A fair warning on Hongjoong's character as per a reader's request:
For the next few chapters (not the entirety of the book, he develops), Hongjoong makes some
- racist
- ableist
- generally malicious
remarks towards the other husbands, but especially towards Mingi. I will put bullying warnings so you may proceed with caution if you read his dialogues.

*********

Accompanied by the melancholy chant of the castle, Seonghwa guided his husbands towards the dining hall. His family arrived the day prior and watched from the sidelines how Seonghwa handled his monarchial matters. When he stepped into the dining hall accompanied by the soft click of his jewellery, they were seated at the lower end of the table. Since this was Seonghwa's home and an event to celebrate his wedding, his father allowed him the centre. Flanked by Seonghwa's mother and brother, he greeted Seonghwa with a proud smile.

Seonghwa nodded a graceful salute. Behind him, Yunho, Yeosang, San and Hongjoong wisely knelt. Wooyoung and Jongho hurried to copy while Mingi squinted his eyes at the dazzlingly lit room, trying to tell schemes apart.

Usually, Seonghwa preferred pale, white light like that of the moon. Since his father visited, however, he exchanged his moon lamps for warm fires dancing on the chandeliers. His father, like his brother, was a sun elf. Seonghwa inherited his ancestry from his mother.

"Excellent diplomacy, son. Come sit with us. Let us get to know your entourage."

"Yes, father." With measured steps, Seonghwa crossed the room to sit on the head of the table. Hurried, Hongjoong chaperoned him to claim the seat to his right. Wooyoung picked up on the sorcerer's intentions and snatched the left of the elegant elf.

With his legs crossed and his chin supported by his delicate hand, Seonghwa observed how they already competed. Though they all had an equal standing by his side, some of their kins were naturally inclined to possessiveness.

Yeosang sat next to Hongjoong and pulled out the chair for Mingi, who got led over by Yunho. The bright rooms confused the demon, and they were silent with politely dulled noises. On the other side, San and Jongho sat in the row with Wooyoung, leaving one seat empty so the golem had enough space.

"My champions, this is my family. My father, the emperor of our lands, my mother, and my older brother, Yongguk."

A smile played around the emperor's lips when everyone bowed their heads at him. Like Yongguk, he donned a full head of dark, curly hair and tanned skin. He was untouched by age and the gold of his robes exposed enough of his broad frame to give away he was no stranger to the reality of war.

"I see you have inherited your beauty from your mother," Hongjoong noted. When she coyly covered her smile with her pale hand, the sorcerer smirked in triumph.

"A lively bunch. How about you introduce them to us, Seonghwa?" Yongguk suggested with a friendly smile. While the servants poured them wine and covered the table in dishes from every corner of the empire, Seonghwa leaned back in his chair. The sleek line of his neck made his necklaces glisten in the firelight.

"I propose they introduce themselves, so I may also hear more of them. Please, go ahead," Seonghwa gave the word to Hongjoong by his side. The others stayed quiet as they loaded their plates with the food most appealing to them. Yunho whispered as he assisted Mingi and kept sneaking small bites under the table for Buddy. Though Yeosang and Jongho didn't eat, they gladly sat and paid them company.

"Your Majesties," Hongjoong began with a deep bow of his head. He pushed his chair back to stand and, though his elegance differed from Seonghwa's otherworldly glamour, he was bewitching in his every gesture and expression.

"I am Hongjoong, Grand Arch-Mage from the Spire of Magic. I was born from two potent mages and educated in the Academy of Magic as a child born with a special talent for sorcery. My grades surpassed the rest of my class by far and when I heard of the joust, I was captivated by the magnificence of His Highness. After nights of hard training, I triumphed by far and came here. Be assured of my support, for I intend to be the husband Seonghwa deserves over a mere political consort. Please bless my feelings for him."

Impressed by the long speech, Seonghwa's father nodded. Seonghwa lowered his eyes, humbled by the interest of the most powerful young sorcerer of the Spire of Magic.

"I like the sound of that. Of course, we value your role as our dynamic ally, but I was hoping Seonghwa might build an affectionate relationship with one of you. If you serve him this happiness, know of my gratitude," the Emperor answered. Seonghwa's mother nodded along. She wasn't one champion married for political gains. As a distant cousin of Seonghwa's father, their bond was exclusively to uphold the lineage of celestial elves.

Hongjoong sat back down, satisfied with his permission. He reached for his chalice and lifted it at Seonghwa before his head tipped to drink.

Busy with his light food since elves ate no animals, Seonghwa listened to Wooyoung's introduction. The man stayed seated, too comfortable to part from his food or his jug of mead to stand.

"I'm Wooyoung. I don't have any fancy titles, but I am from the Cliffs of Zephyr and part of the notorious gryphon-riders. Perhaps the captain of my squad. I'm good at hunting and drinking. So, in case there is ever need for practice before you visit my kingdom..." Wooyoung let the sentence hang in the air and instead raised his mug at the king.

Yongguk snickered into his hand while Hongjoong looked scandalised.

The emperor chuckled.

"I will take you up on that promise. Use your dexterities to protect my son. As you can see, moon elves are a delicate matter."

Seonghwa threw him a flat glance that had his father giggling to himself.

"Please, you can need someone who's rough around the edges. Sometimes, I'm afraid you will float away to become one with the moon."

"I might," Seonghwa replied coolly. The clinking of cutlery on plates was louder than they were used to and Buddy yapped from time to time, but the elves politely oversaw the disturbance to their elysian realm.

Yeosang awkwardly waved at Seonghwa and then at his parents. Amused, the emperor grinned back.

