Here you go lovelies...

***

Porshiya watched Katy and Aera rolling on the couch, laughing their asses off for the past thirty minutes. She was grumpy but she couldn't help the twitch of her lips at the hilarity of the situation. While it wasn't ideal in any way and she'd have preferred this to go down differently, this wasn't something they had foreseen.

Who would have expected Jin and Jungkook to be cousins? Jin always spoke fondly of his cousin but never really told her much about him.

Well, she wasn't Jungkook's sister by blood and hence Jin wasn't her cousin, but they didn't know that. As much as this situation was hilarious as fuck, Jin's tear-filled gaze popped in her mind and sobered her up.

Shit.

She could only imagine how worse he was feeling and what he would be thinking. It didn't affect her much because she knew the truth. But it wouldn't be the same for Jin.

Oh, God. What do I do now?

How could she even rectify this situation without revealing the truth? If she told him she wasn't his cousin, he'd want to know who the real Jeong-seon was. She watched her friends with a heavy feeling in her chest. As much as it hurt to see Jin like that, she couldn't just reveal it to him.

She didn't know how long it'd take them to solve this issue and how irreparable their relationship would be by the time she could reunite with Jin. With a deep sigh, she reclined on the love seat, where she was snuggled next to Jimin.

Jimin stroke her hair gently. "I'm sorry, Panda boo. We are gonna solve this."

"I know." She sighed. They always do.

Katy and Aera stopped laughing, staring at the ceiling aimlessly, their chests heaving.

"Wait!" Katy sat up with wide eyes as if she realized something. "I have a cousin?" She sat like a statue for a solid minute without even blinking.

Porshiya rolled her eyes. "Duh, genius! If he's Jungkook's cousin, he's your cousin too."

"Oh, my God! We have a cousin!" It was Aera's turn to screech.

Jimin shook his head while Taehyung silently watched the drama unfold while sketching his next design on his iPad. His stylus flew on the screen with practiced ease, creating new designs that would one day break the market.

Katy's smile was so bright that it was almost blinding. "Oh, my God! This is amazing! Baby, think, if you marry Jin and Jungkook marries Jimin, we all will be a proper family!"

"Oh, my gosh! That sounds wonderful!" Aera piped in.

Porshiya quirked a brow. "For that, a wedding has to happen." She stood, shaking her head. "I'm tired and sad. Gonna get piss drunk and sleep it off."

"Baby..."

She smiled sadly at Katy. "It's okay, baby bird. It's just temporary. I'll be fine."

She would be fine. Nothing was important to her than her friends.

***

Jungkook felt extremely guilty as he saw Jin drinking himself to sleep that morning. He wanted to tell him, he really did but after seeing Hoseok's pissed-off expression he didn't know what to do anymore.

His father had called him and Hoseok several times and they had refused to answer. At present, Jin woke from his nap was just staring blankly at the far end of the wall. Their efforts to talk to him were all in vain.

Hoseok was on a phone call for the past hour, talking to some buyer and sorting out an unexpected issue that came up that day. He thanked all the stars for that. He wished Hoseok would leave them alone for a moment, so he could at least tell Jin hyung that Porshiya wasn't his sister or therefore his cousin.

But Hoseok was glued to their side and he was torn. On one side his hyung was suffering but on the other, it was his sister's life that was in trouble. Hoseok had been mum about his thoughts about Jeong-seon and he really didn't know how he would react when he learned that he was married to his sister and in fact, now was his brother-in-law.

He swallowed and tried not to meet Hoseok's scrutinizing gaze, but he was slowly withering. Jungkook was a bad liar. If Hoseok or Jin stared him in the eye and asked him a question he wouldn't last long. So he had avoided eye contact at all costs.

When Jin slept, Hoseok was busy with calls from the office among other stuff he was able to pretend he was also busy and escaped until now. But he could literally feel his patience waning thin. He crossed his fingers and prayed he didn't ask him anything.

Hoseok ended the call and Jungkook immediately pretended to scroll through his phone. He reread the already answered emails. His heart thudded when Hoseok came to sit on the couch opposite to them. His blood pressure went up a notch when he threw the phone on the table and crossed his legs.

Oh, no. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Don't ask. Don't ask. Don't ask.

"How long have you known Porshiya is Jeong-seon?"

Jungkook swallowed. He froze and refused to meet his eyes.

"Look at me when I'm talking, Jungkook. I need to see your eyes."

Jungkook cursed internally and chewed his bottom lip. His hands trembled slightly and he was sweating despite the air conditioner running. He lifted his gaze and recoiled upon seeing the anger in his face.

