If someone would tell Kim Taehyung that his life would drastically change overnight because of his recklessness on that one, fateful incident, he'd probably laugh his ass off and tell them, "Yeah, right!"
But it did.
His life changed that night and...
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IX | The Grand Duke's Coronation
Contrary to what anyone would have thought, Taehyung had spent his heat period all alone inside his room. He wasn't mated to Jin yet, so it was understandable that he wasn't there to help him. His attendants and maids tended to him during this time though. He had a normal cycle, so it only lasted for three days.
But it was excruciating.
He was not even allowed to take any suppressants to deal with the cramps and the feverish heat.
When his cycle was over and he had regained his physical strength, the first thing Taehyung did was to look for Jin. Haegyung-ssi said he was out on an urgent business trip outside of the country, but Prince Jungkook slipped his tongue one time and revealed that Jin was just in Jeju Island. He didn't ask for more information. Maybe he was really on a business trip.
Probably.
But what he had accidentally heard at the North Manor when he went to visit the King and the Queen earlier in the morning had piqued his curiosity amongst anything else.
"Can't we move the coronation to a later date?" Jungkook had asked.
Namjoon, "Forgive us, Your Royal Highness. It's an auspicious date for your coronation, so the Royal Mother wants to push through it. You know how the elders are very keen in following the old traditions."
"But still," Jungkook paused, "it's a bit inconsiderate. I don't feel like celebrating knowing what Jin hyung would have to go through each year when these dates come."
"I know, but what else can we do? Everything is already set for your coronation."
Jungkook sighed in resignation, resting his case. "When will he be returning?"
"The day before. But knowing your brother, we never know."
"He will be there."
"Yeah. We know that. I just fear what kind of Seokjin we are going to face once he comes back from Jeju."
"Aren't we all?"
Taehyung didn't mean to eavesdrop on a private conversation between Namjoon-ssi and Prince Jungkook, but they were obviously talking about Jin.
And what kind of Seokjin are they talking about?
Putting it at the back of his mind, he left and moved along, going straight to Her Majesty's summer garden.
***
It was finally Prince Jungkook's coronation day.
Amidst the clamoring crowd below them and the chattering royalties behind him, Taehyung's eyes were only trained on the empty seat beside him on his right side.
