"Are you sure about this?" Taehyung asked.
You looked at the castle entrance. You couldn't run even though you wanted to.
"I can't just disappear now." you said. "Jin and I need to settle this before my parents get here."
"Then... I will be with you every step of the way." he said, smiling.
You put a hand on his arm. "Thanks, Taehyung."
It felt weird to walk back in after spending the night on a rooftop. You weren't sure how you were going to explain being gone all night with Taehyung.
You walked through the doors, holding your breath.
"There you are."
You turned to find Jungkook hanging around the entrance.
"We've been looking for you." he continued.
How do I answer...
"I –"
"Your parents are here."
You felt like you had been punched in the throat. "What?"
"They're with Jin in the parlor room."
You looked at Taehyung.
What were you supposed to do now?
Both of you stepped up to the parlor room and opened the door. Your mother and father were both on the couch, while Jin sat in one of the chairs. At the sound of the door creaking open, they all looked at you.
"[Y/N]!" your dad said as your mom jumped up to give you a hug. "There's my girl!"
"I'm still mad at you." you muttered through your mom's embrace.
He stood and came over to hug you. "It's nothing new."
As soon as his arms wrapped around you, it felt like home again. Suddenly everything wasn't so foreign and intimidating. Finally there was something familiar.
You would yell at him later.
Your mom petted your hair. "Did you have fun? Did you meet everyone? Did they feed you well enough?"
You smiled. "I'm good, Mom."
"Taehyung!" your dad said. "I see you're still in one piece."
Taehyung bowed.
"Did my daughter behave herself?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Ha! Now at least I know he's a liar. Look at all these bruises all over her neck. Even as a princess you're starting fights with boys? I just can't teach you otherwise, can I?"
You exchanged a glance with Taehyung.
After a moment, you nudged your dad's arm. "I have to make sure they know their boundaries, right, Dad?"
He laughed. "I suppose you're right."
Jin folded his hands together.
Your mom motioned you back to the couch. "Tell us everything you've been doing for the past couple months."
You told your parents about your lessons with each of the guys. You mentioned learning to dance, the arcade, the lake, as well as chess and polo games. What you didn't mention pranks, fist fights, and kidnappings.
"It sounds like you've been getting along well." your dad said. His eyes slid over to Jin. "And how do you feel about your host? Jin is a handsome young man, isn't he?"
Your mom nudged him. You knew where this was going. You looked over at Jin, but when your eyes met, his head dropped.
"He is." you agreed.
Jin shut his eyes and tensed.
Your dad, however, seemed satisfied. "You agree? Well then! How would you feel about –"
"Marrying him?" you finished.
Everyone looked at you.
"Jin told me what you did, Dad." you said. "How could you set up an arranged marriage and not tell me!"
He leaned back on the couch and laughed. "Ah, yes. Jin's father and I made that pact when we were very young. I don't think Jin was more than a couple years old. It seems a little stuffy for the modern day and age, doesn't it?"
You narrowed your eyes at your dad.
"But on the other hand," your dad continued, "he grew up to be very smart, strong, and a man of good character. Honestly, [Y/N], is there any reason not to marry Jin?"
Jin's eyes met yours again. You exchanged glances for a moment before you looked back at your father.
"Yes," you replied. "There's a very good reason."
Everyone waited for your answer.
"I've only been here three months." you finally said. "Geez, Dad. I can't decide to marry someone that quickly. Are you crazy?"
Jin slouched in his chair, confused. Your parents laughed.
"My daughter's nothing if she isn't wise." your mom said. "A good marriage is better than a rushed one."
"I already told her she wasn't getting married until she was fourty." your dad said. "Sorry, Jin. It looks like you're going to have to work a little harder."
Jin gave a nervous laugh. "I suppose so."
He cleared his throat.
Jin, your parents, and you talked for a while longer before your parents left to get ready for dinner. At your suggestion, Taehyung accompanied them.
You wanted a moment with Jin.
It seemed Jin was dying to talk to you, too.
"Why did you do that for me?" he asked the moment your parents shut the door.
"It wasn't really for you." you replied. "Taehyung made me realize that if my parents ever found out what happened, our political relations would be strained. It would hurt your people, and mine."
"Does that mean –"
"I haven't decided on what I'll do about the princess thing." you said. "But I do know that I don't want to have to coax a country out of war as my first act. Our countries would end up paying for this. I don't want that."
He nodded. "I never even thought about that. You certainly have the makings of a royal, [Y/N]. I'm in your debt for a lifetime."
"I'm counting on that." you said. "In fact, I'm going to collect on it. So the next time something comes up, remember that you owe me big."
He gave a weak smile. "Spoken like a true diplomat."
"Thank you."
His eyes glossed over a little. "I'm afraid my brothers won't be so forgiving of my sins as you. I'll have to tell them sooner or later what I've done."
"Hey, I wouldn't say that I'm forgiving you. I plan on using this to my advantage for a long time."
He gave a relieved laugh.
"But make Hoseok the first one you tell your crimes to." you added. "It's tortured him to think that Yoongi betrayed him. Where is Yoongi, anyways?"
"He's in an apartment in the city." Jin said. "I couldn't send him to jail for my own poor judgment. All this was my doing. [Y/N], if I could take all of it back –"
You waved it away. "It can't be undone. Punish only the ones that deserve punishing."
You held your arms, thinking of Jackson trying to drown you.
"I will," Jin said. "You have my word."
You smiled. "Then I guess we can celebrate."