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❁❁❁
“One thing you must know before you decide to go through this treaty, prince of Elysian,” king Yoongi of Zephyr, clears his throat, “my heart is not in this marriage. It might never be. If you are agreeing to this with the hope of a loving and doting husband, then I have to bow to you and apologize. I can be doting. I will be caring, and I will provide everything you might need, but you will not have my heart. I have already given it away to someone else.”
The prince of Elysian’s expression stays just as vacuous after Yoongi stops talking, and he just permits a slight nod to Yoongi.
“I am twenty-four years old, my lord,” he says in a very calm voice, “the notion of love and fantasy has died in my heart years ago. Now I want to settle down with someone respectable. That is all I wish from you. Respect as a person and nothing else will ever be asked of you.”
Yoongi takes a long look at the prince. His eyes go from the golden-leaf-patterned crown on the blond strands of hair. Down to that pale face with those honey-like eyes that hold nothing in them. As if very carefully veiled to push people away. To further south to those plump lips before he flickers them up to match that steady gaze.
“I hope you know what is expected of us for this treaty to take place,” Yoongi sees the flicker of something in those eyes, but it is just as quickly gone, “you have to carry my pup for us to marry.”
Prince Jimin gives another firm nod, “I am well aware of the queen’s conditions.”
Yoongi quirks a brow, “conditions? There is more than one?”
Prince Jimin’s lips twitch, “yes, my lord. The first is, I am to be innocent,” his voice dips and Yoongi’s face colours as he understands the meaning, prince Jimin continues, “the second was, the one you know. The third and last one is,” he takes a deep breath, “I have to sign away my kingdom to my pup as soon as they are born.”
“That is absurd,” Yoongi protests vehemently, “your kingdom will be yours till your last breath, Prince of Elysian. I assure you of that. You do not need to sacrifice your dignity and identity to be my mate.”
Yoongi catches the first emotion on that blank face. Surprise. It colours prince Jimin’s irises for a blink of an eye before the prince is looking away with a slight nod. His hands clutch onto his gown where they are placed neatly over his lap.
“Is there anything you expect of me? You can let me know.”
Prince Jimin’s nails dig into his thighs and Yoongi notices it. He notices the uncertainty crossing the prince’s eyes before he builds his resolve back up.
“Is your heart present in the palace?”
The question catches Yoongi off-guard and he has to take a deep breath before answering. He is to marry this omega. He needs to, at least, give the prince honesty.
“He was my consort,” Yoongi leans back on his seat while his fingers drum over the armrest, “he married my most loyal grand marshal. They live outside the palace but yes, he comes around often as we are friends,” Yoongi levels the prince with a pointed gaze, “I do not wish to cut him out of my life. Nor do I wish to harm him or his mate. It is a chapter neatly closed.”
The prince gives another nod, “there is a condition I have that I could not voice to the queen as it is none of her matter to indulge in,” he holds Yoongi’s gaze steadily, “I do not wish my mate to warm someone else’s bed. So, I do not care where your heart lies, as long as you come to my chamber for your physical needs. I shall not marry or touch a swindler.”
Yoongi’s breath catches in his throat because he has not seen an omega as frank and as honest as the prince of Elysian. And he has seen ‘tiger.’ He cannot help but straighten in his seat. Prince Jimin does not cower when Yoongi’s eyes sharpen on him.
“You have my word,” the king gives a deep bow of his head, “I shall fulfil my desires only in your presence.”
Prince Jimin’s lips quirk a notch, “then, we shall proceed, my lord. I have nothing else to ask for.”
❁
The treaty is signed the very next day and prince Jimin is escorted to Zephyr with his trusted butler cum friend, Kim Seokjin.
Yoongi’s mother comes to settle the prince in his wing that Hoseok, Yoongi’s minister, ordered to decorate for the prince. She informs Jimin that he is to share the king’s bedroom once he marries the man. After he gives birth to the heir. The prince settles in without a word of protest, and the queen leaves the palace to go to her ailing husband in their retirement home.
.
“He is pretty,” Hoseok quips as soon as the two of them are alone, “at least, you will not have any problem performing the coitus.”
Yoongi grimaces, “you have no shame but please refrain from talking like this in front of the prince. He comes from a very respected kingdom. As you know, the Elysians are very strict about their manners.”
Hoseok flops down on the king’s bed with mirthful eyes stuck on the king, “then, take the responsibility to teach him the zephyr’s ways. Hmm?”
Yoongi does not entertain the beta because he has to conduct the court that he neglected to accompany his mother on this journey. Now that he has some time, he eats his breakfast and rushes to the court with a blabbering Hoseok right on his toes.
❁
They are to consummate the treaty on the full moon which is coming up in three days. Yoongi makes sure to visit the prince that night just to check if he needs anything.
“I shall ask for something of yours for my nest,” prince Jimin gestures at the bed, “I am to familiarize myself with you so my omega starts to anticipate the union.”
Yoongi is again gobsmacked with the blunt honesty. He takes off the shirt he was wearing and holds it out for the omega to take. The prince holds the shirt with both of his hands and buries his nose into it.
The act is so innocent but it ignites something equally sinful in the pit of the king’s stomach. Yoongi’s eyes are helplessly drawn to the prince who rubs the soft material of the shirt against his equally, if not more, soft cheeks. Then the prince is looking at Yoongi with a silent nod of approval.
“Is there anything you would like to have?”
The king looks around the room to see how tastefully the prince has decorated the place. He looks at the fine, lacy curtains to the silk bedsheets to the flowers all around the chamber in beautiful vases. Yoongi can see the nest has quite a few pillows and sheets neatly covering it. He looks back at the prince.
He has never taken an omega’s scent to his bed.
Yoongi eyes the scarf around the prince’s neck and the prince is clever enough to understand his silence. With a swift tug, the knot comes loose and the prince is holding out the material for the king. Yoongi takes it and brings it closer to his nose. His nostrils flare as soon as the precious scent of Lilacs fills his lungs. Yoongi looks at the prince and nods to himself.
“I shall return to my chamber now,” the king closes his fist around the scarf, “if you need anything, just summon me. Any time of the day. You shall not hesitate. Am I clear?” he pauses before adding, “my precious?”
The carefully placed mask finally slips and Yoongi can see the surprise and shock dusting those cheeks a hue of pink. Those irises dilate before the prince forces to school himself.
