Prince Nothing - .WOOSAN.

.FOUR.

I walked quietly towards my room, my head hanging as I reluctantly trailed behind Hongjoong. I wanted to talk to him. Say something, anything, but he seemed in no mood to deal with my annoying banter. He had the same aura as earlier, and I feared one wrong move would push him away from me more than he was already trying to do himself.

The night had ended with me being rushed back inside once my parents noticed that I had been with the odd man. I had been pulled aside and scolded and told that he was dangerous, but they had neglected to tell me why. Haneul had taken my hand in hers and told me that I could've been hurt, and that talking with the mysterious man could only lead to trouble.

But he didn't feel dangerous to me.

"I took it upon myself to get your crown shined, and you will see that some new clothes will be waiting for you in your dresser," Hongjoong informed, snapping me out of my thoughts and causing me to flinch uncontrollably.

I gave him a tired smile, "You didn't have to do that."

He opened the door to my room, avoiding my eyes as he gestured me to walk in, "It's my job." He said blankly.

I shook my head, "Your job is to be here with me."

Hongjoong seemed to falter, looking to the ground with an uncomfortable expression. He was trying to hold something back, but for the life of me, I could not understand what. He had never acted like this before.

I grabbed hold of his arm, almost pulling away once I felt him not resist, but remain slack. He was just staring at the wall beside him, "I don't want you to serve me. I want you to treat me as an equal." I started again, forcing my face into his view, "I'm just a boy, I never asked to be royalty. I have the longing for companionship that every living being shares-"

"Stop." Hongjoong cut me off, letting me see the tears that threatened to fall from his soft cheeks.

I shook my head, feeling the tears form within me as well, "I want to be your companion."

Even though I know I can't.

"I-" Hongjoong pulled his hand away, shaking his head, "We will talk about this at a later time, You're obviously not thinking clearly, you need rest."

Before I had time to protest, I felt Hongjoong's hand on my back, and he gently pushed me into my room.

"Please rest well Wooyoung." There was a soft smile on his chapped lips now, "You never know what is waiting for you tomorrow."

And with that, the door was shut in front of me. Leaving me completely alone.

Alone like always.

My room was dark, moonlight dancing delicately through my curtains and casting a silver filter all around me. Colors of red and grey seemed to calm me, and I allowed myself to take in a large breath, stretching as my ribs expanded. I didn't have the time to dwell on what Hongjoong had said, soon it wouldn't matter, and he had to have had a reason for what he said.

I walked slowly to my curtains, parting them to reveal the night sky. Stars were twinkling above the houses where my subjects slept. Over the bushes and the tall walls that separated our palace from our kingdom. I could see the slight movements of people in their homes, and only for a moment, I thought of what it would be like to be them. But I knew I was destined for something much greater. Something greater than a measly commoner could ever fathom. My mind was just deceiving itself.

I was a prince, and one day I will become the king.

This land I gazed over would be mine, along with the people that inhabit it. I'll finally be someone then. I'd be something rather than nothing.