Chapter Text
Rows and rows of ambassadors, business owners, politicians, and others in power were seated in front of the large, ornate table where Jeonghan sat at the helm. Junhui sat at a few seats down in the Chinese section, accompanied by his fellow associates. The Japanese delegate Hirata Momo sat in her section. Her head held high, posture firm, and bright red lipstick glossy in the light. Jeonghan took in a few breaths, tried to calm his galloping heart, and sat up straighter. He was perfectly calm. Calmer than calm.
Even when Choi Seungcheol's eyes studied the room, but always paused for more than a few seconds on Jeonghan before resuming.
The alpha bothered him. His eyes, his presence, they shifted his insides like thick soup. Jisoo would say that it's just peristalsis happening. If Jeonghan thought Seungcheol was handsome in the terrible lighting of a convenience store, the bright chandeliers of the room did nothing but emphasize it.
Seungcheol was handsome but subtle in it. His large cow-like eyes gave the illusion of innocence, but the stern lines of his face, the angle of his jaw line, the muscular build screamed dominant alpha. He was intimidating without having to say a word. And his scent, Jeonghan almost fell to his knees. Him! The crown prince of the land they all stood on, on his knees, for an alpha?! He needs Jisoo to study his brain for any abnormalities. Whatever was happening made Jeonghan feel so off kilter he didn't realise the conference had begun. Secretary Jeon gently tapped him on his thigh, Jeonghan dug his nails into his palm and refocused.
"Today we are all here to discuss future plans and strategies to implement in order to improve the lives of our current citizens and future leaders."
"We present to you Crown Prince Yoon Jeonghan of the South Korean Republic."
Jeonghan made his way to the raised podium, took a deep breath and let his gaze fall to the guests seated in front of him.
"Thank you to the organizers who have blessed me with this opportunity and medium to speak to not only those present, but to those tuned in, in the comfort of their homes. Unicef's name originally stood for the United Nations International Children's Emergency fund. Presently they have been renamed as the United Nations Children Fund. I believe, that children all over the world are entitled to their basic human rights. It should not be an emergency to want to have clothes on your back. It should not be an emergency to eat three meals a day. It should not be an emergency to have adequate education.
"Unfortunately that seems to be the case in today's society. This summit is being held not only to discuss the aspirations to provide help for those children, not only to plan and dream of aid and welfare. It is to implement it. A plan is useless if it is not carried out. In fact, it is nothing but an empty promise, shattering the hopes of the pups dreaming to be better than whatever life has dealt them with. We, in power, have been blessed with the resources, the funds and the means to carry out these plans and it is our responsibility to make sure that these resources are used wisely.
"With the power that we have, we cannot create a vacuum where the rich get richer and the poor die of poverty and starvation. As the Crown Prince, as the future monarch, I urge you all, to think of those around you. If you have the means, make the decision to provide aid. Society is not a fixed construct. It is constantly evolving, improving and deteriorating in a continuous cycle. It is our responsibility that future generations do not have to stress over problems that have expanded in such a way, where a solution is not foreseeable or doable.
"I pray that my words have touched not only your hearts but the depths of your soul, treat each and every child as a pup of your own and provide to the best of your ability. Again, I hope your heart's have been opened. As well as those heavy coffers. Thank you."
The applause filled the room and Jeonghan's heart filled to the brim with pride and warmth. He could hear her voice.
Good job, uri Hannie~
The summit ended and the party began. Jeonhan and Secretary Jeon made the rounds greeting all the guests and establishing future connections.
"I almost cried by the end of your speech, Crown Prince."
He heard the deep voice, filled with amusement and as he turned he was faced with Kim Mingyu. The Vice-President of CH Group was dressed in a dove gray two piece suit. His chest pocket gleaming with a custom Armani pocket watch. His mouth, Jeonghan thought, was probably always bent with that cocky smirk. He was exactly whoever the fuck he thought he was.
"It seems CH Group is all I see today." Jenghan mused as the alpha chuckled and glanced at Secretary Jeon.
"Well, I hope we don't ever leave your thoughts, Your Highness."
