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When Taehyung got off the carriage, the first thing he did was stretch his back. His limbs were all tired from the hours long journey from one kingdom to another. Turning around to take her sister's hand as she grabs the one side of her gown and gets down off the carriage too.

The two siblings were now standing in front of the huge doors of the Elestial Palace. The Palace was way bigger than both of them had imagined as none of them had ever even stepped a foot inside this kingdom let alone the royal Palace. Inspired by the western Victorian architecture, As the Palace shone under the light of the moon.

There were so many Palace guards standing outside in a vertical line with the three people standing right infront of the gates to welcome the two guests. The only one Taehyung could recognise was Jimin and he supposed the two were the king and Queen from the crowns on their heads.

"Princess Iseul and Prince Taehyung, Welcome to Elestial. I hope you didn't have any difficulties on your journey here. We have been waiting for your arrival." The king spoke up with a stoic face, the Queen had a smile on hers as she kept staring at the princess.

The two siblings immediately bowed to the King and Queen as a form of respect. Going closer to them as he took both of their hands one by one and pressed it to his forehead. It's a common courtesy to do.

"Our journey was peaceful. We have been over the moon ever since we got the approval to proceed with this arrangement. I hope our sudden arrival doesn't bring you trouble but we have to follow our traditions." Taehyung spoke as he was the oldest and responsible one here.

"No ofcourse not, now that our families are going to be one soon. Your traditions will be held up with ours with equal respect. Besides, we are glad we got to meet the Princess before the engagement. I have been meaning to have a conversation with the woman who my son is to marry." The queen's voice was undeniably soft, she was elegant in every manner.

The siblings found themselves staring at her and it was quite understandable why Jeongguk was so handsome and irresistible. When he has a woman like her who has so much class in her, ofcourse he turned out to be so perfect.

"It's an honor to be the bride of your son, your highness. Thank you for letting us stay here, I'll make sure to not disappoint any of you." Iseul responded to them and the Queen nodded with a smile.

"Let's head inside.We have prepared a feast for the Prince and Princess. The table is all set, your highness." Jimin spoke up, talking to the Queen.

She nodded to his statement and told the two to follow them. Making a small chat as everyone started to head inside the Palace. Iseul was walking ahead of him, side by side with the Queen as the two had a chat. He saw Jimin glancing back at him multiple times.

Slowing down his pace, finally matching Taehyung's, before Jimin could even speak Taehyung spoke up before.

"I know what you are going to ask. He isn't coming yet, he will arrive tomorrow with some of our servants so don't worry, he is coming. You are lucky,Jimin. He cares about you a lot." Taehyung patted Jimin's back who smiled. Keeping his voice low so the royal couple ahead of him couldn't hear.

"Thank you, I know I'm the luckiest person ever. I am aching to see him, I am glad he came. Since you told me this, I will tell you about Jeongguk. He has been waiting for your arrival specifically ever since they told him,you will be coming too." Jimin winked at him before walking faster to catch up with the others.

"I didn't ask-" He closed his mouth,deciding it's not worth discussing. Sighing, what has he gotten himself into?

Taking a close look around the Palace, the Palace was dripped down in gold in places you didn't even know were reachable. There were classic paintings of the Royal Family hung on the walls with chandeliers down the hallways. There were Palace guards every few feet, fully armored as if they were a part of the army.

The Palace was better than what he read in books. He never imagined he would be standing inside here, Elestial is a humongous kingdom, one of the most powerful nations and he is inside the most powerful royal family's house, it sure is astonishing to think about.

When the servants came in with the letter from Elestial,reading it out in the throne room where everyone was present, His father and sister, the higher officials, the court men and some servants.

The second he read 'Elestial has approved to marry their Crown Prince Jeon Jeongguk to the Princess of Arothia, Kim Iseul.' The whole room cheered, going into celebrations, huge smiles on everyone's face while Taehyung's heart dropped.

