Royal Temptations

Chapter 32

Last chapter would've been a nice way of ending it, had it been the end.

On. A. Roll. Look at me go. Also special thanks to user37133326 and purplefishes who are scarily fast when it comes to this story. And of course the person who helps me brainstorm, came up with the title, and who always pushes me to do the best I can. abby378 love you!

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Yixing's POV

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You will always be my forever.

I sighed, gently toying with Ying Yue's hair as she slept. She mumbled, turning over and burying her face in my shoulder. I smiled slightly, feeling like I should be having a different reaction to all of this. It was the first night I was sleeping with my wife. It was the first time I'd seen her in her pajamas. First time I'd seen her asleep like this. Felt her presence next to me. Yet I could only seem to focus on one thing.

You will always be my forever.

And damn of those words didn't go straight to my gut. And my heart. I'd been hoping, praying, that he could move on. This feeling of guilt was stifling. But it seemed no matter what he did, or who he was with, it always circled back to me. But was I any better? After all, here I was, laying in bed with my wife, thinking of a boy so beyond my reach it was laughable.

I carefully sat up, releasing Ying Yue in the process. I gazed down at her, so pretty in the moonlight. So delicate looking. I trailed my fingers down her exposed skin for a second, marvelling at the feeling. It still kind of blew my mind. We were married now. And living under the same roof.

You will always be my forever.

I rose quietly, not bothering to locate my robe. I left the room, closing the door softly behind me. Milky light cast distorted shadows across the hall. I passed familiar artwork and doors, things I'd seen a million times or more. I paused at one door, shaking away the temptation to knock or let myself in. I couldn't. Not now. And not ever again.

You will always be my forever.

I made my way to the only place of sanctuary I could think of. Out here, the light was nearly blinding. I sat beside the fountain, dipping my hand into the murky water, feeling it swirl beneath my touch. I breathed in the scent of damp earth and clean air. A familiar scent indeed. I settled comfortably against the basin, turning my gaze to the sky. I closed my eyes, soaking in the moonlight. A light breeze ruffled my loose clothing.

"Can't sleep either?" I froze when I recognized the voice, but I didn't dare open my eyes for fear of what was to come. Another body sat beside me, and Hyeja sighed. "I always wondered why Junnie seemed to favor spending time outside when he needed to think. I see it was a learned habit."

"I may have something to do with that," I admitted. "Back when we first met, I told him how much I loved it out here. Because out here, no one expects anything from me. The flowers and the trees don't care if I'm prince or king or whatever."

"I see," Hyeja said. I finally dared glance her way, and she seemed unusually troubled. I wanted to ask what was wrong, but I also didn't want to intrude. No matter how I felt in the matter, this was the girl that Junmyeon adored. "Is it hard?" she suddenly asked, swinging her gaze to meet mine. "Please be honest because Junmyeon always shuts down when I ask. Is it hard to be married when you love someone else? Was it hard to be in a relationship with Ying Yue when you knew you wouldn't ever feel the same way about her as you did him?"