Read slowly for nice and happy reading, Thank you so much for waiting. Please, Enjoy💜.

Jungkook was staring ahead with his blurry eyes, the impact was too deep to even recognize. The weight of seven books in his lap felt nothing against the weight of the letter. It becomes heavier than a mountain and Jungkook wasn't aware of such hurt in life.

Jungkook had felt pain before in his life as well. Actually, he had a deep relationship with pain since his childhood. But the hurt he felt after reading the letter was beyond this world. The pain was dull that was surging in his heart but it was venomous like a snake. A pain that was diminishing the reason for his entire existence. 

His face contorts in suffering, features crumbling down in a tragic expression," W-what is the m-meaning of this?" 

The letter was laying abandoned in his lap but Jungkook was too scared to even touch it again. He looked around to subside the pain in his heart somehow but his mind and heart were racing in only one direction.

"So…" Jungkook decides to voice it out, maybe he will feel less betrayed this way.

"Alpha had a mate before me." Wrong decision, it felt true after saying it in the space of his chamber. His tears weren't stopped the entire time, nose congested in between small shaky breaths.

"But why does everyone hide it from me?"  Jungkook asked no one, the pain was increasing with each passing second. Jimin's face popped up against his teary eyes and he shut them close in deception. Why? Why didn't the Royal Omega tell him about this?.. 

This… this is the most important aspect of their relationship, their bond and yet he kept unaware of this truth. 

There was sudden anger that was pumping inside his veins but the feeling of betrayal overcame all his emotions. 

He wiped away the tears quickly and shook his head," No. Calm down." He closed his eyes and tried to bury his emotions to think properly.

"Ajumeoni has always taught us to see things from both ends. And the other end of this letter is connected to the Alpha. Only he can satisfy my queries." 

He sniffled and nodded his head to himself, "Yeah, only he can."

He picked up the letter again, without opening it he folded it into a thin stack and tuck it inside the lapels of his sleeves. Now that he was trying to clear his head from overwhelming emotions, it got filled with a tremendous amount of questions. Questions that would be only answerable by his mate.

Jungkook was lost in the moment when his brain was surging him into thinking about every positive and negative aspect of this letter. He doesn't know how much time has passed but the sun was rising as the letter was becoming more and more visible on his lap. Each new burning question was pushing him towards the bay of his edge.

He got startled badly when three knocks thumped on his door in the row. His nose informed him about the arrival of the Royal Omega. Jungkook looked down for a moment and called the omega in.

Jimin was holding a large tray in his hand when he entered the chamber, A tray full of chopped fruits and berries. His eyes were holding worry when he placed the tray on the bed and turned to the omega seated on the floor.

"Jungkookie?" 

Something was wrong and Jimin sensed it when Jungkook didn't even raise his head towards him. Because it had never happened that Jimin came to his room and Jungkook didn't look at him to greet him.

Jimin approached the omega with slow steps and sat beside him to look properly. Jungkook wanted to greet his hyungnim but his throat was contracting with bottled emotions, he was trying his hardest to blink back the stubborn tears that were again welling up against the rim of his eyes.

"Tell me what happened?" Jimin asked the simplest question and Jungkook broke apart. The sobs were too weak to be heard but Jimin was on his knees already, cupping his face to look into his eyes. 

He wiped away the trailing tears of the omega and asked again," Did Taehyung do something during your heat? Did he offend you? Hurt you? Are you still in pain?" Jimin was asking with such a soft voice that Jungkook started sobbing hard while shaking his head in denial.

Jimin pulled him to his chest and hugged him while stroking his back. His heart was dropping to the deepest pit in worry, something bad has happened, he is sure of it or the omega that has always been so strong-willed and mature wouldn't be crying like this.

"H-hyungnim…" Jimin heard the stuttering voice and his hands started trembling on Jungkook's back. 

"You are worrying me, luna. Please tell me." Jimin asked with desperation in his voice, desperation to know about the situation.

"Hyungnim," Jungkook tucked his chin over Jimin's shoulder," You had warned me before saying that Alpha is not mine, he will perhaps not like the idea of finding mates. You told me that, right?" Jimin's eyes blinked, recollecting the memories of that night when he disclosed his past to Jungkook and his mates. 

"Yes, I remember." Jimin felt how Jungkook's hands got tightened around his back.

"Then why? Why didn't you tell me the reason behind it? That he could never be mine?" Jimin stiffened in Jungkook's hold, his hand stopped the motions on his back entirely. 

"What are yo-"

"Is it because he belonged to someone else way before me?" Jungkook pulled away and asked in urgency, his hiccups were silent but the pain in those red-rimmed eyes brought tears to the Royal omega's eyes.

"That's not true," Jimin said in the first breath he inhaled after pulling away. But he finds Jungkook shaking his head and pointing towards the book on his lap.

"Alpha had a mate before me." The statement held the truth that Jimin doesn't know how to voice out. He looked at his lap, ashamed. 

