Sovereign Secret

Ch.1| Palace, Sweet Palace

(Disclaimer: This story is heavily inspired by many different Asian cultures. I am in no way an expert on any of them and my purpose is not to offend anyone or be a source of information. Many details are not historically accurate. Many details within the story will be inspired by different Asian cultures, but not accurately represent them.)

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“Yuya-chan, my son, come here.” My mother spoke to me in her native tongue.

“Yes, Okaasan!” I replied back to her as I rushed over.

“Onii-chan!” My younger siblings cried out.

I was so used to speaking in my father’s native tongue, that I almost forgot what my mother’s language sounded like. I haven’t heard my other name spoken in so long. Mother addresses me with the name my father gave me in public and around others. She doesn’t like receiving confused looks when she speaks her language, so she only calls me Yuya in private.

But, I have gotten used to having many names. Crown Prince, Your Highness, Ko Insu, Yuya, Onii, Hyung, and too many more.

“Son!”

“Yes!” My younger siblings laughed as my mother caught my attention.

“You have too many thoughts in that handsome head of yours.” She laughed.

I sat down at her table that overlooked her flower garden. The garden, my father had planted for her, with flowers from my mother’s homeland. His explanation for the gesture was so she wasn’t a lonely as the only “foreign flower” in the palace.

“Onii-chan, may I braid your hair?” My younger sister sat on my lap. I simply nodded and smiled.

“I want to sit on Onii-chan’s lap too!” My younger brother fussed and struggled to find a spot next to Hayun-ah.

“Kotaki-chan, calm down, my love. You’re going to hurt your brother.” My mother lightly scolded.

“I want to stay with Onii-chan!” He declared.

“Hanseul-ah, you are not aware of how big you have gotten.” My brother was now 14 and growing almost as tall as me. He surely was graced with height like my father, unlike me. I had taken more after my mother, in both appearance and height. I have always been teased by my older sisters about my “girly” appearance. They call me 4th sister along with my actual 4th sister.

“I want to grow taller than Onii-chan!” He exclaimed.

“Ya, you are almost as tall as me. You grow like a weed each year.”

“Your highness. 3rd Consort. Prince Hanseul. Princess Hayun.” A maid dressed in peach colored garments addressed us.

“How is my 3rd eldest sister doing?” I asked. A maid in peach indecates that of one under 3rd Princess Minsu.

“My lady is very elated to announce her latest news.” The maid held out a letter to me. I accepted it into my hands and began reading.

“A child?!”

“Big sister is having a baby?”

“What wonderful news!” My mother commented.

“Father will surely want to celebrate tonight.” I smiled. And as soon as the words came out of my mouth, a eunuch dressed in red came with a scroll in hand.

“Your highnesses. The King has invited everyone to celebrate the conception of 3rd Princess’s child.”

“Will 3rd Princess visit the palace as well?” I asked.

“Yes, your highness. 3rd Princess has informed the King of here arrival along with her family.” He answered. How lovely. I almost never get to see my elder sisters anymore. All of them have been married long ago and whisked away by their husbands. All the siblings I have left are Hanseul-ah, Hayun-ah, and Kyubokie. Yet, Kyubokie is going through a bit of a rebellious phase and acts like he is too old to show his elder brother affection. Ah, children.

“Kotaki-chan, Kaida-chan, go with Okaasan to get ready. Onii-chan has to resume his duties.” I spoke to them in mother’s language and they quick nodded and returned to mother’s side.

“Insu-ah, my son, do not drown yourself in your duties.” My mother softly reminded me. I nodded and smiled. As I began to walk back to the Crown Prince palace, my brain began wandering.

Having children of my own would be wonderful, but I can’t ever imagine myself having a wife. I know I will eventually have to, being the Crown Prince and all. I will eventually be the King of the North Continent and I will have a Queen alongside me. Yet, if it were up to me, I would never get married. Especially not after what happened a few years ago, traveling to the Western Continent.

Funnily enough, the trip led me to gain a fiancé. The Princess of the Western Continent, to be exact. My father had sent me to make negotiations with the Western King. Ever since my father had married my mother, he has gained more and more interest in foreign relations. He had sent me to increase trade with the West, but apparently the Western King had liked me so much that he a sent a letter to my father, offering his daughter as my bride.

Princess Fang Ruolan is her name. Of course my father accepted and I had no choice, but to agree. If I had rebelled against their decision, not only would I anger two Kings, but upset an innocent maiden as well. I have learned in my 16 years, that duty and family comes before anything else.

Princess Fang Ruolan is gorgeous as well. No one could deny that. But ...

...

after two years ...

...

and with all my efforts ...

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and with all the strength in my body ...

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to no advail ...

...

no matter how much I try ...

...

I can’t get her damn brother out of my mind.

Screw you, Prince Fang Yunru! And your stupidly good looking face and body.

...———...

Note: Hi! I feel like I introduced a lot within the first chapter (which I know a lot of people say not to do, but I kinda like just jumping right in). But if you are confused (there are a lot of names, I know, I’m sorry), I will include our characters so far.

Crown Prince Ko Insu (Yuya)

(Also referred to as Onii-chan, by his two younger full-blooded siblings)

3rd Consort (Insu’s Mother)

(Also referred to as Okaasan, by her children)

2nd Prince Ko Hanseul (Kotaki)

(Insu’s full-blooded younger brother)

5th Princess Ko Hayun (Kaida)

(Insu’s full-blooded younger sister)

3rd Princess Ko Minsu

(Insu’s half-sister, who is pregnant)

3rd Prince Ko Kyubok

(Also referred to as Kyubokie and is Insu’s half-brother)