Crimson Crown

⌠22⌡

Jinyoung awoke early the next morning with the vampire on his mind. The idea of going to see Jackson was the first thing he thought of, only to remember that the latter said he'd be busy that day. Maybe he was off to hunt despite Jinyoung offering his supply of blood, or maybe there were other responsibilities he had that Jinyoung was not aware of.

Still, he wanted to prepare for the future visits he'd pay to the vampire, and thought up a few things he wanted to take care of before he returned. 

He dressed himself and decided to skip breakfast, wanting to get going as soon as possible.

 "Youngjae, I'm heading out." He told the latter when the servant entered his room as part of his daily tasks.

The younger frowned, folding his arms over his chest. "Weren't you up late reading more on vampires? You should stay and rest some more..."

"Relax, I'm not visiting him today."

"Then what are you doing?"

"Running errands. Don't worry, I'll be back."

Youngjae watched him walk out of the room, letting out a soft sigh before continuing his chores.

Jinyoung took a royal steed by himself, deciding not to alert BamBam since he didn't want the coachman breathing down his neck and questioning him. As he rode through the streets of Alveras, he was recognized as usual, but the speed of his horse and the smile he quickly flashed proved that he had somewhere he wanted to be and would rather not stop for his usual princely theatrics.

He rode straight to the clinic, tying his horse to a wooden post meant for such when he slid off. He wanted to see Yugyeom, and requested such when he entered the building, still keeping his manners and thanking the staff properly as he was led to the doctor.

Yugyeom barely registered Jinyoung's presence as he was occupied cleaning some bloody tools until the door shut behind the prince, startling the latter. He spun around, a scalpel in hand, his brows knitting together upon seeing the prince.

"I need more bandages." Jinyoung stated.

"Again?" The doctor sighed, placing his tool down on the counter behind him. He stepped closer, reaching up and pushing aside Jinyoung's loose tunic. "You haven't even changed your own, what are the extra bandages for?"

"A wounded friend." The prince answered, hoping the questions would cease there.

Yugyeom shook his head, clicking his tongue. "I'm seeing you in this clinic way too often."

"I'm sorry, I just need to make sure he's healing properly and safely."

"Can he not come here himself?"

"He's... bedridden. Would be too much on him to travel, he lives on the far outskirts of the kingdom."

Yugyeom narrowed his eyes at the elder, weighing the excuse in his mind. He eventually sighed, turning away. "Strip off your shirt, let me change yours first."  

Jinyoung smiled warmly. "Of course, doctor."

He pulled off his shirt as instructed, slightly wincing at the dull ache on his shoulder. He sat on the examination table, watching Yugyeom pull a wad of gauzes from a cabinet. To make the process faster, Jinyoung began peeling off his dirty bandages.

"What even happened to you-"  Yugeom turned with the fresh bandages in hand, his eyes falling to the prince's exposed wound. "What caused this?"

Jinyoung faltered, forcing himself to remember his alibi. "A... wolf bite."

Yugyeom frowned, taking a closer look. "Wouldn't a wolf bite be slightly narrower? And more... ferocious looking if it happened as sudden as it sounds?"