Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

important content warnings

➤ jisung’s parents deaths are mentioned briefly more than once

➤ inaccurate historical wedding traditions involving a cut on the hand and mixing blood through hand holding

➤ concubines referenced (only mentioned) insultingly

➤ slight violence with a dagger in a sexual setting with minsung

➤ major power imbalance with jisung and minho 

♔

The carriage weaved and rocked over every pebble and large clump of snow it’s wooden wheels ran over. 

As Jisung stared out at the glowing blanket of white cast on the scenery lighting up the darkened vast skyline filled with mountains and fanned out spruce trees (or at least that’s what his research had suggested), he couldn’t help but feel solemn for the driver steering the horses’ reigns on the outside.

A low grumble came from in front of him at a particularly rough bump, luckily the surface of the ground seemed to shift to something smoother the next moment. Something seemingly wooden. Perhaps a bridge.

“I hate the North.” Chan decided then.

The poor man’s teeth were clattering, his cheeks and nose bitten almost the same color as his bright ruby red dyed hair and his eyes watery from the chill of night. If it wasn’t for the gold crown glistening on his head with royal jewels formed into the shape of their kingdom’s local flower, it would’ve been hard to remember he was indeed a king.

Chan was his king. 

The king of the beautiful sunny and sandy Southland he called home. 

His dear older brother.

Jisung looked down at his fingers, admiring the way his usually tanned skin had paled from the weather and the tips of his fingers were red from the biting cold, standing out from the sapphire engraved in his family crest ring.

He decided then he also was not fond of the North.

“We’re in Northsbane.” A voice just outside the carriage spoke loud enough for the two inside to hear.

Jisung’s eyes immediately flickered back up to the window, looking out into the foreign kingdom whose walls he never even imagined he would one day be breaching.

His eyes widened at the beauty that greeted him.

Fairy lights were woven through establishments and trees alike, casting what looked like the whole kingdom streets in a lovely safety veil of golden light that largely contrasted the dim dreariness they had experienced the entire ride over ever since passing the boarder.

Despite it being a bit later in the evening, it was still lively. People dressed up in scarfs and coats were walking down the stone paths to look through vender booths, couples holding hands as they shopped, and kids running around happily stomping in piles of snow.

Now that their noble carriage was strolling into the middle of the path, all eyes seemed to shift to them.

Jisung swallowed at the sight.

He didn’t know what he was expecting exactly from his kingdom’s sworn biggest enemy and threat, but it surely hadn’t been this.

It looked homey and comfortable.

Like a permanent ‘Christmas day’ if the illustrations he had come across in a book while attempting to expand his knowledge on the land so unknown and forbidden for them was accurate enough to go by.

It looked safe.

“We’re approaching the palace, your majesties.” The driver called out after awhile.

“Focus, prince.”

Jisung’s back stiffened as he removed his bejeweled hand away from the cooled glass. He bowed his head to the older male in front of him at the command, placing his hands back onto his lap in the proper form that was expected of him on an outing.

He snuck a glance up at Chan, seeing the way his face had turned stoic and unreadable. Much different than the displeased almost child-like complaining he had been doing just several minutes ago from the weather.

He was in king mode now.

A mindset he’s been forced to step in to since the slaughter of their parents less than two months prior.

If Jisung closed his eyes he could still see their faces. Hear their voices. See the shining of his mother’s smile and the crows feet of his father’s eyes as they both bid him goodbye before deciding to join their kingdom’s troops in the war.

A war they had lost.

A war his father had surrendered their lives for at the end for the sake of Southland’s future safety and liberation.

The only reason Southland did not belong to Northsbane at this very moment was because of the sacrifice the previous monarchs, his father and mother made for it.

Northsbane was kind enough to not hold their freedom out of reach just as promised. Yet…, not kind enough for it not to come with stipulations.

That’s exactly why they were here right now.

To hear what those stipulations would be.

The carriage came to a smooth halt soon enough. Jisung could feel anxiety strum through his heavily robed chest as he looked up to his older brother for comfort, but the king offered him nothing but a stern glance.

‘Do not mess this up for the kingdom.’ Is what Jisung read from it.

The blue haired prince, his colored locks being a sign of his royal status, swallowed down his apprehension, putting on his own mask of indifference just in time for the carriage door to be opened for them.

The king exited first, offering his own hand for Jisung to take to guide him out as well.

The two brothers stood patiently outside of their carriage as they looked up to the beautiful palace expectingly. Waiting for their welcome.

The castle was pure black, adorned with glowing lanterns and forest green pine tree reefs lining every balcony rail and windowsill.

Power. Jisung found the palace to emulate.

Back home if he were to choose a word for his family’s own glistening white one, it would simply be beauty.

The north and south kingdoms were a complete antithesis. That much was becoming blatantly clear.

Behind them, the other carriage holding their most urgently needed servants approached, but when the doors of the palace were pushed open from the inside and guards in iron armor made their way in a perfectly rehearsed line to stand in formation on either side of the giant set of black marbled stairs leading up to the entrance, Jisung couldn’t find himself able to look away.

Jisung merely spared his brother a sideways glance as he felt a big hand take a protective placement on his lower back when a dark figure approached the doors.

A man walked out into the cold only to the beginning of the highest stair, looking down at them with probably the coldest expression Jisung’s ever seen.

Chan took the first step forward, pressing on Jisung’s back until he fell into step with him. They climbed the stairs silently, their eyes focused ahead as they both most definitely thought the exact same thing.

This was the man who had taken the life of their beloved parents.

Jisung didn’t spare him a glance besides the first look. Truthfully he didn’t see any features really. Just a mix of brown hair and furrowed eyebrows with lips set in a straight tight line.

A look that held neither pleasantries or hatred. Simply a look of an arrogant king who was ready to do politics with the kingdom he had successfully conquered just recently.

Once they reached the second to last step, Chan’s fingers dug angrily into the high quality handmade imported animal hide covering his brother’s navy blue silk robes. Not at him of course, but just at the circumstances. Jisung knew what he was supposed to do next, but he hated it all the same as he followed Chan’s actions as they bowed formally to the man standing above them.

He of course did not reciprocate the formality. A sign of blatant disrespect.

It made Chan bunch the material of Jisung’s over coat even tighter. 

“Please follow King Minho inside, your highnesses. There’s very pressing matters to discuss.” 

Jisung and Chan turned towards the man who had just spoken, seeing a lanky brunette with round glasses on his face standing further inside.

So he couldn’t address them himself? He was too good to even speak to the royals of the kingdom he held a victory over? 

Disgusting. Dehumanizing. Vile.

Jisung couldn’t stop thinking of different names for the cold king as he stared at his own shoes in unabashed distain the second the man standing above them turned around.

He let Chan’s hold on him guide him around as they presumably followed the king and his courtier.

Inside it was a lot warmer. He felt too overdressed in his several layers as they continued walking, but he knew neither himself nor Chan would try and make themselves more comfortable in front of Northsbane’s king even if it meant their discomfort.

They climbed a grand staircase, went through some hallways, and finally made it to a room that greeted them with a fragrance of freshly cooked meats and porridge. Even as they sat down at the large royal table with the kings on either end, he did not look up.

“Your ride must have been long and tiring. The king wishes for you to join him in a meal as you speak.” The courtier explained when king Minho remained silent for perhaps a beat too long.

Several servants were in the room standing along the furthest wall as if on standby. Jisung could see them from the corner of his eyes, but he didn’t care enough to take in anything in the room besides the ring of his family crest. The ring that had been gifted to him on his birthday a year ago by his father as a coming of age present.

Wretched. Evil. Tyrant. Murderer.

“Please eat. We prepared dinner with our finest local cuisine to introduce our kingdom to you.” The royal courtier had a worried tremor in his voice.

Chan sighed and lifted up his cutlery, bowing his head again as he stabbed his fork into the sliced meat on his plate and hesitantly placed it in his mouth.

Southland’s cuisine was typically full of seafood and fresh fruits. Their personal favorite beverages smoothies and homemade wine. If Jisung had to guess what was in the glass on the table in front of him it had to be something horrifyingly burning. He’s read that bourbons were especially popular in the north to fight off the cold.

Dinner went by in silence for a few long minutes. The sounds of quiet eating on both ends of the table from the kings while Jisung remained headstrong with his hands restrained on his lap.

He could feel Chan’s secret warning glare from beside him, but he wasn’t giving in anymore. 

He was forced to deal with his parents death. He was forced to watch his only brother lose his easygoing smile for the heavy weight of the crown. He was forced to bow down to the man who ruined his life.

He was allowed to refuse a dinner.

An airy chuckle is what broke their weighed silence. It was calloused, yet amused.

Chan immediately set down his fork, bowing his head at the man across from him. “I’m so sorry, your majesty.”

“Little prince.” The voice was unfamiliar to his ears. “At least pretend my presence doesn’t repulse you.”

Jisung’s anger wasn’t strong enough for him not to realize that disobeying the order would be a grave mistake. So, begrudgingly, he wiped the bothered expression clear off his face, losing all the tension he had been holding in his eyebrows and jaw.

“Look at me.” The next order came.

So, Jisung did. Not for the foreign land’s king, but for the hand that reached underneath the table to secretly squeeze his knee in a silent plea to obey.

He looked up slowly first, immediately meeting the panicked look spread across his royal servant Felix’s face from the line of palace staff against the wall. He shifted his eyes then, finally letting them lay on the man sitting all high and mighty in the lone seat across the table.

Jisung felt like he was being punished as he met those dark enthralling eyes that seemed to permeate throughout his whole body in the form of a shiver down his spine. 

The king was younger than he had imagined in his head. Maybe thirty at the oldest, eyes feline-like and menacing, nose so sharp it looked like it was painted by the most careful detailed brush stroke, pink lips that twisted up in a bemused, but entertained smirk, jawline perfectly sculpted as if commissioned by the most infamous talented carver.

His body was covered by his own black robes with silver chain accents, but he seemed built and sturdy. Most likely from all the training he undoubtedly had done before declaring war on their people. On his head was a plain white plated gold crown with the same chain details.

Their staring match came to a close as king Minho rested his head on his hand, tilting his head curiously, uncaring of how poor mannered he looked with his elbow sitting on the table.

“What’s your name, little prince?”

“Jisung.” Chan answered for him. Though, it didn’t seem like he was too comfortable having to offer the information up.

Minho clicked his tongue in acknowledgment to Chan’s answer, but his eyes never left Jisung’s.

“Since dinner seems to be spoiled by your little brother here, why don’t we discuss what we’re really here for?” The king’s eyes shined mischievously under the golden chandelier light.

Chan nodded his head, taking a deep breath in through his nose as he mentally prepared himself for the talk.

He didn’t look nervous in the least outwardly, but Jisung knew him better than that. 

“Truthfully, I asked for your presence here tonight because I was planning on overthrowing your kingdom while you weren’t home to protect it.” Minho revealed with a strangely humored gleam.

Chan’s breath stuttered. Jisung felt like he was going to be sick.

“You made an agreement with the previous king of Southland for the war to conclude if they gave their lives. They died for Southland’s peace.” Chan’s words were strong and unwavering even if his eyes had obviously just watered faintly at the horrific thought.

“So I did.” Minho leaned back in his seat with a sigh. “But we never signed a formal treaty. That’s not how verbiage works. It never became a law that I had to adhere to. I’m not sure why any of your people would have ever trusted that to begin with.”

Jisung looked at Chan nervously. 

What was going to happen to their kingdom? Were they brought here to die by the same hands that had slain their parents? Was there not enough bloodshed already?

“But.” The courtier quickly interrupted as if he himself was getting alarmed by how long king Minho was letting the news linger in the air.

“But I’ve changed my mind as of right now.” 

Both Chan and Jisung released a visible breath of relief. Jisung truly felt like he could throw up right now. His fingers shook violently on his lap.

“What’s the stipulation?” Chan asked, ever so observant despite the stressful situation.

There was of course a catch. Why would there not be?

That wicked smirk worked itself back onto the unfairly handsome king’s face. 

Oh no.

“Tomorrow there will be a ceremony of vow. A harmony of our two kingdoms in the form of a lawful contract that is not to be broken under any conditions and punishable by death.” Minho explained as if he were doing the two a favor. “My side of the contract will be my kingdom’s formal promise of peace.”

Chan rubbed his face with his hand, knowing the worst was yet the come. “And what is to be our side of the contract?” 

‘What do you want?’ was the real question he was asking.

Minho’s eyes tore away from Chan’s where they met the anxious looking male right beside him. He offered the young blue haired noble a half smile. Not fully friendly, but also not without lack of trying.

“I want prince Jisung.”

Chan was standing and rounding the table before Jisung could even process the information. Instantly a black haired guard with muscles bigger than the prince’s own head was restraining the red haired monarch from striking their king.

“My brother is no concubine and you will not so much as imagine him as such!” Chan fought against the hold of the guard, making more of the armored men come help hold him back. “How dare you suggest using him in such an unrighteous manner!”

Minho looked calm and unbothered in his seat, looking at Chan almost uninterestedly. “I never once called prince Jisung a whore.”

The explicit language and the insinuations made Jisung’s face heat just as much as his blood was. 

King Minho wanted him? For what?

“Sit down and I will explain further.” Minho ordered rasping his knuckles just once against the wood of the table.

The guards forced Chan into his seat. Holding back his shoulders so he wouldn’t bolt back up and attack their ruler.

“If not to be your whore, what needs do you have for the prince of Southland? He’s not a solider. He’s not a scholar. He’s not a servant. He’s not a prisoner. He’s a nineteen year old boy who’s barely even raised his own hands by himself in life.”

Chan’s words were a little harsh and insulting, but they weren’t entirely untruthful. Jisung’s had servants and most recently Felix to do everything as little as change his clothes as long as he’s been alive. He wasn’t like his brother who had proper training in combat and knowledge on how to rule a kingdom. He was the ditzy little prince who read fairytale books all day and danced around the garden with butterflies after afternoon tea.

“I will only offer this one time, so consider it carefully.” Minho warned darkly. “I am willing to trade your kingdom’s protection for as long as I am alive in exchange for prince Jisung’s hand in marriage.”

Jisung’s jaw dropped in the most improper way that would have his childhood etiquette teacher crying into her pillow at night.

Chan’s anger washed away to shock as well. Both brothers turned to look at each other in confirmation that this was really happening right now.

Jisung was unexpectedly the first one to speak. 

“You… wish to marry me?” 

Minho’s eyes softened as they switched from their hard stare on Chan’s to the young prince. He sat straighter in his chair, that playful smirk finding itself crawling back up his face.

“I do. Tomorrow afternoon.” The king confirmed simply.

Peace.

Freedom.

Protection.

All for his people.

The cause his parents died fighting for.

“Never in a million—”

“I accept.” Jisung interrupted his brother hastily.

A cheshire grin overtook Minho’s attractive lips. “As expected.”

“No!” Chan turned towards Jisung in a panic. “We do not—”

“It’s not your choice to make.” Jisung frowned, gripping his own dark blue robes hard in his hands.

Chan looked absolutely baffled, his expression turning from that of surprise to betrayal. “It is my choice. Do not forget I am your king, Jisung.”

“As of tomorrow, I will be his king.” Minho stood up, authority clear in his tone and posture. “I’ll give you the night to discuss. You are to either be in your rooms in the morning ready for the ceremony with the help of my servants, or you are to be off in your carriage to try and protect your kingdom from the war I will recall upon the second I awake.”

