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The Fair Person with the Melody.

It was such a nice day today; even the weather was fine - neither too hot nor too cold. One would go for a calming stroll, hangout with friends, or go swimming.
But, no, not Taehyung. As much as he wanted to go play, he was stuck with a broomstick now.

Yes. After getting lectured and smacked on the head for breaking the pots, Kim Seokjin had banned him from the kitchen. "If I see you anywhere near here, I'll cut ya." The Royal Chef had threatened, before handing him over to some other eunuch who gave him the task of sweeping.

The scolding made him remember his mother.

"Aah." Taehyung let out a deep sigh. "I miss having fun. I wonder who's taking Yeontan out for a walk. Don't worry, I'll try my best to return home soon~" He caressed the broomstick, imagining it to be his lovely dog.

He lifted his eyes and caught a glimpse of someone.

In the distance, under the rustling trees was the King crossing the bridge. His servants followed behind, silently.
Taehyung admired the perfect clean-cut features of the King's face. His posture - proper with back straight, his walk elegant. The man showed discipline.
His cold eyes however looked distant and aloof. His expression grim. It made him appear like he was mourning.

If only he smiled more. Taehyung had a thought. That'd be wonderful.

Suddenly, the King lifted his head and glanced at him. Their eyes met.

Taehyung caught his breath. His heart skipped a beat. Having been caught staring, he smiled sheepishly. He lifted one of his hand in the air and waved hello at him.

The King moved his eyes away.

"What a jerk..." Taehyung scowled as he carried on with his work. "A smile won't kill him."

A laughter sounded in the air.

Standing a few feet away from him was a short person dressed in noble clothes. Holding a white fan which had crimson flowers embroidered on it, he smiled at Taehyung. Almost flirtatiously.

He guessed, judging by the expensive clothes on this person's body, that he could only be one of the royal family.

Park Jimin.
Prince.
Brother to the King.

The Prince kept standing there, fanning himself as he watched Taehyung with a smug smile.

What is the Prince doing here? Why is he looking at me like that? Maybe...I should smile back at him?

Taehyung - who felt extremely uncomfortable - forced a smile, hoping the Prince would strike up a conversation, but he didn't. The Prince's smile only grew bigger.

Finally, his annoyance had reached its peak. Taehyung complained, "You know, you're really creeping me out by just standing there and smiling."

"Is that how you feel?" The Prince said. A big smirk plastered on his face. "Hmm. People usually feel honored when I admire their face."

Taehyung scowled. He knew this type of people very well. The attention seekers. He knew exactly how to deal with such people.

"Aiyah." Taehyung grinned. "Of course, I am honored, Your Highness. But, surely, being a Prince, you have better things to do than admire a servant's face."

Jimin grinned. He inched closer to Taehyung and lifted one hand and stroked a strand of Taehyung's hair. "'Servant'? Is that how my brother sees you?"

Taehyung's eyebrows twitched.

"Your face is so dull and average." Jimin commented. "My brother has never shown any interest in things, but out of nowhere, he's shown an interest in you."

"It looks like the Prince's eyesight is poor. Also, he seems to lack in height."

Jimin blinked. He was left stunned and speechless. No one had ever dared to make fun of his height, at least not to his face. "You little -!"

Suddenly, there was footsteps approaching them.

Taehyung turned around and saw the King watching them. Taehyung had a thought, 'Why is he here now?'

"Oho. What's this? The King has graced us with his presence. Now that doesn't happen quite often." Jimin commented sarcastically.

The King had his attention locked on Taehyung, who avoided his gaze by staring down at his shoes.

"Yaah!" Jimin continued in a leisurely tone. "Someone really important to the King must be among us, and I know for sure I am not."

Having enough of his brother's nonsense, the King frowned. "Brother, why are you here and not in class?"

"My class got over early, so I thought why not come meet the person that piqued my interest."

The two brothers glared at each other.
Taehyung could sense the tension rising in the air. He could see the sparks of anger between the two royals.

"Tell me, brother, why are you here?" Jimin taunted. "Did you come to talk or... maybe check on your goods?"

Taehyung was puzzled. Goods? What goods are they talking about?

"That is none of your concern, little brother." The King said sternly. "I hope you're learning well instead of frolicking around."

"Aee. Be nice to me. Or I might set your palace on fire." Jimin smirked. It sounded more like a threat than a joke.

Taehyung kept glancing back and forth between the two. He wasn't a fool. He could see that there was no love lost between the two brothers.

Jimin laughed. Fanning himself, he circled around Taehyung. "Here I was thinking he was someone special to you, brother." He took the broomstick from Taehyung, and stroked his face. "Is he really only a servant?"

"Do not touch what is mine." The King ordered. His look dead-pan. His voice seemed calm but there were flames in those eyes.

Jimin seemed amused seeing such a reaction from his elder brother.

