It has been a week in the palace and Krist had fallen in to a routine.

Every day, Singto would cook breakfast for him and draw new designs for his morning coffee which Kit would first take a photo before even thinking to consume it.

Accompanying the breakfast would be a note each day- a morning greeting which Krist would store fir his keepsake.

Krist was almost eager everyday for what message Singto would greet him with.

He has got all kinds of message from you are all the sunshine I need to ' I don't know where the path goes but I walk better when I am with you'

After the breakfast, Singto would come back, dressed in a goofy t-shirt and comfortable shorts Krist would join him in equally hilarious t-shirts.

They even had unspoken competition going on who could wear funniest slogans. . Singto was known for his impeccable dressing sense and here he was wearing T-shirt's that said

It's a 'Tea-Shirt' 😹

to
' I dont see a reason to act my age'

to
' Shh..no one cares'.

to
' Who gave you authority to judge me? Is moon goddess hiring? '

Krist could only imagine the reaction of people of it ever got on news.

They seldom spoke through these walks but Kit looked forward to it, everyday. It was a time in the day when he had Singto to himself, when he didn't have to share his mate with the world.

......
Queen dowager had informed him Kit must attend a formal dinner that evening with a foreign delegation as Singto's intended.

Kit stood in the royal wardrobe, staring at the rows upon rows of extravagant outfits, each one more ornate than the last. Singto had suggested that they attend in formal attire as was the custom, and Kit had begrudgingly agreed-until he saw what he was expected to wear.

Singto, standing behind him, noticed the skeptical look on Kit's face. "What's wrong? You don't like any of them?"

Kit turned to him with a deadpan expression. "Unless we're going to a circus, I think I'll pass on the 'King's Royal Peacock' ensemble."

Singto chuckled, shaking his head. "It's just formal attire, Kit. It's tradition. I wear it too"

Kit raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Right, because nothing says 'I'm here to enjoy a nice meal' like a suit that weighs more than I do and makes me look like a shiny disco ball while you look all royal and regal."

Singto tried to stifle his laughter. "I promise, it's not that bad."

"Not that bad?" Kit repeated, crossing his arms. "I'm pretty sure if I put this on, I'll either blind someone or start a new fashion trend among migrating birds."

Singto stepped closer, his amusement clear. "How about this," he said, picking a slightly less flashy outfit. "This one's a bit more subtle. You'll still look dashing, and no one will confuse you for a decorative chandelier."

Kit eyed the new outfit, his lips twitching as he fought back a smile. "Fine, but if anyone asks why I'm glowing like a Christmas tree, I'm blaming you."

Singto grinned, clearly enjoying Kit's antics. "Deal. But you know, I think you'd make a rather handsome chandelier."

Kit rolled his eyes, but the smile finally broke through. "Just promise me you won't start singing 'Chandelier' when I walk into the room."

"I'll try to resist the temptation," Singto replied, his laughter following Kit as he reluctantly took the outfit and headed to get changed.
.........

The dinner with the dignitaries went exceptionally well. But such was not the case with every formal dinner.

At one such formal dinner with nobles and dignitaries, Kit found himself seated next to an overly pompous lord who couldn't stop bragging about his estate. The conversation dragged on, with the lord detailing every mundane aspect of his landholdings. Kit's patience was wearing thin, and Singto, seated across the table, noticed the growing irritation on Kit's face.

Finally, Kit decided he'd had enough. With a perfectly innocent expression, he leaned in and said, "Wow, your estate sounds truly magnificent. So much land, so many cows... Tell me, do they also provide you with your conversation topics?"

The lord blinked, clearly not understanding the subtle jab, but a few of the other guests stifled laughs. Singto had to cover his mouth with his hand to keep from laughing out loud.

Undeterred, the lord continued, now boasting about the size of his mansion. Kit nodded along, feigning interest, before interjecting again. "And how many rooms do you have just for your ego?"

This time, the lord caught on, his face turning red with embarrassment. He mumbled something incoherent before turning his attention to someone else at the table.

