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W

hen another week went by, Jeongguk didn't expect his first news from his kingdom was to be that his sister, Jeongguk's ex fiancé, had ran away with a western Prince. Ran away from her hometown, her Palace, from Arothia. Now Arothia had none of the original royal family members currently living there. Many wonder what happened to the Royal family. What kind of tragedy struck them that now they are all away in different places?

Black Magic? evil eye? or were they just unfortunate? it could be one, it could be all but at same time it could be none of them. Sometimes it is really just the consequences of your actions that lead to places you don't want to be in.

Being a runaway has always been frowned upon, especially when you are a girl. How can you leave your home leaving everything behind for a man? it's a dishonor to their royal name. Jeongguk doesn't blame her and it looks like neither did Taehyung. if it was any other King's sister, he would have sent his entire army to find her and punish her. Taehyung didn't do that. Instead, he just let her go.

Iseul had nothing at home anymore. No father or brother, not anyone she can call her own. So Taehyung wasn't surprised when he found out she left. If she wanted to marry him, he wouldn't have stopped her too but the trust between the two siblings was long gone so no wonder.

What he didn't like hearing about next was how the same kingdom in which Iseul went into had attacked Xethen.

“What?!” Jeongguk says out loud.

“Yes, Your majesty. People say that the Princess might have something to do with that since she never liked her brother but these could be all speculations.” One of his head advisor told him. Keeping his head down.

“So they took the Princess and then attacked the Xethen Kingdom. How many are injured?” Jeongguk questioned him. The man took out his notepad to see from the details he had written down.

“The western Kingdom was quite powerful. Xethens had a hard time handling them, about five were killed, 12 injured and the King apparently took a hit too.” He mentions and Jeongguk feels his world stop for a full second. He could feel everything around him blurring for a second as the head advisor kept talking about the damages that happened because of the sudden attack but Jeongguk stopped hearing seconds ago.

He got up from his throne and walked towards the head advisor. With an intimidating presence as the room silenced when the King got up. Even the advisor stopped talking, thinking he fucked something up.

“What happened to the King?” Jeongguk asked in a lower tone. The advisor gulped.

“He got stabbed in his s-stomach, it wasn't fetal but it has put the King on bedrest-” before he could even finish, Jeongguk interrupted.

“Prepare a carriage immediately !! I'm heading to Xethen.” Jeongguk announced and everyone else was puzzled.

“But your majesty  we still have matters to go through and Xethenians might not-” one of the men spoke up but Jeongguk glared at him.

“Did I ask for your input?”

“No, your majesty.”

“Then do as I fucking say. Prepare my carriage and call me immediately when you are done. I have to pay the King a visit. We are on good terms after terms with the Xethens, aren't we?”

“Does it hurt here?” The doctor presses on the wound which was bandaged up  and Taehyung winces. Nodding slightly.

“Okay, I'll prescribe you some painkillers and ointment to put on your wound every night before sleep. Don't try to move or get involved in any combat situation. Thankfully the sword didn't hit any vital organs and you are still alive. Let's not waste this blessing from god.” the doctor said as he opened his pouch, taking some medicines out.

Putting the medicines on the side table as he explained which one he should take at what time. Taehyung's servant was noting them down as its his duty to make sure he takes it on time while the King just listens. He should have known something bad would happen to him when he walked out of that Palace.

He is not even upset about Iseul running away, instead he's happy for her, if her happiness lies with that Prince from the west then so be it but the fact she had to make one last move to hurt him did make him quite sad. After all, even though they have never been on good terms, he always thought of her as his sister. He didn't expect to get attacked out of nowhere. It was a normal day when he was outside in his kingdom when he got attacked. There were only four armed men with him and there were at least forty from the opponent.

As the fight dragged out many of his men joined too, it was a shit show. He would have been able to kill them all if it wasn't for him getting distracted and stabbed when three men came at him at once. After that he was taken away as the guards and soldiers fought with them. He fainted and when he woke up he was back in his bed, all patched up.

“I will now take my leave, your majesty. Please, take care of yourself.” The doctor bowed to the King and left the room.

