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𝐗𝐕𝐈: 𝐄𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬𝐞 [𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐞]

Pairing: Prince Hyunjin x Reader (AFAB) Summary: The war is upon them, the children of the first men have descended on the castle town of Solaris. It's up to the prince and his father's army to fight to save the Kingdom of Volantis. Word Count: 8.1k+ [Reading Time: 35+ Mins] Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Strangers to Lovers, Royalty, Angst, any NSFW tags are below. AU: Prince, Royal, Supernatural NETS: @neverendingdreams-net Synopsis: The kingdom of Volantis is in disarray; the monarch rules with an iron fist. The times of hope, harmony, and kindness were buried with the queen who passed many years ago. The people are praying for a savior, but who will be their light at the end of this dark tunnel? Authors Note: Please reblog or leave a comment to let me know how you feel. I'd love a little feedback. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. As per usual, this hasn't been proofread. Special thanks to @saradika-graphics for some of the dividers. HAPPY TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO KINGDOM OF HOPE! Warnings: Mentions of war, abuse, grief, poverty, death, blood, weapon use, violence, dead bodies, combat, minor & major injury Disclaimer: This story does not reflect the real lives or personalities of Stray Kids. I do not know them personally. This is purely a work of fiction.

Looking for another chapter? Chapter Index: HERE

Days had passed. Word of the prince returning to Solaris had spread quickly. Thanks to Justinier, a few rumors about his origins had started to spread as well, despite the councilors trying their best to put out the little fires that the ex Right State Minister had ignited. They were fighting an eternal war while an impending one was slowly coming to fruition. Ermias had sent a few of his own men to watch the border around Solaris. He knew as a formal general, the best strategy for them would be to strike when the Kingdom least expected it. The coronation was tonight. What time would be better than the changing of sovereignty?

He’d met with you in the dead of night, afraid that if the king knew who you were, the blowback might be astronomical. So he sent for you and Minho, sending one of his most trusted allies to get the two of you. Waking you both out of your sleep. Hyunjin had spent the day with the king, afraid to leave his fathers side, despite their past situation. Ermias commended him for that. Not a lot of people would be willing to forgive someone who had threatened their lives or hated them so vehemently. But with the way that you and Venia talked about the prince, he had to think that maybe he would be good for the kingdom. Someone who could set the future of Volantis in the right direction.

If the boy was anything like they said, or anything like his mother, the Kingdom would be fine. But there was still this constant thought gnawing at the back of his mind, messing with his thoughts. What if Aeri was wrong? What if his old friend got it wrong? Even the children of the first men couldn’t save the rest of Volantis from their brethren. Things weren’t at all like there were when the outsiders first came to take the land. No, they had generations to study men, to understand them fundamentally, all in preparation to defeat them. Either all of their efforts would work, or everything would end on the battlefield. He’d told his wife and other daughter that he’d loved them before he left, in hopes that just in case this was the last time he saw them that they knew his true feelings. He knew too many who didn’t get to say goodbye to their loved ones before they went on to glory.

“Father, I sense your worry, I do. I feel the same. But your pacing is making Minho nervous.” You lied on your older brother-like figure as he glared from his place across the room by the window. “Though we are not as prepared as we could be, I think that our planning will secure us a victory in this manner.” You were optimistic, he’d give you that. You probably get that from your mother, because after years at war, he had no room for optimism. He couldn’t afford it. He’d lost too much.

‘Dear daughter, I wish to have just an ounce of your optimism.” He sighed, the situation was grave, at least in his eyes. An untrained prince at the helm of a whole army? Sounded down right disastrous. But he knew Aeri, and he knew her predictions were never wrong. All he could do was pray to the old gods that this would have a favorable outcome for all of them. Ermias contemplated his next words, he’d been thinking about this since the day you left home with Minho. “When the war happens…” He paused, looking down at the schematic maps he had taken from the library. “I don’t want you anywhere near it.” Both sets of eyes snapped up at him at his words. “I mean it, you go with the women and children. I know that I’ve put a lot on you, that I’ve asked too much in the absence of your brother…” You opened your mouth to protest, only to be silenced with a hand. “I can’t lose you.” It came out nearly choked. “If you need Minho to stay behind with you, so be it. But I can’t have you in this fight… not when I lost your brother that way.”

“No.” The words were simple, to the point. “I refuse to cower in the face of danger. I’ve fought them before and we won!” Your eyes shifted to Minho for confirmation, to which he nodded. “I’ve been traveling for months, father. We have grown with the prince, learned with the prince. I will stand by the prince and die for the prince if need be.” You lifted your head high as you spoke. Despite your fathers intimidating stature, he was both tall and buff, you still stood your ground. You didn’t come this far to take shelter with the women and children, especially not when you were fully capable of fighting. “I learned a few things about our dispositions while in Efranor. I’ve learned how to control my powers! I know how to heal now and how to control my abilities from your side.” He stood a bit taller.

