Mirage ✔️

Chapter 27: Betrayal

"What did you do?!" Namjoon roared as he stormed over to his very startled younger sister.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Chaeyoung asked with a small voice as she looked up at Namjoon with big eyes.

"Do not act innocent. I know you are a conniving bitch." Namjoon snarled as he gripped her jaw and forced her to face him.

"Did he tattle to you?" She scoffed as her eyes turned cold.

"He is not like you. Do not ever go near him again, or I will toss you in the tower to be with your mother." Namjoon growled as he tightened his grip on her face. "Do you understand?"

"What is he to you?" Chaeyoung hissed as she looked at her furious half-brother.

"That is none of your business," Namjoon muttered and released her, leaving bruises on her face. "I am warning you, do not approach him again."

When Namjoon walked into Seokjin's room, he saw Seokjin healing his face as he winced in pain. "Are you okay?" Namjoon softly asked as he stood at the entrance of the room, not daring to walk in, afraid that Seokjin would be afraid of him.

"I am okay." Seokjin smiled as he looked up at Namjoon. "You can come in. You do not frighten me." 

"I am very sorry for what she did to you. I did not raise her well." Namjoon quietly sighed as he slowly approached Seokjin.

"It is not your fault. Some people are just born a certain way." Seokjin softly smiled and motioned Namjoon over.

"It is my fault. She hates me for good reason. I locked her mother away in the castle tower." Namjoon muttered as he stood next to Seokjin's bed.

"I know that you had a just reason." Seokjin smiled and looked up at the tall, elven king.

"She poisoned my wife while I was away," Namjoon whispered as he softly looked at Seokjin.

Seokjin's eyes filled with sorrow as he looked up at the kind king. He understood the pain of losing one's partner.

"We did not have a marriage of love, and we were young, but we were friends. We were sixteen when we married, and she died two months later." Namjoon quietly explained as he looked into Seokjin's sorrow-filled eyes.

"My wife and I had an arranged marriage. Our families were friends. I was a few years older than her and was unmarried at an older age, so our families arranged our marriage. I did not love her but was willing to build a life with her." Seokjin whispered with teary eyes.

"Even though we did not romantically love them, they still meant a lot to us." Namjoon hummed and sat on the bed next to Seokjin.

"Yes." Seokjin nodded and leaned his head on Namjoon's shoulder. "She was fiery and strong-willed and was always smiling even with her last breath. I hope that Nari is strong like her."

"Nari will be just as strong as both of you. She has very strong parents." Namjoon whispered, gently brushing his thumb over the sleeping baby's cheek.

After a few weeks, Seokjin healed and was ready to move out of the healing room. Wanting to keep Seokjin safely out of the dangerous castle, Namjoon moved him to a bakery in the main city. There was still much uncertainty looming on the darkening horizon. War was brewing.

Early every morning, Namjoon would walk out of the castle and ride to the small bakery. He was always greeted by a kind smile from the beautiful elf, who was quickly stealing his heart.

One morning, as Namjoon was eating a fresh loaf of bread with butter, a messenger rode through the city. Namjoon quickly walked out of the bakery and stopped the messenger.