Chapter Text
Goryeo- a long time ago…
The emperor was in dire need of a new advisor, his most trusted advisor and friend had just passed, and though his heart ached to do it, he had no choice but to seek out a new assistant. As fate would have it, two men, from two different noble families, that were both coincidentally fathers to young omega children roughly around the young alpha prince’s age, applied for the job.
The emperor called forth his two sons- his older omega son, Kim Seokjin (9), whose hand, despite his young age, was already highly sought after in marriage, and then there was his pride and joy, the heir to his throne, his alpha son Kim Taehyung (7). Both boys joined him in the throne room and sat in their respective seats, awaiting their father’s orders.
“Sons, I’d like to introduce to you the candidates for the advisory position" said the king as he sat back in his throne waiting for the gentlemen in front of them to begin their introductions.
The first gentleman didn’t even hesitate and immediately stepped up in front of the emperor and princes to announce himself. With an air of arrogance and entitlement, he announced his name as Park Bo Gum and briefly nodded his head towards the emperor, completely ignoring both princes. Park, a noble from the village who had brought his young omega daughter with him to the palace, was no stranger to luxury nor was he a stranger to flaunting it. The evidence of which could be seen on the hanboks both he and his daughter were wearing, the likes of which rivaled that of the royals who sat in front of them.
His daughter stood proudly next to her father as she boldly announced her own name, “Park Jieun”. The little girl looked like she was 4, and, she too, wore the face of someone entitled, a brat at such a young age. She scanned the throne room until her eyes fell on Seokjin, and then on Taehyung, sizing both boys up in the process. She kept her eyes on the throne unwaveringly.
Meanwhile, Seokjin and Taehyung looked at each other with confusion. Why was their father making introductions like this for a simple advisory position? Seokjin could already tell Taehyung was bored by the way he rolled his eyes at the newcomers. In fact, neither brother could be bothered with the pompousness these two exuded. Taehyung looked back towards the men when the other gentleman had made a move to step forward.
This man, unlike Park, had an air of wisdom and sagacity about him. He had kind eyes and a gentle smile. This man bowed to the emperor and then turned and bowed to both the princes. “It is an honor to even be considered by his majesty for this position. I am Jeon Jungsik, your royal highness, and I am at your service,” the man stated as he completed his bow. Like Park, he too, had brought his omega child, a boy, to the palace. Unlike Park’s daughter, however, this boy was hiding behind his appa, clutching onto his hanbok for dear life.
Jungsik gently nudged his young son to come forward to introduce himself. The little boy’s eyes widened in fear at having to address the emperor and princes directly. His eyes, warm like chocolate, resembled those of a doe, impossibly large for the sweet face they adorned. “J-Jeon Jeongguk…your majesties.” and then the little boy bowed three times, once for each royal in front of him.
Prince Taehyung was so amused, that his usual nonchalant demeanor caved as he chuckled out loud at the little boy's actions. “Did you just bow 3 times?” he joked as he raised an eyebrow at the boy.
Jeongguk was surprised at the direct address from the royal. Was he mocking him? Did he do something wrong? “Yes. I- forgive me your majesty. I didn't mean to -to do it wrong, I will practice until I get it right. I promise”. His little eyes were close to tears for fear of having offended the royal. Embarrassed, he went and hid behind his father once more.
Taehyung, feeling terrible about his poor attempt at a joke, bit his lip, holding back what he wanted to tell the little boy.
Jieun, meanwhile, sniggered at the frightened little boy, “scaredy pup” she muttered under her breath.
The emperor, who was endeared by the little boy, smiled and said “I have no doubt little one”.
After the greetings, the emperor dismissed both men, and let them get settled into their new rooms in the palace.
The emperor explained to his sons that both men would stay in the palace for a trial period of 7 years, to see which advisor proved to be the most loyal and competent one in the long run. They would not only be in charge of advising the emperor, but also advising the young boys and helping them find suitable matches. Seokjin for alliance purposes, and Taehyung to ensure a strong line of heirs to the throne.
Neither son looked thrilled at the idea of thinking of possible matches, they were just too young. So they quickly agreed with their father and rushed out of the throne room. Neither wanted to continue the conversation longer than needed.
❤️🤍💙
Later on that day…
Prince Seokjin stumbled across Jeongguk as the little boy headed towards the field near the palace.
“Where are you off to Jeongguk?,” the older omega inquired.
