Forced Crown

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•┈••✦ 👑 ✦••┈•

Now, our story begins in the throne room, where a young man sits in a chair beside his mother, the two of them watching two men argue. One a father, one his son. "Taehyung, you have to marry. You can't rule the kingdom alone."

The son, Taehyung, scoffed. "Father, I have enough knowledge to take the throne. I know this kingdom inside and out. I don't need someone by my side. I can do this by myself." With a huff, the prince, Kim Taehyung left the room.

His father rubbed the space between his brows, looking somewhat annoyed and stressed. "Why won't he listen to me?" he shouted annoyingly, the sound echoing throughout the throne room. Both the queen and the younger son flinched.
Sighing, the queen said, "My dear, at this age, they are always difficult. Give him time."
The king sat back down on his throne with a thump. "Well, you know how I am. He was to assume the throne soon. I can't give him time."
The younger son sighed. "Father, let me talk to him." The king placed his wrinkled hand on the younger's, the difference in youthfulness obvious. "Alright, Jihoon. Just...." "Try and convince him? Maybe. But I will try my best," Jihoon finished.
The king smiled as the younger son left, his teal cloak billowing behind him softly as he walked.

Passing by the castle's main entrance, the guards bowed to him, to which he responded with a nod. Heading up the stairs, he made a right turn, where all the royal bedrooms are located. However, Jihoon stopped in his tracks. He heard a slight creak in the wall, the movement of a person. With a sad sigh, Jihoon went to the left side of the hallway and knocked three times. A click was heard, and a secret panel opened. Jihoon stepped inside, finding his older brother, Taehyung, with his head in his knees.

Jihoon unbuckled his cloak and folded it neatly on the ground before sitting next to his brother. "What's wrong?" he asked softly. He heard a sniffle in response. Has his brother been crying? Sure enough, when Taehyung raised his head, his eyes and nose were red and puffy from crying. His brown eyes were glossy, tears pooling in them threatening to come out. "Did I ever tell you I had a best friend?" Taehyung said, his voice a whisper. Jihoon shook his head. "Well-" Taehyung's voice broke, and he swallowed.

"Remember when we went out to town? Mom was hungry and I got food from a stand." Jihoon nodded. He remembered. He was three, watching Taehyung talk to the one making the noodles. "Well, what if I told you I had feelings for that person? Like, I liked a man?" Jihoon's eyes widened slightly. "So, that's why you reject Father's decision to marry a woman. Because you have no interest." Taehyung nodded sadly. "And I'm afraid to come out."

With that final statement, he buried his head in his knees and started crying again. Jihoon pitied him. He gave his older brother a comforting side hug. His brother felt safe in his presence, so it allowed him to be a worried adult. Taehyung was 25, about to take the throne at 28. He has so much stress he has to hide it. But around his brother, he can find some clarity.

Only for a short time, though.

Taehyung sniffled. "I'm going to turn in. I can't be around Father anymore." He pushed the wall open, and headed to his bedroom. Jihoon repeated the same, grabbing his cloak and exiting the secret room. However, he went to the soldier's quarters to discuss matters with enemies from the Outer World.

•┈••✦ 💔 ✦••┈•

Taehyung

I hate my life.

Sometimes I think to myself, Do I still want to be here? And I think the unthinkable. Death. Willingly. But I'm the next king of Xaseon, and I can't leave my kingdom this early. Once I get to my bedroom, I strip off my uniform and get into comfortable clothes. I just left the uniform hanging in a corner of my closet, I don't want to see it again today. I run a hand through my hair, slowly walking to the door that leads to the balcony. I walk out, my bare feet meeting the warm, rough stone floor. The sun is high in the sky, casting a white glow over Kihe. I have a full view of the kingdom from here. My balcony is the highest in the castle, apart from the tallest tower. Our parents forbid us to go up there.

Suddenly, I have an idea. Time to break the rules again. I head back inside and grab a harness, a rope, and leather gloves. Fastening the harness on to me, I wrap the rope around a hook in the wall, one that I always use. Making sure everything is tied, I put on my leather gloves and hop onto the stone rail. I look down, a familiar wave of dread and nausea hitting my stomach. I've never been afraid of heights, but after I started doing this, it hit me more than ever. But the view is worth it. After checking everything was secure, I latched my foot onto one of the roof tiles and pushed myself up. My hands grab for another latch, and I begin climbing.

Climbing the brick walls of the castle is like climbing a rock wall on a cliff. You're high in the air, and the fear and adrenaline rushes through you like fuel. I started climbing as part of defense training. A king needs to know how to defend himself. I found a sort of passion for it, and I started climbing random things. Trees, rock walls in the forest. The castle walls. The house walls in alleys. Now, I would consider myself skilled, as now I'm climbing with a safety rope and to the tallest tower.

It's near my balcony, and after careful calculations, I revised a route. Finally, I reached the balcony of the tower. I grab the bottom of the balcony, but the rock slips and my hand falls. I lose balance, but my hand quickly finds another hook, secure this time. Using my arms, I hoist myself up to the railing and roll over to the floor. I take in a deep breath. And I look up.

Wow.

I see the city of Kihe, where all the royal associates live. Court members, servants. Their houses are white and modern, built to be stable. The sandstone has gold built into the cracks, allowing the sun to bounce off of them. Then, there's Assa. The city of the rich. Their houses are large mansions, displaying their large wealth. If you ask me, those people are so fastidious. They never accept anything. Then, there's Zomhi. Middle class. They are more respectful and responsible. They own most of the businesses. Their houses are not as big as the people in Assa, but it is still home for them. Then, Cavi. Low class. They don't have as much money, but they still manage to survive by growing crops and livestock. Their houses are small and meek. And....Tonu. The poor. Those people are struck by poverty. They can barely afford anything and those people die first when a disease or disaster passes through.

In the middle of the four cities, there's the large city square where most of the markets are. Say, the source of income for families. Then, there's the crop fields beyond the city, growing peacefully. Then, there's the Drumharst Gardens behind our castle. It's filled with flowers and plants that the growers tend to. Then, there's the Cresmiata Port. That's where we receive resources from the Outer World. We have special contacts, but we aren't sure if what we're doing is safe. And my favorite part, the Mistally Forest. It is so lush and colorful. I went inside with my best friend that I had a long time ago. Honestly, I was never the same after he disappeared.

I realize the sun is setting and my father or a servant will be coming to my room soon. So, I sling myself over the railing and jump. The rope starts turning at fast speeds, and when I'm close to my balcony, I pull the untied end of the rope to slow me down, and I land safely. I work quickly, putting everything back in their hidden places. I grab a book and sit down on my bed before I hear a knock on my door. "Come in."

Aaaaaaaaand...a servant enters.

"Your Highness, your father wanted me to deliver you dinner. Your favorite." She rolls in a cart with a plate containing thick noodles with toppings and sauce. I bow. "Thank you. You are dismissed." She goes back to me and exits the room, closing the door behind her. I could tell these noodles were from the town. And now it's bringing back memories... Oh well. I eat the noodles, the familiar taste there. Once I finish, the sun is set. Everyone must be in bed or in the living room by now. I decided to go to bed. I have already had enough of today.

A/N: Short chapter to start out! I will be writing short and long chapters here and there 😅
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