#Warning: Violent scenes

Third Person’s P.O.V.

Yoongi froze the moment he saw everyone kneeling down to submit to the trueblood. Taehyung had lost control of his wolf and he realized that things had gone exactly as wrong as he had feared.

But then it just went worse when he saw arrows flying in to pierce through Taehyung’s back, the situation had just turned from a scene of a challenge to become a brutal attempt to murder the trueblood.

Before he could say a thing he saw Seokjin zapping past as he hurried without a thought to where the brothers still struggled against each other, uncaring of the arrows that still flew in.

Yoongi was about to command the archers to stop, he was already struggling against the command the trueblood had forced on everyone and yet forced himself to get up to rush out of the crowd to follow after the fuming and yelling omega. He feared the worst knowing Seokjin’s powers had been subdued due to the potion he had taken. His insides lurched with fear as he tried to keep a hold of his composure but was beginning to fail.

“Stop! All of you!” He knew the archers were there under Jungkook’s orders and that the king had planned this very effectively, aiming to kill his trueblood brother even at the risk of his own death. Jungkook must have anticipated that Taehyung would win, and knowing he’d have nothing to lose had planned to rile up the trueblood in order to find the scope to attack him in this manner to ensure Taehyung too would share a similar fate as him.

His insides twisted and he felt his wolf growling in hurt and guilt when he saw Taehyung lying on the ground with blood spewing out of his mouth, several arrows hurting him and marring his breathing as he choked and coughed up more blood. He saw the younger’s eyes stay on his mate.

The realization flashed through Yoongi’s mind when he saw his shaky hand clasp at Seokjin’s face and he didn’t need to guess to know what Taehyung was thinking about.

Yoongi was hurrying closer now, desperate to stop him but somewhere inside he too knew it was an instinct every alpha would feel at the face of witnessing the death of their mate. It was the same instinct of protectiveness that took over…making them believe that even in death they had the responsibility to take away the worse to ensure their mate was protected and safe.

However, he paused midway…and so did everything around…Yoongi could see the skies darkening overhead, the air wild and rumbling as if it complained of the scene it witnessed and every eye there noted how lightning crackled illuminating the three figures in the middle of the dirt and gravel that covered the field.

Seokjin’s hairs fluttered unruly, those soft brown eyes were transformed to a dazzle of silvery white as they peeked from behind the wild tresses while his gaze stayed fixed on his bleeding alpha.

“You will live trueblood…till I get what I want.”

Murmurs rose among the crowds, people flinching with each cracking flicker of electric raging among the skies as they debated if it was safe to be standing there. Their fears rose threefold when they saw the omega prince’s head snap towards the crowd…and Yoongi knew what was about to happen.

There was no stopping it now…it was evident that Arcana was in control, and the deity was known to be cruel.

He stood there stunned and unmoving as well, not sure whether to tell the people to run for their lives or let the omega take what he wanted in order to heal Taehyung. But his confusions took a different turn when he saw Taehyung clasping back at his mate’s jaw to make him face his way.

“Don-t hurt anyone” Taehyung’s voice was broken but it was a command all the same, he could see those cold white eyes stay on his “all that power and yet-” he bit down a pained grunt to speak again “yet you steal from the powerless?”

He scoffed, watching the shudder run through the quiet form of the other who still held him firmly to himself.

“And you c-call yourself a god?!” He tried to laugh out but coughed as blood choked his throat “you’re worse th-an a pett-tyy thief…you stole my mate’s body…you steal from the people…and you’re trying to steal my child from me! You’re no god! You’re worse than mortals! At least I can trust on my strength…and if death is my fate, I will not fall weak to accept it!”

He fell into a fit of coughs, trying to catch his breath as his body fell into further weakness…his senses failing him now as his eyes threatened to close. He was angry, mostly with himself but also with the several other things that had gone wrong to lead him to face the current predicament.

Taehyung clasped at the hand that was set on his chest while his other hand moved from caressing his mate’s cheek to curl around Jin’s neck, his eyes sternly set against those white and one could see a zealous intention burning in the eyes of the trueblood. His body might be failing him but his mind still retained that instinctive sharpness as ever and in that moment he decided to take a reckless decision.

