the cold that he himself had caused.

“Come on, the miners are worried. Can you walk or do you want me to carry you again?”

Junhui pouted, shaking his head, his cheeks burning.

“You have to recover completely, besides, I can walk alone.”

Wonwoo kept smiling and nodded. “Very well.” He stretched out his hand and Junhui took it, to stand up.

The prince remembered the image of Minghao, but didn't consider it appropriate to tell Wonwoo, since it was something to do with his best friend.

He would ask Joshua, even though his instincts told him it couldn't be any good.

Chapter Text

The snowy forest, but quieter now.

Junhui was leaning on Wonwoo, trying to ignore that the proximity of the hunter made him nervous.

He had never felt this close to a person before.

Wonwoo's warmth was very evident against the contrast of the winter cold. His strong arm around his waist, holding him firmly.

The prince's arm around the hunter's broad shoulders looking for support.

His wound had started to burn and he didn't understand why. First the bleeding, then that vision. Now the burning and the pain.

They walked at his pace towards the cabin.

Junhui was still contemplating telling Wonwoo what he had seen about Minghao, but he didn't want to worry him without being sure what was really going on with the doctor, dear friend of the hunter.

“Wonwoo” He called him after only their breaths of effort and the cold rising from their mouths to the sky.

“Hmmph?” The older one raised his eyebrows at him. “What's the matter?”

Junhui couldn't look at him directly, because of their closeness. He felt shy.

If he turned his head in the direction of the hunter, their faces would be no more than 5 centimeters apart.

“Do you think I can fight against Jeonghan? I don't even know how to defend myself physically, how will I do it with the magic that I just discovered and I don't know how to control?” He said with concern and insecurity.

Wonwoo looked at the beautiful features plagued with anguish.

“Fighting Jeonghan doesn't have to be something immediate, we're not going to let our prince go unprepared,” he replied with his deep voice, trying to reassure the young man. He looked down and saw a crimson drop fall on the fair snow, for Jun was still bleeding. He frowned. “We are not going to leave you alone.”

Junhui tried to smile, but he was still not sure. Wonwoo noticed his grimace.

“Jun, I'm going to teach you how to fight. To defend yourself, more than anything.”

The prince looked at him in surprise, turning his face towards him.

“Are you going to teach me how to fight?”

The hunter smiled lopsidedly. “Sure, it's one of the few things I know how to do well, and although I'm not proud of it, you couldn't have a better teacher,” he said, with a bit of arrogance that Junhui found attractive.

His cheeks burned at the thought, but he smiled anyway.

“Really? I think I'm a hopeless case.” He laughed softly. “I wouldn't be able to land a decent hit on someone else.”

The hunter shook his head, smiling adoringly again.

“I already know that, I'll just teach you how to defend yourself. Are you okay with that, prince?”

The boy turned his gaze to the snow and nodded.

“Okay, I'll trust you, Yabbay hunter, to make me a little strong.”

The older one looked at Junhui's gentle face, his eyebrows lowered.

“Strong? You already are, you just need to trust yourself more,” he said, looking ahead and seeing the large miners' cabin.

Junhui sighed. Trust himself? Easier said than done.

Chan opened the door upon seeing them from the window. He noticed Junhui's bleeding leg and made a worried face, going back inside to call Joshua.

Wonwoo held Jun tighter and in a swift movement he carried him into his arms.

“Oh!” The prince exclaimed in surprise, placing his hands on the hunter's chest. “What are you doing?”

The dark brown-haired man maintained his stoic expression and shook his head, not saying a word.

Junhui looked at him with big eyes and sheepishness showed again on his cheeks, for on his pale skin it looked like he had two apples on his cheekbones.

Wonwoo entered the cabin and Joshua was already there with Seokmin next to him.

“Jihoon, Soonyoung, and Hansol are still searching,” the sorcerer said.

Seokmin walked to the door and took his hat along with his cape.

“I'll go for them, you take care of Jun.”

Joshua nodded with lowered eyebrows. “Careful, Seok.”

The miner brushed past Wonwoo and Junhui, heading out in search of the rest of the miners now that the prince had returned.

“Can you help him?” Wonwoo asked, turning his attention to Joshua.

“Yes, come, bring him to the room.”

Joshua entered a room and Wonwoo followed him, carrying Jun. The prince recognized that room in which he had woken up after Jeonghan's chimera attack and the crows; when the miners found them.

How long had it been? He felt as if months had passed and not days.

Since he had escaped from the castle his life had taken a very drastic turn.

Wonwoo carefully laid him down on the bed and Joshua went for material to treat the wound on his leg. The hunter stood at one side of the bed, his arms crossed over his chest in a firm posture.

Junhui had noticed that he was not relaxed in the presence of Joshua and the miners, unlike when it was just the two of them.

He wasn't surprised that Wonwoo was a man that didn't trust others, with high emotional barriers. Even though he didn't know his past, he could understand the hell that Wonwoo had experienced.

But he hoped that one day the hunter would feel better around other people and not so tense and defensive.

Joshua returned with new bandages, warm water in a pot, and a towel to wipe off the blood.

He sat on the edge of the bed and Jun stretched out his leg with a grimace of pain.

The sorcerer looked at him with a frown.

“This is unusual.”

“Why?” Wonwoo immediately asked.

Joshua gave him a quick glance and continued to study the wound carefully.

“Junhui has unicorn magic in his body, which is healing. It doesn't make sense for his wound to be open, it should have healed on its own... Besides, this wound had already been treated before, hadn't it?” Joshua gingerly lifted the pants and looked at the well done stitches that for some reason had reopened.

Jun felt a knot in his stomach at those words, increasing his suspicions that something really bad was going on.

“Minghao treated me... And it was fine, it had healed almost perfectly, until it suddenly started bleeding,” he explained in a low voice.

“Minghao?” Joshua asked, noticing the prince's uneasy expression.

“A doctor with very good hands. If it seems strange to you that this wound is like this, it is even more so for me, Minghao never fails to do his job perfectly.” That was the hunter.

Joshua now looked at Wonwoo's serious face and frowned intently.

Then he looked at the ground, it seemed like a lot of things went through his head all of a sudden. Just like in the prince.

He had to ask Joshua about his vision, but he couldn't do it with Wonwoo there. He didn't want to worry him.

“Wonwoo?” he asked in a small voice.

When the hunter looked at him, the older expression immediately softened.

“What's the matter?” Even his voice sounded softer when he spoke to the prince.

The young man swallowed nervously and turned his attention to his injured leg instead.

“I need to talk to Joshua about something... Alone,” he said, his voice almost a whisper.

The hunter raised both eyebrows, as he did not expect that request.

“Is that what you want?”

Junhui nodded, not looking at him. Why did he feel like it was so hard for him to do that?

“Okay, I'll be out if you need me.”

But Wonwoo had accepted it without hesitation. Still, Junhui didn't notice the hassle look on his face.

However, the man walked to the door and went out of the room.

With the two of them alone, Junhui raised his head again and Joshua was already looking at him intently.

There was something in his mature expression that reassured Junhui, as if there was a lot of wisdom behind those gentle eyes, as if Joshua had the answer to everything. It was comforting to have him there.

“Do you think the reappearance of your wound and this person, Minghao, are related?” He asked and Junhui looked at him with wide eyes, nodding.

“How do you know...?”

Joshua frowned.

“Because I feel magic here.” He pointed to the wound. “And very powerful. It also happens to match the primordial elf magic I told you about, the one I felt in Yabbay... But now that magic is just the faintest of a candle flame. I can hardly perceive it anymore.”

Junhui felt a tightness of anguish in his chest.

“Minghao has magic?”

“If you say he treated your wound, then yes. Not even my magic is like that. Not even yours. It's ancient... And I guess I'm not the only one who knows about it.”

That last was said with gravity in his voice.

“Jeonghan…” Jun whispered, remembering his vision, which made more sense now. “Joshua, when my wound started to bleed and hurt again, I had a vision, like an image that flashed through my head.”

Joshua looked at him carefully, nodding for him to continue.

“I saw Minghao, on a bed, but he looked very weak, like a withered flower… And now that I think about it, I think the place where I saw him was a cell. From the castle, more specifically,” he said, his voice trembling.

“What you saw was a magical bond,” Joshua recognized. “We all have a certain degree of recognition of the magic of others, as I have already explained to you. In my case it is very precise, in Jeonghan not so much. He can only feel it when the magic is loud enough. He's very intoxicated in his own power and it blinds him,” he explained, wetting the towel to begin treating the wound.

“A magical bond?”

Joshua nodded, wiping away the blood.

“This is what I think: Minghao, with his ancient healing magic, somehow caught Jeonghan's attention and he captured him.” He wiped the towel carefully so as not to hurt Jun. “And the reason for that is because he can steal magic from him for a certain period of time. Elven magic is very powerful and great, it takes a lot to get hold of it or even control it. It is a wise and kind magic, if Jeonghan is not careful and because of his own feelings of hatred, it can backfire, but if he does it slowly, increasing his exposure to it little by little, then he can use it to his advantage.”

Junhui grimaced in horror at the thought of Jeonghan stealing Minghao's magic.

“How is that possible...?”

Joshua removed the dirty bandage and lowered his brow.

“Jun, magic is inexhaustible, but it has a limit. We can't release it all at once. Elven magic, Minghao's, is of a very great magnitude... And that is what has saved him so far. Jeonghan can't absorb magic from him at once, because it would kill him, but for every time he does it slowly and carefully, Minghao loses his vitality. The fact that your wound opened when it was almost healed is because the one who healed you with his blessed hands has already passed the limit and cannot revitalize himself.”

The prince felt his blood run cold.

“What... What do you mean by that?”

He asked him, even though he didn't want to hear the answer. Joshua stopped his movements and looked at him sympathetically.

“That if Jeonghan absorbs magic from him again in the condition he's in now… Minghao will die.”

Junhui widened his eyes in fear and disbelief.

“No… Minghao cannot…” He shook his head several times. “He can't die…”

He thought of the young doctor with his elvish features, now making sense. He thought of his smile and his kind treatment. He thought in Wonwoo that adored him and if something happened to him, the hunter would lose a very important person to him. The world would lose Minghao and that could not happen.

Joshua bandaged his wound, sensing Jun's anguish in the air.

“If Jeonghan wants the power from him, he won't mind taking the last of Minghao's energy just to steal some more of his magic.”

Junhui denied again without wanting to accept it.

“We have to go get him! We have to rescue him!”

Joshua stood up with a firm gesture.

“Neither you nor the hunter can go, as much as you want to. In your current state, you will give yourselves over to Jeonghan and our efforts will come to nothing.”

But Junhui didn't want to accept it.

“We can't abandon him, Joshua.” He looked at him pleadingly. "If Wonwoo knows, he'll go after him…” he said uneasily. “We have to save him.”

Junhui had already lost many loved ones, and even though he didn't know Minghao very well, he already cared for him. He couldn't let something bad happen to him.

“There must be something we can do…” He felt the sting of his tears.

Joshua looked at him with sympathetic and sad eyes, understanding his feelings of sorrow.

Then he frowned, looking toward the door with an expression of alarm, realizing something only a man like him could notice.

“Looks like your hunter heard us,” he said, walking to the door and opening it. Wonwoo was no longer there.

Junhui panicked, making a motion to stand up and go after the hunter, but Joshua stopped him.

“No, prince, I'll take care of this.”

“But-

Joshua gave him a serious look and Junhui widened his eyes as he sat on the edge of the bed, his leg freshly bandaged, and still ready to run after Wonwoo.

“I can't let him go alone…”

And the sorcerer never felt more helpless that he couldn't use his magic on someone, since it would be easier to put Junhui to sleep and take care of it without him going after Wonwoo without taking into account his state.

“I told you I'll take care of this,” he said in his soft voice and lowered eyebrows. “I'm sorry for this, Jun.”

The young man looked at him in disconcert. Joshua walked to the door and out, closing it behind him with magic, putting a spell on it so he couldn't get out, locking Jun inside.

The prince staggered to his feet towards the door in desperation when he realized what the sorcerer had done, but it was useless, no matter how hard he moved the knob, it wouldn't budge.

He banged on the door several times.

“Don't do this, please! Don't let Wonwoo go alone! It's suicide! Joshua please!” he pleaded, from the other side of the door, tears in his eyes, still banging on the door.

Joshua walked towards the room where only Chan was, since the others hadn't returned. The boy had heard Jun's screams, but the sorcerer shook his head.

“Don't you dare let him out,” he ordered and the young man looked at him with concern, but without asking questions, noticing Joshua's gesture.

He had a sorrowful expression, but he couldn't let his emotions get the best of him.

“I have to act fast, his magic is just a weak flame about to go out”

Joshua closed his eyes, took a deep breath and concentrated.

Outside, walking through the woods with fists clenched at his sides, looking for a horse in the miners' stable, the hunter felt his heart in his chest and his blood rushing through his body. Blinded with rage, despair, and grief.

He stayed out of the room when Jun asked him to leave him alone with Joshua. He couldn't help but overhear their conversation, not when he recognized the murmur of Minghao's name next to Jeonghan's.

It couldn't be good news and when he put his ear to the door, what he heard completely paralyzed him.

The memories from the day of the chase in Yabbay and his fight with the soldiers, Minghao raising a barrage of fire to give him a chance to escape. Then the guards dragging his friend to take him to the castle.

Wonwoo had trusted that he would be fine. He was delusional.

And that anger and anguish were the reason for his action. He couldn't stay there knowing that Minghao was Jeonghan's prisoner, that Jeonghan was stealing his magic, his life.

Could Minghao die...?

No. Wonwoo was not going to accept it. He threw rationality away, moved on the urge to rescue his friend. He wasn't going to let him be taken from him.

He saw the stable closer and strode forward, cold anger on his face.

He still wasn't fully recovered, his body wasn't in the best condition, but he was ready to fight at any time with the strength he had.

For Minghao, to whom he owed his life and more. For his dear friend.

A gust of wind blew and he closed his eyes at the sudden intensity, stopping his footsteps momentarily.

When he opened his eyes again, Joshua was in front of him, with a serious expression, looking directly at him.

“You can't go,” he said firmly.

Wonwoo grunted, ignoring the sorcerer, following his path, but Joshua stepped in front of him, blocking his way.

The hunter looked at him reluctantly.

“Move, this is none of your business.”

Joshua was unfazed by the taller man's deep voice and menacing gaze.

“Indeed it is, what could a man like you do against Jeonghan?” He said and Wonwoo took a step towards him with his jaw clenched, speaking almost through his teeth.

“I'm going to kill your dear brother, that's what I'll do.”

Joshua frowned at him slightly without breaking eye contact with him. Wonwoo grunted again and brushed past him, continuing forward in the direction of the stable.

The older man turned, seeing the hunter's back continue on his way.

“And Junhui? Didn't you think of him?”

At the mention of that name, Wonwoo immediately stopped. Not consciously, it was just his first reaction.

Until now he had only thought about rescuing his friend without thinking about how stupid he was to go straight to Jeonghan. But when the prince came back to his mind, he felt himself waver.

Joshua noticed that and moved closer to him again.

“If you go, which is such a foolish idea, there's a good chance that Jeonghan will make you his prisoner or kill you. Going there, you are abandoning Junhui. Is that what you want to do?”

Wonwoo turned his head to look at Joshua with a hard expression, but he couldn't hide how much those words affected him, behind his dark eyes expressed all the emotions that he couldn't hide.

“Jun needs you. You may not realize it, but the bond that he created with you he does not have with anyone else and he will not form it with any of us.”

The hunter looked down at the ground, at the white snow. In his mind stood out the image of the beautiful and pure Junhui, smiling for him.

“I had to lock him up, because he was willing to come with you. If you separate from Jun, you will cause him great sorrow. You're going to break his heart.”

