Disdain of Carnations | SanSang

Chapter 7: Persistence

The prince's disappearance was now fully known in the town. His absence was prominent, noticeable from the fact the prince would not escape the castle walls to go on his walks throughout the day and evening - pondering about the town within shops and talking to people.

It's been like this for a week and a half - not even a peep or a course of action has been taken to find the missing royal. The townspeople nor the maids, or butler, in the castle were used to this situation; they could only hope the prince had gone to the town across the forest. If the prince was gone longer, they'll have to go through another approach.

Hongjoong sat in his chair at this hour of the morning, almost afternoon. The sun was blasting its rays at full capacity, yet the coldness still stirred around and remained. Winter was long, but for some it was short since Spring would come soon—in two months and a half.

He picked up his cup from the table, his fingers trembling a tad as he held it. He brought it close to his lips, taking a sip as he stared out the window. A sigh escaped his lips as he heard the sound of faint, dulled footsteps behind him.

"Wooyoung, you don't need to be so quiet around me." He placed his cup back down. "We've talked about this."

"You've really deteriorated, huh?"

Hongjoong felt his muscles tense in place, his breath becoming laborious and stuck in his throat at the voice. "I didn't expect... to hear from you so soon." He mustered out, his voice soft as a feather - faint and almost inaudible. He pulled himself up to his feet, turning to face the source, yet he found himself staring into the eyes of the other—even if all he could see was a blur. "Yunho."

"Hongjoong." A grin surfaced onto Yunho's lips. "It surely has been a while hasn't it?" He clicked his tongue, circling the older man. "I see you patched up that eye I stabbed." A small cackle erupted from his mouth as he clasped his hands together. He paused, though, taking a look at the other eye. "As for the other, I don't remember why that's like that."

Hongjoong rolled his eyes. "I don't know either. The other is blind, so the good eye just decided to follow its lead."

"Ooh," Yunho didn't say much. He only shrugged, pulled out a chair, and took a seat. "Sit." He hummed, pushing back his hair. He got rid of his coat, hanging it behind the chair. "Let's have a chat, hm?"

"Yes... let's chat." Hongjoong turned his chair around towards the table, and he took a seat - looking ahead towards Jeong Yunho.

~~~

Yeosang stood outside the life-filled cabin. His boots were sunk deeply in the snow, almost being swallowed up by the coldness, yet he resisted and remained on top. While he loved the coldness and the overall feeling of the season, he couldn't bring himself to love winter so much anymore. It felt empty without his parents. Sure, he has his uncle, but he's been absent most of his life; it wasn't the same feeling.

He watched Seonghwa go back inside with Mingi. Besides being outside to get fresh air, he was observing the couple spar with some swords they found - as well as practicing their archery on some targets. Yeosang couldn't take his eyes off them; his heart simply ached at the laughs and smiles they shared. It made him wish, or hope, he finds someone too, to love.

Yeosang's train of thought stopped. Someone to love? He looked up at the grey, cloudy sky. Could that ever happen to me? Fall in love? He reached for a small snowflake that was falling towards him, capturing it onto the tip of his finger.

"Yeonghannn!" San called out behind him. "I can train you now!" He mused childishly, a smug grin on his lips. "It's about to get rough."

"You're feeling better?" Yeosang asked, glancing over at him.

"Better as I'll ever be." San said.

"That's good." Yeosang said, feeling a small snowflake land on his nose. A small smile bloomed on his lips as he glanced over at San. "So, what will we start with?" He asked.

"Hm," San rested his hands on his hips, glancing up, "How about some sparring? Just to see where you're at." He looked back at Yeosang, grinning. "How about it, Yeonghan?"

Yeosang gulped. "Okay."

San snickered, rolling his eyes as he grabbed one of the swords that were left planted on the snow. "This'll be fun." He handed the sword, grabbing one for himself as well. He took a quick look at Yeosang, "You'll be fine."

+~+~+

"So," said Yunho with a grin, "any idea where our beloved prince could be?" His head rested against his palm as his eyes watched Hongjoong show no emotion on his face.

"I don't know," the other said, glancing away from Yunho. "Besides, I'm sure you can manage just fine without my help, Yunho. After all, it's your crown you're hunting for."

Yunho slammed his hands on the table, his teeth gritting - slightly creaking. "Watch your mouth, Hongjoong."

"No," Hongjoong looked back into Yunho's eyes, "because I know I'm right."

Yunho huffed out a sturdy breath, narrowing his eyes at the older, "You don't know shit." He made his way towards the door, his stomach hurling out of frustration.

"More like you're carrying the grudge from your mother's side of the family." Hongjoong said, his eyes burning into the back of Yunho's head. "And maybe, it's time you let go since the crown isn't your lineage anymore; it belongs to the Kang Family."

"Hongjoong," said Yunho as he clicked his tongue, "just shut up."

"You're the one who wanted to know where the prince is."

"Because I know you don't need your eyes to see—you can see stuff with just your mind, can't you?"

"..."