Eunhae Fanfic: Crowning the Dawn (Part Eight - FINAL)

Sep 23, 2011 22:52

Title: Crowning the Dawn (Part Eight - FINAL)
Authors: tremmy_chii ; fishiesftw
Pairing: Hyukhae / Haehyuk
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: We do not own anyone, anything, except for this fanfic. :3
Summary:

After Prince Eunhyuk hears the news about his father's remarriage, along with the crushing pressure of the throne, he flees from home only to face unexpected obstacles. To make matters worse, the prince even falls in love with a villager, who is much more than what he sees at first glance. All's fair in love and war, but two dishonest hearts are bound to greet pain.

Word Count: 2464
Romance, Fluff, Humor

     All of Ulymphia were having a hectic day.

Towns and cities were bustling with people, all zigzagging their way through others to get to their destination. The markets were frantically moving in haste, in a rush to get their products on the table because every time they turned their heads, there were at least twenty people bickering against each other claiming they’ll buy this, they’ll buy that too, and shoved their money towards the merchant. Children had a blast on their day out to play; the boys were all gathered in a corner playing jacks and marbles while the girls found an open area to skip rope and pick flowers. Soup kitchens were even busier - with all of the good food in store, lines formed that were hundreds of miles long and no one knew where it started and where it ended. Bakeries sold fresh bread at an alarming rate, the scent traveling with the wind and striking hunger in a man’s stomach. Forgeries attracted ambitious adventurers with a sale on tools and weapons as well as women with cooking utensils.

Everyone worked hard even if they were not at the market. There was decorating to be done, food to be served, and guests to be hosted. Each family had either a feast to attend or a feast to be held in celebration.

If anyone thought the cities were busy, it was not even close to the amount of work the palace had to do. The Great Hall had to be decorated with extravagant and festive items; the dining table in the large room adjacent to it had to be placed with fine porcelain china, high quality silverware, and large vases of blooming flowers. The food had to be served piping hot and had to consist of all of the delicacies of their kingdom, Ulymphia. Sugar and cream was rare, but on this day they had enough where one would feel full just looking at it - chefs worked long hours since the wee of morning in order to perfect the twenty layered cake, mastering the art of pastry. Wines of great age had to be picked carefully for the occasion and served in sparkling glass.

The palace was exceptionally clean with no dust in sight. The gold and the silver shined in the sun and the jewels illuminated with their true color. The royal family was all dressed up - even the servants wore new uniforms of soft cotton, shoes of rubber soles.

News had gotten out to the public quickly of the prince’s noble fight for the throne and today was the magnificent day - The Crowning Ceremony, and it was the real one.

“Hyemi, stop,” Eunhyuk hissed. They were both in the wardrobe, a room of all of his clothing and accessories. “Stop, stop! It’s too tight!”

She only pulled the strings around the collar of his dress shirt tighter. Hyemi huffed and stomped away, opening a closet of yet more clothing.

“I shall fire you for attempted murder,” Eunhyuk poked her, smiling at the sight of her immaturity. It had only been three months since he had gone missing and came back yet he was extremely glad that she was still the same, still got angry at him when she missed him. In those three months she had also changed. Now eighteen and reaching her womanhood, she grew up to be beautiful and eloquent and Eunhyuk found it a pity that she was his maid and not a lady of rank in the palace. Hyemi was like his sister, and it was hard not to grow fond of someone who has been by your side for all of your life. He ruffled her hair, “Sorry Hyemi…as you know, I ran into a lot of trouble when I was out that day.”

She sighed; it was hard to stay mad at the Crowned Prince. She put up a glare at him though, smoothing her long brown hair in place. “Don’t ruffle my hair!” Hyemi didn’t mean for it to come out as a whine. Eunhyuk smiled, almost forgetting what today was until she reached for a thick red velvet cape lined in a tiger’s fur with threads of gold. This was what his father wore…and what the kings of past generations wore. His eyes flickered with hesitance for a second as he stared at the large embroidery of Ulymphia’s royal crest and it did not slip past Hyemi’s attention.

“Your Highness…?”

Eunhyuk offered her a smile, “Nothing.”

Hyemi held back from draping the cape across his shoulders. “…I won’t put it on until you’re ready, Crowned Prince.”

“I’m ready,” Eunhyuk automatically replied. He expected it as he watched her frown; if he couldn’t even fool himself, how could he expect to fool someone else? “I’m not ready,” he groaned, pacing back and forth, a hand on his forehead.

