MOON || JIKOOK ✅

7.

JIMIN POV

Jimin watched the airship
depart from his bedroom window, his chamomile tea cooling on the dresser
behind him.

Jicheol was gone.

His uncle had ceded control
of him to his new husband.

But what kind of man was
Prince Jungkook?

That he wasn't Joon
meant Jimin's misery had
shifted from a foregone conclusion to a roll of the dice.

He knew nothing about
Jungkook.

Hadn't heard any whispers or gossip among the omegas of
Syria's court.

But then, as a third prince and the youngest of King Jiwoo's many alpha sons, he was beneath the notice of most people.

He watched until the airship disappeared from view and
then went to sit on the end of
his bed, his tea untouched.

Jungkook would return soon
and then...and then Jimin
would begin to learn how it would be here in the Hybe.

He couldn't muster up much
fear.

His body was drained after weeks, months and years of it.

Nor could he scrounge up even an ounce of optimism, for all
that Jungkook had been kind
to him so far.

They were still married and
there were still expectations
Jimin would have to meet.

No matter how hard, no
matter what it cost, no
matter...

He drifted into idle contemplation, reciting in his head some of his once-favorite poems.

They'd long since lost any meaning except to help him
pass the hours and stop the crawl of fear up his throat.

The morning sun surged ever higher, the scent of chamomile and honey from the tea began
to fade and still, he sat.

He jolted back to awareness
at a knock on the door, his
heart mustering a brief
gallop before settling again.

"Come in." he called, anticipating the servant's return.

Was it lunchtime already?

But when the door opened, it was Jungkook who stepped inside, strands of his dark
brown hair falling over his forehead.

He brushed them back as
he turned to close the door, pausing for a moment with
his hand on the handle.

Jimin had only a moment to consider how strange it was
that the alpha had knocked on his own bedroom door before
Jungkook turned back toward him and smiled.

It wasn't a happy smile but
Jimin had the sense it was supposed to put him at ease.

"I've spoken with my parents
and explained... the situation."

"They'd had suspicions that
there was more to your uncle's request than they knew and
they want me to extend their apologies for involving you
in our subterfuge."

Jimin stared at the alpha, bewildered and wondered just what response was required.

He settled on. "Thank you."

"I've gone ahead and made
some arrangements with their blessing, I hope they'll meet
with your satisfaction."

Jimin's words stuck in his
throat.

What sort of 'arrangements' could the alpha mean?

"Are you able for a short
walk, do you think? I'm sure you're tired after everything."