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#but he’s the prince (and he has some affection for his kingdom and its people) so he gets a pass

undiscovered-horizon · 6 months

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Die Happy - Sanji x Reader

SUMMARY: Sanji is disillusioned about your lack of interest in him. Someone like you could pick and choose among princes, kings and emperors. What's a measly cook to you? Nevertheless, his lovesick heart continuously rejoices when you choose him to waste time with.

WORDCOUNT: ~ 1.3k

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Part 2 -> "Maelstrom"

Sanji has never believed in ghouls, witches, faeries and the like. However, when he met you his belief began to shatter:

Like a dark sorceress covering the whole world with a curse, you lured all the influential, important men like fire does moths. At first, Sanji fooled himself that all those generals, merchants and noblemen only wanted something pretty to hang onto their shoulders but reality destroyed his comforting illusion when the said men offered riches most people couldn’t even fathom. If you asked them for an armada to sail to the Grand Line, they’d only ask what type of wood you’d prefer. Despite something akin to world domination lying at your fingertips, you always laughed those offers off, telling your powerful suitors that you would think about their words and get back to them.

Sanji once asked whether you’re truly considering marrying one of the generals or kings. Some more naive part of him hoped you’d say no. Alas, the truth, once again, was his adversary:

“Obviously!” you giggled at his silly question. “But I won’t marry the first one that offers me wealth and whatnot. First, I’d like to see all of my options and the world…” your voice trailed away as you vaguely pointed around the two of you. “Well, it’s a big place. Many more kingdoms to visit.”

But to his own demise, the cook was a fool unlike any other. He had no chance at winning your heart, no matter how much he’d try. Still, his untamable desire egged him on, whispering sweet songs of your grace. Even if he could taste your lips only in his imagination, he could do his best for you to have a reason to keep him around like a dog that begs for scraps at his master’s table.

Sanji knows he’s only hurting himself, only furthering his desperation when he makes you smile or earns a speck of your affection. Every dawn, he promises to free himself from your sorcery but when dusk comes and his left with the Moon, his only confidant, he realizes that he could never possess enough power to cut himself free from you. You’ve pierced his heart right through and if he pulls your knife out of his chest, he’s bound to bleed out and die. It’s better if he lets you have complete control over his mind and soul - it’s the only way he will make it out alive.

He’s left cold and lonely on that night. Soft, silver moonlight washes over him through the small porthole in the wall of his room. The sea is almost black at this hour of the night but it becomes a mystical sapphire when the Moon’s glow washes over the lazy waves making them glisten like pure diamonds.

Diamonds… maybe if he had diamonds, you’d see him as a man and not just a shipmate.

Quiet knocking on his door wakes Sanji up from his thoughts. Before he has a chance to get up and open the door or tell the guest to come in, the mysterious visitor enters out of their own volition.

Your tired face makes Sanji think about painting in museums - the ones all connoisseurs consider “classics” and “timeless”. The silk shirt you’re wearing looks not only awfully expensive but, which is much worse, to be a men’s size. Its hem ends right underneath your buttcheeks, threatening to expose your body should you lift your hands. In the darkness of his cabin, you appear as nothing beyond a phantom, a hallucination born out of desperation. And just like a ghost, you’ve come to haunt and torment him in the sweetest of ways; in a way only you can.

“What’s wrong, love?” he asks in a raspy voice. Sanji is doing a great job at appearing unaffected by your rather scantily clad form.

Carefully, you close the door behind you and walk towards him. Your skin glows when you step into the rays of soft moonlight pouring in through the porthole. Dishevelled hair, half-closed eyes and a slightly puffy face - Sanji has imagined you this way countless times but never actually seen. He can feel his body burning up, telling him to seize the opportunity, to wash you in the most charming and suave words he can think of.

“Nami kicks while sleeping,” you say quietly. “I swear to god my whole side is bruised at this point. Can I sleep with you?”

Sanji has to remind himself to breathe and to do so calmly. He’s cool, completely in control of himself. His mouth feels unbearably dry.

“‘Course you can,” he answers casually. With a swift move of his arm, he lifts the duvet. “Come on in.”

The pure bliss that suddenly appears on your face forces Sanji to take in a sharp, ragged breath. It’s an expression he also imagined one too many times when his desperation poisons his mind - not that he’s willing to admit it even to himself. He knows it’s wrong to even entertain a scenario in which you would grace him with such an enraptured face. Still, his will is not as strong as he often makes it out to be.

“Sanji, you are my salvation,” you tell him while getting under the covers with him.

“I know, love.”

It’s both strange and natural, the way your body fits his. As though the two of you have done it so much the memory of your muscles twists and turns your limbs to rest in the most comfortable and intimate way. The odd familiarity makes Sanji think that maybe in another lifetime this is how he always sleeps. He wishes he could find himself in that reality even for a second. Alas, it’s too far out of his reach.

“Damn, you’re really comfortable,” you mumble against his chest. Your hot breath makes him shiver. “And warm. I don’t think I’ll be going back to my bed.” A small grin of cosiness appears on your face - one that Sanji will never forget.

His broad chest and strong arm normally go unnoticed by you but now they’re like a fortress. And just like high stone walls are an unspoken promise of security and happiness, his firm hold on your body is a silent oath of a good night's sleep.

“Stay as long as you want,” he whispers back to you.

Maybe if you weren’t so exhausted, you’d notice that his words aren’t a statement but a plea. They’re the last thing you remember before drifting off to a restful slumber.

Your breathing slows down and gains a steady, shallow rhythm. Keeping you close to his chest, Sanji allows his hands to gently brush against your arm and back. His movements are feathery, almost fearful. He wouldn’t want you to wake up and change your mind about spending the night beside him - he can indulge in his heart’s desire but he must do so carefully.

“If you only gave me a chance,” he whispers into the night.

Knowing you’re asleep and bound to remain ignorant of his affections, Sanji kisses the top of your head. His lips linger against your hair while he takes in the scent that haunts him day and night. Unknowingly, his grip around your body tightens at that moment as though he has suddenly grown most terrified of having you disappear. Too many nights he’s dreamed of this exact scenario only to wake up to a cold, empty bed.

When the dawn arrives and you leave his arms, this little moment of affection won't mean anything to you. It means nothing now. Sanji knows this very well. He doesn't try to lie to himself that maybe you'll wake up a changed person and finally see him as more than a friendly comrade. Although tonight means nothing to you, it holds an unspeakable weight to Sanji, who will forever gloat about the fact that when you needed help, it was him you turned to. It was his arms that guarded your sleep for a few hours.

Fighting off sleep until he collapses, Sanji revels in the feeling of you against his body and pretends, even if for one night, that you’re his the same way he will always be yours. Watching you sleep cuddled into him, he swears he could die happy now.

1K notes · View notes

ja3yun · 1 month

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Royal Sacrifice | S.JY | pt.2

prince!jake x maid!fem reader warnings: tiny bit of fluff, angst, smut (mdni), unprotected sex, cream pie, fingering, nipple play, whiney jake, my attempt to write posh-ish (again), longing, not proofread, anything else lmk! wc: 12.5k synopsis: with prince jaeyun set to marry another woman, revelations of the true plans behind the marriage come to light which leave you struck with conflicting emotions and lead to an outcome you could never have anticipated. part one a/n: hi! it is me once again. this was heavily requested to have a part 2 so i am being ever so kind and giving it to you all! i held a poll to see if you guys wanted a long chapter or shorter and long won so ofc its 12k (sigh) anyway, please enjoy it! this was really fun to write even though it's not my usual style, i hope this ending serves you better than part one did hehe.

3 months. It has been 3 months since you last saw the prince, the love of your life. Ever since the king made his speech declaring the marriage of Prince Jaeyun and Princess Mia, your heart has not stopped shedding pieces of itself. With each part that breaks away, you hope they reach him somehow.

Currently, he is in Lethamhill, fulfilling a tour of the Kingdom that will best help him serve the country once the merger is to happen. You haven’t ventured past the walls of Glengyre, so as you imagine him exploring and getting to know the people, being his charming self, you can only imagine the backdrop to be similar to your home, hopefully with a little more prosperity.

It has been hard to focus on your duties while your brain is occupied with a forbidden love, a love that can never be. Of course, you told him to do this, practically pushing him into the new role of a husband to a woman who is not you, yet, you don’t find any comfort in knowing you both did the right thing.

He was willing to fight in the front line, to disregard any idea of marrying another, all for the sake of you and your love. It is a love that comes once in a lifetime and it is a love that has the power to destroy worlds. You could not sit back and in your right mind watch the Prince throw away his people for you, it’s unethical and illogical, thus, you had no choice but to push him away.

But you still loved him all the same, that fire of affection will always burn for him.

Despite your longing, his absence has made it somewhat easier to grasp the idea that you can no longer hold him or feel his warmth through your veins. Being in the same room as him will only hurt you more.

He has to come back at some point, and that point is any day now.

Princess Mia must also do her rounds throughout Glengyre if she is to be a Princess of this kingdom as well as her own. You aren’t one to gossip but the chatter around the servant's quarters is that she is spoiled and entitled, everything Jaeyun despises. There might not be any truth to it, senseless rumours about her attitude could easily be spread in response to some jealous people looking for an excuse to hate her all because Jaeyun is off limits now.

It didn’t matter, true or not, they were to be wed in a matter of months regardless of personal feelings.

As you dust off the ornaments lined up neatly on the mantlepiece in the hallway, you hear the main entrance doors open, a commotion following. You peer around the corner to catch a glimpse, curious as to who graces the castle at this early hour.

Then you see Princess Mia with her arm hooked onto Jaeyun, smiling up at him with doe eyes.

That was another truth you did not want to face once he returned; that he could, in fact, have fallen in love with her.

“My boy! How was your trip?” The king’s ambitious voice echoes through the entire castle.

Jaeyun smiles gracefully, bowing as he approaches his father, “It went well, Your Majesty,” he says at a far lesser decibel than his father.

Princess Mia looks at Jaeyun like he is the only man in the world which only serves to make your stomach twist. It is so obvious this would happen, Jaeyun is so easy to fall in love with, anyone would be foolish to spend more than a few hours with him and fail to be enamoured by him.

You almost knock over the clock you are pretending to dust as your eyes stay glued to the scene before you. Your brain is trying to determine Jaeyun’s feelings towards his fiance, are the feelings of adoration mutual or does he still see this as a contractual marriage?

Does he still love you?

"Y/N, back to work, please. We do not eavesdrop on the Royals," Miss Son chides in a hushed tone, jolting you back to attention.

You bow apologetically, hastening your dusting with a newfound fervour, cheeks burning with embarrassment under Miss Son's pointed gaze. She says no more, retreating to attend to her own duties and leaving you to yours.

As you resume your task, the distant murmur of voices from the royals serves as a constant reminder of his presence despite the fact he is no longer in your line of sight. Jaeyun’s voice threads through the air like a siren’s song, beckoning you to his side once more.

But you cannot answer.

_____

As you diligently scrub the remnants of the Royal's lunch from the plates, the imposing figure of the Chamberlain disrupts the tranquillity of the kitchen, her presence commanding attention as she raps sharply on the wooden table.

“Y/N?” she asks quizzically as she does not know who the name would belong to.

It’s tiny situations like this that make you miss Jaeyun even more. The Crown Prince's effortless familiarity with over a hundred staff members stands in stark contrast, a testament to his respect and appreciation for every individual, regardless of their status.

Turning to face the Chamberlain, you offer a respectful bow, "Yes, Ma'am?"

"Ah, excellent. Please cease your current tasks and accompany me. Your presence has been requested," she instructs, her tone brooking no argument.

Your heart skips a beat, thoughts racing as you wonder what could possibly warrant such a summons. Swallowing your apprehension, you quickly set aside the plates and follow the Chamberlain, your footsteps echoing faintly in the corridor as you trail behind her.

The corridors of the castle seem to stretch endlessly, each step accompanied by a mounting sense of anticipation. You steal a glance at the Chamberlain's stoic profile, but her expression reveals nothing, leaving you to speculate about why you have been called.

Maybe the King and Queen finally discovered your clandestine relationship with the Prince, perhaps this is the moment all of your past rendezvous catch up to you. What would this mean? Would they behead you, exile you from the very kingdom you call home, or was it something much more sinister?

Finally, you arrive at a grand door, adorned with intricate carvings and gilded accents. The Chamberlain pauses, turning to regard you with a stern gaze, "Remember your place," she warns, before pushing open the door and ushering you inside.

As you walk into the large dining hall, you see an abundance of eyes on you. The entire Royal family, along with their trusted valets have their attention on you.

You scour the table for Jaeyun, whose eyes glisten with longing and disbelief. He cannot believe you are standing in front of him once again, albeit in different circumstances than he would like.

To him, you look as pretty as the day he was escorted away to Lethamhill, but he can sense that you haven’t been well; your tired eyes and slumped body are a testament. He could only wish to ease the pain from your body just as his soft hands used to do.

“Miss Y/N, is it?” the Queen inquires, eyeing you up and down.

With a nod, you avoid direct eye contact, “Yes, Your Majesty. Y/N L/N,” your hands tremble slightly as you speak, seeking stability by clutching your skirt, attempting to rid the clamminess that has settled upon them.

The King rises from his seat, intrigued by your surname and background, “L/N… Is that the same L/N who oversees the mill near the Dochart River?” he probes.

Regrettably, you must correct him, “No, Your Majesty. My father toils in the mines, and my mother gathers berries,” a tinge of shame colours your words as you recount your family's humble occupations.

Both your parents worked tirelessly to provide for your family, yet their efforts often fell short. When they left you with your siblings, it wasn't out of neglect but out of necessity, seeking better opportunities in other regions where wealth flowed more readily - a circumstance not dissimilar to yours right now.

The room falls into a weighted silence, the King's brows knit together in thought. “Ah, I see,” he murmurs, clearly disinterested in you now.

You brace yourself for judgment, but to your surprise, Princess Mia speaks up, a soft smile on her face, “Hardworking stock, it is admirable,” she remarks with no hint of sarcasm, her tone warm.

A glimmer of pride graces your features at her acknowledgement, a brief respite from the anxiety flickering around your insides. You still don’t know why you are here, so you cannot let your guard down so easily.

"Miss L/N, may I introduce Princess Mia of Lethamhill. I trust you are familiar with her impending union with the Prince?" the Queen's gaze steers you towards the Princess, who maintains a gracious smile.

"Yes, Your Majesty. It is indeed an honour to be in your presence," you reply with a respectful curtsy, offering a warm smile in return.

She makes her way to you, holding out her hands to offer to you. Your eyes scan the table to see the look of shock on everyone’s faces, taken aback by her forwardness to a mere peasant, “It is my honour to meet you, Y/N,” her face exudes a kindness you see similarly in Jaeyun.

It breaks your heart.

They are clearly well suited, their characters and status mould together in ways you and Jaeyun could never.

“Y/N, you will serve as Princess Mia’s lady-in-waiting during her stay in Glengyre,” the Queen's announcement leaves you speechless, a wave of disbelief washing over you.

Typically, when Royals of other kingdoms venture to another, it is customary that they bring their own staff, particularly their maid of honour.

Princess Mia's unexpected warmth catches you off guard as she expresses her hope for a harmonious relationship, “Pince Jaeyun spoke highly of you, Y/N. I look forward to our time together," she says, grasping your hands with genuine affection.

Confusion and resentment swirl within you. Was this Jaeyun's way of taunting you? To rub it in that you are no longer his?

Despite your inner thoughta, you maintain your composure and offer a gracious smile in return. "Thank you, Princess Mia. I am at your service," you respond, masking your apprehension with a polite demeanour.

As you glance around the room, you catch Jaeyun's eye for a brief moment, his expression one of mischief, “Thank you, Y/N. You know all the ins and outs of this castle,” he smirks, eluding to your secret nightly meetings in whatever nook and cranny you could find to be with him.

With a mixture of confusion and trepidation, you acknowledge his words with a subtle nod, unsure of what his intentions are at this moment. Despite the lingering doubts and uncertainties, you steel yourself to fulfil your duties to the best of your abilities.

“I appreciate the opportunity, Your Highness,” you say to Jaeyun, hoping he can read your confused features. Luckily after months of only being able to communicate through your expressions, he shakes his head, understanding your worries but dismissing them.

He just wants to keep you close, and if serving his future wife is the only way to do that, then so be it.

_____

The following morning marks the beginning of your role as a lady-in-waiting, a position typically earned after years of loyal service—a fact not lost on the resentful gazes of your fellow servants at the dining table. Even your chamber companions shun you, refusing to share the bunk, a clear display of their disdain. Although Princess Mia kindly offers you a separate bed closer to her quarters, accepting would only stoke the flames of their animosity.

As you walk the hallways adorned in your new uniform, a sense of pride swells within you. The sea blue cotton dress may lack the opulence of the Chamberlain's or any other higher ranking servant’s attire, but its significance is not lost on you. It represents a step up from your previous maid garments, a symbol of newfound status and responsibility.

The guards at the door inspect you and your new look, both smiling widely before stepping out of the way to give you a pathway to the Princess’ door.

Tipping your head courteously, you knock on the grand oak doors, awaiting approval to enter. However, when it does not come, you open them slightly, examining the room to find your lady. A lump is formed under the covers of the bed, meaning she could only be in one place.

You gently shut the double doors behind you before carefully gliding over to the window to open the curtains.

Back home, your brothers had a tendency to do as the Princess is doing just now - hiding to avoid going about their duties. You expect it from teenage boys, not from the Princess of an entire kingdom.

“Princess Mia, you have an appointment this morning,” you say firmly, hoping she will wake up.

A muffled groan escapes beneath the layers of quilts covering her head, "Please, Y/N, I have a dreadful allergy to the sun," she jokes.

With a gentle tug, you draw back the final curtain, "My apologies, Your Highness, but I am under strict orders from the King to ensure you join them for breakfast," you explain with a warm smile.

She shifts beneath the covers before casting them aside, revealing her upper half with a resigned sigh, "I understand, Y/N. It is not your doing," she concedes, stretching as if aiming for the heavens, "But you should know, I harbour a great distaste for mornings. If I seem irritable, it’s hardly your fault."

