The Sacrifice of The Blood King: A Taekook Story

Chapter Nineteen: Passion and Poisons

*Slight smut warning*

...

While Jungkook is off planning for tonight, Taehyung is doing the same. He knows exactly which tale he is going to tell, for it is long and lyrical and should keep the attention of The Council as the king needs him to. The king...Taehyung feels his cheeks flush as he thinks about Jungkook and the comfort that he has provided. Many people only see him as the Blood King, as a pawn to be feared or controlled, yet Taehyung has seen so much more. He is a true king. He cares about his kingdom and all that live in it. The fact that there have been so many attempts on his life bothers Taehyung far more than he can express.

So he doesn't. He stops focusing on the death and deceit that fills the Council around the king and instead focuses on his own plans. He hums a small tune as he strips naked and climbs into a tub of scalding hot water. He washes off the dirt and grime from the night before, letting it sink to the bottom of the tub as he scrubs it all away. He rinses his hair and skin with a pail of clean water, hoping to wash away his nerves along with the soap.

Taehyung slips out of the tub and instantly into a robe when he hears faint tapping against the door and the sound of the knob rattling. The door is locked, however, there is scraping that has Taehyung immediately looking for a place to hide. He rushes to the wardrobe, climbing inside of it and shutting the door as his heart pounds in his chest and he can feel the fear rising. He pulls the robe tightly around himself, adjusting his position so he can peek out the small crack in the wardrobe when the door unlocks and pops open. A man Taehyung has never seen before steps into the room, looking around sneakily as he moves to the table and sets down a tray of food and drink. He pulls a vial out of his pocket and sprinkles a powder into a cup and on the food as well. Taehyung can feel his panic rise when the man turns to look around the rest of the room, and his eyes land on the tub, brows furrowing as he stomps towards it. If he notices the water is still hot and still draining, Taehyung knows he is done for. Panic shifts in his veins to determination. He can't let this man poison Jungkook. He can't sneak in and get away with that.

As soon as the man is leaning over the bathtub, Taehyung quietly opens the wardrobe and steps out. He is behind the assassin, the man's attention on the bathwater, so Taehyung has time to grab a weapon. Any weapon. The only thing within reach is the fire poker, the iron rod heavy in his hand, yet he knows he won't be able to get out of this. So he does the only thing he can think to do; he swings the metal rod down as hard as he can and hits the man on the back of the head. The assassin drops with a groan, body falling towards the tub, and while it would be convenient for the man to drown, Taehyung has too many questions. So he grabs the man and has him fall to the floor unconscious.

The door sounds again, and Jungkook enters, a frown on his lips when he notices it unlocked and slightly ajar. He looks up and sees Taehyung in a robe, his chest and chain exposed, with a slightly bloody fire poker in his hand. Taehyung shakily points down, and Jungkook sees the man at his feet; it is one of his servants. One who has been in his employment for years now...what the hell was he doing in here?

"Kitten...I'm going to need an explanation," Jungkook states, walking towards the table to set something down and noticing the tray of food. He reaches out to touch it, and Taehyung quickly rushes to his side.

"Don't eat that!" he cries, grabbing Jungkook's wrist in a tight grip that concerns the king. He can hear the fear in the prince's voice and feel it in the trembling grasp on his arm. He lets the prince drag him away from the table, though he flashes him a look that demands answers.

"I want that explanation still," Jungkook commands, and Taehyung nods, fingers gently caressing the king's forearm to calm his nerves.

"He...I heard...I heard the door...he picked the lock. I hid. I was in the wardrobe, but I saw him poisoning the food, and he noticed the tub, so I...I hit him...I'm sorry..." Taehyung stutters, yet his nerves settle when Jungkook's fingers grip his chin and lift his gaze so he has to meet his piercing eyes.