#bts royal au

The King’s Consult - Chapter One: ‘Familiar’ [word count: 4.9k]

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⤑ Kɪᴍ Tᴀᴇʜʏᴜɴɢ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇs ᴀʟʟ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟ ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴsʜɪᴘs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛʟᴇss ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʙᴇɴᴇғɪᴛ ʜɪᴍ. Bᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴏsᴇɴ'ᴛ ᴍᴀᴛᴛᴇʀ. Hᴇ ɴᴇᴇᴅs ᴀ ᴡɪғᴇ ʙʏ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴡɪɴᴛᴇʀ. Aɴᴅ ɪᴛ’s Y/ɴ’s ᴊᴏʙ ғɪɴᴅ ʜɪᴍ ᴏɴᴇ, ᴡʜᴇᴛʜᴇʀ ʜᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇs ɪᴛ ᴏʀ ɴᴏᴛ.

⤑ Arrogant King! Kim Taehyung x Consult! female reader; icequeen!au

~!~

Crown Prince Kim Taehyung - Records Journal entry of November 13th, 2020.

“Winter brings many things. Christmas, cold weather, presents and lastly; my birthday. Some would dread having a birthday so close to Christmas but I didn’t mind. There were more gifts and more to celebrate. However year after year, no one could seem to give me the ultimate Christmas gift. The one I’d been patiently waiting for, for years. Where, oh where…when, oh when will this dear thing I’ve lost, return to me?”

Y/N:

It’s going to be a tough one. Of course, they warned me of such things. Everyone did, even my own father. The half-assed grin he showed me this morning was enough to down my spirits, not that I’d ever let him know that. 

With my block heels clicking as I walked up the stone stairs, my nerves were starting to get the best of me. I felt hot flashes hitting different parts of my body, and I regretted the thick black and white blazer I wore. Under the blazer, I wore a long-sleeve black blouse and some crimson red dress pants with flare bottoms. 

My slim leather briefcase was slung over my shoulder by its longer strap and my cell phone was tucked snug in my pants pocket. 

As if a higher power heard my cry, a gust of cold wind hit me, pushing my blazer open a bit. A small smile pulled at the corner of my lips, and I thanked the cold November air that was washing away the nervous sweats that were accumulating on my forehead. 

The stairs weren’t that long, but it still felt like it was teetering on being too much. There were three sets of square double doors, the middle one being the larger one. 

There were 4 guards, all standing guard with frowns on their lips. One of them spotted me, raising an eyebrow at me before his lips pulled up into a smile.

“Open the doors!” He shouts to the other guards, “It’s just Y/n.” He holds eye contact with me the whole time he’s announcing my presence to the other guards. 

His eyes rank down my body, the lust in his eyes making no attempts at being subtle. I’m not in a mood to muster up a forced but polite smile. I only nod, watching as two other guards open the doors.

“Everyone said you were starting today.” The first guard said, taking a small step closer to me.

“Are they?” I spoke with no interest, “I didn’t think I’d be the talk of the palace.”

“Of course you are!” He chimes flashing a toothy grin, “Everyone is excited to see you go toe-to-toe with His Highness, Prince Taehyung.”

I rolled my eyes at his words, “I’m not here to go toe-to-toe with His Highness, I’m here to do a job.” I stated, taking a small step back to put more space between us. He smelt of cheap cologne, old spice deodorant, and breath mints. 

My face cringed in a reaction as he opened his mouth to speak again, but I cut him off. 

“You really shouldn’t be gossiping about the royal family, they can fire you for breathing too hard so tread lightly and know your place.” I scolded, noticing the stain on his white dress shirt, and the way his in-ear radio was carelessly clipped to his shirt. 

Ugh, he’s a complete mess. 

“Serious about your work, just like your father, I expected just as much. See you around Y/n.” He said winking at me before grinning again.

My face scrunched up in discomfort before I took swift steps towards the opened doors into the huge high ceiling entrance way of the palace. The white walls accompanied by some white pillars are a sight to marvel at. The hard marble floor has beautiful gold designs while a long strip of a thick and fiery red carpet was laid out.

Anyone would stop to stare at the marvelous architecture and atmosphere but I strolled right through, having seen the inside of the palace many times. 

My middle school and early high school days were filled with after school days in the palace, trailing behind my father silently, observing and taking mental notes of everything he did.

My father has been The current King, Kim Taejoon’s advisor since before I was born. He was originally his Majesty’s consult, a temporary advisor for Prince’s during the process of coronation and marriage pursuing. 

He assisted His majesty in preparing for his coronation to King. He was also there in assisting with the finding of a bride, who is now Her Majesty Queen Kim Minji, previously Park Minji of the Busan kingdom. 

Through that marriage, The Kingdom of Seoul, which was previously the Daegu kingdom before expansion, controlled the most kingdoms of all the rulers. This made it so Gangwon-do was the only province not under The Kim’s Royal family and their monarchy. Gangwon-do neighbors the Seoul province which is home to the Royal palace.

The Gangwon-do province is under the Min Royal family, who were the rulers of the Daegu Kingdom before The Kim family came into power. The history is messy and a bit ugly, so it’s understandable that the Min Royal family sees no possibility of the two families merging. 

King Taejoon and Queen Minji had 2 children, a son, and a daughter, though not much is known about their children. Unlike other royal families, ever since the rule of King Taesung(The current King’s father), the children of the royal family are kept out of the spotlight till a certain age. 

His Highness Prince Taehyung’s face wasn’t known to the public till he was 19 years old. He’s turning 25 next month and I can’t say the country knows much about him. I’d only seen him in passing when I was tailing my father in the palace. He didn’t speak much, often showing scoffs or sadistic smirks in reply to things. But it doesn’t matter what I think of him, it matters what the Kingdom thinks of him.

I was assigned to Prince Taehyung’s consultation, and if I do well, I could be assigned his advisor. I’d be set with a wonderful job and wonderful pay for life. 

A lot of friends ask me why I settled on such a career, seeing as Royal advisors have no social life and basically have their whole lives revolve around their royal client. I’ve seen that first hand, watching my dad miss family events, birthdays, and important milestones in my life.

Though the lack of his presence has caused us to grow distant, I can’t say I’m mad at him. I sort of wish I resented him but from the moment I was born, my father was always all about the royal family. I never had any other expectations.

My father has nothing to do with my decision to take this career path, and I can’t pinpoint what the turning point was, but the royal family interested me. 

“I know it’s easy to say everyone is human and though that is true, never put yourself on the same playing field as royals.” My father says sternly, “They are not your equals, and will never be. They look at common people like us through a lens of constant pity and obligation.”

I stare up at him, my 15-year-old mind not fully understanding the heaviness of his words. 

“Never mistake their kindness for fondness, I have seen first hand the royals believe they owe loyalty to no one, not even their own people.”

Those are words my father has drilled into me since I told him I wanted to pursue this field of work. A consultant’s job is to not be seen and to barely be heard. I understand, and that may have worked with His Majesty Taejoon, but Prince Taehyung is another case.

I know my place. I am a commoner, an obligation to the royal family but I am going to my job well. I will not spare Prince Taehyung’s feelings. If in the presence of those who look down on me as having nothing…I’ll make sure to retain my honesty. 

At the end of the entryway stands a familiar figure. Her hair slicked back just like mine, but flowing down her back into a nice ponytail. 

