There's like one chapter left but it's taking a while to finish so enjoy this chapter that I wrote WEEKS ago but haven't published 💀 We're nearly done. Ya'll ready for this?

Y/n's eyes trailed to her shaking hands before realization hit her.

Hoseok.

Y/n scrambled up and rushed towards him. His body hadn't move since the moment she shot that arrow. With a thumping a heart, she rushed to his side. Hoseok coughed out more blood as it dribbled past his lips.

"Hoseok?! I'm here! Hold on let me just—" Y/n placed his head on her lap as her shaky hands grip the arrow that was pierce right through him. Hoseok wince, shutting his eyes tight. His hand quickly grabbed hers.

"D-don't. It's f-fine dove, calm down—" Hoseok tried to reassure her but only was able to get a couple of words in before he coughed up more blood. Y/n was starting to panic again. Her eyes became clouded with tears. Her breathing becoming heavy.

'No.'

'NO!'

'I can't lose him too!'

Quickly she grabbed her white sleeve and ripped a chunk out, leaving her right arm bare. She used the white cloth and pressed it against his wound. Even though her vison was blurry, that didn't stop her from applying pressure. Hoseok winced in pain, a thin layer of sweat coating his skin.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry—" Y/n was weeping and muttering the same thing over and over again. She couldn't say anything else but merely two words.

"S-sorry? Why are you s-sorry?" Hoseok asked softly as his hand raised to gingerly stroke her cheek. His thumb wiping away the tears that fell from her eyes. Y/n hiccupped, her shoulders shook the more she cried.

"Because I-I hurt you, I-I-I wasn't trying to—it was an accident—I swear!!" She cried, her hands shaking. Her words came out rushed and fumbled, as if she couldn't control her own lips. As if she wasn't trying to reassure him but herself. She was breaking down in front of him. Her body in complete shock as she pressed down the white cloth on his stomach. So much blood pooled around him. She was drenched in his blood. Her pants soaked up his blood like a sponge while her hands were coated in her tears and his blood. Her once white shirt was now tainted with that scarlet liquid.

The moon that shined so brightly on that red scarlet glass window was eerie enough to match the death like air. Y/n sank her head as her shoulders went limp. Her tears didn't stop but instead fell on Hoseok's palm that still held her cheek. She could feel the warmth slipping from his hand and once again was nothing she could do. The only exit was locked, and the tower was far too up to climb down. Even if she left through the servants doors, she wouldn't make it in time with the others.

There was nothing.

Nothing to do.

Again.

She was helpless just as before.

Just as weak as before.

Whatever hope she had, faded along with her mind. What dreams and futures she wanted, slipped and perished as her mind crumbled. That last blow, ruined her mind entirely. That arrow, that same arrow she wished cut right through him, did.

But at what cost?

Her sanity?

Her morals?

Was there even a point on going on?

She shot her own lover with her own arrow. Wounding him with the very thing she was good at. The very thing she's learned ever since she was a child. The very thing Hoseok would compliment her about.

At the moment, she wasn't even sure what had happened and why she reacted like that. Why her mind became torn or why she cried. Why her body trembled so much. Nothing in her head felt like her anymore. Her body, her mind, didn't feel like her anymore. As if another person took control of her at that moment and shot that arrow. As if another person control her arms like a stringed puppet. She felt like an empty puppet who was at the mercy of a puppet master.

It only took three arrows out of the many she had in her bag. Yet each one counting down like death. Closer and closer to the king's death. And her own mind, soul crumbled like a sandcastle near the shore.

Was she always this mentally weak?

Weak?

Was that what she was?

Weak?

She felt the crashing sorrow paralyze her body. Her senses slowly becoming numb. Her brain completely shutting down. She was shutting down. The emotional damage she was carrying and hid, was now at it's breaking point. The bottle she hid it in, shattered in pieces. Not sure how to react, her brain completely shut down. Her tears stopped and her eyes lost that luster the prince grew to love and adore.

Hoseok's eyes widen as he watched his dove completely shut down in front of him. Her gaze was blank as her tears stopped. The pressure she applied earlier, lessen. Her hands weren't shaking any more nor did her shoulders shook. Her eyes didn't waver but instead lowered to her hands. Her lips parted as a last shuddering breath left her lips.

She looked dead.

"D-dove—?!"

