Kyuhyun was spending more of his days with the 10^th Prince. Eunhyuk was funny and enthusiastic about all of Kyuhyun’s ideas. They visited the market, explored the trails outside the city, they played games and teased each other constantly. Kyuhyun was glad to find a friend. Though he loved ZhouMi and Sunny, he couldn’t call either of them friends. With Eunhyuk he could relax and act as mischievous as he liked without worrying about being scolded. He felt less lonely than he had in years, even before he came to this time he had been feeling lonely, having spent most of his days working or online.  He could count the Prince as the first genuine friend he had had in a long time. He would never tell Eunhyuk how much he valued his friendship as the Tenth’s head would probably swell and he would never let Kyuhyun forget it. Besides if Kyuhyun threw in a compliment that big, Eunhyuk would never pay attention to all the brilliant insults Kyuhyun thinks up to throw at him. They bickered constantly, with Kyuhyun rarely losing, as if he would let the foolish Prince win against him. Kyuhyun liked that Eunhyuk had retained an air of innocence in the Palace. Everyone else was careful with what they said and did, they wore masks to hide their true feelings, while Eunhyuk didn’t scheme or hide anything, though he could be rash with his decision making. All in all, Kyuhyun decided that Eunhyuk was a good playmate. He dispelled the boredom that would settle over Kyuhyun when the other was not around.

Walking around the estate one day, thinking once again about what he should do about trying to get home. He had not thought of another plan after his last failed attempt which led to the Fourth Prince claiming Kyuhyun’s life as his own. He had no idea how to take that claim. The Fourth Prince scared him. He did not want to offend the man who he knew would be Emperor. He had to avoid him as much as possible while being as polite and unassuming as possible. As if hearing his thoughts, the Prince that filled his thoughts appeared on the path coming towards him. Turning down a pathway that appeared to his left he tried to escape before the Prince spotted him. However, Kyuhyun decided that luck did not like him, as the Prince called out to him, “Chou Kyuhyun.” His face scrunching in annoyance, he let it fall into a mask as he turned to greet the Prince with a bow.

“Your Highness.”

“You look like you really don’t want to see me.”

“Why do you say that, my lord?”

 “You switched direction when you saw me heading towards me.”

“I didn’t see you,” Kyuhyun assured the royal.

“I think you are avoiding me because I will bring up you trying to kill yourself. The more you try and avoid me, the more I will seek you out.” The Prince examined the boy with veiled eyes.

“I wasn’t trying to kill myself!”

“Fine,” The Prince turned, finished with Kyuhyun, not seeing the point of continuing the conversation.

“Er…” At the sound Kyuhyun emitted, the taller turned back.

“Yes?”

Deciding to ask this man about the problem that had been bothering him, “I’m making a hypothetical situation, if you are walking around in a dream, once you’re in the dream you want to wake up, but you find that you can’t. What do you do?”

Frowning in confusion, the Prince stared at Kyuhyun intensely, causing him to avert his eyes to the ground. After a few seconds of silence he spoke, “Six words. Make the best out of it.”

Kyuhyun raised his gaze to look at the taller, who nodded, before swiftly leaving. Kyuhyun was once again left to ponder over the others words. He didn’t know why he had been compelled to ask the other his opinion but the advice he gave was maybe what he had needed to hear. He didn’t see any way to leave this dream, so he may as well get used to it. Part of him wanted him to continuously search, fight against everyone until he was given an answer. He didn’t know what he should do; being told that by someone who was considered a great ruler, he thought was probably for the best. He would take Fourth’s advice. He would make the best out of this dream, at least until he was released from it.

The Fourth Prince left Kyuhyun, once again perplexed over this young boy and the strange things he did and said. He entered his Eighth brother’s study to hear an argument breaking out.

“What’s going on?” His brother’s all quietened in his presence as the oldest.

He saw that Yesung, Eunhyuk and Changmin were already in Hangeng’s study seeming to be having a heated discussion. Hangeng moved forward greeting him and answering his question, “We were discussing Eunhyuk’s birthday celebration. He wants to hold it here on my estate, but the Crown Prince wishes to hold it at his own estate.”

