Time travel || Wonhyuk

12: Slipping

"Were you a performer?"

The assembly had just ended and the prince had some free time so here they are, by the pond in the oriental garden. The prince was crouched over the edge, breaking off pieces of wheat bun and throwing it to the ducks swimming happily in the water. Upon noticing the food, they bobbed their heads down to fight for it, smashing their beaks together in the process. The prince smiled fondly at the animals. He gave no thought about the ends of his silk robe submerged in water. He gave no thought that the wheat bun was all that he have for lunch, since he rejected the delightful platter of food earlier.

"No I wasn't."

The prince turned to face Wonho, a look of surprise spread across his pale features.

"Really? But you were really, really good on the field!"

One could have guessed that he blurted it out in the moment without thinking, for he started smiling sheepishly while scratching his head. Wonho watched, unblinking. It isn't the first time the other had acted weird, and he was sure it wouldn't be the last.

"Thank you for the compliment, your highness."

"Why are you becoming so formal...? I thought we'd already established that you'll call me by my name?"

Wonho shook his head. The prince only sighed before returning to his previous task. The wheat bun in his hands was nearly finished. There wasn't much Wonho could do other than to stare at a grown man hanging out with the ducks. Honestly, he felt even dumber than he should be.

"Let's head back now!"

The same cheery voice broke out, a hint of sadness playing in his voice. As a crown prince, how much time would you actually get to enjoy such tranquility, apart from all the responsibilities? Another smile graced the prince's face. Wonho simply nodded. Prince Minhyuk stood up gingerly, probably noticing only now that he was dangerously situated over the edge of the bank. He held out his hands on either side of his body trying to find balance as he climbed his way up.

It all happened in a whir. The prince slipped and he fell backwards, twisting his ankle in the process. Almost instinctively, Wonho moved forward, an arm outstretched to wound itself around the prince's thin waist, pulling that small frame away from the water bank.

"Are you alright?!"

Wonho gushed out, his voice urgent and loud. The blonde was a shaken, hands slightly trembling, knuckles turning white from gripping onto the knight's clothing too tightly. Wonho mentally facepalmed for shouting. He just raised his voice at a prince, a crown prince at that. He must be seeking death.

"I-I'm okay... Thank you."

Gradually, with the close proximity of Wonho, the prince blushed. Well, the knight himself probably won't deny how odd he felt at that particular moment, holding a man like that. It wasn't exactly weird, but the way his arms could wrap around the other's waist so easily, even, lined perfectly sent many funny thoughts through his mind. Their current position must have looked rather suggestive if anyone were to catch them right there and then.

Awkwardly, Wonho cleared his throat, which he kinda wished he didn't after, since it caused the flustered blonde to quickly scramble out of Wonho's sort-of embrace and nearly falling into the water: again. He was lucky he had a knight, or bodyguard, or basically a fucking life saver at this point in time, had good reflexes; Wonho had once again managed to prevent him from swimming with the ducks. The prince had let out a yelp though, which clearly indicated that something was wrong.

"Show me your leg."

Wonho commanded as the prince attempted to slip away from his grasp. Minhyuk shook his head. Impatient, the knight let go of the prince's elbow where he had caught him, and knelt down to examine the foot, which ever it is. He lifted the silk tentatively, revealing nothing more than simply more cloth. Right, this goddamn era. Why do people have to wear so much on their bodies?

"Lift your leg."

The prince obliged without a single word. He had placed some of his weight on Wonho, balancing himself with his hands on the knight's broad back. Wonho gently pried the boot off the foot that Minhyuk lifted. His right foot. It was obvious, the swelling that was beginning to occur near his ankle. The area surrounding it was turning red too. Overall, there was just a word to describe it. Bad.