They had rushed as far from the Castle that they could make it through the day. It was not easy, rushing as far as possible on foot, particularly considering the fact that any of their pursuers would likely be on horseback. They had rushed forwards as much as they could, trying to put as much distance between them and the Palace as possible for one day. Not easy, but determined as they were they had made a decent rush by the time the night fell and MinHyun finally alotted themselves a rest. YingXue dropped to the floor the moment that MinHyun had deemed it acceptable, wrapping himself in his cloak and leaning against the tree, breath heaving from the exhaustion that he felt.
MingHyun was staring at him, carefully trying to assess what his thoughts were as they rested. Surely he was thinking that the young Prince would be panicking, and YingXue figured that he probably should be. Panicking that was, but he found...he did not really feel like that. He was grateful, in many ways. YingXue did not know why, but the other seemed horribly anxious, and he was not really sure what to make of that, he knew that something had happened, obviously, there had been someone ready and willing to murder him moments ago in his bedroom. He had gotten quite lucky that MinHyun had come when he had. He did not want to contemplate how things could have gone had his servant not had been there. Then again, now, running from everyone, did that even really make him a Prince anymore? The thoughts had not really caught up with his situation he supposed.
"So what...What is going on?" YingXue whispered, somewhat nervous about what the answer could be. He knew that MinHyun would have had to see something vitally bad happen to even bother taking him out of the casle, and he was not naive enough to be entirely unaware of what was going on. Nobody had been wandering about the Castle as they should have been, even through the servant's stairwells. He was horribly confused, and he thought that it was an appropriate reactions considering that he had also almost been killed, and his jewlery, of all things, was the only thing that had saved him from the worry of being killed off.
"I...My Lord..."
"Don't call me that." YingXue stated sharply. "You said yourself," He continued upon seeing MinHyun's confused look. "I don't really belong. We don't exactly need more people questioning me by you whispering royal titles around." He swallowed, blinking his eyes away from the tears that wished to spread. "Besides, from what I can gather we are running from the King right? That means the less suspicion that we have tilted towards us the best. Even if it is just rumors." He was not expecting the wide smile on MinHyun's face at his statement, but that was exactly what he was getting.
"It is good that you are learning quickly," MinHyun said gently. YingXue scoffed, his dark eyes narrowing, but otherwise would not say another word. Not until he got his answers. He waited, paitently so he thought, for the other to continue speaking. "The King ordered people to kill you," MinHyun whispered, glancing about him. YingXue could not blame him for that, considering the words.
"What?" He asked, his voice showcasing his disbelief. "That...That does not make sense. Why would he not just...do it himself? If he truly wanted me dead?"
"People would suspect the King immediately. Less so if some servants just so happen to be put in the right place at the right time to see some shadowed figure moving about the castle whilst the King is in his quarters." YingXue could not help but want to laugh at the audacity. He did not doubt MinHyun, though, considering the circumstances. MinHyun had never once lied to him, and he had saved him, more so than anyone else. Saved him, and brought him out of the castle quietly. MinHyun, sad as it may be, YingXue believed every word that the servant was telling him.
"Perfect, now I have a homocidal King on my tail." MinHyun rolled his eyes at the Prince's statement. "I figured something was off, though. I am sure you noticed far before I did, but..." YingXue licked his lips nervously, not knowing how to really phrase the words next without them coming across as treasonous. In the end, he realized the futility of that and just barrled forwards with his words. "I do not believe I am truly the King's son." He stated softly. "It does not make sense. I know little of my life before coming to the Palace, and it just seems a bit too...convenient." MinHyun gazed at the Prince with sad eyes but did not dare to speak further. "Furthermore, it makes no sense. We all know basic genetics." He huffed. "I look nothing like anyone in this Kingdom, pitiful though it may be to state such things. My magic...my magic is different too." YingXue looked towards his servant. "Don't try to convince me otherwise, MinHyun,"
"I was not going to." He said with a bittersweet look towards the Prince. "You are right, actually." He stated. Keeping an eye on their surroundings, but ever so diligent in answring his friend, as normal. "I cannot denote you being some form of royalty, though,"
"I am not,"
"This is not the only kingdom, Xiao Ying, you know that, and I do as well. Let us say that perhaps the King did take you, and hold you in the Palace for so long, why would he take some commoner of a different land?"
"You are not wrong, but perhaps it was a thing of convienence." MinHyun stared at him, utterly unimpressed. YingXue rolled his eyes but otherwise did not dwell on the issue further. It would be useless to attempt to do so. "Either way, we can't stay here. I do not wish to risk you getting caught."
"Me? I think you are little more important."
"Don't talk like that, you know I don't like it." YingXue chided his friend gently. "Besides, we are no longer Servant and Master, we are friends. You saved my life."
"Anyone should have done so." Minhyun shook off his thanks. YingXue rolled his eyes, falling back against the tree that he was at.
"Perhaps, but anyone did not do it, I could have died, I would have probably died, had you not been there the moment you were."
"He was not going to kill you," MinHyun shook his head, disagreeing.
"Pretty sure he was," YingXue disagreed. "He had a knife to my neck and everything."
"You did, you're lucky he decided not to kill you, after noticing your jewelry." YingXue, felt his circlet self conciously. "I am not sure where he was from, but he clearly recognized it and became confused."
"Why would the King allow me to keep it if it was that recognizable?" YingXue asked, shaking his head confused.
"Because, he did not realize it. I did not either, until the Assassin seemed to recognize it."
"This is insane." YingXue groaned. He put his head in his hands and pulled his knees up to rest his elbows on them. He sighed heavily, horribly agitated over the situation.
"It is alright, we will figure this out later. For now, we just have to try and get to the nearest town, we can figure out what we will do from there." MinHyun comforted. YingXue turned baleful eyes towards his servant but nodded nonetheless. He was correct, after all.