Hiccups were all that Chanyeol heard that night, having gotten up when they had started and moving to the closest spot he could be to the source, which was the wall that separated the two rooms.

So that is how they both spent the night, Chanyeol silently guarding Baekhyun, snow-white ears trained to pick up his sounds. He didn't know why, but his heart ached hearing those sounds.

The moment they met, Chanyeol thought the boy very intriguing, like Pandora's Box waiting to be opened, a person full of mysteries. Now that he knows that they are bethrothed, he's even more determined to figure him out.

-

When the royals adjourned for breakfast, it was only natural that Baekhyun and Chanyeol turned up with bags under their eyes. Sitting next to each other, it was easy to assume they had stayed up together for...late night activities.

Technically they had stayed up together, just without Baekhyun's knowledge. So when his mother and younger brother had looked at him, lifting their eyebrows, Baekhyun was left confused.

As breakfast was served, Chanyeol and Baekhyun, seated next to each other, stole glances while spooning the porridge into their mouths.

But this time, Baekhyun won't fall so easily. He doesn't trust so willingly anymore, doesn't want; doesn't need a repeat of Sehun. Even though they are to be married anyway.

His gaze shifts to become hardened as he trains it on his bowl, aura suddenly becoming much, much darker. Everybody seems to notice it, and, wanting to avoid his pent up emotions, they quickly disperse after having their meal.

Having finished his breakfast, Baekhyun rises, briskly walking into the kitchen to bring a jar of biscuits to his room. He tries to shake off Chanyeol, who had at some point latched onto his shadow, by walking briskly, up the stairs and swiftly clicking the door shut.

But there is no click, because there's a foot holding the door open. Baekhyun glares at Chanyeol.

"I won't make a peep," Chanyeol begs. "I have nothing else to do,"

"No."

Then he switches to his ultimate method of persuasion. Ears droop forwards, eyes enlarge, and his lips pout, tail reaching out to curl around Baekhyun's thigh in a classic kicked puppy look. Except his was cuter, because he was born with cat ears for a reason.

Baekhyun bit his lip. No, he would not succumb. He promised himself not to fall into the trap of men ever again. But how was this man-child that doubled as a kitten out to break his heart?

"Fine." He sighed, loosening his grip on his door and turning to make his way to his desk.

Everything in his room was made of mahogany, his door, bed-frame, desk and bookshelves included. It was his favourite kind of wood, the darkness of it mirroring his heart, especially as of late.

He set the jar down on the large ta