This chapter is a filler focusing on Jungkook's life at the mansion.

It's a longer read, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the detailed glimpse into Jungkook's world.

I hope you all are enjoying the story so far! Your support and feedback mean the world to me. Feel free to share your thoughts or favorite moments—I'd love to hear what you think!

Happy reading!😊

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Authors Pov

Two weeks had passed since Jungkook had arrived at the mansion, and in that time, he had effortlessly won the hearts of almost everyone. His doe eyes, innocent smile, and unwavering curiosity turned the palace into a more vibrant place.

But not everyone was as warm to him. Taehyung, his mate, avoided him like the plague.

Jungkook noticed how Taehyung avoided him. It wasn't just casual indifference; it felt deliberate. Taehyung would leave the room whenever Jungkook entered, his footsteps echoing down the halls like a retreating storm. At first, Jungkook tried not to let it bother him. Maybe he's busy, he thought. But as the days went by, the avoidance became more apparent—and it stung.

Still, Jungkook decided not to dwell on it. He wasn't the type to wallow in sadness, and the other members had done their best to make him feel welcome.

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Late one evening, Jungkook sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his reflection in the mirror. His bunny-like eyes were filled with doubt.

"Does he not like me?" Jungkook murmured to himself.

Taehyung's avoidance was hard to ignore. At first, Jungkook thought it was because Taehyung was busy with royal duties. But the constant cold shoulders and quick exits whenever Jungkook entered a room made it clear—it was something deeper.

He hugged his knees to his chest, feeling small in the massive room. "Maybe I'm not good enough to be his mate. Maybe he wanted someone stronger, smarter..." His voice trailed off as he wiped at his damp cheeks.

Unable to sleep, Jungkook padded quietly down the hallway. He found Jimin sitting in the lounge, flipping through a book with little interest.

"Hyung," Jungkook called softly, his voice hesitant.

Jimin looked up and immediately noticed the sadness in Jungkook's eyes. He patted the seat next to him. "Bunny, what's wrong?"

Jungkook sat down, fidgeting with his fingers. "Do you think... Taehyung Hyung doesn't want me as his mate?"

Jimin blinked in surprise. "What? Why would you think that?"

"He avoids me, Hyung. Every time I try to talk to him, he leaves. He doesn't even look at me properly." Jungkook's voice cracked. "I must've done something wrong."

Jimin's heart ached seeing Jungkook like this. He placed a comforting hand on the younger's shoulder.

"kookie, Taehyung isn't like that. He's... complicated," Jimin began. "He's waited a long time for his mate. Maybe he's overwhelmed."

"But why can't he just talk to me? I'd listen," Jungkook whispered. "I'd understand."

Jimin sighed, unsure how to explain. He knew Taehyung had his reasons for keeping his distance, but even Jimin felt there was more to it. Something wasn't adding up.

"I think," Jimin said cautiously, "Taehyung is trying to protect you. He's not rejecting you, Bunny. Trust me on that."

Jungkook looked up at Jimin, his doe eyes glistening with hope and doubt. "You think so?"

"I know so," Jimin said firmly, offering a reassuring smile.

After Jungkook left for bed, Jimin leaned back on the couch, his thoughts racing.

Taehyung's behavior is off, he thought. While it was true that Taehyung was protective and reserved, the level of avoidance seemed excessive, even for him.

Jimin decided he needed to have a word with Yoongi. Something was going on, and it was starting to hurt Jungkook.

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The next day, Jungkook walked into the garden, hoping to find some peace among the blooming flowers. He paused when he saw Taehyung standing by the fountain, his back turned.

Jungkook hesitated, then took a small step forward. "Taehyung Hyung?"

Taehyung stiffened at the sound of his voice. He turned slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of Jungkook's wide, hopeful eyes, before turning away again.

"I... I just wanted to thank you," Jungkook said, his voice trembling slightly. "For saving me that night. I—I'm really grateful."

Taehyung's hands clenched at his sides. He wanted to say something, anything, but Namjoon's words echoed in his mind. Stay away from him until the full moon.

Without responding, Taehyung walked away, leaving Jungkook standing there, his chest tight with hurt.

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Jimin quietly entered the dimly lit bedroom, the soft glow of the moon spilling through the large windows. Yoongi was already sprawled out on the bed, his dark hair messily covering his eyes as he mumbled something incoherent in his half-asleep state.

"Hyung," Jimin whispered, tugging lightly on the blanket Yoongi had pulled up to his chin.

"Hmm?" Yoongi groaned, his voice raspy and laced with annoyance. "Jimin, it's late. Come to bed."

Jimin frowned, crawling onto the bed and settling beside him. "We need to talk."

Yoongi cracked one eye open, giving him a tired glare. "Can it wait? I was dreaming about... something nice."

"No," Jimin said firmly, sitting cross-legged and glaring right back at him. "It's about Taehyung and Jungkook."

Yoongi groaned louder this time, rolling onto his side to face Jimin. "What about them? Taehyung's been acting weird, I know. But he's always a little weird."

Jimin poked his chest. "This is different, Hyung. Jungkook thinks Taehyung doesn't want him as his mate. He's hurt, and you know how sweet he is. It's breaking my heart."

