Heathen

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/42550227.

Rating: Mature
Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con
Category: M/M, Other
Fandom: taekook - Fandom, 방탄소년단 | Bangtan Boys | BTS
Character: Jeon Jungkook, Kim Taehyung | V
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Reincarnation, Sweet Kim Namjoon | RM, Sweet
Kim Seokjin | Jin, Min Yoongi - Freeform, j-hope - Freeform, hoseok -
Freeform, Top Jeon Jungkook/Bottom Kim Taehyung | V, Alternate
Universe - Historical, Fanfiction, Intersex, Internal Monologue,
Implied/Referenced Character Death
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2022-10-22 Updated: 2023-02-18 Chapters: 22/40 Words:
63068

Heathen
by chroniclesofharu

Summary

Hansung had been fascinated by the new student Jungkook- precisely, since the day he saw
him. He had such a different aura, that even in a crowd of thousand people in black, he
could recognize him clearly. Whenever their eyes met, Hansung could write a whole book
on what his eyes told even if they were nothing but an abyss of secrets.

And he soon realized why he would think of him so differently, while the others thought of
him as nothing but an arrogant, moneyed and socially incompetent boy. That single night
turned his life upside-down.

Notes

See the end of the work for notes

 Prologue

At that particular moment, I could specifically feel nothing. I was so used to him using my body
against my will that I did not bother fighting back- fighting the pain, which was now so numb.

My hands rested loosely on his shoulders, as he pushed inside me, as if he were some animal- a
wild one, desperate to release his frustration after performing the duties of a king, all day.

I could not even bring myself to look at his face, as I stared sightlessly at the huge white curtains,
fluttering because of the gentle breeze that impelled on them, through the open windows. I could
just wish he were gentle with me too; could treat me like a human too.

But, that was not possible.

That was not who I was- I always reminded myself of that. They did not consider me a human.

I heard him sigh and my own eyes fluttered shut at the familiar feeling of being filled up with his
fluids. It was not pleasant at all. It was rather the contrary.

"Ah princess." He mumbled, filthily sweet in my ear, as he caressed my cheek softly with his
fingers.

When I refused to look at him, he cupped my jaws, making me look at him and I did not obstruct
him, because I did not want to infuriate him. I was already so tired for that.

"I expect a little one this time, okay?" He whispered, with a small smile on his lips. I pulled my lips
up forcefully, as I nodded slightly.

"You know I love you, right? More than the Queen." He murmured, and I could just nod
again. That was all a lie.

"Don't let me down. Okay Taehyung?" He said sweetly, but, I almost shivered, not failing to get
the hint of warning behind his sugar-coated words.

"Yes, Your Majesty." I whispered back, watching his smile grow wider, before he leaned forward
and pressed his lips against mine. I sighed, closing my eyes. I knew what I had to face if I did not
respond to his gesture, so, I reluctantly and weakly kissed him back.

Even though, he did not do anything tonight, I was so scared what he would do when he would not
get what he expected. He just did not understand. And I was so tired, trying to make him
understand.

No body could just accept that I could not bear a child. I did not have that gift in me. If I would
have had, I would not have those ugly bruises on my body, which scared me to look at the mirror;
he would not hit me every time the physicians gave a negative report about me not having a child
in my womb.

Wasn't it enough that I was not a man? Why could they not understand that I was not
a woman either? How was it my fault that I was born this way? I had not asked the Divinity to
make me this way. Then why?

But, at the end of the day, all the questions in my mind remained unanswered.
All I knew was that, I was just a 'useless animal', as they called me. I did not have anything to credit
the world. Neither could I mate with a woman, nor a man would get a successor out of me.

I was yet, another mistake of God. A mistake which could never blend with the normal society. A
mistake to be always looked down upon by the world.

A mistake to be called a Heathen.

 CHAPTER 1
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

"Park Hansung and Park Jimin! Get your arses up!" Minhee yelled, and her voice echoed
throughout the empty bus.

"God Minhee! Keep your voice down." Hansung groaned, hiding his face further inside the blanket
that he was sharing with Jimin.

"No!" She chirped with a bright smile, before smacking their heads again. "I'm not stopping until
you get off the damn bus. And that is, right now!"

"You're such a pain in the ass!" Jimin spat, before throwing away the blanket angrily, and glaring
at her with sleepy eyes.

"Guys, c'mon!" She whined, "We are here to enjoy the trip. Can't you both sleep your butts off
after we reach the palace?" She huffed, with hands resting on her hips.

"God! Okay!" Hansung yawned, separating the blanket from his body and immediately shivered at
the sudden cold.

"It's so cold, please." He said through clattering teeth and the shorter male immediately hugged him
from the side, "You're so right, my brother."

The girl in two pigtails rolled her eyes, as she grabbed her backpack from her seat and turned
around to get off the vehicle.

"I can't with your dramatic arses."

"Dear students. Welcome to the Nongmon Palace. I'm Natsumi Hayato and I will be your guide
and host throughout your little tour around Nongmongung."

A young woman said, as all the college students gathered near a huge flight of stairs by the palace
gardens. She bowed with a polite smile.

"This week, throughout the day time we would be engaging you in different activities. We hope
everyone has already got their schedules according to their assigned groups?" She raised a question
to which synchronized 'Yes ma'am's were heard.

"That is good." She smiled and went on, "Let me summarize the essentials. Firstly, everyone will
be staying at the rooms assigned in the palace premises itself. Group A students will find their
rooms in the east wing. Group B in the south-east wing and Group C in the South wing."

"What about the South-west and North wings ma'am?" A girl interrupted out of curiosity.

"The South-west wing is for the teaching staff and as for the North wing..." She put on a confused
expression, "I don't know. It's closed for tourists."
Students exchanged confused glances and curious words in low murmurs, before a clap took their
attention.

"Students. Pay attention to Miss Hayato." Their professor in charge, Mrs. Lee said sternly,
quietening them. But a certain someone was indeed left very curious.

"After the palace touring and other activities, you can take rest in your assigned chambers. It's all
about luck. Whoever reaches the room first gets the bedding of their choice. No ruckus should be
created." She continued with a playful warning.

"Sure ma'am! No ruckus will be created." Jimin said seriously unlike himself, standing upright,
and furrowing his brows. Hansung scoffed, pushing him away playfully. This caused the students,
the guide and even the professor to laugh at the boy.

"An important rule is..." She said, "You should not roam around after bed time. It will be dark and
even though this place is safe, there are some forbidden places which one should not visit. The
ground might be weak or any antique might fall on you." She said playfully.

Everyone shared glances yet again, but, this time quite petrified. She laughed clapping her hands,
"Okay. So, I guess I am understood?"

"Let me try something queer then." Minhee whispered leaning towards Hansung, who just rolled
his eyes, "Don't try to act daring or a ghost will grab you and make you his supper."

"As if!" She clicked her tongue, smacking his bottom lightly with her hand-bag.

The brown-haired male looked around once, smiling widely as Miss Hayato continued giving them
general information about their activities. The place looked oddly placid, yet, beautifully
mysterious to him. The fresh air of damp green earth gave him a sense of something he could not
name. Or probably could. Was it belonging?

He was probably overthinking, he thought, as he shook his head and let his eyes travel around the
crowd of students.

But, they stopped on a certain ink-haired and his brows furrowed in a curious little frown. The boy
was standing at the very end, looking ahead at the guide with a vacant expression as if he was not
at all interested in any of the occurrences.

Suddenly his eyes snapped down to meet Hansung's and his heart almost jumped out of his chest,
as he turned around swiftly, clearing his throat.

Minhee noticed it and leaned over to him, as she looked back at the raven-haired, who was now
staring back ahead.

"What happened? Again, that new kid?" She whispered, earning a whine from the boy, "Shut up
and don't look back!" He hissed, feigning focus on Miss Hayato.

"I don't understand what's up with that transferee." Jimin joined them, placing a hand on his
cousin's shoulder. "He looks so... I don't know... creepy? Man! The way he looks at someone just
gives me chills."

"That's if he even looks at someone." The red-haired girl rolled her eyes, looking away from the
guy being talked about. "He never even spares anyone a glance. Rich brat."

"Do you mean to say we are brats?" Jimin narrowed his eyes at her who just blew him a raspberry,
"You both and especially you, Mr. Minmin- act like a fucking penniless human, crashing at my
place anytime you like just for free food and you say you are a rich brat? Please." She laughed
mirthlessly, before flipping her plait back.

"You didn't just..." Jimin gasped dramatically, before leaning his frowning face towards her smug
one, "You bitch! How dare you criticize our world famous backgr-"

"Guys!" Hansung whisper-shouted, pushing both of them away from each other.

The ash-haired male pouted, crossing his arms across his chest, as he threw an angry glare at
Minhee, who just hid herself behind Hansung sticking her tongue out cheekily.

"If I would have decided to go in for business, I would've shown you, bag of puke!" Jimin spat for
the last time, before looking forward.

Hansung giggled elbowing him slightly, as he discreetly took another glance back. He should not
have, so as to not find the new boy, staring at him stoic. His smile faded, as he stared back at him
through his lashes, before gulping and pushing his spectacles up the bridge of his nose.

It seemed as if the other guy was talking to him through his stare itself- calling him closer. It felt so
queer. So evilly inviting, that he felt himself getting drawn towards him.

"And that was all." Miss Hayato's words snapped him out of his trance, and he was immediately
looking back at her.

"We hope to keep your stay as traditional and simple as possible so that you will be able to enjoy
with a feeling of travelling back in History."

She smiled again, bowing slightly.

"Thank you. Happy touring."

The trio stood in front of the boys' room in the east wing, as they peered inside to find seven out of
ten boys from their group; already changing themselves to go to bed.

Minhee sighed looking out from the wooden corridor at the almost dark sky, "A'ight. I'm going to
go to the girls' room. Miyeon is there so, yeah." She grinned looking back at the two cousins. "I
won't be bored. I'll get going then."

"Who cares? Just get lost already." Jimin elbowed her with a cheeky grin and she just smacked his
head before parting from the laughing morons.

"C'mon Sungie. Let's go and meet our new roomies."

They walked in and the other boys present, sent them a few greets before focusing back on their
own jobs.

Jimin's face turned into a scowl as he walked towards a pair of mattresses arranged adjacently,
"Traditional, my ass. Why couldn't they just keep some fluffy beds? Holy mother of Jesus!"

He huffed throwing his backpack on the floor and plopping down on the mattress, spread on the
wooden floor.

"C'mon Minnie." Hansung rolled his eyes, chuckling later as he sat down beside him, "It's a new
 experience. Let's enjoy!" He exclaimed, giggling later.

Jimin looked up at him, before his eyes travelled past the spectacled boy and a smirk formed on his
lips, "Yeah. Let's enjoy. Especially you."

Hansung frowned, as he followed the other's gaze and his eyes landed on Jungkook who just
entered the huge room.

He gasped inaudibly. He had almost forgotten that they were in the same group. His cheeks burnt
slightly in the cold weather, when the transferee shot him a neutral glance, before walking his way
to the far end of the room and dropping his bag there.

"Hey Jeon! Are you gonna sleep on the bare floor?" A guy named Jaewon, chuckled and pointed
towards the empty mattress that was placed beside his. "Because the mattress is here."

The new student walked towards him swiftly, slightly scaring the boy, before bending down and
dragging the mattress up to the corner, where his bag lay. He sighed, looking up at Jaewon, who
was slightly taken aback.

"There." Was all he said, before settling down on his mattress. He did not give anyone a look as he
blew off the candle near him and his frame blended in the dark corner, only his hair slightly visible
from the moonlight entering the window.

Hansung was staring at him with slightly furrowed brows all the while. "Strange fellow." He heard
Jimin say, before he stood up and walked off to the room divider to change into his night clothing.

The brown-haired male could not help but find something mysteriously alluring about the new
student since the first day he saw him at the college and that was almost a week ago. He stood out
from everyone around him. There was always that cold and arrogant expression pasted on his face
as he just kept to himself.

But, the stares. Oh the stares!

Taehyung knew he was the unluckiest when he had an odd encounter with the boy everyday at the
institution. Be it bumping or getting ignored as he asked for some help with an assignment (that
was for a single day because he was too embarrassed to approach him after that one incident), it
just had to happen and that was so awkward. And the stare he got before Jungkook walked away-
that just shook his insides violently. He did not know whether it was good or bad.

He sighed, pulling off his spectacles, as he looked down at his hands.

Jungkook was his name. Jeon Jungkook.

Chapter End Notes

Thanks for reading♡

 CHAPTER 2
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

"As we have already seen the court, and the Kings' and Queens' chambers, today we'll head
towards the museum to know about the people with primary importance throughout the Park and
Choi dynasties."

Miss Hayato led Mrs. Lee and all the students towards the Ministers' chambers. It was their third
day of the winter camp and they were having a nice time with all the camp fire games at night, and
the touring and little quizzes during the day.

Hansung walked alongside his two best-friends; his eyes trained on the portraits hanging down the
walls. He always had had this love for art -any kind of art- that always rendered him speechless
whenever he passed by one. It was always a curio for him, be it the simplest of things with the
deepest of meanings or the most complex of things with the meaning floating in front of one's eyes-
it was always intriguing for him.

"This is Choi Minho as the General. Remember, we saw his portrait in the Kings' art gallery? He
was the first ruler of the Choi dynasty after he took up the throne by overthrowing the last Park
ruler, that was the Queen Park Yejin." Miss Hayato explained as they stood by a portrait of a
handsome youth, whose picture from his aging days was hanging inside the royal court.

"She's our ancestor." They heard someone gasp and found the person who spoke to be Jimin, "I've
seen her portrait in our country house!" He turned towards Hansung, who was already feeling
embarrassed from the sudden attention, "Right Sungie?"

"Yeah." The brunette nodded with a shy smile and Miss Hayato smiled.

"That is a great news. This means you are the descendants of the Park dynasty."

"Yes! And Hansung has an even direct relationship with the royal family! He belongs to the
lineage of Park Pilsoo's eldest son, who was perhaps away from royal affairs." Jimin explained,
leading to the break out of murmurs amongst the students, as they looked at the two cousins in
awe.

"Wow. I didn't know that." One of their classmates commented, gaping at Hansung.

"That's not something special." The boy chuckled awkwardly, shrugging later.

"But, the last few rulers of the Park dynasty were said to have an evil and ruthless character." Miss
Hayato said, earning silence from the students.

"The people considered Choi Minho as their saviour from the inhumane dynasty." She continued in
a solemn tone. "The Kings were pleasure loving and incapable of ruling. They slept with
concubines, apart from the Queens and offered their daughters to the rulers of other Kingdoms
once they reached a certain age, just to gain allies and power.

"It is said that the Queen Yejin used her husband Park Pilsoo, who was the last King and killed him
through conspiracies with the ministers, by keeping an illegal relationship with them. After that,
she ascended the throne. She is considered to be the cruelest among all the Parks." She ended with
a sigh.
"Whoa! She was a bitch." Jimin mumbled, which caused Minhee to smirk, "Just like you,
sweetheart."

"I will pretend that I did not hear you, dearie." The ash-haired male gave her a tight-lipped smile,
before looking ahead, which caused Hansung to sigh at their childish behaviour.

"Excuse me, Ma'am?" A boy spoke up from the group of students, as he raised his hand up to gain
attention of the guide.

"Yes dear?"

"I've done some research about Nongmongung before coming here. I've read an article about this
famous myth of the only male concubine in Goryeon history, who was illegally a part of the Park
dynasty." The boy said unsurely, and Miss Hayato hummed, nodding slowly.

"You're right. But, it's not a myth. It is the truth."

"Can you tell us more about it, Miss?" Hansung immediately raised his hand up, curiosity getting
the best of him. The only male concubine in Goryeon history? Sounded interesting, he thought.

She chuckled, "You are a Park, right? Don't you know?"

Hansung pulled his hand down, quite embarrassed, "Sorry Miss. I am not quite aware of it."

"Neither am I." Jimin shrugged.

"I'm not supposed to talk about that. But, as this matter has already been brought up, let me tell
you." She smiled, before continuing.

"Kim Taehyung -as the few local sources tell- was the son of King Pilsoo's favourite mistress.
After his mother died during labour, the physicians thought that the baby was a female because of
the genitals."

Many murmurs covered the air. Hansung's lips parted slightly as he stared at the lady- awed at her
words.

"But, several years later, as he grew, they understood that the child was different. He was neither a
complete man nor a woman. He was intersexual. He was looked down upon by everyone, but
because he was said to be very beautiful, the only King of the Min dynasty Kingdom had
developed a fancy towards him and he was sent to Changdeok, as a concubine. That is where
Joseon's association with Nongmeong begins." She ended.

"There was something more to it which I don't remember, but the main matter around which the
tale revolves is his said-to-be illicit love affair with the last male descendent of the Joseon dynasty,
before King Min took over- Jeon Jeongguk."

And as soon as those words left her mouth, everyone turned their heads towards the boy standing at
the corner with his hands inside his jean pockets.

"What? I know about this. He's my ancestor and I supposedly look like him so the elders named me
after him." He said monotonously, his eyes roaming over the swarm of people, before resting on a
pair of soft brown irises.

Hansung had his lips slightly parted. In these past two minutes, such information stormed its way
inside his brain that it was too much for him to process in this short amount of time. And the main
matter was Jungkook being somehow connected to this place as well. This meant he was from a
definitely filthy rich background-not wanting to boast about- just like his own. Though, he looked
so cool and unbothered about it. Hansung wondered how he could keep that face on all the while.

"That is great to know! We have royalties here, I see?" Miss Hayato cried, clapping her hands
together. Jungkook just shrugged, before shooting a glare at all the students, who immediately
looked away.

Hansung forced his eyes to look away from Jungkook when Miss Hayato started speaking again.

"Certain written sources, which state and explain the end of the Joseon dynasty, lack authenticity
on how the first phase of Joseon dynasty perished. That is because it was a black spot in Goryeon
history. It is mentioned in the scripts found in the Nongmon Palace though. And that is- the last
Prince, was sentenced to death for falling in love with the King's concubine. The latter died soon
after. And that is where their story ends." She stated with a slight rise and fall of her shoulders.

"That's sad." Minhee pulled her lips together in a pout, before a sigh escaped her lips. Many of the
other students expressed their disapproval amongst themselves at this type of cruel act, as well.

"However, as you all should know, justice was done."

"Queen Jeon Soyeon!" A girl exclaimed, "She overthrew King Min Yoongi and resurrected the
broken Joseon dynasty."

"Absolutely!" Miss Hayato smiled.

Hansung however, blocked out every word and looked down at the floor sightlessly. The story
intrigued him highly. Was it supposed to at this extent? Considering it did, he decided to let the
most possible scenarios to play in front of his eyes.

An embarrassed blush formed on his cheeks at the thought of picturing Jungkook as the last Joseon
prince. But, the ink-haired did not know that he was, so it should not be a deal, right? Just a slight
tinge of disappointment at the interruption of his imaginations. A face was all he needed. How did
the supposedly beautiful, young concubine look like? He wished he had a face to place in his
almost finished puzzle. A face painted in sorrow and gloom and eyes numb from all the pain.

"Miss?" He blurted out as soon as he saw the lady walking off towards the next room.

"Yes?" She said, stopping to look back at the student.

"Is there any portrait of Kim Taehyung?"

"Ah! That's a matter to sigh about." Miss Hayato said, before pursing her lips, "No official or legal
sources hold the portraits of the two lovers, because they were not a significant part in the History
of warfare and ruling. At the least, that's what we are told."

Hansung huffed at that, as he looked down quite disappointed.

"But, his room holds many of his belongings till now."

He looked up at her at this.

"His room is here?" He asked with gleaming eyes and few of the students giving him glances did
not bother him.
"Yes. But no one is allowed to enter. I too haven't seen it." She shrugged.

Hansung's brows pulled themselves closer to each other, as he stared at the lady, who was then
turning around and walking off; the students following behind.

"C'mon, Sungie."

The boy was snapped out of his trance as he heard Jimin's voice and felt a tug on the sleeve of his
shirt.

He just hummed and followed, but his mind again started dwelling with his previous thoughts.

A forbidden place which held the belongings of a poor, torn soul? Where even was it?

His deep dive in his thoughts did not let him realize the pair of sharp eyes, staring at him from
behind. He was glad that the brown haired male did not realize.

"This is the last time I'm warning you Hansung. If you do that again..."

Jimin broke off, when Hansung poked his arm again. He groaned finally shuffling to look back at
his cousin, who was grinning down at him sheepishly, as he held a candle-stand in his hand.

"Please, Chim. I want to pee." He whispered, careful not to wake the other boys up, who were fast
asleep.

"Then how should I help you with that?" The slightly older male yawned, making Hansung click
his tongue.

"You just have to accompany me to the restroom, stupid!" He whisper-shouted.

"Suit yourself please." Jimin mumbled sleepily, before closing his eyes again.

"Hey Jiminie!" Hansung whined, "It's scary outside."

He huffed when he received only silence in return. A sigh escaped his lips as he looked back at the
door and stood up hesitantly. He tip-toed towards it, pulling it open with a creak and placing his
bare foot on the corridor.

He shivered at the sudden gush of cold, before stepping out fully and shutting the door behind. He
looked around cautiously, at the dark corridors, with lanterns hanging down the edges of the roofs,
but, they had already blown out due to the wind howling outside.

Hansung gulped, mustering up some courage, before strolling up to the restrooms across the yard.
He quickly relieved himself in the single stall, before stepping out and washing his hands in the
adjacent faucet. He grabbed the candle-stand and looked out unconsciously at the dark
surroundings.

It was silent except for his footsteps and the strong sounds of the wind, as he made his way back to
the corridor. When he was almost close to the door, a draught came in and blew away his candle.
He almost shrieked, when all he could see was darkness, with just some faint outlines of the grills
bordering a side of the corridor.

"Oh God!" He whispered, his body shaking convulsively at both cold and fear combined, as he
took slow but steady steps towards the room. But, before he could enter, he saw something glow in
his peripheral vision.

He looked behind him to find a firefly, resting on a pillar. The golden glow emitting from it set the
surroundings aglow dimly. Hansung just wanted to reach his hand out and touch it but, as soon as
he took a step towards it, it pushed itself away from the pillar and with a low buzzing sound,
drifted away from him.

Hansung's lips pulled back to reveal his teeth, as he chuckled and followed it. It was impossible to
do otherwise, because of the strange enthrallment it put the boy into.

He stumbled slightly, when his foot got misplaced and then he knew he was walking past the lawn,
bare-foot, with his attention back on the firefly.

His feet were involuntarily taking him wherever the insect went, and he could feel nothing else but,
a sense of slipping into something beautifully queer.

He would not have stopped though, if the sound of lightening had not made him jump slightly and
snap him out of the trance he was in.

He stopped, looking at the firefly that meandered over till the end of the corridor he was standing
in. He suddenly became conscious of his surroundings, as he looked around frantically in the dark.
Him having Myopia did not help either. He should have worn his spectacles.

He could not even find the corridor of the east wing from where he was standing and there was no
sound coming from any of the rooms with closed doors. He reminded himself that he had never
been here before and according to his calculations, it had to be the forbidden north wing.

He gulped looking back at the firefly, which was resting on the handle of something, which
seemed like a huge door, at the far end. It was lit by two small lanterns on either side of it. An
excitement suddenly bubbled inside him. What could be past that? What was it that was kept from
the outsiders?

Another thunder made him flinch and his vision turned white for a second, before his ears caught
the sound of the fleeting drops of rain hitting the ground. He looked out at the lawn, squinting his
eyes at the heavy downpour, before looking ahead at the door with eyes gleaming in intrigue.

He let himself forget about Miss Hayato's warnings and reached his hand out to touch the handle.
The firefly flew away from it as it kept buzzing and floating in mid-air, above Hansung's head.

He thought it would be fruitless to try and open the door, but, once he rotated the handle, the door
opened with a loud screech that almost had him stunned.

It was unbelievably dark inside. He looked to his right and raised the candle stand to the lantern,
letting the flames touch the candle wick and light itself up. He pushed his hand inside the room
first before peering inside. He looked up at the firefly which drifted inside, and flew around in an
unsteady movement.

He inhaled sharply, steadying himself before entering and looking around, with his arm extended
forward. There was basically nothing inside the room except for white sheets that covered every
furniture. The walls were empty apart from the layers of dust and spider-webs all around.

He coughed when a cloud of dust hit his face and he waved his hand in front of his mouth, trying
to clear it away. He squinted his eyes, looking for the firefly which was now resting against a
rectangular box, covered by a white sheet.
He took slow steps towards it, before kneeling down and taking a good look at it in the light that
came from the candle. He removed the cob webs over it and rested the candle stand beside him, as
he pulled down the cover. He saw the firefly raise itself into the air before it perched itself on the
closed window sill nearby.

Hansung looked down at the wooden chest, bordered by golden prints, before resting his hand on
the dusty surface. His nose scrunched up and he immediately rubbed his dirty hand on his pajamas.
He carefully reached his hand out towards the lock and the chest unfortunately demanded a key to
be opened.

He huffed, looking around cluelessly before checking his surroundings for a key, but, gave up after
a few minutes. He rested his hands on his hips, thinking of possible places where a key could be
kept. His eyes then travelled towards the firefly. Till now all it did was show his way till the chest,
then it might help him as well, he thought.

He walked closer towards it but it just sat on the window sill. Hansung reached his hand up and
placed it on the sill, for his eyes to widen, when he felt something cylindrical against his fingers.
He gabbed it and pulled it closer towards his face, just to sigh in happiness when he saw that it was
a large key.

He immediately sat down before the chest and inserted the key inside the hole. Luckily it fitted
and made a clicking noise as he turned it to the right. He exhaled heavily, before lifting the lid.

He frowned, squinting his eyes, as he took the candle-stand, and let the light focus on the contents
of the chest.

There were silk fabrics, bundled up in one side and two smaller chests lined on the other side. He
carefully reached his hand inside, pushing aside the cob webs and pulled open the lids respectively.

There were hairpins in one and shoes in the other. His lips tilted up in the corners, as he pulled out
a gold-plated pin, and examined it closely. His fingers traced the intricate designs carved into it
before, the firefly perching on the pile of clothes, caught his attention.

He reached his hand under them and dipped his fingers around the base for his hands to touch a
rough metallic surface. He pushed the clothes aside just to bring out a small box. He looked back at
the firefly unsurely, as if it would give some answer, before unbolting it and opening the cover. He
was surprised to see some very old pieces of parchment stacked neatly on top of the other. He
could see the clear hand-written texts in hangul.

"Whoa!" He mumbled, pulling a piece out and held it closer to his eyes, to have a clearer view. Just
when he thought he could read, the firefly flapping its wings vigorously and making a loud noise,
made him look up and follow its movements with his eyes.

He squinted his eyes, keeping the things down and grabbing the candle-stand before slowly
walking after it. He stopped when it alighted on top of a rectangular board like thing, covered by a
white sheet, as it rested against a wall.

He kneeled in front of it and watched the firefly, fly away again and rest itself on the floor beside.
Hansung was quite enchanted by it because of its difference from all other fireflies he had seen
before. It was not at all scared of his presence, as it should. Rather it looked demanding with all his
actions, asking the boy to take his next steps. And right now, Hansung thought that it wanted him
to pull off the cover.

Queer but convincing for him, as he looked ahead and pulled down the sheet. In the dark it looked
 like a frame. He raised up the candle to have a better look at it and at that moment he was struck by
a huge shock, as he backed off a bit, with a loud gasp.

His hand trembled, as it held the candle-stand close to the frame, which held a portrait. Sad feline
eyes and a grim face staring back at him. Long hair, a part of which was tied up by a pin and a
hanbok covering his body.

His wide, shocked eyes travelled down at the two words written in neat old Hangul. It was him, but
still not him.

Because it was not Park Hansung. But, Kim Taehyung.

Chapter End Notes

Will be back soon☕︎︎

~Areum
 CHAPTER 3
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

"You useless piece of trash!"

The snarl echoed throughout the walls of the dark dungeons and all the prisoners who were trying
to peer inside a particular cell at the corner, flinched at the shrill voice that rang in their ears like an
unpleasant echo.

I had always hated her- the woman against whom I could not even stand up for myself. She was the
most terrible excuse of a human. Unempathetic, callous, ruthless, brutal. But the Queen she was.
Park Yejin.

"You could not give Donghoon the satisfaction of bearing an heir!" She yelled again, landing
another whip-lash on the boy's already bruised and bloodied back, which earned another pathetic
cry from him.

The whimpering boy looked down at his knees when he heard the whip being thrown away on the
cold floor, before two feet appeared in his eyesight. He did not dare to look up; his body shaking
convulsively in fear and pain, as he noticed the Queen hunching down before him.

He almost gasped when he felt a hand cupping his jaws harshly and jerking his face up, to meet the
shrewd cat-like eyes.

Those eyes were so scary. They were portals to an abyss, which led down to the depths of the
netherworld.

"For you, I lost a province." She spelled each word with a stab of poison, as her nails dug into his
skin. "I should have just told him to kill you instead of sending you back here."

I very much agreed to her threats of killing me. That would have lessened the pain. And she knew
that. Thus, she wanted to keep me alive and squeeze the life out of me with every passing second.

"But alas!" She sighed apathetically, letting go of his jaws and fresh red bruises formed around the
dents made by her nails. "You are an enchantress. Just like your mother." The boy, with teary eyes,
looked down at the utterly repugnant words against the one who kept him in her womb.

Even if he wanted to rebel with all his heart, he was reminded by the fact that she was no less
horrendous than a monster. She could do anything to kill him, yet keep him alive. And he was
scared to experience those vile treatments to an even greater extent.

"Oh... I cannot even call you an enchant-ress." She hissed out in mockery and the tormented youth
looked up at her with a layer of unshed tears shining in his eyes. A wicked smirk took place on her
darkly painted lips, as she stood up, "You are not even a human."

With each and every word, she knew what she was doing. She knew how her noxious derogation
towards me was enough to prick little holes in my feeble heart and now they were so many that it
was impossible for me to count.
A thin trail of water formed down his cheek, as he pressed his nails impossibly deep inside his
palms, which rested on his thighs. He could not riposte at any cost. The lingering pain was already
so unbearable to accept more.

"However, you are a lucky bastard because I am too glad today." She hummed, smiling to herself,
with her head held high. She sent a disgusted glare at him before walking out of the cell. Her royal
guards joined her immediately, as they marched behind her, tall and erect.

Just if I could be like them- those men with great virility and valour- I would have been an
honoured ideal in the kingdom, rather than a pathetic lowlife.

The Queen stopped, raising her hand which brought her men to a synchronized halt, before she
turned sideways and looked at the boy, who was still looking down. She felt the satisfaction,
noticing the bruises that ran deep on his skin- deep enough to cut through the fabric of his robe and
leave patches of blood.

"Do remember your place though, Kim Taehyung."

The way she spelt my name, was enough to remind me of my worth and position in the social
hierarchy. And I wondered if I even had one. If I was even considered someone in the society.

As soon as the sounds of her footsteps turned faint, he let his tired body collapse against the cold
floor; his fetters making a heavy noise at the movement. He could not even give up in front of the
Queen, else she would charge another fifty lashes on him. So, he had to keep still till she left.

"Tae?"

He just kept staring ahead of him unfazed, when he heard the concerned call of his name and
rushed footsteps getting clearer. He felt the shackles being pulled off his hands and feet, and just
then was he able to feel the ache, when the cold air touched his raw skin. A small uncontrolled cry
escaped his lips, as he felt two hands supporting him up by his shoulders and then he found his
head resting against a softer surface.

"Are you fine?"

Taehyung just sighed, closing his eyelids and enjoying the comfort in the smallest yet the most
humble of gestures by someone who did not share his blood.

"I am fine hyung." He croaked out after a few moments of him just taking deep breaths.

Kim Seokjin was the only one in this place, who had my full trust, honesty and love. He was a few
years older to me and tended to me on his own will. He was one of the finest in cooking and also
the son of the previous chief chef of the head kitchen that was the reason the Queen did not
obstruct him, rather reduced his rank from the head chef of the prime kitchen to the head chef of
the brothel, but he did not seem to mind. He had expressed his concern about me and even though
he could not save me from the Queen's wrath, I was grateful of him to take care of me after that. I
had missed him so much when I was away from Nongmeong.

"I am so sorry Tae." He sighed empathetically as he looked down at the shivering boy, running his
fingers through his crinkled and tousled hair. The auburn-haired male smiled meekly, turning his
head to look up at the apologetic face of the older.

"It is okay hyung. It is not your fault." He mumbled softly, even though his words were barely
decipherable.
The older sympathized with the boy so much. He wondered why such a sweet and lovely human
like him had to suffer the vice and iniquity of the heinous woman. Then again, he did not know the
inner matters of the Royal family whatsoever. And he had no right to meddle. He could just hope
that someday he would get what he rightfully deserved. And that was love and care.

Currently, he knew what he had to do and get the boy to his room and treat those ugly wounds on
his delicate skin. On any other time, his sessions of torture would last almost a fortnight, where he
would be caged in the darkest dungeon with just water to survive, along with regular lashings from
either the Queen herself or the Royal guards. When the guards would torment him though, it would
not cease in just lashings.

But this time the Queen was apparently very happy and chose to spare the boy with -what she
considered- the minimal of wounds.

"Taehyung? Let's get you to your room." Seokjin whispered as quietly as possible, patting his
sweaty cheek softly. The boy just hummed meekly and the older soon supported him to stand.

They looked at the gate when they heard the sound of footsteps to find the General himself,
standing there with an empathetic smile.

"Can I help you?"

Taehyung smiled and nodded. The man always asked him that when he walked in to Seokjin
helping Taehyung to get to his room. He never crossed his boundaries and tried to make Taehyung
feel as comfortable as possible.

Lord Choi Minho. I respected the General. Even if he was a beast during wars, he was kind and
humble at heart. But even then, I could not trust him blindly because of his virility. He was a tall,
robust, young lad; exactly the type of men whom I fear. In Seokjin hyung, I felt a strange motherly
comfort and I knew I could trust him with my all. But Lord Minho did not mind the least. He
respected me the same, as he held me gently held me by my arm and shoulders to help me reach
my room. At times, when my legs would give up he would even carry me in his arms and I did not
object because I could sense the honesty and friendliness in his gestures.

But that did not mean I thought of him as someone who could have my heart. I swore to myself that
I would never give away my love and selflessness to someone. The men did not deserve it. I
believed I could, at the least be that selfish.

"Careful." Seokjin mumbled, as he and Minho helped him to sit on his bed. Even though he was
treated in the worst way possible, he was grateful that his room was just like the other royal escorts
and concubines; humble to live in.

Minho moved back placing his fist against his heart and bowing at the sitting male. "Do send for
me if you need anything Taehyung-shi. I will be in the war room."

"Thank you." The said male inclined his head forward gratefully. The man then turned towards
Seokjin and they exchanged a polite bow, before he left the room wordlessly; his posture erect and
steps calculated. His powerful aura was shining like gold.

"Let me call Gayoung. She'll help you change." Seokjin smiled softly, looking down at the boy,
who just nodded demurely. The older helped him get rid of the upper cloth of his hanbok and
called for a maid who immediately rushed in with antiseptics and cotton.

The maid arranged his bath and clothes as Seokjin wiped off the blood on his back. He was careful
 not to pressurize so as to prevent hurting the other, still the boy flinched at times.

"Have a bath and take rest. I'll leave you to Gayoung now." The older said, fixing the last strip of
cloth across his torso, before he stood up. "Gayoung?" He called, and the maid immediately stood
up and bowed at him.

"Thank you hyung." Taehyung smiled, taking the other's hand in his own. Seokjin gave the boy a
pained smile before squeezing his hand softly and pulled it to his lips to press a gentle kiss on the
dry and cold surface.

Every time, I looked at him, I wondered if it was the same feeling as the one, people felt when they
looked at their family. A mentor, a brother, a mother. I saw all in him.

He reluctantly let go of Taehyung's hand and walked towards the door. And immediately Seokjin
disappeared from his view.

"Taehyung-shi? Let me wash your feet." The girl, Gayoung intervened his pool of thoughts,
making him look up at her and he smiled instantly at her charming grin that showed her gums. She
helped the boy stand and took him to the bath chamber and made him sit beside the tub, helping
him undress.

She was the only one whom he could trust in his nudity as he had seen her since he was a toddler.
He sighed when she gripped his ankles and dipped them inside the tub of warm water.

"Feeling better now?" The girl asked softly, caressing his blood-stained heels. "Yes." Taehyung
replied, smiling politely, before he looked up at the wooden ceiling. He suddenly wondered why
the Queen said she was glad.

"Noona?" He murmured, when the older girl was tying his hanbok ribbons. She hummed, fixing
his sleeves and smiled up at him.

"Is there something special? As in, the Queen said she was in good spirits." He trailed unsurely.
The girl looked thoughtful.

"I heard that the Princess is going to be betrothed to the Emperor of Joseon. He is visiting."
Gayoung ended, shrugging at the end.

"Oh! You mean... the Emperor Min Yoongi?" Taehyung inquired, suddenly feeling a shiver
running down his spine.

"Yes. Him."

I had heard how the young man had conspired against the King, Jeon Jaesul along with the
ministers and murdered him. He was not a very pleasant ruler as it seemed. And him visiting
Nongmeong made me worry. I could not really make out why however. I just dismissed that fear as
a usual reflex to the visit of someone so powerful yet wicked. He was going to be the Princess'
consort and at any cost he deserved all respect on my behalf.

Just if I had known, who he truly was.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading♡
 CHAPTER 4
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Taehyung was reading a scripture, as he sat against a pillar by the foot of the monastery. His eyes
and mind were focused on the writings, as he continued writing them on a small parchment.

This was the only thing he was allowed to do and he was glad, because he loved it. He loved
sitting in front of the opened doors of Lord Buddha, listening to the calming hymns of the monks,
meditating upstairs and reading the religious verses.

He smiled to himself after filling up a parchment, and just as the inked tip of his quill pressed
against a fresh one, he jumped up, startled at the loud ringing of the huge monastery bell.
Taehyung was shocked. The bell was rung only on very crucial occasions, like natural disasters or
during the times of famine to gather people and serve them free food.

It was none of the cases. Then why would the monks destroy the serenity of the calm monastery
premises by doing something that could cause vigilance?

Taehyung's questions were soon answered, when he turned to look at the gates and found Seokjin
running in. The younger and confused male stood up immediately- his hanbok knocking off the pot
of ink which caused the black fluid to spill all over the floor and the parchments. He gasped,
bending down to correct his fault, but even before he could, his hand was gripped.

"Hyung?" Taehyung frowned and gasped when the other quickly pulled him along with him.
"What happened?" He asked, when the older dragged him out of the religious premises and crossed
the swarm of people, who were walking in a particular direction.

"Why are they going towards the palace portal?" Taehyung asked again, when they saw the people
crowding around the palace entrance, where the huge drums were being played along with the
horns.

"We don't have time." Seokjin panted, as they ran towards the back gates, leading directly to the
underground scullery, below the main pantry. "Get inside as fast as you can and do not come out of
your room until necessary."

"Why?" Taehyung asked, as he watched the doors closing behind them and Seokjin further led him
to the escort quarters.