“I shall not keep you longer, my lord,” prince Jimin bows waist-deep, “may you rest well.”
Yoongi leaves the bed chamber with one last look at the prince.
❁
“He is very beautiful. The queen chose someone who would complement you pretty well, my lord,” Namjoon’s voice reaches Yoongi from where the master of the coins is buried in his ledgers.
Yoongi rolls his eyes when he notices the minister sitting idly beside Namjoon with a sly smirk pointed at Yoongi.
“The king took the omega’s—”
“Jung Hoseok,” Yoongi’s sharp voice makes his two friends recoil before looking at him with startled, wide eyes, “you shall address him as the prince of Elysian and nothing else.”
Hoseok’s wide eyes fill with regret and then with mirth, “I apologize, my lord. So, the prince of Elysian’s scarf.”
Namjoon looks at Hoseok and back at Yoongi, “you took the prince’s scent to your bed? Oh, my.”
Yoongi busies himself with the accounts he is checking, “well, I am to mate this prince. I shall familiarize myself with him. I do not understand the shock you two display at such a nuisance act.”
“It’s an act of intimacy nonetheless, my lord,” Hoseok smirks, “and, I am pleased to see you are offering this treaty your honest efforts.”
Namjoon nods in agreement. Yoongi does not continue the train of discussion and changes the subject.
❁
That night the king finds himself back in the prince’s bed chamber. The prince welcomes him with a goblet of wine. Yoongi sits on the leather couch while the prince leans against the bedpost.
“I apologize for not visiting you throughout the day,” Yoongi takes a sip of the wine and nods in satisfaction, “the court demanded my attention as I was away from my duties for quite some time now.”
“No need to apologize, my lord, I understand,” prince Jimin offers a small smile, “I do not expect you by my side for the entire day. I grew up seeing my parents barely meeting for days. Unless, for, uhm,” his eyes divert with blush coating his cheeks, “the moon cycle.”
Yoongi understands. The moon cycle, as in, the ruts and heats. He looks at the omega prince and wonders if he is so aloof because of his upbringing. Maybe, because his parents are not a love match, prince Jimin’s expectations from his own marriage are also quite a few.
Yoongi takes another sip of his wine, “you shall see me more than that,” he licks his lower lip while his eyes take a lazy tour of the omega’s figure, hidden in the long, silk nightgown, “I shall need your company outside our moon cycle, too. If that is okay?”
The prince gives a small nod, “the door of my bed chamber will always be open for you, my lord.”
“Wrong answer, precious,” Yoongi stands up to walk towards the omega who does not cower under his intense gaze, “you shall deny my advances on the days you do not feel like entertaining them. Am I clear?”
The prince’s eyes are focused on the king’s face and Yoongi does not wish for them to be anywhere else right now.
“I do not wish to bed a reluctant omega,” the king’s eyes travel across the prince’s face, “I shall retreat if you are not longing for me as actively as I might.”
The prince casts his eyes downwards with a meek nod, “I shall remember that, my lord. Thank you.”
Yoongi reaches to place his index finger under the omega’s chin to make prince Jimin look up at him, “and, you are to find me when you long for me, too. Am I clear?” he nods at the surprise in the prince’s eyes, “even if I am busy. I am in court. Anywhere. You shall send for me. You must know, you have me just as much as I have you.”
The prince lowers his eyes, “yes, my lord. I shall remember that.”
Yoongi goes to sit on the couch again and pats the space beside him, “you do not need to stand so far away. If you wish to drink, by all means, join me.”
“Omegas do not drink, my lord. It is not good for our health as we are to produce healthy pups for the lineage,” prince Jimin gestures at the glass of milk, “I shall consume that before going to bed.”
“Then come and join me with your milk, precious.”
Prince Jimin picks up the glass of milk and joins Yoongi on the couch. They sit facing each other with some distance between them. Their murmured words fill the silence of the bed chamber.
That night Yoongi goes to bed with the prince’s scent smeared across his bed and the prince’s words jumbled in his mind.
❁
“How is the preparation for the full moon going?”
Yoongi looks over his shoulder and smiles when he sees Taehyung. The omega is already smiling at him.
“I would think it is going good,” Yoongi gestures to the settee in front of him, “judging by my mother is taking care of it.”
“That is true,” the consort sinks on the settee, “she will make sure to impress the moon goddess for a healthy heir of the Min lineage.”
“I sure hope so,” the king leans back on his own perch, “so…?” his eyebrows dance with mirth, “how is married life?”
The consort’s eyes fill with warmth at the mention of it and he offers a pleased smile.
“Your grand marshal is a skilled alpha, too, my king. He takes great care of me.”
Yoongi huffs a laugh, “I would not expect anything less…” his eyes flicker to the closed door when the guards outside announce Seokjin’s presence.
Yoongi tugs on the chain and the bell attached to the ceiling rings. The guards let Seokjin pass after the ring of approval. The butler walks up to the threshold and sinks to his knees.
“Good morning, your majesty,” Seokjin greets, “the prince is asking for you.”
Taehyung looks at the butler curiously. His calculative eyes take Seokjin in until he is satisfied.
“In his chamber?” Yoongi ignores Taehyung’s mirthful eyes.
“Yes,” Seokjin keeps his head bowed, “if you would grant him a visit. The prince said he would be blessed.”
Yoongi is already standing up and Taehyung follows. Yoongi looks at the consort, who arches his brows. With a roll of his eyes, Yoongi lets Taehyung follow him.
The king nods when the guards bow to him waist-deep before announcing his presence in the prince’s wing along with the consort. The door opens and Yoongi steps inside to see the prince sitting with arrays of flowers spread out on the carpet around him. He looks quite distressed on his perch.
Those eyes shift onto him and then to the consort beside Yoongi. Yoongi sees the way the prince composes himself almost instantly. His posture impeccable with his hands folded on his lap. Spine straight and chin jutting out. His expression is a dull, uninterested mask.
Taehyung sinks to his knees, “my prince,” he touches his hand over his chest, “I am blessed to meet you.”
“You are?” Prince Jimin’s eyes never waver from Taehyung’s bowed form.
“He used to be my consort,” Yoongi supplies and nods when the prince looks at him with the silent question, “now, he is—”
“I am a music teacher in the Royal Fine Arts Academy now,” Taehyung’s lips twitch.
