“H-hyung.” Jungkook feels the sound refusing to leave his throat, as his mind almost blanks out due to the sight in front of his eyes.

What woke him up was Taehyung's painful cry, when Jong-in pulled away the sword from the grip. Blood splattered everywhere, including Jungkook's face, who was all but kneeling frozen on the floor till then. Jong-in's anguish curse made a sort of a ringing noise in Jungkook's ears. He wouldn't properly understand what the Prince was saying, but he was lucid enough to understand what's about to happen, when the sword was raised once again. This time, it was aimed at Taehyung, who even with his bleeding hands, stood in front of Jungkook protecting him.

It maybe took a second, or even less than that, when another cry rang out. The point of Jong-in's sword, dripping with blood, was poking out from Taehyung's back. The sword was pulled out with a menacing laugh, and raised again for another blow.

Jungkook quickly stumbled to his feet, pushed Taehyung away with his shoulder, while delivering a well aimed kick to Jong-in's knee. The sound of kneecap breaking was followed by a cry of pain. Jong-in fell to the floor, clutching his knee instead of the sword which now laid unattended beside him.

Footsteps running up the stairs prevented them from further actions, and a group of royal guards, headed by a frantic Jimin, filled in to the upper floor.

“Kookie!” Jimin called out, as he ran to the prince, but Jungkook had his attention focused on Taehyung, who was wandering in and out of consciousness now.

“Hyung, help him!”

Jimin gave a nod and two guards immediately got to work on Taehyung's wounds. Another one cut the rope binding Jungkook's hands behind his back, and the first thing the prince did was kneel beside Taehyung.

“H-hyung..” Jungkook's voice was shaking. “Hyung, p-please don't close your eyes.”

“Koo-” Taehyung's lips barely moved, before his head fell to the side. Excessive blood loss was too much for his body to handle, and he finally lost the battle to stay conscious.
   
  
  
  
  
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When Taehyung woke up next, the first thought he had was that he was in heaven. How else can he lay on a cloud like this? And the smell in the air.. lavender.. and a blend of some other herbs, probably from the intense sticks he saw from the corner of his eyes.

The room he was in is probably not heaven, but it sure did look like it. Well lit, dripping with wealth and comfort. But the most precious of them all, was his prince.

Jungkook was reading a book, his face slightly turned away from Taehyung's as he scribbled something on to a paper on the table. Then he rubbed his forehead, as if he was concentrating on a particularly difficult thought, and then he scribbled some more. Taehyung could only watch for a mere minute or so, before he succumbed to the prince's charms.

“K-kookie.”

The ink quill fell onto the paper, as Jungkook whipped his head towards Taehyung with an alarming speed.

“Hyung.” Jungkook's voice was dripping with relief. His eyes started to shine. “You're awake.”

Taehyung gave a soft smile. “A-are you okay?”

Jungkook blinked a few times. “Me?”

“You're not hurt, are you?” Taehyung was having some trouble speaking due to the dryness of his throat, but he had to know that Jungkook was okay.

Jungkook made a strange sound from the back of his throat, a sound between a cry and a frustrated groan. “Why are you worried about me, when it's you who got stabbed by a sword?”

Taehyung looked down at his body, as if he was just remembering what happened. He was wearing a white undergarment instead of the top part of his hanbok, and even that was not closed up properly.

Now that he is focusing on something other than Jungkook, the pain in his stomach and back was noticeable. In fact, the whole midsection of his body seems to be aching. So were his two palms but the pain seemed to be relatively less there. Both palms were covered with bandages as well.

“Your wounds are healing well.” Jungkook said as he noticed the elder's gaze. “Luckily the sword has avoided major organs. And Dr Kim did a miracle by immediately blocking the veins that had been cut.”

“Dr Kim?”

“He accompanied Jimin.” Jungkook explained softly. “He was able to stop your bleeding or else you would have..”

Jungkook let the rest of the sentence trail off but Taehyung understood. He nodded his head.

“I'll call the royal physician.” Jungkook got up from the bed. “Dr Kim is in the palace as well. He'd be relieved to know that you woke up.”

Jungkook was almost at the door when Taehyung called up again. “How long have I been unconscious?”

“6 days.”
  
  
  
   
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“Well,” the royal physician, Dr Chan started with a soft smile, after rechecking Taehyung's wounds. “You're gonna be fine, Mr Kim. You need bed rest for at least two weeks, more if either of the wounds on your stomach or back had not fully healed by then. Your hands will be good as new in a couple of days, as long as you don't tamper with the stitches in any way. Also don't eat solids for 3-4 days more. Best to give time for your stomach to heal. You might have some discomfort near the wound for a few months, but usually it goes away with time. I'm confident you'll make a full recovery.”

