Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He couldn’t believe this. Oh, he could feel the tears rushing from his eyes. 

Finally–finally!–his favorite main couple, Lee Seolhwa and Yoo Joonghyuk, got together despite the hardships, despite the many assassination attempts, despite those old senile councilmen disproving their love. They’re finally married! 

Kim Dokja sighs with relief, feeling happiness seeping into his bones as he gazes with tears at the colorful and flowery illustrations on his screen with Joonghyuk’s ever handsome features beaming with adornment at Seolhwa and her bellowing beautiful wedding gown. 

He subtly wipes his tears using the sleeve of his office shirt, his fingers already tapping the button for the side story of “My Love for the Emperor,” an actual quite long-winded webcomic where Lee Seolhwa, the MC, is one of the new omega consorts in the harem of Yoo Joonghyuk, the alpha emperor and ML. She was specifically given to Joonghyuk because her family needed the money and influence–of course, there needed to be a catalyst for our two lovebirds to meet. At first, she was treated like any other consort but due to her kind heartedness, the lack of any ulterior motives compared to the other consorts (money, influence, power), and her quick wit, Joonghyuk eventually fell in love with her. 

But surprisingly enough, it wasn’t Seolhwa as a character that enticed him to read such a thing–well, compared to his other reads–it was actually Joonghyuk on the cover that made him pause for an embarrassingly long amount of time, that made him want to read and see more of him.

Did that make him more of a raging homosexual than he already was? Yes, but being in love with a fictional character that’s canonically straight does things to one’s psyche. 

Anyways, enough about that! It’s time for the side stories and to finally read Joonghyuk’s happily ever after with Seolhwa. 

The side story started off with a bright morning in the castle with Seolhwa opening the windows to her- no, their bedroom as she giddily thinks. She sighs for a moment, leaning onto the window sill. After everything that has happened, she’s now the Empress of Kaizenix. It still felt like a dream, but- 

“Love?”  

A familiar deep voice beckons her from her view as she turns with a frown. Joonghyuk moves forward, rubbing lightly the pad of his thumb on her forehead to ease the creases of her roiling thoughts. 

“What are you thinking so loudly for?”

“...The previous Empress…what was he like?” 

“The previous Empress, he…he was surprisingly docile. Easily pleased with riches and expensive suits. A sliver of my attention would have occupied him for an entire year, but underneath all that passivity is a man who was a manipulative fool. He actually asked my father that he wanted to marry me.” Joonghyuk clenches his jaw. “The memory still haunts me.” 

She reaches over and holds his hand, but stays silent. 

“I was treated as if I was a mere cattle being auctioned off. My decisions, my rights were taken away from me just like that. So I despised him with all my being.” 

Even during the previous Empress’ consummation with Joonghyuk was filled with resentment, especially when Joonghyuk didn’t even mark him, making him feel worthless and unloved. Despite that, the Empress never gave up on his hope that one day that the emperor will love him back as he continued to chase the Emperor like a lost puppy, but what Joonghyuk most likely guessed that pushed him to the edge was seeing Seolhwa getting everything he has ever wanted and desired. And Joonghyuk didn’t pity the fool for a moment. 

Tears fell from Dokja’s eyes, but this time it was with a different emotion. 

What the actual fuck- 

“Still reading that trash?”

He jumps from his seat. “Han Sooyoung!” Discreetly rubbing his eyes before his “friend” could tease him about the redness in his cornea. “You surprised me…and do not ever refer to this great masterpiece as trash.”

She scoffs, “Oh please, if I see one more of those big wide anime-esque eyes saying shit like “Oh, Joonghyuk, you’re eleven-inch monster schlong is so big, I love you!” with flowers in the background, I’m gonna puke.”

He turns away from her, hiding away his precious phone that had his favorite webcomic on display. “Excuse you, it’s tasteful. Although, I do worry for Seolhwa and how she takes such a big…member.”