The prince gets off his perch and walks up to Taehyung. His hand reaches and Yoongi’s tighten in a fist. As if on instinct. The prince notices it but does not stop until he is putting his two fingers under Taehyung’s chin. Taehyung tilts his head up but keeps his eyes downcast to not look at the prince until permitted.
“I see,” prince Jimin’s lips twitch, “a beauty like you must be an art yourself,” his eyes go to Yoongi, “I understand it now.” he looks back at Taehyung with a small smile, “you may look me in the face.”
Taehyung’s eager eyes flicker to the prince then and those lips stretch on a rectangular smile, “a compliment from the moon himself. Thank you, my prince.”
“What was the reason for you to summon me?” Yoongi coughs to gain the prince’s attention on him. Where he likes it to be.
“The queen sent for flower arrangements,” the prince gestures at them, “she wants to decorate my room for the ritual.” he looks at Taehyung, “please stand. I do not like to keep people on their knees.”
Taehyung stands and looks at the room full of flowers, “you do not like flowers, my prince?”
Prince Jimin makes a face, “I do not abhor it but I would much rather have something mild. Not these flowers.”
“I shall talk to her,” Yoongi looks at the prince, “is there anything more?”
The prince’s eyes go from Yoongi to Taehyung, “I…that is all, my lord. Thank you for—”
“Tiger,” Yoongi gestures at the door, “I shall see you tomorrow for the feast. Tell Marshal Jeon to take a day off and join the celebration with you.”
Taehyung takes the hint. With a deep bow and a smile at the prince, he leaves the room. Seokjin ushers the maids out of the room before closing the door behind him.
When they are entirely alone, the king turns to face the prince.
“What is it?”
The prince takes a deep breath before speaking in a very neutral tone, but Yoongi picks up on how it wavers.
“The queen voiced her intention to keep witnesses for the mating,” prince Jimin’s lips quiver and those eyes stay glued on something over Yoongi’s shoulder, “to make sure we… consummate.” he grasps his hands in front of him, “I do not want that. I do not,” those eyes finally pin Yoongi with a piercing gaze, “wish to be exposed like that in front of others. She did not mention this during the treaty. I would not have—”
“You will not be exposed to anyone else’s eyes but mine,” Yoongi assures, “you can trust me. There will be no one else in that room.”
“It better be that way, my lord,” those honey-like eyes gleam with determination when prince Jimin looks up at Yoongi, uncaring of their standards, “I will not take this lightly.”
Yoongi’s eyes roam over that face. He takes in the determination clear in those eyes. He gives a slight nod and the prince visibly relaxes. Those eyes cast down with an answering nod.
“That is all I wanted to discuss,” the prince goes to kneel among the flowers, picking up a rose to trace its petals, “I am sorry to disturb you during your important hours.”
“Nonsense,” Yoongi gestures at the flowers, “if you need anything else…”
“I do not,” the prince buries his nose in the flower, “thank you.”
Yoongi knows the discussion is over. So he leaves with a curt nod.
❁
The celebration takes place in the ballroom. The king and the prince descend the staircase together and perform their first dance as per the customs. Then the prince is welcomed by the former king and the queen with a crown that prince Jimin accepts with a courtesy bow of respect.
The king formally introduces the prince to his court. The ministers and royal army kneel before the prince and hold out their gifts when they greet him. Prince Jimin takes them one by one before asking them to get up on their feet.
The celebration carries on until the full moon is visible in the sky. Then the two of them stand in the open terrace, under the moon, and exchange the rings that will indicate their bond until there is a mating ritual that will take place after the wedding.
Then the rest of the party go back inside to have a feast while the newly arranged couple follow the priest to their designated chamber. The priest checks the arrangements in the room before leaving them there and locking the door from the outside.
Yoongi goes to lock the door from the inside, too. Then he looks at prince Jimin who is standing at the edge of the bed. His head bowed, and his hands locked in front of him.
The king’s eyes wander over the prince and the red gown he is wearing. The strapless, sweetheart neckline exposes the prominent collarbones. Too much pale skin for the king’s eyes to trace. Then Yoongi’s eyes travel downwards to see the gown wrapping so tightly around that lean waist before free-falling to the ground like streams of cascading lava.
The king walks up to stop right in front of the prince, “you can say no, my precious. I will not touch a strand of your hair—”
“I want it,” the prince’s face tilts upwards so he is looking at the king, “my lord, how do I make you believe,” he nods when Yoongi’s eyebrows touch his hairline, “I want this.”
Yoongi nods before reaching for the golden leaf crown sitting so prettily on the omega prince’s blond locks. He takes it off and the hair-tie comes loose. Long strands of golden hair cascade down the prince’s back.
Yoongi takes a deep breath when he sees how beautiful the prince looks standing there with his hair down like that. He drops the crown carelessly before reaching to cup the prince’s cheek.
“I want to smell you.”
The prince’s pupils dilate under the dim lights of the lanterns. He gives a jerky nod. So Yoongi leans in to bury his face against the omega’s neck.
The royal omegas use some ointments over their scent-glad to mask their natural scent. Yoongi licks over the gland to wipe off the ointment. The prince chokes on a whine and his hand grasps onto the king’s elbow with a shudder.
The room slowly fills with the scent of flowers. Lilac. Yoongi’s nostrils flare, and he inhales the scent deeply. A pleased growl escapes his mouth.
“On the bed, precious,” the king pulls back to match their eyes, “no,” he holds the prince’s wrist when Jimin goes to unhook his gown from the back, “I want you in this.”
With a tentative nod, the prince gets on the bed and Yoongi follows.
❁
The king is not new to physical intimacy. In fact, he is quite the opposite if the string of concubines he enjoyed is anything to take into account.
Yet, with the prince, it feels different. Entirely new. The prince is as innocent as it gets, and Yoongi enjoys himself way more than he thought he would.
The prince is responsive. More than anyone the king was with before him. Feather-like touches get the prince to react. Those innocent eyes stay glued on Yoongi and the king finds himself drowned to the prince more and more. When he sinks into the prince, Yoongi curses at how good it feels. He leans in to kiss the prince, and prince Jimin turns his head away.
