Oneshot - Kingdom Knights (Part 2)
*~
“Ready to go?” Heechul asks, suspiciously cheerful and bright. It only spelled one word - trouble.
Ryeowook frowns slightly, looking at his massive entourage. “I was hoping to be… less flashy?”
Heechul’s smile falters. “Less flashy? Whatever do you mean by that?”
“You know, blend into the society? Not parade through the markets with people knowing I’m royalty?” Ryeowook says, picking at his cloak and the Kingdom seal embedded on it.
Heechul scratches his chin. “But, don’t you want people to know you?” He asks, not understanding. In his books, the more people who knew you throughout the land, the better a ruler you were.
Ryeowook shakes his head. “In order for me to know how the people out there are treated and what they need, I must know firsthand. By going out like this, I’ll never know.”
The King, flanked by three guards and the advisor, contemplates the words before a knowing glint is shown in his eyes. He then calls Hankyung over and whispers something to his ear, to which Hankyung yells, “What?!” But soon obeys when Heechul gives him a pointed look.
Wondering what his uncle possibly said to the advisor, Ryeowook waits patiently. Soon, a Knight returns with a confused Sungmin in tow. Ryeowook doesn’t miss how Sungmin gives a shy smile to Kyuhyun, who was with the group of Knights ready to go out with the prince.
“Why are you here?” Ryeowook whispers. Sungmin shrugs and quickly salutes when Heechul walks over.
“I want you, and three of the Knights, to dress as the commoners and take Ryeowook out.” He commands. “Be an hour before sunset and no later, understood?”
Sungmin nods, and looks up to give Ryeowook a tiny smile. In the end, Kyuhyun and two other Knights are chosen, to Sungmin’s pleasure.
Suddenly, Hankyung is walking up to them, with an unknown man in tow. “I think, as an advisor and friend, that you are making a horrible decision right now.” Hankyung mutters, to which Heechul just smirks and dismisses. (Hankyung groans and tries not to rip out his hair in frustration.)
“Also, take this with you. He is to be flanked by the guards at all times and not let out of sight.” Heechul dictates. He then gives one final smile and marches off with an extremely stressed Hankyung.
Everyone, even some of the Knights, is dumbfounded. King or not, they were allowed to conclude that Heechul was a bit crazy.
“Hello, we meet again.” Yesung, dark eyed and smiling, says to Ryeowook.
Befuddled and nervous, Ryeowook frowns and looks to Yesung to the direction Heechul went off to and then back to Yesung again. “What is he thinking?”
“So,” Sungmin says, breaking the silence. “What are your sizes? I can get the clothes for you to change in.” His eyes linger on Kyuhyun’s body, and blushes when the said male winks at him.
Ryeowook groans. Why him?
*~
“What are you thinking?” Hankyung hisses, keeping his voice low so that the servants around them won’t hear. “Sending the prince out with the prisoner? You really have lost your mind, haven’t you?”
Heechul just hums to himself and continues walking. “Keep talking and I will demote your position.” He threatens, cheery and smiles. He turns to face Hankyung, hands on his hips. “Why do you doubt me? I know what I am doing.”
Hankyung frowns. “Do you? Because it really doesn’t seem like it!”
The King waves a finger to the side and smirks. “A little kitty told me from a tree what our Ryeowookie was up to last night, and tut tut, I know a thing or two about our intruder.”
Hankyung’s jaw drops slightly. “Then why aren’t you telling me?” He pauses when Heechul gives him a pointed look. “Milord.” He huffs, gritting his teeth.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” Heechul says, winking and continuing down the hall. Hankyung grumbles under his breath and follows.
*~
“Now, we’ll go through the side gates, prince.” Kyuhyun says, fixing his shirt and hiding a dagger underneath. “Sometimes, the front gates are crowded with people, mostly beggars.”
Ryeowook’s eyes widen. “Beggars? How come I have never heard of this before?”
Sungmin pats Ryeowook’s arm. “It’s something that’s been happening for a while, even before your uncle’s rule. It’s inevitable I guess.”
“Then why aren’t we doing something about it?” Ryeowook asks, still not understanding. Plenty of food is found in the palace, enough to feed everyone on the grounds, even the animals. Then why not those dying of hunger?
