Chapter 11
Joonmyun sat on his bed staring at the picture in his hand. It held the image of a small, almost indecipherable, blob but Joonmyun could see it. He could see the tiny baby it was going to be. It felt both real and unreal to him. In that picture was his—their child. His and Jongdae’s child.
What do I do now? he asked himself. Should he marry Jongdae? Did Jongdae even want to be married? Once he thought about Jongdae, all he could see was the panic in his eyes and how he whispered that he was scared. Joonmyun put the picture down and pinched the bridge of his nose.
Jongdae had been so shaken that he barely paid attention to the ultrasound. He nodded his head but his eyes focused on nothing, not even on Joonmyun. Joonmyun and Minseok ended up taking care of everything, from cleaning up to making all the appointments. Even when they told him of his schedule, Jongdae looked so shaken, like someone had taken the very ground he was standing on. Minseok had to write everything down so Jongdae would have a copy in case he forgot. Joonmyun made sure to put it down in his own calendar to keep track.
It was the sight of Jongdae that made it hard to think about what to do next. Jongdae looked like he would run away any second if Joonmyun pushed him to go through with the pregnancy, but they both couldn't deny how beneficial it would be to their arrangement.
Joonmyun leaned back on his headboard and sighed. His head throbbed with so many thoughts and sleep creeping up on him. Without even really thinking about it, he reached for the phone that would direct him to Minseok's line.
"What? Joonmyun? Why are you calling at this hour?" The clock on Joonmyun's bedside flashed 02:16AM.
"I'm sorry, but I need you to call the council for an emergency meeting tomorrow." Joonmyun took a deep breath and waited for Minseok's reply.
"I got it, I'll call them as early as possible tomorrow. Now, please, go to sleep and stop thinking about anything else for the night."
"I will. Thank you, Minseok."
Minseok cut the call instead of replying. Joonmyun couldn't really blame him. He laid back down on the bed and closed his eyes.
With his thoughts finally quiet for a second, he could no longer deny the part of him that was excited by the thought of Jongdae carrying his baby. He thought about Jongdae's stomach growing and showing, the tiny bundle of joy they would have once he gave birth, a life so small but so beautiful.
He fell asleep with a smile on his lips, dreams painting a picture of a happy family.
The council gathered in the afternoon, circled around the table and murmuring to themselves. Jongin sat to his left and Minseok to his right, the rest of the seats were occupied by high government officials and wise elders that have been helping run the kingdom.
"You must all be wondering why I gathered you here today," Joonmyun began, drawing their attention to him. "Jongdae is pregnant."
"Congratulations, hyung!" Jongin said, smile wide and looking about one second away from hugging the king. Joonmyun flashed him a quick smile and Jongin stayed seated. The rest of the council congratulated Joonmyun as well, even going so far as to applaud him.
"We weren't expecting you to conceive so soon, but congratulations, Your Highness. We look forward to your future heir," his Prime Minister, Kibum, said, flashing him a sincere smile. Joonmyun did his best to return the well wishes, but he could tell that his smile wasn't up to par as it should be.
"What seems to be the problem, Your Highness?" An elder, Sooman, asked. Joonmyun tried not to wince at the elder's observation. He was always known for being sharp.
Joonmyun took a deep breath. "What should we do?" he asked before he could even think about what to say.
"We don't understand, Your Highness. What's wrong?" someone asked, Joonmyun wasn't sure who. He couldn't look past the glass of water on the table, his mind loud with thoughts and worries.
"Isn't this supposed to be wonderful news?" Someone else asked.
Joonmyun took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Should I marry him sooner than what was planned?"
It was Seokwon, his father's old advisor turned elder, that spoke up. "At this point, it really doesn't matter when you have your wedding as your child will be all you need to establish your relationship."
"I do think it will still be best for His Highness to marry Jongdae before the birth of the child," Minseok added in. Joonmyun nodded, but somehow none of the answers felt right. He knew that marrying Jongdae was probably the only best decision, but he needed a new option, something—anything that might benefit Jongdae.
"What's really going on, hyung? What are you not telling us?"
