Chapter Text
"You what ?!"
Hyunjin exclaimed, offended and absolutely outraged by what his own parents were suggesting. "I think it would be good for you honey" the queen tried to reason, knowing how stubborn their son could be. Hyunjin just laughed out of pure disbelief. "You must be joking!" He stared at his parents and when neither of them showed any signs of giving up the act, he went on "You want me to live in the village?!"
"Only for a little while" the queen added hastily. Hyunjin's temper was getting worse by the second and now hanging on by its last thread. "And why the hell would I do that?!" The king scowled, looking a bit frustrated too. "Peasants use that kind of language Hyunjin, not princes" his voice was still eerily calm. Hyunjin was so close to throwing all caution to the wind and shouting every cuss word he could think of at his parents when the king spoke again and not even Hyunjin was stupid enough to speak over him. "You aren't ready to be a king, you haven't matured and I worry that you won't if you spend all your life in the castle. Therefore you will go live in the village in hopes that it would help you grow up, humble you and make you more compassionate"
There were so many things rushing through Hyunjin's head. He wouldn't! They can send him, the prince for fucks sake, to wander around the streets with peasants! He opened his mouth to argue with his father but was silenced by the finality in the king's words "That is final! You will be accompanied by one of my men to ensure your safety, you both will depart tomorrow and make your return in 2 months time" Hyunjin's jaw dropped at this. 2 months?! They were going to make him live in the filthy, disease-riddled town surrounded by peasants for 2 months?!
He wanted to argue but he knew that would only result in his father lengthening the time. He balled up his fists, taking a deep breath before asking "Am I dismissed?" His voice dripping with venom. He could tell that his mother was close to tears and on any other day this would have softened him up in an instant but not today. He felt so utterly betrayed and outcasted. The king simply nodded and Hyunjin left the room, stomping to his own.
They can't be serious. Surely they are just threatening him to "teach him a lesson". Furthermore, he didn't understand why he must go there anyway. How dare they say he wasn't matured?! He had always completed his duties with excellence and behaved in a prince-like manner around guests. More humble. Why should he be humble? He was the prince, he was to rule the land one day and it was hardly appropriate for a king to make friends with the peasants.
Hyunjin was still fuming by the time he laid in bed, after a luxurious bath. His silk clothes and fluffy blanket feeling soft against his skin, a soft lavender scent drifting from a candle nearby. He was so perfectly warm and comfortable sleep came almost instantly. He pushed his worries aside, choosing to believe that his parents surely wouldn't send him away. Surely they valued their son too much.
So they weren't joking, huh?
Hyunjin sulked and pouted the whole horse ride to the part of the village where he was to stay. He wasn't told much, only that he'd be staying with his aunt who apparently wasn't dirt poor. This was the only thing keeping Hyunjin sane, maybe it wouldn't be so awful there.
"It's so hot!" Hyunjin whined probably for the 18th time that day. Though it was getting late, the setting sun still beamed hot on them. Chan, one of the two men sent to go with Hyunjin to keep him safe, rolled his eyes, now clearly forcing patience into his voice "We're almost there prince " the last word being said with such forced politeness, it came off as mocking. Chan was probably the only person, other than his parents, who Hyunjin allowed to speak to him in this manner. Chan's father had been the king's favorite soldier so their entire family had lived in the castle and since Hyunjin never had any siblings Chan became kind of an older brother to him. Always taking care of him and trying his best to keep the younger out of trouble. After Chan's father passed away he had taken on his father's job as one of the king's men.
The other guard sent with him however, he couldn't stand. He had disliked Han Jisung since the first day they met. The feeling seemed to be mutual to the point where the two couldn't even hold a conversation without starting a fight. Chan knew of this and would often have to break up their fights. Hyunjin had no idea why was Jisung sent to go with him but he surely would never need his help or protection.
Hyunjin was already miserable. He watched as people tried to sell fruit and vegetables in small stands, other's who were working in the fields, all of them looking dirty and poor. He didn't like the feeling watching the people gave him, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what that feeling was. He just knew he didn't want to spend 2 months in here.
Luckily they ventured a little further from the village to a more rural area. There were a lot of fields full of workers. How could they work in this excruciating heat?! Hyunjin swore to himself that no matter what his parents said, he would never agree to work like that.
