Chapter 1
The omega had long stopped listening to the droning on and on about the suitor’s kingdom. She was growing bored with the conversation and just wanted to leave the drawing room. However, that would be frowned upon if she up and left. But the conversation was barely a conversation to be had. She may have uttered four words to the suitor and he wouldn’t shut up.
“And then we led the hunt with the neighboring villages…”
Minji closed her eyes briefly, taking in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. She was the eldest. She had to entertain suitors and needed to figure life out in order to keep her position as the first heir to the throne.
But she was growing ever so tired of the nonsense these suitors brought with them.
“Your majesties… Dinner is ready,” One of the alpha servants interrupted the nonsense, allowing Minji to stand to her feet.
“We shall go at once,” Minji quickly stated.
“Oh, may I escort you?” The suitor held out his arm, expecting Minji to swoon over his sudden chivalry.
“I take my meals to my room,” Minji stated plainly before following the servant. “You’ll be dining with my father!” She called over her shoulder to the suitor.
Did she miss the absolute fear-stricken face of the young suitor? Of course, but she had seen it many times.
If Minji didn’t make an appearance at dinner, then her father would explain to the suitor that she was not further interested in their courtship. Her father hated how she acted, but he wasn’t going to force his daughter’s hand in marriage if she did not like those who liked her.
The royal family entertained the staff that came with the suitor, and the younger princess couldn’t help but stifle a chuckle when she saw the confused suitor.
“And where is Minji?” The queen asked the servant that escorted him.
“She’s requested her meal in her room,” The servant bowed, answering the question.
“Young man… That means the princess does not want further courtship,” The king sighed. “Sincerest apologies for the travels, we will give you room and board for the night. We will also give you supplies in the morning and make sure your horses are ready for your journey back home.”
The younger omega did her best to hide her amused smile before she picked up her fork, deciding to start eating their dinner.
“And what of this younger princess?” The suitor asked quickly.
“You wish to change your courtship from Minji to Yoohyeon?” The queen scoffed. “Yoohyeon, love, how do you feel about this sudden change?” She asked.
“I wish to take my meal to my room…” Yoohyeon whispered. “Father, may I be excused?” She quickly asked, watching him nod his head once.
The younger omega took the escape, hurrying out of the dining hall with the servants behind her.
“Yoohyeon is not of courting age. As much as I admire your drive to wed one of my children, I do not appreciate the sudden… Shift in your chase.” The king glared at the suitor, watching him bow his head under the king’s gaze. “Which means you are only interested in becoming a ruler rather than a proper spouse to my children. Shame. You had quite the noble blood,” He sighed.
Yoohyeon hurried through the corridors, bursting into Minji’s room with a giant smile on her face.
“He attempted you as well?” Minji gasped when she saw her sister’s sudden appearance.
“He did!” Yoohyeon giggled before launching herself onto the bed. “Father was very displeased with that one,” She smiled while adjusting herself to sit up on the fluffy bed.
“Noble omegas are nothing but idiots. They only chase after power and greed and never think about what they want in life.” Minji glared.
“Father wasn’t that way to Mother!” Yoohyeon frowned. “Mother speaks of him being tongue-tied at her beauty,” She sighed. “How he ended up stumbling into the stables during their walk around the palace and got himself kicked in the chest by one of the horses,” She chuckled.
Minji smiled at her sister’s words. Her mother had indeed spoken greatly of their father and explained the importance of finding a mate who would be there for them. Someone like their father. Which may have led them to be just a little too picky with their suitors.
Their servants brought their meals shortly after, setting them up and excusing themselves so the princesses could enjoy their dinner in the candlelight. Away from the suitor that was only there for the throne.
“How many suitors does this meal make?” Yoohyeon asked, breaking the silence while taking another piece of bread from the small bowl in front of them.
They were seated on the plush rug on the floor, sharing their meal together. Minji chewed slowly, thinking over the question before answering.
“Twelve,” She spoke. “He would be the twelfth suitor…” She sighed.
“I don’t believe I want any suitors… Would it be wrong to purchase an alpha?” Yoohyeon frowned.
Minji nearly dropped her fork, frowning at the sudden change of heart from her sister.
“Purchase an alpha… To be your-your… binding mate?” Minji whispered the last words, watching her sister nod her head. “You cannot force that… Being bound… You have… Have to have a connection… Everything… You cannot get that with a purchase…” She frowned.
“If I don’t have a connection with the alpha… Then what’s another servant? I’ll purchase another… Or maybe accept suitors at that point… I just… I don’t want to go through this… Unnie you seem so… So disappointed after every visit…” She explained.
Yoohyeon wasn’t at all wrong. Minji held herself to a high standard and expected nothing less than that from her suitors. Except they were always too far below her own standard in a mate.
Each one was nearly identical. Only enraptured by her beauty, not once letting her speak of any of her skills, and did not care much for her at all. She would put them through little tests, watching their reactions, but not one had passed.
“I wonder how you’ll tell Father…” Minji tilted her head, watching her younger sister immediately realize that she did in fact need to inform their parents of her decision. “Mother might not like the idea,” She chuckled.
“Will you be there when we tell them?” Yoohyeon reached out for the older omega, feeling Minji’s hand in her own. “I wish to have support…”
“Of course, I’ll be there,” Minji whispered. “Honestly… I think I’ll decide to do the same if the next suitor is the same.” She muttered while rubbing a thumb over the back of her sister’s hand, watching her nod in agreement.
“I think it’ll be better… Maybe not to be bound… But to have a mate…” Yoohyeon frowned. “I understand you need to be bound in order to take the throne… But….”
“Having someone I can chat with… Someone who will actually listen to me… I don’t care if I’m bound to an idiot for the rest of my life if I can form a healthy and strong connection with an alpha. Even if they’re trained to be attentive to omegas,” Minji explained. “I just want to be loved in return… More so for myself rather than my outward beauty…” She frowned. “Even then… I don’t believe I’m worthy of such high praises when it comes to that,” She whispered.
“Mother will hit you with a throne if she heard you speak ill of yourself like this,” Yoohyeon chuckled. “Unnie you’re gorgeous,” She continued to laugh. “Whatever our destinies are in this world…” She reached out and took Minji’s other hand in hers, looking down at their intertwined fingers. “We’ll figure it out… Together,” she smiled.