A King's White Rose

Chapter 8: Adore and Quality Time

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The night was fruitful for both the Dragon King and Lixue it would seem. The two didn't seem to figure out why their beds were all of a sudden warm..or why their pillows were massive or that they breathed.

But neither moved and enjoyed that blissful thing they call sleep.

The next morning hit after and the sound of the morning birds singing around the castle. The morning was as livid as the sun was warm and bright.

Lixue woke sluggish and ached over his body. He peeled his eyes open to see a room. Massive and very much no the one he remembered laying in.

And he was right. The sight of Valdemar placing him in bed, a kiss placed on his forehead before he lolled back to sleep raised his interested and question.

The interest cause Valdemar was kind enough to not leave him there and question, cause..well, where is the Dragon King after all.

The bed was kinder warm which told Lixue that he wasn't gone for so long. Lixue rose up off the blanket covering his entire body up to his neck and brushed his hair out of his face.

Distant talking caught his attention, ears flickering towards the open balcony doors and the peek of red dancing in the wind before it calmed.

Valdemar..

"I said no." Valdemar turned at his heel towards the balcony doors and Lixue snug himself back into to bed, hiding himself under the covers by his neck and pretending to sleep as he entered.

"Why not? Aren't we good friends again after the war? Seriously why do you blame me for everything?"

"Cause everything tends to be your ridiculous ways of making me melt your castle to the floor." Valdemar bellowed, the lick of fire kissing his lips.

The deep accent voice spoke again. "You and your complex. I think you should just get ride of them."

"Sure get ride of them. And when the people see the ruthless ways they go running back to their rightful place. I made this country out of the trust and admiration of the people. My parents raised me to protect it and make it safe for everyone. Not have it destroyed cause a bunch of small fucked mortals wants to rage a one sided war."

War? Mortals?

"You and your morals. Fine don't put that cult in it's place and have them keep coming onto your territory. You can take of yourself oh great prophecy."

Valdemar grumbled at the prophecy part. He hated that title even if it was true or not. "Shut up. Now is that all you wanted to say? I'm busy."

"Ah no. I'm coming to your Kingdom by the third moon."

"Hadeon."

"Yes your mother, Eileithya, has been very generous in telling me about your new fiancé. Three months till marriage. Have you gotten rid of them yet?"

Valdemar rubbed at his temple, his eyes glancing over to Lixue. Lixue's sleeping body rested in the covers of his smell and mixed with it.

All of him smelled of Valdemar and Valdemar felt himself feel proud at the fact that he was smelling that way. The only issue he had was that..Lixue was yet to be marked and mated to him..soon.

Then he remembered the question Hadeon asked and he gritted his teeth. "Now why are you so interested to know that?"

"If you did I would be laughing. Your like a kid sometimes."

Valdemar chuffed. "Well this kid wants to ripe your little wings off and watch them flutter to the ground." He said into the floating circle of smoke and tamed fire.

Hadeon's face morphed of disgust and terror crossed his face. The very thought if the agony he'll be in ghosted that sharp jawline.

"You are vile. I wish no more to speak with you."

"Ah, so that means you'll not bring yourself to my Kingdom?"

"No. It's obvious you never let that omega go yet. So why not drop by still?"

After that Hadeon stopped the connection between them and Valdemar just rubbed his temple. He didn't have to worry, he just will tell Selin to have the archers fire for his dragon shift as soon as he is in range.

That will be logical and very effective.

Meanwhile, Lixue has been listening to this whole conversation under the assumption of sleeping. That he thought was going throw the Dragon King off his awakening.

"Are you done pretending, my treasure?.."

Lixue froze in his place. Hope of not being caught was no longer a hope. The hot puff of breath on his ear and the realization that fooling Valdemar any longer was futile and bit ignorant.

Lixue shuffled and turned to face the Dragon King who now sat by his side.

"How much did you hear?"

The elf prince hummed shyly and smiled awkwardly at the question. "I haven't been up for so long. But..I heard about Dragon King of the South, King Hadeon."

Valdemar's softness melted at the sound of that dragon's name. "Yes..The bastard. Well..I was going to tell you later but I guess since you heard it all, he is coming here."

