The King's Pet

Chapter 9: Bad News

Hyunjin's P.O.V

I couldn't bring myself to tell Makita the possible truth about his own life when he mentioned the circumstances that brought him into the world. The "orphanage" he grew up in was definitely a breeding camp where jesters considered top quality were forced together to make new "top quality" pets. It was common practice all over the Continent and my kingdom was the first and only to criminalise the practice. While some other kingdoms, like the South-East Kingdom and Central Kingdom, no longer practiced it, the North-West Kingdom and South-West Kingdom continued with the practice.

I didn't have the heart to explain all of that to him while we were on a trip I suggested specifically to take his mind off of the horrible things Jian put him through. It pained me to know what waited for him when he went to school again and after I'd dropped him off I couldn't bring myself to do any work. Instead I decided to prepare his favourite food and get him the best pillows and linen. There was no doubt in my mind that after hearing something like that he'd want to eat and sleep the feelings off.

When I was finished I still couldn't bring myself to work, so instead I took a walk around the garden. Thinking I was going to be alone on my walk I was surprised when Sara basically ambushed me. "There you are, you know you had a meeting with the farmers today right?" She scolded, standing in front of me to stop me in my tracks. I sighed and looked past her, not wanting to see the anger or frustration in her eyes. "I know and I'm sorry Sara." I responded, bowing slightly to show just how apologetic I was.

"You're lucky they ended up cancelling last minute." She huffed. "It's rescheduled for next week Thursday so DO NOT pull another stunt." She added before walking away. I sighed, foolishly thinking she didn't notice how strange I was being. Usually I was more talkative and I wouldn't let her get away with scolding me without making a joke or feigning annoyance, and she wouldn't have been my advisor if she didn't notice when I was off. So, picking up on my lack of engagement I gave, she back tracked and was back in front of me like she never left.

"Is something wrong?" She asked aggressively turning my face so I could look at her. "It's Makita..." I responded shortly, hoping she wouldn't ask for further detail—but again, she wouldn't have been my advisor if she didn't ask for details. "What about him, didn't you two have fun in the country over the weekend?" She questioned. "We did...but he was telling me how he'd never met his parents and that he grew up in an orphanage with other children set to be pets..." I started and thankfully didn't have to finish as she immediately understood where I was going.

"Oh God..." She murmured. "Yea, I don't know what I'm going to do when he gets back from school. I'm scared it might make him hate or, even worse, be afraid of me because I'm a royal like the ones who abused him." I explained trying not to let the scenarios that came to mind get the better of me. "I couldn't handle it if he was afraid of me..." I added unconsciously. "I see why you were so preoccupied." She sighed and hugged me. I hugged back, accepting the comfort she was offering.

"But I don't think he'll be upset with you, I mean it hasn't even been three months since he's been here and you two look one hug away from getting engaged." She chuckled softly, trying to cheer me up which she managed to do. She was right and I had to have faith that we'd gotten close enough that he wouldn't group me together with Jian. "Thanks for the talk Sara." I responded, taking a few breaths to calm my nerves. "No problem Jin, now go get ready to pick him up—the school day's almost over." She smiled and hugged me once more before leaving.

With a little less anxiety swirling inside of me I walked back to the castle, laid out the food I made him in his bedroom and checked the way I had made his bed before starting the walk to the school. I stood outside his classroom waiting for him to come out when it was time but instead of him, Mrs. Xiuying did. Her face was pale and her features were worried, which made the little bit of anxiety that I had worked away come right back.

"Is he okay?" I asked, trying to catch a glance of him as she closed the door. "He's not talking. I think he will need some time to...process...everything so allow him some space." She advised with a low tone. That was the first time I'd seen her so despondent since her wife passed so I only worked up more anxiety waiting for her to get him to come out.

Once he walked out I could immediately sense that he wasn't in the mood to engage with me. Thankfully he didn't seem to feel differently about me because he let me hold his hand as we started the walk back to the castle. The silence we walked in was the first of its kind, it was heavy and depressing. I didn't want to say anything, not even ask if he was okay, it felt horrible.

When we got back I showed him to his room instead of to the garden like I usually did. He looked up from the floor and gasped softly as he noticed the food and his bed. "I made your favourite foods and I made your bed up with the most comfortable bed-wear I could find. You can relax or eat and if you need anything I'll be right next door in my room waiting for your call." I explained as I started to let go of his hand so I could leave. He tightened his grip before looking up at me with teary eyes. "Please stay with me Hyun..." He spoke, barely above a whisper.

I smiled softly and walked in as he did before closing the door behind us. I dished some food for both of us and sat down on his bed right next to him. We ate a little bit and I even managed to get him to laugh by telling him some of my childhood stories. Eventually he invited me to cuddle with him as he was getting tired and still wanted my support.

...

As he laid in my arms, he began to cry quietly.

"D-did I deserve it...did a-any of us—deserve it?!" He sobbed desperately, his floodgates giving out. "You didn't, none of you did." I responded and held him closer to me. He continued to cry and I realised there was nothing I could do or say to make him feel better. All I could do was be there while he felt the pain and processed it. I had never felt so useless before,

and it only got worse.

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