The Trials of Courtship
Title: The Trials of Courtship
Pairing: Yunho/Jaejoong
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Humor, slight mentions of m-preg
Summary: Prince Yunho of the South went to the North to find a wife, but instead found himself falling off balconies in order to win Prince Jaejoong’s heart.
This story is dedicated to the wonderful daigensha_akuma for her birthday! ^__^
Yunho shivered in the cold and gripped the reins of his horse even tighter. It would only be a few more minutes until they reached the palace, and he couldn’t wait. He could feel the chill to his bones, and he was fairly sure if he didn’t get to warmth soon, he would be frozen onto the saddle.
“You look half dead.” Changmin, his trusted guard, commented as he brought his horse closer to Yunho’s. “No one’s going to want to marry you in the current state you’re in. I told you to ride in the carriage, but no, you argued and said that you were more likely to sweep off a potential bride by riding horseback.”
“I still will.” Yunho replied as he tried to hide how obvious it was that the frigid weather of the north was affecting him. “One look at me and -“
“All the princesses will run for the mountains, thinking you’re a dead body we picked up on the way here.”
Yunho glared, but before he could say anything in reply, loud horns blared in the air and drowned out any other sound. He directed his attention to the path ahead of them and let out a sigh of relief.
They were finally at the palace.
o-o-o
Jaejoong frowned at his sisters and crossed his arms. His sisters were too busy chattering about the coming prince and wondering if he would really end up as handsome as the rumors had made him out to be.
He left the waiting room and walked to the grand hall on his own - he didn’t need to be asked to tie another sash, ribbon, corset or else he’d end up strangling himself in an attempt to escape it all.
No doubt this prince would be as stupid as the others - and he dreaded the first meeting because of the awkward, uncomfortable, and emasculating comment that would always come from foreign visitors.
The emasculating comment came in two forms, the first being, “I thought the king had eight daughters, not nine.” And the second was, “Where’s the prince? I only see the beautiful princesses.”
Most of the time, Jaejoong ended up striding out of the room angrily - but lately he’d started more obvious forms of disdain which ended up with the foreign princes running back to their homelands due to the severity of his glare.
He loathed being mistaken for a woman - he was every bit a man, and he hated being called pretty. He was a man, and if anyone wanted to comment on his physical features, then he would rather be called handsome.
He didn’t even behave like a woman, so he couldn’t understand all the gender confusion. His sparing skills came second to none, and he was known to be a talented fighter and intelligent strategist.
Unfortunately, it seemed like people often forgot to spread news about his features that weren’t physical. The people of his country were notably quiet and isolated due to the harshness of their climate. News about him and his battles only went so far, and royalty from other countries were more interested in hearing about whether or not his sisters were ready to marry rather than his courageous exploits.
He opened the doors and felt the dread settle in his stomach. It was the place of countless humiliations, and he hated taking his usual seat close to his mother.
Jaejoong sighed and walked past his parents, ready for another humiliating event that would come at his expense because of royalty’s need to follow the rules of diplomacy and propriety. He would be forced to listen to another comment that would mock him, and he would have to pretend like he didn’t care.
What a joy it was to be born with such a delicate features, Jaejoong thought with a deep frown as he watched people file into the room to prepare to welcome the coming prince from the South.
His sisters fluttered into the room, their excited chatter filling up the room and lessening the tension that had mounted ever since he’d entered the room and reminded everyone in the court about what happened whenever visitors came.
His mother beckoned for him to go to her, and he followed. He walked slowly to her side and forced a smile as he leaned down to hear her better because his sisters were being much louder than usual.
“If...the expected occurs, please do just laugh along.” She said calmly, although he could hear the underlying pleading in her voice. “It’s of importance that one of your sisters gets married to this prince - although he’s not the crown prince, we hear that he is the Southern King’s favourite son. It would be beneficial to us to have him as an ally.”
“Yes mother.” Jaejoong muttered before he returned to his seat and slumped forward in defeat.
The horns sounded, and he stiffened. His sisters got quieter, and the entire room fell silent as everyone waited for the arrival of the foreign prince from the South.
Jaejoong sighed - humiliation was coming.
o-o-o
“Do I look better now?” Yunho asked as he patted his cheeks so that color would return to them. He glanced at Changmin for an answer, but the younger man merely rolled his eyes in response.
“Yes you do Your Highness.” One of his servants offered nervously before retreating to the back of their entourage.
Yunho smiled at the person and turned forward. He adjusted the way his fur cloak settled over his shoulders and ran a hand through his hair, “Anything I should know before we go inside?”
“Yes, there is.” Changmin edged closer to Yunho to whisper into his ear as the entrance music began to play, and the loud voice of a herald rang throughout the room. “The King’s son is often mistaken for a princess, so choose your -“
“He’s pretty then, is he?”
The young guard frowned, “I don’t think he’d appreciate you saying that.” He shook his head in disapproval, “Treat him like a man, and I think things will go smoothly. You’re free to choose any of the daughters that are present today.”
Yunho sighed, “I don’t want to get married.”
“Well, unless all of the children hate you the moment you walk into the room, I think you’ll need to choose a wife. Your father won’t let you come home until you have one of the children as a partner.”
The doors opened, and Yunho walked inside. He let his eyes roam around the great hall, but of all things he appreciated the most, it was the warmth that filled the room. He smiled happily, and Changmin elbowed him quickly.
“You look stupid, wipe that grin off your face.”
They reached the dais, and they both kneeled in front of the royal family of the North. When Yunho got back up onto his feet, he glanced at the faces of all the royal family members.
Oh. A smile came back onto his face - along with a rougher elbowing from Changmin - and his eyes lit up at the sight of the only prince who had the most adorable look of disdain on his face. He was dressed in fine fur, and he looked every bit like a Northerner. His dark eyes, red lips and dark hair contrasted finely against his porcelain skin, and he was in every sense of the word, beautiful.
Yunho was fairly sure he didn’t want to marry any of the royal princesses - he wanted him, and he would not return to the South until the beautiful prince of the North returned his feelings and agreed to go back with him.
o-o-o
Jaejoong resisted the urge to scowl at the prince that was staring at him obviously. He knew what came next - what always came next, and it displeased him to no end.
“Has something caught your eye young prince?” the king asked in amusement.
