Odd and Varied

Waiting For Us

"He's a servant Prince Jeongin. Don't touch his filthy hands. Would you hold the hoof of a pig?"

His father's words.

Jeongin had dropped Minho's hand immediately, wiping the moist palm against his robes. Dirty? Servant? He'd known Minho since they were both young. No one had ever said that about the boy. Minho was often cleaner than any other boy he'd ever met- even his prim older brother Youngjae. But suddenly he was thrown under a different light, and Jeongin could see.

Minho's mother was a servant. She had served the queen until the sickness took her and her son would serve the prince. That was the way it was. Just like the steeds that served the castle guard.

Things changed so quickly that day. He realized what it meant to be a part of the royal family.

And they kept changing right up until his twentieth birthday when a ball was being thrown in celebration of his final year. He'd have to be on his best behavior. At 21 the courters began to show up and his father had his eye on the snow queen's daughter.

Minho had grown beside him, but they'd spoken only politely since. It was a part of being a prince. Part of being a king. He would never get the throne anyway, Youngjae would, but he had to learn everything just the same.

"What if there's a tragedy? What if you need to step in?" his favorite advisor asked one day when he'd snuck out of lessons to chase ducks by the pond.

"The real tragedy would be having to take the throne AFTER Jae. He's such a control freak he'd probably haunt my ass just to see it done right." The advisor hadn't laughed, but Minho had. Minho also snuck him treats when the robe designer put him on yet another diet. He warmed the bath to the perfect temperature, rolled his eyes at his brother's antics, and shared secret grins with him over the candles of the dinner table. He was a good servant. A fine pet.

"Prince Jeongin. Another one to try on. I think this was designed by the seamstress your aunt uses." Minho mumbled politely, carting a box into his room.

"Is it pink?"

Minho lifted the lid, answering by smiling back at him over the top of it.

"You can definitely send that one back. Or, see if Youngjae wants it. He's fond of light colors."

"Of course my prince." Minho said, bowing and walking it back out.

Really, the whole thing would be a bust. How could it be his party when he wouldn't be allowed to have any fun? At least his best friend Prince Seungmin would be invited. They could make fun of the party together, and possibly steal some extra wine while his father was distracted.

Most of the guests had already arrived, settled around the castle- members closest to the family were even staying inside the walls- like his brother's best friend from the kingdom past the mountain. Jeongin didn't know why, but he'd never liked him. Hyungwon. He was too conceited and had an air of constant disdain.

"Prince Jeongin? Your father called for a short meeting before the festivities. He wants to meet in the main hall. Your presence is requested." Minho was back, standing smartly at attention near the door.

"Ugh. Boring. Can't you put on my clothes and go in my stead?" he replied, mostly joking. It was a fond memory, as Minho had actually helped him in that way before. Only twice though, because if he was caught impersonating the young prince he'd be beheaded by the day's end.

Minho grinned and shook his head. "No, my prince. It is for a small dinner. There will be no other food until morning as the king must carry on his meetings through the night."

"Fine. But I want you with me."

"Of course, my prince."

They walked there together, Jeongin deciding not to change out of his plain study robes of mild blue, Minho staying in his crisp servant whites. A guard strolled a few paces behind them since the castle held so many guests. It bustled mildly everywhere, the unnatural flow of voices and movement much like falling rain. Jeongin found it pleasant.