Chapter Text
Hyunjin’s reputation certainly preceded him.
It was well known to other rulers that the prince was particularly cold and impossible to break. People whispered of his impossible beauty, his intoxicating scent and the icy gaze he was rumoured to possess.
Chan was privy to a very different side of Hyunjin.
A side that was sensitive and emotional, reactive and adorable. One that would whine for things he wanted and giggle when he got them. The Hyunjin that Chan had been privileged enough to see behind closed doors was so so sweet, and smelled even sweeter (and his taste was to die for.)
Every single time that Chan got to run his fingers through the omega’s long dark hair, or trace his features felt like a blessing; and every time he got to feel his soft lips on his own, Chan would swear he was already in heaven.
But the Hyunjin that the public knew had been raised to appear cold and untouchable, for his own protection as well as the kingdoms. Chan had been able to break down his carefully constructed walls only after seeing the other prince for several slow meetings. Hyunjin was cautious, and Chan knew he had every reason to be.
Chan was next in line for the crown after his father as well, but Hyunjin had the disadvantage of being an omega. Neighbouring kingdom’s seemed to be eager for the prince’s hand, thinking they could win him over before he took the throne instead of engaging in typical political negotiations. And rulers that weren’t vying for his hand seemed to think it would be even easier to just take what they wanted from Hyunjin.
When they were blanketed under the comfortable silence of the night, hidden away from watchful eyes and laying together in secret, Hyunjin would confess all of his fears to Chan. And as much as the alpha wanted to ask for Hyunjin’s hand right now so that they could go through it together and lean on each other, he knows that the omega wants to establish himself first— he doesn’t want to lean on an alpha for help before he even starts.
Chan had been absolutely magnetized to him, and every single time together left him longing even more for the younger omega. It would be hard to lie and say that it wasn’t initially Hyunjin’s beauty that captivated him, but it was definitely the little glimpses Chan got to see when his mask slipped that had him trying so hard. He could still clearly remember seeing him for the first time; it was like everything else had faded into the background.
It felt like he was dunked under water and all the sound had faded away. Everything moved a little slower, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
Much like he felt right now.
He hadn’t expected to be forced to attend an impromptu assembly this evening— he had been actually preparing to sleep when an advisor started to bang on his door so loudly that he startled and jumped. They barely gave him time to shrug on his coat before he was being ushered down the hall.
The two beta’s rushed him so quickly he was struggling to keep up, one of them hissing out “the king is doing a spoils demonstration,” when he started to dig his heels in and demand an explanation.
His stomach kind of twisted at the answer though. He was never particularly fond of the archaic ceremony, it was something that he would fantasize about abolishing when he took over as ruler after his father stepped down— not that he would ever say that to the man.
Maybe his aversion came from bearing witness to a demonstration when he was just an unpresented pup, his father saying that it would steal him for a life of ruling. But maybe it was just because Chan had always been a little bit softer; not liking the harshness and cruelty that his father tended to rule with.
But until Chan took the throne, it was something he had no say in. So much so that Chan couldn’t even let his distaste show— it was too risky.
If current power ever knew that he had even the tiniest thought of changing things from tradition… they would ensure he never took over. So he bit his tongue then, and he bit his tongue now, letting himself be guided into the assembly hall. The doors were opened for him and immediately the scents of so many people had him disoriented, but he took careful controlled breaths to prepare himself. It would only get worse.
He wondered idly about where the ’spoils’ were coming from today as he took his seat beside his father, as no one had mentioned any sort of plan to him, but it was hard to think properly with the noise echoing around the room. People were excited for a show, talking loudly and clanking their drinks together and Chan shifted uncomfortably, trying his best to school his features into something neutral.
Another beta came and handed him a glass of red wine and he soured further, knowing that this meant everything was about to begin very soon— especially when his father tossed back the remaining alcohol in his own glass to get a refill. The alpha had always liked to start with a full eight ounces.
It was right after that, that a beta was leaning down in-between him and the king, murmuring that the preparations were finished, and the king raised a single hand making the room slow to a hush as people gathered to the walkway that was laid out with a deep red carpet.
The whole thing felt barbaric and it made his gut clench uncomfortably, bile rising in his throat when the heavy doors at the end of the red walkway slammed open.
Two alpha’s flanked another man, who was shackled at the wrists and ankles and there was a canvas sac over his head. Chan couldn’t tell what their subgender was with so many scents in his nose. The lithe body had him guessing omega, but the height would make him think of a beta.
Their clothes were a little battered, from what Chan could see from here, a white button up shirt with a few buttons torn, wrinkled and dirty from what was probably a struggle, and black pants.
The man didn’t struggle. Not even a little bit.
Something about it had his blood racing and heart kicking a bit harder, but these events were never easy for the alpha.