"In the next three moons."

"Yes." Valdemar sighed exasperatedly, threading his fingers through his locks of dark hair befkre gazing upon the beauty before him. "How are you feeling?"

Lixue sat up and took Valdemar's hand into his small ones. "I'm fine. And.." He pulls his hand away and his cheeks heated up his snowy skin. "I wanted to thank you for...staying with me..when I asked that is."

Valdemar smiled and leaned close to Lixue, a kiss to his forehead. "You didn't have to ask me. I wouldn't have left you in such a way either way."

Lixue blushed shyly and gracefully smiled up at him. "Still thank you, Valdemar."

Valdemar smiled but cleared his throat and bowed his head. "Yes..Your very welcome.."

Lixue chuckled at his ways of pulling back that soft smile at him and goes to get it of bed. "Now I should leave you to your work. You must be busy."

Valdemar stood up aswell. "Actually. I'm not. Not right now that is. I wanted to take you somewhere. I mean you wish for that, no?"

Valdemar watched as light in his eyes brightened his eyes like starlight, the share excitement at his words of going outside again had his heart filling with adornment.

God he has fallen head over heels for an omega elf he didn't even want to be in the same room as.

How his words came back to bite him in the ass.

"I can go outside again?"

"Yes."

"And you want to join me?" He pointed at himself, making sure he was hearing those words.

Valdemar himself was shocked when he asked but it felt so..willing. Not forced upon and that smile..dear gods..that smile was everything for the Dragon King.

That smile that made his hard once hardened heart break each time. Who would have known this omega was going to make him feel this way after so much failed attempts..

He didn't want to mess up something he has gotten so attached to.

Valdemar nods his head, placing a hair strain behind Lixue's reddened tipped pointy ear. "I would rather I with you. Just for today that is."

Lixue took a second to think about it but with a tap of his finger to his chin, he smiled and nods his head.

"I accept your invitation. I shall get ready then."

"Yes but before you leave."

Lixue stops and watched as Valdemar pulled up a cloth. It was his veil. Right he remembered how that "fell" off. Valdemar laced it on and tied it well.

With another lasting kiss to his forehead, Valdemar allows Lixue to leave the room after that. Lixue smiling all giddy and very much enjoying this kind of attention.

What were the odds this was going to happen? It just felt so natural..

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"My prince where have you been? I've worried sick." Rou saw Lixue walking, barefooted, his hair cascading down to his lower back and all over in it's curly glory of snow white color. She ran to him and inspected him.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine Rou. I just needed some space.." He replied to her as he recollected all that happened before the whole, making love moment. Rou didn't need that part.

Rou released a breath of relief she's been holding up and patted his hand in hers. "Great then. So shall I get you your breakfast? And a fresh of clothes?"

Lixue patted his lady's hand. "Rou, I need something from you actually."

"Anything for you."

"I was asked to go outside with King Valdemar."

Rou blinked and looked behind Lixue. Their eyes met each other's gazed of both confusion and knowing looks.

"As in the King that wanted nothing to do with you and insulted your second gender?"

Lixue covered a laugh but answered. "Yes that exact King. I know it's out of character.."

"Out of character? It's like he changed? I mean, pardon my words, you have been.. getting along. Acting like actual fiancés." Rou expected Lixue to roll his eyes and deny her accusations. But..that wasn't the case.

Lixue, the elf prince himself and the soon to wife of a Dragon King and a prophecy at that, blush. The tip of his ears tapped with a light red to it. He was.. actually starting to like him and Rou didn't think she was seeing it right.

"Lixue what happened last night? Changes, big ones?"

Lixue watched at her. "Well..If anything right now..I would hope so.. He's still stubborn and can still turn off his emotions when he is ready but.. he's.. something in him changed last night.."

"Should I be happy?"

"I don't know. But I need your help." Lixue said again, taking her arm and wrapping it round his own. Rou chuckled and patted his arm. "Yes yes I will help you. Come now you need to look tip top shape for his lordship."

And Lixue was off into his rightful chambers.

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Valdemar on the other hand was already dressed in something comfortable. He was wearing a white bloused poet shirt that opened at his chest to show his sternum.