“I wish to not kiss you, my lord,” the prince whispers in a choked voice, “can I keep it for tonight?”
Yoongi is too far gone to care, “yes. Yes, you may. Whatever you want, precious.”
He does not care about a silly kiss when his cock is buried so snugly in the prince. The tightness around his girth is enough for the king to lose himself in the ecstasy. Yet, he makes sure to reach for the prince’s cock and pump him to an orgasm before he picks up speed.
Yoongi mouths on the prince’s throat and collarbones as he fucks into him, feeling the prince’s nails dig onto his back, his stuttered breaths against his ear. The prince looks disoriented with pleasure. Bouncing on the king’s cock until Yoongi is finally reaching his peak. His knot pops inside the prince, filling the omega with his semen.
The king arranges them on the bed, wrapping prince Jimin up in his arms, “is it hurting?”
The prince shrugs, face buried in the pillow, “a little. You are…” his voice wavers, “the thing… is quite…”
“I know, precious,” Yoongi kisses the omega’s sweaty, bare back, “my knot is thick. Sorry.”
The prince’s ears turn red and Yoongi smirks. The prince says nothing to that. When the knot goes down, Yoongi pulls out and sits up.
“Are we done?” the prince peers at him from where he is still catching his breath.
He looks flushed. Sweaty. Those long strands of hair spread out on the pillows. Those lips are bitten raw. Yoongi’s cock twitches in interest. He offers a small smile to the omega prince.
“We are done,” Yoongi takes a hold of his rock-hard cock, squeezes the base, “you may rest now.”
The prince’s eyes drop to his cock and crimson hue colours those cheeks. He looks up at Yoongi again.
“How do you want me, my lord?”
The question makes Yoongi bite back a growl, he pumps his cock once, “on your hands and knees, precious. If that is okay?”
The prince arranges himself with a slight nod and Yoongi sinks back in. This time he reaches to grasp onto the prince’s hair, wrapping it around his wrist before he starts to rock back and forth.
❁
“How was it?”
Jimin looks over at his butler with a thoughtful expression, “really good?”
Seokjin looks anxious, “are you asking, my prince? Was he rough? Are you hurting? Oh, my prince. I told you. These alphas…”
“Jinnie,” prince Jimin squirms and sits up on the bed and pulls the blanket up to cover himself till the chest, “he was rough, yes,” his face heats, “I am also feeling a bit sore but it was not for the reasons you were fearing. He did not force himself on me. I…” he looks away, “wanted him just as much as he wanted me.”
Seokjin visibly relaxes, “oh. Oh, thank the heavens. I was so worried that he might cross a line—”
“I would have killed him,” Jimin pulls out the dagger that was kept under his pillow and waves Seokjin off, “but, no. He was generous. He was attentive. He cleaned me up as much as he could before leaving this morning.”
Seokjin gestures at the bathroom, “I have the bath ready, my prince. You would want to thoroughly clean up.”
Prince Jimin ignores the gasp Seokjin lets out when he gets out of the bed, entirely naked. The marks all over his body are visible to the butler’s scandalous eyes. His gown is hanging off of the footboard. Torn in quite a few places. The prince blushes profusely when he recalls how the king took him in it for the first two rounds and then tore him out of it. He grimaces as he walks to the bathroom. His joints are hurting and his rim is still sensitive. Seokjin cleans him up and he relaxes in the bath.
“You think he will be back tonight?”
The butler makes a face, “expect him every day till you conceive, my prince. After that…” he carries on with a nonchalant shrug, “the king’s duty is done. Then, these alphas will venture towards the harem—”
“I told him if he ever goes to the harem, the treaty will be done for,” Jimin glares at Seokjin.
Seokjin looks over at him with a helpless smile, “my prince, you can only demand and hope he respects it. If you conceive his pup, you’re bound to him. No matter what he does, you will never get to walk out of it. Your parents will not take you. Your kingdom will not, either. But, he is an alpha. Not bound to you in any way. He can venture off and no one will bat an eye. So, those promises… they are just words. Let’s hope he respects them. For your peace.”
Jimin knows all that. That is why he could not bring himself to kiss the king. Not when there are no feelings involved in the act. It is just physical. Something they both desire, but Jimin wants to hold onto his first kiss. That is something he will only grant to the king if he wins the prince’s heart over. Not just the body.
❁
Yoongi finds himself between those legs more often than he expected. He has never felt so intoxicated with someone as he feels with prince Jimin. Every time he sees the prince, he wants to devour the royal omega.
Yoongi took pride in the control he had on himself around anyone but he finds himself losing. He finds himself engaging in lewd acts with the prince anywhere he deems fit. Be it the gazebo in the garden or the throne or the terrace. With one curt order for the guards to leave them alone, he pulls the prince to himself and then he is tearing the prince out of his clothes. After they are done, he wraps the prince up in his coat and carries him back to his chamber.
So, it does not surprise him when the prince wakes up one morning to rush to the bathroom to empty his stomach.
“The prince has conceived,” the physician smiles widely at them, “now you have to be careful about handling him until the birth. I will make some decoctions and send it with his valet. If he would come with me.”
Seokjin bows deeply before following the physician and his helpers out of the chamber.
Yoongi looks at the prince lying on the bed. Their eyes meet and the prince’s lips twitch with a tender smile.
“Congratulations, my lord,” he whispers in a tired voice, “you are to be a father soon.”
Yoongi leans to press his lips against prince Jimin’s forehead, “you, too, precious. Are you happy?”
The prince looks down at where his arms are resting over his stomach with a satisfied expression, “I am very happy. I hope the pup is born healthy.”
Yoongi takes the prince’s hand in his to kiss those knuckles, “I shall stay by your side for the day—”
“Nonsense, my lord,” Prince Jimin pulls his hand away with a low chuckle, “you need to attend your court. I will be fine. Do not fret over me so much. You already do enough as it is.”
Yoongi does not get to protest when the guards announce the arrival of the queen. He stays to greet her and confirm the pregnancy news that reached her, and leaves the chamber once she asks him to.
❁
Yoongi adjourns the court when the queen asks for a personal meeting before leaving for her retirement home.
“First of all,” she takes his hands in hers, “congratulations, your highness. You are to have an heir to your throne very soon.”
Yoongi remains silent about the thought that he is more thrilled about having a pup, and he would have liked her addressing him as her son for something so personal. He smiles nonetheless.