Oh yeah, he almost forgot to mention that this webcomic had very explicit and graphic sex scenes that had him questioning if his own bare bones experience was respectable enough.  

“Jesus christ, are you a child? Just say dick like everyone else. Look, DICK! BALLS-!” Her shouts were immediately stopped by an embarrassed Dokja who slapped his hand on her mouth. 

“Sooyoung, shut up! We’re still in the office for fuck sake.”

She manages to pull off his hand from her mouth which revealed a not so surprising grin spread. “Oh calm your tits down, it’s basically empty in here. Everyone’s out for lunch right now.”

“Still…god, why did I befriend a gremlin like you.”

She rolls her eyes. “if we’re basing on looks and mannerism, you’d be the gremlin of the relationship.”

“What relationship?”

“Our master and servant relationship, duh.”

He groans and says without any heat, “you’re insufferable.” Dokja does stand up, feeling quite hungry after having to deal with his gremlin master. “C’mon, I'm starving; let’s get something to eat already.”

She gasps with fake wide eyes. “Is that really you Kim Dokja? Choosing to touch grass willingly?”

He stares. 

“Ok, ok. But I'm picking the place, we are not eating at the convenience store again.”

“Why not? It is rather…convenient-” Dokja’s own bag is thrown at his face.  

Dokja sips on his iced coffee and sighs. He really couldn’t think of anything else but that webcomic, or more specifically, the Empress character. His fists clench. 

It’s so unfair. 

Everyone got their happy ending but what about the Empress? 

All the information so far about the Empress is that he’s an unnamed omega who often gets bullied and treated like dirt all while Joonghyuk turns a blind eye to it. He dies a few weeks after Joonghyuk announces his marriage with Seolhwa. And much to Dokja’s fury at the author’s decision on why no one even tries to investigate such a clear sign of a murder–like c’mon it's too much of a coincidence for the main couple to get married and have the last obstacle in their way just suddenly die out of nowhere! 

He almost hurls his coffee across the street at the sheer injustice of it all. 

Dokja puts his iced coffee to his forehead, trying to calm himself down. Well, the most he can do is just rant about it in forums. Even then, he’d be treated like an idiot for caring for such an “insignificant character.” 

He sighs once more, his feet walking on autopilot. He didn’t know why he cared so much. 

Was it because it was entertaining? 

Maybe. 

Was it because he related to the character? 

…Maybe. 

Was it because he wanted a better ending for a character who reflected so much of his life?

 …

He didn’t want to think about it. 

He didn’t want to think about it at all that he couldn’t hear the shouts of “Look out!” or “Dokja!” coming from Sooyoung as he was too lost in his head again. And for one last time, he paid the price for it with his body getting rammed by a truck.

And with that, Kim Dokja is dead. 

He gasps, waking up to a white high ceiling with a chandelier. He tries to get his bearings, trying to calm his breaths. Ok so, let’s think this through. He got hit by a fucking truck of all things and now he’s in a really fancy hotel(?) room. Why didn’t Sooyoung bring him to the hospital? It’s not like he couldn’t afford it…well, barely, but- 

“Empress Dokja?” 

His bones almost flew out of his skin as he lets out a shriek, tightening his hold on the rough blanket draped over him. 

The maid simply stares blankly at him. “Empress. Emperor Joonghyuk has a message for you: he hopes you’ll get better soon.” 

What. 

That’s it? 

Wait, hold on. 

Empress? 

Emperor Joonghyuk?

He scrambles at the bed–ignoring the maid’s indignant noises–trying to get off it as he looks for a mirror. He sees a large vanity and stares. And stares. And stares. 

He passes out.

Chapter Text

He stares blankly and the person in the mirror returns the gaze back at him. 