He headed out to the front, preparing his stallion he was about to ride. Carriages weren't needed and Lixue looked like the type to want to see the outside world the most he can.

So that he shall get.

"King Valdemar."

Valdemar patted his black stallion's neck and turned to see Vaayn coming over. The man looked at him confused and checking his board and lists of all his pending kingly duties.

"Vaayn, my dear friend, nice morning right?"

Vaayn blinked at the answer back and finally got his voice back. "I do see it's a beautiful morning, but where are you going? There is no horse back riding. You have a meeting with-"

"Stellar can hold on. I'm not leaving my Kingdom Vaayn." Valdemar told him with a pat to his shoulder. "I'm glad for the reminder."

"Yet your going horseback riding?"

"It would seem so. Right Caesium?"

The stallion thumped his silver hoof trimming and snorts. Valdemar patted under his muzzle and watched Vaayn again. "Tell Stellar I'll be busy today. She shouldn't mind my late coming."

Vaayn wanted to say something but knowing Valdemar, he choose rather to keep his mouth shut and agree.

But when he thought he was just trying to get away and run, the sound of talking and the doors opening caught his attention. He turned and saw no other than..Lixue?

The elf prince himself was dressed in his own bit of clothing. Some parts dragged, a veil, jewelry about his hair and onto the tips of his ears. He looked ethereal and mesmerizing in the sun. But, his question right now is what he was doing here?

He then glanced to Valdemar to see his reaction and his reaction baffled the fuck out of the counselor. The man stood there speechless as Valdemar showed an actual reaction.

He..smiled..It was light, barely noticeable but it was there. There and genuine and..warm. This was the thing the queen hoped for.

The reactions, their relationship started getting good. Now they were practically glowing at one another. Watching at each other like a bee to a flower.

Hope at last.

Vaayn smiled his own after that, relaxing in the sight of genuine emotion from the once said Heartless King with no care for an omega.

"I see..Well I will stall Stellar as much as I can My King. You have fun with your Queen."

Valdemar looks to Vaayn as he said that but he didn't say anything. Vaayn stood there with a smile and just kept it as there.

My Queen huh..

Valdemar looks to Lixue once again as he came his way.

Queen indeed.

"Was I keeping the great King Valdemar long?" Lixue's tone was sarcastic and playfully. Valdemar chuckled at his stupid question but his obvious funny tone. "I don't seem to catch any time. Now, are you ready?" He opened a palm for Lixue to take.

Lixue took the hand. He was ready or this and he was going to enjoy everything about it.

"Yes."

With that, Valdemar nods his head and showed him Caesium, the tall stallion munching on an apple and turning his large head over to Lixue who gazed at his horse in amazement and love.

"He's absolutely majestic." He outreached his hand. Valdemar watched this interaction. It was better this way. Usually, the past omegas he had encountered, Caesium would ignore them, try to bite their hands whenever they tried to touch him and just outright be a good horse.

But now he wanted Caesium to do the opposite and like this specific omega. He swear he'll have Caesium out of the castle grounds if he ever bit Lixue.

Caesium went to the hand and Valdemar held in a breath, his instincts telling him to grab him quickly if anything showed aggression.

The aggression, however, never came. Caesium snorted and snug his nose into the palm, his tail he didn't think could wag, wagged?!

Lixue had let out a delightful laugh at his stallion's share interest, he even moved in more for pets and scratches to which Lixue happily complied with additional cooing and praising.

Valdemar snorts a laugh. A those praises will go to Caesium's already large pride. Caesium neighed and snorts again, enjoying Lixue instantly.

Valdemar was happy for that part. He spared a glance to Vaayn. He too seem shocked at this new attachment and softness Caesium was showing.

At least he wasn't the only one.

Now..onto the ride. Caesium knelt down for Lixue to get on, obviously surprising more of Valdemar since his horse wasn't one to kneel for anyone. Especially for him. All he got was a bowed head of respect and acceptance to ride his back.

But Lixue seemed so special to the point his horse didn't care for the dirt touching his black coat and well brushed mane.

Valdemar goes to his stallion and pats his horse's snout. "Such a suck up now?"

