Chapter Text
Five hours later, Jungkook stared into the full-length mirror, stunned. “Kyung, you are wasted as a duke’s daughter. You could become the most expensive modiste in Seoul if you wished.”
Kyung laughed. “I prefer to work with friends. They are less critical than paying customers would be. But you’re a very fine advertisement for my skills!”
Jungkook nodded, admiring the rich burgundy brocade of his shirt, which brought out the red tones in his hair. No one would guess that the magnificent gold-embroidered band of material that Kyung had added to the hem wasn’t part of the original design. Jungkook’s elegantly upswept hair made him even taller, but not too much taller for Jimin. “Thank you, Kyung! Now I have confidence enough for anything.”
“The last touch.” Kyung handed him a tiny gilded bottle. “One of my perfumes. Wear it if you approve.”
Jungkook opened the bottle and sniffed, then smiled. “Lovely! It makes me think of earth and sunshine.”
“I shall blend a custom perfume when I know you better, but I thought this would suit on short notice.”
“No wonder your boutique at Jae’s does well.” Jungkook dabbed the perfume on his wrists, then behind his ears. “Who will be coming tonight?”
“Mostly classmates of Jimin’s. My brother Daeseong, the current Duke of Pahang, and his wife, Sujin. Lord and Lady Song. They both play the piano superbly and I shall try to persuade them to perform for us. The Ims. Besides being a classmate of Jimin’s, Jihu also served in the same regiment for years.”
Kyung cocked her head to one side as she considered. “I think that’s all, but Jimin and Jae went out together this afternoon, so I have no idea whom they might bring home. Perhaps they’ll find another guest or five.”
Jungkook laughed. “You’re very relaxed about that.”
“As I said, an informal dinner of friends. What matters is the company.” Kyung chuckled. “Though it helps to have a really superior chef, of course.”
Jungkook was about to ask if it was time to go down, when a knock sounded on the door, followed by Jimin calling, “Are you ready to be admired?”
“Indeed he is,” Kyung called back.
The door opened and Jimin stepped into the dressing room. Jungkook’s jaw dropped at how shockingly handsome and fashionable his husband looked in his dark, superbly tailored evening wear. “You said that a superior valet informed you that a man with your build could never be fashionable! You have proved him wrong.”
“It helps when I borrow Jae’s clothing,” Jimin explained. “He’s much more fashionable than I, and the effect carries over. But look at you, my dear boy! An owl in the finest of feathers!”
Jungkook blushed. He knew that Jimin liked him in anything, and best when he wore nothing at all, but the admiration in his gaze was silent proof that he would never be ashamed to have him on his arm.
Jimin came forward and gave him a light kiss before he produced a velvet-covered box. “We visited a jewelry store because Kyung ordered me to buy you garnets. I hope you like garnets? They’ll look good with that outfit.”
Jungkook opened the box and gasped at the splendor of the intricate necklace and earrings. “These are beautiful!”
No one had ever given him jewelry before. Jungkook tilted his head down and gave Jimin a kiss that was a good deal more than casual. “You are the best of husbands. Will you fasten the necklace for me?”
“With pleasure.” Jimin moved behind him and fastened the catch while he removed the simple gold hoops from his ears, then inserted the lovely dangly garnet earrings. Sliding his hands to Jungkook’s shoulders, Jimin gazed into the mirror as Jungkook studied his reflection. “My friends will be dazzled by my good fortune.”
“I’ll settle for their not being shocked by your error of judgment,” Jungkook said wryly. “And now into battle, my comrades!”
Laughing, Kyung led the way downstairs to where Jae was greeting guests. Introductions were made over sherry glasses, and Jimin’s friends were as welcoming as he’d promised. Jungkook knew that not everyone would approve of his heritage, but good friends like these would be enough.
All were profoundly happy to have Jimin home and safe, and they greeted Jungkook with enthusiasm. Kyung’s brother, Daeseong, shared her exotic, mixed-blood good looks, but his wife, Sujin, was a warm and charming Korean. Lord Song was dark and contained, but clearly delighted to greet Jimin, and his wife had a quiet warmth that made Jungkook want to purr like a cat.
Last to arrive were the Ims. He was a tall blond man who matched Jimin in military bearing, while his wife was a petite brunette who made Jungkook think of Sofia, though she was older and she radiated calm serenity rather than Sofia’s bright charm. With the couple was a handsome dark-haired man who looked like he might be Mrs. Im’s brother.
