#ateez royalty au

[edenesth]

Blossoming Alliances

Pairing: prince!Yunho x princess!reader

AU: arranged marriage au

Word Count: 10.9k

Summary: As a means to bring peace between two kingdoms, Prince Yunho of Wonderland is forced into an arranged marriage with the Princess of Aurora. Firmly against the idea of being bound to a complete stranger, the prince makes things more difficult than it has to be. What happens when he finds himself falling for the princess that he so strongly refuses to marry?

ATEEZ Masterlist

"I don't care what the king and queen have planned for me, I'm not-"

Yunho's protest abruptly halted as he skidded to a stop, the air seemingly knocked out of his lungs and his words stuck in his throat. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze ensnared by an ethereal sight.

Following closely behind him, Yeosang, the prince's trusted advisor and personal assistant, muttered a quiet curse as he narrowly avoided colliding with the taller man's back.

The prince's eyes widened in awe as he beheld the graceful figure of the individual meant to be his future princess, strolling amidst a sea of blooming flowers.

The delicate hues of the petals seemed to pale in comparison to her radiant presence, she had the beauty parallel to that of a Greek goddess. With every step she took, her flowing gown mirrored the elegance of her movement and a gentle breeze played with the tendrils of her hair, adding to the aura of enchantment.

The instant Yunho laid eyes on the princess he was bound to marry, all previous arguments and objections he had harboured about the arranged marriage faded into oblivion, vanished entirely from his thoughts.

His jaw hung slack and he struggled to find words. His feet remained firmly rooted to the ground as he stared, momentarily transformed into a foolish, unprincely observer.

"You were saying, your highness?" Yeosang inquired, his tone tinged with sarcasm, his brow arched.

"Is that… her? The p-princess?" Yunho stammered, his ability to speak suddenly elusive. His advisor nodded, regarding the prince with an amused glint in his eye, "Yes, your highness, that is her. Beautiful, isn't she? It seems the rumours about her divine beauty were entirely accurate."

Indeed, she is.

The prince's breath caught in his throat as he watched her, his heart beating faster than usual.

Her every gesture seemed to be poetry in motion, as though the garden itself had come alive to pay homage to her beauty. He felt a sense of time slowing down, his world narrowing to encompass only her in that moment. And as the princess turned to catch a glimpse of him, their eyes finally met.

Flustered, Yunho blinks his eyes rapidly and clears his throat loudly.

Stunned by the charming smile she had sent his way, he gives the princess a curt nod out of courtesy before looking away quickly, embarrassed.

It probably wasn't anything new to the princess for people to gape at her the way he did. But he wasn't just anyone, he was the crown prince of Wonderland, goddammit.

Ah great, I've just made a complete fool of myself.

Gone were all the words of his carefully planned and well-rehearsed speech he had spent all night to come up with, fully prepared to have a whole debate with his parents today about why they should not go through with the plan.

Sensing Yeosang's judgemental gaze on him, he scoffs before waving the shorter male off.

"W-whatever, beauty isn't going to be enough to keep a marriage strong. She could be spoiled and haughty for all we know, and the last thing I need is a wife that's all looks and no brains."

The advisor scoffs, "Sounds to me like an excuse, my prince. You seem to be convincing yourself more than anyone else. The princess should be anything but spoiled and haughty if she is already here ready to meet you."

Yunho glares down at his oldest friend in irritation, he sometimes wished Yeosang could be less rational because the advisor was annoyingly correct with his statement.

A part of the prince wanted the princess to be on her worst behaviour, that would give him a good reason to not comply but if she continues on with her good girl act and wins everyone's favour, that would make him seem like the bad guy.

Or perhaps, he was.

Why was he so against this again?

Right, because she's a complete stranger. And not just any stranger, she had to be one all the way from Aurora too.

That was why he came to seek an audience with his parents. They'd be kidding themselves if they thought he'd be backing down so easily without a fight.

With his sights set on the grand doors to the throne room, the prince reminds himself of why he's come to this part of the palace. He proceeds to march forward, determined to talk his way out of the marriage no matter how breathtaking he finds the princess to be.

Yes, the princess was insanely gorgeous.

That was an undeniable fact and Yunho would have to be blind to think otherwise.

However, he genuinely believed that beauty alone amounted to very little, especially in marriage. This union was a lifelong commitment.

This was no fairytale.

Whoever it was that Yunho married, he had to spend the rest of his life with, so his future wife would have to possess a lot more qualities than simply being easy on the eyes.

Pull yourself together, Jung Yunho. She's just another beautiful face and you've seen plenty of those.

You see, Crown Prince Yunho, heir to the throne of Wonderland, has found himself entangled in the intricate web of politics when his parents arrange a marriage with the princess of the neighbouring kingdom, Aurora. Tensions have simmered between the two nations for years, and this alliance is seen as a way to bring peace to the region.

But there was just one major problem, Yunho was vehemently opposed to the arranged marriage.

He resents the idea of being bound to a stranger, especially from a rival nation. His preconceived notions about the princess lead him to believe she's merely a pawn in her own right, just as he feels he is in this political game.

Unfortunately for him, the meeting with his parents had pretty much gone the exact way he wished it hadn't. As Yeosang had predicted, each of his arguments was met with compelling responses from his parents, rendering him momentarily speechless.

Yunho accuses the princess of being spoiled but with his continuous stubbornness and adamance, he was beginning to look the part himself.

While he voiced concerns about potential issues arising from this union, such as constraints on personal freedom, emotional distress, compatibility problems, and the inevitable cultural and societal pressures, his parents remained unfazed.

They had anticipated their son's dissatisfaction when they initially revealed the arrangement and had been prepared for his complaints.

"Yunho-yah," The queen began, her voice gentle yet firm, "We understand your concerns about the arranged marriage. But you must also understand the broader implications of our decision."

The king leaned forward, his expression serious, "Our kingdom stands at a crossroads, my son. The tensions between our nation and Aurora have lingered for far too long. The alliance formed through this marriage could finally bring about a lasting peace."

The prince's brow furrowed as he folded his arms, a mix of frustration and reluctance in his eyes, "But father, how can I marry someone I've never met? Someone from a land with which we've had conflicts?"

His mother's gaze softened, "Yunho, we're not asking you to abandon your feelings or desires. We're asking you to consider the greater good. The princess is in the same situation, and she's willing to put aside her own reservations for the sake of her people. It's a sacrifice for both of you."

And there it was, he must look like an absolute asshole all thanks to her obedience. Yeosang would definitely agree, even his advisor was supportive of the marriage. The prince seems to be the only one against this.

"We've always taught you to put the needs of the kingdom before personal wishes. This is one of those times when our actions will shape the course of history. Your cooperation can be a bridge towards a more peaceful future."

His father added, eyes trained firmly on his son.

He needed Yunho to understand that this matter was not up for negotiation, the only reason they were still entertaining his tantrums was to hopefully talk some sense into him. After all, his compliance would make a huge difference and things could be so much easier.

Yunho sighed, his shoulders slumping, "I understand the reasons, mother, father. But how can I be expected to share my life with someone I know nothing about?"

The queen leaned forward, her expression filled with empathy, "Arranged marriages are not what they used to be, Yunho. You'll have the opportunity to get to know the princess, to find common ground, and perhaps even build a genuine connection."

She was right but for some reason, Yunho's brain refuses to see things that way.

There had to be alternative methods to form an alliance; why did he need to sacrifice his choice to love? As a royal, he was only permitted one marriage and now one of the most momentous decisions of his life was about to be dictated by the future of his kingdom.

He would have said those words out loud had it not been for the look in his father's eyes, the king was growing tired of this pointless talk.

As the prince's gaze shifted between his parents, a mixture of uncertainty played across his face. He knew their words held weight, that his compliance could influence the fate of their kingdom. With a sigh, he uncrossed his arms and met their eyes.

He sensed that further argument was futile. The arrangement would proceed whether he liked it or not, "I hear you, father, mother," He finally said, his tone resigned, "I'll meet the princess and try to see the bigger picture."

And by that, what he actually meant was that he would be keeping busy, looking for loopholes to escape this predicament.

It was an exhausting journey getting from Aurora to Wonderland by carriage but you didn't voice your discomfort because you knew it must have been so much harder for your guards and servants.

It hasn't been easy on you, learning of the sudden need for you to wed the prince of another nation. It had to be Wonderland too, of all kingdoms, the specific one that hadn't been on particularly good terms with Aurora for as long as you could remember.

The truth was that you had been prepared for this all your life.

Since childhood, your mother had instilled in you the belief that your primary duty, as a princess, was to marry for political reasons someday. As much as you had dreaded it, you had always known that this day would arrive sooner or later.

What truly caught you off guard, however, was the fact that you were arranged to marry the future king of Wonderland, not Utopia. This was partly because you had always assumed you'd marry Prince San of Utopia, a kingdom with strong ties to your parents.

You and San had practically grown up side by side, he was a good friend of yours and you wouldn't have minded spending your life with him. He was easily one of the most gentle and caring men you've met, he would have made a fine husband.

While you didn't harbour any personal grievances against Prince Yunho or Wonderland, you had heard of his discontent with the arrangement, which naturally left you feeling disheartened.

It wasn't like you were ecstatic about this either but you understood that it was an integral part of your role as a royal, no?

Due to the prince's resistance, his parents had requested your arrival a bit earlier than initially planned, hoping to give him time to warm up to you before both kingdoms made the official announcement regarding your alliance to the public.

Fortunately for you, the king and queen of Wonderland had warmly received you upon your arrival and offered a brief tour of the palace's central court. They made every effort to make you feel welcome before escorting you to your chambers.

Unfortunately for you, the prince was nowhere to be seen. You couldn't help but have mixed feelings about his nonattendance, especially since he was the primary reason for and the most significant aspect of your visit.

But you supposed that may have been too much to ask of him, given his well-known opposition to this marriage.

Here you were, finally settling into the grand bed chambers designated for you. You sat in contemplative silence by the ornate vanity while your handmaiden, Yeri, attentively touched up your appearance.

"What is the matter, my princess? Are you feeling okay?"

Once she was done brushing your hair, you moved to pat her hand appreciatively, "I'm fine, Yeri, really. Just... trying to adapt to the new environment. It's quite different here compared to home, isn't it?"

"If you're trying to say it's more depressing here, then yes, I agree with you," You laughed quietly, attempting to hush her with an alarmed expression, "Oh my god, keep it down, you fearless woman! If anyone hears you, we're dead," She snickers, nodding quickly, "Yes, yes, your highness. I was just playing with you, at least it finally got you to smile again."

Scrunching your face up at her playfully, your heart warmed at how sweet it was of her to ensure you were alright.

"You're the best, Yeri. I really can't do this without you, so please be on your best behaviour," You shook your head when she grinned cheekily, "Now where's the fun in that?" She lifted her hands to surrender when you glared at her, unamused, "Okay, okay, sheesh."

"Go and get some rest, Yeri. You must be tired, tell the rest to join you too. I'll send Mingi for you if I need anything," She stood with her hands on her hips and let out a huff, "I know you won't, you're too kind for your own good. If I catch you trying to do anything by yourself, I'm never leaving your side again."

Before you could offer any protest, she gestured across her lips, mimicking a zipper, "I won't say this again, my princess. Let the servants do their jobs. We're not in Aurora anymore, you can't let these foreigners think you're weak or easy, do you understand?"

She was right, you hadn't thought of that at all.

Back at home, you had treated all the royal staff like friends and often chose to handle tasks yourself to avoid inconveniencing them, even when it was their responsibility. But you were no longer in Aurora, and your actions in Wonderland could potentially be mistaken as weakness or gullibility.

Yeri did not leave you until she made you pinky promise her.

You softened, hugging her before she went to catch up on some much-needed rest. Thanks to your cheerful and friendly disposition, all members of your staff have developed a deep fondness for you. Yeri, in particular, always had your best interests at heart.

Deciding it was probably best to familiarise yourself with the layout of the palace, you began wandering around with your personal guard, Mingi, following closely behind. You would have sent him to his chambers too, had he not frowned warningly at you.

He didn't have to say the words out loud, all it took was one look for you to understand his 'don't you even dare' loud and clear.

Thankful for and comforted by Mingi's tall frame towering over yours protectively from behind, you took your time sauntering about. You noted the difference between the interior at home and here; while the colours back at home were brighter, most of the decor in Wonderland leaned towards the darker side.

Your lips curved upward when you happened upon the royal garden just outside. The garden held a special place in your heart; it was your sanctuary in Aurora. There, you'd lose yourself in books, indulge in painting or simply unwind on days when you have no princess etiquette lessons.

Bounding toward it with excitement, you instructed Mingi to wait for you by the garden gates while you took a stroll by yourself. Lost in your own world, your attention had been fully captured by the new flowers you hadn't seen back in Aurora.

Unbeknownst to you, a certain pair of eyes had remained trained on your frame for quite some time now.

It was only when you finally sensed this invisible gaze that you turned and found yourself locking eyes with a strikingly tall and handsome man. As was your instinctual reaction, you greeted him with a warm smile, even if you didn't know who he was.

You resisted the urge to giggle at his expression which was similar to that of a deer caught in headlights as he nodded once politely at you before turning away almost instantly.

But before you could watch on any longer, Mingi had come to escort you back to your chambers. Exploration time was over, you had to get ready for dinner with the king and queen soon.

And all the way back, you couldn't get your mind off the man you had seen earlier.

That tall and handsome man, you later learned, was your future husband, Crown Prince Yunho of Wonderland.

On your second day here, you had the pleasure of sharing a light meal with him. Perhaps it was your jitters or perhaps it was the knowledge of his displeasure with the arrangement, you half-expected him to be rude or mean.

To your complete surprise, he had been more civil and polite than you had imagined. However, it was quite apparent to you that he had made a constant effort to keep you at arm's length.

Even after a week of your presence in the palace, he remained equally reserved.

As suggested by his parents, you have been sharing meals together more often in order to get to know one another better. Weirdly though, the questions exchanged between you two during conversations remained surface level and he refused to dive any deeper beyond simple pleasantries.

It was almost impossible to get close to him.

In a way, it was frustrating. You couldn't quite put your finger on it but you almost wished he would express his displeasure or frustration openly. His aloof behaviour, on the other hand, made you feel unimportant and irrelevant.

Gazing miserably up at the stars littered across the night sky by your balcony, you don't notice Yeri coming up to you until you feel her wrap a shawl over your exposed shoulders.

"You alright, your highness? Mingi mentioned you looking particularly upset these days. I thought things were going well with the prince?"

You sighed, pursing your lips, "I don't know, Yeri. I suppose that's how it looks to others from the outside but..." Your heart clenched, and you wondered to yourself if this was how life was going to be like married to Yunho.

"Even when he's right in front of me, he still feels so far away," Laughing humourlessly to yourself, you rubbed your hands tiredly over your eyes, "Does that even make any sense?"

Yeri runs her hands comfortingly up and down your arms, "Wow, so he's going to be that kind of husband, huh. I'm so sorry, your highness. You, of all people, don't deserve this kind of treatment, especially from the man who is supposed to be your husband."

You shook your head to ease her worries, "I'll be fine. Maybe he'll warm up to me eventually, hm? Just the way you did," She smiled half-heartedly at you, "Gee, for your sake, I sure hope so."

While you were caught up in your own feelings of despair, Yunho dedicated the majority of his time to the library, fervently seeking an alternative method for forming the alliance, anything except marriage. He refused to believe that this was the only way to do so, even when Yeosang had told him countless times that his efforts would be fruitless.

As his advisor had reiterated over and over, even if he did find another way, nothing could be stronger than an alliance formed through marriage. But Yunho would like to argue that his adamance might be stronger, though he knows he would be shot down mercilessly by his friend with actual logic.

In frustration, he slammed yet another book shut, running his hand through his hair and groaning loudly without bothering to keep his voice down. Nobody in the library would dare ask him to quiet down anyway, he was the crown prince of the nation.

Come on, there has to be another way.

Without wasting another moment, he moved on to the next book. He couldn't afford to waste any more time. Every passing day brought him closer to the solidifying of this arrangement.

Despite his lack of success in finding a solution, he was rather pleased with how he had handled you. As he had expected, you appeared to be nothing more than a pawn, sent here to be manipulated by your parents.

In the few conversations he had with you, you seemed somewhat one-dimensional, repeatedly expressing your contentment with fulfilling your duties as a princess for the betterment of your kingdom. No doubt just reciting words handed to you in a carefully crafted script, you appeared to lack personality whatsoever.

Yunho knew he was right about you from the beginning, you were all looks and not much else.

Or so he thought.

The prince had been quick to judge without bothering to get to know you any better. He couldn't have possibly been able to get a feel of your character when he continuously kept you at a distance.

It wasn't until he was forced to spend time with you as you navigate several formal events and ceremonies meant to showcase your unity, that he began to see you in a new light. You were not the stoic and passive figure he had imagined.

You revealed yourself to be an incredibly articulate and knowledgeable speaker, both on and off the stage. From delivering formal speeches to engaging in discussions with important figures of Wonderland, he was thoroughly impressed by your depth of knowledge and your ability to hold conversations on topics that sometimes even challenged him as the crown prince.

Not only that, he later saw how intelligent and compassionate you truly were but most importantly, how you shared his concerns about the forced arrangement.

It was within the confines of the royal garden that you and Yunho engaged in a heartfelt conversation, away from any prying eyes.

Your sigh was soft, your gaze fixed on the distant horizon, "Thanks for agreeing to see me, Yunho. There's something I feel I must address, I cannot go on like this for much longer." Concern filled the prince's eyes when he detected the exhaustion in your tone.

"You know, I'm not an idiot. I know what you've been doing this whole time, trying to keep me at a distance. I'm well aware of your feelings about this arrangement."

Yunho hung his head in shame, realising that he had underestimated you, believing you wouldn't see through his actions.

"I just... I need you to understand that it hasn't exactly been easy for me either. I'm not a fan of all this, to be quite honest with you. You don't think I want to marry for love too? At this point, I've just accepted that it would be a dream never to come true. Life as royalty comes with sacrifices and this is only one of many, Yunho."

The prince turns to face you, his voice was sincere, "Gosh, I honestly didn't know. All this while, I've thought only about myself. I... I'm sorry for the way I've acted, princess. I have no excuses for that."

Well, that was a surprise.

You didn't think you'd hear him apologise to you. So sincerely too.

"Thank you for the apology, it means a lot," He nodded but seemed like there was more he wanted to say, "Yunho, is there something else you wish to say?"

The prince hesitates, "It's just... You sounded like you're being weighed down by a lot. I know our kingdoms haven't been on the best of terms but, is everything okay in Aurora?"

You took a moment before meeting his eyes, your gaze holding a blend of determination and vulnerability, "My kingdom, Aurora, it's... it's in a delicate state. The tensions between our kingdom and Wonderland have taken a toll on our people. There have been losses, conflicts that have stretched on for too long."

Yunho nodded slowly, empathy evident in his features, "I know that our kingdoms have had their differences. But you've chosen to embrace this alliance, despite the challenges it presents."

Tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, you continued, "I've seen the suffering, Yunho. I've seen families torn apart by the feuds between our lands. I've felt the weight of the responsibility that rests on my shoulders. This marriage, as much as I've also hated the concept, offers a chance for healing. It's a way to bring peace to our people, to ensure a better future."

Yunho studied you, his admiration growing with every word you spoke, "Princess, I think that your willingness to prioritise your people's well-being over personal desires is truly commendable."

A faint smile touched your lips, "Thank you, I've wrestled with it and struggled against the confines of tradition. But I've come to realise that sometimes, as leaders, we must put aside our own wishes for the greater good."

That's just great, the prince has never felt more ashamed of himself. He must seem like a brat compared to you, he now fully understands why you were so loved by the people around you.

If only he had opened his eyes to this side of you sooner. There was no one to blame for this but himself, he was filled with immense guilt and regrets for the way he had treated you before.

He reached out hesitantly before gently placing a hand on yours, "Your strength and dedication are inspiring, princess. To choose the path that challenges your heart for the sake of your people speaks volumes about your character. I'm sorry for misjudging you before."

Your eyes met his, and for a moment, the weight of your shared responsibilities seemed to lessen, "Let bygones be bygones, Yunho. I hope that even if we cannot feel love for one another, you'll still be able to find a friend in me."