Jaejoong watched as the Southern prince’s light brown eyes flickered back to where they were supposed to be, and Jaejoong could only grip his armrest tighter as he anticipated the words to follow.
“I didn’t think the prince would be so striking - he’s a beauty.”
“He takes after his mother.”
“I would think so - in fact, your whole family is much more striking in person than in the paintings I have seen. Perhaps you should invest in a more renowned painter the next time you all have a portrait?”
His sisters giggled in delight at the charming prince’s words, but Jaejoong could only keep a suspicious stare. The prince was too flirty, too charming, and he no doubt had an endless amount of admirers at hand, yet here he was in the North.
He wanted something other than a wife, and he was sure of it.
“Jaejoong?”
Jaejoong jerked upright and glanced at his mother. “Yes?” he asked calmly and stiffly as he felt the heat of the Southern prince’s unwavering gaze on his face.
“Please show prince Yunho to his room.”
“Isn’t that the job of -“ he paused the moment the underlying message of his mother’s words rang clear in his head.
The job of escorting a guest to his or her room was usually the job of his sisters, and it was decided by the positivity of the reception a guest had to either of them. If the guest showed a liking to one of his sisters, then that sister would be the guide and escort to the guest’s quarters.
Jaejoong’s mouth nearly fell open due to the shock of his realization.
He glanced at the Southern prince, who was watching him with an amused look, and then looked back at his mother who was watching him with an equally amused and entertained look.
She thought that the prince liked him.
Oh gods, no.
He didn’t want to get married!
Jaeoong got up from his chair and forced a smile, “I will gladly show you the way.” He left the hall quickly and waited for the rest of Yunho’s royal entourage to follow him out of the grand hall.
The prince came out a minute after him, and Jaejoong frowned. While the Southern prince was very handsome, other admirers had been too. They’d been handsome, rich, and stubborn about rejection - not to mention stupid.
With one look at the Southern prince, Jaejoong assessed that he was just another prince looking for something pretty to add to a collection of beautiful things.
“Why do you keep frowning at me?”
“I -“ Jaejoong faltered, “I don’t want you to propose to me.”
The prince’s eyebrow raised, “Who said I was going to propose to you?” he asked in amusement which only made Jaejoong’s frown deepen as a blush rose to his cheeks due to the embarrassment caused by his assumption of the other prince’s intentions.
“You are very beautiful though, if you would like to become my husband, we could go back to the South right now and get married.”
“Yunho, shut up.”
Jaejoong glanced at the tall man that had spoken, and Yunho did the same. He frowned and massaged the spot where he’d been hit and turned back to smile at Jaejoong, “I think that you’re -“
“This entire hall is for you and your entourage. As soon as dinner is prepared, I shall return to fetch you.” Jaejoong interrupted as he made a sweeping gesture to the large hall, “I’ll go now.”
Yunho reached out, and his slim fingers took hold of Jaejoong’s wrist. The action brought a blush to his cheeks, and he cursed his inability to pull away as Yunho brought up his hand and placed a delicate kiss on the back of his hand. The Southern prince lifted his eyes and smiled charmingly, “Thank you.”
Jaejoong let out a small unmanly squeak and pulled away, “Don’t touch me.” He snapped icily before he left the hall, his heart pounding loudly in his chest.
o-o-o
“I want him terribly Changmin, I refuse to court any of his sisters when all I want is him.”
Changmin raised his eyes off the letter Yunho was sending back to his sister in the South and rolled his eyes, “I think it’s rather clear that he doesn’t want you. It’s either you start courting one of his sisters, or your father will hear of your poor progress and marry you off to a girl from the East.”
Yunho got off his bed and walked to the desk in order to re-examine the letter he’d finished writing moments earlier. “I’m sure I’ll know what to do as soon as I get Jihye’s reply. She always knows what to do.”
“Your letter has no substance. Let me read this line, ‘Dearest sister, the prince is as cold as the weather and as beautiful as the environment he dwells in. Every day I think about his startling dark eyes and enchanting lips, and although I have never felt this way towards men before, my heart inflames with passion at the sight of him. I do not care that he is not a woman, I would have no other as my partner in life.’” Changmin sighed and put the letter down, “This sounds more like a love letter than a letter looking for advice.”
“Well - you don’t know anything!” Yunho argued weakly before he reached for cloak and wrapped it around himself, “Send her the letter. I expect a reply within two days.”
He stormed out of the room and made his way to the stables of the palace. On his way, he passed by the hunting dogs and noticed a figure crouched down next to one of the animals.
“Prince Jaejoong?”
The handsome prince turned around, and the moment he caught sight of Yunho, a frown appeared on his face. He stood up and wiped his hands on his pants, “Oh. It’s you.” He sighed, “Good morning.”
“Good - good morning.” Yunho replied as he tried to gather his wits so that he could think of a line that would sweep the prince off his feet and into a marriage bed. “Is that your dog?”
Jaejoong glanced at the animal and then back at Yunho, “Yes, it is.” He stepped in front of it and crossed his arms, “Is there something you want?”
You.
“Uh - no?”
“I’ll go then.” Jaejoong replied stiffly as he brushed past Yunho. Yunho turned around and quickly took hold of Jaejoong’s wrist, but he dropped it as soon as Jaejoong shot him an icy glare.
“You’re very -“
“Beautiful, I know. You’ve told me more than once everyday, for the past month.” The Northern prince replied with a look of disinterest, “The word means nothing to me, and I would prefer it if you channelled your attention elsewhere. I don’t intend on marrying you.”
“But -“
“Good day.”
Jaejoong left, and Yunho sighed in frustration. He glanced at the dog which was staring at him with its blue eyes, and he could feel it staring at him in pity. It wagged its tail and walked up to him before nuzzling his legs.
Yunho dropped down to his knees, wrapped his arms around the animal and buried his face into the dog’s soft fur, “Why is your master so difficult to please?”
o-o-o
Jaejoong stared at the flowers, “Are those supposed to be for me?” he asked as he took two steps away from them and the prince who was offering them.
Yunho nodded and inched them closer to him, “Yes I -“
“I’m allergic to them.” Jaejoong replied before he sneezed and stormed out of the room, calling for the royal physician to attend to the allergic reaction that had started.
o-o-o
Jaejoong opened the door and looked down at the dog that was sitting down and looking up at him expectantly. It wagged its tailed, and he noticed the letter that was attached to the dog’s collar.