Once they arrived at the house Hyunjin was disappointed, to say the least. The house wasn't like what he saw in the village, it was much larger and nicer but it was no castle. Chan noticed the displeased look on the prince's face, though he had known Hyunjin wouldn't like it he had still hoped that the prince would've had enough shame to at least hide it. "Could you at least try to hide the disgust showing on your face?" He sighed, hoping Hyunjin would for once listen to him. Luck clearly wasn't on his side today as Hyunjin scoffed, walking towards the house with the same sour face as before.
The paint on the porch had worn off slightly, it looked old. His aunt clearly wasn't that bothered to keep her house looking good. Hyunjin had never met his aunt as they didn't have much contact with his mother's side of the family. Everything about the house screamed old and worn. He just hoped it would at least be clean on the inside.
After a few firm knocks on the door he was let in by someone, probably a servant. At least his aunt was well off enough to afford servants. The house looked better on the inside, though still not up to his royal taste. He nearly groaned out loud at the thought of having to spend such a long time here. What exactly would he gain from this? Suddenly he heard shouting from his left, a very angry female voice.
"You stupid boy! You've really done it this time!"
Hyunjin walked closer to the open door where the yelling was coming from.
"Honestly, you are so useless! You are lucky I even bother to keep you around anymore!"
Hyunjin thought they were quite harsh words but surely someone had to have messed up quite badly to earn it.
"For what you cost me I will take 4 days’ payments from you!"
The next voice was much smaller, almost like the speaker was afraid but their voice was still very low.
"B-But miss, I-I don't have-"
"Then you'll work for free for 4 days!"
Hyunjin had now walked in and both people had noticed him. The dining room wasn't much either, especially compared to the castle's. A woman that looked eerily similar to his mother and a small boy stood at the other side of the room. The boy was nearly in tears and the woman looked furious. Once noticing his presence, however, she smiled and rushed to him.
"Oh, you must be Hyunjin!" He didn't like how informally she addressed him.
The small boy was left standing on the other side of the room alone and Hyunjin became curious as to what exactly had he done. How much damage could a small, pathetic boy like him cause?
He decided it isn't worth his time and instead addressed the woman in front of him with a small nod. The woman's clothes weren't made on vibrant silk but she didn't look as dirty and ragged as the other people in the village which Hyunjin again took as a good sign.
"I'm Gayoung, your aunt" she stopped for a moment to just stare at him which Hyunjin didn't like at all. "You look so much like your mother" she sighed and Hyunjin just rolled his eyes, having heard that about a million times before. Gayoung just stood there, like she was waiting for something. Hyunjin was never taught how to address people beneath him. He only knew the art of flattering people above you or keeping the peace with your equals.
He was saved when he felt a hand on his shoulder and heard a familiar voice "He is Hwang Hyunjin the crown prince, and we are his guards Bang Chan, and Han Jisung" Hyunjin could tell Chan expected him to do this instead, but he wasn't interested in the formalities especially when his aunt wasn't worth his time. Gayoung looked shocked at Chan's words, gasping "Guards?" to which Chan nodded, adding with a smile "The king wanted us here with the prince to ensure his safety" at this Gayoung's eyebrows disappeared under her bangs. "For his safety? Who's threatening him here?" Hyunjin was becoming more and more irritable. Why was she suggesting he should've come alone? Of course, he had to have protection against the people here.
Chan could tell that Hyunjin's temper was about to betray him so he just smiled and chuckled light-heartedly "It's just a precaution, better to be safe than sorry" Gayoung seemed rather taken with Chan, giggling like a school girl which made Hyunjin wish he was looking anywhere but at his aunt in her forties trying to flirt with his friend who wasn't even 25 yet.
She took them on a tour of the house and the more they saw, the more miserable Hyunjin became. This was no place for a prince. He thought she would at least make sure his room would be more luxurious than the rest of the house but he was wrong again. It was nothing like his room in the palace and he had no idea how was he to sleep here. The floor was wooden and worn, the curtains cheap and old not to even mention the small, pathetic bed in the corner of the room. Surely if his parents saw where he was made to sleep they would want him back home immediately.
Once they had toured around the entire lot they made their way back to Hyunjin's pathetic excuse of a room where Gayoung said she had to go and simply left them there. The three men entered the room again and Hyunjin groaned out loud. "She can't actually expect me to stay here!" Jisung rolled his eyes, which didn't go unnoticed by the prince while Chan just looked at Hyunjin pensively. "At least you have a bed, that's a luxury most people around here don't get" Hyunjin raised an eyebrow, scoffing. "I'm a prince for god's sake!"
