a/n: please vote and comment <3 and happy reading shsksjskjs

author's pov

drum beats vibrate through the air, a group of people stand in line, ready with the weapons they're given, facing a large channel gate that opens into the bowl. a loud roar makes them shiver, unconsciously stepping back, looking at each other for any kind of emotional support. the gate lifts up, followed by jingling sounds of metal chains that soon hit the ground too, and comes forth a humongous creature with dagger like teeth, dark reptilian eyes and a long spiked tail.

its hind limbs are long and strong with scales over the skin and sharp claws similar to its forelimbs, only difference being the presence of enormous bat-like wings. the creature roars loudly, moving forward to the centre of the pit, drawing the air in. silence. eyes watch the audience protected by a divine shield formed by the dragon keepers. then it lets out another raging roar, screeching along with fire leaving its gigantic mouth, burning down the wooden stands by the gates.

the contestants, some fight with their useless weapons against the dragon, who continues blowing out fire, burning down half of them at once, while those who managed to escape, are trying to run out of the pit too. people cheer and clap in anticipation of a warrior to step forward and fight the dragon, defeat it too, however none of the contestants are brave enough.

with minimal sound, another body is laid on the ground, blood flowing quietly past their clothes and pooling the floor beneath. jungkook cracks his neck, wiping off his dagger on the man's shirt, searching his pockets, which makes him curse in frustration as he finds nothing useful. he stands up again, clutching the dagger in one hand, holding a fire torch in the other to light up his path through these dark, prohibited hallways.

he recalls namjoon bringing him down a similar path, a few nights ago, which lead to the vaults underground and eventually to the central dungeons. a faint sound of footsteps makes him halt, sticking his back to the wall and cover the torch's mouth by pressing it to the stony wall. the fire goes off, but the light remains. it keeps getting brighter until a man appears by the turning. jungkook steps forward quickly, sliting his throat with his hand pressed on his mouth.

"who's there?" another voice breaks through the walls, and jungkook looks around, having nowhere to run to or hide. the footsteps become clearer, leaving him with no other option than to drop next to the man, getting some blood on himself too, along with striking a cut on his face, smearing the blood a little and pretends to groan in pain.

"goyeun is that you?"

"uh yes..." jungkook groans, coughing a few times and sits up slowly. "there's someone heading to the king's chamber... stop them..."

"what? you saw them? did they did do this?" the man looks startled, crouching down as he speaks hurriedly.

"yes, now go quick! they were three people... find them!"

"yes, but let me take you to—"

"i'm fine. i'll help myself. you should go." jungkook says, staring right into the man's eyes, smirking a little to himself when he sees some confusion and quivering pupils. "go." he husks out, eyes growing darker, which makes the man nod almost hypnotically, following the order with no further argument.

as the man leaves, jungkook sighs, standing up straight and wipes off the blood from his face. he continues walking in the direction of the vaults, fingers of his empty hand grazing over the cut he just gave himself. "good lord..." he mutters, glancing back before picking up speed, running now for he senses the vestibule getting narrower, indicating the end, and the door to the vaults. that's how this place was designed to trick any intruders into thinking that there's a dead end here. however, only the higher royalty has access and right to the vaults.

reaching the end, jungkook stares at the wall, feeling the stony texture of the wall. he places his palm flat on the surface, making the wall to shift with grumblings like that of wind and fire, while he takes off his necklace, placing the stone in the tiny spot that appears in front of him inside a circle. emarald lights leak from the sides of the stone for a second before tt disappears completely, leaving jungkook in pitch darkness again. the wall moves further back, then parts from the middle, opening either side to make way for him to pass.

jungkook heads inside, observing different doors leading to a different vault, however, jungkook doesn't follow any, walking straight on his path, until he meets another wall. here, he gulps, noticing a statue of a soldier made out of black marble stone, holding a sword in hand and extending out the other hand. jungkook hesitates a little, before placing his right hand on it, waiting to see what exactly happens. namjoon only told him to place is hand on the statue's, and it will do the rest itself.

it does.

jungkook startles when the sword strikes down swiftly, not even giving him the time to withdraw his arm back. not like the statue would allow, for its grip on his hand is quite firm. now there's another cut on his arm, blood dripping down slowly, falling on the ground, glowing with crimson light just on the spots it meets the ground.

jungkook frowns at the sight, moving back when the statue lets go of him. the ground shakes up, and the inanimate soldier opens his eyes, shining in black just like the rest of its prestigious armoured body. he stands up and turns around, striking the wall with his sword, which slides through the otherwise hard wall, as if there was a slit. the wall lifts up, leaving jungkook fascinated, for it's his first time too ever coming so deep in the palace.

the soldier steps aside, getting on one knee and bows his head down, right arm fisted and pressed against his chest. jungkook smiles at that, stepping inside the secret vault, which usually belongs to the crown prince, the heir who is going to be the king after his father.

just a few yards away on a stand made of gold, lies the noble sword, divine and possessing immense power. it is the very esteemed sword which jimin will be honoured with on the day of his coronation ceremony. jungkook steps towards the shining sword carefully, hesitant of what kind of danger there could be for him, protecting this sword. and he's proved right when two arrows dig into the ground just before his shoes.

