•Chapter twenty five•

All of us are sinners. 

Taehyung was living the life of confusion, of being at the end of just giving up everything and doing as he wishes with no thought of right and wrong, standing at the brink of the cliff while wondering the possibilities of what the outcomes of taking a few steps back and jumping would have. 

Thin strings of sanity held him back. 

The burning stinging behind his eyes, the wetness in his cheeks, the shuddering in rage of his body, and several other reasons pushed him to go ahead. 

He was debating between leaving and staying back. 

Youngmi and Mira were his reasons to leave, Jungkook was a reason to stay. 

The reason to stay was greater than the one to leave. 

It was like... that one thing holding back a person from giving up their pain and problems by ending their life. 

No, Taehyung wasn't thinking about killing himself. No, never. He cannot even think of that when he isn't just himself now but has a lovely being who deserves to see the world in him. 

He just wanted to leave this place. 

Wasn't it alright to feel like this after how he was treated to? He just found out that his "parent" doesn't need him there when she was the one who brought him there and made him stay even after the guardianship period was over. 

However, Taehyung still wanted to give her a chance. She has forgiven him for a million things, so it was alright to be expecting her to come to him and say sorry like he always does after making a mistake, right? 

If she did genuinely show her guilt to him, he might forgive her. 

He could also tell that Jungkook had had an argument with her for a matter related to this and had clearly told her that she was very wrong. 

Maybe... that is why the old woman was upset and had not come to him to say anything yet? Maybe Youngmi was upset that her son was taking Taehyung's side so she chose to remain against Taehyung? 

He really was nothing to her, huh? 

Hours had passed since Youngmi yelled at him. It was a new day, but time was just seemingly stuck at that one time. 

He was desperate for motherly warmth all of a sudden. He couldn't help but blame himself for losing his parents twice. His biological mom died because of his birth, and his guardian left him because of his stupidity. 

So what now? Was he just supposed to act like he had no guardian now because he fought over some lame reason? 

Stop acting like a child, Taehyung told himself. If she doesn't come to speak, go to her yourself. 

It should be okay. It should be. 

Taehyung almost yelped when he heard a knock. He was so damn happy that he could finally end his miseries, thinking that Youngmi was here to speak to him. 

"Taehyung-ssi?" The smile of his vanished in an instant. His dull eyes were evidently disappointed on seeing Chohee instead of the one he expected to see there. The girl seemed to notice it all. 

"Were you waiting for someone?" her gentle voice reached his dazed self and he managed to just nod for giving her an answer. "Oh, I'm sorry if I startled you, but the  past queen wishes to see you." 

"Mom?" Taehyung eyes sparkled. Chohee knew something was wrong because Taehyung had stopped calling Youngmi "mom" long ago. 

She held his hand, guided him out, feeling slightly hesitant because she had seen how serious her highness looked when she received the order to bring Taehyung to her. 

She didn't say much of anything, being smart enough to understand that something wrong had happened that she didn't know about. 

Taehyung seemed desperate as he let her go and rushed into the ex-queen's room. 

And there she sat, looking like a glorious queen even though she wasn't one anymore. She still had that solemn face on which she did have when speaking to her subjects. 

"Taehyung..." she started, not looking into his eyes. "About yesterday..." 

"You don't need to feel bad about it," Taehyung quickly said, afraid that she might be feeling weird to apologizing or admitting her mistake. He didn't need any of that unless she knew that he wasn't a manipulator or is guiding Jungkook to do wrong things. 

"I do feel guilty," Youngmi said, looking up from the floor finally. "I didn't most of the things I said. I've never lost cool before, but it just happened yesterday because I was worried of my grandchild." 

"I-It's alright." Taehyung was uneasy, figuring out that the reason he is asked to come may not be for patching up again with Youngmi. 

"Now that I have admitted my mistake, i would also like to tell you how stressed I am, Taehyung." 

Nervousness. That's all Taehyung could feel. 

Her tone was as distant as her scrutinizing eyes. She didn't seem to have anything too bad to say, but she definitely wasn't going to tell him something pleasant. 

"Every queen will be worried of their heir and every mother for their child, right Taehyung?" 

Again... he felt a pang of pain in his chest. You aren't even thinking of me when you say son. You never thought me as a son. 

