___________________________

Right where you left me.

Jeon Jungkook had never thought that a day would come where everything he ever cared about would slip through his fingers. How unfortunate.
One moment, he was looking forward to meeting Taehyung; and, the next, there was a jade scroll in his hands.

And, all hell broke loose.

The day had been bright with a cloudless blue sky as the sun shone at its highest. Jungkook was disheartened about leaving Taehyung behind, but he had a job to do.

He entered the court. But, his mood started turning sour at every passing hour because the session kept getting prolonged for some reason.

Soon, dusk arrived. The sky had turned a mix of orange and pink pastel colors. Grey clouds started gathering while the sun started to set in the horizon.

'It's starting to get dark.' He thought. His chin resting on one hand. 'I wonder what he's doing.'

He glanced at the ministers who were arguing among themselves.

The session was always the same. He would listen to the piling complaints from the people, and solve their problems. He would hear the ministers taunt each other. And if they weren't arguing, he would hear the dreaded question arise - the one involving marriage and the goal of producing heirs.

The argument stopped, and one of the ministers brought up the question yet once again.

Sigh.

"I have no intention of getting married." Jungkook said sternly.

"Your Majesty, please think about it. We are urging you to take a wife for the sake of the country. A kingdom with no heir is bound to get attacked by enemy forces." Minister Choi informed, worriedly.

"Please consider it, Your Majesty." The rest of the ministers said in unison as they bowed their heads.

"If you wish, Your Majesty, I can make a list having all the names of noble ladies from good households who would gladly marry you. All you have to do is choose one." Minister Hyun said considerably.

Minister Bae shot him a deathly glare. "Your Majesty deserves the most beautiful girl in the country. Someone who's perfect at everything she does. Not just some ordinary pretty lady."

Minister Gong laughed mockingly. With a sarcastic smile, he muttered, "Surely you don't mean your daughter."

Minister Bae narrowed his eyes at the young man. "And what if I am?"

"SILENCE!" Jungkook ordered, slamming his fist hard on the armrest of the golden throne. Immediately, the whole court went quiet.

"The court is over." Jungkook announced. He stood up and stepped down the raised platform.

The ministers knelt down on the floor, bowing their heads.

Whew. He was able to get out of it. But for how long?

As Jungkook left the court, his eunuchs followed swiftly behind him. Though the sun was gone, one of them still held a parasol over his head.

"You don't have to do that." Jungkook said, staring at him

The stone-cold eyes and stern voice of his made the young eunuch burst into tears. He fell on his knees and pleaded, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty! Please forgive my insolence!"

The other eunuchs watched, terrified.

"Stop begging! What I meant was, look, the sun is gone, right?" Jungkook asked pointing to the sky.

The young eunuch raised his head and nodded.

"So, why even use a parasol?" Jungkook quickly said.

The young eunuch gulped, still looking fear stricken.

Jungkook sighed, frustrated. He brought his hand to his temple as if he was suffering from a headache. "You know what? Get up. You are forgiven."

Happily, the young eunuch rose up to his feet. "Thank you, Your Majesty." He smiled, still holding the parasol.

Jungkook shook his head in defeat. 'Forget it.'

He shifted his focus on his main goal. To get back to his room and spend some quality time with the boy waiting for him. He could already picture it vibrantly in his mind - him opening the door and being greeted by a smiling Taehyung who would probably say something like, "Your Majesty, you're late. Is being at court more fun than with me?"

And, he would simply shake his head and answer, 'No.'

They started moving again.

The eunuchs took turns glancing at the blank, expressionless face of their king. They would have no idea that Jungkook was actually squealing inside like some lovestruck teenager.

***

As he passed through the perfectly trimmed garden, Jungkook couldn't help but reminisce his past.

He remembered how he had been trained since his birth to be perfect for the lonely job - for the mantle he would one day take after his father.

