He Walks Alone in the Moonlight [COMPLETED]

TOO MUCH AND NOT ENOUGH

"I'm worried that he won't come," Minjoo confessed as he stretched his arms over the desk, arching his back with feline severity.

"And that is a problem, why, exactly?" Songmin retorted, not looking up from his papers. Minjoo laid his head on his arms, squinting at the advisor with disapproval.

"You'll find Jihyun is quite pleasant to be around if you just spent more time with him. Perhaps you should join us for lunch one day."

"I have better things to do than dine with a servant."

"Like what?" Minjoo pressed, grinning when his comment earned a chuckle from Chang.

"That's not fair, Minjoo. You know he doesn't do anything," Chang joined the fray, shoving a map out of his way to reach for one of the ceramic jars he brought to the library.

"I suggest you not antagonize me into a mental spar when you are so woefully unequipped, General," Songmin snapped his fan open, bringing it before his face to hide the look of distaste he shot Chang as the man uncorked the jar and took a hearty swig.

"Doyoon will be here soon. He'll give you a scolding if you're wasted before he arrives."

"Fear not, tailor. I shall keep my wits about me for this very important meeting." Minjoo just shook his head, sighing in defeat as Chang reached for another jar. A cold voice halted the general's hand as he made to uncork the bottle.

"Are you going to act like this the whole way to the Plains?"

"Your Highness," Songmin rose, greeting Doyoon as he entered the library, Jaeon trailing closely behind. "I take it the meeting with Lord and Lady Yu went well?" The prince held up a hand, giving a curt nod as he stalked toward Chang's table. Minjoo rushed to Jaeon's side, standing on his toes to whisper into his ear.

"How are the twins?" The twins were the Yu's children. Child prodigies loyal to and under the protection of the Crown Prince. An investment for the future, and cherished allies in the present. 

"They arrived safely." Jaeon's response was quick, but he pressed a hand to Minjoo's back as he passed, the firm warmth of his fingers lingering.

"I know how to pace myself. There's nothing to worry about," Chang didn't look up as Doyoon stood in front of his desk.

"You best be telling the truth. Otherwise I have no qualms about leaving you behind." That comment made the general look up, his eyes burning with uncharacteristic fury.

"I'm going back."

"Your parents left that decision up to me. If you're not ready, you're not returning to the border. Or must I remind you why they sent you to the capital?"

"You don't need to remind me. I know the reason better than the rest of you."

"I let you indulge yourself here for four years. I never restricted your behavior because I believed that you could find balance once I gave you purpose. And after a time, you showed me that you could. You threw your parties but ran the Chang manor well. You went to pleasure houses but never missed a meeting. You drank like a fish but I never had to collect you. Any debts you gained, you managed yourself. I know you are not free from whatever plagued you at the border, but I thought you could handle going back."

"I can."

"Then why are you drinking just from looking at the maps?" The question hung in the air. Chang sat perfectly still as his companions, all standing, looked down on him. He felt the all too familiar feeling of insignificance from four years ago. The insignificance he struggled to ignore, to prove untrue. He laughed bitterly, his fist tightening around the jar in his hand.