He Walks Alone in the Moonlight [COMPLETED]

EMBERS OF THE HEART

Two weeks passed by in a blur, and Jihyun spent most of his time eating, sleeping, changing his dressing, and ocasionally, talking to Minjoo. The beautiful man had helped Raejoon treat Jihyun's wounds several times, listening aptly to the doctor's instructions. Because of this, Jihyun quickly became used to Minjoo's presence, finding himself intrigued by the stories he told of the palace, and his companions. After some time, Jihyun began to ask questions and found that he actually quite liked spending time with Minjoo. He had a strange sense of humor and a fiery attitude that both amused and intimidated Jihyun. Over the course of Jihyun's recovery, Minjoo had been working on embroidering a pale blue robe, explaining to Jihyun that his mother was the royal seamstress, and he had taken to her skill set. The two had settled into a comfortable routine, where Jihyun would watch as Minjoo's slim fingers wove patterns into the expensive fabric, and Minjoo would tell him stories, as well as slip in a few questions. Through all this, Jihyun noticed, the seamster never mentioned the crown prince. Jihyun hadn't seen the crown prince in this time either, though sometimes he thought he heard a familiar voice whispering in the middle of the night.

When Jihyun awoke in the morning, he could sense that something was different. Minjoo's sewing supplies were packed up, and a new face had entered the room. Only it wasn't a new face, as Jihyun distantly recalled that it was the man who had stepped in on the first day of the prince's arrival, when Jihyun had made the mistake of crashing into the crown prince.

"This is Park Chang. He's going to help us get ready for travel," Minjoo explained as he stacked his boxes of supplies into Chang's leather-clad arms.

"Yah, I'm not your pack mule. The Crown Prince told me to help him, not you," Chang quipped, readjusting his grip on the engraved boxes as he nodded towards Jihyun.

"You don't need to trouble yourself with me. It would only be an insult to you," Jihyun bowed even as he stood up, tugging his robes tighter across his chest. Park Chang was much bigger than Minjoo, but he seemed to carry an easygoing air about him naturally, unlike the tense and guarded kindness of Minjoo.

"If we can't use him for his muscles what purpose does he serve? It's all empty space between his ears," Minjoo teased, flicking a finger against Chang's forehead. The jab caused a slew of bickering to occur between the two, and Jihyun watched as Minjoo seemed to come to life before his eyes. It seemed that Park Chang had that effect on people, the ability to bring out their lightheartedness, to make them feel comfortable. Upon that realization, a wave of guilt washed over Jihyun. He had been keeping Minjoo from his companions, the seamster being forced to sit in this cramped room with him for hours on end. Of course, he would be happier now that he was leaving. Jihyun was stirred from his thoughts as Minjoo gently placed an arm around his shoulder. "We should head out now. How are you feeling? Chang told me earlier there were a lot of people waiting to tell you goodbye. Can you handle it?"

Jihyun had been preparing himself, ever since a week ago when Minjoo confirmed what the crown prince had said earlier, that Jihyun was coming with them to the palace, although he never explained why. A secret, he said, but nothing bad. Jihyun didn't believe him at first, thinking he would be brought to the capital for even more severe punishment, but Minjoo's sincerity had won him over. More than a dozen times Minjoo had taken his hands and looked Jihyun straight in the eyes, assuring his safety. It still didn't change the fact that sadness settled over Jihyun like a cloak, the twinge of loss burning in his chest thinking about all the friends he'd be leaving behind.

Silently, Jihyun followed Chang and Minjoo out of the house and into the open yard of the camp. The first snow had yet to fall, but there was a distinct chill in the air that burned Jihyun's lungs. Before him, nearly all the servants, Raejoon, the training captain, and even some soldiers were gathered in wait. His eyes first landed on Sulhee, and he burst into tears. Sulhee was his best friend, practically his sister. He wanted to see her during his recovery, but was too scared that mentioning her name would draw unwanted attention to her from the crown prince. Jihyun was not scared now, but desperate to say his goodbye. Upon seeing Jihyun's tears, Sulhee broke down as well, shoving past Minjoo and Chang to pull Jihyun into a bone-crushing hug. Jihyun's back stung a bit in protest, but he didn't care, and hugged his friend back, burying his face into her familiar scent and sobbing. The head maid hobbled over and took both of them into her arms, stroking the back of Jihyun's head.

"May your mother watch over you, my dear," the older woman whispered, her fingertips brushing the choppy ends of Jihyun's hair. Jihyun's cries swelled when he thought of his mother, of her burial place that he was also being forced to leave behind. His chest hurt, and Jihyun was hurt and sad. And for the first time in a very long time, he was angry. He was angry that he was having to leave his friends and home behind. He was angry that he was being forced to go to the palace with practical strangers. He was most angry at the crown prince, who had forced Jihyun to his knees, cut his hair, and stripped him of his humanity. Jihyun was so angry that his face became red, that his body shook. It was not fair, and it would never be fair, and Jihyun vowed that he would never forgive the crown prince for taking away his life, that he wouldn't give in, no matter what awaited him at the palace.