The door to Mingi's room was still open when Seonghwa halted in it. He had informed Seungyoun of his plans after breakfast, and the demon just retreated to his darkness when Seonghwa caught up with him. At the mild rap of Seonghwa's fingers against the door frame, the demon lifted his head. Tousled, fiery curls shifted when he located the door cutting from the darkness.

"Do you want to accompany me to the town? I have some business there."

In the past, Mingi would have asked if he was suited for the position. If someone else couldn't protect Seonghwa better. But Seonghwa didn't need protection, he wanted company. And Mingi learned he was appreciated, even when he had a hard time accepting that. So often, his friendships brought no genuine feeling of comfort, so he was overwhelmed by the thought somebody cared.

Even now, his open face displayed his insecurity. But Seonghwa didn't withdraw his request. He waited patiently for Mingi's response.

When the demon nodded, Seonghwa smiled to himself. No question whether Seonghwa wouldn't prefer to go with San. No statement that Seonghwa didn't need to force himself to spend time with him.

Healing took time, but Seonghwa prided himself in his ability to give Mingi all the love.

"Will I meet the goat?" Mingi turned away when he changed his clothes, shy since he couldn't tell how his nakedness got looked at. Respectfully, Seonghwa tugged the door to a narrow slit and looked down the empty hallway while he waited.

"I was thinking of taking the carriage instead. My unicorn carries me softly, but I want to be careful with the imp."

Clothes rustled. When Mingi emerged, he was dressed handsomely in fitted pants to accentuate his tall and lean build. His shirt plunged low, giving sight of his dark skin.

Mingi didn't like to wear jewellery since it often entangled with his limbs and bothered him. His natural beauty was unabashed yet tame only for Seonghwa.

When the elf stepped in to link their arms, Mingi angled his face down at him with awe. Seonghwa lost none of his grace despite the stomach showing so clearly under his dresses now.

"How is he?"

Thoughtfully, Seonghwa trailed a hand along the curve. So many people gifted him clothes and accessories to adorn it with, but he liked to cover his child in safety over showing him off. No injuries discoloured Seonghwa's skin where the occasional zaps of feeble magic hit him. As Hongjoong said, the child was by far not as mighty as him.

"I can feel his greed for knowledge. His soul reaches out to mine, wants to mingle and learn, even when he can't understand yet. I imagine he will be the type of child we always must search everywhere because he will keep crawling off," Seonghwa huffed fondly. He guided Mingi down the stairs and the demon strode with confidence, used to all corridors and doors. Sometimes, his height and appearance scared new servants or visitors, but Seonghwa always made a point of sticking close to assure everyone Mingi was the sweetest demon. Some grew quite fond of his shy demeanour and liked to help when he was troubled.

"Do you know your parents, Mingi? The ones you were born from?"

Seungyoun had the carriage prepared, and Seonghwa held Mingi's hand to climb in first. The other one protected Mingi's horns from getting caught on the roof. Once seated, Mingi helped Seonghwa inside. A moment later, they were settled and rolled down the paths to the town. It was autumn already and the mushroom fairies dangling from the side of the carriage for a ride spread their earthy scent to refresh their senses.

"I... I don't think so. At least I can't remember knowing them."

Seonghwa contemplated him, sad for everything Mingi didn't know what he lacked. Part of which was the education his disability robbed him of.

"A difference between demons and elves is that demons don't carry their children in their bodies. Their females have a womb, but as soon as the child is formed, they rip it from their bodies and let it grow encased in breeding pouches of amber. The Cavern of Nightfall has an entire wall where newborns get checked on," Seonghwa told him. Enraptured, Mingi listened since this topic never concerned him and no one ever explained.

"Usually, once the demon is born, they free themselves from the pouch and find their parents. Sons kill their fathers, daughters their mothers. It's the instinct of survival. If a child is too weak to claim their place, they wouldn't make it among such a brutal race."

Mingi looked appalled. His brows drew together.

"I don't think I killed anyone," he protested, and Seonghwa reached for his hand, holding it between them. His thumb rubbed soothing circles into Mingi's skin.

"I don't think you did, either. One of your ancestors had a child with a fairy. Your family must have known the impact and that you might be born blind. Either they left in shame or they assumed you wouldn't make it. And by demon standards, you didn't. You didn't find your parents to kill your father. You must have lived off of what you found and the mercy of others."

Seonghwa looked at the ground below. The carriage shook and rattled across the forest path, but he was well-cushioned.

His gulp was heavy.

"I- I'm sorry you had to go through that. Even when you accepted it as normal, I wish I could have shared my privilege with you." As he did with Yeosang. Though Seonghwa's childhood had been overshadowed by a jealous brother, he could bear its burden over Mingi's.

"To me, you are the strongest because you know how you adapt. You didn't win that joust by chance. You knew how to be tentative and how to find a way others might not consider in their arrogance. Which is exactly what the joust of the demons was all about. All your life, you defeated everyone's expectations, so I am incredibly proud to have got to marry you," Seonghwa whispered. A surprised pearl of laughter dropped from his lips when a tear trailed down his cheek. It glimmered like a diamond when he lifted his free hand to wipe it.

"Pardon me, I- I am sentimental these days."

Mingi came from his trance of listening to him. When he read Seonghwa's body language, a cautious hand lifted into the air between them.

"Are you... crying?"

Seonghwa laughed again, but it mixed with a sob.

