Being among the crowd with Eomma Park, awaiting the start of the Dissolution Ceremony, felt surreal. We were back at the same palace where the Allocation Ceremony happened. It felt fitting that my journey would start and end in the same place. If possible, the atmosphere today was even more charged with anticipation than the first time I'd been here. I could hear some people rooting for all the assigned females to announce they were pregnant. Others, however, were hopeful that there would be at least one who could not fulfil their assignment. It disgusted me to hear they were looking forward to a public execution. It seemed like we were surrounded by the latter type of citizens.

The disguise I was wearing was uncomfortable. The makeup I applied from head to toe to change my skin colour was at risk of melting away due to the heat. Esther must have known something at home before we came down the stairs. Earlier today, she'd handed me a long black wig that she'd stuffed into the duffle bag. Along with the makeup, the wig came in handy; my pale skin and distinct auburn locks were concealed. The dark glasses Jimin gave to me helped hide my unique green eyes. I couldn't pass as a Korean lady, but I looked less like the red-haired foreigner that was assigned to Park Jimin.

Last night, Esther and I received a quick briefing on what to expect today. While I didn't like what I'd heard, I kept my fingers crossed that all would go well. My sister was impersonating me. Any minute now, she would be the one accompanying my masked and cloaked boyfriend onto the stage.

Screams akin to those at a BTS concert rang out through the palace as the Dissolution Ceremony commenced. As with the Allocation Ceremony, all seven Seed Bearers wore long cloaks to conceal their identities. Each also had their Fake Love masks on again.

The seven assigned females were all wearing hanboks in various colours. Eomma Park and Jimin chose every detail of Esther's hanbok. They made sure it reflected the family's heritage and values. To symbolise the Park family, the main was white, but there were accents of red and navy. Usually, only married women wore red but since Jimin and I were headed towards that destination already, he wanted that colour to be included. The navy colour was chosen for the hanbok for luck so that the twins would be both boys; traditionally, navy was worn by women who had given birth to sons.

At first, I was going to be the one participating in the ceremony. Late last night, Esther said she should do it in case anyone wanted to examine her bump for themselves. She had been doing a flawless job with her impersonations of me. A few times, Soon-Bok and Seokjin had to double-check which one of us they were talking to.

The average person would see my twin as confident. She stood next to the blonde Seed Bearer with a hand placed protectively over her very obvious bump. She was now about six months into her pregnancy; from the little information learned at we'd been told, the twins were doing well. The tremble in her hand was hard to spot. If anyone saw it, I hoped they'd blame nerves, not her having anything to hide.

It was eerie how the crowd's chatter died down as soon as the Oracle walked on stage. Everyone was waiting on bated breath to see how things played out. Eomma Park slid her hand into mine; I was grateful to have her here with me.

"Welcome to the Dissolution Ceremony for the 248th Summer Seed Bearer Allocation!" Bang Si-Hyuk's voice boomed out for everyone to hear despite not using a microphone. "I won't bore you with a long-winded speech... I have seen what would happen if I did."

The crowd giggled at his joke, and I had to admit I did too. We all listened as he outlined the results. He reminded the crowd that independent doctors certified if the assigned females were pregnant. When the Oracle declared the consequences for any of the designated females not pregnant, the atmosphere shifted. The diverse energies emanating from the crowd merged into a peculiar blend of solemnity, curiosity, exhilaration, and apprehension. I had never felt anything like it, and I hoped I never would again.

"Let's begin," the Oracle announced. The crowd erupted into a roar of cheers; I didn't know whether it was in excitement or from a more sinister place. "Seed Bearers, I will announce your procreation status for this Allocation year. After that, you will choose whether to stay with your partner and marry her. Or you can enter another Allocation Rotation. Do you all understand and agree?"

The seven men all voiced their assent.

Murmurs broke out within the crowd. People tried to gauge how many of the Seed Bearers would be placed back into an Allocation Rotation. It made me sick hearing how the people treated Jimin and the other six as if they were meat being paraded. I understood how Jimin must've felt now. He was always being seen only by the colour of his hair, not as the person he was.

As the Oracle put his hand up, silence rippled throughout the courtyard of the palace. "The Heavenly One and his female, Ahn Soon-Bok, brought a female into the world." Half of the crowd cheered and clapped, while others heckled. "Heavenly One, what have you decided? Will you remain with Ahn Soon-Bok or would you prefer to be put into the Rotation again?"

Before Seokjin even opened his mouth, I knew what his answer would be. Soon-Bok's smile as he announced he'd marry her was as bright as the one I knew would be on his face under the mask.

"Very well," Bang Si-Hyuk said with a beaming smile. "You are excused from being a Seed Bearer in future Allocation Ceremonies. Keep in mind: if you have children in the future as a married couple, only Seed Bearers will stay with you in your house. Any females and sterile males will be placed into the care of families within the city."

