AN: I'll be honest, I had no idea how to end this chapter. I've been struggling for weeks now to figure out how to proceed. After some consideration, I've come up with a proper way to do things.

*****

"Sire, I-"

"Am I to assume you failed to catch him?" A cold voice cut the guard off, stilling his tongue as the prince's mood became clear to him.

Despite his expression being calm, the man was furious.

Xander couldn't say he was surprised to have woken up alone. Knowing Qin Rong, of course, he'd run as soon as he could. The morning after was bound to be awkward and the Fae, despite his tough-guy attitude, seemed to really dislike awkward situations.

Despite all his understanding, however, he was still furious that the man had managed to escape again.

What the hell were the barriers and guards for if they couldn't even hold one man in the building?!

The noble guards could only feel greatly wronged for this accusation despite not being able to defend themselves. They had a job, of course, but it wasn't to keep lovers from slipping out into the morning.

The injustice of it all was palpable.

Yet each man stood straight back and sweaty as their prince stood before them. None of them had ever actually met the prince before this. Most were new and had only heard about the prince in bits and pieces.

The princes with foreign blood.

Everyone knew about them. The king, ever the polyamorous man, had many wives but none like the noble Lady, Amalia, from whom the princes were born. She was a tribute from the noble classes of the small nation of Luze before it was conquered years later.

Lady Amalia was a lovely maiden, with skin like toasted almonds and hair as black as night. While she lacked magic, her dancing was enough to entice even the most hard hearted of those around her.

Obviously, the king adored her and fathered two royal princes, Prince Xander and Prince Nikolaus.

Not much was known about them and even less was expected of them. They were but a pair of royals who would undoubtedly either perish under some scheme or kneel before a more powerful foe.

Like so many before them.

Yet the war had hardened them, gaining them loyal companions and honors that would astonish even the most accomplished veterans.

Even more surprising was their age. Most soldiers went to war young but to accomplish so much with little to no support despite being a Prince yet getting so far was awe-inspiring. As such, the soldiers under him respected and followed him anywhere.

Those who had spent their lives guarding the castle and the capital only had stories to base their opinion on and that wasn't enough. They all thought it was the unusual embellishment or just a superior taking credit for hard work done by those below them.

That's how it usually was.

Yet as they kneeled before the 8th prince, informing him that his lover had slipped past all of them, they realized that there had been no embellishment. This heavy feeling was one that every soldier, front lines or not, knew. It was carved into their bones and filled their every breath.

The authority of their leader.

Unfavored or even Luze blood, Prince Xander was a leader.

"My apologies, your Highness!" The captain of the guard shouted, lowering his head. "We failed to anticipate your guests' skills."

"Ah, yes, Rong has always been a slippery fellow." Xander muttered, snickering. "So you underestimated him, is what you're saying?"

"Please punish me for this, your highness." The man replied, pressing his head to the ground. "It was all my fault."

The other guards bit their lips, wanting to speak but not daring to. It definitely was their fault for assuming such a slim and pretty person was weak. None of them had expected how much strength was behind each of these attacks.

Yet the captain was defending them.

Xander stared down at them, his face showing none of his thoughts. The silence was deafening, making the guards more nervous.

Just as the captain was about to speak again, a voice cut through the tension.

"Ah, are you still interrogating them, brother?"

The guards jumped, their hands clenched around their swords as they watched a figure walk out of the shadows. As in literally, out of a dark corner, a pair of young men strolled out.

The 11th prince, Nikolaus.

Otherwise known as the Prince of Shadows.

Seeing how he so casually walked out of the darkness, it was clear why he was called that.

The green-haired youth who followed behind the prince bowed, greeting the 11th prince as was proper. His haggard eyes spoke volumes of how much stress he had to deal with so early in the morning.

Serving prince Nik was a full-time job it seemed.

Said prince smiled at his older brother and spoke. "Da-ge?"

Xander responded in kind, the words spoken foreign to everyone in the room. Even Captain Lopomin, who was well versed in most languages, couldn't even begin to guess what was being said.

How could he know that the language didn't belong to this world at all?

"Why are you here?" Xander asked, watching his brother approach. He was sure Nik had had a 'eventful' evening so he wasn't expecting to see him up so early.

Sure enough, Xander could just barely see a bite mark on his brother's neck that hadn't been there the night before.

At least someone got some action.

"I heard you rounded everyone up." Nik replied, glancing at the confused guards watching them. "I was worried something had happened."

"My Fae ran away despite me placing guards nearby to prevent that." Xander grumbled, though he kept his expression stoic.

"You actually thought Rong-ge would be stopped by them?" His brother snickered, cocking a brow. "He got past our shadow guards that time at the camp. The men here are good but don't compare them to our men. It's just plain unfair."

Comparing the shadow guards that had been recruited and trained by the two princes personally to regular castle guards would be like comparing a house cat to a tiger. Both could scratch and cause damage but the scale of each was impossible to even contrast.

The fact that Qin Rong got past all of them without any of them noticing meant that the Fae was truly a top-class mercenary. It was pure luck that his mission wasn't an assassination or they might very well be dead.

"I expected it but I must be sure."

"He didn't take anything this time, right?"

"How could he?" Xander huffed, feeling insulted. "I kept him occupied.."

"Yet he still slipped away."

"Hence the interrogation."

"Ah, so you're just venting then?" Nik was now openly laughing, his sibling instincts latching onto an opportunity to tease his elder brother. "How mean~"

He'd regret his rash decision later but that was later.

"Sire, please don't start." Nik's assistant cut in, sighing. While he couldn't understand what was being said, he knew his master well enough to know when the man was poking at sleeping tigers. Prince Xander might be tolerant but only to a certain extent.

"Right~ My bad." Nik conceded, switching back to the kingdom's native tongue. His grin widened. "I'm just pretty chipper this morning. Da-ge isn't the only one who had a nice evening."

"Mn." Xander rolled his eyes as Nik turned to the group of kneeling guards.

"Captain Lopomin?"

Lopomin, the captain who had been waiting for punishment, frowned at the prince. He hadn't expected the prince to know his name.

"Y-yes, your highness?"

"Brother wants you for a job."

"A job?" He echoed, glancing at Prince Xander. Seeing that the man in question didn't refute the younger prince's words, the captain nodded.

"Yes, to make up for your men's mistake." He stated, revealing just how much he knew about the situation. "It isn't too hard but it is of the utmost importance."

"Anything, sire!"

Nik's smile grew. "Good!"

Xander gave his brother a questioning look, wondering what this person was planning. From the look in his eyes, it was going to be something mischievous.

"Worry not, brother." Nik was quick to reassure his brother. "I have a plan."

Those words, while mildly worrisome, weren't too bad.

***

Elsewhere, a man was resting in his bedroom, happily basking in the warm morning sun as he slept. The air was calm and tinged with a pleasant aura that made one want to join in.

An air that made one want to sleep in just a bit longer.