His words drowned out at the sound of the doors being crashed opened. The sound of thundering steps didn't even faze Y/n. But it made Hoseok flinched as his eyes trailed behind Y/n. It didn't sound like any of the man Y/n brought along. About a more than a handful of soldiers rushed in as soon as the door was broken down. Their eyes widen at the display of the king, the once proud king, was on the floor. The ground sucking his blood as his lifeless eyes held that same shocked look he had when Y/n shot him. The arrow still stuck in his flesh while the black feathers that were tied on the edge had now scattered around the room. They gently blew as the draft came in from the now open door. The red room and feathers made it look like death came by. They gasped as their eyes trailed to Y/n who was now kneeling by Hoseok but anyone could see the pool of blood that surrounded the prince.

"S-she killed the king." One said breathlessly. Y/n mindlessly let her dull eyes flicker to the guards, her head turning ever so slightly. They could see her blood stained hands and tear stained cheeks. Her bow and arrow not too far from where she sat. The guards froze under her cold dull stare, their feet glue to the ground.

'Was this the very thing the king was scared of?' They had all wondered but didn't mutter it. Too scared to even move their lips as her stare became hard. Her messy hair blew along with the black feathers. Her strands of hair tickled her forehead and brushed against her hooded eyes.

"No wait she—" Hoseok tried to sit up, his hand on his stomach. But he couldn't even carry himself up and only sunk back down to the ground with a wince. Whatever daze they were in before soon cleared up when Y/n trailed her eyes back at Hoseok. She slowly stood up, her head sinking as her shoulders slumped. Her back was facing them but they could still see the prince's blood coating her clothes. One guard gasped with realization as he drew out his sword and pointed towards Y/n.

"And she now she's trying to kill the prince! Look, that arrow! It can't be!"

"Princess Celestina was right! She is Robin Hood!"

"N-no wait!—ACK!!" Once more did Hoseok cough up blood. The blood dribbling past his lips down to his chin. His vison was starting to blur again. The black dots returned but ten fold. He couldn't see as clear as before and his breathing was starting to get heavy. He won't be able to defend Y/n at this point—

One guard, withdrew his sword from his sheath. In a fast movement did he run with his sword, and raised his sword as he aimed the shining silver sword towards Y/n's back. Hoseok didn't even get a chance to react as the sword pierce through her body. Her body jerked before blood splat from her mouth. Her eyes met his for a moment. They held no emotion, no reaction. So dull and lifeless, as if that sword didn't even inflict any pain. But Hoseok couldn't stop the way his eyes widen or stop the way his eyes glisten with tears. How, despite not being able to move a moment ago, he got up and reached out to her. His fingers so close that the ends of her hair brushed against his finger tips. Yet she fell slowly to the ground with a sword pierce through her. The blood splattered on the ground while that same colored liquid dribbled passed her lips. His eyes watching as her body ever so slowly dropped to the stone cold floor.

A soft thud echoed in the cold tower and silent room. The scarlet liquid now pooling around her. She laid on her shoulder, her hair falling side ways as it tickled her eyelashes. Y/n felt her eyes trail to Hoseok who was shouting but the words never reached her ears. Noise came out muffled, yet she could still hear how slow her breathing was becoming. She could now feel her warmth slowly slip from her fingertips.

Her eyes blinked slowly as she watched the guards hold Hoseok back. She watched as he thrashed and squirmed in their hold. Despite her blurry vision, she could see his tears so clearly that fell from his wide eyes. His eyes held that same fear she felt when that arrow pierced him. He was shouting, maybe even screaming but whatever he was doing, wasn't enough for the guards to release him.

It look now, that they both switched places. Now she was the one on the floor while he was the one crying. The arrow that was once between his flesh was pulled out by one of the guards. She watched as they held him down in regards to treat him.

The last thing she saw was him sitting up once more as he extended his arm to reach for her. His shoulders being held back by the guards. Even though her vison was starting to blacken, she could see his lips move. Noise or not, she knew what he was saying. Y/n slowly rolled her eyes back as darkness finally swallowed her whole, the last thing she thought about was the words the prince said to her.

"Live! Please live Y/n!!!"

"I'm tired Hoseok, I just—I just want to sleep."

⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️

The snow wouldn't stop. It piled on the ground what seem like endlessly. The snow flakes fell on the earth like powdered sugar. The wind whispered against the bare trees as if to tell them news that spread over the kingdom. The people listen to the whispers of the cold wind that blew past their cheeks and muttered amongst themselves.

Everywhere the people stepped was snow amongst more snow. They covered themselves as much as possible while they anxiously glanced at the grey glum castle. The castle had snow on the roofs and towers with icicles hanging from the windows. The windows nearly being covered in frost.

