"Skandedem," Hoseok said sprinkling the glitter over Taehyung's face then placed the mask that would change his appearance on him. "Hoseok Jung."

"Thank you, Hoseok," Taehyung said and patted his shoulder. "And again, please do not let anyone know of this."

Hoseok bit his lip and nodded, knowing he shouldn't be allowing this. "As long as you don't pull the same stunt as last time. Yoongi's still being weird around me."

"Sorry," Taehyung offered with a smile. He thanked the elf again before he left the palace. Seeing how the guards let him go without question, the spell worked and he looked like Hoseok.

Taehyung went down to the "Spellbooks & more" shop he'd seen when he first got to Elvador. He went inside the empty shop and the elf there looked up at him from the book he was writing something in.

"Welcome. What're you looking for?" the elf asked, not sounding welcome at all.

"Hoseok Jung from Leonava, I work for the palace," Taehyung said as smooth as possible. "We need a potion that will not get the sensor acting up at the shield."

The elf closed his book and lifted a brow. "You need a potion that you could just whip up in the palace?"

Taehyung just stared back and blinked. He nodded his head slowly. "Well. That's true. Okay, I guess I'll just go."

Taehyung turned around to leave but he elf spoke. "Never said I wouldn't sell it to you. Wait here."

Taehyung smiled and turned back around. The elf went through a door leading to the back and came back with a bottle filled with a clear liquid.

"Here, it'll work as long as you don't wash it off. One third of it should be good for one elf," he said, placing the bottle on the counter.

"What about a Pegasus?" Taehyung inquired.

"You need one for a Pegasus too?" the elf asked and Taehyung nodded. The man went back and got another potion except it was a transparent blue and placed it beside the other potion.

"A third of this will do as well. That'll be 20 golds," the elf said going up to the cash register.

"20 gold?" Taehyung exclaimed. He'd only brought 25 pieces of gold with him but he could clear out a whole bakery with that much.

The elf nodded. "Expensive ingredients."

Taehyung sighed and pulled out his pouch with all his money, took out 20 gold pieces and handed it to the elf. He wrote up a receipt and gave it to Taehyung along with a bag with the potions. Taehyung thanked the shopkeeper and went back to the palace and straight to the stable.

Taehyung informed the stable elf of the official booking he made with Hoseok's name. He quickly got Mage and went off to the shield after making use of the potions. Once he arrived, he took of the mask Hoseok instructed to be careful with if he wanted to put it back on again. He might look like a wonkier version of Hoseok but it'll do.

"Uncle Zorock!" Taehyung yelled once and waited a few seconds before the said uncle appeared in front of him.

"Mm, we're being respectful now huh?" the pale elf said putting a finger to his chin.

"I didn't want to scream my lungs out again," Taehyung said. "You have an ugly name."

Zorock widened his mouth and pretended to be offend. "Oh my my, how mean of you. Truly evil. I am devastated. Your heart is pure coal."

Taehyung let out a short laugh at the elf's sarcastic remark.

"Ahh, finally some appreciation for my excellent humour," Zorock said showing a smile. Maybe the first genuine one that Taehyung has seen.

"Now what is that you want, little one?"

Taehyung and Mage went closer. "I want you to be my mentor," Taehyung said, making sure his voice was loud and clear.

Zorock lifted a brow, pressed his lips together and curved them down until his his lips disappeared, nodding as he did so. "I see. Okay."

"'Okay'? For real? I don't gotta bribe you or anything?" Taehyung asked.

"I've got nothing to lose," Zorock replied with a shrug.

Taehyung scoffed. "Really? You don't think I'll become powerful? That I can then bring you down?"

Zorock laughed. "You may think otherwise but we're on the same team Taehyung. This barrier may be separating us but we are on the same side."

Taehyung didn't respond. He wasn't trying to argue back and make Zorock upset.

"Show me your orb," Zorock said breaking the silence.

"Huh?" Taehyung sounded, not because he didn't understand what was asked but due to not expecting to start at the very moment.

Zorock raised a hand, made a fist and then when he spread his fingers, his orb had formed. It was all black, not even a trace of light passing through. Taehyung was mesmerized, he couldn't look away. It felt like a black hole that he was being sucked into. He didn't snap out of it until Zorock closed his hand and got rid of it.

