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(m/n) reluctantly waved his hand, suspicious of his beloved but waved nonetheless-

Sovieshu was there but he ignored him as he properly sat himself inside the carriage. Rumours has been burning throughout the country that both the monarchs was about to launch a case into Prince Heinrey and severing all connections with the West.

Of course the consort questioned this but he was promptly forbidden to ask of this to the emperor and empress with them saying they'll take care of it. He wasn't satisfied and was not allowed to meet with the prince in any way but his heart bloomed with relief when he received news that Sovieshu was pulling back his claims.

He had no idea why of course.

But soon he was sent to Baron Maverick's who had delayed a party for (m/n). Navier wasn't coming, she said her duties was piling and she seemed oddly...defensive but he ignored it nonetheless. So here he was, early in the morning bidding his spouses goodbye on the front lawn in a golden carriage.

"Be careful, Master."

(m/n) sighed as he readjusted his hip, sitting on the cushion comfortably. The knight in front of him checked the consort's attire and condition before nodding satisfied and sitting straight. Matthew and (m/n) has been a bit more comfortable with each other now.

Although the (h/c) still had no intention of learning more of Matthew's little crush on him, they were tolerating each other just fine "You know, you don't have to do all this. Aren't you supposed to be outside with the coachman?"

"Tayler offered to sit outside."

Coincidentally, a loud yell was heard. It was obvious that the butler was having fun with the wind. "...I think I can see why." The consort hummed.

"Are you not comfortable with me?" That triggered the consort as he awkwardly looked outside. "...kinda..." He mumbled. "Tell me why and I will fix my attributes." This was one thing (m/n) didn't like about him.

He's way too stupid???

Not academically rather in common sense. "...no need it's just that you're very expressive." Matthew tilted his head, his locks of red hair swishing as well. "In what? Shall I be more submissive, Master?"

(m/n)'s eyes widened as he stared at the knight sitting across from him. "Not in that way!" "What way?" "???" The consort was obviously confused as a playful grin grew on the redhead.

Matthew leaned on the window with his arm as his knuckles prepped his cheek. "My mind is clear, Master. Unlike yours which is in the gutter." Okay now the pretty man was just playing with him.

"Shut the fuck up."

-

"We're here, Master."

(m/n) snorted as he sat awake from his nap. The ride was long so he stared at the scenery until he passed out in the carriage. As he rubbed his eyes awake, he found out he had been drooling on Matthew's strong large juicy thigh. He didn't know when did the knight moved spots but he couldn't be anymore embarrassed seeing the strand of saliva attached from the knight's pants to his lips.

It looked like he had sucked his dick.

Thankfully, (m/n) pushed Matthew's face away abruptly as he jumped out from the carriage with Tayler holding the door smiling. The adorable butler grabbed his suitcases and began to walk the path to the mansion. Various other servants began to greet the consort.

Baron Maverick's land was fairly large, tall gates surrounding the property with guards stationed at both entrances. Matrons constantly patrolling the buildings to keep a count on the kids and the lawns were all decorated with flowers and such but it seemed more livelier than he had left.

"(m/n)!!" Despite it being dawn, that didn't stop children from running out of the mansions in their nightwear to jump on the consort. The (h/c) didn't mind the attention as he hugged each and every twenty kids. He just wanted to avoid Matthew.

That drool thing still made him feel flustered as he hurriedly ran to the mansion while carrying a couple of kids with him. "Master...!" Matthew called out but he had already left.

Expertly wiping his pants with a tissue, he nodded to the guards at the entrance and gazed at Tayler who excitedly greeted the other maids he will be staying with for the time being. Before the gates closed, he stared behind him at the busy streets and all the other houses.

His dark eyes seemed to glue at a group of people who all gave out signals they were in position. Matthew nodded as he held out three fingers subtlety in the air, walking down the path to the mansion to join (m/n).

-

"Oh god..."

Lights were strewn all across the lobby, long tables were plated with desserts and bright chandeliers was lighting up the decorated hall. "CONGRATULATIONS (M/N)!!!" Most of his friends screamed in his face, popping firecrackers in his face as they all cheered.

(m/n) laughed as he adjusted his long coat, pulling it to the side. "Thank you guys. It was nice for you to do this." All the kids were sent to their rooms for the adults to have their fun. The unused hall was lit and beautiful to celebrate the (h/c)'s marriage even if his spouse wasn't here.

The night was spent with them playing games, most of them involving bets and money just so they could waste it all tonight. Most of the matrons weren't allowed to down the alcohol, they still had children to take care of. The consort was pushed to drink some but he refused oddly.

