★ Author's note:

So...

I last updated this book on 28th October 2021 (⁠─⁠.⁠─⁠|⁠|⁠）

I have no excuses, it just happened as such. I'd be surprised if more than 10 people read this lmao.

Anyway, a gigantic shout-out to the very lovely KibaNaru-Kun for reminding me that setting a deadline for yourself does really get your ass motivated enough. Please do check out his profile, he genuinely writes such fun and interesting stories.

And without much further ado!

★ A month later:

Merie awoke to the sound of something small hitting the glass window of her bedroom. Bewildered, she got up and opened the window. She looked around after opening it and then looked down, gasping as she saw the soldier they had arrested. The one who had followed along when she had brought Jihyun from Taniland to Kookmin land for safety.

"Will you at least listen to me?" He yelled out and Merie sighed before she closed the window and drew the curtains, ignoring his protests.

'Certainly don't need him,' she thought to herself.

Shortly after the supreme leader -Jungshin- had pardoned everyone, the soldier too was given the same verdict as the royal Kim family. Since then he had tried talking to Merie about what happened between them. He was angry at her betrayal, but later on he found that she was just being loyal to her own land, which then impressed him. Besides, he couldn't stand her charms. Therefore, Jinyoung had decided he would court Merie. Of course, actually doing that proved to be very difficult as she seemed to completely ignore him and his existence, too busy doing her job. Luckily for him - and unluckily for her - Jinyoung was quite determined and persistent.

★ Same morning, Taehyung's room in the Jeon castle:

"An apology breakfast-in-bed?" Yoongi set down a small table with fresh breakfast in Taehyung's bed. Said man stretched and sat up, smiling brightly at his husband-to-be. Yoongi had been continuously apologising to his boyfriend since he got to know he was pregnant with his child when he cruelly dragged him and put in a cell. Albeit he was rightfully angry then, he still regretted treating him as such. So, he had decided he would dedicate the rest of his life in loving and cherishing Taehyung and their child.

"Mm, this is amazing." Taehyung downright moaned as he ate breakfast. Yoongi looked on proudly, loving the glow Taehyung seemed to exude.

"Darling," Taehyung looked up at him, "how about tomorrow?"

Taehyung sighed, wiped his mouth with the napkin and then got up and walked towards Yoongi, before he leaned down and pecked Yoongi's lips, who sat at the end of the bed.

"Okay, let's do it!" At his words, Yoongi showed his gummy smile, ecstatic and proceeded to kiss him. He had the wedding plans ready for weeks now but was waiting for Taehyung's green light. Finally, that moment had arrived.

★ The Jeon's bedroom:

"Ah, Jungkook," Jimin moaned out, his voice hoarse. Jungkook kept moving his hips at a leisure pace, not ready to let his husband go anywhere anytime soon, regardless of half of the night spent making love to him.

"Pretty little Angel," Jungkook whispered as he held Jimin's face in his palm, the other hand held him above Jimin, while the latter's legs were around his waist. He continued snapping his hips and whispered compliments in Jimin's skin, loving how his husband softly panted and moaned in reaction.

"Jungkook!" The door suddenly opened, "ah, shit, my bad," and with that the door closed again. "Sorry for interrupting, but it's tomorrow, he agreed," Yoongi said, standing outside the closed door.

"Alright! Got it!" Jungkook yelled out and went back to making love to his husband who just turned a few shades darker.

"Next time you're locking that damn door!" Jimin scolded Jungkook, who simply chuckled and thrusted particularly deep, making Jimin moan loud, his head almost hitting the headboard.

"Why? I don't care who sees us. It's not news the married couple fuck." Jungkook stated, granting him a smack across the back of his head, which only made him chuckle.

"You caveman!" Jimin said with an affectionate smile.

"Your caveman." Jungkook leaned down and kissed his lips, biting the lower one as he picked up his pace.

★ The Jeon garden:

Jungshin had a content smile on his lips as he strolled through the garden, Arya's hand in his, fingers intertwined.

