Autumn Leaves {Part 3}

[london9calling]

Title: Autumn Leaves
Pairing: Xiumin/Luhan
Rating: NC-17
Length: 33,000 words
Summary: Minseok is the Crown Prince of Korea, Luhan is the bastard son of the Emperor of China. Together they share a dark past that is veiled in mystery. When Luhan's cousin is sent to Korea as a bride for Minseok, Luhan is left grasping- at what he once had and what he cannot remember.

Jong Dae was not ready to move the Prince’s household. Granted, his official position was advisor, but he had always acted in a greater capacity. If Prince Minseok traveled, he saw to the arrangements. If he moved residences (which happened periodically throughout the year, royals did not like to stay put) he made sure the details were in order.

He received word early in the morning to prepare for the Princes movement to Changdeokgung Palace. He had the day to ready for it, and then they would be on the move. On top of the move the official engagement party had been set for four days’ time. Jong Dae was in a panic with the organizational overload.

He was walking through one of the palace’s numerous courtyards at a brisk pace. He was mumbling to himself, reciting the few things he wanted to burn into his brain, when he practically slammed into Prince Luhan.

The Chinese Prince was out for a stroll with his own secretary and advisor.

“Woah” Luhan held up his hands to steady Jong Dae.

Jong Dae bowed.

“Sorry, sorry.” Jong Dae apologized.

“No need to apologize” Luhan’s expression was pleasant and calm. It made Jong Dae question how someone so innocent looking could be so scandalous. “You could probably help me. This was my own good fortune!”

Jong Dae did not miss it, Chanyeol, who was standing slightly behind the Prince, had most definitely rolled his eyes.

“Yes, Your highness?” Jong Dae was all ears.

“Where does Prince Minseok take his breakfast?”

“Ah, yes, um. He is with the Queen and Princess Nauen right now, in the Queen’s Tea House” Jong Dae answered. Luhan smiled and took his leave.

As Jong Dae went back towards his task he found a foreboding feeling creeping up in his thoughts. He would be glad when this whole wedding business was over.

***

Nauen had recovered from her little adventure rather well. It helped that Eun Ji had made her look amazing, and then scolded her for her puffy eyes. Nauen thanked her stars that Eun Ji had no notion of what had transpired the night before- thankfully she had been sound asleep when Nauen had snuck out and back in.

“The official engagement party will occur in four days’ time.” The Queen had spoken the words a few minutes prior, and of course Nauen had already been informed of it earlier that morning. Still, she dwelled on it. The official engagement party. Nauen snuck a sideways glance at Prince Minseok. He was smiling. Was he happy about this marriage? She had never actually been alone with him, or had the opportunity to ask him. She was certain it was arranged on his side as well, but what did he think about it? Her thoughts must have bled over to her facial expression, because the Queen slyly added:

“Do not be sad Nauen. Prince Minseok will only be at Changdeokgung Palace until the wedding. And he will visit here regularly in that time. And then of course you have the rest of your lives together.”

“Ah, yes, your highness” Nauen said shyly. In fact, the news that Minseok would relocate to Changdeokgung Palace did not bother her. If anything, it made her feel relieved. Perhaps he would take his little brother with him, and Nauen could focus on her studies. She had been informed that Prince Luhan would go as well, but Nauen had found him absent from her side in the past few days to the point that there would be nothing to miss.

The door to the tea room opened suddenly. A servant walked in and was barely able to announce a visitor before the said visitor was standing in the room.

“The Prince Luhan”

Minseok tensed. Why was Luhan barging in on a breakfast with the Queen and her future daughter in law?

“Good morning, your highness.” Luhan bowed, charming as ever.

Minseok noticed that any touch of emotion had left Luhan’s demeanor, any hint of the things they had discussed last night was invisible in the morning light.

The Queen looked surprised at the intrusion but hid it quickly. She smiled at the Chinese Prince.

“Good morning, Prince Luhan. It has been far too long.” She smiled that dazzling smile. “Please, sit”

Luhan took her up on the offer and plunked down next to Minseok.

Nauen was all smiles at her cousin’s arrival. She had seen too little of him lately.