Seeing the older omega apologetic in front of him, Jungkook's fears start shaping into ugly emotions. "I found a letter today, a letter that was supposed to be read by Alpha's mate written by Alpha himself. I know his handwriting, hyungnim. Please tell me, what is it about?" Jungkook wiped his tears and held his own head in between his palms," I don't understand what is happening, hyungnim. Please."

Jimin was still looking down," I'm sorry, Luna. These things should be disclosed by Taehyung, they are related to his past. I can't… I can't say much because I know just bits and not all." 

Jungkook pressed his lips together in pain and nodded his head," If this is what needed to be done then I should not wait anymore."

He stood up on his feet and hurriedly grabbed his veil, leaving the crown on the table for now. He is going to his Alpha as his mate, not as Luna of the eclipse. He needs answers and if the only source of them is the Royal Alpha, he will go for it as well.

Jimin was fast to hold Jungkook's hands," Taehyung is not here at this moment. The commander had linked me before, he is surveying the territories of the Eclipse."

"Then I will go to the territories. I need to know, hyungnim, please. It's like my entire existence held no meaning, I need to hear the truth from him. Who was that mate? Where is he now? If they are still connected? I can be anything but a breacher of love. If because of me or somehow I meddled in their lives I need to correct it."

Jimin was shooking his head while tears were escaping from his eyes, "He will be back in the evening, I will inform Hoseok. But Jungkook, get yourself together, you just passed your triggered heat. This chamber along with you is reeking of high pheromones. It's not safe for you to go out just yet."

"Doesn't matter. Nothing matters I need-" Jungkook turned away from Jimin and hunched on the floor when he realised he has the responsibility of an Empress of the eclipse. And this matters the most. 

Jimin's eyes turned pitiful when he looked at the trembling back of the omega. He wiped his tears and closed his eyes to send a message to his mate.

Tell my brother to come back as soon as possible.

Royal Prince, what happened? Are you alright?

Nothing is alright, hoseok. Tell him that I am calling him back, it's urgent. How come his mindlink is off?

His Majesty is chanting the spells around the borders. I don't think he will finish till the evening.

He can't be disturbed during those chants, Jimin knows that.

Just as he finishes, please deliver my message to him. 

Jimin opened his eyes as soon as he heard Jungkook turning the pages of each book before making a heap of open books. He was searching for other letters, but when he found none, he sat there with a longing face that only shows numbness, nothing else.

Jimin was hesitant about his next step. It will be a tragic betrayal to his brother but he can't see Jungkook like this. The same Jungkook who always came to him to ask such small things just to make sure he would not make any mistakes, to do things more perfectly. 

Seeing him, sitting there so emotionlessly was breaking everything into Jimin. 

The Royal omega had promised himself to help Jungkook however he can, even if it means breaking the rules of his brother, even if it means betraying his brother, once again after using his wish of courting Jungkook, so selfishly. He will do that for Jungkook, for them. If he had to be selfish once again to break the wall between them, he would gladly become the worst person.

Jimin approached Jungkook with quick steps and held his cold hands tightly," Jungkookie, look at me." But Jungkook was just looking ahead with no thoughts in mind.

"I can't tell you but I can show you the place where you can find every answer, where you can meet Taehyung's past. You will know some secrets that you are not prepared for. But… I need you to be strong."  Jimin said softly. 

Jungkook heard his words and Jimin was so thankful when Jungkook looked at him, raw emotions pooling once again in his eyes," Where is that place?"

"His library." 

Jimin can see that Jungkook doesn't understand him so he explained," It's not that Royal library that you used during the studies of proportions. It's… his personal library. A library that is 2000 years old, previously used by my father." 

Jungkook turned towards Jimin properly," I-i haven't heard about it before."

"Because it is prohibited for everyone to visit that place. The library is abandoned for years, no guards, no maids, and no eclipsers can visit that place. I wonder if today's generation is even aware of it. But that library still exists, at the north of the castle behind the Royal stairs there is a hidden corridor that leads to it." 

Jungkook felt goosebumps over his hands from where Jimin was holding onto him," Why are you telling me if it is forbidden to visit that place by anyone?"

"It is an order of Royal Majesty to not visit that place but I am not obligated to obey him, I visit that library when I feel the need to. Hoseok knows about it as well but he is not allowed to step inside. You can go there as well, I am giving you the permission with all my dignity and rights as the elder of the Eclipse." 

Jimin squeezed Jungkook's shoulders in assurance and helped him off the floor," I am giving you the right to visit the place that your mate had abandoned from everyone for years. Go there and you will be able to know everything that could help you or could ruin you as well."

"But this is bound to happen, now or in future, you both can't run away from your past. " Jungkook clutched Jimin's hand on his shoulder and grabbed in a soft hold.

"This will be taken as a rebellion against Alpha's orders. Are you aware of that?" Jungkook said quietly.

