Jimin felt uneasy, the Queen's request to see him had not come to a surprise. But it startled him when the request had come too soon for his liking. He had been nursing his pup, smiling down at him as he suckled slowly. His eyes were closed, having become drowsy after having his fill. The attendant beside him had a smile on her face, watching happily as Jimin broke out into a smile whenever the pup in his arms squeaked.

It had only been a few days, 4 to be exact, since he went through 23 hours of labor and birthed the nation's first heir. He had been exhausted, his mother petting his hair after the first cry broke through the air and helped him hold his pup to imprint on him. Once he was cleaned and the pup was wrapped in silk, the king entered his quarters, allowing the attendants to remove his robe and leave his upper body bare. Everyone seemed to disappear as soon as the king took a seat beside Jimin, the omega unwrapping the pup from the blanket and allowing the alpha to carry their son against his chest. Jimin couldn't help his heart from soaring with affection when the alpha scented their pup, a content growl leaving his lips. The alpha didn't hesitate to shower him with kisses and praises as soon as the pup was wrapped in the blanket once more and settled into the omegas arms.

Many things had changed since then, the king ordering that Jimin is to nurse their pup, breaking traditions from having nursing maids to feed the royal pups until they were old enough to eat solids. It didn't come as much of a surprise to many of his royal officials, the king had broken many traditions to even have Jimin as his consort and as the one to birth their first pup. Traditionally, the Queen needed to birth the first son before the King was allowed to give his favor to other omegas. But it was different with Jimin, the king had his quarters built in his honor and gave him the royal consort title days after his marriage to the Queen. Jimin was thankful for everything the king did for him, he wanted his own pup to lead a different life than his majesty did. Yet, some things still broke past his bubble of comfort. Especially the Queen, the official wife of the nation's ruler, an elite omega who had a powerful father behind her.

There wasn't much he could do against her. He had to swallow up his distaste and hide his fears whenever he was in her presence. And when she walked into his quarters, a wicked smile already splayed on her lips, he willed himself to bow in her presence. He stayed still as he sat before her, eyes watching as she called for the pup to be brought to her. It sparked an ache in his chest, a nasty convulsing feeling dropping in his stomach as she gazed down at the pup. There was something like longing in her eyes, and he decided he didn't like the way the queen was looking at his son. As if she was falling utterly in love, as if it were her own pup and Jimin stopped himself from tearing the pup from her arms. He dug his nails in his palm, keeping his breath labored.

"Such a beautiful pup."

The queen's smile fell from her face as soon as the baby was taken from her. Jimin had motioned for the attendant to take back the baby, his wolf too uncomfortable to allow her to hold him any second longer. The attendant bowed nervously before settling behind him once more. The queen straightened up, patting her arms to straighten out her sleeves. Jimin's gaze followed the way the queen returned to her usual hateful self, a clear smirk etching its way to her lips. He never knew what to expect from his meetings with the queen, the omega who cemented her status to him any chance she could.

"Congratulations Consort Park. I am glad you had a safe delivery. Everyone knows how hard it is for an omega to give birth and even more for a male omega to do so. You gave birth to such a healthy pup, I'm sure his highness is extremely happy."

The mention of the king made him stiffen up. Whenever he was brought up in conversation, he always ended up listening to the endless reminder that he was not someone with an official status that held any power. He was a mere consort who had received the king's favor and could easily be thrown out of the palace. The queen always made sure to remind him of it. Surely it wouldn't be long before she went on a rampage of hurtful words. And yet, all he could do was smile and bow his head in respect.

"Your words are too kind, your majesty."

"It seems like your son will grow to present as an alpha, a leader that will surely take his fathers place. I do hope that when the time comes and if your pup is given the title of crowned prince, that you will not use that to receive a higher status than now. It is my duty as queen to foresee what happens within the inner court."

Jimin had learned long ago that defending himself will only cause him harm. And he stays quiet, keeping a tight smile present. He doesn't want to show how much he was affected by her words. If he shows even an ounce of weakness, the queen revels in delight at the thought of having hurt him. She is not someone who hides her distaste for him, and openly smiles when she sees he has been affected in any way by her.

