Dear Lovely readers, I couldn't wait for midnight so here I am. Read slowly for a good experience is all I can say.

I hope you will like the chapter💜.

I will be off to have my dinner now💜.
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The clouds dissipated in the sky to show a clear path for the troops to depart, the Royal couple emerged out of the crowd after receiving their hollering blessings and heartfelt appreciations. On the pedestal of a clearing, the Royal Alpha raised his hand to announce his farewell words, "People of Western land and Chinra, the war is won. Look around you, the enemy's banners are cast down and muffled into the soil. When the black shadows first fell across our borders of the Western land, we deployed our troops for the safety of the folks. Today, the epitome of your patience, courage and willpower has brought this victory upon us."

The crowd cheered loudly in the hails of the Emperor but the Royal Alpha wasn't finished yet, "However, The wounds this land carry from the final battle can not be rebuilt by a sword. It must be nurtured by the plow, the hammer, and the hearth. I ask the folks to tend towards the soil, protect the vulnerable, and never forget the price of your freedom. The true spirit of this land lives in the people's unyielding resolve. Trusting the court counselling under General Dae, I shall demand the departure of my troops."

The people bowed in rows, head plumbing down to the grounds in sheer respect to the valour and prosperity of the Royals. The Alpha raised his hand towards the first horse troops that were standing at the gates of the Western land, The Commander holding the upfront with the Eclipse emblem flourishing on a tall pole fixed in Dabery's saddle.

Nami occupied the left front while Kenji snatched the deployment of the right front. Both of their eyes remained focused on the path when their horses ran at full speed. The carriages leave after, horses neighing with fresh energy in their hooves as they drag the carriages on the clear road. Yoongi held the Royal omega's palm till he brought him closer to the carriage he prepared for him.

Jimin's heart thudded in his chest when he saw the carriage provided to him. His eyes raked over the framework of the carriage, crafted from deep-hued mahogany and polished ivory wood unlike his classic white ones. The wheels were bound in thick, shock-absorbing rubber which are trimmed with soft leather to ensure the ride is completely silent and smooth over rough cobblestones.

There are hand-painted floral vines pasted along the panels, with lanterns made of stained glass casting a warm, protective glow at the front and back of the carriage to navigate through the mist of night. The Royal omega's hand reached for the knob after being glossed over to watch the exterior, his wrist twisted and he controlled the first sniffle when the interior became bare to his eyes.

He had assumed to be carried in a comfortable seating position but never in his wildest dream, he had witnessed a nesting bed inside his carriage. The scent of the nest lured the omega inside, which he attained with the help of the red-haired Beta who helped him climb the stairs by entwining their fingers and a small support on his waist.

Layers of sea cotton were spread at the middle of the nest while the boundaries were weaved by the heavy scented clothes of his mates. The pure affection cast in the omega's eyes when he folded his knees and took a seat at the centre of the nest. The cloud-like comfort embedded his body, absorbing the stiffness and aches to keep him afloat. The back of the nest was filled with silk cushions, cashmere throws and weighted quilts to keep the omega warm against the chill of travel.

At the front wall, some miniature cabinets are built with the crystal decanters holding fresh fruits, sweets and a velvet lined slot for books and letters. For the Royal omega, it appears to be a rolling testament of love, built to shield his comfort and peace. In the middle of his mates' scents, he felt a cocoon which is being nourished to develop his wings to fly.

The sun-dappled curtains comforted his straining eyes that held the remnants of his small sleep. Every craft and detail feels like a physical promise that his mates will always care for his comfort. His fingers tightened around the Beta's hands whose eyes were fixed on the omega the entire time. He lived and breathed for such glossy eyes that appreciated all the details with a soulful smile.

It's unknown how Jimin expresses his feelings without seeping embarrassment in his bones that it's the first time that he felt heard... felt all of his choices, needs and comfort taken care of without him being the instructor and provider for himself. Is it how it feels to be seen and valued in your mates' eyes?

Jimin could only ask due to his inexperienced emotions so he kept his hand connected with his mate who was watching him from outside. His wide eyes invited him inside with a short tug of his hand because his throat was contracting against his windpipe leaving him breathless and prevented from speaking naturally.

The door of the carriages fell shut behind the red-haired Beta when he took a seat on the open edge of the nest. Not stepping the boundary but still existing in the periphery of the omega, "Does it match the Royal omega's like?"

Yoongi traced the omega's eyes and frowned when he found them attached to his dangling legs. He felt that short tug on their combined hands once again and this time he had to discard his boots and fold his knees to cross the boundary of the nest. He found his heart palpitating when he sat beside the omega which soon turned into tremors on his skin when the omega smiled to show two little crescent moons of his eyes, "No mate possesses a heart as attentive and noble as yours. I feel deeply known, accepted and secured to the point that it makes me sleepy."

"Then do so. I will be here appointed as your caretaker."

"No," Jimin turned Beta's hand on his lap and traced the lines that supported the proof of his hard work in building this carriage, "I want you here as my mate."

Their eyes met for a fraction, elongating the vision of their orbs where one held proposal and petition while the other looked determined
with acceptance. The rolling of the wheels broke off the gaze and the omega's eyes took a shield behind his black lashes.

The red haired Beta felt ripples in his blood that raced in his veins till it tightened his lungs in a death grip. Because before him sat the omega of his all dreams wishing for togetherness in the journey. He exhaled the excessive air out of his lungs and unlike the omega, his own eyes stared at his mate without a blink because with every passing breath he wanted to keep looking at the flushed version of his mate that looks down so beautifully.

For the departure, the omega has adorned a pastel blue hanfu that reminds him of the blazing eyes of his wolf perfectly. Hair tied above in encrusted hair pins, small and delicate gems topped with clusters of crystal. A long wire based vibes made up of rhinestones was circled around the bun to give it a jewelled look of shining gem. A small pair of earrings, balancing the heavy headpiece naturally.

Yoongi's hand raised unconsciously, but his lips surged to remind him the importance of consent, "May I?" Jimin looked at the red haired Beta's hand hovering beside his hair and nodded while caressing his bottom lip to hide his nerves.

