killing me.

“The porridge,” Her eyes wandered to the staff helping them to their carriage, sighing softly at the thought of insulting the breakfast staff who works hard to keep all the royalties in Devotion pleased. “I would love the honey, but I’m positive that I dislike the porridge because I never enjoyed porridge.” Snow tapped her chin, remembering the times that she refused to eat the porridge down in Damned, and it got so bad that her father banned the dish from their household. The memory was cut short the minute Haneul closed the gap between them; Snow felt a warmth begin to cover her cheeks as her lover spoke of acts that would arouse her throughout the night. Her hand lightly tapped his chest, avoiding eye contact with the ladies who would jump at the opportunity to be in the same bedroom with him. “Are you flirting with me, my king? I only ask because I wouldn’t want to step on anyone’s toes.” Snow tapped his chin, listening to him ask a mouthful of questions, which was odd; thinking about it too long made her tilt her head slightly. “Have you ever met another man more handsome than you? I haven’t, which means you’re the most handsome in all the lands.” Her lips curved, feeling the touch of his lips, returning the soft kiss to his lower lip as she entered the carriage. “I love you, but I feel as if I have barely scratched the surface regarding getting to know more about you.” She carefully fluffed her gown before sitting on the cushion surface, lips pressed together as she checked off the list of things she knew about him. “I like how you get a little jealous when I call another man handsome. I didn’t think you were one to get jealous. Oh, and the way you pout is adorable!” Snow clasped her hands together as all the qualities of the man she was meant to marry surfaced. “What I am trying to say is that I can’t wait until I become your wife.” It was a thought on her every day since spending time with him, but her time in Devotion would soon be cut short. The man who killed his father would soon be revealed, and Snow would have to return to Damned. "Although that can be a talk for another day because tonight we will have some fun."

“If I’m breathing, I’m flirting with you.” Haneul leaned forward instinctively at her tap of his chin, following the draw of her touch and wanting nothing more than to sink into it until he bled into her warmth. He knew that until the end of his days, he would find reason to wish to enchant her, it wouldn’t matter the day or the hour or if they had grown grey. “There is no man more handsome than me that’s why I’m asking. It’s unheard of that someone could trifle me in looks unless the person looking at them is blind or hypnotised.” He waved away the notion, knowing that despite the different tastes among people, he doubted they were anything near what he gazed upon in the mirror. His head titled at Snow’s commentary, holding the edge of the carriage door as she took the steps although the courtier had white knuckles in bracing the handle in wait. “Barely scratched the surface? My dear, you must believe me deeper than I actually am.” He taunted himself, taking the step into the carriage seconds after her, taking a seat on the bench next to her and immediately reaching for her hand. “You scratch as deep as you like.” He clicked his tongue moments before he settled a kiss on the soft skin beneath her ear, lingering for a moment and for a few seconds, he wished to usher her back inside where they could remain alone. “I only get jealous when it comes to you, I can’t have your eyes on another man.” His mouth shifted to catch the edge of her jaw, a temptation lingering to catch her mouth but he restrained himself, and straightened. Settling simply for clinging onto her hand and gazing upon her instead. His wife. Words that he loved to hear, although it was yet to become his reality, his mother holding him back like a puppet on a string for the perfect moment; romantically and politically. “Soon. I promise.” He raised her hand to his mouth, planting a soft promise to her skin and a hope that within the year they would be settled into their vows. “Strife certainly knows how to make fun, you should love it tonight but under all circumstances, we must drink the same drinks, understood? I can't have you off in a fairy-induced high without me."

