Something Real -- Chapter 6
Chapter: 6
Pairing: Sakumoto, Ohmiya
Genre: AU, Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Plot = mine. Arashi = not mine.
Summary: Sho gets introduced into the dangerous world of the fey -- where not everything is what it seems.
------------------
The next morning while Nino and Aiba discussed strategy, Ohno took Sho out to practice his magic.
“I’m not so sure this will work.” Sho said, unconfident in his ability.
“Hm.”
Sho wasn’t sure what that meant, but Ohno didn’t say anything more.
“I only used my magic when I was mad. I don’t know if I can do it otherwise.”
“Maybe so, maybe not.” Ohno said this as if that were a clear answer.
Sho simply stared at him, unsure. “So…what do I do?”
Ohno cocked his head to the side, contemplating. Slowly, he raised his staff and pointed it at Sho. “Ready?” he called out.
“Ready? For what!?” Sho asked, panicked. But before he could say or do anything more, Ohno shot some unseen force at him and it hit him full force. Sho was knocked backwards and gasped for air. When he finally caught his breath and the pain subsided a little, Sho sat up clutching his chest.
“Couldn’t you give me a little more…” Before Sho could finish, Ohno had lobbed another bit of magic his way, and Sho managed to roll over quickly to avoid it. Leaping to his feet, he glared at the magician.
“Seriously, what is wrong with you?” Sho yelled as Ohno continued his assault. Sometimes Sho was able to dodge them, other times Sho was battered with magic. Sho tried to tap into his magic, but it was no use. He didn’t know how to use it, had no idea how to bring the magic forth - plus, he was tired, in pain, and confused, all before noon.
Finally, after a good several minutes of battering Sho with his magic, Ohno stopped, his brow furrowed. “Usually, this kind of thing works.”
“Usually?!” Sho gasped, feeling like he had been punched a thousand times in the gut. He knew he’d have bruises all over his body tomorrow.
That was when Aiba entered the field where they were practicing. “Hey Oh-chan! Hey Sho-chan!” He waved happily. Ohno cocked his head the side (something Sho had quickly learned was his signature “thinking” stance) and puckered his lips a little, as if pouting.
It was as if time slowed. Sho saw Ohno lift his staff toward Aiba, and Sho knew what would happen. Ohno would target Aiba, and if Sho didn’t stop it, Aiba would be hit just like Sho had been. Instantly, Sho shouted, “No!” and felt himself well up with feeling. He shot his arms out, palms toward Aiba, as if pushing an unseen force toward him to protect him. It did the trick, as Ohno’s attack bounced off, and Ohno had to move slightly to avoid the rebound.
Sho panted tiredly but smiled. “I did it. I did it!!”
Ohno smiled. “It seems your magic is tied not to your emotions, but rather to your relationships.”
“Huh?” Sho asked.
“You got angry when I was throwing that magic at you, right?”
“Yeah.”
“But you couldn’t get the magic to appear. Therefore, your emotions have nothing to do with it. But when Aiba, your friend, was attacked, you were able to call the magic forth. The same thing happened when you ran into Junichi. You were mad, yes, but your friends in danger was what allowed you to tap into your magic.”
“So, I’ll never be able to use magic unless my friends are in danger?”
“Not exactly. You’re only half Fey, you know, so your magic will be tricky. Some Fey will have stronger magic than you, and some won’t, since even though you are only half Fey, you are also half royalty, and that makes a difference. We can continue to practice, but your best magic will come instinctively when danger arrives, and not so much when you try to call on it for the mundane.”
“Don’t worry, Sho-chan. You’ll get it eventually!” Aiba cheered.
“Have you and Nino decided on a tactic for the castle?” Ohno questioned, switching the conversation randomly -- another thing Sho was getting used to with the magician.
“Yeah, sort of. We’ll tell you over lunch!” Aiba skipped ahead.
