Chapter 26. Epilogue II.

All the maids still were shocked every time they saw the King at the Queen’s Quarters when they were to wake her, hugging his wife with a smile on his face. They were just sleeping, nothing more. But it was so bizarre that he was always there that, just for comfort, the eunuchs had decided to move some of the King’s belongings there, so he would be more comfortable.

"Your highness, it is time to wake up…" the Queen’s first maid said.

"Five more minutes, please…"

And the King hugged his wife even more tightly. It was such a lovely scene that the youngest maids collectively swooned; praying that someday they would find a husband so in love with them as the King was with his Queen. Three years had passed and he still hadn’t taken a Royal Concubine, and it seemed he hasn’t intentions to get one soon.

"My King!"

Queen Mi-young had already awoken, but she couldn’t move due to the King’s embrace. The last thing she remembered was that she had gone to bed, alone. “How has he got… whatever, he always does this.” Mi-young thought while trying to set herself free. Everyone was watching and she couldn’t feel more embarrassed.

"Seung-hyun! WAKE UP. NOW!"

The king suddenly stood up and looked at everyone around him, at first, confused, a few seconds later, with a smirk on his face.

"Good morning, ladies."

When he woke up in the morning, Seung-hyun’s voice was even deeper than usual, which usually caused the other women to sigh, because, the King sometimes was just so dreamy.

"The eunuchs were looking for you, your majesty. They were so scared something had happened to you."

"Alright, then, I will leave."

He sat next to Mi-young’s big belly, and kissed it, impatient to see the infant for the first time. Everyone said it was another boy, but Seung-hyun knew it was a daughter: the pregnancy had been gentle for Mi-young, not as complicated as the one with the official troublemaker of the Royal Family, First Prince Tae Hyung.

"Take care of your mother, daughter." he whispered to the belly.

"The doctors say it is a boy."

"No, it is a girl. And for once in our marriage, I will be right."

Mi-young just smiled and let her maids help her once the King had left. In a few days she would go into labor, so she had difficulties to move alone. She couldn’t just imagine how hard it should be for the women who didn’t have the possibility to have maids to take care of them, so, she was determined that, before the end of her third year as the Queen of Joseon, she would use the budget she had for her household to provide more midwives for the cities of her country.

Once she got dressed, Mi-young reunited with the rest of the Royal Family at the Dowager Queen’s Quarters, because the former Queen thought it was important for the Royal Children to have strong bonds between them, if they wanted to avoid catastrophe.

"Good morning, mother." the Crown Prince said, while holding a small boy, full of energy and unable to stay quiet more than two minutes. "Prince Yeon Jun, greet mother too."

But the teenager didn’t obey his eldest brother, making him move towards the younger prince, threatening to hit him if he didn’t behave properly.

"There’s no need, Crown Prince…"

"¡But, mother! he…"

"Mommy!" a young toddler screamed, interrupting the Crown Prince.

"My Tae Hyung!"

Three years had passed since King Choi Seung-hyun and Queen Qing Mi-young got married, and during that period of time, a legitimate male prince united the Joseon household to the Qing Dynasty of China. His name was Choi Tae Hyung, and, because he was the second legitimate male heir, it forced to change the ranks inside the Royal Family, making the Second Prince Yeon Jun (the son of a concubine), move towards the fourth position. Also because the king’s brother, Choi Daesung, had welcomed a new prince, Choi Jimin. He wasn’t happy with the change, and did not greet her. The Queen thought that with time he would get used to it.

"Mommy! Up, please!"

The small kid had big eyes, characteristics of the Choi clan, and was standing in front of her, his smile as big as the moon. The First Prince Tae Hyung knew (and nobody could guess how he knew at such a young age) his smile was really powerful, and not even the serious Dowager Queen was able to resist his charms. “Such a little troublemaker you are, Tae Hyung, but do not worry, your mother also has her strategies, little monster.”

"I am sorry, First Prince, but mommy has pain in her back."