Yunho squeezed your hand gently, "Likewise, I hope you'll be able to do the same with me."

As you spend more time together, Yunho witnesses your genuine commitment to bridging the gap between your nations.

He discovers your efforts to learn about Wonderland's culture and language, your sincere desire to foster understanding and your determination to defy your own family's pressure for the sake of your people.

One day in the library, he stumbled upon you buried under piles of history books, dictionaries and many more Wonderland-related materials. He was surprised to learn from the royal librarian that you had been visiting frequently for the past few days.

Seeing you so engrossed in your studies, he decided not to distract you and instead settled at the table across from yours. He occasionally stole glances at you while he went about his own tasks.

You didn't notice the prince's presence until hours later when you finished one book. Stretching your limbs, you let out an unintentional moan before finally looking up, only to find Yunho staring at you, clearly amused.

A loud yelp escaped your lips ungracefully upon seeing him, and the librarian shot you a warning glare while you repeatedly bowed your head apologetically.

You hid your face in your palms, overcome with embarrassment, as the prince snickered cheekily. Now that he had your attention, he moved to your table and sat down in front of you.

"That surprised to see me, princess? I can't believe you didn't notice me at all, I've been here for hours."

Your jaw dropped, "Really? Gosh, I didn't realise."

He didn't dare say it out loud but Yunho found you so incredibly adorable in that moment, his heart skipping a beat at your natural and genuine reactions. He felt so privileged to have been able to see this candid side of you, it was so fresh and unlike the whole princess facade that you were always forced to put on in front of others.

After he ordered a nearby servant to prepare you both some light snacks and tea, you engaged in a relaxed conversation.

"Now we all know why I'm here but what are you doing here, Yunho? Shouldn't you be kept busy fulfilling your princely duties?" He sighs, pulling out the books he's been frantically looking through to show you. You furrowed your brows at the sheer amount of materials related to strategic alliances, historical governing regulations and such, "I'm afraid I don't understand."

There was a brief pause when the servant returned with the snacks Yunho had requested. He waited until you were alone before he continued.

"To be completely honest, from the moment you arrived here, I've been searching for ways for Wonderland and Aurora to form an alliance without marriage. Initially, it was for my personal reasons, but after speaking with you and realising how much you disliked this arrangement, I knew I had to keep looking—for both our sakes."

You stared at him, astonished, "You're saying that you're doing this for me too?"

He nods, "Yes, especially after hearing you speak of the struggles of your people, I knew then that this alliance must be formed for the greater good. But you also spoke so bitterly about not being able to marry for love, it pained me to hear you say that it would only be a dream never to come true."

The sincerity in his tone was enough to touch your heart, you hadn't expected him to take your words this seriously.

"So, I figured we must find another way to go about this, in order to secure peace between our kingdoms as well as our right to marry someone of our own choice."

As grateful as you were for his efforts, you didn't want to cling to false hope, as the ideal outcome he aimed for seemed far-fetched. Seeing him conduct this research alone, you could tell that his advisor likely considered it impossible and had given up trying to reason with the prince.

You smiled appreciatively at him, patting a hand gently over his.

"That's very sweet of you, Yunho, to be so considerate, from worrying about the state of my nation to my happiness. You have no idea how much this all means to me. But you do understand that it's a scenario highly unlikely to come to fruition, yes?"

Guilt washed over you when you saw his face slightly fall due to your words.

"Yeah, I'm aware, but I won't give up. We'll never truly know if we don't try, am I right?" To lift the mood and avoid making you feel bad, he wiggled his eyebrows playfully, not missing the way his heart skipped a beat when you let out a small giggle.

This has been happening way too frequently lately.

But Yunho reassured himself that he was just happy to have made a new friend, nothing more and nothing less.

He continued to tell himself that, even when all he could think about was your beautiful smile and cute laugh, feeling determined to do whatever it took to keep that smile on your face.

Despite his initial resistance, Yunho and the princess slowly begin to discover common ground. You find yourselves sharing your hopes, fears and dreams, gradually forming a connection that transcends your initial animosity.

"You sure seem a lot happier these days, I assume things are going well with the princess?"

Yeosang wonders out loud, spotting that dreamy look on the prince's face again, he's been seeing it more often lately.

He hoped this change in demeanour indicated Yunho's willingness to comply, as he was growing weary of the prince's stubbornness. The advisor feels he was about to age another ten years if he had to deal with any more of that.

However, to Yeosang's dismay, Yunho's response was not what he wanted to hear, "If by things going well, you mean us finally becoming friends, then yes. But I'm telling you, I haven't given up trying to find that loophole."

The advisor could feel his blood pressure rising; he knew the king would not be pleased with this response. Unbeknownst to Yunho, his parents had instructed Yeosang to provide daily progress reports on his relationship with the princess.

Yeosang had hoped that the improved rapport between the prince and the princess would finally allow him to deliver some positive news to the king and queen. These reports were also shared with the princess' parents in Aurora, as both sets of parents eagerly awaited the day when Yunho would agree to the arranged marriage.

As much as they were rulers of their kingdoms, they were also parents to their children.

While your parents bore the weighty responsibility for the welfare of your kingdom and its people, they fervently hoped to spare you from an utterly loveless marriage that could subject you to potential mistreatment from an apathetic spouse.

Their genuine desire rested on the Prince of Wonderland's acceptance of you, with the hope that affection would develop over time, all while forging a harmonious bond between your respective realms. You were, after all, their only daughter and they weren't entirely heartless.

Beneath their regal exteriors was compassion for you.

If worse comes to worst, they were prepared to alter their strategies and seek a more suitable match for you.

The truth was that you were originally pledged to wed Prince San of Utopia, a strategic move aimed at bolstering the economy, consolidating authority and expanding your territorial holdings. If it weren't for the impending conflict between Wonderland and Aurora, your union with San might have already taken place.

Back then, your parents deemed it less advantageous for Aurora to merely grow stronger through an alliance with Utopia, knowing that it would eventually still culminate in a costly war with Wonderland. It was during this pivotal moment that their priorities shifted, with the king and queen of Aurora deciding that averting war held more importance.

Yet, if Prince Yunho of Wonderland remained obstinate in his refusal to cooperate, they were prepared to consider risking war if it meant securing a more promising marriage prospect for their daughter.

With Utopia's support, Aurora could potentially secure victory against Wonderland without undue hardship.

This, ultimately, constituted your parents' contingency plan.

Though they hoped it would never have to come down to that.

As time passes, Yunho and you can no longer deny the growing attraction between you.

You secretly spend more time together, leading to many heartfelt conversations and shared experiences that further strengthen the bond between you.

Neither of you had been entirely sure of your feelings for each other until one particular evening when you decided to sneak out to town.

Yunho was determined to show you how vibrant and exciting life could be in Wonderland, especially after you had been making endless jokes about his kingdom being gloomy and depressing.

Dressed in the simplest clothing he could find in his wardrobe, he patiently awaited your arrival by the secret passage leading to the town. Yunho had discovered this hidden path during his teenage years, with the assistance of a younger and more rebellious Yeosang.

Embarrassingly enough, he found himself momentarily frozen when he first saw you in casual attire.

You had to bring him back to reality by waving your hands in front of his face, grinning when you noticed the faint blush on his cheeks.

For Yunho, it was incredibly difficult to take his eyes off you that night. His natural protectiveness over you had been triggered by the absence of your guard, Mingi. To his dismay, he wasn't the only one who had his eyes on you. Your beauty was just a natural magnet to all beings around you, attracting looks from almost everyone passing by.

Even in a simple cream-coloured gown, likely borrowed from one of your maids, Yunho couldn't help but wonder how you managed to radiate such elegance and charm.

However, Yunho was oblivious to the fact that you were equally captivated by his appearance. It was your first time seeing him dressed so casually and you were awestruck by how attractive he looked. You couldn't help but wonder if he was aware of the effect he had.

As you strolled through the night market, side by side, there had been many heart-fluttering moments between you all throughout the night.

Upon your arrival, you stumbled upon a street performer whose humorous antics made you both burst into uncontrollable laughter. You later dared each other to try exotic street foods like spicy skewers and strange-looking desserts. Watching each other's reactions as you savoured these new flavours brought moments of playful intimacy.

A street musician catches your attention when he suddenly begins playing a sweet, melodic tune on his guitar. Yunho, with a smile, pulled you into a spontaneous dance under the moonlight, leaving your heart racing. It felt different from all the times you'd danced together during the many formal events and ceremonies.

With your arms circled around his neck and his hand firmly on your waist, he pulls you impossibly close. Your heart pounds twice as fast as your trembling eyes meet his in a deep gaze, you wonder if he felt what you felt too.

But it wasn't until his gaze fell upon your lips that your breath hitched. His eyes were unreadable, he seemed to have a million thoughts going through his mind before he looked back into your eyes, smiling assuringly at you.

Feeling flustered, you nestled your head against the space between his neck and shoulder, seeking refuge from his intense gaze. Yunho's heart melted and he gently rested his cheek against the side of your head.

Deep beneath your hearts, you'd both wished for time to remain frozen and for this moment to last forever.

Neither you nor Yunho bothered to correct the musician when he called you a lovely pair of newlyweds. Instead, you both exchanged shy smiles with each other before gracefully sauntering away.

As the night went on, you found yourselves at a candle-lit vendor stall, choosing handcrafted candles together. The vendor's stories about the meaning behind each candle's design further deepened your connection.

Next, you stumbled upon an antique shop tucked away in a corner. As you explored the treasures within, you exchanged stories of your past, revealing vulnerable moments and secrets, which drew you closer.

Nearing the end of your tour, you found a secluded bench to rest before returning to the palace. The night sky above was clear and you both paused to gaze at the stars. The moment felt magical, it was almost as if the universe itself was conspiring to bring you together.

"So, is Wonderland still as 'gloomy and depressing' as you'd previously described it to be?" The prince questioned cheekily, making dramatic air quotes as you laughed, "Fine, guess I was wrong about that. It's pretty amazing, I suppose."

It was getting late and Yunho knew he had to take you back soon, no matter how reluctant he was to do so.

In an attempt to prolong your little date by a bit more, he offered to buy you a pack of those candied fruits he recalled you saying you liked to enjoy together before leaving.

"Wait for me, I'll be back real quick."

You watched endearingly as the prince squeezed his way through the crowd to get to the dessert stall where you'd stopped by earlier. This Yunho was so different from the one you had first met, he was making it hard for you not to catch any feelings.

Lost in your own thoughts, you failed to notice a drunkard approaching you from a dimly lit nearby alley.

Startled, you emitted a gasp of surprise as he harshly gripped your arm and abruptly yanked you from your seat, "Wait a moment, I know you. Aren't you that darn princess from Aurora?" His words struck you like a thunderclap, and his narrowing eyes bore into you ominously.

How could he have possibly recognised me?

"S-sir, I think you've been mistaken. I'm no princess, just a commoner like you," You couldn't help but recoil at the sight of his discoloured teeth as he clenched them menacingly, "Don't you dare deceive me, girl! Your accent betrays you; I know you're not from around here!"

With wide, frightened eyes, you struggled desperately to free yourself from his rough grasp, which was sure to leave a bruise on your wrists, "N-no, please!"

There were no words to capture the terror coursing through you as he attempted to drag you into the alley from which he had emerged, "You'll pay for what your people have done to me! Thanks to you Aurora scum, I've lost my family!"

You looked around frantically in search of Yunho, tears threatening to spill from your eyes as you cried out his name desperately for help.

"Shut up, bitch. How dare you taint the name of my prince with that filthy mouth of yours." The man growls, your heart stopping as he bends down to pick up a shard of shattered beer glass from the ground.

Just as he swung the shard toward you, a tall figure leapt between you and the man, wrapping you tightly in his arms and instantly turning you away to shield you from the attack. He took the blow on your behalf, a sizable gash now marring his back.

The drunkard froze in place, realising the injury he had inflicted upon his own prince, "Oh, my prince! I had not intended to harm you; it was meant for her-"

Turning his head to direct a scathing glare at the man, Yunho sneered, "How audacious of you to attempt an assault on royalty. Do you realise that she is to become your future princess?" The man fell to his knees, begging for forgiveness, "Leave my sight at once. You will not escape so lightly should you ever attempt such a thing again."

Yunho shifted his focus back to you once the drunkard had hastily departed, looking you over for any signs of injury.

Once assured of your well-being, he pulled you tight into his embrace. He couldn't get over the way his heart lurched in his chest at the sight of you being manhandled by the drunk homeless man.

Tears flowed down your cheeks as the realisation dawned that the prince had indeed heard your desperate pleas for help. You found yourself sobbing, torn between profound relief and a gnawing sense of guilt.

You were relieved, beyond words, that he had come to your rescue. Yet, the guilt weighed heavily on your heart, knowing that you were the reason he had been hurt. Swiftly, you pulled away from him, turning him around to inspect his injury. To your astonishment, your eyes widened in shock.

"We must return immediately! You need medical attention, Yunho!" You exclaimed urgently.

Not wanting to further distress you, Yunho nodded in agreement. Together, you made your way back to the palace. Along the journey, he handed you the crumpled bag of candied fruits he had kept in his pocket this whole time.

"Here, please stop crying. I like it better when you smile." He said, his lips curving into a fond chuckle. Your response was to cry even harder at his touching gesture.

"I'm sorry for leaving you behind," Yunho admitted with a sigh, "I should have taken you with me," Your brow furrowed in confusion, "Why should you be sorry? You saved me, Yunho! And now, you're injured because of me."

With a tender sigh, he pressed a gentle kiss to your temple as the palace gates drew nearer.

This was indeed an unforgettable night.

Yeri and Mingi were utterly startled when they learned about your recent adventure with the prince, an escapade that had placed you perilously close to harm's way. In fact, the entire royal staff shared their incredulity. As a result, security measures around the palace grounds had been heightened significantly to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

Nevertheless, the prince and the princess seemed to have drawn closer in the wake of these events. You faithfully visited Yunho daily to monitor his recovery and ensure he received the necessary rest.

The recent days had been remarkably peaceful, and judging from the interactions between the two, there was a palpable sense of optimism among those who observed them. It seemed that perhaps, at long last, the prince might come to terms with the arranged marriage with the princess.

Unfortunately for you all, the peace only lasted so long.

One day, as you spent time with Yunho in his garden, Yeosang abruptly burst in, his breathless urgency disrupting the tranquil atmosphere. He conveyed the news that you had never imagined could transpire.

"We're under attack, and by 'we,' I mean both Wonderland and Aurora," He gasped out, causing you to leap from your seat in shock, "What- by who?" You demanded, your voice quaking.

The advisor swallowed hard before responding, "It's Utopia. We suspect they are displeased with Aurora for terminating their alliance to form a new one with us instead."

Utopia, long thought to be peaceful, had suddenly launched a surprise attack on both you and Yunho's kingdoms. For generations, the neighbouring kingdom of Utopia had been a beacon of peace and tranquillity on the horizon.

But on this fateful morning, a shockwave of dread rippled through both Wonderland and Aurora as the tranquil facade of Utopia shattered.

You sank back into your chair, a sense of hopelessness washing over you as you gazed up at Yeosang, "Is there any chance I could have a conversation with Prince San? We've shared a close bond since childhood. If I could just speak with him, perhaps we could find a resolution without resorting to further violence."

Detecting the despair in your voice, Yunho offered a comforting gesture by gently covering your hand with his own. It was a silent reassurance that you were not alone in this ordeal, that he would stand by your side throughout the entire journey.

The advisor nodded in response, his tone assuring, "I'll do my best to arrange it. It shouldn't be too difficult if he's willing to meet with you."

You marvelled at Yeosang's ability to work swiftly, and soon enough, you found yourself granted a brief audience with San. Despite your insistence on meeting him alone, Yunho vehemently protested, vowing never to allow you to do something so dangerous on your own.

And so, it was how you and Yunho came to be seated across from Prince San of Utopia, a figure from your childhood and the person who should have been your betrothed by now.

As expected, his expression brimmed with heartfelt apologies.

San retained the gentleness and caring nature you had known throughout your shared history. He candidly admitted that this was all orchestrated by his parents, emphasising his own reluctance and powerlessness to halt their plans.

"Believe me, I tried everything within my ability to dissuade them from this reckless course of action. However, my father felt deeply betrayed by your parents for abruptly breaking our long-standing alliance."

San rubs his neck sheepishly, "You understand how eagerly my parents had anticipated our union. Your sudden change of heart and the decision to arrange a marriage with the Prince of Wonderland, of all people, appeared to our people as if you were abandoning your friends to align with the enemy."

Your face fell as you comprehended the unfavourable perception that had taken hold among the people of Utopia. In hindsight, you realised it was difficult to blame them for their anger.

"But, of course, this doesn't excuse my father's decision to attack your kingdoms." San continued earnestly.

"I stand firmly against this aggression, just as you do. However, my position as the prince of Utopia places me in a precarious situation. I cannot betray my own nation to support you directly. What I can pledge is my commitment to not interfere in any way. I won't participate in this conflict, that much I can assure you."

With San's explanations, you gained a clearer understanding of the circumstances that led to the current crisis.

While Yunho watched on, harbouring a trace of jealousy, you bid farewell to the Utopian prince with a tight embrace. San whispered kind words in your ear before placing a gentle kiss on your forehead, offering his good wishes and luck for the challenging road ahead.

Armed with this newfound knowledge, you promptly corresponded with your parents in Aurora to notify them of the latest developments.

Despite your parents' earnest attempts to de-escalate the situation through diplomatic negotiations with the Utopian rulers, it became evident that quelling their anger was no simple task. It appeared that the only viable path forward was to prepare for the impending conflict, as the prospect of war loomed inevitably.

The unexpected and brutal surprise attack launched by Utopia's forces leaves the people of Wonderland and Aurora reeling in disbelief. The peace they had cherished for so long was now under siege and their very survival hung in the balance.

Your kingdoms, though distinct in culture and tradition, were suddenly united by a common enemy that threatened to engulf you in an unending nightmare. Forced into an alliance born out of dire necessity, the people of Wonderland and Aurora put aside their prior differences and prejudices.

In the midst of the chaos and devastation, you and Yunho found yourselves facing an unthinkable reality.

You and the prince were gathered in the meeting chamber where you were scheduled to meet not only with the king but also with some of Wonderland's most influential figures, including generals and other military leaders, to discuss war strategies.

As you waited for the meeting to commence, an overwhelming sense of guilt gnawed at you, and you felt the need to seize the moment and extend an apology to the prince.

"I'm truly sorry, Yunho. If it weren't for our decisions, this devastating war wouldn't have befallen Wonderland either. Now you're embroiled in this conflict as well." You confessed with remorse.

Yunho shook his head, a faint smile gracing his lips as he gently tilted your chin upward, causing you to meet his gaze.

"You do realise that war would have inevitably reached Wonderland regardless, yes?" He replied, his words carrying a weight of resignation, "The difference lies in whether it's a war with Aurora or Utopia. And you know what? I'd much prefer to stand beside you in this fight. So, thank you for coming to me."

Your heart leapt at his words which felt almost like a confession.

The prince's unwavering eyes remained fixed on yours and just as he leaned in closer, his nose brushed against yours, Mingi loudly cleared his throat, snapping you out of your reverie and interrupting the delicate moment.

Yunho directed a disapproving glare at your guard but soon grasped the reason behind his actions, as the arrival of other attendees signalled the commencement of the meeting.

Thankfully, everyone else had been too distracted by the gravity of the situation to notice your slightly flustered state.

As you and the prince work together to assess the scale of the threat and develop a strategic response, the bond between you grows even stronger than it already is. It was a connection forged not only by your shared responsibility to protect your people but also by the vulnerability and uncertainty of the situation you found yourselves in.

Through this, you discovered that your strengths complemented each other beautifully. Yunho's tactical brilliance and leadership skills blended seamlessly with your sharp intellect and diplomatic finesse.

Through long nights of planning and strategising, you began to trust and rely on each other implicitly.

In the dimly lit courtyard, the air was heavy with anticipation and worry. Prince Yunho of Wonderland stood resolute, clad in his regal armour, his sword gleaming at his side.

Beside him, your eyes brimmed with concern about the inevitable separation.

During your many discussions, you'd insisted on going to war by his side but he had protested and convinced everyone that it would be wiser to keep you in the palace as backup. Deep down, you know it was merely a tactic to keep you safe.