With every loose strand falling from the bun, Jimin felt liberated to slump his shoulder down in rest. He inhaled sharply when the scent of cedarwood covered the ambiance of the carriage. It's rare for the Beta to make his presence known around him but whenever he does, Jimin inhales it like the last remnants of air on earth.

Yoongi collected the gems from the unflured black vines that kept draped over and above on the omega's back. He untucked the hair pins and caressed the pressed spot with the warm pad of his fingers, "Let them rest too," He spoke when his fingers trailed down the length of his hair only to grab the tips and leaned down to press a kiss on it.

The Royal omega's closed eyes opened when he felt the scent closer than before. His spine twisted when he turned and found the Beta leaning behind him, his chest caving as he saw his mate kissing the tip of his open hairs. His cheek burnt with warmth and had to hide his face somewhere. That's when he ducked his head into the Beta's neck, longing to survive this journey without being too much.

Yoongi held the omega by his waist and pulled him along when his back rested against the wall of the carriage. In the entirety of the softness of the bed linens, Jimin found relief over the thumping chest of his mate. How poetic? How unnatural? But it was true because being buried in the depths of cedarwood, Jimin found the solace that his soul craved for centuries.

His smile widened when he heard the Beta's talk, "The curtains and lanterns were Sol's preposition, he fixed them before the departure." It's concealed in the depths of mystery how the Commander had made sure to satisfy the red haired Beta in their lip intimacy when he saw the carriage for the first time.

"I want him here too." Jimin whispered as a wish that he wants to be granted as soon as possible.

"Rest assured, Angel. I will uphold the fronts after Apex Dunes and he will come here to serve you. You will have one of us present under your care all the time."

Thank you.

Jimin does wanted to say the words aloud but bit his lips because he knows the answer and he doesn't want to offend his mates' with formal courtesy instead he pressed himself closer to the red haired Beta and sighed when the hand returned to his hair, fulfilling his unsaid demand to be petted along the journey.

Taehyung sent the Byung couple towards the middle shore and waited till all the carriages rolled on the clear path. He was informed about the absence of the Royal omega and also the incapability of the thoruple to protect the troops in their wolf forms. In such instances, he could only request His Empress to shift to their wolf forms and secure the back ends.

When the Royal Alpha proposed, he saw the Royal blue eyes stared back at him in pure glint to which the Empress apologised for unbalancing the excited omega inside him. He shared how Kookie has been restless to come out and feel the ordinary land under his paws.

"We should shift now," The Royal Alpha spoke above his shoulder, signalling the Empress who was standing beside him with a lot of gifts weighing his arms. The folks weren't prepared to leave the Royal couple just yet so they kept showering them with repeated blessings and gifts that they aren't sure if they could carry to the Eclipse.

General Dae came out as the only rescuer who distracted the crowd enough for the Empress to disappear behind the makeshift pavilions. When the noise of cracking bones hid behind the hollering crowd, Jungkook recalled his wolf to take the charge. His senses flared to unbearable levels, human vision blurs sharpening the sense of smell instead. He detected the copper tang of blood and the damp scent of the crowd from afar.

His spine elongates, pushing the shoulder blades apart and forcing the human ribcage to compress and deepen. The sternum curves, allowing for a broader and quadrupedal stance of an animal. Tendons stretch and tear, fusing into new configurations that will support an animal's explosive pounce and bounding stride.The human jawline fractures and resets, elongating into a pronounced muzzle. The teeth shift and sharpen, pushing through tender, bleeding gums to make way for formidable canines.

A white paw thumped on the ground when the Royal blue eyes scanned his surroundings while stretching his hind paws to the fullest. He jumped out from his hidden spot and halted in his paws when he found the back of a black Majestic wolf guarding the front of the pavilion. Kookie trotted slowly towards his Alpha, head low in bow when he felt the golden eyes fall over him.

He brought his muzzle beneath the Alpha's lower jaw and greeted with a soft inhale, "May the stars forever shine on your victories, Alpha. You have conquered the battle of Western Land for the innocent folks."

Being the son of two Alphas', the size of the white wolf was bigger than most omegas but he still appeared as a developing cud in front of the black one. The Alpha pressed omega's muzzle down with his chin and caressed his face to push their foreheads together to greet back the omega, "We. The victory is all ours. You and your human proved to be a valid companion, omega."

Kookie staggered on his paws and raised his muzzle to point towards the gates of Western land, "Do I get to pounce around the troops? The last batch of horses are about to leave the premises."

As eager as always, The Alpha could see the light paws of the omega ready to fly in the air, "Choose an end to protect and trail along till we reach dunes of Apex, I will be on the other end doing the same."

Kookie looked ahead, hood aligned with the path where he located the other wolves waiting for him. He lowered his muzzle and bowed, "I'll be watching the right end then." With two swirls of his furry tail, the omega twirled and ran away to attend the last troops. The soldiers which are shifted into their wolf forms followed the Empress from a secured distance towards the same end.

"What could we call such an agile wolf?" Van asked his human as he tilted his muzzle while being amazed to watch the omega prowling freely on the road. A chaser that loves the thrill of the pursuit. Or a stalker who pledged to not leave his belongings behind. Satisfied with the words of his human and his own theory, The Alpha strided towards the left end of the troops.

Instead of running beside the water, the omega launched himself into the massive puddle with an intentional belly flop. He sprinted through the shallow water, kicking up huge sprays in every direction. Planting his paws wide, he shook from nose to tail with enough force to spray water like a storm. The Alpha's eyes kept finding the chaos of the omega from the other side and with each belly flop, his head jerked to make the omega stand on his feet once again.

But the omega seems wild and untamed when he pushes himself forward without the care of the world rolling around him. It ignites the seeds of freedom in the Alpha's rusted bones but would he be capable enough to chase the chaser? Follow him blindly on a path without mentioning the thorns it could have there to injure the omega, should he do that? Should he bury the part of his heart that continuously worries for the omega?