Wonwoo looked at the sorcerer with some skepticism.

“Even with his big heart he can't care for me that much. Not for a man like me.”

But Joshua shook his head and closed his eyes.

“The love that is naturally born in him is towards all creatures, but there are different degrees and types of love that he can have... And for you, he doesn't seem to be developing the affection that he has for a friend or another being out of pure compassion. It is different. It is stronger.”

The hunter frowned. “What are you trying to say?” he asked with his deep voice, with a warning tone. “I hope that's not what I'm thinking…”

Josua opened his kind, but stern eyes. It was a strange combination. Mature gentleness.

“Junhui needs you by his side more than anyone. His heart is big and strong, but he is like a snowflake, fragile and light. You are the only one who can hold him, keep him from falling. I have seen many things throughout my years, I recognize when a new love is being born. He is young, sincere and his eyes towards you do not lie.”

Wonwoo shook his head, smiling humorlessly.

“Someone so pure cannot love me. Not me,” he said, blinking several times, warding off the pain in his chest that came like a dagger.

“If a flower can be born in the snow and resist, why should it deny a true love?” Joshua softened his voice, the hunter seemed conflicted with himself. “Besides, he is not the only one, you are not indifferent to him, do you think it is not noticeable? It's hard for you to leave him alone, you go after him like a protective wolf. And your eyes don't lie either.”

Wonwoo jerked his head up, as if he was realizing all this. No, rather, as if Joshua put it right in front of his eyes, making it impossible for him to ignore it.

“I... I have no right. Not with him. I would only stain him,” he said, the pain in his chest increasing.

“You're wrong.” Joshua walked over to him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Wonwoo, you are wrong. Stop denying those feelings. I know you want to protect him, but loving him is not forbidden.”

Still, the hunter lowered his eyes sorrowfully. Guilty. He had agreed to protect Junhui, but he didn't want to cause him any harm.

“Why me...?”

Joshua smiled understandingly.

“Because there is no one better for him,” he said with certainty. “So don't leave him alone.”

Wonwoo continued to deal with his own demons, with his troubled innerself.

“But I can't leave Minghao alone either, he's my friend, I can't abandon him” he expressed with a fragile voice.

“Don't worry about it, I'll go get him.”

Wonwoo looked up at Joshua, eyes wide. “You...? And how will you do that? It's Jeonghan's territory.”

Joshua again put on that gesture of mature gentleness.

“He can't do anything to me,” he said, his voice low but sure.

“But he will know… And he will face you.”

Joshua shook his head. “If he knew, I wouldn't be here.” He took a step back. “Jeonghan doesn't know that I have lived all this time so close to him.”

Wonwoo stared at him. “You're sure?” he asked, feeling worried about the sorcerer, no longer his mistrust, no longer his hostility towards him.

The sorcerer smiled softly.

“I'll bring Minghao, you go with Jun.” Then Joshua raised his finger to the gray sky and Wonwoo looked up. “He is able to bury the forest with his snow for you.”

It had started to snow again.

“You didn't say that to convince me, did you?” He said, feeling some flakes fall on his face.

“I wouldn't lie about something like that,” Joshua replied. “Now go, we don't have much time, I'm not exaggerating when I say that he'll make snow until the tops of the trees disappear.”

Wonwoo nodded firmly, but didn't leave right away. He looked at Joshua hesitantly, but then grabbed his shoulder, softening his expression.

“Thank you, Joshua… And sorry if I was too rough with you.”

Joshua smiled warmly, shaking his head gently.

“Don't worry, Woowoo.”

The hunter looked at him a few moments longer, then retraced his steps, heading toward the cabin, back to Jun.

And Joshua, being alone, couldn't hide the sorrowful expression on his face.

“It's been a long time, brother, so long without seeing each other…”

He closed his eyes, and with a gust of blue wind, he disappeared.

Chapter Text

Eyelids heavy, body like stone, unable to move, caught up in his own fatigue. One arm by his head, the other falling off the bed, his knuckles scraping the gray floor.

Until he heard metal screeching, heavy footsteps. Until he felt a large, firm hand on his shoulder.

Then a rushed, loud whisper in his ear.

“Minghao, I'm going to get you out of here!”

He recognized that voice. His weakened heart responded to him. He moved his head, letting it fall in the direction of his visitor. He barely opened his eyes, looking through his lashes. He parted his chapped lips a little, but his own voice didn't come out.

He felt so weak.

Mingyu's face, with a worried look on his face, kneeling at the side of the bed. So alive and strong, unlike Minghao, weakened and on the verge of death.

If Jeonghan came back for him, to steal more of his life and magic, then he wouldn't handle the exhaustion that seeped into his bones.

Mingyu noticed the decay in Minghao, a withered rose. He ran a hand through his honey-colored hair that had lost its shine as well.

“I'll get you out of here, Hao,” he whispered, holding back his tears at seeing his loved one in that state.

He approached him and placed a kiss on his forehead, Minghao closed his eyes, feeling a little relieved by that gesture.

Then he felt Mingyu's arms holding and carrying him smoothly, as well as a blanket he put over him.

If anyone asked what he was carrying in his arms, he would reply that it was a corpse that he should get rid of, so he made sure to cover Minghao's slim body, hidden from view. Minghao, who was not far from a lifeless being, if he stayed here.

He would take the risk, because both he and Minghao knew the doctor couldn't take one more visit from Jeonghan. He would finish him off like one who spills the last drop from the honey pot.

He walked out of the cell, trying not to show nervousness in his expression, making his face harder, keeping his composure.

Despite having fed Minghao those days with his own food, the younger ate less and less, until he stopped moving and Mingyu had to give him the soup because the poor doctor felt as if holding the spoon was a big effort.

He had lost more weight and Minghao was already skinny, leaving him in a frail condition. He walked through the corridors of the cells, ignoring the other prisoners, looking ahead with determination and nothing more. He had taken a knife from the kitchen and hidden it between his pants and under his shirt. If it was to protect Minghao and get him out of there, he would be willing to use it against anyone who got in their way.

He reached the stairs to go up them and hoped that Jeonghan's guards were stupid to some extent to avoid being questioned and stopped.

Minghao, for his part, had his eyes closed, his head resting on Mingyu's chest, listening to his racing heart that betrayed his nervousness and anxiety in the face of this whole situation, with the blanket and the warmth of his beloved, giving him a little relief in his cold body.

Mingyu walked up the stairs and swallowed hard. He opened the door with the most serious gesture.

The guards of the dungeons quickly stopped him and he shrugged, trying to stay calm.

“He died. I'm going to get rid of the body, it can't just sit there rotting, right?” He said, faking his coldness.

It was actually hard for him to say those words since he was implying that about Minghao, and just doing that hurt him.

The guards looked at him under their helmets suspiciously, but Mingyu's face did not waver.

“Ugh, what a waste, but nothing can be done about it,” one of the soldiers said, pointing his chin at him to back off, as if Mingyu's presence in front of them was a nuisance.

The young cook simply withdrew.

The guards were a problem, the servants were not. He knew every corridor of that castle, even the most luxurious and ostentatious rooms of the wing where Jeonghan resided.

Obviously he wouldn't approach there. He would take a shortcut where he wouldn't draw attention.

“I'll get you out of here, I promise,” he whispered only for Minghao to hear.

He walked confidently and quickly, looking around. He spotted a guard up ahead and turned aside, heading down the halls that led to the kitchen. If he got there he could go out the back door where they received the ingredients from the carts that brought the supplies from the town of Yabbay.

His steps became more hurried, breaking through his mask of calm, showing the anxiety in his expression.

He hoped his father wasn't in the kitchen at the moment, as he had taken the precaution of doing this not at meal times, when there were fewer people in the way.

Then he heard a call, a “Hey! What are you doing?” from a guard who saw him.

And Mingyu ran. He could no longer act calm. He let his panic and his instincts do the work for him. Minghao felt the change in the rhythm of the young man holding him, also hearing metallic movement beyond.

But the dark-haired boy ran through the corridors without stopping, taking turns in the right places, until he could see the kitchen ahead.

They couldn't get caught.

He walked past the counters and past the other cooks who looked at him curiously. He dodged the obstacles without stopping, running to the open back door where boxes of grown vegetables in Yabby were being received.

He hurried, already breathing hard, without looking back.

He almost ran into two men exchanging boxes of carrots, but he managed to get out.

Coldness hit him, steam replaced his breath, dark snow still staining the ground around the castle, a pale sky greeted him.

Despite his inherent clumsiness, Mingyu didn't slip, running around the castle grounds where he made sure to tie up a horse to get out of there, noting that the gates were open for the supply entrance to the palace.

He smiled as he saw the horse where he had left it, running harder towards it, no sign of the guards behind.

But then he felt something dig into his leg, making him fall forward with the momentum, a stab of pain shooting up his entire lower limb.

Minghao fell with him, but Mingyu hugged him and rolled so that the younger fell on his body and he didn't crush him. He closed his eyes from the strong impact and the blanket was removed from Minghao, who also felt the suddenness of the fall, opening his eyes to understand what was happening with the little energy he had left.

He saw a pale sky, he was being hugged by Mingyu, on a black ground that he recognized. They had got outside the castle.

Then Mingyu groaned, lifting his head to see what was buried in his leg.

He was surprised to see a black stake piercing his skin. And he was quick to attribute the cause of it. His surprise grew as he saw Jeonghan approaching them. His blond hair, his face outlined in fury.

“I can't believe it, did you like the pretty elf so much that you wanted to steal him from me? How silly you are, boy.”

He raised his hand, and another black stake appeared in it, which he held tight.

Mingyu grunted, trying to stand up still holding Minghao, getting onto his knees and resting his unharmed leg on the black floor. The horse wasn't far away, they could still make it.

He lifted Minghao up and tried to move forward but Jeonghan threw the other stake at him, which buried in the back of his thigh.

“Ah!” He screamed out in pain and Minghao looked at him with concern. Mingyu's face was contorted in ache and he began to stride forward with more difficulty.

“Stop or I'll fill you with holes,” Jeonghan said in a warning voice as he continued to walk toward them. How had he found out?

But Mingyu kept moving forward with Minghao in his arms, looking at him with concern.

“Gyu?”

The brunet shook his head, clenching his jaw and holding back the pain.

“Didn't you hear me?” Jeonghan materialized another stake in his hand, throwing it again. This time it was buried into Mingyu's shoulder who gasped and closed his eyes, but he didn't stop.

Minghao widened his eyes, not seeing what was happening, but understanding that it wasn't a good thing if Jeonghan was behind them. He was hurting Mingyu and Minghao wasn't going to accept that.

“Mingyu, don't do it, please hand me over,”he asked, unable to bear the mere thought of seeing his lover suffer.

And unable to speak, Mingyu shook his head determinedly, his eyes fixed straight ahead. Just a few more steps.

Jeonghan growled behind, exasperated.

“I'm tired of playing.” This time he pulled out two stakes. “Give me back my dear prisoner and maybe I'll spare your life.”

Mingyu ignored him. Blood was already oozing from his clothes and onto the tainted snow. He limped but kept moving.

“Gyu, let me go…” Minghao pleaded, only being able to listen to Jeonghan and see Mingyu's pained expression, a hand caressing the brunet's cheek.

The king clicked his tongue. 

“I warned you.”

He magically threw the black stakes into the back of Mingyu who groaned in pain again, clenching his jaw. He fell onto his knees, not letting go of Minghao who felt helpless and worried.

Mingyu closed his eyes tightly and inhaled deeply. The wounds that burned like fire ached, they didn't allow him to continue moving. He heard Jeonghan's footsteps approaching.

“Get... out of here, Hao,” he spoke with difficulty. “Get on the horse... and go as far as possible.”

He set Minghao down as gently as possible and tried to get to his feet, leaning on his thighs straightening with difficulty. The medic with little energy in him held on to Mingyu's shirt so he wouldn't leave from his side because he knew what he was planning to do: sacrifice himself for him.

They talked about it once. To give their life for the other. They were stubborn, but neither of them could help that. They went to such lengths, to sacrifice themselves for each other. For their love, death didn't matter to them as long as it was to protect each other.

“Run away, Minghao…” Mingyu withdrew the doctor's hands firmly, shaking his head, sad eyes looking down at his beloved. “Please go.”

Minghao's eyes pooled with tears.

“Don't do this, Gyu, please…” he pleaded weakly, but the older one took out the knife he'd hidden and held it firmly in his left hand.

“I love you, Hao,” he said, smiling, after coughing up blood that oozed from the corner of his lips that confessed his love one last time.

Minghao looked at him with eyes aghast and trembling lips. That couldn't be happening. He was still on the ground leaning to one side because he couldn't move due to the little strength he had.

He held out his hand, but Mingyu turned his back on him, facing Jeonghan who had an annoyed expression, but was smiling mischievously.

"Love, is that? It's useless, it's foolish. That heart of yours has doomed you, Mingyu."

But the dark-haired man didn't hesitate, because he began to advance with the knife in his hand, determined, limping.

The stakes were gone, leaving gaping holes from which blood oozed. Minghao noticed them, shaking his head at all of the anguish spreading through his being. He tried to get to his feet, but he fell on his first try, staring at his hands on the dirty floor with blurry eyes, feeling more helpless than ever.

“Mingyu...! Come back!” He called out desperately, but Mingyu kept moving towards Jeonghan.

“Go away, Minghao! Please go!” he thought.

But Minghao, unable to stand up, crawled towards him, still calling out to him with a weak, desperate voice. 

Jeonghan stood in front of Mingyu and glared at him. The boy grunted and lunged forward with his arm raised to stab the knife into the corrupt king, but his hand hovered inches from hitting Jeonghan.

Mingyu stared at him with wide eyes, the way his hand opened tense against his will, releasing the knife, dropping it to the ground.

Minghao continued dragging, watching as Mingyu froze, struggling against himself, unable to move. Jeonghan calmly stood in front of him, admiring the younger man.

Then he looked at the man with blood and elven magic that was on the ground, so feeble. He looked at him with false mercy.

“I'm sorry, I'm going to have to steal the heart of your lover, in this kingdom there should be no room for nonsense like love. It makes you weak. It reduces us to vulnerable and stupid.” He said that last with suppressed fury.

Then, just like that, Jeonghan sank his hand into Mingyu's chest as if there were no physical bodily barriers he couldn't cross.

“No!” Minghao shouted sharply.

Mingyu grunted, still trying to break free of the spell that kept him from moving. But Jeonghan took his hand from his chest and in his palm, was Mingyu's beating heart.

Minghao gasped in agony and Mingyu frowned in bewilderment. Then his eyes rolled back and then the tension in his body disappeared as he fell to the ground like a limp rag doll.

Jeonghan admired the heart in his hand, raising an eyebrow at Minghao who was staring at the scene in disbelief, his arm stretched out in the air, away from Mingyu.

“Here I have the heart that you swore to love, in my hands, not yours.” He laughed as if that was funny.

The medic felt a great pain invade his senses, a sorrow that took away his strength and made him collapse. Mingyu was lying on the black ground, Jeonghan holding his heart. Everything inside him began to vibrate, he felt something breaking little by little, tearing at his chest and his soul.

But the king's smile faded and he frowned, moving his head in alarm from side to side. He, too, felt a tingle, a familiarity around him. Just at that moment, a gust of wind hit them, Minghao barely felt it because his own pain was consuming him.

In front of him stood another man, in a bluish winter cloak, with black hair and gentle but stern eyes.

Jeonghan watched the newcomer that appeared from a blue fire. The king looked incredulously, feeling different emotions, contradictory and strong, seeing that face so old and familiar to him, his blood burned, because the man in front of him had the same blood running in his veins.

“Joshua…” he said hollowly, astonishment all over his posture.