Before he could even take a deep breath the door opened again.  Came in Min Yoongi who looked like he was panting. Yoongi hasn't left his side ever since they came back from Elestial. He had so many responsibilities back in Arothia but he stayed. Maybe he knew how fragile Taehyung's state was. Though he has no idea what made him come running to him right now. He really can't handle more bad news.

“Your majesty, Elestial’s King, Jeon Jeongguk and his friend Park Jimin are here to see you.” Yoongi said to him formally in the presence of servants.

Taehyung immediately sat up in his bed. His eyes wide open from shock. He could not believe his years. Why was he here? He was sure they were done. He didn't cry in his arms while sleeping just for him to be back and reopen their wounds.

“He shouldn't be here.”

“Should I let him in?” Yoongi asked him and Taehyung gulped.

“I-” Taehyung wasn't even able to make a decision as the door was opened again but this time with much more force.

There came the guy who Taehyung was trying to avoid. He really doesn't learn. Jeongguk was standing there in all his glory, with two guards behind him, grabbing his arms. Creating such a ruckus. Soon after, Jimin entered the room too.

“Taehyung..” Jeongguk said his name in such a soft voice. Ah, the sweet music is filling his ears again. Seeing him just never fails to make him all excited and nervous.

“Leave him, he's my guest.” Taehyung says to the guards. They immediately leave the man and bow before leaving the room.

Jeongguk who now stands there still. Unsure of what to do. He didn't really plan out what he would say when he got there because all that mattered to him was to see if Taehyung is okay and he looks….he can't tell. Taehyung looks down and sighs. “Everyone except Jeongguk leave. Yoongi, please take Jimin with you.”

“Don't have to tell me twice.” Yoongi says with a smile. Jimin shyly smiles too.

He moves out of the way and opens the door for Jimin. He chuckles and walks out of the room with Yoongi following him. The servant also leaves. Once again, leaving Taehyung alone with Jeongguk. The thick tension in the air that could be cut with a knife. His eyes speak more than anything else.

“Why are you here?” Taehyung asked him in a stern voice.

“I heard about you getting stabbed and I saw nothing else. I came here the second I heard the news-” Jeongguk couldn't even finish his sentence as Taehyung interrupted him.

“What right do you have to come here, Jeongguk? Who am I to you? I am absolutely nothing to you. You made sure of that.” Taehyung says to him and Jeongguk walks toward his bed. Sitting down near his legs.

“Taehyung please. I was worried for you. I care for you, I always have and always will. You are right I have no right to come here to check up on you anymore but my body has a mind of it's own and I just couldn't stop myself from coming here. I am sorry for hurting you but you can't expect me to not come running to you. A single scratch on your face makes me nervous and this could have killed you. I would kill those western fuckers.” Jeongguk tried to touch him but Taehyung moved away.

“I don't need you to fight my battles for me. I need you by my side, I need you to love me. If you can't do those then forget about me, Jeongguk. Stop coming for me, I would do anything for you but you are not ready to do the same for me. This relationship can never work out if you don't put the effort in.” Taehyung said to him. Being straightforward with him because with the way his life is going he has no idea which day would be his last.

“It's not as easy as you make it sound. You can't blame this all on me. This situation could have been better if-”

“If I didn't betray you? If I didn't stab you behind your back? I would never say sorry for that. You are…. Jeongguk, I can't have this conversation again and again. I'm so tired of all of this. If you can't be mine then leave, leave right now. Stop giving me false hopes, stop coming back to me. You don't want to fight for me Jeongguk and I don't want to force someone to do that either. I love you and that's why I am letting you go so leave.” Taehyung says to Jeongguk and Jeongguk goes still.

The conflict emotions were displayed so obviously in the other man's eyes but he said nothing. Once again he didn't do what Taehyung really wanted him to do. He got up from the bed, looking at Taehyung, took it in and he turned around to leave. Not another word was exchanged, Taehyung was glad Jeongguk didn't turn around to see him again because then he would have seen the tears falling down his eyes like a waterfall.

