“I just want to be there for you.” sorry i forgot the number
Your Highness
pairing: prince!jimin x maid!reader
warnings: not proofread, lots of kissing, alcohol use implied, i know nothing of royalty, enjoy!
"Aren't you excited?" You asked Jimin as you put the finishing touches on his hair. "You'll find your bride by the end of the ball."
Jimin can't be excited. It wasn't his decision to host the ball, much less that he'd have to pick a bride from the women who attended. Just because his parents had this whole love story, didn't mean Jimin's had to be set up the same exact way.
Hell, he didn't even have a fairy godmother to make a pumpkin into a carriage. If he did, he'd have left the palace in the dust. He'd leave everything, everyone... except you.
Jimin enjoys your hands on him for one last time. It would be inappropriate for an engaged man to have female attendants. All was fine the first 30 years of his life, when the two of you were just kids, but the king and queen knew the reason why their eldest son had put off getting married until now.
The queen stands in the hall, her hand raised to knock but the door opens slightly.
She doesn't announce herself as she watches her eldest smile at you in the reflection, how his fingers linger on yours when you adjust the crown on his head. How he turns to kiss just below your wrist, how your touch lingers, your eyes shinning with unshed tears.
"Your highness," You whisper as he trails kisses higher up your arm, each one marking you as his.
"That's not what you call me when it's just us," Jimin's tone is stern, and your heart flutters as you keep your gaze on his.
"Jimin," you say his name in that tone that sends his heart skyrocketing.
"Say it again," He demands as he stands, your hand still in his. "Say it like you love me."
"Jimin," you breathe as his kisses continue to head upwards until his hands grip your hips, your chest pressed to his.
"I'd make you my queen in an instant," Jimin confesses before he kisses your neck. Your fingers thread through his long blond hair.
"Your highness," You whisper, but moan when he bites your neck. "Jimin!"
"Only yours. Just your Jimin," He states before his tongue licks over the bite to soothe the stinging pain. “I just want to be there for you.”
"We can't," you remind him as his hands hold your waist, your fingers still in his hair as he walks the two of you backward until you're pressed to the wardrobe. Your fingers thread in his gold locks, flashes of his head between your thighs just this morning, your nails dragged down his sculpted back, your face in the pillow to muffle the screams of his name.
Jimin's crown topples to the floor, forgotten as his hand cups your face.
"We can," He states decisively as he kisses you deeply, pouring his love into it, hoping it'll fill your body the way your body fills his. "And we will. Kingdom be damned. I'll set it all alight if it means being with you."
Jimin's dark eyes are determined, sincere. It makes your heart stutter as you cup his face, kissing him once more, desperate, wishing it were possible but Jimin has a responsibility to the kingdom, to his parents, to the world.
"Jimin, darling!" His mother calls, voice coming from down the hall, her high heels clicking as she announces her arrival with enough time for the two to pull apart. Jimin sits at the vanity, his crown on his head and you bow as his mother enters. You excuse yourself, looking at Jimin's reflection one last time before going back to your quarters.
~
The ball is in full swing that evening, women and their families fill the grand ballroom.
By the grace of the queen, you had been giving the night off, perfect for you to pack your things and leave.
There would be no room for you once Jimin found his bride, none at all. Might as well leave now before he can do something stupid.
"Hey, hey," you hear a familiar hissed whisper calling your name in the shadows.
"Princess Hayun?" You ask as you approach her, your bags still unpacked.
"What's wrong?" You ask, looking her over. She shouldn't be down here, she was a royal. Hayun rolls her eyes, "Come on!"
You don't get to protest or ask questions as your pulled up the stairs, through a secret passage straight to her bedroom. Her most loyal maids wait for you there. Hayun locks her bedroom door, shuts the secret passage and has her maids bathe you, dress you, and style your hair.
"Wear this," Hayun hands you a lovely intricate mask to cover the top part of your face.
"Hayun," You go to protest, but she shushes you.
"Go, hurry! Yoongi will escort you to the ballroom. He's waiting for you outside. Go!" Hayun urges.
"Hayun, I can never repay you," You say as your hand holds hers in thanks.
"Name the first princess after me," She giggles, ever the trouble maker.
You nod then get pushed into the hallway, where Yoongi waits, the king's advisor. You're taken around the castle in the shadows, placed in a carriage with great fanfare you arrive.
Yoongi escorts you inside, your eyes wide as you take in the details of the ballroom. The chandelier in the center of the room is the main attraction, the white drapes shine as the light hits them, there's more food than you've ever seen in your life and oh, the beautiful gowns paired with jewels you'd only ever held to adorn a royal.
"He's on the throne," Yoongi whispers before he bows and disappears into the crowd. You want to reach for him but you can't seem to tear your gaze from Jimin.
Even slouching in his throne beside the queen, a goblet in his hand, looking bored out of his mind, he looks gorgeous.
"Jimin, sit up," The queen scolds as she plasters on her brightest, media trained smile.
"Mother, is it not enough I am here, adorned as your little puppet?" Jimin huffs and his mother shakes her head.
The queen looks out into the crowd, hoping she could point out someone for Jimin to speak to. However, unbeknownst to Jimin, she's looking for a very specific masquerade, the intricate lace one she wore when she met Jimin's father nearly 33 years ago. Once she spots it, she silently thanks her daughter, Hayun, for being able to pull it off and getting you to show.
Hayun makes her entrance, her throne next to Jimin's.
"Apologies, my maids had a lot to do," Hayun says coyly as she takes her spot, winking at her mother.
"Jimin, why don't you introduce yourself to that lovely lady in the white mask, straight ahead by herself. Maybe a chat in the balcony is just what you need." The queen urges, and Jimin recognizes her no-nonsense tone.
"As you wish, your majesty," Jimin sets his goblet down and bows to his mother, his father, and sister before he heads down the steps to the woman his mother pointed out.
The crowd clears for him like always but he pays it no mind as he bows and holds out his hand for the lady to take. "May I have this dance?"
"Jimin," You say his name without thinking, it comes from your lips like breathing, and Jimin's eyes widen slightly. He looks you over, studies the shape of your lips, the slope of your nose, but your love-filled eyes is what gives you away.
Jimin holds your gloved hand, refusing to let go as he looks over his shoulder at his mother.
The queen raises her goblet in Jimin's direction.
Approval.
Jimin looks at you, his heart hammering in his chest. He cups your face, not caring that all the guests have gasped in unison. "Marry me? Marry me, please."
Jimin's voice is a desperate plea, his sanity holding on by a thread.
"Jimin," you say his name but you forget any protest you had for him, how you were from two different worlds, how you were just a maid, how you could never be good enough. Jimin silences any insecurities, he kisses you deeply, just like so many times before except this time he never, ever has to stop.
