Prince's Gamble | HAOBIN

11. Moonlight on the Water

Zhanghao watched as time faded away as he danced with Hanbin, their movements hazing together. Hanbin's hand on his waist, Zhanghao hoped his mask hid his flustered facial expressions as Hanbin led him through the dance. Since starting, they had not broke eye contact at all, save when they spotted the unexpected pair of Jiwoong and Matthew dancing together.  

The two only came to a stop when they felt they could go no longer, their legs tired from constantly moving. Hanbin went and got the two of them drinks before pulling Zhanghao over to meet a tall, young man who turned out to be Hanbin's little brother. 

Although three years apart, Hanbin's brother had grown into be a fine young adult who did not looked pleased about his need to be present at the current ball. 

"This is Yujin," Hanbin said, gesturing towards his brother, "And he doesn't exactly jump for joy at the idea of royal events." Hanbin chuckled. Rolling his eyes towards Hanbin, Yujin bowed and shook Zhanghao's hand politely before speaking, 

"So you're one of the competitors in the competition, then?" Yujin said, starting conversation with Zhanghao. 

"Unfortunately, yes." Zhanghao replied. 

Yujin looked from him to Hanbin then to him and then Hanbin before, "You know, Hanbin is always talking about y-" He started before Hanbin's hand was over his younger brother's mouth, silencing him. 

"Anyway," Hanbin said loudly, "He needs to get going now, he has some.. court duties or something.." Hanbin said, waving Yujin away. 

"But I don't-" 

"Yes, you do." Hanbin stared at Yujin before Yujin nodded and walked away, cheekily. Hanbin was about to start again before the two were approached by a figure in a dark green dress suit, his mask of green gems and sparkles. 

"Sorry, but would you mind if I stole Zhanghao?" Taerae said, intercepting between the two. However, before Hanbin could answer, Taerae had grabbed Zhanghao's arm, pulling him away. "Thank you!" He called to Hanbin as they walked away, smirking. 

"Wow, you've stolen me away." Zhanghao rolled his eyes. 

"Mhm. Want to go for a walk?" Taerae suggested. 

Zhanghao could do with the fresh air. "Okay." 

Bringing Zhanghao out into the dimly lit gardens, they had taken their masks off, walking in between the aisles of the neatly cut hedges, arms close enough to touch. They walked and chatted at the same time before finding a small swinging bench to sit on which overlooked the pond in the middle of the gardens. The moonlight reflected onto the water as Zhanghao gazed out, staring. 

"I saw you dancing with Hanbin." Taerae said, looking forward. 

Not knowing how to respond, Zhanghao merely emitted a small, "Oh?"

"I don't know why, but I don't like seeing you with Hanbin. It makes me.." He looked for the right words, "Feel things. Bad things." 

Zhanghao looked at Taerae who was still gazing towards the water. "Are you jealous?" Zhangao said, smirking. He had been joking around, but it didn't feel much like a joke anymore when Taerae replied, his tone serious. 

"Of course I'm jealous." He said before bringing a hand up to Zhanghao's chin, pulling his face closer to his own as his eyes flicked back and forth from Zhanghao's eyes to his lips. Seeing Taerae's eyes closing, Zhanghao did the same as their lips crashed together and Zhanghao melted into the soft kiss. 

But it didn't feel... right. 

Something felt wrong as Zhanghao's eyes snapped open, pulling himself off Taerae. Blinking, he stood up from the bench. "I-I'm sorry, Taerae." Was all he managed out before taking off, back towards the castle. 

Zhanghao fled into the ballroom, ignoring everyone as he ran up the stairs and into the security of his room. Closing the door with a slam, he breathed heavily, hands still resting on the back of the door. What had just happened? He hadn't realized Taerae felt that way, but he also didn't even know how he himself felt, which was why he had took off so abruptly. 

The whole thing had been so sudden and Zhanghao needed time to process. To figure things out and reapproach Taerae. He would just have to hope that Taerae didn't feel too hurt and would forgive him. Just then, a knock sounded from the other side of the door making Zhanghao take a step backwards. 

"Zhanghao?" The muffled sound of Gyuvin's voice was heard from the other side. "Are you okay?" At his words, Zhanghao burst out in tears, his mind just so overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions. Hand at the door handle, he pulled it open to reveal his face. 

"Oh, Zhanghao." Gyuvin said, stepping into the room to pull Zhanghao into a hug. He closed the door behind him before pulling Zhanghao to the bed, where they sat, Gyuvin's arm around him. "I saw you running through the ballroom like a maniac and knew something was up. But you don't need to tell me if you don't want to, I can just sit here until you feel better if you just want that too." He smiled warmly, as if to cheer Zhanghao up. 

Zhanghao gave a sniff, wiping away his tears before telling Gyuvin the whole story, despite his shaky voice. Gyuvin sat and listened, nodding throughout until Zhanghao had finished speaking. 

"It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong, Zhanghao." Gyuvin comforted, patting Zhanghao's back. 

"But what if I did? What if I've really hurt Taerae? It'll ruin our friendship." Zhanghao looked up at Gyuvin. 

"To be honest, he was the one who ruined your friendship first." Gyuvin said, shrugging. But at a glare from Zhanghao, he apologized, "Sorry, sorry, I was just trying to make things better." 

Zhanghao sighed. "Thanks Gyuvin. I really just needed to get that out somewhere." 

"No problem, that's what friends are for." Gyuvin smiled. 

Zhanghao didn't go back down to the ball, instead he sat with Gyuvin until it was too late and Gyuvin had to leave to go find Ricky before heading home. He then took a shower before heading to bed. 

That night, he didn't dream of anything. No balls, no forest, no water. He slept peacefully, forgetting everything about Taerae and what had happened that night, his mind drifting with quietness into the night.