Singto raised his glass in a silent toast to Kit, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Kit met his gaze, a satisfied smirk on his face as he sipped his wine.

Later, as the dinner was winding down, Singto found Kit by the dessert table, inspecting the offerings. He approached with a smile. "That was quite the performance back there. Remind me to bring you to every boring dinner from now on."

Kit grinned, picking up a piece of cake. "I aim to please. But seriously, how do you put up with those people?"

Singto shrugged, taking a bite of his own dessert. "It's part of the job. But it helps to have someone like you around to keep things interesting."

Kit raised his cake in a mock toast. "Here's to making royal dinners slightly less unbearable."

Singto laughed, clinking his fork against Kit's. "I'll drink to that."

...........

Since everyday Singto cooked for him,
One morning, Kit decided to surprise Singto by making breakfast. However, Kit's version of breakfast was a bit unconventional.

Singto entered the kitchen to find Kit standing proudly behind the table, which was set with an array of dishes. Singto's eyes scanned the offerings: toast that was slightly burned, eggs that looked more scrambled than they should, and what appeared to be a very questionable attempt at pancakes.

Kit gestured to the spread with a flourish. "Breakfast is served! I call it 'Culinary Chaos à la Kit.'"

Singto tried to keep a straight face, but the sight of the food made it difficult. "This looks... interesting."

"Interesting?" Kit repeated, pretending to be offended. "I'll have you know, this is a gourmet experience. Only the best for the king."

Singto picked up a piece of toast, inspecting it. "Is this supposed to be blackened for flavor?"

Kit grinned, leaning against the table. "It's a new trend. I call it 'charcoal chic.' It's all the rage."

Singto took a cautious bite and was met with an overwhelming crunch. He chewed thoughtfully, trying to find the right words. "It's... unique."

Kit laughed, clearly not taking it too seriously. "Relax, I didn't poison it. Though I can't guarantee you won't need a glass of water after that toast."

Singto set the toast down, his eyes meeting Kit's. "Well, I appreciate the effort, even if the execution is... creative."

"Hey, it's the thought that counts," Kit replied with a wink. "Besides, you said you wanted a partner who could keep things interesting. Consider this your daily dose of excitement."

Singto shook his head, smiling as he reached for the slightly less burnt-looking pancake. "I can see that. But next time, maybe we'll cook together?"

Kit's eyes lit up with excitement. "Deal! Just be warned, I might still add my own special touch. Can't let you have all the fun."

Singto chuckled, his affection for Kit growing with each passing moment. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

...........
Even though there had fallen in to clear routine, Singto kept things interesting by throwing in little surprises.

One such day, Singto had arranged a sparring session in the courtyard to help Kit practice his self-defense skills. However, Kit had a different approach to the whole situation.

"Are you sure about this?" Kit asked, eyeing the wooden training sword in his hand. "I mean, what if I accidentally give you a haircut?"

Singto, who was warming up a few feet away, looked over with a smirk. "I think I'll survive. Besides, a little trim wouldn't hurt."

Kit twirled the sword in his hand, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Don't say I didn't warn you. I've been known to have a killer swing-emphasis on 'killer.'"

Singto chuckled, taking his stance. "Alright, Kit. Show me what you've got."

Kit matched his stance, but instead of lunging forward as Singto expected, he started talking. "You know, I've always wondered, does a king have to train to be this perfect, or were you just born that way?"

Singto raised an eyebrow, amused by Kit's tactic. "A little bit of both, I suppose."

"Ah, I see," Kit replied, feigning deep thought. "So, should I be calling you 'Your Royal Flawlessness' from now on? Or do you prefer something more casual like 'King of Perfection'?"

Singto couldn't help but laugh, breaking his focus for a moment. "You know, most people don't talk this much during a duel."

Kit grinned, taking advantage of the distraction to make a quick move. He managed to tap Singto lightly on the shoulder with the wooden sword. "And that's why they never see it coming."

Singto stepped back, surprised and impressed. "Not bad. But don't think I'm going easy on you just because you're funny."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Kit shot back, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "But just so you know, I fight dirty."