“If you tell the Crown Prince you want to have it at Hangeng’s, he will gladly listen to your wishes. After all it is your birthday celebration.” He told his pouting sibling.

“See, Fourth brother agrees with me! The Crown Prince is fussing over nothing.” Eunhyuk smiled at having their oldest brother back him up.

“The Crown Prince just wants you to have the most lavish celebration.” Hangeng told the bouncy Eunhyuk.

“Can Zhou Mi plan my birthday?” Eunhyuk asked excitably of the Eighth Prince.

“You want Kyuhyun to help plan it, don’t you?” teased Yesung.

“I was wondering why he was getting so heated about this.” Changmin added.

“You really were.” Yesung told his squirming brother.

“I was just casually asking.” Eunhyuk muttered, his brothers all grinned at his transparency, while the impassive Fourth looked on, puzzled once again as he was reminded of the boy he didn’t understand.

Kyuhyun was in the Eighth’s office, standing as watched Heechul’s face try and conceal his dislike of ZhouMi being told to plan the Tenth Prince’s birthday.

“I have no knowledge or experience of planning a celebration of this size, I really think that Heechul would a better choice,” ZhouMi seemed to not want to upset the already hateful older wife further. Unfortunately their husband seemed firm in his decision.

“Heechul is busy handling the household, I’m sure he will be relieved at not having to plan this on top of his normal duties.” Hangeng assured ZhouMi, as Heechul quietly bite his tongue from arguing against it. He would always do what Hangeng wanted.

“You shouldn’t argue. If our husband asks us to do something, you should willingly comply.” Heechul stated, burning with jealousy that Hangeng had chosen ZhouMi over him. However he would never tell Hangeng, he would always support the other, even if his decisions felt like a knife to the gut.

“I will happily comply with my husband’s request then.” Mi quietly spoke.

“You do not need to be nervous about this, Mi. It will just be a family event; we just want a place to have fun.” Hangeng smiled at ZhouMi, seeming oblivious to the undercurrent of tension that filled the room.

“If you need any advice, you make ask me,” Heechul generously offered knowing he was in the presence of his husband and wanting it to be seen that he was doing his duty as the head wife. “Do not let our husband lose face in front of his brothers.”

“I understand. Thank you for your offer.” ZhouMi answered, bowing his head to his senior.

“If that is all, I will return.” Heechul bowed to the sitting Prince, before asking, “What time should I expect you tonight?”

The Prince smiled apologetically, “I will stay with ZhouMi tonight.”

Heechul stiffened, composing himself, all the while keeping a smile plastered on his face. “I will go then.” An air of sadness seemed to surround the Di’fujin as he exited the room.

“I was not aware you wished to spend the night. I will leave to make the necessary preparations.” ZhouMi also excused himself, leaving Kyuhyun alone with the Prince, who seemed to be aware but ignoring the tension that surrounded his family.

“I will go and see if there is anything I can do to help.” Kyuhyun trying to escape the awkward atmosphere that engulfed the room, quickly fled.

Sunny was in the kitchen, seeming to be at her fussiest. She was ordering around all the staff, demanding perfection. She criticised the freshness of the fish, the chopping skills of the assistant, the taste of the soup. She rushed towards Mi and Kyuhyun as they entered the room.

“You don’t need to create so much hassle Sunny,” ZhouMi chided the servant.

“I do because the Prince is eating with you tonight,” she disagreed. “I have prepared dough for you to make dumplings; the Prince likes the dumplings you make yourself.”

ZhouMi nodded, complying with his servant’s request. He moved off towards the work station Sunny had prepared. Kyuhyun moved over to Sunny and asked, “Why are you so agitated?”

“I worry for him. The Lord does not visit us often, because of this the servants do not think that he is favoured, so they don’t hold my mistress in high esteem. They push the boundaries of respect and I do not like it.”

“Does Mi ge know this?”

“He knows, but he does not care. I carry all the indignation and anger on his behalf.” The older girl laughed bitterly. “Within this household, if you don’t have a high position…” shakes her head. “We have to make it known that the Prince values him, cares for him. Then he will have more respect. The Tenth’s Prince’s birthday celebration is our chance.”

