The grand hall was adorned with elegant floral arrangements, the air filled with the subtle scent of roses and lilies. Soft classical music played in the background as guests mingled, all eyes fixed on the beautifully decorated altar where Jeon Jungkook stood, the reluctant yet dashing groom.

Jungkook’s perfectly tailored black tuxedo highlighted his broad shoulders and lean figure. His hair was slicked back, revealing his sharp jawline and intense gaze. He looked every bit the part of a groom, but deep down, his mind was elsewhere. Let’s just get this over with. He thought, trying to suppress the weight that had been growing in his chest for days. His best man, Taehyung, stood beside him, adjusting his tie for the hundredth time, sensing the tension in his younger brother but saying nothing. It was one of those rare moments where even Taehyung, the ever-obedient son, had nothing to say. He glanced over at Jungkook and gave him a supportive nod, as if to say, It’ll be okay, just breathe.

Meanwhile, in another room, Min Arin stood in front of the mirror, a breathtaking vision in her ivory wedding gown, designed by none other than her mother, Lee Seojin, the famous fashion designer. The dress was a masterpiece—intricate lacework and a flowing train that shimmered as she moved. If only things were different, she thought. Arin couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Under normal circumstances, she would’ve been excited about how beautiful she looked, but today, her thoughts were clouded with uncertainty. Is this the right decision? The question haunted her, but there was no turning back now.

Arin’s bridesmaids—her cousins, not close friends—fussed around her, adjusting her veil and fixing her hair, but her thoughts drifted to what was about to happen. Her heart raced with a mixture of nerves and doubt. Just then, her older brother, Yoongi, entered the room, stopping in his tracks the moment he saw her.

“You look... amazing, Arin,” Yoongi said softly, his usual stoic demeanor slipping as emotion built in his voice.

Arin caught his reflection in the mirror and, seeing his misty eyes, gave him a teasing smile. “Don’t you dare cry, Yoongi. I can’t handle both of us getting emotional right now.”

Yoongi chuckled but quickly pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly. “I’m serious. I just want you to be happy. If anything, anything bothers you, you come to me first, alright? I’ll handle it. No matter what happens, I’ve got your back.”

She pulled back, nodding as she tried to push her doubts aside for now. “I’ll be fine, Yoongi. I know what I’m doing... I think.”

Her brother sighed, brushing a hand over her veil. “You’re too strong for your own good sometimes, you know that?” he muttered. “Just remember, you don’t have to fight alone.”

Before they could say more, their parents entered the room. Lee Seojin gasped at the sight of her daughter, tears welling up in her eyes. “You look like a princess, sweetheart,” she whispered, coming to gently smooth out the gown.

Min Hyunwoo, Arin’s father, stepped forward, his chest swelling with pride. “A princess?” he scoffed lightly. “No, she’s a queen. And today, we’re sending off our queen to rule her new kingdom. We couldn’t be prouder, Arin.” His voice cracked slightly at the end.

Arin smiled, despite the weight in her heart. She felt the love and pride of her family surrounding her. It was almost enough to drown out the anxiety gnawing at her insides. She took her father’s hand as he prepared to escort her down the aisle. “Let’s do this,” she whispered to herself.

---

The ceremony hall was vast but intimate, filled with only the closest family and select guests. Arin was thankful for the smaller gathering; she couldn’t handle being the center of attention in front of hundreds of strangers. As the doors opened and she entered the hall with her father, the whispers died down, all eyes turning to the bride.

Jungkook stood at the altar, his hands clenched at his sides as he waited. When his gaze met hers, for a brief moment, he felt his heart skip a beat. Even though he couldn't see her face clearly through the veil, he could tell that she was beautiful—elegant and poised. So this is her, he thought, momentarily forgetting that this was all arranged, that he didn’t want this. It was the first time he acknowledged one of the qualities his father had boasted about. She was stunning.He quickly averted his eyes, reminding himself why they were there. "It doesn’t matter."

Arin, on the other hand, locked eyes with Jungkook and quickly looked away, her heartbeat quickening. There was something about him, something that unsettled her. Just keep walking, she told herself.

As they reached the altar, Min Hyunwoo smiled warmly at Jungkook and placed Arin’s hand in his. “Take care of her, Jungkook. She’s our queen, and now she’s yours.”

