Royal Temptations

Chapter 40

We did it guys. We got to the end. I never thought we'd get here tbh. But I'm so glad we did.

Thank you to Astro for the song later in the chapter (Always You for those who are curious).

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Junmyeon's POV

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"Sire." I looked up from my book as Heechan stuck his head into my room. I was pouring through some of our history books just for curiosity sake. I was finally taking my family's advice and relaxing. Though I was still dressed in black dress pants and a white button up with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows. "You have guests," he added. My eyebrows rose and I marked my place in the book. I wasn't expecting anyone. Not for a few days anyway. I followed behind him to the throne room.

"Junnie!" Now that was a voice I would recognize anywhere. I grinned as I caught sight of not only Yixing, but King and Queen Zhang. I approached them all slowly, dropping into a deep bow when I was a few meters away.

"At ease boy," a deep voice said above me, and I slowly straightened, meeting one kind and one curious gaze. I swallowed hard, but Yixing's dimpled smile was still enough to melt my heart. I turned my focus on him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. "I thought you were going home."

"I did, obviously," he replied, motioning to his parents. "I brought them back. They wanted to properly meet you this time." He broke away from them and sidled up to me. "Besides, I have so much time to make up for." He reached out and twined our fingers together, turning to his parents. "Mother, father, meet my boyfriend," he said, his whole face lighting up. I smiled fondly at him. Once upon a time we never would have dreamed to say this out loud. But here he was, showing me off to his mother and father for the first time.

"Pleasure," I said. They smiled at me, and I was glad his father didn't hate our guts anymore. "Not that I'm not happy to see you all, but may I ask why you came back so quickly? I wasn't expecting company for a few days."

"Kinda wanted to see you," Yixing said with a shrug. "I have a couple years to make up for anyway." He tugged on my hand. "Come on. I want to talk." I glanced towards his parents, my training kicking in.

"I can't just leave," I complained. "I have guests. That would be rude." Even as I said it, my mother pushed her way into the throne room. I glanced her way.

"Mr. and Mrs. Zhang, welcome," she greeted, striding up to our little group and giving them a little bow. "I'm sure our boys have a lot to discuss. Why don't you join my husband and I for some tea and cake? Wonsik just brewed a fresh pot."

"Sounds wonderful," Mrs. Zhang said, reaching out and ruffling Yixing's hair. "You boys enjoy." And with that they were off, leaving just the two of us. I turned to him, and he soon plowed into me. I laughed, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"I thought your father would hate us," I admitted, burying my face in his shoulder and closing my eyes, just happy he was here with me. "I missed you so fucking much Xing." He laughed quietly, his shoulders vibrating slightly at the sound. "Not just from the other day," I added as an afterthought. For all the days I laid awake at night wondering where we stood with each other. For all the times I watched him walk away again and again. For every tear I'd shed on his behalf because my feelings would get the better of me. Instinctively my hold on him tightened. He reached up and combed his fingers through my hair.

"I'm not going anywhere," he murmured, leaving a tiny trail of kisses down the side of my head. "Never again." I sighed quietly. "Come on," he added, grabbing one of my hands from around his waist and threading his fingers through mine. "I have something I want to show you. Something I'd been practicing in secret."