Chapter Text
Time seemed to stop. The king took a step back, his sword still raised, but his wrist was trembling.
“What did you say?”
Taehyung’s eyes were brimming with tears, his voice faltering:
“I said he’s pregnant. There’s a child inside him. Yoongi is carrying my child.”
The rage on the king’s face froze. It was as if he had turned to stone. Yet he still hadn’t lowered his sword.
“This is nonsense,” he said, his voice deep and sharp. “A man… a man cannot be pregnant!”
Taehyung slipped out of the guards’ grasp, kneeling beside Yoongi without caring about his bleeding wrists:
“No,” he said with a firm voice. He looked at Yoongi’s face, then met the king’s eyes.
“Yoongi’s homeland is Hangyulsaeng, Father. In that land, men born there smell of tangerine. That scent is an inheritance, a sign that carries the fruit of love. My Yoongi… is carrying our child.”
The king fell silent. The guards exchanged glances and whispered among themselves. Some bit their lips, some nodded.
“Enough!” the king roared, though his voice was no longer as strong. “Where has such a thing ever been seen? A man… cannot give birth! Don’t be ridiculous, Taehyung! Are you trying to trick me with such meaningless claims just because you have no other choice?”
Taehyung paused for a moment, took a deep breath, then turned to the old cook, almost pleading:
“Tell them. Explain what is happening. Let them know the truth.”
The old cook stepped forward, leaning on his cane. He looked at Yoongi with aged eyes, his voice trembling:
“Our prince speaks the truth. It has been known since ancient times, Your Majesty… a man who smells of tangerine if he shares love with another man, the fruit of that love settles in his body. It takes root in the womb and grows. This is a blessing from God.”
The king’s eyes widened.
“A blessing, you say? It sounds like a curse!”
“No, Your Majesty,” said the old cook. “This is another way for the line to continue. It is very rare. It only happens if there is love. Not lust, not force. Only the seed of love takes root.”
Taehyung turned his head to Yoongi, his eyes soft and fragile.
“I… I love him,” he whispered.
Until that moment, Yoongi seemed frozen. It was as if every word in the room echoed in his ears but didn’t reach his mind. Finally, he opened his eyes wide and looked at Taehyung. Slowly, as if afraid to move, he placed his hand on his belly. His fingers touched the tense, round swelling for a moment.
“This… is this real?” he asked in a low voice, glancing at the old cook. “Am I… really…”
“Yes,” said the old cook, his eyes full of sorrow and tears. “You are carrying a child. God has chosen you, my little one…”
Yoongi’s throat tightened, his eyes filled with tears. He bowed his head for a moment, then looked at Taehyung. Taehyung held his hand, touched his belly—they wanted to feel the truth together… The king let out a heavy breath. The sword slipped from his hands to the ground. The sound echoed on the stone floor.
“Call the midwives,” he finally said, his voice tired and muffled. “I want to hear… if this is really true. And if it is…” He paused, his eyes shifting to his son, “then I will have to decide whether this child will be considered the heir of this palace. If it’s a lie, I will not hesitate to kill him…”
As the guards stirred, Taehyung squeezed Yoongi’s hand tighter. He was scared but didn’t show it—he held his hand as if to promise he wouldn’t let go.
The midwives were brought quickly. They bowed respectfully before the king. The king, still struggling to contain his anger, pointed to Yoongi.
“Look at him,” he said sharply. “And tell me the truth. If what my son says is true, I must know.”
The eldest midwife touched Yoongi’s wrists, feeling his pulse. Then she looked at his belly.
“Allow me,” she said. Taehyung looked at Yoongi, asking with his eyes. Yoongi hesitated, then slowly lifted his garment. The midwife carefully placed her hand on Yoongi’s stomach.
“Your Majesty,” she said, her voice trembling, “this body… bears the same traces as a pregnant woman’s body. The belly is pronounced, swollen as if five months along. The body has gained some weight, the cheeks are rounder, and the face glows like the moon. The chest is not as full as in a woman’s body, but…” She paused, averting her gaze shyly. “The nipples are swollen, with a slight milk flow. This only happens in the middle months of pregnancy.”
