Royal Temptations

Chapter 16

I told my friend I couldn't post any more chapters until I was ten ahead again so I'd better get writing.

To celebrate everything happening at once here's an update. Enjoy.

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Junmyeon's POV

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I smeared a hand across my face, stifling a yawn. I'd spent the better part of the night sitting in my study going through the pile of domestic disputes, writing my input to be sent back to the towns they came from. I didn't lay down in bed until close to four in the morning. And here I was, up again at eight because at the last minute I had guests coming from Japan (Heechan cautiously woke me up with that bit of news).

I walked into the dining room, expecting to find it empty, but was surprised when a sullen Yixing slouched over his untouched breakfast, looking like he hadn't slept a wink last night. Wordlessly, I sat at the head of the table. Neither of us said anything as a butler hurried to serve me whatever the chef had thought up this morning. I picked up my chopsticks, but all I really did was push my food around. Only the sound of silence greeted us both, and it was damn near suffocating.

"Yixing, I..." A voice a knew all to well spoke up, shattering the silence like glass. We both turned as Luhan made his way inside the dining hall. "Oh, Junmyeon, you're up. Good morning." He bowed quickly in my direction, but was soon on his way to Yixing's side. He began doting on him in a way I'd honestly never seen before, and it was kind of fascinating to watch. "Your mother is going to kill me if I take you home sick," he mumbled.

Sick? I guess that explained his blank expression. Luhan forced what appeared to be a thermometer in his mouth. Yixing just sat there, letting it all happen. Worry began to gnaw away at my stomach. I'd never seen him this unresponsive to Luhan.

"39 degrees." Luhan whistled lowly. "Alright Xing back to bed with you. Come on." He helped the Chinese Prince to his feet, and in all honestly of Luhan hadn't been there Yixing just might have toppled back to the floor. Be that as it may, he swayed unsteadily on his feet, blinking at his surroundings like he didn't remember getting here. Luhan led him out of the dining hall, and I was left alone once again.

"Jaeseop," I said the man hovering in the corner of the room. He sprung forward. "Go tell chef Wonsik that we're having company for lunch, and that he needs to make sure he has something special prepared."

"Yes Your Majesty," he said, scurrying off. I glanced down at my breakfast again, finally lifting the chopsticks to my lips and taking a few hesitant bites. I still didn't feel particularly hungry, but I also knew if I didn't eat something it would be bad. Especially with as little sleep as I'd gotten last night.

"Sire." I looked up at Heechan, just barely catching a sigh before it escaped passed my lips. "I've just been informed the royal family from Japan are here already." I groaned and plunked my head on the table. "Would you like me to have them wait."

"No, no that won't be necessary," I said quickly, sitting up straight once again. "I was done anyway. Have someone escort them to the throne room. I shall meet them there."

"Right away sire," Heechan said, disappearing from sight. I shoved my plate away from me, then rose and strode to the throne room. With a twist to my insides I realized mother and father's thrones had been whisked away, leaving only mine. I rubbed my temples with my fingers. With every new thing it just felt like too much. I sat down, glancing at the windows across from me.

"Your Majesty." My gaze snapped back as Heechan spoke. I rose just as quickly as I'd sat, meeting the guests in the middle of the throne room. Heechan retreated the way he'd come. So it was all my doing today.