Chapter Text
Once upon a time there were two kingdoms, perpetually at war with each other.
* * *
Chani stared absentmindedly out the window, letting the arguments ongoing in the room wash over him unheard. He was tired of these debates and wished that Hwiyoung would get back so that they could go for a ride and clear his mind.
“Your Majesty!”
The gentle but firm touch on his shoulder drew his attention back to his advisor.
“Continuing this tradition of conquest will only spread you too thin,” Youngbin explained patiently. “I get that you feel the need to protect your father’s legacy and strengthen your own, but you must remember that you are only one man who will then be responsible for the entire kingdom.”
“I don’t think it is that big of a problem,” General Baek refuted, “Your vassals have proven themselves loyal to you as they did your father. I see it every day on the battlefield. Anyway, we can’t stop now. Our enemies have never been weaker. We must take advantage of this time in transition.”
“Ah!” Youngbin exclaimed, “something we can agree on.”
He pulled out a chair and gestured for Chani to sit down.
“Hear me out. Their new king is young, inexperienced, and still grieving. I’m sure he is desperate to see an end to this war. All I ask is that you give me a chance to negotiate.”
* * *
“Dang, that’s a lot of paperwork. I wouldn’t want to trade jobs with you for the world,” Dawon said around a mouthful of banana.
Jaeyoon raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Oh yeah? And what’s your job again?”
Dawon grabbed a chair, turned it around and straddled it. “Official royal pesterer?” he said as a sort of question, “You can make that an official position now that you’re in charge, right?”
“I’ll have to consult with my advisors, and for some reason I think Inseong might want to fight you for that job.”
“No problem. You know I could beat Inseong with one hand tied behind my back.”
“I reject that assertion,” Inseong protested as he entered the room, General Kim Rowoon trailing behind him.
“Your Majesty,” Rowoon dropped to a knee, “I received a dispatch. King Chani is requesting a parley tomorrow at noon. Both armies are holding to a cease fire pending negotiations.”
Jaeyoon shot a glance over at Inseong. Why now? The other King had the clear upper hand in this fight.
Inseong shrugged, easily interpreting his unspoken question. “I wouldn’t trust that guy to remember his own mother’s birthday. Just promise you won’t let him pressure a decision on the spot. You must have something he needs, so use that to your advantage.”
An uneasiness churned in Jaeyoon's belly. For years he’d watched his father fight this pointless war with the neighboring kingdom, wondering what it would take to end the hostilities. Now that he was on the verge of finding out the answer, he had a bad feeling that he was not going to like it.
Suddenly the reams of documents piled on his desk seemed trivial in light of the situation. Who knew what state his country could be in this time tomorrow? He excused himself to the library.
Sitting at his beloved piano and running his fingers over the keys, he let the music soothe his restless soul.
* * *
The small farmhouse was not the sort of place one would expect to host a momentous occasion such as peace negotiations, but it was centrally situated between both armies and was comfortable. Hwiyoung had seen to that at least, working tirelessly with the other king’s representative to ensure that both parties could be satisfied with the accommodations.
The farmer and his wife, dressed in their Sunday best, bowed awkwardly, as Chani entered their house and took his place in the seat Youngbin identified for him.
“Are you sure about this?” Chani asked his advisor once the couple had been moved out of earshot.
“If there's any time to try for peace, it’s now.” Youngbin assured him, “The status quo has shifted, and you must make your move before it settles into a new normal.”
“But the demands?”
“He’ll have no choice but to accept,” Chani’s general Zuho, promised, “I've got his armies pinned. They can't suffer any more losses.”
Chani twisted his signet ring around his finger. That wasn't exactly what worried him, but what did they know? Their duty was to the kingdom, not just him, and so, for that matter, was his.
“They’re arriving,” Hwiyoung said, sticking his head through the door.
Zuho and Youngbin moved into position, flanking Chani, as the entourage entered the room.
Chani studied the three men, all tall and with fine features.
He maintained his seat while Hwiyoung introduced King Jaeyoon, his advisor, and general, only then rising to welcome them. It was a power play, meant to demonstrate that he was the one with the upper hand. The other king might be a few years older than him, but Chani already had years of experience being a king, not to mention the stronger army.
