The Black Prince & The White Prince

Neglected Blue

The throbbing headache didn't die down even as he stepped down from the carriage. He almost staggered but held the carriage door to stop himself from falling.  He had fallen asleep the rest of the way and felt just slightly more refreshed but seeing the pinkish atmosphere due to the flowers surrounding the palace made his annoyance level shot up again. He ordered the knight to wait for him. He stepped up to the front door, the guards opening up without hesitation. They all knew of the Black Fox's reputation and it would cost them a lot if they were to lose the partnership they had with them.

"Oh god..."

Minhyun turned to the source of the voice and saw a wide eyed male trying to hide from him but he stomped up to him and grabbed him by the collar.

"If it isn't JR," he said coldly. The other was shaking in his shoes and glanced at Minhyun, not daring to meet his eyes now but he waved away the knights who were startled by Minhyun's aggression towards JR and held their weapons up. "Tell me. Where. Is. Ren?"

"Please don't hurt him," the boy or rather, JR replied. He held Minhyun's arms. "I'll do anything for you in return. Just don't hurt him."

"I can't guarantee what I'll do to him. If I see him with someone that belongs to me. And someone who I have specifically told him to stay away from too." JR let out a groan and chewed his lip nervously. He knew the right thing to do was to bring Minhyun to the dungeon but he himself didn't want to see what Ren was doing to the male he brought back. "JR, please."

JR looked at Minhyun who returned his look with worried eyes. JR could tell Minhyun was also really upset that things had to turn out this way. The two had known each other for awhile too. He gulped. "But Ren will get mad at me too..."

"Please, JR... I need... I just. I promise you I won't hurt him," Minhyun said after some thought. "Okay? Just... Bring me to him and let me settle this problem."

"Promise? Really?"

"Promise. Really." JR nodded, knowing that Minhyun didn't usually go back on his words. He slowly led him down to the dungeons. It took awhile since they were positioned at another end of the palace. Minhyun wanted to hurry but knew JR was also mentally preparing himself so he didn't rush the other.

"Do you know why Ren took him?" Minhyun asked instead.

"He's been complaining for a few days now since the last time he visited. How you were too busy to pay him any attention and how there seems to be a new guy around you. I tried talking him out of it but he said he wasn't going to do much. Just harmless playing around," JR replied. "I didn't know he was talking about abducting the prince..."

"Prince?"

"Yeah... The guy. He's a prince, right?"

"Ren knows that?" Minhyun felt his heart grow cold at the thought that Baekho's status was known. JR nodded in response.

"I won't ask why the prince was staying at your place but Ren also said he would send him back to his own kingdom once he's done playing just so you would have your attention back to your work and him." JR knew better than to claw information out since he didn't quite have the status the others had. He wasn't a prince after all.

"Send him back..." Minhyun frowned, rubbing his temple. Of course that seemed like the option he should have taken from the beginning to avoid all of this from happening. He didn't know how he could forgive himself for letting Baekho go through such a thing. Whatever that was happening anyways. "And what about you? Aren't you enough to keep him entertained? Isn't that why he brought you here in the first place?"

JR felt terrible once the questions left Minhyun's lips. "Maybe.... he's bored of me." His hand lingered at his neck where red marks were littered around. Minhyun felt bad now but his headache could only let him focus on one matter at a time.

"I didn't mean to... make you feel bad. You're a nice person, JR." JR gave Minhyun a weak smile and noticed Minhyun's red cheeks and slightly labored breathing.

"Are you alright? You look sick as hell," JR said, placing a hand against Minhyun's arm. Minhyun held the pain back and nodded.

"Yeah. Let's just pick up the pace."

"Maybe I should talk to Ren and convince him-"

"No. I'll do it. I'm fine, JR."

"You're falling sick, Minhyun. You're burning up," JR said worriedly, pulling his hand back that was warming up quickly with the contact he had.

"That doesn't matter," Minhyun said, beginning to hear the strain in his own voice as he said those words. "I just need to make sure Baekho is alright. Please."

JR nodded, picking up his pace but making sure Minhyun didn't fall behind as well. He wondered if this Baekho prince was really worth even falling sick for. Though he didn't question it, he knew he would do anything for Ren too. He carefully led Minhyun down the steps to the dungeon. Minhyun had to remove the cape he originally put on just to look more formal but the heat was catching up to him as they descended.

"Almost there, Minhyun," JR said and Minhyun nodded. JR noticed the dungeon door that Baekho was placed in, wide open. He gulped but decided not to look inside. He motioned Minhyun towards the door instead. Minhyun thanked him softly. Not even a couple steps near it, he could hear a breathing equally as labored as his and squeaking noises that metal made when you forcefully move them against a surface. He looked inside and felt his mind blank out, heart fell and an immense surge of mixed emotions.

"Baekho."