Chapter Text
The palace woke before the sun had even finished climbing the high stone walls surrounding the Royal Grounds. A pale wash of morning light filtered through the narrow windows along the main corridor, painting the marble floors in a cold grey. The staff had already begun their duties, dozens of feet silently moving throughout the castle to prepare for their guests.
The sound of Jungkook’s heavy black boots carried down the corridor. The heels of his boots striking the marble just loud enough to announce his presence to the busy staff. His posture was as it always was, head lifted, shoulders straight, and his gaze fixed forward.
But his pace was slower than usual, unnoticeable by anyone other than Taehyung. The slight hesitation when he turned corners, the faint stiffness in his back.
Taehyung knew the Prince like a guard knew the weight of his sword. More than likely, Taehyung knew the Prince better than he knew himself.
One step behind and slightly to the right. That was where he always was, everyday, for the last five years.
Just far enough to go unnoticed, but close enough to protect if he needed to.
The burnished crimson of his tunic stood out against the dark stone of the castle walls. It was cut precisely to accentuate the strength of his form without sacrificing elegance. Dark gray panels ran along his sides and shoulders, adding an armour-like appearance to his attire. Across his chest and back was the muted silver embroidery of his kingdom's crest: two swords crossed over a sturdy shield. The stitching shone only when the faint morning light cast over it. Around his waist, was a gathered dark grey sash, tapering in his form.
Taehyung’s gaze lingered, as it always did, on the precise angle of Jungkook’s jaw, and the disciplined strength of his back; a result of the rigorous training the Prince put himself through.
Maids appeared in the corridor ahead of them, their dark grey dresses flowing from the quick pace of their steps, their arms full of linens and fresh picks from the gardens. The moment they saw the Prince approaching, they scurried out of the way, their backs clinging to the cold stone walls, heads bowing quickly.
“Good morning, your Highness.”
“May the day favour you, my Prince.”
“Blessed be.”
Their voices were soft, respectful. Full of admiration.
Jungkook acknowledged them only with a slight incline of his head. Usually he offered a quick greeting in return, sometimes he engaged them in conversation, asking about their work or their home life. It was why he was so loved throughout the kingdom.
The further they moved into the eastern wing of the castle, the quieter the corridors became. The maids disappeared and in their place stood the palace guards, stationed at careful intervals along the walls. Each one straightened as Jungkook passed, their heads bowing briefly in acknowledgement, their armour clinking together at the slight shift. But, none of them spoke or moved any further.
Jungkook and Taehyung’s footfalls synchronised, and Taehyung dared to step closer to the Prince, hoping the slight brush of the back of his hands against Jungkook’s would comfort him.
The hallway narrowed slightly at the end, the massive doors to the council chamber stood, imposing and suffocating. The doors were made of a dark oak, so old that the grain had darkened to black over time. The surface was intricately carved, rivers and valleys, mountains and forest, the kingdom nestled comfortably in between them all.
Taehyung’s eyes flitted over to the plains beyond the south river, and then to the cluster of mountains to the north, the place where the last battle between humans and dragons had taken place. It appeared peaceful in the carving, but Taehyung knew it was the opposite.
Two guards stood rigidly on either side of it.
The moment Jungkook approached, they snapped to attention, a metallic clamour of armour echoing throughout the otherwise silent corridor. They bowed deeply, then reached for the heavy iron handles. The doors groaned long and low as they were opened.
Cold air spilled into the corridor, carrying with it the scent of heavy incense and aging parchment.
One of the guards side-stepped inside, his back pressing against the wood to the door as he allowed Jungkook and Taehyung to pass through.
“Prince Jungkook has arrived.”
The council awaited them. Two Elders and two Kings sat around the long oak table at the centre of the room. They turned as Jungkook entered, rising from their chairs to bow, Jungkook doing the same once he reached his chair at the head of the table.
