‘Kim Dokja?’ He called out in a low voice, entering the library.

He paused, looking around. The library was truly worthy of its fame.

The room was huge, perhaps twice the size of the throne room, and a circular staircase led up to higher stories. The entire place was rammed with books—even the sides of the staircase were shelves.

Yoo Joonghyuk had heard that the entire place was designed and made as a gift for the prince’s 17th birthday. It was a truly humungous gift, he could see now, apparently, but a fitting one for the man in question. He’s heard that if the prince is not found in his room or in the study, he’s going to be in the library.

Back to the errand at hand, he went swiftly around the ground floor of the library to look for Kim Dokja. He was not there.

So he climbed up to the second level. There were more seats above than below, and the windows here were pushed outwards to make slabs, which were then covered with thin mattresses and cushions to sit on.

It was on one of these window seats Yoo Joonghyuk found the prince, fast asleep, surrounded by small stacks of books at his feet. His eyes were closed; peaceful, he was spread out on the cushions, legs one over the other in a relaxed manner. One arm was behind his head and the other holding the open book that now rested face down on his chest. He must’ve fallen asleep while reading. Yoo Joonghyuk stilled as he saw him, quietly watching him for a few minutes. Then a quick shadow flitted past, startling him to draw his sword. He knocked over a bunch of books in the process, however. This wakes Kim Dokja up, and his eyes widen as he saw the collapsed pile of books—but then he spots Yoo Joonghyuk, and his expression smooths out (read: twists) into a cheeky smile. ‘Oh, how long did you stand there, eh?’ He joked. But he frowned as instead of glaring at him as he’s done until now, Yoo Joonghyuk only quietly looked back at him. Oh? Then— ‘So you actually did stand there for a while?’ Kim Dokja noticed the reddened ears of the otherwise stoic man. He had the desire to laugh at the stupid situation. Surprisingly, this guy was cute and quite fun to tease. Perhaps he was a better choice than he expected.