*Jaejoong’s POV*

“Kyungsoo. How’s Youngjae?” I asked when the young nurse entered my study. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the young prince for the last few days, since he was out all day and night during the first day of Lover’s month. I haven’t been able to check on him as much as I wanted, since I’ve been busy performing other tasks as people took off to join the month’s celebration. So Kyungsoo has been watching him closely. “He’s doing very well.” The young nurse said, though a confused look was glued to his face.

I raised an eyebrow. “What’s the matter?” I asked him. “He seems a lot stronger and healthier than before. I know that should be a good thing, but it’s strange. It’s like it happened overnight or something. I expected him to at least have a cough or something from being out so long.” He confessed. “Is that normal?”

I thought for moment, thinking closely. “You said he’s stronger?” I repeated. He nodded. “How’s his mood?” I asked. “He’s very happy. He’s on cloud 9.” Kyungsoo chuckled to himself a little. I slowly nodded, “That’s good.” I smiled, “but continue to keep a close eye on him. I’ll check on him later today.” I said.

“Neh.” He bowed.

“Thank you Kyungsoo for your help. You’re doing very well.” I thanked him sincerely. Couldn’t have done any of this without his help. He smiled at the compliment. “Thank you.” He thanked with one last bow before leaving the small room.

I let out a long sigh, leaning back in my seat. I’m glad that Youngjae is doing well. He seemed very happy that day we went out. It was nice seeing him get along with the citizens as well. “Maybe I’ll let him go out again later in the week.” I said, making note of it.

Just then the wooden door flew open, the intruder not bothering to knock. I looked up and shook my head when is aw who it was. “What are you doing here? I thought you took off for the week and left me with all your duties.” I remarked.

“Now who’s fault is that? You could’ve taken off too.” Yoochun said. “Take off from what? I’m a negotiator. I’m pretty much always off.” I said. Yoochun nodded in agreement, “True. You only work when you’re cleaning up after Yunho’s mess after he pisses someone off.” He remarked. I chuckled, shaking my head. “What are you doing here?”

“I was on my way out when a messenger came and said he had a very important letter from the Earth Kingdom.” He began.

“The Earth Kingdom? What do they want?” I asked a bit surprised.

“I took the letter and brought it to you. I knew the messenger would’ve given it to Yunho, and Yunho would’ve just thrown it away instead of giving it to you.” He explained. “The bastard always ignores all his duties during Lover’s month and we have to pick up the slack.” He grumbled. “Here.”

I took the overly decorated envelope and carefully opened it. Yoochun raised an eyebrow, watching me pull out the thick paper. It was an invitation.

I opened the invitation and read it carefully. At the very bottom was a note from Queen Yoon, imploring that we come.

“It’s an invitation to the Crowned Prince’s wedding next month.” I said, when I finished reading it. Yoochun raised another eyebrow. “Isn’t he marrying the eldest fertile prince from the snow kingdom?” He said. I nodded, “Queen Yoon pleaded us to go. She probably knows about Prince Youngjae being Prince Kikwang’s brother. He must’ve told her.” I concluded. “And Prince Youngjae is going to want to go.” Yoochun said.

I nodded.

“But Yunho isn’t going to want to go.” He added.

I let out a labored sigh, “He’s not going to go.”

“Welp. He’s in a good mood, so you can try your luck. I’m off now. Good luck.” He said. “Tell Junsu I said hi.” I called as he walked out the door. “Already did.” He called back.

I read the letter several times.

I ran my fingers through my hair. There’s no way Yunho is going to want to go. He doesn’t care about those kinds of things when it comes to other kingdoms. But I want Youngjae to go. That’s his family and I know he misses his brother. I’m not going to let Yunho’s stubbornness get in the way of Youngjae attending an important day for his brother. “This is going to be difficult.” I groaned, already feeling stressed.

“What is?” A voice suddenly spoke.

There was only one other person that comes in without bothering to knock. “convincing you to do something you don’t like.” I said.

