I have a lot of things planned for this story and I'm honestly so excited hopefully it all works out.

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Junmyeon's POV

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Another typical morning. I should've known that as soon as they were done putting on their show, back to business it was. Would it kill them to just share one meal with me? Probably. I slouched in my chair at the head of a table far too large for my party of one, moving my breakfast around on my plate without actually eating any of it.

"Sire?" I looked over to Heechan, who was supposedly going through some paperwork, but he'd probably been watching me more than actually doing it. "Aren't you hungry?" he asked at last, eyeing my plate that was still mostly full.

"Not really," I replied. "Where did they say they were this morning?" He winced, and I sighed, resting my cheek on my palm. Same old story.

"I don't even know myself," he said at last. "They just told me urgent business." I gripped my chopsticks a bit tighter, cursing myself inside for feeling affected by this again. "Are you alright?" he asked. There he went again. Sounding more like my dad than my actual dad some days.

"I'm fine," I mumbled, shoving my plate away. But the door to the dining room opening caught my attention. I looked up and was pleased to see Yixing entering. "Good morning Prince Yixing," I greeted.

"Good morning," he said back, looking around. "Where's King and Queen Kim?" he asked. He sat down to my left, with his assistant hovering not too far away.

"Your guess is as good as mine," I said, stuffing a bite of food in my mouth to hide my disappointment in the matter. One of the staff brought two more plates of food, handing one to the assistant and setting one in front of Yixing. For a little while, no one said anything. It wasn't a stifling silence, per se, but it was far from comfortable.

"You must be by yourself a lot," Yixing suddenly interrupted the silence. I could only nod, not trusting myself to speak. "Does it get lonely?" he asked. I shoved my chair back abruptly, rising.

"Heechan I'm going to go oversee some things," I said, striding away, half hoping he'd follow me. But I didn't hear him scurrying to catch up. So now I really was by myself. I sighed. Yixing's question bothered me in ways I didn't want to admit. Yes, it was very lonely being by myself all the time. But a part of me was used to the loneliness. Sure, I had Heechan and the staff. But it wasn't quite the same as having my family close by.

I got that they were busy. After all, they had a country to run. But sometimes I wondered what it would've been like if they were just common people. Would I see them more? Would we actually have meals together? I didn't know a life outside of the one I lived. One where my parents ran a country first and raised me second. And it wasn't like they were bad parents. I knew they loved me. And I knew they didn't wish me away. But I also knew that their first priority was running the country.

I found myself outside in the gardens again. It looked vastly different in the daylight. Everything looked so vibrant in its rainbow of colors. The water in the fountain was crystalline rather than murky, which was definitely more visually appealing. Already I could feel some of the weight lifting from my shoulders. Yixing was right on that front. Out here surrounded by nature I could be whoever I wanted to be.

"Hey." I whirled around, finding myself face to face with Yixing's assistant. He bowed. "Sorry to startle you Your Majesty," he apologized. I waved the matter aside. It didn't matter how often it happened, or if it was true, it was still a very odd feeling being addressed like that. "I hope what Prince Yixing said isn't bothering you," he added.

"Not really," I lied. "I've gotten used to being alone, especially now that I'm older. They have plenty of things to do." Does one ever really get used to this feeling? I wasn't sure. But every morning I woke up to an empty palace only added to the every present tightening in my chest. "What's your name?" I suddenly asked.

"Luhan," the assistant replied. "Yixing and I grew up together. My family has always been linked with his, and when I was born it was decided I'd watch over King Zhang's firstborn. Which also happened to be his only child, but that matter is unimportant." Luhan spoke with such fondness when he described his early life. "So from a very young age it's been my job to guide him and watch over him."

"You speak fondly of him," I remarked. "You clearly care for him."

"Everyone at the palace does," Luhan replied to that. "So much of us have a hand in helping raise him, as crazy as it probably sounds." To me it made a lot of sense. He needed teachers and advisors. People to clean up messes and prepare his home for company. "I've been fortunate to have the most time with him though," Luhan added, this time his smile very wide and very genuine. "He's very quirky. And he's growing into a fine young man. He should have no problems running his country some day." I found myself smiling at Luhan's sweet words. It was very clear to me that this person really cared about Yixing. "One thing we've yet to overcome is marriage though."

"Oh yeah," I said, deflating some. "Marriage." Father had actually been talking about inviting other royalty over for "important business." But I knew it was just so all the noblemen could bring their daughters over and try and sweet talk their way to a place by my side. I didn't have the heart to tell father it wouldn't work.

"That was enthusiastic," Luhan joked lightly. "Don't worry, Yixing thinks much the same right now. But you're both young, so there's still plenty of time. Enjoy your youth while you can." I dipped my head, silently relieved someone thought that way. That was always my worry. That because everyone expected it of me, I was to have my whole life figured out right this second. And in some ways I did. And in other ways I didn't even know where to begin.

"Do you want to come back in?" Luhan asked. I looked up to him. "I'm sure Yixing would enjoy your company. It's the first time he's staying for an extended period of time without his family, and while he's fine now, I imagine a couple familiar faces will perk him right up."

