With how distracted Jimin had been all morning, I could tell he was thinking as hard as I was. Yesterday, we decided that Binna would send a covert telegram when her next period ends. That would give Jimin and me the time to have everything ready for her arrival.

This morning at breakfast, my blonde Seed Bearer told his parents that we would do what Mrs Park suggested—we would move into the cottage. While they both said they would miss our presence in the palace, both Mr and Mrs Park agreed that having somewhere quieter might be beneficial.

Jimin and I had announced that we would head to the cottage this morning on a recon trip. While there, we would make a list of anything that was needed from the palace. The little house in the woods was fully furnished. Although, I wanted to see it in case we wanted to have some other things brought along, particularly when it came to the kitchen. I'd told Jimin that I would do all the cooking. We would do this so that no one would accidentally see Binna when she arrived at the cottage.

Huddled under a blanket in the little buggy with one of the horses pulling us, Jimin and I chatted whilst staying warm from the cool weather that had descended. It might have been more comfortable for us to go in one of the enclosed carriages. But the man I loved turned down Do-Yun's offer to take us by stating we would be safe on our own. Being alone allowed Jimin and I to converse without the worry of anyone overhearing.

"I feel like a spy," he said with a laugh, as he guided the horse along the rustic path that meandered through the forest.

"I know the feeling. For me, it's more like I'm the one trying to overthrow a corrupt organisation from the inside... And if I'm caught, then I'll be labelled as a traitor." Jimin gave me a weird look as if to say that was weirdly specific. "What? It's a common theme in many movies and television shows back in my universe."

"Oh, you mean that Star Claws thing you were telling me about?"

I laughed at Jimin's faux pax. "Close, Bubba. It's called Star Wars. Although now I want to know what a movie titled Star Claws would be like." I hoped it wouldn't be like those Buddy movies that Caleb loved with the labrador puppies that go into space, are trapped in the snow and many other far-fetched plots that keep seeming to continue being made.

"Meh, same thing. It's not like I'll be able to understand it anyway," he replied sassily. "Besides, the only stars I see are the ones in your eyes when you look at me. And the only claws I want are your nails scratching down my back."

I giggled but more from how bad his joke was. Thankfully, a dwelling that was coming into view ahead saved me from saying anything. The first thing I noticed was this was not the little shack I had been envisioning in my mind. The place in front of me was to little shacks as the Burj Khalifa was to skyscrapers. This 'cottage' was a long, sprawling house that was nestled amongst trees and overlooked a pretty pond.

"I thought you said it was a cottage, Jiminie," I said, as I playfully glared and prodded his chest with my finger. "I think our definitions of what constitutes a cottage are vastly different."

"Well, it is much smaller than the palace," he tried to justify as we stepped out of the buggy. As Jimin unhooked the horse and led it into the fenced grassed area to the side of the house, he told me that where the palace had 14 bedrooms, this place only had four.

"Only four!? That's twice as many as the house I rented back home." Jimin gave me a shocked look as if he couldn't imagine someone living in a place that small. "Hey, it was only Baron Richard Flufflebum and I living there. The other room was in case I had a guest staying over."

"I still can't believe your Nana named him that. No wonder he was as cranky as you have told me." Jimin always giggled at the absurd name of Nana Betty's cat. "Come on, My Love, let me show you around our new home."

I took Jimin's outstretched hand and allowed him to guide me into the 'cottage'. There was no way this place was a cottage. The large living area was open plan and it had floor-to-ceiling glass doors that overlooked a large pond. The white walls contrasted against the wooden floors and exposed-beam ceilings—it was a calm contrast, not a stark one. A slate fireplace nestled into the far wall of the lounge made the area feel warm and cosy. I knew this would be one of my favourite places to sit when winter came.

Wandering into the kitchen, I was surprised to see it was like the one in the palace but on a smaller scale. An island bench housed the sink, as well as drawers that held crockery. Looking through the cupboards, I noticed that while there were utensils, bowls, cooking equipment etc., none of the baking equipment that Jimin had bought me was there. While I called out items, Jimin dutifully wrote them down on the list. I had in mind that we could go back to the palace when necessary to get anything we missed. I didn't want to do that if it wasn't needed, though.

