Sehun couldn't help it, he burst out laughing, placing a fist over his mouth as he did. This was surely a joke, an absurd one. However when he gazed at Kai, that had was staring back as though amused by Sehun's reactions. Sehun snapped his mouth shut."Does it look like I joke?" Kai asked. He picked up a letter, and waved it at Sehun. "Read this." Kai looked guilty, like a man who wanted something he thought he shouldn’t, almost a little afraid Taking the letter with slightly shaky hands, Sehun's eyes scanned what was written and his breath got caught up in his throat. His fathers were required to present a child to join Kai's Harem. Sehun didn't understand why, because they weren't significant noble house. No the point was, joining the Harem had to be one's choice these days. He never heard of a Nobel house required to present a child of marriageable age. Why would the emperor demand it when he could have so much better? Realizing Kai meant it, made Sehun's blood run cold, but he kept his face plain. It wouldn't do to be too easily cowed. It could make these domineering types worse. No, Sehun must strike the right balance between deference and dignity, and never mind that he felt too rattled to be up to the task.  Irene and him were the only Lans suitable to join. And she was betrothed to Seulgi. She was so happy and it would be cruel to take that away form her. Sehun's hand trembled, as he reread the content. Must calm down. Must think of practicalities. Tack. "I beg you to exempt my house from the competition. My sister is already in love with someone else. Betrothed." "So I've heard. Good thing it didn't necessarily have to be a female." Kai hummed regarding him carefully. "I hate to be the villain in her love story. All you have to do is make a little sacrifice. Your sister will get to marry the person she loves." He made a gesture with his hands. "Solved. As simple as that." Sehun couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Kai didn't want Irene, it was clear he needed to corner Sehun knowing Sehun would do anything to make sure she got her happiness. "Majesty you cannot be seriously thinking I am qualified." Kai gave him a Does this look like a joke? look. Clenching his hand, Sehun went on."But I am Hyunjin's guard, paladins aren't allowed to join the contest." "Says who?" Kai demanded, leaning forward. "Just because most paladins chose to serve the crown in a different way does not mean they could not become a part of my Harem. There's no written law against that." Which was true and Sehun hated there wasn't. Sehun had been the only paladin to join in the past, and no one had opposed because he was a paladin."How can I guard the crown prince If I were to become a part of your Harem." He hated the word Harem. Sehun was monogamous. He hated poly. Didn't have the energy for all the dramas it involved. Just earlier, consort Lee was trying to get under his nerves, and that was him being Hyunjin's guard, Sehun didn't need to guess what the other would do if he knew what Kai was planning. He shuddered at the reminder of all he went through in the past because of Kai's spouses. "You can do both jobs perfectly, and being a member of my Harem will give you unimaginable opportunities, one is becoming Hyunjin's official parent. You know not all consorts are allowed to  address the crown prince as their child. You'll be the first. Hyunjin will be our son, just me and you." "Hyunjin isn't under any consort's care?" That was another diversity. Consort Rue had been Hyunjin's chosen mother in the past. The queen dowager's choice. Sehun becoming Hyunjin's parent was something the old empress would never approve of. No choice. His beast that had been silent suddenly said. Cub ours. King ours Shut it damn you. At this moment, Sehun wished he could separate himself form the beast. "Give it a thought. You have now until seven days. What better person to protect the prince than his parent?" Kai threw the bait and waited for Sehun.  Somehow Kai knew Sehun cared for Hyunjin and was including the boy in this. Still he didn't understand why."But why does it have to be me?" He asked, hoping Kai might shed some light. Because for some reason he couldn't fathom or indulge Kai seem to want him. "I want to have you." The emperor said simply. "No you shouldn't." Sehun shook his head, wanting desperately to understand where things went wrong. When Kai stared seeing him as more than a guard. "You don't have any reason to." Kai flicked his hand as if he’d bat Sehun's words away."I have plenty to. You're pleasing to the eye." "I am not even half as pleasing as your other consorts." Kai had the most beautiful people in his Harem.  