Tall windows stretched towards the vaulted ceiling, the coloured glass catching the early morning light and scattering it across the room. Jungkook sat, a perfect silhouette of royalty against it. From where Taehyung stood where the coloured light didn’t reach, his back against the heavy oak doors, out of sight and out of mind from their guests.
His posture was rigid, ingrained in him since birth. The Elders sat to Jungkooks right, their black robes pooling around their chairs and to the floor like inky shadows. Across the table from them sat the two visitors, their advisors lingering behind them, their presence nearly dismissable much like Taehyung’s.
“We appreciate the hospitality of your kingdom, Prince Jungkook, you are kind to have met with us despite your busy schedule.” said King Jimin of Haepyeong, the kingdom from the southern plains.
His attire was a testament to the rich lineage of his Kingdom. He wore a pristine white surcoat with intricate gold embroidery outlining the horizon of a rising sun across his chest. The rays of the sun extended across his shoulders and down his sleeves.The burnished gold thread caught the stained light from the window with every subtle movement he made. A wide golden silk sash cinched in at his waist, tiny sheaves of grain embroidered onto the fabric. His hands rested lightly on the table, amber and gold rings adorning his fingers.
“Of course,” Jungkook turned towards him in acknowledgement. His hands were clasped together on the table in front of him. “I understand that you wish to speak on our trade agreements?”
King Jimin hesitated for only a moment, and nodded. “Yes. Our kingdoms have worked together for decades, and we are grateful for our long-term alliance. However, my treasury cannot continue paying the current steel tariffs. ”
When he trailed off, his eyes darted towards the Elders and then back towards Jungkook. Jungkook smiled when he caught his gaze and gestured for King Jimin to continue.
The King brushed a decorated hand through his neatly parted blonde hair, the nervous tremor of his hand barely noticeable. “The rates for Cheolryeong steel have nearly tripled in the past five years.”
Jungkook’s brows drew together and he looked towards the Elders, “Why was I not informed of this?”
Elder Yi raised his hands, gesturing vaguely at the guests across the table, “We did not deem it necessary to involve Your Highness. The council can handle such trivial matters itself.”
“Prince Jungkook, If I may?” King Seokjin spoke up. He was the King of Seohaejin , the kingdom near the west oceans. His fingers were steepled on the table in front of him, but instead of rings, he had several silver bracelets dangling from his wrists.
His clothes were a deep royal blue, trimmed in silver thread that created waves along his hems and cuffs. Shoulder length black hair was carefully pulled to the back of his head, revealing the pearls on his ears. A long mantle draped of royal blue draped his shoulders and flowed over the armrests of his chair where it ended in a thick ring of white fur. The thick black belt at his waist bore a shining silver buckle in the shape of a ship at sail, the crest of his Kingdom. His posture commanded attention, his chin held high as he ignored the Elders.
At Jungkook’s allowance, King Seokjin continued, “Cheolryeong steel is used in nearly all of Seohaejin 's weapons and fishery tools. But after taking into consideration the consistently rising cost of your steel and the personnel required to transport it from here to the sea, it merely isn’t feasible for us to continue purchasing from you.”
Elder Yi leaned forward slowly, the thick fabric of his sleeves slipping to reveal thin, boney wrists, as he planted his hands on the table in front of him. His lips pursed sourly before speaking, “the tariffs reflect the quality of our product.” His voice was sharp and scolding as he spoke, and he inhaled slowly before continuing, “our weapons are unmatched by any other kingdom.”
King Seokjin gave a polite smile but the sentiment didn’t reach his eyes. “That may be true. But our economy can only tolerate so much inflation. Our merchants are already seeking alternatives. We would much prefer to not stray from a trade partner who we know produces high quality steel.”
“So you attest to our quality.” Elder Yi said, and it took everything for Taehyung to not roll his eyes at the arrogance.
Jungkook cut in before the Elder could continue, “Lowering the tariff slightly would not harm Cheolryeong; If Seohaejin and Haepyeong would agree to making us their only source of steel.”