Jimin waved away his hands carelessly," I don't care even if I got hatred for this. But I will hate myself if I can't help you right now. The decision will be yours, whatever you decide, I will proceed with that… just talk to me. Don't be mute like this, please." 

Jungkook looked at his feet, thinking any rational decision was the hardest thing right now but then his gaze fell upon the open books on the floor. He strides toward them and closes them neatly before placing them on his lap.

He closed his eyes and listened to his wolf. His heart was throbbing in pain when he reached a decision, standing up on his feet, he twirled around to face the Royal omega.

"Lead me to the library, Hyungnim." He clutched the books in his arms, "I want to see the truth that everyone is doubtful to tell me." 

Jimin was stunned seeing the determined emotion in Jungkook's eyes but soon he nodded his head," Okay but I need to conceal your scent first, you can't go downstairs like this." 

The Royal omega went out of the room to bring the scent suppressants from his chamber. Meanwhile, Jungkook placed the books on his bed and took his veil and softened out the wrinkles in slow motions. His mind was still attached to worries, emotions that were building up inside his heart like a somersault before dropping down into dark pits.

He tucked the veil over his head with teary eyes. The veil his Alpha draped over him during their courting ceremony. Was this also a lie? Was their marriage also fake? Has his Alpha even wanted to accept him as his mate?

He squeezed his eyes shut when a pained whimper left from his wolf. He can't go anywhere if his mind keeps working on one-sided emotions. He needs to think more rationally, more naturally without any biased feelings. 

Jimin returned to his room with a bottle filled with a liquid scent, he handed it to Jungkook and told him to spray it on his clothes properly. Jungkook did as he was told in slow motions and gave the bottle back to the Royal omega.

He lifted the books and looked at Jimin, ready to leave his chamber and go to find the truth destiny holds for him.  

Jimin cupped his cheek over the veil and nodded his head in assurance. Jungkook nodded back and both of them left the chamber. 

They passed the chamber in slow steps and looked at the stairs before striding on them. The maids and servants stopped themselves to take a look at their Luna. The absence of the crown was the first thing they noticed before they bowed down on their knees.

"Your Empress." 

Jungkook stopped and his lips lifted a little from their corner when he saw people looking at him lovingly. 

"Please stand up." His voice has become raspy after crying for so long, he knew. But there is no way that he will not address his people, his eclipsers. He saw how the vast area of the whole gallery of the palace was filled with flower buckets and small gifts. 

Jungkook looked at everyone before bowing back halfway," I appreciate all of your concern and for everyone's satisfaction, I want to declare that I am fine now. Your Luna respects your gifts heartily and is grateful for them. The public sessions will start from tomorrow onwards."

The people of Eclipse roared in happiness and bowed to their Empress once again. 

"Please make sure that this news reaches everyone that our Luna is fine now," Jimin ordered and everyone bowed before leaving the gallery to spread the happy news. 

It was all empty when Jimin showed Jungkook a path he had never taken before. The path goes backwards from the Royal stairs, it was a narrow path that led to a wall that was covered with golden curtains. Jungkook followed Jimin silently, his steps were quiet from any noise and his head was extremely pounding with ache.

Jimin stood in the middle of the curtains and pulled them just a little. It was a new path that didn't have any doors, just a wall of curtains. He looked at Jungkook and said," You will find the library at the end of this path. I will stay here to keep an eye on others. I will be here waiting for you." 

Jungkook looked at the wall of curtains again and his heart told him to not cross this boundary but his mind was telling him to uncover the hidden secrets. He heaved a deep breath and looked at Jimin.

Jimin held his gaze through the veil and nodded. Jungkook took the first step and walked inside the hallway. The floor of this path was the same as the whole palace, just a little dusty, he noticed.

The path was long or maybe Jungkook was walking really slowly. No matter how skillfully he was walking with his head held high, he was terrified from inside. Every step towards that old library was breaking him bit by bit. Each step was making him a betrayed, a rioter to the rules of his Alpha.

He saw the library not so far away. His feet halted when he reached the front of the door, he stared at the door. It wasn't closed or locked just barely slammed against each other. 

He kept standing like a statue just because his heart wasn't permitting him to cross the horizon of the library. Instead, he took a step back and tucked out his handkerchief from his waistband. He laid the small cloth on the floor and arranged the books on it one by one.

Jungkook didn't touch anything else and stepped away from the door as far as he could after leaving the books beside it. 

The Royal Omega was selfless to show him the path that led him to his truth but Jungkook… he had to disappoint his hyungnim. He can't go inside and let Jimin be accused of rioting.  

Or he can't go inside because his Alpha hadn't permitted him to.

How can he break the Alpha's privacy like this, it's shameful. Jungkook heard the sound of his heart and retreated his steps away from the library. 

He didn't even look back as his feet led him to the end of the hallway. He opened the curtains and just as promised, Jimin was there. 