Kyuhyun and Sunny watch Mi carefully make the dumplings. Placing the mixture in the dough pockets and sealing them up. Kyuhyun moves forward offering, “Let me help you gege.” He took a place next to the older at the station.

Sighing deeply, the older looked at the younger’s side profile, “The Tenth Prince actually wants you to plan his birthday. Do you know what that means?”

“Gege you are over thinking. He just wants me to plan it because we are friends. Nothing more.” Kyuhyun scolded his brother.

Laughing lightly the older asked, “Am I really over thinking?”

“Yes!”

Hangeng and Eunhyuk were walking around the gardens that were spread around the Eighth’s estate, accompanying them was their youngest brother, at least the youngest one who could join them at court, their 15^th brother being 5 years younger than the 14^th.  Sungmin, the youngest brother was still learning about the way the country was run, he was one of the cleverest of the brother’s and was now more capable than some of his other brothers. He was still young however and enjoyed playing with the other brothers closest to his age. Sungmin had been raised with Hangeng, the imperial protocol deciding that from a young age the Emperors children were to be separated from their mothers and raised in different households with another one of their brothers. Sungmin, the Fourteenth Prince who was from the same mother as Fourth had been raised alongside his Eighth brother. Fourth brother had been raised with Thirteenth.

Sungmin was asking about the party that Eunhyuk had insisted that ZhouMi plan, partly planning to tease his older brother because he had already heard that the answer concerned a boy. “Why so adamant that ZhouMi should plan your party?”

Knowing he could not hide his answer, Eunhyuk sighed and answered, “I have a grand celebration every year. I just thought that Kyuhyun has so many strange ideas he would be able to think of something different and fresh that no one else would be able to think of.”

The other two laughed at his explanation, knowing that was not the only reason but decided not to push him. Suddenly, from a shrubbery some distance from them, an excited Kyuhyun erupted, running around the greenery, shouting loudly. All stared at the apparition in surprise, in shock at this undignified person crazily making a scene in front of them. The Tenth Prince was the first to break their silence by running after the mad looking Kyuhyun calling his name loudly. Blinking Sungmin said, “He really is strange, hearing about him isn’t the same as seeing him.” Both the more calm princes approached the now two crazy looking people.

“What are you two doing?” enquired the eldest.

“Rabbits! Your estate has rabbits!” Kyuhyun told him as he ran around chasing a small brown rabbit. Bumping into Eunhyuk, who had also decided to join in, Kyuhyun was caught by Sungmin before he fell to the ground.

“Careful!” Sungmin warned.

“Thank you. Erm…” Kyuhyun looked at Sungmin in confusion.

“This is Sungmin, the Fourteenth Prince.” Hangeng introduced. “He is the same age as you Kyuhyun.”

“Really?” Before he was distracted by Eunhyuk asking where the rabbits were. “You lost the rabbits? Everyone must have scared them off. It was probably you,” pointing at the Tenth.

“Why is it always my fault?!”

“Because I was having fun until you arrived!”

“Don’t worry, this place isn’t very big. It can’t have gone far.” Sungmin pacified the two of them. He watched his slightly older brother and the boy who was his own age run off, still arguing. “Are they always like that?”

Laughing Hangeng replied, “Yes. They seem to insult each other daily yet you will always find them together.”

“Kyuhyun seems interesting,” Sungmin continued watching the two others.

“You should go and join them, play a little for once. You act so mature for your age sometimes I forget that you are one of the youngest.” Hangeng noticed his brothers eyes never leaving the running boys.

“Really?” The younger’s eyes lit up. “Excuse me then, ge.” Sungmin hurried over to join the hunt.

Later, Kyuhyun slightly regretted the other two joining in his game. He had been running after the rabbits, not really expecting to catch them but having fun in the chase. When the Princes played, they were determined to capture the little fluffy beings. He crouched down and gazed at the rabbits that had been presented to him in a wooden cage, “I’m sorry, I didn’t really want to catch you. I would let you go but you were given to me by the Princes. I will look after you though, so don’t worry.” He sighed as he fed grass through the bars and thought, “We are both stuck in cages neither of us can get out of.”

