:Silver Lined Bones:

A PLAGUE's FARe 3

Taehyung?! Are you ready?!”

“Yes!”

Taehyung trudges out of his bedroom in unhurried steps, making his way through the corridors. He descends the staircase, his parents waiting for him at the bottom.

“Shall we use a cart?”

“How about a flight for you and Taehyung, darling? It would be much faster, and I could tag along on your back.”

“Let us fly there, then. I’m sure Taehyung wouldn’t mind.”

“Son!” Junhyun exclaims, his boisterous excitement at the outing one that Taehyung does not share. The man is dressed in an obscure, sage suit adorned with dragon scales at the shoulders, scales that Taehyung recognizes as being his father's. “You look…”

“Informal,” Dahee supplies, hands on her hips. She is also wearing a suit, Taehyung notes, the woman not fond of dresses and other garments as such that she finds both impractical and uncomfortable.

Taehyung has only mustered a slight effort to make himself presentable to the Jeon family.

He has opted for a burgundy linen henley, the top buttons opened to reveal two golden chains, one closer to the neck and the other dangling against his chest. The shirt is tucked in a tapered pair of black pants, the latter decorated with a plethora of pockets on the side as well as some front and back pockets. Taehyung has also finished the look with some equally black work boots and a rapid pass of comb in his black, wavy strands.

The outfit is complemented with Taehyung’s favorite cloak to have on during the winter, the garment made out of a black and gray wolf's fur. Its collar is wide and of a raven color, wrapping around Taehyung’s shoulders and down his biceps. The cloak is long, the hem nearly dragging across the wooden planks as he fastens the cross of double belts over his chest.

Taehyung’s draconic heritage as well as the type of his arcane renders him much less sensitive to the cold, however this early winter has proven itself to be one of the most frigid, where he finds himself shivering once outside.

“You look good, Son, but you could have dressed up a little more formally. We are meeting one of, if not the most important human imperial lineage.”

“Why should I?” Taehyung asks. “My betrothed will rarely see me dressed in formal clothing, might as well get him used to it if I marry him.”

“Petulant child,” Dahee says with a lighthearted laugh. “Oh I love this, actually.”

“Why the change of heart, Darling?” Junhyun inquires and guides his wife toward the exit door with a hand on her back, Taehyung taking it upon himself to fasten the entrance door shut behind them.

“Because the Queen is a stickler for rules and etiquette. She’ll be appalled to see Taehyung’s casual ensemble.” Dahee’s chuckle turns into a sound that is more of a sly cackle and by the Elders. Taehyung will always be thankful to not have this devious woman as his enemy. “The look on her face will be priceless.”

“It might be a promising and eventful night, then. Perhaps we will have the chance to taste their wine again, it was divine the last time we did.” Junhyun nods to himself.

“If not, we can task our son to steal from Jeon's wine cellar,” Dahee whispers to her husband, a glint of interest gleaming in Junhyun’s eyes.

“We have more than enough money to afford whatever refined bottle of wine the Jeon family makes,” Taehyung reprimands, feeling like a parent dealing with thieving children all of a sudden.

“Yes, but I do not like the Queen, and… borrowing from her would be a pleasing gift in return for the tolerance we have to exert in her presence."

“Elders know patience will be needed with her and the King."