Secrets Kept (Namjoon x Reader)

Chapter 5

Y/N POV:

As we continued walking, Freyja by my side, I couldn't help but think of everything that had happened, everything that I had learned. I couldn't help but sense a feeling of betrayal, knowing Namjoon didn't trust me enough to tell me what he was dealing with, the life he was leading. I had been telling the truth. Would it have taken time for me to get used to it all? Of course, but I would have believed him, trusted him and been there for him. Unfortunately, he never gave me the chance to prove myself. He just cast me aside like I was nothing to him.

And from the words he had said to me that last day? I was nothing to him.

A nudge from my side had me looking over to see Freyja staring up at me. It was almost as though she could understand what I was thinking, what I was feeling and it made me smile. Patting her head, my smile grew bigger when the enormous purr erupted from her huge chest, filling the quiet forest. "I'm alright sweet kitty. Don't worry about me."

"You know? It's strange for Aniran animals to accept mainlanders so easily." Jin's voice was amused as he came up to my side, a bright grin on his face. "They are usually not so trusting."

"Why do you think she accepted me so easily?" I looked over at my boss, blown away as usual by his unnatural handsome looks. But when I looked around I could see they were all the same way. Almost picture perfect, angelic features that made them seem more like airbrushed cover models than anything else.

Jin shrugged. "I have some ideas, but I'm not entirely sure. It's something his majesty would have to explain to you." I went to ask what he meant, but Jin stopped me before I could, the smile disappearing from his face. "I'm sorry. I really wish I could tell you, but it's not my place."

Sighing in resignation, I just nodded. "Can you tell me more about where I am?"

Jin's smile returned and I could see he was proud of where he was from. "Of course. Aniran became its own entity when it was freed from Achlys. Our people, the Aegneya, were finally able to become their own rulers and that is when the first king took the throne. King Branton was amazing. He took care of the people, made sure they had what they needed. When he... when he died, the throne was passed to his son, the current king."

"How do you like the current king?"

"I like him a lot. He's... he's a good man. He's very much like his own father, but his son is dealing with an arranged marriage to a woman who is not the nicest." Jin shuddered as he spoke and I couldn't help but feel pity for this unknown son.

"Jin..." There was a hint of warning in Yoongi's voice, but Jin brushed it off.

"The son is a good person and I know he doesn't want this. He..." Jin's voice trailed off as Yoongi called his name again and I could see he wanted to say more, but realized he had probably already said too much. "You'll see when we arrive at the kingdom."

Understanding that Jin was uncomfortable with the topic, I let it go, not wanting to make him feel like he was on the spot. As soon as it was quiet, my mind went to Eric and I couldn't stop the pang of hurt that washed over me as I thought about my only real friend. Sure. I had made acquaintances over the years, but there was no one like Eric, no one like the man who had helped me out of the depths of my misery and put the smile back on my face, the one that disappeared the day Namjoon slammed his door in my face.

As I thought about Eric, I tried to hold back the tears that started burning my eyes, but one escaped and left a salty trail down my cheek, one I tried to brush away quickly. Freyja let out a whine and I looked over at the cat to see her watching me. Once again, I got the feeling that there was something more to this cat than meets the eyes, but I knew my questions would have to wait until we reached the kingdom. Her head bumped into my hand, a subtle gesture that clearly meant that I'm here. Knowing thinking about him wouldn't help, I tried to push the thoughts of Eric from my mind, but it didn't help. He was such a big part of my life that I knew he would always be in my mind.