❝If I see you again
I will look into your eyes
And say, "I missed you."❞

≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾

Prince Taehyung was ready like always, lips adorned with a beautiful smile. He began his day with his brother and mother, joining them for breakfast. The table being filled as usual as he strolled in merrily. Training would begin in an hour.

He enthusiastically greeted everyone, including the servants who always loved the presence of the lovely and humble Prince.

"Good morning Hyung." He greeted his brother who gave a nod in return.

Taehyung now smiled at his mom too, greeting her politely, sitting beside her.

"No training." King Min said blankly, staring at his brother who paused in his actions. He looked at his brother with widened eyes.

It was as if his heart forgot its proper rhythm.

"H-hyung?" He asked again to confirm what he just heard.

"No training today, Taehyung. King Choi and his family are invited here for a feast." King Min stated and Taehyung sighed in relief but the pout still didn't leave his lips.

"Does this mean I have to stay away from him for a day?" 

~•༻✦༺•~

All general routines were put to halt as King Choi of the neighboring kingdom was arriving. King Min secretly wanted to conquer a large piece of land under the power of the Choi and thus he held a feast.

Obviously, King Min would never spend his time and wealth unless he would be on the side of greedily receiving more in the near future.

The kingdom being naturally blessed with goodness was decorated, arranging the best of everything to impress the welcoming King.

Everyone became busy suddenly but Taehyung had nothing to do. The boredom tested him so well so he decided to go to the garden, taking a walk around in hope that Jungkook would show up but then he hit his head remembering.

"Courts men would have informed him. He won't come then Taehyungie." He talked to himself with his index finger between his lips as he rolled his eyes cutely.

Taehyung huffed and sat down on the boundary wall of the fountain. His thoughts about Jungkook were driving him crazy. He couldn't help but get wished for the feast to be over soon so that he could meet his trainer again tomorrow.

Cold breezes fanned his face, making him close his eyes at the feeling, only to see Jungkook's face flashing right into his head. 

He swiftly opened up his eyes and turned his face away.

"What is happening to me?" He whispered as he looked down at his reflection in the water.

He lightly touched his cheeks where a slight blush appeared. Only Jungkook's thoughts had the power to fluster the Prince.

Taehyung hid his face shyly into his hands, thinking what if somebody would see him? He probably was acting like a teenage girl now.

~•༻✦༺•~

Before Jungkook could leave his house, court men visited to inform him about the feast and that the training for the day was cancelled.

Jungkook felt a little disappointed about it but he decided to make himself busy for the day, else he would go crazy just by the thoughts of the beautiful Prince.

The busy part was to finish his laundry that day. The pile of clothes lay huddled in a corner, untouched for days as Jungkook couldn't find time to clean them. 

He made them into a bundle and carried it to the bank of the river nearby to wash them clean.

Jungkook didn't expect to meet Seokjin there on the bank of the river. It was a sight honestly, him cleaning the clothes and the swans trying to sit on the washed pile. 

He tried to shoo them away with his flying pigeon hands but the bird copied his actions too and spread their mighty feathers. Quite intimidating.

"Yahh~~ I didn't wash them just for you to lay your filthy three-fingered feet!" He yelled, sneering at the swans.

Jungkook couldn't help but laugh at his friend.

"Good morning, Swan fighter!" Jungkook greeted and Seokjin jolted in the sudden intrusion between him and the swans.

"Jungkook? You didn't go to train the Prince today?" He instantly asked and Jungkook just shook his head.

"There is a feast in the kingdom so no training today." Jungkook informed before squatting down with his bundle of clothes.

"A feast? Are you invited too? Oh yes, you're taking me too." Seokjin said excitedly and Jungkook laughed at him.

"No Hyung. It’s royals only and what makes you think I’ll take you even if I was invited?" Jungkook teased and began washing the garments one by one.

Seokjin let out a noise of grunt and sat beside him. His work was done but he waited for his friend, giving him company for a while.

"Does it matter though?  Prince Min already feeds you well." Seokjin said blankly and Jungkook turned to face him. 

He stopped doing what he was to focus on Seokjin because the mention of the Prince would completely stop him.

"It's nothing like that." Jungkook whispered but couldn't help the smile forming on his face.