He removed it from the collar and read it.
Meet me at the gardens. Jaejoong sighed and tossed the letter onto his bed. He retrieved a cloak, wrapped it around his body and made his way to the garden with Taepoong loyally following by his side.
As soon as he was there, he noticed Yunho standing alone. His eyes drifted away from the other man, and he vaguely recognized the musicians that had accompanied Yunho on his journey to the North.
“What do you want -“
“Would you do me the honor of a dance-“
“No.”
Yunho’s face fell, and Taepoong went running to him as a source of comfort. Jaejoong watched as his dog pressed itself against the other man’s long legs and he shook his head in disbelief.
“I think Taepoong would prefer to dance with you.” He remarked before he began to make his way back to the room. Jaejoong stopped, and Yunho’s heart soared in hope.
The cold prince turned around, “You can’t have me, but you can have my dog.” His eyes flickered down to the dog that was staring at him in confusion, “You’re a traitor.” He muttered childishly before he escaped the garden and fled back to his room.
o-o-o
Yunho packed his things - it was the perfect plan. He would pretend to leave, and no doubt Jaejoong would come running and ask for him to bring him along to the South, then they would leave and live happily ever after -
The door to the room opened, and Yunho turned his head.
“I heard you’re leaving?”
“Yes, you see I -“
“Good.”
Jaejoong left the room and slammed the door shut.
Yunho fell onto his bed with a sigh of defeat.
o-o-o
The next day, Changmin found Yunho face down on the bed and nudged the older man awake. Yunho rolled over, and Changmin dropped Jihye’s letter down onto his face.
“I told you that the letter was supposed to arrive in two days, not two months.” Yunho mumbled before he took the letter off his face and glanced at it. “Did she explain what took so long?”
“Apparently your sister managed to find a husband due to your -“
“What?!” Yunho ripped the envelope open and pulled the letter out.
Dearest brother,
Don’t be upset I didn’t tell you sooner, but I needed to get engaged before you got back home because everyone knows about what you do to any of my suitors. I don’t intend on living in the palace forever and I love him dearly, and I’m absolutely sure you shall approve of him when you meet him.
Anyway, on more important matters...I think you should come back home. You’ve been away for too long. Come back and find a husband or bride that actually wants to be in the same room with you. The prince of the North may be beautiful, but there are many other beautiful people in other places. Even father is thinking of calling you back since your search for a spouse seems so fruitless. You’re his favourite, so he let you go so far in the pursuit for a partner - in fact, he even approved your desire for a male partner, but he’s rethinking his decision now.
Come back home.
Yunho sighed and tossed the letter aside. Changmin picked the letter up and placed it back onto the bed. “So, what did your sister say?”
“She thinks I should go back home.”
“I feel the same.” Changmin replied, “But I have a feeling you don’t care about what either of us feel on the matter. We’re not going back home yet, are we?”
Yunho shook his head. “I’m not leaving until father demands for me to do so.”
“You have a month I suppose.” Changmin commented after he’d read through the letter’s content. “I’m sure your father will call you back soon.”
Yunho left his bed, “That’s enough time to win Jaejoong’s heart.”
o-o-o
Jaejoong stared down at the unconscious royal on the bed. He sat down on the mattress, and poked Yunho’s cheek, wondering if he’d wake up. He received no response, so he did it again.
Admittedly, the other prince was handsome. He had sharp features that were softened whenever he smiled, tan skin that was so different from the paleness that was common in the North, and he was rather tall too.
If he were to go on looks alone, he would’ve readily accepted Yunho’s proposal. However, Jaejoong wanted a husband that genuinely loved him, and it was just so difficult to assess as to whether or not Yunho’s actions were genuine.
There’d been other suitors, and they’d all claimed undying love and fidelity as they lavished gift after gift - failing to realize how fake and ostensible their whole charade had been.
Jaejoong felt partially guilty for the current state of the Southern prince, seeing as the prince had fallen off his balcony in an attempt to impress with a bouquet of flowers in the middle of the night.
Jaejoong controlled his laughter - what kind of idiot attempted to climb a balcony when it was snowing, and in the middle of the night? However, it was still his partially his fault for not being more forward with his feelings - which led to Yunho doing all sorts of acts in order to convince him to accept his proposal.
Staring down at Yunho’s face, Jaejoong blushed and brushed a lock of hair off the other’s forehead. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Yunho was growing on him with all his failed attempts at romance and endless amounts of determination.
No one had ever stuck around so long before.
“I’m surprised to see you here.”
Jaejoong jerked his hand away from Yunho’s face and glanced at the person who’d entered the room without knocking. He blushed profusely and stepped away from the bed, tripping on the rug in the process - which led to him almost falling onto the floor.
He berated himself because that had not been smooth at all. “Why is that so?” Jaejoong asked as he tried to send his blush away.
Changmin shrugged, “I think it’s rather known that you don’t have the fondest feelings for Yunho.” He glanced at the unconscious prince on the bed, “Anyway, I have to make sure Yunho’s ready for our trip. We’re going back to the South soon.”
“Oh?” Jaejoong asked, hoping he sounded nonchalant. He took steps away from the bed before he turned, “Why are you going back?”
“It seems like someone else is more than willing to have Yunho as his husband. His father, the king, has already drawn up plans for the wedding to take place -“
Jaejoong’s eyes widened. “I have to go.” He interrupted before he rushed out of the room to rethink his behavior toward the Southern prince.
He was in such a hurry to leave that he missed the mischievous smile that appeared on Changmin’s face.
o-o-o
Yunho groaned and sat up. His body had been aching all over for several days, and he was fairly sure Jaejoong hadn’t visited him once.
He shook his head and ran his hands through his hair - the things he endured just for a certain beautiful and difficult to deal with Northern prince.
True, it had been a stupid idea to climb Jaejoong’s balcony at night, but he had thought the effort would’ve paid off somehow. That maybe, just maybe, Jaejoong would’ve seen all the hard work he’d been putting into their lopsided romance and just accept the damn marriage proposal already.
If there was one thing Yunho was not known for, it was patience. Just the fact that he’d stuck out in such a frigid country, for a certain frigid prince should’ve been enough of a testament to prove that he was most definitely serious about his feelings.
He sighed and stood up - someone was at the door.
