Chapter Text
The sound of footsteps that matched with the tempo of the music rhythm fills the ballroom, heels clicking and beautiful dresses swaying as people dance, the conductor raises its baton with passion signaling the orchestra to begin to play another piece, the slow beat changed slowly to be more upbeat, some of the people who are dancing take a step back from their partner and bow in respectful manner before changing partner to another one.
For some people, it's a magnificent view especially for the newcomers and regular people that have never set foot right into the big hall of the palace. It’s a special day in Feronia, where the hall is open for everyone in this country. But of course, it is not a strange sight for the young man that was standing in the corner of the room with his hair slicked back on one side showing his forehead, eyes piercing through the crowd. He is formally dressed up in a fitted black blazer that hugs his waist nicely, complete with a low neck silk shirt that slightly exposing his broad yet lean chest under the ballroom's light attracting a lot of eyes on the young man. He raises his wine glass and takes a sip, eyes keep looking at the party in front of him.
"Are you enjoying it son?" He turns his heels after hearing the familiar voice beside him and makes a small bow as a greeting towards the elder, "Highness" The old man in front of him smiles and pat his shoulder slightly, he smiles at him fondly feeling proud seeing his son that has been busy organizing the gala this year.
"It’s finally Feronia’s turn after 4 years to hold Monarch’s summit Gala this time, rather than enjoying, I feel like it's become a competition on which Kingdom would do the best year after year, and I am competitive" His father laugh, showing his wrinkle on his face even more visible, he shake his head after his son's words, his workaholic son reminds him of himself back years ago.
"Which kingdom was it last time Fourth?" The young man, Fourth, tilted his head a bit while he put the wine glass back to the table and slowly following his father circling the ballroom, he look up to the ceilings trying to remember which country was the host last time and he remember the snowy and cold weather of the Glaciara of the Northern realm where he and his father had to travel across the snowy land, the thought still make him shiver.
His country, the Kingdom of Feronia, was built in the middle of the ocean. Southern Realm is where the flower blooms through the year, away from the cold weather unlike Northern realms who are completely covered by snow.
"Fourth?" He awoke from his thought as he heard the King calling his name "Ah sorry, it was Glaciara If I'm not mistaken" His eyes lit up at the name and it kind of irked Fourth a little bit he didn't know why, probably the thought of not being able to win over Glaciara. Last year's Gala was exquisite.
The country was one of the richest in the region, they successfully made one of the best galas with all the ice performance and incredible decorations, not to mention all the statues are made from ice.
"Speaking of Glaciara, here they come" Fourth followed his father's sight to the door on the top of the big grand stairs in the end of the ballroom, two guards with dark shades of blue walk to the edge of the upper staircase, one of them clears their throat before making an announcement. “Kingdom of Glaciara from the Northern Realm, your highness King and Queen, and princes of Glaciara” Fourth twirling his finger on another glass of wine that he just grabbed from the butler, it’s his 3rd glasses of the night, glad his father didn’t realize.
The Glaciara royals walk towards the hall, a tall, firm figure wearing a gold crown walking with a big step his aura was strong, everyone looks at him and immediately knows he’s the Ruler of Glaciara, while his wife follows him on his side, a bright gold shining dress swaying as she walks gracefully, arms linking with her husband. Fourth gaze moves towards the two young tall men dressed in all black that are walking behind the royal couple. Both of them look similar and their aura just screams ‘Royal’ , it’s the famous twins.
“Greetings, old man” Fourth father, King Alden put his hand on his left chest as a greeting to his friend, a ruler of Glaciara
“Looking good as always Alden”
“Still looking young and in love Auric, and of course you too Genevi” Auric, ruler of Glaciara laugh and they shake hands, there was a long friendship between the two kingdom, Auric and Alden once a very good friends before they were crowned, both of the Kings feels like dropping some formality once in a while especially when it’s only two of them or infront of their family.
