Chapter Text
Sine qua non (n) - Latin - “without which nothing”; something which is absolutely indispensable or essential; those things without which one life in general becomes meaningless.
Love is the sine qua non. Love is the thing without which one has nothing at all.
“Prince Jimin…”
A minute longer, please.
“Prince Jimin!”
Anything, anything for just one more minute—
“Prince Jimin, open this door at once!”
Jimin wakes up with a start. When he flutters his eyes open, he wonders who is knocking so loudly at his door; wonders why his service staff hasn’t quieted them or dealt with this matter before it got to him. Then he remembers.
He remembers that he had bolted the door shut last night in a last-ditch effort to seek out the peace that he had so desperately needed. He had downed a few cups of wine, which had done enough to get him to sleep. And he remembers why. Oh, he remembers why, and he wishes more than ever to have another moment’s peace.
Jimin rolls over to the edge of the bed and sits listening to the pounding and yelling for a minute longer before reluctantly heading to the door. When he finally unbolts it, he doesn’t need to open it. It’s pushed open hurriedly by Jaegyun, who plays roles as both his constant companion and the constant thorn in Jimin’s side.
“Prince Jimin ,” he says, pushing past Jimin and entering the room with a flourish, followed by several other service staff. “It is simply unacceptable for you to continue this way.”
Jimin rolls his eyes. If there is one thing he has learned in his position as the crown prince, it is that nobody can truly tell him what is and is not acceptable, with few exceptions.
“I fear you’re getting too comfortable with me, wouldn’t you say? Remember that you are speaking to your prince,” Jimin replies, sinking back into his bed as the staff continues to bustle around his bedroom.
“I would say it is you who is getting too comfortable, Your Highness,” Jaegyun argues, bidding several of the staff to leave. They have completed their tasks of bringing in the wash basin and the clothes that Jimin would need for his first meetings of the day. “Get back on your feet. It is time to dress for breakfast. We’re already set to be late, so you’d best make haste.”
Prince Jimin sighs, groans, but makes toward the wash basin just the same.
“Your betrothed looks like an angel this morning, Prince Jimin,” Jaegyun adds. “I could not have dreamed of a more fitting lady than Jiyeon to take your hand in marriage.”
“I am sure you are quite right,” Prince Jimin agrees, hiding the longing he has to seize all of the intruders in his bedroom, force them out, and bolt himself in again. “She is lovelier each time I see her.”
Jaegyun has served as Jimin’s courtier since he was a young boy. He has been present for each victory, each success of Jimin's. He has also been present for each tear shed, each self-doubt, and each dilemma that Jimin has gone through. Jaegyun knows Prince Jimin better than anybody; better, indeed, than his own parents. Jaegyun can read Jimin as if he were as simple to decipher as a children’s book, no matter how close to the vest Jimin may attempt to keep his true emotions. This truth has proven at times to be both a blessing and a curse.
"Why, then, are you going on this way, Your Highness?" Jaegyun asks. It's with the exasperated but knowing tone that Jimin has grown to recognise from Jaegyun.
"Loveliness and beauty aren’t everything, Jaegyun. And I'm not going on in any type of way."
Jaegyun clicks his tongue as Jimin starts to wash up. Regardless of his feelings, they both know quite well that Jimin will go through the motions. He always does. He is crown prince, and nobody can tell him what is and is not acceptable. Except for the king and queen themselves, of course, and those through whom their power directly flows. Jimin has obligations that must be met.
Although it is to be a moderately simple breakfast, Jimin is clothed in his finest attire. Everything in the castle has taken on a lavish style these past few days. With all of the future princess' family lodging at the castle until the day of the wedding, castle service staff are going the extra mile to make sure that everything is just so. Each ordinary meal has turned into a feast, each meeting between the families has turned into the social event of the season for the kingdom.
Prince Jimin may be running late, but breakfast never truly starts until all members of the royal family are present. Besides, he still arrives before King Changmin and Queen Haeun. In fact, his mother and father have been uncharacteristically late to almost every meal and meeting since the pomp and circumstance of the union of families had begun. It gives Jimin pause when he recognises it, but he is much too caught up in the emotion surrounding his upcoming nuptials to give it much attention.