"They look very pretty." He complimented as they walked by the little patch of mogra bushes that his husband had planted not too long ago. They were now blooming, the air carrying their sweet fragrance.

"Why, thank you!" Arya chuckled and gave a beaming smile, filling Jungshin's heart with warmth.

They continued their stroll around the garden, having already eaten their breakfast together earlier.

Further down, they spotted the Kim's and halted to talk to them.

"Good morning!" Namjoon stood up to greet the elder Jeons, who greeted them back with a pleasant smile.

"Please, join us!" Seokjin offered to eat breakfast with them but Arya shook his head.

"We already ate but, please, you guys should continue!" With that the Jeons went ahead.

"They're very kind." Taemin said with a small smile. Despite whatever had happened, which still hurts him from time to time, he realised how none of it was anyone's fault. Everything was a result of fucked up collateral damage, and the only thing he could do was cope with it in his own way, slowly over time.

"That they indeed are." Namjoon agreed. After the initial punishment was declared, the Kim's expected to be humiliated in the worst ways possible, that's why they were pleasantly surprised to find out the only job that they had to do was run the public welfare office in the village. Nothing different than their job as royalty to look out for the masses, except with lesser responsibilities. Moreover, the head of that office was Jimin. All of them agreed that it was only right after what they did to him. They had also apologised to him profusely and Jimin had immediately forgiven them, stating that all that was behind them now.

They were even more surprised to know that they were to stay at the Jeon castle on the ground floor and also use all the amenities the castle had to offer. Therefore, the pleasant breakfast in the garden under the soft morning sunlight on a quaint table.

Along with the Kim family - Jihyun included - Hoseok and Jinyoung too resided at the Jeon castle and helped out in Jimin's office.

★ The next day:

The vast garden on the Jeon property was once again decorated for another wedding. This time it was not an arranged marriage though. The second-in-command had personally overlooked the preparation as his husband-to-be rested. He made sure everything was to Taehyung's liking, even adding certain things as surprise, fully knowing what he would appreciate. The menu was expansive, having cuisines from both the nations.

It was just before sunset. Yoongi was dressed sharply in his military uniform. Jungkook was standing beside him, also dressed in his own military commander uniform. As promised by Jungshin to his husband, Arya, Kookmin land had immediately halted their expansion. Even ceasing the occupation of countries they had overtaken in the past. The borders of Kookmin land were back to its original form, the exception being the addition of Taniland, giving it a good buffer of land as compensation for all the crimes by the Kim Dynasty.

"Cheers to you for not having an alliance marriage." Jungkook chuckled as he clinked his rum glass against Yoongi's, who laughed at him.

"I was never going to have one, you know it," Yoongi then smiled, "it was always going to be you, but at least it turned out good for you."

"You're right about that." Jungkook grinned and sipped the strong rum, mind immediately overtaken by images of his gorgeous husband, who despite all the trials and tribulations, had managed to burrow his place in his heart and his land.

"Boys!" The supreme leader's voice caught their attention as he entered their vision and stood next to them, Jungkook's papa on his arm. Both were dressed elegantly. The supreme leader in his uniform and Arya in the colours of the land. Despite disowning their conquering ways, militarism was ingrained in the Kookmin land. Thus, they had decided to have a different approach at ruling, combining the military discipline and some of the democratic values.

"Good evening." Both Jungkook and Yoongi greeted them with a smile.

"It's about time, let's go!" Arya beamed at them, gesturing them towards the aisle. The four of them then walked towards the centre of the garden, where there was the podium and the aisle that led upto it. Yoongi went up the podium and stood there, with Jungkook at his side. The senior Jeons joined the audience, sitting right beside the Kim family.

Moments later, Yoongi's heart skipped several beats as his husband-to-be walked down the aisle, Jimin by his. The Kims had unanimously decided it would be Jimin walking him instead of Namjoon. Taehyung was dressed in the colours of Taniland, despite the country no longer existing. He wanted to wear it one last time before he would gladly accept Yoongi and his country, also dedicating his loyalty to his new country.

