The Scarlet Heart (MarkHyuck)

6. Hairy Black Clothing

Prince Minhyung and Prince Jeno are still fighting swords with Haechan held by Prince Minhyung as hostages.

"She's my wife's cousin's sister, she has nothing to do with this, so let her go" Prince Jeno told Prince Minhyung to release Haechan.

"I lost the killer because of him" Prince Minhyung said.

"Then, did you force the sacrifice of blood for no reason?" prince Jeno.

"I'm. I'm just lost. Please believe me." Haechan said while crying in fear in the arms of Prince Minhyung who held her hostage.

"Why should I believe? I don't know you." said Prince Minhyung.

"Haechan" called Prince Jeno and lowered his sword first by dropping to the ground.

"All the royal forces are everywhere so they'll catch the other perpetrators so you'll know he didn't do anything wrong, so for the time being for his good then it is better to let go of him" Prince Jeno said.

Finally Prince Minhyung released Haechan by pushing her at Prince Jeno, Haechan immediately held on to Prince Jeno with a frightened face.

"You okay?" Prince Jeno asked, worried about Haechan, who looked very frightened and saw a wound on Haechan's neck.

"There are a lot of people, they're all dead" Haechan said nervously pointing towards where the killers were slaughtered.

Prince Minhyung glanced coldly.

"Dead?" prince Jeno said he was shocked to learn that someone had died.

"They were all wearing masks" Haechan said, pointing to the bottom feeling unbearable at the sight of people being killed in front of her eyes.

Prince Minhyung and Prince Jeno looked at each other.

♡♡♡

Heechul and Crown Prince Taeyong look uneasy in the palace.

"I shouldn't have asked the fourth Prince to take my place". Crown Prince Taeyong said feeling guilty.

"He's doing this of his own accord, you don't need to feel guilty, Crown Prince" wealthy Heechul appeased the Crown Prince.

"Don't talk like that" Crown Prince Taeyong said.

"I put my brother in danger. If that's not wrong, what is it? He's hurt too." Crown Prince Taeyong said. Heechul could not comment again.

♡♡♡

Prince Jeno and Prince Minhyung went to the other side of the forest and asked the palace guards to search around the place.

Haechan was confused to see that everyone who had died before his eyes was gone.

"What do you see? Can the dead get up and walk again?" said Prince Minhyung glanced at Haechan cynically.

"I'm sure it was here" Haechan said.

"I know and see it right. They were stabbed in the back. Right here but where they all go." Haechan.

"They're killed? By who? Tell me who it is." Asked Prince Minhyung impatiently holding Haechan's hand to threaten him,

"How do I know" said Haechan.

"There really was a group of killers" Prince Jeno said, noting that there were blood spots attached to the bamboo.

"The leader of his assassins massacred members of his own group" Prince Jeno said.

Minhyung took off Haechan.

"What is the palace guard, did you receive his report?" ask Prince Minhyung.

"Looking at how they carried the body, they had planned it very well" Prince Jeno said.

"That man was our only witness, now he's dead and there's no more clues. What's your plan now?" prince Minhyung said angrily, then held onto his injured arm.

"Stay still.I can't let Haechan get hurt. When it's light, I'll find a way. Now we'll treat you first." Prince Jeno.

Prince Minhyung let go of his sister's hand that wanted to help, then walked over with a sneaky glance at Haechan and walked away from the forest.

Haechan could breathe a sigh of relief Prince Minhyung left and fell limp.

"Now that it's done, let's go back".Prince Jeno said as he picked up his sword.

Haechan began to cry, Prince Jeno touched to see Haechan crying.

"He always said he would kill me. Every time I meet her, she says she's gonna kill me. I'll just return something he left behind." Haechan continued to cry.

"Haechan's.... It's gonna be okay." Said Prince Jeno patting her on the shoulder despite looking awkward.

Haechan immediately pulled him, until Prince Jeno knelt in front of him.

"What if he really kills me? He also told the criminal to kill me. She must have no tears or blood at all, why am I always wrong?" haechan said scared.

"Haechan, everything will be fine" said Prince Jeno bangtung to see Haechan continue to cry while holding his shirt, and finally Prince Jeno held back his laughter.

Haechan was still crying, Prince Jeno hugged her while patting her on the shoulder "Everything will be fine" Prince Jeno said, reassuring Haechan.

