|Purple|

Jungkook sat stiffly on one of his father's office chairsㅡsomething that he hasn't done in a while.

His father eyed him, probably taking down every single flaw he has developed over the days. "Seems like staying with Kim made you grow some manners," he joked.

"We should combine Caeruleus and Roseus." Jungkook was going to cut to the chase here, bite the bullet.

The silence followed made him fidget. He knew that his father held so much importance for Caeruleus. He wouldn't let others have it that easily, may it be to combine the kingdoms for a greater good.

"And why would you want that?"

Now Jungkook didn't stay up all night to plainly suggest the thought without preparing any back up. Okay, that was just a part of it. He really didn't get any sleep due to the nervousness.

"Taehyung is going to get coronated tomorrow and we will get married sometime in early March. I find it ironic because this marriage was actually suppose to stop whatever war and disagreements that would occur between the two kingdoms. Besides, why rule two different kingdoms when we can combine it and make life easier?" Jungkook began, silently hoping that his father would understand what he was saying.

"And since when did you care about the other party?"

Jungkook ignores the question, "Think about it Dad. If we combine both then we'd have more protection against Saejun. And it'll be better rather than taking over Roseus as it would have a lot of bloodshed. I have T-taehyung wrapped around my fingers. He can't rule but I can. He can sit back while I do the work. Doesn't that sound good father?"

The brunette felt bad about using Taehyung's weak spot against him. He doesn't have a choice. Another thing Jungkook was fond of is lying, crossing his fingers behind his back. He didn't mean them. Not at all.

Its for the betterment of all right?

The older paced back forth, considering the idea. Releasing a loud sigh, he says, "Have you really thought about this Jungkook? It would take weeks or more to finalize the papers for this, the treaty, inform the people-"

"Dad, calm down. We have time on our hands. Nothing's going to happen for us to rush things. The bastard won't come anywhere near us."

Jungkook finally felt like he could breathe once a slow nod was received from the king. "Your mother would kill you for cursing," Joohyun chuckles. "Well you can't deny that he is indeed a bastard," Jungkook retorts with a smirk.

Things were going as planned. He'll protect his family without hurting Taehyung. He can do it.

"What would be the first step in this operation son?"

"I have to get coronated tomorrow."

----

Taehyung was fidgeting.

No, he was actually shaking so badly that he couldn't stand up. His social anxiety was getting worse by the minute.
"I, Kim Taehyung, promise to serve my kingdom in sickness and inㅡ oh fuck. I caㅡ..can't do it. I'm g-going to thr-throw up. H-hyung!" Taehyung chokes out and rushes to his bathroom with Yoongi following from behind.

There goes his lunch.

The boy releases all the bile that has been rising up his throat ever since he'd separated ways with Jungkook for the day. Yoongi is there behind him, rubbing comforting circles on his back. "You're okay Taehyung. You're fine," he would say like how he usually does when Taehyung turns into a sick mess.

Tears were brimming in the other's eyes. His heart was pounding so hard that he could hear it banging through his ribcage. His throat was sore due to too much vomiting and his hands were so clammy that he'd have to grab a towel to wipe it clean.

"H-hyung, I don't..."

"You don't want to get coronated?"

Taehyung whines and falls to his knees. He knew this day would come. The blonde was prepared for this for his whole life. Why was he hesitating?

"We aren't taking no for an answer Kim Taehyung. You are going up there and get coronated tomorrow. I don't give a flying fuck if you're going to be a shitty ruler because we haven't crossed that bridge. But that's better than having the throne unsecured. You have to show no weakness Tae. Got that?" Yoongi snaps, not a trace of mischief in his tone.

This is what he liked about Yoongi. Instead of hearing cheesy and all too praiseworthy sayings, Yoongi would be blunt and tell you how he thinks about the situation. There are times when it comes off as harsh but Taehyung would consider this as a wake up call.

"You do like knocking some sense into me huh?" Taehyung chuckles then goes back to a coughing fit. "Well that's been my job ever since I met you. Lay on your bed while I ask the maids to get you some water," Yoongi snickers.

"I have to go now Tae. Your father and Jungkook's would like me to sign some papers." Taehyung dismissed him with a wave and curled up into a ball under the warm covers.

"Maybe a little nap won't hurt," he says to himself and tried to drift off to dream land.

Emphasis on the word tried.

In the end, Taehyung looked up to his ceiling and was cleary wide awake. He couldn't sleep no matter how much he tried.

Ruffling his blonde locks, he moves away from his lying position and sat up straight with his back resting against the headboard.

His gaze shifted to the pack that was resting on his bedside table. His hands were itching to light one. He needed that warmth to kick in so he could finally relax. "Should I?" Taehyung contemplates as he reluctantly reached out for the pack. "You won't get addicted Taehyung. Yeah..." The said boy already took one stick out of the pack and hissed when he realized that he didn't bring a lighter with him.

As his cravings grew, he got out of his room and walked aimlessly around the corridors, trying to find a lighter or some sort. "Argh! Why is life so hard?" Taehyung silently cries. "Do you need anything Your Highness?" One of the old servants asks once he saw the boy banging his head on the wall

"Daeji! Do you perhaps have a lighter with you today?"

"I do sir."

"Can I borrow it for awhile? I swear I'll return it or buy you a new one." His brown doe like eyes widen in fascination when the servant got the lighter out of his back pocket.

"No need to do that sir. You can have it if you want," And with that, Taehyung was left alone with the lighter clutched in one hand.

What he thought was a single stick turned into two, then four, then seven. Now he doesn't even know how much he'd smoked. The stubs were left on his balcony floor and Taehyung was greeted by the cool air once again.

The stiffness in his neck and weight in his shoulders seem to disappear once he finished the -what he thinks is- fourteenth stick. Looking at the mess he's made on the floor, he grunts at his idiocy. "Where the heck is that broom?" Taehyung got a small broom from his spare closet and began sweeping up the stubs and ashes on the floor.

Unfortunately, luck didn't seem to be on his side today. Taehyung was sweeping too fast that he'd slip on one of the stubs causing him to fall on his ass. Then his white button up was now covered with ashes that turned the pure white color into some grayish sort.

"Fucking hell!"

"Oppa, are you okay?"

Taehee emerges from the balcony door and gasps at her brother's appearance. "H-have you been smoking?" She questions as she eyed the ashes and cigarette stubs on the floor and on her brother's shirt.

"Thanks for the help little sis," Taehyung snickers and gets up while dusting the ashes off his clothes. "Oppa doesn't smoke. You should stop," says Taehee.

"C'mon princess, I don't even smoke a lot."

"But still! It's bad for your health," The other argues.

"I'm turning twenty Taehee. I can do anything that I want."

"Oppa-"

"Shut it! Can you please leave me alone?!" Taehyung barks.

The princess flinches and stood there with her gaze casted on her feet. Taehyung pulls out his hair in frustration, trying to calm down again. After hearing small whimpers turn into sobs, Taehyung's gaze softens and guilt starts to eat him alive.

"I-i was on-only worried because...I kno-know that you could g-get sick fr-from that! I..I-i don't wan-want to lose you too!" She cries louder, her small hands trying to wipe the tears that were escaping at a rapid pace.

"I'm sorry baby girl. Forgive Oppa okay?" Taehyung says and wraps his arms around his little sister. His heart was aching but his body felt numb.

"I don't want to lose you too"

That's right. Something could happen to Appa and things will go downhill.

"I didn't mean to yell at you," he says softly, running his fingers in her brown hair.

"I know. B-but you've cha-changed. Too much change."