Without a thought Taehyung pulled Jin to himself, letting his trueblood take control as he let his canines sink into his mate’s neck. A shrill shriek pierced the air next, the omega thrashing against the trueblood who held him in an unfailing grip, a growl roaring in his chest as he demanded the other to submit to him.

Taehyung felt Arcana deny to give up the control over to Jin, he felt him struggling to free himself from his grasp. He knew Arcana was desperate to heal him to ensure Jin’s as well as the pup’s safety and yet the trueblood wanted that same desperation in his mate to do what he believed they could actually achieve. He pulled back, his trueblood still in control as he spoke with difficulty.

“I know you can hear me Jin…t-take control…you know y-you can” he closed his eyes as the world began falling silent around him and this was probably the last ditch effort to save themselves.

The words made something spear through the omega, whose white eyes blinked rapidly and Yoongi could see that Seokjin looked like he was glitching.

The older alpha dared to walk closer, steps slow as he feared what might be going on before he saw the same white eyed gaze zapping towards him and he froze, feeling as if he was staring death in the eyes.

“Y-Yoongi…” and although he could see those dazzling white eyes staring at him but there was the softness of the omega, the voice that called to him was a plea that made Yoongi rush to him.

He pulled his sleeves up in hurry “heal him…quick” he spoke without thinking what could happen if this was a temporary glitch and Jin lost control over Arcana again.

And soon enough Jin was trying his best to get the arrows out and use his hands to draw from Yoongi, his white gaze unmoving from Taehyung as he fussed and fumbled realizing his omega powers were but a failure. He couldn’t draw from the other to transfer it to heal Taehyung, neither did it heal Taehyung when the trueblood had bitten into his neck…his omega was still not responding due to being suppressed.

“N-No…please” Jin mewled to himself.

“Seokjin you-” “Stop!!” It was a ferocious command and Yoongi flinched back to see Jin press his eyes close, he was screaming to himself as he set his hands on Taehyung, still trying his best to heal his alpha while both of them looked to be in utter pain.

“Jin l-listen to me” Taehyung was beginning to think that his plan had failed, his command might have given the control over to Jin yet his mate still hadn’t acquired the control over Arcana’s powers. Exhaling deeply to himself he steadied himself to do what he knew he had to…it was the only way to ensure at least one of them would live…although his mate would lose the pup…

“You said I can do this…hold your faith on me for once…”

Taehyung gulped remembering the words they had shared the previous night, those white eyes looked deadly but he knew inside that they were capable of a lot more than creating massacres…as a celestial being he must have many more remarkable abilities...and he’d be able to use all of those to his advantage, if only he’d manage to get the control over Arcana.

Maybe that’s all the omega ever needed, not to be told what is right or wrong but given the chance to depend on himself…to know someone would trust him and put his faith in him completely…even with his own life on the line.

“I put all my faith…in you the day I-I chose you as my mate darling…I knew there would be no going back…not for me…”

Jin’s clasp tightened on his alpha, terror filled him as he imagined losing their pup and about the absence of his alpha. There had been a time he had hated Taehyung…hated being brought into the middle of a life he never wished for…hated being chased and captured…hated the very idea of belonging to the trueblood…but right now all he could think of was how to save his alpha…protect their bond and the pup…and he knew he needed the spirit’s help to do that.

He had long called that side of him a curse, a destructive thing that knew no good…but maybe it was just his shortcoming all the same, he had let it be called a curse, let it wreck havoc and never tried hard enough to control it to make it do what he wanted to do…it had always been easier to cower away and put the blame on things being beyond his control.

Taehyung had just given him that chance…he had made sure Arcana won’t b able to use him as its puppet…it was time he took this chance to take full control of the spirit himself. 

And lightning struck through the skies in a pulse of white and electric blue. Jin’s white gaze went towards the archers whose fate was delivered the very next moment as they were incinerated to dust.

Yoongi watched with open-mouthed wonder as Jin pressed his hands on Taehyung’s chest next and gasps erupted when they saw the wounds on the trueblood dissolve and heal up.

But what was even more startling was that it didn’t stop there.

