He Walks Alone in the Moonlight [COMPLETED]

TO BEGIN AND END AGAIN

Lessons did not resume for Jihyun until a week later, and while no one told him exactly why, he knew it had to do with Eunbin and Songmin's fight. The crown prince had also been avoiding him, which made Jihyun feel both annoyed and relieved. He was still unpacking the prince's strange confession, and his feelings towards it. Perhaps he would be able to ask the princess about it. She'd sent a letter to Horangi Palace stating that she would continue Jihyun's lessons only if she could be his private tutor and he came to Gongjak Palace. Jihyun expected the prince to say no, but when he'd left his quarters this morning, the prince stood waiting for him, with Jaeon close behind. Upon seeing the guard, a smile tugged at Jihyun's lips. The guard ignored him, looking away.
"I've come to take you to Gongjak Palace." The prince spoke after clearing his throat awkwardly.
"You are allowing me to go?" Jihyun hurriedly walked down the rest of the stairs, excitement bubbling in his chest.
"I have to pass by Yong Palace today anyways, so I figured I would accompany you to my sister's residence. I will also pick you up when I am done, if the meeting does not run too long."
"What meeting?" Jihyun asked as the trio set off across the courtyard. Jaeon coughed loudly, glaring at Jihyun. "Matters of the court are not for you to know." Jihyun pouted, ignoring him. Doyoon waved a hand dismissively at Jaeon's remark.
"Do not listen to him. I am meeting with the King. It should be nothing interesting, hopefully," the prince's voice lowered at the end, his eyes darkening. "When you are with my sister today, be cautious. The fact that she has taken an interest in you is a problem, and I don't wish for her to use you in any capacity. If she troubles you, tell me immediately." Jihyun sighed, his shoulders sagging. Why was everyone so wary of Princess Eunbin? Maybe it's because he knew she wasn't subservient to the prince, but Jihyun found he could be his most authentic self around her. He struggled to feel this way even with Munyeong, whom he'd spent the most time with after his arrival, and with whom he shared the experience of being a servant.
"I don't see what use Princess Eunbin could have for me," Jihyun mumbled, feet dragging as he followed the prince into the brush, Jaeon bringing up the rear.
"If you do not have one, she will make one. And if she cannot make one, she will discard you. My sister is not without feelings, but they are entirely grounded within herself," Doyoon's words turned bitter, and Jihyun once again grew curious about the nature of the sibling's relationship.
"That doesn't seem true. Her Highness cares for Lord Songmin. I would not say those feelings are merely for herself."
"That is where you are wrong. My sister may love Songmin, but it is a selfish love in which she is using her power to inflict pain upon him."
"And in what way is that different from what you are doing to me?" Doyoon stopped walking abruptly, causing Jihyun to crash into his back. Jihyun jumped away as if scalded, wincing as he stepped on Jaeon's feet in his haste to get away. Jihyun mumbled an apology to Jaeon, too scared to look at the guard's face. Despite his fear of Jaeon's reaction, Jihyun hovered closely to the guard's side, even more afraid of how the prince would take his words. Jihyun hadn't even thought before he spoke, the question had simply poured out of him.
"He is finally starting to talk to me, Jaeon. But it is all words that are hard to hear," the prince spoke, and Jihyun cowered at the soft anger that laced his voice.
"I won't be knocking him out again. Minjoo scolded me until the sun set, and I do not wish for my ears to bleed again," Jaeon responded to the prince, but his face was turned towards Jihyun. Everything about the servant unsettled him. He was far too weak, especially if he was to be the one to stand at the crown prince's side. "Be at ease, small one. There is no room for a coward in the palace," Jaeon rumbled, placing an open hand on the top of Jihyun's head. Was that supposed to be... comforting? Jihyun smiled nervously, ducking out of the guard's grasp.
"I will keep that in mind," he whispered, returning to stand behind the prince, who had not moved the entire time.
"Jihyun?" The prince started, his back still turned.
"Y-yes?"
"There will come a time when I will leave this palace again. When that day comes, I will give you two choices. First, to remain with me and the members of my party until we reach our destination."
"And the other option?"
"We will take a detour on our journey and return you to the training camp in the Mountains." Jihyun gasped, his eyes blown wide. He felt lightheaded as he stared at the back of the prince's head.
"You truly mean it?"
"I do not lie to you, Jihyun. That is why I refuse to tell you certain things."
"Then I wish to-" the prince held up a hand, cutting Jihyun off.
"I will give you these choices when we depart, and you shall give your answer then as well. Not before, and not after. Once you make the decision, I will not allow you to change your mind." Doyoon would not have the heart for it. If Jihyun chose to stay, he could not imagine letting him go. And if Jihyun chose to leave... well then the prince would have to begin mourning someone who was very much alive.
"Very well, I shall wait for that day," Jihyun whispered, smiling softly to himself. The crown prince clenched his fists, head pounding as he resumed walking. A light touch on his arm stopped him. In the corner of his eye he watched as Jihyun's slender fingers wrapped around the cloth of his sleeve.
"Thank you... Doyoon." The prince bit back a groan, his whole body igniting with a fire he knew could not be put out. Doyoon mustered what little resolve he had left to pull away from Jihyun, his tone frigid as he responded.
"Do not thank me just yet."