Chapter 24

Later that evening when darkness had fallen over the prairie, Kyuhyun sent Sungmin to a small clearing to the west of the camp, and he made his way to Hangeng’s tent. Xiumin let him enter with a small announcement and he hurried over to the rising prince.

Before he could say anything Hangeng raised his hands to look at them, “Did you use the medicine? Are they painful?”

“There are fine.” Kyuhyun left his hands in Hangeng’s as he asked, “Is it safe to talk?”

“I had guards put outside because I knew you would be visiting. Minseok is trustworthy.”

He still didn’t want to speak any louder than he needed to, so Kyuhyun moved to whisper into the other’s ear, “Fourteenth Prince is here.” Hangeng stilled as Kyuhyun continued. They were close enough to be hugging, though it was a strange sort of closeness, both tense with apprehension. “I told him to wait in the small clearing in the forest just to the west of the camp.”

“Do you know why he is here?” Hangeng’s voice was filled with worry.

“No, he just said he needed to talk to you.”

“I will go to him. You should go back to your tent and stay there.”

Kyuhyun nodded, drawing away from the bizarre embrace. He turned to leave before speaking a little louder but still incredibly softly, “Please be safe.”

“It makes me happy that you worry about me,” Hangeng smiled gently.

“I am always worried about you,” Kyuhyun said softly before withdrawing from the tent. Minseok looked up in surprise from his post, obviously thinking that he would be staying for longer. Kyuhyun muttered a goodbye as he hurried back to his tent where he thought that he would be anxiously waiting until he heard any news.

Hangeng waited a little while until he knew that Kyuhyun would have reached his tent before donning a cloak and slipping out the back of his tent and into the surrounding forest. Unknown to him 2 men were closely monitoring him and saw him as he left, both quietly following him as he tread equally as silently through the trees.

On arriving at the clearing he saw it empty but knew that Sungmin wouldn’t be standing out in the open, he anticipated the low call of his name from a thicket to his right as Sungmin stood up and revealed himself.

He rushed over and whispered harshly, “Fourteenth Brother! You defied an Imperial Edict. You know that if Imperial Father or the Crown Prince found out you would be punished harshly.”

“But Eighth Brother there was much I needed to discuss with you,” Sungmin spoke with frustration.

“Why? What is happening at court?”

“Fourth Brother has been using Imperial Fathers orders to move all the ministers that we have ties with around. They have all been moved far from the capital or to less powerful posts. He’s deliberately reducing our power.” Sungmin’s voice was tight while Hangeng started to pace. “I needed to come here, even if I was risking my life, so we could talk. If you don’t think of something your power in court will be gone when you return to the capital!”

Hangeng nodded and said, “Calmly tell me everything you know.”

As Sungmin started to detail all the movements that Siwon had ordered, a shadow peeled away from one of the trees and sneaked back to the camp, towards the tent of the Crown Prince.

**

“Reporting to you, Master,” the guard intoned before approaching Yoochun.

Yoochun looked up in interest at the one of men he had assigned to monitor the Eighth Prince. He was sure his brother would try and get into contact with his cohorts at some point. Maybe that time had come already. He beckoned the guard closer.

“Master, we followed the Eighth Prince to a clearing. It seemed that he was meeting with a Mongol but upon listening it seems that it is the Fourteenth Prince in disguise.”

Yoochun smirked; this was exactly what he was hoping for.

**

Kyuhyun entered his tent to discover Junsu standing in the centre examining one of the Emperor’s teapots. He put it down hastily, causing Kyuhyun to wince in concern; that was one rare teapot.

“How are you? I came to check that you were okay. I’m sorry I left you. I hope Eighth Prince looked after you. It seemed like he would, but I didn’t want to seem like I didn’t care that you had fainted!”

Kyuhyun blinked at the rush of conversation from the man in front of him, who was now looking at him expectantly.

“I’m perfectly fine, Your Highness.”

“Are you sure? Your hands are bandaged,” Junsu pointed out.

“I applied some medicine and all should be healed soon.” Kyuhyun smiled trying to ease the guilty face.

“Would you accompany me for a walk? I wanted to talk to you some more.” Junsu seemed to be back to his normal happiness.

Kyuhyun thought of the nervousness and worry that would eat at him if he stayed in thinking about Hangeng and Sungmin. Maybe Junsu would distract him until he heard anything. Besides the two princes would need to talk so he had plenty of time.

