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"I, Park Sunghoon, prince and the future king of the Eunpyeong-gu Kingdom from the Southern Korea, takes the child of King and Queen Nishimura of the Okayama Kingdom as my righteous partner, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."
Riki smiled as a tear glided down his face. Choking back a sob, the younger tried to desperately hold back his tears as he saw Sunghoon taking out their ring.
Don't cry, Riki-ah. It's supposed to be a happy day for you. He internally thought.
But seeing Sunghoon looking up at him with tears in his usually soft, smiling eyes, Riki cannot help but to let another tear go as the memories of the past came hunting him one by one.
Nishimura Riki had always known fate will never be in his side ever since he was young.
Born as the only son of the King and Queen of Okayama Kingdom, Riki was destined to be a king and rule his country as soon as he grew up to take his father's place. And for the young prince, it was a big pressure and responsibility to acknowledge, although left with no other choice seeing that his first and second sibling happens to be female and presented as an omega. Riki bowed to fate and swore his eternal devotion to the whole kingdom with its people, and when he presented at 15 as an alpha, the whole people of Okayama threw a feast, with a gleeful chorus of 'all hail the future king of Okayama!' as they all celebrated under the starry nightsky.
One day, a big celebration was held at one of the known kingdoms in Southern Korea with all neighboring kingdoms invited. Being naturally a leader who loves to travel the world and make connections to benefit their own, King Nishimura was given the invitation along with his family to attend. On one summer morning, the royal family was seen driving away from the kingdom with a very excited children, aside from Riki who only wanted to stay and play with their dog if not for his parents pushing him to go because apparently, he needs to be acquainted with other children to form bonds for 'future purposes'.
Standing aside in the corner, Riki watched his mother and father converse with some of the leaders of their own kingdoms while his elder sister dance with a random alpha as he internally snorted. Riki knew that if given the chance, Konon would most definitely just dance alone without some alpha treating her like glass just because of her dynamic.
Seeing that there was no need for his presence inside the hall, Riki took a step back and silently made his way outside the palace where all the royalties were having their fun with all the solemn music and delicious foods.
Hilarious, he thought. How they all preached about wanting to help the poor when all they do is lay there comfortably at night with their soft beds and a shelter above their heads.
Roaming around mindlessly, the alpha didn't notice how he was already far away from the main hall where the event is taking place. He was about to head back when he suddenly stopped in his tracks, momentarily distracted by the mini fountain he saw.
Looking around, Riki made sure no one was there to witness as he entered the garden to see tons of colorful red roses decorating the said place. The young prince was definitely captured by it's beauty as he took his time admiring the surreal scenario, before someone's voice interrupted his silence and train of thoughts.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Immediately turning his head around in surprise, he was met with another man wearing a garment that symbolizes a royal's before a small smile was sent into his way.
Riki, initially startled, schooled his features into normal and calculating, before the other person slowly made his way beside him, a good measure between the two of them as they stood there quietly admiring the fountain and the beauty of the garden.
Enhaling a deep breath as to to let himself relax after the big event inside the palace, the prince of Okayama didn't expected to catch a wift of the other's scent.
Sandalwood and roses. An alpha.
Riki took a glimpse to carefully examine the other, seizing him closely. He can't deny that even for an alpha like him, it wouldn't be hard to admit that the person looks princely handsome with his pointed nose, sharp jaws, and full lips. The other must have a swarm of omegas under his feet with a simple smile.
"Done staring?"
Riki was snapped out of his reverie to witness the other alpha still looking at the fountain. He thought he misheard, but when he saw the ghost of smirk on the other's lips, he knew he wasn't mistaken as the Okayama prince had the strong urge to roll his eyes and scoff at the cockiness of the stranger.
"Get off your high horse, stranger. Not because you look attractive does not give you the rights to speak informally against me." he replied to which the other only smiled at. When he was about to wipe that smile off the other guy's face thinking that he's teasing and looking down at him, the prince of Okayama himself, a voice called out for him.
"Riki," it muttered in a feminine voice, "mother awaits for your presence in the main hall."
Riki turned his attention to find the owner of the voice, Konon. Taking back a step and composing himself before subtly glaring at the stranger, he replied a firm 'coming' and proceeded to walk towards his sister's destination. Mid way to her place, the other person who suddenly just chose to interrupt his silence and tease him annoyingly, muttered loud enough for Riki to hear.