The three guest bedrooms each had queen-sized beds, while the master had a king. I noted that there were sheets, blankets and pillows at the top of each of the wardrobes. Jimin wrote down a note to bring our pillows with us. I had gotten used to the ones on my bed and I didn't want to have to go through the process of adapting to new pillows again if I didn't have to.

It didn't take us much longer to go through the rooms and write down anything we needed. I was surprised to find that my boyfriend had sneakily organised that a picnic basket be made up for the two of us. With a fire lit, we laid on the lounge floor and snuggled into each other atop a thick bedding of blankets. Between the warmth of the fire and Jimin's body heat, I found myself relaxing and it didn't take long for me to fall asleep.

꧁♥💜♥꧂

"I don't think I'm ready for winter to come, I said as we rode back to the palace. "Today would be classed as a cold winter's day for me back where I lived." To me, it was fucking cold. I was bundled up with a thick blanket across my lap and was wearing a thick jumper as I snuggled into Jimin's side, but I was still feeling like an icicle. "Right now, it would be hot and humid back home. It's probably raining since spring is upon Australia now."

"I couldn't imagine it being hot this time of the year. We will get the seamstress to make you lots of warm coats and winter clothes, okay?"

I hummed a reply as I tried to bury myself deeper in Jimin's embrace. He giggled at my silliness but took it upon himself to protect me from the cold by removing his coat. I tried to tell him he needed it more, but he said that he was warm enough with the blanket and my body heat. Grateful for the extra layer of warmth, I laid his coat over my front and inhaled his intoxicating scent that lingered on the fabric. I always loved how Jimin smelled. It was a mixture of floral and citrus notes that was incredible when mixed with his natural scent.

"I've been thinking, Bubba. I think you should just fuck Binna when the time comes," I said quietly. I had been thinking of all the ways we could inseminate our surrogate. I came to realise that nothing would work as well as the old-fashioned way of conceiving.

I felt the shocked gasp from Jimin as he heard my words. His arms tightened around me as he brought his lips to place a kiss on my temple. His head shook against my skin as he uttered, "No, Baby. I don't want to cheat on you. Sleeping with another woman, even if I have your permission, would still be cheating to me."

"But that's the thing, Jimin... To me, it is not cheating. I can see where you're coming from but the way I see it, this is the only way. I have tried to think of other ways we could get her pregnant. They all require things not available here or can only be done with help from a doctor—and that is not happening."

I took the reins from Jimin as he turned and buried his head into my neck. I knew that he needed to work things out in his head before we could talk more, otherwise, it would be like conversing with a brick wall as he shut himself off.

The rhythmic clopping of the horse's hooves across the ground and the wheels bouncing off small rocks filled the air. I tried to clear my mind of everything and focus on the now. A picture of Esther popped into my head as I remembered the time when she convinced me to try mindfulness with her. While I picked it up easily, she did not. Not long after the class had started, we were asked to leave because my sister was distracting the others in the room.

I steered the horse along the path and enjoyed the serenity the forest provided. Coming up to a three-way intersection, I wasn't sure which way to go. "Jiminie, which way do we need to go?" I asked and followed his instructions to go straight since he wanted to take me somewhere.

I steered the horse left or right whenever he pointed in a different direction. Not long after, a sea of yellows and oranges opened up before us. Taking the reins off me, Jimin brought us over to a patch of grass beside a tree, where he tied the horse so it could eat. He weaved his fingers through mine as we walked through the stunning ginkgo forest.

"I love this time of year because of this," he whispered. "While the days can be drab and bleak because of the cold winds, the ginkgo still shines bright. They remind me that even on the darkest days, there is still hope in the world."

I could tell he wasn't done talking, so I stayed quiet. This was the same forest I had run into all those months ago, it looked so different now. I thought about how people always raved about the beauty of cherry blossoms. Sure, they were pretty and ethereal... but so was this. The autumnal ginkgo trees had a more masculine beauty with their vibrant colours, yet they were still gorgeous all the same.

"I feel like whatever decision I make, life is going to change forever, Sweetheart. I either have sex with Binna until she gets pregnant, or I say goodbye to you and our love forever. As hard as it is for me to say this... If you are okay with me being intimate with another woman, I will do it so that we can be together."

"I am okay with it, Jiminie," I said, turning to face my Seed Bearer, "But only on the one condition." I steeled myself for his reaction since I didn't know how he would take this. "I have to be in the room when you fuck her."