“I haven’t seen you both in a year since the last Gala in my place, I feel like your height increases a lot Fourth” Fourth bowed before both of them in respect, small strands of his hair fell between his eyes and he showed a polite smile to the older man.
“Of course your highness I grew up a lot” He laughs a little, smiles sheepishly before he feels a pair of eyes burning through his face. “Kids nowadays grew up so fast, my son was 180 and now he’s 183 and even got taller than his twin brother. I barely can talk to him without breaking my neck” Genevi laughed while pointing at one of the twins that was standing silently behind them.
Fourth glance at the twins. This is the first year that one of them is attending the gala, Fourth heard that he was addicted to traveling, exploring the other kingdoms and countries, a huge difference with him who finds comfort in his home, his country that he’s going to rule one day.
“I believe I don’t have to introduce Phuwin anymore” King Auric gestures to one of the twins to move, the 180cm tall man makes a respectful gesture which Fourth replies. ”Of course, Fourth and I like to debate in every royal meeting” Phuwin grinned at Fourth and he smirked slightly, Fourth shook his head at Phuwin.
“The one that I actually need to introduce to you is, Gemini” The other twin moved forward, towering Phuwin slightly with his bigger build, casually putting his hand on his left chest and bow. Fourth notice that even though both of them are twins, the taller one has a quite distinct eye shape and build, Gemini’s eyes are more round shaped with sharp jawline, a perfect combination of an innocent look yet manly.
God is having his best day when he created both of them
“Fourth, keep them company would you? I would like to have a talk with both of them” Fourth nod and watch his father walk away with the royal couple leaving three of them in awkward silence. Phuwin smile and put his hand on Fourth’s shoulder getting an annoyed face from the younger “Stop”
“Damn, you treat me like a stranger how sad” Fourth laugh and swatted phuwin’s hand from his shoulder, both of them actually created a quite well friendship, they are not really close like close- friend - I can tell everything, but as the both of them have a big role on their kingdom’s future and peace, they hit quite well in some meetings between the kingdoms.
Fourth is a workaholic and Phuwin is too. Whenever there’s a royal meeting both of them always make a scene, usually it was Phuwin who always suggests new ideas and usually Fourth against it, however there is no bad blood between them really, just a very passionate two princes.
“Fancy meeting you here, I think you would be occupied at your work desk since last week. I heard many illegal merchandise has been found ” Phuwin scoffed
“News travel fast huh”
“Never underestimate medias, they could be hearing us right here right now and writing the headline ‘Phuwin Tangsakyuen, future ruler of Glaciara is not as workaholic as you may think’”
“I never said I am”
“Right and I am not the only child”
“But yeah, the same organization, my people were still working on it. I hope they tracked them fast, but can you please don’t talk about work here? It’s a party fourth, please” Fourth rolled his eyes and gestured one of the waitress to offer them wines
“Thankyou” Gemini takes the wine glass with his right hand while Phuwin softly declines and Fourth let a surprise huh
“That’s new, you’re cutting down drinks now?” Phuwin shake his head while shift his gaze as something caught his eyes “no, just not in the mood for drinking”
“Hey, sorry I think I see my friend over there, please keep my twin company, would you? He has never been here before.” Fourth nod as Phuwin takes a walk to the other side, he looks at the man approaching a fine young man dressed up in black and cream suit. Fourth sip his wine while still looking at the man now Phuwin is conversing with.
“I see” he smiles and shifts his gaze back to the twin that is actually looking at him right at that moment. He cleared his throat to break the tension
“Gemini right?”
“You heard my name right” Gemini playfully replies with a small smile, Fourth just realized that this is the first time he ever heard his voice too. According to the rumor that he heard, the young prince Gemini is quite an introverted person especially if you compare it to Phuwin who likes to go to social gatherings with his friends.
Although he is quite a closed person, the young man prefers outdoor activities like wandering around to the unreachable places. Once, Gemini was gone for one whole week and went back with a map on his hand, a new Knowledge from his kingdom that there's a place within his kingdom’s area that hadn’t been touched. The prince was adventurous but famous at being kind and his people loved him dearly. That's things Fourth have heard anyways
“This is your first time coming here right? Welcome to Feronia” Gemini nods as he takes a small walk beside Fourth who signals him to walk with him to the other side of the room, avoiding the small crowd that was starting to fill the part of the ballroom they were standing in.
