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CHAPTER SIXTEEN
• ᴄᴏʀᴏɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ •

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"Your coronation is in two days, Jin. What is going on?" Yejin questions as she sees her son with an almost empty bottle of whiskey.

"Appa just died. Let me cope the way I want to."

"By drinking?" Yejin snatches the bottle out of his hand and throws it into the chimney causing the flames to rise for a moment. "Leaders from fifty countries will be here staying in these grounds. They're here for your coronation but also to study our every move for signs of weakness."

"What do I care?! I can't pretend to be strong!"

"Yes you can and you will. This coronation is not only to make you the new king of South Korea but also for them to see you're strong. This coronation is your survival in this game."

Jin says nothing and his mother sighs. "Freshen up, Jin. You aren't a prince anymore."

• • • •

Inha helps you into your gown and adjusts it as you stare at yourself in the mirror.

"Are you ready?"

"To be the queen of a whole nation?" You sigh. "I don't think so."

"I know you will make a wonderful queen." Inha smiles. "Your heart is gold."

"Thank you, Inha." You smile as you pull her into a hug. "And thank you for being here for me all the time."

"Of course my darling. You're like a daughter to me." Inha tucks the fallen hair on your face behind your ear. "Have you told Jin about your pregnancy?"

You shake your head. "I've been too scared. He just lost his father and now he will receive news that his wife is pregnant with either his or his brother's child."

"You and I both know Jin, Y/N. He will not care if that child isn't his. He will take care of it as if it was his own. That child, you, and Jin have no fault in this."

"I know," You whisper. "But I can't help but think this is all my fault. I shouldn't have been with Jungkook. Maybe this is my punishment for it—this baby. Maybe I did deserve to be ra-"

"Don't you dare say that, Y/N. No one deserves that so do not think like that. Yunseok is just sick and disgusting. He took advantage of you and he will pay for it while he's alive or when he's dead."

Inha hugs you again and you rest your head on her shoulder. "Thank you, Inha. For everything."

• • • •

"Are you ready?" Jin asks as you both stand in front of the throne room doors.

"Will anyone ever be fully ready to be a queen?"

Jin takes a hold of your hand. "You will be amazing. We will reign this nation as one. Everything is perfect when we work together."

You smile at his reassuring words. "I love you."

"I love you." You respond.

The guards open the doors and you begin to walk down the aisle, Yejin following behind.

You and Jin stand before the man who's to crown you. Jin kneels first as the royal crown is placed on his head, then he is given the scepter and orb; the two symbols of the power of a Monarch.

"Long live the king!" The crowd shouts.

Yejin watches proudly as her son takes his place on the throne.

It is now your turn. You kneel and a pearl-encrusted crown is placed on your head. You take your place on the throne beside Jin.

"Long live the queen!"

• • • •

"The king and queen of South Korea!" The man announces.

Cheers and claps fill the room as you both walk into the ballroom hand in hand.

"I'm sorry we have to have a party now. I'm sure you'd rather be sleeping." Jin mutters to you.

"Perhaps, but at least I'm here with you." You turn to him and smile.

Jin leads you to the middle of the dance floor and wraps a hand around your waist. You place yours on his shoulder as both your free hands intertwine.

"You look beautiful." Jin compliments. "It seems like there's something different about you, but I just can't wrap my finger around it."

"Different?" You question.

"Mhmm." He hums. "I think you've gotten prettier." He flirts and you giggle. "I didn't think that'd be possible."

I really needed that seeing as I'm pregnant and don't feel my best.

The happiness in your face falls and Jin quickly notices.

"Is everything alright?"

"I need to talk to you after the party." You answer.

"About?"

"Just something important."

"Well if it's important we must talk about it now." Jin tries to pull away, but you hold onto him.

"Let's just live in the moment. Let's be happy. What I have to say can wait until later, okay?"

"Okay." Jin smiles and leans down to place a chaste kiss on your lips.

• • • •

Jin walks into your room and you stand up from the vanity.

"Everyone is finally gone. Now we can talk about what you wanted to tell me." Jin wraps his arms around your waist but you pull away.

"Y/N?"

"I'm pregnant." You burst out.

Jin is stunned and says nothing, so you decide to continue.

"And I don't know if it's yours or Yunseok's." Tears pool in your eyes and you look down in shame. "I'm sorry."

Jin stays quiet trying to process what you have just revealed to him. You begin to imagine all the bad things he could say to you but all of them were completely wrong.

"What are you sorry for? For being able to give me a beautiful son or daughter?"

"What?" You asked, clearly confused from his reaction.

"I don't care who's baby this is... I will still love it." Jin says and you suddenly feel a weight lift off your shoulders. "This baby is a gift and a representation of your strength."

The tears you were trying to hold in suddenly began to spill out non stop. Jin smiles at your relief and kisses your forehead.

"I love you and I want to be with you forever." Jin whispers against your skin.

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