[Fic] Under Her Skirts
Title: Under Her Skirts
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Kai/Luhan
Length: 5.5k
Author's Note: Fill for this prompt from exopromptmeme. I'm not the first to fill this prompt, but variety is the spice of life. XD And I hope there are more fills to come. (I don't even know why it's so long.)
Summary: To save his life, Luhan's mother raises him as a female when a new King takes the throne. And now the King wants Luhan to wed his son.
Petticoats rustle and the rich blue of Luhan's gown drags the ground just the littlest bit where it's fallen out of her hand. She doesn't seem to care though, rushing through the grass with a gleeful smile on her face and her lessons forgotten. The castle looms high in the distance along with her mother and Luhan's sense of responsibility fades away with the afternoon sun. There are too few opportunities for her to escape the stone walls, especially with such a minimal accompaniment of guards.
"Princess!" Wufan calls from behind and she ignores him, choosing instead to keep running through the field. Bits of grass and flower petals stick to her dress and her bare feet are dirtied from slipping out of her shoes the moment she'd gotten out of the carriage. "My lady!" Her guard's cry is insistent and she turns, blonde curls obscuring her vision for a moment as she laughs.
"You have to catch me."
Luhan gathers her skirts again, hiking them above her knees and she hears Wufan's voice fading into the background. Sweat traces lines down her fair skin and her cheeks are flush a healthy pink from the exertion and she doesn't want to stop. A peal of laughter spills through rosy lips as Luhan spins, releasing her gown so it flows out around her. Faster and faster, the world blurring in her vision and her smile grows ever wider. Her body stops, but her head doesn't and she's sure to fall at any moment.
"Caught you," Wufan rasps out as his fingers wind tight around her upper arm and keep Luhan on her feet. The guard looks ridiculous in so much armor on such a scorching day which is probably the reason why he's wheezing to pull in enough air. "It's time to go back, Your Highness."
A pout comes to her lips, eyes wide and the plea for just a little longer doesn't make it out of her mouth because Wufan is glaring at her. Luhan sighs and allows him to lead the way back to the carriage. Her mother will surely scold her for getting so dirty and probably remind her that a lady - especially a princess - should never act in such a way. Luhan will apologize and promise to never do it again with all intentions of breaking her oath the next time the opportunity arises.
She's not a willful child, or spiteful. Luhan adores her mother and listens to every word she says even if she doesn't like it. When it's time for her to get out of bed in the morning she does without a fuss even when the water is freezing and her blankets are tempting and already warm. As her mother dresses her, she doesn't whimper or grumble when her corset is cinched tight enough to leave her ribs sore because a lady always has to appear delicate even if it's a facade. She eats in small bites and drinks with her pinky extended. She listens as her tutors drone on and on about the history of the kingdom and how to read and write and do basic arithmetic. Luhan even sits still through sewing lessons without complaint no matter how many times she pricks her finger and stains the fabric red with blood.
Despite every wish in her heart and rebellious bone in her body, Luhan is the perfect daughter.
Wufan looks exhausted across from her, the carriage rattling down the dirt path and back to the castle. He's loyal and she sometimes feels sorry about slipping through his grasp for moments of peace, especially with how red his face currently looks and the lolling of his head with each bounce of the wheels over holes in the road. It isn't long before he's asleep and Luhan turns her eyes to the sights outside. They've come so far already and she spies the new trellises wrapped in roses as they pass through the gates. Decorations of crimson and violet are vivid against gray stone and brown dirt. People dart to and fro with arms full of food and crates and colorful costumes.
The fluttering in her stomach is now a common thing, her thoughts only of her upcoming wedding. She's been promised to the King's son now that she's of age. And Luhan is aware that the marriage is one of a strategic maneuver and nothing to do with love, but it doesn't cease the excitement in her heart. Prince Jongin is a fine man; well built and strong. It's an honor to be chosen as his wife and the announcement had been expected yet still pleasing. The King needs to legitimize his claim to the throne after taking it just before Luhan's birth. Her and her mother - the former Queen - were kept well in the castle without threat of death over these last seventeen years for this specific reason.
Prince Jongin is still, however, a great mystery to Luhan. They may have grown up in the same castle, but their interactions were limited and minimal. While Luhan is caged away in her rooms to be taught how to aid in ruling the land once she's Queen, Jongin is outside with the other boys. Sometimes she likes to steal to the window when her tutor falls asleep. Luhan will watch as Jongin spars with the others in the courtyard wearing only plain breeches and well-crafted boots. His skin is kissed by the sun and his muscles flex beautifully from years of training. The sword is an extension of his body, lunging and parrying as he backs his opponent into the corner. She's never seen him lose.
From afar she falls for the illusion of grandeur without truly knowing who she is to spend the rest of her life with. Luhan can't wait for the day when his smile is directed her way, their hands linked and her belly swollen with their future son. And after a son, she selfishly hopes for a daughter with whom to dote on.
A wistful sigh leaves her lips as they stop, the carriage jerking and Wufan falling off his cushion. Luhan stifles a giggle and Wufan crawls out with as much dignity as he can muster before holding out a hand for her to take. "Thank you," she says with a wide smile.
Wufan sighs heavily and takes in the state of her soiled dress. "I suggest My Lady gets inside and into a bath lest she fall ill on the eve of her wedding."
Luhan slaps him on the arm lightly before walking through the open doors, not bothering to pick up her skirts. There's boisterous shouting and wild calls and Luhan gasps before slipping to the side before she's trampled. Four boys barrel passed - one of whom is Jongin - and Luhan's stomach drops, clenching her bottom lip in her teeth as he looks up at her. And then the eye contact is gone and he's swinging an arm over the shoulder of the lanky boy beside him. It's very unlady-like to be jealous, but right now Luhan wishes she were the one holding his attention.
"Bath!" Wufan calls from behind her and Luhan jumps. Clutching the padded fabric against her chest, she turns and gives him a scolding look before making her way up to her rooms.
"I should have known," her mother chides the moment Luhan closes her door. The former Queen is sitting atop Luhan's bed with a fond smile on her face. Luhan swishes her skirts, hips swaying side to side as her mother gets up to walk in a circle around her. "I planned for you to bathe later, but it looks as if we'll have to do it now."
