Chapter 22
The days had melted together. Seasons changing faster than ever, and of course, the pup had grown quickly. Bora and Siyeon were shocked at how fast the little pup could run once she started walking. She was a pup of few words, mostly because she liked to let out a little giggle and bat her little eyelashes to get her way.
“Oh, she’s just too cute! You can’t be angry with her!” The Queen cooed over Gahyeon, watching her stand on the chair next to the queen at the dinner table.
“She shouldn’t be standing on the chair! It’s not princess-like!” Yoohyeon defended.
“She’s only three!” The queen gawked.
“Mother, you’re teaching my daughter horrible manners!” Yoohyeon groaned.
Minji couldn’t help but chuckle, watching the entire interaction had been hysterical. Gahyeon watched Siyeon go under the table and she joined her. Then abandoned her auntie to go stand next to the queen and was now actively jumping in the plush seats with a giggling audience.
“It’s not horrible manners if it comes from me… Now is it?” the queen smirked.
“She’s not wrong…” Siyeon whispered from under the table.
“You hush,” Minji chuckled while holding her mate’s cheeks. “We have no pup to even entertain this conversation,” She smiled.
Siyeon poked her head out from under the table, looking up at the princess who looked just as gorgeous as the day she met her. Properly met her. She nuzzled into her hands, happy to receive the warmth that came from them before they heard another excited giggle and then more jumping.
“Mother, she’s going to hurt herself,” Yoohyeon whined.
“Nonsense, Bora’s over here,” the queen smiled.
The younger princess frowned when she saw her mate was in fact gone, and saw the top of her head on the other side of the table. If she would’ve known having a pup would be this difficult, she would’ve waited longer to have one.
“You’re all unbelievable,” The omega muttered. “Including you!” She pointed at Minji.
“What did I do!?” Minji scoffed.
“You’re over there giggling! Be on my side, please?” She pouted.
“Mother… Do you think Gahyeon should calm down enough to eat?” Minji chuckled.
“I suppose,” the queen sighed, watching her grandpup giggle and continue to jump in the plush chair.
Gahyeon was a bit of a handful. A cute little manipulator. Able to get all sorts of treats, snacks, anything she wanted just to get around the palace. What made it worse was she knew this power and knew how to use it well.
The only person who couldn’t fall for her little charms was her mother, and Yoohyeon always kept a firm hand with her.
“No treats,” Yoohyeon mumbled.
“Treats!” Gahyeon pouted.
“I’m not your grandmother. That doesn’t work with me,” Yoohyeon pointed at her.
Gahyeon knew her way around the palace, and usually made her way to Minji’s study, deciding to stay with the eldest whenever she wanted to get away from her parents and give Bora heart attacks.
“You smell…” Siyeon huffed after sniffing the pup.
“Siyeon, that’s not nice…” Minji frowned.
“No, she smells like fire…” Siyeon scrunched her nose, pushing her toward the omega, allowing her to sniff Gahyeon.
“Oh, dear… Gahyeon-ah, did you play in the fireplace?” Minji frowned.
“No,” She frowned.
“Then why do you smell like that?” Minji frowned.
“She’s too early to have a scent. She’s lying! Look! The back of her dress is covered in soot!” The alpha chuckled, seeing the dark spots all over the backside of her dress and around the edges. The little pup let out a squeal, trying to hide from her aunties, giggling before Bora interrupted their little time together.
“There you are!” Bora sighed. “Stop running off, please…” She groaned while picking her up.
“She’s never in any trouble when she comes to visit,” Minji smiled at the alpha.
Bora gave a small smile before leaving, another apology muttered before they heard the squealing of the pup and then little footsteps running off again. Minji rolled her eyes, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.
“She’s cute,” Siyeon smiled.
“Siyeon… do you think… we can stop rescheduling visiting the orphanage?” Minji asked her.
