THEM. － l.sm + k.sy

; o5

The bond between the tailor's boy and the King's son was renowned, Seokmin came to realise with inexplicable dread, as his father once commenced a discussion with him about it over a sumptuous meal one night.

"My boy, have you been lonely these days?"

Seokmin hurriedly shook his head, sitting ramrod straight in his luscious seat at the lengthy table that divided him from his parent, upon it a bounty of food he was sure he could never eat in its entirety over the course of even a week. The King, manicured and well-kept as he was, appeared haggard and ghastly, perhaps exhausted from political troubles Seokmin had yet to be taught.

"It's come to my knowledge that you befriended the tailor's son some time ago," The King went on, taking in a mouthful of food, "If you require friendship I shall ask for the nobles' children to pay visit and the daughters of a few to see if there are any you can take liking to."

The muscle within his ribcage contracted violently, his mind spinning with ways to respond that didn't voice how desperate Seokmin was for none of that to occur.

"I'm quite satisfied with his company, father."

Evidently, his answer was not what the King wished to hear, the latter's features hardening to stone and his hand setting his utensil down for a moment.

"Seokmin, you may be young but you are aware of the differences between you and this boy, are you not?"

The child dipped his head, attempting to avoid the ice-like stare that enveloped his being in a shiver, until he was stunned from his faux hiding and rectified as his father raised his voice and called, "Straighten up! Don't cower away from things you would rather avoid."

Seokmin was stiff, hands desperately squeezing one another beneath the table, serving forgotten.

"Are you or are you not aware of what separates you from that servant?"

"I －" The young Prince's frame quivered in a festering fear, "I'm a royal and he is not of noble blood."

"Precisely."

Seokmin stole a furtive glance at Seungcheol who was standing abreast another guard by the door, as though looking for advice or perhaps a place of refuge, but Seungcheol had kept his gaze brazen and sombre, strained ahead at the wall behind the King's lavish throne.

"Soon you shall mingle with other nobles and royals, forge good relations with them and find a suitable hand in marriage," The King spoke after a moment of silence Seokmin's panicked mind hadn't come to process, "You will need to increase your hours of training and studies so as to show the greatness of our family. Do you understand?"

Seokmin sharply bowed his head in submission, "Yes, father."

"And you shall limit your time spent with that tailor's boy."

He hesitated, a pang of pain akin to a swirling blade in his gut presenting itself, but the Prince still replied.

"Yes, father."