The king’s eyes widened. Everyone in the palace held their breath.
The midwife continued:
“Majesty, years ago I had a midwife friend I worked with. She told me about men from Hangyulsaeng who smell of tangerine. She said that if these men are with another man they love, the fruit of that love settles in their body, and a baby grows. They give birth just like women. Everything she said is evident in this young man. And…” The woman leaned slightly closer to Yoongi, taking in his scent. “Yes, even now, the tangerine scent is coming from him. As the birth approaches, the scent will intensify.”
Yoongi’s eyes widened. As if truly understanding for the first time, he placed his hand on his belly again. His fingers trembled.
“Am I… really carrying a baby?” he whispered, his voice breaking. Taehyung nodded, placing his hand over Yoongi’s. The king slowly stepped back, inhaled the scent, and raised his hand to his beard. His face still showed disbelief mixed with awe.
“I will wait until the birth…” he said in a low voice. “If this is true, this child could be a blessing for the kingdom.”
Hearing his father’s words, Taehyung took a deep breath but remained on guard. Yoongi, meanwhile, oscillated between shock and embarrassment. His face flushed, eyes darting away. The king asked, curious:
“And…” he said, his gaze on Yoongi’s belly, “how will this birth happen? It’s impossible. A man giving birth… how will this thing come out?”
The midwife clasped her hands respectfully and spoke:
“Your Majesty… in such births, we make a small incision in the abdomen to bring the baby out. It is another way given by God. When the time comes, we will open a small cut below the navel, and the baby will be born this way.”
Yoongi’s breath caught. For a moment, it was as if the ground had shifted beneath him. His eyes widened in fear, and his hands went to his belly.
“Cut…?!” he whispered, his voice trembling. “They… will cut me?”
Taehyung immediately wrapped his arms around Yoongi, holding him close.
“My love,” he said softly, resting his forehead against Yoongi’s temple. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let anyone harm you.”
The midwife approached as well, kneeling to bring herself to Yoongi’s eye level.
“Do not fear,” she said in a calm, reassuring tone. “Your body is prepared for this. God has granted this to you. When the time comes, we will prepare medicines so you will not feel pain. You will be as if asleep, and your baby will be delivered safely. You will give birth with minimal pain.”
A tear rolled down Yoongi’s cheek, but he nodded, somewhat relieved.
The midwife continued:
“However…” she said, with slight concern, “this process will be difficult. Yoongi’s body is a bit weak, his blood appears low, and I looked into his eyes. He needs excellent care. His nutrition and rest must be complete. Otherwise, both his life and the baby’s will be in danger. We will do our best, but if we bring experienced physicians and midwives from his homeland, it will be much safer for both.”
The king remained silent, contemplating. But Taehyung’s face tensed with anger. He lifted his head and stared at his father, his voice icy:
“I will not allow a single person to harm him. If they leave him hungry, scare him, or give the slightest harm… if they even frown at him…” Taehyung placed his hand on his chest and drew his shining dagger. The steel glimmered in the light. “I swear, anyone responsible will be taken down one by one. I will kill anyone to protect him!”
The palace fell silent. Even the guards stepped back. The king saw a ferocity in his son’s eyes that he had never witnessed before. Then he slowly nodded:
“Very well,” he said in a low voice. “He will be well cared for. I will assign palace doctors and the best midwives to him. We will even bring whatever is necessary from the lands you mentioned. This child is now a matter of the kingdom. Both must be properly cared for. But there is one thing on my mind.”
The king stared at them for a long time. A tense atmosphere filled the room. Finally, he raised his head and spoke with a deep breath:
“I will wait four months,” he said in a firm voice. “But how can I be sure this child is really my son’s while I wait? Who knows… maybe the cook was with another man. Or perhaps someone forced themselves on him.” The king still wanted to show his distrust.
Taehyung sprang to his feet in anger.
