With a final promise of “handling Chanyeol”, Luhan left my room. A heavy feeling of emptiness settled over me and I clutched my blankets closer to my chest in an attempt to halfheartedly comfort myself.

It didn’t help.

I stayed in my room for the rest of the day, and luckily no one came in to disturb me outside of one of the humans who has been consistently bring me meals when I don’t leave my room. I wish I could learn their names or something. This one has come in multiple times. He’s been here so often that I’ve almost memorized his face. He’s a small boy. Probably around 16 years old with deep black hair. He still hasn’t said a single word to me, and I’m beginning to wonder if it’s just a rule human boys have to follow.

Maybe I should try to talk to him first.

---

The first thing next morning, Chanyeol is nudging me awake with quick shakes. I’m barely awake when he begins to passionately apologize for yesterday.

“Oh good you’re awake,” we both know that I’m not “I didn’t mean to scare you yesterday! I had no idea you were so terrified of fire I swear, and I’ll try not to use it around you again. I just don’t want you to suddenly hate me because of whatever happened to you, and I promise you I’ll never use it to hurt you.” He says with truthful eyes. He’s leaning over me and all I can make out is his bright ass red hair with my blurry morning vision. I groan and rub at my eyes not even fully registering the fact that he’s talking to me. “Also I’m in.”

“In what, Chanyeol?” I ask groggily.

“Whatever it is you’re doing. I want to help in any way that I can with the thing you’re doing…with Kris and Luhan.” He whispers the last part to me, and I hum only half listening at this point. “Whatever it is that you’re doing, I’m in.” he says once more. I nod and begin to pull the covers over my face peeking at him through one squinted eye.

“Okay. Thanks for all of that, but I’m tired and you’re too loud and I want to go back to sleep please.”

“I can’t leave until I know that you’re okay.”

“I’m fine. It’s no big deal really.” Hoping that he’ll hop off my case, I snuggle further into my sheets. I close my eye and fall back into my blanket hoping to find some more time to sleep.

“Hey…hey get up.”

“No.”

“You gotta.”

“Why?”

“You just gotta.” I don’t respond, but that seems to be an insufficient answer to the other. He forcefully shoves me a few times until I whine loud enough to get him to stop. Tossing the blankets away and sending my deadliest glare at the man, I sit up. He only blinks unaffected. “You should eat breakfast; you’ve got a busy day today.”

If I wasn’t such a nonviolent person I would fucking rip his throat out right here and now for disrupting my sleep cycle. I’m exhausted and his deep voice is only making me sleepier.

Fuck breakfast.

Fuck a busy day.

All I want to know is sleep.

I blink hard one time and mentally prepare myself to stay awake since it seems as though the friendly giant here won’t let me do anything otherwise.

“Are you taking me to the Queen’s room?” I stretch my arms above my head and let out a large yawn afterwards.

“No. I’m taking you to get breakfast. You don’t have to change. Come on.” He grabs my hand starts yanking me off the mattress.

“Wait! I don’t have on pants! I can’t go out like this. Let me go!” I pull away and wobble over to my closet to find a pair of sweats for the trip. I rub at my eyes once more while scanning the racks.

It’s weird that I’m not going to see the Queen…but she has been busy preparing for her big party and everything.

I miss seeing her.

I don’t even know why. It’s just…nice to be around another girl who isn’t out to end me. And she’s actually really funny and nice and I’m not even sure when I started looking forward to being around her. It happened so fast that I wasn’t even able to try and fight it.

With a frustrated sigh, I grab a pair of bright red sweats and pull them on before going back to Chanyeol. At least I’ve got him, Sehun, and Jongin around to keep me company.

“So…how did you sleep?” Chanyeol asks with an meaningful grin while walking me down to the kitchen to grab something to eat. I glare at him before bumping him with my shoulder.

“It was fine until you ruined it.”

“I had to apologize.”

“You could have waited.”

“But what fun would that be?”

I sigh in exasperation. Difficult boy. “Where’s Sehun?”

“He’s sleeping in for a bit.” I hum in acknowledgement. He deserves it, he’s been way too diligent as of late, and I’m glad he’s taking the time to get a bit more rest.

We reach the kitchen and there are a bunch of unfamiliar Charmers and humans walking around and in and out of the back door to the larger part of the cooking area. After seeing all of the people, I settle for grabbing a banana off the counter and leaving before even more people enter. Who needs an actual breakfast anyway?

