54. Getting Suited Up

"Yunho, could you fetch Wooyoung for me? I don't know where he flew off to, but we need him fitted now if his clothes need any alterations until later," Seonghwa pleaded. He stood tucked to Yeosang's side, helping him figure out which branches he had to tuck into his body and where his moss could grow so they could bundle up his humanoid shape. Next to them, Jongho listened to the same instructions to achieve a form symmetrical enough to fit into clothes.

Two tailors whizzed around together with Seonghwa. They got long since used to his expertise in this field, for he wore clothes that were tailored for his body and his only. With combined strength, they adjusted the measurements of the two to match Seungyoun's written request. Now Jongho and Yeosang just had to fit inside the prepared clothes, and that was the hardest part.

The others got dressed without a hitch. Hongjoong lounged on an armchair, one heeled boot propped on his knee and legs spread in his scarlet uniform. It cropped around his high-waisted pants, accentuating his long legs and petite frame. The golden buttons lined in two rows down his chest and he donned matching earrings.

San's jacket was backless to allow space for his wings. The fabric didn't cling to the roots, rather dipping over the curve of his spine generously to expose his taut, tanned muscles. The folds of his pants were sharp and angular, as was his lapel. Golden chains decorated across his chest.

With Yunho, Wooyoung arrived. The gryphon-born stalled trying on his uniform because he hated tight and stifling clothes, but Seonghwa was ruthless for the sake of their public reputation. He shooed Wooyoung to get dressed and had Yunho stand guard. The tall knight received a long red coat to go with his outfit, and a harness of golden chains tied it snug around his body.

Buddy wore a red bow around his neck.

"Seonghwa," Wooyoung whined, pouty when Seonghwa lifted his arms so he could tie his corset shut. A neck holder kept the vest around his nape and left space for his wings. Below, the criss-cross of the corset spanned the red fabric around his naked skin. He got a backless cardigan to tug around his shoulders to they wouldn't be bare.

Seonghwa picked and plucked at his clothes, making sure they sat in place. Impatient fingers thrummed on his waist as Wooyoung reminded himself not to whimper, so Seonghwa wouldn't have to shush him with a reprimanding look. Since he behaved so well, Seonghwa breathed a kiss onto his cheek when he retreated.

"There you go. You look dashing," he praised the gryphon-born.

Insecure fingers tugged on the vest and the fabric of his pants that reached only as far as his meaty legs went. His talons were proudly on display.

When Seonghwa shooed Wooyoung away, he scrambled. The elf left Yeosang and Jongho in the care of his helpers as he stood to help Mingi. The demon ducked into a corner as usual, and his hunched shoulders didn't do justice to the buttoned coat that reached to his knees and pinched around his narrow waist. As if he were a high-ranking official in the military, golden linings pattered it. Once Seonghwa fixed his collar and smoothed out the fabric over Mingi's chest, the demon looked spectacular.

Seonghwa slid his fingers through Mingi's hair before his eyes found another maid.

"Comb back his hair and find some accessories for his horns," he ordered, sending her into a scurry while he led Mingi to sit down. "Trust their hands, yes? I'm here if you need me."

Shy, Mingi nodded. He didn't protest wearing his hair back, knowing how Seonghwa liked it.

When only one person was left to tend to, Seonghwa marched over to Hongjoong. The sorcerer raked his eyes up and down Seonghwa's frame and his grin was smug when he was approached. His legs fell open invitingly so Seonghwa could stand between them.

Of course, there was nothing to fix on Hongjoong, but Seonghwa tugged on his collar for good measure.

"I wanted to talk to you about something."

"If you find me all too attractive in my uniform, just say so. But let me take it off before it gets dirty," Hongjoong teased. At Seonghwa's icy stare, he snickered.

"What is it?"

"Mingi told me he had nightmares," Seonghwa started. He paused when something devious sparked in Hongjoong's eyes before he leaned against the backrest of his chair with a lazy grin. His hands tapped on the armrests in a display of power.

"What do I have to do with that? You want me to heal him?"

"It seems these dreams show me in some... compromising positions, from your point of view. Poor Mingi can barely talk to me without sinking into shame. Do you happen to know what might have triggered these dreams?"

Hongjoong's perfect eyebrow irked.

"Shame? He is ashamed? Ugh, that useless-" He buried his face in his hand.

Seonghwa crossed his arms.

"So it was you," he deducted. His hard voice didn't deter Hongjoong. Compared to Wooyoung, he didn't grovel for Seonghwa's favour.

Hongjoong scoffed, one hand waving in dismissal.

"Of course it was. I couldn't stand his fumbling anymore. He's a demon; he can show you the best time you ever had. But no, he ducks his head and blushes like a maiden when you talk to him."

"He has no experience and he can't see. Why are you being unfair? So much physical attraction bases on sight, how would he know how he desired me?" Seonghwa didn't falter even when Hongjoong's words dotted his cheeks with a sparkling blush. So long as Mingi wasn't comfortable with these matters, no one had the right to push him.

"He has instincts. It should come naturally to him to press you down, but I suppose I expected too much. After all, he is the most useless of his race."

Seonghwa glared at him when Hongjoong ran his fingers down Seonghwa's thighs in appreciation.

"We will talk about this later, but stop sending him dreams right this instant. They make him uncomfortable."

