Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Whispers of Rumors

Jungkook stood by the large bay window in his and Taehyung’s estate, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The golden hues reminded him of his newfound freedom and the security he felt with Taehyung. Yet, the sting of his family’s words lingered in his mind.

He turned at the sound of footsteps. Taehyung entered, his usual composed expression slightly strained.

“You’re quiet today,” Taehyung remarked, sitting across from Jungkook. “Is it because of your family’s visit?”

Jungkook hesitated before nodding. “It’s hard to shake their words, even when I know they don’t matter anymore.”

Taehyung’s gaze softened. “They don’t deserve space in your mind. You’ve proven your worth to me, and that’s what matters.”

Jungkook smiled faintly. “Thank you, Taehyung.”

Before their conversation could continue, a knock interrupted them. Jimin, Taehyung’s trusted advisor and court magician, entered the room, bowing deeply.

“Your Grace, there are... murmurs in the court,” Jimin began cautiously.

Taehyung’s eyes narrowed. “Murmurs?”

Jimin nodded, glancing at Jungkook before continuing. “There are rumors that you, Your Grace, have a commoner lover. They’re saying your marriage is merely a political front.”

The color drained from Jungkook’s face. “A commoner lover?” he echoed, his voice trembling.

Taehyung’s jaw tightened. “Ridiculous. Where did these rumors originate?”

“Uncertain, but they’ve spread quickly,” Jimin replied.

---

That evening, Jungkook wandered the estate’s gardens, his thoughts a tangled mess. He had overheard whispers about Taehyung’s rumored lover before their marriage, but he had dismissed them as baseless gossip. Now, those rumors felt like a dagger aimed at his heart.

He sat on a stone bench beneath a willow tree, staring at the small pond. The reflection staring back at him looked uncertain, as if he didn’t know who he was anymore.

“Deep in thought again?” Taehyung’s voice cut through the silence.

Jungkook looked up to see Taehyung approaching, his presence as commanding as ever.

“I can’t help it,” Jungkook admitted. “The rumors... they make me wonder.”

Taehyung frowned, sitting beside him. “Wonder what?”

“About us,” Jungkook whispered. “About why you agreed to this marriage.”

Taehyung’s sharp eyes softened. “I agreed because I saw someone brave enough to face me without flinching. Someone who dared to ask for what they wanted, even when the world seemed against them.”

Jungkook blinked, taken aback by the sincerity in Taehyung’s words.

Taehyung continued, “I don’t care about these rumors, and neither should you. They’re just noise.”

“But what if—”

Taehyung interrupted him, his tone firm. “Jungkook, you are my husband. That’s all that matters.”

---

Despite Taehyung’s reassurances, the rumors persisted. One morning, as Jungkook strolled through the market disguised as a commoner, he overheard two women gossiping nearby.

“Have you heard about the Duke’s commoner lover?” one of them whispered.

The other nodded eagerly. “They say he’s had her hidden away for years, even before his marriage. Poor Duchess Jungkook.”

Jungkook’s heart sank. He turned away, pulling his hood lower to hide his face.

That evening, Jungkook confronted Taehyung in their chambers.

“Do you have a lover?” Jungkook blurted out, his voice trembling.

Taehyung, who had been unbuttoning his coat, froze. His expression shifted from shock to irritation.

“No,” Taehyung said firmly. “Where is this coming from?”

“The rumors,” Jungkook admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I heard them in the market today.”

Taehyung’s gaze hardened. “And you believe them?”

Jungkook looked away, tears welling in his eyes. “I don’t want to, but they’re everywhere. It’s hard not to.”

Taehyung stepped closer, placing his hands on Jungkook’s shoulders. “Look at me.”

Jungkook hesitated before meeting Taehyung’s piercing gaze.

“I have no lover,” Taehyung said slowly, enunciating every word. “There is no one but you, Jungkook.”

---

Despite Taehyung’s assurance, Jungkook couldn’t shake the unease. Days turned into weeks, and his interactions with Taehyung became strained. He began to pull away, retreating into his thoughts.

Taehyung noticed the change, his frustration growing. One evening, as they sat in awkward silence during dinner, he finally spoke.

“Jungkook, we need to talk.”

Jungkook looked up, startled. “About what?”

“About this distance between us,” Taehyung said. “You’re pulling away, and I need to know why.”

Jungkook hesitated, his hands trembling. “I don’t know how to explain it. I want to trust you, but the rumors—”

Taehyung slammed his hand on the table, startling Jungkook. “Enough about the rumors! I’ve told you the truth. Do you not believe me?”

Jungkook flinched, tears streaming down his face. “I do, but—”

“No buts,” Taehyung interrupted, his voice softening. He stood and walked over to Jungkook, kneeling beside him. “If you trust me, then let go of this doubt. It’s poisoning us.”

Jungkook nodded, his tears falling freely. “I’m sorry, Taehyung. I’m trying.”

Taehyung pulled him into a tight embrace. “We’ll get through this, Jungkook. Together.”

As Jungkook rested his head on Taehyung’s shoulder, he realized that the whispers of rumors could only hold power if he let them. With Taehyung’s unwavering support, he vowed to face them head-on.