"The King of Joseon. He's arriving. Didn't you know?" The older asked, before pushing him to his
room, and closing the door behind himself. Taehyung's frown disappeared as he sat down on the
bed. "Today? I didn't know that." He swallowed.

Seokjin sighed, "Okay. Fine then. It's better if you stay in your room while he's here. I don't want
anyone else's lecherous eyes on you anymore." He walked to the younger and sat down beside
him.

"Is he that dangerous?" Taehyung asked timidly, "Even the monastery bells were rung. It's
unbelievable."

"He's a tyrant Taehyung." Seokjin said, taking the younger's hand in his own. "I don't know much
about him. But, as much as I have heard, he is not a good soul. He might want you like the others
did."

"But the other times, it was the Queen who sent me to them." Taehyung reasoned, "I don't think I
stand out that much."

"Oh trust me Taehyung." Seokjin huffed, "You do, more than you think."

Taehyung sighed, flushing slightly at the other's blunt statement, "Hyung, you're thinking too much
about it. He's going to be the princess' consor-"

"God, Tae!" Seokjin snapped, holding him by his shoulders, which took the other by surprise. "Try
to understand. I just want you away from harm's eye."

Taehyung swallowed, nodding slowly, and pressing back the excitement he had to see such an
important emperor of Goryeo. "Okay hyung."

I could clearly see the fear and nervousness in hyung's eyes and it was then that I knew, it was
definitely as critical of a matter, as the panic shone in his eyes.

Only if I could keep myself away then. But what could I have done? It was never in my hands.

Taehyung stood hidden amongst the many maidens, lining the belvedere to watch the arrival of the
King Min. He was awed, and so were the others, at the grand march of the royal army, entering
Nongmongung. Never had they seen such before.

The incursion in the announcement of the Emperor's arrival had everyone shivering. Like the Devil
was presenting himself on their land. And when the mighty black horse, stealing the attention
amongst the many others, entered through the gates, everyone believed that the one riding it's back,
was indeed the incarnation of the Keeper of lies and the dark.

Taehyung shrunk into himself, as he stared at the brown-haired male, clad in a golden hanbok. His
feline eyes were dangerous and so was that hideous scar running across his right eye. The black
headband adorning his pale forehead, proudly showed off the snake, which was similar to the one
printed on the Joseon flags.

A serpent he was.

He swallowed to wet his dry throat, as Seokjin's words suddenly made sense. His aura was
dangerous. He indeed was a tyrant. The timid male, bit his lower lip, as he kept his eyes on the
King, who jumped off his horse, right where Queen Yejin was waiting to welcome him.

Emperor Min Yoongi.

Taehyung sighed, planning to walk away and hide in his chamber. He let his eyes roam over the
many Joseon officials, still on their horses, which were neighing and nuzzling their legs with their
snouts; his eyes gleaming in fascination at the magnificence of it all. Just as he was about to turn
around, he stopped.

His hand fisted over his chest, as he looked down at a certain male, who was staring unblinking up
at him. He was among the Generals, Taehyung presumed by his attire of a red hanbok, with
matching red headband and black trousers, and the sword attached to his waist-belt. His long raven
hair half-tied in a ponytail and his large but sharp-set ebony eyes were on Taehyung's startled ones.
Taehyung almost pushed someone to the floor, as he backed off with staggering steps. "Sorry." He
mumbled, tearing his eyes away from the stranger's and running away. He just could not stand it. It
was very sudden and unexpected. His eyes were enough to overwhelm him.

I could never forget his eyes.

Taehyung was successful in keeping away from the newly arrived army and the King. He never
once left his room since then. Seokjin had made sure everything was served to him accordingly.

But he did a huge mistake after a few days.

I should not have even thought about visiting the monastery while he was here.

"I'm so sorry, Venerable Sir." Taehyung bowed, feeling guilty, as he looked up at the monk's
smiling face. "I was so in hurry that I did not realize, I made a mess of the parchments and the
floor. I did not have a chance to leave the palace ever since."

"It's okay my child." The elderly man nodded, "A mortal makes mistakes and you barely even do
so. It was a petty thing. Do not bother."

Taehyung smiled, bowing again, "Thank you, Sire."

He prayed, before walking out of the monastery and hiding his face behind his scarf. He still could
not risk getting caught. But, his steps halted, when he saw the men clad in black, with a serpent
printed on their armours. He gasped. He should have known. The King could be taking a tour
around the village.

He turned around immediately, but a louder gasp, almost a shriek escaped his lips, when he
bumped against someone and before he could take a step back, his wrist was gripped. Taehyung
breathed heavily, as he timidly kept his gaze down at the silky hanbok of the person.

"Who are you?"

Taehyung closed his eyes shut, shivering at the low, raspy voice that rung in his ears.

The tyrant who I was trying to run from- I ran into his arms.

He almost whimpered, when the grip on his wrist tightened, and a hand cupping his jaw, forced
him to meet the King's gaze. He wanted to cry at the moment, as he stared at the other's appalling
eyes, which gleamed in amusement, as he looked at him lasciviously.

"You're bestowed with beauty." The King murmured, tracing Taehyung's cheekbone. A snicker
crossed his lips, as he noticed how the other was trembling in his hold.

"I apologize, Your Majesty." Taehyung stammered, looking down timidly.

"Are you from the palace?" Taehyung stayed quiet. The King snickered again, looking back at the
two Generals accompanying him. "Is he?"

Taehyung looked up at them and his breath hitched, yet again at the sight of the same ravenette
who caused him to run away that day. The man was looking at him expressionlessly, as he
murmured something, "I'm afraid, Your Majesty. I do not know."

Taehyung sighed, as he kept looking at him, and so did the other. He wondered why the General
 decided to hide the fact that he had seen him in the palace that day, but he was grateful. He was so
grateful to him.

"You need to speak up, Love." The King sighed, looking back at Taehyung when the other
General's answer was also negative. "You know? I have my eyes on everything that is priceless."

Taehyung gasped, when he was jerked closer. He closed his eyes when he felt the King's breath in
his ear. "And you're a priceless beauty, who should only belong to me."

Taehyung felt his breath caught in his throat at his last words. The least he wanted was to be the
King's.

People already were witnessing the scene and Taehyung's heart sank when he heard someone say,
"Your Majesty. He is from the palace."

My destiny was ruthlessly pinned to him.

Chapter End Notes

We are diving deeperᓚᘏᗢ

 CHAPTER 5
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Taehyung was lying on his bed, with his cheek pressed to his arm, as his sightless gaze was fixated
on the flute in his hand. His mind was messed up and his heart was restlessly throbbing in his
chest.

The way the emperor had let go of my hand, with a sickening smile, it was a sense of nothing but
danger. I shouldn't have been stupid to go the monastery. But, I couldn't owe an apology to the
monk for long. I just loathed my fate.

He hoped that all the words the King had said, would turn out to be a bad jest and nothing more.
He didn't want to be close to him ever again.

But again, it never worked the way I wanted.

A knock came at his door and he was sitting up on his bed with a start.

"Taehyung." It was Seokjin. And the way he looked at him, dried up his throat.

"I told you not to go." The older trudged towards him, sitting beside him, as he rested his head on
his palms.

"I'm sorry hyung." Taehyung whispered. He could feel the tears brewing in his eyes, as he placed a
hand on the other's shoulder. "I just wanted to apologize. I didn't know that I would run into him."

"Tae." He inhaled heavily, "I'm sorry." He looked up at the poor and kind soul. He took his hands
in his own, before pressing them against his eyes, as small sobs left his throat. "I can't help you
anymore."

I felt so scared at the way he was talking. I knew he had something to say and that too, not
something good. Albeit, my life had never received any good news. I knew my life was supposed to
be the way it was at present. This time though, I was terrified. Terrified of the tyrant.

"Hyung." Taehyung bit his lower lip, "What are you saying? I don't understand you."

"The Queen. She..." Seokjin swallowed, looking up at him with bloodshot eyes and red nose. "She
has called for you."

And the fear I felt was more than ever.

Taehyung slowly and unsurely walked towards the Queen's chambers. He looked up at the soldiers
lining the corridors, with swords and spears against their bodies.

If he tried to run, he would be given the worst treatment again. Even if his hands weren't tied with
fetters, he was shackled.

He ignored the lecherous stares, a few of them gave him, discomfort and disgust crawling up his
spine, as he heard the low murmurs, with fowl and filthy words directed towards him.
He was already walking slowly, and he was made to stop, when he saw the Princess, storming out
of the Queen's chamber. Princess Park Yoona.

He felt his heart clench at the way she was wiping her eyes, few hair strands, untamed, as they
fluttered in front of her face. Her sobs were loud, and so were her breaths.

The princess and I used to play in secrecy, when we were barely a decade in age. She was and still
is kind, intelligent and beautiful. Just one thing had changed in her, ever since the Queen found
out about us being friends.

Because, when I came out of the dungeons, I was locked in, for the first time and saw her standing
in the belvedere, I smiled at her, but she didn't, instead she quietly walked inside. Till now, she is
the same.

He swallowed when she looked up at him, halting instantly. Her eyes that showed distress, turned
exasperated and without a word, she crossed him, her steps hurried and uncalculated.

"Princess Yoona." Taehyung turned towards her, but she never stopped to look back at him. She
just drifted further away.

He felt even bitter than before. And the possibilities of himself being the cause of her sorrow were
floating high.

He reluctantly walked towards the Queen's door, standing timidly against the giant mahogany as he
peeked inside. He shivered, noticing the Queen talking to Min Yoongi, in a rather heated
conversation.

And as if his presence was felt, two feline eyes immediately matched his. The anger in them turned
into something smug, before the owner of the irises, was stopping the conversation and leaning
back on the arm-chair.

"May I come in, Your Majesty?" He murmured in a small voice, looking down at his hands, that
tightly grasped the hinges of the door.

"Ah! I was just waiting for you!" The Queen mused, "Get in." Her voice turned monotonous and
Taehyung silently walked in, keeping his gaze on his feet.

"Look how unlucky you are for me." The Queen feigned sorrow, as she stood up, her sandals
making noise, as they hit on the wooden floor.

Taehyung flinched, when a finger gently made him look up and his gaze met the Queen's.

"My daughter. She yelled at me. Even at the King." She clicked her tongue and Taehyung
swallowed harshly, when he felt the tip of her nail, digging in his skin.

"Just because of you."

Taehyung's lips parted in shock, as he immediately took a step back, "But, I never-"

"Oh you wanted the King for yourself!" The Queen laughed, wicked and full of ulterior motives as
she stepped closer to him. Her eyes turned dark, making him gasp, when she harshly gripped his
wrist.

"You slept with him." She whispered and Taehyung's eyes watered, as they immediately travelled
towards the King, who was looking at him, solemnly.
"But, I didn't." He whispered, shaking his head slowly, until he was jerked closer by the Queen,
who glared dangerously at him.

"You slept with him and that is what you'll let the world know. Am I understood?"

It was the Queen's strategy. I never knew she could stoop so low as to play with her daughter's
happiness. And just to make herself not look bad in Yoona's eyes, she put all the blame on me. The
easiest prey she could find. That justified, why the Princess did not want to talk to me. She loathed
me now.

"Listen Taehyung." She murmured low enough for only me to hear, "If you go with the King, he
has promised to gift me more power, than his marriage with Yoona would."

She looked so insane. As if, for power she could go to any level of inhumanity.

"And you know that I can never let this treasure out of my hands." She chuckled, "So it would be
better if you listen to me when I'm being nice. Moreover, he doesn't even want an heir from you.
He just wants you. And I know how badly you loathe me." She caressed Taehyung's cheek, who
looked down. "So, just leave with him and you never have to step back in this place."

I thought I was a fool to even think of the idea as a pleasing one. But, this place made me feel so
nauseous, that leaving Nongmeong was always welcome for me. Yet, I was so afraid of the
Emperor that the idea of giving myself to him, seemed terrifying.

"Your Royal Highness."

Taehyung looked up at King Min Yoongi, who stood up, as he walked towards them.

"Could you spare us a moment?" He said politely and the Queen, even though she looked reluctant,
she pulled up a sweet smile for him, patting his shoulder and Taehyung heaved a relieved breath,
when she let go of his hand.

"Sure." She gave Taehyung a warning look, before slipping out of the room, and Taehyung
suddenly felt even terrified.

But, to his surprise the King turned away from him, his boots clacking as he walked towards the
window, his golden hanbok shining under the sunlight.

"Do not worry, Beautiful." He murmured in a low voice, which was surprisingly soft.

"I will keep you like the treasure Joseon holds." He looked back at Taehyung, who immediately
looked away, playing with the ribbons of his hanbok.

"You deserve the best. And I will try to give you that. Everything you would want, will be at your
feet with just a single command of yours." He sighed, "Please. Agree to be mine."

The King did not seem as cruel as I had thought. I did not know if he was just like this while talking
to me or not, but I felt, I could have my opinion with him.

"I want to say something, if you allow me, Your Majesty." Taehyung swallowed heavily, berating
himself for probably pulling the wrong string.

"You can say anything you want to." The King replied in an instant, and Taehyung could swear
that no other man who had claimed him, had been this gentle.
"Forgive me but, you're buying me in exchange of giving power to the Queen." Taehyung stated,
hesitance clear, as he looked up at the King. Albeit, he did not show any signs of anger.

"I could have plundered this entire land and killed thousands of lives just to rescue you from here."
He walked closer to Taehyung, who felt his heart leap in his chest.

"Do you want me to?" The confidence the King's voice held, scared Taehyung, "But, I doubt if you
would not despise me more, seeing your close ones getting killed in a war."

He was right. Taehyung had a few people whom he admired and he did not want them to get hurt at
any cost.

"I'm not buying you, Beautiful." Taehyung looked up at him with wide eyes, when he brushed back
a few strands of hair and tucked them behind his ear.

"I'm just fooling them into thinking that the power, the Queen will have, will be just as worthy as
you, when in reality you are unmatched to any price in the world and can't be bargained." The King
whispered, moving away from him.

"Your fate is in your hands, Kim Taehyung."

"Hyung?" Taehyung sat down beside Seokjin, who had his fingers pressed to his temples.

"I'm not blaming you for anything, Taehyung." The older looked up at him, sighing quietly, "I
know why you accepted it. A war would have broken out if you hadn't and either way, he would
have taken you."

"I don't want anyone to get hurt for my fault." Taehyung whispered, looking up at the servants and
maids, packing his belongings.

He felt a touch and looked down to find Seokjin's hand curling around his, that held his flute.
Seokjin gave him that.

"Nothing is your fault, Tae. Never blame yourself for the situation you are in. You're just, a little
too good for the world." Seokjin gave him a pained smile.

"I can't come with you and I can just hope that he doesn't hurt you." He ran a soothing hand
through Taehyung's hair, who rested his head on his shoulder.

"Don't worry hyung. I'm used to it. Nothing hurts anymore." Taehyung chuckled, his voice holding
no actual emotions.

Seokjin could not say anything in reply. He could just imagine what Taehyung had went through
all his life.

And it was soon the time for his departure along with the Joseon army.

Taehyung was walking alongside Gayoung, as they walked towards the only palanquin, among the
many friendly beasts.

"Your Highness."

Taehyung thought someone else was addressed, until Gayoung poked his shoulder and he looked
behind himself to find a seemingly Joseon General, bowing at him. He was the same person whom
he saw with the King when that encounter happened, along with that man.

The tall ravenette, bowed to him, before resting his fist against his chest, which had Taehyung
gaping at the sudden respect.

"My name is Lee Dongmin. I'm His Majesty's Second General." He informed, posture erect and
gaze intent.

"The journey is long. If you want anything, please inform me or the First General. Lord Jeon
Jeongguk. You would always find either one of us close to you throughout the journey." He bowed
again, before bringing his gaze to Gayoung, who immediately froze.

"Are these your belongings?" He asked the girl, who chuckled awkwardly, before nodding, "Yes
Lord Lee."

"Go ahead." Dongmin gestured towards the palanquin, and Gayoung nodded yet again, before
turning on her heels and walking ahead, causing Taehyung to hide his smile behind his fingers.

"Your Highness." Dongmin brought out a folded piece of paper, before extending it out and
Taehyung took it, confused.

"Lord Choi Minho, asked me to give you this." He bowed, before following Gayoung towards the
palanquin. Taehyung was left utterly confused, but as it was Minho's letter, he did not take much
time to unfold the paper and let his eyes roam through the words.

'Before you leave, for the last time, do take the trouble to meet me near the fountain.'

He sighed shakily, neatly folding the paper again as he looked up at the direction he had to walk to.
Taehyung had never felt this nervous before when it came to the General, but this letter, made him
feel something different.

None the less, he looked back at the preparing army, before silently and swiftly hurrying over to
the fountain and he indeed found Minho there.

"Lord Minho?" He called out, catching the attention of the General, who seemed to look upset and
in distress.

"You wanted to meet me?" Taehyung trudged towards him, stopping a few feet away from him.

"Taehyung-shi." He smiled a little, looking away instantly, as he rubbed a hand on his nape.

"I know I can probably never meet you again, now that you are leaving for Joseon." He swallowed,
looking back at Taehyung. "I'm really going to long to see you, even if that won't be possible."

Taehyung's heart churned at his words, before he was looking away with his face contorted in
distress.

I had promised myself to not fall for any man. And I did not feel for him passionately, but I did get
the vague idea, that he did. He was not like others I had known, but I could never love him either.
All I felt for him at the moment was compassion.

"I respect you, Taehyung-shi. And I would never ask you to return what I feel for you." He said
softly, eyes not meeting Taehyung's own.

"I just wanted to let you know how I felt. Because I didn't want to keep it buried inside me lifelong.
 I request you, do not loathe m-"

"I can never loathe you after what you have done for me." Taehyung mumbled, finally letting their
eyes meet.

"I'm sorry. I just cannot..." Taehyung bit his lower lip, shaking his head apologetically.

Minho smiled, nodding affirmatively, "I know. I'm grateful that you chose to hear me. That was all
I needed."

He extended his hand out and Taehyung frowned, taking a good look at the thin column of metal,
before his eyes widened in realization. It was his anklet that he had lost during a session of torture
in the dungeon. He was sure it had broken, but now it looked as new as ever.

"Please. Keep this with you." Minho requested gently and Taehyung took it with utmost care, as he
caressed the silver with his thumb.

"Thank you." He whispered, still not looking up, as tears pooled in his eyes, "I wish that your fate
holds something better than just serving the cruel Queen."

Not meeting the latter's eyes, he turned around immediately, sprinting away from him, as tears
rushed down his cheeks.

He stopped close to a wall, leaning against it, as he sniffled and wiped his eyes, holding the anklet
dearly. It was the only thing left of his mother.

"Your Highness."

Taehyung almost gasped, flinching slightly, as he turned around at the familiar, monotonous voice.

Him.

He slightly bowed to Taehyung.

"Please accompany me to your palanquin. We are set to leave." He turned on his heels, taking long
steps towards the path and Taehyung silently followed him, as he kept his gaze on his back.

It was him. The one who attempted in saving him from recognition. The one who was with the
emperor apart from Lee Dongmin. Tall, poised and virile.

I was confirmed that he was Lord Jeon Jeongguk.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading♡

 CHAPTER 6
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Taehyung looked out at the trees that passed by, the more his palanquin was taken away from the
Nongmongung entrance. With a heavy heart, he finally compelled himself to turn back and his
throat went sore at the sight of Seokjin, who was standing amongst his few admirers, his eyes and
nose arguably red.

On matching his gaze with Taehyung's he raised his hand and waved, and Taehyung instantly
waved back, an airy sob leaving his lips.

I was going to miss Seokjin hyung. I wished that if it were possible I could see him soon.

But, Lord Minho was not there.

He tightly clutched the anklet, turning back around and resting his head against the many cushions,
inside the wooden box.

"I am here with you."

He looked up at Gayoung, who smiled sweetly at him, placing her palm on his.

If she was not there, I would have already gone insane. But maybe, the mystery of the man who
was on his horse along our ride, would have lessened the possibilities. Because I would have just
spent my time wondering what went on inside his mind.

The journey was quite long. A day and a half of tiring travel. So, the troop came to a halt under the
Emperor's order, before nightfall, near a river bank and set up temporary encampment.

Taehyung was quietly sitting in the dark with Gayoung, when suddenly the curtains from his side
of the entrance were pulled apart. In the faint glow of the twilight, he could make out the very
familiar yet unfamiliar features of the General. Jeon Jeongguk.

"We will be resting for the night. Would you like to step out in the air, Your Highness?" His tone
was monotonous, and words almost as if memorized.

"Maybe later." Taehyung's words were out before he could comprehend. He looked down,
swallowing softly, "Thank you."

The other entrance was also freed from the curtains soon after.

"And what about you?" It was Lee Dongmin and his question was directed to Gayoung, who
flushed immediately letting out an awkward chuckle.

"I... " She looked back at Taehyung, who smiled softly.

"You can go, Noona."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."
"I will be back soon." She assured, shooting a pretty smile, before stepping out of the palanquin.

Taehyung looked up at Jeongguk, who bowed, letting the curtains fall and be a barrier between
Taehyung and his retreating figure.

I did not understand why I did not want the General to go away. Perhaps, it was just the fear from
being alone in the dark in this confined place, but I did not even want to go out. It was too early to
face the King yet again.

Taehyung rested his head back, letting out a sigh that sounded loud in his own ears. He was tired.
And the reason was everything.

The boredom and idleness had him feeling lethargic and he was almost drifting off to sleep when
there was a knock on the wooden structure. Taehyung sat up, startled, before the curtains were
slightly pulled away and it was Lord Jeongguk again.

"Apologies for disturbance, Your Highness. His Majesty wishes to see you and he is here."

"He's here?" Taehyung repeated, goosebumps arising on his skin.

"Yes." Jeongguk confirmed in a lower voice, before moving away and a hand with heavily ringed
fingers, parted the curtains that had fallen, revealing the dark countenance of the King.

"I had longed to see you." He said, sitting by Taehyung's folded legs.

"Your Majesty." Taehyung scrambled with his words and actions, but Min Yoongi, just showed up
his hand, gesturing him to sit placidly.

Taehyung swallowed, certainly hearing his heart beat in his ears as he cautiously kept his eyes
locked in a stare with him. He was as afraid to look down and show respect, as a man is of a tiger
standing close to him.

"I can't believe you are going to grace my Empire very soon." He mumbled so low, that Taehyung
wondered if he was talking to himself.

As if sensing Taehyung's fear, he raised his hand, brushing back a few strands of hair from
Taehyung's eyes, who could not keep his eyes open any longer.

"There is nothing to be afraid of, Sweetheart." His voice was raspy and guttural. "You will face no
harm."

Taehyung finally blinked open his eyes to look at him demurely.

The King smiled, though it looked not so close to being pleasant. "Though, on a condition." He
pressed his palm beside Taehyung, leaning closer to the brunette, whose breath was caught in his
throat.

"I trust you. So, never. I repeat, never deceive me Taehyung. It will not end good for you."

And I was sure I would never, as the dread I felt at that moment was greater than most other
times.

At the least, that was what I thought I swore to myself.

❧
Taehyung finally did walk out of the palanquin. After the King had left, it was suffocating for him.
He guessed it would not be an issue if he did what the others were doing as well. Relaxing.

He absentmindedly looked around at the soldiers, sitting against trees or around the fire that they
had set up. He was puzzled. None of them were goofing around or lamely talking amongst
themselves, like he had seen the armies of other Kingdoms doing, including Nongmeong's.
Everyone was sitting solemnly, either cleaning their weapons or dining. He could just seldom hear
a few words being exchanged and that was it.

None, not even a single soldier looked up at him, while almost every one from the Nongmeong
army disrespected him with lecherous gazes. On the other hand, the ones who passed by him
bowed at him, addressing him respectfully. He was bent to believe that these men were trained
differently. Then again, they were under the leadership of King Min Yoongi. Even though the ease
was little, he felt it.

He crossed the tent of the King. Overhearing a few words, he knew that the conversation was
steady between Lee Dongmin, Jeon Jeongguk and King Min Yoongi.

"I will let you know of the decision, once we reach. For now, be sure, it's you." Min Yoongi
announced, his voice calm, yet steady.

Taehyung did not even wish to hear or understand anything. He believed that him being taken
away to Joseon (or any other Kingdom prior to this) without his consent, meant he did not have a
voice. So, it would be better if he did not perceive the meaning of anything beyond his captive
world.

He silently crossed a line of brushes, before he found himself standing on the banks of the river
Han.

I wondered how long it had been since the last time, I had the privilege to admire the beauty of
nature, under the moon that created its reflections on the rippling water. Because in my life, the
moon barely showed up.

A tear slipped out of his eye.

I wanted a coma, if not a full stop.

He trudged towards the water, standing idly for a moment, before slowly kneeling down on the
mushy soil. The moon was enough to give him the light to see his reflection in the water, as it
shone above his head.

As he stared at the gloomy eyes, the face everyone called 'beautiful' threw back a wry smile, at the
obvious ugliness. It hurt to accept that this was him. The him that he was not.

It felt easier to sympathize on someone else and he would believe that the one- the tortured and
wounded soul- he was looking at, was simply another person and it should suffice.

It felt easier to wish for someone else. And as he extended his hand to trace the cheek of that
different person, he wished him a source of happiness. He sighed, when that person dissolved and
deformed into ripples under his touch.

A smile instantly took place.

Maybe that person had gone to find his happiness and he would return soon.
So, he waited for him; until the ripples gave away and the person sat crystal clear yet again. But,
his smile faded.

He was not alone.

"Your Highness." The voice was too low and if not for the obvious reflection of the person behind
him, whose lips moved to let the words out, he would have thought that he was hallucinating.

He shifted away from the edge, before turning his head to look back at Lord Jeon Jeongguk.

"Please do not roam around alone. If His Majesty learns of it, he will be displeased. Do send for
me." He stopped for a moment, before parting his lips yet again. "I will be with you."

His tone was lower and Taehyung was compelled to look away. He felt a weird twist in his
stomach, even though he knew that the words he said were not implied in any informal way.

But, maybe it was not and he was mistaking it?

Pushing his disturbing thoughts away, he focused on the tiny tinge of irritation. Was the King
thinking he would run away? He should very well have known that he would not and could not.

"Then please tell him." He looked away, "Do your duty and do not cover for me."

There was silence and Taehyung wondered if he had just left.

"You would not want it, Your Highness." Jeongguk murmured monotonously, "You would not
want to face the Emperor's wrath."

Taehyung looked back at him, to find him looking ahead at the water and not at him; his
countenance neutral.

He was right. Min Yoongi was not just any other King. He was the Emperor.

Taehyung really hoped though, that he left him alone here, but he stood inanimately, with his hand
on the handle of his sword. He was planning to spend some more time here, but he would not feel
comfortable. So, he sighed and attempted to stand, for the knight to immediately step towards him
and hold out his hand.

Taehyung sat stupefied for a moment, before hesitantly placing his hand on the other's and even
though he had long, slender fingers, they disappeared under the rough and large hand, and the
fingers that coiled around his.

Jeongguk pulled him to stand, immediately letting go when his work was done and stepping back
to gesture Taehyung to walk ahead.

Taehyung silently did so, when there was no point of argument. He took as much time as he could,
with slow steps, so that he reached the campsite not very soon.

"As for your accusation, Your Highness." Taehyung stopped, once he was near the bushes. He
turned his head to the side, looking at the silhouette behind him under the moonlight.

"Besides serving the King, my duty is not to expose you, but to protect you."

The procession started again at the crack of dawn and by the evening, they had reached the capital.
Taehyung was awakened from his light sleep, when he heard continuous conversations outside. He
could then comprehend the light taps on his knee and shoulder, which he soon found out, belonged
to Gayoung.

"Taehyung-shi? We have reached, Changdeokgung." She quietly mumbled, shaking him awake
and he sat up with a start, as he looked around with a strange fear. He gulped down to clear the
dryness in his throat, before slowly rubbing his eyes with his fists.

I was finally entrapped.

"Yes. Let's go." He nodded, pushing away his curtain and peeking outside, for his eyes to
involuntarily trail towards Jeongguk who was standing close to the Palanquin, with his usual
posture.

He compelled himself to look away and when he did, he was awestruck. Changdeokgung was
nothing like any other Palace he had seen. Spread out over a very large area, with surrounding
barren grounds, multiple storeys and numerous guards lining every door, Changdeokgong looked
like a huge monster, ready to engulf anyone who stepped in.

Yet, all I felt was an eerie terror.

If not for the many people, Taehyung would have mistaken this grand residence as an abandoned
one. Nothing about the place said happy, rather everything screamed gloom. Everything looked so
lifeless and every person moving around looked like a wax doll, made to work on a key.

He had never seen a place this sombre.

"Your Highness."

Taehyung gasped, turning around sharply at the address, swallowing when he found Jeongguk.

"His Majesty is a little busy. He informed that he would meet you later and that I should escort you
to your chambers."

"Thank you." Taehyung merely said and Jeongguk gestured him to walk ahead.

"After you." He announced and Taehyung silently walked ahead. He guessed, now he was one of
those dolls too.

"You too." Dongmin said to a clueless Gayoung, who stilled to look back at him. She laughed
awkwardly, tucking her hair behind her ear, before bowing at him.

The General hid his smile. "Follow me to the maid quarters."

"What?" She exclaimed, "I won't stay with Taehyung-shi?" She looked at Taehyung, who was
equally wary. Jeongguk looked at him silently for a moment.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. You will face no harm."

Taehyung looked at him through his lashes, nibbling on his lower lip, before looking back at
Gayoung.

"There is no reason to worry, Your Highness." Lee Dongmin bowed, "She will be with you, when
you need her. She will just have a separate room for her stay. Sorry to say, but His Highness does
not allow anyone other than his trusted ones, to stay the night in the Royal Chambers. So, Lord
Jeongguk will be with you."

Taehyung looked up at Jeongguk once again. He tried to cover the delirium of having him
guarding him at night, with the other information.

"Royal Chambers?" He had only had the opportunity to look at them when the Queen would call
him over to make him run menial errands for her.

"Yes, Your Highness." Dongmin confirmed. He bowed, before resting his fist against his chest.
"Allow me."

He then looked over at Gayoung, gesturing her to follow him, and within a few moments they
were walking down the left corridors. Gayoung looked back once at Taehyung, assuring him with
a smile before finally disappearing around a corner.

He heaved a sigh, feeling a shiver running up his spine when he realized that he knew no one,
amongst the men who were carrying his belongings down the right corridor, except for Jeongguk,
who was still a mystery.

"Shall we proceed, Your Highness?" He questioned in that same tone he always used and
Taehyung nodded silently, before taking his steps. On the way, his shoulder brushed against
Jeongguk's, which made him look at him for probably the tenth time that day, but the man seemed
totally unaffected. He just moved another step away to keep more of a distance between them.

Taehyung looked down at his hands, which fiddled with the sleeves of his hanbok.

There was a reason behind everything. And I knew there was a reason behind his coldness too.

They were soon walking in through a large entrance, which looked even colourless in Taehyung's
eyes. But, the other people, who showed no shock, had perhaps accustomed themselves to it.

"The Royal Palaces." He heard Jeongguk say, as he stared in awe at the men, parting ways and
uniformly walking up the two flights of steps on either side of a long gallery.

"This way." Jeongguk gestured towards one of them and Taehyung was ready to follow, when his
ears caught the sound of resonating footsteps, which was coming from upstairs, totally different
from the synchronized thuds of the servants' feet.

His head whipped back towards the gallery and soon his eyes matched the stare of another pair's.
His breathing almost stopped.

For a moment, he thought he was looking into a tigress' eyes- bold, sharp and endless with
darkness. He felt scared. Then did he realize, those were the eyes of a woman, who stopped by the
grills, her fingers- which were endowed by rings of precious stones- curling around them.

Her hair was tied in a loosened plait, ocean-blue silk hanbok gracefully covering her petite frame,
yet not the power that she held.

He heard a noise and looked to his side to find Jeongguk thumping his chest with his fist, before
bowing, but when he straightened up, his gaze was unfalteringly sent upstairs, where Taehyung
had been looking.

There was something in his eyes now that had not been present so clearly before. And that was
presumably hatred. A very grim one.
 "The Queen." He mumbled, tearing his gaze away from hers, to look at Taehyung. The brunette
immediately looked up at her again and bowed. She merely nodded, before turning around and
leaving, with calculated steps.

Taehyung sighed shakily, when he heard those words from Jeongguk again; his tone holding
venom.

"Her Majesty, Jeon Soyeon."

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading♡

 CHAPTER 7
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Taehyung's slow steps displayed his reluctance, as he walked towards his supposed chamber. It
was nothing like he had imagined.

Perhaps the biggest chamber to be called his own, looked like a bride veiled in black and silver.
The wicked beauty was spine chilling. Taehyung's first step beyond the door, brought a gush of
cold wind kissing his face. He looked over at the large oakwood windowpanes, reading the sky
carelessly. Dark grey cumulus had enveloped the setting sun.

He jumped slightly at the instincts of movement behind him. Turning around, he found Lord
Jeongguk, standing by the mahogany panels, as he bowed slightly.

"Call for me whenever you require, Your Highness. I will be close by. For your intimate needs,
Chief Moon will be at your service. I believe you need your rest now. So, please excuse me." He
ended his short speech, all the while keeping his eyes on the floor, and Taehyung sighed when he
left wordlessly.

He was so at fault for rousing my curiosity. Could he not be a little less of the mystery he was?

Taehyung stalked over to the bed, running his hand on the edge of the soft mattress before settling
on it. To say that he was tired would be an understatement. He felt stiff, by the long journey within
the confined box.

Within the confined life too. But, that stiffness was unending.

He least realized when he let his back rest against the surface, as fluffy as a huge bunch of plumes
and he wondered if that was what was underneath the white satin.

His aching back, hugged the foreign comfort with all the might.

Why was the King not leaving any dearth in his hospitality? Oh well! I was going to be that
scapegoat to be fed well before doom. The last thing I could do was trust the Emperor right away.

He sighed heavily, his eyes feeling heavy as he stared up at the wooden ceiling, carved with
intricate designs. The beauty of the chandelier need not be mentioned.

Everything was so beautiful. Except for his life, he presumed.

There was heavy thumping of boots on the ground and he was scrambling to stand.

"Chief Moon arrives!" A guard announced, before a woman stepped in cautiously. She smiled
tentatively and Taehyung was left awed. He did not expect the Chief to be a woman! Was
Nangmeong kept in so much dark then?

"Your Highness." Her voice was soulful and Taehyung felt chills at her stance. She stood with her
hands behind her back, a confident look on her face.

"Moon Byul-yi." She bowed slightly. She turned her torso and Taehyung noted, how she gestured
the guards to leave.
"The Emperor assigned me to your service for intimate needs. You know what I mean, Your
Highness?" She said smoothly, as if memorized and Taehyung's cheeks turned slightly pink.

"Yes, I do." He cleared his throat.

"Very well." She smiled more warmly this time. "You can trust me. I am Her Majesty's Royal
Guard, and also the Head of Security of the Royal Chambers. So, I might not be around at all
times. Just send me about your needs by a maid and I will arrange for them, as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Chief Moon." Taehyung bowed.

"You can address me as Byul-yi." The lady assured and Taehyung looked at her with reluctance.

"I am being serious." She chuckled and so followed Taehyung.

"Okay, Byul-yi." She seemed better than the ones he had met here till now.

"I should leave, Your Highness."

"Taehyung. I request you, call me Taehyung." He slightly jumped on his toes and Byul-yi found it
endearing.

"I can't do that." She looked as if Taehyung had said something taboo. It was, well. "You are... His
Majesty's concubine."

Taehyung covered his mouth to muffle his giggles, disregarding the announcement of his status in
this empire.

"But, it will least hurt when no one is around. Don't you think?"

Byul-yi sighed, slumping her shoulders to the slightest. "That could perhaps be alright...
Taehyung." She spelled his name in a low voice, wanting only him to hear.

He smiled. "That is fine now!"

"I wish you good health and happiness." She mumbled, the gleam in her eyes dimming. "May no
harm beseech you."

They would not. They would penetrate right away.

"You too." Taehyung whispered, clasping his hands together, as a silence fell between them, which
was not quite desirable.

"Please rest and dine." She cleared her throat. "The Emperor will visit you after a repast."

"Oh!" Taehyung hunched his shoulders. He suddenly lost half of his appetite. He was not ready for
another encounter just yet.

Byul-yi left but left behind a newly lit flame of fear, which never died down, but only burned
brighter.

Soyeon sat in front of her dressing mirror, combing through the thick mass of her hair, as she
distastefully glanced at Yoongi at intervals. She wondered whom she felt sorry for, seeing the
maniacal look on his face, as he hummed a tune and corrected his appearance- him or herself.
"I am so happy today, my Queen. And at the same time, disheartened." He clicked his tongue,
turning around to match her gaze through the mirror.

Soyeon exhaled. "Why so, my King?"

King Min chuckled, shaking his head, as he skipped his way to her, making her flinch, when he
brought his hands down to rest on her shoulders, maintaining the stare which only grew painful for
her.

"I am happy, because I found a gem in a quest so tedious." He mused, his lips moving closer to her
ear. "A gem which would not adorn my crown, but my bed."

Soyeon closed her eyelids shut, her thick lashes pressing against her cheekbones almost painfully.
She heard the sly laughter and then the King was leaning towards her other ear. She knew what he
wanted, when his fingers dug into her clavicle.

"And the other reason?" She managed to mumble without a broken voice.

"Well, just because you ask." Yoongi hummed playfully, before a smirk graced his lips and the
reflection of his dangerous feline eyes looked back at Soyeon's.

"I did not have the opportunity to meet him till now. He must be waiting for me and here I am,
having to waste my time with you."

Soyeon wanted to get her dagger out of her belt and straight away stab at the man's heart, but Min
Yoongi knew better than to not look out for her next move. He might be a little too much aware of
her boiling abhorrence towards him. And he would stop her just like that. Then the little freedom
she had in her golden cage would be ripped off. She was not ready to risk it.

"Look at those eyes." He chuckled, shaking his head a little, "If a stare could quell." He gripped her
jaws, tilting her head towards himself and she could do nothing but close her eyes, deeming it
better than to look at the Devil of her life. "Is my Queen offended?" He whispered.

She flickered open her eyes, the cornea starting to be enveloped by a crimson shade.

"Why must you do this to me?" She breathed, her teeth clenching together and body shivering with
anger, but more so, anguish.

The Emperor snickered, rubbing a tender thumb across the expanse of her cheek, watching a stray
tear rolling down. "Should there be a reason for it, my Heart?"

She grunted, turning away from him and fisting her palms. Yoongi watched her, satisfied by her
agony, before he stood upright and left the chamber remorselessly. He had a much more important
work to do.

He never really looked at the guards lining every corridor and the ones following him, only
stopping when his eyes landed upon Jeongguk. The said lad, was leaning against the metal railings
of the verandah- the sharp breaths of wind fluttering his hair under the moonlight.

Yoongi smirked. He had had that urge to push him down long ago, but it was more pleasurable
seeing him alive and shivering in fear of death. He tilted his head, his eyelids fluttering shut, as he
inhaled deeply, reviving the moments of sheer joy.

