Fireworks exploded somewhere in the distance.

  “My lord? The former prince and the princess are here again. "

  Kyungsoo looked up, his cheek still resting in his hand, but alarm seeped into his eyes. “Baekhyun and Andrea?”

  His gatekeeper, Jin, nodded. “Their carriage is waiting outside the entrance.”

  Sighing with annoyance tinged on the edges, Kyungsoo nodded. “Let them in.” Saying no is impossible and incredibly rude to them, anyway.

  It wasn’t like Kyungsoo wasn’t happy to see them. Baekhyun was one of his best childhood friends and he was even warming up to Andrea, Baekhyun’s fiancée – even though he didn’t want to at first – but it was just… he just wished they wouldn’t be visiting this frequently.

  Although he was a duke just like his late father, the highest rank below the monarch, he lived in a small manor with just a handful of servants, and a very beautiful garden in front and in the back of his land property. After all, his family was one of the Four Families who had founded the Southern Commonwealth. But to be honest, he didn’t want to be something so high up in the ranks; he’d rather be a Count. Or a Baron. Anything lower, as long as it granted him more time to be alone.

  The forest behind his manor, a smaller version of The Forbidden Woods which was never given a name was also his, but he didn’t really ask for all of it. Baekhyun had just given it to him before when he was a prince because Kyungsoo had told him he wanted to bury himself in taking care of country business.

  Which wasn’t true. He just wanted a reasonable excuse as for why he seldom met people, even Baekhyun himself.

  “My lord, your guests have arrived.”

  Kyungsoo stood up from his chair and straightened his clothes, slightly flexing his cheeks to try to put on a faint smile.

  With a few tries he gave up, and walked to the front doors.

  "How is he?"

  “The same.” Baekhyun sighed as he climbed into his carriage. “Immersed in his own little foggy bubble.”

  Andrea frowned. “Not that I'm not offended from him wanting to see only you not the both of us... but don’t you think you should help him, I don’t know, come out or something?”

  Taking his fiancée’s hand, Baekhyun leaned on her shoulder. “I’ve tried so many times in the past, Andrea. He's been like this ever since the Fire and Junmyeon passed away, and I do not know why but he thinks what had happened to Junmyeon is of his fault. Kai and I had been planning on digging deeper why he thinks that way, but then you happened, and then my near-coronation and...” he trailed off.

  “So it’s practically my fault you haven’t been able to help your friend.”

  “No,” Baekhyun protested, looking up. “You both are important to me, although I must say I am also concerned about Kyungsoo’s powers. I have no idea if he has any and he refuses to tell me. But now Kang Dae is gone, Yeollie’s coronation is coming up soon and...”

  “You want to give him some more time,” Andrea concluded. “Keep visiting him and annoying him until he finally caves.”

  “He’s my friend, and I have confidence my plan will succeed.” Pinching Andrea’s nose, Baekhyun smiled. “You know me too well.”

  “And you know me too well.”

  If only he knew his friend well, too, Baekhyun thought, then he could finally know what was bothering him.

  He watched as the carriage with violet and blue ribbons on the sides rumbled away. When it finally disappeared around the corner, Kyungsoo flapped his cloak behind him and turned away from the windowpane.

  God, how many more times can I get away with this, he thought. Hiding things from a friend he grew up with was hard, especially when Baekhyun was practically a ball of warmth and always made him feel so relaxed he would find the forbidden words on the tip of his tongue before he forcefully choked them back. Lying was easier, but he would never lie to Baekhyun, or Jongin, or even Chanyeol – whom he had been so shocked to find out was alive when Baekhyun had brought him to Kyungsoo’s manor nine months ago – and not to mention Sehun, the little brat he had missed so much and had never thought he would see again. Until he had appeared along with Chanyeol on his front doorsteps one day after the Great Battle.

  “If only he were here to see this, huh?” Baekhyun asked as he gazed at the scenery painted of the Southern Commonwealth village before them, trying to keep his tone as light as the sun rays shining in through the window of Kyungsoo’s study room on the second floor. “This peace we now have between Stargazers and non-Stargazers.”

  Silence unfolded between them like a thick fog. Kyungsoo didn’t need to ask to know who Baekhyun was talking about. “If only he were,” he gently replied.

  Feeling as miserable as ever, Kyungsoo raked his hand through his hair. He hated himself for being like this, pushing his friends away. But he had no choice. He couldn’t… he didn’t know how to…

  He let out a frustrated groan and decided to go do one thing that would make him feel a little better.

  And also a whole lot worse.

  Kyungsoo found who he was looking for in the backyard, walking out of the forest with his brown cloak billowing behind. His face lit up when he saw Kyungsoo literally stomping toward him.

  “Kyung –!”

  “Where have you been?” The younger one demanded. “You weren’t in the manor. Did I not warn you of no – “

  “Wandering in the backyard alone, or anywhere that is not within a mile from the manor without an , yes, Kyungsoo, you did. But this time I wasn’t just wandering about.”

  Kyungsoo frowned. “You don’t hunt – “

  “Nor was I hunting.” Panic arose in the boy’s voice as he pulled his horse closer. Kyungsoo’s eyes widened when he saw what was on the back of the horse. "I found this maiden in the forest, unconscious and breathing shallowly. Soo, she must be treated immediately – “

  Before he could finish, a rustle along with a crunch erupted from the trees behind the two boys. Alerted, Kyungsoo suddenly realized their surroundings had turned silent.

  Eerily, deadly silent.

  “Kyu – “

  Several black figures flashed through the spaces between trees with inhuman speed, taunting the boys.

  “They’re here for the girl.”

  Kyungsoo took a step forward to protect the horse, still facing the forest. He didn’t question the confidence in the other’s voice. “Were they following you?"

  “I don’t know. But I can feel their attention focused on her.”

  Slowly, Kyungsoo unsheathed the blade from his belt, although it was more an act than real need. “Well then,” he said, his voice as quiet as a whisper. “You know what to do, Junmyeon."

[A/N]

OMG you guys are the best, I swear, already 43 subscribers and I just ;;;; Thank you so much for putting faith in this story, upvoting and telling me how excited you are, I love you all sooooo much and hope I won't disappoint you;;;;

sO.. YEAH. I like reviving people from the dead. JK HAHAHAHA. But really, though, SURPRISE!!!! Oh and yeah, Kyungsoo's character will be a little... well, not depressing really, but, like closed-off to people because he's hiding /whispers/ the fact that Junmyeon is alive so I apologize if some of you don't like it at first... but don't worry, someone is gonna help him out of his shell (hopefully) /winks winks/

LET THE ACTION BEGINNNNNNN!!!!!