You can't help but admire her even in her morning disarray, her features possessing an otherworldly allure. Though the kingdom boasts many beauties, encountering someone of her stature feels like a rare privilege.

Blinking away the remnants of sleep, she finally meets your gaze with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "Shall we, Y/N?" she says, gracefully swinging her legs off the bed and rising to her feet with a fluid motion that speaks of innate poise.

“Would you like me to assist you with your bath or would you prefer some privacy?” you query, making her bed as she glances out the window.

Princess Mia is like any one of your friends back home, an ease of friendliness passes between you the more you speak. There's a pang of wishful thinking, a part of you hoped she'd embody the snobbishness rumoured about her, offering an easy target for animosity towards her relationship with your former love. But she is far removed from her rumours.

“Neither,” she begins to pull you away from your task of making the bed and pushes you towards the bathroom, “Perhaps I could use the company more than anything.”

Turning the taps to fill her bath, you steal another glance at her as she strips off her nightgown, marvelling at her delicate features: the velvety smoothness of her skin, the graceful curves that seem sculpted by an artist's hand, and the perkiness of her ass, reminiscent of a ripe peach.

In contrast, your own reflection reveals a different story - dry skin marked by scars from old scabies, a dullness that overshadows any hint of radiance, and a figure that pales in comparison, lacking the perfection of hers.

You would be foolish to think for a second you could compete with her for Jaeyun’s love.

As she steps into the running bath, you prepare the soap, handing it to her which she accepts with a smile.

“How long have you worked for the Glengyre royal family?” she asks, lathering up the soap and washing it over her body.

"Just under a year, Your Highness," you respond, realising in this moment that you have been here for much longer than desired. Being away from your brothers for this long was never part of the plan, and the ache to see them again gnaws at your heart, the letters exchanged barely enough to quell your longing.

Princess Mia lounges in the bath, leaning her chin on the edge as she speaks with you, “Tell me honestly, from a peasant perspective, are they good people?”

The question is a hefty one, one that you are not prepared for. It is no secret that you have a distaste for the King and Queen, however, your judgement upon them can only lead to your travesty, so you ponder how to navigate the question while still maintaining some honesty.

“Well, the King and Queen try their best,” you begin, eyes pointed downward, “And the Prince…”

How would one describe Prince Jaeyun? Loyal, honest, kindhearted, fearless, a true King. But how do you say it while hiding your feelings for him? Your brain wants to tell the Princess how Jaeyun kisses with such desire and passion, and his whispers of affection and adoration serve you to believe he is straight from one of Shakespeare's sonnets. He was much more than a noble Crown Prince, he was the love of your life, and you wanted to scream it from the rooftops.

She pokes you gently with a finger, drawing you back from your reverie, "Y/N?"

"Oh, my apologies," you offer a strained smile, hoping she didn’t catch on to your longing gaze, "Prince Jaeyun is undoubtedly a man of great virtue and integrity, worthy to ascend the throne and lead his people," you reply, striving for a diplomatic tone that hides the depth of your affection for him.

"And how will he be as a husband?"

You fluster, your brain now inappropriately recalling his touches and lingering lips while his bride-to-be is a mere foot away, “I couldn’t possibly comment on that, Your Highness,” you deflect, inwardly cursing your traitorous thoughts.

“But from your perception, someone of your lower class has no reason to lie to me regarding your Prince, I would value your honesty,” she insists, playing with the water that envelopes her.

Sighing, you yield, “He will make a fantastic husband. His loyalty to those he loves knows no bounds,” you concede, swallowing the bitter pill of truth as you reluctantly paint a portrait of Jaeyun as a desirable suitor, knowing it may only serve to bring them closer together.

The Princess slips lower into the bathtub, leaving just her head above the water, "He does not love me, though," she acknowledges, her voice heavy with sorrow as if she were voicing the truth for the first time, "He made it clear that his heart belongs elsewhere, that he could never give it to me."

You feel a surge of tension at her words, a glimmer of hope blossoming in your heart at Jaeyun's implied feelings. It's a bittersweet realisation, knowing that he still holds love for you as deeply as you do for him, yet, not one of you can do anything about it.

Standing from the stool beside the bathtub, you pick up a towel and hold it out for the Princess to take, but she does not move, instead, she continues her questioning, “Who does he love, Y/N?”

The sickness that sits in your stomach bubbles to your throat, word vomit willing you on to scream at her that it is you he belongs to, that his heart is yours and yours is his. But you dare not utter such a confession.

“He loves his people, Your Highness, they are who have his heart,” you stand strong, pushing the towel further in her face, using it as a barricade so she cannot witness your wet eyes.

Princess Mia removes herself from the tub, idly lost in her thoughts, “We have that in common,” her tone airy as she remembers her people back home.

She is a good person, her thoughtfulness and kindness showcase this, and you know she will make a fantastic addition to Jaeyun’s faction. With her as his wife, they will do great things for Glengyre.

_____

As the first rays of dawn break through the stained glass windows of the castle, you find yourself standing alongside Princess Mia at the grand breakfast table, the delicate clinking of silverware and murmured conversations filling the air. Your gaze couldn't help but flicker nervously toward the entrance, anticipation mounting with each passing moment as you awaited Jaeyun's arrival.

It is hard to be so close yet so out of reach to someone you used to be tangled with.

Prince Jaeyun and his trusted valet, Heeseung, make their grand entrance into the opulent dining hall, instantly commanding the attention of all present. His piercing gaze sweeps across the room, briefly meeting Princess Mia's eyes before seeking out your own.

You have lined yourself up with the other maids, a habit from your past role. Heeseung approaches you with a warm smile, his voice carrying a hint of understanding as he addresses you, "Miss Y/N, valets typically stand to the left," he gently reminds you, gesturing for you to join him. Grateful for Heeseung's kindness and guidance, you offer him a respectful bow before obediently following his lead.

As you traverse the room, keeping your head low in deference, you feel a soft touch against your hand, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through your veins. You didn’t need to look up to know who it was, the touch sending sparks to your heart.

Jaeyun is playing with fire, he knows it’s risky to even gaze upon you too long, yet his heart yearns for you and your touch, causing him to act irrationally. Your heart is a magnet and it is drawing him in the closer you are to him.

In a brief moment of recklessness, Jaeyun slips a folded piece of paper into your palm before releasing his grip, the covert exchange going unnoticed by everyone save the two of you. Quickly you tuck the piece of paper up your sleeve and stand in your designated space.

As the Royals take their seats, anticipation pervades the air, with the tantalising smells of the lavish meal enticing even the most controlled appetites.

“How fares the Princess this morning?” Heeseung inquires softly, a faint smile gracing his lips as he casts his gaze ahead.

“Quite well. And what of the Prince?” you respond, hoping for a glimpse into your former lover’s wellbeing.

Heeseung's sigh is filled with gravity, his words hint at a heavy burden borne by the Prince, "Disheartened, I'm afraid," he says quietly.

The confession elicits a sharp intake of breath from you, brows knit together in confusion as you silently implore Heeseung to elaborate. "I believe it's due to the wedding being expedited to this Friday," he declares, his words sinking in with unexpected weight.

“What?!” your exclamation escapes your lips before you can temper it, a mix of shock and disbelief colouring your tone, reverberating through the room with an unintended volume.

Jaeyun, catching wind of your distressed reaction, turns his gaze towards you, his expression a mixture of concern and curiosity. Sensing his eyes upon you, you quickly avert your gaze, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up your neck.

You know you cannot be with him but you presumed you had more time to become accustomed to Princess Mia around the castle and before you lose him forever, “Isn’t the Princess required to occupy Glengyre for at least 3 months? Isn’t it customary for her to know our land and the people before she takes such a vow?” you question.

“Apparently, she does not need 3 months. The arrangement has altered slightly,” he looks down at you.

“How can that be?” You don’t mean to bombard the valet with your senseless questioning, but nothing makes sense to you, “How will she know what is best for this kingdom if she does not actively know it? How will she best know how to take the role of Princess of Glengyre?”

Heeseung breathes out, “She won’t be, Prince Jaeyun is to be crowned King Consort of Lethamhill once they marry and fulfil his duties there,” his tone is filled with sorrow.

You're taken aback by Heeseung's revelation, the pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place, "But if Jaeyun becomes the King Consort of Lethamhill, what about Glengyre?" you inquire, your voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to speak the words aloud, “Who will take the place of the King once he passes?”

“It is blasphemy to speak about the King’s death so frivolously!” Heeseung exclaims in a hushed tone, his jaw clenched. Heeseung was a royal guard before he was Jaeyun’s man-in-waiting, the blood of the royal navy still runs rampant through his veins, his honour to the king noble even if slightly blinded.

You offer an apology, bowing your head and feigning shame, “Sorry, I shall never utter the words so haphazardly again.”

He nods, stature returning to his elegant stance, "It's a complicated matter," Heeseung replies, his tone laced with sympathy, "The merger between the kingdoms is more than it seems. Lethamhill is in dire need of assistance after the turmoil caused by the war. The arrangement serves to benefit both kingdoms but it is Glengyre who is set to prosper.”

You are not understanding Heeseung’s words, which only causes hindrance in this conversation, “Excuse my ignorance, but I do not understand.”

“Lethamhill is on the brink of destruction, the King believes if Prince Jaeyun were to be crowned King Consort, he would be able to fully take Lethamhill for himself. King James and Queen Elizabeth will resign their titles for their daughter as part of the deal, leaving our Crown Prince in charge with only the need of convincing Princess Mia to follow his plans.”

You whip your head to face Heeseung, “So Lethamhill is to be no more? What of its people?” your heart races at the thought of thousands of innocent lives tangled in this game of political power.

“They are not the King and Prince’s concern, they serve Glengyre and Glegyre alone,” he says quietly.

There is a weight in your chest akin to an anchor, bringing your remaining hope and happiness for this merger down into the pits of your stomach. The merger is a visage, a guise for your King to be completely in control.

This was never about peace, this was always going to be about power.

“And does Prince Jaeyun know about this?” you ask astonished. Surely, if Jaeyun knew of the inner workings of his father, he would put a stop to it all. Although Jaeyun lives to serve his people, he would never sacrifice others to replenish Glengyre, it’s the reason he has always voted against war.

Heeseung's gaze remains firm, "Of course he does," he replies sternly, "You think the Prince would be kept in the dark about something like this?"

As Heeseung's words sink in, a wave of realisation washes over you, accompanied by a sense of betrayal. You can only hope Jaeyun has a bigger plan, one that can save both kingdoms from perishing.

______

As night descends upon the castle, you navigate the dimly lit corridors with determined steps, your mind swirling with conflicting emotions. Jaeyun's cryptic note had beckoned you to the Council c

Chambers under the cover of darkness, although, you were conflicted with the idea knowing his plans now to infiltrate Lethamhill from within.

However, this served as your chance to speak directly to Jaeyun and figure out what his true intentions are. Every atom of your being is saying he cannot be so foolish as to destroy a country just in the hopes of building up his own, but you still approach the meeting with a wary heart.

With a heavy push, you open the door and the memories of your final night together flood your mind. But you refuse to be swayed by the urge within your body and heart; you must find out what is truly going on.

The room is cloaked in shadows, save for the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the windows. As you step inside, the air seems charged with tension, every creak of the floorboards echoing in the silence.

Jaeyun is leaning against the very desk he made love to you on countless times, the very desk you promised your undying love to him. His head whips up as he hears you enter the Council Chamber, his body lit by the moon and nothing more, yet, you can see the twinkle in his eyes as if it is a bright summer’s morning.

He stands as you edge closer to him, "It's been too long since I was graced with such beauty in my lone presence," he remarks, his voice soft and warm. His hand moves instinctively to find your hips, but you step back, the tension in the air palpable.

"Tell me it isn’t true," you implore, your heart pounding in your chest as you search his eyes for reassurance, desperate for him to dispel the troubling rumours that have plagued your thoughts.

Jaeyun's brow furrows in confusion, his expression a mixture of concern and curiosity, "Tell me what isn't, my love?" he responds, his voice laced with genuine confusion.

"Don't call me that. You have no right anymore," you respond sharply, your voice tinged with bitterness. The pain of betrayal simmers just beneath the surface, threatening to spill over at any moment.

"You'll always be my love, Y/N," Jaeyun insists, his tone pleading as he reaches out to you, but you hold yourself stiffly, refusing to be swayed by his familiar touch.

"But you're not mine, not if what I heard is true," you retort, your voice trembling with a mixture of hurt and anger.

Jaeyun's expression softens, "What did you hear?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid of the answer.

In Jaeyun’s eyes, he has done nothing wrong. He has kept Princess Mia at a respectable length at all times, never shared the same bed, and made it abundantly clear that this marriage will harbour no love as he already gave his heart to someone else - to you.

Which could only mean you know one thing.

You feel a surge of frustration welling up inside you, threatening to implode as you confront Jaeyun with the truth.

"That you are to marry Princess Mia for the sole purpose of becoming king and take complete control of Lethamhill," you reveal, your voice trembling as you lay bare the painful reality of the situation, “Please, Jaeyun, tell me this isn’t true. Tell me otherwise.”

You feel the weight of each word as it leaves your lips. The dim light from the moon casts long shadows across the room, adding to the solemn atmosphere as you confront Jaeyun, the man you once thought you knew so well.

You are begging him to prove your mind wrong, to let you in on a lavish plan that bonds the countries together by outwitting his father.

Yet he offers nothing.

For a moment, there is silence between you, broken only by the soft sound of your breathing. Your figure tightens as any hope you had for him, for this to be a lie, slowly dwindles away.

Finally, Jaeyun speaks, his voice barely above a whisper, "Y/N, please understand," he begins, his tone pleading as he searches for the right words to convey his thoughts, “It is not by choice.”

“There is always a choice, Jaeyun,” you spit back at him, head thumping with the realisation that Jaeyun does not have an ulterior motive, he is going along with the plan to destroy Lethamhill, “What was the point of agreeing to marry Princess Mia and avoiding war when you are only going to cause one anyway?”

Jaeyun's shoulders sag under the weight of your accusation, his gaze dropping to the floor as he wrestles with his conscience, "It isn't like that," he protests weakly, his voice tinged with sorrow, "There will be no war."

“But people will be hurt and in consequence, they will die. That to me is no better than war,” you counter, your voice laced with agitation.

“Some may die but our people will be safe,” he insists, his words ringing around the room.

You seethe as he shows no willingness to relent; you sacrificed true love, your happiness, all for the better of the kingdom you call home, and yet Jaeyun sets make a fool of it. Your kingdom may flourish, but it will be covered in a sea of blood and power. Glengyre will no longer be a place you can call home if this were to be the case.

“But what of Princess Mia’s people? They will surely perish,” you argue, your heart breaking at the thought of innocent lives that will be lost in the name of power and control.

Jaeyun sighs, his expression haunted as he grapples with the weight of his decisions, "I took an oath to protect my kingdom," he murmurs, his voice barely audible above the din of your thoughts.

You step forward, jaw tightening and fists clenched, “And you will take an oath on Friday,” you remind him, your voice thick with disappointment, “To their kingdom, to be their leader and save them from their current state.”

“The King-”

“Enough! No excuses. The king does not have a final say once you are to be wed. You will be crowned King Consort of Lethamhill, you get to have the final decision as to what to do, what is best.”

Jaeyun's hand hesitates midair, trembling as if caught in a tempest of conflict. Your impassioned words strike at the very core of his being, awakening a sense of clarity amidst the fog. For the first time, he begins to see the shadow that his father's influence has cast over him, distorting his once unyielding sense of honour and integrity.

In your unwavering presence, he discovers a beacon, guiding him back to the principles he formerly valued.

“My love-” he starts, but you interject once again.

“No. Until you return the Jaeyun I once knew, the man that I love, I am not yours,” you back away slowly, voice trembling as tears prick your eyes, “I belong to him, to my Jaeyun, not you.”

_____

Two days later, you stand outside Miss Son's office, the oak door imposing yet familiar. The flickering torches cast dancing shadows across the corridor, adding an eerie ambience to the castle's interior. Your heart pounds in your chest as you raise your hand to knock, the weight of your decision heavy on your shoulders.

With the wedding tomorrow, you do not know how she will react to your request.

The door creaks open, revealing the warm glow of Miss Son's office. Stepping inside, you're enveloped by the scent of parchment and ink, a comforting aroma that reminds you of countless meetings and tasks undertaken within these walls.

"Come in," Miss Son's voice breaks through your reverie, and you enter, feeling a mixture of nerves and determination.

"Miss Son, I'm afraid I must pardon myself from my role," you state, the words coming out in a rush.

Miss Son's expression softens with concern as she listens to your explanation, “Why so suddenly? Is Princess Mia giving you a hard time?” She leans forward, her gaze unwavering as she waits for you to continue.

"No, no, she is quite lovely...I fear I haven't seen my brothers in a long time. I think it is time for me to go back and care for them," you explain, your voice faltering slightly as you try to mask the true reason behind your decision.

Miss Son's eyes narrow, a knowing glint in her gaze, "Are you sure this has nothing to do with the Crown Prince marrying the Princess?" she asks gently, her tone filled with understanding.

You swallow hard, feeling a lump form in your throat. The truth hangs heavy in the air, begging to be acknowledged.

"Whatever do you mean?" you reply, though you know she sees right through your facade.

“I mean, I am head of over one hundred servants, I know everything that happens within these castle walls,” she gestures around the room with her finger, eyebrows raised expectantly, “You and Prince Jaeyun lack discretion. Sneaking around, leaving traces of yourself which I have had to clean up, you are both useless at this secret love affair.”

Of course, she knew everything. You and Jaeyun were not exactly quiet in your passionate encounters and pieces of your uniform lay in different areas of the castle; you just thought you were both extremely lucky, but it happens that your luck is named Miss Son.

“I understand why you must leave but it will be a great shame to lose you, Miss Y/N,” she offers a smile of sympathy before gesturing you away quickly, “Now go get some rest and leave tomorrow morning. With the commotion of the wedding, you should be able to sneak out with ease.”

You bow appreciatively to her, muttering an almost silent thank you as you retreat to your bed chambers, your bones heavy with sorrow.

