Hey lovely readers, I'm here with a new update!

I have to share something first, I was trying to upload this chapter from an hour now. But at the end, I have to cut the last scene and make it shorter. But it's still big enough (11k) for you all to enjoy. Don't worry I will add the scene in the next chapter.

Take a deep breath for me before starting the chapter, the slower you read the more you will understand the emotions better💜💜.

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Moments passed by like the hazy breeze of the night but couldn't divert the Royal Alpha's stoic gaze from the omega. He witnessed the little notions the omega made while reading the book, tugging of lower cheeks when his fingers traces a beautiful quote, furrowed brows when the omega read in sheer engagement, a little tilting of head when he couldn't understand a certain passage and biting the edges of lower lip when his eyes didn't like the passage they are reading.

The bowl was placed on his right thigh, unsecured but empty. A spoon and a pair of chopsticks dropped into it. It could fall off any moment but the Alpha in command has his senses blocked enough for the night. Earnest eyes were focussed on the potent figure sitting on the floor, his hair were open now, touching the collarbones once in a while, clothes changed into black baggy pants and a ruffled shirt.

The Royal Alpha was staring at the omega in a trance, as if their minds were linked and having conversations in hushed voices. His grey eyes rested in a blink when a short phase of giggles reached his ears. His eyes saw the omega was smiling into the book, maybe found something laughable.

He placed his elbow on the bent leg, index finger curling around his lips just so he could look more subtly.

The darkness increased and soon the moonlight appeared in all its glory, shattering the glassy walls of window sills. The glimmer fell on the elegant Empress and despite the lack of the jewels in his outfit, his whole demeanour flamed with undying gleam.

The lost eyes of the Alpha were catching a glimpse of the flourishing pretence, the glow reached upto his hiding form, colouring them with a same glimmer.

The omega hurled his hairs over one shoulder, collecting them on the right side leaving the left side of his neck bare.

The trance broke and the Alpha bowed his gaze down from the omega. The latter was interweaving his hair in a loose braid just so they won't fondle on the kitchen floor. The Alpha looked away, respecting the privacy of the omega. The silence between two mates was comfortable, for once being in the same space wasn't initiating helpless thoughts in Alpha's mind.

Why? Maybe the distrust he was carrying from the start of their bond lost the basis of indictments altogether. Now his heart was noticing the sights of truth which his mind couldn't. 

Taehyung tried to divert his attention from the omega, he had other issues to turn into. But as if the night had chosen the time to cease and tug his awareness only towards the omega, his eyes flicked to the Empress when he heard the first sniffle.

The sweet scent of pines was suppressed under the dullness of rosemary, the omega was hugging his knees while his face was hidden beneath the riddles of his elbows. The book was placed abandoned beside his feet, the sniffles were abrupt and the pain was resonating inside the empty walls of the kitchen.

The Royal Alpha's earnest eyes curled into a sad frown as he watched the hunched shoulders of the omega. The sadness spread into his features when he  found himself miserable to curing the pain away.

How would he do that? When he had become the core of the pain himself. He has provided this pain, delivered it with harsh words but was nourishing it with his ignorance and insensibility towards the omega.

Knowing about a person is manageable but knowing a person is the hardest task of humanity. A soul needs the virtue of patience to identify another soul, to peek inside their mind and heart. A kind of patience that includes acceptance, openness, vulnerability and thoughts of devotion.

Taehyung had seen that patience in the Empress, it's undeniable. And now he was witnessing the pain behind upholding such patience for so long, the sorrow carried by the inner soul. His fingers twitched onto his lap to stretch forwards and caressed the pain with his utmost apologies.

But In order to hide his form, he can't even release his comfort pheromones. He watched the omega with an edgy grimace till Jungkook lifted his head from his caged arms and wiped the moisture of his eyes.   

The Alpha could see those red rimmed eyes in the moonlight, his lips parted and a heave of sigh got sucked in grief. The compensation of hurting a pure soul doesn't exist, no matter how much remorse one carries in return. 

The omega picked up the book again, finding the page which reminded him of his own pain and started reading it further.

The innocence.

The strength.

The purence.

The patience.

The dignity.

The capability.

The fortitude.

Virtues don't come to an end once the Alpha starts the count, he knows. Now when the blueness of his past has cleared out of his vision, he can see the pain he had left behind for the omega.

A mate carries half part of your soul. They will see what you show them, they will feel what you couldn't. Their presence in our lives completes us in all manners, Son.

However the person withered from him, the advice still stays. His father. From whom he had learnt the arts of life.

In his own heartbreak and betrayal, The Alpha had doubted every breathing aura around him. Carrying the weight of the scar for ages had made him numb to the pain his actions reflected on the others. The respect and responsibility he served in their bond can't compensate for the lack of his presence beside the omega.

If it's his turn to abide faithful steps toward the omega now then he won't hesitate to take the leap of trust, one can be cautious but not distrustful. His miserable eyes softened when he saw the head of Luna lulling forwards in drowsiness.

And once again the sight erased his thoughts as soon as those grey eyes fell on the Empress.

The book was still held by numby fingers of the omega, clasped loosely when his body started submerging into slumber.

Taehyung straightened his bending leg on the beam, totally forgetting the bowl tumbling on his thigh. The bowl slid and skated off his thighs, the Alpha reached out in sudden reflex and caught the bowl before it could fall down and awaken the omega.

However, the spoon and chopsticks proved to be deceivers when both of them fell on the floor with a loud clinking sound, echoing in the silence of the night.

Jungkook flinched awake from the sound, catching the book from gliding off his lap at the last moment. He rubbed his eyes carefully and looked around, searching for the cause of the sound. The cutleries could be seen near the pot of the noodles as he eyed the one which fell on the floor.

He picked them up after gathering his goods with him," But these cutleries are used. Is someone here?" He called out but got no response. Jungkook roamed his gaze in the kitchen once again and at the end he looked up.

He sighed when he found no one and stacked the used dishes into the washing tank. If he remembered correctly he had already put his own dishes in the tank, then where did these come from?

Or maybe he forgot these on the shelf while slurping the soup from the bowl. With a confused frown and still hazy in sleep, Jungkook decided to go back to his chamber. He flicked his loose braid of hairs on his back and stepped out of the kitchen.

