Crimson Crown

⌠41⌡

Jinyoung awoke on the sofa where he'd been left. The sun casted small shadows, suggesting that it was now around midday. He must've slept-- or passed out-- he wasn't exactly sure which. His head was groggy as he pulled himself back to reality, spending a few minutes staring at the dark wooden ceiling of the vampire's home.

The vampire-- who had practically drugged him and left him there to keep him from doing as he pleased. The memory made Jinyoung jolt upright. He could move now, and his limbs felt quite rested after laying down for hours.

The prince glanced through the open window, spotting his horse resting in the clearing; luckily Jackson hadn't taken it with him. He had no idea what the vampire was up to, but couldn't help but worry for him. Jinyoung quickly pulled himself together and stood up, collecting his belongings littered around the room.

He silently apologized to Jackson for never listening, but he wanted to do what's right, not sit around all day like a lazy Prince.

~~~~~~~~

Jackson could see the tall walls that surrounded the castle from a mile away. Royalty in this kingdom, as it is in many kingdoms, was highly regarded. Everyone always knew where the royals live, as it was always the biggest and flashiest building on the land.

As he rode nearer, he could see a silver gate guarded by two royal knights. It had been forever since he'd last come anywhere near the inner parts of the kingdom, let alone the palace itself. He was just a wee boy the last time he'd seen these cemented walls, and even then it was always from a distance.

The constant image of Jinyoung laid out on his sofa flashing through his mind is what pushed him to ignore the reminders of his past and continue forward. He felt immensely guilty for what he had done-- he never wanted to do anything like that to Jinyoung again. But it was the only way he could ensure the prince's safety; Jinyoung didn't think things through much and it was a disater waiting to happen. He had no other choice but to stop him-- even if that meant physically.

He let out a huff, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. He was quickly approaching the gates anyway and was already spotted by the guards, he needed to remain focused. This was all to help Jinyoung anyway, not hurt him.

He slowed his horse a good distance away from the gates, deciding to walk the rest of the way to show that he meant no harm. He slid of his steed, stepping forward with hands kept to his sides so that no one could assume he was attempting to reach for a weapon. The guards watched him keenly, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords as the stranger approached, just as they were trained to do.

 "State your business." One of them requested, voice loud and startling.

Jackson kept himself calm, stopping a few feet away to maintain a respectable distance. He let out a breath before stating his purpose. "I need an audience with the king."

"You're just one of many. Who are you to request an audience with his majesty?" The other asked with an annoying hint of cockiness in his tone.

Jackson narrowed his eyes at the two who seemed inclined on wasting his time. "I am someone who can be very dangerous if provoked."

Both guards paused; their hands tightened around the hilts of their swords. Still sheathed, but ready to be drawn at any moment.

"That is not something you should say if you expect us to let you into the palace." The first guard retorted.

The vampire's eyes flashed between the two. He could sense their hesitation, along with their adrenaline slowly rising. He was not here to start a fight, he merely needed to talk. Since Jinyoung felt so unheard, he wanted to try a different approach, but he could not do so if he couldn't even get past the entry gates.

He let out another breath, calming his own nerves; the last thing he needed were these guards on edge or he'll never get in. "Look, I know his son, Park Jinyoung. And I know Choi Youngjae too, his servant? If you'd get him for me, he will verify my identity so you'll know I am not foe. I need to speak with the King about this war going on, please."

"Nearly everyone knows of the royal family. You sound no different." The first guard retorted, his attitude unchanging. "No outsiders allowed into the palace. Especially not suspicious ones like you."

"Now get going while we allow it before we change our minds." The second one added.

It was difficult to keep in his scoff. The fact that he won't even be given the time of day speaks volumes about just how little people of the palace actually cared about what was going on. He mindless stepped forward, quickly losing his patience. "This war needs to end, and your king has the power to stop it if he'd stop being a coward and speak with the royals of Cornelia."

"You dare call his majesty a coward? He is brave to lead our men into battle!"

"He's leading them to their deaths while he sits on his comfy chair! The prince is more willing to give his life for his people than the King!"

"You speak ill of the king! Are you a true Alverian or a traitor!?"

"I am someone just trying to protect the person I care about." Jackson huffed, spinning on his heels and marching back to his steed. "...and probably more Alverian than either of your entire bloodlines..." He spat back, watching the guard's faces twist into confusion and offense.

He ignored the curses that were thrown his way, turning his horse around and riding back into the woods. He felt like a failure for not having been able to do much, but at least they kept Jinyoung safe for now. He wasn't sure what to do about the war at this point, it had already started and they merely needed to let it run its course. Jinyoung will surely disagree, but maybe he could try and convide the latter to wait it out.

That prince's heart was too much to deal with. He cared so much about the kingdom, he's willing to go into battle for it. As difficult as it was for Jackson not to hold a grudge against everyone who had settled on the ashes of his people, he found himself disconnecting Jinyoung from the pain of his past. He used to see any human and would immediately hold hatred toward them, but now it seems, he's taken a liking to one.

Jinyoung will surely be disappointed that nothing fruitful came from his visit to the palace-- that is, if the latter isn't still upset about having been bitten. In that case, he will probably be much more than disappointed.

Jackson began forming sincere apologies in his head as he rode back. Maybe he should throw a hug or a kiss in there too; he wasn't very affectionate and didn't like forcing it, but it might distract Jinyoung's anger long enough to win him back.

The vampire was not usually nervous for much of anything, but seeing Jinyoung again after what he'd done to him might be the most nerve-wracking thing he's had to do thus far. He continued practicing his apologies up until he finally reached the front door of his home, taking in a deep breath just before entering.

"Jinyoung, I've returned, and I'm-" 

Jackson paused as he stepped through the door. Jinyoung wasn't where he'd left him; the paralysis should have worn off by now, maybe he went upstairs to rest it all off. Jackson took another step further into the house, his eyes glancing around the room.

He didn't notice Jinyoung's sword or dagger. His brows furrowed as he turned toward the coat rack-- Jinyoung's cloak was gone as well. His gaze shifted outside, his eyes desperately searching for any sign of the prince's horse. Jackson stumbled over his own feet as realization hit him.

"Shit." 

He'd been gone for too long.

He rushed out of his home back to his horse, quickly mounting the steed. He should've known keeping Jinyoung put would require more than a mere bite. 

He glanced at the ground, noticing hoove prints in some of the dirt patches that must've been left by Jinyoung and his steed. He must not have left long ago, as the prince's scent was just barely detectable in the air. He couldn't have gotten far.

Jackson ushered his horse through the wooded outskirts of Alveras, following the trail of his escaped prince.