Kim Bong Dan and the other three women she shared quarters with were finishing cleaning up their room when three knocks came from the door followed by the words, "Court lady Kim Bong Dan, the queen requests for some tea for sleep."
The queen had been requesting late evening tea for a while now and it was her particular job to prepare tea at the royal family's requests. Each court lady had a specific task to do and so they became naturally good at doing them.
She noticed that the queen often requested tea for sleeping and calming the nerves and she did her best to brew them perfectly. She had been entering the queen's residence for four days straight now particularly for this reason.
She put on her topcoat again and fixed her hair, presentation was important, accompanied by etiquette which had been sown into their heads. On her way out she picked up a small candle lantern to take outside.
A royal guard had been waiting to escort her to the queen's residence. As they walked, the guard took a different turn which puzzled her, "Excuse me, but where are you taking me?" she asked.
The guard didn't bother to look at her as he replied, "The queen is in the outside pavilion waiting."
Why would she be in a pavilion outside? Perhaps to get some fresh air?
She no longer questioned and continued to follow. A while later she could make out the small pavilion near one of the palace ponds, it was all fine until she realized that the pavilion was empty, void of any person.
Suddenly a hand covered her mouth from behind, her arms were held tightly together making it impossible for her to move. She tried to scream but her voice was muffled, she only froze when she felt a cool blade against her throat.
This was it, she was going to die.
"Make no noise and be cooperative and we'll spare your life." The guard from earlier said. She didn't know what was going on nor why she was being treated like this but from the look that person gave her, she couldn't be sure of her life anymore.
She slowly nodded her head and clenched her jaw, the pouch of tea leaves she was earlier holding had now fallen to the ground, cold sweat covered her back as she was pushed into walking a certain direction.
A blindfold was soon put over her eyes blocking her sight, she could no longer tell where they were heading.
Shortly after they had been walking they came to a halt. The person guiding her from behind spoke, "Raise your foot." She did as told and was soon to understand they were taking steps.
Just then the sound of wooden doors opened then closed as soon as she took another step.
She stood there in silence, trembling as fear overtook her deposition. A harsh voice then spoke from beside her, "Admit to your wrong doings if you value your life."
Her wrongdoings? What wrongdoings? She has never done anything malicious during her time working in the palace.
She was being accused right now for something she had no idea about!
"Wh-what wrongdoings? I-I haven't done anything" she pleaded. She wanted to take off the blindfold and see who were these people abducting her.
"Pfft!" The one behind her scoffed, "Forget lying and tell the truth, we already have evidence and witnesses to your crimes, right now the best you can do for your life is to tell us who ordered you."
"Wh-at do you mean!" She cried, "I haven't committed any crimes, I don't even know what you're talking about."
"Then let me tell you what you did" that cold harsh voice spoke again, "A few weeks ago you snuck into the kitchen and poisoned the food of his highness Prince Dohyun, unfortunately for you, the palace guards patrolling that night saw a court lady enter the building and the women you shared quarters with confirmed that you did leave that night."
He added, "No one else was wandering around the kitchen late at night so stop feigning ignorance and tell us who instructed you."
"P-Poi-son? I- I would never have even dared of thinking to poison his highness! It's true that I went there that night but I didn't even go near the food, I was in the pantry preparing tea leaves for the queen."
"You, you still dare lie about your intentions dragging the queen into this?" His voice full of disbelief.
"It's true!" She urged, "It's true! Sh- the queen can vouch for me… I- I know she will."
"Enough" A third person spoke, "If what you say is true then we'll be sure to leave you be, if not, I warn you, you will be shown little mercy. For the meantime you're to stay in one of the prisons until we can confirm your claims."
Dohyun had finally spoken, their plan went as expected but this person seemed to have an alibi and was brazen enough to use the queen as her alibi. It was hard to believe if what she was telling was the truth or not, for now it was best not to make any assumptions and find it out themselves.
Minhye who was standing behind her warned, "If you mention anything to anyone, we will take that as you telling us you were behind it."
Byung Ho to her side added, "We'll know by tomorrow so you better turn yourself in now while you still have the chance."
The girl clenched her hands while saying, "I told you, I don't know anything about that. I've only been serving the queen each night per her request."
This gave Dohyun an idea, it could be rather a gamble but it would prove whether or not their only real lead in weeks was to no avail at all.
"Then, I'd like you to accompany me to her highnesses residence tonight."
"Hyung, aren't you being a little too reckless?" Byung Ho said.
"This would be the fastest way, '' Dohyun replied as he reached out his arm and took off the blind fold from the court lady.
At the residence of the queen.
The royal guards announced his arrival while the petite court lady followed behind him, closely watched by Byung Ho and Minhye on each side.
"Your highness, Grand Prince Dohyun."
The doors opened and the two of them entered.
