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As soon as Minghao entered their family’s enormous ballroom hall, the faint chatter from the party goers was suddenly hushed. He's used to it, anyway, the gossip and the effortless capacity of shutting people up. Being born to a scheming clan full of social climbers that will do anything to infiltrate the upper ranks of the royal blood line, Minghao's mere presence will surely attract attention 一 whether it's wanted or not, he obviously doesn't give a flying fuck.
Attention. Minghao hums as the word resonates in his head, knowing well that the eyes drawn to him are all from powerful individuals, each of them curious about the decision that he is yet to make in this coming-of-age matchmaking ball that his family insisted on hosting. And by an insistent family member, it only points to his scowling older brother whose death glare is so sharp, it feels like daggers are raining on him now.
"Minghao," Jeonghan says with a hefty seasoning of displeasure in his voice, pulling Minghao aside after the younger has made his grand entrance 一 wearing a raven velvet half-robe half-blouse top with a scandalous plunging V-neckline that reaches all the way down to his sternum, subsequently exposing his enticing long neck and bare cleavage. Both without any jewelry at all.
"Greetings to the brother that I only favor," Minghao addresses Jeonghan as he fixes the amethyst choker around the older's opulent neck with the flashy House of Hong emblem on full display.
"I am your one and only brother, you scoundrel," Jeonghan remarks, visibly irritated. "And why is your neck unornamented? We're supposed to announce the suitor you have chosen tonight and yet here you are, barging in with your head held high, proud and still disgustingly single ."
Minghao chuckles as he brushes his hair elegantly, with the Xu family rings exhibited on his fingers meant to accentuate how long and lithe they are. "Rest your weary heart, brother, and let the people's curiosity wander."
As his sibling speaks, Jeonghan leisurely sips his wine but that was when he catches a foreigner in the midst of the A-list crowd. "And that striking lad who's watching you with nothing but the intention of fornication in his eyes, of his bloodline and his origin, I deeply wonder."
Minghao's head turns where Jeonghan's eyes stray and his breath hitches. Why in the name of the Queen is he here? He's not supposed to be here.
" Your matchmaking ball on the morrow, can I come? "
" Why so? You're not from this kingdom. They won't possibly let you in."
The dapper stranger makes his way towards the brothers, attracting a fair share of eyes and buzz as he passes by. He doubtlessly looks impeccable 一 tall, blonde and gorgeous, with a rose quartz blouse and earl gray vest accentuating his physique in the best possible places. His walk is fit for a prince, even the direct descendants of the Queen in the room are trying hard to mask how impressed they are with the newcomer.
Jeonghan spies the stranger walking towards them, with the latter's gaze never leaving Minghao. "Oh dear, he's coming your way."
"Of course he's coming my way. Otherwise, I would take the nearest blade and pierce that someone else's heart," Minghao snaps, voice venomous as he scrutinizes one young duke's attempt to strike a conversation with the stranger. Luckily for the oblivious noble, the latter politely turned him away and motions that he has to talk with Minghao who was waiting for him expectantly.
Jeonghan cocks his eyebrow and he peers at Minghao, curiosity taking the better of him. "The voices of our ancient ancestors are telling me that your uncalled for propensity for violence from the mere thought of this handsome knight eyeing someone else means that you already know him from somewhere."
"Not a knight but I do know your alluring brother from somewhere," the blonde finally reached them and he kissed Jeonghan's hand out of respect. "Wen Junhui, Duke of Sotomayor, at your service, your royal Count."
"Is that ‘somewhere’ a place I would like to learn the details of or am I better off living my humble life without knowing it?" Jeonghan inquires as he nudges his brother's flank, slightly bitter that Minghao withheld such vital information from him.
"Your life isn't humble at all," Minghao's hazel orbs roll at Jeonghan, pulling him away from Junhui. "Apologies on behalf of my brother, he has the inclination to spice things up with his little white lies."
"Just like you, your royal Viscount," Junhui's almond eyes sparkle with mischief as it is now Minghao's hand's turn to be kissed. "Having the same inclination to spice things up."
Scandalized by the remark, Jeonghan almost spits out his drink. "I better get going before I waste this splendid fermented grape juice because of the vulgarity of both of you."
Junhui and Minghao idly watch Jeonghan as the Count makes his way to the upper floor, his maroon shoulder cape bouncing elegantly behind him. "That was a feat."
