Crimson Crown

⌠25⌡

"Jinyoung?" A voice called, muffled in the background of the prince's slumber. "Are you awake? It's past noon..."

Jinyoung's eyes fluttered open, the bright sunlight shining through the balcony that Youngjae had opened. The fatigue from the night before hit him like a rock and reminded him of the emotional turmoil he'd been in for the past couple of hours. He let out a long sigh, burying his face into his pillow. "I do not wish to get up."

Youngjae let out a breath, gently nudging Jinyoung to roll onto his back. "Then... shall I bring breakfast to bed-- or lunch maybe?" 

"No."

"I'm so sorry..." The servant clicked his tongue, removing the pillow hiding the prince's face. "I know this isn't a proper time but, I told you that the vampire wasn't to be trusted."

Jinyoung sighed again as his lids cracked open, staring up at the high ceiling. "I wanted to believe in him... I thought he could help... now I've started the war I wanted to prevent."

"Do not blame yourself. You had no idea Jackson's intention was to kill."

"I asked for his help in the first place..."

"You had good intentions."

The latter finally sat up, looking somewhat alive now that he's gotten some rest compared to the night before. "He didn't seem like the type to kill... He spared me on more than one occasion."

"After roughing you up each time. You always returned with a new bruise. How couldn't you tell he was a killer then?" Youngjae questioned, as he did constantly warn Jinyoung that such a betrayal would eventually happen. 

The prince winced at the word that Jackson had used in their heated argument the night before. Though he had meant what he said at the moment, he felt a sense of regret thinking back to it. He said quite a lot of unfavorable things for no real reason other than to upset the vampire. Maybe he should have controlled himself a little, but what's said is said now. 

"Don't call him a killer."

"He's killed someone."

"I know but... I just know he wouldn't like it..."

Youngjae scoffed, shaking his head. "You are still regarding him as this great vampire, I told you to stop painting this picture in your head."  

He knew that he should probably just forget the image of Jackson that lived on in his mind, but Jinyoung had gone through so much effort just to grow closer with him, it was hard to just forget everything. But maybe the relationship he thought he was nurturing really never existed, and he was just grasping at his curiosity while the vampire used him as entertainment.

His face sank into his hands, his messy hair falling over his fingers. "I just thought... I thought I was helping... now I've started a war where thousands will perish."

"You've done nothing but try your best to do the right thing." Youngjae reassured as he slid an arm around the prince. "Please stop beating yourself up over it."

Though Jinyoung did feel like all this was his fault, he was not one to sit around and do nothing about it. He made a mess and needed to try and clean things up before it got out of hand, or at least prepare for the worst-case scenario. That meant focusing less of his energy on thinking about Jackson, and instead, using it to protect the innocent commoners tied up in this situation. War was coming, that is no doubt, it was now just a matter of when.

"...I don't think I will see him again." The prince determined, finally lifting his head.

Youngjae nodded in approval. "Good. Move past him, focus on what's at hand now. We must prepare the people for war." 

"You are right." Jinyoung agreed, forcing himself to get it together. He was still a prince, after all; one mishap did not knock off his crown.

"I thought you might want to know this-- I have overheard another messenger this morning, one sent straight from Cornelia." Youngjae began, gaining the prince's full attention with such news. "She was sent to tell your father that Cornelia is in an uproar, and Alveras must prepare to pay for what they've done. The royal family is in ruins, and we are cowards to do such heinous crimes against their people."

The words stung quite painfully, especially since Jinyoung felt somewhat responsible for one of those deaths. He wished that he could just clear up this entire misunderstanding, but it was easier said than done, especially with two hot-headed rulers at odds with one another. "Has an open dialogue been established?"

"From the sound of it, your father is not open to talking but, is ready for a battle. He sent the messenger back with the warning 'strike, and you shall be struck in return, only harder.'"

"What is my father doing..." Jinyoung groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. He did not agree with his father's course of actions so far, but his own actions were not very fruitful either, so he didn't feel as if he had the right to judge. Instead, he wanted to at least make everyone in the kingdom aware that a war may start soon and get them the supplies and protection they need from here on. "...Have knights about the kingdom, tell people to have weapons at hand and be prepared for anything. Hopefully the fighting stays out of the towns, but we must be alert at all times. Keep children inside and no one aside from knights are allowed on the streets at night."

"Yes, my prince. I will run these orders by your father, but I'm sure he will approve them and will be proud of your taking initiative." Youngjae chirped, a smile spreading across his face. "I am glad you are back to yourself."

"I've always been the same. I will do what I must to protect my people." The prince assured.

His servant bowed and rushed off to get those orders taken care of, leaving Jinyoung alone to dwell on his next course of action.

~.~

(*This is a bit random but I'm purposely writing this story a certain way that sort of creates a lot of questions and they slowly get answered as more chapters come out, but I feel like for readers its a bit confusing and agonizing, idk 😭😭😭 just, if you ever find yourself confused, don't hesitate to let me know, it actually helps a lot so I can write better! (unless answering your questions might lead to a spoiler huhuhu)*)