heart of gold // t.k.

iv.

The inside of the palace was just as grand, if not more, than the outside. Golden sunlight streamed in through the gigantic windows, causing the gold and white decor to glow. Jungkook gazed in awe at the beautiful (and very expensive) furniture and decorations.

Servants and guards bustled about, but they didn't look dejected and malnourished like the ones Jungkook had seen in his neighborhood. Instead, they looked happy and well-fed, bustling about their jobs contentedly.

"This is the foyer," Taehyung announced as he swept his hands around in a grand arc. The room was huge, with a high arched ceiling and gigantic windows. Countless people walking by bowed to Taehyung on their way past, and he graciously returned as many as he could. It warmed Jungkook's heart; Prince Taehyung was definitely beloved by his people.

"Wow..." Jungkook whispered, spinning in a slow circle to take it all in. "This place is amazing."

Taehyung smiled softly. "I'm glad you like it. I mean, if you're... you know, staying."

Jungkook looked over at him, slightly startled. "Oh, why wouldn't I?"

The prince looked rather taken aback as well. "Well... y'know, you haven't really had time to finalize your decision yet, have you? I don't want to force you into anything, especially something as life-changing as this."

Jungkook smiled and shook his head a little, his eyes and nose scrunching up cutely. "No, I think I'm going to like it here."

♔

Once Taehyung had shown Jungkook the throne room and the dining hall (which were just as beautiful and intricate as the foyer), they moved on to the kitchens. The pair walked down the wide halls with a respectable distance between them, although Taehyung did want to be a little closer. He mentally chided himself. He didn't want to make Jungkook uncomfortable.

"This is the entrance to the kitchens," Taehyung said when they reached a doorway at the end of a hall. It was a deep red color with gold swirls on the doorframe, and a little sign posted next to it that read "welcome to the royal kitchen!"

As soon as they stepped inside, every single cook and maid inside turned and bowed for the prince. There had to have been at least fifty people cooking and cleaning inside; ovens and counters lined each wall. There were shelves and shelves of ingredients and a half dozen refrigerators and freezers along the back of the large room.

One boy, possibly a few years older than Jungkook, rushed over to meet them.

"Your highness!" He cried, bowing to Taehyung.

"It's Taehyung, Seokjin," Taehyung replied patiently, smiling at the chef. "How many times have I told you that you can call me by my name?"

"Right, sorry," Seokjin replied before turning to Jungkook. "Aw, look at you! Taehyung chose well!"

Both Jungkook and Taehyung blushed as the younger extended his hand to Seokjin. "It's nice to meet you."

Seokjin shook his hand before Taehyung formally introduced the two. "Jungkook, this is Kim Seokjin, the head chef of the palace. Seokjin, this is Jungkook."

"Well, it's wonderful to meet you, but I'm afraid I must get back to work," Seokjin said, tightening his apron straps. He winked at Jungkook. "We're preparing a feast for tonight, to welcome you to the palace."

"Oh, really?" Jungkook said, his eyes widening. "Wow, thank you so much!"

"It's nothing!" Seokjin replied with a grin and a wave as he rushed back to his job. Jungkook and Taehyung waved after him.

"So." Taehyung said once they were back out in the corridor. "The next thing to show you is your room."

Jungkook nodded, trying not to look too excited, but he was practically giddy to see it. He followed Taehyung up multiple flights of stairs before they reached yet another hallway. This one had huge arched windows along one entire wall, framed with white and gold trim. The floor was a smooth off-white marble, reflecting the golden sunlight.

Jungkook rushed over to the windows as soon as they reached the landing, gazing in awe at the view. He could see practically the entire kingdom. His modest neighborhood of Dayton was nestled between the foothills of the small mountain the castle was perched on and a larger village, the Highlands. That was where all the snobby rich people lived. The ones that looked down on people from poorer districts like Dayton.

Off in the distance, he could see the rolling hills right before the border to Aeon, the neighboring kingdom. There were five kingdoms; Caéllin, Aeon, Erington, Flyria, and Delorus.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Jungkook jumped slightly at the deep voice in his ear, turning to see Taehyung staring out the window. "You think it's beautiful now; at night it's to die for."

Jungkook could only nod in response, shyness taking over. The prince was standing so close to him; he took in his beauty silently, the curve of his nose and pink lips, the way the sun turned his eyes amber, and shit, that jawline.

"You ready to see your room?" Taehyung's voice snapped the younger out of his reverie and he nodded eagerly. Taehyung led him to a door with the same white gold trim as the rest of the palace.

"My room's at the end of the hall," the prince said, gesturing to a larger door at the end of the corridor.

Jungkook stood slightly awkwardly in front of his door, unsure what to do. Do I open it? Or is that unproper? Do I wait for Taehyung to tell me it's okay?

"What are you waiting for, go on," Taehyung said with a smile, taking Jungkook's hand and placing it on the doorknob, his touch lingering a little longer than necessary.

Because they both felt the butterflies.