In a kingdom where power ruled all, you’ve always known the weight of your destiny as a Princess. Your mother, the young Queen Consort, passed away shortly after giving birth to your younger brother, the Crown Prince, leaving you and him motherless. Your father, King Jaeheon of Goguryeo, had meticulously trained you in the arts of diplomacy and warfare, preparing you not merely to rule but to conquer. You were groomed to be a fearless leader, a queen who would secure the future of your dynasty through a calculated marriage—a marriage that, as your father had instructed, would expand the land and resources under your control. It was his doctrine of power and survival.
Yet beneath your polished armor and strategic mind, you harbored another dream. In the quiet moments of your nights and the stolen breaths during your walks among the commoners, you yearned for a kingdom free from deceit and bloodshed—a place where your people could live in peace, unburdened by the shadows of their rulers' ambitions. During those secret moments, you’d share tales with your younger brother, painting vivid pictures of a better kingdom where kindness reigned and love guided the hearts of leaders. Deep down, however, you believed these dreams would never come true, shackled as you were to your father's plans for you.
Your secret excursions outside the palace had become your refuge, a way to touch the pulse of the land you were destined to leave once married. You mingled with artisans, farmers, and scholars, absorbing their hopes and fears. It was amidst these interactions that you began to understand the depth of your people's desires—and your own conflicting emotions.
Then came the day when your father, with a gravity that chilled you to the bone, announced your betrothal to Crown Prince Jimin of the Park Dynasty. Jimin’s father, King Minseok, ruled the weak and dying nation of Silla, a kingdom whose influence had waned over the years. But despite Silla’s fragile state, your father’s ambitions were focused elsewhere—on the kingdom’s strategic coastal ports. They were vital gateways to trade and military control, giving access to foreign markets and the ability to command the seas. Coveting these ports, your father saw this union not as an alliance of equals, but as a path to secure his dominance over land and sea.
As you processed the news, your father’s voice broke the tense silence, shifting his focus to your next task. “There is more you must do once you’re at Park Palace,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “I need you to find information on the import and export merchants in the royal archives.”
Your brows furrowed. “In the archives? Why?”
“Those records are vital,” he replied, his tone sharp. “The Park Dynasty’s trade network with foreign markets is key to expanding my resources to the Silla nation. This marriage may not be enough and we need control over their trade routes.”
He stood, pacing before you. “You will have one trusted servant with you. That servant will deliver the information to someone waiting in Silla City outside the palace.”
“Who?” you asked.
“A contact I’ve arranged. That’s all you need to know,” he said dismissively. “Do not fail in this task. Our future depends on it.”
His eyes were stern as he instructed, "You must keep your true intentions hidden. Do not let him see past the façade. Make him believe you love him, make him fall for you even, but remember—this union is a means to an end. You must do what is necessary to help secure our future."
The grand wedding unfolded with the elegance and ritual reserved for royal unions, each detail meticulously planned to signify the unity of the two kingdoms. Lanterns lined the hall, casting a warm, amber glow over the vast gathering space. Their soft light illuminated the polished wooden floors and intricate latticework that decorated the walls. Guests dressed in their finest hanboks looked on as you and Prince Jimin exchanged solemn vows before the assembly.
You glanced at Jimin and observed his demeanor—calm, unassuming, but watchful. He seemed determined to make a good impression, and his gaze lingered just a bit too long, perhaps hoping for some silent acknowledgement. You offered him a coy, practiced smile, adhering to the role you had to play.
After the final ceremonies ended, you turned to him, your tone even yet distant. “It seems we have much to learn about one another,” you said dryly, offering neither warmth nor scorn. You watched as he hesitated briefly, seemingly uncertain how to respond, before nodding in quiet agreement.
Tradition dictated your consummation with the first snowfall, which meant months of preparation and planning for the mission your father had entrusted to you. Every interaction with Jimin would require a delicate balance, enough warmth to build trust, yet tempered by the need to keep your heart guarded.
The celebration ended, and as tradition demanded, the journey to Park Palace began, a trek southward into the mountainous terrain of Silla, symbolizing the shift from your familiar life in Goguryeo to the foreign halls of your new home. By your side traveled your one trusted servant, the only link to your past you’d been allowed to keep. Her quiet presence gave you a sense of stability, a subtle reassurance amid the unknown, as you rode along rugged paths and through dense forests. The air carried quiet anticipation as you neared the palace, and the landscape transformed, signaling the union of your fate with this new kingdom, a path laid out both by tradition and by the orders that remained unspoken between you and your servant.
The palace was unfamiliar—grand and imposing, the corridors echoed with whispers of courtiers and the shifting tides of palace politics. Though its beauty was undeniable, it felt like a gilded cage, its polished floors and adorned archways cast a long shadow over any semblance of freedom. Each step you took was shadowed by attendants, newly appointed servants who trailed a shouting distance behind, and guards who watched not for your safety alone but to report back on your movements.
The vibrant gardens—sprawling, lush, and rumored to be teeming with rare flora—remained an elusive dream. On the days you tried to make your way toward them, your escorts would offer gentle but unyielding resistance, reminding you of pressing duties, or suggesting a more “appropriate” location for a princess.
Even the simplest wish to sit in quiet solitude was thwarted, as conversations you barely overheard would vanish into murmurs as soon as you neared. This constant oversight made every aspect of your life feel like a role performed under a scrutinizing lens, leaving you little room to search for the intelligence your father so urgently sought.
During the first week, you attended council sessions alongside Jimin, meetings that, at home, would have welcomed your insights. Back in Goguryeo, your father respected certain reforms you proposed, and over time, you had grown accustomed to offering input that was not only heard but acted upon. Here, however, was a different world. One morning, you suggested a streamlined taxation process – a change proven effective back home – hoping it might resonate with the council. Yet, the advisors exchanged wary glances, one murmuring that such policies weren’t suitable for Silla’s unique governance. Dismissed, your idea fell silent. Moments later, Jimin reiterated a similar suggestion, repackaging it with only slight changes, and was met with approving nods and immediate acceptance.
The cycle repeated in the following days – offer your knowledge and share insight into policies that had directly increased prosperity in Goguryeo, only to be met with thinly veiled disdain. It stung to watch as the same advisors who dismissed you readily accepted the ideas when Jimin presented them, and it made clear the way your presence was perceived – not as an ally but as an outsider.
Weeks passed, and though you held your role in diplomatic silence, the palace walls began to press down, each day reinforcing the isolation you felt. Every word, gesture, and meeting was a carefully scripted performance, and each encounter with the court only seemed to solidify the fortress of indifference surrounding you.
.
One evening after a particularly turbulent council meeting, as the sun dipped below the horizon, you found yourself seated closely beside Jimin, clinging to his warmth beneath an ancient willow tree. It had only been a few weeks since the wedding, and his calm and contemplative presence unnerved you.
You were there with a specific duty – one your father assigned you – and the warmth radiating from Jimin felt like a betrayal of that mission. You reminded yourself he was just a stranger, a pawn in your father’s game. You suddenly realized how much closer you had sat to him than you should have, and instinctively placed some distance between you, clinging to the coolness of the air.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Jimin asked, his brow furrowing with concern.
