Sweet perfume. 

      The air smelled pleasantly sweet and it lightly caressed Jongin's skin with a comforting touch as if to say 'That's right. Everything is as it should be. You're safe and now you can just relax.' The notion of being worry-free was such a relief to his weary body that he just let himself sink into the bliss that was offered to him. Opening his eyes, he noticed that nothing was around him. Absolutely nothing. In the simplest terms, he was surrounding by an eternal white void. 

      That's right. He thought to himself absently. I must be dead. But where am I? I didn't expect heaven to be this... empty.

      "Jongin."

      Turning around at the sound of his name and at the surprise that there was actually someone else there, Jongin spots the owner of the voice. Ahead in the distance is a man waving at him, proud and tall. He's smiling and his face radiated with a familiar warmth. Jongin peered at the man and raised his hand to wave back when it dawned on him who he was staring at. 

     "P-pa. Pa wait!" Jongin broke out in a sprint. His heart pounded  against his chest with the chance of once again getting to see his father after so long that for a moment, Jongin was a small boy again. He was the small ,bright-eyed, eight year old that waited by the door during the evening just to be the first one to jump into his father's arms as soon as the front door creaked opened. There was so much he had to say. So much he wanted to talk about. If this was heaven, he would be okay. 

     But no matter how fast his legs seemed to pump, the distance between them stayed the same and his father was still standing in the same place watching him. Agitation filled Jongin's mind and he tried to run faster. 

    Come on. Move! Come on! He reached out in front of him in an attempt to ask his father to come closer to him. But nothing changed. Seeing his son, his father put up a hand and shook his head. "You're not dead." He spoke softly. "And that means you don't belong here.   You need to go back."

     "Pa! Pa please! Just take a few steps to me. I can't go back now!" Angry, agitated tears brimmed in his eyes and threatened to blur his vision. This was too much. He was so close, but so far away. 

     "Remember that  I am proud of you. You're strong Jongin. So don't let yourself forget who you are. Open your eyes." He smiled again and waved before turning his back and walking in the opposite direction, right into the white abyss. 

     "It''s okay. You're not dead. Open your eyes." Another voice that wasn't his father's echoed loudly in his head and this time there was no one around to claim the voice. Jongin close his eyes and the white world of nothingness retreated. 

     "Hey, are you awake? Relax. You're okay." The voice was right next to him this time. The heaviness of his eyelids made it difficult for him to open his eyes, but once he was able to pry them open, he found himself lying on one of the most comfortable beds ever. Seriously. He could never even dream of lying on such comfortable material. His body was covered by a plush blanket and while he had no idea where he was, he knew something for sure. He was not dead. And he wasn't in heaven.

     "Ah. You're awake. And calm. Thank goodness." Baekhyun grinnned and sat back in a chair by Jongin's bedside.  "You seemed like you were wrestling with something in your sleep and I was afraid that you would injury yourself even more at some point." Jongin's attention was brought to the brunette-headed individual next to him. The sweet aroma that had penetrated his dreams was just as pugnant now, if not more.

     'Uggh." Jongin grumbled trying to lift his head from the pillow, but was stopped in his attempt to get up as the brunette placed a finger on his forehead. 

    "Uh, are you sure you want to get up so soon? Your body was pretty beat up." Baekhyun grimaced. "You may want to wait just a bit."

    Without a word and another agitated grunt, Jongin shook his head, which was mistake because that caused his head to pound unbareably. He wanted to sit up just a little bit. It felt a bit odd to be laying down knowing that this guy had been here watching him while he was asleep. He managed to prop himself on his elbows, ignoring his pulsating temples, and finally leaned back on the pillows and the bed post.

     "I swear I wasn't being weird and staring at you while you slept." Baekhyun put up his hands in defense.  "I just came in to check up on you." With a smirk playing on his lips, he added, "Although, I have to say, you don't look like a crazy murderer in your sleep."

     "I-I'm not a murderer. Aggh. My head is killing me." Looking around the room, Jongin was still confused as to where he was. 

     "Where am I?"

     "Definetely not at death's door, but that goes without saying." 

      Collecting his thoughts, he took in his surroundings. The cream colored walls looked freshly coated in paint. The bed sat across from a small, elegant dresser. Nothing else decorated the room but a small bedside table and lovely silken curtains that were gradient in color. Everything was so simple, yet screamed extravagance at Jongin. 

      "I'm honestly really curious as to how you could've gotten yourself into trouble." Baekhyun vocalized. " What exactly happened to you the night we ran into each other? I couldn't help but think that maybe you'd gotten hurt while trying to help me, but I guess hurt is an understatement at the moment."

      Jongin scoffed. "Yeah. No kidding."

      "But moreover at least you're alright. Thanks to me that is." Baekhyun smiled proudly, crossing his arms over his chest. "You must want to thank your life's savior. But it's okay. No thanks needed." Baekhyun shook his head dramatically and took a little bow.

     "Baekhyun." Boy could the guy talk.

    "Well..if you want to get all specific," Baekhyun leaned into his seat and rubbed the back of his head. "It was really Kris that saved you, but I helped carry you away from there and-."

    "I've got to go back."  Jongin interupted, frantically removed the blanket from his body and attempted to throw his legs over the bed. At that moment, he noticed that he was shirtless and saw that his torso had been bandaged tightly. 

