"Everyone can come back to your tasks in the quarters, thank you for waiting patiently" Jungkook announced when he walked outside after a quick bath and Hanfu change. He would rather just lay in bed all day and wallow in his sadness, but there was so much to do and not enough time. 

"I will also need a few of you in the room... I am very sorry for the mess" he apologized and walked out to his garden after some court ladies bowed and complied. 

"Are you ready to give me that explanation now?" his brother's voice said from the door. Jungkook sighed and nodded, gesturing for him to come in and have a seat. What should he even say, oh it was just me arguing with sir Park over his attempt to end my life.

"I don't know where to start brother" he instead admitted.

"Maybe from the part where you've been sneaking out of the palace to see sir Park at night?" Kyungsoo suggested and noticed his brother's eyes slightly widen.

"How do you know that?" he asked, genuinely surprised.

"About a couple of weeks ago sir Park stopped Byunho to ask about a glass flower he had, which you gave him allegedly. He thought it belonged to someone who wore a mask" he explained "I'm not a genius but I could tell he was talking about you" he leaned back with his arms extended against the wooden floor.

"Why didn't you tell me about this..." Jungkook muttered, closing his eyes in regret. This information could've saved so much trouble and heartbreak. Maybe if he'd known that, he would've put his feelings aside to see how Jimin felt about the discovery. It might have given away his hostile motives. 

"You hid this from me, I thought it was for a reason..." Kyungsoo frowned "I don't even understand why brother, I am here for you. You know I would support you in everything you do" he honestly replied.

"I know Soo... It just got even more complicated now, that's why"

"What happened?"

"Let's say he wasn't fond of the disguise" Jungkook said, hiding his face in his crossed arms on the table.

"But I saw you holding each other earlier" the young Prince pointed out.

"Indeed, but it wasn't for the reasons you thought of... We weren't being intimate, so I would like to clear sir Park's name on his behalf." this wasn't something he needed to do, it was his brother after all and he wouldn't go around speaking ill of anyone, but he knew it would be the first Jimin would say if he had a chance to speak to him. 

Things are about to change. After the pharmacist expressed his clear position against him, his hateful words and insulting remarks, Jungkook couldn't do much to pardon him in any way. 

As the Crown Prince, he needs to know how to distinguish feelings and duty. If someone who dared defy the Crown goes by unscathed, there is no telling what others might do if word ever go out. Sparing Jimin completely shouldn't be an option no matter how he had wished for it in the beginning.

Certainly, he wouldn't kill the first person he ever loved, and now he couldn't even if he wanted to. He didn't know if he should be glad that no such difficult decision shall be made, or terrified that he will have to face the source of his heartbreak everyday for God knows how long.

"I am going to assume things aren't going well for you. I'm sorry brother, he is a good man" Kyungsoo tried to console him.

"You don't say..." Jungkook replied sarcastically, making the other raise an eyebrow.

"Isn't he?"

"He is. I was talking about the first part." 

Jungkook doesn't know for sure. Yes he thought Jimin was a good man, but do good people do what he did to him this morning? Do they humiliate others and make them feel like the worst garbage on the surface? Good people don't make fun of someone's feelings and toss them aside as if they were nothing. 

His conclusion is that Jimin was angry. He let his rage fuel him and cloud his judgement, just like when he lashed out and attacked the Queen. He remembers when Jimin stopped him from making the biggest mistake of his life, and was sad that he couldn't return the favor.

Instead, he was too preoccupied with his fairytale fantasies to see what was really happening, to catch Jimin from falling into the bottomless pit of revenge. Nonetheless, what's done is done. The Liquis committed the crime and Jungkook won't allow himself to treat him the same anymore. 

"Also, I'm sorry for embarrassing you earlier" Kyungsoo spoke.

"What did you do?" Junkook asked, barely interested.

"Well, you created that blast because of your argument with sir Park, and everyone was curious to know as well" he started, scratching his neck shyly.

"What did you say?"

"I told them your element wasn't stable and that's why you made everyone leave"

"That's fine you handled it well"

"The King was there" he announced and Jungkook sighed in defeat.

"I'm sorry Jungkook, I couldn't just change my narrative once he showed up, it would've looked suspicious" he bashfully said, "And so he called you a 10 year old and said you would go through mandatory suppression training once it was over" 

"I swear all I do lately is disappoint my father" he muttered, and he's not at the end of his surprises, he thought to himself. Depending on the Allura books Jimin will bring, his life was either going to stay bad, or become much worse.

"Maybe now I'll become the favorite child" he joked, making Jungkook smile for the first time.