“I am sorry to interrupt, but I am afraid Prince Minseok and I have an appointment.”

This was news to Minseok. He felt a kick to his leg under the table. He scowled at Luhan, who just ignored him.

“An appointment? Of course, then. I would love to spend some time alone with the Princess Nauen.” The Queen was unusually accommodating. Minseok suddenly wanted to kick his Mother as well.

Nauen frowned slightly. Why did she feel like she was the only one Luhan didn’t want to see?

“Shall we?” The glint in Luhan’s eyes as he spoke the words unnerved Minseok. What was this now?

***

It was a completely different feeling, now that they were adults. The stroke of a cheek, the smile, seemed to mean something other than friendly affection.

Minseok wanted to punch Luhan at his reason for their “appointment”, that was until he heard Luhan’s logic out. If they really could not remember, then they needed to try. And what better way to try than to head back to the thing they last remember, that place that used once existed outside the palace walls. Now it was part of the palace grounds, having been absorbed into the greater compound. Which was a good thing too, Minseok thought, as he was well past the age for sneaking out.

It was simple enough to tell the servants to give them a few minutes alone. It was simple enough to face each other and think back to what they had actually remembered. It was not simple to look into each other’s eyes, to try to feel what they felt. Because it was a different feeling now.

“And then they found us, right?” Minseok’s lips felt dry. Luhan’s hand was on his cheek, his thumb caressing his cheek.

Luhan didn’t really want to speak.

“Close your eyes” His voice was unintentionally husky.

“Why?”

“Just do it” Luhan did not remove his hand. Minseok’s face felt hot under his touch.

“Think back. What do you last remember? The exact thing you remember?” Luhan had closed his eyes after he made sure Minseok had shut his own.

It was easy for Minseok, because he dreamt it vividly, frequently.

“I saw your face. When they found us.”

Luhan moved his hand from Minseok’s cheek, moving it lower to rest on the other man’s shoulder.

“What do you remember?” Minseok said it after his companion remained quiet.

Luhan shut his eyes more tightly, remaining silent. Why did he think such a simple thing would work?

Finally he moved his hand from Minseok’s shoulder in an act of frustration, causing the Korean Prince to open his eyes.

“Hell- maybe none of it happened!” Luhan threw his hands up in frustration.

Minseok was not sure what to say. Because all of it confused the hell out of him as well. He wasn’t sure there was a solution, even if he wanted one.

“Lu, maybe we need to stop trying to figure it out. For now any way.”

“I f-ing want to know!”

“Why?”

Luhan couldn’t admit that his burning desire for the truth was tied to the reason he found drinking so therapeutic; why being numb was often better than being aware. He needed to know if he had ever loved Minseok. Could he just ask – did I love you? Did you love me? Why was such a question impossible? How did he even know that Minseok remembered it the same way?

“Just prepare for your wedding.” Luhan was done with the entire situation, because he was sure as hell not going to explain what he was thinking. He stalked off, calling over his shoulder “See you later -  I hear we are going to share a palace.”

Minseok stood there for a solid minute after Luhan left, not moving. Luhan most definitely had an effect on him. And he definitely had an effect on Luhan. However, anger seemed to be the emotion born of his presence, not the deeply confusing pain that Luhan gave him. He found that he was rubbing his wrist again, tracing the old scar unconsciously.

***

“If you want to give it back to him, you are going to have to do it in person.” Sehun crossed his arms, cocking a hip in a posture that shouted – go ahead, try me.

Nauen’s eyes grew large at the suggestion.

“Yah- I can’t! You know that.”

“Nope- you can, you just won’t” Sehun feigned a yawn. He was having too much fun with his soon to be sister in law. She was way too easy to anger, and prone to a funny kind of dramatics (that, unfortunately, Sehun thought, could become annoying quickly). But damn was she entertaining to play with.

“Please, tell him thank you.” Nauen shoved the red scarf into Sehun’s hands.

“You tell him thank you” Sehun dropped the scarf and waved his hand back as he walked away.