“Second of all,” the queen clears her throat, “you shall not engage in any physical activity with the prince henceforth.”
Yoongi knows this is a belief the elders have about childbirth. How there should not be any sort of disturbance for the omega to carry the pups. He knows how this belief is not based on any logic and yet, he does not have the heart to discuss his private matters with his mother. So, he just mutely nods and escorts her to her carriage. After she is gone, he goes back to the palace, followed by Hoseok who informs him Jungkook is there to discuss something important.
❁
Jimin is braiding his hair when the guards announce the king’s presence. His eyes find the door through the mirror when it opens. The king pauses by the threshold and Jimin holds his breath.
He has not expected the king’s visit. If the royal alphas were taught how to conduct wars, run the court and take care of their subjects, the royal omegas were taught how to run the palace and follow the customs. He knows the king promised to find him for pleasure but he also knows it is frowned upon to unite during the pregnancy.
“My lord?” Jimin stands up and turns to face the king with a bow, “is there something you need?”
The king takes off his crown and his hair cascades down his back. The raven locks frame his face quite handsomely. Jimin feels his breath hitch in his chest while the king advances towards him.
“I indeed needed something,” the king tilts the prince’s face to match those eyes, “I need you.”
Prince Jimin turns his face away, “my lord, you know it is frowned upon to…”
“Nonsense, precious,” the king’s arm wraps around his waist to pull him closer, “you shall not believe such words without logic backing it up.”
“My lord,” prince Jimin presses his hand on the king’s chest, “I do not wish to have you tonight.”
The moment stands still for a second before the king is stepping back with a firm nod, “my deepest apologies, precious.”
Prince Jimin breathes out deeply before smiling at the king, “now that you are here, I wish to discuss something with you. If this is an ideal time for you?” he frowns in confusion to watch the king start to discard his shirt, “what are you doing, my lord?”
The king pauses, “preparing myself to rest?”
The prince looks at the bed and back at the king, “here?” he swallows when the king just frowns in confusion, “what would we share a bed for if we are not going to be intimate, my lord?”
The king’s frown deepens and then clears, “omega,” his voice sends chills down the prince’s spine, “I respect your wishes but do not, for once, try to reflect your Elysian lessons on me like this. I shall retire in your presence if I deem it fit. I am not going to leave you to your solitude after impregnating you. Is that clear?”
Prince Jimin jerks a nod, “my apologies, my lord. I did not wish to anger you. I just…” he fidgets with his fingers, “we are taught to have our nest solely for ourselves during the pregnancy—”
“That is because the alphas like to wet their knots in other omegas because their omega is pregnant,” the king snarls before controlling his voice, “and, I promised to not do that to you.”
The prince digs his nails into his palms, “if I retreat the promise, will you?”
The silence is heavy. So is the king’s impassive gaze upon him. Then the king is reaching for the shirt to put it back on and walking over to him to almost tower over him because of that piercing gaze he casts upon him.
“You could have said you do not wish for me to be here, my prince,” the icy voice echoes in the prince’s ears, “because, your promise or not, I am not going to bed another omega ever again.”
The prince sucks in a breath while the king strides towards the door of the bed chamber.
“My apologies, my lord,” prince Jimin’s head bows and he refuses to look at the king because his eyes are watering, “but, I have to be cautious about the pregnancy for my sake. If I cannot produce a healthy heir for the crown, then I have to step down from this treaty. Accept my place in the harem as a royal concubine—”
He gasps when fingers are clutching onto his hair and forcing him to turn around to come face to face with a seething alpha. The king’s eyes burn into his.
“If you ever,” the king spits against his mouth, “utter those words again, I do not care who told you that, I will behead that person and you will also be punished! You,” Yoongi’s other arm wraps around his waist to jerk him forward, “are to be my mate. Be it with a pup or without.”
Jimin’s heartbeat escalates. His eyes widen. His hands rest on the king’s chest. He stands, arched against the king.
“My lord…”
“I am to mate you, precious,” Yoongi grits through his teeth, “and, nothing is ever going to change that.”
“You cannot mate me if I fail to produce an heir, my lord,” prince Jimin feels the tears rolling down his cheeks, “your parents, my family, everyone knows this. It was the most important condition the Zephyr kingdom put forward. I am to step away if I cannot fulfil my duties.”
Yoongi shakes his head, “I did not know about this condition as my mother did not tell me. I will tell her off.”
“No, my lord,” prince Jimin’s hand rubs soothing circles on Yoongi’s chest, “you shall not. That was the first condition. I decided and agreed upon hearing it. I cannot back away from that if the situation presents itself.”
“Do you even know what a royal concubine does?” Yoongi clutches the prince’s wrist in his, “you understand how many there are? Do you know the politics that go on in the harem? Do you understand what you are saying? That, you expect me to find another omega to impregnate?”
The prince’s expression does not falter but those eyes betray him. The hurt is so clear in them when he casts them away.
“That is entirely what I signed up for, my lord—”
Prince Jimin’s breath catches in his chest when the king takes a hold of his cheeks and forces him to match those eyes.
“I will marry you, precious,” Yoongi’s eyes root him on the spot, “and, I shall mate you. Be it with a pup or without. If for that I have to declare a war against my own empire, I will.” his grip loosens on the prince, “if you wanted me as much as I want you, you would not even entertain the idea of leaving my side any longer but I guess, your upbringing shaped you in a way where your duties come before your heart for you.”
“My heart,” the prince smiles to himself with a shake of his head, turns to face the mirror where he sees how the king is looking at him, “how can you wish for my heart to long for you, my lord, when yours was never mine to cherish?”
The king’s expression clears and the prince wipes at his eyes drastically when a lone tear threatens to topple over the rim of his eyes.
Prince Jimin rings the bell and Seokjin steps inside to sink on his knees by the door. A clear indication that the prince wants to be alone to dress for the night.
The king takes a long look at him before he marches out of the chamber.
Seokjin stands and closes the door before walking over to the prince who sinks on the stool in front of the mirror, “is everything okay, my prince?”
The prince tugs at the strings holding his gown, “dress me for bed, please. I am tired.”
Seokjin takes the hint and follows the request.