“It seems like you’ve been doing that a lot lately.” He said, shutting the door locked. I raised an eyebrow, wondering what he was up to.

He sat down in the chair on the other side of the desk across from me. “I’ll do it.” He said.

I was caught off guard by his sudden cooperation without knowing what I was going to ask him. “Really?” I questioned. He nodded, “It’s Lover’s month. So, I’ll do anything you want.” He said. I rubbed my chin. “You can’t’ take it back.” I quickly said.

“Okay.” He shrugged.

“Sweat it.” I said.

He chuckled, “You have my word.” He promised.

A smile grew on my lips. “Good.” Youngjae is going to be ecstatic. “I should start writing Queen Yoon back.” I reached for the closest sheet of parchment paper and ink pen. “Queen Yoon?” Yunho repeated, now confused.

“Yes. Queen Yoon of the Earth Kingdom.” I said, already writing the letter. “Wait. For what? What did I agree too?” He questioned.

I looked up at him. He was confused, though I could see the worry in his eyes. “You can’t take it back.” I told him. “You gave your word.”

“Ugh, Jaejoong, what is it?” He asked, getting irritated. “You won’t take it back, right?” I wanted to confirm his word. He was reluctant, “Fine.”

“Queen Yoon has invited us to Prince Doojoon’s and Prince Kikwang’s wedding next month.” It old him.

He let out a long-exaggerated groan, pressing his back against the seat. “Why would I care to go to someone else’s wedding.” He groaned. I chuckled at his behavior. “You’re being childish.” “What’s new?” He smirked. I shook my head. “But you still have to go.” I said. “Fine. But I’m writing Queen Yoon the letter.” He said, taking the paper and pen from me.

I raised an eyebrow. He was never interested in responding to other Kings and Queens and Consorts. I was the one who responded. In fact, I handled all of his foreign affairs. I was the one who kept the peace between us and other kingdoms, otherwise everyone would hate us. It was a stressful job.

“Why are you responding? What are you saying?” I asked, unsure of whether or not I should be concerned. “Don’t worry about it. I’m only thanking her for the invite and telling her that we’d ‘love’ to attend…and I’m requesting that you and I get our own room.” He simply said.

I frowned but didn’t bother to argue. I didn’t want to ruin this for Youngjae.

I watched him as he wrote the letter. I couldn’t help but smile, watching him. It reminded me of simpler times when he was a prince. I used to watch him struggle with his homework whenever he visited. Even now he was struggling to formulate his request in a professional manner. “Why are you staring at me?” He asked, knot looking up. “See something you like?” he smirked

My cheeks burned in embarrassment. “It just amazes me how you still can’t write a proper letter after all these years.” I teased. “I prefer to be straight to the point. There’s no pint in fancy writing.” He remarked. “Whatever. You always struggled.” I laughed. “I used to think that I, a poor farmer’s son, had a higher education than the prince of the fire kingdom. It truly did amaze me.”

“Is that what you thought of me back then?” He looked up at me. “A dumb kid?”

“A dumb, air-headed, irrational kid.” I corrected with a smirk. “And you still are.” I snatched the letter from him and looked over it.

He scoffed, leaning back in his seat, “I never thought anything bad about you.”

“You didn’t have to think it. You spoke it. You were rude and mean.” I reminded.

“You can’t blame me though. I didn’t understand what a crush was at the time.” He defended.

“I can. And I will.”

“You even said it yourself. I was a cold-hearted jerk.” He reminded. I couldn’t help but laugh, clearly remembering the several times I called him that. I still think it from time to time. “You said it so many times that I wouldn’t allow Sunghak and Daehyun say those words growing up.” He remarked.

I shook my head, remembering when the boys got in trouble whenever Yunho caught them saying the word ‘jerk’.

“Anyway, what are you doing here? Don’t think I forgot about you locking the door.” I said.

“Can I not see my beloved?”

“Why did you lock the door?”