Yunho gazed into your eyes, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he brushed a strand of hair from your face.

"Remember," He began softly, "I promised to return safely," His voice was unwavering, filled with conviction, "I hope you understand it's crucial that you remain here in the palace, as a beacon of strength and hope for our people. You'll be our guiding light."

You nodded, your eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Yunho continued, his voice tender and persuasive, "Staying here is the right choice, my princess. You will provide the vital support we need from within these walls. Trust in my determination. I'll do everything in my power to ensure our victory."

As you reluctantly released each other's hands, Yunho planted a tender kiss on your forehead, a final gesture of reassurance.

With unwavering resolve, he turned to depart, leaving behind the woman he now knows he cherished, fully determined to fulfil his promise and return to your side.

And since the day he left to fight the war that your kingdom caused, your days had been marked by waiting, your heart a constant blend of hope and fear. You paced the palace corridors, restless but steadfast, watching the horizon for any sign of Yunho's return.

As time crawled by, whispers of the war's progress reached your ears. Each tidbit of news was a double-edged sword, carrying both relief and anxiety. You clung to the words of those who assured you of Yunho's valour and the strength of your armies.

Then, one fateful day, a messenger arrived, breathless and dishevelled. He bore news of victory, but it came at a price. Your heart raced as you learned that Yunho had been injured in the final battle.

Despite the fear that clenched your heart, there was a glimmer of hope. The prince was on his way back to the palace, victorious yet wounded. You could hardly contain your emotions—relief, worry and an overwhelming desire to see him safe and sound.

With bated breath and tears of both joy and anxiety in your eyes, you readied yourself to welcome the prince home, ready to tend to his wounds, grateful that he was coming back to you.

As Yunho stirred from his week-long coma, he couldn't have been more elated to find you as the first sight that greeted his awakening. You were perched on your elbows by his bedside, fast asleep with tear-stained cheeks.

The sight of you tugged at his heartstrings, a profound realisation washing over him. He knew then, without a shadow of a doubt, that waking up to you each day was what he yearned for.

Gently placing a hand on your cheek to tenderly wipe away your tears, he took care not to disturb your slumber. He breathed a contented sigh as you instinctively nestled into his touch in your sleep.

Gosh, I could watch her like this forever.

But of course, the peace was short-lived like always. Just as Yeosang entered and spotted him awake, the serene moment vanished with the advisor's enthusiastic shout, "He's awake!" echoing down the corridor to summon the attention of the healers.

Yunho silently cursed when the sound roused you from your sleep.

You sat up abruptly, realisation dawning as you discovered he was finally conscious, "Oh my god, Yunho!" You threw your arms around his neck and enveloped him in a tight embrace. Returning your embrace with equal fervour, he buried his face against your shoulder, hearing your whispered words, "It's over, it's finally over."

Although he understood that you were referring to the end of the war with Utopia, he seized the moment to confess his feelings for you.

"No, it's not over yet," You pulled away, a look of confusion crossing your face, "What do you mean it's not over? We won the war, didn't we?"

He smiled, his fingers caressing your face tenderly.

"It's not over until you tell me if you're willing to marry me. If you haven't already noticed, I love you, princess. I can't pinpoint when it all began, but after all the time we've spent together and all the trials we've faced, I only know that I can't bear to spend another day without you by my side. Throughout that war, the one thing that kept me going was the thought of returning to you and asking you myself; Will you marry me?"

At long last, Yunho admits to himself and you that he's fallen in love with you. Lucky for him, you felt exactly the same.

You smiled tearfully back at him, "I thought you'd never ask, Yunho. I love you too, my prince. And the answer is yes, I will marry you." Putting a hand up to stop the healers and Yeosang from entering, he wasted no time pressing his lips firmly against yours in a passionate and emotional kiss.

Finally.

Not wanting to cockblock the pair any further, the servants scurried to pull the doors to the prince's bed chambers closed to give the two some privacy for the time being.

Now, all that's left for the prince to do is man up and speak to his parents about this.

In the opulent royal chamber of the palace, Prince Yunho, his demeanour a mix of determination and vulnerability, stood before his parents. You had initially offered to go with him but he had refused, telling you that this was something he had to do on his own.

With a steady voice and unwavering eyes, he expressed his heartfelt desire.

"Mother, father," He began, "I wish to marry the Princess of Aurora now, without delay." His words carried a depth of conviction that resonated through the room.

His parents, the king and queen of Wonderland, exchanged knowing glances. A warm, teasing smile crept onto their faces as they responded to their son's heartfelt request.

"Well, well," The queen quipped with a playful glint in her eye, "It seems our prince has finally surrendered to the inevitability of an arranged marriage."

The king chuckled in agreement, his tone light yet affectionate, "Indeed, my son. It's about time you acknowledged the wisdom of our arrangements."

Yunho, while blushing slightly at their playful teasing, nodded with a genuine smile.

His parents' gentle ribbing was a testament to their shared understanding and affectionate bond. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life—one filled with the promise of love, unity and a bright future with the princess he had come to cherish.

Meanwhile, back in Aurora, your parents brimmed with joy upon receiving the news. They got to work immediately with the wedding arrangements.

Swiftly, an official announcement about the union of the Prince of Wonderland and the Princess of Aurora was made to the people of both nations.

In the wake of the collective struggle against Utopia, the people had found a way to set aside their differences and grievances.

Together, they rejoiced in their newfound unity, celebrating not only the alliance between the two kingdoms but also their triumphant victory over Utopia. The past was relegated to history and a promising future beckoned, marked by cooperation, harmony and shared aspirations.

"Congratulations, my dear princess," Yeri grinned as she took a step back, admiring her handiwork. Your hair and makeup were flawless, "Thank you, Yeri, for standing by my side through it all," You expressed your gratitude, "I hope you've grown accustomed to Wonderland because we'll be here for the long haul."

Yeri chuckled, "Oh, princess, I didn't come here with the expectation of returning to Aurora. I suppose deep down, I knew this is where you truly belong—right by Prince Yunho's side."

A delicate blush warmed your cheeks at the mention of your soon-to-be husband.

Yeri regarded you with affection, her gaze filled with sincerity, "You look so genuinely happy these days, princess. That's all I've ever wished for you—happiness. Promise me you'll keep this joy alive for a long time."

You nodded, tears shimmering in your eyes, "I will, Yeri, I promise."

"Don't you dare shed a tear; I spent ages on your eye makeup!" Yeri quipped and you both shared a laugh. Your heart swelled with warmth when you noticed Mingi, your closest guard, wearing a subtle smile in his corner, "I see you there, Song Mingi." You teased.

He scoffed lightly, "I wasn't trying to hide. But congratulations, your highness." Touched by his gesture, you approached Mingi and hugged him, careful not to disrupt your wedding gown.

At that moment, the bond between you and your loyal guard and handmaiden was a testament to the enduring friendships that had guided you through the journey to this joyous occasion.

In the resplendent palace courtyard, where the sun bathed the surroundings in a warm, golden glow, the Prince of Wonderland and the Princess of Aurora stood before their families, their subjects, and the benevolent eyes of the heavens.

With heartfelt sincerity, you exchanged vows, your voices carrying the weight of your love and commitment. Yunho's voice, steady and unwavering, vowed to cherish and protect you for all time, while your words promised to stand by his side through all the trials and joys that life would bring.

As you concluded your vows, the air seemed to hold its breath, witnessing this profound declaration of love.

The moment that followed was pure magic—a sweet, tender kiss that sealed your promises and marked the beginning of your journey together as husband and wife. The world around you faded, leaving only the prince and princess, lost in the warmth of your love and the promise of a beautiful future ahead.

The kingdoms of Wonderland and Aurora have come together not only through the arranged marriage but also through the genuine love and connection between Prince Yunho and his princess.

Your union becomes a symbol of lasting peace.

Gazing out from the balcony of your and Yunho's bed chambers, you released a contented sigh, entranced by the breathtaking view of Wonderland.

Never had you imagined such a reality for yourself.

Marriage had always appeared as a mere obligation, a duty that came with your role as the princess of your realm. Yet, here you stood, wedded to the love of your life.

It was beyond anything you could have hoped for.

Reflecting on your initial apprehension at the prospect of marrying Yunho, you chuckled at the insignificance of those fears now.

Your lips curled into a smile as the familiar embrace of strong arms enveloped you from behind, drawing your form close to his, the contrast in your sizes a comforting reminder of his protective presence.

"What are you doing out here all alone, hm? Come back to bed, my love," He murmured, pressing affectionate kisses along your exposed neck, "Just reminiscing about how silly we were at the start. Look at us now, so happy together."

Yunho's smile illuminated the night as he gently turned you to face him, "I'm glad that marrying for love is no longer only a dream never to come true for you," He whispered before capturing your lips in a loving kiss, "I love you so much, my princess."

A swell of joy filled your heart, a testament to the boundless depth of your love, "I love you too, my prince. Thank you for making my dream come true."

In the realm of Wonderland and Aurora, where love had once been the cornerstone of your alliance, Prince Yunho and you, the Princess of Aurora, embarked on your journey of happily ever after.

Your union, born from an arranged marriage but nurtured by genuine love, was a symbol of unity and hope for your kingdoms.

Together, you ruled with wisdom, compassion and unwavering devotion to your people. The lands of Wonderland and Aurora flourished under your reign and the scars of past conflicts began to heal as the two kingdoms truly became one.

Hand in hand, you ventured through the seasons of life, sharing laughter, dreams and challenges. Your love, built on a foundation of trust and companionship, only deepened with time. Together, you found solace in each other's arms and the comfort of knowing you were each other's greatest support.

As the sun set over your united kingdoms, you stood on the balcony of your palace together, watching the horizon with hearts full of contentment.

Your journey had been one of growth, resilience and love, and you knew that your happily ever after would continue to unfold, a testament to the power of love in the face of adversity.

Hope you enjoyed this and thank you for reading! I love reading your thoughts, reviews and feedback so feel free to leave a reply, an ask or even a message if you want! <3

Let me know if you'd like to be added to the tag list for all my stories.

Tag list: @aurasblue

All Rights Reserved © edenesth // DO NOT REPOST, TRANSLATE, PLAGIARISE OR REPURPOSE.

#ateez #ateez fanfic #ateez fanfiction #jung yunho #jeong yunho #ateez yunho #arranged marriage au #royalty au #yunho x reader #yunho x you #ateez fic #yunho oneshot #ateez oneshot

[lily-blue]

Prince in disguise

☆ characters: crown prince!san & florist!you ☆ genre: modern royalty au, fluff ☆ warnings: mention of a break-in ☆ summary: you like to joke about how San carries himself like a prince; one day it turns out, it’s because he’s indeed royalty ☆ words: 7,9k ☆ a/n: this story was inspired by this video of San ☆ also: merry Christmas to the lovely @restlessmaknae 💕 i wish you a peaceful holiday, so that you could regain your energy and start the new year stronger than ever ☆ massive thanks to: @dat-town for proofreading the story 💕

You often teased San about how he was the embodiment of your childhood crush, Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid. There was just something in the way he held himself, with so much effortless elegance and pride, that screamed royalty. However, up until the very moment three grown ass men in suits and sunglasses stormed into your flower shop, undoubtedly looking for him, you had never been able to decipher how he really felt about your lighthearted jokes. He definitely didn’t hate them, that much you could tell. He knew you would have stopped as soon as he showed any signs of frustration or discomfort, yet his most common reaction was a small smile and kiss on your forehead. 

It had never, not even in your wildest dreams, when you let yourself dream about your future, occurred to you that he was an actual prince. Like a real prince with a queen as a mother and a kingdom to rule.

‘Miss, I would like to kindly advise you to refrain from any form of dishonesty,’ one of the men said, his voice calm and collected despite the photo in his hands and the urgency of the issue they were dealing with. You had never given any thought to the qualities a bodyguard (a royal bodyguard!) should have possessed, but you had to admit that he must have ticked off all the boxes on that imaginary list. ‘We have been informed that the Crown Prince, in fact, entered this flower shop and he could not have possibly had enough time to leave before we came in.’

You could feel your heart picking up its rate and your palms getting clammy, but you refused to show how nervous his way of speaking made you. You also refused to think about all the negative consequences your inner need to protect San could bring you. You knew that as soon as you let your brain come up with those worst case scenarios you would fold like a folding chair. And you simply couldn’t afford to be weak.

‘Thank you for your advice, sir. However, I also need to kindly remind you that you need a warrant in case you wish to enter the staff only area,’ you stood your ground, grateful that the owner of the shop wasn’t present, so she couldn’t grant them access to the storage room. That might have put both San and you into an uncomfortable situation. ‘I have already told you that your Crown Prince is not here. You are wasting your time,’ you claimed, impressed by how calm your words came out despite the hurricane of emotions inside of you.

What would you tell your parents if you got arrested for lying to these men? It wasn’t like you were hiding a criminal, right?

‘Disobeying the Queen is considered high treason,’ the royal bodyguard stated firmly and you gulped down the knot in your throat when you realised he wasn’t talking to you. The warning was dedicated to the guy who was currently hiding behind dozens of bouquets of lilies and sunflowers for a summer themed banquet tomorrow.

‘Sir.’ You cleared your throat to gain his attention or more like, to divert his attention from the storage room’s door that he was eyeing with intent. You didn’t know what you could have done if he decided to push you aside and enter the staff only area anyway. He clearly had the muscles for that and he also had backup even if the other two men were lingering by the front door. ‘I am a South Korean citizen and we are in South Korea. With all due respect, your Queen has no power here,’ you reminded him, mustering up all the confidence that was left in your body, which wasn’t too much to be honest. You were a mere commoner standing in front of a royal bodyguard, after all. Hell, you were a petite woman in her twenties against a man who had biceps the size of a smaller melon.

In the back of your head, you wondered how long your protective instincts would take you. For the sake of San and yourself, you hoped you could hold on long enough for these men to give up and leave. If things had gone there, you didn’t know how you would have explained to your boss why you had stayed overtime on a Wednesday night.

It took time, and a horrendous amount of awkward and pressuring silence, but eventually a new customer came in and your afternoon regained some of its normality. You helped the girl choose the most suitable flowers for her confession and gave her a gift card for free partly because she was adorable and partly because you were so genuinely grateful for her presence. Her ramble about her childhood best friend slash crush had successfully taken your mind off the predicament you were in with a prince in your storage room.

Unfortunately, after that, the rest of the afternoon kept you on your tiptoes. Two of the men in black suits left, but the third bodyguard refused to leave the shop and made sure you didn’t have a moment of peace with his countless questions and polite warnings of which quite a few were meant for San. At least, you honestly doubted his intention was to appeal to your emotions when he brought up the people of their nation, their well-being and the well-being of the royal couple. As much as you could tell from the morsels you actually understood - at one point the guard started to speak the same language San spoke when he was frustrated -, San’s parents were healthy, but his father was too drained to keep ruling the country for much longer. They wanted him to go back and be the king he had always been meant to be. They wanted him to settle down and have his own heirs.

The latter felt like a fist in the gut, like a knife in the stomach even though your translation’s accuracy was heavily dependent on context clues, so you might have been wrong.

You hoped you were wrong.

‘Sir, we are closing. I have to ask you to leave,’ you spoke up ten minutes before eight and let out a relieved sigh when he didn’t argue. You could handle his ice cold stares, but you were doubtful whether you would have had the energy to get into a fight after hours of cold war. His presence alone had drained you dry and honestly, the only things that kept you going were the knowledge that you were doing this for San and the cinnamon rolls from the vintage coffee shop across the street. They closed at ten, so they usually weren’t out of sweets when you visited them at the end of your most tiresome days.

A little paranoid that the bodyguard might have been still lingering out there, waiting for the moment when you foolishly let your guard down, you busied yourself with the online orders that came in in the last hour and stock checked the customer area. It took almost one and a half hours before you informed San that the coast was clear.

The boy walked out from the storage room with his lower lip between his teeth and a rather embarrassed smile on his face that - based on the months you had spent getting to know each other more - was meant to be reassuring.

‘Are you okay?’ San asked, warmth swelling in your chest due to his first words. Of course, your well-being was his top priority. His apologies and weak attempts at making excuses, so you wouldn’t have been mad at him always came second. ‘I’m so sorry.’

You clenched and unclenched your fists as you looked at him. Did he seriously believe that you could be angry with him for longer than a couple of minutes? You had gotten to know the truth hours ago. You were over the initial shock and done being sulky.

At that point, you just wanted him to be safe.

Therefore, you destroyed the distance between the two of you and not giving a damn about his title, you wrapped your arms around his torso, pulling him impossibly close to your body. You could feel your cheek being squeezed as you rested your head on his chest.

‘Are you okay?’ You threw the question right back at him, feeling your heart picking up its rate with each second that passed you by in silence.

San’s lips were soft against your scalp when he kissed the top of your head and wrapped his own arms around your petite frame.

‘Thank you,’ he mumbled against your hair, his tone urging you to pull away and look him in the eyes, hence that was what you did. You pulled away with your hands still around his body and rested your chin on his chest, picking apart his facial expression as you tried to decipher what he was thinking.

Your breath hitched when he pressed his lips against yours briefly.

‘I promise I will explain everything,’ he said, his forehead fitting close to yours before he lifted his right hand and brushed a stubborn lock behind your ear. ‘But first, I need to take care of a few things. Important things,’ he claimed and with that - and another tender kiss pressed against your parted lips - he was gone.

You looked after him in trance for minutes before you shook your head and willed yourself to walk in the storage room to finish the stock checking. There was a cinnamon roll waiting for you at the coffee shop across the street.

You hadn’t heard from San that night, which was a tad bit alarming considering that he was living in your apartment unofficially for over a month. He had his own clothes at yours, his own towel, shower gel, shampoo and toothbrush. You had his favourite plant-based milk in your fridge along with his favourite instant coffee. His mug that matched yours was in your cabinet, waiting for him to come home. So why hadn’t he? The number of possibilities made you anxious.

What if those men had found him and he was already out of the country?

By the time the second night of radio silence rolled by, you were checking your phone abnormally frequently and couldn’t stay focused for longer than five or six minutes. It came to a point where even the Thai series you were currently obsessed with couldn’t keep you on the couch. You had to move around, clean up something, do something, anything that might have been able to take your mind off San’s absence. 

You almost knocked off the half-empty mug of hot chocolate from the kitchen counter, the marshmallows still in your hands, when your front door opened out of the blue. You threw the sweets into your drink with a yelp and grabbed the first potential weapon that you came across: the cutting board you kept behind the knife organiser.

‘I have 112 on speed dial,’ you threatened, lowkey wondering whether you should have been more daring and grabbed one of the knives as you walked towards your bedroom, not turning your back to the front door. There should have been a key in the lock from the inside. You should have been safe once you reached the bedroom.

‘Well, that’s good to know, but why are we calling the police?’ A very tired, very amused San asked from the threshold, walking into the open space of your living room slash dining room with a bag of takeout in his hand.

You could feel the rocks being lifted off your chest.

‘Are you crazy? San! You scared the shit out of me,’ you accused, more relieved than angry. Seeing his tired eyes, you were reminded of the bodyguards and wanted to run up to him and inspect his body for injuries. You wanted to make sure he was okay; however, your limbs were frozen, hence you just stood there like a way too realistic statue from Ancient Rome.

Then, your gaze fell on the plastic bags in his hands again and your brain supplied you with all the worst case scenarios it could come up with: San coming over for a last minute farewell dinner before he moved countries; San asking you to change your relationship status to long-distance relationship; San breaking up with you with your favourite black bean noodles. You weren’t ready to let him go after putting so much effort into winning him over.

‘I’m sorry, petal. I thought you would know it’s me. After all, there aren’t many people who know your passcode and your parents are out of town,’ he said. There was something in the way he broke the situation down to you that made you feel a little dramatic. Of course, you should have known it was him. Other than your mom and your best friend, he was the only one who had access to your apartment.

You pressed your lips together and pouted. He had no right to make you feel silly when your survival instincts were the ones to blame.

‘What are the noodles for?’ You asked as soon as you put yourself together, finally finding the power to move your legs and walk up to him. The furrow between San’s eyebrows and the confusion in his eyes shouldn’t have been so adorable.

‘It’s Thursday. You never have energy to cook on Thursdays and Fridays,’ he explained, like you were some kind of alien who wasn’t accustomed to the local habits yet or a person who had just woken up from years of coma. He must have thought that your question was so damn ridiculous, but it wasn’t what you had meant.