"What was?" Junhui queries as he turns and faces Minghao, his right arm folded on his side waiting to be taken by the apple of his eyes for this evening. For several evenings now, to be precise.
"You being able to usher away my brother who already has a considerably vulgar reputation," Minghao tries to hide the tiny smirk on his lips, eyeing Junhui's arm that looks rather inviting.
"Nothing is more vulgar than that ," Junhui remarks, eventually observing the mauve hickey that he made last night on Minghao's nape, just between the younger's neck and shoulder. "You barely hiding the love mark I left on your neck last night."
The sneer on Minghao's plump rogue lips turned to a full smile, bedazzling Junhui even more. "Duke Wen, bold of you to assume that I wish for it to be hidden."
The viscount's remark seems denser than the air surrounding them, like an invisible spark palpable between the two royals as they exchange knowing glances. Junhui swears to the life of his own King that Minghao was going to lean forward and kiss him but the orchestra starts playing and the younger repositions himself, almost falling to his side. Before tragedy could've struck, the duke's arm slithers around Minghao's waist, catching him before he falls.
Several gasps and whispers are audible as Minghao arches his back with Junhui's arm supporting his waist, a rather scandalous display of affection for two openly uncommitted individuals. Neither seems to mind, however, for the pair's eyes are just glued to each other, seemingly searching for something that no outsider will ever understand.
The younger lifts himself up with Junhui assisting him. Minghao's ringed fingers support himself on the blonde's shoulder with ease, smiling to himself as he remembered doing the exact same thing on bed last night as Junhui penetrates inside him repeatedly. "I wasn't informed that you're into catching people now."
Junhui beams, his signature boyish grin plastered on his god-like face. He brushes Minghao's hair back, clipping it behind the younger's elven ear and looks directly on Minghao's eyes. "I'd rather catch your feelings, your royal Viscount."
Minghao visibly stiffens with how serious Junhui glances at him, the older's intentions as genuine as his facial expression. They would've stayed like that if not for another royal's petticoat accidentally hitting Minghao on his side, pushing him even closer to Junhui. That's when the duo realized that they are out of place on the dance floor, like an unmoving pair of corals in a sea of bodies in motion. Junhui then decides to put his palm out for Minghao to take. "May I have this dance, your highness?"
"You treat me like I'm the Queen majesty herself," Minghao teases, his sharp eyes that rarely show affection to other people now enlightened with a childish fervor. "But sure, you seem very eager to grab my attention, Duke Wen."
The accused attention seeking individual curtsies, devoid of any desire to deny Minghao's claims. "If you ever choose me, your highness, I'll treat you as if you're the one ruling the whole world on the palm of your slim but imperious hands."
Instead of giving the admirable blonde a verbal reply, Minghao answered in the language of nobles, through waltz. The younger sways his hips sinfully despite the dance unrequiring of it, adamant to seduce his partner through this lewd exchange of body language. Minghao places his hands comfortably on Junhui's shoulders for aid then Minghao's fingers graze lower in front of the blonde's torso, undoing the knot of his silk ribbon, exposing his chest. Junhui gasps, melodramatically, feigning innocence as he smirks at Minghao knowingly. "Acting so formal as if we haven't been meeting in your bed chamber every fortnight."
"Is it wrong, if I desire to make what we have official?" Junhui boldly asks as his thigh slyly places itself in between Minghao's, making the lilac haired one incline towards him for balance, their now bare chests pressed together. "Does me coming from a foreign sovereign hinder me from trying to fight for your hand?"
"Fight? What fight?" It's now Minghao's turn to act timidly, a quizzical look on his breathtaking face as Junhui twirls him around, his periwinkle locks graciously framing his face, as if the stars themselves voluntarily withdrew from their throne in the night sky to be Minghao's earthly ornaments.
Junhui's right hand points gracefully towards the ballroom entrance where rows of jewelry chests and boxes are placed. Stored inside are the expensive gifts from all the prominent clans kingdom-wide, offering their family heirloom for Minghao to choose from and display on his bare supple neck.
Shortly after pointing out Minghao's extravagant gifts, the blonde does a grapevine, showing off his footwork and his brawny, very seatable thighs. Before he speaks, however, Junhui opens his right palm, displaying Minghao's leather belt that he stealthily strips off from the younger's waist. "Are we going to pretend that those jewelry aren't from your suitors and that you aren't the most sought after bachelor in this kingdom next to the Crown Prince himself?"
