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For the most enthusiastic reader of this series @tomatoholmes and my forever inspo @vixxscifiwritings . 

Thanks @yixingminseokjongdae and @pinkhimchanism for listening to me cry over this chapter.

“Minah,” Wonshik called to her as she looked up from her seat in the hibiscus garden, she smiled as she got to her feet to greet her cousin. It had been two weeks since the news of her betrothal to Taekwoon had been announced to the kingdom sending shockwaves across the land.  She knew that the people were surprised, had made assumptions about her character. They would quell down, she knew, especially since she was never formally engaged to Wonshik and all discussions about Sooyeon had been kept under wraps.

“What do I owe the honour of the king searching for me?” she stood as Wonshik smiled back at her.

“I’m here to give you your gift,” he extended his arm, indicating that she follow him “it was the best thing I could think of giving you.” he commented as she followed him curiously.

“But the wedding isn’t till the end of the month!” Minah exclaimed, making Wonshik chuckle as he stopped at the palace kennels, waving to a worker who scurried out of view.

“I thought it would be best to acquaint you with him, much before your wedding,” the soft smile that graced Wonshik’s lips didn’t drop as the pitch black creature approached, bursting with energy, sharp eyes fixing themselves on the two figures ahead of it as its ears twitched with excitement, struggling at the leash that the worker tried to hold it by. Minah’s eyes widened as Wonshik grasped the leash and handed the two month old puppy to her “he will be full grown by the time you settle in the East, large enough to protect you when I cannot.”

The puppy snuffled around her feet as Minah’s eyes filled with tears as she bowed to Wonshik, he hugged her warmly “what would we do if anything ever happened to our Minah.”he sighed as she sniffled into his chest. The familiarity of their childhood bringing strong nostalgia as Wonshik remembered how much he had spoiled Minah till Sooyeon had come along. How he had held her terrified form when she had stumbled through the palace gates, the lone survivor of the attacks on the northern borders of the kingdom. Yet she was off again to unknown lands to keep him and his sister safe.

Wonshik shuddered, placing a hand on top of her head. Minah was the bravest soul he knew and he trusted her council. He swallowed his emotions and let out a shaky chuckle.

“Shall we call him Arm?”

She let out a choked laugh “no, Wonshik. We will call him Edo, he is a protector after all.”

***

Taekwoon slid the door of the music room open. Sooyeon had lent the room to Taekwoon to spend his time in. She had learnt that he enjoyed playing the piano in his childhood and was gracious enough to offer him her own grand piano.

It wasn’t a particularly large room, the warm wooden interiors contrasted the cool temperature of the room which was home to the large black instrument. Taekwoon took quick steps to it, admiring the gloss of the ebony and ivory keys.  It was fine craftsmanship, he mused, caressing the keys as a chaotic melody left it. He smiled, the acoustics of the room was perfect.

Seating himself before the instrument, he sighed. He hadn’t seen Minah in two days. She had been busy training Sooyeon and preparing for the wedding. She had proudly introduced him to Edo, Wonshik’s gift to her, and he was pleased to see that the puppy had taken a liking for him. With all the hustle and bustle within the castle, he was certain she was busying herself with getting as much done in her last month here. Something about it made him smile as he idly played a familiar melody.

The door slid open moments later, as a snuffling sound followed it and a soft scold of “Edo, no! Do not disturb his majesty!” Taekwoon eyes shot up to meet Minah’s as she bowed apologetically “I thought it was Sooyeon, I will take your leave…”

“No, come in please,” Taekwoon called to her, Edo clearly taking the lead slid into the room and thrust his snout in Taekwoon’s outstretched palm. Minah hesitantly followed her puppy.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you” she began, standing beside the piano as Taekwoon patted the seat beside him.

“You are never disturbing me, please give me the pleasure of your company. Do you play?” he asked, she shook her head in response. Taekwoon could see she was rather tired out, however well she held herself.