“I’m sorry for injuring you, Sho. You said your magic was tied to anger, so I was trying to upset you.”
“It’s okay. I know you wouldn’t try to really hurt me, Oh-chan.”
Ohno smiled. “I haven’t heard you call me that in so long. We missed you, you know.”
Sho smiled back. “I didn’t know it at the time, but I missed you guys, too.”
Ohno’s smile turned a little sad. “It’s too bad that Jun isn’t with us.”
“I don’t understand that, Oh-chan. How did he become our friend, since he’s the Dark Fey prince? Why is he so nasty to us?” Sho asked.
Ohno turned his sad smile to Sho. “Not everything is as it seems, Sho-chan. Jun-kun has his reasons. Don’t judge him too harshly, okay?”
Sho nodded, pondering the statement.
“Now let’s eat!”
----------------------
Nino and Aiba’s plan involved a stake-out of the castle. The Queen was usually at the castle, so they couldn’t do anything about that, but they wanted to avoid Jun and Junichi at all costs. To ensure this, they decided to watch the castle for their comings or goings. Once they determined both were not at the castle, they would attempt another entry - but only once they were sure this time.
No one had a better idea, so the next day they took turns watching the castle. Ohno’s little cottage had been illusioned long ago to blend in with the surroundings and was moveable with Ohno’s magic, so they moved the house to the thick woods a few miles from the castle. From there, the four were able to go back and forth between the house and watching the castle.
A few days had passed, and no one had seen either prince come or go. Nino was currently on surveillance, and Sho was sent to relieve him and take his place. Sho enjoyed the crisp air as he walked through the snowy woods. It was cold, but the walking kept him warm, and he everything had such a cleanness to it - a vulnerability of sorts. It was peaceful and yet dangerous, and it made him think briefly of Jun. Sho felt like the woods were watching him. Sho wouldn’t be surprised if they were - he still had yet to learn everything about the Realm.
Sho was worrying about his mother back home and how she was doing when he heard a shout that sounded very much like Nino. Sho began to run toward the sound, his heart beating fast. Had Nino been found? Was he in trouble?
As he ran he tripped on a hidden tree root and rolled down a small hill, landing with a thud. He coughed, trying to get air into his lungs, but froze when he heard cackling nearby.
“Well, look what just fell into our laps!”
“What is he? An elf? He don’t smell like Dark Fey.”
“And if he ain’t Dark Fey, he ain’t welcome!” The group cackled, and as Sho cautiously opened his eyes, he found himself face to face with three goblins.
“What’cha doing here, elfie?” One jabbed at him with his finger.
“I-I’m just a slave.” Sho managed to stutter. Where was Nino? Was he okay?
“Just a slave, eh? Running away from your master, I’ll wager. Look at his bruises! He obviously needs to be taught a lesson.”
“Let’s take him to Cookie! He’ll pay us well for a new slave! You know how he likes to break them…”
The other two goblins grunted in agreement with evil grins, and with a swiftness Sho couldn’t believe, they tied him up and began carrying him to the nearby castle.
Sho squirmed and fretted until one of the goblins hit him hard on his head, yelling at him to stop trying to escape. He nearly blacked out, but managed to stay conscious, opting for staying still.
Maybe this was good, Sho thought. Maybe he could infiltrate the castle, find the King (who he still had trouble thinking of as “dad”), and be the hero!
All of those positive thoughts were dashed to the ground when they dumped him near a side door to the castle. Sho’s skin scraped on the icy snow and could see his blood stain it red. The door opened to reveal a huge beast of a creature that very much resembled a man wearing a chef’s apron.
“Cookie, we brought you a new slave, just like you asked!”
The large man “harrumphed” as he took a look at Sho, lying pitifully on the ground.
“100.”
“100!?” The goblins squealed in protest.
The man growled at the goblins. “He’s damaged and looks weak. I doubt he’ll last. 100 or go.”