I peel the banana and take a quick bite. On the way to the staircase I turn my head in Chanyeol’s direction. “What did you-”

“There she is!”

“Ms. June!”

Two women run up to me with smiles on their faces and they bow their head politely once. I feel Chanyeol shift behind me and lower his eyes.

Great.

“Ms. June we’ve been looking for you all morning.” A woman with curly brown hair and wide black eyes says. The taller, black haired woman beside her nods.

“Um, sorry. I just woke up.” I say after swallowing the masticated banana. The taller of the two women speaks up.

“You have to come with us right away. We have to prepare you.”

I give them a confused look. The other laughs and shakes her head softly. “For the party silly. We’ve got a lot to do to you today.” She takes my hand with an unusually strong grip and I drop my banana as I’m led wherever these women are taking me.

Chanyeol follows, but I throw a sad glance behind us.

My banana…

---

“What colors do you like?”

Rip!

“Do you prefer long or short dresses?”

Rip!

“Do you have any fabric allergies?”

Rip! Rip! Rip!

I stand on the podium in the fabric covered room with a frown as each article of my clothing is ripped off my body. I use my hands to desperately try and cover my innocence but I only have 2 hands and 3 parts I’m trying to keep covered.

It wouldn’t be that bad if it was just the women here, but Chanyeol is right in the room and wow this is uncomfortable. I’m embarrassed to be standing butt naked in front of this guy, but the two women pay him no mind. In fact, it seems as though they’ve forgotten he even exists.

But I know he’s here.

And he looks uncomfortable too.

“Um…I- uh I like purple…and uh red and blue.” I say while squirming uncomfortably under their gazes. The curly headed one holds a pad and pencil and the tall black haired woman is walking around me in a circle after having attacked me with questions and shredded my clothing.

“And?”

“I uh I don’t have any allergies I don’t think. I don’t really care what kind of dress it is.” The taller one holds her hands up to form an open rectangle with her fingers and squints at me through the space.

“She’s a spring…or maybe a fall. Go light on the fabric…” she drops her hand and frowns slightly. “Add a corset and a push up brassiere.” The other woman scribbles furiously and then turns the page of the notebook before repeating the process as the taller female continues to rattle off things I don’t understand.

“Can I uh…can I get my clothes back?” I ask quietly. I keep my arm over my chest and my hand over my crotch. This is the worst thing I’ve ever had to stand through. My question falls on deaf ears, and even Chanyeol seems to be avoiding my eyes which isn’t shocking.

“Done!” the woman who was drawing stands up and shows her pad to the other. They nod and mutter back and forth for a bit before the pad is brought in front of me. “I drew 5. Choose your favorite 3.”

The first dress is really long and a dark blue that looks shimmery and form fitting. It’s drawn out so well that it looks like a picture. I could have sworn that she had a regular lead pencil…

I shake my head at the picture. It’s pretty, but I can’t pull off something that tight.

The next is a teal dress that reminds me of something that a princess would wear. It’s shorter than the first but still pretty long. If I wore heels it wouldn’t touch the floor. “I like that one.” I tell them. She rips the page out of the notebook and sets it at my feet. The next dress is a dark purple and is pretty short but it has a lot of material in the skirt making it look full. The top part of it has gems along the neckline and it’s strapless. It’s not bad. “That’s pretty.” She nods and rips it out as well.

The 4th dress is a bright red and looks like leather. It’s even tighter than the first and I’m having trouble breathing just thinking about having to stuff myself into it. I’d look like uncooked dough oozing out of a cancoming out of a can. I shake my head quickly at that one.

“What a shame. I thought you’d look good in that one.” The one who drew observes.

“Last one. I like this one the best.” The tall one says with a grin.

The last dress is a sinful red. It’s not as thick as the other 2 dresses that I chose. The top is tight and the bottom is all flowy and stuff. It’s got small silver designs along the hems. I nod in approval. “I like that one too.”

The artist claps excitedly before she rips it out of the notebook. The notepad is tossed away and the loose papers are picked up from the ground. The tall woman points to the teal dress. “Do this one first.”

“I can’t until you give me her sizes Sakura.”

“Oh you’re right.” Sakura closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath. With her eyes still closed she calls off a few numbers that have no meaning to me. What are those numbers supposed to signify? You can explain a body in numbers? “Did you draw the corset?” Sakura asks the other woman.

