"Welcome to The Sapphire, daegun jaga..."
Two men in sapphire blue attire greeted the royal convoy from The Red Ruby. They had gathered that evening to celebrate Miju seja jeoha's 25th birthday. Everyone, including the stewards, was invited to the grand gala, a three-day celebration within the walls of The Sapphire.
"Thank you so much for the hospitality. Apologies for the small convoy this year. The Red Ruby is undergoing renovations, so some staff had to stay behind," the head eunuch explained graciously.
"It's fine. Big or small, the quarters of The Sapphire are ready to welcome all of you as our guests."
Both men stepped aside, making room for Min Jun's convoy to pass through. The convoy proceeded carefully, with Min Jun in the palanquin, along the long road toward the main house. It was quite a journey, passing several buildings before reaching their destination.
Through the hassle journey by foot, still, they enjoy the sight of celebration along the way. The building was decorated with blue Sapphire's pennant banners with The Sapphire official sigil— The White Horse with a shield behind it. There were a lot of stewards who pass by the convoy with so many things brought out to the main house for the celebration. The weather was chilled a bit, indicated a transition from autumn to winter.
Despites the good weather, Min Jun started to feel uneasy out of the blue. He took a peek from the blinders, looking around anxiously.
"Head Eunuch..." Min Jun whispered softly.
"Yes, daegum jaga?"
"Where's Uk-ssi?"
The eunuch frowned slightly.
"Let me check, daegum..."
The eunuch stopped briefly, allowing the convoy to pass by for a moment until his eyes caught the presence of Uk among the guards from The Red Ruby.
"Uk-ssi!"
Uk turned his head toward the voice, halting his horse for a bit before dismounting.
"What's wrong, Head Eunuch?" asked Uk. The man leaned closer, putting his lips behind his hand and whispered to Uk.
"Du beonjjae wangja is asking for you..."
Uk frowned, starting to worry. Softly, he tapped a pouch tied at his waist.
"Take my horse, Head Eunuch. I'll check on Min Jun daegun," said Uk. The man nodded slightly before Uk left him with his horse. The bodyguard walked toward Min Jun's palanquin.
"Min Jun daegun..." Uk whispered softly. The prince took a peek from inside, looking at Uk with hooded eyes.
"Hyung-nim, I don't know if I can make it..." Min Jun spoke in a weak voice.
"Are you still feeling unwell?" asked Uk. Min Jun nodded slightly, his wellbeing a concern, making Uk anxious. No one should know his vulnerable state.
"I'm sorry that we had to come today, daegum..." Min Jun felt devastated hearing that from Uk.
"It's not like I can choose when I get sick anyway... And I had no choice but to come, or we would be in trouble," said the prince weakly.
Uk watched Min Jun with hooded eyes. Concern turned into pity. To be honest, he had opposed the idea of traveling to The Sapphire today. Since this morning, the prince had been under the weather, throwing up several times, and his body temperature was quite high.
"Stop the palanquin!" Uk suddenly urged them to stop. They were almost there, only a few yards away, making the convoy slightly furious.
"Uk-ssi?" The head of the convoy questioned him now with an angry face.
"Min Jun daegun needs to take his medicine now, or his condition will worsen," said Uk, almost sounded like he's begging to him.
The man finally nodded, passing him a leather container of water to Uk. The man took the bag, and walked closer to the palaquin before tapping the window carefully.
"Min Jun daegun, allow me to enter the palanqu-"
The man couldn't even finish his sentence when Min Jun hastily grabbed his hand and pulled him into the palanquin. Uk was surprised to see his condition—sweating, pale, and shivering.
"Daegun jaga!"
"Shh..." Min Jun put his finger on Uk's lips. "Don't make a noise, or people will find out about it," the prince said. Uk slowly nodded.
"Head Palanquin!" Min Jun called the person in charge. Soon, a short but buff man approached them. Uk could see his shadow from outside the palanquin.
"Yes, daegum?"
"Add more people to lift the palanquin. Uk-ssi will ride with me until we arrive at the main house," Min Jun ordered.
"But-" Uk quickly revoked the idea.
"No but, hyung-nim. I really need someone to heat me up now-"
"Hah?"
"I mean, I'm riding the palanquin alone and it's cold in here. I need it crowded so it will get stuffy and hot a bit," Min Jun rephrased his sentence to avoid suspicion or awkwardness.
"Certainly then..." Uk finally agreed. He tried to find the most suitable position to sit, but Min Jun pulled his hand, so he ended up sitting next to the prince.
"Sit here. I feel even better when you do."
Uk nodded and handed Min Jun the water container. The prince grabbed it, but his hand trembled. Seeing how weak Min Jun was, Uk held his hand, guiding the water container together.
"Here..." Uk gave Min Jun his medicine.
"I can't take it myself..." Min Jun whispered weakly. Uk almost slapped himself for forgetting the prince's condition. Carefully, he placed the pill near Min Jun's lips. The prince opened his mouth, letting Uk feed him the medicine.
Once the pill entered his throat, Uk carefully placed the water container's opening to Min Jun's mouth. He sipped the water, enough to let the pill slide into his stomach.
"Thank you, hyung-nim..." said Min Jun. His voice was still weak. Uk nodded, slowly pulled away the water container, and put it aside.
"Hyung-nim?"
"Yes, daegum?"
Min Jun bit his lower lip slightly, staring into Uk's eyes for a second.
"Can I borrow your shoulder?" Min Jun's inquiry startled Uk. He could feel his cheeks heating up suddenly. The weak Min Jun looked pitiful, but Uk's suggestive mind couldn't deny the fact that the prince still looked beautiful and mesmerizing. His heart beat like a 12-season drum, more and more, until he felt breathless.
"I need something to lean on. I need to rest for a bit," without even caring about Uk's changing facial expression, Min Jun shamelessly leaned his head on Uk's shoulder.
"Daegun jaga!"
"Stay still... Or I'll smack your head!" Min Jun jokingly warned Uk. The man immediately sat up straight. He came back to his senses, realizing he was in a palanquin with a prince.
And how dare Uk say no to the prince!