He plastered a conciliatory smile across his face, as he invited the other king to take a seat at the table.
“I’m pleased you were able to join me. I think we can agree that it is time to start looking for a resolution to this conflict.”
King Jaeyoon’s face remained stoic, as he spoke, “I’m willing to listen to your terms, and we can go from there.”
Despite the man’s measured tone, Chani sensed the near palpable waves of hatred emanating from across the room.
“Fair enough,” he replied. He looked down at the document Youngbin laid in front of him. “We are offering to freeze the border of our two kingdoms along the lines of the current occupation. You will be able to preserve your kingdom in exchange for a ten percent tax on its annual GDP and a military alliance to commit to support my kingdom in battle.”
The other king stared at him with a look of disbelief and stood up in a huff.
“I have never met a more unserious person in my life. How can you possibly think I would be willing to go along with that?”
Chani leaned back and folded his hands on the table.
“Okay, then what do you want?”
“I want the original boundaries along the river restored, an official apology, and reparations for every family that was displaced by your military.”
Chani snorted, “Now who's being unserious? You know very well that the river was not the original boundary, or at least it hasn’t been since your great grandfather built that dam and rerouted it to cut into my lands. If you want to talk about displaced people, I’d be happy to have that conversation.”
The other king's advisor stepped up to speak quietly in his ear. Chani felt a great deal of satisfaction watching him try to calm his monarch down. That was all the proof necessary that his enemy needed this truce more than himself.
Finally, he stood up.
“I have an alternate proposal.” He spread a map across the table. “I am willing to withdraw to behind the original riverbed,” he said, tracing the area with his finger.
King Jaeyoon raised an eyebrow at that. “For what price?” he asked.
“I understand you have a sister.”
“Oh, Hell no!” the other king exclaimed, “There’s no way I would ever let you marry her.”
“Your Majesty,” his advisor said softly, “You should at least give her a chance to decide for herself.”
“Yes, of course, I will give you to the end of the week to decide,” Chani said, “If she has not shown up to my doorstep by midnight on Saturday, I will take that as a rejection of the offer and triple our military efforts against your kingdom.”
He gave a signal, and Hwiyoung stepped forward to place a small chest of gold and jewels on the table.
“You may take these as a gift to her. And this,” he pulled out a gold locket, “contains my picture, so that she can make an informed decision.”
As the king and his entourage left, Chani let out a sigh of relief. Going into the meeting, he hadn’t been sure what kind of outcome he wanted, but now he was sure he’d like nothing more than to lay the other kingdom to waste.
“Well, that went well,” he said with a smile.
“Did it?” Youngbin asked, looking considerably less satisfied than Chani felt. “You didn’t have to egg him on the way you did.”
“Maybe not, but I think he was determined to hate me regardless, and it was fun. Let’s go home. I’m famished.”
* * *
Jaeyoon paced back and forth in front of his cousin.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this worked up over anything,” Dawon remarked.
“If only you had seen that smug asshole, sitting there acting all self-righteous like he was doing us a favor.” He threw himself onto the couch, “It’s not even just the thought of her marrying him. That’s bad enough, but I’ve always just assumed that Jaeah's children could inherit my throne, and if he has any influence over them, the kingdom will be doomed.”
“Maybe not. She’s got a good head on her shoulders and would raise them right.”
“Still, it makes me sick.”
The door swung open, and the princess entered the room.
“Inseong said you needed to speak with me,” she said.
Jaeyoon sighed and invited her to join him on the couch.
“I'm sure you heard that I met with King Kang Chani to discuss what it would take to reach a peace settlement. The thing is, he wants a marriage alliance.”
The color drained from her cheeks.
“I'll do whatever you think best, brother,” she said softly after a short pause.
“No, I'm not asking you to accept something you don't want,” Jaeyoon spoke earnestly, taking her hands in his, “You deserve your own happiness, and I'm not going to let you lose it just because of the family you were born into.”
“But what is the alternative? We can't let the war keep going as it is. The people are suffering.”
“I know,” he sighed, “I’ll have to figure out something else.”
Jaeyoon rang for a servant and had him fetch his coat and riding boots. For now, he just needed some time alone to clear his head and come at the problem with a fresh perspective.