The goblins grumbled, but took the offered amount and fled. Sho was hoisted up by the stinking brute and thrown into the kitchen, landing on some flea infested towels.
“You’ll sleep there. You’ll do as I say. I’m your master now. You serve me.”
Sho simply nodded his agreement, too terrified to say otherwise. The man untied him roughly and handed him a brush.
“Scrub.” The cook pointed to the floor.
So Sho scrubbed. As he did so, he thought and planned and worried -- thought about the danger he was in, planned his escape, and worried about his friends. All of it came to naught, however, as he finished his job and collapsed, exhausted, into the pile of towels that was now his bed.
Would his friends even know what had happened to him?
Sho was shaken roughly awake to find Cook (as he was apparently called by everyone else - Cookie to the goblins) with a tray in his face. At some point he must have fallen asleep.
“Take this to the youngest prince. Upper floor, first door on the left. He expects perfection, so if you do anything to upset him, I will end you.”
Numb with those words, Sho took the offered tray. What was he going to do? He couldn’t take this tray to the prince! But part of Sho wanted to see Jun again. He just wanted some answers, Sho told himself, trying to deny the unexplainable thrill he felt when he thought of seeing the prince again.
I’ll just try not to attract his attention. It’s late - maybe he won’t even be awake.
Sho walked up the stairs shakily and entered the room as quietly as possible, setting the tray of food down on the nearby table. Sho turned to leave, hopeful that he would escape Jun’s notice, when he heard a loud clatter.
“Sho.” A whisper.
He froze, scared to look, but turned his head to see the prince’s face. Jun was staring at him, wide eyed, shocked.
“What the hell are you doing here? You have to leave, now!” Jun’s movements became frantic as he pushed Sho towards his window. “My mother hasn’t seen you yet, right? So maybe…”
Confused, Sho pulled away and stepped back from the prince. “Why do you care?”
Jun stared at him for a beat, an unreadable look on his face, and then he turned his face away, eyes to the wall.
“You said you would kill me if you ever saw me again.”
Sho watched as Jun’s face revealed frustration, worry, and pain. He still refused to look at Sho.
“You remember me, don’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I remember you. I don’t remember you as well as I do Nino or Aiba or Ohno, but I remember you. Bits here and there. Nino said we all used to be friends, but every memory I have of you is just us, without the others. Why? And you were watching me that day, in the trees, the day I entered the Realm.” Sho gained strength as he spoke, unknowingly stepping slowly closer to Jun.
As Sho spoke, Jun’s face continued to contort with emotions, and Jun suddenly leaped forward as he grasped Sho by the collar, preparing to punch him. Jun looked angry, but Sho was somehow certain that it was all fake.
“Why can’t I remember you fully, like the others?” He continued. “Why is it that I should be terrified of you right now, and yet I feel like you wouldn’t truly hurt me?”
Sho paused as Jun’s fake anger disappeared.
“Why do I feel happy to see you?” Sho said with a small smile.
Jun’s face broke at that moment to reveal his true feelings as he blinked back tears. He dropped his hands away from Sho and balled them into fists at his side. Jun seemed to be searching for what to say, and the conflict was in his eyes, sadness clear on his face.
“It’s complicated,” was all he could utter, almost whispering.
“It doesn’t have to be. Explain it to me.” Sho pleaded, trying to get Jun’s eyes to meet his own.
Jun was so close to revealing everything, but when Sho cautiously placed his hand on Jun’s arm, it was as if the spell was broken.
“This is stupid. I have nothing to do with you anymore. Leave me alone! Go back to where you came from!” Jun shouted as opened his door and shoved Sho out. Sho winced as he heard the slam of the door, making his way back to the kitchen sadly, thinking everything was hopeless.
---------------
The next day, Sho awoke to Cook pounding a metal pan with a stick.
“Wake up, you lazy louts! The prince is here, and we need to cook up a feast!”
