Conditionally Unconditional

Intro: Reality Check

Today was no different than the rest, except it was. Why? Because this morning, when Changmin awoke from his dreaming state, he had a reality check. He had everything he physically wanted, but he needed to do something about his life. Let me rephrase. It's not that Changmin's life was a living mess, it was that Changmin's life could be a living mess, but isn't because he's done nothing with it. So in other words, Changmin needs to do something with his life.

Let's rewind. How did Changmin come to this epiphany? The week before, Changmin found himself leaning against his wide balcony overlooking his family's manicured garden when he saw the paper boy walk up to the gates of his home. Changmin continued to watch as the guards opened the gate, letting the paper boy take the lengthy walk from the gates to the estate's door. Changmin was used to this sight. The paper boy would stroll down the long pebbled path through the garden, looking in awe as he took in every detail with that child-like shine in his eyes as he delivered the papers which Changmin took great pleasure in reading the latest over-dramatic gossip column. It could've been the boredom, or the curiosity of seeing the boy come to his doorstep daily while looking at the same garden with the same shine in his eyes despite seeing the garden everyday, but Changmin wanted to know why the shiny-eyed boy was the way he was. Changmin realized he never once talked to the boy and barely paid any attention to him when he dropped the papers on his doorstep. The boy was nearly three years into this job and not once has Changmin even so much as peeped at the boy. So for the first time in three years, Changmin peeped.

"Hey, paper boy." Changmin called out once he noticed the boy was just about to drop the paper on his doorstep.

The boy looked up in surprise, then a joyous smile. "Hello, sir!"

The boy's greeting surprised Changmin. His excitement rivaled one of a puppy's when it's owner comes home. Changmin pointed to the paper the boy was holding. "Give it here."

The boy looked down at the paper then up at Changmin in confusion. "But sir..."

"What's the problem?"

"You're up there and...I'm down here. What if I miss?" The boy pouted like a sad child. Changmin was intrigued.

"Then you'll toss it again." Changmin stated matter-of-factly.

The boy looked at the paper once again, winding his arm back for the throw. "All right, sir. But you are quite high up." The boy threw with as much strength as he could. It was barely enough to reach the third floor, but Changmin's reflexes took care of it with ease. Once Changmin had set the paper on the small lounge table next to him, he turned back to the boy who was still standing there. "What's your name, boy?"

"Oh! Son Eric, sir!" The boy beamed. 

Changmin began to introduce himself. "Hello, Eric. I am--"

"Count Ji, the Honourable Ji Changmin, I know, sir. It'd be improper for us village folk to not know the Count's name." Eric interrupted Changmin who looked pleasantly surprised.

"You've got quite the manners, Eric. I like that. You don't need to call me Count Ji or The Honourable Ji Changmin. Just Mr. Changmin should suffice."

"Thank you, sir."

"How old are you?"

"I'm eighteen, sir."

"Hmm...and still a paper boy?" Changmin asked. Eric nodded with a smile on his face. Changmin frowned slightly. Even from the third floor, Changmin could tell that the state in which the boy lived wasn't exactly pleasant. "How much do they pay you?"

Eric thought about it for a moment. "Enough to take care of my family."

Changmin muttered to himself. "I see..." He'd have to bring it up at the next representative elite's meeting. Can't have unhappy villagers rioting in the streets and ransacking homes. That'll bring the attention of the King. They'll be sure to cut some heads off to silence the people. Gruesome? Sure. But effective? Yes. It was best to keep the royal family out of it, Changmin thought. Changmin turned his attention back to Eric who was staring back, wide-eyed. "Eric, I'd like to help. You don't have anymore papers to deliver, do you?"