The sorcerer lowered his eyebrows upon seeing Jeonghan after so long.

Red fire sprang up from the king's feet and spread rapidly towards Joshua, but branched off like it hit a wall as it reached the other man, following the sides of the sorcerer, also avoiding Minghao.

Joshua looked at Mingyu's heart in Jeonghan's hand and his own blue fire sought to reach his brother, but like an invisible wall preventing it, the flames rose without touching the king.

A barrier of love that their mother had for them, of not allowing the brothers to hurt each other. They both glared at each other between their fires that could not touch.

“Brother, join me.”

Jeonghan asked to his surprise, but Joshua wasn't planning on doing that. He arrived on time, or perhaps too late, for behind him boiled an angry, strong magic.

“Sorry, brother, that's not going to happen.”

And feeling the energy of magic building up in Minghao from his sorrow, knowing that if he did nothing it might explode like a violent wave that would sweep the entire kingdom with his torment, Joshua whipped his cloak around and reached down to take the medic in his arms. 

Minghao reached his hand over Joshua's shoulder to Mingyu, tears falling down his face.

“Mingyu...!”

And the bluish wind blinded the last vision of him, of Mingyu on the ground, unconscious, without him being able to do anything for his love.

“Joshua!” Jeonghan growled and his flames rose violently, but his brother disappeared, taking Minghao away, to a place he didn't know, where he couldn't find him.

For him it was a surprise, it was something that was not expected, to see his brother again. He had conflicted feelings against him. The anger was extraordinary, as was the pain and grief that he could never shake off.

But they mocked him.

First that raw magic that had arisen in Diamant, then Joshua's appearance and having the last descendant of the elves taken from him right under his nose.

He couldn't act like he had been doing anymore. If it was necessary to burn down the kingdom to find his brother and his elf, the insolent hunter and above all, the elusive little lamb, then he would.

❄❄❄❄❄

The hunter reached the large miners' cabin where he had been before.

Apparently they hadn't arrived yet because upon entering he only saw Chan covering his ears and with his head down, until he noticed his presence and looked at him in surprise.

Wonwoo raised his eyebrow in question, but the boy shook his head.

“Joshua told me not to open the door, sorry…” he said, sadly and with lowered eyebrows.

Some banging, weaker this time, heard against the wood. Wonwoo knew what he meant.

He ran down the hall and arrived in front of the door, flinging it open.

Behind, Junhui stood with his fist raised. His face was flushed and wet, his eyes bright. He looked up to see who had finally opened the door and looked at the hunter in surprise.

Wonwoo didn't have time to say anything, as the prince lunged forward and hugged him tightly, his face buried in the older man's chest.

The hunter was stunned at first, as he didn't expect such a reaction.

“Prince, you don't make it easy for me…”

He wrapped his arms around the young man's body as he cried and hit him weakly on the chest.

“How dare you go by yourself?” he asked, his voice sobbing. “Why don't you care about your life? I know that Minghao is important, but you can't fight Jeonghan alone…”

More sobs, he looked very affected. The hunter didn't expect it. Joshua's words came back to his mind.

And it was the truth. Junhui was very scared. He didn't want to lose Wonwoo, the hunter was his anchor, the most precious thing he had when he thought he had lost everything.

“What were you thinking…? Don't leave me alone…” Another hiccuping sob.

Wonwoo lowered his eyebrows, fighting the lump in his throat, hugging Junhui, daring to hold him tightly against his own body.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you... Here I am, Junnie. I'm not going anywhere, prince. I promise you.”

Jun's shoulders trembled at his wailing, still with his face hidden in Wonwoo's clothes.

He wanted to believe it was true. That Wonwoo would stay with him. That Jeonghan wouldn't take it from him. Not him.

Wonwoo stroked Jun's black hair and placed his chin on the top of the young prince's head who was still clinging to him as if he would disappear if he let go even a little bit.

He still felt so undeserving of the pure feelings of someone like Jun, but to have the opportunity to hold something so precious in his arms… Not even Wonwoo had the strength to refuse that.

Wonwoo couldn't refuse Jun.

He felt like the weakest man in the world for that young prince. And at the same time, he felt the strongest, because he discovered that he was capable of fighting against all of Jeonghan's soldiers, as long as he left the path clear for Jun and that no one dared to touch any strand of black hair.

Let no one hurt his precious snowflake.

❄❄❄❄❄

In front of the cabin, just as Seokmin was bringing Soonyoung, Jihoon, and Hansol back with him, the four of them felt the wind blow strongly and stopped them, as in front of them, the bluish color of the flames and Joshua's cloak appeared like a whirlwind that dissipated, revealing the sorcerer holding another younger man in his arms.

The miners looked at them in surprise, but Joshua didn't have time to address them.

He was on his knees in front of Minghao who was in shock.

He took hold of his skinny shoulders and looked directly at him, but Minghao's brown eyes stared blankly ahead.

“Minghao?”

He called out to him, but the doctor had a blank look on his face. He parted his lips slightly and blew out a few weak words.

“Mingyu...? Is Mingyu...?”

And then he opened his eyes in total horror and before the shock of emotions made him release his accumulated magic in an uncontrolled way, Joshua touched his forehead and the young man felt the world fade away, losing consciousness.

Joshua caught him as Minghao fell forward, looking at him regretfully.

Finally, the miners came over to see who this young man Joshua had brought was.

“He is a friend of Wonwoo and Jun. He has a very special magic and Jeonghan wanted to take it away from him. But apparently he saw someone important to him die and he's in no condition to-

Joshua closed his mouth, since until that moment he had not processed what had happened. Where he had gone. The man he swore not to see ever again.

His brother, Jeonghan.

He felt his stomach twist in a thousand contradictory and nauseating emotions.

Seokmin noticed Joshua's troubled expression and approached him, crouching down and putting a hand on his shoulder, speaking softly to him.

“You need to rest too. Let us handle it from now on, okay?”

And Joshua looked into Seokmin's warm eyes, just wanting the two of them alone to allow himself to look vulnerable, because only before him could he do that.

He nodded, holding back his own emotions with all the strength of his will.

Jihoon crouched down in front of him, making the motion to pick up and carry the boy the sorcerer had brought with him.

“He doesn't look too good, we have to let him rest. And Seokmin is right, you need to do it too” he said, carrying the boy without problem, because he was very skinny.

Joshua nodded, his eyes downcast.

“Take him to the cabin, let Wonwoo and Junhui know he's alright. They are very worried about him... his name is Minghao.”

Jihoon nodded, looking at Seokmin and sharing a quick glance. He would take care of Joshua for now.

So he walked towards the cabin, with Soonyoung and Hansol behind him, going ahead to prepare food for everyone, since many things had happened.

And worst of all, that was just the beginning of the chaos.

Chapter Text

It didn't stop snowing. As if the threnodies escaped out of his control, the flakes continued to fall, even after the hunter tried to reassure the prince to no avail.

But he couldn't do anything. There was something that Jun felt that he didn't, perhaps more strongly, because of his magic, something in the air that went unnoticed by him, but not by the prince. Because the only thing Wonwoo could perceive was that bad feeling that came from his good sense that he was born with and developed with his years as a hunter.

They didn't know how long they stayed like that, Junhui calming his crying in Wonwoo's chest, while he held him tightly without letting go at any time.

Never in his life did he imagine such closeness with someone like that. Less with a prince.

But they separated until they saw down the hall (since they were still in the doorway) when Jihoon passed to enter another room, carrying someone with him.

Not just anyone, clearly. Wonwoo's heart skipped a beat as he recognized his best friend in the miner's arms.

“Minghao…” he said with an airy voice and Junhui finally raised his head from Wonwoo's chest when he heard that name come out of his lips.

“Where?” He asked, his eyes wide and bright, his face red with tears, shaking his head in search of the healer.

Wonwoo took him by the hand and walked towards the room where Jihoon entered. Junhui followed him, a new anguish inside him.

They also entered that room, where the miner gently placed Minghao on the bed.

The hunter felt another painful pang when he saw the state in which his friend was. Minghao had always been skinny, but now he looked like a withered autumn leaf, as if the wind was going to blow him away from everyone.

Even his skin looked quite pale and his honey hair seemed to have lost its shine. He looked like a willow branch to which the stream did not provide it with water.

He walked over with Jun following behind him, even though he already had a vision of Minghao, he was still surprised to see him face to face.

But the doctor was still alive, because his chest rose and fell, while Jihoon covered him with the blanket.

“Joshua brought him, but he doesn't seem to be in a position to do much at the moment either,” the miner explained, making sure the boy was comfortable, then turning to look directly at Wonwoo and the prince. “I think we all need a break. Hansol and Soonyoung are going to prepare dinner. I'll go for firewood, it hasn't stopped snowing and I'm afraid it will be more difficult to find decent firewood if I don't do it now.”

After heaving a sigh and looking at Junhui with softer eyes, Jihoon walked towards the door but stopped by putting a hand on the prince's shoulder.

“I don't know if it's my imagination, but I have a bad feeling, let's rest while the storm doesn't start.”

After saying that and looking at both of them one last time, he left the room.

They were silent for a few moments, the echo of the door reverberating, until the hunter cleared his throat, giving the prince's hand a light squeeze. For someone straggling into servitude despite being a noble, Junhui had very soft and gentle hands, unlike his own, which were rough and used to tougher work.

But he was holding Jun's hand as sweetly as he could muster.

“I think I'll have to teach you how to fight as soon as possible, but Jihoon is right, for now let's rest a bit, the day has been long and it's not over yet.”

Still, with the snow falling, the sky was beginning to dim in its light, as the dark blue curtain replaced the pale canvas from which beautiful flakes of cold lace rained down.

Junhui no longer knew if it was his doing or nature's. He had no idea how to stop it anyway.

The forest was covered with the white mantle, the creatures sought their refuge, but they didn't bother with that pure snow, because the cold was strangely not unbearable, one could even say that it was comforting.

Winter was not cruel. At least on this side of the forest, the landscape was clothed in immaculate serenity.

Unlike on the other side of the green wall and the rocks, back in Yabbay, where the commotion from the castle reached the town, the atmosphere turned heavy.

In Yabbay the ground was not covered with white snow, but with ashes that resumed their fall, suffocating those who were outside their houses. Corrupting the air.

Ashes preparing to ignite flames, as if they were smoldering coal.

They all knew something was wrong. A warm but unnerving vibration hung in the air. It didn't seem like it was winter in Yabbay, but rather a furnace prepared to burn everything that was inside it.

Incinerate everything in its path.

Incinerate what?

And in the castle, that suffocating feeling was greater. The walls were burning, the heat was unnatural in such a December, it was beyond what the servants and guards were used to. They were aware that the king didn't tolerate cold, but that was excessive.

What was more worrying was the king's attitude.

He locked himself in his room, with the guards outside at all times, although Jeonghan didn't need protection, but his cunning self told him that it was better to deceive others of his true power, never show it completely. A card up his sleeve that gave him an advantage.

His constitution seemed fragile. He wasn't a very tall man, he was slim and his delicate beauty gave him an image of vulnerability.

It helped having that look.

Still, the army he possessed was necessary. Better that the pawns die than spend his energy.

Jeonghan locked herself in his room, refusing even dinner. He needed to be alone, he needed time to think. To prepare.

Sitting in front of the mirror, with his eyes closed, with his hand inside it, because it had a golden surface, like that golden liquid, which extended up to the middle of his forearm, trickling little by little into him.

“I won't find them, I have no such ability”

As Joshua had said, Jeonghan's magic radar had atrophied from the blindness of his own power. And the mirror couldn't penetrate the protective barriers of the other brother.

Well, just as Jeonghan was an excellent offense, Joshua was a great defense.

The mirror couldn't show him Joshua's location. Neither Junhui's, who was also heavily guarded in a certain way.

Not even the hunter he was able to find.

The golden liquid continued to cover Jeonghan's entire arm, as if his skin was made of the same material.

The king kept his eyes closed, his brow furrowed in concentration. The mirror spoke to him inside with his own voice, only slightly distorted. The difference was hardly noticeable though.

“Your Majesty, there's no need to go to them... Better if they come to you.”

And Jeonghan smiled. The golden liquid that came from the mirror already reached his shoulder and went up to cover his neck.

“It's true, bringing them is easier, I know... But how will I do it?”

The golden dullness rose up his neck to the lower half of his face, letting just his eyes as Jeonghan opened them before the mirror completely covered his face.

The thought struck him and his eyes took on a wicked gleam before disappearing beneath the golden liquid.

He just needed to gather the necessary energy, accumulate his magic into the core of his power that came from hatred. And that way, high in the afternoon sun, he would draw the moths to the flames.

❄❄❄❄❄

Wonwoo sat on the edge of the bed, holding Minghao's hand in his. Junhui had gone to help Hansol and Soonyoung with the dinner.

The hunter knew that he must have gone to help Jihoon for the firewood, but Jun wouldn't let him. He still had to take care of his injuries that no longer seemed more than a slight annoyance.

But if he wanted to help and protect Jun, he had to be in the best shape possible, so he stayed by his friend's side who was still sleeping. Although he didn't seem calm, because to Wonwoo's concern, Minghao had a restless expression, as if he had nightmares and he didn't like it, but he knew that the best thing was to let him rest and recover his energy.

Joshua and Seokmin hadn't shown up yet. No one knew where they had gone, but Soonyoung said not to worry about them, they would be back for dinner.

Wonwoo wouldn't forget that gesture from the sorcerer. To bring his best friend back safe and sound. 

Something he couldn't have done.

Because despite being so strong in many ways, he was so incapable of facing Jeonghan and his magic.

The idea of Junhui doing it...

Oh Jun, winter lilium, the most beautiful flower anyone could appreciate, the purity of his heart and how precious he was. Something so beautiful that had grown in the shadows.

The hunter swore to protect him, with his life if necessary. If the kingdom had a throne, it was only for Junhui to sit on it. If there was a crown, it had to rest on the black strands of the legitimate king.

Wonwoo reflected on Joshua's words. Of Jun's feelings towards him. Could that be true?

It was too unreal to believe. Too precious. The most beautiful and precious thing Wonwoo had ever held was Junhui. Could he hold him like that many more times?

If something like that were granted to him, he would be the happiest man in the world.

Despite his tainted hands, fearing to stain Junhui with his own corruption… If Jun allowed him, then Wonwoo would give himself body and soul.

With his suffering soul and his strong body.

With his hard heart, but sincere and brave.

Because of Junhui, he felt able to believe that even such love could have a place in a world like his.

If there were people like Jeonghan, but someone like Junhui existed, it was worth fighting and living.

Wonwoo, who never had purpose or meaning in his life after he exited the late King Seungcheol's army. After Jeonghan's new reign, and his parents dying on his selfish orders.

He, a simple hunter, doing his job to survive, because it was the only thing his parents had left in him. Him, taking care of Minghao like he was his little brother, and being taken care of by him too. What little love and warmth he had, had been preserved thanks to the doctor.

But even so, he barely spent the days like a bitter man, with his visits to the bar so that the alcohol would make him forget his emptiness. His past.

The hatred towards himself. The mercenary he had become.

All that had changed. His life had a turn, when he was sent out to hunt a lamb.

Nothing more and nothing less than Junhui, the lost prince of the kingdom.

With his innocent eyes. With the vulnerability of him, but the strength of his heart evident in every stretch of his person. With his unique and pure beauty, with his soft voice and his gentleness.

Perhaps from that first glance, Wonwoo had already been doomed.

He, who was hard, cold and awkward in personal relationships because he had grown to mistrust. For a boy like Junhui, he had been caught.

The wolf that was supposed to hunt the little lamb ended up captivated by him.

He heaved a long sigh and smiled.