She wore all black; her blazer, her blouse and the pencil skirt were all black. Her heels were even black, with red bottoms making an appearance with the slightest foot movements. Her pink painted lips stretched into a friendly smile and I smiled back.

“Michelle, it’s so good to see you!” I say as I get closer to her. She opens her arms and pulls me into a hug. I wasn’t really prepared for it, but I returned anyway. 

She smelt of a heavy fragrance that was also pulling my senses into a tight hug. As we pulled back from the hug, I readjusted the briefcase hanging from my shoulder. 

“I knew with your father’s recommendation, you would be His Majesty’s choice for Prince Taehyung’s consultation. He said something about, a young person such as yourself would understand the Prince well.” She chuckles at the statement, her eyes scrunching closed to show some crows feet. 

Michelle is youthful for her age, though I don’t know exactly how old she is, she has been the Queen’s advisor since I could remember. She says her youthful appearance is due to her constant smiling. She was so different from my father in her methods. 

Unlike my father who was stiff and often aloof to His Majesty’s attempts in establishing a friendship, Michelle was more like girl pals with Her Majesty. Michelle was always smiling and radiating a kind aura, just like the Queen. 

Though it could be that a Queen’s duties differ from a King’s duties. That doesn’t mean Michelle’s job isn’t tough. She studied the history of South Korea, along with extensive political studies. She needs to know everyone and everything, since she would be advising her Majesty. 

It must have been harder for her, since she isn’t native to South Korea; maybe that’s why we relate to each other so well.

But the studying for such a job never stops. We must always keep up with things changing around the world, and how they could affect South Korea. It’s a job that requires you to change along with the times, leaving barely any time for something else. 

“I can’t be certain if I could understand him, but I’ll do my best to assist him.” I answered, straightening out my blazer. 

“I’m sure you will, the coronation process is always so hectic, so I wish you the best of luck. His highness is gonna be tough to mold.” She whispers, before waving her hand for me to follow her. I stroll right next to her, knowing exactly where we were headed. 

This whole wing of the palace is strictly political. As we exited the entryway, the hallway we were walking through almost acted as a balcony, giving a preview of the large ballroom that was the center of this wing.

We took a turn to a completely walled hallway. We were headed to the executive conference room. That’s how it always happens. It’s nearing December and the royal family meets to sort through the plans for the coming year. 

“How is it going?” I asked as we turned another corner, the walls now a rich creme color with gold details and gold light fixtures.

She kisses her teeth, “Not so well, Prince Taehyung is less than enthusiastic about this stage of his life. His Majesty is usually pretty lenient with the Prince since he shows potential in his political plans for the kingdom, but the two are butting heads.”

“Why is that?” 

Michelle sighs, “His Highness feels like his father is rushing the process, and if it feels rushed and forced the general public will be more reluctant to accept him.”

Well…that makes sense. I don’t have to say anything for Michelle to look at me with a pressed smirk.

“Exactly.” She said when she held my gaze, “Prince Taehyung isn’t stupid he’s just difficult.”

“It would have made things easier if he was an airhead.” I said under my breath. Michelle giggles as she catches wind of my words.

“It’s easier to mold stupid.” She muttered in agreeance as we came to a heavy looking door, guarded by too many men in white dress shirts and black slacks. 

They gave both of us a nod of acknowledgement then Michelle stepped forward and opened the door. I followed in behind her, a wave of goosebumps hitting my skin at the difference in temperature. The room was a bit colder than the hallway, leaving my body to react.

Why would they have the AC so high? It’s November for goodness sake.

She gently closes the door behind her and comes to stand beside me. We stood near the door, waiting for a time to introduce our presence.

“That’s such a shallow approach.” A deep voice said. The room was wide, and long but the ceilings weren’t too high. There were no windows and the walls were alder wood panels. In the middle of the room was a large rectangular table that stretched out. There were many seats at the table but right now there were only a few people.

His Majesty King Taejoon sat at the head of the table. Sitting to his right was the Queen. Beside the Queen was a lovely young lady. Princess Cho-hee sat there in sweats. She looks like she was dragged out of bed. Seeing as It’s 9am on a Saturday, I can understand her carelessness. 

Her eyes were glued to her phone and she wasn’t tuning in to the conversation at all. 

Sitting to the left of King Taejoon was who I presumed to be Prince Taehyung. From where we were standing, the King was directly facing us, so I could see Prince Taehyung’s profile. 

He leaned back in the chair, his arms crossed over his chest in a bored manner. He stared up at the ceiling and wasn’t looking at the King as he spoke.

His hair was black and a bit long. His bangs were almost in his eyes, but not enough to obscure his sight. His hair had curls in it, so I’d say it was permed. He had strong features, looking a lot more like his father than his mother. 

He wore a white shirt with a grey cardigan. His fingers were graced with some rings and his hands were also so pretty. He oozes high class and wealth. 

“Excuse me?” King Taejoon responds.

The Prince looked at his father, a dull and bored expression in his eyes.

“You claim that you want to mend things with the Min family, by forming an allyship with them. I agree with that. But through marriage?” 

“You just don’t want to get married.” His Majesty argued. 

Taehyung smiled, nodding his head, “That’s partially correct, but I’m looking at the bigger picture. Mending things with the Min family through marriage is lazy.” 

The room grew heavy as the Prince’s sharp tone didn’t match the smirk on his lips. 

“Marrying the Min Family’s princess doesn’t actually resolve anything. Why are we all dancing around the issues with the Min family and their kingdom? It’ll be a slap in the face to them to try to fix things through marriage.” 

“What do you suggest, son?” The King raised an eyebrow at Taehyung. His tone revealed true curiosity, but his face showed doubt. He wasn’t sure what the Prince was going to suggest, seeing as the history with the Min Kingdom is a rough one.

“We need to find a place and time to discuss things. We’ll probably have to involve the United Nations. A formal apology needs to be issued to them, followed by a plan that will show growth for both Kingdoms. It’ll be a long road but it’s better than an allyship formed by marriage.” Taehyung says, followed by a yawn. 

“Can you guarantee success?” The Queen suddenly speaks up, looking at both her husband and son. Her fiery eyes didn’t give anything away. That’s one thing the Queen was always good at. Her eyes were always kind and sweet no matter the situation, but I’m certain her thoughts were racing. 

“No, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they spit in our faces,” Prince Taehyung says confidently. He fiddles with the rings on his fingers while pondering. 

“It’s most likely they’d spit in our faces either way. We can’t be surprised. We’re cleaning up grandpa’s mess.” Prince Taehyung says it casually but an audible gasp sounds through the room. It almost felt like the room got colder and a miserable stillness fell over the room. 

I was almost scared to breathe too loudly. Everyone except for Prince Taehyung had gotten visibly stiff. Princess Cho-hee even stopped to look up from her phone. Her eyes started around the faces at the table. 

His Majesty, the King, was staring at his son with harsh and surprised eyes. Prince was unaware, still focusing on his rings.

Prince Taehyung’s grandfather….King Taesung. A true tyrant. I shivered at the thought of the man, hoping Michelle didn’t notice. 

Prince Taehyung’s Grandfather King Taesung started off as commander and chief for the Daegu Kingdom when it was under the Min family’s rule. 