Nauen stomped her foot. How could someone as nice and charming as Minseok have a brother like Sehun? Hmph!

***

Donhwamun Gate, with its two story pagoda, bore welcome to the recently arrived royals. Threw the gate passed four Princes – three of them Korean and one Chinese. Behind them, snaking out like a somber and slow moving tail was the court officials, advisors, servants, and general royal minions. It was an impressive sight, the court entering their new palace. Hundreds of years had born witness to such events, such slow processions that screamed out the difference between the country’s royal family and the country itself. Antiquated, traditional, but still fun to look at.

The fun-to-look-at element of the traveling procession focused on the men in the front of the throng. The four royal princes were clad in designer suits, a handsome clash to the traditional garb of the palace attendants. They were schooled in such an entrance, moving towards the main hall without a need for direction. There was a limited number of the public allowed in to see the entrance of the royals into the central palace courtyard. They were being neatly controlled by a mixed Chinese and Korean security team led by the Chinese Team Leader Zitao.

At the end of their long walk they were met by royal advisor Soo Man. He had arrived earlier that day and waited to greet the Princes. It was pomp and circumstance and it spoke to just how powerful the top royal advisor was.

Formal greetings were exchanged.

Sehun smiled lazily on his walk to meet his father’s right arm. He put on a serous expression as they bowed in greeting, it was expected of him after all. As Soo Man began his introductory speech Sehun zoned out.

“Who are they?” As the crowd clapped and Soo Man paused to bask in the glory of the audience, Joon Myun nudged Sehun slightly. He asked the question nodding his head towards a group standing to the side.

Joon Myun grew curious because he had never seen that team of royal employees before. They were dressed far too well to be simple or regular servants, and they had been waiting far too close to Soo Man to be insignificant. Joon Myun, being the good Prince that he was, had a knack for remembering the higher level staff that worked for his family. These were new faces.

Sehun looked up.

“The fuc-“

***

Kyungsoo had an allergy to wool. He knew hives were coming, and his sneezing was sure to burst forth within the hour. Why in the name of everything decent did they have to decide this was a good job? He shot a look of disgust towards Heechul.

The boss was smiling, clasping his hands as he looked towards the gate. F him, Kyungsoo thought.

“Yah, when will they get here?” Jongin whispered to Taemin. He was feeling pretty constricted in his tie, he made a motion to loosen it. If he could have taken off his stuffy shirt he would have done that too. Taemin gave him that look, so he stopped fidgeting with his clothes.

Baekhyun seemed to be in his element, Jongin thought, as he glanced over to see the man smiling cutely and giving out small discreet waves at anyone in the audience that even possibly looked in his general direction.

It had been sudden, when Heechul told them their next gig would take a bit of acting. Oh, and jobs. They were getting jobs. Hence the acting. The wails of protest probably echoed through four different neighborhoods at that piece of news.

“But it will be our last job, kids” Heechul had promised them. The last time they had to do anything for money- legal or illegal.

“It better be something good- real good.” Baekhyun muttered, summing up the feelings of the gang. Heechul had smiled at the words. It was, trust him. And then they were here, dressed in the suits of pricks that worked in offices.

Kyungsoo was pretty sure he wanted to set Heechul on fire when he slept. Kyungsoo was pretty sure his allergies would kill him and he wanted to kill Heechul before that happened. He changed his mind when he saw Sehun shout “The fuc-“ in the middle of a courtyard packed with people that would give you a dirty look if you cracked a smile.

Now that was worth it.  Why was that little royal bastard so entertaining? Kyungsoo stifled his laughter.

***

Soo man had heard Prince Sehun’s words loud and clear; which is why he ignored them and went back to his speech.  If he had acknowledged the Prince's unacceptable outburst there would be bigger issues.

Minseok shot his younger brother a look of annoyance and went back to paying attention to Soo Man’s spiel. He loved his little brother, but he sometimes wondered exactly how he managed to not end up being disowned by the entire family.

The welcoming ceremony ended and the Princes went their separate ways, their individual teams of staff members busy settling them into their respective quarters. Minseok went towards Daejojeon Hall, the Crown Prince’s residence within Changdeokgung Palace.

