A/N: A shorter-than-usual and not-so-friendly chapter ahead. Happy reading. I tried not to leave it at a cliffhanger for your precious sake.

****

As they gathered around the table, awaiting their meal, Jimin leaned in and quietly confided in Jin, expressing admiration for Taehyung's striking appearance. "Taehyung is so handsome. He's a lot different than I had imagined. What has it been like living with him?"

Recognizing his Alpha's keen perceptiveness, Jin discreetly adjusted his position by moving closer to his brother, ensuring Taehyung wouldn't overhear their conversation. He turned his head purposefully, directing his attention towards Jimin. "It's been an adjustment," he admitted. I am still learning a lot, but I think I am right where I am supposed to be."

"Really? Do you consider him your Alpha, or do you feel something is missing? I know this was all strange for you, and I still haven't forgiven myself for how things happened—"

"Jimin, there is nothing for you to be worried about, and yes, I think of him as my Alpha. I meant it when I said that earlier. He is a lot different than who I had imagined being my future Alpha. As you heard earlier, it's true that I had a past with someone who I thought would be my Alpha," Jin said quietly. "However, even though it didn't turn out as I had imagined, I really feel deep within that this is where I was meant to be. How about you? How have things been with your Alpha? I didn't know he and Taehyung were related."

Jimin let out a breath of relief, "thank goodness you feel that way. It probably hasn't been easy, but at least you think of him as your Alpha, which makes me feel good. I can easily see why you would do that, too. He is very different from what I was told. Or maybe he is showing his good side today." Jimin took a brief pause, carefully studying Jin's reaction to his words. Not noticing anything out of the ordinary, he decided to continue speaking.

"I am relieved that I don't have to worry about you. It brings me happiness. Concerning my relationship with Jungkook, it has been good. Also, I didn't know they were related until much later, so it was a surprise to me, too."

Jin could sense from the expression in his brother's eyes that there was an unspoken truth lingering behind his silence, a serious matter that he seemed hesitant to share. His familiarity with Jimin allowed him to feel when something important was preoccupying his thoughts.

Realizing Jimin's silence, Jin decided to steer the conversation in a different direction. "I assume it's a good thing that they are related. It will likely lead to us spending more time together." He couldn't help but feel hopeful about the connection between Taehyung and Jungkook, seeing the potential benefits for both himself and his brother.

Jimin flashed a tight-lipped smile and nodded, "Yeah, I guess that's true. So, tell me, what do you do here? What's a typical day like for you? Does he have you working and stuff?"

"I keep busy throughout the day, mostly by spending time in the courtyards, taking walks, reading, and relaxing in one of my favorite gardens. Taehyung prefers that I don't do too much and won't let me wash my clothes or do any chores. I try to find other ways to fill my day. It's not too bad, though, because everyone here has been kind and helpful."

Jimin was taken aback, his eyes widening as he looked at Jin. "Doesn't he make you do any chores or anything?"

"No, it's similar to our time in the kingdom where we had staff, but the structure is much stricter here. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be allowed to touch or do anything. Is it the same for you? I bet it is. You were never the one to do chores." Jin chuckled as he reminisced about the past with his brother and Jimin's dislike of even throwing out the trash. Jimin represented the ideal model of a prince, a quality that stemmed from his upbringing, which Jin understood well.

"I didn't expect that. I thought Taehyung would have you doing stuff. Are you sure he doesn't?"

"With what reason would he have to lie?"

Jin and Jimin were taken aback by the unexpected question from Taehyung, leaving them both momentarily speechless. Jin turned slightly, meeting the intense gaze of his Alpha. The unspoken warning in his Alpha's eyes made it clear that speaking out would lead to repercussions. With a heavy heart, he meekly lowered his head and shifted his attention towards the food that had been forgotten in the midst of the conversation with his brother.

"That's a very obedient Omega you have there."

Taehyung overheard Jungkook's remark about his obedient Omega and turned to look at him. "What did you just say?"

