Not expecting an immediate and simple answer like that, Jaeyong lifted his head to look at Prince Dohyun. Dohyun repeated himself, "Alright, I'll accept all of you. Now that I've accepted you as my wonhwa that means you are to take orders from me, correct?"
"Yes, your highness," Jaeyong replied.
"Then my first command is for you to ditch the phrase 'Your highness' when in private, in fact, anything related to 'dear prince, esteemed royal, and first grand prince' is prohibited."
Bereft of speech, Jaeyong could only remain confused, "Then how should I address his highness?" he asked.
"What else is there left to call?" Dohyun said with a vaguely mischievous smile on his face, "You can just call me by my name."
Jaeyong's expression now resembled that of a person who had just heard the greatest amount of bull in his life. Before he could say anything he was cut off again, "Besides, you can't go around calling 'your highness' everywhere and I think 'master' is a bit too unfashionable for me," Dohyun added. It made him feel like an old man in his mid fifties instead of the bright youth he was.
Jaeyong persisted, "But there is no need not to use 'your highness' in private, calling you by your name would be most disrespectful towards your title as a prince."
Of course, Dohyun wouldn't let him have his way, "If I do not consider it disrespectful then it is not. I prefer my name over such titles, I may be a grand prince but I am still Bu Dohyun." He said, "So what do you say huh? Say it, say my name Baek Jaeyong" Dohyun teased. Forming a series of smiling and pleading faces in front of him, Jaeyong finally gave in, "Okay, Bu Dohyun…"
Pleased to hear his name instead of the never-ending 'your highness', Dohyun nodded in satisfaction.
"Ah, Baek Jaeyong," he recalled, "How old are you?"
"Twenty-six", Jaeyong replied.
"Ah! So I can call you hyung right?"
Before the other could answer he was cut-off again, "Since you are 'hyung' then you must speak comfortably to me alright, hyung."
Having gained no response, Dohyun glanced towards Jaeyong who had been in the same position since they started their conversation, for a moment he thought he caught a glimpse of excitement in the other's eyes before he nodded his head to avoid having to say yes.
"Anyhow, for now, please sit down, it pains me to see you kneeling like that", Dohyun said, his face in complete distaste.
Jaeyong also realized that he hadn't moved since he was told to address the prince with his name, to talk 'comfortably', and to be called 'hyung'.
When he visibly relaxed, did Dohyun speak again, with a more serious air to his words, "Now tell me, why have I been brought here, what could have happened for the need to leave the palace under such circumstances?"
The other matched the seriousness to his voice, "The previous instructor received information concerning his highness, you, Prince Dohyun. Not many details were given to me but it was made clear that there has been a scheme to harm his highness" saying the latter through clenched teeth, Dohyun was pretty sure he saw the other's jaw twitch at least three times. He would have guessed the matter greatly exasperated him if it wasn't for his inscrutable countenance.
"The concluded decision was to deter any possible lamentable events by leaving under no notice, as of now the matter is being investigated by four of our people."
So that's how it was… but he didn't get it, why was he being targeted? He surely hasn't offended anyone nor has he committed such crimes that would call for revenge, for once this Prince Dohyun felt completely uninitiated in an uncalled situation.
Seeing the somber expression on his face, Jaeyong couldn't help but also feel conflicted, though there had been only a number of times he had seen the prince, he knew that for someone to have schemed something as to 'harm' him, may the heavens forbid what that encompassed, it couldn't have been out of pettiness but a deeper resentment.
Without thinking much of his words he spoke, "I am enlightened to be able to finally serve his highness", Dohyun on the other hand caught those last few words and semi-whined, "Hyung, what did we just talk abouuuut?" Jaeyong let out a small laugh, "I mean it though, Bu Dohyun. We've been waiting for long now to serve you, albeit better circumstances would've been preferable''
Being that he wouldn't be able to get much more information from Jaeyong about the situation, he suggested that they rest in the meantime since it was long after either of them had gotten any shut eye. With that, they both retired to their rooms in each house.
The next time Dohyun had opened his eyes it was already dark outside, How long was I asleep for? His thoughts then wandered to the other person whom he was currently staying with, Could he also still be sleeping? Dohyun left his room to see an empty living space, his curiosity leading him to the other house. Once again, the living space was empty. After pondering if it was okay for him to knock on the other's door, he decided to just take a peak, not wanting to wake him if he was sleeping. Ever so lightly opening the door, he peeked in only to see yet another empty room.
Well, that was until he bumped into the person standing behind him.
"Dohyun, is there something in there?" Jaeyong asked, also peeking in.
NO-NO-NOOO Dohyun mentally shrieked, how could he make up an excuse for this, peeking in someone else's room, disgraceful and rude!
"No- I-I, thought I heard something", Dohyun nonchalantly said hoping that he wouldn't notice the small fault in his voice.
"Oh" Jaeyong let out, "It was probably the roof, the wind is implacably strong tonight" he commented.
Thank the heavens for saving him some face.
A second later Jaeyong spoke, "Dohyun, I have prepared dinner outside, would you like to eat?"