"Master Fenral?"

The gruff voice echoed through the elf's ears, making his skin buzz as he recalled all the times those were said in bed. He smiled, curling into the blankets to carry on remembering all that.

"Ailred, wake up!" Salgut tried again, shaking his bed partner roughly. As much as the elf liked rough play, disturbing his sleep was not okay.

"Dearest, if you wish to play around, let me rest a bit more." Ailred grubbled, sitting up grumpily. His pale hair fell smoothly down his bare shoulders and chest. The marks on his skin enticed any who saw them, though it was only one man present. "You are too much for me and-"

"Ailred, this is important!" The dwarf cut in, wiping the elf's face with a cool rag to wake him up. If he didn't do this, this man would slip right back to sleep in a blink of an eye. "Wake up already."

"Ugh, why can't you let me sleep in for once?" Ailred whined, leaning on his partner's shoulder. "You kept me up all night yet woke me up at the crack of dawn the next day? Should I assume this is to become a habit?"

"Don't act like you ain't interested in a bit of rough play?" Salgut huffed, teasing his lover. He pressed a kiss onto the man's smooth cheek, the faint smell of leaves and the dwarf's own musk filling his senses.

"Indeed." Ailred echoed, giving his husband a kiss that warmed his blood and filled his heart with affection. "So what is it that you are dragging me out of bed for? Has something happened to our Faery?"

"I'm not sure."

The elf frowned, the soft mood fading.

"What do you mean? Did he contact you?"

"No, that's just it. He's sent messages to us but I can't contact him." Salgut explained. "There seems to be a block restricting our correspondents."

"Someone capable of getting between us and our Faery?" Ailred muttered, thinking about who could possibly do that. While he wasn't able to shift fates with a twitch of a finger, his reach was far-reaching. There were few outside of the royal family who could deter him.

Had that Fae gotten into trouble with a royal?

Even so, most of the princes weren't powerful enough to actually do anything. Even the Ice Prince was just a feared soldier. The strength needed to deter his correspondents were well past what a mere rabid dog on a leash should be capable of. Especially since he'd only just returned to the capital.

There were clearly missing pieces to this puzzle.

"What have the letters said?"

"The Fae failed to get the map."

Ailred scowled. "Again?"

"It is to be expected. It's been reported to be sealed with a magic Rune." He explained. "Even if we got it, we couldn't hope to open it."

"Clever." The elf couldn't help but compliment the prince's foresight. "Perhaps if we had gotten it the first time..."

Salgut shook his head. "I doubt the prince is so foolish as to leave such treasure without protection. He would have sealed it upon discovering what it was."

Ailred nodded, conceding to his point. Considering what that map supposedly lead to, there was no way he'd be so careless.

That map was the one thing Ailred needed to get what he wanted. Only he knew what was needed to use it so why did that damn prince make things so hard for him?

"Find a way to contact the Fae." He concluded, scowling deeply. "I need them both for any of this to work."

***

The sun blazed down upon the land, baking those below who sought shelter from the unforgiving sun. Every shady area that could be occupied, was. It made most parks and cafes full to capacity, leaving Qin Rong shit out of luck.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he tried to glare up at the sun.

In this fantastical world of magic and mystical creatures, he still had to deal with random and sudden heat waves?! What kind of bull shit was this?

Worse, because of the heat, he couldn't wear a cloak while in town so he gained a lot of attention. Needless attention because he wore what he usually did.

Upon reflection, Qin Rong couldn't figure out why though. His clothes weren't that different from other men. It was just a sleeveless shirt and basic shorts. There were many people wearing less so why stare at him?

In the eyes of others, however, his outfit was not even a factor. He could have worn a burlap sack and everyone would still stare.

It was natural. How could regular people not stare at the gorgeous figure strolling down the street? They held their breath as he passed by, scared a single breath would make this vision fade like a mirage.

Had Qin Rong bothered, he could have just asked for a spot and he'd have been given the space before he could even finish his sentence.

Such was the privilege of being beautiful.

Qin Rong, on the other hand, lived his life as an average man so he had no clue he could do such a thing. He greatly underestimated what attractive people could do.

As such, he gave up on finding a nice place in town to relax. Which left him one option.

The woods.

He generally avoided wooded areas since he was a city kid at heart. Sure, he could survive weeks in the woods but his feet were more accustomed to paved roads than grass.

At the very least, it was quiet.

Sitting under a tree, Qin Rong let out a breath allowing the tension that had set deep in his bones flow out of him. He'd been working hard all week since that night at the ball.

Qin Rong had been sparring with his men, ruthlessly taking out his stress on them. Many begged to be let go but many more felt too prideful to give up against their boss. Some had doubts about how strong he was and if he deserved to be in charge.

Two birds, one stone.

Truly, Qin Rong was thankful for those idiots. If not for them, he'd have felt like a villain for using them so harshly. Yet what else could he do? That night had been haunting him every night and leaving him bothered.

That night was... that was way too crazy!

He had a simple job yet he somehow ended up in bed with his best friend?

It felt weird that his first sexual experience in this world was with someone of his own sex. He'd been hoping for some buxom older sister or a shy maiden. Yet the first genitals he saw that wasn't his own was a dick.

He wasn't sure how to feel about it.

He should be grossed out, as he wasn't into dudes but...

Rather than being a man, all Qin Rong thought was that Xander was Xander. It didn't feel disgusting with him.

Probably because they were friends. If it was a stranger, he'd be disgusted but Xander was the first kind person he'd met when he came to this world.

If he could live with seeing (and touching) anyone's dick, it would be his.

Having found the resolution in his heart, Qin Rong relaxed and sat back, letting the warm sun and cool breeze brush over him. While he wasn't a nature person, perhaps his status as a Fairy made him more attune to the forest.

He could feel every branch sway in the wind. The grass reaching out to the sun to grow just a bit more. The pitter pattern of small animal feet as they traveled through the bushes.

The forest was singing to him and he felt the urge to sing with it.

He could even have sworn he heard faint giggles and whispers among the leaves.

Yet the one thing he definitely did hear was the ragged breaths that surrounded him, sullying the sweet song he'd been enjoying.

He sighed.

So much for a peaceful day.

***

In this world filled with exceptional-looking people, it was said that the Fae were the most beautiful. They reflected nature in its purest form and made others yearn to admire them as one would a picturesque landscape.

Jacob had never believed that, having seen many people that had him practically drooling from staring too long. Even when he had first joined his mercenary group and was told their boss was a Fae, he didn't think he'd be anything special.

Their boss was a man, after all. How beautiful can a man possibly be?

Yet when he'd been sent to relay a message to said boss, he didn't think he'd see... this.

The man before him had to be his boss. Blue hair that made the sky seem dull and pale skin that glowed like porcelain. Dazed, he took a step forward.

[Chirp]

Jacob wasn't sure why he flinched at the sound. Perhaps because, despite being in a forest, it was very quiet. Too quiet, as if everything dared not make a sound.