Don't you see that you're hurting me repeatedly? I'm trying... I'm trying my best to not make anything turn worse but you just keep pushing me so much that you just fall more and more in my eyes. 

I don't want to lose you, but all you do is push me away. 

All I know is, I have to be a much better mother to my son or daughter than you ever were to me, mother. 

I can't help but feel my hatred for you rise. It isn't my fault again. 

"Do you see me as a threat to your heir?" Taehyung asked, cold and stern and strong in his words. 

His anxiousness vanished because there was no point of it remaining. What he didn't want to happen was already happening so what is the point of being nervous about it? 

Do you even deserve to be called a mother? God, you don't even give me a chance to blame myself for the things that are happening. 

It is clearly not my fault. You and Mira are at fault for the recent things happening. 

"I don't want to see as a threat knowing that you would never do such a thing." 

"But you still do?" Taehyung scoffed. "Your blood was always what you loved more than anything else. Surely, you love a unborn more than someone who lived with you for so long." 

"This!" Youngmi exclaimed, fisting her hands. "This is exactly what makes me think that you aren't as good as you appear, son! Jungkook loves you, and he's also acting so immature and dumb to come fight with me this morning and try to tell me that Mira isn't as good as she appears!" 

"You're right," Taehyung looked so dangerous that Youngmi had to shut herself up and look at him with wide eyes. He ignored what she told about Mira just because he didn't want to frustrate himself anymore than he already has. 

"Jungkook loves me. I didn't ask him to love me now, did I? But since he loves me, watch me make sure he remains mine forever." 

There was no need to yell. 

Those words scared his guardian enough. 

"He's married, Tae!" 

Taehyung laughed at that, placing his hands on his stomach, hurt to the point that he had already lost his mind but also saw his guardian as a threat to his child. 

He cannot be blamed. She was the one to think that he might her family, so he's worried that she might his family to show him his place at her feet. 

He wouldn't be able to trust Youngmi again. 

"You think I don't know that? You think I don't know that a bitch snatched my mate out of my hand?" 

"Stop talking ill of her! The only ones wrong here are you and Jungkook for continuing whatever thing you had even after he got into a marriage!" 

Youngmi didn't think that's true. Mira was anything but pure, but Taehyung had to know that he couldn't speak bad of the owner of the palace. 

It could cause a lot of consequences. 

Her way of saying it only angered Taehyung because she seemed to be siding Mira even when she could see how hurt they all are because of her. 

Taehyung grinned, rather maniacally "We are all sinners together, your highness. You are a sinner for being the worst mother possible and I am one for being the worst son and a wizard to turn a gem like Jungkook to a sinner too." 

"Have you lost our mind?" Youngmi shuddered, pushing him away. "Why are you behaving like this?" 

The room smelt horribly of Taehyung's bitter scent, pheromones dangerous and dominating. He had a smirk that indicated his anger.

Youngmi knew she had a made a huge mistake by thinking that she could have a peaceful conversation with Taehyung to tell him that it would be better if he would let go of Jungkook. 

She just wanted everyone to be happy. Her intention wasn't to make just Jungkook happy. 

She didn't know of the bond that they shared. Jungkook didn't think of her as trustworthy enough to tell her all that, and though she knew that Mira had partially forced him to do things with her, all she could think of was how to make Jungkook not be forced to do it again. 

She knew a divorce would never be allowed unless the relationship was unsalvageable.

She didn't like Mira either. 

She would love it if Taehyung and Jungkook could come together and live a happy life. 

But chances of that happening was less, and she was really out of things to do to make things better.  All she could think of was getting Jungkook away from Taehyung and making him concentrate on Mira at least until their child was born. 

Maybe... Maybe after that she could find a way to convince Mira that she should initiate a divorce and have Jungkook agree to it so they could end it in good terms? 

But things were falling apart much more quickly than she expected it to. 

She was not blind to the million things this single omega could do. Mira could be bad and evil, but she was no match to Taehyung when the omega became the way he loves being. 

Like the way he is now. 

Demonic. Strong. 

"Tae, please don't be like this, baby. Stop seeing me as a enemy--" 

"I would advice you to keep all that to yourself," Taehyung deadpanned. "I know well who is my foe and who is not. Be careful..." 

His mumble towards the end made Youngmi shiver and hug herself, feeling very cold all of a sudden. 

