Chapter Text
Sieun's silk shoes were covered in mud. The dainty floral pattern on his shoes was stained by the damp ground he had been walking on for hours now. He could feel a few raindrops fall on his robes when they finally found somewhere to hide.
Seongje's hand dragged him into the damp cave he had just found.
The two of them had been hiding in such caves for weeks now.
Sieun was an Omega born in a noble family, an Omega of the palace. He wasn't accustomed to this kind of lifestyle, but he had never felt more at ease. He loved living in damp caves, having the rain fall against his silk robes, and mud stains on his silk shoes.
Because he was no longer a bird in a cage.
All because of Seongje.
''Princess, come into my arms. I'll keep you warm from the cold.''
When they entered the cave, Sieun was starting to feel cold indeed. It was a cold winter that year. The rain and wind were never-ending.
So, the Omega quickly nestled close to the Alpha's arms, nuzzling his head against Seongje's black robes. They didn't say much and remained like this for a while. Seongje realized that Sieun had just fallen asleep in his arms.
Well, the two of them had been on a long journey, trying to find a new hideout, after all.
''I'll go out for a hunt and find food for us, princess. When the rain stops,'' Seongje's voice was soft, almost like a whisper. His hands began caressing Sieun's long, silky hair. Sieun peacefully slept in his arms like that for the whole night.
Sieun woke up early in the morning, and Seongje was nowhere in sight. He didn't panic. He knew that Seongje probably stepped out of the cave to find food for them. It was always like this.
So, he remained in the cave and waited for him.
The sun was out, and the rain no longer fell on the ground.
Seongje had returned with a wild boar in his arms, proudly showing it off to Sieun.
''You're behaving like a brute now,'' Sieun mumbled, making Seongje chuckle.
''Princess, I'm an Alpha. I can't allow an Omega like you to go out hunting wild boars, can I?''
''Prepare the meat. I am starving.'' Sieun let out another grumble, urging Seongje to prepare the meat. Seongje just grinned at the grumpy princess and began preparing their food under the fire.
When it was done, the two of them gathered around together and began eating the cooked meat. Well, truth be told, Sieun was still trying to get used to this.
One thing he missed living in the palace was the food.
He always received his meals in his chambers in the most elegant ceramic bowls and cups.
Now, he was out in caves, eating wild boars with his hands.
''It's good, right?'' Seongje asked, observing Sieun, who was currently chewing on the meat in tiny bites. Sieun always ate in small bites. Seongje always teased him and claimed it was because he was a spoiled princess.
''You know how to prepare the meat well. Is it because your father was a butcher?''
Seongje let out a soft chuckle. Sieun always spoke about his father with no malice in his voice. Others had mocked Seongje his whole life for being a butcher's son, but Sieun was always kind. It made Seongje want to cry like a little child sometimes.
This princess was too good for his reckless heart.
''I'll head into the capital for a moment, princess. Want anything?''
''Are you heading out again?'' Sieun had finished eating the meat, now wiping his mouth with a cloth Seongje had given him. He didn't want to get his lilac robes all dirty. Well, Seongje claimed he was going to buy him a new one soon.
''I have some affairs to deal with, Sieunie.''
Seongje showed off a small smile to the Omega before he exited the cave again. Sieun just let out a sigh and grumpily remained in the cave. Hours passed, and Sieun fell asleep again.
It was late in the evening when Seongje returned. Sieun could sense the Alpha's earthy scent entering the cave. His eyes were beaming while greeting the Alpha.
Seongje smiled back at the Omega, with a few things in his arms again. He hadn't brought food this time.
''Have a seat, princess.'' Seongje pointed further into the rocks in the cave, urging Sieun to sit down. Sieun did as he was told, as the Alpha walked closer to him. Seongje then crouched down and grabbed Sieun's feet, startling him a little.
He took off the mud-stained shoes and gently caressed his feet, dusting off any dirt from the Omega's white socks. Sieun was squirmy under his touch. He was an Omega maiden, after all. He was still trying to get used to how touchy Seongje was with him.