“I heard you’re now brain damaged; seems like it’s true.” A voice spoke out behind Kyuhyun.

Looking behind him he saw a handsome boy dressed similarly to him, showing him that this person was of similar status. Kyuhyun compared his looks to an anime character, the other was that eye catching. He must be family or familiar with the estate since he was walking unattended. Also he had addressed Kyuhyun as if they were familiar with each other. Kyuhyun didn’t remember him so he guessed that they knew each other before the accident when he came back into this body. He wondered who the other was, they weren’t friends it seemed due the look of distain the other has on his face while looking at Kyuhyun. An aura of privilege and superiority hung around the boy, who looked a similar age as Kyuhyun, maybe slightly older.

“Do I know you?” asked Kyuhyun, deciding that if the other thought he was brain damaged he may as well say what he pleased. The shocked face of the other made him glad he did so.

“You don’t know who I am?” The shock on the others face seemed mixed with disappointment and also as if Kyuhyun had insulted him. “You are even more brain damaged than I heard.”

Kyuhyun decided to ignore whoever this person was, because it was becoming obvious that the other didn’t want anything friendly.

“Fine. Seeing as you are so pitiful, I will tell you. I am the Di’fujin’s brother. Now do you know you I am?” The other looked expectantly while Kyuhyun continued to feed grass to the rabbits. “Are you ignoring me?” The boy was getting annoyed but Kyuhyun didn’t feel like he should rise to the other. “How dare you not reply to me?”

Standing up Kyuhyun turned to the boy and stated, “I don’t know you! Why should I deem to reply to someone I don’t know?”

“You should know me. I am a person even your brother has to bow to.”

“Is that so? So if I insult you, what would you do?”

“You-! How dare you speak to me like this? I am Kim Donghae.” Donghae spat at Kyuhyun. “You should treat me with respect.” The two of the glared at each other with intense loathing.

“Miss Donghae,” a maid ran towards the two of them, stopping them from continuing, “Mistress Heechul would like to see you.”

Looking at Kyuhyun he spoke with a twisted smile, “It was a pleasure seeing you again.”

“The pleasure was all mine,” Replied Kyuhyun with a polite smile and a heated glare. He watched as Donghae followed the maid out of the courtyard and around a corner before deciding to go back to his brother’s quarters. He didn’t want Donghae to come and find him again. Picking up his rabbits he said, “Be happy that I am your owner and not him.”

Kyuhyun was with Eunhyuk again. Kyuhyun had decided he wanted to go for a walk around the city, and since he wasn’t allowed to go out without permission, he got Eunhyuk to ask for him. No one could tell him off because he would say it was Eunhyuk’s idea and no one dared reprimand a Prince. Not when insulting him could result in a beating. Kyuhyun had told Eunhyuk to bring his dog with him, a traditional solid black Shar Pei. The dog was eager to move, pulling at the rope that was tying him to his master’s hand. Kyuhyun noticed that many people saw the dog and quickly avoided it, allowing a wide bubble to form around the Prince, his dog and himself as they moved down the busiest road of the trade district. He was pleased that people were avoiding them, getting a thrill from the deference they paid to his companions.

Seeing people looking at them scared, Eunhyuk asked, “Why are we walking with my dog?”

Kyuhyun bit his lower lip as he tried to prevent a grin, saying in a sweet voice, “I heard that the Tenth Prince had a dog that was loyal and protective, so I wanted to meet him and also have him scare all the bad people away.”

Narrowing his eyes at the sweet Kyuhyun, he accused, “You are a bad person, nobody would dare bully you.”

“You’re right, no one would dare bully me. I’d like to see someone try.” They both laughed as they tried to picture a Kyuhyun being bullied.

Slyly looking at the Tenth Prince, Kyuhyun decided to approach the topic he actually wanted to discuss. He had been watching his brother’s interactions more closely recently, what Sunny had told him had unsettled him. “You visit the Eighth’s estate often, do you not?”