He shifts his face and the other follows. This is his new face- new body now…well, at least it’s not far off from what he used to look like in his past life. Pale skin that a mere pressure of a hold on it would leave a bruise, a thin face providing a symmetry where even models would be jealous of, his nose and hairstyle seems to be the same but what was truly striking now about him was his eyes. Something so…alluring to it like a cloudy night sky.

He huffs. For being dubbed as the “Forgotten Empress,” he sure is quite the beauty. 

Which just pisses Dokja more. How could someone with the face and body of this unnamed character simply just go away or be forgotten?! It’s ridiculous! 

Across the mirror where Dokja has been staring at relentlessly, he sees one maid–and he takes note of that number–is staring at him like he has gone mad. She doesn't seem happy, just shocked that he was woken up for a second time and immediately rushed to the vanity. He must look desperate and haggard but he didn't care. The maid bows her head anyway as she pushes a cart with a silver platter on it. 

“The food is ready.” She doesn't even bother to properly address him as a bowl and a plate was presented before him.

The food is subpar at best. Rotten at worst. Stale bread that looked like it had bits of mold on it. Lukewarm soup that most likely tastes like water with a hint of pepper if the smell–or lack of it–and feel was anything to go by. 

…Is this a joke?

He looks around the room with slow contempt. The absence of mess made it seem like the room was clean but it was anything but that. Dust was gathering in each corner of the room. Cobwebs dangling from the ceiling as he watched a spider create a string attaching it to another web. Rust being accumulated in the gold etchings of the dull furniture. There is only one word that can describe this situation perfectly: neglect. 

He knows. He's aware of this. Dokja read it himself how poorly the Empress was treated. But he couldn't have imagined it was to this extent. 

He clenches his fist. 

“Your majesty-”

“I understand that the Emperor doesn’t favor me, but is this the way you treat your Empress?” It honestly baffles him, the original Empress was always a meek thing, never quite making a presence for himself; so it’s quite thrilling to see the shock in the maid’s face when he finally stood up for himself- for the Empress who has been bullied into irrelevancy. 

“I-”

“Do not take me for a fool. Leave.”

The maid looked unsure, most likely thrown off by this sudden change of behavior from such a passive character. Yet, she relented eventually, “…yes, Empress Dokja.”

Dokja sighs when the door is quietly shut. 

Finally, he’s left alone. 

He scans his surroundings once more and notices a desk at the corner of the room. Worn and withering away like it was loved. The original must’ve enjoyed writing and reading. Another aspect that was definitely not shown at all in the webcomic. And that thought saddens him. How much does the Emperor hate the Empress that he couldn’t even bother to replace a simple desk? Then again, the Empress was dubbed the “Forgotten Empress” for a reason. He didn’t beg for anything but the love of the emperor. Once he tried seducing him. That didn’t work. So out of anger, the empress ordered expensive jewelry and suits to get his attention. If anything that angered the Emperor more. Rumors, or rather truths, started to spread that the emperor hates him. He was shunned. Forgotten. The fact this character was originally unnamed meant that not even the author cared for him. 

He sighs once more, pulling out a drawer and finding paper whose quality is surprisingly high. Its texture is smooth and the weight of it is heavy. There’s even a floral scent on it that Dokja can smell, but can’t exactly identify. After rummaging some more, he finds a quill and an inkwell to write on the paper as he commences: PLAN TO ESCAPE HAPPILY EVER AFTER NOT DIE. 

Yeah…he was never really great with naming things and this second life was not gonna change that. 

Ok, he needs to focus. He writes down the general timeline and important characters that’ll most likely help him at least survive this world. Yoo Joonghyuk was out of the question…not to mention that every other character is too loyal towards the emperor and his beloved lover to even help such a loathed character. Dokja grunts as he stares at the mess of papers, either crumpled or smudged with how much ink is spilling from his quill. He leans down in his chair in defeat. 

No. 

It’s not the time to give up. He’s read enough transmigration novels to know how to survive this world. He’s a reader. He’s Kim Dokja.  

