Normal POV
"Your Highness you can't be serious!" Yongqi yelled
"Why? Who said you can't marry me?!" Julianna yelled back
"You don't understand all THIS! is just a facade you will end up marrying Yongxuan anyway, Mother would be tormented if I marry you!" Yongqi yelled, Julianna turned away frustrated, she clenched her fists and bit her lips hard.
"Yongqi don't yell at the princess, understand her first before rushing to conclusions," Li Yun said, Yongqi frowned and started leaving the main room
"I think we should continue this conversation in my room," Yongqi said
Julianna followed Yongqi who was in front of him and not paying attention to her. They got to his room and they both sat down, they both tried to speak but interrupted themselves,
"I'll go first your highness, I want to understand your intentions but Yongxuan is the son of the Queen and therefore a suitable candidate to be your Crown Prince Consort, I, on the other hand, am not suitable, as you said people have done nothing but look down on us but I have been content living in the shadows as long as my family is safe," Yongqi said his hands clasped and his head lowered.
"Content? Safe? Is that what all this is?" Julianna asked
"Yes, your highness. . ."
"So let me get this straight, You let your siblings trample on you and your family but think you're keeping them safe. Let me ask you this, what do you think will happen to the family you are ' keeping safe' when Yongxuan marries me and becomes my prince consort and eventually the Emperor Consort of Hyperion while his older brother becomes the King of Dashun? Did you think your other brothers would survive the upcoming bloodbath, much less you?" Julianna said, Yongqi jolted he looked Julianna right in her dark red eyes, beads of cold sweat dripping down his face.
"I didn't . . .i mean" Yongqi stuttered
"You didn't think of it? How long did you think this would last, yes pretense and feigning weakness is a strategy used in even the most powerful societies and courts but using it for too long has never turned out good" Julianna said
"What then? I'm tired, Julianna. Truly, I've tried everything to rid myself of this torment, but nothing I do ever comes close to freeing me and my family. Is it so hard to ask for peace and not receive trouble? " Yongqi cried. He placed his head on the table and cried, his tears dripping to the ground. Julianna looked at Yongqi and gently opened his hands placing a black crystal hairpin in his hand.
"This is?" Yongqi asked
"A hairpin made from my very own crystals," Julianna said
"No I can't accept this, a gift made from your own powers should be fought for not merely given out, even if it weren't so precious such a feminine gift should be given to. . ."
"Your mother? I'm not so ignorant that I would not notice your preferences Yongqi, the hairpins on your drawer, the lighter clothes you wear, your very personality, you are nothing like your brothers and call me crazy or sick in the head that made me like you more than them"
"You like . . . . .no no, you noticed?" Yongqi asked, he clenched the hairpin in his hands. Julianna got up and walked behind Yongqi, he took some of his hair and rolled it into a bun she then took the hairpin out of his arm and pierced it in the bun.
"I can promise you a life where any lifestyle you choose to live, any hobbies you choose to have, and especially anything you wish to wear will not ever be questioned or looked down upon," Julianna said, she took Yongqi's chin in her palm and raised his head to meet her eyes.
"I will give you and your family the respect and honor you deserve, I might not be able to promise you a fairytale 'love at first sight relationship, but I can give you a relationship born of mutual respect," Julianna said, Yongqi looked to the side where there was a mirror and took a second to look at himself, he gently touched the hairpin in his head before placing his hand back down in a fist.
"Yes, for once I will think of my family's safety, I will follow along with whatever you have planned," Yongqi said
A week later> > >
A final banquet was being held, maids and eunuchs gathered outside the banquet hall awaiting the results of Julianna's four-week stay. Everyone whispered and murmured amongst themselves trying to guess who would be the lucky winner.
"Greetings Your Majesty the King, Your Highness the Queen, and Your Highness Julianna" The Concubines and servants greeted
"Please arise, have a seat all of you this is just another banquet so relax with the formalities," The King said.
They all sat down, each concubine with their respective sons and daughters, Consort Yu sat two seats away from Noble Consort Gao with Yongqi and Yong beside her.
