THE CONCUBINE || TAEKOOK ||

THIRTEEN

At the dinner

"Taehyung, can you serve this at the dining table? The other maids are busy, please!" Seokjin said, handing Taehyung a tray full of plates and bowls.

"But why me? You can send someone else. You know, Hyung, this is not my job." Taehyung replied, placing the tray back on the table, his voice tinged with anxiety.

Seokjin sighed, understanding Taehyung's fear. "I know you're scared, but Taehyung there's no one here in the kitchen right now, and I can't go either. I'll make sure it’s quick. Just this once, okay?" He gave Taehyung a reassuring look.

Taehyung hesitated but finally nodded, picking up the tray again. "Alright, just this once," he agreed, trying to muster up the courage to face the king again.

When Taehyung entered the room and saw the king, his legs felt like they would give out beneath him. The tray full of plates wobbled slightly in his hands as his nerves got the best of him, his heartbeat racing with fear of both the queen and the king.

He carefully placed the tray on the table and began emptying it, trying to steady his trembling hands. The king looked up from his meal and furrowed his eyebrows, puzzled by Taehyung’s presence.

“Taehyung, what are you doing here?” the king asked, his voice carrying an edge of authority.

Taehyung's heart skipped a beat, and he lowered his gaze, trying to find his voice. “Your Majesty, I was asked to serve the meal. The other maids are busy,” he replied, barely above a whisper.

"How's your wrist now?" the king asked, his voice cutting through the tense silence.

Taehyung's body stiffened at the question and he immediately replied slowly. "It's alright, my Majesty,"

The king placed his hands on Taehyung's causing the latter to gulp hard, "Take care of yourself and if you need anything just tell me."

Taehyung slowly nodded and retreated his hands back to his side.

Jungkook, who had been eating quietly, looked up and smiled upon seeing Taehyung.

The king nodded and continued eating his food. The queen, however, was not as easily satisfied. She set her fork down and looked at Taehyung with disdain. "How do you know such a low life, my Majesty?" she asked, her voice dripping with contempt. She signaled Taehyung to fill her glass with water.

Taehyung hurried to comply, his hands shaking slightly as he poured the water. The king took a moment before answering the queen, his gaze resting on Taehyung for a fraction longer.

Taehyung was filling the queen's glass when the king spoke up, "He's my concubine."

The queen's eyes immediately snapped to Taehyung, her gaze filled with fury. Taehyung flinched under her stare, but before he could react, she stood and yanked his hair, pulling him toward her. Taehyung cried out at the force, trying desperately to free his hair from her grip.

Jungkook immediately stood up, his voice filled with alarm. "Mother, what are you doing?!"

The queen ignored Jungkook's outburst, her eyes boring into Taehyung's. "You dare?" she hissed, her grip tightening. Taehyung's eyes filled with tears, the pain in his scalp making it hard to think. "Please, Your Majesty," he whimpered.