Donghae watches with concern. Walks a step behind Hyukjae. Wishes he could take his arm.

They approach his rooms. Donghae moves ahead. Opens the door. Hyukjae actually leans on the wall. Donghae's worry grows. He takes his arm now. Quickly goes in to check the place. Listens in concentration.

"All good, your highness."

He offers Hyukjae his hand now.

"Obviously," Hyukjae mutters. "Who'd even make it in here..."

His steps are slow. It's apparent. He's in pain. Hyukjae carefully lays on his bed. Lets out a groan. Closes his eyes. Donghae does another quick glance around. Makes sure the door is locked. He steps away from the bed. Observes Hyukjae quietly. Troubled.

This is the man... he's supposed to guard. Not let a speck of dust touch him.  

Hyukjae just finished a training session. With Kim Soonok. Donghae doesn't know all of the monarch's court well. His work has been with Hyukjae. Most of the time. For the past nine months now. His training with Soonok is recent. It continues being them two alone. So Donghae's never there.

He doesn't want to pry. Dig into matters. Outside his duties. His job.  But he can't help himself. From trying to figure it out.

Hyukjae has said it's hard. The hours he spends with her. In that metal doored room. Hyukjae's been more and more tired. Every time he leaves. But he's never seemed to be in pain.

What is that old woman doing with him?

"Hyukjae... your highness," Donghae says. "Are you... alright?"

The man opens his eyes. Gives him a little smile.

"You're still here?" he says. "I thought I had a couple minutes to rest..."

"Sorry, sir, you do..." Donghae says. "The ceremony's in the evening, so you have a lot of time to rest, actually."

A separate security team has to be present. Hours before them. At the location. They give all the okays. Updates. Donghae hasn't received anything yet. Sungmin will come for Hyukjae after that. Fuss over all the details. Which he's already gone over many times. Days before. With everyone else. It will take them another two hours to be ready then. Hyukjae. The cars. The guards. The route has to be travelled at least once more. To determine any new problems. The easiest exits. It should all be fine. But there is a lot. That needs to be prepared. Before Hyukjae is required to be.

"Great..." Hyukjae says. Waves his hand. "Then you can go, Donghae... no need to waste your time here..."

"Prince Hyukjae..." Donghae says. Laughs quietly. "You're my job... I'd be wasting time if I'm not with you..."

"But there's no one else here," Hyukjae mumbles. "And it's my room. So go lie down or something. For an hour. You can watch me from there, if you want." Hyukjae points. To the upper corner of the wall.

"An hour?" Donghae says. "Sungmin won't bother you for..." He checks his wristwatch. "At least three more hours, your highness."

"Ohhh," Hyukjae says. Kicks his heels lightly. "That sounds great. I'm gonna take a looong bath and then I'm going to see Eunji!"

Donghae presses his lips. Of course. Hyukjae wants to see Eunji. Any free minute he has. But... Eunji needs a lot from him. She's tired of her playroom. She'll be running around. Or trying to. Until Hyukjae lifts her. For her safety. Then she'll want to sit on his head. Want to play. Go outside. To the garden. To the fountain. To the swings.

"You can barely stand right now," Donghae says. Instantly bows his head. "Sorry. Your highness."

Hyukjae laughs. Soft.

"It's not that bad..." he says. Closes his eyes again. The smile stays on his lips. "I can do anything for Eunji..."

Donghae takes a slow breath. To not voice his thoughts. His questions. What was Kim Soonok thinking? She must know Hyukjae's schedule. He's out in public tonight. Why would she do this to Hyukjae? And is she even allowed to?

"Prince Hyukjae..." Donghae says. Hesitant. But worried. "This... training that you're doing... is his majesty aware of... what occurs during it?"

Hyukjae looks at him. His eyes widen.

"Aware?" Hyukjae lips curve into a smirk. "He's the one who ordered that I train with her..."

"Yes, I understand that, your highness. What I mean is... is his majesty aware that it's... so difficult for you? That... that you come out so... drained?"

Hyukjae turns his eyes away. Gives a dismissive exhale.  

"I doubt he'd care."

Donghae's heart twinges.

"Sir, I'm--I'm certain he'd care. I think you should tell him, Hyukjae--"

The other's forced himself up. Hyukjae breathes in long. Deep. Moves his legs. Slides off the bed.

"It's really not a big deal, Donghae," he says. "Like you said, I need to get used to it. It's just a kind of... self-defence training, I guess? So yeah, I'd be tired."

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