The path taken to bring the Kim family to the power they have now was an awful one. Overtaking the Min family and gaining rule of Daegu. The Min family fled Gangwon-do, a province that was also under their rule. Over the years King Taesung conquered more and more provinces. After conquering the Seoul province they moved the capital from Daegu to Seoul and called it the Seoul Republic of South Korea.

King Taesung made no attempt to conquer Gangwon-do, leaving the Min family in power of the province to this day. King Taesung was an awful ruler. Harsh, demanding and cold hearted. He struck fear into the people, and only craved power. 

I never met him before he died, only heard of him through history books and from my father. My father became King Taejoon’s consult while the kingdom was still under Kim Taesung’s rule. My father often spoke of how no warmth could be felt from that man. 

His presence commanded respect and he carried his authority on his shoulders. Under his rule, the economy did…okay. There was no growth and most of the population lived middle class lives. King Taesung did not care about the options of his people. The people had no trust in the Kim royal family.

Those who spoke ill of King Taesung would be jailed or worse. He severed alliances with other countries, removing all of the Seoul Republic of South Korea. The Gangwon-do Republic of South Korea stayed a part of the United Nations, having them gain support from America, France and more. 

King Taesung’s thirst for power weakened the country in the long run. 

They try to speak as little of him as possible. Not only for the sake of the politicians, but for King Taejoon. Though it’s never been confirmed, it’s said that King Taesung was very abusive to his children. 

I whole-heartedly believe the only reason my father let me shadow him starting in high school was because King Taesung died a few months before that.

King Taejoon has been doing his best to regain the people’s trust in the Kim family and undo the damage his father created. The Seoul Republic of Korea has mended their ties with many other countries and are now part of the United Nations again.

Under King Taejoon’s rule, the economy soared and the people were doing better. Things are going well, but there is an underlying panic among the general public. 

The public barely knows Prince Taehyung and are worried if they’ll land themselves another tyrant King.

“What?” Prince Taehyung said after looking up from his hands. He looked at his mother and father, his perplexed facial expression proving that he truly didn’t feel the shift in the air.

“You’re such an idiot!” His sister hisses at him. 

The Prince shows a playful smile to his sister before turning his attention back to his father.

“I am not going to be married off as a deal to keep peace but grandpa was an autocrat.” Taehyung adds before turning his attention back to his rings. He fiddles with them, randomly adjusting them while everyone else is left with the tense atmosphere caused by his words.

I took in a deep breath through my nose, knowing that his plainspoken attitude would be left for me to deal with. 

As if he hadn’t noticed us before, the King holds eye contact with me. His eyes grow wide with excitement, and he glances at his son. Taehyung was still occupied by his rings, now moving onto the watch on his wrist. 

“What do you think Ms. L/n?” He asks me as a small smile appears on his lips. I wasn’t expecting him to ask my opinion. I should be honest right? 

My eyes flicker to Prince Taehyung who was no longer looking at his watch. His eyes were on me. He still looked bored but his body language changed. He leaned back on arm rest on the chair so his body was facing my way. 

I held eye contact with him for a moment, moving my attention back to the King. But not quickly enough to miss the way Prince Taehyung’s eyes moved down my body. 

“Your Majesty, you’d like my opinion on the Min family matter?” I clarify. 

The King nods, “Yes! And just call me Mr. Kim. I’ve known your father for too long for all these formalities.” 

“I believe…” I trail off, moving my eyes back to Prince Taehyung who was now staring at me with narrow eyes. He no longer looked bored. He looked like he was waiting to meet my eyes again. When our eyes met he raised his brows swiftly as if to tease me.

Ugh. There he goes. I heard he likes to act like that. When I was briefed on the Prince’s general behavior, I was warned he likes to flirt to distract from his work. He flirts as if to show that he takes nothing seriously. He’s a jokester in some ways and oddly overserious in others. That’ll be no problem for me to deal with. 

I can’t lie, he’s a very beautiful man, but none of that matters. I’m only here for a job. Pointless flirting and teasing from Prince Taehyung is just something that comes with the job. I hope he doesn’t take me for a woman that can be swayed by looks. My father raised me stronger than that. 

“I believe that Prince Taehyung is right,” I look back to the King, “The method of mending ties with the Min Royal family is going to need more than a marital union. It would be seen as a shallow and lazy approach by the Min family.” I answered honestly, ignoring the small grin that appeared on Prince Taehyung’s face. 

He turns to the King, “Do you believe it now that a consultant said it?” The grin now held a sinister undertone. 

The King ignores the question and waves me forward. Michelle leaves her spot beside me and makes her way to stand by the Queen. I walk the other way and walk till I am standing beside his Majesty, putting me between him and Prince Taehyung.

I left some space so I wasn’t too close to them, adjusting my briefcase strap on my shoulder. The King shows me a wide smile.

“I’m so glad to see you Y/n! I would always see you following behind your father and here you are! You’re going to by consulting my son! Oh how time flies.” He said. Prince Taehyung, who couldn’t keep his eyes off me, was now reaching into his pocket to grab his phone. He started scrolling through text messages. 

Ugh, rude.

“Taehyung, this is Y/n! I told you she would be your consultant! She knows her stuff and I believe she’ll help you over the next year.”

He was fiercely typing something, and I heard the phone as he pressed ended and sent a text message. Before his father could yell at him to pay attention, he was looking up at me. 

“Yeah, I remember you telling me.” He answers his father while holding eye contact with me. He had a playful glint in his eyes.

“Does she know the schedule?” He turns back to his father. 

“I’m certain she does. Y/n is always on top of things.” The King looks at me expectantly. I notice the Queen also watching me with a small smile. 

I didn’t expect the King and Queen to act so familiar with me. I’d only see them in passing when I was shadowing my father. Though I remember my father speaking often of how close King Taejoon always attempted to get. 

He called my father his friend, very often.

 “Yes,” I answer, noticing now that everyone’s attention was on me. 

“His Highness Prince Taehyung turns 25 next month, he will be having a celebration and his Majesty will announce the succession. The coronation is next year in September. Prince Taehyung should have the proper studies and traditions complete by then. He is also expected to be engaged by December next year.” I explained, looking at both Prince Taehyung, the Queen and the King.

The only one smiling was the King. He nodded his head confirming that I was right. 

“Y/n?” The Queen’s smooth voice called out. I looked at her, waiting for her comment. 

She leaned forward a bit, “Do you believe you will be able to meet those deadlines?” She wasn’t doubting me, but the look in her eyes asked a different question.

My son is difficult, are you sure you can handle him?

“Certainly.” I answered confidently. 

“All this talk of engagement is pointless! I already have a person in mind!” Taehyung exclaimed, causing his mother and his sister to roll their eyes.

“You’ve been saying that forever!” His sister contends, “We know you’re lying! Stop trying to stall on things.” His sister looks at me.

“Don’t entertain him on that notion. He doesn’t have anyone in mind. He’s been pulling my parents legs for a few months, hoping to stall the process.” She explains glaring at her older brother. 

Prince Taehyung abruptly turns to me, surprising me as he took one of my hands in both of his. 

“Marry me?” He said breathlessly, his eyes wide and twinkling. 

I stare down at him, not amused or moved. 

I gaze down at him for a moment, sure that the annoyance I’m feeling is visible on my face. 

A scoff sounds from Cho-hee. The princess grins, “She didn’t even blink. She’s not moved at all.” 

