Chapter Text
For all his life, Seungkwan had done everything expected of a proper royal omega. He was polite, graceful, clever, and sharp-tongued only where it was permitted — which, for a prince’s omega son, was almost nowhere.
He’d watched his brothers and the other omegas marry one after another. Watched the courtyards fill with flower petals and warm laughter, watched them be chosen and cherished. And he’d smiled through it, trying not to let the quiet ache in his chest show.
What’s wrong with me?
Why hasn’t anyone asked?
The past months since coming of age had been the hardest, shadows in his thoughts growing longer, the fear pressing colder on his heart. Even Jeonghan, now a serene consort and expecting another child, had worried about him, while Seungcheol — stoic, iron-blooded Seungcheol — had started to hover like a hawk, his cold gaze scaring off any hopeful suitor before they could try.
Only Minghao’s new husband, Jun, had managed to slip in reassurances that things would work out. Still, Seungkwan could not believe it.
It arrived on a rainy morning, stamped with the bold seal of the Southeast.
Seungkwan nearly choked on his tea when he saw it.
No. No, no way. Vernon?
That Vernon who had been teasing him since childhood, whose bickering with him had been legend across the courts? That Vernon who once told him he looked like a startled squirrel?
He read the letter three times, hands shaking.
To the treasured omega of the Northern court, Prince Seungkwan.
I, Vernon of the Southeast, request your favor and permission to court you.
If you are willing, I will travel with all formality to your kingdom and present my gifts properly.
Seungkwan dropped the letter and covered his face.
“Moon goddess, are you playing with me?!” he wailed into his palms.
Jeonghan was the first to hear the news, and he nearly burst out laughing, half relief, half fondness.
“He’s been watching you for years, Kwan-ah,” Jeonghan teased. “Maybe he was just waiting until you were truly ready.”
Seungkwan scowled, face red. “Ready?! He used to call me a noisy pigeon!”
Jeonghan only giggled harder.
Seungcheol, however, was all cold calculation. The king sat Seungkwan down in the throne hall and gave him that terrifying elder-brother stare.
“Is this truly what you want?” Seungcheol asked, voice low.
“He is a strong alpha,” Seungkwan mumbled, cheeks flushed. “And… and I know him.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“I—I might like him, hyung,” Seungkwan admitted, eyes down.
Seungcheol’s iron mask softened, just a hair.
“Then I will accept the proposal,” he declared. “But if he harms you, Seungkwan… I will end him.”
Seungkwan swallowed, bowing his head. “I know.”
That night, Seungkwan prayed to the goddess of the moon, hands trembling against the candle’s warm light.
Let this be right, he begged silently.
Let me be loved. Let me not regret.
And somewhere deep inside, he thought of Vernon’s steady eyes — the rare moments behind the teasing, when he’d helped Seungkwan up after a stumble or watched him from afar with a faint, unreadable smile.
Maybe this wouldn’t be so terrifying after all.