3rd person POV

"Attention everyone! His Majesty is entering the banquet hall," The guard announced and everyone bowed as Sian entered the hall followed by Eunsang.

Sian wore his black dragon robe and tied his hair in a topknot. His crown was perfectly fixed on his head and he waved a hand fan in front of his face as he walked towards his throne and sat down.

Eunsang, on the other hand, decided to wear black and red. He also held a hand fan like his husband.

"Everyone, eat as much as you want," Sian said.

"Thank you for your kindness, your majesty," The people said and started enjoying the food. The maids and servants served them whatever they wanted...there were different kinds of food and beverages to enjoy with the traditional music that the royal musicians were playing.

"Ahh...it's so hot in the afternoon," Sian said.

Eunsang fanned him with his hand fan and asked, "It's hot because of you, my king."

Sian looked at him and smirked, "Stop flirting with me, puppy..."

"Why?! Are you finding it hard to control yourself?!" Eunsang bit his lower lip to tease Sian.

Sian looked at him, "This is exactly how you seduced me to fall in love with you." He grabbed a glass of wine from the table in front of him and sipped from it.

"Hmph! Are you saying you didn't have feelings for me at all?!" Eunsang asked.

"I will answer your questions tonight," Sian winked and gave Eunsang his glass of wine, "Till then you can enjoy this."

Eunsang took the glass and drank the wine as he stared at Sian eating rice.

"Her Majesty, the queen is entering," The guard announced and Soyoung entered the hall followed by Iseul.

Everyone in the room stood up and bowed while both Sian and Eunsang rolled their eyes.

Soyoung went near the king and sat down on her throne. That's when Sian noticed that she was also wearing imperial black robes.

"Why are you twinning with me?" Sian glared at Soyoung

"I have no interest in twinning with you...I wouldn't have worn any shades of black if I had known that you would be wearing black!" Soyoung glared at him.

Both of them rolled their eyes at each other and focused on eating their meals.

..................

Jeongguk's POV

"We are near the capital....it will take an hour's ride from here!" Namjun hyung said.

"Hyung, let us stop by the secret village and take mother and Soyoung with us to the capital," I said.

"You've six hyungs, Jeongguk...which one of us are you referring to?!" Taehyun hyung asked.

"JIN HYUNG!!!!!!! LET'S STOP BY THE SECRET VILLAGE!!!!" I yelled so that Jin hyung could hear me because he was riding way ahead of all of us.

"Jin hyung is in a hurry to see the new queen," Hosung hyung giggled.

"I agree with Jeongguk...I feel like the king will be busy now and will not bother us anymore...so we can bring back Soyoung and second mother," Jimin hyung said.

"I heard you all...we will stop by the village!" Jin hyung said. "General, you take the troops and go to the capital first....we have to stop by somewhere," He told the general.

"As you wish, lord Jin!" He bowed and led the troops towards the capital.

"Lead the way Taehyun and Jeongguk...only you both know where it is located," Yunki hyung suggested.

Me and Taehyun hyung looked at each other and nodded. We increased the pace of our horses and reached in front, leading the hyungs towards the secret village.

After about a 30-minute ride, we reached the village but were horrified to see that the beautiful and peaceful village was deserted and burnt down.

I quickly got off my horse and looked around, "MOTHER!!!!!! SOYOUNG!!!!! SEOJUN!!!!!!! WHERE ARE YOU ALL???!!!!!"

Nobody answered...the whole village was deserted.

"What happened here?" Namjun hyung gasped.

"I can feel many ghosts around here!" Jimin hyung said.

"G-ghosts?! Is this a haunted p-place?!" Hosung hyung asked.

"Hey, you there...do you mind if I talk to you for a moment?!" Jimin hyung pointed at the air, "Yes you...ahh yes I can see you...do you mind telling me what happened here?!"

We all made a safe distance from Jimin hyung and the ghost he was talking to. After he was done talking, he turned towards us and said, "He said that the king's men burnt down the village while looking for someone!"

"What about the survivors?" I asked.

"He doesn't know!" Jimin hyung shrugged.

Meanwhile, Taehyun hyung went into the house where we were living and found out that it was in a half-burnt state and the terrace was in such a bad condition that it could fall anytime. We all followed Taehyun hyung in and found out that there was nothing except for our half-burnt baggage.

"Let's open this...if we can find any clue..." Jin hyung suggested.

Yunki hyung opened the baggage and there was nothing special except our clothes.

"Wait wait..." Jimin hyung took out a piece of paper from the baggage.

"What is this?!" Jin hyung asked.

"This is the letter I kept in Soyoung's outfit's pocket before she came here," Jimin hyung said.

"This is not helping...we must find Soyoung and the mother..." I insisted.

"Let me ask the birds..." Hosung hyung said and went out to talk to the birds...we all followed him out.

Hosung hyung called a sparrow and asked it, "Hey birdie, do you know where the villagers are?!"