“Of course, Your Highness,” Kyuhyun bowed slightly and followed the Mongolian prince out of the tent.

“I know I am being rather abrupt and my visit was unexpected, I am sorry if I offend you. I know the ways of those from the city differ from those on the plains.” Junsu spoke stilted and formally as if he had just remembered that Kyuhyun wasn’t one of his compatriots.

“Why are suddenly apologising? You have always been so relaxed,” Kyuhyun asked confused.

“Well my mother told me that you were a favourite of the Emperor’s and that I shouldn’t push myself on you,” Junsu admitted.

“Your mother is with you? I thought that only your father and his officials were with you.” Kyuhyun hadn’t seen any noble Mongol ladies, surely there would have been some indication if one of Yunho’s wives were in the camp. They hadn’t even been to see the Emperor, if they had Kyuhyun would know.

“Well,” Junsu paused and started mumbling in his own tongue, Kyuhyun thought they were probably cursing his own stupidity, before switching back to Chinese. “My mother isn’t like the ladies of Qing, or even the other wives of my father. He is a general in my father’s personal guard.”

“What?!” Kyuhyun exclaimed. He had seem the general, who seemed to have the ear of Yunho as well as the respect of Kangin, he just hadn’t realised that there was another reason for Kangin’s deference and Yunho’s closeness. “How did that happen?” He then bit his tongue at speaking out of turn as the young prince grinned in amusement.

“My grandfather didn’t have any children apart from my mother, so he raised him to be his successor, the next general of his small but elite company, rather than let my mother learn to be a proper lady. My grandmother had died when my mother was young so he naturally followed my grandfather everywhere. No one knew that my mother wasn’t a true man apart from a few of my grandparents’ closest acquaintances.” Junsu derisively uttered the words, seemingly angry at his . “My father, he was told after my grandfather died. He went to visit to see exactly who had been put in charge of one of his most powerful units. Apparently my father fell in love… my mother took some convincing.” Junsu laughed while Kyuhyun listened in awe. Junsu’s mother had gone against all social conventions, was a well-known warrior, a trusted leader of Yunho’s personal guard. And he had a child…

“Are they married? Why isn’t he with the other wives?” Kyuhyun questioned, intensely curious as he followed the other up a small knoll.

Junsu smirked, “Apparently, my mother only consented to marry when he became pregnant. And even then as soon as I was born he left to re-join his regiment, taking me with him. My father couldn’t even stop him. It was only when he ordered that my mother become head of his personal guard that he returned to my father’s home.”

“Your mother sounds like a powerful character.” Kyuhyun spoke admiringly.

“He is,” Junsu sighed. “He worries for me. Especially since I am of age to be married. My father has said he will wait until I meet a man I admire. But…” The prince sighed deeply looking forlornly out from the top of the hill down onto the camp. “Why didn’t Changmin come this time?”

Kyuhyun understood now why he was asked on this walk. “The Thirteenth Prince was ordered to stay to help the Fourth Prince. He had no choice in the matter. The Princes do as their father orders them.”

“Is his wife beautiful? And accomplished? And everything a noble lady of the city should be?” Kyuhyun felt empathy for the boy who was so obvious but didn’t feel embarrassed to ask this of him.

“She is certainly considered a beauty and she is cultured. But remember she was not married to the Prince out of love or affection, they were married due to politics and the Emperor’s will.”

Junsu looked more troubled by this than pleased. “My parents told me that Qing ladies had no choice, that they are never happy.” His eyes pleaded with Kyuhyun to refute what he said but Kyuhyun couldn’t. He had yet to meet someone who was happy with their life or their position. No one, not even the princes, or the officials, or even the Emperor, were happy. Everyone was stuck in place by laws, responsibilities, tradition and expectation. If you deviated from the path, fell from the precarious knife edge that was the life in court, you risked your life. There were always people watching, waiting, for a mistake, for a chance to report another. How could he explain this life to someone who lived so freely? Who had been treated as an honoured child and whose mother lived so differently to all the wives he had ever encountered?

“Your silence tells me more than your words would,” Junsu said gloomly. “But, is there no freedom, no choice at all?”

