in honeymouthed, dh is known for having a beautiful voice. out of curiosity, is ds also good at singing and does she have any talents shes known for and/or secretly have?
oh, ds has all the talents. both she and dh were trained in the arts so singing, dancing, playing instruments, drawing, etc... traditionally she should've been trained in weaponry as well but since she was to be married in the vale she got the most basic training and they focused on the kind of talents that would allow her to make friends more easily in the vale, like flower arrangements, embroidery. since she loves jewellery she has a personal passion for crafting that is quite unusual for a noble girl, but she says she deserves the prettiest jewels which are the ones she can make herself, and that there's nothing undignified in dealing with precious stones and gold after all. she did make some of the jewels donghyuck wears lol and most of her own, and sometimes when someone (her twin brother) begs long enough, she can even helps in the decoration of weapons, although she never tried smithing. she technically knows how, but she never tried ahah
Hello!! I feel like it was my ask that was accidentally deleted so i'll send it again 😅
First I wanted to thank you for pushing through and giving us chapter 58. I adore Mk's interaction with dh's family so much. I especially loved the dongsoon- mk relationship. I find it comforting mk would've had a decent marriage with dongsoon had things been different, that they could've been happy in a way. And now there's genuine friendship between the two. Of course i'm still pro mk and dh's marriage! But mk and dongsoon marriage i think would feel like a long sigh at the end of the day. But of course nothing would beat the breathtaking mk and dh married adventures!
Another one i liked is how mk's leadership and abilities are shown through the eyes of the people around him. Since the story is mostly told in his pov, we always get the "dh is better, stronger, etc" monologue he has. And while dh is very capable and undeniably amazing, sometimes as a reader mk leads us to believe that he's not (he's kinda self depreciating no?) but in reality he is every bit capable and skilled as a leader. He may think he looks like a sworn sword following the prince of the islands but i'm willing to bet the people who see him in his military regalia thinks otherwise. The islanders may /hate/ him but i'm sure they see how majestic he is. Dare I say the palace maids, although ever loyal to dh, has now developed an appreciation for the foreign prince. I'm sure he's got a few of them rooting for him right? 😌
i'm sorry it took this long to answer, i really needed to be on my laptop to write a long answer and this will be a longish answer
i think mk and ds' marriage would've been a lot better than the one mk's parents had. yet, it pains me to think that, for the way i wrote the plot and the role mk and dh played in the plot until now, the marriage between mk and ds would've likely ended in tragedy (not because of either of them, just circumstances ig).
i'm glad you caught on mk showing up his leader abilities, and that's also something that i will try to show constantly throughout his stay in the islands. in the vale, mk is more respected than his father is. he's a very hard-working lad, he's calm, he has no vices, and he's friendly with people both higher and lower than him. i guess the people of the islands are just very petty because mk is a decent prince but their dh was the most beloved pretty handsome brave prince to them so it'll always be an unfair exchange, but mk is actually a very good choice for dh, there's literally very few people better than him in the known lands unless they wanted to betrothe dh to one of jaem's older brothers. mk knows this, but also from his point of view, what has transpired between him and dh makes him feel very insecure because his actions were not honorable that time. there might be worse men than him, but would they have treated dh badly? this thought really plagues him a lot. which is also why it's important that he gets acknowledged in the islands, that would make dh happy and mk more self-confident.
the people of the islands think he looks very much like a foreign prince, and they don't trust him. they would be friendlier if they saw him dressed in their colors, but dh thinks it would be a show of weakness. he wants people to see mk as strong rather than approachable, because he knows the respect of the people of the islands is more important than their friendship. the second can come later, but he wants mk to have the first before everything else. it is hard earned, but once you have the respect of a shar, you can gain their loyalty, which is stronger than friendship.
the palace maids would try to seduce mk if he was anyone but dh's husband lbr ahah he's a snack. they like him, but they like the way he treats dh more :)
here are a few things that are not directly mentioned in the chapter but that make sense if you think about the lore
- It was probably Mark’s first time spending time with both Dongsoon and Donghyuck. Given how much he disliked Donghyuck and the way they always argued and fought together, and with Jeno always sticking to Donghyuck and keeping him company when Mark ditched him, Mark probably spent his time with Dongsoon alone and only met Donghyuck where he couldn’t avoid him, at dinner with other people or on the training grounds. Never the three of them. This means he never got to witness their relationship like he is seeing it now.
