The Crown and the Sword

Broken Vase

The air was thick with anticipation as Jungkook and Yoongi made their way through the bustling market. The sun beat down relentlessly, causing the two cousins to wipe sweat from their brows and necks. The smell of exotic fruits, spices, and meats filled their noses, mingling with the sounds of vendors hawking their wares and people laughing.

 Despite the heat, the energy in the air was palpable. It was the eve of the coronation of the new king, and for Jungkook, it was also his first day as the commander of the royal guard.

They eventually made their way to a small noodle shop, where they found a shady spot to sit. The proprietor, an elderly woman with a kind face, quickly brought over steaming bowls of ramen. As they ate, Jungkook couldn't help but think about the day ahead. Yoongi, sensing his thoughts, looked up from his food and smiled at him. "Tomorrow's going to be a big day for you, kid."

Jungkook nodded, his mouth full of noodles. "I can't believe it's finally here," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. 

Yoongi reached across the table and ruffled Jungkook's hair affectionately. "I know you'll do great. You've worked so hard for this." He paused, his expression turning serious. "Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility. You're not only protecting the king, but the entire kingdom. The fate of millions rests on your shoulders."

Jungkook nodded solemnly, his heart racing at the weight of those words. "I won't let you down," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "I promise."

As they finished their meal and made their way back home, Jungkook couldn't help but glance over at his father, who was lying on his bed, looking frail and tired. His eyes were filled with pride and love, but there was also a hint of sadness there. He smiled looking at Jungkook but jungkook just nodded and went away. 

The room was dark, save for a single sliver of light streaming in through the gap between the drawn curtains. A figure lay sprawled across the bed, face buried deep in a mountain of pillows, a soft snore escaping their lips every now and then. It was KIM TAEHYUNG, the new king of the kingdom, and he was fast asleep.

His best friend, JIMIN, stood at the foot of the bed, hands on his hips, a look of exasperation etched on his face. "Taehyung!" he exclaimed, trying to rouse his friend from his slumber. "Wake up, sleepyhead! Its your coronation for God's sake!"

Taehyung mumbled something incoherent into his pillow, not even stirring. Jimin sighed and rolled his eyes. "You know, you're going to be the king today," he muttered, "and this is how you act?"

Taehyung grunted something that might have been a response, but it was impossible to tell. Jimin let out another sigh and shook his head. "Fine," he said, "if you're going to be like this, I'm just going to have to..." His voice trailed off as he surveyed the room, searching for something that might help him rouse his friend.

Spotting a vase of fresh flowers on the bedside table, Jimin grinned deviously. "Ah-ha!" he exclaimed, picking up the vase and emptying its contents onto the floor. The pile of flowers created a satisfying crash as they hit the ground.

The sound of shattering glass was loud enough to finally pierce through Taehyung's slumber. He sat bolt upright, rubbing his bleary eyes, and glanced around the room. "Jimin?" he asked groggily.

Jimin pointed a finger at him accusingly. "You owe me a new vase, you know," he said, trying to maintain a stern expression despite the mischievous glint in his eye. "Now get up, we've got a coronation to attend."

Taehyung yawned widely, stretching his arms above his head. "Fine, fine," he muttered, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Just give me a minute to get dressed." Jimin nodded and turned to leave the room, muttering something about making sure breakfast was ready. As the door clicked shut behind him, Taehyung let out a long, contented yawn, feeling more awake already.

He stood up and stretched again, glancing around the room, taking in the scattered petals of rose, lily, and carnation that littered the floor. "Guess I'll have to find someone to clean this up," he mused, already halfway to forgetting about the incident. With a wink and a grin, he headed towards the bathroom to get ready for the day ahead.

The coronation would be a grand event, no doubt, but even with the weight of the world on his shoulders, Taehyung couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation building within him. After all, he had Jimin by his side, and together they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

And besides, there was always someone else to clean up their messes.