• Selfish Prince • || KookMin

26. Effect of the affect

Jin gives a chuckle, watching in his hand mirror everything that happens. He laughs so much at the paraphernalia created around Jimin. He didn't think that the effect of his power would be so great, so strong and capable. He can tell that, in itself, Jimin was born to be worshipped.

With a little better management, he wouldn't have needed any of this and would have had the empire under his feet. "What a pity the lost potential. Had he been a great politician, who knows" Disappointment grips Jin. If Jimin was more astute in politics, maybe the empire would be his.

Clever and urged by some human whim.

Just like Jungkook...

Why is everything about Jungkook so complicated?

. . .

Jungkook inhales and exhales, walking through the corridors. His hair disheveled and his clothes baggy. He has no patience for grooming. He needs Jimin here. Wants him here. Why did Jimin leave? Did Jimin abandon him? Did Jimin get fed up? Did the feeling they had for each other fade? No, that's impossible.

By accident Jungkook peeks into Hosook's room, which has the door open and carelessly, his window as well. The cloudy sky with perfect clarity on the scene unfolding. Jungkook tilts his head:

Hosook strokes Taehyung's hair, smiling and happy with a blush on his cheeks; the man lying on the female lap and sucking one of the breasts. He does it in a childish way. Anyone would think of a baby. Hosook comes to moan at this, more reclining and quietly praising her lover who fulfills her whims:

"You're doing so well, darlin'" she says with almost no air. On the headboard, large roots grow little by little. "Don't stop doing it, go on."

Jungkook continues on his way and stops a step away from going out into the garden.

"You can always go for him" muses Jin, aside Jungkook suddenly. "There's nothing stopping you from going there."

"My family is going to be there."

"So? Weren't you the one who bragged about not needing them? Of not loving them, just like they don't either."

Jungkook gives him a badlook and Jin laughs, stepping back with his hands behind his back. Jungkook hates that he doesn't understand. That it's so suspicious. There's something going on here and-

"How did Jimin leave?"

"Horse."

"And he's over there? So fast?" he retorts. Jin said he's at home. So, he's already there, but if he left so recently how can that be? It would take at least two weeks on horseback.

"He asked me for the favor" he lies, Jungkook tells himself mentally. "Who knows how much attention he is enjoying there. Surely all the one he craves."

Jungkook's eyes widen past Jin, who is left laughing at how soon he understood. Yoonji over jumps at his cousin's quickened pace and has no choice but to follow him.

~ * * * ~

The Beaumonts seem infinite. Jimin is unable to remember them all now that they are here. Jeon, Im, Seung, Jung, Min; an endless string of them. All waiting for what the emperor has to say. Even the matter of the heir to the throne and future husband of the princess is still up in the air.

Complicated with the presence of other families besides them. The Park's are clearly in cahoots with the Choi's and that is dangerous.

What is striking about the evening, however, is not the grudges or competition for the throne at all. The real active competition is the one they all have for Jimin.