Minghao isn't a fan of make up, even labeling it as fatal face paint since he's pretty sure there's poisonous lead in it but he surely seems like his cheeks has been dusted with some blush as it turns beet red with Junhui's pickpocketer-like hand skills. The massive floor to ceiling ballroom hall window panes are all shut yet Minghao's body shivers as he becomes exposed, his robe-like upper garment now completely open because of Junhui's impish ploy. "For a nobleman, you have tricks up your sleeves fit for a renowned jester, Duke Wen."
"Speaking of sleeves," Junhui starts as he resumes their dance, using the sideways half steps as an opportunity for him and his hand to grope Minghao's bottom and simultaneously making the younger face him. "Take my humble offering for you, your highness."
Minghao's orbs grow as wide as the dessert plate that his brother is eating from as Junhui suddenly bends on one knee, yet again catching everyone's eyes. With another dance of his fingers, the blonde obtained something from his sleeves and at the sight of the said offering, everyone gasped.
An exquisite golden necklace with a red teardrop pendant is now the main attraction of the ballroom, stealing the show that not even the diamond laden chandelier can contest. As Minghao steps closer, he examines the pendant and he lets out a breathy surprised sigh. It was no other than the coveted red beryl gemstone, a crystal so rare that it can only be found overseas. Rumor has it that only one clan has control of its mining and that its source is guarded by the family's own militia.
The Wen Militia
.
As if Junhui has mind reading prowess too, the blonde nods politely while he searches Minghao's eyes. Then he asks, "Is that fear in your eyes, your royal Viscount?"
"It's the reflection of this magnificent gem in my eyes, Duke Wen," Minghao states matter of factly as he obtains the jewelry from Junhui's hands, formally accepting the gift. "Besides, does it really matter? I am irrationally attracted to peril, anyway."
The conductor taps his wand on the sandalwood stand, calling the patrons for the last dance of the night. The blonde rises from his kneeling position, towering over Minghao. "Will your neck and chest remain bare for the last dance, your highness?"
"That is none of your business," Minghao means to tease. However, his intentions were mistakenly interpreted as his words sting with malice once he let them out, with his blonde admirer visibly wincing upon its reception. Minghao readily waves his hand, seemingly wanting to wash the bitter aftertaste of his own remarks. "Because your only business right now is to keep the other half of your bed chamber empty. For me. "
The last two words were as solemn as a secret lover's rendezvous exchange and Junhui completely understands, trying to mask the somber smile on his lips. Junhui wants whatever they have to be so much more but he'll take what he's given for the time being. Beggars can't be choosers and he'd rather be a transient bed filler than an officially rejected lover.
"Can I abduct my brother now or would you rather for me to steal that ridiculously expensive necklace in his hand?" The pair who were lost in each other's gaze were startled by Jeonghan's harmless threat.
Or is it?
"I'll take my leave," Junhui figuratively waves his white flag by folding his cape as he gives Minghao's hand to Jeonghan. However, the viscount squeezed his hands before completely letting go, sealing their carnal meeting later this evening.
The Count basically drags his younger brother upstairs to their veranda where no one else can hear them. Minghao looks back one last time but Junhui already disappeared into thin air, just how he came into his life several months ago 一 like a fleeting paramore begging for his wings to be destroyed so he can finally settle in his own refuge.
"You foolish child, why didn't you wear that necklace right away? That was your chance, your cruise ship ticket away from this forsaken house!" Jeonghan shakes Minghao's arms, wanting all of his sibling's attention. "Minghao, listen. A single red beryl costs a fortune that it can turn your heaps of jewelry into useless dirt just by being compared to them."
Minghao raises the scarlet stone, letting the moon reflect itself on the glimmering corners of the gem. The younger takes in the evening breeze, as if he needs a natural, more powerful force to finally admit what he's trying to hide these past few months.
Jeonghan watches as his brother internally struggles with something until the younger finally heaves and wears the necklace, unconsciously showing off the love mark that Junhui made just the night before. It finally dawned on Jeonghan that Minghao is afraid to publicly express his decision right away because for the first time, instead of using his brain, he used his heart .
"Declare, I dare not," Minghao begins to recite, his voice quivering with such a frightening realization. "That a certain Wen Junhui has finally captured my heart."