"I want a new law," Yunho announced in a steadfast tone. No hint of hesitation was left in his voice and his shoulders were squared confidently as he eyed San and his sister, then his father. All four of them looked at him surprised.

The assembly had just decided to call their meeting to an end after none of their pixie-related policies was possible to implement for the lack of both Hongjoong's cooperation and that of the pixie kingdom that still blocked all attempts at diplomatic conversations.

Yunho, speaking up after the king had gruffly asked if anyone else had a concern, befuddled the people. Tense, Mingi watched from the sidelines. Gunho wasn't in the meeting today since he didn't feel so well, so Mingi was alone with Vur and his book. He had waited for Yunho to speak up. Last night, after their visit to the dungeons, Mingi and Yunho had discussed the matter until the late hours. Mingi agreed with the scheme, but it was unlikely that the king and his advisors also would.

"I want a prohibition on pixie hunting throughout all five of our kingdoms. So that anyone who mutilates or kills them gets punished just how we would punish a criminal."

San's face fell first. His sister looked apprehensive, too, her long hair curling around her twirling fingers pensively. Yunho's father regarded his son warily, but he didn't decline the proposal immediately. Hope had Mingi ball his hands into fists.

"Did you talk to the pixie?"

Yunho leaned back in his chair. The initial strain of speaking his critical thoughts out loud to the room fell off him. His clawed fingers played with the feather he used for writing his notes.

"He wasn't very responsive to me either, but his motives of revenge stood out quite clear. He is also a prince, if an illegitimate one," Yunho supplied without minding San's gaze boring into his profile. The king hummed.

"You won't be able to decide that. Even if your kingdom refuses the hunting sport, ours has no reason to comply," San protested. Caught between both sides, his sister kept quiet. Her horns that looked so much like San's were decorated with silver glittering stones.

"If it means that we could prevent war, wouldn't it be in the best interest of your people? Father, I believe that after Hongjoong, more pixies will taste the sweet flavour of revenge. While I also have trouble accepting the pixies as anything else but food, I believe they are a force we don't need to anger further. Cutting them from our meal plans won't be a major loss to us."

Yunho's father skimmed his fingers through his orderly white beard. As if possessed, the writers soaked up every word, their feathers flying over the rustling parchment.

"That is for the individual to decide. It's difficult to keep people with money and power at bay. If a noble so wished, he would still have the means to hunt the pixies for his own pleasure, just like San here. We wouldn't be able to avert a war rooted in selfishness."

San gasped offended, but he didn't argue. To him, his luxury played a more important role.

"But it's only the nobles then that the pixies are after, too. They can defend themselves well, and the pixies would leave those alone who have no business with them," San argued. Nervous, Mingi wrapped his tail around his calf as he watched the debate. He wasn't interested in politics, but he wanted to see this play out in Yunho's favour.

"With all due respect, San. You do not look as if you defended yourself well," Yunho's father said politely. A tasteful raise of his brow stifled the anger brimming in San's tight lips.

"This was just the conscience of these two pixies, too. What would we do if they came with an army to slaughter all of us? In that case, we would have many more people to protect." Yunho crossed his long legs when San's tail poked evilly at them. Upset, Mingi watched him swat at Yunho under the table. Yunho didn't let his irritation show on his face.

"That is true, son. If only there was a way to confirm that only those who want to pursue the hunt would get punished accordingly. Is that what you solicit a law for?"

With a quick nod, Yunho pointed the tip of his feather at something he had written.

"If we could discuss this on even ground with the pixie monarch, then maybe we would come to an understanding. So they feel safe as long as they stay within their borders, and we will punish those who eat them."

A rumble went through the assembled advisors. It sounded negative, many gazes thrown at Yunho foul. San triumphantly leaned back in his chair.

"I will consider it and discuss it with the other kings. Although I need to warn you, Yunho, before you try to establish a connection through the pixie prince. The ones you are challenging here are used to getting what they want."

Yunho deflated, but he nodded still. At least he had got to introduce his plea. Only the stars knew now if it would garner a hearing.

"Anything else?" The king already pushed his chair back to stand. When nobody spoke up, he dismissed the assembly.

Vur and Mingi left the backroom as well. As Mingi came to stand beside Yunho, San remained seated to glare at his fellow prince. His fatigue ever since he had lost his horns and got caught up in issues regarding his rank showed in the dark shadows under his eyes. His exposed teeth seemed more prominent than usual.

"Befriending a vile pixie now, Yunho? I excuse a lot, but this goes too far. Don't you have any pride in your race?"

Yunho stood from the table while Mingi grabbed his notes. Once he had pushed his chair back into place neatly, Yunho cordially nodded at San and his sister.

"I do, but not for those who are no better than the vicious fiends you try to condemn. Excuse us."

With those words, he grasped Mingi's hand and pulled him from the room. Out in the corridor, a flock of advisors that had collected there to whisper under their breath scurried off. On the stairs, they nearly ran a surprised servant over, but she assured she was fine when Yunho worriedly called out for her.

The two lovers returned to Yunho's chambers in silence. Mingi's tail playfully swished around Yunho's, but the prince responded only half-heartedly. His troubled frown didn't light up even when they returned to his room and found his chandelier back in place and a new curtain strung around his bed. Everything that had taken damage from the fire had returned to its initial status.

