Chapter Text
The Western palace was bathed in cool fog when the raven arrived.
Jihoon was in the greenhouse—hands dirtied with soil, coaxing stubborn herbs to root—when a guard delivered the sealed scroll.
Ash-grey parchment, red wax, and a crest familiar as blood: the Southern Court.
Jihoon stared.
He hadn’t seen his brother Junhui in months. Their last conversation had been stiff. Politely cold. Regret stitched between every line.
And yet, the letter began:
"To the Consort of the West and My Brother Still,"
"If pride was not thicker than distance, I would have written sooner. I am sending word now because I seek your presence—not only as my kin, but as one of the few I trust to see things clearly."
"There is unrest here. A quiet noise growing louder with every unmated omega in our halls. I speak of no rebellion, but a deep ache. I worry for Jihoon… and I worry for myself."
"I request audience in the Western Court."
"Please tell Soonyoung I come in peace."
– Junhui
That same week, the latest omega gathering was hosted at the Eastern Court.
The sun was kind, wine was stronger than usual, and every chair was occupied except one—for those already married never missed a chance to tease those who weren’t.
Jeonghan, in light lilac silks, had already started.
“You know, when I was unmarried, I never once considered I’d end up with a king. Let alone the King.”
Joshua smirked, stirring honey into his tea. “I did. I had standards.”
Wonwoo rolled his eyes. “You fainted at your own wedding.”
“Tactical dramatics,” Joshua sniffed. “Anyway, it worked.”
Minghao and Seungkwan shared a couch, side-eyeing each other every time someone mentioned heat seasons or marriage talks.
“The West is quiet lately,” Minghao mused. “Soonyoung has his hands full.”
“With Jihoon, apparently,” Seungkwan added, before covering his mouth like he didn’t mean to say it aloud.
The table turned toward the unmated ones—Minghao, Seungkwan, and others from noble lines—and suddenly, the laughter softened.
Because they all knew.
The alliances were being set. The kings had chosen. Even the crown princes were watching closely.
“It’s hard,” Minghao whispered at last. “To know we’re next. But not know… who’s watching.”
Later that night, Jihoon sat beside Soonyoung by the fireplace.
“He’s coming,” Jihoon said softly. “Junhui. My brother.”
Soonyoung didn’t ask why. Only reached over, brushing dirt still left on Jihoon’s fingers from earlier.
“Then we’ll prepare rooms.”
“He says… something is wrong in the South. And not just politics.”
Soonyoung looked up. “The omegas?”
Jihoon nodded.
“We might be the lucky ones,” he admitted.
Soonyoung leaned back, voice barely a whisper:
“Then let’s make sure they all are.”