Jeoghan rolled his eyes and flicked his wrist.
"None of that Your Highness business. Sir is just fine."
Mingyu laughed and gave a slight bow. His gaze met Secretary Jeon's and his eyes almost sparkled under the bright lights of the ballroom.
"Jeonghan hyung." Jeonghan heard and turned towards his favorite friend-in-law.
"Junnie. How did you like my speech? Impressive right?"
Jun laughed and gave him a too short hug.
"Thoroughly impressed, hyung." Junhui turned towards Mingyu, "Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine Mr Wen." Mingyu replied cheerfully. He reminded Jeonghan of a puppy, wagging its tail in the presence of new people. It was adorable.
Choi Seungcheol made his way to smal group and watched as Jeonghan laughed at something Mingyu said. His neck pulled back in delight, the long lines enticing Seungcheol and he gulped nervously. Mingyu, that fucker, was charming the boots off the crown prince. Seungcheol was not impressed, it seemed Secretary Jeon was of the same sentiment.
"I can assure you, Mingyu is not that funny Your Highness."
Jeonghan turned towards him and it was like an angel was before him.
He is so fucking beautiful.
Seungcheol barely managed to keep the unfiltered words down.
"Jealousy look good on you, President Choi."
"There would have to be something to be jealous of Your Highness."
Jeonghan laughed cheerfully and took a glass that a passing waiter presented to the group. The champagne ran smoothly down his throat, the bubbles bursting on his tongue. His scent, soft, sweetened as he focused on the alpha in front of him.
Mingyu, Junhui and Secretary Jeon watched them go back and forth like spectators at a Wimbledon match. Jun took a sip of the champagne in his hand and frowned at the slightly bitter taste.
"You-"
Jun's throat closed up so quickly, his circulation cut off as he began heaving. The glass in his hand shattered as he kneeled trying to take heavy breaths.
"Jun!"
Secretary Jeon and Mingyu reacted quickly removing his suit jacket as the commotion drew the attention of other party goers. Captain Kwon, almost comically, spawned next to Jeonghan removing him from the chaos. Seungcheol took charge and barked orders at those around them. Jeonghan could only watch, fear clawing at his chest, his frame shivering as Soonyoung led him out of the ballroom.
Junhui collapsed.
...
Dr. Hong leaned towards his middle child energy. He had an older brother who was fated to become the King, a younger step-brother who was just the sweetest human on earth and that rat alpha of a half-sibling. He made sure to be present enough to not be forgotten, but absent enough to not be focused on.
He watched as people mourned his mother. Citizens wailing for months on end for the lost queen. A clot in her cerebral artery they suggested. Her heart suddenly stopped they guessed. No physician could provide a reason why his mother died from a common cold. It irked him to the point he began reading medical journals at the age of seven years old. He studied and studied and continues to study until he can find out the reason why his mother died.
The elevator doors opened and Professor Han Pilsoo stepped in.
"Your Highness! What a pleasure to see you." His grainy voice made Jisoo itch.
"Just Dr. Hong, Professor."
"Ah yes, yes. Your family must be so proud of you. You're well on your way to becoming the Royal Physician."
"Ah...I need more experience for that to happen, Professor."
"Trust me, I have an eye for it. My uncle was working the Royal Medicinal Council. He worked closely with the royal family."
Jisoo perked up at the tidbit of information and slightly turned towards the professor.
"Your uncle worked in the palace."
"Yes, yes, very prestigious of him. The first in our family. He moved to Japan with his family when the previous que-" Profesor Han trailed off, his gaze moving from Jisoo and clearing his throat.
"Don't worry Professor, it's been a long time now. Tell me, did your uncle work closely with Physician Wang?"
The name of the dead royal physician startled the professor.
"Yes. He was one of Wang-ssi's apprentices. My uncle always boasted about how he was going to be the next royal physician and how he was the best and-"
"He's in Japan with his family now?"
"Ahh, erhm yes. He practices there. Erhm, your- i mean Dr. Hong what-"
"No. I was just interested in the previous physicians. It's my end goal after all."
Professor Han laughed a belly laugh that was loud in the small elevator.
