Tainted Fate (Chanjin/Hyunchan)

Chapter 22

(Credits to the rightful owner.)

Author's P.O.V

Jisung, Felix and Jeongin tried to follow Hyunjin but couldn't find him. It was an unfamiliar place and instead of getting lost in the halls they thought of checking Hyunjin's room first.

And they found him there, except like always he asked them to not worry and leave him alone when they knocked on his door. He didn't even open the door. He pushed them away like he always did.

Jeongin was persistent, he kept knocking and stood in front of Hyunjin's room for about a couple of hours. But no one answered. The middle brothers then forcefully had to take him back to his own room.

They were all worried. Terribly worried. But they were more hurt to see their hyung in pain. They knew Hyunjin hid many things from them and dealt with all the problems on his own. They weren't angry with him when he pushed them away but they were angry at themselves as they couldn't do anything to help their hyung. They wished he could share his troubles and depend on them a bit too. But they didn't know how to break Hyunjin's walls that seemed impenetrable.

Jisung and Felix stayed in Jeongin's room for a while as well since the youngest broke down in tears. They held him in their arms as the prince cried like a child. Well, the child who had seen terrifying things was still there somehwere in Jeongin's heart and memories.

The boy was so young when the days of their horror started. He didn't understand most things then, having lost his mother and practically his father being absent, he was scared and confused beyond imagination. He didn't know why the people he loved broke his trust like it meant nothing. The poor boy couldn't even question his hyungs seeing how they were shaken up themselves.

And he never did. He started to understand things as he grew older and more mature. Maybe, he had to mature too soon given the circumstances. He knew his hyungs tried their best to give him all the love in the world, they pretended to be okay for him and he did the same for them.

But he could endure it all and worse with a smile on his if only his Hyunjinie hyung hadn't shut himself out from him. From them. His hyung who carried him in his arms all days when he was just a baby, and their parents were busy in their duties. The hyung who fed him with his own hands and read him fairytales to bed everynight so he wouldn't miss their eomma when she was gone for important meetings. His hyung who cheered him up when he was sad and cuddled with him even when little Jeongin whined and pushed his Jinnie hyung away. His dearest hyung whom he loved amd missed so much. He didn't only need Hyunjin to protect him, he needed his eldest brother to let him protect him in turn as well.

And with doubtful assurance to each other that everything will be fine, the younger Baek princes spend the afternoon, praying that their hyung is fine as well in the adjacent room.
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As the sun set, the Baek princes were called to the meeting room. The other three met Hyunjin on the way as they all got out of the rooms at the same time. Hyunjin's bloodshot eyes didn't go unnoticed by the others, but they helplessly kept quiet again. Even when they saw red marks peeking out of the long loose sleeves of Hyunjin's shirt.

Hyunjin didn't meet their eyes. The four of them silently went to the meeting room guided by one of the palace guards.

The room was spacious and beautiful, with intricate historic paintings on it's ceiling and white marble floor. The red curtains of the huge windows were drawn shut and candles were lit at each corner giving the room a golden hue.

The Moon princes were sat on their respective chairs at the head of the table, all in thick fur coats, staring at the obviously drunk Kang prince sitting on one side, with a look that could only be named as disgusted judgement.