Everyone rushed to begin preparations as Sho tried his best to keep up, Cook constantly whipping those who lagged behind in their duties. Feeling the sting a few times, Sho learned quickly where to be and what to do - he didn’t even have time to think about Jun, except to wonder why they were cooking a feast for him.
He was in the middle of washing dishes when a swift hush fell over the kitchen. Sho stopped scrubbing to look at what caused the pause. Jun stood in the middle of the kitchen watching everyone carelessly.
“Please, carry on.”
Reluctantly, and a bit fearfully, all the kitchen workers resumed their tasks, and Sho focused all of his attention on scrubbing his pan so hard it made his arm hurt.
“What brings you to our lowly kitchens, your highness?” Cook asked, humble.
“I need a new slave to assist in my chambers. I would prefer someone who has kitchen experience.” Jun didn’t elaborate, and Sho could tell by the hesitation of Cook’s response that if it had been anyone but the prince he would’ve asked why kitchen experience mattered.
“O-Of course. Please, take whomever you’d like.”
Sho could hear Jun’s footsteps as he walked around the kitchen in a full loop, stopping here and there to assess workers, before going back to Cook.
“That one.”
Sho didn’t know he had been picked until Cook practically lifted him up by his collar.
“You, slave, have been chosen by our youngest prince. What an honor!” He said aloud, but then in a whisper that only Sho could hear, “Don’t screw this up boy. He’ll tear you apart without second thought. And if you screw up and he doesn’t kill you, I will. You represent us, so tread carefully, elfin mongrel.”
Sho was pushed toward Jun who had begun walking out of the kitchen. Sho hurried to follow, completely confused. Was the prince insane? Just a few hours ago he had gone from threatening, to kind and sad, to threatening again, and now he wanted Sho as his assistant?
Jun went up to his room swiftly, and as soon as Sho entered meekly behind him, Jun slammed the door and locked it.
Sho looked at Jun, startled, as Jun stared back intensely for moment before speaking.
“I forbid you to leave this room.”
Pairing: Sakumoto, Ohmiya
Genre: AU, Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Plot = mine. Arashi = not mine.
Summary: Sho gets introduced into the dangerous world of the fey -- where not everything is what it seems.
------------------
The next morning while Nino and Aiba discussed strategy, Ohno took Sho out to practice his magic.
“I’m not so sure this will work.” Sho said, unconfident in his ability.
“Hm.”
Sho wasn’t sure what that meant, but Ohno didn’t say anything more.
“I only used my magic when I was mad. I don’t know if I can do it otherwise.”
“Maybe so, maybe not.” Ohno said this as if that were a clear answer.
Sho simply stared at him, unsure. “So…what do I do?”
Ohno cocked his head to the side, contemplating. Slowly, he raised his staff and pointed it at Sho. “Ready?” he called out.
“Ready? For what!?” Sho asked, panicked. But before he could say or do anything more, Ohno shot some unseen force at him and it hit him full force. Sho was knocked backwards and gasped for air. When he finally caught his breath and the pain subsided a little, Sho sat up clutching his chest.
“Couldn’t you give me a little more…” Before Sho could finish, Ohno had lobbed another bit of magic his way, and Sho managed to roll over quickly to avoid it. Leaping to his feet, he glared at the magician.
“Seriously, what is wrong with you?” Sho yelled as Ohno continued his assault. Sometimes Sho was able to dodge them, other times Sho was battered with magic. Sho tried to tap into his magic, but it was no use. He didn’t know how to use it, had no idea how to bring the magic forth - plus, he was tired, in pain, and confused, all before noon.
Finally, after a good several minutes of battering Sho with his magic, Ohno stopped, his brow furrowed. “Usually, this kind of thing works.”
“Usually?!” Sho gasped, feeling like he had been punched a thousand times in the gut. He knew he’d have bruises all over his body tomorrow.