_____

The tranquillity of the maid's chambers envelops you as you nestle beneath your threadbare quilt, its thin fabric offering little comfort against the weight of your thoughts. With the royal wedding looming just 17 hours away, sleep eludes you as you mentally chart your journey back home.

The prospect of reuniting with your brothers brings a bittersweet relief, a respite from the tumult that swirls within the castle walls. However, when you think about your impending departure, you can't shake the lingering anguish that pulls at your heartstrings, tying you to this location despite your desire to move on.

Jaeyun.

As you ponder the situation laid before you, you wonder whether Jaeyun fully comprehends the ramifications of his decisions. Half of your heart longs to remain by his side, hoping to guide him away from the path of destruction. But you cannot be by his side, not after tomorrow.

The door to your room creaks open, the sound echoing softly in the dimly lit quarters. You lay still, pretending to be asleep, though your senses are alert to every sound and movement around you. You suspect it's one of the other maids, returning to collect some forgotten item before retiring for the night.

Miss Son has led the others to the tavern for a ‘light’ celebration ahead of the royal wedding. While it was meant to be a joyous occasion, the event only serves to heighten your anxiety. You would find little joy in the festivities, preferring the quiet solitude of your room.

As the footsteps draw closer to your bed, your pulse quickens, and you hold your breath, hoping to discourage any interaction. However, when you feel the mattress dip slightly and warm arms encircle your waist, your tension begins to ebb away.

The touch is unmistakably Jaeyun's, sending a jolt of both comfort and turmoil through your body. Despite your conflicting feelings, you find yourself relaxing into his embrace, seeking refuge in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

“My love, I am sorry,” he says quietly, his lips peppering kisses to your shoulder blade, each kiss lingering longer than the last. His hands trace the outline of your figure as they etch along your waist and sides.

Jaeyun has never laid with you like this, the opportunities scarce in the secrets of the night, this moment only makes you wish you had taken more chances to hold one another close.

“Jaeyun, you cannot be here,” you state, trying to swallow your love and sorrow, but they’re far too big to choke down.

“Face me, Y/N,” he commands, his tone is not forceful but pleading. He needs you to look at him to fully see his emotions. As of right now, you think of him as a deceitful Prince, set to ruin innocent lives, and he will not stand for it, “Please.”

It is hard to face a man you love who seems to mirror only a shell of himself, yet, you turn around per his request. Perhaps it was the hierarchy that lay between you, or maybe it is just your love for him that outweighs any apprehension you have of him.

Your eyes meet and his heart stops, the tears in your eyes only exhibit how this is affecting you, “I cannot stand you being mad at me,” his lips pout as he speaks and you wish to kiss him like never before.

In your mind, if you kiss him right now it may cause a chain reaction in which he changes his mind on the matters of Lethamhill, but that is foolish thinking.

"Jaeyun, you know I cannot condone what you're doing," you reply softly, your voice laced with sadness, "This marriage, this plan - it is wrong. It goes against everything I thought you stood for."

He reaches out to gently brush a stray tear from your cheek, his touch sending a shiver down your spine, "I know, Y/N. Believe me, I never wanted any of this," he confesses, his voice laced with regret.

You search his eyes, grappling with conflicting emotions of love, anger, and betrayal. Regardless of the hurt, you can't help but feel a flicker of hope at his words. Maybe there's still a chance to sway him, to remind him of the man you once knew - the man who would never sacrifice his principles for power.

“My Jaeyun is in there somewhere, I know he is. Why can’t he be the one to rule as King Consort and make this right?” you beg, your hands playing with the tassels of his white nightshirt.

Jaeyun’s expression is unwavering with regret and pain, “He will be, I will make sure of it.”

“But how? I cannot see him when I look at you,” you retort, lip quivering at the prospect of losing him both figuratively and physically.

“He needs you to guide him, I need you to guide me, that much was clear today,” he begins, his lips find your shoulder once again, his teeth laying claim to you. All the marks from your previous encounters have begun to fade, leaving you bare for someone else to take hold, and he refuses to let that happen.

He must fix this.

Sucking on the base of your neck, his hands grip the back of your thighs, pulling you further into his body, your legs now sandwiched between his, “Today, you made me see my ways, how it was wrong of me to honour a vow to one kingdom and not another. I need you by my side.”

Being surrounded by his father and his men, their constant words or assurance that this is the right thing to do for Glengyre swayed him to believe it too. Then you put him in his place, allowing him to see how preposterous the plan was.

He needs you.

Jaeyun kisses up to the side of your mouth, his eyes now looking desperately into yours, “Please do not go tomorrow.”

“How did you know?”

“Miss Son, she told me,” he confesses.

Your hands lay splayed on his chest as you contemplate whether to bring him closer, or push him away, “How am I meant to stand by idly while I lose you and know of your plans?” you query.

It is selfish of him to ask such a request, he knows this, but he will not lose hope on you so easily, “Trust me, please, just trust me. If not as Prince Jaeyun, as your Jaeyun.”

His words echo in your mind, battling internally whether to fully put your faith in a man who not a few days ago swore destruction to people like yourself.

The room feels suffocatingly small as you grapple with your thoughts, his touch igniting a storm of conflicting feelings within you. His lips trailing along your skin, leaving a trail of warmth and desire in their wake, only serve to cloud your thoughts further.

But amidst the haze of uncertainty, there's a glimmer of hope - a flicker of the man you once knew, buried beneath layers of duty and obligation. You can't help but cling to that hope, to the belief that somewhere within him, the true Jaeyun still exists.

His lips softly press themselves against yours, the feeling causing stray tears to slip from your eyes. You missed him and his kiss only served as evidence of his equal longing for you.

You grip onto his nightshirt and pull him to lay on top of you, the feeling of your lover in your arms is suddenly the only thing occupying your mind. All your worries and woes are now gone, washed away from your brain as his tongue slips into your mouth and his body is pressed heavily against you.

"I missed you terribly, my love," he murmurs against your lips, his words tinged with longing, "Tell me you thought of me?"

His yearning infuses his words, coaxing the last remnants of tears to escape your eyes, "Every waking moment was filled with thoughts of you," you confess, holding him tighter, seeking solace in his embrace.

Your admission blankets him with comfort, reassured by the enduring strength of your love. Initially, when you urged him to marry Princess Mia, part of him foolishly believed it was to liberate yourselves from secrecy and not just for the good of the people, that you grew tired of sneaking around the cold castle with him. Now, as he holds you close once more, your kisses igniting need, he realises the folly of that assumption.

With his right hand, he brushes aside the strap of your nightie, allowing your tit to spill slightly from its confines. The sight of your ample flesh awakens a hunger within Jaeyun, prompting him to lean in, his teeth gently grazing the curve of your breast.

His mouth leaves a trail of open-mouthed kisses as he descends toward your nipple, delicately taking it into his mouth. With a mixture of tenderness and fervent desire, he nibbles and flicks the nub, his tongue swirling eagerly around it. His hands firmly grip your waist, anchoring your writhing body in place.

You're consumed by a desperate longing for him, craving his love once more, unable to wait as he teases your body.

Jaeyun knows that you both usually do not have time, opting for a quick session of raw passion before retreating to your chambers. But tonight is different. Tonight, there are no constraints, no fear of interruption or pressing obligations. Tonight, he is entirely yours, dedicated to fulfilling every desire and whim that you may have. Jaeyun had made sure every servant was out of the quarters till at least dawn.

What you thought was Miss Son’s idea was founded behind Jaeyun’s generosity.

As Jaeyun continues to lavish attention on your breast, his ministries grow more fervent, driven by the desire to reconnect with you. His lips and tongue work in tandem, igniting sparks of pleasure that course through your body like wildfire.

"Jaeyun," you moan, the sound escaping your lips in a breathless plea as his hand slips beneath your nightgown and into your panties, "I need you," you confess, your fingers tracing urgent paths up and down his back as you attempt to remove his shirt, eager to feel the warmth of his skin against yours.

"I know, darling, I know," he murmurs, his words intermingled with kisses that caress the sensitive flesh of your erect nipple, "But tonight, I want to savour every moment with you, to show you just how much you mean to me."

His touch ignites a fire within you as two of his fingers glide along the slick surface of your arousal, drawing forth a soft purr of satisfaction from your lips. Your body hums with anticipation, aching for his touch as he guides his digits to your entrance, the sensation of them slipping inside you with effortless ease sending waves of pleasure crashing over you.

As Jaeyun's fingers delve deeper into your slick warmth, a gasp escapes your lips, your body instinctively arching into his touch. Each stroke of your walls sends ripples of pleasure coursing through you, heightening the intensity of the moment.

His lips are back on yours as he thrusts his fingers in at a fast pace, his thumb now finding your clit as he rapidly flicks it back and forth. The motion causes you to breathe into his mouth, your lover feeling as though you are injecting him with newfound life. He knew he had missed you but having you like this, surrendering to his touch only made it much more evident in his heart.

“You are so beautiful, Y/N. You are utterly captivating, a masterpiece brought to life," he whispers, his voice filled with awe.

Despite your comparisons of yourself to Princess Mia that you made earlier, you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world with his words. And to him, you are. You will always be the most breathtaking girl he will ever see; not even Aphrodite holds a candle to you, especially not as your face contorts in pleasure.

Each curl and stretch of his fingers scissors you open, making you whine in his ear as you beg him to go faster, which he obliges, his forearm veins protruding as he tenses, putting all his might into pleasuring you.

His unrelenting tempo, along with the tantalising exploration of his tongue, drives you to the edge of bliss, preparing you for the impending release that pulses inside you like a building storm. "Jaeyun, I'm cumming," you manage to exclaim, your words muffled against his lips as you exchange air and need.

"Cum, my love. Let go for me," he pleads, his voice gruff as he grinds his hardness against the fragile flesh of your thigh, looking for some type of release. Trapped in his night bottoms, the throbbing in his loins worsens with each passing second.

With a rough curl of his fingers, you surrender to the torrent of sensation that crashes over you, crying out his name as pleasure consumes you whole. Your body convulses in the throes of orgasm, your essence spilling over his hand. You only wish it was his cock.

Luckily for you, he also dreams of being inside you, the friction on his dick unbearable as he watches you heave out short breaths as your body tries to regulate itself.

Jaeyun removes his hand from your swollen cunt, kneeling between your legs as he takes in your already spent body. But he isn’t finished with you.

Swiftly, Jaeyun sheds his clothing, the fabric falling to the floor in a whisper of motion before crawling back on top of you. He reaches for your nightgown's hem, sliding his fingertips over the shabby fabric as he tugs it up and over your head. In the dark light, your nude body is bathed in a delicate glow, a picture of ethereal beauty that makes him gasp with need.

As your bodies meld together, skin to skin, the electric current of desire arcs between you. His lips capture yours once again in a searing kiss, hands roaming over your body as he longs to feel every inch of you.

You can’t help but wonder if this will be the last time you have Jaeyun in your arms like this, so you have to make it count.

Sitting up, you feel a burst of confidence rush through you as you push him onto his back, your hands firmly grabbing his shoulders to keep him in place. The horror on his face only strengthens your urge to straddle him, a natural need propelling you forward.

His eyes widen in surprise at your sudden assertiveness, unaccustomed to you taking the lead in your lovemaking. But there's a spark of excitement in his eyes, an eagerness to yield to your touch and let you have your way with him.

Positioning yourself above him, you guide his erect cock beneath you, your core pulsating with excitement. You lower yourself onto him with tantalising slowness, the smooth heat of your sex wrapping around his length inch by inch.

As you start moving, a low sigh leaves his lips, and your hips swing back and forth, The sensation of his hardness buried deep within you sends sparks of ecstasy coursing through your veins, starting a fire that threatens to engulf you both.

Jaeyun's whimpers of bliss fill the air, his hands tightening around your hips as he tries to match your relentless pace, pushing up to meet you with frantic desperation. "God, Y/N," he exclaims, his voice thick with need, "You feel incredible wrapped around me like this."

Your claws sink into his chest as you bounce with renewed zest, taking complete control. Your motions are quick and commanding, leaving him with no choice but to give in to the intense feelings racing through his body, "I've missed this," you admit, your voice heavy with desire, "missed the way you fill me up."

“You have?” he opens his eyes to see your tits bouncing up and down your chest, a sight he thought about most as he stroked his member in the shower while you were out of reach, “Do you want me to fill you up properly?” he asks in a mischievous tone, his hand pulling your head to meet his, cloaking your lips with his own.

Nodding, you mewl into his mouth as both of you groan simultaneously, the sound of skin slapping and your vocalised pleasure bouncing along the walls. It’s raw and passionate, it’s unlike any other time Jaeyun has fucked into you. It’s a memory you’ll cherish forever, especially if this was to be the last time.

“Y/N, my love, I can’t hold out much longer,” he confesses as his eyebrows scrunch together, trying to hold himself back from releasing into you until he knows you’re going to cum again.

Heeding your request, he grips your waist tight, halting your movements as he pistons into you, using all his might to bring you both to the peak. With 3 forceful thrusts, his hips stutter and legs tense as he shoots his seed into you, endless hot spurts painting your walls.

“Please cum inside me, let me feel it,” you beg between kisses, riding him so hard that your thin bed frame is on the verge of collapsing beneath you.

It feels like a dream to have his cum stuffed inside of you again, causing you to follow suit, cumming over his cock with a scream of his name, one that could surely be heard all the way to Lethamhill.

Jaeyun proceeds to buck his hips up into you, riding out your orgasms together as you collapse on top of him. The inside of your thighs tremble from your combined pleasure, and the intensity of your lovemaking leaves you both breathless and exhausted.

As you come down, you find yourselves tangled together in a mess of limbs and sweat, your bodies still humming with the aftershocks of your shared passion. And as you lie there, spent and sated in each other's arms, you only feel the love between both of you radiating through your shared pants.

Looking up at him, you see his eyes glazed with satisfaction, a lazy smile plastered on the Crown Prince’s gorgeous face. He always spoke about how you were a vision, yet he is the one with a beauty so rare it’s almost impossible to understand how he is real.

But he is and he is holding you in his arms as he slips out of you, pulling your body up to rest more comfortably on himself.

Your mind now clearing up from the fog of sex allows you to go back to your conversation before this impromptu session with him.

"Can you truly change the course of this plan?" you ask, your voice barely above a whisper as you search his eyes for any sign of reassurance.

Jaeyun's gaze meets yours, unwavering in its intensity, "I will do whatever it takes to make things right, I will find a way to reconcile my duty with my conscience."

"I want to believe you," you admit, your voice trembling with vulnerability, "But I need more than words, Jaeyun. I need to see action, to know that you're truly committed to making amends."

Jaeyun nods solemnly, understanding the weight of your request. "I will show you, Y/N. I will prove to you that I am worthy of your trust," he vows, his fingers gently tracing patterns along your skin as if to imprint his promise upon you.

“How?”

“I have a plan, but I must detail it out first before I speak it aloud. Please, just trust me.”

_____

The castle is filled with people here to watch the wedding, the wedding you have been dreading since Jaeyun left your quarters last night. He snuck out in the early hours of the morning before the rest of the staff came home. It was a bittersweet goodbye, your bodies that were tangled with one another for hours were pried apart, possibly forever.

The final kiss he placed on your lips is all you can think about as you stand obediently with the other staff, Heeseung by your side as everyone awaits Princess Mia’s arrival. The buzz around the hall is electric yet you feel like an insect, the closer you get to the nuptials, the closer you are to being zapped in the heart.

You feel uneasy as you see Jaeyun fiddle with his ring, the one he will take from his right hand and place on his bride. The more you ponder, the more you come to the realisation that maybe you should have just left, gone home with the cloak of the wedding as your opportunity to flee.

But Jaeyun asked you to trust him, that he will do the right thing for everyone. The trust you have does not cancel out your breaking heart, however.

Dressed in his princely attire, Jaeyun exudes a regal air as he stands at the altar, his uniform immaculate and his demeanour poised. Every detail of his appearance seems meticulously crafted to accentuate his undeniable beauty, from the crisp white fabric adorned with intricate gold detailing to the way his dark locks are artfully styled to frame his face.

As the royal band fills the air with music, the grandeur of the moment is punctuated by the entrance of Princess Mia, a vision of grace and elegance. Jaeyun's gaze shifts to her, momentarily captivated by her presence, and you feel a pang of sadness knowing that this is the beginning of the end for you.

This was it, you were losing him before your very eyes, but you cannot be selfish. This was the right thing to do, a sacrifice you must abide by for the kingdom you love.

Truth be told, it is easier to come to terms with marriage now that you know Jaeyun will do whatever is in his power to truly bring solace between both Glengyre and Lethamhill. Before, once Heeseung revealed the malicious plans to you, you started to wonder if giving up your love was worth it or if it was all for nothing, but now you know it will not be in vain.

Princess Mia greets Jaeyun at the alter and curtsies, her fiance mirroring her action while you swallow the lump in your throat. There is a glint in both their eyes, while you know it isn’t love, you do question it with a pierced heart. If Jaeyun were to fall in love with her, which is not implausible considering even in the short-lived time you acted as her maid-in-waiting you witnessed how humble and gracious she is, just as Jaeyun is. They match perfectly in every way.

You fight the urge to cry as the ceremony gets underway, the Bishop beginning to unify them both together.

The moment arrives when the officiant solemnly intones, "If anyone present knows of any reason why this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace." The weight of the words hangs heavy in the air, the tension palpable as the guests hold their breath.

Not a soul would be foolish enough to-

“We object.”

A choir of gasps fill the air as two harmonious voices speak their objection. Your eyes fall upon them as they smile at one another, letting go of their hands.

Prince Jaeyun and Princess Mia objected to their own wedding.

The shock reverberates through the room, eyes widen and murmurs erupt among the attendees. Not you nor Heeseung know what to do in this situation, both of you staring at Jaeyun with bewilderment, wondering what on earth he was doing.

Was this part of his grand plan?

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests of Glengyre and Lethamhill," he begins, his voice steady yet filled with conviction. "I stand before you today not only as your Prince but as a voice for justice and truth. For too long, a shadow of deceit has loomed over our kingdoms, orchestrated by none other than my own father, the King of Glengyre."

