The Truth Hurts [exo]

7

Once again we were back in a small tavern and once again, Jongin was devouring the warm meals. I wondered how he had lived out in the woods with so little food available. I watched him as I picked at my corn and beans, not nearly as interested as he. I should really start getting used to food that wasn't gourmet.

"For siblings, you two have very different appetites," Prince Wu remarked with a light chuckle. He had decided to rest with us after the villagers had greeted him so warmly. His stay set Jongin and me a bit off track, though; we hadn't expected him to follow like this. Little did he know that what he was looking for was right in front of him.

Jongin barely looked up from his bowl of soup as he gave a muffled reply. "When a prince treats you to a meal, you accept it gratefully."

My eyes fell on the prince as he laughed. It was a deep and soft laughter, and it greatly contrasted with Jongin's aloof snicker. I thought for a moment about how it'd be like to be courted by the handsome prince and how my life would be so much different from now.

"So you two are heading north?"

I nodded but didn’t utter a word. I was too afraid to speak out of turn. Though Yifan had never met me before, my way of talking did not match that of a poor vagabond.

Jongin politely swallowed his food before answering. “There’s news of a great healer in the north and we hope to find him to help my sister with her scars.” He tapped his spoon against his lips and for a second, my eyes lingered on them. But then I shook my head slightly and looked back down at my food. “We’re going to have to travel fast in order to get there before winter hits.”

I hadn’t even thought of the changing seasons yet. The past years have been pretty warm during the winter months so I hoped the snow would hold back this year as well. If the weather didn’t relent, we’d very likely be stuck out there.

The conversation died down until it was just the sound of Jongin’s utensils hitting the bowls. From the cover of my hood, I could see Yifan carefully eying the both of us. He didn’t show any suspicion but when I met his gaze, he gave a small smile. It was one that warmed my heart, reminding me of the familiarity of home. Of the royal family.

Jongin pushed his chair back with a loud screech and stood up to stretch, making a big show out of it. “Well, now we need to get back on track. Thanks for the food.” Jongin pulled me up and began walking to the door. His grip made no promise of letting go anytime soon and I looked back at our table, knowing that it was impolite to leave all of a sudden.

“Wait,” the prince caught up with us right as we approached the door. “You have to sell your pelts first, do you not? Could I take the time to show something to your sister?” Though he was taller than Jongin, the look that the dark-haired boy gave was not one of submission.

I turned to Jongin with big eyes, trying to force him to say yes. I understood why he hesitated, though: it would not be safe for me to go off with a stranger.

But hadn’t I done just that a couple of days ago? And besides, this was a prince.

Jongin’s eyebrows creased and he scrutinized the regal man before him for a moment. A quiet sigh left his lips. It was barely noticeable if not for the fact that his hold on my hand had loosened. “Fine, keep her safe until I find you again.”

“Thank you,” Yifan bowed and stretched out an arm towards me.

“If anything happens to her, you’re dead.” Jongin spun on his heels and marched out the door.

I stood stock still as the prince paid for the food. Was I really going to be able to spend time with the prince? Perhaps he had a way of bringing me back to my old life without risk.