By The Crest

❃25❃

"I don't see the point of you guys dragging me here when you are clearly busy gawking at your boyfriends."

Wooyoung let his eyes roll while he picked up a cookie from the platter, going back to judge his friends at how they stared dreamily at their soulmates who were busy sparing in the distance with other knights.

The apprentice was happily practicing his sewing techniques in the workshop earlier until his friends bursts through the workshop doors to fetch him so that they could do something together. And the male agreed since his eyes and fingers did need a break from the times he's been placing a new thread through the small eye of the needle, and that Eden was away.

So when he asked them if they had an idea on how to spend the lovely afternoon, them watching the other three's soulmates turn sweaty from having a battle while they had tea did not cross his mind in the slightest.

"That's your jealousy talking is what I hear." Yeosang reluctantly pulls his gaze from Jongho as he lifts his head that was supported by his palm, using both of his arms to carefully get up from laying on the wide picnic blanket as he then takes his tea in his hands. Wooyoung swallows his cookie and stuck his tongue out at the older beside him, getting a mocking grin in return.

"Yeosang, be nice. We all know that you will find your soulmate soon enough Woo."

Hongjoong bit his lower lip after seeing Seonghwa push his damp hair back, even seeing him swipe his tongue to wet his dry lips. He distracts himself by pouring more of the Assam tea in both his and Yunho's cups. The eldest's words did help in lifting Wooyoung's mood a bit, getting reminded that he sort of does have a relationship going on between him and San. Although both promised to keep it a secret from others, the male still felt the small hit of jealousy about wanting to show off his and the prince's relationship, even if there was a possibility for them to not end up as soulmates.

"Hongjoong's right, even if that soulmate of your turns out to be an animal or magical beast we would still be friends with you."
The youngest slaps Yunho on his thigh at his comment. "Hey!That's a bit much!" He then folded his arms and pouted, sulking like a child which got a fit of laughter to erupt from the group. They continued chatting until the three males' lovers arrived, taking their seats next to each of Wooyoung's friends.

"I hope none of you mind, but I invited my brother to join us."

The second prince states while Yeosang helped him wipe his sweat with the towel around his neck. The apprentice's ears perked up but remains being busy guiding the butter knife as it spreads chocolate on a piece of bread. Wooyoung hasn't seen San since he left the other's bedroom early in the morning, but he was probably busy running around the castle doing his princely duties.

"Oh it's fine, the more the merrier."

Hongjoong answers while Seonghwa laid next to him, not wanting to ruin his lover's pants with his sweat. The rest of their friends didn't seem to mind as well. Granted, this would be the first time all of them would be together and that none of them were exactly close with San. But they knew better than to judge a prince of the kingdom, and judge a person in general regardless of the rumours.

"Excellent. Ah, there he is."

Wooyoung twists his head to look at the new guest before he could take a bite from his bread. His jaw would have dropped if it wasn't for his friends being there. White pants clung to San's legs snuggly with a simple pearl chain curving on his right pocket. A dark blue and gold single breast vest with white prints made his lean figure stand out as it rested on top of a dark blue button up. And his hair was styled back with a few loose strands on his forehead, making it good for a formal and simple look.

"Wooyoung, scoot next to me for San to sit."

The apprentice got shook out of his trance from Yunho tapping his thigh. He scrambles to move closer to his friend while not dropping his chocolate bread and getting distracted by the prince who sat next to him with a huff. Finally munching on his bread, he quickly gazes at his and San's knees that brushed ever so slightly with each other by their smallest shifts.

"Where did you come from for you to be dressed so nicely?" The younger prince squints his eyes at his brother as if trying to find a clue as to where his brother have been the past hours.

"At a Grand Council meeting, where you should have been at as well, mind you."

Wooyoung gingerly hands San a cup of tea that Hongjoong poured. Their fingers brushing for a quick second before the cup and saucer rests in the prince's hands. If any of the other males noticed it then they most likely kept quiet about it until they had a chance to talk to either of the two who were in a secret relationship.

"You know I can't stay in a meeting without dozing off at least once." Jongho gets a slap on his arm by his soulmate, getting a look of disappointment by what he just blurted out. Wooyoung takes another bite of his bread while watching the second prince wrap his arm around Yeosang's waist as consolation to what he said.

Fortunately, no one was around to see them since they still haven't announced their relationship. The apprentice thought that his friend and the second prince were on a similar situation with him and San concerning their relationship.

"Anyways, what did you talk about? I assume it's about catching the dark magician?"

Wooyoung was halfway through his chocolate bread as he hears the prince next to him hum at his brother's question.

"Yeah, grandfather wants to catch the magician as soon as possible. But, even with the magicians and the knights that are already on the hunt for the wizard, they still come up empty handed." The prince let's out a sigh through his nose, trying not to show his stress in front of the others. Wooyoung once again, feels pity for the royal with him carrying a lot of stress on his shoulders. He begins deciding if he should visit the other later at night again, try and help him unwind for a while. And mess with him for not taking things slow and that he'll have wrinkles so early because of all the stress.

"Don't fret too much. We will catch the magic user soon or later, but for now have a brownie."

Jongho hands his brother a plate with five brownies stacked on top of each other, to which San rolls his eyes at his younger brother before picking up the square chocolate goodness and taking a bite into it. Wooyoung finishes his chocolate bread and drank his tea. He was about to grab another cookie until he saw the prince move the napkins close to him.

A brow of his raises before giving the male a quick look. He sees the other tap the corner of his mouth twice before pretending to rub it, all without looking back at him. The apprentice gets the message and takes a napking in his hand, swiping it over his mouth. He pulls it back and truth be told, there was chocolate spread on the white cloth where the corners of his lips would be.

He smiles to himself. Even if he and San were in a secret relationships, this small and discreet action made his stomach and heart do flips inside of him. If this is how the royal shows that he cares, then Wooyoung is impressed at the change of personality while being with the male.

He could now only hope that this was enough for him to avoid his death ending.