An Byung Ho and Yang Minhye awaited him outside the door, their expressions restrained but Dohyun saw through them. Worry, curiosity, and confusion. His own wasn't far from theirs, though a miniscule part of what had been going on was explained, with what grounds other than 'have never been proven wrong' did they have? Premonitions, visions, and seeing into the future - not a splinter of concrete evidence and even now, the person who tried to poison him was still unknown. With all of this, he was still surprised with how much faith the queen had in the shaman and her words; everything combined was nothing but arbitrary yet recondite issues to him.
A thought that came to mind but didn't linger for long was that he found it odd, the queen's faith in such a belief that when he recalled further back, the practice itself was banned around the time of his first birthday. There wouldn't be much reason to believe so strongly but perhaps it was also the fact that the older generations had followed such practices for longer than not.
He did not feel to explain what he had just acquired to Byung Ho and Minhye nor did he wish to be asked questions; instead, Dohyun desperately needed to be alone right now. In order for that to happen, he had the two go fetch him some cheap liquor from one of the shops in the Golden Capital. Of course, at first they were reluctant to leave but seeing his implacable expression, they reckoned it would be better for him to relieve his stress. Byung Ho had wanted to grab him, turn him around and make him spill it all out but Minhye caught his hand and gave him a look to better save it for later. With that, they both left, ever so often glancing back at Dohyun who wandered on.
It was late afternoon by now and the courtyards were less busy. The sun was more lenient at this time of day and thus, just let its rays be enough to illuminate the surrounding trees and pathways to a subtle glow. As he walked along the stone paths, his mind kept repeating the words the shaman and the queen had said, over and over again, trying to make sense of it. Despite what the shaman had claimed, was it all really connected to the poisoning of his food or had it been an entirely different trouble? Lastly, even if it was, was it all necessarily because of some vision that subjected his life to damnation?
As he neared the far north-west area of the palace, he could make out his residence, the Hall of Nine Peaks, from afar. Very few people occupied this area around the palace; the Hall of Nine Peaks had originally been vacant as it used to be an old storage hall of the current library. The location (far from the main halls of everyone else) and something about the history of the building called to Dohyun; in the end he chose to have his residence there. It was far enough to not get in trouble and to have a lot of area to himself, from the corner of his eye, he spotted a small pavilion to the far right.
It was surrounded by a beautiful garden on each side and was positioned near the edge of a pond, allowing it an eye-catching view. Or in Dohyun's mind, the deciding factor of where he wanted his residence. It was only before finding this hidden spot that he was keen on moving out to another palace within the kingdom, his only challenging struggle would have been not being able to see his brothers much; however, it was for the same reason he would've left. His oldest brother, the Crown Prince Yong Chul had made it as clear as the pristine lakes of the kingdom that he hated him and saw him as a nuisance to their family.
He walked up to the pavilion and for once took in its intricate architecture, something he hadn't appreciated in a long time. He had visited here frequently as a child but never really gave much thought to it. As he grew older, his sense for story and pasts of things grew, he often took walks just to bathe in the feeling this small area radiated. The pinewood was carefully carved and painted in bright blue, green, and red colors. In the front of the pavilion was a small table with an incense stick burner, paper, and ink.
He lit one of the sticks and placed it into the burner, the smoke danced in the air and twirled with the wind. The scent was calming and he soon found himself gazing out into the pond.
From behind him, a younger fellow had been strolling around, memorizing the palace and the buildings. He caught his highness's face and walked up to the pavilion. Bowing a full ninety degrees, he greeted from behind him, "Can I be of help to his highness in any way?"
Dohyun turned around to face a boy who seemed to be a few years younger than him, he wore light blue robes which symbolized the color and uniform of the royal scholars. "I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you yet." Dohyun said while studying the boy.
"Seung Hyun Ki, of the royal scholars, your highness. "
Ah! Errand boy!
"You must be the new assistant. What brings you here to this area of the palace?" Dohyun asked.
The boy straightened his back as he optimistically replied, "I'm always running errands here and there for the department, it would be best if I memorize every corner of the palace faster that way I can do my tasks with much more efficiency."
He was far from what Dohyun expected, he thought that at least the new recruit would have an exhausted and battered face from all the work he would be taking up; instead, the boy looked lively and unaffected by the harsh tendencies of the royal scholars.
He spoke again, "I saw his highness from afar and thought you looked quite stressed, maybe I could help-"
He clutched both hands to his mouth before finishing his sentence, suddenly conscious of his choice of words, describing a royal member that way would be equal to digging one's own grave.
Dohyun chuckled at his reaction, finding him at least honest, "Indeed, there have been unprecedented things bothering me lately, what would you suggest?"
Seung Hyun-Ki quickly recovered and said, "There are many ways to relieve stress, your highness, though what works for me may not work for you… When I feel that way I usually write down verses and poems. Sometimes even reciting things works too, but to be honest, it merely serves as a distraction if you think about it…"
That kind of recreational activity did sound like a very scholarly thing to do, might as well give it a try.
He picked up one of the brushes on the table and dipped it into the ink.
His hand gracefully curved and stroked as he wrote down the characters.
