NEXT MORNING

In the castle of Kim clan

The sunlight penetrated through the paper-thin doors of various quarters of the grand castle of the Kim clan. Some were occupied by public officials while some were simply of the sentries who were responsible for safeguarding the King's house every second.

The castle was so wide and divine that it was a maze in itself, somebody new or out of the royal palace could easily go off-track from reaching their chosen destination.

SeokJin's steps were slow and contained as he reached an hour before his actual working hours. The eye bags under his eyes were now prominently visible which were the outcome of his disturbed sleep schedule and intense consumption of liquor.

The grey jacket that hung across his broad back, swung swiftly with the gentle breeze as he meandered forward with a slightly slumped posture as if trying to retreat from the world.

"Hyung?" A deep timbre voice spoke from behind. SeokJin turned over his shoulder, instantly recognizing the owner of the voice. Their eyes met, and SeokJin forced the muscles around his lips to plaster a small welcoming smile.

"Hyung, you're this early? Why?" Taehyung asked while wiping the sweat beads adorning his temples, after a healthy workout lesson. His eyes sparkled to see SeokJin, but what he didn't fail to notice was his brother's drooping eyelids which didn't have their usual shine.

"Y-yeah. Uhm, nothing much, I... just wanted to arrive early today. " SeokJin casually added while failing to maintain the casualty of his sentence as he stammered.

Taehyung was already aware of the sudden change in SeokJin's behaviour from the past few days. The Crown Prince even tried asking him but SeokJin blurted a peculiar sentence which confused him even more, "I wish I could travel to the alternate universe."

"Hyung! Since you're early, let's have breakfast together!" Taehyung chimed while making a clapping sound in excitement as if he remembered something he was about to forget forever.

Without waiting for SeokJin to respond he entangled their arms together and teleported SeokJin and himself to the Prince's quarters.

"WHY YOU LITTLE?! Yah, Taehyung-ah! Aren't you supposed to eat with His Majesty?"

"No. We only eat either lunch or dinner together. That too, is not often. "

SeokJin sighed in disbelief before rolling his eyes and throwing himself on the couch nearby. A gentle knock on the door was what pulled both of the young gumihos' attention towards the door.

Taehyung went towards the massive double door of his room and found Butler Kwon's dedicatedly smiling expression.

"Good morning, Your Highness."

"Good morning, Butler Kwon."

"Your Highness, would you like me to bring in your breakfast?"

"Yes, please. Also, SeokJin Hyung is here as well. We'd like to have our meal together." Taehyung informed as he slightly shifted for Butler Kwon to see SeokJin. SeokJin slightly bowed while sitting and so did the butler.

Moments later, Butler Kwon was already on his way to give the necessary instructions to the workers.

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In the Valley of Violas

A group of nine men sat across comfortably on wooden armchairs, their smooth skin glowed with the fire's golden hues. The crackling of the logs punctuated their conversation as one of them spoke while gaining everyone's attention.

"It's already been so many days yet no news about the King? Is the poison even working?" The guy with a flat nose bridge, named Kai, inquired.

Chanyeol leans forward, his one hand carrying the raw piece of meat. At times, he was considered the least clever member of the group, but his deep voice carried a sense of authority, drawing the others in, "Did you forget that it's a slow poison with minimum to nill initial symptoms."

To the side, Sehun sipped from a steaming mug, his gaze shifting between the speaker and the flames, "Chanyoel is right, we might get the news anytime soon." He said while gazing at Chanyoel, whose thick fangs were dug into the meat as he ate.

Across from Sehun, Lay sat with tousled hair, his eyes bright with curiosity and enthusiasm. He interjected the conversation with a question, "Where's In Gyeop? He hadn't reached us in a while."

Suho lounges back in his chair, arms crossed and a playful smirk on his lips when he added, "I'm sure he's on his way."

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Inside Prince Quarters

SeokJin and Taehyung were peacefully munching the food, and the silence between them blew with subtle awkwardness. Taehyung was hesitant and afraid that he might push the wrong button. But this doesn't stop the Crown Prince from getting concerned about his friend.

"Hyung, who is this all about?" Taehyung's eyes were fixed on the food on his plate when he began.

"What?" SeokJin's eyes perched upwards.

"You're spending nights in the pubs, skipping meals, and most importantly arriving early and working late hours to avoid going home. Why?"

Taehyung added as his sharp gaze pierced directly into SeokJin's soul. SeokJin's heart sank at the question. He had been rehearsing that moment in his mind for weeks, but in the end, he already knew that this would happen.

SeokJin's guards almost crumbled when Taehyung's gaze slowly softened, showcasing his concern, but it changed to an even angrier one upon hearing SeokJin's response.

"Don't worry about it. It's nothing. "

Taehyung banged his chopsticks on the table as he put them down, and exclaimed while pointing his index finger towards the lad sitting in front of him, "Yah, Jin Hyung! Enough! You're telling me right now so that I can help!"

For a few seconds, SeokJin glanced at the finger pointing towards him before his gaze shifted towards the owner, he put down his chopsticks and mumbled, "Help?" SeokJin scoffed in between, "I bet even a royal like you can't do anything."

"What?! Why?! Do you also think I'm incompetent for the throne?" Taehyung half yelled.

"Huh?"

