Chapter 10 - Liquor

Dohyun opened the bottle and tossed the cover across the room, then poured three cups of liquor pushing one to each person.

He would serve himself later, at the moment he wanted to see what was behind their apparent dislike for each other and who would last the longest; he knew that all of them weren't heavy drinkers and a smile crept up his face, this was going to be interesting.

Byung Ho was first to drink, followed by Jaeyong then Minhye. He was determined to win and not say a thing.

Minhye also disliked the idea of having to explain and could only drink as well. Even days when the three of them would drink together, it was always in moderation and not in a way that would get one drunk so despite Dohyun knowing that Byung Ho and Minhye could handle a bit of alcohol, he was yet to learn just how much.

"What happened between the three of you?" Dohyun asked once more.

Nothing but silence answered him, so he poured another round.

Silence.

Another round.

Silence.

Five rounds later he asked the same question, still no answer. One could say that their stubbornness was holding up better than most, not like it's something to be proud of but it was just amusing seeing such determination. The first three bottles were almost empty so he proceeded to open the fourth one flicking away the cap.

Six rounds later it was obvious that they were reaching their limit but they were bulls that did not budge. Byung Ho now rested his arm on the table supporting his head in one of his hands and Minhye was staring a whole into the wall making sure not to lose focus. Meanwhile, Jaeyong looked like he was about to fall over any second.

Won't they just talk already!

Dohyun was already losing his patience and poured another round of drinks before pushing the cups back to them, at this point they all looked reluctant to take another sip but they sure did down it.

"Now tell me won't you? Why are you acting like this?"

Jaeyong really couldn't take another drink and honestly admitted, "I don't know" his voice slurring over each syllable.

"I don't know?!" Minhye exclaimed looking at him, he then looked at Dohyun who had doubled in amount and said "Dohyun! Don't you know? They're trying to steal you away from us!"

Steal him away??

"Minhye, Byung Ho, was this all about them being hired as my personal wonhwa?" Dohyun asked.

"What do you think?" Byung Ho retorted as he tried to lift his chin but ended up slamming his face onto the table. Seconds after Minhye fell backwards onto the floor. Just like that the two of them completely blacked-out.

So it really was that, that was the reason for treating each other like that from the start? Jaeyong was probably confused why he got the cold shoulder from the start but it was also possible that he didn't expect a warm welcome from them either. Honestly, with all they put themselves through, Dohyun was a bit disappointed.

He'd expected some sort of drama or dramatic reason from the two parties but it had merely been his two personal guard's prejudice from the start. Dohyun let out a low laugh while he rubbed the sides of his temple and took a shot himself. Just then a thud came from in front.

"Jaeyong hyung, what are you doing?" Dohyun hurriedly asked.

Seeing that Jaeyong was dragging the body of Byung Ho towards the door, he himself was not even walking in a straight line anymore, "Ha? Oh, Taking them… back to their- quar-ters." He replied.

"It's fine. It's fine", Dohyun said waving his hands, "They sleep here all the time, just leave them be."

Jaeyong seemed to have stopped moving for a while before repeating what he said, "D-Doyun, they sl-sleep here all the time?"

"Umm yeah, it happens sometimes." Dohyun nonchalantly admitted.

Jaeyong staggered back a few steps supporting himself on the wall, it would be best to get him to sleep soon too, Dohyun thought.

"T-they sleep here w-with you?" He asked looking down at the two, a deep frown forming on his face, he sort of resembled a child being told 'no' when he wanted to play outside.

"Um, yeah." Dohyun said walking closer to him, "They're like younger brothers to me, uh-"

Jaeyong now had a rather cold look on his face as he stared daggers at the two, this really wasn't the time to be fighting.

Dohyun called out to him a few times before he finally came back, "Jaeyong, Baek Jaeyong"

"Jaeyong hyung."

Jaeyong finally faced him again, the previous expression on his face completely gone exchanged with a more gentle look. His eyes were slightly glassy and unfocused, his cheeks tinted a subtle rosy pink. For some reason Dohyun's breath caught for a moment as he took in the undeniably attractive face in front of him.

"Hyung… call me hyung" he said looking straight into Dohyun's eyes.

"Hyung, alright hyung" Dohyun obeyed.

A smirk formed on the other's face, an expression that could send butterflies into anyone's stomach.

Dohyun's breath caught up again and he could feel his pulse speeding up, what was this feeling?

Jaeyong started leaning in sending Dohyun into full panic mode, what was happening? He closed his eyes, unable to move before a heavy body crashed into him, almost sending him onto the floor.

THUD!

Yet another person to completely black-out.

Dohyun processed the few past minutes standing in place until he ran to the back of the room behind one of the paper dividers. He was never going to use drinking as a way to get them to talk ever again! Too dangerous!

He stood there for a good five minutes before calming down and heading over to his own bed at the far back of the room. He thought it was a bit harsh to just leave them sprawled out on the cold floor all alone so he threw over a blanket and a few pillows.

Well they won't get too cold at least.