Jisung looked annoyed enough to slap the prince and Chan was aware of that. He wasn't interested in spending their first night here breaking up a fight between the two. He sighed, sometimes exhausted by Hyunjin's behavior "Just try to bear it, it's only for 2 months" however this did nothing but only further aggravate Hyunjin "Only 2 months?!" He was absolutely outraged.
Jisung couldn't help himself, rolling his eyes for the nth time that day "Will you quit whining and acting like this is a death sentence, prince ?" Hyunjin wasn't in the mood to have his patience tested as it was but he wouldn't let Jisung talk to him like that, that's for sure. Chan just looked like someone just set off a bomb.
Hyunjin was a very proud person, behind his back some of the servants even called him arrogant. But nobody was stupid enough to challenge his position or hurt his pride except apparently Han Jisung. "Do not speak to me in that matter!" Hyunjin's voice was dripping venom once again. Jisung was utterly fed up with the prince's attitude and whining. He had never met such a spoiled, arrogant brat in his life. "Or what? What will you do, prince ?" Jisung showed no signs of backing down to the point where Chan was afraid for his friend's life. The king would never harm Chan, and he knew that, but if the prince was angry enough, the king might just have Jisung hanged for getting into too much trouble.
Hyunjin couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did Jisung really believe he had any right to talk to him like that? Both men had taken a step closer to each other. The air felt electric, tension thick in the room. It felt like any second they could be set off and then there would be no turning back. Chan stepped in front of Jisung, trying to calm the situation "Hyunjin, calm down" which once again was a mistake as Hyunjin's eyes widened "Why should I- Why would I- " he couldn't even finish his sentence. He felt so betrayed like Chan had taken Jisung's side.
"This isn't worth fighting over, so just both quit it!" Chan rarely used such an authoritative voice, rarely commanded the prince because he acknowledged that it wasn't his place as a guard but when he did, Hyunjin knew he was speaking as his older brother, not as a guard. He hated how much of a little kid he turned into the second Chan scolded him. He wanted to slap that smug smile on Jisung's face off. He knew better than to start fighting, Jisung wasn't worth his time but always somehow managed to get under his skin. So he did the next best thing and stormed out of the room.
He was far too angry to worry about getting lost or hurt when he stormed straight into the woods on the lot. He just didn't want to be anywhere near Jisung. The first day had already been a disaster and he already felt like he wasn't treated the way a prince should. Somewhere deep down he knew that he was mainly upset because Chan had told him off. Ever since he was a kid, the only person who he was afraid of crossing was Chan. Not because he would be mean or hurt the prince but because he would look so disappointed and Hyunjin couldn't stand that look.
He sat on a big rock in the woods, trying to calm down. Always control your temper . It's something his father always said, though he knew it was useless. Hyunjin had so far never been successful at it, never seeing any reason to do so. If people didn't want him angry, they shouldn't upset him. It wasn't his responsibility to just take everything thrown his way and keep calm. He was in the right for being upset about being treated like a peasant, no prince should put up with it. He sat and thought until he felt like there was a hole in his head, just wallowing in his own misery for hours, not even noticing when it got dark.
When he got up, it was very late. Everywhere was dark and he was worried for a second that he wouldn't find his way back but luckily he hadn't gone too far from the house. There was one small lantern hanging from the porch ceiling but other than that the house was completely dark. The only proper light came from the horse stable close to the house. Damn , how long did he spend in the forest? Why hadn't Chan come looking for him? He could've been injured! He would just upset himself again if he kept wondering so he just walked to the door, trying to calm himself. It was locked and no matter how many times he knocked, no one came to open it.
Now they've locked him outside?! Surely this was just a bad dream! He had never in his 20 years of life been disrespected like this, continuously. He gave up eventually, sitting on the porch stairs. Was there another door? There was no way they could lock the prince out. What was he supposed to do? Sleep on the porch?! He was once again fuming when he saw someone walking nearby. When the person came closer to the light Hyunjin recognized him as the boy who had been yelled at earlier in the dining room. He was barefoot, his clothes dirty and worn. It was immediately apparent to Hyunjin that this person was very poor.
