Royal Temptations

Chapter 36

So I just wrote the entire last chapter in a night and I may just write another one. I haven't felt this inspired in a long time.

I don't know what drugs I took to keep this creative streak coming but I need more of them. Actually it was probably Up10tion. Blue Rose was playing in the background for a great majority of this time. Also since Abby and I are talking about the story here it is.

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Junmyeon's POV

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My gaze swept the expansive crowd, taking it all in. A very hasty podium had been set up in front of the steps. Cameras flashed as my picture was taken hundreds of times. More news vans pulled up the drive as I gathered the last of my nerves. I was freshly showered with my hair slicked back, dressed sharply in a black suit with a red tie. I stepped up to the mic.

"Good evening," I addressed the press. "Thank you all for tuning in so quickly. This is very short notice. But I want to make some things clear to you guys, my people, those who look up to me and respect me as your leader. I'm not being fair if I'm not being honest with you. And I haven't been." I took a deep breath. No backing out now. "First thing's first, Hyeja and I are separated." A buzz swept through the crowd. Mother and father's shocked faces registered very briefly before I forged on. "It was on mutual terms, and she is by no means to fault for it. If I hear any word that anyone is nasty towards her after this, I will personally see you punished."

"Junmyeon." Dad's voice rang loud and demanding over the general buzz of my captive news crowd. "That is enough. Why don't we talk about this in private."

"No," I said firmly. "Part of running this country is being honest with how I feel. And I haven't been honest with anyone. Myself included. You see, I liked Hyeja. She was a great girl, a wild fire never meant to be tamed. Whoever marries her is damn lucky. But this isn't entirely about her. It's about me too, and about how I'm feeling in all of this." Another deep gulp of oxygen before I ran out. "I liked her a lot everyone. So much. But... I didn't love her. I never could bring myself to. Because I loved someone else. I love them so much that it physically hurts to think about. And for so long we were trying to hide and deny everything. But no longer. I am not afraid anymore."

"Junnie..." Mother tried this time, but I held up a hand, and she instantly grew silent.

"I'm done hiding," I said, my voice ringing loud and clear across the lawn. Cameras were capturing every moment from every angle. "I thought I could cover up how I felt by moving on with how my life should go. But I just can't. Doing so would sacrifice my happiness. I, King Junmyeon, have been in love with Prince Yixing of China for nearly three years!" A tidal wave of questions and remarks washed over me, but none of them penetrated passed the skin. My chest heaved, but I felt freer than I ever had. "Alright," I said as the crowd calmed down. "Question time."

"Why Yixing?" one reporter called out. I turned towards the voice.

"Why Yixing? I'm not sure myself. But he's the most wonderful guy I've ever met. He's so caring and kind. He treats whoever is in front of him like they're the most important person on the planet. He helped me feel whole when before I only felt incomplete."

"But he's married!" another voice ran out. I turned again, this time letting my smile drop.

"I'm aware," I answered carefully. "I attended his wedding. This confession is by no means a way to break them apart. Yixing is also my friend and he's very happy with his wife by his side. This is simply to let you all see the real me. And no bashing Yixing or Ying Yue either. They have no idea this is going on."

"So what do you plan to do?" a third voice spoke. "You're obviously gay. So now what?" I had to chuckle at that.

"You're future queen may be a bit more masculine than the last," I joked, and a few people laughed along with me. "But actually I don't know what comes next. Despite him being married and my failed relationship, he's still the only one I want." I shrugged. "Maybe another boy will eventually sweep me off my feet the same way Yixing did."