Far from the Royal hallway, the Alpha was standing in his own closed chamber with a bowl in his hands. He looked up in disappointment, tongue darted over his lower lip. After a century, the Alpha was missing his power of invisibility. In the absence of it, he had to use teleportation or he will be verified as a nuisance tonight.

He abandoned the bowl on the table and discarded the shoes while fingers removing the ruffled shirt away from his skin. Once his chest came in contact with the wind of the dark night, Taehyung laid on the blacony's mattress face first.

Momentarily forgetting that the place was oozing with the fragrance of pines and the freshness of rosemary was still lingering on the mattress. His body loosened up as his elbows tucked under a fluffy pillow, only black mop of hairs was visible to the sight.

The scent penetrates the cracks of his walls, filling the empty veins with vibrations, nurturing his breaths before spreading into his bones. The fibres of incense were catching threads of his heartstrings and pumping a new aroma with each beat.

His arms tightened around the pillow unconsciously, body sagging into the mattress as if losing the energy into the divinity of scent, soaked and pured. Tired eyes fluttered closed and a weary groan left his lips. 

His bare back was shining under the moonlight, making the waistband more visible. His legs were stretched in a comfortable space, the ring on his foretoe was glimmering in the dark.

He moved his head on the pillow when he heard the fluttering sound of a pair of wings. From the mess of his ruffled hair, Taehyung saw the doves landing on the exposed and vacant part of the pillow.

They were silent tonight, not grunting or cooing in greetings. Being restless on their tiny feet, doves kept looking at the Alpha. One of them flapped its wings and started combing the feathers with its beak. While the other came forward and placed his soft white crown over the Alpha's forehead.

The dove cooed in a low voice and Alpha's lips parted to speak," I hurt him badly this time."

The other dove came forward too as its mate made enough space for them to stand comfortably in the cave of Alpha's arms.

"But it's not him. Our belief won and the doubts died."

The doves tucked their heads beneath Alpha's chin and it made Taehyung close his eyes in comfort. From how long these small creatures have provided him courage and hope, he doesn't even remember. He is grateful for their uninvited presence around him. 

"Help me, dear doves. He has seen you before, go and provide a cure to his sleep. Sharing my solace can be the first step for my apologies." His face held the same blankness but those eyes were sincere.

The doves tilted their necks back and forth before holding the Alpha's gaze, one of the doves inclined forward and grazed its beak on Alpha's eyebrow while the other flapped its wings and sat on the Alpha's shoulder.

"The new beginning should start with a pure intention and what can be more pure than you two?" The Alpha whispered these words into the pillow, smooth lips moving and touching the fabrics.

"So…Would you help me?"

His eyes fell closed when the pair of wings flapped harshly and soon the doves took a dive to the sky. However, they are going away from him but the moral behind it was pulling someone close.

A new beginning where he doesn't have to hurt the other to know about him more, where they could stand beside each other and respect the dignity of their bond. Taehyung knew it will be difficult for him to cope up with the change but in order to step out his past, he needs to trust the hand who is ready to grab his wrist to usher him forward.

No spirit was telling him to take immediate steps, gobbled down the realities and made quick changes. No one around him was pushing and pressuring him to do something unrealistic other than the efforts he made himself. He could take his time, mould his mind and heart to pick up the loose strands Luna left behind him.

"The sincere apology is what comes first. I have stained the pureness of your affection towards me. Only my earnest remorse can neutralise the mistake I have made. Being within the boundaries of my dignity, I vow to be a finer mate for you." 

Would you give us another chance?

Would you, Luna?

.

.

Jungkook yawned while blinking his eyes open to read the next line. He was sitting on the bed with his back resting against the headboard and legs folded sideways. After his slumber got disturbed in the kitchen, no matter how hard he tries his body isn't relaxing enough to fall asleep again.

A part of his mind provided the reason as In his chamber there was no sandalwood-soaked mattress and an open balcony where he could stare at the stars. But he shut off that part of his mind pretty immediately before turning to the next page.

His hairs were sprawled on both of his shoulders and his head was supported by soft pillows.

He blinked his eyes to the empty parts of his bed when he saw something moving in his peripheral vision.

A dove.

Jungkook pushed himself off the backrest very slowly, eyes catching the shuffled movements of the lone dove. He was so immersed in the book that he didn't notice the dove entering his chamber. He looked at the open window and another dove passed the windowsill to join the first one on his bed.

He closed the book and left it beside him as his attention got diverted by the most exquisite doves he had ever seen. He had seen them before too, that day… They were resting on the Alpha's lap, cocooned in each other's embrace.

He observed their careful movements and when the doves matched his eyesight, Jungkook's eyes softened with a smile, "You are Alpha's dove?"

One dove titled his neck and cooed loudly, making the smile brighten on the omega's lips. But the smile faded when he remembered how the Alpha got upset with him by mentioning the doves that night.

"You shouldn't have come here. Alpha wouldn't like it if he got to know about this." He whispered as if giving the cue to the doves to fly back to their home.

But the doves didn't show such intentions, rather they folded their legs and pushed their chest together before sitting on the edge of the bed.

The actions left Jungkook mute with soft eyes, concern lingering in them. The doves showed celibacy of trust by sitting so comfortably in front of him. His heart wafted with warmth, watching them adoring each other's presence so closely. Perhaps they are mates too.

One was combing the feather of others' with its beak in careful notions. The sight endeared Jungkook, brimming his eyes with unshed tears. Their presence alone was providing the omega comfort, their fondness and tenderness towards each other clogged Jungkook's throat deeper. 

His heart was moulding into a soft puddle of blood until he got a whiff of the Alpha's scent. It was coming from the doves. And with sudden realisation, his mind starts working.

"Did Alpha send you here?"

He didn't get the response till the dove finished combing the feathers and then nudged the neck of it with its crown. The sitting doves stood up and fluttered the wings open before flying in a close circle above the bed.

Jungkook raised his head, tracing the doves with surprised eyes. They made a circle in the space and the omega took it as the affirmation to his question. The doves landed on the bed again and grunted at the watching omega.

"Did he send you here to keep an eye on me? Is this any kind of test again?" The fear was still lurking in his brain, something he hadn't conquered yet. Before the fear could spread and take the shape of caution, the doves shot up in the expanse of his chamber again.

But this time they chose different directions before intersecting each other's path in the midway. A cross. The fear subdued as Jungkook took it as the refusal of his question. His heart thumped in excitement as his questions started getting reliable answers from the doves.

