A Royal Mess || Taejin

Chapter 21

Seokjin did not get to register what just transpired as he got immediately pulled to his feet by Taehyung. Jimin and Taehyung broke into a sprint, dragging along Seokjin who tried his best to minimise the amount of times he was tripping on thin air due to his weak limbs. Taehyung noticed his lover stumbling on almost each step so he hurriedly persuaded Seokjin to climb onto his back. Seokjin's feet were too shaky and heavy with with the dimeritium shackles clasped around his thigh.

They exited the dungeons, which caused Seokjin to let out an inaudible sob of relief, and bounded towards the great entrance of the palace where the pandemonium was louder and the turmoil lay infront of their eyes in its horrifying glory. Troops of foreign soldiers clad in armour and armed with swords and batons were attacking the unequipped villagers of Gyeongsong, clashing against the knights of his homeland and destroying everything in their vicinity. A cannon was fired from somewhere, the metal ball flying towards the palace walls and exploding in contact, causing a layer of the wall to crumble.

Seokjin saw Jimin turning towards Taehyung to give a nod which darkened Taehyung's eyes. Seokjin was about to ask what they were planning when Jimin broke into a run and went head first into the mayhem. Before Seokjin could react, Taehyung sprinted into the reverse direction, into the palace.

Some of the attendants peeked from their chambers and underneath the staircase and some were bold (or foolish) enough to approach Taehyung but got pushed away. Seokjin's head was a little clearer then and he realised that they were heading towards the back of the palace where the woods lay.

"T-Taehyung, Jimin- he-" Seokjin cringed at how hoarse his voice sounded, how strained his words were.

"Don't worry," Taehyung said quickly, his feline eyes focused on the corridors and hallways that he weaved through. Soon, they arrived at a dark hallway that had a single door at its end. Taehyung slowed down his pace and carried Seokjin to the door.

Seokjin wondered how Taehyung navigated through the palace without a moment of hesitation despite never having gone there. He also wondered how Taehyung managed to find the tiny, bronze key of the door which, as far as Seokjin's brain could muster recalling, had been forgotten in Seokjin's table drawer. Perhaps the reason to the both were the same.

Exiting the palace, Seokjin was met with the nostalgic sight of his former haven. It had been months since he rode Kimchi into the exquisite greenery of the woods, months since he felt the cool breeze tingle his skin and senses, months since the rich fragrance of nature filled his nostrils with the pleasure of freedom. Dawn was just peeking its hue from the horizon. Seokjin could not quite see the sky for the trees but he could picture the red blush of a waking sun paint across the dark sky. Oh, how he had dreamed to have Taehyung and himself in these woods, both riding on Kimchi with Taehyung at the back, his arms secured around Seokjin's waist. However, then that they were finally there, it was more of a nightmare than a dream.

Taehyung trudged forward, his steps more calculated that earlier. He did not have the same surety in his eyes like when he carried Seokjin through the palace. His mind seemed to be in a dilemma and Seokjin might have an idea of it.

"Taehyung. . ." He called out to his lover.

"Seokjin? Do you need something? Are you thirsty? Hungry? Uncomfortable?" Taehyung's mouth spewed questions.

"I'm alright," which was an ambiguous answer but Seokjin continued, "You seem lost. You are not supposed to be here, are you?"

Taehyung sighed. He buckled his knees slowly, allowing Seokjin to get down from his back which must be sore by now. Seokjin placed his hands on his lover's cheeks and for the first time in such a long while of being imprisoned, he could finally see his Taehyung and how distraught he was.