Chapter Text
The grand hall shimmered like a captured galaxy. A thousand tiny crystals dripped from the chandeliers, each one catching the light and scattering it across a sea of important people. The air buzzed with the soft hum of power, the gentle clinking of champagne glasses, and the beautiful melody of a string quartet tucked away in a corner.
This was the world Juwon was now a part of, a world of whispered deals and firm handshakes, of tailored suits that cost more than a car and smiles that never quite reached the eyes.
Standing in the middle of it all, he felt like a single, lost star.
He stood beside his new husband, Jian Chihen who has this polite, practiced smile fixed on his face.
It’s their wedding reception.
The day itself was a beautiful blur, a simple ceremony with just their immediate families, followed by this grand celebration for the business world their families commanded.
It felt surreal, like watching a movie where he was a supporting character in his own life.
Just this morning, he was simply Park Juwon, the youngest son, the artist, the one who preferred a quiet studio to a crowded room. Now, he’s married to a man he was still practically a stranger to.
Their marriage was a final wish from two grandfathers who were more like brothers than friends. It was stated in their wills that the heirs of the Jian and Park families must marry to get their full inheritance.
It was a business transaction, really.
The gender of the heirs didn't even matter; what mattered was the union of the two names and the solidification of two business empires.
So here they are, playing their parts for the sake of legacy.
Juwon risked a glance at Chihen.
The man was the definition of poised. Tall and built with strength, he wore his tailored suit as if it were a second skin. His features were sharp, all clean lines and angles, and his expression was a perfect mask of calm indifference. He was everything the rumors said he was. The first-born heir, grandson of the late Chairman Jian who was considered as a beast when it comes to handling business transactions. Chihen is a man of few words, as cold and distant as a winter morning.
His friends, and the countless articles he'd read online, all painted the same picture of Jian Chihen. He is a young man who built walls so high no one could see over them.
A sudden wave of exhaustion hit Juwon. The endless smiling, the polite nods, the same questions on a loop, 'A lovely ceremony!', 'You two make a handsome couple!', 'Any plans for a honeymoon?', it was all draining him. He felt his smile begin to tremble, a slight wobble in his knees as he reached for his glass of water. The room felt too warm with the crowd pressing in from all sides and the noise was starting to dull the roar in his ears.
Just as he felt himself sway, a presence appeared beside him. He flinched, turning to see his husband standing closer than he was before. The other man’s arm is extended, his hand held out in a silent offer. His dark eyes, usually so remote, were fixed on Juwon, and for a fraction of a second, Juwon thought he saw something other than ice in their depths.
Juwon’s breath caught in his throat.
Was this for show? A performance for the watchful eyes of the guests?
He hesitated, his gaze flicking from Chihen’s outstretched arm to his unreadable face. The latter didn't push or even speak, he just waited there with his extended arm like a statue.
But they were husbands now, Juwon reminded himself, and his traitorous heart thumped a little faster.
So what? This person isn't a stranger anymore, this is the person whose name is now legally linked to his.
Taking a shaky breath, he slowly placed his hand on Chihen's forearm. The fabric of the suit was smooth and cool, but beneath it, he could feel the solid muscle. It was surprisingly sturdy.
He felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere around them. The gesture was small, but in this world, it was a headline. Juwon felt a strange mix of shock and a tiny, unfamiliar warmth blooming in his chest. He gave Chihen a small, grateful smile, and the younger man responded with the barest hint of a nod before turning his attention back to a portly man who had just approached them.
With Chihen’s arm as his guide, Juwon found he could breathe again. The simple, silent support made the overwhelming crowd feel a little less suffocating.
And after what felt like an eternity, they were finally able to make their escape.
A sleek black car was waiting for them at the hotel's entrance. As they slid into the plush leather seats, the heavy doors closing with a soft, definitive thud, the noise of the hall faded away, leaving a comfortable, almost deafening silence.
"Are you tired?" Chihen's voice was a low rumble, the first full sentence he had directed at Juwon in hours, not counting his wedding vows in which Juwon was sure he had memorized in advance.
Juwon jumped a little, startled by the sudden sound in the quiet space. He turned to look at his husband in the dim interior of the car. "A little," he admitted, his voice softer than he wanted it to be. "There were… a lot of people."
Chihen hummed in response. He didn't say anything else and just stared out the window as the city lights blurred into streaks of gold and white. Juwon took the opportunity to study his profile. The sharp line of his jaw, the straight bridge of his nose, the way his dark hair fell slightly over his forehead.
His husband really is handsome… in a striking and almost intimidating way.
The car ride was long, much longer than Juwon expected. He watched as the familiar cityscape gave way to quieter, more residential streets, then to wide, tree-lined roads with imposing, wrought-iron gates.
When the car finally turned into one such gate and drove up a long, winding driveway, Juwon's eyes widened in disbelief.
The car stopped in front of a house… if it could really be called a 'house'.
It was a mansion!
A sprawling, magnificent structure of stone and dark wood, with large windows that glowed warmly in the twilight.
It looked both grand and inviting, like something out of a fairytale.
"This… this is our home?" Juwon breathed, pressing his face closer to the window.
"It is," Chihen confirmed. "A gift from our grandfathers, as per the will."
Juwon was speechless. He knew their families were wealthy, but this was on another level. It was beautiful, but also incredibly intimidating. He suddenly felt very small and very out of place even though he practically used to live in one ever since he was born up to this morning before he left for the wedding.
The car door opened, and a man in a crisp uniform stood waiting for them. He was older, with a kind face and a neat white moustache.