The alpha looked over, seeing the worry on her face. They had rescheduled twice now, and it was mostly due to the parliament demanding Minji’s presence. Claiming every meeting was too important to miss.
“We can go, just have to tell no one so they don’t interrupt us,” Siyeon smiled.
It was another week before Minji found time in her schedule. She sat with her sister while the carriage was being prepped with horses, getting ready to take them into town so they could hopefully find a pup that fit them.
Siyeon laughed at Gahyeon, watching her cling to Bora tightly at the sight of the horses. She wasn’t her usual self, actually terrified of the horses before Siyeon pet one, showing her they weren’t scary.
“Oh,” Gahyeon whispered while petting the horse’s nose.
“Yeah, not scary,” Siyeon smiled.
The alpha looked back, seeing her mate talking to her sister on the steps. Clearly Yoohyeon was worried about something, but it didn’t look too serious. At least if it wasn’t she would soon find out regardless.
“Ready?” Minji smiled when she got closer to the two.
“Ready,” Siyeon whispered.
An hour ride into the larger kingdom village, and Siyeon was tense. She watched the different people from the lace covered window, seeing the people for the first time since she was purchased. She didn’t know why she was so nervous. It wasn’t like they were angry with her. In fact, the public opinion was that she was gorgeous but feared. An alpha to not mess with.
“It’s just a bit longer,” the princess whispered.
The orphanage reminded Siyeon of the facility. It wasn’t a building that they seemed to care for. Minji tutted and made little notes, wanting to speak with her mother about how they were treating the children and building within the kingdom.
The children were scattered, some playing with the little handmade dolls or other handmade toys. Each looking worse and worse but it satisfied the urge to play. Seeing the little kids playing in the dirt flooring and having the best time reminded the alpha of her childhood. Giggling and playing with the other alpha children that had nothing like she did. Just having fun and enjoying life without any kind of luxuries. Just… living.
Her eyes scanned the area while Minji mingled with the staff, explaining their visit before they landed on a small child that was holding a piece of chalk and sitting at a table of sorts. It looked like she was coloring or something, but what disturbed the alpha was the muzzle that dawned on her face.
“Minji,” Siyeon nudged her mate gently, taking her attention briefly to point out the pup.
She didn’t look much older than Gahyeon, long hair that screamed for a good brushing. Everything about her just made Siyeon want to protect her and keep her safe.
Siyeon stepped first the second she was allowed, making her way to the pup before she heard a series of growls. The pup picked up on her, and was terrified. So she knelt down next to her and released her scent, watching the pup calm immediately.
“It’s okay… it’s scary right?” Siyeon whispered, watching her nod her head. “And it hurts?” She pointed to the muzzle, gaining another head nod. “I used to wear one… it hurt a lot…” She frowned. “What’s your name?” She asked.
“Yubin…” her voice was quiet, a little hoarse, but still worked.
“Do you want to come with us? My mate… she won’t make you wear that…” Siyeon explained.
“Re-really?” Yubin looked shocked, but the second Siyeon had Minji step over, her eyes narrowed and she growled. “Omega!” She hissed.
“She’s okay, she won’t hurt you,” Siyeon frowned. “I promise… she took my muzzle off and she’ll take yours off.”
It was a week of negotiations and once the paper was signed, Yubin was off with the princess and the alpha. Siyeon smiled while holding the young pup’s hand, watching the carriage door open, allowing the princess to step in before them. Yubin still wore the muzzle, already itching to get it off but she didn’t dare touch it.
“Come here.” Minji pulled the young pup up onto her lap, startling her and causing her to growl. Until a hand touched the muzzle, unlocking the contraption and sliding it off her face. “There,” She whispered while taking Yubin’s face in her hands. “Much better right?” She asked quietly, watching her nod her head.
“I told you,” Siyeon chuckled.
“You’ll have a big family when we get home. A cousin, she’s three. Gahyeon. A little rambunctious… But I have a feeling you’ll get along well,” Minji smiled.