Looking up, he spotted a small yellow bird staring down at him. It was a common bird, so it wasn't a strange sight but Jacob felt strange about it. Just as he was considering ignoring the creature and getting closer, he felt more eyes on him.

Searching the treetops, he spotted dozens of eyes staring down at him, daring him to move. He knew if he dared to, they'd descend upon him.

He swallowed, glancing at the still sleeping Fae.

A thought occurred to him.

It was said that those who spilled Fae blood could never step foot into a forest, lest they never be seen again. Fae were vengeful creatures, petty and cruel in their punishments. They were as evil as they were beautiful.

The second part few acknowledged was that Fae creatures were loved by nature and animals, so even if the person escaped the Fae, they would be avenged in other ways.

Pecked to death by birds was definitely one of the more notable stories he'd heard, leaving only clean white bones in its wake.

"What do you want?"

Jacob jumped, seeing his boss now awake and scowling at him. He couldn't help but notice the birds' gazes seemed to intensify, as if preparing to attack at a moment's notice.

"S-sir, there's a client requesting your presence back at the base." He reported, saluting to the Fae. "I came to relay the message."

"Oh?" Qin Rong cocked a brow. "Why bother me then?"

"He asked for you specifically, sir."

"And what makes him think I can be summoned like a pet at his 'request'?"

"He said that you knew each other." Jacob explained, feeling nervous since he might be thought to be bothering his boss needlessly. He then recalled something the client mentioned. "He mentioned something about a maid uniform looking good on his partner and-"

"Stop!" Qin Rong shouted, flushed. The desire to punch that mouthy prince rising in his gut. "I'll go so just stop."

Jacob had no clue how close he was to being punished as the messenger. He was just innocently speaking the words told to him but he felt like he'd done something wrong.

Why was his boss so upset?

***

Qin Rong walked into the bar, his eyes darting about the room. As usual, it was full to the brim with customers, their shouts and jeers echoing a familiar tone in his head.

There are some things that never change, regardless of the setting. He thought, taking in a breath. The smell of beer, sweat, and just a bit of blood. Bars were just the best place to have meetings.

It was loud so most conversations blended together.

There was always a glass of liquor nearby, which always loosened lips and wallets.

Best of all, this bar was filled with his guys so even if this was a trap, he'd have a backup.

At least, these would usually be a good thing but this person was definitely Xiao Xan. No one else would dare bring up a maid uniform when calling for him.

Why'd he have to bring that up? Sure, even Qin Rong acknowledged he looked hot but that was no reason to bring it up. What if others misunderstood?

He'd give that brat a good smack in retaliation!

That was his plan, yet upon entering a private room, he was struck by the man inside. It was, as he'd thought, Xiao Xan but he looked different from before.

Now dressed casually, Qin Rong could see everything his formal clothes covered up. Thick arms of corded muscles and the numerous scars crisscrossing over his dark skin. As a guy who fought regularly, Qin Rong had to admire his friend. Those scars told him quite a bit about their time apart.

Yet the reason he had been pinned to his original spot at the door was not the man's body but his eyes.

His gaze was intense, making Qin Rong's heart jump in his chest.

Oi oi, you don't go looking at people like that! He thought, wanting to duck his head. Xander was eating him alive with that look, striping him down like a present and enjoying every layer that was unveiled.

It was the kind of look a man gave to their one-night stand that snuck away the next morning.

Oh wait, that's exactly what he did!

Aish, he'd somehow gotten himself in a weird situation but he didn't want to have an awkward meeting with his friend. They were adults so surely a bit of sexual tension wasn't too huge a hurdle to overcome, right?

He let out a breath, calming his own heart down before turning back to his frien- no, client. This was a business call, after all.

"What a surprise." He mused, walking forward. "A prince meeting with a mercenary in broad daylight like this? Aren't you worried about your reputation?"

Xander blinked, clearly confused by Qin Rong's response.

Why act like we're strangers? Was clearly written all over his face. Qin Rong suppressed the urge to chuckle. While the bar was technically one of his guild's bases, it was still a privately owned business. The owner just allowed him and his men to operate there in exchange for security.

It was a novel idea for them, allowing them to let in more customers with the added bonus of in-house bouncers basically for free. It was a win-win.

The downside was that there were usually witnesses that may or may not become an issue later down the line. Qin Rong had no idea if Xander was seen when he came in but it would look bad if it was revealed that the 8th prince was associating with a mercenary gang.

He'd seen many shows that had innocent encounters cause major ripples in a person's life. Relationships crumble, friendships die and even lives are needlessly lost.

He didn't want that for Xander so it was best to pretend they were strangers lest misunderstandings occur.

This was his mindset, perfectly logical and practical. The only thing he didn't account for was Xander's shameless tongue.

"Darling, why are you being like this?" The prince whined, pouting like a kicked puppy. "Are you mad at me?"

Qin Rong nearly choked on his water. What was this darling bullshit!?

Moreover, who taught this brat how to be coquettish? It was too scary for words.

Seeing Qin Rong's mildly horrified expression, Xander burst out laughing filling the room with his amused snorts. Now realizing he was being messed with, Qin Rong glared at the prince.

"Bastard!"

"Sorry, I couldn't help it." He said, struggling to catch his breath. "Qin Rong just looked so serious just then I had to do something to get another expression on you. Your face just now was too adorable"

"His highness should be wary of his words, lest someone misunderstand you." He warned, scowling

Xander blinked, his smile still beaming brightly.

"Oh? Is that why you are acting this way?" He asked, waving a hand dismissively. "Don't worry. My men have secured the area. There is no one listening in on us."

Qin Rong frowned, peeking around the room. He could sense a few presences nearby but none were familiar to him. He assumed they were customers but according to this guy, they must be Xiao Xan's men. Qin Rong was surprised by the speed at which they managed such a feat. And so quietly as well.

These guys aren't trash after all.

"So it seems." He echoed, relaxing somewhat.

Xander grinned. "Then can we finally talk?"

"Sure, you came for a job right?"

"Yes, but can you at least explain to me why you left that morning?"

There was no need to guess what he meant about 'that morning'. Arthdal had been teasing him about it for days now. He knew the man had made some guesses but Qin Rong confirmed nothing, making his friend frustrated.

But what could he say? That he'd gotten hot and heavy with his male friend? How could he do that?!

Until he figured out how to deal with that can of worms, he chose to cram it as far into the back of his mind as possible.

"How about you just tell me what you need from me?" Qin Rong countered, much to Xander's disappointment.

"Can't we just talk like friends first?" Xander tried again, hoping to get at least a response out of the Fae. His attempt was met with steely gold eyes pinning him to the spot.

"You said you had a job for me." Qin Rong reminded him, crossing his arms. "I prefer to leave pleasantries for after business has been discussed. You did have a job for me, right?"