Yunho ignored the fact he was hardly dressed properly for any sort of company and opened the door, expecting a scolding from Changmin. His eyes widened when he discovered Jaejoong instead.
“Can I come in?” the prince asked, his eyes raking over Yunho’s body and making the latter feel extremely self-conscious. “Or are you busy?”
Yunho shook his head, “I’m not busy at all. Is there something you want to -“
Jaejoong took a step closer to Yunho, “Could I close the door first?” he asked as he turned back to shut the door behind him. “I don’t want anyone to overhear what I’m about to say.”
Yunho gulped nervously and tried to look less nervous than he felt. His eyes lowered down to the shorter royal’s tempting lips, and it took most of his self-control to prevent himself from launching himself at the other man.
“So, what do you have to say?”
“I want to be your husband. I won’t let you go back to the South unless you take me with you as your betrothed.”
Yunho’s eyes widened, and he stared at Jaejoong in disbelief. He blinked and wondered if the pain medication had started to show its side effects.
As soon as he noticed the bright red blush making its way across Jaejoong’s handsome face, Yunho began to realize that he wasn’t undergoing any sort of medical side effects, and that the words that had just come out of Jaejoong’s mouth were real.
“Isn’t that what you’ve wanted me to say for months now? Why are you being so -“
Before Jaejoong could finish his sentence, Yunho had him pinned against the door, lips claiming Jaejoong’s and his touches completely unrestrained. Yunho barely allowed Jaejoong a chance to breathe before his tongue entered Jaejoong’s mouth.
Yunho tightened his grasp as Jaejoong hooked his arms his neck and hitched his legs around Yunho’s waist. He was so happy to finally have Jaejoong in his arms, and it showed in the ardour of his kiss and touch.
Jaejoong let out a muffled moan, and Yunho smiled against the other’s lips. He pulled away from Jaejoong’s mouth and began to focus on the other’s neck. He bit and sucked roughly at the pale expanse of flesh, determined to leave as many marks as possible.
After months of waiting, he was absolutely sure that he would have everyone know that Jaejoong was finally his.
“Yunho -“ Jaejoong moaned softly as Yunho bit at a particularly sensitive spot on his neck, “I don’t -“
“Please.” Yunho murmured before he detached himself from Jaejoong’s neck in order to claim Jaejoong’s lips again in a silencing kiss. Their tongues entangled once more, and Yunho made sure to explore every single inch of Jaejoong’s mouth and to remember the taste of the other prince.
Jaejoong arched into Yunho’s touches, and as he felt Yunho carry him and begin to lead him to the bed, he pulled himself away in a sharp motion that resulted in both of them falling onto the floor.
Yunho groaned, body on top of Jaejoong’s, and as he was about to continue his previous actions - Jaejoong pushed him off and got up. “Where are you going?” Yunho asked as he regained his senses and jogged after Jaejoong.
Jaejoong turned around, face flushed, lips visibly bruised and neck tainted with Yunho’s love bites. “Not now.” He explained, “I refuse to have sex with you until we’re married.”
Yunho pouted but didn’t argue. Jaejoong was right, but it was still difficult for him to let his fiancée leave when they’d been in the middle of something so passionate.
“We don’t have to go all the -“ Yunho paused as Jaejoong glared at him from his spot near the door. He laughed and crossed the room in a short span of time, enveloping Jaejoong in his arms. “I’ll take care of you, don’t worry.”
He smiled as Jaejoong inched closer, melding their bodies closer together. Yunho sighed contentedly, “I want a lot of children, okay?”
Jaejoong pushed him away, his face red. “Did my sisters tell you?” he asked, as he tried to cover his face in embarrassment.
Yunho raised an eyebrow, “Tell me what?”
Jaejoong buried his chest and muffled a reply which only made Yunho even happier with his decision of wanting Jaejoong as a husband.
Apparently, Jaejoong could get pregnant.
o-o-o
Jaejoong tried to ignore the hundredth name suggestion that Yunho had given him throughout the entire trip to the Southern kingdom. He looked at his future husband tiredly, “G-Dragon? Why in the world would I allow you to name our first son that?”
“Everyone likes dragons.”
Jaejoong looked up at Yunho and sighed, wishing he hadn’t told his husband about one of the most ridiculous fairy godmother blessings in the history of magical blessings.
Even he had difficulty believing it sometimes - that at his first birthday, a fairy godmother had blessed him with the ability to give birth because she’d been absolutely sure that he would be bound to attract a handsome prince.
As Jaejoong studied Yunho’s face, his lips quirked into a smile - he supposed that the fairy godmother was right after all.
Yunho looked down at him and toyed with the strands of hair that were splayed all over his lap. He stroked Jaejoong’s head slowly, “I’ll think of a better name then. What about Moonbin?”
Jaejoong’s eyes fluttered shut, “I suppose that’s fine.” He murmured , “It’s much better than the other names you’ve suggested.”
The carriage slowed to a halt, and Jaejoong sat up. His heart thudded in his chest, and he looked at Yunho nervously. Yunho pressed a quick kiss against his lips and took hold of one of Jaejoong’s hands so that he could lead him out of the carriage.
“Yunho.”
Yunho looked back and smiled, “You don’t have anything to worry about. I’m sure my family and the people will accept you just fine. You’re the most beautiful thing to have stepped into the country in a long while.”
Jaejoong rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t contain the smile that had made its way across his lips. He held onto Yunho’s hand a little tighter, “Okay.”
As he followed his fiancée out of the carriage and into a foreign land, Jaejoong was perfectly assured that he was in capable hands.
Yunho would be a perfect husband.
Author’s Note: Well, I hope this made sense and that the birthday girl enjoyed it. She’s one of my first LJ friends, so I love her dearly! ^__^ Make sure to greet her! Hahaha. XD Anyway, this is officially the last of the happy updates (the other two being the recently posted chapters of A Learning Process and The Effects of a One-sided Crush), and I shall now be moving on toward a week or so of angst writing. LOL. Also, I was thinking of maybe getting a twitter account, but I’m a bit worried that no one will follow me. *forever alone-vibes* So, if you think it’s a good idea, please do tell me so. Also, I’ve edited my introductory post, so if you want to learn some things about me, please do read it - and introduce yourselves as well if you haven’t. :) Thank you for reading! ♥
I hope you have a wonderful birthday Aoi! XD
Pairing: Yunho/Jaejoong
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Humor, slight mentions of m-preg
Summary: Prince Yunho of the South went to the North to find a wife, but instead found himself falling off balconies in order to win Prince Jaejoong’s heart.