The water is warm and Luhan lays back as her mother rinses the soap out of her hair. Blond waves cascade down passed her waist when wet only to curl at the ends when it dries. Water trickles down and Luhan clutches her knees to her chest. "You remember what we discussed last night?"
Luhan turns her head a little, letting it rest on her knees. "Yes."
"Tell me."
Luhan sighs and runs a finger across the top of the water, ripples shooting out at her touch. "A wife's duty begins on her wedding night."
"And if her husband refuses to bed her?"
"Do you really think he won't want me?" There's silence in the room save for the light lapping of water when Luhan shifts further down a little.
"You're a special girl, Luhan." Her voice is soothing and her hands begin twisting Luhan's hair to wring out the water. "Any man would be lucky to have you." Luhan would feel relieved if that wasn't the required motherly answer. "But just in case. . . I need you to tell me."
Luhan swallows down the thick feeling clogging her throat. "I must make him want me." The only problem with that is she doesn't know how. In all her years, she's never been taught what a man and a woman do in bed; only that it involves a bit of pain for the woman and hopefully a pregnancy soon after. She knows it must be pleasurable because the scullery maids speak of bedding the stablemen in the hay with giggles and blushes when they think she's not listening.
A hand grips her chin and turns her head. Luhan gazes at her mother, taken aback by the desperate look on her face. She's never seen her mother this way and she wants to ask why, but the words catch. "You must. Do not let him leave your bed until it is done."
"Until what is done?" The former queen sighs and closes her eyes, the hand slipping from Luhan's face. "Please tell me. How can I hope to make him want me if I don't what I'm offering?"
"Out of the water," she's instructed.
"Mother, please."
"I'll tell you," she finally says. "But only after you're dressed."
Luhan scrambles out of the water and slips on the floor before wrapping in a towel enthusiastically.
Dizziness. Luhan is dizzy, her head filled with words and images concocted from her own mind. She slides the food around her plate, sudden nerves taking a firm hold on her usual calm composure. Now she knows why her mother didn't tell her until her last night as a maid. The very idea of sex with Prince Jongin thrills her and terrifies her at once. The plate is soon abandoned on her bed, her final meal before her wedding eaten in private because the castle has been invaded by important guests. She's kept locked away until the final moment.
The door to her room creaks open and Luhan's heart speeds until she spots her mother slipping inside. She's across the floor and in comforting arms only a moment later, body trembling as soothing hands run up and down her back. "Calm, child," her mother coos.
"I'm scared," she confesses, face pressed in her mother's neck.
"Every bride is nervous before her wedding."
Luhan pulls back and wipes at the tears forming in her eyes. "Were you?"
"I was terrified," she admits with a laugh. "I threw up while they were lacing up my dress." Luhan's mouth falls open and she laughs. "It was a nightmare." Gentle hands cup Luhan's face. "But there was no reason to be so afraid."
Luhan nods and makes one final swipe at her eyes. "Ok," she breathes. "I'm ready."
The seamstresses aren't let inside until Luhan is dressed in her undergarments, padded corset snug around her torso and underskirts fluffier than she's ever worn falling from her waist to her toes. She barely has time to gasp over intricate patterns of gold sewn into cream colored silk before they slip it on over her head. It takes three of them; two on each side to hold it off the floor and a third to reach through from the top and grab her hands so it falls down around her. Luhan holds the front against her chest as they lace up the back with gold ribbons.
And as always - when others are involved with her dressing - Luhan's mother keeps a watchful eye.
Cinched up tight, Luhan is lead to her vanity to sit, every action done with care because she'd hate for anything to happen to the masterpiece now clinging to her body. She sees herself in the mirror and notices the blotches of pink across her cheeks. She's still nervous. And the butterflies in her stomach multiply. Closing her eyes, she inhales slow and deep, letting the air out through her pursed lips. Combs brush through her hair and hands begin the tedious work of controlling her curls. She feels fingers tugging and it pulls against her scalp, but she still doesn't open her eyes. She clasps her hands in her lap and tries to focus on anything but what's about to happen.
No matter how long she's been waiting for this, she feels woefully unprepared.
Luhan's eyes are lined and her lids brushed with gold powder. When she finally looks in the mirror, she's gasps. In front of her she sees a woman, blond strands pulled off her shoulders and pinned to the back of her head in intricate twists and braids. Everything feels more real when her mother steps up and tucks a pearl comb in her hair and grazes knuckles down her cheek. "You're ready."
Luhan wants to protest, cling to her mother and convince her to let her be a child just a little longer, but her lips stay sealed. She desires to be married, but her mind always skips to the part where they're already in love. She's never contemplated the steps they need to take to get there and now it's crashing into her full force.
She can't breathe.
A knock on the door and everyone rushes to get it. Luhan can't see who it is, but she hears his voice loud and clear, sinking into her chest like a knife. "It's time."
The halls have never seemed so small, the walls closing in on her and forcing her down faster and faster. Fear gives in to curious anticipation when they reach the double doors of the King's Hall. There are only the two ushers outside waiting for them and Luhan fights to stop her shaking fingers. Just on the other side of the wood is Jongin - her future husband. Two soft knocks and the doors are being opened. Luhan hears a flurry of movement and knows this is her cue, blindly stepping forward. It isn't until she feels Jongin beside her, an arm looped through his that her senses come back. She schools her features and smiles softly as he parades her down the long aisle in time with the low music.
Lord and Ladies and guests from all around the lands have come and she feels their eyes trained on her. Only the King has the authority to marry a prince or princess and he stands at the end, regal and tall in front of his throne. Luhan keeps her gaze oriented on him, on a solid point so she doesn't get flustered again. The last notes of the melody fade and Luhan is standing in front of the King before she sweeps low to curtsey. At her side, Jongin bows and they stay like that until he commands them to rise.
The King's voice is loud and deep in the hall, rehearsed syllables pushed through lips that will tie Luhan and Jongin together until death. She gulps and turns to look at Jongin when instructed. Her hands rest atop his lightly, still trembling despite her best intentions to stop them. She tries to read Jongin's face, to find some glimmer of an indication that he wants this as much as she does. His stony countenance is impenetrable though and Luhan resigns herself to finding out later.
