Taehyung let out a small sigh of relief as he stared out into the garden.

Jimin's eyes narrowed lightly before he was turning to him once more, "Although I am curious as to why you are out here alone."

His eyes were calculating and curious, burning holes into Taehyung's skin until he willed himself to come up with an answer.

He grew embarrassed at the idea of telling him about the prince's foul attitude, feeling like he was complaining.

But before he could get another word out, Jimin was leaning in closer to him.

Instinctively Taehyung took a small step back, not exactly liking how the other omega had gotten into his personal space so early on.

His eyes were wide in surprise and a little bit of fear as Jimin sniffed around him.

His lips parted in shock as he ducked his head, trying to stop him from sniffing his scent.

"Hm," Jimin's brows furrowed in confusion as he leaned back and finally allowed Taehyung to breath normally.

"I can see the mate mark on your neck yet the scent of your alpha seems very faint."

Taehyung bowed his head shamefully as Jimin inspected his reaction.

The omega didn't respond to his observation immediately, cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

If Jimin could tell that his alpha's scent was faint on him then anyone would also be able to.

The scent would never completely disappear since he was marked but it would be much stronger if Jeongguk had been around him recently.

"Tell me something, how was your wedding night?"

His suspicions were quickly confirmed when Taehyung's scent began to change with anxiety.

His hands began to shake lightly as he gulped harshly and stuttered out a response.

"I-I ..."

"You didn't mate, did you?" 

Jimin's voice was soft, like he was trying to understand and not scare the omega right beside him.

Taehyung's eyes managed to snap up to meet his, face displaying an immense amount of hurt that had Jimin standing up straighter.

And for some odd reason Taehyung felt the comfort of the other omega in his presence.

It felt alright for him to open up to him, to tell another soul what he was going through.

"N-No."

Jimin let out a scoff, scaring Taehyung momentarily who flinched lightly but did not attempt to move away.

"He just marked you and left, didn't he?"

Jimin inhaled sharply when Taehyung did not respond, certain anger coursing through his veins.

He grew up with Jeongguk, he knew the alpha better than anyone in the world.

He had heard him rant and complain about the marriage therefore it didn't surprise him that the alpha had done such a horrendous act.

"That pompous ass, I will-" 

Jimin was already beginning to walk off with an outraged look on his face, fists clenched at his sides.

Just because Jeongguk was the prince and an alpha it did not mean he had the right to act that way.

But Taehyung was quick to grip his wrist, eyes widening at his own actions before he was letting go as if he had gotten burned.

"W-Wait- please d-don't." Taehyung's voice was soft, barely above a whisper but Jimin was quick to stop in his step.

Pity washed over his features as Taehyung's big eyes stared at him pleadingly, expression worried.

"Why not? He needs to know he cannot act that way. It is childish and absurd." 

Taehyung shook his head furiously, gulping harshly as he begged Jimin not to make a scene.

"I-It will only anger him, please. I beg of you to not mention it to anyone."

There was brief pause where Jimin stared into Taehyung's eyes, expression softening when the timid omega displayed close signs of shedding tears.

"Fine, I will not mention this to anyone with the one condition that you shall not shed any more tears for him."

Jimin took the liberty of reaching out and wiping away a falling tear from his cheek with his thumb.

Taehyung froze at the feeling of his thumb on his skin, sniffling softly when Jimin removed his hand promptly.

"I will try not to." Taehyung bowed before him as a thank you for keeping his silence.

Jimin managed to smile at him before his expression changed to a more playful one.

"Shall we go explore the garden?"

-

The day of the coronation came quicker than Taehyung anticipated.

He had spent the evening prior in the garden with Jimin who had wanted to chat with him.

They both agreed that it was the best place to meet seeing as Taehyung could not be alone in the same room with another male.

Jeongguk had practically fell off the face of the earth, even Jimin briefly mentioned his only encounter with him that morning.

Apparently he was acting cold even to his favorite cousin, not leaving any room for chatting.

Jimin had told him to not worry about it, that Jeongguk would eventually come around.