he stops to take a look around, finding series of statues of soldiers like the one guarding the gate, are staring right at him. he realises that he won't be able to make it to the sword unarmed. he has to fight and prove that he's worthy of the sword, or else he won't even be able to pick it up from the stand and these soldiers would kill him anyway.

he takes a step back slowly, keeping calm as he glances towards the gate that is about to close, however the previous soldier still sits with his sword open in his one hand. then it clicks jungkook, making him run back and leap forward to take the sword from him. the gate closes, crushing the soldier in between, but at leat jungkook managed to get the sword for his defence.

this time when he turns around, the soldiers are already on their feet, ready to fight him to death. jungkook takes a deep breath, telling himself that if he's worthy of the sword, he shall win this too. with that thought alone in mind, he launches forward, fighting off two swordsmen at once, slicing them and they disappear. oh.

more of the soldiers advance towards him, some arrows flying and stabbing on his back, making him groan as he tries his best to fight in all directions, getting exhausted with amount of energy he has to put against these soldiers. they're way better than most of the recruited soldiers in the king's army. jungkook roars in frustration, coupled with the adrenaline rushing through his veins, striking his sword in the air one last time, making all the soldiers disappear.

he drops to his knees, breathing heavily, bleeding and hurting everywhere. although when his eyes land on the sword, shining in the dark, his feet gather his weight up, leading forward. right when he's going to grab the handle, a hissing sound makes him stop. seven venomous, green eyes open from the dark, staring right at him and raise up to almost double his height.

slythering sounds make jungkook step back, frowning as he observes a gigantic seven headed python, staring down at him. each of the head hiss and snap forward with its fangs visible. "serpenthous..." jungkook hushes out, lowering himself gradually on his knees and bows his head, placing the sword down on the floor in submission to the great snake.

the creature lowers down to jungkook's level, hissing loudly in front of his face, fangs still out, threatening him to leave. however, jungkook keeps his head down, never lifting his gaze to meet the snake's eyes, respecting their order and authority above himself, for he knows very well that the mystic creatures are remnants of holy spirits and gods residing amongst humans. their ranks lie much above any earthling. 

the hissing stops and the snake quietly lifts up, moving behind the sword, and jungkook exhales softly, looking up at the noble weapon. he stands up, wiping any blood from his hands and carefully picks up the sword by its blade and handle, making sure the he's not the one holding it yet, but accepting it with his hand below the powerful sword.

"i, jeon jungkook, the prince of schionberg dynasty, solemnly pledge that i will always respect and show my devotion to my nation, my people and the holy spirits, who grant me the powers i have the pleasure to harbour." he recites in a proud, firm voice, before bowing to the sword as well as the serpenthous in front of him. "to the holy spirits and nobles who sacrificed their lives for righteousness..."

the snake slithers back away and the divine light of the sword, dims down, making it look like any normal royal sword. yet it has its own differences.

"where's jungkook?" taehyung mutters, standing with his commander in chief, glaring at the pit where the dragon can't seem to be controlled by any of the participants.

"do you want me to take a look, prince?"

"yes." taehyung nods, lowering his head as he pretends to pick his nose and leans over the commander's shoulder, whispering, "find him and lock him up. i'll deal with him after this."

the commander nods with a sigh, glancing at taehyung, who arches up a brow, making him shake his head quickly and leave the balcony with two more imperials. taehyung exhales deeply, hands tucked behind his back as he watches another set of contestants failing to tame the dragon.

"tae, what's going on?" jimin's voice breaks his concentration, making him glance to his side where jimin is now standing. "where's jungkook? he must be the only one to tame the dragon."

"he is." taehyung hums, "he must be lurking somewhere, planning how to get to you and the king. he's mad after power. after the throne."

jimin heaves out a breath, watching the dragon, trying to let his brother's words sink in. that's when his eyes find a figure entering the bowl, making him frown, for he recognises the man standing valiant in front of the fuming dragon. the creature opens its mouth yet again, gathering all the air to fill its lungs before releasing a strong ball of fire aimed at the man who dared to fight.

"that's him!" jimin yells, clutching taehyung's shoulders, realising that taehyung probably will not take a step to save jungkook. so, he turns towards the keepers just below the balcony, "get the dragon back inside! now!"

"yes, your highness." the men utter, rushing towards the dragon, however hearing the loud cheers of the otherwise scared audience, makes jimin halt to take a look at the centre. there jungkook has dug his sword on the ground, holding the handle firmly with his right hand, while he gets on one knee, bowing to the fire breather.

it doesn't calm the dragon immediately, but jungkook manages to save himself from being turned into ashes within minutes. the raging creature spreads fire all through the protective shielding, except for jungkook. "how's that possible..." taehyung mutters next to jimin, watching with equally confused stare as most of the nobles.

jungkook stays down on the ground, showing no intention of attacking the dragon and slowly lifts up his left arm, palm facing the huge mystic reptile. it stares for a while, shaking its head and moves back a few steps, before bringing its wings to open, then closes and lowers its body to the ground, bowing its head just like jungkook does.

the audience claps and roars with praises for jungkook, as he stands up now, moving back slowly, for the keepers arrive and take the dragon back inside the den. taehyung releases an annoyed breath, pulling himself back and turns around with a glare, "commander min, what the hell did i tell you to do?!" he yells, as the commander steps forward, apologizing in a gentle tone.

