Chapter 24
“Don’t be nervous, it’ll be okay,” The queen whispered.
“Mother… I take the crown today… I’m… I believe I have every right to be nervous,” Minji chuckled quietly.
“I understand, but you’ll need to be strong and powerful. For your pups.”
It had been a blissful four years. Yubin had presented as an alpha as predicted and Gahyeon had presented as an omega. The newest addition to their little royal family had yet to present, but she was showing clear signs of being an omega at three years old already.
“Mother, I dislike the dress,” Yubin pouted.
“Why?” Siyeon frowned.
“It’s itchy!” She whined, while rubbing her face against her mother’s side.
“Just wear it for the coronation. It’ll be alright,” Siyeon chuckled.
Everything had been going well. The kingdom was thriving under the idea of the sisters taking the throne, allowing them to rule perfectly in their own balance.
Minji had carried a pup, against Siyeon’s protests but now the alpha was obsessed with the little pup. She was born early and both pup and Minji had suffered from the effects of it all. Causing Siyeon to care for the pup even if she rejected the little baby the second she caught wind of the new pup smell.
Minji was grateful Siyeon had eventually accepted the pup, keeping her alive while Minji recovered from her own sickness away from her family. It killed her all those years ago to be so far from them. To not have her mate near. To not have her pups near. It hurt her.
But Siyeon maintained everything perfectly. Yubin wasn’t too thrilled with her sister, but now she got along well with her.
“You know… It’s quite odd…” Yoohyeon whispered while moving closer to her sister.
“How so?” Minji asked.
“Well, for starters, you adopted a pup that was much older than Gahyeon, then had another pup,” Yoohyeon started. “Now I’m carrying another and it’s like you started before me,” she chuckled.
Minji couldn’t help but smile at the thought. It was almost as if she started her family before Yoohyeon. But she hadn’t. Just a little bit of cheating when it came to adopting Yubin. They didn’t expect to get her that day, but they both knew she would fit perfectly in their little family.
“Can’t help it. Yubin was too cute to pass up on,” Minji whispered.
“She is adorable… She was curled up with Bora in the study yesterday… Goodness I couldn’t stop staring,” Yoohyeon sighed.
“Was she really?” Minji gasped.
“Oh yes, I wanted to paint the entire scene,” Yoohyeon smiled.
The entire kingdom filled the inner gates, filled the entire viewing platforms. Dukes and duchesses came from all over, some both princesses recognized from countless suitors trying for Minji’s hand. A few gave disgusted looks while others were happy. Minji didn’t care too much for their expressions.
The two walked together down the aisle, and the second they made it to the front, Minji could see her own little family standing with big smiles. She couldn’t help but feel a huge warmth fill her heart. Her family. The family she had been wanting for a very long time.
Someone who loved her without bounds and no pressures for the throne. Her own children were complete copies of themselves. Well, more so Siyeon rather than herself, but still her family.
She glanced over at her sister, happy to see her already looking at Bora and Gahyeon who were watching with big smiles as well. The only difference was Gahyeon had a tiara on her head filled with various sapphires and diamonds to match her mother’s new crown.
The ceremony was executed perfectly and the two princesses were now queens for their kingdom. Ruling with both an iron and gentle hand when it came to their people. The party after was, as usual, legendary.
Everyone mingled with one another, dancing to the music and enjoyed the pleasures and spoils that came with attending the coronation. Minji sat on her throne, accepting all greetings and speaking with everyone about anything. Of course it all ended when she felt tiny hands grabbing her legs.
“Oh, hello,” Minji chuckled when she saw her youngest already clinging to her. “Where’s your mother?” She frowned while picking her up.
She never got an answer since her daughter was extremely shy. She would only speak when it was just them in a room and barely spoke to her own grandparents.
“Haewon?” Minji whispered, catching her daughter’s pout before the pup rested her head on her mother’s shoulder. “You’re quite a handful,” She sighed.