Both of them walking together, shoulder to shoulder slightly brushing each other but neither of them got the urge to walk further away from each other “I have been in a small city just across the castle, stayed in the inn for a couple of days, I love the town people, they were nice” Fourth smile in pride, Beron is a bustling town across from the castle, the small town is located in the south side of the kingdom, near the sea filled with sails and ship in the harbor, making Beron one of the best places to stay for newcomers.
“Where have you been for the past gala?, I have never met you before, which certainly you were never around” Gemini titled his head on one side “I have been traveling a lot, but I think it’s time for me to settle down and help Phuwin with the government works” Fourth let out a small “ah..” he doesn’t expect it coming honestly.
“So you’re going to rule alongside Phuwin?” Gemini shrugged “I honestly don’t know, at this time I haven’t really got a plan what to do, probably I will keep on traveling to the nearby cities as a right hand. I’m not that talented at doing paperwork, you know” He laughs. Fourth, he definitely knows how crazy it is and how Gemini liked traveling more than staying in his luxury castle, he figured.
The shorter prince glanced at Gemini who is drinking his wine while looking at the dancing people in the middle of the room, fourth notice the other person’s eye was glancing at the room taking every sight in seems interested in the castle he never been it, it’s the 4th time he had been glancing at the people dancing and Fourth cleared his throat
“Do you? Want to - '' Gemini looked back at fourth trying to catch what he was about to ask when their conversation was cut off by a sound of trumpet signaling something, all attention is on King Alden that now gracefully walked over to the throne in front of him smiling at the audience. Fourth smile, deciding to ask whatever question he was about to ask, can wait, and lean his head slightly to the left, signaling Gemini to pay full attention.
“Esteemed Nobles, honored guests and my beloved Citizens of our Kingdom, tonight we gather for unity and celebration at the yearly gala celebration, as we all know this yearly Gala has been an evidence and symbol to strengthened our Kingdoms bond” He cleared his throat before smiling, Fourth swear his father looked at him for a second just now and he feels like his father will talk about… extraordinary thing - beside the Gala of course- m”
“Of course Feronia is very excited after 4 years, however this year Gala party is going to be a bit special” he smile again, more wider now, “Seems like me and my son is going to have a long conversation after this, because what I would announce something very …… scandalous I may add, but- ” He winked at fourth, making him gulp his wine nervously before hearing a soft chuckle beside him, Gemini was laughing, well a few people too. King Alden is famous for being very friendly and likes to joke around, however still a very good King. Fourth, however, I know he won’t be the one laughing after this.
“Your father is funny '' Fourth laugh awkwardly. “Yeah I always ended up being the victim of his pranks and bad jokes'' Fourth shakes his head and continues to look at his father who is still talking in front of hundreds of people. A small voice in Fourth's mind starts telling him that his father is going to say something very, very crazy.
“So today, I would announce that as my son is going to be fully 20 years old this year, it’s time for him to be more focus on ruling the country in the future, thus after long conversations that took years with all the heads of the country of both sides, I would like to arrange a marriage between my son, Fourth Nattawat” Fourth widened his eyes as he heard his name, “HUH?” his voice was quite loud and gathering attention from some people including his father who chuckled “I haven’t done talking, son” Fourth spluttered.
“A Marriage between my son Fourth Nattawat with- oh he’s also there!” He clapped his hand and gestured to the person beside Fourth, “The person standing beside him, son of King Auric and Queen Genevi from Graciela.” Fourth blinks three times while trying to understand what’s happening and looks on his left to find Gemini looking at him who was also in a state of shock.
“That’s what you get for laughing at me” Gemini scoffed and puckers his lips a bit
“Are you pouting now?”
