Its been more than a year since I last updated and I decided to do one again. I don't know if my writing is still good but I hope you'll like it. 😗

•••

"Has Taeyong been too busy?" Jeonghan trudges slower than he has to, awed by the pulchritudinous designs all over the place. Stepping up into the small dais, he watches everyone work, setting up everything perfect for his youngest sibling's wedding.

He couldn't help but glaze over, eyes stinging with a few tears, as his heart gets pricked with nostalgia and melancholy. Jeonghan tries not too dwell on the sadness and be happy for Seungkwan, but if anything, his heart is going to feel empty not to have the youngest close to him and have him in his arms. He doesn't have anyone to coddle and coo at early in the mornings, someone to sing for when they have trouble falling asleep. Jihoon might be the second youngest, but he hates being too intimate with his brothers unless he does it first, so Jeonghan couldn't really baby him compare to Seungkwan. He looks up at the crystal chandelier decorated with silk ribbons so the attendant wouldn't see him weep so early in the morning.

"He has other duties to attend to, Prince. For now, I'll be your company." Doyoung walks a bit behind him, watching around the large hall turned for the wedding. The king is still resigned in his study room. No one dared to go near it, for fear what he can do if they take a step.

"What other duties? Why wasn't I informed about this?"

"Apologies for his absence, your highness. But I haven't seen him either."

Jeonghan tries not to be suspicious about it. His attendant had never missed a day of his duty to him, whether serving him or just being his company, Taeyong is there. A constant presence for the past years. For him not to be there for a day is understandable, but to be gone for nearly a week is raising questions that shouldn't be there. If he needed a break to go and be with his mate, is feeling sick, or needed a time for himself, Jeonghan would be informed and he'll let him. He trusts the attendant with his life.

"I have not seen even a glimpse of him, don't you think this is concerning?"

Jeonghan turns to him, confusion written all over his face. Doyoung could only look down, he couldn't answer the eldest prince's inquiry, for he doesn't know where Taeyong has been going to. None of them know where. Ever since they talked that day,  it was a silent agreement to trust the other on what he'll do if, they might not know what is it yet, but they have no choice but to blindly hold on for now, and pray that Taeyong won't fail. If it does, it will be their fault.

They can't fail again.

The whole kingdom will collapse if they show weakness on such an important day.

Doyoung looks at the Prince, who has turned to inspect the neatly arranged flowers by the aisle, praising the arrangement, the silent vow they made with the deceased queen flashing in his mind.

Wherever Taeyong is, they'll trust him.

The loud knock that resonated around the hall made them turn their heads to the wooden door, wondering who it may be. Doyoung trudges to the entrance, opening to see the intruder.

"I was told that Prince Jeonghan would be here?"

Prince Seungcheol stands, eyebrow raised at Prince Wonwoo's attendant with a polite smile on his lips. The attendant nods, bowing slightly before letting him in.

He couldn't help but gasp in amazement at the now turned wedding hall. It was simple yet grand. Both colors of the two kingdoms swirling to brighten the room. Everything was all set for the wedding tomorrow. Seungcheol's eyes land on Jeonghan who was standing in the down the aisle, holding a carnation in his hand, lips curving into a shy grin as he waves at him.

For a moment, Seungcheol thought time had stopped. As he slowly trudges the aisle, he couldn't help but think of it as his own wedding, with Jeonghan standing at the other end, waiting for him. Their eyes not straying away from each other. He knows what he wants, what both his mind and heart screams, and it's the beautiful, eldest omega of the Diamond Kingdom.

"Hello, Seungcheol." The omega greets as he stands in front of him, tilting his head at the intense gaze the other holds. "Is there something you need?"
Jeonghan can't help but feel shy under his stare, opting to at the dais.

"I wanted to see you."

He can feel the heat slowly creep at his neck up to his face at the alpha's words. Does he have no shame?

"And I have something I want to talk to you about." Seungcheol says, nodding towards the pew infront of the dais. Jeonghan turns to the attendant, holding eye contact for a few seconds before Doyoung bows at them and goes out of the door.

The alpha pats the sit beside him, Jeonghan does so albeit reluctant at such close distance but looking back at it, their time at the study room was closer and more intimate compared to this, but their was suddenly tension wafting through the air. The omega turns to stare at his betrothed, who was bouncing his knee in an anxious manner.

"What did you want to talk about, Seungcheol?"

Jeonghan raises a brow at the look of discomfort his betrothed flashed before it's gone, replaced with that usual charming smile he has around him.

"I was just wondering how are you feeling right now."

"I'm not gonna lie and say I'm okay that my youngest brother is gonna be married tomorrow. It feels so soon."