His betrothed, Princess Jiyeon, is sitting at the table already, waiting patiently for the meal to begin. As Jaegyun had told Jimin earlier, she looks as elegant as she always does. The lead-up to the wedding is as much a parade of wealth as anything else, and Princess Jiyeon’s family has more to prove than any other family in attendance. She wears a brand new silken robe and coat each day, always in an attractive colour to bring out her smooth, pale complexion. This morning, her jet black hair is tied back away from her face in a sleek twist, held in place with intricate ornamental pins. Despite the perpetual display of glitz and glamour, her smile at Jimin is always genuine and kind.
"Good morning, my lady," Jimin says, taking her hand as he sits at her side.
“My lord,” she says, bowing her head toward the table. “Did you sleep well?”
“Ah, I likely could have used a few more hours, I'm afraid,” Jimin replies, tucking into the table.
The king and queen make their entrance then, the table growing silent until they’re seated. When they are settled and breakfast is served, Queen Haeun begins by addressing the room at large.
“It is rather subdued at the breakfast table this morning." Her keen eye takes in the assembly. "My son, are you feeling well? You look as if you haven’t slept,” she says.
“You know me well, mother. I haven’t been sleeping well of late, it is true.”
“The excitement for the upcoming wedding has kept me awake nights as well,” his mother replies, tucking into her breakfast. “And what about you, Jiyeon?”
“I am feeling fine this morning, Your Majesty, thank you,” Jiyeon answers quietly. “And how are you?”
Jiyeon and the queen begin to chat, and Jimin allows his thoughts to stray from the present moment. Jiyeon is a beautiful young woman, as far as young women go. Prince Jimin is no fool; he has known his betrothed from afar for most of his life, known before it was spoken aloud that she was in contention for Prince Jimin’s hand in marriage. As the years passed and Jimin reached young adulthood, the contenders had thinned out considerably. It was around this time that Jimin sensed his fate was all but sealed. The discussions of his marriage began as hushed remarks and off-the-cuff comments, but soon became serious and negotiatory. The two families had begun to socialise more frequently, Prince Jimin and his not-yet-betrothed made to brush elbows increasingly more often.
Jimin and Jiyeon have struck up an adequate topical friendship over the years, but nothing more. Prince Jimin can feel the walls of resistance on both ends of their relationship. Jiyeon, indeed, does not seem keen on the events that they have been ushered into of late, but has played her role as woman and potential future princess well. She has been reserved, polite, and given it her utmost effort to charm Prince Jimin with her natural grace.
“You are very handsome today,” she whispers across to him now over their breakfast plates.
“Not nearly as beautiful as you, my lady,” Prince Jimin says, taking her hand with the proper smile, the proper courtesy.
All in all, the breakfast is over fairly quickly, Jimin slinking back to his quarters in relief. Another hour or two before Jaegyun will bother him again for lunch. Reality cannot touch him when he’s within the four walls of his bedroom, when he slides that bolt shut again and leans his forehead against the cool stone of the door. Jimin can crawl back into his bed in reprieve, as he has been prone to doing more and more often lately.
The Pretty Prince.
It has been Prince Jimin’s nickname for as long as he can remember. Even when he was a teenager with chubby cheeks and a body that he had not yet grown into, his beauty was the talk of the land. And grown into that body, he has.
Prince Jimin knows very well that he is handsome. His plump lips, his sculpted cheekbones, the way his eyes sparkle when he genuinely smiles. Not to mention his strength of body, his well-built thighs, his natural talent for most anything that requires hand-eye coordination. Yes, his handsome appearance and charm as well as his talents have served him at court, and Prince Jimin has learned that he can use these traits to his advantage when he needs to.
Although it is always pushed upon the young women to dream of the day of their marriage, Jimin, too, has always dreamt of a day when he would marry his true love. Like the fairy tales repeated to him as a child, Prince Jimin imagined sweeping a beautiful princess off of her feet. She would be dressed in layers upon layers of coloured silken fabric, the most exquisite wedding attire. Jimin even dreamed of the day he would produce an heir, as it was always impressed upon him as his responsibility as crown prince. As he grew and matured, he began to imagine creating a family of his own.
Jimin even began to imagine what it would be like to make love for the first time. He was no stranger to sexual urges, and soon he did not need to wonder what it would be like any longer. When he came of age, a selection of young maidens was procured for him to choose from. Proper love-making would be paramount if he were to produce an heir, after all, though he was promised that his future wife would come to him untouched.