He straightens up and grabs the quill with determination as he starts writing PLAN TO NOT DIE. First off, there seems to be no System popping up that tells him what to do–usually it’d appear upon the transmigrator waking up–meaning he can do what he wants without any consequence or punishment. Second, he has finished the entire webcomic, aside from the side stories, meaning he knows the important events that’ll happen such as the arrival of the beloved Lee Seolhwa. Thirdly, the once unnamed character has taken his name meaning this is officially his life now so if he dies again, there’s no telling what would happen. Lastly, to avoid Yoo Joonghyuk unless he wants to die. The Empress’ death is still a mystery to Dokja so who’s to say that Joonghyuk didn’t kill him himself. 

He stares at the papers, feeling proud that he’s got his shit together at least. Now, time to hide it where no one would ever dare look for…his bed! Even if he’s hated by everyone around him, he knows they won’t ever dare to check his bed. Plus, it’s not like Dokja will bring anyone to his bed. 

Now, all that’s left to do is to see if Lee Seolhwa has already arrived at the palace. If so, he should start making preparations…

He’s lost. 

He was supposed to be getting information if Seolhwa has arrived at the palace or not but surprisingly enough, there are no guards in sight and the maids just looked either scared or pissed at him so it wouldn’t bode well if he asked them for help. Dokja isn’t even sure if he left the Empress’ wing yet ‘cause everytime he opened a door, it would just lead to another empty bedroom. And he hasn’t seen a stair in sight of this long fucking hallway! So far, and even fortunately, he hasn’t encountered any of the consorts so thank god for his luck-

He bumps into a solid wall of mass, his butt being a victim to a fall. Fuck, ouch. He immediately glares at the person who bumped into him and his eyes immediately widen. 

Fuck. 

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Why did it have to be Yoo Joonghyun of all people to have bump into him? That man simply smiles down at him, not even offering a hand to help like the bastard that he is. Well, Dokja doesn’t need his help anyway! 

He stands up, still glaring, dusting off the dust off his pants and reluctantly nods his head in acknowledgement. “Your highness.” 

Joonghyun continues that infuriating smug smile of his, if anything his grin turned sharper. “My, what a surprise! If it isn’t our Kim Dokja out and about. Shouldn’t you be locked in your room, waiting for your dear Emperor to whisk you away?”

He suppresses a snarl. He’s disrespecting me, Dokja thinks with a scowl , just like that maid. “…I don't need him to whisk me away.”

The prince leans down, a breath away from his ear that Dokja forces himself to not flinch lest he wants to show weakness. “Then…do you want me?”

Pure revulsion paints itself on Dokja’s face. Yoo Joonghyun looked exactly like Yoo Joonghyuk, thick eyebrows, a handsome face, but what separated them was their eyes. Joonghyuk’s like the night sky twinkling with stars while Joonghyun had golden eyes that proved he’s a bastard son, a known rake, a womanizer; the illegitimate heir to the Kaizenix empire, an alpha true and true as he drowns himself in omegas–both male and female–to hide his true nature, the Secretive Plotter who tries to dethrone Yoo Joonghyuk and claim what was “his.” The alpha prince never made any moves towards the Empress as he knew that Joonghyuk never really cared for him so Dokja thought he’d be saved from Joonghyun’s lecherous ways-

A laugh tore him from his thoughts as Joonghyun wiped a tear from his face. “Don't be so obtuse, Dokja. I meant, want me to whisk you away?”

Dokja stares blankly at the prince. “Then my answer is the same.” And tries to sidestep the prince as he looks for an escape. 

A hand grabs his arm and Dokja’s figurative alarm bells are ringing off in his head. 

This is bad. 

“You-”

“You are quite feisty today…are you trying to entice me? Another strategy to get the attention of your beloved?” 

Dokja scoffs. “I have no need for a man who has neglected and disrespected me. And that goes for you too, Joonghyun.”

