Forced Crown

𝐼𝒱

Taehyung

We just stared.

This boy was so attractive, too. Fluffy black hair, with little curls that look like they could bounce. Big brown doe eyes that could hold a universe. A hooked nose, moles on his face. There was a little scar on his left cheek, and his cheeks look so pinchable.

His jawline is sharp and angular, a tall but slender figure. And his lips are rosy and plump, with a little mole near his lower lip. He was dressed in a simple outfit, a white shirt, black apron and pants, holding a worn gray rag.

He was the one who broke the silence with a clearing of his throat. "Tae- Uh- Prince Kim. What are you doing here at this time?" I sigh. "I just remembered your place. You made those plain noodles for my mother all those years ago."

The boy nodded. "I remember. And I can make another order. Just not down here. I cleaned earlier and was just about to finish. Can I have five minutes, Your Highness?" I smiled. "No need to ask me." The boy bowed and continued his cleaning.

I noticed he is tall, around my height. And his waist is so tiny. I shake my head. All to Hell with these thoughts. Anyway, he beckoned me forward, and I followed him behind the counter to a door leading to some stairs.

Climbing up them, I see that it's an apartment. "Sorry, I didn't expect anyone and didn't clean. I apologize for the mess, Your Highness," the boy says with his head bowed. I sigh. "It's okay. I really don't mind. My room is like this. No. My brother's is way worse."

Upon my joke, the boy chuckles and heads to the kitchen. I follow him and sit on one of the stools in front of the kitchen island. "So, Your Highness, flavor, no spice, or traditional?" the boy asks, leaning against the counter. I smile. "Traditional, please. Also, may I know your name? I'd like to give my compliments to the chef."

The boy stiffened again. Is he perhaps sensitive about the topic? "Jeon Jungkook. Nice to meet you, Your Highness." I nod. "Kim Taehyung, as you know me already," I say with a small chuckle, doing a royal bow in my chair.

Jungkook smiles and gets to work. It's the same as in the memory. The same technique. The same order. It's like I'm 12 again. I am in the square, in front of that carved wooden stall, watching him cook. Now I know his name. Jungkook.

Soon, the smell of sweet and spicy sauce and cooked vegetables reached my nose. "Oh, does that shit smell good!" I exclaim, only to cover my mouth, realizing I had cursed by accident. Jungkook just laughs, holding the plate and a pair of chopsticks in his hand.

"Hahaha. I can't. You can be yourself here. No need for formality. I'm fine with it. Let yourself be a free prince for a little while." Those words are said with a smile, and he carefully removes my hand from my mouth. I chuckle sheepishly, and I start eating the noodles.

Holy fuck. This is even better than I remember. The noodles are perfectly made, soft and chewy. The meat is medium rare, soft and tender. The sauce melts in my mouth, the taste of sweet and spicy dancing on my tongue. Each vegetable holds a crunch, adding a whole new freshness.

"Thank you. This is so good, Jungkook." He smiles shyly, a faint pink blush covering his cheeks. "I've only made this for 13 years, but yeah, it is good." I chuckle, a noodle dangling out of my mouth.

Jungkook reached out, and I froze. He plucks the noodle out of my mouth and plops it back into the bowl. Then we both start laughing. The minutes passed by, and we talked about how life is.

Jungkook told me he started cooking when he was 7, making food for his family. He started the stand and made it into a restaurant. After the pleasantries were finished, it was 9 p.m. and I had to get back to the castle. I thanked him again for the noodles before heading downstairs and exiting the restaurant.

I ran back to the castle, making it there at record time. The guards were on alert, and so I climbed the east wall. Once I was over, I had to find the garden entrance. Making my way through the bushes, I found the garden. The flowers were as vivid as ever, the myriad of colors on display. My hood fell, and I quickly put it back on.

And I found the garden entrance. Slipping my way through the wide double doors, I started climbing the stairs, reaching my room in no time. I stripped off my outside clothing and slipped into my nightwear. And I feel asleep peacefully, remembering the subtle taste of Jungkook's noodles.

A/N: Another short chapter. They finally met!!
I can promise a long chapter this time 😅
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