Since his arrival in Eclipse, he wanted to ask so many things. Some questions got responded to by the Royal Omega, some by the Royal Alpha but some were still left unanswered to mull over nonetheless.

His hope rose a bit as he saw the doves still flying inside his chamber as if tracing each nook and cranny.

"Have he fallen asleep?"

Jungkook tried the simplest question first, biting the corners of his lips in concentration. He doesn't know if the beautiful birds are listening to his whisper or not but soon his eyes twinkled when doves dive into another shape, a cross.

He sat up on the bed quickly, as if a child in the maze and sorrow found a new plaything to distract his mind. His fingers curled around his wrist to calm his raging breaths before asking another question," Did he send you here to comfort me?"

The full circle made by the doves beneath the ceiling left Jungkook mesmerised. His eyes blinked in astonishment and cheeks flushed with embarrassment, All of his questions revolved around the Alpha. But he departed himself from shame, realising that doves are birds. They won't judge him or more importantly, Jungkook wouldn't know if they were judging him or not.

But tonight, he will ask all the suppressed questions his soul has buried inside for the sake of others. The doves were finding new places to sit in between the questions as if they knew Luna wasn't close to resting his mind yet.

"You must have been here even before my arrival. You always witness all things right? You might have known Alpha more personally." He looked at both the doves while his mind was weaving words for his concealed fear.

One of the doves was scratching the wood of the closet roof with its beak while the other was looking at him from the windowsill, the dove cooed as if delivering the message to continue.

"Will he hurt me again?"

It was inevitable, Jungkook knew. In the lives of couples, they spend the time while hurting and comforting each other but the kind of pain he has experienced in the past few days, he doesn't wish to let it repeat once again. He doesn't have the power to endure anymore.

The Alpha has broken him differently at different times. Sometimes he damaged his sentiments, sometimes his hopes. But this time he has shattered his heart brutally.

The apology is there and it was the lone cause that Jungkook is still breathing and hadn't died from the grief alone or his ground-thundering guilt would have taken him on a long ride to hell.

He watched how the doves didn't reply this time. Both kept situated in the same positions, making his breaths quicken in anxiety. It happened till Jungkook's shoulders slumped in realisation, " It's a question related to the future, You have glimpsed only the past and now in the present. How would you answer this? I'm sorry, I'm not stable these days."

He looked down in his lap, using his fingers to comb his hair back and sighing. He didn't expect the doves to land close to his lap. They were grunting at the same time before one of the doves flew up to Jungkook's shoulder and grabbed some of the short strands in its beak. The dove pulled the omega down until his head rested on the pillow.

Jungkook's tragic thoughts were once again diverted by the doves as he laid on the bed while his wide eyes were stuck on the birds.

He knew he would only stifle more pain if he asked about the past so he chose the present," I should not forgive him effortlessly, right?"

The doves chose to coo at the same time and it made Jungkook let out a small giggle. The birds are truly special, their unique way of interaction was making the omega an admirer of them.

The giggle was small but it was enough to send a message of relief to the chamber across from him. And someone finally loses himself in the drowsy nest of the pines.

Jungkook remembered a lost question again and his eyes lit up in determination. It would be the most graceless to ask such a question from anyone else but he can ask this from the doves.

Right?

Right.

The doves were snuggling into each other's necks when Jungkook spoke again," Alpha is good at hiding things from me. A few days back I asked him how many times he had kissed me. His reply didn't seem reasonable to me. Would you help me to recount them?"

The doves curled out from their previous position and stared at the omega. By now Jungkook knows that these birds aren't normal. He doesn't know what exactly they are, but these doves seemed to be very special. He sat up on the bed once again," Just touch the spot and I will try to remember the memories behind it."

The doves were quick to oblige and soon one of them sat on Jungkook's left shoulder, moving his neck in between the riddles of his red hair, the dove's crown touched the skin beneath his jaw.

The first one.

Jungkook frowned in confusion. If he remembers correctly, the first kiss happened to be the token of love he received in the first ritual after arriving at Eclipse. So why did the dove touch his neck first?

The other dove flapped his wings against Jungkook's face and the omega quickly flattened his palm in front of him so the bird could land properly. The dove moved and its crown touched his left cheek this time.

The second one.

His mind reeled back in the lane of his memories and Jungkook recalled the night just before his courting ceremony. He was standing against the mirror, eyes looking at the reflection of his waist which bears a large handprint of the Alpha. He remembered how he hallucinated with scenes where Alpha had licked his neck and cheeks to cure his pain.

So it wasn't an illusion in the first place. It happened in reality. Jungkook's jaw dropped in wonder, he connected the dots of the past to the present, to the picture he saw in the library.

"He must have felt so disgusted. Those wounds…I might have seemed like Hwan… he still cured me. He had saved me that night too…"

Jungkook's voice trailed off along with his thoughts. Why? He doesn't know the reason behind the Alpha's actions. What did he even know about the male? He just knows some bits and odds that others told him. What he had observed about the male is that he loved his people, once loved a man beyond boundaries, survived more than a century with grief and pain, and endured the betrayal of someone close.

Is that it?

No. He has observed other things as well. Those barren eyes have spoken to him on rare occasions, he has traced the unspoken words enough to know what moment aches and what moment relaxes the Alpha But analysing the Alpha as a mate, he hasn't surveyed this territory yet.

His eyes fell shut when he felt the crown of a dove pressed against his forehead, breaching the breaths away from his lungs.

The third one.

The precious moment that the omega has hidden beneath the walls of his heart, crossed his memories. The auspicious day when he got introduced to the Eclipsers as their Luna, as the Empress and received the token of love.

The other dove joined its mate and sat on the palm before reaching and pressing his crown on his forehead too.

The fourth one.

It made Jungkook's heart sunken in sadness, he remembered the gift of separation. When the Alpha went on his territorial tours around Europe. He could have used his teleportation power to visit Eclipse once in a while but now Jungkook knows why he decided to stay away.

He was doing what a sensible person would have done to keep the damage away from himself.

To him, Jungkook was the damage and to Jungkook, the Alpha was his cure. And now… the spectrum of their life is still the same but the poles where they were standing before are changed.

Now the Alpha is searching for his own cure and the Omega is feared to get damaged again.

One of the doves moved and this time its crown touched Jungkook's temple, the side of his forehead. The fifth one. Jungkook opened his eyes and a shaky breath left his lips, he remembered the wound he got by falling down the waterfall.

