Luhan let out a cry of indignation as the gag was removed from his mouth, lip curling in disgust when he felt a string of his own saliva sliding down his chin. Sounds of shuffling, disgruntled villagers tutting in shame mocked him, leaving his reddening ears a target for the grim reaper himself. The young man attempted to slide backwards by use of his knees, to tear away from the guards once again and flee back to his troupe; but alas, to no avail when he felt his back knock against a sturdy pair of legs. A very large hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed, jolting his frame roughly.

“You’re here to see the Emperor,” a deep voice growled, reverberating in the back of Luhan’s skull, “that means you stay put,”

The young dancer moaned wretchedly, wishing for nothing but to bury his face in his hands, although seeing as his arms were restrained by burlap ropes and his vision was marred by a silk sash, it was a little hard to get comfortable at the moment. The steady padding of feet drew his attention forward, so the boy craned his neck to see through the small gap in the fabric that his nose allowed.

“Introducing, his Imperial Highness, Emperor Xiu-”

“Dear god what have you done!”

A collective hush silenced all murmurs from onlookers when a pair of small feet entered Luhan’s line of vision, quickly followed by red robed knees. A gentle, caressing hand pushed a strand of synthetic hair from the wig Luhan had on behind his ear. Before Luhan had any time to appreciate the gesture however, the soft fingers reached past his head and tugged off the knotted silk band. As the light assaulted his eyes, Luhan blinked rapidly and was greeted with a very concerned, very attractive young man leaning very close to his face and enrapturing his attention.

“Are you alright? My guards didn’t injure you did they? Why are you..?” the man paused for a moment, glancing at Luhan’s still bound and raw wrists.

Faster than Luhan could process, the kind man who had been softly his shoulder while interrogating him stood up, whirled around and accusingly pointed his finger at the smaller of the aforementioned guards.

“Untie. Now,” the shorter man, who now upon closer inspection was decked head to toe is the finest royal garment Luhan had ever seen, commanded through pearly teeth.

“I..” mumbled the soldier, raising his hands in defense from his approaching ruler, “With the utmost respect your Excellency, the subject has attempted to flee before in the town square, both Sir Kris and I believe it would be best to restrain-“

All the emotions of contempt fled the soldiers face when a dainty imperial hand grasped his outstretched wrist.

“Untie my future surrogate, Sir Sehun,” the handsome Emperor demanded with exercised control, a cutting edge grating in his voice.

Surrogate? Luhan thought, digging deep into his brain. Oh, he sighed, rolling his eyes and slumping forward in exasperation, I’m still dressed like Mai Hee. I guess someone’s in for a surprise.