"No! I don't want to!"

"Felix—!"

"You can't make me!!!"

Being the Prince of a very small, rather insignificant kingdom usually had its perks. Felix didn't have to get involved in any sort of political nonsense, and his duties were rather minimal, both in number and in importance.

Despite being the future King of Helios, Felix lived a rather simple life. He went to a normal school with peasant and noble children alike, enjoyed archery and horseback riding in his free time, and spent most of his nights stargazing on the roof of the small castle he lived in. He was taught to care for others, to be kind to all. He was taught to be responsible, but also to speak his mind and to think for himself. He was taught to appreciate life humbly, despite his status, and to think of his people before himself.

But today... today, Felix couldn't bring himself to follow that last lesson.

"Enough, child!" snapped his father, the King. "Don't you understand? This is the chance for Helios to finally gain importance, and influence! To finally be implicated in the matters of the continent! You have been gifted with the opportunity to make our kingdom reach an even greater potential, for our culture to be finally acknowledged! And yet, you're saying that you don't want it? What nonsense!"

"What does importance and influence matter? What does renown and acknowledgement from nations who've been ignoring and dismissing us for years matter?" snapped back Felix, gritting his teeth. "Why would care for the opinions of people other than our own? Why would you desire more, when what we have is already more than enough?"

"We've truly spoiled you rotten," scoffed the King.

"You haven't raised me to become the prey of greed, father. Helios is quite capable of functioning on its own, so why seek the support of the others?"

"Because you were chosen, Felix," answered softly his mother, the Queen. "For the first time in over five centuries, someone from Helios was chosen to become the ruler of Quatre—"

"Yeah, I heard you the first ten times—"

"—which means Helios is now a target."

A heavy silence blanketed the room, and Felix tensed up.

"What's that supposed to mean? What kind of target?"

"Every time a Ruler passes away, a ritual to find the next Heir takes place. In the last few centuries, the Heir was always found amongst one of our three neighboring nations: the Miroh Empire, the Kingdom of Bloom, or the Aurora Archipelago. This usually leads to conflict between the three, as the new Ruler will obviously favor their original nation despite ruling over the entirety of Quatre," explained the King, sounding a little tired.

"Yes, I'm aware of all of this," huffed Felix, crossing his arms over his chest. "I have attended most of my history lessons for the past few years. What of it? Helios has never been implicated in those conflicts before. We have no quarrels or disagreements with any of the others, so why start now?"

"Because of you. Because you were chosen as the new Heir, the future Ruler of Quatre, and you are not from one of the three bigger nations," answered the Queen, her tone becoming a little sharper. "You are of Helios, which means our kingdom will be dragged into this eternal cycle of conflicts and wars whether we want it or not."

"We are a small kingdom, Felix. We have little to no say in matters of the High Court, we have no existing alliance with any of the other nations, and our pacifist ways means we are completely unprepared to counter a full-out invasion, should it come to it."

Felix's face paled a little at that. "A- a full-out invasion? Surely you're joking!"

"They will look at you, and they will think you an incapable leader, merely because of your origins. They'll attempt to pressure you, to make you favor their nation over the others. They might attempt to take over Helios in order to force your hand into making decisions you do not wish to make."

"Then- then I can just abdicate!" he suggested, now genuinely scared. "I can just tell them that I don't want to do it and that they should find another Heir! We can—"

"The only way another Heir can be chosen is if the current one dies," replied harshly the King, making his son flinch. "Killing you or directly harming you would be like declaring war on the Gods, so none would dare make an attempt on your life. Since they cannot get rid of you, however, they will strike where you are weak—"

"—which is Helios," whispered Felix, finally understanding the gravity of the situation. "Our frontiers are barely protected, our military power is basically nonexistent, and we do not have the necessary resources or allies to properly defend ourselves should any of them decide to take Helios hostage and use it against me."

His parents heaved out matching sighs at that, obviously relieved he was finally coming to an understanding. Felix could be a little quick to let his emotions take over, but he could usually be reasoned with fairly quickly, since he was always willing to listen.

The Queen carefully took his hands. "This is why we made this decision, Felix. While I understand that this is not the life we promised you, an arranged marriage is the only way to guarantee the kingdom's safety and prosperity."

This was why Felix had been so angry in the first place – because his parents had suddenly announced that he was to marry someone he didn't know for the sake of Helios, despite having been told his entire life that he'd be free to marry for love.

"Arrangements have already been made. A party of each nation will gather in the High Palace on neutral territory and will present to you their chosen suitor," continued the King. "You will have some time to make your decision but, ultimately, you will have to choose one of them to become your consort – and thus pick one nation with which we'll be able to form an alliance, and who will come to our defense should the other two retaliate."

"You will have to be wise in making this decision, my son," murmured the Queen, gently stroking his freckled cheek. "See who is trustworthy, and who is not. Read between the lines, and find who will truly stand by your side and by Helios's, and who will turn their back on you at the slightest hint of trouble." She leaned in, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "I'm sorry, Felix. I truly wish things could have gone differently."

Felix let out a shuddering breath, closing his eyes so the tears that had been building up wouldn't fall. He didn't say anything else, simply leaning into his mother's embrace, but then she pulled him into a hug and he couldn't stop himself any longer. 

He let out a sob, hugging her back tightly as he cried in her chest like he used to as a child, and she simply held him, murmuring apologies in his ear. A moment later, the King joined them, silent tears running down his cheeks as he hugged the two most important people in his life.

Everyone called being chosen as Heir a blessing of the gods but, with how it was tearing their family apart, they found themselves doubting their faith for the first time.

.

Felix clicked his tongue in annoyance as the carriage hit another bump in the road, making his rear ache some more. He'd been stuck in that stupid thing for hours now, and he wanted nothing more than to get out and ride a horse by himself.

Unfortunately, the High Knights acting as his escort to the High Palace didn't seem too keen on letting him do as he pleased.

(He had barely gotten the chance to say goodbye to his family and his friends. The moment the knights had arrived at his castle, barely a few hours following his argument with his parents, they'd surrounded him and escorted him to the carriage.)

They treated him with the utmost respect – to the point where it made him uncomfortable, it's not like he was a divine reincarnation or anything – but they either acted as if he was made or glass, or as if he was incapable of doing anything by himself.

Whichever it was, it really pissed him off. He wasn't some fragile porcelain doll despite what appearances might suggest, and he most definitely knew how to take care of himself, thank you very much – but, as it was, the High Knights in charge of his protection simply weren't inclined to listen to his wishes. 

All he could do was sit tight and look pretty, and it suddenly dawned on him that this was most likely what would be expected of him for the rest of his life – not to rule, but to act as a symbol, a puppet for the real power to whom he'd give the reins upon marrying.

You can't be serious...!

Felix didn't want this. He was now glaring at the four-pointed star tattooed into the inside of his left wrist. The golden ink didn't really stand out against his sun-kissed skin, but it shimmered every time it caught the light, and he absolutely hated it.

