Hyukjae receives a laptop in a few days. Sungmin seems very proud of himself. He warns Hyukjae though. To be very careful what he uses it for.

"Oh, yeah, of course," Hyukjae answers in a whisper. They are in his rooms. "I just want to watch some shows, Sungmin. I've missed entire seasons and so many movies!"

"Okay, and another word of advice," Sungmin says. He's also quiet. "Do not access any of your older accounts, if they still exist, and do not make any new ones, and -- just do not use anything to contact or communicate with anybody, do you understand?"

Hyukjae nods. "Yes. I understand."

Sungmin holds out the white box. With both hands. Doesn't let it go.

"Your daily schedule remains the same, okay?" Sungmin says. "So don't stay up late at nights, and always be ready when we need you -- please be responsible? I worked hard to convince them to let you have this."

Hyukjae laughs. "Yes, Sungmin. I'm an adult. I've had jobs and responsibilities before. I'll manage my free time well and I'll be careful, I promise."

Sungmin finally lets the laptop box go. Hyukjae clutches it to his chest. He glances at Donghae. His smile gets bigger. It's all pretty pink gums.

"Can I ask for one more thing?" Hyukjae asks. Eagerly.

Sungmin purses his lips. Closes his eyes. "No--"

"But it's barely anything!" Hyukjae says. "I -- I just wonder if I could get some snacks for my room? A-And like, just cup ramen at times--"

"No."

Hyukjae's face falls. His voice's small. "Why?"

"Prince Hyukjae, you have to take care of your health and maintain your weight."

"I don't gain weight easily and it's not like I'll eat nothing but that--"

"That's what you think, your highness," Sungmin says. "Then I'll find you in your bed, a movie on your laptop, with beers and chips and noodles -- we absolutely cannot have you falling into habits like that, and we can't have anyone in the castle suspecting you doing any of that."

"I-I wouldn't do that..." Hyukjae says. "A-And it's not like anyone would know... I'd just eat here..."

Sungmin takes a long breath. Pinches the bridge of his nose.

"O-Okay," Hyukjae says. "Don't -- don't get stressed about it. I-I don't want it, it's fine..."

Sungmin lowers his hand. Gazes at Hyukjae tiredly.

"Prince Hyukjae," he says. "It's not that I want you to have a hard time or not be able to enjoy yourself, but you have to think about your surroundings, about Crown Castle. I've told you many times, the minute you step out of this room, you have to act like the prince, the King's fiance, his future spouse. We have a lot of people working in the castle, and a lot coming in for something or another and they get a glimpse of whatever's going on here. They all go home at some point, maybe everyday, or on the weekends, or whenever they get time off. They see friends and family who ask questions about life here, about the royal family, about you. Even without divulging information, little things get out to the rest of the kingdom. How you behave, what you wear, what you say, what you ask -- and now, if we start reserving special snacks for you, what you order to your own room! They'll start pointing out flaws even if they're not there!"

Hyukjae's bowed his head. His arms are not wrapped as tightly. Over his laptop box.

"Your highness," Sungmin continues. More softly now. "You're seen differently than his majesty -- he was born a royal, a prince, and has now reigned for close to a decade. You were titled a prince just some months ago. We'll be releasing those pictures in a couple weeks, and there will be even more talk about you. Why do you think you only have a few people that can come into your spaces? Say I got you those snacks, and I picked them up to bring them here, you think they wouldn't know it's for you? Then suddenly, you'll be hearing comments all over the kingdom about how Prince Hyukjae loves ramen, and next thing you know, they're discussing your looks, and your weight, and your health, and whether you're fit to be our prince!"

Sungmin lets out a heavy breath. Donghae's biting his cheek. Hyukjae's eyes remain on the floor. His head's low. His bangs cover his eyes. His whole posture seems defeated.

Is he crying?

"I'm sorry, prince Hyukjae," Sungmin says. "I just want you to remain admired and respected. You've worked hard, and as a result, the public's opinion of you is very positive -- we just cannot risk that changing now. You need a lot more time to prove you're good enough, okay?"

---

Hyukjae leaves his laptop unopened. It stays on his bed. He has breakfast. Spends some time with Eunji. He's visibly quieter with h