This story is dedicated to the wonderful daigensha_akuma for her birthday! ^__^
Yunho shivered in the cold and gripped the reins of his horse even tighter. It would only be a few more minutes until they reached the palace, and he couldn’t wait. He could feel the chill to his bones, and he was fairly sure if he didn’t get to warmth soon, he would be frozen onto the saddle.
“You look half dead.” Changmin, his trusted guard, commented as he brought his horse closer to Yunho’s. “No one’s going to want to marry you in the current state you’re in. I told you to ride in the carriage, but no, you argued and said that you were more likely to sweep off a potential bride by riding horseback.”
“I still will.” Yunho replied as he tried to hide how obvious it was that the frigid weather of the north was affecting him. “One look at me and -“
“All the princesses will run for the mountains, thinking you’re a dead body we picked up on the way here.”
Yunho glared, but before he could say anything in reply, loud horns blared in the air and drowned out any other sound. He directed his attention to the path ahead of them and let out a sigh of relief.
They were finally at the palace.
o-o-o
Jaejoong frowned at his sisters and crossed his arms. His sisters were too busy chattering about the coming prince and wondering if he would really end up as handsome as the rumors had made him out to be.
He left the waiting room and walked to the grand hall on his own - he didn’t need to be asked to tie another sash, ribbon, corset or else he’d end up strangling himself in an attempt to escape it all.
No doubt this prince would be as stupid as the others - and he dreaded the first meeting because of the awkward, uncomfortable, and emasculating comment that would always come from foreign visitors.
The emasculating comment came in two forms, the first being, “I thought the king had eight daughters, not nine.” And the second was, “Where’s the prince? I only see the beautiful princesses.”
Most of the time, Jaejoong ended up striding out of the room angrily - but lately he’d started more obvious forms of disdain which ended up with the foreign princes running back to their homelands due to the severity of his glare.
He loathed being mistaken for a woman - he was every bit a man, and he hated being called pretty. He was a man, and if anyone wanted to comment on his physical features, then he would rather be called handsome.
He didn’t even behave like a woman, so he couldn’t understand all the gender confusion. His sparing skills came second to none, and he was known to be a talented fighter and intelligent strategist.
Unfortunately, it seemed like people often forgot to spread news about his features that weren’t physical. The people of his country were notably quiet and isolated due to the harshness of their climate. News about him and his battles only went so far, and royalty from other countries were more interested in hearing about whether or not his sisters were ready to marry rather than his courageous exploits.
He opened the doors and felt the dread settle in his stomach. It was the place of countless humiliations, and he hated taking his usual seat close to his mother.
Jaejoong sighed and walked past his parents, ready for another humiliating event that would come at his expense because of royalty’s need to follow the rules of diplomacy and propriety. He would be forced to listen to another comment that would mock him, and he would have to pretend like he didn’t care.
What a joy it was to be born with such a delicate features, Jaejoong thought with a deep frown as he watched people file into the room to prepare to welcome the coming prince from the South.
His sisters fluttered into the room, their excited chatter filling up the room and lessening the tension that had mounted ever since he’d entered the room and reminded everyone in the court about what happened whenever visitors came.
His mother beckoned for him to go to her, and he followed. He walked slowly to her side and forced a smile as he leaned down to hear her better because his sisters were being much louder than usual.
“If...the expected occurs, please do just laugh along.” She said calmly, although he could hear the underlying pleading in her voice. “It’s of importance that one of your sisters gets married to this prince - although he’s not the crown prince, we hear that he is the Southern King’s favourite son. It would be beneficial to us to have him as an ally.”
“Yes mother.” Jaejoong muttered before he returned to his seat and slumped forward in defeat.
The horns sounded, and he stiffened. His sisters got quieter, and the entire room fell silent as everyone waited for the arrival of the foreign prince from the South.
Jaejoong sighed - humiliation was coming.
o-o-o
“Do I look better now?” Yunho asked as he patted his cheeks so that color would return to them. He glanced at Changmin for an answer, but the younger man merely rolled his eyes in response.
“Yes you do Your Highness.” One of his servants offered nervously before retreating to the back of their entourage.
Yunho smiled at the person and turned forward. He adjusted the way his fur cloak settled over his shoulders and ran a hand through his hair, “Anything I should know before we go inside?”
“Yes, there is.” Changmin edged closer to Yunho to whisper into his ear as the entrance music began to play, and the loud voice of a herald rang throughout the room. “The King’s son is often mistaken for a princess, so choose your -“
“He’s pretty then, is he?”
The young guard frowned, “I don’t think he’d appreciate you saying that.” He shook his head in disapproval, “Treat him like a man, and I think things will go smoothly. You’re free to choose any of the daughters that are present today.”
Yunho sighed, “I don’t want to get married.”
“Well, unless all of the children hate you the moment you walk into the room, I think you’ll need to choose a wife. Your father won’t let you come home until you have one of the children as a partner.”
The doors opened, and Yunho walked inside. He let his eyes roam around the great hall, but of all things he appreciated the most, it was the warmth that filled the room. He smiled happily, and Changmin elbowed him quickly.
“You look stupid, wipe that grin off your face.”
They reached the dais, and they both kneeled in front of the royal family of the North. When Yunho got back up onto his feet, he glanced at the faces of all the royal family members.
Oh. A smile came back onto his face - along with a rougher elbowing from Changmin - and his eyes lit up at the sight of the only prince who had the most adorable look of disdain on his face. He was dressed in fine fur, and he looked every bit like a Northerner. His dark eyes, red lips and dark hair contrasted finely against his porcelain skin, and he was in every sense of the word, beautiful.
Yunho was fairly sure he didn’t want to marry any of the royal princesses - he wanted him, and he would not return to the South until the beautiful prince of the North returned his feelings and agreed to go back with him.
o-o-o
Jaejoong resisted the urge to scowl at the prince that was staring at him obviously. He knew what came next - what always came next, and it displeased him to no end.
“Has something caught your eye young prince?” the king asked in amusement.