"A lot of pain, mommy?" he seemed worried, and Mi-young smiled: Tae Hyung’s biggest weakness was that he disliked see people unhappy or suffering.

"Do not worry, goofball, mommy is fine."

"It’s our sister, Tae Hyung." Jeongwan said, caressing the infant’s checks.

"So, do you also think it is a girl, right, Crown Prince?"

"Yes, moth…"but he couldn’t end his sentence because his youngest brother was placing food inside his mouth. "Tae Hyung… be a good boy and let me eat breakfast alone, alright?"

"Yes, Jeongwan! Food, please!" and Jeongwan peeled a tangerine for the infant.

"Good boy, Tae Hyung."

The Crown Prince Jeongwan had an immediate connection with the First Prince. After losing two of his aunts and second mother-figure, late Princess Taeyeon, he had spent quite a sad time alone in his chambers. But, when Tae Hyung was born and the baby’s first word was only for his eldest brother, Jeongwan seemed to regain his happiness.

"Where is your soon-to-be Crown Princess, lady Seung-wan?"

Jeongwan blushed and almost put the tangerine’s segment he was offering to Tae Hyung in the little boy’s eye. He was bundle of nerves ever since his beloved Seung-wan had been able to pass all the tests and had been named as the new Crown Princess of Joseon. Of course, there would be a wedding ceremony before she could officially have her own chambers at the Palace. And the date to consume their marriage (thank the Heavens for that, he wasn’t ready yet to become a father: he was just fifteen) would be a few years after they got wed. But Mi-young was so happy for the poor teenager: the road to becoming King was a tough one and she was relieved he had so many loyal allies who loved him by his side. He deserved that.

"I do not know, mother… maybe studying… the First Palace Lady says she has to study a lot before the ceremony."

"Do not worry, my beloved Jeongwan… everything… Aaaahhhhh!"

But Mi-young could not end her sentence, because a sharp pain coming from her belly suddenly startled her. And then… her water broke, but, it was different from the last time: there was also blood in it.

Everyone froze.

"Mother!" Ha Yi, now the First Princess, was the first one to react. "Jeongwan, take Tae Hyung outside and call the doctors and the midwives. Please. Yeon Jun, go and tell grandmother to come immediately. And warn father too."

Both princes nodded and did what Ha Yi instructed, quite scared because after receiving their sister’s instructions, they noticed there was a pool of blood surrounding the Queen. They were no experts on childbirth, but, by the worried looks of the maids, they knew the situation wasn’t normal.

Mi-young was scared and dizzy, everything hurt, but she had to be strong, because, if she wasn’t, she knew both her and her child wouldn’t make it. Childbirth was one of the most dangerous moments in a woman’s life, she was well-aware of that.

But, when she saw the Dowager Queen, Uhm Jung Hwa, running towards her, with her outfit half-finished, she felt a bit more relieved. That woman had survived to four births and had been in all the births of her grandchildren, she had experience.

"Get everything ready and bring it here, I do not think we should move the Queen."

"But… the protocols…" one of the maids said.

"DO YOU THINK NOW IS A MOMENT TO THING ABOUT THE PROTOCOLS?!" Uhm Jung Hwa yelled.

Short after the loss of blood, Mi-young started to feel the pain of her contractions. She hadn’t felt so much pain when Tae Hyung was born, and she got scared once more.

"Don’t worry, Mi-young. Come here, give me your hand and try walking, it will be good for you and the baby."

But when Mi-young tried to get up from the floor, another contraction stopped her. This time, so painful that her screams made her maids cry, scared that the Queen might die.

"Warn the King and… where are the doctors?!" the Dowager Queen complained. "This is going to be a very long day…"

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When Seung-hyun arrived at the Dowager Queen’s Quarters, his children were waiting in one of the rooms next to the one were Mi-young was giving birth. At first, when he had heard the news, he felt delighted, but, when he saw the worried expressions on the eunuch’s face, he knew there was something wrong.

