The palace bustled with life as it had never done before. New staff wandered the scenes and tended to the gardens, the rooms, and the broken walls. They were led around in small groups by the original servants, who explained the tasks and intricacies of the job. Scholars had travelled from far lands to discuss the history of the past few years with Hongjoong, and nobles from the surrounding dukedoms came to greet their new king and establish favourable relationships.

San was swept up by his duties as a king at any hour of the day. He exchanged letters with other kingdoms to seek allies and diplomacies, discussed the economics and the military strength that was left to the shattered fragments of his country. Slowly, he pieced them all back together.

Wooyoung watched him from the distance. His pride for the reborn king was immeasurable, and he praised him every evening when San dropped into bed by his side and curled up in gratification. When he needed time to unwind, Wooyoung was there for him, holding and kissing him, and promising that all of San's hard work would be worth it.

The local folks were overjoyed to have their king back. A few days ago, he visited Villebête and held a long speech in the marketplace. He explained his curse and admitted his fault for it, but he also stressed how favourably his loyal friends, including Wooyoung, tended to him, and how he appreciated being able to return. The townsfolk promised their help in getting the castle back to its former prestige, and they apologised for their ignorance over the past years. San forgave them easily. They all had made mistakes, and he wanted to establish a new foundation for helping each other.

All the while, as he greeted the townsfolk and laughed with the elders who still recognised the bratty boy in him, Yunho stood behind him, silent and resilient in his regained guarding function.

With spring came the fresh wind of the castle. San got crowned during the first warm days. Snowdrops and purple tulips accompanied his path as he walked through the town in a procession. The sun kissed his honeyed skin and the brilliance of his uniform, and Wooyoung was utterly in love.

By the time the winds got so warm that the windows of the castle were constantly open to let them in and ward off the lingering shadows, the castle was repaired. Lush rose bushes bloomed in the gardens and climbed up the fixed gates. Wooyoung wandered the clean carpets of the castle with bare feet and enjoyed the breeze in his hair and shirt.

As the official paperwork gradually got resolved, San found more opportunities to slip away from his duties. Today, too, he came from his study to join Wooyoung in the library. He found his lover seated in the cosy reading corner in the window's alcove and cast in light as he flicked through his pages.

The sound of a door diverted Wooyoung's attention. The castle wasn't as quiet as it had been when a shadow and four tiny orbs had lived in it. Yet, he recognised the pattern of San's steps anywhere.

"Ditching your duties, my king?" He asked with a teasing tilt. Once his bookmark was tucked between the pages, he stood to join the man at the door. While inside, San didn't wear his smaller, obligatory crown. He still had to get used to the constant weight on his head.

"Hongjoong kept discussing sea trade with me as if we didn't install Yeosang for that. The man is obsessed with the ocean." San rolled his eyes as he offered Wooyoung his arm. Tucked side by side, they walked down the corridor to their shared chambers so Wooyoung could drop off his book.

"Careful, or he might run away to it."

They snickered. Wooyoung nodded back politely at the servants that bowed their heads at the passing king. San took the greetings with grace.

"Is Yeosang doing well? I barely see him these days." Wooyoung set his book on the drawer next to the door and accompanied San down the stairs. The king made for the back door that had become such a scenic spot in the castle, for the freshly painted, new wood contrasted with the ancient stone walls in a way so amusing.

"He is made for the job and he is happy that his journeys gain the financial support he needed. He asked me just yesterday during dinner whether he could deploy on another expedition soon."

Wooyoung pouted.

"So that was why you were so late. No inviting me? Back in the day, he only told me about his adventures," he sulked. San charmingly led him through the lush alleys of rose bushes. They waved at Mingi in the distance, where the man sat in a tree to string up a lantern to light the path he created of stones.

"It came up during a private matter we discussed. He is the closest to a father you have, so there are things I had to ask him about before I could continue our relationship."

"Such as?"

"Asking for your hand in marriage. This time, with conviction."

Wooyoung blushed to the tips of his ears and hung his head to hide it. It was no secret that their relationship took that course, and most townsfolk readily expected the merry news to be made public soon.

Neither San nor Wooyoung needed to doubt it any longer, either. They hoped to be married by the end of spring.

Though Wooyoung felt anything but ready to take a royal position by San's side, no matter how swept up he got in palace business. His ease to accustom to them was in his blood.

"Did he have any complaints to make?"

"He looked at me with enormous eyes, saying I have to discuss that with you. We laughed about it."

Wooyoung trailed his eyes over the multi-coloured roses that brought life to the garden with their sprouting blossoms. Personally, he liked the orange ones most. San liked them red, as his eyes had been back in his alternative form. Together, they created the charming fire on the horizon during sunrise.

"If you have any doubts about it, you must tell me, too. I will leave any arrangements you wish to make to you."

Wooyoung thought about it for a while. He was happy as he was right now, but marrying San would seal their bond in such an intimate way. No more playing around, no more dodging Yunho's proposals. They belonged only to each other.