“Yes I did.” She scurries over to the discarded notebook and rips out another page before balling it up and tossing it in the air. The paper turns into a skin colored corset right before my eyes. I gasp at the transformation. The one known as Sakura reaches her hand out towards the corset and the waves it in my direction.

I let out an ‘oomph’ as the fabric is suddenly snaking around my torso and tying itself as tight as it can get. Sakura motions towards a wheel of fabric and makes a fist before waving it in my direction again. The black fabric wraps around my legs and up to my waist before settling in the form of underwear.

I feel sufficiently violated, but I have to admit that whatever magic they’re using is really cool.

The artist balls up the picture of the teal dress and tosses it in the air. At the same moment Sakura waves it in my direction, and as soon as I can blink the fabric is covering my body. It feels smooth and fits like a glove. “Ah you’ve done yet another great job Anna.” Sakura says. I get the chance to say nothing as the dress comes off my body and slides itself neatly onto a hanger near one of the full length mirrors.

They do their combination magic thing for the other 2 dresses and for 2 more corsets.

Finally, they’re satisfied with their work and I’m given a new casual outfit to put on.

“Charmer!” Sakura calls out. Chanyeol moves forward slightly. “Take these to her room.” Without another word, he takes all of the clothes that had molested me and carries them away. “Now, Ms. June please head to the spa for your cleansing treatment.”

Cleansing treatment?

That doesn’t happen to involve food of any kind does it? Because I’m getting hungrier by the second. “Thank you both.” I say to the two Gaia. They smile and wave me away. They weren’t all that bad for a couple of Gaia.

I open the door and enter the hallway. I’m not exactly sure where in the castle I am since I was only half paying attention, but if I can find a staircase I should be alright.

Right?

“Come with me.” I jump at the voice.

With a hand on my chest and a deep exhale I turn in the direction of the sudden voice. “Sehun, where the hell did you come from?”

“I was waiting out here.”

“…for how long?”

“About an hour.”

“Why didn’t you come in?” I ask after crossing my arms over my chest and giving him a questioning look. He frowns with his eyebrows and then looks at the ground beside me.

“I uh, peeked in.”

“Okay but- oh. Oh!” I let out an awkward laugh. He stayed outside because he saw I was naked as a newborn pup. Understandable.

“Come on.” He says again. He holds out his hand, and I’m honestly surprised he’s initiating this, but I take it anyway and let him take me to the spa area I saw that once.

The halls are still bustling with people and more times than not it’s the humans and Charmers doing all of the work. For a split second I see Luhan talking to one of the other Charmers hanging something up. We make eye contact and he smiles secretly before turning away.

And there go the stomach flutters.

I grip Sehun’s hand tighter in my own. God dammit. I only saw him and now I feel like a fucking dog in heat. I frown hard and try to distract myself from my wandering dirty thoughts.

Dirty diapers.

Old saggy nut sacks.

Blood and carnage.

I squeal as I’m suddenly surrounded by women in matching peach colored outfits. I look around desperately for Sehun. Where did he go!? Where am I? I catch sight of him standing along the wall similar to how Chanyeol was back in the fabric room. When the hell did we get into the entrance of the spa? While I’m distracted, my bottoms are pulled down and my shirt is yanked over my head.

And I’m naked once again.

The group of women don’t even say anything as they push me into a separate room with nothing but a tub that looks like it’s filled with thick milk. I stumble in and land on my hands and knees in the middle of the dense warm substance. It smells weird, and reminds me of aged fruit and lotion. I stand up and the liquid flows up and around my body encasing me like I’m a liquid mummy.

It hardens and I find that I can no longer move. The group of women stand around me like watchful birds, and they aren’t moving, but the amount of concentration on their faces show that this is their doing. A single piece of the hardened shell peels off my arm in a quick movement and causes me to let out a short scream.

That fucking hurt!

My shout doesn’t faze any of them. The shell continues to rip itself off me and I wince each time; it feels like my skin is being ripped off piece by piece. Can they at least try to be gentle with me? As the final part comes off my hip I let out a deep breath that I had been holding. What the fuck is going on; I feel like every part of my body is sensitive now.

Except for my face.

Each of my arms are grabbed and I let out a soft “ouch” at the contact. They guide me to what looks like a shower space. One of the women steps forward and raises both of her hands, a second later what looks like tinted water comes out of the drain. Like the milk fluid, the water covers me in a light liquid film. It’s cool and is working wonders to soothe the agitated and burning flesh.

