.fifty eight.

The priest began with the ceremony, first explaining the history behind it and why it was so important for it to be performed. He then recited a few prayers and then beckoned for the first child to be brought forth. Since their main focus was Soo Hyun, he would get to go first, and the protocol was that the crown prince was to take the child in his arms and get into the bath with the child in his arms. Eun fully trusted Mu and was ready to hand off his son to him when Yo rushed forward. "I would like to do the honors, if I may." The third prince said, looking to the king and his older brother for approval.

The king knew about the crown prince's skin condition and knew that the waters of the bath might affect it. The king nodded in approval and the crown prince stepped down. Yo went towards Minji with a victorious grin, and when Minji felt him towering over her, she held her little boy close to her chest, refusing to let him go. "I don't want you to touch him." She said, voice barely above a whisper. Her head was low and there was a palpable fear reflected on her face. At the moment the child was soundly sleeping in her arms and she knew handing him over to Yo would no doubt disrupt that sleep.

Yo grabbed at her arm and tried to pry the child out of her hands, but she resisted firmly. The struggling caused the child to stir from his sleep and start crying loudly.

"Can't brothers So or Wook do it instead?" Eun stepped in between the two of them, looking to the king desperately for help. He didn't want to say it aloud, for the backlash he and his wife might receive. But he didn't trust Yo. His eagerness and willing to be the one to perform the ritual had both Eun and Minji on edge. He was most likely planning something, and it was probably nothing good if it involved Yo.

But the king gave a shake of his head. "If the crown prince should be unable, the next prince in line should do the honors. That would be your brother Wang Yo. If he should be unwilling, then So should take his place."

That smirk that Eun wanted so badly to wipe off his face made an appearance yet again. "I am willing, your majesty." No one else stepped in to interfere, but Eun remained standing in between them. Yo put his arm on his younger brother's shoulder and shoved him back. "Step aside, Eun."

The tenth prince then had to watch as Yo practically yanked the child out of Minji's arms and stepped into the bath water below. The priest and Ji Mong were already inside waiting. Once he was inside with the child in his arms, the priest began. "In the name of the heavens we offer up Wang Soo Hyun to their will." Yo was then instructed to hold the child up to the heavens for a moment, before lowering him down into the bath water gently. Except his movements were all but gently. When he brought the child down into the water, he made it seem like the baby slipped out of his hands and into the water below. 

There were gasps heard throughout the bath, and Minji's breath caught in her throat. She was at a loss, since she couldn't see what was happening. But she quickly heard Eun leave her side and there was a splash heard in the bath water below. The other brothers started to rush forward to help, but the king stopped them with an order. "Don't all jump in at once. Let Eun do it." He said, informing them that they would make matters worse. So, Baek-ah, Wook, Han, and even Jung nodded and stood back.

"What's happening?" Minji asked worriedly, her hands blindly searching for someone to inform her what was going on.

Jung wanted so badly to go to her, but he stood back for her own safety. It was Yeon Hwa who hurried to her side and took her hands in order to calm her. "There was an incident, but Eun has it under control." She tried to explain as calmly as possible.

There was splashing around heard, before she heard the frantic crying of her baby in the bath water. "What do you mean?" She asked, feeling a lump in her throat.

Hearing her baby's crying, she tried to go to him in order to give him comfort. She pulled her hands away from Yeon Hwa's and took a few steps forward. The princess tried to pull her back, but suddenly Minji felt a drop followed by the warmth of the bath water below. She felt around and followed the sound of her baby's voice until she found Soo Hyun in her husband's arms. He handed the baby over to her and her heart dropped when she felt he was absolutely drenched. "Love," Minji almost cried, but at the moment she was more relieved than anything to have her baby back in her arms. "I thought you said they would only sprinkle some water on his head."

She held the baby close to her chest and tried to quiet his cries. Eun said nothing to her and instead went to his older brother. He placed his hands on his chest and shoved him with all his might. "You did that on purpose." He accused, and it was then that Minji understood.

The plan had been to douse his head only, but Yo had other ideas. He had tried to drown their son and make is look accidental. 

"It was an accident." Yo defended himself.

But his words sounded like it was all but accidental.

Before things could get more out of hand, the king decided to step in. "Eun-ah, it was an accident." Then looking to Yo, he added firmly, "But you should still apologize to your brother. A stupid mistake like that could have had terrible consequences."

Yo sighed, uncaring. "I apologize, brother. I should have been more careful."

His apology was the most insincere that Minji had ever heard. Eun's hand balled up into a fist and he remained silent, as he wanted nothing more than to hit his brother in that moment. But they were in front of the whole family, and in front of the king.He had to obey. From outside of the baths, Han helped Eun and Minji out. They were wearing their many layers of clothes which made them feel heavy and difficult to walk in. Soon Deok was still holding onto a sleeping Eun Bi who had not been woken up by all the commotion. 

"I will send for the doctor." The king informed and then gave instructions to one of his servants.

When it came to Eun Bi being presented to the heavens, it was up to Wang So as the next prince in line. Everything went smoothly, and Minji still held Soo Hyun close to her. The servants had helped her get the child out of his wet clothes and bundled him up in blankets to keep him warm until the doctor arrived. 