Taehyung doesn't know why there was a small part inside of him that wanted the Prince to say no, to reject the proposal…but why would he do that? who will he do that for? he didn't have any answers for those questions yet still for selfish reasons he wanted a rejection. Now he has to see his sister marry the guy he was involved with. World works in twisted ways that's for sure.

Shortly after, The siblings started to pack up their things to leave for Elestial. It is a part of their tradition that once approval is gained from both sides, The bride-to-be is sent to live with the Groom-to-be until engagement. So she can see where she will live afterwards and get accustomed to how things work there and how she can be of help there.

The fact she was marrying the Crown Prince was a bigger deal than any other normal wedding. So they decided to moved it earlier than they should be. The Bride doesn't go alone as an unmarried Princess alone in a foreign kingdom is frowned upon. So she is taking a family member with her.

Usually it's the mother or sister, someone who the bride is most comfortable with but Iseul had neither. The king couldn't leave the throne to come with her and there was no one else left but her half brother who she doesn't get along with so it was quite an unfortunate situation for both of them but her goal was to make Elestial her home, Taehyung can get lost for all she cares.

So now he was stuck here in a foreign Palace with no purpose at all. He has to stay here for a week or two whenever the engagement is finalized. He also has to face Jeongguk who he thought he would only see in the wedding but once again the heavens are against him. They ended on a rough note so now they would be forced to talk again and he is not looking forward to that.

They all sat down in the dining hall, with the long dining table filled with dishes, different types of multiple dishes, all looking equally delicious. There was too much food for only five people. Taehyung took a seat next to his sister who was sitting right across from the King and Queen.

They waited for a few minutes, the small talk a taking place again. Taehyung was hungry, he won't lie, he was worried his stomach might make an unpleasant noise and he would lose all respect in front of all these higher ranked, posh people. Finally the door opened as the guards alerted everyone to the presence of the Prince,Jeon Jeongguk himself.

When he entered the room, everything and everyone around him blurred. It's one of his skills to enter the room and make everyone else seem irrelevant. He had his long hair up into a bun, making him look sexier than before. The charm he carries with him is still there, so close to him like it was his birth right.

The black hanbok that fitted him perfectly and gave him this elegant yet sexy look. His smooth fair skin shining as usual and those big eyes that had sparkles in them, staring at none other than Taehyung only. He maintained eye contact, not looking away at all. Keeping his confidence up as the Prince doesn't intimidate him.

The two guests got up from their seats and bowed to the Crown Prince. Jeongguk smiled at them. "No need for that, I apologize for not greeting you at the entrance, I was training the entire day so It took me a while to take a bath and get ready. I hope I didn't make anyone wait too long."

"Oh not at all,my prince. We are honored to be graced by your presence. You don't have to apologize for anything." Taehyung spoke up. Jeongguk blinked at him, not sure if the latter was being sarcastic or not.

"Besides, we just got here, Jeongguk. Now sit down so our guests can eat something. they had a long voyage." The queen signaled him to sit down and he nodded to his mother.

Taehyung realized the only space free was next to him or the King and obviously, he chose the one next to him because that's one of his things, to rile him up for no good reason. Making himself comfortable as Jeongguk's knees touched Taehyung's, they once again looked at eachother.

"Let's start, shall we?" Jeongguk gave his charming smile to Taehyung before taking the ladle to put some rice into his plate.

Everyone helped themselves with the food which was quite new to see. In their kingdom the food is served to them, same amount for Everyone no more or less. While in here, it's free will, eat whatever you want there's no restrictions to the quantity.

There was silence for a good while,everyone was too busy eating to talk about anything. He liked it that way as there isn't much he has to ask the King and Queen, well his questions are rather different and he doubts he wouldn't be kicked out by just the mention of it.

The silence was broken by Jeongguk who decided to put another piece of meat onto his plate. "You should eat more,Taehyung. You have gotten skinnier since the last time I saw you." Jeongguk said to the Prince who stared at him for a second.

"Yes,my prince."

"Taehyung? I didn't know you were close with the Prince too, Gukkie." The queen said to her son and Jeongguk just chuckled, putting his spoon down to face Taehyung.