Prince Taehyung drops my hand, the dreamy look in his eyes fading.

“Your heart wasn’t stirred?” He asked.

“No.” I answer.

“Not even a bit? Your heart didn’t skip a beat?” 

“No, your highness..” I answer.

Cho-hee snickers, “Yeah Tae, not every woman wants a prince to sweep them off their feet.” Cho-hee looks at me again, eager to share something. 

“He also asked the 52 year old pastry chef to marry him.” She informs me. 

I’m sure he did. 

“And that random female bodyguard.” The Queen added. 

Cho-hee leans over to her mother, “He sees no significance in marriage or love. You gave birth to a robot mom.” I noticed Michelle, who was silent behind the Queen, stifled a giggle.

Cho-hee whispered loud enough for everyone to hear causing Prince Taehyung to snap back.

“And you’re a gremlin so I guess mom was giving birth to all types of weird things!”

Cho-hee gasps, “Take that back!” 

Their banter becomes background noise as the King asks for my attention again.

“Y/n, please take good care of my son.” He says in a low voice. 

“Of course.” I bowed slightly, glancing at The Prince Taehyung who was back to scrolling on his phone. 

I don’t have much more to say to him, but rather turn to Michelle. 

“I’ll show you where your office is.” Michelle says kindly. I nod, make my move to follow her. I stop short and look at Prince Taehyung again.

“I look forward to working for you, your highness.” I bow slightly. Prince Taehyung looks my way. I watch his eyes move from my face and down to my…chest? No…my neck. He glances at my neck and back up to my eyes.

“Flattery doesn’t work on me.” He mutters, and stares at his phone screen.

“Thankfully, I am here to do a job, not win you over.” I say sternly. 

Fuck! I shouldn’t have said that! He gawks at me with wide eyes, surprised by my comment, while Princess Cho-hee covers her mouth with her hand to keep from laughing. 

The King simply watches our interaction silently with the Queen smirks. 

I bow once more before walking around the table to get to Michelle waiting patiently at the door. 

“That was a bit too far.” She said as we exited the room, “Your father–”

“My father’s methods are not my methods.” I cut her off, “I won’t let him walk all over me. My father was too passive. I am not.”

❄…❄…❄…❄…❄

So, how are y’all feeling about this? So, idk how long i want this series to be. according to my outline its gonna be 12 parts but i never stick to my outline. Please let me know what you think! :DD

This story is gonna have a lot of world building and a lot of information (Kingdoms, history, politics), so please PLEASE if you are confused about anything, ask me in the inbox!

What if… you decided to runaway? part two| BTS OT7 au

Starring@oknymz/@shadowofahope 4.7K of fluff and angst, you know what they say about short and sweet….

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There was something about the island that was serene, calm, something that was shattered when the 8 of you stepped foot on the sand. What would have been a tranquil quiet morning had turned into the usual chaos.

“Seriously Hyung! Again?” You wake startled to Jungkook shouting at the man currently enclosing you tighter in his arms, ignoring the maknae. 

“This is the third night in a row,” Jungkook continues when neither of you reply, he’s angry but there’s more to it, he’s hurt. You try to pry the hands around you away, trying to get your thoughts together after being harshly woken, but Yoongi doesn’t move an inch, only offering you a grumbling “tsk” to your movement.

“Hyung!“ Jungkook yells for his attention. You don’t have to see him to know he’s got his tongue harshly pressed against his cheek in annoyance, you can feel it, just as you can feel his stare that you swore was burning you more than the Sun’s heat.

“Jagi fell in love with me first,” the prince let out smugly, you can feel the smirk on the back of your neck. “I saw her first, we would never have met her if it wasn’t for me.”

“So?” The maknae replies seething, while your jaw drops at the Prince’s audacity.

“So I get Princess whenever I want,” Yoongi chuckles arrogantly.

You nearly choke as Jungkook storms out, leaving Yoongi amused and you stunned.

“Kookie wait!” You call after him but the chains around you called Min Yoongi wouldn’t give.

“Yoongi that was mean,” you scold him lightly, which finally makes him let you go, only to turn you to face him.

He’s so pretty in the mornings, so carefree, it’s hard to hold on to your annoyance when he attacks you like this.  

“He woke us up,” is his only reply, as if that justified everything.

“That doesn’t excuse you being mean,” you pout, leaping to the maknae’s defence. “This is the last time you convince me to sleep next to you.”

“Tough, you’re sleeping next to me tonight too,” he states confidently, completely disregarding your statement. 

His behaviour was giving you multiple cases of whiplash, and it was too early in the morning for so many.  

“Yoongi, that’s not fair.”

He sighs, the self-assured attitude melting away to reveal his vulnerability, the change makes you still. He has a soft look in his eyes as he gazes into yours, but there was an intense sentiment behind them that takes your breath away. 

“Y/n, I thought I was going to lose you forever,” he admits quietly, the heaviness of his tone making your heart ache. “I still have nightmares Jagi, I still wake up believing we didn’t make it out.”

Your eyes tear up, you had those dreams too. Worse ones sometimes, your father dragging him to the guillotine with the others lined behind him while you scream, restrained by his guards. You shiver at the reminder of those horrible images. 

“The only thing that convinces me we did is waking up to you in my arms,” he looks down at your fingers, playing with him softly to distract himself. He wasn’t one to wear his heart on his sleeve, but he’d let you see it.

“Yoongi talk to them,” you sigh, understanding his point, but you had six others to also think about, and you knew in the long term this would cause a rift. “They’ll understand…”

He kisses your hand softly, contemplating your point even if he looked like he was ignoring it.

“Not yet,” he hums, “I want to keep you to myself a little longer.”

The smirk he gives you makes you gulp, your skin starting to burn under the new dangerous glint in his eyes. You fight the pleasant shiver that travelled down your body, biting your lip to stop yourself smiling. 

“The bed’s big enough for someone else to join us, you can’t keep hogging me,” you shake your head, laughing lightly at the way his gummy smile grew.

“Fine, on one condition,” he grins, leaning in, his eyes drawn to your lips before looking at you suggestively. “Admit you love me the most.”

Your jaw drops for the umpteenth time that day.

“Min Yoongi what’s gotten into you this morning?”

“I’m happy,” he breathes against your lips with a sincere smile.

The sight has your heart flying, unable to control your own bashful grin that he starts kissing. He kisses the corner of your mouth, your cheek, your jaw, loving the sound of you giggling at his ministrations, holding you closer.

“I fell in love with you the moment I met you Y/n,” he mumbles against your skin, his nose nudging your jaw with affection before his eyes meet yours. He’d tell you it a million times. “You’re the reason I’m free.”

His heartfelt confession made the words of love you wanted to return get stuck in your throat behind the rising emotion. You kiss him again instead, slowly, deeply, making sure he understood how you felt for him too.

“Am I interrupting?” 

Yoongi groans when you pull away, turning to see Namjoon leaning on the doorway with a knowing smirk. 

“Yes,” Yoongi grunts, trying to pull you back.

“Morning Joonie,” you greet him much to the Prince’s dismay. Well that was his morning ruined. 

“Morning Princess,” Namjoon says softly, walking up to you both to kiss your forehead before sitting next to you, playing with your hair.

“Let me guess,” Yoongi huffed. “The maknae had some complaints.”