"the noble sword is missing, prince." commander min whispers to taehyung, making his eyes go wide, and min yoongi nods to confirm his words. "yes. somebody stole it."

"how's that possible? the sword chooses its owner, no one can just go and steal it." taehyung says, turning his head towards the pit, where he catches a glimpse of jungkook, before he vanishes between some imperials and injured contestants who survived. "i'll find jungkook myself. you, commander min, get his family. i want both the kids and the woman who claims to be his wife. bring them to the palace, that's how we'll get a hold of him."

the commander nods, taking his leave, while taehyung makes a brief eye contact with his father, noticing the glare directed towards him, before walking away.

jimin watches all this from a distance, glaring at his own brother and then meets the father's eyes, following taehyung right after. "tae!" he calls, "please stop being like this. i heard what you ordered commander min to do!"

"it's the only way i can get my hands on him." taehyung declares, glancing at jimin. "i suggest caution for you too, jim. jungkook has already begun his hunt, and i'm going to stop him no matter what i have to do for that."

"you don't understand, taehyung. fighting him will not end well, try to see what i'm—"

"i know, jimin. he's also a prince with powers like me and you. i remember." taehyung says, stopping on his tracks to face jimin. he draws in a long breath, pinching the bridge of his nose, "let me be honest with you, jim. you're my brother and the last person i want to lose. so, when i step against jungkook, know that it's not because i hate him, it's because i love you and hope to see you safe. know that when i use my weapons against jungkook, it's not because i want to, but because leaving him alive today might be a threat to you tomorrow. you care for him shows that you are a good person, jimin, not him."

"he won't hurt me. my intuition says we can sort it out without anyone getting hurt." jimin tries, "i know father has raised to protect the crown, but you really don't have to risk your life. do you think i would be able to live knowing that you're out there going through all kinds of danger for me?"

taehyung chuckles sadly, shrugging his shoulders. "someone has to do it. sadly emperors don't rely on their intuitions, jimin. we have being fighting wars and witnessing battles for a reason. not everything can be dealt by mere intuition."

"he's our brother..."

taehyung sighs, nodding his head and steps forward, hugging jimin tightly, "i don't know when... but there will soon come the time when jungkook and i will face each other with full rage, weapons, powers, everything within us that we require to end the other. that's when, jimin, one of us will have to die. it's true, two swords cannot stay in one sheath."

"is it really necessary?" jimin hushes out, pulling away as he looks at his brother. "forget about what father has taught you. speak for yourself, tae."

"it is..." taehyung looks down, his attention suddenly shifting to the hurried footsteps heading towards them, it's a group of imperials panting as they stop before a frowning taehyung.

"prince," they bow, then continue, "around fifteen of our guards and four imperials are dead. the vaults were opened and so were the central dungeons."

"what?" taehyung and jimin are both surprised, exchanging a glance.

"yes, your highness. former chief seokjin has been freed too."

taehyung's jaw ticks with anger, nodding his head, "take the king and prince jimin to their chambers. make sure they're well guarded and nobody except for trusted nobles see them. close all the exits from the palace and start interrogating them about a man named jungkook. no one is allowed to leave the premises without permission."

"yes, your highness." the men bow, one of them escorting jimin back to his bed chamber, despite him protesting to stay with taehyung and saying that he must go out when people need him. when his own brother needs him. however, taehyung instructs the imperial to prioritise the crown prince's safety.

"you can't hurt the heir, prince." seokjin says, glancing at jungkook, who sits quietly, observing the sword he has had the honour to call his today. "prince jimin is the future king, the emperor of schionberg. you must not hurt him."

"i do not guarantee anything, chief. his father has ruined my life, the princess's life. he's responsible for my mother's death. i'm not sparing his life."

"i understand that you must be mad. you have every right to be. however, it's my duty to keep you from making a wrong move."

"how is seeking justice wrong, chief?" jungkook lifts his head up for the first time, glancing at seokjin, hoping for a wise answer that somehow is always there with him and namjoon. listening to the elder two makes jungkook calm down and actually want to think with a cool mind, than going after hasty choices.

"it's not wrong, prince. i'm going to support you at every step and try my best to keep you alive. although, i'm afraid that when you shall stand opposite to prince taehyung or prince jimin, the fight is ought to end up ugly. i'm not certain i want to witness that."

"i'm going to spare you the suffering then." jungkook chuckles sadly. "i make no promises about prince jimin, but taehyung... that man has to die. it's either him or me who will survive this war, chief. one of us must die for the sake of the realm, for the sake for justice being served right."

seokjin says nothing, just quietly watches the sun breaking down between the leaves of the trees roofing them. the daylight wears out gradually and jungkook stands up, ready to leave. "you should come with me. spend the night with me and well, my family?" he smiles a little, "you might be eager to meet the princess."

"i am." seokjin smiles, dusting off his pants before following jungkook, left from where the sun is setting. "how's the young princess? she must've grown to be an adorable girl now, hasn't she?"

"i guess." jungkook chuckles. "i doubt she remembers you well, chief."

"that's fine. she was just a baby when i last saw her."