This was the first time Jin felt the reality of what enormous powers he held within him unlike all those times when the spirit took over and he was left in a black daze as if caught in a sleep while Arcana did as it pleased, controlling his body to do what it wanted. Right now, as Jin saw Taehyung close his eyes and let him heal him, he could also feel the profound magic he so easily held in the very cusp of his hand. His intention to heal his alpha resulted in a phenomenal sight for everyone there when the arid field festered with dirt and gravel transformed to become pastures of green, the skies clearing of the dark angry clouds to let sun seep in and the crowd burst out in more awed gasps.

Jin too watched around wonderstruck, fear untraced in his dazzling eyes yet one could see the shock he was undergoing at witnessing the capacity of his own strength. He was too engrossed in it before he felt a grip on his wrist, dominating and decided.

“Calm down…breathe…I know it must feel overwhelming but keep it under your control” the voice was calm but one could almost trace the hint of pride “that’s enough playing for today.”

Jin’s head snapped back towards Taehyung, white eyes blinking at the other as his parted lips showed his still awestruck state.

“You commanded Arcana to surrender to my control…how did you do that?” This was the first question Jin could think of, he really couldn’t comprehend fully how he was able to do something he had been unable to do his entire life!

Taehyung grunted to himself, pushing himself off of the ground and Jin instantly got busy to try to help him before realising that the alpha was actually all healed up and better now.

“No…I didn’t command Arcana” the trueblood spoke, he knew Arcana wasn’t something he could force into submission but Jin was his mate after all and as his mate he was bound to give in to his command. A little smile curved at the corner of his mouth “I commanded you…and as my mate you depended enough on me to believe that you could do what I was asking you to do.”

Before Taehyung could even say another word, he was tackled back down onto the ground as Jin threw himself into the alpha’s arms engulfing him in an ecstatic hug. He felt Jin place his head on his shoulder and breathe in deeply before his nose nudged at the side of his neck. Taehyung let his arms enfold around his mate, his trueblood still restless due to the loss of its mate’s calming scent but the gesture was too endearing for him to discard, especially because he could see how thankful Jin looked to know that he had helped him to do what he never thought he could on his own. 

“The duel hasn’t ended yet…”

The voice made their attention turn to the side to see a bruised Jungkook struggling to get back on his feet. He was barely stable on his feet as he looked down at Taehyung.

“It doesn’t end t-till one of us dies…”

Taehyung’s enclosed arms got a little tighter around Jin as he stared blankly at his brother, for the first time in his life he was really confused with what Jungkook really wanted. It was evident that if they fought now it would be very easy for him to kill him without any problem at all. Jungkook was severely wounded and the archers he had planted to hurt Taehyung were also no longer a threat. It was almost as if his brother had a death wish.

Jin’s head snapped up at the voice beside them, his white eyes intently setting on the King as he scowled at him. He saw Taehyung busy in his thoughts before the trueblood pulled his hands away and stood up to face Jungkook. He saw him grip at his own sword, they watched him as he raised it and plunged it into the ground below before he walked ahead of Jin, his eyes oddly calm as he stepped closer to his brother.

“Why?” The deep voice made every eye there go towards the trueblood who walked unarmed towards their wounded King, Jungkook’s hand was shaking as he tried to keep his hold strong on the sword.

“Why do you want to prove so badly that you are better than me?”

Taehyung stopped walking only when he was a foot away from Jungkook knowing his brother could wound him if he wanted to. However, it didn’t look like the attack would be very fierce with how Jungkook was struggling to stay on his feet.

The king looked startled to be confronted all of a sudden, his breathing laboured as his eyes tried to stay focused on his brother.

“Prove? Hah…I have nothing to prove! I just need you dead before you can ruin everything!!”

“I’ve never done anything against father or Kleon-” “Yes…till you claimed that omega…that god inside him made your trueblood break out of the submission you had pledged! You’ve been breaking every rule since then!”

Taehyung quietened down a bit, assessing the words as he began realizing the truth in that. Claiming Jin had actually allowed him to not be tied under the beck n’ call of Jungkook, it had broken the invisible chains of servitude that his father had forced him to abide to so that he’d never be able to go against Jungkook.

“I was not trying to prove anything…I was only trying to follow what father had ordered me to do!” Jungkook snarled through gritted teeth “I was trying to protect Kleon like he had ordered me to do! I was trying to be the good son!” He looked furious, crazed with his own anger and failure as he fumed at Taehyung “but I keep failing because of you! I keep failing…father knew I would! He knew and yet he didn’t kill you! He was so proud…so happy to see Kleon become the most feared land! The land that no one dared to war against! Only because he had created the finest weapon ever!”