(It had appeared the night the ritual took place in the High Palace. He was out for an evening at the lake with his friends when a bright light had suddenly engulfed him, and pain had irradiated from his wrist. When the light had eventually died down, he'd found the tattoo of the Heir seared into his skin – and, barely a week later, he'd found out about the fate awaiting him.)

They all expect me to become a tool, a stupid pawn... He gritted his teeth, hardening his resolve. I won't give up so easily!

.

The High Palace was the residence of the Ruler of Quatre, located smack in the middle of the continent on neutral territory – it was allegedly a land blessed by the gods, and none of the four nations that made up the continent were willing to go against the rules and incite divine wrath on themselves.

The neutral territory in itself wasn't very large, mostly made up of vast plains and a scarce few villages and towns that answered directly to the High Council in charge of aiding the Ruler in the affairs of the court – they were unaffiliated, only loyal to the gods and their chosen Heir.

Felix was admittedly taken aback by how grand the High Palace was – much bigger and much more luxurious than the castle he'd grown up in, that much was obvious. He couldn't deny that the gardens seemed inviting, and he found himself a bit eager to explore the entire place.

I heard that here, the sky is always clear when night comes, he mused as he gazed upon the high towers surrounding him. Surely there are many stars to be seen...

He had been guaranteed a library three times as big as his old one, and the plains looked perfect for long rides on horseback, too...

(He was trying his hardest to find some good in his situation. No matter how his decision regarding his future consort went, he would still be Ruler and, as such, he'd have to get used to life here – might as well make the best of it.)

He wasn't given much more time to gawk, however, as a High Knight joined him and, with a way-too-deep bow, requested that he followed him inside. As he did so, Felix tried his hardest not to look too taken aback by the sheer amount of gold ornaments and crystal chandeliers that could be seen... well, everywhere.

Frankly, it was a little much. Where did they get that many riches, anyway?

He was guided by the High Knight to some sort of council room, where a bunch of men and women cladded in white and silvery robes were gathered. The moment he stepped inside, every single one of them dropped to their knees, then pressed their foreheads against the floor, palms turned upward.

"Welcome, O Divine Heir," they all greeted as one.

Felix gulped, just the slightest bit creeped out. "Erm... hi?"

One of them, a woman, rose to her feet, but kept her head bowed. "We welcome you with great joy, Your Highness. We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. I am Sunmi, the High Priestess – and the others with me are the members of the council who conducted the ritual to find you."

"Nice to meet you, Sunmi," he replied, bowing a little awkwardly. "I am Prince Felix of Helios—"

"You are no longer of Helios," cut abruptly another priest, not getting up yet. "The Ruler of Quatre is neutral."

Right. As if the previous Rulers were neutrals, scoffed internally Felix.

"You've surely had a tiring journey, Your Highness," remarked Sunmi before the freckled boy could find something to say. "Allow me to guide you to your quarters."

"S- sure. But can- can everyone else get up? This is starting to get a bit weird..."

"It is tradition that no one on the council but the High Priest or High Priestess gazes upon the Heir until given direct permission by them," replied simply Sunmi.

"Oh, okay."

Still feeling a bit out of place, Felix walked up to the nearest priest, a woman. He crouched and extended his hand to her.

"Hello. You may rise. May I know your name?"

There was a moment of stillness. Then, the woman hesitantly lifted her head, and Felix smiled when their eyes met. She hesitantly grabbed his hand, and he promptly helped her back to her feet.

"I am Tzuyu, Your Highness."

"Nice to meet you, Tzuyu. I look forward to working with you."

She gave him an uncertain nod, and Felix smiled again, before moving to the next priest, not too far behind her. It took a few minutes but, eventually, the prince managed to greet everyone and grant them permission to... look at him, or whatever it was. Once done, he faced them and bowed once more, deeper than before.

"Thank you, for being so welcoming. Please forgive any mistake I might make, and grant me your guidance and wisdom in my reign-to-be."

"Your Highness!" Sunmi was instantly beside him, looking mortified. "You needn't bow to anyone! You are to be Ruler, everyone else is beneath you—"

"There is no one beneath me, Sunmi," he retorted, his tone firm as he straightened up to meet her eyes. "I don't know how previous Rulers acted, but I beg of all of you: do not treat me as though I am greater. Chosen by the gods or not, I'm still very much human – I will make mistakes, and I can be wrong, and I will be counting on all of you to be honest and tell me when such is the case, so I may correct theses mistakes and become better. Can I count on you?"

The High Priestess was staring at him with wide eyes, before she promptly bent over in a deep bow once again.

"Of course, Your Highness. We will support you in any way you require."

"Good. Now, would you mind telling me a bit more about what exactly will be expected of me as Ruler? Because not going to lie, I suck at politicking."

Sunmi looked taken aback once more, and he could see the rest of the priests gathered exchange uncertain looks. But then, the woman's lips stretched into a faint smile and, instead of bowing again, she simply nodded.

"It is what I am here for, Your Highness. Come, I will take you to your quarters and answer your questions on the way there."

.

Sunmi was a little stiff, in the sense that she held traditions in high regards. However, she seemed to quickly warm up to the fact that Felix wasn't like the previous monarchs their order had served, and that he wasn't willing to treat her or anyone else like mindless servants despite his new position.

She explained that, as per agreed between the four rulers of the four nations that made up Quatre, Felix would have three months to choose a consort amongst three suitors – each party would arrive in one week from now, so as to allow Felix some time to get used to life in the High Palace.

The High Council, whom he'd met just before, was led by High Priestess Sunmi, and was composed of twelve members, including her. They were the ones in charge of accomplishing the ritual when they needed to find a new Heir, and they were the Ruler's advisors during his reign. While Felix would always have the last word in making decisions, he could count on them to share their opinions and help him make the right calls.

Everyone in the palace answered to him. Ruler was a position of absolute power, from military to politics, and it was admittedly a little scary. Every single order he gave had to be respected and followed, and any choice made would have repercussions on all four nations – it was a lot of responsibilities to shove on the shoulders of someone as inexperienced as him.

As such, Felix quickly started making some plans of his own. He was still opposed to the idea of basically being bullied into marrying someone he didn't know, but then he started thinking about what kind of opportunity his new title presented.

In the past, conflicts constantly arose between the three bigger nations because each Ruler favored their country of origin. However, what if Felix showed that he was capable of treating all three of them equally? What if he proved to the leaders that he could be a fair Ruler? Surely everyone would be happy, then!

Felix was a pacifist at heart, and not only because of how he'd been raised. He genuinely didn't understand how or why such powerful nations were constantly at each other's throats when they could accomplish so much more by simply working together. So, in the hopes of better understanding the differences that led them to loathe each other, Felix made it his mission to learn more about Miroh, Bloom, and Aurora.

In the week of calm preceding the storm, he spent most of his time reading books, ranging from historical records to essays depicting the respective cultures of the three nations. He often sought out the members of the council when he had questions to which books didn't have an answer, and they were more than happy to impart their knowledge on him.