He remembered how he wasn't allowed to make any friends. From his youth, he was taught that showing emotions was a sign of weakness. While his brother and sister played around in the sun, he was stuck in his room studying through the thick books which taught him history, politics, finance, literature. And, when he wasn't studying, he had to practice his swordsmanship. By the age of seven, he had become skilled enough to defeat the captain of the guard. All of his tutors had praised him.

But what his father had said broke his tiny heart. "It isn't enough."

When he was nine, he had found a stray, white puppy loitering around. He had taken a liking to it, and named it, "Mong-mong." Since he knew his father would be furious, he had hid the puppy under the kitchen's patio. He brought food for it daily, and even taught him some tricks.

Mong-mong became his first friend.

But, his wicked brother, Jimin, found out about it and told on him the very same day. His father ordered for the puppy to be thrown away.

With snot running down his nose, he had hugged the puppy tightly to his chest and begged and cried to keep his one and only friend.

"Jungkook-ah, don't cry." His mother had said with a soft yet sad smile, holding him in her arms. She turned to her husband and pleaded, "Your Majesty, it's just a puppy. He has never asked for anything before. So, please consider this."

His father ignored her pleas. He pulled Jungkook away from his mother, and with a look of contempt, scolded, "Do you understand now what happens when you get attached to silly things? Your feelings come in to play. Jungkook, you will be king some day. Do you really want to sacrifice your country for something you love?"

Jungkook had just cried.

"Answer me, Jungkook!" His father had shouted at him furiously. One hand raised to slap the boy if he got the wrong answer.

The loud shout had startled Jungkook. His legs trembled.

"Is it going to be your country or that stupid puppy?" His father questioned, glaring at him in anger.

Jungkook was afraid of the wrath he was going to face. He was scared of getting punished. Of getting slapped. In his father's strong presence, he turned into a coward. He wiped away his tears with the back of his hand. Reluctantly he replied, "The country."

His mother brought her hands to her mouth to hide a sob. She turned her face away.

"That's my boy." His father said, pleased with the answer. The hand raised to hit him was now on Jungkook's shoulder. His grip so tight that it hurt, yet his tiny body endured the pain.

His father concluded, "Remember, one who wears the crone, bears its burdens." Then, he snatched the puppy from Jungkook's frail hands.

The puppy yelped in pain.

His father handed the puppy over to a soldier, never to be seen again.

Jungkook had wailed all night. He had been so angry. So furious that he refused to eat his meals. He broke all the furnitures in his room, tore all his books. He even headed over to Jimin's room to beat his ass. But his mother caught him right on time.

"Calm down, Jungkook." His mother had said, holding him in her lap, rubbing his head. "This isn't how a crown prince behaves."

"I hate father!" Jungkook wailed.

"Don't say that. Your father only wants the best for you, Jungkook-ah. He is hard on you because your grandfather was hard on your father too. Your father had to be perfect to inherit the throne."

"Really?" Jungkook asked wide-eyed.

His mother nodded. With a pretty smile, she said, "Your father was a wonderful man when we first met... He still is. You know, he used to buy me gifts and...lots of sweets. You like sweets, right?"

"Yes!" Jungkook giggled happily.

His mother giggled. Then, her eyes turned sad. Half-smiling, she said, "Power changes people."

Jungkook stared at her, confused.

Her mother placed a kiss on his head. "Oh my, sweet child. Don't let your father change your heart."

Though he couldn't fathom what his mother had meant, tiny Jungkook nodded, pretending to understand. "Yes, mother," He had said with such seriousness that it had made his mother laugh heartily. That night, he fell asleep in the warmth of his mother's embrace.

Ever since then, Jungkook had given his blood, sweat and tears in everything he did to make his mother proud. He didn't give a fuck about his father.

However, a few years later, tragedy struck.

He had been sixteen when his mother, the Queen, died of an illness that had no cure. Jungkook faced a hard time dealing with his sorrow. He wished for some comfort from his father. But, his father - who was already distant before - grew more anxious and cold. He became arrogant and reckless.

Jungkook thought this change was brought upon his father because of his mother's death. He was wrong.