The atmosphere was filled with fear and trepidation from everyone. The servants lining the walls, the courtier quickly following Minho as he made his exit from the dining room, Jisung and Chan themselves.

“Your majesties…” Felix spoke up the second they were gone, looking at his ruler and prince in clear worry at the scene that had just taken place.

Chan simply raised a hand, stopping the small freckled boy from continuing whatever he wanted to spew. 

The red haired king looked around the room, seeing the servants remaining staring at him nervous and awaiting. “Prince Jisung and I would like a private room to discuss. Please guide us to one.” 

At the demand of the foreign king, the royal staff got moving. A tall long black haired male stepping forward along with the guard from earlier. Both bowed down properly before them.

“My name is Hyunjin. I will show you to the guest rooms, your graces.” 

“I am Changbin. I will serve as your guard while you’re here.” 

“Please follow me.” Hyunjin requested as he watched the two royals get to their feet.

What a waste of a meal. 

What was supposed to be dinner almost turned into a full blown brawl. Then again, he was almost thankful it was a king who had been the one to have the gull of asking for his hand in marriage. If it was anyone else, he’s afraid Chan might have just given them the guillotine. 

Their whole lives Chan has always been protective of him. Maybe even overly so. It only worsened when their parents were slain two months ago.

Jisung spared a glance up to his brother, seeing the red haired king’s head bowed low in frustration, his hands painfully clenched in rage.

He couldn’t imagine the turmoil going through his mind right now.

Having to give his only living immediate family left to the very man who killed their parents or put their kingdom and every one of their people’s lives in terrible danger.

It wasn’t as fair of a trade as Minho was making it sound.

But in Jisung’s mind, peace was peace. And if he had to give up something, anything, for that peace, he would in a heartbeat.

Even if it meant his own happiness and freedom.

He could do that for his kingdom. He could do that for his brother.

Hyunjin eventually stopped in front of two doors facing adjacent to each other in the royal living quarters, motioning to either one.

“These are to be your rooms for the night. Feel free to talk freely, Changbin and I will be outside the entire time in case you need anything.” He bowed when he finished, standing against the hallway wall to prove his point.

Before he had the chance to thank the long haired servant, he was being pulled into one of the rooms by his brother.

The door was closed with a bang, his small frame being shoved over to the end of the big bed in the middle of the room to sit.

“Have you gone mad, Jisung?!”

The blue haired boy swallowed hard as he looked up to the burning disappointed glare of Chan.

“You want to marry that man?! You know exactly what he’s done to us!”

Jisung took a deep breath, pushing off the outmost layer of robes off his shoulders and onto the bed. He was getting hot and even more uncomfortable.

“I do not want to marry him, Chan. However, if we can save the lives of more people from being hurt that’s exactly what I will do.” He stated with finality.

Chan grabbed his hands desperately. “I love you, Jisung. I can not let you mentally kill yourself being in the arms of the man who ruined our lives.”

A teardrop surprised both of them as it rolled down Jisung’s round cheek. 

“Jisung…” Chan sighed out hopelessly.

“I can either mentally kill myself here, or I can actually die back home with everyone else I love,  Chan. I can’t lose Felix. I can’t lose all those innocent people counting on us. I cannot lose you.”

“You won’t. We-We have a good army. We’ll fight with a plan this time and—”

“We have already lost enough. We wouldn’t even have time to warn the kingdom about the war before they make their move.” Jisung broke out into a full sob.

The little prince cried into his brother’s robed chest. Chan leaning down to hug him. Jisung’s tears were hot on his own face, his breathing rugged and heavy on his lungs.

“I just want peace, Chan. Please.” Jisung begged then. “Please let me finally bring peace to us.”

The king was silent for a few moments, just holding his younger brother in his arms.

“Okay…” Chan decided.

Jisung cried even more when he felt a wetness that didn’t belong to him fall on his hair. 

“If you think you can live with it… let’s finally have peace for Southland.”

♕

A persistent knock is what woke the young prince up the following morning. 

Jisung rubbed his eyes, looking around the gloomy dark room in confusion. Usually he was awoken by the sun shining in through the curtains and the call of seagulls outside the castle walls. This place was dim and cold, just like the bedsheets.

“Come in.” Jisung called out too tired to get up for the door himself.

Instantly, the door flew open in such a haste that it promptly had him sitting up in bed from the scare. A mess of blonde hair barreled into the room and suddenly a weight was being thrown on his body.

“Ow.” Jisung winced as he was pulled into a bone crushing hug.

“I was so worried about you.” Felix’s voice spoke out almost too fast for him to understand. “I was too scared of sleeping not knowing if we were suddenly going to be taking off in the middle of the night or not. Does this mean you’re staying? That you’re getting married to Lee Minho?”

Jisung could only rub his eyes once his courtier released him, feeling too sleepy to discuss this.

That’s when he noticed another presence in the room. Hyunjin, if he remembered correctly.

“Hello.” Jisung greeted, sort of confused by the morning welcoming party.

“It’s nine now.” Hyunjin explained with a friendly smile. “Judging by you still being here, you’re going to be wed to our majesty in four hours. He requested me to come get you ready. Your king is getting ready as well at the moment.”

“I see.” Jisung hummed.

He looked out the window of the big guest bedroom, feeling a chill run through his body at the amount of snow collected on the balcony.

“Do you know what today entails, perhaps?”

Hyunjin tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Well we have the ceremony first, then the grand ball for celebration. By then we should have your belongings from Southland sent over in time to have your things moved into the king’s quarters before nightfall.”

Jisung felt his heart strum in a heap of nerves. “I’ll be moving into the king’s room?”

“In Northsbane it’s tradition to bed the same night as marriage. So even if you don’t wish to stay there, you will still be expected to for tonight to consummate the agreement.” Hyunjin only blinked at him like it was the simplest concept in the world.

Jisung’s cheeks probably blossomed about four shades too red in the span of a single second because Hyunjin was instantly looking worried he said the wrong thing. 

“Bed? As in…”

“…As in our king will be expecting you to have sex with him if you are to accept the marriage.”

A small hand rubbed his arm comfortingly. “It’s okay, your grace.”

Jisung frowned at Felix, the two sharing a knowing look.

Sex was taboo in Southland.

Did it exist? Sure, but there was no sexual education taught in schools, concubines and brothels were against the law, and laying with someone unwedded was a crime punishable by fine.

Southland was all about love. 

Unfortunately for Jisung that meant he was absolutely and horrifyingly in over his head right now.

He barely even knew what sex really entailed, much less how to act upon it.

What he did know? It was supposed to be good. Really good by the descriptions of some stories he had snuck from the library before, but never had the courage to finish reading. Also intimate. The most intimate thing you could ever do with anyone.

The one thing his mother insisted he saved for the love of his life.

“If it’s okay, we’ll run a bath. Felix and I if it makes you more comfortable?” Hyunjin offered.

“A bath is… okay.” Jisung decided.

Hyunjin stepped into the door closest to the bed, motioning for the prince to follow.

Felix helped him out of bed, offering his hand to hold to ground himself with as he led him over to the opened bathroom where Hyunjin was setting everything up.

The handsome servant had the bath water going already, the water filled with honey scented bubbles with the rest of the toiletries set beside the lavish tub.

Felix wordlessly started working on unlacing his sleep shirt, an action Jisung couldn’t help but blush from.

Would Minho also be this gentle and unrushed when he de-robed him later on tonight? Would his hands feel as delicate as Felix’s as they accidentally caressed his bare chest pulling the fabric off? Would he also avoid looking at Jisung’s naked frame the same as the two servants in the room, or would his eyes be glued to the shapes and slopes of his body the way he’s read about in romance books?

If either of the men noticed the curious throb and pulse of Jisung’s manhood from his wondering thoughts, they said absolutely nothing about it.

Jisung slipped into the bath water, Hyunjin’s hands instantly making themselves at home massaging some water and shampoo in his blue colored hair. 

The bathroom was completely silent as they bathed him. Hyunjin focused on his hair and upper body while Felix scrubbed his lower half out of familiarity. 

By the end, Jisung was properly relaxed and cleansed, smelling just as pretty as the soap bubbles themselves. Felix toweled him off and helped him into a temporary robe while Hyunjin got everything ready at the vanity to style his hair and do his makeup. When he was finally ready, he let Hyunjin get to work.

He closed his eyes throughout most of the process, only opening them whenever Hyunjin requested for his eye makeup.

“You’re more relaxed than I thought you’d be.” Felix admitted, watching from behind.

“Today is a good day.” Jisung tried to convince himself too. “Today we will finally have peace for Southland.”

“You’re making a big sacrifice for your kingdom. They’re lucky to have you.” Hyunjin spoke thoughtfully.

The words made him frown.

So even his own people thought of it as such from their perspective?

“King Minho…” Jisung asked hesitantly. “Is he really as mean as I am fretting?”

Hyunjin’s brush paused where it had been applying powder before it continued on with it’s precise strokes. “Mean isn’t the proper word. Our king is stoic and cold, absolutely, but to us he’s never once been mean.”

“What’s he like then?”

“He’s the kind of person that would do anything for his people and his kingdom even if it means hurting others. He knows what’s important to him and he knows how to protect it. He knows what he wants and he knows how to obtain it. Our king to us is like God to your kingdom.”

Jisung tilted his head curiously at that. “Do you pray to him then?”

“We pray for him.” Hyunjin corrected. “And never once has he let those prayers go unanswered.”

He supposed it had to be true. Other kingdoms were close with Northsbane too. Kingdoms Minho has all conquered on his own reign. Theirs included now too.

From what he’s understood from his research, Northsbane was at one point the lowest of the low. Barely any food, no money, a huge homeless population rate, not even a proper palace to hold their monarchs. Then when Minho was put into power at a young age after his father had been killed off by a rivaling realm, things only started flourishing from there.

He built this kingdom into what it was with his bare hands from the ground up.

Now it was the most powerful, feared, and richest province on the map.

It was about a whole two hours later when Hyunjin finally took his hands off of the prince with a satisfied hum.

“What do you think your majesty?”

Jisung opened his brown eyes to see his own reflection in the vanity mirror. Small sections of his blue hair were braided back with silver chains, his makeup was done light and natural with some brown eyeliner lining the edges of his waterlines to make them pop. A rosy pink gloss was sheened over his lips with subtle hints of glitter.

He looked in his own opinion, pretty. Prettier than his usual appearance at least. He hadn’t been this dolled up since Chan’s coronation.

Felix’s gasp made him face the courtier in the mirror. “You look absolutely gorgeous, my grace!”

“I think king Minho will agree.” Hyunjin smiled, setting down the makeup products in his hands. 

“You really think so?” Jisung asked earnestly.

“The king would have never asked for your hand in marriage if he didn’t deem your appearance satisfactory.” Hyunjin simply shrugged. “You do look beautiful though, if I may be honest.”

“What is wedding wear like here in Northsbane?” Jisung wondered aloud.

Hyunjin crossed the room to reach the wardrobe, pulling it open to reveal what was inside.

There was a white suit jacket and tight fitted slacks, both with golden embellishments on the sides going all the way down. The suit jacket had a black belt on the waist with a golden buckle that he just knew would emphasize his already small waist. There was also a white and golden thick robe that seemed to be animal hide for the chill of the weather.

“What is this made from?” Jisung stood to admire the softness of the material.

“Wolf.” Hyunjin answered easily.

Despite never seeing one before, Jisung knew it couldn’t have been just one wolf. Probably at least eight if he had to guess.

“Was it crafted overnight?” His eyebrows rose up in concern for whatever poor group of seamstresses were potentially overworked all night.

“Just the suit. Our king was confident he admired your body enough to get the measurements close enough. If we need to make any alterations we can. The robe was made several years ago when the king fought hard to keep our broken kingdom at the time safe from these savage beasts during a particularly bad winter. He thought it would be fitting to one day gift it to his betrothed.”

Jisung tried to fight the heat threatening to wash over the apples of his cheeks, instead thinking back to the king’s big black robe from last night. He figured it was probably his usual attire.

“What’s the king’s made from?”

“Black bear. He likes to go hunting sometimes and have them commissioned as trophies.” 

“Northsbane must be quite dangerous with all these wild animals, no?” Jisung asked, still petting the hide of the robe.

Hyunjin only let out a small laugh. “I don’t think anywhere is dangerous when you have someone like the king by your side, your majesty.”

Jisung’s cheeks flushed even more at the sentiment.

♔

Jisung stared at himself in the mirror for a moment longer as he took in his appearance.

He looked… ready.

He had always imagined what he’d look like standing there awaiting for the ceremony of his wedding to start, but he never imagined it would be in foreign clothes in a foreign land to the very same man that took the lives of his parents and killed hundreds of Southland’s fiercest troops.

Part of him felt like a traitor. He knew for a fact some of his people would feel that way too. 

Yet, he knew if he didn’t do this, those same people wouldn’t even live long enough to be able to form those opinions. 

They would have to live with his decision without knowing the stakes. Have to hear the news when Chan came back home alone, but at least unscathed. They would have to accept his withdrawal from their kingdom to see over Northsbane as the king’s… lover, he supposed.

“Are you ready?” Felix asked patiently.

“I am.”

The three of them, Jisung, Felix, and Hyunjin exited the room and followed the latter all the way out into the twisting hallways of the castle. 

“The wedding will be held on the front steps of the palace so everyone in the kingdom can attend.” Hyunjin instructed as they walked. “We’ve got to hurry. I believe everything is already ready and awaiting.”

It was such a strange day already. Here he was fully dressed up and about to go to his own wedding ceremony. Something that’s usually set up and rehearsed for months, but was being thrown completely last minute and off the cusp.

As Jisung traveled across the palace, he finally understood why it had been so strangely empty.

Just outside the big double doors of the palace were thousands of people. Royal staff and guards lining the stairs, a wedding officiant waiting at the front, what he had to guess was royalty and commoners alike all waiting down below. 

The sheer amount of people had Jisung’s heart racing in his own ears. 

He backed up slowly, unsteady steps clumsily walking backwards up until his back clashed against something hard.

Jisung nearly jumped out of his skin as a hand reached out to place itself on his shoulder.

“What’s got you so jumpy, little prince?”

The prince’s face visibly paled as he spun around on his heel at the airy light voice, coming face to face with a robed chest. A black robed chest.

Minho stood only inches away with a small smirk, one of his sharp brows lifted up in questioning as Jisung’s frantic eyes danced around his visage.

If Minho looked unfairly handsome last night, today he looked precisely like the damned deity his people swore he was.

He also had natural makeup on his face, much less than Jisung. There was simply dark shadow carefully smudged by the edges of his eyes, and his hair was styled back off his forehead, highlighting just how breathtaking the king of war truly was by birthright.

Breathe. He’s human just as you.

“Your majesty.” Jisung managed to gasp out breathlessly.

Minho only nodded, his black leather gloved hand slipping from Jisung’s shoulder to find its way into the opening of his robe and onto his waist. “Yes, prince?”

Never in his life had he ever been touched like this by anyone that wasn’t doing it for the sake of having to in order to serve him. Never had he been touched by a suitor.

“We— I mean, we’re getting married?” Jisung had no idea why he felt the need to confirm the knowledge he was already well aware of.

