Prince's Gamble | HAOBIN

28. The Champion

As his feet touched the ground, Zhanghao spotted the stone slab door in the distance, unclipping the parachute as it began to open. On the other side was the usual—Hanbin, Gyuvin, Ricky and Gunwook. Making his way through the door, Zhanghao ran into Hanbin's arms, burying his face in Hanbin's shoulder. 

"You did it, Zhanghao." Hanbin said to him, "You really did it." 

At Hanbin's words, the tears returned and Zhanghao began to cry into his shoulder. Earning more hugs and a pat on the back from Gunwook, Zhanghao was then escorted by the guards out of the room which he was happy to leave. Never again would he have to stand and wait in front of the stone slab door.

The guards brought Zhanghao to some servants who washed and re-dressed him. As the dry blood rinsed off, Zhanghao felt his heart lighten a little, his regret washing away slightly. They had dressed Zhanghao in formal attire which bore a striking red color and gold buttons. After a final touch of styling his hair, the guards returned again, leading Zhanghao to the next place.

The 'next place' turned out to be the ballroom, only this time it wasn't being used as a ballroom and rather a hall that had the addition of a large stage. With the stage at the end of the hall, Zhanghao was guided down a red carpet which lay in between the many rows of chairs leading up to the stage. 

Within the chairs sat many royal officials and associates, all turning their heads as they watched Zhanghao walk to the front. As he grew nearer to the stage, Zhanghao saw the large throne on the stage where the King sat. He gazed upon Zhanghao as Zhanghao made his way, the guards halting him once he reached the end of the carpet. 

It was then when the King spoke. "My dear friends of royalty." The King started, "I am very pleased to announce that less than an hour ago, we celebrated the success for the competition's champion, Zhanghao." He said, before gesturing for Zhanghao to join him on stage. 

As Zhanghao walked up the side of the stage, he noticed Hanbin sitting in the front row who he hadn't realized was there until now. Dressed in his royal wear, Hanbin gave Zhanghao a small thumbs up as Zhanghao made his way to stand next to the throne. 

Giving Hanbin a small smile, Zhanghao dropped back to a serious expression once the King began to speak again. "The Champion." The King motioned towards Zhanghao before the crowd erupted into applause. "As promised, the champion was to receive a prize from me." The King continued. 

Just then, Kim Jiwoong walked up onto the stage, holding a fairly large chest. Once he had reached the throne, he stopped, facing Zhanghao. "And that prize is this large chest of gold in which the champion may spend to his delight." The King said.

And the audience began to clap and cheer once more.

—

After the champion ceremony, Hanbin called it, Zhanghao had taken the chest and was then free to leave the hall. Making his way to his room, Zhanghao placed the chest on his bed before changing out of the red clothing, which had been quite uncomfortable despite its fancy looks. 

Switching into his normal, comfier clothes, Zhanghao sighed as he sat on the bed, gazing at the chest. Using one hand, Zhanghao undid the metal latch on the chest before opening the lid. Inside sat neatly set out piles of gold, glimmering as they reflected light into Zhanghao's eyes.  

He was still looking at the gold, wondering what he was supposed to do with so much money when his door opened, letting Hanbin into the room. Hanbin stared in awe as he walked over to Zhanghao. "Woahhh.. What are you going to do with all the gold?" He asked.

 Zhanghao shrugged, "I'm not sure." 

Hanbin plonked himself on the bed, facing Zhanghao as he smiled towards him. 

Zhanghao grinned, "Should I spend it all on you?" 

Hanbin laughed, "No, save it for yourself, I have my own gold." He smirked. 

Zhanghao rolled his eyes, "Okay, Mr. Crown Prince." 

Hanbin grabbed Zhanghao's hand in his. "C'mon, I have something to show you." He said.

"What?" Zhanghao said, taken aback as Hanbin brought him to his feet. "Okay." He said before closing the chest and tucking it under his bed. "Let's go."

Hanbin took Zhanghao out to the gardens where white balloons had been tied to the matching white rose bushes and a table had been laid out with food. Zhanghao laughed when he realized the croissants and Zero Cola which sat on the table, assuming it was Hanbin's doing. There was a moment when Zhanghao still felt slightly confused before Gyuvin, Ricky, Gunwook, Matthew and Jiwoong appeared, jumping out from behind the bushes. 

"Surprise!" Hanbin said while Zhanghao brought a hand up to cover his mouth in shock. "We wanted to do something since you won." Hanbin told him. 

"Wow, this is so nice—how was there even enough time for you to set all this up?" Zhanghao looked to Hanbin.

 Hanbin grinned, "Magic." He said, but at Zhanghao's questioning look he began to wave his hands in misunderstanding, "No no, not that kind of magic. I was just joking but I guess it has another meaning now." Hanbin chuckled. 

Zhanghao laughed back before moving to join his friends. As the day went on, they enjoyed themselves while they celebrated Zhanghao's success, everyone finally being able to breathe in content. Zhanghao couldn't help but think about the fact that Taerae should've been here with them, and although Zhanghao did feel sad it wouldn't do him any good if he only remembered him by sadness. From this day on, Taerae would appear in his mind—a happy memory in which Zhanghao could cherish.  

Suddenly remembering something, Zhanghao walked over to Hanbin. 

"Hanbin," He started, "What were you going to say before? About the broken pieces of glass I found in my pocket?" Zhanghao asked him. 

"Oh that," Hanbin said. He paused for a moment before continuing, "I might've.. put like a protection charm in your pocket?" He said, a slight uncertainty in his voice.

Zhanghao looked at him, "What?" 

Hanbin sighed, "From the first round, I slipped a protection charm in your pocket so you wouldn't get hurt. And I think it worked but then you broke it in the third round and I was so worried during the last round, but you managed just fine." Hanbin told him. 

Zhanghao racked his brain. This explained more of his dream—why Hanbin had looked so worried while holding the broken protection charm. 

Zhanghao scoffed, "Hm, so you thought I was weak? That I had no chance of winning by myself?" 

Hanbin was taken aback as he began to wave his hands in denial, "No no! Of course not, of course I believed in you, I just wanted to be sure.. you know." 

Zhanghao narrowed his eyes as he smiled, "Okay then." He said, before laughing it off at Hanbin's anxious look.    

Once their celebrations had ended and the sun had begun to set, they packed up the tables and balloons, making their way back into the castle. Gyuvin and Ricky headed home while Gunwook, Matthew and Jiwoong went back to their own chambers within the castle. 

After saying goodbye to everyone, Hanbin took the opportunity to seize Zhanghao by the hand and drag him to his room. As the entered, Zhanghao flopped onto the bed, sighing in exhaustion. Smiling at the other, Hanbin followed, lying down next to Zhanghao.

He didn't care how many times he said it—or thought it, but every time Hanbin looked at Zhanghao, he couldn't even deny how beautiful Zhanghao was. Every little thing from head to toe made Hanbin feel small and incomparable to Zhanghao's beauty. 

Zhanghao turned his head, looking at Hanbin who continued to stare, "What?" He asked. 

Hanbin blinked, "How did I find someone so pretty as you?" He whispered. 

Zhanghao blushed. "And what about you? How did I find someone as handsome as you?" Zhanghao replied.

Hanbin shook his head, "Shut up." He mumbled before moving his head closer to kiss Zhanghao. They kissed slowly, until Zhanghao pulled away slowly. 

"I need to shower." He whispered, their faces less than an inch apart. 

"Trust me, you won't want to shower until after this." Hanbin smirked as he whispered back, crashing his lips onto Zhanghao's once again.