His hand resting on Taehyung's thigh, making him freeze, he turned to look at Jeongguk who was already looking at him with a smirk on his face.

"We are very close mother, He helped me out a lot when I was in Arothia. We are the same age so we get along easily." Jeongguk shared with his mother who nodded understandingly.

The hand rubbed up and down his silk pants, the hand going deeper into his thighs,making sure to put him on the edge.

"Is that so? Prince Taehyung I hope our son didn't push you into befriending him, he has been quite competitive since birth so he tends to get everything he wants." The queen spoke up and Taehyung raised his eyebrow at the tone.

"Yeah, Taehyung. Did I push you into anything?" These were two different questions. With Jeongguk's hands going in his inner thigh and caressing it so near his crotch made his whole body shut down.

"N-no, he didn't push me into a-anything, your highness. We had a wonderful time together." He managed to say without stuttering too much. Stumbling all over his words in front of the royal family is embarrassing.

"That's great to hear. Though you seem a little off, Is everything alright?" She noticed him squirming in his seat.

"Everything's fine." Just your son has his hands so close to my dick,I think I'm going to pass out. "Journey to here was long so I am just tired. If you don't mind me and my sister would like to be shown to our chambers."

He pointed to her sister who was done eating long ago and so was he. Standing up immediately because he wants Jeongguk to stop his games.

"Oh Ofcourse. Jimin, why don't you go and show them their rooms?" The queen said to the boy who was standing beside her.

"Ofcourse,Please fo-"

"I would join you guys. I also want to know how far my future fiancé and her brother are staying." Jeongguk also got up from his seat. Taehyung tried not to stare at him and the four people just exited the room after bowing to the King and Queen.

The walk to their rooms was rather intense. Jimin and Iseul were walking ahead of them, having some kind of small talk as they had gotten closer due to their shared hobbies. Leaving Jeongguk to walk beside him, the man who had this smug look on his face and one of his hands on Taehyung's waist.

"What are you trying to do,my prince?"  Taehyung finally was able to ask him,In a lower voice so it's unhearable to the ones ahead of him.

"Your Prince is finally doing things he regretted not doing back in your kingdom."

"I thought we closed that chapter back in my kingdom." Taehyung glared at him, trying to stay as calm as possible.

"You closed that chapter,Taehyung, not me. I know what I want and one thing for sure: it's not your sister."

"Then why are you marrying her?" Taehyung said it a bit louder, stopping his tracks. Staring right at Jeongguk with a frown on his face.

Jeongguk stopped too and so did the two of them in front of him. He clicked his tongue.

"Is everything okay?" Iseul asked them, but she didn't hear what they were saying. He mentally thanked God for that.

"Yeah,We are just fooling around. Keep walking." Jeongguk started to move and so did they. "We will talk about this later." Jeongguk whispered to Taehyung who rolled his eyes in response.

Jeongguk walked the two to their rooms. He dropped Taehyung off first and Jimin was dismissed so he could be more personal with Iseul. He has no video why Jimin did that but oh well. Iseul wanted him to stay a bit, with her in her room. Jeongguk is no saint but he isn't interested in her because staying in her room means one thing and Jeongguk doesn't want that.

Bidding goodbyes with her he walked out of her room and started to head towards his own room which was on the other wing. Why are they given rooms on another wing of the Palace? It's tiring to walk from one wing to another. He's sure they have got spare rooms there too. Wondering what was going in his mother's head when she decided this.

Eventually he finally reached his own room. Going inside the room which was warmer because of the fireplace. He felt like he could breathe freely here, the place might be his house but this room sometimes is the only place that feels like home. He opened his closet and decided to change his clothes.

Taking out cotton pants and a shirt to wear as pajamas. Changing his clothes quickly into the more comfortable ones. He folded his clothes that he just took off and put them on the chair on the side of his room so the servants can take them in the morning.

Just when he was ready to lie down on his bed after turning off the lights, the guards suddenly knocked on his door. "Come in."

