A few hours after Taemin had returned to his room and changed his clothes (and after much fussing from Key), Minho came back to keep his promise of showing Taemin around the palace. And although, Taemin knew he would still get lost even after being given a tour, he was happy to have gone. He was introduced to a few more people, including Prince Siwon. Charming was the best way to describe him; he was the perfect gentleman, and the ideal Prince. If Minho had any competition, it was definitely Siwon. Although, they seemed to be close brothers despite the rivalry. His wife, Heechul, was beautiful and eccentric, but no doubt feisty and proud. To be honest, Taemin was a bit intimidated by her, even though she seemed to like him well enough.

Probably the most interesting person Taemin met that day had been Jaejoong, one of King Yunho’s concubines. Truthfully, Jaejoong was one of the most beautiful people Taemin had even seen. Long, dark hair flowing down her back, huge soulful eyes, and blood-red lips that stood out against her pale skin. She had a certain ethereal beauty that made her simply stunning. The fact that she had a sweet and soft personality only made her more charming.

The only person Taemin could say was more gorgeous was Minho. But then again, they both had very different appeals.

“Taemin, this is my father’s most treasured concubine, Jaejoong.” Minho introduced.

Jaejoong laughed, pushing Minho’s shoulder playfully. “Minho, stop flattering me!” Jaejoong turned to Taemin and gave a small bow, which Taemin returned quickly. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Taemin. You are even more beautiful than I’ve heard.” Jaejoong offered a kind smile.

“Th-Thank you,” Taemin muttered, returning her smile shyly.

After they finished talking to Jaejoong, Minho had proceeded to tell Taemin how his father had met her. The King was with his troops at war when he had come across a runaway slave from the enemy country. She had saved his life, and he was so grateful to her, that he brought her home. When the war ended, and he returned, he was devastated to discover that Minho’s mother died in his absence. Jaejoong was there to comfort him, and he had slowly fallen for her, but was forced to marry the current Queen.

Taemin couldn't help but think it sounded like some tragically romantic novel, and he was mezmorized as Minho told the story.

They made their way through the palace, stopping a few times so Taemin could admire the beauty of the place. They had run into quite a few more people, including Onew, who Taemin hadn’t seen since he first arrived.

“Prince Minho! Taemin!” He exclaimed, giving a wide smile as he bowed. “Are things going well?”

“I suppose so, yes. I was just showing Taemin around the palace,” Minho answered as he placed a hand on the younger boy’s hip.

Taemin narrowed his eyes at the Prince. ‘What is he doing? It’s not like he has to put on a show for Onew, he already knows the truth!’

“Ah that’s great. I hope you adjust quickly, Taemin.” Onew gave him a sympathetic smile, which he couldn’t help but return.  He had to admit, Onew seemed like a decent guy. “Thank you, I hope so too.”

“Well, we should probably be going. Boa will be expecting us soon.” Onew looked surprised at Minho’s statement. “Oh? You’re starting the training already?”

Taemin turned to the Prince quickly. “What?” Minho ignored him. “I see no reason not to. We should start as quickly as possible.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Taemin demanded. Minho shrugged, looking at him innocently. “It’s nothing to worry about, Taemin. You’ll just meet Boa today and maybe learn a few new things.”

Taemin sighed, and figured now was no different than later. He would have to face it eventually, and the nervous knots in his stomach would still be there. He wasn’t sure why he was so nervous, maybe it was because everything in this world was so new to him, and he never knew what to expect.

“Fine, let’s go.”

~~~~~

Boa turned out to be a gorgeous older woman, not too old, but significantly older than Taemin. She had soft, elegant features with raven black hair pulled into a tight bun, giving her a very strict and traditional look.

After Minho had introduced them, he told Taemin he would be back after the lesson was over and take him to eat dinner.

“Y-You’re not staying?”

Minho was surprised to see Taemin holding the edge of his robes, looking up at him vulnerably with wide, shining blue eyes. He was looking more adorable than Minho would like to admit.

He the younger boy’s hair and watched his cheeks turn a soft pink. “I can’t, I’m sorry. It will be better without me here, anyhow. I will only be in the way.”

“Alright,” Taemin whispered, still looking quite timid.

As soon as Taemin sat down, Boa looked him up and down, analyzing his every move. “Your posture is terrible. Sit up straight.” Taemin straightened immediately. “And stop looking at your lap. Look me in the face.” Taemin looked up reluctantly, swallowing the nervous lump in his throat.

“Don’t look so scared. Look confident. If you are to become a Queen, don’t let people think they can intimidate you easily, don’t let them think you’re frightened.”

Taemin took a deep breath, trying to calm his stupid nerves. Boa was right; he shouldn’t be acting like this. He had made it through so much already, why should he be frightened over some training? If he wanted make it in this world, he couldn’t let people walk all over him.

Maybe training wouldn’t be so bad?