“What do you think, Minghao? Your silly friend is falling in love, can you believe it?” He said out loud to his friend who was sleeping thanks to Joshua's spell. “I fell in love, someone like me fell in love with the prince himself, with Junhui... No, he won't be a prince anymore…”

Junhui from the kitchen, walked to the room where Wonwoo was to let him know that dinner was ready, while Soonyoung went out to look for the others and Hansol set the table.

The prince walked down the hall towards the slightly open door of the room where Minghao and the hunter were, but he paused with his hand on the knob before opening it fully at the sound of Wonwoo's deep voice.

“I fell in love with the king.”

❄❄❄❄❄

All sitting around the table, waiting for the rest.

Joshua and Seokmin entered through the door that was nearly blown open by the sudden gust of snow storm that suddenly broke out.

Jihoon staggered in behind them, brushing the snow off his shoulders and his hair, closing the door behind him fighting the wind and more snow that also wanted to invade the cabin.

“Where's Junhui?” Joshua asked, looking wide-eyed at the white-faced prince.

The prince called Wonwoo to sit at the table and they were waiting for the other men, who had been hit by a snowstorm that appeared out of nowhere.

The heavy snow now covered the entire forest to the trees and the wind was strong enough to whip at windows and doors carelessly.

Joshua approached the prince, his eyes wide. Everyone turned their attention to the young man with pale skin and a calm doll gesture.

Yes, he looked more serious than usual, but there was nothing on the outside of him that betrayed his inner state.

But Joshua could feel the force of that storm so big that it had blotted out the night sky with its incessant snowfall, wanting to blind everything, to bury even the smallest space.

Something had happened with Junhui, because that could only be his authorship.

And seeing him in front of him, with his serene expression, but his big eyes half open, as if it was difficult for him to lift his eyelids completely, Joshua felt the magic like a whirlwind.

For those who do not know how to control it, it was easy to express their magic at the same time as their emotions, since rationality is not as strong as a feeling for something as inherent as magic. It was easier to release it like this.

Joshua had already been using his for many years, he had learned to control it.

But just like Minghao who almost exploded all of his power in a second of agony, Junhui had shown his sincere and visceral way of being with his magic, reflecting the state inside him in that dying blizzard. And there was no idea what the trigger had been.

“Is something wrong, Joshua?” Wonwoo asked, surprised like everyone else, that the sorcerer was practically holding Junhui by the shoulders and looking at him with scrutiny and a frown, as if he wanted to read inside him.

The older glanced in the hunter's direction with suspicious eyes.

“I don't know, tell me, Wonwoo, did something happen with Junhui?”

The tone of his voice immediately irritated the hunter who scowled.

“What do you mean something happened with Jun? Can't you see him? He's perfectly fine.”

The prince smiled, but his smile didn't reach his eyes.

“It's true, Joshua, I'm fine, why do you ask?” He said in a sweet voice. Like fake honey.

“Living under the same roof as Jeonghan caused some of his habits to rub off on him”

The sorcerer tried not to laugh at how silly this all seemed. Maybe he was seen as a mad man, only he understood magic after all. He used to forget how little outsiders knew about it.

Only Seokmin came over and put a hand on his shoulder. It was comforting, his touch was always like that. The light weight and warmth made him sigh, finally letting go of the prince, unable to finally understand what was happening to him.

“Stop the blizzard, you're going to bury us alive,” he finally said with a sigh, looking for his seat.

Again everyone turned their eyes to the prince, who blinked slowly. He felt that the world was going too fast for him.

Wonwoo in front of his seat stretched out a hand towards him, but Jun didn't let him touch him, taking the spoon to start eating.

The miners sensed this change in the prince's attitude. Something was wrong with him, but because of his posture and Joshua giving in, he made it clear to them that it was best to take it for peace, because no one knew how to proceed. Not even Wonwoo, who was even more surprised by that change in Jun, especially towards him.

It didn't take them long to connect one thing with the other. But no one asked.

And for the rest of the night, the blizzard did not stop.

Chapter Text

The blizzard stopped sometime during the night.

Junhui and Wonwoo slept in the same room, wide enough for two beds and a window that couldn't show the moon because the sky had been obscured by clouds that covered it like a veil.

Wonwoo couldn't sleep well, turning his back on Jun's bed, who had his body turned towards the window that showed nothing but darkness.

The silence was heavy as they both lay down to rest. Wonwoo didn't ask any questions and Junhui just closed his eyes.

And without the hunter noticing, the prince wept quietly.

Something had changed, but no one knew what. Perhaps the stress or responsibility that was now on the prince's shoulders, that was what everyone imagined. Only Joshua could feel it was something more, but he didn't ask any questions either after the prince sealed his lips for the rest of the night.

It simply stopped snowing when he fell asleep with tears drying in his restless face, from his nightmares and his troubled heart that no one could calm.

But the morning came. White light came through the window, and somehow miraculously, the sun came out too.

Junhui opened his eyes in annoyance, because they hurt him from crying. It was still early. He heard the sound of birds and a slight snore that could go unnoticed if it weren't for the fact that it was very close to him.

He carefully turned to the other side of the bed only to see in front of him, on the other bed, Wonwoo still asleep.

He had one hand under the pillow and the other held the covers against his chest. His mouth was open and from it there was that deep whispering snore escaping.

He looked very calm, but alive.

Very different from when he had been asleep with no signals to wake up again because of the threat that he might remain in that unconscious state until his death.

Junhui's heart clenched tightly and he winced, as if he really felt that hopeless oppression that had plagued him since last night.

Why did it hurt so much? He never thought it was possible to suffer like this for another person.

It hurted so much when his parents died. When Seungkwan was captured. When he had almost lost Wonwoo... But he had lost him another way.

Junhui felt the sting in his eyes again and forced himself to blink several times to keep the tears from falling again.

He understood little of that feeling that afflicted him, he was only sure that it hurt a lot.

It hurt a lot that Wonwoo was in love with someone else... And above all, with Jeonghan.

How was that possible? Of all the people he could love, he had chosen the most corrupt, disdainful, selfish and... beautiful.

Jeonghan was gold. Junhui was nothing.

A prince? He had been before, but he couldn't be sure now. Even with magic he didn't feel able to do much.

He couldn't even control it. The snow... It just fell because of his pain. How would he protect his friends and his people? How would he protect Wonwoo? How could he beat Jeonghan who was infinitely stronger and more majestic?

With all his evilness, he had the kingdom in his hands, the one that Junhui couldn't claim. He had Wonwoo's heart, which he hadn't been able to win.

He got up from the bed and sat on the edge, still looking at Wonwoo.

Was it true? Was he in love with King Jeonghan?

If Junhui hadn't been so hurt by his inexperience and his own insecurity, he would have realized the reality of the hunter's hatred against Jeonghan. That his heart was already in the hands of someone else... And those were his gentle hands.

Wonwoo had fallen in love with the kindness, purity and calm of silver, not the ostentatious and pretentious gold.

But he just couldn't see it.

Although Junhui was good at something, and that was to pretend.

[ ❅❅❅ ]

Everyone except Seokmin and Joshua sat at the table.

The youngest, Hansol and Chan, were chatting about something that only the two of them understood. Soonyoung and Jihoon asked Wonwoo questions about the town and the Yabbay forest and the hunter answered them and brought them up to date on what the people there were like.

Junhui kept a calm gesture, eating in silence, with a faint smile well painted, to hide the cold in his chest.

It hadn't snowed again and he was thankful for it, since he didn't know how to control his magic. He didn't even understand how it worked.

He never believed he possessed something like that, a power greater than himself.

At some point someone asked him a question that he had to repeat. He looked up from his food and searched for the voice that had spoken to him.

He looked over at Hansol and Chan, who had gotten up to collect their own dishes. He then looked to the front where Jihoon was complaining to Soonyoung about something he had said, which he openly laughed about.

Then he looked to his left side and found the owner of the question.

Wonwoo was looking at him intently, his dark eyes on him. Junhui's heart ached again, but he kept his subtle smile.

“Can you repeat the question, please?” He said in a voice that seemed foreign to his own. Very sweet, very... false.

It wasn't his intention.

The hunter nodded, blinking a little as if he sensed something off about the young prince, but that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

“I was asking if you wanted me to teach you how to fight once and for all. We'd agreed on that and I think the faster we start, the better.”

All of that he had said and it escaped Junhui in his dazed state inside.

“Sounds good to me, but I'm not responsible for how bad I can be,” he said and Wonwoo chuckled deeply.

“Don't worry about it, prince, you're with me. Besides, you could kick my ass, you don't know.”

Jun's smile automatically widened and he shook his head.

“Are you serious? That's impossible, I think you would beat me first.”

But Wonwoo denied, a little more serious.

“I'm not going to hurt you, Jun.”

Those words hit the younger man hard and for a few moments the ice surface that was that facet of well-being that he tried to maintain, broke a little, showing the pain inside him.

“No, do not say that.”

Junhui stood up to take his (almost full) dish with the others. He'd lost his appetite and had to go outside to get some fresh air to clear his head.

Wonwoo found his reaction very strange.

“I didn't say anything bad, did I?”

He wondered to himself, watching as the prince helped the miners set things up, again with that doll smile. But it was weaker this time.

[ ❅❅❅ ]

As they had agreed, they went out to find a place to train.

Snow covered most of the ground, wherever they walked. Both of them knew that the reason for it was Junhui's magic, but neither of them said it out loud.

The young man followed behind the hunter who was looking for a place where they could put their feet with stability. There they sank up to their ankles from the snow that the blizzard brought the night before.

Wonwoo's broad back was the only thing Jun could see.

He was following closely behind, and without the dark eyes on him, he didn't have to maintain his forced faint smile. It was easier to let his brows drop and his eyelids not fully lift.

They continued walking through the forest. Wonwoo didn't know that one in particular, but he paid attention to every tree and bush, every animal that passed by.

He liked nature because he felt familiar with it. He would rather be outside than inside with people he'd just met.

He liked the miners, and he recognized Joshua's power and superior wisdom. They were taking care of Minghao, they had taken care of him too. And Junhui was sincerely loved. They were just as confident that he would one day be king.

The duty of all of them was to make that happen. Prepare the prince to take back the throne. His righteous kingdom.

Because he was the hope of the people.

Wonwoo continued to search for a suitable spot until he heard running water. He listened better because he recognized that sound.

Before Jun's snow, the forest the miners inhabited had been protected from winter, so there were areas where even the younger's magic hadn't reached.

Wonwoo was surprised to see ahead, not a river, but a small creek and the grass around it dark and free of snow, with the typical moss of the warmer seasons.

If they crossed the small space to the other side, there was a firm place where they could train.

“Jun, come on, we can use that place.”

He stopped at the edge of the stream and turned to look at the prince, who ended up bumping into his chest from being crestfallen and distracted.

Wonwoo laughed and Jun felt that deep chuckle before separating from the hunter in embarrassment.

He felt his face warmer and Wonwoo noticed the blush contrasting with the pale skin of the young man. His eyes widened in embarrassment and barely, and he apologized in a low, shy voice.

Wonwoo found it a very innocent and adorable gesture.

He unconsciously reached out and caressed Jun's warm cheek, who was surprised at this action and looked at Wonwoo with big, bright eyes. A silent question. A doubt.

Why was he doing that?

Wonwoo lowered his eyebrows, with a contemplative smile.

“You are very beautiful, Jun” he confessed without being able to stop his words, but without regretting saying them.

However, instead of smiling sheepishly as the hunter expected, Junhui's countenance turned gloomy. He lowered his gaze and his lashes almost covered his full moon eyes.

“Not as much as Jeonghan…” he muttered and walked past Wonwoo towards the creek, unable to look him in the face.

Wonwoo heard it and was completely confused by it.

“What? That's not true.” Of course it wasn't. How could Jun say that? Couldn't he see his own beauty? External and internal. And Wonwoo would let him know. “Junhui, you are-

But his words were left in the air when Jun slipped in front of him while trying to cross the stream using the stones.

Wonwoo had quick reflexes and didn't hesitate as he lunged forward and grabbed the prince by his arm and waist so he wouldn't fall forward into the water.

He climbed onto the rock next to Jun and held him there, while the young man recovered from the shock, staring wide-eyed at the rushing water below the rocks. It wasn't much, or that deep, but he wanted to avoid it if he could.

He would've hurt himself, but Wonwoo caught him.

Again the two were so close, as if despite the size of the world, they had to be gravitating in their personal space. As if Wonwoo couldn't leave Jun alone, and Jun fell into his arms all the time.

“Be more careful…” the hunter whispered in the prince's ear, while the young man unconsciously clung to his shirt.

He could feel Wonwoo's heartbeat, or maybe it was his own that had gone out of control.

He spread his right palm on Wonwoo's chest. Sure enough, they were his, loud and almost audible if he dared to get a little closer.

If that heart were his...

He denied with his head. He wasn't Jeonghan, he couldn't steal hearts.

“Thanks and sorry, the rocks are slippery,” he said, returning his hand to his side.

But it didn't last long empty, because Wonwoo took it between his, firmly, but without hurting him.

“Then hold on to me, I'm not going to let you fall.”

Junhui looked up at Wonwoo, slowly, afraid to see those eyes... Because he would surely fall without remedy.

But he was brave and looked him in the face. He couldn't describe what lay behind those dark eyes. Their closeness didn't seem strange, on the contrary, they stayed in it without either of them backing down.

Until Jun remembered that his feelings grew every moment and that they were a condemnation that he couldn't avoid. He looked down again and nodded. It would have been better to fall into the water... It would have been better if Wonwoo dropped him mercilessly.

The hunter took a deep breath, inhaling Jun's natural scent that was sweet for some reason, but settled on his chest as if claiming something from him.

“We're going to cross to the other side, don't let go.”

And Jun found himself being a jester to the king, because Jeonghan took away what he loved most. His family, his friends and the person he had grown to love.

As Wonwoo moved towards the other rock carefully but steadily, Junhui looked at his back again, this time with their hands joined, and realized that he was hopelessly in love.

All he wanted was to hold that hand, even knowing that no one would choose silver over gold. Even knowing that one day he would have to choose between love and his kingdom.

They advanced through the narrow stream, Wonwoo didn't let go of Jun and he followed him carefully, paying attention to the hunter's feet that confidently stood on the rocks without hesitating at any time, as if the moss wasn't a complication for him. .

Again the young man slipped, but Wonwoo grabbed him by the waist and pulled him towards himself. But this time Jun jumped to the ground on the other side, not giving the hunter time to hold him in his arms once more.

He also took the last jump and they were already in the dark grass without snow.

They walked a little forward to the ground where they could move freely, with the canopy of the trees in that place, covering with their leaves as if there was no winter.

“Well, this place is perfect,” Wonwoo said, doing shoulder and arm stretches, taking off his jacket and laying it on a nearby tree branch.

Junhui clasped his hands in front of him and looked down with his usual shy air.

The hunter told him that he would teach him how to fight, how to defend himself, but Junhui didn't know anything about it. He never liked violence and he didn't consider himself strong or capable of attacking someone else.

He preferred to take care of others.

Although he was also aware that a king should know how to fight. Kings were strong. His dad had been one. He personally trained with the soldiers in his army and sometimes even fought with them, beating them on many occasions.

Junhui sat near his father's silver army soldiers and guards training area and watched them move with agility and strength.

Seungcheol laughed with them and was not far behind in his fighting skills. Jun clapped his hands for him, like a child wishing he were as strong and brave as his father.

But that hadn't happened. He didn't feel like Seungcheol. Junhui couldn't be a king like his dad had been. He couldn't fight.

“Well, let's start with you showing me what you know, or what you can do,” Wonwoo said, standing up in front of the prince, who looked up from his black bangs and made a rueful gesture.

“Wonwoo, I already told you that I don't know anything. I can't even give a decent hit, never have.”

But the hunter shrugged. “Try it, hit me.”