Joonmyun reached for his water and took a big gulp. "I don't think Jongdae was expecting to be pregnant so soon. He seemed pretty shaken when he found out and he looked so scared when Heechul told us that it just meant we should get married sooner."
Before anyone else could speak or comment, the line to the council room rang, alerting everyone in the room. No one was to call the line unless it was important and Joonmyun stiffened in his seat because in all the years he'd sat in the council room, this was the first time it had ever rung. It was Minseok who stood up and answered the call. Minseok quickly tore away from the phone and turned on the screen in front of them, displaying the news channel.
"We're currently live in Alpha King Kyuhyun's castle where he has just waged war against Sedocia," the man on the screen said. The camera changed focus to Kyuhyun standing on the pulpit, face pale and eyes wide and angry.
"The kingdom of Sedocia has kidnapped my advisor and taken him to use against me so I can sign their treaty. I will do everything in my power to get my advisor back, and if it means tearing down the walls of Sedocia, then I will!"
People cheered and Joonmyun, Joonmyun turned to Minseok. "Call Minho! Alert the ERU board members and call the Lees, I need Sungmin here, now!"
Minseok nodded and did as he was told. Council members murmured among themselves and asked Joonmyun all kinds of questions.
"What's going on?"
"What is the Venocian Alpha King talking about?
"You kidnapped his advisor?"
Joonmyun sat back on his chair and clenched his fists under the table. "We didn't kidnap him; he came to us. He had his cousin extract him from Venocia. He asked for our help because he's a pregnant male omega."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Kibum asked.
"I didn't think I had to. I didn't even know it was him until they brought him here. His cousin just said that there was a pregnant male omega they needed to rescue back in Venocia." Joonmyun unfurled his fingers from his fist and tried to think about the situation with a clear mind.
"Now now," Sooman said. "What is done, is done. It will not do well for us to dwell on the past and act as if we can change them."
"We must focus now on finding a solution that does not involve a war," Seokwon finished.
"You said he was pregnant," Jongin said. "Is it Alpha King Kyuhyun's child?"
"Yes, it is."
Several of the officials gasped but some of the elders and Jongin hummed. Before any of them could share their thoughts, Minseok came back.
"They're on their way, Your Highness. I think it would be best if we moved this to the biggest conference room."
Joonmyun nodded and got up from his seat. Most of the officials talked to themselves while they walked. Jongin stood beside him then and whispered. "Hyung, about your baby." Joonmyun was almost taken aback. He'd almost forgotten why they were all gathered in the first place.
"Yes?"
"I think you should ask yourself what you want to do about it first," Jongin whispered. "And then you can ask Jongdae what he wants to do. Ultimately, what matters is what you two want to do."
Joonmyun wanted to say that no, it didn't matter what they wanted, because their relationship, the very foundation of it was for the people, not for them, not really. He pursed his lips, closed his eyes and said, "I see. Thank you."
When they got there, Minho and Siwon were already seated, eyes trained on the screen where the news channel was playing. "Your Highness," they both greeted once Joonmyun and the rest of the council stepped in. Some of them sat down while the others stood and waited for anything important. Minute by minute, more and more members of the ERU came by, even Jongshin came, who only dropped by to help.
The Lees came last, unsure of what was going on. They hadn't had the opportunity to see the news, but now that they were in the room, they could see and hear the headlines for themselves. Sungmin stood frozen by the door when he caught sight of the screen, Kyuhyun standing and making statements.
"Oh no," Sungmin said, stepping back and bumping back to Minseok.
"Everyone, please take a seat," Joonmyun said, gesturing to all the unoccupied chairs. "You may already know why I gathered you here today, but in case it isn't clear, it seems that Alpha King Kyuhyun has accused us of kidnapping his advisor and has waged war against the kingdom."
"I'm so so sorry," Sungmin began to say, standing up from his seat. "I know I shouldn't have stayed. I'll just—I should go and leave Sedocia, I think that will be the only way to ensure the safety of the kingdom. I'm so sorry," he kept muttering to himself, his hands shaking as he tried to think about what to do. "This is all my fault, even the treaty, everything is my fault."