Jungkook reclined in his seat, a smile playing on his lips, as he remarked, "Seokjin, he's quite obedient. Just a single glance from you, and he knew to stay silent. I suppose I can understand why he's by your side rather than Yoongi's."

Taehyung's eyes flashed with fury as Jungkook abruptly sat upright and exclaimed, "You did know about them, right? I am sure you had to have known about them. I must say I was really shocked when I found out because no way did I think you would end up with another Alpha's leftover, but I suppose—" Before Jungkook could complete his sentence, he erupted, "You fucking bitch!" The outburst caused a loud commotion, and he struggled to extract the steak knife, now buried deeply in his palm and the table. Taehyung had swiftly struck him, catching him completely off guard.

Jin and Jimin were startled as they leaped up in shock. Jimin tried to rush toward Jungkook's side hurriedly, but he was forcefully held back by one of Taehyung's guards, causing him to scream and grabbing Jin's attention.

"Please let him go," Jin urgently called out, distressed by the unfolding situation, from the harrowing sound of his brother's desperate cries to seeing his Alpha pulling out the knife from Jungkook's hand and ruthlessly plunging it back into him.

"Seokjin, get out of here," Taehyung ordered sharply, the atmosphere filled with tension. "Let him go with Seokjin," he instructed his guard firmly, his eyes fixed on Jimin.

Jin's heart pounded as he felt compelled to obey his Alpha's command and exit the room.

"I've noticed that you tend to neglect your manners whenever you visit," Taehyung observed as he forcefully drove a fork into Jungkook's hand. "But don't worry, I'm here to help you remember those important things." While speaking, he casually pressed down on the fork, pushing it further into Jungkook's left hand, while the knife firmly held the other hand in place on the table.

Jungkook exerted all his strength to resist the fork piercing into his hand held by Taehyung. Despite the excruciating pain and the sound of his bones cracking, he persisted, determined not to let Taehyung overpower him without putting up a fight.

Taehyung found it thoroughly entertaining to observe Jungkook's struggle. He leaned back in his chair, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he withdrew the fork and knife, waiting patiently to see how Jungkook would react. However, in the midst of this spectacle, something far more alarming suddenly seized Taehyung's attention.

*****

"What's wrong with the king? Why would he do that to Jungkook?" Jimin cried, deeply worried about what was happening between the two Alphas.

Jin didn't know what to say as he wasn't sure what was happening, but he knew what he could pick up from his Alpha's energy wasn't good. Taehyung was angry.

"My shirt got torn too; it was that guard!" Jimin complained, noticing the tear on the side of his shirt.

Jin gazed at him with a heavy heart, deeply troubled by his brother's distress, especially since he had come to visit him. "I'm truly sorry. I don't understand what's happening but try not to worry too much. I'm sure it's just a cousin issue, and everything will be alright. I have plenty of spare shirts; you can change into one of mine. Afterward, I'll speak with the guard to confirm if everything is okay," Jin suggested, not really knowing what else to say.

"Okay," Jimin said as he wiped away his tears and removed his shirt.

While he did that, Jin went to find a shirt he knew his brother would like and one that was fitting for him. Returning to where Jimin was, he could not take his eyes off his brother's skin and what he saw. "J-Jimin, are you okay?"

Jimin's gaze shifted to the faded scars tracing his waist and hips as he inquired, "Oh, because of these?" He continued with a smile, saying, "I'm okay. You understand how Alphas can be. During my heat, Jungkook can sometimes lose control, and situations can become quite intense. These might seem a bit rough, but they honestly don't bother me. I've become used to him."

As Jimin spoke, Jin found himself suddenly overwhelmed. His heart began to race, thumping against his chest, sending waves of panic through his body. The shirt he held slipped from his trembling hands. His chest constricted, making it difficult to draw a full breath, and the room seemed to spin around him as if he were caught in a violent whirlwind. The last thing he recalled was his brother's frantic cry of his name echoing in the air, adding to the disorienting chaos of the moment.