Chapter 23
“An alpha child, already presented?” Yoohyeon gasped.
“Siyeon has her speculations. The kid wore a muzzle in the orphanage…” Minji frowned.
“Oh dear… That means she came from a facility…” The queen frowned. Minji and Yoohyeon both looked at one another, confusion littering their faces. “Alpha children come from facilities. If an alpha gets pregnant in the facility… then they go to the orphanage… The facilities cannot take care of newborn pups. There’s a hope they’ll influence enough for them to become omegas, but they end up becoming alphas due to favoritism. I’ve been trying to fix the system for years…” She sighed. “But we aren’t exactly wealthy in a lot of departments of this kingdom,” she frowned.
“Does she have a scent?” Yoohyeon asked, turning her attention to Minji again.
“Not yet, I assume she will soon, alphas present earlier than omegas.”
Dinner was strange, Yubin decided to sit next to Siyeon on the floor, unsure on what to do or anything really. She was bathed and dressed, and every single staff member gave odd looks to the pup before Siyeon nearly growled at them for the odd looks.
“Where is she?” The queen gasped when she saw Minji at the table.
“She’s under with Siyeon,” she pointed.
Siyeon eased Yubin into getting closer with the queen, showing her everything was safe and comfortable. Yubin immediately grew attached with the queen the second she handed off a piece of bread to her.
“Not so bad,” Siyeon smiled at her.
Yubin trailed after Siyeon everywhere she went. The little pup was incredibly curious, but wasn’t exactly sure how to exist. The palace was beyond anything she ever imagined and now she had to be a certain way in order to stay…
“Yubin-ah, come here.”
Siyeon was already in her favorite spot in Minji’s study, lounging on the various pillows and blankets she accumulated over the years. Yubin joined her, unsure on how to sit, so she kneeled, only for her newfound mother to pull her in for a hug, allowing the kid to get comfortable.
“You’re okay in here,” Siyeon whispered.
The alpha didn’t expect anything, maybe just a small head nod, but she got something even more. Yubin immediately nuzzled into her, clinging to her as if life depended on it. Siyeon didn’t know what to do at first, but after a moment she immediately held the pup closer to her, releasing her scent to envelope the pup. Her pup.
“You both look entirely comfortable,” Minji smiled.
“We are,” Siyeon hummed.
“Yeah!” Yubin smiled, lifting her head out of Siyeon’s neck.
“Makes me want to curl up on the floor with you guys,” she chuckled.
“Join us then!” Siyeon chuckled.
Minji set her quill down, glancing back at her mate and pup. She always wanted to know why Siyeon loved the spot so much… And would love to relax just before bed…
“You’re actually joining us?” Siyeon gasped while watching her mate join them on the floor.
“Life can still be full of surprises,” the omega chuckled while settling down on the other side of Yubin. “Wow… this is comfortable,” Minji whispered.
“You’ve been missing out,” Siyeon winked.
It was quiet. A comfortable silence. Yubin played with Siyeon’s hands before feeling Minji’s hand on her cheek, allowing her to nuzzle into the familiar hand and scent.
“You guys are my moms now?” Yubin whispered without looking up at them.
“Yes, you’re in our family as our pup,” Minji answered. “The king and queen are your grandparents,” She explained.
“Am I a princess?” Yubin frowned.
“Not yet,” Minji chuckled. “If you present omega, then yes, you’ll be an appointed princess under my hand,” she smiled. “If you present as an alpha, then you’ll be a royal alpha within the palace,” she didn’t want to go further into details, mostly because she didn’t know how to explain anything to a five year old.
“Oh,” Yubin mumbled before going back to holding Siyeon’s hand.
“Does that make you sad?” Minji frowned.
“No,” Yubin mumbled. “I can still live here?” She asked, tilting her head a little. It melted Minji’s heart since it reminded her so much of Siyeon.
“Of course. You’re our pup,” Minji chuckled.
“So… You are both my moms?” Yubin had a million questions, confused about everything, but it was okay. It was a given with how her life was yesterday. Yesterday she was a nobody eating terrible food on a dirt floor. Now she was Princess Minji’s daughter.
“Yes,” Siyeon answered.
Yubin didn’t say another word, only leaned down to lay right in between Siyeon and Minji. She chose to nuzzle into Minji’s arms, clinging to her dress tightly. The omega was happy she accepted them so fast, at least until she heard the tiny sniffles, causing her to hold the pup tightly.
“You’re okay,” Minji whispered, reassuring her everything would be okay.
Yubin’s room was Siyeon’s old room, the one that was next to the princess’s room for a brief while. Although, the newest addition didn’t quite like it. She stayed up, pouting while looking at everything. She knew the new parents were right next door, but she couldn’t help it.
She let out a few whimpers before a whine, testing the waters before letting out a louder whine. She was about to get up and attempt to navigate the palace when she heard a door open and then her door open.
“What happened?” Siyeon frowned while stepping inside to check on the pup. “Can’t sleep?” She asked.
“It’s cold…” Yubin pouted.
“It’s not cold enough to light your fireplace… you have wool blankets…” the alpha frowned, feeling the bed. It was pretty cold. “Come, you can sleep with us,” She smiled while carrying her out of the bedroom. “The bed is big enough,” she chuckled.
Minji sat up in the bed when she saw Siyeon come back in, and gave a small smile when she saw Yubin in her arms. Everything was still new, and she was more than happy that this little pup felt safer sleeping between them instead of in her own room.
“It was cold,” Siyeon smiled while settling her between them.
“You were cold?” Minji frowned while moving a few hairs out of her pup’s face.
“Yes…” Yubin whispered.
“Well, we can’t have that,” Minji smiled while pulling her close. “We’ll just have to snuggle until you’re warm then,” she whispered.
The pup let out a small giggle, clinging to Minji while feeling the alpha behind her start to run her fingers through her hair. She let out a yawn, and immediately curled up to the princess.
“This is… maybe everything I’ve wanted these last few years…” Minji whispered.
“A pup cuddled up to you like this?” Siyeon asked.
“A pup cuddled up to either one of us like this… yes,” Minji smiled.
“I thought you didn’t care too much for having pups?” Siyeon chuckled.
“I didn’t, but with all the pup flare ups I had with Gahyeon being around… it made me think of having one with you. And look, now we do,” She smiled.
Everyday was something new with Yubin. Minji would teach her various things within the palace and Siyeon would teach her everything outside.
And just like they both predicted, she got along very well with Gahyeon. The two were inseparable, playing together in the courtyards and screaming together. It was a shy start, but they both played like there was no tomorrow.
“She’s not going to hurt her… right?” Yoohyeon frowned while watching Yubin give Gahyeon a piggy back ride through the courtyard.
“No, she’s good,” Minji sighed.
“Okay… I just… worry…” Yoohyeon muttered.
“I do too, don’t worry so much. Yubin is good,” Minji whispered.
What they didn’t expect was Yubin’s attachment to the queen. If the young pup wasn’t hounding Siyeon and following her everywhere, she was in the queen’s study and hounding her. The little pup loved the attention and the queen was more than happy to give it to her grandpups.
“Oh she’s harmless, look at her!” The queen cooed while holding the five-year-old on her hip. “She’s your grandpup too,” She reminded her husband.
“I know, but she bit me,” He muttered.
“Well, you shouldn’t have poked her cheek,” She chuckled. “She’s a gem,” She whispered before rubbing her nose against Yubin’s, earning a delighted giggle from the pup.
“She’s a biter. Not a gem,” He grumbled. “Just like her mother,” he added.
“If I recall, Minji also bit you, so… Yes, just like her mother,” The queen laughed.