The door opened and then closed shut. He really left. He didn't fight for him again, he didn't even fight to stay. How can he fight for Taehyung to be with him? The more days pass by the more Taehyung realizes that this was all just a nice dream he had and It's about time he lets go of it. There's nothing else to do in a space where the one who you want isn't ready to be with you.

Jeongguk walks out of the room with a rock on his chest. It is so heavy that he feels like he is drowning. His breath keeps getting stuck in his throat and nausea is making him sick. The thought of being apart, the thought of leaving is making him physically sick. He cannot believe this. How is he suppose to move on when just Taehyung saying that he wants him to leave is making him feel this horrible?

He has started to live a life where being without Taehyung makes him genuinely uncomfortable and unhappy. His life lies in that man so how can he leave? He can't even blame Taehyung for his decision because in the end he is a coward who isn't ready to face his people and especially his parents. He can't imagine what they would think, say, when he brings Taehyung to them as someone he wants to marry and spend the rest of his life with. They would be devastated and he can't do that to them.

Jeongguk is stuck in a loop with no way out. He has to sacrifice one to get the other and he isn't ready to lose both.

Walking through the hallways when he reaches the turn, turning to the right where the main entry hallway was. Before he could even walk into it, in the corner he saw Yoongi and Jimin sharing a sweet kiss. They both looked so happy and genuinely in euphoria to be in eachothers arms. Like them, Jimin and Yoongi had a lot to lose too but they didn't have the royal status on them like an overweight rock. They could be together, live together and be with each other without disappointing anyone. It was none of anyone's business bit it could not be said the same for Taehyung and Jeongguk.

Jeongguk couldn't help but envy them. These were one of those few times where Jeongguk prayed he was a commoner. Maybe living down in a small hut, surrounded by farm animals. Living with Taehyung, marrying him and loving him the way he deserves to be loved. Somewhere far away from everyone. It's such a nice thought but that's all it is in the end.

Sighing, walking towards the giddy couple. He coughed to get their attention on him as they looked too busy with each other to even pay attention to their surroundings. Now suddenly turning to see Jeongguk and both of them bowing to him. “Your majesty.” Says Yoongi not looking him in the eye while Jimin just rolled his eyes.

“I am leaving so I came to look for Jimin but he's pretty busy with you.” Jeongguk says to him and Jimin just raises his eyebrow.

“We thought you would be ‘busy’ with the King but you are back early.” Jimin spoke this time.

“The king doesn't wish to see me anymore so I'm leaving.” Jeongguk told them and saw how both of them exchanged concerned glances.

“Well we should leave then.” Jimin said before he turned around and kissed Yoongi right on the lips.

It's not a secret so why should he hide? Yoongi kissed him back. Before they could go further, they pulled away from each other. The longing look in their eyes made Jeongguk feel too close to home. Jimin and Jeongguk started to walk out of the Palace, both of them not speaking a word. Just missing a certain someone.

Jeongguk thinks about it and then he stops in his tracks. Just because his story isn't working out doesn't mean he should punish Jimin with him. Jimin was still walking until he felt the presence behind him no more. He turned around to see Jeongguk standing still.

“Are you okay?”

“You can stay.”

“What?” Jimin questioned him.

“Stay here, in the Palace with Min Yoongi.”

“Are you insane? I can't do that. I have responsibilities back home. I will get fired if I don't show up.” Jimin fought with him and Jeongguk shook his head.

“Who would fire you?...exactly. So stay. Just because I'm miserable I don't want you to be miserable too, Jimin-ah. So stay here with your lover. I can see it in your eyes. You love him  a lot and I don't want to take that away from you. I know how fucking bad that feels like so stay.”

“Will your majesty let me stay here?”

“Who? Taehyung. Tell him it was my command to let you stay besides I know he won't mind. Send a letter whenever you are ready to come back home, I'll send a carriage for you. Until then, enjoy your life.” Jeongguk grabbed Jimin’s arms and pulled him into a needed hug.

Jimin hugged him back, so grateful for this. He kept on thanking Jeongguk again and again until he was out of sight. Jeongguk took one last look at the Palace before he walked out of the place. May tomorrow be better than today.

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