Caesium neighed his answer, lifting his head and puffing his chest like the prideful war horse he knew. "Thought you hated omegas or people in general?"

Caesium snorts irritatingly and nudged Valdemar's head. "Fine don't say. Be glad he likes you." He whispered, patting Caesium on his neck before he got onto the back.

Valdemar grabbed the leash to guide Caesium even though he didn't need one. He grabbed Lixue's hand and placed it on his side.

"Have you ever riden a horse?"

Lixue looked down at the seemingly far ground and looked back to Valdemar. "Not a stallion and very much not without supervision. My father..was one hound around me.." He said with an embarrassed look away.

Valdemar patted the hand he held ontop. "Well hold on tight. I'll teach you."

Lixue became joyful again. "I can't wait."

Valdemar looked to Vaayn and his grinning face. He rolled his eyes mentally. "Take care of the palace. We won't be long."

Lixue nods his head in agreement. "I'm sure Valdemar has work to attend to."

"That he does." Vaayn replied. Valdemar snuffed but didn't fog up smoke at the comment. "Well see you before noon."

"Yes My King."

After that the two were off into the direction of the dense forest, away from the village and it's people.

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The birds chirped in the treeline, the cooling breeze whisking by like a silent whisper. The trees danced in the gentle nudges.

Everything was illuminated by rays of sunlight. Some or most parts were darker or got less rays than the others. It didn't matter. Everything was new and beautiful to the eyes of the elf prince.

Valdemar was happy to the fact Lixue was enjoying this little ride so much. The real fun hasn't even begun but here Lixue was, pointing at bird types and a passing deer or moose grazing under a match of green and beaming circle of sun light.

Truly a sight to see..

They arrived at the spot and Valdemar was first to get off of Caesium. Caesium lowered his head and Valdemar grabbed a hold of Lixue and hoisted him off Caesium's back.

Lixue yelped at the sudden tug and now Lixue was cradled in the arms of Valdemar. Valdemar looked down at him and smirked.

"You ok love?"

"I am just fine thank you. Please rest me down now."

"I rather you like this. Wouldn't want you getting dirty."

"Valdemar, that is very kind of you but release me."

They both stared at one another. Neither looked away in submission or backed down.

This was the kind of thing Valdemar liked about Lixue. He may seem sweet but he has a deeper side to him that just puts him in his own spot.

Valdemar sets Lixue down and Lixue was grateful yet expecting some bit of fight. "That is it?"

"Huh?"

"Your not going to fight me about it?"

"You wanted to be put down. Why fight with what you want?" Valdemar answered.

Lixue blinked, then blinked and once again, blinked. "You..have truly changed.."

Valdemar hummed as he unbuckled Caesium from his harness and leash and all those things. He let's Caesium run about the forest to his own free will and headed for Lixue. He rose an eyebrow.

"Is it bad?"

"No..I mean it's not. I like this side for you. Makes you seem approachable." Lixue stepped closer to prove his point. Valdemar smirked more at his move and wrapped his arms round Lixue's waist. "Approachable, huh? Never once thought of that." Valdemar concluded.

"Well I have. I bet everyone in your house figure it out." Lixue said, smiling so much that his eyes closed. Valdemar caught the contagious smile and placed a kiss to Lixue's forehead.

"Enough then. The day light is burning away and we haven't done anything yet."

Valdemar turned around and headed off. Lixue had his arm slithered and linked it with Valdemar's arm. The Dragon King guided him off to the very spot the first bit of fun he wanted to show him.

Lixue watched about the scenery, a beautiful waterfall surrounded by lush green beds and tall flowers. Lixue's eyes sparkled more.

"Beautiful."

"Yes, yes it is. I haven't brought..anyone here."

Lixue looked to Valdemar after his admittance. This place has never seen other eyes. He brought him to his favorite spot..

Lixue felt his heart beat and the very fact he was the first to be shown it. Or brought to the place.

No other..

Valdemar looked into Lixue's eyes and asked unsurely. "Is that ok?" Lixue patted Valdemar's arm reassuringly. "Yes My King rest assure that everything I see and you show me is beautiful and captivating. It's an honor..that you thought of me to show your spot."

