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･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.

Jeongguk has always heard that destiny has a way with things.

His mother always said that our deities have everything planned out for us. Our future might not be as easy as we hope or wish, it would be rather complicated. The moon goddess has specifically made it complicated for us so she could test her creation. Only granting the fruit of salvation to those who were patient enough to understand and withhold the sufferings thrown upon their path.

She firmly believed in such philosophy.

Jeongguk however, always thought that it's all an elaborate lie made by the priests so they could exploit the naivety of the common people and fill their own pockets with gold coins. He didn't believe in determinism or destiny.

No matter how hard his mother tried, Jeongguk couldn't bring himself to believe such bizarre concepts. He didn't believe in any of their Gods and goddesses either, not entirely.

Jeongguk understood the fundamentals of worshipping a divine being. He understood that it's an important part of their customs, as well as it's necessary to believe in something that is far beyond their understanding. It helps. When things get tough, it helps in holding on.

As a mere mortal with no control on the circumstances whatsoever, the belief that someone is out there who's looking out for you, who would do no wrong to you… it's comforting. Jeongguk understands that need for comfort so he believed in the concept of God.

However, he couldn't understand the logic behind believing in determinism.

What does it provide? What is the fun in believing that you have zero control over your life? What is the fun in accepting that you have zero control over your physical and mental anatomy. Jeongguk hated the mere thought of it.

He couldn't even fathom the thought of not being the one in control. Jeongguk liked control, he was fond of the fact that he ran the show.

He liked to know that he controlled and decided his future. As an alpha and crowned prince of his kingdom, it was in his nature, an instinct that was inbuilt. So, believing in a theory which was totally opposite of his natural instinct was absurd. He couldn't.

On those rare days when he and his mother had a conversation, Jeongguk made it very clear that believing in such philosophies was absolutely absurd and he would never believe in it, no matter what.

During those times, His mother would only say, “You’ll realise what I mean when the time comes.”

She’ll stare at Jeongguk with a look the alpha couldn't decipher. As if she knew something he didn't. And maybe she did, in fact, know something Jeongguk didn't.

When Jeongguk was born, a prophecy by the Royal priest was told to the king and queen of Limerence.

It was told that the Royal prince, Jeon Jeongguk would grow up to be one of the most handsome alpha. He would rule the world. He'll be one of the greatest warriors to exist in history. Even thousands of years later, he would be taught to the children as one of the strongest kings to ever be born. Any kingdom he wishes to dominate will be under him. No one would be able to defeat the crown prince. He would be loved by his people. However…

There’ll be an omega. His Destiny. Jeongguk’s game changer. The one Jeongguk would fall for, pathetically so but, he wouldn't be his. Or, the omega would try hard to not become his for reasons unknown. The prophecy said that, if and only if, the crown prince managed to be with his beloved then only he’ll live a long life of prosperity.

However, if the crowned prince failed in his quest…The crowned prince would go crazy. Everything that he has earned would mean nothing and will burn down to ashes. The crowned prince would himself burn it all.

He would be remembered by the people but only as a miserable lover who failed to rejoice with his beloved. If and only if he is ruling beside the crowned prince, shall the lands and people of Limerence flourish. And if not, the future of Limerence wouldn't be as pretty.

Jeongguk’s father was somewhat in a state of shock after coming to know about the prophecy. He wasn't fond of love.

According to Junghoon, The King and father of Jeongguk, love makes people blind, so blind that they lose themselves in this sickening feeling of love. He couldn't wrap his head around the irony, now his son had to be subjected to this sickening feeling and he had to win. Otherwise…

Neither the alpha king nor the queen wished to imagine what the alternative would be like.

The King had given a necklace made up of precious pearls found only in the depths of the river thamirabarani to the priest who told them about the prophecy. With the warning, “Make sure that no one ever comes to know about the fate of the Crown Prince, Royal Priest.”

“I will take this secret to my grave, My Lord.” The Priest had bowed down to the King before he walked away without showing his back to the King.

The queen was sitting behind the curtains of the balcony of Throne room, listening to the whole ordeal. Mi-cha, The queen, had held her son close to her chest. A silent prayer leaving from her lips to the gods and goddess to give a bright future to her son and let him not be separated from his beloved.

At that time, she didn't know whether her prayers would be answered or not.

All she knew was that she’ll make sure Jeongguk would never come to know about the prophecy. She’ll keep it a secret and perhaps only tell her son when the prophecy would be fulfilled.

She felt like, if she told Jeongguk about it, she'd tamper with the moon goddess’s plan so she made sure he’ll never know.

Fortunately or unfortunately, there were very few incidents when the topic came up.

She wouldn't like to admit it but part of the reason was the fact that they rarely, if ever, interacted with each other.

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Growing up, Jeongguk wasn't really very close to his mother. It wasn't like he hated his mother or that his mother was cruel. It was nothing like that, it was just that... they didn't have anything in common.

They had no common ground to have a conversation on and with time, the older he grew, the more they grew apart and it extended furthermore, to the point where they couldn't even sit together and have  random conversations.

If you ask Jeongguk about what he feels about this, the distance between him and his mother, He would say that it doesn't really bother him.

For him, his mother has always been in the background, someone who was just there but didn't really make an impact. She wasn't important enough to make an impact in the life of the crowned prince according to some commoners. Jeongguk didn't feel angry about it, truthfully, at some point he agreed with it.

