Taehyung was sitting in the indoor lake, enjoying the beauty while his feet was dipped under the water. He felt peaceful after so long. He looked at the tiny fishes swimming in the clear water and tickling his feets, a sigh rising through his throat as he waited for Jimin who has gone to make Taehyung's favourite shake (even when he isn't good in culinary arts)

He was also informed that Prince Jihoon has arrived to meet him. He was clearly not in the mood to see anyone at this moment. All he wanted was to meet his parents, his citizens and then stay clingy to his husband.

But unfortunately for him, the grand doors swung open, and Prince Jihoon entered with a confident, almost feline grace. The King turned back to look, his eyes briefly widening at the sight of the prince's radiant presence. As Jihoon approached, his gaze never left Taehyung's, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

"Welcome, Prince Jihoon," Taehyung said, extending his hand. "It is an honor to have you in our kingdom."

"The honor is mine, Your Majesty. I couldn't stop myself from coming to meet you after knowing that you're alive," Prince Jihoon replied, his voice smooth as silk. He clasped the king's hand, lingering a moment longer than customary. "I have heard much about the beauty and prosperity of your land, but seeing it pales in comparison to meeting you."

Taehyung gestured towards a seat beside him. "Please, sit and make yourself comfortable. We have prepared a feast in your honor. I'll tell the guards to guide you and my apologies but I'm not feeling energetic enough to accompany you. "

Saying this, Taehyung called for a guard to take Jihoon to banquet but the prince refused saying that he'll eat here itself on a stool while watching the pretty lake and the King couldn't refuse his guest's demand.

As they dined, Prince's presence seemed to dominate the room. His laughter was melodic, his words eloquent, and his gaze, whenever it met Taehyung's, was both piercing and inviting. After the banquet, he leaned closer, his voice a seductive murmur.

"Your Majesty, I have a proposition," he began, his eyes locked onto Taehyung's. "I would love for you to give me a personal tour of your kingdom. A horse ride would be an intimate way to experience the true essence of your land, don't you think?"

King's smile faltered slightly, though he couldn't deny the allure in Jihoo's eyes. "A horse ride, you say? While I appreciate your enthusiasm, Prince, I must decline. It is not safe for us to ride outside the castle grounds without proper precautions."

Prince's brow furrowed slightly, his expression a mix of disappointment and challenge. "But, Your Majesty, surely with your royal guards, we would be well protected? I find the idea of riding through your kingdom, with you by my side, incredibly... enticing."

Taehyung sighed, trying to maintain his composure under Jihoon's intense gaze. "Our lands have become unpredictable of late. Bandits roam the outskirts, and the terrain itself can be treacherous. I cannot risk your safety, nor mine, on such an endeavor."

Jihoo leaned back, a thoughtful yet seductive smile playing on his lips. "I understand your concern, King Kim. Perhaps there is another way for me to see your kingdom? A carriage ride with a strong escort, maybe? We could still enjoy each other's company, albeit in a safer manner."

Taehyung smiled at the suggestion. "Yes, a carriage ride would be much safer. We can arrange for an escort of our finest guards. This way, you will be able to see the beauty of our land without undue risk."

Prince Jihoon smiled, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction. "That sounds perfect, Your Majesty. I look forward to it."

"But I'm sorry to say that I can't join you because I'm not well as I told you earlier. Perhaps, I can accompany you the next time you feel like visiting, "

"But where's the fun without you. I know you're sick but we'll have to just sit inside the carriages., "

Before Taehyung could respond, the doors opened once more, and Jimin, the king's husband, entered the hall. His presence was like a fresh breeze, his elegance and beauty captivating everyone. The King's eyes lit up, a wide smile spreading across his face as he saw Jimin.

"Ah, Jimin," Taehyung said, his voice filled with affection. "Come, join us."

Jimin approached with a graceful stride, his eyes flicking to Prince Jihoon with a curious yet discerning look. "Good evening, Prince Jihoon," he greeted, his tone polite but with a hint of sharpness. "I hope you are finding our kingdom to your liking."

"Indeed, I am," Jihoon replied, a charming smile on his lips. "Your husband has been an exceptional host."

Jimin's smile was sweet but his eyes were piercing. "I'm glad to hear that. My Majesty always knows how to make our guests feel... welcome."

Taehyung, unable to tear his gaze away from Jimin, seemed to forget about Jihoon's earlier proposition. Jimin took a seat beside his husband, effortlessly taking command of the conversation.

"So, what were you discussing before I arrived?" Jimin asked, looking between them.

"Prince Jihoon was suggesting a horse ride to tour the kingdom," The King explained. "But I had to decline due to safety concerns and my health."

"How considerate of you," Jimin remarked, his tone dripping with subtle sarcasm. "A carriage ride might be a more practical and equally enjoyable alternative, don't you think?"

Jihoon's smile tightened slightly, but he nodded. "Yes, Jimin, your suggestion is quite sensible."

"Prince Jihoon, it's better if you refer my husband with some honours. You can call him queen or king as he is still the king"

"Sure, my majesty" Jihoon smiled, nodding to Taehyung.

"So shall we continue this? " Jimin asked again.

Taehyung, completely enchanted by Jimin's presence, nodded eagerly. "A carriage ride it is, then. We'll arrange for the best guards to escort the Prince."

