"Crown Prince Jungkook, may I ask where you are headed at this time of the day?" One of the royal guards called, intercepting his path as he was leaving the palace. 

If there was one thing he hated about this place, it would be the constant monitoring of his actions. If he were to be back in his residence, he wouldn't have anyone on his back watching his every move, he would've had some extent of freedom despite his punishment, since the guards would be answering to him anyway. 

The King wanted to know every detail of Jungkook's activities, the young man didn't have much free time anymore because of all the meetings, which already cut the list remarkably short, but he insisted on loading his son's back with eyes to keep track of his every step. 

Jungkook understood that his father wanted to punish him with all the things he didn't like about being Crown Prince. The fact that he hasn't had time for himself was bothersome enough, so Jungkook would have appreciated some freedom to do as he pleased once his responsibilities ended for the day. 

"I would like to ride my horse around the area. Our land is full of beautiful landscapes that should be witnessed" Jungkook replied, keeping a hand on the horse's reins just in case he had to make a run for it. Right about then, he saw a familiar figure from the corner of his eye come closer to them.

"Crown Prince, I assume you are aware of the restrictions his highness has put on your stay. Trying to convince the guards is futile" Hoseok spoke from his right. He walked leisurely with his arms behind himself, chest puffed under his elegant black Hanfu, and Jungkook internally cursed.

The only person he could not get past was Jung Hoseok. The man is very righteous and swears on his King only, talking him into breaking rules is more than useless, it would instead earn him an endless lecture Jungkook does not want to receive.

"Master Jung, not that I was trying to convince anybody, I just thought I could have an escapade every once in a while after fulfilling my duties. Granted, as long as I don't make it a habit until my punishment is lifted" Jungkook articulately replied.

"Well I'm afraid you thought wrong my Prince, allow me to escort you back to your quarters" Hoseok said taking the reins from Jungkook's hands, and pulling him to the opposite direction of the palace doors. 

Jungkook sighed in defeat as he was getting dragged away on top of his horse, just like a child. They slowly made their way back into the stable where the Prince unmounted the animal, the slight frown remained unwavering on his face as he ignored the elder man's attempts to talk.

"Come on Jungkook, don't be like this" he called his name again now that they were alone, nudging him by the elbow. "They are your father's orders, you know I can't do anything about them" he said as an excuse. 

The former military General was aware of just how much the Prince hated these consequences, although not severe at all. Jungkook's freedom was everything to him, and it being taken away abruptly most likely made him feel helpless.

"I just wanted to see someone" Jungkook replied. Taken aback by the softness of his voice, Hoseok pursed his lips in contemplation, thinking of a way he could cheer the younger up without disobeying his father.

"Well, why don't you invite that person to the palace?" he suggested, crossing his arms against his chest proudly as if he solved all of Jungkook's problems.

"It won't be the same Hoseok" He simply said, not wanting to give away any details. They were walking back to the Prince's chambers when Hoseok huffed. 

"No matter how much I think about it, there is no way I can allow you to see whomever this is Jungkook. The orders are strict and clear, I must abide by them" he said defeatedly, sounding like he truly did want to help his friend and former pupil. 

"Don't worry, I'll be waiting for my punishment to lift. A few more weeks can't be so bad" Jungkook smiled, going into his room and closing the door behind himself. 

He was not going to wait. He has successfully snuck out in the past and was sure to do it again this time. 

It's already been a week since his total breakdown in the bathing room -although Jungkook likes to believe it was minor- and he still hasn't been in contact with anyone that could help him. The only person he thought of was Jimin, but not his pharmacist, the young man he met on that festival night. He thought he should pay him a visit, but he was unable to plan it out all week because of his tight schedule. Then finally when he had free time he found out he was also grounded.

"Should I wear the simple palace hairpin?" Jungkook muttered to himself as he chose his attire for the night. He was already dressed in casual clothing when he tried leaving from the front door, but he needed to be even more discreet now not to bring himself any attention in the dark.

He went for a black Hanfu with Royal Blue accents, he had it recently made because of his new liking for the color. He was certainly a Pyre but he wasn't even a bit uncomfortable wearing this piece, it almost felt natural regardless of his actual element. With this, people won't suspect it's me. They would think I'm a Liquis.

I'll let my hair down this time. Jimin has never seen it that way so he won't be able to recognize me if I wear my mask as well. Jungkook nodded to himself, grabbing the golden pin by the part crafted to look like a flame then sliding it off of his hair, letting it untwist and fall down to the middle of his back. 

"My hair is getting long" he muttered before putting his black mask over his eyes and nose.

"Sneaking out again?" someone said from his doorframe. The new sound emerging from his silent quarters was so unexpected it made Jungkook slightly jump on his feet.

"Soo, you scared me. Did anyone see you come here?" He asked, not wasting time to collect two of his daggers. One was not enough last time as it backfired on his body -truth was- he doesn't believe it was due to his directing anymore. The chest pain was definitely related to his mark and he was going to try and find out why tonight. 

"Not that I noticed... Why?" the young boy replied.

"With the restrictions father imposed, guards are watching me everywhere and as you can see, I need to sneak out" Jungkook explained, but it only confused the other Prince more. 

"What does that have to do with me?"

"Well, if they saw you coming over here they will want to know why, and that means they will be watching me even closer" he elaborated.

"Oh, that does make sense. Too bad for you then, brother" Kyungsoo shrugged with a sneaky smile, making the taller roll his eyes.

"No, I don't wan to hear that from you because you are going to make sure no one catches me" Jungkook said, smirking as he grabbed the younger by the nape.

"Why would I help you at all" he grumbled, fully aware that it wasn't a suggestion. 

"Because you're my little brother and you love me" Jungkook said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I thought you loved me too, but what have you ever done for me?" 

