CW: Explicit language, substance abuse, mentions of sex/sexual activities.
“Jun? Jun?? Are you listening to me?”
Jun blinks, rousing himself from his thoughts. The Crown Prince’s sharply handsome face comes into focus, his cold blue eyes narrowed at the little lord in irritation. “My apologies, Your Highness.”
The prince huffs and drops his rear onto the reading table, planting himself right atop the book his friend had been blankly staring at. “I said, I should very much like to attend Lady Nam’s soiree this evening. Won’t you sneak away with me? I heard that she has hired the entire Rose Palace as entertainment.” A lascivious smirk perches upon his thin lips as he imagines himself playing with said Roses, a much loved pastime of this royal.
Crown Prince Hino Erie is a striking figure with icy blue eyes and midnight hair. His eye colouring is never seen in a native Easterner, and they are characteristic of those with imperial lineage. But should one look past these features, the prince is much like any other Eastern young master. He has the tender look of one coddled and indulged since birth, with skin as fair and smooth as porcelain and a default arrogance holding his chin aloft. Diligent training however, has given this young master a lethal edge, his body grown strong and tall over the years. In fact, very few people aside from his instructor have ever managed to defeat him in a spar. One of which being the Dragon General of the East, a formidable woman who leads the Mother’s army. And another being Fifth Lord Hwan Jun.
“We are forbidden to attend, Your Highness,” Jun points out, sitting back in his seat and folding his hands in his lap. Dark shadows hang heavy under his eyes, telling of many sleepless nights. “Father has explicitly told us not to attend any event hosted by Lady Nam. You know he thinks of her rather poorly.”
“Indeed,” Erie says, eagerly. “I have heard she is quite the licentious woman. Which is precisely why I should like to attend her soiree! Come, Jun. Aren’t you the least bit curious?”
The little lord huffs a laugh and rubs his eyes, feeling a deep ache gripping his entire skull. “I think I would much rather remain at the estate, Your Highness. I am not quite in the mood to socialise this evening.”
Erie leans over, blues ticking as he studies the tired lines in his friend’s face. “Mira tells me you haven’t been sleeping lately. And that your mood has been quite dour.”
“I am perfectly fine, Your Highness. You need not worry.”
“Does it have to do with that derelict? Mira says he robbed you blind.” Erie crosses his legs, joggling a foot impatiently in the air. “It matters not. The Governor will find him soon enough and you will have your justice.”
“I asked my father not to look for him.”
“Eh? Whyever not?”
“…He left mother’s things alone,” Jun mumbles, eyes dropping to his lap. A tentative smile tugs his lips. “Not a single item from her room is missing.”
“Oh gods, a thief with a heart! How absolutely inspiring. Let’s give the man an award!” Erie clasps the lord’s shoulder, giving him a little shake. “Jun, my old friend, I do believe you’ve finally gone mad. Tragic, but entirely expected. Shall I send for the Imperial Healer?”
The smile gains body when Jun lifts his head, his gaze warm upon the prince. “My apologies, Your Highness. You have come all this way from the Blue Plains and yet I have been nothing but a poor host–”
“Yes!” Erie shouts, clapping his hands together. “You have been! A most terrible, inconsiderate host. But I am a magnanimous prince and I shall forgive you – but in return you must do one small thing for me.”
Jun releases a helpless sigh. “Your Highness. Would you like to accompany me to Lady Nam’s–”
“–soiree? Really, Jun! You are a rapscallion! To think that you would rebel against your own father!”
The lord huffs amusedly and shoves his friend off the table. Erie clears his throat and straightens his royal blue robes, the imperial insignia of the sun shimmering in gold silk across his chest. “Very well, Fifth Lord Hwan Jun. Despite my reservations, I shall accompany you to Lady Nam’s soiree.” The prince speaks in a mock-formal manner, his tone low and austere. “Perhaps this might remedy your current ailment and blast all thoughts of a certain rat from your mind.”
Jun’s smile wilts but he nods his assent. “You are most gracious, Your Highness.”
“That I am. Now let’s make our preparations! Do you suppose I should wear this robe or the one lined with Echanan silk?”
The little lord sighs and closes his book, staring blankly at the cover. A certain rat lingering on his mind.