Kyuhyun sighed and couldn’t bring himself to defend or abolish the society that he was trapped in. It was just too difficult to put into words everything that was expected of him and everyone else. That no one had friends, just other people all waiting for you to misstep. If he said something now, he may regret it later. Who knew what would happen if he poisoned this prince’s ears against the life in the Qing capital? No doubt Junsu would tell someone, it would probably be a meaningless comment or a slip of the tongue. That would then be reported to Lord Yunho, and that could colour his view of Kyuhyun, his friends, Prince Changmin, anyone really. Or he could mention it to Kangin, which would endanger his life, and not just his, the moment a slur was mentioned against him everyone he had contact with would be contaminated.

“I won’t ask anymore, you clearly do not want to answer. I can guess from your quietness that the answers will not be ones I want to hear.”

“We cannot always be ourselves in the palace,” Kyuhyun admitted softly. “I do not know how to counsel you in regards to the Thirteenth Prince.”

“My parents have told me not to think of him. My father told me that he would never allow the match as it would take me away from here. And yet he says he will not force me to marry someone I do not care for.”

“Your father cares for you deeply. He doesn’t want to see you unhappy.”

“Why is it so difficult to like someone? Why can’t it be simple?” Junsu huffed as he linked arms with the other boy and started to drag him back towards the camp, his good mood on the risk again. The prince was not one to stay upset for long, no matter what the discussion.

Kyuhyun inwardly agree with his last sentiment in any rate. Why was it so complicated when you liked someone?

**

As Kyuhyun and Junsu approached the camp they noticed that the camp that was normally quiet and asleep at this time of night was buzzing with movement and light. Guards were running around frantically, wielding torches to cast light into every crevice and dark corner.

“What’s going on?” Junsu asked confused. They both ran forward as Kyuhyun’s mind started to panic. Had they been caught? Was everything going to be ruined? Where were Hangeng and Sungmin?

Junsu called out to one of his father’s men, his voice calm. The prince had gone into leader mode, the bubbling youth replaced with complete commanding control. “What happened?”

“The Crown Prince has reported that there are thieves. He says that he chased the thieves until they entered our part of the camp and then lost them. He has asked permission to have his men search the area.”

“What do they look like?” Kyuhyun asked, his voice barely hiding his fear. The two in front of him probably thought it was the idea of thieves, he hoped that was what they thought.

“We do not know. The Crown Prince has told us nothing.” The soldier seemed frustrated, and Kyuhyun could see a mirror emotion flicker in Junsu’s eyes.

“You make continue what you were doing.” Junsu dismissed the soldier quickly before turning to the Qing servant. Before he could say anything Kyuhyun cut across, “Where are the good hiding places?”

“Why?”

“Please Your Highness.”

Looking at the worried and desperate face of his recently-made-friend, Junsu couldn’t say anything except, “Follow me.”

As they rounded a corner they saw Yoochun being confronted by General Kim, who Kyuhyun now knew was Junsu’s mother, both followed by groups of their men. Not wanting to be seen by them and have to answer questions, especially since Kyuhyun wasn’t sure whether the Crown Prince knew who the thieves he were chasing were, he pulled Junsu behind a tent, from where they could still here the conversation.

Junsu looked confused but didn’t cry out for which Kyuhyun was eternally grateful. He had no idea what excuse he would give the prince after this was over.

“The two suspicious people we were chasing definitely came in this direction.” Yoochun said, his voice carrying his annoyance.

“You have already searched our camp, they are not here.” The general did not look happy with Yoochun’s tone.

“If we don’t keep searching they could escape!”

There was a moment of silence before, “I give you permission to sweep the idea one more time, but do not go near the Lord’s family tents. You would not want to wake him.”

Hearing the two groups move off, Junsu pulled Kyuhyun to continue searching. Following the prince, a pair of guards came out of the tent in front of them, causing Kyuhyun to duck into one of the tents, or more aptly, he was dragged into one of the tents.

Looking up, his lip nearly bleeding from the bite to prevent himself from crying out in shock, he saw the Fourteenth Prince. Sungmin looked for some bizarre reason exhilarated for a moment, as if being chased with his life at stake was entertaining, before looking worried.

“I got separated from Eighth Brother, I assume he would have headed for his tent.”

“Kyuhyun,” he heard hissed from outside the tent.

“It’s Prince Junsu.” Kyuhyun bit his lip more, he looked panicked before his face became set with determination. “I have a plan. Follow my lead and don’t question it. Have you ever met Prince Junsu?”

“No.”

“Then the plan will work.” Kyuhyun gulped before standing up and moving to the tent entrance, “Prince Junsu, come in here.” He really hoped this would work, maybe all those tv dramas he watched were good for something if they gave him ideas like this.