"Keep dreaming Soo" he replied with a chuckle. "I have a meeting with the King in a bit, I will go fix myself a little and head out. Do you want to come with me?" he asked.

"Your room is in shambles, excuse me if I don't want to spend time in it" the other replied and stood up, ready to make his leave.

"I'm sure it's clean already, but alright... See you later" he waved. 

Walking into his father's throne room, he noticed sir Kwon looking at him then quickly adverting his gaze to the the ground. The atmosphere was tense, and Jungkook could guess why, he just hoped his day wouldn't be any harder than it already was.

"Good day my King" he nervously greeted. He may be his father but he's still the ruler of this kingdom, and one never wishes to anger him in any way.

"Take a seat" his majesty curtly replied.

"Crown Prince Jungkook, welcome back from your trip" the old man besides him said with a short bow.

"Thank you sir Kwon, I am glad to find you both in good health" he replied politely.

"Will you please explain to me what is going on with you Jungkook?" his father suddenly said, getting his undivided attention.

"I'm extremely sorry for causing panic in the palace my King I-"

"This isn't even about the panic. An Army General who cannot control his fire? That's never been heard before" he pointed out again, furiously Jungkook will add.

"I understand your concern, although it is a bit more complicated than that..." he tried.

"I don't want to hear it. I used to believe Queen Sunmi was the reason your temper was out of control, but it seems as though you are a mess on your own" he shook his head.

"My King, the boy has just come back from an intense environment, I'm sure his spirit is all over the place anyway. You know how the Changs are" sir Kwon tried to help by taking Jungkook's side and he was extremely grateful.

"It matters not, you will be taking lessons from master Jung for a month. And if that is not enough, we will add another, until you no longer have little tantrums like Byunho"

The King's words were meant to offend, and Jungkook wonders just how much more of this poor treatment he will have to endure today before he completely shuts down. 

"Queen Sunmi shall be returning next week, until then, I hope you will have made improvements with sir Jung. If you make another mistake like last time, you will not have my mercy son." he warned one last time making Jungkook gulp down a ball of stress.

"Understood, your highness" he bowed.

"Let's move on to the purpose of your trip" sir Kwon announced, "Have you noticed anything out of place?" he asked.

"The Northern Pyres had me surveilled at all times. They made it seem as though I was present in all the important meetings but I know they were having private ones to discuss matters I wasn't meant to know of" he started, hearing the King hum in response.

"Of course they did. I was surprised they didn't harm you Crown Prince, I expected it to be a move they'd make" he casually added.

My own father deliberately sent me somewhere I will be harmed. Sweet.

"They did try, and so I did end up killing a few people. But that did not hinder my mission and I was in fact able to find out crucial information" he replied. Trying to brush over his father's indifference for his wellbeing as if he didn't hear it.

"What might that be?" sir Kwon inquired.

"The executive circle was discussing the effectiveness of our battles, as well as the efficiency of the royal Army" Jungkook informed.

"Why is this even a topic of conversation. We all know how greedy the neighboring kingdoms are about invading Goryeo, this land is too rich for them not to take the chance" sir Kwon praised.

"We protect it as best as we can. We take the battles to them not to ruin the soil and infrastructure, and send our best forces to ensure victory" the King defended on his side as well.

"There is no doubt that the Army wins its wars, the discussion revolved around how Goryeo cannot maintain peace because of its unbalanced military forces" he continued.

"Are you talking about the Pyre soldiers?" Kwon asked to make sure, knowing where this topic was going already.

"Indeed sir Kwon. The Northern Pyres were antagonizing the crown for only allowing fire into our forces. The battles end up with an average survival rate, decreasing every time because the Pyres who are called in are generally ones that have fought before, were injured physically or mentally, and don't have the strength to fight again" Jungkook replied with a solemn tone as he talked about this matter. 

"Our Liquis, Vals and Theras are needed elsewhere. We can't take them to battle with no training... The battles are too frequent for us to waste time into preparing people that might not even serve well." the King spoke.

"My aim was not to discriminate, but we don't even have competent masters to teach the others how to use their elements that way. Goryeo has never made water, air and earth fight. It would be too difficult to start now when the enemy has us on sight at all times, looking for weaknesses wherever they are" he defended.

"You words are mine, my King. Though there is no doubt that the Northern Pyres are trying to use that against you. If they get that idea out to the people, our Pyre population will slowly start complaining and demanding that other's lives too should be risked for the sake of our Kingdom" Jungkook finished, letting the elders draw their conclusion on their own.