“You dare compare me to the Goddess of Love?” Snow clutched her custom heart-shaped pearls, laughter rising as she remembered the stories about Aphrodite. Every man wanted to marry her, every woman wanted to be her, and every God wanted her on their side. Snow dreamed about a day that she’d see the woman whose beauty outshined those around her, walking into a room without announcing her name because her beauty would shine brightly. It was unfortunate knowing that she’d never get a chance being the daughter of Hades. Nothing was impossible in Damned, but in Olympus, it would be a miracle for her to enter. “I will not be fooled by your compliments, I am on a mission, and no sweet talking will distract me even if you look stunning in this suit.” Snow circled around him, admiring his dreamlike features as if she didn’t sleep next to him every night. “You look handsome as ever.” Hearing the sighs in agreement, Snow chuckled under her breath before clearing her thoughts of Haneul and focusing on Minji. Her heels clacked on the way to the doors, and servants gathered around her to make sure her dress was untouched while others shuffled to hold the doors open. It was too late. It was the view of a familiar woman once the doors were kicked open, Snow turned the stone the minute her eyes caught Wednesday’s and it was clear she wasn’t very happy. “Where have you been? We have been waiting for you.” Her voice cracked, throat clearing out any unnecessary word vomit. “Haven’t we been waiting, darling? I told you that she’d be here any minute. I had Arthur conjure up a gown for you while you were away,” Snow refused to look her in the eye, the woman could spot a lie from miles away, and it terrified her. “Maids, be so kind and guide these to towards the designer's quarters.” Without question, three maids hovered over Wednesday and her companion before lowering their heads and extending their arms in the direction of ordered quarters. “We will be in the carriage, don’t take too long!” Snow caught Haneul’s hand just in time before Wednesday could snatch him away to question him, guiding him along her side as she walked towards the carriage. “You think she’ll make me eat that disgusting porridge for lying to her? I don’t dislike her, but I feel like she’s very serious when it comes to your well-being and mine. Always asking questions, always giving me a side glance when I tell white lies. She’s incredible.” However, Snow had noticed these past few months that Wednesday had slowly begun to change her demeanor and she couldn’t help but think it was because of the man by her side. “Do you think he has something to do with her state of mind, lately? A man? I assumed she liked women.”

“Can I not distract you for a moment?” Haneul’s neck craned to follow her circling footsteps, beaming at her for allowing him the opportunity to view her in a glowing light. The rosy pink radiance of Devotion was made to engulf her and it lit up every feature in a way the shadows of her home could never achieve; she was radiant and she was everything he could have ever asked for. He would have basked for longer if it hadn’t been for Wednesday’s arrival, eyes darting away to the only female that could make a King feel three inches tall. The defence was on the tip of the tongue, a readied explanation that hadn’t been required, not once Snow had been involved and he was trapped in an awkward smile; nodding vehemently to every word spoken. “I should let you deal with Wednesday more often.” Haneul’s gaze was locked on Wednesday’s back, surprised at the efficiency of her removal when he would have been a scolded child on any ordinary day and talked into submission to reveal every intention he held in his mind. His head tipped to the right once Snow regained his focus, content to seal their hands together by lacing their fingers and exiting into the evening breeze. “You think the porridge is disgusting?” His expression drooped, his eyebrows twisted and his lips formed a pout, stalling their movement two steps out of the entrance hall door, much to the dismay of the footman who had swooped in a bow and made a show of opening the carriage door. “I must tell the kitchen staff immediately, this won’t do.” A single stride had extended their arms out and the staff by the door scrambled for his reemergence, the playful tone obscured by their desire to fulfil their duties, although he spun back to her to relative swiftness. “I’ll have them douse it in honey and strawberries next time, I might even request just the honey and strawberries for our return tonight.” He hadn’t lowered his voice, closing the distance between them despite the soft laughter of the females behind him, his eyes solely focused on the woman he loved. “Or would you prefer chocolate?” He ducked his head at the question, intent on kissing her when the talk of Wednesday had frozen him inches from her mouth. “I always thought she liked women.” His pout had returned, tilting his head once more to find the entryway clear of those they spoke of. “All my other handmaidens were fired for trying to sleep with me so when she didn’t try, there was no way she could like men.” He returned his head to its former position to plant a kiss on the corner of her mouth, straightening and gesturing for her to enter the carriage ahead of him. “Do you think he’s prettier than me? Is that it? Does she think I’m somehow less handsome than him?” 