"Sungmin, please, calm down and take a seat," Joonmyun instructed. He turned to Eunhyuk. "Please calm him down."
"You said even the treaty was your fault; what do you mean?" Jongshin asked.
Sungmin shook his head and took a deep breath. Donghae who was by his side offered him some water. He took a large gulp before turning to them with a sad, sarcastic smile. "The only reason Kyuhyun offered you the deal for the treaty was because he's in love with me." He shook his head. "He wanted someone to understand what kind of privilege they had to be able to love an omega when he himself couldn't even reveal our relationship to the public."
Jongshin looked taken aback, and for a minute, Joonmyun remembered that Jongshin didn't know about the arrangement.
"Are our lives a joke to you?" Jongdae practically shouted.
"It was a test!" Sungmin screamed. "That's what Kyuhyun does; he puts people to the test and if they don't pass, he ruins them. This is why I have to leave and never come back."
"Wait a minute, everyone just calm down and take a deep breath," Jongin said, standing and putting his hands up. "Now is not the time to put the blame on people or to panic. Now, Sungmin has given us important and credible information against Alpha King Kyuhyun, things we can use to our advantage."
"What?" Sungmin asked, voice low.
"You said the Venocian king is in love with you?" Sooman asked.
"Yes, he is."
"Are you in love with him?" Seokwon asked.
Sungmin looked around him and focused his gaze back to the table. "Yes, I am."
"Your Highness," Minseok interrupted. "The news." He pointed at the screen where the headlines read Donocia backs Venocia's military attack against Sedocia.
"Oh god," Sungmin said. "I think it really would be best for me to just leave the kingdom."
"Sungmin, right?" Jongshin said. "I think it doesn't matter where you go. Even if you left Sedocia, Alpha King Kyuhyun will have enough reason to attack us and then he’d just track you down from one kingdom to the next." Sungmin paled at the information.
"Besides," Jongin added. "You're pregnant. It wouldn't be safe for you out there and where could you possibly go? For now, it's best if you stayed here with us. We're very close to figuring out a plan, so just hang tight."
Joonmyun sent him a strained smile before turning to Minho. "I already knew this might happen so I've sent Minho to prepare for a possible invasion. Minho, how is everything coming along?"
"We might've been able to handle Venocia alone, but with Donocia's forces, we might find ourselves on the losing side. Not to mention, the evacuation for all our people will not be as safe as we hoped it to be."
"Should we call Alpha King Yixing?" Seohyun asked. "He's signed the treaty. He might be willing to help."
"We should at least try it then," Kibum said. Joonmyun nodded and told Minseok to conference call Yixing so he could be part of the meeting.
"Your Highness, I'm glad you called," Yixing said in lieu of a greeting.
"Alpha King Yixing," Joonmyun greeted. "It seems that you've heard the news."
Yixing frowned and nodded. "Indeed I have. I hope it wouldn't be too presumptive of me to suggest that you called in hopes of my assistance."
"Will you, Alpha King Yixing?" Joonmyun flashed him an unsure smile.
"Of course. Tell me what you need," Yixing said with a kind smile. He gestured for Lu Han to take note and Joonmyun motioned for Minho to talk. "Your Highness, I'm General Choi Minho, General of the Sedocian Royal Army." Minho bowed before continuing. "We've currently finalized our plans for evacuation, and have prepared a great deal for such an attack, but we're afraid with the forces of Donocia added onto Venocia's army, we may not have enough men to fight the war."
"I see," Yixing said. "I can send some of my men to help you fend off Venocia and Donocia's attack, but it will take more than a day for them to get there even if they travel the whole day."
"That is more than fine, Your Highness," Minho said. "It would take just about the same time for Venocia and Donocia to complete their own army. There is also the matter of our people not being safe in Sedocia's borders. We're unsure of the kind of attack that Venocia has planned and we're afraid that they may not agree to peace talks. If their army is as massive as we assume it to be, then we're not sure we can keep our citizens safe in our own land."