''Your shoes got dirty, princess. I bought you new ones,'' Seongje looked up to the Omega with a smile, and then brought out the new silk shoes he had bought for Sieun. They were pale blue silk, with floral details all over.
The silk shoes were ideal for a princess like Sieun.
''They're pretty, Seongje-yah.''
Sieun had a small smile on his face, feeling his cheeks get quite warm. He loved getting spoiled by the Alpha. But he’d never admit it.
''You are pretty,'' Seongje smoothly said, as he got up, now being face to face with the Omega. His one hand was already cupping Sieun's face, caressing his warm cheek. It made Sieun's face heat up even more.
''Seongje-yah, I'm still a maiden, you know. You cannot caress me like this, gaze at me like you want to... devour me!''
''My innocent maiden,'' Seongje pulled his hand away, chuckling at his words, ''You act like you didn't bite my hand like a wild animal when we first met. Oh dear. But I do have another gift for you.''
Seongje brought another item from a small pouch. It was a hairpin.
It was in gold, a moonstone wrapped around a plum blossom. It was a perfect hairpin for the upcoming spring, where the flowers would bloom again.
The Alpha went behind Sieun and gently placed it on the top of Sieun's head. It matched perfectly with Sieun's pretty long hair. Sieun's hands went up to feel the hairpin, smiling a little.
''Princess, you might have a sharp mind. You're probably the smartest in this rotten kingdom. Smarter than those pathetic Alpha scholars in the palace. But you also need to learn how to defend yourself. I might not be here to protect you, someday.''
Sieun frowned, hearing Seongje's following words.
''And where would you go, Alpha?'' Sieun was looking up to Seongje with doe eyes, slightly pouting. Ah, Sieun's pretty doe eyes were Seongje's weakness for sure.
''If a bandit ever corners you, grab onto the hairpin. This way.'' then, Seongje took off the hairpin from Sieun's head. He quickly placed the hairpin onto Sieun's hand, his larger hand on top of his, showing him how to grip the hairpin properly.
''And pierce their necks, like this.''
Seongje moved his and Sieun's hands with force, showing the Omega how to stab someone with the sharp edge of the hairpin.
''I see,'' Sieun nodded and then tried the movement a few times by himself. Seongje just chuckled, watching Sieun practice the movements with the hairpin from afar. It felt like he was watching a feral animal. He still found Sieun adorable, either way.
''Why don't we test your skills then, princess?''
''Yes!''
Even though Sieun was a sheltered, spoiled princess, he didn't fear this at all. He was quite excited to face scumbags and stab them with his hairpin, just the way Seongje had shown him.
They stepped out of their little cave and walked into the woods. Hand in hand, they were searching for the perfect victim. Many bandits who were thieves or rapists often wandered into the dark woods.
And today was no different.
Seongje could see a few of them from afar, drunkenly mumbling about pretty Omegas. Sieun was a pretty Omega. Sieun walked up to the front as bait. The drunk bandits saw him and thought Sieun would be an easy bait.
They could steal everything: Sieun's gold hairpin, his silk shoes, and silk robes. Then, perhaps, even have their way with his pretty little body.
''Are you lost, little Omega? Come have fun with us,'' soon enough, the bandits spoke to Sieun. Sieun remained frozen in front of them, pretending to be scared, acting like a fragile Omega.
Seongje was also a bit further away, hiding against some trees. Perhaps it was why Sieun wasn't scared at all. Because he knew Seongje would be by his side if something went wrong.
The bandits continued mumbling drunk nonsense to Sieun, blurting out filthy things to him. Their hands were about to touch his silk robes. It was then that Sieun pulled the hairpin out of his hair, preparing to stab them.
He kept replaying the movements Seongje taught him before.
With a tight grip on the hairpin, Sieun did as he was told and brought the hairpin close to the bandit's neck. The bandit screamed from the sudden attack, lots of blood gushing out of his neck. The rest of the bandits ran away out of fear.