Shit. What do I do? I can't lie to him.

He risked a glance toward Jin and noticed he was also looking at him with something akin to hurt in his eyes. He knew how bad this looked. Because if Jungkook knew Porshiya was his sister and he let this go on, it was the worst betrayal ever. This was such a worst predicament to be in.

Tears burned his eyes. His hyungs were the ones who brought him up since he was a baby. They were there even when he couldn't count on his mother. It was now a question of his loyalty. But he couldn't reveal his sister's identity either.

"I-I'm sorry." His lips trembled.

Jin stiffened beside him. "You knew?" His sound was too weak that Jungkook felt like someone was ripping his heart out.

Jungkook shook his head and got on his knees in front of him. His tears broke free and he sobbed. "No. S-She isn't." He shook his head vigorously. "P-Porshiya isn't J-Jeong-seon. S-She i-isn't m-my s-sister."

Jin's hands were on his shoulder immediately. He shook him. "Look at me," his voice rang with desperation. "Look at me, Jungkook-ah. Is it true?" His chest heaved. "She isn't...she isn't..." He couldn't finish the sentence and the relief he saw on his face was heartbreaking.

Jungkook shook his head. "No. I-I'd never do that to you, hyung," he sniffled. "I-I'm s-sorry. I-I was so confused."

Jin cupped his face. "Shh...tell me. Tell me once more."

"Porshiya noona isn't Jeong-seon. She's not even related to her in any way."

"But earlier...she said...she—"

"Because she was protecting the real Jeong-seon," Hoseok cut in. "Isn't that true, Jungkook-ah?"

Jungkook hung his head and covered his face with both hands. "I-I'm sorry."

"The real Jeong-seon..." Jin trailed off.

"Our Jungkookie refused to tell the truth because he too was protecting her."

Jin blinked. "Is that someone we know?" He looked concerned.

"Yes."

Jungkook stiffened upon hearing Hoseok's answer.

"Who is it?" Jin asked.

"He won't tell us, hyung," Hoseok scoffed. "If he wanted to tell us, he would have done so on the very day he found out."

Jungkook continued to cry as he heard those words. It was true. His hyungs knew him better. "I'm sorry," he sobbed. "I didn't mean to. I-I had n-no choice."

Jin looked between them both. "Porshiya is lying to protect Jeong-seon. She didn't tell me the truth even after the others left. Then it must be someone close to her."

Fuck. There was no way he could continue to lie to them. They're going to find out.

"Yes," Hoseok said. "He hid it from us because he was afraid of how I'd react if I found out my wife was in fact, his half-sister. Isn't that true, Jungkook?"

Jin gasped in surprise. "Jeoni is..."

Jungkook froze. His mouth fell open. How?

"You really don't think I'm a fool, do you?" Hoseok asked. "The moment I saw you both together, I kinda had a feeling." He came closer to put a hand on his shoulder. "You aren't that hard to read, Jungkook-ah. You are the most introverted person we know. We raised you."

"I'm sorry, hyung."

"Wow..." Jin said. "How did you figure out, Hoseok-ah? I've been around them all day, but I never guessed."

He chuckled. "Have you really not notice the similarities, hyung. You must be either blind or was too busy ogling your girlfriend."

Jin looked sheepish and shrugged.

"It's not exactly their appearance but their behavior. It's not easy to spot at first. But when they're together, it's obvious. The way they laugh, the way they work...it's a lot of things, hyung. I noticed it during the show and it struck me when I saw them sleeping the next morning. Then our Jungkook was literally playing bodyguard and everything clicked in place. I had a feeling his affection wasn't just because she's my wife who he had never met before and I was right."

"Wow."

Jungkook nibbled at his bottom lip. "Aren't you angry, hyung?"

Hoseok's features softened. "I am angry that you didn't say a word even when Jin hyung was worried all day. But I also understood why you did what you did."

"S-she's innocent, hyung. She's just afraid you'd hate her if you knew the truth. Please...give her a chance," he pleaded.

"I can never hate her, Jungkookie. Did you forget I fell in love with her and married her when I knew nothing about her? Not even her surname." Hoseok stroked his hair. "Don't worry. Everything will be alright."

"Yeah." Jin looked so much relieved. "Thanks for telling me, Jungkook-ah. It's really, really, bad to be in this situation. I felt like dying to even think that Porshiya was...you know."

He nodded. "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, hyung. I-I just didn't know what to do. I didn't think it'll go like this."

Jin was about to say something when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get that." Hoseok went to get the door while Jin pulled Jungkook to the couch.