He was expected- no, ordered - to live here for the next month. Minseok could not claim he was broken up about the direction. Gyeongbokgung Palace had turned into a madhouse with the wedding preparations and he was happy to be removed from it. What he was less confident about was having Luhan staying in the palace with him. After their “appointment” in the courtyard they had not spoken. Luhan seemed to hold onto his frustrated anger, not speaking a word to him even though the two had seen each other during dinner the night prior.

If he could only remember, then the entire mess of a situation would be easier. Until he did, or Luhan did, the truth of their lives would push them further into the tangled mess of emotions. The open wound they shared was too deep to heal simply.

***

“I am not going to even ask how you know them, but if you ever do that again…” Joon Myun’s face was contorted into that look, - the look that made his younger brother want nothing more than to run away.

“I don’t know them, I swear” Sehun held his hands up in mock defense. “Soo Man said they are part of the security team.”

Joon Myun knew bull shit when he heard it, and Sehun was full of it. As soon as Joon Myun found a moment to pull his brother into a room alone, he had. He was just a little miffed at his dongsaeng’s behavior.

“So you just decided to yell out a swear word in the middle of a packed courtyard IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC for no reason?”

“Sorry Hyung. Sorry. I won’t do it again.” Aegyo wouldn’t help him out of the situation. If Minseok grew annoyed at Sehun’s lack of propriety, Joon Myun got downright angry about it. He grabbed the back of Sehun’s neck and pinched.

“Ah, ah, AH! I won’t do it again” Even though Sehun was taller than Joon Myun he never succeeded in dodging the dreaded Hyung neck pinch. His shoulders shot up and he moved his head down, reacting to the sudden pressure on the back of his neck.

“Aish. You….argh. Just don’t do it again!” Joon Myun let his little brother go.

Sehun rubbed the back of his neck and muttered more promises. Once he had sated Joon Myun’s temper, he found himself alone. It was time to find out what exactly M1 was doing there, because they sure as hell were not Soo Man’s new security team. He was certain of that.

***

“Chanyeol!”

Luhan called for his secretary, who came promptly hurrying into the room.

“Was there someone here before I arrived?”

Chaneyol looked around.

“No,why?”

“Um, nothing”

Chanyeol gave him a curious glance as he left. Once the door was shut Luhan pulled out the small book he had found on the desk. It was a journal of some sort, and it had been left there in a way that begged to be found. That is why he had summoned Chanyeol. Someone had been in the room and wanted him to find this, but he was not sure who or why.

He flipped open the pages. The handwriting was neat and tidy. He read a few passages, but they seemed to be meaningless. A day filled with chores or something like that, and then a ramble about gardening. Luhan found no identifying mark to tell him who the journal belonged to. As he read, however, it was apparent that whoever had written it meant nothing to him.

As he was flipping through the book a picture fell out, dropping to the floor. Luhan bent over to pick it up.

He froze once he saw the photo. Lying on the floor staring up at him was an image of himself and of Minseok. It was an old photo, from probably ten years ago.

It hit him in a flash as he stared at the picture. He remembered something.

***

Princess Nauen had done her part by seeing her cousin, fiancé, and his brothers off to Changdeokgung Palace. She stood behind her soon to be mother-in-law and bid them farewell. Afterwards she went back to her lessons, her mind feeling free with the realization Sehun wouldn’t be by to bother her.

After her lessons, she went with Eun Ji for a stroll. Eun Ji had something she wanted to discuss with the Princess. It seemed someone had presented the fiery servant with a bouquet of flowers.

“I don’t know who he was. He practically shoved them at me and ran away before I had a chance to see his face! I am so pissed, what kind of weirdo does that!” Eun Ji was waving her hands in the big, attitude filled gestures she was known for.

“I wonder who he is?!” Nauen clapped her hands in excitement. If her own life was not filled with romance, at least she could be happy for her servant.

“I don’t know, but if I find him I am going to slap him. What kind of Man practically knocks a girl over with flowers and runs away?! Freaking coward.”

“Unnie, it sounds romantic! What if he is just shy?”