The word love combined with Minji never mixed well in any circumstance, Snow shook her head in disbelief when she heard those words from her future husband. “Why wouldn’t she be in love with me?” There were countless reasons why she was easy to love, but Snow never mingled in Minji’s relationships even the one involving her brother. It seemed the room was filled immediately as servants were called to prepare the couple for departure, Snow ignored those around her for the love that Haneul was publicly showing and it was a little too sweet even for him. Her hands settled comfortably on his chest, chin following as it rested above her fingertips with a small smile. “I love you more each and every day.” Those words were followed by a kiss to his lips, sweet enough for the entirety of Devotion to recognize her love for him. “I think Carol has a small crush on you.” She teased him before removing herself to be fitted into a gown knowing Arthur had to take full responsibility for his actions. Snow barely stepped into the fitting quarters and already had servants removing any unwanted garments while Arthur sashayed his way with a mannequin. “My dear.” He bowed for a millisecond before revealing the dress whose fabric looked like it was covered in blood diamonds. A neckline covered in carmine pearls extending out to the shoulders of the mannequin, built-in shoulder pieces is how Arthur explained the creation, but the winning piece was the center jewel keeping everything in a harmonic balance. The room fell silently the minute Snow tried on the gown even speechless herself as she turned to face the mirror, assistants straightening the hem while the others fluffed the skirt. “The King will have a matching tux.” Arthur refused to accept compliments as he knew his work was exceptional, throwing his hand to have his assistant help Snow out of his quarters; Snow caught a glance of Arthur before the door shut, mouthing ‘thank you’ as maids pulled her way to meet with Haneul. Using as much help as she could walked down the steps to the main doors, hand holding onto the golden railing while a maid held her other hand. “Look at this dress.” Snow shouted with passion as she reached the final step, the dress made her top five almost instantly. “Is this not the most beautiful dress you have ever seen?”

There wasn’t a day that Haneul hadn’t found himself hounded for an outfit change, yet tonight he hadn’t expected to find himself in anything other than the items laid out for him to sleep. His sleepwear had been laid out for him when he was ushered to his room, but it hadn’t been the only outfit for him. Arthur had been secretly and meticulously creating a suit that would fit right at home in Strife, yet didn’t stray too far from home. Decorated in deep pearls that edged his lapel and trickled down to the finer points, tucking red into buttonholes, on the seams and even within the laces of his shoes. “If I may comment, Your Majesty.” The woman that bustled in the moment he was dressed in Wednesday’s stead, piquing his curiosity on where exactly his right hand had run off to do, dusting off the lint from his shoulders. “You look dashing and I believe Miss Snow is ready.” Wednesday slipped his mind in the instant that his beloved was mentioned, certain she’d return soon to complain that he left without informing her. He caught a rose from the vase on the dresser as he exited his quarters, those that assisted him struggling to remain on his heel, fleeing down the steps with desperation to find Snow. His haste put him a minute ahead of her and he was more than thankful for the burn on the balls of his feet now; turning to lay his eyes on her at the clip of her heels. Edges of his mouth tugged upwards slowly then all at once, breaking into a wide grin, eyes dashing over the figure that came down towards him. The woman that he was to dedicate his life to and he knew that he’d do so without complaint. “Not as beautiful as the woman wearing it.” He stepped to the bottom of the stairs, one hand tucked behind his back while the other extended to take her from the maid assisting her. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. No one will ever compare, not even the dear goddess herself.” He chuckled at the low gasps from those around him, he may have been the only person to comment that someone’s beauty was beyond Aphrodite’s and live to tell the tale.

