UNTILL I MET YOU || JIKOOK

17

JUNGKOOK POV

He wasn't sure what to make of
Jimin's apology.

The alpha appeared sincere, and his words didn't seem rehearsed.

Jungkook would know his family were masters of acting contrite to appease his father's shifting moods.

He settled down on the settee next to the alpha, uncomfortably aware of their proximity.

"So you didn't want to get married?"

"not like that," the alpha admitted.

"But then I've always had a romanticized view of marriage."

"Reality was never going to live up to expectation."

Of all the things Jungkook had thought Jimin would say, it was not that. To his chagrin, he didn't manage to conceal his disbelief as well as he'd have hoped.

"I know, I know," Jimin said with a grin.

"The word romantic doesn't exactly spring to mind when you look at me."

Jungkook almost seized on the distraction but he knew he was just postponing a difficult conversation.

"You didn't want to get married, but I did."

Jimin grin faded to a smile. "I kind of guessed that when you agreed to marry me only minutes after we met But I have been wondering why ever since then."

"Why Got7? Why me?"

Even though he'd known the questions were coming, he still struggled with them. He had to be careful what he said here.

Tell the truth, yes. But it had to be palatable. It was still possible for Jimin to call a halt to their marriage, and Jungkook would be back where he started.

"You could have been anyone."

"Any prince. Any kingdom."

"I was running out of time and almost out of chances."

Jimin's smile slipped from his face.

"I don't understand."

"You're a prince of hybe."

"You must have had alphas falling at your feet, Far better options than shackling yourself to me and to this kingdom."

"You're really not up to date on royal society gossip, are you?" Jungkook said with a laugh.

"I—No—What am I missing here, Jungkook?"

The alpha leaned closer, open and attentive. It almost made it easy to confess the truth.

Almost.

"I am my father's most hated son. Everyone who's anyone knows that."

Jimin raised an eyebrow. "It's fair to say we're a little out of touch,"

he conceded. "But why would your father hate you?"

The alpha's skepticism was understandable. Most people outside the family didn't know the particulars beyond whatever gossip made it out of the palace.

He took a deep breath, ready to reveal the whole truth, and then chickened out at the last second.

"He wanted an alpha son.You can imagine the disappointment."

"when I was born."

Jimin didn't quite buy it.

"But your father has other alpha sons, doesn't he?"

"The occasion of my birth was an auspicious time for hybe."

"There was an old prophesy from the founding of the kingdom about a prince born under a blood moon, destined for great things. So much expectation built up across the kingdom."