[WIP] -no name yet-
In this part of the palace, it seemed that the war outside didn’t exist. Would be great if Chanyeol could just stay here, basking in the elegance of the place as well as the beauty of its owner.
He couldn’t.
The war had been announced barely two months ago, but now the North nation army were already laying siege to the palace. For the past weeks, the guards here had been sent out one by one, and now it was time for the last of the palace guards, led by Chanyeol, to enter the fight.
This is it, Chanyeol thought, the fall of a nation.
His homeland used to be a flourishing country despite the small size, but that was before the former crown prince, now the monarch, came to the throne. Things started going down from there, and didn’t seem to stop. His people have suffered enough, Chanyeol figured, as came the news about the towns at the frontier let the Northern army through their city gates without even feigning protest, gave them food supply, all but sent their children to fight in the war against their own country.
Truth is harsh, but it’s the truth anyway.
If only he could just run away with Baekhyun… but Chanyeol knew he wouldn’t. Bound by responsibility and dignity, he would fight this final battle until his last breath, die on the battlefield like a hero and pride himself on being a patriot.
Though in love, he’d be just a loser.
“Your hair is a mess. let me fix it.” Chanyeol had been listening to Baekhyun’s voice for the past sixteen years, yet never, even for a moment, got tired of it. He watched the prince’s every movement, mesmerized by the way his dainty fingers hold the rake comb and work on Chanyeol’s long red locks. When he was sitting like this, it cascaded down like a flamy waterfall, a feet or so above the ground. Gently, the prince gathered his hair in a ponytail on top of his head and secured it with a red lace. “I want to be out there too, Chanyeol. I want to fight with you, not just sit here uselessly waiting for nothing.”
Chanyeol looked up from his seat, eyes meeting Baekhyun’s gaze. “You are the only male member of the royal family who stays in this palace, so we will fight to protect you. There is no need for you to get out, your Highness.”
“Baekhyun“, the prince grimaced, “there are only two of us here.” Then he sighed. “I will die anyway if they want to kill me. We both know that your few guards cannot defend this place against the Northern soldiers, not when even our national army was defeated. God knows where his Majesty is at the moment.”
“Still, I will not let you fight. The royal blood…”
“Are you trying to say you’re protecting me only because I am a prince, Chanyeol?”
“You are also my childhood friend. And…” Chanyeol hesitated before taking Baekhyun’s delicate hands in his, stunning the prince. This might not be the best time to talk about it, but better now than never. No one could be sure if he would make it out alive. “I…”
There was a knock on the door which startled them both, Chanyeol took his hands away just as it swung open and one of his officials stormed in, panting. “I’m so sorry, your Highness, captain Park, but the Northern troops are going to attack any time soon, so…”
“I’ll be there right now.” Chanyeol said firmly, getting up from his chair and down on his knees, taking hold of Baekhyun’s right hand again and placing a light kiss on the back of his palm. “Please stay safe, your Highness. We’ll fight for you.”
Without sparing a glance, Chanyeol turned to follow the official outside. Half way down the stairs at the front of Baekhyun’s quarter, though, he was stopped by the prince calling out his name. Baekhyun stood five steps atop, cheeks flushed and breath uneven, right hand holding a glass that was dripping a red liquid. Before Chanyeol could even form a question in his mind, Baekhyun drank from the glass and lunged forward, cupped Chanyeol’s face in his shaky hands and connected their mouths together.
The sweet liquid was transferred to Chanyeol’s mouth, and he swallowed it without thinking, too stunned to react to Baekhyun’s tongue sweeping lightly against his lower lips.
“That is to wish you luck. Remember, I am proud of you, always, Captain Park Chanyeol.”
His title rang in Chanyeol’s buzzed mind, pulling him back to reality. Once more he looked at Baekhyun, carving in his mind the image of his shiny eyes and wet pink lips; vowing to himself he would come back and tell him his secret, would seal those lips with kisses and make this beauty his when all of these came to an end.
He had to make it back first.
*****
Red was Chanyeol’s color. It complemented his fair skin and copper hair so well, and Baekhyun thought the sight of Chanyeol’s crimson cloak fluttering in the wind before the gate was closed was the most beautiful he had ever seen.
Being a prince, he shouldn’t be thinking that way in such a situation. But the neglected prince of a falling nation should be allowed to have whatever thought he wanted, Baekhyun argued in his mind. Touching his lips, the prince blushed as he recalled the kiss with Chanyeol, which was on a whim and extremely incredulous, but was one of the most righteous things he had done in his short life.
Another was to stay at this place instead of fleeing away with others in the imperial family.
Literally, they were related, but Baekhyun had never thought of his half brothers and sisters, or his father’s concubines as family members. He was the third oldest among the princes, but would never be considered in line for the throne; since his mother wasn’t of aristocratic descend. It wasn’t like the late king, his father, had had a romantic affair with her either. Just one night he had been drunk, and she, a maid of the queen, had happened to be there at the wrong place and wrong time. Baekhyun didn’t recall seeing him in this quarter ever, even when his mother passed away.
Baekhyun had grown up under the care of his mother, a wonderful woman despite her unfortunate fate; among the maids and guards of the palace with whom he felt a thousand times more comfortable than with his half siblings. But no one was as special as Chanyeol, his best friend since the age of five. The fourth son of the Commander-in-Chief of the national army, with blue blood in his veins and the brain of a genius, Chanyeol could have achieved a position higher than anyone at his age; but he had chosen to be on Baekhyun’s side the entire time. So it was the most natural thing for Baekhyun to return the favor.
Chanyeol had said he stayed because Baekhyun did, while Baekhyun had stayed because he knew even if he himself hadn’t, the other wouldn’t have left. He was too proud to leave it all behind, even if it was Baekhyun who pleaded, Baekhyun the prince, Baekhyun his best friend. He’s an idiot, Baekhyun thought, but I’m not any better myself for being madly in love with him.
Love came naturally to Baekhyun. It was when he was sixteen, Chanyeol had to leave for three months on a training course, and that was the longest quarter he had ever gone through. When the other was back, voice suddenly an octave lower and limbs much longer, face even more handsome and smile brighter than the sun, it finally hit Baekhyun that to him Chanyeol was more than just a friend. He was someone that he could do everything for, even sacrificing his own life. Dying together seemed a better idea than suffering alone anyway.
“He’s always been there for me, now it’s my turn to help him.” Baekhyun said firmly while tying his combat boots. “So if you’re going to stop me, just don’t, Yixing.”
The young healer, who was also one of his best friends sighed in frustration. “Are you not aware of what’s going on out there, your Highness? It’s a battle, you might get wounded, or worse, dead.”
“Don’t underestimate me, Yixing. I can use my sword, I am capable of protecting myself. Promise I’ll be all right. And even if I’m wounded, I have the best healer here already, don’t I?”
“I’m sorry but flattering me doesn’t help, your Highness. You are not only risking your life, but Chanyeol’s as well. Your presence will serve as a distraction to the captain, beware of it, Baekhyun.”
The prince frowned thoughtfully, then his hands clenched into fists and his friend knew his attempt to stop him had been futile. “I won’t let him know. But I’ll go. Rather die trying than live waiting in vain. Don’t dwell on pessimistic thoughts, wish me luck instead.”