"Alright," I agreed, following behind Luhan back inside the palace. "Hey," I added. He looked back over his shoulder. "Thanks for talking with me. I didn't even know I needed that so much, but I did." Luhan simply shrugged.

"Everyone should have someone to talk to," he said. "You might be a prince, Junmyeon, but you're human too." I stopped dead in my tracks, mulling that over. Sometimes I think even I forgot I was human.

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Yixing's POV

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Now this was the sort of quiet I liked. The one that felt full and happy, like we knew we could talk if we wanted to, but we just didn't. I glanced up from the book I'd been reading to study the two people who'd chosen to keep me company. Junmyeon was typing away on his tablet, seeming engrossed in something. And Luhan, the creep, was just watching us, a smile on his face. When he caught my eye, he stuck his tongue out at me. I giggled, burying my face in the blanket beneath me to muffle the sound. Some habits just died hard, and that was one of them.

"Are you liking your stay here so far?" Junmyeon suddenly asked, startling me. I kicked him across the bed, and he laughed. "Geez you're jumpy," he said.

"Only when you talk suddenly," I replied, but try as I might, I couldn't get even remotely mad. And that was what I didn't get. I didn't understand why every time I saw him smile, my heart skipped a beat. Or when he talked I could only stare at his lips like I was in some sort of trance. "Hey, have your parents set you up on any dates?" I asked, sitting up. I was curious to see if they were also talking about marriage. Despite the fact I was still young, mother and father constantly talked about me marrying someone.

"They've tried," he replied, setting the tablet aside. "They invite over other nobles all the time, and their daughters are all very nice. Usually very polite and kind. I just..." He waved his hands, though I wasn't sure why. "I'm not interested in marriage at sixteen, as crazy as it sounds. Maybe they were ready for it at my age, but I'm just not." He paused, picking at an imaginary thread on the bedspread. "I don't know if I'll ever really be ready."

"Mother and father are always inviting other nobles over," I replied. "And I agree with you. A lot of their daughters are very nice people. I still keep in contact with a lot of them." A small frown crossed the Korean prince's features, and I swore my heart momentarily stopped when I saw it. "But as for romantic interest, it just isn't happening. There's still a lot I have to learn. I don't want to be married at sixteen, before I'm ready for any of this." It felt nice to talk about this kind of thing with someone my own age. It wasn't like I didn't get to talk to other royalty, because I did. But a lot of them swore up and down they were ready at this young age. I didn't even know where to begin. Knowing Junmyeon felt the same way made me feel a bit better.

"Not a lot of people think that," he said, seeming surprised. "Everyone just sort of assumes I'm ready without ever actually asking me if I'm ready. But I suppose if it came right down to it, I'd agree. I don't want to disappoint them after all."

"Yeah," I agreed, sinking back down against the mattress, once again feeling conflicted. Junmyeon pulled the tablet back to himself, going back to his game. I glanced over to Luhan, who simply shrugged. I sighed, facing my book once again. But this time I found it hard to concentrate. I was still trying to figure out why every time the Korean prince crossed my mind it was like I couldn't think of anything else. Or why when he talked my insides turned to mush. Or why whenever our skin accidently met it was like it was being set on fire. This boy I barely knew was driving me crazy, and I wasn't sure why.

"You okay?" I looked up to Luhan's concerned face. "You looked lost there for a second." Luckily he'd switched to our mother tongue, so the chances of Junmyeon understanding what we were saying were slim. Unless he really studied other languages, which was possible.

"I'm fine," I replied. "Just thinking. Nothing to worry about." Though I could tell him that over and over until he was deaf and he'd still worry about me. And maybe that was why I loved Luhan so much. He didn't actually have to care about me. After all, he was just an assistant and advisor. Not much more. But he was content with his lot in life, and often took the time to make sure I was cared for, even if he didn't have to. I didn't often say this, but I was incredibly grateful for his existence. Without his constant assurance and presence, I wasn't sure what I would do.

"Are you hungry?" Junmyeon asked suddenly, once again startling me. Be laughed at what I assumed to be my sour expression. "It's lunch time. I don't know about you, but I didn't have much of a breakfast, and I'm starving."

"I could eat," I replied. I accepted his offer to help me to my feet, feeling my cheeks heat up as his fingers lingered a bit longer than necessary. I glanced over to Luhan again, who smirked at me. I subtly shook my head. I'd hear it all from him later.

It wasn't like who I was I kept a secret from Luhan. My parents, yes. They wouldn't look at me the same way again if I did. But because he was Luhan, and because he was one of the people I felt most comfortable around, I tended to not keep secrets from him. He was hesitant but supportive, and for that I was eternally grateful. All he did now, whoever, was shoot me a smile and motion after Junmyeon's retreating form. I scrambled to catch up, falling in step beside him once again.

"Took you long enough," he joked. I chuckled, once again feeling my insides flip inside out. Oh Junmyeon, why do you do this to me?

...

Again, I'm going to say it's because you're falling in love sweetie. But you don't know that yet.