四 | minghao

"How much longer until we get there?" Minghao sighed, closing his eyes.

"Less than an hour," His father stated. "Are you really that impatient to go see your bride to be?" The man had a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"No," Minghao stated and the king frowned.

"Why don't you let me have fun, Minghao?" The king furrowed his eyebrows at his son, who was now smiling smugly. "What a weird son I have."

"But you love me~" Minghao said. His father smiled.

"I do," His father stared at the other people in the carriage.

Minghao's loyal servant, Jisoo, was at the other side of the carriage but was sat next to Minghao. He was predictably asleep, holding onto Minghao's pet snake that he's had for a decade now.

Minghao's mother and Jifeng stayed behind for a while to make sure the kingdom would be in the safe hands of the 2nd in command. They said they'll be in Shenzen by the time new year starts, and Minghao felt relief wash over him when he found out his mother would not be with them.

You see, he's been recently incredibly suspicious of his mother, who would invite random nobles from nameless kingdoms and "entertain" them for the time they are in the palace.

He tried to ignore the thought of his mother and instead tried to focus on his future.

All of his servants, when they found out that he would be wed to prince Changan, instantly became excited for the prince, and only told nice things about the prince of Shenzen.

The few female servants swooned about how pretty he was, most especially when his lips are tinted with a deep shade of red, contrasting his pale skin.

Others said that he would have been easily mistaken for a girl if they didn't look close enough.

But all of them said that he was deserving of the name "the Bearer of Shenzen".

He spaced out for a bit. What if Minghao was not good enough for this incredulously beautiful boy? What if he was not able to protect him as much as his parents and in-laws hoped?

Questions swirled around his mind and kept him preoccupied, as he didn't notice that they had already arrived at the luxurious palace.

Jisoo snapped his fingers in front of Minghao's face and the prince stumbled out of the carriage.

The person who caught his eye was the prettiest person he's ever seen.

They had their hair pinned up but their bangs still framed their face so beautifully that it was almost impossible for Minghao to get his eyes off of them.

Their red and gold kimono-like robes were hanging off their shoulders, showing off most of their collar and collarbones.

What intrigued Minghao most was the shocked look on their face.

Junhui had caught Minghao staring and smirked. He took hold of his brother's hand and let him go closer to his fiancé.

When they got closer, Junhui deliberately pushed his brother towards Minghao.

Changan hit Minghao's chest with a tiny "oof!". More of his collarbone was exposed and even some of his chest because his robes were lowered.

Minghao held onto his waist to keep them both steady and blushed at how close they were.

Jisoo and the king had fully walked out of the carriage at this point, Shenzen servants having taken their luggage, and ignored the two to properly greet the Wen family.

"S-so, you're . . . Xu Minghao?" Changan stuttered, looking up at the taller male and slightly fixing his robes, but he let them drop when Minghao suddenly took hold of his hands.

"Hm, I think with the sleeves this low, it suits you better," Minghao purred, his flustered face now replaced with a smug smirk.

Changan's mouth formed an "o" in surprise at the sly prince's words and actions.

But secretly, Minghao was freaking out on the inside.

Should I kiss him now? Should I hug him? Should I try to seduce him?

Minghao decided on neither, and kissed Changan's hand and looking up at him as he did so, making sure to relish the reddened face the other had.

"We should go inside now, hm," Minghao said, smiling warmly at Changan. "I quite need the rest."

"A-ah, if that's the case, I'll lead you to my b-bedroom," Changan fumbled with his words, and Minghao found it adorable.

"Lead the way then, baobei." Minghao cooed.

Minghao was woken up from his nap by Changan, who was still dressed in those very tempting robes.

"Minghao, it's time for dinner," Changan said, barely above a whisper. It looked like he was really tired.

"Mm, no . . ." Minghao said, faking to still be asleep. He opened his eyes slightly to get a look at Changan.

Changan was exhausted. His breathing was heavy, his eyelids looked like they were about to drop, and his hands . . . despite being so beautiful, looked like they had been doing so much and his grip was weak on Minghao's tunic.

"Minghao . . ." Changan sighed.

He finally opened his eyes. His suspicions were right, Changan was tired.

"Baobei, what happened?" Minghao worriedly said, scrambling to get up and hold the other. "Are you tired? You should rest."

"N-no, I'm . . . I'm fine," Changan forced a smile.

"You don't look like it," Minghao frowned. He had his arms around Changan's waist, taking a good look at his features.

A light blush was on the young Wen's cheeks and a bit were on the tips of his ears. His lips were slightly open as his breathing got a bit normal. His eyes were half-lidded, and he looked like he was just about collapse.

His hair was a bit messy and the pin was slightly loose on his bangs.

Minghao fixed his locks and fixed his pin before his hands went back to their rightful places on Changan's waist.

Minghao lightly put pressure on the small of Changan's back and this caused him to lay his head on Minghao's chest.

They swayed back and forth a bit, in a comfortable and lulling manner.

"Mm . . ." Changan was close to being asleep but he was desperately trying to fight off his evident exhaustion.

Much to his dismay, he had given in and fell asleep in Minghao's arms.

The prince of Shenzen laid Changan down on his bed and smiled at the sight of the beautiful prince.

He had a content look on his face as he was sprawled out on the cotton.

"How sweet," a girl leaned against the doorframe of the room, but fell down because of how tored she was as well.

"You seem tired too . . . ?" Minghao tilted his head to the side.

"I'm Kei, Changan's bestie!" Kei exclaimed and swiftly stood up, dusting off her clothes.

"You and Changan seemed tired," Minghao said, walking closer to the girl.

"Mm, yeah. His mother had us do some things that none of the servants were entrusted to do," She hummed, looking at her nails. "We can't tell you what it is though~ You'll have to wait until Changan is ready to be married to you!"

Minghao huffed. "That long?"

"Well if you really loved Changan, you'd be able to wait for, yes, 'that long'," Kei said nonchalantly.

"I barely know him, how can I say I already love a stranger?" Minghao said, a tone of slight anger in his voice.

Kei shrugged and left.

Minghao ran a hand through his hair, exhaling deeply.

He needed some fresh air.