“I can’t?, I also didn’t know about this” So it seems both of them just know about this now. Fourth, open his mouth but close it again, it would be better to keep the thought inside his head and ask for it later.
“Now, we toast to the prosperity of our kingdoms and may the gala continue, thankyou” Fourth take quick walk to his father but he look back at Gemini to find him looking at Fourth like a child asking for an explanation, he sigh and smile politely at him “I want to have a talk with my Dad for a while, do you? Want to come also?” Gemini looked at him and nodded slowly, he followed the shorter prince and caught sight of parents chatting on the side of the room.
“Greetings” Fourth bow before his and Gemini’s parents. “Are you here to complain to me? Or to thank me?” King Alden raised a brow and Fourth sigh, he is so done with his father
“Excuse me and my son for a bit” King Alden smile at Fourth while signaling him to take a small walk with him slightly away from the others
“Why haven't I heard about this matter, father? Well at least you can tell me about big things like this before the gala, so I didn’t embarrass myself like that back then” His father laughed at Fourth who is whining right now, the young prince is going to be fully adult in a few months, yet he is now whining at him. It’s been a while since Fourth showing his childlike self infront of his father, he has been very mature since he was a child because he was raised as a future leader.
“It’s not that I haven’t had the time to discuss things with you. Fourth, you were so busy with paperworks and even busier than me, the King itself. Like yesterday I told you to met me at the big hall but you were so busy handling the illegal dealer case, and even the day before yesterday you were so busy practicing archery and preparing the ga-“
“ok stop” Fourth raised both of his palms to stop his father from rambling “Dad!” Alden raised his brow at fourth and laugh, it’s been a while fourth call him Dad, it’s now his only son
“Why didn’t you tell me?! And considering the reaction, Gemini definitely didn’t know about it either!” Alden laugh and pat his son’s shoulder
“Honestly this talk has been going for a few years already, since you were 17, you know both Northerners and Southerners kingdoms have a long history of friendship, however we think it’s time to tighten the bond even more” Fourth sigh “by marriage?”
“By marriage”
“Dad, it’s not like I am mad about this but why don’t you ask me first?” King Aldan patted his son’s shoulder while smiling slightly, and Fourth could feel his father soften a bit, feeling bad for his son. “Well son, there are things that.. I can’t really have absolute decision when it’s about this kingdom stability, but if you really REALLY hate the idea marrying Gemini” He paused for a bit “I will try my best to cancel it” Fourth rub his forehead in frustration before he sigh
“Could you give me time?”
“Of course, we can give you time to get to know each other first. I am not going to make you marry him tomorrow” He winked.
“Still very crazy”
"Gemini is handsome you know”
“I never said he is not”
“Well mannered, well educated-“
“Dad, he’s a prince of course he is educated”
“He’s tall too”
“And where is this conversation going?” King Alden smile at his son’s annoyed face
“Just try to get to know him first”
“Why are you sure that Gemini will say yes to this?” His father look at him in all seriousness and Fourth realized No is never in the option
“Well what are you waiting for, go get him” King Alden wink at him, making fourth rolled his eyes but his cheek reddened, he stole a sight to Gemini where the boy is standing near his parents, eyes staring right at him . Well while he wasn’t sure about the marriage , he agree on Gemini being handsome
“Well?” Fourth was distracted by his thought that he didn't realize that his Father had left his side to join the Glaciara’s royal and ushered Gemini to accompany his son. The taller man walked with a big long stride, one hand tucked in his trouser’s pocket while another hand holding a wine, a few hair strands falling to his eyes.
Did Fourth already mention that he’s hot?
Fourth? Stop.
“Well?”
“Well? I guess we are going to get married! Ta dah!” Fourth spluttered by Gemini’s goofy answer, he absolutely does not expect him to be a rather playful person, well he got a glimpse of it when the man was pouting just now but - Gemini dressed like royal, acted like royal, and he looks like someone serious, but the prince is actually very fun, now he wants to know what's beneath his royal persona.