“Because, in reality, you have no control over it. You feed them; the more they’ll want. And then when the word spreads, they’ll be coming at you like insects on honey.” Yesung answers, grumbling when he is pushed by one of the Knights.
Ryeowook frowns, but before he can answer Kyuhyun beats it to him. “He’s got a point there.” Sungmin nods in agreement, half because it’s Kyuhyun, and half because he believed it.
“It’s still not understandable.” Ryeowook mutters. “We can’t just ignore those in need.”
Yesung rolls his eyes. “I never said anything about ignoring them. But instead of just hand-feeding them, think of a different way to help.”
Blinking at the wisdom in the prisoner’s words, Ryeowook silently follows the Knights and Sungmin through the open gates.
“Now, please stick close to us, Prince Ryeowook and Sungmin. There are many neighborhood thieves around here. Even if we are in commoner’s clothes, these are fine materials. People will steal anything that catches attention, so please, stick close.” Kyuhyun mutters, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings.
A small forest bordered the distance between the walls to the towns. The group of six moves in a loose circle around Ryeowook, but before they can even reach the town, movement up ahead stops everyone.
“Oh ho ho, what do we have here?” Came a sneering voice from the branches. “Travelers?” Thieves, dressed in loose clothes and weapons in hand, jump down from the high branches and circle the party.
“They just came out of the palace walls, I’d say they’re merchants.” Another voice calls. Ryeowook, terrified at the turn of events, clings onto Sungmin, who was doing his best to hide his friend. If anything, Ryeowook shouldn’t get hurt.
“Tie them up and then we can see what they have.” A few suddenly produce ropes behind their backs. “And look, the little ones are pretty cute.” A couple snicker and whistle at Sungmin and Ryeowook, which adds annoyance to the Knight’s, especially to Kyuhyun’s, irritation.
Yesung gets pushed to the middle, right beside Ryeowook as the three Knights produce their weapons. Ryeowook squeezes his eyes shut and grabs a nearby hand with shaking fingers when the ring of thieves suddenly attacks at once.
“Shh, it’s okay. Keep your eyes closed.” Came a soothing, soft voice. Ryeowook gasps as he opens his eyes to stare into Yesung dark, warm ones. He looks around for Sungmin, who to his surprise is fighting off one of the thieves, very successfully might he add.
“Watch out!” Kyuhyun shouts.
Yesung and Ryeowook both look up to see an arrow headed their way. Ryeowook’s knees give in as he shields himself with his arms. He waits for the impact that never comes, but instead is engulfed in the scent of musk and pine. Slowly, he opens his eyes and gulps. He wasn’t bleeding, nor was he hurt anywhere. He sighs with relief and turns to Yesung, “Are you alright?”
His eyes widen when he sees the end of the arrow protruding from Yesung’s shoulder, scarlet blood pooling around the wound rapidly. “No!” Ryeowook breathes, “You’re hurt.” He panics and what to do.
“Come on Ryeowook! You took medical training! You know what to do!” he screams, but to his dismay, nothing came. He was too frightened.
Thankfully, Sungmin rushes over and pulls Yesung out of the line of fire. “We need to get him away from here.” He mutters, frowning worriedly.
“Take him in. We’ll cover you.” Kyuhyun calls, slashing at his opponent with his weapon.
Nodding, Sungmin takes Yesung’s uninjured arm and pulls him to his feet. “Come on, we just got to go back the way we came. Come on, move!”
Groaning, but obeying, Yesung walks as fast as he could. Ryeowook stays close to Sungmin’s side, all his attention on Yesung and his wound. With the help of the Knights, everyone made it back into the palace grounds safely.
“Quickly, to the healer.” Kyuhyun orders. Taking Yesung from Sungmin before rushing away.
Ryeowook, who has lost the strength to stand, slumps down onto the ground. Sungmin kneels beside him. “Are you okay?”
Eyes blank and body shaking, Ryeowook shakes his head. “I-I don’t know… what just… they just… Yesung, he-“
Sungmin wraps gentle arms around his terrified friend. “Shh, Ryeowook. It’s okay. It’s all over with.”