They held him by the entrance and waited for the king to stand and make his address, which he began soon after, clearing his throat and rising from his throne.
“As you may know,” he began and Chan stared hard at the man between the guards. “We have been seeking to expand our land.”
“There had been a large plot occupied by a neighbouring kingdom for many years, and while our relations were neutral, they were in the beginning stages of making a decision that was not best suited for a neighbour of the Bang territory.” Everyone around them absolutely shook with excitement, but Chan felt a horrible sickness rising. This was definitely worse than usual, something very wrong was happening, but why did it feel like no one else was noticing?
“When neighbouring territories set themselves up for invasion, is it not in our best interest to take them over first? To protect our borders from those we may not yet trust?” The king continued and Chan’s palms sweat from where the wine glass was resting in his hand. His mind was going somewhere that made him want to vomit, but he was frozen in place, staring straight ahead at the man who made no struggle. Why weren’t they at least struggling?
“Others were planning to advance in the spring, but after consideration with my advisors, we made the decision to expand North this morning.” People started to cheer, but Chan’s hands trembled. North could be— “And as you may see,” his voice booms, and people quiet down, but then he’s gesturing for the guards to proceed and he continues as they remove the sac from their captive’s head. “We have acquired Hwang territory.”
It was a similar feeling from so long ago, like he was dunked underwater and all he could focus on was Hyunjin from across the room with a racing heart. Except this time, the omega wasn’t sitting as the picture of elegance, holding a crystal glass and taking bored sips, he was a mess.
His dark hair that often had gentle waves in it was tangled and askew, like hands had been tugging at it. Hyunjin didn’t like when people pulled his hair, and Chan’s heart ached. There was bruising littered across his jaw and cheekbone, as there was a tiny bit of flaking, dried blood on the side of his mouth, like he had maybe bit his own lip accidentally.
Chan recognized the look on his face despite how carefully he was masking it. The omega was disoriented still, but trying to not show weakness.
“Omega Prince Hyunjin was set to take over the crown for Hwang territory in the fall, but it posed too much of a risk, so our generals have removed him from the throne.” Chan’s entire body felt like it was turning to stone with every word that came from his father’s mouth, and every single cheer or holler that came from the antsy crowd. The grip on his glass was tight enough that he should fear shattering it, but that was his love shackled at the end of the walkway, and he couldn’t even do anything.
Every single instinct in him was screaming at him, but he remained frozen in place as his father continued. “Prince Hyunjin has been known for his beauty, and he would have made a wonderful omega for someone, but he had been known to decline all advances.” Chan wanted to scream.
He was the reason Hyunjin had declined anytime another kingdom offered to take his hand— fuck, should Chan have pushed for proper mating a little more?
Hyunjin looks like he’s orienting himself a bit better now, and then his eyes land on Chan and his heart shrivels up to sink into his stomach.
The absolute hurt and betrayal that flashed across the omega’s face had been brief, but Chan caught it all the same.
Next, the king is gesturing for the rest of the ceremony to begin by taking his seat and panic floods through his veins. The alpha’s that held Hyunjin let go of him, and Chan hated the subtle look of surprise that crossed the omega’s features when they stepped behind him. He hadn’t spoken too much to Hyunjin about their old traditions, having been embarrassed by them. But now he’s not sure if he should be thankful that Hyunjin doesn’t know what to expect or not.
Because he feels disgusting when they shove him forward and he nearly stumbles to the ground, but the first splash of wine that was thrown at him seemed to shock him even more, with the little gasp Chan can see but not hear.
The first wine toss had hit him in the side of the neck, staining his shirt and splashing up his face, but it was just the beginning and immediately all the other attendants joined in on drenching the omega as he was forced to continue walking down the red carpet.
Every single step that he took had Chan clenching his fists, desperate to be able to do something but his mind couldn’t catch up— he didn’t know how. Hyunjin seemed as though he tried to keep some level of dignity, blinking the alcohol out of his eyes and flicking his hair away as it plastered to his face.
Flicking his hair.
Chan’s heart sank even more.
By the time Hyunjin reached the end of the walkway, he was thoroughly soaked, dripping with red wine that soaked his clothes and stained his skin.
In another life, Chan would hope that he was a better man, a better alpha. One that didn’t watch with concealed shock as the guard shoved his mate to his knees in front of the thrones.
In this life though, he just prays that he would be able to fix this, because he remains frozen.
What could he even do? The courts were unreasonable and he knows that. Even though their relationship had gone on for so long, it was information only shared between the two princes. If Chan made some sort of announcement now, after the king had already deemed Hyunjin to be spoils, Chan would be cast along with him. They would be both stuck.
