[CONTENTID1]Our past (Part 1)[/CONTENTID1]

[CONTENTID2]"If you're tied to somebody with the string of fate, the thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break."[/CONTENTID2]

[CONTENTID3]Past

“Oppa.” Eunwoo suddenly called him. Wonwoo turned. The siblings were having their tea time at Eunwoo’s palace yard. Mingyu wasn’t there because he went home this weekend to visit his sick grandmother. Eunwoo turned to Wonwoo. “Oppa, I think… I think I like Mingyu oppa.” Wonwoo startled. He stared at Eunwoo. “Are you serious?” Eunwoo nodded. “I’m sure! I mean, it’s crazily beating every time I’m seeing Mingyu oppa.” Eunwoo said as she put her hand over her heart. Wonwoo looked at Eunwoo for a while before turning to stare at the flower bushes in front of them. “You’re still young to think about this, Eunwoo.” Eunwoo pouted to Wonwoo’s word. “You’re meanie. Come on, oppa. I’m sharing my secret with you.” Eunwoo whined. “Okay. Then what you want me to do?” Wonwoo said. Eunwoo hummed. “Nothing, I just want to tell someone about this.” Eunwoo played with her fingers. “I don’t think I’m ready to tell Mingyu oppa yet.” Wonwoo looked at his sister. “I agree because you’re too young.” Eunwoo sighed. “Oppa.” Wonwoo chuckled when he saw Eunwoo’s annoyed face. But that chuckle didn’t really reach his heart. It sounded force but Eunwoo was too annoyed to realize. Wonwoo just ruffled Eunwoo’s hair, the girl was pouting. “Don’t be in rush following your feeling, remember you’re a princess, Eunwoo.” Wonwoo said sincerely. Eunwoo stopped pouting before nodding. Wonwoo just gave a little smile. There’s a pang of uneasiness settled in his heart when he heard Eunwoo’s confession. He didn’t understand what the feeling was but it was unpleasant and heavy. He didn’t recognize what he was feeling, being the young seventeen years old boy he is. Wonwoo was clueless to his own feelings unlike Eunwoo had understand it faster even she’s younger by two years.     Wonwoo gulped. Today, he had physical training with Hyunjae – the ajusshi that take care of him since young – together with Mingyu. Hyunjae had been their trainer since Mingyu entered the palace; both of them learnt material arts and self protection from him. Wonwoo walked very slowly to the training ground, he didn’t really want to see Mingyu. He didn’t know why but these days he kept noticing Mingyu a little bit too much. He noticed how Mingyu looked different since last he remembered. Every details like how tall Mingyu was, defined figure that not too skinny or not too muscled, Wonwoo noticed Mingyu grew up handsomely and strong. The prince was afraid of his own observation; it was too much that he was enchanted by the fact how perfect Mingyu looked nowadays. At age of nineteen, he realized what happened to him. He accidentally grew an abnormal liking towards his best friend, Mingyu. And he understood perfectly that this shouldn’t go more than that because this wasn’t right. “Wonwoo?” Wonwoo jumped slightly and turned. Mingyu was walking towards him. “You’re going to the ground?” Wonwoo nodded. Mingyu smiled and Wonwoo could feel his heart jumped out. “Let’s go together.” Both of them walked in silence. It was normal if it’s only them because Wonwoo liked silence and Mingyu respected that. Mingyu didn’t realize any odd in Wonwoo who actually was freaking out with his own thought. Wonwoo tried to find a topic when he felt awkward. “Uh, Mingyu.” Mingyu glanced. “Yes, Wonwoo?” “Two days ago…” Wonwoo paused. “Erm, Eunwoo… told me about two days ago.” Mingyu blinked and turned to Wonwoo. Wonwoo looked at him. Mingyu sighed. “You siblings never keep a secret, uh?” Wonwoo just smiled awkwardly. Mingyu exhaled. “Wonwoo, I’m really sorry. I- about Eunwoo, I couldn’t see her more than a sister.” Mingyu explained himself. Wonwoo nodded. “She told me that.” Mingyu rubbed his nape. “I didn’t mean to hurt her. And I really want to say no when she didn’t give up but…” Wonwoo stopped walking and so do Mingyu. Mingyu