“But why?” she questioned. “Everyone is rooting for you, Crowned Prince! To be honest, everyone was glad when you took reign again. Jong Seok is…” and she shook her head.

“That’s the problem Hyemi! I might…disappoint them.”

It was the first time she had seen the prince so distraught. “You’ll be fine,” she said in her softest voice before continuing, “You’re great! You’re the most amazing, handsome, athletic, intelligent person I know! I don’t think you realize it, your Highness, but I think you’re someone who loves our kingdom the most.”

Eunhyuk stopped and gazed at her.

“Isn’t that why you came back home?”

Ah, a resounding voice in his head gasped. Hyemi waited as the thought sank in, Eunhyuk looking out the window with something she couldn’t make out.

After a long talk about their feelings and Eunhyuk’s story on coming back - as well as why he was holding Donghae’s hand - his father had told him something before he left for all to rest.

“I love you and I’ll always be proud of you, no matter what decision you make.”

Eunhyuk didn’t believe it then…but perhaps he could believe in it now.

A smile curved brightly on his lips as he twirled on his heel and pulled Hyemi into a bone-crushing embrace. He laughed at her squeal and her protests, respect and honorifics thrown into the trash between them. Another maid knocked on the door and they broke apart just in time, laughter still apparent. The maid bows at the Crowned Prince’s presence and everyone in the room knew he was fit to be king. Hyemi quickly but carefully placed the cape on him, securing it with a knot at the front and letting it dangle as though it was part of an accessory. His back was so straight and strong as he walked out, Hyemi couldn’t help but be proud of him.

The Crowned Prince walked down the hallway and stepped into a backroom that would lead to the Great Hall when passing through the curtain. He took a deep breath and waited, suddenly finding bliss in the sounds of celebration outside. He could hear glasses clinking together as nobles and lords toasted before drinking their wine. He could hear the waiters’ footsteps as they scurried out the kitchen with treats on their silver trays, a linen cloth on their left arm. He could hear his father’s booming laughter as he accepted all of the people’s congratulations. Eunhyuk thought of his father’s and Hyemi’s words as he glanced at the portraits of all of his ancestors. He too would have his portrait painted and hung on the same wall.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” Eunhyuk chuckles. Donghae comes to stand next to him and looks at the portraits as well, with fewer thoughts.

“What are you thinking about?” Donghae glances at the prince, smoothly also taking a step closer.

“You,” Eunhyuk says and laughs at how cheesy that was. Donghae grins cheekily and brushes his shoulder, suddenly gaining a load of self-confidence.

“No, but really, what are you thinking about?”

“Just…things,” Eunhyuk vaguely smiled.

“What things?” Donghae furrowed his eyebrows. Suddenly, he widened his eyes and looked worriedly at the other, “Are you nervous? Don’t be, because I’m going to be right here for you!”

Eunhyuk flashes him a gummy smile and his heart flips. “I was thinking that I would be up there as well,” the prince pointed at the wall. “But thank you.” He wraps his arms around Donghae’s waist, pressing their foreheads together as they breathed the same air.

“It’s incredible that you’re still with me,” Donghae sighs, simply melting.

“I know,” Eunhyuk bit back a smile, “and to think that you’re my royal advisor! You won’t ever have to steal again.”

They were silent again, enjoying their intimate embrace. After a while, Donghae opened his mouth.

“Actually…I think I will be stealing again. I’m probably going to be a thief for the rest of my life.”

This broke them apart immediately - “What?!”

“I’m going to be stealing so much and you can’t stop me!”

“Donghae, I thought you were going to give up that life,” a frown.

“I know, but I can’t help it if I want to steal an infinite amount of kisses!” Lips met a cheek.

Soon enough they had lost track time and before Eunhyuk knew it, he could already hear his father ending his speech and the priest presenting a new one. As minutes flew by, his heart beat faster and faster, the nerves really hitting him this time. Donghae intertwined their hands and squeezed them, looking into his lover’s eyes and hoping it would symbolize his support. Then, an idea crossed the prince’s mind at the same time when the priest finished his blessings and proceeded to the Crowning Ceremony.

“Donghae - come with me!”

The younger let his jaws drop, “What? WHAT? No, I can’t go out there, it’s your moment!”

“I would like you to accompany me anyway.”

“No.”

“You dare defy the future king?” Eunhyuk narrowed his eyes, his ears picking up a familiar sentence in the speech - his name was going to be called and he would be walking up the red carpet in five seconds.

