Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Please, Sangwon. We need to start going over all the preparations again.” 

Leo, Sangwon’s royal guard and best friend, begs him for the tenth time that day.

“I absolutely don’t want to.”

“Your father has requested me to have you go through the routine at least five times a day.”

Sangwon releases a heavy sigh, refusing to get up from his bed. His usual refreshing vanilla scent, turning sour from his frustration.

The Choosing Ceremony.

It was tradition, centuries old, that the crown omega would step forward and select his alpha. 

A bondmate strong enough to stand beside him, powerful enough to rule, polished enough to satisfy the noble court.

Everyone was excited. Everyone except the prince himself.

For Sangwon, he could honestly care less about the ceremony.

He knew it was their kingdom’s tradition. Hell, he was taught this the moment he was born. 

The crowned omega will always choose the next alpha in line for the throne.

He refused to look at Leo and instead pulled the gilded curtains towards the side. 

From the top of the palace, the city looked like a painting. Narrow streets winding between the wooden rooftops, smoke curling from the chimneys. If he squinted, he could just make out the bustling marketplace that opened every morning.

Down in the city, people lived their lives freely. Nobody cared about traditions or noble bloodlines. Nobody cared about having to strive for perfection.

For a moment, Sangwon let himself imagine what it would be like to be down there, not as the prince, but as just another young man wandering the streets. Just an ordinary guy without the burden of having to wear the title of the crowned omega.

Leo groaned, shaking his head. He gave up trying to persuade his best friend. He knew it wasn’t his own decision to become head of the kingdom. 

“Sangwon, the court will soon begin presenting the alpha candidates for your consideration,” He pauses, eyes darting to see if Sangwon had any reaction. None, just a blank stare towards the window. “Whether you want to or not, the king will be present to see it happen.”

Sangwon closed his eyes. 

The word alpha sat like a stone in his stomach. He knew exactly what would be displayed before him. Strong, polished, smiling strangers with names weighed down by titles. 

And he would be expected to choose one of them. Not with his heart, but because of tradition.

“Don’t you want to get married to someone one day Leo?” 

Leo knew exactly where this conversation was going, but he let his best friend ask the question anyway.

“Yes, I do.” The answer was nice and short.

“What are your thoughts about marrying outside of the palace?”

Sangwon turned to look at him, arms crossed in the process.

“I wouldn’t mind, but of course my priority is to serve as your royal guard. So I’d prefer to be married to someone from inside of the palace.”

Sangwon hummed in response. 

Leo, unlike him, was a beta. He served as the backbone of the palace, as did his parents. So it didn’t surprise him at all from his best friend’s thoughts.

He pauses before responding.

“I want to see what’s outside of the palace, Leo. They have me holed up in here and now it’s months before the Choosing Ceremony and I still know nothing but this palace.”

“Well our next expedition to the neighboring kingd–”

“No, I meant the city.”

Leo holds back a laugh, amusement evident on his face. “Sangwon, I thought you wanted to go outside of the kingdom. Not go towards the inner city.”

“I mean, think about it!” Sangwon suddenly lights up, a sparkle in his eye. “All we care about here is tradition this and tradition that. Wouldn’t it just be nice to walk around in the early morning just for a cup of coffee or a fresh pastry?”

“If that’s what you want, I could try to arrange some things for you.” Leo pauses. “But, you owe me big time. You know how strict the security is in the palace.”

Now Sangwon was in a better mood. His three front teeth showed just the slightest as he flashed a big smile. “You’d really be able to do that for me?”

“Yes, but whatever you buy outside–you bring some back home here. I’m starting to get sick of all the healthy food they serve in this palace.” 

“Oh my God, Leo! You’re the best!”

A fast shuffle of steps go past Leo towards the closet. “Help me pick out an outfit too, for when I go outside.”

“I honestly don’t think anything in there can help disguise you outside in the city.”

His sentence doesn’t even reach Sangwon’s ears as the crowned omega was too busy going through all his clothes one by one.

Leo pinched his nose, already regretting his promise he’d agree to. “You know this is crazy, right? If your father finds out–”

“He won’t,” Sangwon responds quickly, tossing another outfit to the evergrowing pile of clothes on his floor. His smile was filled with mischief, brighter than anything Leo has seen in months. “Besides, I need this. Just once . Just to know how it feels to be outside of this palace.”