"Park Sunghoon."
Riki glanced back at him with furrowed eyebrows, confused as to what the other is talking about, before the man smiled and continued.
"My name is Park Sunghoon, Prince of Eunpyeong-gu, the land where you are standing at right now. It's a pleasure to meet you and to be called attractive as well, Nishimura Riki of the Okayama Kingdom."
Sunghoon was a breathe of fresh air.
Riki realized this as every royal were once again gathered although this time, in their palace for the celebration of his own special day as he turned 17. When every guest from different kingdoms came with their respective companies, Riki immediately plastered his practiced smile that he had been using for all his life now, before he entertained his visitors politely, internally grimacing when the omegas started clinging unto him as he ushered them to their respective seats, the alpha's nose hurting from too much sweetness in their scents only amplified by the perfume they wear.
When another hour has passed with Riki having the same routine, he almost wanted to dash out and run away from the palace, if not for his parents continuing to introduce him to their fellow kings and queens. Sighing internally, Riki mustered enough patience and determination to get through the night.
Finally taking a seat after a tiresome dance with a random omega from the south who kept on stepping in his feet with the alpha trying his best to smile the pain away feeling her high heels break his toes, Riki felt like he could breathe again, not before a sudden voice interrupted his earned peace.
"Tough night?" looking up, Riki was met with a familiar face as the prince of the south he came to have a little conversation with before asked with an empathetic smile on his face. Riki turned his attention away after silently nodding, opting to stay silent as he remembered just how he embarrased himself in front of the other alpha before in his own territory. Riki wanted to bury himself alive for not knowing the own son of the palace they were visiting.
"This place is mundane." the other muttered, loud enough for only the young alpha to hear, before he spared Riki a glance and an apologetic smile. "I apologize, I do not intend to offend."
The prince of Okayama only snorted.
"Well, cannot gainsay the undeniable." he retorted with a sarcastic smile, with the other alpha looking at him in mild surprise before quietly chuckling.
Who is he to judge the prince of the south when he himself found the celebration boring even if it's his own birthday?
"Let's depart from here. Wanna come with me?"
Stunned, Riki gaped at the prince's suggestion of bailing on his own birthday celebration. The latter looked at him with a sincere smile before offering his hand, tempting the other alpha into taking it and run away from the important occasion.
The prince of Okayama stared into the prince of Eunpyeong-gu's eyes seeing no ill intention but pure sincerity, so the former reached for the latters hand to which Sunghoon tightly gripped. Riki was about to stand up from his sitting position with the other's help and release his hand, if not for the other alpha immediately dashing out while keeping a tight grip on the his hand, as Riki lightly stumble with Sunghoon half dragging him outside the castle.
Sitting at the grass on the ground, Riki stared at the starry nightsky and wished he was a part of them. It must be fun to be admired and free like that. Closely observing the stars, the prince of Okayama was unaware of the pair of eyes staring at his side profile with a soft, sincere smile on his lips.
"Nice to be free from your duties and breathe once in awhile, right?" the elder commented, breaking their silence. Riki timidly nodded, still admiring the stars from afar.
Feeling a bit bad about dragging the prince away from his own party without anything to give him in return, the prince of Eunpyeong-gu suddenly stood up, dusting his pants in the process before reaching his hand out for the celebrant. Riki looked up to see the prince of the south offering his hand with a loop sided smile, before softly muttering for only his ears to hear.
"Can I have this dance, my prince?"
Surprised, the younger arched his brows, looking at the other contemplatively. Isn't it a bit weird to dance with another alpha though?
"Don't worry, nobody's here to see. We are just ourselves and not the prince of our countries carrying the responsibilities. You can breathe around me."
Riki stared at the alpha's eyes seeing nothing but sincerity once again, before asking.
"Why are you being nice to me?" he started, "If it's for your kingdom's connection and well being, do not fret, for when I became the king of Okayama, I'll pledge my alliance to yours." the younger bluntly muttered. The prince had always hated pretending and sugar coated words, that's why most often than not, he hates being a royal.
To his utter confusion and surprise, the other prince only laughed, eyes crinkling in happiness and oh, is that fangs he's seeing?
