Yunho wasn’t sure what time it was when heard the sound of music playing. The ten year old squinted his eyes as he sat up in his bed. He ran his hand through his hair and he looked around the spacious room, trying his hardest to avoid looking at the sun peeking though the window coverings. He began to concentrate on the music and realized that someone was playing the piano. He smiled and closed his eyes as he listened intently. It had been years since he had heard the piano being played so beautifully. After a moment, he opened his eyes and climbed out of his bed. He walked across the room to open the door and quietly closed it behind him. He walked down the hall, his curiosity piquing with every step. Who could possibly be playing the piano this well? He wondered to himself as he walked down the stairs, travelling closer to the piano parlour.

Once he found himself facing the door of the room, he reached out for the handle and gently turned it, opening the door ever so slowly, trying his hardest not to draw attention to his presence. As he looked into the room, he saw a small figure hunched over the keys as he sat on the piano bench. Judging from their profile, they looked to be a boy no older than Yunho. His short, raven locks hung in front of his face as he concentrated on his playing. For whatever reason, Yunho couldn’t take his eyes off of the boy. From his light pink lips to his porcelain skin – everything about him made him look like a piece of art.

Without realizing it, Yunho had walked into the parlor, letting the door close heavily behind him. The boy at the piano turned towards the noise and looked at Yunho with widened doe eyes as Yunho jumped at the sound of the door closing. In shock, the boy stood up from the piano bench and immediately bowed ninety degrees.

“Your highness.” The boy said nervously, his voice quiet but audible. He stood up straight and avoided eye contact with Yunho. All Yunho could do was look at the boy. He looked familiar but he couldn’t match a name to his face. He looked carefully at the boy. Why can’t I think of his name? He wondered to himself. Instead of taking the time to try to remember, he offered the boy a smile.

“You don’t have to call me that.” He said gently, garnering a look from the other boy. Yunho could tell that he was nervous – his eyes said it all.

“I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” the other boy asked. Yunho shook his head as he walked closer to the other boy. Before Yunho could utter a single syllable, the fair skinned boy spoke again, “I know I shouldn’t be in here but I-“ Yunho smiled again and it made the boy stop mid sentence.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not like anyone else uses this room.” His comment made the timid boy smile genuinely. Yunho took a deep breath in. “I hate to say this but I don’t think we've met. What’s your name?” he asked as politely as he could. The other boy bowed again.
“Kim Jaejoong, your highness.” He told him after standing up straight again. Kim Jaejoong, Yunho mouthed. The name had a nice ring to it. Yunho smiled before he too bowed.

“It’s nice to meet you Kim Jaejoong.” He said, looking the other boy in the eyes. He could tell that Jaejoong was still feeling nervous, just not as much as before. Yunho took a second to think – what was another child doing here? Before Yunho could ask, Jaejoong giggled and answered his question.

“My father is the royal chef. I’ve just started living with him.” He explained. As Yunho absorbed the information, he realized that his face had contorted into a pensive expression. He couldn’t help but laugh at himself. He walked a little bit closer to Jaejoong before holding his hand out to him. Jaejoong focused his attention to Yunho’s outstretched hand before returning his gaze to Yunho’s eyes.

“I hope we can be friends.” Yunho said cheerfully with yet another smile. Jaejoong blushed, flustered by the prince’s sudden statement. Carefully, he reached out and shook Yunho’s hand, his skin almost looking white against his tanned skin. After a brief moment, Jaejoong looked back into Yunho’s eyes and smiled.

“Oppa! Oppa!” a girl’s voice rang out in the hallway outside of the parlor. Yunho turned around when the door opened and a young girl wearing a plain white dress with some of her hair tired into a ponytail ran up to him. Before she spoke to her brother, she looked behind Yunho and saw Jaejoong. “Hi Jaejoong Oppa!” He greeted cheerfully. Yunho looked behind him as Jaejoong as he smiled at the girl and bowed politely.

“Good morning Princess.” He greeted. The young girl smiled again then shifted her attention back to Yunho who was looking back at her.

“Oppa, it’s time for breakfast.” She said to her brother and Yunho smiled back at her.

“Okay, I’m coming now.” The girl smiled widely again and reached for Yunho’s hand.

“Let’s go together~” she said cutely, making Yunho chuckle. Before she could pull him away, Yunho looked back at Jaejoong and flashed him one last smile.

“I’ll see you later Jaejoong.” He said in a friendly tone. Jaejoong smiled before bowing for the fourth time that morning. Yunho turned his head and looked back at his sister as he tugged on his arm and ran for the door. “Hey! Jihye-yah! Slow down!” Yunho begged.

The last thing he heard before the door closed behind him was Jaejoong’s bright laughter.