Hold My Hand - A Taekook Love Story.

03 - Please Don't Make Me Worry.

"You have behaved in an utterly irresponsible way, prince Jungkook. What if someone recognised you? And threatened your life in any way? Do you understand the gravity of your actions?"

"Yes father."

"Jimin may be an excellent swordsman but even he can't protect you against a large crowd. Did you even care to think about the position you put your guard in?"

"Yes father."
.
.
.

"Yes father."
.
.
.

"Yes father."

A muffled cough is what alerted Jungkook that something was amiss. He looked up at his father, only to see him frowning in displeasure. Jungkook was looking down at the floor so he missed the slight smile that passed his father's face, before it settled on the current frown.

"Uhh.." Jungkook dared to give a quick glance at Jimin, who was shaking his head with the tiniest movement possible. "No, father?"

The King sighed. "Were you even listening to what I was saying, son?"

"Emm.." Jungkook gave a sheepish grin before answering. "I was. In the beginning."

The King suddenly looked tired, and as if he had aged 5 years in the last 5 minutes. He stared at Jungkook for a while, making the latter shift uncomfortably under that gaze.

"You know, I have never restricted you from doing anything you wanted. I don't think there has been a single member of the royal family that had more freedom than you. All I ask in return is for you to be safe. Tell me, prince, is that a too unreasonable request for your father to make?"

The sad tone of his father made a much more effect on Jungkook than his scolding. The prince lowered his head in genuine regret this time. "I'm sorry, father."

"Jungkook-ah, I lost half of my world on the day your mother died. I don't know what I'll do, if something happens to you. Please.." The King waited till his son raised his head so that he could see the pleading in his eyes. "Please don't make me worry like this."

Jungkook gulped a bit before nodding his head. He didn't want to speak due to the fear that he might cry. Even though they were in the King's chamber with only a few trusted people, he didn't want to show his vulnerability.

The King looked at his son for a few more seconds, before gesturing towards the door with his head. "Alright, then. You can go."

Jungkook bowed to his father respectfully, before retreating from the room. Jimin followed him, keeping a few feet distance between them as the prince walked in the direction of his own room.

Once they reached it, Jimin stopped the prince before he entered. "Your highness.."

Jimin has few ways of addressing the prince. When they are in the palace and with other people, it's the respectful 'your highness'. When they are alone, it's a more endearing term, 'my prince'. When they are outside and need to keep the Prince's identity a secret, it's 'Kookie'.

Jungkook stopped at that call but didn't turn around. "I'm tired, hyung. I think I'll take a nap. You're excused."

Jimin watched as the prince went into his room and closed the door. He knew the prince from when they were toddlers and knew exactly what goes in his mind.

The prince was sad. The death of his mother is not something he can think or listen lightly. The Queen died at Jungkook's childbirth, making the younger son of the King be raised without a mother.

Sure, he had devoted maids for his each and every need since the day he was born but nothing can fill the space of a mother. The king refused to get married again, and he hadn't taken a concubine in his life either. The king loved his queen very much. He couldn't even fathom the thought of giving that place to another woman, no matter how much some of his ministers persisted.

The next heir to the throne, Crown Prince Junghyun was already at the age of 9. He was devastated, but like a true leader, managed to keep his head up and support his father.

Prince Jungkook was another story. As a newborn, he needed a mother. But as it happened, he got the love and care he needed, multiplied by a hundred times. Every woman in the palace thought of him as their own child and cared for him in a way a mother would.

He grew up with so much love, with literally having the entire palace wrapped around his finger. Which is the biggest reason why his heart is so pure. He had known nothing but love and happiness in his entire life.

The King and crown prince Junghyun made sure of that.

"Is his highness okay?"

A soft voice pulled Jimin out of his thoughts and he turned around to see a group of maids standing near him with worried faces.

"He's tired." Jimin gave the excuse, knowing fully well none of the people present would believe that. "I don't think we should bother his highness right now."

The maids looked even sadder, some were even close to tears. "But we brought Prince Jungkook's favorite dish."

Jimin thought for a few seconds. Prince Jungkook did love food. Maybe it will be able to cheer him up. Jimin walked up to the door and knocked softly.

"Your highness?" Jimin gave it a few seconds but there was no answer. "Please, can I come in?"

Jimin waited for about a minute but there wasn't any sound from the room. He didn't know whether the prince was purposely ignoring him or he had simply fallen asleep. They did have a very tiring morning. Jimin turned back to tell the others to go, deciding that it's best not to bother the prince, but a maid was faster than him.

"Your highness, we brought the honey pastries!"

They all, including the two guards stationed outside the door, held their breath and waited. And after about half a minute, the door opened slightly and a small voice spoke out.

"Honey pastries?"

The maids all squealed and giggled with delight as the door fully opened, showing the prince who had half a smile on his face. He went back and plopped on the bed as a maid walked in holding the plate of honey pastries.

She placed it on the table, fixed the table cloth a bit too before giving a bow to the prince. Jimin watched with fond eyes, as the prince gave a soft smile to the maid, before reaching to take a pastry.

Jungkook's face lit up a bit as the sweet taste covered his taste buds, and he closed his eyes. Jimin gestured to the maid to go, and she complied happily. They had accomplished what they came to do anyway, which was putting a smile on their beloved prince's face.

Jungkook opened his eyes at the sound of the door closing and looked at Jimin. "Do you want one too, hyung?"

Jimin shook his head with a smile, respectfully declining the offer. Both his stomach and heart were already filled, just by looking at the Prince, who was currently picking up his third honey pastry.