Dedicating this chapter to @maddiefossett ~~ Your comment had me running to my computer :)

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“Marry me my love” Seunghyun whispered in Jiyong’s ear as they rode back to the palace, Jiyong was seated in front of Seunghyun, with Seunghyun’s arms wrapped around him.

“Your highness...”

“Do you still doubt me” Seunghyun asked before taking Jiyong’s earlobe between his teeth. “And what did I say about calling me that”?

“Hyunnie...” He saw a pout form on Jiyong’s lips. “What about the members of the court”?

“Jiyong do not worry about me... I am protected, my people love me, and with what you did last night.. They surely love you” he held Jiyong tighter.

“I will”

“You will what”?

“I will marry you”

“Your highness”! Seunghyun caught himself smiling as Jong In’s voice broke him from his flashback.

“OH”! Seunghyun quickly pulled a straight face. There he was, having his midday lessons and he still could not get his new spouse out of his mind ‘I wonder how he is doing with Grandmother’’; his grandmother, as nice as she was, had the ability to make people cry. She was usually in charge of teaching the palace new comers, proper mannerisms, and she was usually so strict that even Nara herself cried when she went through training, and now it was Jiyong’s turn.

Their union was unsurprisingly met with love from the people, and Jiyong was quickly promoted to the position of Suk Won. “We are done for the day” He dismissed the court members.

“But your highness” A few bowed, “We just started”.

“My wedding, and Suk won’s coronation was only two night’s ago, shouldn’t I get some rest after...”

“Your Highness” Jong In stopped him, with a blush. Seunghyun looked at the court members, they were shifting uncomfortable in their seats. “DIRTY MINDS, DIRTY MINDS”! He quickly scolded. “Suk won and I have yet to....” He stopped himself this time. “Just go home”. He stormed out.

“You are not allowed to go there your highness” Jong In protested as he followed Seunghyun towards Jiyong’s chambers. “Your grandmother will scold you”.

“I don’t care”! Two nights since he married Jiyong, two nights and he barely got to see his husband; he spent the first night with Nara, and the second chatting away with Kwon.

“He did that”? He heard his grandmother laugh through the screen door, “He is so stubborn”

“Grandmother”? He burst in to confirm it, and it indeed was true, his grandmother was laughing with the person she was supposed to be training.

“Seunghyun” Her smile died down when she spotted her grandson, “Leave... You know better than to come here”!

“But....”

“I said leave”! She raised her voice playfully, “...and don’t bother coming later, Jiyong is going to keep me company all day. I love his company”

“Jiyong is mine”! Seunghyun yelled, making Jiyong bow his head blushing; seeing Seunghyun grumbling and pouting was heartwarming.

“Is Jiyong a property that should be owned”? She screamed back.

“I am king”!

Arguing with his grandmother was something he’d done sine he learned to speak, but they were the closest in the entire palace. She was the only person he had ever let himself get close to since his mother passed, well she and Jiyong. “And I was a queen once, and the oldest person with royal blood in the palace”

“GRANDMOTHER”!

Jiyong watched the scene in shock; the royal family always seemed ruthless in the books. “Why don’t we let Jiyong decide”?, the old queen said, and suddenly, two pairs of eyes were on him.

“Uhmm” Please forgive me Seunghyun, but your grandmother is still hurting from the loss of her son, your father, “I will stay with you my queen”.

Seunghyun was disappointed “Jiyong”?

“Just leave..... shouldn’t you be grateful he’s here so you don’t have to cry in my arms every night about how you couldn’t protect him”?

While Jiyong smiled at her words, Seunghyun died of embarrassment. “I am taking my leave” Seunghyun said curtly. He turned to address Jiyong one more time “Whenever you are ready to spend time with your husband, I will be in my chambers”

“Whoa, what have you done to my grandson”? The old queen burst out laughing, “You have made him pitiful”. Jiyong couldn’t help but join her, “I am the pitiful one”

“I can see how much he loves and respects you”

“I love and respect him also” More than anyone would ever know.

“For so many years, the old king and I tried getting him to learn how to fight at defend himself, but he thought it was useless, until you came along” she smiled “One day he walked into my chambers telling me that he was going to learn to fight, and when I asked why, he said he wanted to do it protect you”

“Me”?