Taehyung shook his head and did as he was told. He put his palms together and when he separated them, his own orb had formed, but it looked different from the last time. The grey bits got darker. They were black now and were swirling around with the white. Zorock noticed the confusion in Taehyung.

"See, proof that the curse is real. When you fully accept yourself, your orb will be just like mine," Zorock explained. Taehyung gulped and clapped, making the orb disappear.

"Alright, mentee. What would like to learn first?"

•—•—•

"No I will not practice on Mage!" Taehyung screamed earning a laugh from Zorock.

"I'm kidding, gosh," Zorock said, covering his mouth with his hand. Taehyung rolled his eyes.

They were both now on the ground and Zorock taught him various methods to be able to concentrate on how much power he wanted to use.

"Hey, little troublemaker," Zorock called out in a hushed tone even though they were the only ones around. Taehyung scooted closer from his seat on the grass.

"Wanna see a trick?" Zorock asked with an evil grin.

"Sure?" Taehyung answered but it came out more like a question.

Zorock stood up. He shut his eyes and stretched out his arms. He inhaled and put his chin out ever so slightly. When he opened his eyes again, his iris were raven black, the pupil indistinguishable.

Zorock began to be lifted up in the air and was surrounded with a black mist. Vein like black markings etched over the little amount of exposed skin. From his hands, black flames formed. Zorock raised his arms now all the way up so that both flames met. Then in a swift move, he aimed down to the ground and a strong ball of flame shot down, creating a large crater.

Taehyung's jaw dropped to the ground as Zorock slowly came back down. His eyes changed back to their normal state as the markings vanished. Taehyung could've only described what he saw as a demonic ritual.

"Don't worry, you'll be able to do that and so much more," Zorock said, crossing his arms behind his back.

Taehyung didn't feel reassurance from what Zorock had said, maybe more worry. He really didn't know what he was capable off, and the unknown frightened him very much.

They decided to end it there for the day. Taehyung mounted himself back on Mage and before Zorock could leave, he called his uncle.

"Thank you for today. I really appreciate it," Taehyung said.

Zorock nodded and stretched his signature smile. "Anything for my dear nephew."

"Mm, I had my doubts but there are elves you still care about huh?"

"Oh I'm not heartless, alright? And as long as this heart beats, I will be seeking my revenge," Zorock said making Taehyung drop from his smile to a pout. Zorock was about to turn around and leave until he realized something.

"Elves?" he questioned, putting emphasis on the last few letters.

Taehyung took in a sharp breath before he answered. "Namjoon."

Zorock's smile faltered. He looked lost for words. It was a hunch, a logical guess and Zorock's reaction proved enough. Taehyung wanted to say more but his uncle beat him to it.

"Enjoy your afternoon, Taehyung." the elf said before he vanished in his smoke. Taehyung sighed. He put back his mask and made way back to the palace.

•—•—•

"Jungkookie," Taehyung mused walking into the dining room where Jeongguk must've shooed away the maids and taken up the job of setting up the dinning table himself. They were usually hand placed as it was just more precise that way.

Jeongguk looked at the older suspiciously. "I thought we were upset with each other."

"Forgive and forget," Taehyung said, waving his hand in the air but then shook his head. "Actually no not forgot. I was serious then. Just forgiven."

Jeongguk bit his lip and returned back to plating. Taehyung walked over and took all the forks from him.

"I'll do these," Taehyung said with a smile and began his task. Jeongguk stood there for a moment, not knowing what exactly was going on but he shook his head and continued to place the spoons.

Taehyung cleared his throat, getting Jeongguk's attention. The prince said, "I've got all these forks and knives, and all I'm missing is a little spoon."

Jeongguk knotted his brows as he looked at the older. He turned back to the cart, floated something up and hovered it to Taehyung.

"These are the tiniest spoon we have, but no one uses them so I thought they'd be a nuisance to put," Jeongguk said. Taehyung nodded, feeling embarrassed at his failure of a pickup line, but he's got to admit it was a terrible one.

"Then it's okay," Taehyung said and Jeongguk placed the spoons back. Okay, maybe something a little more straightforward, Taehyung thought.

"Was your father a thief-" Taehyung started, and before he could even say because someone stole and the stars from the sky and put them in you eyes, Jeongguk answered.

"No he was the General, you know that. Taehyung are you okay?" Jeongguk asked.

