The new peace was lauded far and wide.

As the citizens of the Crystal Sphere crawled from their hideouts and the sun brightened their sunken faces with new life, their cheers travelled through the lands. Songs of praise for the emperor and his mild rule accompanied them as they reconstructed their homes and fields.

Seonghwa received just as much glory. Visitors of the castle who inquired with the emperor for audiences to discuss the resurrection of the damaged lands complimented him in passing. The seraphim paid their respect to his composed reaction on their way to return to their kingdom. Even a golem gave him a nod of acknowledgement.

Empowered by the positive effects of his decision, Seonghwa dedicated his time to rebuilding the sphere. He left himself no time to ponder Yongguk and regret his verdict. So much was to do, so many cries to soothe. They reminded Seonghwa of how atrocious Yongguk's ploy had been and helped him overcome his guilt.

Seonghwa's husbands helped. They exchanged letters with their homelands to brief their rulers on the developments and functioned as a means of communication between the allies present in the sphere and the castle. Seonghwa and his father had no time to confer with everyone, but they did a marvellous job at conveying the message.

The only one who left relatively soon with most mages was Hongjoong. Some stayed to use their power for healing, but most were in a disarray.

With the death of the prior Magus Maximus, Hongjoong became the mightiest mage of the Spire of Magic. Additional duties swamped him and he had to catch up on everything the deceased magus couldn't teach him. Or, well, as necromancers liked to, they had to summon his spirit to pass on his legacy. Hongjoong often travelled back and forth via portal, unwilling to let Seonghwa out of his sight, yet responsible for his new role.

Seonghwa missed him, but he assured Hongjoong of his support from the distance. Thankfully, the mages and their straightforward way to organise themselves didn't crumble.

The harem did a marvellous job and got praised as Seonghwa's spouses. Soon, their names were a common topic on the street. Rather than the champions of the joust, they proved their endurance in the time of agony as diplomats.

Many elves went to help the dryads to recover. Seonghwa visited the grove twice together with Yeosang, and they tended to the wounded and got rid of elven weapons stuck in their mighty bodies.

All the reparations took a few weeks, but soon, the majority was done and the rest rolled smoothly. Since it was time for a proper celebration, the emperor called for a banquet with Seonghwa, his mother, his husbands and his officials. Despite its grandeur, it would be on a small scale. No ball, no excessive luxury. They celebrated with the people, but this was no occasion to boast.

Seonghwa donned a festive red again. This time, his suit was embroidered with intricate lines that shaped a tree up his side and chest, paying homage to the dryads and their peace. He entered the banquet hall to be hit by a rush of scents and laughter. A smile spread across his face when he spotted his assembled husbands in his corner of the table, giggling and squabbling with each other. Hongjoong was there, and they hadn't seen each other in almost a week. When their eyes crossed, Seonghwa rushed to join them.

"How have you been?" He kissed Hongjoong's cheeks as proper in their public setting as he sank into his seat. San provided him with a pillow he kept in wait on his lap, tucking it behind Seonghwa's healed back.

"Take it slow," he muttered before he returned to his chair. Warm, Seonghwa glanced after him while Wooyoung leaned over with a hand on Seonghwa's thigh to ask if he needed anything else.

Once everyone settled, Hongjoong's amused lips provided an answer.

"Not as busy as you, despite the similarities of our obligations," the sorcerer chuckled. The amulet around his neck glowed brighter than before, and he thrummed with the power he inherited. Though many dodged his path so his aura wouldn't make them dizzy, Seonghwa was safe in his proximity.

Hongjoong's magic poured Seonghwa a drink, and they clicked their chalices together. It had been a while, but the elegant line of Hongjoong's neck when he swallowed and the movement of his body in his fitted clothes sent a flutter of heat through Seonghwa's abdomen.

Their eyes locked, and Hongjoong saw right through him. With a secretive smile, he glanced along their line down the table. Seonghwa grazed his cheeks to hide his blush when the melody of his soul surged at a glance from those golden eyes.

"How have you been doing, Yeosang?" The mage asked and Yeosang gave a long-suffering sigh. All the talks and interest in him drained him and made his flowers wilt.

While they caught up, Seonghwa focused on his father. He ended his speech for a good future and sunk into place next to Seonghwa's mother and the queen. The seat to his left remained empty to pay respect. Every time his eyes crossed it, they averted in pain.

They would need time until the scars Yongguk left in their hearts healed. A close and beloved person in their eyes, his sudden loss was painfully noticeable. No one could replace him as the brother Seonghwa grew up with and a second son.

"How does it stand for our kingdom, astronomer? What do the stars whisper to you?" The emperor asked and by the other end of the table, the man perked up.

"Our Crystal Star that once dulled its shine now blazes with new fervour. The crown prince proved himself and the stars convey their pride for him. Truly, he was born to bear their blessing," the astronomer reported.

Everyone marvelled at Seonghwa, but only the eyes of those closest to him mattered. He grinned at Yunho and Jongho, who secretly fed Buddy by their feet.

"Truly, our crown prince faced all perils for the kingdom. Though his foe was the most dangerous of all... The love for his own brother."

When his father's voice dulled, Seonghwa glanced at him in concern. He and Yongguk had always been close. The destiny of the crown prince shifting from Yongguk to Seonghwa didn't change their father's fondness for both of his sons. Often, Yongguk got to relish their father's hobbies with him while Seonghwa was busy with training. As fellow sun-borns, they connected easier.

