*Kikwang POV*

For the next two weeks, Wonho came every day to train. We usually spent half a day training, ending a little bit after lunch. To my surprise it was more fun than I expected. I knew it’d be fun because I enjoyed every chance I got with shooting arrows, but I hadn’t expected to have fun with Wonho.

We worked out. He taught me different moves. We practiced and challenged each other at games every now and then. He really was a great archer. I was impressed.

And every day Doojoon would pass us with an unimpressed look on his face or he’d have a sly remark when we took our breaks. It was quite entertaining and pleasing seeing how upset he was. But I didn’t understand why Doojoon hated Wonho though. He was cool, friendly, and even funny…the complete opposite of Doojoon.

There was a knock on my door as I stretched, waking up. “Come in.” I yawned.

The door slid open and in came Himchan with a tray of food. “You’re here earlier than usual.” I remarked, climbing out of bed. “Yeh.” He answered, placing the tray on my desk. I raised an eyebrow as I slipped on my robe, “Is something on your mind?”

He stood up straight, rubbing the back of his neck. He was acting unusually shy.

A crooked smile creased my lips, “It has to do with Jongup, doesn’t it?” I accused. He sighed, confirming my accusation. “Ugh. Why do you make this so hard?” he muttered. I laughed. For the past two weeks I’ve been teasing him about Jongup. “What is it?”

He continued to rub his neck, a light pink blush on his cheeks. He mumbled something in response, but I didn’t understand what he said. “What did you say?”

He sighed. He was so shy when it came to Jongup that it was cute. “I was wondering if I could have the day off. I wanted to spend the day with Jongup since this is…our two-year anniversary.” His last half of the sentence was quiet, but I was able to hear him.

A cheeky smile grew on my face. “Awe, 2 years? Of course, you can take the day off. You can have tomorrow off too. You guys should just go out of town and spend the night somewhere…and have some fun.” I winked, wiggling my eyebrows. His cheeks turned a darker shade of pink, “Shut up.” He grumbled.

“I think you mean, thank you.” I grinned.

“Thank you.” He mumbled.

“Make sure you tell me everything. But for now, you’re free too go.” I smiled. He nodded, thanked me one more time and left the room. I smiled to myself, I was happy for him. He really did seem happy with Jongup.

I ate my breakfast, changed, stretched and immediately made my way to the training grounds. I was a bit early since usually I spent my time with Himchan until I was told that Wonho had arrived. As I waited, Jongup passed by. He quickly jogged up to me when he spotted me. “Thank you for letting Himchan have the day off.” He thanked, a bright grin on his face. I couldn’t help but laugh a little, he was adorable.

“No problem. Of course, I’d give him the day off.” I brushed off. “Yeah. I wasn’t sure if you would, since you hate love so much.” He teased. “Yah! You better hurry up and go before I change my mind.” I tried to hit him, but he dodged my swing, laughing. “I guess you’re quicker with arrows than your own fist.” He joked. “Yah!!” I spat getting up. But he quickly ran away laughing.

I sat back down, laughing to myself, “Dork.”

He and Himchan were an odd couple. Himchan was sassy and no nonsense. While Jongup is a kind, patient, and quiet kind of guy with a little bit of childishness in him. But I guess the two balance each other out. Jongup brings out Himchan’s soft side and Himchan boosts Jongup’s confidence.

“You’re early.” Wonho said, arriving ten minutes later. “yeah, well my best friend ditched me for his boyfriend and my other best friend is stuck with lessons all day.” I said. He laughed, “Well, shall we get started then?” He said, pulling out his sword.

I gave him a confused look. “What’s that for?”

“Well, I figured we should do some sword training. You won’t’ always be able to use arrows or knives.” He said, “And you need to be able to protect yourself.”

He handed me the sword and pulled out his own. I nodded in understanding. He had a point. I’m not good with swords. In fact, I hardly ever even touched a sword. It wouldn’t hurt to learn. “We’ll start with the basics.” Wonho said as we stepped onto the platform.

