Path Of Thorns| Vmin Historical AU

T h i r t y F i v e

Jimin stepped out of the house, his body still weak but his curiosity burning like a flame. As he took in the scene before him, his eyes widened in shock. There were royal servants everywhere, busily constructing wooden homes.

It was as if a new village was springing up right before his eyes. Across the valley, he noticed a cluster of camps, the tents flapping in the breeze. He could see Taehyung in the distance, heading towards one of the camps where food was being served.

His heart raced with confusion. What’s going on? Why is Taehyung doing all this? The questions swirled in his mind as he tried to make sense of the bustling activity around him.

Unable to hold back any longer, Jimin approached a nearby servant who seemed to be in charge. The man was focused on organizing materials, but he paused when Jimin approached him.

“Excuse me,” Jimin began, his voice still a little shaky. “What’s happening here? Why are you all building these homes?”

The servant looked at Jimin with a respectful but guarded expression. “These are the king’s orders, sir,” he said politely. “His Majesty instructed us to build homes because many people will be moving here soon.”

Jimin’s confusion only deepened. “But why?” he pressed, glancing around at the workers scattered across the valley. “Why would Taehyung want to bring all these people here? Why would he live in a place like this?”

The servant hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. “I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t say much more. His Majesty hasn’t shared his reasons with us.”

Frustration bubbled up inside Jimin. He was about to ask more questions when suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“They won’t tell you anything, Jimin, because Taehyung ordered them not to.”

Jimin turned around, surprised to see Jungkook standing behind him. Jungkook looked serious, his usual carefree smile replaced by a solemn expression. He walked up to Jimin, his gaze steady.

“But I’ll tell you what’s been happening in the last six months,” Jungkook continued, his voice calm but firm. “You deserve to know the truth.”

Jimin’s heart pounded in his chest as he looked at Jungkook, trying to process everything. “What do you mean? What’s going on?” he asked, his voice filled with both desperation and hope. He had so many questions, and he needed answers—needed to understand why everything had changed so drastically while he was unconscious.

Jungkook glanced around, making sure no one was listening. Then he turned back to Jimin, his expression serious. “A lot has happened while you were asleep, Jimin. Taehyung... he’s been through a lot. But he’s done everything for you.”

Jimin felt a knot tighten in his chest. “For me? But why would he—?”

“Because he loves you,” Jungkook interrupted gently. “You weren't awaking so he asked me for a solution, so I told him about to sacrifice something precious, and he sacrificed his throne, entrusted his crown to Namjoon, and then he brought you here because people were afraid of you, he did everything because he couldn’t stand the thought of losing you. That’s why he’s doing all this. He’s been trying to create a place where you’d be safe, where you both could have a life away from all the chaos and danger.”

Jimin’s eyes widened as Jungkook’s words sank in. He glanced over at Taehyung, who was busy overseeing the food distribution at the camp. Taehyung’s shoulders looked tense, and even from a distance, Jimin could see the strain in his posture.

“Why didn’t he tell me?” Jimin whispered, feeling a surge of guilt and sadness. “Why did he keep all of this from me?”

Jungkook sighed, his gaze softening. “He didn’t want to burden you. You were so weak after the battle with Eodum. He thought it would be better if you rested, if you didn’t have to worry about anything.”

Jimin swallowed hard, his heart aching with a mixture of emotions. He felt overwhelmed, grateful, and guilty all at once. He had no idea Taehyung had been carrying such a heavy weight while he was unconscious. He felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes as he looked at Jungkook.