He spent more time, re-reading all of the scrolls and carefully examining the illustrations that decorated each one of them, he didn't know what he was looking for really, but he had to go back to his chamber before everyone else woke up.

He knew how early his uncle, Yun, would start preparing for the day and he certainly didn't want him to find him scavaging in the library at this hour: so he dragged the chair back to the bookshelf and carefully placed the scrolls back in their place.

What he certainly didn't expect was to see Jae Ha walking down the hallway without a care for the world whistling a familiar tune, he blinked and rushed behind the door: he couldn't have seen him, could he?

"Hm...I thought I just saw a certain nephew of mine hide, but he wouldn't be awake at this hour, would he?" the man asked in a perky tone as he moved the door and smiled "So, what will it be? Do you have a good excuse or do you have something that will make me stay silent?"

Hyun sighed "Uncle, you should be asleep" he muttered ,frowning , to which Jae Ha promptly replied " So should you, but the difference between us is that I'm a responsible adult off to finish up some duties, while you're a kid".

He was right about that. "I just went to sleep too early last night, so I woke up early this morning" he added, praying the man would believe him and let him go.

Jae Ha hummed and patted his head "Hm... fine, I won't tell your parents this time, but you should go to your room before Yun spots you, he woke up a bit ago and you have to get ready for your lessons".

He didn't have to tell him twice, the sole mention of his uncle Yun made him imagine the long scolding he would get if he didn't get to his room on time, while running back he could feel his uncle's curious eyes following him.

So when he reached it he started to get ready and tied the knot of his kimono while looking at himself on the mirror ,he had insisted on not wanting maids to help him anymore, so he had to learn how to put it on by himself.

After a while heard Yun knock at his door "you better be up Hyun! You can't be late again, breakfast's ready!"

"I'm up! I'm coming!" He called out as he stepped in front of the mirror and hurriedly brushed his hair before walking out.

Yun furrowed his eyes "You're up, that's weird... well let's go eat before it gets cold."

❁ --------❊--------❁

Many springs and winters later, in the beginning of summer, in the secluded village of the white dragon, Cheol stood in front of the portrait of his predecessor, which was adorned with a golden frame.

The last time he had seen Kija he was ten years old; the white dragon had come to visit .

 When he had spotted him he approached, Cheol remembered that moment very clearly, with a smile he had patted his head fondly;  saying "You'll do great" in such a soft tone that it almost made him cry , consequently he had immediately become a role model for his younger self.

A letter sat on his desk, he had received it this morning, peticularly enough, the light shining from his window landed right on top of it as if urging him to read it, but Cheol had other pressing matters to attend, just a few moments ago one of the guards told him a man had walked into the village without notice.

As the white dragon, if he couldn't protect the crimson one ,he should atleast be able to protect his people, so he took it for himself to go check who it was.

He stepped in the middle of the village passing through the crowds of people demanding his attention and for a moment he was trying to get away from the grip of the younger children that were pulling on his sleeve.

Then it happened in an instant, he was pushed behind a house, his mouth was covered by a hand and he was pressed against a wall, not too roughly he noted.

"Sorry, I didn't think we'd meet in these circumstances" the man standing before him pressed him further against the wall, his hood covered most of his features, if the hand stopped him from calling for help, it certainly didn't stop his claw.

So he raised it to attack, but barely missed, the movement managed to make the fabric covering his alleged attacker's face fall and show his visage.

Cheol's face could only be described as that of someone who received a bucket of ice cold water on them "You! You...!- Please ,don't scream, you'll attract everyone's attention" Hyun interrupted him, removing his hand gently "Sorry for pushing you like that, I needed to speak to you in private."

The white dragon fell to his knees as his claw began to pulse, it felt like every fiber of his body was on fire and he knew the cause of it was standing right before him.

It hurt, the voice of the dragons echoed in his ears, but he wanted to focus on the other gentle voice that was trying to make sure he was alright,the hand that had placed itself on his shoulder, he covered his face as he breathed heavily.

Hyun crouched and looked at him in worry "They did say you would react like this, I'm sorry" he muttered as he grabbed something from his backpack "It's a pill my uncle makes out of pain relieving herbs, take it" he explained urging it to the white haired man's lips, Cheol didn't hesitate to open his mouth to take it.

He slumped against the wall with a sigh, his vision focused again on the silhouette standing in front, more specifically , his hair, the crimson locks that framed the man's face

"You're the crimson dragon?" he asked breathlessly , Hyun simply nodded "It's hard to explain, but yes, I am. " he said " And I came here to ask for your help."