“All the best then, my friend”, Yixing gave him a tight embrace, like an older brother, “come back unscathed.”
Baekhyun smiled. “I will.”
*****
Jongin had thought this group of palace guards would be just as easily defeated as any other group of the Southern troops he had encountered, so he was surprised to see them not completely losing yet. There was no way they won, his soldiers obviously outnumbered them, but this small group was much more organized than their national army. Had they all been like this, they would have caused him some troubles conquering this country. “What do you think of these guards, Minseok?”
“I don’t understand why they let those idiots be at the front and leave those who can actually fight to protect the palace, your Highness. I mean, what is there to save anyway, if the country is already under our control?”
“I don’t think these people are particularly better” Jongin’s eyes wandered around to find he leader of his opponents, a man with long auburn hair and dark red cloak. “But they have an extremely good leader. I’d like to capture him alive. If we could convince him to join us, it’d be great. Do you have any idea who he is?”
“I heard some call him captain Park,” Minseok said, pointed to the far right end of the field “He seems to have stuck there for a few minutes though, I wonder why?”
Jongin narrowed his eyes. The red-cloaked man looked like he was trying to protect someone on his side, a young soldier with much smaller frame. Why would he though, unless…?
He smirked. “Come with me, Minseok. It’s time I challenged our captain Park, and you took care of the man he’s shielding. If my guess is right, we might be getting someone pretty high-profile here.”
*****
Baekhyun, despite being quite a skillful swordsman, wasn’t one with great stamina. He also had little to no experience on the battlefield. And thus, while he could still defend himself, Baekhyun started to think it was a bad idea to be here. He might have been killed before even reaching Chanyeol’s side, let alone giving him a hand.
The air made it hard to breathe, the dust blurred his eyes and the scent of blood numbed his sense of smell. His ears were buzzed with sounds of swords clashing on swords, screams of the alive and whimpers of the nearly-dead, his muscles strained from being overused. This was probably why Chanyeol didn’t let him out. A prince sheltered by the walls of the palace who never thought of hurting anyone wasn’t going to survive a battle in which one either killed or got killed.
Someone from his left side bumped into him, and all of a sudden Baekhyun was faced with a Northern solider running towards him with sword in his hands and his face covered in blood. Petrified, he stood there still, anticipating death coming with the stab of the metal blade in his body.
For a brief moment he closed his eyes and thought of Chanyeol.
When he opened them, it was to someone violently shaking his shoulder and yelling at him. “Hey fellow, wake up! Watch out next time, you…”
Baekhyun felt alive again hearing the voice that was unmistakably Chanyeol’s, though raspy and hoarse. There was a deep frown on his handsome face. “The hell are you doing here, Baekhyun? Didn’t I tell you…?”
“Watch!” Baekhyun shoved him aside with a force Chanyeol didn’t know he had in him, and flung his sword at someone behind the captain. The soldier stared at the prince and his fatal wound before collapsing; Baekhyun then pulled back his weapon which was dripping blood and gripped at it tightly, voice shook a little when he replied. “I’m here for moments like that.”
Chanyeol took a deep breath to resist the urge to pull the visibly shaken man into a hug. Pushing Baekhyun behind his back, he growled. “Stay by my side. Now.”
“Yes if you mean covering your behind.” Baekhyun said firmly.
Five minutes into fighting, though, Baekhyun realized Chanyeol was losing focus because of him. He wanted to scream “Mind your own business, I can handle this myself!!!” to his face, but he couldn’t even force out a word through his ragged breath. So much for offering help, really.
“Hey Southern fellow, why sticking to your captain like a coward? Come join me, we’ll have fun together!” A loud voice was heard before a well-built man came into view, his face round and eyes twinkling. His grin was friendly at the first glance, but the mischief in his voice was unmistakable; Baekhyun barely had time to dodge his first strike. He wasn’t hurt, but it drove him away from Chanyeol who was then facing a young man in black armor, and it seemed that the soldier did it on purpose.
“Too bad you’re on your own now” the Northern clucked his tongue. Baekhyun despised the mocking tone in his voice so much. Gritting his teeth, he lunged forwards, their swords clashed loudly, the attack made the other take a step back. “That’s fierce, pretty. My name’s Minseok by the way, what’s yours?”
“Go ask in Hell!” the prince continued to strike, but Minseok only dodged with a sly smile plastered on his face. Frustrated, Baekhyun put all of his strength in one attempt to stab at Minseok’s abdomen, but missed the target and lost his balance. “Shit!”
“Wow, such a clean-mouth boy you are.” Minseok laughed. This petite man had some skills, but obviously lacked experience; and battlefield combat was way different from individual one. A glance at his right side told him that his prince was having the upper hand in his own fight, the captain of the Southern army was too distracted. Perhaps I’ll just help his Highness save his time.
Upon gaining his balance, Baekhyun was knocked down again, this time the cold metal of the blade of Minseok’s weapon could be felt on the side of his neck. The Northern man looked down at him, voice suddenly cold. “Now I am serious, pretty face. Who are you?”
*****
Chanyeol saw, from the corner of his eyes, Baekhyun falling to the ground and the Northern soldier aiming his weapon at him. Without hesitance, he threw his own sword at his opponent, which seemed to take the black cloaked man by surprise, but Chanyeol paid him no heed then. Running towards the prince, he quickly picked up a spear on the way and aimed at the standing man. “Baekhyun, lie down!”
“No, Minseok!!!” There was a scream from behind Chanyeol, and before he could throw the spear, a throbbing pain was felt on his abdomen. Chanyeol fell on his knees, dizzy.
He had just been stabbed.
*****
“Baekhyun, lie down!”
Minseok seemed taken aback by the scream, and Baekhyun used the opportunity to do as he was told. He could catch a glimpse of Chanyeol’s right arm up in the air, ready to throw the weapon at his attacker. But to his horror, he also noticed a shadow swiftly sneaking behind the captain.
“Chanyeol!!!” Everything happened in just a blink of an eye: a blade cut through Chanyeol’s flesh, he fell. Baekhyun quickly got on his feet and ran to him, before kneeling besides Chanyeol and holding his face in his hands. “I’m sorry, Chanyeol, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t cry…” Chanyeol’s hand, smeared with blood, reached for his face. His eyes were screwed in a painful grimace, then suddenly wide opened with fear, as if he saw something Baekhyun didn’t. “Bae…”
That was the last thing Baekhyun noticed before something hit the back of his head and his sight was completely blurred.
*****
Jongin was almost stunned by the actions of the Southern captain, and all he could do was to scream at Minseok to warn him of the attack. Fortunately, someone beat Chanyeol to it; his cousin Kim Jongdae managed to stabbed at his back, saving his General. “Your Highness, you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Jongin tried to calm his breathing. His attention was then drawn to the wounded man and the petite one who was approaching him. What did that captain call him again? Baekhyun?
Chanyeol… Baekhyun…
Baekhyun.
The name rang a bell in the Northern prince’s mind. He definitely knew those gorgeous eyes which were then brimming with tears.
The man next to the captain was undoubtedly Byun Baekhyun, prince of the Southern empire.
Byun Baekhyun, the man of Kim Jongin’s many dreams since his childhood.
