Puzzle Of Destiny [Jikook ABO]

✨29✨

Their meetings grew more frequent, with Minhee visiting the outer palace almost every other day. Seongbae's guards, tasked with following his every move, observed everything they could from a distance. Though unable to see inside the outer palace, they reported everything they had witnessed to the king.

"Your Highness," one guard began, bowing low, "the alpha's face is always concealed, making it impossible to identify him. We tried to pursue him, but he's incredibly fast and evades us every time. However, Omega Minhee has been visiting the outer palace with increasing regularity. We suspect the alpha is none other than Prince Sol himself."

As the guard concluded, Seongbae's expression darkened. His eyes narrowed with fury, and a slow, wicked smile crept across his face. "If what you say is true, they shall both face the punishment they deserve," he said, his voice cold and sharp as a blade.
———

Jeon Eunae, the former queen, sat in her room, quietly crocheting a sweater for her grandchild when a knock interrupted her. She looked up to see Micha standing at the door.

"Micha? What's wrong? Why are you alone? Where are your guards and maids? You could have sent for me, and I would have come to see you myself," Eunae said, rising swiftly to help the pregnant omega. Micha closed the door behind her, and Eunae hurried over, carefully guiding her to the sofa. She sat beside Micha, concern etched across her face. "Why do you look so restless? What happened?" Eunae asked softly. Micha hesitated, glancing around the room before leaning closer. Her voice broke as she whispered, "Mother, I've been holding this in for months, but I can't anymore." Tears began streaming down her cheeks.

"What happened, Micha? Tell me," Eunae urged, wiping away her tears and holding her hands tightly to offer comfort. "Seongbae..." Micha began, her voice trembling. "He's in love with someone else." Eunae's eyes widened in shock, but Micha continued before she could respond.

"After my pregnancy was announced, I went to see him one evening, only to overhear him ordering the guards to watch someone. At first, I thought he meant a criminal, but then he mentioned the same person to Mother-in-law. He's searching for the healer omega, Minhee." Micha paused, her voice breaking further. "I thought I could endure it if it was just a passing interest—he already has concubines—but this isn't love. It's toxic, obsessive. And Minhee... Minhee is already in love with someone else."

Eunae's breath hitched as Micha's voice dropped to a whisper. "Today, I overheard the guards. The alpha Minhee loves... it's Prince Sol." The color drained from Eunae's face. "Wha-what are you saying, Micha? How is this possible?"

"I didn't want to believe it either," Micha said, her voice trembling. "But it's true. The guards confirmed that Sol is the mysterious 'Black Knight' who's been sneaking out of the outer palace to meet Minhee. And Minhee has been visiting him as well. Seongbae knows. He's planning something, something terrible. He's not the kind-hearted alpha everyone thinks he is. He's dangerous, mother, and I'm scared." Micha gripped Eunae's hands tightly, desperation in her eyes. "I can't do much in my condition, but you must help. You have to save Sol before it's too late. If this comes out, he'll face a punishment so severe not even the former king could protect him."

Eunae's heart raced, fear and confusion swirling within her. But she knew Micha's words carried a grave truth. She had to act—and quickly—before Seongbae's plans could destroy her son.

——-

Eunae quickly wrote a note to Sol, hiding it carefully in his food tray as she had done in the past, but this time with even more precision. She included a message only the two of them would recognize, ensuring he would know it was from her.