Chapter Text
The throne room was large, the largest room in the castle, with walls that stretched wide and a ceiling that hung high, every inch decorated with some kind of painting or some glitter of gold or some endless sparkle of decoration that was so easy to get distracted by.
Seungmin found himself raking his eyes all over it for what was probably the millionth time in his life. It didn’t matter how many times he sat on his throne, he always found something new in the room to admire. He supposed it was a good thing; Seungmin spent enough time sat bored and idle whilst his adopted older brother talked politics and other equally interesting things Seungmin didn’t care for. At least when the droning royal voices got too boring to bear, he had a fun throne room to keep him occupied.
But, today, Seungmin wasn’t sat bored.
He was stood in front of his throne, his shoulders weighed down by the heavy red cape he was wearing and his dark hair slicked with so much gel he was convinced it would be towering over his forehead forever. His eyes were lined with gems, glitter coating his cheeks and a gold chain streaked across his face. It was a hard look to pull off, but Seungmin had been reminded at least fifty times that it was necessary.
At least Hyunjin had told him that he looked hot.
Seungmin’s throne was also near the corner of the stage, off to the left so it wasn’t central. The centre was reserved for the larger thrones; the ones belonging to Seungmin’s adopted brother King Chan and the King’s regal husband Lee Minho, the two kings with enough good looks and royal charm that they could supply their whole kingdom with it.
And, until now, that was exactly what the kingdom had been surviving off.
But, as Seungmin had learnt from his time as prince, the people in the kingdom loved to gossip, and now that Chan was clearly happily married to the man the entire kingdom had been swooning over at some point, the citizens needing something new to gossip about.
That left Seungmin.
Seungmin, the shy younger brother, the pretty boy they’d all watched grow up, the kind and warm-hearted prince who was smart enough to read his way through an entire library and nice enough to have everyone in the kingdom throwing themselves at his feet.
Seungmin didn’t want to admit it, but he knew it was true. It was time for the crown prince to get married, and the entire kingdom was anticipating it.
Seungmin suspected that the sudden arrival of Prince Jisung from the neighbouring kingdom had a lot to do with that, but Chan was refusing to admit it.
In fact, Chan actually looked pretty proud of himself.
King Youngk from a few towns over had been begging to send his younger brother over for months and now that he was about to arrive, Seungmin was more nervous than he was willing to admit. The smug look on Chan and Minho’s faces had never boded well for him.
“Psst!”
Seungmin jumped at the sudden whisper from behind him, taking his eyes off Chan and Minho to whip around to the small space behind his throne.
Stood there were Felix and Hyunjin, his servant and his personal bodyguard. Both of which were dressed up for the day. Felix’s silver mullet was slicked down and styled with gemstones stuck under his eyes. His usual servant’s uniform was replaced with a crisp black robe that was embroidered with gold. And Seungmin, as much as he was convinced Felix was going to be even more unbearable for the day, couldn’t help but enjoy the rare opportunity of seeing his best friend dressed up and allowed to look pretty for once.
Felix had been Seungmin’s servant as soon as he was old enough and the two had practically grown up together. He was also unfortunately another one of the main sources of teasing Seungmin had been receiving about his supposed upcoming marriage.
“Are you nervous?” Felix whispered teasingly as Seungmin focused once more on him, his eyebrows raised and lips curled into a smirk.
“Nervous for what?” Seungmin shot back, ignoring the way Felix and Hyunjin both giggled, “Another prince I can pretend to get along with?”
“I heard this one is real handsome,” Hyunjin winked, having to hold back a full-blown laugh when Seungmin rolled his eyes all the way to the ceiling.
Seungmin didn’t know how Hyunjin could call anyone handsome when he got to look at himself in the mirror every morning. Hyunjin, as Seungmin’s personal bodyguard, was known to be the most beautiful man in the whole kingdom. The front of his long blond hair was tied behind his head, his armour fitted perfectly to his tall, lithe body and his neck dripping with long, shiny necklaces that drew attention to the knife-like collarbones pitching out his chest.
“You’re unbearable, Hwang Hyunjin,” Seungmin decided to say instead of telling him how good he looked, Seungmin knew Hyunjin heard enough of that already. He was about to continue his insult but was suddenly stopped by a harsh shush from Chan.
Seungmin jumped, giving one last threatening look to Felix and Hyunjin before turning back around, focusing on the humungous double doors he suspected were going to open anytime soon, making way for another prince who’d hopefully be as interested in getting married as Seungmin was.
Maybe the prince could be Seungmin’s new best friend.
Felix would probably kill him for that one.