“I do. Eighth has always looked after me.” Eunhyuk agreed as he pulled his pet away from a food stall.

“So you must have noticed that Heechul bullies my brother.” Kyuhyun said, already expecting the denial that fell from his friends lips.

“I don’t see it. They seem to get along well in my eyes.” Eunhyuk said guardedly, shrinking from the hard look that Kyuhyun had is his eyes.

“Tsk. I thought you were my real friend. Here you are lying to me.” Kyuhyun growled out.

“I am your friend!” Eunhyuk protested, indignant at the accusation.

“As a friend you are supposed to tell me the truth,” Kyuhyun punched his supposed friend’s arm, hard.

“What do you want to know?” Eunhyuk sighed, knowing he was going to get into a discussion he didn’t really want to.

“How does Heechul treat my brother?”

“Between wives there will always be some fighting for favour. Cold words are unavoidable.” Eunhyuk admitted.

“He wouldn’t go beyond words would he?”

“Of course not! Heechul may not like ZhouMi but he wouldn’t do anything to him with Hangeng ge there.”

“So my brother is bullied!” Kyuhyun stated, knowing that Eunhyuk could not argue anymore.

“Your brother is so gentle, of course he would be bullied a little. He would never protest against anything or fight back at all. Besides, Heechul is scary. He is famous for his sharp tongue.” The Tenth Prince shuddered at the thought of Heechul’s past jabs at him. He was lucky that he was had been protected by his older brother, after their marriage Heechul had toned back his personality, becoming the perfect wife, who wouldn’t dare insult his brother-in-laws. “Donghae and Heechul are infamous for their scheming, many in the city are scared of inciting their wrath.” He gestured for Kyuhyun to come closer and whispered, “Even I’m scared of them.”

Kyuhyun burst into laughter, slowing before he ran to catch up with his friend who had carried on walking in a puff of irritation. “What else? You must have more thoughts.”

“I do…” Eunhyuk huffed before continuing, “Heechul is not the one you should worry about. He will always control himself to prevent Hangeng ge from losing face. It’s Donghae you should be concerned about. He…” before stopping, his face reddening.

“What?” Kyuhyun poked the bright faced Prince.

“He openly insults me!” Kyuhyun blinked, not really surprised by this supposedly startling information. “Why do you not look surprised? You should be offended on my behalf!”

“Don’t worry I am. I just thought the news would be a bit more surprising. Donghae is the sort of person I could imagine insulting the Emperor.” Kyuhyun tried to assure his grumpy friend.

“Even he wouldn’t go that far,” Grudged the Prince, before being tugged forward by his dog who had spotted some chickens on the back on a passing cart. Pulling the dog back he turned to Kyuhyun and asked, “So how is the planning for my birthday coming along?”

“It’s coming along really well. Mimi ge was nervous about planning it, especially has normally this sort of responsibility would be assigned to Heechul.” Kyuhyun answered, thinking about the celebration that was taking up most of his brother’s time. Currently ZhouMi’s wing was in a state of organised chaos. Eunhyuk’s birthday was only a few days away.

“It’ll be good! I am really looking forward to it.” Eunhyuk enthused.

“Why did you ask for Gege to plan it?” Kyuhyun asked.

“Erm, I thought that you should help plan because you are my friend. Plus you better have thought up something brilliant for me because with all your crazy ideas you should be able to think up at least one good plan for your friend’s birthday.”

“Of course I did.” Kyuhyun rolled his eyes. “You better love it or I will be the one who will get mad. I’ve put a lot of effort into it.”

Eunhyuk’s eyes lit up. “Really? Can you give me a hint?”

“No!”Kyuhyun shouted. “You have to wait for your birthday.”

Eunhyuk pouted and let Kyuhyun lead the conversation onto what the things that were being sold on the various stalls they were passing. He couldn’t wait for his birthday, especially since Kyuhyun had promised him a surprise. He would never admit to anyone, at least not yet, but he had ever so slightly fallen in love with his best friend.

A/N: Explanation about the mpreg and why Kyuhyun is called 'Second Miss': here