“She might’ve gotten separated from Siyeon.” Yoohyeon spoke behind her, causing the eldest to turn and see Gahyeon already seated on her mother’s lap. “Right?” She asked.
“Yes. I found Haewon all by herself. So I helped her get here!” Gahyeon smiled proudly.
“Thank you,” Minji smiled while sitting next to her sister. “Siyeon’s probably going feral trying to find her,” She mumbled.
“Well when someone dies tonight… we’ll know,” Yoohyeon chuckled.
“Mother… why do you say someone will die when you talk about auntie Siyeon?” Gahyeon frowned.
“Because your auntie was feral,” Yoohyeon chuckled. “Auntie Minji payed a small price for her,” she pointed.
“I did… best tiny fortune I ever spent,” Minji smiled.
In the courtyard, Siyeon sat with Bora, both of them watching Yubin aimlessly wander through the different fauna as she investigated the little paw prints that showed in the dirt.
“I saw Haewon with Minji. She’s okay,” Bora muttered.
“Thank god. Having two pups is hard,” Siyeon sighed.
“You guys manage just fine,” Bora scoffed. “If our second pup is anything like how Gahyeon was… I’m doomed,” she frowned.
“Yeah you’ll be having the time of your life chasing another all over the palace,” Siyeon chuckled.
The two fell silent, allowing the sounds of distant music, fireworks and conversations to fill the void of silence. Everything felt comfortable finally.
“It’s hard to think… our lives were so different before them…” Bora sighed.
“Very…” Siyeon whispered in agreement.
“Do you still want to go home one day?”
Siyeon took a deep breath. She had thought about asking Minji to make the trip, but now that she was queen, she couldn’t just up and leave anymore. No more trips to places that they wanted. And it wasn’t like it was just a few hours by horse carriage. It was days to get that far north.
“One day… Just to see my family… and let them know I’m okay,” Siyeon finally answered. “I know they’re okay… but they don’t know I’m okay,” she whispered. “How was your trip?” She asked.
“Heartbreaking… Yoohyeon… never saw a plantation before,” Bora chucked. “But it hurt… to know my dad passed. But I’m sure he’s watching over me,” She smiled.
Siyeon nodded her head, happy that Bora got some closure in her life with that side.
“One day… I’ll be able to,” Siyeon whispered.
It had been months. Months of ruling the kingdom and Minji had planned everything perfectly. A summer trip. Less snow, less harsh weather to travel in.
“Where are we going?” Yubin asked her mothers while they walked through the palace before sunrise.
“I’m not sure,” Siyeon frowned while carrying a still sleeping Haewon. “Minji, where are we going?” The alpha frowned.
“You’ll see,” Minji smiled.
The carriage ride was long, and Siyeon was already getting antsy until she recognized the mountain range in the distance. She blinked a few times, watching it for a few moments before looking back at her mate.
“Where are we going?” She whispered.
“I thought we could visit your old home… Yoohyeon suggested I find it so you could have some closure…” Minji explained. “Are you upset?” She whispered.
“No… just… how did you find my old compound?” Siyeon frowned.
“It wasn’t easy… I had to find your paperwork, and then I had to trace it on a map since your compound wasn’t listed,” She sighed while holding Haewon tighter against her. “But I think I found it,” she smiled while pulling out the map to show her.
Siyeon didn’t know map wise much but the drawings looked familiar. Almost like a dream she had a million years ago but it was so vivid she could remember little details.
By the third day, the carriage slowed to a stop. Siyeon peeked out the window and saw the familiar terrain. The same dirt paths she ran on as a kid to gather firewood with her father.
“Princess?” The carriage master called out. “It gets a bit rough… But I want to make sure this is right?” He asked.
“Siyeon?” Minji whispered.
“Keep going,” Siyeon spoke as she climbed out of the carriage to sit with the carriage master.
Everything looked the same. Everything down to the trees. Overgrown but still the same. Still showing signs of everything. Familiarity.