"I do plenty of things for you"

"Funny, I can't remember anything"

"Funny, neither can I" Jungkook simply replied and squeezed Kyungsoo's cheek, "But you're my favorite sibling, that has to count for something" he added, making him swat his hand away from his face. 

"I guess at least you're born before me so I don't have to be Crown Prince" the young one admitted.

"See? There is something I did for you. Now what you're going to do is walk outside the room and say something like --Good night my Prince. That way, whoever is watching will think I went to bed" Jungkook instructed and he cringed.

"My Prince? Who do you think I am?"

"Whatever don't be annoying"

"Who's this girl you're trying to see that's making you go through this much?" Kyungsoo asked in a suspicious manner. His older brother was used to sneaking out, but not when it was this impossible to move. He would generally give up if it showed to require a lot of effort, he was lazy like that. 

"It's not a girl" the other replied with a roll of his eyes.

"It's a guy then. Are you together? Wait- Are you going to marry? I never thought you would get marr-"

"I am not going to marry, Soo. He's just a friend I met the last time I snuck out" Jungkook explained and he hummed. 

"That's boring, but then again, I have a lot of friends and you have around...3. Me included" he teased with an expression of compassion as if he was sad for his older brother. 

"Oh shut it, I do have friends... They just don't all like me" Jungkook said and the other chuckled.

"I don't think you understand the meaning of the word. There I thought you were the smartest in the family" they laughed together until time came for the younger Prince to leave. He stepped out with a smile on his face, closing the door behind him.

"Good night my Prince" Jungkook heard from the other side and smiled in endearment before doing his part of the work. He quietly slid open the backdoor and got out from the side of his gardens and outdoor bath. He knew a quick way to the stables, which he walked all the while verifying that nobody was around.

"Alright big guy, take me out of here" he caressed the horse's face before taking it out and mounting it. Jungkook's horse was trained to make the least amount of noise at night, during battle, the smallest nicker can give away soldiers' position and get them killed. 

At this point there wasn't much he could do. He was outside the palace walls, headed straight to town and hoping he can find shops and food places open this late because he had no idea where to find Jimin's pharmacy. If he ever did get caught, he will have to deal with it tomorrow and until then, he has priorities.

"Hello, do you know where I can find Park Jimin?" Jungkook asked the first person he saw. he left his horse on the same hill as that night but Jimin wasn't there, so he walked into the market hoping they could show him the way.

"He is very kind, he is always helping people. I remember that kid..." the man said and he waited for something more useful, but it never came.

"Do you perhaps know where he lives?" he inquired again.

"Oh no sorry, I'm not from here, I just visit sometimes" he apologized and Jungkook smiled awkwardly.

"Is that so, thank you anyway" he walked a little more, choosing to talk to a shop owner this time, at least he was sure they live here "Excuse me, could you please help me find someone named Park Jimin?" he asked a lady selling rice cakes.

"Of course, their house isn't far from here! Take two rights and then one left" she smiled and he bowed thanking her.

That was quite easy, he thought. Following the directions the lady gave him, he found himself in front of a flower shop. The place was full red flowers hanging from every corner, he wondered if he took a wrong turn. 

"Excuse me sir, does a certain Park Jimin live around here?" he asked a passerby, not trusting himself or the woman's indications anymore. 

"You are right where you should be, although, this is the back of their store. If you turn around this corner you can see the front door of the shop, the house you're looking for is right besides it" the old man replied, pointing to the corner of the flower-shop looking place. But I thought it was a pharmacy. Does he really need that many flowers? 

Letting out a short breath, he knocked on the door and waited for someone to open. Was he nervous? What for? he saw his pharmacist frequently just until a week ago.

"Hello?" a young lady -Jimin's sister- greeted. Her face was quizzical, she was most likely trying to figure out who he was.

"Oh, hello. Is Park Jimin home?" he asked going straight to the point. He had nothing to tell the sister anyway as he barely talked to her once. Quite the one-sided interaction too.

"Jimin isn't here right now, do you need anything? Maybe I can help" she suggested, letting the door open a little further. 

"Oh, no that's alright. I just wanted to speak to him" 

"What's your name? Perhaps I should take your message" the girl said again, looking around as if searching for something specific. A quill and paper. 

"Don't worry about it, could you let him know Jungil stopped by?" Jungkook asked. Why would he wants Jimin to know that, the other couldn't get back to him even if he wanted to.

"Of course but... I feel like I've seen you before"

Oh no.

"Jimin never spoke to me about any friend called Jungil, unless you met at the palace" she concluded. She's very nosy, Jungkook thought.

"Yes, I work there as well. Anyway, thank you" he replied, ready to leave now that that his little adventure was fruitless. Where does this man go in the middle of the night? 

"Wait, is it about the Crown Prince? I'm aware you may not disclose any details but if you came here in the middle of night I'm sure it's urgent"  The girl asked and he stiffened. 

"As you said, I am not allowed to say more than I already did, but it is urgent" Jungkook replied.

"Then I must help you, Jimin said he was leaving to the river. There is a flower that blossoms under the moonlight so he can only pick it now" she replied with arched eyebrows and glimmering eyes. Honesty was undeniable in her voice, and he couldn't have hoped for a better answer. 

Your sister wants to help me but you don't, what a paradoxical relationship you two have...

"Thank you very much, young lady. Your loyalty is appreciated, I shall let the Crown Prince know" he said and walked away. 

---

Kyungsoo stays strong by his brother's side regardless of the restrictions on the Crown Prince.

Also, this story is much more than just the ship, there is an actual plot and insight on characters other than Jimin and Jungkook too. It includes a lot of character development so it is crucial for me to include details. You might find some chapters more "boring" than others but they are still important. 

I hope you look forward to the next updates!

-Aida-