Jeonghan sat awkwardly on the carriage seemingly out of place. He was sure he was in the middle carriage out of probably ten carriages that accompanied the Prince who was in the last, the only one covered fully in gold.

He was still wet—the servants dragging him immediately and not letting him dry up to push him into one of the carriages to join the prince’s convoy towards town. When they commenced moving, he noticed how he was placed on the most extreme end of the carriage, a gap present between him and the servants who were chattering excitedly. He understood them because of course, no one wanted to get close to a dripping person. What he can’t take was the way some of them glared at him like he committed a very grave sin. He knew he didn’t do anything wrong. It feels unfair how it seemed like they were siding with the Prince.

He was shivering and he wondered why the royal family couldn’t afford a roofed carriage. The cold night breeze was like a slap in the face making his teeth chatter.

He just wanted to go home. He didn’t understand why he had to go with these people. He can escape the moment they reach the town, leap off to a tree, a high wall or something. But with the way the Prince acted and used his peritia on Jeonghan, he was sure that all eyes would be on him all the time.

So he decided to just it up, hugging himself as he glared at some spot on the floor. The night would be over soon and he can fly off to his happy place.

It was fine but when they reached the entrance to the town center, his mind automatically turned into haywire because he just felt so exposed. He was on the edge and the people from the thick crowd expecting the Prince had a perfectly good view on him.

And he can see it, how some people would scream the name of the prince but then halt for a second, squint their eyes as if they can’t believe what they were seeing and then scrunch their forehead because what is commoner doing in the royal parade.

And when he thought that it couldn’t get any worse, he heard an excited “It’s Jeonghan!” from the sidelines followed by a series of whos. And finally a loud and booming, “Its Jeonghan, the long-haired son of old Geonmu!” Jeonghan might as well die from embarrassment.

When they reached the venue, they were escorted towards a raised platform. Jeonghan was made to stand at the back together with the town officials who looked at him weirdly. From there, he can see everyone’s expectant faces. He became relieved because it seemed like everyone has lost his or her interest on him. The effect of the Prince’s presence was extraordinary.

The prince wasted no time, going immediately at the front and waving to the people. His smile was bright and cheerful as if he was a completely different person Jeonghan met a while ago. He seemed friendly and approachable, truly a people’s man. And Jeonghan was enamored. Almost.

The prince started his speech. But instead of listening ,Jeonghan took the time to find Chan from the crowd. It wasn’t really difficult because somehow his brother was able to squeeze himself into the layers of people and stand at the very front. 

Chan was listening intently to the Prince. So Jeonghan waved his hand to catch his attention. When their eyes met, his brother waved at him excitedly. And Jeonghan was waiting for a worried and a questioning expression from his brother's face. What he got, however, was Chan pointing aggressively towards the Prince and a reprimanding look that seemed to question why he was not listening to the Prince. Really. His brother and his great love for the Prince.

So  he begrudgingly listened to him. On the way he buttered up the Lutiora citizens and covered his words with fake glaze and honey. 

“However, I have something to apologize for,” the Prince stopped for a moment as if deep in thought. “I just found out how there were some who were not satisfied with my lead.”

“There is none!” someone from the crowd screamed and the Prince gave him a grateful nod and a proud grin. Jeonghan rolled his eyes at the back.

Suddenly, the prince looked at him with a slight smirk. “One of your brothers here,” he said as he gestured towards Jeonghan “has made me really bothered as he has come up to me and said that I, as well as the Queen have come short with our respective responsibilities. So I wanted—“

What more of the Prince’s words were drowned by a series of loud protests from the audience. There were shouts, of It’s not true, Prince!, You’re excellent! The queen is marvelous! And then a lot turned to Jeonghan with accusing glares and daunting frowns and a chorus of “HE IS LYING!”

It was overwhelming and Jeonghan blanked out not knowing what to do. Because what are you supposed to  do when the whole town thinks that you betrayed them?

He looked at the prince with terrified eyes, but Prince Mingyu was already being escorted down the platform after bowing down.  He wanted to say something, to defend himself from the outrageous lie but all he managed was a weak “stop!” because he can’t breath properly—his breath intake going into short and fa