Bound by Fate

Chapter 63: The Heart of the Palace

That night, Jin found himself in a place he hadn't been in a long time-surrounded by his children. As he lay in bed, Minji and Jaemin nestled on either side of him, he felt a warmth that filled his chest with an unfamiliar but much-needed peace. It was almost surreal. He stroked Jaemin's hair gently as he drifted off to sleep, his quiet breaths soothing, while Minji wriggled restlessly on his other side. Her small feet kicked the blanket, and she mumbled to herself in her sleep.

Morning came softly, the first light filtering through the heavy curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Jin woke with a renewed sense of determination. Today, he vowed to catch up on all he had missed with Jaemin. He had seen the sadness in his son's eyes, the silence that had gripped him since Jin left. But now that they were together again, Jin would make sure he was there for every moment.

He kissed the tops of their heads as they slept before quietly slipping out of bed to prepare for the day.

As the morning wore on, the palace buzzed with its usual life, but now there was an additional presence that everyone couldn't help but notice: Minji. She was the palace's little whirlwind, darting from room to room, rounding corners, and chatting with anyone she came across. Every member of the palace was soon well-acquainted with her, from the guards at the front gates to the kitchen staff who indulged her endless curiosity.

Jin watched fondly as she bounced down the hallway, her laughter trailing behind her. She stopped at the garden where Taehyung and Jungkook were sitting, the two engrossed in conversation about something only they would understand.

"Taetae! Kookie!" Minji called out, waving her arms excitedly as she skipped toward them.

Taehyung turned with a smile. "Minji! What are you up to, little troublemaker?"

"I'm not a troublemaker! I'm just exploring!" Minji declared proudly. She plopped down beside them, and the conversation quickly shifted to her wild adventures around the palace. "I saw a bird with a red belly in the garden earlier! Do you think it lives here?"

Jungkook chuckled, "Maybe it does. You should name it, Minji."

She considered this seriously, her little brows furrowing. "I'll call it... Bobo!"

Both Taehyung and Jungkook burst into laughter, and soon Minji joined in, clapping her hands in delight. Jin, standing in the distance, shook his head with amusement. She truly was the heart of the palace now, bringing light and laughter wherever she went.

As the day went on, Minji flitted from one place to another, chatting with everyone. But Yoongi, as always, remained his usual stoic self. He never waved at her or showed any signs of affection. This, of course, intrigued Minji.

One day, when Jin was holding her, she wriggled free, her curiosity getting the best of her. Yoongi and Namjoon were standing near the palace gates, deep in conversation. Minji marched up to them with a determined look, her small hands on her hips.

"Yoongi!" she called, her voice firm for someone so small.

Both Namjoon and Yoongi turned, surprised to see her standing there. Namjoon's face immediately softened, but Yoongi remained expressionless, his dark eyes watching her curiously.

"Why don't you talk to me?" Minji demanded, her tiny face scrunching up in frustration. "And why are you always quiet like Jaemin?"

Namjoon bit back a laugh, his eyes twinkling with amusement, but Yoongi, ever composed, raised a brow at the bold little girl standing before him. There was a beat of silence before Yoongi finally spoke, his voice as calm as ever.

"It's just my character," he replied, his lips twitching into the faintest of smiles.

Minji stared at him for a moment, considering this answer carefully. Then, satisfied, she nodded and marched back to Jin, who had been watching the interaction from afar.