Yixing nodded. "We can help you transport some of your people into our kingdom. If Venocia focuses their attack around your borders, there is no doubt that your people will be safer with us."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Joonmyun said, from the bottom of his heart.
"There is only one more thing I'd like to know," Yixing said. "Is it true? What Alpha King Kyuhyun claims?"
"We did not kidnap his advisor, but he is currently in our borders," Joonmyun replied, gesturing for Sungmin who stood up, head bowed low. "He sent in a distress call to his cousin who lives in our kingdom and the ERU helped rescue him without knowing who he was."
"I know there must be bigger picture to all of this, but seeing as we do not have more time, I suggest that we act quickly. Shall we begin transportation of children and their mothers and fathers first?" Yixing suggested.
"Yes, Your Highness, that will be best."
"I will call my army general and we can begin transportation tonight. I will call again once we've completed our side of the preparation." Yixing smiled and then ended the call.
"What now?" Jongin asked.
Sooman cleared his throat. "There is still the matter of trying to approach this without fighting back."
"If we can convince Alpha King Kyuhyun to discuss the matters of his accusation, we can use the presence of Sungmin to our advantage," Seokwon said.
"What are you trying to say?" Joonmyun asked.
"It seems that Alpha King Kyuhyun is terribly in love with Sungmin and as we have heard, Sungmin reciprocates the feeling. If we can convince Alpha King Kyuhyun that we didn't kidnap Sungmin, he might not continue with his attack."
"Does Alpha King Kyuhyun know that you're pregnant?" Kibum asked.
Sungmin shook his head. "If he knew I was carrying his child, who knows what he would do to me and I can't risk him asking me to get rid of the baby."
"Maybe we can use this to our advantage," Kibum said.
"Our only problem now is getting the message to Alpha King Kyuhyun," Heechul said.
"We can try contacting him as much as possible, but in case he doesn't agree to our peace talks, we'll need to evacuate everyone."
The rest of Joonmyun's council nodded. "All right, Minseok, I'll leave the matter of contacting Alpha King Kyuhyun to you. Minho, I'll leave the matter of preparing the army with you and the ERU can handle the rest of the evacuations. Heechul, if you need military assistance, please talk with Minho."
"What about us?" Jongdae asked, panic clear in his eyes and Eunhyuk and Donghae shared a look before turning their attention to the king.
Joonmyun looked at Jongdae and then his eyes drifted to Jongdae's stomach. He swallowed and took a deep breath. "The royal family have their separate transportation that will bring them to the mountains just outside of the kingdom's borders. There is a safe house somewhere in the area that Alpha King Sedon built in case of another war. You and the rest of your family will be included along with the royal family’s evacuation."
"What? Hyung, I'm staying here," Jongin interrupted.
"Donghae and I would also like to stay and help with the evacuation process. We know that some of this mess is partly our fault. I'm sure Jongdae would like to stay and help too." Eunhyuk said, gazing back and forth between Jongdae and Joonmyun.
It was then that Joonmyun realized that Jongdae had yet to tell his parents about his pregnancy. He took a deep breath. "Jongin, you and I both know that you can't stay here. If there is a war and something happens to me, you will be next in line to inherit the throne."
Jongin clicked his tongue, and clenched his fist. He looked ready to scream, but Jongshin intervened.
"Jongin," he said. "It's for the best."
"As for Eunhyuk and Donghae, we thank you for your assistance. You may ask Heechul for further instructions. However, I cannot give Jongdae permission to help during the evacuation process. He is to accompany the rest of my family to the mountains where they will be safe from the impending war."
Jongdae locked eyes with Joonmyun and when Joonmyun glanced down to Jongdae's stomach, Jongdae understood what it meant. Before Eunhyuk and Donghae could protest, Jongdae said, "I understand."
Joonmyun barely held back his sigh in relief. "Sungmin, I'm sorry, but we cannot allow you to leave until we've talked with Alpha King Kyuhyun, but as soon we can confirm that Alpha King Kyuhyun has no plans on pulling back his attacks, you will be sent to the royal family's safe house in the mountains."
Sungmin nodded. "I understand."