“I didn’t mean to scare you, my dear.” Snow was determined to find out what type of man swept Minji off her feet, slightly jealous at the thought that she attended a ball with a man and never agreed to go with her to any balls. A frown ruined her expression and in a matter of seconds, a pout formed as she glanced at Haneul. “She never attended any balls with me. I have begged her for years and every time she’d deny me. What is so great about this man? He is probably useless and possibly smells good.” Countless times she nearly fell to the floor, practically begging Minji to attend every ball Damned was invited to, yet the rejection ran deep when it came from Minji. Snow had trouble staying angry the minute Haneul spun her around, glancing up at him with the pout still holding as she used two fingers to grasp his cheeks. "You may have as many dances, my king.” Snow admired all that Haneul was and even thanked Aphrodite that she was the one for him. As if she didn’t stare at him every day while he worked, immersing herself in his handsome features every hour, and never growing tired of the way his brows furrowed when demand was out of pocket. One kiss wouldn’t be enough, Snow planted multiple brief kisses against his lips before interrupting her love pecks. “Have you seen this Theo Monarch? This man already bothers me. How could he not be introduced to us? Where did he even come from? Scratch all that, but did you know Carol said I have a gown ready? This was meant to be, we have a mission and please–for the love of all Devotion, try not to seek out my brother and do not let your anger win.” Her fingers wrapped around his own forcing him to follow as she peeled away from him, walking towards the doors with anticipation to find out what man stole her best friend. Although Snow had forced her thoughts to be on the mysterious man, her thoughts were disrupted by the visual of Haneul being behind a mask. “Sweet damned, you will look fantastic in a mask and I will be one of many women drooling over you tonight.”

Haneul couldn’t deny that, despite the lack of time he had known and spent with her, he was surprised Minji had agreed to attend a ball. Perhaps she found Devotion boring, a thought that ruffled him slightly, and wanted to explain outside the walls she’d been forced to remain within, but it was a secondary thought that was much more plausible than sheer boredom. “I don’t think it was about you, my little snowdrop.” He laughed as his thoughts cleared space in his mind and he could view the scenario with a different perspective. His fingers trickled softly down her upper arm and then off to the base of her spine, in a guide towards the door. “She wasn’t in love with you which I believe is the very reason that Theo is the one she’s agreed to attend a ball with.” Haneul’s laughter seemed incapable of resting at the idea of love blossoming from a woman who likely had no idea it was happening; yet in all his amusement, his focus remained settled on his own love. Mouth soft on his own and he found himself chasing her kisses when she pulled away, settling with an array of kisses on her cheeks and on the bridge of her nose. “I’ve heard of him and if I remember correctly, he seems to have no problems with catching the attention of women. As does your brother, but I hope that Minji does not have a type, although a mask does mean I have an opportunity to let my anger win -- but I won’t, I promise.” He was at the doorway, finding Carol on the opposing side once he swung open the door, with her knuckles prepared to rap the door and cheeks pinching with red. “You are the only woman I want tonight, even if the whole room dropped to its knees for my beauty.” Haneul caught her hand again, drawing her closer even with their audience, kissing her vehemently before they were swept up in swift preparations for the ball. “I suppose there’s a matching suit with that gown?” Carol a shade that mirrored the roses, had squeaked and nodded, silently sweeping a hand down the hall where they would be hounded to perfection in record time. 

The evening was panning out fine in Devotion, there was silence throughout the halls as ladies trampled one another to their carriages for a ball that one couldn’t miss. Although Snow received an invitation from Haneul, there was no urge to attend Strife Ball because she had everything in the palace. Everything being Haneul, Haneul being the center of her attention even in the bedroom. She gathered the items from the kitchen, tin-cans filed with snacks for her to enjoy later, and made her way back towards her quarters. “Madam.” Snow ignored the call, hoping it was directed to another woman wandering Devotion halls. “Madam.” Unfortunately, it was not for another random and the words were directed at her. “Yes, Carol?” Snow sighed as she faced the maid with an unspeakable amount of food in her arms, blinking increasing as she cleared her throat. “This is not all for me, I wanted to carry them around because I realize that I am very weak. I read somewhere that carrying your favorite snacks helps with muscle.” She blabbered on, on until Carol chuckled under her breath intruerpting her briefly before she could continue on about muscle mass. “Your gown is ready for the ball,” Snow raised a hand to stop her from finishing her sentence. “What do you mean my gown? I didn’t request a gown.” Confusion fell on both their faces and Snow drifted off into space as she recalled the days involving conversion about the ball. “I assumed you were attending because Minji had left only moments ago.” Her attention shot back towards the woman, dropping everything in her arms as she raced towards the direction of Haneul’s study. How could she forget that Minji was invited to the ball? Who was this mysterious man? This was her best friend and all she’s gotten out of Minji was that he was handsome. “Haneul!” Snow shouted before breaking and entering his study without prior announcement. Her body flung around to shut the doors, keeping the company out as she paced back and forth. “Minji went to the Strife ball. She never attends these events not even when invited, but she attended for the man named Theo Monarch.” Her palms slammed gently on the wooden desk, catching her breath as she stared her future husband directly into his eyes. “We must go to the ball. I cannot allow this man to ask for her if I do not know what he looks like or how he treats her. She hasn’t had the best track record with men, I’ve done a lot of running in my time with–but I need to see this man for myself.” Snow realized her words sounded more like a direct order than a suggestion, letting the silence fill the room for only seconds before she parted her mouth again. “What are you doing? Get up! We must not waste time!”

