Chapter Text
Heavy jewelry of intricate gold wrapped around the crown prince’s neck down to his waist, hanging by the ends with navette cuts; in the middle of all accessories — necklaces, earrings, brooches — were vivid topaz gemstones. His slacks, blouse, cape — all were white, made with smooth satin that flowed gently in the gentlest breeze. Everything was carefully selected to adorn his fair skin and dainty features; of course, because he chose them all himself.
Joshua pressed around his waist, firm and thick from all the layers underneath the form-fitted vest. His slender fingers stopped, resting on his hip as he admired the backside of his outfit — the mirror truly had a sight to be desired.
“How do I look?” he asked, turning his head.
“Enchanting, Your Royal Highness.” Seungcheol stepped forward and bowed as he spoke, holding his hand to his chest — near his heart.
Joshua’s eyes widened at his words and he froze for a few seconds. Then, he burst into laughter, covering his mouth with his white-gloved hand. “Haha, how can you maintain such a straight face while complimenting me?”
“I simply speak the truth, Your Royal Highness.”
“Alright, alright,” the crown prince chuckled. His hand felt around for the rectangular object, hidden in the left side of his waist and held up by the tightness of his belt. He turned around to face his guard and opened his arms, high and wide. “How about this? You can’t see it, right?”
“Not at all, Your Royal Highness,” Seungcheol replied. Then, he raised it to his neck and tapped around the side. “Please remember to go for the jugular here.”
“How scary,” Joshua shook his head, smiling. “Seriously, what made you want me to carry a weapon?”
“For Your Royal Highness’ safety, you must carry a form of self-defense.”
Tap! Tap!
Seungcheol looked down at the leather sheath on his waist, jiggling as the crown prince continued to touch the tip of his sword. He quickly retreated a few steps, lowering his head.
Joshua smiled, watching him warmly. Somehow, the same old navy uniform looked better on his guard today. “I have you guarding me, don’t I? With you by my side, I’m sure I won’t need to use the dagger — I don’t want to wound anyone either.”
Seungcheol held his words for a few seconds before looking up again. “I’m only one person, Your Royal Highness. In dire situations, I won’t —”
Shing!
The crown prince’s gasp filled the room as he watched his aide — baring his weapon toward Seungcheol, who seemed more than surprised as he stared at the mirror’s reflection.
“Don’t point at him,” Joshua chuckled lightly and returned to his seat in front of the vanity.
Seungkwan returned his knife to its scabbard, hidden within the inner of his blazer. He had appeared so swiftly that the door had yet to close properly behind him. He positioned his body toward the crown prince and bowed. “Greetings to His Royal Highness.”
Joshua smiled in return, waving his hand to relieve him from his reverence.
“Please share your worries in moderation,” the aide continued, sighing. “Your anxieties may stress out His Royal Highness.”
Seungcheol nodded. “Yes, My Lord.”
“And please, refrain from sharing your concerns over your own competence,” Seungkwan continued. “If anyone else were to hear that you felt incapable of protecting His Royal Highness, your position may be jeopardized.”
Joshua waved his hand through the tension. “Haha, it’s alright. It’s only the three of us here, after all.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness,” Seungkwan lowered his head. He kept his gaze down, remaining silent as Joshua watched his internal turmoil through the mirror.
“Do you have something to say?”
The aide walked closer and handed him a stack of newspapers, holding them with both of his hands. “There’s been another murder, Your Royal Highness.”
Joshua’s eyes skimmed through the headlines of each one, widening by the second.
“Jungnam Hwang of the Pichler viscounty,” Seungkwan continued. “He was bludgeoned in his sleep, similar to Byungho Kim of the Durante county.”
“How terrible,” he muttered. “House Pichler and House Durante must still be in attendance tonight — I should prepare my condolences for them.”
“I would advise against that, Your Royal Highness,” the aide shook his head. “His body has been discovered with the letter ‘J’ etched onto his skin as well. Although these papers aren’t explicitly saying it, people are placing suspicions on you.”