"General Jeon! You need not have given me the trouble of searching for you everywhere." He
announced with a feigned offence.
Jeongguk stood upright, turning around and immediately bowing to him. "I apologize, Your
Majesty, but it was a free hour, so-"

"From now onwards, no hour is a free one for you." He muttered, striding closer to the taller male,
hands clasped behind his back. He stopped a foot away, looking in his eyes, searching for
something that could satisfy his ego. He smirked when Jeongguk's night eyes veiled it all.

"Won't you want to know, Pr-"

"Apologies for intervention, Your Majesty, but I request you, address me as the General."
Jeongguk mumbled, his jaws going taut, as he looked away. Yoongi stared at him for a moment,
assessing his inner turmoil. He chuckled, turning around and marched away, calling behind him,
"Follow me."

He raised a hand to stop the guards from following, and Jeongguk looked at them once, before
doing as told. His breath almost caught in his throat when he realized where they were heading to.

On reaching the huge Mahogany doors, the guard bowed at the King, "The Emperor-"

"Hold it, my friend." The King held up a hand. "Your job here is over. You will be shifted to the
granaries."

The guard looked confused, but nonetheless bowed.

"You may leave." Yoongi uttered and the man did not hesitate a moment before leaving.

Jeongguk reluctantly walked behind the King as he stalked in, his gut churning when he realized
that Taehyung's privacy was disturbed ruthlessly. He saw the brunet scrambling to sit up on his
bed, with only a satin robe on, the sleeves sliding down to his shoulders. He looked embarrassed,
as he stood up, stumbling twice and covering himself with his arms. Jeongguk probably had felt
such annoyance a very few times before seeing how Taehyung's eyes turned red.

"Your Majesty... I..." He struggled to form words, swallowing frequently. He had thought that only
the King would arrive. But, Jeongguk- he had not expected him. He had been the least dressed in
front of many others, naked even. But strangely enough, he felt hot in self-consciousness when it
came to the General.

I had not wanted him to look at me that way- like an odalisque.

"You see." Yoongi snickered, looking back at Jeongguk, "This was the reason I had the guard
removed." He turned to look back at Taehyung, taking a careless step forward in response to which
Taehyung refrained from taking a cautious step backward.

"The Lord knows when that lowlife would lay eyes on a forbidden treasure like him." His immoral
praise, flowed through his tongue like satin.

"And so, General Jeon Jeongguk will be at your service, twenty-four hours a day." He mused,
turning his head to look at Jeongguk, and he missed how Taehyung's eyes widened, as he
immediately looked at the General, who displayed no expression whatsoever.

"Do not worry, he's my most loyal servant." The King slurred, his words like venom coated in a
conceit of nectar. "Aren't you?"

Jeongguk gritted his teeth, his eyes meeting Taehyung's who looked visibly disturbed. Was it pity?
Indeed his condition was pathetic, even as the most skillful warrior of Goryeo. He was single-
 handedly nothing.

"Yes... Your majesty." He replied, lowering his eyes.

"But, Your Majesty." Taehyung intervened, "How can that be possible?"

"Why not?" Yoongi looked at him amused, so did Jeongguk.

"He lives in a chamber far away from this. Where is he going to stay?" He reasoned. He could not
let Jeongguk stay like a guard dog outside his door. He was literally the General! He had a great
honour.

"Is that your concern, Darling?" The King laughed, "Very well. He is going to shift to the
Chambers across yours. Does it deem fine to you?"

Jeongguk's eyes widened. He could not have heard it right. It was not possible.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Taehyung lowered his head, bowing slightly.

"For you, I can do anything." He husked, his finger lifting Taehyung's face by his chin. "This was
the least."

"I am grateful, Your Majesty." Taehyung breathed, feeling suffocated and frightened. The King
appeared like a snake, coiling around its prey, slowly and steadily.

He released a breath, when Yoongi let go and turned towards Jeongguk.

He walked towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder. His eyes were dangerous. "I trust you.
You must be aware of what happens when it is broken?"

Jeongguk looked at Taehyung, finding him placing a hand on his chest and swallowing. He
frowned just slightly. Did he do it on purpose? If it was to save his pride, he was grateful. He
inclined his head. "Yes, Your Majesty. His protection is my duty."

"Very well." The King trailed, withdrawing his hand and walking past Jeongguk. He stopped
merely a moment, turning his head to look at them from the corner of his eyes.

"Enjoy to the fullest, my Sweeting."

Taehyung watched as Yoongi left, his frame disappearing round the door. He silently looked up at
Jeongguk, who coincidentally did so at the same moment.

I could not comprehend, what was there in his mesmerizing orbs, but I guessed that eventually I
would. My days would pass by with him, essentially. And I doubted if his eyes would not be what
would hold me captive.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading♡

 CHAPTER 8
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Dull sky, rich fabric, luxurious baths and opulent meals, had been my companion, as the days
passed. Not what I had wanted. Lord Jeon did not even look at me. Not when I was aware,
leastwise. I needed to figure out what the King wanted with me. He visited me every night and I
stayed with that assurance that the worst he could do was nothing I could not bear. But, he merely
touched my cheek, breathing me in with his eyes, in a way that made my skin crawl. Apart from
that, nothing incited my soul. I wanted to walk out of the four walls.

"Taehyung-shi. Are you listening to me?" Gayoung nudged him, perhaps for the tenth time,
sticking another white myrtle in his loose bun. The boy gasped, looking up at her.

"Yes?"

"What was I saying?" Gayoung smiled exuberantly.

"About Nongmongung?" He chuckled nervously, eyes not meeting hers.

"What exactly?" She pried and Taehyung looked at her guiltily.

"I am sorry, noona." He sighed, playing with the flute in his hands.

"Are you alright? You look so distracted? Do you want me to go?"

If I had to speak the truth, I wanted to be alone. I had thought that meeting her after almost a day
would be something I would look forward to, but all I wanted was solitude. I was so fascinated by
the veiled mistress of a palace that it invoked me to be mischievous.

For one, he noticed that no one came near his chambers at all, except for a few important
individuals. He wondered where he was kept.

"Noona?" He whispered, taking her hands in his as he leaned a little closer. "Can you help me a
little, perhaps?"

"As in?" She whispered back, confused.

Taehyung looked around cautiously, shifting in his place as his teeth worried his lower lip. "Can
you maybe, distract the General?"

"This is such a mindless intension, Taehyung-shi." Gayoung cried softly, trudging towards
Jeongguk, who was in his own chamber, but standing directly across Taehyung's door, so that he
could keep an eye on him.

"Greetings, My Lord." She laughed awkwardly, swallowing at how synthetic she sounded, before
bowing profusely. Jeongguk was sharpening the edge of his sword.

Taehyung peeked from his door, licking his lower lip when he noticed that Jeongguk stopped what
he was doing, before looking at Gayoung rather vexedly.
"Yes?" Jeongguk muttered and Gayoung almost jumped in her spot at how chilling he sounded.

She grimaced, cowering slightly as she tried coming up with something convincing.

"May I say something?" She squeaked and Taehyung was left stunned for a moment when
Jeongguk looked up at him. He breathed in heavily, looking away and walking around, as if he had
nothing to do with their conversation.

Jeongguk looked down at his sword and Gayoung missed his small snicker. He looked up at her,
nodding slightly.

"Did you know that the sun rises from the east, but it may rise from the west as well? It is a
theory." She stammered at the end, when Jeongguk raised a brow.

"Is that all?" He hummed, and Gayoung shook like a leaf. "Yes, Your Lordship." She warbled,
turning on her heels and exhaling in relief.

Jeongguk was not a fool. He knew what all of this charade was about. Because when Jeongguk
looked beyond her, Taehyung was gone.

I know very well that attempting to leave the palace would be the most foolish thing I could do. I
never intended on doing that. I just wanted to look around.

With a cloak thrown over his body and the hem of the hood reaching below his eyes, he managed
to make his way out of the labyrinthine palaces. He was surprised, having encountered barely a
couple of guards all the way, who disregarded him as a maid. Then it made sense to him. It was an
assemble time for all the guards. He had been guileful with his timing.

There was so much to see- so much that was hidden. The twisting flights of stairs leading all the
way up to various towers and openings. His breath caught in his throat when he noticed a woman
rounding the corner and walking towards him. It was Chief Moon. It was going to be a disaster.
Taehyung kept his head low and bowed to her when she crossed, not regarding him.

He released a breath that he was holding, drifting towards nowhere in particular. His fingers traced
the intricately carved columns, as he rose to the next level, eyes gleaming in fascination.

Nongmongung was nothing in front of this magnificent mother den.

"What are you doing, damsel?"

Taehyung froze. He instantly started regretting his decision. Oh, why on earth had he not just
perished in his chamber?

He heard approaching footsteps and kept his head lowered.

"Where to?" It was a guard, perhaps. Taehyung swallowed fidgeting with his fingers.

"The Queen's Chambers, sir." He whispered. His voice was deep and hoarse, something unlike a
woman's, so he kept it low.

The man hummed, "Then what are you doing in the concubine's palace?" He enquired and
Taehyung felt cold sweat sliding down his temple.

"I had been called in by... the new courtesan." He lied through his teeth. He was talking about
himself and that would not harm anyone, would it?

"Alright." The man seemed to consider, stepping back. He then laughed, "I presume all the toil has
compelled you to forget about the directions. The Queen's palace is on the other side."

Saying so, he walked past him and Taehyung slowly looked up to find an open portal. The
words South Wing were carved above it. Beyond it, out of what Taehyung's vision served, he could
see silence. He looked back to find the guard walking down the corridor, away from him. He
realized how far he had come, perhaps on the topmost storey, more so, at the very end of it.

The wind was howling beyond the doorway, making it seem like a breathy lullaby, and he could
vaguely make out the dead branches of trees, letting their shadows fall on the stony path. In all the
enchantment, Taehyung found a small winged creature, coming to rest on the baluster, which was
nothing but twisted roots and thorns.

The butterfly blended with the fossil surrounding, its paper-wings fluttering like lashes.

Taehyung could never not want to touch it. As soon as he stepped forward, he heard a thump from
behind. He whipped his head to look at the metal vase, lying against the railings, with the myrtles
in it scattered around.

The brunet sighed, bringing his absentminded attention back to the butterfly, which had now
restarted its flight, towards the darkness. Taehyung hesitated, but keeping in mind that it was just
after-noon time and the King would not be visiting any time soon, he decided to follow. His boots
pounded against the ground, echoing in the silence, as his attention remained glued to the source of
spell.

It was as if, I had stepped into a different realm on a whole. Because this was not the
Changdeokgung I had known. Beyond the dead enchantress was a bright fairy. The cloudy sky,
painted the surroundings in a cold grey, but the garth lined with dead beot-kkot bearers was
endearing.

He looked back to find the end of the doorway and perhaps it was the back of the palace. Now that
Taehyung noticed, it was a monster- huge and intimidating. He brought his gaze to the nature,
placing his foot on the dry leaves to hear them crunching under his feet. He pulled his lips together,
when he realized that he had lost the butterfly, but at that exact moment, he found it. It was resting
against the edge of a wall of a small dwelling, though it looked nothing but royal. It was definitely
abandoned and uncared for, because there was a thin layer of dust on the windows. He walked
around it and found a door. It was locked.

Taehyung sighed. It was a pity that he came all the way here for nothing. He absently tried pulling
at the lock and lo! It opened. Taehyung blinked, stupefied before chuckling. He pushed the panes
open and stepped in.

His smile faltered, as his eyes travelled around the single hall that occupied the entire space of the
building. Taehyung felt chills running up his spine at the dark surroundings, barely any light
reaching from the glassed ceiling. He stepped in, looking around cautiously at the furniture draped
with white satin. The idea of the butterfly had long disappeared from his mind.

He hissed, when his hair was pulled and he tilted his head to find a few strands stuck in the crest of
an invading branch, which had broken in through a window.

He freed himself from it, before proceeding with his exploration. Why was this place secluded
from the rest of the palace?
He frowned, running his fingers over a sheet. It was covering what seemed like a huge rectangular
board. Out of a sudden he heard the cawing of a raven and turned around, his hanbok clashing with
the sheet and pulling it down. Taehyung stepped back, gasping lightly as he looked at the blunder
he created.

Before, he could think of ways to cover the wall high object, he found his eyes stopping at it
unnaturally. It was a portrait.

Taehyung's eyes widened.

On a gem-studded armchair sat Queen Jeon Soyeon. Her expression not something alien- legs
crossed and arms resting elegantly on the armrests. She screamed intimidation and weight. That
was still not something flabbergasting.

Against the headrest, stood Lord Jeon Jeongguk. His expression resembling the Queen's-
inexpressive and vacuous. His hand rested on his sword, posture upright. But, he was not in his
usual uniform. He wore a more lush and flowy fabric. He looked more of a royal than his usual
appearance allowed.

Why would they have a portrait together?

Like a flash came a train of thoughts. He remembered Jeongguk's eyes when he had looked at the
Queen on Taehyung's first day in Changdeok.

Jeon Soyeon.

Jeon Jeongguk.

Their eyes were similar, with an unending depth.

Taehyung exhaled shakily.

I came to a shocking conclusion that-

"He is my brother."

Taehyung yelped, turning around in no-time to find the Queen standing just a little ahead of the
door. Behind her, Jeongguk and Byul-yi stood upright. The only difference between them was,
Jeongguk's eyes held something heavy.

The Queen walked towards him, her steps agonizingly slow. She stopped by the branch that had
disoriented Taehyung's hair and plucked out the small white flower sticking to it. It had been on
his hair before. She glared back at him, gracefully making his way towards him.

"My half-brother." She mumbled, when she was standing a foot away from Taehyung, loud enough
for only him to hear.

It was not just a conclusion. It was a revelation.

"Your Majesty." Taehyung stammered, bowing immediately, but two consecutive snap of the
fingers made him look up at her, with only fear of his future. For a reason, she looked more
petrifying than the King.

"He is. Not you." She stepped closer, her eyes piercing into his. "You have been here for not more
than a fortnight and yet you believe..." She breathed in, "That you can do anything, don't you,
Sweetheart?"

Her voice was like a snake hissing. It was low and dangerous, under the wraps of sweetness.

Taehyung blinked, shaking his head, "I apologize, Y-"

"Beware Kim Taehyung. Your moves should be calculated. It is just that..." She scrutinized him
from head to toe, before snickering, "Our Changdeok is a little bit unlike others."

She threw the flower at him with a gentle flick of her fingers and turned around, her cloak doing a
little twirl before following her.

Byul-yi stepped aside, for the Queen to pass before she looked at Taehyung and sighed, "Your
Highness, I believe you should take your leave. And it would be better if you never stepped in this
side of the palace premises, ever again."

Taehyung's palm curled into a fist against his chest, as his conflicted eyes matched Jeongguk's and
his heart leaped in his chest. He looked angry and annoyed, and Taehyung wanted to get rid of the
cloying feeling of guilt but he could not.

"I apologize." Taehyung bowed, walking towards the door and Byul-yi smiled at him a little. "I am
glad you understand."

"Chief Moon." Jeongguk addressed and Byul-yi squared her shoulders, inclining her head, "Yes,
Your Lordship?"

"Get the frame covered and have this bloody thing locked." He gritted out. He was looking at her,
but Taehyung knew whom his distaste was directed to.

"It will be done, Your Lordship." She bowed, leaving instantly and I silently begged for her to stay.

"Now, if you would please, Your Highness?" He stepped back, gesturing forward and Taehyung
shivered looking up at him in the eye.

I had never seen any emotion surfacing in his eyes and I had thought, that was what I detested. But,
I realized that the previous him would always be better if he were to look at me how he was doing
now. He was not the Knight right now. He was the Prince.

"Your High-"

"Don't." It was a mere command and Taehyung flinched back a little.

I had rarely felt this worthless and embarrassed before. He barely knew me and I had already
started being a burden in his life.

"I am sorry." Taehyung whispered, his sniffle reaching the General's ear and he looked away
immediately, closing his eyes. The brunet took this as his cue to leave and he crossed Jeongguk
with an intention of walking away, but he was prevented from doing so, when his hand was
gripped and he was gently pulled backwards.

Taehyung looked at Jeongguk aghast, looking down at his fingers wrapped around his knobbly
wrist, before they uncurled and parted from his skin. He watched as the ink-haired breathed in
deeply, looking at him.

His eyes were numb again and Taehyung shuddered when he stepped forward. He just said a single
 statement before leaving him alone.

"You confuse me to no end, Your Highness."

Should I not be the one saying that?

Chapter End Notes

Feedback will be appreciatedᓚᘏᗢ

 CHAPTER 9
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Gayoung strode across her little cabin, biting her nails and frequently throwing a question of 'What
to do?' to herself. She was sure that everything had not gone perfect and her intuitions were right.

A knock came at her door and she yelped before clearing her throat and walking towards it.

"Who is it?" She questioned and goose-bumps rose on her skin when she recognized the voice.

"Lee Dongmin." It was the second General in command. She was doomed!

She pulled the door open instantly, swallowing up at the tall man, whose usual soft eyes were
sharp today. His chiselled jaw was taut and he almost glared at her.

"Yes, Your Lordship?" She whispered, ready for an earful. But, all she got was a sigh and remark
of disappointment.

"You could have kept yourself from trouble, couldn't you?"

Gayoung immediately looked down at her feet. "I apolog-"

"No use of that now." Dongmin muttered, "Her Majesty has called for you."

She stared at him for a moment before swallowing and looking away.

"And... you might have to leave." Dongmin spelled slowly. Gayoung could not help, but look back
at him. His eyes were sullen and without further comments, he turned around and started walking,
making her follow.

Once they reached Taehyung's chambers, she peeked past Dongmin's shoulders to find the Queen
sitting on a chair, the King standing by a window, Taehyung fidgeting with his fingers by the bed
and Jeongguk standing against the wall beside the doors.

Dongmin thumped his fist to his chest, acquiring everyone's attention and Gayoung stepped
forward timidly.

"After an eternity." Soyeon rolled her eyes, getting on her feet and walking towards the maid.

"Your Majesty." She bowed, her digits pulling at the ribbons of her hanbok out of nervousness.

"Do I need to explain why you are here?" She raised a brow. Gayoung stepped forward with a
desperate plea.

"Your Majesty. It was not Taehyung-shi's fault. I encouraged him to do that-"

"I have already told the truth, Noona." Taehyung intervened, "You do not need to cover for me."

Gayoung sighed heavily, looking at the Queen.

"Darling." Yoongi mused, walking over to Soyeon. "Why do you need to make it a grave matter? It
was a small mistake done by Taehyung. He is new here."
"That does not-"

"Let the maid pay the penalty instead." He shrugged and Dongmin clenched his jaws, but kept his
eyes lowered.

Gayoung swallowed, "I am ready for that."

Taehyung looked at her with disbelief. "What are you-"

"That would be enough from your side." The Queen spat and Taehyung recoiled. She looked at
Gayoung, her feline eyes forming slits.

"You may go back to your kingdom. You are no more required. Kim Taehyung will be taken good
care of." She stated and Taehyung's heart fell.

Gayoung looked up at him, her heart clenching at the pained look on his face. But, she could not
defy royal orders.

"I will." She bowed.

"Bid farewell, for you will not be meeting anytime soon." The Queen backed off, gesturing her to
move towards Taehyung.

She stepped close to him and he took her hands in his.

"Please don't leave." Taehyung whispered, voice breaking. He had no one apart from her, whom he
could rely on, in this place miles away from his homeland.

"I am sorry, Taehyung-shi." She whispered back, raising his hands to her lips and placing a kiss on
the knuckles. She parted with tears in her eyes and Taehyung held back from not wanting to let her
go.

He brought his doom on himself. Such a blunder he had done!

"General Lee. Get her belongings ready and help her in her departure." Yoongi sighed, "She is
Taehyung's most trusted. You will take her to Nongmeong safely. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Dongmin inclined his head.

"You may leave now."

Gayoung looked at Taehyung for one last time before walking towards the door. Her eyes landed
on Jeongguk and she pressed her hands to her chest, bowing at him.

"Please take care of him." She whispered only for him to hear, before walking out with Dongmin.

Jeongguk looked back ahead.

"Poor thing." He sighed, "You need not have been so harsh, my Heart. You punished Taehyung by
taking her away from him."

"Perhaps, that was my motive?" The Queen looked at Taehyung with her stone cold irises and he
struggled to breathe for a moment.

Yoongi snickered, walking close to Taehyung, who lowered his eyes immediately.
"You know how I received this scar, Sweetling?" The King slurred in his ear, forcing him to look
up. He realized that he was talking about the hideous one that ran across his eye.

He shook his head negatively.

"When I was around ten, I used to live in a small settlement near the Dein forests. I found a cub
one day. A little tiger." He acted out that he was carrying something in his arms and then he
laughed. "I used to play with him. One day he scratched me, here." He traced the wound, before a
wolfish smirk played on his lips, "I killed him."

Taehyung blinked profusely, feeling nauseous.

He was a literal monster. Yet, there was so much left to see.

"I have tamed a very unruly tigress." He spelled slowly, tilting his head to look at the queen with a
mean snicker. She breathed out, looking quite affronted, as she stormed out of the chambers
without a moment to spare.

The King chuckled, shaking his head and looking back at Taehyung, who swallowed when he
gripped his wrist and pulled his hand up to rest on his own cheek. Taehyung reluctantly uncurled
his fingers, palm lying flat on the cold surface.

"And, it would be nothing for me to deal with a kitten." He husked, stepping closer to the brunet,
who shivered. He noticed how his eyes turned ravenous.

"I would love to believe that you were not planning on running away, Taehyung."

"I was not, Your Majesty." Taehyung shook his head eagerly, watching Yoongi's lips curling back
to show a devilish smirk and like a lunatic he inhaled against Taehyung's palm, letting his slender
fingers caress his nose and lips.

He brought his gaze towards Jeongguk, who was not looking at them, or perhaps he was trying not
to. He switched his gaze to Taehyung again, who looked as if he would cry any moment now and
oh no! He was not letting that happen, except for him being the reason behind his tears, more so,
on his bed. And he would wait for that time, because he believed that hurrying would not bring
him his desire.

"Are you tired of your confinement, Sweetheart?" It was an endearing statement, with a soft voice
and with any other person, Taehyung would have melted.

The addressed, swallowed before nodding.

"In that case, General Jeon will be in charge of your safety, whenever you wish to go out. You can
visit any place in Changdeok. Does that sound fine to you?"

Taehyung was not expecting that, but when the King himself proposed the idea, he would rather
accept than doing otherwise.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Taehyung brought himself to smile, trying to make it appear as real as
possible and he guessed that it worked, when Yoongi smiled back at him and tucked a few strands
of hair behind his ear.

"Beautiful." He mumbled, stepping back, before turning around and walking out of the room.

Taehyung exhaled heavily, placing a hand on his chest, before a dry sob escaped his lips. He
clapped a hand to his mouth, looking at Jeongguk, who was staring at him.

"Will you leave if I ask you to?" Taehyung breathed and Jeongguk stayed silent. The truth was
that, he could, but he would not.

"Brother, don't do this." Yoona sniffled, aghast, as she looked at Hyungsik placing a few of his
belongings in a sheet. His movements were quick.

"Why don't you listen to me?" She shrieked when he did not respond. The older stilled for a
moment, breathing in deeply before turning toward her and walking closer.

"I am done with all of this. I cannot with mother." He spoke gruffly, "It is better to live like a
peasant than staying in this cage of gold. I doubt if it is, still." He chuckled mirthlessly, continuing
his actions.

Yoona cried, walking towards him and gripping his arm. "Won't you think of me? What will I do
here?"

"Come with me." The older suggested, yet again. But, she shook her head negatively.

"I can't." She whispered, almost inaudibly, "Mother is... She is not going to forgive you."

"I do not care, Yoona. You might. But, I am too out of it to." He spat, pulling his arm with a jerk.

"Minho!" He called out, walking towards the man standing by his door. He took his hands in his
own and swallowed, "Please take care of my sister. I failed as a brother, but I do love her."

The General looked at Yoona, who did the same. Her eyes were full of loathing and he knew it was
directed toward him, for supporting Hyungsik.

"I will." He nodded, his tone sincere and Yoona clapped a hand to her mouth, plopping back on the
mattress.

"Brother, please." Yoona tried, when Hyungsik walked back to her, kneeling in front and taking her
hands in his.

"My little fairy. I am extremely sorry for this. But, I cannot." He whispered, blinking profusely to
prevent his tears from falling.

"Mother does not realize my potential and I have consequently lost all my interest in royal affairs."
His hold tightened. "I love Ahra... and she is all I want in my life, alongside a peace, which will
never be possible in this hellhole."

Yoona slumped her shoulders, looking down and biting her quivering lip.

"I can't go against your decisions, so you can stay. Let me leave." The Prince sighed.

She shook her head, sniffling deeply, trying to compose herself. "I won't stop you." She looked up
at him. "Just, be safe."

Hyungsik smiled wholeheartedly, pressing an endearing kiss to her forehead, before getting on his
feet. He tied his belongings in a bundle and hurried towards the door. He smiled at Minho,
bringing him in for a quick embrace, before nodding. "I should leave. Take care of yourself and
her. There is nothing else that is good here anyway." He tried to smile, before reluctantly turning
 around. Minho watched him sprint through the secret passageway, which led to the stables. He
knew that he would be gone within no-time.

Yoona got up, walking over to the windows and looking out expectantly. Soon, she found a brown
horse, being rode out of the palace premises, through the tunnel, which only the royal family knew
of. He was gone.

Yoona sighed heavily, stumbling, as she backed off and immediately she found two hands
supporting her by her shoulders. She was quick to spin around and shove them away, as she glared
at Minho.

"You are not required to fulfil that lame promise." She spat, bloodshot eyes glaring into his. And
with that said, she stormed out of the chamber, her boots creating the only noise in the solemn
silence of the night.

The next day would be disastrous, he thought, walking towards his room. And he was ready for
that. The Queen never had to know that the General had helped Hyungsik escape. He had fulfilled
his duty as a soul companion.

He sighed, getting rid of his uniform and lying on his bed in his trousers. His thumb traced the
smooth fabric of the scarf that Taehyung had sewn for him a long while ago, as his eyes rested
absently on the cloth dangling above his face, from between his fingers.

"I wish that your fate holds something better than just serving the cruel Queen."

The Prince had worked upon his destiny. He gripped the fabric tighter, resting his fist down on his
abdomen.

It was time, he thought of his as well.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading♡

 CHAPTER 10
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Taehyung felt blissful. He had been aching to hear the chatter of the village markets. He was glad
Jeongguk decided on choosing this way for their travel. His eyes roamed around watching the
sellers bargaining with the customers, a wide variety of utility and accessories on display. It was as
if the shop owners were competing on who had the widest collection. This was the biggest market
he had ever seen and he was fascinated.

He then noticed an old woman, almost at the end of the sell place. Her little setup, which consisted
of beaded and metal accessories, was an exception. Everyone crossed her shop, but never stopped.
Her eyes landed on Taehyung and she smiled. He returned it, aiming to walk closer when the
woman gently showed up her hand, gesturing him to walk closer, but he felt a firm arm coming
around his shoulders and pulling him towards their preset destination.

Taehyung looked up at Jeongguk, confused, who notwithstanding the commoner's attire, looked
magnificent. Taehyung doubted about his own self, though.

"What happened?" He inquired softly, but Jeongguk merely spared him a glance, looking back
ahead and Taehyung barely managed to keep up with his strides.

"Why can't we go there?"

"Because that was not something the Emperor had commanded me of. I am not allowed to take you
to any unreliable places." He informed and Taehyung huffed.

"Every place is a war field for you." He whispered under his breath and then went quiet. He
realized whom he was talking to. He seemed to forget that his knight was the Prince, every now
and then.

It was so unlike me, though. I never questioned someone without hesitation, let alone throw
tantrums. I could not bring myself to apologize either. So, I found it better to stay quiet, until we
reached, where he was taking me.

Jeongguk turned his head to look at Taehyung, noticing a small furrow on his lips. He looked
adorable, he thought with an unconscious smile. But, it soon disappeared and he looked to his
front, removing his arm from around Taehyung. He did not know what went wrong with him for
that moment.

Taehyung watched as they left behind the main village and instead, tall evergreens started
hindering his view of the sky. He looked at Jeongguk unsurely. Could he trust him with this? He
did not know anything about him, let alone Changdeok.

"We are there." Jeongguk murmured finally, pushing a thin branch out of Taehyung's way and
Taehyung did not know if it was the right time to delve in his guilt. He walked ahead with slow
steps, as his mouth almost hung open at the view.

The lake was beautiful and so was the little cabin, sitting at the top of a high mount of earth on the
opposite embankment.

"This is..." Taehyung paused, breathing in, as his irises fought to take in everything at once.
"Beautiful."

He did not hear anything from Jeongguk and turned to look back at him, only to find him staring at
him.

Taehyung fought the red on his cheeks, as he smiled gratefully. "Thank you, for bringing me here,
Lor-"

"Pardon me. But, that does not sound good coming from your mouth, Your Highness."

Taehyung frowned, confused as he tried to make sense of Jeongguk's words. His vacant expression
made it even difficult for him to understand.

"What?"

Could a person joke so seriously?

"You heard me, Your Highness."

"So, what should I call you?" Taehyung hesitated, "I don't know if you are older than me-"

"Twenty-one." Jeongguk interrupted and Taehyung gaped at him.

He did not look so young. Perhaps, it was because of the sharp muscles on his face and the gorge-
like scar across his cheekbone that made him appear older.

"Well..." Taehyung cleared his throat, "I am around twenty-three."

"You can call me Jeongguk then." The younger nodded.

"But... you are the... Prince." Taehyung whispered reluctantly, noticing the solemnity in Jeongguk's
eyes.

"I was... not anymore." He clenched his jaws and sighed when he realized what he was doing. He
was not supposed to talk to the King's concubine about his own life- the life of a nobody.

Taehyung wanted to say something, but when Jeongguk turned away, he resisted himself from
doing so. It seemed like he had upset him.

"You are the King's paramour and in every way higher in footing than me. And it would be so
good of you if you do not argue with me on this any further." He added at the end, when Taehyung
stepped forward to contend.

The auburn-haired sighed, squaring his shoulders as he took a deep breath. "Then I would like to
address you as Lord Jeon Jeongguk itself. I assume we are not that close."

He heard a mirthless chuckle, and Jeongguk's shoulders shook a bit. "I do not assume that either,
Your Highness. Just as I hate that title, and the fact that you might be addressing me quite often, I
wanted to spare my ears of that torture."

Taehyung frowned.

He was being exceptionally rude and for what? He was highly confusing, I swear to the Almighty.

"Then spare me of 'Your Highness' as well. My ears are bleeding, Your Lordship." Taehyung
scoffed, storming past him and Jeongguk remained in his position, a breath escaping his lips, when
Taehyung's shoulder collided with his. He watched Taehyung marching down to the lake and
sighed, closing his eyes momentarily. So much to keep him at bay.

Taehyung crossed his arms on his chest, hunching his shoulders slightly, as he stood by the lake.
He had been so fascinated the moment he stepped in, but every ounce of excitement drained out of
him.

I tried to convince myself that Jeongguk's words should not affect me. He was no one to me. Just a
person assigned to take care of me.

He exhaled, his features wilting a little, when he heard the light knock of shoes on the ground,
indicating someone approaching.

Then why did he not care for my sentiments? It was a part of myself, right? And I was foolish to
expect an apology from him, because he just stayed quiet. I needed to keep myself away from
indulging in him. How could I know about him if he did not allow me to? It was aching, yes. But, I
managed to convince myself to keep a good distance from him.

He flinched suddenly feeling a drop of water landing on the tip of his nose. He looked up at the
grey sky. It was weeping and the tears would break out any moment.

"Your Highness. It is about to rain heavily, it seems. We should reach the temple, before it is too
late." He found Jeongguk curling his fingers around his wrist and frowned.

"Temple?"

Jeongguk did not care to explain and Taehyung let himself be dragged by him, as he took him to
the little cabin that Taehyung saw. Halfway, it had started pouring heavily and Taehyung shrieked,
looking up, enjoying the wetness on his face, the blur of the water drops, preventing him from
keeping his eyes open. He wanted to stay, but knowing Jeongguk he would deny and say
something like, 'The Emperor would be furious if you fall ill.' So, he resisted from demanding.

The cabin was actually a temple of the Goddess Dalnim. It looked old, with an open corridor
running on all sides of the small room. Taehyung kneeled in front of the door, and closed his eyes,
chanting a short prayer, before bowing. He looked up at Jeongguk who was standing, hair and
clothes bearing the result of being under the rain for a little moment, like his. His ebony eyes were
on the lake. Taehyung resisted himself from asking if he had any faith at all, reminding himself
that it was not one of his concerns.

He leaned back against a wooden wall, staring at the drenching capital. One of the palace towers
was visible from behind the thick canopy of trees. He felt at ease somehow, the patter of raindrops
cleansing his soul. As if, washing him free of all the dirt, making him pure all over again.

He sighed shakily, realizing the fresh trail of lone tear against his cheek, as he reached in his robe,
pulling out the small roll of bamboo.

He pressed it against his lower lip, blowing air into the cavity, as his fingers moved on the series of
the rest unconsciously. His eyes closed, when the harmony tickled his eardrums, encouraging him
to release more of it. The symphony overpowered the rain and just equally his senses.

His breaths were heavy, but calculated, as like the flow of a river, he graced the environment with
his calibre. He loved his flute. The only thing that untied him from his atrocious life and wrapped
him in the blankets of heaven.

He flickered open his eyes, blinking away the unshed tears, as he breathed in afresh. A smile took
place, but it dropped immediately when he realized that Jeongguk was supposed to be here as well.
His cheeks burnt in embarrassment. Although, he did not find Jeongguk in his vision. He frowned,
sitting up and looked around.

"Lord Jeongguk?" He called out hesitantly. Receiving no response, he stood up, staggering a little,
as he supported himself against the wall. Where could he have gone in this flitting rain?

Taehyung walked to the other side of the temple and his eyes seemed to betray him. Jeongguk was
there. It was just not how Taehyung was expecting him to be. The younger was sitting against the
wall, just like him, with his knees folded, hands carelessly resting on his knees and Taehyung was
sure he heard the soft sounds of snoring.

He walked closer, kneeling in front of him as slowly as possible, afraid to wake him up. Because he
looked so peaceful. He looked a hundred times younger, with his lips parted and brows not set in a
tensed line.

It was not good for me, what I felt at that moment. I wanted to keep looking at him forever.

His lips tugged upward in a stricken smile and he could not help himself from extending his hand.
He vaguely realized when he cupped Jeongguk's cheek, his thumb stroking gently, close to his lips
and it felt right to him.

Only if Jeongguk had not woken up then. But, alas! He did. Taehyung could not get enough time to
process, when Jeongguk hummed a little, a frown taking place on his face and he closed his lips,
his Adam's apple bobbing, as he swallowed, leaving Taehyung to stare in half-daze and half-
confliction.

When, he opened his eyes, Taehyung felt dread filling his insides, as he noticed the instant
difference in his expression. He looked furious and Taehyung yelped, when Jeongguk gripped his
wrist, pulling it away from himself, in the process making Taehyung hurl on him.

"What do you think you are doing?" He hissed, holding Taehyung by his hip to steady him and the
said, scrambled to move away.

"I'm sorry." Taehyung stuttered, trembling under his gaze.

"You should be, Your Highness." The way Jeongguk spelled it made Taehyung feel worse. "You
should think twice before following your instincts."

Taehyung flinched, when Jeongguk pushed him back, managing to keep himself gentle, and he
watched as the General stood up, looking away, his chest heaving with rapid breaths.

Without sparing him a glance, he extended a hand forward and Taehyung looked down at it, before
looking away with shame, as he placed it atop the other's. He closed his eyes, when Jeongguk
helped him stand, immediately letting go and Taehyung stepped back.

He could not fathom the emotion in his eyes. It was hysterical and imploring, besides furious.

Jeongguk turned around, aiming on walking away, but stopped and tilted his head to look at
Taehyung through the corner of his eyes.

"I..." Taehyung fought to speak, but it was as if his tongue had refused to cooperate. "I just..."

"Just think of what you could bring on yourself, Your Highness, if not me." His words held a silent
plea, even if his tone was venomous.
 And I recognized it very well. It was a desperate request and perhaps, I could dig further in my
intuitions- t hat what Jeongguk showed to me, was not out of indifference, but fear.

And that was why, I took the guilty pleasure in not stopping. He was a labyrinth and I needed to
connect the ends.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading♡

 CHAPTER 11
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

"There are a thousand reasons why I loved her more than your mother."

"You should love him, because he loves you more than he would do to his own sister."

"Sister, please. Save me! They are going to kill me."

"Spare my son. I beg you, ask him to let my boy go!"

"I love you, Sweetheart."

"Let me in and we can win this together."

Soyeon's eyes snapped open. Air bubbles escaped her nostrils, as she looked up at the blurred
ceiling through burning eyes. The call of her title was evident.

She pushed herself to sit, taking a deep breath, when her face was out of the water.

At a point of time, every vivid voice in her mind putrefied into the one she hated dearly.

"What is it?" She grumbled, moving to lean back against the bricked wall of her bath.

"His Majesty arrives." The maid bowed, before leaving and Yoongi walked in, shifting the curtains
away from his vision.

His lips curled back in a smirk, as he watched Soyeon, chest down under the water, glaring at
nothing in particular. Poor thing! Her very default expression had morphed into one filled with
vexation.

He sighed, when he realized that she was clothed, but the drenched cloth sticking to her frame was
meagre in hiding her modesty.

"Sweetheart?"

"What is it that you want, Your Majesty?" She tilted her head up, sideways to look at him, finding
him approaching.

"Must I have a reason for that?" He chortled, shaking his head, as he hunched behind her. His eyes
travelled towards the half finished game of chess- the board lying close to the edge.

"You leave everything hanging these days, I see?" He picked up a black soldier, before placing it
down.

"Honestly, are you the one saying that?" She chuckled mirthlessly, turning herself to fold her arms
and rested them on the marble, before placing her chin on the elevation.

Yoongi stared down at her, quite amused, as he wordlessly nodded. Even though he tried, he could
verbally never win against her. That was the reason she was still alive, breathing and the second
most powerful in his empire. Because he needed her wits. And perhaps, to satisfy his wicked
desires.
"Moreover, I finished the game." She snickered, unfolding an arm and playing with the White
Queen's piece.

"I see the King intact." Yoongi raised a brow, masking up his confusion and Soyeon laughed
breathily.

"Perhaps, I knew how the King would react if he noticed his defeat with his own eyes." She looked
up at him, her feline eyes challenging. "I decided to spare him the torture." She felt satisfied when
she noticed the change in Yoongi's expression.

His smirk faltered and his jaws went taut. Perfect.

"Otherwise..." She picked up the Queen's piece brought it closer to the Black King's and Yoongi
almost flinched when she knocked it down with a soft blow.

"Checkmate." She mused, tilting her head and Yoongi could hardly keep his composure any
longer.

"Insolent." He grumbled, standing up and turning on his heels, but stopped when he heard her
laughter.

"Perhaps, the King is scared." She instantaneously morphed her mien into a somber one. "Am I not
right, Your Majesty?"