“We are,” Minho confirmed. Then something darker seemed to take over his piercing eyes. “Unless you’re saying you’ve changed your mind?”

His voice was suddenly threatening and cold. Scary enough to have Jisung reaching out to grasp his robe and pull him closer in desperation before an earth shattering misunderstanding could occur.

“No! No, I haven’t changed my mind at all!”

Minho dug his fingers into Jisung’s side firmly enough for him to feel it through his clothing. It felt like an anchor to him in that moment. Almost like an apology for the king’s previous rash tone.

“I’m glad. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you were to have refused.” The brunette king whispered honestly as his gaze shifted from the prince’s eyes to his glossed up lips.

‘You would have destroyed my home and killed everyone I cared about before myself.’ Jisung bit back his tongue.

“Your highness, I believe the ceremony is about to start.” The same glasses wearing man from yesterday suddenly showed up.

Minho peeked over Jisung’s head, giving a nod of affirmation. “I can see that, Seungmin. Please instruct Jisung when he’s supposed to make his entrance.”

Minho released the younger man in front of him begrudgingly, walking ahead until he was just about to breach the front doors. When the sound of trumpets sounded, Minho finally did make his exit to the outside of the palace doors and to the top of the stairs where deafening cheers erupted from his people below.

Felix and Hyunjin were far enough to watch, but not close enough to be seen by the people outside. It made Jisung bashful knowing they had witnessed his full interaction with the king just now.

When the trumpets died down the wedding officiant spoke up, speaking loud and clear enough for the entire kingdom to hear where they were gathered down below.

Jisung zoned out of most of it. Completely not paying attention to anything besides the way Minho stood in front of his people and spoke so eloquently and authoritatively that everyone was forced to listen. 

He could see the way people were smiling up at the king. The way their eyes gleamed with trust and wonder as they looked up at their ruler.

Jisung had first thought of that man as a monster. A tyrant. A murderer.

Yet, as he watched literal children look up to his soon to be husband the same way people back home in Southland looked up to the holy cross, Jisung decided right then and there that he had to have misjudged their very differing experience.

“It’s time.” Seungmin spoke up from his left.

Jisung gulped, snapping back to the present.

When Minho was done with his speech he moved to the left of the top of the palace stairs, the officiant moving to stand in the middle. The right was open and clearly awaiting another presence. His own.

“You’ve got this.” Felix whispered encouragingly as he passed.

Jisung carefully took it step by step, eventually making it past the castle doors himself where all eyes were immediately aimed directly at him.

He made it across from Minho, the king’s lips tugging up into an attractive satisfied smirk.

Not knowing what else to do, Jisung immediately held his golden crown on as he leaned down in a formal bow, showing respect for all of Northsbane’s citizens. There were some gasps from the crowd, but before he could figure out what had happened, Minho’s gloved hand was pulling him up to a standing position.

Had he done something wrong?

He looked absolutely bewildered and terrified as he met Minho’s eyes, especially after seeing the king’s mouth set in a straight unreadable line.

“Why are you bowing?” Minho questioned quietly.

“I just wanted to be respectful.” Jisung responded back just as softly.

Minho didn’t respond. He looked at Jisung in a way he couldn’t quite decipher, but none of that mattered when the officiant spoke up.

“We are gathered here today for the wedding of king Lee Minho of Northsbane and prince Bang Jisung from Southland. Not only are they here to vow their commitment to each other, they are vowing their loyalty to each other’s land. There is to be no war with Southland as long as prince Jisung is to be wed to the king for as long as our king’s natural life.”

There was so much more to the ceremony, but all Jisung could focus on was how the cool icy wind was blowing Minho’s magnificent cheek length brown hair even more out of his handsome face.

He didn’t flinch even when he was asked to repeat certain things or when a white gold plated crown just barely smaller but flashier than Minho’s filled with silver chain accents and diamonds on each point was replacing his own bejeweled gold one.

At least that was until a dagger with a diamond end was presented in a sheath in front of them. 

“Please take the knife and cut the king’s hand.” The officiant instructed Jisung when he failed to move.

Jisung felt his blood freeze even more than it already was in the cold. 

Cut his hand?

Jisung picked up the dagger with shaking fingers, the diamond end digging into his flesh. Minho slipped off one of his gloves, presenting the palm of his hand to Jisung.

Jisung looked at him for approval.

This had to be apart of their culture. It’s a shame he hadn’t studied up on marriage traditions before coming, but it’s not like he ever expected to be having his own wedding here. Wasn’t exactly something him and his brother thought they would have to mentally prepare themselves for when departing from home in their carriage.

The king seemed to catch onto his apprehension, reaching out to steady Jisung’s grip on the knife and simply raising his own palm into the blade to cut it himself.

Blood trickled down his wrist instantly. The cut wasn’t particularly too light or too deep. It looked painful nevertheless. Especially as it dripped down to the marbled black steps in a small pool.

“Your majesty.” The officiant prompted him next.

Jisung froze as the king took the dagger out of his hand, grabbing Jisung’s wrist and presenting it in front of him.

Knowing what was coming next, Jisung squeezed his eyes closed. He predicted the pain, feeling the cool blade of the knife press against his palm and slice the delicate skin there like it was paper. 

Crimson liquid oozed from the wound in a hurried race to the ground as his eyes watered helplessly at what was probably the most scorching physical pain he’s ever felt.

As he felt something slip into his injured hand and intertwine his fingers, the prince finally opened his eyes back up. 

Minho’s hand was laced in his own, their blood mixing and dripping down together in a collective mess as the king squeezed them. It was definitely going to leave a scar, but if he had to guess, that was the purpose. For the married couple to have a matching scar at the end of it.

“I officially declare you legally wed. You may kiss your consort, my lord.”

Jisung’s cheeks went aflame at the word, looking at Minho in surprise. They’re supposed to kiss too? 

He didn’t have time to back out or fumble as Minho stepped forward and wrapped the hand that wasn’t holding his on his waist, pulling the prince to meet him halfway until their bodies met in the middle. Minho ducked his head down, his long dark lashes fluttering closed as he captured Jisung’s lips in his own in a slow kiss. 

It was only a peck. Nothing more. Yet, it was so deep and lingering and sent so much electricity down his spine that Jisung’s head was absolutely buzzing.

Before he could even begin to reciprocate the kiss, there was cheering and Minho was pulling away, his hand slipping out of Jisung’s.

“My palace will be open to everyone for the night for the grand ball. Please enjoy the celebrations and welcome my husband with the same respect and care you do for me.” The king spoke cooly and loudly for all to hear.

Minho then turned to him then, locking eyes as he offered his bloodied hand to Jisung once again.

The prince took it and allowed himself to be led back into the castle and away from all the watchful eyes.

“Well done, little one.” Minho’s tone held something akin to pride as he acknowledged the blue haired prince. “Why don’t you follow your courtiers back to the guest room to get cleaned up and meet me in the ballroom when you’re ready?”

Jisung found himself agreeing easily. He didn’t know if it was more from the loss of blood or the dizzying kiss they had just shared. He just couldn’t find it in himself to put up a fight against the suggestion.

Felix and Hyunjin offered him supportive smiles as they raced to his side, each holding onto one of his arms as they led him away. Hyunjin held his bleeding arm further out, wrapping a towel around it to prevent it from getting everywhere.

“It looks to have hurt an awful lot.” Felix noted, looking at the way his crimson blood stained the cloth.

“Terribly,” Jisung affirmed. “Yet, I barely feel it now.”

He was practically buzzing in his shoes. His whole body was screaming with anxiety and nerves and maybe even a hint of excitement. Though he may not have gotten a choice of who it had been with, Jisung had just gotten his first kiss.

His first kiss with a very attractive king with very warm lips that definitely knew what they were doing.

He felt like a floozy and a shy schoolgirl all at the same time. It was a weird mixture of shame and elation. Shame for kissing a man he wasn’t in love with, but elation for kissing at all.

“You’re married now.” Felix stated as they made it to the guest room. “That’s such a strange thought.”

It is.

Yesterday he had been crying about being essentially forced to wed such a horrid monstrous man, and now here he was with the deepest flush on his face and a heartbeat pounding like a marching drum because for the first time in his life, Jisung had just been kissed by that same person.

Hyunjin guided him to the bed, pulling out some ointment and some gauze to wrap up the prince’s hand. He worked carefully to not hurt Jisung. Completely focused on mending the wound.

“You must be so cold.” 

Felix felt his red cheeks with the back of his hand, pulling back in surprise as he felt the warmth radiating off of them.

Jisung bit his glossed up lip as he avoided his childhood friend’s knowing stare. 

“Seems like the king warmed you up just fine, actually.”

“He’s rather attractive, isn’t he?” Jisung found himself asking. “The king, that is.”

Hyunjin’s lips twisted up into a knowing smile, nodding his head as he worked on his hand. “He is handsome. Rugged personality, beautiful in a cold way. His bark is harsh and his bite is even worse, but sometimes those can feel like kisses, right?”

Jisung’s round cheeks burned brighter. “You’re comparing the kiss to a bite?”

Hyunjin only looked up at the prince with sincerity. “I’m simply stating all of a wolf’s deadliest bites start with a curious lick.”

The kiss was really a bite? What does that mean? Why would Minho bite him?

It was clearly symbolic for something. He just didn’t know if he wanted to know what.

“We’re all good. It should heal with no infection and leave the perfect marital scar.” Hyunjin stood up, removing the bloodied towel from Jisung’s arm. “Are you ready to go back to your husband for some dancing?”

“Sure.” Jisung found himself agreeing.

His bark is harsh and his bite is even worse.

Felix gave him a supportive smile, holding the door open as they walked out together. 

The palace wasn’t as empty this time. Royal staff were all around getting things done and doing their jobs attending to different things. It felt livelier than ever.

When they made it to the huge opened space of the ballroom with delicate live music, all attention in the room seemed to shift to them. There were different tables spread out, the bottom floor for mostly commoners, the top floor seemingly for the king and his actual guests if Minho sitting front and center at a large rounded table seemed to suggest.

At the same table was a head of red hair and a golden crown, making Jisung rub the gloss on his lips together self soothingly.

Jisung made his way up the stairs, approaching the table and the two servants behind him dispersing within the rest of the courtiers waiting around.

“Hello.” He spoke quietly as he bowed his head in greeting.

Besides Minho and Chan, there was a young man and an older women, both wearing their own heavy crowns.

He took his seat between the two kings, offering an anxious smile to the two strangers before him.

A hand settled on his lower back. He had no idea whether it was his brother or his husband because he was more focused on the way his heart absolutely dropped as the woman’s face scrunched together for a flashing second with clear distain before wiping away to an indifferent lift of her lips.

‘She already hates me.’ Jisung decided.

He looked at his brother, but the king refused to meet his eye. Instead, Jisung turned to the other king, easily catching his gaze.

Minho offered him his signature half smile, the hand on his back caressing now. “Is anything the matter, little prince?”

“Nothing.” Jisung lied. “My hand just hurts.”

“I bet. This is my mother and my little brother Jeongin.” Minho introduced, not bothering to motion to either one considering it was blatantly obvious which was which. “We were just talking about you actually.”

“How so?” Jisung wondered.

It’s not like Minho knew anything about him to even gossip about in the first place. They were practically strangers still themselves.

“Jeongin here thinks you’re the prettiest little thing he’s ever laid his eyes upon. I was just reminding him who you belong to.” The king explained almost possessively.

Jisung found himself frowning. He didn’t belong to anything or anyone. He was his own person, not a possession regardless of if he had just married into a kingdom.

The prince took another glance at his brother, expecting him to speak up in his defense, but Chan said nothing. Instead, busying himself with swishing the amber liquid in his glass.

“Are you born with those hair colors or do you do something to make them like that?” Jeongin asked curiously, his head propped up onto his hand as he shamelessly admired Jisung.

“Everyone in Southland is born with light hair because of the sun. When a royal is birthed we are assigned a jewel and we have flowers crushed to dye our hair the same color as that jewel.” Jisung explained their tradition the best he could.

The hand on his back edged its way up to his hair, playing with the blue locks at the base of his neck. The action made him visibly shiver. “We’ll require regular shipments of these flowers then. I like it.”

“Is it true in Southland that sex is—” 

“Jeongin.” The older woman at the table reprimanded. “They are not your friends. They’re royals from our enemy kingdom. You will address them with more respect than that.”

“They are no longer our enemies.” Minho suddenly spoke up beside him. “Our wedding has made Southland under my protection now if you have forgotten.”

The former queen clearly bit back her tongue, nodding her head at her son’s words. “So it seems I have.”

There was an awkward silence in the air for a moment before the other prince at the table decided to break it.

“Could I have a dance, prince Jisung? Before my brother?” 

Jisung looked over to the king for approval. He simply shrugged his shoulders as if to say why not.

Jeongin was quick to get on his feet, offering his ring filled hand for Jisung to take. Minho’s hand slipped off of his neck, falling back to his side as he gave them space for the two to meet with other couples in a practiced dance. At least this was something Jisung already knew how to do.

“I have a feeling you didn’t wish to just dance?” Jisung questioned after Jeongin had given him a spin and pulled him in close.

“Pretty and observant.” The other prince praised. “I’d like to give you some friendly advice on what is to be expected tonight. You know, after the ball.”   

A tinge of pink washed over Jisung’s cheeks. “You mean the act of… bedding, correct?”

Jeongin smiled, his dimples popping youthful and attractive. “I’ve heard rumors of how your kingdom is with sex. As your now brother in law, I figured I should be the one to give you the proper advice if you’ll take it.”

Jisung nodded his head, the embarrassment probably written clear on his face.

“In Northsbane sex is celebrated. Sure it’s an act of intimacy and closeness, but sometimes it’s just for fun. Minho is no virgin, but concubines here aren’t allowed to actually really touch us. They’re to get us off and hopefully go away as fast as possible.”

Jisung gripped Jeongin’s shoulder, a wave of misplaced jealousy washing over him. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because if you want to properly fuck the king tonight so good he’ll never have to look elsewhere, I can help you.” Jeongin spoke with a grin as if he hadn’t just said something so depraved and debauched.

Still, call it curiosity, Jisung was interested in hearing more with his blushing cheeks.

“How exactly would I do that?”

“You fuck like a whore, act like a prince, and touch him like a savior. He’ll be so drawn into your boldness in bed that there will be no need for him to call for one of his hookups to please him anymore.”

Jisung bit his lip, feeling an uncomfortable stir in his pants that were thankfully completely covered by his royal robe. “I’m listening.”

“Be yourself. Don’t change who you are because I guarantee he likes the fact that you’re unexperienced and bashful. Yet, when you get in that bedroom know your body is a blessing and the things you can do with it will be enough proof. You’ve got to be the one to initiate it. Touch him the way a concubine would be beheaded for touching a king. Worship his body with everything you’ve got to work with. Your hands, your tongue, your body. Worship your own body in front of him. Get on top of him and fuck yourself on his cock the way every man really desires to be fucked. But also, make it last. Don’t be in a rush and whenever he gets too excited, force him to slow down so he’s forced to think only about how good you feel wrapped around him. Also, let him do the most forbidden act. Let him come inside of you. The man will be putty in your hands for as long as you live if you can pull it off.”

Jisung knew his cheeks were aflame.