When a Seed Bearer chose to remain with his assigned female, his identity would be revealed. Tears of joy welled up in my eyes as I watched Soon-Bok push back the hood of the cloak from Seokjin's head and then lift away his mask. An audible gasp echoed around me as the people of Seoul took in his looks for the first time in an official setting. I heard women whispering how his pseudonym lived up to his heavenly looks.

"Lim Da-Eun, the assigned female of The Radiant One, gave birth to a baby Seed Bearer." The Oracle waited until the cheers and applause died down. Then, he asked whether Jungkook would stay with his assigned female.

We all watched as Da-Eun unveiled Jungkook, and giggles rang out as he placed a quick kiss on her lips. I had always liked these two together; she was as energetic as him, with a kind, calming nature. I was very happy to see they would remain a family with their little boy.

"The Exquisite One has successfully impregnated his assigned female, Kim Ma-Ri."

Taehyung's body language conveyed his bewilderment regarding this announcement. As I looked at the others on the stage, I began to see that almost everyone displayed confusion in their non-verbal cues. It seemed that like me, no one knew Ma-Ri was pregnant. Scratch that, only two standing on the stage didn't have shocked looks on their faces. The two women women who had accosted and verbally abused me both looked pleased. Ma-Ri stood like a proud peacock on the stage, parading for all to see. Bong-Cha had a small smile gracing her face. But, as I studied her face, I could see cracks forming in the happy facade. With how she was acting, had she not completed her task of carrying Hoseok's baby?

"What do you decide, The Exquisite One?" the Oracle asked loud enough for all to hear. His tone had a noticeable softness, which I could discern, having been in his presence on multiple occasions. "Will you remain with your female? Or will you choose to be placed back into the Rotation for another Allocation Ceremony?"

Without needing even a second to think, Taehyung answered, "No, I will not remain with her. I do not trust her. She is not worthy of carrying a child produced by a Seed Bearer." His deep voice sounded shaky yet resolute.

Ma-Ri's scream pierced the air. Her rejection, public and humiliating, had smeared her reputation most dreadfully. Watching her have a hissy fit made me thankful that Karma was a bitch.

It seemed that the Oracle was over her behaviour, too. He told her to either calm down or she'd be escorted away by police. Seeing him put her in her place had me biting my lip to hide my smirk.

'One down, one to go. I wonder if Karma will be coming for Bong-Cha, too.'

"Let it be shown that The Exquisite One will be returning as a Seed Bearer in another Allocation Rotation." The Oracle announcement brought forth sounds of celebration around me. I watched as it was declared that Yoongi and Ari had given birth to a baby boy. My heart soared. Ari unveiled the blue-haired Seed Bearer before placing a soft kiss on his flushed, chubby cheek.

It was sad to hear that Namjoon and Hana had not been successful. The poor girl sobbed as the Oracle told her she would be facing her death because she had failed to conceive with the orange-haired male. Despite being very shy, Hana was sweet, and I would miss her a lot. It seemed by the small shakes that were coming from beneath Namjoon's cloak, he would miss her too.

"With a heavy heart, I have to announce there has been another pairing that has been unsuccessful in this Rotation." My heart stopped upon hearing the Oracle's words. I didn't know whether he was talking about Bong-Cha or myself—we were the last two to find out our fates. As such, Jee Bong-Cha, you will also be sentenced to death. You failed to complete your role as being the vessel for The Ethereal One's child."

I had expected Bong-Cha would have fought for her right to stay. It seemed, though, that she had resolved herself to her sentence. Gone was the vicious woman from the bathroom, and before me stood a scared little girl in a grown woman's body. Part of me felt sad for her—but like the rest of us, she knew the consequences.

"That leaves one last pairing," the Oracle said, giving away nothing in terms of my fate. "The Glamorous One and his female, Bennett Elenor, have conceived during this Allotment year."

My smile could not be contained as I heard the words I had been hoping to hear. I wanted to jump up and down, dance in happiness or cry in relief but those would draw too much attention to me. Instead, together Eomma and I shared a quiet giddy laugh as we swung our intertwined hands in joy.

"We did it," she whispered so only I could hear. "Congratulations and welcome to the family."

I looked at her in slight confusion until I heard Jimin proudly proclaim that he was remaining with me. Through teary eyes, I watched my sister push the cloak off my boyfriend's head before she peeled off the mask. Jimin placed his hand onto her bump, and I saw him whisper something to her—my guess was it was words of thanks.

I thought that the Oracle would close out the Dissolution Ceremony next. However, when Ma-Ri stormed to the front of the stage and stood in front of Si-Hyuk, I wasn't the only confused person here. The situation became even stranger, which I should have anticipated when Bong-Cha joined her friend.

"There is a fraud here amongst us," Ma-Ri said loud enough for all to hear. "One of the assigned females is not who she says she is... Or should I say, is not pregnant like she says she is." The smile that came across her looked like it thrived on schadenfreude. She was the type of person who thrived on the malicious enjoyment of the suffering of others.