looked at Wonwoo. Wonwoo gave a light smile. “I can’t stop my sister, she really likes you. I have known this long ago, she told me about her feeling before. I should be mad when you make her cry but you’re my friend. I know you for some time and I could tell you see her as a sister.” Mingyu exhaled to Wonwoo’s words. Honestly he thought Wonwoo would get mad on him because he knew how much Wonwoo loves his sister. But he didn’t know that Wonwoo took a liking in him that surpassed the siblings’ love. “But for the meanwhile, I hope you can treat her well. Not too much, keep a distance at brother’s level. Don’t give her hope.” Wonwoo’s words brought Mingyu back to the reality. “Can you promise me Mingyu?” Mingyu looked at Wonwoo. Wonwoo stared back, waiting for answer. Mingyu nodded. “Okay… Eunwoo is like a sister, I don’t want to hurt her too.” Wonwoo smiled and nodded. To that promise, Wonwoo felt a bit lighter and he knew he was a terrible brother.     All the eyes fell on the male in twenty that stood proudly in the middle of the battle ground. He looked tired and spotting few wounds but he was smiling, glowing in a strong aura. Blood was decorating his battle gear but it was his glory. He fixed his standing and by the help of his sword, he’s kneeling one knee in front of the king. The king nodded and rose from his seat, walking forward. “The brave warrior, the winner of this battle, with my blessing as this kingdom’s emperor, you’re qualified as an army general, a team of army will be handed to you to train and lead.” The king said, taking a jade pendant that presented to him by a eunuch. “Pledge your loyalty, my warrior.” The King said as he held the pendant. The male on ground made a bow before looking up to the pendant. “I take the pledge with my life that I will never turn my back against the King and this kingdom.” The King nodded and gave the pendant back to the eunuch to hand it to the male. As the pendant was given to the male, the king shouted his next command. “Clear the ground and take care of the injured warrior. This competition has come to the end.” The king said and turned to leave. The queen rose from her seat and the servant shouted their leaving. All the people paid their respect as the king and his queen left the place before all of them started to move working on the last command. A girl ran to the ground follow by a guy. A man shouted for them to stop. “Princess! Prince! Don’t-” His shout was stopped by a lady. “Let them be, Hyunjae.” The male, Hyunjae turned to the lady. “But Hyesoo...” The lady just smiled. They turned to the battle ground. “Mingyu oppa! Why you’re joining this competition?! What if you get killed?” Eunwoo shed tears as she knelt beside Mingyu who was on his knees. He was smiling but panted a little because of the heavy fight he finished. At least, he won. Mingyu looked up when he felt another presence next to him. Their eyes met. The other was smiling in proud. “I won. I prove myself that I’m worth as your protector, Wonwoo.” Mingyu said. Wonwoo was feeling proud, yes, but now he got worried. “Stupid! Are you trying to kill yourself?” Wonwoo didn’t mean to be mean but it came out that way. Eunwoo frowned hearing that. “Oppa, don’t scold Mingyu oppa.” Eunwoo said and held Mingyu’s shoulder. “You should get treated now, Mingyu oppa.” Mingyu just smiled and nodded. Wonwoo grunted after getting scolded by Eunwoo. He moved to help Mingyu standing up as Eunwoo was struggling. Wonwoo took the deed to himself. He could manage Mingyu even without Eunwoo’s help. “Go and call the physician, Eunwoo. I will handle him.” Eunwoo looked at her brother before nodded. She walked away, running to Hyesoo and Hyunjae to relay Wonwoo’s command. They nodded and went to prepare with Eunwoo following them to help, even though she was told to do nothing because she’s a princess. While Wonwoo was carrying exhausted Mingyu on his back. Everyone saw the scene but said nothing as everybody knew Mingyu’s place beside Wonwoo. Even