Two weeks had passed, and the atmosphere in the castle had shifted. Jungkook and Y/N were no longer in each other's presence as often as they once were. Where they used to exchange sharp words or playful banter, now there was only a strained silence, as if both were consciously avoiding each other. The once frequent encounters in the gardens or hallways had dwindled to nothing, their paths never crossing.

Jungkook threw himself into his royal duties, addressing matters of the kingdom with a sharp focus, though everyone close to him could sense the subtle tension. His once steady gaze often drifted toward the empty seat at the royal table where Y/N would have sat during meals. The king had become more irritable, snapping at advisors or pacing restlessly in his throne room, but no one dared to comment on the change. Not even Chin Hae, his trusted guard, could understand why the king seemed so on edge.

Y/N, on the other hand, had found solace in the quieter corners of the castle, avoiding the places where she knew Jungkook would be. She spent her time in the library, immersed in books from a time she didn't belong to, or wandering through the gardens alone. The camera that once hung around her neck, capturing moments of her strange new life, now sat untouched. She didn't dare go near the places where Jungkook might find her. Their last conversation echoed in her mind, especially his bitter words—words that stung deeper than she cared to admit.

It wasn't just their absence that people noticed, but the palpable tension whenever their names were mentioned. The servants exchanged glances when preparing rooms or meals, knowing well that neither would share the same space. Even in the grand hallways, where they had once brushed past each other, there was now only emptiness. Both were lost in their own worlds, determined not to acknowledge what lingered unspoken between them.

And so, for two weeks, Jungkook and Y/N continued their silent avoidance, each grappling with feelings they didn't fully understand or want to confront.

In the quiet corners of their hearts, where pride gave way to softer feelings, both Jungkook and Y/N found themselves missing each other. It wasn't something either of them would readily admit—Jungkook, with his royal arrogance, and Y/N, with her fierce independence—but in the still moments, when the weight of the castle walls pressed in, they couldn't help but feel the absence of the other.

For Jungkook, it was the fleeting memories of their shared laughter in the garden, the playful teasing that felt so different from the calculated conversations he had with nobles and court advisors. He missed the way Y/N would curse under her breath, a habit that baffled and amused him, or how she would roll her eyes with a fire that no one else dared show him. The gardens felt empty without her—no clicks of her camera, no sharp remarks thrown his way. The space they once shared felt colder now, the blooming flowers seeming less vibrant without her there to admire them.

Y/N, despite her best efforts, found herself longing for those moments too. She missed the infuriating smirk that would play on Jungkook's lips when he teased her, the way he could get under her skin with just a few words. She missed their banter, the way it made her feel alive in a world that wasn't her own.

The castle, though grand, felt hollow without him. It was strange, really—how the king she once despised had slowly become someone whose presence she craved. She missed the way his laughter sounded, rare but genuine, and how, in those fleeting moments, she could almost forget that he was a king and she was an outsider.

Though neither dared to speak it aloud, in the quiet of the night and the stillness of the day, they both felt the weight of each other's absence. Their paths didn't cross, but their thoughts did, tangled up in memories of gardens, laughter, and the undeniable connection they had formed, despite all odds.

Jungkook sat in the dimly lit war room, his fingers drumming against the heavy wooden table. Though it had been two weeks since he and Y/N last exchanged a single word, he couldn't allow their silence to interfere with his responsibilities. One of those duties, perhaps the most crucial one, was helping her retrieve her bracelet—the device that was the key to sending her back to where she came from. No matter how much their personal rift unsettled him, he had made a promise. And a king's word was not something he took lightly.

The sketch of Y/N's bracelet, drawn with meticulous detail, had already been distributed throughout the kingdom. Jungkook made sure that the image had reached every corner—from the poorest villages to the wealthiest merchants. The reward of five gold coins had been announced, ensuring that the search would be taken seriously. To anyone who could return the strange object to the palace, a life-changing fortune awaited.

Jungkook leaned back in his chair, staring at the maps sprawled across the table, thinking about how the search efforts had spread further with each passing day. The palace had become abuzz with talk of the strange foreign object, sparking curiosity among commoners and nobles alike. Despite his personal feelings, Jungkook reminded himself that he had a duty beyond his own frustrations or feelings of being avoided. His commitment to finding Y/N's bracelet was not just about helping her return—it was about honor, about fulfilling the promise he'd made the day she had entrusted him with her story.