“Jongdae, I want both of them. Alive.”
*****
When Baekhyun woke up, it was to a slight headache and the sight of a worrying Yixing. “Ugh… what happened? Why am I here?”
“Oh, you’re up”. Before Yixing opened his mouth, someone else spoke up. It was a voice Baekhyun couldn’t identify, and the accent was strange. A Northern accent. “Prince Kai said he wanted to see you when you gained conscious, so you better get ready now.”
Yixing turned to glare at the man, who was standing at the threshold with his arms crossed and chin lifted up. His facial features were sharp, especially the cheekbones. ”He’s just waken up, give him time.”
“Just get him decent clothes, and let me bring him to his Highness.” He added as Yixing helped Baekhyun sit up. “If I were you, pretty face, I’d hurry up. I’m not sure how much longer is that red cloaked captain gonna survive.”
At the mention of Chanyeol, Baekhyun panicked. “Where is he now? How is his wound?”
“I’m not obliged to answer your inquiries. Why don’t you find out yourself by following me?”
*****
“Why would the Northern prince request to see me? Does he know I was a prince? But how? Chanyeol was the only one aware of my presence out there!!!”
“I don’t know, Baekhyun.” Yixing sighed, smoothing a crease on the sleeve of Baekhyun’s dark blue robe. “Have you ever met him before?”
“I’ve heard of Prince Kai as the commander in chief of the Northern Army, but I have only seen their crown prince at a party a few years back. We didn’t talk though, and as far as I remember, his name is not Kai.”
There’s a knock on the door. “Hurry up.”
“I’ll be there right now.” Baekhyun said, then gave Yixing’s hand a light squeeze. “Whoever the prince is, I have to go and see him. I need to fulfill my last mission as a prince of the Southern empire.” He paused. “And I need to make sure Chanyeol is all right.”
Yixing pulled him in a hug. “I’ll pray for you, Baekhyun.”
*****
When Baekhyun stepped out of the room, the Northern man uttered “Follow me” and walked ahead of him towards the main palace, where the Southern King used to hold his daily meeting with the court. His steps were firm, the sound of combat boots resounded through the empty court. It felt like Baekhyun was walking a path leading to hell, and this man is his guide; but strangely he didn’t feel scared. When he decided to stay, Baekhyun was already aware that death was only a matter of time. There was no going back at this moment.
When Baekhyun entered the grand hall, he saw a tall figure in black military clothing standing in the middle of it, seemingly admiring the sophisticated designs of the building. Only when the man who led Baekhyun there raised his voice did the person turn to look at them. “I’ve brought him here, your Highness.”
“Thank you, Jongdae. You may leave now.” Prince Kai said in a low and calm voice, which surprised Baekhyun. He’d imagined the prince to be more intimidating, but the man in front of him looked so young. “Prince Baekhyun, isn’t it?”
“You should bow to his Highness.” Jongdae commanded.
Baekhyun felt insulted. “He’s a prince, and so am I, even if my country is on the losing side. I will not lower my head in front of anyone but my king and my seniors.”
“You don’t have to, prince Baekhyun. And Jongdae, I would like to have a talk with prince Baekhyun in private for now.”
“Then I’ll take my leave. I’m right outside in case you need my assistance.”
Once being left alone with the Northern prince, Baekhyun spoke up. “Thank you for your politeness, prince Kai. However, I have some inquiries that I would like you to answer. How do you know I am a Southern prince? I don’t recall us seeing each other before. And what do you want from me?”
Instead of replying, prince Kai simply asked. “How old are you this year? Twenty one, if I’m not mistaken?”
“You are not answering my questions, but yes I am. How do you know again?”
“I have my way” prince Kai smirked. “We’ve actually met twice, but I guess you’ve forgotten. We were both little children during our first encounter, and I didn’t have the chance to greet you properly during the second one.”
Baekhyun was baffled by the cryptic reply, but before he could open his mouth to protest, the prince went on. “As for your other question, I have a deal to make. With you.”
“And what’s that deal, may I ask?”
“I want you to become mine.”
*****
“I don’t think I understand your point, prince Kai.”
“Stay by my side from now on, that’s what I mean.”
The solemn look in the prince’s eyes took Baekhyun by surprise. “You want to hold me as a hostage? That would be useless though, haven’t you just conquered my country? No one cares about me anyway.” Except Chanyeol.
“I don’t aim to do that.”
“Then as a servant?”
“That’s not true either.”
“Anyway, what makes you think I will do as I’m told? I am a prince, and I have my pride. If this is your way of humiliating me, you will not be satisfied. I would rather kill myself.”
“Could you please stop bending my words?” Kai sighed. “I don’t mean any harm; like I said, it is a deal.”
“So far I have only heard you talk about your side of that so-called “deal”. What benefit can I get from this?” Baekhyun was totally confused by Kai’s manners. What’s wrong with him?
“That’s because you never let me finish. In exchange of your freedom, I will release your General.”
At the mention of Chanyeol, Baekhyun became furious, and grabbed at the collar of his coat. “Where is he?”
Kai’s expression darkened for a moment before he called for his assistants. In a minute, Chanyeol was dragged in by two soldiers in black military uniform, looking like a ragged doll with disheveled hair and blood-stained clothes. Baekhyun ran to him immediately, knelt down next to Chanyeol and and brushed aside the hair that was sticking on his face. Tears started to prickle his eyes. “Chanyeol, do you hear me?”
The general croaked out a soft “Baekh…” through his heavy breathes. He wasn’t even able to lift his arms, while blood didn’t stop leaking from his wound. Baekhyun couldn’t hold his tears anymore. Interlacing his fingers with Chanyeol’s, he looked up at the Northern prince and said firmly. “I will do whatever you tell me to, but only on one condition: keep him alive.”
“I can only promise to release him.”
“I will take care of him.” Yixing’s voice was suddenly heard, and Baekhyun turned around to his healer pushing Jongdae aside to take long strides towards him and Chanyeol. “Is that alright, prince Kai?”
“Pardon me but you are…?”
“He’s my healer.” His friend’s presence made Baekhyun relieved and determined. He could do this, for Chanyeol. “Let them get out of here safely, and I will follow you.”
Kai only stared at them, the silence was almost suffocating before he heaved a sigh.
“Alright.”
*****
“Are you serious, Jongdae? His highness said he would release that Park man? But why?”
Kim Jongdae sighed at the baffled Minseok. “I have no idea what’s in Jongin… I mean prince Kai’s mind. What did the Southern prince offer him that made him willing to take such a risk? I’ve heard of Park Chanyeol, and he’ll be a serious threat to us if he’s kept alive.”
“Well to be honest though, he’s in critical condition. I don’t think he could survive that wound, it seems fatal.”
“Still, we’d better be careful so we’ll have nothing to regret in the future.”
“You mean… but his highness has promised…”
“He did, but we didn’t. He will understand, because we’re not doing this for our own good, but for our country’s.”
Minseok nodded firmly. “I agree. So what’s the plan?”
*****
That night, there was a knock on Yixing’s door, followed by a soft voice. “Yixing?”
“Wait a minute, Baekhyun.” The young healer stood up from his seat next to the bed where Chanyeol was lying and pushed the sink filled with bloody water under the bed. He did not want to worry his prince. “I’m coming.”