"We're both nobles Jimin, we were both competing in the selection to be chosen as the king's official mate. Although you managed to gain the king's favor, I was crowned as his queen. And I will be the only omega to bear his mark when the time comes. I do hope you respect that, as I have given you two the chance to be together. But don't get too comfortable, there has always been someone younger, prettier that comes along and gains the attention of the king. I wouldn't want you to get hurt when that happens and you could no longer be here. But when the time comes, I will gladly watch over the kings pup."

Jimin could feel himself losing his composure, the smile slipping from his lips. He tries, he really does, but he breaks his calm facade, "The pup is mine. The king has made it clear that I will not be thrown out like a dog."

"It seems like the conversation followed its own course, please remember your manners Consort Park."

"My apologies, I did not wish to offend your highness."

The queen smirks, eyes gazing down at him in satisfaction. She knew well that she would always have the upper hand in any conversation. He forced himself to smile once more, hoping that she would decide to take her leave. He doesn't think he has enough willpower to continue being in her presence.

"You may have the King feasting from your hand, but do not forget that there will be a time when customs overtake favor. I am this nation's queen, the mother of our lands, and I have the power within the inner court. I am the one allowing you to be a proper omega to it's pup. But at the snap of my finger things can change, and if you cross your boundaries, you can lose your pup. Now, I will take my leave, I'm sure you need rest."

When the queen leaves, the tears spill down his cheeks. This was the way he always seemed to become after any meeting with the queen. An uneasy fool who was utterly in love with someone who was out of his reach. He should have been prepared for such an encounter, knowing well what he would have to go through the moment he accepted the king's favor. He knew what kind of life he was walking into the moment he returned the alphas feelings, confessing that he was deeply in love with him. He should have known the sacrifices he would have to make to be able to be by his side, should have been stronger. But it was impossible for him not to fall in love at first sight with the crown prince, Jungkook, who was too far from his reach since they met for the first time. Even more so when he was crowned King and Sunhwa was selected as the omega to be his wife. He should have not enlightened Jungkook when they met in secret during the selection process. Should have not broken any rules and allowed the king to pull him into his quarters at night to steal kisses from him. He should have let his heart broken in pieces when he was to leave the palace instead of letting himself be convinced by Jungkook to stay as his consort. But the promise of having him in any way was better than not having the alpha at all, and so he agreed.

Jimin still remembers the hatred in Sunhwa's eyes when the king ordered for her to give Jimin the official title as royal consort as soon as she became queen. Sunhwa's father only allowed Jungkook to keep Jimin by his side, having to stay content with having his daughter as the queen rather than a deposed omega who wasn't fit to hold the crown. And maybe Jimin did feel slightly bad for the queen. He couldn't imagine how humiliating it should have been for the crowned queen to not go into heat during their mating night. Even after taking a concoction from the healers that would induce her heat and then hopefully trigger the king's rut. It would be a destined mating if they consummate their bond that night, but it didn't happen.

He remembers how much gossip was swirling the days after their mating ceremony. An omen, the murmurs of the selected queen to not be of any use to give the nation an heir must have been dreading for her. If anything, it was her fathers power and influence that didn't get her dethroned that same night. Now she holds the title and the upper hand among the inner court. She can't bear the king's mark until she enters her heat, but that doesn't stop her from walking with power amongst the royal grounds. But Jimin holds the king's heart in his hands, and that in itself was something he grasped onto to survive within the palace. And yet, that wasn't enough in anyone's eyes but his own. He still had to carry the humiliating dread of only being the king's consort and nothing more.

"The King has arrived."

Jimin breaks away from his drifting thoughts and wipes at his eyes, palms smoothing out his cheeks as he stands and holds out his arms. The pup is placed in his arms as the doors open and Jungkook walks in, a smile directed towards him. His eyes gazed at him with so much affection as he relieved their attendants and pulled him into his arms when they were left alone. Having the king by his side, murmuring promises of love against his lips gave him strength. And it also gave his a sense of satisfaction, because only he was able to have his majesty in a way that the queen could never have.