As narcissist as Sehun could be, he was well aware even though he wasn't bad looking but he was no where near as outstanding as what Kai had. "That might be true, but there is something about you that calls to me. I told you, I get a sense a deja Vu when I am around you." Yes his beast purred. The hand holding the paper clenched. Sehun could feel the swirl of emotions he felt toward Kai… surging. His bitterness at everything Kai had subjected him to in the past. His fury in being taken away from the life he belonged in. His complete and utter rage that this sad-sack, poor excuse for a monarch could continue to cause him so much pain for no real reason other than selfish desire and boredom, even in a different timeline."You'll snap out of it."  Kai wanted to trap him in a place he didn't want to be, because he was selfish. Even now every little step Kai had taken had been selfish as . In the past Kai had consistently put himself first in their relationship time and time again. Force everyone in his orbit to do and act like he saw in his head. Sehun wasn't a character Kai's fantasy, for sake. Though Sehun had come to love Kai. But he had shut that door the moment Kai killed him.  "Don't discount my feelings. Sehun." Kai narrowed his eyes at him. What nonsense was Kai spurting? Sehun was certain Kai didn't have any deep feeling for him, it was probably lust, maybe if Sehun allowed Kai to him once, he would get over it and forget this nonsense."Do you wish to have me in your bed?" "Of course I do." Kai declared,voice full of false affection– according to Sehun's brain –his eyes darkening.  "Then let's do it, I dare say , so that you can realize i am not a good match for you and move on." Kai laughed at that, all y and - hardening– according to Sehun's beast."I will gladly accept your offer. However if even after, I didn't lose interest, we'll go ahead with it." Kai waved a hand."Yet I prefer to bed you after the wedding." He added. Closing his eyes, Sehun raked his brain for a solution, anything to save him from this. And that was when he remembered the boon Kai had promised him. He quickly opened his eyes and said. "I want to use the boon you promised me now." Kai shook his head and Sehun's stomach dropped. "I will like to offer you a boon. You have two favors to ask from me. It can be anything and I promise to grant it. It did not matter what or when. But only if it doesn't concern me." Kai quoted his exact words. "If you want something different, name it and you shall have it. Sehun." Damnation. Had Kai knew something like this would happen was that why he made a loophole to trap Sehun? Biting back a sob, Sehun tried again desperately."I am not feeling material. I will ignore you ,stomp on your heart and always put my need and interest first." "You can keep trying to push me away it's not going to work. You should accept it." "I like someone else." He pulled out his last card. Kai raised an eyebrow. "Who could that be?" He didn't seem bothered, only curious. But Sehun wasn't fooled. Sehun knew better. He would be damned to mention Junmyeon's name. Though Junmyeon was Kai's family but Sehun had a feeling the emperor would find a way to make life difficult for the water mage. "Even if you tell the truth, I have no doubt I will win against them." Kai leaned back against his seat, looking as confident as the ruler he was. Sehun breathed out against the quivery prickles of anger and helplessness that were tightening his shoulders. His mind was working faster than ever "Majesty I am still a trainee, and–" He trailed off, nibbling on his bottom lip as he averted his gaze. Something told Sehun he wouldn't be able to get away no matter what he say or do. He wasn't going to have any say in this fate.  Kai waved him off. "You can complete your training as I've said. If you're worried about your friends. The squad will be joining the palace, their documents has been submitted. They should start training to acquaint themselves with the palace as soon as possible." Sehun was out of excuses and helpless. This shouldn't be happening. Mothers please no. What kind of twisted game was Kai playing? This was foul play. This wasn't the second chance he was promised. Sehun refused to accept it. He needed to understand why the Goddesses were doing this to him? What was the point his revival, with all his memory intact just to meet with the same fate? Well, but why try to understand the Goddesses? Wasn’t that the point, that they were beyond mankind’s ken?How was this his life right now?
