Chapter Text
For the Emperor of the GeonSeon Empire, polyandry or polygamy is allowed.
Because of this, Namjoon's father already has 18 children, so when the Prince and Princess go to greet him in the morning, fiver or six children are randomly selected to visit him together.
If Namjoon asks a request from his father, even if he was a Prince, he had to wait to have an audience with the Emperor, so there's no better way to ask than the morning greeting.
Looking at Soobin by the corner of his eye, Namjoon asked, "Am I also going to today's morning greeting?"
Soobin looked somewhat discomfitted, "Yes, your Highness."
Namjoon's eyebrow raised, "That's good. Do you know who else is attending?"
The head Aide bowed his head and hesistantly said, "The Fourth Princess, the Fifth Princess, the Third Prince, and the Royal Twins will be with you, your Highness."
Now Namjoon understoon Soobin's apprehension. That was a mix of royalty that was somewhat dangerous for him to face. Though Soobin didn't really know how dangerous yet.
His head bowed as Soobin began to brush through his hair and Namjoon realized, 'Is that day...today?'
'If it's the day he was with the twins and Ban-Ryu in the morning greeting, then it has to be that day.'
Namjoon's eyes closed, remembering his anger and Ban-Ryu's smirk. How his father grew tired of them and the twin's hidden smirks.
'The day he got caught in Ban-Ryu's schemes.'
Namjoon remembered how, after that day, he completely fell out of his father's favor. How completely powerless he's become ever since that day.
It made sense...If he'd returned to the past, the regression would've turned him back to a pivotal moment. An axis in time where the timelines diverge with a significant choice. If there were any significant events in his life that could've completely changed his standing, it would be that day.
Namjoon sighed, bringing a hand up to rub at his nape, whispering, "What should I do..."
Soobin perked up at the words. The 7th Prince had never been too interested in the morning greetings. This might be his chance! "What should you do? I think you should dress up, your Highness!"
Bewildered at the younger man's excitement, it was like a ray of light suddenly shined on him, "Oh! You're right."
He turned back to his vanity mirror and upon seeing his reflection, couldn't help but deflate, "There's no way I can ever dress up, Soobin. I'm not ever going to be as beautiful as my half-siblings."
The head aide gasped, somewhat offended, and quickly argued, "Don't say that, your Highness! You're as beautiful and handsome as any of the Royal Family! I think you're the most striking! You're the only one who'll stand out when arrayed with them, I know it!"
Namjoon smiled slightly at the younger man's exuberance but couldn't help but argue back, "What do you mean stand out? Stand out by how plain I am in comparison, you mean? Bright blond hair, and here's my light, washed out more green than blonde hair."
Soobin pouted, brows furrowed, and crossed his arms, "I don't think it's bland at all! I think it makes you unique in a sea of the same colors, your Highness! And you're one of the tallest of the Royal Children! Your eyes are fierce and if you stand tall next to them, I know my eyes would be drawn to you! "
Chuckling, Namjoon couldn't help but be touched, "Really now?"
Soobin nodded, unable to help himself but tease slightly, "I thought you were going to live a good life now, your Highness."
Namjoon stared at Soobin through the mirror, the words ringing in his head and he couldn't believe he got derailed from his plans. It didn't matter what he thought of himself, he had to project himself as a fierce candidate for the throne. He couldn't be brought down by his self-esteem right now.
Nodding, Namjoon gestured to the aide, "You're right. I'll do as you say, Soobin."
Soobin smiled excitedly, going back to Namjoon's wardrobe to change the usual plain grey outfit the 7th Prince usually wore and finally brought out the clothes hidden in storage in the Prince's wardrobe.
Namjoon gulped at the red garment, a play of dark wine red and blood, almost the color of the Philosopher's stone and steeled himself into wairing the rather loud clothing.
Resolutely, he stared back at his reflection and critically looked at what he could do to improve his appearance.
Soobin interrupted his thoughts, "How would you like me to style your hair, your Highness? It wouldn't really do to have the same as the other Princes. The beautiful 3rd Prince and the lovely Royal Twins... if you look too much into a beautiful style or a lovely style, you will definitely be compared to them. So I think it's important for you to create your own look! "
Namjoon sat, comtemplating the words and staring at his eyes, the eyes his mother usually called his dragon eyes and he smiled, "I understand...I think Ban-Ryu is likely to have his hair elegantly parted, half up and half curled down with a few braids in it. For the twins... Chung-Ae will definitely wear hers in low pigtails, while Chung-Hee will make his curls pronounced, the side of his hair tucked with some jeweled clips."