It doesn’t make it any easier to watch as a beta comes forward and rips the necklace that adorned Hyunjin’s neck, spraying jewels across the room.
These ceremonies were fully designed to utterly humiliate and demoralize their captives, and Chan just didn’t get it. They had already taken everything from them, what more did they need to do.
He dug his teeth into his cheek as the beta stepped to stand right behind Hyunjin, and took a rough fistful of Hyunjin’s hair that had the omega’s brows furrowing for a second.
Hyunjin hated his hair being pulled. Chan always made sure to be gentle when he carded his hands through it, softly working out any tangle that might catch to not pull at Hyunjin’s scalp, lest the omega whine at him for the sting.
But now, he let ice cover his gaze, and he stared straight at the king as the first slice of a dagger was made through his wine soaked locks.
The first chop was always dropped into the ’spoils’ lap, to make sure they knew what was happening. And while Hyunjin didn’t flinch as a chunk of his black hair slapped onto his thighs, Chan certainly did.
The crowd cheered and Chan fought the urge to vomit as the beta continued, haphazardly chopping off Hyunjin’s hair and tossing it carelessly onto the ground around them. Once it was removed enough in large chunks, they switched down to a smaller blade where they cut closer to his delicate scalp.
The beta dropped the blade back into the bowl it was brought out in before he slapped at the back of Hyunjin’s head, and Chan wanted to squeeze his eyes shut to not see what he did next, but if his omega had to experience it, he would at least bare witness to it, because the beta spit right onto the top of Hyunjin’s newly shaved head, and then proceeded to rub the saliva into the short, uneven hairs there.
A barely there scowl passed over Hyunjin’s face and Chan wanted to cry.
These people all cheered and celebrated his downfall, assuming he would have been an unfit, weak leader, but there he was, facing all this humiliation with his head still held high, and holding eyes with the king.
Chan would never understand.
But, with the king taking his full glass, and standing to dump it slowly over Hyunjin’s head, letting it pour over his face and pool in his lap, the ceremony was finished.
It was utter chaos from there, people screaming and throwing their glasses on the floor in celebration, music resumed and the king raised his arms as though he had just done something amazing and not just completely destroyed someone's life. But just as Hyunjin was being tugged off down to the dungeons, he was meeting Chan’s eyes with a vacant stare.
Chan couldn’t sneak down that night. It would have been too risky. But the following night the patrols were all tired from the celebration, and Chan knew they didn’t deem Hyunjin enough of a threat to need guards outside his cell.
Every single step down the stairs had his heart pounding, with Hyunjin’s scent bouncing off the stone walls and getting stronger with every inch closer.
When he finally came up to the bars on the cell, he couldn’t see much in the darkness and he cursed himself for not bringing a torch. But he knew Hyunjin was there.
So, gently, and with a tremble in his voice he should have expected, he called out to him.
“…Jinnie?”
At first, he was only met with silence.
But then there was the sound of chain’s clinking together, and a quiet shifting, like fabric rustling, and then just faintly in the shadows, Chan could make him out.
“Hyunjin,” he wheezed out, pressing himself close to the bars and reaching in, “Jinnie, my love— I’m…” he trailed off, fighting tears. What was he? Sorry? That wasn’t going to fix anything. What kind of alpha was he?
Hyunjin didn’t come closer, but Chan ached for him, feeling so desperate and hopeless and pathetic as he felt the omega’s stare bore into him.
As he sank to his knees and the tears finally flooded over, he wondered how the courts and his father could get it so wrong. Here he was, an alpha crying and hopeless in the face of distress, while his omega faced his turmoil head on, with dignity and strength that Chan didn’t possess.
Hyunjin didn’t move while Chan let his forehead rest on the bars and wept, spilling out apologies and promises he didn’t know how to keep.
When the omega spoke, Chan snapped his mouth shut, heart aching to hear his voice even if it was only to curse him to hell and back.
It was quiet, but it was filled with a fragile strength that Chan was thankful was still there.
“…Did you know this was going to happen?”
Chan shook his head, sniffling and crying, “no, no of course not. Hyunjin, please. You know I would have tried to stop them.” But then he pauses— because that’s probably not what it looked like to Hyunjin, was it?
Chan sat frozen and watched as Hyunjin was brought in, in shackles and humiliated in front of everyone last night. The tears flood his vision again and he falls further to the ground, pressing his forehead into the dirt right at the floor of the cell. “I’m— I’m so sorry. I wasn’t strong enough, I’m not- I’m not, I didn’t know what to do.”
He doesn’t hear Hyunjin cry, or even see it, but he smells the shift in the air, his nose so attuned to his lover’s scent that the salty tears and sour distress are so pungent to him.
“I promise I’ll get you out of here,” Chan cries. I’ll get us out of here. “I promise, I’m so sorry.”