"Yes." He answered, sighing. He'd been hoping to talk a bit more before the table talk but this was how Qin Rong was. He was a professional, even with friends and those he's seen naked.

It was admirable if not a bit disappointing.

"Forgive me then." He continued, staring the faery down. He went straight to the point. "I want you to come with me to the castle and work for me."

"As?"

"If I said as a lover, would you refuse?" Xander said with a wink.

"I'd wonder why you need a male lover." Qin Rong shot back coldly.

Tch. How dull a reaction. He'd wanted to see the man blush or even stammer but there was none of that.

It was pure business.

How disappointing~

"You know I'm a prince, right?" He continued, leaning back in his chair.

"As you've stated." Qin Rong had learned this a while ago, having been informed by Arthdal after the ball. It certainly explained quite a few things but learning he'd been childhood friends with an unwanted prince was shocking.

What were the odds that his first few days would lead to him living with not one but two princes? It was crazy~

"So I have many enemies in the capital." Xander continued, not wanting to mince words. "Some are less overt than others."

"So you want me to keep an eye out?"

"En." He nodded. "Qin Rong is a fantastic mercenary, capable of getting past even my most well-trained shadow guards."

"You have those?" Qin Rong asked, eyes glowing with curiosity. "Like this is some ancient fantasy- wait, this is a fantasy world, isn't it?"

"Hm?" Xander frowned, confused by his words but was unable to ask about it as the Faery continued on.

"Nothing, nothing." Qin Rong waved his hand, pressing down his excitement at the notion of shadow guards. It was like being in a drama or something. Still, thinking back to his 'walk of shame', he felt a bit disappointed. "I just strolled out at that time. I honestly didn't think they were shadow guards at all. They are good, don't get me wrong but they still need some work."

The guards he sensed were hidden well but also way too far apart. A target that moved fast enough could easily break out of their encasement. He appreciated the privacy but there were times when such things were much less important.

Xander could see the cogs turning in Qin Rong's head. He nodded, feeling the same. He'd only had shadow guards for a few years now, after having suffered an 'accident' on the way home one evening.

His regular guards had been distracted while he was attacked from behind. If not for his superior skills, he'd have died that night. He then recalled Qin Rong telling about shadow guards and implemented it himself.

"Perhaps you could show them some of your tricks?" He pressed, curious about what his Fae could teach his guards. With his skills, surely he'd turn his common iron into steel.

"Oi, you are asking a lot, Xiao-Xan." He joked, forgetting briefly about being professional. "Espionage, role-playing, and training? I doubt you could afford just one of these, let alone all three."

"Perhaps. But I know you aren't too focused on money."

Oi, who said that?! He thought, cocking a brow. Money is needed to keep leaks out of his roof and food on his table. Don't underestimate just how money-hungry a man who lived paycheck to paycheck can be.

His face must have revealed just a bit of these thoughts because Xander chuckled.

"What I mean, alongside monetary compensation, I want to grant you something extra."

"Extra?" He echoed, his traitorous mind briefly thinking about that night at the ball. Of being held and touched in ways only a man could understand and enjoy. His thighs tingled slightly, recalling how it felt to have those hands that so casually tapped the table between them, on him. Qin Rong remembered the burn of those fingers as they held his legs open to keep him from barring the entry of Xander's shoulder. The wet heat of his mouth as he-

Nope, putting an end to those thoughts! Qin Rong scolding himself. This was a business meeting, damn it! No awkward boners allowed!!

"W-what kind of extra compensation? He coughed, suppressing his mildly flushed face. Xander blinked, having missed the blush that had shown up for a brief moment. If he'd known what he'd missed, he'd be greatly disappointed.

But ignorance was bliss, after all, so he continued.

"I know there is something else you want besides money but can't accomplish by yourself. Even if you have the resources, there are places you can't get to due to your status."

"Oh? What makes you think that?"

"A hunch?"

"A strangely specific hunch."

"If you want me to get specific," He countered, leaning in close to whisper under his breath so only Qin Rong could hear him. "I know you've been looking into the slave trade and their routes."

Qin Rong's blood cooled.

Slavery was obviously illegal but that only mattered when there were those willing to enforce the law. And with how lucrative such a trade was, many could easily be 'persuaded' to look the other way when need be.

Qin Rong was no superhero and couldn't dream of taking down such a practice yet his delving into that world was imperative. Ever since the day he was attacked in the forest by those damn hunters, he'd been having dreams about what he assumed to be the original owner of this body.

The voice was tiny and soft, like a sweet caress that warmed the heart. For Qin Rong, it made his chest itch and yearn for things he knew nothing about. Every night, he heard those same words.

'I want to go home.'

It was heartbreaking to hear such a tiny voice speak so earnestly. It was a scared voice, the voice of a child that had been dragged from his home and trapped in a dark room. He felt every flinch that burst through him whenever any sound was heard. He heard the child's ragged and panicked breathing. He could smell the rot of food and blood that caked the floor.

That child had a simple wish and Qin Rong was determined to fulfill it.

It was the least he could do as a powerless adult.

Qin Rong looked up at Xander who stared back, waiting for a response. He relaxed a bit, recalling that he had taken on this kid's wish as well.

Somehow I became a wish granter in this second life. He thought, chuckling to himself.

"You plan to help me?" Qin Rong asked, crossing his arms.

"It's only fair, right?" The prince replied with a smile. "I planned on cleaning that up as we go so it works out for both of us."

Cleaning out a slave trade? That wasn't a simple deed yet he said it so casually!

"How ambitious of our 8th prince. A bit arrogant, don't you think?"

Xander's smile grew. "It's only arrogance if I can't back it up."

"I suppose so yet I doubt having a male lover will help you." He pointed out, getting back to the main point.

"I have a plan."

"Mind sharing?"

"Not until you agree to my conditions."

Qin Rong cocked a brow suspiciously. "Conditions?"

"Be my lover."

Oi oi, why was this guy so stubborn?!

The thought of being Xander's lover wasn't unappealing per se, since it felt good and he trusted him but...

"I really feel like I should know a bit more before I agree to anything that starts with 'be my lover'." Qin Rong argued, grimacing. He knew a lot of bad ends that started with those words.

Xander wilted a bit at the statement. "You don't trust me?"

"I know you well enough to know how determined you are." The mercenary deadpanned, rolling with eyes at this man's second attempt to look cute. It was terrible and he couldn't bear to look. "You barely let me rest that time."

"Oh? And when was that?"

"The night of the-" He stopped himself, knowing Xander was just trying to get a rise out of him. Professional! He inwardly chanted. Be professional.

To help with his wayward and traitorous mind, Qin Rong stood up, looking to all the world as if he was just thinking. Even his steady walk belayed the mind tension in him as he faced the wall.

There was a lot to consider and he couldn't let this guy distract him. Taking this job would make any future job more complicated.