Despite it being closer to spring, the snow fell like it was the first day of winter. Spring seem to be a long way from then. And for some people it seem like spring would never come. That spring was something never to come in their lives again.

The towns were booming despite the cold season. They muttered cheerfully as they wiped the snow from their doors and windows. The wooden houses now repaired with sturdy materials. They didn't starve like before but had enough food for each household.  Something many didn't dream of until recently.

A man with a black cloak picked up a wooden crate filled with rice and place it off the wooden wagon. An elderly woman thanked him before she sighed heavily.

"It's a shame, really."

"What is?" The man asked, his warm breath leaving a subtle puff of smoke. His cheeks slightly tinted pink from being in the cold for so long. His hair ruffled and messy but parted on the side having his bangs tickle his eyelashes. Some pieces of hair tied back with black ribbon as a small ponytail bounced everytime he moved.

"Of what happened to Robin Hood, young lad. Don't you know?" The elderly woman asked, pulling her blanket close to her chest. The man remained quiet but quickly grabbed another crate.

"I am...aware." He responded slowly and barely audibly. The elderly woman turned her head to face the castle.

"It's a shame really, but I suppose he did die for what he believed in."

The man place the crate down near the old woman's door as he slowly nodded, directing his head towards the castle.

"The people are thankful for him but still, to have such a legend die once again. I wonder what hope we'll have now." The old woman sighed but quickly shook her head as he looked at the man.

"Maybe we don't need hope anymore. Maybe things will get better now." The man added quietly. The woman smiled at his words as she changed the subject.

"Thank you young lad, you seem to never forget people like us. I am glad this new king is trying everything in his power to make this kingdom grow again. I have to hand to hand it to that young prince, he's nothing like his father." The woman opened her door as she place the wooden crate inside her house. The man watched with a little smile.

"Yes, he really is trying."

"Well that does it. Thank you again, Sir Jungkook for helping me out." The elderly woman smiled and patted his arm. Jungkook only threw her a smile that barely reached his eyes and crinkle his nose.

"No problem Mrs Serena. I have to go now but let me know if you need anymore help." Jungkook said before he waved to her and walked away. He grabbed the rope pulling the wooden wagon as he began to drag it. His hood fell off as the wind blew against him. Without much of his strength, the now empty wagon dragged behind as he walked through the small town.

It wasn't big by any means, since many people were still wary of living so near the castle. It was supposed to be the capital of the kingdom yet it looked bare and small, something most likely the previous king got rid of.

Jungkook would occasionally help repair the capital. Most of the time he just helped deliver supplies for the people. Everyone by now knew Jungkook because of this. Not only that but they knew him as the only knight that the king kept by him. After the whole mess had gotten cleared up from that night, Hoseok appointed him as his personal knight.

The knight that will protect the king at all times.

"That's if he ever leaves his castle." Jungkook muttered under his breath. His eyes slowly trailing to the castle. When Hoseok was crowned as the new king, the first thing he did was help the villages and arrest any nobles conspiring with the former king. Once he had finished that, he locked himself into the palace walls. Only doing work from the inside.

None have seen him since his coronation. They had only heard of the rumors that whispered in the winds about the king being heartbroken. None knew of what had happened but the dull look in the king's eyes was something everyone whispered and muttered about.

"Stupid hyung, just how long do you plan to stay in there?" Jungkook stopped his tracks to fully gaze at the large castle that was near.

"As long as he can." A voice caused Jungkook to whirl his head. Seokjin walked through with the same black cloak. His hair was a little longer just tickling his neck. A silver bird crest pinned on his cloak.

"Well maybe he shouldn't. Being locked in that castle is something he use to hate, now he willingly does it. How ironic." Jungkook scoffed with an eyeroll. Seokjin sighed before diverting his gaze.

"You know he hates the snow."

Jungkook thinned his lips as he quickly looked away.

"Yeah, I know. It reminds him too much of her. It was snowy like this when they first met." Jungkook said softly. Despite his hard expression, Seokjin could hear the strain in his voice. The slight gloss coating his eyes.

"Yeah it was. His birthday is soon, I wonder if he'll throw a ball." Seokjin joked lightly before his own eyes grew glossy. Jungkook glanced at him as he released a heavy sigh.

"There's no way in hell he would. Did you forget hyung? She was the one who wrecked his birthday ball." Jungkook looked at the sky as the snow fell on his face, melting as soon as they came contact with his skin.