"No need for redundant formalities. You are my third son. Unless you want to introduce yourself to the others?"

They had picked up on the peculiar bond fleetingly, but now that it got addressed, all their eyes gathered on the dryad. When he lowered his head in embarrassment, the twines around him grew higher, hiding him from view.

"Gladly. My name is Yeosang, and I was born in the Glistening Walnut Grove. I grew up in the Crystal Palace by Prince Seonghwa's side as his best friend. My kingdom allowed to send me as their sole participant in the joust as they were fond of the idea that Hwa gets to marry someone he feels comfortable with." Yeosang sank back, relieved. Once Seonghwa smiled at him, he overcame his dread of the spotlight and some vines settled back down.

"Fascinating. It seems the prince and his family favour you," Hongjoong said. He met Yeosang's eyes for the first time, interested now that his arrogance impeded him.

Yeosang shrugged.

"They know me, is all. Seonghwa and I met as babies."

Yunho cooed at the image he painted of an elven infant with pointy ears and long, dark hair, and a scion growing up together.

Quick to pass the word on, Yeosang beckoned at San on the other end of the table. The knight lowered his cutlery and sat straighter to address the emperor. His brow was serious, but Seonghwa caught a dimple flashing over his cheek from time to time as he spoke.

"My name is San and I am a lower prince of the Vault of Heaven. As Hongjoong, I was instructed strict training as a knight. I was taught by renowned knights who fought in past wars and grew up not in the palace, but in the barracks. My oath is to protect anyone in peril, so I will happily offer my sword to serve for the protection of the crown prince."

"An honourable man," Seonghwa's father responded. Across the table, he met Seonghwa's eyes.

"You should have him spar with your guards. They might learn from someone like him."

"I will see to accommodate his training," Seonghwa hummed. Next to him, Hongjoong took the crystal wine jug from the servants to fill Seonghwa's chalice himself. Upon Seonghwa's polite nod, the sorcerer waved the jug away, so it floated back to the servants.

"Also accommodate his wings. They are striking, but as beautiful as your castle is, it isn't made for wings," Yongguk marvelled. At San's muttered thanks, Yongguk lifted his cup in cheer. The seraph had no trouble adjusting his three pairs of wings to the chair, but they took up a lot of space even when folded.

"I'm Yunho," Yunho continued. Upon his tap on the table, two paws and a friendly dog head appeared. Hongjoong scooted in Seonghwa's direction, away from the animal as they regarded it full of wonder how it could be so defenceless and yet survive.

"And this is Buddy. We come from the Kingdom of Man and I am also an er knight. Often, we take walks outside in the forest or hunt for geese. I am nowhere as spectacular as some other people on this table, but I am honoured to share dinner with Your Majesty and marry your beautiful son."

"An honour to all of you, I'd say. Seonghwa has been chosen by the stars and his charm eclipses most." The emperor was less frightened by the dog than the others. He even beckoned him to come over and fed him some meat from the plates prepared for the raunchier of eaters. As Wooyoung dug in without abandon, Hongjoong held back to match the manner of the elves.

Buddy pranced around the room, happy with all the attention as everyone waited for Jongho to speak. When it was impossible to tell if he was up, Seonghwa cleared his throat.

"What about you, Jongho? What's the word in the Sky-Reaching Highlands?"

Petting buddy, Yongguk's mother looked up to listen to what the golem had to say. He grumbled for a moment, as if the flow of his voice had to find its way through the body of stone before he could reply.

"Not much. Few participated in the joust, but I'm the youngest, so they forced me since someone had to do it. Won by default. I like to sleep."

Yunho clapped his hands, elated with that answer.

"Truer words have never been spoken," Wooyoung agreed through his full mouth.

Nonchalant, Jongho nodded at the king. The golems rarely mongered war, too cosy in the mountains they blended into while they slumbered for aeons. Though his silence and the emotionless drone were difficult for Seonghwa to see through, he appreciated its uniqueness.

All gazes gathered at Mingi. Most looked with curiosity, others with suspicion. Buddy jumped around him with an excited tail.

Even after hearing how he won by luck, and how his disability impaired him, they were wary. Everyone knew demons caused most unrest in the empire. Their favourite enemies were the seraphim, though they also attempted to take over the empire several times. Mingi was a key figure in this marriage, and his blind fumbling for his fork after Yunho cut his food into small bites left them all speechless.

"Umm, I'm Mingi," Mingi muttered, ducking his head as if he could disappear under his horns.

"I honestly didn't expect to end up here. I participated only because my friends dared me. If my behaviour is off, I apologise. I didn't grow up trained to be someone grand and I can't tell who I'm with, so..." He bowed at the general table. "Please excuse my mistakes."

Pity swelled in Seonghwa's chest when he watched the sunken demon. He looked so demure, so small for his massive frame.

Hongjoong sneered.

"Just don't make any trouble," he threatened. Mingi hastily shook his head.

"That's the last I would do. Hearing how lovely our prince is... I'm humbled getting to be here." His cheeks flushed dark with his black blood.

Sympathetic, Seonghwa's father beckoned a servant to assist the demon.

"You are as welcome here as the rest. Don't apologise for your flaw. As you have proved in the joust, you are more than worthy."

Stunned into silence, Mingi just bowed again. By his side, Yunho nibbled his slice of bread by eating the entire crust first and then the soft middle part.

Fascinated by the unnecessarily complicated eating habits he monitored across the table, Seonghwa focused his attention on his husbands. So far, they were manned well enough that he wasn't too worried about their future together. He only hoped that wasn't just because of his father's presence.