Once it leaves, I feel as though I’ve just been given a new body. I lift my arm to see that it’s glowing and is utterly hairless. Shocked, I look down and see that I’m entirely hairless.

What happened to my protective fur coat!

A towel is shoved in my face, and I take it gratefully. Once it’s wrapped around me, I’m led to a large chair by a basin. I sit, and almost immediately my head is assaulted by different hair products. I grunt as hands scratch at my scalp and try to detangle all of the damaged strands of my hair. Another woman appears in front of me and starts to put a white cream similar to the tub on my face.

While it hardens, my head is yanked back and rinsed clean of the products. The cream peels off, and it hurts even more than when it was on my body. I squirm uncomfortably and a particularly strong Gaia holds me down by the shoulders. I try to stop my fighting, but the attack on my hair and face continues.

After what feels like days, I’m allowed to leave the chair. Now with a glowing face and -after a glance in a mirror- healthy hair. I play with the ends of one lock and am shocked at how soft it feels.

“You can get dressed now ma’am. We’re done.” I face the group of women who silently assaulted me, and nod slightly. The lack of emotion on their faces is disturbing. I want to get out of here quickly. I’m handed my stack of clothes, and shamelessly change in front of the women.

They’ve seen it all already. What does it matter now?

Once dressed, I realize just how…stressed I feel all of the sudden. After being assaulted by various fabrics and hands I’m feeling extremely punchy. I just want to find Sehun and go back to my room. It goes against everything I learned in the 3rd ring to let myself be manhandled the way that I was today, and now it feels as though my body is angry at me for letting it happened. I feel pissed atmyself. Leaving the back room I take in a breath and unclench my fists. I just need to go back to my room so I can punch something or scream into a pillow.

Walking back to the main entrance of the spa, I don’t see Sehun. Where the hell does this guy keep disappearing to.

I turn in a half circle only to find him right behind me. “Oh my god, why do you keep doing that?!” I ask with a huff. He only offers a small smile before placing a hand on my back and guiding me out of the room.

“I’ll take you back to your room, but I have to go for a moment. Chanyeol and I got called to help with something. We’ll be right back as soon as we’re done.” He says as we walk up the first staircase. I grunt in response and lean in to him.

He stumbles to the side briefly, but he quickly finds his balance and allows me to use his body to keep myself standing. “Come on you big baby.” He whispers as we reach my door.

“Thanks.” I mutter.

“We’ll-”

“Be right back. Got it. Now go and hurry back.” I say with a wave of my hand. He nods shortly before rushing out of the room. I trudge to the bed and lie flat on my back. It feels so much nicer now that I’m as hairless as a newborn baby.

I’m exhausted and angry.

And slightly sexually frustrated.

I don’t know what it is about being in the same vicinity as Luhan that has me feeling like this, but I don’t like it. Not only am I not around him as much as I feel like I need to be, but my body reacts on its own when he is around.

What the fuck is happening to me?

I grab one of the numerous pillows from the bed and press it to my face as hard as I can so that I can muffle my noises. I let out a loud and incoherent shout of syllables.

What am I going to do with myself? I need some kind of release…

You could always masturbate.

I swing the pillow away from my face. The thought is appealing. I haven’t actually touched myself in months. Self-service is important, and it always takes the edge off.

And…I’ve just been waxed to hell so I wonder what it would feel like now. I contemplate the idea and run through feeling embarrassment and need back and forth a few times before deciding fuck it. It’s my body, and my room, and if I want to get myself off then I should be allowed to do that.

Before I can have doubts again, I wriggle out of my pants and underwear. I toss them onto the ground and hike a bunch of pillows behind me so that I can sit up. Half exposed and alone, I close my eyes and try to channel the frustration I was feeling around Luhan. If I can pull that back to the surface, then I can do this so much easier.

I take my bottom lip between my teeth and run a hand under my shirt to play with my nipple. It hardens quickly and I roll it between my fingers a few times before turning my attention to the other. I can feel the dull throbbing from below, and as much as I want to wait until I’m wetter I also want to get this out of the way.

Sliding a hand across my own folds, I let out a soft sigh and let my head fall back further onto the pillows. “Fuck…”

I groan out at the tingling spreading through my body coming from both my breast and clit at the stimulation from my own hands. Eyes still closed, I languidly let my fingers wander around the areas of my body I’ve become so familiar with. Another whine slips passed my lips.

“Um…” I gasp and open my eyes at the sound that isn’t my own. I come face to face with Jongin who is looking flushed and awkward with wide eyes in front of my bed. I squeal and quickly wrap myself in my sheets to cover my naked lower half.