It's the muscle memory of practicing the words so many times that get her through the ceremony. She used to read them aloud as a small girl, wishing for her wedding day more than anything else. And now it's here and Luhan can't decide if it lives up to all her expectations or not. Certainly the decorations and her dress are lavish enough. And her groom is a handsome Prince that will one day rule the country. So why does it feel like she's someone else when Jongin leans down enough to brush their lips together in a barely there kiss?
Wine flows and cheerful music plays and Luhan sits at the head of the table with her new husband on her right. Jongin is busy talking to one of his friends - Sehun, she thinks - at his side and hasn't glanced at her once since the traditional first dance. Luhan's taken the opportunity to sip down an entire glass of red wine, hiccuping lightly because she's not used to drinking. Her mother had let her have a taste when she was sixteen, but that had been all. Now that she's married, she's a woman and she can drink all she likes. She doesn't turn down the servant who swans over a minute later to refill her goblet.
"My Lady should not drink so much," Wufan's deep voice cuts in and the cup halfway to Luhan's mouth halts. She looks up at the guard and is startled to find him in less armor and more cloth. He holds out a hand and the smile that spreads on her face is genuine for the first time in hours. "May I have this dance?"
Luhan laughs when she stands, taking his hand and letting him lead her on to the floor. There are lots of others spread out, merrily spinning together and they join them. She feels like a dwarf in his arms and nearly asks to stand on his feet so she's that much taller.
"You don't seem too happy, if you don't mind me saying," Wufan says after they've started traipsing across the floor. He's not very good - stiff and awkward - but he knows the steps and keeps up well.
Luhan sighs and drops her gaze to stare at the red vest over his chest. "I'm afraid he doesn't like me."
Wufan laughs, drawing her attention back up to his face. "Then why is he glaring at us from all the way over there."
"What?" Luhan turns her head fast enough to catch the eyes of her new husband before he's looking away in an attempt to not be caught. A blush rises in her cheeks and her heart skips a beat.
"You see? There isn't a man in the entire kingdom who wouldn't want you as a wife. Well," he amends with a smirk. "Except Sehun. He likes the boys."
Oh.
The loud clapping of the crowd fades the higher they climb, her dress dragging over stairs and Luhan can't be bothered to worry. Her mind is pleasantly buzzing from the wine and Jongin is at her side, carefully guiding her so she doesn't fall. There's a sappy smile on her face that won't go away and she leans on him a little more.
They're going to his room or rather, their room because it's her's now too. The butterflies return to her stomach and by the time he leads her inside, she's almost completely sober. Her breathing picks up and although she'd like to take the time to appreciate the expanse of the room, admire the deep colors decorating the walls and furniture, her mind is elsewhere. Jongin is behind her, his body heat soaking through the back of her dress and she shudders when his hands trails down from her exposed neck and over her shoulderblades before plucking at the laces that hold everything together.
Each drag of ribbon that pulls from its loop sends a tremor to Luhan's knees and when the top begins loosening, she feels as if she's about to fall with it. Jongin is gentle as he peels the dress down so Luhan can step out of it and her shoes. He drapes the gown over a chair and rakes eyes over her form. His boots come off and then his shirt, leaving nothing but a lean chest and pants and Luhan doesn't dare make a move. She keeps her eyes trained on him as he walks closer, a hand gliding up her arm as he circles around to her back. Her body reacts to his touch, heat slithering down from where he touches and settling below her stomach. Arousal isn't a new sensation for her, but feeling it because of someone else and not simply a natural function is.
Jongin pulls all the clips from her hair, letting them drop to the floor as it falls to cover her shoulders and back. Fingers brush the strands from one side and his lips land on her neck, making her jump slightly as her heart threatens to beat through her chest. Luhan wonders when he got so good at taking off corsets because hers is falling off in record time. There's no time to adjust to the cool air licking over her skin because her underskirts follow and Luhan shivers as she stands naked. Jongin is pressed to her back but he's slowly moving away.
The urge to cover herself is barely kept down, but she does squeeze her eyes shut tight, afraid of how he might not want her - might not find her appealing. There's a sharp gasp and she doesn't know if it's good or bad and the longer she stands there, the worse she feels. Jongin doesn't want her.
Luhan shuffles back just a step only to stop when she hears movement, feels Jongin's presence in front of her. There's no time to open her eyes before she's being kissed. The almost negligent kiss that sealed the marriage at the end of the ceremony has nothing on this. Jongin's fingers dig into her upper arms to pull her close as their lips mold together, her bottom between his as he sucks lightly on the sensitive skin. It's a new, wonderful feeling that tingles through her and she lets out puff of air when her mouth opens. She means to say something, a question on the tip of her tongue that never makes it out when he slips his own tongue inside. It's probably evident she's never done this before, but she thinks she does well enough following Jongin's lead.
There's a squeak that escapes when Luhan finds herself being hauled up with hands on her waist. Another noise follows when she lands on the bed, the soft duvet under her bearing the brunt of her weight. Jongin is at the edge, an unfamiliar look on his handsome face as he continues to stare while shimmying out of his pants. This time, Luhan wills herself to not shut her eyes, keeping them trained on his face as the last piece of clothing falls to the floor. She gulps, scrambling back a little when he crawls over her, his knees prying apart her legs so he can settle between. "You are more than I could have hoped for," he whispers when he's hovering over her fully and Luhan's heart flutters for a new reason. A blush of embarrassment burns hot across her cheeks.
Jongin dips down to capture her lips again and Luhan is at least somewhat prepared for it this time. Her body slowly untenses, rigid posture melting into the soft blanket. She relaxes into the touch, the feel of Jongin's mouth, of his hot breath on her cheek and his hand that's moving over her neck and down to her completely flat chest. "So beautiful," Jongin mumbles and Luhan's insecurities dissolve. She's been told by many a person how attractive she is, how her beauty is beyond compare, but hearing Jongin say it makes her believe it.
A thumb circles her nipple and it hardens, Jongin smiling against her lips for a moment. Luhan finds herself smiling back, wide and bright and her Prince kisses her mouth again before trailing down. Every soft press of his lips against her face, neck, shoulder and chest leave her unraveling a bit more. Her eyes open to watch him, witness how his lips flatten against her pale skin only to move to a new spot and do it again. He goes for her side, tickling her ribs when his hair sweeps across. Luhan sees the rest of Jongin's body now and she doesn't look away. His muscles shift and flex under taut skin, his thighs defined and stomach contracting as he breathes. But what catches her attention is his cock, hard and long and hanging between his legs. It's a little frightening to look at considering she knows where it's supposed to go.
