Slave to a King | Jinkook

Thiry-Nine

The piercing scream that escaped Seokjin's lips the instant he realized both of his parents were no longer in his life would be remembered by everyone in and around the hospital room. Everyone in the area that day had suddenly felt as if they had lost someone, and it was heartbreaking to witness him scream and weep over the death of his parents in front of them. No one knew what to do to comfort him, and there were no appropriate words anyone could find to say to him that would heal the brokenness he felt within.

Even a month later, nothing could be said that would console him. He had locked himself in the King's bedroom, feeling lost and confused about what life was all about for him. The two people who were the most important in his life had vanished from his life without a word of farewell. He was devastated. There had been no notice, and he had been given no time to prepare. And he couldn't comprehend how life could be so cruel to someone who had done all they could to live as a decent human being. He was now without support; he had no one to turn to; he felt like an orphan, alone and forgotten.

Because of his parents and knowing they were living a better life, he could live even through the harsh treatment of being around the King and inside the Kingdom all this time. All he had now was Moon, and he hadn't been strong enough to be the father she probably needed him to be for the past month. And he wasn't sure when he'd find the strength to be that parent for her since every day felt like he was slipping further and deeper into a dark hole.

He dislikes all of those around him, except for his daughter; therefore, when the King asked whether he could do anything to help, the King was told that he did not wish to be seen by anyone and desired to be alone. The King granted this request and barred everyone from visiting him; this included Jimin and Hoseok, who desperately wanted to see him and learn how he was coping.

Jin spent most of his days in bed, having lost all interest in everything. He didn't care about waking up and bathing or anything he used to care about. He slept most of the time, although he was still restless while awake, as if he hadn't slept in months. He had lost a lot of weight owing to his lack of appetite; he was forced to eat most of the time, but he never finished a whole meal because he would vomit it up halfway through if pushed to eat too much.

The moment in Jungkook's life when he cared for somebody personally had never happened before. He was the King, and everything was taken care of for him; people performed what he asked of them and ensured that the things he needed to be done were done well. When it came to his children, he never felt it was his role to care for them physically; it was the responsibility of their other parents, not him. He had much more important things to think about than the well-being of those around him.

However, now, with Seokjin and Moon, he found himself in a different situation. Everything to do with Jin and Moon's care was now his responsibility, as no one else could look after Seokjin except himself. Throughout the days, he allowed Jimin to care for Moon while he did his daily duties as the King, and after he was done, he would take her from him and bring her back to his room where Jin was.

As he went about his day, he made it a point to stop often and check on Jin, ensuring he was doing good and eating something. The fact that Jin didn't speak to him or look at him was hurtful. Still, he tried to remind himself that Jin was going through something he wasn't familiar with because, even though he had lost his father, he never cared to mourn his death because the man hated him, and it was a relief for him when he died.

When he walked into the room with Moon in his arms, he greeted Jin as he had done regularly, although he had gotten no answer from Jin. Then he took Moon to the bathroom, where he bathed and clothed her for bed. As soon as he has placed her in her crib, he leaves the room and prepares her bottle. Returning to the room, he lifts her into his arms and sits on the chair next to their bed, feeding her until she is finished with her bottle.