Seungcheol can feel the heaviness laced in those words and the other implications it. Everything was going fast paced. One moment, they were grieving, then all of a sudden, this news was sprung upon them, causing the brothers to squabble and try to have some semblance of balance. He knows his betrothed has a lot on his mind right now, his emotions passing like a whirlwind, leaving him exhausted and shaken.

Seungcheol wants to ask. He was itching to get it out of his tongue, not being able to take the petrified look painted on his face, of him suddenly leaving, rushing as if he was chased back to his room. The alpha keeps replaying the memory in his mind. Questions of how and why are brimming in him, ready to spill. But he holds it close, not wanting to startle the omega and had him fled like a scalded pup. If he wants to ask, he needs to be careful with his words.

Jeonghan blinks at the long silence he got as an answer, the alpha seems deep in his thought. Eyebrows meeting in the middle, furrowed deeply. He chuckles softly, poking his forehead. "What got you thinking so hard, Seungcheol?"

'You.' He wants to say. 'What are you hiding from me, Prince Jeonghan?'

But he pushes that away, smiling coyly instead as he slides closer to his betrothed. "Nothing much. Just wondering how our wedding will be."

Seungcheol laughs as the omega turns into another shade of red, sputtering and hitting him at the same time.

"Why are so shameless." Jeonghan says, mock exasperatedly but the corner of his lips are turning upward, supressing a laugh.

"You look so cute. I couldn't help myself, I want to see you blush every chance I'm given to."

The omega groans, slapping a hand on his shoulder, palm stinging at the hard hit because of those muscles he shouldn't think about, hiding his face with the other. Seungcheol was about to remove those hands hiding his pretty face when a knock on the glass shatters their playful banter. They glanced at each other, confused, when another knock echoes.

Jeonghan yelps when he glimpses at the lancet window on their right. Jihoon waves cheekily at his older brother, sitting comfortably at his cloud. The older omega stands as graciously as he can, rushing to the window, glaring at his younger brother.

"Jihoon, that is dangerous. Get down from there!"

The other obviously couldn't hear him, Jihoon opted to point somewhere from below, before fleeing in glee.

They both stare at his retreating figure before glacing down at where the younger was pointing at. Seungcheol sees the brothers with the exception of Seungkwan are by the pavillion. Chan and Soonyoung were also no where to be found.

"Shall we go?" Seungcheol gestures towards where they are, beckoning the omega to follow. "What are they doing down there?"

The alpha grins, "You'll know when we get there."

•••

Soonyoung slams the drawer shut, eyes squeezed tightly shut, frustration and anger thrumming in his veins as the contents of the letter flashes in his mind.

'Not now, please.'

He sits on the floor with a harsh thud, hands forming into fists, he can feel the electricity cackling loud as he breathes deeply. Soonyoung knows better than anyone what will happen if he doesn't keep his emotions in check.

As much as the alpha loves his duties, not only as a prince, but being the youngest general to hold his father's army was a dream come true. The title was something he aimed to achieve the moment he first held his sword, eyes sparkling with wonder. He should have been aware of the weight of what that title holds. His shoulders sags as if two giant boulders are on each, pinning him in his place. He feels suffocated all of a sudden.

Soonyoung should have gone to Seungcheol the moment he finished reading the letter. But he stayed glued on his spot, heart beating to loudly he can feel it in his ears, and when he was able to move, he made a beeline towards their room. They can talk about it another time. For now, he wants to enjoy the celebration that's about to take place.

'You can have fun but always be guarded, son. Evil is right around the corner, watching, waiting.'

His father's words echo in his mind as he stands up, schooling his features into nonchalance so they wouldn't suspect how shaken he was a minute ago. It is no one's concern but his. No one should be worried about him, not even his betrothed.

As much as he promised to tell Jihoon, the omega's safety is more important than anything.

Soonyoung dusts the imaginary dirt of him and walks towards the door, remembering that he has to help Hansol with his important task. The alpha lets out a surprised gasp, seeing Jihoon standing outside the room, eyes blinking up to him.

"Soonyoung-ah, are you alright?"

Soonyoung wants to laugh at his scrunched face, obviously trying to hide the concern he has but fails. "I'm alright, Jihoon-ah." And because he wants to see him blush, he adds. "Is my betrothed concern for me, hmm?"

The alpha coos at the way the omega's cheeks turn pink with his words, the heavy weight in his shoulders slowly lifting at the sight of him.

"Shut up. I'm not." Jihoon folds his arms over his chest, stomping away, the older right behind him, chuckling at his cuteness.