In moments like these, he pushed aside the ache of their silence and remembered his role as king. "No matter what passes between us," he thought, his jaw tightening, "I will not neglect my duty."

Jungkook stood from the table, the quiet weight of the war room pressing down on him. His footsteps echoed off the stone walls as he paced toward the large windows that overlooked his kingdom. The sunlight spilled into the room, casting long shadows across the floor. His mind, however, was far from the bustling streets of his empire or the fields stretching out beyond the castle walls.

He couldn't shake the thoughts of her—of Y/N. Even after all these weeks, avoiding her was like trying to ignore a wound that refused to heal. The memories of their time together in the garden, of her laughter and her quick-witted remarks, haunted him more than he'd like to admit. He missed those moments, even though he didn't want to. He missed the ease with which she challenged him, the way she stood up to him, a king, without a hint of fear in her eyes.

And yet, here they were, caught in an invisible war of silence. Two weeks. Two weeks of pretending they didn't miss each other's presence. He clenched his fists at his sides, frustration bubbling under his skin. He'd always been a man of control—of discipline. But when it came to Y/N, control slipped away as easily as the wind through the garden's trees.

His gaze drifted to the window, out toward the vast horizon. He'd sent out the call for her bracelet, taken every step to ensure that his kingdom was scouring the land for it. He knew it was the right thing to do, yet a part of him wondered—what would happen when it was found? When she left? The thought unsettled him in ways he hadn't anticipated.

Duty. That was all this was supposed to be. Helping her find the bracelet. But he couldn't ignore the nagging thought in the back of his mind. This wasn't just about his duty anymore. Not for him. Not after everything that had passed between them.

Turning away from the window, he made his way back to the center of the room, his mind a storm of conflicting thoughts. His people were searching. The bracelet would be found. And yet, he wasn't sure if that was truly what he wanted anymore.

"Five gold coins," he muttered to himself, thinking of the reward. "It'll be found." And when it was, he would face whatever came next. Even if that meant saying goodbye.

Jungkook sank back into the heavy chair at the head of the table, the weight of the crown feeling heavier than usual. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the wooden surface, but his mind was far from the strategies, war meetings, and political affairs that surrounded him daily. It was consumed by one thing—or rather, one person.

Y/N.

Even though he had spread word across the kingdom about her bracelet, even though the reward of five gold coins was more than enough to motivate even the most reluctant of his subjects, it did little to ease the gnawing sense of unease that had taken root in his chest. He had hoped the search for the bracelet would keep his focus where it belonged—on his duties as king. But it had the opposite effect. Each day that passed without news of it only deepened the void she left behind.

He had told himself he was doing his duty—nothing more. The bracelet was the key to her return, to restoring the balance of time itself. He couldn't afford to let personal feelings interfere with such matters. But the longer she stayed within his castle walls, the harder it became to keep those feelings in check.

His mind drifted back to the last time they spoke—the garden. That fleeting look in her eyes, something unspoken but palpable. Her laughter, her fierce independence, her presence. He missed her, though he would never admit it aloud. Not even to himself. Yet, no matter how much he tried to bury it, that truth clawed its way back to the surface every time he thought of her.

Jungkook closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. The silence between them over the past two weeks had been deafening. Every corner of the castle seemed emptier without her sarcastic remarks, without the sound of her footsteps echoing through the halls. The nights felt longer, the days more monotonous.

He had hoped that distance would settle the storm brewing inside him. But it hadn't. Instead, it had only made it worse. The memory of her had latched onto him, burrowing deep into his mind like a stubborn thorn.

Opening his eyes again, he stared at the door. The urge to seek her out, to break this silence, gnawed at him. But pride held him back. And maybe, just maybe, a lingering fear of what seeing her again might stir in him.

Still, as a king, he had responsibilities. And he would see this through. He would find her bracelet, send her back to her time, and return his focus to what truly mattered—his empire. It was what he kept telling himself. It was what he had to believe. Because if he didn't, then the alternative—the thought of losing her for reasons beyond time and duty—was something far more difficult to confront.

Rising from his chair, Jungkook paced the room again, trying to shake the thoughts of Y/N that clung to him like a shadow. But even as he moved, the memories of their shared moments lingered, whispering to him at every turn. And deep down, in a place he refused to acknowledge, he knew that no matter how hard he tried to avoid it, she had already claimed a part of him he couldn't reclaim.