“What are you saying, Father!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the room. “How can you say these things to Yoongi? How can you make such disgusting assumptions about him? He is the most innocent among us. He is mine—”
“No! I swear!” Yoongi interrupted, his voice trembling. His eyes filled with tears, his breath quickened with fear. He wanted to defend himself.
“I… I haven’t been with anyone else! No one forced themselves on me. I only loved him, I belong to Taehyung, only to him…”
The king cut them off with a sharp motion of his hand. His real intention was to see Yoongi’s reaction. The little cook had a side of innocence. Torn between believing and doubting, he bellowed:
“Enough!” His voice seemed to make the stone walls tremble. “No one speak again. When the birth comes, I will know if the child truly belongs to the prince. There will be signs. If you,” he said, fixing his gaze on Yoongi, “are certain of yourself, there is nothing to fear. When the time comes, everything will be revealed.”
Yoongi’s lips trembled as he looked at the king with aged, tearful eyes, slowly nodding.
“I’m sure,” he whispered.
The king looked at them for a short while longer, his face a mixture of anger and deep contemplation. Then he took his sword, turned his back, and walked heavily toward the door.
“Ensure there are no gaps in the care from midwives and doctors. Until this child is born, no one shall touch a single hair on him. Announce my command to the public. The cook is now under my protection,” he said.
The king had left. Taehyung was still breathing heavily with anger, his hands shaking. Yoongi lowered his head, cradling his belly with his arms, as if protecting their child. Taehyung knelt, bringing his face close to Yoongi’s, and kissed his cheek:
“Did you hear that?” he said softly. “These four months will pass without a single problem. I’m by your side. No one can harm you. Now, let’s go to our room, my sweet love.”
Yoongi could no longer hold back his tears and rested his head on Taehyung’s shoulder. The prince helped Yoongi to stand, and together they slowly walked toward the room.
---
The morning sun streamed softly into the room through the silk curtains. The light danced on the stone floor, gradually warming the dim silence of the spacious chamber. Prince Taehyung had long since awakened. He sat quietly in bed, leaning against the headboard, watching the body beside him. Yoongi was in a deep sleep. In the morning light, his face looked like a delicate painting; his cheeks flushed pink. His messy hair spread across the pillow, and a strand of it moved slightly with his gentle breath. The scent of tangerine that clung to Yoongi filled the room, wrapping the space in an intoxicating calm. A small smile curved the corner of Taehyung’s lips.
“The scent grows stronger every day,” he murmured softly, as if speaking to himself.
Yoongi stirred slightly, a faint breath escaping his lips. His eyelashes trembled, his eyelids parting to meet Taehyung’s face glowing in the morning light.
“Good morning…” he whispered, still carrying the haze of sleep in his voice.
Taehyung leaned forward, his lips brushing gently against Yoongi’s.
“Good morning, my tangerine…”
Yoongi closed his eyes again, a smile spreading across his lips. Taehyung couldn’t bear to stay still any longer; he first kissed Yoongi’s cheek, then his neck. The warmth of Yoongi’s skin defied the cool morning air, seeping into Taehyung’s chest. He placed his hands gently on Yoongi’s stomach. The rounded firmness beneath his palms was undeniable. He leaned down, resting his head there, closing his eyes, and simply listening for a while—to Yoongi’s breath, the silence of the room, and the quickening beat of his own heart… Yoongi’s cheeks deepened in pink. With delicate fingers, he stroked Taehyung’s hair, the touch pure affection.
“Finally, we are really in the same room…” Yoongi whispered.
“Finally, we share the same life,” Taehyung replied, a deep smile curling his lips. They stayed in silence for a moment, then rose from the bed together.
Yoongi’s old, simple clothes had long been taken by the palace attendants. In their place, new robes and garments made from soft fabrics were being tailored to accommodate his growing belly. The tailors measured him carefully, selecting the finest designs. Yoongi felt embarrassed at first, his cheeks flushed, but Taehyung’s hand never left his. His fingers intertwined with Yoongi’s, calming him patiently.