Never once does Luhan question why her and Jongin seem to have the same anatomy - flat chests and dicks, but then her mother told her she was a girl and she believes.
When Jongin sinks teeth into her side with a teasing smile, she lifts into it, the sharp sting adding to her arousal and he looks as if he enjoys it as much as she does. It draws her attention back to his face, lifting a hand to run fingers through the black strands of his hair. He seems to like it, leaning in to her touch and letting her guide him back up because she wants to kiss him again. This time Jongin's weight settles on top of her, bodies slotting together to draw out a low moan. Luhan whimpers when Jongin rolls his hips down against hers, cocks sliding against each other. No one has ever touched her there aside from her own hand and this is more than better.
Jongin is stealing her breath with every kiss and she has to hold on to him to make sure this is real. She has one hand still in his hair and the other is wrapped around his back, fingertips digging into muscle.
"I'm going to make you all mine, my little Princess."
And then Jongin's lifting away, Luhan a little scared that he's going to leave even after everything. He chuckles and only goes so far as to stretch and grab the jar sitting on the small table beside the bed. It sits precariously to the side, tilting when Jongin takes his place between her legs again. Luhan allows Jongin to distract her, ignoring the noise of the jar being opened in favor of the sound of his breathing in her ear and the pulsing of his heart beating in his chest where her hand now rests.
"Relax," he instructs and Luhan nods her head. She's still tense when Jongin's hand slips down between her legs, but it quickly fades when he wraps slick fingers around her cock. Her mouth drops open in a silent moan and she raises her hips for more. The way he squeezes his fingers, applies the perfect amount of pressure in the right spots has Luhan keening and panting and trying to hold back her cries for more. Every flick of his wrist and drag of his hand adds to the pleasure and it mounts dangerously high quickly.
Her thighs are trembling, knees bent as her heels dig into the duvet for stability. She's only vaguely aware of Jongin dipping his other hand in the jar after he pulls away and the rush of cool air sends chill bumps from her neck to her toes. There's an unfamiliar touch and even if she knows this is how things are supposed to progress, it doesn't stop her legs from trying to close. Jongin reassures her with whispered words and when her legs fall open again, he smiles and a finger presses inside. She gasps, hands looking for an anchor and twisting in the blanket. It doesn't hurt, but it's intrusive and she's nervous all over again.
Luhan has to remind herself to breathe, to stop holding the air in when Jongin strokes slowly up and down her cock as he pushes with his finger. It borders on a sensory overload, unused to so much stimulation at once. She trains her eyes on the high vaulted ceiling, staring at the stone as Jongin works her open with care. A second digit joins the first and she tenses only for a second, calming down on her own. There's pain with this one, but not enough to make it bad. Not when Jongin is being so careful. Then a third and she's discovering she likes the way his fingers slide in and out, the continuous motion mounting until she's pushing her hips down for more.
This is it.
Jongin pulls his hands away and coats his cock in the oil from the jar. Nerves eat away at her and she lets out a shaky breath. Jongin is holding her cheeks open with one hand and guiding his cock with the other. Luhan whimpers when she feels it pushing at her and Jongin squeezes her leg and gives her a small smile. She doesn't have a chance to return it because he's sliding in and all thought save for how full she feels flickers out. Dull pain radiates from where their bodies are connected and Jongin stills. His hips stay, but his upper body falls over her, resting on his elbows as he dips to kiss her. Luhan lets his mouth and tongue distract her, takes comfort in the way his larger frame covers her own and makes her feel safe.
A roll of his hips has her moaning, the sound low and barely there until he repeats the action and the volume rises. It's not without pain, but it feels too good to stop. Her arms wrap around his neck and she lifts her hips into the next one. Jongin pulls out only to thrust in fast and they both moan, Luhan starting to want more. The pleasure builds with every snap of his hips, every time Jongin presses their mouths together only to have to pull away to breathe moments later.
Everything speeds up, Luhan's soft cries and moans increasing as Jongin's groans rumble in his chest. He finds her hand, laces their fingers together and pushes it over her head and into the mattress. Each time he buries inside her, Luhan feels the pressure mounting, her cock throbbing with the need to be touched as it slaps against her stomach. But she doesn't want it to end either.
Jongin lifts to his knees, taking her by the thighs and dragging her bottom half up. Luhan can't help the cry that comes out when he slams into her, the sound of skin slapping loud in her ears. Jongin's face is flush, his hair matted to his head with sweat and his eyes never leave hers. Luhan moans his name and he growls, sliding into her harder and faster. The hold on her thighs tightens and she needs to be touched.
Luhan reaches down and wraps fingers around her cock, pumping in time with Jongin's thrusts. She's still slick and there's little resistance as she works her hand up and down. It takes very little before she feels herself slipping, muscles tensing and head digging back into the blanket. She comes harder than she ever has before as Jongin keeps moving through it. His pace quickens and she whimpers because it's almost too much. A loud moan fills the room when Jongin comes, nails digging into her skin and hips jerking forward through each wave. Luhan clenches around himself purposely, licking her dry, chapped lips.
Her body is tingling, thoughts too muddled to focus and chest still heaving as she tries to calm her breathing. Jongin leans over her again, pulling out before laying his head on her chest. Luhan feels tears spring to her eyes, a myriad of emotions tackling her at all sides. She is a wife and she's fulfilled her duty. Jongin has accepted her and knowing all this makes her happier than she could ever imagine.
The silence that fills the room isn't awkward. It's Jongin listening to Luhan's heart beating whilst she scratches lightly against his scalp. She's content like this, wanting only to fall asleep with her new husband in her arms. Tomorrow they can talk about their new lives together. With a lazy smile, she closes her eyes.
"You know what I'm going to do first thing in the morning?" Jongin's voice is raspy and muffled.
"Hmm?" she answers, unmoving.
"Go up to your mother and thank her."
Luhan thinks her heart might burst.
Thanking her mother is actually the second thing Jongin does the following morning. The first is taking Luhan again as they bathe, water sloshing out the sides for the servants to clean later.