He just can not.

When they crossed the great goddess wall of mountains, the sun had already hidden behind the heavy clouds to impose the perfect darkness of the night. The troops didn't stop, yearning to see their families and mates, no one uttered a word of rest.

When the darkness consumed the paths, the Alpha sent a link to the farthest soldier,"Send the Empress in the middle and command the ends till we reach Apex dunes." The chilled breeze of the night brushed past his furs to make their presence known to the Alpha and it made him aware of the omega's intolerance with cold.

Maybe he would be capable of liberating the omega in the possible future, unshackle him from his constant stares and fears, unburden him from his control but not now. He isn't like his human who is brave enough to choose the Empress's courage and belief above all. He believes in protection, and believes that the softness of those paws should be conserved instead of experiencing the impact of thorns.

He wishes to match his Human's bravery one day but for now he wants to loom his protection all around the omega. So when the delicate paws strided towards him, he raised his muzzle high to avoid those mischievous eyes, "The soldiers requested me to join you in the middle, Is everything alright?"

"Yes, we are about to reach. The troops need to bundle up while crossing the Blue Moon pack." He said enough words to hide his controlled intentions and ran ahead to which the omega followed with the same enthusiasm.

The omega's tongue lolled outside to clear his muzzle while looking at the sky. However, he stopped in his paws when he saw the sliver of moon making its appearance behind the clouds. The Alpha halted beside him and watched the omega's enlarged eyes focused on the moon, "Do you wish to howl?"

Kookie sat on his hind legs and looked at the Alpha before staring back at the moon again, "It's been a while since I called my prayers to her. But we have won the war so we should send tokens of appreciation to her. Shouldn't we?" The omega's gaze didn't break as stared at the moon so he wasn't aware when the Alpha walked closer and encircled the omega only to sit on the cold ground beside him. His front paws spread flat on the ground while his hips seated on his hind paws, "I do not wish to acclaim something that my Human despises. Although if my mate wants to howl for the bravery of the soldiers, I would not stop you."

Those Royal blue eyes towered above the golden ones, widening to the lengths of horizon making the sky disappear from the Alpha's vision altogether, "Hadn't the Alpha howl during the Blue moons in the previous years? I heard you opt for the completion of such rituals for the sake of our people. Here also, can we perform it as a ritual too?"

"Is it really a ritual? To howl for the moon after a victory?" The Royal Alpha asked.

Kookie flattened his front paws beside the Alpha as well, mirroring his stance as he watched the troops waning in the darkness, "In lunar, whenever My human occupied Suga hyung during the war, They used to howl while returning to the pack. I wasn't allowed to switch forms with my human frequently so I didn't get the chance to take part in that. So I thought..."

A fool.

Is it how his human feels every time the Empress looked at him with dilated pupils? Because he felt like a fool to watch his own resolution dissolve away into the mist that gathered over the white lashes of the omega. Who controls whom? was the last question that buzzed in his mind before he signalled with his snout, "Join the troops and begin the howl, the rest will join you in the middle."

"Would you.."

"I will."

Kookie jolted on his paws and staggered back a little before galloping towards the troops. The Alpha craned his neck to the side and clenched his claws to push back the ground as he followed close. The omega bolting into the darkness, heart bubbling to dancing butterflies and most showering on his face, his eyes found the shining moon in the sky as he filled his lungs with air entirely.

The happy howl rang in the silence of the night followed by the loud gruff of the Royal Alpha that soon turned into a blustering howl, the soldiers in their wolf forms followed the sound and stretched the duration till their heart felt the fullest. Their voices carried yearning, longing and a sheer hope to meet their better halves soon.

~

Yoongi stirred in his sleep when his nostrils picked up the scent of damp coffee beans, it seemed nearer than before. Pushing his red locks away from his temple, he found His highness still sleeping while being buried under his jaw. Without pushing the body, he pulled away from the wall of the carriage and laid the omega on the bedsheet.

The rolling of wheels comes to a halt when the red haired Beta tucked the omega securely with a quilt. He watched a figure looming around the door of the carriage but hesitating to knock. Preassuming the arrival of the Commander, Yoongi caressed the sleeping omega's chin and pressed a token of love on his forehead in the form of a short farewell.

After wearing the shoes, Yoongi stepped outside to find the Commander leaning over the carriage while panting in heavy breathing as if he had crossed a mile on his feet alone, "How is he now? Is he comfortable?" The question finds its way immediately to the Beta's year as he approaches the Commander.

"His highness slept through the entire journey, didn't move a muscle in between. He appreciated the carriage, I think he loved it." Yoongi said while asking the coachman for the water container to soothe the panting Commander.

The Commander chugged away half of the flask and sighed in relief, "I was worried because you didn't keep me updated as you promised."

The red haired Beta's ear turned crimson, blending into his red tresses almost immediately. He stole his gaze from the Commander and persuaded, "I... kind of slept too. It hasn't happened before but his scent is very soft right now."

His wandering eyes soon caught the large dunes hovering in their surroundings and found the troops leading the path without stopping. So he found a perfect subject to hinder the Commander's sulkiness, "Won't the troops pause here for a short rest? It's already past midnight."

The Commander returned the flask to the coachman and wiped his mouth with the back of his palm. He eyed the red haired Beta knowingly sensing his charms but chose to spare his notions, "They denied the rest, seeming too eager to meet their loved ones. So His Majesty decided to remain here till they get ready for the arrival ceremony in Eclipse. He advised only a few servants to occupy them and the rest of us should lead the troops."

The red haired Beta nodded his head, agreeing silently with the Emperor, "People of Eclipse will be waiting for their arrival ceremony so it's necessary for them to reach in their formal attire. Will they be using horses now? Or should we leave carriages?"

"Horses. I'm leaving Dabery along with Artax under the soldiers' care. I ran here to satisfy my worried mind, I'll be going to the front now." The Commander turned and was ready to stomp his feet in the direction when Yoongi held one of his arms, "It's my turn now, we decided it before and it's not up for negotiations anymore.Here," He turned the knob of the carriage door down and guided the Commander to stand in front of it by his arm.

