I spent most of the morning with my father, who lectured me in nearly every subject I have ever learned. It was annoying that he assumed with my young age that I did not understand what I must do to become king, but he must have realized his own mortality while planning my wedding, which May have encouraged him to feel the need to inform me of what I already know. I merely listened to him, hoping it would help to pass the time before I was to meet with the Prince of the East.

Like I had initially anticipated, Gakupo's voice constantly roused me from my sleep, leaving me exhausted, but determined to have a pleasurable time with him outside of my dreamscapes.

"Your wife is healthy and pretty, Kaito, and I have a feeling that your first child could be no less than a health boy." I didn't like how he had be referring to her as my wife, as if we had already been married. I had dreaded the title of husband since my engagement had been announced.

"Yes, father." I had replied, much like I had always replied to him. What else could I say? I would much rather take on the other prince as my bride, and live in sin for the rest of my mortal life. I suspected that would not be a conversation worth having.

"Sometimes it is difficult for me to believe you are sixteen, Kaito. These years have gone by so quickly. I was your age when I was married, and you were born so shortly after. I will not live forever, and you will be king before you know it."

I wondered why he was suddenly acting as if my age as worth anything to him. I hardly had a relationship with him, spending more time with my tutors than I ever did with him.

There was a knock at the door of the parlor we were in, and my father immediately called them in.

My energy suddenly returned as Gakupo entered. His long hair was in a braid that fell over his shoulder. I never realized how attractive long hair could be, especially when I could envision burying my face in it.

He was followed by a servant who must have been my age, though his childish face and light blonde hair almost lead me to believe otherwise. He looked absolutely miserable, and wore an awful scowl that I swore was directed at me. I would have been offended if my heart hadn't been beating so loudly in my ears.

"My sincerest apologies, you highness," Gakupo bowed his head, "I had extended an invitation to Kaito yesterday, and I am a man of my word."

I nearly swooned with the way he spoke my name.

"Of course, I should expect as much from you, Gakupo," I couldn't tell if my father was annoyed or relieved, but I was more than ecstatic. He turned his attention to me and spoke again. "I'll see you this evening for dinner, Kaito."

I simply nodded at him as I stood to follow my host. It was such a relief to escape that awkwardness.

The servant closed the door behind as we left and Gakupo spoke immediately. "Pardon my interruption, but I am a bit impatient. I hope your conversation with him wasn't very important."

"It wasn't." I answered, a bit too quickly.

"Good," I fell harder for his smile, "Then I can enjoy your company peacefully. Follow me."

We didn't speak for the remainder of our walk, but I couldn't complain. Walking slightly behind him in silence simply gave me more of an opportunity to admire the way he moved. Every movement was so smooth and fluid that he seemed inhuman. I considered in at moment he may have been the devil himself, and if he were, I would resign myself to hell immediately.

He came to a door and opened it for me. I went inside and took in the decor of the room. It was much more extravagant than the parlor I had previously been in, the deep reds of the fabrics left my desire nearly unhinged.

The servant walked in behind us, and Gakupo spoke directly to him. "Len, Jasmine tea."

The servant nodded, and started off, closing the door behind him.

Gakupo motioned for me to take a seat in the loveseat closest to the door, and I obeyed, watching him sit on the chaise beside it, dangerously close to me. I could smell him at this distance; his scent was that of the flower the tea he had requested was made of. I was pleasantly surprised.

"What were you speaking to your father about?" He asked, taking a plate of pastries off the table to offer me.

I took one as I answered. "Nothing particularly."

"Admittedly I heard him say your were sixteen, is that so?" He took one of the pastries for himself, taking a small bite.

"I am." I tried to take a bite of my own pastry, trying not to be distracted by the way his jaw moved.

"You look much older than that. I was beginning to wonder why you were marrying so late." He took another bite and continued, "You're not much older than Miku, then."

I hated that his voice sounded as lovely saying my fiance's name as it had saying my name. I never wanted to hear him say it again, but I knew I would. I would hear it a million times, and it would bother me more and more every time.

He continued, finishing the sweet. "You know, I was supposed to marry her myself a few years back, after my first wife had passed."

"You have been married twice?" I wasn't surprised. His wife was a little young, and I suspected that he had not married late himself, as royals often don't. I also was not surprised that he had been engaged to my fiance before, after I had heard it from his uncle in passing. I tried my best to not think jealous thoughts.

"Yes, my first wife died in childbirth. I was engaged to Miku shortly after, but situations change, and I was married to Luka after that." He grabbed another pastry.

"My condolences." I said quietly, taking my first bite. It was rose flavored, and a bit too strong for my tastes. He must really enjoy floral flavors. I could only imagine how his mouth tastes.

"No, no," He spoke quickly, waving his hand. "Don't make this solemn, I'm simply making conversation. Don't make our tea time miserable." I watched him take his next bite, which was much slower than the last.

