How to Chase a Royalty. [j.jk + k.th]

Extra 2

*This extra contains the events of what happened after Taehyung drank the poison*

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I Found.

The scrawny body of the pale-faced boy touched the cold hardwood floor.

As he watched the scene unfold before his very eyes, Jungkook felt his entire body stiffen, caught in a trance.

I must catch him.

The thought rushed to his mind, strong and uncontrollable. It knocked him out of his shock, making him jump to his feet, hands reaching out to grasp Taehyung's limp body.

With wide, bulging set of eyes, his mouth let out a shout, "NO!"

He wrapped his arms around the boy, holding him carefully as if he were made of fine porcelain, susceptible to breakage.

"...Ugh." Taehyung groaned, face contorting in pain.

"Taehyung-ah, are you alright?" Jungkook inquired. The lines on his face crinkling with worry.

Instead of answering, Taehyung hurled his guts out.

Namjoon watched in horror as some of the mess got on Jungkook's perfectly pressed robes. It slowly began to leave behind a stain. Fearing for his friend's safety, he quickly offered his help, "Your Majesty, let me handle this situation."

He had only taken a step forward when Jungkook said, "No," firmly with zero hesitation, not even sparing the captain a glance.

Namjoon stopped short on his track.

"Taehyung, do you feel a bit better?" The king questioned, voice filled with concern.

No reply.

"Taehyung..." Jungkook's lips quivered as he gently shook the boy.

No response.

Jungkook felt something inside of him go numb. He became aware of this unpleasant, terrifying emotion crawling away at his skin from within. The one he had forced himself to triumph over when he thrusted a sword deep through his father's ribs.

He recognized this thing instantly.

Fear.

With shaky eyes, Jungkook opened his mouth to say, "...The physician..."

The words came out like a whisper that Kim Namjoon couldn't quite catch what the king uttered.

"Your Majesty?" Namjoon looked confused.

Jungkook raised his head and shot the captain a deathly glare. "I SAID CALL THE PHYSICIAN!"

The sudden shout startled Namjoon, but he maintained his poise and nodded.

Namjoon left the room.

Jungkook clenched his jaw in fury as his gaze fell on Minister Hyun who was cowering in the corner, breaking into cold sweat. Dread etched over his old and wrinkled face.

"You." Jungkook gritted through his teeth.

"Y-Your Ma-Majesty...." Minister Hyun's voice broke in a cry. He let out a hiccup. "I-It w-wasn't me. I-I swear on my country, I swear on your name, I would never dare commit treason..." With trembling body, he knelt, forehead touching the ground.

Kim Namjoon returned with a few other soldiers.

"Arrest him." Jungkook ordered.

Namjoon nodded. He walked over to the minister, and grabbed him by his shoulders.

"NO! No! Please! Your Majesty!" Minister Hyun pleaded, hands joined together for mercy. Tears streaking down his cheeks.

Namjoon handed the man over to the soldiers who began dragging him out.

Once again, Jungkook turned all his attention to the boy in his embrace. He raised his hand, and tenderly wiped away the sweat bead starting to form on Taehyung's cheek. "You'll be fine. I will make sure of it."

A memory began to play vividly in his mind.

One he had ceased to remember.

And, he swore on his life he wouldn't let himself or any other power on this realm to erase it again.

He couldn't bear it.

"I am not letting you go again." The king uttered. To his surprise, he received a weak smile from Taehyung who was still half awake.

As if he knew what the king was thinking of.

"I trust you." Taehyung spoke in a low, tired voice.

It was getting harder and harder to fight the sickness and try to stay awake. Taehyung's eyelids started to feel much heavier now.

Though the poison still remained in his system, flowing through his blood, he somehow felt peaceful and safe. His pulse came slow, easy. His breathing lighter.

How strange that he knew it would be okay to rest.

Even in grave illness, uncertain of his very future, he held on to that one spark of hope, and surrendered himself to sleep. The light dissolved around him and darkness engulfed him, yet the strong arms holding him didn't move a muscle.

***