'White feathers carried across the wind,
high and low,
dancing, twirling, drifting away.
A single black knot by the heavens designed,
heavenly but rimmed with a small sorrow,
weeping, breaking, falling astray.
Winter comes each year unrefined,
steady, sometimes slow,
freezing, hiding, covering away.
But with the return of spring as it unwinds,
leads back to the field where the dandelion
grows and once again is reunited with its kind.'
Dohyun lifted the paper and examined it quickly before handing it to Seung Hyun Ki.
The other carefully read the piece, after what seemed to be some time he finally spoke, "Your highness, do tell this student who is the author of this piece, I've never come across this one before, despite all the poetry books I've read!" Seung Hyun Ki excitedly blurted. At this, Dohyun laughed, among the royal scholars and students, he was sure this one was not one to hide his true feelings.
After looking at it some more, Seung Hyun Ki added, "His highness, misses someone?"
"Is that what it seems to be?" Dohyun asked.
"Yes, your highness... to me, it speaks of family or a person who is yet to return home. They say the words that are written by our hands are the result of our inner feelings and desires."
The boy had a point, though Dohyun had never thought of it that way, that poem had always just been the first one he could think of for a long time.
"You're pretty fast, but not fast enough. Read more and when you can tell me the name of this poem, I might promote you right away." Dohyun said with a smile.
The boy's face lightened with excitement but was soon followed by a frown, "Next time, next time your highness, I will search the royal library until I find it" ,he said with enthusiasm.
Dohyun let out another laugh, it would be pretty hard to find for the scrolls of the palace knew no such poem but he really did find this boy's optimism astounding.
"Perhaps a childhood friend of mine." Dohyun said.
"Pardon?" The boy asked.
"Oh, the one I miss."
Dohyun retreated to his residence after the short but diverting conversation he had with Seung Hyun Ki. The sky was a bluish-gray outside; meanwhile, the living space to his residence was decorated with bright yellow and gold paper dividers. Though much of the interior had been changed when he took over, the aged structure itself retained a sense of muted history to the place. He had expected to meet Jaeyong there as Dan Yong mentioned he would stay with him in the meantime. Yet, he arrived in an empty room.
It was only slightly later that a group of court women made an appearance and positioned themselves outside his door, waiting for any orders from the prince.
It came to his mind that they would most likely be the wonhwa disguised as court ladies since he had never required any court ladies to stay at his residence. He always made them go elsewhere and used the excuse that if he needed anything he would simply send Byung Ho or Minhye.
Dohyun wanted to check on them but was soon met with three other familiar faces. The doors to his room flew open, stepping in, Byung Ho and Minhye carrying bottles of liquor in each hand, shortly followed by Jaeyong who was behind them.
Indeed it was a good idea to have them bring alcohol, he suddenly felt like drinking.
Byung Ho glanced behind him before letting out a "pfft" and rolled his eyes while Minhye advanced into the room and sat on one of the cushions placing the round clay jar of liquor on the table.
Byung Ho followed and sat at the adjacent side while Jaeyong's eyes scanned the room looking for an appropriate place to seat himself.
Dohyun beckoned him "Come sit with us hyung" as he sat opposite to Minhye and patted the rectangular cushion next to him.
Byung Ho snorted and asked with distaste, "Must you really call him hyung?"
"Why? Jaeyong hyung is older than me by three years and four by you guys." Dohyun replied.
Hearing Dohyun defend him somehow gave him the courage to follow his instructions and so Jaeyong seated himself with the other three at the table.
"Byung Ho, Minhye, you should also address him properly. Just like the both of you, all of them are working for my welfare..."
With that Byung Ho inwardly mumbled something along the lines of "Never in his brightest dreams" while Minhye didn't reply but his face held an expression of some aversion.
"Leave them be your highness, my only concern is-"
"And you." Dohyun stated, looking him flat in the face, "How many times must I remind you to not call me your highness?"
Jaeyong looked down avoiding his gaze, "Dohyun"
"By the way" Dohyun spoke, giving them each an odd look, "Why is there so much tension between the three of you? You're acting like you have bigger problems than me right now."
None of them spoke, silence filled the room and it seemed that neither of them were going to be willing to speak anytime soon.
"If that's how it's going to be" he said while taking three small porcelain cups from underneath the table, "Then you will drink until you talk."
Three pairs of eyes landed on him at once but with their pride and stubbornness prevalent, none objected despite the horrible idea, it would also feed the pride of who could hold their liquor the longest.
"Dohyun-" Jaeyong gave in after a moment.
"Yes hyung? Do you have something to say about the unsought attitude you three have towards each other?"
Byung Ho rolled his eyes and Minhye looked to the side, Jaeyong on the other hand, removed the black cloth covering his face.
For a moment Byung Ho, Minhye, and Dohyun's eyes all gazed over him; he was a beautiful specimen of the male kind instantly catching one's eye and drawing his or her full attention, being the first time Byung Ho and Minhye had a good look at his face, their awe couldn't be hidden. That was, until, Byung Ho let out another snort.
Dohyun: "At this rate, you're going to turn into a pig Byung Ho."