Transmigrated Into The Book

THE TIME BETWEEN THE BROTHERS…

In the middle of the royal pavilion, three kids were swaying their wooden swords to one another. It was nearly afternoon and their practices were over. 

"My master told me that I got faster!" one of them proclaimed with his proud expression.

"Hump! I am stronger than you,"

"Stronger? What are you talking about? The strongest and greatest of all was the crowned prince," the kid from earlier crossed his arms. After saying that, he turned his head to the kid watching them. "How about you, Yi Lin?" 

Yi Lin jolted from his stance. "Me?" he asked while pointing to himself. "What about me?" he repeated the question.

The second kid snorted with his nose high. "Our master said that you are the poorest among us. What happened to you?" He leaned closer to Yi Lin and tapped his chest. "You should reach the crowned prince level by now," he added.

Yi Lin blinked his eyes, then stepped back. "I am good with swords, I just need more practice," he released a humped sound.

The two kids in front of him scoffed and laughed, then one of them grabbed him by the wrist. "You should perfect it by our next practice. You can ask the demon crowned prince to give you some of his powers," they laughed again.

This time, the nerves on Yi Lin's forehead almost popped. "STOP TALKING BEHIND MY BROTHER'S BACK!!" he yelled. He yanked away and glared at them. "He's not a demon!!" 

The two kids from other kingdoms stopped. Though even if they tease Yi Lin, it will never spread out since they are just all kids. But that thought of calling Yuan, as the demon prince, has been spreading all around the kingdom. 

"How dare you call the crowned prince a demon!?" Yi Lin snarled at them. He raised his fist and was going to give them a punch when a familiar voice echoed in the hallways.

"Yi Lin,"

After hearing the voice, the two young kids stiffened to their stance and quickly bowed their heads. "Greetings, your highness," 

Yuan made a little wave, then he smiled. "Hello," he greeted them back. "Are your practices already done?" he asked, which made the two bow their heads. "You should head back to your chambers to take a rest, it's already afternoon," he said, mellow and gentle voice.

The two kids quickly replied and walked away, leaving the two alone. Every year, the Bai Kingdom opens its gate to train young royals in fighting. It was part of their tradition, since the Bai Kingdom was known to have the best swordsmanship and weaponry at the time.

"Brother, you shouldn't have let them go!" Yi Lin snorted. "If you didn't come, I will surely sue them," he released a humped sound with his pursed lips.

Instead of getting an answer, Yuan giggled and pat Yi Lin's hair. "You don't need to do that," he said.

That slight gesture from him made Yi Lin blushed, but he quickly averted his gaze and turned around to hide it. "Humph! I hate you, brother, you are always kind towards them…" he snorted 

Yuan saw how he would blush for such small gestures, he couldn't help but adore his little cousin. He should have taught him patience since he was 2 years older than Yi Lin. Though they never treated each other like cousins. For them, they are brothers.

Yi Lin had a very short temper wherein he would punch and snarl towards other kids when they started to mock or insult Yuan. He was looking up at his cousin brother so much and he didn't want anyone to bully him because of that. 

Some other kids and royalty couldn't stop comparing him to Yuan. What can he do? Yuan excelled in everything, while he was always struggling to understand even the smallest things. All he could do was to bawl his anger out and throw a fist. 

Yuan wanted Yi Lin to be careful and gentle since he didn't want him to be bullied by other kids just like him back then. 

"Yi Lin," he called out. "Let's head to the medicinal hall. Do you want to see me concoct my own pills?" he asked.

Yi Lin elated and sprang up. "I want to go!" he exclaimed as he clung into Yuan's arms. "Do you know how to make poison, brother?" he asked, beaming eyes.

Yuan raised one brow. "What poison?" he asked

Yi Lin's expression darkened as he grinned mischievously. "I want to poison those bastards' mouths," he chuckled cunningly. 

Yuan brushed his own face from disappointment. Aside from having a short temper, Yi Lin also had this bad mouth that needed to be stopped. 

"Yi Lin, I told you to stop saying vulgar words, it's prohibited in our kingdom. You are a prince, please act like one," he said.

"Heh~," Yi Lin poked Yuan's cheeks. "What about Master Lan's child? Yuyu also had a bad mouth but you'd never scold him," he turned his head and snorted. "You are giving him so much favor, brother!" 

"Ehh?!" Yuan protested. "It's not like that, don't think that way.." he replied.

"See?!" Yi Lin pointed his index finger at Yuan. "You are blushing when he's the topic! Don't hide it, brother! I know you like him.." he grinned. "I'm going to tell him later.." he walked forward.

The threat from his younger cousin brother made Yuan flinched and startled. His ears and nape turned red in an instant. He trudged and leveled Yi Lin's pace. "What are you babbling about? It's embarrassing.." he whispered.

Yi Lin stopped and looked at him. He couldn't even describe Yuan's face right now. The male was blushing while scratching the back of his head, couldn't even look Yi Lin in the eyes.

"Oi!!!!"

Both heads turned to the one calling them. There was another young boy standing meters away from them. He was standing against the rays of the dandelion afternoon sky. He made a big smile the moment he met Yuan's eyes. 

"Mister Yuyu!!" Yi Lin dashed and jumped at Yuyu while Yuyu pinched his cheeks. "I told you to stop calling me 'Mister'," he said while Yi Lin was laughing. 

As the two continued to laugh and tease each other, Yuan couldn't help but smiled. He also approached the two and scolded them. "Keep quiet, noises are prohibited in the hallways." He said in a gentle voice. "Let's go and read books in the library," 

"Yes, your highness the crowned prince!" Yi Lin and Yuyu exclaimed unison before giggling.