The Seven Wives of Jeon Jungkook

Mirage

The castle is bigger than she expected, there are plenty of hidden corners that one could easily overlook.

There are plenty of libraries and cozy corners to lounge in.

She's just about had enough of wandering when she finds the east wing.

Unlike the rest of the castle, it's barely lit, the hallway looks endless as it leads into darkness.

Just as she is about to enter a hand clamps down upon her shoulder gently. She spins around shocked before relaxing at the person before her.

"Jimin! You scared me".

He smiles brightly, there's dirt smudged on the corner of his once-white shirt.

"I didn't mean to; I see you were exploring the castle grounds. How do you like it?"

"It's amazing yet frightening at the same time. What does he do here all alone in such a big castle?" she ponders looking about.

"He isn't home most of the time, always away in meetings or negotiations with neighboring towns".

"I see, and what do you do all day? Surely you don't spend it gardening all the time?"

He smiles bashfully at that, "I usually wander the town or help out if the castle needs maintenance. Ah but today is kind of slow, nothing much to do. Have you had lunch?"

"No" she shakes her head as she feels the tell-tale rumble of her stomach.

"Would you like to have lunch with me?" he smiles almost childishly and she can't help but smile back, there was something innocent about him, something she felt she could trust within him.

"Of course,".

They wound up having a small picnic under the willow trees near the garden, the branches shield them from the sun.

Jimin sits opposite of her leaning against a tree, enjoying the summer breeze as it caresses his silky hair. He reminded her of a painting, he was almost dream-like in his beauty.

"Jimin" she calls, he hums lazily in response.

"What's in the east wing?"

His eyes open suddenly as he looks at her wearily.

"What do you mean?"

"Jungkook told me to avoid the east wing as it could be dangerous while there's maintenance going on but it didn't look like anything was happening".

He contemplated before sitting up and crossing his legs. He grabs a strawberry from the fruit tray and munches on it as he speaks.

"I suggest you listen to him; the east wing is a bit faulty. A few maids have run into accidents there in the past".

"Ahh okay" not fully believing him, he was a bad liar she thinks as she watches him go back to leaning against the tree.

"About the other wives..." she tries again hoping to get answers from him this time.

He sits up again regarding her sternly "I warned you to be careful about speaking of them"

"Yes, but isn't it natural for me to be curious, the rumors aren't exactly easy to ignore you know" she prods.

"Ji Eun, do you think his majesty is capable of such things?" the look in his eyes is blank.

"No but I believe, as his wife I have a right to know" she states hoping to get through to him.

He sighs, "he doesn't like to talk about them. It was a hard time for him and... truth be told Ji Eun, just let it be. If he decides to tell you one day then so be it, for now, ignore the rumors".

She looks around giving up. Jimin wasn't willing to reveal anything. If she brought up Mina's name it would only raise suspicions. After the picnic he thanks her and heads out to town.

As she finds herself walking through the castle, she comes across the east wing again.

Looking around, there's no one to stop her now.

She takes a deep breath and walks towards the endless-looking hallway. The light seems to fade as she gets deeper, the stones of the walls look more brittle here. There are crushed, rotted flowers scattered about and when she's sure she's deep enough, she comes across a large, rectangle-shaped structure covered by a thick velvet cloth that hangs upon the wall. It's the only thing that remains untouched by the dust and grime gathered around the place.

Tugging at the cloth, it falls to the ground with a thud causing clouds of dust to fly about, she coughs waving it away until she can see again.

When she does, she gasps at the sight.

It's a painting, a portrait, of Mina.

She sits in a chair, wearing an elegant maroon-colored dress decorated with pearls and diamonds. Her cheeks are rosy and her eyes are so life-like. There's an almost strained smile upon her lips. Standing behind her with a hand resting upon her shoulder is Jungkook, his face is set in a serious expression. She almost doesn't recognize him. He looks... terrifying. Mina looks as fresh as ever, as her once, young 18-year-old self before she had left to come to this cursed village. Tears gather around her eyes as she reminisces.

"Where are you?" she whispers as she runs a hand against the rough painting.

Her feet hit something that screeches loudly against the cobblestone floors, looking down it's a vase with fresh red roses.

Did he put these here? She wonders.

"Ji Eun" a stern voice startles her. When she turns around, she finds Jungkook standing in the dimly lit hallway, arms crossed. His expression is grim.

"What did I tell you about the east wing?" his voice echoes off of the walls and she shivers in fear.

"I'm..I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wander here. I was just... I thought you were out of town" she doesn't finish as he slowly approaches her, placing a hand around her wrist he tugs her into his chest. Wrapping his arms around her he hugs her tightly.

"I told you it was dangerous here; you could have gotten hurt" his voice softens considerably and she's taken aback.

His eyes land upon the painting and sadden as he pulls away from her. "I see you found the painting".

"Who is this?" she prods hoping he'll talk more about it.

"It's my first wife, Mina" he speaks of her softly as though she were in the room right now.

There's a tense silence before she speaks again, "What happened?".

He looks at her like a wounded puppy and smiles sadly, "I guess you do have a right to know".

Taking her hand in his, he sits her down in an old wooden chair left in the corner of the room. He stands in front of the portrait as he contemplates before speaking.

"I met her years ago when we were both too young to understand anything about each other. Back then, I wish things could have been different".

"Kwon Mina to me was like the moon in my night sky. A light-filled with hope and warmth" he chuckles lost in thought. "I had written a song for her; my favorite part was... how did it go again?".

He hums a slow tune before singing softly "I want to stay in your sky like a star".

To Ji Eun, Jungkook resembled a broken man, crushed by the weight of the kingdom upon his shoulders as well as the judgments of the people. Could he have something to do with the disappearance of her only family?

"What happened to her?" she speaks without thinking.

Jungkook turns, giving her a bittersweet smile.