"Arrows, doves, blue, snow, and even Robins. All these things the king can't even glance at without feeling heavy. Without ever shedding tears. I wonder, does Y/n just know how much she meant to him? I wonder, do either of them know how much they meant to each other?"

"Probably not. But I fear, it might be a little too late for that now." Seokjin said as his eyes traveled to the same white sky Jungkook was looking at. The snow falling so softly and effortlessly on their skin and coating their hair.

"How is he so far? I haven't heard from him since yesterday. I'm his personal knight and yet he barely ever needs my services." Jungkook huffed. Seokjin crossed his arms over his chest, exposing the silver amor he wore underneath his cloak.

"Let him leave the castle first damn it Jungkook. He doesn't even leave his office, and you expect him to just leave the castle? Seriously Jungkook?"

"Well I'm just asking. He gave me this position only for me to like never use it. I'm getting kinda bored okay? Everyday I'm helping with repairs and delivering food. Even the camp used have more chores than just those two. And everytime I ask hyung for any set of instructions he just tells me to ask Yoongi and Yoongi never lets me do anything remotely dangerous." Jungkook frowned, and stomped his foot like a child.

"Yeah well I wouldn't want you to do anything dangerous either daredevil. Anyways to answer your question, no Hoseok hasn't been alright. He still buries himself on paper work. Anything to keep his mind occupied. If it wasn't for Jimin and you, I'll doubt he'll eat and sleep."

Jungkook leaned on the wagon with a heavy sigh.

"So it's nothing new then. Though the people praise him, they still find it wary he locks himself up in the castle. The people want to see their king, put faith in him yet hyung is doing the complete opposite. I wish he would get angry or cry, or—something. I'm tired of seeing that same expression." Jungkook lowered his head as he kicked a nearby stick. Seokjin once more looked at the castle, his expression softening.

"He won't show anything. He's cried enough. At least to him, it was enough. Who knows how long this will take for him."

"I wish we got there faster, why wasn't I faster?! Why did I—"

"Jungkook, in the end it wasn't any of our faults." Seokjin cut him off gently, placing his hand on Jungkook's shoulder. Jungkook clenched his jaw and slapped away Seokjin's arm.

"No, but it was our faults!! We are supposed to protect Robin Hood! That was our duty!! She protects us as well as we protect her! That's how it works! That's what the merry men is for!! We should've been there, for the both of them!! For crying out loud, look how badly Hoseok ended up being!! If we just followed them—"

"Jungkook!"

Jungkook flinched before looking down again. He clenched his fists while his glossy eyes returned.

"If we only dwell on what if, then we'll be swallow in guilt. Just like Hoseok. We already trying to pull him out, it's the least we can do for Y/n, for our Robin." Seokjin grabbed his shoulders and gently squeezed them.

"Right, our Robin. The one who saved all of us in her own way." Jungkook muttered underneath his breath. His eyes blinked slowly to disperse his tears.

"That day haunts me you know? I don't even know what went wrong. We had every step so carefully planned, why did it turn out like that? Why was the outcome so...brutal? I don't understand." Jungkook slowly looked up at the older man. His round eyes once more being filled with tears despite trying to rid them earlier. In truth, that day still haunts all her men. That day was never going to go away no matter how much they try not to think about it. It was nearly four months ago since it's happened and yet, it still felt like it had just happened yesterday.

The smell of blood flooding the room the moment her men snuck it. The sound of yelling, shouting that sounded like wails. Jungkook was the first to burst through that door before everyone else barged in with him. The first to see Y/n surrounded by blood. To see that large gash through her back. His eyes had widen, his breathing had became shallow and the loud ringing of his heartbeat rang through his ears. Denial was all he said to himself before his eyes had traveled over to Hoseok.

He was thrashing as the knights held him down, trying to bandage his wound. Jungkook was able to see the tears fall from his face, the horror finally hitting Jungkook like a bus.

Y/n was dead.

Without much further thoughts, Jungkook pushed all the knights away from Hoseok. Throwing them to nearby walls like sandbags. Most didn't stand a chance against the brute Jungkook was when it came to strength. He had kneel down to Hoseok who was finally able to move. But Hoseok had suddenly stopped moving, only leaning onto Jungkook for support. His new freshly bandages were covered in his blood. He had bruises along his face and a cut through his lip. But his eyes had only focused on Y/n who laid so lifelessly on the ground with the blood coating her white clothes. With the feathers dipped around her as if she was a bird who was shot down by a hunter. As if she was a bird stripped from her once beautiful wings.