Junhui frowned and looked at him as if he was crazy.

“I'm not going to hit you,” he said with a whine in his voice.

Wonwoo smiled amused. “Jun, I have received countless blows and stronger than what you can give me, apart from that I am sure that a 5-year-old child would hurt me more.”

The young prince opened his mouth, suddenly offended.

“I'm not that weak either,” he said.

“I don't know, with those arms of yours I don't think you'll be able to break even a twig.”

Junhui looked at his arms alternately, they were covered by the white cotton shirt, but he knew that they were not his strength. Then he looked ahead. Wonwoo, as if the cold didn't affect him in the least, had taken off the hunter's leather jacket that he always wore and was only wearing a black tank top.

His arms were big and from the deltoid, to the triceps and biceps, not to mention his forearms, his muscles were easily noticeable even in minimal contraction. He tried not to be embarrassed by the obvious state of the older man's well-worked body.

“It's not fair,” the younger man said, pouting. “The only strong thing I have are my legs.”

Wonwoo's dark eyes boldly roamed the length of Jun's legs, who luckily had on tight brown pants that Hansol lent him.

“Then kick me,” Wonwoo said, without taking his eyes off the thighs that could be seen visibly shaped even with the clothes.

Junhui was right, his legs were his strength. In every sense.

(A/N: I'm going to stick my spoon in because I have to say that I'm pouring out my love and obsession for Wen Junhui's blessed legs by using Wonwoo.)

“What? I won't!” The prince complained again. “I'm not going to hit you, I can't, okay?”

The hunter sighed. Junhui seemed to be more peaceful than he thought.

“Well, since you refuse to hit me, in that case dodge my attacks.”

The young man looked at him without understanding what he meant, until Wonwoo approached him with firm steps and Jun felt his stomach turn.

Wonwoo stood in front of him and the prince closed his eyes, shrank back and put his forearms in front of him with a not very effective defense.

The hunter obviously didn't attack him. He wasn't planning on doing it. He looked at Junhui's posture and sighed again. He placed a hand on the black hair and the boy startled, before relaxing at the touch as he realized that Wonwoo wouldn't hurt him.

“We won't go anywhere this way. You are not offensive at all and you cannot defend yourself either.”

“I told you…” The prince's voice sounded small and disappointed.

Wonwoo felt helpless. He was a big and strong man, he knew how to fight and could do a lot of damage if he wanted to. But there were more men like him, especially in Jeonghan's army.

Men who could hurt Jun. And he couldn't turn the prince into a soldier in one day. Less considering that the young man himself refused, due to his own gentle nature, he couldn't cause harm even if it was to defend himself.

What could he do to protect him if at some point he couldn't be there for him?

“You say you have good legs... How good are you at running?Are you in good physical condition?”

Junhui looked between the space of his forearms at Wonwoo, lowering them little by little. He nodded gently, at least he was good at something.

“Then I will teach you to defend yourself in your own way, without you having to attack someone or stand up to them. If you learn to dodge, run, and keep moving, then there's no need for you to take any chances,” Wonwoo explained, walking backwards without taking his eyes off Jun. “You may not have much brute strength, but you have flexibility and agility. If you dodge my attacks and don't get caught by me, you won't have to raise your fists at anyone.”

Junhui listened carefully, noticing how Wonwoo changed the course of their training. Having noticed his inability to fight or defend himself properly, he would opt to give him tools to avoid a confrontation without getting hurt.

“You have to keep your eyes wide open and always be aware of your surroundings and what the space offers you” Wonwoo kept backing away, “you're very observant and I don't doubt your intelligence, without forgetting that you have magic, I would be more afraid of you than from a reckless madman who knows how to hit rough.”

The prince smiled at the words that were meant to cheer him up and help him and Wonwoo mimicked the gesture.

He put distance between them again, so the younger looked at him curiously.

“Don't let me get to you. And if I reach you, avoid me as much as you can. Once I catch you, little lamb, you'll be in trouble” he said that last bit smirking, with dark eyes that glared at the prince, causing the young man to feel a warmth in his stomach that he'd never felt before.

“O-okay, I won't get caught,” he replied nervously, preparing to run.

Would that be like a lamb running from the wolf? It had been like this before, in a past that seemed very distant although it really wasn't. When Wonwoo spared his life; it had all started there.

Jun felt a tremor in his body, he didn't know from what. He flexed his legs a little and waited.

“One, two... three!”

Wonwoo dashed forward and for an instant it was like seeing a real predator approaching him. Junhui widened his eyes and turned on his heel, starting to run as well.

His boots hit the grass hard and he nearly slipped on his boot, but he stayed on his feet and ran as fast as he could muster.

He knew that he was not faster than Wonwoo and that the hunter would catch up with him without difficulty.

Junhui quickly glanced back over his shoulder and saw Wonwoo quickly approaching him. His breaths per minute increased and the young man felt the burning in his chest. He could run a lot, but his legs didn't get faster.

He jumped the exposed roots of some trees and the rocks that were obstacles. He kept moving forward, but felt the hunter about to come at him.

He reminded himself that he just shouldn't get caught.

Wonwoo, who was behind Jun, increased his speed and stretched out a hand to grab the prince, but just as he was about to catch him, the young man abruptly stopped and moved to the side, stretching out a foot the hunter tripped over without being able to avoid it, since he was going too fast to react.

He flung his arms out in front of him and fell, rolling on the ground several times.

He groaned and simply watched as Jun ran off the other way with a maniacal laugh that the hunter didn't expect of him.

Wonwoo smiled with a frown and stood up, not stopping to dust himself off, resuming his pursuit of the prince. He must not underestimate him. Anyone who did, had already lost to him.

Junhui jumped the obstacles with relative ease, although he was already starting to feel the pain in his leg returning.

Joshua told him that since Minghao was in a recuperative sleep, his magic was being restored as well, therefore the wound he had treated on Jun was being affected as well, healing as before.

Therefore, it hadn't caused him any trouble since they had brought Minghao back to safety.

Still, he felt the throbbing in his calf and slowed down, looking for a way to avoid Wonwoo who was already on him again.

He jumped over exposed roots and dodged around branches, stepping into the dark grass and finding a fallen log ahead, but only halfway, because there was a gap under which he could squeeze.

Still, Jun's eyes fixed on something else. Instead of going under the log, he jumped up onto it, pushing himself up with effort using his hands and staying on top of it, feeling it begin to unsteady with his sudden weight.

It was just what he expected.

Wonwoo walked up to where he was and saw Jun hurrying along the trunk, hands outstretched to his sides to keep his balance so he wouldn't fall.

The trunk threatened to give way, but Jun made it in time to a thick tree branch which he climbed up, well above the reach of the hunter who watched from below as he caught his breath.

The trunk through which he had climbed gave way completely, falling to the ground.

“Not bad, huh?” Wonwoo said with a sly smile.

Junhui, on top of the branch, looking down at the hunter, also smiled with pleasure.

But Wonwoo didn't look defeated in the least. He glanced at the other trees and his smile widened.

“You just forgot that I'm a hunter, and climbing trees is the most basic thing I can do, Junnie.”

The prince did not expect that affectionate way of calling him and he paid more attention to it than Wonwoo's previous words that practically told him that he was going to catch him.

“Junnie?” he repeated to himself and his cheeks lit up again, so he looked away, letting his guard down.

Wonwoo, who had been climbing trees for as long as he could remember, began to climb one without using any other trunk for support, just his arms holding the branches to propel his body up.

The tree where Junhui was wasn't difficult to climb, but the prince had reached high.

If the hunter wasn't an experienced man, Jun would be safe from the others. Jeonghan's soldiers wore heavy armor that greatly limited their movement, and in this situation, they wouldn't be able to reach the young prince.

Before the younger realized that Wonwoo was reaching him without any problem, apart from the distraction of shyness from the way the hunter called him, something inside him stirred.

He again sensed that there was something wrong, but he couldn't say exactly what. He felt it far away, like an energy rising from somewhere.

It was striking, because the red and yellow image marked itself on the black canvas of his instinct. It wasn't a vision like the one he had of Minghao, but it was very similar.

Junhui looked ahead with a frown, past the many trees in that forest. He had a slight advantage being on high ground.

His internal compass told him that an energy was accumulating in that direction that seemed to grow little by little, but constantly.

“I got you, little lamb.”

Hands grabbed his waist from behind and Junhui jumped in surprise.

“Hey, watch out, we're about six meters off the ground…” The hunter held him firmly so he wouldn't lose his balance and fall from that thick branch. His chest hit the younger's back.

Junhui looked over his shoulder to see that Wonwoo had indeed caught up with him. At what time?

He had once again become so absorbed in the world of new sensations inside him that he had ignored the outside world of the senses.

“Does that mean I failed the training?” He said with a disappointed expression, but unable to avoid the heat on his face at having the hunter whispering in his ear like that and how he was holding him.

But Wonwoo's expression was soft. He had a light sheen of sweat, and despite his short hair, a few dark brown strands became unruly and fell across his forehead.

Junhui held back the urge to remove them, stopping himself from that naturally arising idea.

Wonwoo was holding him again, as if it was impossible for him to keep his hands off the prince.

In some other kingdom, or situation, he would have been condemned for his audacity, but in this world they inhabited, the prince was a lost boy that they had to guide, so that he would rule them all with justice and kindness.

Although Jun dressed in simple villager clothes and walked among them as an equal, Wonwoo could see that aura of his standing out without the young man noticing.

Perhaps it was in his posture, the way he spoke, his serene and beautiful face, his honest and clear eyes. There was something about him that gave him away, his royal blood, his destiny as a future ruler, as the true king of Diamant.

“Wonwoo? You see? I told you I'm not good at this.”

The younger heaved a defeated sigh, but Wonwoo shook his head.

“It's just that I'm too good, but you would have lost any other man or woman, apart from the fact that you can push me out of the tree right now and that's it, you'd be a free little lamb.”

Junhui looked at him with a pout. Their faces were very close now that he had turned to look directly at the hunter.

“I'm not going to do that.” Jun could look straight into those dark eyes because he was the same height as Wonwoo. “You already caught me.”

“You already have me, Wonwoo, no matter what I do, I can't walk away from you if all I want is to be by your side”

He thought regretfully.

“Junnie, promise me you won't get caught by anyone else,” Wonwoo said, with a more serious gesture, taking the prince's hand. Only he knew that those words said more than it seemed at first glance.

The young man swallowed hard, but shook his head, with all the certainty he could muster. The hunter stared at him, brow lowered, as if he were trying to see inside the prince without being entirely satisfied.

“Much less by Jeonghan, don't let yourself be fooled or caught by him for anything in the world.”

At the mention of that name, Junhui wanted to jump from the tree. His closeness with Wonwoo became more apparent to him and it hurt him.

“I'm not the one who got caught by him…” he said, unable to hide the bitterness in his voice and his words.

The older man looked at him in bewilderment. Junhui had lowered his gaze again as he did in the stream, with regret, with annoyance. With pain.

And the common denominator was Jeonghan. 

“What do you mean Jun?”

The prince wanted to take a step back, even knowing that his feet already spanned the width of the branch along with Wonwoo's. But the hunter kept him in his place.

“Jun? Who got caught up with- Wait... are you afraid of Jeonghan?” He asked, trying to understand the prince's attitude towards the cruel king.

But Junhui denied several times, closing his eyes.

“I'm not afraid, that's not... Fear is not what I feel for him.”

He tried to give a name to that bitter feeling that was born from his stomach, rising through his chest, to his throat and remaining in his mouth like a bad taste that he couldn't get rid of.

It felt like a poison that was born from within, from oneself. Jun never felt anything like it, since he was rarely bothered or felt dislike towards anyone else. He wasn't that kind of person.

“So what is it? Jun, I know it's not easy to face him, but I'm sure that-

“I'm jealous... I'm envious.”

He never thought he would use those words in his life. He least thought he would feel them someday. Jun did not favor such feelings, they weren't typical of him. But he found himself having that resentment that was more and more evident in his being.

Wonwoo looked at him again without understanding, since he didn't expect that.

“Why do you say that, Jun? It should be the other way around, and I'm sure it is. The one who is envious and jealous of you is Jeonghan, that's why he tried to kill you.”

The hunter ignored the guilt for he was the one who had been sent by the king to kill Junhui in the first place.

The young man frowned and shook his head, opening his eyes with difficulty.

“Why would a man like Jeonghan feel that way about someone like me? He takes everything from me!,” he exclaimed desperately, unable to hide what he felt anymore. “I can't do anything... I'm weak, I'm small, I'm-

“Jun!”

Wonwoo stopped him, as tears welled up in those big eyes. The hunter took him by the cheeks.

“Look at me, I don't know why you're saying that, but it's not true. Jun, your only weakness is your insecurity.”

But the prince looked away, lips trembling.

“Junhui-

“Then why do you prefer him?,” he finally confessed, when the tears fell without him being able to stop them.

And if there was room for more confusion in Wonwoo, this one grew.

“What? Prefer Jeonghan? What are you talking about?” It seemed crazy to him to even think about it.

Jun looked at him with an annoyed expression, between tears, as if he reproached the hunter. Around him, ice began to spread from the area where the prince was standing. The sound of cracking ice freezing wood, Wonwoo even felt Junhui's skin grow colder.

“Jun?” Wonwoo looked down, the ice was moving little by little, but he did not let go of the young man's face.

“In the end, no one chooses silver, because gold is brighter,” he said with a silent sob at the end.

And the hunter understood a little the prince's confused and disordered heart.

“I choose silver,” he said in a firm voice, looking up determinedly. “I choose yo--

An explosion in the distance.

Junhui ducked at the sound and Wonwoo blinked, startled, because the impact arrived at them fast.

So tall and powerful was it that one moment it was calm and the next the sky beyond was harassed by a column of smoke and flame.

Both men looked in that direction, forgetting what they had been talking about, because the scent of the fire was carried to where they were despite the distance.

There was a lot of magic that Junhui could feel. The sun was high, but smoke rising in a thick plume would soon cover it.

The destructive force had been unleashed in that place, with such power that not even they, no matter how far away they were from there, had gone unnoticed as witnesses to the disaster.

They looked at each other with concern, because they both knew where that smoke came from and the smell of the fire dragging everything in its path. They knew in which direction that explosion had occurred.

In the town of Yabbay.

Chapter Text

They came as fast as their legs could carry them back to the largest miners' cabin.

Being closer to the border that separated their forest and village from the Black Forest, they felt the shock of the explosion more strongly, but they hadn't seen the smoke or fire billowing into the sky.

Until they got out and that's where the prince and the hunter found them.

Jihoon stood on tiptoe, barely noticing the column of smoke that Soonyoung saw right away and pointed his index finger at it. Hansol ran towards the men that arrived while Chan climbed a tree hoping to get a better look at what was happening on the other side of the natural wall protecting them.

“What happened? Do you know something?” asked the young man when he saw the men arriving.

Wonwoo and Junhui stopped, sweat dripping from their temples despite the cold, and breathing hard because they rushed in anticipation that something very bad was happening in Yabbay.

“It's your town, right?” Hansol asked them and they both nodded, with worried expressions.

“Where's Josh--

But Jihoon didn't finish his question because a gust of blue wind blew between them and they covered with their forearms.

When the magic wore off, Joshua and Seokmin appeared, with overly serious faces and grave postures.

“Jeonghan.”

Was the only thing Joshua said, walking into the cabin with a determined air.

The rest looked at him blankly, then turned their attention to Seokmin, who took off his hat and heaved a heavy sigh.

“We have to go to Yabbay, Jeonghan has gone crazy.”

“Jeonghan did that?” Jihoon pointed at the column of smoke and fire, frowning.

“Yes…” Junhui replied, with a hand on his chest and a face full of anguish. He was sure that this was the work of the tyrant king.

