Chapter Text
Footsteps can be heard running through the hallways along the deserted corridor. Soft laughter accompanies these footsteps, along with another pair chasing after the first. Scolding can be heard echoing, but anyone who hears is already used to this occurrence.
Prince Jungwoo, the second prince of Silla, son of Queen Jinseong, finds enjoyment in running away from his duties. He doesn’t have the mind that his older brother Kun does, and was never raised as strictly as Kun. His brother—being the Crown Prince—doesn’t have time for him, neither does the Queen, leaving Jungwoo to his own devices more often than not. When he grew into the age of which he had to begin learning of his princely duties, he found no enjoyment in them, and kept escaping his tutors.
Kim Doyoung was the second prince’s advisor. Only two years older, but he was with Jungwoo since the age of six. Because of the lack of familial affection towards the prince, Doyoung took it upon himself to show the prince love, as an older brother figure should. He was strict when needed, but undeniably soft on the young boy. Due to this, the prince knew he couldn’t get into trouble for escaping his lessons. Doyoung let Jungwoo get away with a lot, but also protected him probably more than he should have. The prince, now age 20, maintained a child-like innocence towards the world, because his advisor protected him from its harshness.
That leads to today, in the year 953, as the young prince runs away from his tasks once again. His advisor trails behind him, but the prince has gotten good at avoiding Doyoung. Soon, Jungwoo enters the palace’s further-most courtyard, which is completely abandoned, aside from a single light hovering about 5 feet above the ground. Jungwoo stops laughing and stares, intrigued, at this light anomaly. Innocently, he draws towards it, reaching out his hand.
At that moment, Doyoung appears and takes in this scene. As he shouts to stop Jungwoo, the prince’s finger connects. Doyoung rushes towards the prince, trying to pull him back as the light expands around him. His hand hits air, and the light completely dissipates. When he regains his sight, the prince is gone, and the only thing left is the prince’s one treasured necklace, gifted to him by the queen when he was young. And as Doyoung stands there, shocked and trying to process what has happened, the necklace pulsed a faint light, as if reminding the advisor of what had just transpired.