At the palace, Heechul paced around as he thought about how to have a definitive conversation with his appa. He didn't want to start a fight, nor did he want the Emperor to ignore his pleas. However, Heechul didn't want a title to interfere with his fate. The alpha wanted to be happy with his family and would move to the village if necessary.

But since Hyunjung wasn't at the palace because of a trip, Heechul tried to calm down and put his thoughts in order. He needed to use the right words so as not to create a mess that could harm Jungsu and little Kyuhyun. Heechul loved them very much and just wanted to protect them.

- Heechul? – Siwoo called her son and smiled when he looked at her – Why do you seem worried?

- I think... Well... I am worried.

Siwoo sat down and patted the bench twice for Heechul to sit next to her. And that's exactly what the alpha did, because it was as if he was a child who didn't know exactly what to do. He needed the answers.

- What happened?

- I... Omma, I want to talk to appa.

- He arrives in a few days, my dear. Is this matter urgent? – Heechul nodded – And don't you want to talk to your omma about it? Maybe I can help you.

Heechul sighed. He knew tradition was important in his family, so he couldn't tell what his mom's reaction would be when he told her what he was feeling. But he needed to let the words out of his mouth and the feelings fervent in his chest.

- You know I haven't gotten along very well with the suitors that appa brings me, right?

- Don't you like them?

- They're not the right people for me, omma. I don't want to marry princesses or duchesses or anything like that. I already have a person in my life and he’s the one who I want to be with for the rest of my life.

Siwoo arched her brows and then pressed her lips together as she looked down at her lap. She hadn't expected that to be the subject.

- And who is he?

- He's a commoner.

- And at least is he an omega? – Heechul shook his head – Is he a beta? – and he shook his head again, making Siwoo sigh – Oh, Chul… I can't believe you fell in love with an alpha. You know your appa won't be happy about that, as he's counting on you to be the next Emperor and your alpha children to continue the bloodline.

- I don't rule my heart, omma. It all started as an admiration that ended up turning into an overwhelming passion. And I love him so much. I am part of his family.

- He has a kid?

- Yes. He's an adorable five year old boy and I promise Jungsu doesn't want Kyuhyun to be Emperor. He's not with me because of that.

Then Siwoo put the pieces together and asked:

- All these trips helped you to see them?

Heechul sighed, stood up and approached the lake, crossing his arms and saying:

- They are my family and I learned that I cannot abandon my family.

- You're turning your back on your family by saying you want to bond with an alpha.

The alpha looked at his mother.

- That's not it. I would never turn my back on my family. What I want is to be happy with Jungsu and our son. Even though Kyuhyun isn't really my son, I feel like I'm his father. He already calls me daddy, so… – Heechul pressed his lips together and knelt in front of his mother, holding her hands – Don't take it away from me. This has been the most important thing for me and I don't want to lose them.

Siwoo bit her lower lip and looked away. She didn't know what to do and she certainly didn't want her children to suffer. But if Heechul decided not to be Emperor just to be with an alpha, what would happen to that entire empire? But her mother side shook her head at that, so she cupped her son's face and said:

- I will stay by your side, but I hope you know that this will not be an easy battle. Your appa won't be happy at all as he needs heirs and we both know Donghae will never be an Emperor and Ryeowook... Well... Ryeowook's reputation is tarnished and it's been hard to find a good alpha for him. If you really want to throw it all away, keep in mind that your brothers will get hit too.

- They will understand, because they support me.

- Have they met this Jungsu?

- Yes. At Donghae's mother's house.

Siwoo almost rolled her eyes.

- Well... Let's wait for your appa and your brothers to come back. You can think better and more about what you want to talk about.

- So that means you'll support me?

Siwoo smiled, hugged Heechul and – even with a heavy heart – said:

- Of course I will support you, my dear. You are everything to me and I love you.

Heechul smiled widely and believed his mother's words. The only problem was that Siwoo was very afraid of how Hyunjung would deal with this news, as she knew how much he cared about tradition. But perhaps the Emperor would change his mind.

It was what Siwoo expected.

...___...
Far away...

Donghae was still enamored with the market and joined Ryeowook so they could see what the fairgrounds were selling. Hyukjae and Jongwoon accompanied them and Chaeyeong finished buying more things for her house – she wanted to try to buy some chickens for dinner that day and lunch the next day.