"Y/n?...D-Dove?...My dove?" Hoseok whispered so softly that Jungkook nearly didn't catch it. He could see the way Hoseok's lip trembled and his voice wavering the more he called her. She wasn't moving, she wasn't breathing.

She was gone.

"She's alive, just go check her..." Hoseok suddenly faced Jungkook who had such a broken expression. Jungkook's own lips started to tremble while he slowly shook his head.

"H-Hyung, she's gone." Jungkook's voice cracked as he spoke. Hoseok looked lost and broken but he quickly shook his head.

"No...no!! NO!! Your wrong! She's alive!! You just need to check! She's alive!" He shouted with wide eyes. Jungkook shook his head as his voice came out more strained than before.

"Hyung, please."

Jungkook didn't even have to say much for Hoseok to understand. Jungkook could see in his eyes something snapped, something broke. His wavering pupils, his trembling lips and endless tears. His hands gripped Jungkook's shoulders as he spoke in a rough voice.

"She's alive. Just check, please Jungkook."

Jungkook had hesitated as his eyes flicked to Y/n's body. He saw so many people die. He's seen so many corpses of people he fought alongside. The smell of blood wasn't anything new to him nor seeing the sight of blood cover his comrades. Being one of Robin Hood's merry men wasn't an easy job to handle which is why in the first place Y/n had so little to begin with. She wanted none of her men to ever be put in situations like so. He was used to the feeling and risks it came with.

Yet no feeling felt worse than at that moment. That moment of realizing that person who helped him, that person who cared about her people more than the king, was laying so beautifully yet so lifeless on the ground, squeezed at his heart. He couldn't take it, he couldn't looked at her knowing that truth. He didn't know how to break it to the prince who had fallen deeply in love with her. Jungkook was the one after all who pushed them together the most.

Why give himself that false hope? That false hope of her being alive? He wasn't sure if he could take the risk of feeling that dread drape over him. What if she really was dead and that small flicker of flame he had, whisks away with the wind? Will he be able to handle the truth? The brutal truth of her passing? Will he be able to ah for that second death he threw upon himself? To the others? To Hoseok? He didn't think he could, no, he was aware he wouldn't be able to. He'll break down and crumble just like the prince was doing right now. And what? What help would that bring?That feeling of hopelessness. Well in that case he was already feeling that burden, that guilt of not being there faster. That guilt that would forever haunt him.

Jungkook's eyes had slowly traveled back to the brokenhearted prince who was hanging by that thread of small hope. A thread of hope he was going to cut off. His heart felt even heavier than before. He never felt so helpless before.

"Hyung, she's gone—"

"Oh my god! She's alive!!"

Seokjin had shouted, he was the only one brave enough to check her body. The only one brave enough to give in that hope that was a double edged sword. And for once, Jungkook thanked god he did because he himself would never been able to look at her body without crumbling. Jungkook and Hoseok whirled their heads to face the elder. Seokjin's two fingers pressed against her neck to find her pulse. But even as relief washes over the room, over her men, over the prince, the panic following soon after was even worse than finding her dead.

They now had to hold on tightly onto that thread of hope otherwise, it'll snap.

"We need to get her out of here! Now!" Jimin had shouted, nearly sounding like he was going to break his composure at any moment. Seokjin had wrapped her in whatever clothing he could find to stop her bleeding. Yoongi had lifted her up in his arms, rushing to leave the building. The knights who were thrown earlier, grabbed their swords to swing at the merry men, unaware of the truth. Unaware of the fact how much of importance Y/n truly was for the prince. Jungkook had grabbed Hoseok, helping him on his back as he too rushed out of the tower, leaving her men to fight off the remaining guards who dared to raise their swords.

They both needed medical attention.

It was like the prince finally realize he was barely holding up and completely blacked out on Jungkook's back. That relief, sadness, and pain all washed over him reminding him he was in fact still a person who was severely injured. Jungkook and Yoongi both knew they were racing against time, with the people they carried barely holding onto their lives.

Jungkook had glanced at Yoongi who for someone who was usually calm and collected, he looked panicked. His eyes wide and the color from his skin drained completely of any color. He looked pale with a thin layer of sweat coating his skin. The blood that poor out of Y/n began to stain his own clothes.

"Okay listen Jungkook,"

Like a bunny on alert, Jungkook perked his head.