He also explored the High Palace in its entirety, and made a point of conversing with every single staff member or knight he came across. Back home, he knew every single person working in the castle by name, and he also knew most of the villagers living nearby since he'd been schooled with their children.

("Each individual matters," had said his father, when Felix was still quite young and didn't understand why he'd bother learning everyone's name. "Each person has their own story to share, their own thoughts, their own way to live. If you take just a few minutes of your time to acknowledge that, then many more will be willing to do the same for you.")

To say the staff had been taken aback by his openness would be... an understatement. It took a few days for them to understand that he was genuine in his intentions, and that they shouldn't be afraid of him.

(Sunmi had assured him that it was respect, but Felix wasn't stupid – he could see the fear in the way they all avoided looking at him in the eyes, or practically groveled the moment they crossed paths.)

But all in all, everything was slowly coming together. It was a little hard to get used to sleeping in such gigantic quarters by himself, and he often felt homesick, but he tried to focus on learning as much as he could to become the best Ruler he could be and, by the time the first week came to an end, his efforts were already starting to pay off.

"Here, Your Highness! Heard it was your favorite!"

Felix gasped, delighted, as a plate of roasted pheasant was served before him. "Thank you so much, Chef Lee! This looks amazing!"

"Eh, eh, it's my pleasure," grinned the Head Cook, looking a little smug. "Got the recipe from my wife – we're real grateful for the time off and the treatment you so generously offered, so it's really nothing much."

"How is your daughter? Is she taking well to the treatment?" asked Felix, hopeful.

"Yeah, she's already doing tons better!" beamed the man.

Felix had heard some gossip while visiting the kitchens, a few days prior. The Head Cook's daughter had fallen gravely ill, but neither of her parents could afford taking time off to take care of her, and they also couldn't afford proper treatment.

Upon hearing this, Felix had immediately gone to meet Chef Lee and told him that he and his wife could take a week off, and would still be paid in the meantime. He also insisted on paying for their daughter's treatment. However, Chef Lee had refused outright charity, and had decided to keep on working while his wife took the week off, which also gave her the opportunity to rest her hip, which was starting to give her some trouble.

"We're really grateful, Your Highness. I'll cook you roasted pheasant for every damn meal if that'll make you happy!" exclaimed cheerfully the cook.

Felix laughed at that. "That won't be necessary, but thank you – I'll enjoy it. On another note, have you managed to figure out the menu I requested for the banquet?"

"Oh, right! Wasn't easy to get our hands on everything we needed, but we're set! It'll be the most delicious food they'll have ever eaten, I guarantee it!"

"Thank you. I really appreciate the work you put into it."

"Sure thing, Your Highness!"

With a cheery wave and a bounce in his step, the Head Cook then left the dining hall to get back to work. Felix heaved out a happy sigh, pleased by the good news regarding the man's daughter's health, and also by the amazing aroma coming from the meal he had just been served.

Just as he took a first bite, Sunmi entered.

"Oh, Sunmi! Here, come taste this! It's amazing!" he beamed.

The older woman chuckled softly, joining him at the table. She took a seat, but didn't take the fork he was handing her.

"Thank you, Your Highness, but I'm afraid I don't eat meat." Felix nodded in understanding, taking the bite for himself, and she placed a folder on the table. "I came here to inform you that Tzuyu finished the task you gave her – here are the written records of every single staff member, their working hours, and their salary."

"Wow, that was fast," mused Felix, opening the folder to take a look. "Is Yedam done with evaluating the worth of the treasury?"

"Almost. He said he'd be done by the evening."

Felix frowned slightly at that. "How long has he been at it?"

"Ever since you gave him that task, I believe."

"Tell him to take today off. The treasury is gigantic – he's probably been pulling all-nighters to get it done faster," sighed Felix, shaking his head. "And if he tries to protest, tell him that it's an order. He can continue tomorrow morning, once he's rested enough."

Sunmi bit back a smile, nodding as she wrote it down on her pad. "I'll pass the message along right away. Was there anything else you required?"

"Yes. The previous Ruler was from Bloom, wasn't she?"

"Yes."

Felix narrowed his eyes a bit. "I'd like to have a look at Bloom's financial records. I know for a fact that they were given quite a generous sum of money in the past few decades, so it doesn't make any sense for their people to still struggle with famine and poverty."

"Understood. I'll have Mina work on it and bring it to you before the end of the day."

"Thank you. How are the preparations for our guests coming along?"

"They're done, Your Highness. All living quarters have been prepared, and we have enough space to host the contests you picked." She pulled out another paper. "Here is a list of every single member of the three parties that are to arrive tomorrow morning – but, as you've already been made aware, you will not be allowed to meet with any of them until the banquet."

"Confined to my room, uh?" remarked Felix, half-teasingly. "But thank you for the list, it'll make remembering their names much easier."

"Of course. Also, each suitor will offer you a gift upon introduction. Please, make sure not to show any favor toward one in particular right off the bat, unless you'd like to cause a political strife on the first day."

Felix snorted at that. "Right, wouldn't want them hating each other more than they already do, would we? But thanks for the warning, I'll be careful."

"Very well. If that is all, then I shall take my leave. The books and records you've requested will be brought to your study shortly but, if you find yourself in need of anything else, please feel free to call for me."

"Will do. Thank you, Sunmi!"

The High Priestess spared him a smile before leaving. Felix heaved out a small sigh as he started flipping through the numerous pages of the folder she'd left with him. There were many more staff members than he thought, but he wanted to do this right, so he'd take the time to properly go through all of it.

Well, considering I'll basically be on house arrest for the entire day tomorrow, that ought to give me some time to work on it, he mused dryly.

.

"Your Highness... Your Highness...!"

Felix groaned, bringing his hands up to rub his eyes. He'd ended up staying up late, getting caught up in his side-projects, and he couldn't understand why one of the maids was now gently shaking him awake when there was barely any sunlight—

"You asked me to wake you when the first party arrived, Your Highness."

That chased away the remnants of sleep, and Felix bolted upright, earning a startled yelp from the maid. He offered her an apologetic smile as he scrambled out of beg, eager to take a look at their first guests. Even if he wasn't allowed to meet with them until later tonight, he was curious – he'd never seen anyone from outside of Helios before. 

Going to stand near the closed glass door that led to the balcony, he peered outside, and instantly spotted the group of dark horses and soldiers cladded in black and red. There were quite a few of them, and he instantly noticed the leader. Even from afar, he stood out from the rest of his men thanks to his broad stature and large fur coat.

"This is the party from the Miroh Empire," whispered Sana, right next to him – she was one of the most gossiping maids around, meaning she knew a lot. "The Emperor is named Christopher, but I've heard his closest people call him Chan."

"Do you know which one is the suitor from Miroh?" he asked, curious.

"I'm afraid not, Your Highness."