"How did you—" His gaze fell on someone behind him and his eyes widened. "Oh."

Jungkook looked back. His sister stood there with Jimin. She was wearing a pair of shorts and an oversized sweater while Jimin was in his jogger and a t-shirt. So he assumed they had come in a hurry. Hoseok came to stand beside Jin and Jungkook, his hands folded across his chest.

Katy looked at Jimin, a silent conversation seemed to pass between them and he saw Jimin nodding once.

She took a deep breath and her gaze met Jungkook's. "Hello, Jungkook," she greeted with a tight smile. "I have a feeling you know this already but...I'm Jeon Jeong-seon." She squared her shoulder and he could tell it was taking everything in her to say this.

Jimin moved to put a hand on her lower back in a silent show of support.

Her gaze shifted to Jin next. "I'm sorry, Oppa. I didn't know Jungkook had a cousin. I can only imagine what you must have gone through after what happened this morning." She clasped her hands in front of her looking down at her feet. "It wasn't my intention to hurt you."

"Why don't you sit?" Jin pointed to the couch on the other side. "I feel we have a lot to talk about." He stood. "I'll get the drinks."

"Just water for us please," Jimin said. "I need to drive and Jeoni isn't much of a drinker."

Jin nodded and headed to the kitchen while they took a seat. They were silent for a moment. Katy sipped her water while Jimin kept a comforting arm around her shoulder.

"There has been a misunderstanding. Porshiya's last name is spelled J-O-H-N," Jimin broke the silence. "Your dad contacted us with his offer and Jeoni wasn't interested to deal with him. So I refused their every attempt until today they caught us by surprise."

"When I asked Porshiya to pretend as Jeong-seon this morning, I wasn't expecting this." She lifted her head to look at Hoseok. "I'm sorry I wasn't forthcoming with this truth. But I just...I just wanted a chance..." Her voice cracked and Jimin squeezed her shoulder and pulled her more to his side. "I just...I just thought if Jungkook got to know me as a person first, he might give me a chance once he finds out that I'm his sister." She looked down again, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater.

Jungkook's throat constricted. It hurt him to know she thought that way.

She was now crying, silent tears trailing down her cheeks. "I...I saw you for the first time when he was five." She wiped her cheeks with the back of her sleeve. "We were in this shop when we heard someone crying. I was curious and peeked around the corner to see you on the ground, crying as you asked your mother for something."

Jimin rubbed her back and there was a fond smile playing on his lips. "You looked so adorable. Jeoni was so taken with you to the point she couldn't see you crying and wanted to buy whatever you were crying for. That's when my dad said she can't do that because you're her half-brother."

"Yeah, he was cute especially when he said Santa will buy him the gift he wanted because he's been good. He was really adorable." Katy smiled.

Jungkook vaguely remembered that. That day his mom got so furious and told him there was no Santa. That it was all a lie and it was she, who put his gifts under the Christmas tree. He had been heartbroken as a child until that gift showed up.

"I've always known about my biological parents. Papa Park told me the truth when I asked him why my surname is different from Jimin's." She sipped the water and sighed. "I went home and couldn't forget you. All I could think was that...I had a brother. A brother who didn't even know I existed but yeah...you get the gist." She laughed. "Anyway, I didn't like how your face fell when she told you that Santa isn't real. I wanted to give you something."

"You gave me a sketchbook," Jungkook whispered. "With that little note."

She nodded. "Yeah. It was Aera's idea. She said I can send you gifts during Christmas and be your Secret Santa without having to reveal who I am."

Jungkook smiled. "I loved that gift. I still have that, you know."

"You do?" Her eyes were huge and he could see the happiness bubbling in her.

He nodded. "And your notes. Every single one of them."

"Oh."

"I knew who you are from the moment I saw your handwriting that day at work. Your handwriting was something that was ingrained in my head for years. I always wanted to find you."

"Oh." Her eyes only grew wider.

Jungkook stood, unable to stay away from her any longer. "You don't think I accepted to freelance just because you married Hobi hyung, do you?" He knelt in front of her and took the glass of water from her to put it on the table before taking her hands in his. "I was there because I wanted to get to know you too."

More tears broke free as he wrapped her arms around his neck. "Fuck, I love you so much, Jungkookie." She buried her face into his neck. "I was so afraid. I-I thought you wouldn't want me in your life."

At that, he cried too. He couldn't hold his tears any longer.

"Never. I didn't think much about you before, but once I have met you and found out you're my sister, I wanted nothing but to make up for all these years I missed growing up with you. I wanted everything we could have done together as siblings. I'm sorry it took me so long and I should have looked for you sooner. You knew about me all along while I knew nothing about you. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you, noona. I'm not letting you go again. I want you in my life."

