THE CONCUBINE || TAEKOOK ||

THIRTY FIVE

The King's Study

The door closed behind Jungkook with a soft click.

King Junghyun stood by the window, his back to his son. The afternoon light caught the silver in his hair, the slight stoop of shoulders that had carried a crown for decades.

Jungkook stood in the center of the room, his raw knuckles hidden within his sleeves, his face carefully blank.

The silence stretched.

Then the King spoke, still not turning.

"You beat a servant nearly to death."

Jungkook said nothing.

"In front of witnesses. In broad daylight." His father's voice was calm, measured. "The Min clan is already whispering. Your mother is beside herself. The court will have questions."

Still nothing.

The King turned. His eyes, ancient and knowing, studied his son's face.

"Was it worth it?"

Jungkook met his gaze. "He was going to hurt Taehyung."

Something flickered in the King's expression. Too fast to name, gone before it could settle.

"I see."

Another silence. Heavier this time. The name hung between them like smoke.

The King moved to the low table and lowered himself onto a cushion. He gestured to the seat across from him. Jungkook sat.

For a long moment, they simply looked at each other. Father and son. King and prince. Two men connected by blood and by a young servant neither could forget.

"Taehyung," the King said quietly.

Jungkook's jaw tightened.

"You know what he was to me."

It was not a question.

Jungkook's hands curled into fists beneath the table. His voice, when it came, was controlled barely.

"Yes."

The King nodded slowly. He looked tired suddenly. Older than his years.

"Then you know what the court thinks of him. What they will always think of him. No matter what he does, no matter who he becomes that stain will never wash clean."

Jungkook's eyes flashed. "He is not a stain."

"I did not say he was." The King's voice was gentle. "I am telling you how the world sees him. How it will always see him. And if you continue down this path, they will see you the same way."

"I do not care how they see me."

"You should." The King leaned forward. "You are the Crown Prince. The future of this kingdom. Every choice you make, every person you love, every breath you take it is watched. Judged. Used against you."