Seungmin was soon distracted by the sound of the doors turning, all eyes in the room zeroing in on the handle that was slowly starting to turn. Seungmin felt his breath stop in his chest, still inexplicably nervous for the boy that Chan seemed so excited for him to meet.
A tingle worked his way through Seungmin’s fingertips as he curled them, tangling them up in his cloak. He attempted to calm his breathing, thinking once more of his friend’s behind him, of how they saw this as just another way to tease Seungmin. It wasn’t that serious to them, so it didn’t need to be that serious to Seungmin.
It was just another opportunity for him to sit on his throne and stare at the ceiling.
That was what Seungmin told himself as the doors finally opened, his eyes staring at nothing but who they revealed as his fellow prince finally stepped into the room.
Seungmin had to admit, Prince Han Jisung was very handsome.
He had jet black hair, flopping unceremoniously over his face with wide eyes that sparkled all through the room. His eyeshadow was turquoise and extravagant, going well with the blue silk shirt and decorations he was wearing. His boots were heeled, making short clinking noises against the floor as he walked in.
Either side of him, walking just a foot behind, were who Seungmin assumed were Jisung’s bodyguard and servant. His servant was taller than Jisung, with curly dark hair and narrow fox-like eyes. His cheeks were still chubby with youth and his long pink silk overshirt brought out the sparkle in his smile.
Seungmin didn’t know if he was imagining things, but he could have sworn he heard Felix gasp from behind him.
Maybe it was time to turn the teasing tables, Seungmin thought as he smirked shyly to himself. The smirk only grew when he noticed Jisung’s eyes on him, only staying there for a few moments before they slid behind Seungmin, landing on who he could only guess was Hyunjin.
Seungmin smiled, there would be teasing later indeed.
It was then that Jisung and everyone he had brought with him stopped in the middle of the room, standing tall and regal and eye-catching even with all the beauty surrounding them.
Chan chose that moment to speak up, his voice spreading through the room and filling it up in a way that had never failed to impress Seungmin. He sounded like a leader, like the king he really was and not the goofy older brother Seungmin had always known him as.
“Welcome, prince Han Jisung,” Chan smiled warmly, bowing down to the party before him, “We hope you enjoy your visit here at our humble little kingdom.”
“I would hardly call your kingdom humble, my King,” Jisung bowed back, a wide smile on his face that Seungmin had to admit he was a little endeared at, “In fact, I have been wanting to visit for a while.”
“Well, we’re very happy to hear that, Prince,” Chan said, “The kingdom welcomes you.”
Jisung nodded back, launching into an explanation of all the prince-ly things he wanted to do whilst he visited. Seungmin tuned it out, not interested in the royal duties he just went along with day-by-day.
Instead, Seungmin thought about the way Jisung’s eyes kept straying to Hyunjin in a way that he must have thought was subtle. It endeared Seungmin, confirming the idea that this prince was probably not the one he was going to end up marrying.
But what Seungmin didn’t see coming, was that his own eyes would start to stray.
Seungmin’s eyes were doing another once-over of the back wall of the room when they suddenly landed on the one person Seungmin hadn’t properly looked at yet.
Jisung’s personal guard.
Jisung’s personal guard was short, even shorter than Jisung, but his wide shoulders more than made up for it. His shoulders were huge, just as big as the muscles that stretched on his biceps. Seungmin felt his eyes widening slightly, suddenly no longer interested in the decorations on the walls.
As well as his arms, the guard also had a very chiselled face. His jawline stuck out like a knife, nicely complimented by wide cheeks and a sharp nose. His eyes were almost hidden by a platinum blonde fringe that curled over his forehead, but they were still noticeable enough that Seungmin could see just how piercing his gaze was.
Seungmin almost had the urge to shrink back, but he resisted knowing just how much Felix and Hyunjin would tease him for that one.
Instead, Seungmin forced himself to tune back into the conversation, seeming to start listening at what was apparently just the right time.
“Oh, how rude of me, I didn’t introduce my staff,” Jisung was saying, flailing his hands a little wildly and making Chan and Minho smile encouragingly at him.
“First, this is my servant Yang Jeognin,” Jisung pointed to the fox-like boy in the pink he had standing next to him, ‘Jeongin’ leaning down into a graceful bow, “And my guard, Seo Changbin.”
At that, Jisung gestured to the guard decked out in all armour on his other side, Seungmin’s breath getting stuck in his throat when ‘Changbin’ also leaned down into a bow, keeping his eyes on the Kings the whole time.
Seungmin couldn’t help wishing that the guard would look at him.