“Jongin what the fuck?!”

“I…I um thought you were hurt?” he says as if he is no longer sure of his reason for being here. I clutch the blankets tighter in my hands. “I came in and it sounded…I thought you were…erm…” he shakes his head as if he’s in a daze.

“Have you never heard or seen a girl masturbate before?” I ask rougher than intended. His cheeks turn a darker shade of pink and I sigh after remembering the conversation we had when I caught him watching me sleep. He hasn’t masturbated before himself, so maybe I shouldn’t be shocked he hasn’t seen it either. I can’t help the slight agitation at having been interrupted and caught in the middle of this, but I don’t want to take it out on him.

I know he meant well…and I can’t possibly be angry at him when he looks so shy and apologetic all of the sudden. I sigh once more and look at him seriously. “Unless you plan on helping, you can leave.” My voice is hard, and really I’m getting more antsy as time passes. I’m just a girl trying to chase her orgasm, and I’m embarrassed as shit having been caught like this by Jongin no less.

A few second pass of mutual silence before he brings both of his hands up to cover his face. Okay, so looks like I can get back to it soon. He peeks through his fingers and I watch him hesitate before asking his next question. “C-Can I watch?”

My mouth drops open. “You…you want to watch me…touch myself?” I ask as if I didn’t clearly understand the question when I did. He hides back behind his hands so that he can’t see my face, and he nods so quick and small that it’s nearly unnoticeable.

I close my mouth and furrow my eyebrows. Is he serious? I mean…I’ve never been one for being watched, but it seems exciting since it would be Jongin watching.

God, does this make me a pervert?

“Okay.” I whisper. He lowers his hands slightly and his shoulders relax. “You can watch, but…” I let out a breath, I can’t believe I’m even suggesting this. “…I’m not doing it alone.” That confused face that he almost always has appears and he drops his hands entirely. I huff and crawl from out of my own covers ignoring my partial nudity for the moment. I’ve stripped naked so much today, I don’t know why I should even care anymore. I walk over to him and push him to the edge of my bed before I crawl back on myself.

“Pull your pants down.” I instruct. He does so without hesitation, and I blink flabbergasted. He obviously doesn’t seem all that shy about his body, and I guess I should have known that since all of the Charmers here are used to doing…you know. Once his boxers and pants are gone he starts crawling forward as if he’s about to get right to fucking me. “Hold up buddy.” I say with a chuckle. I hold my hand out and press his clothed chest back. “This is about you. Touch yourself.” I tell him.

His cheeks and ears flame again and I can see the regret on his face. “I don’t know if-”

“Look here. I’m still horny as fuck, and you already agreed.” I get on my knees in front him and grab his hand. “I’ll help you. Don’t worry. I’ve got you.” I say softly. His chest is rising shallowly and I don’t know if he’s scared or excited, but with the half boner he’s got going I know he’s at least kind of turned on right now. I guide his hand to his dick and wrap my fingers around his so that he has a hold of it. I look at his face and it looks as though he’s holding his breath.

Such an innocent cupcake.

I can’t believe I’m ruining him like this.

I keep my hand over his and stroke his length a few times until it’s fully hard. “See, this is all you really have to do. Just…touch it in whatever ways feel good to you.”

“But…wh-what,” he stops his movements so that he can kind of think clearly “, what if I want…you to touch me instead?” the question is legitimate enough and he sounds genuinely curious, but I find it making me both more embarrassed and simultaneously more turned on hearing that coming from his mouth. I don’t know if he realizes how that sounds, or if he intended to say it, but geez I didn’t expect this to happen.

I swallow the saliva in my mouth and look down at the covers on the bed. “Then um…well you pretend that I am.” I mutter. He nods innocently and I begin to wonder how many times I would have to bang my head into the wall to forget that this is happening. I shake my head disappointed in myself, but I scoot back to my mountain of pillows and look back him.

The blush on his face is still clearly there and I know he’s still shy about this whole thing, so to make this less unbearable for both of us, I shamelessly spread my legs in front of him. “It’s fine. Just focus on making yourself come.” I tell him. I prop myself back up on the pillows and return to leisurely stroking my clit.

I should probably go slow, so that I don’t finish before him. I close my eyes to save some of my dignity and push a finger in and out a few times before adding a second and letting out a slew of moans and quiet curses. Not long after, I can hear Jongin moaning to himself. I cock an eye open and to see him stroking his cock at the same pace that my own fingers are entering me. His eyes half lidded and focused on the where the lewd squelching that I’m producing is coming from.

