You were a footsoldier. Big, broad, and built like a moving wall of iron. Your armor clanked with every step, and your shadow alone made children gasp—but everyone in the village knew you as the gentle giant. You were the type of man who brought warm bread to your neighbors after drills, helped lost cats down from rooftops with ease, and carried old grannies’ baskets without them even asking. You had a soft smile that disarmed even the sternest of captains, and a calm, steady nature that soothed everyone around you.
Your comrades never let you hear the end of it.
“Oi, you polish your sword with lavender oil too?” “Bet those cookies you made last week had magic in ‘em, you soft beast.”
They laughed, you laughed with them. That was just the way things were.
Until one day, your general summoned you to his quarters.
“Soldier,” he said firmly.
You immediately stood tall and saluted, the edge of your palm snapping to your forehead with crisp precision.
The general stared at you for a moment before continuing. “...I’m going to have to send you on a mission.”
You nodded, expecting another escort job or maybe a fortress patrol. Then he added:
“You’ll receive fifty thousand gold coins as a reward.”
You blinked, confused. That was the kind of reward reserved for high-ranking officers, elite spies, or generals themselves—not for someone like you, just a humble footsoldier.
Still, you nodded slowly. “I… I accept, sir.”
The general sat down heavily in his chair, exhaling through his nose.
“I’m going to send you to the enemy kingdom,” he explained.
You straightened again. That made more sense. Dangerous, but understandable.
Then he looked at you, deadpan.
“…As a male courtesan.”
You choked violently, spitting out the beer you'd just sipped as your entire body jolted.
“G-General?!” you coughed, eyes wide in disbelief.
He remained stone-faced.
“You’ll go undercover as a male courtesan for the crown prince, Yuzhei.” His tone didn’t waver. “We’ve done thorough research on his preferences. We consulted every intelligence file available. No one in our army fits his ideal type more than you.”
Your hands trembled as you set down your mug. This had to be a joke. But no—it was real. Deadly real.
The next day, dressed in soft robes that felt alien against your scarred, battle-worn skin, you walked through the gates of the enemy kingdom, your armor left behind. The guards eyed you briefly before waving you through, their expressions unreadable. You made your way through opulent halls until you reached a finely carved door with golden dragon inlays.
You knocked once, heart pounding.
“Your Highness?” you called out in a low, calm voice. “I’m the man you paid for… a service. For one night.”
The door creaked open. There stood Crown Prince Yuzhei, a man six years your junior, clad in silks and adorned in quiet regality. His eyes trailed over your towering frame, the soft lines of your borrowed robe doing little to hide the strength underneath. His lips parted slightly in surprise, then flushed the faintest pink.
“He’s my ideal man…” he thought, stunned, before snapping out of it.
“Well… come in,” he said, trying to compose himself.
You stepped inside the lavish room, taking in the rich curtains, the quiet scent of jasmine, and the warmth that permeated the air. A maid stepped in behind you and poured tea for the both of you before exiting silently, closing the door behind her.
Yuzhei took a slow sip from his cup, his eyes never quite leaving yours.
“Well…” he said, voice laced with mild amusement, “I guess you’re spending the night with me, then returning to your place, right?”
Then he tilted his head slightly, feigning casual curiosity.
“Where do you live, anyway?”
Panic sparked beneath your calm exterior.
You can’t say your real kingdom. This was enemy territory. Your identity was a carefully crafted lie, and now you had to maintain it—while also trying to gently squeeze intel from the prince without raising suspicion.
It was just one night, right?
Just one night…
…Right?