King Seokjin nodded excitedly, “Seohaejin would be more than happy to agree to such terms.”
“Haepyeong as well,” King Jimin agreed.
Elder Kang clicked his tongue, and all heads turned towards him.
“You speak very generously with the crown’s resources, Your Highness.” He said, his words polite, but his tone was far from such. “We have not once lowered our rates for steel, why would we now?”
Jungkook’s eyes narrowed at the disrespect. “I speak with the intention of maintaining our long-term alliances.”
“We shall not lower our rates. Hwarin’s grain rates were raised considerably in the last year, but we not once complained.” Elder Kang shot back.
King Jimin glanced between them. “Our crops experienced devastating fires last summer, it was out of necessity.”
“Our steel is priced out of necessity as well.” Elder Yi interjected. Jungkook’s lips curled in distaste, and Taeyung knew that the Elder had lied.
Jungkook leaned forward, “If we continue to raise prices, we will no longer be seen as a necessary alliance. They will simply seek such products elsewhere.”
Silence hung over the table for a moment, then Elder Kang sighed, he turned his head to address their guests, ignoring Jungkook. “Young minds often confuse diplomacy with generosity.”
Jungkook’s fists clenched atop the table, “Maintaining positive relationships with our surrounding Kingdoms is essential to ensuring our kingdom’s prosperity.”
Elder Kang waved his hand, still addressing the guests. ”Our young Prince is still learning the complexities of governance. That is why we must attend these meetings alongside him.”
The visiting King’s eyes shifted between the Elders and Jungkook, seemingly concerned over the way they spoke of their prince. Jungkook averted his eyes, avoiding their questioning glances.
“As such,” Elder Kang continued, “the council will handle the final decision regarding your concerns.”
Jungkook’s gaze lifted, “I am head of the council.”
“You are inexperienced and therefore, we shall teach you how it is done.” Responded Elder Yi.
King Jimin cleared his throat, “If it helps negotiates, perhaps only a temporary reduction-”
“The tariffs will remain unchanged.” Elder Yi interrupted and the King fell silent.
Jungkook exhaled quietly through his nose, “then at least allow for their grain to count towards a portion of their monetary payment.”
The Elders considered Jungkook. A moment passed before Elder Kang shook his head.
“Unnecessary.”
Jungkook frowned. “Unnecessary?”
“We would not need the excess grain that would create. Our current agreement is more than sufficient”
“That is not the point.” Jungkook said, and his voice finally sounded exasperated.
“The point,” Elder Yi spat before regathering himself, “Your Highness, is that we can produce our own grain, while Haepyeong and Seohaejin cannot produce their own steel.”
Jungkook sat back slowly in his chair, his hands falling to settle in his lap, hidden from view. For several seconds he said nothing. Restraint sat tense in his jaw and Taehyung saw the moment reluctant resignation seeped through his posture.
“Very well.” Jungkook nodded once. Despite the internal conflict Taehyung knew he was feeling, Jungkook’s voice came out calm.
Taehyung’s nails dug into his palm. He knew the Elders had planned to make Jungkook appeared incapable in this meeting, they thought too highly of themselves.
The Elders seemed satisfied and they turned back to the Kings.
“The council has spoken.”
Conversation resumed around the table, no longer negotiations, but exchanged formalities before the Kings’ departure.
Taehyung remained silent in front of the door, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixated on the downcast shadow growing around Jungkook as the sun rose higher in the sky behind him.
Jungkook only nodded when he bid farewell from the Kings, and the Elders no longer acknowledged his presence in their final comments.
Taehyung opened the door for the Kings and their advisors, and waited for Jungkook, but Elder Yi signaled for him to close the door once again.
“Jungkook.” Elder Yi said, catching Jungkook as he was making his way around the table. “We have decided your next treatment will be rescheduled to early this afternoon.”
Jungkook’s frows furrowed. “Two days early?”