"*cough* As you know the Crown Princess of Hyperion has lived with us for weeks the reason being to select a suitable groom, so I hand this over to you Crown Princess, what say you?" The King said an almost devilish grin spread across his face, from the corner of her eye Julianna could see the Queen clenching the shoulders of Yongxuan proudly, she smiled at Julianna who quickly got up, she took the wine cup, and raised it up.
"Before I reveal my decision I must first raise a toast in thanks to everyone who accommodated me, a toast to you Your Majesty the King, Your Highness the Queen, and most especially Consort Yu," Julianna said, the Queen's expression turned sour as she let go of Yongxuan's shoulder and scowled at Consort Yu who practically shrunk in her seat
"Don't worry Mother we will soon no longer have to cower before such people" Yongqi said to his mother with a serious expression he helped her sit up straight, with this Consort Yu was able to, even for a few mere seconds, face the Queen's scowl.
"Anyway, I do wish I had longer to make this life-changing decision but I believe this one month was more than enough to meet the young man deserving to be my Consort, and that man is. . ." Julianna said as she did the Queen urged Yongxuan to get up but before he could even lift himself from his seat,
"The 5th Prince, Yongqi," Julianna said
"What?" The Queen asked in disbelief, she clenched her fist her nails digging into the flesh of her palms.
"How could you throw such an insult to the Queen? You leave the legitimate son of Her Highness and go to the son of an unfav- of a consort?!?!" Noble Consort Gao yelled.
"tsk, I mean this in the most polite way your highness Noble Consort Gao but could you for once not put up such a pathetic act of loyalty," Julianna said
"W-what?" Noble Consort Gao stuttered
"How dare you speak to my mother that way!!!" Yongliang yelled he sprung up from his seat and slammed his palms on the table.
"Well, I say this because just like you your mother is a two-faced deceitful fox who pretends to be siding with the dominant party only to have her own selfish schemes brewing in her mind, tell me Noble Consort if perchance I had chosen Yongliang would you be here defending the Queen or would you have already knelt before the King thanking him for his grace?" Julianna asked
The Noble Consort froze and slumped back into her seat unable to utter another word.
"As I was saying, I have chosen Yongqi to be my Consort, not only is he kind and compassionate but his love and commitment to his family are commendable I see no other prince worthy of this position," Julianna said
"Your Highness I beg your pardon but-" The Queen yelled out but the King soon lifted up his arm to stop her
"Queen I know you'd have wished for your Yongxuan to win this honor but the decision was always the Crown Princess' to make *sigh* bring forth the contract," The King said, prior to the official wedding that would take place in Hyperion, a marriage contract would be signed by Julianna and whoever she chose in this case Yongqi in order to seal the deal.
"Yongqi comes forward," The King said almost reluctantly, the chief eunuch brought forward a scroll lined with red and gold, and Yongqi came forward timidly as Julianna stepped down from the platform, they both took the brushes and signed their name on it.
"The deal is sealed, but your majesty could I as your new in-law make a request" Julianna looked up at the King. For a minute the king scowled as such a request was being made but he sighed and spoke.
"Yes, of course, see this as an early wedding gift," The King said
"I wish to bring Consort Yu, Yongjing, and Xinyan to Hyperion," Julianna said
"What?! How dare you request such a thing, Your Majesty she must think so low of us, how dare she strip you of your dear children" The Queen said
"Dear children, the same dear children who were being looked down upon and bullied by YOUR dear children? or the children who were openly spoken against by even the lowest of servants" Julianna asked
"*scoff* What a few servants say doesn't matter enough for you to do such an impudent thing!" The Queen said
"Doesn't matter enough? Doesn't matter enough!? When those servants all those years ago accused me of poisoning Imperial Concubine Rong and killing her unborn child causing me to get tossed into nearly 3 years of confinement their words were important then! But when they openly bully my children and spread rumors against them those words all of a sudden become unimportant!?!? I tire of this nonsense! Insult me, accuse me, disgrace me, these I will tolerate but do these to my children that I will never again tolerate even if I become a servant in Hyperion I will gladly do so to pave a future far brighter than whatever was to be paved for them here!" Consort Yu yelled, the entire banquet hall was frozen in shock, not once had the timid, quiet Consort Yu ever raised her voice to her own servants to talk less of the Queen herself some of the servants who were eavesdropping even stumbled at the entrance.
