Tainted Fate (Chanjin/Hyunchan)

Chapter 16

(Credits of the pic to the rightful owner.)

~9 years later~

Author's P.O.V

*Baek empire*

The screeching sounds of swords clashing against each other filled the grounds. A pair of golden heads seemed to turn dirty blond in the dust as the two brothers grunted finally agreeing to a tie.

"Well that was really good Jeongin-ah." Jisung put his sword back in it's sheath and patted the happy maknae's back in praise.

"He is getting even better than us." Remarked their brother with the sunshine smile as he seemed to have finished his knife training as well.

The three of them seemed to have gotten busy in a deep conversation about some defense tactics when it was interrupted by a certain soft voice.

"The sun's about to fall west."

The younger Baek princes turned around to see their hyung. Same long golden hair tied in a half pony, same gentle smile decorating his angelic appearance, but his eyes, they seemed different, as if they didn't agree with the smile that failed to reach his orbs. He dressed much more appropriately in a typical princely attire than the others' dirt covered training outfits.

Hyunjin.

The others merely nodded.

Hyunjin's smile faltered but held its composure as he said, "We can't be late for dinner, you know. We can't-"

"Keep them waiting? Yeah we know." Jisung said, tone clearly indicating annoyance.

He huffed and walked off the grounds. Jeongin looked worriedly back amd forth at Jisung and Hyunjin.

Hyunjin just looked down, trying to hide the sadness clearly visible in his eyes.

"Hyung. He cares about you. We all do. We can't see you hurting yourself anymore." Felix said softly and somewhat pleadingly as Hyunjin looked up at him. He saw Jeongin nodding in agreement.

"I am not hurting." Hyunjin tried to protest but it merely came out as an unconvincing whisper.

Jeongin sighed and said, "I should see where Jisungie hyung went." And with that he left the grounds too without sparing Hyunjin another glance.

"Hyung..." Felix began again but stopped himself midway for some reason and left after Jeongin too.

Hyunjin stood there, staring up at the sky so that his tears won't fall. He hated them!

He quickly composed himself and went towards the dining hall and by the time he did, his brothers were already seated on their seats on one side. At the head of course, the King sat.

He sat on the other side beside the King after bowing.

"Your majesty." He greeted.

"Oh Hyunjin-ah how many times have I told you to already start calling me appa." The Kang King laughed.

Hyunjin nodded with a forced smile avoiding his brothers' eyes as usual.

He knew they would be able to read him like a book through his eyes. He could see their distaste clearly through their eyes as well. They were brothers of course.

The dining hall door burst open suddenly as the servants were serving the food.

"Oh what a lovely sight!"

The Baek brothers visibly flinched at the loud noise even though this was a daily routine. But they could never get used to this.

"Son, you are finally here, your omega was waiting for you."