It was as if the omega's heart came to a stop. He looked up at the guard in disbelief and back at the scroll he held. Jimin knew he was going to be part of the selection; he feared seeing the king after a week of their argument and only wondered if Jungkook would choose another omega or force Jimin's hand right on the spot. The possibilities were endless and he worried the worst. Since this was the last group of the selection, Jimin had an ache in his heart thinking he would be forced to marry Jungkook when they still had yet to patch things up.

Jimin was just starting to love the king and he knew marrying Jungkook right on the spot wouldn't be a problem, but he felt as if it would be rushed. The issues he has within himself would erupt and the issue would start back to where they started. Jimin looked down at the ground silently as Yoongi tilted his head and caught onto Jimin's mixed scent that packed a powerful punch to his nose.

"Jimin... I suggest you visit the omega river before you attend the selection. The way you carry Jungkook's scent will give off the wrong idea to the royal court. It's bad enough that there are rumors within the palace that Jungkook has a secret concubine! These rumors began when you spent the night over with him and his rut as well."

"Rumors? Oh if it isn't one thing, it's another..." Jimin spoke softly and looked down at the ribbon latched onto his wrist. "Do I really give off the scent of him when I haven't seen him in a week?" asked the omega and watched Yoongi nod his head. "I don't know why I'm like this... I haven't been feeling like myself lately."

"No matter how you feel, you cannot escape the selection today. If it makes you feel any safer, I will escort you to the omega river and by there I can take you to the palace for the selection."

"The omega river..." Jimin whispered and let out a sigh. Lately, he wasn't feeling able to step outside of his own residence because of the overwhelming feelings he was already having. Jimin looked up at the guard and knew he had no other choice but to nod his head.

Of course, Yoongi knew something was going on with the omega. However, he lacked information about the health of omegas so, he was clueless to it all. Yoongi then raised his hand to the younger and patted his head gently before crouching down to look him in the eyes.

"Are you overwhelmed about Jungkook? it will be alright. I know he won't select you to marry on the spot. He wants to take time for himself and I know he wants that for you too. Your relationship with him is what's important to the King. Jungkook needs you but he will only want you if you want him too. He's making this easy for you, you don't have to worry about marriage for the day."

"Then, why do I have to go?"

"The royal court wants to see every omega attending the selection. If you don't show up, it would be such a shameful act. Let me guide you to the river and take you there after, it will be over before you know it. If you want, I'll set you to the back so the two of you wouldn't have to meet face to face. I want you two to take it easy. That's what this relationship needs."

For the longest, Jimin was always annoyed by the head guard. He was so sure that Yoongi fed Jungkook with the wrong information, but in reality, it was the way Jungkook took the information and ran with it. Jungkook alone turned the advice he was given into another problem for himself. Jimin on the other hand, now realized how much Jungkook truly needed the guard. The older alpha was another eye for the king in case he needed guidance. It was just Jungkook from taking the guidance as something else. But alas, every hint didn't come with a straightforward answer. What the guard supplied him with, were hints to an answer that the king had to come up with himself.

Eventually, Jimin agreed to leave with the alpha to the omega river. There he was escorted safely as he carried only his best hanbok to attend the selection. Many omegas were dolled up for this occasion in hopes that their looks will impress the king for sure, but they were destined for failure at the end of the day. Jungkook only found Jimin as the only omega he would ever find as beautiful as a swan. Jimin was the king's swan; how could he ever associate that word with someone other than him? It was a crime if he would ever think in such a way.

As time raced, the closer the final selection became. It was after his trip to the omega river with the head guard where Jimin looked ahead at the path that grew bigger as they were reaching the palace step by step now. Jimin was dressed in his usual yellow upper coat with a red ribbon and a dark pink skirt to match with it. His hair was a little damp, but it didn't matter at all. Jimin's looks still serenaded the angels with his ethereal features.

"Ah, I'm already exhausted..." Jimin whispered and looked up at the guard walking as if he didn't lose his breath after a long walk. "They choose only the best alphas to guard, I'm impressed!"

"Does everything impress you omegas? This is nothing!"

"It is something for me!"

"Honestly, I walk around with my omega when I'm dragged out of the palace. Even she doesn't get like this! There's something wrong with you, Park Jimin. Are you dying?" Yoongi asked and looked back at the omega. "I may be an alpha who hates to run or get any exercise, but you on the other hand... you make me feel as if I am the best guard out there. I'm flattered."

"Ah, y-you won't stop won't you?"

"Have you ever left your chambers before today?"