Yoongi snickered sourly, before marching out and Soyeon inhaled sharply. Her exceeding the
limits, was not just due to a deep-seated loathing for the man, but because she was assured that she
had nothing to lose in the end. Otherwise, she would not have dared.

Whatever had happened the day prior, still had an adverse effect- on both of us. I did not know
about what went on behind his mask of fury, but I was sure about mine. And I wanted to cry. I felt
like wanting to break my own promise to myself. I wanted to keep my self-esteem at bay. All the
hatred I had stored up for men around me, did not work the way I wanted when it came to
Jeongguk. I wanted to get closer to him and when my own thoughts repeated that in my mind, I
wanted to dig my grave. Because he was dangerous- to my heart.

Taehyung walked out after a bath and having his attire and hair set by the maids. He entered his
bedroom, pushing away the curtains to let the cool earthly breeze grace the interior.

"Should we leave, Your Highness?" Taehyung looked back at the two maids and nodded.

"You may." He mumbled politely, before turning back around.

He smiled when his eyes landed on the pair of little girls, probably newly recruited maids, playing
on the grounds in front of their quarters. Even after reconciling themselves to their sad fate, they
were happy. Taehyung wished he could, as well.

He sighed, pushing himself away from the window, but all of a sudden, he heard a loud whistle, as
of a sharp object, before a thumping noise.

He was startled, as he strode to his living area, removing the curtains to it and his shoulders
slumped. It was Jeongguk. He was present parallel to his door in his own Chambers- a tactic to
keep an eye on Taehyung as well as doing his own business.
The older swallowed, when he noticed that Jeongguk was only half dressed- in his boots and loose
trousers, which barely reached above his lean hips. He had perspired a lot- sweat covering his
torso, arms and face in a thin continuous layer. Even his hair tied up in a loose bun was not spared,
as the stray strands adhered to his temples and cheekbones. Under the grim glow of the light, his
body shone, reflecting his contours and years of toil, which led him to having the physique, he had
now.

Taehyung flinched, when Jeongguk struck at the log of wood with his slim and sharp sword. His
grip on it was threatening and the blue and green lines, running up and around his contracted arm
and neck muscles made something curl in Taehyung's stomach. He swallowed, watching Jeongguk,
efficiently moving his feet, twisting himself to kick high at the thick log, before bringing his sword
back down on it diagonally.

Taehyung was left awed, breathing along with Jeongguk, when he stopped for a moment, his eyes
sharp on his sword and jaws clenched. It had to be a dream, the way Jeongguk's eyes found their
way to meet Taehyung's in no-time, and Taehyung could name the surfacing emotion right away.
He was furious, yes, but Taehyung found himself guilty to not count it for that moment. He dug a
bit deeper to find the small flicker of desire. A mutual vehemence.

I swore that if he looked at me like that any time longer, I might break. I wanted that to happen, but
it did not.

Taehyung swallowed, breaking the stare, as he swiftly turned around, walking towards his bed and
half-lying on it, as he pretended to be in his thoughts. Oh well he was! It was just that he would not
dare show them to the Emperor and the loud footsteps were definitely his.

"Your Majesty." He heard Jeongguk, squeezing his eyes shut momentarily.

"Is he inside?" He heard Yoongi's authoritative voice. Taehyung's heartbeat quickened. If

Jeongguk told him right away, the Emperor might believe in something else. Something forbidden.

"I apologize, Your Majesty. I was a little diverted as I was training. But, as much as I know, His
Highness is inside." Taehyung breathed out in relief. Jeongguk was witty, indeed.

"Very well. If he is, you are safe." Yoongi's tone was sweet, but not the underlying warning.

Taehyung heard his footsteps growing louder and turned around, sitting up to find Yoongi
storming up to him.

"Your Majesty." Taehyung stood up tentatively, adjusting his robe, as he lowered his eyes. The
Emperor looked infuriated.

He fidgeted with his fingers, feeling the cloying stare on him, before he heard a long sigh.

Yoongi gently gripped his jaw, lifting his head and Taehyung blinked, as he tried not to recoil from
him.

"What do you think about me, Sweetling?" He slurred and Taehyung exhaled shakily, when he
noticed how close Yoongi was. Their breaths entangled and Taehyung almost went cross-eyed at
the proximity.

"You are the greatest Emperor." Taehyung stammered, watching a smirk curl on his lips.

"Not the way everyone sees me, Darling."

Taehyung frowned slightly.

"I am talking about the way, you see me." The Emperor whispered and his concubine was left to
swallow.

"I..." He trailed, his eyes fighting to stay focused because of the way Yoongi looked at him. He
looked like a patient predator.

"You are very... good to me." He managed to speak, closing his eyes when the King stepped even
closer, encircling an arm around Taehyung's waist and the hand on his jaw, slowly moved down to
curl around his throat.

"Then why do you keep me waiting, Beautiful?" He breathed against Taehyung's lips.

It had never been this way before. No other man had taken the initiative of having me in this way-
in a way that could rouse me. I had never felt so enchanted before, other than the reason being
that one person. And perhaps it was the mist of him that I was feeling this way with the emperor.
My soul was stuck with him, still.

"Everything of mine is yours, Your Majesty." He murmured, even though, he wished otherwise.

"Not until you tell me about it." Yoongi chuckled, and Taehyung found himself inhaling heavily,
when the Emperor's fingers put a pressure on his sensitive flesh.

His other hand slid down lower, just below his hips and Taehyung shivered, his hands involuntarily
coming up to rest on Yoongi's shoulders to steady himself.

I wanted to get away, but at the same time I did not. Because in my stupor, the Emperor's grip on
me, reminded me of the fingers that curled around my wrist and the arm that securely went around
my shoulders the previous day.

Taehyung's eyes fluttered shut, when his lips were claimed, demandingly- the soft pair of skin,
pulled and bitten without any remorse. He prevented himself from letting out a sound, not because
it would satisfy the King. It was his duty to satisfy him. But, it was because he could feel the
insistent stare, from someone standing very close but equally far.

He breathed in heavily, when Yoongi pulled away, only to let his lips trail down the stairs of
Taehyung's skin, generously and slowly, as he covered up to his neck, burying his face in the
cavity of his clavicle.

Taehyung worried his lower lip with his teeth, tilting his head, ashamed eyes travelling towards
Jeongguk, whose movements were restricted to abusing the piece of timber, but his eyes- they
never left him. He flinched, at another landing blow and Yoongi steadily pulled back, yet not
letting Taehyung go. The younger immediately matched his gaze to not let him have a hint on the
direction of his thoughts.

"And... what do you think about him?" Yoongi whispered sultrily, to a Taehyung who was busy
recovering from his ministrations.

"Him?"

The Emperor snickered, tilting his head, as his eyes left Taehyung's to direct him towards his right.
Taehyung swallowed, reluctantly turning his head to look at Jeongguk, who was standing idly,
glaring at the log, his chest heaving with every strained breath, as his fingers curled tighter around
the hilt of his sword.
Taehyung looked back at Yoongi, not letting any emotion surface in his eyes, as he shook his head.
"Nothing." He felt bitter lying but, Yoongi looked satisfied.

Taehyung flinched hearing a deadly whistle and a trembling thump, which made him immediately
turn to look at the General. Jeongguk breathed heavily, as he stayed static in his position after
having cut the log into two useless halves. A clean diagonal cut it was and a chill ran up
Taehyung's spine at the intensity in his eyes.

He looked back at Yoongi, when he raised his hand to pull the pin out of his hair, which unfurled
and hung loosely down his back.

"Then a nobody like him should not see how I make love to you, don't you think so?" Yoongi
whispered and Taehyung's stomach churned. He lowered his eyes, his fingers curling around the
smooth fabric of Yoongi's hanbok.

"Close the door, for me." The Emperor whispered in his ear and Taehyung squeezed his eyes close
for a moment. It was going to happen, and it affected him more than he thought it would. Perhaps,
because he was not just any other King, or it was a different person restraining him. He stepped
back, when Yoongi let go of him, locking his hands behind his back, patiently waiting for
Taehyung to carry out his order.

Taehyung reluctantly turned towards the door, walking towards it with calculated steps. Jeongguk
was looking at him, in a way he could not fathom.

He timidly reached for the panes of mahogany, forcing himself to close it.

I wondered if it was plea in his ebony irises, asking me to not give in. But then again, why would it
concern him. He kept running away from me.

Taehyung sighed, having the last glimpse of Jeongguk, before the panes joined, separating them
like an infinite wall- on one side of which he was trapped with the incarnation of the Devil, behind
the veil of sweetness.

The Emperor touched me like no other. He did not just want to slide between my thighs. He played
with my mind and body, and I felt ashamed to give in, letting the pleasure cloud my senses. But, he
left a part of me untouched. And that was my soul. Even if he did, he could not have captured it.
Because it was already occupied by someone else. Conceivably, he was not the one to give me the
pleasure at all. It was indeed not. The eyes on me were not his, but Jeongguk's. The hands on me
were not his, but Jeongguk's. I did not come to a crescendo because of him, but because it was
Jeongguk who was all over my ability of perception, intoxicating me and jumbling me.

"You are no less than Paradise." Taehyung vaguely heard Yoongi, feeling a kiss being pressed to
his shoulder. "In fact... more."

He had already zoned out, too occupied to pay head to the Emperor's words. Yoongi chuckled,
caressing his head, before rolling off the bed and tying the ribbons of his hanbok.

"Have a good night." He whispered, and Taehyung noticed him leaving when the doors were
pulled open, before being shut again. He pulled the sheets closer to his chest, fingers curling it in
his fist, as he wondered if he had done the right. It surprised him, because he had never felt like
this before. He had never cared for himself. Never thought twice before giving in because that was
all he was alive for.

And then, my subconscious mocked at me, stating the obvious. It was Jeongguk. And he had not
 been in my life back then. But, oh! He was now.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading♡

 CHAPTER 12
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

"She is perhaps going to die."

Taehyung was not into the maids' conversation, but once the dreadful word crossed his ears, he
could not help himself from silently delving into their discussion, as he got his hair scented by the
fumes of aromatic herbs.

"I am not sure what Lord Jeon is going to feel."

"Does he even feel anything?"

Taehyung turned around looking at them pointedly, "What are you talking about?"

The girls looked tentatively between themselves.

"I asked you something." Taehyung felt bad for showing authority, when he was in no place to do
so (albeit, he was). But, he needed to know what it was about Jeongguk they were gossiping. And
truthfully, he felt offended by the way they described Jeongguk.

"The General's mother..." The older one trailed, fighting to speak.

"She is suffering from a terminal disease. She is going to die." The other girl stammered.

"What?" Taehyung whispered, shattered. His eyes became unfocused, as he looked down at his
knees.

This had to do something with Jeongguk's behaviour. It was justifiable. And Jeongguk's mother,
meant the former Empress. I did not know that she was alive.

"What disease is it?" He inquired.

"Nebula. The physicians believe that she was supposed to live for a few months longer, but for the
past couple of days, her condition has worsened and they fear that she might die."

Taehyung gasped. It was a very petrifying ailment, where the body started jerking violently and the
muscles tightened. No one could find any true prevention for this and it was the most painful. He
had seen a few such cases in Nongmeong and even knew temporary prevention methods. But, it
was a secret of Nongmeong and was not disclosed to anyone till now.

Trying to increase Lord Jeongguk's mother's days would mean that I had to break a vow of loyalty
to my homeland. But, was it home? I did not care about that evil land and her norms any more.

"Take me to her." He rose to his feet. "This instant."

"But, we are not allowed to-"

"I request you." He said earnestly and the young maids looked between themselves, before silently
leading him out.

Taehyung noticed on reaching his door that Jeongguk was absent. He might have gone to her.
He had no idea why they were taking him past the servants' chambers and towards a small brittle
built dwelling. It looked as if it would collapse if the walls were accidentally touched. But, the
number of guards by the door and even the presence of Chief Moon made it sure that it was not
just a mere abandoned place.

"She is here." The younger girl pointed towards it and Taehyung immediately crossed both of
them, before climbing the small flight of steps.

"Your Highness?" Byul-yi called out, surprised, as Taehyung came to stand before her.

"Where is she? I can... ease her pain for the moment." He stammered, looking at her with pleading
eyes.

Byul-yi sighed, "The Emperor will be-"

"Just... don't care about him for a moment and focus on being a human, Byul-yi." Taehyung
breathed and the woman inhaled sharply, moving away from the door.

Taehyung immediately strode in, his eyes easily landing on the small rickety bed in the centre of
the pathetic excuse of a humble abode. No one should live healthily here, let alone a severely ill
elderly woman.

Jeongguk's mother was lying on the mattress, her muscles visibly contracted and her fingers and
toes curling every now and then. Guttural groans escaped her lips, as the physicians tried to keep
her placid by stroking her hair and Taehyung's eyes watered when he noticed that she was chained.
She was chained in this miserable condition.

How could a person be so cruel?

"Your Highness." The head physician stood up, eyes widening a little as he stood up.

"I am here to help." Taehyung cleared his throat, bringing his eyes away from the scene. "None of
those will work." He pointed at the small table where various herbs and pastes lay tampered.

"Yes, we know. We tried and they did not work. So, His Lordship has gone-"

"He does not know either. But, everyone from the Nongmon palace does." Taehyung interfered and
everyone looked at him confused.

"Zicovice." He spelled, "That is the only tranquilizer for Nebula I know of. And before you
disregard it, I have seen it working before my eyes."

"Where can we find it?" Byul-yi spoke up, sharing a glance with the shocked physician.

"That herb is available in the most common places, but difficult to find because it is very small."
The physician spoke before Taehyung could. "I never knew it was of such importance."

"That is the reason Nongmeong had kept it hidden, sir." Taehyung chuckled mirthlessly.

"If you come with me, Your Highness, I can find it, as soon as possible." The Chief promised, even
though she looked conflicted. "There is a small wood behind the palace. I hope to find it there."

The auburn-haired sighed shakily, "Then, we should not delay. Let's go."

❧
When she had said wood, I did not expect to end up in that place, where I had seen that hall with a
ceiling of glass. I could even see the portal I had used to get there and alas, got caught.

Taehyung pulled his eyes away from the orchard and the building, before turning around to face
the rigid back of Byul-yi as she commanded the guards, who were burying themselves in the
bushes to find the micro-sized herb. Taehyung was trying to remember where they usually grew,
but he could not. He sighed, defeated unless Byul-yi shouted again.

"Come on, boys. Dig deeper."

Deeper.

Taehyung opened his eyes.

"Chief Moon!" He exclaimed, "I think... they are found close to river embankments or somewhere
where there is water. We need to leave the outskirts and walk inside."

Byul-yi nodded, recovering from her absent state.

"We should." She turned around, clapping her hands and storming towards the men to get their
attention. "We need to go in further."

But, all the guards looked among themselves a look of fear on their faces, which made Taehyung
frown.

Byul-yi sighed when they did not respond, "I said... In deeper. Right now." She spelled slowly, but
fierce enough for everyone to reluctantly follow.

"What is wrong?" Taehyung whispered, walking closer to her and she shook her head.

"This little wood is said to be dangerous. And people easily seem to forget their way. It is sort of a
maze."

"It is noon. I don't think it will be harmful." Taehyung encouraged and Byul-yi shrugged, arming
up. "Let's hope for that, Taehyung-ah."

The younger smiled softly, as he watched her walk ahead, before quietly following her.

The forest looked more enchanting than dangerous. It was like he had directly walked inside
Mother Earth's home. It was so beautiful and he could hear the sound of gushing water. The birds
created a polyphony around them and the silent rustle of the leaves seemed to back it up. It was
like a soothing melody.

Only if I were not in a hurry, I could have sat here all day and appreciated the celestial beauty of it
all.

"Chief! Is this it?" Taehyung and Byul-yi heard and they walked past the thin blanket of trees.
They found one of the men, bending towards a rock by the river as another stood by him.

"Taehyung. You should see." Byul-yi whispered, nudging him and he walked over, sighing
satisfied when he found the tendrils kissing the ground, shading themselves under the curve of the
rock.

"This is it." He confirmed and the guard went on to pluck it. "Wait!" He said, before reaching for it
himself and carefully twisting the roots out from the ground.
"This needs to be handled very carefully. They are very sensitive." He informed, gently holding the
herbaceous plant in his hands.

"We did it, boys! Good job." Byul-yi yelled, nodding, as a small smile crept up on her lips. "We
should go back."

The group set out to leave with Byul-yi leading the way and Taehyung behind her, but he did not
want to leave just yet. He sighed, his eyes taking in everything they could at a glance, frowning
when he saw a silhouette behind one of the trees. He frowned scrutinizing and a small rustle was
heard when the organism brought its head out.

Taehyung smiled when he saw a doe. It was beautiful and perhaps having its meal. A small
butterfly came to rest on one of the little antlers and Taehyung could not have been more endeared.

Then suddenly, it looked at Taehyung and his smile faltered. It tilted its head towards the direction
they were walking and sprinted forward, leaving the butterfly fluttering its wings in the air as if it
was aghast by the doe's behaviour.

"Are we going the right way?" He heard Byul-yi say and Taehyung nodded absently.

"We perhaps are."

And they indeed were. Taehyung noticed the footmarks on the damp earth, so similar to a doe's
when they reached the outskirts safely.

"We need to hurry back." Chief Moon announced and Taehyung was back to earth. Oh yes! He had
a responsibility to carry out. They paced towards the little dwelling.

What Taehyung was not expecting was Jeongguk standing by the door and seemingly arguing with
the physician. Moreover, the Queen was there, as well- standing a little away.

"Your Lordship. We need to wait-"

"To hell with him, darn it." Jeongguk yelled and Taehyung had heard it for the very first time. Sure,
he had seen him furious before, but never had he heard him raising his voice. "I brought these and
the least you could do is try."

"They are here." The physician's voice seemed to break him out of his thoughts. Everyone
including Jeongguk and Soyeon looked at him and he shivered at the flaming rage in Jeongguk's
eyes. What wrong had he done?

"Thank you so much." The medical aide walked towards him and extended his hand. Taehyung
silently placed the herb on it. "They need to be ground with a lot of lukewarm basil oil."

"We will definitely look to that." The man smiled, bowing before hurrying back inside.

There was a deadly silence and the air was heavy. Taehyung did not dare to look at Jeongguk. But,
he did look at Soyeon. Unlike herself, she did not look dangerous. Her eyes held coldness yet, it
was somehow masked by confusion.

"Dismissed." The Empress announced and all the guards left instantly. "Moon. You can leave, as
well."

"Your Majesty." She bowed, thumping her fist to her chest, before crossing Taehyung and
disappearing around a wall. He was left with the two royal bloods.
He felt the need to look in on Jeongguk's mother and decided to walk in, but a call from Jeongguk
stopped him.

"May I have a word with you, Your Highness?"

Taehyung swallowed, freezing in his spot and looking back.

Jeongguk looked menacing. He felt scared of him at the moment and it looked like Jeongguk was
refraining himself from acting on impulse.

"Yes." Taehyung stammered. The ebony-haired looked back at Soyeon, and they merely shared a
stare, before Jeongguk walked to the other side of the little hut.

Taehyung followed him and stopped when Jeongguk did. The younger turned to look at him and
Taehyung curled his fingers around the fabric of his hanbok, as he stepped closer.

"What were you thinking while doing this?" He muttered and Taehyung frowned, keeping calm
from outside.

"What did I do?"

Jeongguk laughed mirthlessly, shaking his head before glaring back at the other. Taehyung
flinched when he gripped his wrist and pulled him closer, and Taehyung knew it was the wrong
time, but he could not help getting affected from their proximity.

"Do you want me to be obligated to you? To owe you for a bloody lifetime for showing how great
you are? You want that, don't you?" Jeongguk breathed against his lips and Taehyung looked at
him in disbelief, twisting his wrist as it was starting to ache.

"Was wanting to save your mother- that woman who is in so much pain- such a grave sin?"

"No." Jeongguk rolled his tongue on his cheek, "But poking your nose into my life, was."

Taehyung flinched, closing his eyes momentarily when he was jerked closer.

"Please spare me of, whatever you are planning to do as a good human being. I do not need anyone
taking care of me or my mother. I am capable enough for that."

Taehyung dared to look at him in the eye.

"So, this is how you take care of your mother, General?"

"What do you mean?" Jeongguk frowned.

"Keeping her in such a lowly place where all she could feel is sick and nauseous, do you think she
will feel any better after this?" He spat and Jeongguk's jaws went taut.

"Do not speak about things you do not know. You are-"

Jeongguk broke off and Taehyung noticed that he was looking behind him. He turned enough to
find the Queen standing there. She did not look annoyed. She seemed curious and addled.

The General sighed, grabbing Taehyung's attention. His eyes were troubled and unfocused, and it
irked Taehyung deeply. He felt guilty even if he was not at fault.

"You have done enough for me." He whispered, "Do not make me indebted to you any further,
 because I can probably never return your favour."

He let go of Taehyung's wrist, who could feel the sting on his skin and immediately caressed it
with his fingers, as he watched Jeongguk go. He winced when he heard a harsh sound of the door
closing and he least realized that moisture had broken free from his eyes.

I did not know why he was being so harsh with me. I had just wanted to lessen the weight on his
shoulders, but he did not even want to acknowledge it. I wondered if I had really done wrong. But if
I had, then it would not have hurt. Perhaps it was the ache of being misjudged by someone whom I
was infatuated with. Infatuated? I questioned myself. Had I not been the one to swear that I would
never let those feelings get to me? I wondered if it ever went my way.

Taehyung breathed in to lessen the intensity of his sob, before looking at Soyeon. She was looking
at him, still. And the small frown of concern, surprised Taehyung. She looked distracted, as if
refraining herself from saying something because of a disturbing thought.

She exhaled heavily and turned, leaving Taehyung under the evening sky.

Chapter End Notes

Feedback would be appreciatedᓚᘏᗢ

 CHAPTER 13
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Taehyung could easily say that he felt anxious. Being called by the Queen was not a normal thing,
after all. And above everything, Jeongguk back to being by him, with his ignorance, did not make
him feel any better.

He slowed in his steps, when he found Byul-yi walking out of the Queen's Chambers with a poor
woman behind her, struggling with the numerous scrolls loading her arms. On noticing, the Chief
gave him a polite smile, bowing and the woman behind intended to follow but all the scrolls
became one with the floor.

"Oh no, Yong-sun." Byul-yi groaned, helping her clear the mess and Taehyung pressed his lips to
stop his smile as he went ahead and joined in to help them.

"Thank you, Chief. Thank you, Your Highness." Yong-sun bowed and Taehyung found her very
adorable.

"Is everything alright?" Byul-yi questioned and Taehyung nodded even though, he was unsure of
it.

"Yes. It is just that Her Majesty has called for me." He shrugged and the Chief nodded.

"Well, be careful, Your Highness." She offered him a smile, before leaving with Yong-sun, who
threw him yet another apologetic smile. Taehyung felt a lot better now, because of her. And he did
not wish to let it vanish by looking at Jeongguk. So, he turned and walked in.

He was struck by awe in the first glance. It looked like a dwelling in paradise. Everything was
dipped in gold and silver. Even diamonds and rubies seemed to cover up the spaces that they had
failed to cover. No blemishes. He breathed an air of opulence right away.

And down the stairs, which Taehyung had thought, led to the Golden doors of Heaven, walked
down the Queen, her lithe frame covered in gold-spun silk. She was surprisingly barefoot, as her
soft feet touched the ground almost silently. She moved like a feline.

"Kim Taehyung." Soyeon acknowledged and Taehyung swallowed, lowering his eyes.

"Dismissed." She announced and all the maids scurried out of the doors. Her eyes then landed on
Jeongguk standing behind Taehyung and she tilted her head.

"I think I made myself clear that I want to be left alone with him." She raised a brow and Taehyung
faced silence for a few moments. He slowly looked up at Jeongguk to find him staring
unfalteringly at his half-sister, before he sighed glancing at Taehyung and then turning around to
leave.

"Follow me." Taehyung looked away from the doors, through which Jeongguk had just left and
found the Queen walking up the flight of steps yet again. Taehyung quickly followed, keeping a
distance of two stairs between them, as she presumably took him towards her resting area. She
pushed open the mahogany, and Taehyung subtly looked around at the light ambience. The
sunlight radiated such glow on the white sheets and pillows, and the divans and the mirrors and the
opal-pressed walls, that Taehyung was compelled to believe that it was not the Queen's. He had
expected a dark and somber vibration when he walked in.

Taehyung's eyes went off to Soyeon as she stopped right before him, seemingly hesitating, before
she turned towards him. Her eyes were different. They were restless, though she appeared calm.

"When are you supposed to meet the Emperor?" She asked a little bitterly and it was justifiable.

Even though, I was not at wrong, I felt guilty. As if I was the reason behind the Queen's sorrow- as
if I myself, was responsible that she hated me.

"Not before the day next." Taehyung croaked out, already feeling gooseflesh breaking out on his
skin at the thought.

"I have ordered everyone present at Mother's to not disclose that you were present." She sighed,
"So, don't tell him either, unless you want to face his wrath and also make it hard for us."

Taehyung was left surprised, yet confused. Why would she do that, when she loathed him? She
should leave him to dig his grave, should she not?

"But, why?" He could not help himself. He watched Soyeon turn around and walk to her bed, as
she ran her hands down her face. She sat down, looking at her lap. She did not answer.

"Can I ask you something?" Her voice was brittle.

"Anything, Your Majesty." It was not something to think about.

She looked up at him with hopeful eyes.

"Do you... see yourself with Jeongguk in the near future?"

It took me a while to register her words. But when I did, I was left to scramble for breaths.

"What?" He blurted out, taking a step back.

"Don't act as if it is something you never expected, Taehyung!" She exclaimed, standing up and
walking towards him, before she took a deep breath and turned away.

"There is nothing between him and I." Taehyung shook his head furiously and Soyeon chuckled
mirthlessly.

"Why would you help him then? Let alone take the trouble to run to the woods to find his mother a
temporary cure?"

"I did that solely because it hurt me to think that she was in pain." Taehyung reasoned.

"I know you're a good human being, Kim Taehyung. But eyes don't lie." She said softly, looking at
him. "I did see you both yesternight, if you have forgotten."

Taehyung looked down, worrying his lower lip with his teeth.

"Trust me when I say this. I know him better than anyone else, except for his mother. Even more
than himself." Soyeon whispered, playing with the rings on her fingers. "He is not ignorant. He is
afraid."

"Afraid of what?" Taehyung murmured, his heart squeezing a little at the memory of Jeongguk's
glare which stabbed him like a dagger.
"He is afraid that he will never be enough- to protect the ones he cares for. And he does not want to
add someone to that catalogue, because he is afraid he will never be able to meet their
expectations."

"Why would he do that? He does not have to prove himself. He does not have any right to decide
what others think about him!" Taehyung gasped out a soft breath at the end of his outburst.
Jeongguk was not dodging him due to his mindless beliefs, now was he?

"He has a very good reason to." Soyeon blinked her sore eyes, before exhaling and trudging
towards the oakwood windows. She stood facing the light and Taehyung stared at her back
inanimately.

"That reason is, I." She declared- guilt, remorse and penitence flowing through her tone readily.

Taehyung frowned, his fingers curling into fists. "You?" His voice trembled.

"I have never hated him." She started, "But, I surely have hated his mother since the day she
replaced my mother, his First Queen consort. I thought that father loved my mother but when she
died, he brought in his lover. And since then, I have hated mistresses." She gritted her teeth,
forcing the tears to stay back. Taehyung's skin crawled at her words, but he could understand why
she hated her. Taehyung was the same thing to her consort.

"She did not hate me. But, she did not show her love for me either." Soyeon continued, "She kept
her distance from me, perhaps, because I had always been cold and unforgiving to her." She
chuckled sourly.

"But Jeongguk..." She stammered, "We have grown up together and I love him, more than I could
probably love my own brother."

"Then what... happened, that he is this way?" Taehyung mumbled quietly.

"It was my hatred toward father. I could never understand that love was not a sin. I thought of him
as someone evil for falling in love with Jeongguk's mother. And I committed a huge mistake,
blinded by my need for vengeance." She placed her trembling hands on the window sill. "Jeongguk
had to be the one to suffer." She ended bitterly.

Taehyung stayed silent, but inside him there was a hailstorm on unravelling the dark truth of the
Royal family. If he had to put himself in everyone's shoes, then no one among whom Soyeon
mentioned were at fault. It was just that the Queen had made a big mistake because of a small
misconception.

"Suffer... as in?" He questioned tentatively and Soyeon sighed, turning to look at him.

"The day you get it answered by him, is the day you know that he has given in to you and up on his
apprehensions." She smiled meekly and Taehyung blinked.

I doubted if I could ever do that.

"I have never seen him losing his composure the way he did last night with you. That means, you
do affect him. Greatly." She said, walking towards him and Taehyung was left surprised when she
took his hands in hers, pressing her thumbs to his knuckles. "I want to get rid of my guilt and I hope
you help me by bringing him back." She requested earnestly, not just through her words but with
her eyes, as well.

Stepping out of Soyeon's Chambers with his eyes on the floor, everything in Taehyung's mind
seemed to mess up and burst. He heard a rattling noise and looked up to find Jeongguk
straightening up as he stood by a wall.

"Shall we go, Your Highness?"

I hated the nothingness in his voice. Why did he have to keep everything to himself?

Jeongguk swallowed when Taehyung walked to him instead of walking ahead. His eyes were
searching on his, feasibly miserable.

"Take me to your mother." Taehyung's tone was quiet and requesting and Jeongguk froze.

His brows arched, moving closer in a furious line. "Why do you want to-"

"That's an order, General." Taehyung announced and Jeongguk went quiet. He looked at him,
standing on the border of helplessness and anger, as he looked away. Oh! How Taehyung wished
that he could reach out and run a thumb across his eyelid and tell him to trust him. Only if he
could.

He felt contrite using his power over Jeongguk, when he was nowhere close to him in abilities.
But, Jeongguk would not accept his request.

"If you'd please." Jeongguk stepped aside unwillingly, and Taehyung turned away from him, taking
slow steps forward.

I believed I could do that.

"Leave." Jeongguk grumbled and the guards shared a look amongst themselves before doing as
told. He sighed, turning and looking at Taehyung, who was almost hiding behind a trunk. He
nodded and Taehyung smiled, skipping his way towards the little hut and Jeongguk looked away
from the endearing sight, which managed to work its way into his heart.

"Is the door open?" Taehyung whispered to him, when he sauntered closer and wordlessly pushed
open the wooden panel, walking past him and inside, which made Taehyung breathe out an, "Oh!"
and follow him quickly. His face almost hit Jeongguk's back, when he stopped suddenly and
Taehyung peeked past his shoulder to look at the woman lying on the bed, facing away from them.

"Jeongguk?" Eunha scrambled and sat up, and Taehyung watched Jeongguk moving over to sit
beside her, as he took his mother's hands in his own.

"Ma... I'm here." Jeongguk said in an attempt to calm her down and she blinked back her sleep,
slowly raising her hand to touch Jeongguk's cheek. She smiled and Taehyung had never felt so
endeared before.

"Thank Heavens that you are okay." She kissed Jeongguk's forehead, before pulling him in for a
hug. "I had a bad nightmare."

"I'm not leaving you so soon, Ma." Jeongguk chuckled and Taehyung looked at him in awe,
because, Oh God! Jeongguk just chuckled.

"Who is that?" Taehyung was brought to his senses and he smiled politely at Eunha, who was
looking at him edgily.
"He is... the one who saved you." Jeongguk sighed, looking up at Taehyung and he felt warm at his
words. He was glad that he did not deny that.

"Really?" A smile bloomed on her beautiful face, as she gestured him to sit beside her.

Taehyung looked at Jeongguk tentatively, but he merely looked away and he settled himself on the
other side of hers.

"Thank you so much, Angel." She raised her hand and cupped his cheek and Taehyung smiled
heartily, gripping her wrist in a gentle manner.

"I would have rather died than not doing it." He confessed, glancing at Jeongguk subtly and found
him looking away that instant. He might have been staring.

"I will be indebted to you forever. Even if my forever is a few more days." She sighed, her smile
dropping a little.

"Ma, it is not necessary to talk about it." Jeongguk closed his eyes, breathing in heavily and the
lady laughed.

"Right. I am fine now." She looked back at Taehyung. "I have never seen you before."

"That is because... I am new here." Taehyung shrugged.

"Oh! What might be the cause of such a lovely human stepping inside Changdeok?" She mused
and Taehyung smiled tentatively, not knowing how to speak.

"He is the Emperor's concubine." Jeongguk made it easier for him and at the same time difficult.
Eunha's smile dropped instantly, as she pulled her hand away from Taehyung. He immediately
missed her motherly warmth, even if he had never known how it felt.

"Right. Such a pretty being like you..." She whispered, recoiling towards Jeongguk and Taehyung
felt his heart clench, more so at the tingling noise that the fetters made.

"I was forced to come here." He murmured and Eunha looked up at him. "I never wanted to."

He forced himself to smile, standing up and Jeongguk followed.

"I should go now." He bowed and turned to leave, but his wrist was gripped.

"Jeongguk, son can you leave us alone for a moment?"

The ebony-haired sighed, his shoulders slumping a little. What was with all the ladies driving him
out?

Taehyung pressed his lips to stop the laughter bubbling in his throat at his obvious irritation, as he
crustily walked out of the little abode.

"Sit down, Dear." She pulled him back and he plopped down on the mattress with a small bounce.

"I am sorry, but I couldn't... help it." She shook her head, with apologetic eyes.

"I understand." Taehyung assured with a smile, which she returned with one of her own.

"Are you... close with Jeongguk?" She asked, her eyes gleaming with hope and Taehyung shifted in
his place.
 "Can you keep this a secret?" Taehyung leaned in and so did Jeongguk's mother.

"Of course." She whispered back, excited.

"I am trying my best to be." He pulled his lips together sullenly and she laughed.

"Oh well! I am glad." She gripped his hand tighter. "I can die peacefully now, knowing that he will
have you. You will be there for him, right?"

Taehyung's smile faltered, "Don't say things like that, Ma'am."

"Mother. Call me mother." She smiled affectionately.

Taehyung felt a whelm of tears kicking the seam of his eyes, as he bit down on his lower lip.

"How can you expect a child to listen to his mother speak this way?" He whispered. She answered
with just a sorry chuckle.

"I hope you don't treat my son like the others do. Please don't hurt him. He is broken enough." She
controlled her urge to sob. "I could barely give him the love of a mother for more than a decade,
when he deserves it for more than a thousand light years."

"I know he does. He loves you a lot." Taehyung nodded, blinking profusely.

"When he loves, he loves a lot." She murmured and Taehyung's heart skipped a beat. "I hope you
do so, as well." Taehyung did not know what she could see through his eyes, but he knew that he
could be read easily.

"I will." The words broke out of the boundary of Taehyung's lips almost reflexively, but it did not
scare him.

"I hope you have a good life." She smiled, letting go of him, but Taehyung did not. The emotion in
his eyes were evident and being a mother, Eunha understood. She pulled him closer and Taehyung
let his head drop on her shoulder, as a tear tainted his cheek instantly.

"Thank you so much." She whispered, stroking his hair and he gripped her arm tightly.

"To you too."

Just if I had known that it would be the last time, I saw her alive.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading♡

 CHAPTER 14
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

"Will you be leaving now, Lord Lee?" Queen Yejin smiled and Dongmin almost spat on her face.
She looked disgusting, even without trying to.

"I must. It takes around a day to reach Changdeokgung. I have rested enough. Thank you for your
hospitality." He lied through his teeth, pulling on a convincing smile, as he bowed to her.

"Give my regards to His Majesty." She mused and Yoona rolled her eyes, crossing her arms across
her chest.

"I surely will." He nodded, his eyes searching for a familiar pair, hiding the dull feeling in his
chest, when he found them staring back at his, from a crowd of maidens. He half-heartedly turned
around, walking towards his mount.

The Queen's smile dropped and with a weighing tone she called out, "Gayoung-ah?"

Gayoung jumped at the sickly sweet ring. She walked ahead of the others and stood facing Yejin,
who had her eyes set on Dongmin as he pulled at the reins and departed.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" She whispered, inclining her head forward.

"I hope the reason you are sent here is just because of the reason the General stated and not
something you did to upset the Emperor."

Gayoung swallowed, fighting between feeling the relief and the anxiety when she remembered the
excuse that Dongmin had stated- that she was not required among the many servants especially
appointed for the Emperor's new concubine.

She was grateful and at the same time disheartened.

"It is as is, Your Majesty."

Dongmin rode out of the state, with three other men on their horses, following him. It was only
silence among them, topped with the incoherent chatters of the villagers. The lowering of the
loudness of the noises indicated that they were leaving behind Nongmeong and entering the
bordering forests, which led around the neighbouring kingdoms.

"Your Lordship." Dongmin, looked away from the sky, on hearing one of his men.

"Yes?" He mumbled.

"I see two people." He looked past Dongmin, which made him frown and follow his line of sight.

Indeed, there were two men, along with a horse, neighing and sighing, and kicking its legs. One of
them, the taller man, was in the livery of Nongmongung's army and the other had a black cloak
thrown over his hanbok.

Dongmin knew them by face and by the look they had on, they were awaiting his arrival.

"Tarry." Dongmin held a hand up and the team came to a halt, close to them.
The one with the cloak came forward, a rolled piece of parchment clasped in his fingers.

Dongmin got off his ride and walked over to him with a frown on his face.

"Chief Kim." He acknowledged on getting closer. The taller man smiled, crescents forming below
his cheekbones.

"Greetings, Your Lordship." Namjoon bowed.

"Is there a problem?" He switched his gaze towards the other man, who swallowed, lips turning up
hopefully, as he raised his arm, the palm of which contained the piece of parchment. Up close he
noted that it was tied by a red string.

"My name is Seokjin. Taehyung... is very close to me." He began reluctantly, "He is like my
brother."

Dongmin smiled, "That is good to hear. His Highness is a lovely human. Can I help you in some
way?"

"We would be obliged if you pass on this letter to him, Your Lordship." Seokjin requested. "There
is no need of replying. I just wanted to send my regards to him." He added immediately. His smile
dimmed, "I do not know if I am going to see him anytime soon."

"Sadly, I don't either." Dongmin sighed, taking the letter from him. "But, I will positively give him
your message."

"Thank you so much." Seokjin bowed. He hesitated, as he watched Namjoon and Dongmin
exchange a few words. Dongmin was about to turn, when he noticed Seokjin's expression.

"Tae is fine, isn't he?" He questioned feebly and the General pursed his lips, before nodding.

"Appears so."

"Please, take care of him. I request you." Seokjin shook his head, "He is naive and too good for the
world."

"I know Seokjin-shi." Dongmin tucked the letter safely in his belt. "And bitterly, that is his biggest
fault, because the Emperor is the last person deserving of something good."

Something was wrong. Minho could sense that. And it definitely involved Taehyung. He could not
really buy Dongmin's words. Moreover, Gayoung had been acting strange, as if she were scared of
something.

He fisted his palms, as he walked down empty corridors. He wished to execute his intent, as soon
as possible. He knew better that with the Emperor, Taehyung was not safe and so were the people
of Nongmeong, under the leadership of Yejin. He needed to rescue both and for that he needed to
involve both the states.

