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After their conversation, Yeong-shin had ushered Beom-pal off to get some sleep, he was going to have quite the headache tomorrow.
The other man had managed another joke about him being informal, though his heart wasn’t in it.
The tiger hunter wished he had brought better news, none of them wanted to relive the plague.
He had caught sight of His Highness’s scar before, the vicious bite mark on his shoulder. Yeong-shin had a similar one, so did Beom-pal, permanent reminders of how dangerous it had been, and could be.
(He had been calm, in the moment, ready to die for the Prince’s plan. He meant it when he said he believed in him.
Beom-pal had been…less ready. But he’d been there and that mattered more).
He had not expected him to end up being loyal, truly loyal. But he’d seen him spare the lives of the Prince’s men’s families, and he’d not regretted saving his life in the battle that followed.
(He’d been relieved, if only a little bit, when Beom-pal resurfaced, clinging to the stone with him and the other two survivors. All wondering how they had lived, how they hadn’t turned. Thankfully Seo-bi had been able to explain).
He was thankful for Seo-bi in general. If she hadn’t been there at Jiyulheon…
He shook himself slightly. No point in lingering on it.
(He couldn’t have known).
He readies for bed, he can’t stay long, His Highness will need him to return, they have to continue finding out more about the resurrection plant.
But for tonight he’ll rest, he’ll say goodbye to Beom-pal before he goes, ask him more about the young King.
He’s missed his friend.