AN: This chapter took a lot longer than anticipated cause I couldn't decide how to end the chapter. It just... kept going when I was writing this and I thought I'd never see the end~

*****

The crowd around the two went silent, watching the interaction with great interest. How could they not? Many nobles had grown curious to see what kind of man the 8th prince grew up to be.

The rumors surely couldn't be true.

The cold and ruthless commander that had defended their nation's border so effectively that few of their enemies, even the most brazen, had dared face him. It was said that he was utterly inhuman on the battlefield, cutting down all who stood between him.

It fits with his impression but made those in more polite society shudder in distaste.

Many in attendance had narrow views on the Luze people, as they were scarce and tended to be found among bandits. To have a prince, a pair of them, sharing the blood of the royal family with a filthy savage was mortifying.

But no one was brave enough to speak such words aloud.

Despite their thoughts on the princes being openly spoken about in general, none dared do so when in the presence of his men. The cold looks a few arrogant nobles had tossed their way had warned them that these soldiers cared little for what blood ran through their comrades' veins.

When one bleeds on the battlefield, all are equal.

Xander's men were also left stunned, having noticed their leader's sudden departure from their group. First, it was Prince Nik, and now their boss?

Where the heck did they go?

Yet minutes later, they were left baffled as they watched their leader, who had remained pure throughout their entire campaign, sweep an alluringly charming woman into his arms like he was some kind of fantasy hero women fawned over.

Who was this guy and where had their boss gone?

Xander paid no mind to any of this, enjoying the sweet bliss of holding his beloved in his arms once more. Even through the layers of fabric, he could feel every muscle under Qin Rong's skin, a testament to his dedication to being strong.

Xander never thought he'd like muscles but on his fae, it was very tempting.

Qin Rong, after chastising his heart for daring to race just because he was swept off his feet, recovered and wrestled his way out of Xander's arms. His scowl would have felled a lesser man.

Xander was not a lesser man.

"Is Rong mad at me for saving him?" The prince shot back, his smile slow and simple. "I thought you'd be a bit more appreciative."

"Do I look like some damsel in need of help?

Xander said nothing, his eyes running up and down Qin Rong's form. His dress clung to him in ways that tempted Xander to draw him back into his arms once more. To make sure no one else saw how beautiful he looked just then.

Qin Rong, misreading the heated look, scowled and placed his hands on his hips. "Oi, don't you dare say anything, kid."

Xander, ever obedient, looked up and couldn't help but chuckle at Qin Rong's expression. He might have looked a bit more fierce if his cheeks weren't flushed with embarrassment.

Still, his fae looked too cute for words~

Meanwhile, the few soldiers who drew close enough to see the scene were rendered speechless. Who was this man, so easily smiling and laughing with some woman they'd never seen before?

Was this their boss's wife? Or perhaps a future wife?

Even the noblemen were curious to see who this supposed ice prince had chosen to pay such attention to. Information was a valuable resource and finding out an enemy's weakness was nigh priceless.

Under all the interested gazes, Xander's mood plummeted. While he liked talking with Qin Rong, he didn't want to cause trouble for the man so soon. His fae hated things like that and would doubtlessly run away if he knew.

He absolutely would not let Qin Rong leave his side again.

Without a word, he grabbed the mercenary's hand and pulled him from the crowd, escaping prying eyes. When a few brazen souls tried to follow, they were stopped by Xander's men who had previously been acting drunk.

Yet steel-like eyes stopped anyone who even thought of getting any closer.

That woman, whoever she was, was clearly important to their leader. There was no way they would let some annoying people bother them in their romantic interlude.

***

The romantic interlude was short-lived as Qin Rong only allowed himself to be taken to the terrace outside the ball. The cool autumn air brushed past them, bringing the earthy scent of the gardens below.

"Now that we're alone," Qin Rong started, after sensing no one nearby. He sat back on the stone railings casually. "Mind telling me what you brought me out here for?"

Again, heated eyes fell onto Qin Rong's exposed legs. Those smooth legs shifted under his gaze, the soft sound they made echoing through his body and heating his blood.

"You were drawing attention." He growled, tempted to grab hold of those legs to taste and bite into them. Anything to make this man stop tempting him.