***
The soiree is a colourful array of constant motion and noise, juxtaposed by the calm Hanjuyang River which is like spilt mercury under the full moon. The upper echelons of society mingle on the vast wooden pier and in the great white marquee raised along the waterfront, decorated in the same opulence as their surroundings. Here and there are giant statues of mythical beasts, painted in Hwan White then drenched in light, giving them the illusion of having been sculpted from fire. All in all, it’s a dazzling sight and a taste of the night to come.
“Sun Sculptures,” Bucky says as she walks up to the boys with two silver masks in her hands. She looks stunning in her lush robes, sea blue with delicate white roses patterned around the hem. “One sculpture costs more than what I’d make in five years.”
“What a waste of coin,” Rin drawls, looking utterly unimpressed. His robes are simple in contrast. The gentle shade of the plum blossom gives him a fresh and youthful aura. “Nam Yujin sure does go all out. Look at all those rich assholes! We’re gonna be living it up for months.”
The well groomed Bellow grunts in agreement, though his expression is uneasy as he adjusts his robes for the umpteenth time. A sharp slap to his arm interrupts his fussing. “Stop it,” Rin huffs. “I know you’re not used to looking so pretty, but they’re not gonna let us in otherwise.”
“You think I look pretty?” Bell blinks at the raven, the latter simply rolling his eyes in response.
Bucky hands them the masks, grey eyes glittering in amusement as the boys struggle to place them upon their faces. “Just remember to keep a low profile. If anyone requests your service, tell them that you have already been bought for the night. It shouldn’t be too difficult to keep your cover, I think almost everyone is intoxicated from the ball.”
“Hm. But what if I do want to service them?” Rin asks in a lilt. The silver mask sits beautifully upon his face, accentuating those dangerous eyes.
“As if anyone would wanna buy a skinny lil’ fleabag like you,” the bull grumbles, picking at his oiled hair.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Don’t worry, pet. If I ever get hungry, I’ll just come find you. Happy?”
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The honoured lady lounges languidly in her throne, presiding over her slovenly subjects like an idle queen. Perched upon her lap is a Western woman with such exquisite looks, that many cannot tear their admiring gazes away. Her beauty, while breathtaking, also has a dangerous edge – a violent wildness like that of a fierce inferno. Indeed, Kahin is the kind of woman who inspires the same terror and exhilaration that one might experience in the eye of such a storm.
The beauty sweeps her green eyes once around the marquee, lingering on every Rose they pass, before sticking to her lady’s profile. She says something to Yujin, the latter who smiles indulgently at her companion before burying her face in the crook of her neck.
“That’s Madame Kahin,” Bucky says to Rin, noticing the boy’s stare. “Lady Nam is the one necking her.” A fellow Rose glides past with a tray full of wine and Bucky swipes two glasses for herself and the Rat.
“Kahin’s gorgeous,” Rin hums, sipping at the blood red liquid. His eyes widen at the complex and delicious taste. Hurriedly, he takes another sip. This time deeper. “But she’s not quite what I imagined.”
“What did you imagine?”
“I thought she’d be bigger. Taller. Like a tree, maybe.” He tilts his head in thought. “Someone…less human.”
“Trust me. She only looks human.”
“Oh?” He side-glances the Rose, brow raised. “Thinking of leaving?”
Bucky blanches and she quickly averts her gaze. “No. The Rose Palace is wonderful. I would be nothing without the Madame.”
“Yeah, that’s convincing.” Rin rolls his eyes and downs his glass, smacking his lips in satisfaction. “I don’t really give a shit. It’s your life. Your choice. But you can always become a proper Slummer instead. It’s shit and depressing, but there’s always coin if you stick with me.”
The Rose smiles faintly at her friend’s offer and she pats the small of his back in appreciation. “Thank you, Rat. I will think on it.”
His cheeks flush lightly at the woman’s touch and he grabs another glass of wine as a tray swings past. “Whatever. Look, I’m gonna find someone to play with for a while. Don’t wait up.”
It doesn’t take very long to find his first target. Standing stiffly beside the buffet table, there’s a Northern man with a sour face and wet lips. He’s tall and thin with sallow skin, dressed in a blue militant suit with various medals pinned to his lapel. Rin tries to make friendly talk with the man but the Northerner’s answers are curt and he glares at his surroundings with a curled upper lip.
