Chapter 1
Serenity had been sleeping soundly. Only the sounds of the soft breaths of her husband lying beside her filled the room. Kang-Dae’s arm lay across her side in a comforting hold. Despite the peacefulness of it all Serenity was unable to stay asleep. Instead, she lay awake in anticipation. ‘It wouldn’t be long now’ she thought to herself. Only a few seconds passed before she heard it. Footsteps. They were so soft they barely made a sound. Serenity kept her eyes shut feigning sleep, but she knew it wouldn’t make a difference. Shuffling feet ended at her side of the bed. Serenity didn’t move, she barely breathed. The movement of the blanket shifting only startled her for a second. The weight of something crawling up her body had her trying even harder to keep her eyes shut. A tiny hand touched her cheek and Serenity could no longer keep up the ruse. With a smile, she opened her eyes and stared into the identical brown orbs.
“Good morning my blessing,” Serenity spoke softly trying not to wake Kang-Dae. Her baby girl smiled down brightly at her mother, before throwing herself into Serenity’s chest with a giggle. Not even a year yet, her daughter, Blessing, had mastered the art of escaping from her crib on the other side of the room and waking her parents whenever she grew bored of waiting for them to get her.
“Shh, don’t wake daddy.” Serenity cooed into her curly hair. She wrapped Blessing up in her arms and sat up, holding the tiny girl in her lap. She looked back at Kang-Dae who still had not stirred. He had come to bed late in the evening exhausted after a full day of meetings with the Lords and nobles in the capital. He’d been disappointed to see Blessing was already sleeping when he returned. Serenity reassured him their daughter wasn’t going anywhere and would be there when he woke. She wanted him to rest but knew he would want to see them both when he woke up. Trying to keep an eleven-month-old quiet for an indeterminate amount of time was not a task she felt she could accomplish. Getting an idea, she carried Blessing over to the chest by her crip and grabbed a cloth diaper before heading to the balcony.
Serenity handed Blessing her rattle drum for her to play with. She accepted the small drum happily and played with it while Serenity changed her on the pallet on the balcony, where she and Kang-Dae would sometimes lay to do their “star writing”. Once Blessing was clean and dry, she sat the girl up, but she was more interested in the toy in her hand. Satisfied that her daughter was occupied, Serenity took a moment to admire the rising sun above the grounds. It was early enough that the sky was tinted purple and orange. Birds were singing in the distance and a cool but soft breeze blew through the air. Serenity leaned back on her palms and closed her eyes, taking in the tranquility of the moment. She enjoyed these little peaceful moments before her day officially started. She had only recently jumped back into the political side of things a few months ago when she felt comfortable leaving Blessing. It had been so hard to do. Once she was born Serenity never let her out of her sight. After all she’d been through, she didn’t think she could ever be more scared but the fear of a mother was something new. She had worried about her all the time. It was only after a visit from her mother and an encouraging talk from her that Serenity felt herself begin to relax. It helped to have complete trust in those who looked after her. Amoli was amazing with Blessing and loved her dearly, a feeling Serenity knew was mutual given how her tiny face would light up whenever she came to get her. If they did things like godparents in Xian Serenity would’ve made her Blessing’s godmother. She’d never tell Rielle that though. Not that she had many opportunities to tell Rielle anything. Her last visit had been when Blessing was born. She had made a swift exit following that. Serenity wanted to be understanding but it had stung a bit. Rielle had been very distant the past year, and not just because they were literally worlds apart. Even when they saw each other she seemed detached, like she was waiting for the moment to end. Serenity tried bringing it up with her but she only denied anything was wrong and attributed her behavior to regular fatigue.
Serenity felt something lightly crawling down her neck. Startled, she looked down only to relax when she saw two fingers creeping their way down her collarbone. With a smile, she lifted her head to see Kang-Dae smiling mischievously at her. “Morning,” she greeted.
“Morning,” he returned.
“Ap, ap!” Blessing squealed noticing her father had joined them. She hadn’t mastered many words as of yet but it didn’t stop her from trying. She loved trying to call for her dad even if the Xian word for it never fully formed on her little lips.
“My Mi-Sung,” he cooed Blessing’s Xian name while taking her into his arms. The idea of giving her both an Xianian name and an Earthly one had been his idea. Serenity had been fine with the Xian one but he insisted on incorporating both their cultures. It was why they spoke both their languages to her equally.
“Will you be spending today with your appa?” he asked her. Blessing’s response was only to smile down at him. Kang-Dae kissed the top of her head. Kang-Dae joined Serenity on the pallet with Blessing in his arms. Serenity snuggled into him. Blessing immediately started playing in Serenity’s hair.