He had been the last in his family to even get the ancestral gift. Nikolas, his son, only seemed to receive traits from the Hyat, Emrias’ side of the family, but nothing significant, nothing he could use in battle. To find that his first born daughter instead received the gift, made his heart ache a little. This was his little girl telling him that she was going to fight no matter the consequences and outcome. Damn it if she wasn’t just like him. Stubborn to a fault. “You.. got the gift?” She nodded. Nikolas didn’t have immense strength nor could he heal, but you could do both. Taken from both the Orev and Hyat sides of your family. He couldn’t be more proud, but the feeling was muddied with the fear of him losing both you and Minho.

“Father, please trust me. Trust us.” He pointed between her and Minho, who sat quietly watching things unfold in the way he always did when he wasn’t pushing her buttons. “We have trained for this very moment. And honestly father, it would bring me much joy to fight alongside you and Minho. Fight for something I believe in. Fight for this Kingdom to become on and not this fractured mess we are right now. I think the prince can do that. It’s been foretold.” Ermias sighed, he hated this. But he knew that your stubbornness, much like his, knew no bounds. Even if he locked you away, you’d still find your way to that battlefield.

“Fine. But if something happens to you, the prince, or Minho. Take the other and get out of there. I can’t risk losing any of you.” You nodded, turning to Minho who gave you a nod of approval.

“Deal.”

Hyunjin stirred, awake, but not, as the frayed edges of his dreams started pulling at his consciousness. He’d been asleep for hours after reconciling with his father and talking with the new general over the royal army, he’d been exhausted. As soon as his head hit the silky, feather down pillow, he drifted off into a deep sleep. He was still here in the kingdom, somewhere along the southern border. He’d drifted out that way, able to control his dreams a little more now that he’s had more practice with people who’ve had the gift since before his lifetime. It was still dark, the morning light was just upon the horizon, but it had yet to break. There was a dense fog that built this haze around the tall spruce and firs that outlined the border of the castle town. The mist was the thickest at the base, making the ground look like clouds instead of something solid.

He scanned for any anomaly, he’d done the same the day before, looking a few hours into the future as he slept. Keeping up with the happening around the border. He wanted to make sure all of his people were safe, especially the ones who lived just on the outskirts of town. There were no gates or patrolling officers to keep things in check just in case they went left. They would be the first to see the war if it happened there. Hyunjin scanned the treeline, searching for any weird movements or things that were not there when he looked the day before. That's when he saw it. A brief glimmer of something shiny. It seemed to come and go, with the blink of an eye, something someone could easily miss if they weren’t paying attention. Be he was. He followed the glimmer, steadily getting closer and closer to it until he saw it. A knight's chain link armor.

They were meant for protection, but there was little to nothing that could protect them from such a beastly assault. He’d been mangled. Sharp claws seemed to have cut through him, from the top of his head to the center of his chest. The links had been decimated, offering little to no safe guard from the monsters they would all soon face. His corpse was being dragged through the dense fog and mud, held simply by his leg, which seemed to have been snapped. The poor knight seemed to have no chance against the child of the first men who attacked him. Hyunjin could only assume that there were more of them outside the city, ready and waiting to wage war against the unsuspecting citizens of Solaris.

Hyunjin forced himself awake, noting where he saw the man had been attacked, so that he could relay it to the general. The room was still dark, moonlight was the only light that filtered into the chamber. Longingly, he reached out only to find the other side of his large canopy bed to be not only empty, but cold. He quickly sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His dreams were becoming more and more frequent and more and more real, each time he closed his eyes. The fear was beginning to settle deep into his chest. He climbed out of bed and padded to the window, in his dream they attacked the guard in the dead of night while the kingdom slept. He guessed that was the smartest thing to do, catch the people off guard, so that you had a higher chance of winning. He clenched his fists, he couldn’t let that happen. Grabbing his newly acquired robes, he quickly dressed himself and headed out, only to be stopped by a guard nearly two heads taller than him.

“Is there something you need, your highness?” Hyunjin huffed, trying to step around him only to be side stepped.

“Yes, I need to speak to the general.” The royal knight stood there for a second, looking into the prince's eyes, as if trying to decipher if he should believe him or not. If he should let him pass. “Now! This pertains to the lives of the people!” Hyunjin didn’t often raise his voice, but in this dire moment, he had to. He had respect for the people who worked and lived in the castle, understanding that everything they did was vital to the system that made this kingdom run. But right now, with lives in danger, he knew he couldn’t hold his tongue.