He pauses, allowing his words to sink in, before continuing with a sense of urgency, "It has come to my attention that he was exploiting this marriage as a means to hold Lethamhill hostage, to seize complete control and dominate its people. This nefarious plan would only bring harm and danger to both our kingdoms, jeopardizing the lives and well-being of our citizens. The exact opposite of what he has promised you all."

Beside him, Princess Mia nods in agreement, her expression mirroring his determination, "Furthermore," Jaeyun continues, "Princess Mia has brought to my attention disturbing revelations regarding her father, King James of Lethamhill. It has been made clear to us that he seeks to exploit this union to unlawfully seize land and resources from Glengyre, with the intent of displacing our people to expand his own domain."

The outrage in his voice is palpable, his eyes flashing with defiance as he declares, "Princess Mia and I stand united in our outrage and determination to put an end to these injustices. We refuse to allow our kingdoms to be pawns in the power games of corrupt rulers. It is time for us to take a stand."

Jaeyun’s eyes flicker to you as he utters his next words.

“We will not be getting married.”

Your knees buckle beneath you, a surge of relief and disbelief flooding through every fiber of your being. The love of your life, the one you were on the brink of losing forever, stands before you, his gaze locking with yours in a silent exchange of understanding. A small, reassuring smile graces his lips

Beside him, Princess Mia commands attention with unwavering confidence, her voice ringing out with authority, "They are not worthy to rule over our sacred lands," she declares, her words cutting through the tension like a sharpened blade. Her gaze pierces through the gathered officials, her unwavering resolve a stark contrast to their shock, "Their sinister schemes amount to nothing short of treason against the kingdoms they swore to protect," she continues, her tone unwavering, "We demand their immediate dethronement and call for this wedding to be transformed into a coronation for both myself and Prince Jaeyun."

The reaction from the royal box is instantaneous, a cacophony of outraged protests and indignant exclamations filling the air. The two Kings, their faces flushed with fury, rise from their seats in a display of unbridled anger, their voices drowned out by the resounding tumult.

“You cannot do this! I am the rightful King of Glengyre,” Jaeyun’s father shouts across the room.

Jaeyun smiles mockingly to his father, “You are right, we cannot do this, not without a vote from the people of our kingdoms,” he says matter of factly.

As the commotion reaches its peak, Jaeyun and Princess Mia stand firm, their resolve unshaken by the storm of dissent around them. Together, they face the fury of the royal box with unwavering determination, their eyes locked in a silent exchange of solidarity.

Despite the chaos, Jaeyun's voice rises above the din, his words infused with unwavering conviction, "We will not allow our kingdoms to be held hostage by the greed and treachery of a few individuals," he declares, his tone ringing out with authority. "It is our duty as leaders to uphold the values of justice and integrity, to safeguard the well-being of our people above all else."

Princess Mia adds her voice to his, her words echoing his sentiments with equal fervour, "We stand united against tyranny and corruption," she proclaims, her gaze sweeping over the crowd with steely resolve, "Together, we will forge a future built on trust, compassion, and unity."

Heeseung looks to you, eyes wide as if begging for answers, yet, you cannot offer him any. You knew Jaeyun had a plan but to go out on a limb like this was not what you were expecting. Shaking your head, your eyes scan the crowd to see their reaction, each face equally as shocked as they are appalled by the Kings’ true intentions with this union.

“Please stand with us. If you wish for Princess Mia and myself to be respective leaders of our kingdoms, Say I,” Jaeyun exudes confidence in his stature but you look at his hand which is fiddling with his jacket, a telltale sign that he is nervous.

Who would not be nervous? This could end in death for both Jaeyun and Princess Mia. If they do not have the people on their side, the Kings will seek to execute them, that much is a given.

The guests in the pews whisper to one another, the discussions hushed as they consider Jaeyun’s words. Your heart races as you await the collective response from the guests. Will they stand with Jaeyun and Princess Mia, or will fear and uncertainty prevail, leaving them isolated and vulnerable to the wrath of the Kings? The air is heavy with anticipation, each second stretching into an eternity as the fate of Glengyre and Lethamhill hangs in the balance.

“I,” a voice from beside you yells out, causing you to flinch. Heeseung, the once esteemed royal guard makes the first vocalisation of agreement. It shocks you considering he was always one to worship the king, “I give my faith to a new king,” he stands forward, kneeling before Jaeyun.

His actions cause a domino effect, echoes of ‘I’ and ‘Here here’ can be heard throughout the hall, each person projecting their trust in their Prince and Princess.

The prince looks at you with pleading eyes, hoping your trust can be stretched to this moment.

“I,” you say, the words are lost amongst the commotion but Jaeyun sees it, the love in your eyes, the trust in him to lead the kingdom you hold dear to your heart. Although he must get the approval of all his people, you are the one he needs it from the most. Without your support, he doesn’t feel fit enough to be King.

“Guards, please see the Kings out,” he orders before turning to face the bishop, “Would you do the honours of coronating us, your grace,” he bows, showing his respect.

“Kneel before me, Your Highness,” the Bishop speaks softly.

The hall once filled with chaos and debacle is now silent, smiles and hearts full as their honourable Crown Prince is made King of Glengyre. You have never felt pride for the royal family, but you know that will all change now.

As he is crowned, a hush falls over the hall, a reverent silence that speaks volumes of the significance of this moment. Jaeyun, now King of Glengyre, rises from his kneeling position with a newfound solemnity, his eyes shining with determination and purpose. Beside him, Princess Mia also kneels, her hand clasped firmly in his as they prepare to lead their kingdoms into a new era of prosperity and unity.

The Bishop's voice carries through the hall as he recites the ancient words of coronation, his tone reverent and ceremonial. With each word spoken, the weight of responsibility settles upon Jaeyun's shoulders, a reminder of the solemn duty he has undertaken to rule justly and with compassion.

As the final words of the coronation ritual echo through the hall, Jaeyun and Princess Mia exchange a meaningful glance, their bond strengthened by the vows they have made before their people. They will do what their fathers couldn’t.

“There is to be a party to celebrate the union tonight, the entirety of the kingdoms are invited,” King Jaeyun proclaims, beaming with pride before ushering Queen Mia out of the hall.

With the commotion of happiness and celebration, you get swept up by Heeseung, swinging you around in his arms. The feeling leaves you with a sense of purpose and gratitude to both rulers of the kingdoms. They did what most would be too scared to do, a testament to their love for their citizens.

_____

The night sky above Glengyre is ablaze with the glow of a thousand lanterns, casting a warm and inviting light over the festivities below. The sound of laughter and music fills the air, mingling with the tantalizing aroma of roasted meats and spiced wines. People from all walks of life gather in the grand courtyard of the castle, their differences set aside as they come together to celebrate the dawn of a new era. Never in your years of living did you think you would ever see such a promise for the people.

Jaeyun ordered carriages and carts to bring those on the outskirts of the kingdoms to the castle, making good on his promise. He wanted everyone to be part of this victory, especially those who had suffered at the hands of his father.

Effortlessly, Jaeyun navigates through the people, garnering respect and esteem from everyone he comes into contact with. He pauses to meet and converse with both royalty and peasants, his sincere kindness and humility converting even the most cynical minds.

Barrels of liquor and wine line the perimeter, and long tables creak beneath the weight of indulgent treats, transforming the courtyard into a true feast. Musicians play lively tunes, encouraging guests to dance and revel late into the night.

You, amidst the crowd of celebrants, are witnessing a momentous occasion. You are witnessing how a kingdom ripped apart by conflict and division can come together under a banner of growth and optimism. And you see that Glengyre's future is more promising than ever when you see the happy smiles of your fellow citizens.

“Thank you for trusting me,” Jaeyun’s low voice whispers beside you as he rests his hand on the lower part of your back. Instinctively, you go to move away, scared to be seen, but he holds you in place, hand gripped tight.

Looking into his eyes, you find yourself lost in the depths of his gaze, each flicker of light reflecting his unwavering determination. His touch sends a shiver down your spine as he gently kisses your hand, a gesture that feels both intimate and surreal.

"I trust you to be a fine king," you murmur softly, sincerity lacing every word. "It already looks good on you," you add with a playful smirk, admiring his regal presence and undeniable charisma.

Jaeyun chuckles, a twinkle of amusement dancing in his eyes as he spins around, basking in your laughter. The joyous sound fills the air, a melody that he never tires of hearing. When he finally stands before you again, his expression grows serious, his hands still clasping yours.

"You know, being a queen would look good on you," he remarks, his tone teasing yet earnest.

You scoff incredulously, unable to fathom such a notion. "Perhaps one could dream of that in another lifetime."

"Why not this one?" Jaeyun counters, his gaze unwavering as he meets your eyes.

Confusion clouds your features as you struggle to comprehend his meaning. Before you can protest further, he continues, his words carrying a weight that leaves you breathless.

"Well, I am a king without a queen. It does look rather pathetic, doesn’t it?" he jests lightly, his smile masking the gravity of his declaration. "But with you by my side…"

The implications of his words hit you like a bolt of lightning, leaving you reeling in disbelief. "You cannot make me queen, Jaeyun," you protest weakly, your heart fluttering erratically at the mere thought.

Jaeyun's smile softens, his gaze filled with tenderness as he squeezes your hands reassuringly. "But when I marry you, you will not have a choice."

The weight of his proclamation hangs heavy in the air, each syllable sinking into your consciousness with undeniable clarity. To marry Jaeyun is a dream beyond your wildest imaginings, a fantasy that you never dared to entertain. Yet here he stands, offering you a future that you once believed to be unattainable.

"That is preposterous, Jaeyun. You can’t marry a maid," you protest, the words tumbling from your lips in a mixture of disbelief and awe.

Shrugging, he lets go of your hands, “It is not the most scandalous thing I have done this week,” he smirks, eyebrows wiggling as you both recall the events that just happened a mere few hours ago.

Taking the ring from his right pinky finger, he holds it out to you, face serious now, "Marry me," he implores, his voice filled with earnestness, "be the queen our people need. I trust no one but you to help guide me to better serve this kingdom."

Your throat tightens with emotion, tears brimming in your eyes as you gaze at the ring before you, a symbol of love and commitment. It is a moment that takes your breath away, a choice that will shape the course of your future and the destiny of your kingdom.

As you reach out to take the ring, the weight of Jaeyun's words hangs heavy in the air. Marrying him would mean stepping into a world of royalty, a world you never imagined yourself a part of. Yet, with each passing moment, the idea becomes more alluring.

But reality crashes in, reminding you of the vast chasm that separates your worlds. "Jaeyun, you know I cannot," you reply, your voice barely above a whisper, laced with both longing and resignation, "I am but a maid, not worthy of such a title."

Jaeyun's expression softens, his eyes searching yours with an intensity that sends shivers down your spine, "You are worthy of so much more than you realise, Y/N," he insists, his voice gentle but unwavering, "You have already proven yourself to be a queen in every way that matters."

His words resonate within you, stirring something deep within your soul. For so long, you had resigned yourself to the confines of your station, never daring to reach for something beyond your grasp. But now, faced with the possibility of a future with Jaeyun, you find yourself daring to believe in the impossible.

Gently, he slides the ring onto your finger, and you feel a rush of warmth flood through you as if sealing a pact with destiny itself. Looking up at Jaeyun, you find yourself unable to speak, overwhelmed by the enormity of the moment.

Without a word, Jaeyun pulls you into his arms, holding you close as if to reassure you of his love and commitment. In that embrace, you feel a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose that you never thought possible.

“I love you, Y/N. I am at your mercy as your future husband and as your king.”

You smile widely, sniffling away the happiness of tears that fall from your face, “I love you, too, Jaeyun. I vow myself to you forever.”

Your husband-to-be kisses the top of your head as he pulls away, joy radiating from every atom of his being, “Let us celebrate, perhaps in the council chamber?” he teases, fingers trickling up your forearms.

With a sarcastic rolling of your eyes, you follow him. Not just for tonight, but forever.

#enhypen smut #enha smut #enhypen x reader #enha x reader #jake smut #jake sim smut #aj writes #enhypen angst #enha angst

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chaenqen · 6 months

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basileia | enhypen

genre royal, kingdoms, vampires, fluff, fantasy, female!reader, enha as vampires and princes featuring enhypen!vamp!prince and reader!princess warnings mention of blood, violence, etc. in future episodes

as the princess of one of the most feared and well-known kingdoms it wasn’t unusual for you to get letters and invites from other kingdoms yet you never really paid much attention to them since they were boring and un-amusing in your eyes.

A gust of wind swirled into your chambers as the courier walked in. You could feel your heart racing in anticipation as you saw the mysterious seal of the Adon Kingdom on the letter he held. You had heard many stories about this ancient kingdom but never imagined they would make a move like this, a move that could affect your path forever.

trepidation filled you as you opened the note and read its contents, unaware of what may be coming next...

“dear princess,

It is our great pleasure to extend an invitation to Your Majesty to attend the coronation of Prince Heeseung atop the throne of the Adon Kingdom. This historic occasion marks the first time in three decades that a new ruler will be installed. We would be honored if you were to grace us with your presence on this joyous day, as it would indeed be a privilege for all those present. We eagerly anticipate your arrival at our grand celebration on the 3rd of November. Prepare for a day of unforgettable festivities and merriment, as we welcome you to the majestic kingdom of adon. Your presence is greatly appreciated and awaited.

sincerely, the kingdom of adon."

you had never encountered an opportunity like this before and you couldn’t contain your excitement as you immediately went to prepare for the trip to the kingdom.

after a long journey, you arrived at the gates of the adon castle perfectly in time. to your surprise, you were welcomed by three princes who were wearing their representative colors ever so elegently as they greeted you. the youngests gaze made it clear that he wasn't happy about having a stranger enter his kingdom and his two elder brothers seemed equally hesitant but still managed to welcome you with warm smiles and respectful bows “welcome dear princess” their voices harmonized together beautifully. "i hope you had a pleasant journey, dear, im jay, prince of mars" as he introduced himself his hand went to his chest, a small grin plastered on his lips. your eyes land on the boy with black and white hair who is staring at you with distrust. the dark-haired boy who seems pretty quiet and observant notices the staring contest between you both and finally speaks up "dont mind riki... he doesnt trust people at first yet he does warm up at some point." jay nods in agreement and lets out a hum before motioning you to follow them inside. the castle was huge you could even say humongous yet it was beautiful and oh so breathtaking. "im sunghoon, prince of mercury, m´lady..." the prince introduced himself right before leaving you at the bottom of the staircase so you could meet their oldest brother.

your heart raced, waiting patiently amidst this spectacle, you finally caught the prince's attention. Your hesitation led you to approach the boy slowly and carefully, introducing yourself in an admiring and respectful tone “good morning your majesty, I’m the princess of azure” he nodded in approval as he extended his arm for you to grasp “no need for such formalities princess...” His eyes locked with yours and you could almost feel the weight of all of your worries and fears slipping from your shoulders. “Just call me heeseung" a smile appears on both of your faces as a blush gracefully spreads across your soft cheeks before a tap on your shoulder prompts you to turn around. you’re met with a pink-haired boy who has the brightest smile you have ever seen. “hello dear princess!” the boy beams you a smile as he reaches out his hand for you to take. he leads it in front of his mouth yet before he does anything his eyes meet your widened ones “may i?” he refers to your hand which is in front of his lips and right after you agree he gives a light kiss to your knuckles as he bows before he stands up straight once again “i’m glad you could make it princess” his smile was really addicting and you just couldnt take your eyes off of the boy. heeseung was still beside you and so was the pink-haired boy who was talking to you in pure excitement. they lead you to their table where a few other boys already settled down including jay, sunghoon and riki. “i’ve always wanted to meet you! i’ve heard so much about you but of course only good things!” his enthusiasm made you chuckle “thank you, i’m glad to meet you too— what was your name?“ you tilted your head as you leaned slightly closer to hear him better since the room was quite loud. “my apologies princess, im sunoo, prince of venus" you felt your heart flutter as your eyes met his. you couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement as you realize that you are seated with the most feared and respected kingdom of all time...

to be continued...

<33

@j-wyoung @lacieeeeee00

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hopeluna-archived · 2 years

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A true love's kiss will solve it!

♡ Obey Me! Characters as fairy tale tropes

♡ Characters: Lucifer, Mammon, Satan x gn!reader

♡ Genre: fluff, bit of angst?, fantasy AU

♡ A/N: this has been sitting in my drafts for literally ages and like i'm not even sure if this is good, also this got longer than I intended it to oop- but I hope you enjoy!

M.list

Lucifer

The eldest prince with a closed heart

Being the eldest has its responsibilities. Lucifer had to make sure his brothers weren't causing chaos, had to inquire and see through the kingdom's welfare and had to be the image of absolute perfection.

But he was tired. Tired of acting like a trophy, tired of getting no time to himself to have fun, tired of maintaining this facade of a statue. And mostly, tired of never getting the chance of being vulnerable and showing emotion.

He acted like he didn't care. But he did. He cared when his brothers would often talk about how much of a headache he was, unaware of him standing behind the door.

He knew that it was his fault. His pride didn't let him show his family affection and it didn't let him open his heart to anyone.

But then you showed up. A traveler who set foot upon his kingdom and on the first day, managed to literally bump into him in the market.

At first, Lucifer was annoyed at you for disrupting him. But he simply took a look at your attire, which confirmed you were foreign and walked by you.

He almost forgot about you after that encounter. Almost. He spotted you once again, a few days later, in a different market, looking around the stalls curiously. Lucifer turned away making his way home, once again ignoring the thought of you.

But it was as if something grabbed a hold of his mind and he found himself returning back to the markets almost everyday in hopes of seeing you.

And after two days, he saw you once again. And as if you could feel his gaze, you turned as both your eyes met. He found it oddly endearing how your eyes lit up in recognition, waving a hand at him with a smile on your face.

And as he watched you come over to him, strike up a conversation, he was hesitant. But as the days grew, so did your meetings. He found himself smiling more and more, feeling warm at the thought of you.

And maybe you were crazy for not being intimidated by him and maybe he was crazy for willing to talk to you. And maybe he let you slip in through the cracks of the walls around his closed heart.