‘You didn’t come home yesterday,’ you said, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the whiny edge of your statement and the fact that San had his own place to sleep at. His lease wouldn’t expire for at least three more months, so you hadn’t moved in together yet. You had no right to call him to account regarding his whereabouts and still, after what had happened the day before, you kind of felt like you had.

You took the bags out of his hands and helped him unpack the still pleasantly lukewarm food. You also started to prepare a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows for him, too, without asking whether he wanted some. He never said no for hot chocolate.

‘I was with Wooyoung,’ he said, filling a tray with numerous tiny bowls containing various side dishes such as kimchi and yellow radish. ‘I needed his help to contact my oldest cousin, Seonghwa.’

You nodded along with every new revelation, paying close attention to every detail while you slid San’s drink towards him on the dining table. It was your first time hearing about any of his family members, at least from him, so you were admittedly curious.

Even though the trays on the table made it obvious that San’s initial intention was to have this conversation on the couch, you didn’t move an inch from your poor excuse for a dining room. You just stood there, with your elbows on the marble, one of your soles resting on the inner side of your other leg and dove into your food with a pair of wooden chopsticks. You didn’t take your eyes off San while he told you everything about his situation.

‘I left the country with Woonyoung’s family when I was fourteen,’ he started, assuring you that he wasn’t a runaway prince per se, and that he had never hid from his parents. Both the queen and the king of their country knew how to reach him in case of emergency, teenager San had just convinced himself that that day would never come as his parents had never bothered to contact him after he had moved out of the palace. With years of neglect behind his back, his adult-self never thought about the possibility that things might have changed.

You placed your hand on top of his and squeezed it as a sign of your support. You were afraid that he would interpret your sympathy as pity, therefore you tried your best to keep your emotions in check. Instead, you gave San all of your attention, hot chocolate momentarily forgotten.

‘Would you like to go back? Now that it’s an option?’ You mustered up the courage to tear off one of the band-aids; the unsaid inquiry whether he wanted to become a king in the first place hiding between the lines. Somehow, it sounded such an insensitive question, you didn’t have the heart to phrase yours like that despite your curiosity. Therefore, you decided to focus on the fact that the royal couple was his parents. ‘To see your mom and dad?’

After a few seconds of contemplation, San shrugged.

‘I guess so,’ he said and you hated yourself for feeling disappointed. They were his parents. Of course, he wanted to see them again. Who were you in comparison to his family? Without much thought, you took your hand off his; however, San didn’t hesitate to reach after it and intertwined your fingers with a soft smile. ‘But that can wait until Seonghwa’s coronation. It’s been over a decade since we’ve last seen each other. A few more months is no big deal if it means they will let me come back to you.’

As touching as it was that he was willing to delay their reunion to be able to stay with you, your first instinct was to remind him that he was his own person and no one had more power over his life than him. But then you swallowed down the words as your brain caught up with the situation. You might have been absolutely right about this matter in general, but San was a prince. Clearly, general rules didn’t apply to him.

‘What do you mean Seonghwa’s coronation?’ You tried to fill in the holes that made it hard for you to fully comprehend the situation. You thought he was the next in line to rule. You definitely remembered the bodyguard referring to him as the Crown Prince.

‘Well, that’s the most important part of our plan,’ he started, pushing the food closer to you, encouraging you to start eating before it got cold. Albeit reluctantly, you eventually gave in, allowing him to steal himself a couple of seconds as well as he dove into the perfect mixture of noodles and red bean sauce.

Then, he proceeded to tell you about the plan they had made with Woonyoung and six of their mutual friends including his cousin and Seonghwa’s personal bodyguard, Jongho. Since San didn’t wish to become the new ruler of their country, but knew that his parents wouldn’t back off without a fight, they intended to prove to them that Seonghwa was the better choice in every aspect: maturity, dedication towards his people and the country, connections, political and economical knowledge. The way he presented their idea and backed up each one of his reasons made even you think that Seonghwa was more fitting for the role. It made you feel hopeful.

‘Do you think your parents will let you give up the crown?’ You couldn’t help but ask when it became obvious that he didn’t have anything more to say.

The silence that followed was palpable. Still, you let him drag it out and pull you into his lap, so he could wrap his arms around you instead of giving you a definite answer. Now you knew that he wasn’t close to his parents - that their relationship could only have been described as distant. Making guesses based on childhood memories would have just given you false hope. You much preferred his soothing touches and the desperation in the way he held you close.

‘I love you,’ he murmured into the juncture between your neck and shoulder, hinting the soft and sensitive area with feather-like kisses.

You sucked in your lower lip, holding your breath. Even though his actions had shown you, even before you two had gotten together, that you were an important person in San’s life, the two of you had never exchanged I love yous before. As much as you hated to acknowledge, it had a bittersweet undertone to it. You wished you could have told him how precious he was to you under different circumstances.

Nevertheless, you said it back.

‘I love you, too. So much.’

That night you eventually relocated to the living room and got comfortable under your fluffy blankets on the couch. You had two mugs of freshly made hot chocolate with you - this time, without marshmallows to lower your already high sugar intake - and some salty snacks you could munch on while you talked. And you talked a lot. You talked about the day before, how the bodyguards had found him and how serious their threats had been. San was almost sure that his parents would have never imprisoned him for high treason if he had refused to go home willingly. By the way his lips curled upwards and his eyes gouged your reaction, you knew he was only trying to lighten the mood with a joke, but it was too early, hence it wasn’t funny. Life imprisonment with a cheap excuse was exactly how they could have kept him in the country! How could San not see it?

‘Don’t even think about joking about this again, you hear me? It’s not funny,’ you scoffed when he tried to ease you with lingering kisses atop of your head, temple and on your blade bone. Him disappearing on you just wasn’t it.

‘I promise.’ He nosed your temple, holding you in his arms a big tighter to make up for the anxiety he had unintentionally caused. ‘I’m sorry,’ he added, repeating it like a mantra until he successfully coaxed a chuckle out of you.

With the show you had been watching before his arrival as your background noise and his warmth surrounding your body, you fell asleep on San’s shoulder while he was talking about Seonghwa’s bodyguard, karaoke, imported beer and apples. If anyone had asked you, you were sure you would have failed to draw the connection between all four, but you knew your boyfriend would have never used your tiredness against you. On the contrary, he would have been grateful that you still felt safe in his arms.

And you did. You did feel safe. Because for you, he was your home.

In the back of your mind, you were aware that your story wouldn’t end up being a fairy-tale, and that even those had some dark twists to them here and there when they were told by the original authors. Still, coming home for a messed up apartment and no San in sight knocked the air out of your lungs. No matter how much you tried to rationalise the happenings or keep your cool, panic overcame you in a matter of seconds. You didn’t know what to do. Would calling the police have made things worse? What if it had been those bodyguards? You didn’t intend to put San into a tight position in case the pitiful state of your home was a consequence of their family quarrel.

On the other hand, what if he had been kidnapped? You had left work pretty late that night, so there was a possibility that San had been home when things had escalated.

Hands shaking and mind pushed into an overdrive, you fished your phone out of the bag you had previously dropped on the floor and dialled San’s number. He didn’t pick up, so you did the next best thing you could think about without losing it: you called him again. Again. And again.

You called him as many times as it was necessary for him to answer your call, his calm voice breaking something in you as your knees gave out as soon as his greeting reached you and you fell on the floor, crying.

‘Hey, what’s wrong?’ When you sniffed into the phone instead of answering, his voice lost its calmness. ‘Petal, what’s happening? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?’

You weren’t hurt, not physically at least. But the chaotic mess your mental state was in was secondary to the fact that San sounded to be oblivious of the intrusion into your home.

‘Please, petal, talk to me,’ he tried to coax you and while it didn’t work immediately, when he started to do a breathing exercise, you automatically mimicked the way he sucked the air into his lungs. In through your nose, out through your mouth. In through your nose, out through your mouth.

‘Where are you?’ The words felt like sand on the tip of your tongue, your urge to know for sure that he was in public or at least among people who could help him in case of emergency pushing all your other worries aside.

‘I’m with the guys at Wooyoung’s place. Do you need me to pick you up? Where are you? I will pick you up,’ San said, the distant sound of keys chiming and wood cracking assuring you that he was ready to leave as soon as you gave him the sign. Hell, he might have left the boys without you explicitly asking for it considering the worry in his voice.

But as comforting as the thought was, you didn’t want him anywhere near your apartment.

‘No!’ You objected, maybe a tad bit too vehemently for which you might have felt awkward under different circumstances. Now, emotions like shame and embarrassment were at the end of your priority list. ‘Can I visit you instead? I promise I’ll tell you everything in person,’ you negotiated. Not realising that you were holding your breath, a relieved sigh escaped through your pressed lips when San chose to withhold his questions for the time being.

Some matters were wiser to discuss in person. Matters that could put you in a tight position if anyone found evidence about your scheming. Especially when you were up against an opponent so powerful, they had the resources of actual royalty.

Looking around in your fucked up apartment, without your heart threatening to explode in your ribcage, you knew you didn’t want to take unnecessary risks. You had to be smart about your next move.

You showed up at Wooyoung’s place an hour later with one sports bag packed with your most necessary belongings and was greeted with a worried San who didn’t understand why you would have brought your entire bathroom cabinet to his best friend’s apartment when you loved your home. You definitely had a lot to unpack, both literally and figuratively.

‘I can’t believe they’re willing to go this far,’ a guy with sharp eyes and nose said, the same guy who had taken it upon himself to bring you a mug of herbal tea when you made yourself comfortable on Wooyoung’s couch. His name was Hongjoong or something similar if you remembered correctly. ‘I start to think that we might have underestimated them a little.’

‘A little?’ Two or three of San’s friends asked in chorus at the same time San lifted his head up from your shoulder and said:

‘I doesn’t matter. Our plan is good, they’ll have no other choice but to go along with it.’

Just by looking at his friends, you couldn’t tell whether they actually believed what San had said, but it was clear as day that they believed in your boyfriend, hence you leaned against his broad chest and let yourself relax. Neither San nor you were alone in this. You had allies and strategies. You had a good plan, and even if that failed, you had options. San’s parents might have been powerful, they could clearly break into your home to scare you, but they had no real authority in Korea.

A voice in the back of your head also reminded you that you lived in the era of social media. You doubted they would have risked bad publicity by pushing their son too much and causing irreversible damage to those he cherished. Or so you hoped.

‘Our plan is good, but will princess Yuna actually agree to go along with it?’ Another guy, whose name you hadn’t memorised yet, asked, his question piquing your interest. It was the first time you heard about this princess and with your obsession with Asian dramas, you did not like the first scenarios your brain threw at you as it tried to fill in the gaps. Who was she? Why was she an important part of the plan? Was she interested in San?

‘Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about before petal came. She said yes,’ San said, the hollering and overflowing happiness in the room making you feel weird, like something wasn’t quite right with the situation: like you were missing something crucial that would have given you a perfect explanation for the odd reaction the news received.

With naturally pouty lips and furrowed eyebrows, you placed your hands on your lap along with the pleasantly warm mug and turned towards San. His smile was so beautiful. He was genuinely happy about the progress they had made now that this princess was on board.

‘Who is she?’ You asked, mentally reminding yourself that you were San’s girlfriend. You had every right to ask him about this girl until you remained clear-headed and didn’t throw a temper tantrum for no reason.

‘She is the most sought out unmarried royalty in Asia. Her family’s country is very small, but their economic power is remarkable.’ Hongjoong said.

‘She is two years older than San, but they’ve known each other since they were babies, so he’s allowed to talk to her informally. Her kindness isn’t just for show, she really is the most warm-hearted royalty I’ve ever met,’ Wooyoung added before his wide grin turned into a frown. ‘She never lets me talk to her informally, though. Like I haven’t known her for just as long.’

‘Yeah, she’s so unfair.’ Yeosang’s voice was teasing as he altered it to sound more mocking: like Wooyoung’s but a pitch higher. ‘It’s not because you called her Yuna in front of a bunch of politicians when she explicitly told you to use her birth name when people other than your family were present.’ The bombastic side eye the blond boy gave to Wooyoung almost made you laugh. Almost.

You had to admit, this princess Yuna sounded pretty amazing. Gosh. You were such a horrible person.

San must have sensed your inner turmoil, because the next thing you noticed was the light touch of the tip of his nose against your cheek and his pillowy lips against your jawline.

‘She’s also Seonghwa’s fiancée,’ he murmured, placing one of his warm palms on the other side of your face, so that he could turn your head a bit more and make you look at him. You gulped, more shy than nervous. ‘That’s what she said yes to. Seonghwa proposed to her a few hours ago.’

You sucked in your lower lip, but before you could have done any damage, San pulled it out from between your teeth with his thumb; the fondness in his eyes simultaneously took your breath away and made you feel unworthy of his love. How could you have seriously thought that he would have included someone in their plan - felt so happy about her joining their team - if she had any interest in him romantically?

‘So it’s not a fake marriage?’ You inquired, coaxing a small laugh out of your boyfriend. His eyes almost disappeared because of the pure amusement on his face. It didn’t take long before you gave into the urge to hide your own in the crook of his neck.

Going easy on you, San semi-successfully bit back a chuckle and put his chin atop of your head, stroking your hair.

‘No, it’s not a fake marriage. They’ve also known each other since childhood, obviously. And they’re pretty much in love,’ he reassured you, letting you have all the time in the world if that was what you needed to be able to look him in the eyes again.

Fortunately, you didn’t need that much to get over the fact that you were only human; a girl with fears and insecurities. The herbal tea in your mug was still pleasantly lukewarm when you pulled away and straightened your back.

‘So cute,’ San whispered, pressing a soft peck against your lips before he helped you readjust your position on his lap, so you wouldn’t hurt your neck too much with the way your body was twisted and turned to be able to be chest to chest to him.

‘Oh, stop that!’ Wooyoung’s frustrated voice came from somewhere beside you, your brain not registering that he was teasing, or that he was talking to you until he said: ‘One royal wedding will be shocking enough for your parents. I don’t think they will be able to handle two.’

Failing to disregard the sudden attention on you, your cheeks became warmer and more pink with each second; however, you refused to seek comfort in the crook of San’s neck because you just knew that would have made things worse. You concentrated on your tea instead, on the feel of the porcelain against your clammy palms, on the fluffy blanket on your thighs. On everything and anything that wasn’t your boyfriend or his friends.

‘You’re making her shy,’ one of the boys cooed and some other joined, pushing your heart to the verge of an explosion. You didn’t realise that your hands were trembling until San slid his fingers between yours around your mug and leaned close to your ear.

‘Let’s kick Wooyoung out of his bedroom. I know where the clean sheets are, and it can be locked from the inside,’ he whispered, his lips curling upwards, therefore grazing along your earlobe. You hesitated only for a split second before you nodded.

You got up from the couch and let your boyfriend lead you towards his friend’s bedroom. As the key turned in the lock the thought crossed your mind that you had never done anything so scandalising before, but somehow the immense amount of guilt never came. Instead, you felt excited.

Excited, hopeful and safe in San’s arms.

You were arranging a bouquet of light pink carnations and peach-coloured buttercups for an anniversary when San walked out of the storage room at your workplace with a new roll of lace wrapping and his phone in his hands. With the way he dragged his feet, walking impossibly slowly, you just knew that his eyes were glued to the small screen; you didn’t need to tear your gaze away from the flowers that had your attention to be a hundred percent sure.

‘Have they started it already?’ You inquired between two twists and turns, holding the whole bouquet together with practised ease even when you had to take the wrapping from San with one of your hands. You still remembered how many you had dropped on the floor during your first few months at the flower shop. The number of flowers that had gotten destroyed in your care haunted you up to this day.

‘No, they’ve been focusing on mother and father so far. Mostly on father, but that’s kind of understandable,’ he said, your lips twitching at the mention of the royal couple.

Prince Seonghwa and Princess Yuna’s wedding had been a week ago and while you hadn’t attended the event, nor had done San, your boyfriend’s parents had made it to their mission to put you through anxiety when they had demanded to talk to you as soon as San had picked up the phone for them the day his cousin had announced the big news. They hadn’t gone as far as to threaten you or bribe you with more money than your type could comprehend, but you were well aware they didn’t think you were worthy of their son. God, they had quite literally told you he could have done much better.

‘Last minutes being a king. I wonder how he feels about that,’ you commented, putting in a bit of extra effort to not sound rude. You didn’t want San to think you hated his father even if, rightfully so, he hadn’t been your favourite person in the world.

‘I don’t think he minds it that much. He was only twenty-two when he took the throne. Three decades is a long time,’ he explained while he leaned the phone against a vase on the counter and put a part of his weight on his palms that laid flat against the marble. ‘The only thing he might be upset about is Seonghwa taking my place.’

You regretted the snort the moment you did it. Your hands froze around the perfectly wrapped bouquet and so did the air, which made it hard to look your boyfriend in the eye.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful,’ you apologised, putting the flowers in water before you took San’s hand in yours. ‘They are your parents and I’ll be forever grateful to them for your existence. For sending you to this country out of all the countries they could choose from.’ You shot a small albeit genuine smile in his direction. It might have sounded a little cheesy, but you meant every word. Without them you would have never had him.

‘I’m not mad at you,’ he reassured you, squeezing your hand and pressing a soft kiss atop of your shoulder blade before he turned back to his phone and you reached for the next pieces of flowers. You had five more bouquets to finish before your lunch break.

Seonghwa’s coronation officially started when your bibimbap was still in need of some more mixing, but that didn’t keep you from leaning closer to San’s phone and watching the live stream with more excitement than you had had for his father. You might have never spoken to your boyfriend’s cousin before, but you had heard enough stories about him from the boys to know he would be an amazing king. Mostly, because he cared for his people and because he genuinely wanted the responsibility that came with the title.

‘He looks like a leader. So serious-looking,’ you commented, shoving a huge spoonful of food in your mouth and humming in appreciation because goodness, it tasted just like your mom’s homemade bibimbap.

You lifted a bite in front of San’s mouth, so he could try it, too.

You watched the ceremony in complete silence; sometimes you fed him, sometimes you put your head on his shoulder while munching. It was nice. You hadn’t been so content in weeks if not in months.

‘Aren’t you disappointed?’ San asked you after the crown was put on Seonghwa’s head and the sovereign’s sceptre and the sovereign’s orb were placed in his hands.

You furrowed your brows in confusion.

‘About what? The ceremony?’ You asked, completely oblivious of what was going on in his head. You jutted out your lower lip; you didn’t like feeling as though you were kept in the dark. It made you feel stupid.

San shook his head, failing to hide the fond smile that was in the corner of his mouth.

‘Yuna is officially a queen now,’ he mumbled and despite how embarrassing it was to admit, it took you a couple of seconds to decipher what he was hinting at: you could have become a queen, too, if only he had gone along with a different plan, with a different goal in mind. You were pretty sure, based on your impactful experience with his parents, that they would have let him keep you if the other option was their nephew on the throne.

‘And you’re officially free. I think it’s an amazing day for everyone,’ you teased, gifting your boyfriend one of your happiest smiles, so that he wouldn’t have doubted that you loved him for who he was instead of what he could have become. You didn’t care about the title or the fortune that golden crown came with. Honestly, all you focused on was how heavy it must have been to carry it, especially when one wasn’t keen on looking after an entire nation.

One careful glance at San was enough for you to know that a well-thought-out retort was already on the tip of his tongue - maybe something along the line that his salary was barely enough to save up a decent amount in each month -, but he never got the opportunity to actually put his concerns into words. The bells above the front door cut him off and naturally, your conversation came to a momentary end.

The new customer was a middle-aged man with a little girl on his right, her tiny hand getting lost in her father’s much bigger one before she pointed at one of the peonies and the man let her explore the flower shop on her own.

‘Good afternoon, sir. How can I help you?’ You greeted the man with a smile as soon as his steps came to a halt in front of the counter.

Like most people who visited your workplace, the man had only vague ideas of what he was looking for, but you were fluent in the language of flowers, hence it caused you no headache to help him find the most suitable bouquet for his wife’s birthday. He wanted something that expressed his dedication to make the woman smile, therefore, you gave him options like pink tulips and yellow flowers in general.