"right. a lot has changed since then..." jungkook heaves out a breath, striking his sword forward to cut through the low branches on his path. "that day after i took lily with me, we were attacked again on the way. i did fight the best i could, did everything you taught me, chief. yet somewhere it wasn't enough. lily got a cut on her neck and lost her lost her voice that day. even the healers couldn't help us."

seokjin feels his own heart twisting with the tragic truth from three years ago when he had faught with everything within himself, still failed to save the queen and her children. it's not jungkook's fault that the princess lost her voice, rather his immense capability that they were even able to make it out alive. he places his hand on the prince's shoulder, providing a gentle squeeze that earns him a small smile in return.

they keep walking in silence until the sun dips away, leaving no sign of light. even the moon scurries from the forest, unbothered by the humid air and the dark atmosphere under the slow fluttering leaves. it's like the creamy shining body has no knowledge of any darkness apart from its own. it craves the sun just as much as jungkook craves revenge. except that the moon seems to be in love with the sun, never being afraid of embracing its drakness only for the sun snatch it all away and illuminate it on the darkest nights.

jungkook, however, wishes to snatch the light itself. the king must see the darkness he put jungkook and his family through.

"are we almost there?" seokjin asks, tilting his head upwards to see past the cracks through which some moonlight reaches the earth down below, not making a difference, though.

"yes." jungkook hums, striking a branch down and takes a few large steps out, finally leaving the dense network of trees. the forest filters gradually in a few minutes, and jungkook glances over his shoulder to gain seokjin's attention, pointing at some lanterns not too far away. "there. are you tired, chief?"

"exhausted, is the word, prince." seokjin sighs dramatically, throwing his arm around jungkook, who just laughs, leading them both through the grazing field towards some of the last houses in the slums. "namjoon mentioned that you've found a girl for yourself. is that right?"

"oh, uh i like to think that way." jungkook smiles, rubbing the back of his neck. "she's beautiful and very... kind."

"she's beautiful and kind? that's how you describe the first to-be daughter-in-law of the royalty?"

"chief!" jungkook snorts, "we are not getting married just yet. in fact, she doesn't even know who i really am. to her, i'm just a common man. a slummer."

"oh..." seokjin frowns. "i like to believe that she shall be happy with the truth of you being the prince. her life will be changed."

"about that, yes. but i'm still not very confident." he shrugs, "anyway, please don't mention any of it to her. i'm going to talk when i think it's right time."

"as you wish, prince." seokjin smiles, following jungkook on the cobblestone, finally slowing down in front of a small hut. jungkook steps forward first, knocking on the door that is now repaired thanks to him.

there's no reply for a while, making jungkook frown and knock harder this time, "areum, open up, darling. it's me." he calls out, not getting a response still. his eyes roam around, finding everything perfectly fine, making him sigh and kock again. this time the door opens on its own, and jungkook steps inside, about to call out for areum again.

"are you jungkook?" a shaky voice asks from the street, grabbing his attention while he's still in the middle of taking in the mess inside the house. not one thing sits right in its original place. there's no one here.

"yes..." jungkook frowns, coming out and points at the door, "what happened here?"

"commander min came with his men and took your family. they were asking about you and said that if you want them free, you must go to the castle." the old man says, his stick shaking under his hand as he takes a step back.

jungkook's eyes widen with realisation. his organs sink to the depth of his stomach, eyes fixed on the old man, who opens his mouth again, "they were particularly interested in the little girl i must add." he says, before walking away with the help of his stick.

"they're fucking dead!" jungkook growls, punching the wall harshly and turns to seokjin, breathing heavy in anger, "i'm going there right now and getting lily back. areum and her son too."

"we're— wait." seokjin frowns, "areum and her what?"

"son. she has a son, but that's not what i emphasized on." jungkook states, gesturing seokjin to come inside the house. he takes off his shirts hastily and shuffles throughout the things left on the shelves. "you need to heal me, chief. i can't go like this bruised and beaten up."

seokjin nods, helping jungkook find some medicines and herbs that are already present there. he sits the younger down, preparing a paste and starts applying them over the wounds on jungkook's body, earning some hisses and groans, however as the elder's hand moves and fingers graze over the skin, the wounds start to disappear leaving only scars behind. in only a few minutes, all the bloody gashes and purple bruises vanish from jungkook's skin, making him sigh in relief, for the healing process itself is far more painful than what it seems.

"lord..." jungkook breathes out, sitting up and stretches his body, "okay so, here's the plan: i will go to the palace tonight, get areum and the kids out. you will take them to a safe place place and stay with them until i come back after setting the the damn palace on fire. easy, right?"

"i'm not very sure, prince... it won't be as easy as it sounds." seokjin says.

"of course. yes." jungkook hums, "but you see, chief, they made a mistake, bringing areum and her son into this. they made a mistake, thinking they could hold my dear ones captive and use it against me."

seokjin frowns at him, shaking his head as a breathy chuckle rolls out of his mouth, except it indicates how jungkook's concern about the new girl and her son is somehow more than his own sister, the princess. "i beg your pardon, prince, are you more worried about your love interest than the princess? because that's what i happen to gather."

jungkook gives a displeased look, making seokjin lower his head instantly, "i apologise." that makes the younger scoff and leans back against the wall, staring out the door. "enlighten me, prince."

jungkook chuckles, humming at that, "drop the formality, chief. you've been the one to slap me when i talked back during my training."