"N-no thanks guys. I think I had enough." He sweatdropped seeing his coworkers all wasted so early into the night. "Oh come on (m/n)! You got fucking married so why aren't you celebrating?!" Hyatt, a close friend of his slurred as he slung an arm around his shoulder.

The consort pushed him off, muttering how he was drunk. His eyes darted around the hall, searching for someone he hadn't seen yet that night. (e/c) landed on a fit man, leaning on a large window pane facing the garden with a tobacco in hand.

"Baron Maverick."

A man with sharp features glanced at the (h/c), him chuckling as he took a puff and continued to stare outside. "You're all grown up now, (m/n)." Said man smiled as he walked closer to the retired general. "I guess you could say so."

Maverick chuckled as he took another glance at the (h/c) who leaned on the pane as well. "How have you been holding up kiddo? Is the posh palace suitable to your liking and everything?" (m/n) resisted the urge to laugh.

"You know that stuff isn't meant for me." "Hmm. You still can't even handle your liquor." (m/n) groaned. "I'm normal. You all are alcoholics." The ravenette laughed as he chucked the tobacco in a trashcan nearby as he pushed the window pane open. "Maybe." He joked as he stood straight. "I didn't exactly expect you to leave so early."

The (h/c) smiled. "Well I'm in my twenties. I can't exactly stay here any longer." "You're always welcome here, (m/n)." (e/c) stared at the marble floor before a grin plastered on his lips. "Yeah...I know that."

They didn't talk for a short minute. Simply relishing in each other's presence. Maverick was a father to (m/n) and (m/n) was a son to Maverick. It was obvious that they were close with each other seeing the lack of formality. The baron didn't even address him as a consort but (m/n) didn't mind.

"I planned to get you something by the time you have kids on your own. But now that you're married to the empress, I couldn't really delay it any longer." (m/n) was confused at his statement. He thought the party was already a gift. "What gift?" "Your parents."

The consort froze. His hand started to twitch and his jaw tightened. He never knew about his parents, not that he wanted to assuming that they abandoned him since day one. "Are they here?" He had no intentions of meeting them but it wouldn't hurt to ask a few questions. Okay it would hurt a lot. "No." Was the response as the consort shuffled, pulling himself closer from the breeze.

"I never met them actually."

"Oh."

He didn't know whether it was a good or bad thing. His feelings for his unknown birth parents were overall neutral. He didn't mind meeting them nor did he mind not ever seeing them. It's not like they had an impact on his life. "Then how did you 'gift' me concerning them?" "I dug through the records. Pulled a few strings and it costed a pretty penny."

"Do you want me to pay you back?" "Heavens no. My monthly retirement money is more than enough. Besides business is thriving more than ever since you got married to the empress." That was true. (m/n) lived near the borders meaning that the socioeconomic wasn't exactly flourishing except for travelers and traders passing through the city. When news burned through the empire stating that a consort was married to Navier from his town, it became popular than ever.

"You're welcome I guess?" "Pfft. That's the least you could do after all the shit you gave me growing up." "Hey! I was a kid. Give me some slack." He whined. (m/n) was a mess when he was a kid. Somehow he was noticed by a countess and with the disappearance of his caretaker, shit went down. Maverick was there every single bit and he stuck through with the kid, nurturing him roughly with love and care.

"Whatever. Back to the point. Here." He pulled his front suit and rummaged through the large pockets. "Congratulations kid." Maverick slapped a drawn picture on the (h/c)'s chest. (m/n) held it and observed the drawing on it as his breath hitched.

"Be careful out there. You're worth more than you know." Maverick mumbled as he patted the consort's back. "One more thing." The baron was tired after organising the party so he wanted to hit the sack early. "Enjoy the party, (m/n). It's about time you learn how to drink." The baron swiped a glass of wine from a table, pushing it into the dazed (h/c)'s hands.

"She's here."

His breath was taken away by the sudden news and he looked up to see the baron already leaving the party, only his back could be seen. Crumpling the paper in hand, he downed the liquor with a frustrated sigh.

-

"And then I thought his peepee was huge wheyy~"

The tipsy (h/c) cackled with his friends who were all drunk with him. "So like did you even get to bang him?" They had no idea what they were talking about, (m/n) just rolled with it. "Nah I can't do that shit. I might end up with another spouse if you know what I mean." He giggled, referring to his charm that managed to rope in two monarchs and possibly his retainer as well. Hyatt gagged as he shoved (m/n)'s face.

"You just got lucky with that kind of face." "Shut UPPP!!!" Monica, the tomboy of the group clasped her hand on Hyatt's face. "Your voice makes you sound soo peggable right now rawr rawr HAHHAHHHAHA!!" They were all drunk idiots. Although Hyatt actually had a crush on Monica's biceps.

"I'll do anything you want mommy."