I bring my other hand to my play with my nipple again and speed up the thrusting of my fingers. His hand speeds up as well. The room is filled with the wet noises from our bodies and our respective noises of pleasure. His whines pick up in frequency and volume and I roll my hips against my hand as a particularly deep groan of his takes me over the edge. I screw both of my eyes shut as the heat in my belly explodes and I come around my fingers whimpering out Jongin’s name.

Well there goes not finishing before him.

Luckily, he releases into his own hand not long after muttering out, “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” I have to fight hard not to smile at his sudden potty mouth. This is literally the first time I’ve ever heard him curse. I don’t know how to feel about it being while watching him masturbate for the first time…and having him watch me…

We both sit there with rising chests in silence. “Wow.” He says after a while. I smile goofily.

“I know right. And you can do it whenever you want too.” I know I shouldn’t feel so proud, but I just taught the kid how to masturbate and if that doesn’t deserve a pat on the back then I don’t know what does. I look at my hand and stick my tongue out in disgust before wiping off the…stuff in my bed.

Gross.

When I look back at Jongin, he’s giving me an odd look. I tilt my head and he flushes again before looking down at the sheets in front of him. “Sorry for making a mess in your bed.”

I shrug. “Eh. It’s no biggie. They’ll get washed.” I frown at the glistening spot in the covers from where I wiped my hand. It’s a good thing this bed is so big. I won’t have to sleep in this spot.

“Can I kiss you?” my eyes snap from the soiled spot and to the boy who just asked me that question out of nowhere. Can he kiss me? Well I mean first off, duh. I’ve wanted to kiss his pouty mouth since like day 2. And second off, duh. I blink at the question and then find the energy to nod at him, eyes not leaving his.

It’s so weird seeing him so blushy and shy and flustered after seeing what he was capable of as Kai. I have to admit that this version of him is probably my favorite. He crawls over and looks hard at my lips as if wondering if he’s really allowed to. “It’s fine you know.” I console him. At my encouragement he carefully presses his lips to mine.

Just as I’d thought, they’re soft and fucking intoxicating. He deepens it, and continues to move his mouth against my own, slowly and deeply. He leans over my body and I just let myself enjoy the feeling of his mouth on mine. It’s way different from when Luhan kisses me.

With him it’s clashing and fighting and sexy.

But this, this is soft, and careful and loving and just like my last intimate moment I had with Luhan I feel a burden of emotion being placed on me. I don’t know what they’re feeling, and I don’t think I want to. Even though I’m beginning to feel dread in the pit of my stomach of what this might mean for the future, I let Jongin keep kissing me. And I kiss him back. I can feel that familiar feeling of the elastic string tightening and strengthening and it scares the shit out of me.

This can’t be a good thing.

---

I let Jongin shower in my bathroom while I put my bottoms back on. Since the rooms are so big, I can’t hear the shower water, and it almost feels as though I’m in here alone. I bite the inside of my cheek as I search through my feelings.

So…that makes two that I’ve fucked around with and potentially ruined their lives.

When will I stop?

I don’t want to hurt either of them, and I know neither of them would really care that I’ve fooled around with the other since this is what is expected of me as a woman. A woman in the castle no less. It’d be weirder if I didn’t do this honestly.

And yet I still feel guilty for my behavior. I know they probably like me…but it’s not like I can do anything about it. We’re all in a fucked little bubble of secrets and feelings have no place here.

At least that’s what I’m trying to convince myself.

He comes out of the bathroom fully dressed and with a light pink dusting his tanned cheeks again. “I should uh, I’m gonna-”

I chuckle. “Go ahead and leave Nini.”

He tilts his head at the name and I groan at having slipped and called him such a stupid nickname. “Nini?” he asks.

“Yeah cause like…Jonginnie…Nini. I don’t know.” He smiles so widely and I groan in embarrassment. “Shut up don’t say anything-”

“That’s so cute~” he rushes over and pulls me to him in a bone crushing hug. I cough in pain while he continues to squeal at the dumb little name I said. “Keep calling me that.”

“I’m never saying it again.”

“Please~”

“Nope. I’d rather die.”

“Please. Come on just one more time. I like the way you say it.”

“Alright time to go. Bye Jongin.” I start to push and shove him towards my door while he tries to get me to use the name once more.