All of this, of course, went unnoticed as Qin Rong looked away with embarrassment. "That... can't be helped. I have a job to get done and we needed a way in."

"We?" Xander's eyes narrowed, his arousal temporarily dampened by the thought of someone else being involved.

"Ah, me and my partner." He replied, thinking nothing of the change in tone. "He's casing the place to find when the guards start to relax."

"Why do you need to know that?"

"I have something I need to steal." He replied without thought.

Silence fell between the two as Xander blinked dumbly at his companion. How could he not when the man had so bluntly admitted his intention to commit a crime?!

Yet Qin Rong didn't look the slightest bit concerned.

"Are...you feel fine with telling me all this?" He couldn't help but ask, feeling shocked at how brazen this man was being. Wasn't he concerned that Xander might turn him in?

At this, Qin Rong frowned, his fluffy blue hair brushing his bare shoulder as he cocked his head in confusion. "Why wouldn't I tell you?"

In his mind, Xiao Xan was his friend and understood him very well. He didn't think of hiding things from him cause it wouldn't be right. Despite how much time had passed, he trusted his first friend he'd made in this world.

Xander felt his heart clench in surprise before a warm feeling filled his chest. Even after all this time and the secrets between them, his beloved still trusted him.

Ah, Qin Rong, you are making it so hard not to take you right here and now~

Unaware of the fantasy running through his friend's mind, Qin Rong surveyed the area. As expected of the royal palace, there was a lot of magic flowing around the place. Trying to scale the walls, as he'd originally planned to do, would not have worked.

Shame.

Qin Rong sighed, pushing his hair off his soldier, exposing his bare shoulder. His companion stared at the smooth skin, enraptured by it, and wanting to get close. How could skin be so perfectly pale like that? Like marble.

How lovely would he look with a bite mark there for all the world to see?

Xander blinked, not used to having such carnal thoughts. He didn't dislike it but... His eyes peeked up, seeing the target of his interest walking up to him casually.

What was happening?

As Xander tried to settle his racing heart, Qin Rong slapped his shoulder as he walked past the prince.

"No need to get mad, Xiao Xan." He assured, smiling at his friend. "I promise you it ain't like before."

Xander frowned, confused by his words. Like before?

Ah, Qin Rong thought he was upset about him stealing. When they were children, Xander had made quite the fuss about stealing and offered his own meager allowance just to keep his friend from losing his hands.

The fact he remembered that, after all this time...

Qin Rong didn't wait for Xander's reply, assuming the man was still concerned. The look on his face just then was... intense.

Was stealing that bad to this guy?

***

Xander didn't bother chasing Qin Rong down. The man was very focused on his job and Xander respected that. He knew if someone stood between him and his task, he would make sure they couldn't stand at all.

Qin Rong might look weak but Xander knew just how much strength was hidden under all the soft skin and beautiful face. While a fight might be stimulating, it would have to wait for another time.

Besides, now that he was in the palace, there was no way he'd let the fae escape again.

His men now knew of his interest in Qin Rong and were smart enough to know what he wanted without him having to say anything. Needless to say, the exits were now monitored by his best men and they weren't going to let the person whom their boss held slip away again.

If he wanted to be allowed an escape route, he shouldn't have entered Xanders territory.

But now he was faced with other concerns. Annoyances that he had been spared from for years by being on the battlefield, far from the annoying deception of what one called polite society.

Matchmaking.

That was clearly what was happening here, as he was introduced to yet another young lady. Ever since he left the terrace, he'd been ambushed by many noblemen with their daughters, nieces, or granddaughters in tow.

And with the polygamy law, these men had a lot of girls in their family.

At first, he went along with it, as he'd been instructed. While he had gained a lot of power with his skills on the battlefield, the king was still the king. His words bent the heavens to his will and a small prince like him had to follow his instructions.

Be courteous.

He'd tried, he really had. Every time some annoying noble would greet him and 'coincidently' find an opportunity to introduce his young female relative, Xander wanted to scream at how transparent they were being. 

Their hollow compliments meant nothing to him. He knew what people said about him, how they feared him because of his ruthless way of fighting. How they looked down on him due to his complexion.

Yet all that paled in comparison to the greed in their eyes when they realized just how much sway he held over the military of their nation. Years of service and valor had earned him many friends and allies.

