Late bloomer

Journey

Jimin watched as his trunks were loaded onto the lavish carriage gifted by his father. It had a wooden frame and a roof to protect him from the weather, especially from the harsh sunlight when travelling through the great plains. Two beautiful Friesian horses to pull the carriage were also gifts. Jimin wondered if the two pretty horses would survive this harsh journey, let alone himself. An Alder man sat on the raised seat in front of the carriage, which also had large wooden wheels with iron rims. The inside was very comfortable, with velvet seats. There were two windows on either side, decorated with satin curtains. Jimin could close the window panels if he wanted to avoid dust and wind. A narrow door was placed on the right side with a carriage step below it.

Jimin’s carriage was in the middle of the wagon train. They were loaded with looted wealth, food, water, weapons, and all other supplies. Warlord Jeon rode a chariot, and among the regular wagons, Jimin’s carriage stood out, just like him.

He spotted Jungkook on a horse, accompanied by his gang of soldiers. Slaves were chained from their necks and forced to walk alongside the foot soldiers. Even the small children were not spared. Some soldiers carried whips in their hands. Jimin witnessed slaves being flogged for misbehaviour, which only deepened his disgust towards the Jeons. He couldn’t help but wonder what these innocent people had done to deserve such treatment. However, he was in no position to assist anyone. He himself was a hostage in disguise of a future mate. The War Lord refused to allow Jimin any servants from his clan, despite his father’s pleas. His final response was, “He can choose any number of servants from our clan.” Jimin knew the reason behind this decision. Lord Jeon didn’t want anyone to help Jimin if he ever attempted to escape. Even if Jimin were killed, there would be no witnesses. The Jeons could simply fabricate any story they wanted and accuse the Silver Moons of Jimin’s behaviour, using it as a pretext to retaliate against his clan.

Time had come to say goodbye. Jimin hugged his father and his brothers, Jin and Taehyung, one last time. Almost everyone from his clan had gathered there to bid farewell to Jimin. He was almost considered a hero. They all knew that if it weren’t for Jimin’s sacrifice, they would also be in chains, along with the slaves.He waved at all of them before getting on the carriage. Jimin opened the side window and waved at his family again. As the wagon train started moving slowly, Tae walked close to the wagon, holding Jimin’s hand

“Be safe, puppy. We will dearly miss you, baby brother,” Tae said.

“I will, Tae. Don’t worry, I’m stronger than you think,” Jimin replied, trying to smile through his tears.

“You are braver than all of us, Jimin.”

“Please take good care of our father, Jin, and everyone. You are our next head, Alpha.”

“I will, Jimin. I promise,” Tae said, as the wagon train started moving faster. He kissed Jimin’s hand before letting go, with tears in his eyes. Jimin watched him from the window, his mind flooded with all the childhood memories of him and Taehyung. His Alpha brother was so protective of him. Jimin knew how devastated Taehyung felt.

Jimin kept watching his family from the window until they became tiny dots and disappeared on the horizon. Then, he collapsed on the velvet seats, overwhelmed by grief and loneliness. Jimin started sobbing; he couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. He was now completely isolated with no one to call his own.

Jimin was startled by a knock on the window. He must have dozed off for a while due to the exhaustion from crying. He opened the window to find Jungkook, smiling from ear to ear. Alpha was holding the reins of his horse with one hand and had a posy of magnolias in the other. His grin disappeared as soon as he saw the state of the omega, with red, puffy eyes.