"Pardon me, my prince. But I am not here for any of that."
"Then of what purpose?"
The prince only looked at him with a mischievous smile, with a soft look in his eyes and something Riki couldn't name at the moment.
"You'll get it soon, my prince. Although in the meantime, I am once again asking genuinely."
Reaching his hand out to offer for Riki for the second timrle, the alpha shot him a small smile, before once again asking.
"May I have this dance, my prince?"
Seeing no reason to doubt the elder anymore, Riki accepted his hand, guard up in case the other planned something.
But when the latter only held his hand tighter after entertwining it with his while holding him carefully and swaying him slowly with the birds chirping and the moon as their witness, Riki thought it was honestly a hundred times better than staying in the palace with the other hundred royals.
And when the young alpha laid in his bed that night, he cannot help but to notice how the prince of Eunpyeong-gu addressed him 'my prince' contrary to how he only bowed his head to others with a small smile.
It was supposedly another normal day for the Nishimura family and the whole people of Okayama palace, when another foreign kingdom decided to declare war at an unexpected time rendering their soldiers and the whole place surprised.
Riki woke up with a loud bang and a frantic Queen Nishimura ushering him to take his necessities as they would immediately depart from the palace. Waking up panicked albeit confused, Riki did his best to wordlessly follow his mother's orders, unintentionally taking a glance outside the window as the blood scattering around their perimeter and dead bodies of different soldiers welcomed him, before he was snapped out of his reverie as the queen dragged him outside.
"W-We must fled now, my son." Riki looked at his mother in horror and worry.
"But mother, what about our people?!" the prince exclaimed while the queen continued to drag him somewhere, probably to a carriage waiting for them outside to bring them to safety.
"Riki!" stunned by his mother's outburst, the prince muted his mouth shut. Mrs. Nishimura looked at him, pained and a frantic look on her usually soft and joyful face.
"You must understand that we cannot do everything for them, my love. My heart breaks to witness this too, but you and your siblings life is our top priority. The kingdom and our lineage will not prosper without your blood."
Riki stared at his mother's eyes desperately trying to convey him a message while tightly gripping his elbow, as if afraid he'll vanish any second.
"But what about the palace, mother?" he worryingly asked. Sighing with exasperation, the queen continued to walk and drag him to a safer place.
"Your father already sent a messenger to convey our current predicament to our allianced kingdoms, and the Kingdom of Eunpyeong-gu has already stated they will help. Their army must arrive here for the next 3 days."
Listening to his mother intently while trying to match her hurried step, Riki nodded in understanding with his heart beating erratically, before his mother continued as they reached the carriage attended by a few soldiers with his father and two omega siblings already inside.
"For the meantime, we would stay with the Parks of Eunpyeong-gu palace."
When they reached the south kingdom of Eunpyeong-gu, the Nishimura family was welcomed warmly by the king and queen themselves, accompanied by their alpha son and youngest daughter. Riki casted his head down, too devastated and tired to notice how the elder prince was looking at him worriedly.
"Words wouldn't be enough to explain my gratitude to your family, King and Queen Park." he heard his father commented while the two addressed person only smiled empathetically, before ushering them to the room they will be temporarily staying until the enemies' soldiers from their kingdom are completely eradicated.
When the night came and Riki was finally sitting in his new bed that the Park's provided, he found himself unconsciously shedding tears.
"My prince?"
Hearing the door open, the voice welcomed him as he looked up seeing the prince of Eunpyeong-gu gazing at him with an unreadable expression.
"It's okay, you can cry." the other softly muttered. Riki moved his hand up to touch his cheeks to see that he was indeed crying. Wiping his tears harshly, he didn't appreciate the other seeing him like this.
He's an alpha, for pete's sake! He shouldn't be here crying like the worthless prince that he was. Riki should have been there fighting for his kingdom and people. Closing his eyes, the young prince blew a tiring sigh. Several moments later, he felt a movement in his bed and see the other alpha looking at him with a contemplative face, before softly pushing his head to his shoulder and patting his back comfortingly.
"Let it out, my prince. Haven't I told you? You can be yourself around me anytime you wish."
That seemed to be the trigger as Riki felt himself shaking afterwards, uncontrollably tearing up as he desperately choked back a sob from making it's way out of his lips. The elder alpha continued to pat his back softly, giving out comforting words once in awhile to calm him.
