The Fertility Kingdom

The Third Snow Prince
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*Junhong’s POV*

“When are we gonna stop?” I asked, getting tired of sitting on the horse for so long. “We’ll find a place to stop soon.” Sunghak said in irritation. We just got past the Fertility Kingdom’s strict border control. It was actually kind of scary. Mostly because Sunghak wasn’t patient with the guards, I was afraid that we’d never get in or he would get arrested.

After Sunghak pretty much burned down the dark guild base, Yongguk took us to a bar at the edge of the Sunshine Kingdom’s capital city. Surprisingly there was another bar underneath the bar just for outcasts where Yongguk used to meet with his guild leader. Yongguk and Sunghak went into the hidden bar, where they found Yongguk’s guild leader. There, they found out that Lord Changmin was going to take Kikwang and Youngjae to the Valley, but they were going to stop at the Fertility Kingdom first. I prayed that we weren’t too late and that they weren’t already heading to that scary place.

I looked at Yongguk. I couldn’t help but smile. I was glad that he was helping us out, despite everything he’s done. I know he’s good deep down. I just know it. He just needs to believe it. Sunghak refused to let me near him alone. He obviously didn’t trust him. My only chance with Yongguk was only when it was just Jongin, Yongguk, and I.

We roamed the fertility kingdom capital city. The city was small and not as busy as the other capital cities of other kingdoms, but it was a peaceful and charming place. I’ve visited the Fertility kingdom a lot, especially when I was younger whenever we came to visit my grandparents, who ruled the kingdom.

It wasn’t until another half hour later before we finally stopped for food (When Sunghak spotted a food stand that sold his favorite lemon cakes, he suggested we stopped to eat). “Doojoon and Daehyun should be here too?” I questioned, munching on a large bag of cherry tomatoes. “If they had any luck at the Celestial kingdom.” Sunghak remarked. “I’m sure they did. Doojoon is great at negotiating.” I said, wanting to remain positive, but the elder prince only shrugged.

“So, how are we going to find the outcasts?” I questioned. “I doubt they’d be in the open.” Yongguk said. Jongin nodded in agreement, “They’d probably take refuge in some abandon building, since there isn’t a base here.”

It was strange how Jongin seemed to know a lot about the outcasts. I asked Yongguk about it, and he said that he’d done a lot of research on the outcasts, because his dad had gotten in trouble with them before he passed away. I pouted at the thought, wondering if the outcasts killed Jongin’s dad, but I didn’t dare to ask. “I don’t know of any abandoned places here.” I said in thought.

“Well, we’ll look for it after we finish eating. I’ll be back.” Sunghak said. “Where are you going?” I asked him suspiciously.

“Mind your own business.” Was his sharp remark as he walked away.

I watched him walk in the direction of where the lemon cakes were. I rolled my eyes. Maybe it was a mistake coming to this part of the city. But I stole the opportunity to sneak next to Yongguk. “Do you want a cherry tomato?” I offered.

He looked at me in confusion. “Hurry. Take one before Sunghak comes back.” I urged.

He was hesitant but took one anyway and thanked me.

I studied him. He’d been a lot more serious ever since we left the base. He’s never laughed or even cracked a smile. He barely even talks to me when I try to speak with him.

“Yongguk you-,” “Prince Sunghak is coming back.” Jongin warned. I sighed before taking a step away from the outcast.

“That was fast. Did something happen?” I questioned when he ran to us. “I saw Daehyun and Doojoon.” He announced.

My eyes widened. “What? Where are they?”

“They’re here. Come on.” He ordered, running the way. We ran after him, not wanting to miss the two princes.

 

They were in the center of the city, standing by one of the empty stands. They were both looking at a necklace around Daehyun’s neck that had a glowing blue stone hanging from it. “Where are we supposed to go?” Doojoon questioned. “I don’t know. This is the brightest it glows.” Daehyun grumbled in irritation. Doojoon thought to himself. “Then that means they have to be somewhere here.” He concluded. “But where?” Daehyun frowned, the fact wasn’t enough for him.

“Daehyun! Doojoon!” I called running up to them first.

The two looked toward us. “Junhong?” They said in surprise.

The others followed behind me. “What are you doing here?” Doojoon asked more concerned than anything else. “What do you mean?” I questioned. Daehyun looked at Sunghak, “You were supposed to drop him home.” He said. I frowned, realizing what they were talking about. Sunghak shrugged, “He drove a hard bargain.” “Dad and Consort Choi are gonna kill you if anything happens.” Daehyun remarked.

“How did you guys find us?” Doojoon questioned.

“There was this outcast bar that Yongguk took us to, and Sunghak and Yongguk found out that Kikwang and Youngjae were taken here.” I explained. “Who?” Doojoon questioned.

“Yongguk. He’s…” I turned back only to see that he was gone. “…gone?” I looked around, but I couldn’t see him anywhere. “Where did he go?” He was just here a second ago. Jongin shrugged, seeming just as surprised. “That ing bastard. I knew we shouldn’t have trusted him. He probably went to warn the outcasts that we’re here.” Sunghak growled. Daehyun frowned at this.

“Maybe he found something.” I countered. The crowned fire prince looked at me unimpressed. “He’s an outcast. I don’t care how close you think you were to him or how friendly he seemed. He’s still an outcast and he kidnapped your friends. That was his goal the whole time. So, everything he did was a way to get close and kidnap them. Everything he’s done and said was a lie. Your friendship was a lie. He lied to you. I’m confident he tried to kidnap you too. So, you need to ing get over it.” He sneered.

