Part Fourteen

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"There you are!" I sigh when I finally found Kyungsoo in the town. It had been a nice short stroll with Baekhyun but I was worried about the fellow because I didn't see the guy for almost half an hour since we were in the clothes store earlier. The guy was standing in front of an alley next to a trinket store when me and Baekhyun found him. "Yah, do you know we've been searching for you! Why'd you left" When we are near, I give a slap on Kyungsoo's shoulder. He turns his head to glare at me and pushes me by the shoulder as his comeback. I laugh as I stumble a little before Baekhyun balancing me by holding my arm. 

"You took too long in there" Kyungsoo frowns 

I snort, "I was trying so many dresses! You know how I hate trying them, to put them on then pull it off and urgh why did you leave me alone!"

"Yah, don't be a baby. You have your boyfriend now, I shouldn't even be there with you. Stop nagging" 

"You should stop him from paying! Look what he'd done" I said as I point to the bags the said man is carrying. Kyungsoo glances at them and deadpans at me, unimpressed. He scoffs afterwards before he smirks at the obvious paid dresses inside the mentioned bags. 

"I don't see what's wrong with those" 

I widen my eyes, can't believe he had said that. I shriek quietly close to his ear. "They're expensive Kyungsoo-ah!" 

He rolls his eyes, "What'd you expect? He's a prince. He must have his savings even while being in that damn forest. If he can afford that lot of dresses, then he must have a lot"

Unconsciously I make a pout at that. When he sees me pouting he rolls his eyes one more time and gently push my face away. "Quit your pouting, even your boyfriend wouldn't watch how you're being right now" 

"Hey, what's wrong with me pouting" I frown, tssk'ing at him before I turn to look at Baekhyun, who had been quite quiet since I saw Kyungsoo. I watch the older man staring at the alley which no one is there. I blink confusedly, "Hyun?" I called him out along with tugging his hand. That got his attention, he seems to snap his focus before turning his head to me. Kyungsoo looking at both of us and the empty alley. 

"Yes? Were you saying something?" 

"What are you looking at?" 

He shakes his head, smiling a bit. "Nothing. Just saw something" 

"What is it? Is it a rat?" I asked, half wondered and half scared at the prospect of seeing rats. I look at the alley again, trying to spot any small creatures crawling there. There The area is not as lit as the main path, there is a lot of shadows looming the area so it is not a surprise if there really are rats. I heard Kyungsoo scoffs and Baekhyun smirking at me. He nudges my nose with his finger, making me looking back at him. "No rats Junhee-ah" 

I pout at him, "You're sure?" 

"Yes I'm sure" 

"Then what did you saw earlier?" 

He shakes his head, "Just something" His answer did not satisfy me enough. I give him a look. He shakes his head again and takes my hand for us to start walking again. "It's nothing. Now let's just go" Baekhyun said before he looks at Kyungsoo when he continues, "You said to me earlier that you've found me a place to stay in the village, is it true?"

Before the boy could answer him, my head turned to look at Kyungsoo and Baekhyun in surprise. "You're going to stay in the village?" 

The older guy looks down at me, nodding with a smile. "I think I have enough hiding in that forest to last me for another lifetime, don't you think?" 

"What about your things at your house?" 

He shrugs, "It doesn't really matter to me. The house isn't mine to begin with. Clothes I can buy again but it's shelter that I need to find for now. Someplace I can live temporarily for me to settle down in this new environment before I find my own place to stay. I want to start a new chapter in my life" He smiles and curls a lock behind my ear. "And I hope you'll be there with me" 

I smile hearing those words. My head leans towards his hand, seeking more warmth from him. He grants, caressing my cheek afterwards. "Of course I will, Hyun. I won't leave you and I'll help you go back to live a life before that awful curse ever happened to you" He leans in, kissing my forehead with a "Thank you sweetheart" before we hear a cough sound from next to us and we both break apart to see an unamused Kyungsoo watching us. 

"Are you guys done?" 

Baekhyun takes a step back from me when he receives a glare from the boy. He clears his throat, rubbing his nape with his free hand. "Y-Yes yes, we are" 

Kyungsoo hums and nods his head at the way, "Let's go follow me" 

I squeal then, "This is so exciting! Where do you wanna bring him?" 

"Just shut up, just see for yourself when we get there" 

"Do I know this place?" 

He didn't answer 

I smile widely, so maybe it is a place I know

🍁🍁🍁

It was a place I know

To my surprise Kyungsoo brought us to his parents' house. I didn't know he decided to let Baekhyun stay in his house. I thought he would bring the man to an inn or someplace. 

But maybe this decision is for the best. Baekhyun is not a mere civilian, he is the prince. Even though he never shows himself to the public ever since he was a young teenager, some may recognize him because of his resemblance to the crown prince. And that was what happened when Kyungsoo introduced him to his parents. Both of his parents were shocked to see the man. Initially they were confused, wondering who this new friend Kyungsoo and I brought into their home but then his father gasped when he recognized the features Baekhyun has. Especially the blonde hair which older people tend to remember the hidden prince has blonde hair. 

Mr. Do was flabbergasted on meeting a prince so out in the open and not to mention, being inside his humbly family cottage and a friend to his children. On the other hand, Mrs. Do broke out her shock quite faster than her husband. The woman quickly turned into the kind mother she always has been. She started bringing Baekhyun around the house (the house was not that big but she showed him the important parts, a crucial information if he is to live here with them). She also showed him the room he would've stayed in, which apparently, is my room. My room when I lived with them, before I moved out on my 19th birthday. 

"After my mom died, Mrs. Do and Mr. Do took me in, raising me like their own. I have no one left and I was a kid" I told Baekhyun when we were seated at the chairs outside of the patio. Mrs. Do is currently brewing tea and making biscuits for her guest while Mr. Do is having a conversation with Kyungsoo. Baekhyun took the seat next to me, wanting to hold my hand. I smile and lace our fingers together. continued, sharing my life with him. "Ever since then, I left my house and lived under their care. They're my new family" I continued, sharing my life with him before looking up at the homey cottage with a smile. "When I was 18, I had thought of moving back to my old house. I don't want to abandon it much longer. I got older and I want to live independently so every once in a while, whenever I went to visit the Do's, I went there to do some clean up until finally I moved in last year" 

Baekhyun listens, nodding occasionally to show he is listening. "Is your house far from here?" 

"Not that far but it is at the edge of the village. It's near the meadow" I said, pointing in the direction of my house. 

"You live there alone?" 

I nod before I smile, when he looks concerned about it. "I don't mind the quietness. Besides, I'm not here all the time. I stayed at the academy with Kyungsoo. But for your concern, yes, I am living there alone" I said and hum, smiling sheepishly. "I actually had a talk with Kyungsoo. I wanted you to stay in my family's house. I don't mind the company, especially when I will graduate soon and am going to be staying there" I told him. He raises his eyebrows in interest. I chuckle then, shrugging. "But, Kyungsoo thinks it's not a good idea because well, we're not married. As much as he seems fond of you, he's not that yet want us to live under the same roof without anyone there to watch over us" 

Baekhyun smiles at that, amuse.

"And he wants you to live with other people. You've been in