"Then why are you outside my door waiting?" He pokes the other on the shoulder, earning him a startled squeak at the touch.

"I wasn't. You're imagining things." Jihoon glared at him, walking faster than before. Soonyoung laughs loudly, forgetting about the dilemma he had a moment ago as he runs after the younger.

"I was teasing, Jihoon-ah. Don't be mad." The alpha pouts at him, hands clasped together in a way of asking forgiveness. The latter lets out a scoff, the blush never leaving his cheeks. "You're so annoying. Hurry up, we have to help Prince Hansol with his surprise."

He watches the omega walking ahead of him, a pleasing sense of happiness bubbles in his chest, making him feel warm. The thought of their relationship blooming despite taking baby steps makes him so contented. As long as Jihoon is here, safe with him. He knows he has nothing to worry about. He pushes the negative thoughts in his mind away and focuses back on the present. Soonyoung watches his betrothed look back at him, wondering why he suddenly stopped walking. He shakes his head in response and walks beside him, joining the others by the pavilion.

•••

"Channie, we've been in this room since lunch. Why are we not allowed to go out?"

Seungkwan whines from where he is seated on the settee, plopping on it in an undignified manner, glaring offendedly at the ceiling. The alpha in question rolls his eyes at him but doesn't bother answering as he flips another page of the book he's reading.

"Are you ignoring me?"

Seungkwan takes the seat beside him, almost pushing him on the edge, taking the book from his hand. Chan was about to protest, before realizing how close they were seated. He blinks in panic, tipping his head down. "I'm not ignoring you. It's just you've been asking the same question for the past hour and I already told you the answer."

The omega sighs in retaliation, he was bored and wants to roam around, ingrain the memory of the castle in his mind one more time, memorize each nook and cranny, feel the walls and look at each paintings. Enjoy the company of his older siblings and father, talk to his mother's grave, sleep in his room. He wants to be cuddled by Jeonghan before he goes to sleep, sing songs with Jisoo as Jihoon strums his guitar in background with them, read all of Wonwoo's favorite books and go dancing with Minghao. He wants to do so much more for one last time that he will live here.

He sniffs, couldn't control his emotions as sadness blossoms in his chest. Chan panics as he huddles closer towards the prince, asking him if he's alright.

"I'm alright. It just suddenly hit me that tomorrow will be my last day here. There's so much I'm feeling right now and my emotions got the best of me." Seungkwan tries to laugh it off but more tears spill down his cheeks. The alpha sighs, dabbing the edge of his sleeves on his cheeks to dry the tears out. He badly wants to do more to comfort the omega, pull him in his arms and take the sadness he feels but it's not his place to do so and he can only do what a friend should do. So he let's Seungkwan cry for a bit, listening to his woes.

"I'm sure your the Princes are feeling the same. You're the youngest, after all. You can still send them letters if you feel homesick. And I can visit you anytime you want me too. I'll be there for you." Chan tries to smile, hopeful that Seungkwan doesn't catch the undertone of fond and longing in his voice. Apparently, he doesn't as he  nods to his words.

Chan bites the tip of his tongue when he felt the other place his head on his shoulder. "Thank you, Channie. I'll be alright. I know Hansol won't make me feel alone."

"Of course."

'As long as you don't feel sad anymore.'

They let themselves bask in the silence for a while before a gentle knock startles them out of their peace.
Seungkwan's attendant enters, bowing as he says, "Prince Seungcheol are asking for your presence, your highnesses."

Seungkwan makes a puzzled expression while Chan pulls him to stand up, "Let's go."

The alpha takes his wrist, thanking the attendant before leading him down the hall to go outside. "Where are we going? Why is Prince Seungcheol looking for us?"

"Its not actually Seungcheol hyung who is looking for us. I'm taking you to the pavilion."

Seungkwan halts, pausing on entrance of the castle, not understanding what the younger is saying. "What are we even gonna do there?"

Chan purses his lips together, looking to where the others are waiting before staring at the prince in front of him. The youngest son of the Diamond King, who he formed a good friendship with the moment he stepped in the castle, one of his best friends, and the person who he couldn't help but like more than a friend should. The prince who will marry his other best friend, whom actually like each other. Chan is happy as long as they are too.

The young alpha takes both of his hands in his, intertwining them, letting himself believe just for a moment before smiling brightly to hide the pang of hurt he feels. He pulls the other again towards the pavilion, to Hansol. "I'm taking you to your happiness, Seungkwan-ah."

He laughs loudly as the omega turn red, eyes growing wide as he takes the scenery in front of him. Chan slowly lets go of his hand, urging him to move forward before he runs, leaving him there. Seungkwan was about to shout for him to comeback when someone taps him on the shoulder.

