TFL | MW [✔]

06.

Word had been sent to the summer palace the night before to expect their arrival. So as they rowed to shore, the setting sun behind them, a small group waited on the dock to greet them.

Mingyu climbed onto the wooden platform first and reached down to help Wonwoo up. The omega's face was drawn, his eyes tired. It had been a long day, and he was usually tucked up in bed by now.

Once Wonwoo was standing safely beside him, Mingyu turned his attention to the group waiting there.

"My apologies for the short notice and the late hour," he said.

Seungkwan, who managed the summer palace, stepped forward.

"Nonsense. The news has made our summer, Prince Mingyu. Well met, Prince Wonwoo. We're delighted to have you."

"And we're delighted to be here," Mingyu said, leaving no awkward pauses for Wonwoo to fill. "We won't need much from you this evening. My husband is very tired, so we will retire shortly."

"Of course. We have rooms ready for you. If you'll follow me?"

They trailed after Seungkwan, the others falling into step behind them. The boat that carried them to shore was already headed back out to join the ship. They'd stay anchored in the cove until morning and depart then.

The summer palace stood on the cliffs above them, bright even in the fading light of early summer. As always, Mingyu's spirits lifted to see it. The summer palace meant sanctuary, weeks of leisure, and no responsibilities. Even though they were here for a reason, and Mingyu had a supportive arm around that 'reason,' he couldn't help but feel hopeful that the summer palace would change everything.

Once inside, only Seungkwan and a maid stayed with them as they made their way to the wing usually used by newlyweds.

"Your attendant contacted me this morning, and we made the room arrangements in keeping with your annex at the palace. Adjoining rooms that both have a view of the inner courtyard. If you prefer a sea view, there is the large bedroom newlyweds usually take..."

Mingyu felt the tension zing through Wonwoo and hurried to speak.

"The arrangements you've made will do just fine, thank you."

Once they'd been shown to their rooms, he dismissed Seungkwan and the hovering maid, knowing that sleep was what Wonwoo needed more right then. He leaned in the doorway between their rooms as Wonwoo stood motionless next to his bed, his eyes blinking rapidly.

"If you need anything, anything at all, I'm right through this door," Mingyu told him.

"Thank you," Wonwoo murmured, taking a step toward his bed.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Mingyu turned and stepped through the doorway, closing the door behind him. He leaned back against it and shrugged his shoulders to try to release some of the tension of the day. It didn't work. The tightness stretched right across his back.

He shed his clothes, dropping them carelessly on the floor, and shifted. The tension was gone just like that. Relief coursed through him as he padded across the room on four paws, his tail swishing behind him. The jaguar was one of his favorite forms. He loved how powerful his body felt, how easy every movement was.

Stretching in front of the long windows that looked into the courtyard, he mused on how things would be now. This would be a change that would shake Wonwoo out of the rut he'd fallen into, the place that would breathe new life into the somber prince. He was sure of it. Tomorrow would prove him right.

*****

Three days into their stay at the summer palace, Mingyu knew he'd been very wrong. At best, optimistic. At worst, naively misguided. Their arrival at the palace had changed nothing. Wonwoo had fallen right back into the routine he'd held at the castle. Worse, even, because Mingyu had seen the untouched trays carried from his rooms and heard the worried whispers from the staff when they didn't realize he was within earshot.