Leo sighed, muttering something about impending disaster, but nonetheless he wanted to see his best friend happy.

By the time Sangwon finally found a cloak, there was nothing that he could do to stop him.

“Fine,” Leo said, absolutely defeated. “Tomorrow at dawn. I’ll sneak you outside from the back gates.”

Sangwon's eyes twinkled with triumph. It was finally happening.

Tomorrow he’ll finally be able to taste what freedom felt like.

Chapter Text

Sangwon tugged the hood of his cloak over his face, looking back to give Leo a nod.

“Be back before dinner time,” Leo tapped on the gate doors, giving the crowned omega a concerned look. “Or else your father will notice. I’ll try my best to distract them in the meantime.”

“Thank you Leo, I mean it!” Sangwon flashed him a bright smile, the silhouette of the sunrise glowing behind him. 

“Yeah, yeah. Just bring me back some good food.” Leo chuckled, waving off his best friend.

The city streets were louder than Sangwon expected. Vendors were bustling to get their stalls open, the smell of roasted sweet potatoes mixed with hay from the nearby farms glistened in the air. 

His heart was racing with every step he took away from the palace.

Sangwon felt scared, but at the same time he felt relief–and excitement. It was his first time in the city away from the palace. He knew this last-minute decision was reckless. Royalty rarely walked around the city without guards or announcements. But after the months of constant duty and preparation for the Choosing Ceremony, he needed a break.

He spent the first thirty minutes looking through various stalls of the vendors. He only ever saw some of these items in the history books in the palace library.

Sangwon was hungry though. He didn’t have any time to eat breakfast before he left, especially since he didn’t want to be seen by anybody before going through the gate doors.

That’s how he found himself standing before a tiny bakery tucked away at the end of a winding alley.

He squinted, trying to make out what was inside. However, the windows were fogged from the warmth of the ovens.

Immediately when he opened the door, the smell hit him. Soft baked bread, honey, and a faint pinch of fresh peaches.

The bell above him chimed brightly.

“Welcome in!”

Sangwon blinked–and for a second, forgot how to breathe.

Behind the counter stood the prettiest man he’s ever seen in his life. 

Messy blonde hair, apron dusted in flour, and a smudge of raw dough on his cheek. And the cutest little dimple on his cheek. Sangwon couldn’t stop staring even if he tried.

“First time here?” The baker asked, wiping his hands on his apron before coming closer. 

That’s when it hit Sangwon. 

The scent of peaches mixed with baby powder and fresh laundry.

The male was an omega, just like him.

Sangwon cleared his throat, nodding. Words felt utterly impossible at the moment. 

He’s met with all kinds of royalty: kings, queens, princesses, and princes. But for some reason, his tongue completely betrayed him in front of this man that he just met.

“Well, it’s your lucky day! Fresh loaves just came out of the oven!” The omega gestured at the loaves that were stacked up on a wooden basket. He grabs a napkin, wrapping it around the fresh roll before putting it in front of Sangwon. “Here, try one.”

Sangwon accepted the warm roll in his hands, bringing it to his mouth to take a bite. 

He nearly melts on the spot. It was buttery, soft, and even had a hint of sweetness. It was better than anything he’s eaten back in the palace.

He hears the baker chuckle in front of him, smiling widely. “Well? What do you think?”

Sangwon gulps down his first bite, nodding frantically. “Yes, it’s quite.. good.”

“That’s it? Just good?” The baker scoffed, amused by the male’s reaction. “I poured my heart and soul into making that and all I get is–good?”

Immediately, Sangwon’s face feels hot. “No–! I mean, it’s amazing. Really good, actually.”

Something about their interaction was refreshing and new. Sangwon has never met an omega so…bold.

As an omega of royal blood, Sangwon had been trained since he was younger to speak with grace and move with restraint. But here on his very first journey to the city, he stumbled upon an omega who characterized the complete opposite of everything he’s ever learned.

“I’m just teasing you, silly. I can tell immediately when someone enjoys my bread.” 