"Okay that's enough for me." (m/n) ran, he didn't want to hear anymore sexual bull as he climbed out the window and plopped on the ground. "Is it snowing?" It was not snowing, they're in the Southeast which makes it rare for snow to come by but (m/n) always wanted to see snow so he's drunk about that. "Pretty~" He slurred running all over the garden, he was lucky he wasn't trampling all over the flowers or the gardener would bury his ass.

"(m/n)."

"Who?"

He turned back to see a hooded person near him as he jumped in shock, not expecting a cloaked figure to be standing so near beside him. "Oh my god!" A few gasps left his lip as he took deep breaths to calm himself down. "Put a damn trigger warning, will you?! Like your face isn't scary enough as it is..." Reminder that he was drunk hence he just spouted random bullshit which includes insults of people that unintentionally gave him heart attacks.

Said cloaked figure didn't utter a word as she came closer to the (h/c). "Ma'am. Please step away. I have my own beloved." (m/n) grinned, thinking about his lovely Navier who he lowkey wants her to step on him. Suddenly, a hand gripped his forearm as he was tugged forward. "Wha-" Black soot was blown into his face, (m/n) who was taken off guard accidentally inhaled particles of it and he couldn't move.

"I haven't seen you in a long time."

The cloaked figure was a woman, equal in height with (m/n) as she observed his face closer. A steel cage mask was adorned on her face, bars looping not touching her cheeks and a downside bar resembling a crow dipped forward that attached all of the ribs together. "Your body is no longer pure...but your blood is. You still have their blood and flesh."

As the mysterious woman spoke all of this, only bits of it could be heard. (m/n) who was now fully aware of the potential danger he's in struggled out of the trance he was in. He hoped someone would notice his predicament from the rowdy party. "...I couldn't fathom that you had left me...it makes sense if the Black God hadn't destined us together."

What the fuck? What the fuck? The consort desperately tried to capture her features but her cloak prevented the moonlight glow from reaching her face. His eyeballs were stuck in place like the rest of his features. He could feel a hand roaming his left chest as if inspecting his heartbeat. "Still so fresh. You're the perfect candidate." With a snap of her fingers, (m/n) gasped as he could finally move.

"W-Who are you-" He was cut off when his face was pulled and the woman pulled down her steel mask and crushed her lips to his. (e/c) eyes widened as he pushed her away from him. "What is wrong with you?!" Pulling up the mask, the woman stared down at him. "The others awaits you." 

(m/n) gagged as he roughly rubbed his lips with the sleeves of his dress shirt. "I don't even know who you are!!" "You do." At that moment, (m/n) finally registered the voice that crept in his head. "Renesha?!" His head swerved around, the figure suddenly disappeared at the speed of light. Shudders went down his back as all of a sudden his body felt very cold.

His throat felt puffy and it was hard to breath. Coughs came out of his lips as he kneeled on the ground. "Damn witch..." He cussed out. "(m/n)!!" He looked back to see Matthew running to him, instantly helping him up and hugging the consort. Unsheathing his sword, Matthew scanned the empty surroundings as he cautiously took small steps backwards with (m/n) in his arms.

"W-What are you doi-" "She's still here." That shut him up as he leaned closer to the knight, bathing in the warmth. Matthew held his hand up directed his two fingers to the entrance and out of nowhere a figure jumped from the tall trees that was located beside the fences as they ran out the gates, seemingly chasing something. "She's using invisibility magic..."

"Who was that?" Matthew pursed his lips. "Orders of His and Her Majesties..." Navier? Sovieshu? (m/n) observed his surroundings, wary still as he placed a hand on Matthew's chest. His mind now awake and clear from the influence of alcohol but his body was still weak.

"Let's tuck you in for the night, Master."

"...yes. I think that would be for the best." In a second, (m/n) was hoisted into Matthew's strong arms carried like a bride. The (h/c) didn't question it since his legs were weak and he could feel the tips of his fingers shaking, slowly turning blue from the cold. "W-Why is it so cold?" His teeth were chattering and Matthew quickened his steps. "It's one of the effects of the spell that magician just used on you."

"A spell?" "You were casted on, Master. Just as Their Majesties suspected." "Navier suspected this?" The knight's face was stern, he didn't want to speak more than he should. A maid opened the doors for them as Matthew hurried through the halls, requesting a few things to help heat the (h/c). "I'm not obligated to tell you much." "I thought you're serving me?"

The consort's voice was meek and frail, the cold was creeping into his bones. Even Matthew could feel the harsh temperature, he laid the consort in the guest bed. He pulled off his loafers and slipped on his nightwear, knowing that the (h/c) wouldn't be able to take care of himself. Tayler arrived soon and treated (m/n) with care. He placed a heating pad under the duvets and lit a candle. His eyes were full of worry for his master.

