“Taehyung—“

“Stay here.”

“I want to go with you.” 

“No.”

“But—“

“I told you to stay here!” Jungkook froze, taking a step away from the king, who was clenching his hands into fists, looking away from him. “I don’t want you to get hurt.” The king finally whispered. 

“I don’t want you to get hurt, either. I swore an oath to protect you, remember? I have to go with you.”

“I release you from your oath.”

“What?” Jungkook took another step back, feeling physically struck by the man’s words. “T-Taehyung—“

“You have no obligation to put my life before yours anymore. From now on, you will put yours before mine. Do not follow me, Jungkook.”

“I’m not letting you go alone.” Jungkook said, more sternly this time, stepping in front of Taehyung, trying to block his path. 

“Move.” Taehyung said, hardening his facial features into a smooth mask of pure authority. “Under orders from your king, you will move, and you will stay in these rooms.”

“You’ve released me from my oath, I have no king.” The two men stared at one another, both of their heads held high, Jungkook’s need to make sure that Taehyung was going to be okay clouding over any together thought he had. 

“Move, Jungkook.” Taehyung finally whispered, his voice low. “If you’ve ever had any care for me, any love at all...you will, move and not fight me on this. You will listen to me and remain in these chambers.”

Jungkook’s breath hitched and he shook his head. “You can’t do that.” He whispered. “That’s not fair.”

“Life’s not fair. Move.” Taehyung said gently, stepping forward and gently pushing Jungkook away. “Stay here...where I know you will be safe.”

“But what about you?”

Taehyung did not answer. 

He merely walked out of the room and shut the door behind him. 

-

Taehyung found Hanuel in one of his studies, sitting at a desk and going through some papers. “Those are not yours, put those down immediately.” Taehyung said sternly, his lips pressing together in a thin line. 

The man rose, smirking. “My, your majesty, I was wondering when you would come and pay me a visit.”

“Cut the bullsht. What do you want?” Taehyung growled, losing all professionalism. The other man didn’t even blink, simply stood there stoically.

“You know what I want.”

“You cannot have what you want, then.” Taehyung said. “You may not ruin my family as you did my friend’s. I will not let you.”

“Oh? And what authority do you have over me?”

“I am king. You are just a measly bigger, hiding behind rich clothes and spies.”

“Spies?”

“Don’t play dumb on me. I know all about you and your vast network of spies that you have on every corner of this kingdom and Busan as well. You hide behind this persona of an all knowing wizard or whatever the fuck you’re calling yourself, but I know the truth.”

“Oh, do you?” The man leaned forward, smirking even more, which set Taehyung off. “Then tell me, your majesty. How would I know of your mother’s betrayal to your father?”

Taehyung grit his teeth together. 

“I do not know.”

“Wouldn’t it only be your dead mother and the gods who knew?”

“I do not know how you came to find out, nor do I care. I want you to leave this city, take those who’ve fallen under your grasp and go. We want no trouble here. We will not make a move to remove you from power from Busan, but I will not allow you to sink your claws into my kingdom.”

“Oh, dear boy. What makes you think you have a choice?”

Taehyung glowered even more. “I will have you arrested under the name of the king, tried for treason and executed if you continue on this foolish quest for power in my home.”

“And what makes you think anyone will listen to a bastard?”

Taehyung grew even more wary, eyeing the man as he laughed once, shaking his head and began to walk around Taehyung as if studying him. 

“Kim Taehyung, second born from the queen of Daegu, bastard son. You have no claim over the throne you sit on, yet you exercise your power like you do. You have made laws, led armies, declared war, brought upon taxes to the people, all while knowing that you have no right to do so.”

“What is your point?” Taehyung grit out. 

“My point is...perhaps you should be the one charged with treason.”

“You son of a bitch—“ But Taehyung wasn’t able to move forward and attack the man, for at that moment, royal soldiers burst into the room and grabbed the king. “Unhand me! I am your king!”

“The bastard thinks himself the king.” Hanuel laughed. “Get your real king. The pure blood of the king and queen, not this fake royal with beggars blood running through him.”

Taehyung was dragged from the room, he shouted at the soldiers to let him go, but was met with nothing but stony expressions and blank faces. The men dragged him all the way to the throne room and threw him onto the floor, in the middle of the court. 

Taehyung stood, clenching his fists once more, looking around. 

Everyone was staring at him as if he was a zoo exhibit. No one made a male to stand for him, no one made a move to defend him. 

He was on his own now.