"Step inside and complete your part in his care. His highness was ready for the arrival ceremony but I had to discard some of his hair jewels for comfort. You will find them in the small cabinets, make sure to decorate his hair before he comes out of the carriage."

The Commander's voice was still stuck in his throat when the red haired Beta pulled the knob and the door creaked open slightly. His hand closed the door in urgency and looked alarmed while speaking, "I can't, Sugar. The Prince is sleeping, I can't enter his nest without his permission."

"Shush. I did the same too, waited for his permission and he found it offensive. He declared the nest as ours not his. Go inside and give some rest to your body, you are sweating profusely on the winter night." Yoongi said while pressing his hands on the Commander's arms in assurance, Hoseok pressed them back and nodded while gesturing to the troops, "You will find Maverick in the last row of horses, he didn't let anyone sit on his saddle who isn't his master. So I detained him closer to you. You will be leading the front now, all of us must enter the Eastern gates of Eclipse after arrival."

"Yes, Commander." They jerked their arms together and bid departure with a small wave of hands. The Commander kept watching his mate in the crowd till he found his horse and enforced on the path of front troops. He signalled the coachman who balanced the reins of horses in his hand and postured himself to start the ride once the Commander entered the carriage.

He pushed the door ajar and walked in with a short intake of breath and closed the door quietly. The vision of the sleeping omega splashed his mind in dizziness when he inhaled the soft lavender, too pure, too untouched in the air. His face paled as he looked out of the window, "You did this on purpose, didn't you? You held him when the scent didn't diffuse in the air but now when it's the fullest you pushed me into this. Sugar, I can't place my hands on him when he lays so pliantly in front of me. I won't be able to forgive myself if I-"

"You can. He needs our touch, our companionship, our care. He trusted us to share his pain so keeping our fears aside we should nurture his needs. The more hesitant we will seem, the more hurt he will dawn upon himself." The red haired Beta's voice rang in his mind as if awaking him from some hazy spell.

"But I-"

"I agree that I proposed your companionship in the second half of the journey knowingly because you are more experienced in his needs than me. You have known him before me and I entrust my beliefs in your care too."

The Commander closed his eyes for a moment, regulating his breaths that had spiked the second he inhaled that soft fragrance. He sat on the edge of the nest slowly and placed his sword in the corner of the cabinets. He untied the waistband of his martial hanfu and next discarded the sleeveless vest to loosen his body. The shoes came next and when he entered the nest, his body seemed to engulf the scent in much deprived hunger.

He eyed the sleeping form of the omega hidden under the quilt and focused his gaze on his trembling little feet. He enlightened the inner lanterns and uncovered his feet from the quilt. The omega seemed to absorb cold from his feet so he nudged the skirt a little higher and peeled off the socks only to keep them on the upper slate of the lantern to warm up.

He spread his warm palms on the chilled heels of the omega and pressed them evenly. His gaze was settled on the omega's face while his hands were massaging his heels. The Royal omega stirred when the Commander's finger mapped the area of his soles but didn't get fully conscious because the pressing of heels was providing him soothing comfort.

The Commander guided his thumb to the arch of that sole and slid it slowly towards the inner ball that seemed swollen under the big toe. He continued the massage till his fingers came in contact with something metallic, he felt the small feet curl into his palms before going rigid in his hold. He gazed down and found the red mating ring shining in between his fingers.

The curled toes showed the omega's hesitation that reflected the Commander's fear all too well but soon he recalled the words of his mate and let his fingers enclose the entire paw in a firm grip. He compressed his fist and loosened them many times till he felt the omega's body slugging some more into the nest.

"Are they hurting too?" The Commander asked, aware of the omega's movement under the quilt.

The mope of black tresses shook, denying the presence of any ache in his feet although there is something else that's turning painful, "My back hurts when I breath," The Commander heard the small murmur of the omega and turned to fetch the warm socks from the lantern slate and found the omega completely on his stomach when he made him wear the socks.

"I will knead the back muscles," He said as he approached the omega on his knees after hearing a hum of affirmation. He rested on the sole of his feet and hovered on the omega's back from the side. Pulling down the quilt up to the omega's hips was necessary to send equal pressure on his bones so he performed the same. After ushering the fallen tresses to the side, the Commander's hands hovered over the omega's shoulder, "I will press the bones one by one, would you tell me where you feel the most pain?"

"Hmm," The Royal omega's eyes were still closed but his conscious mind recognised the Commander's presence.

The Commander's outstretched palm cupped the omega's shoulder and pressed the muscles in between his fingers. His thumbs splayed to the farthest reach and applied pressure on the neck. He came down to the shoulder blades and rubbed the heel of his hand equally on both sides, he felt the omega's body sagging into the sheets so he moved closer and pasted his wrists on the spine while the fingers stretched away to consume the mass of the sides.

He moved further when he got no response from the omega, he joined his hands and made a canopy that pressed flat on the spine. The fingers opened to lay flat at the centre and slid down to the lower back, his hands part and captured the small waist in his palm. His ear spiked when he heard the loud gasp from the omega and said, "Here?"

The Commander repeated the movement once again only for the omega to push out a huff from his throat, "Lower."

Hoseok moved closer, his knees touching the omega's ribcage as he leaned over the lower back. He dips his fingers at the centre and makes a blown semicircle while pressing all the muscles underneath. He repeated the motions and dipped his fingers the lowest to spread the mass evenly, "Is that sufficient?"

The omega was heaving large breaths, his shoulders contracting whenever he released the gaspful of air. He appreciates the moving hands on his back, firm fingers pressing his sore muscles with the right amount of pressure but the bundle of pain was still a bit far.

"Lower," He whispered once again.

The Commander's fingers brushed against the skirt band, making his heel dig deeper into the spine. He used the pad of his fingers and pushed on the brink of the band, "Here? Or..." He crossed the hem of the hanfu shirt and crossed the band to press his fingers from where the swell of the skirt started, "Here?"