"Welcome home, Master Chihen, Master Juwon," he said with a slight bow. "My name is Chad. I am the butler assigned to the residence. I will be residing in the west wing annex should you require anything at all."
"Chad," Chihen acknowledged with a nod.
"Hello," Juwon managed to say despite his voice being a little shaky.
As they stepped out of the car, Juwon noticed several other staff members carefully carrying dozens of beautifully wrapped boxes and gift baskets into the house. He watched as they placed them all in the vast, marble-floored living room, creating a small mountain of presents.
"I uhm… I hope you don't mind," Juwon said quickly, turning to Chihen. "My sister suggested that we have all the gifts delivered here and that I should sort them with you tomorrow. She said it was important so you wouldn't leave the day after our marriage." He innocently said, not fully comprehending the reason behind his sister's suggestion, having never been in a relationship before, he had no idea what his sister was up to.
He didn't know that she was trying to ensure they spent time together, to give them a reason to interact beyond their contractual obligations. He, being completely new to all this, just thought it was a practical way to handle the gifts.
Chihen looked at the pile of gifts, then back at Juwon. His expression was as neutral as ever, but Juwon thought he saw a flicker of something in his eyes, amusement, perhaps? "That is… a good idea," he said, his tone unreadable. "We can sort them tomorrow."
Relief and excitement washed over Juwon.
He’s glad that his husband wasn't upset.
Chad showed them around the main floor, pointing out the kitchen, the dining room, the library, and the sprawling backyard with a sparkling swimming pool. Juwon felt like he was walking through a museum, everything was so grand and perfect. He was so overwhelmed he barely registered any of it.
Finally, they climbed the grand staircase to the second floor. Chad led them down a long hallway and stopped in front of a pair of large, carved wooden doors.
"This is the master’s bedroom," the butler announced, opening the doors to reveal a room that was bigger than Juwon's entire apartment back at the university. It had a king-sized bed, a sitting area by a large window, and another door that led to a massive walk-in closet and an en-suite bathroom.
After Chad gave them a respectful goodnight and left, an awkward silence settled between the two newlyweds.
The weight of the day, and the reality of their new situation, finally came crashing down.
They were alone. In a bedroom. Together.
Chihen was the first to break the silence. He stood near the foot of the massive bed, his hands in his pockets, looking everywhere but at Juwon. "You can sleep here," he said, his voice low and even. "I can take one of the guest rooms down the hall."
Juwon's head snapped up. "What? No!" he blurted out, louder than he intended. He felt a blush creep up his neck, heating his cheeks. "I mean… this is also your house. I can't let you sleep in a guest room while I take the master bedroom. That wouldn't be right."
Chihen just looked at him, his expression as unreadable as ever.
Juwon shook his head, his shyness warring with his sense of fairness. He couldn't kick his husband out of his own bedroom on their wedding night. It felt rude. "It's fine. It's okay if we share." The words came out in a rush, and he immediately regretted them. 'Share' sounded so intimate, so much more than just sleeping in the same room. It implied a closeness they didn't have.
Chihen held his gaze for a long moment, and Juwon couldn't decipher what he was thinking. His dark eyes were like pools of still water, giving nothing away.
"Alright."
The relief was so potent Juwon almost felt dizzy. "Okay!" he squeaked, then cleared his throat. "I, uh, I think I'll wash up first. If that's okay."
"Go ahead," Chihen said. "I will use the bathroom downstairs."
Juwon nodded gratefully and practically fled into the en-suite bathroom, closing the heavy door behind him. He leaned against it for a moment, feeling his heart thump against his ribs.
The bathroom was as extravagant as the rest of the house, with a deep soaking tub, a separate glass-walled shower, and two sinks with gleaming silver faucets.
He turned on the water for the shower, the sound immediately filling the silence and calming his frayed nerves.
As he stepped under the warm spray, he tried to wrap his head around everything. The day, the reception, the mansion, and most of all, Jian Chihen, his now husband.
The man was cold and distant on the surface, but then he offered his arm in a crowded room, and he offered Juwon the master bedroom without a fight. It was a confusing mix of signals that made Juwon's head spin.
After his shower, Juwon wrapped himself in one of the plush and ridiculously soft bathrobes provided.
He felt awkward just standing there in the huge bedroom, so he quickly found his pajamas in one of the suitcases the staff had already brought up. They were a simple, comfortable set of cotton pants and a t-shirt. After drying his hair, he climbed into the massive bed, sinking into the soft mattress and pulling the duvet up to his chin.
He didn't even have to wait long. The bedroom door opened quietly, and Chihen walked in. He was also wearing a simple set of pajamas, a dark grey that made him look even more serious. He moved quietly, not making a single unnecessary sound as he walked to the other side of the bed.
Juwon held his breath as Chihen got into bed. The mattress dipped slightly with his weight, and suddenly, the space felt much smaller. He could feel the warmth radiating from the other man's body just a few feet away even though he literally just showered.
They lay there in the dimmed space, with the only light coming from the moon filtering through the large window.
Juwon stared at the ceiling with his mind racing.
He could hear Chihen's soft and even breathing beside him.
It is strangely soothing.
This is his life now. Married to a near-stranger, living in a mansion, bound by a will. It was terrifying, but also… a little exciting. Like the start of a new book, and he couldn't wait to turn the page.
After what felt like an eternity, he couldn't stand the silence anymore. He turned his head on the pillow, looking at Chihen's silhouette in the dark. "Good night," he whispered.
There was a pause, so long Juwon thought Chihen might not have heard him, or maybe he’s already asleep.
Just as he was about to turn away, a low voice replied.
"Good night… husband."