Taehyung reached the podium and stood in front of Yoongi after climbing up. He grinned at his fiancé, recalling the moment he had first set his eyes upon him. Granted a lot of unpleasant things have happened since then, yet he was glad that it had come to a happy ending. Well, at least as happy as it could get. He was especially excited for their future together, along with their unborn child. He was barely showing right now but he couldn't wait to already have the baby and raise it with the love of his life.

"Hello gorgeous," Yoongi greeted him and grinned as Taehyung also greeted him, "hello to you too handsome!"

The priest proceeded with the ceremony and both the grooms did their part. As the couple declared their vows, rose petals rained down over them. Both the Jeons and Kims looked on with a pleasant smile on their visages.

Soon after, the celebration moved towards the dance floor. Yoongi and Taehyung danced together flawlessly, having practised in advance. Jimin and Jungkook on the other hand were professionals by now. Both of them had enough dates with dancing sprinkled graciously in between. Arya led Jungshin as they moved across the dance floor, Arya's laughter harmonising with the soft music being played by the live band whenever the supreme leader missed a step.

"Sorry, I'm a little rusty," he looked apologetic and Arya simply shook his head, "it's quite alright, you were never good at it to begin with," he laughed and Jungshin laughed along, "you remember." He stated and Arya nodded before he leaned ahead and pecked his lips.

"How could I ever forget anything about you?" He questioned, eyes reflecting his love and dedication. "Neither can I." Jungshin declared before kissing him back.

"Wanna try that?"

Taemin jumped at the unknown voice coming from behind him. He was too busy looking on at the dance floor, smiling softly at all the happy couples, including his parents.

"What?!" He turned around, questioning the man standing there. He looked... Well, he looked handsome if Taemin was to be honest.

"You looked forlorn as you watched the dance floor," he gestured towards said dance floor, "so, I asked if you wanted to try that, what do you say?" he grinned, "I promise to be a gentleman through and through." He raised his hand, swearing it.

Taemin looked on, he shouldn't trust any random guy but considering the man was at the ceremony - which by the way was only attended by trusted associates and friends - he reckoned it wouldn't hurt. Besides, he did have to move on from Jungkook. He had fully accepted that he would never be able to be with Jungkook in this lifetime. Thus, he nodded and took the hand the man offered him upon agreeing.

"I'm Taemin," he introduced himself and the man nodded, "I do actually know who you are, I asked around," he elaborated and then chuckled when Taemin looked confused, "don't be alarmed. I'm actually Jungkook's cousin, from his Papa's side of the family. Arya's nephew."

"Oh," Taemin looked him over carefully, placing prominent features that resembled Arya, "I still don't know your name."

"It's Jackson," he grinned and did a little bow, still holding Taemin's hand and his other hand around his waist, "enamoured to meet you, your majesty."

"I'm no longer any majesty, you can drop the honourifics." Taemin wondered if he knew what transpired and just how long he has been here for, since it's the first time he's ever seen him.

"Just because the titles were dropped, they don't lower your regality." Jackson flirted easily. He grinned when he saw Taemin smile slightly before rolling his eyes.

"Sure Mr. Whatever it is that you do," Taemin wasn't sure what the man did considering he wasn't wearing a military uniform nor any royal clothes.

"I'm actually the heir of the Wang Dynasty, but for you, I can be whatever." Jackson replied and chuckled when Taemin looked up at him, mouth hung open.

"My apologies, Prince Jackson," Taemin looked embarrassed, slowly turning pink. His education and manners were drowning him in guilt.

"Well, how about I be a little selfish and ask your parents if I can take you out on a date?" Taemin gasped, "you know, so I can forgive you?" Jackson looked hopeful.

"Alright." Taemin smiled and nodded, letting out a calming breath, he continued to float around as Jackson resumed their dance.

★ At the dinner venue:

Hoseok was pilling his plate up with food, practically starving at this point. He overlooked the security despite not being part of the guard. Old habits die hard.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" He heard as someone bumped into him as he was about to leave the banquet table.