Having noticed the anger in those eyes, and thinking the King must've meant the broomstick Jimin was holding, Taehyung thought, 'Wah. He is so possessive about his property. It's only a broomstick. Unbelievable!'

To prevent further conflict, he snatched the broomstick back. "Don't touch what belongs to the King." He quickly said.

Both of them were startled now.

Seeing them startled, Taehyung said, "What? Did I say something wrong?"

"No." The King answered.

Jimin let out a mocking laugh. "Ah. I see how it is. Well, I'll be leaving now." He turned to Taehyung and smiled. "I'll meet you again some other time." The Prince winked at him and started walking away, fanning himself.

Taehyung cringed. Ow. That cheeky bastard!

Turning to the King, he asked, "Why did you come here actually?"

"That is none of your concern." The King answered with a straight face.

"How did you get here so fast? When I saw you, you were way over there." He said, pointing out to the bridge.

"I walk fast."

All of a sudden, the King's followers came rushing towards him. They were panting and out of breath.

"My King!" One cried out. "You got us so worried! You can't disappear like that!"

"Why did you start running all of a sudden?" Another questioned.

Taehyung blinked. Does this mean the King ran all the way here?

The King cleared his throat. "Don't talk to the Prince much." He warned Taehyung and started walking away in a faster pace. His servants following swiftly.

Taehyung couldn't help but laugh in confusion.

What the fuck did just happen?

***

Taehyung did not see the King nor his annoying brother again.

Nighttime came. The dinner had been - well, average. It wasn't much of Taehyung's taste but he had to eat his fill so he wouldn't go hungry for the mission he was planning to initiate later that night.

As he and the other servants were heading to the servant quarters to retire for the night, he caught sight of Hoseok.

"Hoseok!" Taehyung grinned, running up to his new friend.

Hoseok did not look pleased.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Taehyung asked causally. He put one arm around Hoseok's shoulder.

"Hmphf." Hoseok shrugged off his hand.

Taehyung acted devastated. "My friend, when did you become so cold?" He pretended to sob. "Tell me what are you so mad about?"

"Friend?" Hoseok repeated. Then, he let out a deep sigh. "You should have been more careful in the kitchen. I got scolded by Seokjin for bringing an unlucky helper to him."

Taehyung laughed loudly. "Age messes with one's mind." He said, pitifully. "Now that Seokjin is getting old, he'll get mad pretty fast, that's why he is always nagging like a mother."

"True, true." Hoseok agreed, joining in the laughter.

Little did they know that the Royal Chef was walking behind them. "YOU TWO!" He pointed out. His face red with fury.
"Speaking such things! Calling me old!"

Taehyung smiled nervously, 'Heh heh' before fleeing away.

"Hoseok!" Seokjin glared at the other boy.

"Wait for me!" Hoseok cried in a panic and hurriedly ran after his friend.

***

The servant quarters was a large hall. It had several rooms - each room shared by five or six eunuchs.

"This is your room." Hoseok said. They were standing outside a room. "Oh. By the way, your roommates will be quite annoying."

"Why?"

"They're kids. Goodnight!" Hoseok smiled before he left Taehyung in the hallway.

Taehyung reached for the door handle to his room, thinking, 'I don't hear a thing. Are they asleep already?'

When Taehyung opened the door, he saw his - five boys, younger than him, huddled in the corner with their back facing the door.

'What are they doing?'

Taehyung cleared his throat. This made his juniors jump up in surprise.

"Oh. It's you." One of them said, hiding a book behind his back. "You're Kim Taehyung. We have heard about you. I am Yeonjun."

"Hmm." Noticing the flush of red in all his juniors cheeks, he knew something fishy was going on.

"I am Beomgyu."

"I am Soobin."

"My name is Taehyun."

"My name is Heuning Kai."

"Nice to meet you all, kids." Taehyung smiled. "I want to know one thing. What was so interesting in that corner that you didn't pay attention to the door?"

"Nothing." Soobin said quickly.

"Really? And, is that not a book you are trying to hide?" Taehyung inquired.

The juniors exchanged worried glances.

"Hand it over." Taehyung demanded with his palm out-stretched. "Let me look at that book."

Reluctantly, Yeonjun gave the book. On taking a look inside, Taehyung couldn't believe his eyes. The book had so many illustrations of men and women, bodies intertwined together.

It was an erotic book.

"Wah~ You rascals!" Taehyung teased. "Should I take this matter to the King?"

This gave rise to chaos in the room. The juniors began crying and begging and arguing.

"No, please, no."

"Don't tell on us, senior, I beg you. Ah! I should've never seen it. My mother had warned me to stay away from such things. I should've listened to her! I'm doomed!"

"I'm sorry, senior. I did not even want to look at it. Soobin made me!"

"Liar! This is all Taehyun's fault. He was the one who brought the book!"

"I brought it because you all wanted me to! You traitors!"