The Alpha was there for his cure, held him close in his arms and healed his wound till his fingers went numb in the water. If the Alpha hated him so much, then this care… What significance does it hold?

The other dove raised his crown from Jungkook's forehead and flew away from his palm and rested upon his knees. The omega unfolded his legs and the dove grazed its beak on his left knee. The first dove followed soon and sat on his right knee before tapping it with its beak. The sixth and seventh one.

It made Jungkook come out of his emotions completely, he raised his skirt when the doves switched their positions and roamed on the bed. The porcelain skin comes into the view, clean and unscarred. His thumb traces the knees while his mind is swirling in thoughts.

He began tracing the moments day by day to find an indication on when did that actually happen?

He gasped inaudibly, looking at those doves with wide eyes when he recalled the day of his heat. In this same chamber, Jungkook has crawled on his knees till they get bruised.

Was the Alpha healed those too?

Jungkook pulled his knees closer to his chest and hugged them closely. This was the only explanation the omega could come off before one of the doves sat on his knee and twisted his neck till its crown brushed over his cheek.

The eighth one.

Jungkook looked down at that, skin flushing and blooming into a colour of cherries. He pushed his face onto his knees and grumbled along with the doves.

"Why does he remember all of our moments like this? As if he has cherished these memories along with me. As if he hasn't named all of it under his responsibilities. He had roared on my face that these things are nothing but casualties he has done to perform his duties as the Alpha of the pack."

When he received silence in response, Jungkook tilted his head towards the doves," Was he lying to me?"

The doves flew towards him and sat on either side of his hands which were placed on his lap.

"But Alpha never lies." Jungkook was in disarray on what to believe when he noticed the doves picking at his fingers. He combined the edges of his palms and the memory of the ninth one brimmed his eyes with tears.

The act of gratitude on the southern land when all of them had finished cleaning the grounds. The Alpha had treated the hands of all the folks and at the end, it was Jungkook's turn.

He had gotten the appreciation too and the faint touches of lips all over his fingers and palms.

Jungkook was reliving these moments again, finding pain and solace both. The moments which got ruined some days ago were alive again, scratching the itch of memories with a new opinion after the revelation.

One dove sat on his shoulder again and nuzzled his crown in his neck. The tenth one. The first rain of this season had blessed them both with its showers. Under the downpour, in the corner of the lake, both mates had shared some intimate memories.

The memory of those lips was still sending tremors down his toes," This can't be a lie."

The other dove joined its mate on the shoulder, its head bumped into the omega's neck once again before curling around its mate with low cooes. The eleventh one. Jungkook's body lost all the strength as his back strikes on the plush pillow, the doves fluttered their wings in a sudden change of position but didn't leave the space.

The day when Taehyung had opened a part of himself for the omega. When Jungkook had realised the depth of Alpha's sorrow, how could that be a lie?

"These memories are making me more upset… a part of me believes that these are the moments that were cherished by us, by our bond. But another part of mine is afraid to even get a glimpse of those grey eyes who sliced these moments by his harsh words." He was talking to no one, Jungkook knows. But he needs to let out these mashed emotions and the doves were proved to be the right companion.

"That hurt wouldn't have mattered if it were just a part of his false tries to push me away. But what I'm terrified the most is… What if he meant what he said to me? What if I'll be only an Empress of Eclipse till the end?" He turned his head on the pillow, lips trembling when he saw the doves still nuzzling into his hair.

"In theory… one can live with the titles only, using pride and determination. But in nature, no one deserves to be left alone. Alpha didn't deserve the brutality of his past but neither did I deserve his unfair behaviour. I won't forgive him."

Jungkook closed his eyes and sighed when doves whimpered along with him. If one asks the omega when he fell asleep while talking to the birds, Jungkook won't have any reliable answer to it.

~

Taehyung's eyes fluttered open when he heard the slow strikes of norigae against someone's waist in the Royal hallway. The Alpha grabbed the closest trench coat and his knee boots before jumping down the balcony of his chamber.

He landed on his bare feet, hands already working on the boots as the soldiers around him watched their King like a hawk. It's nothing new that the Alpha uses this route sometimes but they have never seen the Alpha in such desperate hurriedness.

The Alpha nodded his head when he received a greeting from the people as he walked towards the entrance of the pack house, his fingers busy buttoning the coat around his torso.

Before entering the packhouse, he filled his palms with fountain water and threw it in the air and walked into the falling drops. His hair drizzled with water as he tossed them around and stepped inside the palace.

He slowed down his steps and approached the staircases to the Royal hallway. He was on the second step of the staircases when he saw the Empress coming down from the upper end.

Their eyes met and both of them froze on their feet. The Empress was wearing blue hanfu today, one end of the golden veil was hugging his shoulders to conceal his neck while the last end was trailing behind. Somehow it was a relief that the omega wasn't covering his face, the Alpha was able to see the healthful features of his face.

It was nothing much towards the efforts he needed to do but Taehyung had come up with a few procedures to start with. It includes morning greetings and night walks, if the omega allows that is.

He raised his foot and climbed the steps one by one, making Jungkook turn his head elsewhere. He blinked his eyes and started going down the stairs, the Alpha looked as if just returned from the run, neckline sweaty and hair sticking around forehead.

When he woke up today, he didn't find the doves around him. Maybe at some point the birds got bored of his tantrums and flew away to rest properly. He grimaced thinking he burdened those pure souls with their problems.

The scent of sandalwood wrapped around him and Jungkook knew the Alpha was closer. He didn't raise his eyes, focussed on the stairs as he bowed his head to the Alpha.

Before the Alpha could stray away his eyes from the omega and say something, Jungkook brushed past his mate.

Taehyung's eyes caught the trailing veil which was sliding down the stairs following the omega. He looked over his shoulder enough to see the omega leaving the palace to join the court grounds. People must be waiting for their Luna as always.

Two days a week, the Empress opens court grounds for Eclipsers to talk and tell their problems or urgencies.

The Alpha kept looking till the faint blue disappeared in the sunlight, he moved sideways and rested his back over the railings. He waited for a moment before going up to take a decent bath before starting the day.

He heard the sound of anklets and there stood his brother judging all of his existence with those feline eyes.

Jimin smiled sweetly to his brother," From chef to staircase soldier, the demotion is impressive."