“Thank you.”

Dr Chan acknowledged Taehyung's thanks with a tilt from his head. Then he got up and gave a slight bow to Jungkook.

“All is well, your highness. I'll come check on Mr Kim again in the afternoon.”

Jungkook nodded his head. The customs of the palace don't allow him to bow his head to anyone other than the king and the crown prince, no matter how much gratitude he feels for the Dr, who worked tirelessly in the past few days.

Once Dr Chen left, Namjoon spoke a bit with Taehyung as well. He was waiting for Taehyung to gain consciousness, before returning home.

Taehyung stayed in bed for the majority of the day, just like the royal physician instructed. Jungkook made sure that the elder was comfortable and well cared for. He spent most of his time in Taehyung's room, only leaving when he must. Jimin comes to see him a few times a day as well.

One of the things they speak about is the aftermath of prince Jong-in's actions. After capturing the prince, he was brought to the palace. His father, King Jun-myeon was informed but the cunning king had pretended to not know anything about his son's deeds. And finally, he had to agree to a treaty between the two kingdoms, a treaty with several advantages to Jungkook's kingdom, in order to save his son's life. The prince was banned from ever taking a wife from a royal family. He was exiled to live in a mansion in the countryside, with the written promise to never return to royal affairs.

As it turned out, the military power of Jungkook's kingdom was far greater than that of prince Jong-in's kingdom. Which was the reason they resorted to underhand methods like breaking into the palace and killing the king and the crown prince. Once they were out of the picture, naturally the crown would pass to Jungkook, and by having him in custody, king Jun-myeon could have the control of the whole kingdom, without ever having a war.

Another important thing Taehyung learned about in these meetings was what had happened to his mother and sister. Jimin told him about their involvement in Jungkook's kidnapping, and informed that both of them are currently in the dungeons. The king had actually ordered their execution but Jungkook got to know about it in time. The prince had begged the king not to do it and when that didn't work, he had threatened the king saying he would never see his face again if something happened to Taehyung's mother and sister.

In the end, the king had to settle down by only throwing both of them in jail.

Taehyung had mixed feelings about it. For one, he knew they deserved it. Not only for their part in Jungkook's kidnapping but also for how they treated Jungkook all this time. If Jimin had told about it to the king, which Taehyung was sure he did, then the king is perfectly justified in his rage.

But, on the other hand, this was his sister and his mother. No matter what they did, Taehyung loved his family and didn't wish any harm upon them. This heart ached for them but the guilt in his heart forbade from talking about them and anyone. Not even Jungkook.

But of course, Jungkook knew. He couldn't bear to see that worry in Taehyung's face anymore. That's why he decided to ask the King's forgiveness for them.
 
  
   
  
  
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The King looked at his youngest son, who was on his knees for the second time in the last two weeks, asking forgiveness for the same people who wronged him. But this time, the prince was asking for something that the king cannot give.

“Jungkook.” The King called as two fingers pressed the sides of his forehead to prevent the oncoming headache. “I already granted your wish and spared them from death, but don't think I will ever let them see outside that cell. This is the most I could do to the people who made your life miserable!”

“Father please..” Jungkook pleaded with his face lowered. “I understand your anger. But they are Taehyung's family. I can never bear to be the reason for any harm to their lives. Please.. I'm begging you.. forgive them for me.”

The King was about to answer the prince when his head eunuch secretly informed him that Kim Taehyung was requesting an audience. Usually, anyone would be forbidden from interrupt when the king is holding his court but the guards were already told that Kim Taehyung was a special guest. Hence one of them passed the message to one of the attending eunuchs and he, in turn, gave the message to the head eunuch.

The king thought for a few seconds, before speaking up.

“Get up, prince Jungkook. We have a guest.”

Jungkook quickly got up to his feet and stood to the side. He was rather upset about the interruption, as he had hoped to get this matter sorted today. He looked up when he heard the sound of approaching footsteps, and was surprised to see Taehyung, walking in with Jimin's help.

“Hyung!” Jungkook quickly walked to him and put his arm around Taehyung's waist to support his weight. “What are you doing here?”

“Kookie.” Taehyung's voice was low and strained, portraying the effort it took to come here. “Help me kneel.”

“Hyung, that's-”

“Please.”

Jungkook sighed but couldn't do anything else under the watchful eyes of his father. He helped Taehyung pay his respects, just like the elder asked. The kneeling position was kind of painful on Taehyung's wounds but it was lot easier for him than standing.

“Greetings, your majesty.”