"Why must I always be escorted like a prisoner in this palace?" you burst out, unable to keep the frustration from your voice. "I deserve some privacy! How am I supposed to find peace…or get to know you…when there’s always a servant or guard!?"
Jimin was taken aback briefly, but then a faint smile crossed his lips. "I understand your frustration. But it’s for your safety. The court can be treacherous, and I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you."
“Safety? Or control?” you retorted, crossing your arms. “This palace is beautiful, but it feels more like a prison. I want to explore and understand the people…the land—not just be paraded around as a trophy.”
Jimin studied you for a moment before nodding thoughtfully. “I understand. You deserve more than guarded walls and shadowed walks. I’ll clarify to everyone that you’re entitled to your privacy. No more guards hovering over you unless you specifically ask for them,” he promised, his tone reassuring.
You pause, choosing your words carefully. “Thank you, Your Highness,” your tone soft, but steady. “Having the chance to explore freely…to make my way…it’s more than I could have hoped for.” You allow a hint of gratitude to show as you meet his gaze. “I’ll make the most of it.”
Inside, however, your thoughts began to race. This newfound freedom would be the key to finding the information your father wanted without any suspicion – an opportunity to navigate the palace and its secrets on your own.
"Your Highness," he continued gently, his gaze lingering on yours with curiosity and concern, "what do you want from all of this? What would make this life feel like yours?"
You hesitated, his question striking a nerve you hadn’t expected. “I want to be taken seriously,” you admitted, almost surprised by your boldness. “I’ve suggested ideas that could help, things I know could work—my father uses them back home. But the advisors, they…” You stopped yourself, choosing your words carefully. “They dismiss them. But when you suggest the same, they listen. I want my ideas to be heard and respected, not ignored.”
Jimin’s expression softened, and he nodded thoughtfully. “Then I’ll be sure your ideas are taken seriously,” he replied quietly. “They should listen to you, not just me.”
The sincerity in his voice caught you off guard. "Thank you," you murmured, the words instinctive, but genuine.
But he wasn’t finished. “What else?” he pressed, his gaze not wavering. “Beyond being heard, what do you want—for yourself, for this kingdom?”
You paused, caught between the expectations you carried and the questions he posed. Finally, you replied, “I want what any ruler would want—a prosperous kingdom. Stability.”
“A prosperous kingdom… Do you think it possible to make this land prosperous once more without the tactics employed in Goguryeo?”
You eyed him carefully, keeping your thoughts shuttered. “The tactics my father uses work, and the kingdom’s wealth and stability are proof enough.”
Jimin’s gaze remained steady, calm, but determined. "And at what cost? Stability for whom?"
His words struck a nerve, and your defenses flared. You forced a neutral expression despite the disquiet bubbling beneath the surface. “Sometimes fear is necessary to maintain control," you replied, echoing your father’s teachings, though they felt hollow on your lips.
Jimin’s gaze remained steady. "Control through fear only breeds resentment and rebellion. What if there’s another way? A way to rule with compassion?”
Your chest tightened. His idealism made you uncomfortable, not because you disagreed with him—deep down, you longed for the same—but because it made your task that much harder. Jimin wasn’t the meek, ineffective man you had been prepared to manipulate. He was something else. And that made him dangerous to your mission.
"I have a duty to my family, to my kingdom," you said, turning away, the weight of your father’s expectations pressing heavily on your shoulders.
"And what about your duty to yourself, to this kingdom?" he asked quietly, leaning closer. "Is Goguryeo the type of kingdom you dream of?”
His words hung in the air, too close to the truth you had hidden—even from yourself. You couldn’t answer him. You didn’t dare.
Later that night, after parting ways with Jimin, you crept silently through the palace halls. The moonlight barely lit the narrow passages as you slipped into the royal archives, each shadow deepening the air of secrecy around you. Tonight, you had a specific goal: the import and export merchants' ledger, a document your father had requested urgently.
Steeling yourself, you began your search, skimming through scrolls and rifling through countless ledgers stacked along the shelves. The quiet around you felt tense, as though the walls themselves bore witness to your act of betrayal. Time passed as you worked quickly but methodically, until finally, your fingers brushed over the leather-bound volume you sought. The ledger—proof of Silla's trade routes and resources—was in your hands.
Pausing for only a moment, you pulled out a piece of parchment and penned a message to your father, updating him on your progress:
Gaining the advisors' trust is proving difficult, but I will continue working to earn Jimin’s confidence and fulfill my duty to you. This ledger will serve you well.
Satisfied, you tucked both the ledger and the letter safely away and quickly exited the archives, making your way to find your one trusted servant, who waited faithfully in the courtyard.
“Take these,” you whispered urgently, passing the ledger and letter into the servant’s hands. “Deliver them to the man my father has stationed in Silla City. He will know what to do.”
The servant nodded, eyes wide with understanding. “I will make sure it reaches him safely, Your Highness.”
“Be quick, and keep to the shadows,” you instructed. “This must remain unseen.”
With a bow, your servant tucked the documents under their cloak and slipped away into the night.
Jimin’s assurances had granted you privacy and independence, allowing you to roam without constant oversight, and you began to enjoy life within the palace walls. The grand library became a sanctuary, where hours slipped past unnoticed as you lost yourself in the scrolls and books stacked along towering shelves. The solitude there was calming – in the quiet spaces between the pages, you almost forgot the purpose that had brought you to Silla.
Despite your newfound freedom, however, unease lingered. You hadn’t received any word from Goguryeo. Though you’d sent your servant with the ledger and the letter days ago, which she returned within hours that same night to assure your father’s man had received the information, each passing day without a response tightened a knot of tension in your chest. You spent your days wandering the gardens with Jimin, exchanging guarded words, and retreating to the library when you could, but the waiting chipped away at your patience.
Then, one evening as you were seated in the library, lost in the rich histories and tales of distant lands, your servant approached with an envelope bearing your father’s insignia. Heart pounding, you took the letter, nodding for the servant to leave before breaking the seal.
Your father’s words were as cold and commanding as ever:
Your last report raises concern. The advisors will not yield; they are entrenched in Jimin’s favor and will become an obstacle to our goals. The marriage alone will not suffice. You will need to remove Jimin from the picture. After the consummation, you must do away with him. I will handle King Minseok and the others.
A chill ran through you. The severity of his demand was clear – no subtlety, no mercy. Your duty was not just to marry – but to eliminate. You stared at the letter’s contents for several moments, feeling a tremor run through you. This was the ultimate test of loyalty, the decisive move in your father’s game.
For a long time, you sat in silence, the reality sinking in. This wasn’t simply about gathering information or playing the role of a dutiful princess. It was a deadly order that would leave you tethered to Goguryeo in a way you hadn’t anticipated.