Taehyung's blank eyes were enough to provide a cautious message to Jimin but he still explained," It's nothing. If you see the commander, say I summon him."

The smile wiped off as both brothers knew where to pour the fuel in the fire. The Alpha is very much capable of summoning the commander with one thoughtful mindlink but he needed to come off as a riotous king!

So Jimin strikes back," No commander lives here anymore. I stopped keeping news of everyone's whereabouts, find him yourself."

Taehyung didn't look back as he kept walking towards his chamber," Artax was neighing all night, two wolves were there wearing down the poor animal. Better watch them before they descend to heaven."

"Taehyung!"

~

The tension was rising in the pit of his stomach as the carriage passed the gates of the palace. Madelyn had to come back to the packhouse to request his son to come to the borders with him. His mate wasn't feeling well for a few days but today all of his wounds over his neck and legs started leaking pus.

How could it be possible when the wounds were so close to heal, Jimin had treated them neatly? But the situation is getting really bad, the fever came back with the open wounds and Madelyn couldn't think of anything other than his sons for help.

The carriage stopped and with a deep breath, the Imperial omega stepped out. No one knows much about him, had made theories of him being friends or allies with the Alpha.

Half of his anxiety sighed away when he saw the Empress and Jimin in the garden, they were helding an open court session. People were sitting around them in big circles. Maybe it's not the right time to ask but he doesn't have enough time to decide anything else.

Jungkook spotted the visitor right away, he recognized the Imperial highness in a breath and stood before greeting in return. Jimin followed the gaze and approached his concerned mother with careful steps," Madelyn," He can't address him as a mother in front of all Eclipsers.

Madelyn tried to smile but he failed miserably," I need you to come with me, Jiminie. Your… My mate's illness got worse this morning."

"The court will be continued tomorrow, give us some moments please." The crowd dispersed with a deep bow to their Luna and Jungkook moved towards the pair of mother and son.

"Are you sure, Mother? I can talk to Taehyung, I will describe the cruciality of the situation. We can bring Father here." Jimin gushed, his voice heavy with concern.

"No, Jimin. You know he won't agree, let's not push him. Your father is banished from this soil, I don't think he will agree either." Madelyn squeezed back Jimin's hand.

"But Mother, Hyungnim can't possibly take the whole infirmary with him, who knows which medication will be needed at what moment." Jungkook joined the conversation, feeling welcomed by Madelyn's sad smile.

"I will send soldiers time to time to refill medicines or Jimin can send his apprentices, I know them too. Right Jiminie?" Madelyn tried to avoid the situation but Jungkook shook his head before Jimin could agree.

"You have come under my court, Mother. Alpha doesn't have the power to overrule my decision. And I am requesting you to bring your mate to the packhouse. You both can leave once his condition becomes better." Jungkook proposed.

Jimin and Madelyn both were stunned after hearing the omega's decision," Jungkookie, I think we should convey the decision to Taehyung as well. The situation can get worse if Alpha doesn't agree to let Father come inside  after his arrival."

"I will convey it myself. You both should leave now, if he asks for some changes I will let you know."

Madelyn hugged Jungkook, tucking his chin over his head," I hope you know what you are doing, sometimes change doesn't bring happiness."

"I'll be prepared then, mother." He pulled away, eyes holding determination and sent them off before turning to the Royal omega," Yoongi hyung will follow you with another carriage to carry their goods and gears."

~

The odour of unique sandalwood told Jungkook the exact location of the Royal Alpha. He crossed the indoor courtroom and entered the big doors of the Royal library. The white marble contrasted his blue hanfu, shining along with his golden veil.

Jungkook watched a big table of white marbles in the corner of the library and two men hovering over it. He walked to them and observed the Alpha and the commander were discussing something deeply over the spread out map. The map was made on cotton rags and some tiny stones were holding it down to avoid unwanted creases.

His slow steps gave away his presence to the men as they both turned to look at him at the same time.

Jungkool accepted the commander's bow and looked at the spread out map on the table," Is everything alright?"

The commander walked around the table, standing on the opposite side from them," till now. It is."

"I wish to know more details but I'm here to deliver some information." This time Jungkook looked at the Alpha. He realised that the Royal Alpha was wearing different clothes than he had seen just a few hours ago. He watched deliberately as the Alpha placed his hand on the map and asked," It might be something important. What is it, Luna?"

Jungkook pressed his lips to stop himself to find the right words," The Imperial Highness had come here in the morning. He informed us that the former king is suffering from illness and he needs Jimin Hyungnim to come with him."

"I decided that it would be better if the former king would receive his aid here. Jimin and Yoongi hyung have gone to help the Imperials to shift in the packhouse."

The commander standing across them went pale, his features were shocked as he stared at the Empress. He doesn't even want to turn and look at the Royal Alpha. It's not possible that Jungkook doesn't know about the banishment of the former king from the Eclipse.

The impassive expressions on Alpha's features doesn't change much, just his eyes bored voids into Jungkook's nonchalant words before blinking away from the omega.

He started studying the map again, changing the positions of the stones from small valleys to the taller ones.

Jungkook continued, "They will stay here till the former king gets better. No punishment should be greater than the existence of the offender. The value of punishment only stays when the receiver is able to receive it well."

Taehyunhg's eyes traced the narrow lines on the map while his mind was engaging in new thoughts. This is how one feels when someone invades their privacy and makes an opinion with the easiest approach. His fingers clutched around a stone and lifted his head to address the commander," Prepare the left wing of the packhouse for their stay. Receive Jimin's advice before assigning healers to the wing."

The commander had never shown interest in having special blessings but right now he desired to have the ability of teleportation so he could use it and vanish into thin air, away from the suffocating tension between the two mates. He gulped the choking air down his throat and bowed to both.

Hoseok sneaked away from the Royal library before his presence could be missed.

Jungkook stayed positioned where he was standing," Jimin hyungnim was worried if you would oppose the Imperial King's arrival somehow."

"There is nothing to be worried about, I'm habitual of his presence. He had taken part in wars of the Royals even after banishment. As long as he stays away from my eyesight, which the former Royal Alpha is aware of as well, I won't oppose your decision."

"And why this sudden act of kindness? If I may ask," Jungkook smashed the words in a counter attack. He doesn't like how unemotional the Alpha was reacting to the situation. 