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Kai/Luhan
Length: 5.5k
Author's Note: Fill for this prompt from exopromptmeme. I'm not the first to fill this prompt, but variety is the spice of life. XD And I hope there are more fills to come. (I don't even know why it's so long.)
Summary: To save his life, Luhan's mother raises him as a female when a new King takes the throne. And now the King wants Luhan to wed his son.
Petticoats rustle and the rich blue of Luhan's gown drags the ground just the littlest bit where it's fallen out of her hand. She doesn't seem to care though, rushing through the grass with a gleeful smile on her face and her lessons forgotten. The castle looms high in the distance along with her mother and Luhan's sense of responsibility fades away with the afternoon sun. There are too few opportunities for her to escape the stone walls, especially with such a minimal accompaniment of guards.
"Princess!" Wufan calls from behind and she ignores him, choosing instead to keep running through the field. Bits of grass and flower petals stick to her dress and her bare feet are dirtied from slipping out of her shoes the moment she'd gotten out of the carriage. "My lady!" Her guard's cry is insistent and she turns, blonde curls obscuring her vision for a moment as she laughs.
"You have to catch me."
Luhan gathers her skirts again, hiking them above her knees and she hears Wufan's voice fading into the background. Sweat traces lines down her fair skin and her cheeks are flush a healthy pink from the exertion and she doesn't want to stop. A peal of laughter spills through rosy lips as Luhan spins, releasing her gown so it flows out around her. Faster and faster, the world blurring in her vision and her smile grows ever wider. Her body stops, but her head doesn't and she's sure to fall at any moment.
"Caught you," Wufan rasps out as his fingers wind tight around her upper arm and keep Luhan on her feet. The guard looks ridiculous in so much armor on such a scorching day which is probably the reason why he's wheezing to pull in enough air. "It's time to go back, Your Highness."
A pout comes to her lips, eyes wide and the plea for just a little longer doesn't make it out of her mouth because Wufan is glaring at her. Luhan sighs and allows him to lead the way back to the carriage. Her mother will surely scold her for getting so dirty and probably remind her that a lady - especially a princess - should never act in such a way. Luhan will apologize and promise to never do it again with all intentions of breaking her oath the next time the opportunity arises.
She's not a willful child, or spiteful. Luhan adores her mother and listens to every word she says even if she doesn't like it. When it's time for her to get out of bed in the morning she does without a fuss even when the water is freezing and her blankets are tempting and already warm. As her mother dresses her, she doesn't whimper or grumble when her corset is cinched tight enough to leave her ribs sore because a lady always has to appear delicate even if it's a facade. She eats in small bites and drinks with her pinky extended. She listens as her tutors drone on and on about the history of the kingdom and how to read and write and do basic arithmetic. Luhan even sits still through sewing lessons without complaint no matter how many times she pricks her finger and stains the fabric red with blood.
Despite every wish in her heart and rebellious bone in her body, Luhan is the perfect daughter.
Wufan looks exhausted across from her, the carriage rattling down the dirt path and back to the castle. He's loyal and she sometimes feels sorry about slipping through his grasp for moments of peace, especially with how red his face currently looks and the lolling of his head with each bounce of the wheels over holes in the road. It isn't long before he's asleep and Luhan turns her eyes to the sights outside. They've come so far already and she spies the new trellises wrapped in roses as they pass through the gates. Decorations of crimson and violet are vivid against gray stone and brown dirt. People dart to and fro with arms full of food and crates and colorful costumes.
The fluttering in her stomach is now a common thing, her thoughts only of her upcoming wedding. She's been promised to the King's son now that she's of age. And Luhan is aware that the marriage is one of a strategic maneuver and nothing to do with love, but it doesn't cease the excitement in her heart. Prince Jongin is a fine man; well built and strong. It's an honor to be chosen as his wife and the announcement had been expected yet still pleasing. The King needs to legitimize his claim to the throne after taking it just before Luhan's birth. Her and her mother - the former Queen - were kept well in the castle without threat of death over these last seventeen years for this specific reason.
Prince Jongin is still, however, a great mystery to Luhan. They may have grown up in the same castle, but their interactions were limited and minimal. While Luhan is caged away in her rooms to be taught how to aid in ruling the land once she's Queen, Jongin is outside with the other boys. Sometimes she likes to steal to the window when her tutor falls asleep. Luhan will watch as Jongin spars with the others in the courtyard wearing only plain breeches and well-crafted boots. His skin is kissed by the sun and his muscles flex beautifully from years of training. The sword is an extension of his body, lunging and parrying as he backs his opponent into the corner. She's never seen him lose.
From afar she falls for the illusion of grandeur without truly knowing who she is to spend the rest of her life with. Luhan can't wait for the day when his smile is directed her way, their hands linked and her belly swollen with their future son. And after a son, she selfishly hopes for a daughter with whom to dote on.
A wistful sigh leaves her lips as they stop, the carriage jerking and Wufan falling off his cushion. Luhan stifles a giggle and Wufan crawls out with as much dignity as he can muster before holding out a hand for her to take. "Thank you," she says with a wide smile.
Wufan sighs heavily and takes in the state of her soiled dress. "I suggest My Lady gets inside and into a bath lest she fall ill on the eve of her wedding."
Luhan slaps him on the arm lightly before walking through the open doors, not bothering to pick up her skirts. There's boisterous shouting and wild calls and Luhan gasps before slipping to the side before she's trampled. Four boys barrel passed - one of whom is Jongin - and Luhan's stomach drops, clenching her bottom lip in her teeth as he looks up at her. And then the eye contact is gone and he's swinging an arm over the shoulder of the lanky boy beside him. It's very unlady-like to be jealous, but right now Luhan wishes she were the one holding his attention.
"Bath!" Wufan calls from behind her and Luhan jumps. Clutching the padded fabric against her chest, she turns and gives him a scolding look before making her way up to her rooms.
"I should have known," her mother chides the moment Luhan closes her door. The former Queen is sitting atop Luhan's bed with a fond smile on her face. Luhan swishes her skirts, hips swaying side to side as her mother gets up to walk in a circle around her. "I planned for you to bathe later, but it looks as if we'll have to do it now."
