┌─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───┐

└─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───┘

-

" 𝐼 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝒶𝓎, 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝒻, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒾𝒻 "

-

╔═══━━━─── • ───━━━═══╗

Not much has happened since then-

Navier had (m/n) assigned to a new room in a palace near to the Imperial Palace. It was the Emerald Palace however the consort didn't really like using his room since the entire place was devoid of users and only consisted of paladins and servants.

That meant he had the entire large building to himself.

Don't get him wrong, he loves having some alone time. Growing up in an orphanage means that you have to share ever little thing. Now he has such expensive and delicate items, he doesn't know what to do with them.

The (h/c) sighed as he closed the golden box consisting of a pair of earrings. Another gift was sent and he was worried that he wouldn't have enough space to keep them, not like that would happen anytime soon. A knock was heard outside his room.

"Come in." He spoke delicately as he rearranged his blue robes, covering his skin. A familliar redhead pushed opened the door and bowed. "Her Majesty has invited you to lunch."

(e/c) eyes lingered on the knight as he dismissed him, quickly stepping into his closet to choose a proper attire. His mind wanders to the knight, who was now appointed as his retainer.

-

"I, Matthew Adam Holme, dedicate my life to you, Lord (m/n) (l/n).

His metal plated knees on the steps of the hall. The afterglow in the afternoon shone both men as they were situated near the large colourful panes. (m/n) nodded as he held out a hand to the redhead in front of him.

Instead of shaking it, Matthew simply grasped it gently and placed a deep kiss on his knuckles, his grey eyes closing showing off his long lashes. (m/n) felt flustered by the himbo and quickly took his hand back. Navier who sat on the throne behind them holding as a witness glared unpleased at the two.

-

Since then, Matthew accompanied the consort wherever he went, always on his tail and on guard. Still wary of the previous attack on Heinrey.

The (h/c) didn't know what to make of the knight. He was confused whether Matthew was aware of his actions half of the time. The redhead always stood close protectively to the consort, whenever he had a small scratch the knight would always kiss it better.

Even when he finished his dinner alone, the knight would pick up his plate and dabbed a napkin on the consort's lips. It embarassed (m/n) to say the least. To have someone always giving affections to him unconsciously made his heart flutter.

That reminds him of someone.

Sovieshu had been...less persistent the past few days. It hadn't been long since their marriage and the emperor had sent many gifts to the consort including the pair of earrings earlier. He sighed as he opened the gift box once again, he would please the emperor this once only.

"Taylor! Could you come in for a moment." A timid knock on the door and comes in a petite male who shyly stepped inside and bowed. "You called for me, master?" "Again with the master." (m/n) groaned.

The same day Matthew was appointed as his retainer, he was introduced to Taylor Carlein as well. A man smaller then him with fluffy chocolate hair and zero physical abilities. It didn't help that he seemed almost afraid of everything.

He wondered why in the hell was he assigned to a consort until he realised that he was a 'gift' from Rashta. It was mandatory for every member of the Royal Family to gift the consort once they enter the palace. Rashta who wanted to be recognised as a royal gave him one as well.

Navier even offered him to exchange a butler as Tayler was Rashta's footman ever since she was appointed as a mistress. (m/n) pondered at the thought before he was informed that if he rejected Tayler, he would be sent back to Rashta so he accepted Tayler as his personal butler.

There was a benefit to be Tayler's 'owner', he could learn all the latest gossip about the empire. Turns out, there was a lot had happened before he came into the picture. This includes Rashta's arrival, Viscount Lotteshu moving to the capital, Duke Kaufman's feud with the emperor and all the hassle regarding Heinrey's correspondent in his letters.

(m/n) felt disgusted at how Sovieshu publicly humiliated Navier with Rashta and he felt proud that she chose him over the emperor. Fucking dirtbag...He cursed. Although his actions were contrast to his thoughts.

"Could you help me put on these?" He gestured to the jewellery on the vanity and Tayler hurriedly went to his side, carefully clasping on the ruby earrings onto his ear lobe. It was one of Sovieshu's presents and there was a lot.