“Playing the piano isn’t one of my talents your majesty, I do love the instrument.” she exhaled heavily, slowly placing herself on the seat. It was odd, she was going to marry this man soon and leave this place. Time moved faster than she could keep up with it. She watched his fingers dancing over the keys as Edo settled himself at her feet. Suddenly she realized how weary she felt. It was always Sooyeon playing the piano that helped her energise herself, the cheerful melodies always perked her up.

But now she felt calm. Incredibly so.

Taekwoon watched her from the side of his eyes, watching the entirety of her being trying to stay awake, her shoulder slumping slightly as she exhaled deeply. The worry on her forehead melting, eyes falling close as her lips curled upward into a smile. He felt himself smile.

“Lean on me, my lady,” he whispered, as her eyes flew open, noting how she had nearly fallen asleep “I insist.” he added, noting her hesitance. She was going to be his wife soon, and he knew that they had to work together to build a relationship.

She was warm when she leaned against him, not pressing the entirety of her weight on him. There is an fresh earthy scent that clung  to his clothing, which she found pleasant, filing it away in her mind. This is what her husband to be smelled like - fresh like the morning dew. The cotton of his clothing was thick, inconvenient for the southern weather. His elegant fingers gently glided over the keys as he shifted gently to accommodate her, continuing the melody. He was comfortably warm in the cool room and she could feel her eyes slide close.

Taekwoon smiled as she curled on her seat beside him, her comfort apparent with how calm her face looked. Her hair curled in tendrils out of the braid she always had it in, the thin cotton of her robes fluttered, carrying with it the scent of the sea, he draped his cloak over her shoulder, mindful of the cold of the room, it dwarfed her, making him acutely aware of how small she is. He could easily engulf his future wife and yet, she felt so powerful to him that he was certain she would do just the same with him. She would help him put back the pieces of his kingdom, he knew it.  Deep breaths left her lips reminding him of how they had pressed against his cheek and he could feel his ears heat up at the thought of it.

Minah blushed when she felt him brush the tendrils of hair off her forehead, before returning to play the instrument. Sometimes words weren’t needed to be comfortable with one another and she was glad that that was the case with the King of the East.

***

Minah didn’t know what to make of the hue and cry that was being made at the gates of the palace. It was when one of the staff informed her that a messenger had arrived from the West that she hurried towards the gates. Sooyeon joined her from her chambers, equally surprised by the noise of the arrival of a messenger from the West. It wasn’t abnormal for kings to send gifts before arriving themselves.  The wedding was not to be held in another week, and Cha Hakyeon was to arrive on the day, as were the rest of the royal attendants of the wedding.

“What on earth could have possibly caused such a scene?” Minah wondered out aloud as Sooyeon shrugged, missing  Taekwoon and Minseok strolling by the gardens by the gates. The messenger stood in front a large vehicle, looking around for someone in particular. He brightened up at the sight of Minah and Sooyeon.

“This is…rather large.” Sooyeon commented, looking at Minah suspiciously.

“It is Cha Hakyeon,” Minah laughed. She was aware of the king of the West's tendencies for theatrics having been personal witness to some of it “he enjoys the odd theatric every now and then.”

The cousins approached the vehicle, they found themselves being joined by Wonshik and his small council, all gaping at the largeness of the vehicle.

“What on earth.” Jongin whispered as he stationed himself beside Sooyeon and Minah. Taekwoon and Minseok found themselves approaching the scene, wondering what on earth was happening.

“It appears to be a wedding gift,” Minseok commented as Taekwoon nodded, peering at the large vehicle.

“State your business here.” Taemin demanded as the man held a sealed letter with the emblem of the West.

“I have come with engagement gifts for the lady Kim Minah and King Jung Taekwoon of the East from the King of the West Cha Hakyeon.” The messenger declared as Minah gaped. Sooyeon held back a laugh as she nudged her sister unaware of Taekwoon’s eyes on the scene.