The surprised filled eyes were watching the omega as Jimin approached him," What happened? You didn't find it?"

Jungkook was a lot calm now. In pain but a little mindful. "I found it, hyungnim and I left the books beside the door."

"You didn't go inside?" Jimin asked softly, a knowing emotion was floating in his brown irises.

Jungkook looked away a little," I couldn't. I left a message on top of the books. I will wait for the Alpha to come. I want to know everything through him, not behind his back." 

Jimin chuckled and shook his head," I forgot you are just like him. You two… are made for each other. Do not… do not believe otherwise. Hmm?"

It was a warning in Jimin's tone in the way he said these words. Jungkook knew but his mind was too occupied to reply with anything reliable. So he bowed a little and Jimin allowed him to leave.

"Do not indulge yourself in work right away, take rest properly. These are the words of the Royal Omega of Eclipse." 

Jungkook heard Jimin's order from behind but didn't react. He knows where he needs to go. His steps took him to the terrace, where the burning Sun of spring was waiting for him. He sat on a hand weaved short carpet that was placed inside the shadows of a small pavilion. 

Now all he needs to do is…wait. Wait for his Alpha.

~

The Sun was setting as the clouds spread over the enormous sky, welcoming the night with open arms. It wasn't dark as it was still the time of the evening. Taehyung stopped his horse at the territorial gate for the third time. The spell was completed, and the borders again filled with soldiers of Eclipse. 

Taehyung looked over the horizon of the sky, his whole body was shining with sweat that was glistening under the last ray of the Sun. 

He pulled the reins of Artax and the horse turned around toward the palace. Hoseok joined him in the middle," Your Majesty." He greeted the King.

Taehyung nodded and both of them held nice compatibility in the race. 

"Prince Jimin had linked me earlier to let His Majesty know to open his mind link. It seemed something urgent, Your Majesty." The Commander informed the king.

Taehyung looked ahead and cleared his head to open the mind link of his brother. The messages he received were jumbled upon one another.

Taehyung, come back right away. 

Prepare your answers. You want to tell the truth right!

There is an emergency, Jungkook he-

I'm sorry, brother. But I had to do it. I am sorry.

Taehyung cut off the mind and link and opened the one that belonged to Jungkook. But much to his wonder, it was empty. 

The Royal Alpha looked around a little and when he found the opportunity, he disappeared. 

"I think it's related to the Empress, Your Majesty," Hoseok said while running the horse, eyes focused ahead. He looked to his right and flinched when he found Artax running alongside his horse but the seat was all empty. There was no Royal Alpha on it.

~

Taehyung appeared inside his bathhouse and took a bath that was necessary after standing under the Sun for the whole day. His hand that has turned black by now was still inside the cloth he wrapped on it. He discarded the cloth slowly and looked at the wound. 

It had turned into something ugly but the Alpha didn't bother to care.

He finished his bath and without looking much into his closet, he wore a black shirt that had small open buttons from his shoulder to his wrist. He wore black pants and a coat over his shirt. Finishing his look with a leather glove over his burnt hand, as if the wound wasn't hurting at all, Taehyung swiftly wore it and left his chamber.

He sniffed the air and realised the whole Royal hallway was empty. He looked down from the large wooden windows of the hallway, he could see Jimin from far away.

The omega was busy among the maids with his red-haired mate. But there wasn't any hint of the Empress. 

The Royal Alpha crossed the hallway and then he picked up the scent, it was faint, surpassed with a heavy scent blocker but Taehyung was able to sniff it easily. He strode down the stairs and when his steps took him to the familiar wall of golden curtains, Taehyung's eyes blazed golden.

He fisted his hands, jaw setting a straight line up to his ear. He pulled at the curtains harshly and stepped inside. The faint scent shows that the omega was present here before. 

Taehyung tilted his head and his steps quickened towards the library. However, when his eyes fell on the closed doors, He stopped walking altogether. He saw the books placed beside the door, he couldn't stop himself when his feet took him toward the books.

With a frown on his lips, Taehyung saw the books placed on a small blue cloth that he knew the owner of. He can see the trail of the veil so clearly on the dusty floor, he can see how the trail just stopped a few feet away from the door.

On top of that, there was a white page tucked in between the pages of the uppermost book and it was too visible to ignore. 

Taehyung bent down and took out the page before unravelling it to read. It was a few lines from a piece of writing he had never seen before. But the scent was familiar… he read the letter.

The Royal Alpha looked at the closed door and then at the letter in his hand. Maybe the time has come. He closed his eyes and opened them after blinking back the golden iris, his grey eyes fell on the letter again.

His thumb grazes over the blue ink of the letters. Taehyung took steps back and folded the letter again before putting it into the pocket of his suit. 

~

Jungkook sensed the presence of his Alpha when a warmth fell over his body and his heartbeat pulsed in his veins. He was standing against the thresholds of the terrace, looking way ahead with his unfocused eyes.