Soobin looked wide eyed and he nodded, "Wow! I think you've got them figured out, your highness. Those are definitely the styles the princes and princesses are likely to go for. How should we style yours?"
Smirking, Namjoon took out his mother's jewelry box and answered, "I know the perfect way to style my hair and...adorn me as I had requested."
Walking through the Imperial Palace's halls, Soobin couldn't help but admire how his Highness strode confidently ahead of him, excited yet again at how the 7th Prince was holding his head high and his stance confident. He could almost imagine...no--he couldn't get ahead of himself. He was just happy the 7th Prince was finally standing tall.
"Your Highness, if we don't hurry, we might be late!"
Chuckling, Namjoon answered, "Maybe... preparing the tea to give to my father took a while."
"If there hadn't been any surveillance golems, your Highness could've arrived right away using a warp," Soobin grumbled, looking around at the flying menaces.
The 7th Prince just shook his head. Using magic was banned in the Imperial Palace. "There's nothing to do about that but walk faster. Come on, Soobin. Let's hurry."
Faint steps echoed in the halls, some voices appearing to talk. Then Namjoon and Soobin heard it, "Namjoon-oppa!"
Freezing, Namjoon recognized that sweet-poisonous-voice...turning around, he was met with the sight of the lovely twins, smiling at him softly.
Chung-Ae greeted him, eyes somewhat wide, "Brother, how have you been?"
Chung-Hee was gentle as well, looking at him with his eyebrows raised, "We haven't seen you in a while, Brother."
Namjoon felt his body run cold at the two's warn greetings. They were always loved by everyone...and got everything they wanted. They even had Jungkook's child, and the Royal Consort position would've been theirs.
But just because they wanted to be the only ones left of the Imperial Family...they killed him.
Namjoon clenched his jaw and swallowed the emotions trying to overwhelm him. This wasn't the time or place for it.
"Brother?" The twins questioned him together, tilting their heads at him.
The 7th Prince stared at his half-siblings' eyes and smiled, bright and wide enough for his dimples to appear. "Why, you two just look particularly lovely today."
The two birghtly smiled, breaking the abrupt stillness instilled in them by their half-brother's smile.They'd never noticed the older man's dimples before, and Chung-Hee was quick to answer him, hiding his annoyance, "Thank you, Brother!"
Chung-Ae giggled, covering her mouth with her hand and added, "Brorther has...put great care into his outfit this morning."
Soobin stiffened at the backhanded compliment as the three Royals smiled and laughed at each other.
Though the twins' eyes sharpened a tad, something was different with Namjoon. The outfit was well put together and distinctively beautiful, regal almost yet fierce. It was a mix of leather and soft fabrics. The shades of blood red were eye-catching, as well as the jewelry that adorned him. From the rings in his hands to the gems that glinted in his ears, neck and even hair. He looked eye-catching and it irked the twins something fierce.
More than that...their brother's eyes were no longer hidden by long bangs and stared unwaveringly at them. Somehow, the twins almost felt intimidated.
Catching sight of two people behind the twins, Najoom recognized the homunculus knights uniform and he hummed, "It looks like you have new faces around that I haven't seen before, Chung-Hee, Chung-Ae."
The two perked up and gestured to the knights behind them, one with dark blue hair and the other with somewhat bright sunset hair. Chung-Hee introduced them smiling somewhat smugly, though trying to hide it, "Yes, these are Taehyung and Jimin, brother. Do you remember them? They were the finalists in the Ranking Ceremony."
Chung-Ae giggled, clapping her hands, "We requested them to escort us to the main Palace."
Namjoon nodded, gently smiling, "I see."
Escort to the Palace? The twins really must've liked them, to call on them before they were even appointed as their knights.
The two homunculi looked calm as they drew their right hand back and their left hand over their chest, bowing against him, "Greetings to your Highness, the 7th Prince."