(m/n) thought about returning a few of them but maybe he could start a collection? He doesn't know, he's a bit tired these past few days. He stood up ans fastened the sash over his shoulder and scanned himself in front of the large mirror.

A simple outfit consisting of a long white robe that went to his ankles and a red golden sash wrapping his chest and his shoulder coupled with a necklace and matching earrings. He looked befitting of a consort. Well, he could look the part not act the part.

Sara had offered him to appoint a few tutors but he declined, not wanting to spend his time studying knowing that he'll never use the knowledge he'll gain. That comes to a problem however.

He still has the choice to fulfill the position as the head of donations. It wasn't a famous position in the empire but it was considered crucial among the nobilities. (m/n) scowled thinking back to a few of the old men. He met a few when he was exploring the palace and a few of them had the audacity to give out lewd compliments.

Thankfully they were rounded up by Lady Artina and Sir Matthew who harshly reprimanded them.

"You look amazing, master!"

Again...The consort sweatdropped as he glanced at the awing butler beside him who paraded him of his looks. Tayler gave off the impression of a dog. An adorable one with his fluffy hair. It wasn't long that the two knew each other since they only met a couple of days ago but Tayler was already warming up to him much faster than (m/n) thought.

And he wasn't...used to all of this.

He was used to cleaning his own stuff, washing himself without anyone helping him and now Tayler insisted on washing for him so he let the butler do whatever he pleased. (m/n)'s still weirded out by the master thing though...

-

"I'm not sure if you should do this, Your Grace." Matthew blankly stated as his cloak was stuck in a bush. "Besides the prince did made an attempt to attack you without a single warning." (m/n) sighed as he threw the book he was reading aside. "And I told you do not worry about it."

He glanced at the pile of presents beside him and groaned. (m/n) had a plan tonight. Currently, he was waiting for Navier to send someone to call for him but he took his time to sort a few things out.

"I suggest you report to the empress regarding the prince. He did harm you, did he not?" The consort scoffed, annoyed at the knight as he turned to face him in his personal library. "Would you stop nagging me? It isn't any of your business to be concerned of my safety."

(m/n) was out of line. He was aware of that as he slumped into one of the chairs. Stressed out about the prince, the burden placed on his shoulder was starting to get to him along with the Council still deciding whether he was worthy of being the head of donations or not.

Not a single peep was heard from the knight, only a set of footsteps stopping behind the (h/c) could be heard. "As soon as I received news to prepare myself to be a retainer," The redhead picked up the porcelain cup, its content still full and set it in the consort's hands. "I had trained my body and my mind to engage myself in any sort of problem regarding your wellbeing."

(m/n) frowned as he felt embarassed a bit from his fault. He turned away, not willing to face the redhead. This didn't stop Matthew however as he leaned down from behind him, caging the consort with his arms as he rest his hands on the armchairs. His handsome face directly besides the bashful consort.

"That includes your safety which is my number one priority."

Somehow in that short moment, (m/n) could feel his breath over his neck, his own air felt taken away as he gazed at the knight deeply. "Yeah yeah, I get it." He pushed Matthew's face away from him. "But Heinrey is a prince! And if I don't talk him over this properly it might damage our empire's relations with the Western Kingdom."

"You don't want that, do you?" He peered up at the knight. Matthew looked skeptically at him before shaking his head. "...I wouldn't want that either."

The consort smiled as he laughed. "See? So help me bring these boxes over to his room later, can you?" "Of course, Your Grace." He bowed.

"Unless your prefer me to call you something else." "What?" (m/n) questioned. Matthew rounded in front of him and stood straight. "Most servants were required to call the masters they serve to their preferences. In this case, it seemed that you asked Sir Tayler to call you master."

"I DID NOTHING OF THE SORT!!" Not wanting anyone to think he had some sort of kink, he screamed in defiance. Matthew's lips were apart as if he was at loss despite his half lidded eyes. "But the name suggest otherwise, Your Grace."