“Follow me, your highness.” He bowed his head and led the way through the winding corridors. He led him to a study that was nearly on the other side of the castle. The guard took his large hand and rapped on the door. The silence stretched for a few minutes before a voice finally told them they could come in. The guard pushed the door open for the prince. “Prince Hyunjin has arrived.” The room was bustling with people, you and Minho included. Everyone surrounded the war table, planning out their line of defense against the oncoming attack.

“It happens tonight.” Hyunjin spoke, causing everyone to stop in their tracks. “They have killed a guard near the treeline, towards the south east entrance of the castle. Send a few well trained men to his post, you will see the drag marks where they took his body.” It felt like all of the tension in the room was sucked out then spit back in like venom. “This ends with us. We have to protect this kingdom. We have an obligation to its people, all of its people. So rally your men together. Get the women and children to safety as discreetly as possible. We don’t want them to know that we are ready for them. We want them to think that they are attacking unprepared people. This is a do or die, now or never situation we find ourselves in, we want the odds to lean in our favor.” The prince stepped further into the room, stepping near the war table where people made room for him. “What's the plan, general?”

Hyunjin hadn’t been on a horse like this since his childhood. It felt foreign. He sat on the front lines with the generals, much to their protest. Even Ermias tried to talk the young man down, but he insisted that if his people were fighting, so should he. At that moment, the men around couldn’t help but admire him. His father had selfishly started a war that he himself did not fight in, leaving thousands of families without husbands, fathers, or sons. He saw what sacrifices people made for his fathers wars, how it impacted them. All while he sat in his fortress of thick bricks, atop the capital city. Hyunjin refused to be like that. He would fight and die with these men if need be. He could hear the chatter of hushed whispers and someone pushed through the crowd. How their hushed words turned into nothingness the closer that person got to the front.

“Your highness,” Your voice broke through the space around him, landing on his ears just as clear as if you were sitting right next to him. Ermias had sent you to take care of the women and children, in hopes that the particularly busy work would keep you occupied and far away from the front lines. Hyunjin glanced over at the man who stood tall on his shire horse, making him tower over nearly everything and everyone. Your father was terrifying to look at. Tan skin, long dark wavy hair, tattoos dotted all over his skin, with eyes so dark they could only be described as obsidian in color. Hyunjin would willingly admit that the man intimidated him to no end. But that still didn’t stop him from hoping that one day, with his permission, he’d be able to take your hand in marriage. But that all hinged on them winning this war.

“The women and children have been hidden and should be safe from any damage that may occur to the castle.” Your horse finally settles beside his, taking up the space he felt was so rightfully yours. “Would you grant me the honor of letting me fight beside you?” He knew you still felt a sense of duty when it came to him. You were sent on a mission to retrieve and get him safely into Solaris. Most would consider it a job well done, but here you were asking to fight with him, while the other women and children were hidden away by your very hand. He hid his smile, proud knowing that no matter what, you’d be by his side.

“Yes.” He nodded, “I’d have it no other way, my lady.”

__

An eerie calm settled over the east entrance. It felt like he could hear everything and nothing at all as a strong gust of wind blew past them all. “Prepare yourselves.” He could feel the tension rising, the hairs on his body standing on end. He looked to Minho, then to you with a nod that signified good luck. A hard knock resounded at the door. Once. Twice. Then with the third the doors flew open, breaking the large wooden latch that kept it closed. Wood splintered everywhere, scaring a few of the horses that hadn’t been hardened by the wars of the past. From the debris and rubble, people and creatures alike, started to emerge, running into the courtyard. “HOLD!” Hyunjin drew his sword and prepared for battle.

He straightened his back, his dark, matte black, scaled armor caught the light. His hair was pulled back, but some still fell at his nape and some at the front that just wasn’t long enough. His white mantel matched the hilt of his sword, which was wrapped in gold and black intricate details, signifying it belonged to a royal. He looked the part, even if his nerves didn’t match the confidence he was exuding. He was terrified. There were snarling monsters coming his way fast and he was expected to command this army, keep his people safe. There was a lot weighing on his success. Failure was not an option. Failure meant losing you, losing the people, losing the crown. Losing meant all Volantians and people who considered themselves as such would perish.

He waited, taking deep breaths to keep himself calm. They crossed over the line in which the generals set for the King’s army to charge, “CHARGE!” The words rang through the courtyard. Foot soldiers came from the sides to flank the opposing army as the front line gathered spears to push the monsters back and out of the castle. The few that broke the line were swiftly met with force. Hyunjin gave the archers on the enceinte the signal to light and fire their arrows, to hopefully hit some of their army before they could defend against it. But the light from the fire only illuminated their worst fears, the bright blazing arrows hit some of the smaller children of the first men, but they seemed to slide off the giants that had made their way through the treeline. With a swing of one of their large clubs, most of the archers were taken out. Their bodies falling backwards off the enceinte and landing on top of a few of the fighting foot soldiers.

