"The Kim Dynasty: Secrets of the Heart"

47

As the golden rays of the morning sun bathed the Kim mansion, a lively breakfast had just concluded, filling the air with warmth and laughter. Everyone now gathered in the living room, eagerly anticipating the continuation of the conversation that had been delayed the night before. All eyes were on Namjoon and Jin, seated together on one of the plush couches, their hands intertwined subtly under the table, seeking comfort in each other's presence.

Mrs. Kim, being her usual dramatic self, couldn’t wait any longer. Her eyes locked onto Jin with an exaggerated look of concern as she leaned forward slightly. "Jin, tell me," she began, her voice laced with curiosity, "how did this idiot propose to you?"

Jin, taken slightly aback, blinked nervously. "Mom, he didn’t… actually propose to me," he mumbled. "He just said will you be mine or should I prepare for your kidnapping."

There was a beat of silence before Mrs. Kim erupted into one of her signature dramatic monologues. She stood up, placing a hand over her heart and staring at Namjoon with exaggerated anger. "You know what? Because of your recklessness, the goddess of love is going to curse me! She’s going to come down and ask, 'What kind of mother raised such a son?' How could you not propose to Jin? It's been one year—one whole year—and you never even said 'I love you' to him?"

The room was filled with a mixture of snickers and wide-eyed amusement as Mrs. Kim continued, clutching at her chest. "Oh, my heart," she cried out, "it's itching with disappointment! My own son, the mafia king, can't even utter three little words!"

Namjoon, who was used to handling intense and dangerous negotiations, battles, and confrontations, could only sigh and shake his head. "Mom," he said, clearly exasperated but trying to remain patient, "some relationships don’t need words to describe them, okay? Jin knows how I feel."

Mrs. Kim wasn’t having it, but before she could launch into another dramatic tirade, the room grew tense as Mr. Kim, who had been sitting quietly with a very serious expression, cleared his throat. Everyone turned to him, and Namjoon visibly tensed. Mr. Kim’s commanding tone sliced through the light-hearted air as he addressed Jin.

"Jin," Mr. Kim began, "I need to ask you something important." His eyes were sharp, and everyone immediately knew this wasn’t going to be a simple question. "You know very well that Namjoon’s world is dangerous. He has many enemies, and being his partner, you will bear the title of queen in this mafia world. I’m aware of your delicate nature, both physically and emotionally. But I need to know—what would you do if something were to happen to Namjoon? What if his enemies come for you?"

The room fell into a tense, heavy silence. Namjoon, who was normally quick to defend Jin, didn’t say a word. He understood the weight of his father’s question. In the mafia world, the title of queen held immense power but also made Jin a target. It was something they had never really discussed in depth, and now, Mr. Kim was forcing that conversation to happen. Even Mrs. Kim, who had been lost in her dramatic concerns moments before, grew quiet, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Jin, however, didn’t falter. He looked up at Mr. Kim, his expression calm and composed. "Dad," he began softly, "you saw it yesterday. I can't live without Namjoon. If something were to happen to him… I…" Jin took a breath, gathering his thoughts, "I was raised by my grandmother. She loved Indian culture, and she taught me something important about the Rajputs, a warrior clan in India. There's a practice called Johar."

At this, everyone in the room was listening intently, even Namjoon, who felt his heart tighten at Jin’s words. "Johar is when the wives of warriors burn themselves alive after their husbands fall in battle, so that they aren’t captured or humiliated by their enemies." Jin’s voice was steady as he continued, "If something like that were to happen, I wouldn’t let anyone touch me. No one will humiliate Namjoon through me. I’m dedicated to him, and if it comes to it, I’ll make sure not even his enemies get to see a glimpse of me."

Mr. Kim’s expression softened. For the first time, he looked at Jin not just as his son-in-law or the sensitive, delicate soul who had captured Namjoon’s heart, but as someone truly worthy of the title of queen. Jin’s words had completely changed Mr. Kim’s perspective, and a sense of pride filled him. This wasn’t just about Namjoon’s love for Jin—this was about Jin’s strength, his loyalty, and his commitment to standing beside Namjoon, even in the face of danger. Mr. Kim nodded in approval. "You’ve made me proud, Jin. You truly are the right person for my son."

Namjoon, who had been silent throughout the conversation, couldn’t hide the emotion swelling in his chest. His heart brimmed with love and pride for Jin. Jin wasn’t just the soft, delicate person everyone saw—he had strength, resilience, and a heart fully dedicated to him. Namjoon had always known this, but hearing Jin speak those words aloud made it even more real. He squeezed Jin’s hand under the table, his silent way of telling him how much he loved him.

The tense atmosphere lifted slightly, and before long, Tae, Jungkook, and J-Hope couldn’t hold back their curiosity any longer. The questions started pouring in, and the room was soon filled with laughter once again.

"Okay, okay, but seriously," Tae said, grinning, "how did you two even start dating? Was it Namjoon’s scary mafia persona that drew you in, Jin?"

Jungkook snickered beside him, "Or was it the way he stares down enemies with that deadly glare?"

J-Hope, ever the innocent one, just smiled and added, "I’m more interested in how you two balance each other out. You’re both so different."

Namjoon rolled his eyes as Jin giggled. "You’ll have to wait for that story," Namjoon said, grinning mischievously, "maybe tomorrow."

With that, the family continued their banter, the light-hearted mood returning to the mansion.

---

Later, the house quieted down as everyone dispersed. Namjoon retreated to his library, the cool silence of the room offering him a moment to reflect as he picked up a few books, seeking the comfort of knowledge. Yoongi, with his unending creativity, was in their home studio, already working on some new beats, lost in his own world of music.

Mr. Kim and Mrs. Kim, on the other hand, had settled another playful bet between themselves. As always, Mr. Kim had lost, and now he was being dragged out by his wife for a lunch date. The playful bickering between them as they left the house was enough to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Tae and Jungkook, still buzzing with energy, decided to hit the gym. Though their real motivation was the fact that they missed Jimin terribly and needed a distraction from the emptiness of his absence.

Meanwhile, J-Hope and Jin found themselves sitting together, deep in conversation. The bond between them was growing stronger by the minute. Despite their differences, there was an unspoken understanding between them. As they talked, a new connection was forming—one that was pure, genuine, and filled with love.

And so, the day unfolded, each member of the Kim family finding their place in the mansion, their lives intertwined with love, loyalty, and a bit of chaos. The morning’s serious conversation had given way to laughter and warmth, and Namjoon couldn’t help but smile, knowing that despite the challenges they faced, he had everything he needed right here at home.