That morning, which felt like the first morning of their new life, they began with breakfast together. The table on the palace balcony had been prepared meticulously. A gentle morning breeze drifted in across the wide marble balcony, sunlight reflecting off the silverware on the table. Steam rose from a silver teapot of warm herbal tea; fresh fruits, soft breads, and light pastries added color to the spread. Taehyung helped Yoongi sit, then took the seat beside him, holding his hand.
“If the wind bothers you, we’ll go inside immediately,” he said, his voice carrying a protective gentleness. Yoongi nodded, a small, peaceful smile on his lips.
“I’m fine. Really… I’m fine…”
Taehyung studied Yoongi closely. The sky was almost dazzlingly clear; a deep, cloudless blue, washed in golden sunlight. The air was cool, the breeze tickling their skin, yet this morning seemed warm just for the two of them, especially for Yoongi. The sun’s rays kissed Yoongi’s porcelain-white skin, highlighting it, wrapping him in an almost invisible halo. It was as if the sunlight itself wanted to bless him.
Yoongi’s skin was as smooth as silk. His full lips were slightly parted, his eyes shining with peace. His belly had become unmistakably prominent; the life growing inside was visible not just to the eyes, but to the heart. Taehyung leaned in slowly. His hands trembled as they touched Yoongi’s belly. His breath caught in his throat, and he pressed his lips to it. The skin beneath them felt warm, as if warmed by the morning sun.
“My miracle…” he whispered, his voice almost like a broken prayer. “Yoongi… I still can’t believe you’re here with me, we’re together, no one can tear us apart… Sometimes I feel like they’ll take you from my arms, and my heart aches. Everything happened so fast; I haven’t even processed it yet. My hands keep tracing your belly, as if trying to protect you and our child. My voice whispers to you constantly, as if I go silent, I’ll lose you. My lips can’t get enough of your skin, as if I’m loving you for the last time… I hope I’m not bothering you. I’m happy, Yoongi. Truly happy. Please understand me…”
Yoongi turned, pressing his cheek to Taehyung’s. His breath was warm, his voice as calm as a lullaby.
“I understand you…” he whispered. “But I don’t even know how I feel all this. What to do with these feelings… how to act. After so much pain and hardship, it’s as if I’ve been given a second life. In your arms… a new life is beginning. A dream I had no right to see has been given to me. And I am, like you, Taehyung, overflowing with happiness. Your touch… your care for me and our child… how could it ever bother me? I want to be in your arms all day, feel your love and warmth, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world.”
Taehyung bent over him with a tenderness that words could not contain and pressed a long kiss to his beloved’s forehead. Yoongi closed his eyes. The sweet tangerine scent wafting from him mingled with the morning breeze around them. Taehyung inhaled it, closing his eyes, a peaceful smile appearing at the corner of his lips.
“You are my family now,” he said…
---
As the days passed, the silence in the palace gradually gave way to whispers. The echo of footsteps in the corridors no longer drew the attention of only the staff and guards, but of curious eyes as well. Yoongi no longer stood in his usual corner during breakfast; he now sat right beside Prince Taehyung. When they walked slowly through the gardens, the scent of tangerines drifting among the flowers scattered along the stone paths announced his presence to everyone.
The palace inhabitants couldn’t hide their astonishment. For a cook—especially a male cook—to enjoy such privileges was unusual. Moreover, this cook was visibly pregnant, his belly clearly rounded, his face radiant, and with each step, a faint, fresh tangerine scent enveloped the air. Eyes followed Yoongi wherever he went; some bowed their heads in respect, others whispered in disbelief.
Yet the most striking thing was that Prince Taehyung never let go of Yoongi’s hand. He walked beside him with slow, confident steps; proud, loving, and protective...
One morning, after breakfast, while sitting on the palace balcony, Taehyung gently placed his hands over Yoongi’s palms. His gaze lingered on him with careful attention as he whispered,
“I want to take you outside the palace. Let your skin meet the grass, let the wind toss our hair, let our voices merge with the air so they don’t echo off the walls. Let’s get away from here.”
Yoongi hesitated at first, glancing away briefly and biting his lip.