"His inability for absolutely anything makes me uncomfortable," Hongjoong grumbled. When he closed his eyes, deeming the topic as resolved, Seonghwa stepped away from him to greet Yongguk. In a fitted amber jacket, he leaned on the door frame and watched Seonghwa bustle about.

"Don't forget to get ready yourself. You don't want to notice your lack of suitable fashion in the middle of your entrance speech," he chuckled when their eyes met. Seonghwa sighed as he glanced down at his working outfit.

"Thank you," he huffed. His head spun with all his duties and stress. Yongguk read it right off his face and came to place an empathetic hand on Seonghwa's shoulder.

"Change your clothes. I will make sure these two look as stunning as the rest," he grinned at Yeosang. Jongho, who already donned his vest and just struggled with the pants, grunted in approval.

Seonghwa left them where they were to sprint up into his chambers. Seungyoun followed behind him and left his lists of tasks on the drawer pushed against the wall to follow Seonghwa to his closet. The tailors prepared his gown with the others, so he stripped quickly to get it suited to his body.

The ruffled underskirts of his dress were black and covered partly by the scarlet dousing from above. They matched the butterfly sleeves that hung over his fingertips in black, but red veils flowed from his shoulders to mix with them. Golden sparkles bedazzled the rims and embroidery on the ends.

Seonghwa's skirts flared at his thigh instead of his hip, and the scarlet dress clung to him otherwise. Golden chains connected the black fabric that covered his chest in adorable frills around his neck. The links spilled down his front and sides, framing the curve of his waist and hips.

Seungyoun did his hair for him while Seonghwa picked up matching earrings that cascaded a rain of rubies encased in gold down his neckline.

Since this braid was particularly complicated to pin up and get the curls around Seonghwa's face right, Seungyoun took a while until he retrieved the golden comb decorated with red roses and fanning black leaves to tuck up his hair. A few more accessories underlined the breathtaking beauty of the elf, while Seonghwa rimmed his eyes with black and his lips with red.

The crown came next. It matched the flow of his dress and towered in a proud gold. Scarlet flowers and black thorns raked it in an echo of nature and the chains that framed his features and whispered around his playful curls and his ears reminisced shooting stars.

Seungyoun helped Seonghwa put on the metal gloves that wrapped around his wrist and fingers, connected by filigree chains. Like pieces of armour, the golden rings gave him claws and the ruby-spiked links clicked when he curled his fingers.

The corset was the last. Seonghwa stood and slipped into the elaborate heels that wrapped golden swirls and leaves up to his knees. He lifted his arms for Seungyoun, gathering his sleeves and tilting his heavy head with the dangling headdress to watch as it hugged his waist.

A special metal that was so filigree it could easily be bent could be made from fallen stars. Usually, the elves crafted royal jewellery or crowns from it. This corset came from the same material. The thin golden piece hugged Seonghwa's waist with the elegant rakes of a delicate flower. Engravings of past battles reminded of the history of their kingdoms. The top was decorated by swirling ornaments; the bottom tipped to cover his abdomen. From the middle and up to press against his chest was the royal heart of the crown, impaled by two ruby-bedazzled swords. A remembrance of their war and their sacrifices.

It came with more adornments to dangle around Seonghwa's hips and he sorted them into place while Seungyoun closed the tiny hatches on Seonghwa's back.

Once dressed up, Seonghwa felt much heavier, but it helped him keep his shoulders squared and head up. He was the heir to the throne, the crown prince of the Crystal Sphere. He was untouchable and the most gorgeous ruler of this castle.

With a polite nod at Seungyoun for his help, Seonghwa settled his arm on that of the head servant. The click of his heels was dulled by his skirts flowing down the stairs behind him.

In the preparation room, where everyone else waited, sounded merry chatter. Yongguk's deep voice laughed with Seonghwa's husbands and a sunny smile danced over his lips. While Seungyoun took off to check on the guests, who filled the lower floor with their bustle, Seonghwa stepped into the doorway to greet everyone.

One by one, their voices died down when they laid eyes upon him. Doused in riches and elegance, Seonghwa settled a clawed hand on the doorway and beckoned them to come hither with the other one.

Hongjoong gulped, not moving as if any twitch could destroy the mirage before him. Wooyoung's mouth hung open and San's eyes had widened.

Who should it be? Who should be the one to lead Seonghwa into the ballroom to join his guests? Though they were all equal to him by their relation, the one he picked would stand out.

But as he swiped his eyes among them, none could be favoured among the others. They all deserved to lead him inside and they all deserved to be ogled at for it.

It was Yongguk, who swooped in to link their arms. A weight fell off Seonghwa's chest when he received a soothing wink.

"You look spectacular, brother," Yongguk complemented him. A gurgle came from Yunho's throat, an agreement.

Seonghwa smiled at him.

"Thank you. Shall we? Everyone, please walk in pairs of two behind us."

The brothers went ahead, whispering about the visitors they expected today and about their glee to see their family. Behind them, Hongjoong and Wooyoung quarreled to come first before they begrudgingly paired up. San and Yeosang strode behind them, silent and comforting in their support. Jongho walked with Buddy by his side and the golem tried his best not to burst through his clothes. Yunho led Mingi by his arm as the two tall and handsome men ended their little procession.

Seonghwa hoped they were ready, hoped they behaved as they promised they would.

With his face serene and confident, he pushed open the doors leading downstairs to the crowd.

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