"N-No..." Jimin replied and stopped for a moment to catch his breath.

"Hm... that says a lot, but I understand. Jimin, we're close to the palace, can you keep up or do you want me to carry you there?"

"Don't pity me." Jimin spoke out and caught his breath before standing up and continuing to walk with his posture up. No matter what, Jimin still clung onto the positive side to his independent demeanor. Even though he still had a hint of stubbornness in him, he made sure he only focused on the brighter parts that made him who he was. An independent swan that may need someone, but not in a way that would lower the way he would see himself.

After, they soon reached the palace and caught up with a handful of omegas being escorted to the palace as well. Jimin looked around at the many omegas who longed for the king and rolled his eyes, feeling a shift in his mood that caused him to grow jealous. However, that emotion didn't stay too long since he began to feel a headache that knocked on his head constantly if he thought of anything at all.

Yoongi stepped into the court and began to organize the omegas into lines. They were spaced out but they were set in such a pattern that pleased the eyes. Of course, he made sure he was able to set Jimin to the back where Jungkook wouldn't see him at all. This was enough to save the two from such an early feeling that would throw them back to the argument that cut so deep, it left them scarred.

Jimin stood far from where Jungkook would stand and hoped that with all the scents mixed within this courtyard, Jungkook wouldn't single out his scent and come for him. Yet, he was foolish to think Jungkook wouldn't. They were bound to each other, so their scents were very special no matter what. The omega did manage to cover up Jungkook's strong scent and have his sweet and honey fragrance filling his space, yet, he couldn't help but to worry if this was enough to cover the way he smelled before.

As a moment passed, Jimin's mark began to sting once again as he flinched and looked down, scrutinizing his face instantly. The amount of pain he felt at once, overwhelmed him. The headache that began to pound and the sting of his mating mark just poking at him from under his neck continued to taunt him. Eventually, everything went silent as he only heard his heartbeat. Instantly, the sting was automatically relieved with the scent of Jungkook filling his nose for the first time in a week. The scent made Jimin close his eyes as he knew the king stood before the group of omegas to begin.

Suddenly, Jungkook's senses singled out Jimin's fragrance as instantly as if it was calling out to him from afar. The king opened his eyes and searched around until he found his omega standing all the way in the back. At the time, he didn't think he needed to confront Jimin so early, but before he knew it, a gleam in his eyes brightened and his body pushed him forward. When it came to the time for the king to walk around and look at the many omegas, he couldn't contain himself as he looked to the back where Jimin stood and began to walk over to him.

"Jimin... he's there... all the way in the back, I know I said I shouldn't and give us time, but I just need to see you!" Jungkook thought and skipped the many omegas in front to see Jimin. The royal court watched the king walk steadily over to the beautiful swan as the rest of the omegas were bound to keep their faces forward. No one was to watch the king choose.

The scent of his alpha cane closer and closer. Jimin's heart raced anxiously as he suddenly locked eyes with his alpha making his way towards him. His gaze was gentle, caring and worrying. Before, his eyes told a story of desperation and hunger, but now it was love just shining brightly at the sight of his omega.

"Jungkook... no..." Jimin thought and felt his own tears building up within that added onto his ongoing headache. "Don't... don't come to me..."

Jungkook reached Jimin instantly and stood before him. The omega's eyes began to tear up as he looked down and broke the connection of their stares locking. It was too much to see the king so early. At this point, he wondered if his alpha was going to choose him instantly and cause more issues to surface without taking their time. Every part in Jungkook yearned to bring his Jimin into a tight hug, but he had to contain himself. The sea of emotions washed over the shores of his mind instantly and by there, he began to regret making his way to his omega too soon. He thought this was what he wanted, but was it what he needed at the time? His love for Jimin pushed him forward until it led him to where his omega stood.

Jungkook inhaled Jimin's scent and walked around him before stopping once again at the side of his mark. Silence ensued as the royal court watched closely at Jungkook's actions. He wanted to whisper words into his omega's ear to reassure him everything would be fine and to calm him down, but Jimin only kept his gaze locked onto the ground. Feeling confused on what to do as Jungkook stared at him further.

Instantly, Yoongi locked his stare into the two and sighed before looking away. He thought putting Jimin far away from Jungkook was going to keep them from seeing each other so soon, but nothing could stop a bond that deep. Even with the king's gentle stares locking onto Park Jimin's delicate figure, Jimin couldn't focus at all and dared to speak to the king, but with the many people surrounding them, he kept silent until that gentle and calm presence of his Jungkook, began to step away from him.