Yixing opened his door to see Baekhyun being accompanied by a Northern guard, who was told to stay outside. Quietly, Yixing led him to the bed, and looked away briefly when Baekhyun took hold of Chanyeol’s hand.
“He’s so cold… Is Chanyeol alright, Yixing?”
“He lost a large amount of blood, and he’s still pretty weak, but luckily the wound was not fatal. He will survive. You know Chanyeol, he’s a brave young soldier, he’ll fight for his life.”
Baekhyun looked up at him and smiled lightly. “I can’t thank you enough, Yixing. I have just been told that I would leave the country tomorrow morning: apparently the Northern prince is rushed to go back. So I won’t be able to help you take care of Chanyeol… ”
“Don’t say that, Baekhyun. Chanyeol is my friend too, of course I will help him whether you are here or not.” Yixing placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder as Baekhyun muttered a “thank you” and turned back to look at Chanyeol. It was true, they had been the best of friends he could ever dreamed of. When Yixing’s parents fled from the Western nation and took refuge here, he was only seven years old. They had to hide their origin by changing their names, and the kids at the royal medicine academy called Yixing by his new name Lay, which caused him an identity crisis. It was Baekhyun that helped him out.
Yixing still remembered it clearly. That day, he had been running away from the bullies in his class and getting lost in the middle of the palace when he encountered Baekhyun who had asked for his name. In panic, Yixing had sputtered out his real name instead of “Lay”, which had earned a curious look from the other kid. “Yixing? Your name does not sound very familiar. Where are you from?”
Little Yixing had burst into tears and little Baekhyun had given him a warm hug, telling him it was okay, he thought the name was pretty and he didn’t mean to mock Yixing. Little Baekhyun had also listened to little Yixing’s story about his double identities, about the bullies in his class, about the teachers frowning at his strange accent. At the end of the morning, little Yixing had been and led back to his class by Baekhyun who had turned out to be a prince. When they parted ways, the little prince had told Yixing to go his quarter and talk whenever he wanted because “we are friends now”, and “just between us, you are Yixing and I’m Baekhyun, not Lay and his prince, alright?”
That was a turning point in his life, and the healer was forever thankful about it. He felt like he owed Baekhyun, and would do anything for him. But clearly, Yixing was not capable of rescuing either the prince or the captain, so he did the best he could. “I’m sorry I cannot save you from being taken away, Baekhyun. But I swear on my grave I’ll save Chanyeol, no matter what it takes.”
Baekhyun stood up and pulled Yixing in an embrace. “Don’t talk like that. You are as important to me as Chanyeol is. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself too.”
Baekhyun paused, glanced at the man on the bed and then back to Yixing again. “And you have to promise me another thing.”
“Anything, Baek.”
“If Chanyeol… no, when Chanyeol gets round, please tell him that I’m dead.”
The hurt in Baekhyun’s pretty eyes was so painful to look at. “But… why…?”
“I don’t know what’s waiting for me after I follow the Northern prince, Yixing. I could be dead… And if Chanyeol thinks I’m still alive, he will try to search for me, and that’s the last thing I wish for. He needs to move on. Start a new life. Get married, and have children.”
The prince’s face looked calm, but his voice was shaking lightly. Slowly, he took out a dangling object from his pocket, which his friend soon realized was a necklace with a star pendant.
“Chanyeol’s mom got this for us when we were fifteen. A star for me, a phoenix to him. Give him this, and tell him I hand it to you before I die.”
Yixing held the pendant so tightly that it left marks on his skin. “I will.”
Baekhyun then knelt next to the bed, murmured something to Chanyeol’s ear and reached under his neck to unclasp Chanyeol’s own necklace before brushing his hair aside and giving him a lingering kiss on the forehead.
“I have to go now… tomorrow is going to be a long journey.”
Yixing wanted to cry. His eyes were stinging with tears, but he told himself to hold back and bid Baekhyun goodbye properly. “Farewell, my friend.”
Baekhyun smiled at him. But it was not the sunshine smile he saw years ago on little Baekhyun’s face that used to light up even Yixing’s gloomiest days.
It was the saddest smile in the world, and Yixing couldn't help the tears rolling down his cheeks as Baekhyun closed the door behind his back.
*****
When all the candles were blown off and Yixing was preparing to get in his bed, someone knocked on his door again. Five knocks, a pause, another knock, a pause, then another three. Like a code. One that Yixing knew.
5-1-3. wǔ yì sān. Wú Yì Fán.
Hastily, the young healer darted to open front door. Standing there in the dark was a tall feature that was all too familiar to him, his childhood friend from the Western nation. "Yifan?"
The man immediately placed his hand on Yixing's mouth and pulled him inside. "Watch your mouth, Xing."
"What are you doing here? How do you get in...?"
"Seeking for you, obviously. And I knocked the guard outside down. But that's not important. I heard about Chanyeol, how is he now?"
"Still weak, but he's not going to die. They let him go..."
"You mean the prince." The dim light of the moon shined on Yifan's face which was wearing a dead serious expression. "Apparently his people have another plan. I happened to eavesdrop on them earlier, and they wanted our captain killed."
Yixing felt a chill running down his spine. "What do we do? We cannot fight them!"
"Definitely. That's why we have to be quick... I have a plan."
*****
It was only five in the morning.
Taeseok watched as the Southern healer dragged the tall man with long auburn hair to the carriage. "Sorry for making you wait. He cannot walk on his own."
"Just take your time" the Northerner said coldly. Because I'm pretty sure he will not last much longer. "Can we set off now?"
"Sure sure. Thank you for your accompany. My town is in the west, just take this main road, alright?" the young man smiled cordially and got in the carriage ridden by one of Taeseok's subordinates. The soldier hopped on his own horse, and they started the journey away from the Southern palace.
It was quiet all along. The healer probably fell asleep, thought Taeseok, as he replayed the order of his brother in his mind. "There is a cliff, three hours to the west of the capital. Make it look like an accident. You don't need to kill the healer, consider the situation and act on your own wits."
The Northern man felt thrilled that Minseok trusted him enough to leave this matter for him to deal with, and he was not going to disappoint. When the cliff was finally in sight, Taeseok stopped to admire the steep sides of the cliffs. There was no way anyone could survive falling from there.
They reached a small inn on the way, and Taeseok persuaded the healer to get out of the carriage for a drink. "Our coachman seems tired, let him rest a bit."
Yixing nodded. "Good for me. I'm quite thirsty too."
The tea was served by a foreign looking young man with jet black hair and impressive dark circles under his eyes, who looked intimidating to Taeseok. But the tea was divine. The three of them fell in a conversation about tea, but Taeseok did not forget his mission. He pretended to drop his mug and shouted, signalling his subordinate to go on with their plan.
While Yixing was wiping the spilled tea for Taeseok, a loud shriek was heard, and the horse which carried them all the way was seen galloping to the edge cliffs. For a second, the Southern man was petrified, then he screamed and sprinted towards them, but it was too late. The horse had dragged the carriage with the red haired man off the cliffs.
The young healer dropped to his knees and started crying out his friend's name, but Taeseok did pay him any heed. His mission had been fulfilled, and right then he was so overwhelmed with pride that the little smirk on the lips of the owner of the inn went completely unnoticed.