Jimin's words echoed in your mind, haunting and persistent – What about your duty to yourself, to this kingdom? Is Goguryeo the type of kingdom you dream of? The sheer intensity of his voice cut through the silence in your head, forcing you to confront the bitter truth. Could you reconcile your dreams with the ruthless expectations placed upon you? The weight of his questions pressed down on you, leaving you to grapple with the disconnect between your aspirations and the reality of your situation.
"Princess," I called out, the words getting carried away by the flowing wind. A smile crept to her lips as she adjusted her gaze on me. I stifled a groan; why do you have to be so breathtaking? A faint bluish-white light emitted from her body—for a moment which felt like an eternity, she became the epitome of radiance.
My curiosity was getting the best of me again—I couldn't seem to control it anymore. I turned to the silver-haired girl whose eyes were glued to the crescent moon. Her crystalline coronet almost appeared to be levitating.
"Yes, Jimin?" I loved the way how she enunciated my name. To me, it was the same with everyone else, but her, she was different. She always was.
"Dasi haejwo (do it again)," a light chuckle came out of her mouth as she placed her hand on top of mine that was perched atop the railing. She twirled her fingers as if she was drawing something on an invisible blackboard. Water from the ocean made its way towards her slender digits and formed into some kind of circular shape—which can be be interpreted as a bitten apple; my symbol. I gaped at the girl while she only grinned. The water completely froze. As the moonlight graced its way on the ice, The glow on her only became bigger. She must have noticed the worried look on my face.
"Do not fret. Surely you have noticed this always happens whenever i'm under the moon," she explained, the windows to my soul focused on her lips. She looked so tempting. Fuck. I won't be able to stop once I start.
I realized I was staring at her for too long. Her skin was starting to go cold, but that's just her reaction whenever she's embarrassed. One of the little things that I learned. She placed her other hand on my cheek, making me unconsciously lean into her touch. I moved closer, and closer, until our faces were centimeters apart.
"Jimin—"
I didn't let her finish as I crashed my lips onto her soft ones. A string of curses entered my mind when she moved her palm to the backside of my neck, deepening the kiss—which was surprising. I'm starting to like this side of hers; She has many other sides that I have yet to know of.
"J-Jimin," she pulled back, "We should go back.." she said shyly. I smiled at her. There are times when I just want to hold her in my arms and never let her go, and fortunately, that time, is right now. She gasped when I suddenly scooped her up in my arms and carried her bridal style, stopping at the edge of the bed before gently depositing her on it. I lowered my head until I was level with her face. Her eyes were half-lidded as it was fixed on mine, and nothing could turn me on more than that.
Placing gentle kisses on her neck, she started squirming under me. I lightly bit on her soft skin, making her moan slightly.
"let me hear you," putting a little bit of pressure on my bite, she whimpered. Damn it, princess. Now you've done it. I trailed kisses on her clavicle down to her collarbone.
The sounds that were coming out of her mouth were music to my ears. She suddenly switched positions, going on top of me, catching me off guard. She looked at me with so much intensity, but not until she stood up.
"Princess.." she turned her back on me, " do you really want this?" She was taken aback for a short moment, before I wrapped my arms around her waist. "Of course I do, it's just that.." she hid her face. "I'm afraid."
I chuckled. "You don't have to be afraid of me, I won't hurt you." she smiled softly, "I know."
My fingers seemed to know what it was doing: Unzipping the back of her dress, letting it fall on the crisp, white tiles.
I traced circles on her bare skin, making her arch her back and head rest on my shoulder. "J-Jimin," she moaned. Placing my lips on her shoulder blades, I removed the remaining garments that was on her body, leaving her with nothing on.
She turned around slowly, her face was flushed. and on top of that, my breathing almost stopped.
"Areumdawo (You're beautiful)." I kissed her again, with much more force than before, and pushed her back on the bed. She looked too enticing.
I cupped one of her breasts as I put the other one in my mouth. "Jimin!" She screamed in pleasure. My other hand went south and noticed that she was already dripping, making me smirk.
"I could take you right now, but I want to savor this moment more," I uttered as I dangerously moved down to her entrance.
Summary: Seven crown princes disappear from their homes on the same night. None of the them can be found, but what is the true reason behind their disappearance?
—————
Footsteps could be heard against the cold stone floors as someone ran through the palace. The distinct sound of metal hitting pavement could be heard a moment later, and the footsteps halted. They returned a moment later even louder. Quicker, even. But no one noticed, for the entire palace was sound asleep. No one would notice the prince was missing until the following morning.
“Prince Jungkook is missing!” Squeaked one of the maids who attended him in the morning.
The entire palace went into a panic as they attempted to locate the missing prince. All that seemed to be left of him was his crown, which had been thrown on the ground near the back entrance of the palace. Almost as if to mock them.
Weeks went by, and there was no sign of the prince, but it soon came to the attention of the royal family that they were not the only kingdom missing a prince. It seemed that all six of the surrounding kingdoms were also missing a prince. They’d all gone missing on the same night, and all left one clue: a crown on the pavement near the back entrance. Whoever had orchestrated this scheme had clearly done this purposefully.
Years went by, and the kingdoms gave up hope of finding the missing princes. The year they’d disappeared, they’d all been between fourteen and seventeen years of age. All seven of them had been the heir apparent to the throne.
◇◆◇◆◇
“Hey! I thought Jin said you could have one bun!” Jimin exclaimed as Jungkook crammed another bun into his mouth.
“Does Jin work twelve hours a day at the mine? No!”
Jimin huffed and took a bite of his porridge. Tae joined them at the table, black smudges on his cheeks and his long hair falling into his face.
“Tae, go clean up. We don’t want to get the tablecloth messy. It took a week to clean it last time.” Jin told him as he set another plate of buns on the table.
Tae sighed and stood up again, heading down the hall.
“Namjoon and Yoongi said they’d be home in half an hour, right?”
“Yeah. The new house they’re building is bigger, so they have to work longer hours this week.” Jungkook mumbled around his bun. “Hobi’s gonna be back from the mill in a few, I think.”
Jin shook his head as he set a pot of soup in the middle of the table. “I don’t know how you guys work those jobs. The bakery is hard enough.”
“Trust me, I’d rather work at the bakery,” Tae mumbled as he returned to the room. He was dragging his fingers through his hair, wincing as they caught on clumps of dirt. He sighed and tied his hair back up into a bun.
“I’m so close to shaving my head. It’s making me even hotter than I usually am with this summer heat. Harvesting crops is not a fun job.” Jimin sighed.
“Would you rather look after horses all day?” Tae grumbled. “Sometimes I want to go back to the palace.”
“Soon, Tae. It’ll be soon.”
Tae huffed, taking one of the buns and shoving it into his mouth.
“Hey, I much prefer working at the mines to sitting all day.”