Jaejoong watched as the Southern prince’s light brown eyes flickered back to where they were supposed to be, and Jaejoong could only grip his armrest tighter as he anticipated the words to follow.
“I didn’t think the prince would be so striking - he’s a beauty.”
“He takes after his mother.”
“I would think so - in fact, your whole family is much more striking in person than in the paintings I have seen. Perhaps you should invest in a more renowned painter the next time you all have a portrait?”
His sisters giggled in delight at the charming prince’s words, but Jaejoong could only keep a suspicious stare. The prince was too flirty, too charming, and he no doubt had an endless amount of admirers at hand, yet here he was in the North.
He wanted something other than a wife, and he was sure of it.
“Jaejoong?”
Jaejoong jerked upright and glanced at his mother. “Yes?” he asked calmly and stiffly as he felt the heat of the Southern prince’s unwavering gaze on his face.
“Please show prince Yunho to his room.”
“Isn’t that the job of -“ he paused the moment the underlying message of his mother’s words rang clear in his head.
The job of escorting a guest to his or her room was usually the job of his sisters, and it was decided by the positivity of the reception a guest had to either of them. If the guest showed a liking to one of his sisters, then that sister would be the guide and escort to the guest’s quarters.
Jaejoong’s mouth nearly fell open due to the shock of his realization.
He glanced at the Southern prince, who was watching him with an amused look, and then looked back at his mother who was watching him with an equally amused and entertained look.
She thought that the prince liked him.
Oh gods, no.
He didn’t want to get married!
Jaeoong got up from his chair and forced a smile, “I will gladly show you the way.” He left the hall quickly and waited for the rest of Yunho’s royal entourage to follow him out of the grand hall.
The prince came out a minute after him, and Jaejoong frowned. While the Southern prince was very handsome, other admirers had been too. They’d been handsome, rich, and stubborn about rejection - not to mention stupid.
With one look at the Southern prince, Jaejoong assessed that he was just another prince looking for something pretty to add to a collection of beautiful things.
“Why do you keep frowning at me?”
“I -“ Jaejoong faltered, “I don’t want you to propose to me.”
The prince’s eyebrow raised, “Who said I was going to propose to you?” he asked in amusement which only made Jaejoong’s frown deepen as a blush rose to his cheeks due to the embarrassment caused by his assumption of the other prince’s intentions.
“You are very beautiful though, if you would like to become my husband, we could go back to the South right now and get married.”
“Yunho, shut up.”
Jaejoong glanced at the tall man that had spoken, and Yunho did the same. He frowned and massaged the spot where he’d been hit and turned back to smile at Jaejoong, “I think that you’re -“
“This entire hall is for you and your entourage. As soon as dinner is prepared, I shall return to fetch you.” Jaejoong interrupted as he made a sweeping gesture to the large hall, “I’ll go now.”
Yunho reached out, and his slim fingers took hold of Jaejoong’s wrist. The action brought a blush to his cheeks, and he cursed his inability to pull away as Yunho brought up his hand and placed a delicate kiss on the back of his hand. The Southern prince lifted his eyes and smiled charmingly, “Thank you.”
Jaejoong let out a small unmanly squeak and pulled away, “Don’t touch me.” He snapped icily before he left the hall, his heart pounding loudly in his chest.
o-o-o
“I want him terribly Changmin, I refuse to court any of his sisters when all I want is him.”
Changmin raised his eyes off the letter Yunho was sending back to his sister in the South and rolled his eyes, “I think it’s rather clear that he doesn’t want you. It’s either you start courting one of his sisters, or your father will hear of your poor progress and marry you off to a girl from the East.”
Yunho got off his bed and walked to the desk in order to re-examine the letter he’d finished writing moments earlier. “I’m sure I’ll know what to do as soon as I get Jihye’s reply. She always knows what to do.”
“Your letter has no substance. Let me read this line, ‘Dearest sister, the prince is as cold as the weather and as beautiful as the environment he dwells in. Every day I think about his startling dark eyes and enchanting lips, and although I have never felt this way towards men before, my heart inflames with passion at the sight of him. I do not care that he is not a woman, I would have no other as my partner in life.’” Changmin sighed and put the letter down, “This sounds more like a love letter than a letter looking for advice.”
“Well - you don’t know anything!” Yunho argued weakly before he reached for cloak and wrapped it around himself, “Send her the letter. I expect a reply within two days.”
He stormed out of the room and made his way to the stables of the palace. On his way, he passed by the hunting dogs and noticed a figure crouched down next to one of the animals.
“Prince Jaejoong?”
The handsome prince turned around, and the moment he caught sight of Yunho, a frown appeared on his face. He stood up and wiped his hands on his pants, “Oh. It’s you.” He sighed, “Good morning.”
“Good - good morning.” Yunho replied as he tried to gather his wits so that he could think of a line that would sweep the prince off his feet and into a marriage bed. “Is that your dog?”
Jaejoong glanced at the animal and then back at Yunho, “Yes, it is.” He stepped in front of it and crossed his arms, “Is there something you want?”
You.
“Uh - no?”
“I’ll go then.” Jaejoong replied stiffly as he brushed past Yunho. Yunho turned around and quickly took hold of Jaejoong’s wrist, but he dropped it as soon as Jaejoong shot him an icy glare.
“You’re very -“
“Beautiful, I know. You’ve told me more than once everyday, for the past month.” The Northern prince replied with a look of disinterest, “The word means nothing to me, and I would prefer it if you channelled your attention elsewhere. I don’t intend on marrying you.”
“But -“
“Good day.”
Jaejoong left, and Yunho sighed in frustration. He glanced at the dog which was staring at him with its blue eyes, and he could feel it staring at him in pity. It wagged its tail and walked up to him before nuzzling his legs.
Yunho dropped down to his knees, wrapped his arms around the animal and buried his face into the dog’s soft fur, “Why is your master so difficult to please?”
o-o-o
Jaejoong stared at the flowers, “Are those supposed to be for me?” he asked as he took two steps away from them and the prince who was offering them.
Yunho nodded and inched them closer to him, “Yes I -“
“I’m allergic to them.” Jaejoong replied before he sneezed and stormed out of the room, calling for the royal physician to attend to the allergic reaction that had started.
o-o-o
Jaejoong opened the door and looked down at the dog that was sitting down and looking up at him expectantly. It wagged its tailed, and he noticed the letter that was attached to the dog’s collar.