I bawled my fists, “That’s not true. He wouldn’t do anything like that.” I argued. “But he did.” He said. “But he’s helping us. He wouldn’t betray us and tell the others.” I said.

He narrowed his eyes at me, “Wake up Junhong. You can’t be serious.”

“I am! He wouldn’t! And I’ll prove it. I’ll go find him myself!” I spat. However, Doojoon grabbed my arm, preventing me from running off. He looked at me with stern eyes. He looked tired. “Now isn’t the time. We have to focus on getting Kikwang and Youngjae. If he’s not here, he’s not here. But we have more important things to worry about.” He reminded.

My shoulders dropped. He was right. I shouldn’t be worrying about Yongguk. Kikwang and Youngjae are our main priority. “I’m sorry.” I apologized, feeling a bit guilty.

The elder released my arm and returned to business. He and Daehyun explained what happened at their meeting with the 7 Council Members and the gem that Portia gave Daehyun. “We need to find them before you run out of the potion then.” Sunghak said when they finished.

Daehyun looked at the gem and saw that there was less than a quarter of the liquid left. “We don’t have much time. It’s been leading us north the whole time, but now we’re stuck.” Doojoon said. Just then, the gem started blinking, fading to a dim then brightening up again at a pace similar to a heartbeat. “What does that mean?” Jongin spoke

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I’m tempted to write a second story to this and also a story about YunJae’s past. We’ll see!

Comments

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sirchenchen
#1
Chapter 48: OKAY so after nearly a year of saying I'm gonna sit down and read this story I FINALLY DID and read it all in one go (took me like 6 hours with NO BREAKS) so buckle up because I'VE GOT THOUGHTS. Like??? This concept??? I love it??? Elements and magic and kingdoms??? Sign me UP!! It makes me want to write an elemental and magical story of my own and gets those creative gears grinding!! And GOSH I cried genuine tears and felt genuine emotions throughout the whole thing and I AM FEELING THINGS AUTHOR-NIM.
I will say it doesn't quite sit right with me that they're still friendly with Youngjae's family, by that I mean Queen Jang and maybe King Jang but MAINLY QUEEN JANG!! I despised that woman from the beginning and I still do at the end of the story. But it is really true to Youngjae's character to not hate them even after everything. But I think Kikwang really only does it because of Doojoon and his family, otherwise he'd probably never talk to them again. You write family interactions really well! This is something I thought when I read the Jung Family Holiday stories last December, and I still think it now!!
I am curious about how the "hey dad Youngjae's pregnant" conversation that Daehyun would've had with King Jung went, it obviously went well considering the epilogue chapters, but I'm a er for anything that is fluffy DaeJae stuff!! In that vein, I'm also curious about how Daehyun's and Youngjae's wedding went, with the detail you went into for the Earth Kingdom customs for marriage for Doojoon's and Kikwang's wedding, it was probably quite the event! I absolutely love the details and lore and world building and you did spectacularly!!
Also, definitely curious about the various side pairings. I'm sure Himchan and Jongup are thriving, what with Kikwang being their biggest cheerleader. But did Chanyeol ever win Baekhyun's heart? Are Kyungsoo and Jongin living happy lives? Will Yongguk ever come back to Junhong?
I also love how you incorporate characters from all sorts of groups!! Even if I sometimes can't tell if they're from a group or are just Korean names to fill a character spot (I have a select few groups I know names from and am very disconnected from most others except for maybe a name here and there), it doesn't take away from them as a character at all, it just means I've got no appearance to go off of. ^^;
I do admit that the open ending with Changmin does make me anxious. Everything else felt tied up nicely, but that lack of resolution with Changmin sits a bit strangely with me. Like... it makes everyone's happy ending seem like it's on a timer? Which is a bit unsettling for such a peaceful resolution, but I get why it happened that way. Plus, it opens up the possibility to a potential sequel... >_>
Bur overall, I'm really glad I finally sat down and read this story. It's wonderful through and through! Great job, author-nim! ♡
jjbrownsugga #2
Chapter 49: I enjoyed reading this story. Thank you for haring it with us. Also, thank you for providing insight into the Yunjae story with Blue Flame.
natasha07 #3
Chapter 49: can't wait............you are the best.
gwenimnida
#4
Chapter 49: Omg.!!!!
damchuu
#5
Chapter 49: o(≧v≦)o wow , you’re amazing
Fngrl123 #6
Chapter 48: Wow. That was a fun story to read. The ending is just so cute and sweet. ^_^
I love how they all got their own happy ending, well maybe except for Changmin's character. I love how the siblings interact in the story, how they love each other unconditionally. I just...I love it. <3 :)
Fngrl123 #7
Chapter 14: This chapter is sooo cute and sweet.

Dae's line: "...just be my burden..." Just hits the feels train spot on. I was containing my squeals while reading. ^_^
Fngrl123 #8
Chapter 4: I've told myself that I'll comment on the last chapter of this story after I finished reading the whole thing but their interaction here is just so cute. Kyaaaa~~ ^_^ I'm squealing. :))
Yas__22
#9
Chapter 48: I really enjoyed this and the universe this story took place in. Things were well explained and characters were clear. Thank you for writing this amazingly entertaining story! I hope you'll revisit their universe sometime in the future. I've grown attached to the characters haha. ♥
Alejandro59
#10
Chapter 20: Oh por dios el momento que estuve esperando toda mi vidAAAA