Winter Solace II Taegyu

Chapter I :Kang Taehyun, the Bastard of The Patriarchy

Taehyun felt an uncomfortable amount of awareness, the cold air felt like hundreds of thousands of needles piercing against his Chrystellian skin instead of a cool, gentle breeze. His stomach was twisting knots that never seemed to ease as the gallops of the palace horses became somewhat louder. Resulting the poor boy to wrap his little satchel tighter around his body.

"Are you alright Taehyun?" King Seojin asked, noticing his grandson's fidgeting.

The young Kang nodded, "I'm alright, I guess I am not used to carriages very much."

Duke Huening guffawed, "You sound just like my grandson, Tyun-ah! He never likes carriage rides, had him vomit on me once when he was a babe. Cried an entire hour when he was a toddler too."

Seojin scoffs and rolled his eyes, "That is because you jest him too much — you do not do that with Hiyyih and Leah. But you willingly play tea with them."

"That's because Hiyyih and Leah lets me eat the cookies," Lyonnel huffed, crossing his arms. "And they make excellent tea."

"Besides, Hyuka has the best reactions on my pranks. My granddaughters are not amused by them," the duke pouts sadly.

"And for good reason," Seojin commented before averting his gaze back to Taehyun.

"It's okay if you are not used to it now, my boy," he assures the child, affectionately patting his head. "Everyone does not always get used to it the first time. It takes time and patience for someone to get used to."

"I suppose so. . ." Taehyun mumbles, frowning still. He was still not used to the new found information about his family — all these years he believed it was merely him and his mother against the world.

Until his Grandfather came into the picture.

Seojin looks at Lyonnel who shrugs, a rather ungraceful gesture the duke of the West does in his presence. Usually the king of the North does not allow these kinds of gestures towards him - not even Kings from other Kingdoms.

'Lyonnel should consider himself lucky that he's an old friend,' Seojin humphs, denying the fact that he lets him slide every time because the Duke was a precious friend of his.

"So, how old are you Taehyun?" asked Seojin, trying to somewhat stop the boy from frowning.

By now the carriage has come to a halt, Seojin steps outside and offers Taehyun his hand — to which the young boy takes gratefully.

"I turned nine last winter," Taehyun answers, hopping off the carriage and stumbles a bit as his feet lands on the palace grounds. His eyes surveyed the perimeter, everything was covered in snow; from the gardens to the palace. But Taehyun thinks it adds more to the palace's beauty.

"Wow," Taehyun gasps, eyes wondering with pure fascination. He looks up to his grandfather who was already looking at him. "Is this really where I'll live now?"

Seojin chuckles and nods at the youngster, "Yes it is my boy."

Lyonnel hops out of the carriage and ruffles Taehyun's hair. "If given the opportunity I shall bring my grandson with me to Chrystelle — just so you don't feel too bored in the Diamond Palace Taehyunnie."

Seojin rolls his eyes, "How dare you say my palace is boring," he says, smacking Lyonnel on the head before gazing at his grandson. "Do not believe him Taehyun, this man is a jester."

Lyonnel dramatically held his head, "My head! If I become concussed I will have you know I will not remember you no more my dear friend!"

"That does not relate to concussion Lyon that is sudden loss of memory."