His chest heaved and his voice was loud and echoing in the empty field, tears welled in his eyes and yet his eyes burned in scorching anger “I was just a boy…a mere hollow frame to hold his legacy…a kid whom he needed to only sit on the throne” his voice cracked but did not falter “I was too stupid to join him in planning wars so I remained mute in my seat…I was too weak to accompany the troops so I had to sit inside a guarded carriage…not strong enough to take decisions because I wasn’t done with my lessons in politics, philosophy or more of those bullshit…a royal heir, a crown prince, an alpha and yet insignificant as always! But you…” his jaw clenched as he thought back on those days “you could join the troops and even lead them, you were allowed to train with the finest swordsmen…you were taught to plan wars! He ensured that you’d be undefeatable…and yet left it on me to defeat you…”

Jungkook moved, sword snapping towards the trueblood who stood unmoving and unfazed in the line of the attack.

“Maybe I should remind you why father had to ensure before a court full of people that I bowed before you”

He grabbed at the blade without a hint of hesitation, the sharp edge cutting into his flesh and Taehyung simply yanked it out of his grip and tossed it out of reach.

“I don’t want to kill you just yet…you won’t live once I take up my sword against you but unlike you I have principles, I don’t fight on unequal terms…besides, knowing that I will win without even trying takes the fun away from the challenge…” a smirk appeared as Taehyung shrugged at his barely stable opponent.

Jungkook fumed, eyes looking red and crazed as he watched the trueblood’s audacity, who dared to mock him before all.

But he knew he wasn’t lying, in truth he’d be dead in less than a minute if Taehyung wanted to kill him and it annoyed him even further to think how easy this whole thing was for him, how easy it had been for the trueblood to take away everything that should have been his…be it the fame of being an exceptional alpha leader…be it the strength of his command…or be it the omega he had wanted to acquire…

Somehow his crude and petty half-brother had always stolen things away from him.

Everyone thought the illegitimate heir to the throne would not hamper anything if he lived among the mountains and stayed far away from the palace but Jungkook knew that no matter how insignificant they made Taehyung look, the shadow of the trueblood’s powers constantly stayed. Every discussion at court would include him, every decision needed him, every law had to make special consideration for him and even in hatred they spoke more about Taehyung than about their King.

A part of him probably always knew that someday he’ll be forced to confront the reality and accept the fact that his whole life had been a mockery…that it was he who had been the insignificant one under the trueblood’s all-encompassing shadow.

“This will never end till one of us dies…” his voice shook as the truth echoed within him as he came to realize that he was not enough to put an end to the monster…he was not the ruler his father wanted him to be. Jungkook gulped to himself, fearing the very thoughts that were running through his head right now.

“No swords…let’s do this like real alphas eh” Taehyung shrugged, the smirk growing on his lips “we will wrestle-” he stopped midway to see Jungkook laughing to himself, shaking his head as he did so to think how crude and lowly his brother was to think that as the king he’d accept such a challenge.

“I know that you are aware that I can’t win against you in wrestling”

Taehyung frowned at him being a little unprepared of the statement. Yes, he did know that Jungkook wouldn’t win if they wrestled but he had never seen the other accepting his weakness this openly. He saw him pick his head to stare at him straight and traced a cold emotionless look, he looked very unlike the sly and cruel alpha king…Jungkook looked exhausted and hollow from within.

“I will lose even if we take up swords now” his voice grew lower and more frail “neither can I win against my fate…”

Taehyung’s gaze snapped as more royal guards filled into the field, their arrows aimed at him and Jin as they deduced that he had cheated in the challenge by using his trueblood and also by letting his mate heal him, and was probably trying something fishy again at the moment.

The trueblood’s concerned gaze instantly moved towards his omega, his mind off of the duel as he stepped towards Jin to guard him, his instincts overtaking his rational mind as he momentarily forgot that his omega had become successful in controlling the spirit.

However, he stopped midway and watched in silence as Jungkook gestured them not to attack.

Everyone watched with nervous anticipation as they tried to understand what exactly was going through the King’s mind or how the duel would end…and what new results would it bring.

