Bewitched.

chapter 08. the truth.

Jeon Jungkook can feel his hands shaking as he asks the driver to speed a little faster, feeling her heart thumping faster than it ever had before. 

His advisor, Jung Hoseok turns his head to him nervously but doesn't say much, knowing that once he had his mind set on something, there was no going back. 

The car ride was awkward, to say the least, and sudden—moments ago, they had been going to Busan and stepping into the hidden library, and now, they were rushing on their way back to the capital of the south, because Jeon Jungkook can't shake the feeling that his in-laws were hiding something. 

And he won't sleep until he finds out. 

When he arrives, Jeon Jungkook doesn't even wait for his driver to step out and open the door. He rushes himself, not caring for those watching, or for royal protocol as he storms into the palace like a man on a mission. The young gentleman makes his way to his fiance's room, not bothering to knock as he just barges inside.

She's sitting against her bedframe, looking somewhat pale, her eyes widen in surprise to see him, slightly panting from the rush in his system as he made his way to her chambers. 

"Jungkook, if you missed me you should've just said so—" Jisoo Kim's voice is the same familiar softness that he has come to know well. 

They had been friends for so long, even before Jung Hoseok became his advisor. 

The two played together since he was young, even before his parents had died in a tragic accident. 

If there was anyone in the world that he could trust, that he should trust—it was her. 

"I need to know something," he closes the door behind him as he makes his way to her, helping himself to a glass of water by the bed which she always kept nearby.

"Of course, anyway," her voice is the same tenderness that had become synonymous with her, the voice he adored, "... what's wrong? You look stressed." 

"Who is Madam Park Catherine?" 

Five words.

All it takes is five words to make her freeze completely, clearly not expecting his sudden question. His eyes watch as her mouth opens to speak, but not a single syllable nor vowel can be heard. 

"Answer me, Jisoo. Don't I deserve the truth? I am your fiance for God's sake! But not even that, we've been friends for over eight ye—" he yells, despite the fact that he promised not to raise his voice at a lady, only then realising the truth.

Eight years.

Whatever happened with the blonde woman and the witch, perfectly aligned with her. 

All he'd ever known, as a version of her since the north and south separated. 

More so, he realised that he remembers absolutely nothing when it comes to his life before that. 

 "Jungkook," her voice is panicked as she reaches her hand out to him, unable to get out of the bed on her own, "... please let me explain. It's not what you think."

But he's too angry to listen. 

He throws his arm across the air, wringing her arm off him, "... don't touch me! What did your family do?" 

He furrows his brows, eyes slightly squinted as he shakes his head, "... I defended you with my entire life——I trusted you."

"You can still trust me, just give me a moment to compile my though—" she tries to pacify him.

"I don't even know you at all, anymore."

-

When Park Chaeyoung gets a message from Kim Taehyung, telling her to come to the dining room area, she doesn't expect to see Jeon Jungkook standing there with a book in his hand, and another human beside him.

She turns to her vice in confusion, an ample brow arched as she holds the side of her gown, giving her more mobility to get closer to greet them. 

"Jungkook," she speaks breathily, wondering why her chest tightened every time she saw his face, before turning to his guest, "... and you are...?" 

"This is my advisor, Jung Hoseok," Jeon Jungkook responds, though she notes that his voice seems somber, unlike the way it usually is.

Feeling the awkwardness, Park Chaeyoung turns to her vice, giving him another confused look before he simply sighed.

"Let me give you guys some time, I'll wait outside," he speaks.

Park Chaeyoung feels panic rushing through her system, giving him a look. Kim Taehyung simply walks to her, giving her a kiss on her cheek before bowing to her.

"I'll be outside, just call me if you need me, your majesty."

When Kim Taehyung leaves, her thoughts are interrupted by Jeon Jungkook clearing his throat. She turns, before pointing at the chairs.

"Please sit, make yourself at home," she responds. 

Her eyes make note of the way his advisor has his eyes wide open in surprise, but not in a good way. She can tell that he was cautious.

Park Chaeyoung knows that it's expected, since he was a mere human.

"I won't cast a spell on you, please," she clarifies before looking to Jeon Jungkook, "... so what brings you to the north?" 

"Your mother," Jeon Jungkook looks at her with certainty, and it's hard but somehow, she manages to hold her expression in front of him.

She's used to it, trying to hold herself together in front of the people.

Since the dreaded day, she promised to not cry in front of anyone but alone or with Kim Taehyung.

"Madam Park Catherine, it's her, isn't it?" Jeon Jungkook questions her, though his words were more like statements, as though he simply needed to see her eyes for some validation. 

For a minute, she wonders whether it was finally all over.

Perhaps he'd found the body. 

She doesn't respond, instead, looking up at the ceiling as she attempts to contain her composure. 

"Did you find her ashes?" She whispers, feeling a single tear dropping from her right eye, down her cheek.

But she won't tap it, she can't dare to show him how weak she was.

His silence was enough of an answer.

Jeon Jungkook doesn't respond. Instead, he holds his hand out, indicating for his advisor to pass him the photo. He opens the photo, before pushing it to her.

"We knew each other, before the north and south separated," he tells her, like fact, showing her that he'd put the pieces together, "... but why don't I remember any of it?"

Park Chaeyoung can't help but move her head towards the photo, looking at it. The familiar expression on her mother's face, smiling at the camera brings another tear down her face.

He hands her the book, filled with photos of her. 

"Where did you get this?" Her voice cracks as she asks, grabbing onto it quickly, as though she were scared he'd ask for it back. 

"Will you help me remember, Chaeyoung? I want to know the truth."