The palace had fallen silent, almost as with a snap of someone’s fingers, once the final carriage heading towards Strife’s Ravenous Veil kicked up the gravel. Haneul was content with remaining in Devotion, swiftly scrawling his signature at the end of various documents to return to Snow and sink their way into an evening with no distractions. He had been on the final scroll, elegantly achieving his signature when his doors flung open wide and his pen took a detour, crossing the page and scoring into his desk with an unceremonious scratching squeal. “Are you alright? What happened?” His eyes darted at Snow’s frame in search of injury, fear seizing his chest with a ton weight, expecting that she had been attacked or fled from an intruder. Partially rose from his chair when he had registered enough information, expression shuffling several times over from genuine fear to relief then to exhaustion, head whipping back and tossing himself back into his seat. A dramatic hand raised to his chest, heart thrumming wildly under his fingertips as he took in the information that Snow spoke with the same importance a council member would announce a declaration of war. “I didn’t think Minji attending a ball was such a spectacle, I should have walked her to the carriage in that case.” Haneul straightened himself with a smile at play on his lips despite her misgivings on the situation, the shock had started to settle and all that remained was endearance. He tilted his head, viewing her with attentiveness although he hadn’t jumped to direct action, he was much too enamoured. “I arranged her carriage for her,  I thought she would have told you she was leaving.” He thought about it now, Minji had been practically sprinting when she had asked for his assistance, flustered in a way he had never seen her before. “Wait, Snow, you said you didn’t want to attend and you now want to go to the ball to make sure that Minji isn’t with a psychopath? She’s not exactly attending the ball with your brother, actually… good idea.” The mention of a track record with the image of Minji’s gleaming eyes the moment that Phoenix entered a room was enough to spark a reaction; she did not have good taste. He reached out for Snow’s hand across his desk, their arms extended apart as he circled the desk, and he used the opportunity to spin her towards his chest. “Once you've declared Minji safe, I hope you'll spare me a dance, my love."

Hades found dinner time to be the happiest moment of his immortal life. Every day the meal would be different depending on the mood of his chef, but he never complained because of how delicious each course would be. Today was bison steak with homemade mashed potatoes and royal gravy from Olympus which happened to be Hades favorite meal. "What's the occasion, Mu?" The room fell silent as he began to cut into his meal. "Sir, the guest you invited is here along with the King of Devotion." Confusing painted over his features, watching as the doors opened to expose an empty hallway until his eyes met Wednesday's then the rest of her companions. "What in the underworld bullshit is this? I asked for a woman, not a foursome, why are they here?" He questioned his chef until his face turned to his invited and uninvited guests. "Are you guys here to celebrate? If you're planning to get drunk then make yourself at home. If you're here to talk to me about private matters then make sure I'm drunk first." Hades set his utensils down, dark eyes hovering over one male in particular. Something about him pissed him off, how can one man emit such a glow even in his domain? "You, the one with weird radiance, who are you?"

