•Chapter forty three•

You don't have to worry. 

Taehyung stood alone in his room. 

He didn't know what to feel and how to feel when he was so numb and tired. 

Even as he stood with a ghost pale face and blank eyes near his bed, he just couldn't familiarize himself with this place that he wished so much to return to. 

Everything was kept just as perfectly as he had left it, but there was no trace of his own scent in the room. The room smelled strongly of gardenia, and it proved to Taehyung that Jungkook depended on his scent just as much as Taehyung did on Jungkook's.

While it was the bond that made Taehyung want Jungkook's scent, it was Jungkook's longing for him that made him come to his room and inhale the scent. 

Everything had happened. There were no worries at all now. 

Jungkook would come back. His baby who was with a doctor, sleeping peacefully after having her feed while being checked by the doctor would be in his arms by tomorrow. 

They'd be a family of three then. Taehyung would get married to Jungkook and become a queen. He would live happily with Jungkook and his kids--because he was surely giving Jungkook another child, one with who he will spend time even before its birth--after that.

But Taehyung couldn't help but wonder if there could be another way the past had taken place. 

He robbed Jungkook of the precious moments with his daughter that he deserved. He kept the truth from him. 

He saw the look on the faces of the people who were present in the throne room. Even after Jungkook had left, they did open their mouth to speak a word. They remained speechless, afraid. 

He couldn't take in the fact that it was his fault Jungkook was in that state. 

Who wouldn't be upset knowing that their child was there, was born, and they didn't even know until they figured it out themselves? 

Though Taehyung was so overwhelmed to see his daughter's pretty little eyes reflect his own, he couldn't imagine how hurt Jungkook would have been after the initial happiness of finding his daughter faded. 

He had cried in Yoongi's chest for a while before he took his daughter from him left after telling Yoongi that he had no energy left to speak. He just begged his brother to let things be for the night as too many things had already happened. 

He was so worried about the tiny girl that he went right to the chamber of the doctor and handed the doctor his daughter. 

He was assured that the child will be okay. The doctor even told him that their child could be an omega due to the way she didn't react instantly after getting away from her mother like an alpha would do. 

It filled him with warmth. 

The warmth faded once he stepped his feet into this dark room of his, the thoughts of his daughter settling somewhere behind his head with his mate's thoughts tormenting him now. 

He didn't know how long he was standing like this. 

He didn't know whether his legs hurt from all these actions. The throbbing of his pained abdomen felt just like tiny little kicks that he felt before he gave birth, and it was getting so difficult to believe that his baby wasn't in there anymore. 

Everything happened too fast. 

He was suddenly giving birth, suddenly having his child taken away, then suddenly ending up in this room of his. 

It felt like yesterday when Youngmi came in here and asked him to leave the castle because her "grandchild" and "son's wife" weren't safe in his presence. He was back now, with Youngmi's actual grandchild, as the future husband of her son. 

He wanted to be proud. He fulfilled his wish to come back here after Mira was dethroned. 

Mira was completely out of the picture. He even heard her crying to Hyeon to save their daughter which was utterly shocking as he didn't expect it. 

He was keeping that matter for later. 

Now, it was only about Jungkook. 

And he had no wish to touch anything or even sit down unless Jungkook came back. There was just a single candle lighting the room, its weak light not being enough to remove the darkness from Taehyung's room. 

A candle like that was enough to light up the entire hut, Taehyung thought, reminiscing those days when they were left with no candles to light, those times he had to sit in darkness. 

He didn't think much about it then. It was not something he considered difficult, but looking at these luxuries now, he hated both his poor state in the hut and the luxuries in this castle. 

He was truly born to be living in the hut which was just something he disliked with all his heart but was used to these castle luxuries that weren't his. 

Then how could becoming a queen be his right? When all these things were not supposed to be his, when he didn't have a royal title and belonged to the hut he was coming back from, how could he be happy to hold such a high position? 

He didn't know anything. He didn't even need answers to those questions. 

He just wanted his mate to be close to him. That small holding hands for a second thing did not satisfy his greedy, lovesick self. 

So he waited. 

He waited patiently for longer, drowning in thoughts while making no efforts to stop negative thoughts because he knew there was no way to not feel insecure or negative until his mate came to him. 

IT took patience to bear with this deafening silence, but the result of it was worth everything he did. 

Those hesitant and slow footsteps from outside sounded so sweeter than it was, like the glimpse of a pool of water seen by a person who remained thirsty for days. 

He is out there, Taehyung told himself, wondering if the light of the candle just got stronger because the winds stopped blowing or if it was that his eyes didn't remain lifeless and blank anymore. 