“Yes. He hated that that Kwon boy was always protecting you, it was so absurd how they ended up becoming close.... go to him tonight Jiyong-ah. I only said that to him to get him riled up”. Jiyong’s heart fluttered; ever since he moved into the palace, he tried avoiding spending the night with Seunghyun at all cost. “Don’t make him wait any longer”

                               ***

  Kwon Jin Hee was a thorough man. He always made sure he did everything with precision, which was why he chose not to leave his palace duty just yet; there was still mystery surrounding the king’s sudden death. It was also the reason he was still investigating the poisoned peaches that were offered to the king, an incident that happened five nights ago. It didn’t help that that culprits were still refusing to say who paid them to do it, and the worst of it was- how the missing boy could suddenly speak the foreign language, and managed to be married to the king and promoted to the level of suk won. It seemed all too convenient, which was why he paid a visit to the new addition to the palace.

“His highness will see you now” He followed walked trough the door the servant opened for him.

“What a surprise Nari” Jiyong rose to his feet, and bowed.

“Your highness, you shouldn’t do that. I am below you” he bowed back

“That doesn’t matter, please take a seat” Jiyong offered, “I think this is the first time we are speaking” He was nervous, the man before him was scary, and never smiled.

“Yes, and I will make it brief”, being close to the boy made him deeply uncomfortable; his eyes were exactly those of his late wife. “First of all, I want to thank you for saving the life of the king. I was incompetent” He bowed.

“No, no... I was lucky, I just happen to have heard what they were saying”

“Which brings me to my next question, how did you manage to hear the language”?

“I..”

“Yes, I hear you were in China while everyone thought you were dead... surely you can see why that would be a little suspicious”

“Are you suspecting me of attempting of trying to kill the king”? Jiyong smiled, he actually pitied the man.

“Not suspecting you, just keeping an eye out for you. I came here to tell you that” Jin Hee rose from where he was seated, “You are a trouble maker Jiyong”, he hissed the name. It sounded painful. “I will take my leave now”

“Do you ever smile”? Jiyong quickly asked before the man had the chance to step out.

“I will when I find what I lost”

Jiyong’s heart broke for the man; although he had no parent’s, he at least had Kwon, but Jin Hee had no one to make him forget his sorrow, it’s okay for him to suspect me. At least he will have to see me often, and I can try to keep him company.

Jong In was getting tired of Seunghyun’s never ending whining, and grumbling since they returned from Jiyong’s chambers.

“I am the one married to him.... they should have married him if they wanted to be so close to him”

“Your highness...”

“I am not even going to think about him anymore”. It was the ninth time the king made that same exact statement, Jong In counted. “I am not even going to speak to him anymore, if he comes in search f me, tell him that I am not to be disturbed”

Jong In rolled his eyes; yes of course your highness, although you just used me as a disguise to send for him.

“Suk won is here to see the king” A servant announced from outside the door

“Hurry and send him in you fool” Seunghyun scrambled to his floor mat, “And leave immediately”.

“He has been waiting for you” Jong In whispered as walked by Jiyong who was holding a tray with hot tea. “Thank you for sending for me” Jiyong smiled. For hours he’d been pacing back and forth in his chamber, half waiting for Seunghyun to at least check on him again, and half hoping that he wouldn’t; he knew what usually happened when people get married, and he was scared. He was not sharing a bed with just anyone, he would be sharing a bed with Seunghyun who happened to be a king, I should have read about what to do...I don’t want to disappoint him.

Jiyong stepped in to see Seunghyun seated on the floor cushion, with his head bowed down, examining a parchment.

“Your high...”

“Sit down Jiyong”, the sounds came out harsher than he wanted.

“Yes your highness” Jiyong placed the tray on a nearby table, sat, and waited patiently to be scolded.

“I drew up a set of rules that governs our marriage” Seunghyun tried his hardest not to look at his new husband; Jiyong not only neglected him, but also hurt his feelings in the process. Jiyong on the other hand, fought to hide his laughter; Seunghyun’s harsh demeanor made him look more irresistible, “First, you are not allowed to spend time with Kwon without me present” Seunghyun continued proudly, “Second, you are not allowed to spend too much time with the queen or my grandmother. Third, you are not allowed to ignore me” Seunghyun held the parchment up for Jiyong to see, “Breaking any of these three rules would be considered treason” Seunghyun smiled “And your punishment would be to spend all your days and nights by my side... no privacy”

“I guess I should spend more time with Nara and Kwon then” Jiyong joked.

“I’ve missed you” Seunghyun pulled Jiyong into his arms and kissed him passionately, “You..*kiss*..have..*kiss*..been..*kiss*..ignoring me”

“I have missed you too” Jiyong wrapped his arms around Seunghyun’s neck and they both fell backward, with Jiyong landing on top of Seunghyun. “I would never ignore my king” Jiyong continued, their face only an inch apart.

