When the sun rises and the forest comes alive again, they all know it is time to work again. Jungkook is the first to get up.

He freshens up and makes his way to the cave, only to find Aylin and Yoongi already sitting there, papers surrounding them. They look disheveled, with puffy and red eyes, but they seem not sleepy at all.

Jungkook sighs, knowing that trying to stop them is a waste of time, so he joins in instead.

"How's it going?"

Aylin looks up, and before Jungkook can say another word, Yoongi grabs him by his t-shirt and pulls him down to sit on the floor.

"Look at this! We're putting together as much of the story as we can. It's broken, and we've only translated characters; it doesn't make sense yet, but I believe that together, we can understand most of it."

Jungkook notices that others are stepping inside the room too. "I'll work on the other parts while Aylin explains what we've put together so far."

There is a spark in Yoongi's eyes that Jungkook has only seen when he was working or looking at someone, he loved. Aylin nods and gets up to approach a wall with paper and brush in hand, signaling Jungkook to adjust the lighting. She turns to the wall, ready to read the petroglyphs and inscriptions.

Taking a deep breath, she begins, "On the banks of the River Esmond, a vast Kingdom named Pendilor is ruled by King Caspian and Queen Alynthee."

"They live in a colossal castle. The king is gifted with great warrior skills - a feared king, a role model for his kingdom, a man of justice, a true ruler."

"Queen Alynthee is a beautiful woman of grace and elegance. To others, she is a sight to admire - a woman with ethereal features and a very soft heart. The king and queen are true lovers, and they are blessed with a son named. . ."

". . . Taehyung."

❈❈❈

Servants were carrying several scrolls, bringing them to the administrators; the king had blessed his trusted ministers to help him to choose a suitable and worthy princess for the Prince to get married.

They chose several princesses, each more beautiful than the other, but none of them were fancied by the Prince.

Troublesome as it was, the king was getting old and the Prince did not want to get married.

"Are the list of the princesses ready? I hope this time we got the girls who are worth marrying him." The King asked, eyeing the ministers.

"Don't worry my lord! These princesses are insanely beautiful and are from a very wealthy kingdom. Marriage will bring lots of benefits to us also." The minister replied and the King gave a smile with a slight hint of sadness.

"I only want someone whom he chooses wholeheartedly. I don't care about anything else."

"Let our prince decide that then, my lord."

"Yoongi! Go and get Taehyung!" The King commanded the Head guard.

"Yes, my lord!" Yoongi bowed and left to get the Prince.

❈❈❈

Yoongi walked towards the Prince's room, only to find him in the same position as he expected.

"Your Highness, the king is waiting for your arrival in the special room." He informed politely and with those bloodshot red eyes, the Prince turned to him.

"Hey hey! Yoongi! My brother! Long time no see! Where were you all this time-" his words were cut off as he stumbled because of a marble statue.

He kicked it aside and pointed his finger at the statue, "Hey you bloody thing! Never dare to s-step in my w-way!"

Yes, the heir, the next king, Prince Kim Taehyung was miserably drunk while sweat dripped from his forehead and drool from his lips.

The person whose hands once used to hold a sword is now holding a glass of alcohol. Whose strong steps were supposed to lead the kingdom are stumbling and miserably failing to maintain his own balance.

Taehyung swayed as if he was about to faint at any moment. Yoongi reached out to help him but Taehyung made a gesture for him to stop with his hand.

"Your Highness, what have you done to yourself?" Yoongi spoke with worry, lacing his voice and with the same stumbling steps; Taehyung reached him and hugged him.

"Shh! Shh! You know Y-Yoongi Hyung . . . why are you my favorite? You know it right. I trust you! And drop those d-damn formalities. We are brothers!"

Taehyung said while pulling away, "Come on, say Taehyung. Tae-hyung . . . come on, give it a try." He was holding Yoongi by his shoulders and was not planning to let go any time soon.

"But your highness-"

"Uh huh no! Taehyung. Say it."

Yoongi sighed. He knew he would keep pestering him until he got what he wanted. Therefore, he went with it.

"Okay, Taehyung! The king will appreciate your presence in the meeting room." He said but he received a reaction he did not understand. Taehyung pushed him slightly and asked with rage in his voice.

"What does he want now?" His eyes were evident of the anger, and Yoongi got it then; it was for the King.

"Your decision, for the marriage." Taehyung hissed at Yoongi's reply.

"He doesn't understand when I say it nicely, right? Alright, let's go." with those stumbling steps again, somehow he dragged himself while bumping into everything he came in contact with.

Yoongi followed him silently.

❈❈❈

As everyone sat while waiting for the Prince's arrival, the King believed that this time he would agree to get married, but just to make him disappointed, the door opened revealing his son, who was looking immensely intoxicated.

"You wanted to see me? I am here, father." Taehyung bowed while barely being able to maintain his balance.

The king stood up from his throne and roared, "What is this behavior, Taehyung!"

"What is wrong, my lord? I did bow in your respect." Taehyung shrugged, making a clueless face.

"You are the future of this throne, and instead of getting trained, you were there drinking the whole day. What in the world are you doing?"

