Act 1: Birthday Ball

"Are you ready hyung?" Jay asked excitedly entering Heeseung's room.

The older just sat silently in front of the mirror, "Hyung?" Jay called approaching his brother, "Hm?" Heeseung said finally turning to Jay, "Oh, Jay..." He said when he saw his younger brother approaching him,

"You okay?" Jay asked looking at his brother who had a tired face, "No... I'm not okay," Heeseung answered, looking back at his reflection in the mirror, "Come on, It's your birthday..." Jay said holding Heeseung's shoulder, "Who doesn't like a birthday party?" Jay asked leaning forward and looking at his brother's reflection in the mirror. Heeseung looked down as he sighed, "That's not the problem," said Heeseung looked back at the mirror, "I'm just tired, every time we have a ball, papa will introduce me to my 'future' partner, and none ever fulfills my wishes," explained Heeseung. Jay looked at his brother then looked on the mirror again, "I think Papa just worried, I mean you will inherit father's throne one day, you will definitely need a partner for that..." Jay clearly tried to comfort his brother, but Heeseung was not satisfied with Jay's explanation.

"Come on hyung, at least be happy for the party... you know how papa and father took great time to prepare it," said Jay, crouching down in front of Heeseung. The older looked at Jay for a moment then smile, "Okay," said Heeseung smiling faintly, "That's the spirit ," Jay said shaking Heeseung's body, the two brothers chuckled.

"Mr. Heeseung, Mr. Jay, the ball will start soon," said a butler calling the two of them, "Shall we go?" Jay asked as he stood up, Heeseung nodded then walked with Jay towards the ball room.

The announcer sounded the trumpet of honor to attract the attention of the dance party guests, "Ladies and gentlemen, the princes of the Dark Moon Kingdom, Prince Heeseung and Prince Jay," said the announcer announcing the arrival of Heeseung and Jay, although the only one who immediately attracted attention was the birthday boy. Jay immediately stepped aside, while Heeseung waved in greeting to the guests who were clapping, Jay also clapped for his brother.

The ball started, the music started and the guests started enjoying the ball atmosphere.

"Hyung," called Jay, Heeseung who was enjoying the party turned to Jay, "You remember Sunghoon, my best friend," said Jay introducing his friend,

"Hi Sunghoon, how are you?" Heeseung asked, "I'm good, Your Majesty," replied Sunghoon bowing, "Drop the formalities, Jay's friend is my friend too," said Heeseung, Sunghoon chuckled, "Okay, Heeseung–hyung," said Sunghoon jokingly, the three of them laughed.

"Prince Heeseung," called the butler. The three young men turned to him, "King Jeongin called you," said the butler, "Okay, thank you," replied Heeseung, "I have to go, you guys enjoy the party," said Heeseung before followed the butler.

"So how was the harvest this month?" Jay asked after Heeseung left, "Oh, looks like I have to give the scarecrow an award," said Sunghoon who immediately got a confused look from the young prince, "Why?" Jay asked again, "Because he was outstanding in his field," Sunghoon answered, they both giggled holding back laughter.

"Ah! Heeseung!" Said Jeongin when he saw his son, "Papa," Heeseung greeted back, "Happy birthday my son," Jeongin congratulated him while hugging and kissing Heeseung's right and left cheeks, the prince smiled, "Thank you, papa," replied Heeseung. Heeseung then noticed a woman with ash blonde hair behind his papa, he gave her a nod of greeting, and the woman returned it. "Oh yes, let me introduce, this is Lily, the princess of the kingdom of Mixtopia and the second daughter of the Queen of Mixtopia," said Jeongin introducing the woman, "Nice to meet you, Prince Heeseung," said Lily bowing, "The pleasure is mine," replied Heeseung too bowing, "How about you guys chat for a bit before the royal dance?" Jeongin suggested getting out of the way between the two of them, "I don't mind," Heeseung said looking at Lily, the princess nodded before walking with the prince.

Jeongin smiled seeing his son walking with the princess from another kingdom. Suddenly he was surprised because someone hugged him from behind, "I see you're having fun," said the man who hugged Jeongin from behind, "Chan, not in front of the guests," said Jeongin holding Chan's arm that was around his waist, Chan chuckled then kissed Jeongin's cheek. Chan then saw Heeseung with a woman, he frowned, "Are you sure you didn't overdo it?" Chan asked putting his chin on Jeongin's shoulder, "I'm just worried... he's 20 years old now and hasn't found a partner yet... he's your successor you know," explained Jeongin, Chan chuckled, "You're overthinking it..." Chan said nudging Jeongin's neck.