"Oh really?" Seokjin asked and pulled out the silk waist belt from the side and wiggled it in the air.

Jungkook rolled his eyes and gave a slight push to Seokjin who fell to the ground. He then snatched the waist belt away from Seokjin's hand and checked it thoroughly to see if it was fine.

"Yah! This piece of cloth is more precious to you than me? I am hurt, I’m your Hyung." He whined and Jungkook laughed. He gave his hand for the elder to help sit again.

"Jeon Jungkook, the dragon warrior? Huh?" Seokjin asked and Jungkook smiled shyly.

"What is it? There's something different about you since you started training." Seokjin pointed out as he stared at the younger male with doubtful gaze.

"W-what? N-nothing." Jungkook said, slowly panicking at the elder's questions.

"You definitely are hiding something." Seokjin peered at him with narrowed eyes and Jungkook shook his head and took a few steps back and Seokjin dramatically took steps towards him.

This went on until Jungkook stumbled by the river. He lost his balance and fell down. Seokjin laughed at him but he stopped as soon as Jungkook splashed water on him.

Taking this opportunity of distraction, Jungkook pulled the elder down by his leg, drenching him completely.

Seokjin yelled at Jungkook continuously but couldn’t help but laugh later. Soon they played like kids, splashing water all over, laughing so hard.

~•༻✦༺•~

The dusk approached and the castle was lightened up everywhere as King Choi with his Queen, Princes and Princesses were welcomed to the kingdom.

The court men and horsemen of the neighbouring kingdom walked out followed by the great King Choi. King Min welcomed them, greeting them with his fake finesse.

Taehyung was behind his mother all the time, too shy to greet them because all the other Princes were so tall and masculine where Taehyung was still a delicate baby.

Taehyung watched the Princes with widened eyes who then came out of the horse carts one by one.

Boy, they had good physique too, just like how Jungkook did and Taehyung felt extremely small in front of them. 

They all greeted Taehyung with a slight nod and Taehyung hid himself behind the Queen. 

King Min offered praise and seemed too enthusiastic up front. The other stayed as humble as he could.

Taehyung noticed how his brother was acting completely different that day, definitely not the usual King Min that he knew.

After this short meet and greet, King Min welcomed them for dining where all the delicious food was plated.

"Oh King! You must have been famished. It’s a pleasure to welcome you here. Enjoy the feast to the fullest."

Wow, his brother was so fake.

King Choi had three sons and daughters. The daughters were all minors, the youngest being a three year old toddler whom Taehyung found the cutest.

He passed a soft smile at the baby girl who was in her elder brother's arms all the time.

The eldest prince Choi behaved almost like his father, with the crown in line next, he must be.

Whilst, the younger two were nearly the same age as Taehyung but physically double his size.

Taehyung cooed at the youngest Princess who seemed to like Taehyung a lot too. She wiggled out of her brother's arms to run towards Young Prince Taetae.

King Min was busy beating over the bush at how much grandeur and wealth the Kingdom had.
He further dug in, explaining how only culinary experts of the kingdom were allowed to serve the invited King.

The Chois being humble, gracefully heard King Min blabber on with bits of compliments here and there.

As the little Princess was free from his brother's arms, she ran for Taehyung. Nothing new here because Taehyung always had a way with the kids. He knelt down and held her tiny hands in his own, kissing them softly.

"Oh my. What a beautiful Princess you are." The princess giggled and clapped her hands and Taehyung laughed at her.

"Oh see Princess Minjie found something like her, a kid." The youngest Prince of the Choi teased Taehyung who furrowed his eyebrows at the male.

"Prince Choi, act upon yourself. You are in a different kingdom." The eldest Choi said sternly.

Taehyung stood up and tried to look angry but the little Princess now clung on his legs, it melted his heart.

Taehyung bent down and carried her in his arms and the cute toddler seemed to be so happy with it.

~•༻✦༺•~

The feast seemed like an endless flow for delicious, eye catching delicacies. The servants walked in with bottles of fine soju, offering them to all the adults on the table including Taehyung. 

"What? Prince Min is an adult?" The second oldest of the Prince Choi asked and laughed as he saw soju being served for him.

