Chapter 1: Forgiveness

Jimin's eyes bore at the beautiful eyes of the woman he once loved. Those eyes that he fell in love with and were once so easy to read, yet has now become unreadable. As if everything in your eyes that was innocent has been lost, and could mistakenly be a lie or truth.

Jimin couldn't figure out what those beautiful eyes means anymore.

The way those eyes looked at him before that always make him vulnerable and weak for a second, now has the spark of hatred. Hence, he couldn't read your eyes nor mind anymore, and in this situation, he badly needed to read them.

He needed to know the truth in this world full of lies.

Jimin's lips parted in attempt to ask you but couldn't utter a single word, and was interrupted by a call from the outside. "Your Majesty!"

It made him frown but his eyes were still remained fixed to your eyes, and with a nonchalant tone, he answered. "What is it?"

"Consort Jeon requested for His Majesty's presence!" The head eunuch announced causing Jimin to freeze but a small smile played on his lips, and your heart ached knowing that he must be thinking of his other beloved needing him.

You bit your lips, attempting to control back your tears as you noticed his behaviour. You knew that he was agitated and restless, wanting to go—away from you. Yet you couldn't bear the idea. He wanted to run to the man he loves but was stopped by you, the woman he loved.

"Won't you speak to me, Your Majesty?" You asked softly, eyes glistened as you hoped for him to at least talk to you today.

Nevertheless, your chest tightened and twinge by the smile he has plastered on his face. But do you know what hurts the most? It wasn't you that caused his smile anymore because all you ever did was give him pain, and you never know his feelings anymore.

The words that rolled off you tongue made Jimin cringed, and he didn't want to hear those, but knowing that you are already his legal companion, it ws a right thing to be formal to him and call him 'Your Majesty'. Although, you used to call him Jiminie before.

"Please do speak, your majesty." You smiled—the sweet smile that would make Jimin melt and be moulded easily.

Jimin sighed after looking at you facial expression before softly saying. "Send him away."

The King looked at his Queen again, and another attempt to speak was made but sadly, Jimin's swollen lips started to tremble in fear. He didn't want to hear the truth but he didn't one to let go of you as well.

You, on the other hand, just waited patiently for your beloved to speak and take his time. Your heart was beating rapidly, surely not because of fear, but because you couldn't deny what great effect Jimin did to you. His presence just made your heart simply beat.

"Y/N." The King has finally spoke with a bit shudder in his voice making your heart goes wildly even more. Even you weren't prepared, you are not ready to let go as well.

As much as you didn't want to hear the words coming from your beloved's mouth, you just stayed there waiting patiently. You needed to hear those words you wanted to hear.

Please just say it, Jiminie. You mentally pleaded to the heaven's above.

Your hands were trembling, probably in the same rhythm as Jimin's feelings. Sweats started to form on both of your foreheads with tears threatening to fall down on your precious and delicate skin.

"What is it that you want to know, Your Majesty?" You softly asked again.

Jimin looked at you, biting his lips, and eyes flicked before speaking in a low tone. "The truth."

He paused for a full five seconds, and you just sealed your lips as he finally spoke, pleading. "P-please tell me the truth, Y/N."

Those words made both heart's shattered into million piece.

There it is. Jimin has finally said what he wanted to say and you have heard what you partly wanted to hear from your beloved. You opened your eyes and sighed, not knowing whether this situation would give reassurance or more danger to your future as you looked straight right into his eyes.

Before you could even reply, your body sent goosebumps all over your skin, shock waves running down your entire system with your heart clenching in agonising pain. You breathed in, pressing your lips into thin line before asking in a gentle manner.

"Is my reply that important to you?" There was no doubt that your eyes are filled with pain along with Jimin.

If hearts were made in glasses, it would surely be heard all over the palace grounds already as the more both of you speak out words, the more pieces of hearts will break.

You believe that his heart is the only one that was fragmented yet you didn't know that Jimin's heart was splintered as well. Those broken pieces could probably be enough use to bleed each other's heart already.

You took a deep breathe but didn't leave his gaze, giving him a soothing smile but your heart continue to shatter. "Will you still believe me even though your heart already believed in whatever Consort Jeon said?"

You finally said it. Those words that you once didn't want to believe has been said by your own mouth.

"I am innocent, Your Majesty. Will you still believe me?" Your voice cracked, lips quivered, and Jimin couldn't notice it but you were already begging—pleading for the him to believe you.

Deep inside, you believed the power of his love for you—the love both of you had. You believed that this time, Jimin would believe you although you knew too well that he wouldn't. Despite everything, you still chose to believe in Jimin.

However, Jimin couldn't read what you were trying to convey in your eyes as he was already blinded by another light- his another love and life.

"I am your companion, I am married to your majesty, and loved by your majesty." You forced out a smile, placing your hands firmly on his lap trying not to fiddle with it. "I hope you know that."

Jimin chose not to answer. Not because he couldn't answer but because he was too speechless and dumbfounded to even reply to your words. He honestly wanted to believe you but his heart was too busy shattering, his eyes were blocked, and mind continue to process every situation.

You didn't wait for his answer. You knew what your beloved's decision already making you let out a heavy sigh as you stood up, slowly and slightly bowed.

"If you excuse me, Your Majesty." You walked towards the door leaving Jimin who has nothing to talk about or utter a word.

"Y-Y/N!" Jimin's breathtaking voice caught your attention as he stood up from the chair, stepping forward—as if walking towards your heart, ready to smash it into small pieces again.

It was that voice when you first met each other, and that same voice that made your heart flutter for the very first time in existence. It wasn't the voice of anger, confusion, happiness nor sadness. It was just 'Jimin's' natural voice of calling you.

You slowly turned around and looked at Jimin with tears streaming down his face already. It broke your heart to see him damaged like this. You two faced each other, heart accelerated so fast like a marathon.

"I may not be able to protect you from the t-truth—" Jimin gripped the edge of the table's cloth, closing his eyes as he inhaled sharply, and wanting to avoid your gaze. He looked at you once again, repeating his words and this time without stuttering.

"I may not be able to protect you from the truth." He started, inhaling deeply. "But I may be able to forgive you in my heart."

You were slightly taken back by his words that makes your knees feeble, and the wall that you built inside your heart falls back to the ground, almost wanting to surrender. Hence, you just smiled bitterly, gritting your teeth and trying to control your tears before saying.

"I have done nothing to beg for Your Majesty's forgiveness."