"Lower." The omega's words seemed strained as if the other was moments away to dip his head down into the sheets and bury under the heavy quilt.

The Commander's face twisted in determination as he sensed the omega's crispy scent of mint spreading in the carriage, "Alright, I think it's the tailbone that's hurting you. Would you please move to the side?" He proposed in a calm voice, trying his best to soothe the worries and sourness of the omega.

Jimin gathered his hands and pushed on the sheets to pull his one side in the air and rested on the other. His eyes were still closed, cheeks red and lips seemed violated by the teeth. His brows were meshed together to show the pain his body was carrying since the night of war.

"I shall loose the drawstrings of the skirt or I won't be able to reach the muscles." It wasn't a question or a request, it was a statement whose declaration soothes the fire of the omega's cheeks.

Hoseok picked up the tied drawstring and with a sharp tug he opened the knot right away. The omega laid on his stomach once again as the Commander collected a thin layer of the outer lapel and covered the omega's waist and upper thighs with it. From both sides, his hands moved under that lapel and let his thumbs slide beneath the waistband of the skirt and then moved past the rims of underpants too, "Sometimes the muscles of tailbone strains due to a sudden fall or you may have kept leaning down on the patients. Whatever the reason is the Prince hiding?"

The Commander tried to deviate Omega's mind from hyperawareness because the more his hands pulled down the clothes, the more his skin was getting stoic under his hands. He estimated the pull till the tailbone appeared and placed the bundled cloth of skirt on the swell of omega's soft contours.

He brought back his hand and resumed his massage from above the spread lapel, his fingers rammed into the back muscles but softened the pressure when he reached the bundles of the tailbone. The tip of his fingers circled the swollen muscle and pressed the skin around it till the omega's brows flattened in peace.

"After sending Sang and Godmother's carriage to war, I slipped on the shore of Lavin."

The words were half pressed into the pillow but the Commander heard it clearly, "Have you got it treated after that?" He asked.

The prolonged silence was the reply he got in response and said distastefully, "Is that what we anticipate from a healer? To leave injuries untreated?"

The enlarged whine from the omega staggered the Commander's hand on his back as if the omega wanted to protest against his accusations but had no words to do it. And that notion put a smile on his lips, "Beneath the heavy activities of war, I pre-empt you didn't get time for it. If so, may I know where you have kept its medication?"

"It's not hurting anymore."

It pulled out a chuckle from the Commander's lips on the absurdity of the omega's response, "So you have forgotten about it entirely. His highness lacked something finally."

The Royal omega peered above his shoulder from his barely open eyes, hairs hiding the slope of his rising neck from the Commander's vision. He studied the beta closely, seeing a content smile on his lips the omega pouted consciously understanding the smile as a frolic on his mistake.

The corner of his eyes slanted, wanting the end of such teasing he spoke, "I wouldn't have forgotten if someone didn't gulp a gallon of alcohol to wander my attention."

Instead of falling down, the smile stretched on the Commander's lips, covering his face now. The omega stared at him who turned towards the cabinets and searched for something only to come around with an oil potion. The fresh fragrance of the potion declared the presence of peppermint oil inside it.

"I shall apply it in slow circles, It will calm your nerves and reduce the inflammation," The Commander informed while lapping the oil in between his fingers. His one hand travelled beneath the lapel and spread it over the swollen muscle. The calming touch made the omega's open eyes fall closed with a pleasing noise.

Slowly with his thumbs at his sides, The Commander pulled the bundled clothes back in their place and tied the drawstring once again. He removed the lapel and wiped his hands on it, eyeing the comfortable face of the omega which he snatched when his treacherous fingers replied to the omega's sneaky remark in its own way.

The omega rolled on his back immediately when he felt the huge pinch on his waist, his glaring eyes removed the laughing Commander's hand and spoke angrily, "You should go back and send Yoonie instead."

The Commander laid beside the omega, making their bodies lay sideways facing each other, "Why? So that you can torture his innocence more?"

The offence was clear on his face when the omega gasped at the Commander's words, "I do no such thing!"

"You do it with your relentless beautiful face, with your effortless perfection that makes everything fade away, with your gentle heart that makes our own skip beats. You have become a total safety hazard to our focus hence an apology is required." The Commander indulged and expressed the worries on their youngest mates' behalf.

The omega's cheeks flushed at the high praise which he hid behind the pillow while pointing, "Why would I apologise for your lack of focus? You should blame your weak willpower, not my elegance."

The Commander raised on his elbows and hovered above the omega's face as he tilted it upwards,"Believe your mate when I say none of us know the existence of willpower when it comes to you. We are merely a servant of your elegance. So, the weakness of something non-existence is naught. Hence the repercussions of using such bold words against your mates is necessary."

The Royal omega laughed in between the Commander's palm like a blooming flower, showing the crescent moons of his eyes and lips folding like a petal, "What repercussions?"

The Commander tilted his head, pretending to think when the words already sat on his tongue, "An apology, for not paying attention to your own injury."

"Oh...truly?"

The slanted gaze of the omega caught the Commander under its spell and he finally understood why men choose the shattering wars instead of standing against such eyes. The sheer, crushing weight of that gaze makes the explosions of striking swords seem like a merciful alternative. Because joining the war comes with victory, comes with clear rules of engagement, physical targets and honorable shield of duty but looking into those eyes strips all layers of a man that he spends his lifetime to build accurately.

This gaze comes with a demanding intensity that threatens to hollow out a person's soul from the inside out. War allows a man to fight, to run, to die with his pride while bearing the chaotic noise of external destruction. In contrast, those eyes force him into an internal surrender where there is nowhere to hide, no armor to wear, and no victory to decide. So that's how it's become a legendary tradition for men to choose to walk into the jaws of dripping blood over the slow ignition of their soul by a single, shattering glance.

And, Jung Hoseok, the Commander of Eclipse, Beta by subject rank and a fortunate mate of the Royal Highness, happened to be a man after all.