He tries to rip his arm from Joonghyun’s grip but it was as if his hand was made of steel. Firm and unyielding. Dokja uses his other hand to force the prince’s grip to pry off but it’s as if his body was truly weak, weaker than it is. And it suddenly hits him. This body is, well, not in good shape that even his feeble body from his past life was better than this body. 

“Let go! What are you-?!”

Joonghyun suddenly presses his face in Dokja’s uncovered wrist. And starts breathing in his smell, his scent gland. 

And without a moment's hesitation, Dokja clenches his fist and punches the prince right in the balls. 

The moment his grip loosens, Dokja runs. 

He watches Empress Dokja run off with determined steps with a smile gracing his face.

Unremarkably, the punch didn’t hurt at all. It surprised him if anything. But even then, he wasn’t expecting such actions, such sass, such defiance from the docile Empress at all. Empress Dokja is usually such a boring person that even his scent didn’t entice Joonghyun in the slightest but that moment…that moment! 

“I have no need for a man who has neglected and disrespected me. And that goes for you too, Joonghyun.”

It was as if Dokja’s eyes were filled with stars that shone brighter than the sun and, gods, his smell . It was a mix of lavender and that comforting book smell that you would read on a rainy day. It was a smell he’d like to bottle up and keep hidden. Somewhere preferably in his bedroom where he can see Dokja writhing and screaming in pleasure as he thrusts into that tight hole where the smell of sex and their scents would mingle-

“Your highness? You summoned?” Some maid appeared, cutting him from his fantasy that he couldn’t help but growl making the maid jump in fear. He quickly fixes his face into a smile.

“Ah yes. Help our Empress, won’t you. It wouldn’t do well for the empire if we suddenly lost our Empress.”

“Yes, your highness.”

That damn bastard! 

Dokja fumes as he stomps through this long fucking hallway. Of course, his sleeves just had to be folded up to his elbow leaving his wrists exposed…clearly he also forgot his wrist brace which was a jewelry meant for omegas to cover their wrist from unwanted attention. And attention he got. Especially from that perverted shithead who 60% of the time thought with his dick compared to his brother who wanted to love right and just. He sighs, even with his fear of Yoo Joonghyuk, he can’t help but admire him…

He hears footsteps behind him and sees a different maid this time who bows to him. “Empress! Prince Joonghyun has sent me in his stead to-”

He lets out a groan–cutting the maid off–as he pinches his nose bridge, trying to relieve his headache. “It’s fine.” It’s clear that Joonghyun, and most likely the entire palace, is aware that Dokja’s staff couldn’t care less about him wandering alone in the palace. “I don't need…” But as he was about to reject the offer and go back to his room, an idea struck him. “Actually. Take me to the Emperor.”

Chapter Text

It’s a peaceful day. A normal day, in fact. 

“The new recruits seem to be holding up and-” 

“Oh! I heard there’s a new omega in town, you might want to add them to-” 

He blankly stares at the overarching windows, wondering ‘there has to be more to this life.’ The world feels so…well, not bleak, but also not enjoyable. If anything, it’s monotonous. That’s the word he was looking for. Monotonous. It was just him going through life with the big responsibility of an Emperor. He had to take care of his people, his territories, his concubines, and…his wife. 

His fist curls at the thought of that manipulative fool. 

No. 

He shouldn’t even grace the Empress with his mere thoughts, Kim Dokja didn’t deserve it. He never would. Joonghyuk promises that. No being in this universe will ever make him even think of that slimy, lying, manipulative bastard-

SLAM! 

And the door to his office slams wide open as Empress Dokja strides across the room with a maid–that definitely wasn’t assigned to him–nervously tailing him as she tries to stop the omega from whatever plans he has concocted this time. 

