*Youngjae’s POV*

“That’s not how it goes.” I laughed. “Yes, it is.” Daehyun said. He was sat next to my bed reading me a story. “Let me see.” I said. “You don’t need to see. I’m telling the truth.” He said.

“Then let me see it.” I reached for the book, but Daehyun pulled it away. I continued to reach for it anyway, nearly falling off the bed, but Daehyun caught me with his free arm and helped me back on the bed. “You need to be careful.” He said getting serious.

I only laughed, sitting back up. “why are you reading me children stories anyway?” I asked. “It’s not necessarily to you.” Daehyun blushed.

“Oh.” I said, my ears burned knowing what he was talking about. “Jaejoong said that it’d be a good idea.” He confessed. I nodded but smiled. I was glad that he and Jaejoong were interreacting more, even if it was concerning only my health, Daehyun was no longer mean to him.

A week had passes since I returned. I was still in a lot of pain, but I felt much better than before. Kikwang, Doojoon, and Junhong all returned to their home kingdoms. As always it was hard to say goodbye to Kikwang, but we promised to meet again soon. Jaejoong also told me that my mom would be here soon to help me with everything. Sunghak has even been nice to me the few times we crossed paths.

But no one except for Jaejoong, Daehyun, Kyungsoo, Yoseob, Yoochun, and I know about my pregnancy. Which worried me. I was afraid of what would happen if King Jung found out. Daehyun told me not to worry about it and that he’d handle it, but I couldn’t help but still worry anyway. How long do we have to keep it a secret? I don’t like keeping secrets.

Daehyun sat back up and continued to read the story incorrectly, until there was a knock on the door. “Who is it?” Daehyun called in irritation. “It’s me.”

My eyes widened. It was King Jung. Daehyun frowned and hid the book in the nightstand drawer. The door slowly opened, and the king stepped in. I immediately bowed my head. Daehyun folded his arms, “What do you want?” He was still mad at his father.

King Jung frowned, “I need to speak to Prince Youngjae.” He said.

“Why?” Daehyun narrowed his eyes at him. “Don’t question me. You have lessons that you need to go to that you’ve been skipping. Don’t pretend that I don’t know.” King Jung spoke sternly. Daehyun was reluctant but abruptly stood up and left the room, slamming the door behind him.

King Jung let out a heavy sigh, his shoulder slumped. “I-I’m sorry.” I apologized for Daehyun. “Why are you apologizing? You didn’t do anything.” He scoffed. I Didn’t say anything.

I was intimidated by his overbearing presence. Yet, at the same time I couldn’t help but feel bad for him. He was hurting.

Daehyun refused to speak to him and I felt the strong tension between him and Jaejoong as well. “This is ridiculous.” He muttered to himself. I looked at him confused, “Is something wrong, your majesty?”

He let out another heavy sigh, “I need your help.” He finally said.

“E-Excuse me?” I said unsure if I heard him correctly.

“I need your help in getting Jaejoong and Daehyun to forgive me.” He mumbled. I was surprised by the sudden suggestion. “Me? I don’t know if I’d be much help.” I confessed, “But, I guess I could try.”

He nodded, sitting down in one of the arm chairs in the corner in the other side of the room. “What should I do?” He asked.

I sat there, not knowing what to do. The king sat in his seat expectantly, waiting for me to answer. “Have you apologized?” I finally asked.

He opened his mouth to answer but paused in realization, “…N-No…”

I was surprised, “You should probably apologize.” I suggested. He only sighed, “They’re not going to forgive me if I apologize. They’re both too stubborn.” He said. I shrugged, “That would be the first thing I would do. I would say I’m sorry and say that I didn’t mean to hurt them. But…” I paused, my shoulders dropping a little. King Jung raised an eyebrow. “But what?”

“I could only imagine how they feel. I don’t know what I’d do if I found out that my mother wasn’t really my mom. I’d be really hurt.” I said in thought. “I’d be happy.” He remarked to himself.

I didn’t understand what he meant but decided not to ask. I didn’t want to upset him.

“And…Jaejoong still loves you. He’s just…really hurt tight now. He’s been through a lot and he misses his home and family.” I pouted, truly feeling bad for him. He’s tired and just wans to rest. “I know.” King Jung sighed. “I just don’t know what to do. Everything I’ve done has come out wrong.”

