KILLBLACK

two

"The son of Count Wong, huh?" Doyoung sat on Jungwoo's neat bed. "I suppose he's dashing, I mean, the House of Wong is known for their beauty."

"He is, but being around him makes me want to shrivel up and die..." Jungwoo lazily lied down on his bed. "Claiming to want to take my hand in marriage, pfft, what a jest."

"What if he's serious, Woo?" Jungwoo's head perked up. "No way in heavens that could be. He looks just like all those bloody blokes who gobbles up women."

Doyoung shrugged. "He's going to become the King anyway."

"Oh no, no, no. Not at all!" Jungwoo slammed his fists on the linen sheets, in fury. "I will not allow such a vile creature to chicane my family and rule our land!"

Doyoung gave out a deep sigh of confusion. "Well, maybe giving him what he wants will prevent him from marrying your sister."

"What is it exactly that he wants again? Be wedded to me?" Jungwoo scoffed. "Balderdash! I do not wish to be associated with such a distasteful degenerate."

"Besides, I anticipate I will be betrothed to Lady Yiyang sooner or later, though..." Jungwoo kept his head low.

"Y-Yiyang?" Doyoung shot up. "Of all people, why her?"

"She's the daughter of the Marquis, of course she would be the most likely candidate for the Duchess."

—

"Oh my, you are simply entertaining, Lucas!" Seola giggled. "I am starting to like you, setting aside your daring move to court me."

"Oh, your highness." Lucas smiled. "This wasn't my initial plan in the first place, but I would try."

"Oh?" Seola raised her eyebrows.

"I got rejected by a great beauty..." Lucas sighed. "But it's all right."

"And who is this beauty we're discussing, Sir?" Seola rested her chin on clasped mitts.

"Your brother."

—

Jungwoo waved goodbye to his friend, who was carried away by the horse-driven carriage. "Keep safe, Doyoung!"

As the carriage disappeared into the sunset, Jungwoo turned around and met a tall figure looming over him.

"Oh." Jungwoo crossed his arms. "It's you."

"Hello, your highness." Lucas bowed and smiled.

"Hello to you too..." Jungwoo greeted with a monotonous voice.

"Would you like me to escort you to your sister? She is waiting for you at the garden."

Jungwoo pressed his lips into a line, and sighed. "Alright."

The two walked side by side in the palace halls, heels clicking against the floor. Lucas looked at the massive paintings of the Royal Family, spotting a younger Jungwoo with jet black hair.

"I didn't know you had natural jet black mane, your highness." Lucas shot a smile to Jungwoo who didn't bother looking at his direction, perambulating continuously whilst ignoring the taller male.

"Why did you dye it, your highness?" Lucas asked, persistently trying to get the royal's attention.

"The hue of my tresses do not concern you in any way."

"Oh, of course." Lucas gave out a low chuckle. "My prince looks good in any hair color."

Jungwoo rolled his eyes at the perseverant male. "Stop trying, fool. I am to be betrothed to a fine young lady in no time, anyway."

Lucas looked up to the noble prince's eyes. "And who is this lady you are talking about, your highness?"

"None of your business." Jungwoo turned to the window briefly before his heels clicked against the palace floors.

Lucas followed the prince quietly, trailing behind his brisk footsteps. Lucas observed that Jungwoo was pale compared to his tanned complexion, and he wore heels that made him look taller. His black trousers fit his long legs perfectly, showing off his beautiful physique.

"You know, your highness..." Lucas mumbled. "I've heard quite a lot of stories about you."

Jungwoo glanced at his side, looking at Lucas. "Do not be deceived by such foolish rumors. They are only used to bring the Royal Family down."

"They aren't any foolish rumors, my Prince." Jungwoo stopped to turn his heel and faced Lucas. "And how are you so sure?"

"Because... I've seen them with my very eyes." Lucas gave him a smile, making his heart skip a beat, but he cleared his mouth. "Like what, Lord Lucas?"

"Your ethereal beauty, it's simply enchanting." Strong eyes pierced through Jungwoo's orbs. A faint red enveloped his ivory skin.

"As I said, stop trying. There is no way that the King will allow me to be wedded to a male." 

"If he were to allow it, would you, too?" Lucas gently raised Jungwoo's gloved hand and gave it a light kiss. "If you were no prince, would you let me have a chance?"

Jungwoo started sweating, he was frozen on the spot. "I-I... Uh..."

"What is it, my Prince?" Trembling, Jungwoo snatched his hand from Lucas. "I... I cannot, Lucas. I am not like you, a free bird, I am a prisoner of my duties." Jungwoo looked away. "Even if I wanted to, I can never choose freely, or love freely. I am sorry to break it to you, but you cannot pursue me any longer."

Jungwoo turned around, facing the long hall. "End this foolishness, Lord Wong. If you want a spot in our Royal Family, marry my sister."

Then, Lucas was left with his own thoughts in the deafening silence of the halls, the clicking of the heels of his only love filling his ears.

—

The soft warmth of the sunlight through his window woke up Jungwoo, blinking as his eyes focused on a female figure.

"Good morning, brother." Seola's whisper made Jungwoo's lashes flutter, the birds chirping outside the green scenery.

"Sister, is there no servant to wake me? Why are you here in such an early hour?" The younger eyed his sister, clad in a white silken dress, with barely any bijoux to adorn her pale complexion. A sad smile was flashed in the direction of the young noble, filling his eyes with concern.

"Are you all right, dear sister?" Jungwoo motioned for the female to be sat on his velvet sheets, a worrying hand over her clothed shoulder. "Is something troubling you? Or... someone?"

"If my mindless thoughts were a person, Jungwoo, then perhaps I could tell you who it is." A soft sigh escaped the princess' amaranth lips. "I do not know how to break the news to you, dear brother."

Has the heir finally seen the vile creature daring to chicane the Royal Family in a different light, the light that reveals his greedy intentions, the one that Jungwoo sees him in? The younger prince hoped for the best. He would do everything in his power to prevent such lowlife filth to be even associated with his family.

"I will turn down the honor of becoming the ruler of this kingdom, Jungwoo." Seola put her gloved mitt on Jungwoo's bare hands. "Which means... you..."

"... Will be crowned king?!" Jungwoo let out a gasp of shock, eyes widening as Seola bowed her head. "I am sorry, Jungwoo, for putting you in such a situation."

"But the coronation is in three weeks!" Jungwoo frantically stuttered. "You cannot turn down the responsibility as queen!"

"It was Father's decision," Seola started weeping, as if she was not ready as well. "He suddenly talked to me last night. You're now betrothed to the eldest son of Count Wong."

Jungwoo's breathing became ragged.