“Crazy is more like it.” Eun Ji muttered.

As the duo strolled, further criticisms were hurled towards Eun Ji’s number one fan. Because it was just too easy. Nauen giggled a lot at Eun Ji’s words, and Eun Ji elaborated more and more what she would do when she got her hands on the guy that so rudely presented her with roses. They went on like that until they spotted a group moving towards the main hall.

Nauen strained her neck to see who it was. There were around a dozen of them, servants and palace officials. One of them happened to catch her eye. She saw Soo Man at the head of the group, most definitely, but her eyes focused on the man walking behind him. He looked alarmingly like the boy she had met the other night, the one with the red scarf.

“Eun Ji- can you find out who that is. The one behind Soo Man.” Nauen whispered to her servant.

“Why?” Eun Ji raised her eyebrow at her mistress. It was not a usual occurrence for the Princess to ask her to identify someone.

“No reason. I just thought I saw him somewhere before.” Nauen played it off with a smile. Deep down inside she hoped that Eun Ji would take the request seriously. Besides, she had a scarf to return.

***

Minseok was surprised when Luhan burst into his office.

“Look” He threw a photo onto Minseok’s desk.

The study in Changdeokgung Palace was small as far as royal offices came, but it was more modern than those at the other royal residences. Oversized leather chairs faced a large, ornately carved desk. The place was warm and masculine, all dark toned wood and leather-bound books. Minseok had found his way here almost immediately after arriving, he was behind in his work. His catchup efforts, however, had just been thwarted.

Minseok, startled by the intrusion, looked from Luhan to the picture back to Luhan. Minseok noticed that his gaze was intense.

“What –“He picked up the picture. It was a photo of the two of them together. They were probably 14 at the time. They were smiling, arms around each other’s shoulders, standing in front of one of the pagodas that were scattered around the royal gardens.

“Do you remember that place?” Luhan pointed a finger at the picture.

Minseok thought hard. There were dozens of such structures in the five main palaces. He could not be sure which pagoda they were standing in front of. There was no easily identifiable characteristics about the place.

“Um, which palace was this taken at?”

Luhan ignored the question “I remembered something.”

Minseok’s eyes lit up “What?”

Luhan took a deep breath.

“It was just a flash, but it was something. It was at night” Luhan closed his eyes, recalling what he had seen, “And we were there- at that pagoda…”

He was struggling to remember. It was a vivid picture that raced across his thoughts. They were alone and they were in the pagoda. Why? Why had they come there? He focused, the pagoda, the pagoda.

Minseok watched his old friend. He felt a mixture of sympathy and heartache as he noticed Luhan’s frustration building. Luhan as an adult was very like Luhan as a teenager- he was painfully obvious when it came to his feelings. Minseok’s heart was heavy as he watched Luhan shut his eyes tightly in an attempt to drown everything out, to shut out the real world and recall the memories that were locked.

Minseok walked around the desk to stand in front of the other man, not able to stand away and watch anymore.   He reached out and grabbed Luhan’s hand.

“Don’t force it, Lu.” Minseok squeezed Luhan’s hand ever so slightly. He wanted to give him a sign of what he could not say – that it was okay. If he didn’t remember it was okay.  Hell, he couldn’t remember either.

Luhan looked down to their intertwined hands.

“At least it is a start.” They stood like that for a few seconds before Luhan muttered, “You can’t remember either Min.”

The pet name had an effect on Minseok’s breathing.

Neither man moved, both of them stood, staring at where their hands touched. Anyone that looked upon the scene would have felt the tension between them, palpable and heavy and confused.

“Are we talking now?” Minseok asked softly.

“Yeah” Luhan’s anger had played a large part in his silence towards Minseok. After the frustrating attempts at recalling the day before he felt drained. He felt like he hadn’t wanted to deal with it.

“Lu – I..” As Minseok began to speak he moved his arm slightly. It was just enough for the scar that snaked around his wrist to become visible.

Luhan had never seen it and the sight of it shocked him. Luhan reached out and touched it, moving his finger over the ridge of tissue that spoke of a nine year old injury. His caress immediately stopped Minseok from saying whatever it was he was going to say.

