The slow pace of the cars allowed Jimin to see the green bamboo forests as they drove away from the castle. The leaves were beaming with fresh pigment on the first morning after the rain. These seven days were the days for celebration when the king allowed everyone to take a break from their small trading to big businesses. 

During those seven days, the only men who worked were the royal guard and his troops to secure the castle with their lives. Beomsan has been a peaceful place for years now. All the neighbors lived with prosperity, peace, and fellowship. Jimin reminded himself how he spent these holidays every year. It was just him and his grandmother. He dreaded the holidays and even now, amidst royal company, he still couldn't get himself to feel the spirit of the vacation. Moreover, he wasn't here for frivolity, but for business. 

Lee Geon's son's appearance early in the morning made Jimin think about if the younger male had arrived past midnight and if it was him he had heard at night. When Jimin emerged outside the castle this morning, the two young people were already keeping each other company, sitting close all the time and he could see the jubilance on the prince's face. It was some contrast from the last night when the prince ensured to convey that he wasn't welcomed here, which evidently wasn't the case for Lee Hamin.  

When he tried to talk to Hamin, Jungkook kept his vision on him that Jimin could see from his side-eyes over his shoulder. He needed to know who Hamin really was and when he found out that Hamin wasn't Jungkook's classmate, he instantly knew the two shared a special bond between two people who only saw each other for those seven days a year. 

Jimin shared the car with the prince, who looked unhappy about it. The counselor could tell that Jungkook didn't want him there, to begin with. "I apologize if I intruded by sharing the same floor as you, my prince. Did my presence trouble you in any way?" Jimin asked softly, keeping his gaze at the same level at the prince's thick gold chain that dangled up to his chest, and a dark-green emerald — the size of two coins, adorned it.

"You must be close to my father. No one gets to share quarters with me," Jungkook impassively answered. 

Jimin couldn't deny that the special endowment was because he was here to minister Jungkook and it was the king's command to stay close to the prince as much as possible. "Your father is really kind," Jimin admitted and bowed before turning his stance and looking out of the windows. The bamboo forests have long surpassed as they approached the inn where the staycation was planned. 

Jimin waited to get the assignment for the rooms. The inn looked relatively modern with fancy lamps and vases on horizontal surfaces. The lobby looked like any other hotel, only grandeur and profoundly furnished with red velvet rugs over the shiny marbles. There were silver trolleys for holding the luggage, a big pool on the outside for a swim, and a masseuse room on the same floor. He took notice of Jungkook's anxiety, as though he wanted to finish it as soon as he could and get inside his room.

"What is it, Mr. Park?" Lee Geon spoke from behind and startled the silvery ash-haired man. "Is it not up to your liking?"

"It's beyond my imagination, Mr. Lee," Jimin sweetly answered with a smile. "I am sure you must have a room assigned for you here."

By then, the royalties and Hamin had checked in and the two remained behind. They both walked together and Lee Geon gestured for the man to go ahead. "Thank you," mumbled Jimin and handed his bag to the reception counter. "Could I ask you something about the prince, Mr. Lee? He seems close to you and your son."

Lee Geon's eyes darkened as he heard his son's name but skilfully held onto the smile, never letting it leave its place. "Jungkook is like my family too, Mr. Park. I will assist you in any way possible. We can talk in the evening."

"It's gracious of you. I think we have our evenings planned by the king to indulge in a few games. We can sit later over some drinks," Jimin offered and stepped away from the counter after getting the keys to his own room, letting Mr. Lee take his turn. 

"Sure. Although, I should warn you. I am only a wine drinker," the man chuckled, and Jimin patiently waited so he could accompany him to his room. 

Once done with the formalities, they made their way towards the staircase, trudging slowly, tension hanging thickly between them. "I met your son this morning, he looked quite tired and sleepy. I hope he is okay and I get to chat with him for some time too. Who knows? I might end up as his opponent."

Lee Geon's feet stopped as he stared at Jimin relentlessly. 

"In the game, Mr. Lee. I hear the king likes fair play. I wouldn't want to miss out on an opportunity on getting to know my contenders, or better, we might end up teaming up together." Jimin waved his hand dismissively to dissolve some of the tension and it worked fairly well when Mr. Lee heaved a sigh. 

"He had traveled all day and arrived only at midnight, so he must be taking some rest. We will sit together in the evening. Have a fine rest, Mr. Park."

Jimin and Lee Geon bowed to each other before making a bee-line towards their respective rooms that were separated by a corridor. 

**

In the evening, Jimin waited in the great hall for the crown prince, who was the only one absent from the occasion. His bleary eyes were cooled when the man in question walked into the hall in black slacks and a white full-sleeved sequin shirt. There was a blue shimmering flower made of chiffon with a small bow tucked over his shirt. The prince had avoided styling his neck with any accessory and only wore one big diamond stud in his left earlobe.