According to him the latter was simply throwing a fit but he would have to learn to get over it.

Jimin had proved himself to be quite the friend, nice and polite when he had to.

But he also had a playful, teasing side that made Taehyung giggle softly for the first time in nearly a week.

His handmaid Seokjin had talked well about Prince Jimin, glad that Taehyung had someone to talk to from his new family.

The king and queen on the other hand, only spoke to him when absolutely necessary or they had matters to discuss.

Like the day before when they talked him through what would happen at the coronation and how he must act in front of hundreds of commoners, or the kingdom.

They steered clear of mentioning Jeongguk's absence and the faint scent around the omega.

The only positive thing he was looking forward to from the coronation ceremony was the fact that he would be able to see his parents once again and his friends.

He could not wait to see his hyungs after the week he had experienced, even if he could only stare from afar.

There was a knock on his door before Taehyung mumbled a soft, "Come in."

Seokjin peeked his head in before a smile graced his lips, pausing briefly to stare at Taehyung who sat by the vanity attempting to do his hair.

A light laugh left Seokjin's lips before he walked over and stood behind him, staring at his reflection.

"May I?" He asked.

Once Taehyung nodded, Seokjin got to work on making sure Taehyung's hair looked soft and fluffy after perming it the previous night.

By the time he was done, Taehyung smiled at his own reflection with a grateful smile on his lips before Seokjin helped him get dressed into a gorgeous rosé colored dress that reached mid-thigh.

"Thank you." Taehyung smiled softly at him, lightly flattening out the dress as he got up from his chair.

The sudden twist of a knob had both of the turning around only to see Jeongguk in all his glory come into view.

It was the first time Taehyung had caught a glimpse of him since that night, making him feel nervous when his eyes landed on him.

He was wearing a nice black suit with gold colored epaulettes on his shoulders along with beautiful gold buttons on the suit.

His scent was strong and domineering, practically overwhelming the omega.

Seokjin immediately bowed his head and stepped aside, hands clasped in front of him as he stared at the floor.

"You may go." 

Jeongguk's eyes were focused on Taehyung as he spoke to Seokjin, eyes piercing into his as he stepped closer.

Seokjin bowed one more time before excusing himself and leaving the room.

Taehyung's breathing hitched once he was right in front of him, hand gripping his chin and forcing him to meet his gaze.

His eyes were a soft chocolate brown, expression unreadable before he was slightly turning his head to the side to see his mate mark.

It was practically healed by then but Taehyung certainly wasn't expecting for him to lean down and press a kiss over it.

Goosebumps rose onto his skin at the contact, eyes briefly closed shut as a small gasp left his lips.

It felt incredible.

Like nothing he had ever felt before, brain in shambles that he almost didn't feel when Jeongguk's arm went around his waist and settled on the small of his back.

He failed to realize he was whimpering like a child by the time Jeongguk finally removed his lips, causing him to momentarily lose all strength in his muscles.

It was embarrassing the way his body reacted to the prince, causing Jeongguk to grip his body firmly against his as Taehyung went limp.

It took mere seconds for Taehyung to regain composure, eyes timid when Jeongguk's fingertips danced over the swell of his ass.

"The ceremony will begin soon." Jeongguk spoke huskily, breath pretty much kissing his face.

Much to Taehyung's disappointment, he was letting go and stepping back before offering him his arm.

Almost instantly Taehyung was taking it, inner omega content at the sweet gesture as a warm feeling settled in his chest at the close proximity.

Jeongguk was being nice, a little too nice after avoiding him all week.

Taehyung had not forgotten, he couldn't.

The humiliation was too big and his feelings had been hurt in the process.

But he couldn't help admitting that it felt good, the attention that Jeongguk was suddenly giving him.

Maybe Jimin had talked to him about it, convinced him to give their marriage a try.

Perhaps he would be nicer to him and spend more time with him after this.

Taehyung smiled like a fool as he followed after Jeongguk towards the door before taking a deep breath and walking out.