“Prince Seokjin!” The omega bowed deeply once, toward the elder prince. “I was trying to find the field to play a little before supper, but I’m lost and can’t find it.” Jeongguk admitted as a frown came across his face.
Seokjin took the boy’s hand and led him in the right direction. “You know Jeonggukie, us omegas have to stick together, I know you are new here but if you ever need anything, feel free to count on me.” Being an omega in Goryeo wasn't always the easiest. There were far more expectations placed on them than alpha's. Prince Seokjin wanted to make sure that Jeongguk knew he could count on him to help navigate those expectations. Especially, since the boy's mother seemed to not be at court. At such a young age, the prince had already been told that because he was an omega, he would not inherit his father's throne. Instead, his job would be to help create strong alliances for the empire. It wasn't fair or right, but it was the role society had prescribed to them.
Prince Seokjin continued to walk arm and arm with the young omega, "It's this way."
Jeongguk looked down at their linked arms and back at the nice prince's face and gave him the biggest smile. He wished that the younger prince would be just as kind as his brother had been. He was stuck in the palace for the next few years, so he hoped he could make friends at least. Who knows maybe he could even become friends with the little omega girl he had met today? Maybe...
“Ugh father! Where did all my pretty hair pins go?” Jieun shrieked as she huffed right past Jeongguk and Seokjin without sparing them a second glance.
‘Or maybe not’ Jeongguk thought.
Prince Seokjin, for his part, just grimaced. Clearly, not every omega should stick together and perhaps he would be steering clear of the smaller one for the foreseeable future.
Advisor Bo, watched everything from a distance. Not even here one day. and he had already established a small network of “spies”, to be his eyes and ears throughout the castle. Nothing would escape his attention now.
❤️🤍💙
Amongst the beautiful flowers, mixes of tiger lilies, gardenias and tulips, there sat Jeongguk with his back resting against a lone tree in the field. He had decided to make flower crowns for both princes as a thank you gift for allowing his appa and him to stay in the castle and he wanted to get started on them before he lost the light. As he contemplated everything that had happened that first day, he sang quietly to himself. His small hands deftly weaved the flowers together as he continued to sing melodiously.
“Bajjag-ineun byeolbichdeul…kkamppag-ineun bul kyeojin geomul”
He was almost done with the second crown when he realized that he was no longer alone. Somewhere along the second verse, the young prince had spotted him in the field and, lured by his angelic voice, had sat down nearby to listen.
“Oh! Prince Taehyung, your majesty… I’m so sorry I did not see you there.” Jeongguk bowed his head with reverence towards the prince. Despite being only 5, it was very clear that this little boy had been brought up to be demure and respectful.
“Oh no, please don’t stop! Your singing was ‘wow’!” the young prince said as he scooted closer to see what the boy had been working on.
“Um..oh, thank you for the kind words your majesty. I don’t sing too often in front of other people...i’m shy,” explained Jeongguk and he looked down and continued to keep his hands busy, desperately trying to hide the blush that painted his cheeks.
“I meant to come and apologize Jeongguk, I do not want you to think I was making fun of you earlier today, I genuinely found it endearing and cute that you bowed once for each of us. No one really does that when we are up there…not like that at least. It was funny,” the young prince explained.
“I was funny?” Jeongguk repeated with a growing look of dread on his face. He covered his eyes with his hands.
“Yes-no. No, not funny like funny haha, funny as in no one really does it like that-as in ever…” The prince scratched his head in frustration. He was definitely not making things better. “Aishh. I seem to be making things worse, can we start all over again from the beginning, yeah?”
“Okay?” Jeongguk said with a mixture of confusion and worry.
“Hi! I’m Taehyung.” as he stuck out his hand to shake Jeongguk's.
“Hi. I’m Je-Jeongguk”. He tried to bow one more time while also awkwardly reaching out with both hands to hold the prince’s. The prince smiled the biggest smile at Jeongguk’s silly actions and said, “How bout you just call me Tae and I will just call you Gguk? After all, we are going to be friends, right?”
The young boy’s eyes grew impossibly wide, “you want to be my friend, your majesty?” he exclaimed incredulously.
Taehyung nodded. “I’d like to be, yes.”
Jeongguk’s smile grew so wide at the realization that he had made a friend. “Really? This is just so great, I’ve never really had a friend before.”