"Daddy!"

Tae Hyung ran towards his father and the King took him in his arms. He had been crying.

"Yeon Jun says mommy is dying."

He wanted to scold Yeon Jun, because he was just too mean to Tae Hyung was born, and ever since he had been degraded to Fourth Prince, his attitude had been getting worse and worse. But, as much as he wanted, Seung-hyun knew it wasn’t the moment to do it. All he could think of was Mi-young, and her struggles.

It was getting dark and colder and Mi-young screams didn’t decrease their intensity, which made the Royal Children shiver even more and the king cried on the inside. The vigil was a torture for everyone who was present, but every time Seung-hyun proposed the children to leave, they strongly opposed, even little Tae Hyung.

When they got married, Seung-hyun knew their lives would be dangerous, he had told Mi-young she would have a really difficult position in Court: to replace the Dowager Queen as the main administrator of the Palace wasn’t an easy task. But he never expected her most difficult situation would be giving birth.

He loved Tae Hyung and would love the child who was coming, as he did with all his children. But, he wasn’t a greedy man: Mi-young’s life was more important than his need to have legitimate male heirs. The nation would survive and find a legitimate heir if needed, but, Seung-hyun wouldn’t survive without his wife by his side.

When he was introvert, she was extrovert; when he was sick, she took control of everything; when he panicked and wasn’t able to react, she was there to cover him… She was so clever, empathic and full of light that Seung-hyun needed her to keep fighting and taking charge of the Crown, which was getting heavier to carry.

"Your majesty…"

The voice of one of the maids startled and worried him: if the physicians weren’t able to leave the room to inform them of the situation, it meant things weren’t going well.

"Tell me."

The maid seemed worried that the Royal Children might hear something, so she tried to speak as softly as she could.

"The baby is in a bad position, your majesty. The midwives are trying to change it."

"But? There is always a but."

"But… if the baby doesn’t move in a few hours, the physicians would have to proceed and do an intervention. The Queen would not survive, your highness."

That last sentence was enough to make Seung-hyun lose his temper and enter the room where Mi-young was giving birth to their child. She looked so pale, so tired and so scared that he moved towards her and hold her hand tightly.

"Your highness! The protocol!"

"The hell with the protocols! My wife needs me and I’ll be here."

Mi-young smiled for a few seconds, but a new flash of pain made her scream once again. Seung-hyun hold her even tighter and she started to cry.

"I am sorry, my King." she said in between the sobs.

"Shhh… keep your strength, my Queen."

Mi-young nodded and kept following the instructions of the midwives, trying to control her breathing and holding Seung-hyun’s hand tightly each time she had a contraction. The maids were giving her some medicines, in order to keep her strength and counteract the loss of blood. The king had received military training and seen the struggles of war first hand. He thought he was used to the sight of blood, but, he was wrong. And every time he saw how the maids took of the chambers the dirty towels, he had to control the urge to cry: he had to be strong for his wife. It was the only thing he could do.

"Your highness." the lead midwife said. "I need you to start pushing, please. Remember? Like we did with Prince Tae Hyung. Yes?"

Mi-young screamed in pain, and Seung-hyun kissed her forehead with anger. The physicians looked at each other, scared. “Why does it have to happen to her? Why not me? We need her with us.”

"YEEEEES!"

Tradition said that the Queen had to remain calm during childbirth, but, since the circumstances were exceptional, no-one dared to remind the protocols. So Mi-young screamed and screamed, trying to use all the strenght she had to bring that child into the world. After the longest minutes in her life, the sobs of a baby echoed in the room.

"It is a healthy girl, your highness!"

Mi-young smiled and Seung-hyun kissed her on her forehead, happy.

"You were right, my love…"

And the temporary happiness fade away when Mi-young fainted.

"MI-YOUNG!"

There was no answer.