"I won't forget the million good things you did for me, but if you want me to be at your feet to serve all your wishes just for the worthless, lifeless things you gave me, you are absolutely wrong." 

"I don't want you to be at my feet, Taehyung. I just want you to leave Jungkook and Mira." 

She seemed unsure to speak even a word now. What if she said something to anger him more? This omega had more of a rage than alphas too. 

"Oh, is that all you want?" Taehyung smiles.

"I'm going to make sure your son ends up with who he belongs to. You thinking that your son could have a happy life away from me was also a big thing to ask for, something I will never let happen. Maybe you could wish for better things, and I let I them come true? Ask for Jungkook to end up with me rather than a witch, and your wish will come true soon." 

"Do you think I don't wish for your happiness?" 

"I don't fucking care anymore," Taehyung said, turning around with a roll of his eyes. "I'll do what I want. Don't come in my way-- wait, you won't even be able to come in my way again." 

Because I'm going away from you, far away so you can never come near my path too. 

I cannot live near people like you anymore. Thanks for making me clear of what I have to do next, and I'll make sure this is the last help I take from you. 

With his unclear words being said, he just left, like the worthless conversation didn't need to end in a proper way. 

*-*-*-*

"I-I want my mom," Taehyung whispered to himself, knowing that his own mother was much better than anyone else ever was to him. 

Because of the love she held for him, Yoongi and Namjoon didn't see him as a murderer of their mother but a blessing and the only lovely thing that she left back with them. 

He didn't know much about her. Hell, he didn't even know his own parents' name because Yoongi never told him about her so he could think of only Youngmi as his mother.

Youngmi could never be his mother. 

He needed a family.

"No more..." Taehyung decided, heaving out a sigh. Too much had happened already and he was abusing himself by staying in this suffocating, dangerous place. "I can't take this for any longer."

He forced himself to his feet, grabbing a cloth and spreading it on the floor before throwing a few clothes and important things on it, deciding to leave after letting just Jungkook know of his departure. 

He wasn't running away. No, this place belonged to him because he was the rightful queen. 

He will come back when the right time comes. 

He missed Jungkook so much that his chest squeezed when he thought about how hurt Jungkook would be when he gets to know that he wants to leave. 

The angel like alpha had even fought with his mother for him. Lord, this was going to be difficult--

"Love?" Taehyung nearly gasped, his hands freezing in their position, hanging on the air. His shaking body acted on its own, defensively, and tried to hide the things before him. 

Though he did miss him and was thinking of him, he didn't expect Jungkook to come. 

The bond is shared by both of us... Taehyung thought, allowing himself the few warm moments of love that he felt because Jungkook found out that he needed him. 

Will you come to me when I miss you in the future too? The thought made him sad again. With every moment, he could only let it dawn on him that he was going to go far from Jungkook. 

 "You're here..."

Jungkook carefully, slowly walked to him, eyes scanning Taehyung's shocked face before looking at the mess of rather casual and not so costly clothes before him. 

His slightly cheery face that had formed on finding Taehyung and being close to him, fell into a frown. 

Please, don't question me. I won't be able to stop even if you want me to, Jungkook. This place is not safe for our baby, please understand this without having to listen to me explain you anything. 

But his luck was not by his side.

"Are you going to leave?" Jungkook sounded so crestfallen that Taehyung almost changed his plans of leaving.

But, no. He couldn't stay. Not after all those things happened. Although he expected for another huge set of questions to come, it didn't. Jungkook looked deep into his eyes, swallowing the thoughts, emotions that flashed there. 

To Taehyung's immense relief, he seemed to understand. 

He seemed to know why Taehyung wanted to leave. After all, he expected all this already and was also glad that Taehyung hadn't just left until now and he had a chance to speak to him before he did do anything. 

"Won't you stay at least for a bit more? You're still sick and just fainted yesterday..."

Taehyung ignored his concern, wanting to just cuddle into the huge expanse of his chest and stay there forever but knowing that he couldn't do things like that yet. 

"W-would you feel sad if I say that I want to go?"

Jungkook's shoulder slumped down. How can he make Taehyung stay here against his will?

If leaving meant his happiness then...

"I would be sad if you do something that makes you sad."