That was when Aiba entered the field where they were practicing. “Hey Oh-chan! Hey Sho-chan!” He waved happily. Ohno cocked his head the side (something Sho had quickly learned was his signature “thinking” stance) and puckered his lips a little, as if pouting.
It was as if time slowed. Sho saw Ohno lift his staff toward Aiba, and Sho knew what would happen. Ohno would target Aiba, and if Sho didn’t stop it, Aiba would be hit just like Sho had been. Instantly, Sho shouted, “No!” and felt himself well up with feeling. He shot his arms out, palms toward Aiba, as if pushing an unseen force toward him to protect him. It did the trick, as Ohno’s attack bounced off, and Ohno had to move slightly to avoid the rebound.
Sho panted tiredly but smiled. “I did it. I did it!!”
Ohno smiled. “It seems your magic is tied not to your emotions, but rather to your relationships.”
“Huh?” Sho asked.
“You got angry when I was throwing that magic at you, right?”
“Yeah.”
“But you couldn’t get the magic to appear. Therefore, your emotions have nothing to do with it. But when Aiba, your friend, was attacked, you were able to call the magic forth. The same thing happened when you ran into Junichi. You were mad, yes, but your friends in danger was what allowed you to tap into your magic.”
“So, I’ll never be able to use magic unless my friends are in danger?”
“Not exactly. You’re only half Fey, you know, so your magic will be tricky. Some Fey will have stronger magic than you, and some won’t, since even though you are only half Fey, you are also half royalty, and that makes a difference. We can continue to practice, but your best magic will come instinctively when danger arrives, and not so much when you try to call on it for the mundane.”
“Don’t worry, Sho-chan. You’ll get it eventually!” Aiba cheered.
“Have you and Nino decided on a tactic for the castle?” Ohno questioned, switching the conversation randomly -- another thing Sho was getting used to with the magician.
“Yeah, sort of. We’ll tell you over lunch!” Aiba skipped ahead.
“I’m sorry for injuring you, Sho. You said your magic was tied to anger, so I was trying to upset you.”
“It’s okay. I know you wouldn’t try to really hurt me, Oh-chan.”
Ohno smiled. “I haven’t heard you call me that in so long. We missed you, you know.”
Sho smiled back. “I didn’t know it at the time, but I missed you guys, too.”
Ohno’s smile turned a little sad. “It’s too bad that Jun isn’t with us.”
“I don’t understand that, Oh-chan. How did he become our friend, since he’s the Dark Fey prince? Why is he so nasty to us?” Sho asked.
Ohno turned his sad smile to Sho. “Not everything is as it seems, Sho-chan. Jun-kun has his reasons. Don’t judge him too harshly, okay?”
Sho nodded, pondering the statement.
“Now let’s eat!”
----------------------
Nino and Aiba’s plan involved a stake-out of the castle. The Queen was usually at the castle, so they couldn’t do anything about that, but they wanted to avoid Jun and Junichi at all costs. To ensure this, they decided to watch the castle for their comings or goings. Once they determined both were not at the castle, they would attempt another entry - but only once they were sure this time.
No one had a better idea, so the next day they took turns watching the castle. Ohno’s little cottage had been illusioned long ago to blend in with the surroundings and was moveable with Ohno’s magic, so they moved the house to the thick woods a few miles from the castle. From there, the four were able to go back and forth between the house and watching the castle.
A few days had passed, and no one had seen either prince come or go. Nino was currently on surveillance, and Sho was sent to relieve him and take his place. Sho enjoyed the crisp air as he walked through the snowy woods. It was cold, but the walking kept him warm, and he everything had such a cleanness to it - a vulnerability of sorts. It was peaceful and yet dangerous, and it made him think briefly of Jun. Sho felt like the woods were watching him. Sho wouldn’t be surprised if they were - he still had yet to learn everything about the Realm.
Sho was worrying about his mother back home and how she was doing when he heard a shout that sounded very much like Nino. Sho began to run toward the sound, his heart beating fast. Had Nino been found? Was he in trouble?