The language was so raw and vulgar that it had Jisung’s breath completely sucked away. Before he could respond, something was being secretly shifted from Jeongin’s robe pocket to his own. A dragger in a sheath with a diamond end.

“If you really wish to leave an impression on my brother change the power dynamic too. Put him in a position he’s never been in before.” Jeongin then leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Threaten to take his life while you ride him.”

“You… He won’t hurt me if I do so?” Jisung gulped nervously.

“There’s always a chance.” Jeongin shrugged, stealing a glance back at his brother. “But something tells me that’s exactly the kind of freaky shit the king of war and bloodshed would be into.”

Though the conversation was that unlike anything he’s ever had before, he found himself somewhat thankful for Jeongin’s brashness. Never in a million years would he have thought there would have to be such a strategy to sex, much less a whole battle plan. He would’ve went in without knowing a single thing and maybe not have been able to please the king by himself.

Jeongin dropped his hand as they finished their dance, but it was quickly replaced by someone else’s.

Jisung blinked up to his brother in surprise, meeting the red haired king’s dark scrutinizing eyes.

“Care to dance?” Chan asked, already starting to move knowing his brother was not going to refuse.

“Always.” Jisung found himself able to smile, finally being able to talk to the older man.

They crossed the room the same way him and Jeongin had done before, but theirs was much more practiced from years of attending banquets together.

“I’m afraid I’ll be taking off in the morning.” Chan broke the news solemnly. “If you wish, you’re free to join me and we can pretend this whole ordeal never really happened and prepare for war to set you free.”

Jisung’s smile dropped. He paused on the dance floor, him and Chan no longer dancing, but still holding hands as more upper class citizens danced around them.

“You’re leaving me here by myself?”

“You’re married.” Chan was frowning, but his jaw was set tight. “I have an entire kingdom to run as well. If you do not wish to return home with me, there’s simply nothing I can do at this point besides leave on my own. Felix will be staying here to keep you company and to report back to me on your safety.”

“I just thought…”

Chan lifted his chin, his eyes burning with the heat of a promise. “If anything is to happen send me a letter and I will be here myself to fight to bring you home. You are the most important person in my life and I would give my own to protect you.”

Jisung took a deep breath, feeling tears well up in his eyes he knew he wasn’t allowed to let fall here. 

“Okay.” He promised back, his pinky finger intertwining with his brother’s.

“I will retire for the evening since I have an early morning ahead of me. If anything is to happen tonight… if he does anything you do not wish for, please don't just allow it to happen for the sake of Southland." Chan looked disheartened for even having to speak the words.

"I promise."

Chan finally pulled back their fingers, leading Jisung back over to the table the crowned monarchs were sitting. 

“I’m retiring to bed.” Chan spoke to the group. “In the morning I will be off to Southland to inform my people of what has occurred. Good night.”

The king didn’t wait for a response, simply turning on his heel and stalking off where he was followed by his own servants that had initially come to kingdom with them.

Before Jisung could get too comfortable Minho was standing up and stretching his arms exaggeratedly. “I suppose it is time for me to finally dance with my own consort, isn’t it?”

Jisung offered a shy smile as Minho’s gloved hand found his waist underneath his robe.

“Don’t wait up. We’ll be retiring for the night as well as soon as we’re finished.” The king informed his family.

The smirk on Jeongin’s face had Jisung ducking his head down to look at his feet.

“Very well then. Have a good first night.” Minho’s mother responded back with a halfhearted smile.

Minho lead them over to the dance floor again. Instead of taking the proper form, the king’s hands held his waist casually, pulling Jisung into him until the younger man was forced to place his hands on his shoulders. 

They swayed to the live music of the orchestra, the proximity of their bodies not in the least bit the proper way a first dance of a married couple should be held, but the king’s body felt so comfortable pressed against his. Jisung didn’t find it in himself to insist to stop. When Jisung had imagined his future lover, Minho was not at all what he was picturing.

A man ten years his senior. A ruler of a kingdom that had forced his own into submission. A man rough around the edges whose hands were probably the only thing warm about him. The very same tyrant who had murdered his own flesh and blood for the sake of war.

Yet here he was, his head pressed against his chest and listening to his steady heartbeat as they danced together on their wedding day.

“You look beautiful.” Minho’s whisper spoke into his hair beside where his new crown was sitting.

“Thank you.” Jisung tightened his grip on the king’s shoulders. “You look handsome dressed up like this.”

The gentle grip on Jisung’s waist became a light caress on his sides.

“I want to ravish you.” Minho admitted hotly in his ear.

Jisung closed his eyes, his body pressing closer to Minho’s. He couldn’t hold back the gasp that left his lips the moment he felt the hardness of the king’s front press against his stomach. It was almost as if he were proving a point.

“I want to drag you off to bed and fuck you into the mattress.” Minho whispered again, taking the shell of Jisung’s ear into his lips and biting down with a sharp canine. “Wanna steal your virginity and make you a blubbering mess who can do nothing else but beg for more.”

Jisung remembered Jeongin’s words thoughtfully. Remembered what he had said about the way Minho is used to having sex.

‘He’s talking to you the same way he would be talking to one of his concubines right now.’ 

He couldn’t push away the thought that crossed his mind. Then before he could help it, another one came up.

‘Show him you’re different. Prove yourself to him.’

“Let’s go off to bed then.” Jisung spoke up, creating some distance between him and the man who looked down at him like he was an actual meal to be eaten. “Then you can do exactly that.”

Jisung was proud of himself. He hadn’t stuttered once getting it out.

Instantly, Minho’s expression was darkening, hand finding Jisung’s to pull him away from all the watchful eyes openly admiring them. 

The two of them stalked off out of the ballroom that instant with Minho making Jisung practically jog to keep up with his pace. The prince followed even as he snuck a glance back to where Hyunjin, Felix, Seungmin and Changbin were following them a bit behind with knowing eyes. Jisung swallowed down his nerves, going over his plan in his head as he allowed the king to lead him where they needed to go.

Eventually they made it to the most grand double doors existing inside of the palace. The king’s quarters. Before Jisung could so much as open his mouth to say anything, he was being shoved into the room, the doors being slammed shut right behind him.

Minho’s hands were on him instantly. Pulling. Tugging at his clothing and feeling wherever they wanted. 

He was in a rush.

Trying to get this over with as quickly as possible just as Jeongin had suggested.

“Stop.” Jisung breathed as the king’s lips found his neck, latching on as if he were being invited to.

The blushing prince fought against his hold, somehow finding the strength when the king wasn’t focused to push him away.

“I said stop!” Jisung glared.

Minho seemed to freeze at the tone momentarily, his head tilting suspiciously and his eyes turning just as pointed. “You’re the one who insisted we hurry to bed to do this and now you’re going to talk to me like that? Mind you I am now your king, little prince. I do not have to do a thing you order me to.”

Jisung didn’t respond, simply looking over to the big king sized black bed in the middle of the room. “Sit down.”

“I will not—”

“Then you shall not touch me tonight or ever in the future as well.” Jisung threatened. “I am not just a prince, your highness. I am now your husband and if you do not wish to listen to me feel free to call up one of your palace whores instead.”

That seemed to shut the king right up.

With an annoyed groan, the king moved to sit down on the end of his bed. He unlaced his robe and threw it uncaringly to an armchair off to the side. Despite his clear annoyance, he was still obviously raging hard in his black slacks.

“Why are you doing this?” The king asked with an annoyed sigh. “If you didn’t want to go through with the ceremony you should have denied ever agreeing to marry me.”

‘And have my people killed for it?’ Jisung wanted to scoff. 

He held it in though, instead working his shaking fingers over unlacing his own robe. He set the heavy material down gently on the bed for later.

“I never said we weren’t going through with the ceremony.” Jisung spoke calmly, reaching up to take the weighed crown off of his head and onto the dresser behind him.

The news made the king perk right up, the scowl falling from his face. “So you are going to let me fuck you after all?”

“No.” Jisung crossed his arms, batting away Minho’s hands as they started to reach for him. “I’m going to use you to fuck myself.”

The language felt humiliating coming from his own mouth. It felt like he had just sinned from a spoken word alone, but he didn’t let his embarrassment deter him. Especially not with the surprise written clear on Minho’s face.

Before the king could question his intentions Jisung was already working on undoing his suit jacket. His fingers had a slight shake in them as he unfastened the belt and unbuttoned the rest of the shirt, but soon enough it was being pushed off of his shoulders and falling to the carpeted ground. Minho’s eyes freely took in the expanse of his chest, his tongue coming out to swipe against his lips as he admired his husband’s bare upper body.

Jisung didn’t waver as he reached for his slacks next, unzipping his pants and kicking off his shoes before pulling the white material off his legs as well. Jisung was completely bare before the king besides the dark fabric covering only his most intimate parts. 

Within the next few seconds, that was also discarded off to the floor.

Minho’s hands visibly twitched as he gazed upon the blue haired prince, wanting nothing more than to run his hands all over him. To touch him. To tease him. To bruise him.

In his mortification of being nude in front of another man he barely knew, another part of Jisung was proud. Proud of himself for actually going through with this. Proud of the way Minho was having trouble staying still and not pouncing on him right then and there.

“My king,” Jisung breathed out, the nerves audible in his voice. “May I touch you?”

“You can do anything you wish to, Jisung.”

The young prince took careful steps forward, slowly climbing into the noble’s lap where he made himself comfortable.

Jisung was completely naked while Minho was fully dressed. Their statuses, age, and experience weren’t the only power imbalance right now. But Jisung had a way to fight those. 

The dagger hidden in his robe pocket.

Jisung was shy and deliberately slow as he touched the king’s handsome face. Slowly he leaned in to the other man, their lips meeting in the middle. Only when they were locked into a kiss did Minho finally move his hands. He placed them on Jisung’s bare waist, squeezing the flesh there. The glove on his right hand was cold, but his bandaged one was a lot warmer.

Jisung didn’t have any experience with kissing, so naturally, he let the king win this fight for dominance. Minho slid his tongue over Jisung’s bottom lip, pushing his way into his mouth. Inside he gave a lick behind the prince’s teeth, making the young man sigh out.

When Minho’s tongue slipped into his mouth the second time something possessed Jisung to welcome it with a hallowed suck, making him grunt into his mouth, deepening their kiss to a full blown make out.

Jisung tried to keep up with the way Minho would use his tongue and teeth, and how he would change the angle every so often to get even closer to the pliant prince taking it all in. Jisung’s closed eyes squeezed when he felt that damned gloved hand drift lower, slipping all the way down his lower back and exploring the roundness of his asscheek. The king’s hand squeezed his bottom, the hand nevertheless staying still and awaiting, so Jisung found no point in reprimanding him.

Minho detached their lips to kiss Jisung’s jaw, going down until he was finding the pulse point of his neck. There, he sucked the sensitive skin, nipping on it between his teeth before soothing it with his tongue.

The whine that left Jisung’s mouth was high and unfamiliar to his own ears as it left his throat.

“My pretty boy.” Minho praised, kissing the mark he had just left on Jisung’s neck. “Are you finally going to let me treat you right?”

“Tonight is my night.” Jisung muttered breathlessly. “It will go the way I want it to.”

“Okay.” Minho surprisingly agreed.

Jisung moved his hands to the king’s own suit jacket, looking up at him for a moment for permission before unfastening it. When it was finally off, Jisung let it fall to the floor with his own clothing.

Seeing Minho shirtless was so much more exciting than he thought it would be. His body was hard and firm under his fingertips, muscle lines taking the expanse of his abdomen and chest and small scars littered here and there from battles. Jisung let his hands wonder, touching the fullness of Minho’s chest and trailing down until he was tracing the outline of his abs. He ran his nails under his navel, watching the way Minho’s back arched into his touch.

“You’re taking your time, aren’t you, little prince?” Minho questioned, picking up on the slowness of his caresses.

“I’ve never made love to a god before.” Jisung simply responded back, working on undoing Minho’s belt.

“You haven’t made love to anyone before, have you?” The king asked as if he suddenly wasn’t so sure.

Jisung wasn’t acting like a typical virgin in his eyes. Sure he was shy and trepidatious, but he was the one leading everything and it seemed like he knew at least a little of what he thought he was doing. Either way, he was actually following through with what he wanted to do instead of just taking whatever Minho was willing to give.

“I’ve never even allowed anyone to kiss me before today.” Jisung moved some blue hair out of his face as he spoke honestly.

That seemed to assure Minho enough. It was clear the king was looking forward to being the first and only person in this world who’s ever gotten the chance to lay their hands on Jisung’s body.

“Lift your hips.” Jisung instructed, slipping the black slacks off his lover when he obliged. 

He moved to sit on his knees on the ground, unzipping his boots, removing them with his socks before finally pulling the pants off his legs. The muscles that greeted him was a sight that had Jisung’s mouth literally salivating. Minho’s thighs were so shapely and muscular. His skin was smooth and unmarked unlike his upper body, all leading up to the big hard bulge straining in the man’s dark colored briefs, a certain spot stained darker at the top from undoubtably his leaking manhood.

Instead of getting off of his knees, Jisung placed his hands on Minho’s own, looking up at the king past his lashes. 

“What is it, pretty?” The king’s hand caressed his jaw, hooking it up as he looked down at him, eyes filled with a mix of thinning patience and pure desire.

“I’m at your feet, your majesty.” 

Minho swallowed hard at the revelation, soaking in the sight. Before him was the prettiest royal he’s even seen with his own high status, sitting there awaiting, completely naked and aroused at his feet. The exact same position the concubines took when they were here to please him.

Jisung was putting himself in the place of a royal whore just for him.

“Fuck.” Minho cursed heavily, taking a mental picture he’d surely be treasuring the rest of his life. “I’m going to get you painted just like this.”

Jisung only batted his lashes more, his petite fingers starting to wonder up the rough man’s legs and more towards the straining erection confined uncomfortably in his underwear.

“Stand up, my king.”

Minho didn’t need to be told twice.

Jisung grabbed onto those big bulging thighs for leverage, leaning forwards to press his face into the clothed crotch in front of him. Minho smelled like musk and body wash as he pressed his cheek against his inner thigh. Jisung let his nose press against the bottom of the outlined shaft, slowly dragging upwards until his lips were perched at the wetness sitting at the tip of Minho’s arousal.

As he experimentally darted out his tongue to lick over the circular bud, he could feel it twitch underneath his stimulation, the dark fabric of the briefs instantly becoming more soaked.

It wasn’t until Jisung lifted up a hand to pull down the underwear that Minho stopped him.

“Are you sure you want to soil your pretty little mouth with a cock, my prince? You’re above such filthiness.”

Jisung looked up at his king with a pleading look, his lips already wet with spit forming into his pout as Jisung pressed his cheek against Minho’s hardened length. “You don’t wish to fuck my pretty little mouth?”

Minho froze. Everything about him seemed to stand still. Everything but the way his dick stirred in absolute excitement at the suggestion.

“You really wish for me to treat you like a whore?” Minho asked almost breathlessly.

“I am no whore and you will not refer to me as one.” Jisung glared, nevertheless reaching a hand up to start removing the underwear from his lover. “But as your husband… I promise to please you whatever way necessary.”

Minho stayed quiet as Jisung stripped him of his last piece of clothing. The blue haired prince’s eyes widened at the mere size and girth the king was hiding this whole time. His throat already ached at even the thought of having it inside of it.