“Then you should tell them that.” I said.

“What?”

“Just be honest. You don’t always have to know what to do. You can learn along the way. It can be scary not knowing, but it’s okay to be afraid. But just be honest. That’s what I do.” I tried.

He laughed as if I said something funny. “You want me to be transparent?”

I nodded, not understanding what was so funny. “Tell them everything, even if you don’t know the answer, they might know it. Don’t force anything.” I explained. “Do you seriously think it’s that easy?” He scoffed. I nodded.

His eyes widened in surprise by my seriousness. “Well…” He sighed. “Even if it is that easy. It won’t be easy to get them to sit down and listen.”

I thought for a moment.

“I could talk to Daehyun, but I’m sure Jaejoong will listen if you ask him nicely.” I suggested. He ran his fingers through his hair stressfully. I couldn’t help but wonder, was this really that hard for him? “Fine.” He finally said. “I’ll meet with them tomorrow night.” He decided, standing up. “Um, thanks.” Eh said, walking up to the door but then stopped. “I have one more question.” He turned around, leaning his back against the door.

“Yes, your majesty?” I said.

He folded his arms, studying me closely. “What’s your story?”

I was thrown off by the question. Nonetheless, I told him everything, including my sickness. It wasn’t fair to keep it a secret from anymore, especially since we were keeping an even bigger secret from him.

I started from the beginning, all the way to when my father first met Queen Jang, then Ms. Lee, and then my mother. He was angry when I told him about my sickness, but his anger seemed to fade when I told him about how Daehyun and Jaejoong helped me. And I apologized for keeping it from him.

“So, I was right for treating him like the bastard he is.” The king scoffed when I finished. “But…I forgive him. I hope I can still make him proud one day.” I said more in thought.

He looked at me, “Maybe I was wrong about you. Maybe you’re stronger than I thought.”

I perked up at this, “Really?” I asked. “You think so?”

He was thrown off by my sudden burst of excitement. “Uh…I’m gonna go…and practice for this apology thing.” And with that he left the bedroom.

I pulled my knees to my chest, a large smile growing on my lips. Those words meant a lot coming from him. Maybe I really am strong.

For the rest of the day I performed my regular routines plus more. Daehyun was gone, attending the rest of his lessons. Jaejoong came later in the afternoon to check on me. “You seem to be in higher spirits today.” He said, after checking my temperature.

“Really?” I questioned somewhat embarrassed, not realizing my brighter change in mood. He chuckled a little, “Yes, did something happen today?” eh asked. I thought for a moment. I was glad that Daehyun, Jaejoong, and King Jung could possibly make up soon. But I felt a bit more confident when King Jung complimented me. “Jaejoong-ah, do you think I’m strong?” I asked instead.

“Huh? Of course. I tell you that all the time. Why?” He asked. “mmm, well…King Jung said that I was strong today.” I told him.

Jaejoong looked stunned. “He said that? Wait…he spoke to you?”

I nodded. “he came here and…and he asked me a few questions and then he asked me about my life.” I explained, deciding not to tell him about the King asking me for help. “Really?” he said in thought. He was too surprised to say much. “Um…did he speak to you?” I asked curiously.

The ravenous man nodded, “He asked me to meet with him in the dining room tomorrow to talk after dinner.” He said in thought. “But I don’t want to.” He sighed.

I raised an eyebrow, “Did something happen?” I asked. He opened his mouth but paused and looked at me and smiled, “Nothing serious.” He assured me. However, I wasn’t convinced, but decided not to pry. It’s not any of my business anyway. “But I’ll see what he has to say. It sounded important.” He patted my knee and stood up. “Well, I’ll be heading home before it gets dark. If you need anything don’t hesitate to call Yoochun or Kyungsoo or send someone to get me. Okay?”

“Yeh. Good night Jaejoong.”

“Good night Youngjae.”

I laid down, fiddling with my mask. I was glad that Jaejoong agreed to meet with King Jung. However, I couldn’t help but wonder if something happened while I was gone. “I hope everything is okay.” I reached for the drawer and took out the b