Almost Killing the Prince | Minsung ✓

-XXIV-

"This is for the prince of Baekje, Yongbok. No one can know what's inside- don't even read it- got that?"

Handing the scroll to the messenger, Changbin nods to him, the other bowing slightly.

"One more thing- protect this with your life. If you're caught, burn it."

He knew the precautions were ridiculous- but necessary if it meant protecting the prince.

It's been a while since Changbin wrote a report- and for Yongbok to know and understand their progress, Changbin would need to be more responsible with the mission. He needs to keep in check every person, every action, and every letter he sends to Baekje- give specific orders to the messenger that no one other than Yongbok himself should see the contents of the scroll.

And he needed to keep track of every event...

Including the one where Jisung and Minho basically vanish from the face of the Earth.

Even with three pairs of hands, it almost seemed impossible to get anything done.

They searched everything in the Royal District, without even a crumb to go on. To others, Jisung and Minho were just ghosts- disappeared without a trace.

Changbin even asked trusted sourced around the Royal District- every single one of them coming up with nothing.

Except for one thing.

The only thing Hyunjin proved himself good at was infiltrating the palace. With the acquired guard outfit, he walked in and out of the palace without another thought from the other guards- he could question them too if Hyunjin didn't seem so suspicious.

Apparently, Jisung and Minho escaped through a hidden exit preserved for the royal family in case of an attack. How did they find it? Not even the guards knew- but at least it gave the group an idea in what direction they went.

"What happened here?"

Chan thought it would be helpful to the three if they asked questions around any nearby towns or villages. After getting some loose lead about a thief that very much resembled Jisung stealing a necklace and someone who very much resembling Minho being chased by a dog, they checked into every town in the direction they were headed- including Cheonin villages. Of course, Hyunjin being Hyunjin, he refused the idea- saying it was never good to mix with the low-class. Not that he hated them- just that they looked like noblemen and that the high and low classes are the human counterparts to oil and water. But Changbin never listened to him, insisting to go to the village.

Besides, it was safe if they asked the villagers if they had seen Jisung instead of Minho.

Though the only thing they found were ashes- everything burned to the ground. It smelled of soot and burnt flesh- Hyunjin groaning from behind Changbin as he saw a corpse amid charred houses.

There were a few families nearby, sobbing or trying to scavenge for whatever was left of their home. They would crawl, weep, cry out- but they still worked. There wasn't a break living here. The others went to work on the field, relieved that the fire hadn't spread there.

Chan hopped off of his horse, approaching a family of three- a mother and her children, all gathered by the front of what once used to be their home. He crouched by the children, providing them a sad smile to comfort them on their loss.

Changbin and Hyunjin tied the horses to a nearby tree, walking around the village.

Usually, the peasant village was full of vigor and hard-work. The people would fish or farm or work to provide for themselves. Even with the work placed upon them, they would still be content, happy as they gave for themselves. Now, they didn't even glance at Changbin or Hyunjin walking through their town, searching in the ashes. They were the dead walking among the living, trying to search for their lost lives.