(m/n) wailed in embarassment as he covered his flushed face with his hands. "I don't know! He's the one who kept saying it..." "Oh."

Ugh. The consort's impression of the knight was definitely a himbo. Matthew would look sexy as fuck at times but he was definitely stupid. (m/n) was informed of the knight's strength and achievements before being paired with him.

Matthew was a former captain of division 7, well respected in the army and was highly regarded for his strength despite having no magic abilities. He was well into his age, 27, and was about to be promoted as a paladin before Navier personally requesting to hold off his promotion. She invited him secretly into her office and asked him to be (m/n)'s knight.

That's all what the consort knew. Matthew wasn't exactly someone who would talk about himself and he was serious about his job. That made (m/n) ponder. He was slightly uncomfortable with the redhead, he didn't know why maybe it's because the knight wouldn't hesitate to lean in so close with the consort not ashamed on taking care of him.

"Your Grace."

(m/n) peeked through his hands and found the knight on his knees, gently taking one of his hand near his chest. "Please do not hesitate to request me of anything. I'll be honoured to serve you for the rest of my life." A deep kiss planted on his hand, his lips lasting more than a second. The consort felt a familliar heat accumulating at his neck, slowly reaching his head as he felt his had trembled.

Matthew who sensed the nervousness of his liege, immediately took the consort's palm and rested his cheek on it, leaning into his touch. "Please don't be afraid of me..." The redhead closed his eyes, hiding those empty grey orbs that always seemed to embed itself onto the (h/c).

"Master."

(m/n)'s breath hitched, his heart thrumming against his ribcage. Something felt wrong. Like he was forbidden to do this. To interact with the knight. But somehow he wanted to feel in closer, his nerves spiking by the second as the redhead looked up to his master.

The sound of a door being pushed open snapped the consort out of his trance as he abruptly stood up, ignoring the knight who followed him.

"Master."

Oh god another one. (m/n) groaned internally s he smoothed out his robes, oddly forgetting about his retainer as he faced the intruder. "Now why did you not knock?" He inquired, not liking anyone barging so suddenly into his room without acknowledgement.

Tayler fiddled with his sleeves. "I have knocked, master." His chocolate eyes peering at the knight behind him. "I didn't receive an answer and I got worried."

The consort hummed and muttered an apology as he strode out of the library, Matthew in tow. "Have you done what I asked you to do?" "Yes, master. I gave the packet to the gardener as you requested." Tayler replied walking behind (m/n) aside Matthew. "Good."

And old man in his black attire was at the end of the hallway, patiently waiting for the trio, his chin upwards. Matthew glared at the older. "Your Majesty requested your presence in the dining hall immediately," The head butler bowed as he looked up at the consort, an unknown glint in his eyes that (m/n) didn't like. "Your Grace."

"Let's go then shall we." The consort spoke, not wanting the old man to look at him any longer. He never conversed directly with the head butler except when he was introduced to all of the servants. Most of the servants had looked at him with the same way.

Disgust.

The old man turned and opened the tall doors wide, (m/n) was about to walk through, leading them out of the hall and into the Imperial Palace but the butler suddenly cut him and walked ahead. Staggering a bit, (m/n) pursed his lips in anxiousness and followed behind.

It was rude for a servant to walk in front of a noble, it meant that the servant had a clear distaste for the noble or simply wanting to disrespect them.

"Let me handle this, master." Matthew wanted to grab the old man and reprimanded him but (m/n) stopped him. "No need. I know how to deal with this." The consort didn't know what he had done to anger the servant but he as written before.

He hated rude people.

So a scheme laid itself out in the (h/c)'s mind. He immediately knew what to do and he wanted to let the butler step over him, desiring to see how far he wanted to go. Matthew reluctantly stepped back and bowed as the trio followed the head butler who mocked the consort in his head.

Arriving at the dining hall, the old man pushed the doors open once again, and (m/n) stepped ahead. Before stepping inside, he glanced at the old man who wordlessly stared at him in mock, the consort paused in his tracks.

"Is there something wrong with your eyesight?"