For a second he thinks Joon didn’t hear him, not with the way he was staring down at you fondly, dimple peeking out of his cheek. Yoongi rolls his eyes at the way you’re grinning back. All the reservation your head bodyguard, or ex bodyguard he supposed, had about his affection for you had disappeared the second you both confessed. It was as if the proverbial dam broke, and Namjoon’s show of love could no longer be controlled. 

I think I preferred it when he denied his feelings, Yoongi thinks to himself but even he knows he doesn’t mean it.

“Hyung you’re upsetting the others,” Namjoon states, not taking his eyes off of you. 

“Am I upsetting you?” Yoongi challenges, ready to call out any self serving agendas he might be hiding dressed as concern from the others. 

“Is Jungkook okay?” you ask, feeling a pang of guilt for the youngest. 

“He’s swimming it off little queen,” Namjoon reassures you, thumb trying to soothe the crease between your brows of worry. “He’ll be fine.”

“Are you both going to start arguing?” You could already feel the atmosphere changing even through the grin Namjoon was wearing.

“Yes.” “No.”

Well that answered that. Yoongi scowled at his younger friend, buttering you up and feeding you white lies, at least he was honest. 

You sigh, it was definitely too early for this, and you didn’t want to hear it. You’ve been caught between their little spats before and never ended well. You jump out of bed, using the glares they were both giving each other to your advantage. 

“Where are you going?“ they both ask simultaneously, Yoongi propping himself on his elbows to watch you leave.

“To see a friend.”

—

The knocking on the door can only be one person, one very stubborn runaway princess on a mission. There’s a sigh as the door is reluctantly opened, a sheepish grin from you that could only be described as trouble.

“You’re going to get me killed,” Nym says matter of factly, opening the door wide to let you through without complaint.

“I’m not going to get anyone killed,” you reply, already taking a seat though you technically hadn’t been invited to.

“They’re going to realise you’re over here more than you are over there,” they chuckle.

“Because we’re friends,” you pout. “And they know how thankful I am to have you.”

Dammit, you had a way with words, you could convince the stars to stop shining if you wanted it. The journey to the island was a long one, after the first flight on the private plane, there was a long car trip to a helicopter which brought you here. The island was owned by Namjoon and Yoongi under an alias not even you knew about.

“It would get lonely here if I didn’t visit you,” you admit, thinking about how alone you were in your old life and comparing it to now. 

This place was an isolated drop of paradise floating in the calmest ocean, the only people living on it were doing so under their command or permission. Two out of a handful of the people lived in this house, Nym, the tech genius who kept the island safe, secure and under the radar for the guys, also your new best friend. And her husband, the getaway driver and pilot, Lee Minho.

“You have seven men ready to lay down their lives for you at your villa,” an eyebrow rises, calling you out completely. “I don’t think lonely is the term you’re looking for.”

“I know, and I love them,” you agree. “But there’s a lot of testosterone…”

Nym laughs, making you laugh too.

“Sure you’re not using me for my tech gifts?”

“Maybe a little,” you tease, not meaning it at all, before getting down to business. “Anything yet?”

“You’re right,” she sighs. “They have been watching her, but no one’s taken her in for questioning as far as I can see.”

You nod, taking the information in.

“And as for contacting her to let her know you’re okay…” Nym hesitate, “I’d hold off for now.”

“I know,” you let out a deep breath, thinking to yourself. “I wouldn’t implicate her, or risk them finding us. I just want Sana safe.”

Your head is hung low, if anything happens to your best friend because of your escapade you’d never forgive yourself. You knew she would be the first place they check, the one to keep an eye on, she must be worried sick… A hand squeezing your shoulder breaks you out of your thoughts, a reassuring smile from your saving grace. Nym could hack into anything, satellite feeds, security cameras, all without leaving a trace. Thank goodness she was working with you and not against you, which begged the question-

“So you haven’t actually told me how the guys recruited you,” you say before realising you might come off a bit rude with your prying. “Not that you have to tell me of course.”

The tech genius shrugs like it was no big deal. 

“Yoongi’s uncle wanted to use my skills in the worst kind of way,” Nym admits before clarifying, “the world war kind of way, when I refused I became a fugitive, Namjoon and your prince got me out. A lot of us here are like that, we’re not loyal to a monarchy, just the ones who helped us escape.”

Your jaw drops, that was not what you were expecting at all. Well that was a bombshell. 

“Yeah, the crown is corrupt in most places, I’m glad you don’t have to wear yours anymore.”

“Me too,” you agree wholeheartedly, you never wanted that weight on your head again. 

—

The afternoon Sun had peaked in the sky when you walked back home, like an alarm blaring. Or maybe that was your guilty conscience making it feel so. The others had strictly laid down the law not to contact anyone from the outside world, and you weren’t stupid, you knew the implication if you did. But this tiny molehill you were hiding would be made into seven big mountains if they ever found out. 

You’re so deep in your thoughts you don’t realise you’ve made it to the door, walking through it in a trance. The second you turn to the door to ensure it was closed, arms wrap around you from behind making you jump back to reality.

“You’re spending a lot of time over at their house,” Taehyung states in his signature deep timbre, not needing to elaborate. Soft kisses start at your temple working their way down your face.

“I really like going over there,” you giggle when his nose tickles your neck as he nuzzles himself as close to you as he can.

“I know,” you feel the pout of his lips on your skin. “I’m getting jealous.”

“Jealous?”

“It feels like you’re running away from us,” it’s the little huff that has you biting your lips to stop from laughing but you can’t hold it back.

“I’ve already tried to run away from you guys once,” you can’t help chuckling. “It didn’t go well, I won’t be doing it again.”

“Don’t joke about running away with someone else,” he grumbles, making you both walk to the sofa like huddled penguins, refusing to let you go. “It’s not fair, we’ve escaped to paradise and I see you less than when we were on duty in the castle.”

“Tae we’ve only been here a week,” you need to stop laughing at his behaviour before he got grumpy, but he was so cute like this. He falls back into the sofa, taking you with him with a yelp.

“I don’t care, I’m not letting you go for the rest of the day,” his head is buried again in your neck as if that would cement his statement, legs locking onto yours keeping them in place.

“Okay,” you agree to placate him but he seems to have more on his chest.

“Yoongi Hyung gets you enough,” he starts ranting, head falling back on the sofa as he complains. “I can’t sleep unless I’m hugging you and he doesn’t let me join.”

“You hold Jiminie and Kookie all the time,”

“It’s not the same!” He whines dramatically, starting to fake cry like a child. “Yoongi Hyung is so mean, and you love him more than us.”

He waits for you to correct him, hiding his insecurities through his pretend wailing.

“Taehyung, that’s not true and you know it,” you nudge your head with his, seeing right through his little act. Any other day you might’ve teased him, or pretended to contemplate it, but you knew that Yoongi’s attachment issues were going to cause just that, more issues. 

“Prove it,” he doesn’t drop the childish tone. “Stay here with me all day.”

“I said I was going to, you big baby!”

You feel him laugh, his chest shaking with it as he pressed his lips together to stop it coming out.

“Can we nap?” You ask him yawning, “Jungkook woke us up at stupid oclock.”

“And Yoongi hyung kept you up late,” he grumbles, lying you both down. 

