The Spoiled Prince || WooSanSang

An Unexpected Welcome

Present-day me~~ This is where, imo, the quality of this story goes way downhill. I rushed it so bad because I was losing motivation but felt like I needed to update quickly :'(

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Wooyoung and Yeosang did exactly what they said they'd do; they went into town, bags in hand, and sold enough of Yeosang's jewellery to pay for a carriage ride back to Aurora. What seemed to take forever on foot took a day by carriage and before they knew it, they found themselves in a town not too far, and not too close, to Aurora's castle.

They stayed at an inn there for less than a week before the news came. This time, they didn't have to overhear the piece of gossip in a dining area. The death of a monarch was a big deal; a herald was sent to each and every town in Aurora to spread the news.

While the whole town gathered to hear the news, Yeosang and Wooyoung hung back just close enough to hear what the herald had to say, even though they were almost certain they knew what it would be.

The King was dead. Yeosang breathed deeply when it was confirmed. He wouldn't cry, not when he'd had so long to prepare himself for the inevitable. Still, he was thankful when Wooyoung took his hand.

~~~

Wooyoung didn't want to risk Yeosang going downstairs to eat that evening, not when everybody would surely be talking about the royal family.

He picked up some food to bring up to their room, glad that Yeosang wasn't there to hear what some people were saying.

"That prince is going to ruin our kingdom."

"Everyone knows he's going to be more of a tyrant than our past kings."

"If only it could be his brother instead."

Wooyoung didn't hold back his glares, which earned him confused looks in return. He knew he shouldn't care; Yeosang was going to prove them wrong, but it still angered him that they judged the prince without even knowing him. If they knew him, they'd love him.

He brought two plates up to their room and they ate on the ground.

"I shall go to the castle alone tomorrow," Yeosang announced in the middle of their meal.

"What? No, I will come with you!" The thought of Yeosang going there alone, where anything could happen, while he just waited...

"Do you not remember the terms in which we left? Think about it, Wooyoungie. The castle's guards have probably been ordered to arrest you on sight."

"Yes, but...I have always been there to protect you," Wooyoung argued. "What if they have been given the same order for you?

"For their future King?" Yeosang asked. Wooyoung knew he was being overprotective and a tad paranoid, but Yeosang just smiled, understanding. "How about this, then? You can just watch me enter the castle from afar. If anyone tries to hurt me or arrest me, then you can step in."

Wooyoung sighed. That was probably as good of a compromise as they were going to get. "Fine," he agreed reluctantly. If the prince seemed determined to give him a heart attack, then so be it.

~~~

Yeosang could still feel Wooyoung's eyes on him as he walked the path to the castle's gates. Aurora's castle was built on top of a small hill, overlooking one of its biggest towns. Despite its close proximity, Yeosang had only been to the town a handful of times. He'd explore another time. Right now, he just wanted to get his return over with.

Wooyoung's weren't the only eyes Yeosang felt on him. He knew the guards were watching him closely as he walked to the castle's entrance--grand doors that were never locked but always guarded heavily.