The head butler who didn't expect the sudden question, cleared his throat. "Not a severe one to be exact-" "Then, why do you keep pinching your eyes everytime you look at me. I don't suppose you have beef with me, do you?"

The consort snapped as he crossed his arms together. Navier who was already inside the hall seated looked to her consort wondering why he was standing there only. Noticing that the empress was looking their way, the old man shook his head slowly. "No...I do not."

(m/n) scoffed. It was clear he was lying and he wasn't afraid to call him out. "Oh really? It's clear that you have distaste towards me unless you're uneducated in the subjects of etiquette." Reference to earlier on how he clearly disrespected the consort by walking in front of him.

"If you have something you don't like about me, request an audience with me and I'll be glad to discuss it with you. Instead of stepping over me like a coward, I'd rather having you talk it out."

All of the other maids who were arranging the meals and cleaning parts of the hall had their ears open. Amadant on hearing their conversation. Matthew stood silently behind them while Tayler pressed his lips feeling anxious.

"Besides, you're deep into of old age, I advice you to act nice if you want to get into heaven."

Said old man was taken aback and his eyes were wide in shock. (m/n) brushed him off and strode into the dining hall, not letting the butler having a chance to feign innocence or whatsoever. His retainer felt proud. His personal butler was still a bit scared but awed at how (m/n) stood up for himself.

The consort sat in his seat beside the empress who silently gazed at him. "What happened?" (m/n) didn't answer except after a while. "It's nothing you should fret...instead let's focus on each other, shall we?" He flirted as he leaned and pecked Navier's cheek. She sighed and hummed smiling as they began to dine.

-

Multiple whispers could be heard in the dark hallway. Women huddling in corners and started gossiping with each other. "Isn't he going out of line?! Valery has worked here for a long time and the consort think he could just insult him like that?!"

"I agree! Who does he think he is? Just because he's married to both of the monarchs, he thinks he's all that." Another piped in, scoffing in distaste. "Ugh, I hate people like him. Always having a foot up their ass."

"What is the matter?"

The three women shrieked in shock as they heaved a sigh seeing a familliar woman beside them. "Lady Rashta, you were right! The consort's personality is so nasty. I can't believe that Her Majesty would marry someone like him."

Rashta who had spread the rumors of (m/n) having a terrible personality smiled in glee seeing her words having an effect in almost every single of the servants except for a handful who didn't want to get involved and didn't submit themselves so easily to faux rumours.

"Right!" She sighed as she cupped her cheek in worry. "Ever since the emperor married him, he has been out of his wits. I'm really concerned of his wellbeing..." The mistress had fake tears in her eyes, clutching sympathy from the three maids.

"Lady Rashta is so nice!"

"Why can't that whorish consort be the same?"

"I can't believe that the emperor went so far to marry him!"

Rashta irked at the thought of Sovieshu marrying (m/n). The gears in her head cocked as she whispered to them. "You don't think that man did something to His Majesty, do you?"

One of them gasped. "You don't mean-!" "Our world is full of magic. Someone of his paycheck, he could definitely get his hands into a shady business." A maid cutted in.

"That must be what have happened. He must have drugged the emperor somehow." The albino internally smirked, seeing how she was able to manipulate the situation so easily. "Are you sure about that?" She asked.

"Of course! Don't you agree, My Lady?" "He must have put it in a love potion of some sort into the emperor so he could have him on his side."

"I mean...I agree that the emperor hve been acting out of his wits but..." She sniffled as she wiped stray tears. "I don't think that the consort would be so evil to do so..."

The others fussled over Rashta seeing her crying. "You're too kind for you own good, My Lady." "Yes. You can't be so susceptible if there is someone so cunning taking your place beside His Majesty."

"It's alright. I still believe that he has me in his heart somewhere..."

A maid felt her heart tightened as he grabbed the albino's hands. "Don't worry, My Lady! We'll put the consort in his place." "Yeah! We'll make sure he'll regret for overstepping his boundaries.

"Oh you don't need to do that-" "We insist! Most of us are on your side. The consort is a homewrecker and that's that!" "Period!"