"See I was worried that this request would offend Consort- no my mother-in-law but she seems to have accepted my proposition, so it's 2 against two, Yongqi what say you?" Julianna asked
". . . . . . . . . . . I agree. This prince no this Consort greets your Highness" Yongqi knelt crossing his arm over the other and bowing his head to Julianna.
"Well that's settled, it's 3 against 2 that is unless anyone else has anything else to say," Julianna asked, she purposely looked directly at Yongxuan who almost seemed relieved but also at the same time regretful.
"I give you permission, from this day forward Consort Yu is freed from the harem *scoff* Hope you won't regret it," The King said, he got up and left the room everyone was so shocked by the unfolded events that they didn't even remember to give their farewell greetings to the King.
Julianna helped Yongqi off the ground and cupped both his hands in hers, before gently rubbing his cheeks.
"You did good Yongqi, I'll keep my promise hope you'll behave yourself" Julianna teased, Yongqi's cheeks flushed a bright pink as he turned away, he made eye contact with the Queen who got up to leave, she was scowling and had nothing but a look of pure disgust and resentment like a child who lost a chance to get their favorite treat.
"A bastard is still a bastard" The Queen muttered, Yongcheng walked behind her with the same resentment but as Yongxuan walked behind them he looked over to Yongqi and Julianna and gave a small smile
"You better live well Yongqi, or I'll make you regret it" He said
As was planned, Julianna returned to Hyperion with Yongqi and his family in tow it was April 15th the beginning of the spring festival and the festivities were in full swing with a parade running all the way from the Blimp port to the gates of the Imperial Palace,
"All these people come to welcome you?" Yongqi asked as he looked at the crowds that were around the open carriage they were in
"No Yongqi they came to welcome you, I have always been their Crown Princess but you are now their Crown Prince-consort so all these praises they sing are for you," Julianna said
"Yes although I don't quite understand all that they are saying," Yongqi said
"Even with the little attention paid to your education your existing understanding of the Hyperian language is impressive, after all, I barely spoke in the dashunian dialect with you most of our conversations were in the Hyperian dialect," Julianna said
The carriage carrying Li Yun, Yongliang, and Xinyan was taken to a vacant palace while Yongqi and Julianna went to the main Emperor's palace.
"Julianna dear, welcome back how I've missed you," Vera said with open arms, Julianna didn't hesitate to run into her arms
"Thanks to your prayers Mother I have returned safely and with a new family member or rather a few family members" Julianna pointed to Yongqi.
"This so son greets father and mother-in-law" Yongqi knelt in front of Johannes and Vera the same way he knelt in front of Julianna
"Oh please stand up child, spare the formalities for these two rule sticklers, oh and don't let the flirty outside deceive you I know the girl I raised" Vera laughed, she helped Yongqi stand up and smiled at him.
"The Crown Princess has been very kind to me," Yongqi said
"Hehe, don't you mean your wife has been kind to you?" Vera teased, Yongqi again blushed and couldn't meet Vera's eyes, Vera and Johannes laughed at this display, a strange yet wonderful relationship was sure to bloom between Julianna and Yongqi.
The wedding was already planned ahead of time by Vera but Julianna had sent in some changes to be made to the wedding attire for Yongqi, rather than the traditional suit.
Julianna stood at the altar in a white suit, the temple doors opened, and revealed Li Yun walking Yongqi down the aisle in a glorious white gown.
(Picture from Google)
Yongqi looked more like a radiant bride than a handsome groom, with a white veil draped over his porcelain skin, and crystal hairpins inserted in his hair, all things he would never have thought to wear in Dashun.
Yongqi was helped onto the altar now facing Julianna who took off his veil.