Felix hummed under his breath, taking a few more seconds to observe the party below, before heaving out a loud sigh and walking back to his bed. He flopped down on the mattress with a groan.

What a pain...

"Do you feel ill, Your Highness?" asked worriedly Sana, hurrying back to his side. "I can send for a doctor right away—"

"No, no, I'm fine. I'm just... already dreading meeting them," he admitted, rubbing his temples. "This is going to be a long three months."

"Oh, I see. Three months, huh? We've never hosted guests in the High Palace for this long before, let alone guests from all three bigger nations at the same time," she informed, wincing a bit. "Here's hoping the existing rivalries won't be exacerbated by living in close-quarters for this long."

"Ugh, I just hope they won't start squabbling like children right off the bat," he grunted. "I've barely been here for a week and I've already got too much on my plate – I don't have time to deal with petty grievances."

"Well, you're the Divine Heir," she shrugged, patting his shoulder so he'd get up. "If you order them to get along, they'll have to."

"You know, somehow, I doubt it'll be that easy."

"Well, can't you just threaten to have them kicked out if they don't behave?"

"I could, but I don't want to open the door to potential sabotage. From what I've gathered, their relationships are at the lowest they've ever been – I wouldn't put it past any of them to resort to uncouth methods in order to get rid of the competition."

Sana hummed in understanding as he started making his bed. The next three months truly wouldn't be easy for anyone, but Felix sincerely hoped that they'd at least be able to keep things civilized without his interference – because somehow, he doubted any of them would take kindly to being ordered around by him.

.

As per requested, Felix spent the entire day in his quarters. He worked in his study pretty much the entire time, though he took short breaks when Sana dropped by to inform him that the party from Bloom, and eventually the Party from Aurora, had also arrived.

Toward the end of the afternoon, Sana returned once again, though she was accompanied by a group of maids this time around. Felix was more or less dragged out of his study and into the large bathroom where a hot bath had already been drawn for him, and he was then instructed to get in and let them work their magic.

(Felix was incredibly uncomfortable, and was quick to assure them that he could bath himself. It took some convincing, mostly because it was apparently their duty to attend to the future Ruler's every need, but he eventually managed to make them leave.)

Once he was done bathing, he dried himself, slipped on a silk bathrobe, and finally stepped outside, where the maids were patiently waiting for him. The moment he got out, he was guided over to another adjoined room, of which the walls were made of mirrors, with a small pedestal in the middle of it.

"What even is this...?" he muttered, confused.

"Your tailoring room, Your Highness," answered Sana.

"But why do I have an entire room dedicated to tailoring? That's such a waste of space!"

The maid had simply shrugged before gently nudging him onto the platform. A moment later, a woman dressed in a beautiful pink jacket and matching pants entered, accompanied by two younger men carrying four bags and a large suitcase.

"Hello, Your Highness," greeted the woman, offering a curt bow. "I am Haneul, the Royal Seamstress and your tailor. I'm the one in charge of making all of your formal wear, including tonight's ceremonial robes."

"Ceremonial...?" gulped Felix.

She hummed in confirmation, circling the platform he was standing on and practically picking him apart. Feeling a little shy, Felix still did his best to stay still and let her work – he wasn't unfamiliar with a tailor's services, but she had an intimidating presence.

"... nope. I can't do it."

"W- wait, what?" he gasped.

She snapped her fingers at one of the men accompanying her. "Sunwoo, put it away. The shading's wrong, it's too broad at the shoulders, and it's not the right color scheme – it'll make his hair look flat and won't do anything for his complexion."

"Wait, wait, wait! You didn't even make me try it on!" protested Felix, aghast.

"Trust me, Your Highness – I know my job, and I'm damn good at it," she assured firmly. "We'll just start over from scratch. Stand tall, chin up, arms spread! We'll have to be efficient if we want this to work!"

.

Felix liked Haneul a lot. She was a passionate type of woman who treated him like she'd treat any other client, she had a good head on her shoulders, and her dry remarks and humor made him laugh more than once.

It took the entire afternoon for the seamstress to come up with a new outfit. Felix didn't even get the chance to take a look at the initial one, but he couldn't say he was displeased with the end result (even if he'd complained a bit after standing still for almost two hours).

The robes were elegant, made of silk and decorated with simply golden trimming. What Felix really liked about it, however, was the fact that it was a deep, almost shimmering blue – the color of Helios. He'd expected to be dressed in golden shades, but Haneul had retorted that if he wanted to make a statement, then it had to start with his clothes, with which he could only agree.

His blond hair was styled to the side, and a gold diadem with a single sapphire in the middle circled his forehead. Golden dust had also been sprinkled over his cheeks, though he'd insisted not to have his freckles covered. Many more pieces of jewelry were also added, such as earrings, bracelets, and necklaces – most of which weren't there to compliment the esthetic, but because they were symbols to be worn as part of the tradition, and Felix hadn't been able to argue his way out of it.

By the time they were finally done, the sun was starting to set, and it was time for Felix to meet everyone, at last.

"How are you feeling, Your Highness?" asked Sunmi as she accompanied him to where the banquet was held.

"Like a pig being sent to the slaughter."

She shot him a look, and he sighed, sending a disdainful glance at the numerous bracelets weighing down his arms – frankly, they felt no better than shackles would.

"Apologies. I'll try to... keep my opinions to myself."

"If you do not wish to appear like an easy target, then stand proudly and show that you are proud of your future title," she instructed firmly. "If you're too honest about your feelings toward the current situation, they might very well try to use them against you."

"I understand." He spared her a tentative smile. "Thank you, for looking out for me."

"Always, Your Highness."

They finally reached the banquet hall, and Felix let out a shuddering breath, steeling his resolve as he faced the doors. The moment he stepped inside would mark the beginning of the end but, hopefully, it wouldn't be too bad an ending.

"Ready?" asked Sunmi.

"Never will be," he admitted, but straightening his back. "Let's go."

With a firm nod, Sunmi went ahead and loudly knocked on the door. Instantly, the low chatter on the other side died down, and the doors began being pulled open from the inside. Sunmi instantly slipped in.

"His Highness, the Divine Heir and future Ruler – Prince Felix!"

Well, that's my cue, he gulped, bracing himself. Let's get this shit show started.

With his head held high, Felix stepped inside. He allowed his eyes to wander over the gathered crowd as he made his way to the square table that had been set up in the middle of the room, where the leader of each nation was already seated. On the right side, the left side, and the opposite side of the room had been set up larger tables, each of them occupied by a different party – and all of them surrounding the square table.

All of the people inside had risen from their seat and were now bowing deeply. Only the leaders' were a little shallower in their greetings, but not a single one of them had raised their heads just yet. Felix couldn't help but notice that each party had a different way of bowing, too.

The Emperor of Miroh had his right fist closed over his heart, the other hanging loosely against his side. The King of Bloom had his right arm folded over his stomach, and the left arm folded behind his back. Finally, the Overlord of the Archipelago simply had his arms stiff against his sides – and all of them had their heads inclined, though Felix could easily tell they weren't doing it because they wanted to.

