It's been weeks since Jaehwan cut their singing lessons.

Jaehwan never talked to Prince Leo when it was not needed. He would always go out first every after classes. Prince Leo felt that it was an opportunity, but he knew for a fact that he wanted to learn more from Jaehwan.

"Hey... Prince Leo?"

Prince Leo almost shook in his seat as he went back to his reality. He heard those words from Princess Amanda who was staring at him for a very long time already. Prince Leo smiled as soon as he saw Princess Amanda's worried face. "I'm sorry. I've been thinking about a lot of things lately."

"What kind of things though," She held her glass and stirred the juice. "I wonder... since you've been spacing out too much lately." Princess Amanda looked back at the prince who was staring back at her. "Is it about our wedding? Or something else?"

"What if you're really passionate about something and there is one person who can surely help you achieve that. However, that person is mad at you because you're... unreasonably - well, you still have you're reasons why you disliked his friend," Prince Leo suddenly asked. Princess Amanda chuckled, to Prince Leo's curiosity. "Why?"

"Well, clearly, if you're passionate about something then you need to do it. Regardless if that person who is the only one who can help you doesn't like to help you anymore, you should still go and pursue your dream," Princess Amanda told the prince. "Actually, my brother... He has a passion for singing. My father, the South King, could have been the person who could really help him but then my father did not want to because he thought that being a singer was a senseless profession. He never calls it profession, actually, even though we came from a family of entertainers. Prince Ken disobeyed my father to continue his passion. Whether my father wants him to be a singer or not, he still continues to chase after his dream." 

"Your brother must be happy now," Prince Leo commented as he finally ate his food. "Is he still singing or..."

"I think, he still is. I wish I could hear him sing again, and I wish he's fine," Princess Amanda smiled. "I wonder if his best friend takes care of him... well I know Hong-"

"Looks like we're having royalties here."

Someone cut Princess Amanda's story that the two royalties looked at that person. Prince Leo knew him - he belonged to the candidate family and he was the brother of Yunji. The person bowed at both of them and Prince Leo and Princess Amanda did likewise as a greeting.

"Don't worry, I just came by to say hello," he said and smiled. "I am N. You don't know me personally, right?"

“Well, I don’t know you personally, but I know that you’re the son of one of the candidates to rule the South,” Princess Amanda said. “You’re from the Cha family, right?”

N smiled and nodded. “Yes, I am.” He then turned to Prince Leo who was not looking back at him. “Hello, Sire. It’s been a while since we met.”

Prince Leo finally looked at him. “Yes, indeed.”

“I just went on with my greetings. If you’re available, Sire, let’s have a conversation sometimes, okay?” N stepped back and bowed at both. Princess Amanda bowed slightly to recognize his greetings. Prince Leo just remained unmoved until N went away. Prince Leo got his wine glass and drank from it.

“I am sorry to intrude, but,” Princess Amanda spoke after a few minutes of silence. “Do you know him personally?”

Prince Leo did not speak. He just remained silent as he ate his food.

“You looked tense when you were talking to him. There’s something that bothers me but if you don’t want to talk about it then it’s fine,” Princess Amanda smiled.

Prince Leo smiled back. “I am sorry. I am not ready to tell that to you yet, but yes, I knew him personally. Someday, I’ll tell you, don’t worry.”

Princess Amanda nodded as she continued eating.

***

Hongbin entered the apartment and found Jaehwan sitting on the sofa, watching television. “Still no practice today, Jaehwan?”

Jaehwan turned to Hongbin and excitedly jumped out of the sofa to approach Hongbin. “You went out? Where did you go?”

Hongbin had removed his shoes and put them inside the shoe cabinet before he turned to Jaehwan and answered him. He also put the paper bags containing the things that he bought on the floor. “I bought something. Sorry, I went home late.”

Jaehwan held Hongbin’s arm and pulled him, to Hongbin’s surprise. “Come on. I have a surprise for you!”

Hongbin just let Jaehwan pull him until they reached the dining area. Hongbin almost dropped his jaw when he saw several foods on the table. Jaehwan removed his grasp from Hongbin and presented the foods.

“I cooked your favorite dishes when we were in London!” Jaehwan excitedly exclaimed. Then he sat on a chair and invited Hongbin to do so too. “Come on. Sit and taste my masterpieces!”

Hongbin smiled and obeyed Jaehwan. It was indeed his favorite foods served before him. He excitedly put servings of each dish in his plate and tasted everything. “Wow,” Hongbin grinned and looked at Jaehwan who was waiting for his response. “I’m impressed!”

“Really?” Jaehwan clapped in joy. “I’ll taste them now.”

“What’s the occasion? Why did you cook a lot? We might not be able to finish these,” Hongbin asked as he continued eating.

Jaehwan smiled at Hongbin. “This is what I want to do for you. I am very thankful to you for being always with me. As your best friend, I will do anything to protect you, too.”

Hongbin blushed. Jaehwan surely knew how to make him feel important. He wished that Jaehwan would know how much he liked him. Wait, I like him? He looked at Jaehwan who was happily eating. When Jaehwan learned that Hongbin was staring at him, he smiled widely. Hongbin’s heart beat faster. What else is the reason why I’m doing everything for him? Yes, I like this guy. Hongbin smiled back. “I will do everything for you, too, Jaehwan.”

Jaehwan nodded. “I know that. Actually, I don’t want you to feel sad. I knew that you were down lately because you didn’t pass the exam and you will not be able to go to the same university as me. But don’t worry! Even if the Prince doesn’t believe in you, I do, so don’t give up!”

“Actually, I have something to tell you,” Hongbin almost whispered, but it was still hearable. “I lied. I thought that I could keep it to surprise you but… I really passed the exam. And the management also told me that I would not proceed with the interview because my exam score was really outstanding. And not only that,” Hongbin paused and looked at Jaehwan who was speechless. “Because the first semester has just started, I’ll start attending your classes tomorrow.”

Jaehwan was not able to follow for a second but when everything sank in, he stood from his chair and hugged Hongbin tightly. “I knew it! You were so good I never believed you wouldn’t make it!” Jaehwan then pulled himself and pouted. “But you lied to me. I hate you for that.”

“Sorry, Jaehwan,” Hongbin plastered a smile on his face. “The things that I bought were school stuff actually.”

Jaehwan tapped Hongbin’s shoulder. “That is awesome! I am so proud of you.”

“Thanks. By the way, you mentioned Prince Leo. Are you close now