A laugh erupts from Sangwon’s lips without him realizing and he finally looks up to meet the baker’s eyes. 

Something flickers between them, something gentle and unspoken.

“My name’s Anxin, by the way. And you are…?” 

Sangwon hesitates for a moment before starting. “Sangwon, just Sangwon.”

Anxin raises his eyebrow, intrigued. 

“Well, just Sangwon. Welcome to my bakery, come by as often as you like.”

And just like that, Sangwon leaves with a full basket of freshly baked bread.

He fumbled a bit with the coins in his purse, he’s never actually had to count money himself before. But Anxin had no problem helping him count all the money without any judgment.

When Sangwon steps out of the bakery, he can’t help but look back at the omega behind the counter.

To his surprise, Anxin was looking straight at him. He gives him a wink and Sangwon feels a blush creep onto his cheeks once again.

Yeah, he absolutely needs to come back.

It’s almost sundown when Sangwon makes it back to the palace.

“Well, you look happy.” Leo mentions, leading Sangwon up the stairs of the palace. The smile on his face is so wide, it almost reaches his ears. He looks so giddy that Leo almost doesn’t recognize him.

“That was the best decision I've ever made in my entire life.” Sangwon whispers, his right hand still full with the basket of bread.

The wooden basket that Anxin gave him. He’s going to cherish it for the rest of his life.

“You don’t have anything to take these home?” Anxin asks, amusement laced in his voice. He looks at the ten rolls of bread on the counter, gazing back at the empty handed Sangwon in front of him.

“I–uh, no.” Sangwon hesitates. He has no one else to blame but himself, really. He was so excited about going outside that the only items he brought were his coin purse and his big cloak. 

Anxin hums for a moment before taking the basket that was on top of the oven. “Here, you can have this. A little souvenir.”

Once Leo and Sangwon were back in the crowned omega’s room, he immediately took off his cloak and put it on top of the chair in front of his dresser.

“These smell delicious! Thank you for the meal.” Leo reached for a roll, happy to finally fill his stomach. He sits down on the sofa in the corner of Sangwon’s room.

“You should have seen the man who made those, Leo.” 

Sangwon sat on his bed, his eyes sparkling as he tried to remember his earlier interaction. 

It was a small interaction, probably lasting for only about one hour. 

But, it was the best one hour that’s ever happened in Sangwon’s life.

“More like I need to thank him, these are better than the ones the patisserie made in the kitchen.”

“You don’t understand, Leo! He was the prettiest omega I’ve ever laid my eyes on.”

Leo nearly chokes on the bread roll, his free hand flying to his chest in a desperate attempt to steady himself.

“Omega?”

“I know what you’re thinking–”

“Lee Sangwon, do you realize you’re an omega too?”

Sangwon sighs in frustration, already knowing what his best friend was indicating. “He was mesmerizing, Leo. And–he wasn’t like any other omega I’ve ever met.”

“Your father is going to kill me if he finds out about this.”

“He’s not going to–”

“Find out?” Leo cuts him off, exasperation sharp in his voice. “Sangwon, he’s the king. He has eyes everywhere. And you know whose head he’s gonna roll on first? Mine!”

Sangwon leans back against his bed frame, rolling his eyes with a dreamy sigh. “You’re being dramatic, I just bought a few pastries.”

“A few pastries? You spent an hour ogling at a bakery boy like you’ve just discovered gold for the first time,” Leo jabbed a finger towards him, bread roll still in his other hand. “And did you forget? You should be preparing for the Choosing Ceremony. You can’t be wandering around making eyes at every guy you find, let alone an omega!”

“Not just any omega, just him .” Sangwon corrected him softly, gazing out into the city.

Leo dragged a hand across his face. “Oh dear God, you’re hopeless.”

Sangwon looks back at him, grinning brightly. He leans over and grabs a bread roll for himself. “I need to see him again, Leo. I can’t pretend he doesn’t exist now.”

“Unbelievable,” a sinking feeling twisted in Leo’s chest. He knows exactly where this was heading. “You’re going to be the death of me, Sangwon. Quite literally.”

But Sangwon has already made his decision.

He was going to go back into the city no matter what it takes, no matter the risk.