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Jackson's heart pounded against his chest throughout the entirety of his search for Jinyoung. Part of him felt guilty for apprehending the latter against his will, which probably influenced his desire to leave, but part of him also felt responsible to protect the royal Prince that he'd grown so fond of. How he could let Jinyoung slip out of his grasp so simply made him feel uneasy.

He could sense the prince's unique presence stronger as he raced through the woods, meaning that he was growing nearing to wherever he may be. It was difficult to track anything in open air, but Jackson's senses were strengthened when he was desperate enough, and he relentlessly followed the faint trail. The flat terrain slowly tiled upward on a slope; a hill beyond which seemed to be a clearing.

Jackson rode up the steep hillside, finally a horse coming into view. It was Jinyoung's steed, but not seeing Jinyoung on it made Jackson momentarily panic. His eyes flitted from here to there until he spotted a pair of legs behind the horse. He mushed his own steed forward to the top.

He rode up beside the other horse, immediately hopping off his own. Rushing around to where Jinyoung stood, he found the prince gazing off into the distance. Jackson followed his line of sight to the clearing below the hill in which, far enough yet startlingly close, was the ongoing battle of the rivaling kingdoms. 

It was a bit outside of Alveras' territory, but near enough to put the people of the kingdom on edge. Jinyoung wore a scowl as he stared down at the fighting, as if trying to find a meaning for what was otherwise senseless.

"Jinyoung!" Jackson called, his voice snapping the prince to attention as he stepped closer. "What the hell are you doing here!?"

The latter jolted, his gaze darting to his side. His eyes widened as he took a small step back. "How did you find me?"

"I'm not dull, you already told me what you were planning, and I can sense you from a mile away if I must." The vampire reached for the prince's wrist, his chest tightening a bit from the latter's hesitation to be touched. That wasn't important now though; he could apologize for harming Jinyoung after he saved him from his own terrible decision. "You cannot be here, you have no reason to put yourself in danger like this. What do you think you're doing?"

The younger let out a soft sigh before gently pulling himself from Jackson's grasp. 

"Fighting for my kingdom." He answered.

"No you're not... you're jeopardizing the future of your kingdom! You're a prince, you can't fight!"

"It's my duty to fight!" The prince snapped. "As heir to the throne, I must protect what I am destined to rule."

"As heir to the throne, you must live and be here to pick up the pieces of your kingdom that has fallen. Go home." 

Jackson attempted to grab him again, only for Jinyoung to shove his chest.

"What do you care!?" He yelled while backing toward his horse. "You live freely, a vampire unloyal to any kingdoms,  what does it matter if mine prevails or not? If I live or not?"

"It matters because I am loyal, not to any kingdom, but to you!" The vampire's words rushed out of his mouth before he could think about what he's saying-- even Jinyoung was slightly surprised by the honesty. He meant what he said though, and couldn't allow Jinyoung to make such a reckless decision. He took in a breath, slowly approaching the latter. "Please Jinyoung, just leave--"

"I can't. I won't." Jinyoung assured with the shake of his head.

Jackson faltered, scoffing at his stubbornness. "I refuse to allow you to do this, you have no idea what you're doing, what danger you're putting yourself in!"

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