DOMINANTLY SUBMISSIVE | JIKOOK [OG]

°12°

Should Have Known
Better

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Author's POV

“You look happy today…” 

Jeongguk spared a smile at the comment as he took a sip of the Jasmine tea, feeling the hot liquid run down his throat. He sighed in relief before focusing back on Hyun-Joo who only observed his behavior silently. Probably surprised by the sudden changes because Jeongguk usually woke up with a serious face but somehow this time, he looked content. 

“Are you crazy?” Hyun-Joo asked once he noticed Jeongguk was smiling all alone to himself for no reason. It was a rare sight to be seen… The crown prince looked like a teenager who had met their crush in the hallway. 

“Worse.” Jeongguk answered simply. 

“What could be worse?” 

“In love.”

Hyun-Joo's mouth agape at the sudden confession. Silence surrounded them as the older tried to figure out whether he heard it wrong or Jeongguk really said it. He stared over the crown prince, watching the smile lingering on the thin lips as a proof to everything he wanted to know. 

“Congratulations, Jeongguk-ah!” He spoke happily and poured over the Jasmine tea in his cup and the younger's cup. “Wishing you endless love and happiness, Your Highness!” Hyun-Joo glorified excitedly as he held out both of his hands high while holding the tea before gulping it all down as a way to express his joviality towards the announcement. “Who's the lucky woman?”

“It's my husband…” 

Hyun-Joo choked on the drink as he coughed out loud. He wasn't expecting that at all. Though he knew the crown prince had been in a dilemma within himself, he still hadn't anticipated this. He thought it would be a while before Jeongguk would accept his feelings. Calming down, he smiled at the words spoken but frowned when Jeongguk didn't look happy. 

“What's wrong?” Jeongguk sighed hearing the question and looked down at his hot tea, watching the fumes disappearing in the air. Everything was wrong… He didn't know where to start and how. He wasn't even sure where the future would bring him. 

“Everything.” He answered simply and Hyun-Joo raised his eyebrows, silently asking for proper explanations behind the short answer. Jeongguk knew it but he decided to keep the thoughts hidden and focus back on his main motive. He didn't ask the older one to come to his room in the morning for nothing. 

He shrugged and reached for his pouch before tossing the Norigae on the table. Hyun-Joo's eyes twitched in interest as he abruptly grabbed the pendant, eyeing the design properly. “An attempted murder was committed on me three weeks ago…” Jeongguk started, catching the other's attention as Hyun-Joo put it down and patiently waited for the crown prince. “It was a male and I believe it belonged to him. He was wearing a talbak...” Jeongguk trailed off, sipping on his tea before continuing. “A vitriol attack was made on Hieora three days ago. She claimed he also wore a talbak.” 

“It's the same person…” Hyun-Joo finished what Jeongguk wanted to say as the crown prince hummed in acknowledgement. 

“But that was only an assumption. I need you to investigate this matter further.” He concluded and Hyun-Joo nodded, obeying the instructions given. “At first I thought it was better to check the royal members to see who didn't have a Norigae but I believe they already bought a new one so we just need to go south from here.” Jeongguk finished explaining as they leapt in silence, leaving both males occupied by their own thoughts.