Haechan still continued to cry in the arms of Prince Jeno, Prince Jeno smiled at Haechan's behavior that was crying like a child.

"Stop crying" said Prince Jeno.

"Stop your crying now. Let's go home".

♡♡♡

Queen Soojung soaked in a pool full of flowers with candles surrounding her and also a glass of wine. Queen Soojung is seen holding back the anger, considering that the mask is actually Prince Minhyung not Crown Prince Taeyong who wants to be killed. Queen Soojung vented her anger by splashing water everywhere.

When they came out of the pool, the servants wore red robes.

Prince Jaehyun comes to see Queen Soojung.

Queen Soojung is already sitting down for a drink, while Prince Jaehyun is drying Queen Soojung's hair.

"Minhyeong.... Everything was a mess because he was involved. We should be celebrating what happened to you Crown Prince tonight" Queen Soojung said.

"We cleaned it up neatly so no perpetrator was still alive" Prince Jaehyun said, calming his mother.

"Right now, the King will find it difficult to abdicate his throne. We have to fast ourselves with it" said Queen Soojung and signaled her son Taka needs to dry his hair.

Prince Jaehyun helped his mother pour a drink, "I was surprised Minhyung was willing to replace the Crown Prince. Heechul is also difficult to guess. The two of them must have a relationship that people do not know about" Prince Jaehyun said.

"According to Sungchan, Minhyung studied martial arts, but Kang's family would not teach him. I need to know who he met and what cards he had in his hand. Maybe if Heechul is connected, it means he is in touch with the King" Queen Soojung said.

"After all, they said no one had ever met him while Minhyung was in Shinju" Prince Jaehyun said unconvincedly.

"You better keep an eye on him. We have to know what he's thinking with the intention of chasing him or getting him by our side. Don't forget, Kwangya must belong to one of my children" said Queen Soojung holding the face of Prince Jaehyun.

♡♡♡

Jung Minhyung tore the shirt on his arm, saw a wound that had been hit by a sword.

Princess Minah came with a tray filled with medicine. Prince Minhyung glanced at him.

"It's none of your business" Prince Minhyung said directly pulling his arm that Princess Minah was about to treat.

"This is also not something a servant can do" Princess Minah said patiently.

Prince Minhyung finally let Princess Minah clean her wound. Prince Minhyung grimaced several times as Princess Minah cleaned her wound.

Princess Minah painstakingly attached the medicinal plant over Prince Minhyung's wound and gave Prince Minhyung a bandage.

"Until when does Oraboni plan to stay in Shinju? It would actually be better if you stayed in Songak like everyone else and learned from the teachers" Princess Minah said looking at Prince Minhyung.

"I'm different from Jeno. I'd rather live hunting animals in the mountains." Prince Minhyung said coldly.

"You're very good at hiding your feelings." Princess Minah's comments were smelling.

Princess Minah helps Prince Minhyung wipe his sweaty face and Princess Minah accidentally touches Prince Minhyung's mask, both staring awkwardly at each other. Finally Prince Minhyung chose to stand up feeling that it was enough.

"You have taken good care of me" he told Princess Minah.

"Make yourself comfortable and rest. I'll tell the servants" said Princess Minah and she would leave the room.

"Dina... I've often wondered what kind of woman you are when you're grown up." Prince Minhyung stopped Princess Minah's steps. Princess Minah gave her smile hearing Prince Minhyung's words.

♡♡♡

Jeongra helped treat the wound on Haechan's neck, Haechan grimaced in pain. Madame Injoon was worried to see Haechan.

"Why are you getting hurt?" madam Injoon asked worriedly to Haechan.

Behind Lady Injoon Prince Jeno tried to hold back her laughter considering how Haechan cried while in the forest. Madam Hae was more polite because she had her husband, then said "Why did you get to the forest?".

"That's because." said Haechan glanced at Prince Jeno, then Prince Jeno shook his head as a sign not to tell honestly what happened. "I'm lost" lied Haechan so Madame Injoon wouldn't worry more.

"They were the ones who tried to kill the Crown Prince. But thank God he's still alive." explained Prince Jeno.

"That's what I mean! I feel like I'm very lucky for the first time today. On the fact that I'm just hurt like this is a miracle." Haechan said excitedly.