“On me?” Joshua repeated, baffled.
Seungkwan nodded. “These two lords have clashed with you recently in the past — many believe that their deaths were done in revenge due to how grotesque it was, Your Royal Highness.”
Joshua held onto his head, massaging his temple as the news settled into his head.
“I apologize for relaying this news on such a joyous occasion, Your Royal Highness.”
“No, thank you for telling me earlier. I would’ve made myself a fool in the hall had you not informed me,” he said weakly, muffled through his hand cupping his cheek. “Could I have a moment?”
Seungkwan bowed and headed outside. Seungcheol followed after, though not before a glance.
Joshua’s back hunched over as soon as the doors shut. He let out a long breath and the tension in his stomach eased slightly. His hands had found themselves in the air, almost ruffling his hair until he caught himself. “Haa. . .”
Truth be told, he was already more than nervous; it wasn’t his first public appearance — but his first one as the crown prince.
Up until the end of last year, Joshua was simply the second prince. He didn’t have much presence within the social world — occasionally seen here and there as if he were a ghost. It wasn’t as if he had no impressive feats or simply preferred a quiet lifestyle — he didn’t. In fact, he’d always wanted to attend every single gathering that passed his ears; though unless it was necessary, he never did for the sake of others.
With the crime of being an illegitimate child on his shoulders, he almost didn’t make it to the royal registry, let alone frequent public events. Had his mother not been of noble birth — more specifically, the Laurentius duchy’s beloved daughter — his life could’ve ended the moment he was born.
With the negative public sentiment, it was better for him to avoid places that other aristocrats frequented; as they preyed with their eyes for any chance to throw insults at him and his maternal family. He could honestly recite all their mockery by heart.
“Haa. . .” Joshua let out a deep breath, clenching both of his fists. “I can do it.”
He stood up and headed toward the doors, though before his hand could finish reaching for the handles — they swung open and he was greeted by his guard and aide. They waited for him to walk before following after, with Seungcheol exactly three steps behind.
The crown prince’s eyes roamed over the gilded halls and decorations, mesmerized by the unfamiliar details of the building. After all, it was his first time navigating through the Bellamy residence.
Once the grand floor-to-ceiling doors came into view, Seungcheol and Seungkwan’s footsteps slowed down to a stop.
“I’ll meet you down in the main hall, Your Royal Highness,” the guard said and bowed.
Joshua nodded and continued closer.
“You’re late.”
He lowered his head. “I-I apologize, Your Majesty.”
The queen turned her face, sighing loud enough that had she looked at him — he would’ve stumbled back from the gust of wind.
She continued to murmur under her breath, her voice lowering into whispers of disdain with every word. “You’re the crown prince now, start acting like one before it’s too late.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
To her left was a small girl who leaned backward on her heels and — despite her mother’s animosity — tried to catch his attention. She swayed back and forth until he caught her in the corner of his eyes, smiling. As quiet as she could, she called out, “Brother!”
“Princess,” the queen said, her voice as cold as the expression on her face.
She quickly returned to her footing, lowering her head. “I-I’m sorry, Mother.”
The crown prince assumed his position to the right of the king, who nodded to acknowledge his presence.
“Do your best,” he said.
“Yes, Father.”
Joshua swallowed what felt like a marble as the chamberlain joined them, standing off to the side. The nervousness inside him began to unpack itself as his chest tightened and his fingers began to fidget. He cleared his throat a few times, only making his mouth dryer as his restlessness grew; sweat even began to pool up in his hands and neck.
Bang!
The muffled conversations and music ceased in a second as the grand doors swung open outward.
“Announcing His Majesty the King, Eun Yi de Aurelius! Her Majesty the Queen, Nari Lee de Aurelius! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Joshua Hong de Aurelius! And Her Highness, Yeonhwa Yi de Aurelius!”
Joshua held in his smile — their names couldn’t be any longer if they had tried.