There was no one in court who would pass up such a morsel, even if they had to tolerate what they considered a savage in noble garb.

Very few could hide this disdain very well, which lead to Xander's eventual rejection. After the 6th noble singing his daughter's praises, he chose not to feign interest anymore. Every offer to dance was rejected in the most polite but firm way he could.

He didn't want to deal with this.

All the lies and greed, it was disgusting. He missed the simplicity of war. There were enemies, so you fought them. People were attacked, you protect them. Simple.

Yet here there were so many pitfalls he'd have to navigate and wanted nothing to do with. Nik could do it, being the silver-tongued devil he was but Xander hated such deception's. He wanted honesty. Simplicity.

He wanted to hear love stories from his blue-haired fae as they shared a beer.

Ah, he missed Qin Rong~

"Ahem."

"Hm?" Xander turned toward the voice, about to reject what he thought was going to be an eager old man and his whatever. Yet it was worse than that. "Oh, gods no."

***

Qin Rong was in a pickle. It wasn't due to his clothes, as he'd grown somewhat used to the heels (much to his dismay) and his choice in dresses made movement easy for him. It wasn't even the other patrons, as they seemed to steer clear of him for whatever reason.

He did feel like he was being watched but as long as there was no ill intent in those gazes, he couldn't care less about them.

No, his problem was two-fold.

1: He couldn't find Arthdal despite him very clearly still being nearby. He could still sense the man's magic but couldn't locate him for some reason. He'd have been worried but the man was a tower of muscle. He could take on most opponents.

The real issue was problem 2.

The guards were still vigilant.

Even after hours of work, the men guarding the entrance to the upstairs part of the palace were still bright-eyed and alert, missing nothing among the crowds of people. A few even noticed his observation, though he managed to cover his looks by playing the part of a flirty escort.

The brief look of confused terror he received in turn still confused him even now. Yet he had no time to worry about all that, as he was now stuck. He needed to get upstairs yet his partner was nowhere to be found and he wouldn't be able to sneak past the guards without causing a scene.

Ah, why was it so hard to make a living? He sighed, looking around the area, and spotting a familiar face.

"Oh?"

***

"Lady Hegnan, I-"

"Please, call me Marina, my lord." The lovely woman interjected, smiling shyly even as she took a step closer. "We are already so close, why bother with such formalities?

We literally only met once before. Twice if you count the time you followed me into the library.

Xander wanted to tell her this, his anger at being cornered like this rising with every second he spent with Lady Hegnan. Yet he had to bite his tongue as rejecting her was not as simple as the others.

The Hegnan family was an important ally of his father, having helped him secure the throne decades before. As such, their family enjoyed many privileges that others could only dream of. It was because of this that his father had tried to pair him up with this girl from the day he returned to the palace. He'd managed to escape when tossed on the battlefield but now he was cornered by this fake shy girl.

Yet again, she took a step forward, ignoring Xanders retreat. His back was getting close to the wall and-

"Xiao Xan!" A voice called out, an arm wrapping around his torso as a pleasant scent filled his nose. Hair so blue that the sky envied its shade peeked through his arms as those beautiful gold eyes gleamed up at him. "I was looking all over for you. How could you leave me behind like that?"

Qin Rong pouted cutely, shorting out Xander's brain for a full minute as Marina gaped at the naked display occurring before her. While she and Xander weren't close, she knew how he was. He never let anyone touch him and there was no way he didn't notice this woman's approach.

Yet he allowed this unknown woman to launch herself into his arms, even catching her with such a gentle embrace. She, who had yearned to at least be allowed to touch his fingertips, could only stand about in horror.

"Who is-" She started but was pinned to the spot by the woman's intense gold eyes.

W-why was she looking at her like that?!

"Oh?" The blunette cooed, her smile growing coy even as her gaze remained intent. "A pretty young miss is flirting with you? How cute."

"M-me?" Marina blushed, her eyes darting toward Xander. Despite his lack of attention, she still played her part with conviction, shyly looking away as she spoke. "I wouldn't-"

"Yet you are barking up the wrong tree, sweetheart." Qin Rong continued, smirking. He tried to move out of Xander's arms but the latter refused to let go. The former paid no mind to this, leaning back onto his chest casually. "I've already claimed this guy first. If you want, you can wait until I get a really nice taste."

