"What do you want to do if you were never selected as the King Yolan?"
That was a question one of my bishops in my previous life, Yvonne, asked when we had a moment of rest in our last decisive battle.
She was a great sniper, as if she had a natural talent for it. And she was also the one who dealt the final blow to Keith – ending his life.
"Why do you ask?"
"It seems to me that you needed to be asked this question."
What she said back then confused me, so I casually brushed it off without thinking much about her question. But now, having lived my second life, I finally understood her meaning.
In my past life, I had no purpose in my life other than achieving my goal. It took me years to get back on my feet and finally fought Keith with all I had, so the thought of me living for 'myself' had never crossed my mind.
I was always thinking about our next step, forming new plans like I was chased by a ghost. I had never stopped myself and looked back on my past, so there was never a moment of reflection for me.
Unlike now, where every clash I had with Haide was ordained, back then, every clash with Keith was the life and death situation I couldn't control. Every step that I mistook would result in my faction's loss, so the burden that came with it became overwhelming.
But now that burden was split into half between me and Haide, the possibility of me imagining the future and the past became an option.
What would life be like if I were never chosen as a King?
Maybe I would be grinning like a fool with Haide as we went on a date or something. Knowing him, he would definitely crack jokes that would make me smile.
But that was an alternate reality I didn't dare dream of. Because once I had a hope, I would keep praying for it to become real.
And that's precisely what happened to me when I saw the stupidly handsome face of my lover beside me.
Chopping the vegetables in my hand, Haide watched me as he also beat a bowl of egg in his hand.
Humming a song I didn't know the name of, he seasoned the egg with salt and pepper before turning to me.
"You're done right? Give the vegetables to me."
"Here."
I mindlessly gave the cutting board full of diced vegetables to him, and Haide immediately got to work.
Lighting up the stove, he stir-fried the vegetables, then followed by the egg. Pouring the leftover rice we had in the fridge, he skilfully seasoned and tossed the rice in the wok like how a 5-star Michelin chef would.
I was instantly entranced by his cooking skills.
"Ta-da! It's done. How did I do? Quite nice right?"
"It's a 'Ta-da' indeed. It looked like something out of a restaurant."
I looked at the vegetable fried rice in front of me in a daze. Haide had set up the table and sat beside me with two plates of fried rice ready to be eaten.
Raising my spoon, I took a bite and the smoky aroma and rich flavor hit my mouth.
"It's good right?"
Haide grinned from ear to ear when he saw my expression. The sparkling eyes begging for my praise were so familiar to me now that I could immediately recognize it in one glance.
'He is definitely confident in his skill, isn't he?'
I raised my hand and patted his head, which made him smile and delightedly leaned to my touch. He then grabbed my hand, kissing the palm as he gazed lovingly at the silver ring placed on my finger.
"It's a shame we could only wear this when we're alone. I want to proudly show you off to the world and declare you my partner."
His comment made me look at the ring placed on his finger. Haide was always exaggerating in his words, saying he would announce me to the world or something. Even though without him saying it out loud, I already knew how deep his love for me was.
Haide's way of showing me his love was definitely different than mine, who only quietly enjoyed our moments together in silence.
But I never once hated it.
That's what made him 'Haide', an overconfident bastard that I fell in love with. And moments like this were what made me afraid of things suddenly falling apart.
"What's on your mind?"
"Nothing, just thinking about what you eat to get that handsome face of yours."
Haide chuckled, "It's about genes not about food, you know?" touching my cheek, he continued, "On the topic of food, I think I need to feed you more too. Yes, there are some muscles in there, but you're way too skinny in my eyes."
"My body is relatively muscular for an omega, it's because you compare me with an average beta's build." I propped my chin on the table as I answered.
Flashing him a smile, I continued, "But if you want to feed me, I'll gladly take the offer. When else can I enjoy being doted on by my precious boyfriend."
Haide was all smiles when I finished my words. He inched closer to my face before I felt him pulling my head and gave me a kiss. His hot breath brushed against my cheek as we stared at each other in the eye.
"You always know how to make my heart flutter. It's annoying how effective your smile and words are."
I smiled smugly at him, "I know I'm pretty, so of course I would use that advantage to make you fall in love deeper with me."
Haide laughed out loud at that, "Haha! Yeah, it's all that pretty face's fault. Even if we grow old, I don't think I'll be bored with that smile of yours."
"Wait here, I have a surprise for you." He tapped my hand before vanishing to the bedroom.
After a few seconds, he came out with a white box wrapped in red ribbon. Placing it on the table in front of me, he walked back to the fridge and rummaged through it before pulling out another box. This time, it was transparent so I could see what's inside.
"A cake?"
Haide smiled at my question, opening the plastic container, he put a candle in it and lit it up.
"I know it's still a week early, but I'm afraid we will miss the opportunity when the next plan proceeds. After all, this is the first year I could celebrate it together with you and the first is always the best experience."
Giving me a light kiss on the lips, Haide said, "Happy birthday Yolan, may all your wishes come true."
I stared at him blankly before shifting my gaze to the cake on the table, too stunned to even form anything inside my mind. Then turning my attention to the box wrapped in red ribbon, I asked.
"And that box over there is supposed to be my gift?"
"Yes, why don't you open it?"
I held the box and slowly unboxed it. By the time I was finished, a small but cute-looking fox plushie was inside.
"Haha, what's this? A plushie?"
"Do you like it?"
Haide cautiously asked as he peered into my face. With an assuring smile, I answered, "Of course, it reminded me of you and your cunning tricks. I'll name him after you."
"Haha! That's a mini me then. Keep it close to you so you can always remember me."
Wrapping the plushie in my arm, I smiled, "I will." The soft cotton that touched my skin felt calming.
I turned my gaze back at Haide, "Let's celebrate your birthday in the early autumn. We missed it last year because we never knew each other back then, but when it arrives, I'll definitely make it the grandest of celebrations."
"Mhm, sounds like a good idea." Haide hugged me from behind as he rubbed his face on my cheek.
This was the first ever birthday celebration I had after years of not having it and it was certainly a pleasant surprise.