Crimson Crown

⌠52⌡

"Good job today, we're going to keep taking it slow." Mark commended as he and Jinyoung stepped inside the palace.

While both were covered in sweat, Jinyoung struggled more so due to his body still healing. He was drenched in his own perspiration and needed a bath, but he wouldn't have minded training for longer if it weren't for Mark holding back on their usual regimen. 

"You know I can handle more already." He mumbled out while discreetly dusting off the dirt and grass stains on his clothing from the number of times he'd fallen out there.

"Better safe than sorry." Mark replied, gently patting Jinyoung's shoulder before turning down a hall to put away their training materials.

Jinyoung let out a dejected sigh. He was at a point where he'd just have to prove to everyone that he could handle himself and more responsibility; no one seemed to trust him right now, not even Jackson.

Speaking of Jackson, he hadn't seen the vampire since breakfast and he didn't show up to watch his training. He pondered where the latter was off to-- hopefully not speaking with his parents again. As he wandered through the long halls, Youngjae suddenly appeared from one of the many corridors, seemingly in a rush as he glanced at Jinyoung briefly.

He did a double-take upon recognizing the prince's presence, stopping abruptly to bow. "Oh, hello my prince."

Jinyoung paused, curiously cocking his head. "Where are you off to in a hurry?"

"Uh--" Youngjae faltered, his eyes darting away for just a moment. He let out a soft breath, as if he'd made the difficult decision to answer honestly. "We're dealing with the arrangements for your death."

"Arrangements?" The elder repeated, his brows furrowing. "Are you throwing a fake funeral?"

"No! Your father just wants to appease some of the more... faithful mourners that have been outside the castle gates for a few days now. So I'm trying to help deal with that."

The Prince folded his arms over his chest. It didn't matter to what extent they pretended that he was dead; lying about it in the first place was wrong. He felt guilty despite it not being his decision; he could only imagine how defeated the people of the kingdom must feel while he sits up in his room, useless.

"I do not feel good about lying to the public..." He muttered, mindlessly glaring at Youngjae.

The younger's eyes shifted away, guilt painting his own expression. "I do not like the idea much either but, it's the only way we can keep you safe for now."

"It is not the only way, it is just the most convenient, and the easiest way for you all to force me to stay put. If you would just let me step outside the palace for even a moment maybe I could do something..."

Youngjae couldn't argue his point, as the decision was above his head as well. He merely shook his head, bowing again.

"That's not an option, I'm sorry."

He stood up straight and turned on his heels to continue to his destination.

"Well-- have you seen Jackson at least?" The prince called after him. He had a strange craving to see the vampire; maybe to ease his nerves a little. "He did not come to watch me during training, so I have not seen him since breakfast..."

The latter paused, humming as he thought about it. "I think he said he would be in the library last I saw him. Wanted to check out our collection."

For some reason, hearing that Jackson had an interest in the library brightened Jinyoung's cross mood. He himself often spent time in the library, escaping the world in books of all sorts. He wondered if Jackson shared the same interest; the thought warmed his chest. 

"Ok, thank you!" He greeted while hurrying off toward the stairwell.

He rushed up the steps two at a time, unable to contain himself. Jackson always made him feel so giddy, even if they have a disagreement or cannot see eye to eye, it was difficult to stay away from him for long.

He reached the top of the steps, entering the hall at the end of which was the library. He was panting from his speedy pace, and before he could take another step, he was hit with a sudden wave of dizziness. He stumbled a bit, assuming that it was just a brief spell of vertigo that most people normally got from improper breathing while being active or too quick movement, but it didn't subside like it normally did in just a mere few seconds. 

He tried to blink himself out of it, but stumbled around the hall like a baby learning to walk.

His vision suddenly faded as he toppled over, unconscious.