Mammon

The merchant from far away

Mammon had been through kingdoms full of riches, lores, history, all kinds of people and much more. But he didn't care much for all of it, only the riches. Like a crow with an eye, he was good at knowing where his profits would be, where he would get rare items to sell.

But never did he think that visiting a certain kingdom would be a life changing matter for him when something caught his eye more than gold.

He wouldn't even be in your small kingdom if it wasn't for him losing some bet to his brothers and now he was here, wandering around in the markets, bored out of his mind when he spotted you.

You in your big hooded scarf, trying and failing, to blend in with the crowd. Well you were quite blending in with the crowd but Mammon had oddly spotted you amongst all the people.

He watched as you looked through people and stalls, often cautiously glancing back as if you were expecting for someone to lunge at you.

You were on high alert as you scanned the crowd and Mammon probably should've looked away 'cause when your eyes fell on his intense gaze on you, you froze like a child who had just been caught stealing fruit.

And as you looked away and made your way to another street, Mammon felt a pang of guilt 'cause he really didn't mean to creep you out. The next day is when you two meet.

Mammon was strolling down another part of the market when a jewellery shop caught his eye. Getting so caught up as he gazed lovingly at the shop, he failed to notice the figure he had bumped into.

Both of you froze as your eyes met and Mammon swore those were the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. This, of course, caused him to blush and he exclaimed out a quite rude "watch were yer going, will ya?!"

And in his head he slapped himself in the face as he watched a frown take over your features, watched as you huffed angrily, and watched as you walked past him, bumping his shoulder along the way.

And he didn't know why he found himself calling out for you as his feet carried him towards you. As you turned around, like he's body was working on his own, he stuttered out a apology, with exaggerated hand gestures and blushing cheeks.

So when you quirked an eyebrow at him before telling him it was okay, he felt a fraction of his quilt being washed away.

And from then on, you two met more often and often as a friendship grew and the friendship blossomed into something more.

Before, Mammon would exchange anything for gold and money to satisfy his greed but now holding you in his arms, he knows that he wouldn't exchange this for anything in the world

Satan

The rebellious prince who longs for something more

Satan hated it. He hated how everyone in this godforsaken kingdom hid their sinister intentions behind smiles, he hated how they all pretended to be companions and yet judged each other with cynical views. And most of all, he hated how he did the same thing.

Everyone around him was telling him what to do and what not to do, the court telling him what he was meant to be, the visitors from other kingdoms desperately trying to create an alliance with him with things like friendships, gifts and marriages.

He felt like he was trapped. He couldn't do this, he couldn't do that. He had people tell him what he has to be, not letting him choose. It was suffocating. And the only place, the only escape he found from all this, was a beautiful clearing in a small forest not too far away from the castle. A plush bed of grass with flowers scattered here and there, and a small river running beside it.

He would often ignore some of his "duties", pick up a few books and head to the place to clear his mind alone in peace. So he was shocked to say the least, when he had once again made his way there, only to find a figure by the tree he sits under.

He watched from afar as you hummed to yourself while looking up at the sky with a soft smile. Satan, for the first time felt completely enthralled by your soothing voice and smile.

But he quickly made his way back with a shake of the head. He would just come back another day and you would be gone and all would be normal.

And so the next day came, and Satan was wondering around the palace halls having left his clingy attendents who were hell bent on making him choose a suitor.

He scoffed lightly as he thought back to it, when he's gaze fell on you, carrying a tray of plates into the kitchen. You, the person who had taken his place by the river. As he glanced inside the kitchen, careful to not make his presence known, he saw you, chatting away with some other maids.

So you were a worker here, how had he never noticed you? He was usually so sharp at observing everyone who was in the palace.

Nonetheless, he went on his way, back to his room but now with the lingering want of knowing more about you on his mind.

A few days later, he had once again decided to go to the river to escape from his troubles and once again he had to found you there, now picking some flowers. Only this time, he made the decision to talk to you.

And he would be lying if he didn't say your shocked and flustered expression on seeing him was more than amusing. When he asked you what you were doing here, you replied that you had stumbled upon this place and found it to be very calming.

For the first few weeks, he would talk to you but only for a little while. But he found himself wanting to know more about you, to talk to you and he found himself doing just that.

And suddenly when he found himself softly kissing you under that same tree he first saw you under, a warm feeling spread in his chest and he realized, maybe he doesn't hate it all.

───────────

Comments and reblogs are appreciated!! Do not repost or claim as yours though, its not cool.

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undermounts · 8 months

Text

and other forgotten things

Summary: One year into his imprisonment, Aerin receives his first visitor.

Or alternatively, my version of the ch. 2 prison scene because I wanted more angst and anger <3

Read it here on AO3

Aerin is no stranger to envy.

He has spent his life wanting. Knowledge, affection, attention, power. Things he coveted but could never have from a family that did not want him, a kingdom that would not have him. Such was his lot in life, from the very beginning. He is Aerin Valleros, second son of the Gentle King, brother to the Crown Prince.

Or at least he was.

Now, Aerin is… well, he no longer knows what he is. A nobody, perhaps. Or worse than that, he is forgotten. He is a dark stain on a long and questionable legacy, the corrupt end to a line of corrupt rulers. He is an afterthought, a bad memory, an unwanted trinket that had long since lost its novelty, just another object to be tossed away with all of the other lost and broken things.

Aerin Valleros, brother to no one, heir to nothing.

And still, he wants.

The thirst for knowledge—a most noble pursuit, his tutors had always said—has never waned. But affection, attention, power!—his ambition, his hunger, has been dampened. He has lived without each before, and he shall live without each again. He will do so gladly if it means he can have the one thing he now desires above all else: freedom.

A small window, set in cold, grey stone—his only connection to the outside world. The mingled chatter of people crossing the streets far below drifts up through the bars, too distant to be distinguishable. People, his people, living.

In the hallway outside his cell, Aerin hears the scuffle of boots against ancient stone, the clink of armor, the whisper of fabric; his guards moving in another rotation. So soon? Aerin cannot help but wonder, questioning his own perception of time. How reliant he has become on the routines of his keepers, the punctual rotation of their shifts serving as his only means of marking the passage of time since he was left–discarded–in this cell a year ago.

Softly, distantly, he mourns, A year…

His name day–twenty one years now, he has lasted–came and went, alone in his cell. His father never even sent word, no acknowledgment that his second son–his only son, now–still existed.

A metallic, shimmery noise, a dozen keys rattling together and then–click!

Aerin blinks as the door to his cell swings open. Too early for mealtime, his mind races, a tasteless bowl of sludge.

All thoughts trickle out of his head as a figure enters his cell, clad in black leather armor, the scent of ash heavy in the air. For a moment, Aerin recalls volcanic fields and the constant presence of fear and agony all around him, but then his impossible reality reforms around him and he stares, slack-jawed .

“Iliana.”

Aerin does not mean to say her name, had vowed to never speak of her, never think of her again. But she is here, miraculously, cursedly, before him, in his blasted cell, a sight he never thought he would see beyond his dreams, his nightmares.

But it is in his nature to be wary, and life in court has taught him that deception is a means for survival. He stands, establishing equal ground, and lets his mask fall over him like a shroud.

“I wondered if you’d ever come and visit me,” he says evenly, each word pleasant but caustic. “It certainly took you long enough.”

How often, in the early days of his imprisonment, had he thought of this moment? At first, he dreamed that she would come to him, beg for forgiveness–how she had wronged him!– to proclaim her dedication to right this wrong, to free him, to undo the damage she had done. Then, as the days dragged on into months, and despair, desperation, and regret–the hurt!–set in, his visions of her shifted. She was vengeance: her blades, her bow, her fists–the arbiters of a swift and terrible justice, acting on behalf of herself, her brother, her friends, and Morella. Some nights, he even begged–let it be quick.

It is hatred, it must be, he thinks, that threatens the stability of his bones now. And fear of her, the woman who had been his undoing. Everything that has come for him after is well-deserved; this he cannot deny, no matter how much it stings. His betrayal and hers, they are wounds he will never heal from.

And yet, Aerin is not prepared for the way Iliana winces. She had deceived him so thoroughly in the Dreadlord’s throne room, he sometimes forgets that she was not trained as he was to hide her emotions. They flit across her face now, pain and grief. Then, anger.

“Apologies, prince,” she snaps, her black leather gloves groaning in protest as she clenches her hands into tight fists. “I’ve been a little busy this past year.”

Aerin scoffs. “I’m sure you were. Celebrations and banquets in your honor must be exhausting.” He rolls his eyes, flinging the words at her like knives. “That’s the price you must pay for leading the life of a hero, I suppose. A heavy burden, you poor thing.”

“That’s not what I–” Iliana cuts herself off, eyes narrowing. She tilts her head and, oh, Aerin does not like that one bit, the way she studies him, as if she is looking right through him. Then, shockingly, pity clouds her face. “No one told you.”

Unease, slick and oily rolls through him. If the words come out a little harsher than he intended—well. Word from the outside world has not breached these walls in months. He is tired of being kept in the dark. “Told me what?”

Iliana takes a deep breath and turns away, her attention straying to the small window of his cell as she folds her arms across her chest. The silence drags on long enough and Aerin feels tempted to shatter it, to demand that whatever information she withholds be released. But then her eyes slide to him and she breathes heavily again, fingers curling against her arms. It occurs to Aerin that her posture looks less guarded and meek almost, like she is embracing herself, comforting herself.

And, damn him, his voice goes soft and careful. “Tell me what? What happened?”

To you. What happened to you?

Iliana drops her arms to her side, then lifts one hand to her hip, searching. But whatever she is looking for, she does not find it, and her hand hangs limply in the air. “I was gone. In the Shadow Realm.”

Fear, shock, intrigue–it is a heady blend that races through him. Aerin takes a shuffling step forward, then halts. He does not know what he intends to do. Go to her? Comfort her? She certainly does not want that, not from him, and he does not know if he can bear it either.

“Why?” he demands instead, drawing a line down the center of his cell, a boundary he will not cross while she remains. “How?”

“Valax,” she answers, and the name clangs around Aerin’s skull with no small amount of dread. He knows it and knows to be wary of it. “She captured me. Experimented on me.”

“To what end?” he breathes out, blinking rapidly as spots cloud the edge of his vision. The Empire of Ash, playing their hand already. “Why you?”

Iliana’s gaze sharpens. “You know her.”

“Know of her,” Aerin corrects, shaking his head. “I never had the pleasure of meeting her.”

“Consider yourself lucky,” Iliana says shortly and turns away again. She drifts to the window, keeping her back to him as she says, “Before you ask again—I do not know why. I don’t remember much.”

Her falsehood rings clear in the air, Aerin can see it in her rigid posture, defensive and bracing. How? How had she ever deceived him, this orphaned elf from Riverbend, when she cannot even look him in the eye to lie?

He knows the answer: because he wanted to believe her.

Remember that night together in the forest glade? Our kiss? That was real, Aerin. And it’s still real.

He banishes the thought, grinds it under his boot, but something in him still aches, still yearns. She looks so unsettled that he decides to let her lie hold, something he will circle back to later.

“Are you…” It is difficult, still, to force the words out. To ask this, it feels too much like an admission, an exposure of weakness. He swallows. “Are you well?”

Iliana whirls, and her eyes, glittering ores of emerald, cut through him. Whittling him down to the bone. “What do you care?”

Indignation flares up in him and he glares. “Do you think me incapable of compassion?”

She laughs, a cold and jagged thing, and slashes her hand through the air. She paces back to the entrance of his cell, her steps harsh. “Incapable? Perhaps. But I know better by now than to believe anything you do or say after you lied to us all.”

“Do not forget that you lied to me as well,” Aerin snaps, distantly aware of the guards shifting just beyond his cell. They are listening, he realizes. To report back to the king? To intervene and rescue Iliana if they deem him too dangerous, too volatile? They are listening, and political training be damned, he does not care. “That you would still have me. That we—it was real. You lied.”

He expects Iliana to shout at him, wants her to—her anger, he can bear—but she only sucks in a sharp breath between her teeth, her face at once stricken and furious. When she speaks, it is to the ground, the dusty slab of stone that spans the space between them. “It wasn’t a lie, Aerin.”

He barks out a laugh, full of anger and bitterness, because that is all he has, all he is, all that he can give. Anger, bitterness.

And regret. So much regret, he could drown in it.

“You don’t believe me, I don’t believe you,” he says coolly, forcing his voice to even out, despite how wildly his heart races. “Let us leave it at that.”

Iliana opens her mouth, then clamps it shut, looking for all the world like she might protest. But in the end, she only shakes her head, resigned, and leans back against the metal door of his cell. “Fine.”

“Fine,” he echoes and they lapse into an uneasy silence. It is the closest thing, perhaps, they will ever have to an accord.

Aerin takes their momentary cease-fire to truly study Iliana as she stands before him, glaring at her feet and refusing to meet his gaze. He still cannot believe that she is here, after all this time. Her black leather armor, he notes with grim consideration, is standard issue for Ashen warriors. Her blue skin is pale, but otherwise unmarred, save for the scars she already bore. No signs of physical abuse, or just the work of a really good healer.

An entire year in captivity. Gods… Despite it all, he is grateful that she does not remember much. There is no way to tell how she might have changed, how her spirit might have dimmed. No matter what he feels about her—hate, anger, sorrow—Aerin finds that he does not wish to see her harmed.

“When did you return?” he asks, breaking the silence between them with an easy question, a tentative olive branch.

Iliana eyes him warily. “This morning.”

“This morning?” Aerin starts at that, forgetting himself. For a stupid, pathetic moment, something flutters eagerly against his ribcage, although he squashes the feeling down. “I must be one of your first appointments, then,” he remarks dryly, tilting his head. “What brings you here?”

Iliana’s gaze hardens and her expression shifts into something like grim triumph. Aerin does not know where he misstepped but he gets the impression that they have entered a game and she already has the winning move.

“Tell me everything you know about the Ash Empire,” she demands, hands framing her hips. “And don’t pretend you don’t know anything. You already admitted to knowing about Valax.”

“Why should I?” Aerin waves a hand through the air, dismissive. “What would you offer me in return? You are clever enough, I’m sure you could find answers on your own.”

“Or I could get answers from you and stop wasting time,” Iliana bites out, pinching the bridge of her nose as she squeezes her eyes closed in frustration. Then, she drops her hand and fixes him with a look that speaks only to her exhaustion—with him, with the Shadow Realm, with everything. “You owe me. You owe me this much.”

He… supposes he does.

Aerin sighs heavily. Sharing knowledge is a task Aerin has always taken a shine to. Few things are more important than learning more, and helping others to learn. This attitude, he thinks, may be the best thing his tutors ever taught him. But the Ash Empire… The dark kingdom is a topic he does not relish remembering.

Still, Aerin shares what he knows, some of it, at least. Foundational knowledge. The Ashen Empress is the true ruler of the Realm and the Shadow Court had been but a fledgling resistance to her reign, one whose hopes of success had been bashed repeatedly by failed attempts to take over the Realm of Light. He speaks briefly of his own role in the Dreadlord’s bid for power against the Empire, doing his best to tamper down any rancid feelings he still nurses about the entire ordeal.

Anything more, he must keep for himself. Future bargaining chips. Perhaps, if he can remain useful, well… Maybe not all is lost for him.

“With the Dreadlord dead, I imagine the Ash Empire is already hunting down any remaining members of the Shadow Court,” Aerin hedges as he wanders over to the window, drumming his fingers against the ledge.

He feels Iliana at his back, her attention heavy on him. “Sounds like the Empire will be coming for you next.”

She is right, he knows. It is a reality he has long since come to terms with, but still, the reminder sends a bolt of fear into his spine. His fingers go still against the stone.

“If the Ash Empire makes it to the Light Realm, they’ll probably take special care in how they eliminate you.”

What do you care? he wants to snap, spitting Iliana’s words back at her. Instead, he only shrugs, keeping his gaze trained on the city outside the window. Something like yearning tugs in his chest.

“So,” Iliana continues, her irritation with his disinterest bleeding into her voice. “It would be in your best interests to tell me everything.”

Aerin arches his brow, glancing over his shoulder. “What makes you think I haven’t?”

“Knowing you for more than five seconds.”

A dry laugh slips out of him and he turns around, leaning against the wall with his hands laced before him. “Planning to protect me, are you?”

“I’m planning to protect everyone,” Iliana corrects, rolling her eyes. “If I am to stand a chance protecting the Light Realm against the Empire, then I need to know everything.”

She is so… She is everything he read about, everything he dreamed of being as a child. A hero.

He pities her. For her naïveté, for believing that she can fix every problem that comes her way. Almost as much as he envies it. She has never known true failure, not yet. When she does—and it is inevitable—then, she will understand. What she has now, her determination, her purpose—it cannot last.

Aerin looks away, running his hand through his hair. One more bit of information, he supposes, he can grant her. In his best interest, as she said.

“There’s only one other thing, and to be honest, I didn’t believe it until I saw it myself,” he admits slowly, gauging her reaction. “The Empress has a terrible creature under her power. I caught a glimpse of it in the distance when I was bringing Nia to the Dreadlord.”

At the very mention of Nia’s name, Iliana’s expression looks almost murderous, like she might strike him down just for mentioning the priestess, but miraculously, she refrains. “What was it?”

Despite himself, Aerin shudders, recalling the undead creature, crafted of the seven hells itself. “Massive. Skeletal. A beast from nightmares.”

“How vague,” Iliana remarks, but Aerin knows the information has taken hold. She looks unsettled, certainly. Maybe even afraid.

His answering smile is wry and almost apologetic. “I know. But it is unlike anything I have ever seen before.”

Iliana nods, seemingly satisfied with this information. “Thank you for telling me what you know.”

The look in her eyes makes it abundantly clear that they both know it is not everything, although for now it is enough. Maybe—Aerin curses himself for even entertaining the thought—she will come back for more. The idea lights something within him, although he does not want to think about what it means, what it says about his feelings toward her, everchanging and impossible to curb. It isn’t freedom, but it is something. How nice it would be, to have just a piece of the outside world come to him.