Just when Mingi wanted to pull Yunho to the bed so they could sit down and he could soothe the anxious prince, Yunho halted in the middle of his step. Mingi's confusion was met with a mischievous smile.

"Hey, Mingi. Want to do something... forbidden?"

Mingi's heart jumped in his chest. Insecure, he looked left and right of the room to see what had prompted Yunho's sudden gleaming eyes. He hadn't been his usual easygoing and playful self since the pixies had been restrained. Despite the townsfolk showering him with praise and gifts out of gratitude for getting rid of the danger, to Yunho, it wasn't over until he knew Hongjoong was safe and satisfied securely.

Mingi's fingers skimmed over Yunho's hand that had tightened around his.

"What would that be?"

Another smile answered him before Yunho already dragged Mingi off. Down into the depths of the castle, through the cool corridors of the dungeon. Hongjoong looked up, surprised that the demons visited him again. Instead of regarding him, however, Yunho went right over to the commanding guard.

"The keys, please," he demanded. Befuddled, the entire room looked at him. Then the knight fumbled to unhook them from his belt.

"Oh, did the king ask for a swift execution?"

"No," Yunho grinned as he unlocked the door and held it wide open. He did the same to Wooyoung's cell.

"Come. I will provide you with chambers upstairs. You aren't my prisoners, but my estimated guests I hope to appeal to. No need to sit in the dungeons for."

Hongjoong looked apprehensive, but he didn't mind the shocked faces of the knights and Mingi. Instead, he cradled Wooyoung's hand closer in his.

"What is your plan, demon?"

Yunho stemmed his hands on his hips. His cheerful features didn't waver.

"Exactly what I said. Allow us to treat Wooyoung's wounds. Or at least to provide you with everything necessary to do so. You are under my personal protection. The only thing I ask of you is to get a rise out of the palace inhabitants."

Hongjoong slowly stood. When he neared Yunho, the prince stepped back politely. After he had collected his weak friend and slung one of Wooyoung's arms around his shoulder, the small male sought Yunho's eyes again.

"No attacking anyone, I presume?"

"And no leaving the palace. But apart from that, you may demand anything you want." When Yunho's hands found Mingi's again, Mingi wanted to speak up, but no word escaped his lips. He was just as astounded by the prince's bold motives to get his point across as the guards.

"Fine," Hongjoong gritted out. As Yunho turned to lead the way, the pixies trudged behind them. Their backs were hunched protectively, but no harm dawned upon them as they left the perplexed knights behind.

Confidently, Yunho strode on Mingi's side. While aware of Mingi's curious stares, Yunho reacted with no more but an assured smile to them.

"Yunho... What is your plan?"

"Showing that they are no creatures, but intelligent beings with a conscience. Among our races, the line between eating animals and cannibalism can be a thin blade. If I introduce them as equals, more demons will reconsider."

Before Mingi could nod, Yunho leaned further down to whisper against his ear. His warm breath fanned over Mingi's horns and ears, making him shudder.

"And remember what we heard last night. Somewhere among this race is our key to Wooyoung's heart. What more to break evil stereotypes but a tragic love story between those not meant to be?"

Awed by his wit, Mingi just gaped at him. Yunho pulled back with a giggle to lead them up the stairs confidently. Several servants gasped and dodged the grimy pixies on the stairs. An advisor nearly dropped his glasses and Mingi saw one of the private teachers stumble over the edge of a carpet as he stared after them.

Unperturbed, Yunho showed Hongjoong and Wooyoung the spacious guest room they could share just opposite Yunho's chambers. A risky spot if the pixies turned on him, but they looked too surprised and relieved with their commodities to consider that. As they were now; battered and unarmed, Mingi also didn't doubt that Yunho could beat them in another fight.

Yunho still stood in the door and explained to the pixies about how they could cool water to wash themselves and that he would provide them with clothes when his father's steps thundered down the corridor. Mingi flinched back from the massive demon with the heavy horns, but Yunho merely received him with a smirk.

"Son! What is the meaning of this?!"

"Doing what you taught me to," Yunho purred. The glares between the king and the pixies didn't bother him. "To pursue what I deem the right way, no matter how trivial and minor the matter may seem. I will look after them myself, so fear not."

The king's face resembled a thunderstorm, but he didn't question Yunho further. With a lingering gaze at the pixies, he retreated to soothe the pulk of worried palace inhabitants that had gathered in the corridor. Gradually, he pushed them back, so only the four of them remained.

"No attacking anyone," Yunho repeated in Hongjoong's direction. "Or I will be the first to see your heads roll."

With a last smile, Yunho retreated from the room. He would extend the pixies' wishes to the servants, but for now, they should just rest.

Back in Yunho's room, Mingi couldn't help but smile over Yunho's infectious glee. His little devious idea brought mess upon the orderly system of the palace, but that was his best bet if he wanted to change something major.

"Provide them with bandages later, alright? Only the best for them until Hongjoong agrees to talk with us honestly."

Mingi nodded as he pulled Yunho in by his shoulders. The man's intelligence and determination to fight even for those that weren't his folk attracted Mingi like a moth to light.

They kissed amongst secretive giggles. And for the first time in a while, Yunho's confident playfulness returned.