"Ummm...Sir, they lock the door at midnight. There's no getting in after"
His voice was once again small and careful but strangely deep. Hyunjin stared at the boy in disbelief when registering his words. No getting in after?! While staring the prince took note of the boy's unique appearance. His hair black, a little overgrown and messy, like it hadn't been brushed in a long time. He was tanned, probably from all the hours he spent working in the sun, his honey skin still somehow glowing in the moonlight. He had big, dark eyes that sparkled, there was something alluring about them, how did he hold this kind of magic in his eyes?!
He started to walk away, taking Hyunjin's silence as telling him to get lost. "What do you mean there's no getting in?" Hyunjin asked, irritated. The boy turned around and looked at the prince nervously "The Miss is a heavy sleeper and nobody else is allowed to open the door at night, sir" Hyunjin groaned in annoyance. Where the hell was he supposed to sleep?! And why didn't Gayoung mention this?! He was feeling so wronged and disrespected. Then it hit him. This boy was outside so he must sleep somewhere outside of the house.
"Then take me where you sleep!" The boy seemed taken aback by the odd request but had no opportunity to protest as Hyunjin got up and walked to him. The boy seemed so incredibly small now that Hyunjin stood next to him. He was shorter and overall built more petite. The boy then started walking back to the stable where he had come from. Hyunjin was irritated again. He wouldn't follow the boy around, waiting for him to finish his work all night. The stable smelled awful and Hyunjin really didn't want to spend a second longer there. He had always liked horses, finding them cute and smart but taking care of horses wasn't for him.
It was almost as if the horses recognized the boy and greeted him as they walked further in. He stopped to pet the white horse with dark spots all over it and the horse seemed to almost melt into his touch. This boy clearly really liked the horses. He forgot to hate the smell and be irritated about today's events as he watched the boy interact with the animals. He was brought back to this awful reality when the boy stood on a stool and pulled a latter from the ceiling, looking at him expectantly. He raised one eyebrow, showing his distaste. The boy looked at him in confusion for a moment. Why does he look so cute like that? "Sir, you wanted me to take you to where I sleep"
Hyunjin was hoping the boy didn't mean that he slept up there because he surely would not sleep in a stable. "You aren't seriously expecting me to sleep in a stable?" Hyunjin's voice was disbelieving. The boy looked even more confused. "B-But sir, this is where I sleep" Hyunjin was hitting all the new lows today, finding himself climbing the latter to the small area between the roof and ceiling. He couldn't stand there, so he had to move around crouching. There was no bed, just hay, and some metal equipment. And where exactly was he supposed to sleep, he looked down at the boy "You aren't joining?"
The boy looked a little flustered before answering "I must take care of the horses before I can rest" Hyunjin was irritated and never been so uncomfortable in his life. He just wanted to put this day behind him so badly and just pray the next 59 days would be better.
Once the boy finally climbed up, Hyunjin looked at him expectantly. He was still very much waiting to see what magic trick the boy would use to pull a bed out of thin air for him. The boy didn't seem to notice however as he laid on a conveniently placed pile of hay, looking completely worn out. Hyunjin cleared his throat, a little insulted by the boy just ignoring him. When nothing happened once again, the prince got impatient "Where is the bed?" The boy opened his eyes and chuckled "Oh sir, there are no beds here" he then got up and Hyunjin was pleased as he thought the boy was joking and was now getting him at least a tolerable place to stay at.
His expectations were low but he couldn't help but be disappointed when the boy simply gathered more hay next to the pile he was just laying on. Once the boy seemed to deem the pile big enough, he laid back down on the hay, and now it was his turn to look at Hyunjin expectantly. Hyunjin whined quietly before closing his eyes "My bed is a bunch of hay, isn't it?" The boy couldn't help but chuckle at the prince's behavior.
Hyunjin had never laid on something so uncomfortable. The hay was harsh, poking him from every direction, it did very little to soften the cold floor underneath. There was no way he would get any sleep. He had never missed his own bed at home so badly. Honestly just about any bed. The boy noticed the other tossing and turning around. "I'm sure you are used to soft beds sir but it feels better if you stay still. It'll scratch less" the boy’s voice was slightly concerned and it left Hyunjin absolutely baffled as to why was the boy concerned about his well-being.
"Well there is no way I'll be able to sleep like this, so it hardly matters" his voice was very harsh but tired. He huffed while turning around to accidentally face the boy whose eyes were luckily closed. He now noticed the dots covering his face. The freckles too must be from the long periods in the sun. Hyunjin had simply never seen anyone who looked so exceptional. With nice clothes and tamed hair, this boy could easily pass for royalty. He had no idea why had he taken such interest in some random boy who didn't matter. But if he was to spend 2 months in this dump, might as well waste his time.