Desperation claws its way into Aerin’s chest and he hates himself for the way he caves, for how small his voice sounds as he throws out a lifeline, begging her to take it. “I don’t suppose… you might visit me again?”

Iliana’s expression is guarded, her response measured. “Maybe. I doubt I will even have a moment to breathe since the world needs saving. Again.”

That is… something.

Aerin tilts his head. Always playing the hero. “And must it always be you who saves it?”

He is not prepared for the way her shoulders slacken and she glances away. Gone are any traces of the bravery and determination she had brandished at him moments ago. What faces him now is only solemn acceptance, weary resignation to service. “Apparently.”

Aerin wants to tell her to stop, that it isn’t her problem to fix. But he would be a hypocrite. After all, didn’t he behave the same once, long ago? Believing that the realm’s problems were his to fix, if only he had the power.

And look where that thinking got him. Trapped in an old cell.

“Look, I can’t make any promises,” Iliana begins, her eyes flicking around the room as if she can’t quite look at him, but cannot settle her attention anywhere else. “Things between us are… I don’t know what they are. But I’ll try to visit again. I may need more information. So.” Her tone hardens, all business once more. “If you conveniently remember anything else?” She gestures to the guards outside. “Send word. Maybe I’ll come.”

Aerin suppresses a smile, amused. “Sure. I hope you do.”

Iliana shoots him a look he can’t quite decipher, then turns away. As if expecting her, the guards unlock the door, revealing the torchlit corridor beyond. Aerin takes a steadying breath and is about to retreat to his cot when Iliana pauses in the doorway, looking over her shoulder at him. Aerin watches her hesitate, mouth opening and closing, and then—

“Do you regret what you have done?” she asks softly. “Wish that you hadn’t…”

Wish that you hadn’t betrayed me? Betrayed all of us?

Betrayed your brother?

Aerin’s breath is hard in his chest, something solid he cannot get out. Yes, he wants to scream. Yes to all of it.

“Would you even believe me?” Aerin asks earnestly, but he knows it is a fruitless endeavor. “Whatever my answer.”

Iliana is quiet for a moment, thoughtful. But then she answers, “No. I suppose not.”

Aerin nods, closing his eyes as she slips out of the cell and the metal door slams shut behind her. He knew better than to hope for anything else. They did not trust each other. He did not think they ever would again.

The lock slides into place with a finality that quakes through his bones, sealing him back into this forgotten place, made for forgotten things.

#aerin valleros #aerin x mc #prince aerin #my writing #blades of light and shadow #bolas #choices #bolas 2 #choices blades #blades 2 #i am very excited to see what happens next in blades2 #i just needed to be as messy and complicated as possible <3

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undermine-the-instinct · 1 year

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Okay okay….Prince Al Haitham.

A reclusive prince, content to keep to his books instead of entertaining people, but he is not shy by any means. Rumors paint him as brooding and mysterious and quietly charming and there's an allure to that. His face certainly doesn't help the rumors, with how handsome he is, so he has hordes of admirers.

Until they speak to him face to face.

Sharp tongue and quick witted, logical and cold. It is hard to make pleasant conversation or small talk because he does not see the point in dancing around, wouldn't it be more practical just to say what you want? You're asking to court him? Marriage? He'll have to decline, no can do. No, he's not sorry.

Dozens of people try, and fail, to garner his affections. Knights, magicians, priestesses, Queens and princesses.

Blunt and practical to a fault, people start making up new rumors. The Prince is under a spell, his heart is held captive by a witch. No fancy words or grand gestures can move him, he is not swayed by any of the dozens of beautiful princesses, vying for his attention. He is not tempted by Queens offering their crown and kingdoms on silver platters engraved with his name. But no, its not because he's not interested, he's cursed. Only the truest love can free him. He just wants to read his books in peace, can he have that?

What is love anyway? A feeling? A thought? An action? He's known some inkling of love throughout his life, but it still eludes him. Does it have a prerequisite, or is it instinctive? What defines love, in all its forms? Do these people love him, and that's why they all clamor over themselves just to catch a glance from him? Is that it? Aren't these people tired of all the theatrics and this 'true love' nonsense? What is this, a fairytale? 'Cursed by a witch', or, 'Only the truest love'. Do they not have any tact? You're sitting right there.

You just shake your head at his inquiries with a smile, and drink your tea, your wedding band gleaming in the sunlight.

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reveriedraffs · 29 days

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I think i know why Christian was set to Marry Devi... (My theory i uploaded on reddit was removed by the admin idk why?)

It was bugging me from the moment when Christian said that he wanted to marry Devi from the very beginning although dozens hid this fact from her to spar her to get married to Christian. But why he wanted to marry her? Christian didn't know Devi and the latter came way before Devi met Ian. so what was he insisted to marry on marrying and devi only. also if it was because he show her portrait then he could've remember her when they meet for the first time.

After thinking about it so much i couldn't come to theory or connect the dots that not until i was sitting with my dad watching the news (I am Indian btw) and suddenly the news was talking about the most famous and precious jewel of india "Kohinoor" i am not sure how many of you know about this but this diamond it very "precious", "Priceless" and "CURSED" yes this diamond is "cursed" it was called cursed because of that soley diamond in the past war has fought for 500 years or more. and it has killed everyone who tried to posses that diamond the biggest empire has collapsed because of this mere diamond although it's not a mere diamond. because in reality, this diamond belongs to the gods.

The Koh-i-Noor Diamond isa a 186-caratt diamond with a curse affecting only men. According to folklore, a Hindu description of the diamond warns that “he who owns this diamond will own the world, but will also know all its misfortunes. Only God or woman can wear it with impunity.” Throughout history, the gem traded hands among various Hindu, Mongolian, Persian, Afghan and Sikh rulers, who fought bitter and bloody conflicts to own it. Every prince whohadf the diamond would ultimately lose his power if not his life. For over 500 years the stone changed hands in gruesome battles and vicious coups.

The kingdom of Golconda(current day state of Telengana,India), The khilji Empire,The Tughlaq Empire,The Lodhi Empire,The Mughal Empire,The Maratha Empire,The kingdom of Persia,The Durrani Empire,The Afghan Khanate,The Sikh Empire all collapsed one behind the other while owning the Koh-i-noor Diamond.The height of the curse can be seen in the fact that even World level Empires crumbled below the weight of the curse.The British East India company owned the Jewel since the Annexation and Disbandment of the Sikh Empire. But only 7–8 years following the looting of the jewel,the revolt of 1857 literally destroyed the east IndiaCompanyy from its roots.

Historical records indicate the diamond was acquired by the British in 1849 and given to Queen Victoria in 1850. To heed its legend, the diamond has since only been worn by women, including Queen Alexandra of Denmark, Queen Mary of Teck and the late Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, wife of King George VI.

In 1936, the stone was set into the crown of the wife of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother). The British Royal family was aware of the Curse of the Koh-i-Noor, and from the reign of Queen Victoria the Kohinoor diamond has always gone to the wife of the male heir to the British throne

Currently, it is set as one of the jewels within a British monarchy crown that is kept at the Tower of London Jewel House.

I am telling you the whole story because?

here is the dots to this theory:

Sharma owns the mines for gemstones, diamonds, and crystals not only in Bengal but in very different places on all over India.

Devi's brother died while trying to save the bride.

Those who came to kill people talked about letting "Women alive and killing all the men" A simple person may think they said it to use them later on. if so then why was Rati killed?

Devi becomes the heir of the Sharma household, and Kamal insists on making Devi the heir why? i understand that is because Kairas was his best friend but he could've easily let Devi's uncle become the heir.

For some reason Kamal agreed to marry off Devi to Ian suddenly? like that man fought for 5 years against everyone then why did he turn his back suddenly?

Also I personally thin Ian chose devi for specific reasons too, like right now she is the head of Sharma's house but even when she wasn't he wanted to marry her and only her.

The Koh-i-noor might be found on devi's mine. as it holds the power of god and specifically it is cursed. As it said that "Only God or Woman can wear it with IMPUNITY" where Impunity simply means exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.

Or Devi personally is or is the koh-i-noor itself. Or Maybe British knew about the diamond and it's real power. They have stole diamonds from Taj Mahal too but they knew that the diamond who belongs to god holds its own power so they might need someone for that. Devi. Not only she is related to Maa Kali, she is girl and if they choose Devi and then found diamond form her mine then they can ask her to give it to them as in original i mean in reality that's how the koh-i-noor to the queen, they manipulate the royal family livin' in the England making them into thinking it was a simple diamond was given to the queen but in reality it was more then that!

I think they knew about the mines or something similar related to it.

#romance club #kali: flame of samsara #deviya sharma #christian de clare #ram doobay

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mimissubway · 1 year

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The prince has a mind of his own | prologue : youth

on pinterest

tw: name-calling (idiot), mentions of kidnapping and assassination (its only a mention nothing descriptive at all) word count: 896 words masterlist next

Prologue: Youth

Scaramouche was always an odd child. While being the only child of the royal family did affect that fact slightly, but you can't blame the fact that he was just outright weird.

Whether it be him pretending that the bugs were his parents or him stacking up all the books just to push them down and laugh. He was a weird kid, but all kids are weird right?

His weirdness turned as arrogances. You can blame that on his young prince status. With everyone in the kingdom at your supposed command, that power would greatly affect you and it did for him.

No one says no to him, except for his parents but even then, they would be too busy to parent their child that they would throw that responsibility to his caretaker.

He went through many of his years, one after the other they would all leave. Turns out when arrogances meet his odd personality it creates disruption to others. So many didn't stay long. Due to this, he never grew attached to anything.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

You grew up in the castle, wait sorry, the worker's chamber of the castle. You get glimpses of white marble pillars and crystal chandelier but, you lived behind dusty beige concrete walls with wood crack beams.

Your mother was a maid, and your father was a butler, but you spent your time around the kitchen and garden. You always had a knack for baking, always helping the castle chef whip up the batter and the garden was just somewhere big enough to hide around.

Only a few knew of your presence, one of the few being the prince himself. You met him on a sunny day where you were drawing in the garden. A spot no one really goes to, so you thought. The prince almost screamed seeing a little girl with pigtails and a dirty peasant dress in his royal estate.

You panicked too at that point you've only seen the prince from afar. Seeing him up close made your little 4-year-old brain go up in flames. Even back then you had a little puppy love crush on the boy who was 6 at the time.

"Who are you and what are you doing here in my garden?"

Six-year-old Scaramouche asked your naive self.

"I'm name!! My mummy and daddy work in the castle so I stay outside and play princess."

Scaramouche scoffed at you. Looking down at your poor dress and your bare feet.

"You definitely don't look like a princess,"

Scaramouche insults you. That was uncalled. Which made your little self-cry. tears fall from your eyes, when that happens, he panics, he didn't think you would cry over some small 'joke.'

"Hey! Stop crying, idiot,"

He demands you, but as a child you didn't know much about order or what his position really means. You just kept crying. Scaramouche hesitated but still gave you a hug rubbing your back.

"I'm sorry please stop crying..."

You looked up with glossy eyes, he immediately felt regret. That was the first time he realizes that consequences had actions.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

After that unfortunate encounter, Scaramouche vouch himself to be nicer to you next time, luckily for him, it wasn't long until you met him again but unluckily for you, it was because you were discovered by the King and Queen.

Your parents begged for them to spare you and let you stay here, and his parents reluctantly agreed seeing that they didn't have any extend family and spent most of their life working in the castle. But after that, you were sent to school for most of the day.

That in turn made Scaramouche jealous of your life, you were able to leave the castle every day, meet people and actually make friends. While he had to stay in the castle and study all by himself (and his tutor) It was depressing for him, but obviously with someone of that sort of power, it was quite common for this kind of set up to prevent any risk of kidnapping or assassination.

By the next few times you both run into each other, Scaramouche considered you as his only friend (even though he would never admit it). He was excited to meet you and ask you about school outside the castle gates. He also managed to take advantage of your privileges and got you to get candy for him.

This slowly turned into you helping him sneak food into his room, carry his books from one hall to another and basically being his secret personal assistance. You didn't really mind because of that crush of yours but after a while of his constant nagging and his annoyance that crush slowly faded away but even still you were stuck doing these minor chores and favours for him.

The both of you became closer over time but it was all still pretty surface level, Scaramouche could never read your mind and neither could you. Your experiences will always be different from one another and it's a miracle that the both of you even met let alone get along.

But fate always seems to have different plans.

taglist

@beriiov @evsolostheuniverse @bryai003 @alatusorrow @lahsram2201 @d4y-dr3am3r @etherisy (taglist is still open! comment if u wanna be added!)

#genshin impact scaramouche #scaramouche x reader #scaramouche prince #scaramouche prince au #wanderer x reader #kunikuzushi x reader #the prince has a mind of his own

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nothankyoudear · 1 year

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Merlin should've ended with Arthur going, "I know" when Merlin reveals his magic, AND HERE'S WHY

In Arthur's mind, magic is an act punishable by death— It's something that's been pushed onto him for years, with (almost) valid backing. After all, one of the few things he knew about his mother was that she died of magic.

Arthur is also the prince of Camelot, a kingdom that is pretty much notorious for its distrust and hatred for magic and all magic users. So in staying silent, Arthur not only is passively betraying his father and upbringing, he is also going against his own royal position and power over Camelot. His destiny.

So being silent about Merlin's magic betrays his teachings and his royal position. Blah blah blah, we've heard it all before. But there's more.

Arthur is very clearly a man that puts honour and loyalty above all else (as seen by his obedience to the Knight's Code). He's been raised with chivalry embedded into every word and sentence, so this act of deception should absolutely enrage him.

Because Merlin isn't a knight that he sees only for hunting and training, Merlin bathes and feeds and dresses him every single day. He is the closest person to Arthur possibly ever, so it only makes sense for Arthur to be outraged at this blatant act of betrayal.

But he isn't.

Sure, he may have been at some point in time, but the important thing is that he still stayed silent.

And THAT'S why Arthur knowing about Merlin's magic could've been so good. Because Arthur isn't just betraying his father and his kingdom and his entire fucking destiny for Merlin, he is also betraying himself.

His unshakable morals, his unwavering standards for loyalty— He throws all that away for Merlin.

Arthur knowing about Merlin's magic adds nuance and substance to his character. No longer is he a prince who is naive and also apparently selectively blind and deaf, he is a prince who is willing to go against everything he's ever learned and who he is for the people—the man— he loves.

And it also shows how he loves. We all know that Arthur has problems with communicating affection like a normal person, but having him know Merlin's magic gives him a way of bypassing that emotional blockage by showing that he has other ways of showing his love.

Because despite his taunts and jabs, Arthur still hides Merlin's biggest secret from everyone, even Merlin himself. He lives his entire life staying quiet about a secret that could ruin both him and Merlin, because that's how Arthur Pendragon loves—Quietly.

Anyways that was my rant bc I was pissed off at the ending again for the fourth time today lol

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streets-in-paradise · 1 year

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Tinuviel - Eddie Munson x (Fem)Henderson!Reader

Word Count 1.4 K

Warnings: Tolkien References, specially regarding The Silmarillion.

Summary: Your Tolkien nerd discussion with Eddie leads him to discover a new weakness of yours and he can’t stop testing it.

Notes: If you have been arround my blog for a while you will notice that this is self indulgent, but I am doing it anyways.

Glossary (simplified): Ainulindale and Valaquenta: the first and second books of The Silmarillion

Silmarils: The most precious jewels that ever existed in Tolkien lore. Created by Feanor, one of the princes of the Noldor elves. Morgoth ( who Sauron used to serve before being a powerfull evil lord himself) stole them and that unleashed the war that is central for the argument on most of The Silmarillion.

Mellon: elvish word for friend.

Tags: @losersclubisms @dark-angel-is-back

It wouldn't be the first time you would end up confessing an embarrassing secret to Eddie. He was the keeper of some of your greatest sins in and out of your nerd experience. Details about yourself that no one else in Hellfire would get to know were easier to tell when you were all alone with him.

He was always more curious that judgemental, even when things wouldn't make sense to him at first hearing.

" Let me understand this: you have read The Iliad as a kid, but you got lost in your first reading of The Silmarillion ?"

He didn't mean to offend you, but you felt ashamed.

" Are you disappointed? Am I going to lose my fantasy nerd club membership card?"

Just the mention of that was plausible to him.

" Of course not... How would I ever let you go?" Was his teasing reply. " Homer is only one of Tolkien's sources, but the Catalogue of Ships is a nightmare! The Silmarillion has richer catalogues with interesting descriptions of the people, their land, bits of their culture and their leaders. The second book of The Iliad is just a bunch of names and numbers being thrown at you. I would take ' Of Beleriand and its Kingdoms' over Book 2 anytime."

" That's exactly the point, it's way more complex!" You defended yourself. " The Silmarillion has the history, cosmogony, religion and philosophy of a completely fictional world all in one while being a chronicle of the entire First and Second ages. The Iliad doesn't even cover the full ten years of war and you can support your reading with history books on mycenaean greece. My first reading of The Silmarillion was four years ago and I had to come back later for a deeper understanding... I guess I am not that smart."

The worshiping instincts that his secret crush on you had created kicked in, triggered by your ramble followed by self bashing. He could have continued the normal flow of the conversation, but chose not to because he would never help himself when it came to you.

" You are brilliant, the most brilliant girl I know. I love to hear you talk, you could read to me the Catalogue of Ships and I wouldn't get bored."

You giggled and to him that was mission accomplished.

" Well, i bet The Silmarillion is even more epic and beautiful in your voice..."

"... What is saying a lot, my lady. " He sweetly added, thanking your compliment humbly. " I accept it only because I like flattery and it has an extra taste when it comes from you. Anything sounds sweeter; every praise more magnificent and every victory greater when it is told from your lips, Tinuviel. "

Eddie had you used to all sorts of lovely compliments, but nothing he had said before affected you in the same way. He was surprised at how helplessly weak for it you seemed to be, wondering what hitted you so deep to end up like that.

Only after you stopped hiding your face with your hands and your eyes were back on him he got a glimpse of explanation.