The water is warm and Luhan lays back as her mother rinses the soap out of her hair. Blond waves cascade down passed her waist when wet only to curl at the ends when it dries. Water trickles down and Luhan clutches her knees to her chest. "You remember what we discussed last night?"
Luhan turns her head a little, letting it rest on her knees. "Yes."
"Tell me."
Luhan sighs and runs a finger across the top of the water, ripples shooting out at her touch. "A wife's duty begins on her wedding night."
"And if her husband refuses to bed her?"
"Do you really think he won't want me?" There's silence in the room save for the light lapping of water when Luhan shifts further down a little.
"You're a special girl, Luhan." Her voice is soothing and her hands begin twisting Luhan's hair to wring out the water. "Any man would be lucky to have you." Luhan would feel relieved if that wasn't the required motherly answer. "But just in case. . . I need you to tell me."
Luhan swallows down the thick feeling clogging her throat. "I must make him want me." The only problem with that is she doesn't know how. In all her years, she's never been taught what a man and a woman do in bed; only that it involves a bit of pain for the woman and hopefully a pregnancy soon after. She knows it must be pleasurable because the scullery maids speak of bedding the stablemen in the hay with giggles and blushes when they think she's not listening.
A hand grips her chin and turns her head. Luhan gazes at her mother, taken aback by the desperate look on her face. She's never seen her mother this way and she wants to ask why, but the words catch. "You must. Do not let him leave your bed until it is done."
"Until what is done?" The former queen sighs and closes her eyes, the hand slipping from Luhan's face. "Please tell me. How can I hope to make him want me if I don't what I'm offering?"
"Out of the water," she's instructed.
"Mother, please."
"I'll tell you," she finally says. "But only after you're dressed."
Luhan scrambles out of the water and slips on the floor before wrapping in a towel enthusiastically.
Dizziness. Luhan is dizzy, her head filled with words and images concocted from her own mind. She slides the food around her plate, sudden nerves taking a firm hold on her usual calm composure. Now she knows why her mother didn't tell her until her last night as a maid. The very idea of sex with Prince Jongin thrills her and terrifies her at once. The plate is soon abandoned on her bed, her final meal before her wedding eaten in private because the castle has been invaded by important guests. She's kept locked away until the final moment.
The door to her room creaks open and Luhan's heart speeds until she spots her mother slipping inside. She's across the floor and in comforting arms only a moment later, body trembling as soothing hands run up and down her back. "Calm, child," her mother coos.
"I'm scared," she confesses, face pressed in her mother's neck.
"Every bride is nervous before her wedding."
Luhan pulls back and wipes at the tears forming in her eyes. "Were you?"
"I was terrified," she admits with a laugh. "I threw up while they were lacing up my dress." Luhan's mouth falls open and she laughs. "It was a nightmare." Gentle hands cup Luhan's face. "But there was no reason to be so afraid."
Luhan nods and makes one final swipe at her eyes. "Ok," she breathes. "I'm ready."
The seamstresses aren't let inside until Luhan is dressed in her undergarments, padded corset snug around her torso and underskirts fluffier than she's ever worn falling from her waist to her toes. She barely has time to gasp over intricate patterns of gold sewn into cream colored silk before they slip it on over her head. It takes three of them; two on each side to hold it off the floor and a third to reach through from the top and grab her hands so it falls down around her. Luhan holds the front against her chest as they lace up the back with gold ribbons.
And as always - when others are involved with her dressing - Luhan's mother keeps a watchful eye.
Cinched up tight, Luhan is lead to her vanity to sit, every action done with care because she'd hate for anything to happen to the masterpiece now clinging to her body. She sees herself in the mirror and notices the blotches of pink across her cheeks. She's still nervous. And the butterflies in her stomach multiply. Closing her eyes, she inhales slow and deep, letting the air out through her pursed lips. Combs brush through her hair and hands begin the tedious work of controlling her curls. She feels fingers tugging and it pulls against her scalp, but she still doesn't open her eyes. She clasps her hands in her lap and tries to focus on anything but what's about to happen.
No matter how long she's been waiting for this, she feels woefully unprepared.
Luhan's eyes are lined and her lids brushed with gold powder. When she finally looks in the mirror, she's gasps. In front of her she sees a woman, blond strands pulled off her shoulders and pinned to the back of her head in intricate twists and braids. Everything feels more real when her mother steps up and tucks a pearl comb in her hair and grazes knuckles down her cheek. "You're ready."
Luhan wants to protest, cling to her mother and convince her to let her be a child just a little longer, but her lips stay sealed. She desires to be married, but her mind always skips to the part where they're already in love. She's never contemplated the steps they need to take to get there and now it's crashing into her full force.
She can't breathe.
A knock on the door and everyone rushes to get it. Luhan can't see who it is, but she hears his voice loud and clear, sinking into her chest like a knife. "It's time."
The halls have never seemed so small, the walls closing in on her and forcing her down faster and faster. Fear gives in to curious anticipation when they reach the double doors of the King's Hall. There are only the two ushers outside waiting for them and Luhan fights to stop her shaking fingers. Just on the other side of the wood is Jongin - her future husband. Two soft knocks and the doors are being opened. Luhan hears a flurry of movement and knows this is her cue, blindly stepping forward. It isn't until she feels Jongin beside her, an arm looped through his that her senses come back. She schools her features and smiles softly as he parades her down the long aisle in time with the low music.
Lord and Ladies and guests from all around the lands have come and she feels their eyes trained on her. Only the King has the authority to marry a prince or princess and he stands at the end, regal and tall in front of his throne. Luhan keeps her gaze oriented on him, on a solid point so she doesn't get flustered again. The last notes of the melody fade and Luhan is standing in front of the King before she sweeps low to curtsey. At her side, Jongin bows and they stay like that until he commands them to rise.
The King's voice is loud and deep in the hall, rehearsed syllables pushed through lips that will tie Luhan and Jongin together until death. She gulps and turns to look at Jongin when instructed. Her hands rest atop his lightly, still trembling despite her best intentions to stop them. She tries to read Jongin's face, to find some glimmer of an indication that he wants this as much as she does. His stony countenance is impenetrable though and Luhan resigns herself to finding out later.
