"So you wanna tell me how it started?" Seonghwa asked, now that they were nearly back to the castle.

"Not really."

"Oh come on! I wanna know!"

Yeosang rolled his eyes and sighed. He really did want to tell someone so might as well tell his cousin.

"The day you dragged me to town, I was looking at him through the mirror on his wall and I noticed his biceps and realized that I am, in fact, a limp noodle beside him so I was originally going to ask him how he exercised but somehow during the times I visited I hurt my finger on one of his anvils and then I don’t know what happened but then we kissed and here we are."

"Oh. So that’s why the day your finger was bruised you were so damn happy," Seonghwa said thoughtfully.

Yeosang hummed and the ride stayed quiet after that. 

"Oh look, it’s your lover," Yeosang whispered to Seonghwa once they neared the castle, spotting Hongjoong helping with several rose bushes.

"Shut up."

Seonghwas face broke out into a large smile and his eyes instantly softened when he saw his boyfriend. He was so beautiful.

Yeosang made fake gaging noises which Seonghwa simply couldn’t help but use to his advantage.

"You’ll soon be gagging on something else," Seonghwa whispered making Yeosang cough hard.

"WHAT THE FUCK PARK SEONGHWA?!" Yeosang yelled, swatting his cousin with his leg. 

Seonghwa laughed and guided his horse away. Hongjoong looked up when he heard the Lord scream his boyfriend’s name and a smile came over his features.

He continued his work but with much more energy now that he knew his boyfriend was close by and not somewhere off with a dramatic Lord.

He planted a few roses, hoping he wouldn’t take too long when a presence approached him and squatted beside him. He turned and was met with his boyfriend’s face who began to plant roses as well.

"No need to help me," Hongjoong said with a smile. "You need to keep up your perfect Lord image and helping a worker is definitely not something you should do."

"Nonsense. Everyone will now see I’m not an arrogant Lord who can’t do anything or one that mistreats others for their status."

Hongjoong smiled fondly and continued planting roses in silence, just enjoying the quietness.

"LORD PARK!" a voice said and Hongjoong instantly felt annoyance build up in him. "HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY BE DIRTYING YOUR HANDS?"

"Jaehyo, please carry on with your day elsewhere."

"BUT-"

"No buts, Jaehyo. Go mind your business somewhere else and don’t bother Hongjoong and me."

The barn keeper showed a smile before spinning away and tried to calmly walk away, his face contorting in anger once no one could see him.

He didn’t like the Lord’s behaviour towards Hongjoong and he wanted to know why they started talking. He would definitely have to find out.

._._.

It seemed as if a switch turned within everyone in the castle and that evening it was suddenly buzzing with excitement. It was loud and people were everywhere, giving Yeosang and Jongho an escape as well as an escape for Seonghwa and Hongjoong.

Sleep was hard but eventually, everyone got tired out and headed for a late-night sleep. Only to wake up early and sleep-deprived.

The morning was pure chaos. Everyone was everywhere and some of the Equestrians were panicking. Some were pacing, some stretching, others were just sitting with a pale face and others, such as Seonghwa, were minding their own business with no nerves.

Competitors from all over the world were present and ready to race.

"I better have a windy spot and nowhere near the sun," Yeosang said, sitting on a chair, his white high-waisted trousers and long-sleeved white shirt that held ruffles at the front enhanced his black hair and made him look like a prince.

"Kang Yeosang, you will sit with us," The Duke of Yeonsu said glaring at him.

"Well if it’s in the sun, I’d rather die."

"Yeosang," his mother warned. "Don’t you see that you’re cousin is having multiple people betting on him and we must represent him?"

Seonghwa who was sitting nearby heard his cousin’s complaints knew exactly why he insisted on not sitting with his family. He sighed and decided to help his cousin out just this one time. 

"Why don’t you just let Yeosang sit under the blacksmith’s tent? There’ll be shade and it’s windy there so he won’t complain all day. Don’t worry about him being on the front line cheering me on. Just make sure he doesn’t whine and disturb the others."

The Dukes and Duchesses thought over Seonghwas suggestion and finally nodded in agreement. Yeosangs face beamed in happiness and he nearly jumped up to hug his cousin.

"Fine. But he better be present when we're greeting the important guests," The Duke of Sacheon said, glancing at his nephew.

Yeosang frantically nodded and tied his hair up in a half ponytail.

He looked even more majestic than before and Seonghwa just knew that if Jongho saw him, he would swoon. It wasn’t until they were leaving that Seonghwa noticed his cousin had a small limp.

"Nasty fucks," Seonghwa whispered in his cousin’s ear, right before they mounted a carriage that would take them to the arena a three-minute ride away.

"Shut up. Watch what you say because one day you might know what it’s like," he whispered back.

"Not a chance," Seonghwa laughed, getting in the carriage and having his boyfriend sit beside him. 

Their hands intertwined for a while until the Duchesses entered and then Seonghwa placed his Hunt Coat over their hands so they didn’t have to let go. 

Yeosang followed his cousin’s example and placed an extra coat he had over his lap and partially over Jonghos lap so they could hold hands happily.