The bird chirped and flapped its wings.

"He knows where they are...let's follow him," Hosung hyung said while mounting his horse...we all followed his lead.

The bird took us deep inside the forest inside a cave.

"MOTHER! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!" I yelled and my voice echoed inside the cave.

"SOYOUNG?!" Jimin hyung yelled.

"HELLO?! IS ANYONE HERE?!" Namjun hyung yelled and all of our voices echoed and disappeared into the void.

"JEONGGUK!!!!" That's when I spotted mother coming towards us. She ran towards me and hugged me tightly, "YOU ARE BACK, MY SON!"

Jin hyung, "Second mother...."

"Jin, Yunki, Hosung, Namjun, Jimin, and Taehyun....I am so glad to see you all again...." She pulled all of us into a tight hug as tears rolled down from her eyes.

"Where is Soyoung, mother?!" I asked.

She broke the hug and turned around, "I am sorry...I couldn't protect her...."

"What do you mean?" Taehyun hyung asked.

"After Taehyun and Jeongguk left the village, a lady named Iseul came and informed us that Soyoung's family has been imprisoned by the king...shortly after that our village was attacked by the king's men because they somehow got to know that we are outcasts living in this secret village. They burnt down the entire village...many people died and along with them Soyoung, Iseul, Seojun, and Wook died too..." She informed.

"WHAT?!" Taehyun hyung gasped in disbelief.

"This is impossible...did you see their bodies?!" Jin hyung asked.

"Yes...they were unrecognizable...but two of them were women and the other two were men..." Mother turned around and said.

"Where did you find the corpses?" Hosung hyung asked.

"Near the house where Jeongguk, Taehyun, and Soyoung were living..." She finally made eye contact with us as she replied.

"They might be random villagers hiding near the house but got burnt...." Namjun hyung said.

"That's right because if Soyoung had died, she would have communicated with me or at least I would have felt her presence with the other ghosts in that village...I can guarantee you all that Soyoung, Iseul, and Wook are alive..." Jimin hyung informed and mother's eyes sparkled with hope.

"And if they are alive then Seojun is alive as well, mother...." I said.

"We promise you that we'll find them all...probably they are all in hiding just like you and the other survivors," Yunki hyung said.

"But first we need to go to the capital....all our answers lie there," Jin hyung said.

"Till then take care, mother...once we settle things down we will come for you," I hugged her.

She kissed my forehead, "May fortune be with all of you. May you find Soyoung and the others in good health..."

We all bowed and left for the capital.

.............................

3rd person POV

"Attention everyone...her majesty will like to announce something!" Iseul said and all the people focused their attention towards Soyoung along with Sian and Eunsang.

"As you all know, a king's harem is as important as his treasury and imperial army because all these three things determine how influential and powerful the king is. And since as the queen, I am in charge of the harem, I would like to restore his majesty's harem and introduce a proper hierarchical system," Soyoung paused to look at Sian who just sipped his wine looking unbothered, "Many beautiful, young, and talented people are here today from different corners of the world...thus, I am anybody willing to become part of his majesty's imperial harem, can come forward," Soyoung said.

Soyoung knew that many young women among the guests wanted to marry Sian so many of them will be willing to join the harem. Besides, she thought that including ladies from the three big kingdoms in the harem will have her influence even outside of this kingdom.

Many ladies came forward and bowed. The Southern king came towards the throne and bowed, "Your Majesty, I had sent a marriage proposal for His Majesty many days ago but as the messenger was returning to the kingdom, some robbers killed him..."

Upon hearing that, Sian looked at Eunsang because he was unaware of such an incident. Eunsang cleared his throat and looked away because he was the one behind it.

"....Besides, the other day, I also told him that if he is looking for consorts to be included in his harem, then he should consider my daughter," The Southern king finished his sentence.

"Alright, if you are ok with it, your majesty, then we can accept the candidate from the Southern Kingdom into our harem as a noble consort..." Soyoung looked at Sian.

"Ok!" Sian shrugged.

The princess from the South came forward and knelt, "Thank you for your kindness, your majesty...I shall serve you well," She smiled shyly at Sian and he just nodded.

Soyoung put her phoenix stamp on the scroll of appointment and gave it to her, "You're appointed as the 1st noble lady."

"Thank you, your majesty!" She bowed and stepped backwards.

"I would be choosing two more noble consorts...just remember that noble consorts are ranked just below the chief noble consort," Soyoung said.

King Wook came forward and bowed, "I am always amazed by your wits, your majesty!" He smiled and Soyoung and continued, "I would like to strengthen the bond between the two kingdoms even more by offering my youngest daughter's hand...I would have liked it if his majesty could marry her but since he already got an amazing bride, I will have to settle for this..." He called her daughter in front.