Yoongi blinked, trying to process Jimin's words through his sleepy haze. "Taehyung avoiding Jungkook? That's odd. He waited over a century for his mate; he should be glued to his side."

"Exactly!" Jimin threw his hands in the air. "But instead, he's acting like Jungkook doesn't exist. He barely looks at him during meals, doesn't talk to him, and avoids him like the plague."

Yoongi rubbed his temple, sitting up slightly. "Maybe there's a reason for it. Taehyung's not exactly an open book, but he wouldn't hurt his mate intentionally."

Jimin huffed, crossing his arms. "Then why hasn't he told Jungkook what's going on? He's leaving him in the dark, Hyung. Jungkook is so innocent; he probably thinks he did something wrong."

Yoongi sighed, leaning back against the headboard. "Taehyung hasn't told me anything either. If it's something serious, he'll probably keep it to himself until he figures it out."

Jimin stared at him, his lips pressing into a pout. "You're his closest advisor, and you're my mate. How do you not know?"

Yoongi smirked at that, reaching out to pull Jimin closer. "Because, Love, Taehyung doesn't share unless he absolutely has to. And apparently, he hasn't decided it's necessary yet."

Jimin let himself be pulled into Yoongi's lap, his arms wrapping around his mate's neck. "I just want Jungkook to be happy. He's trying so hard to fit in here, and it's not fair to leave him feeling unwanted."

Yoongi kissed Jimin's temple, his voice softening. "I get it, Chim. I'll try to figure out what's going on with Taehyung. But you know him—he'd never hurt his mate on purpose. He probably thinks he's protecting him."

"Fine," Jimin mumbled, resting his head against Yoongi's shoulder. "But if you hear anything, you'd better tell me right away."

"Of course," Yoongi murmured, pulling Jimin down onto the bed beside him. "Now, let me sleep, hmm? You've already stolen my dreams once tonight."

Jimin chuckled softly, snuggling into Yoongi's chest. "Alright, Hyung. But this isn't over."

Yoongi smirked, wrapping an arm around him. "With you? It never is."

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One morning, Jungkook sat at the breakfast table, happily munching on toast while Hoseok regaled everyone with a hilarious story.

"And then," Hoseok said, his face lit up with mischief, "the little duck just ran away with the bread in its mouth! I was chasing it like, 'Come back here, that's my breakfast!'"

Jungkook burst into laughter, nearly choking on his orange juice. His laughter was contagious, and even Yoongi, the grumpy one, cracked a small smile from behind his coffee mug.

"You're like a sunshine , Hyung," Jungkook said to Hoseok, eyes twinkling.

"And you're like a little bunny princess" Hoseok replied, ruffling Jungkook's hair.

"Yah, stop that! My hair will get messy," Jungkook pouted, trying to smooth it down.

Yoongi snorted. "You already look like you rolled out of bed and fell into a pile of fluff. What's a little more?"

Jungkook gasped, his mouth forming an adorable 'O.' "Yoongi Hyung! That's mean!"

"It's the truth," Yoongi replied, sipping his coffee with a smirk.

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Later that day, Jungkook wandered through the library, humming softly to himself. He reached for a book on a high shelf, his fingertips just brushing the edge, when a deep voice startled him.

"Here."

Jungkook turned to see Taehyung standing there, holding the book out to him. His heart fluttered, but before he could say anything, Taehyung placed the book in his hands and walked away without another word.

Jungkook stood there, clutching the book tightly. His chest ached. Why does he avoid me? Did I do something wrong?Doesnt he want me?

Determined to shake off the sadness, Jungkook spent the afternoon baking with Jin. Flour ended up everywhere, including on Jungkook's nose, which earned him another round of teasing from Hoseok and Yoongi when they passed by the kitchen.

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That evening, Jungkook decided to explore the mansion further. He stumbled upon a room filled with antiques and trinkets. His eyes sparkled as he picked up a small golden figurine of a fox.

"Whoa, is this real gold?" he asked no one in particular.

"No, it's chocolate," Yoongi deadpanned from the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed.

Jungkook tilted his head. "Really?"

Yoongi raised an eyebrow. "No."

Jungkook pouted, placing the figurine back carefully. "Hyung, you shouldn't tease me like that."

"It's too easy," Yoongi muttered, but there was a hint of fondness in his voice.

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Unbeknownst to Jungkook, Taehyung watched him from the shadows, his sharp eyes following every move. He clenched his fists, torn between his desire to be close to his mate and the promise he had made to Namjoon.

It's for his safety, Taehyung reminded himself. I have to keep my distance, no matter how much it hurts.

But every time Jungkook's laughter rang through the halls, Taehyung felt his resolve waver. The boy was so pure, so full of life, and Taehyung wanted nothing more than to protect him.

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Far away, in a dimly lit room, a man sat in the shadows, a sinister smirk playing on his lips. His fingers drummed rhythmically on the table as he studied a map of the royal mansion spread out before him.

"So," he murmured to himself, "the mighty king has found his mate. A human, no less."

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming with malice. "How...delightful. The king has finally found a weakness. And a human weakness at that."

The man picked up a dagger, twirling it between his fingers as he spoke. "It's time to strike where it hurts the most. The boy will be my key to bringing the king to his knees."

The candlelight flickered, casting eerie shadows across the room. "Let's see how strong you truly are, Your Majesty."

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