What were the odds? What were the odds of messing up your first day at school so badly you embarrass yourself in front of your cruel maths teacher and get called into the principal's office for leaving the school grounds?

Taehyung felt like he was being punished. Was it too much to ask for a disaster-free first day in his first important day in the common world? Was this his own fault or fate's fault? Several thoughts went through his head as he walked the corridor to the principal's office yet again.

The only thing giving him somewhat hope was the fact that Jungkook was with him, walking alongside him, supporting him by not leaving his side. Since he felt like there was a huge frog nesting in his throat, he was not able to speak but if he were, he would make sure to thoroughly express his gratitude.

Luckily, Jungkook was right and the principal was a nice man. Of course, he was not all too happy with the fact that his newest student (without any documents identifying previous scholar activities or report cards) had already broken one of the most important school rules, but the prince batting his eyelashes and meekly gazing at him with apologetic puppy eyes made him forgive him without any detention or extra work.

"You're lucky you're pretty, I've never seen him let anybody off that easily," Jungkook whispered as they left with huge relief pumping through their veins. Taehyung halted in his step, feeling his heart jolt a little.
"Y-You think I'm...?"

"Well, it's not exactly a secret, is it? First time I saw you, I remember I was so shook by your beauty I felt intimidated and like I entered heaven," the brunette responded cheekily, nudging him slightly which made the prince's heart jolt even more.
"You-- You flatter me. But thank you. I think you're pretty, too," he added quietly.

Suddenly feeling as if he had taken five thousand shots of strong vodka out of nowhere, Jungkook smiled sheepishly. "Thanks," he whispered, suddenly sensing the other's presence much stronger than before and a strange tingling sensation in his right hand. It almost seemed as if it was magnetically attracted to Taehyung's left hand right next to it and burning to touch it, if only his brain wouldn't force it to stand put right where it was.

Taehyung suddenly felt strange, too. It was as if the air around him had changed, it smelled sweeter, clogging up his senses and messing with his consciousness. What was this sudden strong emotion that he didn't know how to describe or explain? Despite all the medical conditions he had looked up, he quite found that he could not find a solution for the powerful feelings he felt around a certain someone. And considering the fact that he also felt the most comforting sense of security around this person, he found himself to be horribly confused.

However, all of a sudden, both boys broke out of their trance as their path was blocked by another person, clearly standing in their way to confront or talk to them. Which worried both of them.

The boy looked bright, extroverted and bold, with shrill orange hair and colourful clothes, presumably clothes that he had altered for himself- his bright green sweater and trainers had been stylishly embellished by laughing smiley faces, but that in a way that appeared good and well-suited to the spectator. To give his look a finishing touch, he wore a fitting brown leather pouch.

Taehyung felt that he had seen this boy before, although he wasn't sure why he seemed familiar. It wasn't like he had been in his maths class before, after all. And he didn't think he saw him anywhere in the morning as he'd remember an eccentric presence like that immediately.

Jungkook widened his eyes, immediately recognizing him. "Uh... hi--"
"So you actually didn't die! Do you have any idea how much your friends mourned you? Why would you fake your own death like that just to randomly turn up out of the blue again, have you no shame?," the orange-haired boy fired at him, his usually so kind eyes narrowed into accusing slits.

"Look, I kind of had a situat--"
"They had a memorial for you, right in front of your locker! Your friends cried over you, do you even have any idea how depressed they were? And for what, because you were too much of a coward to sit through a couple exams? You know, I actually respected you a lot. I thought you were cool and regretted not having befriended you before! But now I'm not so sure," he kept snapping, making Jungkook hang his head low in shame because in a way, the boy was telling the truth, wasn't he?

"Excuse me," someone suddenly said next to him, "But I think you're being a bit unfair here. You know nothing about this incident and quite frankly, it is actually none of your business! I would appreciate it if people didn't listen to the prejudiced news articles. Because truthfully, Jungkook's disappearance had nothing to do with being a coward. If he would of had a chance, he woul've stayed. And I think it's very rude of you to jump to conclusions without even trying to look a little below the surface!"

Jungkook's jaw dropped. He simply could not believe what had just happened. Had Taehyung really just stood up for him in front of a presumable stranger? The prince's sudden courage overwhelmed him to no bounds, he couldn't do anything but stay completely silent out of surprise.

The orange-headed boy, whose eyes had been previously fixated on the brunette, shifted his gaze onto Taehyung now, not having noticed him before. Suddenly, his expression entirely changed and confusion seemed to be flooding him now.

"Wait... Prince Taehyung..?"

°○●○●○°

"Princess, you have finally left your chambers!"

She shifted uncomfortably as she stood by the entrance to the dining room, huge table laid out with the most extravagant delicacies- roast turkey, potatoes, and the table behind it entirely covered by a large variety of cakes, desserts, puddings, tarts, biscuits and whatnot. It almost seemed like something was being celebrated, which made her chest contract in revulsion.