though it’s weird for a prince to care too much about someone else that was not his family plus it’s very out of place for someone low than a prince to be carried on the prince’s back, no one dared to say anything because they knew how kind and loving Wonwoo was as a person. “I’m a general now.” Mingyu whispered. Wonwoo groaned. “Do you really need to do this?” Wonwoo said. Mingyu hummed as he made himself comfortable on Wonwoo’s back. They’re similar in height and to be honest it was a struggle for Wonwoo to carry the tall guy but at the moment, Wonwoo didn’t really think of it and carried Mingyu without problem. “I want to be a general because of my skill. Not because I’m your protector.” Wonwoo’s heart stuttered to the words. His smile formed on his lips, proud was spreading again. He was really proud of Mingyu and relieved that Mingyu won with minimal injuries. Wonwoo whispered something and there’s no response from Mingyu as the guy fell asleep due to exhaustion on the prince’s back. ‘You’re awesome already, Mingyu.’ The physician treated Mingyu with outmost care on Wonwoo’s command and also Eunwoo’s plea. The siblings stayed with Mingyu till the night. Wonwoo turned to Eunwoo when the night fell. “Eunwoo, go back to your palace. It’s night already.” Eunwoo pouted. “But I want to take care of Mingyu oppa.” Wonwoo took a breath. “I will be here looking after him. You’re a princess Eunwoo, it’s not good for you to stay outside your palace during the night. Moreover in one room with a guy.” Eunwoo frowned. “But you’re here oppa.” Wonwoo shook his head. “Eunwoo.” Eunwoo was still refusing. Hyesoo who was there tried to help Wonwoo to persuade Eunwoo. “Princess Eunwoo, it’s better for you to go back now. Mingyu will be fine, he just exhausted and needed a rest. Nothing to worry about. The queen won’t be pleased if she found you’re not back to the palace in this hour, princess.” Eunwoo bit her lips. She didn’t really like the talk of queen, as the queen was so kind to her, she didn’t want to disappoint the lady. Reluctantly, she got up from the seat and walked to the door. Wonwoo mouthed thank you to Hyesoo and Hyesoo nodded, following Eunwoo to her. Eunwoo turned to Wonwoo. “Take care of Mingyu oppa for me, oppa.” Wonwoo nodded as a reply. Eunwoo took a glance at Mingyu on the bed before leaving with Hyesoo behind her. Other of princess’s servants also left with her. Hyunjae entered the room once they left. It was his duty to keep guarding Wonwoo. Wonwoo saw Hyunjae’s presence. “Ajusshi. Can I request something?” Hyunjae looked at the prince. Wonwoo didn’t turn to him but staring at the sleeping figure on the bed. “Send everyone outside in 5 metre distance, including you. I want to sleep in peace.” Hyunjae nodded. He walked out from the room and relayed the message to the servants. Everyone moved in the perimeter with Hyunjae. Wonwoo exhaled as he heard the complete silence few moments later. He got up from his seat, walking to the bed. “You stupid fool. Even I’m proud of this but you ended up hurting is the least thing I want to see.” Wonwoo said in hushed tone. He sat on the bed carefully. Wonwoo stared at the sleeping male; smile decorated his face without him noticing. The prince unconsciously brought his hand to touch the hair, then the face. It was smooth and tingling, Wonwoo felt shivers. “Wonwoo...?” The voice startled Wonwoo. Mingyu opened his eyes slightly. He was awake because of the touch. “Did I wake you up? Sorry, go back to sleep. You need a good rest.” Wonwoo was glad he didn’t stutter but he could feel his face got red so he turned away. Mingyu blinked few times. Adjusting to the dim light from the candle, he figured that he passed out for quite some time. He saw Wonwoo next to him, looking away. “It’s fine. I’m wide awake... I think I got a good sleep.” Mingyu said, moving to sit. Wonwoo turned to the movement and quickly helped the younger when Mingyu grimaced to move. His legs and arms felt sore. “You should ju