Sefina Hale wants one thing and one thing only - to save her parents' dying sugar plantation. She doesn't care about her friend Elia's plight to win the king's heart, she doesn't care about the healing tensions of the war between Mavacuria and its n...
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Everything was ready and nearly perfect. On the kitchen island, two cups of tea sat on either side of a pineapple cream cake – a Pohetian specialty. Jimin had lit a few candles, and he squinted at them now, trying to determine how to arrange the most optimal glow. He nudged a candle to the left, then closer towards him.
"Am I interrupting something?"
He spun to face Jungkook, who was clad in striped pajamas and standing at the base of the stairs to the kitchen. "No," Jimin said, trying to keep his eyes from widening.
Jungkook's mouth flattened at the array on the counter. "Seems like it."
"What are you doing here?" Jimin asked.
"I'm hungry." Jungkook started rummaging through the pantry.
"There's some cookies on the top shelf."
"Why is your little date down in the kitchens late at night?" Jungkook asked, opening the cookie jar. "Does Seojun not approve of your lady friend?"
You wouldn't approve of her. Jimin gnawed on his bottom lip, staring out the kitchen window. It was close to one a.m. Typically, this is when Sefina arrived for their late-night teatime. He wanted to ask Jungkook to leave, but that would only raise more suspicion.
Jungkook smiled, cookie crumbs on his lips. "You don't have to tell me. I'll leave you be, but it's weird you're being so secretive about her."
"I don't kiss and tell," Jimin said. And neither do you, apparently.
His friend chuckled. "Bullshit. I'll get it out of you eventually. Is she a maid? Someone from the city?" His eyes narrowed mischievously. "Is it Mallory?"
"Mallory?" Jimin choked. "That would be like dating my sister, ew, no."
"I know you two still keep in touch, that's all," Jungkook said, raising his hands in defense.
Silence fell between them, pocketed by Jungkook's crunching. Discomfort bunched in Jimin's stomach. He never felt awkward around Jungkook. He didn't know if it was because of the secrets between them, or the fact that both were even keeping secrets in the first place. They used to tell each other everything, even while stationed at two different ends of the Mavacurian empire.
Maybe they were being ridiculous. Maybe Jimin should just tell Jungkook about his feelings for Sefina and they could discuss the matter like adults. It wouldn't be so bad. Embarrassing, sure, but not enough to stress their friendship any more –
And then Sefina walked in the kitchen. She looked the same as usual: dark green robe, amused grin, only this time her hair looked different – shinier, maybe – and Jimin caught the glint of lip gloss.
"You'll tell me who it is eventually –" Jungkook stopped mid-sentence when he saw Sefina. "Oh. Sefina?"
