Chapter Text
Marque de Bonheur
Prologue: Flashbacks and Rewinds
[Jumin's POV]
At 19, Han Jumin didn't know what love was. He had always thought that feelings hinder the decision-making process essential to business functions and marketing strategies he was supposed to partake in. He didn't need it.
One day, V had introduced him to a girl named Rika. He cannot explain it well but he was fond of her. Like V, she can understand the things he says and does not take offense in his honesty. Unlike other girls, she doesn't compliment him just to get to his good side. There was even a time when she reprimands him and gives him advice on how to be more human.
Being with the two of them had opened doors he never knew existed. When they are all together he discovered curious things. It's amusing how two people can accumulate such knowledge when they are of the same age.
At 23, Jumin learned that there are different kinds of love. He figured it out when V and Rika gave him Elizabeth the 3rd. For years, he had devoted his time and all of the buried feelings to his pet. He had thought that she was all he needs.
Jumin never knew that he had been in love with Rika all this time until, of course, he had lost her. He felt his heart stop for a while with the news.
She had committed suicide.
How? How can a bright and charming girl like her think about taking her own life? Then again, things haven't been going well between Rika and V the past months. His best friend had even sustained an injury the last time they fought.
Still, Jumin felt wounded. He knew right from the start that Rika can never be his. V is a great man and he loves Rika with all his heart so he said nothing.
Somehow, the pain had subsided. Still he cherished the memories she left. Kept her book untouched because he can never read it to her even if he finished it.
Then came the moment that shattered all of his beliefs.
At 27, Jumin was pierced with Eros' arrow for the first time that he was aware. She had come up to his penthouse because she was worried about him. This person whom he only knew by name in the messenger that Seven created.
He was taken with her expressive eyes that has different shades of gold, her voice that spoke to him calmly like she had all the time in the world, her gentle smile that untangled all the knots that the uncountable threads had made all these years.
He didn't know what to do with what he's feeling. He should be frustrated; his father is having him married off to someone he didn't even know just so he could please his new woman. It's irrational. However, his frustrations were nothing to the fact that she beamed at him and said that the pancakes he made were awesome. Someone he loves finally got to taste the pancakes he made. It made him exceptionally light headed that even if Elizabeth the 3rd was still missing at that point, he wouldn't have minded at all. She was just a cat, having [MC] with him was all that matters.
When he was at work, all he can think were things they were going to do together, thing to keep her by his side. His mind has even fast forwarded to her meeting his family. How she's going to study tea ceremony, learn an instrument or two; the violin perhaps? No, the piano would be perfect.
She always had a way of surprising him. He came home that night to tell her these things personally, only to find her playing the piano on her own. She didn't even notice him until he subconsciously sat beside her on the piano bench.
"Welcome home, Jumin." she said in a whisper her voice melding into the soft melody she's playing.
"I never knew you play the piano." He said in an equally soft voice. He didn't want to interrupt the piece but the urge of knowing more about her was stronger.
Apparently, she was used to talking and playing at the same time because his question didn't stop her fingers from smoothly gliding over the ivories.
"I do. I was a music major after all. I was on the composition and instruments track. I'm not at all confident with my voice." She said sheepishly.
"Nonsense... I told you on our first call, didn't I? You have a very beautiful voice. I could listen to it all day."
She stared at him and stopped playing. She placed her hands on her lap as if to mull things over. He knew she's not really used to getting compliments even as she deserves to get one every time.
"Did you hear any news about Elizabeth today?" She changed the topic.
It's so endearing to see how humble she can be.
"I didn't."
"Don't worry. We'll find her." The certainty was almost enough to make Jumin believe that they will indeed find his cat.
"Can you play some more?" He said.
"Of course. Is there any particular piece you'd like to hear?"
"Anything by you would be wonderful."
"You flatter me Jumin." she smiled.
If they could, they probably would have played songs until the dawn but Sarah Choi has other plans.
Of course, the ill-mannered woman just barged in his house showing a picture of a cat she probably just got on the internet. It's just money she needs, so its money he'll use as bait.
As expected, the gold digger was caught in his trap. And his take away was, he got to kiss the most beautiful woman in his eyes.
He had meant to do it while they were alone and maybe somewhere more intimate but the situation called for something that will make the obnoxious woman leave.
Jumin that if she didn't want him she would have pushed him away. No matter how sweet or gentle she may appear, she would not take it lying down if someone were to cross the line.
It pleased him to know that there is a sliver of hope in all the mess they are in that he may win her heart if he worked for it.
He decided then that if it's not her, there will be no one else for him.
Alas, all good things must come to an end. She had to go back to Rika's apartment so she can continue planning the party.
Being the only one Jumin trusts with her, he called V to escort her back home.
He noticed his penthouse has felt more empty. It seemed like a huge hole has been dug on every corner that she was in, on every place that she touched. Her absence leaving a gaping hole in his chest.
He cannot wait to see her again. Two more days and she'll be with him again.
Unfortunately, things decided to work on their own whether he wanted them or not. As if the discovery of the bomb where his beloved is in was not enough, she had to go to a dangerous place with Luciel.
He had been so anxious he can't focus on his work. However, he cannot waste all her efforts into the party by letting it fail. As of the present he is the de facto leader of RFA and this was his only connection to her. He wouldn't know what to do with himself if his second family where to break into pieces.
Jumin made sure that everything was perfect. Jaehee may have quit as his assistant but she's still a member of the RFA so he had designated her with the important things.
He was anxious the whole time waiting for the message that they are safe and coming home. He can't let it show, of course. The guests don’t have to know.
'It's alright' Jumin told himself. 'She's coming back. She coming back home.'
The party has been finished successfully yet he hasn't received any messages from Luciel-no, Saeyoung. The sun had set and he's pacing his study thinking of what might have happened.
He then received a message from V.
"SOS! We need your help! Come ASAP." This isn't his usual way of texting but if they need help he'll rush to their side. The text came with the address of where exactly they are. If he has to take his private jet to get where they are then he will.
He didn't know what to do with himself or what should be his reaction when he got to the scene or maybe what bothered him was his lack thereof. He froze.
[MC] was lying on the floor, blood seeping out of the gaping hole on her abdomen. V was there, screaming for help, losing the calm he was known for.
Saeyoung is trying to subdue a white-haired guy that holds some semblance to RFA's prankster.
Rika was sitting on the floor, eyes wild like a hunted animal dressed in robes that should probably belong to a priestess. He dismissed the nagging thought of how was she alive or that V had been lying to them all this time.
"[MC]... Please, hold on we'll get you to the hospital." He said softly.
Jumin wanted to carry her, or at least cradle her in his arms. His heart was racing in his chest as if begging for him to just breakdown and cry. His mind fought his emotions. If he his fear and agony take over him, he'll lose her forever.
"Jihyun. I know, this is hard but we have to get her treated! She's losing more blood every second." He said sternly.
Hearing his name from his bestfriend must have snapped him out of his reverie.
The rest, everybody already knew what happened.
This isn't a sequel to their love story. This is the story of him, Han Jumin, finding his own brand of happiness.