이무기의 복 (Mourning Bride)

13. Drunk on Wine

San forgot to ask about Hongjoong's relationship with Seonghwa. The king had brought wine with him, a gift to serve as an apology for being so absent in San's life. While San couldn't complain to be exempted from boring royal meetings, he agreed he rarely felt like the king he was. He felt like a dragon, but seldom appreciated as such.

A few sips in, the potent drink enchanted his blood and heightened the vibrancy of all colours of the room. Hongjoong seemed to become more gorgeous as he apologised to San for his ignorance, and San forgot his prior worries. With the beauty of the king and their mood light-hearted from wine and food, San didn't find it in him to be mad. Eased by San's clemency, Hongjoong drank with him.

Today, San wasn't so talkative. Even while tipsy, he reminded himself that Hongjoong wasn't interested in his blabbering. While he threatened to burst at the seams every few minutes because he wanted to tell Hongjoong about all the things he had learned and experienced while the king wasn't around, he bit his tongue every time. Instead, he listened drunkenly to the few remarks Hongjoong made.

"How do you like the wine? Shall I make it available to drink on Hangawi?" The voice of the king slurred as much as San's did, and the dragon had to giggle at it. Hongjoong fell in, his laughter delicate. Awed, San propped his chin into his hand to regard the curl of Hongjoong's lips. It was the same cheeky smile he had smiled that day outside with Seonghwa. One reserved for when the king was at utter comfort with himself and his company.

Flattered that he got to see it and was counted to the king's inner circle, San leaned closer to the table the servants had carried in. They had cleared the plates earlier and exchanged them for wine cups. San played with his in his fingers as he regarded the king. An adorable blush had settled on his cheeks and his posture was boyish as he sat cross-legged and played with his feet. He swayed back and forth playfully from time to time.

Intense, San watched him. The king looked tame and sweet like this, so much less like the intimidating ruler. To the mighty dragon, he felt like a bunny would to a human. Soft and cute. Something San could eat if he thought about it long enough.

Shoving back his instincts, San grinned lazily.

"It's wonderful. I would be delighted to share it with you again on the day of the ritual."

Hongjoong giggled into his hand. He clapped to himself, delighted with his victory. Once more, he reached to down his cup. He nearly missed the rim for a refill, but San reached to help him. The touch of his claws to Hongjoong's skin was hesitant, but it electrified him. Humming, Hongjoong allowed him to guide his movement until his cup was full again. Hongjoong cradled it like a treasure as he swung like a ribbon in the wind.

"I was terrified of marrying you. You heard my mother; she's not the only one who thinks like that. I had nobody to guide my marriage to a dragon since everybody before me picked wives and had children." With a frown, Hongjoong stared into his cup. The bright liquid reflected his glassy eyes.

San nodded to himself. He felt the same. The dragons still around who had once married human kings were so old that their time on earth had been but a flash to them. Their experiences blurred with the weight of other memories.

"Would you have preferred a woman over a man?"

When Hongjoong shook his head, he toppled over. He caught himself on the edge of the table, causing the surfaces of their drinks to tremble with the sudden impact. San's tail swished behind him, animated by the alcohol and the conversation.

"I don't mind men. I knew early on that the dragon sent to me would be male, so I never questioned it. I even heard-" he hiccoughed. "'scuse me. I even heard male dragons are likelier to be picked for this endeavour since they are tamer than the female counterparts and the offhand chance of hybrid offspring doesn't happen."