“Are you alright? Who’s that?” His voice changed from concerned to suspicious as he saw Sungmin stood next to a panicked Kyuhyun who had fallen on his knees.

“Your Highness, I bet you to save me. I need your hel-”

“Just ask and I would do anything to help you.” Junsu cut him off and dragged him to his feet.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Kyuhyun said tearfully. He turned to Sungmin to start berating him, “How could you come here? I told you not to and look what has happened. How are we to escape this mess? You’ve been mistaken by the Crown Prince as a thief! If we explain people will know our secret.” Kyuhyun turned slightly to include the confused looking Junsu in the conversation. “You know palace maids aren’t supposed to see people secretly. We are both dead!” Comprehension dawned on Sungmin’s face which he schooled to look as fear. “But if we don’t explain, you will still die. Then I’ll be alone.” Tears started to run down Kyuhyun’s face, they weren’t even fake as all the emotions he was holding caught up with him.

He burrowed his head into Sungmin’s shoulder, causing the Qing prince to tense slightly but wrap his arms around Kyuhyun. Kyuhyun thanked the heavens that Sungmin hadn’t said anything or pushed him off. They had to act convincing enough for their targeted audience.

“He is your lover?” Junsu asked quickly.

Kyuhyun removed his head, but kept his arm around Sungmin as he answered the Mongolian prince. “We can rarely meet in the palace. We hoped that out here we might have a chance to see each other.” Kyuhyun sniffed, his voice dripping with disappointment. “We didn’t think that he would be mistaken as a thief by the Crown Prince.”

“He came risking his life to see you,” Kyuhyun could see the prince’s inner romantic shining through his eyes. “You shouldn’t tell him off.” Junsu smiled as he said. “Don’t worry Kyuhyun. I will protect him and make sure he isn’t found.” Junsu’s face was alight with excitement as Sungmin squeezed Kyuhyun slightly before releasing him.

“I owe you a great debt, if there is ever anything you need from me to repay you I will be sure to help you.” Kyuhyun promised. He hated that he was lying to this trusting boy, Junsu had been so charming and unconceited. He wished that he didn’t have to deceive such a good person, but he didn’t see any other way to get Junsu to hide Sungmin and without the Mongolian prince he didn’t see a way to get Sungmin out. And if Sungmin was caught that meant Hangeng would implemented, which would mean punishment for all that were involved with both of them.  It was a house of cards that would have come tumbling down if he hadn’t of lied to this one generous person.

“Kyuhyun you don’t need to worry. Thank you Your Highness.” Sungmin smiled before following the beckoning Mongol out of the tent. Kyuhyun just hoped everything would turn out alright.

**

Kyuhyun had excused himself after seeing that Sungmin was safely inside Junsu’s tent. It was in the family enclosure and he knew the Crown Prince wasn’t allowed to search these ones. The guards outside hadn’t said anything and Junsu had assured Kyuhyun that the guards were loyal to him, and had no desire to say anything to the Crown Prince. The Mongol army had little like for the heir apparent of the Qing Empire. They viewed him as weak drunken fool according to Junsu. Sungmin had muffled a laugh when Junsu had said it so loudly and without fear. It was so different to the Qing palace were you only truly trusted a handful of your servants and guards with your life. Most would confess to anything if they were even threated with the torture chamber.

He quickly and quietly hurried back to the main camp, keeping to the shadows and avoiding the frequent guards. He needed to check on Hangeng before he could rest easy.

**

“You risked so much to come and see Kyuhyun!” Junsu gushed in after the two princes were alone. “Aren’t you afraid?”

“For Kyuhyun, I would risk anything. How could I be afraid?” Sungmin replied. He could tell that the best way to appeal to this prince would be to romanticise his and Kyuhyun’s supposed love affair as much as possible.

“Is it really that difficult to see each other at the palace?”

“Very difficult. Palace etiquette is so strict.” He thought of his brother Hangeng and how he cherished the few moments he was able to see Kyuhyun. “It isn’t like these grasslands where you are free.”

“Then you must have endured so many difficulties to see Kyuhyun?” The inquisitive Junsu continued.

“Any difficulty would be worth it for Kyuhyun.” He knew that Kyuhyun risked a lot to help him but he knew that he would always return the favour. Kyuhyun was special enough to earn the respect and loyalty of so many, with a willingness to help anyone if he could, Sungmin wondered how someone like that existed in the poisonous palace. He shook his head to clear his thoughts as he continued to field Junsu’s questions.

