COLOURS ✓

TWENTY SIX

The crown was heavy upon Hoseok's head.

Everything that happened since his identity was revealed as the Prince was a whirlwind. It felt like he was ousted from his body and instead watching from a third person point of view as they took him from school and dressed him up in a king's outfit. He was just a child playing grown-up with a crown on his head.

Hoseok wasn't ready. He wondered if the whole world knew that as well, or if they were trusting him to be able to carry the burden of a whole country on his back. Hoseok wouldn't have ever been ready, and he knew this, but he also wished he at least had the time he was promised. But that was taken from him, too—from someone who they weren't able to weed out. It had to have been someone from inside the palace, but they couldn't tell who.

Hoseok remembered what had happened as he was escorted out of school. He'd said goodbye to Taehyung, stolen a kiss to keep for the time he'd be away, because he didn't know when he'd get to see him next. His friends had waved from the door as he left. Yoongi actually punched a reporter who tried to get into Hoseok's car.

Hyunseok had driven him back to the palace faster than Hoseok thought he would drive. Then they rushed into the palace, where Seokjin, Younha, and tons of officials were waiting.

The Queen was nowhere to be seen.

One of the officials said it was because she was dealing with the public's response. Hoseok didn't know whether that was true or not. He had no way to tell if they were lying to him or not. He felt isolated from the rest of the world, unable to get any contact from the outside.

The next two days were hectic as Hoseok filled out forms and attended meetings in order to inherit the throne.

And that all led up to now, where Hoseok was sitting down in his king's outfit. On paper, he was King; all they had left to do was have him make a public appearance. They had him dressed in a red suit with a cape and all. Hoseok didn't look at the details. The crown was the part he hated most. It felt like a sword hanging above his head.

Seokjin, sitting in the seat next to Hoseok, bounced his knee. "The drivers and bodyguards will be here soon. How do you feel, Hobi?"

"Like shit," Hoseok answered honestly. "I don't want this."

"I know you don't. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize."

"I owe you this apology from before, Hoseok." Seokjin wasn't looking at Hoseok, eyes instead on the ground. "What you said was right. I didn't know how much your mother not being there hurt you. Then, when she finally showed some support, I questioned it. It wasn't my place. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You were looking out for me."

Seokjin chuckled. "The King can take care of himself, can't he?"

"I can, but I don't mind it if you're helping me out."

Younha entered the room, cutting their conversation short. "Your Majesty, the—"

Then Hoseok felt it: his heart stopped beating for a second. After that came the pain. He keeled forwards, off of his seat and onto his knees, a hand clutching uselessly at his chest as flames burned through his veins. He cried out.

"Hoseok! Hoseok, holy shit, what's wrong?" Seokjin was at his side in an instant, a hand on his back. Younha had rushed forwards as well.

Then, as quickly as it had started, the pain ended. Hoseok lifted his head, breathing heavily. "My heart, my heart, it— it stopped."

Seokjin blinked. "It— what? Your heart. . ."

He was interrupted by a call. He picked it up and put it to his ear, worried eyes still on Hoseok. As the call went on, Seokjin's eyes widened and he gasped.