As the murmur of nobles in the ballroom grew louder with anticipation, the orchestra's majestic sound reached their ears. Rhae led Kaisan to the polished marble dance floor. As Rhae firmly clasped Kai's hand, they exchanged a glance, a smile reaching both eyes. The tension was heavy as they readied, and everything seemed to fade around them. Right now, they only exist to each other.

"This is my favorite part," Rhae whispered.

"Which? We haven't even started yet…" Kaisan clicked his tongue playfully. 

"Holding you in my arms, sweeping you off your feet, moving as if we're one," Rhae smiled his charming smile, giving Kaisan butterflies. 

"You may be lead, but I'll be the one to sweep you off your feet," Kai shot back, his signature toothy, boyish grin flashing back at Rhae - who chuckled in response. 

The strings plucked as the first notes of the waltz began, filling the ballroom. The gentle strings and wind instruments bounced off of every surface, guiding those on the dancefloor into motion. Rhae's hand slid naturally to the small of Kaisan's back. Kai's own hand rested on Rhae's shoulder, fingers delicately digging into the fabric, causing creases. 

Moving as one, their steps clicked with each floor contact with practiced ease. Rhae's confident footwork guided Kaisan around the room as they gracefully spun, following the music's rhythm with effortless skill. The warm candlelight reflected off of Kai's jeweled eyes, standing out against his white and gold attire. 

Rhae dipped Kaisan in one fluid motion as they moved in harmony. Rhae's teal eyes curved into crescent moons as he watched Kaisan's peony-pink hair fan out as he pulled back up, catching the light - inspiring him to paint another portrait later. The heavy tension almost overtook them briefly as Kaisan's leg hooked around Rhae's leg. He flashed the taller man a smirk as he untangled their bodies, continuing the waltz. 

As their pace quickened, Rhae tightened his hold on his lover, their bodies glued together as they twirled. Kaisan's breath hitched in his throat, and he lifted his head to stare into Rhae's eyes—which were gleaming with a mischievous spark. Kai quickly looked back towards their entwined hands, his ears turning a deep shade of red.

"Control yourself," Kaisan whispered with a strained voice. "You're poking me."

"My apologies, my love," Rhae closed his eyes with a gentle smile. "It's a natural reaction when you're so beautiful and pressed against me."

"We're in public," Kaisan groaned, embarrassed, leaning in and resting his head on Rhae's shoulder. Rhae chuckled, the sound reverberating through his chest before he quickly pecked Kai's ear.

"You just make it so easy to love you," Rhae replied, his voice filled with warmth. Kaisan's lips curled into a soft smile as he temporarily closed his eyes.

"With that proposal, you won this round," he whispered from Rhae's shoulder before picking up his head just as the waltz began to slow, their intimate moment nearing its end. With a final, sweeping dip, Rhae and Kai's faces were mere inches apart, breaths tickling each other. The spectators applauded as the dance finished, and some couples left the dancefloor for a break. 

"It's not about winning or losing," Rhae stated, stepping back to bow before taking Kaisan's hand to ready for the next dance. "Because this was never a game for me. It's about our future together. And I refuse to let anything get in the middle of that."

"Speaking like a true, love-struck fool," Kaisan shook his head with a smirk, stepping up against Rhae once again.

"Of course, because I do love you. Truly," Rhae stared Kaisan directly into his eyes, wearing a serious expression. Kaisan's hand reached up to cup Rhae's cheek, who turned to kiss his palm. In response, Kaisan leaned on the tips of his toes and kissed Rhae in the middle of the dance floor as the next round of waltz started. A passing whistle drew them apart, and they laughed before they joined the others twirling around them. 

After a few rounds of waltz, they decided to take a breather, exiting the dance floor and heading for the refreshment table. Rhae handed Kaisan a glass of champagne as he picked a glass of red wine for himself. Kai rolled his eyes with a smile but drank regardless. 

"I have to run away for a moment and check in with my family," Kaisan said, downing the rest of his glass. "After the royal announcement, let's discuss everything with my family before they try to sneak out early."

"Let's do that," Rhae replied, wrapping his arm around Kaisan and kissing his forehead. "Come back quickly."

"Oh, I will. I'm starving," he responded, turning away towards the crowd. "I'll meet you in the garden for the quartet!" 

