Desolate Innocence ||T.K.V||

▶︎ Chapter 13 ▶︎

The room was filled with a tense silence as Jungkook stood awkwardly in front of the two figures seated on the luxurious couches. Master Kim and Mrs. Kim, with their contrasting gazes, watched him intently. Jungkook could feel the weight of their eyes on him, and the heat crept up his cheeks as his heart pounded in his chest.

Mrs. Kim's sharp, feline eyes softened as she spoke, her voice carrying a hint of teasing affection. "Good morning, White doll."

Jungkook's blush deepened at the nickname, and he quickly lowered his gaze to the ground, his voice barely above a whisper. "G-good m-morning, Mrs. Kim."

Master Kim observed the interaction with a hollow smile, his dark eyes glancing at his wife with a silent understanding. There was a brief moment of shared communication between them, something unspoken but powerful.

Mrs. Kim's expression remained unreadable as she continued to gaze at Jungkook, a mixture of admiration and something deeper hidden behind her poised exterior. "You've grown quite fond of this place, haven't you?" she asked, her tone almost playful yet still carrying an underlying seriousness.

Jungkook hesitated, unsure how to respond, but the warmth in Mrs. Kim's eyes made him feel both comforted and nervous. He nodded slightly, his words coming out in a shy stutter. "Y-yes, ma'am..."

Master Kim's smile didn't reach his eyes as he watched the exchange, his presence looming, but there was an unmistakable fondness in the way he looked at Jungkook, even if it was buried deep within.

Mrs. Kim leaned back in her seat, her gaze never leaving Jungkook. "Don't let anything break you, little one. Remember, even the most delicate things can have a strength of their own."

Jungkook nodded again, his heart racing, not fully understanding the weight of her words but feeling their importance nonetheless. He glanced at Master Kim, who gave him a barely perceptible nod as if to reassure him in his own silent way.

"I have seen the way the maids have treated you in the mansion," Master Kim began, his tone cold and stern, "so you better tell us if something happens, little human. Is this clear?"

Jungkook shuddered slightly under Master Kim's intense gaze and found himself nodding quickly. "Ye-yes, Master Kim."

"One thing to remember, white doll," Mrs. Kim added, her voice sharp as her feline eyes narrowed. "You ought to answer verbally."

Jungkook immediately looked up with wide, doe-like eyes and stuttered, "Ye-yes!"

The Kims exchanged a knowing glance before smirking at Jungkook. "Yes, what?" Mrs. Kim prodded.

Jungkook gulped, clearing the lump in his throat. "I-I will tell Mr. and Mrs. Kim if someone tries to b-bully me, immediately."

Master Kim let out a satisfied hum, circling his arm around Mrs. Kim's broad shoulder. "Good. You may go now, and remember—eat and sleep properly. I have reduced your work, alright?"

Jungkook's eyes widened in surprise, and he looked up at Master Kim, his heart fluttering with a mix of confusion and gratitude. He quickly nodded, then, realizing his mistake, muttered in a small, cute voice, "Y-yes, Master Kim."

With that, Jungkook was dismissed, leaving the grand room with a mix of emotions swirling inside him.

---

As Jungkook went about his duties, the Kims' words dwelled with him. Every time he wiped a surface or arranged a decoration, he heard Mrs. Kim's voice in his mind—"Don't let anything break you, little one." Her words gave him a strange comfort, strength in his small, fragile body.