"They want to create a civil war" sir Kwon said with finality.

"These are serious accusations Crown Prince, how did you find this out? If you have solid proof of what you're advancing, I can use it to take down all the traitors in that circle" the King said, wishing to take advantage of the situation and strike before they can do anything. 

"I beg your pardon my King, but I cannot disclose that information to preserve the legitimacy of my words" he apologized.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"The way I came to know of all this may cause you to doubt my discovery, so I will respectfully request that you to take my word for it" Jungkook repeated.

"I will ask you again Crown Prince, are you sure of what you told us?" the King asked with an intimidating voice.

"Absolutely"

"Very well, we shall trust you"

Thank God he didn't have to go through more of that, it was a stressful place to be in and he would gladly not repeat it again. He was proud he pulled himself out of it without slipping up. 

He couldn't just tell them he heard it from 3 walls away. His father would immediately accuse him of wasting his time and lying his way through not finding anything of use. He would be furious and probably send him away as a spy for months before even speaking to him again.

---

Jimin entered his home looking clearly distressed, this was the first time he was actually scared that his life was on the line. Sure, he kept up a strong facade when speaking to the Prince about revealing his secret, but in reality he wouldn't dare drag his family into such a damned plight.

The shelves in his father's office were untouched in the past year, the siblings dusted it from time to time but spent no longer inside. They liked to think their father's spirit rested in that room and that they shouldn't disturb it.

He hesitantly reached with his fingers towards the book with the blue cover, titled 'The Water of Liquis', then dragged them to the one next to it '100 Medicines', and a third book called 'The Guide of Anatomy'. 

Although no stranger would be inside their house, much less in this office, Jimin's father took very good care of making new book covers for any ones that were too problematic. He crafted the leather and wrote the new titles, then attached them to the books with pins not to make it permanent. 

Jimin stacked up the books before wrapping everything in a random cloth he found, he didn't have time to do it properly anyway. He looked at the pendulum clock on the wall and huffed. 

Only 50 minutes left. I should get going, he told himself before picking up the goods and leaving through the door.

Entering the palace gates has never been a more stressful process. He was suddenly scared they would check what's inside his knot bag, or that they would open the books, while in reality they didn't even pay him any mind. 

He decided to head straight to the Prince's office, he should have around 20 minutes worth of time left from his walk here. He knocked on the door, waiting to hear a reply but nothing was said. 

"My Prince? I am back to the palace as settled" he announced himself but received nothing in response.

He decided to just wait in front of the door. If the Prince doesn't appear outside by 5pm, he will let himself into the office not to be penalized for Jungkook's own bad hearing. And so he waited...

Should I go in now? What if he says I am overstepping boundaries, he doesn't exactly trust me right now so he might just get me arrested for stepping inside without him.

5 O'clock. He was anxious, did the Prince ask him to meet somewhere else and he forgot? 

Maybe I should just keep waiting here, it doesn't sound like anybody is in the office. Maybe he'll be on his way soon-

"Sir Park, I see you've taken my warning seriously" the man's voice clearly said amidst the chaos in Jimin's mind.

"Your highness. Why the deadline if you're not even available before it" Jimin said indifferently. He was impressed by his own ability to appear composed when he was about to start fuming from stress moments ago.

"Are you questioning me" the Pyre replied.

"I've waited here for a while, perhaps I did wonder why you couldn't receive me within your imposed deadline" he emphasized.

"Unfortunately for you, I have no regards for your concerns right now"

"You wouldn't even be here to make sure I respect it" Jimin muttered, but he heard it well.

"It's 5pm sharp. I can totally judge whether you're late still" the Prince snapped to end this banter. "Matters not, I suppose you have what I asked for" he said, making his way inside the room, followed by a pharmacist who was trying his best not to roll his eyes very disrespectfully.

"I do"

"Lock the door behind yourself, the key is already in there" he requested while taking a seat behind his wooden desk.

"There were three books in my father's office that could potentially help you my Prince" Jimin started once they were both settled. He left the privilege of opening the box to the Prince, and crossed his arms on the surface.

"What is this... One of your new tricks?" the man asked upon reading the mundane titles.

"They are fabricated covers, not to attract anybody's attention" Jimin informed, carefully removing the pins from inside the hard covers and original ones.

"Brilliant. Almost had me threaten your safety again there" Jungkook casually repeated. 

"I think it is time I clear something out once and for all, I don't wish to die anymore" Jimin replied, earning a hum from the taller.

"I can't tell whether that is good or bad news, but I assume you meant that you won't be making any rash decisions regarding our situation" Jungkook nodded.