On one hand, if Xander succeeded and became king, Qin Rong would be in a good place, having helped him along the way. After all, what prince didn't want the throne? And he was sure Xander would be courteous and remember those who helped him.

On the other, if he was discovered, he'd have over a dozen other princes and princesses on his ass. Heck, even without all that, he was bound to be harassed endlessly purely because he was friendly with one of their rivals.

They probably try to bribe and/or threaten him to get an edge over their brother.

Not even the most pure-hearted female lead was happy to suffer such bothersome things! Why would he, a cold-blooded mercenary, want to do all that?

As if hearing his thoughts, Xander walked over, wrapping his arms around the slightly smaller man.

"Eh?!" Qin Rong flinched, his instincts not seeing Xander as a threat leaving the man vulnerable to his embrace. "What are you-"

"I'm holding you."

Qin Rong gave him a 'no, shit, sherlock' look before opening his mouth. "I can see that but why?"

"I can't?" He asked with a pout.

Qin Rong sighed, leaning back into Xander's chest. Probably due to his magical affinity, the prince was cool to the touch. On a hot day like this, who could resist? Still, he had to say something, right?

"I didn't say you cant but-"

"I like holding Qin Rong."

Like was too soft a word for Xander's feelings. He loved it. That one night at the camp was a nice snack but after enjoying Qin Rong's company at the ball, he came to realize that soft wasn't as nice without some resistance. While Qin Rong's skin was soft, his body was firm. The muscles underneath made his fingertips tingle and yearn to press into them. It was really sexy and he wanted to feel the muscles ripple under his touch.

Even better, let him feel those muscles wrap around him during intercourse.

The thought alone heated Xander's blood, making him hold the Fae ever closer. Qin Rong, being male himself, could feel the change in mood and considered putting a stop to it.

A one night stand can only be that if it was once.

"That much is obvious." Qin Rong grumbled, feeling the hard press of his erection against his lower back. "But we're discussing business."

"Can't we take a break?" He replied, pulling Qin Rong closer, enjoying the warmth that radiated from him. "I've said my piece and you are still weighing your options. What more can be said?"

So he could tell, eh?

"Is this supposed to be a preview of what to expect if I agree to your 'proposal'?" He gasped, unable to help it as Xander's hands drifted down until he gripped the mercenary's waist. Even through his shirt, he felt a buzz ripple through his skin at the touch.

"Would you prefer that?" Xander questioned, a bit curious about Qin Rong's response. "I suppose that is the best way to convince you, though I had hoped our previous night was a good preview already."

But perhaps he hadn't done a good job considering how Qin Rong had slipped away so easily the next morning. In spite of all the kisses they shared, he still ran away,

It was infuriating.

In spite of his frustration, his tone was calm as he continued to whisper into Qin Rong's ear.

"Then again, we didn't get that far." Unfortunately. "I did enjoy hearing you moan under me before. You enjoyed my touch just as much as I. Why not just enjoy each other's company?"

"And how do you propose we do that?" Qin Rong shot back, looking back at him. He did his best not to show much of his words and the memories were affecting him. "You plan on fucking me a mere door away from your subjects?"

"Of course not." The prince denied with an easy smile, not even flinching at his words. "I'd prefer to set the mood to better suit our first time."

So you did plan on fucking me?! He thought, jumping at the words. He had known this guy seemed interested in him after that night but he assumed them being both men would deter him.

Apparently, Xiao-Xan was into guys... Qin Rong had no idea how to feel about that.

"I thought Qin Rong liked me too." Xander said with a pout, resting his chin on the man's shoulder.

"Liking you as a friend and wanting to sleep with you are completely different galaxies."

Yet you were willing to suck him off? Qin Rong questioned himself, thinking that this was dumb to say. His mind fought with itself making excuses as to why it was completely normal to do all that stuff and still not want to sleep with him.

Xander too thought it was strange but knew better than to press the issue. Instead, he proceeded with his own method.

"So you don't like this?" As if it were just an innocent gesture, Xander slid his hand down to slip under his shirt. The caress was soft but left him trembling at the touch.

"Ahn!"

Qin Rong covered his mouth, cursing himself for daring to let out such a voice. It was barely anything but he felt his stomach clench at the sudden touch.

Worse, he didn't dislike it.

Seeing this, Xander took the silence as permission to go forward, his hands becoming a bit more brazen. Hands calloused from years of fighting and bloodshed danced over his stomach and waist, eliciting sparks of pleasure through the mercenary.

It was the most 'innocent' foreplay one could think of.

There were definitely things Qin Rong disliked and liked. If he felt uncomfortable, his hand would grab Xander's wrist and give the man a warning look. The one time when Xander had gone a bit too far south, he'd got that look and went back to his 'innocent' touches.

Even if he couldn't touch that place, there was a lot available to him. This was because Qin Rong wore clothes that were either loose or revealed a lot of skin.

It was unclear when it had started but Qin Rong had begun to wear less and less as time went on. For reasons unknown to him, he always felt more comfortable with less on, so most of his clothes were either loose-fitting or minimal.

While he was a man born in the modern age, his nature as a Faery prevented him from overcoming certain instincts. One being the need for as much exposure to nature as possible.

This trait was what attracted most people to Fae, as they had little to no sense of modesty. Xander was no exception, having been mildly distracted by Qin Rong's exposed skin. He had assumed that the short dress he'd worn at the ball was just to convince others he was a prostitute but considering how he dressed now, it was clear it was a preference.

His beloved really liked wearing as little as possible.

Such a thing was both the best and worst news. The thought that there were others who could easily see all that Xander could was infuriating. Yes, they couldn't bite into Qin Rong's inner thighs and hear him cry out but they'd see his marks just as easily.

Curious and mad, Xander buried his nose into the Fae's hair, taking a peek to see if the marks he'd made before were still there. He was disappointed to see they had already started to fade from his skin.

Perhaps it was impatience but he couldn't let that go.

"Qin Rong." Xander growled into the Faery's nape, sending shivers through him. His words were met with a quiet moan, setting Xander's blood aflame. Yet his words were said with a dangerous sense of calm. "You have to stop that."

The mercenary blinked, too relaxed to understand what was said. "Stop?"

"If you keep making those sounds, I'll do more than just this." He warned, turning the Fae's face to him. "I'm already showing a lot of restraint right now."

In spite of his words, his devious free hand was traveling up Qin Rong's abdomen, reaching his nipples with a confidence that belayed those words. Any words of protest died in his throat as he stared into Xander's dark eyes.

Qin Rong melted, having decided that this wasn't that bad. It felt kind of nice to be touched~

He was learning a lot about his body, not uncomfortable in the least, and letting Xander have his fun. They were adults after all. What was a little fun?

Then the hand that had been holding his chin traveled down. Qin Rong's mind was enjoying the nipple play so he assumed that he'd be fondled on both sides but...