Jungkook stood by the window of his chamber, staring out at the sprawling kingdom before him. But his mind was elsewhere. It had been two weeks since he last saw Y/N, and the echo of their final conversation kept circling back in his head, refusing to leave him in peace.

"Do you believe in love?"

The words had seemed simple at the time, a strange question coming from someone as bold and brash as her. Yet now, in the quiet of his thoughts, it felt heavier, more significant. Why had she asked him that? What had she been thinking? For days, he had tried to brush it off, tell himself it didn't matter. But the more he dwelled on it, the more he began to wonder if perhaps, it wasn't as innocent a question as it seemed.

Jungkook shook his head, frustration creeping into his chest. It wasn't like he was in love with her—how could he be? He had known her for only a short while, and love was a weakness, an emotion for the weak-willed. He had said so himself. His heart had no place for such trivialities. Power, control, and duty were what mattered, not fleeting emotions.

Yet, the question lingered like an itch he couldn't quite scratch.

He paced the room, trying to make sense of it. He wasn't in love with her. He was sure of it. But something had shifted in him since she arrived. Her absence over the past two weeks had made it glaringly obvious. It wasn't love, he told himself, but something else. He was simply used to her presence—her sharp tongue, her laughter, the way she challenged him in ways no one else dared.

The castle felt different without her. Empty, even. And the more he tried to ignore it, the more it bothered him.

Was it really just that he had grown accustomed to her being there? Or was there something more?

Jungkook paused at the edge of the window, his hands gripping the stone sill. He could feel a tension within himself, a gnawing discomfort that came from not knowing. He hated that. He hated the idea that someone could affect him so deeply without his permission, without him understanding why.

He exhaled, trying to push the thought away once more. He wasn't in love with her. That was absurd. But as much as he tried to convince himself, a nagging doubt remained.

One thing was clear—her absence, her silence, was bothering him far more than it should.

Jungkook's thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. He turned, momentarily relieved to be pulled away from the spiral of thoughts about Y/N. Chin Hae entered the room, bowing deeply before speaking.

"Your Majesty," Chin Hae began, his tone respectful but urgent. "Your parents have arrived. They are waiting to meet you."

Jungkook straightened, his brows knitting together. His parents? It had been some time since he had seen them. His father, the former king, had handed him the throne years ago, giving Jungkook full control of the Jeon Empire. It was a vast kingdom, too large for one man to govern alone, so his father had taken a different castle, one on the outskirts of the empire. They had split responsibilities, each overseeing different parts of their lands, though Jungkook was the sovereign ruler. It was rare for his father to visit without a specific reason.

Jeon Jeonghui, his father, had ruled for decades, a stern but fair king. When the time had come, he had passed the crown to Jungkook, trusting him to carry on the legacy of the Jeon Empire. It wasn't a decision made lightly, but Jeonghui had always believed that the kingdom needed a young, strong leader—one who could adapt to the changing world. Jungkook had proven himself worthy, his rule marked by strength and precision, though his father's guidance had always been present in the background.

They lived in separate castles now, each taking care of the different corners of the empire. Jungkook's father had given him this castle as a gift upon his coronation, a symbol of his new authority. It was a grand, imposing structure—much like the man who now ruled it.

Jungkook nodded, pushing his lingering thoughts of Y/N aside. His family came first, as it always had. Whatever reason his parents had for visiting must be important.

"I will see them immediately," Jungkook said, his voice steady. He stood tall, rolling his shoulders back, preparing himself for whatever news they brought.

Jungkook strode through the corridors with purpose, yet his mind was weighed down with conflicting thoughts. The news of his parents' arrival had caught him off guard, but the real disturbance had been something else altogether. Y/N. Her absence over the last two weeks, coupled with her last words—Do you believe in love?—echoed in his mind far more than it should. He had tried to shake the thought, focusing on his duties, but her presence—or lack thereof—left him feeling strangely unmoored.

As he approached the grand hall, the familiar regal atmosphere settled over him. His father, King Jeon Jeonghui, and mother, Queen Minji, had rarely visited this part of the empire in recent years. Though they had entrusted the throne to him, their influence remained as strong as ever, governing vast portions of the Jeon Empire from separate castles. Jungkook knew that whatever had brought them here must be of great importance.