As he stepped out, he could see the main hall more clearly; a spacious ballroom that was filled to the brim with nobles — dressed in extravagant gowns and suits that flaunted their statuses all the way upstairs to him. The grandiose sight immediately paled all other gatherings and events he had attended before.
It was to be expected for the three-day celebratory banquet, held yearly to commemorate the union between the royal family and the Bellamy archduchy — the only foreign house in the entirety of the kingdom; ever since they were bestowed the title by the second king, they had somehow remained in good standing with every monarch for the past eleven generations.
“And once more,” the chamberlain continued in a roaring voice.
The crown prince’s attention returned and he glanced down, watching as a commotion brewed. Murmurs emerged from the crowd as they lowered their heads, slowly dispersing in the middle.
“His Highness the Archduke, Junhui Wen de Bellamy!”
Joshua’s eyes widened as he watched the man make his way to the end of the stairs below him.
The archduke wore a black suit, opened as a belt rested over his waist — not to mention the large cloak attached to his shoulders that dragged on the ground for at least two steps after him. He passed countless nobles, those of high and low status — yet none of them could raise their heads to look at him.
“Greetings to His Majesty the Maiestas and Her Majesty the Potentas,” Junhui bowed a perfect ninety degrees with his hand to his chest.
Joshua watched his elegance in awe, having to keep his mouth shut consciously. He had only heard of the members of the house in passing, tales of their bloodline and personalities like an urban legend. For the first time, he felt a sense of disappointment — that he had met such a dignified splendor so late.
The archduke resumed his position with his left arm by his side and his other in front of his torso, holding a formal pose as he held his head high.
“Good! Very good!” the king laughed, making his way down the stairs. “As formal as always, you’re just like your father!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Junhui smiled, lowering his head as the king continued to slap his shoulder out of amusement. He stepped to the side as a girl joined him with her greetings — she was almost as small as the princess, taking slow and elegant steps after him. It wasn’t hard to see that they were siblings — she was like a miniature version of him.
Joshua joined his father’s side after carefully walking down, afraid he would tumble down the grand staircase with his heeled boots. He looked up and flinched once he noticed the Junhui’s eyes on him — freezing him for a few seconds as he deliberated his next words.
“Lady Wanyin!” Yeonhwa exclaimed as she held onto the hem of Joshua’s cape, bringing him down by the shoulders slightly. She flinched slightly as she noticed the queen’s stare on her.
Junhui hunched down, leaning over to her. “My sister has been interested in brewing tea as of late. Would you be kind enough to join her today, Your Highness?”
The princess eyed her mother briefly before nodding. She accepted the girl’s hand and quickly hurried off with their guards scrambling after.
Once the crown prince’s attention had returned, he flinched — noticing Junhui’s gaze.
“My,” the queen muttered through her open lace fan. “Won’t you even introduce yourself to the archduke?”
Junhui watched as the crown prince promptly listened, lowering his head as he began to open his mouth.
“I-I —”
Suddenly, the archduke reached for his hand and turned his palm down — placing a peck on the back, even making a sound. “Junhui Wen of the Bellamy archduchy greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”
Gasps erupted throughout the hall. All formalities were lost in an instant as nobles frantically turned to their partners, confirming what they had just seen with one another; whatever confusion and shock they had on their faces paled in comparison to the queen’s.
Joshua watched as Junhui gently returned his hand to his side.
“There’s no need for you to introduce yourself to me first, Your Royal Highness.”
“I-I see,” he chuckled nervously. “I apologize, I — I’m a little unfamiliar.”
“I hope you can excuse his behavior,” the queen continued, hiding her scornful smirk with her fan. “The prince must still be stuck on his frivolous days.”
Junhui looked at him, almost as if he wanted to speak though he ultimately turned away — walking off with the joyous king slapping his shoulders playfully.
“Why don’t you go ahead and mingle around, Prince?” she said, in a whisper this time. “It’s quite unpleasant to have you stand next to me like this, you see.”