-end of part 1-
He couldn’t.
The war had been announced barely two months ago, but now the North nation army were already laying siege to the palace. For the past weeks, the guards here had been sent out one by one, and now it was time for the last of the palace guards, led by Chanyeol, to enter the fight.
This is it, Chanyeol thought, the fall of a nation.
His homeland used to be a flourishing country despite the small size, but that was before the former crown prince, now the monarch, came to the throne. Things started going down from there, and didn’t seem to stop. His people have suffered enough, Chanyeol figured, as came the news about the towns at the frontier let the Northern army through their city gates without even feigning protest, gave them food supply, all but sent their children to fight in the war against their own country.
Truth is harsh, but it’s the truth anyway.
If only he could just run away with Baekhyun… but Chanyeol knew he wouldn’t. Bound by responsibility and dignity, he would fight this final battle until his last breath, die on the battlefield like a hero and pride himself on being a patriot.
Though in love, he’d be just a loser.
“Your hair is a mess. let me fix it.” Chanyeol had been listening to Baekhyun’s voice for the past sixteen years, yet never, even for a moment, got tired of it. He watched the prince’s every movement, mesmerized by the way his dainty fingers hold the rake comb and work on Chanyeol’s long red locks. When he was sitting like this, it cascaded down like a flamy waterfall, a feet or so above the ground. Gently, the prince gathered his hair in a ponytail on top of his head and secured it with a red lace. “I want to be out there too, Chanyeol. I want to fight with you, not just sit here uselessly waiting for nothing.”
Chanyeol looked up from his seat, eyes meeting Baekhyun’s gaze. “You are the only male member of the royal family who stays in this palace, so we will fight to protect you. There is no need for you to get out, your Highness.”
“Baekhyun“, the prince grimaced, “there are only two of us here.” Then he sighed. “I will die anyway if they want to kill me. We both know that your few guards cannot defend this place against the Northern soldiers, not when even our national army was defeated. God knows where his Majesty is at the moment.”
“Still, I will not let you fight. The royal blood…”
“Are you trying to say you’re protecting me only because I am a prince, Chanyeol?”
“You are also my childhood friend. And…” Chanyeol hesitated before taking Baekhyun’s delicate hands in his, stunning the prince. This might not be the best time to talk about it, but better now than never. No one could be sure if he would make it out alive. “I…”
There was a knock on the door which startled them both, Chanyeol took his hands away just as it swung open and one of his officials stormed in, panting. “I’m so sorry, your Highness, captain Park, but the Northern troops are going to attack any time soon, so…”
“I’ll be there right now.” Chanyeol said firmly, getting up from his chair and down on his knees, taking hold of Baekhyun’s right hand again and placing a light kiss on the back of his palm. “Please stay safe, your Highness. We’ll fight for you.”
Without sparing a glance, Chanyeol turned to follow the official outside. Half way down the stairs at the front of Baekhyun’s quarter, though, he was stopped by the prince calling out his name. Baekhyun stood five steps atop, cheeks flushed and breath uneven, right hand holding a glass that was dripping a red liquid. Before Chanyeol could even form a question in his mind, Baekhyun drank from the glass and lunged forward, cupped Chanyeol’s face in his shaky hands and connected their mouths together.
The sweet liquid was transferred to Chanyeol’s mouth, and he swallowed it without thinking, too stunned to react to Baekhyun’s tongue sweeping lightly against his lower lips.
“That is to wish you luck. Remember, I am proud of you, always, Captain Park Chanyeol.”
His title rang in Chanyeol’s buzzed mind, pulling him back to reality. Once more he looked at Baekhyun, carving in his mind the image of his shiny eyes and wet pink lips; vowing to himself he would come back and tell him his secret, would seal those lips with kisses and make this beauty his when all of these came to an end.
He had to make it back first.
*****
Red was Chanyeol’s color. It complemented his fair skin and copper hair so well, and Baekhyun thought the sight of Chanyeol’s crimson cloak fluttering in the wind before the gate was closed was the most beautiful he had ever seen.
Being a prince, he shouldn’t be thinking that way in such a situation. But the neglected prince of a falling nation should be allowed to have whatever thought he wanted, Baekhyun argued in his mind. Touching his lips, the prince blushed as he recalled the kiss with Chanyeol, which was on a whim and extremely incredulous, but was one of the most righteous things he had done in his short life.
Another was to stay at this place instead of fleeing away with others in the imperial family.
Literally, they were related, but Baekhyun had never thought of his half brothers and sisters, or his father’s concubines as family members. He was the third oldest among the princes, but would never be considered in line for the throne; since his mother wasn’t of aristocratic descend. It wasn’t like the late king, his father, had had a romantic affair with her either. Just one night he had been drunk, and she, a maid of the queen, had happened to be there at the wrong place and wrong time. Baekhyun didn’t recall seeing him in this quarter ever, even when his mother passed away.
Baekhyun had grown up under the care of his mother, a wonderful woman despite her unfortunate fate; among the maids and guards of the palace with whom he felt a thousand times more comfortable than with his half siblings. But no one was as special as Chanyeol, his best friend since the age of five. The fourth son of the Commander-in-Chief of the national army, with blue blood in his veins and the brain of a genius, Chanyeol could have achieved a position higher than anyone at his age; but he had chosen to be on Baekhyun’s side the entire time. So it was the most natural thing for Baekhyun to return the favor.
Chanyeol had said he stayed because Baekhyun did, while Baekhyun had stayed because he knew even if he himself hadn’t, the other wouldn’t have left. He was too proud to leave it all behind, even if it was Baekhyun who pleaded, Baekhyun the prince, Baekhyun his best friend. He’s an idiot, Baekhyun thought, but I’m not any better myself for being madly in love with him.
Love came naturally to Baekhyun. It was when he was sixteen, Chanyeol had to leave for three months on a training course, and that was the longest quarter he had ever gone through. When the other was back, voice suddenly an octave lower and limbs much longer, face even more handsome and smile brighter than the sun, it finally hit Baekhyun that to him Chanyeol was more than just a friend. He was someone that he could do everything for, even sacrificing his own life. Dying together seemed a better idea than suffering alone anyway.
“He’s always been there for me, now it’s my turn to help him.” Baekhyun said firmly while tying his combat boots. “So if you’re going to stop me, just don’t, Yixing.”
The young healer, who was also one of his best friends sighed in frustration. “Are you not aware of what’s going on out there, your Highness? It’s a battle, you might get wounded, or worse, dead.”
“Don’t underestimate me, Yixing. I can use my sword, I am capable of protecting myself. Promise I’ll be all right. And even if I’m wounded, I have the best healer here already, don’t I?”
“I’m sorry but flattering me doesn’t help, your Highness. You are not only risking your life, but Chanyeol’s as well. Your presence will serve as a distraction to the captain, beware of it, Baekhyun.”
The prince frowned thoughtfully, then his hands clenched into fists and his friend knew his attempt to stop him had been futile. “I won’t let him know. But I’ll go. Rather die trying than live waiting in vain. Don’t dwell on pessimistic thoughts, wish me luck instead.”
“All the best then, my friend”, Yixing gave him a tight embrace, like an older brother, “come back unscathed.”