Taehyung stood up from his position, his eyes filled with eagerness. Seconds later he was found strangling SeokJin on the couch. SeokJin coughed from the lack of air and the stronghold on his neck. He was confused as to what had gotten into Taehyung that he was acting out of his character.

"Tell me, KIM SEOKJIN!"

Hearing his full name out of Taehyung's mouth made anger rush inside SeokJin's veins. He mustered up his strength and brutally pushed Taehyung away from him. The Crown Prince crashed into the table making the dishes clank on the ground and scattering the food.

After catching his breath SeokJin rushed towards a laying Taehyung and grabbed his collar, "I GOT REJECTED, YOU DUMB FUCK!"

"W-what?" Taehyung's expression changed from depicting extreme anger to showcasing guilt and concern when he saw SeokJin's glossy orbs. A bitter laugh escaped SeokJin's lips.

"Now tell me, how will the royal blood inside your veins help in manipulating her into liking me instead of liking m-my... brother."

SeokJin's voice cracked at the last word of his sentence. Taehyung's eyes were wide and his jaw was slacked when his mind fathomed the meaning of what SeokJin blurted. He pulled himself upwards to seat himself while his one hand on the marble floor supported his frame.

"You were into Y/n?"

SeokJin sniffled but said nothing while Taehyung kept staring at him for a moment before he continued, "And she likes Namjoon Hyung."

Taehyung conveyed and huffed a long sigh making SeokJin hum in agreement before he finally looked into Taehyung's eyes and the weight of reality pressed down on him. He took a deep breath before conveying his next sentence.

"So just let me be. L-Let me avoid her for some time; I don't want to face her." The elder son of minister Kim added and a tear rolled down his cheek. Not being able to have his little human around him was paining his heart, but what was even worse was to see his beloved with his brother.

Taehyung didn't know what to say, whether to comfort SeokJin or not. Or is he in a place to comfort him or not?

By this time, Butler Kwon had already entered the room upon hearing the cackling noises of utensils. Both of the gumihos stood themselves up and tried maintaining their composure, their eyes, filled with guilt after creating a useless commotion, lingered from facing each other to different corners of the grand room.

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LATER THAT EVENING

Inside Kim's Mansion

Namjoon Hoseok and Y/n stood at the entrance of the house. Y/n nervously adjusted her ponytail while Hoseok was anxious to officially face the King for the first time.

"Take care of both of them. I'm sure His Majesty will handle this issue very well." Mr Kim instructed Namjoon as he stood at the exit of the mansion along with his wife.

Mrs Kim's features were tensed as she couldn't ignore the anxious feeling building up in her gut, she was sure that this rising feeling was not a sign of a good omen and so she wanted both of her sons safe, in front of her eyes.

"I hope nothing goes wrong. Don't forget to bring your brother back. I'll give him a piece of my mind. "

"Mom, you're not supposed to scold Hyung every time. He might have his reasons."

Y/n lowered her gaze and fidgeted with her fingers until Mrs Kim spoke again, "Can't he just share it then? Maybe not with us, but with--"

"Honey, it's not the time. Children... come back home safe and for that, you should leave now," Mr Kim interrupted.

With that, Namjoon gestured his hand forward in Y/n's and Hoseok's direction as he stood between them. They both took his hand and with a final smile lining on Namjoon's lips, the three of them vanished from the mansion.

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In the Royal court of Kim clan

The royal court was a sprawling complex of intricately carved wooden structures that shimmered with a golden rooftop, supported by huge red pillars of stones.

The King solemnly sat upon his elevated throne, his majestic yet philosophical set of eyes showed a resemblance to that of his younger son. His thoughts continuously meddled, not focused on the important decision he was about to take but on his elder child whom he thought was not even allowed to step into this cruel world.

Generally, the King was the one to arrive at last yet today he sat alone, eagerly waiting to see both of his sons together. The weight of the crown bent his spine and dropped his shoulder, and the incessant losses of his loved ones that occurred throughout his lifetime made him lose that youthful charm he once carried.

There were times when behind those gloomy hallways of the castle, he questioned his diety, but often he ended up questioning his inner demons.

"Your Majesty. "

"Your Majesty. "

The chain of deep thoughts flickering inside Jeong Ho's mind came to a halt when the sentry guarding the entrance of the royal court opened the giant double door making Taehyung and SeokJin enter at the same time before they bowed.

"Where are others?"

"They must be here anytime soon, Your Majesty," Taehyung informed.

"Your Majesty, I am highly indebted to you for your kindness as you chose to not include the ministers."

The King smiled at SeokJin's remark and parted his lips to respond but a vigorous cough escaped from his mouth instead. What he didn't noticed was a tiny drop of blood that stained his royal attire.

"Father!"

"His Majesty!"

Taehyung and SeokJin nervously blurted and Jeong Ho finally responded, "I'm fine."

The sentry announced the presence of Namjoon and others making the King shift in his position. The door of the royal court slide-opened and three silhouettes walked towards Kim Jeong Ho before Namjoon bowed followed by Y/n and Hoseok.

The king's heart quickened, a flicker of recognition sparking in his chest. He had seen those eyes before, in fleeting moments shared long ago.

Namjoon's mind constantly revolved around the fact that he is related to the King. Losing focus he tried his best to maintain his professionalism as the Head of the Defence Department when the King's voice echoed inside the royal hall and ordered the sentries to bring the perpetrators.

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