ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘
─◌✰್ 𝖺𝗉𝗉𝗋𝗈𝖺𝖼𝗁𝖾𝗌，
❝𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗶 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁...❞

Minho absolutely did not want to be here. Not just because every single highest-ranking royal that was invited were using the evening as an excuse to suck up to each other. Nor was it because he hated wearing a suit, of which he actually didn't mind all that much. It wasn't because they were serving corned beef, one of his least favorite foods in the world. It wasn't even because his dad was talking and god forbid laughing with King Lin of the Moonstone Kingdom.

It was because of a certain blackout drunk princess, wearing an absolutely horrendous dress. All of the lace and ribbons made him want to hurl. Just like he expected you to do here, any minute now.

How much did you have to drink? The moment he'd laid eyes on you as you stumbled through the door, he knew you were wasted. He knew you had a couple wild friends who you enjoyed partying with, namely Countess Guo Lanhua, and Duchess Jang Jiah. He didn't know a lot about either of them, except that Lanhua was from an extremely wealthy Chinese family, and Jiah's family dealt in expensive weapons.

They probably weren't the best influence on you, he pondered, and he shook his head.

Not that he had much of a say in your life choices nowadays. It had been almost a decade since the two of you had hung out properly, and even longer than that since he could have called you anything resembling a friend.

And you'd both changed so much since you were little. The first time he met you met was when he was seven, and your parents had finally allowed you to attend one of the two royal elementary schools. Kids from both Moonstone and Obsidian were allowed to enroll in both schools, up to each parent's choosing. He was two years your senior, so you were barely five years old. The first thing he remembered was how headstrong you were. Even though you didn't share any classes together, you made your presence known. On that first day at lunch, with everyone standing around your table watching, a kid challenged you to a soba eating contest. Of course, you won by a landslide, and you were still hungry afterwards.

From that moment on, all of the rebellious kids were clambering to be your friend. Minho had to admit he envied your tenacity, your ability to be yourself no matter the situation. Even though he was a very shy kid who prided himself on following the rules, he'd vowed to himself that he would become friends with you.

And the two of you had hit it off immediately. He came to realize that even though you had developed a large group of friends, you were actually very shy. You didn't like to start conversations with others, and mostly made friends with loud, outgoing people. You matched people's energy, and found it easier to be yourself around extroverts. Despite this, you definitely had an attitude, and always made your opinions known. Minho admired that about you. Being a prince could be lonely, and he wished he had someone to share his thoughts with. While you were well-liked by most everyone, he was seen as intimidating. All through elementary and the beginning of middle school, he found he could tell you anything. And even though you had tons of other friends, despite being a bit of a troublemaker, you always made time for him. And Minho, being the smart, studious son his parents expected him to be, always made time for you.

But things started changing. Starting in his third year of middle school, the Moonstone and Obsidian kingdoms decided that their children should not go to school together, and separated the two schools. After that, he rarely saw you, save for the few meetings that King Lin and his dad would bring you and Minho to. But it just wasn't the same.

After that, you turned cold, towards him, uptight. You barely talked to him when you were reunited, and when you did, it was always with short, one-word responses. He had no idea why you'd changed so entirely, but he didn't like it. You never tried to hang out with him like you used to, and again, he was all alone.

To be fair, he'd never tried to reach out to you either. Ever since you stopped going to school together, he hadn't tried to find your phone number, even though it would have been exceptionally easy. You were friends with a few people from the Obsidian kingdom. One of your closest friends, outside of Lanhua and JJ, was Hwang Alaska.

Duchess Hwang Alaska. The daughter of Duke Hwang, the richest Duke in Obsidian who's family sold diamonds high-value jewels for weddings and events, she was also the most sought-after girl in their kingdom. Her family was the owner of a thriving steel company that sold the highest quality building supplies. Anyone with half a brain who wanted to buy, build, or sell any sort of reputable building, big or small, would go to them.

But Alaska didn't care about any of that. Ever since she was a kid, she only cared about two things: fashion, and Lee Felix, the stable boy that lived just off the Hwang property. Alaska and Felix were the only two people Minho could say embodied the  "love at first sight" trope. In fact, he'd never believed that could happen, until he saw them. Although they each had numerous friends, both together and separate, they were essentially guaranteed to get married. Although they were from opposite kingdoms, their parents had made a special deal so they could get married. It had taken literal years to get permission from both kingdoms, but once they heard from both Alaska and Felix (which was a requirement, because unwillful marriage of any kind was illegal in Moonstone), paired with what a huge economic gain could come from these specific families joining, they'd agreed. And since neither kingdom had a ban on marriage across social classes, they were very much allowed to be together. So suffice it to say, Alaska was very much off-limits, and had been since he'd met her.

