“You're quite cute when you're nervous, love."

Kim Taehyung rushed down the steps of the palace, hurriedly fixing the buttons on his coat. He glanced toward the wooden clock, seeing he was running late.

As he reached the landing, he spotted an oh-so-familiar face.

He sighed. "Jimin-"

"Taehyung! we've been looking for you everywhere."

"My apologies, I was riding." He stated, tucking his shirt into his pants.

Jimin noticed, raising his eyebrow. "Oh really? Who?" He smirked.

Taehyung scoffed, rolling his eyes. "So Jimin, how's the mood over there?" He continued, ignoring the previous question.

"Quite tense, brother. Both father and the court are at an unrest." Jimin sighed. "The arrival of the princess I suppose."

"Yes well, I suppose it'll only get worse without me." Taehyung stated, running his fingers through his hair.

"Of course." Jimin laughed, patting his brother's shoulder," Well I'm off, now that you're here." And with a quick wave, he exited down the hall.

Taehyung continued towards his destination. He entered past the guards of one of the many castle rooms to find his father—the King—being fitted by a servant, his mother standing off to the side as they argued.

"Jennie shouldn't be arriving at such a time. She still needs to be protected. Hidden." The Queen pressed.

"So you claim. You also claimed she should be locked away at the convent for educational purposes when we both know she just irritated you." The King replied, rolling his eyes. "Besides, her marriage to Taehyung will help solidify our alliance with England."

Taehyung listened to his parents, rolling his eyes at their usual bickering. He made his way to their side and bowed.

His mother continued,"They say too many alliances makes a king look weak."

"Then why did we sell our daughter to-"

Taehyung cleared his throat, making his presence known. "I'm told I was needed."

The King shot him an irritated glance.

"Or should I just come back on my wedding day? You've chosen my wife, have you set the date too?" Taehyung hummed, his tone of sarcasm evident.

"Here's the date—when I say so." His father began sourly," You really should lose that attitude, looks bad on a prince."

The Queen glanced sympathetically towards her son.

The King continued, "The princess will be arriving soon."

"Yes, Jennie Kim, I've heard." Taehyung replied unenthusiastically.

"You don't sound very enthusiastic. You two were friends once." The King stated matter-of-factly.

"Yes—when we were 9." Corrected the prince, "She had a missing tooth and.. strong opinions."

"Well I'm sure the tooth has grown in, and the opinions you can ignore," he looked towards his wife and smirked, "Isn't that right?"

The Queen ignored him and proceeded, "The ladies-in-waiting will arrive shortly prior. Two of them titled, the other ridiculously rich."

The King sighed, "Just be glad your bride has a country—and an army, should you need it." He stated, shooting an irritated glance at his wife as he exited past the guards, leaving the other two royals.

Taehyung's mother walked up to the boy, "Let him act like a king, my son. I may not have been born with a crown but this country would be nothing without my money." She stated, fixing his coat, "I'm on your side. Always. Make no mistake about it—-the wedding will commence when I say so."

—————

Jungkook felt beads of sweat forming upon his forehead.  "I don't belong here... they're going to catch me. I'm such an idiot." He thought to himself, as he wandered about the court.

"I don't believe we've met?" A young man stated, cocking his eyebrow towards the boy.

Jungkook composed himself hurriedly, putting up a confident front. "Jeon Jungkook, sir. I'm only here for trading business." He smiled, reaching out his hand.

The other smiled widely as he shook the younger's hand. "Park Jimin."

Jungkook tensed. "Your highness! My apologies! I hadn't realized-" He stated, hurriedly moving to bow.

"No worries. I'm not very much for titles anyway." Jimin giggled. "A Jeon, huh? M'not familiar with such a family—are you from the east?"

"The east! Yes, far east. Spices and such, you know.." He laughed nervously.

Jimin eyed the younger suspiciously, before a small smirk appeared on his face. "You're young. A bit too young for a trader. Tell me, Jeon Jungkook, why are you lying to me?"

.

..

...

Jungkook's heart dropped to his feet. "I- um-" He babbled nervously. This was it, he was going to get caught and beheaded. And he didn't even make it a day.

"Not planning an assassination, are we?"

"N-no your highness! I-I swear by it!" Jungkook stuttered.

"You're quite cute when you're nervous, love." Jimin smirked, leaning in towards the younger's ear. "But you're also quite suspicious. I'll have to keep my eye on you." He whispered.

Jungkook flushed a deep shade of red, "Y-Yes, of course your highness." He bowed.

The prince smiled at the gesture and tsked before turning to walk away.

"That was close." Jungkooks sighed. He pulled his red cape onto his shoulders. Suddenly, he heard loud horns, signaling what he guessed was the princess's arrival.

He hurried towards the front garden, where the court had gathered to welcome her highness. The royals hadn't arrived just yet.

The garden was decorated with flags and lined with guards when he arrived. He joined the crowd and watched as large wooden carriages, pulled by white horses, made their way towards the castle. They came to a halt, and Jungkook—along with the rest of the court, cleared a large path.

The princess of England emerged from her carriage, dressed in an elegant blue dress with a long black cape. A crown was evident on her head. She was joined by three other women, which Jungkook presumed were her ladies-in-waiting.

A trumpet fanfare sounded, as Jungkook shifted his attention to a guard whom announced, "His royal majesty, King Hajoon II!"

The King strided down the path, his face cold and confident. The crowd bowed in his presence. He stopped midway, and a woman appeared by his side, smiling. Jungkook overheard a conversation beside him.

"Is that the Queen? Queen Jia?"

"No, they're still waiting on her."

"Then that must be Yeona, the king's mistress.."

Jungkooks looked to see the King and his mistress glance lovingly at eachother. He then watched as a handsome boy joined their side, prompting more whispers from those around him.

"Is that Taehyung? He's gorgeous!"

"No, of course not you idiot. That's Hoseok, the king's bastard—and Yeona's son. I hear the king favors him."

Jungkook couldn't help but stare at the boy's demeanor. Confident like his father yet soft like his mother. Hoseok whispered something to his father as another fanfare sounded.

"Her Majesty, Queen Jia." a guard shouted as the Queen walked the path, stopping a couple steps in front of the other three with a smirk, radiating dominance. Jimin followed quickly behind her, stopping at her side.

Jungkook watched as the princess glanced around, presumably in search of her fiancé. As if on cue, all heads turned to find a disinterested boy walking left of the crowd. The audience cleared a path to walk through and bowed as he passed.

Jungkook was in awe. The prince looked—for lack of a better word—princely. He had sharp, defined features and raven black hair. His demeanor was intimidating, seemingly disinterested in the activities occurring before him. He stopped in front of the princess, and bowed. The two began to exchange words, however, Jungkook couldn't make out what they were saying.

He turned his focus to Jimin, who shifted his weight. His face was soft, and his blonde hair fell nearly upon his forehead. His demeanor seemed calm, yet impatient. Jungkook didn't realize he was staring until Jimin's eyes met his own. Jimin's blank expression turned into a small smile, and Jungkook flushed once again, facing back towards the prince whom he recognized as Taehyung.

The prince led the princess, as they walked towards the rest of the royals side-by-side, the ladies-in-waiting followed behind. The crowd bowed once more as they passed.

Taehyung's face remained disinterested, and his mind seems elsewhere.

Jungkook took note.