Crimson Crown

⌠12⌡

"My Prince, where are we going?" BamBam asked as he directed the royal carriage down another pathway they did not often travel.

"I need to visit the clinic." Jinyoung answered while waving at some of the common folk that they bypassed.

The coachman frowned, quickly glancing back at him. "Are you falling ill? Are you hurt? Was it the vamp-"

"No, not for those purposes."  The latter quickly replied. The last thing he needed was to raise any more worry about him-- he was already tired of it, and it would only grow worse and things between the two kingdoms further tensed.

BamBam was quiet for a few moments, the air filling with the sound of the large wooden wheels rolling over rocks. He let out a soft sigh while gazing ahead. "My Prince, you are acting strange."

"Am I?"

"Well, frankly, ever since the vampire-"

"I am fine, BamBam. Drop me here." Jinyoung stood as they approached the clinic, hopping off the still moving carriage. He turned to the coachman who abruptly stopped the horses, tossing him a bag of coins that hung at his side. "I will be back in a bit. Why don't you take some coins from my sack and buy yourself some lunch."

BamBam's eyes widened at the heavy sack he haphazardly caught in his hands. As soon as he looked back up, the prince was already walking off. "Oh I cannot possibly do that--"

Jinyoung waved as he stepped into the doorway. "I insist, my good friend! I'll be back shortly." 

All eyes were on him as soon as his presence in the small business became known; he could hear the whispers and gleeful squeals from those who came for an appointment and unexpectedly ran into royalty.

"Nice day, everyone." He greeted the room with a wave, then turned to the reception area; a wooden table stacked with papers and a woman dwarfed behind it. "Hello madame, you look lovely today."

The woman glanced up, doing a double-take from the papers she was scribbling on as soon as she registered Jinyoung's face. She instantly stood, deeply bowing. "W-Why thank you my Prince, I'm flattered." She quickly straightened, clearing her throat and adjusting her attire. "Is something ailing you? I would love to fetch you an appointment, I'll bump you up to be the next patient, no one will mind!"

Jinyoung rose a hand in denial. "No, no, I am of good health. I just need to speak with a doctor. Is Kim Yugyeom around, by any chance?"

"Why, he just finished with a patient minutes ago! Please follow me, I'll take you to his medical room."

The cheery woman spun around and walked as fast as her legs could take her with Jinyoung in tow behind her. She led him down the long hallway of the clinic filled with patients receiving treatment for ailments from wounds to diseases. Looking around, the prince wished he had the skill to heal others; it would make him feel much more useful than his current role of sitting pretty at large events.

The woman he followed brought him to a room, gently knocking on the closed wooden door before gently opening it and gesturing inside. 

"He's right in here." She stated with the politest smile she could muster.

Jinyoung matched her smile with his own as he reached for her hand, lifting it to his lips and kissing the back of her palm. "Thank you, m'lady." 

The woman flustered, nearly tripping over her own feet as she stumbled out of the prince's way. "Y-You're very welcome, Prince J-Jinyoung!"

He chuckled as he watched her rush off, quickly turning his attention into the room she guided him to. He stepped in, the doctor he's come to know well shaking his head at the scene he just witnessed.