masked | hyunchan

-two-

"Paint my son." The King repeats for the third time as HyunJin just stares at him confused.

"Paint your son? You want me to paint the Prince whose face I've never seen? How does that make sense, Your Majesty?" HyunJin just can't seem to grasp what he wants from him. He can't paint someone he's never laid eyes on. Does he expect him to conjure up some image of the Prince in his head? What if his image of the Prince is completely different from what he truly looks like? The King would be paying him to paint someone who doesn't exist. It just doesn't make sense.

"Do you have to see him to paint him? Make him look handsome and desirable. I've seen some of your work. I know you can do it." The King insists as he recalls the dozens of pieces he's seen. He's truly fascinated by HyunJin's work—so fascinated that if he can pull off a painting of the Prince—he wants him to paint him as well.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I must see him. I simply cannot create something out of nothing. Everything I paint has a base. It may not be visible by an untrained eye—but it's always there. I need something to build off of. If I cannot see the Prince—I must turn down your offer no matter how desirable it is." HyunJin slowly gets to his feet and bows his head prepared to leave.

"Fine—take him to the Prince's chambers. I want guards outside the door and no one else but the two inside. He has five minutes—nothing more—but there are rules." The King's voice causes HyunJin to turn around.

"Anything Your Majesty." HyunJin lowers his head once again.

"You cannot paint all that you see. His eyes shall be brown. His skin shall be flawless. No scars or marks of any kind shall adorn his skin. You will show the people what I want you to show them. You will protect the Prince and his image or you shall pay with your life." The King's words echo through the throne room.

HyunJin holds back an amused chuckle. His eyes have to be brown? What other color would they be? He has to have flawless skin? Don't all royal bloods have flawless skin? Most importantly—he has to paint the image of the Prince the King wants? Then why does he want HyunJin to paint it. HyunJin's paintings never conform. He always draws out the beauty of flaws. Just like HyeRi earlier—he took note of her limp and drew her galloping through a field of flowers. He highlighted how her steps left different impressions in the mud behind her—something most people wouldn't notice—but he did.

"Will you do it?" The King gets to his feet, slightly annoyed with HyunJin's inability to answer quickly.

"Oh—sure—of course, Your Majesty." HyunJin confirms as he folds his hands in front of him. How could he turn down being one of the very few people who have seen the Prince without his mask? He'd be insane to give up the opportunity.

"Take him to the Prince's chambers." The King instructs and two royal guards step in front of HyunJin. They begin to lead the way out of the throne room and into the courtyard.

HyunJin's head turns from side to side as he takes in the beauty of the world inside of the Kingdom walls. It's bustling with life and extravagant colors. Each of the maids and other workers are clothed in the finest of fabrics. They wear their hair up with pins or hats decorating it. HyunJin reaches up to run his fingers through his own hair. He's never been a fan of hats—they always got in the way of his painting. He'd much rather have his hair fall down his back loosely.

The number of people he sees slowly starts to dwindle as they approach a house set off from the rest. HyunJin starts to grow a little uneasy as they climb the steps. One guard taps on the door while HyunJin wrings his hands anxiously. A slender woman—much like the old woman who protects his easel, but far better dressed—opens the door. Her eyes fall on HyunJin and she can't help but stare in awe at his beauty.