''You did well, princess. Do not worry about him. He deserved it. Those bandits are good for nothing,'' Seongje soon enough arrived to admire the scene, to admire what his princess had achieved.
One hand was patting Sieun's shoulder, praising him for his work.
Sieun just turned around and looked up to him, slightly smiling.
His pretty face was slightly covered in blood, his robes too.
''Your robes are all filthy now. Oh my. I'll have to buy you a new one again. I'll buy you a fur coat as well. It seems it will snow tonight. There is already ice on the rivers.''
''Buy me a pretty one, Seongje-yah.'' Sieun then linked arms with Seongje, casually walking away from the bandit he had just stabbed with his hairpin. They went into the capital together after this, mostly because Seongje wanted to see Sieun trying on pretty hanbok robes.
He ended up buying one in white that had dainty floral details all over. It was perfect for his princess, his innocent maiden.
''Seongje-yah, are the King's men still searching for us?'' It was late at night when they returned to their cave. Seongje had found a few fur blankets to keep them warm at night. They were all cuddled up to each other after their little adventure in the capital.
The snow had just begun to fall, covering the dark woods in white outside.
''Have no worries. I have a plan, princess. There's a boat that will take us...far away from here. It leaves in the morning.''
Sieun just nuzzled even closer to the Alpha's chest, needing his warmth. His eyes were slowly closing.
They were currently on the run, with many men after them.
But Sieun felt the happiest. He wanted to believe in his Alpha. He hoped for them to be safe and happy together.
''Princess, did you fall asleep?'' Seongje then gently shifted their positions, so they could face each other instead. Sieun sleepily opened his eyes, facing the Alpha. Both of them smiled while facing each other.
Seongje's hand smoothly went to caress the Omega's face. It felt so warm. His face kept leaning in, closer and closer. Sieun remained frozen, as Seongje's lips were almost brushing past his. He knew what the Alpha was trying to do.
He allowed Seongje to kiss him.
It felt pretty soft to kiss Sieun's lips, even if they were currently on the run and were quite dehydrated.
Seongje didn't let go and continued, deepening their kiss. It was a sweet, but passionate, hungry kiss.
Before it got too intense, Sieun awkwardly broke their kiss, causing Seongje to whine.
''Seongje-yah,'' Sieun was a little out of breath, lips almost drooling, ''I'm a maiden, you know.''
''My apologies, my maiden.'' Seongje just chuckled and teasingly caressed Sieun's flushed face, ''I will try not to kiss you too deeply next time. What if your heart explodes?''
''I will turn my back on you now.'' Sieun then turned his back on the Alpha, feeling a little flustered. Seongje just let out a soft laugh. His arms instinctively wrapped around the Omega's waist instead.
The two of them slept in each other's arms after that, feeling at peace.
Well, Sieun was in a deep sleep, but Seongje woke up a few hours later.
He could sense various Alpha scents approaching from afar. He knew what this meant; assassins were after them again. He gently let go of Sieun's body and headed outside to check on the current situation. He put a black cloth over his face and grabbed the sword that he kept hidden in the cave.
Before encountering them, Seongje also wondered what would be the best way to keep Sieun safe. Sieun would definitely wake up from all the noise.
''Sieun, princess, wake up.'' he returned to the cave for a moment, wanting to prepare Sieun, ''Listen to me. I think we are ambushed. I need you to stay here. Do not step outside until I come back to you. You hear me?''
''What?'' Sieun was quite dazed, as he had just woken up from his sleep. It took him a few seconds to realize what was happening, ''Seongje-yah, you taught me how to use the hairpin. I want to help.''
''No, princess.'' Seongje's voice was a little cold, mostly because he didn't want Sieun to get hurt, ''Stay here. You will only distract me. These men are trained assassins. You cannot deal with them. They aren't drunken bandit bastards, got it?''
''As you wish,'' Sieun mumbled, already having a bad feeling in his chest. He wanted to do as he was told, even if his heart was feeling heavy. If only he knew that it'd be his last time seeing Seongje after this.