He heard the steps next. That was climbing the stairs with a sincere composure, Jungkook can imagine, having seen him too many times. 

His scent reached when the steps stopped climbing and started walking on the terrace. And the scent was a little different today, he realised. It was still the scent of pure sandal woods but there was something sour that made Jungkook's nose twitch in awareness. 

Jungkook was standing with crossed hands, he unwrapped them and turned around to greet his Alpha. 

Their eyes matched and Taehyung ceased when he saw the red-rimmed eyes staring at him. The omega was looking at him with a blankness that the Royal Alpha found new. 

He noticed how the red hairs of the omega were creased into a full ponytail behind his back. And it left the large expanse of his neck bare and exposed. Taehyung looked away and found the veil folded upon the rag neatly inside the shade.

"Alpha." Jungkook greeted with a low whisper. He was looking down now.

"Your Empress." Taehyung acknowledged and walked to the threshold where Jungkook was standing alone.

"I found the letter, you can ask what's in your mind." The Royal Alpha said with a finality in his voice. 

"Do you…." Jungkook's words trailed into muteness as it was hard to get the right words together. But no one said anything, none of them was in a hurry, the Alpha was looking ahead to the horizon when Jungkook looked at him.

"Do you promise me to be honest with everything I ask?" Jungkook imposed softly.

Taehyung turned his head toward him and his grey eyes looked sceptical before opening his mouth, "I have only the truth to tell." 

"Can we sit down, please?" Jungkook proposed. Not trusting his legs enough to hold the disclosing truth. 

Taehyung nodded and both of them approached the shade of the pavilion with slow steps, walking side by side. Jungkook sat beside his veil while Taehyung took a seat on another carpet that was placed against the omega's.

They were sitting on the cushions on his knees. Jungkook closed his eyes and braced himself for everything he could face after. He needs to let out in front of his Alpha.

"Alpha, can I talk to you a bit differently? I wanted to talk with the man I am married to, not to the King that protected me in his care." 

Taehyung discarded the black crown that was adorning his hair and placed it beside him. He looked at omega and said," You can. But I won't tolerate too much informality." 

Jungkook nodded his head and brought his hands to his lap. He started from the very start.

"After you depart from my chamber. I found your books on Davenport. I was organising them when a letter written by you fell out from one of them. I shouldn't but I read it." Jungkook was looking down while explaining but then the air of encouragement filled into his heart when he looked at the Royal Alpha.

Jungkook tucked out the letter from his sleeves and placed it in between their cushions. However, Taehyung didn't raise it, let alone look toward it. He was staring at the omega instead. 

"It is addressed towards your mate." Jungkook looked down, his fingers finding the red thread over his wrist to fidget away his nervousness. 

"I wanted to ask if you have had a mate before me?" The question was asked too softly above a whisper. As if even after knowing the answer the omega was scared to hear from the Alpha. 

"I had." 

The answer was crystal clear. Clearer than the sky and more painful than death. His eyes teared up involuntarily, his head laid lowly when shame fell on his features. 

"Why wasn't I aware of it?" Jungkook felt a tear escaping his right eye and he was quick to turn his head to the right. But Taehyung was staring at him without blinking, he was taking into account every expression of the omega.

"I have a habit of saying things when they are being asked." 

Some time passed and Jungkook looked at him with a quick glance, "So are you implying you would have told me about that if I had asked you before?"

"Yes. Surely." 

"Well, I am asking now. When did you meet your first mate?" Jungkook was trying his best to not come out as a timid or jealous person. 

"1673 years and seven months ago." 

Even know the counting of months. Jungkook pressed his lips in a thin line at that. "Was your mate a man or a woman?"

"A man." 

It was a different kind of emotional hurt that Jungkook was feeling at that moment, his voice becoming moist with each question. He licked his lips that had dried up from lack of water and asked," Was the bond between you two chosen by love or fated by the moon goddess?"

Taehyung was watching the omega who had his head hung low as if he had made an utter mistake in his life and right now he was confessing his crime. The feeling didn't settle down well inside but in a swift motion, he converted his gaze elsewhere," It was destined by fate."

Jungkook put his eyes over one of the diamonds of the black crown so that he could focus on something to distract his eyes away from the dark gaze that was piercing right into his soul," How many mates have you had before me?"

"Only one." 

The words echoed inside Jungkook's head in repeated motions. Right, first love can't be forgotten. " Are you still attached to him? In some kind of way." 

"No."

"During your tour after my arrival here, Jimin hyungnim had told me his past and some bits from your past. I am aware that centuries have passed but if you find it comfortable, might you share your past with me?" 

Taehyung studied the omega for a while and looked elsewhere. The omega wasn't prepared, it could be visible even to a pup and he is still not cruel enough to take advantage of someone in his vulnerable state. So the Royal Alpha decides to deny it. 

"You are not prepared yet."

