He Walks Alone in the Moonlight [COMPLETED]

AN APPLE, A TREE, AND SOMETHING ABOUT DESTINY

"Remember the goal, Your Highness. Our purpose here is to get permission to visit General Chang's outpost at the border. Nothing else," Jaeon leaned in close to give the reminder, his eyes cold as he assessed the guards standing before the doors of the throne room. Doyoon sighed, his mouth set in a thin line.

"I know. Stay out here. I can handle this alone." Jaeon opened his mouth to protest, then closed it again.

"Very well. I will be right outside the door."

"To stop my father from killing me?"

"To stop you from killing your father."

"I cannot risk that today. I have someone waiting for me." Doyoon's mind flashed back to Jihyun. I will wait for you to come get me. Jaeon did not respond, stepping back as the large wooden doors swung open and the king's attendant greeted the crown prince.

"His Majesty will see you now." Doyoon shared one last look with his guard before following the attendant into the throne room.

Hazy smoke filled the room, making everything slightly blurry. The prince's eyes struggled to focus and he shallowed his breathing. Ever since the queen died, the king had taken to smoking various opioids. Just breathing in the smoke messed with Doyoon's head, and he'd since then trained with Jaeon on how to regulate his breathing. Through the smoke Doyoon's gaze settled on the red-clothed form of his father, who was lounging half-conscious on his throne, a long pipe dangling from his hand.When Doyoon had been younger and less cautious, he'd thought his father to be inept in such a state, but the king's eyes remained clear no matter the effect of whatever drug he had taken. The crown prince learned quickly not to underestimate his father. Such a wariness came in part to the witch that stood to the right of the throne, leaning casually against a pillar. The smoke seemed to curl around him, too afraid to touch him. The witch's piercing blue eyes cut through the smoke to rake over Doyoon.

"Why are you here?" The witch asked, seemingly disinterested as he inspected his nails. Doyoon pressed his lips shut, refusing to answer. Doyoon didn't know the specifics, but the witch his father fraternized with could extract secrets more effectively than any torture. He knew when people were lying, no matter how they tried to hide it. When he first entered the palace, rivers of blood filled the halls from all the court officials that were executed for treason based on the witch's word alone. One by one the king ordered the officials to be questioned by the witch until the court shrunk to nearly half its size. Doyoon still remembers the day he and his sister kneeled before the throne, blood soaking through the white robes he wore in mourning for his mother until he could feel the wetness on his skin. At the time Doyoon's age had just passed single digits. The fear he felt as the witch questioned him remained fresh in his mind. Ignoring the witch, Doyoon bowed his head, eyes on the floor as he spoke.

"Father, I'd like to ask permission to return to the border." Doyoon's ears twitched as he heard his father take a long drag from his pipe before setting it down with a clack that rang through the room.

"You have just returned from the mountains and are asking to leave once again. Is there something you are seeking outside of the palace?" It was a question Doyoon should not answer in the witch's presence.

"I received news that the Xin tribe has become active again."

"Oh? From who? As far as I am aware there is no reason you should be receiving military reports." Shit.

"As you know, I am close with General Park's son. His father mentioned the Xin tribe's activity in a recent letter." The witch squinted at Doyoon words and the King glanced at him. The witch gave a barely perceptible nod to the king, and Doyoon worked up the courage to continue. "I have reason to believe the Xin tribe has their hands on a magical artifact." Both the witch and the king perked up at the words.