Xander felt his muscles tense at those words, his mind imagining all kinds of scenarios of his Qin Rong getting a taste for him. That smirking mouth being filled with every taste Xander could give. The taste of his kiss as he took the breath away from him. The salt of his skin as he bit into Xander's arm to keep from being too loud.

Better yet, allow this adventurous fae to taste the seed that would breed a new generation of-

Unfortunately, Marina's mortified cry interrupted his heated thoughts.

"Y-you vulgar-!"

"Vulgar? Me?" He snapped back, his smile so assured that it bordered on arrogance. "I'm upfront about my desires rather than acting like some supposed white lotus." He leaned in close, being sure to whisper just loud enough for only Marina to hear. "And I'm sure you want to maintain that image, right?"

Unconsciously, her eyes darted over to Xander, who was now glowering down at her. She flinched under his scrutiny.

"M-my lord, I-"

"Xiao Xan, let's go dance." Qin Rong interjects, spinning in his partner's arms and wrapping his arms around the man's neck intimately. "You promised me all your firsts tonight, right?"

"A-ah, yes." Xander gulped, unable to help his stutter. His mind was going in other directions and he feared Qin Rong might notice his body's response. He looked at Marina. "My lady, I must be going. I did indeed promise my first dance to this young lady."

"But-"

"Bye!" Qin Rong dragged Xander to the dance floor, leaving the young miss in shock and rage. She watched the two as they entered an embrace and danced like a perfect match. Every move was smooth and easy, like they had always danced together.

"I won't let it end like this." She seethed, turning her back and making plans.

Meanwhile, Xander couldn't help but marvel at how well Qin Rong danced. He'd been somewhat hoping his fae would be a bad dancer and need Xander's guidance. It would have allowed him to get closer and touch him with impunity.

Yet much to his surprise, the man was very talented, guiding Xander despite it being his role. When he mentioned his surprise, the mercenary smirked in that adorable way he did and said, "I've watched more than enough dramas to know how to waltz. Don't insult me."

Xander had no idea what that meant but chose not to question it, enjoying their dance together. He had learned how to dance as a child but never truly enjoyed the practice. Even when it was him and his mother dancing together, it felt cumbersome to have to guide or follow someone else.

Whether he was a child or an adult, he didn't want anything to hinder his movements or desires.

Yet having Qin Rong in his arms, pulling him around the dance floor with practiced ease, he found himself realizing why his mother had been so fond of dancing. To be so close to their beloved and let the world fall away was truly then best feeling.

Xander was enjoying the moment, staring down at Qin Rong with blatant tenderness in his dark eyes as his partner's gaze darted about the room.

"What are you looking at?" He asked, using a finger to raise Qin Rong's chin. His smile was soft yet predatory. "Am I not entertaining enough?"

"Don't play around." The faery scolded, rolling his eyes. "I'm looking for my partner."

Xander scowled. Qin Rong was still thinking about that other man, even while being his arms?

The prince's arms clenched tighter around the male, surprising him as he spoke. "Why not recruit me?"

"You?"

"Am I not good enough?"

"No, I just... didn't think you wanted to get involved in this." He muttered, feeling a bit weird about the offer. "I didn't figure you to be the type who'd do that."

"It has been a long time, Rong." The dark-skinned man replied, smile widening. "I'm not as naive as I was before."

Qin Rong wasn't sure how to feel about that. Was he disappointed that the adorable kid he'd befriended had disappeared during their separation or impressed by who Xander had become? Before he could settle on an answer, Xander continued.

"So what is the plan?"

Qin Rong sighed, not paying anymore mind to the subject. He had a job to do, first and foremost. Luckily for him, he had already come up with a plan.

"The plan is simple. We dance for a bit, you pretend to be enraptured by my charm and wit, afterward, we can sneak off upstairs under the guise of getting more well acquainted. To all the world, It'll be the age-old tale of an escort seducing a client. Simple."

The plan was straightforward and easy, one that was hard to mess up.

"What do I get out of all this?" Xander asked suddenly, surprising Qin Rong.