❁
“Do not be upset with him.” Hoseok chews on the banana while talking, “do you even know the amount of scrutiny a royal omega from such a highly respected family like his goes through? To these royal omegas, their first duty is bearing an heir for their alphas. If they fail, they know where they will end up since childhood. That is the age-old custom—”
“I do not give an ounce of importance to age-old customs!” Yoongi roars from where he is, “I will not abandon him if things go wrong!”
“The good thing is nothing is going wrong,” Namjoon tries to calm him down, “he is bearing your pup and let’s all hope it goes smoothly.”
“Even if it does not,” Yoongi shifts his glare on Namjoon, “I shall mate him.”
“You cannot mate him without his permission, my king,” Hoseok sighs, “and, he has this tradition ingrained in his mind. He will not agree to marry you and bring shame to his family by being disobedient. You have to understand, he has no reason to go against the customs!”
“Why would you want to go against the traditions yourself, my lord?” Namjoon wonders, “when, you also know and follow these traditions like oaths. You did not court Taehyung solely because he was a consort. He did not want you, he had his reasons, but you could have had him if you wanted. You say you gave him your heart, but you would not cross any limit with him but for the prince, you want to go on a war against your own people? What is so special about him when he is not the one in your heart?”
Yoongi does not answer that. He cannot get the thought out of his mind that everyone expects this of him. That, if the prince is unable to produce a healthy pup, then he is to cast him aside and find someone new. Stillbirth is common in their society. The chances are there the prince might not be able… Yoongi grimaces and forces himself to be optimistic.
The thought of being with anyone else does not satisfy him any longer. He feels the itch to be with the prince all the time. The nights he spends on his bed keep him awake because of the absence of the prince.
Yoongi has spent two weeks without seeing the prince.
Every night he goes to visit and Seokjin opens the door to inform him the prince has already retired. He does not wish for a company.
Tonight, Yoongi goes to the prince’s wing and Seokjin opens the door again. Something in him snaps. He raises his hand as soon as the beta opens his mouth.
“Step aside.”
Seokjin’s eyes showcase his dilemma. He looks over his shoulder and then back at the king. He bows his head but does not step aside.
“I said,” Yoongi murmurs, “step aside.”
“The prince does not wish to have a company, your highness. I cannot go against his wish.”
“If you do not step aside, I shall rip you aside,” Yoongi takes a threatening step ahead and yet, the beta does not budge.
He sinks on his knees instead, “have my head, your highness, but as long as I am alive, I will not go against my prince’s wish.”
The loyalty pleases Yoongi and infuriates him simultaneously. He is debating what to do when they hear the footsteps. The prince comes to the view and with a quick glance at Yoongi, he tightens his robe around himself.
“Leave us, Seokjin.”
Seokjin stands and steps aside. Yoongi walks in and the door closes behind him.
“My lord,” prince Jimin gives a courtesy bow.
Yoongi takes a deep breath and marches over to yank the omega in his arms. He ignores how the prince chokes on his words, those eyes widening in shock as they find Yoongi’s.
Yoongi buries his nose against the omega’s scent gland and licks the herbs off to inhale the raw pheromones. The prince whines when he feels the teeth grazing the sensitive gland.
The early stage of pregnancy is already draining him and he finds himself longing for the alpha more than he would like to accept. Now, here the alpha is, mouthing on his scent gland. The prince can feel slick starting to drip out of him, moistening his thighs. His face colours when the alpha growls as the scent intensifies in the room.
“And, you would still say you do not want me?” the king’s grunt makes his shaft twitch in interest.
“We should not,” prince Jimin turns away, “it poses—”
“Nothing,” the king cups the globes of his arse and squeezes, “physical intimacy during pregnancy poses no danger to the pup. That is a myth, my precious. Please. I beg you. Do not torture me like this.”
The king pulls back to level their eyes, “I long for you, my precious. Let me have you. Let your alpha have you. Please.”
Prince Jimin finds his knees weakening as the king begs. His resolve wavers in front of that intense gaze. He does not want to voice it but he has been longing for the alpha just as much. He cannot withhold any longer.
So, he takes a hold of the bow over his shoulder that is holding the nightdress up and tugs it open. Then, with his eyes glued on the king’s, he unties the other shoulder’s strap. The soft material of the nightdress pools around his feet and the king grabs him.
Prince Jimin finds himself on the floor, right there, with his legs wrapped around the king’s waist while the king sinks into him.
❁
The prince is cuddled against his chest. Their hands laced over Yoongi’s chest. Both of them exhausted after two rounds of intimacy. Prince Jimin is fast asleep, while Yoongi keeps staring at the omega’s face under the moonlight.
His chest fills with warmth every time the prince squirms or sighs. Yoongi cannot help the smile that curves his lips whenever the prince cuddles closer.
The king looks at prince Jimin’s palm and kisses it as a thought floats over his mind that renders him speechless.
‘When did this dainty hand get such a brutal grasp on my heart?’
Yoongi does not get to pull away when he looks at the prince’s face and finds the prince looking at him.
“What is it, my lord?” the prince whispers in a sleepy voice, “you look paler than the moon.”
The king cups the prince’s face, “my apologies for startling you, my precious,” he kisses the prince’s forehead, “I did not mean to disturb your sleep.”
“It is quite alright,” prince Jimin cuddles closer, “is there something on your mind? You can talk to me if you wish to.”
“There is only one thing on my mind, have been like that since the day we met,” Yoongi intertwines their fingers, “that is you, my precious.”
Prince Jimin goes taut. His eyes frantically search Yoongi’s own in a silent plea.
Yoongi surrenders, “I thought I gave away my heart to someone else but, turns out, it was with me. Just bruised and hurt. That is, until you got a hold of it, my precious. Now…” his voice breaks with the raw emotions he is feeling, “I will surrender it to your feet and hope you take care of it.”
The prince sits up and turns away from him, “my lord, do not jest with me!”
Yoongi sits up, too, “precious,” he reaches to take a hold of the prince’s elbow and pulls him back in his arms, he buries his face against the prince’s nape, “my precious, I do not jest you. I mean it and I will wait for the day you believe me. Until then,” he leaves a kiss on the omega’s scent gland, “you have to put a little faith in me.”