“Search for King Taekwoon and request that he join us...” Wonshik barked to the staff standing there who scurried to find the king.

“You need not, I am present…” Taekwoon announced his presence, eyes fixed on the monstrosity of a vehicle bedecked with colourful curtains.

“They are here,” Sooyeon called to the messenger who approached, holding out the letter and bowing down as the curtains of the vehicle flew open revealing a large portrait. Sooyeon’s jaw dropped and if Minah was surprised to see herself looking back at her, she didn’t show it.

Taekwoon’s eyes widened at the detail of the work. Minah’s placid face gazed back at him, features a little younger, her cheeks flushed yet less rounded, hair down her shoulders adorned in flowers, her lips parted just slightly into a smile which reached her eyes. Her blue robes dipped down her neck on which rested a single pearl. The portrait was bewitching. His reverie was broken when he heard her soft laughter and he spun around to see Minah’s pleased smile as she looked at the oil of canvas.

“Of course.” she smiled as the messenger bowed, approaching Taekwoon with the letter in hand and a box in the other.

“His majesty has penned this for your highness.” he bowed, offering the sealed paper to Taekwoon who accepted it hesitantly. He was aware following his brief meetings with Cha Hakyeon that the king of the West indulged in poetry and the arts. In fact he was a known patron for some of the best artists in the five kingdoms. It wasn’t something he was particularly used to, but nonetheless, he accepted the letter. He could feel Minseok’s gaze on him, shifting from the portrait to Minah to him.

How the king of the West had successfully commissioned a portrait of someone he didn’t know was highly suspect. But it was possible that the portrait was created by someone who had previously met Minah, Cha Hakyeon was known to be well-connected amongst the artists.

The box clicked open in the messenger’s hand displaying a miniature portrait of Taekwoon. The detailed work that had gone into its creation was apparent. Taekwoon’s eyes fixed themselves on the image.

“Please show it to the lady,” he spoke softly as the messenger nodded walking towards Minah with the box in hand.  The letter could be read later, he mused, sliding it towards Minseok who dutifully held on to it. Clearly this was not abnormal for Cha Hakyeon to gift married couples portraits of themselves.

“Shift the portrait to the lady’s chambers.” Taemin ordered as Taekwoon stared at it leaving his line of sight.

Cracking the seal of the letter  open Taekwoon looked at the elegant hand that slanted over the sheet of paper. The contents puzzled him as his eyes went over the script over and over. Cha Hakyeon was clearly a mad-man and Taekwoon was certain this was due to the falling out with the High King. With little to no resources left, Hakyeon was a suspicious man, charming for certain, but suspicious of everything that happened around him. But this, this was the ravings of a mad man. Taekwoon stared at the paper again.

Greetings Jung Taekwoon, King of the East,

I write to convey my best wishes on your engagement to the brave and honourable Kim Minah.  This poem I have penned in honour of your marriage.

 Speak with love to the universe

And it will set you free

Beneath the surface lay dark roots

Universes lie in eyes

Tongues that speak poison

Are cured by casting out weeds

Dark roots illuminate

And grow

Into trees

Under careful eyes

That hold the universe

Speak with love to the universe

And it will set you free

May this serve as good advice to you. May your joining together bring you and your people more joy than you can imagine.

The letter was stamped off with the royal seal of the West and Taekwoon couldn’t help but find the poem sounding more ominous than as a congratulatory note. But he pushed the thought aside, this may have been a bout of madness setting in on Hakyeon, his suspicious tendencies getting to the best of him.

Folding the letter, he frowned, dropping it back on the table.

What was Cha Hakyeon trying to point out?

WHAT THE HELL MAN

I thought it was cute cause they were best friends that protected each other but then NOPE

WE’RE GONNA TEAR YOUR HEART OUT

And when they went to get revenge and protect their buddy

EVERYONE GETS FUCKED UP

try chroooooome

20 inches u are baby