“I have decided to surrender…but I have a couple of demands in return…”

A striking silence overtook the space, Yoongi, Seokjin and even Taehyung’s eyes widened in shock to hear Jungkook.

“Let the royal concubines return to their lands…and the Queen Dowager must still have her command over the inner castle, she has every right to remain there as the former Queen so I expect you not to defame her or cause her insult” Jungkook spoke in a resolute voice “I cannot stand and watch you ruin Kleon…that is something I can never accept” his voice was too grim and low as he spoke the next words “so I will take a voluntary exile…and you can have the throne-” “Exile?” Taehyung frowned at his words, not understanding what Jungkook was planning this time “what land will allow a fallen king into their kingdom? You will get butchered the moment you step out of Kleon.”

Hollow laughter filled the air, the voice an broken empty cackle rather than genuine laughter “I say you can have the throne and you pretend to care about my life instead of rejoicing?”

Taehyung’s frown deepened and his face hardened at the words. Surely, he felt no sympathy for the other, however the thought of Jungkook being murdered by enemy hands felt quite unsettling. His wolf would rather see him trapped in the dungeons. He saw Jungkook walking off, passing by his side with a shake of his head.

“I have nothing left to lose brother…I have already given up on everything in life, what must I live for now when the sole reason for my existence was to keep the throne safe and defeat you?”

Taehyung stood confused and stunned with how things had turned out, he had expected the fight…expected that he’d win but he hadn’t expected that victory would feel like this…he had wished to see Jungkook in pain, hurt, broken and begging for mercy…but him surrendering felt like this wasn’t a victory at all.

As if the fight he had always wanted to happen to prove himself wasn’t really as grand as he thought it would be…it was just like another bout of inflicting wounds on each other, nothing new…nothing dramatic.

“You cannot leave” Yoongi’s voice cut through the silence and all eyes saw Jungkook halt abruptly in his steps, his head slowly turning to trace the decided voice “the challenge might be over but what you had done was treachery against your own land…and if you remember right, treachery is a crime.”

Jungkook stared unblinking at the elder alpha because he could tell where he was headed with this.

“Last time the Commander served two hundred lashes for his and his mate’s treachery against Kleon under your command…and until your punishment is declared you will have to stay here.”

Taehyung turned towards Yoongi who came to stand by him, his eyes a little puzzled to hear what the elder had just said. Yoongi, however, looked determined in his words.

“I agree” Jin’s voice drew attention next, his eyes no longer a dazzling silver and it was evident that he had successfully subdued Arcana without Taehyung’s help this time “a law should treat everyone on similar terms…how would that even be a law otherwise?”

He too walked closer, to stand next to his alpha as his gaze turned to fall on Jungkook.

Jungkook’s eyes were the same blank, neither did he speak or protest when the royal guards unsurely surrounded him, fumbling uneasily about how they should be treating the man they had known to be the king for years now…even before he had taken the throne as the crown prince he had always received special treatment. The situation went worse when the Queen Dowager rushed out of the palace to stumble through the crowds to stand before them in the field.

“How dare you plot to go against him?! He is the only true heir who can sit on the throne of Kleon!” She thundered angrily at Taehyung while tears blurred her eyes “you’re not even a true royal! Never in the history of dominions has a bastard ever ruled a land!! Your trueblood doesn’t give you the right to defy the royal decree!!”

Taehyung listened to all that she had to say with a stone cold expression.

“I never wanted the throne for myself” the words were flat when Taehyung finally spoke.

A silence palled around as they heard the trueblood speak.

They could see the Queen still fuming and glaring at him, her anger and envy clearly visible.

“In truth…I have always wanted to uproot this very system of royals believing that it is only them who have the right to lead” Taehyung’s voice became heavier with seriousness and not only Jin but every eye there went wider as they stared at the trueblood, whose words had taken everyone by surprise.

“Today…this very moment…is the last when Kleon will ever see a King!” His voice grew stronger “from this day onwards this will be a land for the people! Only the one who can prove to be worthy of being named a true citizen…would be the one to lead the people of Kleon!”

A hush fell on everyone as they tried to understand what the trueblood was suggesting, it was beyond their understanding still to think what a land without a king would be like…they had never heard of a nation where there wasn’t an alpha to dictate the rules…they had never witnessed a kingdom where an alpha king didn’t give orders and the people obediently followed…they couldn’t even picture Kleon without a royal deciding and taking steps for them.