Elder Kang nodded, already approaching the door. He did not look at Jungkook as he spoke. “There will be a Knighting ceremony tomorrow, you shall need all your energy to present the new Knight his gift.”
“I see.” Jungkook’s jaw ticked but he did not speak further, still resigned to no longer arguing with the Elders.
“We will see off our guests and then meet you in the medicine chambers,” Elder Kang waved Taehyung to open the door with an absent hand. They spared him no acknowledgement as they left the room.
Only once they were out of sight, and Jungkook was standing beside him did he dare to speak. “Are you alright?”
Jungkook nodded, gazing off in the distance, watching the end of the hall where the Elder’s dark robes disappeared down a corridor, the knights following behind them. “Of course.”
Taehyung stayed silent for a moment, trying to judge Jungkook’s mood before continuing. “What if you ask them to do it after supper? Then you will have all night to rest.”
He let out a sigh at the small shake of Jungkook’s head. “No.” Jungkook turned and Taehyung’s stomach twisted at the emptiness behind his eyes. “If the Elders think it is necessary to move the treatment up, then I shall not question them.”
“Even when you leave these treatments worse than before?” Taehyung wrapped his hand gently around Jungkook's forearm, tugging him closer.
“Even then.”
“”They have been working on your treatments for years, surely they must be able to find a way for them to be less intrusive.” Taehyung’s grip on his arm tightened, “For fucks sake, Jungkook, you can barely move after them. How can they-”
“Enough, Taehyung. It has to be done.” The words were light, almost resigned, but held enough authority that Taehyung didn’t press further. Jungkook didn’t move away from Taehyung’s touch, instead he moved closer, his hands sliding around Taehyung’s waist instead.
Taehyung held his breath when Jungkook leaned forward to leave a chaste kiss against his lips. His heartbeat quickened at the thought of someone rounding the corner and seeing them.
But, no one came, and Jungkook kissed him again. He pressed back, melting into the taste of the apricot jam Jungkook had eaten for breakfast still sweet on his lips.
Jungkook pulled back slightly, his eyes now full with a warm affection Taehyung was all too familiar with. “My brave knight. This isn’t something you need to protect me from. I’ll be all right.”
Taehyung leaned their foreheads together and let out a heavy breath. “I know.”
Jungkook huffed something that might have been a fond laugh if it weren’t for the way his eyes darkened. “Besides, when I become King, they will regret speaking to me like that.
“Yeah?”
“I intend on relieving them of their duties immediately. Maybe I will send them out to the country where they can waste away.”
Taehyung chuckled. “I can’t wait to see the day. I’ll be glad the day they are finally gone.”
“Careful, Knight.” Jungkook slapped his chest playfully, “we do not want the wrong person hearing that.”
“Of course not,” Taehyung leaned forward to steal a kiss once more.
“Loyalty is everything here.” Jungkook whispered as he stepped back from their embrace, a knowing grin on his face.
“And to you, I am eternally loyal.” Taehyung bowed his head with a smile.
“As you should be,” Jungkook said, “And as much as I would love for you to show me exactly how loyal you are, we should make our way there, if we don’t want to keep them waiting.”
Taehyung nodded, easily falling back into his place a couple steps behind and to the right of Jungkook, a lovesick smile on his face.
They walked in comfortable silence for a few moments, their footsteps echoing fairly against the stone. The castle had gotten busier in the past hour. Everyone was seemingly in a rush to prepare for the ceremony.
“Taehyung.” Jungkook spoke suddenly, just loud enough to gain his attention, but not for other ears to catch. “Do you remember any mention of a knighting ceremony happening this week?”
“No, Your Highness.” Taehyung said as he caught the eye of a passing maid. She smiled, bowing her head quickly towards Jungkook before scurrying off.
The annoyed tick in Jungkook’s jaw was back. A moment passed, and then Jungkook spoke again, voice steadier now, back into that practiced tone of authority. “Then, you’ll inform my tutor and Master Dae that I won’t be attending lessons today.”