"We are gathered here to witness the union of these two individuals with our blessed goddesses as our witnesses," Agatha said, "Do you Julianna take Yongqi to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do"
"And do you Yongqi take Julianna to be your lawfully wedded wife"
"I. . . .I do"
"Then by the power vested in me as the Saintess I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bri- or rather the groom hehe," Agatha said, Julianna lifted Yongqi's veil and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
The temple roared with applause and flowers were thrown at their feet as they walked down the aisle out of the temple.
They both went to Yongqi's room in Julianna's palace, it was designed and decorated to look just like a room from the palaces in Dashun. His heart nearly jumped out of his chest as he knew what events were soon to unfold.
"Oh is someone nervous?" Julianna teased
"Of course not, I am now your consort so it should be my duty to um. . . .serve. . . you" Yongqi said his face turned away
"Come now don't be nervous I won't do anything you won't like, that is if you'd rather wait," Julianna said
"No! I- "
"Well someone really is eager" Julianna laughed, she took off her dress revealing no more than a lace dress, Yongqi found himself not being able to take his eyes off her some sort of new temptation swept over him.
Julianna helped take off what was left of his clothes revealing a bare-toned chest, she smirked pushing him onto the bed she took the veil that was once on his head and tied his wrists with it, her other hand gently grazing his chest
"Y-your Highness?" He stuttered
"Shh now why would my darling consort be addressing me so formally, you know what to call me," Julianna said
"Julianna?"
"*chuckle* good boy," Julianna said. Soon Julianna and Yongqi became one, the night between them becoming a hot topic amongst the servants of the palace.
The next morning Yongqi woke up to an empty bed and maids already getting his clothes ready,
"Oh good morning where is ugh-" Yongqi said, he winced in pain as he rubbed his lower back
"Greeting to your highness the Crown Prince, we are the maids who have been assigned to you please take care of us" The maids greeted
"Please rise, where is Julia- her Highness?" Yongqi asked, in a split second he was already escorted to the bathroom and soaking in a tub of warm lavender rose-scented water that Julianna normally used.
"Your hair is so soft your highness"
"Your skin is far more supple than even the princess' ". The maids sang nothing but praise in front of him as he was bathed and had his hair brushed, some of his hair was put up in a simple bun and a hairpin stuck in it. He was dressed in a dark blue dress made of silks brought back from Dashun.
"You can all go now thank you," Yongqi said, all the maids bowed before leaving the room.
"The rumors were right he really is a wuss"
"I thought he'd be a lot more you know. . .manly"
"I thought for sure the Queen's son would be here"
"What did you expect from the son of a -"
"How dare you?! Do you need your tongues lopped off before you learn some respect?" A mature female voice yelled from the hallway
"Now get back to work, all of you" The lady came into the room after shooing away the gossiping maids.
"Tsk, those girls never learn to hold their damn tongues," The lady said,
"Please forgive them your highness I'll be sure to discipline them severely," The maid said
"Please no need, they merely spoke their mind beside him. . .quite used to it," Yongqi said
"No man should ever be used to such. . . . oh my where are my manners? My name is Josephine O'Connor, I am the head of all the maids in the Crown Princess' palace her highness has instructed us to take care of you although I see some are lagging behind" Josephine said
"Ah speaking of which where is her highness?" Yongqi asked
"She's in her room waiting for you so your couple portrait can be painted," Josephine said
"What?! She was waiting for me and you're just telling me?" Yongqi panicked
"Oh nonsense, a young man like yourself needed the rest after such a *cough* strenuous night *cough* her highness even said she would not mind postponing the painting till tomorrow," Josephine said
"Well. . .I. . . then I must thank her highness then" Yongqi said a soft smile spread on his face
After the sketches were taken for the painting, Yongqi left the room as Julianna had some other matters to attend to.
"Um, Miss Josephine?" Yongqi asked
"Please Your Highness I fear if anyone else heard you address me that way my head would no longer have a place on my neck," Josephine said
"Oh, of course, Josephine am I allowed into the gardens, I'd love to take a stroll," Yongqi asked
"You are allowed anywhere in this whole palace, after all, you are the future Emperor-consort and therefore the manager of all the palaces, wherever you wish to go is always open to you," Josephine said walking gracefully beside him.
