- I think you're going crazy, Ryeowook. – Donghae said after a short break to sip his tea – After all, we met today and you know I'm not single for nothing. Appa has been trying as hard as he can to find me an alpha or a beta while I chase them away with my excessive reading.

Ryeowook laughed.

- That's funny, because it's the truth. If it weren't for the excessive reading, you would have been the first to mate.

- Yes, but then what am I going to do? If I wanted to mate, I probably would have accepted that gentleman who came to the palace once. What was his name?

- Choi Siwon.

- Himself. He wasn't all evil, but I didn't consider an engagement to him right now.

- What if he came back to try to court you?

- Maybe I could reconsider, but then why are we talking about this?

- Because you are indecisive about your love life.

- And aren’t you?

- No, because I don't love anyone. My heart is closed like a rock and nothing can enter it.

Laughing, Donghae shook his head and said:

- Don't forget that even rocks can crack.

Ryeowook might try to argue against it, but he knew Donghae was right and it was irritating when that happened. But in fact he didn't want to fall in love. It was strange to think that someone could break into his heart and make a mess of his life just for minutes or hours of momentary passion. Ryeowook had lived pretty well without falling in love in his early twenties, so he didn't plan on falling in love with anyone.

- Anyway... Let's not talk about it anymore. I want to know how we're going to get to your mother's house today if it's apparently going to rain.

- I think we can stay this night. I doubt very much that our guards will let us travel during a rain that promises to fall hard. What do you want to do?

Ryeowook smiled and stretched out his arms.

- I would like to have a dessert that we had when we came here last time. What do you think?

- That dessert made with pears?

- That. Can we ask the cook?

Donghae smiled and nodded.

- We'll ask for it to be served right after dinner and...

- What if we don't have dinner before dessert? – the blond omega wiggled his eyebrows, making his brother laugh – Just today. Appa isn't even here and we're free to do what we want.

- Alright by me. We just can't let it get to the Emperor's ears.

- If it depends on me, he will know absolutely nothing.

And with that they both laughed and continued talking, but this time about something else because the maids came into the room so they could get the dishes. And Donghae realized that he missed spending an afternoon making small talk with Ryeowook, as they could laugh at anything and keep each other’s secrets that they would never tell anyone.

