8. The Way into the Elf's Heart

"Sire, your parents have arrived downstairs. They wish to check on your improvements with your marriage."

With a dutiful hum, Seonghwa rolled to his side. An arm rested under his head, but it stirred with the disturbance. Upon Seonghwa sitting up, Hongjoong did as well.

For spending the night with another man, Seonghwa looked refreshed. Hongjoong had helped him clean up and dressed him in his robe before sleeping. His jewellery assembled in orderly piles next to the bed and his hips experienced no discomfort where Hongjoong's soothing magic alleviated all aches.

Across the room, Seungyoun stood with his head bowed, showing no reaction to their intimacy. The pads of Seonghwa's feet on the ground had him glance up.

"Please notify my other husbands and invite them to breakfast with my parents. I will be there in a few moments," Seonghwa asked. While walking, he brushed his hair, leaving the silky strands smooth after their bath last night.

While Seungyoun left, Hongjoong summoned his clothes. He climbed into his black pants and tied the cords on his matching shirt shut. Above came a jacket that was cropped around his waist and embellished with golden buttons. A single swipe of his hand through his hair had it stay slicked back with wild smoothness.

While Seonghwa stood in front of his closet to pick out an appropriate breakfast gown, Hongjoong sashayed up behind him. His hand found a waist recently covered by a soft, fur-lined robe over white pants.

Hongjoong regarded the two of them in the mirror while Seonghwa fixed his hair. Like night and day, black and white, their differences clashed. The contrast was ever so charming.

"Thank you for last night. If you ever feel lonely, call out to me," Hongjoong muttered as he tiptoed to hook his chin over Seonghwa's shoulder.

The elf kissed his cheek.

"The same goes for you, my husband."

They left the room together and Seonghwa linked his arm to Hongjoong's. The sorcerer led the way through the doors that flicked open at his glimpse alone.

In the dining hall, the rustle and bustle of daytime gathered most of the others. Seonghwa's parents sat at the foot of the table, and Yunho rambled to them about Buddy, who sprung into their midst. Wooyoung stood nearby with his arms crossed in contentment. Ever since the dog blatantly admitted to his adoration for Wooyoung, he became fonder of Yunho.

"Seonghwa," his mother noted once they stepped in. Seonghwa smiled gracefully. While Hongjoong pulled his chair out for him and sat by his side, everyone's eyes stuck to them.

"You visit early. Excuse my tardiness."

"You get along well with your champions," Seonghwa's father chuckled, brushing over the suspicious proximity between Seonghwa and Hongjoong. Hongjoong ate most unbothered, though the arrogant glow of his pride kept earning him glances.

"They are charming people. Though everyone is unique, we are figuring it out bit by bit." As soon as the last words left his mouth, a crash startled Yeosang in his chair. Together, they sought the source of the commotion.

Mingi sat on the ground of the corridor, holding his head. One of the double-winged doors had fallen shut behind a servant, and in his blindness, he had walked straight into the sheer crystal.

Hongjoong's lips jumped into a cruel smile. Wooyoung cleared his throat before he would burst out laughing.

Before anyone else had to bother, Seonghwa stood. Buddy stood near Mingi, worried about his pained groans. With a whine, he trotted back to Yunho when Seonghwa passed. His robe swished over the floor behind him and settled elegantly when he knelt by Mingi's side.

"Are you alright? Careful, I will touch you," Seonghwa fretted. He slipped a hand under the thick curls of Mingi's hair, pushing them from his face. Though he was stunned at the handsome features he found beneath, he played down his surprise to check the demon's forehead for injuries. Tears had gathered in the corners of Mingi's shut eyes and his lips trembled as he held back a whimper.

"I can't see any blood. I'm sorry about this. My castle isn't made for you." Seonghwa gently carded Mingi's hair back into place, mindful of his skin. Something inside him yearned to cut those locks so he could see the demon's handsome features. Yet Mingi hid his empty eyes for his own comfort.

When his horns almost knocked into Seonghwa, Seonghwa smoothly dodged them to help Mingi to his feet. After some stumbling, Mingi towered over him again.

"No need to apologise... It wasn't designed with a fool in mind. I will go back to my room," Mingi winced, humiliated by his mishap in front of everyone.

Seonghwa caught his hand when the demon turned. The touch didn't terrify him any longer, though he still felt dwarfed by the mighty being.

"You can stay. There is no need to hide."

Mingi hesitated. His empty eyes sought the room behind Seonghwa, tried to pick up on the faintest note of mockery. If he found it, he would run; flighty like a rabbit.

"I would like for you to sit with us," Seonghwa added, even softer. This time, Mingi's resistance diminished. He complied, meticulous in his step even when Seonghwa led him along. With a steering hand on his back, Seonghwa seated him and left him to Yunho's guidance.

"What a cruelty of fate to be born without sight. We should employ someone to help him around. I can't imagine how difficult it must be," the king uttered in compassion. Mingi shook his head with a blush.

"N-No need, Your Majesty. I fare well on my own."

With a heavy heart, Seonghwa watched the exchange. Clearly, Mingi didn't. He often hid away or didn't dare join the others out of fear of embarrassing himself. By the way Hongjoong mocked him, Seonghwa had no good argument to console him.

"Remember when Seonghwa had that incident, dear? I feared he could never speak again. Even today, that day haunts my nightmares," Seonghwa's mother added with a shiver.

San perked up.

"What incident?"

Seonghwa's mother lowered her voice, mindful of the sensitive topic. The champions all but Yeosang and Seonghwa leaned in to listen to her. Even Jongho's eyes sparked anew with their never-dying flame.