So, instead of hearing an apology, he chose to surrender and pasted a soft kiss on the lids of those staring eyes. Wishing them to calm its shore and let the Commander breathe again, "It's duly my fault for noticing the spike in your toes and not indulging you into medication. I should have persuaded you to let me take care of everything. I apologise."

The Royal Highness burst into short giggles, hiding into the Commander's broad chest when both of their shoulders shook with lazy laughter. The wit of the Commander surprises the omega every time he opens his mouth, making him wonder as to how a lethal brute of the Army tells the tale of such romance with the same lips he tears the heads of the enemy.

~

At the centre of two dunes, a huge pavilion was established that covered roughly eighty yards of the land. The Empress was sitting in front of the mirror while rows of maidens were moving swiftly on their toes to organise all the amenities to adorn Luna for his arrival. On the Empress's orders, they managed to collect some of his garments and jewelleries back from the Western land.

Inside the pavilion, they have occupied one side of the wall to prepare the Empress, leaving the adjacent wall all empty for the Majesty's arrival. Because they have eyes and heightened ears that informed the lack of any other pavilion in the surroundings. So it would not be oblivious for the Emperor to walk inside to get dressed for his own.

The maidens arranged a four foot tall mirror on the wooden dressing table and made the Empress sit on the chair that was placed in front of it. They decided to unfold the hanfus one by one for the Empress to choose and stacked the one salver that carried all jewels as well.

"This one has purple embroidery all around the borders and the collars aren't stiff too, should we keep it aside, Luna?" One of the maidens unfolded the hanfu while showing the Empress.

"I think we should take a look at this golden hanfu as well, the one His Empress has worn on the night of the autumn moon festival. The encrusted jewels in its shirt are phenomenal and the shining diamond around the skirt has left everyone speechless." The maiden gushed in between themselves while unfolding the other hanfu.

Jungkook's eyes bounced from one garment to another and found them equally wearable, all of them have their own speciality so he can't seem to choose one. The dwelling of his nerves found peace when the soldiers announced the arrival of His Majesty. The curtains pulled open as the Empress mobbled away from his chair but the ones who entered the pavilion weren't the Emperor but a crowd of servants holding large salvers in their hands.

They entered the pavilion with their heads bowing low as they kept the salvers on the Empress's side of the wall one by one before tracing their feet back without an ounce of noise. Jungkook watched them leave with a confusion written all over his face, the pavilion started to fill with large salvers barely leaving any space for the maidens to move around.

When the last servant bowed out his way, the curtains pulled away to show the Majesty walking inside the pavilion. The maidens bowed and about to leave the pavilion when Taehyung raised his hand to stop them in their steps, "Unwrap the salvers before the Empress."

The maidens bowed and uncovered the golden silk from all the salvers revealing tremendous amounts of jewels occupying the several trays. The pavilion filled with inaudible gasps as they found different ornaments like aigrettes, earrings, earcuffs, chokers, torcs, ring gems, brooches, chatelaines, bracelets, armlets, anklets laid on the feet of the Empress.

The large one was uncovered at last that held the Empress's gaze longer than necessary, it was a royal blue hanfu, reflecting a similar colour as the iris of his omega. Two of the maids, hold and unfold it in front of the Empress making his pupil dilating in amazement. His hand raised to the lapels of the hanfu and found the royal blue fabric soft to touch, it was heavily embellished with opulent, high gold needlework throughout the hem with polished teardrop. Oval shaped sapphire-blue gemstones that catch the light from the illuminating flambeaus, added a layer of majestic texture. It had a matching wide, structured sash cinching the waist, mirroring the ornate gold and sapphire patterns to anchor the silhouette of the hanfu.

"It is highly exquisite, Your Majesty." The Empress bowed his head and informed the Royal Alpha what he thought of the hanfu and his glowing cheeks didn't say otherwise.

The maidens started to adjust the salvers one by one when a few servants entered with the Alpha's garments. Four of them were holding a wooden partition wall that was placed at the centre of the pavilion parting it in between two sides. One side remained occupied for the Empress to use and the other will be used by the Alpha. The wooden wall was carved with subtle embroidery leaving voids to peak but thick enough to show the boundaries.

"We will be departing in a short duration." The Royal Alpha informed before going to his side of the pavilion.

Jungkook picked up the words of the Alpha and whispered to the maidens to make haste as he derived his inner clothes from the arrived salvers. He went behind the thick curtains and shed his outer lapels to change his cotton inners with the silk ones. But just as he unfolded the blue silk to wrap around his chest, a brown parchment fell out of it.

The omega caught it before it could tumble on the ground, it was a letter. He eyed the closed curtains once and changed his inner wears quickly all while thinking of the letter that he secured in between his lips. Once he covered himself with the inner, he untied the red thread from the envelope to start reading it.

It may be from the harsh run of miles that made Jungkook's legs crumble and sit on his feet while hugging his knees with his arms or maybe it was the fresh blush that heightened into his blood to weaken his knees. It's so unfair. So unfair for the Alpha to choose such words while being in the same room. The omega knows the second he steps out of the curtains, a pair of grey orbs will be studying his flushed face.

He opened his hair fully, untying the bun and jerking the flakes to enhance the volume that could cover his warm cheeks. He read the letter once again and felt grateful for the Imperial Highness who thought to provide them new garments.

He breathed out slowly with his mouth and folded the letter before tucking it under the waistband of his underpants. He parted his hair in two halves and let them drape over his shoulders to cover his face as much as he could.

When the omega stepped out of the curtains, he went straight to his designated chair that was placed in front of the mirror. The tiny furs of his hands spiked in goosebumps when he felt the intense gaze of the Alpha from behind the carving wall. Indeed, it's so unfair. It's so unfair because Jungkook is too flushed to do the same or he would have tried to see what colour the Alpha wears today and much more.

The maidens surrounded the omega in a circle and made him wear layer after layer of hanfu. First comes the shirt and then the skirt that he found surprisingly light weight to balance the heavier embroidery of the outer layer.