Jungkook nodded, not trusting himself to say anything. His mind was a whirl of conflicting emotions. Queen, he repeated silently. Right. A queen... but this isn't my kingdom. He tightened his grip on Arin’s hand, not out of affection but to steady himself for what came next.

The ceremony proceeded smoothly, the vows exchanged, and rings slipped onto fingers. But when it came to the part where the officiant asked Jungkook to kiss the bride, both he and Arin hesitated, the tension between them palpable. For the sake of appearances, Jungkook lifted her veil slowly, revealing her face for the first time. His breath caught in his throat—she was even more stunning than he imagined. For a moment, he faltered, before leaning in to give her a quick, polite peck on the lips. The crowd erupted in applause, though neither of them felt the joy behind it.

---

After the ceremony, they walked hand-in-hand down the aisle, their first walk as a married couple. Guests showered them with flower petals and best wishes, though Jungkook and Arin both felt like they were walking in a daze. They approached their parents, bowing respectfully to receive their blessings.

“Congratulations,” Kim Minho said, his voice filled with satisfaction as he patted Jungkook on the back. “You’ve done well, son.”

Jungkook nodded silently, his thoughts elsewhere. This wasn’t the life he wanted, but he knew he had no choice. He glanced briefly at Arin, who was giving polite smiles to everyone around her, though her eyes looked tired, perhaps as exhausted by the charade as he was.

As they mingled, Taehyung and Miso finally approached. Taehyung, still stoic and formal, introduced himself first. “Congratulations. I’m Taehyung, Jungkook’s brother.”

Arin smiled faintly. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you.”

Miso stepped forward, her usual bright demeanor slightly dampened by the formal setting. She smiled warmly at Arin. “Hi, I’m Miso, Taehyung’s wife. You look absolutely stunning.”

Arin nodded, offering a small smile in return. “Thank you, Miso.”

Arin smiled politely, though inside she felt like she was playing a role. The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur, filled with congratulations and formalities. They posed for photos, greeted guests, and did everything a newlywed couple was expected to do. But both Jungkook and Arin knew the truth—this wasn’t a celebration of love. It was an agreement, a deal sealed with vows and rings.

---

Finally, as the night drew to a close, it was time to leave for their new home. Their lives were now intertwined, though neither of them knew what that truly meant yet.

As they climbed into the car that would take them to their new life together, Jungkook glanced at Arin out of the corner of his eye. She was staring out the window, her expression unreadable. He sighed inwardly, knowing that whatever lay ahead, it wasn’t going to be easy.

Neither of them spoke as the car pulled away from the venue, taking them to the next chapter of their lives. Their journey as husband and wife had begun, but what lay ahead was uncertain.

They were now bound together, not by love, but by obligation. And though the night had been filled with celebration and smiles, both Arin and Jungkook knew that their real struggles were just beginning.

---

The car pulled to a smooth stop in front of the modern high-rise apartment building. Arin shifted slightly in her seat, looking at the illuminated entrance. The driver glanced back at her through the rearview mirror, silently waiting for her to step out. She noticed that Jungkook had already exited the car without a word, walking swiftly toward the building. He didn’t wait for her, and by the time she had gathered the heavy folds of her wedding dress and stepped out, he was already standing in front of the elevator, completely uninterested in her struggle.

He didn’t even look back, she thought, feeling a pang of frustration. Jungkook hadn’t said a single word to her since the ceremony ended, and now, he was just as distant as ever. Her dress caught under her feet as she hurried toward the building, her heels clacking on the pavement. It was late, the city quiet around them, and for that, she was thankful. At least no one was around to witness her struggling with the cumbersome gown as she followed her new husband.

As she finally entered the building, she spotted Jungkook standing inside the elevator, his hand holding the door open just long enough for her to get in. He didn’t look at her, but it was clear he was only waiting because she didn’t know the floor.

"Come on," he said, his voice clipped, not bothering to hide his impatience.

Arin quickly stepped into the elevator, trying to manage her gown as best as she could. The doors slid shut behind her, and the small space immediately filled with an awkward silence. She stood next to him, avoiding his eyes, feeling the tension between them.

So this is how it’s going to be, she thought, glancing at the elevator’s reflective walls. He hadn’t said a word to her since they left the ceremony, and now, standing so close, she felt the cold distance even more.

The elevator dinged softly as they reached their floor. Jungkook stepped out first, not waiting for her. Arin followed behind, her dress rustling as she walked, her thoughts racing. This place is going to be my home now? she wondered. Her heart tightened as she thought about everything she was leaving behind. This new chapter felt more like an ending than a beginning.