Yet leave it Xander to speak such shameless words so easily.

As Qin Rong gave him an angry look, the prince's smile grew. "Am I to be rewarded for my part in this scheme?

You're the one who made the offer, to begin with! He cried within his heart, though he refused to let any of those words past his lips.

"Look at you!" He seethed through gritted teeth. "Getting all cheeky just cause you grew up to be good looking. Don't think I'll swoon just cause I'm dressed like this, kid."

With a level of impudence, Qin Rong reached up to pinch Xanders cheek, like he'd done when they were children. Yet, much to his surprise, the man took hold of those offending fingers, intertwining them with his own as if he was reluctant for their hands to part.

"So I'll just have to work harder then." He whispered softly, taking note of the mild shiver than ran through Qin Rong. With a smile, he noted how sensitive those pointed ears peeking through his hair actually was.

He'd use that for later.

Qin Rong, meanwhile, was trying not to shout in anger. Here he was, on a mission, yet this impudent child dared tease him like he was some coquettish female lead. It was humiliating!

Seeing that his teasing might have gone a touch too far, Xander brought the conversation back to their now shared mission. His first question was on the matter of their infiltration.

"Won't it be strange?" He pressed, wondering what others would think if they saw them leaving together.

"Strange? How come?" The mercenary replied, frowning. "As far as anyone here knows, we're a man and woman. Why would that be strange?"

Thinking about it, Xander looked over Qin rong's form, admiring his beauty openly. While Qin Rong was indeed beautiful, it wouldn't take much to notice the masculinity in his features. It was only with the help of defining makeup and how distracting his... revealing dress was that made most people assume the person in his arms was, in fact, female.

With that in mind, an idea formed that made the prince feel that this night truly was worth all the trouble he'd faced since entering the city.

"True," He conceded, openly staring at the exposed parts of his partner's skin. He could swear there was a mind flush to his skin. "but won't you feel-"

"I've already transcended past being pissed." He interjected, knowing exactly what he was about to talk about. "Being in a dress is mortifying and humiliating but this is a job. If you don't sacrifice just a bit of face to get a paycheck, you ain't working."

This had been Qin Rong's mindset since the first time he started working. Whether the job was humiliating, harsh or soul-crushing, a job was a job and at the end of the day, you always made sure you got paid.

Otherwise, it was just a waste of one's efforts and Qin Rong refused to waste anything of his. He wasn't going to be like them, who used and tossed things aside endlessly.

Qin Rong's mood darkened, surprising Xander. Not wanting his beloved to be so unhappy in his arms, he chose to shift the conversation. He proposed that the mercenary tell him another story.

"What about that story you were telling me about the two women with the same name sharing a home? The one about the musicians?" He suggested, recalling that as one that might help.

"Oh yeah." Qin Rong said with a sigh, feeling frustration build as he thought about the show. Yet his mood improved drastically as he spoke. "Honestly, I think they'd be better off dating each other sometimes but-

***

Their dance together lasted a bit longer than the song they were moving to, leading them to be the center of attention. To those outside, they could only conclude that the two had been too distracted by each other to notice that the music had ended.

The sentiment had tongues wagging as they once again wondered who this mysterious woman was that caught the elusive Ice prince's eye.

Elsewhere, a certain young miss fumed and raged silently as she saw her crush sweep the blunette into his arms and carry her away to a couch by the wall.

That should be her. That would be her if she had her way.

Meanwhile, the 'woman' in Xander's arms could only cover his face in mortification. He had said it would e best to look as affectionate as possible so as to not make people suspicious but Xiao Xan was way too obedient.

Carrying your partner off the dance floor via a bridal carry was just too much!

Yet Xander showed no shame, proudly carrying the slightly smaller man to his seat like a dutiful husband. His 'wife' in this instance could only let himself be carried, grumbling about how he'd pay the man back later for this humiliation.

Xander chuckled, his chest filled with warmth at the thought of seeing his Fae again after tonight.

Qin Rong reclined in the chair, his face mildly flushed from the exercise. While he wasn't one to loaf about, dancing under all those lights had tired him out quite a bit. A few beads of sweat traveled down his neck as he lifted his hair off his shoulder with a sigh.

