Junwoo and Hyun Ki soon left as they finished their conversation, now they relied on Hyun Ki to find out what the ministers were doing with all the gold they bought per month or where they resold it to. It was the one thing that Dohyun found highly out of place, or suspicious as Minhye would say.
Not only that but Junwoo's similar case intrigued them even more, Yeongbin Town was to the near east and was primarily responsible for farming cotton, wool, and silk. All of which was considerably consumed in the Golden Capital. His findings were that their stocks were being bought in bulk but like the situation at Jeonbuk Peak, for prices worth almost nothing.
It was hard to say what Yong Chul's findings were but given the way he had spoken at the court earlier, they could all assume a similar situation. Junwoo was to talk with him the next day given that he was also the only brother that Yong Chul found worth conversing with.
"Byung Ho, you should go make a report on the attack before Official Yeon and Official Yang make statements, it would be best to leave out the Rim siblings for their sake. I don't want to cause any more problems for Ae Ran", Dohyun said, taking his usual seat at the table.
Byung Ho nodded his head, sending a glare towards Jaeyong while doing so. He wasn't as tall as Jaeyong but he still had the confidence of a man who was never defeated in battle; not saying that he ever did experience fighting in battle but one would get the point. He was tall and handsome, his features more manly with hooded eyes.
He still didn't like the idea of the wonhwa working with them, and his groundless prejudice towards Jaeyong which he was totally aware of but didn't care anyway.
As he left, Jaeyong sat on the opposite side to Dohyun, pulling out one of the arrows that had been shot at them.
"For someone to have planned cautiously, that person is surely arrogant to use such arrows", Jaeyong bitterly said.
Handing it to Dohyun, the shaft of the arrow was sturdy, made from quality wood but that wasn't what made it obvious. The intricate design on the arrowhead gave it all away, only wealthy people splurged on arrows and weapons of all sorts. And only a few people produced them, this would make finding whoever bought or made them easier, at least that's what they hoped.
Dohyun tightly grasped it in his hands till they were slightly shaking, this was the same arrow that pierced through Jiwoo's body, the same arrows that had been aimed at him but hit someone else instead, the same arrow leaving Ae Ran without any family left.
The worst part was that Dohyun couldn't be there to help ease her sorrow, that he couldn't help her at the moment because he had to go back. That he couldn't bring back her brother no matter how he tried. He couldn't protect them, and that was that.
Sensing his unease, Jaeyong gently removed the arrow from his hands, placing it behind him out of Dohyun's sight.
"Tomorrow I will search around the capital for the shop that made this, the chance is high that it was made inside the capital given this design and quality", Jaeyong said.
"I'll go with you", Dohyun replied, "There are more than two hundred designs and styles of arrows, two heads are better than one."
"But the royal guards patrolling and your face being seen by the public", Jaeyong questioned.
"Don't worry, I really am a master of escape from this place", Dohyun said while resting his chin on his hand.
"You are?" Jaeyong earnestly questioned, Dohyun couldn't help but explain.
"When I was younger I used to wander outside every time I felt bad, whether if I had a fight with my brother or I just couldn't understand the reasoning here in the palace. There's a secret way to leave the palace walls, I discovered once when I was playing.
Yang Minhye and An Byung Ho have been with me since we were children. I'd borrow Minhye's clothes and have him sit in my room facing the wall so if anyone came in no one would find out."
Jaeyong lightly chuckled at the idea of Dohyun dressed as Minhye escaping to the capital.
"The outside was a whole different world to me, I saw things I would have never else seen in the palace and different people and foods. So don't worry about being caught, I'm pretty good at avoiding the guards and I can wear the clothes from last time… I have to help find the culprit." Dohyun said grimly, looking him in the eye.
"I understand", Jaeyong said. Tilting his head, he asked, "Could you tell me more?"
"Tell you more?" Dohyun piped up, "You mean about my escapes when I was younger?"
Jaeyong nodded his head confirming his question. Dohyun grinned, sighing, "Where should I begin?"
When he first started going out he always stayed near the palace walls, cautious of going too far and ending up getting lost in the wide capital. He would observe the surroundings and end up walking farther and farther away every time he escaped.
He didn't really talk to people or to the other kids just to be sure and would always return before sundown, back to his room where Minhye and Byung Ho could finally breathe after his return. Begging him once again to never go out when he got mad. But every time he did, he always left and enjoyed walking about the capital.
He played with the dogs and picked flowers that he couldn't find inside the palace, he would then preserve them in his books. He also bought story books and poems from the local bookstore since all the books and scrolls in the royal library were entirely academic related.
One day he almost scared the death out of Minhye and Byung Ho when he lost count of time from reading a new story at the bookstore; after that it took him a few months before the two would let him borrow their clothes and leave.
After listening to Dohyun's adventures, he inwardly smiled to himself.