"Sorry, sir." I responded, unsure of what to say. I was caught between trying to befriend him and trying to respect him as my elder.

"And don't call me that, Kaito," He nearly choked on his dry pastry, "I'm not that much older than you."

"But you are older than me." I was trying to be snarky, but I realized how childish that was and I immediately regretted it.

He gave me a small, devilish smile. "Watch your pretty mouth, boy."

I was more than pleased with that response, and I couldn't help but laugh. He laughed along with me.

There was a knock at the door, interrupting my moment. I cleared my throat as Gakupo called them in.

The young blonde boy came in with a tray, followed by a young girl, smaller than the boy, who carried the teapot. They looked nearly identical, save for her dress. Pretty young thing, but I couldn't care less about her. I just desperately wanted them to leave.

As they set up for tea on the table, Gakupo watched them, specifically the girl, with a cold expression. She had bowed to leave when he stopped her.

"Rin," He motioned towards himself, and the girl froze. "Do come here."

The boy looked over to her, a stern expression on his face. She nodded to him and slowly approached Gakupo. I watched the two, realizing I was a bit jealous he was giving the servant girl more attention than myself.

Gakupo reached out and grabbed her chin lightly. He pulled her down gently, so that her ear was next to his mouth. I could hear his voice whisper, but it was so low I couldn't make out what he was saying. I made a guess that it was less than decent with her expression. Her face portrayed concern and her cheeks flushed. I saw his hand creep up to the side of her face, forcing her closer to him. She very suddenly stood up straight and left the room.

The other servant gave him a bit of a dark expression, but said nothing. It wasn't his place anyway.

Gakupo ignored the servant and went to grab a cup of the served tea. I did the same.

The Jasmine scent was so strong that I nearly made me sick, but I could only imagine that this scent was one that I would forever associate with the prince, and I would request to bathe in this smell for the rest of eternity.

We sat in silence for a few moments, enjoying the tastes, and I appreciated the ability to steal glances at Gakupo's lips as he enjoyed what I assumed was his favorite tea.

When he spoke again, he ordered the servant to leave us, as he was no longer needed.

The servant nodded, and with a look of disdain on his face, left the room, following who I now believed was his sister.

When he was gone Gakupo looked to me and asked, "It's not too strong, is it?"

I shook my head, taking a sip for effect.

"Good," he set his cup down on the table. "I like my tea overwhelming."

I decided to press on about the girl, as I felt a mix of natural curiosity and sudden loathing. I knew he would appreciate that, as I'm sure he would not have put on a show like that for nothing.

"What did you say to that poor girl?"

He looked at me and gave me a heavy-lidded smirk. "I don't think I would want to expose your poor virgin ear to such a crude remark."

I raised a brow at him, "Are you implying that she wasn't?"

He shrugged, grabbing his cup.

I shook my head at his forward implication. "That poor girl…" I looked to the door, feeling a tad bit embarrassed for the servant.

I had forgotten how close he was to me until I felt his hand on my chin, turning my head towards him the way he did to her.

I became completely incoherent as I tried to say something to him. I wasn't even aware of what I was trying to say, but he interrupted me before I could say anything of coherence.

"Why is she a 'poor girl'? I didn't force her to do anything…" His voice came out as more of a purr.

I tried to respond, but I still couldn't so much as mutter a word. I wanted to be witty or clever, or anything at all, but I couldn't do anything but stare at him with my mouth agape.

He leaned towards me, and I was completely entranced by the floral smell of his breath. I was nervous, undoubtedly, having never been so close to a human being in my adult life.

"I appreciate your curiosity, boy," His breathed warmed my ear. "It's refreshing, but do you really want to know?"

I hadn't anticipated this action, nor that my fantasies would be satisfied in this way after a night of restless sleep about situations such as this one. I unconsciously nodded my head, wanting hear awful words escape those beautiful lips.

And they did. He spoke of such sinful sexual acts, completely ripping apart the girl's innocent image. And though I felt remorse for her, I wanted him to do those things to me. I wanted to be so close to him, no matter how immoral.

When he moved away to look at me, I knew I must have had the most terrible blush on my face. He seemed satisfied with that.

"You shouldn't have asked." he took a sip of his tea.

"I don't regret it." I hadn't even realized I had said it until I saw a change in his face. Though it was subtle, there was a hint of seriousness in his features, and it changed the tone of the conversation.

"Is that so, Kaito?" He took a quiet tone, which I might have no been mistaking for flirtatious.

"It would have bothered me all evening." I cleared my throat and tried to make my initial comment make more sense, even if my red face may have been giving my desire away.

"You're cute."

I swooned.

He spoke for a little while longer, changing the topic immediately to something about the tea specifically, and I was caught on every word, the compliment repeating itself in my head. And that would continue until we were called for dinner, forcing me to be a bit less lovelorn, and a bit more aloof.