The first time Jimin made love to a woman, his visions of his perfect wedding began to change. Maybe he had known it all along, the way images in his fantasies began to get cloudy and blurred as he reached closer to teenagehood. But now, when he truly dreamed the dream of the life that he desired most of all, it was no longer a woman in an exquisite wedding costume taking the leading role alongside him. Prince Jimin's truest, hidden wish was to be with another man.
However, regardless of Jimin's ability to charm anyone in his general proximity with his beauty, he knows he has his part to play. A role he takes on because he is bound to it, a role that includes the wedding negotiations between his family and Jiyeon's. It is an appropriate matchup between the two of them, that much can be said. Unfortunately, Jimin struggles to find it within himself to put forth the proper excitement and anticipation for his wedding day.
Jimin can’t decide whether the wedding date approaches in slow motion or faster than a strike of lightning. Regardless, when he realises that it will only be a couple of days before the exchanging of vows, he becomes resigned to his fate. Until now, his sense of panic has fed him hope, like maybe this could still all be avoided. As the date approaches, however, Jimin comes to truly understand that there is no escaping this wedding, along with everything that comes part and parcel with it.
King Changmin and Queen Haeun have always been the very picture of duty and service to their kingdom. Never ones to shy away from the public, they always keep serene smiles on their faces when eyes are on them. But behind closed doors, Jimin knows firsthand that the two do not always see eye-to-eye on matters of both kingdom and family.
As the wedding approaches, it becomes clear to Jimin that the details of his future marriage are no exception. Prince Jimin is summoned by the queen to come to her chambers. As he reaches the hallway outside her door, he can hear the raised voices of both of his parents.
"Have you gone mad? He will take her as princess," the queen says heatedly as Prince Jimin pauses to listen at the door. "Can you think of another lady more suitable than her?"
"I suppose it would depend on one's definition of 'suitable'," Jimin's father bites back, and Prince Jimin has rarely heard the type of disdain that is in his voice now.
The queen scoffs. "Jiyeon’s family is gorgeous and of proper lineage. They boast generational wealth. Their reputation is one of prestige, class, honour. The women in direct relation to Jiyeon have had excellent success in producing strong heirs, and all are beautiful to add to it. What more can you ask for?"
"I can ask for our son's choice. His happiness."
"And do you think that I do not want his happiness? Do you not remember that I am still his mother? You have always been absurdly romantic. No wonder it was decided that you needed me as your queen. You constantly require reminding of your priorities. You need reminding of your duties, and of the duties we all take on as part of this family, including our son."
Jimin knows then. He knows without a shadow of a doubt. There will be no escaping his obligation to marry, and in particular to marry Jiyeon. As long as Jimin can remember, his mother has always had the final word when it came to matters that the king and queen have quarrelled over. His father, ever the peacemaker, ever the one to avoid conflict, will bend to her will. Jimin knows that this situation will be no different, especially if his mother has any inkling that their reputation may be at stake.
He knocks on the door then, loudly enough to interrupt their argument. Queen Haeun is all smiles when she opens the door, urging Jimin in and asking him questions about the wedding feast that he could care less about. Jimin realises then that this must be the cause of his parents' distraction lately, the reason why they have been late to nearly every function. They have been arguing about Jimin's nuptials, even with the date looming so closely.
The castle grounds, the halls, every corner of the castle is bustling, busy. Decor, food, guests that claim to have known Jimin since he was a tiny baby; it's all a lot of commotion that Jimin thinks is superfluous and distracting. Of course, none of the extravagance is for him, not really. Most of the time, Jimin feels that the wedding, the marriage is for the benefit of everyone but him.
Jimin does not sleep much during the night leading up to his wedding day. Although there is a sense of calm acceptance blanketing him, the nerves don’t allow sleep to take him for long. Then the birds are waking an hour before the sunrise starts to sneak through the windows. Jimin listens to their song and wonders what life would be like as a sparrow or a pigeon. To live and die to wake with the sun, to feast in the grasses and build nests where he sees fit. To feel freedom in flight.
Soon enough, Jaegyun is at his door, earlier than usual, bringing a barber with him. Jimin gets a haircut and a close, hot shave. The room fills with staff bringing him clothes and food and drink and keeping him comfortable, at least on the outside.