When he finally mustered up the courage to once again lean in, he wrapped a hand around Minho the same way he’s secretly done to himself in the privacy of his bedroom some times back home where no one ever had to know. He leaned forward, catching the leaking tip with his lips the way he always fantasized about someone doing to himself.

“Oh, fuck.” Minho cursed out.

Jisung swallowed him down as far as he could take him without retching, covering the rest of his length with his fist. As Jisung lifted up his head and pulled up with added suction from his cheeks and pushed himself back down in a surprisingly fluid motion, hands were in his hair and tugging at his blue locks in encouragement.

“Christ.” Minho looked down at Jisung, lips parted and eyebrows furrowed in pleasure. “Where did you learn to do such a thing?”

‘From my darkest fantasies’ Jisung thought. He ignored the king to instead repeat the motion. He used the salvia that was coming from his mouth and soaking up the noble man’s cock to start pumping his shaft along with his bobbing.

Feeling the hardness of Minho’s dick pulse inside of his mouth and the grunts of the king start to get more erratic, Jisung pulled off a bit until his lips were wrapped solely around the flushed red tip. Jisung gave it a harsh suck. His tongue circling it’s head as he tasted the saltiness of the precum pooling out of it.

“Fuck. I can’t take it anymore, Jisung. I need to be inside of you.” Minho’s grip was harsh in his hair.

It hurt a bit, but Jisung decided then that he liked the way it stung. Jisung pulled away entirely with a lewd pop, looking up at his king with fever. 

“Sit on the bed by the pillows.”

Minho was moving the very next second.

Jisung lifted himself off his aching knees as he stood to his full height. His knees would probably have bruises on them tomorrow and his throat might be a little sore, but right now none of that mattered. The king waited impatiently right where he told him to, his hand wrapped around his own cock as he leisurely fucked his own fist. There was a vile of prepping fluid next to him that he clearly had just used. 

It was a sight to behold of course on any other day. Yet, right now, it was not a welcome one. Jisung rounded the side of the bed, smacking the arm that was pleasuring him perhaps a little harsher than necessary.

Minho paused, looking up at him completely bewildered. “Did you just… hit me, little prince?”

“Stop touching yourself or I’m leaving.” Jisung warned sternly.

Minho’s hand halted completely. His round feline-like eyes once again giving Jisung his full attention. Even as his length visibly throbbed, pleading for attention, the king did not move. He was surely too curious to take his eyes away as Jisung grabbed the prepping oil, letting the liquid spread around his fingers.

“Watch carefully.” Jisung instructed as he climbed onto the side of the bed on all fours over the king’s legs. “If you look away or touch yourself even once I’m going back home to Southland. Am I clear?”

“Crystal.” Minho replied.

His dark eyes watched attentively as Jisung lifted his wet hand, seeing the way he trailing it behind himself between his parted legs.

Jisung took a deep breath, trying to keep up the facade that he wasn’t completely freaking out right now, because honestly, that’s exactly what he was doing. He was in over his head. His hand paused hesitantly, not even having made contact with his rim yet. His injured hand clenched the bedsheets with frustration at his own reluctance.

As if seeing through the faux confidence, the observing king decided to speak up.

“You’re so beautiful, little one.” 

Jisung swallowed, leaning down to hide his face in the nook of his arm, his ass in the air. A warm calloused hand reached out to find the expanse of his lower back. The touch was surprisingly innocent as it stroked over his spine.

“You’re quite frankly the prettiest person I’ve ever had the pleasure of being graced with.” Minho’s voice was so stable and assuring. “You know why I asked for your hand in marriage, don’t you?”

“You wished to torture Southland’s king and steal away the last person who truly mattered to him?” Jisung suggested, his voice weak from being muffled.

“No.” Minho’s voice was softer then. “At least not entirely. It was also because after I saw your face I knew there would be no one else in this world I would ever wish to spend the rest of my life with besides you.”

Jisung lifted his head up, tilting his chin at the king as he took in the words. “Are you being honest?”

“I didn’t think I could live with the thought of your kingdom being threatened by another realm and something as pretty as you losing your life to the hands of war. Or even worse, the thought of some other man sweeping you off of your feet and never getting the chance to ever even taste your lips. I knew your brown eyes and round cheeks would haunt my dreams and mind with every faceless concubine I fucked to try and forget about you.”

Jisung breathed out, his back arching under Minho’s strokes as his own erection ached painfully between his legs.

“Don’t forget about me then.” Jisung licked his own lips, staring the king directly in his dark eyes. “Never forget about me.”

“I wouldn’t even dream of it.” Minho promised.

Feeling more confident and comfortable, Jisung brought the hand back to his backside, this time actually going through with his plan. His wet fingers finally reached between his cheeks, circling two against his awaiting rim. When it was finally lubed up enough Jisung pushed his pointer finger inside, breaching the hot walls that pushed back against him. 

That’s when Minho’s hand stopped it’s stroking, simply sprawling out on Jisung’s lower back as he basked in the way Jisung’s eyes fell closed and his lips parted in a moan. Though the stretch was uncomfortable and foreign, Jisung pressed into himself all the way until his knuckle, adding his middle finger to slide in as well and stretch him apart. Jisung huffed out a breath, pressing his face into the sheets as the discomfort started to transcend somewhere along the way to small sparks of pleasure.

His erection hung painfully leaking below as he worked his fingers in and out of himself, scissoring his digits and pumping them in as deep as his hands could possibly let him. Just as he stuck a third one inside, it drew a long pinched moan from his lips. His eyebrows furrowed as some saliva pooled in his mouth until it slipped down from one side of his lip. 

“Ah!” Jisung whined, letting himself get lost in the feeling.

The hand on his back stirred to life, stroking downwards until it was at his own wrist, stopping it’s actions in a firm grasp.

“Did you forget about me, little prince?”

Jisung licked over his drying lips, hazy eyes falling back over to his king, meeting with the dark piercing stare focused directly on him.

“My king…” Jisung panted breathlessly, cheeks a rosy pink as he tilted his head down to rest on the bed, looking completely debauched and out of it already. “I—I need it.”

Minho’s nostrils flared a bit as he exhaled heavily, his fingers twitching on their hold over the other man’s wrist. “Tell me, little prince. Say exactly what you need.”

Jisung sighed out, managing to twist his wrist in the king’s hold enough to slip out the lubed up digits from inside of them, an embarrassing slicked up sound following suit that made Minho’s abdomen clench. The blue haired prince managed to find his strength as he brought both of his arms underneath him, pushing himself up until he was climbing further up onto the royal bed. The kingdom’s ruler let his own hand drop down by his sides, clenching them so hard his short nails had to be cutting into the flesh of his uninjured palm from the sheer will to not move another muscle until he was given explicit permission to do something.

There was no way in the fiery pits of hell that would surely be awaiting him when he finally took his last breath that he was going to do absolutely anything to ruin his chances of seeing this through.

The beautiful boy in all of his naked glory placed his legs on either side of Minho’s built strong thighs, hovering above him as his soft delicate small hand adorned in a single sapphire ring wrapped around his throbbing length.

“I need this, my lord.” Jisung took his pink glossed up plush bottom lip into his teeth, biting down as he spoke his desires through the hot embarrassment it brought him. “I—I need it inside.”

Minho couldn’t help but just watch with undivided attention as the beautiful little prince lined his aching manhood up with his dripping hole, hovering just centimeters away from the absolute paradise he was threatening to give.

“It’s yours.” Minho grunted out hoarsely. “Anything you wish for in this world now. It all belongs to you, my prince.”

It was a heady promise of being too caught up in the moment, but if Jisung’s body was the reward, Minho had no doubt he could make good of it.

“Take what’s yours, Jisung.”

Jisung’s head absolutely spun at the words, but as he lowered himself down and felt the breach of his walls as his king conquered him, all he could do was moan out at the stretch and pleasure of for once in his life feeling full.

And just like that, it was as if something cracked in the king’s patience and obedience.

Immediately Minho’s hands were all over him. It was like suddenly the heat engulfing his pulsing cock was his last straw.

“Ah! Mhm!” Jisung panted out as the king’s legs shifted below him, his feet planting themselves onto the bed and his strong hands wrapping around his small waist, bringing him fully down into a seated position to fully sheath himself into Jisung as deep as he could go.

“Fuck, You’re—” Minho breathed out, quickly switching their position so he was on top, gently laying Jisung’s head down on the pillows below. “You’re everything, little prince. You feel so good. I want to fucking break you. You’re never leaving this bed. I’ll fucking chain you up here if I have to.”

Jisung opened his mouth to object, but all that got ripped out of him was a sharp gasp as Minho pulled out only to roughly slam his hips right back in into the tight heat.

Lips found Jisung’s mouth instantly after that. Hungry kisses and licks inside his panting mouth all while those skillful hips worked quickly and sharply, slamming back into him with enough force to have his arms scrambling to hold on to Minho’s shoulders to keep from moving up. He tried to kiss back, but with all the moans being punched out of him from inside, all he could do was turn his head to try and get more air while Minho pounded into him from above. His own leaking cock bounced helplessly against his stomach between their bodies as Minho fucked into him delirious and starved, the king’s mouth finding purchase on his neck as he snapped his hips, chasing his own pleasure.

“You’re so gorgeous.” Minho praised breathlessly, voice so many octaves lowered from his arousal while he nipped over Jisung’s throat. “I could eat you, Jisung. I don’t want to ever share you. I’ll keep hickeys all over you so everyone knows even further who you belong to. Fuck, I should put you on a leash.”

Jisung’s moans got louder and more helpless with the filthy threats spilling out of the king’s mouth as his nails scratched down Minho’s shoulders and back, sure to leave marks.

“If anyone ever touches you again I’ll kill them.” Minho promised, his pace quickening almost to an animalistic way. “I’ll gauge their fucking eyes out if they look at you. You’re mine, little prince.”

When his throbbing tip pressed against a certain spot Jisung all but screamed, wrapping his legs tighter around his husband. Minho placed his palm under one of Jisung’s knees, lifting it up to leverage his hips into snapping in the same spot, making sure to keep applying pressure to it with every thrust, having Jisung absolutely wailing underneath him.

“Please! Your majesty I—I’m going to cum like this! Stop for a moment!”

“Cum for me, little prince.” Minho buried his face once again in Jisung’s neck, giving his pulse point a hot swipe of his tongue before his teeth were digging in painfully, moaning into the flesh trapped in his jaw while Jisung’s eyes welled with unspilled tears.

“All of a wolf’s deadliest bites start with a curious lick.”

Minho’s too far gone with his excitement chasing his own release. He has to do it now. Now or never.

Jisung blindly reached over to his left, his fingers meeting the soft fur of his royal robe. His fingertips danced around the inside of the fabric frantically, not giving up until he found exactly what he was looking for. The sharp diamond edge of the handle dug into the skin of his bandaged hand as he gripped it tightly, using all of his power to pick up its heavy weight and move it over exactly where he needed it.

The king completely froze the moment he felt the smooth blade press against his throat.

His movements stopped at the deepest part inside of Jisung’s body, their hips flush as he slowly raised his head. His mouth opened more to let go of the bite he had on Jisung’s neck as his dark eyes looked down at his husband with both bewilderment and sheer amusement. No trace of actual fear anywhere to find in them.

“Oh, now what’s this about, little prince?”

Jisung swallowed hard, his own trepidation clearly visible to the other, yet he was unwavering where he held the dagger threateningly close to the monarch’s jugular.

Minho’s lips twisted up into an entertained smirk. “How on earth did you manage to sneak this blade in here, darling?”

He was teasing in his tone. Provoking even. It was like he was almost excited to see where this was going to go.

“I have my ways.” Jisung spoke as clear and strong as he could.

Minho’s eyes only gleamed more. “I should’ve known you and your failure of a king wouldn’t have let this marriage thing go through so easily.” 

Despite the ruler insulting Chan, Jisung didn’t react, still holding the weighty dagger steady and still in it’s deadly position.

“I know you don’t know much about fighting, Jisung, but if you’re planning on slitting someone’s throat you should really take the opportunity before your enemy gets the chance to take it from you. I think we both know how easily I could overpower you.” Minho’s smirk grew then.

He was literally begging not for his life, but for Jisung to make a move and try it. They both knew quite well how this would go down if he did. Minho would no doubt wrestle the dagger away without a single scape and Jisung’s lifeless body would be sent right back to Southland’s gates to be discovered before an entire war broke out once again. 

A war Jisung didn’t doubt would go eerily similar to the last one.

Jisung’s hand shook a little as he tried to keep his grip. “You’re my king now if you have forgotten already, your majesty.”

Minho rose a surprised brow at that. “So this is how you treat your king, little prince?”

Jisung clenched his teeth at the undeniable feeling of Minho’s cock twitching inside of him.

So this is exciting to him.

“Only when he’s too busy chasing his own release to let his husband come first like a gentleman.”

Minho licked over his lips, a chuckle escaping them soon after. “So you’re only angry because you want to cum, darling? Not because I murdered at least a thousand of your kingdom’s men, played mind games with your older brother and brutally sliced the heads off of your beloved parents with my own two hands?”

The prince winced at the cruel question, not wanting to think about all of that right now.

“I—” Jisung swallowed hard, bringing the blade back up where he had let it drop a bit in his moment of guilt. Still, even after seeing it slip, Minho didn’t take the opportunity to move away or attack which had to mean something. “I already told you. You’re my king now. I’ll take my revenge in a different way.”

Minho smiled down tauntingly at him, one hand holding him up above the younger man while the other moved to dance teasingly beside his still leaking manhood resting between them. “And how’s that, darling?”

Jisung rose a hand, pressing on Minho’s shoulder until he got the idea he wanted him to move.

The king changed position to lay on his back, simply biting his lip in amusement as Jisung climbed on top of him again, dagger still pressed against his throat.

“You’re going to lay there like a good little king until you make me cum.” The words felt so foreign coming from his own lips, but right now he felt powerful. He was the one in control right now. And Minho was letting him be. “I’m going to bounce on your useless cock until I’m satisfied and then you’re going to come inside me so everyone knows just how much I’m in charge. That’s my revenge.”

Minho’s mouth opened in surprise, but a ragged breath was pushed out of him as Jisung took his still achingly filled out cock in his hand and lowered himself until it was right back inside of him where it belonged.

“Fuck.” The king sighed out, eyebrows furrowing at the pleasure.

Jisung lifted his thighs, dropping his weight back down just once to test it. It had his eyes rolling back in his head at the press of his prostate immediately.

“Touch me.” Jisung ordered.

Minho’s calloused hand immediately found his leaking erection, giving it a pump guided by the precum leaking from his flushed out tip. Jisung moaned out, leaning a hand on the king’s firm chest as the other rested against his collarbone, using it to hold up the dagger less steadily now as he put his efforts into raising and lowering himself down onto the king’s cock. Minho’s other hand held onto Jisung’s right thigh, kneading the flesh there as Jisung bounced on top of him, both of them releasing their own sounds at the feeling.

“Praise me.” Jisung ordered next.

He knew he had to look absolutely wrecked as he stared down at the monarch with lust filled eyes, messy hair, blown out pupils and no doubt swollen lips, but Minho was looking up at him as if he himself was his noble king and Minho was simply a lowly poor commoner getting blessed with the most gracious of gifts.

