Chapter Text
Jaehyun traced over the pattern embroidered on one of his handkerchiefs, it was that of a rose, his late mother’s favourite. He didn’t remember how it had come into his possession, but it had been in pristine condition despite the outdated design, likely commissioned for him personally before he even knew how to use one.
There were three quick knocks on his doors, before a voice called behind them in urgency, “Your Highness, may I come in?” the familiar voice settled Jaehyun somehow, glad that his personal retainer had gotten to him first before any of his brother’s had.
“Go on.”
There was a brief moment of silence before Jaehyun heard the familiar creaking of the doors, and Youngho trudged towards him with a forlorn look, “Jaehyun, your brother,” the older man seemed to consider his words carefully, before correcting himself, “…His Majesty has requested your presence in your father’s study.” the tall man continued in a grim tone. Jaehyun couldn’t blame him. His brother’s ascent to power, while something they expected coming, was the last thing their struggling kingdom needed, not after his father’s pitiable reign.
“Did you get anything at all?” the young prince cleared his throat. Knowing this was something he had to face as soon as his father’s health had deteriorated over the last few weeks.
“Nothing. Even Doyoung has not gathered anything since the king’s passing, Yunho is incredibly tightlipped about his next move. I’m worried, Jaehyun, he might be on to us.”
“He’s not stupid. He knows who his enemies are.” Jaehyun carefully placed the handkerchief back on top of the cufflinks box before he moved away from the dresser where he’d been standing next to, awaiting the inevitable summon. Youngho was following closely behind him, his hurried movements was anything but subtle, “The question is who will get to the other first, and who will come out on top.” the prince continued in a hushed voice.
“I don’t have a good feeling about this. Be very careful.” Youngho’s last words were uttered softly, and Jaehyun paused, steps away from the door.
“I’m always careful.”
The walk to his father’s study, now his brother’s, was long and arduous. The room was located at the end of the west wing, the perpetually dark halls were now brightly lit in celebration of the new monarch, most of the court already having forgotten about the late king. Yunho had been running the show even before their father’s recent demise, so the old king’s absence was hardly missed, except by the public who only knew him through the image the council painted of him while he was alive, and the controversies that surrounded his relationships with the two women he had his sons with.
Two burly guards flanked the double doors that lead to one of the most heavily secured rooms in the castle. Both men nodded in greeting at the sight of the younger prince before opening the double doors that lead to the study. Youngho stayed behind as the guards made to close the doors, but not before throwing Jaehyun a meaningful look.
The room looked the same as before his brother had practically moved into it, but Jaehyun noted a leather bound book on the floor, under a pile of paperwork, that hadn’t been there before. A haphazard attempt to conceal. He made sure not to let his eyes linger on the item for longer than a split second.
Jaehyun’s older half brother, now king of the mountainous lands that made their kingdom, sat behind the old oak desk, a smirk painting his sharp features, his new advisor, his former retainer, stood behind him.
“My dearest brother, I have not seen you since father’s funeral. How have you been?” King Yunho drummed his fingers against the table for every word, not bothering to hide the hostility in his tone.
“You don’t have to beat around the bush, Your Majesty,” Jaehyun countered in a monotone. He would never let his brother get the benefit of knowing how much he affected Jaehyun, “you called me here for a reason. I would like to hear it, otherwise, I will have to ask you to allow me to retire for the night to continue grieving father's passing.”
“Hotheaded as always. This is why you never could gain the council’s favour.” The king clicked his tongue in mock annoyance, he knew how much the little action got on his younger brother’s nerves. He did, however, pull out a sheet of paper from the drawer, gesturing for Jaehyun to take a seat. The younger followed, careful not to show his unease.
“This is a royal decree, one the late king had signed before he was fully incapacitated by his illness, witnessed by two of the council members.” The king continued derisively, the novelty of riling Jaehyun up seemed not enough for him anymore, because now he looked ready to strike fear, “It states that the Second Prince is to marry into commonalty before his next birthday, to a person with no direct connection to the throne or the members of the royal council—“ Jaehyun was aware of the way Yunho was watching his every move, as he scanned the document himself, while simultaneously keeping track of his brother’s words.
At some point, the younger had stopped trying to make sense of the decree, and had looked up to meet the new king’s unkind eyes as the latter continued, “or else, the Prince will be stripped of his status as a member of the royal family, and removed of all assets he is entitled to as the illegitimate son of the king.” A smirk, before the older continued, “signed by the former king himself, Jung Yunwoong.”
“This is impressive, even for you.” Jaehyun gritted, his fists coiled tightly on his lap. Resentment throbbing strong in his veins at the smug look on Yunho’s face. More than a way to cut Jaehyun from the possibility of marrying for leverage, this was a show of power on Yunho’s end, a reminder that as crown prince, and now king, he would always be one step ahead of Jaehyun.
“There’s no reason to be upset. You have weeks left to prepare. I myself was married even before I turned seventeen, you have it easier, in fact. All you have to do is find some commoner to wed, and you get to keep everything you have now, it’s not like you will have to live the life of a commoner yourself.” The young king chuckled, as always, finding humour at his brother’s expense.
“And I’m only the second prince, I’m not expected to produce heirs. There’s absolutely no purpose in marrying me off and into commonalty, of all things.”
The king’s expression turned grim in an instant, “Don’t pretend like you had not been planning to use marriage to gain power over me. I know you Jaehyun, I know how your mind works. I made you who you are now.”
The young prince took a deep breath, willing himself to not give into his emotions, knowing that he needed more than just a sharp sword to take his brother down. That was where Yunho was wrong too, he didn’t know Jaehyun; he knew of his ambitions but he didn’t know his pain and his anger. And those were Jaehyun’s strongest weapons.
“I understand. I’ll do it.” The king seemed taken aback by the younger man’s response. He seemed ready to spent a long night threatening Jaehyun into obedience. The younger prince kept a steady eye contact with the king as he continued, “I will marry a commoner. If that means I get to keep my title, nothing else matters.”
“I’m convinced that you just make decisions that contradict my expectations just to spite me. But this is exactly what I want to hear.”
A sigh, and then the younger prince was handing the paper back to his brother after making sure Yunho didn’t leave out any important details. “And you got what you wanted. Please make sure to send a copy of this to me by tonight. Now may I please excuse myself?” Yunho didn’t deign him a response, simply waving him off towards the door with a satisfied look on his face.
Jaehyun was already halfway to the doors when he turned back towards his brother, “Oh and Your Majesty?” Yunho looked up from the paperwork he had already started to busy himself, “I hope you know what you’re going against.” Jaehyun didn’t wait to see his brother’s reaction, continuing to the door with renewed determination.