Jungkook almost lost his mind when Taehyung's lower lips wobbled, tears filling in his puppy eyes, pressing his hand against his mouth to hold back all humiliating noises. 

"Tae, lovely, please don't cry. You'll make yourself even more sick if you--"

"How can anyone n-not love someone like you?!" Jungkook flinched at his sudden outburst. "Stop being so fucking good or we will have more than one Mira fighting with me for you!"

"Calm down, petal..." Jungkook requested.

He crouched beside Taehyung, cradled him closer to his side.

"I'm not that nice, Tae..." Jungkook stated, tenderly rubbing away his tears. "Not only am I partly the fault of everything that happened, I'm even very selfish to want you to do something for me in this state."

When the reply came instantly, Jungkook was heavenly happy and relieved of a little stress of having Taehyung leave.

"I will. I will fulfill whatever you wish from me."

Jungkook patted his head, rubbed his scalp and felt warm when Taehyung melted into his arms.

 He just let the fragile boy enjoy a few moments of calmness, not knowing that he'd already calmed down after he heard his voice.

But it wasn't easy to remain calm for long when they knew they wouldn't have each other for long.

Jungkook had asked him to stay once, promising to be there for him, but that just wasn't enough.

Taehyung couldn't be happy here unless Mira was sent away.

And as much as Jungkook wished to dethrone Mira, expose their relationship which was fake all along, and ask her to leave, he was helpless.

He'd do something. 

He believes that he isn't the father of the child growing in the woman. He wasn't sure because it was too early for his instincts to be able to tell him even that Mira is pregnant. 

He should feel connection with the child after a few months, that is, if it is his. 

He knew by seeing Mira's behavior that she referred to the child only when she was forcing him to give her attention. He could understand that she didn't quite care of the child and only wanted him.

So there could be a possibility that she set this all up to just get him.

It was just a thought he had, but he wasn't letting it slip away. After the child is born, he would take a paternity test.

If it turns out that the child is not his, then he'd expose her, but if it is, then he will take responsibility of the child and still announce to the entire Kingdom that he wanted to have nothing with Mira.

She will realize towards the end of all this that he doesn't love her and won't ever love her back.

For now, he first needed to make sure Taehyung is safe. He decided to just Taehyung where he would be going and what could be done to make things better.

"Where will you go?" Jungkook sighed. "Should I ask Yoongi hyung--"

"Not him," Taehyung cut him off, shaking his head against his chest sternly. "I'm not going to hyung. If he finds out the reason behind me going there then he might lose his cool. You need to make sure that he doesn't know I left too."

I'm pregnant too. It would be difficult to hide the changes for any longer than the seventh month, and I would rather tell you about it than him.

He'll kill Mira.

It's not like I care about her anymore, but I don't want to ask for more problems.

There's no one here... Taehyung warily looked around when he got a sudden thought of something. Jungkook was looking at him carefully, and his gaze made Taehyung shy, but he decided to focus on what he was going to do. What if I tell him?

"Jungkook, what will you do if you find out that Mira is hurting me or making me do things I dislike?"

Jungkook frowned. "Did she do something like that to you? Tell me. I already warned her to not trouble you in any way. I'll make sure she regrets it if she has done anything to you."

"What will you do if she has done things?" I need to protect my brothers and you. I can't take any risk of being impulsive. If you look hesitant or confused, I can't tell you anything.

Jungkook stayed quiet and looked at him for a while. "I'll make her get her punishment for it, but I can't expose her in front of the people unless I have some proof of her doing something wrong."

There There went his tiny hope of having Jungkook by his side as he tackled the girl.

He knew it. It was impossible for a king to just go against his wife, a queen, for tiny worthless things. He will bring his name down by doing so, and if he is left with no power then the there are many ministers waiting for a opportunity to become kings themselves. 

The kingdom cannot be compromised. 

Then I'm forced to not tell you anything, Kookie. You might confront her and she will hurt my family which includes you. Legal action isn't possible until we have a proof. 

I pity her. I know she's somehow just lost her mind and has become desperate to act like this.

But I'm not in a state to be helping her out and show her the right path. She's young and still has a lot to see, but she believes that she can open her eyes to only see your face.

She crossed her limits long ago, and more than me, it will be you who will suffer because of her.

