Bihyung blinked before asking, "Are you in love?"
Dokja blinked at him, then frowned at his words. "What?"
Bihyung returned his frowned, confused from Dokja's confusion, "Are you not, you got their weird look on you face when you were singing."
Dokja just rolled his eyes at him, "Nah, I think you got something in your eyes, I'm just so happy to sing for my babies again," he said, as he went over to cuddle with the three creatures.
Bihyung frown deepened as he observed Dokja's smile, "So, what exactly were you thinking of when you were singing?" At that, Dokja's body froze for a second.
Pointedly not looking at the dokkeabi, he responded, "Was just thinking of someone I knew. There's nothing wrong with thinking of other things when I'm singing," he said as he patted Biyoo's head, going over to do the same to Bihyung, ingoring his protests.
He glanced at the sky, noticing the afternoon sky bleeding into night."It's getting late, we should probably get going now," Dokja adjusted his cloak and then turned his attention to Bihyung, asking, "Do you have some place to stay?"
He shook his head, " No, I'll just stay here with the creatures."
"What do you mean by 'stay here'? Isn't there anywhere you've been sleeping at before we met?"
Bihyung looked around before responding, "No, I've just been going from place to place, sleeping wherever I could cram by body into before humans would eventually chased me out. Honestly, the forest seems way better, the creatures don't mind me, and plus I think I saw plenty of fruit plants when we were walking here. Your creature friends can show me they way around, " He smiled at Dokja, indicating his contentment with the decision.
"....."
"You should go now. You're a noble, after all. Your folks will get worried if you come back late, right?" Bihyung advised Dokja, concerned for him.
"But..."
"Stop worrying and just go, I'll be just fine!" Bihyung insisted once again. Dokja was unsure whether he should leave or not, but accepting Bihyung's decision to stay in the forest, sighed and reluctantly turned to walk away.
"Make sure to stay safe, all of you." They all waved him away, all of the creatures promising to see him later.
------
The manor was buzzing with whispers when he stepped into it. For once, the gossiping wasn't aimed at him, with the maids and servants so absorbed in whatever they were talking about that they didn't even bow to them as he passed by. He was only a few steps away from the duke's study when the duke himself burst through the door. His father's strides were long and hurried as he rushed towards the manor's entrance in a hurry, the duchess following closely behind him.
"Father, what—?"
"Just ask your mother, I must leave now, it's urgent business," Hades promptly responded as he rushed away, leaving Dokja and Persephone . Dokja stared at his back in confusion before turning his attention to the Duchess, who was nervously watching her husband walk away.
"Mother?" Dokja asked, wanting an explanation for whatever was going on.
Her eyes lingered on Hands before he disappeared around the corner before speaking, "His Majesty, the Emperor, is sick. Your father will be attending a meeting with the Seoul Empire's other major powers to discuss the future of the empire."
Dokja raised an eyebrow, trying to hide his amusement."Really? What happened?" he asked, showing great interest. Neither he or Joonghyuk had planned anything like this, so he was curious to know what had transpired.
"No one knows for sure. All that the palace has told us is that His Majesty was simply walking through the garden when he suddenly started spitting up. He fainted shortly afterward. A physician from the Lee Ducal will be dispatched to check on his condition," the Duchess replied.
Dokja looked away, deep in thought. Once again, another event that deviated from the events in the novel, leaving him confused. However, if the emperor were to pass away, Joonghyuk would likely become the new emperor. With this knowledge in mind, Dokja anticipated that those who were aware of the emperor's condition would be restless, eagerly awaiting what would unfold next.
Taking her son's momentary silence as anxiousness, Persephone put a consoling hand on his shoulder."You don't need to think about that, okay? Just... everything will be fine. Don't listen to whatever lousy rumors come from this" she said before leaving to lecture the maids and servants about spreading needless gossip while working.
Dumbly nodding his head at her as she left, Dokja continued to make his way to his room as he turned over her words in his head. As he passed by the garden, he heard the sound of laughter ringing out. Curiosity piqued, Dokja turned his head and saw his two children accompanied by none other than Princess Mia.
Dokja was taken aback by the sight of the princess, as he knew she never got along with anyone besides her older brother. He walked over the the croup, and they noticed his presence immediately.
"Hyung" "Ahjusshi!" the two children exclaimed, running to towards him and embracing him in a hug. Dokja smiled warmly at them, patting their heads affectionately.
"Seems like you really missed me," Dokja said playfully.
