*Youngjae’s POV*

I immediately crawled into bed, not caring that it was the middle of the day. I couldn’t possibly come out now and show how weak I really am.

I only got up when Kyungsoo came to give me my medicine and check up on me. Whenever he or Yoseob came in I forced myself to smile and told them that I was just tired when they asked why I was in bed. I told them this, so they wouldn’t worry about me.

I only left my room to eat dinner with the royal family. It was quiet. It was always quiet when I was there, but when I left (and I always left first) the silence ended, and they spoke and laughed together. And it always hurt. I’d rather eat alone. I didn’t want to keep them from talking and enjoying their meal together.

I left my room one more time to bathe and for the servants to wash my sheets. Then when I returned to my room I went back to sleep for good.

However, I was awakened in the middle of the night by a knock on the door. “Come in.” I said sleepily without much thought. However, there was no response, instead there was another knock on the door. This time I sat up, “Come in.” I said a bit louder.

I waited a few seconds only to receive no response. So, I climbed out of bed and headed to the door, taking the candle with me. Did they not hear me? Or is the door locked?

Before I could open the door, I spotted a folded piece of paper on the ground. It wasn’t there before. Did someone slip it from under the door?

I carefully bent down and picked up the note, unfolding it.

It was from Daehyun.

‘Hey. I know you wanted a tour of the castle. But I have something better. If you’re interested, then hurry and change. Grab your cloak and best mask. I’ll be waiting outside your door.

Only if you want to.

-Daehyun’

I stared at the door, my brows furrowed. What could be better than a tour of the palace?

I dropped the note and quickly changed out of my pajamas into my daytime clothes. I slipped on my thickest mask, unsure as to where we were going. Once I was ready, I pushed the door open, exiting my room.

My eyes widened seeing Daehyun on the other side, his arms folded, leaning against the wall. “Why do you look surprised?” he spoke first. “I don’t…I don’t know.” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. He laughed lightly before pushing off the wall. “Come on.” He said, leading the way.

“Where are we going?” I asked, following close behind him. “You’ll see.” Was his simple answer. I only hummed in response, imagining as to where we could possibly be going. Is there a secret place in the castle that no one knows about? Or maybe there’s a super cool place that we didn’t have back at home?

I continued to think of different things until we arrived at the stable. I looked at him in utter confusion, watching him pull out a horse that was already saddled up. A crooked grin graced his lips. An expression that I haven’t seen in a long time. A smile unconsciously grew on my own lips at his expression.

“Well, I figured that showing you around a little bit of the city, would be more fun than the castle.” He finally said. I felt myself become overwhelmed with excitement. “Really?”

“You said you wanted to go to the city, right?” He said.

I nodded vigorously. “But what about…” my voice trailed off.

“I spoke to Jaejoong and he made a bunch of herbal medicines for you to take afterwards.” He said, “He said it should be cool enough to go out tonight, but he said not to be out too long. He also has instructions for you to take a steamed bath with a special soap.”

“You spoke to Jaejoong?” I said a bit surprised.

“Yeah. Why?”

“Uh, nothing. Let’s go.” I smiled, climbing onto the large horse first. He laughed before climbing on in front of me. We both put on our hoods (I slipped on my mask), so no one would recognize us. And then we were off.

I couldn’t’ contain the smile on my face, excited to get to see the city, even if it was just a little bit. I read a lot about the fire kingdom cities during my two weeks back at home, and I couldn’t wait to see them for myself.

It was a bit warm outside, though Daehyun said it was considered chilly. It felt more like it does in the summer back at home.

When we finally arrived at the capital city, my eyes grew wide in amazement. The entire place was lit up. There were several people out, hanging around and enjoying themselves. I watched in awe as we rode through the city. Kikwang was right. The people of the fire nation were really cool. They all shared a chicness about them and carried themselves with much confidence, but not in a cocky way.

No one paid any mind to us as we slowly rode pass. No one went as far as even glance at us. “Everyone minds their own business here.” Daehyun said, reading my mind. “We’re the opposite of the Sunshine kingdom, who’s always in everybody’s business.” He laughed. However, I didn’t understand what was funny. “Never mind. You’ll get it later.” He said, seeing that I wasn’t laughing. “As long as we keep our hoods on no one will recognize us…well they won’t recognize me.” He said, looking back at me with a teasing smile.

We rode around parts of the city and he explained the different monuments and architecture that we passed. But he couldn’t tell me everything.

“I hardly paid attention to history. So, I don’t know a lot about this stuff.” He confessed. However, I did recognize some of the stuff from my learnings. “I like history. I think it’s interesting.” I said.

He only scoffed. “I guess a ghost would be interested in dead stuff.” He shrugged. I only laughed, “It’s not dead.”

Though he couldn’t tell me the historical significance behind certain artifacts, he was highly knowledgeable about where the best food stands, and pubs were. And he also knew what every food place sold. “You must eat a…” my voice trailed as I caught sight of a strange man spinning fire on two wooden sticks in the middle of the street.

“What?” Daehyun asked, seeing that I wasn’t going to finish my sentence. He followed my line of sight until he spotted the strange man. “What is he doing?” I asked, watching the man perform several tricks where the fire was severely close to his face and body.

“Him? He’s entertaining.” Daehyun answered. “Entertaining?” I repeated.

“Yeah. We’re in the theatrical part of the city.” He simply said.

“But, isn’t that dangerous?” My eyes never left the strange man now juggling the sticks of fire. “It can be. But that’s what makes it interesting.” He explained.

The man caught both sticks, and smiled at me, catching me staring. Then he preceded to put both sticks in his mouth.

I squeaked, covering my clothed mouth with both my hands, nearly jumping off the horse.

Daehyun laughed.

I looked at the fire prince with wide eyes. “Daehyun. He ate fire.” I gasped. “He swallowed it.” Daehyun corrected.

“Is he going to die? Why would he do that?” I asked with much concern only to earn a fit of laughter from the elder. “He’s not going to die.” He said.

“How?”

“He’s a professional. It’s part of the entertainment.” He explained.

“Your people can eat fire?” I asked in amazement.

He laughed again. “No. He just…has a special talent.”

“O-Oh.” I said, still not completely understanding. I looked back at the man who bowed at the end of his performance and walked away to another spot. “I hope he’s okay.” I muttered as we continued the ride. “Plays are held here almost every day. Sometimes they have historical plays. I go to those to learn about history.” Daehyun explained. I laughed a little at this.

“This is one of my favorite games.” Daehyun climbed off the horse and walked over to one of the stands. I climbed off and quickly followed behind him.

He reached in his cloak pocket and took out two bronze coins and handed them to the stand owner. “Wood, concrete, or stone?” the man asked. “Concrete and stone in the middle.” Daehyun answered. The man nodded and set up three large square-shaped pieces of concrete and stone.

I gave Daehyun a strange look. “What is this game?” I asked not understanding. “It’s a game that tests the heat of your fire.” He said. He held out his hand and his palm suddenly went a flame. A ball began to take shape.

I carefully backed away. The ball of fire began to flicker faster and become less contained. I tilted my head seeing hints of blue in the flame.

Daehyun raised his hand and threw the ball of fire at the concrete wall. It burned straight through the concrete then then the stone and the