Hongjoong double-took Wooyoung's smug smile when he came in to the dining hall the next morning. Out of everyone assembled, he recovered from his hangover best; kudos to his magic. He sashayed with his usual grace of a wildcat, and his eyes were bright and refreshed. As he joined the others on the table with a wary glance at Wooyoung opposite him, the rest hung in their chairs pitifully. Yunho cooled his throbbing eyes with a wet rag.

"Got something to smirk about?" He asked as he reached for the fruit bowl. His sharp voice made Jongho grumble. Visible even now, a faint green shine persisted in the crystals growing from his shoulders.

"Absolutely I do. But oh bother, if I tell you about it, you will throw another fit. Poor kitten," Wooyoung crooned. When Hongjoong bared his teeth at him, he dug back into his food with all nonchalance.

Seonghwa's gaze slipped off the glowing gryphon-born to San by his side. The angel calmed from last night's stupor and sat at the table, prim and polished as always. When Seonghwa caught his eyes lingering on the swell of the angel's muscular chest, he quickly averted them.

"Oh? What could be that good? A nice dream?" Yeosang asked where he sat with them at breakfast, out of politeness more than anything else. He helped Mingi nurse Yunho, repaying the prior favours. Even Buddy seemed sleepy, along with his master.

"More like a dream becoming reality. Though you are right, I sleep funny whenever I drink a lot."

"Ah, because he kissed you?" Hongjoong grinned ironically. "You don't have to brag about that so much. How much worth is a kiss given as a reward?"

Triumphant, Wooyoung tipped his chin up. He was unaware of the marks, but Seonghwa's eyes dropped right to them, trying to discern them against his skin. Some were just barely visible enough to be excused as something.

"I got much more than a kiss. When I woke in his bed today, I couldn't help but feel sorry for all your whimsical attempts. How is it to know you tried so hard yet another got there first?"

Yunho choked under his wet rag and sat up to drink something. Hongjoong's smirk broadened.

"Oh, I am so envious of you. How are you, Damiana? Did that barbarian hurt you? I can't imagine he has either the grace or the talent to satisfy you."

Wooyoung ruffled his feathers, but Seonghwa shook his head.

"There is no reason to worry about me." Across the table, he met Yeosang's eyes. The dryad had furrowed his brow and thoughtful mushrooms sprouted on his head as he tried to come up with a way to ease Seonghwa's constant being swarmed by seven people.

Concealing the fact that he had been the one who got taken and who complained about feeling weird in the morning, Wooyoung grinned.

"Told you."

"I'm surprised he didn't come to one of us others to finish. Bet whatever tiny thing you have in your pants is nowhere enough for him," Hongjoong mocked.

Seonghwa made the mistake of looking at Yunho and they both flinched away with caught eyes. Not that size mattered over what they could do with it. Still, Wooyoung was offended in his manliness.

"Says you tiny sorcerer of all people. What do you do, huh? Use a magic wand to please your partners? Hex it bigger?"

"I can probably make Seonghwa come just by talking to him," the sorcerer shot back. Wooyoung scoffed.

"Oh yeah? Prove it!"

"Fine! Seonghwa-"

Before Hongjoong got to finish that sentence and kick off a competition in front of everyone's tired eyes, San's voice cut through the room. It was cold like glass, but white like his blade.

"Can you stop? Squealing all over each other like two dogs in heat. Where is your respect? This is the future emperor of our lands and a celestial elf. His ears are too pure for your digusting folly."

Stunned into silence, the two agitators stared at him. Yunho lifted his head once more and Mingi shifted when he couldn't tell why he suddenly felt the mood shift.

Seonghwa accepted the letters Seungyoun handed him before the servant scurried away. As he sorted them, he waved a dismissive hand.

"Thank you, San, but it's fine. I welcome this topic as any other." His blood sung at the heroic view San had on these things. He held Seonghwa in high respect, as his husband but also as his ruler. There was no fighting for his favour, no needless competition.

"Your Highness, you shouldn't welcome any topic they impose, no matter how vulgar. Though we appreciate your hospitality, you need to draw lines. Whether they are at desiring you as if you were a courtesan for them to roll in the hay with, or at bragging about it. I don't wish to hear them trample on your dignity." His glowing golden aura shuddered with ire. Not one to draw his sword over such infidelity, he lowered his eyes in upset when he felt he had spoken out of line.

"I understand your feelings. But my boundary is far beyond this, and I don't mind the physical aspects of my relationship to each of you. Though I wish it wouldn't be regarded as a contest," he added, both to soothe San and to silence the two squabbling rivals. They glared at each other wordlessly.

"Understood." San backed down, trained to be a loyal servant. Seonghwa sliced the first of the eight letters open. Each had a seal from a different one of their kingdoms.

"Then let's bid this matter farewell. None of you have to worry about my closeness to another. I know best how to handle myself." His eyes skimmed the lines of the letter he opened. It came from the Kingdom of Man.

Honoured Crown Prince Seonghwa of the Crystal Sphere,

May this letter find you at excellent health and stability with the knight we sent to ask for your hand.

Now that our kingdoms joined forces once more and we anticipate your rise to the empire's throne in due time, we wish to honour you and our knight by inviting you to visit the royal castle. We would like to ensure our support of your relationship and get to meet our benefactor.

We hope to see you wander our halls soon and look forward to hearing the tales our knight tells about the Crystal Sphere.

Fare thou well until then.

