"I still haven't heard back from him," Leo pouted as he tied his long wig up in a loose ponytail at the base of his neck as to keep it from getting in his way while he was eating. As much as he hated to admit it, over the past couple of days, he had developed a liking for his morning routine. He would wake up, alert Jaehwan and Sanghyuk outside as usual, draw a bath that would be filled with all sorts of oils and scents that he had found in one of the cabinets (he found he liked lavender best); then he would put of his wig and a large, silk dressing gown before the lady's maids came in with a selection of customary gowns for him to choose from since the King had gotten his measurements from Hakyeon. They were a lot nicer than the one his brother and the others had made him wear and hid his broad shoulders and Adam's apple perfectly under layers of satin and gems and delicate, lace ruffles. Wonshik would then come in with Hakyeon and the group would have breakfast brought to them in his chambers. Hakyeon had managed to convince King Gongchan that the Princess was 'still in terrible shock and was not in the right frame of mind for foreign visitors.'

Wonshik tilted his head sympathetically from his place across the table "I'm sure the Father is very busy..." He trailed off, unsure what to address the lost prince as. 'Leo' felt strange while his lover got annoyed at being called 'Taekwoon' or 'your highness'. The others seemed to have no problem adapting since he seemed happy to be called 'brother' by Hakyeon and Jaehwan and Sanghyuk just called him by his new name. Why was he finding it so difficult? "I suppose, but would it be too much just for him to send me a note telling me that he is alright?" Leo continued to fuss, stirring rasberry jam into his bowl of yoghurt and mixed fruits. If there was one thing that hadn't changed, it was his sweet tooth. 

"I'm sure he will be in contact soon," Hakyeon assured him, taking a sip from his goblet before setting it down and running a hand over his face tiredly. "So, any plans today?"

"I'll probably just sit and talk to Jaehwan, Wonshik and Sanghyuk, like always," Leo mumbled dejectedly. Beside him, Sanghyuk folded his arms and let out an offended scoff "The insult!" As usual, Jaehwan wasted no time in joining in his antics and mirrored his posture and expression, a small, fake frown set on his face. "After all we have done the past few days-"

"Like what?" Wonshik asked, smiling broadly despite himself.  "Playing cards?"

Hakyeon gasped and looked between the two, seemingly horrified "Have you been teaching my little brother to gamble?"

Jaehwan opened and closed his mouth a few times, looking utterly scandalised by the very suggestion of such a thing "I beg your pardon?" He gasped "We have done no such thing, your highness!"

"I'm quite good at it, actually," Leo smiled, clearly too pleased with himself to notice the altercation taking place before him. He paused to think, pursing his rouged lips "I'm... on a... What did you call it, Sanghyuk?"

The younger man jumped at the sudden question and gulped, trying to hide from Hakyeon's glare "A streak, Leo." 

"Yes, that was it."

Wonshik couldn't help but laugh at the pure rage that surfaced on Hakyeon's face, his lips curling and brow lowering dangerously. Although his worry had not died down (and would probably never do so), his outburst over Woobin had been all but forgotten by himself and Leo, as they kept their secret outing into the grounds secret. Taekwoon was laughing too, clearly delighted by the trouble he had gotten his friends into. 

Hakyeon scowled and raised a finger pointedly at the two guilty-looking soldiers "I swear, you two, I'm going to-"

"Your highness."

A foreign voice coming from the doorway made them all jump and they turned to see a young messenger at the door. He didn't look a day over seventeen and half-hid his body behind the door, pale face clad in the shadows "The King would like to see you, your highness... Sorry for the disturbance." He made eye contact briefly with Leo before lowering his gaze and the elder tilted his head curiously- he wondered why none of the servants would look at him. Was it because he looked strange to them? Was he ugly? Although he would never admit it, he was starting to like his dresses and long hair. Their fleeting glances made him self-conscious. 

A sudden hand on his shoulder startled him and he looked up to see Hakyeon smiling at him affectionately, before the prince took his hand and kissed it curtously "I will see you later, Princess Leah. Duty calls; but I'm sure my men have some wholesome ways of keeping you entertained." He gave all three a look that made them all shrink slightly where they sat. "Why don't you start what we discussed earlier, hm?"

"What? Today?" Wonshik frowned.

But Hakyeon did not offer an answer as he left the room, closing the door behind him. 

"Start what?" Leo asked, setting his spoon down on the table and taking a sip of the tea in his cup. It was starting to get cold now after being left to sit for so long. Wonshik sighed and shook his head "Hakyeon suggesed we start teaching you how to act like a royal so you may wander the castle more and adapt better when we get home." 