It's the muscle memory of practicing the words so many times that get her through the ceremony. She used to read them aloud as a small girl, wishing for her wedding day more than anything else. And now it's here and Luhan can't decide if it lives up to all her expectations or not. Certainly the decorations and her dress are lavish enough. And her groom is a handsome Prince that will one day rule the country. So why does it feel like she's someone else when Jongin leans down enough to brush their lips together in a barely there kiss?
Wine flows and cheerful music plays and Luhan sits at the head of the table with her new husband on her right. Jongin is busy talking to one of his friends - Sehun, she thinks - at his side and hasn't glanced at her once since the traditional first dance. Luhan's taken the opportunity to sip down an entire glass of red wine, hiccuping lightly because she's not used to drinking. Her mother had let her have a taste when she was sixteen, but that had been all. Now that she's married, she's a woman and she can drink all she likes. She doesn't turn down the servant who swans over a minute later to refill her goblet.
"My Lady should not drink so much," Wufan's deep voice cuts in and the cup halfway to Luhan's mouth halts. She looks up at the guard and is startled to find him in less armor and more cloth. He holds out a hand and the smile that spreads on her face is genuine for the first time in hours. "May I have this dance?"
Luhan laughs when she stands, taking his hand and letting him lead her on to the floor. There are lots of others spread out, merrily spinning together and they join them. She feels like a dwarf in his arms and nearly asks to stand on his feet so she's that much taller.
"You don't seem too happy, if you don't mind me saying," Wufan says after they've started traipsing across the floor. He's not very good - stiff and awkward - but he knows the steps and keeps up well.
Luhan sighs and drops her gaze to stare at the red vest over his chest. "I'm afraid he doesn't like me."
Wufan laughs, drawing her attention back up to his face. "Then why is he glaring at us from all the way over there."
"What?" Luhan turns her head fast enough to catch the eyes of her new husband before he's looking away in an attempt to not be caught. A blush rises in her cheeks and her heart skips a beat.
"You see? There isn't a man in the entire kingdom who wouldn't want you as a wife. Well," he amends with a smirk. "Except Sehun. He likes the boys."
Oh.
The loud clapping of the crowd fades the higher they climb, her dress dragging over stairs and Luhan can't be bothered to worry. Her mind is pleasantly buzzing from the wine and Jongin is at her side, carefully guiding her so she doesn't fall. There's a sappy smile on her face that won't go away and she leans on him a little more.
They're going to his room or rather, their room because it's her's now too. The butterflies return to her stomach and by the time he leads her inside, she's almost completely sober. Her breathing picks up and although she'd like to take the time to appreciate the expanse of the room, admire the deep colors decorating the walls and furniture, her mind is elsewhere. Jongin is behind her, his body heat soaking through the back of her dress and she shudders when his hands trails down from her exposed neck and over her shoulderblades before plucking at the laces that hold everything together.
Each drag of ribbon that pulls from its loop sends a tremor to Luhan's knees and when the top begins loosening, she feels as if she's about to fall with it. Jongin is gentle as he peels the dress down so Luhan can step out of it and her shoes. He drapes the gown over a chair and rakes eyes over her form. His boots come off and then his shirt, leaving nothing but a lean chest and pants and Luhan doesn't dare make a move. She keeps her eyes trained on him as he walks closer, a hand gliding up her arm as he circles around to her back. Her body reacts to his touch, heat slithering down from where he touches and settling below her stomach. Arousal isn't a new sensation for her, but feeling it because of someone else and not simply a natural function is.
Jongin pulls all the clips from her hair, letting them drop to the floor as it falls to cover her shoulders and back. Fingers brush the strands from one side and his lips land on her neck, making her jump slightly as her heart threatens to beat through her chest. Luhan wonders when he got so good at taking off corsets because hers is falling off in record time. There's no time to adjust to the cool air licking over her skin because her underskirts follow and Luhan shivers as she stands naked. Jongin is pressed to her back but he's slowly moving away.
The urge to cover herself is barely kept down, but she does squeeze her eyes shut tight, afraid of how he might not want her - might not find her appealing. There's a sharp gasp and she doesn't know if it's good or bad and the longer she stands there, the worse she feels. Jongin doesn't want her.
Luhan shuffles back just a step only to stop when she hears movement, feels Jongin's presence in front of her. There's no time to open her eyes before she's being kissed. The almost negligent kiss that sealed the marriage at the end of the ceremony has nothing on this. Jongin's fingers dig into her upper arms to pull her close as their lips mold together, her bottom between his as he sucks lightly on the sensitive skin. It's a new, wonderful feeling that tingles through her and she lets out puff of air when her mouth opens. She means to say something, a question on the tip of her tongue that never makes it out when he slips his own tongue inside. It's probably evident she's never done this before, but she thinks she does well enough following Jongin's lead.
There's a squeak that escapes when Luhan finds herself being hauled up with hands on her waist. Another noise follows when she lands on the bed, the soft duvet under her bearing the brunt of her weight. Jongin is at the edge, an unfamiliar look on his handsome face as he continues to stare while shimmying out of his pants. This time, Luhan wills herself to not shut her eyes, keeping them trained on his face as the last piece of clothing falls to the floor. She gulps, scrambling back a little when he crawls over her, his knees prying apart her legs so he can settle between. "You are more than I could have hoped for," he whispers when he's hovering over her fully and Luhan's heart flutters for a new reason. A blush of embarrassment burns hot across her cheeks.
Jongin dips down to capture her lips again and Luhan is at least somewhat prepared for it this time. Her body slowly untenses, rigid posture melting into the soft blanket. She relaxes into the touch, the feel of Jongin's mouth, of his hot breath on her cheek and his hand that's moving over her neck and down to her completely flat chest. "So beautiful," Jongin mumbles and Luhan's insecurities dissolve. She's been told by many a person how attractive she is, how her beauty is beyond compare, but hearing Jongin say it makes her believe it.
A thumb circles her nipple and it hardens, Jongin smiling against her lips for a moment. Luhan finds herself smiling back, wide and bright and her Prince kisses her mouth again before trailing down. Every soft press of his lips against her face, neck, shoulder and chest leave her unraveling a bit more. Her eyes open to watch him, witness how his lips flatten against her pale skin only to move to a new spot and do it again. He goes for her side, tickling her ribs when his hair sweeps across. Luhan sees the rest of Jongin's body now and she doesn't look away. His muscles shift and flex under taut skin, his thighs defined and stomach contracting as he breathes. But what catches her attention is his cock, hard and long and hanging between his legs. It's a little frightening to look at considering she knows where it's supposed to go.