Maybe that was why Minho liked her.

Maybe he had self-destructive tendencies. Maybe he just loved to torture himself by pining after the forbidden.

But he just couldn't help it. He found himself constantly thinking about the beautiful duchess. Everything from her goofy clumsiness, to her "think first, act later" attitude, drew him in.

Not that he'd ever had a real conversation with her. Although he was constantly around her, because both of their fathers were in constant meetings about the Obsidian economy, he'd never gotten up the nerve to say anything to her. She wasn't intimidating in any way, quite the opposite actually. And yet he was intimidated all the same.

He kind of liked watching her from afar, hating himself and the situation that he could only blame himself for. He would spend hours imagining what it would be like if he was in Felix's shoes, making Alaska laugh or smile. What it would be like to hold her hand made his cheeks warm and his toes tingle.

Felix and Alaska weren't in an official relationship yet, as they weren't of courting age. Minho had been holding onto the smallest flicker of hope that he might have a chance. That he might pluck up the courage to actually talk to the girl he'd been pining over since Alaska arrived at their middle school thirteen years ago.

But that was all changing this year. Once royalty turned 22, they would be eligible to start courting in the next season, and then get married. Only a few royals could start at 21, if they could prove they were mature enough, or their birthdays were close enough to the courting season. Since both Alaska and Felix were turning 22 this year, they would be part of that group.

People would court until they found a partner, or until they turned 28. Once you hit that age you would be unable to formally court, and your chances of marrying were very slim. This was looked down upon in both kingdoms.

This would be Minho's third courting season. It wasn't that he couldn't find anyone who might be interested in him. It was more like he wasn't interested in anyone else except Alaska. Over the years, he was known for purposely sabotaging his chances with any other potential women, because he just didn't want it.

His parents continually hinted that he was past his prime, and if he didn't hurry and pick a bride, no one would marry him. Then he would be left to rule Obsidian all alone.

But Minho knew that was all bullshit. Since he was set to rule one of the largest kingdoms in the country, he would always have women lined up out the door, even if it was just for economic gain. His parents just wanted him to hurry up, because it made them look bad if their son stayed unmarried.

Minho sighed, scanning the room. He was a little thirsty, maybe he should grab a drink. Seeing as he was the prince of the Obsidian kingdom, someone should probably be waiting on him, reading his mind and bringing him anything he might need. Unfortunately, that probably wouldn't be happening.

He stalked over to the huge glass champagne tower and stared at it. Who would come up with something so insane and unnecessary? It didn't even work how it was designed. The champagne usually just spilled all over the table.

He was about to grab one of the glasses from the middle of the structure, when he felt eyes at his back. Was someone watching him?

He carefully glanced out of the corner of his eye, and saw you. You were staring at him, almost pensively, like you were studying him. For how long? And why?

Irritation itched his neck, and he instinctively went to scratch at it. Heat spread over his body like he'd been forced into an oven, as he turned to face you completely, hoping for some kind of stare-down. He wasn't going to be intimidated by your angry attitude, or feel apologetic for his past actions. He had nothing to be sorry about. Just because he'd never made the effort to befriend you again didn't mean you deserved an apology. The sheer amount of animosity you clearly felt towards him was enough to deter him from that.

But by the time he'd turned around to sear you with a glare, you'd gotten distracted by something - or rather someone - else entirely.

A server had approached you with an eagerness that turned Minho's stomach. Definitely a bit too much excitement, if he had anything to say about it. He offered you a canapé from his tray, and you took it gratefully. Minho studied the server's face critically. He was quite handsome, with a strong jaw, styled dark hair, and a birthmark on the side of his neck.

You said something with a sly smile, causing the server to laugh, running his free hand through his hair. Your eyes roved over the guy with what Minho could only chalk up to being an appreciative look.

Minho's teeth ground together so hard they squeaked. He looked down. His hands were clenched in such tight fists they were turning purple, the veins in his arms starting to pop. What the hell was wrong with him?

He stalked across the ballroom, the champagne glass and his thirst forgotten. He circled you and the server, coming to stand behind you both. He just wanted a better vantage point. This was the most interesting thing to happen tonight by a landslide. Yes, he just wanted a better view, that was all.

But before he fully knew what was happening, the server had walked away, his face notably redder than when he'd approached you.

The door banged open, and a figure approached. It was saying something about the Obsidian and Moonstone kingdoms. It might have been important, but Minho wasn't fully paying attention. He continued to stare at the back of your head. How had you not noticed him?

What was that whole interaction about? Had that server boy been flirting with you? And had you been flirting back?? In all the years he'd known you, Minho had never seen you flirt with anyone. Come to think of it, he'd never seen any guy show you any inkling of interest, either.

