THE UNIVERSE IS OURS • 2ND ASTRO ONESHOT COLLECTION

in thy heart • sanhyuk

"Your highness, your daily lectures are starting within the hour."

Yoon Sanha, one of the three princes of Joseon, looked up from his vast breakfast to see his adviser writing in his notebook - also his royal guard, his only condition to the King.

"Minhyuk, why are you so uptight?" Sanha pouted, eating slowly just to irritate his closest companion.

The writing of the brush stopped. "Your highness, one must not use such informal words."

Sanha sighed, it was always like this. Though, it didn't used to be. He remembered the good old days, but then it all changed.

"Your majesty, I beg of you."

Was it all for naught? Sanha peeked at Minhyuk, his heart clenching at the blank look sported in the other's face. Not one emotion leaking through, so unlike the Minhyuk he used to know.

"I finished." Sanha announced, quickly his two servants came and cleared his breakfast, paying respects to him as they exited his room. He waved at them then pointed at Minhyuk, making a silly face, they giggled before closing the door.

The notebook slammed close, Minhyuk getting up from the floor. His hand gestured towards the door, eyes not meeting Sanha's. It never did anymore. "Your Majesty."

Sanha looked at Minhyuk for a long time. He watched as nothing ever changed in his posture, nor did he look at the prince. He waited, and waited; maybe another word would be spoken, but nothing. So he stood, walking by Minhyuk, heart clenching in pain, before he left.

Even if this was what he had to live through, Sanha would never regret his decision.

••

Sanha had managed to slip away from his chambers in the middle of the night without any of his servants nor Minhyuk knowing. The little secret exit door that he and his older brothers had found years ago, serving its purpose for his little escape. He made sure to stay in the shadows, avoiding the roving night guards that protect the palace. Once his eldest brother's chambers were in sight, he hurriedly went and knocked, his brother's Eunuch immediately welcoming him in, not without a fond scolding of him being there alone and unguarded to visit the Crown Prince.

"Ah! If it isn't my little brother. What trouble did you do now?"

Sanha's face brightened with a grin at the teasing call of his brother as soon as he was let in his room. His brother waved him in, his table filled with some late night snacks that they both know would be finished by the time Sanha had to go back to his chambers.

"Hyungnim, why must trouble always accompany your greeting?" Sanha retorted, sitting down on the floor, reaching for some sweet persimmons.

"Is it not true?" Junha raised a brow, pouring some tea for his youngest brother. He looked at Sanha thoughtfully for a moment.

"Where's Jeha Hyungnim? He often beats me to your chambers, always eating my beloved persimmons first." Sanha asked, accepting the tea before eating another bite of his sweets.

"Jeha has matters to attend to in the morning with abamama . Don't ask, I'm not allowed to say." Sanha pouted, ripping a piece of sweet harshly with his teeth. Then, he felt like he was being watched, and as he raised his head slowly, he saw his brother looking at him with furrowed brows.

"What is troubling you?" The question made Sanha pause, there was never hiding anything from his brother. Though, he tried to hide it at best, he knew it would eventually come out. "I've noticed how...quiet you've become. Even father noticed, and is worried. As much as he jokes about you to stay silent, he loves your hyperactive self." Junha took a sip of tea before placing it on the table. "So, tell me what worries your mind."