- Unlike Donghyuck and Dongsoon the younger twins Dowon and Dohoon are identical. This means that there’s a higher (almost certain) chance they will present in the same way. This will likely create a problem for the succession, unless they present as Omega, both of them. In that case Dongsoon would be the undisputed heir. But that’s unlikely, one male Omega is rare enough for three generations. If they present as Beta or Alpha, they would probably be able to challenge Dongsoon’s claim even if she’s older on the simple base of being male where she’s female. But at the same time, being twins, it’s even harder to decide who should be the heir between them, and that could split them apart. That’s why the king and queen have made Dongsoon the heir, based on the fact that she’s the eldest and she’s an Alpha, and not on her primary gender. But Dongsoon’s position as the heir is very unstable. She was not originally educated for it and she’s struggling to affirm herself in the council and with her subjects who don’t respect her as much as they respected Donghyuck. Although Donghyuck’s family is not as tense as Mark’s, the issue of succession could be a source of conflict between them. Supporting Dongsoon is the wisest choice for the king and queen, but she needs to prove she deserves the position, otherwise people will support her brothers' claim instead, and that could easily turn into a civil war.
- The twins don’t get along with Dongsoon because in the past they spent less time together. Since Donghyuck was supposed to stay and Dongsoon was supposed to get married at some point, they were not encouraged to bond with her as much as they did with him. This also means that when Donghyuck left they were heartbroken, and they kind of took it out on her. It also doesn’t help that they’re not used to treat her like she’s the heir. This is source of great grief for the queen.
- Dongsoon is the queen’s favorite child. She’s her only daughter, and we have seen now how much the queen likes Mark. She really wanted him to marry Dongsoon, she thought he would’ve made a good husband for her. It’s not like she’s not happy that Donghyuck and Mark have found each other, but Dongsoon has always been the child everone gave up on, the one who was offered to another country like a tribute, so the queen grew very protective on her and tried to make sure she ended up with a good husband. In the process, she always asked about Mark’s studies and achievements and his personality to make sure he would treat her well.
- The two queens of the Vale and the Islands are friends. In fact, they exchanged many letters in the past in virtue of the fact that they would become in-laws. They both greatly respect each other. They only got to meet once, before the wedding, but their correspondence has been going on for many years.
Oh... To see them fall in love before presenting would have been so beautiful. 😠The chances are so low for that option. It's because I imagine them like being a bit anxious about it. Like... DH yes or yes thinking that he will be an alpha so I wonder if he would have been worried after MK presented as an alpha first or both declaring their love for each other but trying to suppress their feelings because they both were "going to be" alphas and kings ðŸ˜.
The many possibilities. Oh, Miss Cla, I do really want to know what could have been for them in that parallel universe. But well... Let people decide.
I hope you are doing fine, Miss Cla (if not, sending you good energy). Also wishing that you are healthy and that good things happen to you.
Been reading this since the very first chapter, yes, since day one, and.. oh... Miss Cla thank you so SO much. And congratulations.
it would've been very angsty i tell you. they would fall in love as equals thinking they'd both be alphas and it's impossible. they would never talk to each other but their eyes would follow each other's every movement across the halls, desire like a yoke around their necks only them could see. the thing is, they would know it was reciprocated, of course they would know, because they can't keep their eyes off each other and neither of them looks away when their eyes meet, so they would know. and everyone else knows as well, but they never even talk and so no one can ever accuse them of anything.
but i have a headcanon about this, and idk if i'll ever write it but oh heaven i love to think about it. they don't talk to each other, but sometimes they would quote poetry, which is something that people used to do in the past to show their culture and how well educated they are, so dh once quotes this very obscure poem from an author who died of unfulfilled love, and the following day mk would offer to play a song at the harp and it would be a song without lyrics but everyone knows it's from a ballad of two lovers who can't be together, and it's horrible and too subtle and no one can reprimand them because they're doing nothing wrong but everything they say is a call to each other but neither would take the step.
also mk would feel terrible for ds, dh wouldn't because he knows she already feels terrible for him.
