Eleven

Taeyeon continuously wailed while his aunt attempted different methods of rocking him. She had sent Yu Gong to procure a bowl of warm milk although she doubt he was hungry since they'd just fed him. It was worth trying, anyway.

"Taeyeon, it's alright," Noh Ha Kyung whispered into his ear. "I'm your auntie and I'm here for you."

The infant was too upset to be soothed this way but she continued to hold him close against her chest as she rocked with him in her arms. His head barely peeked over her shoulder and his tiny little legs were scrunched up against her ribs.

Hwi opened his eyes and squinted. He could've swore he heard infant cries just a while ago. He lied there for a moment and listened carefully. Then, he looked over to Eunuch Hong's bed. It was empty. He probably went to help Kang Eun Soo with the horses and carriage since Hwi had told them the night before that they'd be leaving Jinhae port this morning.

"Taeyeon," Hwi whispered to himself upon hearing the little boy's cries through the wall.

He scrambled out of bed, inserted his feet into his shoes, and hastily grabbed his daily robe on his way out the door.

"Taeyeon!" Hwi exclaimed as he burst in Noh Ha Kyung's room.

"My lord," she said, acknowledging him. "Taeyeon, he won't stop crying."

"Let me hold him."

Hwi extended his arms and reached for the baby. Taeyeon continued to cry loudly.

"Hey, it's alright," Hwi said to him as he gently rocked the infant.

"He's been crying so much he's sweating now," said Noh Ha Kyung.

She dabbed at his damp forehead with her hand cloth.

"He's so warm," said Hwi. "I- I think he's sick."

"Sick?"

"I got the milk!" Yu Gong dashed in and set the bowl on the table. "Sorry I took so long, they had to warm it up!"

"We need to get him to a physician," Hwi said to Noh Ha Kyung.

"But the best physician is in the palace," she replied.

Hwi shook his head.

"We must take him to a local physician here right now," he replied.

Hwi ran out of the room with the infant still in his arms. They ran into Kang Eun Soo and Eunuch Hong outside near the horses and carriage, which all appeared prepared to go.

"Everything is prepared, my Lord," said Kang Eun Soo.

"We must take Taeyeon to a physician first," Hwi replied, taking a quick glance at the infant in his arms.

"I'll go in to ask the innkeeper for directions," said Eunuch Hong.

He disappeared in the inn while the ladies climbed into the carriage. Hwi handed Taeyeon to Noh Ha Kyung. He wasn't crying anymore but Hwi figured he was probably exhausted from it.

"We must head west down that road," Eunuch Hong stated as he ran back out.

Hwi nodded once and jumped on his horse while Eunuch Hong climbed on the horse-pulling carriage in order to steer it.

"Wait outside," Hwi told Kang Eun Soo when they arrived at the physician's residence moments later.

Eunuch Hong and Yu Gong waited outside, too, while Hwi and Noh Ha Kyung took Taeyeon inside to be examined.

"Can I help you?"

A scrawny man who appeared to be in his late 50s greeted them.

"My er-... our baby wouldn't stop crying earlier," Hwi began to explain. "We think he's not feeling well."

Hwi's response took Noh Ha Kyung by surprise. She stared at him in adoration after carefully placing Taeyeon on the exam bed.

"He's very warm," the physician stated. "How long has he been warm?"

Hwi turned to Noh Ha Kyung.

"We only realized it this morning," she replied. "He's usually a good baby and never really gives us any trouble."

"Was he born here in Jinhae?" the physician asked.

"He was born near Yeoyeon," Noh Ha Kyung replied.

Hwi suddenly remembered the mystery behind Prince Wonsan's residence. He figured Noh Ha Kwan had probably stayed there at some point so Taeyeon being born there makes perfect sense.

"I see," the physician stroked his beard. "Here in Jinhae, the temperatures are cooler so his body may not be accustomed to this type of weather, thus, it is easy for him to catch a cold."

They watched as the physician walked over to his medicine cabinet and retrieved some herbs. He then put them in a wooden mortar and began to crush it.

"Make a tonic for him from this," the physician handed Hwi the bag of herbs he'd just blended. "It's a lot smaller but not fine either, which is ideal to concoct into a tonic for infants. You just scoop the herbs out after the tonic is brewed."

