CHECKMATE

CHP 1: Persuasion

Alver Crossman, the emperor of the Rowoon Empire and a quarter dark elf, was a leader of great vision and power.

Cale Henituse, the greatest commander in history, the young master of a duke family, and a young genius, led the Rowoon forces to countless victories.

Both men had a great influence on the history of the Rowoon Empire and shaped its destiny.

They are also sworn brothers who resemble each other in both personality and mind.

But of course, not everyone knew that both of them were playing each other like chess pieces from the shadows, manipulating the course of history.

For them, it's just a game of chess and nothing more.

Despite their similarities and their seemingly close relationship, little did the public know that these two sworn brothers were playing a dangerous game.

Who knew they were attempting to sway one another into falling in love with the other?

Who knew that beneath the facade of brotherly love, a game of deceit was brewing? Both sides were vying for power and control in an attempt to win the other's affections.

"Hyung, hand me over the cookies from your table." Cale ordered the emperor while sitting on the emperor's bed, which was very disrespectful, but who was there to stop him anyway?

"Hahh, you're driving me nuts," Alver sighed while he stood up from his desk, took the jar of cookies, and walked over to Cale to give it to him.

When he was about to hand over the jar, Cale suddenly grabbed his collar and pulled him close.

"You'd better be careful," Cale said in a menacing voice. "Alver," Cale continued with a whisper right into the emperor's ear.

Alver gulped and tried to push Cale away; his hands were currently resting on Cale's shoulder, but Cale's grip was like steel, and he didn't move.

Shouldn't Cale be weaker than him?

What the fuck is this?

Alver's confusion only grew as he felt Cale's strength, which seemed too much for the young man to possess. From what he remembers, Cale was extremely frail, so what the fuck is this?

The emperor felt Cale's hand tilt his chin. "What are you thinking about, hmm?" Alver widened his eyes. Cale looked extremely hot right now, and he wasn't going to deny it.

I'm thinking about how the fuck you gained so much strength, you punk.

Cale chuckled, raising his eyebrows in disbelief. "Your majesty, have you become mute?" Cale questioned Alver.

The emperor had no idea what to say.

Especially not when Cale's being hot as fuck.

Alver felt his cheeks flush, not knowing how to respond. Alver's heart was pounding and his mouth had gone dry; he had not expected Cale to be so confident in his actions.

"A-ahm, anyways," Alver stuttered nervously as he tried to regain his composure, unsure of what to say. He had known Cale for many years, but he had never seen him in this light before.

Cale chuckled again and brushed the back of his palm on Alver's cheek with a gentle caress.

Alver was taken aback by Cale's sudden display of affection, feeling a strange warmth spread throughout his body as if he had been filled with comfort.

"Let me go, Cale," Alver said, his face almost as red as Cale's hair. "Not if you call me Hyung first," Cale demanded with a smirk as he held onto Alver's waist tightly.

The position they were in was extremely inappropriate for a Hyung and dongsaeng relationship, but Cale had never been one to care about conventions.

Alver could feel the heat in his cheeks and was torn between wanting to push Cale away and wanting to just melt into his arms.

"I'm not calling you Hyung," Alver said with a frown on his face.

Cale chuckled at the response and leaned in close, almost close enough for their lips to brush.

Alver was having a meltdown inside, with his heart pounding and a million thoughts running through his mind.

He knew that Cale was teasing him, but he also couldn't help the way he felt.

Cale's playful actions were something Alver had come to expect, but this time it was different.

Cale's sudden closeness brought a jolt of electricity through Alver's body, and he felt his cheeks flush as they stayed there, their faces just inches apart.

Alver was suddenly aware of how close they were, feeling Cale's breath on his face and the warmth radiating from their bodies.

He felt a strong urge to close the gap between them, to press their lips together, and to feel the excitement that seemed to be building between them.

"Do you have a hyung kink or something?" Alver asked accusingly, ruining the sexual tension in the room, "Wow, seriously?" Cale frowned before shaking his head and turning away from Alver.

Alver finally realized that he had ruined the perfectly set mood and was disappointed in himself for his lack of understanding of the situation.

Cale stopped holding onto Alver's waist and went over to grab the jar of cookies, but since Alver relied on Cale's hands for his balance, he immediately fell onto Cale's lap, and his head almost hit Cale.

The redhead instinctively wrapped his arms around Alver to hold him in place as Alver tried to regain his composure and faked a cough.

"I have a meeting later, so just stay here," Alver said, turning away from Cale, embarrassed.

Of course, he didn't see the smirk that appeared on Cale's face.

Cale's smirk showed he was more than happy to have Alver in his lap, and he let the situation linger for a few seconds longer than necessary before finally allowing Alver to get up.

With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, Cale slowly and reluctantly released Alver from his grasp, allowing him to stand.

"I'm going to be late; goodbye," Alver quickly said before he ran towards the door and slammed it shut behind him, leaving Cale alone in the room with his thoughts.

"How cute, Hyung."