Cla just to be clear out of all the couples who are mentioned in hm, only mk's parents are the ones who never fell in love right? Which means that while dojae are fighting/not a couple at the moment, they did have feeling for each other or perhaps still do but can't/don't act upon them correct? (I feel so bad for Mark's mom :(( )
yeah that's correct ig? they never fell in love for real, although mk's mom is very pretty... mk's dad was in love and engaged with jaem's mom before her city was conquered by the na empire and she was taken as like fifty-third wife/concubine by the emperor to secure his ownership of the city. mk's mom was the second best thing in terms of political value but he never loved her like that (in that he and mk are the same, one true love for the rest of their lives). by extension, he kind of didn't grow super fond of the sons she gave him. he has a love/hate relationship with jaem because he can't stand to see him but he's also the only way he has to catch a glimpse of the only woman he ever loved so always makes sure to greet him whenever he comes to visit even if he'd gladly drown him. if mk's mom ever loved someone other than her two sons we'll never know because the king might not love her but he would kill anyone who was close to her to protect his honor, so she never showed affection for a man in her life after a grim incident that led to the decapitation of her former bodyguard.
dojae now... dojae were in love and it was reciprocal but jh didn't want to act on it because he was afraid it would ruin his reputation in the army (and also dy's career) and dy liked him but also trying to make him jealous so he would act on his feelings only made him angry and led to very bad things being said and done on both sides. that is why they are now on bad terms. but they originally liked each other a lot, they just were never together.
So, this just popped into my head, don't know if you'll explain in future chapters. I know the Shar king loves all his children very much, but how does he really feel about Dongsoon being the heir? I don't think we got his perspective on that much if not at all
He does love her, but he also thinks she's not ready and he's very worried about what would happen if he were to pass away like, tomorrow. It's not only about Dongsoon's abilities, he knows she hasn't proved herself so people aren't willing to trust her, but at the same time he's afraid of pushing her to the front too suddenly and ruining her reputation if she makes a mistake. But even shielding her is damaging her in some ways.
Anyway it's kinda awkward for either of them because he obviously felt some guilt for accepting to send her away and marry her to mk, and that added to the fact that he really loves his children means that he probably tried not to get too attached to dongsoon because he knew she would leave, so they're kinda awkward with each other.
Given her personality, she would probably fight with him all the time, but since their relationship is so awkward she refuses to voice her opinion when she's annoyed, and sometimes she even ignores him and that drives him mad. he's also very worried about her future, like marriage and whatsnot, but he can't bring himself to talk about it with her and prefers to go through his wife for stuff like that.
This chapter has answered all of my questions and theories that i have silently kept to myself to analyze them all by my lonesome. Ever since the Islands Arc started, my heart had been rooting for DS; seeing her disrespected and underestimated by her people, her family, makes me really sad. I feel like DH, and now their mother, were the only ones who truly believed in her. It makes me agitated no one thinks DS going to marry a foreigner, leaving her home to live in an enemy country, (cont.)
(cont.) bearing said enemy’s child is just as important, tiring and draining as DH being king. And now that she’s heir, people only care about missing DH and how he’s being treated… WTF!!! I’m so glad you brought to light about MK’s situation with being passed the crown from his brother, just like DS right now. I’ve always wondered how that played out; how MK and his brother felt and reacted to the new development, how their relationship was like. With MK and DS being in the same boat, (cont.)
(cont.) I feel like MK could really help her out and share how he’s handled it. MK-DS besties is so heartwarming! its like MK can finally see who DS is NOW than he did during their 15 years of engagement, they were too busy trying to play the perfect husband/wife to really build a true friendship, I could imagine. But DS has perseverance and resilience, to be able to withstand her role as a wife, no one would do what she could (MK said so). I can also imagine that DS training to be a (cont.)
(cont.) prince's wife had been different to training to be the wife of a future king. How did everyone back then feel that DS was going to be queen of the Vale? Her education could have changed to prep her for being a queen, but im guessing a wife in the Islands is different than a wife in the Vale. I could see how everyone looked down on her for trying to be a lady of the Vale and not a lady of the Shar. I’m secretly yearning for a DS side story, she deserves all the love and support!! (cont.)
(cont.) I’m so sorry about my rant, this was a lot I know! i hav a word limit to my ask. But I really needed to get this out of my chest now that ch 58 has satisfied all my theories! You have stated multiple times that you don’t plan ahead, you write as you go in the moment and I didn’t want to say anything for fear of changing your work process. But everything is good now!!! Keep up the good work! Stay healthy and happy!
Joining all your asks into one for clarity.