"Well, I'm glad please lead the way," Yongqi said. Josephine led him to the main Imperial garden where many flowers were being carefully tended to, Orchids, Tulips, Hydrangeas, Roses, Carnations, you name it, it was safe to say that just about every flower grew in the main Imperial garden.
Yongqi wandered through the everchanging bushes of flowers, he stopped at the lavender bushes and picked one to smell it
"Julianna must be stressed out from all the work today I could see how tense she was during the painting, I should take some lavender and make a tea blend for her," Yongqi said
"The very scent of lavenders is enough to calm one's nerves so making it into a tea would help ease her highness," A voice said, it was the old gardener who was pruning the bushes.
"Oh you must be the gardener, is it alright if I take some?" Yongqi asked
"Huh?" The gardener looked confused by Yongqi's formal way of speaking to him
"Oh don't mind him, Samuel, his highness is very polite when he speaks," Josephine said,
"Ah, of course, I always knew soft boys were Her Highness' type" Samuel chuckled
"Could you all stop with the teasing!" Yongqi blurted out as he clenched onto the lavenders with his face completely flushed.
"I apologize, your highness, hehe. But you can take as many lavenders as you want even the whole bush if you so wish" Samuel said. Josephine took the lavenders and left Yongqi to look around some more,
"Your Highness if I may speak?" Samuel said
"Hm? Of course"
"I've worked in the palace since the Crown Princess was a child, I still remember the day she was making flower crowns out of the marigolds, but I worried about who her future would have to be shared with when she gets older. . . .but seeing you my worries are put to rest," Samuel said
"What?"
"Yes, you are married to the next supreme ruler of the strongest empire in the world yet you still remain humble even if it were just a facade it is still commendable, so take some advice from this old geezer will you? Don't mind the words of others and live the life that pleases you" Samuel said
"Thank you, Samuel" Yongqi smiled
Later in the evening, a maid had come from the emperor's palace saying that Julianna would spend the night in Yongqi's room.
"Hehe it seems Her Highness didn't get enough of you last night," Josephine said
"That's not the case, her highness merely wishes to rest," Yongqi said, Josephine helped him to bathe and had his hair combed and brushed, soon it was time to apply some perfume oil
"Your Highness, during spring pink lilies, are a popular perfume choice amongst noble ladies, I'll have some prepared" Josephine said
"Pink lilies? But mam' I've already prepared the perfume made from sweet William flowers, besides it makes no sense for a prince to use such a dainty scent"
"You dare speak to the Crown prince in such a way, speak up if you have the guts" Josephine scolded
"I'm merely speaking the truth" the maid whispered
"You-" Josephine said, Yongqi placed his hand on Josephine's shoulder
"It's quite alright really, everyone is entitled to their own opinions," Yongqi said he hid behind a smile to try and calm Josephine down.
"It seems I found myself a kind consort to be able to put up with such rubbish," Julianna said, she leaned against the door frame arms crossed dressed in a long robe.
"Your Highness!?" The maid shrieked letting go of the tray in her arms
"This consort greets your Highness" Yongqi rushed to kneel in front of Julianna.
"Someone! Take this girl and throw her into the dungeon for a week or so should straighten her out and to add to it don't give her any food for the last 4 days let's see if your dry lips would be able to spew such rubbish by then" Julianna said
"Please your Highness I beg of you! I was wrong! I was wrong!" The maid yelled she knelt and pled for mercy
"Please your Highness the maid merely made some snide remarks it's not so serious that she should be jailed and starved," Yongqi said, he knelt on both knees and bowed his head fully to Julianna.
"Hmph, a maid speaks rudely to your face and you beg for mercy on her behalf?" Julianna asked
". . . . . .Yes, forgive me for my impudence," Yongqi said
"Hmm. . . .fine, stand up, consider yourself lucky the Crown Prince-Consort asked for you to be pardoned, I'll let it go this time but watch that mouth of yours around my husband," Julianna said, she held yongqi up and had her hands wrapped around the back of Yongqi's arms.
