Forced Crown

𝓧𝐼𝐼𝐼

Jungkook

What?

I just heard that the King had ordered the Highness to set sail somewhere. What?

Here am I stirring noodles and hearing customer's gossip. I'm in the middle of making the broth for the traditional noodles when I hear some girls chatting. Their table is near the kitchen, and I can hear every word of their conversation.

"Yah, I just heard that the King made some sort of treaty," one of the girls said. "No, you pabo. He made Prince Kim set sail." Wow. The audacity to call a friend an idiot. A gasp. "Wait, he did? Prince Kim won't be safe out in the Grave Sea!"

I rolled my eyes. Taehyung is more than capable of taking care of himself. "Pfft, he'll have all his guards and everything. He is royalty after all." "Where is he going?" The creak of chairs as one of them leaned close. "They said he's going outside of the island. Into a foreign land."

"No! They can't! He can't go!" "Unnie, he has to. He's the prince." "He's mine." Jealousy suddenly clouds my senses, and steer myself away from the pot to slam my knife down on the cutting board, making a loud noise. I look over when I do it, and they flinch. A successful smirk creeps onto my face.

I finished making the noodles, and I realize that the order I was making was for them. Huh. I dish out the noodles and broth into three bowls and bring them over to the counter. One of the girls came over, the one who was whining about Taehyung. She's pouting. "What was that noise?" she whines. "I got scared." I chuckle, playing innocent.

"I was chopping vegetables and one of them was stubborn. Sorry." Not sorry. She smiles, blushing. "Okay. Thanks for our food." I bow my head in response and head back to the kitchen. She calls for her friends, and I go back to making orders. I wonder when Taehyung departs?

I make a few more orders. The restaurant sure is busy today. While I wait for some water to boil, I start making a home dish. Not the noodles, but I think something that Taehyung will like.

•┈••✦ ☁️✦••┈•

Taehyung gathered his things. He really didn't need a lot. Some clothes for the ship, his sword, a few books, and the treaty documents. Which he needed to keep extra protected. His thoughts strayed to Jungkook.

He loved him very much. And that was true. The physical and emotional affection proved it. At one point, he had to tell his parents. But what would be their reaction? They would be furious. His father would, he knew that. But, since he was... y'know...

How would he describe it?

There wasn't a word, but he didn't care. All that he knew was he loved Jungkook. Ever since they met.  Taehyung furrowed his brow. Something occurred to him. He's not around Jungkook a lot unless they come to each other. So, what is Jungkook doing most of the time? Run the restaurant?

Or something else?

He shook the thought out of his head, and he finished packing his things into a small luggage. He walked out of his room to meet Kiere. "Did you finish?" she asked, eyeing his luggage. "Yes, I did. Did my father send you?" "Yeah. And I'm supposed to escort you out."

"Okay. Let's go then."

Kiere led him outside, where she came with him on the way to the docks. Kiere dressed differently today. She wore a more formal dress, colored deep pink. It was more of a maroon. It went down from a snatched corset to a flowy skirt. She wore white heels that clicked with every step she made.

Her face glowed from the application of makeup, and her lips held a glossy sheen. She walked with her head high, full of confidence. Taehyung himself was wearing travel clothes. A white button down with black pants and boots. They took a different route that went away from the town square, where it was less crowded.

There were some people, and they acknowledged their presence by bowing. Taehyung nodded his head in acknowledgement. Kiere completely ignored them. Soon, they reached the docks. The sea seemed calm this morning, small waves flowing softly as if welcoming the prince's transport ship.

A man waited for the two of them where a ramp was built. He had a strong build, black hair, and brown eyes. He bowed. "Your Highness. I'm the ship's captain, John. Welcome aboard." Taehyung nodded his head in return. "Thank you." He boarded the ship, leaving Kiere behind.

"Taehyung!"

The prince turned around, finding Jungkook standing at the dock. He smiled. He gave his luggage to a crew member on board, instructing him to put it in his office. He ran down the ramp to meet Jungkook. John smiled. "Say your final goodbyes. We're going to leave in five minutes." He bowed, boarding the ship and yelling orders.

"Why did you come?" Jungkook smiled, but it held no happiness. "I just wanted to say bye. And I made this for you." He held up a small wrapped box. When Taehyung touched it, it was still warm. "Thank you, darling. Listen, I won't be away long. It's around a 2 day journey from here. It won't be that long." Jungkook pouted sadly.

Taehyung really was fighting to kiss those pouty lips.

"But...it's still long." Taehyung kissed his forehead. "I'll be back by the end of the week. It's Sunday, and I'll hopefully be back by Friday. You can meet me here." Jungkook nodded. Taehyung raised a hand, cupping Jungkook's cheek. "Okay?" Jungkook leaned into the warmth of Taehyung's hand. "Okay." Taehyung kissed Jungkook's forehead. "I'll see you soon. Love you." Jungkook smiled. "Love you too. Have a safe journey."

A pair of piercing black eyes watched this scene from afar. Their hands clenched into fists on the skirt of their dress. Their expression became unreadable. Why? No one knew.

Jungkook watched as Taehyung boarded the ship, leaned against the wooden railing, and blew him a kiss. Jungkook blushed and quickly walked away. Taehyung smiled from the ship. Jungkook is so cute when flustered.

"Untie the ropes! Pick up the anchor! Set sail for England!" The crew quickly acknowledged their orders, and soon the large vessel sailed out of the port, out into the big, blue sea.

Taehyung breathed in the scent of the salty air.

It was going to be a long journey.

A/N: And so it begins.
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