Namjoon stared at the two, surprised by how young they looked. Though their beauty was undeniable and he'd heard enough about their skills to be impressed...they were still discarded by the twins like used clothes.
He couldn't let that happen the same way.
"Ser Jimin, Ser Taehyung, I've heard much about you both. You are skilled and versatile in many things, such as swordsmanship and magic, even taking up a difficult to handle weapon like a battle fan, but still doing amazingly well. I believe you two will become one of the best Knights and any Master lucky enough to have you will be guarded well."
Namjoon warmly smiled, dimpling, noticing that the two were shorter than him, and still so damn young as they looked up at him with wide eyes, "I sincerely hope for you to be able to meet a great master."
The two remained silent and Namjoon grew concerned, "Ser Taehyung? Ser Jimin?"
The two stared at Namjoon then at each other and they bowed in unison, "Please forgive our rudeness."
They raised their heads and warm smiles, small as they are, graced their lips. Taehyung added almost shyly, "We were so moved by your touching words that we forgot to respond, your Highness."
Namjoon was confused, tilting his head slightly, "Really? I've heard much about you two. Don't you hear words like this often?"
When those of the Imperial Bloodline, no, most people first see us, they usually only show interest in our hair and faces, "Jimin shook his head gently, a smile still on his lips. "We've heard that we're not typically the homunculi who look to be good with a weapon."
"I see..." Namjoon responded, not really knowing what to say but aware that's how the Imperial Family usually are.
The two homunculi bowed their heads slightly, and the twins looked stunned in realization. The air turned awkward around them and Namjoon forced himself to say, "W-we're going to be late, Chung-Ae, Chung-Hee. Let's head in quickly."
The two still looked stiff as they answered, "Yes, Brother."
The door to the dining hall opened and their names were annnounced, "His Highness, Prince Namjoon, Prince Chung-Hee and Princess Chung-Ae have arrived."
Inside the dining hall, the rest of their siblings were already seated at the head of the table. On the right sat the 3rd Prince, Ban-Ryu. Beside him, sat the Fourth and Fifth Princesses, Eunjoo and Hyejin, respectively.
Soobin blinked, subtly staring at the Royals, 'Ah! They're all dressed up as what his Highness predicted!'
Namjoon and the twins bowed as appropriate and greeted their older siblings, "Brother, sisters, have you all been faring well?"
Ban-ryu looked intrigued at them and Namjoon almost flinched, figuring out his change in style may have prompted his older brother's interest, "Yes, The three of you, come sit."
The three of them sat across their siblings, Chun-Hee closest to the head of the table and Namjoon at the farthest.
Their older sisters looked cheerful as Eunjoo greeted the twins, "Chung-Ae! Chung-Hee, It's been a while."
Hyejin added, "We've missed you both! We hardly ever see you."
Eunjoo agreed, giggling, "The White Roses of the Empire are specially dressed today! You both look good."
"Similar to pink roses, really!"
The twins smiled, chuckling at their older siblings and Chung-Hee answered, "Sisters, you're too kind on us."
Hyejin just smiled, "Not at all, Chung-Hee. Honestly, it seems as if all the weeds and leaves in the Imperial Palace exist to help you both, the flowers, stand out."
Eunjoo giggled, raising a hand delicately to her mouth, "No, not just that. Look around you. All the greenery in this hall!"
"They're all just accessories for you, Chung-Hee, Chung-Ae!"
Namjoon remained silent, contemplating. In the Imperial Family, where everyone has blond hair... having lime blond hair was incomparably dingy.
They've always used it as a symbol of his lowly birth.
'Isn't it great that it's obvious?'
'The fact that he's not a legitimate member of the Imperial Family.'
'He can never hide his background!'
Namjoon sighed, looking back on it. Why did he live so miserably? It wasn't even a big deal.
Eyeing his older siblings, he smiled at them, his dimples on full display, and the two older princesses stiffened.
Hyejin whispered, "Did he just smile?"
"Something's different!" Eunjoo answered back almost hissing.
Namjoon almost wanted to smirk, and he actually thought they would be enjoying this.
It didn't matter anyway. Things are going to be different from his past life.
What's important to him right now are Ban-Ryu, the twins and...
The doors to the side of the hall opened and their father was announced, "His Majesty, the Light of the Kingdom has arrived!"