With his head lowered he tried not only to avoid the rain that was hammering down, but he was also trying hard to not be recognised by those passing by.

He sighed softly and made for the nearest building for cover, which was a tavern. He entered through the wooden doors and slinked over to the back, where there were fewer people and more shade.

He silently watched as a serving girl busied herself with getting drinks for the customers and chatting happily with them. A small smile graced his lips, and it faded when he saw her approaching him. He sat up straighter and lowered his hood further.

"Sir, are you ready to order?" She leaned down so she could see his face clearer. "Don't you want to take your cloak off? It's rather warm in here."

"I'm fine," he gruffly said in his panicked state. "I'm not ready to order yet."

"Ok, just let me know when you are." She bowed slightly and wandered off.

"Don't get funny ideas, mate." A slimy voice spoke up from the table next to his. "That's the owner's adoptive daughter you're goggling at."

Taehyung turned his head to the side and eyed the older man's appearance. Yellowed teeth stood out against his parchment skin, that was so stretched you could almost see the bone underneath. His whole demeanour screamed dirty and Taehyung wondered what kind of people they allowed to frequent this place.

"Is that so?"

"Aye, poor girl." The man looked at her with eyes of pity. "Her mam died when she was just a baby and her pa left her with the taverns' owner. And, of course, she's not as beautiful as her elder sisters. Now they are two girls you wouldn't want to kick out of bed, ay?" The man guffawed and winked in Tae's direction.

Taehyung hid the disgust he felt and laughed along with the man. He felt relieved when the man went back to chatting loudly with his gang.

The prince trained his eyes on the girl once more and looked her over.

Sure, she wasn't the most beautiful girl, but she still could be considered pretty.

Her hair was pulled back into an intricate hairstyle, chestnut eyes were framed by long eyelashes and her slender nose stood high above her bow lips. And he didn't fail to notice how ill-fitting her clothes were. Why are they like that?

He shook his head free of unwanted thoughts and stood up. The man from just before had made him completely lose his appetite, and so he made for the door.

Once he stepped out into the rain he heard pattering feet behind him. He shifted slightly and saw the girl from before running towards him. Her own cloak, weathered compared to his own, was pulled about her shoulders, barely keeping the rain away from her slender frame.

"Is something the matter?" He tried to rearrange his features into something other than a scowl but failed miserably.

"You... You forgot this." She held out her palm and atop of it was a velvet drawstring purse. "This is yours, right?"

"Yes." He took it from her and stared down at her. Up close he could see all the details of her face and he found her even more enchanting. With a small nod of thanks, he turned to leave.

"Do you have anywhere to stay?"

"Why do you ask?"

"It's just that you seem new to town and I wouldn't want to see you out on the streets. I'm sure father wouldn't mind you staying at the tavern; there are plenty of empty rooms, after all."

Taehyung contemplated it for a moment. Her offer was indeed a good one, and he didn't want to have to spend the night on the streets.

"Ok," he replied simply and followed the girl back to the tavern.