Yeah, one of the reasons I'm really happy to have written this arc is that for so long people have worked on assumptions greatly shaped by our main characters, Mark who knows very little about the Islands and has only been with Dongsoon a few weeks every year, and Donghyuck who is fiercely loyal to his country and misses it terribly and so is bound to have very good feelings about it.
Many people were surprised to see Dongsoon being neglected because they had come to imagine the Islands being a beautiful place, more fair and equal compared to the Vale. It's only partly true. While the Islands are more willing to challenge some outdated views, they're not a perfectly place and they're affected by period-typical prejudices.
I didn't always have in mind to make Dongsoon's experience being so hard in the Islands, but as soon as the arc started and Yangyang appeared I realized that it only made sense for him to disrespect her because he's used to her just being Donghyuck's sister and not the crown princess. And if he does it, then maybe other people are doing it. Dongsoon was raised to be someone who blended into the situation, doing her thing without being seen because that was seen as a virtue. She was also not trained with weapons (even though some girls are trained) nor in trade, because as the queen of the Vale she wouldn't be able to keep up with that kind of education. She was, however, trained to be a skilled diplomat, and she did study together with Donghyuck and they're both equally smart and not competitive with each other so her education as a princess is not lacking. But she never had to prove that she was fit to rule the way Donghyuck did, nor she gained anyone's respect by bonding with important people or participating in campaigns, or training with the troops.
That's why I really wanted her and Mark to have this moment, because Mark is seeing her as a fellow heir right now, and he's seeing her struggling with the same problems he had in the past, and as someone whose abilities have been doubted by his father again and again, and had to prove himself to everyone, he is in a place of understanding from where he can help her by sharing his experience.
Also, when I started writing this fic some characters were barely fleshed out. Dongsoon appeared so little in this fic in the beginning, and always in moments filled with tension, as a background to Mark and Donghyuck's troubled relationship (i.e. Mark's kiss with her is seen as a negative thing that threatens their relationship, and generally when we think of her spending time with Mark we imagine how must Donghyuck suffered because of it). The few times she appeared as a positive character were in Donghyuck's interludes, but I was really aching to show that Mark and Dongsoon had a good relationship and could even have a better one now.
I also really really wanted to avoid the 'Donghyuck is jealous of his sister route' because it never existed in my p.lans. He loves her dearly, he trusts her dearly, and it could've been easy to hate her for taking Mark when Donghyuck wanted him, but he simply didn't because he loves her. They have a lot of respect for each other, they trust each other, they love each other, and being apart was hard for both of them, especially after having this special bond.
And also it might not be immediate to understand, but the fact that they complete each other so well is one of the reasons no one realized they were Alpha and Omega, because they covered for each other's character flaws and always balanced each other out. Dongsoon always covered for Donghyuck when he got in trouble and went to save him like a good Alpha, but people thought she was an Omega wanting to comfort her Alpha brother. At the same time, Donghyuck was constantly acting out because he needed the attention, and people thought it was a sign of him being an Alpha dragging his sister along in his adventures, but it was actually Dongsoon who stopped him when he was going too far and he always listened to her and trusted her judgment. They are two sides of the same coin in the end.
So this - having Mark getting along with her - is going to make all of them happy, because Donghyuck has the most important Alphas in his life on his side, and both Mark and Dongsoon gain an Alpha friend (especially for Dongsoon, who has no experience being an Alpha, Mark's help will be invaluable) and an ally in stopping Donghyuck from doing something crazy. I'm so glad I had the chance to write about their relationship because I really like it.
So JN was already smitten with JM when JM came to rizz him up at MH's wedding ceremony? Because he's the one JM had been exchanging letters with? Lol, I thought JN was just a silly girl😠Does JM know this? Does this conversation ever make pillow talk?👀(sorry if you've already answered this. Apparently I'm slow)
JN and JM actually spend their wee years together because JN was born in the Empire, not in the Islands. And since their mothers were friends, they were basically weaned as cradle friends. Both of them are too young to remember this lol and JN's mother wouldn't tell him because she misses her best friend and she feels guilty so she doesn't talk about her too much. JM's mother doesn't talk about her for similar reasons.
JN exchanged letters with JM for a while so when he saw him he was kind of... curious? I wouldn't say he was smitten before he met JM, but also would you ever say no to JM wanting to bang you? Would anyone, truly? Meanwhile JM saw JN and was like I'm sexy free single ready to mingle would you marry me