Valdemar looked away, his face bringing on a dusted pink to his dark skin. "You deserve that honor. And you are my fiancé..This is tradition."

Lixue blinked. "Tradition? To show a potential partner your spot?"

Valdemar nods his head. "As you can see I don't have the confidence..And I haven't-"

"Reached this far. Yes I have heard alot how you shipped off omega's back to their homes or wherever the sails took em."

Valdemar cringed at that and tightened his well formed jawline. "They weren't my match. I had no liking of keeping them till marriage."

Lixue nods his head. "No one should force a King to marry. He has his own thoughts and if he wishes for no one then he shall get no one."

Valdemar has just grown his love for this man. Those wise and kind words directed his way, meant for him and the exact thoughts he's been thinking since the first omega came to his shores.

Valdemar rose his chest, his internal instincts taking off with a share bit of pride at the agreement.

"You get me more than anyone. Your may even be a better counselor than Vaayn."

Lixue laughed at his words. "No no, don't say that. Vaayn has earned his spot for dealing with you everyday."

Valdemar opened his mouth to only blink when Lixue tapped under his chin and smile after.

Valdemar side grinned at his off guard playfulness and just allows him to do as he wishes. It seemed to make him laugh and smile anyways.

"Have you ever used a bow and arrow?"

Lixue thought. "Hm, no. I've used a sword. The best I can give which is close to arrows is my ice."

Valdemar rose and eyebrow. "Your ice? It can make other things other than roses?" Lixue nods his head and starts to twirl his finger. The air got chilly, Valdemar looking about till he saw millions of ice shards appear as the appeared snowfall.

It was a sight to marvel at. Lixue was unbelievable when it came to his ice. It shown how much he has practiced it. Not even some high classes mages are able to make as many ice shards to look and be shaped as literal arrows.

Valdemar laughed with amusement. "You are truly talented my treasure. And rightly so." Lixue shyly took his compliments and smiled as Valdemar caressed his cheek. Yes, this was so natural. Like they were ment to be.

Mates.

Mates.

The voices again in the minds said upon the same time. Their eyes flickered and glowed. They only spend two minutes gazing in ones eyes before Lixue looked away and Valdemar cleared his throat.

"Let's get you shooting an actual bow."

Lixue nods his head and crushed all his ice shards into a nothing but snow and then the skies and the air were back to warm and bright blue.

Lixue held the bow as he would see archers do it. Up, pull the string and then release it. But before he even decided to release it, Valdemar held his clenched fist on the bow and had him looking to him.

"This is what I know so far."

"Yes and your eager to start my treasure."

Lixue looked at the target and at Valdemar. "It would seem so. But am I holding it wrong? I feel like I am."

"Your holding is fine. But not perfect to shoot." He said. "Let me help you."

Lixue nods again and Valdemar disappeared behind him. He then felt a hand to his hip tha guided him back, booted foot kicking his legs from each other. Valdemar then slide his hand on the part that he was pulling the string, then the hand that guided the bow.

Valdemar's hands completely covered his own. At the one point he was annoyed at the jealous, then the next he wanted those large palm to cover him along with his large.

"Focus." He whispered into his ear. Lixue's body almost quivered at that but he held on to his drop of grandeur and controlled himself. "I am very well focus."

Valdemar sighed a chuckle. "Yes very focused. Very good."

Lixue gulped and let's Valdemar show him.

"Keep your stance straight, don't bend yourself. Hold in a breath." He tapped Lixue's flat stomach to which Lixue replied with a side glare. "Focus on your target, lift a bit of your arm and..."

Lixue released the bow at the right time and he got a shoot. Right in the middle of the red target. Lixue exclaimed in joy.

"Oh I did it. Did you see that Valdemar? I did it." Valdemar placed his hands on his hips. "Yes you did. Now do it without my help."

Lixue stopped his celebration and watched at home then the target. He gulped. "I am independent in my actions. I can do this."

"I shall watched then." He said, a bit to pleased with Lixue's announcement.

Lixue took out another arrow and gets ready to use to exact movement as Valdemar showed him. He pulled back the arrow, took a deep breath, straighted his stance, aimed up a bit..