You ignore the remark sheepishly, settling into his arms as his leg straddles your waist to keep you from leaving as if this were all a cruel ploy to escape him. 

Good thing the villa had air conditioning.

—

“Taehyung we’re borrowing Princess for a second!” 

Did no one want to let you sleep in peace? Jimin’s loud announcement ripped you from your slumber like a blaring alarm. You hear a grumble of disapproval from behind you, hands trying to keep you in place as Hoseok pulls you out of his hold. 

Like a scene from a bad diamond heist, Jimin quickly puts a pillow in Taehyung’s arms, grinning in satisfaction when he settles again. 

You on the other hand wobble on your feet before Hoseok steadies you, an amused smirk on his face when you grab onto him for support. You give them both a grumpy glare which they choose to ignore, dragging you down to their room. You’re half asleep when they push your shoulders, making you sit on the chair in the middle of the room a length away from the foot of the bed. 

“Why do you both look like you’re about to interrogate me?” You ask the pair.

“Because we are,” Jungkook announces his arrival, closing the door as he grabs another chair and sits on it in front of you the wrong way round. The back of the seat faces you as the youngest straddles it, arms crossed at the top, his eyes boring into yours.

He’s about to speak but you’re all distracted by the door opening again.

“Ya did you seriously just slam the door in my face?” Jin’s ears have gone red with rage as he spits at the maknae who giggles like he has a death wish.

“You’re too slow Hyung!” he complains grinning mischievously, maybe he did it on purpose, but he wouldn’t admit it.

“Can we get back to the matter at hand please?” Jimin sighs seriously as he addresses the room.

“Which is what exactly?” You yawn, still not quite awake.

“Your betrayal,” Hoseok states bluntly, making your heart jolt out of your chest.

“M-my what?” You splutter out, how… how did they know? You try to keep the guilt and stupor off your face. Ignorance until proven guilty, that was the saying your father taught you growing up amidst his scandals.

“You told Yoongi Hyung you loved him first,” Jungkook pouts, an irritated scowl on his face from the memories of the morning.

“You said you fell in love with him the moment you met him,” Hoseok’s eyes narrow in distaste.

“We’ve managed to come to terms with it,” Jimin says before muttering to himself, “even if it is annoying.”

“So the question remains little Queen,” Jin stands behind Jungkook. “Who did you fall for next?”

Any sigh of relief you had been in the middle of was swallowed back down. Nope, no way, you were not getting into this. You almost want to be accused of the other thing.

“All of you,” you diplomatically reply, meaning it.

“Princess we’re not above torture if we need it,” Jimin warns, ready to tickle it out of you if neccessary. “Who?”

“This isn’t fair,” you whine before word vomiting your defence. “I didn’t even realise I was for ages and when I did I realised it about you all!”

“Yet you still figured out you loved Yoongi Hyung first,” Hoseok should have been a lawyer with the way he was ready to pick apart your argument.

“But I do love you all,” your puppy dog eyes and pout may have worked any other day, but not this day. Today they were determined to know and settle it once and for all. Min Yoongi was monopolising you and they needed weapons against it, something to wipe that smug smile off his stupid royal face.

“It’s Namjoon I’m telling you,” Hoseok sighs, all of them turning to each other suddenly ignoring you.

“Nope Namjoon was the harshest on her out of us all for ages,” Jin disagrees. “He was fighting his feelings.”

“I don’t know, Princess might like the mean type,” Jimin comments, contemplating the facts like their question was the hardest puzzle on the planet.

“Then it’s me,” Jungkook exclaims like he’s solved it. “I ignored Princess for months before giving in.”

“Because you were shy, idiot,” Jimin refutes him, rolling his eyes. 

You use their distraction to your advantage, trying to sneak away but you must’ve forgotten who they were. They weren’t the world’s best bodyguards arbitrarily. 

Jin grabs your arm, bringing you back to the chair with a thud. 

“Little queen, you’re not leaving without giving us an answer,” Hoseok looms over you, his hands on each side of the chair, trapping you in place. You look up at him earnestly, how could they be insecure about your love for them?

“Look I didn’t realise I loved you all until that night I met my father,” you explain calmly like you were in police custody, being framed for a crime. “But gun to my head, I was falling for you all from the moment we met as we all got to know each other, there wasn’t a time when I loved someone more or less.”

“But you fell for Hyung first,” Jungkook grumbles through pouting lips, pulling Hobi away so he could attack you with them visually.

“I met him first,” you chuckle, “he came into my life like a dream when everything was dark and I was alone, and then he disappeared, but when he came back he brought you all with him.”

They all go quiet, like your words were confirmation that you loved the prince more than them. It shouldn’t make their hearts sink, not when they knew you loved them too, but a sad jealousy hit them, making all their demenours deflate. It felt as if you and Yoongi had something they could never share, it left them feeling on the edge of their own relationship, like you both were at the centre and they were on the outside looking in. They wanted you to love them just as much. 

“You guys remember when Sana left,” you try to rouse them from their thoughts. “That morning after when you all panicked as I was crying,”

You laugh to yourself at the memory, remembering all the ways they were trying to get you to stop.

“I was crying because I loved you all and I was happy,” you explain hoping they would really hear what you were trying to say, “I was sad Sana left, but I was happy you were all with me.”

The looks they give you has your heart reaching for them, you knew where they were in themselves. You had been there, thinking they didn’t love you the way you loved them, that they all loved someone else, it was a feeling you would never forget.

“Just because I fell for someone first doesn’t take away how much I love the rest of you,” you tell them wholeheartedly, meaning every word.

“But Yoongi Hyung-“

“Yoongi and I relate to each other a little bit more,” you cut Jungkook off, “we wore our crowns reluctantly, there’s an understanding there I admit you all can’t empathise with, and I would never want you to, but that doesn’t mean I love him more.”

“But we want to understand too,” Jimin mumbles dejectedly, looking at the floor, the corners of his lips weighed down. “We want a special bond with you too.”

You let out a breath of laughter at his words, didn’t they see the bond you had with them, the way they all kept you alive when the crown threatened to bury you again and again. 

“You all don’t realise it,” you say smiling but your eyes watered as you thought of every moment of love you had with them, all those times you were too blind to your own feelings. “But each of you have touched my life in your own way, I was so alone before you.”

Their eyes glisten like yours, but you don’t mind when your tears drop. 

“You didn’t just save me,” you confess, your voice growing thicker, “you saved Yoongi too. How can I love you any less?”

—

Their figures go rigid at the scenes playing in front of them, the static on the screen doing nothing to hide the facts. Namjoon and Yoongi feel their chest seize for you as the words blare on the intercepted news channel. 

Your father was dead, and with you missing, your cousin and Taeyeon were to take the throne. Nym watches the pair in concern, each of them could feel the pressure from the sudden tension, the air so thick it was suffocating. Your kingdom was on the cusp of ruin. 

“Don’t tell her,” his solemn voice breaks the minute of silence.

Namjoon’s jaw drops in shock, that was usually his line, Min Yoongi was always the first one that suggested telling you everything.

“Hyung we can’t keep this from her,” Namjoon states dumbfoundedly, unable to believe what he was hearing. 

“We can, and we will,” Yoongi replies sternly, no room for argument in his tone, but he forgot who he was talking to.