He didn’t realise that he’d get his wish a lot sooner than he expected.
“It’s lovely to meet you all,” Chan tipped his head forward, letting his gaze roam over them, “Jisung, I hope you and your staff know that you are welcome in our kingdom any time.”
“That is a very generous offer, my king,” Jisung smiled, “And one I will keep in mind.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Chan said, letting the moment hang between them before he suddenly turned to gesture at Minho, placing a warm hand on his shoulder, “And let me introduce you to my lovely husband, Lee Minho. He’s also very excited for your visit.”
Minho nodded to confirm Chan’s statement, not hesitating to wink at Jisung whilst he bowed, making the whole room laugh as Chan scoffed playfully and Jisung bloomed a deep red. Seungmin could have sworn he heard Hyunjin’s breath hitch from behind him at the sight of the other prince looking so flustered.
“And also my little brother,” Chan continued speaking, his arm now stretched out to point at Seungmin, making the whole room look at him, “Prince Jisung, that’s Seungmin, the Prince of this kingdom. I hope the two of you get on very well.”
Seungmin gulped, still somehow unused to having so much attention on him. But he put on a brave face, forcing a smile as he bowed to Jisung. Jisung bowed back, looking just as subtly intimidated as him. Seungmin couldn’t help but feel a little relieved, glad that Jisung seemed to have been as ‘talked into’ his and Seungmin’s current relationship as Seungmin was.
It took the pressure off them a little bit, made Seungmin realise that Jisung really was as eager to rush into romance as he was, so nothing really had to happen between them
The kingdom would be disappointed, but they’d get over it. Seungmin knew that the stares Jisung seemed to be giving Hyunjin would create enough new gossip to keep the citizens entertained for a while. Hopefully for long enough that Seungmin wouldn’t have to hear anymore questions about when he was going to get married.
It was then that Seungmin moved his gaze away from Jisung, shifting his eyes to Changbin and almost jumping when he realised Changbin was staring right back at him. Seungmin blinked in panic, swiping his gaze away a couple of times before settling it back on Changbin.
Changbin smirked at him, his perfectly-sculpted face looking somehow even more perfect as his lips curled up and his eyes sparkled. Seungmin blushed, trying to push the smile away from his lips and ducking his head shyly as he continued to feel Changbin’s eyes boring into him. He almost giggled out-loud like a little schoolgirl, blushing even harder at the thought and subtly shaking his head when Changbin only looked smugger.
Seungmin looked to the floor, suddenly more embarrassed than he could explain.
It took a minute for Seungmin to be able to look up again, disappointed when he realised Changbin was back to surveying the room, making sure no harm would come to the prince he was guarding. But there was still a small smile playing at his lips and Seungmin marvelled at the fact he was the one to put it there.
He was going to get such an earful from Felix later.
Unfortunately, Seungmin could only stand and blatantly stare at Changbin for so long and he soon found himself zoning out again to admire the wallpaper as the rest of the room was once more absorbed into typical royal talk.
Seungmin only zoned back in when Chan switched to what the kingdom called his ‘parent’ voice; when he’d start sounding less like a powerful king and more like an exasperated father who just wanted their over-excited kid to go to bed.
Seungmin supposed running a kingdom could be a lot like that sometimes.
“Okay, so I will entrust one of Seungmin’s staff to see you to your rooms,” Chan was saying, trying to speak over the light-hearted bickering that seemed to have started between Jisung and Minho, “You can get settled and rested, and then a staff will arrive later to take you to dinner.”
“Perfect,” Jisung grinned, giving Chan one last bow as him and his staff prepared to leave the room, “Thank you for the hospitality, my King.”
Chan just nodded, turning swiftly around to face Seungmin, his gaze quickly finding one of the boys behind him.
“Felix,” Chan said, gesturing an arm out to Jisung and his party, “I trust you to see Jisung and his staff to their rooms.”
Felix nodded obediently, a deep “Yes, my King,” leaving his lips that Seungmin saw Jeongin practically jump at, the two servants meeting eyes in a way that suggested Seungmin might actually have something to tease Felix for later.
But, for the moment, Seungmin stayed quiet, giving Changbin a subtle wave as Felix started to lead the group out the room, chatting quietly with Jeongin who was talking animatedly back.
Seungmin was suddenly struck with the thought that maybe the kingdom would be about to get the romance they craved.
Maybe Seungmin really was excited for the visit of Prince Han Jisung. Maybe even more excited for the visit of his personal guard, the handsome Seo Changbin.
The kingdom really was going to have a lot to gossip about.