The birds were chirping melodically as the sun's bright rays shone through the tattered lace curtains. In the house where the birds were singing beside, laid a young man. He was extremely beautiful — with smooth skin, long eyelashes, soft features, a noticeable duckbutt, and luscious brown hair. With a small yawn, the twenty-one year old raised his arms, a bright smile across his plump lips.

He waved at the birds through the barred windows, laughing softly. They chirped at him in his dirty and ragged clothing, pity in their small eyes.

Kim Junsu, age twenty-one, had lived in the old, dusty attic since he was the age of ten. He had slept in a creaky mattress since then, had lost his father since then, and had been almost alone since then.

This story began much before Kim Junsu was born.

His parents, Kangin and Leeteuk, were happily married over twenty-one years ago. And since the two had the obvious problem of not being able to bear children, they began to contemplate adoption.

When they saw newlyborn Junsu on their doorstep after someone had mysteriously left him there, they immediately fell in love with the baby. Leeteuk cherished the baby with all his love while Kangin adored seeing his family as a whole. Things were fine and dandy and sparkly, like in those cliché shoujo animes that everyone secretly watches and likes.

Until tragedy struck the trio.

Leeteuk died of an unknown disease around six months after Junsu appeared. Baby Junsu was left in the care of the newly widowed Kangin, who became completely depressed. But he remembered Leeteuk's request to watch over their only child, and decided he had to put their child first.

He fulfilled it as much as he could, eventually marrying one of his old suitors just to care for Junsu, who had been showing great interest in music at the time. Kangin was amazed, but had found an old friend to strengthen Junsu's musical abilities.

Junsu was only three it happened.

When Junsu met Heechul, he was nice and okay. "He's your new mommy," Kangin had smiled as he crouched down to his small son, who gazed up at Heechul curiously.

Heechul waved in a friendly manner, head tilted. "Hey, Junsu. My name is Heechul... And I have a younger brother, too. He's just around your age." And a small boy stepped out from behind Heechul, disinterestedly looking at Junsu. He sneered at the younger toddler, and Junsu let out a small whimper as he clutched onto Kangin's warm hand. "Donghae," Heechul ignored Junsu's uneasiness, ruffling his sibling's hair, "meet Junsu. Your new brother."

Junsu thought they were the answer to make him and Kangin happy and have a new family.

But he was wrong.

Heechul grew mean whenever Kangin was not around. He barked orders, pushed Junsu, and forced him to do all the chores in the house when he turned the age of five. Donghae obstinately despised Junsu, spitting at him, making fun of him, and laughing when he fell or tripped. Junsu didn't want to tell Kangin about Heechul or Donghae, mostly because he believed that Kangin was truly happy with Heechul.

He couldn't end his father's only joy.

Then things grew even worser from there.

Kangin was stabbed to death in a robbery attempt when Junsu was ten, leaving behind Heechul and two other kids to raise. Junsu had remembered that day — Heechul had barely cried, Donghae had cried somewhat, but Junsu had openly weeped. When he just wouldn't stop crying, Heechul became increasingly annoyed.

"Shut up!" He had screeched, dragging the shorter boy up the stairs. Junsu couldn't do anything but cry when Heechul pushed him into the attic room, sobbing until he couldn't cry any more tears.

That was when he officially became their maid.

Junsu soon became used to his role as a maid, and often sang to get through the day. The few people that saw him complimented him on his singing, to which he blushed embarrassedly and thanked them. His voice was one of the only few things that nobody could take away from him, so he cherished his voice with his entire being.

The attic was his bedroom, and he had several treasured items stashed around it, like his prized locket that held the pictures of Kangin, Leeteuk, and him all together. Even though Junsu's door was locked from the outside, he knew that if he tried hard enough, he could open it. It was an old thing and the doorknob was already rusting. But Junsu chose to stay, since he felt that he couldn't do much in the outside world. Heechul and Donghae had called him worthless and useless, and if what he was doing right now for them was considered that, he may as well be garbage on the street.

As he stood up from kneeling at the window, he went to the jug of water that was placed in the corner of the room. Although Heechul was cold and mean, he didn't want to starve or dehydrate Junsu to death since people knew the young man existed. There were already rumours circulating around about Heechul killing off people, so he couldn't afford having Junsu die. He provided small meals for Junsu, who eventually learnt to not take for granted what he received.

While he drank from his water, a knock came at his door.

"Oi, lazy , wake up," came the annoyed voice from behind it, and Junsu recognised that it was Donghae. "I'm unlocking your door," He said, "go down, start helping the cook, and then start cleaning. Only until we leave can you eat."

Donghae opened Junsu's door, coldly glancing at the other man. Junsu merely waved a little, but Donghae just scoffed and walked off. Letting out a small breathe of relief, Junsu stepped down the stairs carefully. He headed to the kitchen, greeting the chef brightly.

"Ri!" Junsu grinned at her, seeing the younger woman ready a large pan for cooking.

She glanced up to see Junsu, smiling back. "Hey, Junsu oppa. Just woke up?" Jang Ri In looked at their surroundings to see if Heechul or Donghae were anywhere nearby. "Shh," She whispered, before hurriedly passing him a small bread.

Junsu took it gratefully, eating it carefully but quickly. "Thanks," He muttered to her, and she merely waved it off, "do you need help with anything?"