''Don't be glum. It will be alright. I'll kill these bastards. Then, we'll go find that boat.''
Seongje tried to reassure the panicked Omega one last time. He gave him a quick kiss on the lips and then left. Sieun remained in the cave, with his fingers gently grazing past his lips, the lips Seongje had kissed.
His eyes kept gazing far at the cave entrance. It was dark and cold outside.
Sieun could hear the swords clashing with each other and their grunts. He closed his eyes for a moment, praying for Seongje's safety. He wanted to go out and help him, but he knew he'd probably be a burden.
This was killing him.
But then, his heart was starting to feel heavy again.
It felt like someone had pierced a blade into his heart. Why did it hurt so much?
''Seongje!'' Sieun couldn't wait anymore and stepped out of the cave. It was dark, so he couldn't see much. As he walked further into the woods, he stepped over many bodies. He figured they were the assassins that Seongje had defeated.
But where was his Alpha?
''Seongje-yah, where are you? Alpha!'' Sieun kept calling out the Alpha's name while searching the dark woods. He fell and scraped his knee when he finally spotted Seongje from afar. There was blood on his white robes when he walked towards him.
Seongje was down by the frozen river, his body collapsed in the middle.
''Seongje-yah, Alpha. Are you awake? Please, wake up.'' Sieun quickly crouched down to his knees and poked the Alpha's unconscious body. While dragging his body, he could feel blood on his hands. It came from Seongje. He was stabbed.
''I'm sorry, I should have come to help you. But you told me not to. You foolish Alpha. Open your eyes right now!'' Sieun continued poking Seongje's body, many tears rising in his eyes. A few of them fell on Seongje's cheeks.
''Princess...'' Sieun let out a gasp as he heard Seongje's hoarse voice. Seongje had managed to open his eyes for a moment. He wanted to show off a smile to the Omega for one last time, ''I was...happy with you. Thank you.''
''Mmnh, no, please. Seongje. Seongje!'' Sieun's cries were like the sound of a sad little animal. He kept moving Seongje's lifeless body until he ended up collapsing on his chest. Sieun remained on top of Seongje for a while, hugging the Alpha's body.
Seongje was no longer warm. His body was cold.
Sieun figured it'd be best to remain there and die together, on top of the frozen river.
He closed his eyes and accepted death.
There was the blood moon that was glowing above them, and the snow that continued to fall against their frozen bodies.
Sieun was sure that he had died in Seongje's arms, but many hours later, he could hear the ice beneath them cracking. The ice was melting, causing both of their bodies to fall into the water.
Sieun panicked, mostly not wanting Seongje's body to slip into the water. Yes, he knew Seongje was no longer alive, but he was fighting for his life, trying to keep both of them up to the surface.
Ah, but Seongje's lifeless body was quite heavy. Sieun was losing his strength. He was sinking deep into the water, along with Seongje's body. He accepted death. He was cold and tired. What else could he do in this state?
But for some reason, Sieun was still alive while being underwater.
It felt like he had been sinking into the water for years.
His white, blood-stained robes were all soaked, as he managed to come up to the surface. Sieun was out of the water, panting, trying to catch his breath. He scanned his surroundings, but Seongje's body was nowhere in sight.
He crawled out of the river and walked further into the woods, trying to understand what was happening.
The forest was different. The weather was also different. He could hear the birds chirping, and the flowers had already bloomed. What was going on?
Sieun's confusion only increased when he walked further into the forest and reached the...capital. Well, Sieun wasn't sure what this place was. He instinctively covered his ears to protect himself from the loud noises.
There were strange, large buildings in front of him, vehicles that replaced horses and palanquins. The people were dressed in strange garments that Sieun didn't recognize. All of them were in a rush, holding strange items in their hands.
Sieun felt like he was going to pass out. Was he in the afterworld?
Had he gone mad?
''Seongje...where are you?'' Sieun mumbled to himself, still feeling very disoriented.
Hundreds of people walked around him, but paid him no notice, even if he was currently dressed in traditional clothing that didn't match theirs. Stuck between them, Sieun managed to slip away and found himself in a shady alley.