The king got harsher, murdering people who dared to oppose his rule. As the taxes got raised, people became poorer and poorer. They were forced to give up their lands, their houses.

The country became a mess.

Whenever Jungkook tried to stop his father from doing something unethical, he would get beaten as punishment.

One day, while he was staggering back to his room because of the painful wounds he had received from his father, Namjoon had helped him. Namjoon had put Jungkook's arm around his shoulders, letting the prince lean against his body for support as he took the wounded prince to his chambers. That was how they became acquainted to each other.

Fortunately, with Namjoon's help, he was able to find out that his father was scheming with some ministers. He was willing to give up the country to Qing in exchange for a luxurious life and gold.

At first, he refused to believe his father would do such a thing. He denied to see the truth. But, he knew the kind of person his father was.

"Your Highness, this is no time to act broken. We have to take action your father signs the deal." Namjoon said seriously.

Jungkook narrowed his eyes, already scheming a plan. "We will, Namjoon. I am going to take over the throne. Will you fight with me? We might even die trying."

Namjoon flashed a dare-devil smile. He bowed his head and said, "I will always fight for you, Your Majesty."

Jungkook groaned, "I'm not the king."

"Yet." Namjoon smirked.

To save his country and for his mother's happiness, he was willing to be the villain of his people.

With Namjoon's help, he staged a coup. He attacked the palace at midnight and was able to execute his father.

The day of his coronation, he was crowned the king of Joseon.

The harsh, cawing sound of the crows brought him back to reality. He had nearly stepped on a growing patch of daffodils.

'And even after saving my people, they consider my father to be the best ruler.' Jungkook thought in disappointment.

Nevertheless, after everything that had happened, he had never forgotten the lesson his father had taught him - that ruling a country meant giving up all other wordly desires.

He had kept true to it.

Until Kim Taehyung came into his life.

The lesson had burned away from his mind like some useless piece of paper. And, he would never regret letting it go. He had let those teachings take away so many opportunities from him. It took away his childhood. His youth.

He could've made many friends. He could've kept his puppy. He could've maybe even saved his father. If only he had been brave enough to stand for the truth.

Now, he would do anything for the boy who appeared out of nowhere, lighting his world up with mischievous smiles and shameless remarks. He felt lucky to have Taehyung in his life. And, if he had to fight to stay beside Taehyung, he gladly would, and he would win, no matter what.

"Your Majesty!" He heard a loud shout tear through the wind.

Turning around, he saw the head eunuch, Oh Sehun, running upto him.

"Eunuch Oh, what is it?" Jungkook asked, slightly annoyed.

"Your Majesty..." Oh Sehun panted hard, trying to catch his breath. "The-There are still a tons of papers that need your sign."

Jungkook pressed his lips in a thin line, agitated and hating every second of Oh Sehun's existence.

***

After yet another tiring day at court, what Jungkook needed was Taehyung and his smiles, a hot bath, and maybe even a bottle of wine. Instead, he was stuck at the head eunuch's office, drinking herbal tea and reading documents before signing them.

"Your Majesty, you also have to sign the leaving list to confirm your approval." Oh Sehun informed, searching through his bookshelves for the jade scroll.

"Fine. Bring it." Jungkook groaned.

"That's weird. I had put it around here somewhere." Oh Sehun muttered, rummaging through his messy office.

"You lost it?" Jungkook raised a brow. He was not happy.

"No, Your Majesty. I know it's here!" Sehun smiled nervously, sweating profusely.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Jungkook called.

The door opened, and a servant entered the office, holding a jade scroll. For some reason, he looked scared to death. Was Eunuch Oh a scary person? When he saw Jungkook sitting at the table, his face became paler as if he might pass out any second. He quickly bowed.

"You! Why do you have that?!" Sehun glared at the frightened servant. He hurried over him. "Give it here!" He snatched the scroll, then dismissed the servant.

Sehun took the lid off the scroll and pulled out the parchment. He unfolded it, and read through the names quickly to check for any mistakes.

"Come on. Hurry." Jungkook insisted. His empty hand waiting in the air for the parchment.