Taehyung nodded immediately, “Of course.”
Jungkook glanced at him then, briefly, his expression softening for a fraction of a second before it was gone. “Make sure they don’t reschedule it for tomorrow. I doubt the Elders informed them of the ceremony if they could not even inform their own Prince of it. I would also like a list of guards who will be present at the ceremony, as well as any information they have on the two knights.”
“I’ll handle it,” Taehyung said.
That earned the faintest curve at the corner of Jungkook’s mouth, and Taehyung let his own smile slip onto his face. Jungkook wanted him to find out who had been told of the ceremony ahead of time.
They turned down a narrower corridor before descending down a spiral of stairs leading to the basement of the Castle. The architecture grew older the further they walked, stones unkempt and unpolished as a select few of the castle staff had permission to be down there. The ceilings were lower and the torches were spaced farther apart, their dim light casting a flickering glow of orange against the stone walls.
Eventually they came across a Knight, and then another, stationed at intervals along the walls, armoured and unmoving. Much like the ones near the council chamber, except these ones made no sign of acknowledgement as they passed except for an almost imperceptible nod of their head.
Taehyung’s gaze lingered on them as they passed. He had trained with some of them in his earlier days, and fought with the others on the battlefield, he held a sense of familiarity with him, he knew that under any other circumstance, they would greet them happily. But, they were knights chosen by the Elders, just as he was, and given swords Blessed by the Crown, but while he was given the Prince to guard, they were sent below the castle to guard an array of locked rooms and punished if they acted as anything except voiceless statues.
Jungkook had long since learned to pay no mind to their silence, even though it was not hard to see that it bothered him. Taehyung clenched his jaw, he had thought of telling his Prince how the Knights were treated down there, but he bit back his tongue, worried what the Elders might do to them if they suspected it was one of them who told the Prince.
Wordlessly, they continued forward with the same measured pace, until the end of the twisting corridor came into view.
The Elders were already standing in front of the thick oak door reinforced by iron bands. Two lanterns burned weakly on either side, casting dark shadows on their faces making their expressions unreadable.
Jungkook slowed, the annoyance from earlier had not vanished, and Taehyung could see it in the way Jungkook’s eyes narrowed onto the Elders. “Let’s begin. I have a busy day I would like to get back to.” His tone was indifferent. leaving no hint of emotion.
The Elder smiled faintly, the quip of his lip turning snide. “Of course, Your Highness.”
Elder Yi turned to open the door, a dull creak filling the corridor as the medicine chambers came into sight. Jungkook stepped inside without another word, but Taehyung made no move to follow. He knew he was not allowed to witness the treatments.
Elder Yi threw him a passing glance, his eyes judgemental as they glazed over Taehyung’s form. “You may wait in the Prince’s chambers. We will bring him once the treatment is over.”
Taehyung stood his ground, his back flattening against the wall just outside the door. “Thank you, but the Prince requested I stay here.”
The Elder would have no way of catching his small white lie. Jungkook hadn’t asked him to stay, but Taehyung knew he would want him to be nearby after the treatment, as he always did. He received a disapproving glare before the Elder slipped into the room, the door closing behind him followed by the sound of the latch being put into place.
The corridor fell silent. The thick oak of the door kept the sound from within the room contained.
Taehyung shifted on his feet, his hand falling off the hilt of his sword to instead hang loosely at his side. The treatments typically took about an hour or more to complete, and every time, the Elder would insist Taehyung wait in Jungkook’s chambers, and every time, Taehyung would find a reason to decline.
Minutes passed, the only sound was the hiss of the lanterns and the occasional drip of water from a leak somewhere down the corridor. The scuff of his feet moving against stone flooring echoed, and he paused, before shuffling a bit closer to the door. He was desperate to know what happened behind those doors that left Jungkook so weak afterwards, but Jungkook refused to talk about it, and the Elders would absolutely never tell a mere Knight about their business.