He removed it from the collar and read it.
Meet me at the gardens. Jaejoong sighed and tossed the letter onto his bed. He retrieved a cloak, wrapped it around his body and made his way to the garden with Taepoong loyally following by his side.
As soon as he was there, he noticed Yunho standing alone. His eyes drifted away from the other man, and he vaguely recognized the musicians that had accompanied Yunho on his journey to the North.
“What do you want -“
“Would you do me the honor of a dance-“
“No.”
Yunho’s face fell, and Taepoong went running to him as a source of comfort. Jaejoong watched as his dog pressed itself against the other man’s long legs and he shook his head in disbelief.
“I think Taepoong would prefer to dance with you.” He remarked before he began to make his way back to the room. Jaejoong stopped, and Yunho’s heart soared in hope.
The cold prince turned around, “You can’t have me, but you can have my dog.” His eyes flickered down to the dog that was staring at him in confusion, “You’re a traitor.” He muttered childishly before he escaped the garden and fled back to his room.
o-o-o
Yunho packed his things - it was the perfect plan. He would pretend to leave, and no doubt Jaejoong would come running and ask for him to bring him along to the South, then they would leave and live happily ever after -
The door to the room opened, and Yunho turned his head.
“I heard you’re leaving?”
“Yes, you see I -“
“Good.”
Jaejoong left the room and slammed the door shut.
Yunho fell onto his bed with a sigh of defeat.
o-o-o
The next day, Changmin found Yunho face down on the bed and nudged the older man awake. Yunho rolled over, and Changmin dropped Jihye’s letter down onto his face.
“I told you that the letter was supposed to arrive in two days, not two months.” Yunho mumbled before he took the letter off his face and glanced at it. “Did she explain what took so long?”
“Apparently your sister managed to find a husband due to your -“
“What?!” Yunho ripped the envelope open and pulled the letter out.
Dearest brother,
Don’t be upset I didn’t tell you sooner, but I needed to get engaged before you got back home because everyone knows about what you do to any of my suitors. I don’t intend on living in the palace forever and I love him dearly, and I’m absolutely sure you shall approve of him when you meet him.
Anyway, on more important matters...I think you should come back home. You’ve been away for too long. Come back and find a husband or bride that actually wants to be in the same room with you. The prince of the North may be beautiful, but there are many other beautiful people in other places. Even father is thinking of calling you back since your search for a spouse seems so fruitless. You’re his favourite, so he let you go so far in the pursuit for a partner - in fact, he even approved your desire for a male partner, but he’s rethinking his decision now.
Come back home.
Yunho sighed and tossed the letter aside. Changmin picked the letter up and placed it back onto the bed. “So, what did your sister say?”
“She thinks I should go back home.”
“I feel the same.” Changmin replied, “But I have a feeling you don’t care about what either of us feel on the matter. We’re not going back home yet, are we?”
Yunho shook his head. “I’m not leaving until father demands for me to do so.”
“You have a month I suppose.” Changmin commented after he’d read through the letter’s content. “I’m sure your father will call you back soon.”
Yunho left his bed, “That’s enough time to win Jaejoong’s heart.”
o-o-o
Jaejoong stared down at the unconscious royal on the bed. He sat down on the mattress, and poked Yunho’s cheek, wondering if he’d wake up. He received no response, so he did it again.
Admittedly, the other prince was handsome. He had sharp features that were softened whenever he smiled, tan skin that was so different from the paleness that was common in the North, and he was rather tall too.
If he were to go on looks alone, he would’ve readily accepted Yunho’s proposal. However, Jaejoong wanted a husband that genuinely loved him, and it was just so difficult to assess as to whether or not Yunho’s actions were genuine.
There’d been other suitors, and they’d all claimed undying love and fidelity as they lavished gift after gift - failing to realize how fake and ostensible their whole charade had been.
Jaejoong felt partially guilty for the current state of the Southern prince, seeing as the prince had fallen off his balcony in an attempt to impress with a bouquet of flowers in the middle of the night.
Jaejoong controlled his laughter - what kind of idiot attempted to climb a balcony when it was snowing, and in the middle of the night? However, it was still his partially his fault for not being more forward with his feelings - which led to Yunho doing all sorts of acts in order to convince him to accept his proposal.
Staring down at Yunho’s face, Jaejoong blushed and brushed a lock of hair off the other’s forehead. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Yunho was growing on him with all his failed attempts at romance and endless amounts of determination.
No one had ever stuck around so long before.
“I’m surprised to see you here.”
Jaejoong jerked his hand away from Yunho’s face and glanced at the person who’d entered the room without knocking. He blushed profusely and stepped away from the bed, tripping on the rug in the process - which led to him almost falling onto the floor.
He berated himself because that had not been smooth at all. “Why is that so?” Jaejoong asked as he tried to send his blush away.
Changmin shrugged, “I think it’s rather known that you don’t have the fondest feelings for Yunho.” He glanced at the unconscious prince on the bed, “Anyway, I have to make sure Yunho’s ready for our trip. We’re going back to the South soon.”
“Oh?” Jaejoong asked, hoping he sounded nonchalant. He took steps away from the bed before he turned, “Why are you going back?”
“It seems like someone else is more than willing to have Yunho as his husband. His father, the king, has already drawn up plans for the wedding to take place -“
Jaejoong’s eyes widened. “I have to go.” He interrupted before he rushed out of the room to rethink his behavior toward the Southern prince.
He was in such a hurry to leave that he missed the mischievous smile that appeared on Changmin’s face.
o-o-o
Yunho groaned and sat up. His body had been aching all over for several days, and he was fairly sure Jaejoong hadn’t visited him once.
He shook his head and ran his hands through his hair - the things he endured just for a certain beautiful and difficult to deal with Northern prince.
True, it had been a stupid idea to climb Jaejoong’s balcony at night, but he had thought the effort would’ve paid off somehow. That maybe, just maybe, Jaejoong would’ve seen all the hard work he’d been putting into their lopsided romance and just accept the damn marriage proposal already.
If there was one thing Yunho was not known for, it was patience. Just the fact that he’d stuck out in such a frigid country, for a certain frigid prince should’ve been enough of a testament to prove that he was most definitely serious about his feelings.
He sighed and stood up - someone was at the door.