Oh Sehun's face went pale with shock as he read the last name written on it. "Your...Your Majesty..." He stuttered.

Jungkook glanced at the head eunuch, and in an exhausted tone said, "You can hand it over now, Eunuch Oh."

"Your Majesty, I..." Oh Sehun's grip on the scroll tightened.

"Something wrong?" Jungkook raised an eyebrow.

Oh Sehun hesitated. There were sweat beads forming in his forehead. Finding no courage to summon a word, he shook his head as a no, then quickly said, "Your Majesty should see it for yourself," and handed over the parchment.

Jungkook took the parchment. His eyes moved as he read the names line-by-line and when he reached the last name, he bit the inside of his cheek hard.

"Eunuch Oh?" He called through gritted teeth. "What is Kim Taehyung's name doing in this list?"

"Your Majesty, I do not know." Oh Sehun bowed his head, cowering in fear. He was scared to look Jungkook in the eye.

"DON'T LIE TO ME!" Jungkook shouted in fury, slamming his fist hard on the table. "TELL ME BEFORE I PUT A BLADE THROUGH YOUR CHEST!"

Eunuch Oh fell on the ground, kneeling. His head touching the floor. It sounded like he was crying as he said, "I really do not know, Your Majesty."

Was Taehyung really leaving him?

'Is he gone already?'

"No!" Jungkook let out a tiny gasp. Some part of him hoped that it wasn't true. That his name on the paper was only a prank. He was mischievous after all.

'What if it isn't?'

Jungkook tossed away the parchment and ran out the office.

"Your Majesty!" Oh Sehun cried as he ran after his king.

***

As Jungkook ran towards his chambers, he yelled Taehyung's name in agony, over and over again, hoping to hear an answer.

But there was none.

Nonetheless, he kept on running.

Servants turned their heads to look at him as if he'd gone crazy.

"Your Majesty! Please stop!" Sehun was still running after him. "Let's think this through calmly."

Jungkook turned a deaf ear.

He ran and ran, and only stopped when he saw a black smoke rising in the air.
Then, he saw servants running away from the smoke, screaming and crying in despair.

Soon, flames rose up, engulfing one of the servant quarters.

"What's happening?" Jungkook uttered, horrified.

The tolling of a bell echoed. 'The alarm.'

That was when he saw a group of men, dressed in black, heading towards him with their swords drawn.

'An ambush!'

Jungkook pulled his sword out from its sheath and stood in a fighting stance.

The men attacked him, and Jungkook fought back, dodging and slashing his sword through the men's chest and thighs. Blood splattered all over his clothes and on the ground. One of them was able to make a serious cut on his upper arm, and it bled like a faucet.

Groaning in pain, he retreated a little. His sword still ready to kill them.

'Shit! I can't die today. Not before I find him!'

"Your Majesty!" Namjoon shouted. His voice full of concern. He was running towards him with his sword drawn, along with other soliders.

"Hyung!" Park Jimin called out loud, rushing to his aid from another direction with his sword drawn.

"Namjoon. Jimin." Jungkook uttered. Relieved to see that the Captain and Jimin were fine.

"Protect the king!" Namjoon shouted the order.

All the men were caught in a tangle now, fighting to stay alive. Metal clashed against each other. Blood from the dead bodies pooled on the ground. The metallic smell of iron from the blood wafted in the air making Jungkook slightly nauseous.

"Namjoon!" Jungkook called quickly whilst counter cutting his enemy's attack.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Namjoon asked, kicking away the enemy in the groin.

"I have to go look for him! He could be in danger!" Jungkook said worriedly, blocking his enemy's attack.

Kim Namjoon didn't even have to hear the name to know who the king was referring to. A guilty look flashed across his face. Slowly, he nodded.

"Alright, Your Majesty!" Namjoon agreed. "We'll cover you!"

Jungkook nodded. With one swift movement, he cut through the man attacking him and started running towards his chambers.

"Take care of Jimin for me!" Jungkook shouted as he ran.