As he finally reached the table, Felix decided that it was quite enough.

"Welcome to the High Palace," he greeted. "You may all lift your heads, and make yourselves comfortable."

He felt it the moment everyone lifted their heads and looked at him – he could feel the dozens of stares or glares digging into him from all sides. Still, he kept his chin up and met each leader's gauging gaze head-on. After a few seconds of complete silence, Felix brought his right fist and his open left palm together, and inclined his head.

"Thank you, for journeying all the way here. I'm grateful for the time you've given to come and meet me face-to-face."

He then straightened up, and took his seat first. The silence in the room had grown even thicker as everyone slowly took in what had just occurred – the future Ruler had just bowed to all three leaders, and they didn't really know what to make of it.

A moment later, the Overlord also pulled his chair and sat down. The Emperor soon followed and, though more hesitantly, the King also sat down. Following their leaders' example, all other members of their parties settled down, and servants instantly started bringing over refreshments.

"I am Prince Felix, originally from Helios," he then introduced himself. "It is an honor to meet all of you – Emperor Christopher, King Sangyeon, Overlord Hongjoong."

"The honor is ours, Your Highness," instantly replied Christopher.

The other two were quick to mumble their assent with varying degrees of enthusiasm, and Felix observed them for a moment, before snorting.

"No it's not. Don't bother bowing to me until you actually come to respect me."

You could hear a pin drop, but Felix ignored the tension rising. He could practically feel Sunmi's growing horror as she realized he had no intention of actually following her advice, but Felix wasn't there to cater to everyone's babying and indulge in a show of respect he hadn't earned nor wasn't given willingly.

Hongjoong was the first to get over his shock, and he snorted. "Guess I'll never bow to you, then."

"I can live with that," shrugged Felix, unbothered. "How was your journey from the archipelago, Lord Hongjoong?"

The man sent him an appraising look, before humming and taking a sip of his wine. "It was pretty boring – roaming the roads of the mainland is nothing like roaming the unpredictable waters of my home."

Felix perked up a bit. "Would you mind telling me more about Aurora?"

Before Hongjoong could answer, Sangyeon scoffed. "Who would want to hear about such a lawless wasteland? There's nothing more to it than sinking ships and dreadful company – you'd be better off taking interest in people of a similar upbringing as yours, Your Highness."

Christopher loudly snorted. "Right, because royals do it so much better. Must be why one of your villages had to resort to cannibalism to make it through winter last year, huh?"

"That's just a baseless rumor," glared Sangyeon. "We're not like your people – we don't thrive on bloodshed and barbaric traditions."

"The Aurora Archipelago isn't a wasteland," glared Hongjoong. "Just because you've lived a sheltered, pitiful life doesn't mean everywhere but your boring little garden isn't worth anything. You're simply incapable of appreciating diversity."

"Ah, yes, such a diverse population you have – minor criminals, misfits, deserters, liars, rapists, killers... You've got a lovely diversity, indeed," taunted Christopher.

"We—"

"If I only took interest in people with an upbringing similar to mine, I'd be living quite a lonely, pointless life," stated dryly Felix, the three men instantly reporting their attention to him. "How am I supposed to learn anything if I stick to what I know? You ought to take interest in people beyond yourself, King Sangyeon – you might learn a thing or two." The King spluttered, a tad taken aback by being called out so rudely. "Emperor Christopher, maybe you wouldn't have so many enemies if you simply stopped antagonizing people for the sake of it." The Emperor's expression instantly darkened. "And Lord Hongjoong, maybe consider that order isn't a shelter – don't look down on others when keeping order is much more difficult than granting unlimited freedom."

The small, indistinct chatter that had slowly picked up from the other tables around instantly died down as Felix's unexpected intervention sunk in. Had he really just chastised the three leaders as if they were nothing more than squabbling children?

"... apologies." Christopher was the first to give in, though it was obviously half-hearted. "It is a night of celebration – we shouldn't bring old feuds to the table."

"Agreed," stated curtly Sangyeon. "Lord Hongjoong, I believe His Highness has asked you a question...?"

Hongjoong shot the King a glare, but didn't reply. He simply offered a simple nod of acknowledgement to Felix, before launching himself into a more detailed description of the archipelago he ruled. Glad he'd managed to keep the peace, Felix found himself relaxing a bit.

Maybe this won't be too hard, after all...

For the occasion, Felix had requested three different menus made up of traditional meals found in each nation. There were fish and seafood delicacies from Aurora, rare meat and spices from Miroh, and fresh vegetables and wine from Bloom. However, Felix had been explicitly clear in his instructions: the menus were to get mixed-up in the delivery.

As such, the Bloom table got the food from Aurora, the Aurora table got the food from Miroh, and the Miroh table got the food from Bloom. Maybe it was a petty trick, but Felix needed to get started somewhere – if they could learn to appreciate each other's cuisine, then that would be a start, right?

Needless to say, the different parties weren't all too pleased by the "mix-up", but they were hungry and curious enough to give the unexpected meals a try. There was some palpable hesitation at first but, after a few minutes, the entire banquet hall was drowned into loud chattering, laughter, and surprised exclamations as they all started enjoying the food so different from what they were used to.

(Felix tried his best to hide a smug smirk at that, but he's pretty sure Christopher saw it, if the knowing look he shot him was anything to go by.)

Felix had also made a point of having Helios meals served at the square table. He was more than open to learn about their cultures, and he simply hoped they would show the same openness (even if it was just to gain his favor, it'd make him happy).

The conversation at the table was... pleasant, if not a little bit awkward. The leaders hadn't argued again, but had settled for not speaking unless Felix spoke to them first, which meant he had to be careful in dividing his attention equally between the three.

It was a bit tiring, to try and not anger them more than he already had, but Felix felt like he had done a good job of it. By the time the feast was over, he'd already learned a lot more about the three other nations, and he'd managed to share some of Helios's stories, as well, so he counted that as a win.

Now that everyone was done eating, however, it was time to move on to the main event – the introduction of the suitors, and the offering of their respective gifts. Felix was guided to the back of the room, where a throne-like chair had been set up, and the square table was quickly removed to make some space.

"First suitor," announced Sunmi, and Felix did his best to not show how terrified he actually was of the entire situation. "From the Miroh Empire – General Hwang Hyunjin!"

From the crowd, a man stepped forward – or at least, Felix thought it was a man. He had a rather androgynous form, tall and slim, but with defined muscles on his arms. He had delicate features framed by long, silvery strands of hair, with the rest tied in a low ponytail, and there was a single mole under his left eye – and both of his eyes were of a pale, slightly mesmerizing blue.

He was... beautiful. There really was no other way to describe him.

"Your Highness," he greeted, bowing in the same way his Emperor had done earlier. "I am honored to finally meet you." Straightening up, he gestured for someone to approach, and two men carried a large crate over. "It is not much, but I have more to offer, if you would be willing to grant me that chance."