God, the scar was deep.

“You don’t remember doing this…” Luhan said quietly, the feeling of the scar had shocked him. He had been told Minseok had attempted suicide, but it was a different feeling to see the damage it had done. It was a wide and ugly scar, it is a wonder that his hand was not severed with the cut.

“No…I don’t” Minseok looked away, but made no attempt to withdraw his wrist from Luhan’s grasp.

Much later Luhan would regret what happened next, if only for the simple brashness of his actions. At the time he didn’t think about it, he just did it. He raised Minseok’s wrist to his lips and planted a kiss on the scar. A soft and serious and lingering kiss. A kiss that he wished could heal the visible, and invisible, wounds that they shared.

***

Kyung Soo had finally found a decent poly blend suit. If he had to go walking around like a fancy goon, he needed a hypo-allergenic alternative to the standard uniform. And he had found it! He was happy enough to smile that certain way – the way that made Jongin hit him and tell him to stop being creepy. He caressed his suit lapel, happily brushing off imaginary dust. He was so happy, so why couldn’t that royal bastard shut up and let him spend some time with his suit?!

“Fine, don’t tell me.” Sehun had been nagging and sighing and generally annoying the lot of them for the last three hours. Of course he had good reason, after all they had been the ones to step into his world. It was the first time Sehun had caught up with them since their awkward, curse word encounter in the Palace. It was only natural he wanted some explanation. Too bad he would not get one.

The gang plus their faithful royal hanger-on was spread out lazily around the bar. Jongin and Baekhyun were so busy looking at Baekhyun’s phone they no longer paid a bit of attention to Sehun’s never ending stream of questions. They were the lucky ones.

“Yah- you know everything you need to know” Heechul smacked Sehun on the top of the forehead. He was beyond sick of the questions. The last thing he was going to do was tell the loud mouthed aristocrat why M1 was playing dress up.

“Are you coming to the engagement party tomorrow?” Apparently Sehun had a hard head.

“You don’t need to know” Taemin answered.

“Are you planning on stealing something?” This kid would not quit.

“Yeah, your Mother” Taemin smirked.

“Take her” Sehun folded his arms, “No, really, what are you guys doing? Do you need help?”

“SHUT UP!”

Everyone stopped to stare at the source of the yell.

“I am trying to break in my new suit.” Kyung Soo said it calmly, psychotically calm given his outburst a few seconds ago.

“I didn’t know you could yell so loud.” Jongin looked at Kyung Soo, amazed. Kyung Soo took no note, he was already back to arranging his sleeves. He liked his new suit. Even Heebum couldn’t ruin his appreciation for the fine garment that he owned.

***

They had held hands, and talked, and smiled. They never brought up that kiss, the kiss that burnt hot on Minseok’s wrist.

In the last three days they had settled into their official engagements, settled into their life at the palace as long lost friends. Nothing further in terms of memories had presented themselves. Nothing further in terms of conflict had come up.

Truthfully, they gave each other sad looks now and then, and both were aware where the painful gazes came from. Yet they endured, and life went on, and there was a wedding ahead of them.

The engagement party would occur in a day. Ceremony was called for, and the Korean and Chinese Princes ensured their knowledge of what was expected of them.

Meanwhile Chanyeol and Jong Dae had fallen into an easy friendship, built on shared circumstance. They had a shot of soju every night before bed and whenever they found themselves standing tall behind their royal charges they gave each other side eyes of attitude. It was a match made in heaven.

“I can’t believe he hasn’t done anything wrong yet” Chanyeol downed his shot.

“Hey- if I didn’t know better I would say he is a model of proper behavior” Jong Dae had the bottle at that point, gripping it tightly he took a swig. It had been a long day, with too much rush and a somber Minseok.

“Yeah. I was expecting to see him arrested the first night he arrived. Luhan has never known how to behave.”

“Hah. You should talk. Try living in a world with Sehun.”

“Has he ever been found passed out in a brothel?”

Jong Dae’s eyes grew as wide as saucers.

“No….”