He stopped by an allotment of bougainvillea, finding Princess Yoona sitting on the natural carpet
of green, plucking tendrils and absently playing with them. She was in thought, her feline eyes
displayed so.

Minho could not quite fathom what he felt when he looked at her. It was not as strong as what it
had felt when he looked at Taehyung, but it was not entirely foreign either. He wanted to tell
himself that his heart was searching for a replacement in her for Taehyung, but was it so? He
wondered if her loathing for him would increase when he would betray the kingdom- the kingdom
where only wilted roses bloomed.

Taehyung skipped off to the library, with Jeongguk as usual, following close behind. He had been
dying to read something good and the seldom books sent to his chambers were not enough. So, he
had requested the Emperor a little too sweetly and needless to say, he had been allowed to visit the
large gallery of neatly stacked books. He felt a little sad, when he noticed that no one was inside.

He did not have to know that the Emperor had strictly ordered for all men to be driven out, while
Taehyung spent his time there, Jeongguk being an exception. Or perhaps, after all, Taehyung was
not so sad.

He did a little twirl, clapping his hands to his mouth as he glanced with wide eyes at the delicious
books waiting to be devoured by him.

"This is heaven!" He exclaimed and Jeongguk raised a brow, leaning against a shelf, a corner of his
lips turning up playfully.

"Are you sure of it?"

"Did you say something?" Taehyung shouted, looking back at him and Jeongguk pulled on his
vacant face, as he shook his head. Taehyung shrugged, before continuing his spree.

He gasped when he saw a book which he had wanted to read since his childhood, but his sad fate
did not allow him to. He brought the ladder over to the shelf, before climbing it, huffing a little, as
he did so and Jeongguk suppressed his chuckle. He looked adorable and perhaps, he wanted to pull
him into his lap.

Jeongguk shook his head and looked away. Perhaps, he needed to put more restraints on his mind.

Taehyung grabbed the book, gasping and looking at it a little too carefully, for him to care for his
steps, as he moved down. His foot entangled with a rung, when he was moments away from the
ground and he gasped, luckily bracing himself and placing a quick foot on the ground.

Taehyung was pretty sure that he had saved himself from crashing to the ground, but surprisingly,
he still felt it against his back. But, the concrete surface was not of the floor, and arguably a little
less concrete than it was supposed to be. Moreover, was it supposed to go around his waist like two
arms?

He swallowed, looking back at Jeongguk, who was staring down at him, his lips barely not
touching his. His breaths were warm and unsteady, probably like his own.

"Be careful." The Knight whispered and Taehyung fought the fire on his skin, because he visibly
shivered. Could he be a little less embarrassing?

He cleared his throat, standing upright as Jeongguk let go of him and he adjusted his hanbok.

He took the book lying on the ground and stalked off to the nearest table, before settling on the
chair adjacent to it.

"Do you read?" Taehyung questioned randomly, letting his fingers run across the pages.
"No. I am illiterate, Your Highness."

Taehyung scoffed affronted, at the obvious derision.

"I mean, do you like reading?"

"Never have the time to. I seem to rather prefer looking at you do so." Jeongguk shrugged and
Taehyung unconsciously beamed red.

"What do you mean?" He coughed, standing up, as he closed the book shut, turning on his heels
and stormed off.

"Isn't that my job? To keep an eye on you at all times?" The General raised an eyebrow, following
him, pushing a book or two to stand properly, as Taehyung rashly pulled at them and refused to
look behind.

He slowed in his steps and stopped at a point, which made Jeongguk halt and look at Taehyung, as
he turned a little to look at him from the corner of his eye.

"At all times? Do you do that?"

Jeongguk took a moment to realize the implication, but he could barely react because of how
Taehyung's eyes held him captive. The words were sly, but his eyes seemed to be easily veiled in
innocence, something that implored Jeongguk in deeper.

He stepped closer, pressing his elbow against a shelf, as he felt the warmth of Taehyung's presence
even if they did not touch.

"I am sure you would not want me to do it." He whispered.

"You cannot know what I want."

Jeongguk's jaws went taut at the tone Taehyung used. He sounded solemn, as if he was talking
about something entirely different. Maybe he was.

I was.

"You cannot know what others want." He raised a hand and hesitated a moment, before pushing a
strand of hair behind Jeongguk's ear, who never looked away from him.

"All you can do is just... just build a world of your own, where you live with delusions. That you
are not enough, that people look down on you." Taehyung chuckled mirthlessly, his fingers
dancing down to Jeongguk's smooth neck, as his eyes followed his own movements.

It was a horrifying realization for Jeongguk that Taehyung was not talking about everyone in
general. He was talking about him. He was giving word to what he felt with every blink, every
breath.

How dare Taehyung do that? He did not have any right to. Yet, he could not push him away. He
looked like an angel in disguise of an ill-fated human. Pure and celestial. He felt like it was his
own self talking to him.

"Don't do that." Taehyung whispered, his fingers moving over to Jeongguk's shoulder, arm crossing
against his neck, as he cupped Jeongguk's cheek softly.

And at times, looking at his own scrutinizing self, felt cloying and suffocating to Jeongguk, enough
for him to break mirrors into shards. He felt close to being pushed off an edge. He knew it was his
unhealthy paranoia. Taehyung, he believed, would never do that. His touch was as soft as feather,
but it pricked more than a thorn.

"Please stop whatever you are trying to do." Jeongguk mumbled and felt Taehyung going lax
against him.

"Jeongguk..." He whispered and the younger closed his eyes, pulling Taehyung closer by pressing a
hand against the small of his back. Their foreheads touched and he could feel Taehyung looking at
him.

"Try to fathom, Your Highness. It is not easy for me." He said softly, swallowing , as he felt
Taehyung's fingers digging in his shoulders.

"I am tied down and you cannot free me." He opened his eyes to find a frown forming on
Taehyung's face.

"You cannot decide th-"

"I have to." Jeongguk intervened, "For you and for me."

"But, I don't want..." Taehyung trailed off, when Jeongguk pressed a finger against his lips. The
ebony-haired swallowed, feeling the softness of the folds.

"I know better, Your Highness. We should stay away from each other."

Taehyung bit on his quivering lip, as he adamantly gripped Jeongguk's sleeves, when he tried to
push him away.

"Why are you doing this to me?" He huffed, trying his best to show that he was angry, when he
wanted to curl up and weep.

"Because I don't want you to be entrapped in my perilous life." He chuckled mirthlessly, gripping
Taehyung's wrists and pulling them away from himself.

He was floating so far away from me right then.

"As your Knight, it is my duty to keep you away from dangers." He took a generous step back,
"And one of them is, I."

The stench of sweat and blood graced every corner of the marquee. Torches lit the interior a dim
sickly green. Everything signaled the fresh end of a war.

The man tied to the floor, shivered, as in his ears reverberated the uniform and slow thumping of
heavy boots and clinking of metal. His body felt numb and cold from the heavy loss of blood from
his mutilated arm.

His eyes caught sight of the silhouette. He was approaching. The thin ray of moonlight managed to
highlight the coiled serpent on his silver crest for a split second, before he advanced further.

"Tell me, Xu." The flow of Mandarin was poor, but the man on the ground could not bring himself
to laugh.

"Did you really think that you were going to be the next Emperor?" A guttural laughter rang out in
 the silence of the night. "So very hilarious."

"Pardon me, Your Lordship. I will never look back at Joseon." The man trembled, saliva, blood
and tears dribbling down his chin in an awful jumble.

"Oh no." Xu, saw the man kneeling and then he was able to see the wolfish sneer, attractive amidst
the bloodied countenance. "That honorific does not sound good coming from the mouth of a King,
Your Majesty."

It was in a matter of a few seconds that more of the crimson liquid stained the man's face, as the
decapacitated head of the Zhongguan King rolled off and hit his armchair.

The man stood up, rubbing the flat of his sword gently across his eyelid. "Victory." He whispered
to himself and the sneer never faltered, until one of his men came in.

He sighed, rolling his eyes and throwing his sword away.

"What is it?"

"A letter comes, Your Lordship."

"From?"

"It is unnamed from the outside."

He raised a brow at the letter bearer, before kicking off the disturbing head and settling down on
his chair. He gestured him over.

The soldier bowed after handing him the scroll and walking out of his tent.

The brunet undid the blue ribbon, before spreading out the sheet and having a clear look at it under
the torch beside him.

He needed not to look beyond the first paragraph to know who it was from.

May your recognition of the sender of this message be the confirmation of our still lasting
friendship. I believe it is time to fulfill our duty towards each other, with an alliance which brings
both of us equal victory.

His blood boiled, not from anger, but from the drums that rang in his ears, the song of a war- the
war which would be the greatest in his life. The war which he had awaited a decade.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading♡

 CHAPTER 15
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Jeongguk lay on his bed, the calf of one leg resting on the knee of the other. His nights had been
quite the same for as long as he could remember- lying like a cadaver, until the sun rays touched
his feet. He could barely close his eyes with his guards down. Perhaps, the years of training had
contributed to his always exercising mind, never on rest.

Ironically, he had felt that he could drift off to a wonderful slumber, when Taehyung had caressed
his face, had held him dearly, close to him. And what had he so bravely done? Like a coward, he
had rejected it.

His mind brewed wishes for him, wanting him to crawl under Taehyung's sheets, as he slept and
press his ear to his heart, and hear the rhythm of its beats. He felt something slithering down his
neck at the thought. It was a taboo.

He stared up at his ceiling, fingers twisting his dagger, Moonhilt, the last gift from his father,
before he died. Precisely, before he was killed. He had received so many presents that year, on the
anniversary of the day he was born, but Moonhilt was the only one, which held importance in his
life, as fresh as ever. It was still with him on the day, ten years after, when he lay with ears not
graced with wishes of a life of hundred years.

He knew that his mother would wish him the next day. Unfortunately, Soyeon would try to, as
well.

He wondered if Taehyung would have wished him if he knew.

He scrambled to sit, when he heard approaching footsteps, jumping off his bed. His hand
immediately went to his sword, gripping the hilt firmly, when he realized that it was different from
the Emperor's quick steps.

He peaked out of his door, immediately letting go of his sword, as it dropped lightly on a nearby
table. It was Dongmin. He walked out completely, managing a smile, which could somehow match
the other's.

"Jeongguk. It's good to be back." He said, and they met in a firm embrace.

"It's good to see you too." Jeongguk mumbled, pulling back and feeling at ease at the smile his
closest friend held.

"I did not forget your special day." He mused and Jeongguk inhaled sharply. He remembered and
that mattered a lot.

"Good for you." Jeongguk winked playfully and the older laughed.

"Anyway, I have a letter for His Highness. From Nongmeong." He held up the scroll and
Jeongguk's smile dimmed, as he looked at it cautiously, raising a brow.

"Who is it from?" He inquired, a little heavily.

"He called himself Seokjin. Said he was like His Higness' brother. So, I supposed I should get it
past the Emperor's eyes." Dongmin shrugged.

Jeongguk nodded, looking away and gesturing toward Taehyung's door. "You should go ahead and
give it to him yourself."

"Okay?" Dongmin chuckled, frowning at Jeongguk's reticence, before he walked ahead, with the
First General following close behind.

Dongmin knocked on the one of the panels of the open doors, loud enough for Taehyung to jolt
awake from whatever he had been doing. "Your Highness?"

There were noises of shuffling, before the milky white curtains were pushed aside to the minimum
and Taehyung peaked out. Jeongguk swallowed, looking at the robe sliding off his shoulder. He
guessed that Taehyung noticed his stare and quickly adjusted the sleeve.

"Lord Lee." Taehyung acknowledged, clearing his throat and rubbing his eye with his fist, as he
showed himself fully, wandering towards them.

"Apologies for disturbing you so late at night. But, I had to meet the Emperor first before coming
to you." Dongmin spelled smoothly, as if memorised, but it was perhaps just the way he usually
spoke.

"It is not at all a bother." Taehyung smiled, a little drowsily, overcoming from his light sleep.

"Did you and Gayoung noona reach safely in Nongmeong?"

Dongmin managed a chuckle, "We did. Don't worry, she is safe and sound."

"Thank you for taking care of her. And sorry for the trouble it caused." Taehyung bit down on his
lower lip and Jeongguk cleared his throat, attaining their attention.

"I will leave. You can talk." He swiftly turned around, striding out of the doors and into his own
Chambers.

Taehyung watched, as Dongmin stared after him, before looking back at Taehyung, thoughtfully.
"May I ask you something, Your Highness?"

"Sure." Taehyung offered a polite smile.

"Is there... I mean to say..." He hesitated, visibly conflicted and Taehyung's smile faltered, as he
guessed what it was about. "Is there something between him and you?"

"Him?"

"Jeongguk."

"Oh." Taehyung swallowed, looking down at his fidgeting fingers. He wanted to strike himself for
making it so visible, but he just panicked. Dongmin seemed to read his state. He immediately
shook his head, chuckling awkwardly.

"I did not intend to scare you or make you uncomfortable. I just want to say that it is fine if it is the
way I think it is."

Taehyung exhaled, trying to feel a little at ease and it somehow worked. But, he could not bring
himself to say something.
And silence was a very big answer. Moreover, he was bound to know of it someday, keeping in
mind that he was very close to Jeongguk. I could not bring myself to not admire him. He had
Jeongguk's back, I knew so.

"Believe me. Jeongguk is different around you. I do not know if you have noticed it, but he looks
out for you always. And I have never seen him care about someone he has ever been assigned
to, this genuinely." Dongmin chuckled, letting his shoulders rise and fall. "I may be his best mate,
but..." He sighed then, "He never tells me what truly hurts him, as well. Even though I know, what
he has went through, it was not him I had heard it from. However, it could be you."

Taehyung fisted his robe, shifting on his feet. He already felt incompetent. He had been so sure,
that somehow- just somehow- he would be able to break the iron walls around Jeongguk, but the
latter so harshly broke his determination.

Perhaps, Dongmin was here to mend the pieces. I could not let him down.

His eyes travelled towards the rolled piece of parchment in his hand. "What is that?"

Dongmin looked at it and got reminded of the purpose of his visit. He immediately extended it
toward Taehyung, "Oh. It is from, Seokjin-shi. He requested me to give it to you."

Taehyung's eyes widened, and he almost snatched it from Dongmin's hand. He frantically undid
the ribbon, spreading it out and reading the sender's name. His eyes watered.

"Thank you." He looked up at Dongmin gratefully, who managed to smile in return.

"I should take my leave, Your Highness." He bowed, turning around with a sigh.

"Lord Lee." Taehyung called out and the taller looked back immediately.

A smile bloomed on Taehyung's lips. "I will not let you down."

Dongmin's eyes lit up and the corners of his lips lifted, "Have a wonderful night."

Taehyung sighed heavily, watching Dongmin leave, before he looked back at the letter, brows
furrowing, as he read through the short content.

Dear Taehyung,

I hope with all my heart that you are doing well. I am alive, yes. Perhaps, a little lively too. Do not
worry about me. Namjoon tends to me a lot. Nevertheless, our Nongmeong is facing turbulences,
Tae. The High Prince, Hyungsik, has fled away and the Queen is very furious. She has frequent
confrontations with the General, as well. I am scared. I doubt that our flag will flutter high for a
time much longer. A war may break out very soon. I am somehow glad that you are away from
here. I will try to meet you if something happens. Stay safe. I know you will be. You have to be.

Yours Lovingly,
Jinnie hyung

The screech of metal against metal, filled the otherwise silent room. Or perhaps, not so silent.
Yoongi hummed a music, slightly off key, but it least mattered, because he was too pleased by
what he was dong to notice his little error.
He brought his sword close to the fire, once he was done scraping it, twisting the blade, watching
the flames dance across the blade. It was his favourite sword. There were reasons for it to be. The
blade was slim and efficient, dangerous and sharp, descending down to the hilt which was carved
like two coiled serpents, sneering at each other challengingly. He had redesigned the hilt. The lion
had not done the blade justice, according to him. A beauty it was. A beauty which he had readily
acquired from the dead King's hand. A precious thing, which he believed, only he deserved.

"Your Majesty."

Yoongi sighed, rolling his eyes, as he straightened up and looked past his shoulder.

"I could have you decapitated, you spartan?" He hissed, his eyes turning into slits and the guard
trembled like a leaf. "Do you not know that when I am with Eve, you are not to disturb, uncouth
creature?"

"Apologies, Your Majesty, but there are urgent messages for you. One written and the other
verbal."

"And if they are not urgent enough?" Yoongi sneered, "What should I do with you then?"

"Your Majesty." The man swallowed, trying to frame words. "I..."

"Very well." Yoongi snickered, placing his Eve down, before walking off to his armchair,
structured out of the ribs of a lion and covered by the rich leather of a saltwater crocodile, he had
hunted and defeated, overseas.

He plopped down on it, taking the parchments placed on a small table by his side, as he let his eyes
swarm through the first one. He separated it from the rest and let it fall in the fire of his cabinet.
The guard watched it burn into ashes.

"A written message is always more important, don't you think?" Yoongi asked carelessly, letting
his eyes roam through a couple of other writings, before bringing them to the same fate as the first
one.

"Let me hear the verbal message first, and then, you will read out the letter. Am I understood?"
The guard flinched when Yoongi looked at him suddenly. "You know how to read, don't you?"

"I-I do." The guard replied immediately.

"Then go ahead." Yoongi shrugged, throwing away another sheet, as it coiled and turned a brittle
black.

The man cleared his throat, standing even upright. "We have found who had helped cure General's
mother." The man paused then and Yoongi, looked up at him, raising a brow.

"What is it? Why would you stop?" He looked down at the last sheet, which did not hold his name.
He dropped it in the fire, watching it turn into nothing in the empowering flames. After this, he and
only he would be the one around which history of Goryeo would revolve.

He leaned back in his seat, satisfied, before sparing his stare at the guard, gesturing him to carry
on.

"It was, His Highness." The man cleared his throat and Yoongi frowned.

"Be clear. Who was it?"

 "Kim Taehyung."

Yoongi's frown faded, and his brows set in a line. His jaws went taut and he fisted his palms.

"He knew a temporary cure of Nebula from Nongmeong and the physician says that it might
actually be a permanent cure."

Yoongi growled, bringing his fist down on the arm-rest and the man winced, lowering his head.

"Her Majesty had commanded them to keep quiet about it, but one of them informed a Chief and
he asked me to tell you, Your Majesty." He ended solemnly.

"Soyeon." Yoongi muttered, his breaths heavy and erratic from blinding rage. He swallowed,
closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He needed to keep himself collected.

He blinked his eyes open after a good while, a side of his lips tilting up evilly. "Well, she has
outlived her lifeline and her expenses are not so frugal too, don't you think so?"

The man licked his lower lip nervously, when Yoongi snickered. He tilted his head, rubbing his
chin with his knuckles. "Get her over with. Secretly and skillfully."

"As you command, Your Majesty." The guard bowed.

"Anyway, hand me the letter and leave. I don't wish to face anyone at the moment." Yoongi waved
the man away and he did as told.

Yoongi sighed, when he was left alone, pulling off the black ribbon from the scroll and looking at
the small writing. All his frustrations and anger, dissipated into thin air momentarily, when he read
through it.

Your Majesty,

Greetings. I expect a genuine pat on my shoulder when I get back at Changdeok. There had been a
Zhongguan attack in the South-West frontier and I might have the King's head and an extended
territory as a small gift for you. Remember, I might.

Yoongi chuckled, shaking his head. The lad would never change.

I am returning within three days. I might have departed by the time this letter reaches you. We will
be meeting quite soon and I expect a grand welcome, as a humble praise, Your Majesty.

Yours Truly,
Jeong Hoseok
The Third General, if I had been forgotten by you.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading♡

 CHAPTER 16

Taehyung swiftly stalked down the corridor leading to Soyeon's door. He had been wanting to talk
to her for a while now, but Jeongguk always pestered him whenever he asked him to take him to
her.

So, he just helped himself.

It was about Jeongguk. Maybe, she could help him a little more?

However, on rounding a corner, he crashed rather violently with someone, tumbling back and
falling on his bottom. Pain shot through his spine and his eyes pricked with tears, as he groaned
and rubbed at his hip.

He looked at the woman who lay in the same condition as him, rubbing her forehead which had
collided with his sternum. Scrolls were scattered around her like feathers.

Yong-sun gasped on looking at him, and scrambling as she stood up, immediately gripping his arm
to help him up.

"I am so sorry. So sorry. So sorry, Your Highness."

Taehyung giggled, taking her help and standing up, as he dusted his hanbok.

"It is okay, Yong-sun-shi." He smiled. "Let me help you with your parchments."

"Honestly, I would appreciate that." She shrugged, with a guilty smile and Taehyung found her
even more adorable.

"Why were you hurrying, though?" He asked, piling the scrolls in his arm, as he looked at her
doing the same.

"Oh. It is my nature to hurry without reasons." She grinned sheepishly, "I was just searching for
Her Majesty and then I remembered it is the day, so she might be out to meet the General's
mother."

"The day? Which day?" Taehyung frowned, confused.

"You do not know? It is General Jeon's birth anniversary today." She gasped, focusing back on her
current work.

Taehyung stopped, looking at her, aghast.

"Oh." He turned his head down, with lips pulled together.

He had not told me.

Taehyung did feel surly, well. However, he did not have any reason to be. Jeongguk was not bound
to tell him anything. They were not close.

What an antic!

"What are these that you are always carrying?" Taehyung asked instead, veering the conversation.
They stood up with the scrolls and Taehyung carefully stacked them on top of the others in Yong-
sun's arms.

"Oh... these are records and calculations." She smiled.

"Of what?"

"Of how much was served to the commoners."

"Then, why do you bring these to Her Majesty? Shouldn't it be the Emperor's duty?" Taehyung
tilted his head, confused.

Yong-sun stilled for a moment, then sighed and looked up at him with dull eyes and a wry smile.

"Had he ever done his duty, this once vibrant state would not turn into such a colourless one. I
thought you can understand it by now."

She looked down at the inked parchments.

"These are Her Majesty's personal contributions. She secretly takes care of her people. She is a
deity to them, even if she looks like the most evil person you might know."

Taehyung's eyes widened, and he wilted even more for Soyeon. She did more than just delving in
her guilt. Her compensation for her blunder, was something everyone could forgive her for. But,
perhaps, not Jeongguk.

But, maybe he did not know.

Soyeon watched Eunha, as she stirred in her sleep, sitting patiently by the bed. She had never dared
doing this before, but her inner voice told her that she must, this time.

'It is better late, than never.'

She looked down at her tied feet, faded bruises tainting her wrinkly, pale skin.

Eunha had once been the most beautiful woman Soyeon had seen. She was even now, but her ill-
fate had taken a toll on her, just like it had done on everyone else, she considered family.

"Jeongguk?" The woman mumbled, squeezing her eyes, before blinking them open and when her
eyes landed on Soyeon, she froze.

"It is me, mother." She hesitated, taking her hand and managing a smile, but Eunha was sitting up
and pushing her away from herself.

"Where is my son? Is he alright?" She thundered and Soyeon nodded eagerly.

"He is doing well."

"Then what are you doing here?" Eunha yelled hysterically, "Haven't you taken everything from us
already? What more do you want?"

Soyeon sighed, fisting her palms and pressing them to her knees.

"I don't want anything. I wanted to... see you."

"Why?" Eunha adjusted her dress, recoiling a little and the fetters created a faint noise.

"Jeongguk will be here soon, right?" Soyeon asked instead, her eyes glistening and a rueful smile
on her lips. "To be hugged and kissed and wished by his mother?"

Eunha looked away, wordlessly.

Soyeon exhaled, "I wonder how it feels. It has been so long that I... cannot even remember my
mother's love."

Eunha reluctantly turned her head to look at Soyeon, finding her staring down, but she caught sight
of the tear that slid down her cheek and landed on the back of her palm, sliding down still.

"You know?" Eunha's shoulders slumped, "I cannot find it within myself to forgive you now. After
so many years."

"I do not expect that either." Soyeon laughed sardonically, sniffling, as she wiped at her cheek and
looked up at the older woman. "But, I do wish for it."

A loud silence ensued, but they talked through their eyes- Soyeon imploring and Eunha
contemplating. It was not easy for either of them.

Soyeon flinched, when the door creaked open and Jeongguk entered with a little smile on his lips.
"Ma..." He broke off, his lips furrowing downward as his eyes landed on Soyeon, who looked
baffled.

"What are you doing here?" He grumbled, his voice low and poisonous.

"Jeongguk..." She stood up, taking a step toward him, but Jeongguk striding forward made her
recoil from the bed, as he stood shielding his mother from Soyeon.

"What is the reason? Aren't you done showing your glory by sending me those expensive presents?
What do you want from my mother now?"

"Jeongguk..." Eunha held his arm, but Jeongguk gently gripped her wrist and pulled her hand away
from himself, his eyes not leaving Soyeon's.

"I don't want anything from you except for acceptance and forgiveness. Why don't you understand
that?" Soyeon squared her shoulders, stepping ahead.

"You expect us to forgive you after everything you have done?" Jeongguk laughed scornfully,
shaking his head in disbelief, "Are you done jesting?"

"I know I have done a mistake!" Soyeon trembled, her rare tears threatening to grace the world. "I
know that! And I have been repenting and drowning in guilt since forever. Can you not see that?"

"If that is true, I am glad that I am blind to it." Jeongguk fisted his palms, his body shaking from
the overwhelming sentiments, which he had been scared to confront. He had never done this
before. It was always a cold war. But, for how long? He had not known that.

"Jeongguk..." Soyeon swallowed, extending a quaking hand out and gripping Jeongguk's arm, who
closed his eyes and turned his head away, his tongue rolling on his cheek.

"I can never feel what you have gone through. It was because of me, yes. But, I never wanted that
to happen to you."
"Because you wanted death for your father." Eunha intervened and Soyeon looked at her, aghast.

"I never wanted him to die." She tried to reason, but words betrayed her, "I was..."

"You were selfish." Jeongguk finished for her. "You were greedy. And now you understand what
that has brought upon you, as well."

"I have never wanted anything, except for a family." She jerked him away, stepping back. "And
father... He broke it. It was not just you who had been robbed from what you rightfully deserved."
A dry sob broke out of her lips. "I have been betrayed, again and again by the people I loved. And
twice is enough."

She stared at Jeongguk, her sight blurring and she missed the dejection in his eyes. After a long
moment, he spoke. "I don't understand the point of this after all these days, sister."

Soyeon heaved a shaky breath. "I know that I have made a wrong decision, and that I can never
turn back time. But, I want to mend it." She clasped her hands together, pressing them to her
stomach. "It has been so long." She laughed a little, "I miss the glass house. Don't you?"

Jeongguk stiffened at that. He stepped towards her, finding the hopeful glint in her eyes
disappearing steadily. He gripped his wrist and pulled her towards himself, earning a gasp of
surprise from her.

"Your habit of crossing lines, hasn't left you, sister." He hissed and Soyeon let her resolve break, as
Jeongguk dragged her to the door.

"Jeongguk, don't." Eunha called after him, worried because of the harshness in his actions. But, he
turned a deaf ear to her.

"Listen to me, please." Soyeon tried fruitlessly, but Jeongguk pushed her out of the hut.

"You do not deserve it." Jeongguk whispered. "And never again, will you try to
manipulate my mother, into trusting a vixen like you."

The door was shut on her face, and Soyeon stood there in the chill, wintry evening, staring
sightlessly at the door. She could not see, nor care about the guards, who looked at her with
curiosity. They were just puppets of the Emperor, after all.

Had she not been one, as well?

She inhaled sharply, turning on her heels, and running down the stairs, and into the palace. She
stormed down the corridors, not sparing any attention to any of the greetings sent her way. She
wanted to be in the solemn confinement of her room. But, that did not seem possible any time soon.

She tarried, when she saw Taehyung turning a corner and he followed. They looked at each other,
but their expressions were completely different. Soyeon was flabbergasted, Taehyung was
confused.

"Your Majesty?" He questioned and Soyeon seemed to regain her consciousness, as she walked to
him and took his hands in her own.

"Taehyung. What are you doing here?"

The brunet felt oddly warm, at the way she addressed him. It felt like they were close friends or
even family.
"I wanted to..." He broke off at the troubled lines on her forehead. "Are you, alright?"

Soyeon stared at him wordlessly, her breaths shallow and eyes wide, before she absently shook her
head.

"No... I am not." She swallowed, "Taehyung, can you please do me a favour?"

Taehyung hesitated for a moment, "Yes?"

"Can you somehow convince Jeongguk that... I love him and that I never meant whatever I did to
him?" Soyeon inhaled sharply, "I do not know if I will be able to do that. I do not know how long I
am going to live."

"Why are you saying that, Your Majesty?" Taehyung gasped, pressing his fingers against her
knuckles. Soyeon shook her head, turning her head down.

"I am at fault, I know, but..." She sighed, fighting with herself visually and Taehyung doubted if he
had seen her as disoriented, as she was at the moment. "I hope that he forgives me for my grave
sin." Her lips quivered and she failed miserably in holding back her tears. "Even if that means that I
will not be able to hear him say it."

Everything was broken, beyond repair it seemed. But, the new surge of respect that I grew for her-
I could not turn my back to it.

"You will hear him say it." Taehyung said firmly and Soyeon looked up at him hopefully, but with
a tinge of mistrust.

"I will make sure of it. I do not know how long it will take, but... you will." He managed a smile.
"But, you must know that he needs a lot of time, because he seems to have gone through hellish
agony."

"Oh, you do not know. And you would not know until he tells you." Soyeon whispered, "Perhaps,
when he does, you might as well change your judgement about me."

Taehyung frowned, "But why-"

"Oh yes." She chuckled wryly, "It is that nauseating."

Jeongguk stalked down the moonlit cloister, with not a soul in sight. It was better that way. He had
dealt with enough impediments throughout the day. This was an annual headache for him.

He wanted to rest and just... rest forever. If not for his mother, he would have certainly done so.

He sighed, cracking his neck and shoulders, making mental arrangements for his night-call. He
could barely sleep, nowadays. Not that he could before, but since Taehyung had been his duty, all
he could think about was his safety. And Changdeok was a quarry for many predators. But,
Taehyung should not be in danger because of this damned city. He had nothing to do with it.

Or perhaps, he did.

His copper skin, carved with delicacy and wicked beauty, was nothing that the haunters of
Changdeok's gold would not leave Changdeok for.

Jeongguk stopped abruptly between their doors. He had intended on going for his own one, but was
bound to do otherwise.

The usually drawn-down curtains were very much pulled apart, and he could see Taehyung's lithe
frame crystal clear.

He had his back to the door and trying to tie the strings of his dress, and evidently failing.

And Jeongguk felt ashamed to admit that he was, for once, grateful of Yoongi, to not allow any
other man anywhere near this shrine. It was forbidden. However, Jeongguk believed, not for him.
Since, every exploit of the deity was in his absolute consciousness and knowledge of his presence.

Taehyung was no less than the royal treasury.

Jeongguk swallowed, slowly stepping in and it was clear that Taehyung was disregarding his
presence, because the loud thumping of his boots were very much audible. He cleared his throat
and Taehyung stopped his actions and turned, just enough to look at Jeongguk from the corner of
his eye.

"Lord Jeongguk." He acknowledged, his words resonating in the silent night. The General inhaled
heavily at the beguiling tone.

Taehyung looked back at the mirror, letting his shoulders rise and fall from a deep breath of
despair.

"The Emperor gifted me this dress. He says it is from the Middle-East. You see? It is so pretty, but
I cannot seem to put it on." He pulled his lips together, his eyes meeting Jeongguk's through the
glass, as he walked closer to him.

"How should I help you with that, Your Highness?"

Taehyung bit down on his lower lip, shivering unconsciously at the heaviness in Jeongguk's voice.

He sounded as if, he was standing on the edge of his self-control. I believed that I could ignite it a
little beyond.

Jeongguk rolled his tongue on his cheek, when Taehyung brought his hand back and pulled his hair
down his shoulder to the front, leaving his back in sheer view for the younger.

"Can you help me with the laces?"

For a moment, when Jeongguk stayed put in his spot, Taehyung wondered if he had crossed the
thresholds of his courteousness. However, it did not take long for him to be proved wrong.

Jeongguk walked up to him, making Taehyung straighten, as he felt the warmth of his presence
behind him. Their stare remained unwavering through the mirror, as Jeongguk extended his arm
forward, his fingers hesitating when they were a breath away from Taehyung's skin.

"Keep looking at me while you do this." Taehyung whispered suddenly and Jeongguk grazed his
lower lip with his teeth.

"But, I might not find the strings in the first attempt and-"

"It's an order, General." Taehyung mused, and Jeongguk sighed heavily, urging his trembling
fingers to move ahead.

He felt Taehyung's skin, recoiling immediately, but the brunet reached behind, gripping his wrist
and Jeongguk gave in, when he made him press his palm against Taehyung's spine.

"Go on."

Jeongguk discerned the faint and healing scars that ran down his back and felt a clench in his heart.
They were undoubtedly the scars that Taehyung might have never wanted. He caressed the broken
skin with his thumb and he caught the disbalance in Taehyung's eyes.

His touch was what I had wanted but never thought I needed. I had never been touched so carefully
by someone. They had always handled me like a plaything. It was the first time I felt that, someone
knew that even a toy could be broken.

Jeongguk caught hold of a pair of strings and looped it, before tying it cautiously. His fingers
brushed every now and then against Taehyung's back and he felt something ardent burning in him
at the way Taehyung's eyes turned hooded. He missed how his knuckles turned pale due to his
strong grip on the edge of his dresser.

He tied the last string, grazing his fingers over his shoulder blade, before drawing his hands back.

"It is done." He whispered, and Taehyung slung his hair back, before turning around. They were so
close- just a heartbeat away.

"How do I look?" Taehyung whispered back, afraid of breaking the tranquility.

"I am no one to touch on that, Your Highness." Jeongguk smiled, which did not reach his eyes.

"You are wrong." Taehyung shook his head, surprising Jeongguk by taking his hand in his own.
"Only you can touch on it with my complete assent."

Jeongguk parted his lips to retract, but the way Taehyung's eyes widened and he pulled his lips
together unconsciously, he could do anything but that.

Jeongguk chuckled, looking away and shaking his head slightly, before sparing Taehyung a look
again and Taehyung's heart thumped a little at the endearment in his eyes. Jeongguk switched
Taehyung's grip on his fingers and brought his slender hand up to his eyes, pressing the back of his
palm against each one and Taehyung's smile faltered.

It was a gesture of worshipping.

"You look beautiful, Your Highness. You always do." Jeongguk whispered, looking at him in the
eye, the lightheartedness, the playfulness blown out from their eyes by the draught of solemn
passion.

"Look at me and say that." Taehyung demanded, his fingers twining with Jeongguk's.

"I am looking at you."

"All of me. Look at all of me, Jeongguk."

Jeongguk inhaled sharply, shaking his head. "If I look at all of you, I will not be able to hold back."

"No one is asking you to." Taehyung murmured breathlessly, taking a step ahead and their lips
were aligned like the stars in a constellation.

"Please."
Jeongguk dared to look down, his eyes drinking in Taehyung's body from his toe to his waist,
where it curved up into a beautiful frame. The beige and brown complimented him so well. His
gaze turned heavy when his eyes reached his cleavage and he immediately looked up at Taehyung,
who looked languid, drunk on his stares.

The ebony-haired could not help himself from bowing and parting his lips, just before they touched
Taehyung's clavicle, whose head tilted back and free hand guided Jeongguk's reluctant palm to his
hip.

So many lips had touched me before, but it felt different when I wanted them to. Fire danced under
my hot skin, just as his lips danced across it.

Jeongguk was quick to pull away, swallowing as he saw his saliva glistening on Taehyung's neck,
but he did not seem to mind. As a matter of course, it was just himself, who minded. But he felt
oddly glad, when he saw a smile blooming on Taehyung's lips. It was perhaps because he did not
push him away this time and it was a hard realization for Jeongguk that Taehyung had not deserved
being deprived of this smile, which could melt the coldest of hearts.

"Just a moment. Okay?" Taehyung pushed him away gently and Jeongguk stared after him
curiously, as he went to his little study and grabbed a piece of parchment, looking at it endearingly,
before turning to Jeongguk. He folded it twice and fisted it, before stepping up to Jeongguk and
pressing his fist against Jeongguk's chest. He immediately covered Taehyung's hand with his own
and the older flattened his palm, before pulling it out from under Jeongguk's hold, leaving just the
sheet behind.

Jeongguk looked at it, bringing it down and unfolding it gently. However, he was taken aback at
what he saw. His heart thumped violently as he stared at his own sketch, a smile on his lips, which
he doubted Taehyung saw enough to remember so vividly. Beside him was Taehyung, who was
also smiling, but his eyes were on Jeongguk and that alone made his thumb tremble as he traced
the strokes.

"I wish that you had told me about your special day, yourself."

Jeongguk looked up to meet Taehyung's stricken eyes, as his lips turned up despondently.

"Never mind. I made a world of my own where you did."

 CHAPTER 17
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

I was pretty sure that I had not felt so jittery, when the Emperor had arrived with his colossal
regiment at Nongmeong, as the amount of it, I felt standing on the gigantic stairs lining the front of
the Great Throne Room, witnessing the arrival of the Third General.

Taehyung had imagined that the Third General was going to be someone similar to Jeongguk or
Dongmin- someone who did not ignite the bulb of danger within him, someone he felt that he
could rely on and perhaps speak to, without stuttering.

However, the large wave of black and olive green that approached Changdeok, through the
deserted land of Samag-ji, smelt like death to him. Not that he was scared of death, but he was
scared of what would come before it.

He looked up at Jeongguk, on his right, expecting to witness that familiar tensed expression, the
one he kept for the King, but he was surprised when he did not.

A side of his lips was turned up gently, eyes not as dead. He seemed happy. Taehyung was
confused.

He looked back ahead at the sound of the drums and the horns blaring, the hair on his neck
standing at the intensity of it. To say this grandeur was for a General. What could that point at?

Taehyung squinted his eyes, taking in the appearance of the one in the black horse, leading the
army. He had a minacious smile on his lips, a hand on his hip and the other gripping the reins. He
was probably just a little older than Taehyung. However, the scars and contours on his face
described otherwise.

"Jeong Hoseok!" Yoongi announced, voice gleeful. Taehyung looked up at one of the higher stairs,
where he stood with arms locked behind him. The General was indeed special to him.

"Your Majesty." Hoseok chuckled, jumping off his ride swiftly, petting it before striding up the
stairs and genuflecting in front of the emperor. It was a clear gesture of mischief, and Yoongi
snickered, patting his shoulder.

"That would be enough."

"Nothing is enough when it is for the great King." Hoseok announced smoothly, backing away a
few steps, before clapping twice.

A soldier appeared with a spear covered with a red satin cloth and when Hoseok swiftly pulled it
off, everyone was left to gasp, along with Taehyung, who jumped slightly at the sight of a severed
head, attached to the sharp end of the spear.

"As promised, Your Majesty." Hoseok shrugged, bowing a little.

"As expected." To Taehyung's surprise Soyeon commented, but it did not seem harsh, even though
she did not really show anything on her face.

Hoseok ran his hand on his nape, as he walked up to her and took her palm in his own, before
pressing it to each of his eyes.