As he ran he tripped on a hidden tree root and rolled down a small hill, landing with a thud. He coughed, trying to get air into his lungs, but froze when he heard cackling nearby.
“Well, look what just fell into our laps!”
“What is he? An elf? He don’t smell like Dark Fey.”
“And if he ain’t Dark Fey, he ain’t welcome!” The group cackled, and as Sho cautiously opened his eyes, he found himself face to face with three goblins.
“What’cha doing here, elfie?” One jabbed at him with his finger.
“I-I’m just a slave.” Sho managed to stutter. Where was Nino? Was he okay?
“Just a slave, eh? Running away from your master, I’ll wager. Look at his bruises! He obviously needs to be taught a lesson.”
“Let’s take him to Cookie! He’ll pay us well for a new slave! You know how he likes to break them…”
The other two goblins grunted in agreement with evil grins, and with a swiftness Sho couldn’t believe, they tied him up and began carrying him to the nearby castle.
Sho squirmed and fretted until one of the goblins hit him hard on his head, yelling at him to stop trying to escape. He nearly blacked out, but managed to stay conscious, opting for staying still.
Maybe this was good, Sho thought. Maybe he could infiltrate the castle, find the King (who he still had trouble thinking of as “dad”), and be the hero!
All of those positive thoughts were dashed to the ground when they dumped him near a side door to the castle. Sho’s skin scraped on the icy snow and could see his blood stain it red. The door opened to reveal a huge beast of a creature that very much resembled a man wearing a chef’s apron.
“Cookie, we brought you a new slave, just like you asked!”
The large man “harrumphed” as he took a look at Sho, lying pitifully on the ground.
“100.”
“100!?” The goblins squealed in protest.
The man growled at the goblins. “He’s damaged and looks weak. I doubt he’ll last. 100 or go.”
The goblins grumbled, but took the offered amount and fled. Sho was hoisted up by the stinking brute and thrown into the kitchen, landing on some flea infested towels.
“You’ll sleep there. You’ll do as I say. I’m your master now. You serve me.”
Sho simply nodded his agreement, too terrified to say otherwise. The man untied him roughly and handed him a brush.
“Scrub.” The cook pointed to the floor.
So Sho scrubbed. As he did so, he thought and planned and worried -- thought about the danger he was in, planned his escape, and worried about his friends. All of it came to naught, however, as he finished his job and collapsed, exhausted, into the pile of towels that was now his bed.
Would his friends even know what had happened to him?
Sho was shaken roughly awake to find Cook (as he was apparently called by everyone else - Cookie to the goblins) with a tray in his face. At some point he must have fallen asleep.
“Take this to the youngest prince. Upper floor, first door on the left. He expects perfection, so if you do anything to upset him, I will end you.”
Numb with those words, Sho took the offered tray. What was he going to do? He couldn’t take this tray to the prince! But part of Sho wanted to see Jun again. He just wanted some answers, Sho told himself, trying to deny the unexplainable thrill he felt when he thought of seeing the prince again.
I’ll just try not to attract his attention. It’s late - maybe he won’t even be awake.
Sho walked up the stairs shakily and entered the room as quietly as possible, setting the tray of food down on the nearby table. Sho turned to leave, hopeful that he would escape Jun’s notice, when he heard a loud clatter.
“Sho.” A whisper.
He froze, scared to look, but turned his head to see the prince’s face. Jun was staring at him, wide eyed, shocked.
“What the hell are you doing here? You have to leave, now!” Jun’s movements became frantic as he pushed Sho towards his window. “My mother hasn’t seen you yet, right? So maybe…”
Confused, Sho pulled away and stepped back from the prince. “Why do you care?”
Jun stared at him for a beat, an unreadable look on his face, and then he turned his face away, eyes to the wall.
“You said you would kill me if you ever saw me again.”