" Don't use that name in vain, it's too powerful. "

The lovely nickname that the mortal heroe Beren gave to elven princess Luthien, the most beautiful of all tales. Their sad love story was the most legendary, serving as inspiration for Aragorn and Arwen in the Lord of the Rings books.

How could you have done anything but melting with love?

" It fits you perfectly. " He insisted, refusing to let it go because he knew you loved it. " To the rest of the world you may be a simple mortal lass, human for most. Populars may have confused you for a hobbit because of the taste and skill for hiding you kept for years, but they were all deceived. You are Tinuviel, more precious to me than the Silmarils of Feanor. "

It was the most beautiful thing he had said of you, so romantic that you almost thought you were just dreaming it.

" Eddie, don't play with me." You complained, a real clamor from your heart that you tried to hush afterwards. " I wouldn't have been an elven lady, not even in the Third Age. Besides, Dustin has already helped me pick a Tolkien character as kids: I have always been the White Lady of Rohan. "

" Can't you be both? Just for me? " He sweetly asked, totally convincing you with his puppy eyes. " It can stay between us."

" It MUST stay between us. " You corrected, just the idea of being called like that in public was getting you even more flustered. " I don't want the guys to make fun of us because you are the only one who can possibly think of using that word on me. It's a sacred nickname: something you say to a top level beautifull girl or someone you love. They will think it is a joke and I wouldn't blame them. "

Despite being aware you would understand his sayings, Eddie was just realizing he practically dropped a love confession clothed in Tolkien metaphors. Perhaps it happened because most people wouldn't have catched the full meaning with such precision and he previously thought you were going to associate it only with praise on beauty.

" You are the prettiest girl who speaks to them on a regular basis. Trust me, mellon. If I wouldn't be a firm leader our table at the cafeteria would have become the trojan war."

You chuckled with amused skepticism and he cursed himself for not admitting that both of your assumptions were right.

“ Helen of Troy? That is way too much, Munson. What is wrong with you? Are you practicing pick up lines to tell Chrissy Cunningham in literature class? Remember you will need someone to distract the king in order to steal the queen.”

Eddie didn't act called out in the slightest, but he did return the callout.

" If someone here shall be Paris, it has to be Harrington. That pretty boy who says he is your friend seems to love stealing you from us."

" ... and you love to confuse him with things you know he doesn't understand. Don't add this one to the list, alright?"

If he had to be honest, he would admit he was dying for doing the exact opposite and force him to watch your adorable reaction.

However, he was then too focused in practicing his new trick.

" If you ban the nickname in his presence I still have the elvish name. I can call you Luthien, although I prefer Tinuviel because I feel it hits differently, don't you think?"

Your face was speaking for you, his teasing was just self reaffirmation.

" It has more love, makes me feel loved somehow. " You forced an answer out of yourself. " I'm sure that hearing you read the book must be incredible because when you say that it sounds so good ... Would you read it to me someday? Even If it is just a few pages of Ainulindale or Valaquenta, I would love that. "

Seeking to actively romance you in the finest way he had, he accepted your request and made it bigger.

" Tell you what? That sounds fantastic, but we can still make it better. What if we cuddle in bed and I read you some of 'Of Beren and Luthien' ? "

The surprise in your eyes was priceless, happiness filling you despite how unsure you were about your chances of survival to such a tender moment.

" That would be so wonderful! Would you really do that for me, Eds?"

It was his moment to make it even sweeter and he wasn't going to waste it.

" Anything for you, my Tinuviel. "

#stranger things #eddie munson #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x henderson reader #joseph quinn

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stiltonbasket · 1 year

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Hope your day gets better, Stilton! Could you tell me how a Nielan LOTR AU with elf Xichen and human king/dwarf Mingjue would play out?

From the day the young elf-prince of Gusu first visited the Unclean Realm, its people noticed that he was fonder of dwarven craft than the rest of his kin.

Humans came to the Nie for armor, and elves—excluding the Jiang, who needed weapons of dwarvish make to do battle with the sea-serpents that ran wild in their territory—would come for jewellery; but since Nie Zhuxi first laid eyes on Lan Xichen fifteen years ago, every last one of his ornaments and weapons had been made by some talented dwarvish smith whose identity no one knew.

"He is older than the oldest of our grandfathers," Nie Zhuxi's mother reminded him, when he asked her why no dwarf knew the name of the smith who had forged Lan Xichen's beautiful greaves. "And our kin outside the Bujingshi are solitary folk. Perhaps he knows some aged master who settled near the elf-palace where he lives."

But Nie Zhuxi did not quite believe her. Lan Xichen visited the Bujingshi at least twice a year at the midsummer and midwinter festivals, and at each visit he came with new daggers at his belt and new bracelets at his wrists, the like of which no smith of men or elves—or even an elderly dwarf, whose work would eventually begin to show the signs of his age—could possibly have made.

However, the dwarves of the Unclean Realm did not see fit to question him. He bought many of their wares at market, and he was a kind and generous customer—for elves knew nothing of bargaining, especially the ones with noble blood—but nobody seemed to notice that the things he purchased within the Bujingshi were never seen again. He did not wear the trinkets, or keep the weapons on his person, which meant that he was probably giving them away to his beloved ones; and by the time Nie Zhuxi came of age, he had concluded that all of Lan Xichen's dwarf-made belongings came from a single hand.

That changed everything, he realized. Lan Xichen had not bought his leaf-shaped arrowheads, or the topaz buttons on his hunting boots. Someone had made them for him, so that every brooch he wore on his breast and each knife-handle at his girdle brought forth the full force of his beauty the way a masterful setting might compliment the radiance of a diamond.

Nie Zhuxi is a handsome dwarf himself, but he would look like a fool if he tried to wear even the plainest of Lan Xichen's jewels: for they were a lover's gifts, showered upon the elf-prince through the years until he was practically swimming in his beloved's tokens of affection.

"You could ask my Bofu," Nie Shiyong says skeptically. "He's Zewu-jun's closest friend, so perhaps he would know who the lover is. If there's a lover at all, which I doubt—"

"What doubt is there?" Nie Zhuxi complains. "He never wears anything he buys here, and even the Jiang don't commission such delicate weaponry, so he can't have bought it through their suppliers in the South. He has to have a dwarf lover, A-Yong—there's no point bothering the king about it."

His cousin pinches his cheeks. "Why? Are you afraid of him?"

"Afraid of Chifeng-zun?" Nie Zhuxi scoffs. "He used to ask Zewu-jun to bring us elf-made sweetmeats from the Cloud Recesses when we were little."

"Even so, he might not take kindly to you prying into his friend's affairs."

"They're not affairs!" Nie Zhuxi jumps out of his chair and stomps around the room. "Elves can't have affairs. They have one partner, for life. Don't you remember what happened to that elf-maid from Baling who took a human lover?"

Nie Shiyong goes pale at the mere mention of it. For some time, about three years ago, Chifeng-zun had feared that the elves of Baling and Yunmeng would go to war against the mortal kingdom near their territory; for one of their daughters had been abandoned by a mortal nobleman after she conceived his child, and the elf-maiden died of grief not long after her baby was born.

"To elves, to lie with someone is to marry them," Nie Zhuxi says grimly. "By elvish law, the child's father was the mother's husband—the maiden was too young and innocent to know that the ways of men were different, or that a human could lay hands on her without loving her more than life. So whoever Zewu-jun's beloved might be, the two of them must be true spouses by now and not only sweethearts."

"It's no wonder that the smith's works have never been seen elsewhere, then," Nie Shiyong muses. "He might be anyone—anyone at all, and any one of us might own a thing of his make. If Zewu-jun were his husband—or her husband—then the smith would surely save their most beautiful creations for him."

She pauses for a moment, deep in thought, and then:

"He must be married to someone living here, in the Unclean Realm," she breathes. "Why else would he keep visiting?"

Nie Zhuxi springs to his feet. "I'm going to make a list of all his friends," he announces. "Most of our seniors from His Majesty's generation are close to him. If we watch closely, we'll be able to find out who it is."

But their efforts come to nothing, even after Lan Xichen arrives for the mid-summer holiday with a wagon full of gifts for the small Nie dwarflings. In keeping with his usual habits, he spends most of his time with Prince Huaisang and Zhuxi's Uncle Zonghui, and the rest with Chifeng-zun in the wing of the palace reserved for the king's immediate family; and the day passes without any opportunity to question him by the time Nie Shiyong and Nie Zhuxi drag themselves down to dinner.

"At this rate, we'll never find out," Nie Zhuxi says disconsolately. "Pass the fish, A-Yong. Uncle Zonghui won't let me have more wine, so I'll have to drown my sorrows in food."

But to his surprise, the fish does not appear; and when Nie Zhuxi looks up, he finds his cousin staring at the king, whose gaze had not moved away from Lan Xichen for the last fifteen minutes.

"Oh," Nie Shiyong gasps, her voice breaking. "Oh, that's how it is."

"How what is?"

"Have you ever seen anything my uncle crafted?" she demands. "Because I never have. He insists that he has no time to visit the forges, and he's too busy to have supper with us, most days—and yet, whenever Zewu-jun visits, Bofu takes him to the library and talks with him for hours on end."

She squints back and forth between the two, biting her lip in concentration. "We were half right," she says at last, before reaching over to steal some of Nie Zhuxi's fish. "Bofu is in love with Zewu-jun, and he has already decided that he will have no other; but he is afraid of confessing his feelings, so..."

"So?" Nie Zhuxi urges. "Why is he afraid?"

"Because of the story of Lan An, the first elf-lord of Gusu," Nie Shiyong whispers. "There is a trace of human blood in Zewu-jun's clan, because Lan An fell in love with a daughter of men and built the Cloud Recesses for her. But he wasted away after his wife died, for he could not bear to live without her; it often happens thus with elves who are bereaved. If Uncle were to marry Lan Xichen, his death might well be the end of them both."

A-Yong and Nie Zhuxi exchange uneasy glances before turning back to look at the high table. Lan Xichen is laughing with A-Yong's Yifu, his arms and throat encrusted with the jewels Chifeng-zun wrought for him over the past eighty-odd years; and Chifeng-zun's wistful eyes, tear-dimmed, are resting on the side of Zewu-jun's smiling face.

"Perhaps we should not meddle," Nie Shiyong says presently. "If Uncle speaks, and they choose to be joined—well, that is one thing. But if he is keeping silent out of fear for his beloved's life, then..."

Nie Zhuxi nods.

"I can't help thinking that Zewu-jun would return the king's love, even if doing so might condemn him to death," he murmurs. "But you're right; the matter is too grave for us to interfere in it. I won't say a word."

#lotr au #nielan #lan xichen #nie mingjue #the untamed #mo dao zu shi #my fic #nie shiyong and nie zhuxi return!#i saw this and wrote a whole fic rip #prompt fill #in which nmj is thorin and the kids are fili and kili trying to set up their uncle

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raayllum · 1 year

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you don’t have to answer this if its too discoursey but i’m too afraid to say it off anon cause I don’t wanna get yelled at, but I am not the biggest fan of emperor/king Callum fics, mainly since it feels out of character for me (since he feels more connected to magic than he does royalty as a whole, he’s only the crown prince because he & Ez don’t have any family left to take up that role)

and also because to me, as a black person, it feels really weird that it just sidelines Ezran, they always just kill him off for no reason except to put the white person in a position of power

Its okay as a concept, i suppose, say Ezran feels like he can’t bear the responsibility at his age, so Callum takes up the mantle, but it just feels Weird to me, and maybe I’m reaching but it does feel like there’s a hint of racism going on even if its not exactly the author’s intention

So back in like 2020 in the months following S3, Regent Amaya became a popular headcanon in the Janaya corner of the fandom (because they wanted to have to interact Politically with Janai rather than just personally? I don't know) and it never sat right with me for similar reasons. (Cue people complaining in S4 that Janay's plotline was more Janai centric than Amaya centric. Mmhm.)

Because here's the thing (and I've said this before) while Callum is not white (he is mixed, he's half Asian and half white) he is lighter skinned than his brother and I do understand why people think he's white at first glance (more discussion/perspectives on Callum's race in this tag) and Ezran very clearly is not, and it's also very clear how that can affect them sometimes fandom wise. Of the five like main Main characters (although that list is 100% expanding in S4), Ezran is one of two main characters of colour (bonus core protagonist points alongside his brother) and he is the only darker skinned character of colour, comparatively in the trio.

There are other reasons I think as well about why Ezran doesn't have as much fandom made about him (he's the youngest in the cast, most of the fandom is older; he's not part of a main ship, etc) but race absolutely affects a lot of the critique he (and Harrow) get as kings. I have seen people with their full chest go "I hate TDP's monarchy, they're such bad kings Viren was right" because their issue isn't at its core the monarchy, it's that their white fave's bloodline wasn't the one on the throne for once.

Also talking about race is never discoursey IMO so always feel free to drop stuff in my inbox about it. (I'll happily take getting yelled at for it, it's way easier to bear as a white person & it doesn't happen as often as a result.)

Since 2016, we've seen this mini trend of casts having one Black character, usually a boy who's a best friend of the protagonist, get routinely sidelined. Lucas had to carry Stranger Things on his back (although I think it's gotten better? Idk for sure I stopped watching the show after s2 for unrelated reasons), Finn from Star Wars deserved so much better (and I left the SW fandom bc the racism was so bad and he was my favourite after just six months), Bow from She-Ra got virtually nothing, and Gus from The Owl House actually did.

TDP, thankfully, does not fall into that trend (having more than like 1-2 Black characters in general also helps a great deal, JC) and I now no longer watch every season like a hawk to ensure that it won't, because I trust that it won't.

So. King Callum AUs. The first thing is that you're right, Callum isn't that interested in politics. While he has a mind for politics (he immediately realizes what the egg could mean globally) he's not motivated by them. In 1x06 he gets pissed & fed up because Rayla insists on giving him only the political reasonings for why she's travelling with them and not stealing the egg, and it's not enough (he wants the personal reasons). His Tales of Xadia bio reaffirms this, stating outright that he's "beholden to [his] inner circle, not some silly kingdom" in spite of being Crown Prince. I think in some ways if Callum was left alone as King, regent Amaya would be more likely, not less, even if Callum might resist out of a grief fuelled desperate "I have to do this" at first. Being King is genuinely liberating for Ezran in ways it'll just never be for his brother, thematically / personality wise

And Callum being king because Ezran died is, IMO, unnecessary and actually more restrictive for both of their characters. If you want Callum grieving but away from the throne off adventuring with Rayla in an angsty AU, you can just have him think Ez is dead and achieve the same aims. If you want Callum on the throne, you can just have him do it out of love/loyalty for his baby brother. Otherwise, Ezran actually being dead leaves Callum solely grieving and stranded away from magic (his true calling, or the temptation of dark magic). But if Callum becomes regent to try and shield his baby brother, it leaves a lot more for them to grow, disagree on and develop, etc. Just a lot more avenues. How I think this would go (honouring Ezran's role to play and how I think their dynamic would realistically develop with this addition) here.

Being aware of what does or doesn't displace a character can be tricky, but I always think of it in regards to "do you take something another character has earned and give it to another character with little consequence," killing a character off when it wouldn't change that much to keep them alive and just tweak other things (like the above), or "are you taking the challenge one character has set before them and giving it unequivocally to another".

For example I've thought about "is my theory of Callum sacrificing/handing over the Key of Aaravos for Rayla's life displacing him" but it's not, in my eyes, bc 1) all the repercussions that come from that action is still something he has to deal with, 2) he'd have a vested interest and arc in reclaiming the cube, 3) it highlights the tragedy of Callum regaining his agency from brainwashing and still being forced into Aaravos' tragedy, 4) still leaves Callum perfectly free and motivated to uncover the secrets of the key himself beforehand, it just won't end well for him. And if Callum was having big conflicts with Ezran RN, I'd probably swap in Ez as a possibility for who he'd hand the key over for too

Last but not least I do wonder if Callum will even remain his brother's High Mage. The symbolism of a brother on either side of the Border has always felt fitting to me, and I think Claudia would make a great high mage to Ez if/when she gets redeemed / she'll want to stick close to her brother. Now that Callum has Ibis' staff, I wonder if that'll also eventually include having Ibis' post, especially now that Soren has stepped up in S4 to really be Ez's protector (and Cal and Ez would still write letters all the time, of course <3 Ez checking in on him through his link with Zym).

But yeah I think if Callum did continue to be in a political role beyond high mage, he'd be best suited to be one of Ezran's top generals, and that would take its own interesting toll on Ezran's psyche

Anyway this is probs longer than you were expecting but thank you for sharing your perspective! It's something I think the bulk of the fandom has noticed and it's always good to look at areas of like, perhaps more casual than outright racism when it comes to characters of colour, and how we have a responsiblity to examine those areas when exploring things, even just in fanon

#in regards to #bc that's my tag for race things #thanks for asking #anonymous #ezran #tdp broyals #broyals #AU #canon divergence #tdp

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wondero28 · 1 year

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I crave insanes amount of Z content that dosent exist bc ppl think he’s mid

Heres some unreleased Z content

Courting Dragon!Z

It was a gift for a dear fren of mine! This Au is getting its own blog soon enough

———

- ‘courting’ is the act of attempting to woo, gain the favor of, or make romantic advancements on another. In nature, courting has a wild variety of actions to show strength, health, and efficiency in a relationship! In the human world however, courting varies greatly. Sometimes more subtle, like gifts and compliments to gain favor. Other times courting attempts may be a downright request to fuck. But for dragon folk?? Its a horrifying mix of humanities wide variety of mentalities paired with wild/dazzling displays of draconic values

- And Aaron Zeimet, the Dragon of the Silver Sands? Well he’s more then available for courtship! and of course more then interested in finding some sweetheart to woo and sweep off their feet

- But that stirs up some questions, how will you court him? What are his values? And how does he intend on courting back?? Well heres a closer look! Its um.. a bit odd. And difficult. Even by dragon standards.