Yes, Riki wouldn't deny that they were treated wonderfully here. But the prince of Okayama couldn't help but feel like he's an outcast. Riki knew they were completely nothing but a kingdom into the brink of falling down. They are definitely at their lowest now. Maybe even worst than a poor commoner in this kingdom.
"For better or for worse, you have me. Remember that, my prince."
It took a long and tiring 1 week for their kingdom to be free from the colonizers with the help from Eunpyeong-gu army and other alliances. Hearing the news from an Okayama soldier that they could finally be back to their palace peacefully, Riki turned his head to spare his elder friend a happy smile with the latter returning it, although a little less enthusiastic. The younger prince could only guess why in wonder.
They said being born as an alpha initially gives you an unfair advantage over things, and that includes physical strength. An alpha's body is naturally stronger compared to that of other dynamics. But as Riki lay in his bed for a few days now with his very high temperature and sweat clinging to his new shirt, he internally cursed fate for presenting him as an alpha yet giving him a body probably weaker than an omega's. Resting peacefully, Riki was about to drift off to dreamland once again when a knock prevented him from doing so.
"A message has arrived for you, your highness." a feminine voice called out.
Although nauseous, Riki did his best to stand up and made his way to the door of this room seeing his servant offering him the letter before he excused her silently with a weak nod. Going back to sit on his bed, the young prince opened the paper slowly.
My Prince,
It has come to my utmost concern to hear about your current condition. Truthfully speaking, I am very disheartened to hear such news, along with the fact that I discovered this situation from a servant, and not personally from you considering that we have been exchanging letters for some time now. Do you not trust me enough, my prince? Even though, my only wish from the aboves right now is for you to be free from this illness, for my heart weeps knowing your condition and not being able to do anything. If I could, I would have shared the burden with you. Please, take good care of yourself from now on. I hope to meet you in your best condition soon.
May this letter reach you safely, my prince.
Love,
Sunghoon.
Riki gently folded the paper back, his mind on a haywire of different thoughts. The prince's letter seems to be a little... romantic, dare he say.
Growing up in the palace, Riki would admit that he doesn't have a lot of romantic experiences, only knowing it from the books in the castle's library and from the servant's personal story when they gossip among themselves. But reading the other alpha's letter, Riki can't help but to think it comes close to a confession or some sort.
But that would be absurd, wouldn't it? After all, they are both alphas. Although the Okayama prince himself believes that love transcends every boundaries, he still couldn't help but to overthink and confuse things. Surely, the other must be aware of how alpha and alpha relationships are frowned upon in their era, right?
With his head throbbing painfully, Riki blew out an exasperated sigh, opting to lay down in his bed once again instead of hurting his head while thinking about a certain alpha.
When he finally drifted to sleep that night, he dreamt of the starry night and the birds chirping as he danced along with someone having beautiful smile and little fangs, their bodies swaying slowly to a familiar rhythm that only the two of them know, the latter holding his body close to his chest with the moon as their silent witness.
Once again, the young Okayama prince found himself standing at a familiar ground from an allianced kingdom, Eunpyeong-gu palace. Riki silently walk inside the castle exuding an aura of a royal's with his white cape, closely following his father and mother. The venue was indeed extravagant for an important event.
Looking left and right, Riki subtly tried finding the prince of the said kingdom, only to spot him talking to some random omega which appears to be a royal as well judging from her fancy dress. The Eunpyeong-gu prince looked up with a sincere smile, and Riki immediately diverted his attention to his front.
Huh, who is he to feel like this seeing the prince talking to some random pretty omega? Honestly speaking, what is he even feeling? The latter wanted to mess his unusually styled up hair in annoyance, only preventing himself from doing so with the reminder of his mother's genuine happiness, telling him how handsome he was with that look.
Fine, the other could dance with every omega in this room for all Riki cares. It's not like he was the only one who has a flock of unmated pretty omegas within his feet. Riki is a catch himself, too.
As if hearing his thoughts, a sweet scent suddenly welcomed his nostrils as he diverted his head to witness a shy young omega tucking her hair behind her ear bashfully. Riki mustered up his practiced smile, already knowing how this thing works in all his life living as a royal and attending celebrations. Offering his hand gracefully with a handsome smile, Riki commented.