Taehyung exhaled loudly as his smile was gone. "Sorry. Yup, perfect," he forced out. Alright, he's just got to be actually straight forward.

"You look really pretty today. I like what you did with your hair," Taehyung said but his eyes were looking down at the alignment of the forks that he didn't notice the light blush that dusted Jeongguk cheeks for a moment. Jeongguk quickly cooled himself off before Taehyung could see.

When Taehyung did look up, he saw Jeongguk's composure lost as he tucked his slightly curly hair behind his ear. Taehyung smiled seeing that he had some effect on him.

"It is I, Jimin!" Jimin declared entering the dining room with Yoongi. "And this depressed one," Jimin said throwing a finger over his shoulder. Yoongi didn't even bother to say anything back. He just came and took a seat, looking all gloomy.

Taehyung threw a questioning nod at Jimin who just shrugged and took his own seat. Jeongguk put the cart away and sat down on a seat and Taehyung was quick to get the one right beside. Jimin glanced in his direction, giving Taehyung a suspicious look that asked what he was plotting now. Taehyung only smiled and nodded back.

Soon, Jin, Hoseok and Linda joined in. Namjoon told Jimin to start without him as he had a couple things to finish up.

Taehyung looked down their long rectangular table that had less than 10 percent of it filled. Linda had told him that there was once no seat left empty. Even though his dad's side of family was very small, his mom's side would come to stay often. There was family still alive from the late King's side, but they were all too old to be walking around so freely so they stayed in their room or lived wherever they pleased.

For a while, no one used the dining room. Then when Leonava was formed, they were a really determined and lively bunch that honestly brought light to the palace.

Taehyung collected a few pieces of the meat on his fork and looked at Jeongguk. "Say ahh," he said, opening his mouth as Jeongguk looked at him surprised and caught off guard.

Jeongguk shook his head and moved his head back but Taehyung somehow forced it through. Jeongguk chewed with a glare as everyone watched the two with an amused smile.

"You eat like a picky child. You've barely touched your plate," Taehyung said, getting another forkful and shoving it into Jeongguk mouth before he could react.

"Okay, okay, I can eat," Jeongguk managed to say with his mouth full.

Taehyung smiled and nodded, watching each and every bite he took keenly even if it made Jeongguk uncomfortable. Just something about Jeongguk eating well made him happy.

Then when Namjoon entered, Taehyung's entire mood shifted. They hadn't shared anything but professional conversation since the time Taehyung basically went against him.

Taehyung cleared his throat and stood from his chair. "If you'll excuse me. I'm stuffed and tired, I'll be going to bed early," he said with a smile, making sure to not look at Namjoon.

Linda sounded her concern but Taehyung shook his head and left. As he walked to his chamber, he heard footsteps behind that made him check who it was.

"Prince Taehyung," Namjoon called out as he approached him closer.

"Sir Namjoon," Taehyung said back.

Namjoon took in a breath and showed a smile. "I just... I want you to know that I believe in you. I believe that you could break the curse. I'm not against you."

"I know," Taehyung replied.

"But if you ever become a threat to the kingdom I won't hesitate to do what I must," Namjoon warned but it seemed more of in a joking manner. "So please don't let that happen," he added.

Taehyung gave a short laugh. "Thank you."

Namjoon pulled the younger in for a hug that Taehyung gladly returned.

"I really do believe in you."

"And I believe that you do, and I'm glad you do. That's all I need," Taehyung said pulling away.

"Will you come join me for tea before going to bed?" Namjoon invited and Taehyung nodded eagerly.

•—•—•

Taehyung tied a quick loose knot that held his bathrobe together. He felt too lazy to go and pick an outfit for his evening tea with Namjoon just yet. As he was drying his hair by rubbing a towel through his wet locks, he heard two little knocks on his door that he lazily opened with the flick of a hand.

"Hey," he heard Jeongguk's voice. Taehyung dropped to towel to sit on his shoulder.

"Hey," Taehyung said back, turning around to face Jeongguk.

"You, um, missed dessert," Jeongguk said, holding a tray of two slices of what seemed to be blueberry pie with a fork and napkin.

Taehyung smiled as he approached the younger. "Aw, thanks." He took the tray with one hand and Jeongguk's hand with the other. Taehyung pulled the elf to his little table by the window, set down the dessert and pushed Jeongguk into the chair before he took as seat on his window seat.

