HEIR || Jikook

Chapter 2: The Dragon Festival

"What are you going to wear for Chuseok tonight, brother?"

"Does it really matter Mina?"

"Well yes it does. It's the Dragon Festival, you should look your best and who knows, maybe you'll finally find someone and stop being alone" Mina said with a shrug of her shoulders, causing her brother Jimin to raise an eyebrow at her.

"I have you"

"That is disgusting, and sad"

"Not like that. Since when does my younger sister get to speak of my romantic life. Why don't you mind yours, you're no better than me might I say" Jimin snickered and went back to organizing his herbal teabags. 

Jimin was 24 years old, and his sister 21. They were orphans, but it wasn't always that way. Jimin's mother passed away while giving birth to his little sister, and his father was a doctor, the Royal doctor. He was very good at what he did, but tragically, he died in a battle a little over a year ago, leaving the two siblings without any parental figure. 

His father had left some money so they weren't by any means left to the streets, but they could only rely on that for so long. Jimin was a pharmacist now, he owned a little shop and his sister helped him around when she wasn't in her sewing classes.

"How could I leave you, without me you'd be lost and we both know it" She replied anyway, walking to the backroom where they kept the drying plants and unrefined grains.

"I think you're confusing me with yourself. I'm the one who cooks, cleans and takes care of the store. You should be grateful I don't have anybody-" Jimin was just starting when his sister appeared in front of him with a neatly folded Hanfu in her hands. The beginning of a smile started curving his lips as he reached with his hands to inspect the soft fabric. 

"You really do want me to get married" he pointed out with a surprised tone. He knew his sister was talented and passionate about her craft, but he didn't expect her to spend time making something specially for him, something so pretty.

"It's just that I haven't seen you buy any new clothes all year long and I can't watch you celebrate the first festival since dad passed away wearing something old, so I made you one. This is a new beginning, you are a pharmacist, you own a small but steady business, you are handsome and good, you deserve to be happy" His sister finished showering him with praise, and if that didn't move him, the mention of his later father surely made his throat tighten. 

"Let's not talk about this"

"Please you have got to move on, dad would want that for you, don't you think?" Mina begged.

"I will move on when I get justice" Jimin simply replied, putting the new clothes on a chair and moving away from her.

"What are you talking about, you can't go against them!" she followed right behind.

"Dad would never have gone to that battle if not for that Royal family! They could've gotten any other doctor but it had to be our father, it wasn't enough that he lost his leg before that" Jimin snapped in anger. "Lower your voice someone may hear us" his sister reminded him.

"General Jungkook specifically asked for him, then left him for dead in the hands of the enemy" Jimin claimed in spite.

"Jimin, what are you thinking. The Crown Prince is a very powerful man, any suspected conspiracy against him or anyone of the Royal family will get you killed!" Mina warned.

"Don't worry Mina. I'm sorry I brought this up, let's just celebrate today okay? Thank you for the Hanfu I'm sure it'll look perfect" Jimin tried to quickly end to discussion but in vain.

"I know you stay up late at night preparing a special order. It's all fancy and contains our most expensive things. You're going to give it to them aren't you... Please just tell me you don't have some sort of poison in there" She whispered the last part looking right into her brother's eyes.

"You were never meant to know about that. I'm going to visit the Royal family at the castle tomorrow, and give the King and his heirs a few things to welcome the new year. And no it's not poisoned or anything" Jimin admitted, pulling out the wooden box in question and showing his sister what's inside.

There were teabags, soaps, boxed medicinal herbs for wounds and open injuries, along with well written notes describing what each thing is for, all on dried flowers for the nice smell. The present was well thought through and Mina would lie if she said it wouldn't make the King happy. She closed the box and left her hand on top as she let out a deep sigh. 

"I just don't want to lose you too Jimin. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I had known you were putting yourself in danger and did nothing about it" she pleaded. 

The sounds of laughing children running around outside clogged Jimin's ears, he was lost in the memory of when his father was still alive, the smiles of the people who visited to give their best wishes to the kind doctor. Last year, they spent the holiday grieving, and this year they'll spend it alone. There's nothing that could hold Jimin back from doing what he'd been thinking about for so long.

"Please don't worry about me, I can take care of myself. Let's just focus on today and leave tomorrow's problems to tomorrow's us" Jimin said and Mina bit the inside of her lip, knowing that anything she said from now on will be ignored. Her brother was stubborn and when he decides a conversation is over there is no changing his mind. Jimin walked outside, filling his lungs with the fresh morning breeze before noticing a little girl sitting by the corner of the shop.

"Hey you, where are your friends?" He approached her, smoothing her dark silky hair. Jimin was very good with kids, he knew how to deal with them and treat them just right when something was wrong. He smiled at her and she smiled back, giving him a small note and running away. 

'Happy Chuseok to the Park family, 

You might not remember us, but your father saved our little daughter's life when nobody else could. We will forever be grateful, and we hope life gives you and your sister just as much a miracle to repay your kindness in this cold world.

Nim hyungul x  leera'

Jimin sniffed, quickly blinking his tears away and resting his arms behind his back. His father was a great man, he loved to help and gave his all to be the best doctor in town. He looked at the sky and smiled, feeling like he was watching from up there. "Happy Chuseok, father".

The day ended in a blur and night time was quick to arrive. Jimin was wearing his new Hanfu as he walked the streets downtown with his sister, enjoying the festivities and letting themselves forget about everything else for the night. Mina was keen on trying all the snacks and sweets sold, while Jimin continuously tried to pull her away from the food so they'd be able to see other areas.

"But they taste so good!"

"If you keep stuffing your mouth I will walk away" Jimin warned with a playful expression and she smiled sheepishly. "I hate to say it brother, but we'll have to part ways unfortunately" she sighed dramatically, unfazed by her brother's statement. Jimin's jaw dropped at her disregard "Well I'm clearly not needed by your side, so I will go explore the festival myself" he crossed his arms waiting for his sister to take back what she said.

"Sure! Don't come home until you find a girlfriend or boyfriend!" she said as she jogged to the next food stand. 

Really? he thought. That's all she cares about these days? I don't even mind being single... Or should I start thinking about having a family? He looked at the mochi in his hand and shrugged, choosing to postpone this inner monologue.