Kibum’s POV

“Taemin-ah do not run! You will trip and hurt yourself!” I called out to him as he ran around the garden playing with Comme de and Garcon. The relief I felt when I saw them could not be described in words. I missed them a lot. Having both of them here was a blessing! They helped distract Taemin, who hadn’t cried out for his mom since their arrival last night.

 Currently I was letting them play with Taemin in the garden as I sat on the couch watching over them. I decided to let them play some more before taking them in for some lunch. As I sat there, my thoughts drifted to Minho and his bond with Taemin. I must say he knows how to pamper his nephew. Somehow, he seems like a complete different person when he is with Taemin or for that matter even with Jonghyun hyung. He hasn’t shown his soft side before this. Well he did five years ago, but now, all he does is behave rudely! I couldn’t help but pout as his behaviour towards Taemin kept foreshadowing his behaviour towards me. Why can’t he be this nice to me too?

As I was having this internal battle, I felt a shadow fall over me. When I glanced up, I saw a beautiful lady standing in front of me. She was dressed smartly in a royal blue gown.

Queen's Gown

“Ehhh….Yes?”

“Now who could you be?” she asked me. What do I even say!!!!

“Gammaaa!!!!!! Gamma wis whiere!!!!!”

“Gamma!!!!” Suddenly Taemin screamed and ran towards us, almost tackling the pretty lady; who in turn picked him up and kept kissing his cheeks and cooing at him.

“My Baby….look at you! You have grown to be a fine man!”

“Gamma! I Pwince!” Taemin said cutely, pointing at himself.

Laughing she replied,

“Of course My Handsome Prince!” Then she turned back to look at me as she raised her eyebrows,

“I did not catch your introduction young man.”

“Ehhh….” But before I could reply Taemin cut in-

“Gamma! My fwend Kidum!” as he pointed to me.

“My name is Kibum! I…I’m Minho’s acquaintance”

“Acquaintance? What kind of acquaintance?” she asked me suspiciously.

“I knew him from college, when he studied in New York-”

“Gamma! Kidum Uwncle Mwarry! Mwarry Mwarry Mwarry!!!!! Taemin twere!!!!” NO! Taemin what are you babbling!! I screamed internally!!!

“Huh! Marry?!” her piercing gaze was back on me! Chuckling nervously, I replied,

“No! We are just acquaintance….somewhat friends! Yes!”

“I see! Nice to meet you! I am Minho’s mother…..my name is Lee Ha-eun.” she introduced, bowing a bit. I bowed in return as I stuttered,

“L...Lee? I thought Minho’s last name was Choi?”

“Yes it is, I remarried three years ago, hence my last name now is Lee.” she politely smiled.

“Oh! I’m sorry for the intrusion. It's just….”

“Strange! I know!” laughing she guestured for me to take a seat. Then she turned her attention to Tae who for some reason was being very quiet.

“Miniee-ah, where is your mom?”

“Mommy go hwome. Taeminiee stway!”

“Oh you stayed back without your mommy, aigoo my baby grew up!” 

“So Kibum ssi, do tell me a bit about yourself. Minho did not mention that he was entertaining a guest or I would have arrived sooner!” Oh God! What do I tell???? Entertaining guest??? More like entrapping ‘guest’! Wait!!! She is Minho’s mother! Remarried or not, that makes her the former queen! Queen mother or something doesn’t it??? So she’s my way out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Yeah so-“

“Gamma! Taemin twell!!!! Kidum wis Taemin’s fweind!!! Kidum pwotec Taemin fwom bwug!!!!! Kidum mwek gooood fwood wike Mommy!!!!!! Kidum bwat……bwat…..KIDUM SWAMPOOOO ME!!!!!!”

“Yes yes baby! I get it! Kibum is great! So, when did you arrive here Kibum ssi?”

“Gamma!!! Kidum twere witd Taemin!!!!! Wike Mommy!!!!!! Uwncle mwarry Kidum!!!!! Taemin swee!!!! Kidum twll Taemin wony married pwiple kwish! Uwncle kwish Kidum! Daddy kwish Mommy! Taemin swee!!! Oooooo!!!! Gamma! Taemin hear Mommy twak! Uwncle kwin….kwinnad…..kwinnap! Uwncle kwinnap Kidum!!!! Uwncle bwing Kidum’s puppy too!!!!!

Uwncle kwinnap Kidum awnd mwarry!!!!!” saying this, he started jumping like crazy, babbling at a mile!!!! Oh God!!!!!!!! This kid!!!!!!!!!!! JUST WHAT DOES HE SEE AND HEAR DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!

Queen’s POV

Kidnapped! Married?! Well son, looks like I have missed out a lot from your life. Kibum! Looks like an interesting person! And Jonghyun my puppy, we need to have a mother-son talk, what have you been teaching this kid?! He is too nosy for a four year old!

“Miniee-ah! Why don’t you go and play with the puppies? They seem to be missing you!” I told Taemin, putting him down.

“Wokay!!!” This ball of energy! I couldn’t help but chuckle, seeing him run away. Then I turned my attention on the silent boy next to me.

“So Kibum-ah, is it true? Did Minho really kidnapped you and is holding you hostage here?!”