Signed
Royal Scribe of His Majesty the King of Men.

Seonghwa handed the letter to Yunho and opened the next one. It was similar, an invitation to sign the official treaties following the marriage and a visit on a diplomatic mission. They were a necessity and part of Seonghwa's duty in showing his ability to tie the kingdoms. Only marrying them wasn't enough. He needed to demonstrate the elves were still the right race to rule the empire. If their monarchs agreed, they would bless this marriage and sign a peace treaty for Seonghwa's rule.

Out of all the letters, the one sent by Hongjoong's people was the curtest.

Crown Prince Seonghwa,

following the marriage to our Arch-Mage, visit the Spire of Magic as soon as possible to sign the according papers.

Regards
Magister Ribus

Not surprised by their boldness to claim their title by name, Seonghwa handed it to Hongjoong and opened his last letter. This one was written in a familiar handwriting and sealed by their family crest.

Dear Seonghwa,

Our family has been informed the invitations for your journey across the lands have arrived. I wish you a good voyage; may no highwaymen bother your ways. Since winter has befallen the Cliffs of Zephyr, remember to bring a coat.

I would love to hear about your travels once you returned. Father is confident in your abilities and mother asked you to bring her a memento.

We look forward to seeing you once you are back.

Best Wishes
Yongguk

Seonghwa leaned back in his chair and studied his husbands. Mingi held his letter in front of his face, pretending to read it since he didn't know what else to do with it. Yet, Seonghwa noticed a certain tension lingering on his shoulders. Despite not seeing the words, he seemed to understand them and dreaded their meaning.

"It sounds like the mages wish to see me soonest, so let's not dawdle and depart soon. While I accompany each of you, I hope the rest may practise patience and wait for my return. I don't want to find the Moon Castle in shambles when I return," Seonghwa said. Behind him, Seungyoun informed the servants to write the replies he would send to the kingdoms.

"Then I will take you to the spire first. Let's get it over with," Hongjoong offered. He stuffed the letter back inside its envelope, not interested in that call from his past.

Seonghwa nodded, and his servants scribbled along to inform the Spire of Magic of their upcoming visit.

"The seraphim sounded similarly interested, so we will visit the Vault of Heaven after my return from the southern isles," Seonghwa continued. San thumped his fist to his chest, heeding his command.

"Let's see the Cliffs of Zephyr after that before it gets even colder."

"I can't wait to show you my home and our gryphons! You will adore them!" Wooyoung frolicked and rubbed his hands. He wouldn't be deterred by the cold, but Seonghwa was fragile.

"The dryads will be interested in meeting Yeosang, but they sounded unbothered by timing matters. I will meet them afterwards."

Thoughtful, Yeosang stared at the table. He had never been to the Glistening Walnut Grove and never felt connected to the stories told from there. Seonghwa hoped it wouldn't be an issue, but so long as they received an official invitation, he should be fine.

"As much as I'd like to push it out further, I'm afraid the Caverns of Nightfall should happen after that."

Mingi ducked his head. He had known it would come, that the trip would be inevitable. When he sunk into a pitiful heap, Yunho rubbed his shoulder.

"I will contact the golems, and then the humans last. Everyone should be satisfied with that plan," Seonghwa concluded. When he craned his neck to look at Seungyoun, the man bowed.

"I will arrange accordingly. Tell me if you need anything for your travels, Your Highness."

"Perhaps I will go to the town myself to pick out some presents. Yeosang, do you wish to accompany me?"

"Gladly."

Happy the dryad made time for him when they both were so wrapped up in their new roles, Seonghwa grinned at him.

"In that case, everyone, please prepare whatever there is to prepare. I will depart with Hongjoong in two days and hope these trips align smoothly."

Quick in their duties, the men swarmed out. Hongjoong pulled a communication crystal from the pouch at his belt and muttered spells into it before his stride took him out the door. Yunho cheered to Buddy that they would go home, and Jongho and Yeosang talked about the natural habitats their origins shared.

The only one who remained in his chair was Mingi, forgotten by all others. He hadn't finished his food and sat with the letter in a loose hand as if he lost the motivation to grab it.

When he heard Seonghwa's quiet feet approaching with his perked senses, he lifted his head. Messy hair hung into his forehead, not styled for he didn't know how and no one else cared.

Seonghwa brushed it back when he leaned against the table by Mingi's side. After an initial flinch, Mingi sought him with blind eyes.

"Are you afraid?"

"I don't want to go back," Mingi brought out. "Them marching in here terrified me, but I feel safe being so far from them. If I go back, they will taunt me again." His voice lost itself in a whisper, and Seonghwa grabbed his hand. Gentle thumbs ran over grey skin full of scars since Mingi worked and fell so much in life.

"I'm there for you. I will make sure no one can touch you," Seonghwa promised. He knew little about Mingi, but his heart ached at the idea of him getting hurt. Seonghwa wanted to protect him.

Mingi took a shuddering breath, but he nodded. He wasn't brave, wasn't a fighter like other demons. Nonetheless, Seonghwa found him more courageous than most others.

When Seonghwa leaned in, Mingi's fingers trembled in his.

A split of a second before Seonghwa could kiss those dewy, brave lips, Mingi turned his head. Seonghwa met his cheek, but he smiled when he planted his kiss there instead. Overwhelmed, Mingi clutched at his cheek.

"Come. I will bring you back to your room. You have lots of time to rest your mind."