He sighed when he still couldn’t hear anything. In all the years he had spent with Jungkook, he had never heard a thing through those doors.
Until he heard the latch shift. It was a quiet sound, but in the deafening silence of the corridor, it was louder than anything. Taehyung stilled. He looked towards the door, and the slow drift of the door opened until a small gap appeared between the door and the frame.
He frowned, and then glanced down the hallway. The next Knight was stationed around the bend of the corridor, as his heavy armour would no doubt alert Taehyung if he was to move.
He hesitated only a moment before shifting his weight, just enough to peer through the thin gap, but be able to pull back without being caught.
The chamber was a lot more cluttered than he expected. Clusters of candles were lit around the room, the melted wax building up in heaps at the base of the candles. The two Elders bustled around the room, the tiny clinks of metal and glass slipping through the crack in the door.
Jungkook sat in a high-backed chair at the center of the room, facing slightly to the right of the door. The rigid composure he carried through the castle was gone, replaced by something heavier. His shoulders slumped against the carved wood of the chair, and his head tilted just enough that the candlelight caught along the thin bead of sweat that trailed down his throat.
Elder Yi came to stand before him, a small metal goblet in his hand. Steam curled faintly from within the cup.
Even from the doorway, Taehyung could catch the moment Jungkook caught the scent of it. His nose wrinkled and his lips pressed together in distaste. He leaned back an inch and weakly raised his hand. For a brief second, it looked like he would refuse, but when Elder Yi said something too low for Taehyung to hear, Jungkook exhaled and reached for the goblet.
His fingers lingered around it for a moment, his eyes squeezing in hesitation, but he seemed to steady himself just enough to lift the goblet to his lips and drink. Two gulps and it was gone, the goblet thrusted toward Elder Yi as Jungkook coughed.
The reaction was nearly immediate. The tension drained from Jungkook’s posture and his shoulders slackened further. The other Elder stepped forward and repositioned Jungkook’s slumped head against the back of the chair. Jungkook’s eyes fluttered before they closed, a slight grimace present on his face as the Elder’s hand held tightly at his shoulder to keep him from falling forward.
Taehyung’s brows knit together, his jaw tightening as he pressed his tongue briefly against the inside of his cheek. Every part of him urged him forward, to push the door open and stop whatever was happening inside. He wanted to put himself between Jungkook and the hands that handled him so roughly.
But the thought fizzled out before it took action.
Because he knew that the treatments were not some unknown cruelty.
They were necessary, because Jungkook was not simply ill - not in the way other men were.
There was something old in him, a powerful magic, that had never been meant to exist in a human body. It was a blessing given by the Gods themselves. A gift that had doomed him as much as it had saved him.
But miracles came with a cost, as the Elders liked to preach, and it was something they made sure he understood when he was assigned as Jungkook’s personal knight.
The divine power within Jungkook was great, but also volatile. It burned through him slowly as his body struggled to contain it, and left unchecked, it would consume him from the inside out. His body was too weak to contain it.
So every month they treated it, ensuring Jungkook’s body would never be overtaken by it, and Taehyung had never questioned the treatments, despite never knowing what they were.
After all, it was this very same power that made Jungkook who he was. It was the reason that the blades he touched carried strength beyond ordinary steel. It was the reason knights knelt before him in awe as he bestowed what they believed to be divine weapons. Steel Blessed by the Crown.
And yet, standing there as Jungkook’s body slackened so easily beneath their hands, watching the way his strength seemed to drain from him, something uncomfortable twisted within Taehyung’s chest.
Elder Yi turned towards the back table and returned carrying something slender in his hand. It appeared to be a narrow glass instrument, thin, with a handle of two rings that fit perfectly in Elder Yi’s grasp. It caught the candlelight as he moved, the sharp point of metal glintling once before disappearing into shadow again.