The princess bowed and said, "I feel lucky to be a part of the world's most handsome man's harem,"

Sian offered her a fake smile in response and Soyoung gave her the scroll of the appointment, "You shall be called the 2nd noble lady," Soyoung said and the princess bowed and went to stand next to her father.

"Anyone from the Northern kingdom wants to join the harem?!" Soyoung asked.

The Northern king stepped forward and bowed, "I would have loved to offer someone, your majesty....but all the talented noble ladies in the royal family are too old for the young king."

Soyoung looked at the guests from the Northern Kingdom and saw a young man staring at the king with admiration in his eyes.

"Young man....would you please come forward?!" Soyoung said pointing at the young man.

The young man came forward and bowed.

"Would you like to join the harem as a noble consort?" She asked.

"M-me?!" His eyes widened.

Sian choked on his wine and Eunsang gasped.

"But your majesty, how can a man enter the harem?!" The Northern king asked.

"Is it written somewhere that the king should have only female consorts?! Besides, as far as I know, even in history, several kings had male consorts....have you ever heard about the cut-sleeve emperor?! What about Lord Long Yang?! And Mizi Xia's bitten peach?!... Have you all ever heard about them?!" Soyoung asked.

The crowd was left speechless by the queen's words. Finally, the Northern king turned towards Sian and asked, "What is your opinion on this matter, your majesty?!"

Sian shrugged, "She is right...I don't know about other kingdoms but in this kingdom, the ancient kings used to have male consorts as well....right, sir Eunsang?!" Sian looked at Eunsang.

Eunsang cleared his throat, "Yes, the king and the queen are right!"

Sian smirked at his response and Eunsang furrowed his brows at the king.

"And what about you, son?! Do you want to become his consort?!" The Northern King asked the young man.

The young man nodded shyly.

"Very well...if the king, queen, and my son have no problems with it then I don't have any problems as well...I offer thee my second son!" The Northern king and the prince both bowed.

Soyoung smiled and handed the prince his scroll, "You will be called the 3rd noble consort."

"Thank you, your majesty!" He bowed shyly and went back to his place.

For the next harem rank, that was 'imperial beauties', Soyoung very cleverly chose ladies from the clans of the minister of the treasury, minister of education, and the minister of trade and marketing so that she can have control over the council of ministers.

Sian understood what she was doing and why but he decided not to intervene because he had his own plan to deal with her.

She chose 8 royal concubines, among them 4 were men and the other 4 were women....these concubines belonged to the families of influential businessmen from the kingdom.

"Now, if the harem thing is sorted I would like to make an announcement too..." Sian said and everyone focused their attention on him. "On this auspicious occasion, I have decided to free some prisoners..." Sian paused and looked at the guards, "Bring them here..."

The guards brought Lord Seo, Master Lee, and Donghyung. As soon as the three of them saw Soyoung, they were shocked.

Soyoung looked at Sian with wide eyes.

"The kingdom got its long-awaited queen and on this auspicious event, I am freeing you three...come forward and give your blessings to the queen, Master Lee and Lord Seo."

"Mother!" Donghyung pointed at Soyoung and the crowd gasped.

Lord Seo quickly grabbed his hand and shoved the kid behind his back.

Soyoung's eyes became teary as she watched Master Lee and Lord Seo approaching her. She clenched the handrest of her throne.

"Long live the queen!" Both the men said as they bowed. Lord Seo encouraged Donghyung to bow too.

"Greetings, Mother!" The boy said and Soyoung fought back her tears looking at the adorable child. She wanted to hold him for it has been days since she last saw him.

Lord Seo looked into her eyes with lots of questions in his eyes which flowed in the form of tears from his eyes. Soyoung gulped and wanted to hug him but she couldn't...she had never felt so helpless. She looked at Mater Lee who stared at her with pity and guilt in his eyes.

That's when the victory bell was rung and the guards announced, "THE KNIGHTS ARE ENTERING! THEY SINGLE-HANDEDLY DEFEATED THE BARBARIANS WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE ROYAL ARMY!"

The crowd gasped and stared with awe at the knights as they entered the hall. Soyoung became restless upon hearing the announcement.

"Wow, what a timing!" Sian smirked.

"YOUR MAJESTY! WE'VE FULFILLED OUR TASK!" All of them thrust their swords on the ground and said in unison as they knelt and bowed.

"Incredible! I am so proud of you seven!" Sian clapped happily followed by the others.

"You all deserve a reward and I would like you all to receive the reward from the queen!" Sian smirked and looked at Soyoung and whispered, "You gave me a gift so I am giving you a return gift...I hope you enjoy!"

Soyoung stared at Sian in disbelief.

The knights went near the throne and as soon as Lord Seo, Donghyung, and Master Lee moved away and they saw the queen, they all paused in their tracks and were utterly shocked. Each one of them was so shocked as if they just saw a ghost...they were left speechless as they just stared at Soyoung...trying to figure out if it was an illusion or reality.

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