"Perhaps you tried to praise me, but let me tell you, Your Majesty. You failed miserably."

Soyeon shook her head, looking annoyed, but Taehyung found himself stunned when she did not
conceal the gentle smile. More so, when Byul-yi, Dongmin and the other Royal officials present
greeted Hoseok with what looked like a real smile.

To me he looked nothing unlike Yoongi-scathing, ruthless, hands tainted with blood and an
unsound mind. However, I had to believe that I was wrong.

Hoseok's eyes were searching before they landed on Taehyung and then swiftly moved to
Jeongguk, who was standing beside him. His eyes lit up and a gentle grin grew on his face.

"Jeongguk, mate." He laughed, striding up to them and crossing Taehyung before bringing the
younger in a crushing embrace.

"It has been years." Jeongguk whispered, patting Hoseok's back, a grin on his lips and Taehyung
felt endeared at the sight. Perhaps, he should find a time to apologize to the Third General for
judging him by his appearance, but it was not his fault when that was what he had to do to keep
himself from getting hurt.

A smile took place on Taehyung's lips, as well. He looked back at Yoongi and it faltered. There
was a visible detestation in his gaze on them. His eyes met Taehyung's and the latter was
immediately looking away.

"Need a nice long talk with you, man." Hoseok chuckled, pulling away and analysing Jeongguk
carefully.

"We can definitely do that over a sudatory bath in the hot spring." The younger suggested and
Taehyung raised a brow. This was a different Jeongguk that he was seeing. However, before he
could complain, Yoongi did it for him.

"That would be enough here." He clapped his hands to gain all attention, his eyes betraying the
smile on his lips. "It has been hectic for you. You should all go and rest. You as well, Hoseok."

"Right." Hoseok nodded, "My men toiled a lot. They deserve a hiatus."

"Right." Yoongi mumbled, biting his cheek and turning around, as he walked up the stairs and into
the courtroom. Soyeon shared a glance with Taehyung before following him in and so did the
guardsmen and the officials.

Taehyung intended to follow the dispersal, but a call made him pause.

"Tarry, tarry, young lad." Hoseok chuckled, tilting his head, as he looked at Taehyung, scrutinising
him playfully. "I doubt if I have seen you before."

"I..." Taehyung blinked profusely, unsure of words.

"Is he new? A minister? Because a dainty man like you definitely cannot be in the army." He
seemed curious, as he looked at Jeongguk for answers. Taehyung's breath hitched, when Jeongguk
looked at him just when he did at him and saw him sigh, before he turned towards Hoseok.

"He is the Emperor's concubine." He muttered and Taehyung might just be possessed by the evil,
because he loved the distaste in Jeongguk's tone when he spelled that.
"Oh!" Hoseok squared his shoulders, immediately bowing, "Your Highness." He took Taehyung's
hand in his own, "I apologise."

Taehyung swallowed, feeling a little giddy at the importance shown to him by such a high
positioned man.

"It is alright." He managed a smile, unable to ignore Hoseok's one.

However, he frowned, when Hoseok stepped back, glancing back and forth between him and
Jeongguk. "But, why are you with him?"

Taehyung peeked at Jeongguk over his shoulder and saw how he froze a little.

"He is assigned to take care of me by the Emperor." Taehyung shrugged innocently, hands clasped
in front of him.

Hoseok quirked a brow, "Are you sure, You Highness? I remember that the only time Jeon defied
the Emperor was when every time he assigned him to any of his mistresses."

Taehyung gasped softly, heart stuttering a little, as he turned to look back at Jeongguk. "Really?"

Jeongguk grunted, turning around and striding up the stairs. "That is because all they want is to get
on my bed or pull me in theirs."

Hoseok chuckled, leaning a little towards Taehyung who was staring after Jeongguk. "That is
because he fancies you."

Taehyung absently looked at Hoseok, who ran up to Jeongguk, vaguely hearing him say, "Hey!
They are bloody beauties, trust me."

A smile bloomed on his face, as he walked after them, his eyes on Jeongguk, as he bantered with
Hoseok, before stopping by the doors and stepping aside. Taehyung halted momentarily, before
walking past him, hearing his steps right after. He shivered, not from cloying discomfort, but from
a subduing solace he felt when Jeongguk was around.

I had wondered if he felt that too. That day I thought that, perhaps he did.

Hoseok's eyes were cautious as he walked through the similar doors, the rooms set in an orange
glow from the torches. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, connected to his waist. He had
never trusted anyone for a decade, except for Jeongguk and Soyeon. Not even his King.

The guards bowed but he barely acknowledged a few. He liked his job done quick, without paying
much heed to the redundant.

He heard voices from behind the curtains covering the bath square and stopped clearing is throat
loudly.

"Come in." It was not Yoongi's voice. He had not expected anything better.

He pushed the drapes away, eyes landing on the two figures in the majestic brick bath teeming
with rose petals, herbs and oil lamps.

Yoongi rested against an edge, chest down in the water, with a woman- Seoyun, one of his
favourite concubines. Hoseok snickered, when she coyly looked up at him, hand stroking Yoongi's
chest. He knew her taste.

"I am delighted that you are back, Hoseok." Yoongi grabbed his attention. He bowed a little.

"Your Majesty." He hummed feigning thoughtfulness, as he trudged up to a divan and plopped

down on it, crossing his legs.

Had it been some other man, Yoongi would have his legs severed and thrown into the moat as a
feed for the hungry reptiles. But, it was Hoseok. And Yoongi admired him, because he was just
like him. Or at the least, how he showed him to be. That was the liberty that Hoseok took. Every
time he crossed a boundary, it was overlooked.

"It has been blood and blood all the years. I might just be depressed and oppressed."

Yoongi laughed, eyes moving towards Seoyun as he slid his hand down to her hip.

"We shall have a celebration tonight. For you."

"I appreciate that, Your Majesty." Hoseok chuckled, resting his elbows on the headrest. "But, I tell
you, I miss having beautiful women to myself. The ones I have been throwing on my shoulders
were just a few palsied lasses."

"Not their fault that you can scare anyone to death." Seoyun slurred, looking back at Hoseok, who
raised a brow, rolling his tongue on his cheek.

"Were you?"

Yoongi stayed silent for a moment before locking gazes with Hoseok and he snickered. "Still such
a fox."

Hoseok laughed, throwing his head back.

"Have her tonight." Yoongi nodded towards Seoyun, who worried her painted lips with her teeth.
"What do you feel about it, Love?"

"Good." She simpered, playing with Yoongi's hair.

Hoseok closed his eyes.

Jeongguk had lost count of the number of times he sighed that day. To say that, he had to look after
a little one who was, well, not little. He had thought that Taehyung was a brainless beauty, but he
was proved wrong throughout the days. He was assured that Taehyung just loved acting the dumb
one with him and that there were a lot of wheels turning in that sly brain of his.

"What do you like?"

"Nothing."

"Okay, I will repeat myself. What do you like?"

"I will repeat myself, as well. Nothing."

Taehyung huffed, frowning at Jeongguk, who was hanging upside down. Well, it was he who was
lying with his head hanging from the edge of Jeongguk's bed.
"Why do you not cooperate, General?"

"Because you are not, Your Highness." Jeongguk sighed, closing his eyes momentarily. "Now, if
you would get off my bed? It has been around half-an-hour that you are-"

"Then join me here." Taehyung patted the space next to him, "There is a lot of place if you want to
sleep."

"You are taking this extremely light, let me tell you. His Majesty will not appreciate it, once he
finds out."

Taehyung rolled his eyes, "From what I can see, you do not admire him the least. Then why do you
care so much about what he likes and loathes?" He was certainly not expecting Jeongguk to walk
towards him and he jumped slightly when he kneeled down, as his face leveled upside-down above
his.

"I do not care about what he likes or loathes. But, I know what he is capable of doing to something
he does, either of them. He likes you, and he would loathe the fact that you are on my bed."
Jeongguk whispered, his tone dropping an octave and Taehyung shivered. His fresh musty breath
teased his nostrils and he inhaled sharply, his eyes drooping considerably.

Jeongguk's eyes unconsciously travelled to the low cut of Taehyung's silk robe and he was
certainly not wearing anything underneath. He was confirmed when Taehyung folded his leg up
and the fabric parted down the middle, to reveal his gold-dipped thigh.

"The possibilities seem exhilarating, don't you think?" He raised his hand placing it on Jeongguk's
nape, as he trailed it just a little lower through the collar of his livery. His stomach coiled when he
felt gooseflesh arising on the younger's skin and blood rushed quicker in his veins.

Jeongguk's eyes betrayed him, as they lingered on Taehyung's cleavage and he traced the tip of his
fingers up Taehyung's smooth arm, palm enclosing around Taehyung's hand. Taehyung felt the
callousness of it, as Jeongguk pulled it away from himself, before entwining their fingers and
pinning it down on the sheets.

"Not for me, no."

Taehyung sighed, biting his lip as he felt a dull throb in his chest.

It was an instant realization for me. What was I doing? I could not believe it was I, when just a
couple of months or so ago I was holding tight onto my faith of not giving in to a man. Here I was,
desperate to touch Jeongguk, look into his eyes and find a deep emotion of passion and love for
me.

Then I told myself, Jeongguk was different. I had never seen him as another man who would want
me transiently, superficially. He looked at me with a depth in his eyes which assured me that
whether he loved me or not, if he touched me, he would revere me, plant his ownership on my very
soul. And it hurt when someone like that restrained, because I knew by his eyes that he wanted me
too.

"You are doing this purposefully." Taehyung whispered, trying not to sound solemn.

"I am." Jeongguk confirmed almost instantly, "And I think you get the prompt to leave this room
right away."

Taehyung chuckled, pressing his digits against Jeongguk's knuckles. "Make me."
"I might." Jeongguk raised a brow and Taehyung shrugged.

"I never stopped you."

Albeit, he underestimated Jeongguk, because the next few moments, it was him in a shock when
Jeongguk stood up, sliding an arm around the small of Taehyung's back and the other around his
knees, as he picked him up effortlessly.

Taehyung looked at him, affronted, as he reflexively supported an arm around Jeongguk's neck, the
other resting on the steel expanse of his chest.

"What do you think you are doing?" Taehyung gaped, letting himself be carried to his Chambers.

"Making you leave, just as you asked."

"You are..." Taehyung gasped, his frown fading slowly, as a bashful smile bloomed on his face.
"Incorrigible."

"My apologies, Your Highness." Jeongguk tilted his head to look down at him and Taehyung's
breath halted for a moment. His smile faltered, as his eyes switched between Jeongguk's, which
gleamed under the orange glow of the lamps.

Taehyung barely realised when Jeongguk let him down on his feet, and he staggered a little from
disbalance, but Jeongguk gripped him by his hips, pulling him a little closer in the process and
Taehyung's hands unconsciously flew up to rest on his chest.

Their eyes met and breaths wavered, as they froze in their spots. No. The curtains did not flutter
from the sudden gust of wind. The crickets did not chirp. The flames did not extinguish on their
own. None of the things Taehyung had read in the romance novels, occurred. However, it was so
much more than that. So much more genuine and impassioned.

They were breaths away, smothered by a smouldering ardour in their chests. Taehyung wanted to
lean in, press his lips against the pair of luscious ones, but he was scared. It would hurt if Jeongguk
pushed him midway. He knew the younger would do it anyway, so he decided to spare himself the
embarrassment and he impelled his hands on Jeongguk, trying to push him away, but Jeongguk did
not let go. Taehyung looked at him with wide eyes, filled with disbelief, as he attempted to
understand what his eyes whispered.

"Lord-"

Jeongguk raised a hand, placing his palm just below his jaw, as he pressed his thumb on his lips,
paralysing Taehyung's vocal ability.

"Do not speak." He whispered, shushing him gently and Taehyung went lax in his arms, knees
shaking slightly, as his fingers curled around the fabric of Jeongguk's dress.

His heart jumped to his tongue when Jeongguk tilted his head, leaning closer to him, as his fingers
pressed against his neck, thumb dancing down the plush folds of his lips, which Taehyung could
not help but part.

Taehyung gasped, when Jeongguk tugged him forward and their chests met, and Taehyung could
barely hold back his whimper that passed the seam of his lips.

He could feel Jeongguk's arousal against the juncture of his thighs, a mutual desire which
Taehyung felt for the very first time.
His eyes fluttered close and it was soon after that their lips brushed, sparking a shockwave down
his spine.

He chased after Jeongguk's lips drowsily, as he reluctantly pulled away, looking at him in the eye.

His heart dropped down to the base of his ribs when he realised that Jeongguk's impulse had faded
and it was not lasting any longer- their little home of serenity.

He should have really pushed him away before. It would have hurt less.

Taehyung worried his lower lip with his teeth as they stared at each other- repentance, anguish and
vulnerability acknowledging. They knew that the other wanted the time to last a little longer.

Out of a sudden, Jeongguk straightened and his grip on Taehyung turned rigid. Taehyung
understood soon enough.

"The Emperor." Jeongguk whispered, the faint footsteps registering in his ears.

Both acted together, as Jeongguk quickly slipped to the door, standing against the wall beside it
and Taehyung moved to his dresser, leaning against it to even out his breath.

Yoongi stepped in, stopping by the doors and looking at Jeongguk with scrutinising eyes.

"Your Majesty." Jeongguk bowed, attempting to leave, but Yoongi held his hand up and the
younger sighed shakily.

"Stay." Yoongi mused, looking at Taehyung, as he sauntered over to him. Taehyung pulled on a
small smile, looking at him through the mirror, as he pretended to go through his accessories.

"Are you ready yet, beautiful?" Yoongi smiled, pressing against Taehyung from behind, as he
placed his nose against his jaw, inhaling sharply.

"I was just... about to." Taehyung swallowed, trying to maintain his calm.

"Oh?" Yoongi looked up, "Then you might as well wear this."

Taehyung frowned a little as he showed up a string of pearls, glistening bright and real. The beads
on both the ends were comparatively larger than the ones in between. They indeed looked precious.

"From Zhongguo, priceless remnants these pearls are." Yoongi whispered in his ear, "I had them
merged into this pretty little thing, for your pretty little flower."

Delirium slithered down Taehyung's spine. He was shocked to say the least.

"What?" He trembled, as Yoongi brought his hands forward, undoing the ribbon, and pushing the
robe down Taehyung's shoulders.

Jeongguk looked away.

"Do you not like it, Love?" Yoongi hummed, pressing his chin on Taehyung's shoulder, as he
rubbed Taehyung's belly in small circles.

"I do, Your Majesty." Taehyung swallowed, "But, I don't know-"

Yoongi chuckled, bringing his hand lower and Taehyung whimpered, when he slipped it between
his thighs, moving up, till the hinge.
"I am here for that." Yoongi husked, raw and low in his ear and Taehyung shivered, throwing his
head back on his shoulder.

"Already dripping, I see?" He kissed Taehyung's jaw, training his eyes on his reflection, as his
thumb caressed his hymen, the tip slipping in his core with ease.

He pushed a pearl in, knocking the wind out of Taehyung's lungs and he tightly gripped Yoongi's
arm. He had never had anything like this inside him before and the cool surface, made something
bubble in his stomach.

If that was not enough, Taehyung felt Yoongi's drenched fingers trailing up to his bottom, circling
the wrinkled skin around the small rim and Taehyung bit on lip when he pushed the other end of
the string inside.

"Feels full, yes?" Yoongi breathed against his neck, pulling the pin out of Taehyung's hair, letting it
fall loose.

"Yes." Taehyung murmured, eyes glistening with tears.

"What about your mouth, Sweetheart?"

Taehyung's eyes widened, as Yoongi turned him around, caressing his cheek with his knuckles, an
evil tilt of his lips evident.

"I should fill it in as well, don't you think?"

Taehyung swallowed, shifting uncomfortably, as he glanced at Jeongguk who had his eyes casted
downward. He felt something heavy push down at his heart. It was as if, his hands and legs were
useless when it came to the Emperor. He was powerless, when it came to pushing him away.

"But, you could ask him to leave and close the door-"

"Look up, Jeon." Yoongi announced suddenly and Taehyung flinched. Jeongguk swallowed, jaws
going taut, before he looked up at Taehyung in the eye, not lower.

I felt myself being teared apart slowly, at the emotion in his eyes. It stabbed me to look into those
raven eyes, which glistened with defeat. I felt that too. Jeongguk was bound by his duties and I by
mine.

"It is not like your body is a secret, is it?" Yoongi snickered, pushing him down to his knees by his
shoulder, and Taehyung looked at him in disbelief.

"Don't you worry, Darling. He would not dare think about you in his fantasies." He mused and
Taehyung could not help moving his eyes over to rest on Jeongguk's. Taehyung's stomach clenched
when he still did not look lower, but in his eyes.

He wanted to run away. And I wanted to follow. Because I had never felt so sick doing this before.
Not when, just at the age of thirteen my modesty was outraged. Not when they ogled at me when I
bathed. Not when men thrice my age made me their slave. I got used to it. But, I could never get
used to the pain in Jeongguk's eyes. It would haunt me till the end of my life.

As he looked up at Yoongi, a tear slipped down Taehyung's cheek, of humiliation, anguish,

belittlement. However, all he could see in the tyrant's eyes were vice and an ill-satisfaction as he
ran a caressing hand through Taehyung's hair.
Chapter End Notes

Thank you for readingツ

 CHAPTER 18
Chapter Notes

(Warning about dubious consent and non-consent had already been given. Just a
reminder. The second half of this chapter contains Taehyung's and Yoongi's
intercourse, alongside Jeongguk's and an OC's. Warning about side-ships was also
given. So, click off if you are just here for Taekook or actually want to go with the
flow of the plot.)

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Taehyung trudged along the walls, intending to find comfort in the warmth of the torches which
sent the arcade aglow in a dim orange. Unfortunately, he did not find any. He could just stupidly
expect it, when Jeongguk was just behind him- stance silent and eyes austere.

"Your Highness, you are deviating."

Taehyung yelped out of his absorption, when he felt his arm being gripped and him being pulled to
the side. He stumbled a little, until he landed against Jeongguk, his palm pressing itself on his
chest, before he looked up at him. He craned his neck back as soon as he realised that they were
again dangerously close. The difference was slight and that was in the words their eyes spoke.

It was cloying- like fingers burying in their flesh and attempting relentlessly to pull them apart, but
their eyes, chained together, did not want to let that happen.

Jeongguk sighed softly, his shoulders slumping a little and Taehyung flinched when he raised his
hand and pushed his fringes behind his ear. "That is not the way." He whispered.

Taehyung blinked twice, straightening and running his hand up Jeongguk's arm, before curling his
fingers around Jeongguk's palm, making it rest loosely against his jaw.

"You should show me the right one then." Taehyung mumbled, even hoping that Jeongguk would.

A person could hope all they wanted, but it seldom turned to reality.

"You should know that I am not blind, Your Highness. But, I choose to be."

Taehyung limply let Jeongguk move himself away from him, as he watched him with hopeless
derision. He knew that everything was nothing but futile when it came to breaking down
Jeongguk's walls. Even the biggest cannon failed, with barely a scratch done.

He followed the General to the entrance of the banquet hall, stopping when Jeongguk did. The
younger one stepped to the side, ushering Taehyung forward.

"Your Highness." Jeongguk mumbled when Taehyung stayed still, his eyes wavering just slightly
before he sighed and plodded forward.

The hazy noises turned clear in Taehyung's ears, as he stopped close to a column, looking around
aimlessly, eyes confused by the waves of soldiers and guards crashing around him, before
retreating on noticing him.
He had expected something entirely different. He envisioned seeing royalties, an air heavy with
opulence, but all he could see were men with cheap liquor in their hands.

"Taehyung, Darling."

Taehyung looked up, searching for the one who called him and he caught a glimpse of the
Emperor. The soldiers hindering his vision moved away when he walked forward and he felt a
little icy for a moment.

The army officials were seated, relaxed, around a table full of innumerous delicacies that Taehyung
could barely name. Along with Yoongi. That included Jeong Hoseok, as well.

The said man was chewing on something, a tumbler in one hand and the other around a fair young
maiden. All the men present at the table had one to themselves except Yoongi and Dongmin.

Byul-yi was passed out at the table, four empty glasses of makgeolli scattered around her head.

"You are a little late." Yoongi mused, extending an arm out and Taehyung shivered a little, before
walking up to him. The King pulled him onto his lap and Taehyung yelped a little, when the pearls
dug deeper inside him, cheeks flaming as he looked around, but everyone seemed unfazed. Well,
except for Jeongguk.

He stared at them for a silent moment, before circling the table and settling between Dongmin and
Hoseok.

"Am I... supposed to be here?" Taehyung whispered to Yoongi, shifting on his thigh and Yoongi
snickered, sipping from his glass.

"It is just you who is supposed to be here, on my lap, my Love." He whispered, pressing his lips
behind Taehyung's ear.

Taehyung tried to smile, as he subtly pushed him back, but one glimpse at Jeongguk and he was
back as a failure.

"The Queen?" Taehyung reasoned and Yoongi scoffed.

"She carries a sack of boredom with her. She would rather lie on her bed than involve herself in
some harmless merriment." He swallowed down the rest of the liquor, placing the goblet down
with a thud.

Taehyung sighed, looking away from him and rolling his eyes.

If only he had known that she would turn the harmless night into a harmful one for him, if she were
here.

Suddenly, Hoseok chuckled and Taehyung looked at him curiously. The General's eyes were on
him, as he hid the rest of his face behind the tumbler.

Taehyung's eyes widened a little. He had not seen him doing that, had he?

"What happened, Seok?" Yoongi demanded, raising a brow and Hoseok cleared his throat, shaking
his head as he placed his glass down.

"All of this looks so very monotonous."

"Is it so?" Yoongi hummed thoughtfully, "Then let me prepare for something else."
He whistled and a servant came running up to the table.

"Call in the dancers." He ordered.

"The ones from the Middle-east?"

Yoongi nodded and waved him away. He turned his head to look at Taehyung closely.

"Would you like to see? They are a gift from my friend. Remember, the merchant I told you about?
The dress was also a gift from him."

"Oh." Taehyung smiled a little. "Of course."

The guards and soldiers moved aside, to give space to the beautiful, pale skinned women from the
far-off land. A band of musicians settled on one side.

All of them were so beautiful, as if they had just descended from heaven. Their dresses which
defined their charming frames and the jewellery which clinked every time they moved. Taehyung
felt jealous and more so, of the particular woman in the centre.

She had a pretty smile, alluring almond eyes and a sultry gaze. She overpowered every other
dancer with her fluid moves and grace. Her eyes moved toward their table and Taehyung frowned a
little when she threw a suggestive smile at Jeongguk. Taehyung immediately looked at Jeongguk to
find him staring idly at her.

He looked back at her offended. How dare she?

The woman capered her way over to Jeongguk, sliding onto his lap and Jeongguk wordlessly
turned his head away, hands stiffly by his sides.

"Ishtar." Yoongi whispered in his ear. "Beautiful, isn't she?"

For me, she was just a cunning shrew.

Taehyung did not realise that he was glaring at her until he felt a thumb on his chin and his face
was turned till he met Yoongi in the eye.

"Not as beautiful as you are, though."

Taehyung sighed heavily, his grip on Yoongi's thigh tightening, as he looked back at them. He
could hear them conversing. Something knotted in his heart, when Jeongguk pushed her hand
away, that she had raised to touch his face.

She was making him uncomfortable.

Oh, if I could chop off her fingers, with the huge knife I saw at the butcher's table.

"You can sleep with any woman, not half as pretty as I, but not with me? Oh for the love of God,
Jeongguk. It has been so many days since I have seen you." She slurred.

Hoseok, while sipping from his goblet, imagined himself banging her head on one of the pillars
and watching the thick red liquid drenching her useless frame. It was satisfying, but questionable if
he executed it in reality in front of the Emperor, who seemed to fancy the flibbertigibbet.

"And it has been four years for which I have been rejecting you. Get the signal, Madam." Jeongguk
replied coolly, sipping from his goblet. Hoseok snickered.
Ishtar stared at him for a silent moment, her lips jutting up in a satirical smile, before reaching for
his hand, her dainty fingers curling around his as she raised the glass to her lips and supped at the
liquid.

It would be a blatant lie if Jeongguk said that she was not charming, while looking at her as she
backed away a little, subtly licking her lower lip, the pair of which was painted a royal shade of red.
But, he always felt repulsed by the aura which she carried. Filled with peril and subterfuge, she
seemed up to no good. No woman who had ever slept with him was. However, Jeongguk discreetly
felt alarmed when she was close.

"It is the longest that I have not seen you, my Prince." She feigned innocence, her cerulean eyes
widening and lips jutting out in feigned innocence, as she raised the goblet up to his lips. "Where
are you even these days?"

Jeongguk pressed his tongue to his cheek, eyes darting off to meet Taehyung's, which immediately
moved away to Yoongi. Jeongguk knew Taehyung was thinking of him when he played with
Yoongi's hair, eyes distant and lips turned downwards.

He tilted his head forward to taste from the goblet, before looking up at her.

"Somewhere too sacred for you to know. The place would be tainted if your eyes landed on it."

Ishtar smiled wide and fake, letting go of his hand and finally getting off, letting Jeongguk breathe.
She seemed unfazed by the rude comment, as she twirled a little, caressing Jeongguk's chin. "We
can see about that."

Jeongguk watched as she made her way toward the centre again, catching up with the rest of the
dancers and her eyes eventually left him.

Jeongguk sighed, swallowing, and the sound echoed in his ears. He looked back at Taehyung for
his heart to squeeze a little. For Yoongi to devour his neck in front of his eyes was cruel.
Hypocritical of him, when for the half of his life he had learnt to paint Yoongi's cruelty white.

Time ran past him, as he sat at the table, the agonising conversation accompanied with little noises
far from public decency, in the voices of many people around, but most irking of Taehyung and
Yoongi, crawled under his skin.

His eyes shifted to Hoseok, who stood up when the girl in his arms pulled him up with a coy
giggle.

"I will leave, mate." The older one looked mellow in his eyes, as he stumbled up and away with
her. "The night calls."

Jeongguk managed a smile, dropping it soon, as he brought his attention to Dongmin, who seemed
distracted since the day he returned. Jeongguk did not find enough time to question him, but it was
high time he did.

"Ayo." Jeongguk nudged at his upper arm, chugging down the rest of the liquor, his eyes feeling a
little heavy. Dongmin hummed, turning to look at him, a smile making its way to his lips.

"What is wrong with you?"

Dongmin frowned. "What? With me? Nothing." He shook his head, stretching in his spot before
slumping again.
"I would know if it was so." Jeongguk scoffed lightly. The other sighed, leaning back. He waited
for a moment, before looking Jeongguk in the eye.

"I think I have fallen for her." He whispered and Jeongguk raised a brow.

"Who?"

"Yong-sun!" The ones at the table flinched, when Byul-yi suddenly stood. Eyes heavy from sleep
and drowsiness, as she looked around cluelessly. She blinked, standing upright, before bowing at
Yoongi and marching out of the place.

"What was that?" Dongmin whispered.

Jeongguk looked at Taehyung. Taehyung looked at Jeongguk. They looked away.

"Anyway, I was talking about Gayoung." He groaned, running a hand down his face.

"Oh. That's unfortunate because-"

"I might never meet her again. I know that."

"Then what are you going to do? You possibly cannot weep over her for the rest of your life."
Jeongguk was very bad at consoling, indeed.

"It is still fresh." Dongmin looked down at his lap, chuckling softly. "But, she was different. Not
like the pretty girls who feign to be perfect."

Taehyung's image instantly flashed in front of Jeongguk's eyes.

"I do not know about anything else, but..." He trailed off, breaking his words with a thoughtful
nod. "I am not giving up." He looked up at Jeongguk.

"Did you think of it too?"

Jeongguk blinked, straightening up. "Of what?"

"Of not giving up, dimwit." Dongmin sneered and Jeongguk gave it back to him.

"There is nothing to give up. I have not accepted anything."

Dongmin laughed a little, shaking his head and bringing his gaze down to his cup. "Right."
Jeongguk watched, as he stood up, stumbling a little, before wordlessly turning around and
disappearing in the crowd of men. It was the first that he did not greet the King before taking his
leave.

Jeongguk looked back at Yoongi. Well, it looked like he could care the least about Dongmin's
indiscipline, when he was busy swallowing the beauty in his arms- the beauty whose hands curled
on Yoongi's chest, and eyes shut tightly, as the Emperor kissed him blatantly.

Deliberately.

Yoongi was clever, but Jeongguk was not going to give him the satisfaction of prayers and
imploration to let Taehyung go and reveal his sacred endearment for him. The tyrant was
undeserving to know of it.

He paused and rethought. Had he really thought about love? He had never expressed it to himself
before. But, seeing Taehyung everyday, flourishing in his antics when it was just them, endearingly
sitting by the window, with knees pulled up to his chest, as his wide, glistening eyes peered
outside, and smiling and helping any of the residents of the capital, as they went outside- it would
not have been long till he did that, anyway.

Taehyung was a lot more than a pretty cover. The words in his pages inked out his beautiful but
neglected soul. And Jeongguk was more than ready to give up a day and read through every
sentence of the aureate book.

Jeongguk exhaled heavily, looking down at his shaking hands. For the first time, he loathed
himself for being a craven. How he wished that he could break the shackles around his wrists,
slaughter Yoongi for the years of taking light away from him, and take Taehyung, his mother and
run away.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked up immediately for his eyes to widen a little.

"Jeongguk?" Taehyung whispered, a frown of concern etched on his forehead.

The younger blinked multiple times, to clear the haze in his eyes. It could not be Taehyung, he was.
..

Taehyung reached out and cupped his cheek, preventing him from looking away from his beautiful
eyes. "Are you alright?"

Jeongguk sighed, eyes frantically roaming all over Taehyung's face. He was so beautiful. Just like a
cherub. Unrealistically gorgeous and cordial.

"I am not." He stammered, when Taehyung stroked his lower lip with his thumb. He smiled
prettily, moving over to gently perch on his lap and Jeongguk's arms naturally went around his
hips, holding him close.

"Let me make it alright." Taehyung mumbled, thumb slightly dipping in Jeongguk's mouth, before
pulling back glistening.

Jeongguk's eyes felt heavy, and he could barely keep them open, when he saw Taehyung leaning
forward. His eyelids fluttered shut, when their mouths met, demanding from the first touch. Lips
folding, teeth, tongue and saliva, creating a languid rhythm.

Taehyung tasted sweet, almost suffocatingly so, and he tried pulling back for air, but Taehyung
insistently held him close, fingers running through his hair and tugging roughly, earning a groan
from Jeongguk.

Even though this did not feel like Taehyung, he was sure that it had to him. Because no one was
close enough to camouflage themselves as Taehyung. He was unmatched and Jeongguk believed
he was sane enough to know.

"Aphrodisiacs are lovely, you know?"

Jeongguk blinked open his eyes. It was not the rich, soulful voice he had come to love. His heart
dropped to his stomach when he pulled back. The double images in his eyes, merged into one and
he could immediately make out the lithe frame.

"Ishtar." He whispered airily, his voice barely audible. The girl smiled, not a hint of even feigned
innocence in it. She looked clearly evil, with her feline eyes narrowed.
Jeongguk's conscience wanted to push her away, but his body could not react. They were close,
completely in contact, and he felt a drive of arousal, which he had pushed back for months. He did
not enjoy having sex. Perhaps, it was the women he had slept with a few times. He got them when
he was dead drunk or frustrated. But, the idea of taking pleasure in intercourse lit in his heart when
he thought of Taehyung.

Sometimes, in the silence and monotone of the night, his thoughts wandered over to Taehyung in
the opposite Chambers. The nights that Yoongi did not stay over, his loud and captivating sounds
of pleasure, while he touched himself, echoed in the secluded side of the palace and they sounded
like music to Jeongguk's ears, as he lay on his bed, hand reaching inside his trousers. He tried to
hold back, but it was a huge test when Taehyung breathed out his name, his fingers cleaving
himself open, as he dripped for Jeongguk.

Jeongguk imagined himself above the dainty beauty, gently holding his thighs open, as he buried
himself inside the tight crevice and Taehyung, not being able to bear the intensity of it, blacking
out every now and then, hands splayed above his head, gripping and clawing at the sheets. It was
scandalous, yes. But, there was no harm in envisioning it, as he soaked his trousers and sheets with
his release.

However, this was not Taehyung. A person entirely antonymous. But, the drug inside him, which
she slyly slipped into him, easily disguised her as Taehyung. And Jeongguk's rationality was too
weak at the moment to fight the effect of the stimulant.

He snickered sardonically, glistening eyes moving over to Taehyung, to find him cradling Yoongi's
head against his chest, as the King pressed kisses to the exposed skin. Taehyung looked at him
discreetly, eyes brimming with tears, and he looked away, as soon as their eyes met.

Fate was amusing. It worked for the ones in power and turned its back to the helpless.

Jeongguk might as well, turn away from it. Fair enough.

The sky was loud and merry, with thunder and clouds accompanying it. The little but innumerable
drops of rain were loud enough to almost drown out the filthy echoes of intercourse.

Yoongi groaned when Taehyung fought back equally, gruesome in the kiss. "Someone is eager."
The man laughed, pulling back, as Taehyung chased after him blindly. He weakly tugged at the
fetters chaining him to the headboard, falling back flat on the bed, before throwing his head back
and letting out a guttural moan at a sharp thrust.

He could feel Yoongi's breaths, but the cloth around his eyes hid the dangerous smirk from him.

"Don't you look so beautiful?"

The breaths moved down to his chest, and Jeongguk groaned, running his fingers through the soft
brown locks, pulling at them. Ishtar giggled, sitting up on his thighs, her dainty fingers tracing the
sharp carvings of Jeongguk's front.

"Tell me now." She tilted her head to the side, bringing her hair over a shoulder. "Who was that,
swearing he would not let me in the sacred place of his?" She scorned, raising an eyebrow, as she
slid the sleeve of her blouse down.

Jeongguk closed his eyes, sighing stiffly. He wondered why he did what he did in the first place,
because this felt like a betrayal. A betrayal toward Taehyung.
"Look at me, Darling."

Jeongguk blinked his eyes open at the rich and profound voice he loved to hear. Taehyung sat on
top of him, with his lips pulled together.

"Don't I look good enough?" He asked in a childish tone and Jeongguk's heart safely did a flip,
when he pulled the dress down his fairly broad but bony shoulders, leaving his upper half bare for
Jeongguk's eyes. But, Jeongguk's eyes were soon captivated by his own, just like every other time.

He leaned forward, pressing his palms on either side of Jeongguk's head, their faces inches apart,
combining their breaths into one. Jeongguk licked his lower lip, one hand coming up to rest on
Taehyung's hip and the other moving up his folded thigh.

"You're so very beautiful. More than the word could ever describe, my Heart." He whispered,
hiding his face in Taehyung's neck, who curled against him, sighing softly. Jeongguk turned
themselves over, inhaling against Taehyung's skin, as his hands achingly felt Taehyung's
voluptuous frame.

He felt so feeble and so strong at the same time. Having Taehyung in his arms, seemed like a
dream. He wished it were real.

Yoongi pulled away, to look up at a shivering Taehyung, ceasing his ministrations after painting
their nether regions and the sheets below a translucent white.

"Have I ever told you how I got the scar down my eye?" He husked and Taehyung could feel him
rubbing the rough skin against an aroused areola.

"Once, I went hunting." He snickered, "I found a little tiger cub there. Apparently, it felt offended
when I picked it up. It clawed at my eye. A sharp little one." He paused with a short maniacal
laughter. Taehyung's heartbeat grew shallow.

"I got rid of it." Yoongi ended, his tone morphing into a grave one and Taehyung lost his breath for
a moment. He weakly pulled at the chains, his hands curling into fists.

"I know how to tame and silence kittens, Love." Yoongi chuckled, the sound vibrating through
Taehyung's body. "Do not compel me to make you the next one."

Taehyung frowned a little, "I-I... What did I-"

"Keep your kind heart at bay when it comes to Jeon Jeongguk and his flimsy excuse of a family."
Yoongi's voice was low and threatening and chills climbed up Taehyung's spine.

"He is a mere loyal pet." The vileness and venom in his words and punctuations, coiled Taehyung's
intestine and he felt sick to the pit. "He would never come close to you, unless you initiate. Did
you?"

Taehyung swallowed heavily, when Yoongi pressed a kiss to his jugular. "I just wanted to help-"

"That help is going to cost, my Darling." Yoongi mused and Taehyung's blood ran cold. "She has
outlived her existence, don't you think?"

"I am sorry." Taehyung trembled, tears managing to soak the fabric around his eyes. "Please, do not
do anything to her. I beg you."

"I guess this tells you to stay away from them?" Yoongi asked instead and Taehyung choked on a
sob. He worried his lower lip with his teeth.

"I'll accept any retribution, Your Majesty." Taehyung whispered, sniffling gently.

Yoongi snickered, "Very well. You stay inside the palace for a month."

"I will." Taehyung nodded vigorously, "But, please do not hurt..."

He trailed off, hissing a little, when Yoongi pressed his fingers into the flesh of his waist, his nails
forming dents on the bruised skin.

"That is mine to consider." Taehyung breathed in heavily, an airy sob making its way past his lips,
when he felt Yoongi moving out of the bed and the furry blanket placed over his frame. He
managed to join his shaky limbs together, as he tilted his head to the other side.

Why was fate only ever so cruel to me, I wondered. It answered back to me with a statement that
made sense. Fate worked for the ones in power and turned its back to the helpless. But I wanted it
to look me in the eye. How could it? It knew the prejudice it was causing. And it was ashamed but
it was the slave to its habits.

Jeongguk stumbled over to his desk, holding himself up by placing his hands on it. His hair was
dishevelled, his hanbok hung loosely down his shoulders and he barely managed to tie his trousers.

"Damnit." He panted, running a hand through his hair, before bringing it down on the table with a
thud. He glanced back at Ishtar, who was peacefully slumbering on his bed.

He closed his eyes. What had he done?

His mind was still foggy, but he could distinguish between his conscience and impulse. He did not
want to do it. Never in his life would he have done it in his sane mind. He felt even worthless.

He looked up when the doors to Taehyung's Chambers were pushed open. It was Yoongi, who had
a similar appearance to him. The only difference was in their state of mind and countenance.

Yoongi smiled smugly, walking in through his doors and standing a few yards away.

"Had a wonderful night, I see?" He peered over at the bed, before bringing his gaze back to
Jeongguk, who stared at him with jaws taut.

"Now." Yoongi sniffed, bettering his posture and pulling on a stern expression. "It's time to return
to your duties, isn't it?"

Jeongguk remained silent.

Yoongi nodded to himself, throwing a key at him, which Jeongguk caught effortlessly.

"Go and tuck His Highness in safely." Yoongi broke into a smirk dripping with derision, "He might
be having a hard time there."

He waved his fingers at Jeongguk, before turning on his heel and stalking away.

Jeongguk inhaled sharply, taking a reluctant step toward Taehyung's door. He felt anxious for him,
but he knew Yoongi was testing him. And giving in would bring harm not just to him, but
Taehyung too. He waited a few moments, before striding out and looking at the empty corridor
momentarily, before moving into Taehyung's Chambers.
He could hear faint snivels and the sound clawed at his heart.

