"He's probably forgotten me. It's been years," he grouses as one maid takes a sponge to his back and neck. He forces down the purr when her fingers rub shampoo into his hair.

"You're his best friend. Of course he'll want to see you, and what do you think he'll think if you show up covered in dirt and sweat?" The maid chuckles. "He'll either fire all of us or order you into the bath, anyway."

Yifan doesn't see the humour. He's too nervous. Last time he saw Prince Baekhyun, the boy stood at his shoulders and was pink-cheeked from crying all night into Yifan's pajama shirt. If Baekhyun has forgotten him, what is Yifan supposed to do? He's just a palace cat. He has no real place or status without Baekhyun.