Just before he leaves the table, Rin stumbles drunkenly into his target. While he apologises profusely to the irritated man, he deftly swipes one of the medals, disguising his action as brushing dust from the man’s chest. An initial feel confirms the medal to be pure silver, valuable enough to feed him and Dasom for an entire month.
By the time midnight rolls around, Rin the Rat is well and truly blitzed.
***
After escaping the clutches of a particularly handsy merchant, Rin staggers out of the marquee and onto the pier. Here, there are a few guests enjoying the moonlit waters and the relative peace. Couples shrouded in the cool darkness of night are intertwined intimately – one pair even rutting on one of the lower piers, perhaps thinking that the shadows would provide sufficient cover. Hidden they may be, their ardent voices are heard by all within the vicinity.
Rin tosses an empty wine bottle at the lascivious pair as he stumbles by, shattering glass and shrieks of pain following him up the main pier. He staggers to the very end and drops to his haunches with a groan. The world lurches beneath his body and for a moment, he thinks that he’s stepped onto a boat.
When he finds his balance, he laughs to himself and swings his legs over the edge. “Where would I even go?” he asks the silent river, words slurring and tripping over each other. “Maybe…to the Unknown Lands?” He pulls out a stolen pack of cigarettes and lights up with a match, leaning back on his elbows as he smokes. “I could run away to the Unknown Lands and…become lost.”
His eyes are heavy. His head moreso. The river is endless in the night. A white streak of paint on the black canvas that’s his beautiful, broken city.
The boy falls back onto the rotting wood and stares up the clear sky, cigarette burning steadily between his lips. He’s not too sure what he had been hoping for tonight. But whatever it was, he only feels his chest clench in disappointment.
A head fills his vision and he blinks in confusion. There’s a familiar face, flushed and smiling, with neat oaken locks and golden eyes so brilliant, even in the gloom. Rin figures he must be dreaming, so he returns with a smile of his own and says, “Hello.”
“Good evening,” the phantom replies, cheerily. He steps around the drunken lad and sits down beside. The raven struggles to sit upright, the phantom watching him with humour. “Too much to drink?”
“Much too much,” Rin says with an enthusiastic nod. The action throws his balance and he violently sways.
The phantom grabs his shoulder to steady him. “Are you here alone?”
His voice is so lovely to listen to, Rin thinks, dumbly. It’s deep yet endlessly gentle. “No. Kinda. Maybe. You?”
Jun laughs at his scattered response, goldens softening as he watches Rin struggle with his cognition. “I am accompanying a good friend of mine. We have only just arrived but the soiree still appears to be quite lively. I have never been to such an event before. Have you?”
Rin shrugs, feeling heat crawl into his cheeks when he sees the phantom’s tender expression. “A party’s a party. It’s all the same no matter where you go. Booze, blow, and the other kinda blow. It’s like that in the other Districts too.”
“Blow?” Jun blinks at the raven in confusion. “Ah. I assume that is a type of illicit substance, correct? What is this ‘other kind of blow’?”
“You know. Blowjob. Blow.”
“Blow…job?”
Rin stares at the confused lord, brows furrowing in disbelief. “You’ve never heard of a blowjob?”
“Should I have?”
“…Have you even jerked off before?”
The little lord stiffens in surprise, his goldens growing twofold and cheeks flooding with colour. “P-Pardon?”
Rin smirks at the poor lad’s reaction. “You know enough to be embarrassed by it. You’ve never read The Anthurium Brothers? Or The King and the Silk Merchant? Sakura’s Shame?” With each title he lists, he only receives a blank look from the lord. “Damn, you really are a dying breed,” he says, scratching the side of his head in bewilderment. “Do you just not enjoy sex? I knew a guy like that once. Not sure how he could ever survive without cranking one out, but he’d just never had interest in it.”
“It-it is not like that,” Jun stammers, composure rattled by the other’s brazenness. “I do have interest. H-however, this conversation seems…highly inappropriate–”
“For what? For us? For this party? There’s a couple fucking not ten meters away. I think we’re beyond etiquette.” The raven scoffs, tossing the remnant of his cigar into the river.