“But it’s-”

“I said GOOD BYE JONGIN.” I pull the door open and slam it on him. As soon as it’s shut I pray that he won’t ‘poof’ in here. He can be an idiot sometimes too and I think he forgets that he can even teleport in the first place. When a minute or so passes and he isn’t back in here I sigh in relief.

Fucking Jongin.

I walk over to my bed and flop back on a spot away from where I was previously. I wonder when someone is going to come in and wash these…I should also probably wash my hands.

Later.

For now, I just want to lie down and relax. I spent all day being molested by cloth and then by spa women and I’m spent. I think I could lie here and sleep for like 4 days. I’m so tired I’m not even that hungry anymore.

But of course my life wasn’t made to go the way that I planned.

3 loud knocks at my door and I know that my temporary peace is gone. I should have seen it coming though. It’s been around an hour since Sehun left and he said they’d be back as soon as they were done.

“IT’S OPEN!” I shout. The door creaks open, and as expected Chanyeol and Sehun come walking in. I sit up and Chanyeol comes over to sit on the bed but I throw my entire body towards him as hard as I can making myself fall on the floor in the process.

He almost sat in the spot.

I push myself up with a groan and the two boys look at me with worried expressions. “I’m fine. Just…don’t sit on the bed.” I point to the couches by the book shelf. “We can sit there.” I roll on to my back while the two wander away.

That was close.

Not smooth.

But close.

I jump to my feet and take quick steps to the couches, taking the seat beside Sehun.

“You look less…awful.” Sehun observes.

“Yeah,” Chanyeol agrees. “You don’t look as…”

“Naked as before. Yeah. Cuz I have on clothes.”

Chanyeol rolls his eyes. “No, I mean you don’t seem as angry.”

“I wasn’t angry…just aggravated.” I admit. “I just don’t get why getting me ready was such a big deal. Like…is all of this really that important?”

Sehun looks at me with wide eyes. “Is it really that important? Of course it is! This is the biggest event in the castle…maybe even theworld at this time of year. It’s a city wide event even though it’s mainly held in the castle. All kind of things happen.”

“Like what?”

“Like…these little girls come in and try to impress the Queen with their magic, and there are performances and stuff. People sing. I’m going to dance. There’s dancing from early morning ‘til like 3 days from now. It’s a big deal.” Sehun says animatedly.

He’s going to dance? “Are you nervous?”

“Yes.” He says without hesitation. “I don’t want to mess up and be sent away.”

I squeeze his shoulder to reassure him. “You’ll do great I’m sure.” He’s going to be dancing, and I believe in him whole heartedly. Even if he does mess up, I’ll be right there to save him. “If you’re going to be dancing…does that mean you’ll be busy during the whole party?”

He nods and I whine is displeasure. “I have to dance at every event.”

I look at Chanyeol. “Are you going to leave me too?”

“Nope. I’m here to protect you until you tell me not too.” He smiles wide and I relax. I’m gonna be honest, I’m already afraid to be around all of the Gaia who will be there. Even with the Queen on my side, I’m still an easy target. I’m sure it’s not that hard to kill me without touching me or leaving evidence behind.

I’m a sitting duck without Chanyeol.

“Ms. June.” The three of us jump in our spots at the unknown voice. At the door stands the Queen’s Charmer who had been coming to get me in the mornings. I could have sworn that I learned his name by now, and yet it’s failing to come to mind. I really like his head shape. His dark skin and bald head along with his copious muscle mass is really attractive. It’s no shock that he’s the Queen’s favorite. “Your Highness would like to see you.” He says expressionless. I nod at him and look at the two skinnier guys around me.

“You guys go ahead and call it a night. I’ll be fine from here.” I pop up from my seat and leave my room -with them still in it- with more enthusiasm than I should probably have, but it’s been like days since I last saw her.

I’m left at her door, and enter without knocking. I walk in and close the door softly. “Solar?” I call out into the emptiness. Her bed is unmade, and I’m beginning to wonder if she stepped out for a bit. “Solar, it’s me.” I say quieter this time. I scan the room and walk towards the bed since it’s the spot I’m most comfortable with waiting at.

“Boo!”

“Ah!”

“Hahah!!” Solar clutches her sides and laughs loudly, still shrouded in the blankets she had been hiding under. I can’t believe she just jump scared me from her own bed!

“That’s not funny!” I say with a pout. She laughs harder and falls backwards on her bed. I huff and climb up and sit down in front of her while she squeaks out laughter. I smile softly and watch her as she turns pink.