"I hope the day goes smoothly," Jaegyun tells Jimin as he dresses for the ceremony. "Oh! What a gorgeous event, a lovely day—what am I saying, of course it will all be perfect."
"Perfect," Jimin mutters to himself in the mirror.
Jimin l ooks perfect, indeed. And he has no doubt that his bride will be as pretty as a picture. Jimin and Jiyeon will be surrounded with joy and celebration. Everything is poised for the perfect day, and Jimin vows to himself that he will make the best of it all, at least for Jiyeon’s sake. A woman like Jiyeon fantasises of her wedding day, he supposes, more than he ever has.
Here Jimin is, with his princess in the extravagant wedding attire that had decorated his dreams as a little boy. Maybe it is within him to grasp at those dreams again, to make them enough to lead a fulfilling life, if not a fulfillingly happy one.
Jimin’s nerves get the better of him throughout the ceremony. They proclaim their vows. The rapture on the guests’ faces tighten the knots in Jimin’s stomach, making his heart race faster and faster. But then it’s over as quickly as it began, the adrenaline powering Jimin through the cheering and the greetings and the well-wishes from dozens upon dozens of faces that float before him. It feels like he’s in a dream, and he grips Princess Jiyeon’s hand tightly when he can, holding on for dear life.
“I could not be more ecstatic about this union,” Queen Haeun proclaims over a cup of the finest wine. “May Princess Jiyeon serve you dutifully, my son.”
King Changmin is not as vocal, yet Jimin can sense that he is pleased that the marriage has been fulfilled. “My son. You will take this kingdom one day, and your son will take it after that. Today is the first step toward that beautiful gift. I could not be more proud of you, both as the king and as your father.”
Wine dulls Jimin’s anxiety as the evening continues, as the wedding feast begins. He knows that there are expectations when he takes his new bride back to his chambers. The serving staff switch out his wine with water after three cups, and Jimin knows the night’s festivities will soon draw to a close.
They are escorted back to Prince Jimin’s chambers, where they change and wash in preparation for what is expected of them. Princess Jiyeon is sweetly nervous, and Jimin finds affection toward her that he can use to get through the night. They connect quickly, stumbling through the dark, shedding the bedclothes that had been freshly sewed for the special occasion of their first night together as newlywed husband and wife. Jimin’s eyes are closed from the moment he enters Jiyeon until he finishes, and his wife rolls away from him before he opens them again.
It is done , Prince Jimin thinks, hearing his wife washing again in the next room, my duty for today is done.
“Thank you, my Prince,” Jiyeon says, coming back to the bed with him after a while, “for your kindness and gentleness on our wedding day, as well as our wedding night.”
And though they lay next to each other that night, and numerous others like it, there is a mutually known and accepted distance between them. Jimin can sense it, and he knows that his wife can, too. Neither makes any move to repair it or even acknowledge it. For now, Jimin is content to keep things simple and uncomplicated; to be married, as expected, and bide his time waiting until the next duty is required of him.
Jaegyun is silently observant of the marriage in its early days, and Jimin is thankful for it. Navigating life with his new responsibilities, attending to his wife, has been a difficult adjustment for Prince Jimin. He is not accustomed to seeking the approval of anyone outside of his parents. Having Princess Jiyeon to answer to is different and somewhat uncomfortable, especially the way Jimin is used to spending much of his time only as he himself pleases.
“Bring her flowers from the garden today,” Jaegyun will advise him, or, “take her with you on your trip to the city". Jaegyun is his biggest supporter; or maybe he is Jiyeon’s biggest supporter. Either way, Jimin is more grateful to Jaegyun than ever. It goes on this way for some time, until Jimin starts to understand the husbandly routine that might be expected of him. Jimin starts to take Jiyeon with him on his strolls through the gardens. They share conversations of their childhoods, their upbringing.
“I fear I will never be able to meet my mother’s expectations,” Jimin tells her one day, as they stop amidst the fragrant hydrangeas in the back gardens. “Not even if I were to abide by her every wish.”
“We were born into a life of unchosen privilege,” the princess agrees. “Sometimes the privilege can be more burdensome and lonely than people can understand. The expectations put upon us, the image that we must uphold. I know I should want for nothing, but an opportunity to step outside of the pressures that come with our obligations is sometimes all that I really want.”
