_

"The verse I yearned to write, the harmony I wished to hear at night,
How was I to know?
I induced my desires to soar too high"

꧁-꧂

Taehyung put the last piece of garment inside the trunk and unleashed a sigh of desperation. Today was the day of their departure from 'Cressida'. They would be leaving for 'Antares' within a few hours. It would not be an error to say that he was a little unhappy to leave. But he was not insensitive enough to overlook his obligation. In addition, he was never away from his mother for such a long span. The inner child that dwelled inside of him longed for his mother, his home.

Taehyung surveyed the chamber to behold any left belongings for one last time. His eyes fell on the feathery bed and he felt an unexpected desire to jump on it. He was on the verge of plunging on the bedstead when he heard a knock on the door. He bewildered and strode forward to open the door. Opening the door, he found a worried Mark standing in front of the chamber.

"Are you all packed, Taehyung?" Mark asked him.

"Yes, sir Mark," Taehyung replied. He felt a note of uneasiness as he did not get to have any proper conversation with him since the betrothal. He made every effort to avoid Mark's stare at him.

"Are you alright? Taehyung?" Mark asked him surveying him with concern.

"Yeah. I am perfectly alright...Sir Mark. What will happen to me?" Taehyung answered with a laugh as though he had said something humorous. He kept laughing aloud for a couple of good minutes. And it did not seem to be any ordinary laugh. It was the kind when one attempts to hide his illicit deeds.

Mark observed him with his sharp gaze. He could sense something unnatural in him as though he was making an effort to conceal the changes in him. He could tell that there had been a major change in Taehyung since they had arrived in Cressida. He could not understand why he had been unable to detect this before. The Taehyung he knew was solemn and calm. But this? The Taehyung who stood in front of his very eyes at that moment was a capricious man. The unusual kind of glee in his voice did not suit his gentle nature.

Just a few days ago, he had shut himself inside the chamber, had stopped taking meals; Had looked so weak and ill but then this unexpected change in him...it was troublesome to comprehend.

"I think not so. There is something wrong with you, Taehyung. You were not anything like this before!" Mark raised his voice slightly but not in any harsh manner.

"I-I do not know what are you talking about, sir. Now, if you please excuse me," Taehyung blurted out not making any eye contact and rushed out of his chamber not bothering to shut it. He needed to get out of there at that moment.

Mark let out a deep sigh and left from there too.

"Heaven knows what has happened to you, Taehyung."

༺༻

"So they are leaving?" Seokjin asked Hoseok while running his eyes over the guests who seemed greatly occupied for their upcoming journey.

"Sure they are," replied Hoseok with a solemn sigh. "You seem unhappy. what's wrong?"

"What do you say? Should I be delighted?" Seokjin vaguely muttered. "About what?" The minister frowned.

"Can you not understand? The betrothal has already taken place. Their departure will cause the day of the wedding to be nearer. And once the wedding is performed..." He broke off. His breath hitched up and he continued.

"This is not a wedding. It's a ceremony, to wipe out Cressida's existence, her supremacy," he  muttered which was only audible to Hoseok.

"What are you saying!" Hoseok shook his head in disbelief, unable to interpret any meaning of his words. "This is just a wedding. You are getting anxious for nothing."

Hoseok assured him.

"No, it's not. What do you think this marriage is occurring? This is no marriage. It's just a veil to conceal the nasty deeds that are to come about. His Majesty will never let her Highness sit on the throne on her own. Let's just say, this marriage is happening to demise all the powers to the Antares King. Cressida will be going to the dogs." Seokjin hissed.

Hoseok startled hearing the last sentence. He had never heard any such ungraceful words from Seokjin's mouth. Fortunately, no one could hear him. Otherwise, his life and employment would be in grave peril.

"Do you think Her Highness will let this happen? Have you not known her for a long term?" Hoseok asked him in a low voice.

"Known her? I reckon I need not remind you that I was her archery trainer. I can put my life at stake over the fact that Cressida cannot have a ruler greater than her. And this is not my statement, it is the truth. But it does not matter, not at all. Because the throne belongs to His Majesty. Her worth does not matter to him; What matters is that she is a woman. And as claimed by him, the subjects will never bow to a woman, a woman who wears a crown."

Seokjin's fists coiled into orbs as his body trembled, making his best attempt to suppress the rage inside of him.

"You say you know her? I reckon not so. If you had known her, you would know that too- that she will die but give up on her throne. Cressida will never lose her sovereignty as long as Y/n Windsor is alive." Hoseok took a small pause. "She will fight for it if obliged, and she will always have the two of us by her side, won't she?" Hoseok asked him with a reassuring smile.