"Me too."

When they pulled back, he wiped her tears off and smiled. "I think you have to talk to Hobi hyung."

She nodded and took a deep breath. Hoseok sat beside Jin, silently watching them. She stood and went to him, shifting from one foot to the other. When she approached, Hoseok stood from his seat to face her. They were both silent for a moment. Katy looked down at her feet while Hoseok looked at her expectantly.

After a moment, she turned to look at Jimin. Once again there was a moment of silence where Jungkook felt they were communicating silently. Jimin nodded once more and he saw her relax. She took a deep breath and schooled her features as she glanced up at Hoseok who was several inches taller than her.

"I'm Princess Katy Jeong-seon Min, age twenty-seven, the third child of His Majesty Min Young-Jun and Her Majesty Min Hyo-Rin, younger sister of His Highness Min Yoongi and Her Highness Min Aera." She paused for a moment to let the information sink in.

Jin had jumped to his feet while Hoseok's jaw was agape.

"I'm also one of the co-founders of Vinora, which is a subsidiary of the Min Group. I'm also one of the key shareholders of the Min Group along with my brother and sister. And you Jung Hoseok are my consort."

Jungkook though already knew the truth was still taken by surprise by her sudden admission. When she strode inside the apartment, this was the last thing he expected from her. A silence had fallen in the room and there was an unspoken tension that was so thick in the air.

When no one said anything, Jimin stood and went to stand beside her in a silent show of support.

"I'm tired of running," she whispered, breaking the silence. "I don't regret falling in love with you or the impulsive decision to marry you. But I'm tired of hiding. The royals might not rule the country anymore, but my father is well-respected in the community and they see him as the ruler among the other royal families. There are rules we must abide by. I broke the rules by marrying you. The royal gala is coming up and there will be suitors who would be approaching my parents to ask my hand in marriage. My time is running out." She took a deep breath. "What happened today made me think a lot and I don't want another misunderstanding to hurt you and any of the people I care about because of my selfishness. So, I decided to come clean and lay all my cards on the table." She paused to take a deep breath. "Married life with me will not be simple. We aren't only business rivals, but your family doesn't like mine. You'll have to make a lot of sacrifices compared to me and need to accept the fact that I'm a packaged deal. I come with four other members. If you want me, you will have to accept them and whatever baggage that comes with us." She took a step back and forced a smile. "The moment the world finds out my real identity, my life will be under severe scrutiny. Everything I did or do will be micro-analyzed. I'll be targeted by our enemies and media. I'll constantly be in the public eye." When she looked at him again, there was a determination in her gaze. "Joonie Oppa and Taehyung knew the consequences and accepted it whole-heartedly. The same goes to Jin oppa and Jungkook. I'm afraid I'll not be able to do much where Jungkook is concerned. Just our relationship as brother and sister alone will make you their target. You don't have a choice and I'm afraid your dad is going to do something stupid that'll compromise everything." She looked at Hoseok and Jin. "I'll understand if you don't want any of this. There is no pressure. Take your time and I'll wait to know your decision."

She looked at Jimin and he nodded. They pivoted on their heel only to be stopped by Hoseok.

"Do you think any of these matters to me, Princess?"

She halted, suddenly looking nervous.

"I fell in love with Jeoni, a flamboyant, carefree woman who loved photography with an obsession for street food. A woman who loved to do crazy shit and admired the stars at night. A woman who spoke non-stop about her best friends and the things she was passionate about."

She turned around to face him, fresh tears in her eyes.

"I was a fool who proposed to a stranger he met in the streets of Vegas without even caring she could ruin my life if she wanted to." He took a deep breath. "I was ready to risk it all even before I knew who you were. Do you think this title you carry and the baggage associated with it is going to stop me from loving you? You're a fool, Jeoni."

She lunged at him with a strangled sob. Hoseok staggered a few steps back at the force of collision but wrapped his arms around her, lifting her to his height so easily.

"For someone with so much intellectual, you are an idiot. Do you know that?"

"I've been told a few times." Her voice was muffled in his chest.

"I love you, Jeoni."

"I love you too."

Hoseok lowered her and cupped her face to kiss her lips.

Jungkook averted his gaze, knowing he was witnessing one of their intimate moments. His heart was warm and tingling with happiness. Jimin tugged at his hand, gesturing his head to the other room to give the couple their much-needed privacy.

He was so happy. It was going to be okay. Everything was going to be okay as long as they were together.