The somber atmosphere of the imperial palace was a stark contrast to the usual grandeur and opulence. Heavy black drapes hung over the windows, casting a shadow over the once bright halls.
The air was thick with grief and the murmurs of condolences as the nobility gathered for the joint funeral of Jennie's parents and Jungkook's mother.
The assassination had shocked the entire empire, leaving a gaping wound that seemed impossible to heal.
Jennie, now eleven, stood in a corner of the grand hall, her small frame almost swallowed by the black dress she wore.
Her eyes, normally so full of life, were dull and lifeless as she mechanically accepted condolences from well-wishers who could never truly understand the depth of her loss.
The assassination had been a cruel blow, robbing her of her parents and leaving a gaping void in her heart.
Nearby, ten-year-old Jungkook stood with his own circle of sympathetic adults, their words of pity and hollow assurances washing over him like a suffocating wave.
He felt a growing frustration, his grief mingling with anger at the empty gestures.
He needed space, a moment to breathe, to process the enormity of what had happened without the constant buzz of voices around him.
As he looked around, his eyes landed on familiar faces making their way toward him—Jisoo and Jin.
Despite their young age, they had come to offer their support, even if they couldn't fully grasp the magnitude of his loss.
"Jungkook," Jisoo said softly, her eyes wide with concern. She reached out to him, her small hand squeezing his. "I'm really sorry about your mom."
Jin, standing beside her, nodded solemnly. "Yeah, if you need anything, we're here. We can play or... or do whatever you want."
Jungkook appreciated their presence, their genuine attempt to comfort him, but it wasn't enough.
The constant barrage of pity and the overwhelming grief left him feeling suffocated. He knew they meant well, but their words, however kind, couldn't fill the void left by his mother's absence.
"Thanks, guys," Jungkook replied, trying to muster a smile. "I appreciate it."
Jisoo and Jin exchanged a glance, their young minds struggling to find the right words. "Do you want to go outside?" Jisoo offered, hoping a change of scenery might help.
Before he could respond, another wave of adults approached, their faces etched with sorrow and curiosity. They began to ask about his future, the plans for his family, their questions blending into a cacophony that made his head spin.
Feeling overwhelmed, Jungkook clenched his fists, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn't breathe, couldn't think. He needed to get away, to find a place where he could be alone with his grief.
Seeing an opportunity when the adults were momentarily distracted, Jungkook slipped away from the crowd.
He navigated the maze of corridors with practiced ease, heading towards the one place he knew he could find solace: the imperial gardens. It was a sanctuary, a place where he could lose himself among the trees and flowers, far from the prying eyes and whispered condolences.
He broke into a run, his feet pounding against the marble floors as he raced towards the gardens.
The moment he stepped outside, the cool air hit his face, and he felt a measure of the suffocating pressure lift.
YOU ARE READING
Regal | Taennie
Fanfiction"I, Jennie Ruby Jane of House Asteria, pledge my loyalty to his royal highness, Taehyung Ares Delrico, The Crown Prince of the Valorian Empire. "How far does your loyalty lie, Princess Jane?" He stalked towards her, unrelenting even as her back co...