A guard came inside his room with a panicked expression all over his face. The harsh knocking was making sense. "Your majesty, The guest room is on fire!"

"What!? which guest room?" Jeongguk immediately got on his feet,wearing his slippers back. He grabbed the robe hanging on the clothes hanger and quickly put it on.

"Prince Taehyung's room."

He didn't even have to hear another word from the guard as he ran past him out of his room. Heading straight to the other side of the Palace, thank god he offered to drop them off so now he knows which rooms he is staying in or he would have lost his mind right now.

Not like he isn't already losing it. So many questions flooded into his mind. Who started the fire? How did that happen? Why only Taehyung's room? No answer to any of them. Is Taehyung okay? That was his biggest concern, just thinking of Taehyung being harmed made his heart ache. Rage already filling inside his chest if that's the case, he would lose control if that happens.

Reaching the chambers when he saw so many Palace guards and servants surrounding the place, Some inside of the room and some outside. He scanned the area and he saw no sign of Taehyung, panic taking over him. He ran in front of the room to see the fire.

The fire had taken over half of the room, the intense flash of heat spreading around. He was going to run in, when he felt someone grab his wrist to pull him back. He turned around to see Taehyung. Those beautiful eyes staring at him with a worried look on his face.

"Why are you going inside? Do you have a death wish?" Taehyung scolded him and Jeongguk let out a sigh of relief.

Quickly pulling Taehyung into a soul crushing hug, wrapping his arms around so tightly so he isn't afraid to let go. Taehyung was taken back suddenly and he hugged him back before they pulled away.

"Thank god you are not hurt. My heart was pounding so loudly when I didn't see you here. I thought you got harmed." Jeongguk said to him and Taehyung blinked. Was this man really going into a room full of fire just to save him?

"I am a-alright, just a little bit startled."

"You are fine now,I am here. How did the fire start?"

"I don't know, I went to get water and when I came back my room was up in flames. Thank god,the servants hadn't brought my stuff from the carriage yet so it's all good but it's still scary because what if I was inside?" Taehyung asked him, hint of worry in his voice.

Jeongguk turned around to the guards, asking them to call more of them so this fire can be taken out before it spreads out. One of the head guards was present so he ran over to Jeongguk from one stare at him.

"How did it start? Have you found out yet? Who let this happen in the room of our guests?? Do you know how insulting it is?! what if the Prince was harmed??" Jeongguk yelled at the man, unable to contain his anger.

"We apologize,your majesty. We believe it wasn't from the fireplace or put mistakenly but rather the work of a spy. As fire was planted in the room. We apologize to the Prince for being unable to catch the spy or protect him, we deeply apologize." The guard kept on apologizing to Taehyung, Bowing repeatedly.

"There's no need to apologize. I am alright so there's nothing to worry about. Did anyone come to my room when I was gone?"

"No,your majesty. The guards standing outside your room made sure no one went inside while you were gone. It might be inside work or maybe someone entered through the window. We aren't sure yet." The guard told them and he nodded.

"Send some of the guards to where the window is outside, check the whole area and even outwards and bring anyone who is suspicious to me immediately." Jeongguk demanded them.

"We are right at it. Should we alert the King and Queen too?"

"No,don't tell my mother, she will be worried in the middle of the night but do alert my father, he wouldn't like it if we keep this from him. Tell him we are figuring it out how it started but I, Prince Jeongguk, have it under control so he doesn't need to worry." Jeongguk said to the man who nodded again. Bowing to the two before he walked away to do his job.

"I think…the spy is from Xethen. They have been targeting us for a while and they are striking again after the news of the two kingdoms is spreading. I mean If it was someone after Elestial wouldn't they attack the King or even you." Taehyung added in.

"That does make sense. How the fuck were they able to get inside? Do they even know messing with you here means messing with us? do they really want us as their enemy?"

"I doubt the mad king is afraid of anyone,my prince. What are you going to do now?" Taehyung asked him and Jeongguk looked at him.

