Chapter Text
One of Kim Dokja’s daily routines is to hang out annoy Han Sooyoung and it doesn't matter if the witch is currently working as per his father’s orders or just experimenting with new potions and spells for her own delight. And today is not an exception to them even if the kingdom’s mage has an audience with the king and queen in less than an hour but there he is - gracing the witch with his presence.
“Kim Dok–” the clearly annoyed Han Sooyoung wasn’t even able to finish her sentence when she was interrupted.
“You mean Your Highness?”
Sooyoung didn’t even reply nor hesitated and threw a dagger at Kim Dokja, but the bastard didn’t even flinch or move from where he is currently sitting and catches the dagger easily using his fingers.
“This could be considered an act of treason, no?”
“Yeah yeah sure whatever I have to meet your parents in like ten minutes, wanna go with me to report the high crime I just did to you, Your Highness?”
Dokja just chuckles at the snide comment that his best friend said to him before using the dagger as a bookmark for the book he is reading, “I’m afraid today is not the day I’ll see your head rolling to the ground.”
“Oh, it’ll be another fun day then.”
“Yes, you know how lively this kingdom is,” Dokja said after letting out a bitter laugh.
Sooyoung could only sigh as she clearly knows where this conversation is going again and to be honest she really doesn’t have the time at all to listen to the prince’s woes and nagging about how bored he is. She gets it, it can really be boring sometimes to live in Sohl especially when you are some sort of immortal.
“I’ll meet you in the pavilion in the garden in about an hour, okay?”
The prince just hummed in agreement and got up from his seat, fixed his robe and opened the door for Sooyoung.
Han Sooyoung already lived for more than thousands of years before the prince was born. He has only lived for nineteen years so far and she already had enough of his nagging about wanting to know and see what the neighbouring countries and kingdoms are like–or even get the experience of meeting someone outside their territory.
So she decided to finally do something about or else she’ll lose her mind because of that bastard.
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As the crown prince and sole heir to the throne of Schoel, it is natural for him to express affection towards the king and queen. He must have lied a thousand times to save his ass from the wrath of Sooyoung or sometimes it comes naturally. But he will never say a lie when it comes to his parents and anything that relates to them.
One of the things he and the queen pride in, is her garden. Queen Persophone’s garden is the most enchanting part of their kingdom because of the flowers and plants that grow in it. It varies from the rarest flowers, herbs to the most common yet useful ones that can either save or harm others.
Sooyoung loves discovering new uses for the plants, thanks to her unlimited access to the garden as well. But for Dokja, the garden is a reminder of how much love his father has for his mother as the garden itself is a gift after they got married.
The pavilion is situated in the middle of the garden where Dokja spends his free time reading in peace or while enjoying a cup of tea with his parents or Sooyoung. Yes, it can only be them because no one else has ever been allowed to visit the palace.
Dokja sighed in disappointment after remembering that fact. He has heard some stories about their neighbouring kingdoms from Sooyoung or from the books he has read and reread so far but it still not enough, like something is missing.
“May the constellations shine upon the Watcher of Light and Darkness, Your Highness the Prince. Kim Dokja.” the lack of enthusiasm of the words almost made him laugh out loud because it is something to expect from Han Sooyoung.
“That took more than an hour, you made me wait and waste my precious time.”
“Stop annoying me even more or you’ll actually regret it this time you bastard.”
“I would never get tired of annoying you, Sooyoung-ah,” Dokja added while adjusting the chair for the mage.
Sooyoung took a sip of the tea first before talking again, “I talked to your parents about something else, they actually almost forgot what was the main reason why I have an audience with them today.”
“I wonder what could possibly intrigue mother and father like that?”
She finished her cup of tea before replying, “Gotta ask your parents about, Your Highness. I’m off.”
Kim Dokja was not sure if he was left curious or annoyed after that.
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Dokja went straight to his palace after finishing the book he was reading in the pavilion when his knight, Lee Hyunsung greeted him.
“May the constellations shine upon the Watcher of Light and Darkness, Your Highness the Prince. The King and Queen request your presence at the dining hall in the main palace.” Hyungsung announces the moment he entered his room.
“Hello, to you Hyunsung-ssi, how many times have I told you and Sooyoung-ah to drop the formalities when it is just us? Well, Sooyoung-ah’s doing great because that witch hardly shows respect to me anyways.” Dokja says after laughing.
“I apologise for lacking I shall remember to do it next time, Your–”
“Dokja, just call me Dokja. We are friends and its just us here."
Hyunsung smiles and nods before speaking again, “Should I ask for your attendants to prepare the bath before you go to the main palace?”
“Yes please, but I’m just going to need some assistance to change my clothes. I will take a bath later on.”
“I understand, I’ll just be right outside Dokja-ssi.”
Kim Dokja just let out a sigh after Hyunsung left and wondered why he’s being asked by his parents. In the end, he just brushed it off as his parents probably missed his presence near him and thought how long it had been since he visited them without being requested.
After preparing, he opens the door to a Hyunsung who's ready there to escort him. They arrived shortly at the main palace where he was lead to the dining hall. His father and mother are already seated and currently talking when he enters. Both of them stood up to welcome and hug him.
They started eating while conversing about political matters and issues with some territories raised by the lords. Dokja was able to offer some possible solutions to his father which was highly appreciated by the Hades.
When they are already starting with the desserts, he can feel there is something else going on. Queen Persephone is clearly beaming, it's not the normal ones whenever his father surprises her. While King Hades is showing an expression he can’t seem to read.
He didn’t even have to ask what’s happening because the queen started talking and said, “We talked to Sooyoung-ah earlier about something that concerns you and she enlightened us on something that we can possibly do for you.” The queen is still smiling lovingly at Dokja while she talks.
“Mother and Father already provided me with everything that I could have ever wished for in my life.” Dokja sincerely replied to his mother.
“We also thought we have given you everything to make you happy ever since you were born, but I agree with your mother.” Hades finally chimed in.
Dokja’s face is evident with confusion, “Pardon me, but I don’t understand?”
“On your coming of age celebration, Sooyoung-ah suggested that we invite more people to the banquet.”
“Yes, the lords are allowed to bring their other children to celebrate their coming of age in the palace.” Dokja agreed while finishing the slice of cake on his plate.
“Son, we are gonna invite the neighbouring kingdoms as well.” What his father just said made him choke on his cake.
Persephone was quick to offer him some water after Dokja recovered or what he assumed as a recovery he confusedly looked at the both of them and uttered, “Huh? I don’t understand Your Excellency? Is the kingdom in danger? Why are we–”
He was cut off by the calm and reassuring voice of the queen, “You’re thinking this way too much son, we just want you to have fun on your coming of age. And as we discussed with Sooyoung-ah, it’ll be good for you and for the kingdom as well. Even your father liked the idea.”
“I agreed to it but not exactly like it but if it’ll be the best gift I can offer to my only son, I don’t see why I should disagree,” Hades added.
“Your Excellencies I highly appreciate this gift that you are offering to me.” He is still filled with confusion but the happiness is overwhelming.
After excusing himself to the king and queen, he contemplated if he should pay a visit to Sooyoung but decided against it as he didn't want to die after just getting the best news he heard in his life.