A HEART FOR AN EYE.

CHAPTER 12: HOME SCHOOLED IN HEARTBREAK.

Prince Hosoek of Nepa Kingdom and his delegation were coming to Neju kingdom. The central palace was a whirlwind of activity. Servants bustled about, ensuring every detail was immaculate for the arrival of the Nepajan delegation. The king and queen of Neju kingdom stood at the heart of it all, their faces a blend of anxiety and determination.

The Nepa kingdom had long been their historical enemy, but they believed that the prophecy would change everything. The Grand Deity's proclamation that their son, Prince Jimin, must marry his arch-enemy was conceived by the king and the queen as a divine mandate to reconcile the two kingdoms, a chance to heal ancient wounds. With the guidance of the chief priest and other seers, the king and the queen were convinced even before Jimin's birth, that he had to marry from the Nepa Kingdom.

This marriage was of great significance to the future of not only their son, but also the kingdoms as well. Jimin’s thirtieth birthday was just a few years away and they needed to negotiate this marriage for him before it was too late.

Prince Jung Hoseok of Nepa was a strikingly handsome and charismatic young man. Despite the enmity between their nations, Jimin and Hoseok had managed to forge a genuine friendship. This comforted the queen, knowing that if her son had to enter a marriage he didn't desire, at least it would be with someone he liked and trusted.

The prophecy weighed heavily on their minds. And the fact that Jimin completely refused to take it serious worried them so much. They were even surprised he had accepted to come home from his trip with Mirae to be present for when Prince Hosoek came.

Prince Jimin, had surprisingly agreed to cancel his trip with Mirae and return to the palace in time for the visit. His supposed closeness to Mirae didn't worry the queen, though. Being from a fated royal family of Neju, Mirae knew that her love for Jimin would never result into anything official. And even if it ever did, it would have to be after he fulfilled his duty as Zehu.The queen understood her son's need for a little respite and didn't begrudge him this.

Upon his arrival, the palace buzzed even more intensely with preparations for the Nepajan visit. Jimin, however, was far from excited. He respected the prophecy because his people believed in it, but he had no intention of marrying Prince Hoseok. His heart belonged elsewhere. The trip away had only solidified his feelings, and he knew better than to voice them to Jungkook, fearing a violent reaction.

Jimin was hell bent on not living life as per the prophecy. He refused to acknowledge that he was a reincarnation of Zehu and that he was not just another ordinary prince, despite the number of times the circumstances of his birth had been told to him by his parents.

Instead, he lived a simple but reckless life, going against the king and the queen, especially when it came to matters of who he should keep close to him and who he shouldn't. As if the fact that he chose to keep the son of a traitor close to him as his chief of security was worrying, he went ahead to bring home a slave boy who attempted to murder him.

All these only served to convince the queen and the king that the prophecy was indeed true. Their son's life would always be in danger until he met, fell in love and married his arch enemy.

The prince, though respectful of tradition, harbored no belief in the prophecy that demanded his union with Prince Hoseok. His heart, tethered elsewhere, had only solidified its resolve during his time away from the palace walls, away from Jungkook.

And even if it was not for that fact that his heart beat for Jungkook, he could never agree to marry a man he very well knew was in love with his bestfriend.

The moment Prince Hoseok and his delegation arrived, Jimin greeted them with courteous detachment. His mind drifted to Taehyung, who stood guard nearby—a steadfast presence that Jimin cherished more than he dared to admit. Hoseok's eyes, however, repeatedly strayed towards Taehyung, prompting Jimin to playfully comment over cups of coffee in a private chamber.

Over cups of coffee, Jimin and Hoseok discussed the ongoing trade negotiations and potential collaborations between their kingdoms.

"So, the trade routes through the southern pass could significantly reduce costs," Hoseok was saying, but his gaze kept drifting toward where Taehyung stood guard, a fact that did not escape Jimin's notice.

"You know," Jimin teased, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, "if your eyes wander anymore, they'll detach themselves and float over to Taehyung."

Hoseok chuckled, a light blush coloring his cheeks. "Can you blame me? Taehyung is quite captivating."I can't help it, Jimin." Hoseok chuckled softly, his gaze lingering momentarily on Taehyung before meeting Jimin's eyes."

Jimin leaned back, masking a twinge of sympathy behind his calm demeanor. "If your heart leans towards him, pursue it. Life is too short to deny yourself happiness. And please do not insult my intelligence by claiming you are hesitating for my sake, you and i both know this," Jimin made a hand gesture ponting between them, "is never going to happen."

"I've been trying to follow my heart for the last two years, but have you seen your Taehyung, that man is as stubborn as he is beautiful."

Jimin leaned back, a knowing glint in his eye. "He's stubborn, yes, but he has a soft spot for you. Trust me. Sometimes, you just need to give him a little push."

Hoseok sighed deeply. "I've tried. He always deflects, always keeps his distance. Last time I tried talking to him, he gave me a lecture about duty and honor."

Jimin shook his head, laughing softly. "That sounds like Taehyung. Always the noble one. But he's human too, and he has feelings. You just need to find the right moment to reach him."

Hoseok looked thoughtful. "Perhaps you're right. It's just... every time I get close, he pulls away. It’s frustrating."

"Then it's time to change your approach," Jimin suggested. "Let's take a stroll outside. It’ll give you a chance to talk to him in a more relaxed setting. Besides, I think his big head is dying to talk to you too," Jimin supplied, smiling softly at Taehyung was blushing after being caught red-handed staring  longingly at Hoseok.

Hoseok nodded, a hopeful look in his eyes. "You're right. Maybe a different setting will help. I can't keep pretending I'm not interested."

Jimin smiled, clapping him on the shoulder. "That's the spirit. Let's give it a try."

Meanwhile, at the prince's palace, Jungkook had heard of Jimin’s return and the visit from Prince Hoseok. Thanks to Taehyung, he knew what the visit implied. Unable to wait any longer, Jungkook decided to seek out the truth from one of the guards.

As he moved towards the central palace, he saw Jimin, Taehyung, and Prince Hoseok approaching from the opposite direction. Jungkook froze as he registered Hoseok’s hand on Jimin’s shoulder. A hot surge of jealousy sliced through him, paralyzing him on the spot.

Taehyung was the first to notice Jungkook and whispered to Jimin, who immediately disentangled himself from Hoseok and hurried towards Jungkook.

"Jungkook, wait!" Jimin called out, but the damage was done.

Jungkook's face contorted in anger and hurt as he turned on his heel and stormed off back to the prince's palace.

Jimin watched him go, a mixture of frustration and sorrow welling up inside him. He longed to bridge the gap between them, but Jungkook's anger was a formidable barrier. Confusion at Jungkook's reaction mixed with his duty to Hoseok and the prophecy, holding him back.

Hoseok, seeing the interaction, sighed deeply. "It seems we both have our challenges," he murmured sympathetically.

"You should go after him," Hoseok encouraged, his voice understanding and gentle. "Don't let a misunderstanding drive a wedge between you two."

"If only that was all there was to it. He hates me with a passion. I honestly don't understand him most of the time."

"Then go try and understand him this time because it looked like jealousy to me."

Jimin shook his head, torn. "I can't. Not right now. There's too much at stake. But thank you, Hoseok. Your support means a lot."

Hoseok placed a reassuring hand on Jimin's shoulder. "Whenever you're ready, Jimin. Sometimes following your heart means taking risks. And sometimes, it's worth it."