Edge of the stained petal : Hyunho

Chapter 4

The night came sooner than expected. Minho told Hyunjin to sleep before they tried to escape. The usual silent night is much more haunting now knowing what is behind the gates. The queen quarters seem smaller, making all the survivors inside feel trapped. They are trapped, like cattle ready for slaughter.

Minho looks over at the sleeping boy, he doesn't have the heart to wake the boy yet, but he has to. Slowly making his way over, he shakes Hyunjin gently, "Come on, your highness, we have to go", He whispers into the prince's ear. The boy stirs, then sits up. His hand searching for something, Minho immediately knows what. He grabs the pearl necklace and pushes it to the sleepy boy's hand. Hyunjin smiles at the necklace being placed on his hand, with his other hand he clasps it on top of Minho's outstretched one, writing a small thank you on his palm.

They get up from the soft beds, Minho wears his armor while the prince feels for his outer robe, knowing that it is near him, he usually never has it far. Minho finishes the last touches on his armor, he turns to the prince who is struggling to find his robes. Chuckling Minho looks for the robe seeing it on the far end of the bed, the opposite way that Hyunjin is currently searching. Smiling, he goes to the robe and picks it up. He walks up to the prince and picks him up by the armpits. Hyunjin yelps at the sudden movement but allows it, standing up on his own after Minho let's go.

Minho helps the prince with his robe, slipping it on his arms and tying the sash around his waist after it is fully on. Minho's arms are around the prince's waist for a second longer, Hyunjin heats up at the warmth around him. "You don't have to do that, Minho", He stutters. His face colors as red as a tomato. Minho smirks at the shy expression. Patting the prince's stomach before letting go causing the boy to pout.

Minho squishes his cheeks, cooing at the adorable blindfolded boy. The said boy made an irritating sound at this, causing Minho to freeze. He cursed himself, how could he do this to the prince, touching the prince intimately as this could end in his death, but seeing the state of the kingdom. Minho highly doubts anyone would enforce any laws, especially when there are more pressing matters at hand. Though knowing how corrupt the queen is, Minho does not doubt that she would throw him to the undead, the first chance she gets. Fortunately for Minho, the queen is dead asleep and won't know of his transgressions.

    Though, Minho would die a million deaths if it were to coo at the cute boy who is currently pouting annoyingly at him. He chuckles at his expression then pulls away, the boy's pout deepens slightly before a confused look overtakes his face when he is pulled up to a full standing position. His furrow ceases the moment he feels silk wrap around his wrist and a tug, much tenser than the last. He smiles slightly, the silk seeming like a security blanket for him, wrapping him in a shield of comfort knowing that he is near Minho, who is a literal protector.

    After they get everything needed in a few small bags and Minho's main travel bag, They quietly walk to the door, using the fabrics on the floor to silence their steps. Minho slides the door enough to peek through. Peering out through the gaps he doesn't see any guard patrolling nearby. He looks around the shadows trying to find any kind of hidden spy that will alert the queen of their disappearance. When he is confident that there is no danger he slides the door wider for them to pass through, closing it as quietly as possible. Minho fully on alert tugs the silk and Hyunjin follows.

    They walk in a crouch, Minho ever so often stopping in the shadows to look around, so far they've yet to encounter any patrol. To Minho, this is nerve-wracking. His heart beats faster as they get closer to the passage that Minho talked about, their only escape. Minho unsheathes his sword, holding the blade in one hand as the other continues to tug Hyunjin along.

    His heart beats faster, each turn and looks around making his heart go crazy. He needs to calm himself but can't. A few more turns left and they will reach the small gate. Faster, his heartbeats. He swears he sees a shadow lurking. Quicker, his heart goes. In the corner of his eyes, he sees footsteps, too quiet to be the queen's guard. He turns the next corner. His pulse accelerates, he could feel every beat. He feels it, the presence, multiple all surrounding him. They are nimble and fluid. They're graceful, Minho can feel it. They aren't the queen's guard but they might just be even more dangerous.

    One last corner and the gate to the underground passage is in their sights. Before he could turn, he felt a tug on his wrist, turning to a distraught prince. Hyunjin plays with his fingers not knowing what to do, but knowing that something terrible awaits them. He knows their escape is close but all he could feel is the strange watchful eye following him. One too familiar.