"A-ah, why are your hands moving there!?" Qin Rong cried out, feeling Xander attempt to slip his fingers into his pants. The erection he'd been sporting for a while now twitched under the fabric, seemingly looking forward to the man's attention.

Traitor!

Xander stared back at Qin Rong, his brow cocked curiously. "I can't?"

Stop asking me that! He thought, wanting to curse at the man. It made him feel weird about questioning him. If it wasn't alright, Qin Rong would knee him in the balls, no questions asked. But if he(Xander) responds like that, how could he(Qin Rong) not notice this?

It was embarrassing to realize Qin Rong wasn't as against this as he thought he would be.

"S-shut up."

Seeing the man in his arms mutter such words, how could the genius prince who survived the battlefield at such a young age not know what was being said.

That and the pale neck that peeked from behind his blue hair was flushed a pretty red.

His Qin Rong was the shy type. How cute~

"As you wish." He whispered, pressing his lips to the flushed skin, feeling the man shiver under him.

Qin Rong stayed silent, not wanting to hear any more "I can't?"s from this guy. It was too embarrassing so let this just be another 'one time'.

Getting his approval, Xander smiled and spun the Fae to face him. Gold eyes widened in brief surprise, the naked lust reflecting Xander's own shined bright in those golden orbs.

That moment was brief as Qin Rong gave him an impatient look that screamed 'is this all you have for me after riling me up?'

Ah, his Qin Rong was too cute~

Xander lifted Qin Rong up, quickly carrying him back to the table they had been talking at mere minutes before. The Bluenette sat on the edge, a bit confused as to why he was placed here. Even more confused when he saw Xander kneel down between his legs.

A prince, kneeling down to some thug. What kind of picture was this painting!?

Despite the obvious questions in Qin Rong's eyes, Xander obeyed his previous order and said nothing.

Xander instead focused on the sight before him, admiring the legs before him. Slender and soft when looked at but just touching them, one could feel the strength underneath. Firm and speaking volumes of the work this man had put into his body.

A body worthy of a prince's worship.

Like a devout follower, Xander paid his respect and admiration to Qin Rong with a tender kiss. The leg, held in the prince's grip, trembled. The hands that had been laying flat against the table gripped the edge tightly.

His Fae liked this, it seemed.

Qin Rong, watching as this brazen young man kissed his way up his legs, definitely liked this. No, he really really liked this. Better still, he wished to feel the pleasant sting of teeth pressing into his sensitive skin.

"Haa~"

As if his thoughts were spoken, Xander granted his desire, sinking his teeth into Qin Rong's lower thigh. He moaned, unable to resist sinking his fingers into those black locks. He tugged hard, bringing him closer as the prince continued his worship.

Qin Rong's shorts were loose enough to be pushed up but only to a certain point. The closer he got to his pubic area, the more impatient he felt. Even when his leg dangled off Xander's shoulder, he felt like they weren't close enough.

Just a bit more!

His stomach clenched with anticipation, wanting to feel Xander's mouth on him. He pulled Xander closer, wrapping his legs around the man's shoulders.

"A bit impatient, aren't we?" Xander chuckled, pressing a kiss to the blunette's thigh. The faint moan that followed was well worth the punishing tug he received in turn.

"Don't start!" He growled, trying to look fierce even with his face flushed and his eyes misting over.

He looked even better in the light of day! Xander felt like he was losing his mind. If Qin Rong kept looking at him like that, he would absolutely swallow this man whole and never let him escape again.

But first-

Xander smiled indulgently, reaching up to pull down the offending shorts keeping them apart. The mercenary even relaxed his leg lock to make it easier. Their hearts raced, having been building up to this for however long they had been doing this.

Just as the first blue hairs began to peek over the edge, a knock echoed through the room.

Both men froze, their thoughts echoing one another. The words said in their heads were too explicit to even be imagined as the spell between them broke.

Qin Rong was the first to move, pushing Xander away with his foot. The prince landed on his butt with quite the sound but Qin Rong paid that no mind. He was too focused on fixing his clothes. The shirt that had been pushed up until his nipples were just barely visible and the shorts that hadn't even gotten past his hips were straightened up in seconds.

His face was red but once his clothes were realigned, he was the picture of professionalism.

Xander, on the other hand, was furious. He and Qin Rong had been...

When he got his hands on the one who got in between them, they had better hope the news they were bringing was worth the trouble he was now going to have to deal with!

He glanced at Qin Rong, who had just finished fixing his clothes. If not for the mild flush to his cheeks, no one would ever even suspect what had been happening just moments before.

Even so, Xander couldn't let this guy slip away.

"Qin Rong." He started, his voice husky and deep. It was the kind of voice that people want to throw themselves at him. To draw out more sensual sounds from those lips and-

No more thoughts like that! Qin Rong mentally scolded himself, shaking his head. He had almost made a mistake with not only a friend but a possible client.

"It looks like there are some things you need to take care of." Qin Rong finally managed to say, his back still to Xander. "Your men are waiting for you."

Outside the door, Xander's guards were indeed waiting for a response, the magic within them trembling with trepidation. They were probably bringing bad news and were nervous.

Or they know that their prince would be pissed at being interrupted and feared the aftermath.

His position wasn't stable yet and being found in what one might generously call a dive bar would make things harder for him.

Either way, Xander couldn't stay any longer.

He sighed, staring at the back of his beloved Faery, with whom he had just shared a moment of intimacy.

Next time... He promised himself, settling his heart,

"Qin Rong, I don't want things to end here." He stated calmly. "I won't let you just run despite everything between us. I want more."

"More?" He echoed, feeling a bit flustered still. It was embarrassing to know that Xander already anticipated Qin Rong running away but what could he do? Stay and... talk about it!?

Yet despite the clear sign of people waiting for him, Xander showed no urgency to leave, caging Qin Rong in. He could escape, obviously, but such a thing was happening just moments after he had been pleading for this man to stripe him down and do... that kind of stuff.

Such rational thoughts were quick to leave his mind.

"What do you mean by that?" Qin Rong asked cautiously, staring Xander down.

Xander's mood brightened, feeling relieved at his response. The fact he was asking at all meant Qin Rong wasn't too opposed to it. As Nik had said, being upfront is the best way to chase this man.

"If we could be true lovers, that would be best." He admitted, leaning in closer. "But if that's too much to ask, we could start slow."

Qin Rong choked, not expecting such a sudden declaration.

First, they fondled each other, then he almost had a hand shoved down his pants, and only now was he being asked out? Qin Rong felt like screaming 'isn't this clearly out of order?!'

"Aren't you here as a client?" Qin Rong cried, looking away. He looked out of sorts and miserable. In Xander's eyes, he looked cute.

"As I said, you are still considering whether to accept the job or not, so we aren't in a formal relationship yet." He replied with an enigmatic smile. "It's not unethical to court you."

Court? That was such a formal way of saying that when it's obvious from that bulge in his pants, his desires are a bit different.

Seeing the direction of his friend's gaze, Xander's smile grew wider.