“You have lost your mind” the Queen scoffed at the audacious words that sounded much too prideful to her “what do they even know of ruling? What do they even know about politics? Wars? Famines?”

“And yet for every one of these they are the ones who have to suffer and pay the hardest price!” Taehyung’s voice grew angry now, booming against the derision in the Queen’s “wars ruin their homes! Famines leave them starving! And they have to suffer because of the filthy politics that royals play for their own gains!”

It was only Yoongi who noticed how Jungkook had frozen in his place, eyes wide as he stared frozen at Taehyung while his mind seemed to have drifted elsewhere into his hallucinations.

The hush of confusion grew to become words of support now as the people voiced their consent to the truebloods’ assertion. They were finally beginning to understand that the man they had once discarded as the illegitimate child and had feared that he’d transform to become a monster who would oppress them, was in reality the one who was standing up for them. And their vehement support to Taehyung’s words broke through as they realized that if they didn’t fight for their rights and raised their voices now, then they’d have to go back to being mute and endure what they had been suffering yet again.

“N-No…no” the words of protest were a mere mumble on Jungkook’s lips “you cannot” he fumbled breaking out of the circle of guards who surrounded him “this is what she said…she said you’ll draw the people to mutiny against the throne…this is what she said! Stop! You’ll ruin everything father worked so hard to build!!”

Yoongi saw him head straight for Taehyung as he watched Jungkook grasp at his brother’s collars, his eyes wide with rage and an eerie wildness “you don’t know what you are doing!” He screamed at his face “you will ruin father’s legacy! Not everyone can become the King! It will destroy the laws! The commoners know nothing about the royal decree! They don’t know how to rule! Kleon will be in ruins because of your stupidities!!”

Taehyung stood enduring his brother’s anger, his eyes sharp as he watched Jungkook throwing a fit.

“Then we will teach them to be able to do all that” the words were resolute as Taehyung spoke and people could see Jungkook’s frustrations rise as the other broke away from the grasp he had on his collars, the trueblood resumed speaking “no more disparity among people…I have lived through it and I know well how it feels to be treated like a worthless nobody, unwanted…hated…thrown away to live in a far corner where neither your voice nor your wishes matter…”

His gaze moved to graze over the crowds that stood before them till it shifted towards his mate, eyes boring into the omega’s eyes.

“From this day on everyone shall have the right to be who they want to be…doesn’t matter if they are born a beta, an alpha or an omega.”

It would be a lie if Jin said that he wasn’t stunned to silence as he gazed into the trueblood’s darker eyes, trying to understand him. Heck he couldn’t believe what he heard Taehyung say!

He had thought that Taehyung would win and take over the throne and honestly, he was all up to see that happen. He had desperately wanted him to win the duel and dethrone that idiot half-brother of his but never in a million years would he believe that this was what Taehyung had intended to do!

However, it seemed like his alpha was yet to surprise him some more.

“Every living being should feel that their voice is heard…everyone is allowed to complain and contribute to make the future a better place” Taehyung spoke the words with his eyes set solely on Jin’s “every soul should have the right to believe that they belong…that they matter…that they too have the position to demand to be treated right…”

Jin gulped to himself, the way Taehyung’s eyes remained unwavering on his made him feel as if he was talking only to him…as if he was assuring him that he had heard his angry complaints against the oppressive laws against omegas or when he furiously disregarded the rules that only showed how biased everything was towards maintaining that alpha superiority.

As if this was Taehyung’s way of telling him that he mattered to him…his voice and his complaints mattered to him…that he accepted the reality of how wrong the laws were towards the others and was trying to change it not only for his mate but for everyone who was suffering.

Jin was about to thank him, he looked blank because he didn’t know how to show him how much this actually meant to him and the alpha turned back towards the others before he could say anything.

“I suggest from now on we have a representative leader who would be the people’s choice.”

Murmurs and nods took over the crowd again as they agreed being delighted of the importance their voices and their demands were being given.