Meanwhile, the little girl pulled on the hem of San’s tee and didn’t let go of the fabric until he stood up and followed her towards the customer area that you liked to refer to as the jungle. The corner with the spiller plants for example were like a sight from a botanical book or the children’s book with the gorillas and the little boy taken in and raised by said wild animals.

You bit back a giggle when you saw San lifting the little girl up, so that she could see the red roses from up close; however, your subtle smile froze on your face anyway when the little one asked San:

‘Are you a prince?’ In the most innocent voice you had ever heard in your life. She was so pure. She clearly had no idea what she was talking about and yet, both of you needed a few seconds to realise she wasn’t onto something bigger than her - something that could have put her in harm’s way. ‘Can I be your princess?’

The mortification on her father’s face almost cracked you up, and you did chuckle discretely when looking up, you took a better look at the girl. What looked like a summer dress at first glance turned out to be a princess costume. She even had a tiny, plastic tiara on her head.

San put her on the ground and crouched down to be at eye level with her.

‘I’m sorry, princess, I would be honoured to become your prince, but you see, I already have my own princess and I need to treat her right,’ he explained with utmost patience, then took the little girl’s hand in his (with her permission and her father’s approving nod, of course) and pressed a feather-like kiss on the back of it. ‘Will you forgive me and keep my secret?’

You couldn’t see the little girl’s face, but she was shifting her weight from one foot to the other, so your best guess would have been that she wasn’t entirely placated. Still, eventually she nodded and made grabby hands at your boyfriend, insisting that she wanted to see more of the flowers. That, you did not mind at all. In fact, you found it rather adorable.

(San with a tiny human being in his arms was adorable. They turned your legs jelly and your knees uncharacteristically weak.)

‘I’m sorry about Minah. They had Occupation day in school today and she insisted that being a princess is a full-time job, so her mother and I let her dress as one,’ the man explained and you shook your head with an endeared smile. You weren’t mad at his daughter nor were you jealous of the attention she got from your boyfriend. If anything, his willingness to humour her made you fall for San harder.

‘Minah is right. Being a princess is a full-time job,’ you said without contemplating whether your words sounded ridiculous, although before the whole royal guard incident, you would have thought she was childish, rightfully so. She couldn’t have been older than seven.

You didn’t talk much with the customer after that, but you didn’t mind the silence. It gave you the perfect opportunity to listen to San’s conversation with the little girl, which was just as hilarious as cheesy, especially when you caught him declaring his love for you with such vehemency as if real-life princes also needed to defeat magical creatures to protect their loved ones. Where was their debate about good dragons and bad dragons coming from?

A light shade of pink crept up your cheeks when the little girl asked San straightforwardly whether he was talking about you, but you tried to remain composed.

‘It’ll be 30,000₩, sir,’ you informed the customer with a customer-service smile and gave him the bouquet before you took his money; the exchange smooth and fast. The prices were written on the board above your head, right behind the counter; however, some people liked to criticise your craft in hope of a discount. Those customers never failed to make you feel anxious.

‘Thank you. It’s beautiful,’ the man complimented the arrangement before he bid his goodbye and turned towards his daughter. ‘Minah-yah! It’s time to go. Say goodbye.’

Albeit reluctantly, the little girl wrapped her arms around San’s right leg and hugged him. Then, like a real princess, she walked up to you and did a curtsy, which you returned with a few-second-long delay. You were too taken aback to react immediately.

You were still a little shocked when the door closed shut behind the two, but then San hugged you from behind and reality caught up with you. You melted against his broad chest.

‘She was cute,’ he commented, coaxing a hum out of you.

Closing your eyes and letting out a content sigh, in the back of your mind you knew that you still had a very serious conversation on hold. A conversation in which your boyfriend would tell you over and over again why he wasn’t enough: how he had barely enough savings, hence how you couldn’t possibly depend on him in financial emergencies. Like money was the most important thing in a relationship! Like you didn’t have your own savings.

Turning around in his arms, you linked your arms behind his neck and pressed your soft lips against his. You wished these gestures were proof that his heart of gold had won you over years ago; that you didn’t wish to become a queen and even if you did, you didn’t need the title because he already treated you like royalty. He was everything - kind-hearted, attentive, loyal and so much more - and you wouldn’t have changed a thing in your lives. 

Crown Prince or not, San made you happy and excited about the future. About your future. Even if you had a long way to go and might have had numerous battles to march into to earn his parents’ approval.

the end.

#san x reader #san x you #choi san x reader #choi san x you #ateez scenarios #modern royalty au #ateez fluff #ssbyme

[changbinisms]

Coup De Grâce - Park Seonghwa x reader (Part One)

coup de grâce

/ˌkuː də ˈɡrɑːs/

Noun

A final blow or shot given to kill a wounded person or animal.

An action or event that serves as the culmination of a bad or deteriorating situation

wc: 1,565

Royalty au / Arranged marriage au

contains: angst, time period specific discrimination, misogyny, classism. more will be added as the series progresses.

this work is not proofread (as usual)

[a/n: this fic may not be entirely time period accurate, but it will contain time period specific discrimination (i.e. misogyny and classism). I do intend to make this into a mini series depending on how well this is received and how well my attention span does.]

Ever since you were young, you dreamed of having a family. You dreamed of the big white wedding, your soon-to-be husband tearing up as he watches you make your way down the aisle on the arm of your father. You dreamed of slow dancing with your husband, as the aristocrats watched on in silent envy, masked as happiness that the kingdom would prosper, and overflowing joy that an heir would soon be produced.

The day that you found out you were to be betrothed to Prince Seonghwa of the Rosefall Kingdom, although it was only recent, you almost wept out of pure joy. The most eligible Prince of the nine allied kingdoms, Prince Seonghwa was adored, almost like a treasure. Not only was he infallible in battle, but he was also intelligent, a great strategist, and would be the perfect leader for any kingdom he was married into. It also helped that he was exceptionally handsome, ethereal even. There had been a handful of times that you had met him over the years, though you hadn’t seen him since before you learned of your betrothal, at banquets and at the weddings of other royalty. Each time followed the same pattern, he would mingle through the crowd of stuffy lords and ladies – navigating conversations with them with ease – before being snatched up by the daughters of said stuffy lords and ladies in the hopes of nabbing a betrothal of their own, before waltzing around the ballroom with the younger girls who hadn’t quite perfecting their dancing skills on his feet, as the younger boys watched, green with envy.

You couldn’t help but get ahead of yourself, imagining how cute your children would look. You hoped they would get his cheekbones. You imagined how the red from your family’s crest would look against his skin, how the blue from his family’s crest would look against your skin. Although he would be relocating to your kingdom due to his older brother being the heir to the throne of Rosefall, it couldn’t hurt to imagine how you would look in his colours.

In a way you were happy that he had an older brother to take care of his homeland, there’s no way you could bare to see the look on your parents’ faces as you road off to your new life. Quite selfish, really, as that’s what your betrothed had to look forward to…

Your thoughts were interrupted by a light trio of knocks on the door to your quarters.

“You may enter,” you call out, giving permission to whomever was on the other side to come in.

As you would have expected, it was your lady-in-waiting, Hye-Jin. Hye-Jin had been your friend long before she become your lady-in-waiting. You had met when you were both children, your mother had taken you on her weekly walk though one of the villages. It was her favourite thing to do, each week she would pick a different village to walk through. She had always said that it was good to be aware of the conditions that the villagers lived in, that we’re only as well off as our poorest subject. It was her way of staying humble and being grateful for what she had and the life she grew up in.

It was the first walk that she let you accompany her on as you were finally old enough to properly take in everything that she was explaining to you. As your mother spoke, you took in the market in the main square. The smell of the freshly bakes bread coming from the open door of the baker’s shop, the bright colour of the flowers held in the baskets over each doorway in the square, the fresh fruit that sat in piles at the vendor’s tables just begging to be taken and bitten into. It was this overwhelming wave of new things that caused you to slip away from your mother. She had noticed quite quickly that you were no longer by her side and had called for the few members of castle staff that had come with you both, and instructed them to help find you.

You, however, weren’t as quick to noticed just how far away from your mother you had gotten. It was only when the crowd of people around you thinned out significantly that you noticed you had no idea where exactly you were, or how to get back.

You could feel the nervousness and eventual panic start to come over you, your breathing starting to quicken before it grew into full blown hyperventilation. Thankfully it was short-lived, as a girl that looked to be your age, maybe a few years older, had placed her hand on your shoulder causing you to look up at her. She managed to calm you down and talk you out of your hysteria, walking you back to your mother. As a ‘thank you’, your mother had invited the girl, who you had found out was named Hye-Jin, and her family for tea at the palace. It was in that moment that you had formed a friendship.

As the years went on, both Hye-Jin’s mother and father passed, her father succumbing to illness, and her mother – no matter how hard she tried to put on a brave face for her only child – died shortly after of a broken heart. Naturally, your family took her in. Even though she would never be seen as royalty in the eyes of the upper-class societies, she was still given the same respect as such within the walls of the palace. In order to fill her days and stay close to her best friend, she opted to become your lady-in-waiting, and the rest is history.

“your father has called for you, your highness,” she giggled as she always does when you have to use pleasantries such as this, which signified that someone of significant status was on palace grounds.

You sigh; “did he give you any inkling on what the matter was?”

All she offered was a shake of her head before beckoning you to follow her.

You both walked in silence to the main hall, which was another red flag to you. Who could possibly be here to cause this behaviour?

The guards stood at the doors to your fathers reading quarters, Seungcheol and Mingyu, moved to open the doors as you stepped closer, offering them a smile and polite bow of your head.

As you stepped into the room, you noticed the three men sat in front of the fire, your father who sat in his favourite chair to the left of the fire, an older gentleman who you recognised as the King of Rosefall, which mean the man sat on the small couch with his back to you must be-

“Ah, there she is!” your father had spoke, “I’d like to formally introduce you to my daughter, y/n,”

It was at that moment that Prince Seonghwa had turned to look at you. His eyes met yours and a smile graced his face. It took everything in your power to calm your heartbeat. Prince Seonghwa had grown even more breath-taking since you had last seen him, you would think that such a thing would be impossible.

He stood from his seat and walked around the couch to offer you a bow, which you returned with a curtsey, he then took your hand and placed a light kiss on the back of it, which once again nearly had you swooning.

It was then that your father had announced that the intention was for Seonghwa and yourself to spend some time together to get to know each other a little before the day of your wedding so as it wasn’t as awkward on the day, which you were grateful for. No bride wants to be a stuttering, blushing mess on the day of her wedding. Blushing mess, maybe, but definitely not a stuttering one.

After bidding both your fathers goodbye, Prince Seonghwa had turned to you and asked; “if it is acceptable to you, your highness, may I ask for a moment of absolute privacy? Without the presence of your lady-in-wating?”

“I believe that would be alright,” you respond. You nod to Hye-Jin, “you may leave, Hye-Jin, I’ll call for you when it is okay to come back,”

You hate to be so formal with her, but in the face of others you must keep up appearances so to speak.

As she leaves, closing the door the door softly behind her, you turn back to the prince, “what is it that you wish to have privacy for, your highness?”

It was then that you noticed that the smile he had on his face had been wiped away, a scowl gracing his features. Any sort of politeness in his eyes was washed away and replaced with could only be described as disdain.

You could feel your pulse quicken, nervous as to what he would say. Or what would cause this instant change in mood.

He took a step closer, causing you to take a slight step backwards out of nervousness.

“let me make one thing clear, princess,” he stated lowly, eyes boring into yours, “I wont ever love you, any interaction, public appearance, or even form of affection with you will be made only out of obligation. I will be your husband in title and nothing more,”

#ateez x reader #ateez fanfic #park seonghwa x reader #seonghwa x reader #ateez imagine #seonghwa royalty au #seonghwa arranged marriage au #seonghwa fanfic #changbinisms writes #Coup De Grace

[elysiangroundsforall]

Love & War

"Everything is fair in love and war"

CH-1

As Seonghwa emerged from the assembly hall, the administrative minister of the king, Jung Wooyoung, greeted him with a respectful nod. "Congratulations, Hyung," Wooyoung offered warmly.

"Thank you, Wooyoung," Seonghwa replied with a nod of acknowledgment.

"The king has requested me to escort you to your palace," Wooyoung continued, his tone respectful yet tinged with an air of formality. Seonghwa simply nodded in response, his mind already occupied with thoughts of the challenges and responsibilities that lay ahead.

As they exited the palace, two ornate palanquins awaited them, resplendent in hues of gold and red. Seonghwa settled into one, his thoughts momentarily diverted by the memory of the finance minister's envious glare. He knew well the source of the man's resentment—his own meteoric rise to prominence at a young age, culminating in his appointment as the general of Korea's most formidable army.

Lost in contemplation, Seonghwa hardly noticed the journey as the palanquins traversed the bustling streets, eventually arriving at the Gladiolus Palace. Stepping out onto the marble courtyard, Seonghwa was instantly engulfed by an aura of opulence and grandeur that seemed to permeate every corner of the magnificent estate.

Towering pillars, adorned with intricate carvings, reached towards the heavens, casting graceful shadows across the courtyard. The gentle melody of cascading fountains filled the air, their crystalline waters shimmering in the sunlight, adding to the palace's ethereal beauty.

In that moment, Seonghwa couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and determination, knowing that this palace, now his own, would serve as a symbol of his achievements and the king's trust. Yet, beneath the surface of his elation, he remained keenly aware of the challenges and adversaries that awaited him in the corridors of power. Gazing around in awe, Seonghwa found himself captivated by the unparalleled beauty that enveloped him. The grandeur of the palace was nothing short of breathtaking. Whispers lingered in the air, hinting at the palace's storied past—a legacy intertwined with the illustrious history of Goguryeo. Legends spoke of its origins, tracing its lineage back to the queen of the realm's inaugural monarch. However, following her exile, the palace had been sanctified, designated solely for those who had earned the king's utmost trust and reverence.

As he walked through the corridors, the weight of his title and responsibilities settled upon his shoulders. The Gladiolus Palace would now be his home, a symbol of his elevated status and the king's favor. But amidst the splendor, Seonghwa couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease—the knowledge that envy and resentment lurked in the shadows, waiting to test his resolve and ambition.

"You are nothing but worthless, your very existence is futile!" Y/N endured the scathing verbal assault from her aunt, the queen of Baekje, her words laced with disdain.

Before Y/N could even muster a response, she felt the sting of a hunter's strike from the crown prince of the kingdom, Yoon Taehyun. Each blow intensified, accompanied by harsh admonishments, leaving Y/N pleading for mercy, her cries falling on deaf ears.

As Y/N endured the cruel punishment, her younger brother, Jisung, stood resolute outside the store room, determined to rescue his sister from her tormentors. With a heavy heart, he retreated to his quarters, penning a letter to his friend, Kang Yeosang, a military strategist in the Goguryeo empire, outlining their plan for Y/N's escape.

"Dear Hyung,

I trust this letter finds you well. The time has come to set our plan in motion. I implore you to find a suitable suitor for my sister, one who will treat her with the kindness and respect she deserves. I will endeavor to free her from her captivity by the 29th of this month.

Regards,

Prince Jisung of Baekje"

Jisung entrusted the letter to his messenger with a sense of urgency, urging him to expedite its delivery to Yeosang without delay. The messenger embarked on his journey, traversing the vast expanse between the kingdoms until he reached the majestic capital city of Onyeosanseong within three days' time. Upon his arrival, he diligently inquired and navigated through the bustling corridors of the palace until he finally located Yeosang in his office chambers.

With a solemn bow, Yeosang received the letter and swiftly perused its contents, his expression grave as he absorbed the weight of its message. After confirming its authenticity, Yeosang dispatched the messenger back to Jisung with a firm nod of assurance.

With the groundwork laid, Yeosang wasted no time in seeking an audience with the king, determined to set their plan into motion. Bowed respectfully before the monarch, Yeosang broached the sensitive subject at hand, his words measured yet impassioned.

"My lord, there is a matter of utmost importance that requires your attention," Yeosang began, his voice resonating with a sense of urgency.

The king, intrigued, granted his permission with a nod of approval, signaling for Yeosang to continue.

"This may come as a surprise, but I share a longstanding friendship with Prince Jisung of Baekje. We were childhood companions during his time in our kingdom, and he recently confided in me regarding a troubling discovery," Yeosang explained, his tone tinged with solemnity as he relayed the distressing revelation.

He recounted the grim tale of Princess Y/N's harrowing ordeal, detailing her years of unspeakable suffering at the hands of the Baekje monarchy. As he spoke, the gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, compelling the king to listen intently, his expression a mixture of shock and concern.

Moved by the plight of his niece, the king's resolve solidified, his determination to rescue her from her torment unwavering. Thus, with the foundation laid and the king's support secured, their daring plan to liberate Princess Y/N from her captors began to take shape.

"We have devised a plan, My lord," Yeosang announced with conviction, his voice steady and resolute.

"What is it?" the king inquired, his interest piqued by Yeosang's determined demeanor.

"We believe that securing a marriage for her within our kingdom may offer Princess Y/N a chance at salvation," Yeosang explained, his words measured yet infused with empathy.

"But wouldn't arranging a marriage proposal pose a significant risk, given her precarious situation?" the king interjected, his brow furrowing with concern.

"We have devised a plan, My lord," Yeosang announced with conviction, his voice steady and resolute.

"What is it?" the king inquired, his interest piqued by Yeosang's determined demeanor.

"We believe that securing a marriage for her within our kingdom may offer Princess Y/N a chance at salvation," Yeosang explained, his words measured yet infused with empathy.

"But wouldn't arranging a marriage proposal pose a significant risk, given her precarious situation?" the king interjected, his brow furrowing with concern.

"That is precisely why we propose to clandestinely extricate her from Baekje and solemnize the marriage within the confines of Goguryeo," Yeosang countered, his gaze unwavering as he outlined the intricacies of their plan.

The king considered Yeosang's proposal thoughtfully, recognizing the gravity of the situation. "You have my permission," he declared finally, his voice carrying the weight of authority.

"Do you have a candidate in mind?" the king inquired, his gaze fixed intently on Yeosang.

"General Park Seonghwa, my lord," Yeosang revealed without hesitation, his tone reflecting his unwavering confidence in the choice.

The king's expression softened at the mention of Seonghwa's name, a flicker of paternal affection crossing his features. "I hold General Seonghwa in high regard, but to marry him to a woman who has endured such suffering... I am uncertain if it is the right course of action," he confessed, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Yeosang met the king's gaze with unwavering resolve. "My lord, General Seonghwa's reputation may precede him as a man of formidable demeanor, known for his stern and unwavering nature on the battlefield. However, beneath this seemingly cold exterior lies a heart capable of profound compassion and understanding," Yeosang asserted, his tone resolute yet earnest. "While he may have earned a reputation for his strict discipline and ruthless tactics in warfare, his loyalty and sense of duty are unparalleled. It is this very sense of duty that makes him an ideal candidate to safeguard Princess Y/N's well-being," he continued, emphasizing the depth of character hidden beneath the general's imposing facade.

"Very well, give me tomorrow's time to have an audience with him," the king remarked, his tone carrying a weight of authority and contemplation.

Ch 2>>

#ateez #seonghwa #park seonghwa #hongjoong #medival #ancient korea #royalty #au #historical #general #wooyoung #san #yeosang #mingi #yunho #jongho #love #war #tw abuse #princess

[mint-yooxgi]

yandere king jongho?

Jongho is an anomaly.

To everyone else, he is this brutal, ruthless king who stops at nothing to ensure he gets what he wants. Countless empires have been toppled by his regime, his band of warriors that have sworn their loyalty to him unquestionably terrible and full of his impending wrath. He takes pleasure is ruining the lives of those that oppose him, and he finds no mercy for others who have wronged him.

King Choi Jongho is not someone you want to displease, lest you be on the receiving end of one of his punishments. He will not hesitate to step in if he thinks his guards aren't doing enough to ensure the fear his very name alone instills is real.

Unless it concerns you.

To you, Jongho is still a brutal and ruthless king. Selfish, and spoiled. Prideful, and manipulative. Yet, he will never raise a hand against you.

He was subtle at first, wanting to convince you that he truly wasn't as bad as everyone had made him out to be. Only, you had worked at the palace long enough to see first hand what types of horrors he gleefully would enact on his victims.

He wanted you, and you learned the hard way that what he wants, he always gets.