"Thank you for doing this..." She sniffled. Her heart full of glee, excited for the turnout of the oncoming rendezvous. Slowly, (m/n)'s reputation within the staffs slowly dampened and doused in filth except in the barracks and the Royal Guards who had seen how clumsy and nice the consort was.

Duke Ergi who had heard them gosspiny smirked. He wondered how the consort would handle this.

-

"You can do this (m/n)..." It was nighttime and the (h/c) was in someone else's bedroom, pacing in circles. His loose nightwear flushed against his figure. "Come on. It's not that hard. Communication is key! Just talk to him and everything will work out..."

Pile of presents were in a green trunk that had its covers opened. Matthew had carried it over and was shooed outside with persistent words. The knight was very adamant with staying with his master but (m/n) insisted otherwise. So now here he was patiently waiting for the prince. He only entered his room since he couldn't find McKenna nor Heinrey so he opted to wait inside. Besides it's not his first time in before.

"Oh god what's taking him so long?" He wondered where could the prince be at this time. It will be midnight soon and he felt his eyes turning grey from exhaustion as he laid on the bed, not caring anymore.

His nightwear wasn't exactly...modest. You could blame Navier for that. It was a flowy gown that reached his ankles and had a cut up to his thigh, revealing his (s/c) skin. (m/n) also brought a cardigan but he had longed thrown it aside, feeling hot in the empty room.

(m/n) thought back to the prince who hadn't spoken to him in peace for a while. At first he had met the blonde, it was quite awkward but they hit it off and quickly became friends. Heinrey was a bit flirty but he was more than helpful than teaching him the ways of the palace.

He was also (m/n)'s first friend at the palace.

The consort smiled at the thought of them laughing together in his bed while berating old people who still wanted power. Heinrey insisted for them to stay in a nursing home instead. He learned the ups and downs and the poisoned upper class. McKenna was nice too. He was a bit mean but still.

Now reverberating back after the banquet where Heinrey attacked the consort, (m/n) was saddened and disappointed by his actions but he never had the time to recollect his thoughts since Navier seemed devastated on that same night. And he had to get married with Sovieshu the very next day! Oh how hectic his life has been.

Well that was last week and he hadn't spoken with the prince since. And now he's trying to make amends by talking it out with him and bringing him lots of presents that was supposedly his from Sovieshu but now is not about him.

(m/n) heard a squawk as he peeked at the undrawn curtains, hearing the windows being pried open as he stood up thinking it was an intruder. But a familliar bird was seen and suddenly a bright light filled the room. The consort quickly covered his eyes and as soon as the light was gone he looked to the bird but it was gone.

And it replaced a man. A naked man. And that man was Heinrey. Wait.

Heinrey?!! (m/n) thought, his jaw to the floor but it seems that the prince hadn't notice his presence yet with a letter to his mouth and his back to the consort. Heinrey groaned as he stretched his arms, flexing his back muscles as he placed the letter on his vanity. "I'll reply to it later..." He whistled a tune as he turned around.

Both froze, feeling tension growing in the room. Heinrey's eyes were wide and as his dick was hanging out. (m/n) glanced at it and gasped as he quickly looked away. It's that big?!?! As he thought about his thighs. "You-you!"

The consort was suddenly pinned to the bed. "What are you doing here?!" "I-I was looking for you! I swear I didn't mean any harm but..." The consort glanced behind him. No bird in sight. "What just happened?"

A frown tugged on his face as he tightened his grip on the consort's wrist, adjusting it so it was above his head. "You..." He drawn out as his other hand reached into his nightstand and took out a hidden claymore dagger.

The glint scared (m/n) as he tried squirming away but Heinrey was straddling his stomach, his thighs locking him in place and he held the sharp object to his neck. "You still haven't answered my questions..." Looking up, he felt his breath taken away as the prince's face was so close to his.

"Who are you exactly and what have you done to my dear empress...?" He seethed as he press the blade, lightly cutting his skin. (m/n) stammered not knowing what to respond. "I-I don't understand! What are you talking about?!"