Goosebumps appeared on her skin when she smelled the smoke, hearing the sounds of chickens and the sounds of children running. She could hear the wind blowing through the trees, shaking the leaves and bushes. The sunlight above them peeking through the tiny gaps.
It was almost like a fantasy world.
The carriage made it to the compound, and Siyeon saw it all. She recognized so many people. Each one stared at her, seeing her on top of a carriage before it stopped. She hopped off, immediately coming into contact with the different people that raised her.
“Siyeon?” A male voice called out, a little hesitant but curious. The man was older, so much older. Grey hair mixing with white, a few specs of black littered through. “It is you…” He whispered before pushing through the crowd to get closer to her.
“Appa!” Siyeon shouted before rushing to hug him.
Minji slowly stepped out of the carriage and immediately everyone whispered, small gasps before they started bowing.
“Oh my… The Queen,” Siyeon’s father whispered before bowing to the older woman.
“Appa… that’s my mate,” Siyeon whispered, helping him stand back up. “And I have two pups,” She smiled, watching his jaw drop.
The little family walked with the older man, listening to everything he had to say about their compound. Minji looked around while holding Haewon on her hip, making sure to keep tabs on Yubin while she kept close to Siyeon.
“And home!” He chuckled while pushing the door open to the rather small shack. “Your mother should be in the kitchen,” he pointed.
Siyeon navigated the shack quickly, stepping into the kitchen to see the older woman cleaning something in the sink. She knocked on the frame, causing the woman to turn and immediately drop whatever she was washing.
“Umma… I’m okay,” Siyeon whispered.
Minji watched from a distance, a few tears building in her eyes at the sight of Siyeon’s mother crying while holding her daughter tightly. She didn’t know what it felt like but the mere thought of never seeing her kids ever again made her want to die on the spot.
The omega saw a different side of Siyeon. A very comfortable, caring and mellowed out version of her mate. Someone who was keeping tabs on her parents and then of course, meeting what was left of her siblings, brought out the Siyeon she had been seeing a lot of lately. The sarcastic, playful version that kept their kids entertained.
“So this one is showing signs of being an omega?” Siyeon’s mother asked while holding Haewon.
“Yes, she’ll more than likely become one,” Siyeon answered.
“Good,” the older woman smiled. “And this one is an alpha?” She asked.
“Yeah!” Yubin giggled.
“I’m… hopeful she gets to stay with you…” the father muttered.
“She will. She’ll stay under my care until she’s old enough and then she will become staff to the palace,” Siyeon explained, easing their concerns.
“If she pleases… If not, she’ll be a royal alpha regardless,” Minji corrected her mate, watching the younger nod her head.
“We’ll be together. Don’t worry umma,” Siyeon whispered.
Their visit only lasted a few days, allowing everyone to talk with Siyeon and know that she was doing okay. That she was thriving. The ride back was calm, long after tear filled goodbyes that weren’t as traumatic anymore. Siyeon promised to send things, mostly because she couldn’t write and no one knew how to read, but she promised.
“Do you feel better knowing they’re all okay?” Minji asked.
“I do,” Siyeon smiled.
“I like them mother,” Yubin smiled at Siyeon.
“I’m glad,” Siyeon chuckled. “Now… we can live our lives,” she let out a sigh while settling back into the seat.
“I think I want to send supplies up here… they struggle a lot… and for long enough,” She muttered.
Siyeon raised an eyebrow at her, watching her mate chuckle.
“Sorry that I want to help my mate’s family,” Minji sighed. “But it’s true, I saw a lot of things and they are still under protection. We can help.”
Siyeon smiled at the idea, happy her mate was kind. For once she was extremely happy she was purchased. A life she would’ve never had if Minji hadn’t decided she wanted her.
“I’m happy you bought me,” Siyeon whispered while nuzzling into Minji’s neck.
“I’m happy I bought you too,” Minji smiled.
-END