"When Seonghwa was a child, someone attempted his life," she confided. Horrified, San clasped his hand over his mouth. Hongjoong glanced around the room, furious about who might have done that.

"They poisoned his food and installed a tester who would only pretend to try it. Our poor boy coughed so much blood... We were sure his beautiful voice would be gone forever."

"Such atrocity," Hongjoong grumbled. His hand found Seonghwa's on the table, dedicating his attention to him. As if resonating from his touch, Seonghwa's skin tingled.

"Have you recovered well? There is no lingering pain? I could brew you a potion if so."

Seonghwa shook his head.

"Thank the stars, I noticed before it was too late. Yeosang cried as if I would die," he snickered. His parents fell in while Yeosang huffed.

"You also cried as if you'd die. And your vocal teacher cried for your singing voice."

"You sing?" Wooyoung perked up. It was no secret that elves were in tune with music, but few of them displayed their talent out in the open.

Seonghwa brushed it off with a humble hand.

"I'm nowhere as good as the bards of this kingdom. Though I learned some basics, there are better."

"I hope you'll sing for us one day," San smiled. The warmth of his grin touched Seonghwa's heart. Ever so handsome, the dimples in San's cheeks directed at his parents.

"Is there anything he isn't good at? From head to toe, he is so cultivated."

Dreamy, Seonghwa's mother sighed. After a bite of food, she shook her head.

"His grace was predicted by the stars. The rough gem we received at his birth was magnificent, but as years passed and he grew into himself, it was shaped to perfection. Truly, we have been blessed to have him. He will make a brilliant king one day. With you by his side." She grinned back at San, as taken with his beauty as Seonghwa was.

Hongjoong leaned back in his chair.

"It seems we have lots to catch up on. We should prove our commitment and partake in some of his studies. I am fascinated with astrology."

The others nodded along, but some didn't seem convinced. Mingi didn't eat, just staring at his plate emptily. Since he was caught in polite banter, Seonghwa couldn't go over to check on him, but he hoped he was fine.

"Don't suggest that too loudly or he will have you participate in his cleaning," the emperor laughed. Yeosang groaned and everyone glanced between him and Seonghwa's father, greedy to find out more.

"Our dearest son can't stand dirt. Everything must be immaculate at all times," Seonghwa's mother disclosed. Her teasing tone had Yunho seize Buddy's paws in a panic.

"It's not that bad," Seonghwa mumbled. He crossed his legs next to the table, too long to fit them beneath.

"Bad enough that you take part out of fun, though it's a servant's work. If any of you wish to impress him, start there." Seonghwa's mother winked in their general direction.

Motivated to please Seonghwa but reluctant to swipe the floor for it, the others exchanged peeks. Little rocks crumbled from Jongho when he seized up Yeosang and vice versa.

"No need for that. I am more than content having such odd amusements by myself," the moon elf claimed. Amused, Hongjoong traced the rim of his chalice with his finger as he studied Seonghwa. Their deepened bond lingered like a visible red thread holding them together. Since he was new to this, Seonghwa was curious to expand it, but he left that for another time.

Though the sorcerer was pleased to be let off the hook, Wooyoung wasn't. Competitive, he jumped to his feet and started clearing the table since everyone was about done. They laughed about him when the servants tumbled into a frenzy to take the work off his hands.

Amidst the chaos, Seonghwa's parents took their leave to return to their palace. They wished him success with his further bonding and though the sheer amount of movement and voices in the room overwhelmed him, Seonghwa promised to keep improving.

One by one, the others filtered away. Yunho went to wash his dog while Yeosang and Jongho wanted to sit in the gardens together. Hongjoong had a potion to brew, and Mingi felt his way outside by following behind San.

Seonghwa waited patiently until Wooyoung was done showing off. When the clacking of his talons came back over to the prince's festive chair, Seonghwa smiled at his heated cheeks and ruffled hair.

"There, I helped! Did you like it?" Wooyoung asked, the glint in his eyes that of a pirate hunting for treasure.

Seonghwa elegantly leaned his cheek into his palm.

"I did. What do you claim as your reward? I insist on indulging you."

Wooyoung blushed a deep red when his mind provided a thousand things he could try. When he jostled his wings to shake off all the improper ones, only his courage remained.

"I would like a kiss, please. Nothing would bring me more joy than to receive the affections of my breathtaking husband." Though his voice was so boisterous and sure of himself, his request was humble. Seonghwa liked it.

When he rose, Wooyoung stepped back in surprise. The elegant elf was taller than him, despite the added broadness of his wings.

"A kiss, it shall be," Seonghwa replied, smooth in his compliance. His hand found Wooyoung's chin and the gryphon-born's breath stuttered when his awe took him over.

Seonghwa tilted his head to kiss his lips, tasting that mole he had studied with such interest. Under his soft mouth, Wooyoung's lips trembled as they figured out a way to do this.

Ultimately, Wooyoung's hands found Seonghwa's waist to stabilise himself. Excited tremors wracked his body when Seonghwa moved his lips, offering their mouths to mould together.

Though their combined effort was clumsy and Wooyoung forgot to breathe as the dignified elf touched him, Seonghwa pulled back with a smile on his lips. Wooyoung was red as a tomato and avoided Seonghwa's eyes as if mortified to have received what he asked for.

Seonghwa ran his fingers through the hair at the back of Wooyoung's head.

"Thank you for your help, darling. I will welcome it again," he purred.

Wooyoung nodded like a wooden doll jerked around on strings.

"I- Um- I- Thank you, too. For the help. The kiss. Thank you. Bye." Wooyoung turned on his heel to rush out of the room, wings fluttering to increase his speed.

Seonghwa smiled after him before he retreated.

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top