"You manage to marry both the empress and the emperor in matter of weeks whereas I have been pining her for months! You must have done something!" Wait. (m/n) deadpanned. Oh my god...you don't mean-

The consort searched closely in Heinrey's face, looking for any clues. A familliar scent was around his neck, the corner of his lips had crumbs that smelled like Navier's favourite biscuits and he had just somehow turned into a bird. So he connected all the dots.

"You're in love with Navier, aren't you?"

Heinrey's frown deepened as his hold on the dagger wavered. "That is none of your business." "You're in love with the empress...and you stopped talking to me ever since I married her. God," (m/n) grimaced as he held eye contact with the prince.

"HOW IS IT MY FAULT THAT YOU DIDN'T CONFESS FIRST?!!"

The prince flinched at the yelling as he retorted. "WELL YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT I LIKE HER! HOW COME YOU SUDDENLY MARRIED HER WITHOUT EVEN TELLING ME!!"

"BITCH I HAD NO IDEA YOU LIKED HER!! AND LIKE I CAN BLURT OUT TO ANYONE THAT I WAS ABOUT TO MARRY THE EMPRESS IN A MONTH!!" The dagger was long gone and thrown to the side as the prince clutched the front of his gown. "WELL-ITS- I JUST-..." His hold loosened as he slumped.

"I don't know really..." (m/n) sighed as he patted his bicep. "Well...maybe you should have told me first." The prince scoffed as he crossed his arms, looking away. "Like I can blurt out to anyone that I was in love with the empress." He repeated his words.

It was silent with Heinrey still straddling (m/n) and neither looked at each other and simply collected their thoughts at the moment. "...so you weren't working for a secret organisation that plots for the murders of the royalty and whose hq was at the borders hence why you came from there?"

(m/n) blinked once. Then, twice. "I think you've gone absolutely bonkers." Heinrey hit his chest with a whine. "I couldn't find anything about you..." "Why did you even search for my background?"

The prince scoffed. "You're too suspicious. A mere commoner catching the eye of the outstanding empress. How did you do that?" The consort stared at the prince before sighing. "Love is a wonder truly. And I think you couldn't find anything on me because there was nothing to begin with."

"...that actually kinda explains it."

"Get off me, man."

"No." Heinrey pressed on as his hand trailed near his face. "What do you mean no?" The prince's hands latched onto his neck and his hold tightened, not enough to cut his air supply but enough to apply pressure. "You found out one of my deepest secrets. I can't let you off the hook yet."

(m/n)'s breath started to stagger as his neck was being choked by the prince. He gasped as his clawed at the prince, feeling panic travel through his system.
"I-I won't tell-" "How do I know that you won't tell anyone?"

His chest moved up and down rapidly, he felt his head pound but that wasn't the most of his worries. A familliar heat started to bloom in his lower region and he could feel his briefs tightened. Warmth now spread from his neck up to his cheeks, his flushed and sweaty face now on display for Heinrey to see. The prince felt his breath taken away from the lewd expression on the consort.

"Mmm- ahh!"

A moan drawn from his mouth as he panted. The pressure was ecstatic and felt delicious to the (h/c). Heinrey froze hearing the naughty sound as his hands tightened unconsciously. (m/n) mewled as he accidentally grinded onto Heinrey's naked ass.

Unconsciously, Heinrey leaned further into the consort. His lips brushing against his. "Do it again." (m/n) was confused but more pressure was applied to his neck. "Wha-what?" "I..."

"I want to hear you moan again." Heinrey had a blush dusting his cheeks, his handsome face close to his. Their lips almost touching and the prince wanted to take it to the next level until the door slammed open.

The consort forgot to lock it.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

Both of their heads snapped to the door and a familliar figure was seen standing there. It didn't help that their position was compromising and seemed out of hands.

Oh Lord.

Tonight wasn't going to end well.

╚═══━━━─── • ───━━━═══╝

• guilt-tripping someone is so fun no wonder my mom kept doing it since i was six