    "I wouldn't recommend that. At. All. Do you have some sort of death wish?" Baekhyun asked sarcastically as he stood and walked over to his bedside table. 

    "I can't just run away. I can't-."  Taking in a deep breath felt painful and the urge to get up was gone. 

    "I can tell you a few things." Baekhyun swiftly picked up a small cup off of the tray by Jongin's beside and handed it to him. "You'd better take this. It's supposed to help with the pain. Your ribs are bruised, but that's nothing that won't heal within a week or two as long as you take it easy. Secondly," Baekhyun sat back down with Jongin staring at him intently. "You don't have to be on guard with me. We grew up together and I consider you to be an old aquaintance of mine. And lastly," Baekhyun bent his head really close to Jongin's "There are two armed soldiers outside of this door that have orders from the prince to stand guard. Knowing your bad history with the king's soldiers , I wouldn't want to get on their bad side."

    Jongin groaned internally. It's not as if he were the least bit intimidating. 

    "Would you be able to then at least tell me why I'm here?" Jongin inquired, hoping to at least get some answers. "I need to clear my name. There has to be some way that I can prove that I didn't kill those men."

    "Is there a way to prove that the sky is blue?"

   "Not at all the least bit funny." Jongin scowled.

    Baekhyun sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Honestly, I don't see any way that you can prove your innocence without a witness. I'm not saying I doubt your words, don't get me wrong." Baekhyun added quickly, putting up his hands in defense. 

    At that moment, the door of the room opened just as he was about to open his mouth. At the door's entrance stood a tall figure that adorned a serious, expression on his face. His manner and appearance screamed royalty and his presence seemed to claim a special type of authority. The black button down shirt that he wore fit his upperbody perfectly, slightly clinging onto his biceps. The shoulder blades adorned golden lace that was designed in an elegant pattern that caught Jongin's eye. His trousers and shoes were also black, but it only radiated confidence. No doubt his entire wardrobe was taylored to fit his body and one could only imagine how long it would take Jongin's family to earn enought money to buy a pair of shoes that were half as elegant as his. 

   "Well even if I don't have all the answers, he probably will." Baekhyun turned around to meet Kris's serious gaze with a smile as he stepped into the room.

   "Who are you?" Jongin asked immediately. 

  "More like, who are you?" Kris replied. "I normally don't get that type of question, but I am one of the princes that lives here."

   Of course he is. Jongin thought. That would explain a couple of things. 

   "Well I'd say he was more than just a prince." Baekhyun added. 

   "That's besides the point." Kris said dismissively. "We have quite a bit of information to sort out." He passed a pair of clean clothes to Jongin before continuing. "I think you would prefer, however, to be clothed before engaging in proper conversation."

    The fact that he was only partially clothed made Jongin feel embarressed and he grabbed the clothes appreciatevly, slipping the clean shirt over his body. The light material tickled his skin and he couldn't help but smile a bit at the thought wearing such a luxury. Feeling the material between his fingers, he wondered why the prince would want to award him this treatment to a complete stranger.

    "Is your body recovering well? Considering it's only been one evening that you've been here, not much has changed I assume." 

   "Thanks to your Highness for your kindness." Jongin bowed his head a little. "I can assure you that this treatment is far better than being in a prison cell."

   Kris let a small smile escape. "I'm glad to here of that." 

   "Which is why," Jongin started again. "I would like to know why I'm here."

   "Hey." Baekhyun chided softly, eyeing him with a look that read 'mind yourself please'. 

    Jongin ignored him, keeping his attention towards Kris. "Why are you being so kind to me?"

   "I purely put my trust in Baekhyun here." Kris clarified, nodding his head towards the brunette. "If he vouches on your behalf, then what can I do but trust him." Kris folded his arms and leaned on the bed post. His expression had not changed much since he entered the room. "Now. I'm going to tell you what happens from here.Your new life. It starts in this castle." 

   "What do you mean?" Jongin remaked, confused at Kris's statement. Looking at Baekhyun, it seemed as if he also wasn't sure what the prince was up to. 

   "You are to become the young prince's personal from now on."

   Jongin shot up from his feet. "What! Personal ? You mean a servant boy?!" Baekhyun rose to meet the angered Jongin, placing a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to calm him down. 

   "Just listen to what his has to say." 

   "No!" Jongin jerked his shoulder away. "This is my life that he is talking about. I can't stoop down to serving a royal for the rest of my life. I-I-." I have plans for my future. I want to be more than just a mere peasant boy working as a blacksmith's assistant. Turning directly in front of Kris, he scowled and spoke slowly. "I can't let my life be controlled by people like you."

     "It's a person like me," Kris sighed calmly, "that made sure you weren't killed yesterday."

     Jongin straightened his shoulders, lifting his chin. "I didn't kill anyone." 

     "But the people don't know that." Kris crossed his arms, eyes burning into Jongin's. "All they know is that you have been accussed of murder. And just like any accused criminal, they are wating for justice to be served. Kris paused to look at Jongin whose gaze had dropped to the floor, hands clenched tightly at his sides.

        "If I let you go," Kris sighed, "do you think they will welcome you back? In their minds, someone has to be punished and the only supposed criminal is you." Kris pointed a finger at Jongin before crossi