It was rare that Haneul ventured outside of Devotion, and his visitations outside his court were usually well-organised and secured, beyond his comfort zone beyond the gates of the Damned and more so in the personal residence of Hades. He swiftly adjusted the crescent that Mattias had bestowed him, expertly pinned to his lapel by Arthur, and perhaps by his better judgement, but he required all the help he could get, even if it came from the male he despised most. “Do not make a bargain with him under any circumstances, do you understand?” Haneul spoke in a hush towards Wednesday, fear igniting that she would jolt to protect with a deal, although he had been also aiming his advice to the man that locked on their backs. Haneul’s heels came to a perfect stop in the room’s threshold, naturally dropping to bow before the god currently feasting and questioning. “I apologise for the intrusion, I felt it better to beg forgiveness that I accompany my aid to your invitation than to waste your time to request presence.” He gestured towards Wednesday briefly, a woman that he wouldn’t have allowed to step foot in the Damned if he hadn’t required a slither of an immortals time. “I am Haneul, Deity of Devotion’s King and if you need to be drunk for private matters, I did bring the best of our wines.” His smile held its usual warmth, Aeron producing the wine bottle from behind his back as if he were presenting a common carrot rather than a delicacy. “We could all use a drink first perhaps, I do believe it was alcohol that made you call on Wednesday.” He slipped his hands to pat both Wednesday and Aeron on the back in sync, although the latter shot him an unreadable look, settling the bottle at the edge of the table closest to Hades.

"You have some kid from Euda escorting you to hell?" Mattias rolled his tongue, Euda never sat right with him because of his unreasonable trust issues. A group of strong men who were trained in protection and murder was a mass execution waiting to happen yet everyone agreed to have the soldiers protect the houses. "I'm sure you've done your research, but you're confusing Damned for every other house. Damned does not follow our rules, it's a mystery how the house hasn't been overthrown by its own people." He found Damned to be uncharted territory and it was uncharted for a reason; Mattias watched as the crescent spun in the air, head tilting slightly as the urge to take back his noble pin became more appealing. The two never got along, Mattias was always competing against Haneul in every competition known to man and it drove him crazy that neither of them claimed first. He was always tied to him, looks and charm even when it came to studies. Their ongoing rivalry was what fueled Mattias yet not having Haneul around was the last thing he wanted, "Listen for once, I rather go to war than hear your mother give me a speech about how I refused to help you in this conquest. War has nothing on your mother, the Queen is rather terrifying when it comes to you." He spoke nothing but truth when it came to Haneul's mother, Mattias would return home after long days of sparring with his enemy only for his mother to ring his ear. "Did you hurt Haneul? His mother called for me, I can't believe you fought so dishonorably." It was an annoyance that he couldn't get away from even if he tried. "No need to prepare one, I'm sure your snowflake would be more than happy to help me. How about one of your sisters?"

Haneul sighed at the disbelief that radiated at the mention of Euda, dropping back in his chair and allowing the tension to bleed from his shoulders. Teeth grating together as he once more glanced at the item in his hand, he didn’t have to use it even if he accepted it now, it could at least be a scapegoat if they needed it. “Snow has given me enough warning about her father, I’m already under strict instructions to make no deals, but if I do accept this, tell me what you want for it now.” He held the golden crest up once more, the light capturing its glint and the realisation the token hadn’t been a fake registered. “I don’t want you coming to me in a month or a year and asking me to return this Ezreal’s favour. If I have to owe you anything, I would rather Hades kept me down there until I shrivelled up and died.” Despite himself, Haneul laughed; a genuine sound that had him dropping his gaze away from Mattias and towards the floor between them. “You don’t need to tell me twice about my mother, she’s been lost since my title outranks hers. She can’t tell me what to do anymore and rather than have sense, she’s decided that you, of all people in my life, was the perfect choice to change my mind.” He rolled his eyes as he attempted to figure out the thought process that brought Mattias to his door; perhaps their mothers believed it was friendly banter rather than a genuine distaste for one another. “One of my sisters? Normally I’d say no, but I think five minutes with even one of them would have you begging to go to the Damned to repent, so I wish you luck on getting them to partake in mask-making.”