“No?” The prince asked in disbelief that the kind boy had not had one before and so he looked him in the eyes and said “well now, you got me” as he stuck his hand out once more to shake on it.
And Jeongguk in excitement whispered happily “I’ve got you” and interlocked pinkies with the prince instead.
The prince, endeared with his new friend's enthusiasm, didn't even bother to point out that he meant to shake his hand.
It was then that Jeongguk realized that he had forgotten to give his new friend the thank you gift that he had been working on for him. “Oh your majesty, I forgot to give you this” and he passed the flower crown into Taehyung’s hands.
Taehyung looked at the flower crown in amazement and just as he was about to give Jeongguk thanks for the thoughtful gift he was interrupted.
“Gguk this–”
“TAEHYUNG-AH….TAEHYUNG-AH” Jieun came running toward the boys at full speed. “There you are Taehyung-ah. I was looking for you all over!” Before Taehyueng could even respond, she was already snatching the flower crown from Taehyung’s hands. “What’s this? Oh, it’s beautiful. Is it for me?”
“Oh well, actually Jieun, it’s–” Taehyung realized there was not point in even trying to finish what he was saying as the little girl already had it on her head and was wearing it.
“Oh thank you, Taaehyung-ah. You really are the best.” The little girl slyly grinned as she jumped on the prince to hug him, all the while glaring daggers at Jeongguk.
Jeongguk recoiled at the uncalled for animosity. Saddened by her behavior, Jeongguk moved to get up and walk away so he could leave the two of them to play with each other since it seemed clear that Jieun did not want him present and she already seemed like she knew him well having dropped the formalities when addressing the prince.
Taehyung gently moved Jieun aside and scooched out of the hug while grabbing Jeongguk’s wrist to stop him from walking away.. “Actually Jieun, that was a gift Jeongguk just gave me.”
“Oh.” Clearly upset, Jieun began to pout. In an effort to make her feel better, Jeongguk offered to make Jieun her own flower crown to which she immediately declined rather impolitely. Instead, she turned to Taehyung and randomly asked him to give her a tour of the palace.
Not wanting to seem rude, Taehyung agreed to take /both/ of them on a tour. Still sulking that Jeongguk was being included in their plans, Jieun made sure Jeongguk noticed her drop the crown on the floor and leave it behind.
The little boy was sad, but tried not to show it. He tried to keep up with the other two so as not to get lost. Jeongguk hoped he could make long lasting friendships, whether he ended up at the palace for seven years or forever. He hoped that the prince meant every word he said when he made his promise, and he hoped that the little girl was actually kind. And he hoped that someone up there was listening to all his hopes, so that maybe they could come true.
Jeongguk turned to look one last time at the flower crown on the floor and quietly sighed, he turned back and continued to walk near the prince and Jieun. The prince noticed, the little boy's sigh, and gently bumped the boy’s arm and gave him an encouraging smile.
Unbeknownst to Jeongguk, Taehyung went back later on that night to retrieve his first ever gift from a friend.
❤️🤍💙
“Advisor Bo!” Advisor Jungsik scurried behind the man to catch up to him, “Wait!”
The man could not be bothered in the least. Annoyed with the request to stop, he barely slowed down, and waved his hand dismissively towards the other man. “I don’t have time for tea parties, Jungsik. I, unlike you, take my work very seriously. I don’t need to make friends, my only need is to make things happen, so please don’t bother me again with these nonsense get to know you activities.” Advisor Bo stopped for a fraction of a second, tilted his head back towards the man and said, “Oh and the only thing you /need/ to know is that I am your competition, and I don’t lose.” Then he simply just kept walking, ignoring the man once again.
Advisor Bo said this with such surety and finality, that it made Advisor Jungsik question whether Bo may have been privy to information that was unknown to others or if the man was already plotting something.
“Did he even notice I didn’t get to say a word edgewise?” he mumbled to himself. “Either way, I have to keep my wits about me, that man is not to be trifled with clearly.”
Those thoughts would have to be tabled for another day, as the emperor had already entrusted him with two very important tasks: 1- to hire a bodyguard for Prince Taehyung and 2- to find a good match for Prince Seokjin, the sooner the better even if it meant the prince would have a lengthy courting period.
'At least, the emperor seemed like a kind man' Jungsik thought. 'The princes were both gentle and sweet and it seemed that Jeongguk had made friends. But then there was Advisor Bo…'
The next seven years were sure to be interesting indeed.