Jungkook did not react when his arm was lifted. His sleeve was pushed back above his elbow. His fingers twitch slightly in his lap, but otherwise he remained still, restrained by the hands on his shoulders.
Elder Yi pressed the tip of the metal against the soft skin of his inner forearm, and from where Taehyung stood, he could see the subtle flinch in Jungkook’s body, the way his breath caught slightly and his brows creased, as the needle pushed into his skin.
Jungkook’s body tensed once and then fell lax. His resistance, although barely ever present, vanished, and his body sank further into the chair, his head turning away from the arm Elder Yi held on to.
His breathing slowed, deepened, and then settled. He looked completely compliant as Elder Yi pressed a firm thumb over where the needle entered Jungkook’s skin. Then, with his now free hand, he brought a glass bottle up to the glass end of the needle.
Taehyung’s stomach tightened at the sudden smell of copper. He watched as the glass bottle filled with red, and a sour taste built up at the back of his throat.
There was something about the way Jungkook looked so helpless in that chair while the Elder took his blood that sat heavy in Taehyung’s consciousness. He had heard of blood letting before, an ancient practice used on the ill, but it had been disproven by medical professionals years before Taehyung and Jungkook had even been born.
Surely, the Elders did not think that an outdated medical practice would combat divine power?
Elder Yi held the now-full glass bottle up to the candlelight, circling the blood around inside a couple times before he let out a pleased noise. He corked the bottle before storing it in the cupboard behind him, and retrieved an identical, empty, bottle from the same shelf.
A small sound of discomfort slipped from Jungkook when Elder Yi turned back towards him and roughly pressed his thumb back over where the needle hung loosely out of Jungkook’s arm.
They took, and took, until three full bottles sat on the stone counter behind Elder Yi, and Taehyung waited for them to give something back to Jungkook, a pill or tonic that might help him regain strength or help control the divine power within him, but they never did.
The Elder holding Jungkook’s shoulders down shifted suddenly, his head turning towards the door.
Taehyung stepped back instantly, spine straightening as his back met the cold stone behind him. The murmur from inside the chamber stopped, replaced by the deliberate sound of approaching footsteps. The door opened just enough for Elder Kang to slip through the narrow gap. The door shut behind him with a heavy click.
Elder Kang’s gaze dropped to the tense grip Taehyung had on the hilt of his sword. His lips curved up, “So vigilant,” he said softly, “the Prince is lucky to have such a devoted knight.”
Taehyung inclined his head, ignoring the way his heart raced in his chest. “As is my duty, Elder Kang.”
“Duty.” A low hum left Elder Kang, thoughtful in a way that made Taehyung’s shoulders stiffen. He stepped closer, his height holding him just a few inches above Taehyung. “Tell me… When you speak of such ‘duty’, what is it that you believe you serve?”
Taehyung did not hesitate, though something about the question felt prying, almost as if the Elder was testing him.
“The Prince… Sir.”
The Elder’s gaze sharpened. His voice dipped lower, taking on a much colder tone, “not the Crown?”
Taehyung frowned, his answer coming slower this time, “...The Prince is the heir to the throne.”
A pause, and then a soft exhale, nearly a laugh, as he smiled, the expression unsettling, as though Taehyung hadn’t answered correctly. “Very well.”
Taehyung held his gaze, but said nothing. For a long moment, the Elder simply studied him, as though considering him in a different light than he had before.
Then, he stepped back in a single abrupt movement. “We will be finished shortly.” he said, tone returning to its normal smoothness. “In the future, should the door fail to close properly…” his eyes flickered to the wood behind him, “... It would be best to inform us immediately. The Prince values his privacy during these matters.”
The implication of his words lingered.
Taehyung bowed his head, though his jaw remained set. “Yes, Sir.”
Elder Kang watched him a moment longer, then turned, slipping back through the door without another word. The latch slid back into place heavily.
This time, it did not shift again.