Empress Handbook

Chapter Thirty | Eating For Two

"Her Majesty is one month pregnant. Congratulations."

The doctor's words are like dense stones thrown into an otherwise peaceful body of water. But now that they are purling around the currents, stirring crashes and billows in Taehyung's mind, they can never be taken back again.

"Really?" Taehyung stammers. The idea of a small life merged with their genes growing inside Yeoreum's body sends a terror-laced feeling of exhilaration to possess him.

"Yes, look here," the doctor says. He patiently guides Taehyung through the ultrasound scan. The more affirming he is, the paler Yunhee's face grows.

"Are you sure this is not a mix-up?" Yunhee shrieks.

The doctor shakes his head with a wide grin. "I understand how excited you must be, Your Highness. It is most definitely not a mix-up. I can guarantee that with my professional career."

Taehyung folds his lips to stifle a laugh as he watches Yunhee grab Assistant Byun for balance. If this child is a boy, Yunhee can wave goodbye to her dreams of taking the throne forever.

"So, why did Yeoreum faint?" Taehyung says. "Is there something wrong?"

"Fainting and dizziness are common symptoms during the early stages of pregnancy," the doctor says. "It is because of lowered blood pressure caused by the hormones the body releases to relax blood vessels. It is not something you should worry about, Your Majesty."

Taehyung nods and heads towards Yeoreum's ward with surprisingly light steps. He is happy, undoubtedly. Regardless of gender, this child arrived at a surreally good time for him. It can scare off his mother, stabilise his position in the parliament and perhaps even convince Yeoreum to stay.

The last idea halts Taehyung's footsteps. He was born as a prince with a dignified pride etched into his ego. However, that primitive feeling that propped him above other people is slowly slipping away. Taehyung cannot believe he is trying to use a child to keep a woman around him. The worst twist, he once tried to murder that woman.

But Yeoreum has always been a soft-hearted person, Taehyung reminds himself as he wraps his hand around the doorknob. Whether it was the Yeoreum who anxiously greeted him at The Selection or the Yeoreum who stands beside him right now, she has always been kind and sensitive. Perhaps, just perhaps, Yeoreum is kind enough to give birth to this child who could bring them a future together. Clutching this thought, Taehyung pushes the door open.

The spacious room is lavishly furnished with a broad panel window at the end that spills a soft effulgence over Yeoreum's pale profile. Taehyung sanitises his hand before he dares to approach Yeoreum.

"Yoongi...Yoongi..." Yeoreum mutters. Her voice is like a ghostly chorus that sucks the blood away from Taehyung's face. "Yoongi, where are you?"

"Yeoreum, it's me," Taehyung utters.

Yeoreum grabs his hand, and a look of relief eases her anxiety. "Yoongi," she says one last time before she falls silent.

"No, I'm not Min Yoongi," Taehyung murmurs, choking on a complicated bundle of emotions.

Yeoreum thought he was Min Yoongi. She held his hand and called another man's name with a sort of sincerity he could not even imagine being used towards him.

Taehyung falls on the chair next to her bed and shuts his eyes. Was she thinking of Yoongi this entire time? Was she calling his name with another man in her heart? A wry smile tugs at his lips. Karma is truly a bitch. What goes around really does come around.

"Kim Taehyung," Yeoreum says. Her voice forces Taehyung to open his eyes.

Despite the horrid feeling, Taehyung still diligently tucks the blanket around her.