Prince Jungkook and Jimin were riding their horses at a slow pace, as the former wanted to enjoy the scenery. Jimin honestly didn't see the allure of it that much but of course, he's not gonna say that to the prince.

On their way back, they saw an unusual number of carts and people, most carrying heavy bundles on their heads. Jungkook glanced at them curiously for a few minutes, before turning to Jimin.

"Lot of people are out on the streets today."

Jimin thought for a few seconds before he realized the probable reason. "I believe today is the market day, my prince."

Jungkook's eyes shone with sudden excitement, and Jimin couldn't help but let out a tiny groan. When the prince has this mischievous glint in his gaze, it usually means more trouble for Jimin.

"Then we shall visit the market too." Jungkook gently tapped the sides of his horse with his sole, to fasten the pace. "There are so many things that I need to buy."

Jimin nudged his horse too, and caught up with the prince easily. "I find that hard to believe. You have everything you need, my prince. If not, I'll arrange someone to get it for you. It might be dangerous for you to venture into the market without your guards."

"Oh shush, hyung. It'll be perfectly fine, I have you."

Jimin groaned again but didn't protest anymore. He knew it was futile as even though the prince was polite and well mannered, he's stubborn as hell too. If he wanted something, like really wanted, there's no way anyone would be able to stop him. Not even the king of the country.

It only took them about 15 minutes to get to the market. It was bustling with vendors, merchants from overseas and commoners. High class people could be spotted occasionally so the prince's clothes did not stand out that much.

Still, Jimin couldn't help but fix the piece of cloth on the Prince's face, so that only the eyes were visible. He kept his hand fixed over the hilt of his sword, while his eyes constantly scanned the crowd for any possible threats.

Jungkook was absolutely loving the market. He stopped by many stalls, curious with what he saw. He was full of questions and sometimes, Jimin had to pull him away to prevent him from attracting too much attention.

"Kookie, No!" Jimin hissed under his breath, as the prince picked up an ornament, typically used in the courting process. "Trust me, you have no use of it."

"But hyung." Jimin knew that the prince was pouting, even though he couldn't see it properly due to the cloth cowering the latter's lower face. "It's so pretty."

Jimin sighed. "It's supposed to be given to a potential lover when courting."

Jungkook quickly placed it back on the rack, as if it suddenly burned his hand. "Oh my!"

"Come on Kookie, we really should go now."

Jimin tried to gently tug Jungkook's arm, but the latter shrugged it off. "Just a little bit more. Please hyung.."

Jimin couldn't do anything but follow, when the prince gave him a radiant smile and walked further into the market.

They were checking the stalls and all, when a sudden commotion drew their attention. Jungkook pushed past a ring of onlookers, to see a young boy dressed in poor clothes, standing in the middle of it. Few people seem to be scolding him and many more were encouraging that behavior.

Jungkook and Jimin watched for a few seconds, trying to figure out what was happening when a woman walked forward and pulled the boy's ear, harshly.

Jungkook had seen enough and was about to speak up when another voice rang through the air. A voice that was deep and velvety rich. A voice that cut through all other noise, making an instant silence fall on to the crowd. 

"Let him be!"

Jungkook snapped his head towards that sound.. and his world stopped.

There stood a man, the most beautiful one Jungkook had ever seen in his life. Being the prince, Jungkook has had the privilege of seeing many beautiful and handsome people in real life, as well as so many breathtaking paintings that came out of angelic imaginations.

But none could hold a candle to this man's beauty. It was as if his skin was glowing with the sunlight, making him look like an angel. Birds started to sing, bells started to softly chime, and Jungkook could hear something that can only be described as the sound of a violin.

His heart started to beat faster and his palms became kind of sweaty. He felt the rush of adrenaline, as if this was a life and death situation. Jungkook staggered a step back, and leaned on to a worried Jimin's chest.

Jungkook may have only read about moments like this and never experienced it himself, but he knew. He knew the telltale signs of love at first sight. He fell so fast and so hard, it was kinda scary how instant and irreversible it felt.

For the first time in his life, prince Jungkook fell in love.

However, his euphoric state didn't last very long, as the man started to speak again.

"What wrong has he done, for you all to assault a child like this?!"

The woman who pulled the boy's ear, spoke up in a sneering voice. "This boy dared to steal from my stall. Had I not caught him, I would have suffered a great loss."

The man kneeled in front of the boy, and looked at him kindly. "Speak boy, is it true?"

A small snuffle could be heard, before he answered in a smaller voice. "Y-yes mister."

Jungkook's heart ached at the sight of the boy and the man. The boy had tears running down his cheeks now and the man looked rather disappointed.

"Why?"

"W-was h-hungry."

The man sighed. "That wouldn't make it okay to steal from someone. For all we know, what you stole might be the only thing that put food on their table. If you steal it, they might have to go hungry. Do you understand?"

"Y-yes."

"What do you understand?"

"S-stealing is bad. S-shouldn't do it e-ever again."

The man got up and ruffled the boy's hair with an affectionate smile. "Good boy."

He then looked up at the woman, and at the other people gathered around. They all had ashamed looks on their faces, to which the man smiled.

"It wouldn't cost us to be a little compassionate and considerate. He's just a boy."

The woman huffed but didn't say anything. She turned and walked off, and the rest of the onlookers did the same.

The man held out his hand for the boy to grab, before taking him towards a small stall that sold snacks. He bought the boy something small to fill his tummy, before walking off.

Jungkook watched the interaction with fond eyes, his heart feeling proud and happy with how kind the man was. He was in a dreamy world, when Jimin's voice broke his trance.

"He's not eating."

Jungkook turned to look at Jimin, and then followed his gaze to see the little boy holding the snack, but not eating it. Driven by a sudden impulse, Jungkook walked to the boy.

"Aren't you gonna eat that?"

The boy looked up at Jungkook before looking back at the snack in his hand. Jungkook could very well see the longing in those eyes, before the boy looked back at him.

"No, mister. It's for my sister."

"Oh.." for a second, Jungkook was speechless. "But didn't you say you were hungry?"

"I am. But my sister is more hungry. I have to look after her first."

Jungkook felt like crying. He always had his plate full of many varieties of foods, so the concept of not eating when you are hungry, was foreign to him.

"Wouldn't your parents feed your sister? And you?"

The boy shook his head. "Mother is sick. And my father couldn't find any work lately."

Jungkook kneeled in front of the boy. "What's your name?"

"S-soobin."

"Alright Soobin-ah. I want you to do something for me. I want you to run home, and ask your father to come to the palace. He needs to meet Jung Hoseok, who will help him with a job. Can you do that?"

"Yes, mister."

"Do you remember the name?"

"Yes, mister. Jung Hoseok."

"Very good." Jungkook stood up and gave a meaningful glance to Jimin.

The latter walked to the snack shop, and bought as much stuff as the little boy could carry. Soobin's eyes glistened with tears, but Jungkook knew it was not from sadness this time.

Jungkook and Jimin watched till the boy disappeared from their sight, before turning to walk back.

"Hoseok will be able to find some work for his father, right hyung?"

"I'm sure he can manage that." Jimin gave a fond smile to the prince. "You did good, Kookie."

Jungkook shrugged his shoulders. "Life lessons are good. But I doubt he will learn much with an empty stomach."

Jimin chuckled softly. Yes, the prince may have had a very comfortable life from birth. But that didn't hinder his ability to be empathetic to others. He truly has a heart of gold.

Both were so immersed in their respective thoughts, that they didn't notice the curious set of eyes that followed them.