He tripped once, but managed to swiftly get to Taehyung's bed. He was glad Taehyung was
covered.

"Your Highness." Jeongguk called out in a voice, hoarse from not speaking for a long while.

Taehyung stilled, pulling at the fetters, which created a tingling noise. "Jeongguk?"

Jeongguk closed his eyes momentarily, sitting on the edge of the bed, as he worked on unlocking
the chains.

"Jeongguk, is that you?" Taehyung's voice was urgent and broken. As soon as the fetters loosened,
Taehyung pulled his hands out of them and reached for the black piece of satin around his eyes, but
Jeongguk grabbed his hands gently, pulling them towards himself.

"Don't. Don't look at me." Jeongguk breathed out, his eyes trained on the raw skin of Taehyung's
milky wrists under the moonlight. He traced them with his thumbs, reluctantly.

Taehyung yelped when he felt lips on the skin, his cheeks heating up, as he gently brought them
out of Jeongguk's hold. "Jeongguk let me..."

The younger turned his head away, pressing his tongue to his cheek, when Taehyung untied the
knot, looking up at him eagerly.

"Jeongguk, are you alright?" Taehyung whispered, reaching for his hand, which Jeongguk retracted
immediately.

"Stop calling me by my name." He grunted and Taehyung smiled gently.

"Why? Does it affect you?"

Jeongguk looked down at him and Taehyung's smile grew into a bashful grin, as he pulled the
sheets up to his shoulders. He swallowed. Taehyung looked so angelic. Beyond descriptions.

"I am not alright." Jeongguk ignored the other question, looking down at his lap.

"I wish I could make it alright." Taehyung sighed, and Jeongguk looked down at him to find him
playing with the end of the blanket. "But, you know I cannot."

Jeongguk smiled a little. Yes, this was what distinguished between the real Taehyung and the one
playing in his hallucinations.

"I could help you through it, though." Taehyung spoke in a small voice, reaching out and placing
his hand on top of Jeongguk's, but this time he did not retract. A lightning illuminated the room and
Taehyung gripped Jeongguk's hand tighter to which Jeongguk curled his fingers around his palm
reflexively.

"You should go to sleep, Your Highness." Jeongguk whispered, pulling his hand out of Taehyung's
grip and tucking a few fringes behind his ear, all the while with Taehyung staring at him.

"You should too." He whispered back, and Jeongguk managed a rueful smile, before turning
around and getting off the bed. Taehyung watched him settling down against the side of the bed, as
he rested his head back on the mattress, and folded a knee to place an arm on it.

"It will be uncomfortable that way." Taehyung licked his lower lip, and Jeongguk chuckled, closing
 his eyes.

"Do not worry, Your Highness. I have slept in far worse conditions. This is so far, one of the best."

Taehyung folded his arms below his head, to raise himself a little, as he stared at the back of
Jeongguk's head. He hesitated a moment, before shuffling a little toward him and placing his
fingers on his hair, moving them gently.

He heard Jeongguk chortling, before he gripped his hand and pulled it down to rest on his chest.
Taehyung smiled, tired as his eyes drooped shut. And so did Jeongguk's.

In that moment, it was so very obvious to us how we locked up our exhaustion towards life behind
our smiles for each other.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading♡

 CHAPTER 19
Chapter Notes

Happy Taehyung day!

A small gift~

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The stench of sweat and blood went rampant all throughout the domed roof of the tent. It was just
as sunny in the day, as badly it had rained the night prior. Men pushed at each other and one of the
commanders who was writing down the names of the recruits, could barely be heard amidst the
uproarious young lives.

"Name." The commander shouted, a huff of frustration leaving his lips, as the one in front of him
was pushed from the back, so that entire body hit his shin.

"Kim Jongdae. Nineteen." The lad chirped, happy to see his name being written, before he yelped
when he was pushed in through the doors by the one assisting the commander.

"Name." The commander sighed again, scribbling down the details of the previous one.

"Kim Minseok. Eighteen."

The commander looked up at the rather low, firm and feathery voice. He looked shorter than the
others surrounding him, and he was evenly pushed by them, but he did not budge from his place-
merely looking up at the commander, seated at a higher platform. His eyes were sharp and fox-like.

"Quite the tough type." The commander chuckled, "Show your face."

Minseok removed the cloth covering down his nose and yet he looked no less sly or confident.

"Pretty face." The commander leaned back on his seat, scrutinising him. "How long will you even
survive?"

"You could see that for yourself, My Lord." Minseok slurred, crossing his arms across his chest
and bowing his head a little.

The commander smirked, impressed, before he waved him away and Minseok was pushed in
through the doors.

His eyes came to rest upon the cavalry and infantry, practising with dedication, and the recruits
lining up in front of two army officials. The army quarters and offices were large enough for him to
crane his neck to look at the top.

The first step of the plan was executed. Now it was time for his second task.

That was, making the third General conscious of his attendance. For that, he might have to waste a
couple of days.

❧
Jeongguk watched Taehyung not just for the sake of looking out for him, but also because he
wanted to. The sun kissed his skin generously, as he walked a few steps ahead of Jeongguk, enough
to not get lost in the everyday business of the market.

Taehyung looked a little dull than the other times they toured out, but Jeongguk could not blame
him. That night was well, not so easy to move on from. And it had been slightly bitter between
them ever since. Jeongguk wished it weren't so.

His eyes suddenly snapped down to the two children who ran up to Taehyung, pushing through the
crowd and Jeongguk's hand instinctively went to Moonhilt tucked in his belt. He moved closer to
him, but a hand on his chest made him stop. Taehyung looked back at him with a gentle smile, as
he shook his head, rolling his eyes and looking back at the two little ones.

"Hello, pretty lady." The shorter one, who was a little boy, said confidently and Taehyung giggled,
pressing his fingers to his lips. He hoped that the scarlet on his cheeks were not that visible.

"Hello, Angels." Taehyung squatted in front of them, to level their eyes. "I am not a lady, though."

The children gasped at his deep voice, which was anything but feminine and covered their faces
immediately. "Sorry." They cried out together.

"That is alright." Taehyung laughed, patting their heads. Jeongguk smiled a little.

"We wanted to give these flowers to you, but..." The little girl said, sharing a glum glance with her
friend.

"But?" Taehyung urged.

"Will you take them? You are not a lady, so..." The boy pouted and Taehyung cooed, pinching his
nose.

"Who told you that just ladies like flowers? Men can too." He turned to look up at Jeongguk.
"Right, General?"

Jeongguk blinked, stupefied for a moment, before clearing his throat and looking away.

The children gasped, "General? He is the General?"

Taehyung shushed them, winking once and the children put their fingers on their lips giggling
softly.

"So, will you still give me those flowers?" Taehyung pulled his lips together, resting his chin on
his knuckles.

"Of course. You are so pretty." The girl giggled. "Can we put it in your hair?"

"Sure." Taehyung beamed, laughing, when the children came around to stand on either side of him
and Jeongguk backed away a few steps at their sudden move.

He did not even realise he was frowning, seeing Taehyung so lively with the little menaces, when
he would barely smile with him. He straightened up at his own thoughts. He was not envious of
literal five-year-olds, now was he?

He cleared his throat and the boy looked up at him once, narrowing his eyes at him and Jeongguk
raised a brow. He looked at Jeongguk from head to toe, then at Taehyung, then back at him, before
showing him his tongue and focusing back on the flowers. Jeongguk's jaw dropped for a good
measure of time.

Seriously?

"Wow." The two little ones jumped back to the front, covering their mouths and squealing at their
beautiful work on Taehyung's hair. He looked beautiful indeed.

"You look like Goddess Dalnim." The girl said.

"Even prettier." The boy argued and Taehyung watched them banter for a while, grinning to
himself.

"Thank you so much." He pulled both of them toward himself, pressing a kiss to both of their
cheeks and Jeongguk watched sceptically, as the boy sighed, blinking dreamily.

"Hey, that's enough now." Jeongguk mumbled, tapping the boy's shoulder and the girl ran up to
him with two white lilies.

"You are beautiful too, Mister." She giggled and Jeongguk hesitated a moment before taking them
from her.

"Thank you, Young Miss." Jeongguk smiled and Taehyung bit his lip, looking at him.

"Hey! Thank me too. I plucked them from the tree." The boy stood by his knee and Jeongguk
looked down at him, scoffing a little.

"You've already received enough credits from him."

Taehyung could not believe what he was witnessing.

"Jeongguk?"

"What?" He looked at Taehyung, blinking like a rodent, caught in the crops.

"You can't possibly say that to a child." Taehyung chuckled, hands on his hips.

"He is not just a child." Jeongguk looked down at the little menace yet again, who was glaring up
at him. "He is going to be a renowned wooer when he grows up, I tell you." He grunted, looking
away. The girl giggled.

"Oh." Taehyung gasped dramatically. "Is that what is bothering you?"

"I never said I am bothered, Your Highness." Jeongguk cleared his throat, still not looking at him.

"Your Highness?" The girl gasped. She gripped the boy's hand and bowed at Taehyung.

"We will leave His Highness and his big Knight to themselves now. Let's go Hyunjin." The clever
little girl giggled, dragging the boy along, who whined all the way.

"Wait. I finally had a matching competitor. Yeji-ah."

Taehyung waved at them, watching them leave, before turning to look at Jeongguk, who was
suddenly very keen about their surroundings.

"Then?" Taehyung's voice was a little softer. "Is it that you do not like flowers?"
Jeongguk looked down at him slowly, taking the time to count every single flower defining the
curls of his strands. He looked so very divine.

"I do. But, there is only one of that kind." He whispered, but Taehyung heard it clearly amidst the
noises of the unbridled crowd.

Taehyung swallowed, eyes wavering, as they switched between Jeongguk's resolute ones. There
was so much wrapping the single statement that Taehyung felt confused about what to focus on.
His lips tilted upwards in a bashful smile and he took a lily from Jeongguk's hand, twirling it in his
fingers, before raising it up to Jeongguk's hair. However, halfway through, Jeongguk's hand shot up
to grip Taehyung's slender wrist, earning a gasp from him.

Jeongguk tugged him closer, their faces levelling close enough for their breaths to entangle.
Taehyung smelled fresh and musty, like chamomile and Jeongguk smelled of cinnamon and amber.

"I would rather be the one to pluck the flower, and exploit it until it trembles and breaks, and
bleeds nectar." Jeongguk husked, sniffing briskly, before swallowing, as his eyes moved down to
Taehyung's lips, "So that I can savour it."

Taehyung's smile faltered effectively, and his eyes widened, as he stared stupefied at Jeongguk.
The blood in all his veins rushed to his face and neck and it was so red that people might mistake
him for having fever. Oh well, he felt feverish.

To say that Jeongguk could be so filthy yet so fancy with his words. His guts coiled badly and
Taehyung felt a sudden spasm between his legs.

It was a desperate impulse. I had never wanted to be touched so badly by anyone before. These
months I had spent slowly and steadily pining for him, but I never knew that one passionate
intimation from him could spark my need so profusely.

"But, will the flower let me?" Jeongguk sighed, fingers covering Taehyung's trembling ones before
taking his palm and placing the paper-cone of lilies on his hand.

Taehyung turned around, peeling his eyes away from Jeongguk, when he ushered him to walk
ahead.

I wanted to keep looking at him forever. Wanted us to walk together, brushing our shoulders at
times and shifting away shyly. Wanted us to be able to avoid the path of hot and burning embers.

As they walked, they came across that tiny shop Taehyung had seen that day. The old lady was
trying to lift up a heavy box, but her weak frame did not allow her to.

"We should help her." Taehyung stopped, and Jeongguk almost collided with him, backing a few
steps reflexively, before he followed his gaze.

"You should stay here. I will go and help her." Jeongguk attempted to walk ahead, but Taehyung
was already skipping towards her. Jeongguk sighed, following him.

"Ma'am. Can we help you?" Taehyung offered her a sweet smile and she returned it with one
displaying a few teeth scattered here and there in her gums.

"Thank you." She moved a little away and Taehyung tucked the cone full of flowers in his pocket,
before ducking down and sticking his tongue out as he hooked his fingers under the edges and tried
to pull up the box. To no avail of course.
Jeongguk chuckled, shaking his head as he went ahead and Taehyung yelped, when Jeongguk
picked him up by his waist, placing him on the ground beside him, watching him stumble a little.

"Do not drain yourself, little one."

Taehyung gasped, cheeks ablaze, as he watched Jeongguk effortlessly pulling up the box and
placing it on the counter.

"Little one?" Taehyung whispered loudly, looking at him, not really affronted.

"Aren't you so?" Jeongguk rubbed his palms on his thighs, looking at Taehyung smugly.

It clicked Taehyung then. They were in disguise. He gaped, blinking and slumping his shoulders.

"Right. I am."

"Thank you so much, young men." The elderly lady laughed, bowing at them and then bowed
back. She brought out two wooden rings from her pocket, which looked the same.

"Here. A token of gratitude." She extended them out and Taehyung and Jeongguk looked at each
other, their smiles faltering effectively, before they reticently looked back at the rings.

"Thank you." They said at the same time, accepting the rings and they examined their own ones
closely.

"I made them. The wood is quite firm. It won't wear easily." The woman beamed. "Did you like
it?"

"It is amazing, Ma'am." Taehyung jumped on his toes, tracing the intricate patterns of small leaves
on the surface.

"It indeed is." Jeongguk affirmed.

"Why don't you put them on?" She urged and they glanced at each other again, smiling shyly,
before putting the rings on.

"Fits perfectly on yours." She hummed at Jeongguk, who had put it on his index finger.

"It is a little loose on mine." Taehyung pulled his lips together, dejected.

"Don't worry. I have another one. Here. Try this."

Taehyung gasped, a smile blooming on his lips, as he exchanged the former one with another that
she pulled out of her pocket, and slid it on his index. "Yes."

He bowed at her again. "We really appreciate this gift."

"That is not a big deal." She scoffed playfully, going inside the shop and standing behind the
counter. "Would you like to buy something?" She expectantly opened the box that just arrived and
started piling the accessories accordingly.

Taehyung's eyes gleamed as he looked at the wonderful necklaces, hairpins, ear hoops and finger
rings, all of which were made by hand. And the way they looked so beautiful, anyone would know
how delicately and with love they were made.

His eyes landed on a chain with a locket. It looked very simple, but the beautiful carving on the
pendant was of a woman sitting on the crescent moon and an outline of a wolf howling up at it
from the ground. It portrayed such a profound meaning to Taehyung, which he could hardly
describe with words.

He traced the details with a sigh. "Apologies, Ma'am. I would have bought but I do not have money
with me at the moment."

"Do not worry about the amount. You can take anything you like, you are a sweet boy." The
woman nodded, laughing slowly.

"I cannot do that." Taehyung chuckled awkwardly, shaking his head. "You made them with so
much effort."

Jeongguk looked at Taehyung, noticing his lips pulling together, as he stared at the necklace with
longing eyes. He cleared his throat looking up at the woman.

"I will pay for it." He mumbled and Taehyung gasped, whipping his head back to stare at him with
wide eyes.

"Of course, you will. What are lover boys for?" The old lady smiled playfully at them and
Taehyung's cheeks tinged pink, watching how Jeongguk was just the same.

"It is alright... Jeongguk." Taehyung mumbled, watching him pull out a few silvers from his
pocket. The younger one smiled at him gently.

"I insist. Select whatever you want, little one." Jeongguk said a little quirkily and Taehyung
inhaled sharply, puffing up his cheeks to somehow conceal the burning red on them.

He sighed, placing his fingers on that pendant again.

"This one looks pretty." Taehyung stuttered, looking up at Jeongguk expectantly and the younger
pursed his lips, nodding.

"Oh. You selected a very nice one." The lady mused. "It has a very deep meaning."

"What is it?" Taehyung asked eagerly.

"Well, it shows the Moon Goddess and her Moon Wolf, which is a famous taboo love tale in
folklore. It symbolises forbidden love, hurt, longing, and social discrimination. She was the
Goddess, unreachable and divine and the wolf, however powerful, had his feet on the ground.
Nobody could accept such love." She explained and Taehyung immediately looked at Jeongguk,
swallowing when he found him staring at him as well.

"Every time her wolf looked up at her with a defeated stare and then turned away from her,
Goddess Dalnim felt her heart break. So, she imprinted on his fur, the mark of hers and he became
divine too. In that way, he could stay and serve his own people, but also climb up the stairs to the
Moon every night and love her. For that she had to sacrifice her light, so it dims and returns every
twenty-nine days. But, it was for her love and she could do anything for him." She ended with a
tranquil smile.

"That is beautiful." Taehyung whispered. "Love is so selfless and pure."

"It indeed is." The lady chuckled, holding up the chain.

"Put it on him, young man."

Taehyung thought Jeongguk would hesitate, but he took it readily from her after placing seven
silver coins on the counter.

"Good Lord, it does not cost that much, my child." She gasped a little and Jeongguk smiled.

"Thank you for narrating the wonderful meaning behind it." He mumbled politely, before turning
to Taehyung who was already looking at him.

He swallowed, when Jeongguk stepped forward, extending his hands toward him and went around
his neck, attempting to lock the chain. His heart almost stopped, when Jeongguk stepped even
closer, tilting his head to look where his fingers were working.

Taehyung shivered, feeling his digits brushing against the skin of his nape every now and then. He
exhaled sharply, eyes moving from Jeongguk's slightly parted lips to his focused eyes, as he stood
like a stone. He feared Jeongguk could feel the goosebumps breaking out on his skin.

And, Good Heavens! Jeongguk's cheek was so very close to his lips. Taehyung fisted his palms,
debating a short moment, before craning his neck a little and shortly pressing his lips to the soft,
yet roughly textured surface.

"Thank you." He whispered absently and watched Jeongguk's eyes moving down to meet his own.
The words were simple, but it felt like Taehyung wanted to say a lot more with them.

Jeongguk silently stepped back and Taehyung admired the beautiful work of metal around his
neck, his hand going up to feel it against his skin.

"Aren't you two so sweet?" The old lady cooed, placing her wrinkled hands on her chest. "May the
Lord bless you."

"Thank you." Taehyung whispered, looking up at Jeongguk and he wished a little sadly that
Jeongguk had said so, as well.

The younger parted his lips, but only breath escaped, when his eyes focused on something behind
Taehyung.

Jeongguk frowned, when he noticed a queer looking man, face and body well covered up and just
his hands and cautious eyes visible.

Taehyung watched him with a frown of his own, turning around but finding nothing suspicious in
particular. "What..."

He trailed off when Jeongguk swooshed past him, striding swiftly, right towards the crowd and
Taehyung stilled.

"...is wrong?" He whispered to himself.

Jeongguk slowed when he neared the man, who had not yet noticed him. He was considerably
shorter than him, but he looked nothing close to feeble.

He placed a firm hand on his shoulder, making him stop and look back at Jeongguk with widened
eyes.

"You look lost, mate. Need some help?" Jeongguk raised a brow and he had already readied
himself for a swing. The man growled, bringing out a dagger from his cloak, aiming it right at
Jeongguk. It was in the matter of a few moments. Taehyung's heart stopped beating for a safe
couple of seconds, as he watched the crowd running around, screams mixing with the air.

"Jeongguk!" Taehyung yelled, running toward him, but was stopped midway by two men. "Let me
go!"

"Ay, young boy. You want to be the dead meat?" One of the men grunted, holding back a
struggling Taehyung.

"He is the first General, bloody hell!" Taehyung growled. "And I am the emperor's concubine. Let
go of me, this instant." The men loosened their grip on Taehyung for a moment, but as Taehyung
attempted to run again, the men crossed their arms in front of him.

"Your Highness." One of them said, still a little shocked. "We apologise, but you are just going to
confuse him if you go near. And your life would be in danger too. He is capable enough to handle
a single man, we presume."

Taehyung clicked his tongue, helplessly looking at Jeongguk, who skillfully combated with the
unknown anarchist.

They were right. If he tried to save Jeongguk, Jeongguk would try to save him back.

The knight ducked down, getting Moonhilt from his belt and clashing the two pieces of metal
together. A spark flashed momentarily, as Moonhilt dug in through the other blade, breaking it
through the middle and separating it from the hilt.

The man grunted in anger, swinging it blindly, and in the process the broken metal cut through
Jeongguk's shoulder, creating quite a deep rift.

"Jeongguk, no! Help him!" Taehyung cried, tears already pricking the corner of his eyes and a few
even breaking free.

Jeongguk groaned, pressing his palm to the wounded area, taking a few steps back. He panted,
glaring back at the man. He was well trained, Jeongguk could say. He knew how to duel.

He saw a man approaching from behind, but he held a hand up, making him stop. Jeongguk could
handle him alone. He had dealt with ten such men at a time in wars. It was just that he did not have
that level of adrenaline coursing through him up until now. But, the blood flowing out of him, the
throbbing pain and Taehyung's calls, worked for him pretty well.

The man plunged at him with another dagger and Jeongguk bent to the side, stabbing at his upper
arm, hearing a sharp yelp of pain ripping out of him. He withdrew Moonhilt, twisting himself and
landing a sharp kick to the side of his face and the man spat blood, before being one with the dirt.

Jeongguk breathed heavily, as he watched him lay unconscious on the ground, hand enclosing on
the wounded shoulder tighter in attempts of stopping the flow of blood.

"Jeongguk?" He flinched a little, when two hands immediately cupped his face and looked up to
meet Taehyung's terrified and tear-stained face.

"Are you alright?" He choked out and Jeongguk inhaled sharply, nodding a few times.

"I am fine." He stepped back and Taehyung immediately dropped his hands. Taehyung's heart
clenched when he realised that he could not even care for Jeongguk in front of others' eyes. They
would be judged.
He quickly wiped away his tears and looked up to find those men striding toward them. "Your
Lordship, are you fine?"

Jeongguk hummed, looking down at the unconscious man.

"Help me take him to the closest guards."

"The lowlife has finally opened his mouth." Hoseok sighed dramatically, crossing his legs on
Yoongi's divan.

"I know very well how it happened." Yoongi smirked, eyeing the small smears of blood on his
hanbok, and pressing the mouth of the hose to his lips.

Hoseok snickered.

"One 'no', one finger."

"Tough guy. Gave up three of his digits, from each hand."

"Well, what did he say?" Yoongi said, before inhaling from the hookah.

"From the North-West frontier. Some acquaintance of the Chins that I got rid of. Perhaps, a foolish
attempt at vengeance?" Hoseok scoffed. And that hurt Jeongguk for no reason, he wanted to add.
But, he knew better than to do that in front of the emperor.

Yoongi hummed thoughtfully. "Such a great friendship. He would love to narrate his dead mate of
his loyalty, don't you think?"

Hoseok cupped his jaws, cracking them, before chuckling. "That would be generous of us."

Yoongi closed his eyes, nodding and exhaling the unhealthy smoke. "Prepare to attack. We are
leaving at the crack of dawn."

Taehyung sighed shakily, looking at himself in the mirror. The narrow beams of the sun peeped in
through the drawn down curtains, touching his skin gently. He had a royal blue robe on, his hair
tied up messily in a bun and face bare of any superficial embellishment. He was about to bathe,
anyway. Or maybe not. He was contemplating. He had not seen Jeongguk for over an hour.

He wondered if the wound hurt. Taehyung clicked his tongue. That was a given. What if it hurt too
bad? Good God, he needed to look in on him.

He turned on his heel, walking in through Jeongguk's door and looking around for no sound of
him. He then heard a few low grunts from the bathing area. He reluctantly walked toward it,
stopping in front of the blinds, before gently pushing them away. His eyes landed on Jeongguk, just
as soon as Jeongguk’s found his.

He was in the bath, chest down in the water. But, he was against the deeper side of the small pool.
Perhaps, he wanted to stand. His arms rested on the brick edges, as a physician sutured the wound
with a thick thread, Jeongguk's blood trickling down his fingers.

Taehyung's eyes were captured by the sculpted muscles of his arms and chest, a black inked
serpent slithering down his right shoulder, curling around his arm, up to his elbow, as it had his
fangs bared and tongue out towards its owner. Taehyung's eyes moved toward the locket which
rested on the centre of Jeongguk's chest. The silver chain kissed his defined neck, veins lining it on
frequent intervals. Taehyung finally looked him in the eye and he was sure he was not leaving
anytime soon.

"Why is it still not over?" Taehyung's stern words rang out in the silence.

"Apologies, Your Highness. I was a little late." The man bowed at him, smiling timidly.

"Do you not know? This is not the time for you to be around this place." Taehyung continued,
tilting his nose a little high. "You can leave."

Jeongguk raised a brow.

"I apologise, Your Highness." The man stuttered, "It is almost ov-"

"You may leave. I will take care of the rest." Taehyung said less intensely and the man seemed to
relax a little. He gently left the needle behind Jeongguk, standing up and bowing at them before
excusing himself.

Taehyung watched the man leave and when he was sure, he turned back to look at Jeongguk, who
tilted his head to the other side. "What are you up to, Your Highness?"

Taehyung inhaled deeply, his hands reaching out for the ribbons keeping his robe on him, fingers
curling around the ends, as he kept his eyes on Jeongguk's, which were sharp and catastrophic.
Jeongguk's words did not seem like he was confused, rather like a conviction for him to go on with
what he was thinking.

"There is an eternity for you to figure it out, General." He whispered, tugging on the ribbons, and
the knot opened.

Jeongguk held his breath, hands turning into fists, as he watched the watery cloth rain down
Taehyung's body, puddling around his feet. He was utterly and beguilingly naked underneath, save
for the necklace that he had on- the one which he gifted him.

It was funny how Jeongguk had once promised himself that he would never voluntarily think of
Taehyung in a crude way. He had always felt that he was playing with Taehyung's kindness and
visible affection for him, whenever he could not stop himself from doing so. But, right now, when
the deity was willingly presenting himself in his most vulnerable form in front of him, he could not
think of anything modest whatsoever.

Taehyung was beautiful. His shoulders, his collarbones, his chest, puffed with two gentle swells,
his soft stomach, a pretty navel, broad hips, slender legs, and lush thighs pressing in and covering
his shy little, smooth core. Jeongguk could make out a small bead, just beside the line disappearing
between his thighs. He was pierced down there and Jeongguk did not know what to do with that
discovery. His heart was flaming and there was an unbearable weight between his legs.

His uncared for manhood was begging for attention from the beautiful crevice it claimed to be its
own. Jeongguk would not deny himself of this truth. Not this time around. Even if it felt unpleasant
to his conscience.

Then again, in the world of animosity and sin, what even was conscience?

Taehyung shivered, as Jeongguk’s eyes travelled lower, tongue pressing against his cheek, before
he looked Taehyung in the eye. Taehyung straightened his posture, walking over to the edge of the
bath, placing a foot on the first stair submerged in the water. It was warm and comfortable. He
climbed down the rest of the steps before he was chest deep in the water as well. Jeongguk’s eyes
on him were anticipating and Taehyung smiled a little slyly. There was at least a distance of five
yards between them.

Jeongguk swallowed, when Taehyung ducked his head and disappeared in the water. He could see
his distorted form approaching, gliding just under the surface. And then, he felt a hand on his thigh,
which rose up his body, just as Taehyung did from the water.

His hair dripped wet, strands sticking to his face and neck haphazardly, beads of water running
down his smooth skin in rivulets, making his skin glisten under the faint sun rays. He dragged his
palm up to Jeongguk’s chest, feeling it rise and fall underneath his touch.

“Should I help you, General. In some way?” Taehyung breathed, panting softly.

“I believe you know pretty well the ways in which you can help me.” Jeongguk whispered and
Taehyung worried his lower lip with his teeth. He shuffled closer to Jeongguk, hissing a little when
their lower regions touched, and he could see the clear effect on Jeongguk’s face as well.

His hands went around Jeongguk’s neck, wiping his hands on the cloth before picking the needle
from it. He pressed his free hand gently, close to his wounded shoulder blade, as he peered over at
it, beginning to sew the wound.

He could feel Jeongguk’s eyes on him.

“Does it hurt?” Taehyung whispered, scared to sound loud, lest he should break the tranquillity.

“It is just fair that it would.” Jeongguk replied absently, taking in as much as he could out of
watching Taehyung. He looked bewitching this close and Jeongguk felt like a beast in restraints,
with his conscience holding him back from devouring him right away.

“You did not have to fight him all alone. I know you are stronger than anyone in the capital.”

“Not in just the capital. In the whole of Joseon.” Jeongguk corrected almost instantly and
Taehyung chuckled, his eyes dimming as he looked up at him.

“Then why do you let him weigh you down?” He whispered, eyes desperate.

Jeongguk clenched his jaws. “Apparently, just power and fairness does not make you the King.
You need to learn how to be a snake, which I cannot. Never. And, that is the least I can do to live
up to my father’s name.” He added, when Taehyung parted his lips to argue.

There was more to it and Taehyung knew that Jeongguk was not going to talk of it. He sighed,
focusing back on the stitch, as he cut off the remaining thread and rubbed his bloodied digits with
the white cloth, watching it turn crimson.

“I am happy to serve my people, even if I don’t sit on the throne.” Jeongguk mumbled gently and
honestly, leaning forward and pressing his lips to Taehyung’s cheekbone. He softly suckled on the
drops of water, feeling them adhere to his lips, before he pulled away.

Taehyung stilled for a moment, wiping off the excess blood from Jeongguk’s shoulder, before he
rested his head on Jeongguk’s unhurt shoulder. He sighed shakily, fear clogging up his throat
again.

“I was… I was so scared.” Taehyung whispered, and Jeongguk could feel his fingers trembling, as
they unsurely traced up his arm to his wounded shoulder. “I have never seen you that way before,
so I thought…” He trailed off, not wishing to word those terrifying thoughts.

Jeongguk felt his heart skip a beat and then squeezing painfully. He was torn between feeling
grateful that someone, apart from his mother, cared so deeply for him or feeling guilty that he had
scared Taehyung.

“You will not get rid of me so easily, Your Highness.” Jeongguk laughed softly, bringing his tatted
arm around Taehyung’s waist and the older straightened up to match his gaze.

“I don’t want to get rid of you ever.” He whispered, hands tracing the column of his neck, before
cupping Jeongguk’s jaws. Jeongguk licked his lower lip, his grip tightening around Taehyung and
he flinched when Jeongguk pulled him flush against his chest.

Taehyung’s hands moved down to rest on Jeongguk’s pectorals, thumbs involuntarily caressing the
hardened brown skin.

“I have an answer for you.” Taehyung said suddenly, breaths shallow, heart threatening to beat out
of his chest and into Jeongguk’s that was rigid and carved against his soft one.

“What?” Jeongguk asked, barely caring for the answer, as his eyes drifted lower to Taehyung’s
parted lips.

“The flower wants you to pluck it, and exploit it until it trembles and breaks, and bleeds nectar."
Taehyung trembled, folding a leg and circling it around Jeongguk’s hips. He could feel the head of
Jeongguk’s girthy length, pressing dangerously against his throbbing clitoris. He was big. Safely,
bigger than most of the men he had been with. He was bigger than Yoongi too. He could feel it just
by the stretch between his lips.

Heat coiled in his stomach and his little clit tremored. Jeongguk’s length twitched when he felt it, a
reflexive feeling of pride swelling in his chest at how much he could affect Taehyung even without
sliding in him.

“So that, you can savour it.” He finished, gasping lightly, when he felt Jeongguk’s hand on his
waist, moving up the valley of his back, making him arch it. There was no reaction whatsoever on
Jeongguk’s face, except for a small tilt of lips on the right. It was not the playful ones that he was
accustomed to, but one that exuded danger.

“Is it so, Your Highness?” At this point, the honorific was no longer something that made
Taehyung feel superior. It felt like he was deriding him, demeaning him, belittling him and
Taehyung loved that.

Jeongguk’s hand travelled down again, his hand disappearing under the water with a short stirring
noise and Taehyung held his breath, when it slipped between the globes of his bottom. But, he did
not stop there. It went down further, his index rubbing against the wrinkled skin around the hole
and Taehyung whimpered, fingers digging in his skin.

Jeongguk felt it clench around air, and dipped just the tip in before bringing it out and moving
lower to his crevice.

“Or… should it be, ‘little one’?” Jeongguk husked, fingers brushing against the edges of his
entrance. Taehyung was taut.

“Jeongguk.” Taehyung whined, throwing his head back, as his hands went up to his hair, combing
through them and gripping at the roots. The younger chuckled, leaning down and hiding his face in
Taehyung’s neck, as he inhaled his sweet scent, which immediately played with his mind.

“Yeah, I am listening. Go ahead. Tell me what you want, little one.” Jeongguk was vicious with his
words, his hot breaths and the tip of his nose brushing against his skin.

Even in my wildest dreams, I had imagined Jeongguk to be, at the most rough in intercourse, but
more of the sweet and romantic one. The Jeongguk I was witnessing then was someone bizarre, but
I could not help wanting more, considering that this was the first time I had felt so sexually
aroused. It was new, but with Jeongguk. And I could all but loathe him. Perhaps, not even anything
close to it. I could just love him and give what he wanted.

Jeongguk could feel the thicker liquid than water, dousing his fingers, the more he caressed the
rim.

“Please. Inside me.” Taehyung cried, tilted his head, pressing his lips to Jeongguk’s temple, as the
younger’s lips parted on his neck, his tongue pressing flat on the surface, before he enclosed it with
his teeth. There were a few other marks there, of Yoongi. But, Jeongguk wanted to replace them all
with his own.

Jeongguk hummed, snickering against his skin and Taehyung’s entire body trembled at the
vibration.

“You want me to please you, inside there?” Jeongguk asked, feigning innocence, as he dipped the
tip inside him, loving how the walls enveloped him, with a warm welcome. “I thought you were
kind enough to not order people around.”

“Jeongguk.”

“You need to request, little one.” Jeongguk rasped, tilting his head to look at Taehyung’s drowsy
face. “Nicely.”

Taehyung bit down on his lower lip, eyelids squeezing, as he parted his lips taking in a deep breath.
“I beg you, Jeongguk. Please, touch inside me.”

Jeongguk doubted if he knew someone who looked so tempting while pleading. Taehyung really
looked like he might cry any moment, so he gave in to him and pushed his finger in deeper.
Taehyung gasped, pressing his hips down against Jeongguk’s finger.

Jeongguk cursed under his breath, feeling the rub against his length and at the same time his walls
clenching around his finger, eagerly sucking him in and he wished it were his manhood instead.

“Oh God!” Taehyung moaned, clamping a hand on his mouth, when Jeongguk inserted another
finger, stretching him open, his fingers skillfully curling inside him and stimulating his most
sensitive areas. His heart almost stopped when Jeongguk matched his hip movements, rubbing
their sexes together and Taehyung’s toes curled at the beautiful friction against his throbbing
clitoris.

It felt like the first time he was involving himself in lust driven actions. It was not his first time
doing such filthy jobs, yes, but with Jeongguk it did not feel like that. It was a sacrilege- a sacrilege
where he was getting himself into voluntarily and without a single ounce of remorse.

“Yes. Keep going.” Taehyung cried, and Jeongguk growled low in his throat, flipping themselves
around, before he raised Taehyung up on the edge, by his waist. Taehyung yelped, when Jeongguk
followed suit, pushing him down to his back and hovering above him, holding himself up by an
arm. He settled beside him, pressing his palm on Taehyung’s thighs, which he parted immediately,
hooded eyes locked with Jeongguk’s sharp ones.

“The things I could do to the flower.” Jeongguk husked, hand dipping lower and Taehyung arched
himself, pressing one hand above his head, as the other trailed up Jeongguk’s carved abdomen to
his chest, resting above his heart.

“Please do. The flower is dying for it.” Taehyung breathed, sighing softly when Jeongguk’s fingers
filled the void in him again. His thumb played with the small bead of pearl, before moving over to
the red clitoris, rounding it softly. Taehyung pushed his hips up, pelvic bones and ribs protruding,
when Jeongguk’s hand picked up pace. The veins in his lower arm surfacing and bicep contracting,
as he abused Taehyung’s beautiful flower. His eyes feasted on his own fingers disappearing inside
Taehyung’s plush lips, translucent fluid from his core coating his digits like honey.

“Ruin me, Jeongguk.” Taehyung sobbed, hand moving down and wrapping around Jeongguk’s
hardened length, earning a groan from him. He flicked his wrist along with Jeongguk, lathering the
thick length with his precum.

Jeongguk grunted, pleasure coiling in his stomach, as he continued his feral thrusts, spurring on
Taehyung’s ecstasy and with another rough abuse to his sensitive nerves, the knot in his stomach
came undone, and he squirted around Jeongguk’s fingers a watery release.

Taehyung almost blacked out at the unwinding pleasure and his movements faltered, drowning in
the mist.

“Jeongguk.” Taehyung panted heavily, and Jeongguk sighed, bending his hand, and propping
himself up with his elbow, so that his face was close to Taehyung’s. His eyes were closed, cheeks
flushed and lips wet and parted. Taehyung felt like a dream. Was he hallucinating yet again? He
did not want to.

Taehyung let go of Jeongguk’s shaft, when he felt Jeongguk’s trembling fingers coiling around it.
He swallowed, opening his eyes to look at Jeongguk and they immediately matched his. There was
lust, indeed, but Taehyung could see through the superficial emotion. He had lived long enough
around men and he could easily say that the way Jeongguk looked at him right now, was not
something alike.

His fingers reached Jeongguk’s locket and he curled his fingers around the chain, rolling them up
and tugging Jeongguk closer, so that their noses brushed.

Jeongguk was smitten so very deeply, he was scared. It felt like the unbounded pull toward
Taehyung, to kiss him and make love to him, would end with him in a deep canyon of debts,
because loving him was like a sin.

“Kiss me, Jeongguk. Won’t you?” Taehyung whispered, chest heaving and breaths shallow.
Jeongguk closed his eyes momentarily, joining their foreheads, as he moved his hand on his length,
pressing it against Taehyung’s sacredness and coating it with his essence.

He had waited far too long.

He tilted his head, nose pressing against Taehyung’s cheek, the same way he felt Taehyung’s
pressing against his own, as their lips met, enclosing their breaths together. It was messy, unchaste
and arduous since the first taste, but still everything was just as paradisiacal about it. Their hearts
beat erratically and dangerously, in the same rhythm as their lips folded, tongues kissing and teeth
scraping.
It hurt, perhaps even bled but they would gladly accept these wounds of passion.

Jeongguk fell apart soon enough, squeezing his length, as he spilled all over Taehyung’s thighs and
sex, covering him with stains of white. Taehyung shivered, nibbling on Jeongguk’s lower lip. His
eyes watered, toes curling and muscles contracting, before relaxing instantly against Jeongguk. It
was the best he had felt in his entire life, up until now, because Jeongguk was the best thing to
happen to him.

It was just the same with Jeongguk. He fought with all his might and kept his tears at bay- kept
them safely tucked in for another life, where he could love Taehyung freely. However, this infernal
life was not it.

A person could lead his life in two ways- if he was sure enough that he was having a happy life,
then he would love his mate, have children, a lovely little world, but if he was running from the
atrocities and unfairness of life, he would prefer looking out to make his life bearable first, fleeing
from the demons first. Jeongguk was bound to the second condition life provided.

They pulled away and the way Taehyung looked at Jeongguk, with the world in his teary eyes,
Jeongguk felt like the worst person ever.