Felix was curious as the crate was brought before him, then opened by the two men carrying it. He was a bit taken aback by the sheer amount of gold pieces inside. There was probably enough to tank the economy of an average-sized town – and they were just... giving it to him?

"Thank you, General Hyunjin," he simply said, fighting back the bile in his throat and offering a small smile instead.

With a simple nod and another bow, Hyunjin then stepped back, returning by his people's side. A few men roughly clapped his shoulders and back in sign of support, and Felix couldn't help but wonder if the man had had any more choice in this than he had.

"Second suitor," continued Sunmi. "From the Kingdom of Bloom – Crowned Prince Juyeon!"

Cladded in the white and gold of his people, a new man stepped forward. He was also quite tall, slightly broader in stature than Hyunjin, with dark red hair styled to the side. He had defined features, and his eyes were incredibly sharp, almost as if he could see Felix's very soul. Each movement was quite gracious, and he practically exuded poise and nobility – truly a man with blue blood running through his veins.

He was extremely handsome, too – and the attitude to match that of someone who knew it, and was more than willing to use it to his advantage.

"Good evening, Your Highness," he greeted, bowing much deeper than Hyunjin had done – there was a scoff from the Aurora side, but Felix didn't pay it any heed. "I've been eagerly awaiting our meeting and, I must say, the rumors truly didn't do your beauty any justice." Oh boy, he's a flirt. This is awkward. What am I supposed to say to that? "I simply hope that my gift to you will allow you to shine even brighter."

"R- right..."

Felix was trying his hardest not to looked too out place upon being showered by compliments. Of course, he'd been told numerous times that he was quite pretty, but he simply couldn't tell if Juyeon meant it or if he was just buttering him up.

A second crate was brought to his feet. Once it was open, Felix's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the beautiful set of white silk attires inside. The designs looked incredibly intricate, sewed with actual threads of gold, and hundreds of shimmering gems had been woven into the fabric. It was quite beautiful, but Felix couldn't help but feel like it'd rip the moment he tried to put it on. Plus, it ought to be incredibly heavy and impractical, considering the amount of jewels attached to it.

But, once again, he hid his true thoughts and smiled. "Thank you, Prince Juyeon."

Juyeon smiled back, though it was definitely flirty, and returned to the King's side at once – Felix belatedly realized that they were probably siblings.

"Third suitor," Sunmi announced for the last time. "From the Aurora Archipelago – Second Mate San!"

From the crowd of blacks and greens stepped forward a third man. He was dressed quite unashamedly, and Felix had to instantly fight back a blush as he realized just how much skin was showing. He, too, was rather tall, quite slim, and seemingly agile on his feet, if the way he sauntered up to the throne was anything to go by. He had tousled black hair, and also some sort of tear tattooed under his left eye. His sharp features were almost foxlike, and the knowing smirk that graced his lips when their eyes met made Felix gulp.

He was hot, that much was obvious – and damn it, how had they all known Felix was into men? It wasn't a secret from his people, but he didn't think the other nations had done their research. If anything, he'd hoped they'd present him some girls so he'd have a proper excuse to refuse them.

"Your Highness." San's voice was almost a purr as he bowed quite shallowly. "It's a pleasure to meet you at last. I don't believe any king of sweet talk would be able to sway you, so please – simply accept this gift as an expression of my genuine interest."

A third crate was brought forward. Upon opening it, Felix found it was filled to the brim with all sorts of delicate pieces of jewelry. Opal pendants, pearls, silvery chains, head ornaments made of pure gold – it was all quite beautiful, really. And yet, the sight only made him feel the same way the other two gifts did.

"Thank you, Second Mate San."

Biting his lower lip, Felix then made a split decision. Rising to his feet, he walked over to the three crates, making a show of examining the contents more closely. Everyone watched with bathed breaths, probably expecting him to favor one over the other and anticipating his choice.

After almost a full minute of silence and tension, Felix walked back to the first crate... and slammed it shut. The noise echoed like thunder in the room but, not giving anyone the time to react, he walked over to the second crate and did the same, and then went to the last one and also closed it.

"Your Highness—" Sunmi tried to interfere.

"What use do I have for gold, when my very walls are already coated in it and blind me at every corner? What use do I have for silk wear when I already have an entire room dedicated to the fabrication of outfits wasting space in my quarters? What use do I have for precious jewelry when I'm already wearing so much of it I can hardly walk straight?" With a scoff, Felix lifted his head and glared at the three suitors, no longer bothering with hiding his displeasure. "I'll accept these gifts merely out of courtesy, since you went to the trouble of getting them – but do not make the mistake of believing you can buy my favor of the sort again."

On that note, he started walking toward the double doors, fully intending on calling it a night. Everyone in the room was quite stunned by this unexpected turn of events, and all three suitors stumbled forward, trying to save face.

"That's not—"

"I wasn't—"

"There's no—"

"And do not lie to my face. I may be young, but it does not make me stupid," scoffed Felix, stopping once he reached the exit. He spared the three of them one last glance. "If you can't bring yourselves to treat me as an equal, then at least treat me as a person, and not some stupid prize to be won. Goodnight."

On which he exited the banquet hall. The moment the doors closed behind him, a loud clamor arose, but he simply ignored it and walked away. Just as he reached the end of the hallway, he heard the doors open again, and footsteps hurrying after him.

"Your Highness!"

"I'm sorry, Sunmi," he sighed, slowing his pace so she could join him. "But I just... I couldn't stand it. All those riches, and for what? They're acting as if I'm just going to pick the highest bidder!"

"You knew what was waiting for you," she retorted, though there was no bite to her voice. If anything, there was a hint of pity in it. "You knew what to expect—"

"It doesn't make it any easier, okay?" With a frustrated noise, he kept on heading for his quarters. "I've never felt more like cattle in my life before – it was demeaning! As if I was worth nothing more than petty baubles..."

Felix didn't know why, but he felt... humiliated, by the entire ordeal. Everyone knew this was an arranged marriage, everyone knew no one involved actually wanted any part in it, everyone knew he didn't have a choice in the matter. And, by knowing all this, they'd simply assumed it was okay to treat him as nothing more than an object – a tool to be bought, and then used until his time ran out.

Sunmi gently grabbed his shoulders, making him stop. "Your Highness... Felix. You've already made known to us that you wish to try and mend the relationships between the bigger nations, and we're all sincerely rooting for your cause. However, you only have three months. If your goal cannot be achieved, then you truly will have no choice but to pick one of them – and not many will be willing to become your ally if you keep on antagonizing them like you did tonight."

"... I know. I know, I'm sorry. It was just... harder than I expected."

She nodded in understanding at that. "I think you still did quite well, Your Highness. The leaders definitely didn't expect you to talk back, and I think it might have earned some begrudging respect from at least a few. I believe that, so long as you give a genuine chance to all three suitors, then speaking out like you did today and standing your ground where it matters might be acceptable."

