Royal Temptations

Chapter 6

Still no title. But still big plans.

So clearly there's a title now lol. But little things like the above author's note are important to the progress of this story, so I leave them in.

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Yixing's POV

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I woke up feeling a lot worse than when I'd first fallen asleep, and it was entirely my own fault. I'd admit that much. That my brain had once again thought up scenarios that most likely didn't happen and I was being irrational. The only good thing I could see right now was Luhan sleeping peacefully on the other side of my bed. Say whatever you wanted, but Luhan was so much more than just my assistant.

I scrubbed my face with my hands, gazing up at the ceiling. All this turmoil over a stupid boy. I shouldn't be letting him make me feel this way. After these couple of weeks, I might not see him again anyway. So what was I getting so torn up about? Right then and there, I decided enough was enough. I wasn't going to let a stupid schoolboy crush get in the way of the duties I had. My goal while I was here was to observe and learn. Not to fall in love.

"Luhan," I said, a lot louder than I'd meant to. He shot up, instantly on his feet despite the fact he'd been sleeping just a moment ago. He dropped into a bow, instincts taking over. "At ease," I said to him, feeling a little guilty. "We should both wash up and get dressed. Mother and father are counting on us to make a good impression."

"Yes sire," Luhan replied. "I shall return." On his way by, he gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Feel better," he added lowly. I sighed, watching him until he was well out of sight. I would feel better. I wouldn't let anything cloud my thoughts any longer. I had duties to do, and people to make proud. The last thing I needed was a distraction. I threw the covers aside and rummaged through my suitcase for an acceptable outfit. I had to look my best after all.

After being freshly showered and newly changed, I felt a lot better overall. Ready to finally tackle the day and concentrate on what was important. I stepped outside my borrowed room, glancing up and down the hall. I wouldn't lie and say I wasn't disappointed when I didn't see Junmyeon. Because I was. But I soon pushed that feeling aside. No. No longer was he going to make me feel this way. I did, however, see Luhan round the corner, dressed sharply.

"Shall we get going sire?" he asked as he approached, and I drew my brows together. Why the sudden formality? He knew he didn't need to be formal with me. "I figured it would be best if I addressed you formally," he continued, once again reading my thoughts. "For the remainder of the trip. If we wish to make a good impression on the royal family, I must not slack. You know as well as I do that I am actually beneath you." I winced, but Luhan held no malice in his tone whatsoever. "So, sire, are you hungry? Should I fetch you something to eat?"

"Sure," I mumbled. "I'll be in the dining hall. Hey." I grabbed his wrist as he turned to leave. "Make sure you grab something for yourself. That's an order." He dropped into a slight bow.

"Yes sire," he replied, scurrying off. I bit my tongue, angry at nothing and everything. I hated it when Luhan was so formal with me. It made it more real to me, that he was beneath me. As far as father was concerned, that's how it went all the time. It took me years to get Luhan to snap out of it entirely, but in times like this, it seemed that the servant side of him resurfaced. Then again, my father ordered his father around like it was natural.

I found myself facing an empty dining hall. I suppressed a sigh. Junmyeon mentioned his parents were gone a lot, but it still felt strange to see no one but what appeared to be a Butler of some sort here. I sat at one end of a table large enough for fifty, drumming my fingers on the polished wood.