“You’re beautiful.” The king grunted out compliantly. “You’re the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever laid my eyes on. More than jewels. More than diamonds. More than this kingdom. You’re the only treasure I feel like protecting from now on.”

Riding Minho was a completely different experience than before. He felt so in power. So eager to please both of them. The way his big cock filled him up so wonderfully as he lifted up and the way it pressed so deliciously into the most pleasurable places when he slid back down and swallowed him whole had him choking on his breathless pants, ready to lose himself, but the hand stroking him so admiringly and soft kept him somewhat grounded into the actual moment.

“You look like an angel. I—Ah.” Minho groaned lowly at the feeling of Jisung’s thighs flexing under his hand right as he was enveloped time and time again with such warm blazing hot heat mixed with the cold steel of the blade pressed haphazardly against his throat. It was making his head cloudy. “I’ll make a statue of you in the middle of the kingdom with the angel wings surely hidden behind your back and— fuck, I’ll worship it every night before I worship you, my beautiful prince.”

Unspilled tears burned in Jisung’s eyes. His cheeks bloomed rosy red now as he finally felt himself start to come undone. The king seemed to sense his struggle because just as his hips stuttered in their fall Minho was grabbing the blade of the dagger with his bare hand, throwing it far away with a loud clank before he was once again flipping them around on the bed, now on top with Jisung spread out so prettily below him.

“I’ll worship you like you deserve.” His hand was dripping blood from getting the dagger away when he grabbed onto Jisung’s thighs and wrapped them around his waist and pushed back inside in one fluid motion that had Jisung yelling out in pleasure. “I’ll do anything if it means I get to be inside of you every night, darling. I’m never letting you go. You’re mine.”

His bandaged hand intertwined with Jisung’s own, their hands held together on the bed as it creaked with the force of Minho’s slowed strong thrusts inside of the blue haired prince.

“Ah! Y—You’re mine too.” Jisung demanded then. “Say it.”

Minho kissed him hard. No biting or fighting for dominance. Just a heated kiss before pulling away. 

“I’m yours.”

“My king!” Jisung moaned out high in his throat.

“Your husband. Your Minho.” The king corrected, unable to keep his eyes from tracing over the beautiful man’s face as tears fell freely from his eyelashes.

Jisung’s now untouched cock twitched desperately between them, weeping and leaking everywhere as he came between them, a white haze overcasting his vision around the edges as he finally got his release. Minho grunted at the sight, lowering himself to his elbows to be able to kiss Jisung down from his high. Minho’s arms shook a bit as he felt his own long awaited release coming up fast, but as he tried to pull out in order to jerk himself off the rest of the way Jisung’s hands came up to his face to stop him.

“Inside.” The little prince whispered sweetly in reminder before bringing their lips back together.

Never in his life had Lee Minho ever hit the peak of his pleasure inside someone else and especially not with his lips locked on theirs. It was slow, sweet and unrushed, but as he came in thick ropes of white, painting Jisung’s insides, he could only wish there was more time. Even less haste. That he took it even slower to be able to fully admire every little sound and expression and movement Jisung had been doing since the very beginning.

If Minho knew one thing as he parted away from the little prince and stared down at him when the heaviness of his orgasm started to fade, it was that he now truly wasn’t sure who was actually ruling over who now.

♕

The next morning knocks on the door is what had awoken the now married couple from their deep slumbers. Jisung blinked his eyes open slowly, adjusting to the light creeping in from the windows as he tried to take in his surroundings.

Skin.

His face was buried in a bare chest, strong arms wrapped around him protectively, sharing the owner’s body heat with himself throughout the night and early morning of today.

Jisung raised up a hand, his blue sapphire ring twinkling in the natural light of the room as he raised it up to the sleeping man’s face. Minho didn’t looked much like a war lord like this. Soft brown cheek length hair in his face, long eyelashes fluttered closed in what appeared be a peaceful sleep, lips looking poutier than ever with his cheek pressed against the pillow.

Another knock sounded outside the door.

“Go away.” 

Jisung jumped as the man he thought was asleep grumbled beside him, wrapping his arms tighter around Jisung.

A final knock sounded on the door before two heads slowly peeked inside of the room, Hyunjin and Felix trailing a bit behind. They looked at the two of them curled up in the comforter on the bed, an awkward smile coming up on Jisung’s lips as he greeted the two.

Minho groaned, removing himself finally to sit up, bare chest exposed for all to see as he looked at the two men who had intruded into his king’s quarter. “Can I fucking help you?”

Ouch. He was a grouch in the morning.

“I’m sorry, your majesty.” Hyunjin bowed deeply at their intrusion. “The king of Southland is leaving and is requesting to say a final goodbye to prince Jisung.”

“One moment!”  Jisung immediately grabbed the sheets from under the comforter, wrapping himself with them hastily before standing up and going to the bottom of the bedside to look for his underwear.

He slipped on his briefs quickly, not even caring about the other articles of clothing or his crown as he quickly shot out of the door with the sheets wrapped around himself for privacy. His bare feet sprinted through the corridors of the castle to get to the main entrance. He paused before the inside grand staircase, seeing his brother and some others waiting towards the closed doors of the kingdom castle.

“Channie!” He yelled, making his brother look up just long enough to grab his gold crown to keep it steady on his head as he jumped into his arm when he reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Hey, hey.” His brother held him close, finally fully hugging him back when he was sure his crown was safe. “You slept in for a long time, I wasn’t sure if I should wait any longer. I’m sorry.”

Jisung just hugged him harder, sticking to him like glue for a moment before finally pulling away, the silk black sheet still wrapped tightly around himself in his rush to come down. “It’s alright! I wouldn’t have wanted to miss your departure.”

Chan gave him a soft look before his eyes seemed to wonder over his appearance, seemingly checking on his well being after last night. When his gaze passed over his marked up neck he seemed to hesitate. Especially over what undoubtedly appeared to be harsh teeth marks dug into his pulse point. 

“Are… you okay?” 

Someone off to the side laughed loudly as they also seemed to take him in. “Wow, hyung really wasn’t joking! He definitely did ravish you I guess.”

Jeongin and Minho’s mother were standing off to the side, one looking amused as ever while the other turned away in a mixture of privacy minding and to hide what was probably disgust.

“Why are you still here?” Jisung asked curiously, hiding the mark on his neck with his hand where he felt his brother was still looking.

“We’re heading out to our palace. Just wanted to say goodbye to the king.” Jeongin laughed happily. “Plan didn’t work out too well I’m guessing?”

Jisung felt his cheeks burn at the question, shyly shifting his attention to his brother instead.

“Jisung,” His brother looked at him seriously. “Did he hurt you? I told you not to let that happen for the sake of our kingdom.”

“First of all,” An authoritative voice spoke up from the stairs, demanding attention. 

King Minho was descending them, Seungmin, Felix and Hyunjin in tow. He still looked tired and freshly awoken, but he at least had on some black slacks and socks now, pointedly missing his shirt as his bare skin reached Jisung’s eyes.

It reminded him too much of last night. Touching it himself. He had to turn away with an embarrassed clear of his throat before he accidentally looked too long.

“Southland is not Jisung’s kingdom anymore. Remember that well.” Minho stared straight and challengingly into the other king’s eyes as he spoke. “Secondly, I should have you hanged for what your brother pulled last night.”

He brought his hand in front of him to show. Dried blood still stained on his palm and wrist from last night with the blade incident where he had grabbed and thrown it away from Jisung, the two of them too tried to wash up before bed.

“You…” Chan blinked at the evidence of the wound, looking over at his brother in surprise. “What did you do?”

“He tried to kill me. He held a dagger right up to my throat and threatened my life with it.” Minho explained cold but calmly, crossing his arms over his chest.

Jeongin burst into laughter on the side. Minho’s mother stared at the wound on her other son intensely to access the damage, all while Chan looked absolutely baffled.

“Jisung, you tried to kill him?”

Changbin, who was off to the side seemed to overhear along with some other guards, immediately stepping up at the accusation. 

“Your majesty, how would you like to deal with this act of betrayal?”

Jisung took a frightened step back when they approached him, but a hand caught his shoulder from behind, a warm strong chest meeting his back as Minho stepped forward.

“You will never again approach your queen like that, am I clear?!” He yelled at them, the five guards eyes widening but all of them falling in to an apologetic formal bow as they backed away to stand at the side again.

“Queen?” Jisung asked in surprise at the title.

“Oh my god.” Jeongin’s jaw dropped open, dimples popping as he grinned wide. “No way that stupid little plan worked! Jisung, what did I tell you? Putty in your hands.”

“It was your plan?” Minho rose an unimpressed eyebrow at his younger brother.

“It worked, didn’t it?”

The king sighed, rubbing a hand over his face in annoyance. “Just… take the concubines with you. I don’t want them anymore.”

“Yes!” Jeongin fist pumped in the air, the complete opposite Jisung’s ever been raised as a royal.

If he had to guess, maybe this was the younger’s reason for helping all along.

Jisung turned in Minho’s hold on him, gently raising a hand out of the sheet covering him to place it delicately on the bare skin of Minho’s warm abdomen. “…You really don’t need to do all that. I, um, understand how things are with them.”

The king’s eyes seemed to soften as he looked into his husband’s, raising a hand to move a stand of his dark blue hair out of his face. “I’m yours, little prince. Did you already forget that? I did not think you would be the type to take too kindly to others toying with what’s yours.”

Jisung’s face warmed as he looked down in embarrassment, his fingers twitching a little on his light touch of the king. “I… don’t like sharing honestly.”

Minho turned to Seungmin then, his arm moving from Jisung’s shoulder to wrap around his waist possessively. “Have the girls prepared to depart with Jeongin in the next half hour.”

Seungmin nodded his head at the order, bowing his head in respect before excusing himself away to do just that.

The king of Southland looked more confused as ever as his eyes watchfully trailed the way Minho’s hand caressed over his younger brother’s waist over the frame of the sheet. “Did I hear wrong, or did you say I should be hanged for Jisung trying to kill you?”

Minho sighed out in annoyance again at the prospect of even having to deal with the fellow ruler even a moment longer.

“I would absolutely love nothing more than to have your lifeless body hanging right outside in the royal garden like a decoration for the crows to feast upon as much as they’d like—”

Smack.

Jisung’s hand smacked hard against the bare skin of Minho’s abdomen as he delivered the loud but not too forceful blow to the king, turning the sculpted skin there a little pink as consequence.

“You will not speak to him like that!”

Royal etiquette teachers everywhere would be on their knees sobbing at the sight of so many noblemen’s jaws falling to the floor at the complete act of disrespect Jisung just openly showed to the king of Northsbane.

Chan, Jeongin and Mrs. Lee were all in complete astonishment as the guards and Changbin in particular hesitated on whether or not to step in, but stayed ultimately completely still and observant off to the side with a horrified looking Felix and Hyunjin, all no doubt terrified about the punishment soon to follow as retaliation.

Minho exhaled loudly, eyes lighting up with fire as he turned to the younger man beside him, a similar fire burning in Jisung’s own. A hand shot out to Jisung’s jaw, holding it tightly as it forced the young prince to look up at him.

“You’re really going to strike me again, little prince? I let it go the first time, but you’re getting far too comfortable with it.”

Chan stepped up hastily, looking desperate as he tried to find a way to fix his little brother’s foolish mistake. “Your majesty he didn’t mean to! I’m sure he’s very sorry and willing to do whatever needed to make this up. Please don’t grab him like that.”

Minho smirked at the other royal, a dark chuckle leaving his lips as he redirected his attention right back to his target. “Are you sorry, darling?”

Jisung narrowed his eyes at him back, undeterred. “I’m not sorry in the least. I’ll strike you as many times as I need to teach you your manners.”

“Prince Jisung.” Felix’s voice pleaded off to the side.

“…Minho.” His own mother surprisingly also hesitated to also try and stop what was about to happen as well.

“You really know how to cross the fucking line.” Minho cocked a brow, hand tightening over Jisung’s jaw. “Luckily for you, I adore that about you.”

Jisung could barely even process what was happening as the king surged forward, capturing his lips in his own in a heated kiss.

Lips, tongue, teeth.

Jisung let out a soft breath, hands lifting up to press on his chest when it became too much and Minho relented surprisingly obediently, letting himself be pushed only an inch away, pulling Jisung’s bottom lip with him before detaching. Immediately though, he was back on him. Arms wrapped fully around his waist from behind, his lips relocating themselves to his neck.

“S-Sorry.” Jisung looked at his stunned brother, bowing down as much as he could in apology, Minho’s hips bending down too to keep him with him. “I, I know this is all so strange, but I know you need to go now and I apologize for holding you up so much. Please give everyone in Southland my well wishes and don’t explain to them the treaty. I think it would be best to just let them live happily and safely even if it means hatred towards me. I don’t want anyone to foolishly retaliate on my behalf.”

Chan looked troubled as he looked between his brother and the man so openly and indecently treating his neck as if it were a meal to be ravished.

“Sungie,” Chan said then, void of his formality, reaching out a hand to take Jisung’s own. “Are you sure you’ll be okay here?”

He was very pointedly looking at the other king as he asked.

“I’ll…” He shivered a little as Minho gave his neck a final nip before finally pulling back. “I’ll be alright.”

“He’ll be safe.” Minho’s voice spoke up with finality. “As long as he’ll have me, I will vow to make prince Jisung as happy and as at home as he could ever hope to be here. When things die down we can arrange visits between our kingdoms if that’s something you still have to stupidly question.”

Chan looked between them in hesitance. “If… you’re sure. Please keep me updated with your daily life and I hope to hear from you soon, Jisung.”  

“I’ll write every day, your majesty.” Jisung lowered himself then, bending down once again to give his former king a full ninety degree bow of his respect.

Chan bowed his head as well and was about to make his exit when something Jisung could had never anticipated happened. A curtain of brunette hair fell forward as Minho bowed his head deeply, a hand placed on Jisung’s back as he too offered his respect.

“As annoying as this is,” Minho rose far too quickly, looking away from Chan’s bewildered eyes with a tsk, getting out his words with a clench of his teeth. “I thank you deeply for agreeing to gift me with this special treasure from your kingdom and I swear that for as long as I am alive, I shall value and protect him as the precious deity that he is.”

The red haired king grabbed his crown as he too bowed in return. “I expect nothing less, King Minho.”

Jisung blinked up at his king, a small smile raising up on his lips as he brought himself to his full height.

“I didn’t wish to be hit again.” Minho explained nonchalantly in his defense.

The prince decided to ignore him for now, turning back to his brother a final time before giving him the proper hug he needed before he left, squeezing the king tightly in his arms to relish in the feeling that will soon be missed before the king was heading out with his royal servants waiting outside with the carriages to go back home.

“One good fuck and you’re strung by the balls.” Jeongin whistled as soon as the sound of horse hooves started galloping away.

Minho turned towards Changbin, completely unimpressed. “Tell Seungmin the concubines are now to be taken to the closest brothel instead.”

“Right.” The buff man marched right away at the order.

The grin on Jeongin’s face was wiped clean off. “Wait, I was only joking!”

The weight of an arm being placed around his shoulder took Jisung off guard, but he followed along as Minho led him away from everything going on and up the stairs. “We’re retiring back off to bed. Do not bother us again.”

“I tell your husband how to give you the best sex of your life and this is how I’m repaid?! You prick! Knee him in the balls for me, prince Jisung!” 