Taehyung placed the last stone on the map and turned around fully to face the omega. His grey eyes, as blank as ever, matched with wide black ones. His heavy voice replied in a soothing manner, diverting the omega's thoughts for a moment," This is not an act of kindness. However, What you decided for the Imperials is the one."

"There are many reasons why I decided-"

"And I haven't even asked for one reason. I have simply supported your decision."

Jungkook's nostrils flared, a furious expression took over his features," Cutting off someone in the middle of their talks doesn't fall under Royal etiquette. I decided to let them stay here because of their basic rights of being a Royal."

The Alpha walked closer to the omega, eyes holding unwanted grimaces," Wrong reason. Banishers don't bear any basic rights."

Jungkook doesn't show any difference on his face but his heart was thumping on a very fast rate, "They do. Every living entity does. Mistakes or crimes don't make them less of a survivor. If his crime would be as heinous as the past shows, you would have killed him by now just like your grandfather. But he is alive, takes part in crucial activities like wars for people and you let him do that too. Then why not accept him as a guest for a few days?"

The omega was raging, heavy breaths were falling out of his lips as he gazed in Alpha's eyes. Taehyung was listening to everything and his stoic face showed a frown as he tilted his head," I don't understand why you are angry. I haven't opposed your decision at all, I have accepted it."

"You accepted it nonchalantly, didn't give any thought to it. If you are thinking that my forgiveness craves nonchalant agreements from you then you are wrong, Your Majesty. Don't think that you are doing any favours for me by agreeing with my decision." The omega turned sideways, not knowing why his anger was getting triggered so suddenly.

Maybe the reason is something different but the ranting of his thoughts left Jungkook a bit calmer.

Taehyung opened his mouth to say something but closed it when Jungkook continued," I am here to share the decision because the conclusion should be mutual. Don't think otherwise."

"I haven't even assumed anything yet."

"Good. Because I will not listen to how favourable your trust is because you simply agreed with me. I don't need your trust. The Alpha should trust the opinions of his mind that he makes on his own and acts exactly like it."

The veins around Jungkook's neck were raised in pressure, showing the amount of anger he was holding inside. The Alpha looked down as he listened to the words of the omega.

"My agreement doesn't have any relation with my remorse towards you. What I had done was wrong and unfair and I will keep apologising till you made up your mind to forgive me by your free will. It doesn't mean I will sabotage my decisions to please you, favour you anyhow." He raised his eyes and the omega was looking at him fiercely.

Those innocent black orbs had turned into a blob of lava, red cheeks flushed in madness not blush.

The anger was welcomed with open thoughts by the Alpha," I agreed because as a king I have faith in the Empress. If you have decided something then you have capability to ensure its success as well. All you need to do is keep him away from me, crime or not, rights or wrongs, I won't appreciate being under his vicinity. And it will stay like that even if you respect it or not."

As the anger fell from its peak Jungkook realised that the Alpha was serious about the condition of not seeing the former King. He can arrange it as now the decision doesn't look favourable but conditional.

He walked to the table in deep thoughts, the corner of his hips touching the edges of it and back facing the Alpha. Jungkook touched the stack of stones in the wooden basket, they were cold, and helped the omega to ease his veins better.

He took a blue stone in his palm and enclosed his fingers around it. He squeezed it into his fist as tight as he could. Why does the Alpha look so calm when he is practically losing his sanity? Why? Why did the king look so unphased from everything and discussing work here while he couldn't even divert his mind from him?

Is he the only one to think about such things? Is that why his anger flared so suddenly?

"Why aren't you stopping me from meeting the former king? Aren't you afraid that he can manipulate me too just like he did with…"

" Don't complete the sentence. Please."

The Alpha walked near the omega, surpassing the boundaries of privacy he stood with a palm distance between them. His low but intense voice heard just behind Jungkook's ear," Nobody stays when you bound them in shackles. No matter what trick you pull or how deep you try, people will do what they want to do in the end."

Jungkook's fist tightened on the stone when he heard the pain in Alpha's voice. His own eyes burned but he didn't let his anger invade the consolation his heart found in those words.

" I had tried to stop someone once, had surpassed five realms for them. Big mistake. I want you to walk towards me without any bounded emotions and manipulations." 

Jungkook turned around slowly, his red-rimmed eyes softened the grey ones. The anger was still prominent in them but the hints of misery were immersing so clearly that the Alpha couldn't help but reach out till the distance between their bodies diminished into nothing.

"And if a person wants to get bounded then what?" The voice was low but it echoed in Taehyung's mind for a good amount of time.

The Alpha brought his hand behind the omega's back and engulfed his angered fist into his palm," Then that person has lost his senses completely." His voice came out so comforting that Jungkook almost let his eyes close but he restrained them when a thumb started caressing his knuckles slowly.

He tried to jerk away from the comforting palm but the Alpha didn't let go.

His eyes threw profanities at the man standing in front of him for hurting him, for not trusting him when he needed that trust the most… but in the end heart won and here he was,"  How should he gain those senses back now?"

The Alpha can't conclude how many times Luna has left him speechless but he would add this moment on top of them.

"Tell me. Do I have to hurt someone else too? Or bleed out till it stops hurting? When and how will these senses be back, Alpha?" Jungkook placed his hand on the Royal Alpha's chest and tried to push him back.

Taehyung brought his other hand and let his fingers curl under the omega's chin before lifting it till their eyes met again," You are doing good yourself, have done it till now. This is me who needs to work on my ethics better."

He brushed the back of his nails over the opening of his closed fist and knuckles," I know that you will stay. But I want to make myself worthy enough to earn that stay now."

"Please, Luna. Let me apologise the way my mate deserves."

Jungkook's eyes were staring into those painful grey ones, their pain was so similar yet so different. He can't even express the cruelty of destiny to shred them so apart that they are struggling to find peace together. The constant but slow strokes against his fist were melting away his anger and when he loosened up the pressure, Alpha took it as the approval of his request.

But instead of apologising verbally, the Alpha left his hold on his fist and encircled his arm around his waist. Jungkook's features twisted in shock when Taehyung hauled up the omega by waist, their bodies matched in a short hug before the Alpha seated him on the edge of the table. 

His feet dangled in the air, leaving an inch of distance from the ground.

It wasn't enough for the ragging breaths of the omega, it seemed. Because the next moment, Jungkook's heart leapt out of his chest and mouth gaped around the air to inhale properly.

Still looking at the omega, the Alpha has sunken onto his knees. 