He was still panting, trembling a little, trying to understand what was happening.
Sieun could hear everyone around him speaking Korean. They spoke the same language. They looked the same..
But why were they so different from each other?
''Is this my punishment for escaping the palace?'' Sieun wondered to himself, trying to calm down. He just collapsed against the wall and hugged his knees, feeling like crying.
He was trapped in a strange world that resembled Joseon, but wasn't exactly Joseon. Yes, Sieun was convinced that he was trapped in Hell or the afterworld. Someone was definitely punishing him!
''Yah, look at him. Is he a princess or some shit?''
While still hugging his knees and hiding, Sieun perked up at the sound of their voices. He briefly looked up, only to see two Alphas approaching him. Sieun could tell they were Alphas by their very strong scents. They were also quite tall, towering over him.
They, too, were dressed strangely, according to Sieun's eyes.
''Ah, fuck. He's so damn pretty though. Is he cosplaying or something?'' The two Alphas continued talking about him, acting as if Sieun wasn't right in front of them, ''Yeah, have you ever been to an anime cosplay event before? Omegas dress up like this sometimes.''
''Are you the enemy?'' Sieun finally spoke to them, making the two Alphas look at him. Sieun's hand then pulled out the hairpin, pointing the sharp edge towards them.
''Yah, that thing is probably plastic.''
''No, it's not. You pathetic fools. It's gold.'' Sieun hissed at them, preparing to attack them like a wild animal. He was confused, scared, and lost. He wasn't in the mood to deal with them. He just wanted to find Seongje. Where was Seongje's body?
''Yah, he's actually being serious,'' the two Alphas took a few steps back, noticing the crazy look in Sieun's eyes. The Omega, who was dressed in traditional attire that resembled a princess, definitely wanted to stab them with the hairpin.
''Let's go find Seongje. He'll find this princess entertaining.''
''Seongje?'' Sieun's heart perked up at the mention of Seongje's name. With the hairpin still in his hand, he tried attacking them again, ''Take me to him right now, or I'll stab you. Where are you keeping him?! What is this place, let go of me, do not touch me with your filthy hands-''
But before he had the chance to attack, the two Alphas had scooped him up so easily, taking him to Seongje.
Sieun protested, trying to escape from their grip.
But oh well, at least he was going to meet with Seongje again.
''Seongje's beating some guys from Eunjang. But you know. He keeps complaining that everything is fucking boring these days. Weird fucker.''
''This princess might entertain him.''
Sieun didn't know where the two Alphas were taking him. They headed up some stairs and were now on a rooftop. Sieun could feel the spring breeze hit him in the face. He had the view of the strange, large buildings he had seen before.
There were also the strange vehicles that he didn't recognize, coming up at full speed below.
But Sieun couldn't care less about that.
''Seongje-yah!'' Sieun was never an Omega to cry out an Alpha's name so loud, so desperate, but now, there he was, crying out Seongje's name. He could see the Alpha he loved from afar. Sieun knew it was him, even if he was also dressed in strange garments in a maroon color.
Oh, and he also wore glasses on his face.
''Seongje-yah, how come you're alive?'' Sieun then walked towards the Alpha, who was currently too busy kicking some guy in the stomach. The Alpha just gave him a glance, panting a little, ''Thanks the heavens for bringing you back to me even in this strange world!''
''Who the fuck are you? Yah, you two, what's going on?'' Seongje gave Sieun a confused glance, sounding as cold as ever. It made Sieun's heart sink a little. Did Seongje not recognize him? Was this Alpha really his Seongje?
But they looked just the same. They even had the same earthy, comforting scent. Everything was the same.
Even the mole under his eye.
''The princess knows you. He wanted to see you,'' the Alpha duo explained with a shrug, chuckling. They left before Seongje had the chance to complain again.
''What's wrong, Seongje? Do you not remember me?'' Sieun asked the Alpha, his eyes already starting to water.
