Truth be told, Minho has snuck into parties and balls before. Never once has he been caught before. How could he when no one saw him?

However, never has Minho seen a party nor a ball so grand like this. When he led the blonde down the long stairs of the palace, he witnessed the most extravagant display possible.

Flower petals of all colours were glowing on the floor. Flying lanterns were floating in the air. Champagne was flowing like rivers on all four corners of the hall. Beautiful tiny nymphs were singing Happy Birthday. Food was spread out like no other. It was like the chefs in heaven cooked them and served it accompanied by bubbly blue and white atoms floating by the side of the canal like tables.

“Be careful. There are stairs are ahead of us.” Minho whispered in Taemin’s ear while holding his hand closely.

“The long one?” Taemin asked back.

“Yes.”

“How’s the party?” Taemin asked as they walked down.

“Magical.”

“I’m not surprised. Key is the one who organised everything for my brother’s birthday.”

“He has a crush on your brother I assume?”

“Maybe.”

Then a man with the biggest smile Minho has ever seen. So big Minho could feel his invisible heart slowly melting.

“Tae.” the man called the young prince lovingly before he pulling him away.

“Don’t go too far.” Taemin whispered before letting himself be taken by his brother. And how could Minho ever go too far his newly found angel. He stuck by the angel’s side, being quiet and slightly protective( very protective).

“I thought you were going to lock yourself all night in your room.” Onew said to his brother. Sitting next to him on his canal like table. Passing the younger one a glass of cold gold infused wine.

“And miss your birthday?” Taemin smiled at his brother. The only person who ever acknowledged him as part of royal family. Their father, the King refused to associate himself with Taemin. Claiming that the eyeless boy can never be part of the royal family.

“I feel like I’ve aged a thousand years.” Onew feigned sadness.

“Oh please. You’re just twenty-three.”

“Twenty-four my dear brother. How can you forget?”

“I didn’t . I just didn’t count the whole year you spent when you ran away from the palace.”

“Still mad at me about that?”

“You have no idea how lonely I was at the moment.”

“You had Key.”

“No my brother, you had Key. Like you always have.” Taemin said solemnly to his brother.

“I-“

“Don’t worry. I have my own someone now.” Taemin smiled at his brother. Minho’s heart slightly fluttered when he heard the words coming out of his angel’s lips.

“May I ask who?” Onew curious.

“No.” Taemin simply answered before taking another sip of his gold infused wine.

“You know how much I hate it when you keep secrets from me.” Onew fixed the side of Taemin’s hair.

“You know how much I hate it when you keep focusing on me when its your birthday. Go dance and enjoy yourself.” Taemin said to his brother.

“And leave you all alone here?” Onew said. Pouring more wine into his cup.

“Haven’t you been listening? I have my own someone now.” Taemin said before pushing his brother from his side.

“That was a long party.” Minho said when he guided the young prince into his room.

“Royal parties are always exaggerated.” Taemin said, before taking off the first layer of his thick clothes.

“Its the first time I’ve ever been to one.”

“Did you like it?” Taemin questioned.

“I liked being there with you.” Minho answered honestly.

“Are you going to be standing there?”

“Eh?”

“I’m changing my garments. Go hide in a corner and face the wall.” Taemin ordered the man.

“How many times do you have to change in a day anyway? This is the third time today.” Minho complained while he stared at the wall.

“How many times do you have blink in a day?” Taemin asked back.

“I don’t know.” Minho answered. Running his index finger up and down the smooth walls.

“Then, I don’t know either.” Taemin said before finally wearing his cream-yellow silk clothes for bed. The maids have already heated the bed for him. Placing hot coals under the mattress.

“I’m done.” Taemin announced before yawning and Minho immediately turned  look at the boy. So this is how angels look like when they are sleepy.    

“You’re going to bed already?” Minho asked the prince.

“Its midnight isn’t it? Or has the sun rose up already?” Taemin asked, laying on the bed. Minho tucked him. Drawing the blonde’s think blankets over him. He liked seeing the moonlight against the prince’s alabaster white skin. The dark shadows under the prince’s thick lashes.

“The moon has just started to smile at us.”

Taemin woke up the next morning . Listening to loud screamings outside his room. Maybe further.  He immediately stood up from his bed before walking to find himself the door. Stepping on something in his way.

“Ouch.” the sleeping man winced in pain.

“Minho. What are you doing on the floor?”

“You were the one who said I have to sleep on the floor.” Minho groaned.

“Did you hear the loud noises outside? Take me there.” Taemin ordered. Ignoring Minho’s winces of pain.

Minho groaned again while waking up from the floor. He had a hard time sleeping on the very cold surface. And had a  even harder time standing up because of his sore back.

He led the boy outside his chambers and took him to the source of the noise. It was the Crown Prince, Onew and the King arguing.

“This is not fair father.” Onew almost yelled at the king.

“If he wants to remain as the prince of this nation, he has to follow traditions.” the king firmly said back.

“But he is not capable of doing those kind of tests.” Onew fought back.

“If he is of royal blood, he will have no problem in executing these mundane tasks.”

“Mundane tasks father? He cannot see. It will be thousands of times harder for him to anything of that sort.” Onew tried to reason with his father. They continued arguing with Taemin and Minho listening against the door.

“What tradition?” Minho asked curiously.

“Every prince has to do pass certain tests to claim himself as part of the royal family. My brother has fought my father hundreds of times before to avoid me from fulfilling the tradition.” Taemin said. Leaning his back against the door.

“And if you don’t pass?”

“You have to leave the palace.”

“Say yes.”

“I’m sorry what?”

“Say you’ll do it.” Minho said to the boy.

“But-“

“I’m here to help you aren’t I?”

“But how can yo-“

“Trust me.”

Author's note: thank you subbies. p/s: comment and comment and comment because your comments are my drugs.