"well, i'm no longer your teacher now, am i?" seokjin asks and jungkook just smiles softly, "anyway. i don't suggest you immediately going to the palace, jungkook."

"now that sounds better." jungkook teases, hearing his name from the elder male, earning a light chuckle too.

"let the kingsmen come after you. while they're busy searching, that's when you should go."

"i understand. but i also don't trust that commander, whatever his name happens to be. i've seen him a few times with taehyung. do you know if he's... any sensible than the king and the princes?"

"not sure." seokjin sighs, "listen, if we somehow get prince jimin on our side, many things can be sorted without even picking up a weapon."

"he's going to be a sorry excuse of a king then." jungkook scoffs. "what is a king, who can't use his weapons for his kingdom? i'm not going there to sit, talk and draw a conclusion, chief, my mother did all that, and you've been an active witness to everything that happened as the consequence. when i step in the palace this time, it'll be my sword that will talk and decide the future of schionberg."

"neither of the princes are your enemies, jungkook. prince jimin has always shown his distinctiveness from their father in the way he addresses the citizens and implements the politics. prince taehyung appears to be tough and cruel like their father, however, he has successfully drawn the line between just and unjust."

jungkook stares at the floor, picking up his sword back in his hand, mindlessly inspecting the blade and murmurs, "i don't perceive him any different than his bloody father. he's grown to be a monster. raised to be ruthless and cruel."

"he is bitter. so are the leaves of orthenus, prince. however, it doesn't mean the end of goodness it harbours."

"the plant saves lives, chief. taehyung only means misery and death." jungkook says, "and you need to be stop defending him. if you speak of him highly one more time, you're not with me in this."

"i'm sorry." seokjin sighs, "you should get some rest now. try to sleep tonight, we might have to leave this place early tomorrow."

"i doubt i'll be sleeping tonight." jungkook heaves out, laying down and folds his arm under his head, thinking about lily and what the cruel men must be doing to get her to spill something about him. even areum and suho too. unfortunately, they don't know anything true about jungkook, and the one who does, can't voice it out. this is going to get taehyung's men frustrated and mad.

jungkook may not be able to reach immediately to help areum and the children, but he recalls the promise he made to her, of protection, care and being the male figure she claims to need in her life. he promised lily too, that he will always be with her, being well aware of the fact that when taehyung actually picks up weapons against him, there are thin of chances both coming out of the fight alive. with burning rage and both males swearing to take the other to the grim's doorstep, jungkook knows what risks he is inviting in this situation.

although since he has already told lily that he is never going to leave her, it has to be taehyung who must lose his life.

throughout the night, similar thoughts kept webbing and circling around jungkook's head, leaving him frustrated to a point around dawn when he gave up against the loudness and sat up. he stands up, leaving the house, heading towards the grazing field, where the tree stands firm and its leaves sway to the rhythm of the wind.

his gaze falls down at the ground as he sits against the trunk, staring at the uneven ground and a cross above it, marking lily's treasure spot. it sends the subtlest smile to his lips, watching nothing but the soil. mindlessly, he shifts forward, fingers twitching, grazing over the soil. "i hope you'll be a strong girl until i come to get you." he whispers. a thin layer of tears glisten in his eyes, depicting the aching urge to go and burn down the whole kingdom, to have his little princess safe in his arms, the first ever woman who showed him the beauty in life, and the little boy who found a friend in lily and was always ready to go out his way to make her smile. jungkook wants to destroy the whole damn world to have these three back, safe and happy.

"where is jungkook?"

areum shakes her head, muffling her sobs as she hugs both the children, trying her best to protect them, "i don't know..." she cries, staring up at the man, "please let us go, i swear i don't know where he is... he never returned from the palace yesterday..."

"you're lying!" the man yells, grabbing her hair harshly, eliciting a pained scream from areum's throat. she shakes against his grip, forcefully dragged on the floor, away from the sobbing kids. two of the men hold lily and suho separately, taking them out to the other cells, yet close enough so they can hear each other crying and begging for mercy.

"nooo! please leave them!" areum cries, struggling to stand up and go near her son, being held back by a strong arm. "please— please, i beg you... let my kids go..." she looks up with crying eyes, holding the fabric of his pants just below his knee, however it results into a harsh kick from the man, followed by evil laughing sound resonating through the cell.

"eomma!" suho's voice tears through her ears, making her gasp and turn around, eyes widening at the sight of another man holding boy by his hair and pushes him into a different cell, where areum can't see him.

"suho! my- my son... don't hurt him, please." she turns to the man groping her now, lowered onto his knees, staring at her with lustful eyes.

"his royal highness will be interrogating you later. but until then, you shouldn't mind being our guest." he smirks, stroking her hair out of her face, then suddenly grabs her jaw, turning her head to the side where another one of these monsters is hurting lily. areum covers her mouth, crying in defeat as she watches the child crying soundlessly, having no knowledge of why she's being treated this way.

"leave her... she can't speak." areum says, desperately turning to the previous man. "she's of no use to you. let her go, i beg you... don't hurt her..."

