Chapter Text
The delegation.
The sun had barely arisen, when the doors to the Crown Princes bedroom made noise.
Light sounds of a hand against the wooden doors made themselves known. After a few more knocks, multiple servants went inside.
The Crown prince, sitting on his vanities chair; It seemed as though he had done the courtesy of bathing himself.He looked quite dignified, as though he’d been up for some time.
“Your highness, the delegation will arrive soon. Please change into your formal attire.” As the servant said that, a few tailors came in and introduced themselves alongside the outfits they had brought. “Which one would you like to wear today, your highness?”
You huo looked at them all, it didn't take long for him to make his choice. “The one to the far right.”
It was the one with the white tight-fitted blouse harbouring black cufflinks, paired with black pants which fit perfectly, a black vest and a waistcoat which was adorned with gorgeous gold lace and silk. And an epaulette, the colours of it all varying through light yellow to black.
That was the most eye-catching one of all.
After he had said that the servants took the outfit off of display and as usual put it on the bed and left the room, knowing that the Crown prince was one used to dressing himself up.
Afterwards, they once again went back in to see if he had adjusted well to the outfit. “Any problems, your highness?” One of them asked.
“No.” He said, promptly indicating for them to excuse themselves.
Some time had passed since he’d gotten dressed. Most of the nobles had already arrived at the banquet held to welcome the delegates.
“It's a pity that they made me wear heels with a suit.” A dark pink haired woman said.
There was no reply from the other party, he simply glanced at her.
The one standing besides him was the 1st Princess of the kingdom. Named Chu Yue, to see her in a pair of heels was an uncommon experience. She was someone who’d wear tailcoat's, blouses and silken pants. A person who made every noble shocked by her choice of clothing.
“How much longer till they arrive?” An impatient tone asked.
The tone coming from the short man to his left. The man was roughly around 19 years old, he was the 2nd Prince of the land and the youngest, he went by the name Zhong yi. Both his siblings were both five to six years older than him. He was dressed in a simple dark blue suit with a dark cape which reached his waist.
“Wait for a bit.” The party in between them finally replied.
Just as he had said that, the guards and servants outside the banquet hall blew their trumpets and announced the arrival of the delegation.
It consisted of about six to seven people, the one leading them was in the front. He was much more taller than the ones behind and beside him.
He was wearing a black shirt, which tightened around his neck. Accompanying a black and dull blue waist coat, with a long cape which was embellished with a grey pattern. His belt had a sword holder, a shiny silver blades hilt peaking out. Along his shoulders rested a dirty gold epaulette, with a sash which ended at his waist. Lastly, his hands were quite defined and had tight black half-palmed gloves on them.
The man walked with confidence to the one in the middle of the hall, Crown prince You huo. “A pleasure to meet you, your highness.” An arrogant voice said, as he bowed and reached for his hand, kissing his knuckles as though he was a lady.
You huo immediately took his out hand out of his grasp and controlled his expression. He gave him a small bow and returned the greeting. “A pleasure to meet you as well.”
Chu yue and Zhong yi also gave their respective bows.
“Your arrival was well awaited.” The pink haired one said, trying to be cordial.
The man simply smiled as a reply.
After the greetings had ended the prince and princess stood at the second floor, looking down from there.
“He seemed quite arrogant..” The short man said.
“Hmm, yeah.” She laughed as she replied.
You huo on the other hand, was sitting at the back of the hall, on the throne. Soon the music had started, the nobles all around came to the centre with their partners.
The Royals however simply watched it all, until a familiar man asked the one sitting on the throne for a dance. His voice filled with mockery, “Would you do me the honours of having my first dance with you?”
First dance your mother.
You huo chose to ignore the other until he was forcefully pulled up by a firm grip around his wrist.
His eyes widened– He was caught off guard for a moment.
–The leather gloves were slightly cold to the touch.
“You-!” His words were cut off as he was pulled onto the dance floor and into position.
One of Qin jius hands found their place at his waist and the other one caught a hold of his hand.
At that moment, You huo was glaring daggers at the man touching him. Whilst on the second floor a lady was laughing ridiculously.
“Holy shit— He—” She couldn't get a proper sentence out without laughing.
The man besides her had his jaw wide open, shocked at the scene that was currently happening.
You huo wanted to beat him to death, but he could do nothing else but put up with this delegate's bullshit.
One of his hands went up to the taller mans shoulder and the other rested in his hand, he couldn't believe he was playing the lady's part. He almost exploded.
As the music started they both started swaying to it as he tried to start a conversation.
“So your highness, would you like to formally tell me your name?” Truth be told, the man still did not know the neighbouring kingdoms Crown princes name.
“No.”
He chuckled at the response he had gotten.
“Would you be able to tell me how old you are?”
He was ignored.
“If not that, then perhaps your height? Weight? Some things you like?”
“Did you leave your common sense at your kingdom?” The man said more than asked in a cold tone.
The man once again laughed. “Truthfully, I did not thoroughly look through any of the information.”
“Do you even know why you’re here?”
“If I were to say no, would you tell me?”
The man simply scoffed as a reply.
As the dance progressed, the taller man suddenly grabbed him by the waist with both hands and slightly lifted him up and twirled.
Is this man fucking crazy.
Does he want to die?
Various thoughts revolving around the fact that this man must be insane suddenly surged inside his head.
The man however simply smiled and put him back down. Throughout the hall multiple gasps sounded out.
He however, once again grabbed his hand, kissed it and bowed, indicating the end of their dance. With a smile he walked right back to a pillar he was standing near before whatever this whole theatrical play was.
Even the other delegates looked extremely shocked, one was even stuttering whilst asking him what he had just done.
What the fuck.
You huo, also went back to his seat with a small scowl on his face. Not noticing that a lady laughing quite loudly was making her way down.
Through laughs she said, “He— he really asked you— you for a dance.. —” She couldn't keep her composure.
You huo simply glared at her, clearly not wanting to recount what had just happened.
Even Zhong yi was giggling a bit as he stood with his sister.
Just like that, the night went by without any other special occurrences. Until the end of it…