Baekhyun smiled. “I will.”
*****
Jongin had thought this group of palace guards would be just as easily defeated as any other group of the Southern troops he had encountered, so he was surprised to see them not completely losing yet. There was no way they won, his soldiers obviously outnumbered them, but this small group was much more organized than their national army. Had they all been like this, they would have caused him some troubles conquering this country. “What do you think of these guards, Minseok?”
“I don’t understand why they let those idiots be at the front and leave those who can actually fight to protect the palace, your Highness. I mean, what is there to save anyway, if the country is already under our control?”
“I don’t think these people are particularly better” Jongin’s eyes wandered around to find he leader of his opponents, a man with long auburn hair and dark red cloak. “But they have an extremely good leader. I’d like to capture him alive. If we could convince him to join us, it’d be great. Do you have any idea who he is?”
“I heard some call him captain Park,” Minseok said, pointed to the far right end of the field “He seems to have stuck there for a few minutes though, I wonder why?”
Jongin narrowed his eyes. The red-cloaked man looked like he was trying to protect someone on his side, a young soldier with much smaller frame. Why would he though, unless…?
He smirked. “Come with me, Minseok. It’s time I challenged our captain Park, and you took care of the man he’s shielding. If my guess is right, we might be getting someone pretty high-profile here.”
*****
Baekhyun, despite being quite a skillful swordsman, wasn’t one with great stamina. He also had little to no experience on the battlefield. And thus, while he could still defend himself, Baekhyun started to think it was a bad idea to be here. He might have been killed before even reaching Chanyeol’s side, let alone giving him a hand.
The air made it hard to breathe, the dust blurred his eyes and the scent of blood numbed his sense of smell. His ears were buzzed with sounds of swords clashing on swords, screams of the alive and whimpers of the nearly-dead, his muscles strained from being overused. This was probably why Chanyeol didn’t let him out. A prince sheltered by the walls of the palace who never thought of hurting anyone wasn’t going to survive a battle in which one either killed or got killed.
Someone from his left side bumped into him, and all of a sudden Baekhyun was faced with a Northern solider running towards him with sword in his hands and his face covered in blood. Petrified, he stood there still, anticipating death coming with the stab of the metal blade in his body.
For a brief moment he closed his eyes and thought of Chanyeol.
When he opened them, it was to someone violently shaking his shoulder and yelling at him. “Hey fellow, wake up! Watch out next time, you…”
Baekhyun felt alive again hearing the voice that was unmistakably Chanyeol’s, though raspy and hoarse. There was a deep frown on his handsome face. “The hell are you doing here, Baekhyun? Didn’t I tell you…?”
“Watch!” Baekhyun shoved him aside with a force Chanyeol didn’t know he had in him, and flung his sword at someone behind the captain. The soldier stared at the prince and his fatal wound before collapsing; Baekhyun then pulled back his weapon which was dripping blood and gripped at it tightly, voice shook a little when he replied. “I’m here for moments like that.”
Chanyeol took a deep breath to resist the urge to pull the visibly shaken man into a hug. Pushing Baekhyun behind his back, he growled. “Stay by my side. Now.”
“Yes if you mean covering your behind.” Baekhyun said firmly.
Five minutes into fighting, though, Baekhyun realized Chanyeol was losing focus because of him. He wanted to scream “Mind your own business, I can handle this myself!!!” to his face, but he couldn’t even force out a word through his ragged breath. So much for offering help, really.
“Hey Southern fellow, why sticking to your captain like a coward? Come join me, we’ll have fun together!” A loud voice was heard before a well-built man came into view, his face round and eyes twinkling. His grin was friendly at the first glance, but the mischief in his voice was unmistakable; Baekhyun barely had time to dodge his first strike. He wasn’t hurt, but it drove him away from Chanyeol who was then facing a young man in black armor, and it seemed that the soldier did it on purpose.
“Too bad you’re on your own now” the Northern clucked his tongue. Baekhyun despised the mocking tone in his voice so much. Gritting his teeth, he lunged forwards, their swords clashed loudly, the attack made the other take a step back. “That’s fierce, pretty. My name’s Minseok by the way, what’s yours?”
“Go ask in Hell!” the prince continued to strike, but Minseok only dodged with a sly smile plastered on his face. Frustrated, Baekhyun put all of his strength in one attempt to stab at Minseok’s abdomen, but missed the target and lost his balance. “Shit!”
“Wow, such a clean-mouth boy you are.” Minseok laughed. This petite man had some skills, but obviously lacked experience; and battlefield combat was way different from individual one. A glance at his right side told him that his prince was having the upper hand in his own fight, the captain of the Southern army was too distracted. Perhaps I’ll just help his Highness save his time.
Upon gaining his balance, Baekhyun was knocked down again, this time the cold metal of the blade of Minseok’s weapon could be felt on the side of his neck. The Northern man looked down at him, voice suddenly cold. “Now I am serious, pretty face. Who are you?”
*****
Chanyeol saw, from the corner of his eyes, Baekhyun falling to the ground and the Northern soldier aiming his weapon at him. Without hesitance, he threw his own sword at his opponent, which seemed to take the black cloaked man by surprise, but Chanyeol paid him no heed then. Running towards the prince, he quickly picked up a spear on the way and aimed at the standing man. “Baekhyun, lie down!”
“No, Minseok!!!” There was a scream from behind Chanyeol, and before he could throw the spear, a throbbing pain was felt on his abdomen. Chanyeol fell on his knees, dizzy.
He had just been stabbed.
*****
“Baekhyun, lie down!”
Minseok seemed taken aback by the scream, and Baekhyun used the opportunity to do as he was told. He could catch a glimpse of Chanyeol’s right arm up in the air, ready to throw the weapon at his attacker. But to his horror, he also noticed a shadow swiftly sneaking behind the captain.
“Chanyeol!!!” Everything happened in just a blink of an eye: a blade cut through Chanyeol’s flesh, he fell. Baekhyun quickly got on his feet and ran to him, before kneeling besides Chanyeol and holding his face in his hands. “I’m sorry, Chanyeol, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t cry…” Chanyeol’s hand, smeared with blood, reached for his face. His eyes were screwed in a painful grimace, then suddenly wide opened with fear, as if he saw something Baekhyun didn’t. “Bae…”
That was the last thing Baekhyun noticed before something hit the back of his head and his sight was completely blurred.
*****
Jongin was almost stunned by the actions of the Southern captain, and all he could do was to scream at Minseok to warn him of the attack. Fortunately, someone beat Chanyeol to it; his cousin Kim Jongdae managed to stabbed at his back, saving his General. “Your Highness, you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Jongin tried to calm his breathing. His attention was then drawn to the wounded man and the petite one who was approaching him. What did that captain call him again? Baekhyun?
Chanyeol… Baekhyun…
Baekhyun.
The name rang a bell in the Northern prince’s mind. He definitely knew those gorgeous eyes which were then brimming with tears.
The man next to the captain was undoubtedly Byun Baekhyun, prince of the Southern empire.
Byun Baekhyun, the man of Kim Jongin’s many dreams since his childhood.
“Jongdae, I want both of them. Alive.”
