Love And Blood || Jikook

01

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••  The streets were full of townsfolk laughing and chattering. Many of them were wearing fancy dresses and suits they could afford. Their perfumes and smell of fine food and sweets was invading the night air. Kids were running here and there through the crowd, shouting while playing 'Run and Catchers'. Those streets were usually noisy. But today it was kind of different. Unlike any other day, everyone was pleased since today was special. It was the fifth birthday of their beloved prince. So, every person within the borders of kingdom Pursland celebrated it grandly. It was like a annual festival since the prince was born. And today became more special because the prince was going to be honored as the crown prince.

But within all those happy faces there was just a one man suffering. He sighed and rubbed his forehead with two fingers biting back a sob. It was not like he didn't like this occasion. But his heart was lacing with sorrow. He felt like crying his heart out. But he didn't want to worry his little son. His six years old son was still holding his hand calmly. The kid was wearing a fluffy sweater to avoid the winter cold. His cheeks were dusted with a light pink colour and his thick lips made a cute pout as he was tired. He rubbed his button nose with his cute chubby forefinger and looked up at his father with his big curious eyes who was still looking at the palace gates through the crowd. He then rubbed his sleepy eyes also dusting away the snow flakes that were fallen on to his long eyelashes. His features were just like his father. The only difference was, he had ocean blue orbs instead of autumn green ones. He wasn't interested on running and playing with other kids simply because he didn't like to let go of his father's hand. He was scared that he might get lost. So instead he was enjoying the brightly shining lanterns that were hanging along the street.

The man finally looked at his son and flashed a sincere smile. It was time for them to leave the city and go back home. Not like they really had a home to go back. Nothing has left for their mercy. But today he has planned to take his son somewhere special. So he picked up his son and gave a peck on his cheek lovingly before turning to leave.

"Isn't it too early to leave, Mr. Park?" He was stopped by the sudden question. The voice was too familiar in the man's ears and he hated it. Not like he hated the owner of the deep voice. It has been years since he last heard it. He just didn't want to speak to him because it would just break him more. He wanted to run. Disappear into thin air if he could. But he turned anyways trying his best to keep his composure.  He was met with the usual sincere smile beaming at him.

"I don't think so, Mr. Kim." Jaeyoung faced him, his voice was dangerously calm. But his heart was thumping wildly inside his ribcage. His best friend standing in front of his very own eyes was a nightmare to his pathetic self. He was ditched by this man, his only best friend.

"Did you get married?" Kim asked out of the blue looking to the child in Jaeyoung's hands. His eyes curiously checking out the kid.

"No, I'm not, Mr.Kim. And I-I don't thi-nk it r-really matters." Jaeyoung stuttered. His throat choking as he tried to keep his sobs hidden.
      
"Jaeyoung, it really doesn't matter. I was just wondering about this kid." Namjoon explained trying to console him. For a minute he was forgetting who Jaeyoung was. Right now he only saw his best friend in Jaeyoung who he lost few years ago.
   
"Is he your son?" He asked softly before giving his attention back to the kid who was hiding his face in the crook of Jaeyoung's neck.
       
"What's your name cutie?" He cooed at the kid taking a moment to observe the kid's eyes and suddenly something clicked his senses. But he quickly brushed it away.
        
"Yes, he's my son.... I think it's time for us to leave." Jaeyoung said trying to avoid Namjoon's puzzled gaze on his son.
        
Namjoon tried to grab Jaeyoung's arm to make him stop, but Jaeyoung was quick enough to disappear into the crowd with his son. Namjoon let out a frustrated sigh still trying to figure out something. It was like he just found out a missing piece of a puzzle but doesn't know where it fits.
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It was time for the grand celebration of the prince's birthday. All the people were gathering near the castle gates and the soldiers were having a hard time making them into a line so that they can check them up and allow them into the castle grounds for the royal party. It was like a tradition to let all the townsfolk into the castle grounds at this particular day once a year and it was a very rare chance for the locals to enjoy as well as it was a very busy day for the castle workers and soldiers.

        
Namjoon jumped on his pure black horse and held the reins leading him through the crowd and as he came to the castle gates, all the soldiers bowed down to him and immediately opened the gates for him to enter. He was the major general and also the closest friend of the king. So, he was known as the second most powerful of the kingdom. But he was rather kind than any other royalist and always cared about the kingdom and people. He never used his powers to show off. And also he was married to prince Seokjin, the beloved brother of king Jeon and that made him more and more powerful making most of the royalists jealous of the Kim family.
          
Namjoon entered the ballroom that was decorated with fresh roses and gold. And the room was filled with a combination of perfumes and painfully slow music. This ballroom was reserved only for the royalists and ministers. All of them wearing most expensive dresses and suits specially designed for the occasion that gave each one a unique look. Namjoon was greeted by many of his fellow workmates as he reached for the king.

"What took you so long, Namjoon?" King Jeon asked with a happy smile. Namjoon bowed down respectfully before smiling back.
       
"I just met an old friend, your majesty." Namjoon said while side eyeing Jin who was trying to console their crying son. Then his gaze travelled to the empty seats of the queen and the prince and a concerned frown instantly took place on his face.
         
"If you excuse me your majesty, I shall call for the queen to present here with the prince."
          
"Yes sure, you may take your leave." The king assured. But before Namjoon could leave, his six years old son came crying to him and pulled on his robe with his small hands. His eyes were puffy and his nose was red from crying. Namjoon immediately held his son up and muttered sweet words to him.
        
"Baby Tae, don't cry! If you be a good boy, daddy will take you on a horse ride, okay?"
         
"Daddy promise?"
         
"Oh yes, daddy promise!" With that, little Teahyung stopped crying and hugged Namjoon. But Jin took their son from Namjoon so that he could take his leave but was stopped again as the queen entered herself with the little prince, getting everyone's attention.
          
Everyone cheered for the little prince as the queen and prince made their way to the king through the crowd. It was a tradition for the prince to take King's blessings first. And after that they could commence the ball.

The prince was always a very calm and keen child than any other kids around his age. He never cried and never showed any weakness and was very intimidating just like his mother. He was calmly seated beside the king as usual and was watching the crowd. He never was interested in parties. But, as he was always guarded, he couldn't do anything he really wanted either.

As the party went on, Namjoon's mind clouded with the images of Jaeyoung and his son. He glanced at the king who was happily laughing and enjoying the event. His deep blue orbs suddenly made eye contact with Namjoon taking him out of his trance. The king cocked his eyebrow at him and Namjoon felt a bit uncomfortable by his gaze. Namjoon couldn't get away this time, so he decided to reveal everything to the king.
        
The king left the ballroom and went to the balcony accompanied by Namjoon. It was a peaceful night with the full moon. Namjoon sighed looking at the glistening moon that could be seen right above them.
      
"What bothers you, Namjoon?" The king asked him with a hint of worry.
       
"I told you I met a friend and his appearance and disappearance bothered me your majesty." Namjoon said truthfully without taking his eyes off of the moon. It's the same moon that witnessed the darkest crime that happened in this whole kingdom. The one night Namjoon wanted to forget so badly.
        
"What do you mean?" The king turned to him and held his shoulders.
        
"I met him your majesty. I met Park Jaeyoung!"
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