After only stopping himself from glancing over his shoulder, the lord presses his lips together and tilts his head in consideration. “…I suppose you are right. This does seem like quite a…spirited sort of event. Perhaps I should consider your question carefully.” He’s quiet for a moment, his initial apprehension giving way to earnest thought, inciting a faint smile in the Rat. “I am rather inexperienced in…in sex. Though I think I would be more open to it should I find the right person.”
“The right person?” Rin raises a brow, pulling out another cigarette to shove between his teeth. As he speaks, the cigar bobbles with every syllable. “You mean the right person to fuck?”
“The right person to love,” Jun says, sincerely.
Rin almost inhales the cigarette in his shock. Coughs rattle his body until he can finally compose himself, the cigar long gone into the water below. “Shit, you’re serious, aren’t you?” He wipes tears from his eyes and tries to control his face, but his inebriation makes it difficult. “Don’t tell me you’re a romantic.”
Jun smiles, brows rising at the other’s disgusted tone. “There is value in a loving, committed relationship. It would be nice. To have someone with whom you can share your entire life and your entire world with. It would be like…finding the missing piece of your heart and becoming whole.”
The raven squints at Jun, his upper lip curled. “Seems like you’ve already found this missing piece of yours.”
The lord freezes and stares at Rin. He parts his lips as if he were about to speak, but only a thick, frenetic silence fills the air between them. Eventually, he coughs and glances away, lashes trembling. “…That may be so.”
“Congratulations,” Rin says, tone drier than a desert.
Jun huffs a laugh, returning his warm gaze to his companion. Buoyed by something even he himself can’t quite pinpoint, he tilts his head and shifts close, their heat mingling at this intimate distance. “I do like your mask. Are you one of the Roses?”
A smirk adorns his lips as he leans in close, trying not to sway too hard lest their foreheads collide. “That’s right. I’m a Rose. And you? Who are you meant to be?”
“My name is Jun,” he offers, suddenly quite nervous. “Jun. Ah…”
“Nam Jun? Distant cousin to Lady Nam, I presume?” Rin says smoothly, giving him an out.
The little lord chuckles softly and nods, eyes twinkling like the moonlit river. “This is my first time properly meeting a Rose in person. I have heard about you, of course. My friend claims to have been with over fifty Roses…though he is also known to stretch the truth every now and then. Do you really only ever take your mask off when you…when you are with a client?” His flushed cheeks darken.
Rin hums a laugh and props his chin upon the lord’s broad shoulder. His breath puffs hot upon Jun’s ear, sending a shiver down the boy’s spine. “I can show you if you like. Since you’re so pretty, I’ll even give you a discount.”
This gets the lord squirming. “N-no. No, thank you.” He takes the raven by the shoulder and gently nudges him back. “I am sure you are wonderful,” he assures him, anxiously. “But you are…” Sweat springs from his pores. “You are clearly inebriated. And I do not feel very comfortable…engaging when you are in such a state. I apologise.”
Rin leans away with an irritated click of the tongue. “Whatever. You’re much too young for my taste, anyway. How old are you, fifteen?”
“Twenty, actually,” Jun says with an easy smile.
Rin’s eyes narrow at the river, plump lips pursing in dismay. Well, the lord might have seniority in years, but Rin’s far more experienced in the things that really matter. “Still but a child,” he says, dismissively. This makes Jun chuckle and the raven shoots him a glare. “Something funny?”
“Yes,” Jun grins, “you are. A foot shorter than I surely and small enough to be a girl.”
“I know plenty of girls much larger than you,” Rin shoots back through grit teeth.
The lord’s grin widens. “I have no doubt.”
Rat’s gaze is drawn to the older boy’s chest. Those broad, broad shoulders. That strong, alluring waist. And up again to his clavicle and the pearl in his throat. The flesh there enticingly bare and scented with the faintest hint of spiced chestnut oil…
“You have beautiful eyes.”
Rin glances up at the lord in surprise, breath catching in his throat. “So I’ve been told,” the raven says, flippantly. His heart gallops a mile a minute. “But you’ve missed your chance, pet.”
“Alas,” Jun responds, smiling warmly. “I will have to live with the decision I have made. However regretful.”
Rin flits his gaze back to the lord, brows knitting together. “Tell me the truth. Is it because of this missing piece of yours?”
“In a way, yes.”
“Who are they? Some rich young mistress from the High District?”
“No,” Jun chuckles, gaze glimmering. “They are someone far more interesting than that.”