They needed to make a big push, get them past the gate and out into the open. He needed to keep the kingdom and its civilians safe by any means necessary. He looked over at Ermias, who seemed to be itching for a fight. No words were necessary, he whistled for his men and made the push to get the monsters out of the castle. He pushed forward with his small team, his horse alone trampling over most of their front line. He swung his khopesh, cutting down twice as many more. That gave the rest of them time and space to follow. The sun lifted above the trees, painting the landscape in its soft morning glow. Once the king’s army was past the gate, what was left of the guards in the tower, let it down.

The real battle ensued. Hyunjin charged in, swinging his fathers sword, taking down as many as he could, and fighting off the ones who attacked him. Minho has gone with Ermias’ men, to help lead the front line, while you stayed close to the prince, intercepting anyone who came from behind. The clash of swords and the smell of blood filled the air. Children of first men and Volantian’s were dying, their blood soaking the earth. Hyunjin hated this, he was supposed to be the hope of Volantis, he was supposed to unite the people, be the bridge between both sides of his lineage. But here he was, causing harm to the people who may have looked different, but weren’t that different from him at the same time.

He stopped, closing his eyes, using his sight to see what his next move should be. A face flashed in his mind. His eyes flew open and he scanned the area for the face he saw. He found it and closed in on the target. His horse maneuvered through the chaos, as you struggled to keep up behind him. “Your highness?” You called after him after getting stuck. You quickly hopped down off of your horse, slashing your way through monsters to continue to follow him, to no avail. You were cornered, once again facing off with someone who looked just like the creature that nearly killed you on your trip to retrieve the prince from the isle of Arcta. You could feel the fear creeping up your spine. You narrowly escaped one of these things the last time you had an encounter with one.

“Se’aus as iyais se’asze’as huhrsan, Volantis. Se’aus sa iyai u’sass” His voice was like a growl from within a deep cavern, it was almost hard to understand him at all. He picked up his large axe, swinging it right for your head, you barely had time to react before he was swinging again. Adrenaline pumped through your veins, kicking your fight or flight response into high gear. You chose to fight. You pulled out your claymore and countered his next few moves. When you saw the opportunity you swung for its knee, only for your blade to slide across it like it was metal. Your eyes widened. What was this creature? The first one you’d encountered was hard enough to kill, was it possible this one would be harder? You narrowly missed the woosh of his axe as it swung down towards your head. You put your sword up to stop it, almost getting split down the middle. You struggled as he pushed down, your knees sunk into the wet, blood soaked, mud. Your arms shook as you tried to fight him off. You prayed to the goddess of war and Victory that your story wouldn’t end here and that she would give you strength to fight and finish this war.

__

Fear surged through Minho’s system. He could see the danger you were in, from a mile away. A blade clashed with his own, sending him flying back, but he quickly regained his composure. Swords clashing with the offender hard, nearly making sparks fly. He didn’t have time for this, if he didn’t get to you soon, you were going to die. He always carried the weight of not being able to save his mother. He’d been so thankful to Ermias for taking him in, teaching him to fight, and giving him the family life he didn’t think he would ever have again with his parents being gone. Now he was grown and able to fight back, he couldn’t let what happened long ago to his mother happen to you as well.

He dogged an attack before using his quickness to turn his own blade on his opponent just as quickly. A sick crunching sound was made as the sharp end pierced through his chest. Minho watched as the man who didn’t look to be that much older than him, stopped dead in his tracks, eyes wide with shock. “ Se’aus sa Volantis…” His words died on his tongue as he expired. Minho ripped his sword out of chest cavity and darted off in your direction. He’d stopped using his words after his time being with the bandits. They did unspeakable things to him, battered him mentally and physically, he hadn’t spoken since. He needed his voice now more than ever. Your name felt foreign on his lips as the breathy whisper of it passed them. He could barely hear it, he knew you couldn’t.

Panic filled him as the damn near giant of a monster stepped over your body, axe still pushing your sword closer and closer to your head. He couldn’t run fast enough, he wasn’t going to get there in time. He pulled in as much air as he could, filling his strained lungs with it. He prayed to whomever could hear and grant him the strength that the words would come. They did. His voice carried over the battlefield, your name first, “GET UP! RUN!!” He screamed. He was still trying to get over to you, but feeling like the mud was pulling him down as he stumbled across the battlefield. You heard him loud and clear, head snapping towards the sound of Minho’s voice. You didn’t have time to properly react to hearing Minho’s voice for the first time, in this moment reacting meant losing your life.