"Of course. Of cou-"
Jisoo's phone rang with a call from the ER. He nodded a shirt goodbye and ran off.
I need to contact Jeonghan.
...
Hansol's hands were dusty and damp with traces of mud. He glanced down and whimpered sadly as the bird's wing twitched. He must be in so much pain. He ran into the house, his short legs tripping over the fluffy white carpet eomma set up. She doesn't like it when Hansol touches it. He can hear their voices high-pitched, omega like and quite serious. Eomma's always so serious, she never plays with Hansol.
He trudges in the room, his eyes catching on the pup playing with his blocks. His cheeks are filled and remind Hansol of the round apples at his grandpa's orchard, all red and shiny.
"Eomma, the bir-"
"Hansol!! What did I say about playing in the mud?" His eomma's voice was loud and reminded Hansol of his train whistle, high pitched and airy. She gestures to Ms Kim and she begins wiping down Hansol. The cloth is tough and spiky and makes his glands itch. Ms Kim gently removes the bird from his hands as Hansol whines softly and childlike. He stares at the quiet pup and squirms away from Ms Kim.
"Hi."
The pup looks up at him and Hansol always believed that he could only see stars at night, but right now he could see them, shiny and blinking in the pup's eyes. He couches down and sits next to him.
"Hi." The pup whispers his reply, his voice soft yet squeaky.
They start playing cops and robbers with Hansol's duplo blocks.
"I'm Seungkwan."
"Hansollie." They giggle with each other and startle at his eomma's exclamation.
"How do you expect me to do that?! I'm being holed up with the brat, forced to remain in hiding. When is Grandfather going to bring me back?" Her whine made Hansol sad.
The woman, a short severe looking woman and a tall burly alpha tried to calm her down.
"These things take time. One mistake, and all our plans-"
Hansol stopped paying attention when Seungkwan took his hands. They intertwined their fingers and Seungkwan nuzzled against him, on the soft innocent way pups do. If Hansol had a tail, it would be wagging so fast it would be a blur.
...
Hansol made the decision. He'll enter the palace on his own and work his way to the Queen's security detail. He remembers her, the one who brought her pup for play dates and convinced his mother to abandon him. He needs to know why. Why they did what they did, and why he had to pay the price for it.
...
Jun's eyes felt heavy. As though he slept for a week with no break. He could hear the beeping of the machine he was hooked to and his hands were warm. As he finally surfaced his gaze caught on the beta resting his head on the space beside him. Hao.
The doctor entered the room and Minghao startled awake. His gaze moving to Jun and he smiled so prettily, so sadly, Jun's heart felt like it just received a sucker punch robbing him of his breath.
"Wen Junhui-ssi? How are you feeling?"
"My throat is a bit dry." His voice raspy, made him wince. Minghao immediately brought forward a cup of warm water and help him sip it.
"What happened?"
"Gē, you were poisoned." Hao's voice quiet and wobbly trying to keep his tears at bay. Jun took his hand and squeezed it tightly.
"I'm okay, haohao."
Hao sniffled and let his wrist run against Jun in effort to calm himself.
"We found traces of ricin in your blood. If they had taken any more time, it would've been fatal. Luckily enough, we treated you with a few doses of vitamin care in order prevent any more cellular damage. You going to make a full recovery." Dr. Kim stated, took note of his vitals and left them alone.
"I was so scared, Junnie. When Jeonghan hyung called me, I almost collapsed in the art museum."
Hao starts in mandarin, common when he's nervous or anxious twisting his hands in Jun's.
"I'm okay, baby. Don't cry. Ahh, Hao, how is it possible you look even more pretty?"
Minghao glared at him and pouted cutely. Jun brought him up and hugged him.
"I'm alright baobei, don't cry."
Minghao hugged him and let his scent drape all over them. They settled and Jun hummed a song in the silence.
The door slid open and Jeonghan walked in. Draped in an off shoulder silk shirt with dark jeans and bright pink sneakers finished off with a navy long coat. He looked like those European tourists.