“This is surprising” Gemini looks at him and raises a brow at Fourth’s words
“What's surprising?”
“You are rather quite chill about this - marriage matters, I was thinking you would be like ‘Actually, I think we should stop this marriage’ not like “we are going to marry! Ta da!” Gemini scoffed at Fourth that was trying to follow his tone
“Despite of my absolutely gorgeous-handsome and beautiful face, I do not have a lover”
“ Oh ” Fourth blinked, he didn't expect the sass answer from the other but well at least the young prince of Glaciara himself knows his face worths.
“And how about you ‘Dearest Prince of Feronia’ I heard you rather buried yourself in books all day, or surprisingly you like to sneak out from the palace and have a secret forbidden lover hidden somewhere in this country?”
“My life is not even that interesting, and especially no secret lover though it will make quite an interesting reason to cancel this marriage ” Gemini laugh loudly before glancing at fourth “I have a suspicion though”
“Of what?”
“Of this whole marriage deal”
“Enlighten me then, prince charming Gemini”
“Well, Father literally forced me to go home which he almost never did before, oh and I lied about the decision to settle down just now, but don’t worry it’s not like I forced by him, I just realized I have duty to do” Gemini smile at Fourth sweetly and the shorter one smile back at him, cute.
“Oh, it’s starting,” Gemini smiled and glanced at the people who started to walk to the middle of the ballroom to dance. Fourth, take a quick look at his ‘future husband ’ .
Gemini is someone with high status - a prince, he was born and raised in a castle with the purpose of being the country’s leader or one of the most important people in the country.
“There are some things that we need to sacrifice as a leader” Fourth remember his father's words well in his head, and for him there are probably things that they can’t really escape from, a political marriage not based on love.
Basically Gemini has a whole perfect package as a King, and there is almost no other perfect choice to be Fourth’s partner. Glaciara has Phuwin as an older twin and he has been in talks in these years to take over his father’s throne someday. So, he is out of the talks from being the candidate.
Fourth smile, his father and Gemini’s father really had a good talk together about this, both of the kingdom will receive a good end with this arrangement. All they need is the agreement between him and Gemini and everything will fall into the right place. “Do you like dancing?” Fourth take a step closer to Gemini who’s still looking at the people dancing in front of him, smile never leaving his face and he keeps it while looking back at Fourth and nod slowly
“Well I guess? I only enjoyed watching people dance, never tried it myself, only a few times in dancing class” Fourth laugh while put his hands, palms up in front of Gemini
“Huh?” He laughed and his eyes looked at the wine glass on Gemini's hand, the taller one blushed slightly while giving him the wine glass that Fourth immediately put in one of the trays that the butler held on side.
“Now, the real one” Fourth put up his hand once again, gaining a soft smile from Gemini before grabbing his hand softly but firm, fourth’s hand feels much smaller in his hand. “I feel like a maiden” Fourth shakes his head “This hand is definitely a man’s, but well you’re pretty I’m not gonna lie” Gemini grinned while Fourth dragged him smoothly to the dance floor, still pretty far from the rest of the people though.
“So, it’s time to test that dancing class lesson” Both of them spin their heels so they are standing in front of each other, only a few inches left between them. The song turns slow and both of them smile shyly at each other before start swaying together to the music following the rhythm together, almost blending in with the other
“You are good, have you done this a lot?” Gemini raised his brow and Fourth just shrugged “Had to do this seriously or I could hurt someone, like stepping their foot on royal gala is not a good idea” Gemini laugh
“So, how’s the gala? Have you enjoyed it so far?” Gemini looks up to the ceiling for a while thinking about Fourth’s question, he nods and looks back at Fourth, finding the shorter one looking at him intensely. “I like it, definitely looks like what’s written in one of the books that I read”
“Oh what do you read?” Fourth, while guiding Gemini’s body to move with him in a rhythm, his hand moving downward placing it slightly in the taller’s waist as they move around the dancing floor.
“Just.. Novels?”
“Do you like reading novels? About what?”