Prince Jeno held back a laugh from remembering Haechan was crying like a child.

Madam Injoon was completely inexhaustible with Haechan's manner and told her to get some rest. Haechan stood up. Jeongra said that the wrap around his neck was not finished, Haechan shook her head and wanted to rush into the room. Jeongra followed him with a tray of medicine.

Prince Jeno continued to hold back his laughter.

"Thank you for saving Haechan, and I'm sorry that Haechan has always troubled you" Injoon told Prince Jeno.

"Why do you think it's troublesome, I've never thought of it that way" Prince Jeno said.

"Actually, he is the source of happiness." Prince Jeno smiled.

"Did he make you happy?" ms. Injoon said she couldn't believe it.

"It's a heavy household, right? When people come to me, they always talk about suffering. They're all counting on me, but Haechan isn't like that. He came and said he would do it all himself. That makes me happy. It's like breathing in fresh air" Prince Jeno said with a smile.

Madame Injoon looked at Prince Jeno who could not stop smiling.

Prince Jeno stared at Haechan's room, "I'll wait until I can see her again" Prince Jeno said.

"I'm grateful that you care about Haechan" Injoon said. The two looked at each other but looked awkward.

♡♡♡

Haechan walked towards her room with Jeongra, their steps halted seeing Prince Minhyung sitting on the stairs. But Minhyung chose to leave.

"You, stop" said Prince Minhyung then walked over to him.

"What do you want?" haechan asked stammeringly. Prince Minhyung glanced at Jeongra and Jeongra immediately walked backwards leaving Haechan out of fear for Prince Minhyung.

"I'm really telling you everything I know. I was busy running away. What else can I see? The person with the sword stabbed the person with the mask from behind. It was all of a sudden." Haechan said in a panic as Prince Minhyung got closer.

"Think about it right. Remember all.... Do it now!" prince Minhyung shouted with a hold of Haechan's cheek.

Prince Jeno's hand stopped Prince Minhyung's hand holding Haechan's cheek, "It's enough" Prince Jeno told his brother to stop this.

Prince Minhyung let go of his hand by pushing Haechan to the ground. Haechan suddenly remembered something"Hairy clothes" Haechan said.

Prince Minhyung and Prince Jeno were staring at him.

"Everybody was wearing black. There was one man wearing hairy clothes. He told them all to kill." Haechan said she could remember it.

"Did you see his face? What's it look like?" prince Minhyung asked, remembering that the one wearing fur clothes was Prince Jaehyun, his brother.

"I didn't see his face. He seems to be their leader. That's what I see." Haechan said, Prince Minhyung and Prince Jeno looked at each other.

"No one doubts me anymore than you" Haechan told Prince Minhyung.

"Forget everything you saw in the woods and forget the man." Prince Minhyung.

"Yes, Haechan. He's right".Prince Jeno said.

"You'll be safe if no one knows what you saw in the woods". Prince Jeno also recalled that only Prince Jaehyun wore hairy clothes during the ritual.

"Can I go now" asked

Haechan glanced at Prince Minhyung and walked away.

"You, don't show up in front of me again." Prince Minhyung stopped Haechan's steps.

"Did I make a mistake? You told that man to kill me. You even said you were going to kill me. Then, should I not do anything? I have to do anything so I can live. Do I have to die?" haechan said angrily withholding her tears.

Prince Jeno approached her to calm her down. Prince Minhyung glanced coldly with a mocking look and walked away.

"What is evil if you want to live... Everyone wants to live. Why did you choose me?" haechan said in tears, Prince Jeno looked at her.

Prince Minhyung did not care and chose to leave.

"Basic jerk" said Haechan, cursing at Prince Minhyung, then realized that there was Prince Jeno nearby.

♡♡♡

Prince Jeno helps light candles in Haechan's room.

"It's better to keep the lights on and go to sleep, because before you've had a bad thing, so this will help to ease your nightmares" Prince Jeno said.

"How are you doing?" haechan said sitting on her bed.

Prince Jeno was silent, "Worried you might have nightmares. You're probably going to experience some kind of trauma or stress." Haechan said worriedly.

"I wouldn't have a nightmare every time something like this happened. So how hard is that ?" prince Jeno said casually.

"So you said this happens a lot? Then, you kill people." said Haechan speechlessly in disbelief because of his age, killing is a heinous act.

