Kidnap

6

YeoSang sighed heavily as he looked at the pitiful prince. It was bad enough he was being dragged into something he probably was not expecting, but to not even know of your heritage, and then to find out that you are doomed to be trapped within political ploys the rest of your life? That would have to be incredibly distressing. YeoSang had no idea what he would do if he found out that some King had decided to hide him away until he had use...He knew that he would rebel immediately. This Prince, though, he was so clearly not like him, or like many people that YeoSang knew. Even before he had turned to Piracy. This boy was far too...timid. Too Gentle. It was not really a bad thing, that is, if he were not a Noble. As it were, YeoSang felt that they were kind of doing the boy a favor, really, should they think about it. The Nobles in the Capitol would destroy him. He had no idea what was to become of him had he made it to the palace. Nobles were not kind after all.

The Nobility would eat the boy alive. He was far too....exotic for their tastes. If that was the right word, really. Although the boy may not consider himself such. It was the kindness, and the gentle disposition that made him a rarity. YeoSang could practically taste it off of him. The innocence, it was likely what had HongJoong being so merciful to him. Yet, there was still some sort of back bone despite the timid reservations. He had stood up against Hongjoong when he felt that the other had been unfair. Although that was also liekly due to his dislike of violence. There was so many...interesting characteristics.

HongJoong had ordered the capture of a prince, and at first he had thought the other was simply insane. Not that he had ever stated that to HongJoong, or anyone else. Opinions of Hongjoong's orders and choices remained just that, opinons, and nobody really dared to speak on them either. It was too risky when the likelihood would be that they just pissed him off, and then suffer greatly for it. So they went along with it, as they were to do anyways. Despite that, they had obeyed, and when they had captured this so called Prince of HongJoong's Yeosang had been fairly sure that someone somewhere had made a mistake. Other than that small underlying sense of fire in his eyes, Yeosang had not seen nobility anywhere within the boy's body.

Now, he understood, that had been the point. YeoSang well he may not be the biggest fan of teh Captain's actions at the best of times, but...he had to respect the fact that he had so easily maanged to find a weak point that the Knig had. One that he undoubtedly was hiding for quite some time. This boy was scarcely trained, and although he spoke well and was obviously well educated, he knew nothing. He was not noble ready. Hell, he had not even been made aware that the King was on his death bed. This boy was exactly that, a boy. He did not know how to handle the Nobility. No amount of knowledge or reading made one ready for that. He needed experience, and a certain sense of self.

This boy definitely did not have anything he needed to survive the Palace. YeoSang sort of felt bad for him. Not only had his King lied to him, created this fake family for him, and then proceeded to pretend he did not exist until he needed him, he also withheld information, withheld his birthright, withheld his true family from him and essentially created him as a spare tool for him to use if needed. It was sort of horrific, in it's own right. The King also did not even bother to He should not feel surprised by the audacity but...the King seemed to be able to shock in more and more every time. It was truly quite sad as well, because the only reason he cared enough to call for their little hostage was because his older brother demanded it before agreeing to take the throne. Had he not bothered, Yeosang was sure that their lovely hostage would have remained alone, in that tiny little village, living a lie.

"it is best if you stop provoking the Captain," Yeosand said softly, gently injecting more vitamin into the other. "You are luck he was merciful today."

"That was merciful?" Seonghwa asked, his eyes wide with shock. Yeosang rolled his own set of eyes, turning to look at SeongHwa seriously.

"Anytime someone vouches for another, it means that they accept the punishment as their own." Yeosang saw SeongHwa's face pale, as horror took over it. "The Captain could have very well whipped you. You are lucky that he decided against it. Likely just because you did not realize that."Yeosang paused to get a good look at SeongHwa again, giving the other a pill to down. He did so, with some difficulty. Nutrition supplements in the plenty for now, along with regular meals and Seonghwa should be okay within a couple of weeks. "The last time someone vouched for someone else it was when our cook became part of the crew, and it was our look out that did so." Yeosang shook his head, as he took on a very daring tone. "Don't do it again. It is not worth it." He warned. Seonghwa swallowed, this realization was making him shake.

"I-I see, thank you for that information."

"You don't believe the Captain either, do you?" Yeosang said idly, allowing the other to down some more water.

"Why should I?"

"Well, word to the wise, the Captain may be cruel, dark, and sadistic, but he never lies. In fact, he takes great joy in telling the truth and seeing how it torments the people that he tells it to. It is easier to back a truth than a lie, especially if that truth is painful." Yeosang shrugged. "And he is right. Maybe you did not realize it, or it did not reach you, but the King is dying. The Crown Prince demanded to see you, and have you taken from seclusion back to the palace. He wanted to meet you, and so...the King ordered it. The Prince dared to refuse the throne should his father defy him."

"Oh,"

"Don't think it was for anything good either." Yeosang really wanted to beat some sense into this boy. "He only did it because he needed loyal followers when he took over, you know how that thing goes. The king, his son, they were never going to take you in just to do so, out of the kindness of their hears, though it may have seemed like it. You...You are a wild card. Someone that they could utilize as your loyalties are not yet won over. Also, as a noble, you definitely would have more sway than a lot of the others in the court. They would tear you apart."

"You s-sound like you are well acquainted with such things."

"I am...I am glad that I left that life." Yeosang said sharply. "Despite the Captain's penchant for cruelty, and his love of punishments and sadistic nature, at least he is honest. Straightforwards to a fault. You...When you've been lied to your whole life, having to constantly look over your shoulder, someone like that...it is refreshing." SeongHwa nodded, staring down at his hands.

"I...Thank you, for informing me of this. I do appreciate it."

Yeosang had done his duty. He had seen the conflict in his eyes.

"It does not mean that the Captain isn't using you either. But at least he is honest about it. The King didn't even tell you why he demanded you return did he?"

"No, It was just...expected." Seonghwa admitted. Yeosang nodded, sounded like them.

"Exactly. While the Captain may have kidnapped you, and you may have been a little roughed up, at least he was honest about wanting to use you for his own gain. Not like the Nobles."

"Yeah," SeongHwa admitted, his head swimming. "I...I do not know what to think...I suppose everything you say makes sense, but it is just...it is just so hard to believe." Yeonsang sighed, he understood the other's plite. He would give it time, eventually, he will understand. He would have to inform HongJoong that maybe they should take a bit of a sight seeing detour. Just a little one.