"Okay, okay, okay." Taehyung spoke up, trying to calm down the mess he had created. "Fine. I won't tell anyone."

The juniors let out a sigh of relief.

"I will do you all a favor by keeping this book to myself so you avoid getting in trouble." He said firmly.

Beomgyu scoffed. "Senior, you want to see the book by yourself, don't you?"

"Aren't you a clever one." Taehyung grinned. "I'll return it after I read it."

Tired from the day, the young eunuchs laid down on their futon to go to sleep.
Taehyung chose the futon closest to the door.

It was time for his plan of action.

***

In the dead silence of the night, one mind laid awake. While the others slept peacefully, this mind was functioning at its highest.

With eyes wide open, Taehyung surveyed his surroundings. Everyone were sleeping soundly.

Cautiously he moved Yeonjun's leg away and gently slipped out from underneath his hand. Quietly, he stood up and started towards the door.

The moon was at its highest. Once he was outside the hall, he felt the cool breeze on his skin. A shiver ran down his spine. He found running away to be thrilling.

Hiding behind some bushes, he made sure his path was clear. Until -

There was music in the air.

Caught in a trance, Taehyung searched for the source of the music. Where was this beautiful song coming from? Who could be playing in the middle of the night?

He followed the sound to the pavilion.

His feet came to an abrupt stop as he stared right ahead.

There was a figure, sitting cross-legged, playing a gayageum. Beautiful and fair, he was short with a lean figure.

Min Yoongi.
Musician.

Taehyung stood, gaping at the musician.

The musician having noticed his presence, stopped playing the melody, and asked, "How long are you going to stand there?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you." Taehyung apologized as he approached the musician. "You play really good!"

"Thank you."

"Oh. I am Taehyung, but I guess you've heard of me." He smiled sheepishly.

"I am Yoongi. And, yes, I have heard of you. You're practically famous now."

Taehyung chuckled.

"I wonder how you made the King change his mind?" Min Yoongi smiled.

"I guess it was my luck that saved me." Taehyung laughed loudly.

"Or maybe it is something else." Yoongi muttered under his breath.

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"No, no." Yoongi assured. "If I may ask, what are you doing out here at this hour? I am sure you didn't come out to hear me play."

Taehyung hesitated.

Yoongi gasped. "You weren't thinking of running away, were you?"

Taehyung remained quiet.

"What if the King finds out? This time he'll surely kill you!"

"He won't find out." Taehyung said confidently.

Min Yoongi raised his eyebrows. "He's the King. He is sure to find out. He has eyes and ears everywhere."

Taehyung fell on his knees, crying. "I don't want to be here. Please."

Min Yoongi smiled. "I will help you."

"You will?"

He nodded. "Listen well. You go through the gardens. The Prince usually throws banquets there at night -"

"Banquets at night? Why?"

"For his pleasure."

Taehyung blinked. Pleasure. Wait. Oh.

"You can easily slip through the crowd since everyone would be too drunk to notice. You go to the west gate. There will be less guards patrolling. You can easily climb the wall and escape."

"Great! Thank you!" Taehyung smiled brightly. "I'm surprised you know so much about this place."

"I live in the palace." Min Yoongi stated as a matter-of-factly. "I teach the Prince music."

"Oh."

"Go before the guards catch you here!"

"Okay! Thanks!" Taehyung was already on his heels. "I will never forget your help!" Turning around, he left running towards the garden.

Min Yoongi waved goodbye.

***

Taehyung lurked in the shadows as he made his way into the garden.

The beautiful garden was completely quiet and empty. Not a single person was in sight. All you could hear was Taehyung's breathing and the gentle
water running from the fountain.

Looks like there is no banquet tonight. Lucky me! I've hit the jackpot!

As he passed through the garden, he heard rustling among the bushes. Thinking it was the wind, he did not pay much heed to it.

Finally, there it was. The western gate. His path to freedom. Seeing that it was guarded by only a few guards, he kept close to the stone wall.

Taehyung chose to climb. And, started climbing with the biggest smile. "Soon I'll be out of here!" He said laughing at himself.

"Ha ha haaa...oh my god!"

Before he could reach the top, his foot slipped. He started falling.

Aw, man! I was this close!

Having fallen several times before, he was used to it. But, falling on the floor still hurt. If only there was someone to catch him. That'd be great.

He closed his eyes, waiting for the pain for when his body touched the ground. But, he found himself to be floating.

He felt two strong hands carrying him.

Opening his eyes, he glanced up.

The King was staring down at him. His cold face much more dark and icy. Taehyung saw his jaw tighten in rage.

The King seemed very upset. And, this frightened Taehyung.

Oh, no...why him?

The melody continued playing softly in the background.

***

Author's Note:

To people wondering, Jimin and IU are twins. They are both born from a consort, making Jungkook only their half-brother.

Also, TXT cameo~

And, yes, the King is holding him princess style. ^^

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