“You- You should have seen…hah your face.” She rolls around in the blankets and I start to laugh with her. Not because it was funny, but because her laugh is just so addictive and strange that I feel out of place not laughing with her.

Her hair is tied up in a bun, and her face is free of any makeup and she just looks so fresh and relaxed even though I know it’s been a busy time for her. She still looks great as always.

She pushes herself up and gathers me in her arms to hug me closely. “I missed you, my baby.” She says affectionately. She places a quick kiss to my hairline and then pulls away to look at me. “You seem different.”

“I got fitted in dresses and waxed all to hell.” I say with an unintentional edge to my voice. She laughs and runs a hand down my arm.

“That must be it. You got the treatment done today. I wasn’t expecting it to happen so soon; I’d have made more sense to do it the day before the party…but maybe they wanted to make sure you didn’t have any reactions to the fabrics and products.” Her hand drifts to my hair and twirls a thick lock around her finger. “Soft.” She says distractedly.

“Yeah well they weren’t that soft with me.” I mutter. She freezes and gives me a hard look.

“Did they hurt you?”

“No, no…it just…it was just kind of rough.” I say with a frown, thinking about the wordless way they stripped me of my body hair and did my hair. Her eyes flash angrily and I take her hand that was in my hair in my hands. “It’s nothing to worry about. They did a good job.” I give her a smile hoping that she won’t punish any of the women in the spa just because I didn’t enjoy being jerked around.

She searches my face still with a deep frown, before she nods shortly. “Okay. But if they actually did hurt you I want names or descriptions so that I can show them what happens when they hurt what I treasure most.” Her other hand goes to the nape of my neck and jerks me forward slightly so that our foreheads are nearly touching. “You got it?”

“Mhm.” I hum fearfully. She blinks and her eyes clear and go back to the joy filled irises I’m used to seeing; she lets me go.

“Good.” She leans back on her hands and wraps her bare legs around my waist. “Now…did you get your welcome gift?”

“Welcome gift?”

Her expression turns sly. “You know…” she gives me a creepy smile and I frown in confusion. She rolls her eyes and starts to beam. “Don’t pretend. Luhan…did you…” she wriggles her eyebrows and clicks her tongue.

Oh God.

I cover my face with my hands and nod bashfully. Her squeal is loud and high pitched and she starts to shake me by my shoulders. “You dirty little girl!”

“Solar…” I whine embarrassed. She slaps my shoulder with a pleased grin.

“Don’t act all shy. I thought you were a prude for sure, and you went and fucked one of my favorite Charmers with like no urging. I’m so proud.” She says squeezing my cheeks with both of her hands. “He’s only ever here these days for my big parties. He doesn’t live here anymore which is a pity, but he served his purpose well and with little to no complaints, so I let him move out. He was a good boy…” her sentence drifts off a bit before she smiles fully again. “But he’s even better at festivities. The ladies get riled up easily at these kinds of parties and he’s very good at his job.”

I know.

Trying to pull the conversation away from Luhan before I get even more uncomfortable with the whole situation, I ask about the party. “What am I going to be doing at your party…or I mean what am I supposed to do at the party?”

“Nothing much. Most of my guests will be drunk by noon and in and out of the rental rooms with their and my rented out Charmers.”Great. “All you have to do is be by my side for major events and then you can go and enjoy yourself as you want.”

Seems easy enough.

“But what will you be doing?”

She rolls her eyes. “A bunch of formal bullshit. I have to meet with different advisors and play hostess. It’s going to be so boring, but it’s got its fun parts. The parts that you’ll join me for are going to be great.” She says with a knowing smile. “But…back to the important stuff…aka Luhan.”

I groan and squirm in my spot. She laughs and her legs tighten around me. I feel like a dumb schoolgirl with a crush right now, and it doesn’t help that I’m not even innocent today because of what happened with Jongin not even 2 hours ago. “Solar, I’m really not comfortable talking about this with you. Can we not?”

“Okay, okay.” She laughs. There is silence and I try to force my face to cool, but the harder I think about it, the worse it feels. I glance up and catch her eyes. She starts smirking. “He dicked you down real good though, didn’t he?”

“Solar!” I grab the nearest pillow and smash it to my face.

“How long did you last? My best was like 10 minutes.” I will myself to vanish right on the spot as her teasing persists.

Can I just…disappear?

Please.

Notes