**

Yoochun swore loudly at the man that reported to him. “How can you not find them?”

“We have searched everywhere Your Highness,” the guard knelt before him deferentially.

“They must be somewhere. They can’t have escaped! What have you people been doing?” Yoochun closed his eyes in frustration. He couldn’t let those two escape him. That little clique had been damaging his credibility and reputation for years. People he thought he could rely on were now siding with Hangeng and his followers. He would kill them all if he could but his father would never allow it. This was an ideal chance to get rid of them, they deserved punishing after planning to get rid of the true Crown Prince. How could any of them think that they could replace him? None of them were the sons of the beloved Empress, none of them had been raised by the Emperor personally. Why did they betray him like this? He had loved them all when they had been growing up but now the memories of their childhood just made him mad.

The General Kim approached from the direction of the Lord Yunho’s tent. “Crown Prince, perhaps you mistook these thieves. If we continue searching like this, we will wake up our Wangye. Who would take the responsibility for that? Would it be the Crown Prince?” The General asked in a derisive manner. Yoochun inwardly seethed at the tone that was bordering on lack of respect, yet he could not call the way that the Mongols treated him as he would then be disrespecting them in a greater matter. He had lost his position as Crown Prince previously in part for offending them and he wouldn’t be able to escape his father’s wrath if it happened again. He knew who this General really was and he didn’t doubt that this would be reported to the Lord Yunho first thing in the morning.

“General.” He said restrained, “I was only thinking of our safety.” On seeing the hard unwielding eyes of the other man he nodded. “Alright. Since we can’t find anyone, then we won’t be a bother anymore.”

“Crown Prince, if you please.” The general smiled thinly as he gestured for Yoochun and his guards to leave the Mongol camp, with the general and his contingency escorting.

**

“How did you two meet?” Junsu grinned at the new line of thought though it still revolved around the secret relationship.

Sungmin thought briefly before deciding, “We meet on the Eighth Prince’s estate before Kyuhyun entered the palace. I had to go to deal with some court matters and I met him when he was chasing rabbits.”

“Rabbits?” Junsu asked in shock.

“Can you not imagine the graceful lady Kyuhyun running around chasing rabbits?” Sungmin laughed. Junsu shook his head as Sungmin continued. “Back then all his thoughts and actions were rebellious and unorthodox. No one could understand him. But no one wanted to upset him as he had a caustic tongue.” The fondness of that was clear on his face and in his manner.

“I really can’t picture it!” Junsu exclaimed.

“That isn’t even shocking compared to some of the things he got up to.” Sungmin was happy to tell everything that Kyuhyun had done previously that was outrageous, while the other prince lapped it all up eagerly.

**

A/N:

Wangye is a rank of a prince. It is technically what Lord Yunho is but since I don’t want another prince (there are way too many in this story) I call him Lord Yunho all the time. Also he is the ruler of his nation so he is above the Qing princes but below the Emperor. It is also why Junsu is a Prince – cos he’s the son of the Prince/Lord of the Mongols. You probably didn’t need an explanation but decided to provide one anyway ^^

Plus did you notice the tiny story I put in about Lord Yunho and his General! I have planned and started to write a side story about them. Yunjae story which I seriously am trying to think of a name for. Anyone feel like giving me ideas cos otherwise I will go steal a song title (which I shall probably do anyway).

Also sorry for my absence, been busy with life. Job , family issues, moving or not moving, etc, etc. Was planning to make this longer but the next section I keep getting stuck on (I swear that happens all the time) so decided to just put this up yada yada yada…

Hope you like this little instalment. I will hopefully put the next chapter up soon. But no promises cos I so badly at keeping them.

Love you all <3

Please comment. I like feedback but I don’t want to force you to so… comment if you feel like it… have no idea why I am even writing this *facepalm*

*flails arms as remembers something* I have another fic (which I have no idea how I have time to write). It’s an EXO fic. I succumbed to posting an EXO story lol. It’s called Eyes On The Moon. Check it out – it’s a mixture of werewolf omegaverse thing.

And I had a moment when I realised that my two main stories will be mpreg and I have no idea why… maybe I like babies too much. I want to have babies in all my stories. Babies are cute! Why can’t a have a wonkyu baby in real life?