Chương 6: Chapter 6

[words] are Taehyung's thoughts. {words} are Jungkook's thoughts. (This is key for the whole story). I can't underline or bold words in WebNovel so... :(

Jungkook winced in pain from his wound, his eyebrows knitted and his head hung down yet he still firmly held Taehyung against the wall.

Tae swiftly sheathed his dagger on the side of his waist and gently held Jungkook's forearms, trying to lean off his pressed body from the wall.

[If this man has the royal seal on his sword that I saw earlier and was beside General Min that means.. He must be the Crown Prince! So hyung is going to marry him?]

Taehyung immediately assumes that Jungkook is the Crown Prince his brother is soon to marry without considering the possibility that he might be the Second Prince. The thought brings out a slight emotion in him he can't understand but he shrugs it aside for now and focuses on the injured man in front of him. Tae has no knowledge about Jungkook being announced as the new Crown Prince / King or his coronation.

"Your majesty! Are you alright" Jungkook's grip on Tae became loose, Tae reached his hands around Jungkook's torso to hold him steady, he brought the injured man's arm over his shoulder so the other could use him as support. Jungkook held his other hand over the wound, the blood had already seeped out of his black attire, although it wasn't visible on them his hand clearly displayed the red. Jungkook didn't respond, his breathing heavy and sweat had formed on his forehead. Taehyung lowered the scarf that was covering Jungkook's lower face down to help him breathe better, seeing his face completely.

[He's awfully attractive. Hehe just like hyung.]

The moment he thought that was also when he felt a small throb in his chest. Yet quickly moving on from his thoughts he examined around. He wasn't sure where Jungkook was trying to go but he did see the Second Prince's palace near them and decided to lead him inside then call someone to help who could fetch the physician.

Slowly both made their way, Jungkook staggering from time to time. His body was burning under Taehyung's touch.

[His wound seems fairly deep and I'm sure it isn't the only one.]

Tae glances at his shoulder where the clothing was slashed by some sort of dagger or sword and blood was beginning to pool out.

[It also seems like he had a fever coming down. He doesn't look as if he's slept well the past few days. I mean he is the Crown Prince, he has countless royal duties and responsibilities, plus the addition of the marriage discussion must be stressful. Wait! Does he even want the wedding? I was worried about hyung's decision, completely forgetting if the Prince he might marry is content with the arrangement. After all, the proposal came from King Yeon.]

Clearing his thoughts, Tae shifted his attention to the entrance of the Second Prince's palace. Carefully he assisted Jungkook up the cobblestone steps, holding him firmly to avoid stumbling. He slid open the main door and stepped into a wide living space with a seating area and cushions. The place was decorated with soft parchment paintings of sceneries, bamboos and birds as well as lanterns on small dark wood stools. Making his way through the space, Tae passed the study on the right which had a low sitting desk, scrolls and brushes arranged neatly, and shelves of books and papers. Jungkook pointed to the next sliding door that separated the multiple living spaces from the prince's bedroom. Bringing Jungkook inside he softly laid the grunting man down on the bed.

Taehyung removed his black boots for him, while doing so a dagger fell out. He picked it up and again saw the Royal Southern seal, placing it on the table beside the wooden bed he turned back to the Prince who still hadn't spoken anything.

[His condition seems to be worsening. I need to get someone. His wounds are deep and continue to gush out blood.]

"Your majesty.." Taehyung called out softly, his hands resting on Jungkook's biceps ready to shake him if needed. Without receiving a response he called out again with a light shake to which Jungkook opened his eyes. "I'm going to go out and find someone who can help and probably bring the royal physician. Please rest here, I won't be long." He explains and waits for any form of response that indicates the man's understanding. Jungkook managed to nod before sitting up on the bed, unable to lie down because of his shoulder injury but clutching his abdomen at the same time.

Despite his dishevelled appearance, the man looked unbelievably stunning.

Taehyung leaves the prince inside his quarters and heads out into the cold of the night where he is directly met with Yeonjun outside the Prince's palace. Recognising the man as well, Taehyung walks up to him. "His majesty needs help. He has a grave wound. Please call a physician. I took him to his chamber" Taehyung exclaims hurriedly. Confused by how the Young Prince of the North knew to address Prince Jungkook as 'His Majesty' but understanding the situation and who he was referring to, Yeonjun simply nods, bows and rushes past Taehyung to see Jungkook.