~~~~~

Taemin had soon figured out that Boa was very blunt and strict, but nice when she wanted to be. She was very understanding of his situation, and Taemin sometimes looked forward to their sessions, no matter how much he didn’t care for the lessons. He really couldn’t give two s about how to stand correctly, how to speak correctly, how to eat correctly. Although he knew it was necessary, it didn’t make him any more enthused to learn it.

The times he was really beginning to look forward to though, were his times with Minho. Regretfully, he had grown a soft spot for the older man. Although he could never not be angry that Minho wouldn’t allow him to go home, he was beginning to accept the idea of being here. If he was going to have to be here for a while, it wouldn’t do him any good to be bitter the whole time. So, he let himself indulge in the hours he spent with Minho.

Key was right; Minho really wasn’t such a bad guy.

“Is there anything you miss? I mean, besides your family and friends, obviously. But the little things in your world,” Minho asked as they sat in the soft grass of a hidden part in the garden. This had become the place they had spent most of their time in the few weeks Taemin had been there.

“Hmmm yea, plenty of things: my room, my ipod, school, internet, TV, banana milk, fast food, and the list goes on.” Taemin looked over to see Minho giving him a very bewildered expression.  “Umm alright…I’m not even going to ask what most of those things are.” Taemin laughed, hand covering his mouth out of habit. Minho leaned forward to grab his wrist. “Why do you do that? Covering your smile is a terrible thing.”

“I-I don’t know…habit, I guess,” Taemin stammered, feeling flustered.

“Well, I think we need to break you of that habit.” Minho smiled and Taemin felt his heart quicken.

‘Stupid heart! Shut up! His smile isn’t all that great!’

“Brother! Taemin!”

The voice brought Taemin out of his thoughts and he stood up with Minho, taking off towards the voice.

“Ah there you are!” Changmin’s smile faltered a bit as they walked toward him hand-in-hand. But he immediately brightened as he saw Taemin. “You look lovely today, Taemin.” Taemin bowed his head, giving him a quiet ‘thank you’.

In the past few weeks, Taemin had not only grown closer to Minho, but to Changmin and Mir as well. When he wasn't with Minho, he was with Jonghyun and Key or Mir and Changmin (sometimes Onew if he could, the priest seemed to be busy a lot though). Despite Taemin’s reluctance to stay here, and his urge to get home, the people here weren’t so bad. Well, maybe a few…but thankfully had hadn’t run into Byungchol or the Queen very much. The few times he passed them in the palace, they simply scowled before walking away.

Minho faked a cough, bringing Changmin’s gaze away from the younger boy. “Is there something you wanted to tell us, Changmin?”

“Ah, yes! Father is having a celebration to welcome your Princess. He regrets that he has had to wait this long, but he wanted everything to be prepared.”

“Oh well I’m grateful to him. When is it?”

“Tomorrow evening.”

Minho smiled, glancing at Taemin and squeezing his hand. “Wonderful, we’ll dress up nicely. Thank you for informing me, Changmin.”

“It’s nothing Brother, just father’s orders,” Changmin answered, waving a hand. He turned to Taemin and bowed. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night, Taemin.” He gave a charming smiling before making his way out of the garden.

“Bye, Changmin!” Taemin waved, smiling obliviously.

Minho scowled. “Tch.”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Let’s go.” Minho pulled him out of garden, confused.

~~~~~

A/N: Lame chapter is lame

But things will heat up a bit in the next one ;)

I absolutely hate genderswitch, but a lot of people wanted Yunjae and this was the only way I could have them be together :/

Jae gif cuz it's cute^^ lol