You put all your strength into getting out of the bind the two of you were locked in. You called on your fathers ancestors to give you the strength to push and they did. You pushed the man three times your height and size off and rolled away from him. Minho joined you at your side, helping you up from the mud. You gave him a signal, hoping that all the training you’d done in the past would finally amount to something in this moment, you needed it. “NOW!” You both charged the beast at the same time, Minho taking the top and you the bottom. You knew his knees were useless, but his achilles was free, as well as the backs of his knees. Minho went for his chest while you slid between the beast's legs and took out his achilles in one foul swoop. He fell forward onto Minho’s awaiting blade, impaling himself. While you had so many things you wanted to say, you had no chance, the battle was still ensuing. Anything on your mind would have to wait until the battle was a success.

__

Hyunjin was face to face with the commander of the Children of the first men’s army. The shoulders of Hyunjin's armor caught the light, the ornate dragons gave away exactly who he was, despite all of the other people on the battlefield. “Klado as Volantis.” He had a forked tongue, giving him a lisp as he spoke. “You can end this, your people will live to see another day. This kingdom is rightfully ours, you know that, rilf 'qlir.” They circled each other, the tension could be felt mounting in the air. “Ewae os seshf iheth lae ehrae ealaed eahr laeth aviv slaaed seaef tahoe eaahrtah pahean haehrae thea e'ase'asruhsiy.” Hyunjin didn’t have to speak the language of Elfranor to understand that whatever was said was a threat. He readied his sword. “Prepare to die, half blood.”

The reptilian creature lunged at him, pushing him back, but the prince quickly recovered. All of his training was for this moment. All the tireless days and nights spent sparring with you and Minho. All the discussions of strategy he’d had with the generals of this very army. All of it mattered at this moment. If this would have been in the past, he would have been dead on the ground already. But thanks to you and Minho he knew how to fight, how to defend himself with and without a sword. He didn’t use weapons. His claws dripped with some substance Hyunjin could only think was poison. The reptoid man smiled. “Scared, rilf 'qlir?” The prince said nothing, focused on his opponent completely. His stance was low, knees bent as he watched the reptile. “Iyaiss woush mi himir.” The words fell from his mouth and before Hyunjin could react, the reptile's claws were between the scales of his armor, pressing their venom into his chest.

“Die you worthless half breed!” He laughed maniacally, pressing his fingers even deeper as Hyunjin screamed. Without a thought, Hyunjin swung his sword, slicing the arm off of the reptile, but the hand remained in his chest. The venom felt like it was searing its way through his veins. The pain spread from his chest like a wildfire, licking up his spine, settling around his neck, suffocating him. He gasped for air, unable to catch even the smallest of breaths. Was he going to die on this battlefield? He stumbled back, falling to one knee. He tried to use his sword to keep his balance, but to no avail. The edges of the world were starting to blur, color was draining from it, vision becoming black.

“Fire!”Ermias’ booming voice was the only thing to keep the prince from slipping into the everlasting darkness. Hyunjin was pulled to his feet with little to no effort. He could feel his grip on reality slipping through his fingertips. “You have to finish this, your highness. You have to fulfill the prophecy.” Hyunjin could hardly stand on his own, the pain was nearly too much to bear. He was tired. If he closed his eyes for a bit, would that be okay? Ermias breathed fire onto the prince’s sword, lighting it ablaze. “Finish this!” Hyunjin was thrust forward, his claymore now on fire. The reptile had already thought he won. The prince grit his teeth, fixing his stance, lifting his swords. He was ready to finish this, so that he could nap like he deserved.

“Insolent fool. You think you can beat me? The poison in your veins is more potent than any poison there is out there. You have less than a few minutes to try and kill me. But with the amount of pain you are in, you’ll never get to lay a hand on me.” Hyunjin took a deep breath, closing his eyes. He focused on the reptilian man in front of him. He focused on the way he breathed to the sound of his scales rubbing together. To the sound of his heartbeat. There was no one else on this battlefield but the two of them, in Hyunjin's mind.

When the reptile sprang forward, Hyunjin waited, eyes still closed. His hand had already grown back, his regeneration skills being more pronounced than a regular lizard. The prince dodged, his fire sword raised in defense. The same arm that had grown back was split right down the middle in two. The reptile let out a shrill scream. He’d learned a phrase while reading his family’s tome and the words meant everything to the prince.

Volantis was his home. The people who inhabited the land were by all means, his people. He’d give his last breath to protect it and them. “Lar Volantis! Rhou qa’nqdan al rhabou!” Hyunjin wasted no time, turning around and swinging his sword hard, plunging it right in the same spot on the reptile that he himself was hit. Right between the ribs, right at his left lung. The reptile stilled, “Se’aus sa Volantis.” Were his last words as his body erupted in flames before turning into embers and ash and floating away with the wind.

Everything seemed to cease. He briefly heard the cheers of his people, before the world tilted on its axis and everything became black.