"With Xethens, we have no proof it was them so we cannot start anything unprovoked, so wait is what we are going to do. With you, you are not staying here. Where is Iseul? Is she alright? Your rooms are right next to each other." Jeongguk looked over his shoulder to look around.

"She's alright, I alerted the servants to escort her out of the room the second I saw the fire."

"Alright." Jeongguk turned to the servants, signaling them to come to him. "Please prepare the spare room in my wing for Princess Iseul to stay at, that's where she would be staying while she's here and drop some extra duvets in my room. Do it quickly as we don't want to keep our guests waiting."

The servants nodded obediently before taking another servant with her so they could start on setting up.

"Wait, Am I sleeping in your room?" Taehyung asked him and Jeongguk smiled at him.

"Do you have any problem with that?"

"Yes? you should be taking Iseul in your room, not me." Taehyung complained. Jeongguk came closer to him and put his hand on Taehyung's cheek,caressing it.

"We have our traditions to follow too, Taehyungie. The to be married couple doesn't sleep in the same room until they are married so I can't do that and last time I checked I wasn't getting married to you."

"Just give me another room!"

"Don't fight it, Taehyung. There is no other room. It's either my room or nothing. I care about you too much and it's not safe to stay here. The security is tighter near me." Jeongguk glanced at Taehyung's room to see how the fire was successfully put out.

"Fine,let's go." Taehyung stomped his foot before he started walking.

"I can see the fire is out. I want you to investigate this room and if you find anything suspicious keep it and we will discuss this intrusion further tomorrow. Hajoon will handle the rest, follow his orders." Jeongguk told the remaining staff who bowed to him as he left. Hajoon was the Head guard.

Their banter didn't stop there, when Taehyung entered the room to see there was only one bed and no extra mattress for him or anything, he was once again bickering with Jeongguk.

"We cannot sleep in the same bed, that's not proper!"

"Why? we are both men, you are my guest I can't let you sleep on the floor." Jeongguk put his hands on Taehyung's shoulder who quickly brushed him off.

"Unlike you my prince, I have never shared a bed with a guy before. Especially the one who is bestowed to my sister."

"Wait what? I don't mean it like that. We are just going to sleep together, no dirty business. But let's spin back to you, what do you mean you have never shared a bed before with a guy? What about all those guys you have slept with ??" Jeongguk questioned him with a confused look all over his face.

"I am a virgin, my prince. I lied about sleeping with anyone so I won't seem like a prude in front of you. I have only kissed people before and that's about it." Taehyung avoided eye contact, not feeling too comfortable sharing this.

"That's…shocking. I did believe you back when you said you have slept around but you haven't. I am relieved."

"Why are you relieved?"

"Because I know no one except me has touched you before." Jeongguk blurted out, making Taehyung's eyes widen.

"You are just as shameless as I remember. You can't say things like this." Taehyung rolled his eyes at the man.

"We are alone in this room, Taehyung. If it was up to me I would have done more shameless things to you right now but I don't want you to push you into something you don't want so just come on bed and I won't touch you if you don't want me to, I promise."

Taehyung just nodded, not responding to him with words. He walked past the man, getting on the bed before anything, he took some of the extra pillows and put it inbetween to make a border between them. Jeongguk chuckled at his attempt to put space between them.

"Here! don't cross the border or you would pay for the consequences." Taehyung said to him.

"Good thing,money has never been a problem for me." Jeongguk responded by making Taehyung gasp.

"You are so-"

"I am joking, Taehyung. Go to sleep, I won't touch you. I said it before too. You have had a long day." Jeongguk walked over to Taehyung and ruffled his hair, with his eyes staring down on him in a heartwarming stare.

Taehyung could hear his heartbeat get louder the longer the eye contact remained. This mind is going haywire with sinful thoughts he shouldn't be having about the Crown Prince. Thankfully Jeongguk walked away from him. Turning off the lights for them as the only light that was in the room was the moonlight coming from the windows.

Getting into the covers,he faced the other way. Hiding his red cheeks in the dark room, feeling scared that even in darkness, Jeongguk might see the light in him.

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