Although Joonghyuk does immediately notice the attire that his wife is wearing, a simple plain tunic that shows off his collarbones with trousers and high-knee boots; it’s modest enough that it didn’t raise any alarm bells that the Empress is trying to seduce him again. Uhg. He held back a shiver at that memory. If anything it surprised him that Dokja’s sleeves are totally covering his wrists. He would usually flaunt them every time there was a chance that they would meet, definitely as a way to entice him, but he could feel nothing but anger and rage for this man. 

Usually by now, Empress Dokja would offer him a sweet smile that was nothing but rot, and even tack on that horrible nickname– Hyuk-ie –as if that would actually work in his favor but anything it just made Joonghyuk hate the other more. 

Instead, he’s greeted with silence as those eyes–now filled with something akin to stars in the night sky–stare at him blankly. 

Huh. 

He lets out a breath, something that cuts the tension in the air. “Where’s your maid?”

The Empress crosses his arms defiantly. “Where do you think she is?”

Joonghyuk can feel a vein throbbing in his forehead as he lets out a sigh, trying to reign in his annoyance. “I have no time for games. What do you want this time?”

“Competent staff.”

Not…not new clothes? Not new makeup? Or Jewelry? He doesn’t voice out any of those but the looks on Lee Hyunsung and Lee Jihye were almost like the Empress stripped all of his clothes in front of him again. 

Joonghyuk leans back in his chair, an impassive look as he waves his hand in dismissal, “…It’d take a while to hire an entirely new set of staff; one that i don’t have time for-”

“Then at least give me a guard and a new maid.”

Silence filled the room once more; a set of eyes glimmering with stubbornness stared right back at his and, so far, neither will surrender to the other. It’s a shock honestly, but Joonghyuk has mastered the ways of not showing expressions, emotions, and vulnerability to this rat bastard. And yet, the more he stared at Empress Dokja’s eyes, the more irritated he felt. How dare he make Yoo Joonghyuk feel emotions. 

By the end, Joonghyuk huffs and looks away. “Fine. For now, I'll be assigning General Lee as your guard”–ignoring Jihye’s gasp of Your Majesty and Lee Hyunsung’s pale expression–“As for a new maid, that’ll have to wait.”

The omega raises an eyebrow. “Won’t he be of service somewhere else other than tending to a useless Empress?”

He looks back once more, holding back a smirk. “At least, you’re aware.” Useless. That’s an amazing word in Joonghyuk’s opinion. Good. The Empress knows his place. 

And something instantly changes in Empress Dokja’s, but immediately smooths it–before Joonghyuk could further examine it–and bows his head. “…Thank you for your kindness, your majesty.”

Such an ass! 

An annoying, brutish, handsome, very handsome ass! 

Dokja reigns in his anger as he tries to not stomp across the hallway. He can’t get that stupidly punchable handsome face that is his “husband” to vanish from his head. How dare he call him useless? Well, Dokja is aware the empress played a minor role in the story but he wasn’t entirely useless! 

Forgotten and shunned? Yes. 

Useless? How dare he. 

He remembers from the earlier chapters of the webcomic–when Joonghyuk isn’t off fucking some omega before Seolhwa entered the picture–the empress was described to be a right and just ruler who would visit orphanages and hand out as many aid as possible to those in need (classic Empress stuff, he knows). Despite this, he wasn’t exactly favored among the territories the empire holds just because of the Emperor’s clear disfavor for him. The empire’s citizens held a clear love for Joonghyuk and whoever he loved, they loved and whoever he despised, they also despised. 

The Empress was depicted as someone who’s shallow, selfish, especially for the Emperor’s attention. Which makes Dokja think. Was the Empress really doing all those good deeds just so he could have Joonghyuk’s affection or was it so he could escape this lonely and isolating life? 

…Guess, he’d never know, considering he can’t recall the original’s memories. Maybe he kept a diary somewhere around or-

“Empress?”

Dokja glances behind him to see General Lee looking like a bear turned into a man but with less hair. Frankly, he’s handsome–not as handsome as Yoo Joonghyuk, no one is–easy on the eyes with muscular and thick shoulders, emphasizing his muscles despite his uniform covering his arms and other assets. 