Although his face didn't express the concern, his mind was furious and clouded with thoughts of his highness. Usually he wouldn't be so anxious as the Second Prince has obviously been harmed before in battles but now that he was soon to be the King of the nation, his health and wellness was a critical priority that couldn't be overlooked at all. He was worried for his leader.

Meanwhile, inside his chamber Jungkook lay slightly confused about why Prince Taehyung addressed him as Your Majesty instead of Your Highness. He tried to push his thoughts away from his throbbing and stinging and focused randomly on what the Young Prince had said.

It's expected by everyone to address the King and Queen and the Crown Prince with Your Majesty whilst all other members of the Royal Family are addressed as Your Highness. It's a simple difference between the two titles used to distinguish the foremost royals from the others.

{Well that's conflicting. How could the Young Prince of the North possibly know about my coronation already when he just arrived in the capital? Has news of the new King of Alystra already travelled North? Was it Appa? That's strange. I mean he isn't wrong but how does he know? Hmm…}

Noticing that Taehyung decided to follow him, Yeonjun halts and turns around to face the brown-haired boy who was lightly dressed for the harsh night weather. "With all due respect your highness, you can retire to your chambers for the night. I will tend to.. his majesty." Yeonjun spoke, addressing Prince Jungkook after a slight pause.

Taehyung immediately stuttered out "Oh- ok. Please be careful." not knowing what else to say in the situation and why he was following the Royal Guard anyway. Yeonjun bowed once more and opened the door, entering the Prince's chamber.

Prince Taehyung stood there momentarily frozen. When he got out of his trance and was about to leave, he hears Yeonjun shuffling around in the living space, lighting the lanterns that created a warm yellow glow of light. Taehyung overhears Yeonjun saying something along the lines of "My Lord, are you alright?... Let me inspect your wounds…. How can you be so careless?... The rogues…" Yeonjun's muffled voice died down as he moved further away from where Taehyung stood at the chamber entrance.

Taehyung regards Yeonjun's words in a loving, caring tone, interpreting them in an affectionate manner whilst Yeonjun was simply worried about the person that means the most to him as his saviour and as the soon-to-be King. Yeonjun respects his Prince and is honoured to stand beside him as someone the Prince can trust but not beside him as his significant other, rather as his faithful right-hand man. However, obviously the Young Prince doesn't know this and deems Yeonjun saying 'My Lord' to His Majesty a close relationship.

While on his way back to his room, Taehyung's mind unknowingly brims with the thoughts of His Majesty, his relationship with his Royal Guard and why his heart was deciding to palpitate as if he had just finished a long sparring match. Not only so but the vision of His Majesty's charming appearance and features brewed something warm and fuzzy in his stomach. It was a strange first experience.

In the midst of questioning why he cares so much, Tae is hit with another jolting realisation.

[That's the man my brother is going to marry! What if he loves someone else, like that guard perhaps and his father- the King only arranged the marriage to break the Prince's intimate relationship with the guard? Hyung's life would be ruined.]

[They can love each other and it's their personal matter but- I don't want hyung to get involved in this. He already looks like he's crushed his hopes in finding true love. I don't want him to be bound in such a miserable marriage.]

[Wait.. I'm thinking too far. They might not have such a close relation at all. The guard just might be caring. Or it could be one-sided. Besides the issue of the guard, the Crown Prince himself seems so… capable for hyung. I hope he treats hyung right if this marriage works out.]

[But.. why does the thought of them together hurt my chest? Why am I experiencing so many odd emotions and feelings? Am I sick? I should meet our physician in the North as soon as we get back home.]

Distracting his thoughts away and realising the time of night. Taehyung quickly slipped back into his chamber, undressed his weapons and belt and carefully laid down in the bed beside a sleeping Jimin who was pouting.

With his thoughts running wild, Taehyung decided to talk to hyung first tomorrow and keep an eye on His Majesty and his Royal Guard. Unconsciously, Taehyung didn't realise he was using his worry for Seokjin's marriage to fulfil his own subconscious curiosities about the striking, handsome man who he is undoubtedly falling for and assumes is his potential brother-in-law.