Wonwoo looked at him with concern, but couldn't get closer to try to support him or reassure him because Joshua left the cabin with someone he didn't expect to see awake so quickly.

“Hao?”

The hunter watched as his friend walked behind the sorcerer. He had his head down and still looked very frail, but clearly better than when he arrived. He was recovering very fast.

Hearing the deep voice of his friend, the younger man looked up. Something had broken in him and Wonwoo was aware of that because he knew Minghao very well.

What the hell had Jeonghan done to him?

He reached out and hugged him, feeling his slender body nearly succumbing in his arms. He looked over his shoulder at Joshua, somewhat reproachfully.

“Did you wake him up?”

The older man's gesture remained stoic. “We need all the help, and his magic is the most needed in this situation. There will be many wounded.”

Wonwoo furrowed his brows, bothered.

“Joshua? Can you explain what is happening?” Jihoon went with the sorcerer who took out a bag with ashes, to start scattering them on the ground in a circular pattern.

“Everyone enter the circle, we will go to Yabbay to evacuate everyone, Jeonghan lost his sanity and patience. He wants to destroy everything. He wants to get us out of the burrow and that's what we'll do,” he explained, finishing the circle and dusting off his hands.

Wonwoo separated from Minghao and looked at him warily, his eyebrows lowered in concern at him.

“Are you okay?”

His brown eyes barely looked back at him. Wonwoo didn't like it at all.

“He's not fine, Joshua,” the hunter complained, noticing Minghao's condition. Junhui also approached the medic with concern.

The sorcerer looked at him impatiently, because no one entered the circle.

“I am not forcing him, he will give his help willingly. Now come in, people are dying while we stand here doing nothing.”

Junhui jumped startled at the sorcerer's words and all his blood ran cold. That couldn't be happening.

He took a few steps back, entering the circle of ashes on the snow. A hand closed in a fist on his chest and his eyes fixed on the ground, with the anguish of what could be happening in the town of Yabbay at that moment.

The miners looked at him, and immediately followed his example. Jihoon entered first.

“Damn, we don't even have weapons,” he said wearily.

Seokmin entered as well and smiled despite the situation, moving his cape and revealing a wide leather bag with swords, picks and a bow with arrows.

Soonyoung stepped aside Jihoon, but not before preventing Hansol and Chan from following them when they wanted to go in with the older ones as well.

The youngest of them all groaned, but Joshua walked over to them and took each of them by the shoulder.

“It's dangerous, you stay here. Besides, we'll bring the people from Yabbay to this town because it's safe and you need to prepare what is necessary. There will be many wounded, of all ages. Prepare food, water, blankets. Everything possible. We'll use the rest of the cabins to shelter them.”

The minors looked at him with lowered brows, but they understood what role they should take.

For his part, Wonwoo was still with Minghao.

“You don't have the obligation to do anything, you're not in condition.”

But Minghao regretfully shook his head and glared at him determinedly even though he seemed about to break down at any moment.

“I am a doctor and I have magic that can save them. It's my duty and it's what I want to do, besides--

He choked back a sob that didn't come out and Wonwoo looked at him worried. Minghao's eyes glazed over and his eyes wandered upward, for he was holding back tears.

“I should not sleep at this moment, Wonwoo. And I need to keep busy, I don't want to think about anything right now. I just need to act.”

He let go of his friend and walked towards the circle. Only the hunter was left to enter.

They didn't even have to ask him. His dark eyes flicked from Minghao to Junhui. The prince was trembling.

He also knew the role he had to take and he was the one who could fight the best. They needed him. Junhui needed him.

“And I won't leave Jun alone, not for a damn second. Neither Jeonghan nor anyone will lay a finger on him”

He entered the circle at last, accepting the ax Seokmin passed him. Wonwoo looked at it with a raised eyebrow as he recognized it as his own.

Joshua and his tricks. He would never understand magic.

The sorcerer was in the middle of everyone, in front. His posture was straight and he was prepared for whatever came.

“In this same circle, once we leave, I will send the people of Yabbay through here. It's an open portal, while the flames burn, don't stray from here and don't stop helping, understand?” He gave instructions to the young men who nodded decisively.

Joshua nodded as well, glancing at everyone who would be with him.

“Listen to me, there will be soldiers, but our mission is to evacuate the entire town. Seokmin and Soonyoung will be going together, as will Minghao and Jihoon. I will be alone since I can manage well and my job is to make it easier for you to evacuate the people.”

He then alternately looked at Wonwoo and Junhui. To the latter with a softer and gentle gesture.

“You two also go together.”

He didn't have to tell Wonwoo, he'd already decided which side he was on.

Then Joshua turned his gaze forward. 

“Attentive at all times, we will enter hell.”

Saying that, he wasted no time snapping his fingers and the ashes ignited in a circle of tall, dancing blue flames.

They all looked at the bluish color that rose around them. Junhui felt the magic emanating from them and at the same time he felt small. He shrank inadvertently.

But he also felt Wonwoo's body next to him. The hunter was standing a little in front. Jun could see his shoulder and part of his back.

His posture made him look much bigger than Jun. Tall and strong, confident, stoic, with the ax in his right hand. Prepared.

The flames danced a little more, rising to such an extent that outside of them they couldn't see the sky or the landscape, everything was black and that blue color that surrounded them, the only thing they saw.

“Do not get away from me.”

He listened to Wonwoo's deep whisper and how despite his position ready to attack at any moment, he turned his head a little and looked directly at the prince, with a soft and affectionate smile.

And with an impulse that ignored his mind and followed his heart, Junhui reached out and held Wonwoo's hand.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

It was as Joshua said. They had entered hell.

When the circle they were in stopped burning with its greatest intensity, the blue flames were not their vision now, since the fire in front of them that seemed to burn everywhere was a red-orange color that damaged even the sight with its scorching blaze.

The entire surroundings were full of smoke and ashes, flames everywhere. People screaming and running. Many injured.

Junhui's heart started pounding against his chest and he listened to his blood circulating in his ears.

It was a nightmare.

As soon as they appeared there, Joshua did not hesitate for a second to act. He walked with firm steps and dark eyes. The prince felt the magic build up in him.

Seokmin yelled something and Soonyoung nodded, running off as well.

The crackling of the flames and the houses absorbed by them, the suffocating air and the unbearable heat. Junhui didn't know where to look, because everything was a catastrophe.

Minghao also moved, with Jihoon accompanying him. Wonwoo looked at his friend with concern, but from the agility with which the doctor moved through the rubble, he seemed to have regained his vitality.

Only the two of them remained. The hunter took the ax with a hard grip and moved his sharp eyes in all directions, alert to danger and threats that might appear.

Then he turned his head and looked at the prince who was still holding his hand firmly, with fear.

“Jun... I'm with you,” he said, with the softest gesture, as it was always directed towards the young man.

And the prince agreed. That was his town. His people. His duty was to protect them.

He could not fear.

They had to evacuate everyone from there, away from the hands of their cruel ruler who had condemned them.

So they ran.

All of Yabbay was hell engulfed in flames. They moved down the main street and saw a woman and a child coming out of a house on the verge of collapsing.

At the same time two guards arrived on horses with their swords raised. They got off the equines and ran towards the mother and son who were dragging themselves out of their burning house.

Junhui and Wonwoo also rushed over to their rescue.

“Hey, you bastards!” The hunter yelled, picking up speed, so the prince only watched as Wonwoo slid into the black snow, dodging the sword swing of one of the golden soldiers that passed inches above his head.

Junhui rushed to the side of the woman and the child, helping them to their feet, carrying the little boy in his arms who was crying in fear, not understanding what was happening.

He listened to the growls of Wonwoo's fight with the soldiers and ignored those violent sounds, pointing to the place where the circle was, where the blue flames burned again, but very low, just to locate the portal.

“Run over there! Once you get inside, you'll be safe, I promise,” he said to the woman, while covering the child from the violence that was unleashed around them, because debris kept falling and the smoke was too much, making them cough and look for some clean air, which seemed scarce.

He could see in the distance Seokmin fighting with more soldiers and Soonyoung had his back. They were protecting other villagers who were also running towards the expanding circle of blue flames.

Minghao was pulling a family out of another burning house, while Jihoon protected him, fighting with other guards.

A blue fire rose somewhere in his peripheral vision and the prince saw the high wall that seemed to prevent the passing of something. Joshua was also fighting.

Junhui ran with the boy in his arms and one arm holding the woman to help her move quickly and away from danger.

He didn't like the fact that Wonwoo was fighting alone and that he couldn't support him, but he trusted the hunter's skills and hoped to do things with the necessary efficiency so he wouldn't have to leave his back uncovered for a long time and be a hindrance to the hunter.

They reached the circle and Jun handed the child back to the woman, who looked at him from behind the curtain of her black locks falling in her face.

The young man didn't understand the look that woman gave him. She frowned, as if there was a recognition in her pupils of the young man who was helping her.

“Please come in! You'll be fine, I promise!” Jun asked her, urgently, but without neglecting his kindness.

The woman hesitated, but not out of mistrust, she just kept looking at Junhui with scrutiny.

But there was another explosion somewhere and Junhui took her by the shoulders and gently made her and her son enter the portal.

Both disappeared, but the prince didn't stay to admire the magic before his eyes. He turned around and ran back to where Wonwoo was.

The miners kept sending people fleeing towards the portal, passing by Junhui who also gave them directions on where to go.

He rushed over and reached Wonwoo who had already defeated the other soldiers on the ground. Junhui didn't want to see them and focused on checking that the hunter was okay.

The man was shaken but intact, and Jun felt relief, albeit momentary. Another explosion happened near them.

“What the hell is Jeonghan doing?!” The hunter growled, covering Jun's head protectively as debris flew over them.

The prince shook his head, feeling the magic everywhere, but nowhere in particular.

They heard the sound of horses and more golden soldiers entering the main street that looked like a battlefield from the burning and collapsed houses that surrounded it.

“We have to keep evacuating. Jun, get the people out of here, I won't let anyone near you.”

Wonwoo looked directly at the younger man who nodded, not trusting his voice. They look at each other in the midst of the chaos, their faces so close that their foreheads almost touch.

There was another explosion.

Jun closed his eyes startled and Wonwoo watched beyond as a huge blaze of blue fire rose again like a protective wall.

The ground beneath them shook. The black snow ashes swirled with a gust of wind that came from somewhere.

Where they couldn't see well there was a fight in which magic was being used and they could understand that Joshua was holding off more soldiers so they could get the people out.

There was no time to lose.

“Come on Jun!”

They both ran to continue evacuating the villagers.

They heard someone screaming for help and noticed a man pinned under a beam as her daughter tried to remove it to no avail.

Wonwoo and Jun went to their aid and stood one on each side of the beam to lift it.

With the strength of both men they were able to move it, but when Jun reached down to help the man to his feet, golden guards came towards them.

Wonwoo immediately charged at them, fighting with ease and gaining the upper hand with his abilities. He swung the ax to meet the blows of the swords.

The prince helped the man to his feet, but one of the soldiers picked up the young daughter and took her with him.

The high-pitched scream alerted them and they both watched desperately as they put the girl on the horse to take her away.

“Miyeon!” The injured man yelled, trying to move towards her, but almost falling if it wasn't for the prince that catched him.

“I'll go get her!” He said, leaving the man on his knees on the ground so he wouldn't fall hard.

Wonwoo was still facing three other guards, so Junhui was the only one who could save the girl.

The soldier seemed to notice and smiled under his helmet as Jun approached, and instead of attacking, he simply lunged at the prince.

But Junhui didn't freeze and remembered what Wonwoo had taught him.

He dodged as the man tried to catch him, slipping to one side nimbly, spinning on his heels, causing the soldier to fall.

Then he went ahead to help the young woman off the horse.

What Jun didn't know is that they had orders to catch him as soon as they saw him. Jeonghan had ordered his capture as soon as they met the infamous prince.

Junhui lowered the girl and helped her back to her father, but the soldier stood up since a simple fall was not going to defeat him so easily.

The prince looked at him worriedly, as the guard approached them. Wonwoo was fighting with two other soldiers who joined in; they seemed surprised that they couldn't handle just one man.

What could he do?

He placed the girl behind him to protect her and looked anxiously at the approaching soldier with a smirk under his helmet.

He couldn't fight.

“No, I can't fight... But that doesn't mean I can't defend myself in some way”

Jun took a deep breath and closed his eyes, searching inside himself for something he didn't know how to get out. Something that he had ignored all his life, but that had accompanied him since his birth.

The cold moved inside him, as if it were part of his blood. Energy stirred within him as he called out to it.

He didn't know how or what to do to express it, he only thought of protection. That they didn't get caught.

And he opened his eyes.

The ground below them froze. The young woman looked with the same surprise as Jun at the way the stone crystallized and quickly expanded towards the soldier.

The man didn't have time for anything, because the ice reached his feet and began to climb up his ankles, trapping him instead.

He grunted and tried to get away, but the ice kept rising up his legs. Junhui watched this knowing that he had provoked it, but without really processing it.

He chose to continue moving with the young woman towards the injured man to help him up.

Wonwoo had already finished defeating the other soldiers by himself, but he noticed the soldier who kept freezing in place unable to escape.

“You did that?” he asked Jun, as he helped the man on the other side into the circle of flames.

“Yeah…” Jun grimaced, but he didn't want to think about it too much.

The hunter noted his discomfort on the subject and asked no more questions. He knew the young man had a hard time understanding that part of himself. The one that had magic and power capable of hurting. Capable of protecting.

They took the man and his daughter to the circle and disappeared after thanking them. They also directed that gaze towards the prince, as if something in him could not go unnoticed by them. Junhui didn't want to inquire into it.

Minghao also approached with a little girl in his arms and her unconscious mother being carried by Jihoon, along with more villagers helping each other to reach the circle.

Joshua was apparently giving instructions to those who could move, while he held off the rest of the soldiers who kept coming.

Soonyoung and Seokmin also arrived with more people who followed them and helped them, as there were many injured among them.

And dead.

Junhui finally opened his eyes through the smoke and in the streets he saw people on the ground, bodies knocked over as well as houses falling. The homes and relatives those people had lost.

He noted their hopeless faces, smeared with ashes, some with tears. They entered the circle totally defeated. Wounded, bloody, sorrowful, snatched from what little peace they had had. The town of Yabbay reduced to rubble.

Then he saw Joshua running towards them too, the sorcerer was covered in ashes, but he was fine and Junhui felt a relief that was momentary again.

They all watched as Joshua approached, shaking his head.

“He took them!”

He came up, agitated, and after a deep breath, he went on to explain.

“Jeonghan captured the young men and women, took them to the palace and killed their families. I couldn't stop all the soldiers, there are many.” He had a repentant and exasperated expression.

Seokmin walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder, reassuring his lover.

“But we managed to save many more, Joshua, you can't do everything.”

“Seok is right,” Soonyoung said, supporting the sorcerer who looked regretful that he couldn't do more.

Joshua lowered his eyebrows, trying to convince himself of their words, but then he frowned, looking away through the smoke.

Minghao did the same, his gesture troubled.

And then Jun, which he understood why the two men suddenly changed their countenance.

A hot and powerful energy was coming from there. A great source of magic. And next to it, the horses that carried the golden soldiers of the king.

They had evacuated all the villagers the soldiers hadn't killed or kidnapped, so they had to close the circle.

“We have to go…” Jihoon said, his eyes wide open at the entourage of soldiers who were approaching them with great speed. There were too many, where did Jeonghan get so many guards?

“Wait… Jun, blind them. Put out the fire.”

Joshua said, again with his composure regained and with that gentle sternness that characterized him. Junhui and the rest looked at him blankly.

But the prince soon understood what those words meant. That energy that was approaching together with the soldiers could only belong to one person.

