Chapter 3: “We could always get by as farmers.”
Queen Jia stood in the throne room alongside her husband. The royals, consisting of Taehyung, Jimin, and Jennie—along with some nobility—listened as she discussed with the King beside her.
"Let's agree, it's a brilliant match—Ella is French so there's no question of her family's loyalty." The Queen smiled. "She's very wealthy-"
"-but not royal, so they're hungry for power." The King concluded.
"They'll pay for it."
King Hajoon smirked. "Yes, it's only right to accept the support of one's royal subjects."
Both parents turned to the little boy looking up at them expectedly. The queen smiled at him as she leaned down,"And... she's got a giraffe!" She enthused to the little boy, who giggled at his mother.
"Do I get a giraffe too?" He asked, his voice a bit weary.
"The moment she's your bride." His mother ensured.
The King rolled his eyes and turned to his other son. "Taehyung. To show our respect, I want you to accompany your little brother to the landing."
The little boy turned his head towards his father, his face hopeful as he smiled. "Can Hobi come as well?" He asked, looking towards Hoseok as the latter smiled warmly at the boy.
"Yejoon." The Queen started, irritated, as the little boy turned to face her. "You know that Hoseok isn't really your brother. He's just your father's son. His presence is disrespectful."
Hoseok raised his eyebrows amusingly, turning his head towards Taehyung who just shrugged.
"The girl's parents were enjoying Morocco so they sent her on alone." The King stated, continuing the discussion at hand.
The Queen laughed, pulling Yejoon close and fixing his hair as she spoke. "Apparently she was more afraid of meeting her future husband than of pirates! Well that's to be expected at age seven." She concluded. "She'll get in line. We all do."
Jennie spoke up. "Perhaps I can go with Taehyung?" The royals looked hesitantly upon her as she continued, "I came here too when I was a child, perhaps I can reassure her."
"It's several hours' journey." The King warned.
"Then we'll take food and treats. I don't mind, really." She smiled.
King Hajoon thought carefully, before announcing. "Prepare a carriage for Jennie, Princess of England."
—- ⚜️ —-
Taehyung sat with his arms crossed inside the carriage, Jennie and a sleeping Yejoon opposite of him.
"You haven't spoken to me much you know." Jennie stated with a sigh. The prince just looked up at her with determined eyes and proceeded to ignore her.
"You do realize that we're going to be married someday, don't you?"
Taehyung turned his head in annoyance. "Believe me, I know." He asserted.
"Look, I know you had a life before I got here. Don't you think that we owe it to each other? To our families, to our countries to give it a chance?" She preached.
"What matters is what's right for my country." He spat. "I'm going to be king someday—responsible for my people, and right now an alliance with England could destroy France."
"...You don't want to marry me." She concluded, hurt evident. "You don't want this at all."
"You've truly just now figured this out?" He huffed.
"Well it isn't your decision, it's your father's." She decreed, angry.
"You don't see him pushing a wedding either, do you?" He snapped. "If you're ever going to be the Queen of France, you need to understand something. Kings do not answer to their wives."
—- ⚜️ —-
Later that night, Jungkook waltzed happily around his room. It was far nicer than anything he'd ever stayed inside before. The silk bedding along with the fine wood—which he completely adored—had him utterly fascinated. The boy stopped abruptly as he heard a sound of struggle and a familiar voice outside his door.
Jungkook swiftly opened the wooden barrier to reveal a tall, dark brown haired figure being dragged along by two guards. "Namjoon!?" He yelled.
"Run along boy, this is by order of the king." A guard stated. Jungkook knew he had to do something, and hurried towards his detained friend. "What'd they do to you?"
The guard kicked Jungkook away harshly, causing the boy to wince in pain. "I warned you. King's orders."
He then heard the sound of footsteps approaching.
"Your highness." The guards said simultaneously, voices wavering.
"Now, what'd the poor boy do to deserve such treatment? Hm?" A deep voice asked, nearing closer to Jungkook.
"...He got in the way of orders sir."
Jungkook looked up as the voice knelt down beside him. He was met—once again—by the disinterested face of Taehyung.
"Jeon." The prince whispered. "I remember you."
Taehyung rose to his feet, facing the guards with a smirk upon his face. "Orders hm? Release the boy in your grasp."
"But your grace, it's by order of the king-"
"Unless you'd prefer to be beheaded at my mother's command, I suggest you follow your new orders." He growled.
"Y-yes your highness." They stammered, releasing their hold on Namjoon and bowing before taking their leave down the hall.
Taehyung walked over to Jungkook, who'd just risen to his feet, an arm around his aching shoulder. "And you caused this because..?" The prince queried.
"He's an old friend, your highness." Jungkook sighed, bowing. He walked back over to Namjoon, who was currently on the floor in pain. The boy turned to the prince, eyes hopeful. "Can you help him?" He pleaded.
Taehyung shifted as the boy's doe eyes gazed upon him. He wasn't one to give in easily, but such a gaze had his heart wavering. "I suppose so." He stated.
And so the two boys lifted Namjoon into Jungkook's room, carefully laying him upon the bed. The oldest fell asleep as Taehyung treated his wounds.
"Where'd you learn to to that?" Jungkook asked softly, pulling the prince out of his thoughts.
"Hm? Oh, well I suppose it was from my half-brother, Hoseok." He replied, dabbing cotton upon the cut on Namjoon's forehead. Taehyung chuckled to himself, lowering his head. "He has so many skills."
"Well you're going to be a great ruler someday, isn't that enough of a skill?" Asked Jungkook.
"I hope it will be." He smiled, looking up at the younger boy. "But I want a real skill. One that I didn't inherit—wasn't given to me and can't be taken away." Jungkook listened as he continued.
"Hoseok—he wants to learn something, he does. He wants to go somewhere, he goes. With my father's blessing." He sighed. "They don't worry about him dying so much I suppose."
"Because he'll never be king?" Jungkook asked.
Taehyung just nodded.
"Hmm, I can.. milk a goat." Jungkook stated. "And cut peat for a fire."
"Impressive." Taehyung laughed. "I suppose if there's ever an uprising we could always get by as farmers."
Jungkook smiled widely, looking upon the prince's face—really studying it. He observed his sharp jaw, his intensely breathtaking gaze. The boy was unearthly, and Jungkook found himself drawing closer to the latter.
"You're doing it again." Stated Taehyung, making the young boy jump back. "Staring."
"M-my apologies, your highness." Jungkook stammered.
Taehyung hummed in response. They both felt a movement on the bed, shifting their gaze to see Namjoon waking up.
"Namjoon?" Jungkook asked quietly. The latter groaned in pain, slightly opening his eyes.
"...Jungkook?" He mumbled. "What are you doing in the castle?"
"...Trade." He lied, throwing a look to the boy who paused, giving a slight nod in response.
"I sense that my work here is done, for now." Stated Taehyung, standing up. "I'll be off."
"Thank you. Truly, your highness." Jungkook stated. The prince gave a nod, as he left the room.
"Now, why are you really here?" Asked Namjoon, raising an eyebrow.
"She sent me. There's something I've got to do." Jungkook replied nervously.
"Can't be that bad?" Asked Namjoon, unsure.
Jungkook paused, weary of saying it aloud.
"...She wants me to kill his majesty's mistress."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
justaddsuga
justaddsuga teehee
anyway im not sure how much focus i want on some of the side characters. i cut out a solely yoonmin/yoonseok scene that i might include next chapter but idk?
i hope this isn't too boring! feedback is greatly appreciated uwu and!!! thank you so so much to anyone who's voted so far!
i luv u all and i hope your day is going great :)
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