"Oh it's quite alright!" Hoseok looked up at the man that ran into him. Luckily his food was intact.

"I'm truly sorry, you could have dropped your food," the man looked sincere and Hoseok shook his head, "but I didn't," he raised said plate and smiled, "so don't worry about it."

"Alright," the man visibly relaxed, "um, see you around." He said and Hoseok nodded before walking away, mind going back to the thought of scarfing down his food.

He noticed an empty table and sat down, all ready to eat. A few tables down to his right, he saw two people sitting together. Despite his hunger, his ears perked up.

"Pretty please, just one dance!" The guy begged and the woman rolled her eyes and continued eating from her plate. "If you won't go on a date, can I please just get a dance? Just spend some time with me!" Hoseok could hear the desperation in his voice.

"As I told you, I'm busy and not interested in dating anyone, so leave," the woman informed him and he groaned, "oh, come on! It's your day off! It's a whole wedding, there's no work. Please, just try to enjoy this time," he persisted and she sighed before nodding, "alright, now shut the fuck up and eat so I can eat in peace too!" Jinyoung simply grinned and started eating enthusiastically, overly ecstatic that his efforts have paid off in asking Merie out.

"Oh wow, talk about romance, huh?" A man's voice broke Hoseok from his eavesdropping. It was the man from before.

"Can I sit here?" He asked, holding a plate of food in his hand. Hoseok looked at the empty round table having five more chairs and nodded.

"Sure," at his word, the man sat down and started eating.

"Oh, I almost forgot," he wiped his mouth before speaking, "I'm Taeyong," he extended his hand and Hoseok shook it, "I'm Hoseok, nice to meet you."

"Likewise!" The man smiled and went back to eating, simultaneously making conversation, slowly getting to know each. Taeyong smiled meaningfully when he realised just how gorgeous Hoseok's smile was.

"Here, try this," Taeyong placed some of the gulab jamun from his plate to Hoseok's. "Our most famous sweet," Taeyong smiled, 'for the most sweet person,' he thought.

"Oh, thank you!" Hoseok nodded and then took some of the jalebi from his plate and placed it on Taeyong's plate who cocked an eyebrow.

"Taniland's speciality," Hoseok elaborated, 'unique like you,' he thought to himself.

"I'll enjoy it, thank you," Taeyong nodded his head and both of them tried their respective treats offered by the other.

★ A few tables away:

The Jeons and Kims sat down with the newlyweds at the dinner table.

[One last diagram for this book (⁠｡⁠•̀⁠ᴗ⁠-⁠)⁠✧]

              Yoongi Tae Joonie Jinnie Taemin

Jungshin ///elegant rectangular table///

              Arya Kook Jimin Jihyun Jackson

Everyone drank a variety of alcohol and ate the delicious food, with the exception of Taehyung who avoided alcohol but ate to his hearts content. Jimin made sure to pile his little brother's plate up with his favourite food and Jihyun beamed up at him. He was particularly thankful to Jungkook for making sure to protect his little brother since he came to know of his existence.

"Here's to the happy and healthy lives of our newlyweds and their unborn baby!" Jungshin raised a toast, everyone raising their own glass in cheers before drinking.

Jungkook inconspicuously swiped Jimin's glass of champagne and downed it, winking at his husband who sat beside him. Jimin simply smiled meaningfully, his stomach fluttering.

★ Author's note:

Ah, it's come to an end finally!

If there's any questions regarding anything, ask away!

This whole storyline was one of my favourites. I remember always reminding myself to not fuck up its writing lol. Hopefully I did the story justice with my writing abilities.

Incredibly grateful and thankful for all the love and support this book has gotten. Love you all for loving me and supporting me as well!

Here's to more journeys that we will hopefully go together through the books I write. 🥂 Do be sure to check out my profile if you want to read more books from me.

Also!

७७ वे स्वतंत्रता दिवस पर ढेरों शुभकामनाएं। प्राथना करते हैं कि हमारा देश ऐसे ही प्रगति करता रहे। जय हिन्द 🇮🇳