"Darling, you can't do that." He teasingly scolded, leaning in to whisper in his ear. "I'm already hard but if you stare I'll-"

"Shut up and go, you pervert!" Qin Rong interjected, pushing Xander toward the door. "You have things to do!"

"But not you?" He teased, openly giving the mercenary a once over.

"Shut it!"

Xander burst out laughing, amused by this new discovery. His Qin Rong was a bit shy? Or perhaps it was just because it wasn't just him that had missed out on fulfilling their desire?

Either way, he loved this.

He was quickly deposited outside the meeting room, his cloak covering most of his form and hiding his arousal.

"I'll notify you about your request at a later date." Qin Rong stated, unconsciously switching to mandarin in front of his men.

"I hope you'll consider more than just the job, darling." Xander responded in kind, showing a gentle smile.

The men who came to relay their message could only stand there in stunned silence. Not only was the prince speaking an unfamiliar tongue with a stranger, but he was smiling at said stranger.

Perhaps he was different from what others said?

Qin Rong, meanwhile, scowled. This brazenly shameless guy! Asking him out like this? Just what kind of guy did Xiao Xan become?

What kind of guy am I to not immediately reject him? He thought, sighing.

"I-" He started to speak but was interrupted by another voice.

"Shinei-san!" A couple pairs of eyes darted toward the sound. And then upward as a tall man approached. Arthdal was tall by most people's standards but now stood at least a head over everyone present. "I have something that needs your input."

"Now?"

"Yes." He answered, his eyes briefly landing on Xander. "Your order came in and we need to check it out."

His words were said in Japanese, a completely foreign language in this world. The guards could only frown as they heard more strange words said but Xander could only frown.

An order? His investigation hadn't turned up anything about an order request from Qin Rong. He had had his men block requests from coming in but this slipped through the cracks?

Someone wasn't doing their job very well.

Somewhere, the man whose job it was to monitor Qin Rong shuddered with dread. Was he coming down with something?

Qin Rong perked up, feeling excited at the words. If what he ordered worked the way he planned, his job would be a million times easier and less stressful! And a lot more fun~

"Awesome, let's get going!" The mercenary agreed, following behind Arthdal. Xander was left behind, almost completely forgotten as they started whispering to each other.

Xander watched them go, his mood souring with every step. His cold stare fell upon the two hapless guards who had come to get the prince. Yet the look of cold disdain was so surprising, they weren't sure how to respond.

What happened to that smiling prince from mere moments ago!? Was it a hallucination?

"What happened?" He demanded, pulling his hood up. The day was hot but they weren't planning on traveling on the local streets anyway.

"S-sire, the matter with Lady Hegnan has devolved." the guard relayed, lowering his head as he followed the man. "Her family seems to be trying to tie you to her."

"Despite the incident?" He questioned, frowning. Considering how Qin Rong had handled it, he was shocked the family was being so shameless. To still try to cling to him even with all the evidence against her is... "Someone is supporting her."

It wasn't a question.

Xander truly wasn't in the best position. His father liked him but only because he won battles. At best, he was a nice and deadly knife that could be used to slash throats but Xander wasn't content with just that. If he wanted to better his life and the lives of his subjects, needed to be more than just a weapon.

He looked back at the retreating figure of Qin Rong.

I'll need you as well. He thought, melding into the shadows.

***

Qin Rong, on the other hand, was thinking about his special project. He and Arthdal had been discussing it since they met, eager to bring just a bit of their world into this new one.

On the table in Arthdal's bedroom, was an assortment of metal pieces. Individually, it looked like a puzzle that could never be pieced together but to the two men's trained eye, they saw an opportunity.

An actual gun.

The world they resided in had guns, though they were underdeveloped since magic made them generally useless in most fights. Even a knife was more useful since it could be hidden and used quickly. Outside of cannons and the like, there wasn't much the two former assassins could work with.

Then they got a brilliant idea. If it wasn't available, why not make it themselves?

So far, the best they could do without drawing too much attention was a handgun, though it came out a bit different than what one might see in their world. For one thing, it was a lot more... extra.

"Was all this necessary?" Qin Rong asked, looking over the finished product. It was a bit larger than the ones he was used to but that was less of an issue.

The problem was that it looked almost comically ornate!

"It looks cool!" Arthdal argued, his eyes glimmering as he held his gun and admired it. "I gave the blacksmith a picture of a gun from an anime I used to watch cause if I had to use anything, it was definitely going to be that one. The fact it came out so well..."

Arthdal looked like a child who got exactly what he wanted for Christmas and felt the need to let everyone know.

Qin Rong just looked at him with mild disgust.

This freaking weeb. He thought, looking away with pity.

Unaware of being derided, Arthdal continued. "I got you a pair since you said you wanted something too. I even made them simple since you don't like anime

Just because he didn't want to cosplay while in another world, he didn't like anime? This bastard. Still, he accepted the simple pair of handguns with ease. They were heavy but it was a familiarly nostalgic weight that comforted him.

It was almost as if he hadn't been killed.

The metal gleamed under the light peeking through the window, a silver, and black pistol each. As he familiarized himself with the feel, Arthdal peeked over at him, noting the red mark on his neck.

It hadn't been there that morning.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" He asked, earning a confused look from his partner. The phantom smiled mysteriously, tapping his neck. "With that client. Wasn't he the guy you were dancing with before?"

"Yes, we..." He tried to think of how to explain that moment. He wasn't opposed to it but being so intimate with a friend was... strange, wasn't it? Especially if it was a guy. "We messed around a bit."'

"Wow," Arthdal raised a brow, not expecting such a response. "I thought he was just a friend but-"

"He is!"

Even though he had also asked Qin Rong out afterward.

Arthdal continued. "A friend that you sleep with twice?"

"We didn't even have sex once!" He declared, a bit annoyed.

They really had just rubbed each other's dicks and stuff. There was no way he was letting anyone near his ass that easily. Friend or no.

At this, Arthdal felt a wave of pity for that client guy.

"Really? You blue balled him?"

"Fuck off!" The blunette snapped, kicking the taller man in the leg. "It's not like that!"

Besides, I'm the one left wanting this time. He thought, trying to ignore the heated flesh between his legs. Worse, talking about that night did nothing for his arousal as he recalled how it felt to have someone touch him too intimately.

Next time I see that guy, I'm gonna get him back for this!

"Moreover, that horny brat dared to ask me out after groping me all over." He complained, deciding not to think too deeply about how he felt about the matter. "That's just plain rude."

"Yet you went along with it?"

"Sex friends are a thing you know." He argued, though he briefly wondered if that was what this was becoming.

"Don't I know it." Arthdal muttered, looking away. Qin Rong only barely heard it but couldn't be sure.

"What was that?"

"N-nothing!" He stammered, placing his attention on his gun rather. The surface was gleaming but he still polished it furiously. "A-anyway, if you're cool with sleeping with a friend, why reject him?"