Chanyeol smiled his toothy grin.

“Yep. And a police station. And a massage parlor. Oh, and that one time it was a chicken farm.”

“Are you f-ing kidding me?” Jong Dae was impressed.

“Nope.” Chanyeol shook his head. A sad truth that was funny after the fact.

“Jesus. You deserve the bottle” Jong Dae pushed it into Chanyeol’s hands “I have nothing on you. Aish”

***

It was a really bad poem. Horrible and sappy and full of the things that a school girl would imagine saying to her crush. All love and like and memories and flowers.

“What is this?!” Eun Ji was tempted to tear the cheesy thing up. Whoever was leaving such stupid notes should be slapped. Hard.

She completely missed the little hint – well the obvious hint. Look at the letters that began every line of the poem and the answer was spelled out clearly. JOON MYUN.

Joon Myun groaned from the shadows. How could she not figure it out?! How could that beautiful perfect creature be so dense!

“I f-ing hate you- you, you coward!” Eun Ji yelled it out to the night “Just come forward already!”

Joon Myun blushed and scurried away at the shout. Why was love so complicated?

***

If he spoke the truth the weight of his words would probably crush him.

“Good.” Luhan cleared his throat “You look good”

Minseok smiled. He was proudly showing off his attire for tomorrow’s party, looking from the mirror to his friend.

“Nauen is a good girl” Luhan needed to say that. He was sure he had said so already, but he needed to say it again. Especially because he was eying his cousin’s fiancé with too much appreciation at the moment.

Minseok halted his narcissistic glances and looked at Luhan.

“She seems like it.”

“She has had a very sheltered upbringing”

Minseok laughed.

“Kind of like you.” Luhan remarked.

“A match made in heaven” Minseok went back to looking in the mirror.

“For our kind, yeah, I guess so.” Luhan thought the sharp lines of the suit complimented Minseok’s shoulders and waist perfectly. “But you don’t love her.”

“I don’t know her” Minseok retorted.

Luhan was still looking, admiring.

“True.” It took him a second to continue, he wasn’t sure he should bring it up “Min- I want to talk to Soo Man tomorrow”

“Why?” Minseok smoothed his hands over the front of his suit and turned slightly, studying how the clothes made him look.

“I think he was there that night – at the pagoda” Luhan was certain of it. Even if he could not exactly remember Soo Man being there he had a feeling that the royal advisor had been present.

Minseok had never been a fan of his Father’s right hand man, but he had no evidence to suggest that he had anything to do with the events of 9 years ago, or at least any lies that accompanied them.

“Okay. But we have to be careful with him.”

“I know.” Luhan knew too well. He had spent two years of his life in a place where Soo Man ruled the roost (for all intents and purposes).

Minseok took a seat next to Luhan. He was suddenly pensive.

“Lu, if we figure it out, what do we gain?”

“The truth” Luhan leaned over and put a hand on Minseok’s shoulder.

“What if it is not the truth we want. I mean, what if it is something we don’t need to know…” Minseok stared at the floor. The truth he wanted could very well differ from that which Luhan desired.

“What truth do you want” Luhan was too sharp, too precise.

“I don’t know.”

“I do” Luhan’s energy had returned full force, “I want it to stop. All of it” He threw his hands up “I want to know that we are who we think we are.”

Minseok wondered if Luhan was alluding to the same thing that had haunted him. Were they in love? Did it all happen because two people had been unable to control themselves?

“Maybe we move forward…” Minseok said, thinking about killing off what kept him so full of anxiety. Had he been so desperate, so horrible, that he would try to burden Luhan into loving him back?

“Aren’t we already? Aren’t you getting married soon?” Luhan responded with a little more emotion than he wanted to. If he admitted it, if he said that he wanted to drag Minseok from the situation and just run away, he would never get any where.

“Yeah”

Minseok’s one word answer grated at Luhan’s nerves. It was the truth and it was the purpose of the last few days. It still stung. Tomorrow was guaranteed to be even worse on Luhan’s nerves.

It was sixteen hours until the engagement party. It was sixteen hours until all hell broke loose.

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4