"Dohyun-ah, why have you come, has anything happened?" The queen asked, taking note of the woman following him from behind.
Dohyun shook his head, "Nothing of the like, I've heard that you've been having trouble sleeping so I brought the court lady in charge to brew you some tea."
"Ah, yes, recently my mind has been distracted. To be honest, I've had her come here for weeks straight now, ever since…" It was clear what the distraction was.
"If it has come to that extent I should ask the royal doctor to prepare you some medicinal herbs for your highness" Dohyun said, lacing his tone with worry. He was concerned for her health but he had also just verified that the words of the court lady were true and that their efforts had come to another dead end.
He was discouraged and in a bad mood, for now he should return to his quarters.
Neither of them mentioned anything regarding the troubles they were facing due to the other people in the room, Dohyun had nothing left to say and returned to his residence.
On the walk back he mentioned nothing to Byung Ho and Minhye, he was silent and neither of them dared to ask until he spoke. Kim Bong Dan also silently walked and dared not to disturb his highness. Upon arriving at his residence, he stopped at the threshold and turned his head to face them, "Byung Ho, Minhye please escort her back. Kim Bong Dan-ssi, I'm sorry you had to go through all of the trouble, I do hope that you do not speak about this."
Kim Bong Dan bowed deeply as she hurried the words, "No your highness, I understand your actions, anyone would be compelled to do the same. This servant shall keep her mouth tightly sealed." To be honest, she was very surprised and almost scared to death but what could he have done when he was almost poisoned, which means there was still a mole. She added, "Your highness, If I may be of any help…"
"It is fine, just continue doing your job and serve the queen well… in that case, please update me if she continues to have further problems sleeping, I would be most grateful."
She bowed once more and left, Minhye followed closely behind her.
Byung Ho, "Now what do we do? Our-"
Dohyun, "We can only continue investigating for now, tomorrow is the spring festival, during the royal banquet all of the administrators and officials will be present." He didn't need to say more, with all the officials letting their guards down it would be easier for them to sneak around and gain information.
Except for Dohyun, the royal family began that day at the crack of dawn, followed by a number of ceremonies and a banquet held until late afternoon. For the most part, he'd only be able to leave after nearing the evening.
Byung Ho turned and left, a few moments later a 'thud' came from the side of the building, followed by a body clad in black.
"Jaeyong hyung, you didn't have to go." Dohyun said, when they left for the queen's residence he had told him it was okay to stay behind and wait for them.
"It's easy enough for me to get around," Jaeyong replied, brushing his left sleeve.
Is the palace's security that bad or is he just too good? Dohyun thought.
Dohyun was about to enter but suddenly stopped, "Hyung, I feel like having a bath."
Jaeyong also stopped in place, his expression slightly confused and as if a bit shocked.
"Let us visit the bathing area first okay hyung?" Dohyun said as if asking for permission.
All he wanted right now was a hot bath and aromatic leaves to soothe his mind. He was feeling down and needed to release some stress. A bath would be perfect right now.
Meanwhile, Jaeyong stood there like a log, Dohyun thought: 'he looks a little stiff, perhaps a bath would be good for him as well.'
Dohyun led the way to the slightly secluded area near the back, many trees and bushes hid what was in the middle. Standing there was a court lady awaiting orders.
"Excuse me", Dohyun said, "Please prepare the tub, do you still have mint and dandelion mixtures?"
"Yes your highness, I'll prepare it right away." The court lady answered, heading over to the small pantry by the side. They stored various mixtures of flowers and herbs to add to the baths, depending on what the person was feeling, the mixtures would vary from soothing and relaxing to detoxifying and cleansing.
Personally, Dohyun liked mint and dandelions best. Mint was soothing and relaxing while he just liked to look at the dried yellow dandelion buds.
He walked over to Jaeyong who was standing off to the side who seemed to be lost in thought.
"What do you think hyung? Ah, I should have asked you what types of leaves you prefer…" Dohyun said while scratching his chin.
"What?" Jaeyong said, his tone slightly higher than usual.
"What kind of herbs you preferred." Dohyun repeated.
Jaeyong ,"No, your highness, I will just wait for you to finish."
Dohyun, "hahahah hyung, why do you think the tub reaches all the way over there?" he said while pointing his hand emphasizing the size of the wooden tub. "It's big enough for at least six people, my brothers and I always come here to bathe."
"But I'm not your brother your highness, I'm just a-"
"You're the person I should trust the most right now right?" Dohyun said cutting him off before the others would talk himself down even more.
Jaeyong's eyes widened a bit at his words, "Your hi-"
"Dohyun." Dohyun corrected.
"Dohyun-ssi-"
"I'm younger than you and we're close now right? Dohyun-ah" Dohyun corrected again.
"Do-Dohyun-ah, you… do you really trust me?" Jaeyong asked.