“Romance?, fantasy?” such a romantic guy
“I figured from your imagination of me and my secret lover” Gemini rolled his eyes
“We have a huge town library in the city, if you want I can give you a tour next time you’re here” Gemini smiles “You can take me tomorrow you know?” Fourth raised a brow in question and Gemini laugh at him, finding the prince confused face cute
“You don’t know?”
“What?” Fourth sigh, there are too many surprising things today, and there are more?, I wouldn’t surprised if this party is actually our wedding”
“Funny, but no, I will be in Feronia for a week or maybe more, I don’t know?, my father told me that I will be staying in one of the guest room here, I guess now I know why they are so adamant of me staying in Feronia now” Gemini shake his head and Fourth laugh at him, they are definitely determined to make both of them agree on that marriage as soon as possible.
“They are so passionate about this”
“Tell me” Fourth laughed while looking past Gemini’s head to his back, the taller one showed a questionable look at Fourth that got the other one grinning while tugging his hand and walking past him to the open door. Gemini follows the other one that was guiding him to the door. The door lead them to a the back garden of the castle, there are a few small and big gazebos
The flowers are blooming, red, yellow and white fill the garden of feronia’s beautiful nature, both of them walk in silence slowly forward leaving the castle full of music and dancing people behind, the cold wind blowing their hair softly.
“I feel like a cinderella” Fourth, look up to Gemini and find the taller one laughing slightly and grinned. “What? Should we dance here? But please don’t leave your shoes out later, I am not a fan of searching the whole countries for you”
“Well even if I left my shoes in the dance hall you will see me tomorrow at the same floor as your room”
“Fair enough”
“How do you imagine your life after this highness?” Fourth noticed Gemini’s head tilted up, thinking, his forehead showed a small frown, “Well, It will be very different yet I am not actually complaining, I guess?, and Fourth please just refer me as my name I don’t like to be called by my title”
“Why? People called you that right?” Gemini smile sweetly at him “Not my future husband, you can’t call me that”
“Did you like me already? Before meeting me today?” Gemini put his tongue out at Fourth and walked fast, leaving the other flabbergasted by the childish act, “Gem, is it ok to call you Gem then?” the younger prince of Glaciara nodded, his fluffy yet sleek hair bobbing up and down. Fourth really want to pat it
“But seriously Gem, I need to know what is your exact opinion on this, I know that both of our kingdom will benefit positively from this, but you will be in throne as my life partner, I don’t want to live with anyone that feels trapped being with me” Fourth sigh and continued “If you married me, it will be a lifetime choice, I am not a romantic person, but I will keep the marriage to last as long as I live”
“Sweet mouth”
“Hey, I am being serious here”
“What about you Fourth?, do you want to continue this? With me?” Gemini stop walking and he spin his body so he is looking face to face with Fourth
“I don’t know, honestly? I know marriage it’s an unavoidable thing as long as I am going to take over from my father as the ruler of Feronia, yet I haven’t got any time to search for love, heck even my father nagged me about working. So basically, I am open with possibilities but not actively searching for one” Fourth smile while shifting his gaze in front of them, they were walking quite far to the end of the castle, looking at the sea in front of them with a small town across of them, full of lights and busy roads full of people selling fruits. “That’s my answer, so how about you?” Gemini smile
“We have a week to spend time with, I think of it as a trial”
“What trial?”
“Should this prince of Glaciara take the honor to be hand in marriage to next in throne of Feronia, Prince Fourth Nattawat” Fourth shake his head and chuckled “I didn’t expect your personality to be like this to be honest”
“Like what?”
“Laidback and .. cute?”
“I know I am” Gemini grinned and both of their eyes met, Fourth gaze softened as he looked into the other eyes. There's something fluttering inside his eyes, he thinks he’s crazy but he swears there’s something sparkling inside it. “Your eyes are pretty” Gemini shifts his eyes and laughs sheepishly while brushing the back of his head with his hand, he’s shy.
Fourth swear he heard a wedding bell in his ears just now.