"Y/n is losing too much blood at this rate, I don't know how long she'll last before we lose her,"

Jungkook looked more scared than before but Yoongi quickly spoke.

"But, you run faster than me. You're stronger than me. So we'll switch, I'll handle the prince and you take Y/n down. Can you do that Kook?" Yoongi asked. His voice strained and rough. When Jungkook fully faced him, he could see the blanket of tears coating his eyes. Jungkook didn't even hesitate and nodded. Jungkook then gently set Hoseok down on the ground near a wall. With that, Yoongi placed Y/n in Jungkook's arms.

"Now, go Jungkook. And don't stop until you see our medical team. Don't stop until you've reach bottom of the castle. Do you understand?"

Jungkook looked a bit taken aback from Yoongi's intense stare. But he knew just how serious this was. How serious it was to have someone's life on their hands.

"I understand."

"Good, now run."

And Jungkook ran.

"Excuse me! Sir Jungkook! Sir Seokjin!"

Both turned their heads with solemn expressions that quickly became blank when a knight ran towards him.

"Yes?" Seokjin answered. The knight bowed his head in respect before he lift his head up again.

"I'm sorry to bother you two, however the king asks for your presence immediately. He says it's of high importance." The knight said. Seokjin raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Jungkook who shrug the moment they made eye contact.

"Very well. Do you know what it's about? Any updates or emergencies we should be aware of?" Seokjin asked as the three of the them started walking to castle. Jungkook dragged the wagon he carried with him as he listened intently.

"Not that I was told of sir. All I was meant to do was relay the message. The king didn't give me any further information regarding the matter." The knight answered. Seokjin nodded once more before he dismissed the knight. Once the knight disappeared, Jungkook walked right next to Seokjin.

"Any idea what it's about?"

"No. It's rare for Hoseok—I mean, his highness to really call any of us. Hell, it's rare for him to even speak to anyone who isn't us. Alas, whatever it is, I hope it's an improvement to whatever the hell he's been doing before." Seokjin gave a lazy shrug as if he didn't just casually call the king's name. Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows in thought, giving a look that Seokjin knew all too well.

"Don't think about it too much. If it had anything to do with Y/n, the bells would've rang. If anything, he could merely be asking for advice. There's no need to worry Kook." Seokjin ruffled his already messy locks making the younger whine in annoyance as he slapped his hand away. But still, even with the reassurance, Jungkook didn't feel at ease. In fact, Jungkook hasn't really felt at ease in such a long time. The most he could do at the moment was brush it off and walk towards the castle with a heavy heart.

Once at the castle, the air felt heavy as usual. The tension in the air never had felt the same since that night. Even fancy walls and chandlers couldn't hide the fact of how heavy the air felt. Even the bitter winter wind outside couldn't compare to inside. Jungkook shrugged off his hood while Seokjin did the same. Dusting the snow that coated their bodies. They walked through the long hallways and large rooms to get to the throne room where Hoseok waited at.

"Ah, I was wondering when you guys would show up." Jimin scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest as he waited near the door to the throne room. With him, the rest of them waited to be called on.

"I was helping with the village. You know this. My duty as his personal knight sucks a** bro." Jungkook whined only earning him a smack on the head.

"Hey!"

"He's a king now Kook, meaning we can't address him so casually." Seokjin scolded.

"The hell?? You address him casually earlier!"

"Either way, didn't the king himself say he didn't mind us calling him his name? He gave us permission." Yoongi shrugged lazily.

"Doesn't necessarily mean we should, it's against imperial law to address the king so casually." Namjoon added.

"You have no right to really be adding anything." Yoongi threw back. Everyone winced as Namjoon looked away with slump shoulders.

"But the king already forgave me. I don't even know how many times I apologized..." Namjoon muttered with a sulky expression.

"And we all agreed to do the same," Seokjin quickly added before Yoongi made anymore remarks.

"Right, it's what Y/n would've wanted." Jungkook added right after, surprising not only Namjoon but the others as well.

"What? Don't look at me like that! I don't forgive him but Y/n would want all of us to anyways! If she did then we should too!" Jungkook huffed but the tips of his cheeks and ears turned pink at all their stares.

"His highness will see you now." The attendant announced.

"Alright everyone, look nice and speak formally." Seokjin reminded the others who merely nodded along his words. The large metal doors opened to the throne room. Despite being the throne room, there wasn't much gold or silver or even gems decorated around. Simply, Hoseok had gotten rid of those the moment he became king and used those very things to fund the villages and towns. Now, the throne room was merely a large room with large empty chandeliers and one throne at the end of it.

