Still no title. But still big plans.

So clearly there's a title now lol. But little things like the above author's note are important to the progress of this story, so I leave them in.

...

Yixing's POV

...

I woke up feeling a lot worse than when I'd first fallen asleep, and it was entirely my own fault. I'd admit that much. That my brain had once again thought up scenarios that most likely didn't happen and I was being irrational. The only good thing I could see right now was Luhan sleeping peacefully on the other side of my bed. Say whatever you wanted, but Luhan was so much more than just my assistant.

I scrubbed my face with my hands, gazing up at the ceiling. All this turmoil over a stupid boy. I shouldn't be letting him make me feel this way. After these couple of weeks, I might not see him again anyway. So what was I getting so torn up about? Right then and there, I decided enough was enough. I wasn't going to let a stupid schoolboy crush get in the way of the duties I had. My goal while I was here was to observe and learn. Not to fall in love.

"Luhan," I said, a lot louder than I'd meant to. He shot up, instantly on his feet despite the fact he'd been sleeping just a moment ago. He dropped into a bow, instincts taking over. "At ease," I said to him, feeling a little guilty. "We should both wash up and get dressed. Mother and father are counting on us to make a good impression."

"Yes sire," Luhan replied. "I shall return." On his way by, he gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Feel better," he added lowly. I sighed, watching him until he was well out of sight. I would feel better. I wouldn't let anything cloud my thoughts any longer. I had duties to do, and people to make proud. The last thing I needed was a distraction. I threw the covers aside and rummaged through my suitcase for an acceptable outfit. I had to look my best after all.

After being freshly showered and newly changed, I felt a lot better overall. Ready to finally tackle the day and concentrate on what was important. I stepped outside my borrowed room, glancing up and down the hall. I wouldn't lie and say I wasn't disappointed when I didn't see Junmyeon. Because I was. But I soon pushed that feeling aside. No. No longer was he going to make me feel this way. I did, however, see Luhan round the corner, dressed sharply.

"Shall we get going sire?" he asked as he approached, and I drew my brows together. Why the sudden formality? He knew he didn't need to be formal with me. "I figured it would be best if I addressed you formally," he continued, once again reading my thoughts. "For the remainder of the trip. If we wish to make a good impression on the royal family, I must not slack. You know as well as I do that I am actually beneath you." I winced, but Luhan held no malice in his tone whatsoever. "So, sire, are you hungry? Should I fetch you something to eat?"

"Sure," I mumbled. "I'll be in the dining hall. Hey." I grabbed his wrist as he turned to leave. "Make sure you grab something for yourself. That's an order." He dropped into a slight bow.

"Yes sire," he replied, scurrying off. I bit my tongue, angry at nothing and everything. I hated it when Luhan was so formal with me. It made it more real to me, that he was beneath me. As far as father was concerned, that's how it went all the time. It took me years to get Luhan to snap out of it entirely, but in times like this, it seemed that the servant side of him resurfaced. Then again, my father ordered his father around like it was natural.

I found myself facing an empty dining hall. I suppressed a sigh. Junmyeon mentioned his parents were gone a lot, but it still felt strange to see no one but what appeared to be a Butler of some sort here. I sat at one end of a table large enough for fifty, drumming my fingers on the polished wood.

"Back sire," Luhan said, hurrying into the room, a plate of food clutched tightly in one hand. I raised an eyebrow at him. "I'll eat later," he added lowly. "It's not very common for servants to eat with royalty."

"You aren't just any servant," I argued, but I knew there was no point. He'd made up his mind. For the rest of the trip, I'd do my best to endure "servant Luhan" even if I didn't want to. But he was right I supposed. To make a better impression on the Kim's, we should probably only speak as what a master and servant would. I also hated it when he was right. He set the food in front of me, retreating as soon as the plate hit the table. I gazed down at my breakfast, debating if I was actually hungry or not.

"What appears to be the trouble here?" I glanced up, and quickly rose to my feet, dropping into a bow. "Prince Yixing," King Kim said, a smile evident in his tone. "I've yet to formally welcome you to Korea. I trust you've been enjoying your stay so far?"

"Yes, thank you," I breathed out. "Everyone's been so nice so far. I look forward to learning more while I'm here."

"And Junmyeon?" he asked, and everything inside me froze. I swallowed thickly. "He's been behaving himself, correct?" I could only nod, not trusting myself to speak. This was his father. I didn't think he'd take too kindly to finding out a prince from a once rival country fancied his boy. "He seems to really like you," the king continued. I simply stood there, listening. "I found you both out in the gardens yesterday. You were sleeping."

"I was still a bit jet lagged..." I tried. But it seemed he either didn't hear that or was choosing to ignore it.

"And my son seemed happy." Now the king himself seemed thoughtful. "You'll be a good friend for him Yixing," he decided, clapping me on the shoulder. I winced, not at the physical contact, but at the word. "Our doors are open any time you're in the neighborhood. Swing on by sometime."

"I will. And thank you, King Kim. That's a very generous offer. I won't forget it." He smiled, and laugh lines appeared at the corners of his eyes. It lead me to believe that he actually did laugh and smile a lot.