He was coming for him.

And the fire would continue to consume the town.

Then in front of everyone's eyes, Junhui took two steps ahead of them and his determined eyes moved forward. Wonwoo extended a hand towards him, but Minghao shook his head, stopping him.

He also felt the cold magic being born within Junhui.

The prince looked down with sadness. If Jeonghan had grown tired of him, maybe it would be best to turn himself in, but he couldn't leave his town. Not now that he could protect them.

So he closed his eyes and let the tears fall to the ground. Not like drops, but like snowflakes.

And many more followed them, but these fell from the sky.

As he had done before, he let his emotions flow from him. The storm broke out again. The blizzard sprang up as suddenly as the fire had appeared, the snow falling harder than it had before.

With its white cloak, the snow buried in its misery all that it promised to ever recover.

Chapter Text

The blizzard fell over Yabbay, dousing the flames that Jeonghan had started.

The king rode on his black horse, seeing faces known and unknown within the circle of blue flames. He recognized his brother's magic that rivaled his own in magnitude and experience, but the one that had befallen Yabbay was new.

Junhui had magic opposite to his and Jeonghan couldn't attack him. He felt purity everywhere. But there was also lethality there. The snow blinded them all at once, just as the protective blue flames rose in a tall column.

He grunted because he couldn't reach them and because the cold snow fell on him without him being able to avoid it. Not even his flames born from his inner rage could melt it. His horse stopped, front legs up, for the blizzard was too much. His soldiers also covered their faces and complained about the force of the wind and the snow.

All of Yabbay became a snowy kingdom. The snow returned to claim its own, putting out the flames with its white cloak.

On the other side of the Black Forest and Yabbay Forest, past the column of stone and vines, the circle of blue flames also gave way, and before fading, it showed the newcomers.

They were all agitated. They hadn't been hurt in the fight, but they did expend a lot of energy. However, there was no time to rest. The work had barely begun. Joshua moved out first and Minghao followed behind. They heard the commotion up ahead inside the abandoned miners' town.

The people from the town of Yabbay had arrived there. Refugees. Scared. Wounded. People in need.

Junhui looked up and no longer saw the snow he felt coming out of him. It responded to his call, as if he had infinite capacity to make as much snowfall as tears.

He wiped his cold face, brushing off the last flakes of ice.

Wonwoo approached him and his treacherous heart was happy, but then it hurt. A hand on his shoulder, a worried face.

The miners had also rushed into town, for they had a lot of work to do.

“Are you okay, Junnie?” the hunter asked, noticing the prince's downcast state.

That way of calling him made him want to fall to the ground on his knees, but he stood and nodded, not trusting his own voice.

He had to be strong for his people, for his people. He must not think of himself. If he was a worthy prince... he had to prevail.

So he began to head towards the village, with Wonwoo following him closely, who did not take his eyes off the prince, attentive to every change in his expression and movements.

It was strange to see him like this. Apparently the snow that was born from him did not differ much from his posture in situations of that caliber. Junhui was pure, elegant, clean... But cold and imposing. He could sink you under him with just one look.

Worst of all, he didn't realize his true power.

When they reached the rest of the cabins that had seemed abandoned before, where there was a well of water in the middle of them, surrounding the main square of the town, there were a lot of people on the ground, receiving help from the few hands that constituted the miners, Minghao and Joshua.

So Junhui hurried to do what he did best: help and work.

It was natural for him to move that way.

He took one of the baskets that Chan had where there was bread, milk and some fruits. He also went with Minghao to get some bandages and cloths to clean the wounded, as well as his canteen that he filled from the water well.

He might not be a doctor as the only descendant of elves who was taking care of all the injured with amazing skill, but he had a notion of first aid and wanted to help in any way possible.

Wonwoo watched as the prince loaded his arms with many things and began to move through the crowd without hesitation.

He also had to do his part, so he went for firewood to build a fire in the middle of the square to conserve the heat that was still left from the day. He was not good with people, but that wasn't a reason that he wouldn't help his way. Ax in hand, he retreated into the woods.

Junhui approached a woman with her approximately 3-year-old daughter and crouched down in front of them, giving each of them bread and fresh milk.

He smiled gently at them and then took out a cloth that he soaked in a little water from his canteen to wipe the little girl's ashes-covered face, with all the delicacy he had, which was a lot. The little girl looked at him with wide eyes, but she let Jun clean her face, while he smiled at her so as not to scare her. As if that were possible.

Beside them were some old couple who stared at the young man. But they were not the only ones, who already in the calm of their refuge and rescue, realized Jun's peculiarity.

The prince moved towards more people to deliver the food to them, while he wiped the ash covered faces without caring about his own.

Miyeon, the daughter of the man they had rescued, took the cloth from him and took it upon herself to wipe the prince's beautiful face as a thanks, showing flawless skin again.

And when the ashes disappeared, people then recognized in him those beautiful features so unique, that they could not forget.

Junhui thanked Miyeon and left the food for them.

He, without realizing it, with the eyes of his people on him, continued to help them with great willingness. Always with that gentle smile for everyone.

He helped an old woman to drink directly from his canteen, for she could not move much from fatigue. And it was then, that, when he was about to leave, she gently grabbed his wrist.

“Young man…” she said with a hoarse voice and eyes that inspected Jun's face, recognizing each of his features. “Is that you?”

Junhui tilted his head to the side. He wasn't thinking of being recognized as the prince, because at the moment his priority was to help the refugees.

“Me? My name is…”

Would the people in his town remember him? Junhui had lived 5 years locked in the castle, with Jeonghan poisoning the image of him.

But he intended to claim his throne and reign with justice and love. And none of that was possible if he kept in the shadows. If he used as an excuse the possible hatred that people had towards him, no matter how much fear that caused him...

“My name is Junhui,” he said, smiling softly and getting up to calm some crying children that his father couldn't comfort.

The woman widened her eyes and those around her who heard Jun's name began to mutter in disbelief.

The miners noticed the commotion that began to rise. Minghao too, as he was discreet with his magic to help the wounded heal faster.

People paid attention to that boy who carried a child and tried to cheer him up by singing a song from his childhood, while he patiently lulled him to sleep.

The little boy relaxed in the arms of the young man who smiled sweetly at him.

People couldn't believe it.

Jihoon looked over at Jun, who seemed oblivious to the murmurs pronouncing his name in doubt, in amazement. They realized what they were facing. A handsome young man, dressed in humble clothes, yet with an aura around him that betrayed his royal blood.

In his black hair and his smile, they saw King Seungcheol. In his eyes and his porcelain features they saw Queen Siyeon.

In his innocent air, candid and gentle, they saw little prince Junhui.

They recognized in him the years that had passed. The very shadow that loomed over him. He had not died, he was alive.

Their legitimate king, along with his people. Snatched from his throne, from his legacy. Devoid of his kingdom. And yet... There he was with them, helping.

And Junhui, seeing all those people, felt complete. Grabbing their hands, smiling for them, singing for the little ones. Cleaning their faces and their wounds. Comforting those who had lost everything. Cheering up the hopeless.

Bringing them food and something to drink. Blankets to protect themselves from the cold. Pillows so they could rest.

Giving them his presence that transmitted calm.

Junhui swore to himself to do everything possible to protect them, and if it meant giving his life for them, he would do it without hesitation.

That was his town, all those people deserved a decent place to live. The Kingdom of Diamant, so prosperous, would see the light once again. And Junhui would take care of it.

The night began to come and Wonwoo brought with him a bunch of firewood to start a fire. He received help from the miners and villagers who were not injured and had regained their strength.

Minghao stayed with the wounded. Joshua stepped back to cast a warding spell on the surroundings. He could never be sure enough.

The little ones, scared of the whole situation, gathered around Jun who sat down on his knees and promised to tell them a story to keep them distracted from the complicated situation. He remembered one that his mother once told him, about the Moon and the Night and their spirits that fell in love on the Earth.

The little ones calmed down around him, listening carefully, while the others lit the fire.

There was no doubt among the older inhabitants of the village that this boy was Seungcheol's heir. 

But still there were many doubts in them, where had he been all this time? From the looks of the prince, he seemed to know very well the tasks of a simple servant, someone common. Despite his regal posture and excessive mannerisms, he had the hands of a worker, someone used to act.

Wonwoo glanced sideways at Jun and the children who were listening to his story attentively. One of the smallest was in his arms and the prince held him so naturally.

That was Jun's true nature. There he was in his environment. He was that kind of person. The prince of his people.

He wasn't afraid to shake hands with them, lend them his shoulder, smile at them from his heart. Move around in case someone couldn't.

The cold wasn't excessive, it hung in the air around them, but for some reason it didn't bother. The stone floor barely had snow, it seemed to respect the space where people were around the square.

Joshua knew that Junhui was subconsciously keeping the December cold off people. And coupled with his protective field over them, they were safe there.

The campfire rose in long flames and lit up the place, giving heat in turn. The miners and the rest of the people were finally able to rest. There were families who hugged each other, others encouraged each other, because they knew they had almost completely lost their town. It was left in the ruins by the king's fire.

Many lives were also lost.

Junhui let the children spread their blankets around him, so they could get some rest and let their parents and older siblings sleep too.

That day had been very heavy for everyone.

The little ones were the ones who least understood what had happened, so Junhui, realizing that they found comfort and peace in him, let them be around him. He told them more stories and sang to them until they fell asleep.

Wonwoo was sitting in front of the fire, with a bottle of liquor that Soonyoung passed him. They were exhausted too.

The people had calmed down, because they had already been fed and despite being outdoors, the night sky looked beautiful with its stars and its moon that also gave them light.

The hunter didn't take his eyes off Jun, who was looking in the direction of the flames from afar, lost in that orange dance.

At least that fire they could control.

Wonwoo wondered what was going on inside Jun's head. He looked like an angel surrounded by sleeping children. He really was a prince and Jeonghan couldn't take that away from him.

Wonwoo knew that the Yabbay townspeople had believed him dead, but they had to accept him. Though their reaction was uncertain. He could feel Jun's fear of not being accepted, of having betrayed his people in some way. Of being able to do more for them. To take all the pain away so that he would carry it for them.

Because he was that kind of person.

And Wonwoo, who was watching him from afar, understood that the job of a prince, of a king, was to protect the people and give everything for them. But who would protect him?

That question had an immediate answer.

It didn't matter if he did it from the shadows, without receiving a reward or something in return, Wonwoo would stay to protect Jun with all his being. 

At first he had seen Junhui only as the town's hope to get rid of Jeonghan. But now he realized that in him he found the most precious thing.

He fell in love with the prince.

He was no longer just the successor to the throne and the savior of the kingdom. He was Jun and nothing more. 

Junhui, who had stolen his heart in the purest way possible. Being himself, the great person that he was. And if the people didn't recognize their future king in him…

Then he saw that a man in his forties stood up and began to advance towards Jun.

Wonwoo immediately became alert, as did the miners and Minghao, who, despite having used almost all his magic to heal the wounded, didn't ignore the man who advanced towards Jun with an indecipherable gesture.

The boy looked at the man with lowered eyebrows. He stopped in front of him, not disturbing the children.

“Stand up,” he said, his voice sullen.

Wonwoo was already getting up, but Joshua (he didn't know when he appeared next to him) grabbed his shoulder and shook his head several times.

Junhui gulped and knew it was time to face the truth. His punishment, perhaps. For abandoning his town and just appearing like that. He accommodated the little girl who had her head resting on his lap, without waking her up, and got up, going to stand in front of that man.

Everyone watched the scene attentively and without intervening.

Jun would accept anything. For his people, he was determined to do it.

He stopped and looked at the man with a sad but firm expression. Hands clasped in front of him, waiting for the rebuke he deserved. Wonwoo was frowning, but Joshua was still next to him, not letting him intervene.

After the silence, before Jun's eyes, the man dropped to one knee and lowered his head. Junhui widened his eyes in surprise.

“You're alive... I'm so glad about it, Prince Jun,” the man said, his voice soft this time, in that bow.

The prince didn't expect this. He was about to tell the man to get up, but he saw other men and women rise to their feet and then kneel in the same way, heads lowered and solemn.

They were joined by more. Even the elders bowed to the young man. The wounded also tried their best to do the same. Before Jun's eyes, he saw everything surprised, people knelt around him, lowering their heads.

The miners watched this with smiles, understanding the gesture and imitating it. Jihoon knelt down and next to him, Hansol and Chan did the same with devotion. Soonyoung, next to Wonwoo, and also Seokmin took off his hat and knelt down. Minghao did the same, with a soft smile.

They all took that position. Even Joshua, who didn't have to, accepted Jun as his prince. As his future king.

The great mage crouched down and bowed his head solemnly as well.

Wonwoo clenched his jaw, relieved and proud.

“These are your people, Jun, look at them, they haven't forgotten you, they still love you the same... Understand that they accept you as their king, they kneel as a sign of respect, trusting that you will guide them to a better future”

And Wonwoo also put his knee on the ground and lowered his head. In the past he served Seungcheol, now he gave his respect to his descendant.

Junhui looked at everyone in disbelief. There was no one who was not kneeling, even the wounded. Several children who woke up with the sound of the movement, saw the adults in that position of respect and in their innocence, but perceiving the magnitude of that gesture, they joined the elders as best they could.

Even the smallest knelt before him.

All in the direction of the future king.

Junhui brought a hand to his chest and felt very moved, but even if he wanted to, he shouldn't cry. He fought back tears and raised his head, solemn and strong.

Those were his people, who despite everything, accepted him. They saw the generosity of his heart, the beauty he possessed, internal and external. They had respected King Seungcheol and their hearts had been stolen by little prince Jun, who had now grown into a man capable of ruling his kingdom.

They put their trust in him. The people were not fools and they knew that the prince had been one more victim of the tyrannical King Jeonghan.

The change was expressed in the black snow and the fire that consumed everything. The change would come soon, and they would be there to fight at the side of their rightful king. Kneeling before him, without being forced. Junhui, despite not wearing a crown (yet) kept his head up as if he wasn't going to let it fall.

In that silence and that gesture, the unspoken agreement was established: the true king had returned.

He had the people on his side. He had the miners and their loyalty. He had an elf descendant to support him. A strong ally sorcerer. And above all, a knight with an ax to fight for him.

Junhui would rise above the ashes.

« King Jeonghan is dead, long live King Junhui! »

It waited to be proclaimed, that was the unspoken agreement.

Chapter Text

His hands in the snow, the crystals falling from above, falling into his hair. Falling from his eyes.

He looked up with effort, at the snowy scenery in front of him.

Wonwoo's back, so strong and tall, walking away.

He opened his mouth to call out to him, but his throat was sealed and his voice did not come out.

The hunter kept stepping on the snow, and with each step he took, it was stained black. With every step he took, Junhui felt the squeeze of his own heart.

He was kneeling on the snowy ground, unable to move. He wanted to run for Wonwoo, but the hunter kept moving, away from him.

There, where a figure clothed in gold, beautiful and bright as the sun, stood. 

Jeonghan, with his typical smirk, of malice and cunning. Painted with a thousand tricks.

The king, with his perfect crown over his blond hair, with the clothes that made him shine and be the center of attention. With the beauty of him so great and unattainable.

Wonwoo was walking towards him.

One step closer to Jeonghan. One step further from Junhui.

He tried to scream, but again, his voice did not want to reciprocate.

Wonwoo reached Jeonghan's side and at last, he turned to the prince, his face serious, his eyes colder than the snow around.

Jeonghan's smile increased, Junhui's eyes widened. Wonwoo also smirked, but he seemed to be mocking him.

“I'm sorry, Junnie, but I'm in love with the king.”

And saying this, he turned in Jeonghan's direction, approaching him little by little.

The ground shook and Junhui watched as both men brought their faces closer together.