This time when he pulls the prince to lie down, the prince goes easily. Yoongi comes to hover over the omega and he sees the tears glistening in those eyes. He kisses those eyes before his gaze falls upon those parted lips. He leans in but the prince turns his face away. With a nod, Yoongi kisses down the prince’s throat, reaching to spread the prince’s legs.
He sinks into the prince with a grunt and feels the prince’s arms wrap around him as he slowly starts to thrust into him.
❁
Jimin never let himself indulge in romance because he knew how his life was going to pan out. He knew, as the prince of Elysian, what was expected of him. He trained himself to never showcase his feelings or never express his innermost thoughts. He knew his marriage might just be a convenience. Which it was when it started. But now it is slowly changing and he does not know how to handle that.
He does not know how to react when the king wakes him up with gentle kisses and gentler touches. He does not know how to respond to the king adjourning the court to visit him during the day. Accompanying him on long walks in the garden or both of them find themselves in the royal library. Sitting side by side and discussing literature for hours.
The king gifts him flowers or brings him fruits he might like. He sits with Jimin in the gazebo. Both of them reading but the prince often finds himself lying against the king’s chest with a book open in front of his face. Most of those days end with the king between his legs, their hands joined beside the prince’s head, their eyes on each other while the king thrusts into him before knotting him.
Prince Jimin is falling, and he does not know how to train himself for it. He is slowly realizing just how vulnerable he actually is to the king’s advances.
❁
“My lord!” The prince giggles with his arms wrapped around Yoongi’s neck and his legs wrapped around his waist, “where are you taking me? It is so late at night!”
“I am taking you where you belong,” Yoongi pulls back to match those curious eyes, “I am taking you to my bed chamber.”
For a second the king waits for the prince to protest. He expects it. His heart is lodged in his throat as the moment passes between them.
Then the prince casts his eyes away and leans to bury his face against Yoongi’s scent-gland. His lips touch the place before the omega nuzzles against him.
“Okay,” comes a whispered acceptance.
Yoongi’s eyes snap closed and he grasps the prince closer to himself, “oh, lord. Thank you, my precious, thank you.”
Jimin pulls back a little to look at him, “has he ever…”
Yoongi shakes his head, “no one before you, my precious. My bed chamber, my bed it all belongs to you. Even before I knew you, they belonged to you. Please. Accept them. Accept me. Please.”
The omega bites onto his plush lower lip to hide his smile and gives a silent nod. The king kisses his jaw before he carries the omega to his wing on the east side of the palace.
The prince finds himself lowered on the plush bed with the king hovering over him. He leans back on his arms with a playful smile.
“Is this why you brought me here?” he rolls away when Yoongi reaches for him, “to have your way with me?”
Yoongi smiles. He lets the prince get off of the bed and explore his room while he sits at the foot of the bed. Prince Jimin walks through the closets, fingers tracing over the clothes the king owns. His curious hands pull at drawers and tug on the things here and there. He walks over to the balcony and then comes back inside to go to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Yoongi gets rid of his shirt, unties his long hair and turns around to face the prince when he comes back.
“Is my precious done exploring our chamber?” he takes a hold of the prince and guides him closer, “do I have permission to explore him now?”
The prince looks up at him. Their eyes are gentle on each other. Yoongi’s eyes travel across the omega’s face while his thumb rubs over his scent-gland. The scent fills the room and Yoongi hums in satisfaction.
His eyes slowly travel downwards until they are on the prince’s lips. The prince tilts his head backwards, lips parting. Yoongi’s breath hitches in his throat.
He was always denied a kiss. Every time he requested one. So, tonight, when the prince looks so inviting, the king hesitates. He cups the prince’s cheek and the prince’s hand comes to grasp onto his bicep.
“Do not play me, precious,” the king murmurs in all seriousness, “you have no idea how much I want this.”
“Then, have it,” prince Jimin mumbles, tongue licking over the bottom lip, those eyes glossing over, “just as you have my heart. Have it. Me. My soul. My body…” he arches against Yoongi, “my first kiss. Have it all. Make me yours, my king. I have waited long enough.”
Yoongi crashes their mouths together. Jimin’s hands fly to grab onto Yoongi’s hair with his mouth just parted. Yoongi growls into the kiss when Jimin’s lips move tentatively to reciprocate it. He pushes his own tongue into the prince’s mouth, licking into him. The prince moans, wrapping his arms around the king’s neck. Yoongi turns them around while kissing the omega breathless. He pushes the prince down on the bed to settle between those legs. Both of them refuse to break the kiss as they squirm up on the bed. Prince Jimin’s arms tug onto Yoongi’s hair to keep him closer and Yoongi shoves his breeches down before he flips Jimin’s nightdress up to reveal the prince for his eyes.
When he sinks into the prince, their mouths are still joined.
“I will marry you tomorrow itself,” the king announces, “I do not care what the customs or the subjects have to say.”
“But—ahh—” the prince throws his head back at a particularly hard thrust, “what about the queen?”
“I will handle her,” Yoongi hikes the prince’s leg up to wrap it around his waist, “all I need is your permission. Say I can mate you tomorrow. It is a full moon. Please, precious. Do not make me wait any longer!”
Prince Jimin looks at the king hovering over him. Those desperate eyes are glued on him while he moves into him. He nods eagerly. Because he cannot wait either. He wants this and he is tired of denying himself what is rightfully his.
His nails dig into the king’s back, those eyes flashing, “yes. Mate me. You can. Yes.”
“Oh, lord!” Yoongi kisses him again, starting to pound into him, “thank you. Thank you, my precious. Thank you!”
Jimin cries out when the king’s knot pops in him and then the king is rolling them over so Jimin is resting on top of him. He flops his head down on the king’s chest and smiles when he feels the tender kiss on his hair.
“Are you sure?” Jimin draws patterns on the king’s sweaty chest, “about the mating? What about the pup?”
“I told you, precious,” Yoongi kisses the omega’s hair, “the pup will be fine, and I am sure,” he pushes his knot further into the omega, “I want this.”
Jimin buries his face against the alpha’s neck with a small smile, “I want it, too.”
Yoongi grins at the ceiling, “good. Then do not have to care about anyone else’s opinion.”
They drift off to sleep together. Wrapped in each other.
❁
The announcement spreads like wildfire. Everyone in the palace is shocked to know the king wants to mate the prince that day itself. Yoongi’s parents come over to the palace and his mother demands an explanation.