Ryeowook managed to buy paints and some brushes so he could paint when he got back to the palace – but Donghae encouraged him to buy scrolls so he could get some distraction while at Chaeyeong's house. The blond-haired omega knew he needed a little distraction, so he bought scrolls. Ideas have already popped into Ryeowook's mind.

- I think omma will go crazy when she sees the amount of things I bought in the market. – Ryeowook said while trying to balance the packages in his arms – But I'm going to paint some flowers for her.

- And you know she'll like it. – Donghae smiled and whispered – Sir Lee flirted with me.

Ryeowook chuckled softly.

- And didn't you flirt too?

- A little bit. – the pink-haired omega chuckled – He's so handsome, you know? I like how we talk smoothly and I also like the way he looks at me. And I asked if he could stay one more week with me.

- And what did he say?

- He said yes. – and the two almost jumped together, but then they were in public – This is all news to me.

- And it scares you?

- A little, but I'm also excited.

Ryeowook smiled and encouraged his brother:

- Go your way, Hae. There is nothing as important as your feelings. And from what I'm seeing, you're quite sincere.

Donghae smiled and continued walking beside Ryeowook until they saw a child running towards him. It was Kyuhyun who was smiling widely as he hugged Donghae's leg.

- Hey, uncle Hae! – and then hugged Ryeowook's leg – Hey, Ryeowook-ssi.

- Why didn't you call me uncle Wookie?

Kyuhyun looked at Ryeowook.

- And can I?

- Sure. You call my brother daddy, so you can call me uncle too. – the omega smiled – And where is your appa?

Kyuhyun pointed to Jungsu who was talking to Chaeyeong. Donghae then adjusted the books on his arm and held Kyuhyun's hand.

- We have to take you to your appa. Have you ever wondered if he's scared because you disappeared?

- But I didn't disappear, uncle Hae. – Kyuhyun giggled – I'm here with you. – and so he waved at Hyukjae and Jongwoon – Hi!

The alphas waved and continued following the omegas who took the little and frisky Kyuhyun to Jungsu who put his hands on his hips and said:

- I can't believe you ran away from me, Kyuhyun. What did I tell you?

- But appa, I saw uncle Hae and uncle Wookie and then I wanted to hug them.

Jungsu rubbed his temples.

- Don't do it again.

Kyuhyun nodded and asked Donghae:

- Why do you have so many books, uncle Hae?

- Because I like to read.

- Dad reads to me when he's at my house. And I miss my daddy. Will my daddy come back?

- He's definitely coming back.

Kyuhyun sighed.

- I wanted to live with dad.

Donghae and Ryeowook looked at each other, then the blond omega crouched down and said:

- Hey... Maybe your dreams will come true? You know your daddy will never leave you.

- Really?

- Really. I know your daddy well enough to tell you that he will fight for you and your appa.

With that, Kyuhyun grinned widely and pecked Ryeowook's cheek. Hearing all that, Jungsu sighed and said:

- We should go, Kyuhyun. You will fill the princes with questions about your dad.

Kyuhyun nodded and held Jungsu's hand as soon as Donghae cleared his throat and said:

- You could have dinner with us today, Jungsu. It would be nice to spend more time with you two before we head back to the palace.

Before Jungsu answered, Kyuhyun asked a little sadly:

- Are you leaving too?

- We need to, but we're not going now. – Donghae smiled at Kyuhyun who pouted – You see… We can visit you too.

And so Kyuhyun's eyes sparkled.

- And I'll show you the toys that appa and daddy made for me. And we can play too, right, uncle Hae?

Donghae smiled and nodded, looking at Chaeyeong as she said:

- Alright. Let's all go home now because I'm going to make a delicious lunch and I hope Jungsu will accompany us with his frisky Kyuhyun.

Jungsu thought about turning down the invitation, but realized that Heechul's brothers really wanted him and Kyuhyun to go to Chaeyeong's house. Then, after a smile, he said:

- I just need to leave the boxes at home and we'll go there.

- Then we'll wait for you. – Chaeyeong smiled – Shall we go back? I think I already have everything I need here.

They nodded and waved at Jungsu and Kyuhyun who waved and climbed into the wagon. The others went to the carriage, and while the alphas rode away, the coachman took Chaeyeong, Donghae, and Ryeowook.

- Appa?

- What, Kyu?

- Why do uncle Hae and uncle Wookie need to leave?

Jungsu sighed.

- Because