Only before the contact of their lips, the ground shook more forcefully and the snow was thrown up, blinding his vision.

That white world, where only he was. The snow forming walls around him.

Junhui's heart turned cold, and slowly, in that state of immobility and pain, he felt the ice rising from his hands and his legs, freezing his body as well.

The ice moved over the rest of his body, but Junhui allowed himself to be enveloped by it. He looked ahead with lost eyes. His eyes, no longer brown, but the color of the surface of a frozen lake, a blue as clear as the pale sky.

The ice continued to cover him, until it reached his neck.

Those eyes dropped a few last crystals, before the prince's beautiful face was completely covered by the ice.

[ ❆❆❆ ]

He woke up with a gasp. With heavy breathing and the cold in his chest.

Junhui got up, sitting up and looking around him with brown eyes full of concern.

Where was he?

He blinked several times, clearing the sleep. The blankets that had been covering him slipped from his body and gave him another chill.

Snow had fallen all around him, and some flakes had even blown into the square.

Sometime during the night, the miners, Joshua and Minghao had taken the refugees to the cabins that had previously belonged to the miners.

So in the square where they had been, only he was on some blankets. But looking to the side of him after hearing a snore, he was surprised to see someone else lying on the cold ground and other blankets barely covering his body.

Wonwoo was asleep next to him, under the first light of the gray morning.

“For some reason, as much as we tried to get you to sleep in a cabin, you went into a sleepwalking state at the insistence of sleeping here.”

He heard a voice that he recognized right away and saw Jihoon with two steaming cups in his hand.

She approached the prince, sitting cross-legged in front of him and offering him one of the cups. Junhui accepted it with a nod of his head in thanks, and looked at the miner in confusion at his words.

“You see, Joshua said that something inside you is suffering and it is reflected in your magic,” Jihoon explained, heaving a sigh and lowering his eyebrows. “The townspeople of Yabbay are in the cabins, protected from the cold and snow, so you don't have to worry.”

Junhui brought a hand to his mouth, understanding what Jihoon's words implied.

He looked around him again, at the snow that hadn't been there the night before. To the cold that hung in the air, but it was different, that one did permeate the lungs and the skin.

He hadn't noticed that Wonwoo's body on the ground was trembling or that Jihoon was wearing a very thick sweater and his face was red.

Junhui felt the cold, but he endured it very well. His skin looked paler than usual and he hadn't woken up at any time during the night, even having constant nightmares.

And yet, Junhui had been a danger to his people, because he couldn't control his magic, because he could bury them all under the snow or freeze them to death.

He put a hand to his forehead and stared at the stone floor in anguish.

“I am very sorry…” he said, his voice cracking.

Jihoon put a hand on his shoulder and immediately withdrew it. Junhui was very cold, so much so that his clothes did not hold any heat.

It didn't sit well with him, but the prince looked relatively fine. Still, he didn't like to see him so unsettled inside.

“It's not your fault, prince. Joshua says that it's normal for such powerful magic to express itself like this. We are worried about you, because we don't know how much pain you carry inside. We don't know how to help you.”

Junhui lifted his watery eyes and shrugged, smiling sadly.

“The only thing that matters is the people, the kingdom must prevail,” he said, blinking back tears. The only one that escaped fell like a beautiful flake of ice, losing itself in the hot drink.

Jihoon looked at him unconvinced, but he didn't want to push him.

Another snore was heard and then Junhui turned his attention to Wonwoo, remembering that he was there.

Jihoon looked at the hunter who was between the blankets, his mouth open and the deep sleep he was in. He gave a short snort and shook his head.

“When we realized that you were so stubborn and you wanted to sleep outside, Joshua told us to let you do it, that nothing would happen to you,” said the miner, sipping his drink. “We had already sheltered everyone and you had your own room with the hunter, but you went out sleepwalking and lay down on the cold floor as if it were the most comfortable place.”

Junhui lowered his eyebrows. He didn't remember doing that.

“You did it like five times, and that's when Joshua told us what I already said. So we let you be, but as you can see, someone can't leave you alone for a second.”

Jihoon pointed his chin at the sleeping hunter and chuckled.

“He insisted on watching over you, and he's a very tough man, I don't doubt it. We left him blankets and everything, but he stayed by your side, awake… Until sleep got the better of him, I guess.” Jihoon smiled, shooting the prince a look. “It seems that the cold does not bother him if it means being with you.”

Junhui felt his heart beat faster and he touched his chest, because it hurt. He felt a warmth that he thought he'd lost. It returned to him, pushing the cold away.

Jihoon noticed that the prince's always reddish lips were finally red again, because before they had less color. He now noticed the difference.

"Wonwoo did that?” he asked in a small voice, admiring the attractive, sleeping face of the hunter.

“That's how it is. Any of us would have frozen our asses, but he doesn't seem that affected.”

“Although that may have to do with the fact that the prince is unconsciously protecting him,” he thought.

Junhui stretched out a hand towards Wonwoo, but he stopped it mere inches from his face. He was aware of the coldness that had invaded his body and he didn't want to bother the hunter.

“Sorry for the trouble I've caused,” he said, again in that small voice.

Jihoon furrowed his brows and vehemently denied.

“Never, prince. You're not trouble, on the contrary…” he put his hand on Junhui's shoulder again, ignoring the warmth he didn't have, looking him straight in the eye. “Forgive us for putting so much weight on you.”

Junhui smiled weakly.

“That is the duty of a king, is it not?” he said, with a conviction that didn't match his stricken facial expression.

“Prince…”

“Junhui.”

Both men turned their heads in the direction of the newcomer, who had his arms crossed over his chest and his blue winter cape already on.

Joshua, with his dark hair and his gentle gesture, walked towards them.

“Hey, Joshua, good morning,” Junhui greeted and Jihoon stood up, brushing the snow off his pants.

He gave Joshua a look and the mage nodded.

“We'll be taking care of the people, don't worry, prince,” he said, smiling kindly. He bowed quickly and headed toward the cabins of what had once been his prosperous town.

Junhui watched Jihoon walk away and then turned his attention to Joshua.

The older man smiled slightly and nodded his head at him.

“Would you come with me, please?”

The young prince nodded, but glanced at the hunter, who was still sleeping. He guessed that as Jihoon had said, Wonwoo tried to stay awake as long as possible and at some point exhaustion got the best of him.

“It'll be fine, don't worry, huntsmen can sleep anywhere. A tree would seem more comfortable, even,” Joshua said, sensing his thoughts.

Junhui smiled softly, without taking his eyes off Wonwoo, guilt inside him. His heart ached again, but at the same time it thrilled at the very sight of the man.

Wonwoo, so strong and wonderful... Wonwoo, who only took care of him because he was the prince who would save the kingdom.

Junhui lowered his eyebrows and stood up, pushing the pain behind. The cold came back to him and as Joshua started to walk, the wind whistled slightly, an icy breeze.

Joshua frowned, but kept walking, with Junhui following behind. Their footsteps covered the square with a stone floor and entered the outskirts of the forest, replacing the surface with a blanket of pure white.

The snow that had fallen in the night left none of the green grass that Jun had seen in surprise when he arrived at the miners' town.

Apparently, where he went he carried the snow. It was winter, it should be normal. But what would happen in spring or summer? The snow shouldn't be eternal, it was a beauty that could only be appreciated from time to time.

They walked in silence, skirting evergreen trees that had layers of snow that didn't fall from their leaves. The sky was pale, lit by the sun.

Their footsteps could be heard in the snow, leaving a trail of footprints. Birds were singing somewhere. They left the cabins behind until they came to a space where the trees left a clearing.

There was snow there too, it seemed to have taken over everywhere.

Joshua stopped and turned to Junhui, stretching out his arms, pointing to that space.

“Here we can begin,” he said, taking off his leather gloves and putting them in his pants pocket.

Junhui looked at him curiously. 

“Begin? What do you mean by that?”

Joshua also removed his bluish cloak and walked to a tree to hang it on a branch. The only sound to be heard was his footsteps on the snow.

Their breaths rising to the sky.

“Your training, Junhui. Wonwoo can teach you how to defend yourself, how to fight in your own way” Joshua said, walking back towards the younger. “But the only one who can teach you about magic is me.”

Jun widened his eyes, remembering that they had said that they needed to train him to face Jeonghan.

The prince knew that it was inevitable, although he didn't run away from it. There were just so many things in his heart that he hadn't given it that much thought. The fact of a direct confrontation with Jeonghan to recover the kingdom.

“You see, Jun, magic is closely tied to our emotions and that's why controlling it isn't easy at first, because we can't even control our feelings to begin with,” Joshua said, speaking in his wise tone of voice.

“The snow falls that way because of me, I know that,” Junhui said, looking down, with shame.

“That's right, prince. It is a reflection of your internal state. Of your emotional state. Magic is often more intuitive than rational,” Joshua said, smiling with lowered eyebrows. “For us to use it intelligently, it takes a lot of practice.”

Junhui hugged himself. “But that takes time and we don't have much,” he said, grimacing.

“I never said that intuitive magic is bad, prince, the problem is that we cannot depend on an emotional reaction to win a battle.”

Joshua spread his hands and the blue fire that was his signature spread around them.

“I don't intend to make you an expert and use your newly discovered magic in the same way as me or Jeonghan, but that's not necessary, since experience is gained over the years, but you can reward it with the magic you have, which is strong and capable.”

Junhui admired Joshua's fire, which didn't burn him, which spread in his arms and shone beautifully.

“All I want is for you to conscientiously invoke magic without the need to rely on your emotional reactions, although in the end, that's what makes it powerful, do I make myself clear?” he asked with a soft smile.

Junhui nodded slowly.

“It's true that I can't control my magic very well and it usually appears when I'm not thinking much, just feeling something with great intensity.”

Joshua's fire went out.

“What you have to do is unite your head with your heart. Let your emotions follow your thoughts, not the other way around,” he explained, extending his right arm to the side.

Junhui saw the change in Joshua's expression that became more serious. That's where the lesson began.

“Tell me, would you like me to burn that tree to ashes? Would you like the fire to spread on its leaves and reach the others, destroying this forest?”

The young man widened his eyes and shook his head.

“No, of course not.”

“What would you feel?” Joshua asked, his voice questioning.

Junhui looked at the trees and lowered his eyebrows, his lips in a straight line.

“Sadness... The trees would suffer, and the forest would lose a part of itself,” he said, evoking the feeling he discovered. “I don't like nature to be destroyed.”

The blue fire in Joshua's palm lit up.

“Then avoid it,” he said and Junhui got distressed.

“Wait, Joshua! Do you plan to burn them?”

The mage shrugged.

“If you don't want it to happen, if it makes you sad, then don't let my fire reach them,” he said, in the same calm, unchanging tone of voice.

“What? But…” Junhui alternately looked at the trees and at Joshua's hand with the fire pointing at them. “I can't do it, I can't against you!”

Joshua frowned severely.

“If you can't do that, then you won't do anything against Jeonghan.”

Jun took a step back, one hand crumpling the fabric of his chest.

“But-

The mage raised an eyebrow and the fire in his hand grew.

Junhui widened his eyes in panic, but as he took another step back, he heard Joshua's words in his mind again.

«Let your emotions follow your thoughts, not the other way around»

It was no use crying or feeling sadness. Suffering was useless if he didn't do something with it, if he let it get out of control without bringing any benefit.

If his emotions evoked and ignited his magic, then all he had to do was let his mind take over and do something with it.

That's what Joshua wanted to teach him.

From one moment to another, the mage, without moving, released the fire from his hand, launching a bluish ball against the trees.

Junhui had to react quickly. It was instinctive, but he made sure his mind reigned in control over his raging heart.

He waved his hand forward and stifled a frightened cry, but just as he visualized it, the snow on the ground responded to him, rising in a protective wall in front of the trees.

The fireball died in the snow, being extinguished by it.

Junhui blinked in surprise and smiled in relief. But Joshua moved his hand to the other side.

“There are many trees here, don't let your guard down.”

Saying that, another blue fireball was expelled from his hand, heading to the other side where there were more trees.

Junhui repeated the action, again flustered, with his hand outstretched. The wall of snow protected the trees from the fire, but another blast was launched in the opposite direction.

Junhui wasted no time and controlled the snow on the ground so that he continued to build walls that put out the fire.

Joshua, unmoving, continued to release more balls of blue fire. Junhui acted, moving fast.

The snow walls rose, swallowed the fire, fell, and another one rose. Junhui felt his breath hitch, because Joshua didn't seem to stop.

The mage didn't seem tired at all, not even the slightest agitated. He continued with that calm gesture, throwing his fire dangerously towards the trees, which were only kept intact by Junhui's efforts to cover them with his snow.

“Joshua, stop!” Junhui said, chest rising and falling, moving his gaze and his arms to control the snow and keep the fire at bay.

The mage ignored him. The blue fireballs grew larger as more walls of snow rose.

It didn't seem to stop, it didn't seem to end.

Junhui felt irritation and desperation, because if he missed even once, the fire would reach the trees, destroying them completely.

He clenched his jaw and wondered why Joshua didn't stop. Junhui had already shown him that he had more control with his magic, that it responded to him and did what he expected and wanted to achieve with it.

Letting his emotions awaken his magic, but letting his actions and thoughts guide it.

Then…?

Then the realization came, over the mist from his erratic breathing, over the serene but expectant expression of Joshua, who continued to release his blue fire in a dangerous way.

That was not the answer he expected from Junhui. That was not the lesson he was teaching him.

His fire would go on tirelessly, he seemed inexhaustible. And Junhui would get tired, and would fail if he continued with that useless effort... Because he wasn't fighting using his head, just impulsively with his emotions.

The prince gave a scream of effort and focused his attention on Joshua. Rather than lift another wall of snow, he waved his hands forward, toward the mage.

“Enough!” he screamed, and around Joshua, snow shook from the ground, but what rose was ice, forming a dome-like prison, completely surrounding the mage.

The ice covered him, locking him inside and just like that, the fire stopped being launched towards the trees. Just like that, he stopped.

Junhui looked towards the scene, his arms still outstretched, his breathing heavy.

He blinked, surprised that he had done that. He didn't expect to have that kind of power.

Joshua, looking around him at the ice that trapped him, smiled, pleased.

“So in the end he got it... he's definitely the one to take down Jeonghan”

Joshua knocked his knuckles on the thick wall of ice.

“Very well, prince, you can let me out now, if you'd be so kind.”

Junhui blinked several times again and jumped up, hastily making the ice recede little by little, lowering his hands slowly along the ice and releasing Joshua who was smiling with his arms crossed.

“I'm sorry, Joshua, I didn't mean--

“Junhui, you did very well,” said the mage, with a soft look. “Magic is not random, it must be meditated. Use the head and the heart as a unit, not as two opposites at war.”

Junhui walked up to him and, facing the older mage, bowed.

“I thank you very much for your help and teachings, Joshua.”

The older smiled, one hand on Junhui's black hair, ruffling it lovingly.

“You don't have to thank me for anything, prince. Besides, you still have a lot to learn, but you have a lot of capacity and strength.”

Junhui looked up, cheeks red in sheepishment, nodding.

“But practice makes perfect, so I'd like you to get a flower and crystallize it,” Joshua said, looking around him. “Sure, without destroying it. That requires a lot of concentration, but I'm sure you'll make it.”

The mage frowned.

“Apparently the snow is a response to his emotions, but the ice he summons is when he intends to use his magic for something specific, more controlled”

He thought to himself, noticing the pattern in Junhui's magic.

“Can I really do that? Sounds… complicated,” Jun said, a little hesitantly.

“Of course you can, you just have to focus and have the intention. You didn't do anything to me, you just locked me up with your ice, you didn't hurt me, so don't be afraid.”

Junhui lowered his eyebrows at him in concern, but he nodded.