Hoseok wasn't sitting on the throne, instead he was muttering to himself with books and papers scattered on the floor. He sat near the staircase that led to the throne he was supposed to sit on. His hair was slightly longer and curled messily. A golden crown sat on his head. He wore a white ruffled dress shirt that was neatly tucked in his high waisted pants. A red cape draped over his left shoulder. It was filled with golden designs and golden buckle that held around his shoulders. Even though he was a king, he didn't dress like one. He became too accustomed to the way the camp dressed that wearing the whole king get up was too much for him. His jacket and vest that he had in the morning was tossed on his throne. It seems like he gave up on getting the large cape off and just let it be.

"Your highness? Your knights are present." The attendant announced once more. Finally Hoseok looked up.

"Oh! Right, thank you. You may leave now. I have something to say to these men alone, please keep anyone out until I say so." Hoseok quickly stood up and gave his command. He seem a bit taken back but the attendant didn't question it and merely bowed his head. He left the room as he closed the large doors shut.

"Sooooo, what's up king?" Jungkook said casually the moment the silence became too unbearable. A collective of groans echoed soon after making Jungkook grin wide.

"Jungkook, do you purposely tune me out when I give you instructions?" Seokjin asked with an exasperated sigh. Jungkook merely shrugged as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Nice to see you too Jungkook, everyone. Are the villages doing well?" Hoseok asked as he sat back down on the stairs case. His expression became softer but still he looked the same tired prince he was nearly four months ago.

"Yes, the construction is going smoothly. It's been a bit rough because of the cold weather but not too bad as we had predicted. But next month we'll be able to have more projects done." Seokjin answered as he placed his hands behind his back.

"And the people? Any concerns?"

"Some are still unsure about rather or not to trust you. Many still believe the previous kings rule was better than this. But surely with due time, those people will change their opinions. However, most nobles are not taking the change well." Jimin had now answered with averted eyes. Hoseok sighed heavily but gave a weak smile.

"That much I'm aware. I supposed most nobles are not taking kindly on helping the villages either?"

"Villages or towns. They seem to only care for themselves. But I will admit," Yoongi paused for a moment before he spoke again.

"Because of the many noble children that were about of our camp, it's been easier to persuade the children of the nobles. Y/n knew what she was doing by influencing the younger generation."

The room became quiet at the mere mention of her name. Quickly, Namjoon spoke to ease the tension.

"B-but! With their help, more money is being provided to help even the capital and nearby towns. Taehyung is the one who's handling all the preparations for that in case you need more information about it." Namjoon gave a wary smile as he pointed to Taehyung has been silent the whole time. Hoseok let his eyes slowly direct to Taehyung who still had his head lower as if he was still waiting for the king to give him permission to lift his head. Taehyung's hair was long, reaching just a bit pass his neck. His bangs tickling his eyelids. He wore the knight gear that hid under his black cloak with one golden bird pin stuck on.

"Tae?" Hoseok called softly. Taehyung closed his eyes and lift up his head.

"What hyung says is true."

Hoseok soften his expression before averting back to the pile of papers scattered around the floor.

"Right."

Silence fell on them once more. Everyone in the room knew Taehyung hasn't spoken much since the whole accident. He barely mutters and his eyes always seem distant. While they all agreed it wasn't anyone's fault, there was many who still mutter to themselves and put the blame on themselves. Taehung was no different but he became so emotionless.  It affected them all differently. Namjoon had become calmer, Yoongi had became more on alert, Jimin had become more anxious. Seokjin became less talkative and Jungkook only became angrier.

And Hoseok?

He was all the above. Some days he barely spoke, other days he became a mindless robot. Some days he became anxious and most days he became angry at himself. When he was like that, most of the merry men would try to reason with him on why it wasn't his fault, but just like Jungkook, no matter how many times they reassured him, his anger and sadness didn't subside. There was only one thing that could cool his anger.

"Why did you call us here?' Yoongi had finally asked, breaking the suffocating silence that lingering in the throne room. Hoseok sighed heavily as he grab a paper from the ground. He used his hand to motion Yoongi to step closer. Yoongi stepped closer and gently took the paper that was in his hands. Yoongi's eyes started to read through the paper, another moment of silence clouding the air. The other eyes stared at Yoongi who suddenly became tense.

"The hell is this?! Your not actually considering this, are you?!!" Yoongi shouted, whirling his head to face Hoseok. Everyone flinched at his sudden burst. Yoongi was mostly calm, having him burst out like this wasn't like him.

