"Prince Hyukjae... please understand that you have to follow everything you're scheduled to do. The monarch's court will assume I did not inform you. Lady Soonok also came to me this morning and asked why you didn't see her yesterday."

They're in Eunji's playroom. Hyukjae's sitting on floor. He's chewing on his lip. His head's bowed. But his hands stay busy. He's carefully brushing Eunji's hair. To tie it up. The girl isn't fussing at all. She's preoccupied with the new toy.

The toy has piano keys. It makes musical notes. Animal sounds. There's a screen that lights up. Shows her colourful images. Cows. Birds. Bubbles. Hearts.

"Prince Hyukjae, are you listening to me?" Sungmin says.

Eunji presses a key: a cow moos. She mimicks it. Giggles. Donghae holds a smile.

"Yes, I'm very sorry, Sungmin," Hyukjae says. He does appear guilty. He finishes tying one side of Eunji's head. Looks up. "I'll let you know next time... a-and I'll try to let Lady Soonok know..."

He goes back to Eunji. Gathers the rest of her hair. Sungmin glances at Donghae. Purses his lips.

Donghae keeps an expressionless face.

He's not responsible for Hyukjae's schedule. He's just supposed to accompany him. Keep an eye on him. Within the castle. Or whenever he's out of his rooms. Donghae hasn't been told to drag him. To something he doesn't want. Donghae's not going to inquire about it either.

If it was an event outside Crown Castle... then yes. He might ask. Remind Hyukjae there's a whole team waiting. In this case, it's just one day too. Out of many more. So what if Hyukjae skips? He always leaves Soonok's trainings all beaten. Maybe he just didn't want to go through that. Couldn't. He should be allowed to decide.

Eunji keeps pressing keys. She's enjoying the sheep. Hyukjae's reached out for ribbons now. He gently ties them around Eunji's pigtails. Then he straightens up. Beams happily.

"Look at her," he says to them. "She looks like Sora when she was a baby!"

"Mama?" Eunji says. Tilts her head back.

Hyukjae gasps.

"Yes! Sora is your mommy!" He kisses her cheek. "And my sister! I'm gonna find you baby pictures of us, okay? They're at my place now but I'll find a way to get them."

"Kay," Eunji says. Goes back to her piano.

"Kay?" Hyukjae says. Looks at them with an open mouth. He laughs. Drops kisses on Eunji's head. "I love you so much, baby..."

"Your highness," Sungmin says.

"Yeah," Hyukjae says. But avoids looking up. He keeps pecking the top of Eunji's head. "Continue, Sungmin, I'm listening--"

Eunji hits more keys. Squeals.

"Don't mind this one," Hyukjae says. Hugs her closer to himself. He glances up now. Smiles. There's no... tearfulness.

Eunji keeps poking her piano. Moo. Baaa. Quack. Meow. Oink.

Sungmin sighs.

"Hyukjae, sir, we have photographers booked to come in two weeks. It'll be in the afternoon, and we need you, Princess Eunji, and his majesty for pictures."

"Sure!" Hyukjae says. "Baby princess, did you try the cat? Do the meow!"

"Moooo," Eunji says. Laughs. Slaps more keys. "Mooo!"

"Eunji, that's a cow. This one's meow," Hyukjae says gently. Presses it. "See, it's a cat."

"Aat!"

"Cat goes meoww!" Hyukjae grabs a gray cat plushie. "Like this!" He pushes the cat to her cheeks. "Meow! Meow meow meoww!"

"Prince Hyukjae," Sungmin says. Raises his voice. Over their giggles and squeals.

"Sorry, yes?"

"The pictures will be taken together. All three of you... together. At the same time."

This makes Hyukjae still. He stares. Eunji takes the cat from him. Throws it ahead. It bounces off Sungmin's knee. She bangs her hands on the piano.

"Mooo!"

"Wait, with Siwon and me and Eunji?" Hyukjae says.

"Yes, your highness."

Hyukjae's paled a little. He gulps. Looks at Donghae. Then Sungmin again.

"W-What for?" he says. "I-Is something... coming up? I haven't been told of anything -- is there a date for...?"

"No, no," Sungmin says. He actually tries to smile. To reassure. "This will just go on our website, social media, it will be shared on the news. It's just to show the public... how um, you all are doing... your highness..."

Hyukjae inhales softly. "Okay."

"We'll have to do some fittings for everyone to make sure the clothes are good, that'll be this week, and then we'll practice some pictures with Eunji to get her used to it..."

"Oh, yes, that's a good idea..." Hyukjae says. Q