Rhae waved him off, topping up his glass before heading out through the open doors leading to the garden. It had reached a point in the evening when they encouraged the guests to move outdoors to enjoy entertainment in the gardens while switching the ballroom into a banquet hall. He made his way to the garden stage, sitting in the aisle seat in the third row back from where the short ballet performance would be held. 

It didn't take long before Kaisan came down the aisle searching for Rhae, an annoyed expression etched onto his face. As he spotted his lover, his uncharacteristically heavy footsteps dragged him at a slow pace as he ran his hand through his hair in frustration. 

"Is everything all right?" Rhae asked in concern, reaching his hand out to guide Kaisan to his seat beside him. Kai plopped himself down, slouching as he crossed his arms and threw his head back with a grunt.

"Just a bunch of annoying things. I was setting things up for us after, so it was less of a shock and easier to accept. I went to my grandfather for help since he was the most against my father's plan to marry me off politically. Then my father overheard, and now he wants me to be a part of the official introduction - which wasn't originally the plan…"

"Introduction?" Rhae asked, confused. Kaisan sighed.

"It means for a good portion of the banquet. I have to stand next to that insufferable man and play the good son while standing next to my siblings, with whom I've never had the best relationship, and play along as a valiant supporter."

"Ah," Rhae responded empathetically. 

"This was supposed to be our night," Kaisan groaned, leaning sideways and roping his head on Rhae's shoulder. Rhae reached up and patted him from behind to console him.

"Shall we run away?" Rhae joked. "I can have them ready my carriage for after the banquet."

"Tempting…" Kaisan grumbled, turning his head to bury it in his lover's neck. He breathed in to calm himself down, then sat straight in his chair.

"Feeling calmer?" Rhae asked with a chuckle. Kaisan shot him a side eye before nodding. 

"Just be prepared for a war of wits. And be sure to think of at least a thousand reasons to convince them of our marital union," Kaisan said, reaching out to pat Rahe's that rested on his thigh. Rhae turned his hand around to clasp Kai's.

"I'll list a million," he smiled in return. Kaisan rolled his eyes before looking at the stage, where the dancers were readying to start their performance.

***

As they left their seats after the spectacular dance, Richard - Kaisan's butler, approached and whispered something in his head, then stood back for a response. Kaisan clicked his tongue, glaring at the banquet hall.

"I'm being beckoned by father," Kaisan turned to Rhae, explaining the situation. "My cousins will be waiting for you at the banquet hall entrance, so join their table."

Kaisan stepped in front of Rhae, bringing his hands to his cheeks and pulling him down so they were both at eye level. Rhae flashed him a smile, and Kai smirked in response before passionately kissing Rhae as people walked around them in the aisle. Gasps and whistles passed them, but they paid no mind until Richard cleared his throat, reminding him of the lack of time. They pulled apart, staring at each other for a few moments.

"Wait for me," Kaisan whispered, looking down at the ring on Rhae's finger and bringing it to his lips with a gentle kiss. Rhae brought it to his own lips and kissed it as well. 

"Forever," Rhae whispered back. Kaisan paused before continuing. 

"... I love you, Rhae," Kaisan replied. "I'll be right back."

"And I'll be right here, my dear," Rhae ran his hand through Kai's hair. "I love you too."

Kaisan nodded before turning to Richard, stopping to look back at Rahe nervously, who waved him off with a smile. Rhae followed behind until he got to the entrance from the gardens and spotted the cousins grouped together. He approached the family with a warm smile.

"Isn't it my favorite bouquet of flowers," Rhae joked with the group. They all broke into a fit of giggles, swarming him and grabbing his arms to pull him inside. Rhae nodded to the eldest cousin, Cicilia, who welcomed him.

"Our new brother has come to eat with us. Let's guide him safely," she told the group in a playful tone. Rhae laughed. 

"Thank you for welcoming me without my dear fairy around."

"Do you call him that to his face?" Cicila asked, astonished. 

"I have, many times," Rhae smirked.

"And you're alive? I'm surprised he puts up with that with his personality. He's not as sweet as he looks," She shook her head as she led the group to their assigned table. 

"He's only a bit testy," Rhae commented.

"Only a bit?" She replied in surprise, mouth agape. "With how he was raised and how his siblings and father treat him, he's developed a pretty problematic personality. I assumed you both had a torrid relationship, so I wasn't expecting it to be a long-term thing developing into marriage. I apologize. I don't mean to offend you."