Perhaps it was due to the natural charm of a fae but at that moment, Qin Rong's relaxed posture enticed all those in the room with him. His inherent charm made them stop to stare at the lovely figure who reclined on the couch with such blatant appeal, one might be tempted to immortalize the scene in a photo.

His legs, bare and exposed, tempted many around him to swallow deeply. Such soft looking skin, how could anyone not imagine running their hands over them? To bite into that flesh and know that it was them that turned that pure marble white skin a succulent red.

Surely, there was no one who wasn't enraptured by the beauty of this ethereal creature.

Xander himself might have taken in the view with ease if not for the fact that everyone else in the damn room was also seeing this.

His fae, going around seducing everyone around him like this. Even though he knew the man wasn't trying, that only made it worse.

How could he not be concerned when the man wasn't by his side?

Qin Rong, who had only been trying to cool himself down, felt wronged when he saw the mild scowl on Xander's face. All the attention he got from the men around him went unnoticed by the man, who sat back and relaxed even as he drew the heated gazes of those around him.

What had he done wrong!?

Yet before a single word could be spoken between the two, a burst of laughter grew their attention. It was close by and shouldn't have been anything noteworthy but the bitter tinge to it felt important. Both men turned toward the sound, noting the familiar face of Lady Hegnan amongst a crowd of noble miss's. All of them from high-ranking families and looked to be having a good time but Lady Hegnan was very openly glaring at Qin Rong, her laughter hollow when compared to those surrounding her.

It was clear she was still quite livid.

"Will you be alright?" Xander asked, turning back to his partner. The man, much to his surprise, looked pleased as he smirked back at the woman.

"Yeah, it'll be fine." He assured with a smile. "It's better if it's a whore seducing her target rather than a straight-up rejection from you."

Xander's eyes widened. "How so?"

"If you reject her, I'm sure she'd cause you all kinds of trouble later down the line. Now she can't bring it up since it'd be improper. All she can do is bite her nail and fume in the corner."

Qin Rong wasn't very familiar with the hierarchy of the noble class but he did know that life was not a drama, where one guy could do whatever he wanted without consequence. While he wasn't sure what Xander's rank was, it was clear he was some kind of noble and had to maintain a certain level of decorum when talking to others. The fact that he'd rejected all those other women yet tolerated this one must have meant she was too important to offend.

As such, Qin Rong could only take the brunt of that annoying woman's anger onto himself.

Xander couldn't help but marvel at his deduction. He didn't think this guy, who was so keen on not getting involved, would have such a vast understanding of the upper class,  "You've thought this through quite a bit."

"Is that a slight against me?"

"Never. I just wasn't expecting to be 'defended' from a woman's wrath tonight. Especially one as pretty as her."

Xander had found himself in situations much like how Qin Rong had said. Many women who ventured into the army's camp sought him out, wanting to get close to the princes or even a noble.

He had rejected them many times and hated that his men never seemed to take his complaints about it seriously.

Male urges can't be ignored, they'd said every time he questioned why he'd returned to his tent to find some woman there. He later made the order that no one was allowed in his tent under the guise of safety since his men didn't seem to believe him otherwise.

He hated that they never seemed to take his concerns as anything but him being cold or just plain stubborn.

Qin Rong nodded, somewhat understanding his words.

"I mean, she was really hot. I'd give her at least a 7 but..."

"But?"

The faery scratched his cheek, looking a bit embarrassed. "Well, you looked kind of uncomfortable so I figured you weren't interested." He peeked over at Xander. "Was I wrong?"

Xander blinked, unable to form any words for a moment.

Honestly, after years of having women throw themselves at him regardless of his lack of interest, it was nice to know someone noticed his dislike of that. Perhaps had Qin Rong not been in his life, he would be less reluctant but he much preferred his lovely fae.

He actually thought about whether he liked or disliked something.

Rather than answering, Xander knelt down and, under the gaze of all those nearby, pressed a kiss to the back of Qin Rong's hand. Before the faery could speak his complaints, the grateful smile spread across his friend's face stopped him.

"Thank you."

*****

AN: This technically wasn't where I planned on stopping but it was the place that came about as I was writing. Honestly, my outlines are pretty vague at this point. Either way, thank you for being so patient with this apple~