Yoongi might have been surprised by Taehyung’s words and the kind of change it would bring but the pride that flashed over his face was one of a kind…he had seen the boy grow, from being a naïve young boy used for his powers to the ill-tempered trueblood…and now a true alpha who would lead Kleon to attain heights no other kingdom could comprehend. He could see the same sort of surprise and pride and admiration in Seokjin’s features, the omega looked pleasantly stunned as Taehyung spoke and he could tell they had finally reached to a point where they cared enough about each other to try to understand the other’s point of view.

To him watching them be this approving of each other at the moment felt like an achievement…they had been two poles who were completely opposite to each other and right now as they stood side by side, Yoongi could see that it was truly destiny in the making.

Together they were a force none would dare to stand against.

The moment Taehyung suggested of the next leader being someone who would be chosen by the people, a rush took over. Hundreds standing there were instantly busy to decide their choices to present as the one they wanted to be their representative.

“Now that’s interesting” Hoseok grinned coming to join beside Yoongi “for a moment I really thought they’d all choose Taehyung…looks like your brother has a competitor.”

Yoongi smiled glancing at him for a short moment before he saw how the people spoke out their choice of representative, hands lifted up to vote and voices loudly declaring their thoughts.

“If I didn’t know any better…I would think it’s an astounding scene to see” he spoke watching the number of people who chose Taehyung as their representative and yet one could see his proud eyes gleaming at how there were almost an equal number who supported Seokjin “but I think Taehyung had already anticipated this”.

There were certain loud squabbling too, as the people who supported the trueblood ridiculed those who chose to stand to vote for the omega prince, yelling in loud words how he too had saved lives and contributed in winning the war.

And with every person who lifted their voice to vote for the trueblood, there was another one who’d show their support for the omega prince…it went to a level where Hoseok had to laugh out loud to see the supporters divided in equal numbers as they tried to prove who would be a better representative.

“Guess I think I could solve the matter eh?” Hoseok spoke to go to stand by Seokjin, adding his vote for the omega while Yoongi laughed at him “or, it might still stand at an equal…” he taunted the other as he went ahead to stand by Taehyung, thus adding his support for the younger.

However, the quarrels were soon put to an end.

Taehyung turned to look at the omega and feeling a gaze on himself, Seokjin too turned to look at the other.

“I really meant it when I said I wasn’t mocking you…will you believe me now if I said that you would be a good leader to them?” A smile pulled at the trueblood’s lips as he watched his mate grow pink, Jin’s excitement was clear in the way his brown eyes looked at how much everyone seemed to believe in him.

But there were still a number of people who couldn’t understand that there really were so many among them who thought an omega could rule.

“Commander! You cannot allow this! This is not in Kleon’s culture! How can an omega be allowed to command?!”

“This would become a blasphemy I tell you! This not a change…this is a path to devastation of all our proud heritage!”

“An omega to rule over alphas?!! How can you even think of such a thing??!! This is some work of the devil surely…some evil force must have captured your mind that you are actually considering voting for an omega leader!”

“How do you know it’s wrong if you’ve never seen it before?” Hoseok mocked one of the speakers with an eye-roll.

And then there were voices loud and clear who supported the omega.

“He knows how to protect! He was the only one who tried to stand up for those who never received any support!”

“Give him the chance and I say he will stand by us! I have seen him endanger himself as he tried to protect us!”

Taehyung’s gaze stayed on Jin as he watched how nervous his mate looked to hear all their words, he was constantly chewing on his lip and gulping to himself. It was evident that he too feared the responsibility but he knew the truth about his mate that the omega himself didn’t seem to be aware of.

“If you are judging my mate by his omega status then I must say that my decision to eradicate the royal reign and establish the idea of a leader to be the representative of people’s choice is because of what I have come to understand over the past few months that I have lived and went to war with my mate by my side” he saw Jin’s eyes come to set on him, his face still flushed with anxiousness but he looked charmed to hear him, innocently blinking at him as he too heard him being overtaken by surprise.

“It took me time to understand this…and I’m sure that there are many people like me, steeped with hard-headed alpha norms that denies us to accept what we don’t know” he nodded to his own words seeing many such faces that held angry frowns against his words “but that is all it takes actually…to accept that we don’t know another side of the story.”