“Hyung that’s her father, he might be a piece of cr-“

“If we tell her she’s going to want to go back,” Yoongi snaps, advancing into Namjoon’s space heatedly, not willing to back down. “The second we step on to any national soil we all end up with a noose around our necks and she knows that, she’ll go alone.”

He looks at the Prince’s unhinged posture, stepping back to breathe and calm the situation down. Titles didn’t matter when they were both fugitives, in Yoongi’s country the head bodyguard would think twice before opposing him, but when he was under his command, he brought down his consequences like a tonne of bricks on whoever disobeyed him. Here they were evenly matched, stripped down to two men who only wanted the best for you, both as stubborn as each other. 

“Hyung we have to tell her, plus she doesn’t have the means to go back even if she wanted to,” Namjoon tries to placate the Prince, knowing he wasn’t going to get through to him by matching his energy. 

Yoongi laughs under his breath as if the cleverest amongst them said something stupid and it pisses him off. His jaw clenches hard as he holds himself back from unleashing his own fury at his friend for ridiculing him. 

“Namjoon for as long as you’ve known Princess, when she wants something, has anyone been able to stop her?” He shakes his head. 

“She’ll listen to us,” Namjoon pushes back, knowing you would, you always listened to him when it mattered. You trusted him with your life, more than the others, he knew that, it was never stated out loud, but with his whole heart he knew it. You always looked to him first, you might’ve fallen for the prince first but Namjoon was the one you sought implicitly above anyone else. In the game of chess, you were the Queen, he was the next powerful piece on the board, what people believed to be the King but actually the Rook. He protected you, he understood the politics better than anyone else did, even Min Yoongi. He could see the outcome to all the scenarios the situation called for, but one stood out amongst them all. If they kept this from you, you would never forgive them. 

“She’ll find a way,” Yoongi continues, deep in his own thoughts. “Don’t say a word.”

The conversation makes the third forgotten person in the room uncomfortable… especially when glowing feline eyes turn towards them like prison lights about to catch an escapee.

“Don’t say a word,” he repeats himself warningly.

There isn’t a reply, just hesitation. This was morally wrong, there was no way-

“Nym, you can’t tell her.“

“But if her fathers dead, he can’t make her marry Wang anymore,” your new friend tries to come to your defence. “She can reclaim the throne-“

“She doesn’t want to rule!” Yoongi yells, startling them. “She’ll think she has to go back, to save her people from a psychopath who probably killed her father.”

“Hyung…” Namjoon places a hand on the prince’s shoulder, calming him. “That’s not our decision to make.”

There’s a silence that fills the room bringing with it a heavy weight on each of their shoulders.

“Taeyeon will kill her if she goes back,” Yoongi says quietly. 

“With us beside her?” Namjoon tries to sound reassuring, but he can’t even convince himself.

“She’s tried before and we barely managed to keep her safe,” he strikes where it hurts, harshly throws the events that scarred them all in his friend’s face. “If we go with her Namjoon we’re all dead.” 

You and Yoongi understood the rules and the corruption more than any of them did. Any dream of going back and returning to what used to be was buried the second they left. You were both defectors, both traitors of your countries, the public wouldn’t take to your return kindly.

“We can say we knew of a plot that would attack the royal family so we had to get the princess out, he died under suspicious circumstances,” Namjoon offers, gesturing to the screen still playing the events of your fathers death, trying to come up with options for every outcome. “That’s what this whole island is about hyung, we can prove that.”

“I’m not risking her safety,” Yoongi breathes menacingly, unwavering in his conviction. “Do you understand me?”

And Namjoon did, he completely did. He had been the one to utter that line too many times, it was unnerving to be on the receiving side. 

But you still deserved to know.

———————————————————

Taglist : @nlost21@pb-n-juju@needyomnivore@lvpersona@marvelfamily3000@love2lovesworld@halesandy@dreamamubarak@deepseavibez @mikymouse0729 @barnesrogerslover @itismochirice @agustverse @whtamidoingagain @missmoxxiesworld @itsjustwinter@midiplier@toriluvsfics@juju-227592@galacticmei 

masterlist

synopsis: A trip to Seoul ends up transporting you 300 years in the past. How will you survive the Palace life that you surprisingly end up in? Or will the King kill you?

pairing: king!jungkook x female timetraveler!reader

type: historical au, royal au

genre: angst… hope?

words: 2.3k

soundtrack

 Probably the only thing that was keeping him up at the moment was the wooden desk under his hands. The same one that she spread herself on for him.

Jerking his hand away as if burnt, he turns around to remove the memory from his mind. His hands clench up into fists to hide the tremble in them. This can’t be happening.

“Your Majesty,” his general stops behind him with a bow, interrupting his thoughts.

“Well?”

“No sign of Her Majesty, Your Majesty.”

His tongue presses against his cheek as he slowly turns around to regard the most loyal servant that just failed him.

“You mean to tell me that you, with thousands of soldiers, can’t find the Queen?”

The general at least has the decency to not show his face as he utters his defeat. “No, Your Majesty.”

He lets out a dry laugh, borderline crazy, as he approaches the general. He stops in front of him, bending slighting to get to eye level with him, even though the other man is staring at the floor.

His hand closes around the hill of the general’s dagger, and he pulls it out the next second. His other hand fists the back of his head, snapping his head backward, and presses the dagger to his neck.

“You better listen closely because it’s the last time I give this order. Gather as many men as possible, and you are to search every inch of this palace, of the city, of the entire country. But don’t you dare return before me without my wife.”

He keeps him under the blade for a few seconds to make sure that he made his point before shoving him away. He thrusts the blade in the desk, returning to his position from earlier as the general takes his departure.

He finally acknowledges the tears streaming down his face as they smear the ink on the royal verdicts.

Enraged at them, at the world, at _____, he shoves them away. All of it. The burning candle, the books, the papers, the brushes, the damn brushes that she used to steal from him study.

He collapses to the floor after all of that, breaking in gut ranching sobs. The eunuchs and the maids at least have the decency of slightly retreating to leave the mourning king his privacy.

Unlike his trusted advisor Min, that is foolishly stepping into the Lion’s den.

“Leave if you value your head on your shoulders.”

“I’m not here as a subject, I’m here as a friend of Sukjong.”

He wants to laugh at that sentence but his body won’t let him.

“Have they been dealt with?”

“There are still a few names that we need to get, but I’ll get them.” There is a sinister smile on his face that he is now pleased to see.

“Good, good… I’ve heard your father was among them.” A pregnant silence falls between the two of them.

“A slip-up on his part. My loyalty lies with my king, not a fallen queen.”

His eyes fall on his friend, and he feels grateful for his friend.

“So, this was the reason for it,” he tsks.

“Mainly, they were already planning to force your hand in demotion Her Majesty.”

He lets out a short, mocking laugh, “They weren’t pleased with making me take Choi into my harem, they had to have more. Choi and that bastard of hers.”

The anger inside of him almost reaches a boiling point as he starts shaking in rage.

“Tell Hoseok that now is the time to convince her to leave, that is not safe for her. I want her gone. They don’t get to have any satisfaction about their plotting.”

The magistrates struck immediately after the death of their second son, attacked his lover, and he had to give them a fake upper hand to protect her. That’s when Min had the idea of entrusting one of his trustworthy men to seduce her.

And when she got desperate enough, she let him get her pregnant. He had to let her seduce him after it, and it’s no surprise when he could barely get it up. He was that disgusted by her.