Jungkook wiped his tears and looked up, a small smile covering his lips that looked too hard to hold," And when would I seem prepared to you?"

"When you don't look a second away from passing out. When you are not into the post depression of heat and when you can hold my gaze while asking something to me, you will be prepared." Taehyung pulled a little back on his knees and stood up on his feet but before he could cross Jungkook's carpet, the omega clutched his wrist in a soft hold.

"I am sorry, Alpha but I am not finished yet." He tilted his head upwards, teary eyes holding unsaid longing towards his mate. The Royal Alpha turned to look at the Empress and something felt crawling up to his throat when he saw tears cascading down those cheeks.

Taehyung hadn't thought that the omega would be so raw and bare with his emotions, so easy to read without any filter, no lies, no facades just pure words that reflect exactly what he was feeling inside. 

And that bring a slight crease on his forehead because it was far away from the few thoughts he had for the omega.

Jungkook pulled Taehyung's hand downwards making him sit beside him, both of them were facing each other. Jungkook was still sitting on his knees while Taehyung was scrunching down on his feet. Their faces were close enough to peer into each other's eyes.

Jungkook was holding Taehyung's right hand, one that was covered in a black glove. He held the hand with both of his hands and this time didn't break his gaze while asking the question," What you had thought after seeing me for the first time in the courtroom of the Lunar?" 

Taehyung watched how some long eyelashes were intertwined with each other over the eyelids of the omega. How some strands of red tresses were trying to hide the moistened eyes. 

"Rejection."

The Royal Alpha saw how something broke inside those moistened eyes as soon as the word fell out of his lips.  He parted his lips a little when he saw how a hurtful tear pooled out, dripping down the cheek and fell on their combined hands. 

Jungkook choked out a broken sigh when all of his fears turned into the truth of his life," Then what stopped you?"

"Who? Ask me who stopped me?" Taehyung stated while his eyes were taking everything he was witnessing.

"Who?" Jungkook whispered as if he was losing all his strength to speak. 

"My elder brother, Jimin." 

Taehyung looked down when he felt a hand clutching over his right bicep tightly. Jungkook moved closer where his one hand was on Taehyung's right hand and the other was clutching the fabric over his right bicep," Please, make me understand." 

The Royal Alpha looked up again, both of them looking at each other where one pair of eyes held immense hurt while the other pair was barren of everything. 

"I had given a boon to my brother when he saved the commander from an incurable disease during a war. A boon where his one wish will be fulfilled, no matter what it was. He asked me to accept you as his wish." 

The Alpha was seeing how the brightness of someone's eyes slowly fades away. How once the light of stars was turning into a desolate piece of darkness.  

Jungkook had to open his mouth to inhale properly, his lips took some stuttering breaths and saw how that dark gaze of his mate fell on his lips. Taehyung inched closer unconsciously, his eyes narrowed when he saw the slight tremble on the swollen lips of the omega.

Jungkook looked down, breaking the gaze when a silent sob left his lips. He gulped down the overwhelming lump that was surging up to the tip of his tongue, again and again. So he was wrong all along and his mother was right. 

As if your mate would want to keep you.

Omegas like you are meant to die alone.

You don't deserve any Alpha's mating mark.

You will be a burden to your mate, nothing else.

Jungkook covered his face in the shade of his elbow when his heart soared in the painful memories, unbearable cries erupting from his lips, shoulders shaking in torments. 

 Taehyung was still balancing the same position as before, eyes holding the same expression as before, the expressions of an observer. He witnessed how a few words of him can make and break the omega in moments.

He raised his hand and brought down the elbow that was hiding the face that he was observing before. 

"Is it hurting that much?"

Jungkook closed his eyes and his cries became hollow. He nodded his head while pressing his lips to hold the hiccups inside. 

"I won't care if you want to leave the Eclipse right away, it will be your choice. I can free you from this bounded bond."  

Jungkook's eyes sprung open when he heard his mate, his Alpha. He tilted his head and shook his head," and where would I go?" 

Taehyung turned his head away at that. He looked like he was about to stand up and walk away and just as Jungkook assumed, The Alpha stirred on his feet but before he could upright Jungkook grabbed his collar and jerked him close to his face.

Their noses brushed together when Jungkook asked," Answer me, Alpha. Where should I go? Where should a married omega go after spending a year longing for his mate? Where would he go when he can think nothing but about him?" 

"Can't you see how you have trapped me in the palms of your hand? Can't you see?" Jungkook complained with his miserable voice, still holding the hand of his Alpha with one hand.

Taehyung jerked his collar away from the soft hold of the omega," I see nothing but the lingering attraction. It will fade away with time." 

The Royal Alpha felt the tug on his collar again and this time he faced a glaring omega who had dried red rims around his eyes. He seemed angry," Comparing someone's love to a mere attraction is not an act of bravery, Alpha. I had expected much more from a wiser like you. You don't see me as a mate but as a responsibility, I am aware of that. And I accepted that way before but that doesn't mean I will accept every unnecessary claim and analysis you have for me."

