IN A BALLROOM IN SEOUL, THE MOON IS BRIGHT BUT THE STARS ARE SCATTERED
“you know, when i heard that they were gonna nominate you, i didn’t think you’d accept,” the admission is delivered with a spoonful of nonchalance, a dash of snark. here, he refers to the revolting crimes that soil the kim family’s hands, the crimes that his own father shamefully partakes in as a consequence of his greed, “you seem to have… better things to do.”
after all, what is a game of politics to a man who is more familiar with the inner workings of a coup?
i am sorry for all these sins and the sins of my past life.
for any discomfort jaehyun may have felt — any cracks of displeasure are hard to unravel. he does a good show of playing the confident prince, the esteemed ruler. his answers were brief yet pointed as though he was too lost in the legends of royalty as if he understood that one-day history books will be writing about him. sure, to most park jaehyun was that a rightful heir to a golden throne — his brow almost awaiting a crown encrusted with jewels to be laid upon it.
unfortunately for jaehyun — so many others in this exact hall were bred for the exact position. and from changho’s observation ( after all, they were close during their youth right?), the older man was too much like the heroes of the golden age. what they lacked in cunninness, they made up in raw charisma and courage. but that could only take someone so far, and what could jaehyun do? it’s understandable he’s warry of trickery and mischief — after all blue blood is so much harder to clean up once it’s been spilled.
“everyone here seems a bit too machiavellian,” changho’s voice slips through the sarcasm, cooling as a stream during the springtime, “ you always seemed to prefer the more, well, you know the light, where a king belongs.”
jaehyun’s dismissive behavior darts past changho, he knows that any affection the older man held for him was reduced to ashes a long time ago. there is no use to cry over what was once there, they had outgrown each other by the time changho was 12 years old, it only took jaehyun a few more years to catch up.
so changho willingly forgets their time together.
he does not think of how jaehyun’s brow had furrowed in concern for him whenever he showed up with bruises and bandages — how after that incident in high school he had rushed to his side. or how jaehyun assumed he would be a normal boy, one protected from the gruesome actions of his family. but changho does admit he misses the boyhood adoration that could only come from spending time with a child older than him.
off to the fireplace those thoughts go. turned to rumble and smoke, nothing more, nothing less.only a lingering sense of bitterness remains, jaehyun does not know how lucky he is, to be protected by his parents’ wealth, that he did not know where it came from until much recently.
“how boring, will it be dull after this?” the archer questions, not that he expected anything else, he hopes that blindfolds and parties will not be the only thing that the virtue society will have to offer.
the elite love dramatics but after being raised among them for his whole life, it loses its thrill when compared to the gritty reality of the world. but for now, he will remain sated with duels of words and harsh glances. changho’s sure that jaehyun will not be an ally to him, unfortunately, it seems he will remain a thorn on his side.
his hunger for chaos will have to be satisfied somewhere else for now. these gilded halls of princes and princesses are not quite bearing full of fruit yet.
“you do not know me well then, jaehyun hyung,” changho retorts — dark eyes peering at the older man curiously, “my family are not ones to run away from an invitation.” his insult is evident, changho knows that his family’s dealings are vulgar but at least it is known, the evildoing they do is not hidden from the public with straight teeth and charming speeches. the young man has harmed those who badmouth his family for less, but his father would not any business to fail because changho could not hold his fist.
and it wouldn’t be much of a fair fight.
“conquering the unknown is something i look forward to, no man has gotten up to the stars because he knew his place,” the archer gives another half-smile, “there is no glory in playing it safe, if you miss out on opportunities because of fear, you will remain unknown, only growing older in your obscurity.”
yes, jaehyun may have been a prince, but one cannot remain in history books if he was afraid.