The praying gaze of the Alpha recognised the red waves that covered half of the omega's face as he took the seat on the chair, all forgetting about the giant mirror which was reflecting his image back to his own. Now the furrows in between his brows appear only when one of the servants moves behind him and hinders that image in his mirror.

He watched the omega choosing a dangling teardrop to wear as earrings, lifting his hands for maidens to make him adorn two pairs of bracelets in one hand and denying the salvers of necklaces from afar.

The Royal Alpha blinked his eyes down when the maidens opened the omega's hair to comb and stood right behind him, covering his image entirely. He realised his own wrists are covered with golden cuffs now and a brooch of golden chains was connected from his middle button up to his rest chest. Soon the tray of necklaces arrives at his side and Taehyung chooses a few to wear.

Jungkook remained silent as one of the maidens worked on his hair. She has parted the hair in two halves, upper and lower partition. The lower one remains open while the upper one is used for making fewer small braids that would cover the open hairs and stop them from flowing rapidly during the horse ride.

The Empress bit his lips and raised his eyes to the mirror, navigating the gaze in between the small voids of that carved wood. He got glimpses of a broad back holding a golden cloak and just when he tilted his neck to see the Alpha's face, the maiden turned and covered the void with her back.

He heard a few giggles around him and rested his eyes on his lap with a low sigh. The servants were noticing everything, nudging each other's elbow when one of them stood right behind the Alpha.

"Should we remove the wall at this point?" One of them asked.

The one who heard went pale beside him, "Lower your voice! If they decide to leave you here, none will find you under the dunes."

The previous one muted his lips but the maidens of the other side of the wall were suffering the same. But they are wise enough to use their mind-links instead of their voice. Can't you move from behind, you are making Luna sad.

Should I stand at the threshold while making Luna's hair? I'm not skilled at it.

You seem very much skilled at being fly in the ointment though.

Would you like to be in my place, Shina?

I'm busy preparing the armlets, I would have at least stood at the edge of the chair so that Luna could take a look from the other side.

She saw her friend looking at her with a grimace who splashed the same look at her and pointed at the side of the chair. The maiden towards the other side when she finished two of the braids. Even after being single, how come you have so much affection for the people in love?

I'm not envious like you.

I'm not envious.

You are.

I'm not.

Says the one who made our Luna sad.

What? You fool, I tied the braids in just two moments you should be grateful.

Excuses.

Jungkook heard a small huff from behind and asked, "What happened?" The maiden looked alarmed behind him and shook her head frantically, "Nothing, Luna. I just felt thirsty for water. May I drink a flask?"

She left when she received an affirmed nod from the Empress, silently cursing her friend who smiled at her the moment she moved away from the chair. When she came back from her drinking excuse, she found the Empress staring longingly at the mirror, her heart squeezed in worry and didn't make a noise before standing at the farthest end to resume her work.

Jungkook saw the Alpha's hands adorned with the same three rings that he carries everywhere and just when the servant moved aside to pick up the necklaces, their eyes matched through the mirror. The Alpha's gaze looked deprived, digging deeper with pupils to enhance his vision while Jungkook's eyes parted more to absorb such beautiful features.

The servant returned to tie the necklace and the Alpha nearly cursed to choose a number of them. The ebb and flow of the reflection continued till he heard the omega's voice. Jungkook stopped one of his maidens who was retreating the tray without his permission. It wasn't her fault though, knowing Luna's habit he doesn't like to wear...

"I would like to wear anklets today."

Jungkook finished the sentence and something heavy fell behind the carved wall. He turned around to see, only to find servants hurrying to pick up the tray of necklaces. The maiden came closer and let the Empress choose one pair of the anklets as she sat beside the chair.

The omega's eyes rested on small pearls, delicately pierced with a thin chain of gold, and the end of the clasp carried two little bells. His fingers curled around the pair and brought it closer to his eyes. Just when he was about to hand it over to the maiden, the Alpha's voice blared into the room.

"Disperse."

Jungkook left the chair and watched the maiden emptying the pavilion along with the servants. He remained standing beside his chair as the Alpha appeared from behind the wall, holding doesn't know what because the omega's eyes remained pasted to his face. He had to take a step back to clutch the corner of the dressing table as he saw the Emperor walking towards him.

The Royal Alpha was adorned in a golden hanfu, the embroidery entrusted with white thread of silk woven to create an undivided pattern on his shoulders and chest. The sash goes from his shoulder to the adjacent waist, instead of the traditional waist coat. The colourful pearls dangled down the golden brooches and that's when Jungkook saw the earcuffs embellished on one of his ears.The natural asymmetry of double and monolid eyes added an intriguing depth to his piercing gaze to which the omega looked down immediately.

Taehyung placed the salver on the table and breathed closer to the Empress, "You have forgotten the essentials at the carriage."

Jungkook uncovered the golden silk and gasped, "My veil and crown! I had told them to bring them inside carefully. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be careless with them."

The Royal Alpha's eyes raked over the Empress who was still caressing the veil in between his fingers and when he caught the shining pair of anklets. He stretched his hand without knocking his head in the centre and asked, "May I?"

The omega stared at his open hand and then his own which was clutching the anklets. He placed the pair on the stretched hand and unfolded the veil to look for any stain, he was trying his best to not look like a fool while staring at the Alpha bashfully. Meanwhile, the Alpha fondled the chains into his fingers, letting the pearls feel familiar in his palm and asked, "You never wear anklets so why today?"

The omega looked a bit hesitant but smiled while saying, "The pair caught my eye so I would like to wear one of them today."

"Only one?"

"Yes."

"In which ankle would you like to carry it?"

"The left one."

The Royal Alpha's eyes met with the Empress when the omega placed the veil back in the salver. If the Empress is reading those grey orbs accurately, there is something the Alpha wants to say, something that he seems to hold at the bay of his parting lips. But before he could ask, he stood there terrifyingly still while watching the Alpha going down on his one knee.

"Then allow me, Your Grace," He pointed towards the omega's left leg and Jungkook felt the ground slipping under his feet so he sat on the edge of the chair instead. He wanted to deny but the way Alpha's gaze remained fixed on his feet, he didn't have any choice but sliding his left toes forward.