"It seems like his highness has a thing for adventures", Jaeyong commented.
Dohyun let out a small laugh, "Well, it can be truly suffocating inside these walls; there is a vast world outside constantly changing and growing. It feels wrong not to know anything about the kingdom when you yourself are part of the royal family ruling it."
"His highness is also rather passionate", Jaeyong remarked with a teasing voice.
"Hyungggg", Dohyun dragged, causing the other to break into a small laughter.
It was rare to see him smile but Jaeyong laughing was truly something else, Dohyun couldn't help but smile along.
Schooling his expression, Jaeyong shook his head, "If you wish to join me tomorrow, it is best for us to get some rest now."
Dohyun nodded his head standing up, Jaeyong quickly laid out his bedding and removed his outer robes. For some reason, Dohyun couldn't resist the urge to watch him. Jaeyong looked over and Dohyun immediately turned his head to the side, his face flushing pink in seconds.
What were you thinking?! Dohyun mentally yelled at himself. Watching a man undress... How- how despicable of you.
Wait! What?
No, we're both men so there's nothing to be ashamed of. Right, yeah, all good all good.
Dohyun made his way over to his side, stepping into his bed not bothering to take off his own outer robes. Right now he was grateful that the paper divider was between them, or else Jaeyong would have seen his unsightly state.
Jaeyong blew out the last burning candle on his side, allowing the room to fully darken, the only light coming from the moon which seeped in sometimes.
Dohyun turned a few times trying to find a comfortable position, that was when something poked at the back of his neck. He sat up and lifted the small head pillow only to remember that he had placed the folding fan Jaeyong gifted him that night during Dano.
The small white folding fan lay there waiting to be opened and used; he had placed it there before they left for Jeonbuk Peak. Spreading it out, he once again marveled at the design. The simplicity of the white background and wood paired with the delicately painted fuzzy dandelion seeds drifting in the air. The tassel that hung from it danced as he flicked his wrist a few times.
Sometimes, it felt like Jaeyong knew him inside and out; it was a weird feeling that he couldn't quite exactly pin down. But something about it made a warm feeling slowly light inside his stomach.
He didn't understand a lot of the things happening around him lately, those peculiar fleeting ideas and emotions included.
"Hyung",Dohyun said.
"Yeah?" The other replied.
"Next time it's your turn to talk about your childhood"
"His highness is doing a background check on me now?" Jaeyong teased.
Dohyun laughed, "Think of it any way you want."
"Really?" his voice hinted with mischief, "Dohyun-ah, then I'll do as you say."
What? Think of it any way he wants? Well, I did say so. Dohyun thought to himself.
Dohyun found it easy to fall asleep that night, knowing Jaeyong was on the other side he felt secure despite the recent attempts of someone trying to end his life; it was like telling himself as long as Jaeyong was there, there would be someone to protect him.
In his deep sleep, Dohyun found himself dreaming about his childhood again.
"Hey hyung! Wait up!" Six year old Dohyun called to the other boy.
"What now?" The other demanded with an annoyed face.
Dohyun hurried over and sat next to the other on a small log in near the entrance of the forest which was to the side of the road.
"Why do you always rush off? I didn't even get to thank you last time for helping me hyung", Dohyun questioned.
The other kid shook his head and pointed to the other side of the road, "You see them over there? I'm busy and I have to deal with 'em a lot so don't bother me."
"Ohhh hyung really is amazing", Dohyun cheered.
The other turned his head to the side and coughed, "Well, if they ever bother you then look for me first, got it?"
Dohyun jumped up, "Of course hyung! I saw how cool and strong you were with that arrow earlier, those older hyungs were going to get me, if it weren't for you I'd be dead meat!"
"Dead meat?" the other scoffed, "Now where'd you learn that?"
"Oh, my other hyung tells me that a lot" Dohyun sighed.
"Tsk tsk tsk", the boy clicked his tongue, "Your brother is mean to you?"
Dohyun shook his head, "Not really, I think he likes me but when he gets mad, he tells me that I'm gonna be dead meat." He then walked in front of the other kid, "But hyung here is so cool and nice to me, come back to my home and become my real brother okay?"
"No!" the other exclaimed, "I don't want to be your brother so go back now", he said while heading off in the other direction again.
Blinking his eyes open, Dohyun sat up and removed the blanket on top of him wondering if he grabbed it during the night, he was sure he slept without it.
I haven't dreamt of that in a long time, he thought to himself.
Glancing over to the side, Jaeyong was already setting breakfast. It was still early, the sun yet to rise but waking up like this, Dohyun couldn't help but look forward to.
"Let's eat", Jaeyong said when he noticed Dohyun looking at him, "We have a long day ahead."
A long day ahead was indeed what they were going to face, starting off with going to every weapon shop in the Golden Capital.