"she can't speak, you say?" he muses, laughing as though it was funny and gestures his hand to lily's side, "leave her."

areum rubs her eyes hastily, sitting up straight and opens his arms for lily, nibbling on her lip to bite in a sob, as lily quickly takes the opportunity to crawl towards her. she cries in areum's arms, shaking like a leaf, already bleeding a little because of the bloody imperial who thinks it is okay to treat a child this way.

"shh, everything will be okay..." areum whispers to her, hugging the little girl tightly in her lap. pressing a kiss on top of lily's head, areum looks up at the men, throwing glares at their daring faces, "when my jungkook comes to know what you're doing, all of you will be dead." she grits out, shifting back with lily stuck to her like an infant. tears flow down areum's face too, but she doesn't let herself break, "mark my words. each one of you will—"

"you've got a big mouth, huh?" one of them crouches down, grasping areum's face harshly in his hand, the other hand pulling her hair, tearing out a groan from her. "so desperate, you fucking harlot!" a tight slap meets her face, making her cry, however her hold around lily never loosens.

not until the two previous men forcefully pull the child away. areum tries her best to hold on, although when lily's snatched from her like a doll rather than a child, a living human, she felt all the air leaving her lungs. just like suho, lily's taken to a different cell too, and areum's left to cry and struggle against the horrific truth that she thought she escaped when she ran away ten years ago.

the hands on her body, dagger cutting her skin along with the fabric, makes her scream and thrash around, head spinning and breath catching in her her throat. it feels like she's one step away from dying. the vision blurs and her heart pumps at an insane pace, leaving all the senses behind, untill all her body feels is nothing. her struggles die down along with the sobs, falling victim to familiar hands, familiar cruelty.

"jungkook..."

"your highness, the woman and children are here."

taehyung glances at his commander, getting a nod which confirms his doubts, making the prince forget everything else and head towards the cells. commander min follows right after, filling the prince on important details about their men looking around the whole kingdom for jeon jungkook and former chief, kim seokjin.

"your highness!" another voice joins them. rushed footsteps catch up next to taehyung, however he doesn't bother sparing a glance. "i heard you sent for pri— uh, jungkook's family?"  he speaks, earning a look this time from taehyung.

"i'm curious to know why it concerns you, sir." taehyung asks.

"as one of his grace's excellencies, it's my duty to make sure there are no impulsive decisions being made around here, your highness."

"well, your honourable excellency, i'm sorry to inform you that the wive and children and already here. in fact, i'm on my way to them."

namjoon's eyes widen in shock, "what?" he almost chokes, but gathers himself quickly on noticing min yoongi frowning at him. "i mean, you are?"

"of course. you might as well join. his grace shall be at ease knowing that one his most trusted ministers were assisting me." taehyung says, loosening the top few buttons of his shirt and rolls up his sleeves, as they enter the dungeons. "commander, please order everyone else to leave. i don't want anyone except us three."

"yes, prince." min yoongi nods, ushering and announcing all of the other imperials to leave, however, one particular man doesn't obey. there's no crying or helpless screaming, rather an even disturbing sound which none of them can ever fail to recognise. it's a man groaning, not in pain, but in pleasure and some lewd sounds filling the air as taehyung walks ahead with his fist clenching and jaw teath grinding in anger.

in the cell, he finds areum, the woman who claims to be jungkook's wife, and one of his men between her legs. her clothes are torn and she seems to be unconscious, yet the man has no knowledge to stop. "you fucking bastard!" taehyung growls, snatching a whip from the side, charging the man without a second thought.

"ahh! y-your highness, forgive me! forgive me, i beg you..." he pleads, falling on taehyung's feet, only to be kicked away.

"is that what i asked you to do?!" taehyung yells, pulling out his sword and holds the man still on the ground, his shoe pressed firmly on his chest. "you filthy motherfucker, how dare you touch the woman?!" he lifts the sword, pinning his hands, making him scream in pain. then taehyung crouches down, eyeing his body down and smirks, "just because you happen to have a cock doesn't mean you get to use it however you wish. too bad, it was your last time, man." he scoffs before cutting off the assaulter's penis from his body.

namjoon and yoongi wince a little too, although they don't feel bad for the man, in fact if anything, they supported taehyung's decision of not killing him, and cutting off the parts he used to take around as the sign of being a 'man' and assault only god knows, how many women like areum.

"throw this away and call some maids to attend the areum." taehyung says, wiping off the blade of his sword on the man's clothes. he turns around and faces commander min, "see that nobody misbehaves with her. i want her all well, without a single mark on her body. yes?"

"yes, prince." commander min, about to leave when taehyung asks another question.

"and where are the kids?"

"the boy is there, and the girl..." min yoongi gestures towards the cells nearby, before getting to his assigned task. meanwhile, namjoon accompanies taehyung, heading towards the boy first. he looks scared, curled on one corner, sobbing quietly against the stony wall.

taehyung sighs and turns to look for the little girl, the princess, if his doubts are correct. gulping thickly, he enters lily's cell, stopping as soon as he realises that the little girl is scared of them and shifts back, holding a tiny stone in her hand, threatening to throw it at him if he came closer.