The younger two Princes shared a smirk and laughed, mocking Taehyung for looking like a small kid.

"The young Princes of Choi must perhaps be quiet." Queen Choi warned and they two went silent.

Taehyung clenched his jaws and shut his mouth because he didn't want any drama on the table.

King Min felt the tension and he wanted to finally pull his last act. He coughed and brought his glass down, earning the attention of all. He had something very important to announce.

"I hope you liked our feast King Choi. It was an honor to have you here with us." King Min said to which King Choi smiled.

"Yes, we are grateful towards the Min Kingdom for having us." 

"My pleasure. Well, King Choi, I have something very important to discuss with you. Would you mind me sending the Young Princes and Princesses to the garden? There are prepared performances waiting for them." King Min informed and the faces of all the Princes and Princesses lightened up.

"Indeed, surely. Why not?"

With this, the children were guided to the garden, with Kings and Queens left on the table to discuss.

~•༻✦༺•~

The Princes and Princesses enjoyed the special program held for them in the garden and Taehyung was busy swaying his body to the music. 

Besides art, music was something he really liked. It was lightning to his heart.

"Ha! Are you seeing this Munjong? Look at the baby Prince dancing. How is he even a Prince? So weak."

"I doubt it too, looking at his thin frame and ugly face. Do you get to eat well, baby Prince?"

Taehyung turned around to find the same two nagging, naive Princes who just wouldn’t stop.

What a pity. They have grown muscles and bones yet no brains.

Taehyung wasn’t the one to back down easily and now that he was away from his brother too, gave him a chance to give a bit of free sassing.

"I heard that the Young Princes of Choi Kingdom were known for their varying traits… " Taehyung trailed.

The Young Princes smirked in victory, head flying up in pride. 

Oh, but Taehyung wasn’t done yet.

"I just didn’t know those traits were being utterly naïve and dumb. I must have been mistaken." Young Prince stood straight when Taehyung finished. 

C’mon, it was a perfect sass and even the servants who heard it couldn’t help but stifle up their laughs.

The youngest of the two was about to throw hands on Taehyung but looking around, they knew it was inviting only trouble. 

"Let’s all watch now! Oppar come here, it’ll be fun." Young Princess Heji called her brothers out.

They all settled down, yet the 'guest' young Princes were too annoying. He decided for his leave for his wellness and not to make a big issue out of this.

The youngest of the two placed his foot in front of Taehyung who was completely oblivious and it was dark too.

Taehyung fell immediately and winced in pain. Satisfied, the two Princes laughed at him and the Princesses also joined in.

Taehyung felt very much insulted by this. They were continuously testing his patience. He already had enough, all he wanted to do was change out of those heavy clothes and go sleep.

Though the oldest Prince amongst them tried to help him stand, Taehyung stood up on his own.

He brushed the dirt off his clothes and turned around to walk away.

"Look, Pathetic Prince is leaving the garden in the middle. How much of a coward."

"I won't be surprised if he leaves the war zone in the middle too. What more do we expect from a weak creature?"

This was it. The ticking bomb had finally gone off. Prince Min Taehyung clenched his jaws and tightened his fists.

He turned around furiously and landed his fist on the youngest Prince's face who stumbled and fell. The punch indeed had a staggering impact, leaving all of them shocked.

The second oldest tried to hit Taehyung again but the oldest Prince intervened.

Taehyung turned around to see everyone's face and their expression made him feel more pathetic.

It wasn't the real Taehyung he knew.

King Min walked into the garden now when he was informed about the chaos.

"My apologies, Prince Choi." He said to the youngest Prince before clutching Taehyung's hand and pulling him out of there.

~•༻✦༺•~

Taehyung hung his head low when his brother scolded him for what he did. The tears automatically flooded through his eyes.

"B-but Hyung, they insulted me. They called me names and mocked me." Taehyung tried to defend himself.

"And you deserved it. Why can’t you just be quiet Taehyung? This feast is very important to me. Stop creating problems for me." When his brother said this, Taehyung stepped back in disbelief.

"You gave them a chance to insult you. If you could've been tough and mature like a Prince instead of being a crybaby, this wouldn't have happened. It is all your fault."

King Min said before closing the door behind, leaving Taehyung a crying mess in his room.