“Everybody wants for something,” Jimin says, feeling wistful. “Even the richest man in the world wants for something.”
As time passes, they grow still more comfortable together, prince and princess. Jimin begins to consider Jiyeon a confidante, as close as one can get without Jimin revealing his deepest, truest desires; the desires he has never divulged to another living soul. There is a simmering warmth between them, if not a genuine romantic love. Princess Jiyeon has a way of lowering Prince Jimin’s walls, getting him to open up about matters of the heart that he hasn’t discussed with another person before her.
"Did you ever think of marriage, growing up?" Jiyeon asks Jimin once, a few weeks after their vows.
"Very often, in fact," Jimin replies.
"When you did, did you imagine it like this?"
Princess Jiyeon looks at him meaningfully, and he knows that he can be truthful. He can suddenly sense that they share the same sentiments: neither had dreamed of a marriage of necessity, both had dreamed of marrying for love. "Not exactly," he says in a low voice.
Jiyeon takes his hand, looking back over the grounds before them. "Me neither.” She turns and leans against the low stone planter in front of them. “It is not exactly as the fairy tales make it out to be, is it?”
Jimin smiles sadly. “Not whatsoever.”
Several weeks after the wedding, Jaegyun is updating Jimin on the remaining expectations from him this summer. An annual hunting trip is taken by the king and prince yearly. It's a ritual Jimin has participated in since he was a boy. It isn't often that Jimin has the opportunity to have his father's company to himself. However, this year's hunting trip has a prerequisite that Jimin has not counted on.
"Princess Jiyeon's family prides themselves on owning the best horses in the country,” Jaegyun tells Prince Jimin. “They are all accomplished riders as well. Thus, it is important for you to get a better grasp on riding and handling horses.”
Prince Jimin stifles a groan. "Jaegyun, is this truly necessary? You know I've never been a rider."
Though he has no problem with handling animals in general, as many of those with noble blood seem to, he has struggled with finding a knack for the saddle. It is surprising and frustrating to Jimin, given his usual aptitude for sport and dance.
“You will come to the stables once each week until you become more at ease. We have handpicked the best available farmhand to teach you. Nobody understands horses better than him. This afternoon will be your first lesson.”
The lesson is to start at one o’clock, after lunch. Prince Jimin sets out for the stables at noon, wanting to familiarise himself with the environment that he has largely avoided since he was a young man. It is an idyllic summer afternoon; a suitable temperature for Jimin’s light layer of clothing. The soothing breeze fans the hair back from his forehead, making him close his eyes in contentment. Jimin loves spending these types of days outside, so he is in an unexpectedly good mood, especially given the fact that he has to spend the afternoon participating in an activity that he has yet to master.
He reaches the stable, finding the first row of half a dozen horses in their stalls. Prince Jimin meanders through, not minding the mud, grime, and whatever else might be found on the ground, settling between the cracks on the bottom of his leather shoes. He may be the Pretty Prince , but he has never shied away from getting dirty. Queen Haeun and Jaegyun have, on more than one occasion, chastised him for ruining his best garments with a roll down the grassy hill with his comrades, or a quick dip in the pond in the grounds behind their castle.
“Oh,” a voice suddenly sighs out behind him.
When Prince Jimin turns, he finds a young farmhand kneeling before him, shaky with surprise. He is handsome, dark hair and chocolate brown eyes, though he is dressed down for his work in the stables. With the festivities of the wedding having overrun the palace for the past several months, Jimin has been exposed to nothing but the finest. Kim Taehyung’s attire stands out in sharp contrast; he wears old straw shoes and a hat, mud-dirty slacks, a white cotton shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow and a low neckline that reveals the dark honey skin of his chest. Jimin takes him in with interest until he interrupts his thoughts with the deep timbre of his voice.
“Your Highness,” he says from his position, head bent toward the muddy ground. “I was not expecting you so soon. My apologies. I will ready the horses at once.”
“Please, there is no need; I arrived early. I simply came to have a look around before the lesson.”
The young man stumbles to his feet, keeping his head bowed.
“What’s your name?”
The man looks up, as if unsure that the prince is truly addressing him. “My name? My name is— is Kim Taehyung, Your Highness. I work as a farmhand, here in the stables. It would be my pleasure to serve you during the lesson this afternoon. Please, whatever you need to feel comfortable, say the word.”