“We know you do, Jungkook.” Jimin sighed. “I’m pretty sure you weren’t supposed to be a prince.”
Jungkook shrugged. “I’m not particularly looking forward to going back to the palace, honestly. My sister would be a better ruler, anyways. Can’t I just marry Jane and keep working in the mines? I doubt my parents actually miss me.”
“Sure, go for it.” Tae muttered.
The other three boys looked at him.
“What? The whole reason we left was to find ourselves. If Jungkook thinks he doesn’t want to rule the kingdom, there’s no point in going back. He’ll just be trapped in that lifestyle again. And there’s no way his parents will let him marry Jane.”
Jungkook sighed. “I’d miss you guys, though. You’re better family than my real family ever was.”
“Please tell me dinner is ready,” Yoongi exclaimed as he walked into the dining room. He had a huge brown streak on his cheek.
“Jeez, why won’t any of you clean yourselves up?” Jin asked. “You don’t get dinner until you wash up.”
Yoongi rolled his eyes and turned right back around to go wash his face off.
Hobi came running in a moment later. Thankfully, he’d actually cleaned himself up a bit. His hair was in knots on his head, though.
“When was the last time you brushed your hair?” Jimin asked Hobi as he shoveled a bite of soup into his mouth.
“Last week?”
“Wanna join me when I shave my head?”
“Sure,” Hobi replied nonchalantly.
Namjoon and Yoongi joined them at the table a few minutes later.
“Staining has to be the worst part of this whole process,” Namjoon complained as he too bit into a roll.
“Really? You prefer building the roof?” Yoongi asked.
Namjoon paused. “Touché.”
“Jungkook wants to marry one of the village girls.” Jimin told the three who hadn’t been at the table earlier.
“What?” Hobi asked. “Are you not going back to the palace?”
Jungkook snorted. “I don’t want to. Do I have a choice, though? If you all return, it’ll be suspicious if I don’t.”
“We’ll just tell them you ran off with the traders,” Namjoon said.
“That’s a great idea! Why didn’t I go into trading?” Tae exclaimed.
“I thought you wanted to go back to the palace?” Jin questioned.
“Eh. It just sounds better than cleaning up horse poop all day.”
“Please, do not run off with the traders next time they’re in town. Or else I’m going with you.” Jimin jumped into the conversation.
“Hmm. Where’s the razor? You needed help shaving your head, right?”
“Yes, actually. You want to help me?”
◇◆◇◆◇
“Man, your hair has gotten long!” Tae exclaimed as he cut off another chunk of Jimin’s hair.
“You’re one to talk. Half the girls in the village are jealous of your hair.”
Tae laughed. “You sure you don’t want to keep it like this?” he asked, running his fingers through the inch and a half of hair Jimin had left on his head. It was choppy, but at least it wasn’t a foot long anymore.
“Cut the back shorter. Maybe it’ll look better.”
“All right.”
◇◆◇◆◇
“Excuse me, miss, but I’m not letting you into the house.” Yoongi crossed his arms over his chest as he blocked the doorway. “You can state your business out here.”
“I told you. I need to speak with Hak Namjoon.”
Yoongi rolled his eyes. “And I told you that I need to know what your business is with him.”
The girl sighed, giving in. “I’ve come to offer him a marriage proposal.”
If Yoongi was surprised, he didn’t show it. “All right. I’ll get him.” He shut the door in her face. “Joon! Someone named Hannah wants to talk to you.”
Namjoon was out the door before Yoongi could blink. Yoongi shook his head. Part of him had always wondered if they’d all truly return to their homes.
◇◆◇◆◇
Jin was working at the bakery the next day when he caught a chunk of a conversation two of the girls were having.
“I heard two of the neighboring kingdoms are fighting. One of them doesn’t have an heir, and the other one wants to take over.”
“Stella! We shouldn’t discuss that! War is men’s talk.”
Jin was glad he’d overheard it, though. The kingdom without an heir had been his. And he was sure it was Tae’s parents that were trying to take it over.
He was the last one home that night, and the rest of the boys had to come up with dinner themselves. Burnt pie was the first thing he smelled when he walked through the door.
“Jin’s home!” Hobi exclaimed as the door slammed shut.
Jin sat down at the table with a grim look on his face. “I have to go home,” was the first thing out of his mouth.
“What? Already?” Tae asked, shoulders sinking.
“I was the only heir…and now I’m their only hope.”
The table was eerily silent.
“There isn’t a way around it?” Jungkook asked, finally breaking the silence.
“There never was,” Jin admitted. “I shouldn’t have left, honestly.”
“Can I come with you?” Tae asked.
Jin shook his head. “I think you need to go home, too.”
Tae nodded. He reached up and tugged on his hair, tears filling his eyes. “They’re going to make me cut it.” He hadn’t cut it since he’d left the palace.
“I’ll braid it for you tonight,” Jungkook offered.
“I need to go home, too.” Jimin muttered. “There’s not a better time than now.”
The rest of the guys looked at each other, daring the others to leave as well. But the table remained silent.
“I’ll return home once the house is done,” Yoongi said finally.
“I’m not leaving.” Jungkook said flatly. “Unless it’s absolutely necessary, I’m staying here.”
“Me too.” Namjoon joined Jungkook. “I agreed to marry Hannah. I can’t just leave after that.”
“You agreed?” Yoongi asked, baffled.
Namjoon nodded. Yoongi sighed and buried his face in his hands.
—————
Two
A/N: this has been sitting in my computer for a month and I’ve finally decided I’ll release the first chapter
And don’t ask me how long it’ll be because knowing me it could turn out as 50 chapters
This also takes place in some weird modernish-Korea with a more mixed population that’s split into kingdoms so don’t tell me it’s weird because I know 😂
Royal advisor Namjoon, who spends his spare time with the local animals
Crown Prince Jimin
Because it's the only position in the country that let's him dance as much as he wants
Town Merchant Taehyung
Who also has some magic tricks under his sleeve
Yoongi's childhood best friend Jin
They met just outside the Palace walls;
Yoongi was escaping his tailoring appointment bc he doesn't like people touching him
Jin was just on his way to gather some wood and they bumped into each other
They were like 6 years old and Jin didn't know he was the Prince at the time so he made Yoongi call him Hyung and talk respectfully
Yoongi sneaked out a lot to hang out with Jin until his royal duties became a full day job and he couldn't anymore
Then que traveller Jungkook
He's new in town and starts hanging out with Jin and Taehyung
One day Jin tells them the story of his best friend back in the days and he lowkey starts crying bc he misses him so much
And Taekook being the good friends that they are come up with a plan to bring them back together
And it was supposed to be just an image of Jin's best friend so that they could figure out where he is but something goes wrong and suddenly the freaking King is standing in their room
And everyone is so confused,
Taehyung is frantically looking through his magic books for what went wrong in his spellcasting I mean he summoned a PERSON he's not that powerful right?