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The baby daughter was so pretty and angelic. A perfect combination of her parents. And the Dowager Queen couldn’t help but smile every time she stared at her youngest granddaughter. Everyone thought it was another heir, but, since the delivery had been so difficult and Mi-young was fighting to live, everyone was thrilled with the little one: First Princess Choi Chaeyoung. Even her name was beautiful.

"She is so little!" Jeongwan was holding his youngest sister.

"Be careful, Crown Prince!" lady Seung-wan begged.

"I am careful, Seung-wan. Do not worry. Look, father! I hold her correctly!"

But the king didn’t answer. In fact, he hadn’t even held her infant daughter ever since the physicians forced him to leave the Queen’s chambers. He wanted to fire them, but, his mother, in her wisdom, had given instructions to retain the King in his chambers. The Queen was dying and they didn’t need a clumsy and worried husband disturbing their job. Even though it was cruel, Uhm Jung Hwa was certain it was the right thing to do.

But, she knew Seung-hyun was struggling. His sensitive son. And for that reason he hadn’t even held Chaeyoung: because it was being really hard for him to control.

"Give me the baby, Jeongwan." the Dowager Queen knew it wasn’t the best moment to disturb the King. "It has been a tough day for everyone and you should go and rest."

The Royal Children nodded and left the room, staring at Seung-hyun before leaving. He didn’t move from his seat, and didn’t smile back to his children. But, somehow, they understood.

"She is just like her mother. She has softer features, though."

"I suppose, mother."

Uhm Jung Hwa didn’t say a word, and, instead, decided it was time for her to prepare for bed. So, she left the main room and went with her maids to her dresser, leaving Chaeyoung with her father.

Maybe it was because she had a connection with her mother, maybe it was the lack of human contact. But, as soon as the Dowager Queen left the room, the baby started to cry. At first, Seung-hyun didn’t pay attention, but, since she wasn’t stopping, he had to approach her. And then it was when he paid attention for the first time to Chaeyoung, falling in love with his daughter in a second. She had big brown eyes, a small nose and a bit more rounded chin than his or Mi-young’s, but, she was just so perfect that he couldn’t help but hold her. Immediately, the baby stopped crying, looking at her father.

"I am so sorry, Chaeyoung. I am so sorry… but, I am so angry because I cannot lose your mother. I am so afraid, my daughter. And I blamed you for what is happening. Forgive me, Chaeyoung. Please… Because I love your mother very much and I do promise right now, that, no matter what happens, I will love you too with all my heart."

Seung-hyun started to cry and hugged his infant daughter as tightly as he could. He lost count of time, but he could feel his mother’s comforting hand on his shoulder a few minutes later. He felt save, and, although the situation was critical, he had hope. Exhausted from crying, he fell sleep with Chaeyoung in his arms. Only the screams of the eunuch awoke him the next day.

"YOUR MAJESTYYYYY!"

Seung-hyun got startled and made the baby princess cry in the process. His mother, who hadn’t left his side all night, took the baby in her arms, and let the King attend the call.

"WHAT HAPPENED?! Is the Queen alright?!"

That day would have been remembered as the day king Seung-hyun showed to the world he was also human. Because, he hugged and kissed the eunuch who had given him the news and seemed so genuinely happy… it was so unlike him (or at least the image he showed to the world, the perfected version of himself).

He run through the corridors of the palace towards the Queen’s chambers and opened the doors without giving the guards time to warn his arrival.

"My King…"

Mi-young’s was weak and she couldn’t move from her bed. But, she smiled and Seung-hyun knew everything was going to be alright.

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So, I am back with a new epilogue! I have read all your messages and I was really sorry because it seemed a bit rushed, so here you have, a new epilogue, with the new generation getting ready to take control of the kingdom of Joseon. As for now, we have Prince Tae Hyung, Prince Ji Min (he isn't mentioned in the story but he is the cousin of the Royal Children) and princess Chaeyoung (it is Rosé from BLACKPINK, nor Chaeyoung from TWICE, I love her, but she will have a different role if someday I get ready to continue this story).

Happy New Year to everyone!