Minho rolled his eyes, still leading them away from it all and back to the king’s quarters for some more well needed rest. When they got inside, followed by Felix and Hyunjin, Minho gently guided the prince to be seated at the edge of the bed, giving the top of his head a soft kiss. 

“I’m going to go wash up my injury. Hyunjin, please assist.” The king demanded, making the royal servant immediately follow with the instruction.

The two of them entered the bathroom, the door closed behind them to go tend to Minho’s hand from the night prior. Felix took a hesitant step inside of the room, not too sure if he was allowed to be fully inside the king’s bedroom, but seeing Jisung there with pink flushed cheeks, he knew he had to risk it.

“Your majesty.” Felix leaned down, resting his palms on the prince’s shoulders. “Last night and downstairs I… I was so worried. I-I thought king Minho was about to strike you for what you had done, but when he didn’t… I was so surprised.”

Jisung looked up at his best friend, offering the freckled blonde a sheepish smile. “I was honestly very afraid of the king myself yesterday. His brother and I had made a risky plan on what to do last night. The whole ‘threatening his life’ thing, but… it weirdly enough turned out so well.”

Felix bit his lip shyly, his own cheeks burning a little. “…May I ask what it was like?”

“The sex?”

The servant nodded his head, blush burning brighter.  

It was only natural for him to be so curious with the sheltered way of thinking they were raised into regarding intimate affection for so, so long. Jisung felt a little anxious to talk about it. The memory made his heart quicken. Made his hands shake a little, but it was a good memory. One he would cherish as long as he lived.

“It was actually so good, Lix. I was so scared the entire time and at first it was really hard to go through with everything because his status is so intimidating and he’s used to such a different kind of intimacy, but… when he realized what I wanted, he was so good to me. He made the entire thing so much more comfortable and it made me feel so liberated. He allowed me to take control and when we were finishing he kissed me so gently.” Jisung played with his family ring in embarrassment. “He said so many things. He said that he’s my king. That he’s… my Minho and he wanted to worship me like I deserve.”

Felix’s lips parted as he listened in unapt attention, strung up on every word spilling from the prince’s mouth like a dirty little secret. “That… it sounds like he’s falling in love with you, my prince.”

“Do you really think so?” Jisung’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

“Honestly, last night Hyunjin had me helping him prepare all kinds of serums and treatments to help you this morning for when you awoken. He and Seungmin were so convinced that you’d be limping out here in tears asking for assistance because he had been too rough. They had said the king was a very cruel lover and I was up all night wondering if you were going to be alright.”

It was an easy guess to hypothesize Minho as such a man, and if he hadn’t managed to get his hands off of him when they first had come into the bedroom, maybe that would’ve been his fate as well.

Yet, last night was beyond anything Jisung could have ever conjured up in his deepest darkest fantasies. The perfect amount of roughness and softness. The most intoxicating mix of cruelty and admiration. Jisung had taught Minho exactly how he wanted to be treated last night and more importantly than anything, he had listened and learned.

“He was too excited at first to get his own pleasure out of it, but after I pulled out the dagger, after I made him really look at me, listen to me, he was everything I could have ever asked for and more.”

Felix moved to hold his hands, squeezing them lightly. “Sungie, do you think you’re going to actually fall for him?”

“You’re so beautiful, little one.” 

“After I saw your face I knew there would be no one else in this world I would ever wish to spend the rest of my life with besides you.”

“You’re the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen in my life. More than jewels. More than diamonds. More than this kingdom. You’re the only treasure I feel like protecting now.”

“Your husband. Your Minho.”

The young prince couldn’t help the smile that bloomed up on his lips as he looked up at his most precious friend. “I think I already am, Lixie.”

The blonde couldn’t hold back his own glowing smile as he took in the expression on his noble friend’s face. He looked so genuinely happy for the first time since the war had begun. An unfortunately rare sight to see as of late.

“It seems like you’ve finally found your happily ever after, your majesty.”

Day after day out there in the tropical floral garden the two had spent laying out in the sun with some afternoon tea, reading page after page of endless fairytales where the princess finally found her prince, and now the prince himself had finally found himself a king to have their own beautiful storybook ending.

As the bathroom door opened up, the two quickly separated their hands, but Hyunjin only lifted his lips as he approached them.

“You two are little gossips aren’t you?” The beautiful long haired man smiled gently. “Do you mind if I check the mark on your neck?”

Jisung shook his head, tilting his chin to let the royal servant get a good look. Hyunjin leaned in close, eyes analyzing the damage of the mark for a moment before he lifted himself away, giving it a single gentle tap on the bruised skin.

“Isn’t this a surprise?”

Jisung placed a palm over it in concern. “It is alright?”

“It’ll heal without a scar.” Hyunjin shrugged. “It appears that even a wolf’s most deadliest bite isn’t so bad when it’s placed on something they clearly care so much about.”

“We’ll give you some privacy.” Felix smiled brightly, hooking his arm with Hyunjin’s. “Say the word and we’re here.”

Hyunjin bowed his head, a smile also gracing his own lips. “I’m happy for you, your majesty.”

The door clicked as they exited, leaving Jisung to hold his warmed up cheeks with his own hands. When the bathroom door opened again Jisung didn’t look up, feeling too shy to face the king right now after everything that’s happened both last night and today already. There was some shuffling in front of him before a soft thud resounded in the room, a weight pressing itself between Jisung’s legs and a new heaviness appeared on his lap.

“Jisung.” Minho’s airy smooth voice called out.

The prince removed his hands, opening his eyes as he looked at the sight below him. Minho was sitting on his knees. His head resting on Jisung’s lap with his calloused hands on his spread thighs underneath the silk sheet covering him.

“What are you doing, your highness?” The blue haired man asked curiously, his head tilting a little at the position.

The king looked up at him at the question, his dark piercing eyes having his breath catch right in his throat.

His king.

His Minho.

Minho’s hand gently caressed his thigh. His pretty lashes fluttering a bit as he looked up at him, so far down, but authority and status so far soaring high above anywhere Jisung could even dream to one day be able to reach.

“I’m at your feet, little prince.”

Jisung’s lips parted at the revelation.

Lee Minho, King of Northsbane, the god of war and bloodshed, the coldest, cruelest, most powerful ruler on the entire map was right there in front of him, down on his knees on the cold, hard floor, head bowed down on his lap and hand softly admiring his skin like a pleading peasant praying up to the holy cross to express his devotion.

“W-What are you doing, my king? Please stand up.”

Jisung’s heart was pounding so fast he could audibly hear it in his ears. His lungs were squeezing together so much he felt like he was starting to run out of air. His stomach jumped with the same movement the butterflies always danced around in during the raging summer heat of Southland.

Minho didn’t listen to him. His hands simply moving over to Jisung’s bandaged hand, unwrapping the gauze that had covered up his still healing marital scar. The king brought his now freed hand to his face, pressing a soft kiss right beside the injury before placing his own still healing hand right inside of it like the missing piece of a puzzle. Their fingers intertwining together so naturally like it was fated.

“Give me permission, Jisung.”

Despite the order, the king stayed perfectly still and patient, awaiting for his permission to do as he’d like.

“…What do you wish for, Minho?”

The name felt foreign on his tongue without the royal title attached, but if he really wanted to go this far, the prince figured it was what best suited him right now. The man in front of him wasn’t just his king after all. It was his husband.

His Minho.

The handsome ruler looked up again, his dark cheek length brown hair falling into his almost pleading eyes rounded out in desire and vulnerability. His usual piercing, almost predatory gaze no where in sight. His sharp white canines for the first time ever hidden away by his soft pink lips. Every ridged part of himself generously hidden away in order to sit here below Jisung with absolutely no threat of getting harmed by himself. Completely disarming himself without having to even be asked to do so, all just so he could sit before his deity without title, without power, but simply as someone just showing his devotion.

“I wish to worship my angel.”

There wasn’t even a question anymore in Jisung’s mind as he managed to give a weak nod of his head, the king gently pushing the silk sheet off of his shoulders. 

It didn’t even cross his mind when Minho had him stand up or when his usually calloused hands didn’t grip or tug him once as they admiringly caressed over his skin, slowly bringing down his briefs. 

He’d never think of it again as Minho’s hot mouth enveloped his manhood that morning defiling the highest ranking noble with the indecency of doing something so downright filthy and unheard of for a king.

No one would ever have to question again who was really in charge as reigning king Lee Minho made the softest, most gentle love to his precious little prince, doing good on his promise of worshiping him just the way he deserved.

Chapter Text

The feeling of being loved was never foreign for the prince of Southland.

His parents were nothing of the tales he heard of unreachable expectations and inconsolable disappointment that other monarchs placed upon their children. His brother sometimes expressed his differing views, but those always came from a place of concern. The royal staff and his kingdom’s people praised their family for their kindness and gracious sense of charity.

Han Jisung was raised where the shining sun brought feelings of warmth and friendliness. Where the sparkling ocean carried joyous laughter on their waves and memories of relaxation. Where the wildlife was cute and curious, dolphins jumping in the distance and butterflies leaving their fluttering kisses on whoever they landed on.

Here in Northsbane things were very different.

When he walked by the common folk dropped their heads as if they weren’t allowed to interact. The royal staff treated his polite ask of favors as a direct order. If they couldn’t fulfill it right away or if it wasn’t exactly as requested, their hands shook with nerves as if awaiting a punishment. 

The weather was gloomy more often than not. The cold seemed to put others on edge. The building snow appeared to bring its chill straight into the citizens that occupied these gates. Reserved. Observant. Apprehensive. He supposed maybe it had to do with the fact that crows cawed like sirens in the dead of the night and the guards outside were on a twenty four hour surveillance of man eating beasts approaching too close to the kingdom.

It was on his third month residing in Northsbane when he tried to change things even just a little bit.

Jisung was looking through the booths set up in the town square, admiring all of the handcrafted jewelry and food stands, interested in learning more about what resources the less fortunate used to get by when he heard it. The saddened whining of a small child. The signature wailing of a heart broken little one throwing a fit over not getting their way.

He gently sat down the bottle of perfume he was admiring, peering over at the commotion.

“Mommy I need it! It’s going to look stupid without one!”

“Please, stop this madness this instant, Aera.” The woman looked like she was ready to burry her head into the snow just to hide away from the judgmental stares aimed their way. “We do not have enough this week to pay for anything we plan on wasting.”

Jisung took a step closer, letting his curiosity get the better of him. The young child was sobbing, cheeks and nose bitten just as red as her eyes as she cried. Her small gloved finger pointed up adamantly at a carrot in a produce stand. 

“Aera, stop it. This is shameful.”

A weight crashed into Jisung’s knees as the child attempted to run off in sadness, accidentally bumping straight into him. Felix and Hyunjin both placed their hands on his arms to steady him at the sudden collision.

“Are you alright, prince Jisung?”

Small hands gripped his knees over his royal robe for their own balance as a horrified sucked in breath sounded from her mother.

“We—We are so sorry, your majesty. I apologize deeply for my child’s behavior. Please, Aera, let go of our queen immediately.”

Jisung reached down to take the child’s hands from his knees, holding them in his own gloved fingers as he lowered himself down to her level. “Are you okay?”

She cried harder at his attention, looking between him, her mother and the vegetable stand. “I—I want to make a snowman, but mom—mommy will not let me have a carrot for—for his nose.”

“What’s a snowman?” Jisung asked, releasing a single hand to be able to wipe her tears with his fur coated sleeve.

She sniffled lighter now, squeezing the hand still holding hers. “It’s a man you make from these really big snow balls. All mine have been small because I’m too young to make them bigger, but I really want to make a tall one with daddy’s scarf so he can watch over our home for us until he’s back from hunting.”

“Children use spare buttons and sticks for the features and arms. The carrot is used to represent the nose, your grace.” Hyunjin filled in where he was clearly needing context.

Jisung tilted his head at her, letting a smile come up to his face. “If I bought you a carrot would you allow me to help make this snowman?”

“Really?” She asked, hope filling her teary eyes.

“The king is expecting you for dinner in half an hour.” Felix whispered out the reminder.

Jisung frowned, turning his attention back to her. “Actually, I suppose I cannot right now.”

Her expression plummeted.

“Don’t worry, I’ll still get you that carrot.” She nodded happily, allowing him to release his hold as he stood back up. “May we please get a few?”

Hyunjin handed over the coins needed for a bag of them to the more than gracious booth vender. He bowed in respect when he handed over the change but the long dark haired servant merely passed it over along with the neatly wrapped bag to the mother knowing all too well by now how Jisung was when it came to his money. 

“Thank you so much your highness. Our kingdom has been graced by your kindness once again and it is something we shall cherish as long as we live.” She bowed deeply, tears welling up in her own eyes.

“All I ask is you help Aera build that snowman she wants. I pray your husband returns home safe and sound.”

“Thank you.” She bowed deeper in appreciation.

♕

It really shouldn’t have been a surprise that news traveled fast. His husband always seemed to be curious of what he got up to in their kingdom whenever he wasn’t around to watch. Lately he’s been busy cooped up in his study getting in contact with the other most recent kingdoms he had conquered to monitor the monthly offerings going out and in to decide whether or not he deemed them satisfactory.

“You roll it like this?” Jisung questioned, feeling out of his element as he crouched down in the snow filled front yard of the palace, collecting snow in three packed spheres.

“Yes, you just keep doing that until it starts to grow bigger. By the end you’ll have three varying sizes you can stack for the body.” Hyunjin smiled, watching the two Southland born men play around in the snow. “Are you sure you don’t wish for help, prince Jisung?”

The blue haired man breathed out a laugh, the cold air making it swirl in front of him visibly. “If children can do it surely I can too.”

The crunching of snow managed to pull their attention away from their task. Seungmin and Changbin raised their eyebrows in surprise at the sight while an entertained chuckle sounded out from the man stalking out in a tight black sweater tucked into black slacks. Completely inadequate of how cold it was out here.

Jisung always loved how casual the king allowed himself to be in his home as of late. How whenever they weren’t in public or in the presence of guests the more often the blue haired prince left his crown in it’s protective place in their bedroom, so too had he picked up on the habit. It wasn’t malicious of course. Not a statement of not liking it or disrespecting the kingdom. It just got heavy and Jisung was nothing if not notorious for being unable to sit still for too long.

Minho also seemed to find his royal robe stuffy and hot as of late when relaxing at home. Either that or he simply enjoyed the way Jisung’s eyes always trailed over his strong frame every time he took it off. Either way, he was void of that as well even in the chilly snowfall right now.

“So this is why you had your courtier borrow some buttons from the seamstress and steal some carrots from the cooks?” A dark straight eyebrow rose up in amusement. “To sneak off and build snowmen?”

Jisung felt heat rise up to his wind bitten cheeks from being caught. “I just… wanted to know what it was like.”

Minho took a few steps closer, the two royal servants beside the prince both stepping back with a deep bow. “Did you read another book on more of our traditions?”

“A little girl at the market told me about it.” Jisung packed the snow into the ball a little bit more with his embarrassment. “She made it sound as if they would protect their home from any danger while her father was working.”

“A pile of snow is hardly an addition to our guards. Is there a reason you wanted the extra protection, Jisung?”

“No.” The young prince swallowed, looking up at the older man with his crossed arms.

The look of suspicion made him look down in uncertainty.