"Lower your tone." 

"I can hide my face if you don't like to see it. I can be mute if you don't like to hear my voice but I am not going anywhere Alpha. Not until you decide to leave me first." Jungkook loosens up the hold over the collar, retracing his hands back on his lap.

He looked down at the red thread over his wrist, his hands were trembling and his throat coiled up again. He looked away towards the empty terrace, he noticed the night was approaching the clouds and its warm breeze was hurting his eyes.

"I am sorry, my presence must have made your life more difficult. I didn't know before but I did now. I promise I will not bother you, Alpha. I will be an Empress until you want me to. I will be by your side until you want me to." Jungkook moved his knees that have become numb from sitting like this for a long time. He sat on the carpet holding his knees up to his chest, hugging them for comfort.

"And after that? " Taehyung asked this time.

Jungkook smiled because he had gone out of his senses," It's not like I will be able to tolerate the rejection. So there is no After for me, Alpha." 

The omega knew he was going to cry again but right now everything felt too heavy to let out. His heart which was pulsating from the arrival of his Alpha was now forgetting to circulate properly. That dull ache will burst out in a volcano soon, he knew. 

He should leave. 

So he turned his head to the Alpha and bowed a little, "Apologies for the inconvenience I caused. And Thankyou for tolerating my nuisance. I would like to take my leave now." 

Jungkook stood up from the carpet and left the pavilion without turning back. He is going to throw up, he can feel the edifice of acid spurting in his stomach.    

Taehyung was looking at the place where Jungkook was sitting just a second ago and then his gaze fell upon the folded veil on the carpet. He closed his eyes and sight before lifting the veil and following the omega on the steps.

Jungkook picked up his pace while climbing the stairs but he stopped when he found his vision got coloured in the colour of his veil. Taehyung draped it over his head with careful motions, letting it trail behind so that it couldn't come in between the steps of the omega.

Jungkook was looking at the King that has his crown on his head now. Taehyung stepped down without saying anything. 

There is only one way to reach the terrace, it is to follow the royal hallway and then climb the stairs to the top floor.

And Jimin was standing in the royal hallway, his hands pressed against his torso in a tight hug. His ear sprung up when he heard steps from the stairs. He turned swiftly only to find his brother storming down the stairs and turning to the lower stairs without even glancing at the Royal Omega.

Jimin's heart dropped when he saw Jungkook stepping down, his hands looking paler than a corpse. 

"Jungkookie.." The whisper left his lips but Jungkook didn't lift his head towards him. He walked to his room slowly, his head lowered, one hand clutching his veil.

Jungkook slammed the door shut behind him and discarded the veil before taking it in his hands. He sat on the bed, eyes fixed on his veil that still shines like the first day of his courting. 

He immersed himself in the scent of his veil and wailed loudly. Laying on the bed and gripping the veil into his arms, Jungkook cried and cried. 

His hand reached under the pillows and a back t-shirt came into view. His screams became heavy when he realised that the scent of the Alpha was still soothing his nerves. The one who gave him the pain of his life, could have such a calming scent, how is this possible?

Jimin was standing behind the door, he heard the cries and screams of the omega. 

He took several steps back clasping the skirt in his hands, Jimin ran downstairs, searching for the scent of his brother. The scent leads him directly to the library.

He didn't wait for any permission and barged into the door slamming it against the wall loudly. 

"What did you do? I heard Jungkook crying. Tell me, right away! What did you say to him?" Jimin growled at his brother with his eyes blazing pale blue.

"I told him the truth only." He stated while placing the books in their right place. 

Jimin went silent at that," What kind of truth? Did you tell him everything?"

"Not prepared for that yet."

"Then what was it that he was crying like this? I have never seen him so broken before, what have you done with him?" Jimin was fuming in anger.

"Stop being so loud. I only answered the questions he asked. Nothing more, nothing less." Taehyung wasn't looking at him, busy in his world.

"May I know those questions, your majesty?" He asked while gritting his teeth.

"He asked about our first meeting and if I accepted him willingly or not." The horror that draped over Jimin's features was unexplainable. His eyes teared up in fury. Knowing the nature of his brother, Jimin can assume what his brother must have replied.

"You don't have any awareness of others' emotions, do you? What had he done to you to deserve such treatment?" Jimin was close to crying.

"Are you asking me?"

"Yes, You, Your Majesty. Jungkook has done nothing so far and you are still treating him as a side companion when all he has done was to care for your people, your pack and yourself only. This is so unfair, I'm telling you." 

"I said to him that he can leave if he wants to." 

Jimin was shocked at that," And what did he say?" A fear was crawling over his chest, squeezing his heart in the worst way possible.

"He denied." Taehyung sat on the chair and opened the half-written book that he was writing on the different soils of Eclipse.