"Um," Ri pointed to the cutting board and several sweet onions beside garlic, "can you do those for me? I'm making kimchi fried rice. And you can cook what you want after..."

Junsu nodded enthusiastically, going to the next counter and immediately working his off. Ri watched him with a fond eye, because she loved that even though he was put under stress by Heechul and Donghae, he was still so positive. She was younger than Junsu by a year and a few months, but had grown up knowing the boy since her mother had been the previous cook until she grew too sick to carry on her job.

Ri had watched the countless amounts of abuse Heechul had done to Junsu with horror and anger. She couldn't do much but tend to the older man when he was in pain because she desperately needed the money for her mother. Ri would also be fired for speaking out against her employers, leaving Junsu all alone. However, once Ri was sure her mother was in stable condition, she would grab all of her and Junsu's stuff, cuss Heechul out, and take Junsu back to her hometown.

That seemed like the best plan.

"More cooking, less watching," Junsu pulled Ri out of her thoughts, smiling at her as he nudged her arm.

She rolled her eyes and continued preparing the food, silently hoping that neither Heechul or Donghae would enter the kitchen.

Things just didn't go that way, though...

"Junsu!"

The two in the kitchen froze as they heard Heechul's yell, and Ri worriedly looked at Junsu.

Heechul appeared in the doorway, holding a white shirt in his grasp. He threw it in Junsu's face, making the younger man stumble back in surprise. "Heechul-ssi," He said respectfully, bowing as he peeled the shirt back from his face, "w-what's wrong?"

"You got a stain on my shirt," Heechul stomped over to him, glaring angrily at Junsu as he showed the small brown spot on the white clothing. Junsu flinched back with nervous eyes, knowing that he would be punished. "Can't you do anything right?!" Heechul demanded with livid eyes, as he shoved the younger man roughly.

Junsu hit the the cabinets and he winced in pain, the back of his head hurting already. Heechul didn't stop there, continuing to screech at Junsu for what he did wrong. "Worthless!" Heechul exclaimed with exasperation, throwing his arms up. "I honestly don't know why I kept you in my house because whatever you do is always wrong."

"I'm sorry," Junsu replied quietly, hands trembling as his watering orbs were glued to the floor, "Heechul-ssi."

"Did I ing tell you to talk —"

"Heechul-ssi!" Ri called out loudly, interrupting the older man. He turned to her with narrowed eyes, pursing his lips. "It's just that Junsu was supposed to help me with breakfast. We're wasting time, and your hair dresser appointment is happening soon..." Ri desperately hoped that would get him to stop, since Junsu was already hurting.

Heechul hmphed. He turned to Junsu, and shoved the shirt back to him. "Whatever. Make sure you don't mess up any more of my clothes, idiot." Heechul stalked away as he sent Junsu one last glare.

As soon as Ri made sure he had left, she enveloped Junsu into a hug.

"Thanks," Junsu whispered gratefully while she gently comforted him.

In the castle, there was a king and a prince. King Jung "U-Know" Yunho and Prince Shim Max Changmin. Both were blood brothers, sons of the deceased previous king and queen. Yunho was a natural born leader while Changmin was a hard worker that had his snarky moments. They were easily liked by the people in their kingdom, save a few who disapproved of their ways and beliefs.

Yunho loved being king while Changmin loved being a prince. The eldest of the two liked ruling over a kingdom, hearing the stories of his people, and deciding on what actions would prove to do well to his land. The younger of the two liked studying and eating and less responsibilities. He had never envied Yunho's position, since he liked being where he currently was.

However, sometimes, Yunho could be a tad infuriating. Case in point:

"Changmin..."

The young, brown haired man boredly glanced up at his older brother, idly wondering when dinner would be starting. Huh. I could definitely go for crab right now, Changmin thought deeply, maybe pizza. Ooh! I should bribe the chefs to make more again... He'd done it before without any hesitation, and that was one of the best meals he'd ever had in his life.

"Changmin!" Yunho tried again, waving a hand in front of the younger prince. He wanted to tell him what was on his mind, and what would be happening that could possibly change his life.

Blinking at his older brother, Changmin raised an eyebrow. "What?" He asked impatiently, rubbing his stomach absentmindedly. And some kimbap and then ice cream —

"I think you should get married."

— with mountains of sprinkles. Wait what. What is this I don't even. Changmin finally broke out into a smile as he processed the words after what took around five minutes, chuckling amusedly. He patted a frowning Yunho's arm several times, shaking his head. "Nice joke, hyung," Changmin said, ready to leave and run away and eat like ten boxes of pizza to rid his mind of Yunho's disgusting words.

"I'm serious." Yunho said.

"Aha, I —"

"I'm serious, Prince Shim Max Changmin," Yunho completely stressed the last four words, and Changmin finally realised that Yunho wasn't bullting him. He was entirely serious about what he was saying. "You need to settle down now! And as king, I'm holding a royal ball for you to find your perfect bride."

Changmin's jaw dropped several inches. He waved his arms exaggeratedly. "Hyung, you're not even married! Why should I go first?" The younger pouted childishly.

"Because I said so," Yunho replied firmly, leaving no room for argument. As he called over his servants and messenger boy, Changmin was left gaping after him, garbled noises making way out of his mouth.

I hate my life, he eventually thought.