~•༻✦༺•~

The training had begun as per schedule the next day. Taehyung was upset and hurt after what happened with him the night before. 

He, a Prince, moreover a human was insulted because of what? For being a little soft, delicate and childish?

Despite all that happened, his brother blamed him for all that happened, not even giving him a chance to explain.

Taehyung was burning, anger pulsating in him. He wanted to throw his hands on someone, pick a fight but he just couldn't do it.

On the other side, Jungkook was just so happy and excited to meet the Prince because even if it was for a day, he really missed the young Prince.

Jungkook walked to the garden and was welcomed by Taehyung, unusually with a frown on his face instead of a warm smile. The frown etched on his face clearly showcasing the anger.

Jungkook walked closer and knelt down in front of him. Jungkook's presence didn't amusingly shake Taehyung from his thoughts.

"Taehyung?" He called out softly and Taehyung stood up firmly without turning to face him.

"We have revival lessons today, don’t we? I’m ready." He said firmly, trying to deepen his voice and Jungkook plainly nodded at his order.

Jungkook knew something was off but he didn’t want to seem too much of a bother. It was not a good time.

~•༻✦༺•~

Jungkook hung the dummy onto the tree before beginning the practice session.

He gestured to Taehyung to stand in front of the dummy, wanting to explain again slowly how the procedure was. The belt shining in the sunlight as he began.

"Like our previous class, simply follow the steps in mind which is to-" Before Jungkook could even demonstrate, Taehyung stood in front of the dummy with the sword tightly clutched in his hands.

"Concentrate. Eyes on prey. Quick on act. Attack swiftly on joints." Taehyung mumbled the steps through his gritted teeth when he stared at the dummy with his fierce eyes.

This extreme determination and expressions on Taehyung's face only made him look ten times attractive in Jeon Jungkook's eyes.

The pent up anger echoed in the form of words repeatedly in his head.

“Look, Pathetic Prince is leaving the garden in the middle. How much of a coward.”

“If you could've been tough and mature like a Prince instead of being a crybaby, this wouldn't have happened. It is all your fault.”

Taehyung took a deep breath before slashing right through the dummy.

The cotton flew out of the dummy in a blink and Jungkook gasped in shock. 

The realization hit Taehyung hard and he dropped the sword in shock. It was so quick and Taehyung ran to the cottage- the door slamming shut.

Jungkook was surely aware of the change in his attitude and then this. It only grew worry in him after what had happened.

He followed the Prince to the cottage and stood by the door. A minute or two passed by.

"Jungkook! Come in right now!"

Jungkook pushed open the door, stumbling in as his eyes searched for the Prince immediately.

Taehyung was on a bench, eyes red and ready with tears.

"Taehyung?"

"Come here."

Before Jungkook could ask anything, Taehyung clutched onto his clothes. 

"Am I weak Jungkook? Am I too pathetic to be a Prince?" Taehyung asked weakly.

Jungkook felt a pang of pain in his chest as he noticed his teary eyes.

"Taehyung ~ah. Why would you even say that? No! No, if you are anything, it's beautiful. You are beautifully kind and the strongest of hearts I have ever met. Please don’t say things that are hurtful for me to even think of." 

Jungkook whispered and brought his hands closer to Taehyung’s. Jungkook stole his breath away when he talked. Taehyung slowly released the grip on his collar.

"Do you really mean it? What you said about me?"

"I'd say it over a thousand times if you want me to."

Taehyung absolutely had no words, what amused him was that the words weren’t made up. Those lines weren’t written down and pondered upon.

Jungkook talked like he had those words in the back of his head, ready.

Taehyung closed his eyes, letting the tears rush down from his eyes.

He stepped closer to Jungkook and buried his face into his chest sobbing, his aching heart feeling so much lighter.

"You are unique and you are beautiful Taehyung." 

Jungkook whispered in the embrace, holding him like a soft delicate thing. The magic of Jungkook's warmth held the power to soothe the Prince.

Was escaping out of the world with only Jungkook by his side a bad plan?

It didn’t seem too much of a perfect plan but having Jeon Jungkook beside him, makes it perfect.

⋆﹥━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━﹤⋆

Hope you guys enjoyed!

Some Romance? What do you say?