Crimson Crown

⌠10⌡

He waited until night came around before carrying out his getaway. Jinyoung made sure to avoid areas where guards were posted as he made his way out to the stables just beside the castle. He went to fetch his favorite steed, one that was strong with enough stamina to ride him out into the deep woods where his secret being resided.

The only person he told of his plans was BamBam, as he figured the coachman who assisted him in their first journey out to the vampire's home deserved to know he planned on making another trip. He also needed approximate direction, which BamBam gave him, though hesitant.

"Are you sure you want to go alone? It didn't seem like everything was okay last night." The coachman who had followed Jinyoung out to the stables hovered as the young prince readied his horse.

"Everything was fine. I can handle myself." Jinyoung assured. He said it mostly to calm BamBam and keep him from making too much of a scene, though Jinyoung actually wasn't sure what revisiting the vampire would result in.

If said vampire actually wanted to kill him though, he would have done it during their first interaction. Jinyoung wasn't sure if he was just showing mercy at the time, but he needed to speak with him again, so he would just have to find out.

BamBam of course, did not agree with doing so. "I really don't think it's a good idea to-"

"Don't worry, I'll be back before the morning." The prince assured, flashing that warm smile he was known for. 

BamBam faltered as he watched Jinyoung mount his steed, gently kicking its side and heading off. He was trained to keep his eyes on the prince at all times, as most people who are responsible for him were, so watching him go off toward danger on his own didn't sit well with him. He kept his gaze on the horse until it was completely out of sight, sighing once it disappeared.

The sound of the wooden stable door closing caught BamBam's attention. He wasn't aware of the presence of anyone else until they made themselves known. Due to that fact, he didn't need to look back to see who it was.

"You followed us, didn't you?"

He heard a low hum of confirmation come from behind him as soft footsteps approached. "Youngjae sent me. He was worried about the prince and wanted someone good with combat to keep eye on him."

BamBam nodded in agreement. "Yes, I'm concerned as well, he's way too impulsive, it'll get him in trouble one day."

"Shall I follow him tonight too?"

"...Keep at a distance, don't alert him that he's being followed." The coachman finally turned, meeting gazes with the highly-skilled man that stood before him. "And keep watch of the vampire's house. Anything strange occurs, you are to drive your sword through his throat. We must keep the prince alive, especially in such tensioned times, Mark."

The decorated knight known for his astonishing abilities in battle, Mark, nodded at the instruction. The long sword that hung at his hip glistened in the moonlight that seeped through the spaces in the roof. "Of course."

BamBam watched Mark take a horse and set off after the Prince.

~.~

Jinyoung was worried that he didn't follow BamBam's directions well, as it took a while for him to locate the vampire's dwelling. Maybe it was his impatience to speak to the vampire again that made the ride seem like it trekked on forever, and he was extremely relieved when he finally spotted the old house through the dark of night.

He tugged on the reigns, alerting his horse to slow. He did not want to make his presence come off as hostile or abrupt, despite how fast his heart was beating out of eagerness and slight fear, he wanted to approach as peacefully as possible. He slid off his steed's back, tying it to a nearby tree before slowly walking toward the looming house.