130 – VCR

Epilogue

It is now September. The sky has grown higher and a cool breeze blows occasionally, but there is no sign of the sweltering heat subsiding. In fact, the midday sun felt more stinging than the sunlight of August.

“Phew, it’s starting to get tiring just coming out for a walk like this. It’s even harder to walk because of the sand.”

Being pregnant was a truly wondrous yet grueling experience. I was well aware that since male Omegas have a lower pregnancy success rate compared to Betas or female Omegas, the process is more difficult. I had braced myself for it, but the reality was far more challenging than I had imagined, making my resolve feel meaningless.

I usually didn’t have much of an appetite, but now, being hungry the moment I opened my eyes became my daily routine. However, whenever I ate, I spent most of my time vomiting it all back up. On top of that, I was so overcome with sleepiness that I often dozed off while eating, despite not being a small child.

This cycle had repeated until now. Lately, I felt like I could finally breathe since the morning sickness had subsided, but it was becoming difficult as my belly grew larger.

My family was frantic taking care of me. Three sturdy Alphas were completely exhausted trying to look after one pregnant Omega. To make matters worse, Hyun-wook and Hee-sung joined in, setting up a nesting in our house to attend to my every need. I don’t know what luck this is, but thanks to the baby, I’ve never been more pampered in my entire life.

“Ow! This little rascal is starting again. I wish Joo Min-hyeok would hurry up and get here.”

While walking along the beach waiting for Joo Min-hyeok, I felt a gradual movement inside my belly. The fetus, which had been quiet for a moment, began to move again. When I first felt the quickening, it felt so strange. As it hit me that I was truly pregnant, I felt an indescribably peculiar emotion.

Everything was mysterious—how another life could exist within my body. However, before long, that mystery turned into terror. The trivial strength that used to lightly tap my lower abdomen grew stronger and stronger, until eventually, it felt as if the baby were actually going to burst through my stomach.

Whenever that happened, a startled Joo Min-hyeok would release his pheromones to calm me down in my pain. What was strange was that the fetus also seemed to react to the pheromones, as the violent movements would quiet down. It felt as if the fetus was also finding stability. This is why I have no choice but to wait for Joo Min-hyeok.

“Haa, still, it’s not kicking as painfully today. Good boy, my little puppy. Anyway… it’s probably time to start preparing to move, right?”

Stroking my belly, I thought back to the task that felt like a long-overdue homework assignment. Moving… the time for me to leave the island is approaching. Now at 24 weeks, my belly has grown quite large. I’m not yet at the point where I’m short of breath or struggling to stand, but it’s true that my movements are becoming awkward.

As my belly grows further, moving will become even more inconvenient. I need to prepare for childbirth, and it would be better to leave this place while traveling by car for a long period is still somewhat manageable.

“Since the engagement between my brother and Hee-sung is in two months, it would be better to move within that time, right? I’m rushing it specifically to do it before I give birth.”

My father is also immersed in work every day, hoping to finish his busy schedule [Read on Read BL Novels]before my brother’s engagement. Since Seo-joo and stolen contentHyun-wook are currently in Seoul and away, I should discuss this with everyone once they return. There are many things to organize, so it wasn’t a decision I should make alone.

“I’ll think a bit more about what to do with the cafe….”

“Hae-joo!”

While I was muttering to myself and planning the move, I heard Joo Min-hyeok’s voice calling me from a distance. When did he arrive? Hearing the voice I had been longing for, a smile instinctively formed on my face. Perhaps it was because we hadn’t seen each other for a week due to his European tour schedule.

Spotting him, I waddled toward him in excitement, and Joo Min-hyeok ran toward me with an even more urgent expression. With his long legs, he ran so well that he was in front of me in an instant. It reminds me of the old days. He ran toward me like that on the beach back then, too.

“Why are you out here? In this heat.”

Having run to me in a single bound, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Then, with a face full of worry, he scanned me from head to toe.