And Yoongi is dizzy as fuck and overall just VERY confused
And Jungkook is there like,,, but we wanted Jin's best friend not thIS guy
And you know like - it's chaotic
And then Jin walks in and when he sees Yoongi he slaps him in the face because he thinks Yoongi left him without a word and kept him waiting for years at their usual spot not knowing what happened
And then they talk it out like brothers do
And they all go to the palace
And the seven of them become best friends and rule Joseon together like the Kings they are
Warnings: Angst, Smut (future), Fluff, Some violence. [angst in this chapter].
Words: 4k+
Summary: You make a heart-shattering discovery.
A/N: i won’t even try and justify the wait bc i’ve been crying about it on my blog regularly, so!!! this is a major chapter in terms of OC and Jimin’s relationship. It took me a while to write it because I kept getting distracted by other projects but now that i only have exams to cover (and the big reveal has happened phew) I can maybe focus on moving the story to its fluffy end???? hmmm????? [it’s coming soon]. PLEASE tell me what you think!!! I have already written 2k words of the next chapter.
When Jimin used to walk down the same dimly lit passageway towards his father’s, the King’s, chambers he rarely felt anything other than mild annoyance from being reprimanded for the most minuscule mishap while on missions and negotiations with the neighbouring clans. Back then, he had nothing to lose. Nor did he care much if he was whipped or starved whenever he made a mistake. It was how he had been trained ever since he was a boy. His father became even more unsympathetic once the Queen passed. Jimin was allowed a mere few hours to grieve her before he was stowed away in the training camp under the Army General. Every tear that slipped down his cheek was whipped away until his eyes were dry and mouth was set tight. There was no place for weakening emotions like sadness. Only anger. And anger was filled inside of Jimin to the brim in his years of training. To the point where he learned how to master it and utilise the emotion in winning wars and slashing clans that refused to do his father’s bidding.
He had learned how to be unyielding and unforgiving. He was attached to no one but the cause of…. Of what? He had never questioned it before. Conquering was all his father cared about. But was it not enough? Haelyra was prospering. There was nothing the kingdom lacked. Yet his father was unwilling to stop his mission to have the whole world in the palm of his hand. And Jimin was a loyal soldier, fulfilling his duty to his country and being an advocate of his father’s plans. Whether willing or unwilling. Though he was mostly ambivalent to the details or the plans. He didn’t know a life other than the one he was living. The tender love and nurture his mother provided for the short period that she was alive felt like a fever dream.
Until you. Until he met you. And now that he was walking through the same walls, surrounded by the same guards, about to see the same person he had seen many times in this context; he was scared. He was scared out of his wits because now he had something to lose. You. The one person who let him shed tears without judgement and held him together. Someone he did not know he needed until he let you in and wrap your warm arms around his cold body. You were the warmest person he had ever known and the only person who let him…. feel anything other than anger and numbness. Only other person apart from his mother. Though his body was not showing physical signs of his internal panic about what would his father could possibly do to you if he realised your importance to Jimin.
Leaving you in his chambers was harder than he thought it would be. Your soft eyes had looked up at him while you clutched the sheets around your even softer body. Thankfully, he’d been able to contain his initial panic and gently coax you in to taking another restful nap until he was finished with business. Reassuring you that he would be back and that it was just a routine visit. But of course Jimin knew better than to pretend he knew what was coming his way. That was his father’s play. Never keeping Jimin in the know too much so he will stay on alert and not become comfortable in his position as the future king. He understood it before. Or at least he thought he did. That his father was preparing him for what is to come. Though, more and more it seemed impractical to Jimin that he wasn’t not aware of future plans, or even current, right before they were to be implemented. Would it not be better if Jimin was made aware of future expeditions and laws that were to be announced before they actually were? Did his father not trust him with any decision making?
“Your majesty.” Minister of the Household, Ahn Jihoon, greeted Jimin as he entered his father’s chambers. His nerves were on edge but at least his years of training made him a master of control.
Jimin took a curt bow towards where his father sat in his throne, busy examining the scroll in his hands.
“How are you, son?” This was certainly unexpected. Jimin could count on one hand how many times his father had asked him that.
“I am well, father. What is it that you wish to discuss?” He gets straight to the point like always. However, he could tell that his father was trying to find the right words to speak with the way his eyes roamed about the room before setting on him.
“I see it was quite the blood bath.” The King chuckles as if the death of hundreds of people was daily humour to him and it makes Jimin feel queasy. “You’re looking bright which is excellent before you begin your next task.”
“When would that be?” It was too soon for his men to go out again. They had barely healed from the last mission. Hell, he had barely healed but he didn’t want his father to know that.
“Well son,” The King leaned back in his throne, placing the scroll he had been reading to the side for the house minister to collect, “You will embark at sundown tomorrow.”
When his father continued to stare at him with shrewd arrogance, Jimin knew the answer to his question before it even slipped past his tongue.
“Where… would that be?” A calculated smile and then an astute laugh.
“To Tampa of course. We have business there you failed to finish. Again.” The atmosphere had gone eerie in mere seconds as the King grimaced towards Jimin, unsatisfied.
“But my lord, we just attacked. I’ve barely had time to wash off the blood soaked in my coats.” Though Jimin’s reasoning fell on deaf ears as the King waived off his concerns.
“It will be better to attack while the enemy is still wounded. The element of surprise will be in our favour son.” Jimin was furious.
“And how do you expect me to use that element in my favour when half of my men are bed bound?”
“We will recruit more men if need be.” The king looked unbothered. Staring dismissively at Jimin who tried to keep his voice levelled and not explode with the anger bubbling inside. How could his father be so reckless and uncaring towards his own people?
“I will not have untrained soldiers sign a death contract. You underestimate the Tampans, father. They fight with a vigour that even I do not possess.”
“Then acquire it!” The king’s loud voice boomed across the walls, alerting the guards standing in his chambers to the king’s fury. “For your land. For your people! Remember son. No mercy…” He leaned close to Jimin, looking him in the eyes before whispering, “Only vengeance.”
Jimin swallowed his own vehemence. Your face flashing before his eyes suddenly, calming his nerves tenfold that even he himself was surprised.
“We will make an enemy out of them forever if we attack again, you are aware, right father?”
“We don’t need cooperation from those heathens; only obedience.” The king spoke of his former allies as if he had barely known them. When in reality, the Tampan tribe had been a valuable resource and a source of information to his father’s previous plans. And yet, with the craze of world dominance, the King was ready to sacrifice valuable bonds in exchange of absolute power. Wanting nothing but to play God.
Jimin says nothing. Face stoic and posture stony. “Do you understand me soldier?”
He just nods. “Good. You must maintain an air of absolute obedience with anyone. No exceptions. You are the future King, son. You must be cruel if it results in obedience.”
If Jimin remained in his father’s chambers any longer, he was afraid he would say something that could jeopardize his men or worse, you.
“And Jimin?” He stops right before he exits when his father calls him again.