“If you are doing this because that prince manipulated—”
“Mother!” Yoongi’s voice booms in the court where they are meeting, “one word against the father of my child and I will forget your position in this kingdom. You will be treated just as a perpetrator! This is what I wish to do and if anyone has a problem with it, they can invoke me to war.”
The queen quiets then. Her rage is palpable in her expression and Yoongi takes note of it. He gestures at the door.
“You shall leave for your palace, mother. I do not wish to entertain anyone but my prince today.”
“Look what he did to my son!” she wails to her husband who sighs in exasperation, “what did he do—”
“He did nothing,” Yoongi gestures for the guards to take his parents out, “he just made me realize I have been waiting all my life for him. My soulmate.”
Once his parents are gone, Yoongi goes to his room to prepare for the wedding that will take place in the afternoon and the mating will take place at night.
The wedding is a small affair, with the priest and seven people, counting the grooms. The two of them get married in front of Seokjin, Namjoon, Hoseok, Jungkook and Taehyung. The five of them entertain the newly-wed grooms throughout the day until it is evening.
There is a feast organized for the royal subjects. People start to gather in the venue outside of the palace. Prince Jimin receives his parents’ blessing through a letter that a knight brings to him. Jimin reads it and tears well in his eyes when he sees the small note attached to it from his mother.
‘I prayed for you to have the love match I never got to. I am so glad to see my prayers come true, my child. Please know, your mother loves you and will always pray for you and your family’s wellbeing.’
Jimin feels much lighter after that note. When Taehyung skips over to him and guides him to the king’s room for the mating night, he is just excited and a little apprehensive.
“It might hurt a little,” the consort smiles and pulls down the neckline of his shirt to show his own mating mark, “but, then, you will have your soulmate with you for the rest of your life. So, it is fine, yes?”
Jimin nods, “yes. Thank you.”
Taehyung squeezes his hand, “you are welcome.”
❁
The mating bite does hurt. Yoongi takes the opportunity when his knot pops in the prince and bites down on his nape. Prince Jimin throws his head back with a cry as his own orgasm hits him while the alpha’s teeth sink into his flesh. Blood seeps out of the wound and the alpha licks it up. He feels tears rolling down his cheeks. The prince is overwhelmed with his own orgasm, the alpha’s pulsating knot emptying in him. His neck throbs where the mating mark forms. The alpha pulls back to lick over it carefully. Jimin whines because of the way the mark burns into his skin and as soon as the alpha is pulling out of him, he turns around to sit on the alpha’s lap.
With a muted nod from the alpha, Jimin leans in and bites down on his collarbone. The alpha growls in his ear, gripping his waist, as the omega’s teeth sink into him just as possessively. Prince Jimin pulls back to admire it and leans in to lick over the freshly made scar that will bloom into the mark in a few hours.
The two of them lie down in each other’s arms when they are done and well-spent.
“How are you feeling, my precious?” Yoongi nuzzles against his nape, nosing the mark, licking over it repeatedly.
Jimin arches his neck, “I am feeling…” he looks over his shoulder at his mate with a mischievous smile, “precious.”
Yoongi pauses and those eyes flick to his. The prince’s lips quiver before he is bursting into giggles. The king’s breath hitches in his chest as he watches the omega, and then he joins in.
“I love you, you know?” Yoongi kisses prince Jimin’s lips.
Prince Jimin turns in those arms and kisses the king back with a grin, “I love you, too, and I know.”
❁
Yoongi loves every bit of Jimin’s pregnancy. He enjoys staying up late to cater to the prince’s weird cravings. He loves pampering the omega on days he does not feel so good about his changing body. He loves how needy his mate is. He loves how demanding the prince gets as time goes on.
Another thing he starts to notice is the developing friendship between the prince and the consort. Taehyung comes over whenever his own job finishes and stays with Jimin. The two of them talk for hours. They even drag Seokjin to join them. The three of them are almost always together. Yoongi has to order them out of the room to have his mate for himself.
❁
“You just scented me this morning,” Jimin smiles but tilts his head nonetheless to let the alpha lick at his scent-gland, “what has gotten into you, my love?”
Yoongi grunts, “you are always around your friends and I do not like how their scents linger on you,” he presses his tongue flatly over the omega’s scent gland, licking a wet stripe over the skin, “why do you three have to scent each other?”
“It is something omegas do,” the prince laughs, “we like to nest together and scent each other. It is nothing romantic.”
Yoongi’s lips curve with a smirk, “so, it is romantic when I do it, hmm?”
The prince giggles, pushing at his face, “my love! I cannot bear you right now. If you have me here, we will never leave the bed. You know we have to visit the royal physician, right?”
Yoongi grumbles but lets the prince drag him out of the room.
❁
They return from the physician’s house. Both of them opting to stay in the garden to watch the sunset from the gazebo. The prince looks content with the news that the pup is healthy and so is he.
The two of them resting on the settee Yoongi installed in the gazebo for them. The prince is resting against the king’s chest. Their eyes are on the setting sun.
“Is there something you regret?” the prince wonders in a gentle voice, “something you wish you have had?”
Yoongi looks down at his mate with a small smile, “I wish I met you sooner,” he nods when Jimin’s eyes flicker to his, “I heard about your beauty from the nomads who would come to the royal court to entertain us. I heard about you from other kings and princes. I wish I visited your kingdom sooner. When your father invited me. Instead, I was busy with the war of Hera. If I accepted that invitation, I would have met you sooner. We could have had so many more sunsets together.”
Jimin ducks his head as a blush spreads onto his fuller cheeks, “I have heard about you, too. The lores of the inexorable king of the Zephyr reached me, too. When your family brought the wedding proposal, I was eager to meet you. Also a little hesitant because I was afraid of wishing for something from an entire stranger. I am so glad you turned out to be everything that you are, my love,” he kisses the king’s jawline, “I never let myself hope for a love marriage, but thank you for providing me with just that. Thank you for being my arranged love.”
Yoongi kisses the prince. He cups prince Jimin’s face and kisses him breathless.
“Thank you for being my arranged love, too, my precious,” Yoongi nuzzles against prince Jimin’s neck, “thank you for being mine.”
They shift their focus on the setting sun with a grateful smile on their lips and their joined hands protectively covering the prince’s prominent belly.
❁❁❁