With _____ gone, he can’t get rid of the thought that the last thing she remembers from being with him is him pulling away from her touch when all he wanted was to pull her into his chest and apologize for all that he did to her. He was just trying to protect her, and yet he failed her once again like he failed their son.

Min trains his throat to catch his attention.

“We managed to find her maid, Neul Neul, and…”

“What?” he rasps, feeling drained from everything he found out already.

“It seems that Her Majesty was aware of the plot happening against her, that’s why she appeared before the magistrates today.”

And what of an appearance she has made. She looked exactly like the Queen she was before she withdrew from him. Fierce and strong, and foreign, she was looking like the foreigner that she was but everyone ignored her. Yet he loved every bit about it, he deeply loved her. He still deeply loves her. But he mostly missed her, he misses her like a bleeding wound. And she left him.

He thought about it in the beginning, that as easily as she arrived here that she could leave. But after years of her living here he stopped thinking about it. He didn’t think it was an option anymore for her. She loves Bunny too much to give him up.

Oh, my Gods. Little Bunny, how she likes to call him, a foreign name that he learned to say for her. How is he going to raise him to be a fitting king? He was a good enough king with her help, but now without her-

“The maid confessed that Her Majesty was ready to escape after her stunt, and they swapped places last minute, but they almost got caught when the Royal Guard appeared.”

“Wait… the Royal Guard? But I didn’t-“

“I know that, and the magistrates knew that too, we think that they assumed she would go more willingly if she thought that the order was from you.”

If he had anything else to throw around, he would.

“You mean, that when I was reaching for her- that she thought I was trying to-“ he needs a few breaths before he can utter the words. “She ran and pulled away from me because she thought that I was trying to catch her to punish her.”

Min has the decency to bend his head when he says yes.

This is probably the most heartbreaking thing for him. What happened to them that made them doubt their relationship so much. So much that at the time when she is in danger, she would pull away from him. The one that promised her safety. He vowed to himself that he would protect her in this foreign world.

And he failed her. He failed you.

With ragged breaths, he eyes the blade that he stuck into the desk. Thinking of the night that she was in his arms, hands threading through his hair, his hand closes around the hill of the dagger and he pulls it out.

With the other hand, he untied his hair, letting it fall before fisting it at the base of his neck. And slicing it clean off.

He hears the sharp inhale coming from Min but he doesn’t regret his decision.

“I lost my honor the moment I broke my promise. Announce that the country is in mourning, they’ve lost their Queen. I expect a few challenges when you present my defeat. I’ll be waiting for them, protecting the throne that rightfully belongs to my son.”

He hands over the ponytail that most Koreans would die over then part, and he nods towards the doors, dismissing Min.

It never got better. The pain of losing someone. Especially when you fault yourself for it.

But life moves on. And he had a son and a kingdom that depended on him. Their son, the only remaining part that he had left from her. And he looks and behaves so much like her, even though she only spent a few years with him.

It would especially hurt when Yi Yun would look at him with adoration in his sparkling eyes.

He was already at the age that he could wear the Crown Prince blue garment. The one that he wore when he met you. Not exactly that one, that one is saved for when he can fill it out, but for now he wears a smaller version.

“Father, why are you sad?” Yi Yun cranes his neck to look up at him. Jungkook looks down at him and squeezes his shoulders in conform.

“I miss your mother.”

“I miss mother too, but do you know what she told me before she left?”

“What did she tell you?” he asks curiously like Yi Yun hasn’t told him millions of times already.

“That I need to grow up to be like Father, so you can’t be sad.”

He laughs when he hears the conclusion he pulled from those words, blinking away the tears that filled his eyes. He could never get over how those words impact him. How much you must have loved him for your last words to their son to be… this.

“Okay, okay, from now on Father will not be sad so Yi Yun can grow up happy.”

He seems satisfied with his answer and he turns to lock back towards the garden. _____’s garden.

“I’m almost as good as Mother at painting,” Yi Yun announces proudly.

“Are you now? Did you study her drawings?” the ones she sneakily left behind with instructions to reach future time. Like Yi Yun would not sneak the portrait of her around, so much that he got worried that it would get too damaged and he commissioned an exact replica of it. It still seems somewhat different from what you painted, but Yi Yun didn’t find any mistakes.

So, he greedily gets to keep the original in his study. On lonely nights he pulls it out and traces your brushstrokes. He doesn’t dare to pull out the one of him. He can’t look at himself through your eyes. Not after what he has done.

 “I did. I painted Mother one with me being a big boy, so she won’t miss me.”

“I’m sure she misses you nonetheless.”

“But wouldn’t that mean that she is sad? I don’t want Mother to be sad.”

“We’ll have to ask her when we meet her in another life.”

“Your Majesty,” they are interrupted, and as he turns around, he sees Min.

“Yi Yun, why don’t you go and get ready for your tutor?”

“But I don’t want leave yet-“ a hard stare from him shuts him up, but there is still a pout present as he makes his way, dragging his feet, towards Neul Neul.

When he is out of earshot, Jungkook turns to Min.

“I came as soon as I could, Your Majesty.”

“Good, good, I have something to ask from you Min.”

“Anything, Your Majesty,” he replies instantly.

“You are one of the few people that I trust with my life and this that kind of matter…. I need a letter to get to 2021. This is a legacy promise.”

“It would be my family’s honor, Your Majesty.”

“Good, I know that you won’t disappoint me.”

You think that it’s 4 years after you returned to… your starting timeline when you see him. It was an idea in the back of your head, that maybe you would notice him on the street. Slim chances considering the population of Seoul.

But there he is. Pushing the small girl on the swings of a random park. That is a sight that you would have never imagined.

You stopped watching their videos and listening to their song, just because it was too hard for you. You would find yourself watching some videos late at night when you feel alone, just to make yourself suffer.

You want to look away because you know you shouldn’t stare, most of the fans would disapprove if they saw you. But you want to absorb every detail because you see him in flesh. But he is not JK, not your JK, he is Jungkook, a global superstar.

When you are about to turn around, his head snaps up, his eyes landing on you, gazes clashing. You inhale sharply, while you see him frown in confusion. Of course.

You blink tears away, that you didn’t notice forming, and turn around and leave.

Maybe in another life.

It all started when the drawings from the Gyeonghui Palace were found. Yoongi remembered the myth attached to the Min family. Okay, not a myth, he saw the damn letter with his own eyes, along with the portrait.

He forgot long ago about it, the letter in case in care of his brother. But the resurfacing of the portrait, along with the one of King Sukjong, who has a striking resemblance to Jungkook. Fuck him, he can’t ignore it anymore, that’s his fucking bandmate.

So, that means only one thing.

“Jungkook!” Yoongi bursts into Jungkook’s studio, sure to find him there, and he does, with a pair of headphones on his head, probably listening to a beat.

“Hyung,” he jumps in his chair, caught red-handed.

“There’s something I need to talk to you about-” his words die in his mouth as he sees the screen of Jungkook’s computer, a photo of the Gyeonghui portraits upon it. “What are you doing?”

“Oh, I was with Soo yesterday at the park and someone familiar was staring at me. It seems that it was familiar because she looked exactly like Hui-Bin Jang.”

Oh. fuck. It’s true then. The story is true.

The End

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