The prince felt warm. Impossibly so. Warmer than a hug after soup made by Venia. Warmer than he felt when your bodies became one. Warmer than he’d ever been before. Warm like he’d been cold his whole existence and never knew. “My dearest, Hyunjin.” His eyes fluttered open as the soft voice caressed his ears. They opened just to land on the women he’d only seen through his aunt's visions and the large paintings in the castle. He took a chance to look around, unaware of his surroundings. Everything was white, minus the sunlight that poured in through the open windows. He was in a room with a singular bed, with plush white bedsheets he was lying in. Why was he here? How did he come to arrive here in this ethereal land where his mother resided?

She reached out, hand pressing into his cheek. “I- we don’t have long.” She spoke softly. “You have some place you need to be.” She smiled brighter than the sun. Her words had meaning, he just couldn’t figure out what that meaning was. He felt confused, but at the same time there was this overwhelming sense of happiness that he couldn’t shake. His face had to be a mix of both emotions playing tug of war. “You have people that you are not ready to leave behind, a life to live.” He sat up, the pain that was in his chest was now gone. Pain? His memory of what happened before all of this swiftly came back to him. He was poisoned by the claws of that reptile commander of the opposing army. He looked down, he was shirtless, but there was no wound. Was he in the afterlife? Had he died on the battlefield?

“You are not dead, my child. You have many years of life ahead of you.” She lovingly stroked his hair. “This is Elysium. It’s the border between life and the afterlife for the descendants of the first men. You are here momentarily while you are being healed-” He words were cut off by her son enveloping her in his arms. He let out a choked sob, never in a million years did he think he’d be able to see his mother, not even on the brink of death. She chuckled, hugged him back. “I’m so glad to finally meet you, my child.” He didn’t pull away, afraid that if he did, she’d disappear again. “I wanted you to know that I am proud of who you have become. And that I am sorry that I didn’t get the chance to be in your life like you needed. I'm thankful to Venia and to Ermias for all they have done to keep you safe.” She smiled sadly, “I just wish I could have been a part of that.” She finally pulled back.

“I brought you here to tell you that dying was my choice. I knew what consequences I faced by going into labor. I’d known for a long time. But you, you were worth the risk, my prince.” She pressed her forehead to his. “I know our meeting was brief, but we have run out of time.” He shook his head, worry etched on his brows. “Yes, my love. There are people you’ve left behind that are more than a little worried about you right now.” She grabbed his face again. “I love you so much. More than you can ever know.” She pressed her lips to his forehead and pulled him back into a brief hug before letting go for good. “We will see each other again.”

“I will wait for that day.” He spoke with conviction. This wasn’t enough for him. This wasn’t even close to enough time, he’d just met her after years of being apart. He sighed and pulled away knowing this would be for good.

__

The room was silent as they waited for Hyunjin to come to. Venia, Ermias, and Minho were all in various places, scattered over the room, waiting. Ermias had gotten to the prince first, witnessing what unfolded with his very own eyes. He’d gained a brand new respect for the future king and how he took charge and led his people into battle with his head held high. He knew of the prophecy, and Aeri had told him herself that she thought that the baby growing in her tummy might be the promise that was prophesied all those generations before by her ancestor. He was never one to really hold on to the old ideas and beliefs that had failed him before, but he really regretted the fact that he didn’t believe his oldest friend.

Maybe things would have been different if he would have stepped in sooner. He could have let the boy and Venia live on their land, helped to raise him, taught him the same things he’d taught his own children. But there was also a part of him that believed that maybe things were supposed to go this way. That he was supposed to grow up without the love of his mother or his father.

He wasn't supposed to grow up under the care of someone unrelated to him. Grow up without the knowledge or understanding of his powers or that he had any at all. Ermias was there for him, but not in any way he thought was significant. Maybe if he at least would have been there to teach the boy to fight, he wouldn’t have nearly died on the battlefield. Ermias shook his head, burying his face in his hands. The prince didn’t nearly die, he died.

“If it’s like the last time she was gravely injured, she will recover in no time.” Venia spoke up from Hyunjin’s bedside. “Shes strong, just like her parents.” Ermias sat up, hearing that you’d been gravely injured once before. “Calm down, papa bear. She and Minho were attacked by bandits on their way to Arcta. It took her some time, but she eventually healed herself.” Venia sighed. “I don’t think you know how thankful I am that she and Minho were by my-” She paused, “The prince’s side. I don’t think he would have made it this far if it wasn’t for them.”

Ermias rose to his feet. “I think you had a big hand in all of this as well, Venia. Don’t count yourself out. The prince is a well adjusted man, once willing to sacrifice himself for the people of this kingdom. Not many would be willing to do that, not many are willing to stare death itself in the face and fight back. So, you aren’t the only one that's thankful. Thank you for raising him, for taking him in when you didn’t have to. He is the hope, the future of this Kingdom. I'm looking forward to seeing the kingdom of Volantis under his rule.”