His mother didn't have anything to give him. She didn't have any skills which were useful for the future king and can only be provided by her. The only skills that she could teach him were cooking and sewing, both which aren't technically necessary for the crowned prince to master. It was enough if he just learned the basics for some special, unexpected scenarios. Other than that, those skills were pretty much useless for the crowned prince. And the basics could be taught by anyone, he didn't necessarily need his mother for that.

Besides those skills, she couldn't teach him anything that is useful for the future king. She couldn't teach him how to ride a horse, use a weapon, battle strategies, geopolitical scenarios, critical and intellectual thinking. She couldn't teach any of it.

So it is fair enough to say that his mother really didn't have any impact in his life, her presence or absence barely made any difference.

Even now, she had nothing to comment about his archery skills except a, “you did great, son!”

And Jeongguk doesn't do much either.

He just gives a nod and smiles after bending down to touch her and his father's feet as a greeting.

His mother just smiles up at him, like she always does and Jeongguk doesn't hate it, it's sweet. It's sweet of her to be so encouraging and supporting of him.

However, it's not what he wants.

He wants criticism, he wants to know how to improve, what he could have done better because he knows he could.

And he needs someone to provide that judgement, unfortunately his mother doesn't fit that shoe.

Fortunately, his father does.

“It was indeed great. However you could have stretched your leg a bit more to get a better stance. And the second last shot? Your bow could have been tilted…” Jeongguk listens intently, even ordering one of the servants to bring the bow and arrows back so his father could show it to him.

The father-son duo get engrossed in the practice all while the queen watches from the side.

“I wasn't aware you were watching, father.” Jeongguk mumbled after his father was done showing him his errors.

“Your mother and I were just taking a stroll when we heard you practising. I’ve come to notice that you've been practising a lot these days.” Emperor Junghoon mumbles, stretching his hand so the servant could take away the bow while another came to wipe away the sweat from his face.

Jeongguk nodded, “I'm soon to inherit the throne, father. It's only fair I keep my skills refined for the coronation ceremony”

A servant came forward with his hanfu, silently covering the crowned prince since the alpha was bare chested while practising.

Junghoon smiles, “I see, Only a couple of months left, no?“

“Yes,” Jeongguk nods, raising his hand to dismiss the servant, tying the knot of the cloth by himself as he walks side by side with his father. His mother followed closely behind. “Soon, you're going to get my place. How do you feel about it? Nervous?“

Jeongguk shakes his head, his head held high while his hands stay behind his back.

His voice was strong as he said, “not even one bit, I'm your son. I was born to rule.”

To someone else, it might sound arrogant. But for Jeongguk, it was the most obvious thing to happen. He was born to rule, the moment he was born, it was clear that he’ll be the heir of the almighty Limerence.

Everyone had a place in this world, whether they were comfortable in it or not was a different question. Some worked to change the hierarchy so they could reach the top and some struggled to accept their high position, too nervous to handle the responsibility.

Jeongguk was neither of those. He was secure in his identity, comfortable in his position as the king of hierarchy. It was his to begin with so why should he feel nervous about it? It felt ridiculous to be unsure of his place in this world.

Junghoon chuckled, nodding.

Of course Jeongguk would say that. He shouldn't expect anything less from his son.

The older alpha turned his head to share the amusement with his wife only to realise that she was walking behind him rather than beside him.

Emperor Junghoon stopped walking for his mate to catch up. Mi-cha smiles at his husband as she comes forward till they’re side by side. Jeongguk didn't seem to notice any of it, he kept walking forward.

“Son, When do you plan to go on the survey of the kingdom?” Junghoon asked, placing his hand on the back of his wife’s waist to guide her forward.

Jeongguk hummed under his breath. Right. The journey around the kingdom.

It was the tradition for the crowned prince to take a personal stroll around the kingdom as a commoner a couple of months before the coronation in order to understand the life and struggles of the people of their kingdom. It helped the future king in understanding what are the areas that are in need of development and which areas are in need of maintenance. It also helped the king to connect better with the people of his kingdom.

Of course Jeongguk was aware that as a prince, he has been secluded from the true struggles of life. He doesn't know what it means to manage finance, what is the fear of not having enough food. He’s blissfully aware that he’s somewhat ignorant of the pain and struggle of poverty. 

However he doesn't understand the need to have a stroll around the kingdom, especially when that kingdom is Limerence.

Limerence was one of the biggest kingdoms around the globe, beside the Oracle Empire. So surely, it wouldn't be that bad in the kingdom. Surely, there’s no need for him to personally go undercover for the inspection. There are enough records and scrolls which give a decent idea of what needs to be improved.

However, Jeongguk wasn't one to question the customs. He understood that people had great attachments to it and they somewhat felt sensitive when it came to them. Jeongguk respected it and had no interest in questioning or throwing a tantrum for such trivial matters. Especially when his own father is a firm believer of carrying out those customs and traditions.

“I haven't yet decided a date, father.” Jeongguk spoke honestly, rubbing his chin as he thought about it.

“Well then you should, the coronation is only six months away. The voyage itself is two months long.”

Jeongguk nodded, “I will inform you once I’ve decided on a date.”

“I’ll wait for it,” Junghoon passed him an encouraging smile, “you’ll do well in your journey, I’m sure!”

Jeongguk nodded, neither acknowledging nor denying what his father had said even though he himself wasn't sure what this journey would bring for him.