“Yes, my lord?”
“The girl must remain pure. Do not forget. If the marriage is consummated, it will be difficult cutting ties with Munia when the time comes.”
Within seconds, Jimin has exited his father’s chambers after nodding before he stops in the hallway, away from anyone witnessing the heavy breaths leaving him. He had almost forgotten. In fact, he actually had forgotten about the sick and twisted plan his father had in mind before he agreed to marry Jimin with you. The relationship that had cultivated between him and you turned out to be something so bewildering, so precious that the reminder of the wicker scheme his father had come up with was making him physically sick to his stomach.
How could Jimin ever agree to it? How did he ever agree to such thing being done to an innocent human being, let alone someone he had come to care for so much that he knew, without question, that he would die for you. The overwhelming feeling he had developed to protect and cherish you was like cold water being poured all over him. The realisation that he loved you had him weak in the knees as he leaned back against the stone wall for support. Looking up at the sky as if it held all the answers.
He was in love with you. And in the end, he would have to leave you.
His father had specifically instructed him to not consummate his marriage with you because then, after acquiring all of your wealth and Kingdom, the royal law would allow Jimin to divorce a princess if she is pure and can be married to another royal. It was the sick reality. That you would be just handed off to the next Kingdom as an offering to another prince. As long as you were pure, his father’s plans would be in place and no royal laws will be broken. If Jimin did take your maidenhood, you would be his wife forever, his responsibility and the King would have no choice but to remain allies with Munia.
But he knew that if he did mark you as his forever, the King would not stop at anything until you were out of his life. There was no other way to conquer Munia other than war or via infiltration. Having Jimin be in holy matrimony with you was the perfect way to gain access to anything and everything in Munia.
And yet, he couldn’t find it in himself to try to do any of those things. He didn’t care for it anymore. Ever since you’d come in to his life, it seemed worth living again. He couldn’t pinpoint exactly when it happened but he would do anything to protect you. Even if it meant keeping you away from him. He couldn’t risk your life for his own selfish need to have you. You deserved better than a man like him. A man who was using you for your wealth and Kingdom. It didn’t matter how much he loved you; his father would never let you stay in his life
It had been roughly an hour that Jimin has been gone and with each passing minute, you’re getting more nervous. In the time you’ve been here, it wasn’t hard to notice Jimin’s swaying moods always came after being away on his father’s orders or whenever he came back from his chambers. And the way Jimin’s demeanour distorted, hearing the guard relay the message, you knew that all the progress you two had made so far in connecting with each other was at risk. It was becoming more apparent to you that opening himself up to someone was definitely not an option for Jimin before you or at least a while before you that his default reaction to you being concerned for his wellbeing was that it was a burden for you. When in reality, anyone and not just someone with a relationship such as a husband or wife, would comfort a person in distress like he was last night.
Though you were determined because even if you hadn’t clearly admitted to yourself that Jimin, as infuriating his fluctuating moods and sometimes unyielding rigid personality, meant something to you – you were not going to give up. Not that you had much of a choice anymore because you couldn’t just up and leave. You were bound to Jimin by every royal law out there and before, that seemed like the worst life sentence. But you were happy that you’d made a life for yourself with genuine friendships and your ever growing romance with Jimin. Never did you think that the mere thought of him would make you blush so much. And now you were. Blushing furiously while you brushed your hair as Haejin tidied up in the back.
“Are you feeling okay, Princess?”
“Huh? P-Pardon?” You could see Haejin looking slyly at you. As if she didn’t really care about the answer.
“You’re looking awfully rosy.” Her tone appears to be playful teasing first. Until she opens her mouth again when you duck your head in embarrassment. “The prince has that affect doesn’t he? I would know.”
“I beg your pardon?” The words slip out before you can control your reaction and you can feel your heart skip a beat. What does that mean?
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head, Princess.” It was as if this was a completely different Haejin that what you’d been witnessing before. Maybe on the first day you’d been here but never did you think that you’d be right about your suspicions. That she had some sort of relationship with your husband. And you were not exactly happy with her condescending tone right now. Haejin just smiles at you through the mirror as she finishes folding the feathery blankets before she tip-toes out the door, curtseying to you as she leaves.
What in the lord’s name was that supposed to mean? Did Jimin harbour some sort of feelings for her? Even if he did, it wouldn’t have been allowed in the first place due to her place as a palace worker. Though you were entirely speculating at this point, your silly heart was hurting already at even the thought of Jimin being involved with another woman. You wanted to be the only one and as silly as this sounded even in your head – you wanted Jimin to wholly belong to you. The more you got to know him, the harder it was becoming to be apart. And even though he was still on castle grounds, you felt like it had been a lifetime since you’d been able to smell is earthy scent.
The creaking open of the chamber doors is unnoticed by your ears as you stare off in to the distance, still absentmindedly brushing your hair. Jimin’s solemn reflection in the mirror however has you turning back fast. Something didn’t feel right.
“Are… are you alright?” He doesn’t look at you right away. His face was set in harsh lines, the way you have mostly seen him as of late.
You get up from your vanity chair, making your way to the window where he stood, looking out of the castle. Jimin stood quietly as if in deep thought, hands inside his trouser pockets. It may not have been the best time for your body to react the way it does, shuddering as you take in his attractive stance and the way the muscles in his back appeared prominent below his thin blouse. He was the epitome of beauty.
“I’m fine. I’m… fine.” The sigh doesn’t go unnoticed by you. The Prince sounds deeply troubled with whatever that is occupying his mind. You desperately hoped that your growing closeness would mean that your husband would open up to you a bit more freely. Yet, it seems that you will have to probe and prod at him to let you share his troubles and worries and maybe ease his pain.
Jimin doesn’t turn around to even spare you a glance. It’s almost as if he’s going out of his way to avoid looking your way and you don’t understand what happened in the small timeframe he was away from you. “Jimin, please talk to me. What’s the matter?”
Your hands go to take his wrist in to yours, still standing behind him as you look up at his stoic face. He doesn’t budge. And you try again. “Jimin? Are you due to leave again? Is that… Is that what’s troubling you?”
He just shakes his head but only to dismiss your questions – not as an answer to them. Why was he acting so distant again? Why does this feel like that despite the two steps forward, you’d taken several back?
Your body moves at its own accord as you take a step forward, slipping your hands up his chest trying your best to have him just look at you. “Can I help-”
“Enough! You can’t help me!” Jimin’s outburst is unexpected and his loud voice so close to you makes you flinch backwards like you’ve been burned. If he notices you flinch, he doesn’t comment. He’s looking at you like he’s helpless. Eyes blown wide while the clench in his jaw intensifies. You’d figured to some extent that Jimin was not in the carefree, lively mood he’d left the chambers in. Everything about him looked… hostile. It’s like someone had brought him back to default. Reverting him back in to the closed off, austere and indifferent man you’d become used to but had hoped could change.