Jungkook clutched the lapels of his hanfu when Taehyung touched his feet to unbuckle his shoes. His mind, senses, thoughts everything dissolved into the blood before it turned cold enough to send shivers up to the roots of his hair. Laces after lace, the Alpha opened the knots and discarded the shoes slowly.

Jungkook lowered his guarded shoulders in defeat when the Alpha touched his sock cladded ankles and uplifted his legs till his toes peeked out of the skirt.

The Alpha lowered his head and his lips brushed against the thin material of skinny socks. He kissed the bridge of the left foot before treating the right foot as the same.

Jungkook's eyes fell close when he felt the warmth of those lips around his heart. The scent of sandalwood wafted in the surroundings, consuming his soul away from his body. He didn't stop the lone tear that crossed the rims of his eyes. It was a thought of relief that his breaths found a console into.

The Alpha who hadn't lowered his voice against anyone, who hadn't bowed against the humility of density no matter how badly it treated him… was down on his knees, apologising for hurting an omega, to him.

But why this sudden change now? Is this any other bait of his that was getting laid so openly? Jungkook wants to smack his head hard because it has stopped working properly due to the continuous gaze of the Alpha.

"I, Taehyung, want to apologise for my unpleasant behaviour. I had breached your sentiments and ignored your presence as my mate. Pressured you enough to leave me alone and after coming through so much along with me, I mistrust you in the end."

"No…You have protected me adequately. Given me enough appreciation in the journey, respected my decisions and believed in my capabilities.Generally Alphas don't do that." Jungkook contradicted Alpha's words with fire oozing out of his eyes.

"But I couldn't protect you from myself." He reasoned.

"You tried to. But I was too stubborn.You tried to stay away but pathetically enough I am not made to live alone." No he will not let the Alpha to apologise over these foolish reasons.

"I could have told you about my past sooner and the dark night of my past wouldn't have occurred that way"

"Past is easier to read in theories, easier to make posters about, but it takes ocean-deep courage to share it verbally and accept your failures and betrayals to someone." And Jungkook had understood it way before that he needed to wait till Alpha found an ease to share his past with him.

"If you contradict my each offence with an objection then what do you want me to apologise for?" Taehyung furrowed his confused eyes.

Jungkook turned away his head, glaring at the shelf of books to avoid the Alpha's presence. His eyes were filled with moisture as he choked out the words," Apologise for comparing me with Hwan. Apologise for comparing my efforts with your past mate till you declared them untrue. Apologise for assuming my actions as a threat to your dignity. Apologise for punishing me for a crime that I hadn't even done. And in the end…"

Taehyung was kneeling as his insides turned into stones before crumbling down on the floor.

"Apologise for lying to me…"

The Alpha's lungs squeezed enough to extract some whiffs of air but the words of the omega had left him too astonished to do that," I haven't lied to you ever."

At this sentence, he got awarded with a fierce glare instantly. Jungkook took advantage of his high position as he leaned over to intimidate the Alpha. He knows it's no use but he will make an effort to try, to know the real cause after all.

"All the things you have done for me till now. Did everything fall under your responsibility only? Everything?"

Taehyung's hold on his ankles slackened up, He averted his eyes from Jungkook to the wall and then to the shelves, as if recollecting the right answer to say.

"You have always escaped after slapping the excuse of responsibility on my face. I want to hear if it's true or not. So tell me."

The Alpha braced himself for an argument as his fingers caressed the bridge of the feet. His state became hesitant, hadn't examined this side of himself in a long time," Mates share responsibilities of each other, don't they?"

"They do. But they don't share the intimacy of thoughts and emotions in the name of responsibility. They don't share rain, mud and warmth in each other's arms when no one is watching." Jungkook moved back slowly, catching those hesitant eyes with his firm gaze.

"That's why I'm asking if everything was a part of your responsibility or not." This question is important for the omega as the validation of his memories depends solely on the answer.

The Alpha recalled those fields days, moments after moments, that was the time when he got to know the Empress more personally and trusted his identity different from Hwan's. He had even started to learn that face hidden beneath the veil, scarfs and masks.

He remembered the moments of intimacy they shared in the hut, none of them was forced or pushed into that situation. Yet they curled out among themselves in deep conversation.

"No."

Jungkook inhaled slowly with his parted lips, his nose red and cheeks flushed. The omega blinked his eyes for a moment to clear his vision.

"Then why did you share those moments with me?" Jungkook flicked his nose with his knuckles and looked away.

"Because I had accepted you as my mate."

The blood turned cold in Jungkook's veins, freezing him in his spot till those words resonated in the empty wall of the Royal library. He bit his lips to stop the slight quivering at the edges," Are you going to start pretending to like me now?"

Jungkook didn't look back at the Alpha, kept his head away from that direction. He wasn't prepared for any of this and the heaviness of those words was weighing him down onto the ground. He was barely holding himself on the thread of his self-esteem and resolution.

"I don't think so." The voice wasn't heavy this time but a mixture of faded restraints and humble warmth.

"I haven't reached there to claim the likeness yet. But after years of waiting… if I want to pursue an omega for a bond, It's you."

The thread broke and the moisture Jungkook was holding for so long, cascaded down his cheeks from his melancholic eyes. The first sniffles cracked out when he felt the pair of lips on his toes before travelling towards the sole of his feet, asking for forgiveness with each touch.

His toes curled down in shame as the omega tugged his feet away from the Alpha's hold, the material of his skirt covering them fully now.

The King rose from the kneeling position and stood in front of the crying omega who was wiping his tears in silence. Those tears stirred an unwanted pain in his chest and to ease the comfort among them the Alpha enveloped the omega in his arms.

Holding him against his chest with an arm while the other hand got positioned on the top of his hair. Jungkook breathed out the sorrow in the fervency of his mate, his body shook while numb fingers tried to grab the slipping heart once again.

Being the mate of a Royal Alpha wasn't easy, Jungkook had read it in theories and witnessed it in his life too. But how can some affectionate words allow his soul to thrive so violently? He hadn't figured this out yet.

Don't believe him… his honest eyes will backstab you again. He will torment you furthermore, you have become habitual of bare minimum, Jungkook. Gain the strength you have in your soul which is bigger than any bond, bigger than false hopes.

The voice of his wolf was loud in Jungkook's brain and this was the boundary both of them known to never cross. The boundary where the dignity of their existence lies, where the span of their self-esteem holds power over everything in the world.