“Ah, whatever I need to feel comfortable?” Prince Jimin says, a playful confidence rising to his chest. “It would make me feel much more comfortable if you were to look me in the eye, Kim Taehyung.”
Kim Taehyung does not miss a beat, raising his eyes at once to Prince Jimin’s.
“There we are. You shouldn’t keep those beautiful eyes to yourself. Share them with me.”
Kim Taehyung bows his head again, but only momentarily. Then, he is looking at Prince Jimin, eyes steady. It is a look Prince Jimin recognizes. A reverence, a willingness to be at his beck and call, to heed his every whim. But there's something else behind his gaze, too. Jimin cannot put his finger on what it is, but it warms him from the inside out.
“Have you eaten lunch, Kim Taehyung?”
“Ah— yes, Your Highness. We are given rice and water at eleven each morning, I am satisfied.”
“Satisfied with rice and water?” Prince Jimin says. “Perhaps. Nevertheless, you will join us in the dining hall tonight, after our lesson. It would also make me more comfortable to spend time with my teacher. I feel we will be seeing a lot of each other during the coming weeks. That is, if you think you can break me. I fear I may be a lost cause when it comes to riding.”
Kim Taehyung smiles sheepishly. “It would be my pleasure to attend at the dining hall, Your Highness.” He crosses to one of the stalls, unlocking it and gently coaxing a stocky, white steed to his hand. The moment Taehyung is in closer proximity to the horses, any nervousness in his demeanour seems to evaporate. “And luckily for you, there is no such thing as a lost cause when it comes to riding. I will have you confident behind the reins, I can assure you.”
Jimin is taken aback by Kim Taehyung’s self-assurance. Typically, when Jimin meets workers about the castle for the first time, they are cautious with making promises of their abilities. Maybe that's the extra twinkle that Jimin sees in Taehyung's eyes. Jimin instantly takes a liking to Taehyung, enjoying the way he carries himself.
Prince Jimin bides his time while Taehyung is readying the horses for their lesson. He wanders amongst the stalls, peering in at the horses resting within. He wasn’t aware until now that they had so many horses in the stables. Jimin wonders if they have been brought in for the sake of Princess Jiyeon and her family, as prized horses have always been part of their family's prestigious image.
Jaegyun arrives while Taehyung is still preparing for their lesson. Jimin is outside the stable, resting in the sun. He watches his courtier approach across the fields, hands already resting tellingly on his hips.
“You found me here. Are you quite satisfied now that I am not trying to avoid the lessons?” Jimin asks, standing to shake the grass from his hanbok.
Jaegyun chuckles. “The first lesson, at least. I know you don’t enjoy doing things that you don’t have a natural talent for, of which there are, thankfully, few.”
“Remind me again why I must waste my time learning to ride when I can just as easily sit in the carriage?” Jimin questions with a sigh.
“Your Highness,” Taehyung says behind them.
Jimin turns toward his deep, calm voice. Taehyung has changed, cleaned up, and Jimin’s heart skips a beat when he realises how handsome the young man is. He’s standing in the doorway of the stables, having set down a brown cloth bag of what Jimin assumes to be grain for the horses. Though he is still wearing worker's clothes, the patches of dirt that had stained his cheeks have been scrubbed away, and an effort has been made to tame the unruly waves of dark hair that cascade down his forehead. Jimin regrets not noticing sooner how attractive Taehyung is. He wishes now that he would have noted how Taehyung had really looked, before he'd made himself up for Jimin. He wishes he had taken the time to appreciate Taehyung as his unkempt self, without the added costume for his sake. Perhaps before the next lesson.
“If you are ready, we can begin, Your Highness,” Taehyung says, giving a courteous nod to Jaegyun.
“Then I will take my leave,” Jaegyun says, jaunting up to Taehyung, “but do not hesitate to let me know if this one—” Jaegyun gestures toward Jimin, “—causes you any trouble.”
“Ah, I am sure that we will be fine,” Taehyung says, scratching the back of his neck.
“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you.” Jaegyun gives Jimin a last warning look before proceeding out of the stables.
Taehyung's eyes follow Jaegyun for several seconds, before he picks up the bag at his feet and turns back to Jimin. The biggest grin spreads across his face as he addresses Jimin, and Jimin cannot help but to mimic the infectious expression of enthusiasm. For the first time, Jimin finds himself excited for what these lessons might bring.