“A rich young master?”
“Hm.” By his ambiguous tone, the lord neither denies nor confirms Rin’s inference.
The faux-Rose purses his lips and huffs irritably through his nose. “What’s he like then? He can’t be any prettier than me. And I bet he’s a terrible lay.”
“Why do you wish to know?” There’s a teasing lilt to the lord’s question, as if he already knew the answer.
“I don’t,” Rin snorts, feeling a most uncomfortable prickling in his heart. “I’m just making idle chatter. It’s basic Rose etiquette.”
“I thought we were beyond etiquette.”
Rin scowls, face burning, and nudges the lord away. The latter’s body is sturdy and strong, and built like a rock. Not an inch is given, much less willingly. “If you’re just gonna waste my time, then you should just go hassle your missing piece. I’m pissed and horny and you’re obviously too much of a limp dick to have any fun. ”
The little lord frowns, glancing down at those tight fists digging into his arm. “I have upset you.”
“You have not,” the Rat pouts, giving Jun a rather sharp punch to the arm before withdrawing.
The lord smiles uncertainly as he rubs his aching arm. “Is it because…I refuse to be your client?”
“What?” Rin snaps, eyes flashing in irritation. “No! Look, you’re cute and all, but you’re definitely not my type. I prefer older lovers who have years, decades of experience. Why work for it when they can work for you? It’s easy coin then and it’s a guaranteed good time.” He clicks his tongue and kicks his feet into the air, trying to act nonchalant. “In fact, I have a guy who’s already bought me for the night. He’s a viscount with two estates. And from what I’ve heard, he’s hung like a horse and stamina to match!”
Storm clouds crowd Jun’s face, darkening his expression. Even though he knows Rin to be lying, the raven’s boast stirs his ire. “I would like to rescind my previous statement,” he rumbles in a low voice. “Your mask, it does not suit you.”
“I think it suits me just fine,” Rin retorts, trying not to shrink under that heavy gaze. “What’s it to you anyway?”
“It is like a price tag, putting you up for sale.”
“Spare me your moralising, pet,” Rin huffs, rolling his eyes.
“I disagree with it.”
“Oh? Jealous are you?”
“And if I was?”
The raven starts, mouth suddenly dry. “What about your missing piece?” he teases, though this time, his voice wavers along with his heart.
Jun smiles, knowingly, and reaches out to brush sable locks from Rin’s eyes. His fingertips are warm and rough, and they leave a trail of searing white heat upon the raven’s brow.
Depthless eyes stick to the lord’s face, unable (and unwilling) to rip themselves away. Though Jun’s touch only lasts for a second, the moment seems to stretch on for an eon.
The lord flits his gaze down to Rin’s chest and they widen briefly before dropping to his lap. “We should return to the marquee. You…you appear to be cold.”
Rin stares blankly at the lord until he glances down. His robes had loosened at the front, exposing delicate clavicles and a rather stiff chest.
Clicking his tongue, he jerks his robes back on and covers his bare flesh. “Soiling your virgin eyes, am I?” he snaps, a touch more shrill than he’d intended. “Don’t look if it offends you so.” He bites down on his lower lip, unconsciously crossing his hands over his chest.
The phantom’s quiet for a moment, before rising to his feet. He gazes down at the raven with oppressive eyes, dense and roiling with boundless heat. “It does not offend me,” he says, softly. “Not in the slightest.”
Rin’s heart palpitates, a most unpleasant sensation that he’s growing far too accustomed to. He bats aside a proffered hand. “I…I have my date with the viscount. So I can’t play with you anymore. Not tonight.” His slender fingers grip the front of his robes. Knuckles turn white.
There’s a hesitation, before Jun finally gives a nod. That gentle smile of his makes an appearance. A smile just for the Rat. “I do hope you will take off the mask, Rinnie. If only for me.”
And before the Rat can even respond, Jun turns and walks away.
Jun is too innocent aaaah…. Rin needs to solve that 🍆🍆
He definitely will, don’t worry! Thank you for reading~~ (and for eggplants) <333
aaaaaAAAAAAHKJKJGDCJTHI cries
Thank you for the chapter!! ❤️❤️
Thank you for reading~~ TuT <33333
GO GO GO GET DAT BREAD JUN!!!!
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