Over time, Donghae and Ryeowook learned that Heechul was no longer part of the trio they formed. And that was a little sad. But if they had each other, it was all worth it.

~~~
Later...

Walking around the house as the rain prevented him from walking around the grounds, Hyukjae crossed his hands behind his back and studied every vase and every painting in the hallways. He understood absolutely nothing about it, but he understood that the Emperor and Empress had good taste in decoration.

And Hyukjae didn't mind just stopping and looking at a picture that could explain everything and nothing at the same time.

- I still don't know why appa acquired this painting. – Donghae said and laughed softly when Hyukjae got scared – Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.

- A-alright, Your Highness... I... – the alpha took a deep breath and managed to continue – I was just a little distracted looking at the picture.

- And trying to understand?

- No. In fact I don't understand anything about national or foreign arts.

- Me neither. I even tried to make a hobby out of it, but Ryeowook is the only one who knows how to paint and he makes beautiful pictures. Even he has carved in marble.

- He is very talented.

- He is and likes to brag.

- But if you have a talent, why not let everyone know? – they smiled at each other – Do you have any talent too?

- I think not. I mean, if excessive reading is a talent, then yes. But I don't know how to do other things. Maybe write?

- Then you have a talent, Your Highness. Even if it's a hidden talent, it's still a thing.

Donghae smiled.

- I think I will consider that, Sir Lee. – and so the omega also crossed his hands, but in front of his body – Do you think we can travel in the morning?

- I believe so, but Jongwoon and I talked to the coachman who said he didn't trust a muddy road. We didn't trust either and those thunders made the horses very scared. We have to plan well so that you can arrive safely.

Donghae nodded and, knowing that Ryeowook was doing something in the room, said:

- How about if we walk a little? I don't know if you could accompany me on a tour, but...

- Of course I can. I am your guard after all.

Donghae smiled and walked side by side with Hyukjae who smiled at the prince. They weren't in love, but they already enjoyed each other's company. And being curious as no one else, the omega said:

- I would like to know how you and Sir Kim ended up here. And well, I hope I'm not being intrusive.

- Oh, no. It makes sense that you would want to know. What happened was that we had a better opportunity and we decided to come here. Jongwoon and I were from Sage.

- Now I understand why your accent isn’t like mine. How far is Sage from here?

- A few tiring days of travel, but nothing that a good night in an inn can't solve. – Hyukjae smiled at Donghae who also smiled, but nodded – Anyway, we thought that taking care of princes would be much easier than taking care of an entire city.

- You were very lucky then, since you had to take care of me and Ryeowook on this trip. Your first job.

Hyukjae had to laugh.

- It wasn't a problem. All we've seen is that both of you like to read a lot.

- Appa let us read a lot when we were kids. Although he sees a big problem with that these days, he was the one who encouraged us to read and write. This is a problem these days when it comes to finding suitors.

- Why? Do your suitors want ignorant omegas?

- And isn't that how alphas and betas want their spouses?

- I don’t know. I can say for myself that I would never be the type of alpha who would stop my spouse from reading and writing. My father's wife taught me values ​​and I carry them to this day.

- That is great. Even if things are different, I like to imagine a society in which beta women and omegas can live without this ridiculous pressure imposed on us. I hate it. – Donghae sighed – But what is your father's wife like?

- Soomin is a good woman. She isn’t my real mother, but I consider her because she has always given me good advice and raised me very well. – Hyukjae pressed his lips together – I don't know if you, your highness, would like to know such a boring story.

- Oh, no. I would love to. – Donghae smiled – We are here so I can get to know you and that, at least for me, is very important.

And if the alpha could describe how surprised he was, he sure as hell would. After all, why would a prince be interested in the life of a commoner? Hyukjae couldn't tell if Donghae just wanted to meet him because the alpha was the new guard or if it was because he was a very curious omega. Anyway, Hyukjae would answer.

- Well... My appa and I aren’t on good terms. He tried to be an appa in my early years, but luckily I had my uncle and aunt who were able to educate me while I was growing up. But then appa met Soomin and they got married. I was only ten years old when they got married and I must admit it was a very good time in our lives.

- Did you like her from the beginning?

- Yes. Soomin was always adorable. She laughed at my silly jokes and sometimes scolded me if I tried to skip school. However, she did all this to make me who I am today. Soomin encouraged me a lot when I was in school and especially in classes where we learned combat. And I was very happy when my sister was born.

- You have a sister! We always wanted a sister, but appa and Siwoo, the Empress, didn't want to have any more children. But what is it like to have a sister?

- Well... I think it's like having a brother, but... I don't know. – Hyukjae laughed – Luna has a very strong personality, but at the same time she is very sweet when she is with people she likes. When she was born, I was very happy to be a big brother.

- I can see that. You seem to like your family very much.

- I love them all, but... It's not the same with appa unfortunately.

- Why?

- Because he's now in prison for getting into a violent fight a few years ago. I was fifteen when I saw my father just ruining his life for nothing. So I ran away from home for a few days and only came back because Soomin found me and said that Luna, then a year old, missed me. And after that, as Soomin couldn't raise me alone, I went to my uncle's house and lived there until this year when I decided to come here with Jongwoon.

- I'm sorry about your father, but I think you're at least in a place you wanted.

- Yes, but... That's how things are. I try not to live in the past, because I want to walk another path.

Donghae nodded and, much more curious than at the beginning of the conversation, said:

- You said you have a stepmother, but... Who gave birth to you?

- My father, but I don't know anything about him. I don't even know his name, because appa never wanted to say it.

- And you tried to look for him?

- No, not even my uncle and aunt wanted to tell me. But I think the three of them must have their reasons for this, as they keep it a secret.

Donghae sighed and touched Hyukjae's shoulder as if he wanted to comfort him. The alpha looked at him and so the omega said:

- I'm so sorry for you. Perhaps, using my influence as a prince, I could help you.

Hyukjae smiled.

- It’s very kind, Your Highness, but I think there isn’t much to do now. However, I appreciate your concern and your willingness to help.

Donghae smiled.

- No problem, but know that I can always help you if you want, Sir Lee.

Hyukjae thanked him and was about to say something when Jongwoon, desperate and soaking wet, appeared and said:

- Finally I found you, Hyukjae! We need to help the coachman restrain the horses and… – just then he saw Donghae and bowed – Forgive me, Your Highness. I came here to call Hyukjae to help me contain...

- Alright, Sir Kim. I understand Sir Lee needs to go. And then dry off so you don't get a cold.

Jongwoon nodded and Hyukjae said to Donghae:

- It was a good conversation, Your Highness. Hope we can talk more later.

The omega blushed a little, but smiled and nodded. Then he let the two of them go out to help the coachman and thought it best to go back to his room because there was nothing else to do in that house but read and Donghae had read too much to want to pick up a book at that moment – he could do that more evening.

However, after that conversation with Hyukjae, Donghae started to think a lot about the alpha's past. There was obviously no problem with anything he'd said, but to think he didn't know anything about his father was heartbreaking. And they were at a time when things like that were very difficult to know. Donghae could even ask someone to look for Hyukjae's father, but he didn't even know where to start because there was no name.

Donghae shook his head and lay down on the bed, looking at the ceiling and trying to understand what he could do. But at the moment, he didn't see any way forward.

***

After helping the coachman restrain the Emperor's horses, Jongwoon and Hyukjae went to change clothes. They were soaking wet and the rain wouldn't let up, but at least peace was restored to the stable so the coachman and guards could rest. But none of the three wanted to go through that again.

And after they changed clothes, the guards joined the servants so they could eat – and dinner that night was vegetable soup with rice. Jongwoon w