“Ehh…..well….truth is….hmmm…” Kibum gulped.

“Aish! Let me apologise to you on behalf of my stupid son! I would not be justifying his actions, it is wrong from any and every point. Please forgive my son.” I bowed my upper torso.

“Ehhh….Please Your Majesty, you do not have to apologise. It’s….It’s alright…..We…. I mean Minho and I will work out these things…..” He whispered nervously.

“That is really kind of you. So Kibum-ah, did you get a chance to go around Dokkam or maybe know and meet people of Dokkam?”

“Ehhh….not exactly, but I did meet Jonghyun hyung before he left, leaving Taemin here.”

“Oh! You met our puppy! And thank you for taking care of Taemin! I know Minho took up the responsibility but all the official matters keep him on his toes.”

“I understand Your Majesty. I don’t mind helping with Taemin, till I’m here.” he said smiling nervously.

“Are you planning to leave soon?”

“Ehh…well….. I mean….”

“Would you mind if I tell you a story Kibum-ah?”

“St…story?”

“Yes, story about me and my family.”

“I…I’m all ears Your Majesty.” Chuckling I turned towards him and looking him in the eyes, I continued.

“I was born in a noble family. Growing up, I always dreamed of finding my mate and marrying him someday. It would be so nice to have my little family with my mate. But when I turned 22, my father betrothed me to the previous King. I convinced myself that it is fine, that I would come to love him. Sadly our marriage was political; he had found his mate in one of his concubines. I wanted to hate her, she was living the dream I always dreamed of. But I could not bring myself to hate her, she was physically very weak, but her warmth could touch and melt even the coldest heart! I found a friend, a sister in her. When she became pregnant, I was there by her side, and our puppy was born. We both raised him together. I still remember him running to me, calling me ‘Qwin Mowather’! I had to bear a child with the King for the kingdom, and that is how Minho was born. Both of them grew up being caring towards each other. They were attached at the hips,protecting each other. But it was like someone had casted a spell on our family. Five years ago, my puppy fell in love with Jinki, and took a bullet for him.” I felt my eyes tear up thinking about that hard time. Kibum silently stood up and sat next to me, not quite touching me but just being a comforting presence. He also handed me a tissue to dab my tears. Taking a deep breathe to compose myself, I continued,

“I felt so helpless back then. I lost Min-seo, the stress of seeing her son hurt was too much on her already weak health. My King could not bear the loss of his beloved mate and left soon after. I felt all alone, I felt powerless. I did not want to lose my Jonghyun too! His health was in danger; the bullet he took for Jinki was embedded quite close to his womb, causing his womb to bleed internally. We could not give him anaesthetics as it would harm the development of the foetus. My son suffered the pain of surgery without any help for his pain! His screams still ring in my ears! I did not want to lose my son too. What would have left of me then? We had contacted Minho and asked him to come back. It was terrible, Dokkam was in chaos. It had lost its King, its crown prince was pregnant and injured. Amidst all this, someone planned assassination of my son and his intended husband. Worry of losing his mate and pup had made Jinki ignorant of the impending danger that was lurking around his family. But call it luck, Minho made it back in time. He saw the assassins enter the palace and followed them. Stopping them in time. That night, even though my other son too took a bullet, I had never been more proud of them. They both stood for the protection of someone they loved.”

“My Minho took the responsibility of the crown, that night my baby truly turned into an adult. Seeing him maturely discuss and draw up a treaty with Jinki made the mother in me cry in happiness. Dokkam and Hwasal flourished under the combined command of Jinki and Minho. They strengthen each other, setting up a trade center, solely organised by the omegas of Hwasal, for which Jinki is still fighting, but it is a dream both of them have worked hard for. My puppy is of great help, being the omega leader of the centre! Similarly a military training base was set up for Dokkam to strengthen our defences. The Dokkam you see now is the fruit of hard work of all three of my sons!” I took his hand in mine before I addressed the next words to him.

“Kibum-ah, you know what made me happy? Above all, my son fought for my dream. A year after the King’s passing, I found my mate. He is a noble in Dokkam’s court. When Minho found about us, he asked me to choose what my heart told me to. It was not easy, I thought I would never be happy, but when I told Minho my wish, he fought against everyone who opposed and arranged my marriage with my mate! It has been three years now, that I am living my life happily!” I smiled reminiscing my journey. When I looked at him, he had a faraway expression on his face. I patted his hand to get his attention.

“My son is not a bad person at heart. He just has difficulty expressing it. Please try to understand his action as he is not a man of words. His actions towards his loved ones speak for him. I know he wronged you by bringing and keeping you here without you consent, but I assure you he did not mean to harm you. I do not know what he has in his mind or heart, but I am sure he likes you to have gone against his teaching to take such actions. Please give him a chance to explain it to you before you draw up any conclusions. Now I shall leave you to your thoughts and see to that naughty grandchild of mine! And please do not be embarrassed by his mouth! I will be having my puppy’s and Jinki’s ears for corrupting his innocence! God knows what else Taemin has seen!” I stood up, patting his hand before leaving to find Taemin and stop him from destroying anything else!