The Spoiled Prince || WooSanSang

A Hard Truth

Over the next weeks, San had become particularly scarce. He still popped up and whisked Yeosang away at least every couple of days, but it was not as often as before.

When Wooyoung asked Yeosang about it, the prince told him that San was training to become a knight and that training, combined with his duties for Yuna, took up much of his time.

At first, Wooyoung was surprised. But when he thought about it, as much as he hated to admit it, San did not suit the role of the humble servant. Becoming a knight was an arduous process, though, and it was hard to believe that San would attempt such a thing twice.

He couldn't complain when it only meant more time with Yeosang to himself. They were currently in the library--it was early enough that it wasn't Yeosang's usual bedtime, but late enough that it had become dark outside. The only light came from the fireplace and several candles placed throughout the area, lighting the room up in a warm glow. 

Yeosang read contentedly while Wooyoung watched, until he noticed the prince's eyes starting to droop. "Are you ready for bed, my prince?"

Yeosang yawned, then shook his head. "I need to finish this chapter first."

A couple of minutes later, when Yeosang nodded off and the book almost fell out of his hands, Wooyoung could watch no longer. "Would you like me to read to you?"

Yeosang looked up at him hopefully. "Would you?"

"Of course." Wooyoung took the book from Yeosang's outstretched hand.

"I always thought you did not like reading."

"I do not enjoy it as much as you seem to," Wooyoung confessed. "But I do not mind it."

He wasn't sure where exactly Yeosang had stopped reading so he just started from the top of the first page and Yeosang didn't stop him. Wooyoung read softly, his words just loud enough for the prince to hear.

Before Wooyoung finished his second page, Yeosang had shifted from his favourite chair to the couch Wooyoung currently occupied, laying his head on Wooyoung's lap. Wooyoung struggled to keep his attention solely on the words in front of him.

Before he finished his fifth page, the door opened. Wooyoung's words faltered when his eyes flickered up and he saw San walk in. "Do not stop, Wooyoungie," Yeosang whined. "I need to know what happens."

Not one to disobey his prince, Wooyoung continued to read. He felt San's eyes on them and fully expected the servant to leave--that was what Wooyoung would have done--but instead, San closed the door behind him and took the seat that Yeosang had previously occupied.

It took several minutes for Wooyoung to feel relaxed with San there. Eventually, he did, especially since the servant still hadn't said a word. Yeosang's breathing became deeper and deeper until Wooyoung was almost sure he was asleep, but San was looking at him so intently that he felt a compulsion to continue.

He only stopped when he finished the chapter, at which point he closed the book and set it down.

"You have a nice reading voice," San told him, which was by far the nicest thing he'd ever said to Wooyoung.

"Thank you," Wooyoung replied, almost automatically. 

Yeosang then began to stir, and San seemed to take that as his cue to leave. "Good night," he said before he left, but Yeosang was still in the process of waking up and Wooyoung couldn't find it in himself to say it back. 

~

Yeosang enjoyed reading, but he found that he enjoyed listening to Wooyoung read to him even more. The next morning, he told himself he'd have to ask his guard to do it again sometime. But first, breakfast with his mother.