"Of course, Hyung, we always miss you. It's just that... that bastard is always here, and we can't spend as much time with you anymore," Gilyeong said, sounding a bit sulky. Dokja simply smiled, feeling a bit guilty that he had to spend time away with them to plan out ways to take down the queen. But it would be worth it in the end, he'd be able to spend more time with them once the empire was in better hands!
"Hey, don't call my brother a bastard," Mia interjected, causing everyone to turn their attention towards her.
Gilyeong narrowed his eyes at Mia, clearly annoyed. "But it's true. That person doesn't deserve Hyung. Besides, you're always insulting our hyung, so why can't we do the same," he argued back, his frustration evident in his tone.
Mia shot a glare at Gilyeong, clearly annoyed. Dokja wasn't sure whether to laugh or intervene, as Mia's expression resembled her brother's. "Doesn't deserve? Huh? That ugly ahjussi is the one who doesn't deserve my oppa, I'm just saying what's true!" she yelled passionately.
Gilyeong glared at Mia and yelled back, "Take back what you said right now or we're not friends anymore! Hyung isn't ugly!" His protective nature towards Dokja was evident in his strong reaction.
Mia rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, remaining defiant. "Ugh, now you sound like my hyung. Why did he ever have sex with you?!" Her words hung in the air, causing everyone to freeze, particularly Dokja, who seemed to have lost all color in his face. The two children turned their attention to him, their expressions filled with curiosity and confusion.
"Hyung, what is a sex?"
"Ahjussi, what does that mean?"
Dokja's mind raced as he tried to find the right words to answer the innocent question. He took a deep breath and crouched down to their eye level, wearing a gentle smile. "Well, um, it's a word used to describe the physical expression of love between two adults who are in a romantic relationship. It's a way for them to show their deep affection and create a special bond with each other." He kept his explanation age-appropriate, ensuring not to delve into explicit details.
"Wait, are you saying you're still in love with that bastard?" Gilyeong said with a face that couldn't believe what he just heard.
Dokja's heart skipped a beat as Gilyeong questioned him with disbelief. He took a moment to compose himself before responding, "Well, Gilyeong, love can be complicated. Sometimes, even when things change or don't go as planned, the love we feel for someone can still remain. It doesn't mean that everything is perfect or that it's easy, but love can be a powerful force." He spoke with sincerity, hoping to convey his feelings in a way that Gilyeong could understand.
Mia blankly looked at them then she sighed and said sarcastically "Just say you were both horny that's why you did it…"
Dokja shot a disapproving look at her, trying to channel as much parental energy as he could. He seriously hoped Yoosung and Gilyeong wouldn't get too influenced for her. Curse Yoo Joonghyuk for passing in his lack of consideration onto his kid sister!
"No, Mia, that's incredibly immature and inappropriate for you to say right now. It's about sharing love and building a deep bond with someone special. Ideas like that are exactly why a child your age shouldn't be talking about things like this!"
But despite his best attempt at reprimanding her, Mia looked unconvinced as she rolled her eyes and said "Whatever, I stand with what I said."
Dokja stared at her for a minute before sighing because he knew he wouldn't get through to her. Then they saw Jihye with some royal guards walking towards them. Dokja and the three kids looked at them in confusion. "Greetings, Sir Dokja," Jihye said to him while he just nodded. Then Jihye turned her attention to Mia, "Your brother wants you to go home to the palace right now," Jihye said.
Mia frowned in confusion before her expression turned worried, "Why? Did something happen?" Looks like she had no idea what happened to the emperor yet.
Knight Jihye shot Dokja with a cautious look, "It's best the His Highness informs you himself when you get home,"
Jihye responded vaguely. Now that the emperor is sick, Joonghyuk was probably worried that Mia's life would be in even more danger with all the discourse over who would inherit the throne. With the two factions fighting over putting Yoo Joonghyuk or the second prince over the throne, his enemies may try to attack his sister to get to him.
Mia looked down, deep in thought, before looking at Jihye again, "Alright, let's go." She then turned her attention to Dokja and the two kids, saying, "Bye-bye," while waving her hand, considerably tamer than before. The three of them also said their goodbyes and Mia nodded at Jihye, who guided her to their personal carriage along with the other knights accompanying them.
The emperor's untimely illness marked the official start of the war between the two factions: those supporting the second prince and those supporting the current crown prince. The outcome was uncertain for the time being, but Dokja already knew which faction he would support, and he'd give his all to make sure they came out on top.