“You sure you can handle her all day on your own?” Serenity asked only half-jokingly. Blessing had been a handful before she was crawling, now that she was fully mobile the child was practically unstoppable. Kang-Dae chuckled.
“Our Mi-Sung is a formidable foe but I think I can manage,” he said. Serenity shrugged knowing he most likely had no idea what he was in for.
“How did you sleep?” He asked the question casually but Serenity knew better. There was nothing casual about his inquiry. He was prodding, as subtly as he could while trying not to upset her.
“Good. Nothing to report,” she told him and she was telling the truth. She hadn’t had any dreams last night at least not in the variety he was asking about. A small shudder went through her as the memory of the nightmare surfaced. She hoped he didn’t notice it. The dream came months ago and had been so bad she woke screaming, bringing the guards in. It had taken Kang-Dae over an hour to calm her. She had been sobbing and shaking so badly. The fear of that night still haunted her but she did her best to put it to the back of her mind. As horrible and terrifying as that night had been, she could not remember any of her dream. It had never happened to her since she’d come to Xian, her forgetting a dream. For it to happen on such a clearly impactful dream angered and scared her greatly. Her frustration began to manifest in her attitude to the point where Kang-Dae had become very careful when he spoke to her trying not to set her off. Having just had Blessing her emotions were already fluctuating and the poor man couldn’t seem to catch a break around her.
Serenity reached back and wound her hand in his hair. He shifted and planted a kiss on her cheek. They sat in peaceful silence watching the sun continue to rise over pink skies. A knock at the door finally interrupted their moment of tranquility. Kang-Dae let out a sigh before getting up. He helped Serenity up as well and they headed back inside. The servants set up the breakfast as they took their seats at their table. Breakfast time was their must-do tradition to make sure they always started the day as a family. Neither of them had any disillusions about their availability and duties and knew being able to spend time together regularly was a luxury. So, they made it their mission to have at least this one time during the day.
Blessing sat on Kang-Dae’s knee as he bounced her while giving her a variation of mushed fruit. While Kang-Dae fed their child Serenity took it upon herself to feed him. Whenever Blessing got distracted Serenity would sneakily reach over and slip some porridge in his mouth. Kang-Dae winked at her success. Like a typical baby, Blessing was not big on sharing which made things even more difficult when she considered every food she saw as hers. Whoever had the challenging task of feeding her resigned themselves to not being able to eat themselves or having to fight her for every bite.
The door opened unexpectedly letting them both know exactly who it was.
“Good morning, Jung-Soo,” Serenity greeted without turning from her meal.
“Oo, oo,” spoke Blessing happily. Not bothering with a greeting Jung-Soo moved right over to Kang-Dae, or rather Blessing. He took something out of his pocket and handed it to her.
She squealed, snatching the small horse figurine from him. Kang-Dae gave Jug-Soo an exasperated look.
“I believe it is the parent's duty to spoil the child,” he said dryly but there was playfulness in his eyes. Jung-Soo didn’t respond, only moving back and standing over them. Serenity smiled up at their friend and general. “I hope you’re getting some sleep. She doesn’t need her favorite uncle keeling over from exhaustion because she spent all night carving her another toy,” remarked Serenity.
As usual, Jung-Soo didn’t show any outward regret for his actions. One thing Serenity could never have predicted following the birth of their daughter was Jung-Soo’s immediate taking to her. Even though it was in a very Jung-Soo way. He would never be caught making silly faces or engaging in baby talk but he was their main supplier of toys and would often watch over her when she was with Amoli. He was also Blessing’s favorite mode of transportation. Anytime they walked the palace and Jung-Soo was near she reached for the guard demanding he carry her for a reason no one has figured out yet.
“Will you be joining us to feed the horses today?” asked Kang-Dae, not taking his eyes off Blessing who already had her new toy in her mouth.
“Unfortunately, that is not something either of us will be able to do today,” Jung-Soo said in a low voice. Kang-Dae looked at him with a frown on his face.
“What’s happened?” he asked, dreading the answer.
“A situation in the outskirts of Gai has been brought to our attention and the lords requested an emergency meeting.” Serenity looked at Kang-Dae with concern and sympathy. She knew how much he had been looking forward to spending time with Blessing but she also knew he would not shirk off his duties.
“I can take her,” she offered. “The kids like when I bring her around.” Kang-Dae shook his head.
“No, I will keep her,” he stated. Both Serenity and Jung-Soo gave him apprehensive looks.
“Baby-,” she began gently.
“I will take her with me,” he reiterated more forcibly. Serenity knew then not to push.
“Okay,” she conceded.
“You may want to bring her some more toys,” Serenity said to Jung-Soo who didn’t say anything but silently agreed.