"Indeed"

"That makes things-" Jungkook was about to give a snarky remark when something caught his eye and attention, "What was that" he asked.

The pharmacist looked at him confused "Where?" he asked as he looked where the Prince did. 

"The book, turn it around" Jungkook said, reaching hesitantly while Jimin did as told. The Pyre looked surprised, disturbed even, as he grabbed the cover gently and ran his fingers on the rough leather.

"I know this symbol" he whispered in shock.

"Have you perhaps read about it before?"

"Read about it? You have no idea... " he said before standing up and gesturing for Jimin to follow him with his fingers. They walked up the stairs to the mezzanine, where the Crown Prince stood in front of a mirror and started undoing the waist belt of his Hanfu. 

Jimin's eyes widened, after clearing his throat he quickly turned around, not understanding what's going on, yet deciding to give him privacy regardless. "Pardon me my Prince, but a warning would have been much appreciated" he simply pointed out.

"What are you doing? Turn around and face me" Jungkook replied.

"Why"

"There's something I need to show you obviously" Jungkook sighed.

"I'm sure your highness was blessed with a glorious physique, ergo my unworthy eyes needn't gaze upon it" Jimin said in the most polite way he could, rolling his eyes in annoyance even though Jungkook couldn't see him.

"I am not here to flaunt my body to you sir Park, so do me a favor and gaze upon this glorious physique" the Prince replied, quoting him as though he was mocking the wording.

Jimin finally turned around with his eyes closed at first, taking a second to think whether to look or not, then opening them slowly. At first he didn't notice, but a moment of observation later, the lines were clearer than ever.

"Oh..." he didn't know what to say, so he slowly approached the man ahead of him and took a closer look at the symbol. It was the same one stamped on the book, and Jimin knew what it was all too well.

A Triquetra. In the middle of the man's chest.

"So it is you after all" he muttered, not taking his eyes off of Jungkook's torso.

"You mean the Allura" the taller replied in a quieter voice because of their proximity. Somehow having his pharmacist so close to his naked upper body, watching and examining it with his eyes, made him feel self-conscious. That's a first, I know I have a strong and healthy body.

"Yes. The symbol of unity and balance" he announced, looking up to find Jungkook's perplexed eyes.

"Why is it on my skin?" he asked.

"Every Allura had this symbol on their bodies. Not necessarily on the chest, the placement is rather random. Some are more fortunate and have it in less obvious areas like yourself, if that makes you feel better" Jimin explained.

"Why?"

"It symbolizes the Chosen One's journey towards its ultimate goal; achieving wisdom and completeness" he tried to elaborate little by little, knowing how mad it may sound to the other.

"May I?" Jimin asked after a short pause, extending his hand up slowly with a finger pointing at the mark to show his intention.

"Have at it" the Prince responded, then felt Jimin's gentle fingertips trace the black ink strings as he observed them some more.

"It's is not complete, more is yet to appear between these lines... How about you cover up again so we can look at this book together" Jimin suggested before turning and walking back to the desk.

The younger followed shortly and sat on the other side per usual, then looked at the page Jimin prepared for him. There was the same symbol he had but with other phrases and shapes within, making it look much more intricate.

"When will all this appear?... The third eye?" Jungkook asked as he read the short sentences with knit eyebrows.

"I couldn't tell you for sure, it will depend on yourself my Prince. The book states that they will appear eventually but I believe they do according to what you experience in life" Jimin replied thoughtfully "The third eye symbolizes wisdom as I said before, the Allura's goal"

"I don't understand. You said it was the symbol of unity and balance, and all I see are words about love and honor, why would anybody be afraid of someone who represents this" he asked almost as if offended.

"Magic hasn't always given people hope, in fact it's done more bad than good in the past... One can't blame people for not trusting an anonymous book which appeared of nowhere, saying things nobody can prove" he replied, also sounding a bit sad about the situation.

"What a shame... And do you know what these shapes mean?" he asked about the ones in the Triquetra. 

"The book does not explain them unfortunately. My father never bothered to look for their meaning either as he was contempt enough with the words alone. Although he guessed they would have a similar meaning to the writing anyway" Jimin turning the page and showing Jungkook other information he deemed was important to know now.

"This is frustrating. All I read is that this Allura being is meant for good. It can't even take the life of an innocent without laying its own, and people are scared of it? Antagonizing it like the devil itself?" Jungkook complained with a pained expression on his face as he let the book down and leaned back on his chair. 

"Is this because you are empathizing with the Allura, or because you are one now" Jimin asked experimentally. 