He breathed out before talking to the people again “it is compassion that cares for all, courage that leads a land and while intellect strengthens the will to aid the nations’ future, it is but unbiased generosity that protects the rights of all” Taehyung looked through the crowd his mind skipping through the images of violence and blood and death that he was way too familiar with as a slight sigh slipped his lips “and I’m afraid I don’t have it all in me…I can kill an enemy and purge Kleon of the destruction and sufferings it had to endure due to centuries of oppressive rulers but I am not someone who is compassionate towards everyone…I am not…I live for war…the battlefield is where I belong…it is where my wolf belongs…I was born to be a soldier, and I have been taught to give up on my conscience because it made me weak while they sharpened the violence and bloodlust in me so that I could bring them victory”

Jin stood wordless and awed as he gazed at Taehyung’s back who was still busy addressing the people. He could tell what his alpha was trying to say to them…he knew what he was trying to prove and for some reason he wanted to yell at him to stop…tell him that he’d be a far better leader to them because of how well he knew the people of Kleon or how well he had been taught about the art of warfare or how learned he was at the law and politics that was essential to lead a nation.

While he was a boy who knew nothing of how politics in the society works but only knew that he would never stay quiet against a wrong. He knew nothing about how warfare is plotted except for the way to wield a sword and would always use it to protect another if he could. He wanted to say he knew almost nothing of the world except what he had seen in the last few months…while Taehyung had spent years understanding and braving the world.

Although he too knew the truth that through all those ups and downs, they had really grown to know a lot about the world together.

But he felt a fire take over him when he saw Taehyung turn around to face him and walked closer to stand in front of him…the words although spoken for all yet as if they were intended just for Jin.

“I am the Commander of an army…I wasn’t really born to be a ruler…so my vote for the right leader of Kleon would go to my mate…”

“Taehyung…but I-this-” “You said you denied to accept something just because it had been the normal way” Taehyung’s voice had a confident spark, yet the heaviness in them showed how seriously he had thought on the words his mate had said in his anger “and you know what to do if you want to change something…” he smiled knowingly down at his omega and saw Jin’s eyes spark wide as they filled with moisture next, he nodded to himself while trying to not let his happy tears spill.

“Find the strength to change it myself” Jin spoke out in a rush and Taehyung couldn’t help but coil an arm around his shoulders to pull the omega to himself as he pressed his mouth onto his mate’s forehead, a smile pulling at his lips in its own volition “that’s right love” he pecked at his forehead again “the struggle will be the hardest, it’s not just one crude alpha against you this time” he chuckled to himself “but I can feel you’re gonna make everyone proud.” 

Jin wrapped his arms around Taehyung, burrowing into the alpha’s chest as he tried to calm himself down realizing with a sigh that he had no access to his scent which could definitely help him right now.

Yes, it was an overwhelming responsibility…and he was scared, what did he even know about leading a whole kingdom?!

However, when he saw the people cheer for him, celebrating his new position as their leader, or when Hoseok gave him a wide grin and a dramatic bow, or when Yoongi spoke that he believed he could always learn what he thought he didn’t know or when Taehyung gave him that proud smile and his eyes spoke how sure he was about his decision to support him to lead Kleon towards a better and more glorious future, it was then that Jin felt easier, the wild beating in his heart and those million self-criticizing arguments going on in his head were finally snubbed enough to help him believe in himself.

And when Taehyung offered him to take his hand, Jin grasped onto it without a hint of hesitation trusting to follow alongside him as the alpha guided him to the middle of the circle. His grip tightening when he saw all those people bursting into loud hurrahs and those who weren’t really convinced of this new outcome still eyed him with a grimace and scoffed turning away.

Jin knew it would be weird if people liked him right away, he’d need to work on his own confidence before he could let others be confident of him to put their faith on him as well.

“Don’t worry…you’ll be way better a leader than what Kleon had ever had”

Jin felt the words whispered into his ear as he felt Taehyung lean into his side.

“Besides” the tone made it evident enough that the alpha was being playful with him “I’m right here” his grip tightened on Jin’s “I’m always with you…after all I promised to be your armour through everything, didn’t I?”

á na márië.

[A\N] I knew I was going to enjoy writing this... hope you enjoy it just as much as I did!

I guess I'm a little late but I intended to give this to you all to celebrate Jiminie's birthday and to wish him loads of happiness n good health! ✨🎊💝

*Psst! It's a secret... don't tell anyone 🤫 Jimin's coming back into the story soon!*

Borahae!

💜