Seunghyun pouted, “If I didn’t ask Jong In to send for you, you would have left me by myself… again”

“Or you would have come to my chambers dear” Jiyong bared his teeth, he had never been happier, and it scared him a little.

“Dear”?

“Yes dear” Jiyong lowered his head and placed kisses all over Seunghyun’s face before stopping at his lips. He moaned as he eased himself on Seunghyun. “Uhmm”. Seunghyun coughed, he could feel his manhood steering and he didn’t want to scare Jiyong “Ji.. Jiyong”

That was when he felt it, Seunghyun poking him “Seunghyun..” he quickly pulled away blushing.

“Jiyong I...”

“Kwon is here to see the king” Someone announced from the door, cutting Seunghyun off, He comes at the worst times, “Let him in” Seunghyun grumbled. I will make this brief.

“Your highness, I...” Kwon stopped when he saw Jiyong sitting beside Seunghyun with a blush on his face, he immediately knew he was interrupting something. “I wanted to share a drink with you to celebrate your wedding.... but I shall do so another time” he quickly turned to take his leave.

“Yes, some other time” Seunghyun smiled, I guess he is not completely dense.

“Oh...hyungnim.”Jiyong quickly called out, “You can stay...you came all this way” he ran up to Kwon, pulling him closer to where they were seated. “It has been long since we drank together”

“But Ji..” Kwon watched as Jiyong poured himself some liquor and downed it on one gulp, “Aigoo.. I guess I should drink....” he stopped as he saw the look on Seunghyun’s face, pure hatred.

“Why would you bring me that when you know I don’t drink”! Seunghyun said coolly, although he all he wanted was to have Kwon decapitated.

“Hyungnim drink..” Jiyong took his fourth cup before pouring one for Kwon.

While the duo kept drinking, with it being more on Jiyong’s part than Kwon, Seunghyun couldn’t help but feel jealous; the two laughed about things that happened in their past, and Jiyong always seemed less guarded with Kwon than with him.

“HYUNGNIM”!! Jiyong screamed out of the blue, “SARANGHE....”

“Jiyong...” Kwon laughed uncomfortably, as he tried his best avoiding Seunghyun glare.

“Saranghe hyungnim.... sorry I came to the palace and left you *hiccup* but I can’t live without the king” Warmth and relief washed over Seunghyun, “But hyungnim, what if I’m not enough.... what if I am unable please him..” Jiyong blushed “...in bed. What if....”

“I think you should take your leave Kwon” Seunghyun rose to his feet uncomfortably,

“Yes.. Yes.. I should go” Kwon cleared his throat. “Your highness.. I just want to let you know that you have nothing to worry about between Jiyong and I, we are close because it was only the both of us for a long time” he smiled softly.

“I know, but I can’t help but feel jealous” Seunghyun walked kwon to the door. They were at the door when they heard a thud; Jiyong was laying flat on the floor.

“Goodnight, your highness” Kwon gave a final bow before leaving.

Seunghyun sighed as he walked back to Jiyong; he lifted him and carried him to where he slept. He was lying Jiyong gently down when Jiyong blurted, “Make love to me Seunghyun”, with his eyes half open.

He knew Jiyong was bold, but he knew it was the alcohol talking “Ji...” his voice cracked, “Jiyong, as much as I want to, I cannot”.

“Do you not care for me anymore”? Seunghyun saw a pout forming on Jiyong’s face. As if rejecting you is not hard enough, you are making that face.

“My love, there will never be a time when I would not care for you” he pulled the sheets up, covering Jiyong, “I would never take advantage of you”

“But I want to”, Seunghyun raked his hair with his fingers, Jiyong was killing him; he still looked irresistible although he was covered up to his neck, and eyes closing as he was slowly drifting into sleep

“Tell me that when you wake in the morning, and I promise to devour you” Seunghyun placed a light kiss on Jiyong’s lips. “In the history of the palace, no spouse or concubine has ever spent the night in the king’s chambers” he laughed as he spoke to the now sleeping Jiyong, “...except you” he ran his fingers across Jiyong’s cheek for a brief moment before walking to his reading desk. “I guess I would not be sleeping tonight” he whispered as he opened one of the ledger’s on the able. “Aish, it’s big enough for the entire palace to sleep.... shouldn’t I just sleep beside him”? He peeked at where Jiyong laid peacefully, “Ahhh NO..... Too tempting... Too tempting” he shook his head before turning his attention back to the ledger.