The Crown and the Sword

Selfishness

The sunlight streamed through the high, stained-glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the floor. The room was awash in hues of red, blue, and green, as if the very air were alive with the vibrancy of life. The scent of incense wafted through the air, mixing with the perfumes of the courtiers as they bowed their heads in deference to their king. Taehyung, clad in regal robes, sat upon his throne, his eyes fixed upon the entrance. He felt a flutter in his chest as he waited for his lover, Jungkook, to make his entrance.

The doors swung open, and in stepped Jungkook. His uniform, adorned with medals and badges of honor, gleamed in the light. His posture was straight and confident, his shoulders back, his chin held high. His hair, tied back in a tight bun, bounced slightly as he walked, adding a playfulness to his otherwise commanding presence. But it was his eyes that truly captured Taehyung's attention. They were alight with a mischievous glint, as if he held a secret that only Taehyung could share.

Jungkook made his way through the courtiers, their whispers and murmurs following in his wake. He nodded to them politely, acknowledging their presence but never losing sight of his true purpose. As he drew near, Taehyung rose from his throne and extended a hand, helping Jungkook ascend the dais. Once they were side by side, they bowed their heads in unison, signaling their allegiance to one another and to the kingdom they had sworn to protect.

Then King Kim Taehyung sat on his throne, his golden crown shining in the dim light of the candles that flickered around the room. His expression was grave as he listened to the noble who had just entered, panting for breath. "Your Majesty," the noble said between ragged gasps, "King of Seanoria has declared war on us. They claim that we have insulted them by rejecting their princess. They have formed alliances with other powerful kingdoms" Taehyung's eyes widened as the words sank in.

He turned to his , Jungkook, who stood beside him. Jungkook's face mirrored his own shock and disbelief. "What will we do now?" Taehyung asked, his voice barely above a whisper. The courtroom was silent, the air thick with tension.

One of the courtiers, unable to contain their frustration, spoke up. "You should have thought about this before rejecting their princess. You lost a good ally for our kingdom." Taehyung's expression hardened. "I could not marry someone I do not love," he insisted. His words hung in the air like a weight, heavy and unyielding.

Queen who had been quietly observing the proceedings, suddenly burst into tears. "Love, love, love!" she cried out, her voice shrill with emotion. "You've gone crazy, KIM TAEHYUNG!" And with that, she stormed out of the chamber, leaving the brothers and the courtiers stunned and bewildered.

As the door slammed shut behind her, the silence in the room was deafening. Taehyung felt a lump forming in his throat, and he couldn't help but wonder if he had made the right decision. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders, and he knew that the fate of their kingdom now rested on his choices. 

Taehyung slowly made his way to his mother's room, a sense of unease growing in the pit of his stomach. As he reached the door, he could hear muffled sobs coming from inside. The sound of his mother crying broke him into pieces.

The tears streaming down her face were like rivers of sorrow, etching their way through the delicate skin of her cheeks. Queen, Kim Taehyung's mother, stood before her large wooden armoire, her back turned to her son as he knocked timidly on her door. The hinges creaked softly as he pushed it open, revealing his mother's hunched figure, clutching a handkerchief to her chest. The air was thick with unshed tears and the weight of unspoken words.

"Mother," Taehyung began hesitantly, his voice cracking under the strain of emotion. He took a step forward, watching as her shoulders sagged further under the burden of her sorrow. "I'm so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen."

She turned slowly, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy. "You don't have to apologize, my dear," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's not your fault that you fell in love with someone but what about us? what about the kingdom?" Her words struck Taehyung like a dagger to the heart. He winced, feeling a fresh wave of pain wash over him.

"But Mother, I love him," he protested, tears welling up in his own eyes. "I can't help who I love."

She closed the distance between them, taking his hand in hers. It felt small and fragile in her own, as if it might break at any moment. "I know you do, my sweet boy," she said gently. "But the future of this kingdom is at stake. You must marry the princess, for the sake of our people."

Taehyung pulled his hand away, feeling a surge of anger and resentment well up inside him. "But Mother, I can't marry her. I love Jungkook!" He choked on the words, unable to meet her gaze. "I can't just abandon him."

Her face hardened, and her voice grew cold. "Taehyung, your father has built this kingdom with his own blood and sweat. You can't just throw it all away because you're in love with someone." She paused, searching for the right words to say next. "As his son, you have a duty to uphold your father's legacy. And that means marrying the princess and you can still be with Jungkook. Jungkook can stay with you as you know um......"

Taehyung's eyes widened as he realized where this was going. "As a concubine?" he asked, his voice trembling. "You want me to make jungkook my concubine and let princess be with me as well?"

She sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping once more. "I know it's not what you want, my dear, but it's the best solution for everyone. Your father would never forgive me if I let this kingdom fall apart because of my son's selfishness." Her words cut deep, and Taehyung felt a lump form in his throat. 

The queen's words pierced Taehyung's heart like a thousand arrows. He wanted nothing more than to tell her that he wasn't selfish, that he would do anything for her, for the kingdom. But the truth was, he was being selfish. He was being selfish by not letting go of the one person who meant everything to him, who had always been there for him.

Her sobs echoed through the throne room, each one a dagger to his soul. He couldn't look at her, couldn't bear the pain in her eyes. He wanted to take it all back, to make things right, but he didn't know how. All he could do was stand there, helpless, as she continued to cry.

Finally, he found the strength to speak. "Mother," he whispered, his voice cracking. "Can I be selfish just once? Just this once, for Jungkook?" His words hung in the air between them, a silent plea for understanding.

The queen's sobs subsided, and she took a shaky breath before turning to face him. Her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy, but there was a new resolve in them. "I wish I could give you what you want, Taehyung," she said, her voice hoarse. "I truly do. But I can't. Not anymore." She reached out a trembling hand and took his, squeezing it gently. "You must understand that this is for the greater good. It's not just about you and Jungkook. It's about everyone in this kingdom."

Taehyung looked down at their entwined hands, feeling the warmth of his mother's touch. He knew she was right, but it didn't make the pain any less real. "I don't want to lose him, Mother," he said, his voice barely audible. "I can't bear the thought of losing him."

The queen's expression hardened further, and she took a step back, her eyes flashing with anger. "Your stubbornness is going to destroy us all, Taehyung. Do you want to see this kingdom crumble around you? Do you want to watch as everyone you love suffers because of your selfishness?" Her words stung, and Taehyung felt a hot tear slide down his cheek.

"I-I'm sorry," he stammered, his voice barely audible. "I just want what's best for us."

She took a deep breath, struggling to control her anger. "Then you need to understand that sometimes, the choices we make aren't always what we want. They're what we have to do for the greater good." Her eyes bored into his, searching for any hint of understanding. "And right now, the greater good is for you to marry that princess, and keep this kingdom safe."

Taehyung stood there, silent and motionless, as his mother's words washed over him. He knew she was right, but the thought of giving up on Jungkook was more than he could bear. There is only one thing he knows that he cannot give up on Jungkook. Giving up on Jungkook meant taking his life from him. The air in the room seemed to grow thick with tension, the weight of their unspoken words hanging between them like a noose.