"How can you be looking all spritzy while I'm here dying of thirst?" Jun said and chuckled softly. Minghao swatted at him and whimpered softly. "Sorry." He murmured and released calming pheromones.
Jeonghan moved forward and took Jun's hand in his.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." His tone was apologetic and melancholic. Jun shook his head and squeezed his hand softly.
"Better me than you."
"Gē!" Minghao whimpered and tucked himself closer.
Jeonghan refused, "No, you're just as important."
The door opened and in walked Seungcheol and Mingyu both in formal suit, Seungcheol sans suit jacket. His white shirt emphasized the muscles straining against the shirt. Jun noted how Jeonghan's gaze roamed all over him before turning back to Jun.
"I won't ask how you feel, but I am glad you're okay." Seuncheol said.
"How tsundere of you Choi Seungcheol." Jeonghan quipped and Seungcheol rolled his eyes.
They must've gotten closer while Jun was under.
"I did some digging, the waiter that served us was found dead three hours ago. Police ruled it off as suicide." Mingyu stated and the tension in the room thickened.
"What are the odds that one glass out of a full tray was poisoned and found its way to the crown prince's hands?" Seungcheol mused and Jeonghan gripped his own hands pinching the skin.
"Someone tried to kill you, Your Highness."
Jeonghan inhaled, feeling light headed, pinching his skin tight between his short nails.
"Captain Kwon and Secretary Jeon will continue to investigate. Thank you President and Vice-President for all your help." Jeonghan said in a controlled tone that made Seungcheol pause.
"If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask." Seungcheol offered and nodded to Jun and Minghao before leaving.
Jeonghan followed and tugged at Seungcheol's sleeve.
"Thanks." He whispered, letting his fingers curl around his wrist looking up at him.
Seungcheol's heart galloped faster than he could count. The organ wanted to jump into the arms of the smaller man in front of him and bury itself into him. Seungcheol's scent, between them, fresh and cool, the breeze of an afternoon day settled and Jeonghan's shoulders slightly relaxed.
"Jeonghan-ssi, I-"
"Jeonghan. I think we've met enough times to be more casual."
Jeonghan exhaled softly and let his wrist go. He took a step back and composed himself.
"Let's join forces."
Jeonghan's words made Seungcheol pause. He tilted his head the way a dog tilts theirs in question.
"Join forces?"
"I need someone on the outside. Someone separate from the royal family."
Seungcheol stared, the omega in front of me, more composed and reminiscent of the prince who spoke so eloquently at the summit.
"What do I gain from this? I am a business man after all."
"CH Group is currently aiming for partnership with TR International Firm, Leejung is looking to expand in the same sector. I'll give you the backing Leejung already has."
Seungcheol narrowed his eyes and sharpened his scent.
"Be my person. Be the ace up my sleeve. You don't affiliate yourself with any of the other conglomerates. You stand on the sidelines, observing and silently moving."
Jeonghan took a deep breath and took two steps forward. Stepping into Seungcheol's space, his scent wrapping around him.
"Be my black knight."
...
Jihoon entered the large office and bowed deeply to the man in front of him.
Lee Jungseok was a stately alpha, set firm in his beliefs carried down generation to generation. His face rough and lined with evidence of hard work and permanent frown lines. He saved Leejung from bankruptcy in a radical plan that put them at the top of the list of families in South Korea. One step down from royalty.
"Sit down." His baritone slid down Jihoon's spine like slime on a wall and he obeyed. There was no other option.
"Talks with CH has been successful. You'll mate with the eldest Choi son in the next two months." Jihoon froze at his words, fear clawing at his chest.
"T-two months? Harab-"
"It's already been settled Jihoon. What more do you need?"
"Does the alpha know?"
"He will fall in line. Just like you have."
His grandfather ended with that. With no expectation that Jihoon would argue. Jihoon felt like screaming. Felt like clawing at his body, begging them to see he was not just a breeding pig. Not just meant to continue the great Leejung bloodline. He want to wail and howl at the gods for abandoning him, he never wanted this. He never wanted any of this.
Instead he bowed and with his hands folded in front of him.
"Yes, Grandfather."