(m/n) hasn't responded for the past half an hour.

"An intruder?" Baron Maverick asked. Matthew nodded. "Someone with a cloak entered the premises and casted a freezing spell on my master, rendering him immobile." "You mean a she." The knight paused as he glanced at the former general. "Maverick, you know who did this?" "Calm down Adam. Let's talk elsewhere." The ravenette pulled the redhead outside the room.

Tayler glanced at the exiting pair as he continued to pamper the shivering consort. All the other guests were unaware of (m/n)'s state to reduce panic. The butler felt his heart dropped when he was suddenly ordered to the (h/c)'s room. He cared for the consort heavily, more than Rashta who was his previous master.

"Tayler..." Said man hurried to (m/n)'s side. "Yes, Master?" His shaking hand reached for the brunette as he weakly grasped his coat. "W-Where's Matthew?" "He's outside..." "Please call for him..." The butler nodded as he left the room.

The effects of the spell wasn't supposed to be this strong. (m/n) wasn't aware of the symptoms nor what kind of spell was he struck by. He only knew that Navier is possibly aware of who Renesha was. But how? He never told the empress of his former stalker nor even hinted about the countess. The only one he had even mentioned was to...Prince Heinrey. Navier never told (m/n) why Sovieshu dropped the charges against the prince.

"What is the matter?"

(m/n) glanced at the disheveled knight who kept scanning his state. He was aware of his horrible complexion and he wasn't liking it either. "What's happening?" To be honest, (m/n) was scared. He didn't know what was happening. That previous assassin or guard that came out of nowhere could have seen (m/n) with Renesha. They could've stopped the woman but relented in doing so. They let him be struck by the spell and possibly be marked by the witch again.

 Matthew wanted to speak but clearly hesitated in doing so. His gloved hand reached for the (h/c)'s shaking ones. "Please trust me, Master...I can't tell you now but I promise I'll explain it all later." "I'm scared, Matthew." Black eyes widened as his grip on (m/n) tightened. "Please don't be." "It's freezing." The ungodly crisp was biting into his nerves, running its chilly fangs into his body. (m/n) curled his body to trap a bit of warmth. The heating pad near his feet.

"Listen to me, (m/n). All you need to do is to survive the night."

"What?" (m/n) felt terrified. "There's a chance I won't survive tonight?" He wasn't ready for death. "We underestimated her powers. (m/n) I'm begging you to listen to me. You can do this. Just survive the night." The consort was confused. He didn't want to hear any of it anymore. He just wanted to sleep. "Matthew please." He almost let out a sob.

The knight's heart couldn't take it anymore. To see the man in front of him suffer, he wanted to take away the pain and keep it as his own. So (m/n) wouldn't have to go through any of it. "(m/n)...you're precious to me..." The redhead was kneeling on the floor beside the bed, holding (m/n)'s hands close to his chest. "Please just survive..."

The consort's breath was heavy, his body felt sinking into the mattress. The cold didn't reduce a bit, still biting away at his nerves. "...I'm too scared Matthew...stay with me..." Obviously hesitating to cross a line between masters and servants, he glanced to Maverick who nodded and ordered more heating pads with boiling water for the (h/c). Tayler was ready to take any orders outside the door.

"...okay."

And so Matthew delicately place (m/n)'s hands on the bed as he began to take off his armour. Clanking of metals were produced as the knight carefully slid under the covers. His arm went to gently wrap around the (h/c) as he hissed at the cold. The consort reflexively leaned in closer, basking in the knight's natural warmth. He placed his face close to Matthew's chest, trying to distract himself from the chilly pain by counting his heartbeat.

Matthew who relaxed seeing the (h/c) comfortable with his presence wrapped his arm and legs around the consort closer. His face laid sideways on the pillow. Calloused hands rubbing the (h/c)'s back, coaxing him to rest. Somehow in that freezing effect, (m/n) found a comforting warmth in the knight whose destiny were intertwined with his from long before and longer after.

And in that small moment together, (m/n) slept. He relaxed and relish in the warmth from the man holding him. Matthew couldn't sleep however. His eyes kept darting to the (h/c)'s chest to make sure he was still alive and breathing. He'd observe (m/n)'s face to no end, watching the blue on his lips fade.

Matthew didn't catch a wink that night. He was afraid that the man in his arms might slip away at any moment. Afraid that his soul might leave him for another world. And the knight didn't dare to look away. He was on guard the whole time.

Too scared to lose the consort.

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• i find it amusing that yall don't suspect matthew even a tiny bit

btw i wrote this in a hurry so dont blame that its bad ill edit it tomorrow