Lee Hamin beamed at the crown prince and he reciprocated with matching zeal as he came forward and sat with his mother who was settled over a chaise lounger.  "Did you rest well, honey?"

"I did, mother," Jungkook held the mother's hand that brushed his hair and kissed it before putting it back over her thigh. "Let's start the evening."He fixed his hair right after as his eyes screened through the room, stopping at every face. 

When Jungkook's eyes met Jimin, he quickly tore them away and got up. The counselor was in a black turtleneck and bellbottoms with black heeled boots. There was a knitted muffler that was folded softly around his neck. His hair was combed up and his only pair of silver earrings were bejewelling him. Jungkook noticed that Jimin's hands were always laden with big, silver rings on three fingers each. He wondered if they were of significance or if the beautiful man wore them to doll himself. He couldn't deny that the rings did bring out manliness, regardless of the reason.  

From the initiation of the night, Jimin observed how Jungkook stayed close to Hamin and successfully paired with him too by cheating. Everything was opening itself sooner than he'd imagined. He knew what the problem was, if not how it originated. But he needed proof and collection of data to be able to present it to the king. 

Lee Geon avoided Jimin and excused himself after his supposed headache. It was soon that Jungkook spoke something in Hamin's ear and walked towards the king where Jimin also sat. "I am afraid I am done for today, father. I shall leave now and I will see you tomorrow."

"Of course, son. We are here to just have our own time and relax. Do as you please." The king assured him and stood up to hug the prince. Jimin's eyes remained on the face that softly rested on the sturdy shoulders before Jungkook grinned and pulled away. 

Jimin looked at Hamin, who expectedly asked permission to leave too. As he was left alone with the couple, he knew he could talk to them now, but there was still something that he wasn't entirely sure of, so he needed to know before he could give his final words. 

"Young man, are we enjoying ourselves, or do I need to up my game?" The king chuckled and Jimin suddenly bowed, zapping out of his thoughts.

"My king," he trailed off cautiously. "I asked you if the prince was involved with any girl." Jimin looked with sincerity at the king. 

"Don't keep it with you, Jimin. Be out with it," his highness motivated the young counselor. 

"Forgive me for my honesty, but do you think it is possible that the prince is in love with another man." The words escaped Jimin's mouth like an arrow from its bow and straight away pierced the king's chest. He pressed his lips together, gawking at the response and as seconds passed, his heart drugged with emotions when the king didn't speak.

The queen with her maids looked at them, suddenly stopping the smile on her face as concern replaced it and she began to walk towards them. "Is everything okay, my king?" She asked carefully, reading the expressions and waiting curiously to hear only one thing that mattered to her. "Jimin, what is it? Is my Jungkook fine?"

"He's fine," the king took the burden of answering on behalf of Jimin and smiled at his wife. "I and Jimin will take a walk and I will be back in a few minutes, my queen." The king kissed the forehead of his wife before turning on his feet and walking away.

Jimin followed behind instantly.

"I can't say I have considered this possibility, Jimin. You shocked me," Jimin kept his head low, respecting the king to freely express himself without feeling ashamed or dreaded. "I haven't considered it before, but if it is the truth, I hope my son trusts us enough to talk to us about it."

"It must be hard for the prince if it's true, your majesty. But I think once he is fond enough of me, I will start the therapy sessions and we will hope that he opens up soon," the king nodded in his deep concentration. "Things like these aren't easy, his highness. Especially when the prince knows his place. It must take a toll on him and the frustration once fills the levee, comes out in the form of temper."

"Do what you need to, Jimin. I want my son back and I want him to trust us. You are our only hope."

Jimin bowed down ninety degrees before straightening up and requesting to be dismissed. He trudged inside and was on the stairway of his room, an itch edifying in his mind to move as quickly as his feet could take him. He needed to write it all down with precision. His grandmother always told him that he should write down feelings or events the moment he got a chance after they took place. The day he graduated, he was gifted a journal and a pen that he kept close to him and cleared his mind by putting all his thoughts in them. It really helped not only his personal life, but it was a great aid to go back to any case and study it, refresh every feeling from the beginning all over again. If he lost motivation or ever felt stuck, he could go back to remind himself why he ever started in the first place.

Opening his curtains and turning off the lights for some time, he sat on the diwan and stared out in the dark. He hid his sexuality from the world, or rather he had no one to share it with aside from his grandmother, he didn't want to burden, but he could sympathize with Jungkook as they were on the same boat.

His trance broke when he spotted Jungkook's room coming into the picture from the next wing of the inn after the curtain was torn down. 

A gasp left Jimin's mouth when he registered what was happening inside the room and before he could peer away, he managed to get a good look at Jungkook's body — skin completely drenched in sweat, the bottom lip tucked between his teeth tightly, the flexing muscles, and formed abs. 

The view could have been an entirely different experience. Jimin's speculation was no crumbs of bread anymore, but there was something sinister about Jungkook's eyes that shuddered the counselor to his bones.