As soon as the sun had risen, Kim Hyorin rushed to the throne room to meet Ren Kouen. Despite the success of her marriage proposal, even a small hint of delight could not be found on her face.
On the other hand, Kouen was thoroughly satisfied with the results. He immediately ordered the engagement to be announced to the public as soon as Hyorin had finished her report.
Kouen stifled a laugh. "It's impressive how you managed to make my brother agree. By convincing, I definitely did not mean that you threaten him to submission."
Hyorin resisted the urge to scoff.
"Is that so? I simply followed your example so it wouldn't go wrong," she retorted sarcastically.
Kouen simply stared back in silence. Aware of her stubborn nature, he decided not to press the matter.
A clattering sound took both of their attention. Hyorin shot a look at the door and saw the Second Prince of Kou—now her fiancé—enter the door.
"I knew it, you were behind this," said Koumei as he strode past Hyorin and to his older brother.
"What? Are you displeased?" asked Kouen despite knowing the answer.
"Not at all. You have my strong approval in this." Koumei revealed, surprising Hyorin.
She blinked repeatedly. But, why?! She had done so many things to him and some could even qualify her for death penalty!
Koumei glanced at Hyorin and noticed her confusion. He inwardly sighed and cleared his throat.
"Aside from the Crown Prince, Princess Hyorin is the only King Vessel in Shi. Letting her, instead of the other princes, marry into the family is more beneficial for Kou."
Kouen nodded in agreement. "It's good that you understand."
He also added that his marriage would not affect the future of Kou Empire since he wouldn't be inheriting the throne. Little did he know that Kouen had other plans once they had successfully united the world.
"You're okay with marrying someone you don't love?" asked Hyorin, casting a strange look at Koumei. She was completely at lost with how lightly he took the matter at hand.
"Romantic relationships are of no primary concern to me; but if I do happen to fall in love in the future, I can simply resort to concubinage," he explained.
Koumei kept Hyorin under his measuring gaze and noted a shift in her expression. Her previous look of confusion was now replaced with discomfort. Still, without restraint, he added, "However, unlike the men who had married into our family, you're not allowed to have another lover. That would reflect badly on my reputation, after all."
Hyorin could no longer fake her composure and turned away. Simply listening to Koumei's words made her nauseous! She wanted to vomit!
He's allowed to have a concubine? She huffed in disbelief. What about her?! Will she grow old without ever knowing the joy of loving someone?
The young princess of Shi did not bother to excuse herself and simply stormed out of the room.
Kouen rested his cheek on his knuckles as his gaze wandered from the open door to his younger brother who was acting different than usual. "It's rare for you to hold a grudge on someone," he commented.
Koumei sighed. "Well, she did hit my crotch."
***
Warning: Sexual innuendos incoming!
Hyorin was allowed to meet her parents and siblings, except for Seojun. Kouen explained that it was done to avoid the Crown Prince from discouraging her from marrying into the Ren family.
The royal family no longer faced execution as Kouen had promised. However, they had to desert the capital of Shi and live in different provinces to break contact and avoid the risk of a revolution.
Koumei and Hyorin left weeks earlier than Kouen and the rest to prepare for the wedding. He used Dante Al-thais to instantly teleport them to the Imperial Palace in Rakushou.
Hyorin almost failed to realize that they had already arrived in Kou Empire. As expected of neighboring countries, they had very similar cultures. Everything almost looked the same—except for the abundant red that was the trademark of Kou.
"Then, I will see you at the wedding, Lady Hyorin."
After a few reminders from his brother, Koumei decided to approach the princess with more respect. However, when Hyorin only replied with a wary look, he immediately regretted his action.
Koumei and Hyorin went separate ways after arriving and were not allowed to meet until the wedding, as dictated by Kou Empire's tradition. The ceremony will be open to citizens of all classes, from slaves to nobles, and would undoubtedly be the most celebrated event of the year. Thus, both had to undergo intense training.
After weeks of continuous walking with proper posture, waving at a non-existent crowd, speaking in a regal manner, and acting out the rituals of the wedding, Hyorin had finally reached the end and the most important part of her training (or so her mentors had told).
"For the effective consummation of Your Highnesses' marriage," spoke one matron as she reached for a box and lifted the lid, showing Hyorin dried tea leaves. "We will be serving a special tea. It will most definitely increase both of your stamina and help you have a delightful night."
Needless to say, the matrons and Hyorin had different definitions for stamina.
Increase stamina? Hyorin scoffed inwardly. Hah! She wasn't the one who needed that tea!
"Give that person an extra dose. With his stamina already in a miserable state, he won't last with just that," commented Hyorin, unaware of the trouble she had just invited herself in. The mentors bowed with a smile, as they were more than happy to heed her order.
Hyorin was then handed a book which she was told to review before going to bed.
"Please take note of the positions that are said to help in conceiving a baby boy," said the matron, which sadly fell on deaf ears.
When Hyorin returned to her room, she immediately opened the book and was surprised by the abundance of illustrations that seemed to be a variation of wrestling moves.
Why would the matron give her this? Hyorin tried to picture her and Koumei doing one move where she was crouching on the floor with Koumei pulling her arms from the back.
That looked painful. She winced in thought and turned to the next page.
"Ah, I did this just recently!" Hyorin exclaimed upon seeing a figure of a woman straddling a man's hips. It was similar to how she restrained Koumei back in Shi.
Hyorin scanned the remaining pages and was insulted by the lack of moves where the woman had the upper hand. She disregarded the book as horrendously sexist before throwing it across the room.
• • • • • •
Author's note:
The most awaited wedding will be in the next chapter! What will happen during their first night as husband and wife?
*For those who did not read the manga, Kouen originally intended to pass the crown to Koumei once they had united the world. (Ch.294)
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It Started With A Kick (Magi: Ren Koumei/OC)
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