Prince's Gamble | HAOBIN

22. Food, Food and More Food

It took a lot of waiting and listening for Hanbin to finally get Zhanghao to leave his room. He had spent many days by now—merely just staying in his room. He didn't have the energy, nor the willpower, to bring himself to go back to normal life. Not after Taerae was gone. 

Gyuvin and Ricky had attempted to cheer him up, and in truth it did cheer Zhanghao up for some moments but as soon as they left Zhanghao was filled with the same feeling of emptiness again. The only person who Zhanghao truly felt was making a difference was Hanbin. He had visited Zhanghao every day since Taerae's death, bringing all sorts of different desserts and drinks for him, however Zhanghao didn't need them. It was purely Hanbin's presence that made him feel better—like his life was still normal. 

It was Hanbin's suggestion of a walk outside that Zhanghao finally agreed too, stepping out of his room for the first time in a while. They walked out into the gardens, shoulders touching. Yet, as they neared the swinging bench that overlooked the little pond, Zhanghao's body stiffened. Noticing this, Hanbin directed Zhanghao away from the bench, leaving it behind them. 

Once the bench was well out of view, they found themselves walking within rows of daisies, Zhanghao's shoulder's relaxing once again. 

"You know there's the royal dinner tonight, right?" Hanbin said to Zhanghao. 

Zhanghao's mind sparked. How could he forget? The royal dinner in celebration of the two contenders who had made it to the final round. 

"Yeah, I know." Zhanghao replied. 

"Oh, don't seem so glum." Hanbin said, nudging Zhanghao in the shoulder. "I'll help you pick what to wear." He proposed. "Or do you wanna help me pick what to wear?" Hanbin asked, smiling at Zhanghao. 

Hanbin knew exactly how to distract Zhanghao and Zhanghao knew he needed the distraction. "Okay then."

"Yay!" Hanbin laughed, clapping his hands together. 

"You're so annoying." Zhanghao said, hitting Hanbin as he tried to hide his smile.

"Love you too." Hanbin smiled back. 

Later, Zhanghao went up to Hanbin's room in order to help him pick what to wear. According to Hanbin, his father preferred darker, more dull tones. Shuffling through the prince's closet, Zhanghao picked out some of the most glossy and bright coats he could find. Laughing, he brought them out for Hanbin to try on. 

"I specifically told you my father doesn't like stuff like this!" Hanbin pouted. 

Zhanghao grinned, "Exactly." 

Rolling his eyes, Hanbin took the clothes putting on a sort of fashion show for Zhanghao before they became serious and picked out a dress coat of dark maroon for Hanbin to wear. Stopping by Zhanghao's room on the way to the dinner, Hanbin picked out a striking dress coat of dark blue which was laced with silver thread which matched his own. 

Making their way down the white castle steps, Hanbin and Zhanghao entered large dining room which had been decorated for the night. The long wooden table was lined with a gold tablecloth which ran along the middle of the table. At the head of the table, sat a large golden throne which Zhanghao assumed was for the King. 

Already sitting at the table was Hanbin's brother, Yujin, the Queen and a few other people who Zhanghao presumed were Hanbin's extended relatives. To his surprise, Zhanghao spied the girl he had nearly killed in the first round, sitting next to Yujin. Making eye contact with each other, Zhanghao realized, she was the other final competitor. He stared at her before turning away, following Hanbin. 

Hanbin sat down on the left hand side of the throne, opposite from Yujin. Zhanghao sat beside him, feeling somewhat uncomfortable at the awkward atmosphere. 

"This feels weird." Zhanghao whispered to Hanbin. 

Hanbin leaned to whisper back, "Royal dinners always feel weird."

As the two mumbled, their heads together, the dining room doors suddenly opened, silencing Hanbin. In walked the King, two guards accompanying him on either side. He walked past the table until he reached the throne, sitting himself down. Clearing his throat, he began to speak, 

"Good evening to you all. We are here tonight to enjoy a wonderful dinner in honor of our two competitors who have made it to the last and final round." He smiled, blandly. "I don't think any more needs to be said, so may the food be brought out and let's eat." 

Large plates of meat and vegetables began to be delivered onto the table and Zhanghao had to hide his shock as he had never seen so much food in his life. His manners still residing, only when all the royal family had taken food did Zhanghao help himself to the meal. 

Everyone began to eat, small chatter filling the silence as the night prolonged. However, as they ate, Zhanghao couldn't help but notice the irritated look on Yujin's face as he gazed around, his eyes lingering on Hanbin for a while. 

"Is Yujin okay?" Zhanghao nudged Hanbin, who looked up at Zhanghao's remark. 

Hanbin glanced at his brother before turning to Zhanghao, "Yeah he's fine. I told you before, didn't I? He just hates royal events." Hanbin said. 

"Ahh..." Zhanghao sounded, remembering what Hanbin had told him previously. 

Once the dinner had finished, Hanbin walked Zhanghao back to his room, bidding him goodnight before he left to go to his own room. Grudging back into his room, Zhanghao plonked himself on his bed, feeling full from all the food. Although awkward, that dinner had been the most Zhanghao had eaten in months and he almost felt like he could puke from how much he ate. 

He rested a while longer before moving to wash up and get ready for bed. He was just about to grab his nightclothes when he heard it. Hanbin's voice, flickering in and out of his head like a lightbulb. 

Zhanghao.. Zhanghao! 

It was a cry for help. Zhanghao could hear the adrenaline and panic in Hanbin's voice as it sounded over and over at the back of Zhanghao's mind. Zhanghao knew at once that this wasn't normal—Hanbin's voice had come out of nowhere into his head. 

And then he realized what it was. 

Magic.