"Uncle Jongshin, I leave the matters of the family up to you," Joonmyun said. When Jongshin nodded, Joonmyun ended the meeting and allowed the dismissal of everyone except for Sungmin.
"Please stay in the castle until we can confirm that Alpha King Kyuhyun cannot be contacted and until we can conduct peace talks with His Highness. We will have your room prepared in the meantime."
"Thank you, Alpha King Joonmyun and once again, I'm sorry."
Joonmyun offered him a comforting smile, albeit he knew it looked and felt awkward. "What's done is done," he said truthfully. "What matters now is that we try to prevent all this damage and hurt that's about to come."
"Your Highness," Minseok interrupted. "I've tried contacting Alpha King Kyuhyun's party but none of the contact information we've been given are being answered."
"Sungmin, do you think you could provide us some more contact information that we might know of?"
"I will try," Sungmin said and Minseok went to him, checking the details they had and shook his head. "I'm sorry. These are all the contacts that I know and can give you."
Joonmyun nodded. "Thank you, Sungmin. If that is the case, we'll have no choice but to send someone as messenger. We'll have you escorted to your room now. Thank you for everything you've done, Sungmin. Minseok, call someone that will escort Sungmin to his room and contact Minho."
Minseok nodded. A maid came by to escort Sungmin to his room and before the door could close, Jongdae appeared, looking worn and a frown on his face.
"Jongdae, what are you doing here?"
"I begged your uncle to let me stay for a while. I really needed to talk to you." Jongdae looked down and swallowed thickly. "I used the baby card," he whispered.
Joonmyun stood up and pulled Jongdae down to sit down on the chair next to him. "What's wrong?"
"I don't—I don't really know. I'm just. I'm scared and confused and I don't really know what to do. I also don't appreciate you ordering me to evacuate, but I also really get it. I really do but—" Joonmyun squeezed his hand and Jongdae took a deep breath. "But more than that, I'm just really really scared knowing you'll be here when there could be a war and I'd be so far from the kingdom that I'll barely even know what's going on."
Joonmyun frowned and pulled Jongdae into his embrace. Jongdae relaxed in his arms. "What will I do then?"
Joonmyun carded his fingers into Jongdae's hair. "I can't promise that everything will be alright, but no matter what, I will try and make it." For you and for our baby, he didn't say.
Jongdae held him tighter before crashing their lips together. It took Joonmyun by surprise but quickly returned the kiss, one hand going up to Jongdae's stomach to feel their unborn child.
"Keep safe," Joonmyun whispered on Jongdae's lips.
"You too."
Although Joonmyun didn't want to, he let go of Jongdae and allowed Minseok to whisk him away. Jongdae didn't fight back and followed Minseok, sending Joonmyun one last glance before they closed the door.
Joonmyun sat in silence for a few minutes, trying to calm down enough to compose what he would say to the messenger for Kyuhyun. But whenever he closed his eyes, all he could see was Jongdae with a child in his arms, crying on his knees.
Roughly two days had passed since Joonmyun sent his messenger all the way to Venocia. The rest of his family had already been evacuated and only his council and Minseok stayed in the kingdom. Less than half of the evacuated families were already on their way to Namcia and the other half were still waiting for transport.
Joonmyun paced around his throne room waiting for news, hoping that whatever news came were good.
"Your Highness," Minseok greeted, coming in from the entrance hall. "We've received word from General Minho that the army from Namcia has arrived. They're setting up camp along the borders and are being briefed on the plan to surround the kingdom with troops."
"Thank you, Minseok. Are there no news about my family and the evacuees?"
"None yet, Your Highness."
"And the messenger?"
"We've received reports that they’re on their way back with Venocia's reply. We already have someone waiting for them at the airport and will be driven back here before being sent back to the border."
"Thank you, Minseok. That will be all." Joonmyun took a deep breath and finally took a seat on his throne. He hadn't sat on the chair in the years following his coronation. It was comfortable as a chair, but the meaning behind being allowed to sit on it weighed heavily on his shoulders. He avoided it at all costs, but now, he needed to show the kingdom that he could be king when they needed him most.