"Can I have this wonderful dance, my lovely princess?"
And with a blushing omega agreeing as the alpha prince took him to the middle of the dancefloor, Riki spent his night gently swaying the fragile girl in his arms, unaware of the pair of eyes closely watching him from the distance.
Standing quietly at the corner after breathing out a very exhausted sigh, Riki looked up over the window to witness the moon glowing brightly from above as he silently admire the image when a voice interrupted him.
"I never thought you could dance that well."
Surprised by the sudden voice, the young Okayama prince turned his head to see the elder alpha looking at him contemplatively. Choosing to stay silent and to bring his attention back to the view at hand, he didn't notice the other walking silently at his direction.
"Would you please come with me?" the Eunpyeong-gu prince requested, Riki looking at him skeptically in return.
"Give me one good reason why I must."
Challenging, the younger alpha stated with a neutral look. The other smiled in return, although it didn't reached his eyes.
"Consider it as one of my birthday wish, my prince."
Riki gulped silently. How can he say no to that?
With the said prince sowly offering his hand at him, the younger glanced at his eyes seeing nothing but sincerity for the third time they met. And with that, Riki softly reached out, the other prince intertwining their hands gently before they were once again escaping the palace. Only this time, it was the latter's birthday they are bailing out. Riki can't help but to internally find the situation hilarious.
Several minutes of walking outside the palace with their hands interlaced, the elder prince held his hand tighter before shooting him a genuine loop sided smile. The Eunpyeong-gu prince ushered him to walk and look closer, and Riki was met with the beautiful sight of the moon illuminating the red roses scattering around the garden with the fountain in front.
"I wanted to show you how beautiful this place is at night for the first time you saw it was in the morning."
Riki gaped at the other prince in return, speechless with the enchanting view he's seeing. Pulling him closer, the Okayama prince didn't even noticed how their hands were still entwined.
Catching his breath, the young alpha turned his head up to look at the elder finding him already staring at him with a gentle smile before a hand was placed on the back of his waist.
"Do you know what I wished for my 19th birthday today?" the other quietly asked, still staring at his eyes.
Riki slowly shook his head as an answer.
The alpha smiled, pulling him closer to his chest. Putting his chin on the younger prince's head before nuzzling Riki's hair softly, the elder prince continued.
"I wished to the moon for me to hold you close like this forever for you are everything to me, my prince."
Upon hearing the latter's statement, Riki felt himself frozen, although the Eunpyeong-gu's prince continued quietly only for his ears to hear.
"My heart yearns for you, Nishimura Riki. Would you please grant me my one and only wish? It might be a selfish request, but this is all I ask for."
As the young prince slowly moved his head to the other's chest hearing the frantic beating of his heart, and the latter swaying them gently from side to side with a tender smile on his face, Riki knew the elder alpha already has his answer.
The two prince continued to dance together inside the beautiful garden as they spend their night holding each other closely, the moon watching them from the above, but this time, feelings are returned.
A few weeks later, Riki was surprised to see Sunghoon again, only now, the Park family is in their palace. With widened eyes and an overexcited smile, Riki desperately tried surpressing his emotions in front of their family with the elder shooting him a soft smile in return, both family unaware of the little exchange from their only alpha sons.
When the two royals finished their greetings, Riki immediately asked his queen mother if he and the Eunpyeong-gu prince could spend some time talking together. Seeing this as a good opportunity for his son to have another friend and for future alliance for the benefit of their kingdom, Queen Nishimura immediately agreed with a smile as his young alpha prince happily dragged a willing southern prince out from their view. The two families laugh at the exchange, before going somewhere to privately discuss an important matter.
Inside Riki's room, Sunghoon laid his head on the former's lap contentedly, closing his eyes as the young prince gently cradled his fingers on the elder's soft locks.
Smiling tenderly, the prince of Okayama stared at his alpha's napping face before throwing a random question.
"What would you do if I die?"
Slowly opening his eyes, Sunghoon looked up to see his prince continuously cradling his fingers to his hair.
"You do not have a major illness that would result in you suddenly doing so, don't you?" he skeptically asked as the younger chuckled with the hilarious question and the prince's evidently worried face.
