jinmin \\ The Prince and his Guardian

The Princess's Words pt. 1

Once, there were three princes.

Seokjin, the eldest, a boy who lived like he would stay young forever, was kind and would turn into a humble king smiling upon his land, the Crown Kingdom.  

Hoseok, the middle one, a boy who lived inside his dreams, was hopeful and radiated an energy almost as strong as the sun rays which shined upon his land, the Kingdom of the Eternal Sun.

Taehyung, the youngest, a boy who lived like he was free from the burdens of the world, was bright and would proudly come to reign over his land, the Ancient Sanctuary.

The three princes met from time to time and became close. They understood each other as they had similar positions, knew the responsibilities they had to carry, and accepted the future that was destined for them.

But as the years passed, when they grew apart and grew older, one of them broke down.

Prince V was to many a mystery. A charming man from one angle, a playful boy from another. To his sanctuary he was a saint, but to his family he seemed like... a failure.

'I'm afraid to give our kingdom over to him...'

'What do you suppose will happen when he does? The boy is incapable!' 

'He's so irresponsible, why couldn't we just have had a normal heir... Someone like that Prince from the Northern Crown Kingdom!'

'I guess we'll just have to see. I don't trust him either...'

So the people whispered inside his palace, and so started the people whispering on the streets and in their homes as he grew older and showed more of his true self.

Taehyung was loving and caring, yet the people refused to accept him as the future king of the Ancient Sanctuary. His good friend, Namjoon, they thought of as a better fit although he was nothing more than the prince's counsellor. 

Whenever Namjoon knew what Taehyung was thinking about when his prince's eyes were fixed on him, he'd shake his head and say: 'I'm not going to take your spot, Taehyung. I'm your friend and I've no interest in the throne. I'm not even blood-related so-'

'Who cares if you're not blood-related!' Taehyung snapped one beautiful day. They were sitting on the creamy-coloured stairs in front of the palace, looking over the well-kept courtyard which was empty aside from them and a few gardeners. 

Abruptly he stood up and shot Namjoon a hurt look. 

'I'm blood-related and they wouldn't have me on the throne! They think I'm too childish or uncaring or irresponsible-' 

'Those are just talks from outsiders, they don't know how you really are,' Namjoon resolutely explained to him, lifting up his hand to tug on Tae's expensive shirt and pull him back down. 

'I know, but if that's what they think of me, if that's how I seem, then there must be a hint of truth in there, don't you think?' 

'Taehyung, people always exaggerate in such ways that truths become lies.'

'Don't give me such wisdom, hyung,' Tae whined as he settled down on the steps again. Then, digging his fingers into Namjoon's arm to grab his full and undivided attention, he looked him straight in the eye. 'Tell me the truth, am I fit for the throne?'

Namjoon took a second to think, not about what to say but about how to say it. Unfortunately, it took a second too long. 

'Alright, I understand...' the prince leaned back and stretched his legs on the stairs. 'It's fine, that's all I needed to know,' he murmured as he broke his gaze from Namjoon and faced the courtyard. 'Everyone is against me.'