[Vkook] My King

The Price for Me to Stay

[This chapter is set in the past]

Taehyung had always been the center of everyone's attention.

At the palace he is loved, within the public he is respected, amongst a circle of friends he is treasured, and even when they traveled far from home, when they come to a kingdom on a foreign land, Taehyung's presence is still somehow more appreciated than anybody else in the room.

Jungkook on the other hand, differs a great deal from his brother. He doesn't have much friends, could never become any more unnoticeable than he already is, and perhaps is considered more as a commoner than an actual prince.

The difference between an heir and an outcast, one might say. Both the king and the queen and the rest of the people in the land obviously preferred Taehyung over Jungkook, and the truth of it stings more than words can say. Jungkook doesn't know what's wrong with him to make everyone overlook him, but there's a strong feeling in his gut that tells him it was because Taehyung is just better than him altogether.

In all honesty, Jungkook wanted it; the glorious, thrilling life of a prince. Filled with excitement; of contentment and bliss. A life where he is knelt to and worshipped, where everyone and everything bends to his will – yet because Taehyung existed, Jungkook couldn't have that life. Instead, all of Jungkook's years was filled with the image of a shadow looming over him and taking away the glory that could've been his.

Sometimes there are a couple of Taehyung's friends who looked his way with pity brimming in their eyes, and Jungkook could almost hear what they are thinking. 'Poor little thing, always meant to be under his brother's glory'–and the words, though never actually comes out from a person's mouth, rang loudly within Jungkook's mind like an alarm, telling him to wake up, wake up and realize that this is the reality that serves him.

And it hurts. First because it's unfair and second because Jungkook couldn't bring himself to accept it and let it go.

Madness is becoming a sure case for him if this goes on. He even developed a sad habit where he would fill his mind with images of gore and plots of how he would eventually burn the kingdom down and overrule it all, before then erasing the gruesome plans from his thoughts because he realized that he still loved them all despite everything – and by the end of it, he would be curling on his bed and spilling tears of contained emotions that he's starting to understand less and less.

There are times when Jungkook thinks he deserves it, though – he would never admit it out loud, but he knows he does. He had spent, wasted so many years believing that he could be Taehyung's equal; that he could stand just as proud and just as tall as his brother so that he would no longer be under a shadow. When really, he just couldn't.

Jungkook was never anything more than just a lowly creature, wicked, wretched and loathsome against Taehyung's goodness. A liar where Taehyung has always been true. Spiteful where Taehyung has always been kind.

But he just couldn't, truly could not bear anymore suffering. There's a part of him that wanted to pummel his brother down to the ground and strip him off all of his glory, and as days go that part of him only became stronger up to the point where he could barely contain himself anymore.

Thankfully, above his jealousy and his despicable mind, Jungkook is a rational man; civilized and calculated, and he knows for a damn fact that hurting the precious crown prince wouldn't get him to a nice place. If Taehyung ever so much as raise an accusing finger at him, there isn't a doubt that Jungkook would have his head hanged exactly the next day.

But then what should he do?

An answer thankfully soon came upon him one evening, when the sun is nearing it's sleep and sound of the town's bell echoed around the land. He must leave, is what he said to himself at that moment, with his fingers clutching tightly on his cup-handle, and his eyes sharp with sudden focus.

He must leave the kingdom, his wretchedly unloving parents, and Taehyung altogether. All these years they had only caused him sadness, anger, and humiliation – and Jungkook had wanted to hurt them all, crush them under his fingertips, yet he could never bring himself to do so, because the fact was that he hated them as much as he loved them. But now this answer clears everything for him; if Jungkook couldn't hurt them, couldn't burn them down to ashes, then why don't he just leave?

Leave his anger, jealousy, his half-hearted revenge plots and all the ugly things that comes with it, and set off to a faraway land where he could live peacefully. A land where perhaps, he could be his own person; where he doesn't need to live under another's shadow.

So he packed a few of his most prized belongings and set out to the outskirts of the kingdom as soon as he can, which was exactly the next day; at dawn. He had calculated everything, there isn't a flaw within this plan of his.

What he brings with him are gold and silver and insanely expensive artifacts. If Jungkook managed to sell the goods and make accurate calculations with the silver and gold, he would be able to live the rest of his life peacefully and fancily enough at a humble village somewhere.

But as always, Taehyung, his disgustingly perfect elder brother appeared out of nowhere and completely wreak havoc to his plans. "Don't do this, Jungkook," the elder said with ragged breath, his eyes shining with concern and his hands gripping onto Jungkook's shoulders with so much affection, it's actually repulsive. "You cannot live out there alone. Stay here with me, where you are safe and well-tended, and loved -"

"Safe? Well yes, that may be." Jungkook cuts his brother off with a loud scoff, "But well-tended and loved? Just who are we talking about here, me or you?"

"Jungkook, please, don't do this to yourself."

Growling, the younger prince took a menacing step forward and made the other stagger a few steps back. "I am only helping myself, Taehyung –something I should've done long ago."

"I– I can help you as well! Stay! Stay and I will do whatever you want!"

At first, the idea of it was repulsive. Taehyung, prideful, glorious, kingly Taehyung, promising Jungkook his service, ugh, Jungkook has had just about enough of his brother's goodness – and cruel, blatant rejection was right at the edge of Jungkook's tongue when suddenly, it occurred to him, that to have Taehyung completely under his mercy was everything that he's ever wanted.

"Liar," Jungkook tested, "You can't help me – you wouldn't even want to once I tell you how."

Taehyung moved forward to cup the younger's face so that they would be staring into each other's eyes; a simple brotherly affection taken completely the wrong way. "That isn't true, Jungkook. I would do anything. If it is for the sake of your happiness, there isn't a thing I wouldn't do."

Jungkook blinks, once, twice, and could barely contain himself from grinning as he asks, "Really? could you promise me anything? Could you promise me whatever I want?"

"Yes," Taehyung agreed quickly, no hesitation whatsoever. "Anything."

///

So that was like a background thing, and a peek into Jungkook's feelings and point of view. Hopefully you get the gist of it now.

Also, tell me what you think about this chapter and don't forget to leave a vote if you liked it! :>

The next chapter will come up next saturday!