“We can do this.” He whispered, and Taehyung smiled, cupping his face, as he pressed his thumb
between Jeongguk’s lips. The younger kissed it gently, feeling a lump forming in his throat, when
Taehyung nodded, eyes lighting up.

“We can. I told-”

“Yeah. It is not like the emperor’s concubines don’t sleep with us.”

Taehyung’s smile faltered, so did Jeongguk’s heartbeat.

“W-what?” He whispered, voice barely audible. Jeongguk stayed silent, getting up, as he walked to
the cabinet and got himself a towel putting it around his waist. He maintained a bland expression as
much as he could, but he knew he was going to fail soon. He took another towel, walking over to
Taehyung, finding him sitting up, as he looked at him still, with that confounded look on his face.
Jeongguk went on one knee before him, unfolding the towel and covering Taehyung with it.

“Jeongguk?”

Jeongguk looked him in the eye and his heart broke a little at first then all at once, when he saw the
lone tear trickling down his cheek.

“We can keep it a secret.” Jeongguk faked a snicker and he watched how Taehyung’s face
hardened up. He knew what Taehyung was thinking. He was hating him right now.

The things he did to keep Taehyung away.

“So…” Taehyung chuckled mirthlessly, “That is what you think of me? As a whore who loves
seducing men and spreading their legs for them?”

Jeongguk stayed silent, even though he wanted to deny every single word. Only if he could.

“You think I am here, running after you because I wanted to know how much you can make my
legs tremble?” Taehyung’s words became louder with each word, eyes blazing with fire so deadly
that Jeongguk felt goosflesh break out on his skin.
 “Your Highness-”

“I know why you are doing this.” Taehyung swiftly cut him off, nodding once, before nodding
multiple times again. “For me to hate you, isn’t it?”

Jeongguk sighed, looking away, as he stood up, turning around.

“Thank you for attending to my wounds, Your Highness.”

Taehyung snickered drily again, looking down, before he stood up with shaky limbs.

“You know what your only fault is, Jeon Jeongguk? You trust your ideologies more than anything.
And if you are happy with them, so am I.” Jeongguk looked at him through the corner of his eyes,
watching him round the bath, before he picked up his rose and pulled it on himself, dropping the
towel in the process.

“But, a coward like you would never understand. So, do not bother.” He hissed and Jeongguk
closed his eyes.

Taehyung stalked off to the door, tarrying a little, as he looked back at Jeongguk.

“Thank you, Lord Jeongguk. For making new wounds on me.” He managed a morose smile, before
leaving the Chambers.

Jeongguk could hear the faint sound of the doors to Taehyung’s Chambers closing and he suddenly
felt a whiff of cold air.

He regretted it and appreciated it at the same time.

Because just like Goddess Dalnim, the mighty wolf had his duties too. And that was his weakness.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading❆

 CHAPTER 20
Chapter Notes

(Warning about dubious consent and non-consent had already been given. Just a
reminder. The second half of this chapter contains vague annotations of Taehyung's
and Yoongi's intercourse. So, click off if you are just here for Taekook or actually
want to go with the flow of the plot.)

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Had I known that it would be the last time we met each other for the next -no one knew how many-
days, I would have never confronted him that way. When he left for the war, and I looked at him
secretly, from amongst the many maidens, he did not look back even once. Perhaps, he knew I
would be there. I would have cried just there if he did, so I was thankful.

Taehyung had looked up at Dongmin, still not having processed the news well. The younger was
staying back to look after the palace affairs and substitute Jeongguk to look after him, along with
Byul-yi. Taehyung had been hurt by him, but not enough to be able to live without seeing Jeongguk
for so long. He had grown accustomed to his feigned indifference, his placid company and his
subtle care. Worse was that, he had not even known when Jeongguk would return, or whether he
would. The thought had made him cry into his sheets for long hours on the first day.

"There are so many other men." Taehyung complained, roaming around his Chambers with quick
steps. "Why did he have to go?"

"The Xins are very strong. Even His Majesty has gone to face them. Jeongguk is the most skilled
and strongest among us. The Emperor knows well that the enemies would have put up a tough fight
if Jeongguk was not in the front." Dongmin explained quietly and Taehyung slumped down on his
bed with a huff.

"Are you perhaps worried about him, Your Highness?" Dongmin smiled a little, "I request you.
Don't be."

Oh how Taehyung wished he could. If he were given the opportunity to turn back time, he would
have taken care to not slip and fall in the deep gorge named Jeon Jeongguk. However, there was no
way out of it now. He had walked too much along the edges and had fallen, without any aid. And
the cliffs were closing in on him, but he oddly wanted to lay back and let his demise kiss him.
Because he could never in his life think of regretting falling for Jeon Jeongguk.

Even when he had pushed him away, even when he had hurt him. The guilt in his eyes spoke a lot
and Taehyung always forgave him. He could keep forgiving him until he told him why he did that.
For he knew, Jeongguk was besotted by him, like he was by his favourite wine. For even if his
words lied, his eyes never did.

The dates were crossed like months for the ones in the palace who were waiting for their loved
ones to return safely, but for the ones on the fields the days passed like minutes. Blood all over,
senses working double the normal speed and rest barely there.
"We have the hold over this battle." Yoongi declared in front of the commanders and other army
officials. They were in his marquee, which had been set up five days prior. "It's the commander that
we need to reach. He is hiding behind his men like a coward."

"Perhaps, we can attack from behind." Hoseok suggested. Taking the stick and pointing at the river
course on the map, which was mostly stony and shallow. "Risky, but we can do it. They will not
expect it at all."

"Get men who are more ready to die from the fall off a horse than in the battlefield." Yoongi
snickered, leaning back on his chair. Few laughs were heard.

Yoongi looked up at Jeongguk, who was standing beside Hoseok, looking at the map blankly.

"What do you think... Lord Jeongguk?" He said cautiously.

Jeongguk stayed silent for a few moments. "I think they are waiting for us to make that mistake."

Hoseok tilted his head.

"They are backing everyday if you have noticed, nearing the river course. They want us to take that
route. They have men waiting in the woods to jump at us." He continued.

"How do you know?"

"I had sent men."

Yoongi quirked a brow.

"So, what do you suggest we should do?"

"Nothing. We should keep going as it is." Jeongguk looked up at Yoongi. "Not every war is won
by unfair means."

He watched Yoongi's face drain of the smugness, before his jaws clenched and he looked away.
Hoseok looked down, rubbing his cheek, concealing his smirk behind his fingers. The air in the
tent was thick with tension.

"Very thoughtful of you." Yoongi snickered then.

"Indeed." Jeongguk replied instantly, "We are approaching their commander. Hardly two days
before he is down."

Yoongi stayed silent, nodding thoughtfully, as he scrutinised Jeongguk.

"I hope the confidence you wear now, lasts till the end of war."

Hoseok looked up at Yoongi, eyes sharp and jaws taut. He knew exactly which war he was talking
about. So did Jeongguk.

"With your will, definitely." Jeongguk mumbled. Yoongi chuckled, raising his hand waving
everyone off.

The other commanding officers left and Jeongguk was about to follow when he felt a hand on his
shoulder. He looked back at Yoongi and honestly his insides churned with fear. His eyes were set
in a deadly trap, his face void of any sarcasm or playfulness that he usually wore. He simply
looked lethal. People did not witness this look often.
However, it instantly morphed to a very fake smile. Hoseok paused to look back.

"You are the man of this battle, Jeongguk." Yoongi patted his back, "What do you desire?"

Jeongguk merely stared at him. He looked nothing but cynical. "Nothing, Your Majesty."

"Are you sure?" Yoongi mused, stepping closer. "Isn't there anything you want?"

Before Jeongguk could answer, Yoongi hummed, "Let me guess." He looked up at the field before
bringing his eyes back toward Jeongguk's.

"What about... Taehyung?"

Hoseok's hand subtly went to his sword, but he kept his stance locked, eyes never leaving them, as
Jeongguk looked at him with the most unpredictable look ever.

"No." He uttered.

"You don't want him?" Yoongi looked at him with feigned surprise. "What a blatant lie! No one
can not want a beauty like him."

"I am not swooned by outward appearances alone." Jeongguk answered, but truthfully. If it was just
Taehyung's beauty, he would have fallen on his knees for him, the moment he saw him amongst
the many maids in the belvedere.

What he felt for him, was not just lust for his beauty. There were sacrifices, restraints and hearts
involved. Something a bastard like Yoongi would never understand, he thought.

"Well, that makes sense." Yoongi ridiculed, turning around and wandering off to his chair.
"Anyway." He plopped down on his armchair crossing his hands above his head.

"I still have a wonderful present waiting for you in the palace." He mused. Hoseok frowned,
looking at Jeongguk who swallowed, looking back at him before bowing at Yoongi. Hoseok's eyes
followed him as he left. There was something odd in Yoongi's words.

"Seok." Yoongi called and Hoseok brought his absent attention to him.

"I remember hearing from you about the gold mines of Seongcham, which open up somewhere
here." Yoongi clicked his tongue.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I want them to be imprinted as mine before we leave for Changdeok."

"But, they belong to one of our allies-"

"Do I look like I care?" Yoongi raised his eyebrows, before snickering and shaking his head. "You
should know me better, Hoseok." He leaned back on his seat and dismissed the conversation.
"Bring me a drink."

Hoseok sighed, as he watched Yoongi closing his eyes and resting his temple on his knuckles.

Then again, there was nothing predictable about Min Yoongi.

❧
Taehyung ran out to his doors, staring at the closed ones just across his before looking at Dongmin
who came in through the corridors. He missed stepping out of the threshold that Yoongi had turned
into an invisible barrier for a month.

Even though he knew that no one was here to see, he would like to believe that the walls were his
secret spies.

"They are arriving the day after tomorrow, after a won battle." Dongmin said, as soon as he saw
Taehyung and watched how he slumped, hunching forward and exhaling a heavy breath. Relief
flooded his insides alongside exhilaration. He was going to see Jeongguk, finally. After half a
month of crossing the days on the calendar.

"You don't look happy, Dongmin-shi." Taehyung frowned, noticing how the other was quiet and
more importantly looked glum. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, everything is." Dongmin looked up, managing a smile but Taehyung was not so naive to look
past it.

"What is wrong? I-Is Jeongguk fine?"

Dongmin sighed, "I was not informed anything about that, but he definitely is."

"Then what are you hiding from me?" Taehyung huffed, walking up to him and looking at him
closely. "Don't do that."

"It is... nothing."

"Nothing you say?" Taehyung chuckled sardonically, "That is a shame, because I don't trust y-"

"General Jeongguk's mother."

It was Byul-yi. She walked in right after, standing by Dongmin. Taehyung's blood ran cold.

"What about her?" She whispered almost breathlessly, his words barely audible.

"She..." Byul-yi paused for a generous moment, her breathing loud and erratic. "She is no more."

Taehyung could only hear a low buzz in his ears, otherwise everything else was incoherent. His
heart squeezed painfully, as if draining him of all the blood.

"It cannot be." He whispered, stepping back and looking down.

"I'm afraid that it is." Byul-yi spoke a little firmly, trying to process the news herself. She had just
returned after witnessing the deceased body, by which Soyeon sat inanimate all along.

"I want to go see her." Taehyung choked out, but Byul-yi held out her hand.

"For your own welfare, no, Your Highness." She said and Taehyung flinched a little at the
harshness. She was heavily serious.

"But..." Taehyung gasped, "This is... so not right."

"You know how it is." Dongmin sighed, "The right is not prioritised here. There are His Majesty's
spies everywhere, who are way too loyal. You would not want him to know of it."

Taehyung groaned, turning around and walking to his window, as he blinked continuously, tears
blurring his vision and it was not long before they broke out of his eyes and ran down his cheeks.

"She was a lovely woman." He trembled, biting his lower lip.

"Without a doubt. But, It was bound to happen someday." Dongmin tried to console him, but
Taehyung barely registered it. He turned around, eyes desperately searching for ways to confront
Jeongguk after this. What would he do when he came to know of it? It would be so unfair to him,
even if her disease was terminal. All he could think of was the love in his eyes when he looked at
his mother, as if she was the only reason he was still humane. What would be left of him after
today? Taehyung feared it greatly.

The day Taehyung was dreading, arrived. He had thought that he would dress up for Jeongguk, but
the news had sucked out almost all of the enthusiasm. He just waited for Jeongguk to arrive. At the
same time he did not want him to. It was complicated.

Taehyung sat on his bed, knees brought up to his chest, as he heard the horns being blown and the
ground practically shaking. Just like himself. He turned his head down, placing it on his crossed
arms, as his breaths became louder in his ears. Earlier, he had wanted to forget how they parted and
make it up with him once he returned, but now- well he did not know what he needed to do.

It was another half-an-hour or so, before he snapped his head up at the slow thumps on the floor,
the vibrations of which neared him steadily. It was Jeongguk. He clenched his eyes shut, taking in
a deep breath, before standing up and turning around. But, he involuntarily took a staggered step
back, almost toppling onto the bed, when he saw that it was Yoongi. A few new scars decorating
his face and neck.

"Hello, beautiful." His voice was as fluid as ever, "Were you expecting someone else? Perhaps,
Jeon Jeongguk?"

A bead of cold sweat slithered down Taehyung's spine.

"It is not like that, Your Majesty."

"Right." Yoongi sighed, looking down with a frown, "Even if you did, he would not have been able
to be here."

Taehyung's heart almost leapt out of his mouth at that. "What?"

Yoongi looked up at him, his face void of any emotions, before he was laughing, bending forward.
"Did I scare you?"

Taehyung sighed shakily, as he heard his heart beating in his ears. How dare that imbecile make a
joke out of it?

"Your Majesty." Taehyung trembled, walking up to him slowly, "It is not like that. Your wounds...
scared me."

"Did they now?" Yoongi crossed his arms behind him, as Taehyung stood in front of him placing a
hesitant hand on his chest and smiling. "Well, I have a pretty bad wound on my left leg, so I need
to walk more carefully now.."

And Taehyung's smile faltered when Yoongi pressed the doors close behind himself. "You might
have to be the one to work today, my Love."
He shivered, feeling sick at the base of his stomach, as he took a step back when Yoongi took one
forward.

"It was a magnificent victory." He hummed, tarrying once again, observing Taehyung's movements
closely. He looked disturbed and fidgety. He smirked. Not for long.

"The aftermath should be just as magnificent, don't you think?" He extended his arms to his sides.

"So, come over and worship your beloved today, Darling." He rasped, watching Taehyung's eyes
widening and lips parting slightly, as he stood rooted to his spot.

Taehyung watched as Yoongi's smirk dropped, when he made no movement, eyes darkening
ravenously.

"Do it!" Yoongi's snarl resonated throughout the room and Taehyung jumped, shaking like a leaf.
His eyes watered lightly and lip caught in his teeth, as he looked down, taking a deep breath. He
did not want to do it. And he knew that was exactly why Yoongi wanted it.

"Oh, Love." Yoongi's voice was tender the next moment, as he took Taehyung's face in his hands
and made him look up in his eyes. The countenance was beautiful, Taehyung thought, but the
demon underneath was not.

"Look, what you made me do? I never meant to raise my voice on my pretty little nova." Yoongi
chafed Taehyung's cheek with his thumb, leaning in and rubbing his nose along the column of his
neck. Taehyung froze, closing his eyes, as he tried to control the little sobs that trembled his heart.
He wanted to see Jeongguk. He wanted to look into his eyes and run his fingers through his hair.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty." Taehyung whispered, his hand trembling as he reached for Yoongi's
hand, pressing it to his eyes and looking up at him, watching his lips tilting up dangerously.

"That's a good beginning." Yoongi snickered, not hesitating a moment before pulling Taehyung in
for a kiss. And then, much more.

Taehyung's eyes were blurred with tears by the time Yoongi left his bed, and before he could pity
himself even more his eyelids had given up. He was grateful, or the painful spasms of his heart
would not have let him sleep.

Taehyung woke up to fair darkness. His entire body felt sore and he could barely move. He
groaned, coaxing himself to sit, pulling on his robe that was hanging off his shoulders loosely. He
heard two of the maids cleaning his Chambers, talking amongst themselves, on noticing that he
was up, they walked over to him and bowed.

"Your Highness, do you require something?" One of them asked.

Taehyung shook his head, his eyes drifting off to the windows and his brows pulled together.
"What is going on there?" He asked, focusing on the lights, fire and music.

"The Emperor has thrown a gathering ceremony for the soldiers and army officers. They are going
to be up all night." The other one ended, giggling a little.

Taehyung acknowledged, looking down at his hands. "Alright. Thank you. You may leave." The
girls bowed before doing as told.
Taehyung moved his legs, resting his feet on the floor before standing up. He silently walked to
the dressing mirror, looking at himself- entirely dishevelled. Yoongi ruined him every time. He
traced the chain of marks that he left on his neck, down his chest and to his abdomen. He could
feel numerous more on his thighs and lower legs.

He sighed. Earlier, intercourse with Yoongi thrilled him to an extent, but now, it increased his
turmoil to a point of no reduction. Now the tears that he shed were not due to pleasure, but they
were the blood that his pained heart squeezed out of him. Yoongi did not have to know that.

He walked up to the centre of his room to find the doors to Jeongguk's Chambers left open. He
exhaled shakily. He tied the ribbons, before trudging up to his door barefooted, looking around for
any intrusion before moving to Jeongguk's. He stood by the door finding him standing by one of
his closets, reforging his sword on flames with his back to the door.

Taehyung clutched his dress tighter, as he stared at the bare skin, smeared here and there with
bruises and cuts.

"Jeongguk?" He whispered, wondering if he was heard when the younger did not reply, but the
way he went stoic for a moment, gave it away.

Taehyung walked in, moving closer to him as he stood a yard away from him.

"You... did not... go to the gathering?" He mumbled, hearing the flames blaring. He closed his
eyes. Of course he wouldn't. But, he did not know what to say. His self-esteem could kiss the floor
for all he could care, but he was not leaving.

"Are you, alright?" He asked again, taking a few more steps ahead, before raising a trembling hand,
fisting and unfisting it unsurely before resting it on a wound softly. "Jeongguk?"

However, Taehyung was not expecting Jeongguk to growl low in his throat, as he turned around,
gripping Taehyung's wrist and pressing him to a nearby wall, holding the burning hot blade close
to Taehyung's throat.

Their heavy breaths caused the only coherent sound, as Jeongguk stared at Taehyung's wide eyes
with ones set in a sharp line. Their breaths weaved together, Taehyung's skin burning at the
uncalled for gesture, but Jeongguk's next words left his chest clogged.

"Take this, Your Highness. And run it through my heart." He whispered breathily, shoulders
sagging a little.

"Jeongguk?" Taehyung gasped, when the younger pushed the hilt to his hand and circled his palm
around it.

"I have... failed as a son." His words came out broken and Taehyung could not stomach the lone
tear that ran down his cheek. He had never seen Jeongguk cry before. "I do not deserve to live."

"Jeongguk... it is not your fault." Taehyung shook his head, his throat constricting. "It was bound to
happen. In fact, it should be I-"

"She could have lived." Jeongguk's voice came out loud. "The physician told me that the solution
that you gave was a permanent cure."

Taehyung's eyes widened. "What?"

"But... that bastard took her away from me." He ended, his head hanging down and shoulders
shaking from occasional sobs. Taehyung's tears made way soon, as he fisted his hand that was in
Jeongguk's grip.

"I'm sorry, Jeongguk. It was all because of me. Yoongi did that because of me."

"No, Your Highness." Jeongguk breathed heavily, looking up at him with red rimmed eyes. "She
would have died that day if you had not saved her. I am grateful to you for that. I could see her
smile for a longer time." He forced his lips up in a smile and Taehyung could not feel worse.

"It was my fault. I could not protect her. I failed everyone around me. I could not be... a good son.
Nor an ideal heir, nor a brother." He shook his head, matching Taehyung's gaze, as he uncurled his
fingers from around Taehyung's wrist and cupped his cheek with the utmost tenderness.

"And I... I hurt you... Taehyung."

Taehyung closed his eyes, placing his hand on top of Jeongguk's, turning his head to kiss his palm
gently. He had always wanted to hear his name rolling off Jeongguk's tongue, but he had never
known that it would hurt him so much.

"Please, forgive me. I know I am not worth it." He stuttered, placing his forehead against
Taehyung's, bringing his hand out of Taehyung's hold, who blinked open his eyes, which widened
when he saw Jeongguk wrapping his fingers around the red hot blade.

"Jeongguk!" He shrieked, swatting at his hand. "Let it go. What are you doing?"

He pushed him back with all his might, making him stumble backward and the sword fell down on
the floor with a thud. Taehyung immediately took his hand in his, looking at the raw skin, his eyes
squinting at the horrible red and white that was forming.

"Are you insane?" Taehyung yelled at his face. Jeongguk looked away, pursing his lips.
Taehyung's shoulders dropped, as he pulled him away from the fire, making him sit on the edge of
his bed.

"Don't do something stupid. I'll get you some aid." He hurried, trying to move away, but Jeongguk
gripped his wrist with his unhurt hand, pulling him down to sit beside him.

"Please, don't leave me." Jeongguk whispered, and Taehyung's heart audibly cracked. He raised his
hand, cupping Jeongguk's jaw.

"I am not leaving you. Never." Taehyung whispered back. Jeongguk bit his quivering lip, burying
his face in Taehyung's neck and the brunet did not waste his time, circling his arm around his
shoulder, as he combed his hair with his fingers gently.

"I'm sorry, Taehyung." Jeongguk mumbled against his skin and Taehyung could feel his tears.

"I forgive you, Jeongguk." He murmured in his ear, kissing the lobe softly.

Consoling was the only thing I could do. I never knew what a mother was, so I could never feel his
pain then. But, I knew he was brave. Braver than anyone I had known. Even the bravest men had
tears to shed, needed a shoulder to cry upon and I was honoured to be his.

"Why don't you end him?" Taehyung sniffled, frowning slightly and he felt Jeongguk shuffling to
look up at him.

"I thought it was just my mother who was holding me back." He whispered, a sardonic chuckle
leaving his lips. "But, I realised. I have two more reasons."

Taehyung's heart thudded, as Jeongguk placed a shaky hand on his cheek.

"You."

"And the other one?" Taehyung asked, fingers curling around Jeongguk's wrist as he leaned into his
touch, when Jeongguk paused for a moment. The younger looked away, sighing heavily.

"Soyeon."

The doors opened abruptly, as Yoongi stumbled inside, humming a tune. Soyeon looked up from
her fingers, tears gathered in her eyes and dried tracts down her cheeks.

"Everything is beautiful today." He chuckled, slightly unfocused eyes on her, making her jaw tic as
she stood up abruptly, storming off to the centre of the hall.

"Indeed." She scorned, eyeing his poorly tied hanbok and the bottle of liquor in his hand, as he
made his way over to her.

"It's been so long that I have seen you, Darling." He mused, raising a hand to touch her face but she
swatted it away.

"Is that the reason why you felt like meeting me after an entire day?"

"Oh, so you are mad about that? Just that?" He laughed then. "That's so silly."

Soyeon chuckled mirthlessly, "You could just wish that I was mad at you for the absence of your
silly company."

Yoongi's smile faltered.

"What is it about?" He mumbled, his voice deep enough to send an involuntary shiver down
Soyeon's spine.

"What had she done to you?" She whispered breathlessly, her eyes blurring again. "How could you
be so bloody heartless?"

Yoongi rolled his tongue on his cheek, walking closer to her and she could smell his bitter breath.

"You want to know how?" He nodded once before nodding multiple times again, "Alas. You never
can. Because for that you need to grow up in a damn leverage, akin to inferno."

He stepped forward and she stepped back.

"You need to sleep in cells, similar to stinking drains. Wake up to urine hitting your face. Live all
day under the scorching sun, without a grain in your stomach and..." His eyes wavered, "And serve
bloody paedophiles at night with nothing but a skeleton for your body."

Soyeon inhaled sharply, tipping her nose a little higher.

"My father never made you do that." She whispered and he smirked, stepping behind and throwing
his head back as he gulped down a large amount of the liquor.
 "Indeed he did not. He did not leave any flaws in taking care of you, either. Then why
did you betray him?"

"You manipulated me!" She cried, her voice breaking, "You told me you just wanted to have parts
of his treasury. I never knew what you were actually brewing in your mind. I would have never
fallen for you if I did." She ended, her tone lowering to a breathy whisper.

"It feels bitter to get your words thrown right back at you, doesn't it?" He raised a brow and she
looked away, rubbing her arms.

It was true that she had been angry at her father for marrying another woman after her mother died.
But, she had not understood that he had just wanted to give her a mother that she needed. She had
always held a little grudge on him for that. When Yoongi came, swaying her entirely and lighting
her up against her father, she had been too young to realise his ulterior motives. Wanting to acquire
vengeance, be it by a small commotion, she had handed over a spare entry to the secret passageway
of the royal treasury, wanting him to take parts of it for himself. She thought they would run away
then, but just two nights after, a catastrophe broke down on the entire Joseon empire. Sweeping the
harmony off its feet, leaving just its shadow behind. And her, in a decade old guilt that seated deep
in her bones.

"You were his favourite General." She whispered, "He gave you all the power. Then why did
you?"

"You can have all the power that you want." He mused, leaning closer to her, his hair falling over
his shoulder. "But, unless you sit on the throne, it remains controlled. And I desire absolute power.
Not something encroached by an old fellow."

Soyeon fisted her palms, "Why did you have to do it like a snake? Turning the ministers against
him with money. That was so cowardly of you. You could have faced him in war."

Yoongi chuckled, running his tongue over his canines. "There's a saying that you might know.
'Everything is fair in love and war.' Have you not read that in any of your books?"

"I see that you have not applied it in just wars." Soyeon snickered sceptically, "Do you think, the
sin that you are causing, is your love for Taehyung?"

"Indeed not." Yoongi hummed feigning thoughtfulness as he moved closer to her, making her crane
her neck to look up at him with venomous eyes.

"It is my obsession for him." He whispered, sniffing briskly, before his lips curled back showing
his teeth, "And that is a greater cause than love for me."

Soyeon stared at him, guts churning. Once, when she had looked at him smiling, so many years
ago, she had fallen in love with the boy. But, it was just madness swimming across his features
now. He was hysterical, unabashed and atrocious.

She had looked at him that day years ago, with her father's blood smearing his face and neck and
since then, whenever he looked at his eyes, she had always known that he was not the same young
man who would pluck flowers from the tallest of trees to please his love, but would kill an
innocent soul which he deemed an obstruction to his obsession.

Chapter End Notes

Love you ɞ

(Jest of the day: Imagine the rapping King and Queen of K-pop arguing amongst
themselves, while they rap with over 13.0 syllables per second, breaking their own
records :] Keep imagining. Kekeke)
 CHAPTER 21
Chapter Notes

That's all till April! I promise to return with a steamy update (sweet and spicy?)

See the end of the chapter for more notes

"Did you hear that the treasury has been opened for the beginning of the financial year?"

Minseok stopped hitting the log with the axe.

"Really? Is that why the chiefs are here today?"

"Could be."

Minseok wiped the sweat on his neck with his scarf, before swiftly moving to sit on one of the
stairs, closer to the two new recruits who were talking amongst themselves.

"I heard that the War Minister and the Finance Minister are in charge for the rest of the month
every year. Only they, along with the emperor and his few men, know where the treasury is."

"The Emperor is not involved?"

"Man, he is too busy with women, wars and liquor to look into money now." One of them joked
and the other laughed.

Minseok straightened up, eyes absently sweeping over the ground before him.

"Look. That's the War Minister."

Minseok looked around to find a middle aged man, striding off through one of the corridors in the
nearby palace, with a swarm of men following close behind.

"Bet, he's going down there."

"I can just imagine the gold and diamonds stocked in there, in my peasant life."

Minseok stood up, looking around himself, before slowly slipping out of the training campus. He
agilely moved through an alleyway, trying to keep moving parallel to the Minister, but he suddenly
rounded a corner. Minseok stopped, cursing under his breath before he jumped down a few stairs,
rounding the basement and making a run past the grounds. He hoped he was not seen. And luck
should be on his side, because it was break time.

He stopped by the foot of the corridor that they walked past, watching them round a far corner
before disappearing down to the side of the cherry orchards. But, before he could take another step
ahead a sharp call made him halt and look around with a raging heartbeat. Not for his life, but for
the revelation of his identity.

"Hey, lad!" A guard growled, striding towards him. "What are you doing here?"

"I..." He was brewing up a lie in his mind when he felt someone crashing into him with a loud
thump making him jerk forward.

"Aha! I caught you, man." It was Jongdae, as much as Minseok remembered. Well, he was too loud
with his name for anyone to not know him.

"What is going on?" The guard bellowed, reaching for his sword, but Jongdae came to stand in
front of Minseok, clasping his hands together.

"No, sir. We were just playing hide and seek."

Had it been someone else, the guard would have ridiculed him and taken them to the dungeons.
But, because everyone in the army knew how much of a child trapped in an adult Jongdae was, the
guard seemed to buy his words.

"So stupid." The guard grumbled. Jongdae laughed, walking back and circling an arm around the
shorter male, before pulling him toward himself with a jerk. Minseok grumbled a little but kept his
mouth shut.

"We are friends, sir. Nothing is stupid between us."

"Yeah, whatever." The guard sighed, rolling his eyes. "Get back to the field, don't roam around
here."

They watched the guard walk away, before Minseok shoved him away and started striding off
toward the army campus.

"Hey!" Jongdae matched his steps soon, looking around before leaning in, "What do you think you
were doing?" He frowned.

"That's none of your business." Minseok muttered, feeling slightly annoyed at himself that he could
not execute it properly. However, he would not voice out how thankful he was of the other boy.

Jongdae grinned, "It is alright. Your secret is safe with me."

"There's no secret." Minseok sighed, shaking his head.

"Right. And I am a squirrel." Jongdae scoffed.

"That you are." Minseok snickered, rolling his eyes. Jongdae crossed his arms, puffing up his
cheeks.

"Anyway, I will not tell anybody until you tell me the reason."

"And why take the trouble?"

"Because you are the nicest among the people I have known here."

Minseok stopped to look back at him. He pointed a finger toward himself looking at Jongdae with a
blank face.

"Nice? Me?'

"Yeah." Jongdae shrugged. "You are the one who accepts my drinks every morning. The others
don't."

Minseok chuckled, rolling his eyes, as he started walking again.

"That is 'being nice' to you?"

Jongdae's smile faltered a little. "Yes."

Minseok looked at him through the corner of his eyes, watching the taller male walking quietly
beside him.

Whatever, it should not concern him.

Taehyung was lying on his bed, fingers fiddling with the ribbons of his robe, as his chest heaved
with strained breaths. He had not been able to breathe properly for more than half a month now.
Since that night with Jeongguk, he had been this way. He was pretty sure that they had closed their
eyes together that night, but when he woke up, he was in his own room. When he had run up to
Jeongguk's door it was closed. Never had that happened before. Jeongguk was always watching out
for him.

He knew that Jeongguk deserved to grieve. It was his mother, after all. But Taehyung missed him
heavily. Yoongi had almost always walked in and Taehyung wondered how he was still sane after
not being able to see Jeongguk for so many days. He might just go hysterical.

There hadn't been a night where he did not find himself weeping, with his eyes on the ceiling.

He wanted to see him, from afar if not close, But, the wooden panels were a big barrier. The doors
were never locked, but Taehyung knew that he was not wanted inside when there was no answer
every time he knocked on them.

"I miss you." Taehyung whispered, a fresh trail of water forming down his temple. He shut his
eyes before promptly opening them again and sitting up. Yoongi would not come in tonight. He
had just left in the afternoon. He silently slipped out of his bed, taking slow steps toward his doors,
before he pulled them open. He looked at the mahogany facing him, before walking toward it and
knocking on its surface.

"Jeongguk." He tried. When silence greeted him like all other times, he inhaled sharply. He could
not bear it any longer. He pushed open the panel, finding the room in utter darkness, save for the
moonlight drifting in and touching a few things. Taehyung walked in, looking at the lump on the
bed. Jeongguk's hair and skin shone silver where the moon kissed him. His eyes were closed,
almost as if forcibly. He looked awake.

Taehyung's heart tore when he saw how miserable he looked. He had evidently lost a lot of mass,
the contours on his face had deepened and eyes were lined with dark bags.

"Go away."

Taehyung flinched at the low grumble, slightly confused. Jeongguk's lips had barely moved. Then
came a sigh.

"I am... not going away." Taehyung fisted his palms, standing rooted on his spot and when there
was an episode of silence, he exhaled, walking toward the bed. He halted, when Jeongguk turned
around immediately, facing away from him.

It just did not hurt seeing him that way, it stabbed. Right in the heart.

Taehyung moved to the edge, folding his legs and sitting on the cold mattress. It was so cold that
he shivered, but Jeongguk was pressed entirely onto it. Taehyung swallowed when his throat
started feeling clogged. He lifted his legs, shuffling closer to the younger, as he folded his arms
below his head before lying. His eyes remained on the back of Jeongguk's head, lips pulling
together, as he blinked his sore eyes.

"Your Highness."

Jeongguk's raspy voice was heard and Taehyung bit on his lower lip.

"Please, go away."

His tone was gentler this time, but more so, defeated.

"Why?" Taehyung sniffled, blinking away the blur from his eyes. "What have I done?"

Jeongguk was silent for a moment.

"You did not do anything." He sighed, "I... don't want to hurt you anymore."

Taehyung snickered almost immediately. "You don't realise how much you are hurting me right
now, do you?"

The younger closed his eyes.

"Right now, you are hurting me the most, Jeongguk."

"You don't understand." Jeongguk raised his voice a little. "Yoongi could hurt you... physically, if
you are close to me. And that is much, much worse."

Taehyung's lower lip quivered, as tears trickled down his cheeks and slipped down his neck,
temporarily staining the pillow. "You think... what I feel for you, is so shallow that I... that I will
stop because of some mere wounds on my skin?"

Jeongguk's face contorted in a frown, his throat and nose burning, and eyes gathering up moisture
that he had locked away. He failed everyone, every time. However, his eyes snapped open, and he
stared at the wall aghast, when he felt two arms circling his middle and a soft surface pressing
against his back. He felt warm unsteady breaths against his shoulder and a loud beating of heart
against his skin, much akin to his own.

"I don't blame you, Jeongguk. I know you are doing this because you feel that this is what is going
to keep me from inevitable danger." Taehyung breathed, pressing his lips to Jeongguk's neck and
resting his forehead against his jaw.

"But, trust me. I can bear anything and everything, just so long as you are with me." He sobbed,
"Otherwise, even the best things in the world feel meaningless."

Taehyung unlocked his clasped fingers before raising a hand to run them through Jeongguk's
greasy hair.

"Please. Come back to me, Jeonggukie."

Jeongguk closed his eyes, letting the tears escape as he shakily gripped Taehyung's hand before
bringing it to his lips. He swiftly turned around and Taehyung's heart tugged at his searching and
beseeching eyes.

"Your Highness." He whispered, curling his fingers around Taehyung's, who smiled softly.
"I am old enough to understand what is right for me. Don't take the burden of that, Jeongguk-ah."
Taehyung wiped at his lashes, "I know you are scared. I know that there are high chances we
might not end up with a safe life in the future. But, trust me." He pressed their clasped hands to his
own chest. "I want you regardless."

Jeongguk extended his free hand to cup Taehyung's cheek, gently caressing his skin with his
thumb. He oddly felt a huge part of the weight lifting off his chest, that he had been bearing for a
decade. All the years, he had thought that the emptiness he felt was because of the atrocious life he
was entrapped in. But, he just realised it was not that. It was just the absence of someone to hold
his hand through all of it. The Almighty was so cruel to not give him Taehyung when he needed
him like air to breathe, but He was also the kindest, because the air inhaled on the brink of giving
out was akin to paradise itself. Taehyung prevented him from cutting the last straw.

"I am sorry..." He trembled, pressing his forehead against Taehyung's. "I know that's all I say after
treating you like thi-"

"Shush. Never mind that." Taehyung brushed his thumb against Jeongguk's lower lip, reluctantly
leaning closer, before pressing his lips against his eyelid. "I know you didn't mean any of them."

"Please, don't leave me." Jeongguk whispered breathlessly, surprising Taehyung by embracing him
and pulling him flush against himself. "I need you."

"Never." Taehyung inhaled, an uncontrolled remnant of a sob leaving his lips, as he gripped
Jeongguk's nape and pulled his head down till his face was buried in his neck. Jeongguk eagerly
took it all. "I promise I am going to be there for you until you don't want me."

"And that is never going to happen." Jeongguk replied instantly, without any hesitation. "It can
never be that I would not want you."

Taehyung closed his eyes, tilting his head, when Jeongguk's breaths tickled his skin. It was
definitely the fear keeping him from saying those words out loud all along.

"You've taken care of me enough. Now let me take care of you, alright?" He whispered, hands
trembling, as they pulled Jeongguk closer and he could feel the same from him. "Let me be your
shoulder to lean on. Don't push me away."

So, Jeongguk did not.

I could feel my robe drenching around my shoulder from his tears, but the least I wanted then was
to pull back. I'd rather stay with Jeongguk like that, huddled together, for the rest of my life.
Through all the four seasons. Until the last leaf of our life touched the ground.

"The midnight wind is always chilly around here."

Hoseok, who was sitting cross-legged on a rock with a pipe between his fingers, stopped moving
his feet at the voice. He looked away from the cliff, finding a silhouette under the bright
moonlight.

"Took you long enough to say that." He snickered, jumping off his spot and making his way over to
the man, handing Minseok the pipe in the way. The lad stood in his position a little warily. He still
needed to get used to travelling with Hoseok alone.

Hoseok stood in front of the cloaked man, face covered by the hood. They were inanimate for a
 moment before they decided to meet in a firm embrace.

"Years precisely." The man said and Hoseok pulled back.

"How have you been?"

The man extended his arms to his side. "Well, I guess you can see." Hoseok chuckled, shaking his
head. The man turned his head and Minseok squared his shoulders when he felt that the stare was
directed at him.

"He is my spy." Hoseok cleared, "He has some very interesting news for us. For him, we can start
with better advances."

The man hummed, "I see." He walked past Hoseok, making him turn around to find him
approaching the cliff. It was the highest cliff of the Sangcheon mountains, with a clear view of the
woods connecting the borders of Nongmeong and Joseon.

"There had once been a time when I had been exceptionally glad to be standing alongside you,
here." Hoseok announced, coming to stand by him with his hands clasped behind him.

"Why not now?"

Hoseok looked at him blankly, "We had liquor with us then, mate."

The older male laughed, shaking his head. "That was a good one."

Hoseok snickered, looking back ahead at the unending sky, engulfing the little enclosure of land.

"There are greater ones to come, Minho. Greater, greater ones to come."

Chapter End Notes

(a/n: Oh yes, the second mystery man is revealed. Yes, they are a duo:])

Farewell~

End Notes

Bonjour, Angels.
I am finally posting a full-length TK fanfiction in this platform.
It is half-way through in Wattpad, just in case. (username: SPRINGKV)
To keep coaxing me to write you need to encourage my doubtful arse a lot, but I hope it
will not be a bother.

Farewell!
-Haru❧
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