*****
When Baekhyun woke up, it was to a slight headache and the sight of a worrying Yixing. “Ugh… what happened? Why am I here?”
“Oh, you’re up”. Before Yixing opened his mouth, someone else spoke up. It was a voice Baekhyun couldn’t identify, and the accent was strange. A Northern accent. “Prince Kai said he wanted to see you when you gained conscious, so you better get ready now.”
Yixing turned to glare at the man, who was standing at the threshold with his arms crossed and chin lifted up. His facial features were sharp, especially the cheekbones. ”He’s just waken up, give him time.”
“Just get him decent clothes, and let me bring him to his Highness.” He added as Yixing helped Baekhyun sit up. “If I were you, pretty face, I’d hurry up. I’m not sure how much longer is that red cloaked captain gonna survive.”
At the mention of Chanyeol, Baekhyun panicked. “Where is he now? How is his wound?”
“I’m not obliged to answer your inquiries. Why don’t you find out yourself by following me?”
*****
“Why would the Northern prince request to see me? Does he know I was a prince? But how? Chanyeol was the only one aware of my presence out there!!!”
“I don’t know, Baekhyun.” Yixing sighed, smoothing a crease on the sleeve of Baekhyun’s dark blue robe. “Have you ever met him before?”
“I’ve heard of Prince Kai as the commander in chief of the Northern Army, but I have only seen their crown prince at a party a few years back. We didn’t talk though, and as far as I remember, his name is not Kai.”
There’s a knock on the door. “Hurry up.”
“I’ll be there right now.” Baekhyun said, then gave Yixing’s hand a light squeeze. “Whoever the prince is, I have to go and see him. I need to fulfill my last mission as a prince of the Southern empire.” He paused. “And I need to make sure Chanyeol is all right.”
Yixing pulled him in a hug. “I’ll pray for you, Baekhyun.”
*****
When Baekhyun stepped out of the room, the Northern man uttered “Follow me” and walked ahead of him towards the main palace, where the Southern King used to hold his daily meeting with the court. His steps were firm, the sound of combat boots resounded through the empty court. It felt like Baekhyun was walking a path leading to hell, and this man is his guide; but strangely he didn’t feel scared. When he decided to stay, Baekhyun was already aware that death was only a matter of time. There was no going back at this moment.
When Baekhyun entered the grand hall, he saw a tall figure in black military clothing standing in the middle of it, seemingly admiring the sophisticated designs of the building. Only when the man who led Baekhyun there raised his voice did the person turn to look at them. “I’ve brought him here, your Highness.”
“Thank you, Jongdae. You may leave now.” Prince Kai said in a low and calm voice, which surprised Baekhyun. He’d imagined the prince to be more intimidating, but the man in front of him looked so young. “Prince Baekhyun, isn’t it?”
“You should bow to his Highness.” Jongdae commanded.
Baekhyun felt insulted. “He’s a prince, and so am I, even if my country is on the losing side. I will not lower my head in front of anyone but my king and my seniors.”
“You don’t have to, prince Baekhyun. And Jongdae, I would like to have a talk with prince Baekhyun in private for now.”
“Then I’ll take my leave. I’m right outside in case you need my assistance.”
Once being left alone with the Northern prince, Baekhyun spoke up. “Thank you for your politeness, prince Kai. However, I have some inquiries that I would like you to answer. How do you know I am a Southern prince? I don’t recall us seeing each other before. And what do you want from me?”
Instead of replying, prince Kai simply asked. “How old are you this year? Twenty one, if I’m not mistaken?”
“You are not answering my questions, but yes I am. How do you know again?”
“I have my way” prince Kai smirked. “We’ve actually met twice, but I guess you’ve forgotten. We were both little children during our first encounter, and I didn’t have the chance to greet you properly during the second one.”
Baekhyun was baffled by the cryptic reply, but before he could open his mouth to protest, the prince went on. “As for your other question, I have a deal to make. With you.”
“And what’s that deal, may I ask?”
“I want you to become mine.”
*****
“I don’t think I understand your point, prince Kai.”
“Stay by my side from now on, that’s what I mean.”
The solemn look in the prince’s eyes took Baekhyun by surprise. “You want to hold me as a hostage? That would be useless though, haven’t you just conquered my country? No one cares about me anyway.” Except Chanyeol.
“I don’t aim to do that.”
“Then as a servant?”
“That’s not true either.”
“Anyway, what makes you think I will do as I’m told? I am a prince, and I have my pride. If this is your way of humiliating me, you will not be satisfied. I would rather kill myself.”
“Could you please stop bending my words?” Kai sighed. “I don’t mean any harm; like I said, it is a deal.”
“So far I have only heard you talk about your side of that so-called “deal”. What benefit can I get from this?” Baekhyun was totally confused by Kai’s manners. What’s wrong with him?
“That’s because you never let me finish. In exchange of your freedom, I will release your General.”
At the mention of Chanyeol, Baekhyun became furious, and grabbed at the collar of his coat. “Where is he?”
Kai’s expression darkened for a moment before he called for his assistants. In a minute, Chanyeol was dragged in by two soldiers in black military uniform, looking like a ragged doll with disheveled hair and blood-stained clothes. Baekhyun ran to him immediately, knelt down next to Chanyeol and and brushed aside the hair that was sticking on his face. Tears started to prickle his eyes. “Chanyeol, do you hear me?”
The general croaked out a soft “Baekh…” through his heavy breathes. He wasn’t even able to lift his arms, while blood didn’t stop leaking from his wound. Baekhyun couldn’t hold his tears anymore. Interlacing his fingers with Chanyeol’s, he looked up at the Northern prince and said firmly. “I will do whatever you tell me to, but only on one condition: keep him alive.”
“I can only promise to release him.”
“I will take care of him.” Yixing’s voice was suddenly heard, and Baekhyun turned around to his healer pushing Jongdae aside to take long strides towards him and Chanyeol. “Is that alright, prince Kai?”
“Pardon me but you are…?”
“He’s my healer.” His friend’s presence made Baekhyun relieved and determined. He could do this, for Chanyeol. “Let them get out of here safely, and I will follow you.”
Kai only stared at them, the silence was almost suffocating before he heaved a sigh.
“Alright.”
*****
“Are you serious, Jongdae? His highness said he would release that Park man? But why?”
Kim Jongdae sighed at the baffled Minseok. “I have no idea what’s in Jongin… I mean prince Kai’s mind. What did the Southern prince offer him that made him willing to take such a risk? I’ve heard of Park Chanyeol, and he’ll be a serious threat to us if he’s kept alive.”
“Well to be honest though, he’s in critical condition. I don’t think he could survive that wound, it seems fatal.”
“Still, we’d better be careful so we’ll have nothing to regret in the future.”
“You mean… but his highness has promised…”
“He did, but we didn’t. He will understand, because we’re not doing this for our own good, but for our country’s.”
Minseok nodded firmly. “I agree. So what’s the plan?”
*****
That night, there was a knock on Yixing’s door, followed by a soft voice. “Yixing?”
“Wait a minute, Baekhyun.” The young healer stood up from his seat next to the bed where Chanyeol was lying and pushed the sink filled with bloody water under the bed. He did not want to worry his prince. “I’m coming.”
