Once everyone assembled around the table, the servants provided food and drink for the brave courier who traversed their lands. Ever since the orcs declared their blatant hostility towards the new emperor, the streets of the west were perilous. Seonghwa rewarded the elf accordingly as he accepted the letter adorned with a water lily.

Morana refused to eat, fickle in her personality. She throned on Mingi, feeling powerful when cradled by her father. Though she couldn't understand everything they discussed, she kept her chin high with an air of superiority.

Seonghwa handed Yeosang the lily to wear in his hair and concentrated on the elegant handwriting before him.

Moon Emperor,

Through this letter, I invite you to visit the Nymphal Shores and my residence in the Singing Swamps. Your troops and mine have secured the street westbound, and it is now safe to pass. Still, since we have yet to unveil the plans the orcs are forging, remember to take reinforcements. I will send a troop to welcome you once you reach our borders.

Your husbands are also very welcome to our lands. As are your children. I rely on your wisdom in choosing your company.

Let us discuss our plans as allies against the orkish tribes infesting the north while you are here. Upon your command, Your Majesty.

May your dreams be rich with pearls.

Queen Lillwen of the Nymphal Shores.

Pleased, Seonghwa informed his gathered circle of the letter's contents. Immediately, Yeosang livened up. The nymphs, like the dryads, shared the same ancestors as the elves. Their world was magical, but Seonghwa never got to visit. He and Yeosang had always been curious about their way of life.

This initiative meant the nymphs were confident in this alliance against the orcs. And it meant the next step toward a peaceful future. If Seonghwa could mobilise the nymphs and the titans of the west to unite along the orkish marches, the brutes would think twice about challenging the empire.

With chieftain Kane dead, they took a moment to regain their footing, but many thought Seonghwa weak. The empire needed to hurry to prevent their incoming vengeance.

"This is comforting news. We should prepare as soon as possible. Will we join you?" Yeosang spurred.

Seungyoun scurried away at the beckon of Seonghwa's hand. He gathered the other husbands and all relevant advisors so they could formulate a plan together.

"I would like to take you along on this exotic voyage, yes. If our military leaders so agree. Though I would argue you are my elite either way. I am nowhere as safe as with you," Seonghwa replied. Morana swayed atop Mingi's head when he bashfully ducked his head. Perhaps he wanted to argue he was no warrior, but he supported Seonghwa how no one else could. With them, Seonghwa was strong.

San stepped through the double-winged doors. The light cradled his majestic wings and cast him with a godly glow. When Mingi handed their squirming daughter to Seonghwa, helpless what displeased her, San flashed the elf a supportive grin.

Morana was old enough now to eat her own meals and, contrary to Aodhán, she already had all her teeth. She was bigger than him, strong in build, and her horns were wilful as she buried her head in Seonghwa's chest. On his lap, she was at peace and she played with his hair as San sat by his side and assured himself of Seonghwa's wellbeing with a lingering gaze.

One by one, the others filtered inside. Hongjoong came marching with Aodhán on his hand and Wooyoung flew through the corridor, startling a group of maids until Seungyoun scolded him. After bounding over to press a brazen kiss to Seonghwa's kiss, he dropped onto his chair next to Yunho. Buddy had also run along together with Aodhán's tiny brown puppy Sunny, but Yunho shushed the two of them so Seonghwa could take the word. Everyone gathered hung from their emperor's lips, honouring his judgment.

"We should depart to the Nymphal Shores as soon as possible. No official treaty withholds the orcs from attacking us and they made their intentions clear when we visited their lands last. I would like to confer the safety of the Crystal Sphere with my father while everyone else prepares. I cannot responsibly bring my children along, but my diplomats shall be my pillars of strength during this voyage."

Seungyoun directed the servants along with Seonghwa's guidance. Jongho's crystals glowed in his inspired yellow, but Morana twisted on Seonghwa's lap.

"Noo, I go," she protested. Her dark eyes found Seonghwa's, accusing him of leaving her behind. No gentle caress through her hair could console her.

"It might be dangerous on the way. You are safer with your grandparents."

With a huff, she wormed from his lap. She sat on the ground to dissipate her anger with the puppy of her brother, but the scowl of her tiny hunched shoulders persisted.

Saddened to part from them even if just for a while, Seonghwa lowered his eyes. Especially Morana's feelings were important to him. She was born to darkness and ice, in a night full of pain. The stars chose her as his heir, but her personality was challenging.

Seonghwa was scared to lose his touch with her. She adored Mingi; never looked down on his blindness. But compared to Aodhán, she treated Seonghwa like a stranger.

Was he too strict with her? Or was it in his heart to pamper, even when she needed rules?

Worried, Seonghwa glanced up when Hongjoong took the word.

"I can organise the occasional visit without wasting too much of my power. Aodhán can dedicate himself to his studies at the Spire. No place is safer than there."

Though Aodhán groaned, he didn't protest his fate. He was young, but he sensed the tension in the air. Even he glanced at his sister in pondering, trying to think of a way to get through her stubborn mind.

Contrary to Wooyoung's thick-headedness, she was quick on the draw like a demon. Fire was inert to her being and though she was lithe and delicate, like a black flower, she often refused Seonghwa.

What would she demand this time? If it weren't too unreasonable, Seonghwa would accommodate her. He couldn't strategise against the orcs while he feared for his daughter to run away from her maids.

But even when they weren't related to her by blood, the entire harem treated Morana as their own. So while Seonghwa had to mutter his answers to Seungyoun and organise guards and a swift reply to Queen Lillwen, Wooyoung stood up to crouch before Morana and poke at her cheek. She huffed at him at first, but since she knew he was as tenacious as her, they soon huddled in a corner to whisper with one another.

