How To Avoid Doom Flags? : A Guide By Lee Felix

Eleventh Flag - Don't Get Taken As A Hostage

"... I hadn't realized winter was almost upon us."

"Yes, time tends to fly without notice within these walls," mused Hyunjin. "The cold season will be much easier on your senses, however – I presented in early spring and had to deal with constant headaches, the scents of flowers sickening me greatly."

"Did you expect it?" Felix couldn't help but ask. "To present as an Alpha, I mean."

"To be quite frank, everyone expected me to present as an Omega – the second or third child in line for the throne usually does. That is why I was initially being prepared to be sent off to Goguryeo, with the current King as my fiancé. However, when I presented as an Alpha, this union became impossible, and they instead sent their Second Prince here."

"So the current King of Goguryeo is Jisung's older brother?"

"Yes. He's also older than Chan-hyung, but he's always considered my brother a rival, nonetheless. Tensions between Silla and Goguryeo have always existed, but it was agreed early on between our families that we would attempt an union in order to settle into a stabler time of peace."

"But... what will happen, if you don't marry Jisung, after all? You said the two of you had a choice, did you not?"

"We still do. Jisung will remain here until next spring, after which he will return to Goguryeo, seeing as neither of us want this union. It shouldn't affect our respective Kingdoms' relationships, however – my brother and brother-in-law have both grown quite fond of Jisung, and it was mostly done for the sake of symbolism, to begin with."

"I see. What is he like, then? The King of Goguryeo."

Hyunjin shrugged. "I wouldn't be able to tell, seeing as I've only met him once, back when Jisung was first brought here. We only briefly met, and he didn't even stay the night. From what my brother has told me, however, he's a cunning man whose only ambition is to better his kingdom and ensure its prosperity."

"Really? It sounds like he and King Bang are of similar minds, then."

"Similar minds, but certainly not similar means," replied Hyunjin, narrowing his eyes the slightest bit. "My brother is a pacifist at heart, and he's always prioritized discussions over fights – the King of Goguryeo, however, wouldn't hesitate to use his blade if it meant getting what he wants."

Felix couldn't help but frown upon hearing this. "Then... Is he going to marry Jisung off to a random official, upon his return?"

"I... wouldn't be able to tell. From what I've gathered from our brief encounter, he doesn't seem like a man who cares much for his brother – but then again, a King is rarely free to display his true feelings, so I may be wrong in my assessment of his character."

"You're not."

Both Felix and Hyunjin jumped as a third voice joined their ongoing conversation, spinning around to find none other than Jisung now standing behind them, with an amused, yet slightly saddened smile.

"Jisung—"

"My brother is the kind of man who'll put his kingdom before anything – even his family. There is no doubt in my mind that he will use me to win over one noble House or the other, since I couldn't achieve my purpose of marrying here." He then offered the pair another smile. "But you needn't worry. I know my brother cares for me, in his own way – he wouldn't marry me off to just anyone and would certainly do his utmost best to ensure my safety, still."

Felix lowered his eyes, letting Jisung's words sink in. Arranged marriages had always seemed like such a foreign concept, something only found in medieval movies meant for a romance-starved crowd. Hearing his friend talk of his own reality in such a detached way, however, suddenly made him realize just how messed up it all was.