"I don't regard you as pitiful. Perhaps this is my awe with your strength," he tried to joke it away, but Mingi's hand met his cheek, cupping the elf's smaller face. When he swiped at Seonghwa's tears, he kept his claws carefully away from his eyes.

Adoring his kind demon and the concentration on his face as he soothed Seonghwa, Seonghwa spilt more tears. Together, they calmed him until he kissed Mingi's palms, thanking them for their compassion.

Mingi didn't tread on eggshells. He marvelled at Seonghwa for the wonder he was, for sharing his innermost feelings.

Once he gathered himself, Seonghwa found back to his grin.

"That's what I think. You deserve life and you live it with a tenacity few possess. Though our imp will be very different from you, I believe you can teach him a lot."

Mingi's expression softened.

"I can't wait to meet him."

The first houses of the town rolled past, and Seonghwa leaned back to relax his spine before they would venture outside.

"Me neither."

Soon, they made it to the main street. Seonghwa asked the carter to await them, for they wouldn't be long. When he weaved among the people with Mingi by his arm, they earned awed stares.

Mingi's blindness was no secret to the public, and neither was his unexpected gentleness. When he accompanied Seonghwa through the joyful people waving at their prince, he might as well be a dashing knight.

They found the shop Seonghwa visited a few weeks ago. When the chime announced their presence, the shopkeeper lit up.

"Your Highness! I didn't expect you in person!" He scurried into a deep bow, mindful not to stare at Mingi with too much apprehension.

Seonghwa smiled.

"This is of personal value to me. I take it you are finished?"

"Absolutely, I am!"

The man hurried to the back and returned with a large crate. He set it down on the counter between them and opened it to show Seonghwa its contents. Covered by purple velvet, awaited a tall wooden xylophone. The bars were of a darker wood than the body cradling them. Two mallets wrapped with delicate fabric awaited next to it.

The instrument maker beckoned proudly.

"The bars are made of rosewood. As you asked me, I adjusted the body for the alto, so the tunes are deeper and resonate more. Everything is reinforced with the material of falling stars without losing sound quality. It can withstand a lot of force."

Awed, Seonghwa swiped his eyes along the instrument. It was prettily decorated with carvings of woods and mountains along its side and looked refined without losing its purpose.

Curious, Mingi tilted his head.

"What is it?"

"You can make music with it," Seonghwa presented. He pointed at a mallet. "May I?"

"Please." The artist handed Seonghwa a mallet with a humble bow. He held the fabric aside as Seonghwa glided the round hammer head over the bars, creating a ladder of sweet tunes. Each was a delight. They needed no extra care, no special technique.

"I like it," Mingi smiled. He listened to the echoing music as Seonghwa addressed the maker.

"This is a marvel. Thank you so much even when my demands were difficult. Here, have your payment." Seonghwa prepared a generous sum, and the artist thanked him excessively as Seonghwa protected the instrument in its box anew. He was about to pick it up, but Mingi intervened.

"Let me," he hummed in his deep voice, picking up the crate without effort. Seonghwa's soul resonated its melody with delight.

"Thank you."

He thanked the maker once more, and they left together. Though Seonghwa offered Mingi to spend more time in the town and buy something nice, Mingi refused. He much rather wanted to return and know Seonghwa safe. In case something happened to him outside, Mingi couldn't provide the best help.

Since his demon was still haunted by the night of the attempted assassination, Seonghwa gave in. They chatted about lighter topics on their way back to the castle. Once they arrived, Seonghwa insisted on carrying the box.

"What is it for?"

"It's a gift for Jongho since he enjoys music. Though I'm sure he'd be happy to teach you sometime," Seonghwa grinned as they left the stables. Seungyoun came running with a letter, so Seonghwa had him bring it to his room while he ventured outside by himself. As usual, his rock was never far from the walnut tree.

"I have something for you," Seonghwa announced as he sunk into the grass. Twin flames lit up on the rock and he shifted into frame. Yeosang's face also formed from his bark. Curious, the two huddled closer.

Seonghwa sat the instrument on the grass.

"Best use it on a table or some other flat surface. Hit it gently, then it makes music," he described as he demonstrated how to use it. Awed, Jongho listened to its tunes. He nodded, mightily impressed.

"That looks much easier than the other one," he agreed with Seonghwa's prior point. His nod was awed. "Thank you."

"I have musicians within the castle who can teach you, or you and Yeosang figure it out together," he said as he stood.

"Have fun trying it. I must reply to my father's letter."

The timid tinkle of the xylophone accompanied Seonghwa on his way back inside. Though no shift showed in Jongho's emotionless depths, his getting acquainted with the instrument was swift and delightful.

Seonghwa returned to his room after a successful day of making his husbands happy. He shed his coat and sat in his conversation pit with one hand on his belly while the other flicked open the letter.

Son,

your mother and I congratulate you on the halfway mark of your pregnancy. I cannot attend any upcoming celebrations for I must travel north. The orc tribes demand an audience and I wish to hear them out in case this is something to build upon.

I will inform you of any changes, as this lengthy affair undoubtedly will get handed down to you.

For now, focus on your well-being. I will be back soon.

Your father.

Seonghwa kept the letter for later, remembering the date in case the orcs truly contemplated an alliance after all this time.

If this expansion were Seonghwa's first success as the new emperor, he would release many elves from constant fear and clear the goblin plague across the streets.

Contemplative, Seonghwa rested himself before he would go to check up on his other husbands.