“Your Highness, shall we? Please, follow me.”
There are two white horses, wearing halter and rope, waiting for Jimin as Taehyung leads him around the outbuildings, toward the fenced-in pastures. When he sees the waiting horses, Jimin stops short, raising an eyebrow at the farmhand.
"But— they aren't saddled!" Jimin blurts.
Taehyung chuckles. "Of course not. We won't be riding today , Your Highness."
"Is that not the purpose of this entire endeavour?"
Taehyung doesn't stop for him, but continues to walk backward toward the fields while addressing the prince, swinging the heavy-looking sack easily in one hand. "The purpose of this endeavour is to ensure that you feel at ease in the saddle. Hence, we will start with ensuring that you are comfortable with the horses."
Jimin starts to follow the farmhand again, who turns his back to Jimin and whistles a carefree tune as he continues toward the horses. Jimin hadn’t bargained on more than a couple of sessions. However, he is admittedly intrigued by Taehyung’s seemingly unorthodox approach to their lessons.
Taehyung reaches the side of the first horse, sliding the sack to the ground and pulling out a handful of oats. The horse snuffles at his palm, quickly helping himself to the grain, and Taehyung nods to the bag on the ground.
"Your turn, Your Highness."
Prince Jimin has never fed an animal like this before, and, at first, he is taken aback when being asked to do so. But then his uneasiness turns into fascination; he's thrilled as he scoops up the oats, watching the gelding take them from his palm in a couple of mouthfuls.
"Wonderful," Taehyung says. "A bit more, then we'll lead them around the fences. A relaxing walk, and then back to the stables. If you'd like, you can help me brush them down as well."
"Yes, I would like that, thank you. I will leave myself in your able hands, Kim Taehyung. You do seem to have a way with the horses.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. It has been my life’s work, and I take great pride in it. It is a true passion of mine.”
“I can already see that,” Jimin says with a smile, scooping another handful of oats. “The passion is evident in your eyes, Taehyung.”
It is evident in Taehyung’s eyes, and that shiny glow stays in his eyes throughout their lesson. Something about it thrills Jimin, makes him feel a new type of immediate affection toward the farmhand, an emotion yet unknown to him.
It is a comfortable and refreshing time they spend, walking the horses through the pasture. Their steps are unhurried, leisurely, and the horses meander at the sides of their handlers just as easily. Taehyung gives Jimin quiet advice about leading his horse, his warmth and calm more obvious to Jimin as the afternoon dwindles on. They lead the horses back toward the stables when Taehyung insists that it is getting too close to dinnertime; that he must go and wash up, find his best clothes, in order to be presentable to the royal family. Jimin considers throwing their plans away, staying out in the field until the sun sets and the moon rises; but he can’t risk it. The princess' parents are staying with the royal family for another week, and Jimin knows better than to appear as an inattentive husband so early on in their marriage.
“We haven’t brushed them,” Jimin says in a last-ditch effort to stay, stay longer with the horses, stay longer with Taehyung and his sparkling eyes and his graciousness and his tanned honey skin contrasting with his white cotton clothing
Taehyung chuckles. “If you’re that set on it, we can brush them first thing tomorrow. But I must warn you, I will be at the stables at the crack of dawn—”
“And you’ll find me here waiting for you,” Jimin says without hesitation.
Dinner is served with the plain dishes, though Prince Jimin can see from the look in Taehyung's eyes that they are much more extravagant than what he is accustomed to seeing. It is a simple supper— the usual stews, rices, and side dishes— but Jimin is pleased to see Taehyung indulging, yet eating with manners that are appropriate, if a little bit rusty. The princess’ family is not attending the dinner tonight; Jimin is relieved when he hears it. He wants his focus to be on Taehyung, and Taehyung only.
"Do you have a family of your own, Kim Taehyung?" Princess Jiyeon asks as the serving of the meal begins.
"No, Your Highness," Taehyung says, gazing at his plate, cheeks slightly pink. "I'd be happy to have a partner, but I fear they'd soon grow jealous of the time and attention needed for the horses."
"Ah, a striking young man such as yourself shouldn't go without a pretty wife to keep him company," Queen Haeun remarks
"Oh, I manage to take care of myself, Your Majesty," Taehyung replies. “I can muddle through just fine as a man alone.”