He was getting awfully tired of being threatened and pushed around and just generally messed with. He was feeling too many things—anxious, angry, frustrated—to settle on any one emotion, other than just bad. Sehun shook his head unwilling to accept this. He in a breath as he held back the tears. Not only would crying do him no good, but it would just show Kai what a weakling he was. "Can't I refuse this generous offer?" He sounded desperate, and he was. He was afraid. Being Kai's concubine would only lead to him dying. Again .He and Kai weren't meant to be, if only Kai would see that. The stubborn selfish bastard. Kai made a graceful noncommittal gesture somewhere between a shrug and a smile and a bow. It looked courtly and well-rehearsed and it felt as if a door was being closed gently but firmly in Sehun's face. "Can't I?" Sehun asked again,  "I am afraid not." Kai finally said. "I will be good to you and everyone you care about." His tone soft. "I won't touch you until the day you want me to." That was because Kai would have a lot more people to touch. That wasn't even important. Sehun let out a shaky breath, bracing both hands on his knees, his eyes on Kai, pleading without words for the er to have mercy on him. He felt as if he was navigating his way through a thorn thicket. It was bloody exhausting. Sehun already felt like a wrestler at the end of a match, but all the same he rallied. Kai observed in that odd, analytical way of his. It was almost as if he were holding up Sehun's reactions and emotions the way a doctor holds an X-ray up to the light to examine it. Like Sehun was his gateway to finally being able to understand how helpless people acted. "What are you so afraid of Sehun? Have I ever wronged you in anyway?" The emotions in Kai's voice was so thick, Sehun could almost taste it. That caught Sehun off guard. He straightened, opening his mouth to speak only to shut it, when a wave of dizziness hit him. His insides doing somersaults like a tornado was happening. He, Sehun was truly going follow the old path! His head felt light and strange, like it was bigger on the inside than the outside, and his body felt hot and gangly. Sehun swayed, and he couldn't help it no matter how hard he tried to stay on his feet. He caught Kai's eyes widened as the emperor rushed over with lightning speed before Sehun could hit the floor. Kai's arms closed around him, holding Sehun up with no apparent effort.  "Sehun! Hey!" Kai's frantic voice called, arms protective around Sehun. Sehun fixed stare fell on the tiny sailboats decorating Kai's robe. They seemed to bob on a silken sea. For a moment, he thought it might be an enchanted robe. Then he realized he was just passing out."Don't be the monster in my life." Sehun mumbled, a hand going to caress Kai's cheek.  Kai's eyes were wide, and the fear in them evident. "I won't." It sounded like a vow. "Stay with me Sehun." Just as he went under, his last coherent thought was, the emperor shouted something like royal healers to the guards.
****
Kai paced, his hands shook while glancing at the healer that had his hand hovering over Sehun's body for the past hour or so. The wait was killing him. Seokjin hadn't said a word, he had been examining Sehun from head to toe and would frown occasionally which did nothing to ease the knot in Kai.  "He should be fine with a good night sleep." The healer finally said, rising to his feet. "Make sure he drinks this. All of it, and call me when he shows signs of waking." He covered a cup of medicine."Or ask him to come find me." "What is wrong with him? Why did he suddenly collapse?" Kai feared Sehun had some disease. If to expect Sehun fainting often the way he did, so that he would know how to handle and prevent situations like that from happening. "Nothing to worry about. He's just stressed." The healer said, his eyes going to Sehun. "Stressed?" Was it possible for a magic user to collapse from physical stress? Though Kai had never heard of it, but he trusted Seokjin's word. He was family. He was Namjoon's husband and surely wouldn't lie to him. "He's been under emotional stress." The doctor added, with a sigh." I don't know what's going on with him, but he needs to take care of himself." There was more, Kai could feel it, but he didn't ask and Seokjin didn't offer more. Maybe it was something to do with Sehun's privacy. Thus Kai focused on the stressed part. Meaning Kai had been responsible for Sehun's current condition. His gut churning with so many emotions he couldn’t even begin to sort them out. Just another reason Kai should let him go. Kai wasn’t kind and good, not really. He was selfish and flighty. A monster, Sehun had called him. And it wasn’t far from the truth. Kai generally didn’t feel too bad about it. There were plenty of monsters in this world, and many were much, much worse than him.  However one fact remained. Kai was selfish. And he wanted this man with every fiber of his being. He’d had a taste of what it felt like to have Sehun in his arms, and he could see it quickly becoming a true addiction.Kai didn’t want to let Sehun go. Every fiber in him was against it. And with Heechul's subtle approval, Kai felt it was right to have Sehun. Heechul had hinted Sehun would be the one to fill that hole in his chest, that had been there since the moment he was born, that not even his late empress was able to fill and Kai had a feeling Heechul was right. Though his uncle had warned him to be patient and wait for Sehun to open his heart gradually, but Kai couldn't wait, well because he was Kai.Heechul had also told him to find ways and make little skin contact with Sehun, if that wasn't doable Kai should be in Sehun's presence as much as possible, though why? Kai wasn't sure and didn't ask. Goddesses above. Kai would conquer the world in the most gruesome way if it meant having Sehun by his side to care and protect. He didn't understand why he felt that way, and he didn't bother to. "Thank you Seokjin." "Are you going to keep him here?" Seokjin gestured at the room with a subtle surprise. Kai's personal sleeping quarters, that not even his consorts had the privilege of ever being invited. As the ruler of an empire Kai wasn't a private person, but this was the only private space he had. He prefer to visit his concerts than have them over. "Yes, I plan on doing that." "And you think it's okay? Rumors will start going about–" Kai cut him off with small chuckle"I plan on taking him as a concubine, so even if rumors spread about Sehun spending the night in my quarters, I will be the one to have him."  Seokjin had a look of utter surprise now. Probably didn't see that coming."You want to do that?" "Is there a reason why I shouldn't?" "I–" Seokjin began b