Some time passed and when there was no noise at all, the Royal Alpha looked up at his brother. Jimin was looking at the floor with a small smile on his lips. 

"You don't know about your mate, brother. You don't know how much strength and patience he had in himself. I can only give you the warning to be prepared, Jungkook is about to enter your life." 

Taehyung looked back at his book and heaved his feathers to continue his writing," I doubt that."

"Oh, please don't. He is the only person that has intellectual cells among the King and Empress." Jimin turned away without hearing the warning don't of his brother.

~

It was the morning when Jungkook opened his swollen eyes and rubbed his head which was still throbbing in pain. All night long he was thinking about the conversation he had with the Alpha. 

And Jungkook noticed that something was heavily missing. 

He doesn't know when he fell asleep on the bed, entangled in the veil. But his mind was a lot clearer now, the dull pain in his stomach wasn't there anymore. 

Just like a track of radio waves, Jungkook played that conversation again in his mind. Jungkook hissed while biting his lips in concentration.

Wasn't it absurd that he told me to leave the palace when I didn't ask about it? Didn't he say he has a habit of saying things only when he was being asked?

Jungkook stood up from the bed and opened the tie of his hair. His heart was still hurting but his mind was telling something else.

Kookie?

Are you listening to my thoughts?

I do. And I would like to play some bits of memories in your head if you allow me.

What are the memories?

It's confusing but I know you will analyse them fine.  

Jungkook straightened his hair smoothly and the first memory played in his mind. It was from the conversation between the Royal omega and him that happened months ago. 

Jungkook you are… you are my only hope to bring my brother back to me. 

Your Alpha...Your Alpha is not like any other Alpha Jungkook who will adore his omega in the end, no matter what. 

He will not get attracted to you nor will he ever let you cross the boundaries."

Jungkook stilled when he recalled the conversation, his hands stopped over his head, fingers still entangled in between red tresses.

My brother hates affection. This all seems fake to him, a lie. 

I am telling you this because at some point it's a possibility that Taehyung might break your heart but please… Please hold onto him. 

Don't leave him behind.

Because the day you will want to leave… Taehyung will let you go. So hold onto him.

And then the previous night…

"I won't care if you want to leave the Eclipse right away, it will be your choice. I can free you from this bounded bond."  

His eyes blazed blue when things matched inside his head. "He is trying to get away from me, clearly. He tried to avoid me before but that doesn't work it seems. And now, he is putting these kinds of hurtful thoughts in my mind, just so I leave his life alone." 

"But it still hurts though." A small pout puckered on his lips.

"Why is he so adamant about making me leave this palace? He should know I will not leave him." 

He sighed and stood against the mirror. His face was showing the hardships of yesterday," He should stop torturing me. Why is there no one I could complain to?" 

He pulled out his dress to wear, a purple coloured hanfu and went inside the bathhouse. He used the washroom and washed his hands properly and sat on the rock in the corner of the bathhouse. The rock had the shape of a chair, he pulled out a new green stick from the rack and started rubbing his teeth with it. He bit the edges first, it was bitter and then rubbed each of his teeth with slow motions.

He stopped at one point and tilted his head after taking the stick from his mouth," Was it violence that I grabbed his collar? Arghhh I shouldn't have done that."

He started rubbing his teeth violently but then stopped again," Though he deserves that and I apologised after so…. Arghh don't overthink. Don't overthink." 

He got ready for the day and left his hair open before tucking the veil over it. He fixed his crown and left the room in hurried steps. The people of Eclipse must be waiting. 

He reached the garden and sighed in relief, seeing his people standing there, waiting for him made Jungkook soar in happiness. 

"My Apologies for being late." He announced and bowed a little but the surprise he witnessed on their faces was hilarious.

"Your Empress."

"You don't need to apologise."

"Ahh, you are finally here, your Empress."

"We missed you, Luna."

"Luna, Luna, Luna," Bunch of children made a home on Jungkook's lap that let out many giggles from him. 

One of the Eclipser sighed in the back, "Today finally it seems that our pack is complete, without Empress, everything was too boring and tiresome."

"I agreed." 

Some others agreed as well while other members were focused on Luna who again indulged in the pack matters while holding the over excited pups.

A pair of grey eyes were watching the scene from the window of the Royal hallway and the Alpha couldn't control the urge to speak," I thought you said something about hiding your face and muting your voice." He mind linked the omega for the first time. 

Jungkook stilled in his position, his hand hovering over the head of one of the pups. As if Jungkook was aware of that unwavering gaze because the next moment he was looking directly at the Alpha through the veil.

"Is that so? Seems like I remember nothing." 

He smiled to himself when he observed the confused expression on the Alpha. He averted his gaze towards the people of Eclipse again. After all, this man looks too cute with confusion written all over him.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.

A lot is changed after this chapter. The hesitation in approaching each other decreased a little💜.