Jimin barely manages to catch Taehyung's eye, a fleeting glance. When he does, he offers Taehyung a warm smile. He's doing so well; one might think this isn't the first time he's dined with the royal family.
"His Highness Prince Jimin has impressed me greatly with his aptitude for animals," Taehyung adds.
When Jimin locks eyes again with Taehyung, surprised that he is addressing the lesson, Taehyung is now gazing at him intently. Jimin's cheeks grow hot and he quickly snatches up his wine cup, taking shelter behind it. It's a strange sensation to feel his pulse quicken, his insides tighten whenever Taehyung looks at him this way.
King Changmin grins at Taehyung. "Ah, yes. Jimin has always loved animals, though he never much cared for horses—"
"It is not that I did not care for horses," Jimin interrupts his father, "it is that I never had an aptitude for riding horses."
"Ah, but I must disagree. I can tell you with certainty, that is not the case," Taehyung says, drawing the attention of the table as he engages with the prince. "You do have a natural aptitude with horses, and I guarantee you will have an aptitude for riding as well, once I have you in the saddle."
Jimin raises his glass to the stableboy. "I do hope you're right, Kim Taehyung."
“A confident teacher, at the very least,” the king says with a grin, clearly pleased with Taehyung’s positive attitude.
By the time dinner has finished, something has perceptively shifted with Jimin. He can no longer convince himself that it is about mastering horseback riding. Jimin is eager to see the young farmhand; to spend time with Kim Taehyung again.
So, Jimin, a man of his word, is up before sunrise the next morning. His bedroom is still dark as he dresses warm for the cool morning, before paying a visit to the kitchens. Even the usually-bustling cooking staff is not awake yet, so Jimin raids the shelves for yesterday's stew and rice, and brings fruit hwachae for the two of them to share. When Jimin walks to the stables, it is with a lightness to his step and a jubilant song in his heart.
Taehyung starts his trek to the stables just as the navy blue horizon is beginning to turn purple and pink. Jimin watches Taehyung's silhouette approaching from the direction of the servants' quarters. There's an effortless way Taehyung ambles toward the stables, head turning this way and that, taking in the predawn castle grounds. Taehyung looks handsome, dressed down in typical work attire, the beginning of the morning glow starting to sharpen his features as he draws nearer to Jimin.
"Your Highness. I did not think you would truly be here this morning," Taehyung says, footsteps halting as soon as he spots Jimin outside of the stables.
"Nor did I. I am not usually one to wake up with the birds, but I had to ensure you made good on your promise of brushing the horses with me this morning, Kim Taehyung."
“Ah. So I am being tested, am I?” Taehyung says with a grin. “That is fair, I suppose, as you will be the one under scrutiny during our lessons."
"I bring extra breakfast as a thank-you for putting up with me this morning," Jimin says with a smile, holding up the small bundle of food.
Taehyung accepts the offering with a bow of his head. "It's too much, Your Highness."
Jimin tuts. "Ah, you do not know me well enough if you are saying that. If Jaegyun were here, he would be assuring you that it is not payment enough for putting up with me."
Kim Taehyung smiles brightly, and it is as if the sun has already risen, lightening up their surroundings. "Come then, follow me. We’ll get the supplies that we need and give these horses the true royal treatment.”
Taehyung shows Jimin how to brush the horses’ manes and bodies. Jimin watches him, the way he treats the horses with a tender hand, meticulous with each and every detail. Taehyung's dedication to his work is evident, but so is his warmth, his affection, his softness.
"You are devoted to your work, Kim Taehyung," Jimin comments as they finish with the brushing.
"I am devoted to the horses," Taehyung corrects, stroking the beast nearest to him. “In one week’s time, I will be trimming their hooves. If you find yourself awake early again—"
"Do not doubt my own devotion," Jimin cuts in, leading a horse by the rope back into his stall. "I intend to devote myself fully to these lessons as well. If you say I should learn to groom horses, I will be here whenever you welcome me."
Taehyung continues to pet his mare's mane, but his eyes do not leave Jimin's. "And you are welcome here whenever you would see fit to grace me with your presence, Your Highness."
It is all but settled with Taehyung's statement. Jimin dedicates himself to his lessons, to the horses, and so, too, to Kim Taehyung.