Whisper Of The Wind [ONF FF]

Chapter 7

A lot. There was a lot he had to fear, a lot he had to take into account. Only did he realize that when he made it home. As soon as he and Changyun arrived at the palace gates, both were summoned to go to His Majesty's quarters.

Changyun was a ball of nerves and anxiousness, telling Yuto they were being summoned because they somehow broke the roles, that he knew they should've stuck to the ways of the palace instead of to those of the town.

Yuto ignored him, too busy wrecking his own brain to listen to Changyun's rants.
Upon arrival, both men were greeted not only by His Majesty but also by His Highness and Yuto's mother. It was then, as they greeted each other, that Yuto realized they were indeed going to be reprimanded for something they had done.

"Are you two aware of why you were called to our presence?"

"Not aware, Your Majesty."

"Yuto, I believe you understand mine and your mother's reservations regarding your trips to town. Your outings were agreed to by us due to Jaeyoung's pleas."

"I do, Your Majesty."

"Very well. You are also aware that the day you will be presented to the Kingdom is soon, tremendously so."

"I am." Yuto looked down. "Your Majesty."

The King observed the two young men kneeling down at his feet. "Now, do any of you dare make an assumption as to why you were summoned?"
"Dare not, Your Majesty."

"I have been told Mizuguchi Yuto, our noble Prince, has been doing some rather inadequate tasks while in town. Is this true?"

Yuto did not respond. So that was why they had been summoned. It had been foolish of him to think he would be totally free to do what he wanted in town. Of course Changyun hadn't been the only one with him. Something akin to anger ignited inside of him at the thought that his own family had sent people to spy on him.

"Weren't you supposed to keep an eye on him? Changyun?"

Changyun held back his words, bowing his head further than he had been. His Majesty's question was nothing but a rhetorical one, it wasn't for someone of Changyun's status to reply, it was a very obvious way of humiliating him.

"Father." At those words Changyun looked up, locking eyes with His Highness.

His Majesty glanced at his son, the latter having a serious expression on his face. "Jaeyoung, would you like to say anything?"

"I simply believe there is no need for such commotion. First of all, it's not Changyun's fault. Yuto was also not wrong, he has a right to follow his heart."

The other two young men in the room watched the exchange with wide eyes. Yuto had always admired his cousin but at that moment he felt truly thankful and proud of him.

"What are you doing?"

"I am..." Jaeyoung locked eyes with Changyun, smiling gently. "Also following my heart."

"Your Highness..." Changyun whispered, a blush spreading on his cheeks at the gesture.

Yuto glanced in between his cousin and his friend, his assumptions proved right by Jaeyoung's attitude. His heart swelled, happiness for the two men spreading despite their current situation.

He then looked up at His Majesty, ready to speak for himself but failing to do so as he noticed the expression on the King's face. Was that...a smile? Yuto glanced at his mother, the latter mirroring the King's expression.

Before he could wreak havoc in his mind trying to contextualize their expressions, the King spoke.

"Finally."

The three young men looked at him with wide eyes, Changyun turning so hard his neck hurt.

"Yuto, Changyun, you may stand up. My apologies for having you so filled with anxiety."

Jaeyoung incredulously stared at his father. "Don't tell me this was another one of Father's tests?"

Yuto turned to his mother, confusedly tilting his head. The woman chuckled. "Mother, you were in on it too?"

"I had your Mother join me on this, yes. Truth is, I seldom wished to test if Jaeyoung would defy me when it came to me scolding the ones he loves. I did not expect for you two to create an opportunity so soon."

"Then, am I not to be punished?" Yuto questioned, still not entirely believing it was all an act. The smile he received from his mother in return gave him the answer he needed, relief filling his otherwise anxious nerves.

"But Father, how could you orchestrate something like this just to test me?"

"Since you pleaded with me to give Yuto some more freedom for himself I thought I should concede some to you as well. But I wanted to know first if your feelings were genuine."

"My feelings?"

The King smiled, excusing himself before pulling Changyun close to him. "Son, I've watched you and this boy since you were kids. There's no questioning your feelings towards each other."

"Your Majesty!" Changyun let his head fall down to hide his blush, his heart beating in an erratic rhythm. He wondered if it was true, if perhaps Jaeyoung harbored for him the same feelings he did? Foolish, he thought, there was no way His Highness would ever willingly bear the weight of such feelings. However, as a man kneeled down in front of him, extending out his hand for him to take, his thoughts were cleared.

"Excuse me?"

"Changyun, under the watch of my father, His Majesty, of my cousin, the Prince, and my Aunt, the Royal Princess, I am asking you if you would please allow me to court you?"

Changyun was speechless for a few moments, turning to look at Yuto as if to confirm whatever had just happened. His friend had a bright smile on his face, nodding endlessly as a confirmation that indeed, that was real. Changyun took a deep breath, doing his best to keep his face from completely showing his feelings.

"Your Highness I- hum, of course!"

A smile bloomed on Jaeyoung's face, the Crown Prince kissing the back of Changyun's hand as a way of officialising the acceptance of his request.

"Congratulations." The King spoke, "I once again apologize for my methods but, as the future King, I wish for my son to live happily according to his own will. This was the last test I had for you."

Jaeyoung expressed his gratitude, vowing to fulfill his role as the next ruler of the Kingdom. There were still a couple of years before he was set to take the throne but he would officially be shown to the Kingdom as the next ruler during the centenary celebrations, the same day Yuto would be presented as a member of the royal family.