Yunho ignored the fact he was hardly dressed properly for any sort of company and opened the door, expecting a scolding from Changmin. His eyes widened when he discovered Jaejoong instead.
“Can I come in?” the prince asked, his eyes raking over Yunho’s body and making the latter feel extremely self-conscious. “Or are you busy?”
Yunho shook his head, “I’m not busy at all. Is there something you want to -“
Jaejoong took a step closer to Yunho, “Could I close the door first?” he asked as he turned back to shut the door behind him. “I don’t want anyone to overhear what I’m about to say.”
Yunho gulped nervously and tried to look less nervous than he felt. His eyes lowered down to the shorter royal’s tempting lips, and it took most of his self-control to prevent himself from launching himself at the other man.
“So, what do you have to say?”
“I want to be your husband. I won’t let you go back to the South unless you take me with you as your betrothed.”
Yunho’s eyes widened, and he stared at Jaejoong in disbelief. He blinked and wondered if the pain medication had started to show its side effects.
As soon as he noticed the bright red blush making its way across Jaejoong’s handsome face, Yunho began to realize that he wasn’t undergoing any sort of medical side effects, and that the words that had just come out of Jaejoong’s mouth were real.
“Isn’t that what you’ve wanted me to say for months now? Why are you being so -“
Before Jaejoong could finish his sentence, Yunho had him pinned against the door, lips claiming Jaejoong’s and his touches completely unrestrained. Yunho barely allowed Jaejoong a chance to breathe before his tongue entered Jaejoong’s mouth.
Yunho tightened his grasp as Jaejoong hooked his arms his neck and hitched his legs around Yunho’s waist. He was so happy to finally have Jaejoong in his arms, and it showed in the ardour of his kiss and touch.
Jaejoong let out a muffled moan, and Yunho smiled against the other’s lips. He pulled away from Jaejoong’s mouth and began to focus on the other’s neck. He bit and sucked roughly at the pale expanse of flesh, determined to leave as many marks as possible.
After months of waiting, he was absolutely sure that he would have everyone know that Jaejoong was finally his.
“Yunho -“ Jaejoong moaned softly as Yunho bit at a particularly sensitive spot on his neck, “I don’t -“
“Please.” Yunho murmured before he detached himself from Jaejoong’s neck in order to claim Jaejoong’s lips again in a silencing kiss. Their tongues entangled once more, and Yunho made sure to explore every single inch of Jaejoong’s mouth and to remember the taste of the other prince.
Jaejoong arched into Yunho’s touches, and as he felt Yunho carry him and begin to lead him to the bed, he pulled himself away in a sharp motion that resulted in both of them falling onto the floor.
Yunho groaned, body on top of Jaejoong’s, and as he was about to continue his previous actions - Jaejoong pushed him off and got up. “Where are you going?” Yunho asked as he regained his senses and jogged after Jaejoong.
Jaejoong turned around, face flushed, lips visibly bruised and neck tainted with Yunho’s love bites. “Not now.” He explained, “I refuse to have sex with you until we’re married.”
Yunho pouted but didn’t argue. Jaejoong was right, but it was still difficult for him to let his fiancée leave when they’d been in the middle of something so passionate.
“We don’t have to go all the -“ Yunho paused as Jaejoong glared at him from his spot near the door. He laughed and crossed the room in a short span of time, enveloping Jaejoong in his arms. “I’ll take care of you, don’t worry.”
He smiled as Jaejoong inched closer, melding their bodies closer together. Yunho sighed contentedly, “I want a lot of children, okay?”
Jaejoong pushed him away, his face red. “Did my sisters tell you?” he asked, as he tried to cover his face in embarrassment.
Yunho raised an eyebrow, “Tell me what?”
Jaejoong buried his chest and muffled a reply which only made Yunho even happier with his decision of wanting Jaejoong as a husband.
Apparently, Jaejoong could get pregnant.
o-o-o
Jaejoong tried to ignore the hundredth name suggestion that Yunho had given him throughout the entire trip to the Southern kingdom. He looked at his future husband tiredly, “G-Dragon? Why in the world would I allow you to name our first son that?”
“Everyone likes dragons.”
Jaejoong looked up at Yunho and sighed, wishing he hadn’t told his husband about one of the most ridiculous fairy godmother blessings in the history of magical blessings.
Even he had difficulty believing it sometimes - that at his first birthday, a fairy godmother had blessed him with the ability to give birth because she’d been absolutely sure that he would be bound to attract a handsome prince.
As Jaejoong studied Yunho’s face, his lips quirked into a smile - he supposed that the fairy godmother was right after all.
Yunho looked down at him and toyed with the strands of hair that were splayed all over his lap. He stroked Jaejoong’s head slowly, “I’ll think of a better name then. What about Moonbin?”
Jaejoong’s eyes fluttered shut, “I suppose that’s fine.” He murmured , “It’s much better than the other names you’ve suggested.”
The carriage slowed to a halt, and Jaejoong sat up. His heart thudded in his chest, and he looked at Yunho nervously. Yunho pressed a quick kiss against his lips and took hold of one of Jaejoong’s hands so that he could lead him out of the carriage.
“Yunho.”
Yunho looked back and smiled, “You don’t have anything to worry about. I’m sure my family and the people will accept you just fine. You’re the most beautiful thing to have stepped into the country in a long while.”
Jaejoong rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t contain the smile that had made its way across his lips. He held onto Yunho’s hand a little tighter, “Okay.”
As he followed his fiancée out of the carriage and into a foreign land, Jaejoong was perfectly assured that he was in capable hands.
Yunho would be a perfect husband.
Author’s Note: Well, I hope this made sense and that the birthday girl enjoyed it. She’s one of my first LJ friends, so I love her dearly! ^__^ Make sure to greet her! Hahaha. XD Anyway, this is officially the last of the happy updates (the other two being the recently posted chapters of A Learning Process and The Effects of a One-sided Crush), and I shall now be moving on toward a week or so of angst writing. LOL. Also, I was thinking of maybe getting a twitter account, but I’m a bit worried that no one will follow me. *forever alone-vibes* So, if you think it’s a good idea, please do tell me so. Also, I’ve edited my introductory post, so if you want to learn some things about me, please do read it - and introduce yourselves as well if you haven’t. :) Thank you for reading! ♥
I hope you have a wonderful birthday Aoi! XD