Now that Yongguk was gone, the shadows on the emperor's face grew longer.

"He did what I couldn't do," he announced to the table. The weight in his tone had other conversations hush as everyone's gazes gathered at him.

"When I blindly refused the truth, Seonghwa sacrificed his dignity and his position to unveil Yongguk's sinister soul. He took a gamble for his life, but he was ready to fail if only the kingdom could be saved." The emperor lowered his eyes to his plate. His glum frown was unlike the serene confidence fitting for the court.

"Father," Seonghwa soothed him. His mother placed her hand over that of the emperor.

"My love for Yongguk made me blind. Even now I feel deprived of my spirits by his loss," the emperor confessed. The glow of his skin wasn't as healthy as usual, his eyes dull.

When he lifted his head, his voice was clear in the silent room.

"I have made a decision. Crown Prince Seonghwa, our beloved star who shines his grace in our midst, proved himself worthy. In this war, he stuck to our honour and defended his friend and husband. He made the most prudent decisions and uncovered the truth behind the masked enemy. He showed us how capable and mature he has become."

Everyone applauded Seonghwa. Surprised by the sudden praise, he received the cheers with polite bows. Full of pride, his husbands marvelled at him.

"As I mis-stepped several times in this matter and would have thrown the empire into despair if not for Seonghwa's sharp wit and endurance, I will take my time to heal from my wounds. Soon, I will step down from my throne to aid everyone at eye level. The one most capable of ruling you will become your new emperor." With unwavering eyes, Seonghwa's father nodded at him.

Shocked into silence, the room awaited his response. It was quiet enough to hear Buddy panting under the table, giving away they snuck him in despite not being allowed to.

Seonghwa stood from his chair as soon as he felt his body again. His thoughts reeled, but his instinct knew what he had to do when he sunk to a knee next to his father's chair. Fond, the emperor caressed the curls framing his bowed head.

"Are you ready to claim the Crystal Throne, son?"

With a voice that had been ready for years, Seonghwa closed his eyes.

"Your wish is my command."

He hadn't expected it so soon, but Yongguk's betrayal left them all speechless. Now that it was time, Seonghwa was prepared. All life, he planned for this moment. If he could lead his folk as he led it during the war with the dryads, with the support of his husbands by his side, he was strong.

His father smiled graciously.

"Then rise, my heir. Let us celebrate you."

Seonghwa did, and when he faced the table, his spouses broke out in cheers first. The rest followed, lauding and praising his trustworthy sense of duty. His father patted his shoulder before Seonghwa returned to his seat. Exhilaration coursed through him.

He worked for this for so long. Finally, he would fulfil his destiny and become the one he was supposed to be.

Though this came abruptly, the support he received from every direction soothed him. His husbands looked at him with eyes full of adoration, his court saluted, and his father knew it was his time.

Everything clicked into place and though it didn't happen the way they thought it would, it was just right.

Full of feelings that swirled to such a mass Seonghwa couldn't articulate them anymore, he dropped into his chair. Hongjoong offered him his wine with a grin while Yunho yelled to his right, saying too many words at once to register with the prince.

They celebrated late into the night. Their treaty, their triumph over Yongguk, and the favourable news about Seonghwa's upcoming rule.

It was a lot at once, but Seonghwa relished the time he spent with everyone. They laughed with each other and no political dispute came up that night.

While the scribes sent out the news of the emperor's decision, Seonghwa retreated once everyone tired. He bid his goodbyes to the others and kissed his father's hand as he wished him a fair bed rest. Dreams about Yongguk getting dragged away plagued him.

When Seonghwa left, his husbands came along. They livened up when the eyes of the court fell off them and swarmed Seonghwa like happy bees to bask in his proximity. Chuckling, Seonghwa let Yunho and Wooyoung dangle from his arms one each.

"They were all so proud of you! Look how they hail you the way you deserve! Someone as refined and powerful as you should become their emperor immediately," Yunho cheered. Buddy pranced by his side, infected by their good mood.

"But you will still tend to us, yes? With all those duties and whatnot, you won't forget us? Your father doesn't take his diplomats along," Wooyoung pouted. Hongjoong elbowed his side. Wooyoung stuck his tongue out at him.

"Of course, I won't forget you. My father spent a long time with his diplomats and most moved on into their own lives, as there is no need to stick around. But as long as you want me, I will cherish you," Seonghwa promised. He was hit by another wave of affection and compliments. Unaware of where they led him, he happily trailed in their midst.

"We better savour every second with you. The preparations will wear you out," Yeosang predicted. On cue, Hongjoong rounded their group to walk in front of them. His clawed fingernails were painted black as they sensually trailed down Seonghwa's chest. The smirk on his face was that of a siren, and Seonghwa was a slave to his call.

"Won't you indulge us tonight, future emperor? We also wish to worship you."

Nonchalant about how they had planned this along with Hongjoong, despite his absence, Seonghwa caught his hand to kiss it.

"Let me just bid a good night to those who won't join."

Before he could turn to Jongho and Yeosang, however, Yeosang perked up.

"Actually..." he began, getting too shy to continue. Jongho, ever so flat in his tone, took over.

"We would like to watch. Your happiness is our happiness."

Heat surged through Seonghwa and settled on his cheeks. When he nodded, smug snickers sounded among them.

"Then to the gardens, we go," Hongjoong frolicked before he led them outside.