Prince's Gamble | HAOBIN

12. Red Letter

The following days, when Zhanghao went to training, Gunwook had told him that Taerae had requested to continue training separately which made Zhanghao's face fall. He had never intended to hurt Taerae, and his deep regret in his actions made him burn inside. 

However, after training, Zhanghao had journeyed up to Taerae's room but he was nowhere to be found there either. Hands pulling his hair, he walked through the castle, his feet leading him, not caring where he ended up. His mind was still of fury when a hand stopped him, pulling him back. 

"Woah there, you think you can just walk into my chambers without my permission?" 

Zhanghao turned around to see Hanbin behind him, his head tilted in question. Zhanghao looked forward again to realize he was right in front of two, large doors, which assumably opened to Hanbin's room. 

"Oh, sorry." Zhanghao mumbled, stepping away from the doors, "I wasn't watching where I was going." He explained. 

"I see.." Hanbin eyed him. Moving around Zhanghao, Hanbin opened the doors to step into his room before nodding for Zhanghao to join him. When Zhanghao realized, he politely stepped into the room, Hanbin letting the door close behind him. 

Zhanghao peered around the room, surprisingly messy, as Hanbin ordered the servant to go fetch something for him. He had always imagined Hanbin as neat and tidy, practically perfect, however his room portrayed otherwise. Despite this, it made Zhanghao feel a sense of unexpected connection. They were really just both the same teenage boy but in different types of houses. 

Walking further into the room, Hanbin picked up a few books before putting them aside as he watched Zhanghao gaze around before going to the balcony. 

He knew he shouldn't have, but Hanbin had watched Zhanghao and Taerae last night, walking in the gardens before something happened and Zhanghao had ran back through the ball, a look of overwhelmingness and confused on his face. He knew the matter seemed personal, so he wouldn't ask or mention it to Zhanghao. At least not today.

"Your view's nice." Zhanghao said, looking back at Hanbin while Hanbin moved to join him.

"It is, isn't it?" Hanbin replied, now standing next to Zhanghao on the balcony. From the balcony you had a perfect view of the Kingdom which showed the many houses of the people, stretching as far as the bushy woodlands in the distance. 

"I wish I had a balcony in my room." Zhanghao sighed, "It's so nice to just stand out here and let your thoughts wander." He said before closing his eyes and taking a breath in. 

Hanbin watched Zhanghao, admiring his pretty-like features which made Zhanghao beautiful. "Well, you're welcome to use my balcony anytime you like." Hanbin told him. 

"Really?" Zhanghao smiled in excitement at him. 

"Of course." Hanbin beamed back.  

Just then, the servant returned, holding an envelope as she walked towards Hanbin and Zhanghao who still stood on the balcony. Zhanghao looked to Hanbin as his brows furrowed in confusion. 

"This isn't what I asked for." He told the servant. 

The servant motioned towards inside the room, "I know, we've had that prepared for you already, but this letter just came in, addressed to you." She said, handing the letter to Hanbin. 

Hanbin took it from her, "Oh, thank you." He said, before surveying the letter. He looked to Zhanghao, "No one sends me letters these days, so I don't know who this might be from." 

Fingers moving quickly, Zhanghao watched as Hanbin opened the envelope, pulling out the creased paper from the inside. As he unfolded it, Zhanghao's eyes widened at the absence of the normal black ink that would be in a letter but rather the large, aggressive red letters which replaced.  

It was blood. 

The letter—the threat, was precise and short, conveying it's message loud and clear. 

YOUR FATHER KILLED MY SON. HE WILL PAY IN BLOOD THAT SHALL BE YOURS 

Hanbin gasped, taking a step back as the paper fell from his hands. The dark red writing was scary, but it's message even scarier. "We need to tell someone about this." Zhanghao said to Hanbin, picking the piece of paper off the ground. Hanbin nodded, following Zhanghao out of the room. 

The threat had to be from a parent of one of the lost competitors of the first round. There was no doubt. Zhanghao knew they must be grieving but grief could easily be turned into fury and blame which in this case was very easy to place on the King, as he was the one who had started this whole mess.    

Hanbin had led themselves to the throne room, bursting through the heavy doors to reveal his father, lounging on the throne, staff in hand and crown on head. Standing before the King, Zhanghao felt very out of place, feeling the need to bow or take action of some respect. But this was no King to Hanbin and rather just his father as he took the paper from Zhanghao, giving it to one of the guards who passed it to the King. 

The King stared at it before looking up. "Who sent this?" His voice boomed throughout the room. 

Hanbin rolled his eyes, "I don't think threats usually come with a contact name and addresses most of the time."

Hanbin's father observed the letter, turning it over in his hand in case there was anything on the back. Nothing. There was no information that could be of use. Not even a date of when Hanbin could potentially be at risk. 

"For now.." The King started, "I will order more guards to be stationed at your room as well as mine. You will always bring at least two guards around with you, understand?" The King raised his eyebrows towards Hanbin. 

"Yes." Hanbin nodded before taking off towards the exit. Zhanghao followed, jogging to catch up to Hanbin.   

"So, what now?" Zhanghao looked to Hanbin as they left the room. 

"Now?" Hanbin said, "We wait."