His hyungs and the other princes were standing there, proud smiles on their faces. Jeonghan pulls him in a hug as Wonwoo gives him the flowers he was holding. Jihoon starts strumming his guitar as Jisoo and Prince Seokmin started to sing a song he hasn't heard before. His bewilderment increases even more, he doesn't understand what's with the sudden surprise and Chan's weird behavior from before.

'Where did Chan go?' He can't help but wonder since he just up and disappeared. He still has questions on what he meant by his words and alsoㅡ

"Hyungs, where's Hansol?"

They glanced at each other, matching grins and eyes with mischief yet fond as they tell him to follow the path to the pavilion. And that's when noticed colorful petals have scattered along the path he walks on, the afternoon sun slowly setting as its remaining sunlight filter through the thick leaved of the trees. He takes a deep inhale, suddenly he wa feeling nervous.

"Scared?"

'Shi-' "Channie?"

"Keep walking, Seungkwan-ah."

"Where did you go?"

"You need to go to him. He's getting anxious as the time ticks by."

"Chan, what's going on?"

The alpha huffs as Seungkwan stays rooted in his place. He puts both of his hands in his shoulders, turning him around.

"Hansol's waiting for you."

"Why? Did something happen?"

Chan gives him a light push, smiling. "You'll know it when you go to him. Hurry."

Seungkwan looks back at him one more time, assessing his words before he sighs loudly. He nods his head and turns around the corner, missing how the younger's smile fell off the moment he was gone.

The omega walks around the pavilion, with his betrothed sitting in the middle, his back turned to him.

"Hansollie? What's going on? Why are you here all alone?"

He can tell the other prince is hesitanting, so he takes a seat beside him, placing the flowers on his lap.
Hansol stares at them. "Do you like it?"

"Were they from you?"

He nods shyly, legs bouncing from the nerves he feels. Hansol sighs, facing his betrothed who was smiling, amused by how his acting.

"Boo? I need to tell you something and if I don't I feel like I'm seriously gonna explode."

Seungkwan laughs a bit and that makes the alpha feel calm. He takes the omega's hands in his and holds them gently.

"When Father told me about the arrangement, I was, for a better word, appalled. We're still young, and I don't understand why they are pushing as to something we aren't even ready for. But as a dutiful prince and son, I did have no choice but to agree."

Sensing his distress, he squeezes his hand softly. "I'm listening."

"I have a lot of things I don't understand. But there's one thing I do, and it's what I feel for you. I like you a lot, Kwannie. In a short amount time we knew each other, you made me feel comfortable and cared for. You're beautiful, inside and out. Your kindess doesn't have an end and the love you give to others is immense. What I lack in life, you filled it with unexpected happiness and made my days bearable. The loneliness wasn't so bad anymore. Even though I enjoyed silence, without you, its painful. One thing I look up to the moment I open my eyes is to see you. And I know today will be another good day."

Seungkwan can feel his eyes tearing up but he holds it back, smile growing bigger at his betrothed's confession. "I wanted to do something spectacular and grand for you, because you deserve all great things in this world and I want to give it to you. I had this plan to surpise you, there will be moonlit dinner, bouquet of flowers you like, singing and dancing, and I'll go down on one knee. But I kept fumbling and being a mess, couldn't make up my mind. So Chan told me to just be myself because that's what you would want. Nothing too fancy yet makes you feel special. "

Seungkwan's eyes grew wide when he heard it and he wasn't mistaken about it. His betrothed wants to go down on one knee andㅡ "Sollie, are you-?"

H

e pulls the ring out of his pocket, a thin silver band ring with a snowflake-shaped blue diamond. It was pretty.

"Someone told me that I should give this ring to the person my heart desires and it's you. I want to marry you. Will youㅡ"

Hansol didn't get to finish his question when he was suddenly have his sobbing betrothed in his arms, nodding his head furiously. "I don't want the grand and extravagant things, I think that will be too much and what we have here is perfect. This surprise is perfect because its from you. I like you too, Sol. Yes, I want to marry you, too."

That's how his hyungs found them a minute later, smiling ear to ear as they hold hands tightly. Seungkwan springs up from his place, showing his ring to his brothers. As the other princes congratulate the alpha for having the courage to do the proposal.

In the middle of the chaos, their eyes meet. A silent promise held in them. They might be young to even get married, not understanding the haste decision made by both Kings, are scared of what this future has for them, but they know they will be alright. They still have a lot of time to puzzle the pieces together as long as they hold each other. Nothing could ruin what they have.