It was such a gay moment. In all senses of the word.

The Duchesses settled in the carriage but moments later they were called out to get in another, fancier, carriage that would only take them.

"This feels kind of illegal," Yeosang stated once they were on their way and no Dukes or Duchesses were present in their carriage.

"Because it is," Seonghwa replied, rolling his eyes.

"Whatever. No need to hide then," Yeosang stated, pulling off his coat and proudly placing his and Jonghos hand on his lap.

The blacksmith didn’t seem to be that nervous and Seonghwa assumed that his cousin had explained to him that the Equestrian knew.

Hongjoong also wanted to proudly hold his boyfriend’s hand in the open but he wouldn’t if the taller didn’t want to.

Seonghwa saw the longing look in his boyfriend’s eyes and pulled off the hunt coat so their hands could be shown.

"You could have removed it yourself," Seonghwa whispered with a smile.

"But I wasn’t sure if you wanted to," Hongjoong replied, his lip twitching to a small smile.

Seonghwa laughed and kissed Hongjoongs cheek, his heart exploding with affection.

"Ew, Keep that stuff to yourself," Yeosang muttered, face scrunching in disgust.

"You do nastier shit so shut up," Seonghwa retorted, causing his cousins face to heat up.

"Yeah but I don’t do it in public."

"You’re just jealous and you want Jongho to kiss you too."

"And what about it?"

Everyone turned to look at Jongho who sat there uncertain of what he should do.

"Just kiss him so he shuts up," Seonghwa sighed, causing Hongjoong to laugh.

Jongho held up a hand to cover his and Yeosangs face and leaned in for a kiss which everyone heard Yeosang audibly sigh into.

"You’re looking beautiful today," Jongho whispered, kissing the Lord’s nose.

"I know."

"A thank you would have been nice, you know."

Seonghwa couldn’t believe his cousin managed to get himself a partner with his behaviour. He wasn’t even sure if the two were dating but he assumed since they were already doing intimate stuff.

The Equestrian noticed they were approaching the arena and quickly pecked his boyfriend’s lips before they reached so that no one could see them.

"I’ll see you guys later," Seonghwa announced, exiting the carriage and disappearing before anyone could even respond.

He headed to the stable where Aurora was being held and patted the mares snout. He was ready to get out there and win.

._._.

Everyone began filtering into the arena seats and Seonghwa sat towards the front of all the Equestrians. An opening ceremony was held and the performances began. 

The first two days were not that fun but they were okay. Seonghwa competed and was always in the top two for the parts he participated in. He didn’t mind second place but what mattered most was the grand race. That would determine his entire career for the rest of the year until the next season.

Both nights after the races, Hongjoong would sneak into his room when everyone would be in their rooms and would massage his boyfriend’s shoulders and they would cuddle until the early morning when Hongjoong would then sneak back to his room.

The third day was the most important day and so everyone was especially pumped. Yeosang was sitting under the shed that had been set up for Jongho filled with boredom and Hongjoong joined them, filled with eagerness. 

Jongho was examining the horse’s shoes to ensure they were in perfect condition and tweaking some things so that nothing would go wrong.

In a shed beside them were some individuals from a foreign land and Hongjoong could admit that the Equestrian from afar was the definition of "Sculpted like a Greek God."

He was tall, muscular, tan, and his features were so beautifully prominent and hard to miss. Heads turned when he walked and something about him made Hongjoong feel as if he'd be a threat for the final race.

Under the same shed was the male that they had encountered in the hall on the first day they arrived at the castle and Hongjoong took note of how he gave the Equestrian a pep talk and then kissed his cheek.

Hongjoong was stunned. More than stunned. He was speechless and didn’t know how to react. It seemed a lot of people thought the same way except for the ones under the shed. Maybe those actions were normal in their country and didn’t find anything wrong with it.

Oh how he wished that he could do something like that with Seonghwa out in the open without anyone telling him that it was illegal and possibly punishable by death.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t dwell on the thought for long because soon enough, the Equestrians were lining up for the grand race.

The running track stretched over a span of two miles and would test speed, endurance, and the Equestrians ability to maintain posture, precision and strength.

Hongjoong knew Seonghwa had trained enough and was determined that the lowest his boyfriend could possibly receive was third place.

And even if the Lord somehow got a lower rank, Hongjoong wouldn’t care and would still be proud of his boyfriend.

"EQUESTRIANS! GET READY!" a marksman shouted, raising a gun into the air. "YOU BEGIN IN; THREE! TWO! ONE!"

A loud shot rang into the air and the sound of hooves against the ground began echoing around the arena. A cloud of dust flew into the air and cheers were being yelled.

It was hard to tell but most of the horses were neck and neck. Only a few slowly pulling ahead. 

Hongjoong noticed the tall male that was in the shed beside his began pulling ahead of everyone and he felt his stomach erupt in nerves.

"No! No! No! NO!" Hongjoong began panicking to himself. 

How could this man just start pulling ahead of everyone? 