“The people… they’ll see me…”
Taehyung raised his brows, fixing his gaze on Yoongi with warmth and resolve.
“They already see you. The people in the palace are mine as well. I want everyone to see you and know you. You are my partner, the one I love, carrying our child. I want to show them that you belong by my side, that we belong together.”
Yoongi’s chest rose and fell gently; his heart raced at Taehyung’s words. The pride, love, and protective intent in Taehyung’s gaze gave him a sense of security. He slowly nodded, letting out a small breath, his eyes showing a mix of embarrassment and unease.
Taehyung squeezed his hands tightly, entwining their fingers. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he leaned closer, pressing his forehead to Yoongi’s.
“No one, nothing… can disturb you or us. Relax now. I can tell you’re not ready, so we’ll go somewhere with no one around, alright?”
Yoongi closed his eyes, a small, relieved smile forming at the corner of his lips. The prince’s understanding eased him, wrapping him in a quiet comfort.
---
At the back of the palace, a carriage had been prepared.
Soft cushions for Yoongi, a water flask, small sweets…
Only three guards were taken along for protection. Along the way, Taehyung held his hand, massaging his knee, stroking his hair.
“If your stomach tires you, we’ll turn back immediately,” he said.
They reached a meadow.
In the distance, trees by the lake swayed with the wind, flower fields stretched out…
Taehyung laid a blanket on the ground and gently helped Yoongi sit, placing a cushion behind his back. Between them, only the sounds of birds and Yoongi’s breaths mingled. The sky was clear. The sun shone on Yoongi’s skin.
“I sometimes want to run away with you,” Taehyung said suddenly.
Yoongi turned to him.
“But we don’t need to run away anymore. I’m already with you.”
Taehyung smiled:
“Still, a place that’s just ours would be nice—a home away from the palace, my father, and curious eyes. Just you, me, and our baby… These days, the only thing I dream of and sigh about is this, Yoongi.”
Unbeknownst to them, a gaze watched from the highest window of the palace.
The King.
His brows were furrowed.
He still hadn’t fully accepted the situation.
Observing, thinking…
What the old chef had said… the approval of the midwives…
Was this pregnancy real?
Would the child really carry his bloodline?
“Four months,” he murmured to himself.
“I’ll wait four months. I won’t interfere until then. If it’s true, and this child is born… the fate of the kingdom will change…”
---
On the meadow by the lake, two figures were illuminated by the golden light of sunset. Yoongi, leaning on the cushions with his slightly swollen belly, held a piece of fruit in one hand and a glass of honeyed milk in the other. Taehyung stretched his legs, ignoring a few blades of grass stuck in his hair, watching Yoongi. He brought a piece of fruit to Yoongi’s lips.
“I’ve never had such a quiet and peaceful day before. Without you, I wouldn’t even know what peace feels like,” he said.
Yoongi smiled faintly.
His cheeks, softened by the pregnancy, were even rosier. He gazed toward the lake’s surface.
His voice was as light as the wind:
“When I first saw you… I was so scared.”
Taehyung paused for a moment.
Yoongi continued:
“The palace was huge, and you… you were something else. So beautiful. But a beauty that seeps into your very being… it hurts as you get closer.”
His eyes returned to Taehyung.
“I was scared of you. Sometimes you crushed me, sometimes you ignored me. But despite myself, I grew more attached to you.”
He lowered his head.
“The worst was when I started having feelings for you… that was when you were the harshest to me.”
A fleeting shadow of guilt passed across Taehyung’s face.
Yoongi continued, looking into his eyes:
“The first night I watched you… on the balcony. With that girl.”
Taehyung’s facial muscles tensed, but he did not look away.
“… You saw me there, and you even admitted it yourself.”
Yoongi’s voice trembled.
“You touched her while looking into my eyes. While looking at me… you kissed her. But… why didn’t you get angry with me that night? Why didn’t you say anything?”
Silence.
A fish leapt across the lake, its splash echoing through the quiet.
Taehyung drew his knees close, resting his elbows on them.