“So, you couldn’t escape…and so no one can come in.” He shrugged.

“What do you want?” I asked, resting back in my seat.

“I’m one of the most powerful kings out of all the kingdoms, but when it comes to you I feel like I’m being held at your mercy.” He said.

“Yunho.”

“What do you think I want?”

“I can’t do anything with you today. I’m busy since pretty much everyone is off.” I turned down whatever he was going to offer. “So? Don’t worry about it. They’ll deal with everything when they return.” He shrugged. I only looked at him.

“I’m not asking for much today. The performing arts guild is coming to perform the play here at the palace. And I want to make sure that you’re coming.” He said. I always looked forward to the plays. They improved every year. The plays at the palace were for the royal family. I used to attend them until Nayoung passed.

Yunho sensed my hesitation and leaned forward. “There’ll be wine.” He said, causing me to chuckle. “I feel like you’ll try to get me drunk.” I accused. He shrugged.

“You should spend that time and watch the play with Sunghak and Daehyun.” I tried.

This time he looked at me, as if to say ‘really?’ “Sunghak left this morning for his annual trek to the countryside. You know he skips out on Lover’s Month. He won’t be back until next month. And Daehyun is busy training. He’s going to find a way not to attend like he does every year.” He said.

“They’re just like you when you were younger.” I smiled, “Except they’re smarter.”

“I don’t know whether or not that’s a bad thing.” He confessed. “Sunghak is exactly how I was.” It was clear that he was concerned about the fact.

“I’ll attend the play with you...” I finally said.

A smile crept on his lips, “I knew you couldn’t say no.”

“…if I finish all the work I want to get done.” I added.

“That’s fine. I’ll help you.” He shrugged. “Are you sure? It involves a lot of reading and writing.” I teased. He scoffed and scooted up to the desk. “Let’s do it.”

I stood up from my seat and searched through my binders and folders that were stacked neatly on my shelves. “Here.” I said, handing him a stack of folders. “What’s this?” he asked. “A few of the paper work I need you to look over and approve.” I said, unable to contain my smirk. He groaned slightly, “Why do I feel like this was a trick?” He said. “You’re the one who offered.” I smiled before turning back around.

I stole the opportunity to reorganize my study a bit before resuming my own paperwork. A lot of it had to do with foreign trade and changes in some of the other kingdom’s changes in their foreign policy to help tighten security due to the rise of Outcasts. Things that I couldn’t confirm or send out without the king’s seal. So, this made the process go by a bit faster since he’s here.

It was nice having him here. It changed the mood and reminded me of when we were younger.

“Done.” He said when he finished his pile. “That was fast. Did you even read it all?” I questioned.

“No. I just stamped it. I trust you.” He said.

I let out a long sigh. “Yunho, you have to read them.” I said. “I’ll read them later. It’s Lover’s month. I’ll read them and send them out next month.” He pushed the pile aside. “And then I have to write an apology letter, explaining why you responded so late.” I muttered. “We make the perfect team, don’t we?” He reached forward propping my chin with his finger.

I gently moved his hand. “We’re not done yet.” I said, stepping from behind the desk. I’ll just have to finish the paperwork later. I thought to myself as I unlocked the door.

I led him down the halls to the kitchen, making sure to keep my distance. We went into the kitchen to check on the few chefs that stayed behind to prepare snacks for the acting company that were coming tonight. A couple of servants helped them as well. We stayed for a couple of hours and helped prepare some of the food. Yunho struggled at first but got the hang of the basic stuff. The chefs and servants were surprised that he was helping but didn’t dare to say anything.

I elbowed Yunho in the side, catching him sneak a bite of one of the small sandwiches. “don’t eat that. That’s for our guest.” I scolded. “Too late.” He stuffed the rest in his mouth. I frowned. “I’ll just make another one.” He shrugged, grabbing the needed ingredients. I shook my head. “here. You need to eat too.” He popped a pitted cherry in my mouth.

I lightly hit his arm, forced t