“… I guess I just care for you is all, my king. I would like to help you feel safe the same way you make me feel.”

He expected another laugh. The audible sound of disbelief at his childish antics of ever worrying about such a stable and self efficient leader. Minho hadn’t received his title as the god of war and bloodshed by sitting around on the back lines letting his soldiers do all the work for him after all.

His eyes widened as knees dropped down in the snow beside him. Bare hands reached out to roll around the mound of snow to grow it bigger and wider. Completely uncaring for the freezing ice that reddened the calloused skin that handled it. 

“We will need to make it much bigger than this if it plans on standing watch over the whole palace, darling.”

Jisung bit into his bottom lip as his husband pushed around the snowball for him, his own ears and face freezing with the cold air despite being properly covered. His heart squeezed in his chest at the way the royal servants looked puzzled, obviously finding the behavior very out of character themselves. It was surely unheard of for a king to muddy his hands playing around outside like an adolescent. His defeated enemies would probably cackle over such a ridiculous thought over every drunken shared meal.

They built the snowman in silence like that. 

Hands grazing and molding the snow together as they crafted their snowman to stand big and tall right there close by the start of the palace stairs. A proud but crass little thing built of materials even the common folk could afford to stand watch over the dazzling gaudy castle it didn’t in the least suit standing beside. Yet, it absolutely did suit being there if anyone were to truly understand the meaning of it.

An amalgamation of the king and queen’s care for one another.

“Don’t make him frown.” Jisung laughed, wanting to tilt the buttons up into a smile.

“If he looks that friendly he won’t scare off anyone.”

“But I think it would be prettier.”

“Nothing else in this world can be described as pretty as long as you exist.”

Jisung’s heartstrings tugged as he raised a hand to press against Minho’s abdomen. The one he always placed there when he felt touched. When his own tummy jumped with the feeling of fluttering butterfly wings.

“You’re freezing.” Minho reached down to capture his palm.

The king slipped off his glove, letting his warm breath fan over his frozen fingers.

“You’re the one who didn’t dress for the weather, my king.”

A soft kiss pressed against his knuckles. “I’m used to the weather, darling. I only grow warmer every moment I’m graced with your presence.”

Jisung’s cheeks blossomed as he let himself step closer to the nobleman, properly wrapping himself up in his arms. One day can change a lot. Three months can change even more.

Bang Jisung thought he was already falling for the king of Northsbane. Lee Jisung was absolutely positive he would forever be in love with his devoted dear husband. His Minho.

Somewhere along the way of their lips meeting Jisung’s knees buckled. Somewhere along the way Minho’s strong arms made sure that when they fell into the snow he was the one who came crashing down first to break the prince’s fall. And somewhere along the way of them kissing out there in the cold blanket of the snow Minho pulled away to smile up at him, saccharine and adoring.

“Would you like me to teach you how to make a snow angel so we can see those wings of yours my love?”

They were frozen when they went back in hours after their servants. Not able to get the chill off until they ran a bath together and let the hot water soak into their pink skin. Even after they washed up Minho made sure to warm him up properly with his body heat as he slowly opened him up that night with his worshiping touches and loving caresses.   

The threat of a leash and ties never came true. He cared too much to ever leave another bruise. The only marks he allowed himself to let showcase on Jisung’s body were from his heady kisses and playful sucks. His hot slick tongue always coming out to sooth over whatever flesh he teasingly nipped at, growing more gentle every time he placed one just to hear the way Jisung whined and feel the way he squirmed under his fingertips.

Even on his most frustrated days of spatting with other realms or dealing with someone who had gone out of line, as soon as he entered the threshold into their shared bedroom he treated Jisung the way he swore to his brother he would. Like an absolute deity he never wanted to cross. 

Like he was the answer to his prayers simply by his existence alone. Like he held the healing elixir for all of his anger and malice in the air he breathed as he licked into his mouth and drank every sound of pleasure that left his lips. Like the cum Jisung spilled out of his arousal when he was brought to trembles and tears by his orgasm night after night was holy water blessed by Christ himself to douse away every last bit of evil inside of him as he leaned down to lap it up.

Day after day, night after night, Lee Minho never once allowed for him to get on his knees for him again. The king made it abundantly clear it would never occur again as long as Jisung allowed him to implement the rule. He was the one who was to be at prince’s feet.

♔

Today was a special day for the kingdom. A holiday for them of sorts. A little something they fittingly called Gift Day.

The prince frowned in confusion as he was offered gift after gift by the people around him. He was disappointed he hadn’t prepared enough to be able to give anything back. Still, he liked the merit of it. A special day once a year to express your love and gratitude for the people around you. It was surprisingly wholesome for such a bloodstained kingdom.

“Thank you.” Jisung bowed down gratefully to Seungmin as he handed over the book.

It was handwritten just for him. Claimed to hold every detail of special things about their land in an accumulated place so Jisung wouldn’t need to seek other dozens of literature to try and slowly piece things together and understand it all. Something he said he was working on in his free time since the wedding ceremony. Genuinely a kind gesture he didn’t think he did anything to deserve. He didn’t think he really deserved anything he received today.

“I know the king asked you to stay in here this morning, but I believe his guests have finally arrived. May I guide you to join them downstairs?”

Jisung sat up out of the chair he was lounging reading at, getting up to go get his royal Northsbane robe and crown.

“That will not be necessary, your majesty. The king himself has forfeited his own for this meeting.” Seungmin smiled gently as he stopped him.

The young prince nodded, smoothing his hands down his silk sapphire blue robe he liked wearing around the palace over his own clothing. Just a remembrance of who he was before this all. A little ode to his former kingdom. Minho always told him he looked beautiful in it.

He let himself be guided out and through the palace walls, now familiar enough to get through on his own volition. He bowed to Changbin as they passed him and his men. The guard had given him a hand welded bookmark this morning after noticing how much he enjoying reading and always tucked a hair pin into the pages to keep his place. A casual outreach of kindness.

Hyunjin and Felix’s gifts were secretly his favorite. A matching earring and bracelet set made up of silver plated gold and crystals, no doubt expensive, but also no doubt sourced to them by the king always willing to provide whatever needed if it was for his sake. Him and Felix used to craft daisy chains in their free time and Hyunjin showed them both more than once how a pair of pliers could help craft such beautiful sturdy accessories with the right materials. They were closer to him than anybody. True genuine friends even if they had to switch out from their easygoing personas into the respectful professionalism of true courtiers in the presence of anyone else.

When the big double doors of the private meeting room opened up, not the one where strategic meetings were held, but the ones for proper guests, Jisung’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Channie?” Jisung blinked at the head of red hair sitting inside.

Southland’s king turned to him then, eyes rounding out at the familiar improper call of his name. He stood up, his silk red robes sliding off of the cushions of the sofa with his movement. His arms opened up in offering then.

“It’s been a long time, Sungie.”

Jisung rushed into his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around his brother’s midsection. He felt his brother hold him tightly, squeezing him close and comfortingly. They only pulled away after a long minute, Chan’s hands finding his face to hold his cheeks. His eyes searched Jisung’s long and hard for a moment as if he was trying to read his mind. As if he was trying to look deep inside behind the excited smile lifted up on his lips for any signs of sadness or pain hidden underneath.

“How have you been?”

“I’m alright.” Jisung grinned, honest and true. “I’ve been doing really well. How have you been?”

The southern king let out a sigh of relief, letting his head fall to rest on Jisung’s own as he pulled him into another hug. “I’ve been managing alright as well.”

“How much longer do you think hyung’s going to let them hug before he lets that murderous look in his eye take over?” A humored voice laughed off to the side.

“Do not interrupt the other royals, Jeongin.” An older woman reprimanded him instantly.

When they pulled away Jisung looked over at them in surprise. Jeongin was sitting on another sofa, his dimples popping in a cheeky grin as he rolled his eyes at his mother’s nagging. The king himself was seated at a lone chair between the two couches, watching the scene unfold with a stubborn silence, but the disapproval of their physical contact was clear in his dark stare as he sipped on some tea. Jisung decided to just ignore them for now.

“What are you doing here?” Jisung looked back up at his brother in confusion.

“My presence was demanded.” The other king smiled despite the words. “I would never miss out on my first opportunity to visit you regardless.”

Jisung looked over to his husband, feeling a little giddy with his happiness. Minho set down his tea on the table close by, simply motioning towards the two of them to sit down.

“We need to discuss some things.”

Chan sat back down where he was on the free couch, gesturing for Jisung to join him. The prince however side stepped the coffee table to move in front of Northsbane's king, looking down at him expectingly. Minho uncrossed his legs, allowing for him to take a seat right on top of his lap and get caged inside of the arms that wrapped around his waist. He was quite used to it at this point.

“Before we get into it, I wanted to give you this, prince Jisung.” Jeongin pulled something out of his robe jacket to pass over.

The king snatched it up before he had a chance. “If this is another dagger you’re going in an interrogation cell.”

The fellow prince laughed loudly at the accusation. “First of all, you should rank me up for that. Second of all, no. I got a hairpin commissioned with the Southland kingdom flower on it. I thought Jisung would look rather ravishing with his hair pulled back. You know, when he’s all glowing in sweat and trembling from taking cock—“ 

“If you ever even think of him in that way again I will not hesitate to cut your filthy tongue straight out of your mouth.”

Jeongin deflated, letting out a sigh of annoyance. “You’re far too selfish with him, hyung. Not that I blame you when he’s that hot—”

“You don’t think I haven’t cut out someone’s eyes before for less, Jeongin?”

Jisung ignored the protective squeeze on his waist as he unwrapped the box the gift was held in. The pin was beautiful. Long and delicate, a bejeweled hibiscus flower on the end of it.

“Thank you, prince Jeongin. It’s gorgeous.”

“As are you, prince Jisung.”

Jisung reached out to rest a hand on Minho’s head as the king placed his chin on his shoulder possessively. Minho’s mother offered him a half smile as she reached over and offered something of her own. Jisung’s eyebrows rose in surprise as he opened the velvety box. 

“I wore this necklace the day my late husband and I were wed. I figured it was the right thing to do to pass it on to the new queen of Northsbane.”

It was surprisingly kind of for someone who seemed to hold such hesitance to him up until now.

“Thank you so much.” Jisung held the box close appreciatively. “I wish I could’ve known to get you gifts as well. I will make up for it as soon as I can.”

“Get me those concubines back from the brothel and we’re even, prince Jisung.” Jeongin winked from the side.

Chan looked on in confusion at all of the offerings. “Is today something special?”

“Northsbane’s traditional gift giving day. The reason I asked for you to come.” Minho corrected the other king’s earlier terminology. “I wanted to tell you in person I’m going to relinquish ownership of Southland.”

Jisung and Chan both turned to him in astonishment.

Chan was the king of Southland, monarchs were almost always allowed to keep ruling over their lands even after losing or surrendering to another kingdom. It just came with many stipulations as they got to know well. Theirs hadn’t just came with Jisung’s hand in marriage. Northsbane owned Southland just like they did with many other provinces.

Southland had to send in reports about every action they considered or step they took. Had to ask for permission before changing anything. Had to adhere to whatever Minho’s decision was on that. Northsbane was to inherit a large amount of their income from the kingdom as well as be granted permission to come as they pleased, do what they wanted if need be, and take whatever resources they had to a certain extent that was deemed necessary.

If Minho truly were to relinquish ownership, it would no longer work that way. Southland would fully be allowed to run independently under the king’s sole word and they’d have no access to overturn their military with any option other than war or negotiation. They could turn down Northbane’s soldiers as they pleased and potentially plan out a retaliation behind their back. Not that Chan would ever be foolish enough to wage that war. 

“Your kingdom will still be under my protection because of the marital vow. If you’re in the threat of danger from another realm we will of course step in to fight along your side and any citizens are welcome to take refuge here, but from now on you’re no longer under my authority. That is the gift I am giving to you.”

Chan looked absolutely flabbergasted at the sudden shocking news. “You’re being serious right now?”

“This isn’t entirety for you. My goal is for your people to forgive Jisung for what could be considered as betrayal. Hopefully with the relinquishment they be swayed that it was with his authority that we came to this agreement and he will be welcomed with open arms whenever he decides to visit. All I ask is you assure them he was the one who insisted upon their freedom from my kingdom.”

Minho was losing money from this. Power. Notoriety. Other kingdoms would surely think less of him for deciding to be convinced by a lover to free his overseeing of his former land. It could even cause one of the ones under his ruling to retaliate in anger over the favoritism. A complete win-lose.

“Minho,” Jisung breathed, the royal title completely forgone as he turned in his lap. “You’re sure about this?”

The king looked so much younger every time his piercing eyes rounded out. Every time his sharp canines drew back and his soft pink lips lifted up in a reassuring smile. Every time he wiped the bloodstains off of his calloused hands to gently press his thumb right over to beauty mark on Jisung’s cheek.

“I’m positive about doing anything for your happiness, my love.”

That was the first time Jisung ever let himself cry in front of a room filled with nobles. Minho always made him comfortable enough to experience his first times. He’s given him practically all of them after all.

It wasn’t until far later in that night that Jisung finally decided on something. So far into the night that Jeongin and his mother had left and Chan was most likely fast asleep in the royal guest quarters he was in the first night they both came into acquaintance with the powerful cruel king. Not until they were laying in bed together catching their breaths after making love, Jisung tracing shapes on Minho’s bare chest over his steadily beating heart that he finally realized what he could possibly give in return.

His eyes stared long and hard at the sapphire engraved inside of the family crest ring he’s worn since he’s come to age when he suddenly paused. This very same man had killed his parents. The same man who made his heart feel as if it was going to break out of his chest because the weak organ couldn’t keep up with the way Minho made it absolutely race. The same man he’s now sure that if things would have been different, his father would have proudly pat on his back and his mother would have adored.

They only ever wanted him to be happy. And he was. Minho made him happy. Minho would do anything for him to be happy. And he’s certain that if he could take back what happened between their kingdoms he would in a heartbeat. The very same way he did everything in his power to right things with it today, knowing that wasn’t possible.

Jisung slipped off the ring from his middle finger for the first time since he had been gifted it. The same sapphire Minho complimented on his robe and hair. The same sapphire he had his study painted just so he could be reminded of Jisung whenever he was locked inside forced to deal with his work.

“I want you to have it.” Jisung whispered, holding it up in offering.

He wasn’t sure. Not on his decision, but whether or not Minho would like it. He didn’t wear rings. Didn’t like having his fingers restricted because of battles.

The king admired the jewelry for a moment before looking over at Jisung to make sure it truly was okay. When he deemed it was, Minho slid the ring onto his pinky finger, the only one it could fit. Jisung’s family crest now worn by the very man who he had spent so long blaming the death of his parents on.

Minho wasn’t a murderer for no reason. Not disgusting, dehumanizing, or vile. Not wretched, evil, or a tyrant just because. 

“He’s the kind of person that would do anything for his people and his kingdom even if it means hurting others. He knows what’s important to him and he knows how to protect it.”

So maybe that’s why Jisung let their hands interlace. Maybe that’s why he smiled as their now healed marital scars pressed against each other; a forever marking of their promise. Maybe that’s why he let what he said next spill from his lips not like a dirty little shameful secret, but as an honest proud vow of his emotions.

“I love you Minho.”

The king’s heart was no longer steady in his chest. “I love you too, my angel.”