Ashiyowa placed his arms around the Emperor's neck and allowed himself to be embraced, leaning his face against the Emperor's shoulders.

Until now, all he’d wanted was to go back to the mountains. Yet, he just willingly pushed himself further away from returning. He felt faint. The pounding in his chest made his face bright red. And yet, he wanted to believe in the kindness reflected in the Emperor's gentle eyes.

"Aniue..."

Ashiyowa raised his head and found that they were on the bridge that connected Ryokuryū and Ryokuen Palace. The Imperial Guards and chamberlains followed behind. The chamberlains carried his chair from the podium and the cane he had forgotten. They also brought his crown, which he had left behind after stepping away from the podium.

"Aniue..."

He was called again, but as he turned his face, his lips were met with another's.

"―Nhh."

The arms wrapped around him squeezed tighter as they hurried through the corridor. He was kissed relentlessly on his cheeks, temple, and lips, and when the Emperor's lips brushed over the nape of his neck, Ashiyowa's whole body trembled.

"Aniue, I'm so happy you've decided to stay...," the Emperor said in a muffled voice, his nose buried in Ashiyowa's neck.

"I won't hurt you anymore. Close your eyes. I'll make everything feel better..."

Ashiyowa felt an inexplicable urge throughout his body to struggle and free himself from the Emperor's arms, to cry aloud. But he just shut his eyes tight.

＊

Ashiyowa was laid on the bed as a chamberlain helped the Emperor out of his crown and royal attire. Then, it was Ashiyowa’s turn to be undressed from his blue silk robes.

The Emperor climbed on top of Ashiyowa, pulling their bodies together, skin against skin. He was already deep in ecstasy, rubbing their lower halves together as he showered Ashiyowa with kisses. The canopy’s curtains were let down and, for that moment, only the two of them existed in this world.

Ashiyowa's lips were licked until they became plump and soft. Their mouths were locked against each other until they ran out of breath and finally broke apart, both panting, mouths agape. In between their quickened breaths, the Emperor nibbled his tongue, sucking his sweet saliva.

"Nghh..."

Ashiyowa clung to the Emperor's upper arm, both hands in fists.

"A-Ahh... Aghh."

The Emperor paused and Ashiyowa could finally breathe. He stared longingly at Ashiyowa, at his wet tongue, entranced by the soft moans leaving his mouth. Ashiyowa’s tongue was sweet. He hadn't felt the desire to kiss anyone like this before, but Lafoseine was different.

Aniue...

He couldn’t hold back anymore. He would do what he couldn't do that day in the forest.

You could say it was partly because of the ministers' pleas, but Ashiyowa, who long desired to return to the mountains, had changed his mind and decided to stay. In other words, he had accepted Lesheine ― was what the Emperor thought.

Ashiyowa's body was melting. His lower half pulsed with desire under Lesheine. It was fine even if Ashiyowa just laid down and closed his eyes, Lesheine was happy that he was there. He gently pushed Ashiyowa’s legs apart, trying to ease his body, when an overwhelming desire to make Ashiyowa his surfaced.

He caressed Ashiyowa, attempting to soothe the tension in his body. The smell of burning incense circulated throughout the room; it was meant to help him relax. ?Reaching out of the curtains, he grabbed a small glass bottle. It was a perfumed oil made from the purple Arasui flower, highly valuable because it only grew in the South Anasan district.

The oil was strictly for the royal family's use and even aristocrats wouldn't be able to get their hands on it.

It was used between two royal members when they made love to each other. For twelve years, the Emperor didn't have much use for it, but this changed ever since his brother was found.

He poured the oil over Ashiyowa's lower abdomen and spread it with the palm of his hands. He rubbed their bodies together, blending the oil. The Arasui's fragrance became increasingly intense as their bodies warmed up, seductive almost, as even Ashiyowa couldn't help but feel compelled to spread his legs.

"...A-Ah. Leshe..."

Lesheine flashed Ashiyowa a bright smile, whose eyes were half-open, resembling crescents. He ran his fingers through Ashiyowa's short black hair, combing it up, and stroked his cheeks.

"There's nothing to be afraid of... Nothing..."

He leaned into Ashiyowa, stretched on his back across the silk bedding, his hands and tongue running all over Ashiyowa's body.

"A-Ahh... Nhh... Ahh"

Their skin was flushed red, and the fragrance thickened. Lesheine’s hands were covered with Arasui oil, trying to coax Ashiyowa into his touch with soft caresses. It wasn’t like what Ashiyowa felt that day in the forest, there was no fear. Instead, any feelings of unease slowly melted away.

"Haah―"

Ashiyowa's hips shot up in surprise and he reached for Lesheine’s arm.

"There's nothing to be afraid of, Aniue."

"Lesheine―"

As Lesheine began moving his hands, Ashiyowa buried his forehead in Lesheine’s collarbone, his hot breath tickling his chest. It sent shivers down Lesheine’s body, stirring something within.

"―Guhh...," Lesheine endured, clenching his teeth.

He bent Ashiyowa's legs and pushed them apart, placing himself between the other’s limbs, then pulled Ashiyowa into a tight embrace, bringing their hips together. He nibbled on Ashiyowa’s skin, leaving a trail of small red marks across his neck.

"Ani...ue... Don't be scared... It's alright. I won't hurt you...," the Emperor whispered into his ear, leaning in to steal a kiss.

