"You... what?"

Taekwoon stuttered in between his gasps, trying to quieten the thoughts rushing round his head. His eyes were wide; he could still feel Wonshik's tongue running along his lower lip. He shifted his gaze away and couldn't help but to feel awkward. The room was filled with heavy breathing, and Taekwoon didn't know what to do or say.

Wonshik still had his hands in the prince's hair, and Taekwoon couldn't decide if he wanted to laugh or cry. He tightened his grip on the peasant's shirt, squeezing the fabric between his fingers in an effort to keep himself from crumpling to the floor. His legs felt so weak.He shuddered and Wonshik smiled warmly "How did that feel, sire?"

The prince couldn't help but scoff "So, you have the audacity to kiss me without consent but still feel the need to use titles?" He chuckled lightly, shaking his head. Wonshik made an indignant sound at the back of his throat at his comment and pulled away slightly. He didn't let go though. "In my defense, I barely know you. I believe some formality is in order."

Taekwoon looked down at his toes "Yet you kissed me." 

Wonshik could not help but smirk "You haven't ran away yet," he mumbled, moving closer once more. He almost connected their lips again but was stopped by Taekwoon's finger. He pouted and the prince laughed. "Oh, Wonshik," he grinned, his voice still quiet and shy "You're ridiculous."

"Why?" The peasant smiled back,  slightly bemused by his attitude. Taekwoon didn't answer, a faint blush still settled on his cheeks and he tilted his head, admiring him in their close proximity "God, you're amazing."

"You barely know me," Taekwoon teased slightly, ducking his head in embarrassment at the unexpected compliment. He was still in shock from the kiss. Wonshik opened his mouth to retort when, suddenly, a shuffling sounded from the door.

They both jumped apart and Taekwoon gasped. "H- Hold on a moment!"

"Your highness?" A muffled voice came from out in the hall "What are you doing?"

Wonshik felt panic rise within him slightly and looked towards Taekwoon for help. The prince gazed around urgently before his eyes fell upon a chest in the corner of the library. It was the one his father kept all his maps in. "There!" He whispered, beginnning to push Wonshik towards it. The peasant stumbled before the trunk as Taekwoon lifted the lid. He moved some of the large scrolls out the way and ushered the other man in hurriedly, Wonshik forced to bend his knees under his chin in order to fit. "Wait here," Taekwoon mumbled quietly, giving him a reassuring smile before closing the chest and rushing over to the door.

He threw it open to reveal a tall man, taller than him by at least a couple of inches. He wore a dark purple robe with silver fittings and had his jet black hair neatly parted to the side. Taekwoon smiled politely and bowed his head. It was a man he had known since he was a small boy. "Lord Woobin," He greeted, stepping aside to let the elder into the room. Lord Woobin was his father's most trusted advisor; he had fought and ruled beside the King for almost thirty years. 

"Prince Taekwoon," he bowed respectfully "What took you so long, sire?"

"I was, um, reading," the prince told him, eyes scanning round the room nervously and realising that there was no book on the sofa. Afterall, he hadn't managed to get the book he had gone to retrieve, had he? "Very good, my lord," Woobin nodded curtly, linking his hands behind his back and clearing his throat "I just came to remind you that you and your brothers have a lesson with me on politics in little under an hour."

Taekwoon nooded, feeling his heart sink towards his toes as he remembered- he hated politics. They all did. It wasn't that Woobin was a bad teacher, it was just the subject matter was so boring. He usually had to keep nudging Hongbin to make sure the poor boy didn't doze off as they wrote down what Woobin was dictating to them. "Your highness!" Woobin snapped, seeing the young prince's mind wandering and his eyes glazing over slightly "It is rude not to look people in the eye when they address you!"

The prince jumped and nodded vigourously "Of course, I apologise."

From inside the trunk, Wonshik shifted and frowned. He couldn't make out what was being said, but the tones of the voices used said it all. He could barely hear Taekwoon speak. 

"I will be there in a short while," Taekwoon promised, trying to get Woobin gone as soon as possible before he noticed something was off. But the advisor had no plans of leaving as he began to slowly pace the room "You know what your father expects from you, yes? You know he expects either you or your eldest brother to succeed."

Taekwoon couldn't help but frown "What about Hongbin?"

Woobin snorted softly and shook his head "Compared to you and your brother, he is obselete; there was once a chance but I fear he has proven himself simply incapable in his studies-"

"That is not true!" Taekwoon replied sharply, his face moulding into a frown at the advisor's words "Hongbin is just as worthy to inherit as Hakyeon or I. You will do well to remember that the final decision is not down to you, Lord Woobin." The elder man looked at him in shock for a moment before regaining his composure and stooping into a deep bow "Of course, your highness. I meant no offence."

Taekwoon nodded in aknowledgement of his apology but didn't offer a verbal reply of any sort, turning away to face the window. Woobin swallowed thickly before also turning and heading back out the door "See you later, sire." He sniffed, closing the doors behind him.

Once he had gone, Taekwoon twisted and let out the breath he didn't know he had been holding. "Wonshik," he called "Wonshik, he's gone now." The peasant pushed open the lid of the chest, revealing his concerned face, brow creased. "Is everything alright?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The Queen sighed and put a hand to her forehead as she sat at the desk in her husband's study. She could hear Hakyeon and Hongbin chasing each other in the garden behind her and turned, gazing out the window as her eldest and youngest sons running round, laughing and smiling brightly. Taekwoon wasn't with them and she sighed. "Oh, my boys."

Suddenly, the door opened and her head snapped up, a smile spreading across her features as she stood and curtseyed "Lord Woobin."

"Your majesty," he bowed, stepping in and shutting the door behind him as he entered. "Prince Taekwoon is in the library."

"Ah," the Queen nodded with a smile "I should have known he would be looking for somewhere peaceful." She glanced over her shoulder out the window again "The other princes are more lively." Woobin bowed his head and sat down opposite her in the seat he commonly frequented when the King was there.

"You look tired, your majesty," he aknowleged, tilting his head in concern. 

The old woman also sunk down into her chair and leant back "I am just anxious as of late, sir," she smiled "I worry for my boys' future."

"One of them will make a great king," Woobin assured her "In time." He reached forward and took a teacup from the tray in front of them, picking up the silver pot and smiling at his Queen warmly "Try to relax, my lady." He poured her some tea and handed it to her, earning a nod of thanks.

"You have always been so good to us, Woobin."

He smirked and poured himself a cup "It is my duty, my lady."

Okaaaaaay, so, Woobin.

This is him if you don't know what Kim Woobin looks like in real life: