Mornings in the Heltix household were always peaceful. Mrs. Heltix could usually be found in the kitchen, humming as she flipped pancakes or fried eggs, the aroma of breakfast drifting through the air. Mr. Heltix, as predictable as the sunrise, would be in the living room, his face buried in a newspaper, occasionally muttering something about the economy.

Then there was the third occupant of this serene household—Roen Heltix, who, at this very moment, was lying in bed with his back cooked by the relentless rays of sunlight sneaking through the curtains. The warmth spread across his skin like the sun was trying to roast him awake, but Roen’s body had decided that sleep was more important. He groaned softly, rolling over and pressing his face deeper into the pillow as if that would make the sun give up.

It didn’t.

When his eyes cracked open, the first thing he saw was a face inches from his own. Roen blinked sluggishly, his brain too slow to process what he was looking at. The face was far too close, and the details were annoyingly familiar. His gaze lingered on the messy tufts of hair sticking out in every direction, the peaceful rise and fall of the shoulders, and the faint parting of lips releasing steady, soft breaths.

Roen’s brows furrowed as he stared, his lips moving faintly against the pillow.

“You annoying jerk. You left me yesterday, and now you’re in my dream? What is this nonsense?”

Roen shifted, burying his face deeper into the pillow as he mumbled again.

“Dare to look so peaceful. Stupid prince. Stupid Jun. Go ruin someone else’s sleep.”

Warm fingers brushed lightly against his mouth, cutting him off mid-mutter. The hand stayed for a moment before pulling back.

“Can you not curse me first thing in the morning, honey?”

Roen’s eyes shot open. His whole body froze as he blinked rapidly, finally realizing the Jun in front of him wasn’t some figment of his imagination. Jun was there. Actually there.

Roen sat up so fast he nearly knocked his head against Jun’s shoulder. His blanket slid to the floor as he scrambled back, his heart racing.

"Why the hell are you in my room?!"

Jun yawned, leaning back on one elbow like he’d been planning this all along. His lips curled into a lazy smirk, but there was just enough caution in his eyes to keep him ready to dodge.

"Good morning to you too."

"Morning?! Why are you here?!"

Roen’s voice cracked slightly, his half-asleep mind still catching up to the absurdity of the situation.

Jun, entirely unfazed, let out a long yawn, stretching his arms lazily above his head. His shirt rode up slightly, exposing a sliver of skin, and Roen immediately looked away, glaring at the far wall.

"You didn’t wake up when I tried. Watching you sleep made me sleepy, so I just… joined you."

Roen blinked, staring at Jun like he’d just spoken another language.

"That explains nothing!"

Roen jabbed a finger toward the door, his glare sharpening.

"Get out of my room!"

Jun shifted to sit on the edge of the bed, his feet brushing lightly against the floor. He rested his hands on his knees, tilting his head slightly.

"So heartless."

"Out!"

Jun stood, brushing his hand lightly against his shirt as he walked toward the door. He stopped halfway, glancing over his shoulder.

Roen crossed his arms, he glared at Jun, though the edges of his tone softened slightly.

"Why are you even here?"

Jun’s lips curved into a smirk as he turned back to face Roen fully. His hand slid casually into his pocket.

"Let’s go on a date."

Roen blinked again, his mouth hanging open for a second before a scoff escaped. His arms tightened across his chest as he narrowed his eyes.

"Go with your fiancée."

"Why would I do that when I have you?"

Before Roen could process the sheer audacity of that statement, Jun’s expression shifted. His smirk melted into something far too innocent, his eyes wide and pleading like a puppy begging for attention.

Roen’s brow twitched.

"Don’t you dare."

Jun leaned slightly closer, his lower lip jutting out just enough to make the act more unbearable.

Roen grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it with all the force he could muster. Jun ducked easily, his laugh echoing through the room as the pillow flew past him and hit the wall with a dull thud.

"Get out!"

Jun held up both hands in mock surrender, but his grin didn’t falter. He stood, stretching again like he had all the time in the world, before shuffling toward the door.

As he reached the doorway, Jun glanced back, his tone playful.

"I’ll be waiting outside."

Roen grabbed the second pillow, but Jun slipped out before it could leave his hand. The door closed behind him with a soft click.

The word was muffled, but the frustration was loud and clear. Roen dragged the pillow lower to glare at the ceiling.

"Why is he like this? Who wakes up and chooses chaos first thing in the morning?"

The ceiling, as always, offered no answers.

Roen hadn’t known what to expect when Jun dragged him out for this so-called "date," but he definitely hadn’t expected this. 

The building in front of him was massive. Its glass exterior reflected the city lights, and the entrance looked expensive, framed by polished steel with a security team stationed outside.

"Whose place is this?"

Roen turned to Jun, and his brow furrowed.

"And why are we here?"

Jun didn’t explain, and he didn’t bother easing Roen’s suspicion either. He just grinned, motioning toward the entrance with a flick of his hand, and his expression was the kind that made it obvious he was enjoying this.

"You’ll see."

The elevator ride was silent except for the faint music playing from the speakers. Roen leaned against the railing, and his arms crossed as he kept his eyes on Jun the entire time. Jun stood next to him, and he looked completely at ease, humming along to the tune without a care in the world.

When the doors slid open on the eighth floor, Roen stepped out, and his feet came to an abrupt stop.

The apartment in front of him was massive. The space stretched out before him with high ceilings and sleek interior design, and the floor-to-ceiling windows that covered the far wall gave an uninterrupted view of the city skyline. A balcony extended outward, and a private pool reflected the lights like something pulled straight from a luxury advertisement. The kitchen gleamed with polished counters and high-end appliances, and every piece of furniture looked expensive enough to cost more than most people would make in a year.

Roen’s head turned, and his gaze moved from the open-concept living room to the hallway that led further inside, and he knew without asking that the bedrooms were just as over-the-top as the rest of the place. His eyes settled back on Jun, and his voice dropped.

"Whose place is this, and why are we here?"

Jun leaned against the marble countertop, and his grin softened just enough to make Roen suspicious.

"I know you don’t like staying in the palace, and I know you hate how many people are always watching you, so why don’t we stay here instead?"

Roen blinked, and his mind stalled.

"We?"

"Yeah. Us. I’ll stay here too."

Roen opened his mouth, and nothing came out. He closed it, and then he opened it again, but his brain refused to come up with anything to say. He let out a sigh, and his hand reached into his pocket as he pulled out his phone.

Jun tilted his head, and he leaned in slightly as if trying to peek at the screen.

"Who are you calling?"

"Kaizen."

Jun’s eyes widened, and his hand shot out as he grabbed Roen’s arm in exaggerated panic.

"What?! Why?!"

"Because he needs to come pick up his missing prisoner."

Jun gasped, and his hand flew to his chest like Roen had just physically wounded him.

"Honey, you’re so mean!"

Roen ignored him, and the call connected. Kaizen’s voice came through the receiver, and it was as calm and controlled as ever.

"Mr. Heltix. I was just about to call you."

“Get to the address I text you and come pick up your master.”

There was a beat of silence, and then a quiet sigh, the kind that carried more than enough experience dealing with Jun’s antics.

"I’ll be there shortly."

Roen lowered the phone, and Jun crossed his arms, and he pouted like a child who had just been told no.

"Do you have to ruin our moment like this?!"

"Yes."

Kaizen stepped through the door, his shoes landing on the floorboards with a muted thud as the polished leather briefly caught the light before he moved further inside. He stopped after a few steps, his gaze passing over the scene.

Jun was kneeling near the center of the room with both hands lifted above his head and his palms open, his lips pushing into a pout as his eyes flicked toward Kaizen the moment he entered.

Kaizen halted with his arms at his sides before shifting his attention to Roen.

“I apologize for the disturbance, Mr. Heltix.”

Roen stood near the couch with his arms folded across his chest, his expression tight as he pointed at Jun.

“Why is the Crown Prince of this country so… free?”

Kaizen reached for his glove and adjusted it carefully, pulling the fabric into place.

"It’s not that His Highness lacks duties. He was scheduled to attend an embassy meeting this morning. However, he escaped while I was greeting the guests. That oversight is mine."

Jun lifted his head slightly while still kneeling, his eyes widening as his voice took on an overly sweet tone.

“I was just taking a short break.”

Kaizen didn’t respond.

Jun got to his feet, brushing off his clothes before turning to Roen with sudden determination.

"I want to stay here. With you. I don’t want to go back to the palace."

Roen reached for the cushion beside him, tightening his grip before swinging it against Jun’s arm.

"Do your job properly, or I swear you won’t see me for a month."

Jun didn’t move, his puppy-dog eyes switching on instantly as he stared at Roen.

Roen felt a pang in his chest but steeled himself, pointing at the door without hesitation.

"Just go."

Jun groaned, throwing his head back before hesitating. His hand slipped into his pocket, pulling out a card key. He placed it carefully on the table.

"I actually have something to explain to you, so wait here for me. I’ll be back soon!"

Kaizen stepped forward, motioning toward the door without looking back.

"Your Highness, shall we?"

Jun let out a sigh, dragging his feet as he walked toward the exit, but Kaizen didn’t look at him.

At the door, Jun turned back with a pitiful expression.

"Wait for me, Okay?"

Roen grabbed the cushion again without hesitation.

"Just go!"

Roen didn’t move as his gaze landed on the card key, his fingers brushing against it before picking it up and turning it over in his palm.

He sat back in his chair, gripping the card as he stared at it in silence.