---

When they reached the apartment door, Jungkook punched in the code and pushed the door open, stepping inside without waiting for her. Arin followed him in, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the space. The apartment was sleek and modern, but compared to the grand homes she had grown up in and the lavish Kim family mansion, it felt almost... normal. Spacious, yes, but simple. For a brief moment, Arin felt a sense of relief. It wasn’t overwhelmingly large or suffocating like the houses she was used to. Instead, there was a homey quality to it that she hadn’t expected.

At least it’s not another mansion where I’d get lost, she thought, feeling strangely comforted by the apartment’s modest size.

Jungkook’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"This is the password for the door," he said flatly, pointing to the keypad next to the entrance. "Memorize it."

Arin nodded silently.

"That’s your room," he continued, gesturing down the hall. "Everything you need is already there. Also Don’t expect me to act like a husband. My first priority is my job, and I barely come home. You don’t have to worry about cooking for me—I have most of my meals outside. Breakfast too. Live your life however you want, and I’ll do the same."

He turned away from her, his tone cold and detached, as though they were strangers who just happened to share an apartment.

Arin stared at him for a moment, her heart sinking at the finality of his words. She had known from the start that this marriage wasn’t real, but hearing it spelled out so bluntly still hurt.

"And I think your things are already in that room too," Jungkook added, as if it was an afterthought. His eyes briefly flickered toward her, but they quickly returned to the floor.

Arin lifted her chin, refusing to let him see how much his words affected her. "Fine," she replied, her voice cool and steady. "I don’t have a problem with that. In fact, I’m glad. I didn’t want this marriage either."

Jungkook’s gaze briefly flickered with surprise, but he quickly masked it. She wasn’t done yet.

"But just because you don’t want to act like a husband doesn’t mean I can’t act like a wife," she said, her tone sharper now. "If you ever need something—whether it’s food or help with anything—just ask. I’m not going to force anything, but I’m not going to pretend this isn’t a marriage either. You can live your life how you want, but if you ever need anything, you can tell me."

Jungkook’s expression remained neutral, but Arin could sense a flicker of something unspoken beneath his cold exterior. His silence stretched between them, thick with tension.

Feeling the weight of the moment, Arin turned to leave, walking toward her assigned room. At the doorway, she paused, casting him a final glance, her voice tinged with dry sarcasm.

"Goodnight, Jungkook," she said. "Thanks for... the hospitality."

She didn’t wait for a reply. With a soft click, she shut the door behind her, retreating into the quiet of her new room.

---

Inside her room, Arin let out a deep sigh, sinking down onto the edge of the bed. She glanced around, taking in the minimalist design. It was a stark contrast to the grand, luxurious rooms she had grown up in, but somehow, it felt more comforting. At least here, I won’t get lost in the emptiness, she thought.

She began to change out of her wedding gown, carefully unfastening the delicate buttons and slipping out of the heavy fabric. Her fingers brushed against the ring on her hand, and for a moment, she stared at it—so small, yet it felt like the weight of her entire future.

This isn’t a marriage, she reminded herself once more. It’s just an arrangement.

But despite telling herself that, there was still a small, aching part of her that longed for something more—something real. Shaking her head, she pushed those thoughts aside. She had made her choice, and she would face the consequences.

With a deep breath, she climbed into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. Tomorrow would be a new day, and she would face it with the strength she always had.

---

Jungkook stood in the living room for a few more moments after she had gone. He stared at the door Arin had disappeared behind, her parting words echoing in his mind. She had been surprisingly calm, almost cold. It wasn’t the reaction he had expected, and it unsettled him in a way he didn’t want to admit.

He shook his head, pushing the thought aside. This marriage wasn’t what he wanted, and he had made that clear. His job came first, and everything else—especially this sham of a relationship—would remain secondary.

She can live her life, he thought. And I’ll live mine.

With that, he turned off the lights and headed to his room, leaving the apartment in silence.

---

Author’s Note:

Hey everyone! 🌸 Thank you so much for reading! What do you think of Jungkook and Arin’s first night together? Things are already tense, and it's clear they both have a lot on their minds. Don’t forget to vote, comment, and share your thoughts with me! I’d love to know what you think about their dynamic and where you hope the story will go next. Your support means the world! 💖