The elder couldn't help but give him a dirty look "And you know of such things?"

"Well..." the soldier flushed and looked pleadingly at his friends for some back-up "We have all lived amongst royalty long enough to havepicked up on a few things." He was trying to be delicate. In truth, he had learnt a lot through his relationship with Taekwoon. He thought back to the dinner they had all shared with the royal family upon their first meeting and smiled sadly. Hopefully, Leo would pick things up quickly.

**************

"No! Work inwards!"

"Why?"

"I don't know! That's just the way it's done- I don't make up rich people's rules!"

"Well, they're stupid," Leo groaned, slamming his fork down and slouching back in his chair with his arms folded petulantly. They had been at this for three hours and it was Hell. There was so much to remember: etiquette, rules, manners, greetings (all different for men and women)... Jaehwan and Sanghyuk had even volunteered for patrol duty to get out of it forty-five minutes ago. Bastards, Wonshik cursed in his mind. "I know it's hard," he grumbled, setting himself down beside the elder and resting his head in his hands tiredly "But you're doing really well considering you don't remember any of it." 

Leo scoffed and rolled his eyes, kicking one of his slippers off dejectedly "Don't lie; I'm horrible at this and we both know it. so let's just call it a day." Wonshik was all for that. He nodded and pushed the cutlery to the other end of the small dining table wordlessly before folding his arms and laying his head on the hard surface "I've never been more exhausted." Leo watched him for a few moments, a small smile creeping onto his lips as the soldier positioned himself in a crumpled heap in front of him- he didn't look comfortable at all. 

"Use the bed, if you're tired," he chuckled, getting up and smoothing his skirts "I won't yell at you." Wonshik stiffened. He remembered the last time he had slept in the Prince's bed.

He felt something grab his shirt. "Mm," Taekwoon tossed slightly, his face creasing into a deep frown and eyes screwing up tightly. "Wonshik... Don't... leave me..." He whimpered. For a moment, Wonshik wondered if he was awake but, when he looked closer, he found the prince was definitely asleep. Was he having another nightmare? 

Hesitantly, he pried the fingers from his clothes and bit his lip, debating whether to leave or not. He contemplated going to fetch Hakyeon but decided against it on the grounds nobody could know he was in Taekwoon's room. Then he thought maybe he could soothe him and then leave, but he didn't want to risk the prince having another dream and having nobody to look after him- unless he was screaming, it was very unlikely anybody would hear him. He didn't want him being distressed with nobody to help. 

So, gingerly, he crept round to the other side of the bed and lay down beside him, looping an arm loosely round the prince's waist. He seemed to calm down instantly at the contact and Wonshik grinned, closing his eyes. "Good night, your highness."

"Wonshik?"

"Huh?"

Leo snorted and gestured behind the younger man "Bed?"

"Oh." He sat up and fumbled around him, attempting to push himself onto his feet with the table as support. Leo came beside him and looped an arm under his own, assisting him and leading him over to the large bed, lifting the blanket as Wonshik climbed in beneath it. "Goodness, you are tired, aren't you?" He got the soldier settled with a wry grin and made to leave, planning to stare out the window for a while until he had company again. 

However, he found himself being stopped before he could even take a step. 

Wonshik grasped his wrist gently, holding him back. Leo frowned and reached down to remove his hand but a soft whimper from the younger man. "Please," he whispered, "Stay with me."

The elder bit his lip and sighed at his request "Wonshik..."

"Stay."

Leo looked at him with wide eyes. He wasn't even sure if Wonshik was still awake at this point; his movements were sluggish and his voice was faint. Hesitantly, he crawled on top of the mattress, not bothering to get under the quilt, and lay on his back staring at the cieling as the soldier curled up into his side, mumbling something incohearant.

The lost prince pursed his lip and turned his head to face him. Wonshik looked so peaceful- he seemed more content than Leo had ever seen the young captain. Gingerly, he raised his hand, running it through Wonshik's soft, cropped locks as if he were afraid they might burn him. He had never gotten to thank him for their trip outside the castle, he realised... That would have to come when they both woke up. He yawned and allowed his eyes to slip closed as fatigue overcame his senses. For now, I am comfortable right here...

I'm back! I'm back! It seems like I've been gone for ages but I'm back! 

In my defense I had some of this written but forgot it was here and then I've had slight writer's block for this story but.... I'M BACK!

Hopefully you don't hate me and I've tried to make this a fluffier chapter in the wake of LR's comeback. (Heads up, I'm not gonna survive this one like what????? It sounds lit <3)

Love you all and I hope you all enjoyed this installment xoxox