Hyunjin began to stir, eyes slowly fluttering open. His first inclination was to sit up, but Venia, with both hands on his shoulder, softly stopped him. “Don’t get up. It’s best for you to continue to rest.” He focused on her, lips curling into a tender smile .

“Venia.” His words came out as almost as a whisper. “I’ve missed you.” He knew what her instructions were. She wanted him to rest, but rest could come later. He hadn’t seen or hugged the woman that was like a mother to him in nearly two months. He sat up faster than she could react and hugged her. She chuckled softly, hugging him back just as tight.

“I’ve missed you two, my prince.” They settled into the hug, he was almost on the verge of tears, him brimming with joy. He truly thought he’d never see her again, especially at the end. That's when the realization hit him, he didn’t know what happened. Was it all over?

“The war-” Venia stopped him as she pulled back.

“We won.” She smiled with the pride of a mother, because by all intents and purposes, she was. “You did it, Hyunjin.”

“They partially retreated. More than likely licking their wounds until they can regroup, somewhere deep in the caves of Caerdydd.” His heavy footsteps resounded as he neared the end of Hyunji’s fourpost bed. “At your command, scouts can be sent out to track their movements. The generals and their men are at the ready for you, whatever decision you make, your highness.” The tall man bowed his head to the prince.

“My father-” He stopped taking a moment to look around. Minho leaned against the wardrobe, looking as bored as ever. Venia was seated on the side of his bed, right next to him. Ermias was standing at the foot of the bed. He frowned. “Where is she?” He directed his question at your father. Ermias sighed, not making the effort to immediately answer. He was in a precarious situation. His daughter was also ill from making a sacrifice for this kingdom.

“Where is she?” Hyunjin was starting to panic.

“Your aunt came to help her heal.” The prince's head snapped in the direction of the wardrobe. The confusion hit him like a ton of bricks. Had Minho just spoken? It was low and very raspy, but he was sure he’d just heard words come from his mouth.

“When you…” Ermias searched for the right words in order to not alarm the prince. “Passed out after taking out their commander, the children of the first men retreated. So, we declared victory, even if it's temporary.” He mumbled the last part, the pessimist in him couldn’t let him see the good for the bad. “She ran to you as you collapsed into my arms. You were unresponsive… We couldn’t get a pulse.. You weren’t breathing.” Hyunjin looked from the former general to Venia, who gave him a small, sad smile.

“She was tired from the fight, we all were. But she said she’d give her last breath before she’d let you die…” He sighed, turning his back to the prince. “She healed you, but it cost her. I don’t know how much.. That's something she got from her mothers side of the family. But it cost her, nonetheless. She’s with-” He couldn’t finish the words before Hyunjin was flying out of bed.

“Your highness, you need rest!” Venia said, quickly following after him as he threw on his robes and pushed out of the room. His stride was quick as he headed to the room you were occupying. “She won’t get better if you don’t.” He needed to see, needed to feel. In his mind, he’d never get better if he didn’t get to see you, to check if you were okay.

__

Efranor doctors were working their magic, making sure that you got the best care possible. As soon as the war ended, the people of the Jade mountain descended to help the injured. You were on your knees in the mod, hovering over the prince’s body, giving him some of your life energy to give him a fighting chance at surviving this. “Please, please…” Your voice cracked as you started to sob. “Don’t leave me..” You were desperately trying to fight back the tears while still pouring what was left of your energy into saving the prince. You were tired from fighting and being up all night, you didn’t have much left to give. But that didn’t stop you. You held your hands on him until your energy was completely depleted. The last thing you saw was his aunt running towards where you all were with a few others you barely recognized as the med staff from Efranor. Knowing they were there to take over where you left off, made you feel comfortable enough to go ahead and close your eyes.

When you finally came to, you were surrounded by Prince Yongbok, a doctor and the queen consort, Nari. They relayed everything that happened while you were asleep. How the sick and injured were treated. And how the king had called a council meeting saying that as soon as the prince awoke, the prince would do his coronation. He’d heard of the prince’s heroics and planned to reward him by making him kim of the kingdom he valiantly fought for. How much to your dismay, the prince was still out cold, still recovering. They also let it be known that it had been days since the battle, shocking you greatly. You couldn’t imagine how worried everyone must be for the prince. You carefully climbed out of bed, not bothering to change or find a robe, you were still fully clothed. Prince Yongbok, Queen Nari, and the doctor didn’t try to stop you. Probably knowing that you were too stubborn to be stopped. You slowly twisted your way through the halls of the castle, trying to make your way to his room.