"I'm 11 years old.... When I first killed, I was 11 years old. A thief entered the residence where Minah and my mother lived. It's the same way I used my knife." Prince Jeno's story while continuing to light candles.

"But anyway, I'm not having nightmares. I protected my family with my own hands. So I'm happy and proud. If a Prince can't even do that, then what's good about the Prince?" prince Jeno said.

"You still remember it, can't even forget it" Haechan said.

"So how can you live comfortably with it, it's very clear you just hold it in and live with it".

"It was a burden that was carried from birth so I had to endure it" Prince Jeno said.

"I promise I'll never worry you. I don't want to make your life more burdened so you can live more comfortably" Haechan said.

"What do you mean?" prince Jeno asked, not understanding Haechan's words.

"I shouldn't look down on you in order to live cheerfully, so there's no need to worry about me and being able to live well." Haechan explained.

"After your memory loss was replaced with a lot of wrong courage" said Prince Jeno could not help but smile.

"What is stress?" asked Prince Jeno who had just heard it for the first time. Haechan could only smile because in Kwangya the word was not yet popular.

Prince Jeno walked out of Haechan's room and stared at Haechan's room as if he felt a certain feeling.

♡♡♡

[King's Palace Year 25 Lunar New Year (Year 942 AD)]

Crown Prince Taeyong, Prince Minhyung and Heechul are in the presence of the King.

"The Crown Prince was attacked in the palace and it was in front of me, so it was clear the attacker was very strong and the sky proved that this was the enemy force" the King said.

"Heechul, what happened to the investigation about the culprit?" ask King.

"The princes are after them, but we can't catch a single one alive. Now we're examining the body and we're gonna find the cause as much as we can." Heechul.

"Your Majesty, the culprits are all acrobatics performers in Songak territory. I'll find out who let them in the palace." Crown Prince Taeyong said.

"How's your wound?" ask Prince Minhyung.

Prince Minhyung looks surprised to hear the King who asked him how he was.

"It's not a big wound... I've been treated at the eighth Prince's residence" Prince Minhyung said.

"What's your reason for taking the place of the Crown Prince? Your life is in danger." asked the King.

"Crown Prince Taeyong saved my life 15 years ago. That's why I want to stay in Songak and find out who's behind all this" Prince Minhyung said directly mentioning his goal before the King.

"What are you gonna do?" king says.

"If Your Majesty allows it then I will find out who is behind all this" Prince Minhyung said.

"All right" said the King in agreement. "Heechul tells Shinju that Prince Minhyung has a job to do on the King's orders, so it will be back longer than expected." the King orders Heechul.

"Kang Di Shinju's family will not mind" Heechul said, then passed on to Prince Minhyung for staying in the palace as he wished.

The princes gathered near the pond while enjoying tea and also rice cakes.

"Do you still think that Minhyung Hyungnim does not get martial arts training, because during the Minhyung Hyungnim ritual perform different movements from ordinary people" said Prince Wookhei.

"That's the ability he got while hunting animals. Don't let him have a big head." Prince Jaehyun said.

"That's not the ability of people who practice on their own. I'm sure he was taught by someone a well-trained and well-trained teacher." Prince Sungchan said sure.

"Do you think the Kangs of Shinju are training their hostages? Why should they do it? Now if one of you hears anything, let me know. That sounds funny." Prince Jaehyun said mockingly.

Prince Jeno was silent.

"Did Hyungnim want us to ask about our fourth brother studying martial arts? Oi... Kwanhyung, you know a lot of people. It'll be a lot easier for you to figure it out." Prince Jaemin.

"People who visit my house are only musicians and women, so it won't be easy for me." Prince Kwanhyung.

"Didn't you go after the culprit last night?" prince Jeno asked Prince Jaehyun to deliberately allude to the incident last night.

"I chased him but I went in the wrong direction, so I didn't see any of them. I don't even see a rat." Prince Jaehyun said.

"I'm with you going to the same forest. I was hoping you'd at least catch one of them." Prince Jeno said with a cold gaze.

"I regret it too. If I were there, would they get away with it like that?" countered Prince Jaehyun with his cynical gaze.

Suddenly the King came to see his children, all the princes stood bowed.