"I've also changed quite a bit when I met him. Sometimes, it just takes meeting the right person," Rhae smiled. "So, no offense taken." 

"Hmm, we'll see," she replied, looking down at the tie clip and down at the ring on his hand. "Maybe he has, but I don't know you, my lord."

"Understandable, but there is nothing but time now."

"True," she nodded, then noticed an older man sitting down at the end of the table. "Grandfather is here, which means the imperial family will make their speech."

Rhae looked over and saw the back of the head of the man she mentioned and nodded. He turned to look at the royal family table on the grand staircase, where the servants were finishing the meal placements before clearing their way. Trumpeters announced the king's arrival.

The whole room turned to the doors on the top right staircase that opened to the balcony, and a family with silver and gold hair emerged from the doorway. The middle-aged king with his metallic silver hair, known as the main trait of royal family members, stood before many of his children, who slowly lined up beside him, one by one.

The first to the king's left was the long silver-haired crown prince he and Kaisan had spotted previously at the hunting competition. Next to him was a young man with a short golden mullet, with features that reflected the current queen - who stood at the king's right. Next to the queen stood another prince in his teens with a short bronze bob, and a girl of matching hair color and age stood beside him.

Finally, on the king's left side, a young man in his white military jacket with gold accents, gold aiguillette, and sleek black pants stood out from the rest of the royal family. His fluffy peony-pink fringe stood out. His face was expressionless, but he looked annoyed to be there, refusing to look up at the crowd or his family beside him. 

Rhae's knees banged off the table as he flew out of his chair, his face contorting as his eyes never left the face of the prince, who wouldn't even look his way. Cicilia looked up at him, concerned.

"Lord Rhaegal, is everything all right?" She whispered, tugging his sleeve. He remained silent for a moment before finally addressing her.

"Kaisan… what's his full name?" He asked slowly. Cicilia paused, understanding the question - her cousin never told him who he was.

"... Kaisillian Arick Lainid, the third imperial prince of the Lainid Kingdom…" She replied as clearly as possible. 

"I thought he was of the Rishar family," Rhae hissed. Cicilia glanced at the balcony and clicked her tongue.

"He is. His mother was grandfather's eldest child. She died young because of the king's greed, so grandfather has drew back his support for the royal family. No matter the generation, they refuse to leave our family in peace."

Rhae's face contorted, and he spun on the spot, leaving the banquet hall behind as Cicilia whispered loudly, begging him to return to his seat.

***

Kaisan finally escaped from the long speech and returned to the family table below, ignoring all the stares from the attendees. As he approached, he noticed the table was strangely quiet. A weird atmosphere was noticed as soon as he got close enough to see none of his family members would look him in the eyes. He glanced around the table and noted that Rhae was missing.

"Where's Rhae?" Kaisan asked, walking up to his older cousin. Cicilia glanced up at him with a guilty look, pausing before speaking.

"He left… as soon as you were introduced as a royal, he left the table…"

Kaisan froze. Seeing the look on their faces, he panicked and ran out of the banquet hall. He sped down the hallway faster than he moved for many activities throughout the week. He exited the banquet hall, tripping down the stairs as he took the shortcut through the gardens to the guest annex. 

As he entered the building, the other butler in charge of the annex was returning from the front of the building where carriages arrived. Kai ignored him and ran to the room assigned to Rhae. As he neared, he realized the bedroom doors were open, and his anxiety grew. He finally arrived, barely catching his breath before entering at full speed. The room was dark, the furniture had been returned to its proper locations, and no luggage or personal items could be found. 

Kaisan breathed heavily as he stepped towards the bed, noticing something sparkling in the moonlight. Standing at the bedside, he saw the ring he had given Rhae earlier in the day tossed on the bed - the only thing left behind. Kaisan grabbed it and ran for the front entrance, pushing himself even though he could hardly breathe. He ran through the open doors and looked down the long pathway - long emptied of any activity. 

"Your Highness?" approached Richard, looking concerned. 

"Where is he?"

"... He left your Highness. Quite a while ago…"

Kaisan brought the hand up to his chest, tears falling down his face as he watched down the road no one was coming back on, leaving nothing but carriage tracks behind. The more the tears fell, the harder it was for him to breathe. As Richard approached to check on his condition, Kai collapsed to his knees in a full sob, gripping the ring as close to him as possible while the agony of being abandoned overtook his entire being.

 --–—Season 1: Part 1 Complete—--