Yixing opened his door to see Baekhyun being accompanied by a Northern guard, who was told to stay outside. Quietly, Yixing led him to the bed, and looked away briefly when Baekhyun took hold of Chanyeol’s hand.
“He’s so cold… Is Chanyeol alright, Yixing?”
“He lost a large amount of blood, and he’s still pretty weak, but luckily the wound was not fatal. He will survive. You know Chanyeol, he’s a brave young soldier, he’ll fight for his life.”
Baekhyun looked up at him and smiled lightly. “I can’t thank you enough, Yixing. I have just been told that I would leave the country tomorrow morning: apparently the Northern prince is rushed to go back. So I won’t be able to help you take care of Chanyeol… ”
“Don’t say that, Baekhyun. Chanyeol is my friend too, of course I will help him whether you are here or not.” Yixing placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder as Baekhyun muttered a “thank you” and turned back to look at Chanyeol. It was true, they had been the best of friends he could ever dreamed of. When Yixing’s parents fled from the Western nation and took refuge here, he was only seven years old. They had to hide their origin by changing their names, and the kids at the royal medicine academy called Yixing by his new name Lay, which caused him an identity crisis. It was Baekhyun that helped him out.
Yixing still remembered it clearly. That day, he had been running away from the bullies in his class and getting lost in the middle of the palace when he encountered Baekhyun who had asked for his name. In panic, Yixing had sputtered out his real name instead of “Lay”, which had earned a curious look from the other kid. “Yixing? Your name does not sound very familiar. Where are you from?”
Little Yixing had burst into tears and little Baekhyun had given him a warm hug, telling him it was okay, he thought the name was pretty and he didn’t mean to mock Yixing. Little Baekhyun had also listened to little Yixing’s story about his double identities, about the bullies in his class, about the teachers frowning at his strange accent. At the end of the morning, little Yixing had been and led back to his class by Baekhyun who had turned out to be a prince. When they parted ways, the little prince had told Yixing to go his quarter and talk whenever he wanted because “we are friends now”, and “just between us, you are Yixing and I’m Baekhyun, not Lay and his prince, alright?”
That was a turning point in his life, and the healer was forever thankful about it. He felt like he owed Baekhyun, and would do anything for him. But clearly, Yixing was not capable of rescuing either the prince or the captain, so he did the best he could. “I’m sorry I cannot save you from being taken away, Baekhyun. But I swear on my grave I’ll save Chanyeol, no matter what it takes.”
Baekhyun stood up and pulled Yixing in an embrace. “Don’t talk like that. You are as important to me as Chanyeol is. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself too.”
Baekhyun paused, glanced at the man on the bed and then back to Yixing again. “And you have to promise me another thing.”
“Anything, Baek.”
“If Chanyeol… no, when Chanyeol gets round, please tell him that I’m dead.”
The hurt in Baekhyun’s pretty eyes was so painful to look at. “But… why…?”
“I don’t know what’s waiting for me after I follow the Northern prince, Yixing. I could be dead… And if Chanyeol thinks I’m still alive, he will try to search for me, and that’s the last thing I wish for. He needs to move on. Start a new life. Get married, and have children.”
The prince’s face looked calm, but his voice was shaking lightly. Slowly, he took out a dangling object from his pocket, which his friend soon realized was a necklace with a star pendant.
“Chanyeol’s mom got this for us when we were fifteen. A star for me, a phoenix to him. Give him this, and tell him I hand it to you before I die.”
Yixing held the pendant so tightly that it left marks on his skin. “I will.”
Baekhyun then knelt next to the bed, murmured something to Chanyeol’s ear and reached under his neck to unclasp Chanyeol’s own necklace before brushing his hair aside and giving him a lingering kiss on the forehead.
“I have to go now… tomorrow is going to be a long journey.”
Yixing wanted to cry. His eyes were stinging with tears, but he told himself to hold back and bid Baekhyun goodbye properly. “Farewell, my friend.”
Baekhyun smiled at him. But it was not the sunshine smile he saw years ago on little Baekhyun’s face that used to light up even Yixing’s gloomiest days.
It was the saddest smile in the world, and Yixing couldn't help the tears rolling down his cheeks as Baekhyun closed the door behind his back.
*****
When all the candles were blown off and Yixing was preparing to get in his bed, someone knocked on his door again. Five knocks, a pause, another knock, a pause, then another three. Like a code. One that Yixing knew.
5-1-3. wǔ yì sān. Wú Yì Fán.
Hastily, the young healer darted to open front door. Standing there in the dark was a tall feature that was all too familiar to him, his childhood friend from the Western nation. "Yifan?"
The man immediately placed his hand on Yixing's mouth and pulled him inside. "Watch your mouth, Xing."
"What are you doing here? How do you get in...?"
"Seeking for you, obviously. And I knocked the guard outside down. But that's not important. I heard about Chanyeol, how is he now?"
"Still weak, but he's not going to die. They let him go..."
"You mean the prince." The dim light of the moon shined on Yifan's face which was wearing a dead serious expression. "Apparently his people have another plan. I happened to eavesdrop on them earlier, and they wanted our captain killed."
Yixing felt a chill running down his spine. "What do we do? We cannot fight them!"
"Definitely. That's why we have to be quick... I have a plan."
*****
It was only five in the morning.
Taeseok watched as the Southern healer dragged the tall man with long auburn hair to the carriage. "Sorry for making you wait. He cannot walk on his own."
"Just take your time" the Northerner said coldly. Because I'm pretty sure he will not last much longer. "Can we set off now?"
"Sure sure. Thank you for your accompany. My town is in the west, just take this main road, alright?" the young man smiled cordially and got in the carriage ridden by one of Taeseok's subordinates. The soldier hopped on his own horse, and they started the journey away from the Southern palace.
It was quiet all along. The healer probably fell asleep, thought Taeseok, as he replayed the order of his brother in his mind. "There is a cliff, three hours to the west of the capital. Make it look like an accident. You don't need to kill the healer, consider the situation and act on your own wits."
The Northern man felt thrilled that Minseok trusted him enough to leave this matter for him to deal with, and he was not going to disappoint. When the cliff was finally in sight, Taeseok stopped to admire the steep sides of the cliffs. There was no way anyone could survive falling from there.
They reached a small inn on the way, and Taeseok persuaded the healer to get out of the carriage for a drink. "Our coachman seems tired, let him rest a bit."
Yixing nodded. "Good for me. I'm quite thirsty too."
The tea was served by a foreign looking young man with jet black hair and impressive dark circles under his eyes, who looked intimidating to Taeseok. But the tea was divine. The three of them fell in a conversation about tea, but Taeseok did not forget his mission. He pretended to drop his mug and shouted, signalling his subordinate to go on with their plan.
While Yixing was wiping the spilled tea for Taeseok, a loud shriek was heard, and the horse which carried them all the way was seen galloping to the edge cliffs. For a second, the Southern man was petrified, then he screamed and sprinted towards them, but it was too late. The horse had dragged the carriage with the red haired man off the cliffs.
The young healer dropped to his knees and started crying out his friend's name, but Taeseok did pay him any heed. His mission had been fulfilled, and right then he was so overwhelmed with pride that the little smirk on the lips of the owner of the inn went completely unnoticed.
-end of part 1-