"... you're giving me your blessing to talk back? Is this what this is right now?"

She scoffed at his hopeful look, lightly flicking his nose. "Do not misinterpret my words. There's a distinct difference between speaking your mind and causing pointless trouble – learn to make the difference between the two, and you're bound to become a much greater Ruler already."

Felix offered her a smile at that, much more genuine than any other he'd given that night. He felt a little bad for losing his cool like he did but, on the other hand, it had hopefully gotten his message across – that just because he was willing to play along with their political games did not make him an easy target.

"Get some rest, Your Highness," then urged Sunmi as they stopped before the doors leading to his quarters. "Tomorrow will be a long day – but, hopefully, a better one."

"Right. Thank you for being patient with me, Sunmi."

"I am patient because you are willing to listen," she simply shrugged. "Unlike the other Rulers before you, you are open to learning and correcting your mistakes – which means me, and everyone else in the High Palace, are much more willing to help you." She spared him a smile at that. "Kindness does not go unrewarded. You were raised as a fine Prince, and you will become a great Ruler – of that, I am certain."

"Sunmi..."

"No, off to bed! I mean it!" she urged, gently nudging him forward. Felix let out a chuckle, rubbing his eyes so the tears that had gathered wouldn't fall. "If I heard you pulled an all-nighter working or stargazing again, I'll personally tie you to your bed!"

"Okay, okay, I'm going!" Laughing a bit, Felix paused just before closing the door behind him. "Goodnight, Sunmi!"

"Goodnight, Your Highness," she replied, smiling once more.

She's right, he thought, heading for the main chamber as he started taking off the stupidly heavy jewelry he was wearing. I need to be a little more tactful from now on – there's only so much these guys will take before snapping back.

As he started undressing, though, his mind wandered back to the three suitors he'd met earlier. A general, a prince, and a pirate, all three of them basically breathtaking appearances-wise, and all three of them apparently vying for his hand – really, what had his life come to?

Hyunjin, Juyeon, San... Let's see what you are truly made of...!

.

Dinner would always be served in the banquet hall, where everyone was to eat together just as they did on the first night. However, lunch would be spent separately, and Felix was required to switch lunchmates every day. Thankfully, he was allowed to enjoy his breakfasts alone, and he had his early mornings to himself, so he could get some work done.

Unfortunately, getting lost in paperwork meant time flew by faster and, in the blink of an eye, it was time to join everyone outside for the first contest.

(The contests and games had been Sunmi's idea. She said that it would allow them to work out their rivalry without letting it bottle up for days on end, and that it would also give Felix an opportunity to see what kind of people his suitors were, and what they were capable of.)

Felix thought it was a good idea. It'd be a nice way to keep everyone entertained, and also to try and instill a friendly rivalry, rather than a negative one. He also intended on introducing team games in a few weeks' time, once everyone had had some time to settle down and get to know the representatives from the other nations.

But, right now, it was time for the first contest. Felix dressed appropriately, forgoing elegant robes for more practical and comfortable wear, and Sunmi came to fetch him barely a few minutes after he was done getting ready. The two of them then found their way to the large field where the first contest would take place.

Stepping outside, they found the sidelines already crowded. For some reason, the sight of the distinctly separated groups – black, white, and red – saddened him a little, but he knew it was too early to hope for some rapprochements. Hopefully, by the end of the three months, he'd come to see the colors mixing together.

"Good morning," he simply greeted upon reaching the simple stand that had been set up on the side. The three other leaders were already sitting inside. "I hope your living quarters were to your liking. If there's anything you'd require to make your stay here more comfortable, please, feel free to ask."

"Your Highness." King Sangyeon straightened up, looking like he'd swallowed a whole lemon. "Please, let it be known that Juyeon's gift was not meant to offend you in any way. He sought out the best seamstresses in the country to ensure it was perfect, and he only had the best intentions."

"Ah, right, yesterday..." Felix cringed a little at the reminder. Looking back on it, he could admit that he'd probably overreacted a little. "You all have my sincerest apologies, and I intend to properly apologize to Juyeon, Hyunjin, and San as well. I shouldn't have made such a scene, even less so when I was being given such pricey gifts."

"But that's exactly what upset you," mused Hongjoong, leaning back in his seat – Felix hadn't failed to notice that none of them had bowed upon his arrival, but he wasn't offended by it. "The fact that they were pricey gifts, not priceless ones."

"... I'm one to believe that there are riches far more precious than gold or jewels or fine clothes," acknowledged Felix, a tad surprised he'd been read so easily. "I already have more riches than I care to count at my disposal – if anything, I must admit that I was simply disappointed by the lack of use I would have for those gifts."

"You're strange," mused Christopher. "But I'll pass the message along to Hyunjin."

"So he can have an easier time wooing me?" snorted Felix, taking the free seat in the middle. "Somehow, I have a feeling he doesn't want to be here anymore than I do. Did any of them have a choice or did it simply fall on their shoulders as a duty?"

"You're not one for subtleties, are you?" deadpanned Hongjoong.

Felix shrugged. "It's no secret that this marriage is nothing more than a political arrangement to ensure the safety of my home. Let's not play these games of fake niceties and political schemes between us – or at least, when we're shielded from prying ears. I'm not one to enjoy wearing a mask all day long."

"With all due respect, wearing a mask is part of being a royal, Your Highness," replied Sangyeon, narrowing his eyes a bit. "If you don't hide your weaknesses, then others will take advantage of them."

"Is me being honest a weakness, then?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"If you say the wrong thing to the wrong people, then yes."

"Well, good thing you're not the wrong people, then, isn't it?"

Felix's retort had a distinct double-entendre – on one hand, it was a compliment but, on the other, it could also be considered a warning. There was a moment of silence as the leaders mulled over his words, before Christopher cleared his throat.

"Hyunjin volunteered, if you must know. I did not force him into this position."

"Juyeon has always known an arranged marriage would be imposed on him," shrugged Sangyeon, reporting his attention on the field before them. "But I can tell you that his words yesterday were genuine, at the very least."

"San is a free spirit, much like the rest of my crew. He doesn't like the idea of being tied down, but he's willing to do what must be done," added Hongjoong, a tad cryptically. He spared a look for Felix at that, full of implications. "You're not the only one who has a home to protect, Your Highness."

A tad surprised at first, Felix then nodded in acknowledgement.

"Thank you," he simply said. "For being honest with me. I'd much rather have people talk to me as they please than have them talk ill behind my back."

"I can't tell if you're strong in seeking out the truth from others, for the truth can be painful and hard to bear – or a simple fool, demanding straightforward answers because he cannot read between the lines," mused Christopher.

"Maybe a bit of both," relented Felix, his lips twitching up. "But I've always been told honesty is the best ground for friendship, and I stand by that belief."