"Why'd you leave when Namjoon came?" Jeongguk asked.

Taehyung picked up his fork and took a small bite of the pie. "I was just full, it had nothing to do with Namjoon," Taehyung said, waving his fork in the air.

"I never said it did," Jeongguk said.

"Well you implied it." Taehyung took another small bite.

"And you say I eat like a picky child," Jeongguk said grabbing the fork from his hand and getting the older a bigger bite. He handed the fork to him but Taehyung shook his head and opened his mouth.

Jeongguk raised a brow but seeing as Taehyung wasn't about to close his mouth, he gave up and fed him. He put the fork back down and let Taehyung eat himself.

"You k–" Taehyung was about to say but was cut of as he sneezed. He grabbed the tissue on the train and wiped his nose.

Jeongguk clicked his tongue, got out his chair and sat down beside Taehyung. He grabbed the towel and placed it over Taehyung's hair and began to dry it himself.

"You're obviously going to get sick if you don't dry you hair properly. You think I'll let you of the hook for training if you were sick? Always like this, careless," Jeongguk scolded while carefully drying his hair to not be too rough or harsh. Then he suddenly stopped as he realized their close proximity.

As he was about to pull away, Taehyung grabbed his wrist and pulled him in, making Jeongguk fall onto Taehyung. Taehyung grabbed his waist and readjusted Jeongguk's position to be more comfortably seated on his lap.

Jeongguk let the towel fall to the side. "What're you–" Jeongguk started, struggling to get off. Taehyung squeezed his waist and got Jeongguk to stop squirming.

"Stay still for a second," Taehyung said. And he did. They stayed still and just looked into each other's eyes. Jeongguk blinking uncontrollably in the beginning but at a point he stopped and began to stare. When Taehyung placed a hand over his chest, Jeongguk's breath hitched.

"Is your heart racing fast? Are you out of breath? Are there butterflies fluttering in your tummy? Do you feel you like you're just going burst?" Taehyung whispered slowly, moving closer and closer as he did.

"Cause I'm feeling all those things," Taehyung breathed.

Jeongguk inhaled sharply before he pushed himself off of Taehyung. He walked around the table and stood still. Taehyung watched him stumble back with a smile dancing on his lips, happy that he was able to take away all of the younger's confidence in an instant.

"You–" Jeongguk started, trying to find the right words. "Your robe is falling," he said, nodding over to his exposed shoulder.

Taehyung looked at his shoulder then back at Jeongguk. He smirked and rolled his shoulder so that the garment fell lower, now showing a side of his chest.

Jeongguk's eyes widened. "What're you doing!?"

"Seducing you," Taehyung said. He smiled and bit his lips, reaching to the knot tied around his waist suggestively and cocked his head to a side. Jeongguk turned around quickly.

"G-Goodnight," he said a bit louder than intended before rushing out the door.

Taehyung dropped his hands and laughed, enjoying teasing the younger more than he should've. He made a mental note to himself to research more on an elf's eyes glowing, because he was pretty sure Jeongguk's was not furiously angry when his eyes glowed blue in that moment.

He shook his head and got up to get himself ready after taking another bite of the pie. Taehyung decided a monotone fit that was comfortable enough. When he was ready, Taehyung made way to Namjoon's room.

It wasn't that he was upset with the older, he just thought Namjoon might feel uncomfortable with him around. He didn't want be known as the brat that came and took over everything, ignoring the words of the Royal Advisor. So he was relieved when Namjoon approached him earlier.

When he walked into Namjoon's room, the elf welcomed him with a smile. He poured them both a cup of tea out on the balcony. They talked about what Zorock had told Taehyung. Namjoon wanted to make sure Zorock hasn't told him false information.

"Is he the one you still love?" Taehyung asked, looking directly at Namjoon to make sure he wasn't crossing a line. Namjoon smiled and nodded.

"But why? I-I mean, you said so yourself. He's changed."

Namjoon nodded again. "I guess I'm still hung over the past."

"Well would you mind telling me your oh so great love story?"

"Hmm, it's a little boring but if you'd listen, not at all."

—•
Y'all are going to get Namjoon's and Taewon's backstory wether you like it or not and I have the cutest little love story planned ahhhhhh

Bye<3