A Royal Mess || Taejin

Chapter 25

"This tunnel seems quite bothering," Jimin's comment echoed through the dark tunnel.

"This path is a shortcut. If we want to reach the Sacred Valley as fast as possible then this is the least time consuming way," Sana reasoned as she continued walking ahead into the dark tunnel without caring about the three skeptic princes behind her.

"Lady Sana, if there is another way, then let us travel by that. This area is not quite marked as safe on Nahae's map," Taehyung debated, his hand sub-consciously searching for Seokjin's and intertwining upon finding it.

"Oh, is that so? Or are your intentions subjected to prolonging the sacrifice, Prince Taehyung?" Sana hissed.

"How dare-"

"Taehyung," Seokjin pleaded lightly. He squeezed Taehyung's hand gently and shook his head to express that arguing with Sana was not worth their time. Sana had been leading them through quite suspicious paths that were life endangering. Maybe that was the only road to the Sacred Valley but Taehyung and Jimin could not suppress their suspicions.

"Lady Sana, this is a matter of our safety; yours included. We will understand if this is the only way but if there is a less risky path then please guide us that way," Seokjin said firmly.

"This is the only way I am familiar with," Sana concluded before murmuring, "Princes are such cowards," and continuing to walk in the darkness, the fire being ignited from Seokjin's hand being the only source of light.

"Princes are such cowards," Jimin mocked in a high pitched tone. "No wonder Jisoo and her are made for each other."

Seokjin smiled sheepishly while Taehyung snorted not very gracefully.
The three princes were leaving each footprint cautiously while being close to each other as that part of Nahae was cold even for Jimin and Taehyung who had grown amidst of ice and snow. In contrast to them, Sana marched ahead with her head held high and her eyes unwavering from the path. She seemed to confident about the path that it seemed like she had walked those footsteps before instead of hearing about it from her grandfather like she claimed.

Seokjin's fire illuminated the dark tunnel. It had icicles hanging from its ceiling and the walls were covered by a thin layer of ice. It was wide enough to hide a caravan of soldiers from enemy troops. It made Seokjin wonder if the soldiers of Nahae ever took refuge in that very tunnel during war with some foreign kingdom.

His eyes wandered around. Sana's tightly pinned hair was tucked into the wooly hood of her thick coat. Her dagger was hidden somewhere in the pockets of her coat or between the fold of her skirt. It made Seokjin a little unsettled that he did not know where his companion's weapon was. Jimin was walking next to Seokjin, close to the fire because he said dark places bothered him immensely. He had a sword at his belt like the rest of the two princes and he kept brushing his fingers against the hilt as if he was worried about ambushes. Taehyung's posture was relaxed but his eyes spoke a different story; they were alerted. Seokjin noticed that Taehyung kept glancing at him as of to make sure that he was really there.

"My Prince. . ."

"Yes?"

Taehyung pecked his lips and smiled. Seokjin sighed and tenderly kissed his cheek knowing that his lover was expecting something in return. During the past few days, Taehyung would physically express his affection towards Seokjin out of the blue and would give him melancholy smiles. Despite the complains from Sana, Seokjin would return the loving gestures as he wanted to cherish his prince as much as he could before he left and he knew Taehyung intended the same.

Seokjin saw from the corner of his eyes that Jimin's eyes were glassy. He turned to Taehyung who looked at him with the same expression his face would be painted in when he anticipated more kisses. Seokjin was about to leave a chaste kiss on Taehyung's lips when Jimin grabbed his arm abruptly, his eyes blown wide in alarm.