And he knows he just broke the last rule on his PLAN TO NOT DIE, but he has a good reason!

He honestly didn’t expect Lee Hyunsung to be assigned to him, but truly if there was some transmigration god/bearu out there looking out for him then, maybe, he actually can overcome this character’s death ending. Now lies another issue…

At least he’s neutral–so far–towards the Empress. There was never an indication in the webcomic that Lee Hyunsung hated the Empress, if anything he would do everything to actively avoid the omega as Dokja never got to see them interact. Maybe out of fear? Maybe out of guilt? Dokja sighs. He genuinely has no clue. 

Regardless, Lee Hyunsung would never obey any other orders that didn’t come from the Emperor, much less the Empress. He only answers to Yoo Joonghyuk. And soon Lee Seolhwa. Truly loyal to fault. A gentle giant. Which is why Lee Hyunsung was Dokja’s second favorite character right after Joonghyuk and Seolhwa.

In the corner of his eyes, he sees the General shaking as they near his room. As Dokja opens the door, he motions for Lee Hyunsung to enter his room and immediately the General backs away, shaking his head violently. So maybe he is scared of the Empress.

Dokja sighs, “Don't be so nervous, General. I'm not a threat.”

“That's not…,” And Hyunsung gulps, his Adam's apple bobbing as sweat breaks out, “That's not why I'm nervous.”

He tilts his head in clear confusion but this act just makes the General cower as he actively looks at any other direction that’s not Dokja. 

“I- um, your room…” Hyunsung eventually mutters out. 

“What about it?”

“Well…I can’t exactly step inside the Empress’ room unless there’s a visible threat so-”

“Oh please. It’s not like we’re doing anything wrong.”

“But I’m an alpha-” 

Oh right, there’s societal rules, etiquette to this sort of thing when it comes to secondary genders that Dokja keeps forgetting. It's almost sacrilegious for an unmated alpha to enter a room of an omega–whether that omega is married, mated, or not. (Which just shows how much Joonghyuk didn’t care at all if anything were to happen between them–not that anything would, of course) But Dokja can’t exactly just leave Hyunsung at the door, staring into nothing as he guards him. That’s a waste of a character. Plus…“It’s not like anyone would care,” he said with a finality, a truth. 

The General finally looks at him with wide eyes, he opens his mouth then shuts it. Pity is what’s in Hyunsung’s ever so honest eyes. He raises his arm, but then stops mid-air as he puts it back down. It was like Hyunsung wanted to comfort the Forgotten Empress, but ultimately held back because he knew, everyone knew, that Dokja simply just stated the truth. 

Despite this, Dokja flashes a small smile at the General as he takes his arm and pulls him inside his room. 

It wasn’t what he expected at all. 

For someone who supposedly held the second highest position of the entire empire, he would’ve expected everything, every minute detail of the Empress to be impeccable. That’s how Empress Dokja presented himself at least. Looking at his room, it was anything but that. Scattered papers as if he had his thoughts constantly chasing him away. Dust bunnies collecting themselves in the corners. The dangling cobwebs. And worst of all is the desk, it was practically decaying with rust. 

Lee Hyunsung tries to not show any external reaction but guessing from the way the Empress snorts– snorts? –he gave away his thoughts. 

“I should probably clean this entire room,” The Empress says with an odd look on his face. 

“I can call some maids right now, Empress-”

“There’s no need.” 

Was…was he planning to clean this all himself? The Empress? Sullying his hands with work that’s below his station? That can’t be right.

The Empress once again sees his look of confusion and simply answers, “What? It’s not like I have a maid and it’s just irritating when you have a guest over and your place is a mess.”

