SWITCH

Chapter 14

In the Palace Library, a prince was engulfed in the text of numerous history and ritual books trying to find something to resolve his current problem.

"Jeon Jungkook! What are you trying to do?", it was his father who entered the room angered

"What does it look like ?", he asked showing the book he was currently reading

"Don't try to play the fool with me, why do you need to meet with the Sages? As far as I remember you are here to help me find the ones who attempt Jungkook's life!"

So he found out that he asked for a meeting, well it was expected. Since the beginning of their so-called mission, all his father was doing is to talk about Jungkook and using him as a wager to find the assassins.

"Am I, not your son too? Or it's okay to put my life in danger just to save the oldest one... The one you choose to stay with you in the first place...", his comeback was too strong for his father to say anything, and words got stuck in his throat, so he used this moment to leave the library.

"Jeongkook..., I...", his son stopped and waited for a few seconds to hear what will be his justification, but nothing came out.

To his disappointment, he wasn't expecting anything, maybe a lie that he doesn't value one more than the other one. Which was obvious, you need to be blind not to observe that. But who is to blame? They were separated and it was expected that Doyoong will be attached to Jungkook more.

With a heavy sigh, he left the room, leaving his father one on one with his thoughts.

§

"Jungkook? Did you see the news?" it was Ari, she was looking for him with her tablet to show him what the media was writing about him and Chaeyoung's little meeting at kindergarten.

"Hey, what's wrong?", she asked when she found him alone, staring off into the distance in a sullen mood. Ari placed her palm on his cheek, caressing his skin like she used to when her son was feeling down. He leaned in, it was a warm touch he needed. He felt alone in all this mess full of lies, with his brother in a coma and a selfish father, he needed someone to lean on. If only Chaeyoung was there...

He shrugged it off and smiled at her, "Nothing much..., what should I have seen?"

Ari pretended that she didn't see his sadness and that something bothers him, something he tries to hide. She simply smiled softly and showed him the article which stated:

"Their Royal Highnesses Prince Jungkook and Princess Chaeyoung caught in an adorable drawing competition filled with love glances"

The article was full of their photos and supporting comments from the audience. But his attention was caught by one of the photos where Chaeyoung was looking at him, her eyes were filled with love, you can't convince him otherwise, it's written there in her soft features. He can still hear her laugh from that day.

"She's lovely, isn't she?", Ari asked teasingly as she saw how his eyes sparkled looking at her photos.

"I want to marry her", he declared suddenly which made her chuckle.

"You will! It's inevitable, she is your soulmate..."

"That's the problem. I don't want it to happen because she is my soulmate... I want it to happen because she wants it... I want it to be her choice..."

Her son is in love... It's so obvious... and she is happy that he is opening up to her.

"I am sure she loves you... I knew her since she was a kid... and even though you two had some difficulties (and she means Yeri ), she still loves you, which is a miracle considering how she was treated...",

"Then should I ask her the question?"

She laughed at him, "Make it special!"

"Thank you, Mom...", he hugged her

Unknown to them Sejeong witnessed their little moment. And she couldn't help but feel jealous.

§

In the same library and surrounded by the same books Jeongkook was engrossed in a certain paragraph when the book got snatched from his hands

"So this is what you trying to do, you are trying to break the soulmate string between your brother and Chaeyoung!", it was Sejeong, his mother, she was clearly, distasteful with his plans.

After she heard his conversation with Ari and their little mother-son act she followed him to find out what was he up to.

"Do you understand what you are trying to do? You will separate two people destined for each other!"

"Yeah? I thought you liked Yeri more, why the sudden concern?"

She was taken aback, since when did her son become like this, "What's wrong with you? Since you met her you started to change, did you fall that madly in love with her?"

"Yes, I did! I love her so much that I will do anything for her!", he snapped back

"Jeongkook please, let's return home! Let them solve their problems... I want my son back...", she walked closer to him and pleaded, trying to get to his consciousness.

He sneered, "You are just like father... Both of you think only about one son... What about Jungkook? Isn't he no longer your son? When was the last time you visited him in the hospital? "

"Why are you talking like that to me?", tears escaped her eyes and she took a step back she almost doesn't recognize him anymore.

Seeing her a the verge of crying his face softened and guilt engulfed him. He started to regret his words, he approached her carefully and hugged her.

"I am sorry... I am so sorry Mom... Just... So many things are happening and... And Chaeyoung should be free... Let me free her and then we can return"

His mother hugged him back and nodded understandingly...