The Ugly Duckling [Jinkook, Minjoon, Taegiseok]

32: Shift in Responsibility Part 2

Ages at the moment:

Seokjin and Yoongi: 21

Hoseok: 20

Namjoon: 19

Jimin and Taehyung: 18

Jungkook: 16

~~~~~

"What did you need to talk to me about?"

"We know you know where Namjoon is," the king challenged.

"He tells you everything. You two have always been way too close," the queen scoffed.

Jin frowned. "I don't know where he is," he lied, straight faced and even toned. "I haven't seen him in a few days. He was too depressed to leave his room after not being allowed to see Jimin anymore."

"Do not say that peasant boy's name!" The queen snapped. "And do not take that tone with us! You sound like you are trying to make it our fault. You may be more respected now than before, but that can quickly be changed if you challenge us."

"My apologies," Jin resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"Anyways," the king cleared his throat and signaled for his wife to calm down. "We have called you here to tell you that we are making you the crown prince and that you will be marrying Jisoo unless Namjoon comes back to accept his responsibilities."

"What?! You can't do that!" Jin gasped, even though he wasn't entirely surprised. After all, he had just predicted this outcome a few minutes ago.

"And why not?"

"I'm promised to Prince Jungkook of Busan! You will break a very important treaty!"

"We don't have any hard feelings anymore, so the treaty doesn't matter," the king waved a hand dismissively.

"I haven't gone through any schooling or training to become a king! I don't know how to run a kingdom!"

"We can start you on lessons with a tutor right away," the king rebutted.

"I don't even want to be the king!"

"You are our eldest son, and the throne rightfully belongs to you. Even if you don't want it, it is your responsibility to take on your role as king of Seoul."

"This is so unfair!"

"Well then I suggest you get in touch with Namjoon and convince him to come back."

"I don't have any contact with Namjoon!"

"Shut your mouth. Lies are unbecoming of you," the queen bit out venomously.

Jin gave up and turned away, ignoring the calls of his parents as he marched off to his room.

When E saw Jin on his way back, she made her way over to him just as he was arriving at his bedroom.

"How did it go?"

"I hate them," Jin gritted out, wiping away tears.

"Are you crying?!"

"No," Jin stubbornly denied the truth and slipped into his room.

"Jin!" E squeaked as the door was slammed in her face. "Please let me in! I'm here if you want to talk... Jin?"

After not getting an answer for five minutes, she put her ear to the door to hear for any noises. She gasped and pulled away when she heard Jin crying.

E ran back to her room and pulled out some paper. She wrote a note to Jungkook and called out to the birds. A messenger bird answered her call.

"Please take this note and deliver it to Prince Jungkook in Busan. Thank you," E held out the paper.