Yet, Jongho would never chain you. He uses much simpler methods to keep you in place, like threatening your family and other loved ones. You have still yet to see Minho since it had been discovered the two of you housing an intimate relationship behind closed doors.

You're no longer holding on to hope.

The weight of Jongho's chin coming to rest on your shoulder as he sits you in his lap feels heavier than any bond he could use to tie you to him. The way his arms tighten around your waist, pulling you closer as you hear him giggle right by your ear makes your stomach turn. The worst though, is when he places his lips in what appears to be a tender kiss onto your cheek, and you have to physically prevent yourself from recoiling in disgust. The last time you did so, you learned your lesson.

No, Jongho would never chain you. However, that will not prevent him from tying you up using other, more unconventional means.

There is nothing more humiliating than being bound to his bed with silk ties. Such an intimate material in such an intimate place, as he did nothing but sat and watched you wither around on his sheets for hours.

At least he let you keep your clothes on.

Which is exactly why when you feel him pull you flush against his chest, his lips teasingly trailing over the skin of your neck, you don't react. The moment you feel his teeth graze over that thin piece of silk tied meticulously around your neck, you close your eyes.

The sting of tears is all too prominent. The familiar rush of humiliation floods your veins as you are reminded of exactly what that piece of silk tied into a pretty bow on your neck means.

You are his, and nothing is going to change that.

#ask #yandere jongho #jongho drabble #yandere ateez #ateez drabble #royalty au #drabbles

[hahafixon]

What Happens in the Dark of the Night ~ *Choi San*

Summary: San, the prodigal son of his kingdom, is cursed to die whether he goes through with this arranged marriage or not. That's why he's summoning a demon to help. However, the solution isn't any better...

Pairing: Choi San X Fem!Reader

Genre: Angstyish Oneshot

Word Count: 2171

Warning: swearing, mentions death, mentions murder, demon au and all that goes with it

Masterlist

Taglist: @plutonieve​​ @mxnsxngie​ @maeleelee​ @kpop-will-kill-me

The night was perfect. The ballroom was pitch black, save for a lone red candle on the sigil that was drawn on a piece of parchment in the middle of a salt circle. San had to make sure this ritual went perfectly, lest he summon the wrong demon. However, he was certain he drew the right sigil for tonight's summoning. He was fairly sure he would get the right demon for the job.

Walking counter clockwise around the salt circle nine times, San held the lit black candle tightly in his hand and murmured the incantation. He then stopped abruptly and shouted, “BELIAL! I SUMMON THEE! BELIAL I SUMMON THEE FROM THE DEPTHS OF HELL!”

He blew out the black candle and the red candle spewed red hot flames with sickly green smoke. He shielded his eyes and covered his nose as the demon erupted from the smoke. Upon lowering his arm, he gasped.

Instead of Belial, there was a woman in the middle of the circle. She was dressed in a black pencil skirt and a black button down with a black blazer thrown on top and the sleeves rolled up so he could see the small red fissures tracing up and down her skin. A black wide brimmed hat covered her eyes, though he could still see her sinister smile from underneath it. Her black gloved hands gripped at the top of a matte black cane with a silver horse head. She gave a low, deep chuckle that almost seemed to reverberate through his soul.

“Well, well, foolish mortal.” She called, her voice smooth and alluring. “What, pray tell, is the reason you call upon my services this dark and wild night?”

“You’re not Belial.” San deadpanned, crossing his arms over his chest like a stubborn child. “I was specifically summoned for Belial.”

The woman snapped her head up and he could see her fiery red eyes illuminate in the darkness as she sneered at him. “Well, what do you want me to do about it? Dad said he didn’t want this case so he told me to come and help you. Now what do you want? Hurry up before I change my mind and head home.”

He balked at her words. “Dad?!”

She nodded, with a disgruntled sigh. “Yes, Belial is my father. Now why do you want him? I mean if you really want him that bad, I can send in a good word for you and when you attempt to summon him again in three years, maybe he’ll be more accommodating to your specific needs.”

“But I can’t wait three years!” He exclaimed. “I'm expected to get married tomorrow!”

“And?” She looked at him like he was crazy. “What do you want me to do about it?”

“I want you to stop the wedding of course!”

At this, she let out a hearty laugh. “Ah, you’re a funny one, mortal. I mean you’d be crazy, absolutely INSANE, to think a demon King would help you with something so trivial.”

San began to sputter, trying not to appear as offended as he was. “Well, maybe that’s why your dad sent you! So you could handle all of the trivial matters instead of the big tough cases.”

She glared at him and he almost let his fear for this demon daughter show. “Don’t get cocky with me now, Prince San, only son of the King and Queen. Don’t think I don’t know who you are. Everyone who’s anyone knows about you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Again, she chuckled, deep and sinister. “Prince San, the prodigal son. After being blessed, not cursed I might add, with a daughter, the King and Queen made a deal with an angel for a son, which they did receive. However, miracles don’t last forever and angels aren’t always as kind as you foolish humans portray them to be. It is rumored that a demon had taken the guise of an angel and cursed you so that if you did not marry by your twenty-fifth birthday, you and your kingdom would die. How does that sound for a prophecy?”

“But I don’t want to marry!” He didn’t mean to sound like he was pouting, but it slipped out anyways. “I cannot and will not marry someone I do not love, or even know for that matter. No matter what my status in society or whatever stupid laws exist out there, I refuse to accept this marriage!”

The woman stared at him, her mouth slightly ajar. Trying to regain her composure, she sputtered, “Wha- did you not just hear what I said?! If you do not get married you, your family, and your kingdom will all die! I think getting married to someone you don’t love is a miniscule price to pay for the safety of yourself, your family, and the citizens of your kingdom!”

He sighed. “I know, I completely understand that. But I just can’t do it.”

She scoffed. “So, again, I ask you what do you want me to do about it?”

“I told you! I want you to stop this wedding!” He shouted, his teeth bared. “You’re a demon. Can’t you undo the curse or something?”

“Undo the curse?!” She gasped as if he said something wildly offensive. “You have any idea how many laws that would break? You can’t just undo another demon’s curse! That’s an act of high treason, you know?”

San groaned, crouching down and putting his face in his hands. “I can’t get married. I just can’t get married to this princess. I’m willing to do whatever it takes, but I just cannot marry her.”

The demon woman frowned before awkwardly trying to kneel in her tight pencil skirt. “What do you mean you can’t marry her? I mean I may be a demon through and through, but I’m sure she’s not that bad. Besides, you can like divorce her or kill her after like a year.”

He shook his head wildly. “No, you don’t understand! If I get married to her, she will destroy my kingdom! She plans on poisoning me at the wedding so she can take over and destroy my people’s good work. I tried to bring this up with my parents, but they won’t listen! Even my sister is powerless to stop this wedding from happening, even though she believes me! I am okay with laying down my life for my people, but if they get hurt because of it, I will not standby and let it happen.”

She groaned, muttering under her breath, “Ugh, this is why I didn’t want to come here.”

“What?”

“You’re so dramatic! Just like every other mortal I have ever met!” She whined. “You know what the princess is planning to do, so you should stop it yourself. On the day of the wedding, you poison her instead.”

“And make it seem like I’m the crazy murderer? Absolutely not!”

“Then tell everyone about the curse and how things would be different if you weren’t cursed.”

“What, and sully my parents’ good name because they were duped by a demon because they desperately needed a son? I could never do that to them!”

The demon screamed in frustration. Standing up, she pinched the bridge of her nose with one hand and gripped the head of her cane tighter with the other. The red fissures on her arm pulsed a brighter shade of red, as if he could see her nonexistent heartbeat in her arms.

“Every solution I give you, you say no to! I can’t possibly help you with these conditions! You’ve wasted my valuable time for your frivolous and incessant whining.” She spat.

“Well I didn’t summon you! I wanted your father and yet he sent you instead! So you have no room to complain!” San shot back defiantly, standing up as well.

She folded her arms over her chest, the cane staying ramrod straight despite the fact she wasn’t holding it. “You know you’re really starting to piss me the fuck off. I should punish you for your insolent behavior.”

He crossed his arms as well, his face set with a determined look. “Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it? Return to your father crying about how a prince made your life oh so difficult?”

As she sneered at him, he heard a low growl that almost made his breath catch in his throat. There was a pause before she tilted her chin up and a wicked grin made its way across her face. “Fine. You want to play games? I can play games. I am a demon after all. I will punish you by helping you.”

“And how is that a punishment?”

“Simple: you’ll marry me instead.”

San’s heart practically stopped and his jaw dropped. He tried to yell at her in rage or at least say something to her. But his mouth just comically opened and closed like a fish. Her look of sheer triumph made him seethe and shake with fury. What he wouldn’t give to wipe that smug smirk from her stupid face.

“Hell no.” He finally managed to spit out.

“And why not?” One of her eyebrows arched as if challenging him. “It’s a perfect plan really. I’ll assume the form of your blushing, murdering bride-to-be and kill her so that I take her place. Then you will forever be tethered to me. And by forever I mean for all eternity, even when you’re dead.”

“So break one horrible arranged marriage for an even worse one? Never.” San shook his head. “I will never marry you.”

She shrugged. “Fine, be that way. I’ll just leave you to get married tomorrow and you’ll die along with your family and kingdom.”

He gritted his teeth. This wasn’t fair. This wasn’t how this summoning was supposed to go. He was supposed to find the solution to his problems and be done. He was supposed to be free, not contemplating death versus enslavement. If only his parents weren’t stupid enough to fall for a curse from a demon. None of this would have ever happened.

San huffed. “Fine.”

Again, the demon raised an eyebrow at him, but there was a twinge of shock and an even smaller dash of fear in her eyes. “Fine?”

Nodding, he looked her in the eyes, face devoid of emotion. “I will marry you on one condition: you still keep my people and my family safe. It’s the least you can do for an eternity tormenting me.”

He was surprised when she nodded before bowing her head. “But of course. I have no intention of destroying a kingdom you’re oh so willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for. That would simply be unfair of me.”

San would be lying if he said he wasn’t shocked by her words. Not only that, but she said it with such sincerity, he had half a mind to believe her. Nevertheless, he remained cautious. She was a demon after all. He couldn't trust her. Drawing himself with an air of authority, he knew he could not betray any weakness to her, no matter how hard she would try to break through his armor. He would never yield to her, no matter what.

“Very well. We shall be married tomorrow.” He gave a curt nod of his head.

She nodded. “Very well. I will see to my affairs of disposing of the princess.”

“Please be discreet.”

“Of course. I strive for discretion.” She gave a halfhearted chuckle.

He sighed. “And when the wedding is done, will you go back to hell or will you kill me first?”

San could have sworn he saw the faintest look of betrayal on her face before she huffed in annoyance. “I can’t kill you. It’ll break the vow I made. I will be by your side till the day you die and then once you are dead, you will still be mine, but we won’t have to be together as often.”

“Sounds fair.” He shrugged.

She nodded again. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

He could hear her breath catch as she took a tentative step out of the billowing smoke and onto the ballroom floor. Once she was out of the smoke, she gestured for him to clear some of the salt circle so she could get by. After doing so, she strode past him, not sparing him a second glance, disappearing down the hall.

San then cleared the red candle and the salt by himself, his thoughts swimming. He didn’t know what to think or what to do. He basically signed away his kingdom, his family, and himself to a princess of Hell. He wasn’t sure he even made the right decision in the first place.

But there was one thing he did know for sure. Despite everything, he was determined to prove himself. He was stronger than this curse and he was stronger than all the forces of Heaven and Hell working against him. He was going to be a King worth remembering.

#Ateez #Ateez Fanfiction #Ateez Oneshot #KPop #KPop Fanfiction #KPop Oneshot #Atiny #Choi San #Choi San X Reader #Choi San Fanfiction #Choi San Oneshot #Choi San Angst #San #San X Reader #San Fanfiction #San Oneshot #San Angst #Demon #Demon AU #Royalty #Royalty AU #Oneshot #Angst #Fluff

[locallixie]

once in a lifetime — seonghwa

[⚔️] — The Emperor killed you then, with a sharp slash of his sword to your neck like he thought you did to his heart. Revenge found itself behind the passing years, until you would meet again, in another life.

⇀ genre ; smut, mature, angst, suggestive, reincarnation au, historical au, modern au, school au, emperor!seonghwa, noble!reader, baseball captain!reader, lovers-to-enemies, past lovers, fem-to-masc!reader.

⇀ warnings ; dacryphillia, first time, praise kink, major character death, violence, slight gore, minor language, suggestive behaviour, marking, weapons usage, execution, misconduct, sexual assault.

⇀ word count ; 2.5k

There was an old saying, 'The beautiful usually have a bad fortune'. The Emperor already had an unmatched beauty, his face gleamed with charms of loyalty. His mistress, was like a Greek oil painting, there was a reason why he chose you over thousands and thousands of belles in the land.

You, an only child of your mother and father, the only daughter in the entire bloodline. Your father brought your family's name to nobility, with his wise and high social status as he spent years climbing the ladder. A noble, you were, a blessed life you were given since birth.

Your family was thrill when sending you into the palace, with the idea of taking a spot in the Emperor's heart. From just a plain noble, you would bring great honour to your family by becoming something more. You deserved so much more for being a gift from above to your parents.

You painted your lips a scarlet red, your eyebrows plucked and drawn, your cheeks was lightly blushed. You must admit, the beauty standard when using makeup was off when it came to you. It didn't enhance your beauty like its many uses, you looked better without having to paint your face like how artist painted their paintings with sorrow.

The palace was grand and enchanting as the words that were spread across the country. A line of women from everywhere, from the countryside, near the sea, the town. You stood still, patiently waiting for your turn to come.

The outfit you wore was a tradition, but it was a pain to wear it under the harsh sunlight, as it radiated brighter it got hotter. You were sweating in your attire, your makeup was slowly dripping off your face.

You groaned, wiping off the beads of sweat on your forehead. You weren't allow to tie your hair up, you were must to keep it down for the Emperor. Would this man even be worth your time, you understood that he was the Emperor of the whole country yet would he live up to his people's expectations and assumptions of him?

You were wise like that, always thinking and working out your thoughts. Unlike most people who only cared for the fortunate chances, they were quick to be disappointed.

By the time you reached the palace, the nightfall already visited. You stepped into the palace as stars and the luminous moon shone against your back. Though you weren't as excited to meet the Emperor as much as some young women was, your heart still beat fast in the enclosure that was your chest.

"Your highness, I am [Y/N] of the noble [L/N], it's the greatest blessing to be in your presence." You introduced, bowing on the floor to him.

The Emperor gazed at you with cold eyes, unimpressed by your existence. You looked up, face-to-face with him was scary for everyone, including you.

The Emperor turned to the side, "Maid, go fetch this poor maiden a bucket of water, her makeup is ruining my interest." You were in shock by his sudden sentence, offended but yet to show outwardly. Though he was handsome and full of grace, his mouth seemed to only spit out uncivil words.

The maid with her back weak and frail figure, dragged a heavy bucket full of river water in front of you. The water was cold, instantly numbed your fingers. Using your hands, you washed your face. Your reflection faded as the water became a dark and unpleasant colour. Now with nothing coated your face, bare and natural in front of the Emperor.

"You look so much better without anything caking your face. Your eyes, your lips, your nose are a sight to gaze at." He was captivated, by you no less. Your bare face was a first, your figure dressing up in traditional costume, your hair down and combed.

He stood up from his throne, walking to you. The distance in status clearly showed, how he stood tall and straight while looking down at you crouching self on the wood floor. You were a noble, just a noble.

Lowering himself to your level, he held your chin with his hand. Looking you up-and-down, right-to-left, closely studied your face.

He let out a sigh, "What a shame, you got a mole that tainted your beauty." Indeed, you was born with a mole on your nose bridge, which didn't highlight your features according to the standard. But everything have its pros and its cons, for you, was the mole on your face.

The Emperor smiled, "[Y/N], was it? You can call me 'Seonghwa', our paths will cross more than we expect." He gave his hand to you, wanting you to take it. You hesitated at first, not wanting to dirty his hand with your wet and stained ones from the makeup you cleaned yourself off.

But at how intimidating he looked, you couldn't seem to deny. He pulled you up, standing as his eyes couldn't look away from you. Walked away without another word, you stood still like statues, not knowing how to react or what to say. You turned around, meeting the sight of the Emperor sending everyone else away.

"You have charmed me, young maiden." He sat back on his throne, "Tell me, what are you looking for here?" Seonghwa questioned, full of unknown intentions.

You tilted your sight to the floor, "I...Right now I don't have an answer that would satisfy your wonder, but you will know the reason for my arrival some other time, my great."

"I suppose, very well then, go get clean up." He sent maids your way, "I'll be waiting for you in my chamber." The Emperor disappeared without another word, the scent of him that left behind as remembrance, the scent of blooming jasmine flower.

You followed the maids, it seemed like you would be spending the night here. Your family, you would miss. They guided you into the bathtub to bathe, the water that was cold touched your skin. One washed your hair, two cleaned your nails, three bathe you with their hands.

They draped your body with finest silk, wearing a nightgown many maidens dreamt of. A last outer layer they put on you, the sheer coat that dragged on the floor. In the mirror, you looked as if you were royalty.

Finally, they walked you to the Emperor's chamber, where he study and slumber. From then on, you were on your own. You knocked gently on his doors, too, knocking the doors to his heart.

A single word, told you to come in as it rang from the other side. Seonghwa sat on his bed, patiently waiting for your presence to enter his space. He looked up to find you, standing there looking all dolled up for him.

"Though I have seen and study many beauties of the world," He gazed in a sensuous sense. "I've never seen a beauty like you before." He complimented.

You bowed, "You're too kind, dear Emperor. I must humble myself before you." Your eyes showed full of warmth and welcome.

"My dear, come sit down beside me." He guided you, holding your hand softly as he pulled you closer. You sat down, not sure of what his next move was.

"Will you let the flower bloom tonight? Let the yourself be one with the stars?" He questioned, his eyes watched you intently, every little movement of yours was carefully examined by him. A hawk-like gaze, where his eyes gleamed with danger and poise, able to kill someone with a single glare of an eye.

You hesitated yet still gave him a answer, "Yes, I'll let you have all of me tonight, great Emperor." You would let him have you entirely, nothing else belong to you, you were his to love and toy.

Seonghwa smiled, "Splendid." He leveled you down, laying you on the bed.

"Please, be gentle." You whimpered out.

Seonghwa pulled the string the held your outer coat together, "My dear, I'll treat you like the most gorgeous flower in my garden." Your coat dropped, exposing your bare, scandalous shoulders. He pressed his lips on yours, holding it close as he moved against you. Soft and velvety, the adjective to accurately describe his lips. As he pushed his tongue in, teasing you with his teeth.

Another layer removed from your body, stripping you off completely as your wonderful figure excited him. Your curves, and naked skin, the scent of lavender of your clean figure.

He peppered marks claiming his possession over your, translated through love marks and bites. You moaned, lacing your fingers through his hair. The moonlight shone his chamber, peeking into the sight of two star-crossed lovers.

"My dear, you are what my life have been missing, it must be a blessing from above to receive a beaut like you." Seonghwa praised, kissing the mole on your nose bridge.

"I think the stars shine brighter when you came, my world never gain so much meaning as for it to seem so dull and repetitive." He placed his lips on your breasts, holding them in his hands.

You couldn't say anything, lost in the pleasure that you worked nothing to receive. Yet it felt so deserving, the Emperor's affection was your goal and you stole it without sympathy. Many would kill to be in your position, as the great Emperor Seonghwa was to help you bloom.

He entered you, your wet cunt clenching around him tight. His shoulders which you held and cried on, your voice rang all throughout the palace for everyone to be aware of.

"Seonghwa—! I—" You bled, the deep red like roses that dripped slowly. You finally lost your most precious thing, to the Emperor, he took it from you like plucking flowers in gardens.

Your tears slid down your flushed cheeks, the mix of pain and pleasure, a euphoria that felt guilty to love. "My dear, it would be all over soon." He told, kissing your temple as the beads of sweat trickled your whole body. Your heart pounding loudly as a janggu, beating against your chest a passionate drummer performing.

Your cunt pulsed, the ecstacy arose out of the blue. It moved from head to toes, you dug your nails into his back, crying his name 'til your throat was sore and tired. Reaching your high, you came in a pinkish mess of blood and seeds. His love spilling out of you, loving the wonderful expression on your pretty face. Your eyes half-lidded, a streak of blush spread across your face, lips parted.