He saddled his horse and, waving off his bodyguards, set off towards the forest. He knew every inch of the royal preserves, having spent much of his childhood exploring, hunting, and hiding away from his tutors in them. He let his horse take the lead, sitting back and listening to the sounds of trees rustling overhead, filled with birds, squirrels, and other small animals. The light dimmed as they went further into the forest, and the cool breeze made him grateful to have thought of wearing a coat.
“Good day, sir.”
The voice startled Jaeyoon out of his thoughts. Looking down, he saw an old woman, crouched by a tree with a basket of rags.
“Good day to you,” he replied.
“Please, can you spare some money for an old widow? It is cold, and all I have are these rags.”
Jaeyoon felt his pockets, quickly realizing that he had not brought anything with him but the clothes on his back. He hopped off the horse and shrugged off his coat.
“Here grandmother, take this, and be in peace.”
She took it gratefully and thanked him as he rode off.
Further down the path, he spotted an old man sitting on a log with his head in his hands.
“What is the matter, grandfather?” he asked, pulling his horse to a stop beside him.
“I was on my way to my daughter’s house, but my shoes have fallen apart.”
Jaeyoon looked closer and spotted the remnants of the man’s shoes beside him. He dismounted yet again.
“Here, take my boots. I have more at home, and you need them more than I.”
The man smiled and tried them on.
“They are perfect. Bless you,” he said, before disappearing back into the woods.
Riding without a coat and only socks on his feet was a lot less comfortable, Jaeyoon realized. Just as he was about to turn to head back to the palace, he saw a young child on the path.
“Hey there,” he shouted, catching the child’s attention. The little boy couldn’t be much older than six years old, and there did not appear to be any other people around. “Are you alone?”
The little boy started to cry.
“I don’t know how to get home, and I’m hungry,” he said through his tears.
Jaeyoon looked around, trying to spot any other people through the trees. Surely someone must have come with the child to the forest. He tried shouting ‘Hello!’ but all he got back were the sounds of the forest.
He couldn’t leave the boy alone, so he got down from his horse and lifted the boy onto the saddle.
“I’ll take you back to the palace, and I’m sure we can find your family then.”
He pulled at his horse’s reins, but it wouldn’t budge.
Looking back up, he saw that the little boy had disappeared.
A young man now sat in the saddle. He dismounted gracefully and stood before him.
“You have truly proven yourself worthy,” the man said with a smile, “You sacrificed your comfort to aide others, and you will now be rewarded.”
The young man reached into his pocket and pulled out three walnuts.
“One for each kindness you showed today,” he said, handing them over to Jaeyoon. “When you are in your greatest need, they will provide for you.”
Jaeyoon looked at the walnuts, confused. “What do you mean? Why would I need a walnut?”
The only answer he got was the wind whistling through the trees, because the mysterious man had disappeared.
Shrugging, he put the walnuts in his pocket, mounted his horse, and headed home.
The moment he walked through the door, Inseong intercepted him to inform him that Lord Intak was requesting an audience.
“He insisted on waiting,” he said, “Wow, you are a mess!”
Jaeyoon glanced down at his dirty socks.
“He’ll have to wait a little bit longer while I change.”
Back in his private room, he pulled out the walnuts and laid them on his bedside table. What a weird day , he thought before putting it out of his mind and changing clothes to meet with his nobleman.
~
Lord Intak looked stressed out.
As Jaeyoon entered the throne room, the man prostrated himself in front of him.
“Please, your Majesty, tell me there is something that can be done other than that marriage alliance,” he begged.
“How do you know about that?” Jaeyoon asked, concerned.
“Jaeah told me,” Lord Intak said, looking up, “I was planning on asking you for her hand, once the period of mourning was over, but now I fear it is too late.”
“I see,” Jaeyoon recalled the princess’s reaction earlier. If she was indeed already in love, there was no way he would let King Chani have her. “I would personally much rather she marry you than the king, but you must understand that this will be her choice. Whether she marries you, him, or neither, will you accept it?”
“Yes, of course, your Majesty.”
Jaeyoon smiled and dismissed the man, then set off to find his sister.
~
Getting ready for bed that night, Jaeyoon pondered his options. The marriage alliance was officially off the table, now that he knew his sister's true desires. Now it was either taking the loss at the border and being forever subservient to the other kingdom or risking it all in a blitz. He’d gone ahead and sent word to the outlying towns to prepare for the worst. However, the few days he had would not be enough. The promised attack would devastate large swathes of the country.
