Rapunzel (Seventeen JeongCheol story)

Chapter 14 - Struggles

A/N: Thank you so much for loving and supporting this book! It means a lot <333

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Jeonghan and Dino just had enough time after successfully landing back in the tower to push the wardrobe in front of the magic painting on the wall before Gothel would've arrived through the window with the help of Hugo. Dino wondered what Jisoo did to try to hold the witch back because he certainly did a great job, seeing that it would've taken Gothel less than a minute to get into the tower, and Dino was gone for at least 10 minutes. Now thinking about it, the witch seemed to be quite tired about life. Or maybe it was because of a certain bunny. He had to ask Jisoo about it later.

'Jeonghan' spoke up Gothel. The boy and the dragon stood with their backs against the wardrobe's door in fear. 'I think I gave you enough time to think' said the woman. 'Let's hear the name of your knight in shining armor.' Jeonghan inhaled sharply.

'I don't know his name' he said in a shaky voice.

'You're being so stubborn' growled Gothel, then she looked at Dino. 'Hugo' she called out to her dragon who was still floating in front of the window. 'Keep an eye on your son. He is too friendly' she said, noting the fact that Dino was standing on Jeonghan's side instead of hers. Literally.

Dino frowned. He was just doing what he was being taught all his life. He was being loyal to his human. Why can't Hugo see that?

What surprised them most was when Gothel simply turned back and went to the window, getting on Hugo's back.

'Don't think you can just escape all of this, Jeonghan' she said calmly. Jeonghan hated when she acted so chill. It never meant anything good. It was always the calm before the storm. And he knew a huge storm is about to come after this.

He and Dino stayed in their place in silence until they couldn't hear the sounds of Hugo's wings anymore, signaling that Gothel is either back on the ground or left the castle on the back of the dragon. Dino exhaled loudly.

'You saved my father!' he exclaimed and hugged Jeonghan happily with his short hands. Jeonghan hugged back, but he was deep in thoughts.

'Yet. But I can't stay' he said sadly. 'We have to escape this place, Dino. In my whole life Gothel made me believe that the outside world is evil. Meanwhile it was her being evil all along. We need to leave.'

The two friends pushed the wardrobe away, freeing the painting again.

'I'm leaving tonight' said Jeonghan, looking at the painting of the village. 'You guys will have to go too... but you also need to convince your father! He can't stay... he will be in danger. He has to find a place where Gothel can't find him' he added. Dino nodded.

It was decided.

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'Mother?'

'Yes, Seungcheol?'

'Can I invite Key to tonight's party?'

A lot of things happened at the same time at Seungcheol's question. The maid who was adjusting Taeyeon's hair dropped the comb. Soonyoung, who was just walking through the lounge and accidentally overheard it, stopped abruptly, making Seungkwan walk straight into him from behind. Even Seungcheol's oldest younger brother, the 12 years old Jihoon, and his best friend, the 14 years old Yoongi stopped playing chess in the other side of the room and looked up as Taeyeon put down her cup of tea and looked at her son.

The only people in the room who weren't affected by his words were the 5 year-old triplets. Seokmin, Mingyu and Minghao continued playing with their blocks as if nothing had happened, giggling loudly from time to time.

'Why would you do that?' narrowed her eyes Taeyeon.

'It was just a rhetorical question' protested Seungcheol.

'Awesome. My rhetorical answer is no' said Taeyeon and grabbed her cup again, gesturing to her maid to continue with her hair. The girl quickly finished her job and bowed, leaving the lounge hurriedly.

'But why?' asked Seungcheol slightly annoyed. 'I know that our countries used to be allies! You and Key used to be friends. Someone needs to take the first step towards peace! If you continue like this, our countries will forever be enemies when we could be allies again!' he said. From the corner of his eye he saw that Yoongi and Jihoon went back to playing chess (luckily the two weren't the nosy types), and he also saw Soonyoung picking up Seokmin while Seungkwan held Mingyu's and Minghao's little hands as the five of them left the lounge towards the castle garden. Seungcheol was thankful for the help from his friends.

'That's not how it works, son' said Taeyeon strictly. Seungcheol glared angrily.

'That's exactly how it's supposed to work! How long are we supposed to have what we have now? The war set families apart, Mom!' he added, remembering Wonwoo's story, who hasn't seen his older brother, Junhui for several years now. Taeyeon pressed her lips in a thin line.

'Key must pay for what he did to us' she said finally.

'And that's exactly what he would say about us, too' said Seungcheol.

'He has no right to talk about me like that! I didn't do anything to him but he wouldn't understand!' said Taeyeon angrily.

'Just like him! What did he do to deserve this treatment of yours, Mom?' asked Seungcheol. 'Just admit that both of you have been in a war for nothing for decades!'

Taeyeon stared at Seungcheol blankly before turning away from him.

'When you're older, you'll understand' she said.

Seungcheol frowned as he watched his mother walk away. Of course, when he is older. That's what she's been saying ever since he was a kid.

But will he ever be old enough to understand? Or is it rather his mother and Key acting all immature?

By now Seungcheol wasn't so sure.