Never once does Luhan question why her and Jongin seem to have the same anatomy - flat chests and dicks, but then her mother told her she was a girl and she believes.
When Jongin sinks teeth into her side with a teasing smile, she lifts into it, the sharp sting adding to her arousal and he looks as if he enjoys it as much as she does. It draws her attention back to his face, lifting a hand to run fingers through the black strands of his hair. He seems to like it, leaning in to her touch and letting her guide him back up because she wants to kiss him again. This time Jongin's weight settles on top of her, bodies slotting together to draw out a low moan. Luhan whimpers when Jongin rolls his hips down against hers, cocks sliding against each other. No one has ever touched her there aside from her own hand and this is more than better.
Jongin is stealing her breath with every kiss and she has to hold on to him to make sure this is real. She has one hand still in his hair and the other is wrapped around his back, fingertips digging into muscle.
"I'm going to make you all mine, my little Princess."
And then Jongin's lifting away, Luhan a little scared that he's going to leave even after everything. He chuckles and only goes so far as to stretch and grab the jar sitting on the small table beside the bed. It sits precariously to the side, tilting when Jongin takes his place between her legs again. Luhan allows Jongin to distract her, ignoring the noise of the jar being opened in favor of the sound of his breathing in her ear and the pulsing of his heart beating in his chest where her hand now rests.
"Relax," he instructs and Luhan nods her head. She's still tense when Jongin's hand slips down between her legs, but it quickly fades when he wraps slick fingers around her cock. Her mouth drops open in a silent moan and she raises her hips for more. The way he squeezes his fingers, applies the perfect amount of pressure in the right spots has Luhan keening and panting and trying to hold back her cries for more. Every flick of his wrist and drag of his hand adds to the pleasure and it mounts dangerously high quickly.
Her thighs are trembling, knees bent as her heels dig into the duvet for stability. She's only vaguely aware of Jongin dipping his other hand in the jar after he pulls away and the rush of cool air sends chill bumps from her neck to her toes. There's an unfamiliar touch and even if she knows this is how things are supposed to progress, it doesn't stop her legs from trying to close. Jongin reassures her with whispered words and when her legs fall open again, he smiles and a finger presses inside. She gasps, hands looking for an anchor and twisting in the blanket. It doesn't hurt, but it's intrusive and she's nervous all over again.
Luhan has to remind herself to breathe, to stop holding the air in when Jongin strokes slowly up and down her cock as he pushes with his finger. It borders on a sensory overload, unused to so much stimulation at once. She trains her eyes on the high vaulted ceiling, staring at the stone as Jongin works her open with care. A second digit joins the first and she tenses only for a second, calming down on her own. There's pain with this one, but not enough to make it bad. Not when Jongin is being so careful. Then a third and she's discovering she likes the way his fingers slide in and out, the continuous motion mounting until she's pushing her hips down for more.
This is it.
Jongin pulls his hands away and coats his cock in the oil from the jar. Nerves eat away at her and she lets out a shaky breath. Jongin is holding her cheeks open with one hand and guiding his cock with the other. Luhan whimpers when she feels it pushing at her and Jongin squeezes her leg and gives her a small smile. She doesn't have a chance to return it because he's sliding in and all thought save for how full she feels flickers out. Dull pain radiates from where their bodies are connected and Jongin stills. His hips stay, but his upper body falls over her, resting on his elbows as he dips to kiss her. Luhan lets his mouth and tongue distract her, takes comfort in the way his larger frame covers her own and makes her feel safe.
A roll of his hips has her moaning, the sound low and barely there until he repeats the action and the volume rises. It's not without pain, but it feels too good to stop. Her arms wrap around his neck and she lifts her hips into the next one. Jongin pulls out only to thrust in fast and they both moan, Luhan starting to want more. The pleasure builds with every snap of his hips, every time Jongin presses their mouths together only to have to pull away to breathe moments later.
Everything speeds up, Luhan's soft cries and moans increasing as Jongin's groans rumble in his chest. He finds her hand, laces their fingers together and pushes it over her head and into the mattress. Each time he buries inside her, Luhan feels the pressure mounting, her cock throbbing with the need to be touched as it slaps against her stomach. But she doesn't want it to end either.
Jongin lifts to his knees, taking her by the thighs and dragging her bottom half up. Luhan can't help the cry that comes out when he slams into her, the sound of skin slapping loud in her ears. Jongin's face is flush, his hair matted to his head with sweat and his eyes never leave hers. Luhan moans his name and he growls, sliding into her harder and faster. The hold on her thighs tightens and she needs to be touched.
Luhan reaches down and wraps fingers around her cock, pumping in time with Jongin's thrusts. She's still slick and there's little resistance as she works her hand up and down. It takes very little before she feels herself slipping, muscles tensing and head digging back into the blanket. She comes harder than she ever has before as Jongin keeps moving through it. His pace quickens and she whimpers because it's almost too much. A loud moan fills the room when Jongin comes, nails digging into her skin and hips jerking forward through each wave. Luhan clenches around himself purposely, licking her dry, chapped lips.
Her body is tingling, thoughts too muddled to focus and chest still heaving as she tries to calm her breathing. Jongin leans over her again, pulling out before laying his head on her chest. Luhan feels tears spring to her eyes, a myriad of emotions tackling her at all sides. She is a wife and she's fulfilled her duty. Jongin has accepted her and knowing all this makes her happier than she could ever imagine.
The silence that fills the room isn't awkward. It's Jongin listening to Luhan's heart beating whilst she scratches lightly against his scalp. She's content like this, wanting only to fall asleep with her new husband in her arms. Tomorrow they can talk about their new lives together. With a lazy smile, she closes her eyes.
"You know what I'm going to do first thing in the morning?" Jongin's voice is raspy and muffled.
"Hmm?" she answers, unmoving.
"Go up to your mother and thank her."
Luhan thinks her heart might burst.
Thanking her mother is actually the second thing Jongin does the following morning. The first is taking Luhan again as they bathe, water sloshing out the sides for the servants to clean later.