"So, Mixtopia huh... I heard that you guys had a civil war recently," said Heeseung, remembering that his father had to arrange aid to Mixtopia two years ago. Lily nodded, "It's really a dark time, but for now Mixtopia's condition is starting to slowly recover, that's also thanks to the help of the Dark Moon Kingdom," replied Lily facing Heeseung, the prince smiled, "I'm glad the help from Dark Moon can be useful," Heeseung said, Lily smiled. "By the way, prince, I heard from King Jeongin that you always refuse arranged marriages with other suitors?" Lily asked curiously. Heeseung was a little surprised to hear Lily's question, but he didn't show it, "Yeah, I just don't want to force my feelings on people I don't actually like," explained Heeseung looking away, Lily nodded. "I'm sorry, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but—", "Oh no, it's okay, I actually just came here to party and didn't intend to get married," said Lily, interrupting Heeseung's sentence, the prince widened his eyes, "Really?" Heeseung asked, Lily nodded, "My mother said that with Mixtopia's current situation, holding large events like matchmaking and weddings would be difficult, so I only came here to fulfill the ball invitation," explained Lily, Heeseung sighed with relief.

Suddenly they heard the music of the ball change, the signal for the royal dance. "Well, my papa asked us to join the royal dance... so, shall we?" Heeseung bowing asked while holding out his hand, Lily giggled before replying to Heeseung bowing then took Heeseung's hand. They started dancing together accompanied by royal music.

"Hey Jay, isn't that your brother?" Sunghoon asked, elbowing Jay and then pointing at Heeseung and Lily who were dancing in the middle of a crowd of other couples, "You're right," said Jay, a little surprised to see his brother dancing with a princess, That's a first.... Jay thought smirking.

The royal dance was over, Lily sighed with satisfaction, "That was the first time I danced again after the civil war," said Lily enthusiastically, Heeseung chuckled. "Then, see you again?" Lily asked facing Heeseung, Heeseung nodded, "See you again," replied Heeseung. Lily then walked away as she waving at Heeseung, the prince waved back before walk away.

"Heeseung," someone called, Heeseung turned his head, "Father," said Heeseung when he saw Chan. "How is it? Did you enjoy your party?" Chan asked approaching his eldest son, Heeseung nodded, "I enjoyed it, father," answered Heeseung, Chan smiled happily hearing that. "Then, what about Princess Lily? I see you guys enjoying each other's company," Chan asked again, "Regarding that, we both decided to just be friends and nothing more," Heeseung answered, Chan was a little surprised to hear that, considering Lily was the first princess who danced with Heeseung at the ball. "I see," said Chan smiling, "But I don't think your papa will be happy with that answer," said Chan jokingly, Heeseung chuckled, "Don't worry, father, I'm used to papa's reaction," replied Heeseung.

"Heeseung–hyung!" Call Jay, "I'll go over to Jay, father," Heeseung said goodbye, Chan nodded then let Heeseung go.

"Jay, Sunghoon," said Heeseung when he reached their table. Jay frowned because he saw Heeseung alone, "Where is the princess who danced with you earlier?" Jay asked, Heeseung tilted his head, "Princess Lily? Oh she's already gone," Heeseung answered, Jay's eyes widened, "You rejected her? I thought you liked her..." Jay said a little disappointed, "Actually we decided to have a friendly relationship and not a romantic one," explained Heeseung, "Well, that's progress, at least you found a new relationship, right?" Sunghoon replied, Heeseung nodded in agreement, "Yea, I guess you're right," Jay said.

"By the way, why did you call me?" Heeseung asked, Jay just remembered something, "Sunghoon and I are planning to go on a night hunt, do you want to come along?" Inviting Jay, Heeseung thought for a moment, "Sure, I don't have anything to do," answered Heeseung, "Great, I'll ask the stable keeper to prepare our horses," said Jay and immediately walked towards the horse stable.

Heeseung noticed that Sunghoon was watching Jay run over, "So, Sunghoon," Heeseung said as he pulled a chair for himself to sit down, catching the younger's attention, "Do you have any feelings you want to tell me about my little brother?" Heeseung asked, supporting his chin with his hand as he smirking to the younger. Sunghoon's face immediately turned red after hearing the prince's question, "I–I don't understand what you mean, hyung...." Sunghoon said avoiding eye contact, Heeseung chuckled, "Your behavior shows enough, you know," said Heeseung smiling mockingly, Sunghoon's face turned even redder, "Stop it..." Sunghoon said turning his face away, Heeseung laughed.