"Cause he's doing it all wrong!"

"Eh?" This energetic response got the man to stop his movement

"There is an order to things." Qin Rong proclaimed, frowning deeply. "First dates should be nice and relaxing. At most, there may be some hand-holding and maybe a kiss on the cheek! Yet he starts like this?! Shameless!"

Arthdal stared at him in disbelief.

This guy...

Was he the 'pure of heart' type?! Arthdal wouldn't have thought that was the case.

"Didn't you go to a brothel with the intention of having sex?"

"Yes but that's totally different from having a relationship with someone. If I agree, Xiao-Xan will be my... boyfriend." It was clear the term was still uncomfortable for him to say but he didn't look unwilling. "As such, I can't treat him the same as someone I'm paying for a service or just a casual thing. It's too insincere."

"Fair enough." He nodded, agreeing with the statement. "I just didn't peg you as the faithful type."

"So what? You think I'm some scumbag who'd do terrible things to my partner?"

"You are currently digging a heel into my leg as I am giving you advice." Arthdal complained, pointing to the offending limb.

"A job is a job. My partner is my partner." He snapped back. "Simple as."

Qin Rong was a fairly simple guy. He was very professional in his work and did his best to get every job done well. He was also a man with very few attachments to life. He'd lost so much over his years, he quickly learned not to get attached to things that could be taken from him.

Characters on a screen or on the pages of a book were eternal. They couldn't lie or stab him in the back.

People and relationships? They were rife with them.

He trusted Xander but that was as a friend. As a lover... that was completely different.

He hadn't had a lot of romantic relationships in his previous life but he'd been hired by enough jilted lovers to have a good idea how bad things could get.

Arthdal nodded, somewhat understanding. Qin Rong had told him about that guy's job proposal. While it was a pretty easy job, if Qin Rong was as sincere as he claimed, it'd probably be hard for him.

Plus this guy is a degenerate who obsessively watched dramas, so he was sure to mistake fiction for reality~

These were the thoughts of a man currently polishing a gun modeled after an anime.

***

At the same time, Xander was discussing the matter of Lady Hegnan with his brother and his trusted advisor, Jason.

"There are witnesses placing the woman in front of your door. Others might speculate that you set her up as some sort of trick."

"To what end?"

"Perhaps her backer wants you to marry her?" Nik proposed, frowning at the thought. "Though other than being a drain on your finances, there's not much benefit for them."

"She could easily act as a spy." Jason suggested That family has been known to associate with a lot of 'interesting' folks."

While the family was well received by his father, this favor truly just meant that the king allowed them to do things that would have landed most other people in prison. They were smart enough to keep their hands out of those kinds of things but were heavily associated with those who did.

That family was saintly if one only looked at the family itself.

Xander said nothing, contemplating the situation. It was troublesome, knowing so little. Since Xander had been out of the capital for so long, he had to rely on Nik and his men for information. The reports he'd received from them were significant.

His little brother wasn't known as the Prince of Shadows just because it sounded cool, after all.

Still, finding himself targeted so soon after his return from the battlefield was outside his expectations. Most of his siblings looked down on him, if not for his foreign blood, for his rumored ruthlessness.

In the eyes of many, he was a beast of war.

Yet upon his return, Lady Hegnan was sent to him. At first, he thought it was because the woman was still seeking him as a 'novel toy' but considering the actions now, he had some doubts.

Perhaps they had truly planned on setting up a scandal to force me to marry her. While he couldn't figure out what they would have gained, he felt this was the most likely scenario.

Then if Qin Rong hadn't saved me, I would have had no way of this situation.

Xander smiled, feeling bubbles of happiness erupting in his chest at the thought. Even without meaning to, Qin Rong saved me from those people's mysterious plot.

Nik had been tossing ideas at his assistant, only to stop and blink at his brother's expression. Here they were, working hard and trying to come up with a solution and this guy is looking all lovesick.

"Da-ge!" He called out, regaining the elder prince's attention. "We managed to block the rumors by spreading the hallway sex rumor around but I doubt those backers are going to let it end there. Did you get Rong-ge to agree to the job?"

Having Qin Rong act as X's fake lover was Nik's idea, since he knew having a male lover was bound to get attention. While acting out of sight would be preferred for most royal heirs, Xander wanted to become crown prince so he needed to stand out. And the best way to stand out is by doing as one wishes with little regard.

Xander needed a scandal to get the public's attention and distract his siblings from paying him too much mind. Let them think of him as a wild animal with no regard for proper relations. That way, when he cut them down, they were none the wiser.

That and it would allow Xander a chance to truly pursue Qin Rong, so it was a win-win.

The thing Nik had learned in all his years acting as an information broker, it was always best to be the one controlling the flow. Being the victim of rumors could only hurt you but if you are the one creating them, you were the winner.

Xander considered how to answer his brother. He had truly intended only to propose the job yet he ended up getting distracted. Still, the offer was made, and considering Qin Rong's personality, he could confidently say that the man's answer would surely be...

"He'll probably refuse." He stated, reclining his chair. Considering how much Qin Rong hates complications, he wouldn't want to be associated with a power struggle so directly. If it was a job or task, he was sure the mercenary would do it but to be in the public eye as Xander's lover?

He would definitely refuse.

Nik could only sigh. Xander knew that faery much better than he did so he was probably right.

What to do then?

"Rong-ge is the best choice if we want to do this right and we're running out of time." Nik grumbled, pacing the floor. "Father's birthday is coming up and he might try and pair you off to keep you out of the line of succession. We need to cut him off at the knees or-"

"Don't worry about that." Xander assured, his expression as calm as still water. Nothing at all like Nik had expected considering their tight schedule. "I have a plan."

"A plan?" Nik echoed, nervously staring at his brother. While Xander seemed the calm and cool type, he was actually pretty reckless. His plans were usually straightforward and, to put it nicely, as blunt as a punch to the face. That was why Nik was the one to usually make plans.

They balanced each other out.

Seeing his brother's nervous expression, Xander suppressed a smile.

"Don't worry. I'm not planning on kidnapping him and locking him away right now." He assured, though Nik didn't look convinced.

Jason, who stood nearby, could only gawk at the elder prince's words. Was that really something he planned on doing at some point?!

As if to prove his suspicions correct, Xander continued on.

"I mean it. Using my men to hunt him down and capture him would only annoy that man." He said with some regret. "Tying him down would be nice but knowing him, he'd get mad."

Was that the only reason he didn't do all that crazy stuff?! Jason paled at the thought, feeling concerned for this mysterious man.

*****

AN: The guns made for Arthdal and Qin Rong are anime style guns. Arthdal has the one from Psycho pass (I've never watched the show but the gun is pretty cool looking) and Qin Rong has the ones from Trigun. Honestly, I wanted to give him the pair from Gungrave but since he's not super into anime, it wouldn't suit him.