"Do you even need to ask?" The Armourer returned him a grin.

They both broke off when saw Taehyung approaching them with a smile.

"Hello, Sir Jung, Sir Kim. Did I bother you two?" Taehyung greeted and asked.

"Not at all, young man." Hoseok brightly smiled at him."Do you need any assistance for anything?"

"Nay, Sir Jung. I want to thank you."

Hoseok raised his brows in amazement.

"You have taken several inconveniences because of me. Thank you very much for bearing with me for such a long time," he sincerely bowed and spoke.

"Hey, hey! Easy, boy. You do not need to do that!" Hoseok immediately spoke."Tis our obligation to ensure our guests' comfort. And I hope you fancied my company in the excursion."

Taehyung nodded and beamed at him. He turned his head towards Seokjin and asked, "H-How is your health doing now, sir Kim? Is your shoulder alright now?"

"Ah, it's completely alright. A strike or two like that cannot cause me pain," Seokjin replied boldly but then unconsciously gripped on his left shoulder as his face put on an expression of disapproval. Hoseok and Taehyung's eyes met each other's and they hastily looked away suppressing their laugh.

Hoseok leaned in and whispered in his ear, "He is still unhappy about his defeat. The duel, you know?"

Taehyung tightly sealed his lips together struggling not to unleash his laugh and nodded.

"What are you two on about?" Seokjin interrupted making the two of them break off.

"Nothing, Seokie," said Hoseok clearing his throat.

Seokjin grunted and crossed his arms around his chest.

"C'mon man! Don't be so grim. It does not go with you." Hoseok playfully slapped his unscathed shoulder.

"I don't worry over such a trivial matter. It was just a friendly little game of fencing," Seokjin impatiently said.

Failing to suppress it anymore, Taehyung and Hoseok burst out into laughter. Seokjin glared at them in disapprobation and shook his head.

"All kidding aside, forgive me, sir Kim," Taehyung's laughter sank. 'All of you have taken so many inconveniences for us. And look what I have done in return? Your shoulder got injured because of me," Taehyung mumbled guiltily.

"Good lord! Are you even aware of what are you saying?" Seokjin exclaimed in disbelief. "Did you hear this kid, Hoseok? He is the same person who defeated me in the duel. Listen, boy, if you ask for forgiveness one more time, you will depart from 'Cressida' weeping."

Taehyung could not help but let out a small chuckle. Seokjin laughed and pat Taehyung's shoulder.

"Now, don't you dare to say such a thing. And whenever you visit 'Cressida' don't forget to visit the two brothers you have here. Do you know what I mean?"

Taehyung's face lit up as he nodded his head staring at the two of them with immense reverence. He wondered if that's how it felt to have the affection of elder brothers.

Overwhelm... That's what he could sense. He looked away as felt warm tears surge out of his eyes. Foolish how small of acts could make his eyes moist. Oh! How much it would cause to the community, to see a man aged tears...

༺༻

"Y/n dear, don't be disheartened, my child." Eliza consoled her niece who seemed to look dissatisfied to hear the news of her departure."I am leaving Mary here. At least, her troublesome blitherings will keep you occupied," she said mockingly.

"Mother!" Mary puffed at her mother.

"I know, Aunt Lizzy. But still, I wished you to stay," Y/n replied in her gloomy voice. She forged a smile and embraced Eliza.

Eliza gave a light pat on her shoulder and said, "Don't you be unhappy. I will attend your wedlock though I do not wish this marriage to occur." She said the last sentence in a whisper.

"Hmm," Y/n hummed as Eliza planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Mary, attempt less to cause any trouble. Here and in 'Antares'," Eliza said to her while planting a kiss on her head as well.

Y/n chuckled seeing Mary's puffed cheeks. She let out a subtle sigh when she saw the man approaching her.

"Good morning, your Highness," Taehyung greeted with his usual polite voice.

"Good morning, Sir Kim. I suppose you will be departing in a while?" She disputed if she had succeeded in concealing the despair in her voice. The notion that he would be leaving out of her sight, that she would not be seeing him beside the cascade anymore, that he would not be there to greet her now and then anymore afflicted her. A severe kind of nausea rose in her body.

"H-Have a safe journey, sir Kim." The words showed up from her mouth draining all the strength from her body.

"I will." He nodded earnestly.

"Farewell, your Highness." His breath hitched up. He formed his hand into a fist retaining the tears from tumbling down.

"Farewell, my love"

"Farewell, sir Kim."

꧁-꧂

QTD: Who is your favourite supporting character?

-pride