Pushing open the large wooden doors, he found his parents seated near the hearth, their posture as commanding as ever. Jeonghui, a man of broad shoulders and a steel-like gaze, stood as Jungkook entered. His mother, as graceful as ever, gave him a soft smile, though her eyes held something serious beneath.

"Father. Mother," Jungkook greeted, bowing slightly, his formality practiced and familiar.

His father returned the gesture with a brief nod before speaking in his deep, authoritative voice. "Jungkook, it has been too long."

Jungkook met his father's gaze and nodded, sensing there was no time for idle talk. "What brings you here?" he asked, knowing the answer would be something more than pleasantries.

Jeonghui exchanged a glance with Queen Minji before turning back to his son, his expression unreadable. "We are here to discuss your marriage," his father began, his tone firm yet calm. "To Jasmine."

The words struck Jungkook harder than expected, though he didn't allow it to show on his face. He knew this day was inevitable. The alliance with Jasmine's kingdom was more than just a union of two individuals; it was a political strategy that would strengthen both realms. Jasmine had been his fiancée for as long as he could remember, an arrangement formed not by love, but by necessity.

"Your union with Jasmine will solidify the strength of our empire, creating an unbreakable bond between two great kingdoms," his father continued. "There can be no delay in this."

Jungkook remained silent for a moment, processing the weight of his father's words. Marriage had always been a distant thought, a duty he would fulfill when the time came. Yet now, standing here before his parents, with Y/N's face flashing briefly in his mind, the reality of it all felt heavier than expected.

"I understand," Jungkook finally replied, his voice steady, though his thoughts were anything but. He had been prepared for this moment his whole life, yet something about it now felt... wrong. His mind flickered to Y/N, and he had to force himself not to dwell on why her presence—or absence—seemed to affect him this way.

Queen Minji spoke then, her voice soft but resolute. "We expect you to honor this, Jungkook. For the good of the empire."

Jungkook nodded again, offering no resistance. There was no room for personal feelings here. His parents had ruled with strength, and now it was his duty to do the same.

Still, as they continued speaking of plans and timelines for the wedding, Jungkook couldn't help but feel a gnawing sense of unease. The same feeling that had plagued him ever since Y/N had started avoiding him. What did it matter if he didn't see her for a few days? He shouldn't care, yet here he was, haunted by her absence.

And now, marriage loomed ahead, bringing with it the weight of expectation. Y/N's voice echoed in his mind again, her question about love—something he had dismissed so easily at the time—lingering now in a way that felt strangely significant.

Jungkook shifted slightly in his seat, steeling himself as he prepared to voice the words that would likely surprise his parents. "I think it would be best to delay the marriage for a while," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil swirling inside him. The air in the room seemed to grow thicker with the weight of his declaration, and he could feel the sharp gaze of his father, King Jeonghui, boring into him.

His father's brows furrowed in confusion, and the queen's expression shifted to one of concern. "Delay?" Jeonghui echoed, disbelief tinged with authority. "Jungkook, this is a crucial alliance. You know the importance of this union, especially for the stability of our kingdom." The tone of his father's voice hinted at the decades of experience behind those words, years spent navigating the intricacies of court politics and alliances. Jungkook felt the burden of his father's expectations, a pressure that settled heavily on his shoulders.

"I understand, Father," Jungkook replied, carefully choosing his words as he felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on him. "But there's a lot going on in the kingdom right now. I need to ensure that everything is stable before I take on the responsibilities of marriage." He could see the flicker of disappointment in his mother's eyes, the queen, whose hopes had been woven tightly into the idea of this union with Jasmine.

"What sort of instability?" Jeonghui pressed, his gaze sharp and penetrating. "You have managed the kingdom admirably so far. Surely you can handle both your duties and a marriage." The king's voice was steady, but Jungkook could detect an undercurrent of concern—a father's worry for his son's well-being amid the pressures of leadership.

Jungkook swallowed, knowing he needed to deflect their concern without revealing his inner turmoil. "There are several matters that require my immediate attention—issues with trade routes, tensions with neighboring territories. I want to ensure everything is in order before I commit to such an important alliance." He could feel his heart racing as he spoke, the weight of his own feelings for Y/N complicating the matter further.