The King acknowledged the greetings with a tilt from his head. “Kim Taehyung. I've been meaning to come visit you but my son told me to wait till your health improved a bit more. I wanted to thank you for saving his life. Ask for any reward and it shall be yours.”

Taehyung placed his head on the ground, before straightening up again. “Your majesty is too kind. I do not wish for any reward, prince Jungkook's wellbeing is what matters to me the most. My life is a small price to pay for that.”

The King seemed to be impressed with that answer, but before he could say anything, Jungkook spoke up.

“There is something you can give him,father,  if you wish to reward him for his heroic deed.”

“Your highness!”

“Prince Jungkook-”

“His family. Grant the freedom of his family.” Jungkook cur right across the King's words. “Release his mother and sister. Show him your gratitude by showing his family mercy.”

The King was silent for a few seconds, and the court held their breath too. No one, not even the crown prince would dare to speak and make demands from the king this way. But Jungkook held his head high, his eyes steady and firm.

After observing the stubborn stance of his younger son for about a minute, the king turned his attention to Taehyung. “Do you, Kim Taehyung, think your mother and sister deserve my mercy? Answer me truthfully, and without fear or repercussions.”

Taehyung was silent for a long time. It surprised Jungkook because he had hoped the elder would use this opportunity to receive the favour that the king so graciously offered. But when Taehyung spoke up, it was not what the Prince expected at all..

“No, your majesty.” Taehyung's voice was faint, and it contrasted heavily on the surprised gasp let out by Jungkook. “I do not.”

Even the king sounded surprised. “You do not want the freedom of your family?”

“I do, your majesty. I'm prepared to beg for it on my knees. But no, I do not think they deserve your mercy. You have already shown a great deal of mercy by not executing them for what they did to prince Jungkook. But as they are my family, I love them. Hence I'm here to beg for their lives.” Taehyung then lowered his forehead to the floor. “Please spare their lives, your majesty.”

Jungkook watched with emotional eyes as the man he loves begged on his knees, with his forehead pressed to the floor. After a few seconds, Jungkook joined Taehyung as well, making the King and the crown prince get up from their seats in panic. It was unseen of the members of the royal family to show this much submission, as that of a lowly commoner.

“Prince Jungkook!” The king said in an urgent tone. “What are you doing?! Get up, right this instant!”

Jungkook stopped, but he didn't get up. He looked at the king with a stubborn gaze, and the king immediately understood that the prince would not rest until he got what he wanted. How many times has the king seen this scene played out.. he sighed.

“Very well.” The King looked up at the guards. “Bring them here.”

When Kim Hara and Seolhee were brought to the king, Taehyung was kind of surprised to see their state. They had obvious signs of being in the dungeons, such as dirtied clothes, unkempt hair and tired faces. But apart from that, they looked unharmed. And as they had the strength to walk by themselves, Taehyung knew that they weren't being starved either. He felt relieved. And grateful to the king and Jungkook, whom he knew is the reason for the king's leniency.

The King looked at the two with a masked contempt. He had heard from Jimin about the cruelty which they treated prince Jungkook with. It didn't even matter that they weren't aware of the prince's identity. The fact that they treated an innocent and troubled man that way.. it didn't sit right with the king. But alas, their due punishment was stopped by Jungkook's stubbornness.

“So, I believe you two had enough time in the dungeon to ponder about your despicable behaviour. I'd prefer you spend the rest of your lives there but my son has asked to show you leniency. As did your own son, to whom I own a boon of gratitude. Hence, you two are free to go. Apologies to prince Jungkook, thank him for your life and
Make sure you never show your worthless face in front of him ever again.”

Hara and Seolhee, who had been crying, and mumbling phrases of gratitude, looked at the prince for the first time. Taehyung, who had been standing next to the prince, turned his gaze away when Hara and Seolhee crawled to the prince and thanked him for their lives. Jungkook didn't react at all, but Taehyung saw the way his hands were slightly shaking. Then two women were taken away from the court. They will be released 6o Taehyung's father, who he heard was waiting outside the palace walls all these days. He came to the palace in the beginning, but Jungkook made Yoongi take him away. He was worried that Taehyung's father would be charged with the same crimes as his mother and sister.

Taehyung watched them leave, and walked in front of the King again. “With your majesty's permission, I'd like to take my leave as well.”

“What?” Jungkook held Taehyung from his elbow and turned to face him. “What are you saying?”

“My wounds are healing, your highness. I think I should be able to manage them from now on. It's time for me to leave.”

Jungkook's hand slipped down, his expression turning from confusion to anger. “And me? What about me?”

“Where else would your highness go, if not for the palace? This is your home. You'll be safe here.”