The Sacrifice of The Blood King: A Taekook Story

Chapter Eleven: Mine

Hey guys! Sorry it took me so long to write this chapter. Work has been kicking my ass, and I broke my laptop for like a week or two sooo yeah. Anyways. Enjoy!

ALSO: Some of you were saying Yoongi is The Advisor. That is not the case. The Advisor is a made-up character. I do not want any BTS members to be considered that sadistic and awful. I love them all way too much for that. So with that being said, on with the story!!

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"The king is arriving!"

"All hail the king!"

"The Blood King has returned!"

Heralds keep calling out messages to the staff, court members, warriors, and any passerby. They want everyone to know the king has returned home, the small boy wrapped in his armored arms being the rumored sacrificial lamb of the Desert Kingdom. Taehyung sits with his head high, not wanting to hide or be defeated under their stares. In those judgmental gazes, he can feel every speck of dirt on his skin, every crack in his chapping lips, and every stain on his clothes. He looks around, amazed with how many people fill the small walled courtyard. Workers bustle to and fro, courtiers linger and chat amongst each other, and warriors practice in almost every open area, their hot breaths clouding around them as they spar with one another. All of them step aside and stare at Jungkook, most bowing respectively as the king leads his horse to the stables.

"Is that the lamb?"

"He's really pretty!"

"Abit dirty if you ask me..."

"They did just travel--"

The whispers all sting Taehyung's ears, yet he tries not to react to it. Jungkook slides off the horse before reaching back and helping Taehyung down, his hands tightly gripping Taehyung's waist. Taehyung flashes him a grateful smile when he lands on his feet, and the whispers and chatter become cacophonous around them. Jungkook brushes a lock of Taehyung's messy hair out of his face while leaning ever closer.

"Just ignore them. Stay silent, and I will do all the talking with the Royal Court" Jungkook quietly says, his breath teasing Taehyung's skin as the prince nods; it is a warm caress that contradicts the bitter air surrounding them. Jungkook wasn't lying when he said it would be cold. Taehyung can see patches of ice and snow loitering everywhere, each person taking their time to clear pathways or melt down the thick frozen liquid. He is intrigued by how palace life is so different from the Desert Kingdom. In the desert, the warriors did not mingle amongst courtiers or common folk. The commoners did not mingle amongst the royals. Everyone was isolated and segregated based on their position and class. The Jeweled Palace of the Desert Kingdom was mainly for nobility. It never was meant to serve as a fortress unlike The Summit of the Northern Kingdom. The Summit is built for war and the crusades, the eastern part housing warriors, stables, and the staff that is needed to keep them running.

Jungkook pulls Taehyung close as the two walk towards the central part of The Summit; a large wooden arched door fills up the center of the dreary grey stone wall. A shout is heard from the other side of the door, and it instantly opens for them. Jungkook wraps an arm around Taehyung's shoulder, his expression changing to something rock hard and highly determined. He exudes an air that challenges anyone and everything that may go against what it is he desires. Inside, there is a large throne room, one lined with rugs, rich tapestries, and a large fireplace in the west corner. Mingling in the throne room are dozens of royals; all of them are garnished in thick velvet and wool of reds and blues and dark black that showcases their wealth. Jungkook frowns when he realizes the Court is already assembled, none of them waiting to give Taehyung and Jungkook a moment to change out of their traveling clothes. As soon as that door opened, all heads in the room turn to look at them, another wave of whispers and judgments swallowing the two of them.