You’re not sure what you looked like but the expression on your face must have brought Jimin back from the episode of rage he’d flown in. He’s reaching out to you – hands trying to grasp yours. You step back out of instinct, not wanting to upset him further and it breaks his heart to see you back away. “W-Why are you being like this?”
The tears pool in your eyes before you can stop them and Jimin’s attempts to touch you intensify, wanting to wipe away the hurt from your face. “I’m so sorry, love. I’m…. sorry.”
Jimin’s head hangs low, hands resigning by his side while he lets the tears escape. What had happened for him to be so fraught? All the times in the past, you’d always been able to tell yourself that you could do something about the many mishaps that occurred between the two of you. This time, however, it seemed different. You felt a thousand miles away from your husband and to see him so troubled made you feel helpless.
“Y/n...,” Jimin is moving forwards with a new fire in his eyes, desperation lacing his every movement as his callous hands cup your face.
“Listen to me. There are forces, in this castle that want to take you away from me. And I... I knew that when the time came, I would have to give you up. But... But that was before I- I felt this way. I can’t let you be taken away from me. I will not give you up.”
“What do you mean? Jimin, please. T-Tell me.”
Now it’s you who is desperately trying to look him in the eyes, hands coming up to hold him by his elbows. Trying to gauge some sort of explanation for his odd confession. Who was going to take your away from him? How did he know this already but had not thought to tell you anything before? Did he always know you would be discarded?
“Jimin... please. What is happening?”
“I’m so sorry. I... I will do whatever it takes to keep you by my side. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“Jimin!” You’re hysterical just as much as him. Trying to shake him from his delirium. And for once he stops, watching you pull away to gather your thoughts. “What are you not telling me?”
The eerie silence that follows is enough to tell you that this wasn’t an ordinary secret. Did you really want to find out? Maybe living in ignorance will be better than knowing the wholehearted truth but it was too late. You harboured too many feelings for the man across from you to let this go. You needed to know what he was implying.
“Before... Before you were betrothed to me, The King had made a plan. A plan to use your father’s royal relations in exchange for the manpower we would provide. As a token of good faith and to make sure that the two kingdoms will be united after decades of war, your father had suggested that I will take you as my bride. In order to test my father’s truthfulness and to strengthen the alliance. But the king... my father. He’s a cruel man Y/n. He always gets his way. He always sets his own rules and most of all - his pride is what matters to him most.”
Each word escaping Jimin’s mouth makes your stomach churn further and further. Your father had offered you up as a peace offering like you were a lamb to slaughter. You had made yourself believe that he needed to protect his people and that you understood. But it didn’t ease the pain. Especially after hearing it from your husband’s mouth. Because you had a feeling something more grim was coming.
“Go on.” You’re holding on the bedpost, standing much farther than before and now the distance you had felt before had become physical.
Jimin is silent for a few more seconds before he speaks again. Shame and regret lacing his every word making you feel sick.
“My father had decided to agree with yours. To continue with the alliance. In front of your father anyway. He played the part of a dutiful and loyal king, bettering the circumstances during his reign by bringing you here. But... that’s not the case. He told me to not... not take your maidenhood. To keep my distance from you until he had what he needed. And then, he was going to send you back.”
“You see, he finds a way. He always finds a way to make everything dance to his beat. And the law dictates that if a royal bride is virginal, if the marriage hasn’t been consummated... it is not real.”
“No church will be able to stand against my father and declare him a sinner if I... If I had kept my distance. I- My love for you is real, my love. Please.”
The wetness on your cheeks is registered only when Jimin has stopped speaking. You were crying silently, without even knowing that teardrops were falling steadily from your face. The realisation that this whole marriage was a sham, that it was a carefully orchestrated affair was shattering you into tiny little pieces.
“You agreed to it.” it may have been a whisper but Jimin’s pained eyes heard you fine and clear.
He was rooted in place, watching you crumble against the bed, seconds away from madness.
“That was before. Please, Y/n.”
“Yet you continued toying with my heart.” your whole world was crashing down.
Nothing could have prepared for your husband’s complicit partaking in such an ugly scheme. How could a human being do this to another? Were you in love with a man who had no regard for another’s life? Was he really a changed man or this was his way of covering up his slip up from before? Why did you feel so uncertain about everything? So, so lost and betrayed and hurt and anguish.
“Please, Y/n. I love you. I loved you the day I met you I just took too long to realise it. I-I won’t let anything happen.”
“Do you? How am I to believe that? I was merely a temporary whore to warm your bed. Was I not?”
“Don’t say that. Please.” Jimin is kneeling in front of you, trying to hold you. Show you that he’s telling the truth and you so desperately want to believe him.
But you weren’t naive. He was loyal to his kingdom. Just like your father was. Just like his father was.
“You can’t keep me. You... you won’t keep me. You don’t have the power to.” Bringing your hand unto his face, you stroke across the chiselled bones, watching his pretty, puffy eyes looking at you with just longing.
“I don’t have power over myself. I’m merely, a body to be shuffled as the people in my life please, aren’t I? I have no autonomy. I’m no one.”
The words tumbled out of you without any hesitation. At this point, you were speaking to yourself more than Jimin. Because it was true. Just like your father, Jimin was loyal to the crown. And when the time came, you knew he would obey his father. And you will have to leave. You’ll go back to the place that had essentially exiled you. You belonged nowhere.
“Please, darling. Don’t say that. You’re the besting to have ever happened to me. I will keep you safe.”
“How? You don’t love me! You think you do. To ease your guilt. You don’t... love me.”
“I do and I will prove it to you.” For once, it was not you trying to gain Jimin’s favour.
After months and months of trying to build something between the two of you, you realised that it was futile. You’d been making yourself into a fool all the while he had known that this could go nowhere. Yet, to keep you from suspecting, he’d gone along the few times he had been present with you.
“Just... Just leave me be. Please, my lord. Just grant me some solitude.”
Jimin’s eyes are as vacant as your heart and you know that your refusal to say his name was your small step of retaliation. Nonetheless, he listens. Dropping a kiss to your forehead, he backs away. Watching you huddle within yourself - melancholy taking over the air.
“I won’t give up, Y/n.”
Oh how you wished that would’ve held true.
a/n: it won't hurt this much next chapter i promise.
yoonmin | 56k | by: ShoshinLaurels
tags: royalty!au, secret garden!au, enemies to lovers!au, fluff, slight angst, rated m
no warnings
The East and West have been locked within a feud for far too long for either side to even remember why, and yet that doesn't stop Park Jimin from fighting for his side, an Eastern rebel with unresolved grief fuelling his every move.
When he pushes his luck and finds himself sent to live with his half brother (and Ruler of the East) to atone for his punishment, he thinks he'll just lay low for several months, grovel a little for making his brothers job harder.
Until he finds curiosity leading him astray, not just from his brothers plans for him, but his own.