As they continued sparring, Kit's quick wit and playful banter kept Singto on his toes, the session turning into a fun, lighthearted challenge rather than a serious duel. And while Kit might have been at a disadvantage in terms of skill, he more than made up for it with his humor and charm, leaving Singto thoroughly entertained.
.......

It was late afternoon when Singto found Kit in the palace gardens, crouched down by a bed of wildflowers. Kit had taken to spending his afternoons in the gardens, enjoying the peace and solitude they offered.

Singto approached quietly, not wanting to disturb Kit's moment of tranquility. He watched as Kit gently touched the petals of a flower, his expression serene.

"You have a favorite?" Singto asked softly, standing a few feet away.

Kit looked up, surprised but pleased to see Singto. He smiled and stood, brushing the dirt off his hands. "I'm not sure. They're all beautiful in their own way."

Singto walked closer, his gaze following Kit's to the flowers. "They are," he agreed. "But I think there's one that suits you perfectly."

Kit raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Which one?"

Singto reached out and gently plucked a small white flower from the bed, its petals delicate and pure. He held it out to Kit, who took it with a curious smile.

"This one," Singto said. "It's called 'moonflower.' It blooms at night and glows under the moonlight. It's rare and not many people know about it, but it's one of the most resilient flowers in the garden."

Kit stared at the flower in his hand, touched by Singto's thoughtfulness. "I've never seen this before. It's beautiful."

Singto nodded, his eyes soft as he looked at Kit. "It reminded me of you. Quiet, strong, and full of light, even in the darkest of times."

Kit felt a blush creep up his cheeks, and he glanced away, embarrassed by the sudden rush of emotions. "You're getting better at this courting thing," he muttered, trying to hide his smile.

Singto chuckled, his voice low and warm. "I'm learning from the best."

They stood there for a moment, the air between them charged with a mix of affection and anticipation. Kit carefully tucked the moonflower behind his ear, feeling a little silly but also incredibly touched by the gesture.

"I like it," Kit said, his voice soft. "Thank you, Singto."

Singto's smile widened, and he reached out to gently brush his fingers against Kit's cheek. "I'm glad."

Kit felt his heart flutter at the touch, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to lean into Singto's hand. The warmth of Singto's palm against his skin was comforting, grounding him in a way he hadn't expected.

But as the moment lingered, Kit suddenly pulled back, his eyes wide with realization. "We should... um, keep walking. Before someone sees us."

Singto's hand dropped to his side, but his expression remained gentle. "Of course. Shall we?"

Kit nodded, trying to ignore the pounding of his heart as they began to walk through the garden together. The paths were winding and secluded, offering them privacy as they strolled side by side.

As they walked, Singto kept the conversation light, talking about the history of the palace gardens and the different plants that grew there. Kit listened, occasionally chiming in with his own observations, but his mind kept drifting back to the moonflower tucked behind his ear and the way Singto's touch had made him feel.

When they reached a small, hidden clearing surrounded by tall trees, Singto paused and turned to Kit. "This is one of my favorite spots," he said, his voice quiet. "It's a place where I come to think when things get overwhelming."

Kit looked around, taking in the serene beauty of the clearing. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. It was peaceful, almost magical, and Kit could see why Singto would choose this place to escape to.

"It's beautiful," Kit said, his voice filled with awe.

Singto nodded, his eyes soft as he watched Kit take in the surroundings. "I wanted to share it with you."

Kit felt a warmth spread through his chest at Singto's words. "Thank you for showing me," he said, his voice sincere.

They stood there for a moment, just enjoying the quiet and the sense of connection between them. Kit could feel the tension between them easing, replaced by a growing sense of trust and understanding.

As they made their way back to the palace, Kit couldn't help but feel that something had shifted between them. Singto's courtship was no longer just a formality-it was becoming something real, something that Kit was beginning to cherish.

And as they walked side by side, Kit found himself looking forward to the next moment they would share together, knowing that it would only bring them closer.

---