"HELL YEAH! THAT’S MY HUSBAND!" the male that had kissed the Equestrians cheek hollered.

Hongjoong gasped and Yeosang began having a coughing fit upon hearing the words yelled, Jongho patting his back.

"His husband?" Yeosang wheezed out.

"That’s what he said," Hongjoong replied, unable to focus on what was happening on the field and now staring at the male that was still cheering for his husband.

"NO, NO, NO, MINGIIII! DON’T LET OUR BEDROOM NEIGHBOUR SURPASS YOU!"

Hongjoong snapped his head to look at the field once he heard what the male hollered and sure enough, Seonghwa had begun taking the lead. Aurora giving it her all and her head began passing the neighbouring stallion.

"COME ON DARLING JUST FIFTY METERS MORE AND VICTORY IS YOURS!"

"That’s beautiful," Yeosang whispered, wiping away a fake tear. "Never thought I’d live to see the day there was a couple like them." 

Hongjoong lightly laughed and focused on the field. Getting pumped up to see Seonghwa nearly an entire body length ahead of Mingi.

Ten meters. Five meters. Mingi was suddenly gaining again but a sudden spur in Aurora sent them galloping through the finish line full speed just barely an entire head ahead of everyone.

Hongjoong stood up from the seat and screamed along with many other in joy. The male in the shed over jumping up and down in joy to know his husband was second.

"Congratulations!" the male exclaimed, coming over to where Hongjoong was trembling with joy.

"Oh thank you! And congratulations as well!"

"Thanks! My husband is probably not that happy right now knowing he was nearly first but soon enough he'll get over it and be overwhelmed with joy."

Hongjoong didn’t know how to respond to that and simply laughed.

"Seonghwa probably can’t function right now. Hopefully someone is checking on him right now."

The male looked at him for a second and tilted his head cutely.

"He isn’t a Lord?"

"Ah, yes he is but he requested I refer to him by his first name."

He nodded in understanding and suddenly it seemed as if something lit up inside him.

"My name is Yunho! Marquess of Gwangju. I’m from a foreign land."

"I’m Hongjoong, just a worker from this land."

Yunho gasped a little and looked in surprise.

"I didn’t expect you to be a worker! I thought you were a Lord at the least."

Hongjoong awkwardly laughed and scratched his head, unsure of what he was supposed to do now.

"But dont worry, we can be friends!" Yunho explained, patting Hongjoongs arm.

"Hey, how is it possible?" Yeosang asked, looking at the Marquess with wide, curious eyes.

"What is what possible?"

"Y'know, your marriage?"

"OH! Right, I forgot it isn’t allowed in this country. Well in my country it is. King Choi has a husband and so after an entire war happened, our current king won and legalized it. Then when it was legalized, Mingi and I got married immediately before someone would try to destroy the law but it’s been in place for three years and it’s going well."

Yeosangs eyes were wide with amazement and Hongjoong had a feeling the Lord was already planning to dramatically elope with Jongho. He didn’t judge because he would do the same if given a chance.

Yunho and Yeosang immediately began conversing, mostly discussing Yunho's home country and Yunho's husband.

Hongjoong was just about to get up and look for his boyfriend when he saw a mop of black hair among several people walking towards him. He instantly knew who it was and smiled, knowing that in a few seconds he would see Seonghwas face with a large smile. 

And sure enough, when the people that were blocking the Equestrian’s way moved, a beaming smile that could make anyone’s heartthrob was brightly showed on the Lord.

Following behind was Mingi and it seemed as if Yunho sensed his husband was nearby and instantly stopped speaking to Yeosang to turn to look at his husband. Excusing himself, he dashed to the second placer and leapt into his arms with excitement.

"You did well!" Yunho comforted, knowing his husband wasn’t too thrilled. "I’m so proud of you!"

"But I could have been first yet I missed by a few inches."

"Don’t worry, Darling. You did the best you could and I’m proud of you, alright? You can go home with pride."

Mingi managed to walk under the shed with his husband clinging onto his front and hundreds of stares in their direction. It seemed as if they didn’t care who stared as long as they were happy with each other.

Hongjoong stood up and tilted his head to stare into his boyfriend’s eyes. He wished he could jump into the taller arms like how Yunho had done but alas, he couldn’t. 

"Congratulations," Hongjoong said, placing his hand on Seonghwas upper arm, letting it linger a little longer than necessary.

"Thank you."

The two stared into each other’s eyes and Seonghwa turned away before he would pounce on the younger and kiss him senseless in front of everyone.

"Disgusting," Yeosang muttered, scrunching his face in disgust. "Anyways, let’s go greet the fuckers and get it over with because frankly, Id rather be anywhere else than here."

"And I assume that translates to, 'I’d rather be under Jongho than here'," Seonghwa whispered in his cousin’s ear.

"Shut up Park Seonghwa, Lord of being a stupid bitch," Yeosang snapped, stomping away.

The Equestrian laughed at his cousin, shaking his head.

"If there’s a chance, go home and wait for me," Seonghwa whispered to his boyfriend, waving before chasing after his cousin.