Absentmindedly, he picked up a walnut and cracked it open with his knife. The shell fell apart, and his hands filled with silvery fabric. Recovering from the shock, he looked closer at material that he'd dropped on the floor.
It was a gorgeous silver gown.
Remembering the strange young man's words that the walnuts would provide for him in his greatest need, he contemplated this new development. How could a dress solve his problems? Was it supposed to be for his sister? Was it possibly worth ten percent of his country’s GDP?
Jaeyoon picked up the dress and held it up in front of the full length mirror. There was something odd about it. Not in the way it looked, but in the way it felt… like it was speaking to him.
He closed his eyes and slipped it over his head. His whole body buzzed with an intense energy, burning as if on fire, cooling to nearly numb, and finally calming into a mild hum. Opening his eyes, he stared in horror at what should be his reflection. It wasn't him. It looked like him, or rather what he'd look like if he were a woman. He reached up to touch the front of the dress.
Oh God! It was him. He scrambled to take the dress off. He grew cold, hot, and then… he glanced down and breathed a sigh of relief. He was himself again. His heart raced a mile a minute, as he stared at the gown lying in a heap on the floor.
What bizarre sorcery was this?
As he started to calm down, he decided to get a second opinion. He threw on a robe, gathered up the gown, and folded into a tight package.
~
Dawon opened the door on the fourth knock, toothbrush hanging from his mouth.
“What's the matter?” he mumbled, before rushing to his en suite bathroom to spit and rinse.
“I need to know if I'm crazy or not.”
“You're crazy.”
“Shut up, I'm serious. I got a magic dress out of a walnut,” Jaeyoon said, then launched into the story about the walnuts and the gown’s magical properties.
“Okay, that story is so wild, I'm prone to believe it,” Dawon said, when he finished, “Your imagination isn’t that good… unless you've been speaking with Inseong. Have you been speaking with Inseong?”
Jaeyoon just shook his head and unfurled the gown, spreading it out over Dawon’s bedspread.
Dawon whistled in admiration.
“Are you going to put it on for me? I want to see girl Jaeyoon.”
Jaeyoon pondered the situation. He was scared of it and it's unexplainable power, but he also really wanted to try it again. He could feel it calling out to him.
He put it on.
Dawon’s eyes bugged out.
“I never thought I'd say it, cousin, but you make a smoking hot lady.”
“Stop it…” Jaeyoon startled to hear his voice come out at a higher pitch. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Stop.. oh FUCK!” He scrambled to pull the dress back off, and threw it across the room.
Dawon exploded in laughter.
“Can I try?” He asked breathlessly.
“Have at it,” Jaeyoon said. He was starting to get used to the idea of the magic and was curious to see it himself.
Dawon slipped into the dress.
“How long did it take on me?” Jaeyoon asked after a few minutes of waiting.
“It was pretty instant,” Dawon said, looking very much the same, but in a dress. “I guess it only wants to work for you. Maybe because it was you who opened the walnut.”
“I guess. But I still don't understand how it could be useful in any sense of the word.”
Dawon's lips turned up into a mischievous smirk.
“I might have an idea. But if it's going to work, you'll need to do a lot of practice learning how to be a girl between now and Saturday.”
* * *
Chani looked at the clock for the millionth time that day. The hands indicated that it was just past 11:30.
He was finally in the home stretch.
All night, Youngbin had reminded him that it was his fault for giving the midnight deadline and to man up and deal with the consequences.
“She's not coming. I'm sure of it,” he announced with satisfaction. Now he wouldn’t have to go through with this marriage, and it wouldn’t be his fault that the war continued.
“Maybe you’re right,” Youngbin conceded. “I was so sure that they would take the deal. It’s suicidal not to.”
“That king is too proud to recognize the reality of the situation. It’s not your fault that he doesn’t match your level of rational thought.”
Chani’s words were interrupted by a commotion just outside the door.
“Your Majesty,” a footman slipped through the door, “Her highness, Princess Jaeah.”
The doors swung open, and a feminine figure clad in a shimmering silver gown stepped through.