Mattias was well aware of the guard's instructions not to let anyone bother the king, but he knew that bribing them with a smile would work as well as money. "What can I say? I think your guards have a soft spot for me." He had no right to convince another man to fight for someone they loved, it's written in his code as a man whose heart has been stolen. Mattias had known Haneul long enough that changing his mind was like going to war without a weapon in hand, there was no winning with Haneul once his mind was set. "I think you're a fool every day, Han." The air in the room changed as he sat up from his position, legs crossing with a serious expression on his features. "You're handing yourself over to Hades, willingly, there will be no wrong or right answers in Damned. You know of Hades until you meet him then you know nothing of Hades." His arm swung around the expensive fabric, fingers tugging at the precise stitching of the Devotion crescent. "The moment you step into Damned ask for a man named Ezreal. He owes me one for saving his life years ago, he'll help you get in without any trouble then--" Mattias reached into his pocket to pull out the golden crescent, crafted specifically for the warriors in Altruist. His fingers twirled the weapon before tossing it towards Haneul, this was the only way he would ensure that he'd return home without concern. "Hand him this crescent. Unfortunately, Devotion doesn't deal much with Damned and you're useless down there without the support of another house." In other words, Mattias was stating that he would have his full protection when in Damned. In a deeper meaning, it meant that Haneul had allies by his side in case everything went right. "I'm too handsome to fight in a war, don't fuck this up."

“Hades is unpredictable, I know that much, but what I need from him doesn’t require me to pull many strings.” Haneul turned his head, eyes lifting from Mattias and towards the ceiling, aware that Snow would be oblivious of those who sat beneath where she rested yet he looked to where he had left her. His love for her would potentially lock his soul in Hades' grasp and he couldn’t believe that no one else appeared to understand why he had to follow through. It was the mention of Ezreal that had his focus snapping back towards Mattias, lips twisting as the scoff rose from the back of his throat. “I don’t need your help.” It was an instant snap in return to the offer, barely willing to entertain the idea even as his hand rose to catch the charm that was tossed to him. Doubt festering without cause because when it came to Mattias, they didn’t typically help one another, especially not in a situation as serious as this. He held the golden crescent up at his nose, thumb running along its markings and despite himself, he started to laugh. “What is this really? A way to get me killed faster?” It was pride that kept him from accepting, any excuse that he could muster to turn it down would suffice for Haneul. “An Euda guard will accompany me and I don’t need objects or favours to help me.” He flicked the charm in his hand, allowing it to spin in the air for a moment before snatching it into a clenched fist. “You’ll be at war even if I don’t fuck this up, from what I’ve heard, so your pretty face will be gone in a month or two. Do you want me to prepare you a mask?” 

"I heard you're paying a visit to Damned." His tone was teasing, finding comfort in Devotion's notorious love seats as he stretched out his legs with a long devasting sigh. "I'm more than happy to take care of your snowflake." Mattias settled nicely, checking and resting on his palms before parting his mouth to speak again. "Your mother called my mother, she asked me to pay a visit and talk some sense into you. Not that you care about my thoughts, but I think it's a great idea." He never hated Haneul, encouraging him would only benefit Mattias in the future, but it did worry him that a man with power would deliver himself to Hades. "Before you leave, I need you to tell me what the hell this is all about. You're not doing this all for her, right? You're the King of Devotion, Haneul and you can't be making such rash decisions."

“How many times do I need to tell the guards not to let you in?” A grumble more to himself than anyone else, using his heel to kick the door to a close behind him, not certain he was willing for a word from Mattias’ mouth to filter into the hallways. “I’d be happier if you never breathed the same air as Snow.” Haneul hooked a hand under Mattias’ ankles in passing, using more force than required to remove his feet from the pristine cushions. “You’re right, I don’t care about what your thoughts are or what you think I should or shouldn’t do.” Mattias had been a thorn in his side for as long as Haneul could remember, an ever-growing irritation that flared further the moment that he sat down opposite him. His tongue locked between his teeth, eyes forward focused although his mind warned him not to take the bait. “Why else would I do this if not for her? I know you’re thinking that I’m a fool, that I’m handing myself over to be slaughtered, and maybe I am.” A smile pulled at the corners of his mouth, leaning to settle his elbows on his knees, the thought of what he could potentially do for Snow easing the anxiety. “But it’s a risk I’m willing to take, I won’t be a coward, not like others would be.”