Jimin's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. "Wonderful. It will be a delightful experience, I'm sure."

The rest of the evening, Jimin's sassy remarks and subtle protectiveness ensured Prince Jihoon kept his seductive advances in check. The bond between the king and Jimin was palpable, their affection for each other clear in every glance and touch. Soon, the carriage arrived and unfortunately for Youngjae, Taehyung has ordered him to take care of Jihoon which he couldn't deny. It was better if Jihoon stays away from Taehyung.

Jimin turned towards Taehyung to look at him but the latter was already having a moustache of cream after literally gulping the shake made by Jimin in one go.

"Was it that delicious? " Jimin asked with a curious gaze, he lowkey wished to share this drink with Taehyung together but his husband didn't spare a single drop for him.

Taehyung nodded, internally groaning at the way it tasted. Yuck! After the first sip he took, he saw hell before him so he gulped down all of it one go, so that Jimin couldn't taste it. It tasted rotten and so bitter. Taehyung felt like he will vomit any next moment.

"The tastiest shake I ever had, " Taehyung said before caressing Jimin's buttocks softly as a sign of affection to which Jimin responded with a vision blinding eye smile, tiny dimples blooming on his cheeks.

"I-I have to use washroom," Taehyung nervously stammered as he felt the rotten taste still lingering inside his mouth. He wanted to vomit really bad else he would die.

Just as he was to go out, a maid came running like thunder and immediately snatched the glass from Jimin's hands. She was panting really hard.

"My apologies but my queen, you took the wrong glass. The shake you made is still in the kitchen, " She panted really hard.

Hearing that Taehyung immediately stopped in his tracks, looking between Jimin and the maid.

"What? " Jimin responded surprised, then he looked at the glass from which his husband just drank.

"The other glass you brought was the glass from last night which was almost twenty hours ago. We kept it for the prince but he didn't drink so it was kept in the kitchen to wash the glass. It's rotten and spoilt. It has started to smell really bad too, my queen, "

Taehyung's eyes widened with horror as started feeling nauseous. Hr immediately ran to the nearest sink, throwing up everything out.

Jimin immediately ran to his husband, started caressing his back, helping him to let it out else he might get food poisoning who knows. He started getting worried when he saw tears building in Taehyung's eyes which he was try to stop.

"I-I am okay, " The king coughed badly, rinsing his mouth clearly.

"Are you sure? I don't want you to fall sick," Jimin said with moist eyes as he has become more sensitive than earlier. He has once tasted the bitter separation and he wishes never to go through it again.                                            

"I'm fine. I just need a bath, darling," Taehyung said, trying to assure his pretty husband who was still hesitant to believe him. He caressed Jimin's waist slowly before patting his back.

"I-I will prepare a bath for you then," Jimin offered but his husband stopped him by saying that he doesn't wish to bath in tub. He wanted to take a bath in the river flowing right behind their palace.

Hearing to Taehyung's request, Jimin nodded, offering to prepare his clothes for bathing. Just as he was about to go, Taehyung stopped him by holding his wrist.

"Don't go anywhere. Join me?" He offered and Jimin looked a little surprised yet he slowly nodded, his cheeks getting red as he ordered the maid to arrange two robes for them for bathing and send it through someone.

"Are you sure that you don't need medical assistance, my king?" Jimin asked once again, caressing his husband's face softly, his eyes filled with worry.

Taehyung just sighed and gave Jimin a tight lipped smile before picking him up in his arms in bridal style. Jimin let out a small gasp but soon he wrapped his arms around his husband's neck. God! He has been missing it like hell, to be held like this.

"You worry a lot, my love."

The king murmured before walking out of the palace, all the people looked at them with surprised eyes. The King's comeback's official announcement wasn't done yet.. But it was hard to keep it a secret. The moment a few maids and guards from the palace got to know about it, the news have been unofficially spread like fire. People were still waiting for the announcement so that they can meet and welcome their king once he is ready too.

They felt their eyes getting moist at the scene... They felt waves of happiness washing over them but the one thing which mattered the most to them was that it was finally an end to Jimin's agony and pain.

They've seen their queen break in front of them yet fighting for them with a strong facade. It felt nice to see their king back. Their emotions were unexplainable.

Jimin smiled as he looked into his husband's eyes, his husband was already looking back with him. From the corner of his eyes, he saw people looking at them and it made him smile even more. He wanted to let them know that he is not just fine but the happiest.

"After taking bath, we'll go to horse riding. It's been such a long time,"

This caught Jimin's attention as he clearly remembers that Taehyung refused the prince for a horse side for safety concerns and his health.

"But—"

Taehyung interrupted him before he could voice out his question.

"He is just a guest, minnie. And you are my everything. I've planned a horse ride for us like old days... Don't compare yourself to others now. It doesn't suit you... Because in my life, you're just incomparable... You're my first priority,"

Jimin felt his heart hammer loudly as his eyes started to get moist because it's been so long. He loves being reminded of his worth by his husband.

"H-have I ever told you just how much I love you? " Jimin cutely said while placing a kiss on Taehyung's chest.

"Ummm... Let me think, sweetheart. I don't remember you telling me that,"

Taehyung playfully teased to which Jimin dug his teeth in the flesh of his chest, making the taller chuckle as he carried his sweet lil bride for a bath. This was going to be amazing.

To be continued....
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