Yoongi felt the warmth of Taehyung’s hand on his belly, gazing at him with a calm heart.
A hesitation lingered on Taehyung’s lips. It was as if the words had been building inside him for a long time, finally finding a place to spill out.
“That night you watched me,” he said softly.
“You were surprised. But I wasn’t angry at you. Your eyes were shining. And… you kept looking into my eyes… strangely, I liked it.”
Yoongi’s lips parted. His eyes returned to that night.
“Actually,” Taehyung said, his voice low:
“From the moment I first saw you… you affected me. Seeing you watch me that night awakened a thrill inside me.”
He took a deep breath.
“I was never interested in girls, Yoongi. Everything that night… it was about escaping my father’s pressure, the stupid forced marriage talks. I just… wanted them to leave me alone.”
He smiled, but it was a bitter smile.
“I didn’t even want them to force anything on me… I even had them bring me teas. Aphrodisiac teas.”
Yoongi raised his eyebrows, then his eyes narrowed slightly.
“Oh… yes,” he said, suddenly remembering.
“They had told me about it.”
He chuckled briefly, then rested his head on Taehyung’s shoulder. Taehyung cupped Yoongi’s face in his hands.
“The next day, when you came to my room, when I warned you… that’s when I realized how much I wanted you.”
He brushed his nose against Yoongi’s, gently, a soft touch.
“And at that moment, I smelled you for the first time… deeply. Like a tangerine. Sweet, fresh. It drove me crazy. I wanted you…”
Yoongi swallowed. His eyes filled with tears, but his smile didn’t fade.
“That day, when someone else brought the meal, when you ran away from me… it hurt my pride,” Taehyung said in a slightly hushed voice.
“I thought you didn’t want me. It was a terrible feeling. Because I… I am a handsome prince.”
A playful smile crossed his face.
“I kept asking myself: ‘Why?’”
He lowered his head.
“Then I got angry at you. But really… I was angry at myself.”
Taehyung took Yoongi’s hands, pressing his fingers gently to his lips.
“These beautiful fingers of yours got hurt because of me. I caused it. Don’t forgive me… because I will never forgive myself.”
Yoongi’s fingers reached out to Taehyung’s cheek, gently caressing him.
“I never got mad at you, Taehyung.”
He looked into his eyes and saw the trembling regret, the love, the desire.
“Because my love for you… was greater than everything. Our love was tested with pain, passion, and limits—but look, now we are side by side…”
Lying on the thin blanket they had spread on the meadow, bathed in the golden sunlight, Yoongi rested his head on Taehyung’s shoulder. The sweet swell of his belly seemed to stretch alongside him. His eyes were shining with happiness, but there was a small flicker of curiosity inside him.
“Well…” he said, with a mischievous grin.
“When did you fall in love with me, my prince?”
Taehyung turned to him. He looked at Yoongi in a way that warmed his heart, as if love itself was spreading through that gaze like a wave.
Taehyung stayed silent for a moment. He smiled, then his eyes glistened slightly.
“That night, when we left the palace and went to the seaside,” he said.
“Your fingers were bandaged. I quietly entered your room. You were asleep…”
Yoongi’s eyes widened.
“You… you were there that night?” His voice carried both shock and a hint of embarrassment.
Taehyung nodded.
“I was. You looked so pure, so innocent… all I felt for you was affection. That feeling flowing from my heart… it started that night. I watched you for a long time.”
Yoongi lowered his head, averting his eyes, but his cheeks were slightly flushed.
“The next morning…” Taehyung continued,
“I asked about you, but no one had seen you. While searching, only one thing ran through my mind: ‘I hope he’s by the sea. I hope he’s still doing something for me…’ And then I saw you there.”
He locked his gaze on Yoongi’s.
“You came back, your face turned to me… you smiled so beautifully. You were still there for me. That moment… that’s when I fell in love with you. Both your soul… and your body… became my medicine.”
Yoongi’s eyes were shining. He was silent, but tears danced within them.
“I watched you so many times,” Taehyung said slowly.