"lily..." taehyung calls softly and kneels down, putting his sword aside, "i'm not going to hurt you, see?"

it doesn't convince the child, for she never gives him any sign of calming down, which taehyung understands. so, namjoon joins him too, rubbing his eyes and clears his throat, smiling tenderly at the princess. "i'm jungkook's friend, princess." he says, earning a frown from taehyung, not for namjoon calling himself jungkook's friend, but for addressing the child as 'princess'. "he's coming to get you. come to me, we'll ask him to come back to his princess quickly, okay?"

lily rubs her eyes, lowering the stone in her hand and looks at namjoon, eyes holding all the questions she can't voice out. "yes, come. i promise nobody will hurt the princess."

"how- how do you know?" taehyung mumbles.

"what do you mean by that, your highness? have you been lying to yourself about that man not being your brother? and this... this little girl, she's the princess, of course." namjoon says, holding lily's hand carefully and brings her towards himself, hugging her gently. "the consequence might be death, but i'm not sorry to say that i feel ashamed of how your men have treated the children and the woman, areum. even if prince jungkook, apparently, happens to be your enemy, bringing these innocent people into this was in no way right. you have to understand the difference between duty and arbitrary. your duty is to protect the crown, enforce law and order among people, not to abuse innocent citizens after your personal matters."

taehyung's left stunned with namjoon's words, staring at the little girl, sniffling and crying in namjoon's embrace, probably still finding it hard to trust him completely. namjoon stands up, carrying the princess up with arm and looks over at suho, extending the other arm for him. "come, i'll take you both to a better place. i apologise on behalf of the imperials." he says with a sad smile.

"eomma..." suho whimpers, looking back as the maids arrive and rush to help areum.

"she's going to be fine. don't worry." taehyung assures the boy, standing up next to namjoon. "i have some questions for you. please help me. you need to answer."

"i don't know where ju— appa is." suho says, holding lily's hand tightly, "we really don't know. eomma, lily and i didn't do anything, i promise you, prince taehyung... please let us go. your- your people are so bad, they hurt everyone. even lily... she can't even speak, but still they don't care and forced her to answer them..." suho says, rubbing her eyes and holds out his hands for the girl, making her wriggle to get down from namjoon's arms.

namjoon does she wants, leaving her on her feet, only to see her crashing against suho's chest, hugging him tightly, while he too, holds her and does his best hide her from any potential danger.

"come." namjoon clears his throat, feeling a lump on his throat on seeing the children.

taehyung releases a breath, eyes following lily's figure, although to his surprise, she turns back as well, meeting his eyes as if she had something to say to him. if she is the princess, taehyung will never be able to forgive himself for doing this, putting her through so much pain at such a tender age. now he can see why jimin was trying to call off the war between him and jungkook. it's not just them fighting, but several other lives are going to be affected by it.

taehyung sees it now.

he storms off from the dungeons, waiting for areum to gain consciousness, while he utilises the time to talk to jimin and tell him to go and see lily and suho, try asking them if they any knowledge about jungkook. jimin became so emotional on learning about the princess, that his eyes filles with tears and he hugged taehyung tightly out of happiness, instantly agreeing to see her.

"she can't speak, jimin." taehyung drops it gently, hand placed on his brother's shoulder. "i don't know why and how, but the rumour has it, they she lost her voice in an accident."

"what?" jimin frowns. "what kind of accident? and why are we getting to know this now?"

"we thought she didn't survive. turns out, jungkook fought well. he managed to save her."

"and you're going to kill him..." jimin whispers, "it's still not too late to realise what's wrong, tae. please think with a cool mind. think as taehyung, my brother, not a fucking enforcer and shit, okay?"

"just go." taehyung mutters, finding himself a seat in front of the window and stares outside, pondering over everything going on around him. he breathes deeply, observing his own men scurrying around, horses taking their riders out of the palace to search for jungkook, while those inside the palace are scattered too, each one busy with their own assigned task.

taehyung stands up, shaking his head and takes off his shirt. his hand grazes over his chest, a wide scar stretched across his heart that he has hidden with a bunch of tattoos. the ink forced beneath his skin had no other intention than to burry the heart wrenching story behind the scar, the cruel man, who failed to be a father and kept himself restricted to the role of a hardcore king.

"your highness, miss areum is awake." a maid says from the door, keeping her head low as taehyung turns around, nodding in response.

he doesn't bother to dress up and gestures the lady to leave. when she does, he takes a deep breath, tying his hair up messily into a tiny bun, keeping a knife with him as he walks over to the chamber where areum is resting. the guards and maids bow to him as soon as he arrives, earning a brief nod, "you all may leave." taehyung says and watches the maids walking out hurriedly.

the last one closes the door after bowing to him, leaving taehyung alone with areum, who stares at him with an unsure gaze, clutching the sheets over her body. seeing her bare shoulders, taehyung's forced to think if she's yet to get dressed, however the peeking brown fabric from the side, assures him otherwise. he steps forward, ignoring the vexation in her eyes, which she also, tries to suppress and lowers her head, tears welling in her pretty blue eyes.

"i apologise for what happened." he starts, pulling a chair and sits beside the bed, "i'm taehyung, you know me. what i'm not sure is whether you're aware of who jungkook is."

"sorry?" areum gulps, "i've told you before a hundred times. he's my—"

"husband." taehyung nods, "i remember that, areum. but we both know that's not the truth. tell me what i want to hear and i'll let you and your son go."