“Yes. . . Your Majesty,”
🃟
The buffet table was long and tall, varying in tastes from appetizers to desserts.
“Do you want anything?” Joshua asked, looking back at his guard as he grabbed his plate.
“Thank you for worrying about me, Your Royal Highness,” Seungcheol lowered his head.
“Haha, what a roundabout way of saying ‘no’,” he chuckled. “You surprise me every time.”
His eyes continued to browse around for a minute before he reached for the last éclair, oozing with whipped cream and strawberries. However, before his fingers could make contact, it was swiftly snatched away; the noblewoman placed the pastry on top of the other sweets on her plate, swaying side to side as he hurriedly offered it to a man.
The crown prince covered his mouth as he marveled at the sight; the man was dressed in rich, emerald green from head to toe and adorned in gold. He also sported vivid red hair that flowed just as freely as his half-unbuttoned blouse.
“He’s the young lord of the Ascanio marquessate — Mingyu Kim, Your Royal Highness.”
He looked at his guard. “Is that so? How have I not heard of him? He seems quite. . . popular.”
It was truly an understatement — at least a dozen women were cuddling up to him and he seemed to greet them all with open arms.
“The young lord seldom attends official banquets and frequents parties instead, Your Royal Highness,” Seungcheol replied. If the library was humanoid, he was sure to be one. “He’s known in society as the ‘Enchanter of Ascanio’, ‘The East’s Philanderer’, Baroness Rochette’s Paramour’ —”
“I — I understand,” Joshua stopped him with his hand in the air, chuckling as he looked away — embarrassed for some reason. He continued selecting confections for his gilded plate, grabbing anything that was pink or seemed sweet even in the slightest. “Ah, are those macarons? Could you pass —”
“Goodness! Is that you, Your Highness?”
The crown prince froze, turning his head to the shrill laughter on his left. He inhaled deeply and forced out a smile, so wide that his eyes closed a little.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Your Highness! It seems that you’re still quite the. . .glutton.”
“Oh, Mother! There’s no need to say it aloud — His Highness must be embarrassed!”
Joshua gritted his teeth; his hands clenched by his sides.
“What’s wrong, Your Highness? Cat got your tongue?”
His nails dug into his palms.
“It seems like His Highness —”
“Mingyu Kim of the Ascanio marquessate greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”
Joshua looked to the side, surprised to find the red-haired man beside him — brimming with a smile from ear to ear. It wasn’t only him; the mother and daughter duo were just as confused.
“Did I take you by surprise? I apologize,” Mingyu said, bowing with his hand on his chest — exposed even further as he leaned over. “You see. . . I was simply following protocol .”
“Young Lord Ascanio?”
After a few seconds of stunned silence and awkward glances, the two curtsied to their dismay.
“Hwaja Son of the Beaumont viscounty. . . greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince,” the woman said, gritting her teeth in no attempt to hide her hostility. “This is my daughter, Gayoung.”
Mingyu smirked, letting out a little scoff. He straightened his back and placed his hands on his hips. “Well, it’s a shame but I’ll have to part with you now.”
“Ah — I. . . see,” Joshua nodded.
With that, the young lord spun on his heel and returned to the group of ladies — awaiting him with sweet gazes.
“Tch,” the viscountess covered her face with her fan. “Seriously, Your Highness — how can you sit on the throne if you can’t even remember royal customaries?”
Her words were so ridiculous that Joshua almost choked on air.
“Don’t be too harsh on him, Mother. It’s our mistaking for expecting the bastard — oh my! I didn’t mean to say that!” Gayoung rushed over, taking his hands into her own as she dramatically shook them. Her voice was high and loud, piercing his ears and calling everybody else’s attention nearby. “It was a slip of the tongue! You’re not mad, are you? Your Highness?”
“No. . . I-I understand,” the crown prince nodded, closing his eyes slightly as he awkwardly tried to smile. When he opened them again, he could see past her shoulders and across the hall.
The archduke stared at him.
Did he look down on him too?