"Fret not, for I am perfectly healthy, my love. What about reincarnation then? What would you do if it was indeed a real thing?"
Hearing the endearment, Sunghoon's face immediately softened as a sincere smile made its way to his lips. Pondering for a moment, the elder alpha caught the younger's hand that Riki was using to pet the other's locks, interlacing their fingers tightly before answering.
"Love you still."
Smiling, Riki softly chuckled at the prince's answer.
"I beg your pardon?" he jokingly commented, appearing to doubt the alpha's words.
The elder alpha only stared at him with genuine adoration on his eyes, bringing their intertwined hands to his lips as he slowly traced soft kisses on the younger's.
"I said, I'll love you still, my prince. For one lifetime is not enough to prove how much I do, so I promise to always look for you in another."
Riki's felt his heart skipped a beat as a tender smile made it's way on his lips with the other's answer. Laying on his lap unguarded, Riki continued to cradle the other's hair softly, wishing for the moment to last forever.
"I'll hold you to that, my love."
When the royal family finally left after a brief discussion with the king and queen of Okayama, Riki waved his lover with a loving smile, a ring on his finger matching the other's, given by Sunghoon himself as a promise of his love to the younger.
Riki felt his mouth going dry as he stood there silently, the wedding bells of the palace snapping him out of his very long reverie. Turning his head up, he was once again met with a crying Sunghoon, the alpha's tear freely making it's way out of his eyes like an open dam. Riki tried to smile, although it was hard seeing the most important person in his life looking so devastated like that.
With shaking hands, the elder prince brought a small box out of his pocket to show the ring Riki was once wearing. It matters a lot for the former considering that it was a gift from his own mother, and she made him promise to only give it to his future betrothed. The prince of Eunpyeong-gu started his speech with Riki listening closely, the memories of yesterday catching up to him.
"I, Park Sunghoon, prince and the future king of the Eunpyeong-gu Kingdom from the Southern Korea, takes the child of King and Queen Nishimura of the Okayama Kingdom as my righteous partner..."
"Done staring?"
Riki was snapped out of his reverie to witness the other alpha still looking at the fountain. He thought he misheard, but when he saw the ghost of smirk on the other's lips, he knew he wasn't mistaken as the Okayama prince had the strong urge to roll his eyes and scoff at the cockiness of the stranger.
"Get off your high horse, stranger. Not because you look attractive does not give you the rights to speak informally against me." he replied to which the other only smiled at. When he was about to wipe that smile off the other guy's face thinking that he's teasing and looking down at him, the prince of Okayama himself, a voice called out for him.
"Riki," it muttered in a feminine voice. "mother awaits for your presence in the main hall."
Riki turned his attention to find the owner of the voice, Konon. Taking back a step and composing himself before subtly glaring at the stranger, he replied a firm 'coming' and proceeded to walk towards his sister's destination. Mid way to her place, the other person who suddenly just chose to interrupt his silence and tease him annoyingly, muttered loud enough for Riki to hear.
"Park Sunghoon."
Riki glanced back at him with furrowed eyebrows, confused as to what the other is talking about, before the man smiled and continued.
"My name is Park Sunghoon, Prince of Eunpyeong-gu, the land where you are standing at right now. It's a pleasure to meet you and to be called attractive as well, Nishimura Riki of the Okayama Kingdom."
"..to have and to hold from this day forward,"
"May I have this dance, my prince?"
Seeing no reason to doubt the elder anymore, Riki accepted his hand, guard up in case the other planned something.
But when the latter only held his hand tighter after entertwining it with his while holding him carefully and swaying him slowly with the birds chirping and the moon as their witness, Riki thought it was honestly a hundred times better than staying in the palace with the other hundred royals.
"...for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer,"
""My prince?"
Hearing the door open, the voice welcomed him as he looked up seeing the prince of Eunpyeong-gu gazing at him with an unreadable expression.
"It's okay, you can cry." the other softly muttered. Riki moved his hand up to touch his cheeks to see that he was indeed crying. Wiping his tears harshly, he didn't appreciate the other seeing him like this.
He's an alpha, for pete's sake! He shouldn't be here crying like the worthless prince that he was. Riki should have been there fighting for his kingdom and people. Closing his eyes, the young prince blew a tiring sigh. Several moments later, he felt a movement in his bed and see the other alpha looking at him with a contemplative face, before softly pushing his head to his shoulder and patting his back comfortingly.