While the other three were peacefully sleeping, Dohyun couldn't get a blink of sleep that night. Too many times a certain face haunted his thoughts.

The following morning Dohyun couldn't believe the sight in front of him.

Byung Ho, Minhye, and Jaeyong.

The three of them cuddling tightly together, Byung Ho and Jaeyong were practically hugging while Minhye's head was resting on Byung Ho's bottom.

Well would you look at that, they fight like children but embrace each other so closely, just wait until you guys wake!

It was the funniest thing Dohyun had seen in months, he didn't know if he should laugh or cry. He wanted to call the royal painter to preserve this image forever and use it against them.

Just then a woman's voice sounded from outside, "Your highness, breakfast has been prepared."

At that moment, his stomach grumbled and hunger overcame him, "Please come in!"

Two court ladies entered the room both bringing in a variety of side dishes which instantly filled the air.

"Your highness, we have prepared some soup good for a hangover-" One of the ladies spoke before her eyes trailed off to the cluster of men hugging each other on the floor.

Both of them froze in place, the other mumbled, "Ja-Jaeyong-ah??"

"Ah, it's fine, they had a little bit too much to drink last night, please place the food here" Dohyun said while clearing the confusion and motioning to the small table they had used the previous night.

This time he had now transferred his attention to the two women in front of him. They were indeed the wonhwa, their faces were familiar since he had seen them eat before.

They were quick with their hands and positioned the food perfectly on the table, the other poured him tea before setting the pot to the side.

"Uh- May I ask your names?" Dohyun said, they were working this hard, disguising and going through the trouble of pretending to be court ladies, he thought it would be at least appropriate to know their names.

The woman to the right smiled as she replied, "Jang Ji Ah, your highness."

"Eun Jin Kyung, your highness."

"Ahh, if you ever need anything don't hesitate to ask me or those two." Dohyun said while glancing towards his two personal guards who were still sleeping away, in the most undignified positions.

Both Ji Ah and Jin Kyung bowed before leaving the room, without their faces being covered by the black cloth, they really did look like ordinary court ladies. Ji Ah had a slightly boy-ish face which gave her a charm in her own way while Jin Kyung had a sweet and pleasant face. He knew it wouldn't be that hard for them in the palace since the queen had complete control over all women in the royal palace, from the lowest of servants to the most-cherished concubines; no one could interfere with her word or decision.

He walked over to the other three thinking of what he should do, they would probably have to leave soon, as Dohyun should meet his brothers and explain his unnotified absence these past days.

There was only one thing to do… wake them up.

He squatted down between Byung Ho and Jaeyong's heads which were facing each other and poked Byung Ho's cheek a few times.

His eyes lazily fluttered open then closed again.

Three, two, one…

Byung Ho's eyes opened in an instant, wide and terrified, after realizing the person's face whom he sought his fights with was merely inches away he screamed a whole good round of profanities waking up the other two, sending them all into a frenzy.

Maybe he should have awakened Minhye first…

"You! You! What did you do to me?!" Byung Ho demanded now standing in the far corner of the room giving Jaeyong a look like he had already sexually harassed him.

"I might ask you the same question!" Jaeyong defended equally, staring him down.

Minhye on the other hand seemed to be frozen as he stared at the ground silently accepting his fate. "I- I" he squealed out before hiding his face in his hands.

"Now, now." Dohyun spoke, "Nothing happened, why are you guys fighting so early in the morning when you were just cuddling so tightly together-"

Three pairs of eyes were staring daggers at him, maybe it would be best to change the subject…

"Anyway, your heads must be hurting, come have some soup." Dohyun said, effectively changing the course of direction.

Minhye and Byung Ho scrambled over, their instincts being guided by the aroma of the various dishes.

Byung Ho reached his hand out for the soup first in hope to alleviate the stabbing pain at the back of his head until his hand was stopped midair.

Jaeyong held a firm grip on his arm, holding it in place.

"What's wrong with you!" Byung Ho seethed while shrugging his arm back.

Jaeyong looked at Dohyun and flatly said, "You drink it your highness."

With that, Byung Ho argued, "Let him drink it?" His voice coated with disbelief, "it's not like he drank anything last night anyways."

"He did." Jaeyong said.

"You did?" Minhye asked.

"Uh- It's fine, just have it, I only had one cup." Dohyun replied, he didn't know Jaeyong actually caught that, wasn't he busy trying to carry Byung Ho out?

Byung Ho scoffed and gave up, "Fine, I've lost my appetite anyways."

Dohyun sighed, back to this again. When were they just going to make up and end this nonsense?

Not after too long since they had somehow miraculously finished eating, a boy's voice spoke from outside, "Your highness, studies in the royal library will start soon." Ah, Seung Hyun-Ki, it had become his new morning task to inform all of the royal princes of their classes for them to actually arrive on time.

Of course, Dohyun would be last since his residence was the furthest one out.

Byung Ho spoke, "His Highness had been notified. You may take your leave."

Dohyun straightened his robes and wore his usual gat as he mentally prepared himself, there was a certain level of excuses to be made.