- To start, it’s important to note that courting ANY Zeimet is a feat all its own. The royal dragon folk of the silver sands are difficult to meet, let alone find or win the affection of. His moving kingdom is dangerous to reach as it lies in the direct center of the silver desert at all times. And Aaron, out of all of the Zeimet family, is always the hardest to find. He’s never near his home, not even always within the moving kingdom. Rather, the man loves to spend his time detailing little oddities of life in one of his books. He is responsible for most difficult documentation of the Zeimet library, so it’s usually excused by his family. But finding him is a complete chore at first if you don’t randomly bump into each other

- Once found though, earning his attention & interest isn’t the hardest as long as you can keep up with him. He’s a chatty guy once he feels safe! Because despite his generally soft spoken nature- Z yearns for someone to ramble with. He’s just itching to tell people about all of the beautiful little things he finds in the world and is MORE then excited to learn about things others care for. If you’re chatty or okay with listening and asking questions, you and Z can easily get lost in conversation for hours. If you have to go?? This man will eagerly follow you along on errands or walks just to keep chatting if you’re okay with it

- Give him a good conversation, a good sense of company, and he’ll be easily ensnared in any courting you try in the future. Its the first step to wooing this dragon prince over. He needs to feel like you can care about his biggest interest, he needs a partner who he can feel safe with

- And thats another important thing to Aaron specifically. His love is,, not the most linear. He enjoys love, he enjoys all types of love, and because of that he does not put special value or emphasis on romantics. He is seeking a partner, a person who will be there no matter what kind of love he offers. He wants a person to feel secure with, he wants to ramble and laugh with you, he wants to be able to cuddle up on chilly nights and read books in the peace of your presence. He wants a sense of home. Regardless of the shape your & his love may take, Aaron Zeimet NEEDS a partner. Not just a lover.

- That aside though, he’s still fluffy-hearted and lovey. He likes the fun of romance and if you want to start courting him more openly you need to be ready for lots of strong come backs. Aaron is competitive, and he’s determined to ‘win’ against you in courtship (whatever that even means)

- A strong and easy start however? Present him with precious gems or stone. Its a classic dragon tradition to present a possible lover with gems/stones! And similarly to flowers, gems and stones can be used to send a message of love and appreciation! They have a code to show romance, appreciation, purity etc. why, its such a common tradition that you can even go to just about any market to find a stone bag for your sweetheart! Its such a classic for dragons- Z cant help but melt a bit at your attempt. Its even more effective if you go out and personally collect stones and gems from the dirt- why, you may even make him blush. Putting in work for him really ruffles his scales

- Other good courtship options include: asking him about his interests/engaging or challenging him mentally, dressing in his kingdom’s unique style, presenting him with shimmering gifts, and taking him on adventures.

- But to elaborate, Please PLEASE talk with this man about things he enjoys. No one ever wants to hear him out anymore and he is more then willing to explain everything to you AND keep you involved in the conversation as he does. Please ask him questions- watch him light up like a starry night sky when you get him excited for his work. Listen to the low rumbling purr behind his words as he eventually shifts the conversation to take on one of your own interests, watch as his ears prick up if you begin to get passionate about something

- Even better- just wait until you see visible wonder & awe on his face upon seeing you dress in his kingdom’s traditional wear. Its sparkly and shimmery just like the glass of the kingdom & just like his own scales. The traditional clothing has gone out of style in his own kingdom, but he’s never any less amazed or excited to see you wearing it. He thinks it’s unarguably handsome as a clothing choice and you will most certainly keep his gaze while you dress this way. If you find yourself flirting with this style of clothing, well- you can catch Z getting bashful and blushing hard. It hardly shows for his skin tone, but with his scales ruffling & turning to soft pinks and blues the way they are- you know he’s feeling something. And he gets the same when presented with other shimmering gifts. Something about the way light hits certain materials and makes them sparkle just gets Z excited. Watching light refract and bend in a glass crystal- seeing stones shimmer and change in the light- it makes Z feel overwhelming joy and excitement

- But best of all? Taking HIM on adventures. More often then not he’s the one leading a trip, he’s the one explaining, he’s the one trying to keep everyone entertained and safe. So him getting to take the backseat? Him getting to be lead around or him being allowed to explore WITH you as opposed to exploring for you? He’s having a blast. Wander with him through the calm eye of the storm that surrounds his kingdom! Examine ruins hidden in the sand beneath the kingdom, run around and dance with him, find small creatures and plants who survive in this incredibly difficult world!! Just explore. Adventure. Help him unwind and have fun, its worth it! Its worth it to hear his deep and bubbly laugh, or hear his soft purrs of enjoyment or his excited trills of curiosity. Watch a large and intimidating dragon man melt under the hot rays of starlight, watch his scales shimmer as the light dresses him in a dazzling variety of colors, watch him fall in love with the way the sand moves underneath him as he walks with you. Just give in to the wonder and love he has for this world and i assure you that you will start to become a part of the world he loves most. Because he cant help but smile seeing you with him like this- sharing experiences with him and making him feel warm and loved

- Gosh, when Aaron Zeimet falls for you he falls hard. Its a slow process sure, but once he finally realizes how important you are to him he makes damn sure to show it. Once he realizes he cares for you more then most Aaron will begin trying to court you himself.

- You can expect special privileges at the great Zeimet Library, he’ll personally walk you to restricted areas and relax with you in a private lounge. He’ll let you look at just about any book you want, he’ll even personally grab it off the shelf for you. Hell- if you want anything he’ll get it for you. While courting you, he treats you with as much care and tenderness as others treat him. He wants you to feel special! He wants you to feel appreciated and welcomed!! Because you are, you’re welcomed to his space. You’re allowed places in the library he doesn’t even allow family in. And while he’s careful to stress the privacy of your presence in certain areas- its clear he’s more then happy to have you in his personal places. Be it you visiting his study and reviewing drafts of books hes yet to publish- or you wandering his family home with him, hes clearly purring and has a constant soft grin and perkiness about him. At least with you.

- And of course, with him being a part of the forever loved and prosperous Zeimet family, you can expect spoils. He will treat you to personalized gifts and lovely clothes/jewelry, offer you plenty of high quality meals, and even offer you a few nights with him in his home. He hopes to stay up late in the long nights- watching stars and hunting down sightings of unique nighttime creatures. Or if you opt for a lazy night? Perhaps just staying in the privacy of his room, relaxing with him and quietly resting in his bed. Lords know he needs rest. And goodness gracious if he isn’t the cutest thing when he’s dozed off next to you at a sleep over- you’ll have to be careful unless you plan on getting snatched into a cuddly dragon’s grip. He cant help but snuggle up in his sleep.

- And gosh,, you’d think that with how wholesome and sweet Z is overall that he’d have a lot of wholesome courting but… outside of personalized spoils and quality time?? Z’s a tad more stereotypical with a very masculine courtship. You’ll catch him finding excuses to show off his strength or power to you. Be it lifting heavy things to move them out of the way for you, or even just lifting you up to tote you around on his shoulder (with consent of course). All because of what?? Well because Z’s wanting to prove he’s strong enough to help provide for you. He wants you to know that even if you never need it- he can be powerful enough socially, financially, and physically. He needs you to know that he is in fact a very promising partner! He can be good for you! He can be useful!!

- And even outside of that, he wants to feel pretty to you. While he’d never admit to wanting a compliment or praise from someone over something like appearance- he cant deny his longing for your words of affirmation. He finds plenty of opportunities to show you the health of his physical body. Be it him playfully ruffling scales and puffing up his wings to show off his glassy colors- or him finding excuses to flex his body and show off his physique. Need a book on a high shelf?? He may reach over you to get it or to get something even higher. He likes it too~ the feeling of having you just a tiny bit squished between himself and a bookshelf. He’ll make a flirty little joke about it of you look flustered

- In fact, you may notice him making flirty and playful comments A LOT. Its fun for him. Generally all light hearted too. Most comments made are complimenting you in some way, trying to get you to smile or laugh. Other times his flirting is light hearted teasing and playful banter. But let it be known, He definitely finds you engaging and attractive as a person if he flirts with you. And since Z is a very intelligent man, he will learn damn good and well how to get you to riled up enough to chat with him.

- But overall, courting Aaron Zeimet is a long long process. He’s picky with close people and in absolutely no rush to find himself someone to love. He takes his time & while he may get crazy and excited for feeling close to you- he wont be trying to quickly run through the process of building a bond with you. By the time he asks you out on a ‘proper date’ or to stop courtship and just try out being partners, it will already have felt like you were together for awhile. You’ll already feel loved by him. The only real difference is that the rest of the world will know his heart has definitely been claimed

Bonus: when he asks you to properly try a partnership or relationship, he will present you with a promise clip. Which is an earring clip-on that will match one he wears. Its an old draconic tradition that is a symbol of honesty and loyalty. He’ll likely get them in your favorite color too <3

#4town #4town imagines #4town x reader #4town aaron z #Dragon!Town

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dear-mortality · 7 months

Text

The shepherd prince

Chapter eight: a lesson about zatieon

Chapters

Enfys woke up the next day with their back cracking like little branches and a little cranky. Ether wasn't so affected by camping outside.

"Dear gods I forgot how this feels. I've gotten soft." Said enfys while stretching a little and bending his back.

"If it's so bad I can carry you upside down. I used to do that sometime for fun and i could hear plenty of cracks then." Ether suggested

Enfys's face changed into a look of horror

"THAT'D HURT LIKE CRAZY." He answered. Looking in pain just imagining that scenario. "I'll be fine. Let's just keep walking, we need to get to zatieon a little earlier than we told the ruler." He said while sprinting, his back cracked a few times through that but it stopped after.

"Oh yeah. What's zatieon? I remember the word from somewhere." Ether asked in confusion

"I forgot you dont know alot about anything outside the ruins. Zatieon is a neighbouring country to your fallen kingdom. Though the connection between the two nations was.....bad. the king and the last ruler of zatieon hated each other alot." Enfys talked while bringing out an atlas and showing ether the map. "See? It's not too far from you but the last ruler forbade any news or any sort of acknowledgement of your existence. The people didnt protest- they kinda hated your kingdom alot too. But your father sealed the deal by insulting the ruler and well. It's the reason they JUST realized your kingdom has fallen after over 20 years."

Ether looked a little sad but not surprised. "So nobody liked my kingdom and nobody cared when it fell huh?"

Enfys closed the atlas and looked him in the eyes. "They may have deserved alot but they didnt deserve this torture. My family doesn't think so. I dont either. And I dont think you deserve this fate at all ether." Enfys stopped him before saying this as to get him to focus. Ether looked like he blushed a little.

"Thank you.....hey what do I need to know about zatieon? Anything interesting?" He said while walking again hastily to change the subject. Enfys saw right through him but he played along.

"Well you see zatieon is a biiiiiig country. They didnt do any conquests or anything they just kinda flocked together from around the continent at the orders of some wealthy family heads who wanted to unite under one nation. They took as much space as they wanted and honestly it helped keep the country afloat. The country is run by the last rulers child- the one we're meeting- zaroth. The rulers keep the names and looks of their children a secret until they need to resign."

Ether looked interested. "That sounds very strange. To not know how your rulers children look."

"Oh its because they fight over the throne when the ruler steps down."

"Huh?" Ether exclaimed in surprise.

"The children of the ruler join the battle for the throne. After the ruler feels like they're getting too old to rule or feel like they want to retire they issue a form of tournament. The people in said tournament compete in many ways that show wits, strategical prowess and battle capabilities. They do it infront of an audience and they even get a watchbug to keep track of the whole thing to show it to everyone later. Contenders only get disqualified after they fail 2 trials in a row of the same type. The children of the ruler join the fray and have to earn their spot in the tournament. Of course the children get trained and everything before this moment but it guarantees no one will go easy on them or try to harm them too much based on a grudge. At the very end the contenders go against the ruler himself and they're either in or out. Zaroth and their sister aimanat competed and as I heard they both won against their father. And right when they were about to fight each other aimanat kneeled and swore allegiance to zaroth."

Ether looked fascinated and in awe. "So we are going into a country ruled by THE greatest person in it as they earned that title???? AND WE'RE MEETING THAT PERSON???"

Enfys looked a little jealous of how excited ether was to meet zaroth. "...yes."

"Alright then we're going to the river right before we get there."

"I'm sorry?"

"I need to wash myself before I meet that person. Oh I'll need your help hiding this though. *gesturing at his werewolf arm*"

".....sure!" enfys smiled a smile with full teeth that looked like it was forced but ether didn't notice.

"I'm so excited now! Anything else about zatieon? Anything else amazing?" Ether had star eyes while getting her face close to enfys's

"W-well....." enfys looked a little flustered. "There is ONE more thing. The people of zatieon have the ability to hear the magic going through things on command."

Ether slanted his head "hear?"

"Yes. Remember how I told you that your body makes a sort of current of magic whenever you use it? They can hear the power of your soul and how much magic you let go through your body when you make a spell."

"That sounds like alot of pain. You said magic is in every living being. They'd go insane."

"Well no they have this weird ability to center it on one thing. They studied its limits and everything but they have no idea of the origin. They only knew it started appearing sometime after the country was established."

Ether put his hand on his chin and wondered for a few seconds on why that would be.

"Well why dont we try finding it out! Like right now! I'm bored and my brain is totally burnt from all this information so I cant hear much more of it haha."

Enfys smiled and rolled their eyes. "Sure. Lets solve a mystery even the people who have the ability cant." He said sarcastically

"That's the spirit!"

"Wait ether-"

"So I think it maybe something they eat! Like how some plants make your mouth smell good for a while. "

Ether and enfys then kept arguing and brainstorming about this until night came. This time they had the sweet potatoes ready as ether brought extra.

Ether also tried getting the ground to be a little nicer on enfys's back. Enfys appreciated it. They laid down to sleep but kept the pheonix nest around.

"Hey enfys?"

"Hm?"

"I was wondering who the gods are. You mentioned them earlier today."

Enfys looked a little pleased. "You're one good student you know that?"

"Alright Alright! Let me do this how it should be done though." Enfys started making clouds and fog similar to what ether saw when enfys told him a story. Ether sat up straight, his excitement was apparent on how his eyes shined. "Its story time."

".....hehehehe. well now I do. But come on tell me!"

#gay #story writing #original writing #my writing #writing #queer writers #writers on tumblr #writeblr #werewolf oc #witch oc #ocs #my ocs #oc writing #oc #original characters #original story #original character

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kingsdespair-if · 8 months

Text

King's Despair: In a Heartbeat - Short Stories. 4.

[Khalid Razzarq-cassim]

The Man Who Has It All

There is an ideal image of a successful man who seems to have it all. A Prince who effortlessly balances a high-powered role in his Kingdom with a loving family, while also finding time for personal hobbies and self-care. It's as if he has discovered the secret to having it all. But let's take a closer look at this concept. Is it really possible for one person to have it all? And what does "having it all" even mean? Khalid seemingly possesses everything - wealth, influence, the admiration of his people, and a prominent public presence. Yet, there is one crucial element missing from his life: love. He has never experienced familial affection and has never prioritized romantic relationships.

With this in mind, can we truly consider him a man who has it all?

Khalid was only fifteen when he fell in love for the first time. The object of his affection was Alaina, a poor girl and the daughter of a servant. She lacked any notable magical abilities and was considered average by most. But Khalid saw something special in her.

He would often wander around his father's palace and his siblings' tents just to catch a glimpse of Alaina as she followed her mother. He would use this as an opportunity to ask for her help, even when he didn't actually need it, just to spend time with her. As an impulsive and lovestruck young boy, Khalid would invite Alaina to walk and eat with him. He even took it upon himself to teach her how to read and write.

None of his siblings knew about this relationship, or they simply didn't care enough to say anything, except for his sister, Mahlina. One day, Mahlina caught Khalid feeding Alaina green grapes and felt compelled to intervene. She wanted to make him understand that their parents would never approve of their relationship, no matter how much he desired it. However, Khalid refused to listen. He liked Alaina, and she liked him back. In his mind, there was no reason not to continue their relationship.

One day, Khalid's parents learned about his involvement with the servant's daughter. Despite only holding her hand or kissing her cheeks, his parents were furious with both the girl and him. The girl received a warning and was dismissed, while Khalid had to endure hours of his parents lecturing him on the inappropriateness of courting someone like her. They believed she lacked any magical abilities, unable to perform fire magic, control sand, or possess any special healing skills. Furthermore, she couldn't even read. According to his parents, it was unacceptable for a Razzarq-cassim to court such a weak individual and waste their magical blood on producing weak offspring.

Khalid was furious. He pretended to listen to the lecture, but he was determined to change his parents' minds and be free to court the girl he had fallen for.

Every race has its own magical focus within their lands, which enhances the magic of those who live close to it. In the case of Hassam, newborns are briefly immersed in the waters of the sacred lake to absorb a small amount of magic and enhance their own natural abilities. Khalid wanted to take Alaine to the lake so she could also absorb some magic and become a more suitable partner, hoping his family would then approve of their relationship. He went to find his sister and share his plan, needing her help to distract the guards and their parents so he could take Alaina to the lake.

Mahlia listened until he finished before explaining why the plan was a very bad idea. No one survives a second exposure to the lake, except for their family. Even they can't absorb more magic; they can only withstand the exposure without the risk of death, that's why the High Prince or the High Princess themselves are the only ones allowed to take the newborns to the small lake.

The rest of the night, Khalid spent trying to find a solution, thinking and planning new approaches with the help of his sister.

Little did he know that Alaina had overheard his plan and had gone alone to execute it, in order to protect him from getting into trouble. She never heard the rest of the conversation or why she wasn't able to do it.

The next day, Khalid waited for Alaina in their usual spot, but she never showed up. Khalid searched for her everywhere, but couldn't find her. By the second day, her mother started to worry. On the third day, Khalid began to think that his parents had gone as far as getting rid of her.

Eventually, they discovered her lifeless body in the lake room. His parents informed Khalid of her death, and his heart shattered. She was his first love, his first heartbreak. He never even had the chance to see her body or say goodbye.

Since that day, Khalid has focused solely on his responsibilities and strives to give his people the best he can. However, his heart still feels the void left by Alaina's absence. Sometimes, at night, he blames himself for what happened to her.

And now, he is a man who has everything, except love, and he blames himself for it.

#kingsdespair if #interactive fiction #twine if #original character #twine game #twine wip #ROs #Khalid #In a Heartbeat

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