Minho lifts his hand to pat the boy, his hand resting on the side of the prince's face. He cups his cheeks and brings their faces closer together, Hyunjin flushes at the added warmth, His face turning pink when Minho rests his forehead on top of him. His breath calms, no longer playing with his fingers. He only basks in the safety that Minho provides. After a few seconds of rest against each other's head, Minho pulls back, tugging the wrapped silk up bring Hyunjin's hand close to his face, adding a small peck to the prince's knuckles, "We'll be fine, your highness". He caresses Hyunjin's hands with his free hand, "I promise to protect you, your highness, I will not break it now, nor ever". Minho pecks each of Hyunjin's knuckles before pulling back fully. Turning he continues forward.

    Their hearts beat rapidly, as they turn. The gate felt untouched. Not a guard in sight. Minho feels the alarms go off in the back of his head but, it is too late to turn back, they need to escape. Whatever was watching them already knows what they plan to do. With a shaky exhale and a tight grip on his sword, He turns towards the gate, their escape.

"Halt!", a voice booms, when they reach the gate. "In the name of the queen, no one is allowed to leave, Guard Minho, you are to be arrested, on account of kidnapping the prince and leaving the quarters without permission". Minho turns to the man, eyes widen slightly in surprise as he notices the King's right-hand man, General Choi. He's surprised expression is wiped in favor of a glare directed at the man.    

    Around the man are dozens of guards, they were waiting for them. Minho tightens his grip, the veins on his arm holding the sword bulge. He tugs a frightened Hyunjin behind him unwrapping the silk to better handle his sword. "Just stay here, your highness, your trustee guard will defend you", He whispers.

    "Refusal for arrest is an act of treason, Guard Minho", Choi says, his hand going towards his sword. "Punishable by death", He unsheathes his sword and points it towards him, "KILL THE TRAITOR", He roars slashing the air in front of him towards Minho before sheathing his sword once more, the men around them charge forward. Yelling as they get closer to Minho.

1... He grips the sword with two hands, He closes his eyes as he focuses on sound. He can hear multiple distant thuds, must be the undead beating against the main gate. He can hear the soldiers shouting, charging towards him.

2.. He clears his head from all thoughts, his mind envisions the path before him, calculating any possible way to end this swiftly, without risking harm on the prince.

3.. He opens his eyes ready to strike

He turns the blade to the side, about to slash horizontally.  The sound is deafening. The sound of a sword clashing with another, but that sword isn't his. Lifting his eyes he sees the crest on his defender's robe, a crescent moon with a rose on the end and two swords crossing behind it, the Princess's crest, the lunar brigade. He looks around to see more of the women soldiers jumping from their hiding place on the rooftops and cascade down to strike down the royal guards. The leader appears stunned before shouting new orders.

    Minho stops his look around when he hears a yelp. He notices the lack of warmth behind him.  Looking behind he sees a figure dragging Hyunjin against his will, He sees only red, as he runs towards the pair, sword ready to strike. He reaches the pair at breakneck speed and pulls the prince behind him. Swinging the sword and feeling the pressure of another blade. He looks up and falters, Ryujin. He pulls back and this time sees another figure behind her. In all her glory, Princess Yeji in her armor standing tall pushed past her guard and in front of Minho.

    Minho begins to bow but is stopped by a hand on his shoulder, "No time to explain, we have to go before they get reinforcements", She says turning back and jogging to the gate, Ryujin following close as they busy themselves to open the path. Minho looks back at the women fighting, he frowns. "Are you going to leave them behind", Minho asks, his glare fixated on the princess.

    "They know what they signed up for", was her response, looking Minho in the eyes only seeing them harden further. "Don't think so little of them, Guard". Minho blinks looking back at the soldiers, bowing slightly in thanks then tugging Hyunjin along to the two females keeping the gate open for them. Once they pass they close the gate. Ryujin locked it. They look at one another sans Hyunjin and run through the tunnel, dragging a poor and heavily distraught prince along.     They made it, they finally escaped the cage.