To be fair, the last he spent any time with you was when you were only eleven years old. He supposed times must have changed. He'd clearly missed something, seeing as that had been over ten years ago.

Not that it really mattered. You could flirt with whoever the hell you wanted. It wasn't against the law, and Minho wasn't about to stop you.

Then why was his heart thudding so hard it hurt, his entire body covered with sweat?

He didn't have long to ponder that thought, because before he could collect his thoughts, you had spotted him and were approaching with waste.

Why the hell were you coming over here?? Since when did you want to talk to him? Usually, if there was even a slight chance that you might have to associate with him, you'd bolt. Something earth-shattering must have happened.

"I didn't realize you had a staring problem."

Your words jolted him. He supposed he had been staring at you for the past few minutes. In fact, he had no idea what that hooded figure had said, or what it was doing here. It had seemingly disappeared. So had his dad, and King Lin. Your father.

Maybe this was the time he should say something nice, reach out an olive branch to you. You were a great friend to him, all those years ago. It would be nice to have another friend like that. One who wasn't a guy steeped in testosterone and idiocy.

"For you to realize I was staring at you, you must have been staring at me too."

Oops. That was a lot more sarcastic way to say that than he had meant it to be.

It was just so easy to argue with you. Easier than the alternative, which might be to grill you about that server boy you seemed so keen on.

You both volleyed a couple of insults at each other, your anger lifting Minho's spirits more than he'd felt in weeks. Seeing you so worked up brought am excitement to his heart unique to anything else. He wasn't quite sure why.

The damned server boy walked over again, carrying some other disgusting canapé on his tray. Minho wanted to shove the food out of his hands and order him to run away with his tail between his legs, if he wanted to keep his job. But he forced himself to just stand still as he offered you whatever he was serving. Minho didn't bother to listen.

He watched as your cheeks turned a shade of pink he'd never seen - or noticed - before. It was kind of like a bunch of cherry blossoms had landed on your face. The server boy had a similar look of giddiness plastered across his, which made Minho even more frustrated. Couldn't he see that you two were already having a conversation?

When the server finally got the hint and left, Minho all but whirled on you. Before he could think twice - because if he had, he wouldn't have said anything - he blurted, "He likes you."

He took even less pleasure from watching you splutter and gasp like a fish on the floor of a boat, attempting to deny what was right in front of their eyes.

"Yeah, he obviously does," Minho didn't like the edge his voice held. It made him sound like a bitter little boy, accusing his dad of staying out too late and not reading him a bedtime story. He vowed to himself that he would stop that petty behavior.

"Just because he's a server doesn't mean he cant be with a royal," you cut off his thoughts. "He can like whoever the hell he wants."

Minho's vow must have been short lived, because he threw kindness to the wind. "That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?" You crossed your arms over your chest, and Minho knew he couldn't win this argument. No one ever won an argument against you, not with their head in tact.

"I was just making an observation, that's all," Minho sighed, raising his hands in defeat. As an afterthought, just for fun, he added, "Are all Moonstone residents this sensitive?"

"You can go fuck yourself, Minho," you snarled, akin to a wild animal, before whipping around and stalking away.

I'm a fucking idiot. Minho thought to himself in frustration as he turned around to head to his own table, across from yours. Why couldn't he just keep his stupid mouth shut and make nice with you? It really wasn't that hard. Just smile and say something nice. He could have complimented that ugly dress of yours. He could have said the food was good, the decor was pretty. All lies, but at least you'd be happy.

Maybe being friends again wasn't in the cards. He wasn't even entirely sure why he wanted to be friends with you. Just like his parents, he hated the Moonstone kingdom with a passion. He tried not to associate with anyone that lived there. Most of them were soft people-pleasers who liked to bend the rules as they pleased, I'd it made someone else happy. That's now how laws worked. It was disgusting.

He was probably just being nostalgic. Being back in Moonstone tended to do that to him. He needed to snap out of it. He had lots of (bordering on too many) friends who didn't tell him to fuck off. Friends who treated him with kindness.

But as he lie in bed later that night, his mind kept drifting back to you. And he found himself wishing that he did have someone in his life. Someone who felt comfortable enough to tell him to fuck off.

laska's note —
ahhh, i honestly loved this chapter! writing from minho's pov is so fun, he's just so sarcastic but at the same time soft? kind of like tessa. maybe that's why they don't get along very well 🤔 anyway, tell me all your thoughts in the comments! what do you think of tessho and their dynamic? can we wait for the rest of the characters to join?? i have more chapters in store, and the book is definitely just getting started!

𝖭𝖤𝖷𝖳 𝖴𝖯：
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