We trained all morning into the afternoon. We started off with a little sword training. He shoed me the best way to grip the sword and the best stance for quick and easy maneuvers. He showed me a couple of basic moves before moving onto arrows and shooting. To my surprise Doojoon didn’t come around at all, which I was honestly glad for. A first it was fun seeing how upset he was, but after a while it got old and annoying.

“I’m not the best swords fighter. Doojoon can probably show you better. But I’m pretty close.” Wonho said once we finished. “I don’t need to learn from him.” I muttered, earning a chuckle from him. “Well, I guess this is where you give me a list of things to do and then we say goodbye.” I said, holding my hand out for a farewell handshake. “Maybe not.” He said.

“Huh?”

“There’s this big party going on tonight.” He said.

I looked at him with confusion, “Um, okay?”

“Have you not heard about it? Has Princess Bora not told you?” He questioned. I shook my head. “It’s a party for the highest ranked noble hers and heiress or young nobles.” He explained. “Ugh, is it one of those boring dainty tea parties?” I groaned.

He laughed, “No. It’s pretty much a party for people to relieve their stress from their duties and talk with people who can relate. Some use it to find their other half to avoid an arranged marriage. No one knows about it except for those who are meant to come.” He explained, “You should come.”

“As fun as it might sound, what would I look like as a prince to show up to a secret party?” I said. He shrugged, “It’s not a bad party. His and her highness attend every now and then.” I raised an eyebrow at the new info.

“Princess Bora asked me to bring you to the party since she’ll be late. Apparently, they’re going this year. But I thought she already told you.” He said.

I hummed in thought. I loved parties, but the only problem was that Doojoon is gonna be there. Which is probably why I hadn’t seen him all day. “You should go.” Wonho encouraged with a soft smile. “If the prince and princess are going to be there, they’ll be expecting you too.”

I didn’t respond still thinking about it.

“It’ll be fun.” He urged.

I sighed, “Are you just insisting this because Bora asked you to bring me?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, “That and I want you to go. I’m never really interested in those kinds of things. But I think it’ll be fun with you.” He confessed, unable to look me in the eye.

I stared at him, a sly smile pursed on my lips.

“What?” He said, seeing that I was staring. “No reason. But fine, I’ll go.” I gave in the sly smile leaving my lips. He slowly nodded.

We spent rest of the day in the palace before leaving at Sunset.

“Should we take weapons with us?” I suggested as we mounted our horses. “No. Not to a party.” Wonho answered. “Yeah, but it’ll be late and the…outcasts.” I said.

“Your highness, you forget where you are and what I am. I don’t always need weapons to fight. Don’t worry, I can protect you.” He assured. “Ii don’t need you to protect me.” I scoffed, heading off first. He laughed before catching up to me.

I followed him through the city, until we reached the very edge of the vast city, at a plaza. He led me to a fairly tall rectangular building. “This is it?” I questioned, surprised by how plain the building looked. It was especially plain for a building within the Earth Kingdom. “don’t judge a book by its cover.” He said, climbing down from his horse. I shrugged and did the same. We tied our horses in a safe place before going inside the bland structure.

I was immediately taken surprised by the interior. Wonho was right. The inside was highly decorated with lavish décor. However, the rooms inside were tight, compared to the vast spaces left in traditional Earth Kingdom architecture.

There was surprisingly a lot of people inside, just chatting, eating and drinking, and dancing. There was a band that played music on Earth Kingdom traditional instruments. They sounded great too!

No one paid attention to me either. They minded their own business and focused on whatever they were doing. Though a few of them did glance, I prayed that it’d continue like this for the rest of my time here.

Wonho nudged me in my side.

I looked at him only to receive a smile. “Don’t worry about them. I know you have an image to keep, but you’re perfectly fine the way you are. Just be yourself.” He encouraged. I couldn’t help but scoff, “I’m always myself.” I murmured. Wonho only laughed and led me further into the party.