Hwi nodded and they both thanked the physician. Hwi handed him several muns to pay him for the medical service.

"If you don't mind," Hwi began. "Can you brew a bowl for him here? We are actually on our way out of Jinhae and don't have anywhere to brew these herbs in the meantime."

The physician nodded and disappeared into the back of his shop.

"Our baby?" Noh Ha Kyung questioned.

She looked at Hwi, whose focus remains on Taeyeon.

"If I tell the man the truth it'll only raise suspicion," Hwi replied. "Although I have to admit it was a little weird to say."

He'd be lying if he said it didn't feel weird now, too. Maybe it's a feeling he'll have no choice but to get used to. It felt good, just weird, especially for something he'd never imagine that could possibly happen.

"If you still wish to follow through with the future you have planned for him, you have to get used to it," said Noh Ha Kyung, reading his mind. "We're... his parents."

Hwi nodded. She was right. He had to get used it. Soon, Taeyeon will be walking and talking and addressing them as mother and father.

"So this is what parenting feels like," said Noh Ha Kyung.

"Honestly, I never imagined my life would be like this," Hwi admitted.

"I didn't either," Noh Ha Kyung replied as she beamed at him. "I'm willing to learn and adapt if you are too."

Hwi nodded.

"I don't know what lies ahead but I want you to know that I am with you every step of the way whether you like it or not," she continued.

Hwi smiled. This time he was brave enough to make eye contact.

"Thank you," he said, feeling a sudden warmth encompass his body.

For the first time in a long time, he felt really good. He'd hurt her, but not only she forgave him, she accepted him for who he was, his fate to be Lee Hwi.

After thanking the physician again, Hwi and Noh Ha Kyung returned to the carriage outside with a calmer Taeyeon, much to everyone else's relief.

Traveling definitely gave Hwi time to think about the technicalities in the royal bloodline. To know that it wouldn't end with him gave him a little peace of mind.

"You look a lot better today than the past few days, my lord."

Kang Eun Soo must've noticed Hwi's random smile and considered it as a sign of mental health improvement.

"I'm just glad Taeyeon is fine," Hwi replied, letting out a sigh of relief.

It was in that moment that he realized he didn't think of anything else other than Taeyeon's well-being. This was probably how his mother felt twenty something years ago when she was forced to send him away to save his life.

"There is a saying that you don't know the true feelings of a parent until you become one," Eunuch Hong blurted.

Hwi smirked.

"I think as the ruler of Joseon, that feeling comes to me naturally," Hwi coolly replied.

If only his mother could see him now. She wanted him to be Lee Hwi and he'd become everything she ever wished for.

"He is so adorable."

Noh Ha Kyung smiled at her nephew in adoration as the infant slept soundly in her arms. This maternal feeling was inexplicably good. It was only a couple of a months ago that she had vowed to her dying sister that she'd raise him like her own yet deep down, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to... until she reunited with Hwi. She still couldn't believe they would be raising this child together as their own.

"We are lucky he is a good baby," said Yu Gong.

"We are lucky indeed," Noh Ha Kyung agreed, still beaming at the infant.

She never imagined she'd have a little one to care for and to pour her love into. The thought of it brought tears to her eyes.

"Is... everything alright?"

Yu Gong leaned in closer and noticed the sudden tear buildup glistening in Noh Ha Kyung's eyes.

"I just... just got emotional," replied Noh Ha Kyung. "I didn't think a tiny little person would make such a huge impact on my life."

This was what she had always wanted when she was The Queen, she recalled. Not for herself but for the royal bloodline. Now, the heir of Joseon was swaddled in her arms - probably pending a royal debate but still.

"I just hope our plan goes well when we return to the palace," Hwi told Kang Eun Soo later. "Convincing a royal court that the queen was carrying at the time she left the palace would be difficult."

"You are the king," Kang Eun Soo reminded. "Besides, it's just another secret to keep."

Whether or not the royal court agrees, Taeyeon was of royal blood. Technically, he has some of Hwi's blood and some of Noh Ha Kyung's blood flowing through his veins.

This is definitely fate, Hwi thought to himself. His fate. Just like his life was pre-planned for him, he is pre-planning Taeyeon's life.