He let's go of the arrow, it soared through the air, right to it's target. This time it didn't reach the same place as the last one. It was under it.

Lixue smiled at and turned to Valdemar. Valdemar nods his head in acknowledgment, even gave a clap.

"You are good at this. Are you sure you weren't secretly good at arrows and holding back?"

Lixue laughed at his thoughts. "That is my secret. Who really knows." He hands Valdemar back his bow. Valdemar took it and took off the veil with it. Lixue blinked. "Why did you-"

"Why hide it?"

"..Well it's tradition..Any Elf royalty will wear a vail to hide their beauty. Their husband will get to see his face whenever his wife arrives at his home. That I have arrived at yours I hadn't once shown my face."

Valdemar vibrated a deep hum at the explanation. "I see..Well I'm not mad about. I was curious. A bit to curious for my own good."

"You were obvious with it, my king."

"Nonsense talking."

"Your facial expressions always were cold then hard then annoyed. You will even when you squint your eyes as if thinking or even more mad. Your not very hidden with your emotions."

Valdemar shoots his arrow. "Well for your information, I didn't have to hide my emotions. But since you dropped by, it's been redone."

"Well I should have myself a party for that."

Valdemar laughed again. "Yeah, a wedding. I think with all that you will have all my emotions out and to do as you want it."

Lixue blushed but smiled. His warmness in him was growing more. "So you still want to do this arrangement? I'm still shocked you haven't send me back to my homeland."

"..." Can he say he didn't want to let him go and have some other alpha male creature take him? No.

That very thought had him gripping the bow tightly to the point he could hear cracking. He stopped and looked at the bow with a sigh.

"No one is going to get you. I am not willing to even let you go. That I swear. You asked me to stay with you, that I promised."

Lixue looked more as Valdemar came to him and watched into his eyes. "That I'm serious about."

Lixue smiled lovingly. "Then I promise to be by your side.."

"Your promise that?"

"Better hope I am." He joked with a smirk. Valdemar rolled his eyes and brought their lips together. It was a slow and passionate kiss. Something Valdemar dreamed to do, Lixue wanted, and here they were. Feeling adornment for the other and the very part of separation had them kissing deeper and longer.

I'll do anything to keep you with me. That I swear my love.

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The day was abundance with all kinds of things to do. Valdemar taught Lixue to ride a horse. Caesium happily doing as wished to help his new found person that is Valdemar.

Valdemar watched as Lixue rode Caesium, Caesium trotting and neighing in excitement whenever Lixue praised him.

That darn horse is getting himself so much attachment. He shaked his head.

After that, they played around in the waterfall. Valdemar thinking to throw Lixue into the water. Lixue telling him off and begging him not to. Fell to deaf ears as Valdemar scooped him up and threw him to the glistening fresh water.

After that he came after, Lixue laughing as Valdemar lifted him out of the water or wrapped his arms round his body.

Caesium seemed to want to join cause he too came jumping in. Valdemar tried to stop his horse from running over but that too was falling to deaf ears.

Caesium and his large stallion size ran at top speed, jumped and practically flew over Lixue and Valdemar. The horse plunged into he deeper side of the large pool and water slashed everywhere.

More laughter rained down in the spot and Valdemar spitting out water out his mouth. Caesium neighed in laughter even, Valdemar taking and splashing his horse friends face who responded with a sway of his mane.

...

The days kept like that. Lixue and Valdemar will go outside more often. Lixue wanted to see the young children at the orphanage where he met again with Orian.

The small boy so happy to see the soon to be queen, hugging him tightly.

All the children wanted a hug, even when Valdemar came over to check on his beloved did the kids jump him as he came to the door.

The children all laughed, Lixue coming over with a laugh of his own as he carried a small child.

The people seemed to adore their soon to queen. They will offer him something, or ask him to help them with something to which he does.

Yes he was guarded but held his independence and the guards respected him when it came to things he could do on his own.

Valdemar felt so much better and calmer knowing that the people will protect him him just as he will protect him. The less he has a guard with him.

The people accepted his omega as their queen and Valdemar would say it now.

He was in love with that omega and couldn't wait to have him by his side forever..

For that is his Queen and Omega and anyone hurts him they will feel his wrath.