In fact, Dohyun did. There was still much to learn about this person but at the moment wasn't he the one he could trust the most?
Dohyun smiled lightly and was about to speak when the court lady notified him that the bath was ready. After that, she stepped out leaving the two alone.
Jaeyong was still weary, "Wouldn't it be bad if others saw us?"
Dohyun thought for a moment, "it's not like we're doing anything bad besides, everyone has now retired to their rooms, it's not like I can go and wake up Hajoon and Yejoon to join me."
With that, he took off his boots and placed them to the side before walking up to the steps that lead to the tub. It was fairly large, the sides of the tub reached his stomach and its length was almost three meters on each side.
It was now filled with the relaxing scent of mint leaves and pretty yellow flower petals and buds.
Dohyun took off his outer robe, then his inner shirt, and finally the last silk white undershirt leaving him in only his white undergarment pants. He neatly folded his clothes before stepping into the tub, the warm water embracing his body making him sink down in relaxation.
Jaeyong hesitated for a while before he finally decided to follow, he stood with his back facing Dohyun as he took off his outer clothes piece by piece.
Dohyun who had resurfaced to the water caught sight of this and he couldn't help but watch each piece of clothing fall to the ground until the last white thin shirt was removed showcasing a pale back.
Jaeyong turned frontwards but Dohyun, suddenly ashamed for staring like that, moved his eyes elsewhere, a small burn spreading across his cheeks.
Seconds later, Jaeyong entered the tub sending small ripples of water everywhere, he sat opposite to Dohyun resting his back against the hard wooden walls of the tub. Dohyun needed to think of a topic, "Does hyung like it?"
Jaeyong sank down a bit, nodding his head replying with a "Mmn", the warm water was indeed very relaxing and the mixture of herbs was also nice. For a while they just sat there enjoying the water. Jaeyong spoke: "Dohyun-ah… Is it because you're stressed that you wanted to come here?"
Dohyun smiled, finally being called by his name, "A bit, warm things are comforting, like the water, like tea and sunlight."
Jaeyong was holding one of the dandelion buds that still had most of its petals intact.
"Hyung", Dohyun said, "Hyung, tell me more about yourself, we've been working together for more than four weeks now yet I don't know much about you or the others, I kind of feel bad."
"There's no need to feel bad, we've met under certain circumstances and been busy…"
He thought for a while before continuing, "We trained far from here, the area secluded deep into the mountains. One day, teacher said that we have all graduated from training and our first task was given to us, the time we met."
Dohyun asked, "From what age did you enter?"
Jaeyong looked down as he answered, "I was eleven, the other's were younger by a few years."
"Eleven…" Dohyun repeated, it was such a young age…
"We were treated well… training was rather harsh but we were treated well… After three years the teacher asked us if we wanted to stay, that we could leave if we wanted to. We were strong enough to fend for ourselves, we had all the skills needed in life. I don't know why the others stayed but we all knew what our futures held if we chose to stay."
Dohyun inquired, "And what was that? If you chose to stay?"
Jaeyong, "That we could never be sure of where it was going to lead us. But the thought of being able to stand by your side was a whole different story."
Dohyun didn't want to disappoint them but he thought that they looked too highly of him, if being able to serve him was something to take such pride in, he would feel similar to a fraud. He wasn't a great king or an influential person but they blindly believed in him.
He said, "Then I'll work hard to become someone truly worthy of your admiration."
To Jaeyong, he was already a person worthy of admiration, he was already the only prince that he would proudly serve.
Dohyun suddenly changed the conversation, with a bright tone he commented: "Hyung has a nice body."
Jaeyong was caught off guard and averted his gaze, the tip of his ears turning a bright red, "What rubbish." He said under his breath.
Dohyun enthusiastically splashed the water as he brought his palm down, "I'm telling the truth hyung!" He crawled over, now right in his face, "Look, it would take forever for me to get my muscles like that, not even Byung Ho can compare!"
At this point, Jaeyong was just desperate to get him away, "Alright, alright, I believe you." He said waving his hand indicating for the other to give some space.
Yet, Dohyun did the opposite, he crawled over even closer. "Really?" He said. "Then, tell me what you like about me hyung."
Jaeyong hurriedly said words along the lines of, "you're kind, talented, smart-"
"No, I meant my body, what's best about me?" Dohyun cut in.
Jaeyong finally turned his head to face him, taking a good long glance. Dohyun's hair was slightly damp and out of place, his skin was the fairest he had seen in his life and it looked smooth to the touch, he also had a small waist, the list could go on forever. He looked back at his face to see the brightly smiling person in front of him, he had big round eyes, lush pink lips, and a tall nose bridge…
"Pretty." Jaeyong said, meeting the others' eyes.
"Dohyun-ah is pretty."