''Have you escaped from an institute or something?'' Seongje clicked his tongue, then glanced down at the guy that he was beating up just now. He gave him another light kick from his frustration, ''Listen, I'm in the middle of something here, princess. Get the hell out-''
''Yes, that's me. I'm a princess!'' Sieun perked up a little, wondering if Seongje was slowly remembering him again, ''Don't you remember me?''
''Just back away. Seriously.'' Seongje tried to push Sieun away before he approached him, ''You're going to get hurt.''
''Have no worries, Seongje. I can protect myself, see?'' Sieun proudly pulled out the hairpin from his hair, showing it off to Seongje. He threatened to stab the guy who was currently on the floor with his hairpin, making the poor Alpha cry out, begging for mercy.
''Yah, yah. Alright, calm down now. What are you going to do with that tiny thing, huh?'' Seongje almost let out a chuckle, finding it pretty funny. The fact that a deranged Omega dressed in hanbok was attempting to stab someone with a hairpin. It was quite funny to him, indeed.
''You taught me how to do that, Seongje! Stabbing bandits with my hairpin!'' Sieun stated, looking up to the Alpha with doe eyes. Seongje froze for a moment as their eyes met. He needed a moment to process what was happening.
And well...
The Omega in front of him was very pretty.
With silky long hair, and white robes that were a little blood-stained.
He still looked ethereal. He looked like a princess, a moon goddess.
Seongje wasn't sure how to name it in his mind.
But he felt like he was losing his mind either way.
''I don't know what the fuck you're talking about, but you definitely ruined my fun. Fuck.''
Seongje ignored the guy he had beaten up and walked away. Sieun, of course, followed him around like a puppy, ''Where are you going now, Seongje? This country is strange. We speak the same language, and yet-''
''Yah, listen. Did those jerks, Seongmok and Dongha, bring you to me to piss me off? Just leave. Okay?''
''Seongje-yah, please.'' Sieun then tugged onto Seongje's arm, causing Seongje to look down at him. Ah, for some reason, Seongje couldn't look away from Sieun's pretty doe eyes, ''Don't leave me, please.''
''...I'll take you to some clinic or something. You're definitely crazy. Tell me where you live. Or your parents. Got any Alphas? Tell me and-'' Seongje gently pushed Sieun off from him, making Sieun pout.
''Fool, you kidnapped me from the palace. And now you will discard me? How dare you!'' Sieun ended up giving Seongje a weak kick to the leg with his silk shoes, making Seongje huff. He couldn't believe that this little princess had just given him a kick.
''Yah, what is wrong with you? Did you just give me a kick, huh?’’ At moments like these, Seongje would have given a kick back, or worse, a punch in the stomach. He was a violent guy.
But he didn't have the heart to kick the princess in front of him.
Ah, what was wrong with his heart?
''You kidnapped me on my wedding day! Don't you remember, Seongje?'' Sieun was looking up to the Alpha, looking like a grumpy kitten, ''His Majesty wasn't very happy though,''
''....Haah, so youre saying you're a princess from the Joseon era or something?'' Seongje almost snorted, hearing Sieun's statement. Yes, this princess was definitely crazy. He had to take him to the doctor instead.
''I was a member of the royal family, Seongje.''
Sieun insisted, making Seongje sigh. He wasn't sure what to do with the princess anymore.
But one thing was for sure; this princess had made his day more fun.
When would Seongje get to see a pretty Omega dressed in hanbok, threatening to stab people with hairpins?
Oh, and apparently, they were also lovers in the Joseon era.
Seongje had definitely played too many video games lately. This couldn't be real.
Could it?
AUTHOR NOTE; hi guys so this will be my new sjse fic <3 i'm so excited to write about princess sieun and canon seongje being chaotic together in the whc universe lol tbh i got inspired to write this because jihoon looks so pretty with long hair and traditional clothing just like a princess oops
this story will mostly focus in the present/canon universe for now but i will add a few more scenes of their past life/how they first met and bonded etc in another chapter
anyway tell me if u like it so far >.<