Tainted Fate (Chanjin/Hyunchan)

Chapter 19

Note: Yes folks, Chan is taller than Hyunjin here. All the alphas are taller than the omegas. Even Changbin! It is how the physicality works.

Hyunjin P.O.V. (present time)

It's winter, so we couldn't take the seaways. Therefore, we are sitting in our carriages now, just having left our home a few minutes ago.

My brothers and I are in the second carriage while the Kang Prince was travelling in the bigger one with his special guards.

When the Kang King made the announcement my brothers started protesting at once. Even Prince Llongwook started shouting. Then us brothers were asked to leave the room by the King as he and Prince Llongwook engaged in a heated arguement in the dining hall.

When the Prince came out he seemed to have agreed with the decision.

The rest of us were just told that the Kang King would stay back to protect the empire and to take care of appa. And that we needed to be there in the Moon empire as political representatives. Apparently they pose a threat to our home once again.

My brothers complained and begged me to plead to the King to change this decision. They didn't understand the need for us to be there. I could see the anger and hatred they had buried in their hearts over so many years resurfacing again. They wanted the revenge they never got. And they couldn't bring themselves to look at those familiar faces who broke their trusts again.

I thought of negociating by asking if it was okay if only I accompanied the Kang prince and my brothers could stay back. But my brothers refused to let me go there alone without them.

The Kang King further said that if we refused to make amends with the Moons we could even face another attack or even a full blown war. It was much better for us to visit instead of them coming here anyway to which I agreed. I would not let them set their feet in my home again. The home they tried to destroy.

The King said that he himself didn't want to associate with the ones who caused so much harm to his dearest friends but their army is much stronger and they have much more power than both the Kang and Baek empire which suffered so much loss due the attack 9 years ago. I know my people cannot go through that again. I can't let that happen. I won't let it happen.

9 years ago, if King Haegoon wasn't there, my appa would not have survived. It took me weeks to face him, and when I did I broke all over again seeing his face once filled with so much warmth, now cold and unconscious. At least he is alive and breathing. With the help of special medication from the Kang empire, we still have hope of seeing him awake, of hearing his voice once again. My brothers are safe and free, they are allowed to train and visit and attend our people whenever they want. My people still have roofs over their heads, that is more than enough for me to give up my everything if needed. And if I obey the orders, maybe things would improve for our empire more.

A few days after that cruel incident, I got to know that my appa had betrothed me to the Kang Prince. Jisung and Yongbok were both displeased and Jeongin was too young to understand anything, but I trusted my appa's decision. I always would. He felt it was the only way to keep me safe from the Moons. So, I agreed, wanting to fulfil my father's promise, his wish. That's the least I could do. And so, at the age of thirteen I got engaged to Prince Llongwook.

King Haegoon had been kind enough to rule his own empire from here. I know that the conditions of our own home is not great but the King says he needs our resources for the Kang empire too. It had impacted his own lands and armforce greatly when he tried to aid us with help and save us from the sudden attack all those years ago. And no matter what his son's actions are or how the King himself chooses to ignore such, I am indebted to him as he saved my appa and he is the only source of protecting our home. He promised to protect it. To protect appa. To protect my brothers. And I can do anything for my family, for my people, for my home.