"Are you celebrating the new year and sure to enjoy it" said the King happily to see his sons coming together to celebrate the new year.

"You all tried last night, so if anyone is hurt, go to the doctor" the king told his sons.

"We will do so so His Majesty has nothing to worry about" Prince Jaehyun said, representing his younger siblings.

Prince Jaemin kept his head down trying to cover the bruises on his face so as not to be seen by the King.

"Jaemin, why are there bruises on your face?" asked the King frantically saw a bruise on his son's face, Prince Jaemin tangent to answer what.

"There is a fight" said Prince Jaemin.

"What fight hurt the Prince's face?" ask the angry king.

"How can the dignity of the royal family fall? Who did it? Tell me." Said the King wrathfully.

Prince Jaemin answered. "That's..."

♡♡♡

Haechan paced agitatedly in front of the gate of Prince Jeno's residence. When he found out Prince Jaemin had received punishment from the King.

"I'm sure the tenth Prince will give me the punishment ordered by the King" Haechan said.

"Right, because normally it was done by experts and the tenth Prince insisted on coming alone" Jeongra said.

"I'm sure that Prince Jaemin just wants to see for himself what happened to me" Haechan said confidently.

"You don't think they're gonna cut off my leg, do you?" haechan panicked.

"I don't know but if it happens the eighth Prince must have received this news" Jeongra said.

"He must've... Ahhe... Nothing's gonna happen. Yeah, of course." Haechan said confidently but after that look worried about his condition later. Prince Jaemin came on horseback, seen by the bodyguards chasing him on a run.

Haechan acted as if she didn't care.

Prince Jaemin got off the horse in his teasing style, "You must be waiting for me" Prince Jaemin said confidently.

"Did you bring the King's punishment for me?" haechan asked without looking at Prince Jaemin.

"The king was angry when he saw the bruises on my great face. He told me to hit you immediately." Prince Jaemin said as he folded his chest hand.

"Why should I be hit? You made a mistake. Oho! So you missed what part of your mistake, didn't you?" said Haechan to challenge Prince Jaemin and fold his hands in his chest.

"Hey.. Now, you think I'm really a pathetic manI beg the King to forgive for his kindness in a way you can't imagine" said the Jaemin craftsman.

Prince Jaemin immediately knelt down before the King, "If the girl who hit the Prince should be punished, then what kind of punishment should the man who was beaten by the woman receive?" Prince Jaemin said to the King.

"That should be recorded in history as wise words. Hows it? You're grateful, right?" Prince Jaemin said proudly.

"Ah, I don't know why you're so generous to me. You're right, I'm so grateful I won't die" Haechan said and would walk into the house.

But Prince Jaemin held him back.

"What else?!" Haechan said annoyedly.

"There's something I want to tell you" Prince Jaemin said.

Haechan looked at the confused Prince Jaemin.

"You go, there's something we both need to talk about" Prince Jaemin told Jeongra to come in and his bodyguard to leave.

"You're gonna hit me?" Haechan.

"I am not a man who holds such grudges" Prince Jaemin said.

"What do you want to say?" ask Haechan.

"It's just... So, my point is.." said Prince Jaemin, clutching his hand and waving his legs, looking very nervous, Haechan stared at all his movements.

"Could he..fall in love with me? Then he'll say 'You're the first girl to treat me like that.' Is there something like this?" muttered Haechan in disbelief to see the movements of Prince Jaemin.

"I just want to say, you're the first girl to treat me like that." Said Prince Jaemin staring seriously, Haechan glared in shock completely in disbelief.

"I don't know those words have been used for over a thousand years. That sentence is a good one" Haechan said.

"Whatchu mean? Why call it a thousand years?" Prince Jaemin asked confusedly.

"Have it, after all it was the first time I had actually fought since I was an adult. Everyone, including my mother and my grandfather, was afraid of me, and let me hit them. I've never fought with anyone before. That's fun." Obviously Prince Jaemin is happy.

"Come here often, and I'm willing to fight with you without holding it in" Haechan said.

"You want me to see you often?" prince Jaemin said he could not believe it

"Because you've helped me avoid the King's punishment and kept my limbs from being cut off so that's the least I can do" said Haechan deliberately teased Prince Jaemin who was still very innocent then he entered the house.

"Today's our first day, then!" Shouted Prince Jaemin.

...~TBC~...