"Elenor, Park Jimin's female, is not actually pregnant." Bong-Cha turned and smiled sinisterly at my sister. "And we can prove it!"

The crowd seemed to have gotten over the shock. Low whispers and murmurings turned to loud shouts. Some were calling to be shown the proof, while others were arguing that a pregnancy couldn't be faked. Eomma Park squeezed my hand as she looked at me, her head shaking as if to tell me not to do anything. Sitting in the audience and witnessing all eyes shift towards my twin as though she were a criminal on trial was difficult.

"I assure you that the woman beside The Glamorous One is pregnant," the Oracle began. I tried to breathe as I watched him try to dispel the accusation, yet my lungs didn't want to welcome any oxygen. "I have sworn notes from the doctors that have examined her. Do you have better proof than that?"

"We've seen it with our own eyes! She is not pregnant," Ma-Ri said as if it was the most obvious thing ever.

"Who is this 'we' you speak of? You and Bong-Cha?" Seokjin asked as he and Soon-Bok moved to stand on either side of my boyfriend and sister. I was relieved to see them living up to their promise to protect Esther.

"No, not just us. Your female's very own dibling, Binna, was also there. You know, she has been very helpful. We never thought to question the legitimacy of Elenor's pregnancy. But, Binna told us that the couple approached her and asked her to carry their baby." My blood froze at Bong-Cha's admission. I didn't want to think that Binna would have something to do with this, yet it seemed like she too had betrayed me.

"Guards, bring Ahn Binna onto the stage. I know she is here to support her sister," the Oracle ordered. Less than a minute later, the woman I thought was my friend was escorted onto the stage by two men in official clothing. "Is what Kim Ma-Ri and Jee Bong-Cha saying correct? Have you seen proof that The Glamorous One's assigned female is not pregnant? Think very carefully about the next words you say as they may very well be your last."

I was certain my bottom lip had swollen from how much I had bitten it. I wanted to look away, yet my gaze remained fixed on Binna's form. Finally, I diverted my eyes to my twin sister, who gripped Jimin's and Soon-Bok's hands as if they were her lifelines. Esther's eyes met mine, and I could discern the anxiety within them.

"At a cottage on the Park's lands, the three of us saw a woman who looked to be Bennett Elenor. She showed no signs of pregnancy—there was no visible bump on her abdomen." Binna's voice betrayed the calm demeanour she tried to display. "I cannot state with absolute certainty that it was indeed Eleanor, but she bore a striking resemblance."

"Are you suggesting that this accusation is based on something you believe you witnessed while the three of you were trespassing on another Seed Bearer's property and observing him and his female?" the Oracle queried, sounding both exasperated and intrigued. "Unless you can substantiate this with definite proof, I will have no choice but to sentence you for your crimes."

"How's this for proof then?" Ma-Ri asked as she launched herself at my twin.

My eyes widened as I watched the deranged woman rip the front of Esther's hanbok. I gasped as Ma-Ri exposed my sister's body to the audience. I was clueless about what the three women expected to discover beneath the garment. Did they think there would be something other than the very real, large pregnant belly that was adorned with stretch marks? Or were they more interested in the pair of red lacy lingerie I thought I'd lost before I could wear them?

"Guards, restrain the three of them!" Upon the Oracle's command, the stage was crowded with men who proceeded to handcuff Ma-Ri, Binna, and Bong-Cha.

"Don't believe what you see," Bong-Cha cried out desperately, as she tried to throw off her captors. "She's a witch! This is all an illusion she has conjured up to deceive everyone!"

"I assure you that I am not a witch," Esther sneered at the crying Bong-Cha. "You are the one who has tried to fool people with your lies, not me! Anyone who wants to feel my belly as proof that I in fact am pregnant, I welcome you to see for yourself."

When no one came forward, Bang Si-Hyuk made an announcement. "Kim Ma-Ri, Jee Bong-Cha and Ahn Binna, you are all sentenced for your crimes. You violated the privacy of a Seed Bearer on his own land. You committed a violent act towards another assigned female. And you all tried to spread false information and lies. The three of you will pay for your sins with your lives."

The crowd erupted in a mixture of cheers and exclamations of dismay. I didn't know what to think or feel. I felt such relief that things had worked out well for Jimin, Esther and me. Even though Esther had been exposed to the people of Seoul, we were walking away with our lives, which was more than some people.

The Oracle held his hand up. As soon as silence descended upon the crowd, he declared, "And this, dear citizens of Seoul, marks the end of the 248th Dissolution Ceremony."

I laughed when I lip-read what my sister said to Ma-Ri as she was escorted off stage: "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes." She was right though, the three had brought this onto themselves. It seemed Fate and/or Karma were just exacting their revenge that had been a long time coming.

"Come on, Nell," Eomma Park said with a smile. "Let's reunite you with my son."