He let go of Ashiyowa's body for a moment, grabbing one of the pillows to place underneath Ashiyowa's hips. Then, he placed Ashiyowa's left leg over his shoulder and emptied the second bottle of perfume oil onto his fingers and in between Ashiyowa's legs.

The first finger went straight in, coating Ashiyowa's entrance with the oil. Ashiyowa's right leg thrashed about as he moved his finger left and right.

"D-don't touch that place..."

"I won't hurt you, Aniue."

The third bottle of oil was soon emptied into Ashiyowa's entrance. He could feel Lesheine’s finger moving in and out. Just as his hips bucked up, Lesheine grabbed his waist and pulled his finger out. Perfume oil trickled down his hips, and he seemed to have turned a shade redder from his neck to chest.

"Something like this... I-I..."

He covered his face with one of his hands, rough breaths leaving his mouth.

"It'll be alright, Aniue. I won't do anything scary. I love you."

Tiny droplets trickled down Ashiyowa's eyes and small quivers ran through his body.

"L-Leshe...Lesheine... S-Something feels weird. Stop..."

Ashiyowa's breaths sounded painful, his knees rubbing against each other as his waist trembled.

"It'll be fine. It'll be fine... Aniue."

Lesheine placed his hands on Ashiyowa's legs and spread them apart. There were now two fingers inside.

"Hyaah..."

As Ashiyowa opened his eyes, he was met with Lesheine’s smiling face. In the meantime, Lesheine was slowly moving his fingers, loosening Ashiyowa. The scent of the perfume oil reminded Lesheine of those nostalgic times when the rest of the royal family was still here, of when he used to play around with them. Both men and women laughed together, desired each other, and learned together.

As Lesheine's fingers explored his insides, Ashiyowa felt a throbbing sensation pulsate through his body. The scratches and marks that used to litter Ashiyowa's body had disappeared. Oil trickled down his body, leaving warm tingles wherever it touched.

"Aghh...Ahh...Ahh."

"Just a little more. It'll be alright," he reassured Ashiyowa, flashing him a smile before leaning in for a kiss.

Yet, no matter how much Lesheine tried to pleasure him with his hands, Ashiyowa's reaction seemed weak and tired. Even if he did seem fine, Ashiyowa still hadn't recovered from the earlier sensation. In truth, Lesheine wanted to go faster but dismissed the thought. They were not meant to overdo it, after all. In a sense, this was also Lesheine's way of letting Ashiyowa know that he was capable of gentleness, that he would never hurt him again.

A third finger slipped in. Ashiyowa's knees tightened around Lesheine, trapping him between his legs. But the oil was slippery, and he didn't have the strength to grip onto Lesheine for long, so his legs slicked down and fell onto the bed.

"Ah. Leshe... A-Ah. Leshe―. P-Please. That's enough."

Lesheine brought out the fourth bottle of oil and applied a generous amount for Ashiyowa. It made a bubbly noise before it was swallowed into his body. Lesheine moved his fingers in circular motions, stirring his insides.

In between their feverish touches, the perfume’s aroma continued to intensify, and as if invited by the scent, Lesheine repositioned himself between Ashiyowa's legs. He had been holding himself back, but it was finally time. After spending much time, effort, and love into preparing Ashiyowa, he was ready to join their bodies together. Pressing firmly against Ashiyowa's entrance, he slowly applied pressure.

"Leshe...?"

Then, all too fast, he was all the way in.

Ashiyowa's back arched up and after a short pause, he let out a cry.

"Aghh! Ah. D-don't..."

"Ugh...A-Ah..."

"I-It hurts... It hurts..."

"Ughh... Aniue..."

Lesheine saw white. Just putting it in had tipped him over his limit.

"Hahh... Hahh..."

He hugged Ashiyowa's hips and began thrusting in small motions. It still wasn't enough. He was still hard and hadn't calmed down at all after the first time. He took a breath, then went in deeper. Sweat fell in his eyes, down his neck.

"Leshe―. Aghh... It's too deep. I'm scared... I-I'm scared."

Lesheine wanted to kiss him, to say something to reassure him, but he was in a tight position, half-inside Ashiyowa. Slowly, he pulled out.

"Hyaah... Ahhh!"

Ashiyowa writhed in agony as he felt Lesheine pull out of his body. Lesheine turned his body sideways and quickly embraced him. Slowly, Lesheine entered Ashiyowa again.

"It's all right, Aniue. It won't be scary. I'm right here. I love you," Lesheine whispered.

His lips brushed against Ashiyowa's neck as their bodies rubbed against each other, his chest against Ashiyowa's back. He hadn’t forgotten about Ashiyowa’s front half, reaching for Ashiyowa's still-limp member, caressing it.

"See, it's not scary, is it? I want to make you feel good. It'll be alright."

"A-Ah. Inside... Inside me. Leshe...Lesheine."

"Yes, it's me. The same Lesheine that loves you deeply, Aniue."

Slowly, he pushed forward into Ashiyowa's slippery insides until his pelvis touched Ashiyowa’s entrance. His insides were hot and wet, clenching tightly against Lesheine as he began to repeat the movement, moving back and forth.

"U-Unhh. Ahh... Leshe―. Ahh."

Ashiyowa grabbed Leshienu's arm, whose hands were running all over his chest. His head was spinning, his body drenched in sweat. Each time they rocked back and forth, small whimpers would escape his mouth and he would shake his head.

"A-Aniue... ―Hahh...Ahh"

After twelve long years of emptiness and loneliness, Lesheine had finally found someone he could love. He held him close to his chest as the proof of his love spilled into Ashiyowa.