He pecked your forehead, "Your heart is with me, and mine is with you."

Not quite noble but not yet Empress, you could be count as one of his mistress, you, he adored the most. You were special in his eyes, one of a kind. Both wise and beautiful, the ones above spoiled him with the existence that was you.

"My dear, you look breath-taking like always." He placed the hair pin through your hair, a gift to show his admiration for you. You were his absolute favourite. Life like this was like a dream, a dream that you never want to wake up from.

But how quick a dream turned into a nightmare, a wrongdoing that wasn't you who did it. The other mistresses sabotaged you, tainting the love the Emperor had for you. They were jealous, their jealousy burned like fire and the flames burned you.

"You disgusting harlot! You repulsed me!" He screamed, his frustration and wrath.

You cried, tears coated your pretty eyes. "You must hear my plead—" You tried, but immediately shut down by him.

"Hear you?! I have no reason to be listening a pathetic excuse from the likes of you!" How much he actually loved you, you would never know, the jealousy that blinded his sight. A claim so unjustified, made by selfish desires.

He ripped the sheer fabric that draped your skin, the unfamiliar article of clothing that angered him. "Is this what you sell yourself for?!" He torn your dress, everything was forcefully stripped off of your body. Naked and shameful before his presence, the Emperor left you crying and in distress.

Death was what to come, he stripped you off your own life as you were prepared for execution. The sharp blade stood menacingly in front of you, you tears reflected on its shiny surface. A slash through your neck, courtesy of the Emperor himself, you head flung off your neck leaving trail of blood. It rolled on the ground, an instant death.

Before your due date, you begged him to have mercy on you. On the floor crying below his feet. The love was false and forced by unnoticed, you never asked to meet him, you only did this for your family. The faith you must face was heart-tearing.

—

"Seonghwa! You're so slow, walk faster!" Hongjoong complained, already being ten steps away from him. He ran through the corridor, trying his best to keep up with his friend.

Seonghwa panicked, no trace of Hongjoong could be found, he was lost in this huge school. He wasn't a student here, Seonghwa went to a normal high school for people with medium income, he was only here to support his friends' new band.

Hongjoong, who was familiar with this place while not being a student, accompanied him. Now without his trustful guide, he was completely lost inside a large labyrinth called 'school'.

"Hongjoong! Hongjoong, where are you?" He furrowed his brows, still nothing, no reply, no Hongjoong. Walking for another while, searching for his friend, he came by a field of green grass. The sun was vibrant and blinding, he squinted his eyes as he gazed at its beauty. Then the blooming nature, so many colourful flowers that decorated the scenery. Seonghwa had a appreciation for beautiful things, people, nature, ideas.

He was knocked to the earth ground, falling on his backside. "Get out of the way!" A bat swung before his face, hitting the baseball that came flying at his direction.

He jumped, a baseball bat inches away from his face. "You must be fucking stupid to pull a stunt like that. Who are you, I've never seen you before?" A boy stood in front of him, the look in his eyes cold and uninviting.

You, the captain of the baseball team, was skilled in baseball like it should. Trained since you were little, having outstanding physical attributes and a fast reflex, you were popular with both girls and guys. Someone came and disturbed your team's practice, you were the one to dissolve the situation.

"I don't go here, I'm a friend of Choi San from year eleven." He answered, while you were skeptical of him.

A member of the team called you, you turned you head to the voice. That was when he saw it, a scar on your neck that was prominent and very visible. He knew who you were, but from where? From here? Or another life?

"Whoever you are, get lost and let my team practice in peace." You tightened the grip on your bat, walking away without another say. He huffed, of how rude you were acting. You were attractive but had a nasty personality, at least to his view. Especially like that mole on your nose, how it tainted and enhanced your beauty at the same time.

Once in a lifetime, you were lovers. Now you were nothing more than a couple of foes. He killed you then, now you would take your long awaited revenge.

#seonghwa #park seonghwa #ateez smut #ateez x reader #ateez #ateez seonghwa #hongjoong #choi san #ateez san #ateez hongjoong #ateez x male reader #ateez x female reader #history #modern #high school #royalty au #baseball #ateez x you #enemies to lovers #trope flip #angst #suggestive #past lovers #ateez fanfic

[deja-vux]

Forbidden Fruit~The Princess and the Scholar

Word Count: 2.0k+ Warnings: adultery, mentions of death, mentions of suicide, murder, beheading A/N:Gettinng closer and closer to ending this series as there are only to more left. I know I’ve been gone for awhile so hopefully my writing skills aren’t to rusty. Hope you guys enjoy :) Reincarnate Masterlist KPOP Masterlist

79 AD

         The princess ran through the palace halls out to the courtyard and towards the garden as the servants attempted to chase after her. As they neared her she ducked under the bridge using a tree as her shield placing a hand over her mouth to keep quiet. She couldn’t help but bite her lip stifling a giggle as she heard their voices grow silent the farther they ran. As soon as they were gone she immediately got back up only to collide with someone's chest. Slightly dazed and confused, she looked up to find one of the scholar's interns in front of her. Her eyes widened as they made eye contact before she pretended to be in pain holding the side of her head accompanied by multiple “ows”. The young man couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as she peeked back up at him to see if he reacted. Afraid he might rat her out she excused herself before turning to leave only to slip on the mud of the river bend. Just as she began to fall she felt a hand wrap around her forearm pulling her back. She looked up at his nonchalant expression, her heart racing as she realized the proximity between them. She cleared her throat, pulled her arm from his grasp, and dusted herself off. “Thank you for saving but I’m afraid I'll have to cut our interaction short,” she said before running off as the servant's voice began to return. The young man made his way back to the path as they approached looking tired and out of breath. The leader of the pack turned to him panting as he asked for the princess’s whereabouts he simply shook his head causing them to groan as they continued their chase. The young man couldn’t help but smirk.

        In the following weeks as he continued his studies around the palace he watched the mischievous princess and her antics from freeing a chicken claiming to want to feed it, stealing a bow and arrows from the arsenal to practice shooting, solving the scholars’ punishment riddles for the interns, and stealing a horse to ride into the village for the lunar new year celebration sending everyone into a panic. Curious to see how the last would play out he followed her into the village wondering what had gotten the princess so worked up. He unmounted his horse before walking into the streets that were bursting with life. Having spent his entire life either on the road or inside palace walls he too was amazed by the scenery unfolding before him, that was until he felt someone collide with him. He looked down to find the princess dressed as a commoner, the pair gazing into the eyes of the other until palace guards could be heard nearby causing her to panic. Swiftly he pulled them into a small alleyway covering her with his body and her mouth with his hand using his other hand to hold a finger to his lips. As the voices faded he slowly pulled his hand away looking behind him. As he turned back he realized their current position was pulling away as he felt a sudden bashfulness but didn't show it. The princess on the other hand felt her stomach do flips as she attempted to steady her breathing and calm the rising blush on her cheeks. Just as he was about to walk away he felt her gentle and shy touch against the tip of his fingers. “You’ve saved me from trouble twice now and I don’t even know your name to thank you formally,” she requested.

“It’s Song Mingi, your majesty and there is no need to. Just try not to get caught next time,” he replied, nervous to turn back.

“Well Song Mingi now that you’re my accomplice would you care to join me? I promise not to tell,” she smiled at him cheekily.

        Unable to deny her, he agreed, immediately getting pulled towards the center of the celebration where the smell of food and the sound of music was accompanied by people dancing and paper lanterns filled the sky with warmth as night approached. The pair laughed and danced hopping from different merchant tents to enjoy the games and food. Eventually, as it became dark  Mingi led the princess outside the village to a nearby hill. The two sat under the cherry blossom as Mingi handed her a wrapped dessert. She thanked him, unwrapping the small cake delicately before taking a bite. Just as she was about to finish the first firework could be heard in the distance. She was startled at first but once she saw the vibrant colors lit up the sky she quickly climbed the tree to get a better view. Mingi couldn’t help but be mesmerized by her free spirit. As she tried to get back down she slipped. As the princess braced for the impact she soon found herself in the arms of the young scholar who could only manage a soft chuckle. “I’m starting to think that saving you isn’t by coincidence anymore,” he joked as he set her down gently. She simply blushed. The two returned to the palace with Mingi helping her sneak back in. Just as she was about to slide her door closed Mingi stopped her. He cupped her face gently moving her bangs to the side with his thumb making her timidly look toward the ground. “I hope to spend more moments like this with you,” he confessed.

“I hope to as well,” she smiled warmly.

        Mingi closed the gap between their lips and pressed against one another in a gentle kiss. As he pulled away he smiled warmly gently holding her chin. “Let that be a mark of my word till next time, your majesty,” he smiled warmly before placing a soft peck on her lips then her forehead and heading back to his quarters. The princess slid her door closed before faintly touching her lips. As the days went by she focused on her studies as Mingi had taken the helm of teaching her lessons. The king was ecstatic that his wild daughter’s spirit had been tamed little did he know it was stronger than ever as the scholar and princess fell deeper and deeper for one another as the weeks went on. Years passed and the princess now turned queen gave birth to a beautiful son. Even as the cherry blossoms continued their ever-going cycle so did the queen’s meeting with the right hand of the head scholar. As the New Year festivities commenced the queen snuck off as usual this time unaware of the shadow lurking behind her. Right on schedule, she met Mingi on the bridge of their first encounter with her son before they snuck out to enjoy the celebration like they did every year. As they disappeared in the distance the king turned to his servant. “Follow them and tell me everything. Something leads me to believe my wife is nothing but a wench and that the crowned prince’s blood is tainted with that of a trashy commoner,” he states coldly.

        Per usual they enjoyed their time in the village ending with watching the fireworks near the palace on the same hill she and Mingi did years ago. As they finished Soweon gave a small yawn curling up in his father’s arms as his mother gently brushed the hair from his face. “We should head back,” Mingi suggested, “before they suspect anything. That and I must leave early today for Seongju.”

“How long will you be gone this time?” she asks.

“7 Days and I’ll return. I promise,” he brushed the hair from her face kissing her forehead.

“We’ll miss you,” she smiled as his lips pressed against her skin.

“As will I but I promise one day we’ll run away as we planned. There are just some final touches I need to finish,” he explained as she hummed in response.

        Mingi left not long after dropping them off, a day later the queen was summoned. As she reached the throne room she was shoved to the ground by one of the guards causing Soweon to run towards his mother only for a blade to be held against him causing him to halt. Despite the panic settling in her heart, the queen kept her composure as she quelled her son’s growing fear. Just as his tears became silent the king walked out followed by his vice premier staring at the queen coldly before striking her across the face. “How dare you deceive me for so long you wench. What would your father say if he saw you now?” The queen remained silent ignoring his antagonizing comments only returning his cold gaze. “Silence won’t save you anymore. Both you and the bastard will die and I’ll make sure your lover boy won’t be able to save you either,” he grinned maliciously. Fear filled the queen’s veins and she turned towards her boy. As the two locked eyes mouthed the word “Run” as she attacked the guard stealing his sword and holding it to the king. She kept them distracted as the boy snuck past the palace walls and made his way toward Seongju. As soon as she knew her son had made it out she dropped her weapon knowing it was pointless to continue.

        No time was wasted as she was knocked to the ground as shackles were added to her wrist and ankles. As the days passed by the queen was tortured by flogging, starvation, and more each punishment rendering her more and more helpless not to mention weaker by the minute. By then words of the prince’s disappearance had spread making its way to the counties all around the kingdom. As soon as Mingi received the news he quickly made his way back toward the palace despite the rain and not knowing what awaited him. As he stormed to the palace he was shocked by the greeting on display. The queen dressed in what was once a pure white hanbok was now stained with blood sweat and tears. She stood still as the light in her eyes faded. Mingi called out to her as he brought his horse to a halt quickly dismounting it. She looked up at him as the fire began to rekindle but just as she was in his reach she fell limply into the arms of her savior. Tears threatened to spill as he attempted to awaken her. As he shook her and patted her face sobbing her name a vile fell from her hands rolling off until hitting the foot of the king as he clicked his tongue in disappointment. “Taking the coward’s way out now, she'll never be able to join the ancestors in the afterlife. What a shame,” he shook his head.

“What did you do?” Mingi seethed through gritted teeth as rage fueled him .

“What did I do? No it’s what you did,” the king scoffed, “You tainted her mind then her just to gain something you will never have.”

“You’re a monster, how could you do this to your wife let alone the mother of your child,” he exclaimed.

“We all know he isn’t mine. Don’t worry your son will soon join her,”he chuckled.

“No, leave the boy alone please he’s innocent take me instead,” Mingi pleaded.

“Why not just have all 3 of you,” he smirked.

2021

        “The king’s guard cut off the scholar’s head with his sword and the crowned prince was never to be seen again, presumed dead. Rumor states though the son continued his life as a commoner telling the tale of his parent’s love story across the villages. Nowadays the story has many diffe-,”  Y/N read silently until she bumped into someone turning the corner of the aisle in the library. She peeked up at the man with doe eyes before dropping her book to hold her head, “Oww,” she dragged out rubbing her head as the man chuckled. She watched as he picked it up and handed it to her.

“You better watch where you're going, you might hurt yourself next time. Are you okay?” he jokes.

“I think so but I’ll have to wait and see. I think it’s bruising,” she says.

“Well if you want me to save you instead of accidentally hurting you my name is Song Mingi,” he says, holding out his hand.

“L/N Y/N, nice to meet you,'' she smiled, shaking his hand gently.

Taglist: @a-soft-hornytiny​ @little-precious-baby​ @hyunsuksmygod​ @seojonneh​ @perfectlysane24​ @nymeriaaa​ @junglewoos​ @voidcupidz​ @anistarr

#mingi imagines #song mingi imagines #mingi x reader #mingi x y/n #song mingi x reader #song mingi x y/n #ateez imagine #ateez au #ateez x reader #ateez x y/n #kpop imagines #non idol au #royalty au #Reincarnation AU #kpop headcanons #+xDeja Vux+ #Deja-Vux

[atinyjules]

The Sun and The Moon - Jeong Yunho

"Aren't you the Prince of the Sun?" she asked me as I looked at her with an 'are you serious?' face as she rolled her eyes.

"What I meant was, people from the Sun Kingdom are usually very...bright? Outgoing? Friendly?...and you're like...meh..." she said and mimicked my current posture.

"Just because I'm from the Sun doesn't mean I have to be like that." I said as she smiled softly.

"Obviously...but there's no harm in living life happily." she said as I looked at her who looked at me with a supportive look which for some reason made me feel warm.

<<>>

"I...I-I really need a hug right now..." I looked up at her the moment I heard her broken voice and instantly felt my heart hurt at the sight of her teary eyes.

"What's...wrong? What happened...?" I asked as she started sobbing making me panic as I awkwardly hugged her...tried to hug her with my shakey hands slightly close to her hair.

"Just hold me please..." she muttered as I put my hands on her hair and started caressing it slowly.

"I-I'm here...it's alright..." I said as I continued caressing her hair and rubbing her back.

<<>>

"Yunho...you okay?" I avoided eye contact from Soojung who grew more worried as the seconds went by.

"Yeah...I'm fine......" I said softly and felt my heart tighten when Soojung patted my head softly.

"Don't worry...everything will be alright...it's okay." she said and caressed my cheek with a soft smile causing my eyes to betray me as tears soon began flooding my face.

"I-I...I'm so s-sorry..." I sobbed and dragged my feet towards her who welcomed me with loving arms and rubbed my back.

"It's not your fault...no one will blame you hm? No one...It's okay...cry it all out." she comforted me only making me cry more as I gripped her sleeve tightly.

"I'm s-so s-sorry..." I sobbed as she caressed my hair.

"Don't apologize...don't beat yourself over it okay?....I love you so much, my Sun." she confessed as I nodded my head and basked in her warmth.

**Coming Soon

#ateez #ateez masterlist #ateez ff #ateez yunho #atiny #ateez au #ateez fluff #ateez imagines #ateez mingi #hongjoong #yunho x reader #yunho prince au #royalty au #Sun and Moon #yunho #ateez jeong yunho

[underpinksky]

Does anyone know any fics that would be similar to Precious? https://www.tumblr.com/yungidreamer/632216327713636352/precious?source=share

It was the best Seonghwa fic I have read by far. 18th century vampire Seonghwa and his innocent cute bride? Yes please.

I would appreciate some recs

(It can be about other members of ateez or bts or Jackson Wang🙏)

#vampire!seonghwa #vampire!ateez #ateez smut #seonghwa x reader #royalty au ateez #vampires au seonghwa #ateez x reader #historical ateez #historical seonghwa

[blossom-hwa]

you smelled this from a mile away but requesting: (any) form of prince/king/royal hongjoong just as long as he has that fucking cane 👍

this request is just so correct. so perfectly correct thank you anne <3 (also I adore your pfp)

5 year anniversary drabble game: send me a Stray Kids/TXT/Golden Child/Ateez/The Boyz member + a prompt (check out the post for ideas) and I’ll write a drabble for you!!

REQUESTS OPEN!!

~

Title: Coup

Pairing: none (Hongjoong is the main character)

Word count: 960

Warnings: violence, mentions of blood

~

When the lost prince returns, a patch over one eye, a cane in his right hand, the people rejoice. His father may have cast him out as dead, blinding him in one eye and shattering the bones in his right leg, but none of that could stop him from reclaiming his rightful throne. Not an empty eye socket. Not a permanent limp in his leg.

A true son of Nemesis would never let an enemy get away without proper revenge, after all. 

In the wake of the battle, Hongjoong takes to the palace balcony amid a bloody orange sunset. His shock of parted hair, one side blinding white, the other dark as night, ripples proudly in the wind as he addresses his people from overhead.

“I have lived among you,” he says, voice carrying over the crowd. “I have learned your ways. I know you, and you know me. In me, you will find a ruler who knows the debt he owes his people, and will do his best to repay that debt before his death.”

Not a single creature dares to break the silence, save a whispering wind that ripples around the prince-turned-king, the center of a hurricane, the eye of the storm. 

“You have taken me in, kept me safe. You have fought for me, died for me.” At these words, Hongjoong bows deeply. Amid gasps of shock from the audience, he rises, leaning hard on his cane as his leg trembles beneath him. “My mother’s mantra is an eye for an eye,” he continues, gaze flicking toward the deep red flags that now jut from the palace overhang. “I know this lesson well.”

He leans over the balcony edge. “I pledge to you that I will repay the eye you have given me,” he calls, voice echoing on the wind. “That I will do all I can to raise you, to give you the lives and rights you were stripped of the day my father -” he spits the word - “took his place on the throne. I will live for you. I will rule for you.”

The crowd seems to hold its breath as the king speaks his next words. 

“And if need be, I will die for you.”

All fine words, the people thought, words befitting of a ruler. But words without action had come too often, and so they waited for news that would demonstrate proof of his promise.

They didn’t have to wait long.

. . . . .

A land dispute arises a week into the new king’s reign, land his father had recently conquered but never put into use on account of his death. Nobility wanted it for weapons manufacture. The new king thought it better for food production instead.

Amidst the debate, one advisor steps forward from the throng. “More weapons will stabilize your reign, Your Majesty. Other countries will be eyeing ours for the taking in light of... recent coups, which makes us weaker.”

“Our agricultural sector has been decimated by battle, and not just those that I caused,” Hongjoong snaps. “Destabilization will happen faster within our own country if we don’t remedy this immediately, and only then should we focus our sole attention on outer threats.”

The advisor sighs. “With all due respect, Your Majesty, they are only peasants. They will not gain from having more food as they are used to their current fare -”

A raised hand cuts his words short. Hongjoong leans forward, eyes narrowing, clear disgust curling his lips. “Only peasants, you say.”

The advisor has enough sense not to respond. 

“I lived as a peasant for several years,” the king says quietly. “To insult them is to insult me.”

“But, Your Majesty, you are royalty -”

“You seem to forget your place,” Hongjoong purrs, rising from the throne. The cane taps on the stone dais as he takes a step forward. Several guards make as though to follow him, but a wave of his hand keeps them back. 

The advisor stands slightly taller than the king, though as Hongjoong draws closer, it doesn’t seem as though he notices the difference at all. “I think I remember you, Advisor,” he says quietly, coming to a stop in front of the taller man. “I remember how eager you were to bow to my father’s whims, all so that you might have a chance to bring yourself closer to the throne.” 