He could feel his heartbeat, which he couldn't until now. His stiff hands shuddered and clasped each other as he turned towards the door, looking at it carefully, patiently. 

He is not angry, right? Taehyung thought. Jungkook wasn't opening the door right away and coming in, and it made the omega wonder if he felt the same fear he himself was. 

Maybe... Jungkook was thinking he failed to protect him and his daughter just like how Taehyung was thinking he failed his mate? 

I'll tell him then, determination rose in him, his senses heightened. I'll tell my mate that he is the best person someone could have as a mate. I'll let him know that he wasn't in the wrong ever.  

Taehyung held his breath in as he saw the flicker in the shadow from the space between the floor and door. Jungkook knocked in the quietest way, whispering the lowest, "Are you sleeping, Taehyung?" 

Taehyung caught onto it. His eyes teared up as he wondered how Jungkook thought of him even now, even when he was so angry because of him. 

He held it in, told himself that Jungkook would catch onto those tears of his even when there was no light around them. 

"The door is open..." Taehyung muttered softly, just enough for the alpha to hear it. Taehyung just wouldn't miss this chance of speaking to his mate; there was no leaving this for later when he wanted to just hug Jungkook right now. 

Jungkook seemed to be taken aback by his voice, expecting him to be fast asleep. 

Left with no other option now, the nervous alpha just opened the door slowly, coming in with small steps. 

He kept his eyes low still, even when they weren't red anymore. Everything was fine now, and he was back to a calm and normal state. 

There were so many things he had in mind, the things he had been planning to tell Taehyung, but in an instant, all of it just vanished. Courage gave up; he stood there quietly while just fidgeting with his fingers. 

He realized that Taehyung didn't like his actions when the omega let out a shaky exhale. 

Before being asked to do so, Jungkook raised his head with all his might and let his eyes finally fall on Taehyung's after examining him for a while. 

Don't look away, The alpha had to tell himself not to do so. How difficult can looking at a person in their eyes get? All you have to do is look straight. 

There was no doubt that was the reason this simple, easy task that kids do right after opening their eyes--looking at a person right at their eyes--was difficult. 

It wasn't just anyone he was looking at, after all. Those yellow-brown eyes weren't just any normal, powerless eyes. 

His mouth grew dry. He felt pathetic to not be able to speak a few words. He had practiced for all these months to just be dominant and strong for Taehyung, and yet again he was standing like the same coward he had been in the beginning. 

And Taehyung was the same bold person who did things without thinking, just as he took the tiniest steps to Jungkook. 

The alpha didn't stop him. He just watched carefully, eyes growing affectionate when he realized how Taehyung was practically struggling to read his emotions and figure out what was going on in his mind. 

Taehyung looked so desperate and broken. Jungkook spread his arms slightly in instinct, wishing to hug his mate. 

It would be too much, Jungkook thought, afraid of taking things too fast and surprising Taehyung. 

The omega bit his trembling lower lip, taking one more small step before coming to a halt right before Jungkook, looking up deeply into his eyes. 

Now what? Taehyung just didn't know. He suddenly had an urge to walk closer to Jungkook, and he did so, but he didn't know what after this. 

His face reddened in more longing than embarrassment because he knew Jungkook was also as clueless and anxious as him. 

Taehyung studied his face in the dim orange light, carefully stretching his hand out to softly grab Jungkook's hand. Sparks rose his hands and he let out an inaudible gasp at it, the first tear rolling down his face. 

Jungkook smiled softly, his fingers intervening with Taehyung's. He held onto Taehyung's hand like it could break any moment, and he raised his other hand to wipe away Taehyung's tears with the back of it. 

He couldn't be mad. He wasn't mad, to begin with. 

He was told whatever happened to Taehyung in the village by a crying Hyeon who was sobbing while holding his blind daughter. Yes, Jungkook had gone with him and had searched for that innocent little girl with Hyeon. 

They found her pretty quick, sleeping in the arms of a servant. 

Now, they are both in the village. Jungkook had come back after spending a while listening to the angry remarks of the villagers towards the guards and towards Mira. They all expressed their love for Taehyung, including Hyeon who explained to him how Taehyung had been living and what he has gone through. 

Jungkook came back with a happy heart that, if not anything else, Taehyung had been in good hands until now. 

He felt even happier cupping Taehyung's face now. It was hard for the omega--so, so hard--but if they saw the good side of the present time, they'd see a happy little family of theirs. 

"I-It wasn't that I didn't trust you," Taehyung explained, knowing Jungkook had this thought earlier. "I didn't know if you would help. I was stupid! I didn't trust that you wanted me and loved me. I k-kept it from you because of this--" 

"Are you happy you found such good friends, Tae?" Jungkook cut him off, not liking how Taehyung was stressing himself by all these matters. Right now, what mattered was Taehyung's happiness and not the past. 