"I don't have many demands to make. I only wish for our friends to be there and for it to be a joyous time."

They passed Mingi and stopped for a brief chat. The man animatedly told them about the butterflies in the garden that he hadn't seen in the past seven years. Sharing his excitement, Wooyoung promised to look out for them as they continued their walk. Their lime green and specked brown wings carried them from flower to flower.

"The day I almost died, you told me you were once a prince. I didn't forget about that. As I was preparing to announce you as my fellow ruler, I wondered if you would want to retake the lands that have been stolen from you? Your royal lineage would find many followers there, and we could join our kingdoms and rule together, so you wouldn't be lost all alone. It would be both a political and territorial safety."

After a moment of consideration, Wooyoung shook his head.

"I don't want a war, or people to hunt me for being the last remaining heir. The royal duties I gain through marriage to you are more than enough for me."

They tucked away behind a tree that flashed in the first bright greens. Wooyoung leaned against its trunk and gazed up at San's handsome features with love in his eyes.

"It's stressful; that much comes without a doubt. But even by my side. If you ever need a break, my advisors and I will take the workload off you. I know you are willing to help and socialise, but if you so chose, you could spend all day in my chambers, reading and letting me treat you." Between them, their fingers idly tangled.

Wooyoung bit his lip as his gaze trailed down San's form. His broad shoulders, the small waist, his strong arms and legs. He had many hobbies that trained him. Fencing, horse riding, archery... As a human, San had more talents than Wooyoung had fingers.

"That can't be all. If I lived in your room and let myself be worshipped like a goddess, I would need to repay you differently. What are you imagining, my king?"

San stepped closer to crowd their bodies together. His hair tickled Wooyoung's ear as he spoke against his neck. Soft kisses trailed over his skin between his words.

"None that I can name out in the open. Those would be very private matters that may only stay in the bedroom," he promised. A zap of yearning shot through Wooyoung, for they hadn't been that close so far. The most they had done was some prolonged kissing sessions that ended in San's gentlemanly retreat whenever he felt his body's desire became too apparent. Wooyoung wasn't exactly impatient since he didn't want to push San, but he wished they would move forward into that exciting unfamiliar territory soon.

"You will have to teach me in due time. I wish to reward my hard-working husband as he deserves," Wooyoung lured. He turned his head to nibble at the lobe of San's ear and relished in the soft sigh that came from the man. A soft kiss on his cheek came in response and sent a rush of butterflies from the gardens straight through Wooyoung's stomach.

When San straightened and took his heat away, Wooyoung's pout drew a smile from his lips. Their hands found each other once more.

"On our wedding night," San promised. "I won't lay a hand on you before I can't call you mine as written by law. I learned not to go light-heartedly about my promises."

The vow that was so near and so precise sent a rush of excitement through Wooyoung. How would he be able to concentrate on preparations, knowing that was what San planned for them that night? When he finally got to hold the gorgeous man that San was?

They picked up their walk, and Wooyoung swung their hands between them. From time to time, San glanced down at them with a fond smile.

"So, when will we marry?"

"Impatient, are we?" San laughed, but Wooyoung nudged him, not angry. If anything, it flattered San that Wooyoung was so affectionate and willing to be close to him. Handing himself over to San, who would receive such a kind and beautiful spouse.

"I can have Seonghwa organise everything within a few weeks. My regency is still fresh, so we need not visit the entire country as a newlywed pair. We can send word via letter instead. We can marry here and you can pick whatever you want. Flowers, clothes, food. Perhaps I find the time to steal you away and have a honeymoon. Otherwise, we will take a few days off just for each other. I will properly honour you."

Wooyoung's heart bloomed in his chest like the roses lining their path. He imagined all the pretty things they could do. A ball, a banquet, a celebration with all their dear friends.

"All I wish for is to be yours and for you to be mine," Wooyoung said in the end. He smiled when San halted to embrace him. Uncaring of the curious eyes in and around the castle, they hugged in the dewy glow of the gardens in the evening.

When they parted from their heartfelt hug, San held him closer. Instead of their hands or arms linking, he wrapped his arm around Wooyoung's waist to hold his body possessively. Wooyoung loved the feeling.

"The same goes for me. At the end of the day, as long as you are there and you agree to our vows, I am the happiest man I could ever be," San swore. The new guards at the main door opened it for them when they made their way back inside. The foyer greeted them with its new glory. Its new chandelier on the ceiling had been lit and its glow broke on the windows to cast geometric patterns on the floor. Flowers and wall carpets lined the bleak walls to create a homey atmosphere.

"Though now I must wonder. Should I invite the faery? She was part of this happening, however villainous her role was at the beginning. What if she curses us once more because we didn't invite her?"

Wooyoung had to laugh about the paranoia in San's voice.

"Let's send an invitation her way if we can find her. And if she curses us, at least we will be together this time," he soothed the nervous king.

Affection glowed in San's eyes as he nodded.

"Let's do that. And get married as soon as possible, so I may be yours."

"And I yours."