"What's your name?" The boy blinked his eyes open and Hyunjin felt momentarily breathless. This boy had such a strange effect on him and he wasn't sure if he liked it or not yet. "Lee Yongbok, sir" Hyunjin found the boy's heart-shaped lips rather distracting as he spoke. A rather ordinary name for someone who looked so unique. He was still guarded because he couldn't understand why Yongbok was so alluring to him. "A very common name," he said indifferently. Yongbok looked slightly hurt at his comment but the prince was determined to not care.
"I don't much care for it either, sir but it's the name I was told to use" This boy kept piquing Hyunjin's interest continuously. His innocent but mysterious demeanor intriguing the prince. "You were told to use?" He tried to keep his voice indifferent, not wanting to seem too interested in the conversation. It would be best to not make friends with poor servants. "Yes, sir. The miss told me I shouldn't use my own name as it is difficult and it bothered her" there was a wonderful innocence to Yongbok's voice and eyes. A rather refreshing innocent genuineness compared to the forced politeness of the rich and royal. "Then what is your real name?" Hyunjin asked impatiently, getting irritated by the boy not just straight up telling his real name.
"Lee Felix, sir" he seemed rather sensitive. The irritation in Hyunjin's voice alone making him feel nervous and afraid. Felix was a much more fitting name for the boy. Hyunjin's chest started feeling a little warm, an odd giddiness filling his body. It was a very unfamiliar feeling to him and it worried him. He gave Felix no answer, just turning to lay on his back, the straws of hay poking him everywhere, making him hiss a bit.
Felix thought the rich boy's behavior was strange but a little amusing. He was so bothered by a little discomfort that he was unable to sleep. He wondered why was the rich boy there and what had he been doing outside past midnight. He had always been very curious but learned a long time ago that it was best to not ask too many questions from the rich. They would always eventually get frustrated and he would end up hurt in some way. The sound of the rich boy tossing and turning was bothersome. Especially since Felix already advised him not to move around too much.
"May I read for you, sir?"
This was a strange request and Hyunjin's first immediate thought was that Felix had questioned his ability to read. "I can read myself If I wish to do so!" His voice was once again annoyed. Felix noted that he should've hated how complicated and proud the rich boy was but for some reason, he felt like he was trying to calm down an irritated child. Unlike other rich assholes Felix had met, this one didn't seem aggressive or malicious just a little arrogant.
"I know sir, most wealthy people can," Hyunjin noticed the careful note in Felix's voice but he no longer sounded afraid. Wealthy people? He wasn't just any wealthy person, he was the prince. Of course, he had to know how to read. Felix continued with the same careful, calm voice "I just thought it could help you sleep, sir" this statement further confused Hyunjin. Why would someone reading to him help him sleep? Wouldn't it just distract him? And why was Felix so bothered by his sleep or lack thereof?
"That's nonsense!" Hyunjin didn't realize how much he looked like a pouty kid when saying that. Felix was amused by the cold demeanor accidentally slipping away when the rich boy was tired. Felix let out a small chuckle that Hyunjin found oddly comforting. "My mom used to do that when I couldn't sleep but if it would just bother you, I won't, sir," Hyunjin thought Felix sounded very fond when mentioning his mom, his eyes were sparkly again. He supposed it wouldn't hurt to try as he was exhausted but couldn't get comfortable. He closed his eyes, demanding "Go ahead then" which just made Felix chuckle again and after a bit of shuffling, he started reading. Felix's voice was so low and deep, Hyunjin found it very comforting.
"Boy," she said courteously
"Why are you crying?"
Peter could be exceeding polite also, having learned the grand manner at fairy ceremonies and he rose and bowed to her beautifully. She was much pleased, and bowed beautifully to him from the bed.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Wendy Moira Angela Darling" she replied with some satisfaction.
"What's your name?"
"Peter Pan."
She was already sure that he must be Peter, but it did seem a comparatively short name.
"Is that all?"
"Yes," he said rather sharply. He felt for the first time that it was a shortish name.
"I'm so sorry," said Wendi Moira Angela.
"It doesn't matter," Peter gulped.
She asked where he lived.
"Second to the right," said Peter, "and then straight on till morning."
"What a funny address!"
Peter had a sinking. For the first time, he felt that perhaps it was a funny address.