"How about some coffee, Your Highness?" Minseok asked before leaving.
Joonmyun turned to Minseok, a little surprised by the offer, but smiled. "Thank you, Minseok, that would be wonderful."
In the middle of his second sip, the sound of running echoed in the halls. Joonmyun quickly handed the cup of coffee to Minseok and stood up from his chair. The messenger they sent, Captain Hyoyeon bowed as soon as she stood before the throne, followed by her escort of privates.
"Your Highness," Hyoyeon greeted.
"What did Alpha King Kyuhyun say?" Joonmyun asked, cutting to the chase.
"Alpha King Kyuhyun laughed at your message at first, but he thought about it for an hour and agreed to your request for a discussion. He will be on a flight to Sedocia early tomorrow morning and his only request is that you bring Sungmin to the meeting place you designated. If he finds that Sungmin has been harmed in anyway, he—" Hyoyeon paused and shifted her eyes before continuing. "—he'll kill you with his bare hands."
Joonmyun didn't flinch. He just stood with his posture perfect and nodded. "Thank you. You may go back to your post. The car that brought you here will bring you back."
Hyoyeon and her escorts nodded before leaving the throne room. Joonmyun stood there waiting before he sank back down on his chair.
"Contact Minho to set up a checkpoint for the meeting place."
"You do know if Alpha King Kyuhyun wants to kill you with his bare hands, he still can, right?"
Joonmyun sighed. "I know, but at least I can prevent him from using weapons that may aid in his plan."
"If you say so," Minseok said, before contacting Minho. "Anything else?"
"Bring Sungmin to the throne room, we need to brief him on the meeting."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Sungmin came down to the throne room minutes later, looking weary and worried.
"How are you today, Sungmin?" Joonmyun asked.
"I'm fine, Your Highness, just worried."
"Please do inform us if there's something unusual that you may be feeling so we can send a doctor to check on you," Joonmyun reminded, eyes glancing down at Sungmin's stomach. He hoped, deep inside of him, that Jongdae and their child were doing well.
"Yes, thank you, Your Highness. Why have you sent for me?"
"Alpha King Kyuhyun has responded to our invitation of peace talks. He agreed but only if you were to be present. There will be a checkpoint to make sure that no one brings any weapons of any kind, so please don't bring anything that can be used against another person. All kings will be present but even though Donocia and Namcia have taken sides, they will do their best to act as mediators."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Joonmyun flashed him the best comforting smile that he could muster. "There will also be soldiers from both sides guarding the place so be mindful of your actions. If you feel that you need medical assistance, Doctor Kim will be close by for you."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Please be ready to leave the castle early in the morning on the day after tomorrow. Alpha King Kyuhyun will have arrived by then."
Sungmin gasped.
"Please don't worry, Sungmin. We'll protect you to the best of our abilities and we promise to keep you and your child safe."
Sungmin pursed his lips but nodded.
"Rest well, Sungmin."
Sungmin nodded and went back to his room. When they were alone again, Minseok called Joonmyun's attention.
"Your Highness, we've received word that your family has been safely evacuated."
Joonmyun almost fell back on his throne with the relief that flooded him. He took a deep breath and finally felt a real smile creep up to his lips. "Thank you, Minseok. Have we informed my cousin Sunny about Jongdae's condition?"
"Yes, she's been briefed and the details of Jongdae's pregnancy have been given to her."
"Thank you. You may go and rest now."
Minseok nodded, but before he could leave Joonmyun, he turned to look at the king whose eyes were fixed on the view displayed by the large window.
"What about you, Your Highness?"
"I'll stay here for a few more minutes." He didn't look back and just kept his eyes on the moonless sky, littered with a million bright stars.
Minseok didn't say anything else and walked out. The only sign he'd gone were the sound of his fading footsteps. Silence blanketed Joonmyun but he didn't feel lonely. Instead, he closed his eyes.
Mother, Father. Please guide me tomorrow as I try to save the lives of not only my people but the people I love. |
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wheredreamslast2017-02-04 12:03 am