“Every time your eyes looked at me… my heart would leap like a child.”
Then he suddenly grew serious. His smile faded, and his voice deepened slightly.
“But… seeing you with that gardener… it drove me insane.”
Yoongi’s eyebrows shot up, his mouth slightly open in surprise.
“Back when you wanted me to marry, when we had to stay apart… your smiles you gave him… they burned me inside. I was jealous. And jealousy wasn’t enough. I went crazy. But I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t stop it. Staying silent, watching helplessly… it was destroying me.”
Yoongi was silent for a moment, then let out a laugh.
He rested his cheek on Taehyung’s shoulder, feeling the baby in his belly stir lightly.
“Oh…” he said, holding his breath. “I didn’t know all this. My prince… you were secretly watching me.”
Taehyung rolled his eyes but smiled.
Yoongi lifted his head. A gentle breeze ruffled his hair. Taehyung had split a piece of fruit in two and was offering it to him. But Yoongi’s eyes were lost in the distance.
“Strange,” he said in a low voice. “Life is really strange.”
Taehyung turned his head to look at him, a weight in his silence.
“I only came here as a cook. I was pitiful… I still am.”
His eyes glistened, he sniffled lightly, smiling with a hint of sadness.
“I always needed food, a home, a warm look. My childhood was like that too. On the streets, alone.”
His voice trembled, a muffled “Ahh” slipped from his lips.
“Forgive me… Pregnancy does this to me. I cry at everything now.”
He smiled with tears sliding down his cheeks. Then he looked at Taehyung, smiling with his eyes.
“I couldn’t even imagine this… I’m not saying I couldn’t, because I really wouldn’t. When I was ordinary, pitiful…”
He brought his hand to his belly, touching it gently.
“You loved me. Being here today, by your side… enduring hardships for your love… carrying your baby inside me… it feels like a dream. What did I do to deserve this, Taehyung?”
Taehyung dropped the fruit, moved closer to Yoongi, and took his hand, holding it firmly. His eyes shone with seriousness:
“You compare our lives, but Yoongi…”
He sighed, his voice deep.
“I have six elder brothers. All rulers of their own lands… each with a different mother. That’s what separates them from me.”
Yoongi looked at him curiously. Taehyung’s voice carried a broken memory.
“My mother… she died when I was very small. My father, the king… yes, he was my father, but I grew up alone. I don’t even know if I was truly loved. When he realized I didn’t like women… he did things to humiliate me. He forced me. I hid. I was ashamed. I feared being myself.”
His voice cracked.
“All my brothers have lands they govern. Palaces, power. But I had none. In the small palace, I was kept by the king’s side. In his sight. He never trusted me. Always set boundaries. Always belittled me.”
He brought his hand to Yoongi’s cheek, wiping away his tears with his thumb.
“Being a prince did not bring me happiness. Every night I went to bed with sorrow.”
He smiled lightly.
“You being a cook, making me meals… it doesn’t make you pitiful, Yoongi. Please, never say that again. We were all born into lives we didn’t choose. But the greatest fortune in this life that came to me… is you. Your arrival at the palace. Your coming to me. Your love for me. The moment I found you… my life finally found its meaning…”
Yoongi’s eyes were brimming with tears, but he smiled and hugged Taehyung’s neck.
His belly nestled lightly between them, and they both giggled at the sweetness of the moment.
“It keeps getting in the way… we’ll just have to be patient a little longer…” Yoongi said.
Taehyung leaned back slightly, smiling.
“Let me.”
He slowly opened Yoongi’s shirt. His pure belly gleamed under the sun, round and tenderly swollen.
Taehyung bent down, touching it softly. Yoongi’s skin warmed under his fingers, and his breath fluttered slightly.
He placed tiny kisses on the belly, then rested his face against it. He inhaled Yoongi’s scent deeply. Yoongi ran his fingers through Taehyung’s hair, smiling silently. When their eyes met, all they saw in each other was peace and trust. They closed their eyes for a moment, as if in gratitude for the moment; it felt like the world had stopped, leaving only the two of them…
❤️