-

When they returned to their home, Minji quickly changed her baby into some warm clothes. The doctor had informed her that while she had to keep his body temperature very warm for the rest of the night, it had been just a scare. Their son was in perfectly good health and nothing would be able to deter that. After making sure their son was safe again, Minji fed the children before even thinking about herself. Eun was the same and they spent most of the afternoon in their wet clothes as a result. 

They finally put the babies to bed before she felt a shiver travel down her spine. They headed toward their bedroom together and Minji let out a sneeze which made her realize. "We still haven't changed out of out wet clothes." She said with a slight giggle.

Eun nodded in agreement, there was still a lot on his mind from that day.

Minji heaved a sigh, since she knew well that it was something they needed to talk about. "Eunnie, I really tried not to pull you away from your family because I wanted to give them a chance. I also really wanted them to like me and to like our children. But after today...I just don't think that's going to be a possibility. I think we really should distance ourselves from them."

"That's what I've been saying this whole time." He said to her, heaving a tired sigh. "Other than a few of my brothers, I don't think any of them really like me anyway. I've always been the dumb one, the one they always made fun of."

"Oh, love." Minji felt a prick in her chest. She cut the distance between them and pulled him into her arms, resting her head on his chest. "Don't you ever listen to anything negative they say. You're perfect and I love you so much. It hurts to hear you so upset."

He was quiet for a moment as his arms found their way around her waist. He then said something else that tore at her heart. "You love me? Do you mean it this time?"

"I really do." She said with a smile that sent his heart into a flutter, and this time, even in her heart she felt that she meant it. "Now," She gave him a peck on the lips, in an attempt to cheer him up. Her delicate fingers then grabbed at the material of his gown. "Let me help you get out of those wet clothes before you come down with a cold."

-

They woke up the next morning in each other's arms. After she helped him out of his clothes, he had done the same for her, and they got into bed to share body heat instead, and doing much more than just that. Minji woke first, her fingers tracing shapes lazily across his chest until the servants came to wake them, or him more likely. 

They helped the two teenagers into their clothes for the day and then they headed out towards Han and Soon Deok's place with the babies in their arms. Minji carried Soo Hyun, as he seemed more attached to her, while Eun carried Eun Bi, who was infinitely attached to her father. Eun Bi only wanted to eat if her father was feeding her, and only wanted to sleep if her father was holding her. Soo Hyun was similar, but when it came to Minji. Eun was the same about his little girl. He loved Soo Hyun, but he was absolutely crazy about Eun Bi and always doting on her. She was the light of his life.

Han opened the door and greeted them when they arrived, pulling Eun in for a hug and then Minji. He then greeted the babies in their arms. First little Eun Bi with a big smile. Eun Bi loved her uncle Han almost as much as she loved her father, Minji thought that maybe it was the fact that they looked so much alike. When it came to Soo Hyun, he looked to Minji. "How is he? Is he okay?" He asked, recalling the events of the previous day.

The three talked as Han led them to the table for breakfast. 

Minji nodded her head. "The doctor says it was just the scare that had him crying so much. But he's fine." 

As they walked into the kitchen, Soon Deok was waiting and she got up from her chair to greet Minji first and then Eun. Everyone sat down at the table and the maids started serving breakfast. They had also brought in two small cribs, one to set by Eun and the other by Minji so that they could set the children down and eat. 

Han heaved a sigh, still brimming with anger at the memory. "I just really wanted to jump in and dunk his head in that bath water." Minji knew he was talking about Yo, since the four of them knew it was most likely not an accident.

Eun nodded in agreement. He wanted to do more than just that.

"But he would have banished me from the palace like he did with So. Mu, Yo, and the older brothers have always been his favorites." Han continued with something of a sad sigh. No doubt he had always experienced that unfavoritism  from his father since he was a child. Eun hadn't met him until he was about four years old. Minji wondered if it was the same with Han. The king was their father, if only in the name. In the full sense of the word he was never a father to them and never would be.

Eun shrugged in an uncaring way. He was over it by now, especially when he had seen the way the king treated Minji. Back then, when he was a carefree little boy, he might have craved his father's love. Now he didn't want it, nor did he need it. "Well, he has known them much longer than he's known us." He said, and it was true. The more time you spend with someone, the more attached you become to them. It also had to do with the fact that Han and Eun lived with their mother and only spent a few days a week in the palace growing up. Unlike Jung, who was younger, but lived in the palace his whole life. Their mother wasn't a queen like Jung's mother. They didn't get to live in the palace like some of the others.

"You have to be very careful with them." Han warned.

This time, Minji didn't need to be told twice.

-

another chapter for you all today.

some drama, because i have the day off and i have time to write. but later i might go to my cousin's house. im gonna help her bleach her hair. we were gonna do it together, but i just ended up dyeing my hair red instead.

so that was fun.

anyway, thank you all loads for reading. it means the entire world to me, and i hope you all enjoy this chapter.

question of the day: how would you all feel if i gave them another baby soon? 

also, eun will soon turn nineteen in the story. i want to do something special for him in the story. but idk what yet. if you have any ideas, please let me know. i will credit you if i use it ^.^

-clary