Yeosang picked up on the draw of Seonghwa's brow. His deep voice soothed Seonghwa in his darkest moments and even now, it was as if breathing fresh air after a long period spent beneath the surface of a lake. Seonghwa's head cleared, so likened to losing itself in dark depths.

With his responsibility, a heavy burden weighed upon his shoulders. Seonghwa feared what might happen to his family and his empire if he failed this endeavour against the orcs.

Thankfully, they were here to remind him not all was lost.

"Where shall she stay? Would it be wise to keep her near Aodhán, or does that spell additional trouble?" The dryad muttered to Seonghwa across the corner of the table. Smaller conversations split off as Mingi sought Yunho's advice on whether he was suitable for this trip and San discussed Seonghwa's protection with the head of the guard, low, so he could hope Seonghwa didn't hear him.

If the path was clear, no such measures were necessary. But Seonghwa's life was threatened and no castle walls protected him out there. Such was the requirement of his role.

"She will use him as a distraction during additional mischief. No, Morana is safest in the Crystal Castle, with my father and his warriors."

Pleased to have found back to the gathered Seonghwa who played the figures on his chessboard expertly, Yeosang grinned. His temple was adorned by a bush of marigolds, and they suited his skin and the lush autumn outside the windows.

Before snow would fall, Seonghwa hoped to be back from this journey.

"Sounds good," Yeosang replied, and his smile was so genuine, so patient toward Seonghwa's woes. "Let us also question the stars about the fate of this voyage. If any danger lurks, we may prepare ahead of time this round."

An elegant chuckle fell from Seonghwa's lips. His fineness enticed Hongjoong, and he came over to trail a hand along Seonghwa's shoulder and into his nape. By now, Seonghwa couldn't tell anymore if it was his magic or his intimate touch alone that healed him.

"Hadn't we gambled so foolishly for Morana's heritage, last time wouldn't have turned so grim. Darkspawn carried in an elf's womb always emerge to the light ahead of schedule."

Collectively, they glimpsed at Morana. The pout of her cheeks had their expressions soften.

No, Seonghwa wouldn't endanger his babies, even if he would miss them. He counted on his husbands and the unique dynamic their group had in protecting one another, but he wouldn't stress his children with the same.

Perhaps he had been too impatient, having two babes at the cusp of war with the orcs. They were the most powerful opponent of the empire, and just as voracious for bloodshed.

But how could he help himself? Whenever Seonghwa looked at his spawn; their features, which mixed with his beloved husbands, he was filled with such peace and joy.

If his duty towards his people hadn't been enough to convince Seonghwa to fight as hard as he could, then coming home to watch his babies grow up in a tranquil century was.

Back to his wits, Seonghwa addressed the assembled round.

"I will leave you to your preparations. Let us depart three nights from now. Until then, I hope everyone may rest and ready themselves." When he stood, the silk of his robe cascaded down his body. The rest of the group rose with him. Everyone not married to Seonghwa sunk into a deep bow.

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

While Seungyoun readied to inform Seonghwa's father so he could visit on time and offer his aged advice, Seonghwa floated to the corner Wooyoung and Morana conquered. The demon child perched in Wooyoung's lap now and she played with his large hands while she rambled her woes to him in her limited, childish speech. Wooyoung listened to her as to any other friend, responsible like a brother would be.

San leaned against the table to watch while the rest filtered outside. Yunho ran around headless, unsure if he wanted to keep Buddy in safety at home, or have him suited into an armour. He struggled whenever it was time to part.

With Aodhán in one arm and Sunny in the other, Hongjoong made for the spire to announce to his people that his quasi-son was staying. From what Seonghwa heard, the mages were absolutely enraptured by his little sun. His magic always sparked their interest, since it bound with Aodhán's celestial streak. Paired with his boyish charm and the golden shine to his hair, he especially appealed to the younger novices.

Hongjoong always complained Aodhán distracted them from their studies. Yet he always marched in with the child by his hand, showing him off to everyone. Aodhán loved the attention.

In whatever capacity they shared this peculiar situation, Yunho and Hongjoong were both good fathers. They balanced where the other missed out.

Seonghwa sunk onto the ground before Morana and Wooyoung. The gryphon-born waggled his brows at Seonghwa, smug since he got his daughter to calm from her upset. But when she looked into the pleading eyes of her father, the girl crossed her arms anew.

"Please understand. You can stay here to play and eat as much as you want. Travelling is tough," Seonghwa appealed. The white streak of her hair was dedicatedly braided into the dark rest, catching Seonghwa's gaze.

"I go, too. I fight!" She protested and mimicked swinging a blade. When Wooyoung coddled her, his wings automatically shrouded them in a dome of silver.

"It would be too easy if we let you ravage the orcs. Leave some for us, hm? Your uncles have to show Seonghwa how strong they are."

Morana huffed, stroked in her ego. When she scrambled to her feet, Seonghwa was relieved Wooyoung always got through to her by matching their thought process.

"I defend castle. Sit... sit-" Helpless, she gesticulated for the grand hall, losing her frigid attitude.

Wooyoung snickered.

"You will sit on the throne? Command the people while Hwa is gone with us?"

To that, she nodded, giddy.

"Sit drone!"

Seonghwa melted away. He didn't dare kiss her cheek as she shoved him off whenever he tried, but he bowed a graceful head.

"Thank you for defending our home. I will bring you something special and powerful to strengthen your rule."

Ideas sparked in her onyx eyes dotted by stars. This time, she tugged Wooyoung along, storming off while babbling to forge her plans.

Hoping her agreement would hold until he returned, Seonghwa turned to attend to his own duties.