Crimson Crown

⌠63⌡

"What is the point of such a useless library..."

The prince sighed as he flopped back onto the sofa in the middle of the room.

None of the books he read through had any sort of revealing information on Cornelia. There was nothing but the basics: geography, political structure, and random tidbits of information that contributed nothing much to the knowledge Jinyoung already had. Not even the old hidden history books Jinyoung had found before accounted anything significant about the kingdom.

He was hoping to find out anything about the root of the rivalry between Alveras and Cornelia, and figure out if such a historical incident would explain the constant ongoing conflict. Yet nothing he read gave a hint of anything that could've sparked such long-term bad blood between the two lands.

After hours of searching and reading, he'd grown tired. He would have to continue his search another day, and just hoped that he'd find something before his father launches any hasty plans or attacks.

By the time he exited the library it was dark. The halls were illuminated by torches, and the palace was mostly quiet aside from the night subjects that bustled about during the late hours. The prince quickly made his way to his room, heading straight to bed. After the day he had, he simply needed some rest.

He closed himself in his room and changed into his nightwear. As he passed by his balcony toward his bed, his eye caught on something twinkling in the pitch darkness. He approached the glass that separated him from the outside, gazing up at the night sky littered with stars. There was an exceptionally bright one, which Jinyoung couldn't look away from. It reminded him of the night he stayed at Jackson's home and watched the stars, so serene and comfortable and pretty. Scooting so close to him, though they were both slightly hesitant, just feeling the warmth of one another's skin was enough. The slight chill nipping at Jinyoung's shoulders was quickly quelled by Jackson's cloak that smelled just like him— even without being a half-blood then, Jinyoung was always attracted to Jackosn's pleasant smell.

Tingles spread through his body from the memory, and suddenly he missed his vampire. Though he was just down the hall, and he had seen him earlier that day, he missed him. Remembering that Jackson's blood ran through his veins did not comfort him, but only made him crave him more. He hated that they were not on talking terms yet. He hated how a simple few wrong words made him so upset— and he was still upset— but after hours of being mad and alone he wanted to ignore everything and embrace Jackson again. He had wanted nothing but the opposite earlier; it is quite peculiar how emotions can change so fast.

Just as he began to daydream of Jackson's lips and hands, a knock at his door snapped him back to reality. Part of him hoped it was Jackson returning to him to restore their relationship back to the way it was, but alas, he was disappointed when he turned and locked eyes with his servant.

"Jinyoung, you missed supper?" Youngjae questioned as he stepped into the room.

Jinyoung let out a long breath, turning back toward the glass. "I was not hungry."

"Both you and Jackson were not there... I thought maybe you both were up to... something."

The prince could feel his cheeks warming. He only wished that he were occupied with such things, since the truth was much sadder and lonelier. "If we were up to something, you would have surely walked in on the middle of it..."

"Do not paint the mental picture into my head..."

"Then do not imagine it. The image of you and Jaebeom together makes me sick to my stomach."

"How rude!" The latter whined.

A chuckle escaped the prince. With a sigh, his smile faded just as fast as it appeared. "We are not on the best terms as of right now. So I can only imagine Jackson is still holed up in his room, as I am in mine..."