"Nonsense, I hate that people who can actually help are being discriminated and chased down like monsters" he muttered, feeling defeated already. "Now I'm going to be one of those people and it's only going to get worse" he added.

"The people do not have the best of views about you, that is true. I do want to reassure you that it could get better but I doubt that myself" Jimin sighed as he spoke, wishing to twist the knife in the wound a bit more.

"How I needed to hear that, thank you sir Park" Jungkook sarcastically replied. "I am already a monster in everyone's heads. Now I am an abomination that crawled straight out from the pits of hell" he felt like screaming at his fate. How can someone be so unfortunate in life. 

"As long as nobody knows, you'll only remain a monster... if that's any better" it wasn't any better, but it was very tempting to say.

"I thought you didn't want to die anymore" Jungkook warned.

"Take it as a lighthearted pleasantry my Prince, would I ever voluntarily offend you?" Jimin smiled sweetly, Jungkook's angered face was too inviting not to tease.

"Didn't you have enough sir Park? I've spent the entire day getting yelled at and berated, I need no more." Suddenly instead of fighting back, his voice lost all its intensity and turned into a tired mumble in the end .

Perhaps I should go for now. He looks like he could fall apart any second.

"You should get some rest my Prince, you seem exhausted" he simply replied.

"We need to read this book though"

"The book won't go anywhere, you'll read it another time" he insisted and stood up, ready to take his leave.

"Where are you going?" Jungkook asked.

"Home your highness, where else?" he responded.

"Spend the night in the Palace" Jungkook ordered, "I think it would be more convenient" he added.

"How so? I will be on time if that's what you're worried about" Jimin replied, taken aback by the other's request.

"Maybe I just don't want to let you out after you've seen that tattoo on my chest" Jungkook shrugged, "You wouldn't blame me, would you?"

"Why would I talk about a tattoo I have no proof of"

"People will believe so many things about me sir Park except that I might be a good man, you know this and you relate quite a bit" Jungkook countered, ignoring the little pang on his chest as he said the last part.

"As you wish then, I shall use my room at night for the first time" he bowed and turned around.

"I will walk you there" the taller announced and stood up as well, closing the books and putting them back in his drawers.

"I won't run away" Jimin almost rolled his eyes.

"Better safe than sorry" the other simply spoke.

They walked by each other's sides until reaching the guest house, where the King had given Jimin a room upon being assigned as the Crown Prince's pharmacist. He generally only used it to have his meal, and maybe a quick shut eye if he felt too tired. 

It's not that he couldn't sleep there, it just felt a bit too invasive. This was not his home and not nearly as cozy. Why would he even be here at all when he had a sister waiting for him to have dinner together and talk before going to bed.

"Good evening Crown Prince, good evening sir Park" a lady said when hey entered the place "Will you perhaps be staying here for the night?" she asked after she bowed.

"Indeed, if you'll have me" Jimin smiled warmly.

"Of course, it is our pleasure" she said and lead them to the door of his room.

"I don't know what you are expecting your highness but I will not be inviting you in" Jimin said after the lady left, noticing how Jungkook lingered a bit too long now.

"That never crossed my mind" he rolled his eyes, as if on cue the lady came back with some folded fabric in her arms. "The pharmacist needs to be ready by 10" Jungkook told her and she nodded in understanding.

"Sir Park, here is your nightwear. I suppose you know where the blankets and toiletries are. Tomorrow morning, at 9, your breakfast shall be brought to your room, along with a new Hanfu for the day. You may tell me your preferences so we can prepare something of your taste" she explained.

"Please just a simple one, any Blue will do, not very sophisticated" he replied with a soft smile.

Why not? The Hanfu I gifted him was sophisticated, or did he perhaps not like that? But he said it was a wonderful present... Did he just say that out of politeness? Jungkook thought as he listened.

In reality, Jimin simply doesn't want to be reminded of the beautiful Hanfu he was sent. It was one of a kind, special if you may. Receiving another similar to it would take away from its beauty. It would make it seem ordinary when it was nothing like that.

"I shall be seeing you tomorrow then" the Prince said, watching Jimin fiddle with the clothes as he bowed.

"Indeed, good night your Highness" he replied and the Pyre nodded, leaving the corridor and disappearing behind the corner.

---

Hello! I'm sorry I was meant to update yesterday but I wasn't home.

Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter, it answers a few questions about the tattoo I've been teasing in the previous part!

How do you feel about this hot-cold relationship between the Crown Prince and his Pharmacist? Much tension huh?

-Aida-