Sho watched as Jun’s face revealed frustration, worry, and pain. He still refused to look at Sho.
“You remember me, don’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I remember you. I don’t remember you as well as I do Nino or Aiba or Ohno, but I remember you. Bits here and there. Nino said we all used to be friends, but every memory I have of you is just us, without the others. Why? And you were watching me that day, in the trees, the day I entered the Realm.” Sho gained strength as he spoke, unknowingly stepping slowly closer to Jun.
As Sho spoke, Jun’s face continued to contort with emotions, and Jun suddenly leaped forward as he grasped Sho by the collar, preparing to punch him. Jun looked angry, but Sho was somehow certain that it was all fake.
“Why can’t I remember you fully, like the others?” He continued. “Why is it that I should be terrified of you right now, and yet I feel like you wouldn’t truly hurt me?”
Sho paused as Jun’s fake anger disappeared.
“Why do I feel happy to see you?” Sho said with a small smile.
Jun’s face broke at that moment to reveal his true feelings as he blinked back tears. He dropped his hands away from Sho and balled them into fists at his side. Jun seemed to be searching for what to say, and the conflict was in his eyes, sadness clear on his face.
“It’s complicated,” was all he could utter, almost whispering.
“It doesn’t have to be. Explain it to me.” Sho pleaded, trying to get Jun’s eyes to meet his own.
Jun was so close to revealing everything, but when Sho cautiously placed his hand on Jun’s arm, it was as if the spell was broken.
“This is stupid. I have nothing to do with you anymore. Leave me alone! Go back to where you came from!” Jun shouted as opened his door and shoved Sho out. Sho winced as he heard the slam of the door, making his way back to the kitchen sadly, thinking everything was hopeless.
---------------
The next day, Sho awoke to Cook pounding a metal pan with a stick.
“Wake up, you lazy louts! The prince is here, and we need to cook up a feast!”
Everyone rushed to begin preparations as Sho tried his best to keep up, Cook constantly whipping those who lagged behind in their duties. Feeling the sting a few times, Sho learned quickly where to be and what to do - he didn’t even have time to think about Jun, except to wonder why they were cooking a feast for him.
He was in the middle of washing dishes when a swift hush fell over the kitchen. Sho stopped scrubbing to look at what caused the pause. Jun stood in the middle of the kitchen watching everyone carelessly.
“Please, carry on.”
Reluctantly, and a bit fearfully, all the kitchen workers resumed their tasks, and Sho focused all of his attention on scrubbing his pan so hard it made his arm hurt.
“What brings you to our lowly kitchens, your highness?” Cook asked, humble.
“I need a new slave to assist in my chambers. I would prefer someone who has kitchen experience.” Jun didn’t elaborate, and Sho could tell by the hesitation of Cook’s response that if it had been anyone but the prince he would’ve asked why kitchen experience mattered.
“O-Of course. Please, take whomever you’d like.”
Sho could hear Jun’s footsteps as he walked around the kitchen in a full loop, stopping here and there to assess workers, before going back to Cook.
“That one.”
Sho didn’t know he had been picked until Cook practically lifted him up by his collar.
“You, slave, have been chosen by our youngest prince. What an honor!” He said aloud, but then in a whisper that only Sho could hear, “Don’t screw this up boy. He’ll tear you apart without second thought. And if you screw up and he doesn’t kill you, I will. You represent us, so tread carefully, elfin mongrel.”
Sho was pushed toward Jun who had begun walking out of the kitchen. Sho hurried to follow, completely confused. Was the prince insane? Just a few hours ago he had gone from threatening, to kind and sad, to threatening again, and now he wanted Sho as his assistant?
Jun went up to his room swiftly, and as soon as Sho entered meekly behind him, Jun slammed the door and locked it.
Sho looked at Jun, startled, as Jun stared back intensely for moment before speaking.
“I forbid you to leave this room.”