“You said I shouldn’t skip exercise even if it’s hot. And that it’s good to get some sunlight. But don’t I look funny walking? I’m worried if I’m like this already, what will happen later. When my belly gets bigger, will I really be unable to walk?”

“You’re not funny at all. You’re just so cute visit our sitewaddling. I’m telling you, Read on Read BL NovelsI relieve my recent stress by watching videos of you walking.”

“…Walking videos? When did you film those?”

“I filmed them every time I came back.”

“Ah, delete them! Why would you film something like that!”

As I reached for my phone to delete the videos, he blocked me with a very bright smile. Joo Min-hyeok and I are spending such comfortable time together. A natural and easy relationship. We spend our days not as Emperor and Imperial Concubine, but as an ordinary couple. Of course, the events that led from Seoul to here weren’t ordinary, but aside from that, we are sharing peaceful times with nothing special.

“Cha Han-bin went to Seoul with Han Hee-sung, right?”

“Yes. I think there’s a lot to prepare.”

Although they are preparing a modest engagement, they both seem very busy these days with various tasks. I picture the two of them looking at each other and being happy. I don’t know why it makes me happy just seeing them together.

My brother, who is blunt and clumsy at expressing emotions, initially found Hee-sung’s personality overwhelming. But then, as if he developed Read on Read BL Novelsa tolerance, he now just lets unauthorized copyHee-sung Read on Read BL Novelsdo whatever he wants. It’s so funny to watch.

However, Joo Min-hyeok still seems uncomfortable with Hee-sung and continues to grumble while looking at them. I try to tell him to stop, but I understand why he’s so repulsed, as he’s been subtly played by Hee-sung quite a bit. Moreover, since Joo Min-hyeok liked my brother so much, he seems to feel a great sense of loss.

“I’m seriously speechless. Who would have known that after being so obsessed with you, he’d suddenly snatch up Cha Han-bin? I thought it would just be a phase, but what a waste of Cha Han-bin….”

“Why? What’s wrong with Hee-sung? For someone with a personality like my brother’s, someone with bright energy like Hee-sung is a good match. And while Hee-sung seems active, he’s actually quite prone to loneliness. Even if my brother is blunt, he’s kind and attentive in his own way, so they’ll fit well in many aspects.”

“…At first, I was seriously worried that Han Hee-sung had drugged Cha Han-bin and jumped him.”

“What are you talking about? The two of them are definitely a pure love. I’m actually more relieved that my brother’s partner is Hee-sung.”

Of course, I understand Joo Min-hyeok’s suspicion. But anyone can see that my brother likes Hee-sung a lot. That’s enough. As long as my brother is happy, that’s all that matters. My brother has found a reliable mate for life. Having Han Hee-sung—who is the most dependable when he’s on my side and terrible to have as an enemy—as my brother’s lover was perfect.

“It’s scary when two beginners in love catch fire. I mean, an engagement?”

“I know, right? But they’re happy.”

As if to soothe the grumbling Joo Min-hyeok, I linked arms with him and rubbed my face against his arm. Since his complaining look is cute, I’ll watch it a bit more before bringing up the move. He’ll definitely be so happy that he’ll forget everything about Hee-sung.

“Walk slowly. Slowly.”

“I’m fine. If I fall, Your Majesty will catch me.”

“That’s obvious, but I’m saying it because I’m afraid you’ll get hurt.”

Joo Min-hyeok discouraged my quickening pace with a soft voice. Why is this so joyful? It’s just walking on the beach, but I truly love this time. When we go up to Seoul, I’ll tell him to go for walks whenever we have time.

“Once the baby is born, let’s go there together.”

“There?”

“The country house you bought for me. You said you were managing it without selling [Read on Read BL Novels]it. I want to go there. I’m so unauthorized copycurious since I’ve only seen photos.”

“As much as you want. Is there anywhere you cannot go? You can go anywhere you wish to go.”

Pulling my shoulder close to him, Joo Min-hyeok kissed the top of my head.

“Anywhere I want?”