Taehyung caught the heel of the feet and lifted it over to attach its sole on his knees. The Empress pinched the fabrics from his thigh and pulled his skirt along with the cotton pants to reveal his ankle. The Royal Alpha closed his lips when the soft, pink-hued feet appeared on his knees. He clutched one piece around his fingers while wrapping another on the omega's ankle, the bells cinched by the pad of his fingers before he could clasp it correctly.

"May its chime ward off all evil whenever you step into any assembly."

The hushed wish of the Alpha brought a large smile on the omega's face whose fingers loosened on the nipping cloth at his thighs. The sole of his feet moved back but Taehyung cupped the heel tightly and lowered his face till his face hovered above the bridge of the feet. The soft press of those lips stirred the heat of the omega's abdomen, causing his heart to beat wildly.

"I have one more thing to present, May I?" Taehyung asked but seeing the omega tongue-tied, he moved to grab the piece from the salver, it was quietly hidden beneath the crown. Those firm hands showed a headpiece that carried a blue sapphire at the centre of the temple, encased in between multiple layered gold chains.

When Taehyung lowered his hands on the omega's head, the headpiece fixed perfectly on his forehead sliding down to the length of his temple, enhancing the look of the Empress naturally. Next comes the veil that he grabbed from the tray and draped it over the omega's head. He flipped the front part backside, tucking the yellow layers in between the tight chains of the headpiece. It provided comfort to the omega's head whose eyes were fixed on the Alpha's face that was liberating calm pheromones from the moment he stepped inside this pavilion.

"Don't I need to cover my face?" Jungkook asked.

The Royal Alpha shook his head, eyes finding the omega's image in the mirror, "No any longer."

At the ending part, the crown hovered above the omega's head as the Alpha secured it slowly with the wired rhinestone so it wouldn't fall off while chasing the path of Eclipse. When the adornment was completed, the omega saw how glorious both looked into the image.

He stood and twirled behind the chair and made the Alpha sit in his place instead, "It's your turn, Alpha." He moved past the carved wall and found the thing he was looking for, the Emperor's black crown was placed at the centre of the dressing table.

He comes around to stand behind the chair but the Royal Alpha had ulterior motives when he grabbed the omega's wrist and made him sit in his lap. The omega's smile wasn't stopping from stretching wide as he caressed the Alpha's hair before securing the crown in slow motions.

His hands slipped down and covered the Alpha's eyes behind his palm, "Would you close your eyes for a moment?" Omega asked.

"Why?"

The question puckered the omega's lips in a tiny, very small offence, "Why there has to be a question every time I ask something from Alpha?"

"Enlighten me the same."

"I need to admire you. And I can't do that when you keep looking at me." The Empress answered honestly.

He lowered his hand when he felt the Alpha closing his eyes behind his palm. His straightened shoulders damped as his eyes roamed around the Alpha's features slowly. But he knows that behind those closed eyelids that moving eyeballs carried a question for him so he replied, "I feel scared when I look at you openly. I'm not confident enough to do the same when you look back with more intensity. A part of my heart says that my gaze will become addictive to seeing you this close and legend says addictions bring bad omen to the family."

The moving eyeballs of the Alpha stopped but soon his eyes fluttered to find the omega turning his face away. He held him by the chin and brought him closer to his face, "If you believe so then I may have already fallen for such addiction. And to escape from that bad omen, either you fall along with me or fight those fears that keep us away."

"I'm too fighting," Taehyung pressured his words as he expressed his own fears, "Fighting with my past that always tries to push my thoughts away. Thoughts that say you are made for me to believe in affection again. On the darkest nights, my mind says all of this is a part of a colourful mirage, one storm and my fate will convert my isolation into my destiny. But I'm prepared to fight, I'm prepared to protect this mirage till the end of the time."

"Do you feel prepared to fight that bad omen?" Taehyung asked while rubbing the back of his knuckles along the omega's jaw.

"I do when you keep me closer, it feels like sharpening my weapons for any outcome but once you are out of my sight, thoughts of my mind make me vulnerable." Jungkook says the pressed thoughts of his mind that shows him images of his lonely room in the Royal hallway.

"Then I will make sure to lay beside you till your mind believes my presence. Or there are other things that can be done to relieve your thoughts."

"Such as?"

The Royal Alpha's other hand wrapped around the omega's waist as he pulled the omega closer, "I can leave my mark on your wrist. An emblem that can remind you of my presence when you drift along with your thoughts."

The widening eyes of the omega alarmed Taehyung, "It's not a necessity but a proposal for you to choose or deny." The Royal Alpha assured because with each passing moment, the omega's cheeks were flaring up with heat.

Deny? Jungkook would like to sacrifice his immortality before that day arrives in his life but he can't accept so openly also, he will surely die in this same lap. So he asked,"Does that mean I can be freely addictive if I fight the bad omen?"

"It certainly falls under your choice."

"Then I have decided. I will fight with all my heart." I want that mark. The omega implied the same words while inclining his back towards the Alpha, hovering his face above his watchful eyes.

The large hands wrapped around his waist fully as he looked down at the Alpha just so he could make him understand the implications of his words. Or who would have told the Alpha what he truly desires?

The message was fully acknowledged by the Alpha as he squeezed the omega's waist in his palms, "I will provide all possible help with it." The wide eyes of the omega slackened, turning soft and mushy when he leaned closer to the Alpha's lips.

Their crowns struck together, stopping their lips a breath away as both of them struggled to move their faces. Taehyung tilted his face while keeping the omega's chin at one place, sighing when the soft lips slid against his plush ones. Their fate was secured in their home, a place where the omega has felt every emotion of being a mate of the Royal Alpha. So maybe the time has come where he will feel his said mate's togetherness in that palace too or maybe the same palace could open a new phase of their life.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.

I hope you enjoyed the Chapter.

They will be returning to their palace in the next chapter and things will certainly escalate in between all couples.

Good night, lovely readers.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.