Crimson Crown

⌠19⌡

"I told you going there was dangerous, how will I explain to your parents that you lost a chunk of your shoulder!?" Youngjae complained while tightening the fresh bandage he placed on Jinyoung's shoulder. He spent the past 20 minutes in the elder's bedroom (avoiding any palace officials to keep from being questioned) cleaning and wrapping Jinyoung's wound, nagging him the entire time about how dangerous it was to rush out of the palace so suddenly.

The prince waved away the concern, too distracted in his own thoughts to pay much attention. "You won't have to, it will be hidden under my clothes."

"Still! This is a bad wound, especially for a wolf bite."

Jinyoung winced, both from the tight knot Youngjae tied and the lie he'd given about how he obtained the injury. He couldn't possibly tell the younger the vampire did it-- if he was already sending Mark after him, who knew what would happen if anyone found out Jackson had harmed him, accident or not. "Well... that wolf was strong and wild. Good thing I slew it before it found its way into town."

The latter hummed as he stepped back to ensure he cleaned all of Jinyoung's wounds, narrowing his eyes at the excuse. "That wolf didn't happen to be named Jackson, was it?"

"He would never harm me like that." Jinyoung snapped, possibly too harsh. But the idea of blaming Jackson for what happened wouldn't stand with him. "In fact, he offered to heal me."

Youngjae's brows rose, just slightly. "So, he can heal injuries caused by his power? It is possible?"

Jinyoung lit up, rapidly nodding. "Yes, remarkable isn't it!?" 

The latter huffed, his arms crossed over his chest. He couldn't deny that such a power was both incredible and possibly useful, but that didn't change his overall outlook on the situation.

"I still don't like you being around him..." He mumbled.

"Which is why you sent Mark after me. More than once."

The servant's eyes widened, his jaw falling open as he tried to find an excuse. "Jinyoung... it was only out of concern-"

"Stop being concerned, you could've had him killed! It is safe, I assure you, I came back in one piece each time."

"Obviously not each time-..."

Jinyoung gently touched his shoulder, rotating it to show that his injury was nothing to be worried about. "Not including this time of course, but as I said, wolf bite. Not vampire bite."

Youngjae ultimately sighed giving up on the argument. 

"Fine. I will tell Mark to stop following you." He reluctantly mumbled.

"Good. Has he woken up yet?" 

"Not that I know of. You sure he fell off a horse and hit his head?"

"I watched him fall right off. He was sleep-deprived." Jinyoung confirmed. "I must talk to him as soon as he wakes. Just so I can make sure his memory is intact."

"Well, it shouldn't be long. You can check the infirmary now."

"Thank you Youngjae." The prince replied as his servant gathered his materials and headed out of the room. "And I appreciate the concern, but it is unneeded."

Youngjae gave him a curt nod before disappearing down the hall. Jinyoung waited until the echoes of his footsteps had quieted down before getting up and heading out himself. He needed to check on Mark after this whole ordeal; he went straight to the infirmary.

A nurse walked out just as Jinyoung appeared, bowing to him and greeting him a good evening. Jinyoung flashed a smile before stepping into the palace's small infirmary, meant to house and treat any sudden injuries or illnesses any of the royal family members may suffer. They also allowed staff to use the room, which is why Mark laid on the small bed, a cold compress sack on his forehead.

The warrior's eyes fluttered open at the heavy sound of Jinyoung's steps, his instincts still as keen as ever. He sat up with a soft groan, holding his head that must still ache from the impact it suffered.

"Mark, you're awake." Jinyoung announced as he stood just beside the bed.

"You knocked out a tooth."

The prince faltered, his chest tightening with guilt-- he didn't even pay attention to where he hit the elder, it all sort of happened in a split second. He rubbed the back of his head, his eyes awkwardly darting around. "I... apologize. I panicked."

"Why did you protect him?"

"He was harmless-"

"Look at your shoulder. He did that. Yet you protected him."

"It's not what you think." Jinyoung retorted as he touched the bandages on his shoulder that were already turning a light pink from soaking up his blood. "He accidentally bit too hard after you shot him."

"He shouldn't have been biting in the first place!"

"I told him to!"

Mark blinked, his brows knitting together. "What? Are you mad!?"

"Everyone's been asking me that lately, I feel like the only sane one." Jinyoung groaned, running a hand through his hair. He let out a sigh; can't anyone see his point of view? "Look, I have my purposes, and those visits to the vampire are for important business, but no harm is being done to me. I told Youngjae it was a wolf bite, and that you fell off your horse."

Mark was quiet for a long spell, absorbing what the prince was telling him. 

He finally huffed, shaking his head. "You couldn't have at least thought of a less dumb excuse for me being unconscious than falling off my horse?"

"I thought it was believable enough!" The prince whined. "Look just stick to that story? I need Youngjae off my back, I don't want to freak him out anymore."

"Fine." Mark grumbled, his eyes curiously examining Jinyoung's bandaged shoulder again. "So what, you're... a vampire now?"

"No." The latter answered before he could really think about it. Only then did he remember that he had read that vampires could either be conceived through normal reproductive means, or a regular human can become one from a bite. He began to wonder... did Jackson turn him into a vampire? "Or-... well-... I don't know, actually. He's drunk off me before but it was an open wound; this was the first time he's bitten me..."

Mark hummed while rubbing his chin, obviously curious as well. He then suddenly did a double-take up at the prince, his eyes widening in realization. "Wait, he's drunk off of you before?"

Jinyoung waved away the question, quickly backing out of the room to avoid responding. "Mark, I don't have the time to explain anything, nor do I want to. Just promise me you won't say anything about tonight to anyone?"

The latter sighed, slowly nodding. "Fine..."

"Thank you so much." Jinyoung smiled, swiftly leaving the room filled with relief.