"Yoongi keep mindful of your manners." Seokjin scolded gently, a but worried some knights would barge in at his yelling. Hoseok stood up, letting his cape drape over his shoulders and brush against his calves.

"As much as I don't want to, I have to keep in mind of the kingdom I run. The safety of my people come first. Honestly, I should be thankful they are at least considering it rather than full on avoiding our kingdom." Hoseok explained with a tired look.

"Yeah, but marriage?!! Isn't there a better way to ask for their support?! I mean after all, it was the Kingdom of Jade's princess who caused all this disaster, why do they still want you to marry her?!!" Yoongi yelled.

"Wait what?!" Jungkook rushed to Yoongi and snatched the paper from his hands as his own eyes read what was on the paper.

"There's no way...she's the one who tried to kill Y/n you can't be serious!!" Jungkook started shouting leaving the rest to crowd him and read the same letter Yoongi read. Hoseok ruffled his own hair in frustration before releasing a grunt of annoyance.

"Look I'm not happy about this either but they said they would consider this a threat since Celestrina did return to the kingdom injured. Despite her not being the heir to the throne, she still was a princess. We should be glad they aren't going to war with us for this. We barely are even rebuilding the kingdom, I can't take any risks." Hoseok tried to explain but behind his eyes he looked stumped. He didn't know what to do.

"So you call us here to announce your taking Celestrina as your bride?" Jimin remarked with a sharp glare. Hoseok quickly shook his head as he looked at the very same people who were by Y/n's side.

"No, I called you in to ask for your opinion on this matter. I'm a King first before I am your friend. I have to make right decisions and this, this is making me stuck. I'm not sure what to do. After all Celestrina was working with my father. She's no where fit to be queen. But Kingdom of Jade is still more stronger than us at the moment, we are in no position to go to war or even negotiate. I don't want to result in marriage, I don't want to ever do that again. Not when my heart only belongs to Y/n still." Hoseok sounded desperate and tired. It was then there they were able to see how much this stressed him. The inner turmoil he was fighting was clear on his face.

"Can't we just kill her?" Jungkook asked suddenly.

"Jungkook!"

"I'm serious. She's the root of all our problems. Even now and she's not even here anymore! Yet look somehow she's still interfering with our kingdom. Just give me the command your highness, I don't mind holding that burden." Jungkook quickly turned to face Hoseok who looked a bit taken back at his formal speech. Jungkook had a fiery storm hiding behind his eyes, one that was about to lose control at any given moment. Jungkook was undoubtly loyal to both Y/n and Hoseok. Which at times spooked Hoseok having someone so loyal to him. Especially when at the moment, Hosoek was the only one who can control that fiery anger.

"Jungkook, that would only make the problem worse. Trust me, I've thought about it way too many times myself." Hoseok averted his gaze, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Your highness please don't joke so half heartily." Seokjin let out a heavy sigh.

"I'm not joking." Hoseok said plainly before he spoke again.

"But I'm not going to give you that burden Jungkook. It's something Y/n would've done. That was her motto."

"But it's okay for her to break her own motto?" Jimin snapped. Hoseok placed his fingers on his temple, almost like he was trying to get rid of his sudden headache.

"That was her choice. Her own choice that she would've wanted all of you to not take the same path. You guys don't understand how much it broke Y/n to do that. You should've seen her eyes. They crumbled so fast I didn't even get to process what had happened."

Hoseok then walked over to Jungkook and place his hands on his shoulders.

"So don't do the same Jungkook. I order as your king and friend."

Jungkook lowered his head while clenching his fist but he didn't utter another word. Hosoek patted his shoulders before whirling his head.

"So any other bright ideas?"

Before anyone could even mention anything, the doors burst open startling everyone but Hoseok. Hoseok turned his head to face at the person who walked in.

"Y-your highness!!"

"Niki what did I say about barging in like that. Please announce yourself before coming in." Hoseok gently scolded making the young boy tense.

"Ah! I'm sorry! Forgive me your highness but I bring urgent news!" The boy bowed his head.

"It's alright. What is it Niki?"

The boy raised his head with wide eyes. His dark hair sticking to forehead as sweat dripped from his forehead.

It had been exactly three months, three and half weeks, and one day since Y/n was put in a coma. And that day, a little bit after noon while the king was talking to his closest aids, Y/n woke up.

"Miss Y/n! She woke up!!"