Not a single person breathes as the king takes another step forward. “Where is your daughter?” he asks quietly. A smile grows slightly on his lips as the advisor’s face pales. “I seem to recall her around my older brother every so often. Where did you take her when I killed him? I hope, for her sake, that it was somewhere far, far away.”

The advisor blanches. 

Hongjoong laughs, taking the tiniest step back. “But worry not,” he says to a silent court. “I am not my father. I will not punish a family for a crime committed by one.”

His smile grows.

“But that does not mean that the one in question will have no punishment at all.”

Two cracks sound of a cane, lightning fast. Screams and gasps echo off the stone as the advisor falls to the floor, clutching his side in agony as blood runs down his face.

Hongjoong hefts the cane, wiping a drop of blood from his cheek. “My court is different from my father’s,” he announces. “I welcome dissenting opinion, but if you so much as hint at hurting my people for your own gain...”

As if on cue, the man folded over on the ground whimpers in pain. Hongjoong’s smile widens. 

“Well, I don’t think I need to show you again just what might happen to you.” 

#ateez #atz #hongjoong #kim hongjoong #ateez hongjoong #ateez scenarios #ateez imagines #ateez oneshots #ateez hongjoong scenarios #ateez hongjoong oneshots #ateez hongjoong imagines #ateez fanfic #ateez angst #cw violence #cw blood #royalty!au #coup #5 year anniversary drabble game #drabble #lina answers #anne 🍎 #blossom-hwa

[puppyminnnie]

I js started a ghost story. Like the author hasn’t updated in a year and i found this REALLY good story thats not finished 😔🧍‍♀️

#ateez fic #ateez imagines #yandere #yandere ateez #royalty au #imma cry #ateez #ateez fanfic #ateez x fem reader

[changbinisms]

Coup De Grâce - Park Seonghwa x reader (Part Two)

coup de grâce

/ˌkuː də ˈɡrɑːs/

Noun

A final blow or shot given to kill a wounded person or animal.

An action or event that serves as the culmination of a bad or deteriorating situation

wc: 1,971

Royalty au / Arranged marriage au

contains: angst, time period specific discrimination, misogyny, classism. more will be added as the series progresses.

this work is not proofread (as usual)

feedback is welcome and encouraged

[a/n: this fic may not be entirely time period accurate, but it will contain time period specific discrimination (i.e. misogyny and classism)]

As you strolled around the lavish gardens of your home, you tried to maintain your composure. Your mind was still reeling from what the prince had said. Whatever dream you had of a happy, loving family in your future was shattered within minutes of meeting Prince Seonghwa for the first time as your groom-to-be.

You thought back to your reaction – or lack thereof – there wasn’t much you could do or say, your mouth had hung agape before starting to wobble. You had quickly schooled your features before clearing your throat and giving as short; “If that’s what you so wish,”.

He didn’t give much of a reaction however you did notice his eyes widen and mouth part, just ever so slightly. Almost as if he didn’t expect for you to react that way. But you would be damned if you allowed him to get a petty reaction out of you, you weren’t raised that way, and you weren’t raised to let a man manipulate your emotions. You were compassionate and empathetic, maybe a little prone to daydreaming, but certainly not mutton headed. 

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to take a walk around the grounds. You’re welcome to accompany me,” you don’t even give him the chance to respond before you turn on your heel and make your way down the hallway, nodding to Seungcheol and Mingyu on your way.

*

Alas he had joined you after all, most likely to keep up appearances. He matched your pace, eyes trained forward. He must have taken thespian classes, you thought, either that our he had some sort of split personality because there was no way that this person was the same person that you saw at banquets.

Your skin itched for you to make small conversation, but you didn’t see why you should make an effort with someone that had no intention of properly getting to know you. You didn’t care for the opinion of other nobility, the lion doesn’t care for the opinions of sheep, as your father would say.

He seemed to be of the same mindset. You couldn’t decide if that was fortunate or not. The silence stretched on, so much that there was no way that you could try and ease the tension even if you wanted to, but the longer it went on, the more you felt the need to break the silence. But again, you refused out of sheer stubbornness.

You snuck sideways glances towards him occasionally, trying to suss him out. What reason was there for him to be so short with you? To the best of your knowledge, you hadn’t done anything indirectly to insult him. Had you done wrong by one of his friends? Maybe he held another in his heart and he intended to marry them but had those plans ruined by the arrangement set in place by both your parents.

Thankfully, you were relieved of your silent suffering shortly after by Hye-Jin making her way towards you.

“Your Highness,” she bowed at you both, “apologies for interrupting, however the King and Queen have requested that you both join them for supper,”

Wonderful. Just wonderful. At least you wouldn’t have to endure any more awkward silences (you hoped), since you would be in the presence of your families.

The journey to the banquet hall seemed to stretch on forever, almost as though Lady Luck had something against you. It took every nerve in your body to not take your heels off and make a mad dash down the hallways until you reached your destination. You hoped and prayed and were ready to start bargaining with whatever deity there was to end this suffering and tell you that it was all a prank, and you were never in this position to begin with.

*

Dinner passed without a hitch, making conversation with both Prince Seonghwa’s mother and your own about your upcoming nuptials. The most exciting thing to happen was hearing your father mention that the war between Felcrest and Aunroda that was happening far off towards the Western Isles had finally come to an end, although you didn’t quite catch who had risen as the victor, you could feel a pair of eyes on you. You, however, refused to outwardly acknowledge it. If the prince wanted to play mind games, you weren’t interested.

*

Time seemed to fly by, who knew that preparing for a wedding was so time consuming… You unfortunately had to spend more and more time with Prince Seonghwa, to be fair, what did you expect? He is your intended after all.

All too soon, it was the day of your wedding had arrived… You felt like all you had done the night before was toss and turn, and what little sleep you did get was plagued with nightmares of being trapped in a loveless marriage like so many royals before you. 

Deciding that sleep wasn’t an option, you decided to go for a walk, hoping that it would tire you out even a little. You didn’t pay much attention to where you were going, maybe if you didn’t put much thought into it, your brain would eventually allow you to sleep. It wasn’t until you heard a door open slowly that you realised you were in the hallway that the King and Queen of Rosefall along with Seonghwa were residing in for the duration of their stay. You remained silent, hoping that you weren’t about to be caught and scolding, something that had happened many times before (you distinctly remember your mother’s previous lady-in-waiting, a stuffy old woman who took far to much pleasure telling you off, chastising you for being awake at the time you were, deeming it ‘unladylike’ for whatever reason). What you saw shouldn’t have been as much of a surprise to you. If anything, you thought that you would happen across one of the royal family members sneaking out for the same reasons as you. However, what you saw was a handmaiden of the Queen of Rosefall leaving the prince’s room. It all added up. She was beautiful. No words could begin to describe her. It all made sense. You knew for a fact that she was smart and could converse in a way that would impress most nobility since Rosefall was rich in history and culture that was taught throughout their kingdom. If Prince Seonghwa had just explained that he had another in his heart, you would have understood. You could have worked something out. Instead you had been subjected to whatever the hell that was on the day he had first arrived.

Once the coast was clear, you quickly but silently made your way bad to your bedchambers, knowing full well that you wouldn’t be able to sleep.

*

That morning left you no time to think, you had been practically ripped from your bed and forced into the bathtub, before being poked and prodded, and finally being helped into your wedding gown. All things considered, you made a beautiful bride (dark circles from the lack of sleep aside, of course). It almost made you wish that you were to be wed out of love, but alas, you weren’t that fortunate. You were doomed to a marriage of convenience like all the women that came before you in your family and even more unfortunately, there wouldn’t be much likeliness of you learning to love each other.

You barely remember being walked down the aisle by your father, you barely remember making your vows, sealing your marriage with a kiss, or dancing your first dance. You were currently sat at the long table, having taken a break from all the interacting, masking it as a need to have a drink from your goblet.

It was then that everything seemed to stop as there was a moment of fanfare and the master of ceremonies had announced; “His royal highness, Prince Wonwoo of the Moondust kingdom,”

Your heartbeat quickened. There was no way. It had been years since he had gone off to war. When he had stopped writing to you, you had assumed the worst. You grieved him.

As the doors opened, revealing the person standing behind them.

The man that emerged from the open doors looked like Wonwoo. But he was taller, more filled out than the scrawny (barely a) man that you had cried over. As he walked closer and closer, a genuine smile gracing his face, there was no denying that this was your best friend. It was a hard struggle to not run out of your seat and into his arms. Instead, you slowly stood as he greeted you.

“Hello, princess,” he laughed, his deep voice reaching your ears was a blessing. Another thing about him that was different. You wondered what else had changed. Did he still like to sing? Play the guitar? He was notorious for serenading the girls before he was sent off to fight.

Instantly, you pulled him into a hug, almost crushing him in your arms, “I missed you so much,”

At least one good thing came out of this. Aside from the alliance between Tuline and Rosefall of course.

“Would you grant me the honour of this dance?”

You nodded, not needing to think on it. You took his hand as he guided you to the dancefloor. Oh, how you wished that you were married to Wonwoo. Although it wasn’t a romantic love, if you had to be in a situation like this, you would have wanted it to be with your best friend, at least that way you would have a good foundation on which to build. But life doesn’t work that way of course.

Little did you notice that your now-husband was watching you both with a sour look on his face.

*

The moment you were dreading had finally arrived. The moment where you had no more buffers between you and Prince Seonghwa, that your time catching up with Wonwoo was cut short, and you were expected you consummate your marriage with the Prince of Rosefall.

Admittedly you both made a great pair, as your ability to play the part of excited newly weds was incredible. You were led to your resting quarters, that you suppose now belonged to the both of you, by your lady-in-waiting and Prince Seonghwa’s equerry. His arm was wrapped lightly around your waist as your head rested on his shoulder.

That was short-lived. The pseudo-love that you had portrayed to the wedding attendees ended abruptly as soon as the doors closed.

As you turned to ask the prince for some privacy to change out of your wedding clothes, you were cut off rather harshly.

“What the hell was that?” he snapped, nostrils flaring. “Do you have any idea how it looks that you were throwing yourself at another man? A man that isn’t your husband!”

“Excuse me?!” you scowled “throwing myself? Not that any of this information is any of your business, I was dancing and reconnecting with my friend whom I haven’t seen for years, so you can keep your snarky opinions to yourself.”

His chest heaved, seemingly not happy with your response but remaining silent. Since he was still silent, you chose you continue on with your rant; “I don’t question what company you keep and who you allowed into your bed chambers, so you have no right to tell me how I interact with my friends. Moreover, in what way does it matter to you? You’re my husband in title and nothing more, remember?”

This seemed to render him speechless, the anger leaving his face, his shoulders easing the tension they held. He said nothing else as he backed away slightly, before changing his mind and making a beeline for the balcony doors, shutting them harshly behind him.

What a bizarre man.

#ateez x reader #ateez fanfic #park seonghwa x reader #seonghwa x reader #ateez imagine #seonghwa royalty au #seonghwa arranged marriage au #seonghwa fanfic #changbinisms writes #Coup De Grace

[elysiangroundsforall]

Love & War

"Everything is fair in love and war"

Synopsis: When a princess from a distant kingdom comes to find asylum not only is she granted that but she also finds love in the most feared General in all of Korean history. Pairing: Park Seonghwa x reader Warnings: 1)Violence 2)Abuse 3)Gore Type: Angst, fluff, smut This was inspired by @edenesth 's "The Way To His Heart"

Preview

"Don't worry, princess you're safe here"

"Who are you?"

"She must be a spy. No princess acts like her"

"Oh god!"

"There's a war"

"I love you"

"I love you too"

Chapters

Prologue Ch-1

Ch-2

Ch-3 Ch-4

#ateez #seonghwa #park seonghwa #hongjoong #medival #ancient korea #royalty #au #historical #general #wooyoung #san #yeosang #mingi #yunho #jongho #love #war #tw abuse #princess

[rairecs]

title: i saw him first author: eyela rating: explicit wordcount: 27663 pairing: choi san/jung wooyoung/kang yeosang summary:

The feud between the Kangs and the Jungs has gone on for generations, so long that no one even knows how it started anymore. What everyone does know is that Crown Prince San is set to choose a consort by the end of the season, and both houses are determined that their heir will be selected. The court watches eagerly to see whether the prince will prefer famously charming Jung Wooyoung or legendary beauty Kang Yeosang. 

There’s just one problem – Yeosang and Wooyoung are secretly lovers.

It’s already stressful having to act like they despise each other in public, but having to pretend to compete for the prince’s heart may be more than their relationship can handle. Tension and jealousy are building, especially when the prince starts showing interest in both of them, and before they know it, the fight for Prince San is becoming alarmingly real. 

link

#ateez fic #ateez fic rec #woosansang #wooyoung #san #yeosang #au: royalty #historical #childhood friends #fake dating #kind of #jealousy #flirting #misunderstandings #friends to lovers #polyamory #author: eyela #wc: 20000

[hahafixon]

The Pain of Caring Too Much ~ *Jung Wooyoung*

Summary: As crown prince, it’s Wooyoung’s job to marry a foreign princess. You’re the one who tells him this and he refuses to accept. But San tells him that if he doesn’t, he won’t become King. So he comes up with a compromise. And it’s a compromise that will hurt more than it will help.

Pairing: Jung Wooyoung X Fem!Reader

Genre: Angst Oneshot

Word Count: 1375

Warning: Possessive Wooyoung

Masterlist

Taglist: @foxwinter @maeleelee @mxnsxngie @kpop-will-kill-me​

If you knew he was going to be this difficult, you wouldn’t have bothered coming to tell him personally. Granted you always knew that Wooyoung was whiny and annoying, but you still felt he should be told about this in person. Perhaps his parents or San should have told him instead.

“But why?” He pouted, his eyes glassy and his upper body folded over his desk. “Why do I have to marry someone I hardly even know?”

“You’re the crown prince, Wooyoung. It’s what’s expected of you.” You tried to explain.

He continued to whine like a petulant child. “That’s stupid! I don’t want to get married!”

“But you have to! It’s tradition!”

“Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people.” He shot back. “Are you just telling me this because you hate me? Are you lying about this stupid tradition just to get back at me for all the pranks I’ve played on you?”

Your jaw dropped. He couldn’t seriously be thinking this was your fault. He wasn’t THAT dumb. “I don’t hate you but I’m not lying either. Your parents are planning to marry you off to the Princess of Qastiula. I’m sorry.”

He sighed, sitting up a bit straighter, and putting his chin on his hand as he averted his eyes. “No, you’re not.”

It wasn’t a total lie, but it wasn’t the complete truth either. It was hard to feel sorry for him when arranged marriages happened all the time. But you also didn’t think it was right. People should have the right to marry whomever they want. No one should tell another person who to love or not. But you didn’t have the power to change the King and Queen’s minds. You were just Wooyoung’s chambermaid. You were lucky to have the power you did, considering you shouldn’t even have the right to look at him.

Before you could try and make him feel better, there was a knock at the door. San, Wooyoung’s advisor and best friend, entered with a sheepish smile. After giving a respectful bow, to which Wooyoung scoffed at, he glanced at you.

“I’m guessing you told him already?”

You nodded with a sigh. “He’s taking it about as well as you’d imagine.”

“I can hear you, you know!” Wooyoung butted in. “San, tell my parents I’m not getting married any time soon.”

“May I ask why?”

“Because this tradition about marrying a foreign princess is stupid!” He exclaimed. “If I’m going to marry, I want to marry someone who I know is a good fit for me and for their kingdom.”

San nodded. “I understand that. But your parents were adamant that if you don’t marry, you’re not going to be King.”

Wooyoung froze. “They’ll, they’ll pass me over?”

“Unfortunately. It’ll go to your little brother.”

“Just like what they did when my older brother didn’t marry…” He mumbled.

Now you were feeling more sorry for him. It was already scandalous that Wooyoung’s older brother was rejected because he refused to marry anyone. He now spent his days in solitary confinement in his own mansion. You knew that  Wooyoung didn’t want that kind of life and that he would be a good King. It was unfair. But nothing about royal life was fair and the three of you knew that better than anyone.

“So I have to marry her if I want to become King?”

San nodded sadly. “Yes. I’m sorry, Wooyoung. I’m really, truly sorry.”

He waved his hand to dispel his condolences. “It’s fine. Tell my parents I’ll do it.”

“What-”

“I’ll do it. The kingdom needs a strong King and I’m willing to take any burden I need to to be that kind of King.”

San nodded again before heaving a sigh. “Alright. If that’s what you think is best. I’ll let them know.”

As his friend left his study, you turned to your friend to try and console him. You knew this had to be hard for him. He hated not having a choice and this was an important one just taken away from him.

Before you could open your mouth, Wooyoung had slipped around his desk and was kneeling in front of you, taking your hands in his. “I love you.”

Your heart stopped.

You couldn’t have heard him right.

“What?”

“I love you, Y/n.” He repeated. “I’ve loved you ever since I first met you and I hoped that one day, when I became King, I would be able to ask you to marry me. But it seems impossible now. So I’m going to ask you to do me the greatest favor I could ever ask you.”

“Wooyoung-”

“Be my mistress, please.”

Now you knew you had to have heard him wrong.

There was no way he was asking you to be his mistress. No, you couldn’t. You may have cared for Wooyoung and wanted him to be happy. But this was too much. You couldn’t do this, not to him.

You shook your head. “Wooyoung, I can’t. It’s impossible.”

“It’s not impossible! Kings have mistresses all the time! I love you and I never want to be parted from you. You love me too, don’t you?”

Did you? You certainly had stronger feelings for him that a normal maid shouldn’t have. But love was a strong word. You had affection for him. But you couldn’t call that love. Maybe if you were together longer, it could have developed into that. But not now.

“I don’t love you as much as you love me.” You murmured, your breath sticking in your throat. “I’m sorry Wooyoung. I can’t. I can’t be your mistress. I can’t be there for you in the way you want me to be. I’m sorry.”

Tears filled his eyes and he squeezed your hands tighter. “Don’t say that. Just accept the position. You don’t have to love me like I do now. Your feelings could change. I just don’t want anyone to stand in my way of being with you. Please!”

You shook your head with more fervor, even trying to pull away from him. But he wouldn’t let you go. “Wooyoung, stop please. You’re hurting me.”

“I’m sorry, love.” His grip loosened slightly. “But you promised me! You promised you would always be there for me, right by my side, whenever you needed me. Don’t you care about me anymore?”

“I do.” You couldn’t lie that you didn’t. Even now, you couldn’t help but care for the poor, tortured prince. “I care a lot about you, Wooyoung. But this, this isn’t love. This is possession. I don’t want to be your possession. I want to be some you love enough to let go for the good of your people.”

Wooyoung was sobbing, loud and pitiful. You wanted to caress his cheek and kiss his forehead in an attempt to soothe his pain, but you couldn’t. You were right, this wasn’t love. And it stung to know that even if he claimed so deeply that he loved you, his actions showed he didn’t. So you gently retracted your hands and slipped out of his study, leaving him there to cry alone.

San was waiting for you on the other side.

“Did he ask?”

You nodded sadly, heart sick at the loss of one of your most treasured friends. “You were right. I can’t believe you were right.”

“I knew it was going to happen and I tried to warn you. I’m sorry you were pulled into this mess. I know you cared about him a lot.” He sighed.

Your heart tore again. “I didn’t want to do this to him. I didn’t think… I didn’t think he cared about me enough to make me his mistress. I thought he would just toss me aside. I was prepared for that. I wasn’t prepared for his tainted love.”

San touched your shoulder. “I’m sorry, Y/n. I really am. The royalty game is not for the faint of heart. He’ll grow from this, I’m sure. He’ll become a good King, worthy of his people. You did the right thing.”

Glancing at the study door, where you could still hear his wails of desperation, you let out your own choked sob. “It doesn’t feel like the right thing.”

#Ateez #Ateez Fanfiction #Ateez Oneshot #KPop #KPop Fanfiction #KPop Oneshot #Atiny #Jung Wooyoung #Jung Wooyoung X Reader #Jung Wooyoung Fanfiction #Jung Wooyoung Oneshot #Jung Wooyoung Angst #Wooyoung #Wooyoung X Reader #Wooyoung Fanfiction #Wooyoung Oneshot #Wooyoung Angst #Royalty #Royalty AU #Oneshot #Angst