Ryeowook clings to Sungmin and lets his breath calm. “Are they all like that? Out there?”
Sungmin shakes his head and gives him a sad smile. “Not all. Only those who are desperate for money and food.” He rubs soothing circles on Ryeowook’s back. “Most of the Knights, and the servants, are from towns outside these walls, Wookie. But as you see, not all of them are bad.”
Ryeowook nods. Maybe… he wasn’t ready to face what lies behind these stonewalls.
*~
“He ended up like this to save you?” Heechul says, amused.
Lying on the bed, Yesung glares at the King. “I didn’t end up deaf, I can still hear you.” He says pointedly.
Heechul stares at Yesung. “For a prisoner and injured man, you sure have a mouth.” He smirks and turns to the entourage. “Well done, the Knights and even you Sungmin, for keeping Ryeowook safe.” He looks to Ryeowook, who was sitting on the stool next to the bed. “Not yet ready to see the what really lies behind these walls?” He says, warm and concerned.
Ryeowook looks up to his uncle and sighs. “I thought I was… but what happened just now…” He shakes his head. “I never thought that we would’ve been ambushed like that.”
Heechul sighs softly, a look that was missed by everyone except Yesung. “Well, get some rest, all of you.” He turns to Yesung and grins. “Nice work.” He says simply, before leaving the room with Hankyung at his tail.
“I’ll go and prepare some food.” Sungmin whispers. He smiles when Kyuhyun volunteers to help. As the rest of the group leave, giving an approved look towards Yesung, Ryeowook ponders whether to get up or stay.
“Can you pass me some water?” Yesung croaks, voice a bit hoarse. But it still made Ryeowook’s heart skip a beat.
Ryeowook does, he tilts the cup and gently lifts Yesung’s head up to help him drink. He asks one question before he does leave. “Why did you shield me like that?”
Yesung gives him a look, his eyes saying, what are you talking about? “I didn’t. I was just in your way.”
Ryeowook frowns and grips the cup in his hands. “But… I’m positive you wrapped your arms around me and blocked me. Why?”
The injured male doesn’t answer but turns his head away. Sighing with frustration, Ryeowook decides that he won’t get any answers out of the man. Putting the glass away, he moves towards the door.
“Because…”
Ryeowook pauses and hesitates at the door. “Just because?” he calls over his shoulder. A grunt answers his question, to which Ryeowook frowns.
That night, Ryeowook doesn’t fall asleep. Instead, he sneaks his way towards the healing wing and to Yesung’s room… to only find the injured man gone, a pile of gently folded blankets in his place.
*~
“So he’s escaped.” Heechul muses, pursing his lips. He turns to Hankyung. “I told you so.”
The advisor grumbles something along the lines of, “This isn’t the time to be saying I told you so.”
Heechul, ignoring his advisor like usual, calls for the royal pet; Heebum. The cat gently paws over to his owner and purrs in delight when Heechul starts petting him. “Where have you been kitty? I was getting lonely.”
Hankyung coughs to get the King back to the present situation. Heechul rolls his eyes. “Get me Kyuhyun, Sungmin and my nephew.” He commands at once.
Once the said males were called and lined up in front of the throne, Heechul speaks. “Yesung, as you know, was caught snooping around the palace.” He crosses his legs and continues to pet the cat. “In about two days time, he will most likely come, on a mission for something.”
Sungmin frowns in confusion as Kyuhyun ponders the King’s words. “But Milord, why would he return? And for what purpose?” Kyuhyun asks.
“I have a pretty good hunch on things.” Heechul says, dismissively. Hankyung notices a glint of a secret that Heechul is not telling. He frowns. “And for what purpose you ask?” Heechul’s eyes flash towards Ryeowook, which everyone catches.
“Me?” Ryeowook says, baffled. He frowns when his uncle nods. “Why?”
“I don’t know how positive I am when I say this, but I am certain Yesung is a hired assassin ordered to slay the next King of Pelia.” Heechul says gravely.
Ryeowook blanches and stares at the King. “To… kill me?”
*~
( Kingdom Knights - Part 3 )