"I can take care of myself!" Jimin retorted.

As he ran blindly, Jungkook didn't even have to look back to check if the enemies were coming after him or not. He trusted Namjoon. His captain would lay his life on the line to protect him.

Suddenly, a whistle sounded in the air - a soft, melodic tune.

Jungkook stopped to turn and look back at Namjoon and Jimin, and saw that the men dressed in black were falling back now. They ran away while the soliders chased after them.

Jungkook was confused.

He saw Jimin mouth something like, "What the hell."

Jungkook looked at Namjoon who was bleeding from a cut in his forehead. Namjoon's eyes met his directly; saw the tension in his eyes, and Jungkook understood clearly.

"Go to him!" Jungkook shouted. "I'll be fine!"

Namjoon hesitated at first. Then, he nodded, bowed his head and ran to meet Seokjin.

Jungkook began running again.

"Hyung! Wait up!" Jimin called, running after his brother.

***

When Jungkook and Jimin reached the place, the two guards posted there stood in attention.

Jungkook rushed to them and grabbed one of them by their clothes.

"Where is he?!" He inquired angrily.

"Your Majesty, he just left a while ago." The guard answered, shivering with fear from the deathly glare he was receiving.

'Oh god, please no.'

"What's going on?" Jimin questioned, worried.

Jungkook's jaw flexed as his grip on the guard tightened. "You had one job!" He uttered through gritted teeth. His eyes blood-shot. He proceeded to grab the guard by his torso, then lifted the guard off his feet, sending him flying over his head. The guard landed flat on his back, groaning in pain.

Jimin gasped in surprise.

The hard wooden floorboards creaked under his feet as Jungkook ran to his room, taking long strides with Jimin right behind him.

The guards followed after him, even the one who had just got plummeted on the ground. He was still in pain as evidenced by his expression.

All the while, Jungkook's thoughts were in turmoil. He couldn't think coherently. Nothing else seemed to matter anymore. Seeing Taehyung's name in that list had made him so confused and agitated. Why would he want to leave? He had given him his everything. His affections and his time, so why?

What had he done wrong?

'Please be in the room.' Jungkook prayed.

With one hand applying pressure over his bleeding arm, the king bursted into his room, out of breath and disheveled and wounded after the fight. Bright red blood dripped on the wooden floor.

"Taehyung!" He called. His eyes full of hope.

The room was empty.

"...No...no...no..." Jungkook muttered frantically, pacing around the room.

"NO! PLEASE NO!" Jungkook shouted in pain. He pushed down the wardrobe and flipped the tables.

"Hyung...calm down..." Jimin said gently, trying to reach for his brother.

The guards froze, watching in horror.

"Your Majesty!" Namjoon had arrived. He took one glance around the room, and understood. "Calm down!" He shouted, wrapping his arms around Jungkook's torso.

Jimin went still from shock. His eyes wavered. He was confused and horrified. A bit frightened. Why was his brother crying like the world was about to end? He had never even seen such a reaction when their mother had passed away. He didn't understand what was going on, yet his heart ached. His brother who had always been the strong one; who had repressed his emotions to show no sign of weakness, was now baring his soul.

"Taehyung...Taehyung-ah!" Jungkook yelled. His cries of raw anguish echoed throughout the room.

Jimin blinked. His face turned serious. Was this all because of Taehyung? Did something happen to him?

Jimin felt his eyes tearing up. He couldn't bear to look at his brother anymore, so he turned away.

Eunuch Oh came rushing in. Seeing the bleeding king, he shouted at the guards, "Quick! Get the physician!"

The guards were still in a trance.

Oh Sehun shook one of the guards and shouted, "WHAT ARE YOU GAWKING AT?! HURRY! GO!"

"Taehyung...Taehyung..." The king kept repeating the name as if under a spell.

"Your Majesty, please don't be like this." Namjoon pleaded.

Jungkook became slightly quiet now. He was no longer thrashing his body, struggling to be free as if he had completely given up. So, Namjoon released him.