“Yeah,” Donghae challenged.

Eunhyuk smirked and held Donghae’s hand into a death grip. “You’re coming anyway,” and the two of them appeared in front of hundreds pairs of eyes right when the priest had called in glory,

“Prince Lee Eunhyuk of Ulymphia!”

There was a roar of approval and claps, each and every noble standing up for their seats and paying due respect to the prince. Eunhyuk smiled and with confidence, he walked to the front of the throne, stepping up about five stairs. Donghae cowered under the attention when others realized that there was another man behind the prince. He tried his best to cover his red face and stood on the fourth step, facing the intimidating crowd. Another speech follows and Eunhyuk stands up even taller, looking into the eyes of the people he knew: his father, Hyemi hidden behind a curtain, and - General Kangin?

Eunhyuk subtly widened his eyes towards the tough man, happiness bubbling within him when the general mouthed a ‘congratulations’ and proudly showed off his knew shining armor. He was no longer just a regular general of the army; he was the general of the King’s personal troops.

The Crowned Prince took an oath sincerely with his right hand raised. And in a flash, the moment that the people of Ulymphia were all waiting for came.

The priest nodded his head, signaling the prince to sit down on the throne. Eunhyuk did so with trembling legs that only Donghae could see. He spread his cape out on the throne coolly in one swoosh, arms resting on the golden armrest.

“In the name of God…” the priest held the sacred crown between his hands.

Eunhyuk exhaled.

“I hereby pronounce you…”

He felt weight being placed on his head.

“…King Lee Eunhyuk of Ulymphia.”

And the palace roared again, louder and merrier this time, the men tipping their hats and the ladies crossing their ankles and spreading their skirts before bowing. Eunhyuk grinned and raised his hand in greeting; Donghae stood beside him, witnessing and drowning in the incredible scene as Eunhyuk’s father and the priest stood on the third step of the stairs. News quickly spread from town to town, messenger boys huffing and puffing before exclaiming the incredible news to the citizens. Toasts and cheers echoed throughout the kingdom.

“All hail King Eunhyuk of Ulymphia!!!”

-

The room was large, elegant, and clean, possibly fit to house in at least five people if it were not the King’s sleeping chamber. It had a large glass wall at the very end of the room, leading to a spacious balcony with white fluttering curtains opaque enough to block too much light. There is a huge bed in the middle of the room, layered with sheets of silk and warm cotton, all white in color save for the pink cherry blossoms painted on the silk. A canopy rests above it, slightly masking the presence of a body lying on the bed. Beside the bed was a small table, the only two items on it being a fan and a little pin wheel of flowers.

King Eunhyuk stifles a yawn as he walks in, closing the door gently and almost running to throw himself on the bed. It was very late, maybe past midnight, and he was extremely tired from all of the guests he had to meet, all of the food he had digested to be polite. It was only the beginning, Eunhyuk thought, burrowing his head into the blanket. The other body on the bed turns around, pleasantly surprised to see the King before the time he had expected to see him - morning.

“Did you have fun?” Donghae reached out to massage the king’s right shoulder, too lazy to put the effort in releasing his other arm entangled in the bundle of sheets.

“The King is tired,” Eunhyuk groggily said.

“As your royal advisor, I suggest you cuddle up for energy,” Donghae smiled, watching as Eunhyuk wordlessly slipped under the sheets and both of them moved closer, twisting to fit the mold that he was in. And somehow they get tangled, lips awkwardly smashing into each other. They kick each other away and blush, still eighteen with no experience after all, burying themselves underneath to hide only to meet each other under it. Donghae is the first to giggle and Eunhyuk can’t help himself after that, bursting into fits of laughter that they hoped no one else would hear. Donghae pulls him swiftly and their lips brush again gently, ready this time. Eunhyuk and Donghae fall asleep too late at night and wake up too early at dawn, but as their lives begin anew, they walk hand in hand, loving each other for eternity.

-     END.

A/N: Annie: Thanks for supporting the fic and we'll see you again in our own fics and possibly another collab fic in the future!

Tremmy: 22k words in total and we're proud despite the obvious flaws. XD We tried our best! Thank you so much to those of you who stuck until the end and took the time to comment to let us know you liked it! It really means a lot. :3 We'd appreciate it if any silent readers left...idk, a dot or a smiley on the last installment of Crowning the Dawn~. Goodbye, look forward to future collabs and individual works! ^_____^ ♥

genre: fluff, genre: romance, genre: humor, pairing: eunhyuk/donghae

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