"Let it out, my prince. Haven't I told you? You can be yourself around me anytime you wish."
That seemed to be the trigger as Riki felt himself shaking afterwards, uncontrollably tearing up as he desperately choked back a sob from making it's way out of his lips. The elder alpha continued to pat his back softly, giving out comforting words once in awhile to calm him.
Yes, Riki wouldn't deny that they were treated wonderfully here. But the prince of Okayama couldn't help but feel like he's an outcast. Riki knew they were completely nothing but a kingdom into the break of falling down. They are definitely at their lowest now. Maybe even worst than a poor commoner in this kingdom.
"For better or for worse, you have me. Remember that, my prince."
"... in sickness and in health,"
""A message has arrived for you, your highness." a feminine voice called out.
Although nauseous, Riki did his best to stand up and made his way to the door of this room seeing his servant offering him the letter before he excused her silently with a weak nod. Going back to sit on his bed, the young prince opened the paper slowly.
My Prince,
It has come to my utmost concern to hear about your current condition. Truthfully speaking, I am very disheartened to hear such news, along with the fact that I discovered this situation from a servant, and not personally from you considering that we have been exchanging letters for some time now. Do you not trust me enough, my prince? Even though, my only wish from the above right now is for you to be free from this illness, for my heart weeps knowing your condition and not being able to do anything. If I could, I would have shared the burden with you. Please, take good care of yourself from now on. I hope to meet you in your best condition soon.
May this letter reach you safely, my prince.
Love,
Sunghoon.
"... to love and to cherish,"
"Do you know what I wished for my 19th birthday today?" the other quietly asked, still staring at his eyes.
Riki slowly shook his head as an answer.
The alpha smiled, pulling him closer to his chest. Putting his chin on the younger prince's head before nuzzling Riki's hair softly, the elder prince continued.
"I wished to the moon for me to hold you close like this forever for you are everything to me, my prince."
Upon hearing the latter's statement, Riki felt himself frozen, although the Eunpyeong-gu's prince continued quietly only for his ears to hear.
"My heart yearns for you, Nishimura Riki. Would you please grant me my one and only wish? It might be a selfish request, but this is all I ask for."
As the young prince slowly moved his head to the other's chest hearing the frantic beating of his heart, and the latter swaying them gently from side to side with a tender smile on his face, Riki knew the elder alpha already has his answer.
The two prince continued to dance together inside the beautiful garden as they spend their night holding each other closely, the moon watching them from the above, but this time, feelings are returned.
"... till death do us part."
"What would you do if I die?"
Slowly opening his eyes, Sunghoon looked up to see his prince continuously cradling his fingers to his hair.
" You do not have a major illness that would result in you suddenly doing so, don't you?" he skeptically asked as the younger chuckled with the hilarious question and the prince's evidently worried face.
"Fret not, for I am perfectly healthy, my love. What about reincarnation then? What would you do if it was indeed a real thing?"
Hearing the endearment, Sunghoon's face immediately softened as a sincere smile made its way to his lips. Pondering for a moment, the elder alpha caught his hand that Riki was using to pet the other's locks, interlacing their fingers tightly before answering.
"Love you still."
Smiling, Riki softly chuckled at the prince's answer.
"I beg your pardon?" he jokingly commented, appearing to doubt the alpha's words.
The elder alpha only stared at him with genuine adoration on his eyes, bringing their intertwined hands to his lips as he slowly traced soft kisses on the younger's.
"I said, I'll love you still, my prince. For one lifetime is not enough to prove how much I do, so I promise to always look for you in another."
As the priest stood there with thousand witnesses from different kingdoms invited to attend the wedding, Sunghoon tremblingly put the ring to the finger, simultaneously sealing his fate as well. Glancing at him with the elder alpha's bloodshot eye, Riki muttered an inaudible 'i love you.' to which the latter brokenly smiled at, before mouthing an 'i love you too, my prince.' in return.
"With the power bestowed upon me, I now announce you as a newly married couple. All hail to the alpha prince of Eunpyeong-gu, Park Sunghoon, and the omega princess of Okayama, Nishimura Konon. Long live the spouse!"