The queen, her brow creased with worry, studied him closely. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to read the truth beneath his words. "Is that truly the only reason?" she asked gently, her voice laced with motherly concern. Jungkook hesitated, the truth dancing just out of reach in his mind. How could he explain that his heart was conflicted, that the absence of Y/N had left an aching void in his chest?

"Yes, Mother. I assure you, I am committed to the prosperity of our kingdom. But I believe that rushing into marriage at this moment could be detrimental to both my duties and the future we envision with Jasmine." As he spoke, he felt a flicker of guilt for lying, but he also understood the weight of responsibility resting on his shoulders.

His parents exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, Jeonghui nodded, albeit reluctantly. "If you truly believe this is necessary, we shall consider your request. But know that the expectations remain, Jungkook. We cannot afford to linger too long." The king's voice carried an edge of finality, but it also held a note of understanding that Jungkook was grateful for.

"I appreciate your understanding," Jungkook replied, relief washing over him. It wasn't a complete victory—he knew his parents would expect an explanation later—but for now, he had bought himself some time. Time to sort through the chaos in his heart, the confusion of his feelings for Y/N, and to confront the reality of the marriage he was being pushed toward.

As the conversation shifted back to logistics and the intricacies of royal duty, Jungkook found his mind wandering. He thought of the laughter he and Y/N once shared in the garden, the teasing banter that had somehow made the oppressive weight of kingship feel lighter. In those moments, everything felt possible, and he reveled in her presence. But now, her absence loomed large, an echo of what had been and what might have been.

His parents continued discussing preparations for the future, yet Jungkook was only half-listening. The complexities of his responsibilities began to blur with the emotional turmoil of his heart. He had managed to delay the marriage, but at what cost? He couldn't shake the feeling that this reprieve, however temporary, might grant him the chance to navigate the turbulent waters ahead—not just for the kingdom's sake, but for his own heart as well.

With a quiet determination, he resolved to find a way to bring Y/N back into his life, no matter the obstacles that lay ahead. The thought of her laughter, of her defiance and spirit, fueled his desire to fight against the constraints that bound him to a path he wasn't sure he wanted to walk. He needed to understand what she meant to him, and he wouldn't rest until he had the chance to confront that truth.

Jungkook took a deep breath, summoning his resolve as he turned to his parents. "If it pleases you, I would like to invite you to stay here for the night," he proposed, his tone steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside him. "There are matters I would like to discuss further, and it has been some time since we spent a night together as a family."

His mother's face lit up at the suggestion, her eyes softening with warmth. "Oh, Jungkook, that would be lovely! It would be wonderful to share a meal and catch up properly," she said, a smile breaking across her face. The queen had always been the heart of the family, her joy infectious and her spirit uplifting.

Jeonghui regarded his son thoughtfully, a hint of approval in his gaze. "Very well, son. We would be honored to accept your invitation," he replied, though his tone remained measured. Jungkook could sense that his father was still processing the earlier conversation, but the king's willingness to stay eased the tension in the room.

As his parents settled in, Jungkook felt a flicker of relief wash over him. Having them nearby offered a sense of normalcy, a reminder of the family bonds that grounded him amid the chaos of royal duties and personal dilemmas. He knew they would want to discuss Jasmine and the plans for the future, but for now, he was grateful for the distraction.

He led them to the grand dining hall, where the warm glow of candlelight illuminated the ornate tapestries hanging on the walls. The scent of roasted meats and fresh bread wafted through the air, creating an inviting atmosphere that helped ease his troubled mind. As they gathered around the table, Jungkook felt a sense of comfort in the familiar surroundings, even as the complexities of his heart and responsibilities loomed just beneath the surface.

The evening passed in a flurry of conversation and laughter, the three of them sharing stories and enjoying the camaraderie of family. For a brief moment, Jungkook could forget the weight of his impending marriage and the confusion of his feelings for Y/N. Instead, he focused on the warmth of the present, savoring the precious time spent with his parents.

Yet, even as he engaged in the lighthearted banter, a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. The absence of Y/N, once a constant presence in his life, felt like a shadow in the back of his mind, reminding him that there were unresolved feelings he couldn't ignore forever. But for tonight, at least, he allowed himself to enjoy the comfort of family, hoping that the coming days would provide clarity and the chance to confront the emotions he had yet to fully understand.