“But it’s not right-”

“Says who? The Emperor?” Empress Dokja scoffs and rolls his eyes. “Anyways, I probably have some leftover biscuits here…” He starts going over to what seems to be a cart with a silver lid covering it. Oh gods. Was he-? Hyunsung immediately rushes to take the plate away because what kind of Empress would serve biscuits to someone like him? A General who had no upbringing whatsoever. A low class, good for nothing- But the Empress simply swats his hands away from the plate and brings the silver platter on the center table of the room. He uncovers it with a distinct flourish for winning their supposed (one-sided) fight and reveals…something that definitely is inedible. 

Hyunsung picks the “biscuit” up. “You…eat this?”

“I think so?” It was more of a question than an answer as the Empress also picks one up and looks to be tempted to smash it on the table to see if the table would break. 

“This is worse than the war rations.” 

“I think these are the war rations.”

That genuinely brings a laugh out of Hyunsung, looking over he sees the Empress grinning at him, quite pleased with himself to make him –a nobody–laugh, and the sight quite literally took the breath away from his lungs. Woah. “You are…quite different from what I expected.”

The Empress chuckles. “You have no idea.”

And for a moment, Hyunsung simply stares at the Empress. He didn’t want to admit it but…at that point, he respects him. And suddenly little moments of him flash through Hyunsung’s mind; when the Empress would read to the orphans, encouraging them with a beautiful smile, and whenever he was tending to the royal garden. Always attentive. Always nurturing. 

“Ah!” Hyunsung startles himself out of his stupor. “I’m so sorry for being so informal, Empress. I just-”

“General, it’s fine. You didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, I encourage you to be informal with me.”

Informal? With the Empress? Blood rushes to his cheek at the mere thought of calling Empress Dokja just…Dok- no! The Empress has a choker with the emblem of the empire to ward off any possible suitors for a reason! 

(Even though he knows—everyone knows–Joonghyuk doesn't give a damn and would most likely be relieved if the Empress finally had his attention elsewhere.)

He never had an opinion on the Empress. Just a meek omega who wanted attention and riches. He thought the empress would use him as a means to get to the Emperor so he dreaded it when his Majesty assigned him to guard Empress Dokja. But there was something in Empress Dokja’s shining eyes, something that reached into Hyunsung and demanded his loyalty.

“…Will you be attending the ball?” He looks away, staring at the bird that landed on the expansive windowsill as he tries to salvage the situation. 

“A ball?”

“It’ll be a week from now, but yes.” Initially, Hyunsung planned to use the ball as a means to see his vice-captain, Sir Heewon, and ask to dance with her or even just talk to her but now Hyunsung wonders if he could have the honor of dancing with Empress Dokja. It might be treason for a low-born like him, despite being the general, but he wants to dream. “I know you normally don’t attend these types of events but I think it’d be worth trying.”

He knows it's because the other consorts use this chance to belittle the Empress more so as the Emperor is even seen being civil with them all while avoiding his own wife. And that thought lights a fury in Hyunsung at the image of the Empress wasting away in his mess of a room that did not befit his station in the same time as those omegas flaunt their clear favor of the Emperor. 

He looks back at the Empress with a determined and firm look. “If you’re scared, just know I'll be there for you.”

Empress Dokja’s eyes widen for a fraction before he gently smiles at the other. “…Thank you,” He warmly says as he raises his hand and pats Hyunsung’s head.  

“Em- Empress?!”

“Good boy.”

Good- good bo-?! Metaphorical steam rushes out of his ears as his thoughts are filled with that word coming out from the Empress’ mouth. His face is absolutely scarlet now, but thankfully the Empress doesn’t mention anything. 

“And, please, call me Dokja.”

“Empress, I can't!” 

Empress Dokja puts his hand back down and Hyunsung tries not to let out a whine but maybe the pathetic look on his face was enough to say that he missed the warmth as Dokja chuckles. “At least when we’re alone. I need a friend like you, y’know.”

“…Then, please, call me Hyunsung.”