"Enjoy you're breakfast," King Kim said at last. "I'm sorry Junmyeon couldn't join you this morning. He had prior engagements." I nodded once, focusing a little too hard on my plate. He moved off, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

"Are you alright sire?" I sighed at Luhan's attempts, but swallowed down my dissatisfaction. It was time to be a proper royal, whether I was ready for it or not.

...

Junmyeon's POV

...

It was a dreary sort of day. The kind that makes you long for warm drinks and snuggly sheets, with rain painting every available surface of exposed earth. Thunder rolled and lighting split the sky in half. And here I was, in our limo, being shipped off to another date that I didn't even want. It seemed after our festivities a few days ago, father was more desperate than ever to find me someone with whom I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life with. A rainy day wasn't perhaps the best backdrop for this.

"You know he means well." Some days I wanted to cuff Heechan over the head. Others I wanted to throw myself in his arms and hold onto him for dear life and never let go. "He just wants you to be happy."

"Right," I replied, not buying into that bullshit for a second. He wanted someone who could carry on the bloodline. Never mind my happiness. Though in his defense it wasn't like he knew anything was out of the ordinary. "What's on the agenda today anyway?" I asked Heechan, who was usually briefed on the day's activities, sometimes before even I was.

"We're visiting another family," he said, consulting a small stack of papers on his lap. A clap of thunder echoed across the land, making me wince. That storm outside sure was violent today. "You guys were supposed to go out and have lunch in their gardens, but that's been moved inside in light of the weather." Good. Eating outside was reserved for one person. I glanced out the window, watching droplets race their way down the glass.

I admitted defeat. I liked Yixing. Way more than I should have. His presence made me feel happy and calm. The last couple of days had honestly felt kind of wonderful, because I knew for a fact that I'd wake up to someone to keep me company. I'd wake up to someone happy to see me. Even if all we did was lounge around and not do much of anything, it still felt nice to just be with him.

"Sire?" I blinked. "We're here," Heechan gently prompted. I sighed once again, climbing out of the car, shivering as the rain bit my skin. Heechan followed behind me. We both made our way to the front door, where a guard greeted us both and whisked us away before we could say much of anything. Before too long, we stood in another throne room. I bowed to the royal family before me.

"Prince Junmyeon," I heard, and I glanced up. "It's a pleasure to have you here. Please. Enjoy your short stay with us." I could only nod. I didn't want to be here. I felt miserable, and honestly just wanted to go home and hide from the world for the day. But I bit back that feeling. I had duties to do, and this was one of them.

"Hello," an admittedly pretty girl said as she approached me. I bowed respectfully, extending a hand to her. "I am Song Minji. Welcome. It's an honor to meet you Your Majesty." I brought her hand up to my lips, gently kissing the tips.

"The honor is all mine," I said, flashing her a smile that made most girls swoon. She grew flustered, ducking her head. "I've heard we're to dine together. Shall we get going?"

"Actually, I have one idea before we do," she said, linking her arm through mine. "I've heard you dabble in singing in your spare time." I shrugged. I did, yes. I wasn't sure if I was any good at it though. She led me into a room where a beautiful grand piano dominated the space. She perched on the bench, and I sat beside her. She shuffled around some papers, and I glanced at the notes. Simple enough. "I'll play, you sing," she said. I glanced over the lyrics, and something inside me twisted. She began to play, and to say the melody was gorgeous would've been an understatement. I waited a few beats while I got the feel of it, and then I began.

When I think about you, it's still so warm
If I say I miss you, will you come?
The world has stopped and only you are here
I want to to tell you something, my dear

Oh someone like you
Are you listening?
Oh someone like you
Where are you?
If only I could see you in my dreams
My dear, my dear, love you

As the last note, from both Minji and I faded out, all we could do is sit there in silence. A lot of thought had gone into these lyrics, that's for sure. And it made me wonder a lot of things about my companion.

"I was originally to be wed to someone else you know," she suddenly spoke up. I turned to her. "A nice fella named Jisoo. He was so funny, so kind. He loved me more than he knew what to do with I think." She chuckled. "But his family fell out of power, and our marriage fell through. We keep in touch, but he says I deserve better than him." Minji bowed her head, and I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He wrote this song. Sang it to me over video call. He sent me the sheet music so I could learn to play it."

"It's beautiful," I said. "You must miss him, huh?" She nodded, and only then did I notice the wetness on her face. I pulled her into a hug. "I didn't mean to make you cry," I whispered, feeling tears stinging my own eyes as well. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright," she assured, pulling away and dabbing at her eyes. "You sang that with a lot of feeling," she added, gently jabbing my side. I winced. "Got someone you're missing too?"

"In a way I suppose," I admitted. "Though I'm not sure exactly what it means right now." Which at least was true. Whether or not I actually wanted the feeling, I missed him. "Thank you for that experience," I added. "And for sharing that song. I imagine it's very precious to you."

"It is," she agreed. "You sang it wonderfully by the way." I smiled softly. Minji and I may never be destined to be husband and wife, but fate brought us together with a different purpose. To share a mutual understanding of sorts. Her heart would always belong to Jisoo. And my heart was kept safely away for someone else, who may or may not have been a prince from another country.

...

I actually finished this before work heck yeah. Also thanks to EXO-CBX for the song.