The Spoiled Prince || WooSanSang

A Simple Request

Yeosang never did end up going horseback riding. Even after they'd both calmed down, he did not want to leave his bedroom until dinner. In the meantime, he stayed lounging on the bed, talking with Wooyoung.

Despite the fact that Wooyoung had been his guard for over four years, this was the first time he had actually needed to save Yeosang from anything. Wooyoung saved him, even though doing so put his own life at risk. Yeosang couldn't stop thinking about the guard's face when he found them; how angry Wooyoung looked because someone was hurting him. Yeosang wasn't sure even his family cared about him as much as Wooyoung did.

The guard distracted him with stories from his childhood, and Yeosang quite liked learning what life was like for non-royal folk. Or, maybe he was just interested in Wooyoung's life in particular. Either way, Yeosang felt like he'd heard the guard's entire life story by the time he was called to dinner.

Wooyoung helped him rise off the bed and guided him to the dining hall. "I will be waiting outside when you are done," he assured him. "I promise." Yeosang believed him. He walked into the room with his head held high, even upon seeing that Taehyun was already present.

Yeosang sat in his usual spot--coincidentally, the one farthest from Taehyun. Even looking at the other prince made him sick. But it would be okay. Nobody would hurt him here.

"Son," his mother asked in concern when he sat down. "What is that on your neck?"

Yeosang felt his neck, wincing when he felt the sore bruises that had formed in the hours since Taehyun's hand had been there. He should have worn a shirt with a higher collar, but it was too late now. "I was attacked."

Taehyun's was by far the quickest head to shoot up before a chorus of gasps echoed through the table. Yeosang looked right into the other prince's eyes as he lied. "In the forest, while I was horseback riding."

"Are you alright?" his mother asked, hand on her heart.

Yeosang nodded. "I would not have been." Another glance at Taehyun. "If not for Woo-my guard. He saved me."

The Queen took his hand and squeezed it. "I am glad you are okay, dear. I suppose that guard is not completely useless, then."

"Indeed!" Yuna piped up. "Who knows what could have happened if the guard was not present?"

Taehyun looked like he wanted to shrivel up right then and there. Yeosang was glad for it; it was the least the prince deserved. Cheshire's queen then spoke. "I would advise you to stay in the castle for the remainder of your trip," she told Yeosang. "It may be too dangerous outside for a prince such as yourself."

Yeosang wasn't sure exactly what a prince 'such as himself' entailed. Weak? Helpless? Still, the irony was apparent. If only Cheshire's queen knew that it was her own son who was responsible for those marks on his neck.

~

After dinner, Yeosang was quite ready to forget the whole ordeal. He only had to spend one more night in Cheshire, attend the wedding ceremony tomorrow, and then they would be off back to Aurora. He never thought he'd become homesick so fast.

Just as he'd promised, Wooyoung was waiting right outside when Yeosang exited the dining room. He smiled and offered an arm for Yeosang to take. But Yeosang didn't take it. Instead, he said, "I challenge you."

"You...challenge me, prince?" Wooyoung questioned, lowering his arm.

Yeosang nodded. "A race. Whoever makes it to my room first may bathe first."

Wooyoung looked at him, contemplating. "If it is a challenge my prince wants, then it is a challenge he will get."

The guard counted down before the two of them took off, their laughter bouncing through the halls as they raced to the bedroom. Yeosang was still giggling when he skidded to a stop inside his room, the victor. Wooyoung was laughing too when he entered a few seconds later, but his smile slowly faded when he looked at Yeosang, face suddenly turning serious.