“Yes. Everywhere.”

When I asked again, he answered with a confident voice. After a moment of silence, I slowly spoke.

“But since Your Majesty abolished the Imperial Concubine system, there’s no place for me to go in the palace.”

“…Huh?”

“As a first-rank Imperial Concubine, I no [Read on Read BL Novels]longer have a justification to enter the palace. [unauthorized copy]Then where will I live with the baby?”

Startled by my sudden question, Joo Min-hyeok stopped walking. The way he blinked, unable to grasp my intention, was so cute. Wanting to tease him further, I played innocent with a brazen face.

“I’m the Grand Imperial Concubine and an Imperial Concubine, so even if I enter the palace, I have nowhere to go.”

“What are you talking about? If you were to return to the palace, you wouldn’t enter as a concubine, but naturally… naturally as my Empress. Isn’t that obvious? B-but you clearly said you didn’t want to go back….”

Asking back with a flustered gaze and tone, Joo Min-hyeok gripped my shoulders tightly. I only showed a smile to the man mentioning the ‘Empress’. Since I said I didn’t want to return to the palace, Joo Min-hyeok had never once brought up any talk regarding the palace.

He strictly kept the promise he made to me and remained faithful to the time we chose to spend together. He expressed satisfaction just by having me by his side. Therefore, it would be less embarrassing for Joo Min-hyeok if I brought this up first.

“The baby can’t keep living apart from its father. Well, neither can I.”

“Hae-joo, does that mean you’re thinking of returning to the palace?”

Thinking that he shouldn’t miss this chance, Joo Min-hyeok asked me [Read on Read BL Novels]again. stolen contentWhile knowing his anxious heart, I continued to play innocent and kept talking.

“Hmm, but the Empress’s quarters have been empty for too long, so I don’t want to go in there.”

“Eh? Really? No, but they’re being kept clean even now. Still, if you want, I’ll have them repaired and renovated according to your wishes….”

I suddenly hugged his waist as he scrambled to continue speaking. They say it’s game over when the other person looks cute, and I’m in real trouble. Everything about Joo Min-hyeok is cute, so there’s nothing left to see. I’ll just have to take responsibility and live with him.

“I don’t want the Empress’s quarters.”

“…Huh? You don’t like it there? Then where do you want? I sealed off the Grand Imperial Concubine’s pavilion because I figured you wouldn’t want it. That place is already….”

“Can’t I just stay in the same quarters as Your Majesty?”

Of course, according to the laws of the Imperial Palace, this would be impossible. But isn’t it a funny law? The fact that there was a separate pavilion for the Grand Imperial Concubine, and why a married couple wouldn’t stay in the same room but have separate quarters… and at such a great distance, at that.

“Huh? With me?”

Joo Min-hyeok is really slow to catch on today. How cute.

“If I return to the palace as the Empress, I don’t want any other quarters; I want to stay in the same room as Your Majesty. You promised, remember? That we’d live like an ordinary couple. What kind of couple uses separate rooms these days? All couples stay together in the couple’s room. Do you perhaps dislike it?”

“…How could that be. How could I? Of course, I’d love it. I didn’t even think it was possible…. Thank you so much. Hae-joo.”

Looking at Joo Min-hyeok, whose eyes had even turned red, I drove the point home.

“Then let’s stay in the same room. To live together and bicker and cuddle, we’ll have to change the interior of Your Majesty’s quarters a bit.”

“Do whatever you want. Decorate it however you like. I’ll do my absolute best. I’ll protect you and the baby for the rest of my life…. I’ll do well. Thank you so much.”

I don’t know why he keeps saying thank you…. Feeling sorry for the tearful Joo Min-hyeok, I hugged him tightly. He must have been waiting all this time. For the day we would be together. So, we must not part again. In the end, I made another new choice. Since it was a decision I made myself, I will do my best so that the end of this choice can be happy. I hope there is only blessing on the new path ahead for our family—me, Joo Min-hyeok, and the baby to be born.

The End.