You turned the corner towards the royal chambers and stopped dead in your tracks as you came face to face with the very man your worries had been sequestered for. Your eyes met and an unknowing sigh of relief escaped your mouth. No words were spoken as the two of you silently walked to one another, taking each other into a hug. He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you in and hugging you tightly. Your head was pressed right where his injury was, the realization making you pull away. Only for your head to be pressed back to his chest. “I'm fine.” He spoke softly, “Thanks to you.” He hugged you tighter, happy that he didn’t lose you. Just the mere thought was unimaginable. For the longest time he could never understand how his father could start wars and build monuments to mourn the love that he’d lost. He understood now, how love could make you crazy. How love could make you lose yourself and leave behind everything you knew and held near. He’d scorch the earth for you.

Hyunjin missed how you fit in his arms and you missed feeling safe and loved in his. Time felt as if it was slipping away, like the two of you were suspended in these moments. That was until a throat cleared. Your father stood a few feet behind Hyunjin with an appraising look on his face. There was no anger or disbelief, just once of pure bewilderment. Hyujin finally let you go, turning around to face the audience you two had been unwittingly providing the entertainment for. Hyunjin cleared his throat, “General Ermias, Venia, Minho.” He turned looking behind him at his aunt and cousin. “Prince Yongbo, queen consort, Nari. Please bear witness.” He took in a shaky breath, then grabbed your hand, lacing your fingers with his. “I am coming before you now, asking General Ermias for his daughter's hand in marriage. I know this is usually done in a different manner, but after dying on that battlefield… then waking up without knowing where she was or if she was okay, I am led to do this now. I..” He looked at you before setting his eyes back on the general. “I can’t live without her. I don’t want to imagine a day of my life without her in it. So, please, will you allow me to marry her?”

The silence was palpable. Everyone’s eyes settled on Ermias as he stroked his beard. “This is a decision I should probably wait for my wife to make.” He sighed, “But I know, I’ve seen what you’ve gone through. I saw how desperate my daughter was just to get your breathing again, and one thing as a father that I hate the most, is seeing my girls cry.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You have my permission. It would be an honor to call you my son-in-law, your highness.” He bowed slightly. Venia jumped up and down, clapping from excitement as everyone else congratulated the two of you on your engagement.

Hyunjin turned to you, keeping your hand in his. “I don’t have a ring yet, but I-”

He was interrupted by Venia, “I always dreamed this day would come.” He approached with apprehensive steps. “Aeri would have wanted you to have this.” She undid her necklace and pulled the white gold banded ring, with a large jade in the center, with tiny diamonds encrusting it. “This ring represents all that you are. It’s the ring that your father gave your mother, the ring he commissioned some people from the Jade mountains to do. It was something to remind her of the home she’d left behind to become queen.” She grabbed your intertwined hands. “I know more than anyone else, that she would love for you to give this to the woman you love.” Hyujin tried his best not to cry, taking the ring from her with shaky hands.

“Thank you, Mom.” Venia quickly covered her mouth and stepped away, afraid she’d sob if she didn’t. Hyunjin adjusted his knee on the floor, “As I was saying..” He chuckled and so did you. “I guess I’ll make an amendment; I have a ring now. And I would love for you to accept it, and become my wife. Because I can’t see my life without you in it. Will you marry me?” You bit your lip to hold back the tears. You couldn’t see your life without him either.

“Yes.” His face dropped, eyes widening as if he didn’t hear you correctly. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” He jumped up, picking you up off your feet and spinning around. Nearly forgetting to even put the ring on your finger.

“Oh- right.” He chuckled, finally making things official by slipping the ring on your finger. You were officially engaged to the prince that was once sent away as a burden, but came back as the hope for your beloved kingdom. Your Kingdom of Hope.

__

There will be a bonus chapter for the coronation and wedding of the mc and prince Hyunjin. Stay tuned and thank you so much for reading this! It took two years, but….. We did it!!

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Translations: *"Se’aus as iyais se’asze’as huhrsan, Volantis. Se’aus sa iyai u’ass" - Death to your wretched kingdom, Volantis. Death to you all. *"Se’aus sa Volantis...." - Death to Volantis.... “Klado as Volantis.” - Prince of Volantis *"rilf 'qlir." - Half Blood “Ewae os seshf iheth lae ehrae ealaed eahr laeth aviv slaaed seaef tahoe eaahrtah pahean haehrae thea e'ase'asruhsiy.” - Give us back what we are owed or let your blood soak the earth from here to eternity. "Lar Volantis! Rhou qa’nqdan al rhabou!” - "For Volantis! The kingdom of hope!" “Iyaiss woush mi himir.” - You'll die with no honor.

© ✐Channieskies 『MINORS DNI! This post contains nsfw material. Please do not interact with it if you are under the age of 18. Do not translate or repost here or on other sites. Please leave a like , comment, and reblog if you enjoyed this story.♥』

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