"Chohee and... Hyeon, right?" Jungkook said sheepishly, embarrassed that he forgot the name already. "They've been doing all they can to make sure you're okay. Chohee just came to me to tell me that you didn't do anything to be scolded for." 

Taehyung shook his head, grasping Jungkook's hand stronger. He ignored Jungkook's attempt to change topics and started again, "I didn't want to keep you away from our darling, trust me. I really didn't! I thought it was safer for her to be gone from here--" 

"You thought right." Jungkook's smile did not fade. He comforted Taehyung with just his smile. "She was surely not safe here, Hyeon told me this too. I understand everything now." 

"B-but you still lost time with your daughter..." Taehyung whimpered, heart dropping when he noticed how Jungkook's lips slightly fell. It took a moment of collecting himself after which Jungkook nodded, saying, "It is okay. I have her all to myself now."

Taehyung shook his head, letting go of Jungkook and turning around. "Stop acting like you're okay when you aren't! If you're mad then accept it and yell at me or do whatever you want to make me pay for my mistakes! Don't try to keep my h-heart." 

Taehyung waited for Jungkook to just yell at him for everything he did. 

It hadn't happened until now, but Taehyung just hoped it happened now. He wanted Jungkook to let it out. 

But... 

Jungkook patted Taehyung's back and rubbed on it delicately. Taehyung began sobbing because Jungkook was still trying to comfort him. What is the meaning of all this? 

"Tae, honestly, I am hurt that I wasn't there for you when you genuinely needed me. I'm sad to have lost those moments with our child. I couldn't even hear from you that we are having a child and wasn't there when you were sleeping or crying or craving for apples, like how Hyeon told me. I promised to be good for you when you were away but was unaware that I could only be the best for you if I was with you, helping you through problems." 

Taehyung sniffled, listening carefully now that Jungkook was speaking out his thoughts. 

"We both did things. You're mad I'm not being rude to you because you made mistakes, but you should be yelling at me too because I'm just as wrong as you are. You kept me from things, and my carelessness didn't let me find out the truth by myself." 

Jungkook took a step closer, letting his breath hit Taehyung's ear. He saw the omega shiver under his warm breath and slowly wrapped his hands around his waist. 

"It can't be changed," Jungkook said sternly. "I just want to be happy with you. I don't want to fight with you for something that has already happened. You've made me feel so blessed by giving me a daughter; how can I be mad at you?" 

Taehyung let out a whine before crying louder. "I kept her away f-from you too! I enjoyed all my time with her and--and--" 

"I have years left which I will spend with her. And if you feel so guilty, give me another child in the future and make up for it." 

The suddenness of such a sentence shut Taehyung up. 

Jungkook instantly regretted saying that too. His hands around Taehyung stiffened and he cleared his throat awkwardly. 

"Fuck, it's too quick for that," He said to himself in a rushed and low voice. He gulped before saying, "I-I can't see our daughter. Where's she? I'm dying to see her. I haven't held her enough yet." 

He awkwardly let go of Taehyung, releasing him from the back hug as he looked around. 

"She's with the doctor," Taehyung mumbled, ears red. He quickly wiped off his tears, almost chuckling at how Jungkook was jumping in his position, fully embarrassed. 

It was so endearing. 

Taehyung had fallen for the right person. 

"We have a child," Taehyung said with a smile. "It's too late to let you know, but I'll tell you everything I haven't yet." 

This made the tense atmosphere to lighten. Jungkook faced him, grinning like a child. "We do, and she's as beautiful and strong as you are." 

"She loves her father too," Taehyung stated, grinning when Jungkook cutely nodded his head fingers curling as he recollected the time she was laying peacefully on his chest. 

"I have one more thing to tell you." Taehyung licked his dry lips. "I don't just like you anymore, Kookie. I love you, so so much." 

Jungkook's smile vanished and his eyes grew wide, stunned and big. His lips fell apart as his cheeks and ears grew redder. His eyes let Taehyung know that he wanted to hear it once more. 

"I love you," Taehyung muttered, pulling Jungkook into a warm hug, burying his head on his shoulder. "I freaking love you." 

Taehyung let out the most satisfied sigh when Jungkook wrapped his strong arms around him, holding him like his life depended on it. "I love you too, Taehyung. More than the entire fucking world." 

"You already proved your love to me, Kookie," Taehyung nuzzled his head on his shoulder. "You've done it several times. And I'll prove my love by loving with the same, or even more, love than you show me." 

"I love you, Taehyung." 

Taehyung snorted, knowing Jungkook said those words just to hear his omega say it once more. 

"I love you too, Jungkook." 

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