A HEART FOR AN EYE.

CHAPTER 7: THE REVENGE REALM.

Prince Jimin strolled through the halls of his palace, his steps measured and deliberate. The brush with death had left him more cautious, yet determined. He had narrowly escaped the attempt on his life, and now, his focus had shifted to the young man who had tried to kill him. Jungkook.

The sun poured through the tall windows, casting long shadows on the polished floors. Jimin paused outside the door to the West Wing, hesitating. He had ordered this part of the palace be prepared for Jungkook's recovery, a choice met with much resistance from his council and his mother, the Queen.

He took a deep breath and entered. The room was dimly lit, the heavy drapes drawn to keep out the glaring sunlight. Jungkook lay on the bed, his face pale but his eyes burning with defiance. Taehyung sat by his side, his back straight and eyes sharp, like a sentinel.

"How are you feeling?" Jimin asked gently.

Jungkook's eyes narrowed, and he didn't respond. Instead, he looked away, his jaw clenched tight. The silence was thick, oppressive.

"I'm not here to hurt you," Jimin continued, his voice soft. "I want to help."

Taehyung stood up, stationing his body between Jungkook and Jimin who was standing a good meters away from Jungkook. "Your Highness, now is not a good time," he said, his tone protective. "Not after everything."

Jimin nodded, understanding. "I've summoned the royal physician. He'll be here soon to tend to your wounds."

"I don't need your pity," Jungkook spat, his voice hoarse. "I don't need anything from you."

Jimin sighed, stepping back. "Just... rest. Let us help you heal."

As Jimin exited the room, he almost collided with the royal physician, a small man with kind eyes and a gentle demeanor. "He's in there," Jimin said, gesturing towards the door.

"Thank you, Your Highness," the physician replied, entering the room quietly.

Jimin continued down the corridor to his study, lost in thought. He had seen Jungkook's battered state, the bruises, and cuts, evidence of his ordeal. He knew it could have been worse, much worse.

Later that day, the Queen arrived at the palace. Her regal presence filled the room, her eyes fierce as she looked at her son. "Jimin, we need to talk," she said, her voice leaving no room for argument.

"Mother," Jimin greeted, bowing slightly. "What brings you here?"

"The boy," she began, her voice dripping with disdain. "Jungkook. He tried to murder you. Why is he still alive?"

"Because killing him won't solve anything," Jimin replied, his voice steady. "He deserves a chance to redeem himself."

The Queen's eyes flashed with anger. "He deserves to be punished, Jimin! He is a danger to you, to all of us!"

"I understand your concern, Mother, but I won't have him tried and killed," Jimin stated firmly.

"Jimin, please," the Queen implored, her voice softening. "Think of the kingdom. Think of your people. How can they trust you if you harbor someone who tried to kill you?"

"They will trust my judgment," Jimin said. "And my judgment is to show mercy."

The Queen sighed, frustration evident in her posture. "If you won't listen to reason, perhaps you'll listen to your friend." She motioned to the doorway where Mirae stood, half her body hidden behind the frame, her expression conflicted.

"Mirae," Jimin greeted, surprised. "You too?"

Mirae stepped forward, her eyes pleading. "Jimin, you know I respect your decisions, but this... this is dangerous. He could try to kill you again."

Mirae was Jimin's friend. The first friend he ever made. She was also his first crush. They had done everything together as kids and as they grew up, they got much closer to a point that Jimin's parents worried that he could take her to wife and be damned with the prophecy. But Jimin had grown out of his blinding fondness for Mirae when he left to study overseas. He still loved her dearly, but not in the way he knew she loved him.

Mirae's parents were fated royalty and her grandfather was a fated prince who over saw to kingdim affairs in the Eastern region of Neju.

For any other prince, she would have been the perfect match. But not for Jimin, who had a divine purpose to fulfill. The fact the Mirae could never marry Jimin sometimes made the queen sad, fir she was her preferred daughter in law, but she knew her hands were tied abd that her son would have to marry a damned Nepajan.

Jimin looked at his friend, torn. "Mirae, I appreciate your concern, but I believe in giving people second chances."

"And if he doesn't take it?" Mirae asked softly. "If he tries again?"

"Then I'll deal with it," Jimin replied firmly. "But until then, I will not become what he thinks I am."

Mirae sighed, defeated. "I hope you know what you're doing, Jimin."

As the Queen and Mirae left, Jimin felt a heavy weight settle on his shoulders. He knew his decision was controversial, but he stood by it. Jungkook deserved a chance, and Jimin was determined to give it to him, no matter the cost.

Back in the West Wing, Taehyung watched over Jungkook, his expression grim. "You really need to let the physician treat you," he urged.

"Why do you care?" Jungkook muttered, wincing as he shifted in the bed.

"Because unfortunately, Jimin does," Taehyung sneered. "

Jungkook's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "He's a fool."

"I agree," Taehyung conceded. "And you better hang onto this his foolishness for dear life. Because the moment he snaps out of it, puufff," Taehyung makes an evaporation gesture with his fingers, " You are gone."

Jungkook turned away, hiding the tears that threatened to fall. He didn't want their pity or their kindness. He wanted to be left alone, to nurse his hatred and his wounds in peace. But in the quiet of the West Wing, surrounded by people who refused to give up on him, he wondered if maybe, just maybe, his anger was misplaced.