"it is the truth..." she hushes out, glancing down at her lap, "i don't know where he is, if he's even okay or not. he was here yesterday and before he came back, your men arrived at home..."

"i know." taehyung hums and leans forward, elbows resting on his knees, "so, you're saying jungkook was what, twelve when you had your son? if, i mean, he is your husband." he chuckles shaking his head.

"he's not suho's father." areum gulps, looking taehyung in the eyes for the first time as more tears spill from her eyes. "we're not allowed to speak the truth, and even if i do, i highly doubt you'll be able to believe me, your highness. i don't wish any more difficulty for myself and my child."

"try me." taehyung says, "i need to know the truth. you don't understand this, and it's not even your fault that you don't. nobody except for me, jimin and well, jungkook, will."

"jungkook?" areum frowns, "why are you so interested in him? he's not a bad guy and his hatred for your king is not all wrong, your highness. if you can sit her with me and talk, you can also sit down with him and discuss out your differences. just please don't hurt him..."

"he's my offender, areum. he's not in front of me for a reason. you are brought here for a reason." taehyung pronounces, "anyway, tell me. who is suho's father and why are you not with him now?"

"he didn't want the child, and if i stayed with him he'd kill him, and probably me too." she says, "i was only fifteen when i had my son, if that explains why i had to run away from that man."

taehyung clears his throat, nodding his head slowly, "why didn't you complain about him? we do higher imperials and forces to resolve disputes of the citizens."

"do you now?" areum smiles sadly, "i thought they only killed the slummers." that shuts taehyung up, and areum opens her mouth again, "and even if they didn't kill me. do you think they'd believe a girl's allegations of being assaulted multiple times by different men, when those men were imperials themselves?"

"what?" taehyung's eyes squint in disbelief, staring at areum as though warning her to let her words out carefully. "are you sure about what you're saying, areum? there will be serious consequences of such accusations on the elites."

"exactly why no one speaks up, your highness. according to your system, the slummers do not have a life. the women are treated like slaves for entertainment purposes of the elites. you would know that, wouldn't you?" she mutters, "after all, you saved a girl from a pleasure house..."

taehyung looks at her, muttering curses under his breath, his hand rising up to his hair, gripping strongly as he lowers his hand in his hands. "fuck... you- you're that girl..." he mumbles and areum hums, rubbing her eyes, meeting his eyes when he looks up, tears blurring his own gaze and shifts forward, "how is this possible... you..."

"i survived, thanks to you." she says, "but now if i die, if anything happens to my son or my jungkook, you'll be responsible for it... please, save us for this misery, prince. i can't go through all that hell again... i don't wanna lose jungkook."

"you're crying for him? do you even know him, areum? did he tell you who he really is?" taehyung hisses, pushing the free strands of hair back and stands up, moving the chair with his leg and proceeds closer to the bed. "tell me everything you know about him, and i'll tell you if it's true."

"why? you have nothing to do with jungkook and my relationship!"

"i do, areum. he's mine to kill." taehyung hisses, "so, just start talking."

areum scoffs at him, dropping the sheets that she has been so willfully holding until now and slips off the bed, standing in front of taehyung, hatred burning in her eyes. "i used to think you were different than your father, prince. but thank you for proving me wrong and jungkook right." she grits out, only igniting more frustration in taehyung, yet he keeps mum, staring at areum with newfound interest.

"you say jungkook is yours to kill, prince. well, please be informed that he's mine to protect mine to love. i won't let you hurt him."

"are you challenging me, areum?" taehyung arches up a brow.

"i'm threatening you." she declares, lifting her hands up to clasp the collar of his shirt, however she blinks awkwardly on realising that he isn't wearing one. nothing covers his upper body, so areum gradually lowers her hands.

"what? tempted?" taehyung mocks, stepping closer to her. "come on, areum, give me the truth and walk out this palace with all your dignity. i promise nobody will bother you if you listen to me and hand jungkook over."

"he's not an object to hand over!"

"lower. your. voice." taehyung growls, stroking her hair back with his gentle fingers. "nobody in this fucking empire dares to speak to me that way. but here i am tolerating you all because you're..." he trails off, not completing his words, but his eyes betray him shifting between her oceanic ones. "i saved you at every step that i crossed paths with you, darling. however, this time i can't make any promises."

before areum throws more retorting words, taehyung shakes his head as a warning, "if it's not to my benefit, keep your mouth shut." he states, scoffing at her and moves back, undoing his hair, letting them fall down marvelously on his shoulders, dark eyes drinking in areum's angry blue gaze.

"let's see if your hero comes to save your pretty self. pray for him, he's gonna need it soon." taehyung smirks, before walking out of the chamber. although he paused right outside the door, holding areum's gaze and motions his hand for the guards, "lock the door. if she steps out of here, you will be the ones facing the consequences. clear?"

"yes, your highness." the men bow, stepping forward quickly, and areum too, hurries towards taehyung, telling him to let her go.

"noooo! let me out!"

"better." taehyung hums when the doors are shut close on areum's face, locking inside her cries and hands banging the doors.

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a/n: we're on the second last chater of my precious series 🤧 please let me how you like the chapter. don't forget to vote and comment 🥰 also, another reminder for the Q/A. the questions are still welcome. so feel free to drop them in the next chapter named as "questions".

thank you for your lovely time 😌❤️