"Do care to join us, Princess Eunbin. Although we may not be lawfully so, I still consider you a sister. I am most delighted to see you cope with recent tragedies at last. Your cheeks do look pale and hollow, but that is no complication that a nice set of roast turkey can't fix!" A beautiful woman dressed in a slender green silk gown arose from her seat, walking right up to her and taking her arm.

"Sojung, it is imroper to leave the table whilst the others are still dining," the queen scolded, now looking up to Eunbin and smiling a little. "But I see this is a special circumstance. Princess, do care to bless us with your company. You and your mother may stay in this castle for as long as you wish. Have your father and brothers departed already?" Eunbin nodded slightly.

"Yes, they left the day before yesterday. Mother misses our palace in Jejudo very much and she yearns to see the coast again, but she stayed because I was not in a state to travel." She took a seat next to Princess Sojung, bowing her head slightly at prince Seokjin who sat opposite to her, him responding with a dazzling smile.

"Dear, please do stay for a little longer! I am truly ashamed of the horrid things that took place during your.. wedding, but--" Not aware of her own impropriety, Eunbin cut the queen off mid-sentence and let out an unamused little laugh.
"Wedding? Your Grace, I am afraid you cannot define that a wedding. I know your son did not love me and he never will. I tried to gain his affections but as you have seen, I am not who he wishes to be with. For many days, I have blamed myself, overthought and overthought about what part about me could be so abhorrent he would flee his own kingdom. However, now I have come to my senses and I see that the root of the issue lies beyond me and prince Taehyung has been in pain for a long time and being married to me would deepen the wound even more,"

The queen gasped, setting down her knife and fork with an aghast expression. "My dear, you mustn't be discouraged! My son has made a great mistake, but he will return and rule Elysium with you by his side! He was out of his mind for a brief while, he spent too much time studying and practising his harpsichord. And I refuse to talk about that evil servant boy of his poisoning his mind and trying to manipulate my son. If you will only stay for a little longer, dear princess..." Eunbin wanted to scoff but refrained herself as she forced herself to stay polite.

"Do forgive me for saying so, Your Grace," she spoke as sweetly as she could. "But I fear that you are in complete and utter denial. As unusual and inappropriate it is, Prince Taehyung loves his servant. He loves him sincerely and deeply, I have watched them enough times to know that this is very much true. I know you must be shocked about this and that you carry great responsibility as a Queen Mother which is the cause for your denial. I wish the truth will dawn upon you soon. Because I will not sit around waiting for a man for whom it is impossible to love me."

The queen was silent and did not know to respond. Sojung, Seokjin and Namjoon all looked at each other with alarmed gazes. None of them had ever dared to refuse the queen of Elysium. However, there seemed to be a first time for everything.

"Please excuse me," the usually so graceful but now sickly pale queen spoke quietly, "But I am afraid the food has not been cooked well. I will join my husband until I recover from the bad meal. Do scold the servants for not roasting the turkey properly." She left the table rashly, her midnight-blue robes fluttering along with her movements. Guards immediately rushed to her side as she left the dining hall.

"Forgive my mother," Seokjin excused. "She has taken my brother's disappearance the worst out of all of us. Despite trying overly hard to appear ordinary and full of hope, her heart has been shattered. Not only did she lose a son, she has lost more. A grandson, an alliance, an expansion of territory. Besides, the turkey tastes perfectly delicious. Won't you taste it?" With his knife and fork, he cut a little part off his portion and moved it onto Eunbin's plate.
"I agree, the turkey is delightful," Namjoon added.

With wide eyes, the princess stared at the piece of turkey and hesitantly chewed on it. And right it was, it tasted delightful. Considering recent sorrows corrupting her, she had not been able to appreciate a good meal the past few days. But this little piece of turkey made her feel some sort of change, a beginning of something new to break out of her state of devastation. And she knew that part of it was the people surrounding her, people that made her feel okay and that partially shared her pain. During her stay, it was all about Taehyung. She had never appreciated the other royal children living in Elysium's castle.

"You're right," she spoke with an actual, genuine smile. "It does taste quite good." Sojung, seeing the smile on her face, raised her sparkling glass of wine with a great expression of relief and made a toast.
"Let us toast... for a new start. All of us are going through these circumstances together and although we may have recently lost a brother, we will not lose ourselves along with him. Our lives will continue. To new beginnings!"

"To new beginnings," Namjoon repeated with an appreciative nod.
"To new beginnings. You must try some raspberry pie with this wine, the taste is simply heavenly," Seokjin spoke to Eunbin with a little wink.

And so, the glasses of bright red wine touched each other with a bright and clear, hopeful clink.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

(A/N: well hello there

this is so random but please tell me i'm not the only one who needs to constantly pee when i drink caffeine?? like sometimes i drink a cup of cappuccino before school and my bladder just goes ✨insane✨ during my first periods it's strange jsfhjejw

anyways thanks for reading so far, hope you have a fun day at school tomorrow🤭🤭 love you very much you're all great uwu💜💜🥰)