Wolf King And His Fox Consort

Unlike the Xiongnu, Chu Hean would be hosted in the royal palace. He drew looks from all the servants in his exotic garb as Chu Yun led him through the corridors towards the guest quarters. 

Chu Hean was silent the whole way there, but to Chu Yun even the sound of the beads in the braids of his hair clinking together sounded judgemental.

He could have asked any servant to escort Chu Hean, and be rid of him for the night, but he wanted to have another talk with him. When they reached the guest quarters he closed the doors behind him and shot Chu Hean a pointed look.

"So, are you going to call Ru Long here and have him participate in the competition?"

Chu Hean turned around with a derisive snort. "He's the Crown Prince of Su, how could he do something like that? What kind of image would that give?"

One corner of Chu Yun's lips curled up. That was reasonable, but he thought there was something else to it. "He could wear a disguise, isn't that what he did when the two of you were sneaking around Haolin? Besides, what do you think is going to come of your relationship?"

He clasped his hands behind his back and walked towards Chu Hean, on the opposite side of the room. "Has he made you any promises? Vowed to marry you?"

Chu Hean snorted. "Our bond goes beyond that kind of triviality."

Chu Yun cut him off with a laugh. "Really? So you're in a relationship with him with no certainty of how long it will last? That seems very convenient," he glared at Chu Hean, "for him."

As expected, Chu Hean bristled immediately. "Ru Long loves me. We had a disagreement, and still he sought me, he tracked me all the way to the Xiongnu. I don't doubt his devotion, and that's all that matters."

Chu Yun hummed thoughtfully. "And why did you disagree in the first place? Could it be that he didn't approve of your role within Harmonious Resonance?"

Chu Hean's nose wrinkled in distaste and he turned away from Chu Yun with a loud scoff, confirming his guess.

"Maybe he doesn't share your ideals as much as you thought."

Again, that made Chu Hean's temper flare higher than a volcanic eruption. It was almost impressive how he had managed to hide it from Chu Yun for so long. "We agree! Ru Long also thinks the treatment of omegas is unfair."

"That might be so, but it's well known that in Su women often don't have the same opportunities as men -- in fact much of their difficulties could be compared to what omega men and women experience in Zui and Xin." He shrugged in the face of Chu Yun's barely contained rage. "I wonder...do you extend them the same solidarity? Does Ru Long? It's obvious that Su isn't free of prejudices just because the population are all betas."

Chu Hean didn't have an answer for him, but his knuckles had turned white with rage from how tightly he was clenching his fists.

"I'm not trying to make light of you, or dismiss your worries, but you should consider whether or not you're being taken advantage of. Some people disguise themselves as allies but they only want to use you to further their own cause."

He left Chu Hean with those words. He didn't know what Ru Long's true intentions were, but it was important for his brother to remain alert either way.

The truth was that he found it very unlikely that his uncle would approve of Chu Hean's marriage to Ru Long just on the basis of "true love". Ru Long likely knew that as well, and if he was serious about Chu Hean he should have a plan already. That he was apparently telling his brother they were "above that" was concerning. Ru Long would be king one day -- and where would that leave Chu Hean?

---

Back in their quarters, Xiao Zai had called for a wooden tub to be delivered directly into their bedroom, and was already soaking in it when Chu Yun walked in.

"For old time's sake," he said, stretching his arm's along the rim of the tub.

Chu Yun had to admit he missed the proximity of the portable tub compared to the huge bathing pool in the royal quarters. While it was nice to swim, it was even more enjoyable to rest his head against Xiao Zai's shoulder and relax.

He started undressing right there by the tub while Xiao Zai's hungry gaze took in his every movement. His eyes roving hungrily over Chu Yun's body as it was slowly revealed. 

Chu Yun felt self-conscious over the size of his belly. He didn't like how much it had changed his body. And while he had never had any opinion on the appearance of pregnant people before, now that it was happening to him he found it unnerving.

Xiao Zai reached for him, and Chu Yun walked within his reach. Xiao Zai's hand rubbed over the swell of his stomach tenderly before sliding up and curling around his waist pulling him forward with intent. 

Chu Yun raised one foot over the rim of the tub and then the other. He got settled on each side of Xiao Zai's legs and descended slowly onto his lap, facing him in the cramped space.

They looked into each other's eyes for a moment, and then Xiao Zai smiled softly, tracing the pad of his thumb over Chu Yun's cheek. "Finally alone," he said, and then lifted his chin to peck Chu Yun's lips. "You are so beautiful, sometimes I want to lock you away so no one else can look at you."

Chu Yun scoffed. "In this state? I assure you, you're the only one looking." He didn't consider himself vain, although Hua Nanyi would probably disagree, but it still stung his pride to think he didn't look as attractive as he used to.

Xiao Zai's hands slid over his thighs underwater. "Nonsense, you get more beautiful every day." He grinned when Chu Yun glared at him. "See? Like that evil glare, who could resist you?"

That did manage to wrest a smirk out of Chu Yun. "You have terrible taste."

Xiao Zai chuckled. "What to say of Lieba Chun, then?"

Chu Yun wrapped one arm around Xiao Zai's neck and hid a snicker against his wet skin.. "I'm afraid his case is terminal."