Before any of the leaders could reply, the crowd on the sidelines started cheering and hooting loudly in greeting as all three suitors made their way on the field, bows and arrows at the ready.

Because of course, Felix would decide on an archery contest.

"The rules are quite simple!" announced Taemin, the General in charge of the High Knights – and also the one in charge of monitoring the competition. "Each contestant has three arrows, thus three shots! The one who can get the most points wins! But let it be known that this is an open competition – should anyone wish to challenge the current contestants, they are free to give it a try!"

"And what do we win?" suddenly asked San, his slightly taunting eyes meeting Felix's. "Is there a prize we should be looking forward to, Your Highness?"

"Would there be something in particular that would encourage you to win?" replied Felix, curious yet slightly dreading the answer.

San's lips pulled into a grin at that. "Why, a kiss from His Highness would be a lovely prize indeed, I believe!"

Instantly, raucous laughter from the black faction echoed, along with some cheers from the red, though the white faction was more composed. Hongjoong had distinctly facepalmed, Christopher was smirking, and even Sangyeon looked intrigued – and there was no denying the sudden febrility that had taken over the entire field. How would the future Ruler react?

After a few seconds, Felix smiled. "Very well. Let's do it this way, then: the winner of this archery contest may get one wish granted – anything will do."

"Anything?" perked up Hyunjin, and Juyeon also appeared interested.

"Within reason, of course," amended Felix. "But I'm a man of my word – win, and you may claim whichever prize suits your fancy."

Everyone could see this was the perfect opportunity for one of the suitors to pull ahead in the competition for Felix's favor. The contestants now all held similar, determined expressions, and the freckled prince was admittedly quite curious as to their respective skills with the weapon.

Juyeon was up first. Felix instantly noticed that, while he had a good enough position, he was stiff in his movements – his arrows wouldn't hit dead center, that much was already obvious to him. And, after a few seconds, his prediction proved right: his first arrow hit the target, but two circles away from the center – and then his second and third arrow hit the almost exact same spot.

20 points, 15 points, 20 points...

"Fifty-five points for Prince Juyeon!"

San's form wasn't much better – it was obvious he wasn't used to wielding a bow, of all things, and Felix belatedly realized that he wouldn't have much use for it when on a ship. If anything, he'd be more likely to know how to use crossbow. But, as it was, the contest was already ongoing, and Felix doubted San would appreciate being called out anyway, even if it was to offer him a fairer chance to succeed.

The first arrow hit the second-to-outer circle, the second hit a little better. But then, much to everyone's surprise, his third arrow hit the circle just before dead-center.

10 points, 15, points, 30 points...

"Fifty-five points for Second Mate San!"

A tie was quite unexpected, but they'd simply have to break it up with an extra round if Hyunjin didn't manage to beat their current scores. However, the moment Felix saw his form, he knew for a fact that he was going to claim this victory.

He was gracious, and determined. His position was close to perfect, relaxed, yet firm. Without an ounce of hesitation, he released his first arrow and hit the circle just before dead-center, just like San's third one.

30 points.

His second arrow hit dead-center.

50 points.

Everyone held their breath as he notched his last arrow, already aware that he'd just won, but still eagerly awaiting the final result. With a short breath, Hyunjin released his third arrow... and hit dead-center once again.

50 points.

"130 points for General Hyunjin!"

There was a mix of displeased groans, some booing, and boisterous cheers. Hongjoong and Sangyeon clapped half-heartedly, while Christopher's clapping was loud and completely drowned theirs out.

It was with a satisfied grin that Hyunjin walked past the two disgruntled losers of the contest to walk up to the stand where the leaders were sitting. Without a word, Felix rose to his feet and descended out of the stand to come and stand before him. Now that they were standing face-to-face for the first time, Felix noticed Hyunjin was taller than he expected – he was half-a-head taller than him.

"Looks like I've won, Your Highness," he stated, a tad smugly.

"What is the prize you'd wish to claim, then?" asked Felix, tilting his head.

Hyunjin's grin broadened the slightest bit. "An entire day with you, Your Highness – just the two of us."

Felix hummed in understanding, before extending his hand to Hyunjin. There was a moment of confusion, before Felix gestured to the bow he was still holding.

"May I?"

A tad puzzled, Hyunjin handed it over. Felix hummed again, weighing it and carefully looking it over. At that point, amused and slightly degrading whispers had already started making themselves heard from the crowd gathered on the side.

"What is he doing?"

"That thing's bigger than him!"

"He acts all high and mighty, but I bet he's never shot a single arrow in his life."

"He's acting so arrogantly..."

"What's he going to do, shoot?"

"Let him try – at least it'll give us a good laugh!"

Felix completely drowned them out, simply picking three arrows from the barrel where they'd been stored. Then, without wasting a second, he spun around, got into position, took half-a-second to focus on his target, and then released the first arrow.

The crowd was instantly silenced by the whistling noise of the arrow cutting sharply through the air, followed by the distinct 'THUD' as it hit the target dead-center.

50 points.

A hushed silence had now fallen over the crowd as he made his way to stand in front of the second target. Once again taking position, he ignored the way San practically towered behind him and shot his second arrow – once again hitting dead-center.

50 points.

By the time he came to stand in front of the third target, you could have heard a pin drop – the entire field was now eerily silent, as everyone watched, stunned, the little Prince of Helios notch his last arrow.

Take position.

Take aim.

Focus.

Breathe out—

Release it.

There was a cracking sound as the arrow cut through one of Hyunjin's with so much strength it passed through the target and hit the wooden post holding it up – once more dead-center.

50 points.

The silence was still there, almost suffocating... until Taemin's voice cut through the air.

"150 points for Prince Felix! Prince Felix is the winner of the contest!"

Everyone was still a little too taken aback by what they'd just witness, unsure of how to react or what to do.

"Did he really just do that...?"

"Did he cheat?"

"Wait, is he even allowed to do that?"

"Well, they did say it was an open contest..."

"What's going to happen now?"

Heaving out a breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding, Felix then straightened up and walked all the way back to Hyunjin. Him, San, and Juyeon looked a bit stunned, staring at him with wide eyes and dropping jaws, and the sight admittedly amused him. With a smug grin, Felix handed back the bow to its proper owner.

"Thank you. It's a good bow – I might have to look into purchasing one like it in the future," he mused, meaning it – it was a really nice bow. "But, as I have just won the contest fair and square, it's only natural I claim my prize."

"What would it be, Your Highness?" asked Hongjoong, who appeared quite entertained by the whole ordeal. "What could there possibly be that you don't already have?"

Felix's grin widened at that. "Time to myself. I'm taking the afternoon off, and I don't want anyone bothering me. I'll see you all later tonight at dinner~!"

With a cheery wave of the hand, Felix then walked away from the field and back inside the palace. Once more, a loud clamor took over the moment he was gone but, this time around, he couldn't help but laugh giddily at their reactions.

No, he definitely wasn't going to make it easy for them – it was about time they understood that, and started acting accordingly.