There was a lot of people, but it was surprisingly calming. I spoke to some of the people and they were cool! I got along with nearly everyone I spoke with and felt more at ease. Wonho surprisingly never left my side. I didn’t expect him to just up and leave, but I did expect him to wander off a little and mingle like I did.

“Don’t you have people you want to talk to?” I finally asked him. He shrugged, “I already spoke to everyone I wanted to.” He said. I furrowed my brow, “You hardly spoke to anyone but me.” I told him. “Exactly.” He smiled.

I felt my cheeks burn. I lightly shoved his shoulder, “Don’t make me gag from how cheesy that was.” I said unconvincingly. However, before he could respond somebody jumped on my back, wrapping their arms around my neck. “I’m here~. I hope you weren’t bored without me.” It was Bora.

She climbed off my back and greeted Wonho, who bowed in return. “Thank you Wonho for keeping my younger brother company. Now I’m going to steal him away.” She said, hooking her arm around mine. “But-,” before I could object, the elder dragged me away. Wonho gave me a small smile, waving at me.

“I’m sorry for not coming with you guys. I was stuck at lecture.” Bora pouted as we sat down for a drink. “Tell me about it.” I spoke honestly from experience. “But, I didn’t think you came to these kinds of secret parties. I thought you were the good child.” I pursed a sneaky smirk.

She scoffed, “I only come sometimes. But where else do you think I find my hearts to break?” She teased. “So, you admit that you break hearts.” I raised an eyebrow. “No. it’s just that if they aren’t the right one, then their hearts get broken. It’s not my fault.” She corrected. “And right now, I’m going to try my luck.” She said, someone catching her eye. “I’ll be back.” She said, standing up, walking up to the poor guy. I prayed for his sake that he was ‘the one’.

I looked around the room for Wonho. I felt bad for leaving him. Afterall, he didn’t want to be here in the first place. I sighed. I thought he would’ve at least followed us, but I guess he didn’t want to intrude. Just then, a group of three girls approached me.

“You must be Prince Kikwang.” One of the girls said as the three of them sat down in the three seats around me. I nodded. “You’re even more handsome than they describe you to be.” A second girl spoke, smiling. “Thank you.” I thanked almost routinely. “I would like you if you weren’t engaged to Prince Doojoon.” The third girl said.

I blinked, thrown off by the sudden statement. “Really? I actually pity you. Being engaged to someone who doesn’t love you.” The first girl said.

“Excuse me?” I couldn’t tell if they were trying to be nice or make me feel bad. Though my gut told me the latter. “It’s quite funny actually. In the end we win. Do you think Prince Doojoon will really leave us?” The second girl laughed. I frowned. “In fact, Prince Doojoon still visits me every week.” She said.

I held my tongue and stood up. I don’t need to hear this bull. However, the first girl pulled my sleeve, pulling me back down in my seat. I looked at her in surprise. This bold-, “Awe, don’t tell me you’re leaving now. We didn’t get to talk.” She feigned innocence. “Oh, my bad. You guys were talking but you weren’t saying anything.” I responded, earning a frown.

“Is there a problem?” A fifth person joined in.

I sighed. It was Bora.

She was one of the last people I wanted her to see. “No, everything is fine.” I said.

“But I saw-,”

“I was just needing to use the restroom.” I stood back up. “Just make a right out the room and then a left. It’ll be down the hall.” The first girl smiled. Bora folded her arms, narrowing her eyes at her. “Thank you.” I forced a smile then turned to Bora, “I’ll be back.” I promised before leaving the room.

I let out a long sigh when I was out the room. Being a prince really at times, especially when you’re in a foreign nation. You had to be careful of how you acted and what you said. And there was no way I was going to come off as a jealous, angry prince for something that isn’t even my fault. Otherwise I would’ve let those girls have it. “I can’t wait to go back home.” I muttered, making the left turn as I was instructed.

However, I paused.

My jaw tightened, my teeth gr