Swan Lake (ATEEZ JongSang story)

Chapter 15 - Lies

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Jongho stood up and stretched his arms and legs. It was getting late - or rather early - and he had to go. The eight of them sat in the grass for the whole night. Maybe this is why he can't explain Kai and Chan that he isn't up to anything nasty those nights. Who would believe the stories of fairies and elves, who is also more than five years old? Well, Kai maybe...

Yeosang accompanied the prince on his way back to the cave.

'Yeosang?' said Jongho. Said boy hummed. 'There's a ball tomorrow in the castle' he started, playing with his fingers nervously.

'The ball' thought Yeosang. It felt like ages since his father told him that he and his brother can go to the ball. His father... he suddenly felt homesick. He missed his father and brother.

'I want you to come to the party' Jongho looked at him hopefully. Yeosang stared back at him and didn't know what to say.

'I-' he started, then he met eyes with Hongjoong above the prince's shoulder. He didn't even see that the tiny boy followed them and now was staring at him. He hesitated. 'I can't' he said. 'I belong to the crystal and the forest now. At least until we defeat Rothbart. I need to be here to help and save my friends and this place.' As Yeosang looked over Jongho's shoulder again, he saw both guilt and gratitude in Hongjoong's eyes. He smiled at him reassuringly.

'It's just a ball' tried Jongho again. 'Please! For me?' he gave Yeosang puppy eyes. Yeosang smiled a little and shook his head. Jongho pouted. 'You'd be safe in the castle, you know' he added.

'I'm safe here already, and we both know' said Yeosang. 'But what about them?' he gestured towards the elves. The tiny creatures just started waking up.

'Then I'm coming back with my Atiny to defeat Rothbart' Jongho said determined.

'No, you can't, it's basically suicide, I... what's an Atiny?' asked Yeosang confused.

'It's my army' anwered Jongho. 'I'm willing to do anything to help. I'd risk my life if that's what you need.'

'I don't need you to do that' Yeosang smiled sightly hearing the determination in the other's voice. 'And what about your Atiny? Are they willing to risk everything for a random forest with a few animals?'

Jongho stood in silence. Yeosang smiled and patted the prince's shoulder. He looked up and saw the first rays of sunshine. Gathering all his courage he kissed Jongho's cheek and held his hands in his.

'Do you want to help me?' he asked. Jongho nodded eagerly. 'Then find my father! Please tell him that I'm okay and I'll come back! He needs to know.'

'Only if you agree to come to the ball in the palace tomorrow' said Jongho. Yeosang sighed, then let go of Jongho's hands as he felt himself emerging from the ground and floating, surrounded by the familiar purple light. He was put back in his swan form. He looked up at Jongho sadly.

'I said I can't...'

'Then I'm not going anywhere' Jongho crossed his arms and sat down on a big rock. Yeosang sighed and looked back towards the lake. He couldn't leave the forest for the sake of his new friends' lives, but he also didn't want the boy he liked to risk his life for him. So he did the only thing he could do in that situation.

'Okay, I'll be there. I'm going to the ball' he said sadly and turned his back to Jongho. He couldn't look him in the eye as he lied to him. He walked back to the lake on his short swan legs, joined by Hongjoong midway. The smaller swan stumbled on his own legs every few steps, mumbling something about being this small occasionally. The two swans floated away on the water surface. Jongho met eyes with Seonghwa. The older just looked back at him puzzled and shrugged. The prince then went back to the cave and disappeared.

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Everybody's attention was on the royal horse and its owner as they entered the village and went down the main street. The rider stopped in front of the small bakery and looked through the shop window.

'They are gone, Your Majesty' said someone, startling the prince. Jongho looked at his right. A tall man with blue hair stood a few meters away, helping another tall, pink haired male putting fruits from a cart in trays. They both stopped what they were doing.

'They are gone for three days now. They are looking for the older son. He went missing after... some chaos' the shorter boy finished his sentence with a mumble. Jongho chuckled.

'I've heard about the unicorn, don't worry. Anyways, thank you, Misters.'

'Just call us Yeonjun and Soobin.'

'Well, thank you. If they come back by any chance, please tell them to find me as soon as possible' said Jongho as he jumped back on his horse.