"Yes, thank your, your highness! Thank you!" the maid said, she immediately picked her shaking body off the ground and ran out of the room tears still dripping down her cheek.
"Josephine you've done well today, you may leave," Julianna said
"Yes your highness, I take my leave," Josephine said, she bowed and left the room closing the door behind her
"Please forgive me if I offended you your-"
"Enough with the pleas Yongqi"
"Huh?"
"Do you not get it? You are the Crown Prince of Hyperion, its future Emperor-consort, and here you are on your knees begging beside a maid who talks bad about you, do you think you can use the same technique you used in Dashun to survive in Hyperion, the court will maul you alive!" Julianna said
"I'm not-"
"I helped you escape your family's abuse because I saw your heart was pure but what you decide to do and how you decide to do it from here on out is your choice, do you think when I become empress that I will not have to take in a King-consort, consort, and concubines? What do you do when out of the same jealousy and spite that your mother faced you are backed into a corner, do you shy away and act timid, do you wait for me to protect you or do you use your new-found power to your advantage?"
Yongqi stayed silent, he looked down at his hands and back up at Julianna
"I tell you this Yongqi, the only people you bow to in this whole empire are my father the emperor, and my mother the Empress(Vera). If I married you with your head held high then why should you live with your head hung low"
"*hick* Julianna, I'm sorry, I'm sorry"Yongqi cried, he didn't know what came over him at that moment
"Shh, even if you do eventually have to toughen up, you are allowed your private moments of weakness," Julianna said, she held him close to her as he bent down and sobbed on her shoulder.
They stayed there for a few minutes before she helped him to the bed and held him there till they both slept off.
Meanwhile> > >
"Mother, how are you feeling?" Yongjing asked, he, Li Yun and Xinyan were now living in one of the smaller palaces.
"I am doing well, although Hyperion's weather is still new to me it isn't to bad just takes a little getting used to" Li Yun said
"That's good i heard you coughing so i had thought you caught a cold because of the lack of fresh air" He said
"Speaking of fresh air, you haven't left the rooms of the palace you are so young, go, wander around a bit" Li Yun said
Yongjing left the palace to walk around. Unlike, his older brother he did not fancy the flowers in the gardens and surely did not think of using them for tea he wandered thorugh the stone paths and rows of bushes aimlessly, he was about to turn and head back to the palace until he heard the metal clanging of swords coming from a distance, he followed the sounds until he reached the training grounds.
"Good work men!" Enisha said to the knights, she was training with a few of the knights.
Her swordsmanship was light and fluid almost as if the sword was being handled by the wind rather than the rigid hand of a human, this light movement joined with her blonde hair flowing through the wind with every strike created a picture in Yongjing's eye similar to looking upon a world renowned beauty.
"Didn't anyone tell you that spying on someone is rude?" Enisha said
"Ah! I'm sorry, guessing by your eyes i'd say you are the Crown Princess' sister" Yongjing said
"Yes, although my skills prove to still lag behind that moron's haha" Enisha laughed,
"Shh, if anyone heard you speak against the Crown princess you'd be-"Yongjing said placing his palm on Enisha's mouth
"Punished? Come now who doesn't call their siblings names once or twice? It's nothing more than a odd way to show endearment to those who are close to you" Enisha said, she took Yongjing's hand off her mouth and kissed his palm causing him to pull away from her grip. She stared at him and giggled, her behaviour almost resembling that of bella when she takes on the identity of Madam Sapphira.
"Uh nevermind that i merely heard you training so i came to see if your skills were up to par" Yongjing said, he fake coughed hiding his flushed cheeks with the same palm Enisha kissed
"Oh? Up to par? *scoff* fine then, here i know swords here might not be quite what you're used to but a sword is a sword" Enisha said
She threw the sword at him, he unsheathed it and held it skillfuly infront of him readying himself for the attacks. They both sparred for what felt likes minutes but was almost 2 hours of metal clanging, sweating and occasionally laughing that was looked upon by all the other knights who all looked in awe at the two bonding over a sparring match.
Two people who were to forever walk in the shadows of their older siblings were soon too form an odd bond that no one outside a certain way of life could ever understand.