"My lord! I am still sober; I can hear each and every word you speak. I would appreciate it, if you could please tell me why you called me here."

The King sighed in defeat and signaled the head minister to continue.

"So Prince, there are some princes that my lord has selected for you . . . you just need to tell us one name and-" the minister couldn't continue as Taehyung interrupted him.

"Show the paintings already, Old Man!" Taehyung made a gesture with his hand to move forward with his lips pursed, he was annoyed.

"Oh, um, sure. H-Here, Your Highness," the minister said, giving the picture scrolls one by one to Taehyung.

"I have met her. This one too! This one's so boring!" Taehyung started rejecting the girls and the ministers sighed, "Hah! Look at this! Is she even a princess? And why does this one look so proud?" He scoffed sarcastically, throwing the scrolls away.

"None of them are approved. That's all, my lord, I'll take my leave." Taehyung turned, walking away and that's when the King lost it.

"These are the Princesses of powerful and prosperous kingdoms, Taehyung! Not some random girl for you to just use and throw." The King shouted and Taehyung chuckled and turned to him.

"Oh, trust me, Father, they aren't deserving of my one use and throw either."

"Taehyung!" The king slammed his fist on the throne's arm.

"My lord, I'm saying so because I've met them already. I know exactly who and how much of great princesses they are. And besides that, you cannot force me to marry someone."

"If it's for my people, then I'll be forced to force you, Taehyung."

"Why are you so desperate for me to get married?"

"Responsibilities! Being the Prince you got some responsibilities."

"That's what I am for you . . . only a prince. Because you never treated me as your son, father." Taehyung smiled sadly.

"Why are you like this, Taehyung? I gave you everything you have asked for!" The king shook his head in disappointment.

"No! You never gave me anything I asked for. You were always busy fulfilling your duties. You never got time for me, father. And the only thing that I asked for was never fulfilled . . . She's still not fine." Now, his eyes started to form tears as he spoke while pointing his finger somewhere out of the throne room.

"I know, Taehyung. I care for you, my son. I tried-"

"No, you didn't! If it weren't for Yoongi Hyung, she would've died! She's barely alive, even now!"

"But Taehyung, my child. I am getting old. You need to be the king and you can't be a king without a queen."

"I hate every woman except her! All women except her are the same! Bloody bitches!"

Taehyung yelled so loudly with tears in his eyes, and everyone looked at him, shocked.

"My angel is barely alive, barely breathing, sleeping like there's no tomorrow. I asked you to find the cure. But you didn't!"

"That's different, Tae. A queen is important for the throne. We'll talk about it later."

"No. First, find the cure of the curse. Bring her back to normal. Then and only then, we'll talk."

"A queen is important for the throne, Tae-"

"Then listen, father! None of them are worthy of being my Queen. None of them can have this throne. Because no one can replace my angel. This throne's one and only worthy queen."

❈❈❈

A lovely couple, rich, powerful and kind. They both made their family. A beautiful little one giggled happily.

A five-year-old ran here and there with his mother calling his name, following his every step while she carried a bowl of food in her hands.

The kid was hiding and laughing and his mother chased him while trying to feed him. His father sat afar, chuckling at the view of his wife and son's cuteness.

With every step he took toward his father to hide behind him so that he could escape, the kid became a year older.

Once he reached his father, he became a teenager. His father hugged him, and they both turned to the woman who just shook her head and smiled at them and then started taking steps towards her son to feed him food.

That's when the clouds turned dark and lightning and thunder started striking the sky. The father and the son turned to the women.

She was just a step away.

When suddenly the ground tore apart and swallowed the female.

"Mother!"

Taehyung woke up from a terrible dream. His body, clothes, and hair were drenched in sweat, panting insanely. He ran his slender fingers through his wet hair that covered his forehead. He rubbed his face and neck, wiping away the sweat.

His throat was dry, lips were chapped as he licked them to moisture them. While still trying to catch his breath, not caring about his slippers, he just ran barefoot, in his silk nightwear.

His feet finally stopped when he saw her lying unconscious. He slowly took a seat beside her and held her soft hands in his.

"Mother, I-I had a nightmare again. I am so tired of this, Mother. Please, open your eyes, call my name. I swear, I'll never disobey you ever again. Please, just open your eyes."

"I miss you so much. Your love, your care. Please, Mother, your Taetae is calling you. I-I love you, Mother. Open your eyes, please. Please, for me. Please, wake up!"

Unknown about the fact that there stood someone watching his every action, how he shivered, how he curled up near his mother, how he held her hands lightly and placed his hand on her cheeks, Taehyung cried himself to sleep. The one standing outside let out a deep sigh.

"It hurts seeing him like this."

Yoongi took a deep breath to hold his tears back and with his teary eyes, he stared at them. He still remembered the days when Taehyung called him Hyung for the first time.

──────⊹⊱· • ❈ • ·⊰⊹──────

a/n:
Hy, It's Moon here, I'm sorry for posting so late. But I really had a lot going on but I promise I'll try to be as frequent as possible from now on, and at last thank you so much for waiting and appreciating my work, I wish you had fun reading this so please leave los of comments so I can have the motivation to keep writing too.