Forced Crown

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Flashback

Taehyung ran into the forest, even though it was against the rules. There was a path he knew, made with rocks at the edges. He followed it to a small cabin made of wood. Knocking on the door, a boy of 11 comes out.

"Hi, hyung," the boy greets. "Jungkook! Wanna go pick some berries? I found the perfect spot!" Jungkook nodded and they headed to said spot. It was in the middle of a clearing, with little bushes here and there.

"Here. This berry is very sweet," Taehyung commented as he picked a plump red berry. "Are you sure you know they are not poisonous?" Jungkook asked worriedly. Taehyung smiled in reassurance.

"I studied plants and herbs with my tutors. I know what's poisonous and what's not." Jungkook just smiles and the two pick berries. They move on to the next bush, Taehyung pointing out the properties of the different types. When they started to head home, Jungkook got scared, and out of instinct, he held Taehyung's hand.

Taehyung turned towards him and said, "It's ok, Jungkook. Nothing can hurt you while I'm here." Jungkook nodded, the basket on his forearm. They walked back to the small cabin, splitting the berries.

"Here." Jungkook shyly gave Taehyung a small blue flower he picked. Taehyung smiled and took it happily, placing it amongst the berries in his pile.

When he walked away, berries and all, he could've swore he saw Jungkook-

Ring.

Taehyung's alarm rang annoyingly, as usual. Getting up, he started his usual routine of getting ready to be a prince. He came downstairs dressed properly, a red cape billowing behind him. His father greeted him. "Ah, my son, meet Anastasia." Taehyung looked over at the young woman by his father.

Anastasia was petite, with a small figure. She had blond hair, brown eyes and a sculpted face. Her lips were rosy, her cheeks dotted with blush. She wore a pink gown with white heels, a small purse in her hands.

Seeing Taehyung, she did a little curtsy. "Greetings, Your Highness." Taehyung bowed to her in return, taking her hand and leading her out of the room, trying to satisfy his father.

Upon the both of them being away from the parents, Anastasia pouted. "You know they are forcing you, right?" Taehyung nodded. "I already have a love, but my father forced me to come here and sit still, look pretty."

"I get it. Let's just be friends, and pretend we're lovers," Taehyung said. Anastasia nodded. "I will respect your boundaries, Prince. Let's head upstairs." Taehyung nodded and led Anastasia to his room.

Sitting down on the couch, the servants brought in tea. "So, tell me, what has been going on, Taehyung?" she asked.

Anastasia

Taehyung is probably the most obvious person I've ever met.

We've been friends since childhood, he was 4 and I was 3, as our mothers would talk, and we have just had that bond ever since. I have absolutely no interest in marrying him, but we have to keep up the facade for the parents. He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. I can see the stress radiating off of him, the burden of being the oldest. The first to marry.

"I've been really stressed out about the marriage. It's so bad that my father wants me to get married, but it's worse that he's forcing me." I nod, taking a sip of my tea. "I think this week and more is probably going to be the most shitty weeks of our life," I say with a small smile. He lets out a laugh. "Yeah. But, did I ever tell you..."

He pauses. I put my teacup down and look at him in concern. "Is there something you need to tell me?" I pose the obvious question. I see him tense, and I know something is wrong. He's hiding something. From his family, maybe. From me, not anymore.