Jae escorted the newcomers over. Im Jihu caught Jimin’s hand in a hard grip, saying, “There were times I thought we’d never both leave the Peninsula alive!”
“I thought the same,” Jimin said with a laugh. “And quite recently, too!”
As the two men drifted off to talk privately, Jae added, “Jungkook, this is Lady Im Sungmin and her brother.”
Another highborn lady, and this one was staring at Jungkook with disquieting intensity. Perhaps not all of Jimin’s friends would approve of him?
Lady Sungmin said, tension vibrating in her voice, “Forgive me, Lord Park, but was your father the Duke of Sokcho?”
Jungkook flinched back, shocked. How could this woman possibly know . . . ?
Understanding came in an instant. Lady Sungmin and her brother looked like Jungkook. The shape of the features, the coloring, were reflections of what Jungkook saw in the mirror every morning. He swallowed hard, then nodded numbly. “I was never, ever supposed to tell anyone of the connection.”
“How very like him!” Lady Sungmin said with exasperation as she reached out to clasp Jungkook’s hand. “I’m so happy to meet you. I’ve always wanted another brother, and from what Jimin wrote about you, you’ve led a fascinating life.”
Jungkook’s eyes filled with tears. “You don’t despise me?” he whispered.
“Why on earth would we want to do that?” His brother said as he offered his hand. “It’s more likely that you would want to give us the cut. My father died several months ago and he was a most difficult man. I’m Sokcho now and I learned of the existence of a half brother when I met with my father’s lawyers.” The new duke shook his head. “He treated you abominably! I hope you won’t hold his behavior against Sungmin and me.”
Dazed, Jungkook said, “I shall forgive the sins of your father if you’ll do the same for the sins of my mother. I’m sure she was no blameless innocent in their affair.”
“Then we are free to become friends.” He gave Jungkook a warm smile very like his sister’s. “I’m quite fond of the sibling I knew about, so I welcome having another one.”
“I never had a brother, but I seem to be acquiring several, your grace!” Jungkook nodded toward Jae, who was watching with quiet satisfaction.
“Please call me Young,” His brother said. “Since you’re family.”
“You’re being so kind!” Jungkook lost the battle with his tears and gratefully accepted the handkerchief Jae handed him.
“That’s because we take after our mother, who was a very kind woman,” Sungmin said with a laugh. “You must resemble your mother also, since Jimin never would have married a person who had a temperament like that of my late father.” She touched Jungkook’s hand. “I must talk to Kyung because I want to see the baby, but may Young and I call again tomorrow? We have so much to learn about each other!”
Jungkook whispered, “I look forward to your call. I hope I don’t prove disappointing on further acquaintance.”
“You won’t,” Young said confidently before he followed his sister and brother-in-law across the room.
Jimin materialized beside Jungkook and slipped his arm around his waist. “Am I permitted to say ‘I told you so’ about your welcome by my friends?”
Jungkook laughed. “You’re permitted. I never could have imagined that my father’s other children would actually welcome me! How did that come to pass?”
“Namjoon saw the resemblance, and from what we knew of the late Sokcho, the story was a good fit,” Jimin explained. “I wrote Im and asked him to discuss your possible relationship with Sungmin. She and her brother had already learned that they had a half brother, so they were delighted to locate you. Neither of them has much reason to be fond of their father, and I’ve noticed that difficult parents tend to make the children draw closer together.”
“How very wise you are.” Jungkook tilted his head against Jimin’s, sure that his friends would forgive the impropriety of the gesture on the grounds that he and Jimin were newlyweds. “Wise and kind and handsome and very, very patient! Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?”
Jimin caught his breath. “No, I don’t believe you have.”
Startled, Jungkook looked into Jimin’s eyes and realized that in his fear and defensiveness, he’d never actually said that he loved him. “I’m sorry it has taken me so long to find the words, beloved,” Jungkook whispered. “I love you, body and soul, now and forever, till death do us part. And may that be at least fifty years in the future!”
Jimin gave Jungkook a smile that took his breath away. “Welcome home, my darling little owl. Finally you are where you belong.”
And with a flagrant lack of propriety, Jimin kissed Jungkook.