Royal Temptations

Bonus Chapter 3

Throwing it back again to see what our favorite mischievous sidekick was up to.

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Junmyeon's POV

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Do I really have to go along? That thought plagued me while father bustled about and got ready. I was already dressed; impeccably of course, in a creme suit, newly added to my collection. I twirled a cane between my fingers, earning a glare from Heechan as he strode into the room. I huffed a breath, pausing in my entertainment. I watched father duck in and then out, muttering under his breath.

"Do I have to come along?" I dared ask as he ran by again. He stopped, turning to study me like I'd grown a second head. "It's just business within the country, right?" I continued, propping myself against the wall behind me. "Stuff you can sort out?"

"Except the Byuns have a son your age," he explained. "And it never hurts to make friends with the people who you will one day rule under." I exhaled through my nose, hoping he wouldn't pick up on my frustrations. A social butterfly I was not; I could feel these meetings taking their toll on me. But I'd been blessed into a high profile family, so a high profile image is what I had to maintain. I twirled my cane again, smirking when Heechan shot me a pained look.

The ride to the southern part of the country was...less than exciting, to say the least. Clouds blanketed the sky, covering every area as far as I could see in dull grey. It was November, and I briefly pondered whether it was likely to snow, as the temperature had dropped overnight. When we left the palace I watched my breath puff in front of my face, finding small amusement in the tiny cloud in front of my face. Small things entertained me sometimes.

A few hours of driving later and we pulled into a circular driveway that seemed eerily familiar. I stepped out of the limo, pursing my lips at the cherry blossom trees lining the driveway. They must've been planted specifically so. It wasn't blooming season, but I'd seen enough anime to distinguish those particular trees from the sparse pines around them.

"Hello Your Majesty!" I kept my expression decidedly neutral as someone greeted me at the doors. A man of unimpressive height, around as tall as me, and fairly scrawny. Wrinkled face with laugh lines, black hair swept back under a crown pinned down, but I could faintly see grey hairs starting to form at the roots. Mr. Byun himself, owner of most of the land around here. He paid my father rather handsomely to keep it that way. "Baekhyun has gushed and gushed about meeting you for weeks," Mr. Byun continued enthusiastically.

"Baekhyun?" I inquired as I approached. My guard went up around this man. I'd heard of him growing up of course. It would have been impossible not to. Mr. Byun stretched a hand out to be shook, which I accepted. His hold was firmer than I anticipated. "Oh, your son." Finally the pieces clicked together in my brain. Mr. Byun nodded rapidly, reminding me very much of those bobbleheads they sell in souvenir shops.

"Dear." We both turned towards a softer voice approaching. A beautiful woman, her long hair braided down to the middle of her back. Unlike Mr. Byun, who was dressed about as sharp as me, Mrs. Byun favored a simple house dress with a cardigan over top, a cozy look to combat the cold. "The boy just got here," she continued, sidling up beside her husband, pecking his cheek. "Ease up on him will you?" She looked to me next, her eyes crinkling as she chuckled lowly. "He wonders where our son gets his never ending energy from. I have to remind him at least once a day it's from him." I joined her laughing at Mr. Byun's mock hurt look.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," I finally said, my manners kicking in at last. I cursed my father in my head for ducking out last minute and leaving me to do this alone. While Mr. Byun went on a million kilometer per hour rampage, Mrs. Byun led me inside by my elbow. I glanced around the front entrance of their small castle. Minimal artwork (most belonged to us anyway) but it teemed with life in the form of many plants. I was fascinated by the amount of foreign foliage taking up residence in their home.