So that's where he was, Dohyun nodded and they sat outside on the long bamboo sitting space, on top of it was a smaller bamboo board-like structure used as a table. From a smaller hut to the side, Jaeyong scooped out some rice from the larger pot and brought over two bowls of soup.
Dohyun laughed to himself thinking that the man accompanying him surely didn't look like a person who would be quick at his hands with cooking, though, it could be perhaps since he trained with a group of women? He should ask later on about how the group came to be.
The air was colder than usual and the wind was harsh but the warm soup filled them up leaving satisfied stomachs. Dohyun couldn't help but remark, "Say, hyung, your food is pretty good, it has more flavor than that of the palace, I should ask you to tell me your recipe once we get back." Jaeyong nodded while putting away the last of their dishes. After some time, rain poured down and so they retired to their rooms for the second time today.
Laying down comfortably, Dohyun recalled his memories of the past few days, most of them in a blur. Not too long ago he was studying with his brothers and enjoying the music played by Hajoon, but within such a small amount of time, he had already vacated his home to a secluded village in the north. All of that accompanied by a group of people he had no idea even existed, his only way of reassuring himself was the small piece of paper he clenched in his hand.
Though he could tell this place was rather secluded, he noticed that Jaeyong never let his guard down. Always alert for any mishaps and problems. Just how dire was his situation? Hopefully, the investigation goes smoothly and he could return safely. But then, what about the wonhwa? Would they continue as his defenders? But he already has An Byung Ho and Yang Minhye, his best friends and personal guards.
Though a part of him found it odd, he was already thinking about the future, in his heart, he couldn't help but feel a bit conflicted knowing that this group that had appeared out of nowhere had most likely trained for years to serve him, would it be okay to suddenly see them off?
The rain poured down strong and hard that night, thunder played like drums accompanied by lighting striking through the night sky ever so often. In the midst of the chaos outside, Dohyun found the will to sleep was even stronger and soon drifted-off into a temporary state of unconsciousness.
The following morning, Dohyun found Jaeyong outside sitting in the dining area watching the scene from the neighboring residence.
Following his gaze, a crowd of people was standing outside forming a large circle. Intrigued, Dohyun asked, "Hyung, what's all the commotion over there?" Jaeyong only shrugged, also unaware of what the gathering was, at the same time equally uninterested.
Dohyun decided to head over, as if knowing what he was about to do, Jaeyong called out "Your- Dohyun!" Catching up with him, he let out in a breath, "It would be best if you avoid a lot of interaction and your face being seen."
Dohyun thought for a moment before responding, "You're right hyung, but, wouldn't it be more natural to get along with the people and to be considered one of them as to being an unfriendly topic of gossip?"
Jaeyong's point was right, it would not serve them much if his highness' face was made known to the public, but in this situation, the only people aware of this were him and his highness' himself, so, perhaps becoming one of the people would allow them to gain inside information and the like.
Following closely behind, Jaeyong had already subconsciously planned out escape routes and areas they could use in case of emergency. Before their departure, he had already sent out members a week before to watch if anything unusual or dismaying happened in this small village but it seemed it was only a regular village with people who lived off the land.
From behind the crowd, Dohyun inquired, "Excuse me but what happened here?"
"Oh! Aren't you that young master who recently moved in?" one of the ladies asked.
Dohyun gave a sheepish smile while saying, "Indeed, I've only arrived for a day now, I'm not yet familiar with-"
"Um, excuse me young master but what is your name?" a younger maiden expectantly asked.
"I'm, Bu Doh-"
This time it was Jaeyong's turn to cut him off, "Master Bu Do Hoon," he said while facing Dohyun, meeting a mutual agreement not to use his real name.
"Ahh, Master Bu Do Hoon," the ladies repeated to themselves.
"Well what about you?" the maiden said, bringing the attention to Jaeyong.
"Baek Jaeyong" he indifferently spoke, there wasn't a need for him to use another name since he was no one of big importance anyway.
Fortunately, before the maidens could inquire any further, an older lady wailed from upfront, "Goodness, this is too much to handle, my husband had just left for the mountains and now our roof has been completely blown off by that storm last night."
So this was what all the commotion was about.
Three other ladies were comforting her while a younger man spoke up, "No need to worry Sun Minwoo-ssi, for the meantime, we can find a place for you to stay, and the rest of us men will restore your roof", that she seemed to calm down and collected herself, "Then, may I ask who would be willing to spare a room for me?" she hopefully said, scanning the crowd.
A series of mumbling and talking were made along the lines of, "I'd gladly take you in for the meantime but I really have no vacant rooms'', "I would take you in if it weren't for my pregnant wife, were soon expecting a baby and we need the space for when the lil' one arrives", and "Same here, my household can only support that many heads."
It was soon decided that no one had a spare room to share. The poor old woman looked down again, the maiden from earlier spoke up, "Master Bu, you surely have room to spare right? Since your wif-, um-, since it is only you and your companion there at the Han residence, couldn't you allow Sun Minwoo-ssi to stay until her roof is repaired?"
Dohyun looked at Jaeyong whose expression was unreadable, then at the woman named Sun Minwoo, it wasn't convenient but he also couldn't say no.