So Jungkook pulled back from the warm embrace of the Alpha with a little thought in mind, his eyes were still blurry but his views were much clearer now.

The Alpha helped further by thumbing away the moisture from his eyelids, grey eyes holding deep emotions.

"I need time, I don't think I have concocted my thoughts to forgive you yet. Maybe time will help me to heal better."

Taehyung's eyes fell on the left-out short tresses which were tucked behind the omega's air. His features saddened, making his eyebrows frowned together," Time will do nothing, Luna."

His fingers reached forward to untuck those chopped tresses, eyes showing a grief that Jungkook couldn't understand but waited for the Alpha to continue," Time heals you……is a myth written by ancestors in history. Time does nothing. It doesn't heal.. just bury the hurt moments with new ones. But no matter how long after you look back at your scars, you will find their presence, much alive and venomous."

Jungkook's face crumbled in misery when he realised how true those words were. A person needs only one thought and all of his new moments can burn in the fire of a vicious past.

"Then what should one do to not feel hurt?" The omega asked and Taehhyung's thumb stopped scraping the trimmed edges of the red tresses.

The Royal Alpha looked into Jungkook's eyes, the back of his cold fingers touching the warm cheeks to rub the wetness away," It's inevitable. One can do nothing to stop or slow down its combustion. Although hurt vanishes quickly if you leave its cause behind and wish to move on. But if you can't leave the cause behind then let the cause make up for his mistakes. Let the cause suffer for his sins till the hurt melts in the ocean of harmony."

"I am the cause of your hurt. Let me suffer, burying the hurt with time won't heal you."

"And you will?" The doubt was outrageous from the omega.

"I will."

The affirmation felt like a promise for anyone to hear but the Alpha deep down in his heart knows that the Empress still won't believe him.

"Why?" Jungkook asked the question confirming Taehyung’s thoughts right away," Is this your new responsibility now? Or a goal you want to achieve before going back to your usual routine?"

Doubts need clearance just like bonds need communication to intensify, Taehyung had learnt this much in the past few days, so he quickly denied," No. However, A part of me feels responsible for…" he eyed the short tresses subtly before looking back at the omega sincerely.." many things but the other part of me wants to heal myself."

Jungkook didn't expect such a kind of answer from the Alpha, it threw out his thoughts on many levels.

But Taehyung continued," I want to make efforts for this bond with a selfish need behind it."

A gust of wind filled up Jungkook's lungs to the brim. So it's not only the remorse for which Alpha wants to apologise. It's not only for the sake of his dignity or hurt. It's not only Jungkook from whom the Alpha yearns the forgiveness for.

"What selfish…"

Taehyung closed his eyes for a moment as if accepting his hard earned deprivation was tormenting him somehow," I want to heal through you. Till the time you want to forgive me, I want to be able to forgive myself too."

Jungkook's lips left the choked breath slowly, Alpha wants to get heal with him. The heal which no one could provide in centuries, which no one could deliver in silver platters or shining diamonds, which couldn't be found in the lasting devotion of folks… the Alpha found in him.

So… this is how he will lose his mind, Jungkook realised.

But who needs a sane mind in this real world? The facts were good enough to step down on the stairs of history, Jungkook doesn't need to be sensible all the time.

"I won't stop you then. But healing often tires one out." It was an open challenge from the omega that he won't be easier for the Alpha to handle.

The small tug around Taehyung's lips surged Jungkook's heart on the edge as the Alpha tucked his hair back,"It's everything but tiresome. I will try to keep my efforts under the dignity of our bond."

Jungkook couldn't avert his eyes from the Alpha's face but he still twisted his tongue inside his mouth and slapped it on the upper palate," Tch. As if your actions fell under those boundaries."

A genuine grimace of confusion spread on the Alpha's face as he moved closer to the omega. Their faces were inches apart when Taehyung whispered," What did I do this time?" 

The omega wants to run away right under the arms of the Alpha but he was caged between a tough body and the table, the sudden wave of sandalwood snatched away Jungkook's gazes till it fell into the Alpha's vision.

"You had sent the doves, hadn't you?"

"I just sent them to help you sleep, there isn't any other motive behind them. Sometimes, they provide the best comfort."

Jungkook's eyes sharpened a little," What if I don't want the best."

Both were drowning in the endeavours of the fortunate moments, eyes challenging…one bold and one fierce. The unsaid permission was there to pick up and conceal the demand beneath the puffs of their lips. 

Both of them knew what the omega was mandating but Taehyung was shackled to confirm it again," I don't like it when you talk in riddles."

Jungkook made a bit space in between their faces so it would be easier to stay in the fair mind," Don't use those innocents in this guilt game. It's only the cause that should be punished for their sins."

The Alpha was astonished once again. Should he be the one to provide the comfort? when he was about to argue back, his ears perked up at the coming footsteps. Jungkook heard that too and expected the Alpha to step back and free him from the cage.

"Halt in your steps." Taehyung's voice boomed in the Royal library and Jungkook gulped as the Alpha shield him more.

He looked back at Jungkook and sighed slowly," Your guests are here. Do you want to attend them or should I assign it to the commander?"

Jungkook's eyes widened as he quickly scramble away from the table and snatched his shoes from the ground," No, I will attend them. How much time passed? There was so much to do, excuse me."

The omega didn't slow down or look back till he ran out of the library and crossed the courtroom, the soldier bowed to him and starts walking ahead to show the way to the Empress, a humble gesture.

But Jungkook was about to pass away, his feet weren't falling on the ground to walk on. As if the ground has converted into clouds and fumbling his body, securing the feet that got graced by his mate's lips.

His focus blurred and Jungkook hugged a pillar on the way before he face-firstfirst in the hallway, the earthy aroma of the pillar was mixed with the fragrance of paint. The soldier didn't look back to check on Jungkook and the omega was too grateful for that.

He pressed his burning cheeks on the cool pillar and sighed," At this point, the pillar of this palace knows me better than anyone else."

After cooling down a little, he wore the shoes quickly. The soldier was briefing him earlier with something but all he could remember was a deep baritone beneath his ear.

This man will be the lone reason behind my fall.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.

The next chapter will be the fluffiest and filled with romance.
The phase which I craved the most to write from the beginning is finally here.

If you enjoy my writing and wants to support me willingly, I'll be really grateful.

Good night, dear readers💜.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.