Requested by yeosangs_eclipse
Split into two parts because it's a little long.

Once upon a time, in a faraway place, two friends lived, brother-like, and in peace.

Jung Wooyoung was a descendent of the queen, and after she passed, he inherited the castle in its entirety, all staff and wealth included. It was entirely unexpected, and one day he chose to invite his best friend to live with him.

Now Kang Yeosang was a handsome, beautiful man. Often, citizens would confuse the two to be brothers or even a couple. And perhaps most of all, they would think he was king.

Wooyoung filled with fury at that thought.

The people strongly believed it. Yeosang was beautiful: his skin pristine, untouched as fallen white snow. Teeth pearly white at every smile from every angle. His brown eyes were always so sweet, so shy, so kind. His rosy cheeks blushed whenever peasants visited and showered him in compliments.

Wooyoung didn't appreciate his friend outshining him like this. Frequently he would scowl in the background as Yeosang freely attended to his job helping staff around. He always had to be so nice to everyone.

That envy developed into something crueler. And Wooyoung couldn't resist.

~

"Yeosang!"

Yeosang stirred awake from a hand disturbing his body. He looked up to see Wooyoung's most trusted guard, Yunho, staring at him with alert eyes.

"W-What?" he slurred.

"You need to run."

"I'm sorry..." Yeosang tried to shake the drowsiness away. "What's wrong?"

"Wooyoung is planning to hurt you. You need to run far."

"Yunho- Why would... Wooyoung would never do that." Yeosang felt so much confusion, but Yunho's eyes didn't look like they'd lie.

"I don't know, but listen to me. Please." Yunho tugged the man's wrist. "Run."

Yeosang nodded as he stood. With the help of Yunho, he was able to pack essential things into a small backpack before slipping on his coat. Then he quietly left his bedroom, stepping down the eerie hall towards the main doors.

"...Yeosang?"

Yeosang froze.

"Is that you, Yeosang?"

"Hey... Wooyoung."

"Where are you going this late?" Wooyoung's eyes fell on his friend's sack. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I... need some fresh air." Yeosang clutched his backpack's straps tight.

"Oh." Wooyoung approached him, setting a heavy hand on his shoulders. "Do you want to talk?"

"I don't know."

"Yeosang, we're best friends. You can trust me with anything."

Innocent Yeosang slowly nodded. This was wrong. Running away was ridiculous. What if Yunho was playing a joke on him, and he fell for it? Wooyoung would never hurt him — they have such a strong bond with each other that's lasted for years.

"Want to talk in a better place?" Wooyoung gestured at the big open hallway they stood.

"Yeah."

The pair soon stopped at the dining room — a large hall with a principal table in the center: just for Wooyoung and any guests. Yeosang usually sat to his side, opting to sit closer than at the opposite seat of authority. How humble.

"Want some apple pie? I learned from the best baker of the kingdom," Wooyoung offered. He pushed his plate that displayed a beautifully cooked slice of pie. The proportions were just right, and it was appetizing in every way.

"Thanks." Yeosang took the fork and cut a piece of it for taste.

"So, what's up? Why are you running away?" Wooyoung laughed.

"Get this, but... someone told me you were going to hurt me." Yeosang popped the piece into his mouth.

Wooyoung scowled.

"And I-"

"Just now?" Wooyoung slammed his fists on the table. "Who?!"

"Calm down, Wooyoung." Yeosang held onto his friend.

Wooyoung stood from his seat angrily. He stormed over to the side where several swords lay under a clear display case. And Yeosang had the feeling they'd be used for the first time in a while.

"Yeosang! Run!"

Yeosang pushed himself out of his seat when Wooyoung's attention snapped towards the door.

"Yunho..." he gritted.

Yeosang slipped past the guard. He cowered behind Yunho, heart racing.

"Yeosang, come back," Wooyoung softly called. "Why do you believe him?"

His voice sounded empathetic, but the way he held his sword was the opposite. His fingers wrapped around the handle tightly, and his arm shook.

"Yeosang!" Yunho yelled louder. "I said run!"

Yeosang nodded and ran down the hall. He didn't see Yunho's face, just Wooyoung's fake look of worry.

He made it down the steps when Yeosang realized he'd left his backpack behind. And with the thin clothing he wore, the winter breeze would hit him soon.

Yeosang took a path through a forest. He hoped no one would run after him. And if they did, hopefully, the wildlife that inhabited the region would cover his steps.

Yeosang was merely reaching the edge of a river when suddenly a sharp pain struck his head. He pressed his middle and index fingers against his temples, looking around, and finding himself swaying.

Then everything went black.