"Taehyung..." Jungkook fell to his knees in despair. Tears trickled down his cheeks, leaving damp marks on his blood stained clothes.

Oh Sehun and Namjoon stared fixedly, not knowing what they should do.

"He left me." Jungkook sobbed. His throat ached.

His parents had left him. His country hated him. And now, the one last hope he had at having happiness had left.

Jungkook felt like his past was repeating itself like an old curse bounded to last forever. Since sixteen, he had been on his own and it had made him forgot what it was like to be loved, but then Taehyung had showed up.

And, he was so glad for it.

Now, Jungkook was on his own again.

Was the universe punishing him for wanting someone he couldn't have?

That was when Jungkook noticed a pretty ornament lying on the floor. Next to it, was a folded paper.

He reached out and picked up the items. He unfolded the paper, and saw something scribbled across it.

'...His handwriting.'

The note read:

'Your Majesty, as much as I'd like to stay, I can't because I don't deserve someone like you. I appreciate everything you've done for me. And, I promise you, one day, I will return the favor. For now, my time is up. I'm sorry for doing this to you.
Don't worry, I am not leaving because I hate you. It's actually quite the opposite. I am fond of you. I adore you especially when you get drunk. I love you so much that I can't think of anything else...'

"...I didn't know." Jungkook cried as he further.

'I know you know about the rumors. I also know you didn't tell me on purpose because you didn't want to see me hurt. I appreciate the concern. But I just wished you'd told me. I thought we were friends.'

"...We are." Jungkook sniffled.

"I'm not leaving because I am disgusted. No. I'm leaving because I can't stand seeing you getting treated like a joke. I am leaving because it's the only thing I can do to protect you.'

"...No..." Jungkook muttered under his breath. "I should've told you."

'So, please don't be disheartened when you don't find me here. I know writing a letter isn't the best way to say goodbye, but I am certain that if I look at your face, I wouldn't be able to go.
Your Majesty, you are the best person I've ever known. If people can't see that, then they are blind. If they think you are a Monday, let them. You can't change how idiots think. You will always be Sunday to me.'

Jungkook couldn't help but smile through the tears.

There was more written:

'P.S. You can marry anyone else, but not Joohyun.

P.P.S. This norigae is my gift to you. Hope you like it. ^-^'

Jungkook crumpled up the paper and clutched tightly onto the norigae, bringing it close to his chest.

He took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves. Then he spoke firmly, "I've made my mind."

"Your Majesty..." Namjoon opened his mouth.

"Namjoon." Jungkook interrupted.

"Yes?" Namjoon blinked.

"Send a letter to Hoseok. Tell him to put a hold on the investigation for a while."

"Investigation? You mean, Hoseok is out there still looking for our sister?" Jimin questioned.

"No." Jungkook shook his head. "That task is completed. I know where our sister is. And she is happy."

Jimin frowned. "You should've told me."

"I'm sorry." Jungkook apologized.

Jimin chuckled. "That's the first time you have ever apologized to me!"

Jungkook ignored him.

"What is Hoseok investigating then?" Namjoon asked, full of interest.

"That is confidential." Jungkook replied flatly.

"What's the new task then?" Namjoon asked, slightly irked.

"Tell Hoseok to find out where Taehyung is."

For a moment, Namjoon said nothing. Then slowly he nodded.

"I also want you to warn the people that if I hear another word of those rumors, then that person is good as dead."

"Finally!" Jimin clapped, smiling in triumph.

Namjoon smirked. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Alright. Leave now. All three of you." Jungkook ordered.

The three quickly bowed and left the room.

'I am not a young child anymore. I am the king. And, I will be braver for Taehyung. For us.'

***

Authors Note:

Wow. It was fun writing in Jungkook's POV. Although, there isn't much given away.

So, Hoseok is actually an undercover detective, not an eunuch.

The princess will return soon, along with her husband. *wink**wink*

There could be extra chapters next. If not, then this is the last chapter of Book 1.

Also Qing was what China used to be called in old times
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