I feel selfish for wanting to leave. Yet, I know that even if I stay and let you enjoy being near the child growing in me, it will only increase problems. I shouldn't be the one to be blamed; it's that girl who did this.

"Why?" Jungkook asks, looking closely at his eyes to find out what he seems to hiding behind them.

Taehyung ignored his question and decides to just move on from the topic.

 It should be fine to leave even if he had no idea about where he should go. Jungkook also gave him the reassurance that he could leave.

"Will you take care of both my hyungs for me?" Taehyung asks, sullen. "Both of them. I want both safe and happy."

"There must be a reason you are thinking that they aren't happy already," Jungkook mumbled. "I'm not sure of what the reason is, but I will do my best to take care of them. I can assure you about Yoongi's safety--Hoseok wouldn't let anything happen to him--but Namjoon hyung..."

"They will be okay in the end, right?"

Jungkook desperately wanted to ask him of what end he was talking about. 

Was there something in his mind? Why did there seem to be a ulterior motive to him wishing to leave other than his pride?

Where would he go? How will he manage? How will he survive? Will he get food to eat and a bed to sleep on? Blankets to keep him warm and a friend to be with? 

What if he's in the worst state and Jungkook knows nothing because of staying away?

The bond... If Taehyung loses contact from him for too long then he might be in bigger problems. What about that?

"You're thinking too much," Taehyung patted his cheek and smiled softly. "Calm down."

"Where are you planning to go?" Jungkook couldn't help but ask. He didn't want to poke into Taehyung's business. He just had to know. 

 When Taehyung replied with no words but just pressed his lips together, Jungkook was slightly sad. "You don't want to tell me?"

Taehyung rolled his eyes. "Why would I not want you to know? I'm just not sure... but I had wished to go to the house I was born in. My parents' house. Yoongi hyung had visited there a few times, so I'm sure that they haven't swiped out the hut."

"There?" Jungkook was taken aback. "But I don't think the condition of the place will be good enough for you to live in it."

"That's alright," Taehyung shrugged carelessly. "I'll manage, I guess. I have to."

Jungkook's pouty lips tempted Taehyung to peck on them, and he didn't want to lose a single opportunity. 

He leaned upwards and pecked him, letting his lips linger over his lips for a second, grinning when Jungkook held him timidly while biting on his lip.

"What did you want me to do for you? I will fulfil all your wishes before I leave, love." Taehyung says, chuckling when Jungkook looked at him with shocked eyes. "Why? You call me that always. Why can't I do it?"

Deciding to not speak about it--having loved how it sounded--Jungkook shook his head and pushed Taehyung away slightly before getting up.

"You just agreed to give me what I want so easily, so I have a lot to ask from you."

Taehyung was about to flood him with his questions, but Jungkook had already left his room in a hurry, leaving him in a mess of thoughts. The future was a huge blur to him because he knew everything would change after a while, once he leaves.

He couldn't lose all contact with Jungkook. He hoped Jungkook would just come and meet him whenever he could because it will be easier to survive if that happens.

Jungkook came back in a while with a few boxes, confusing Taehyung. The alpha guided him to the bed, made him sit down, before he carefully opened one small box and urged Taehyung to eat.

Jungkook couldn't help but smile sweetly at how hungry Taehyung was to open his mouth wide and start eating everything he fed him so quickly.

"You haven't eaten anything since morning, am I right?" He didn't sound really happy. 

Taehyung batted his eyelashes apologetically. 

Taehyung ate more and more until he felt himself fill up completely. He looked up at a smiling Jungkook and hugged him, arms circling around him and pulling him closer.

"Are you doing all this so I just melt here and won't be able to leave?"

Jungkook was just so fucking glad that Taehyung wasn't still depressed and sad. He just wouldn't be able to stand it if Taehyung left with tears in his eyes.

"No," Jungkook denied, pecking his temple. It was Taehyung's time to blush now, and Jungkook didn't tease him for it with a fear that he might just stop reacting to his touches if he annoys him.

"I'm not trying to make you stay back. I'm only trying to make sure you leave with a happy smile so I don't fail in my promise of keeping you happy until you are with me."

"You never failed in keeping your promise," Taehyung assured. "I would nothing more than having you by my side."

Yet, you're leaving. Jungkook thinks. I need nothing more than you, but I still cannot get you even if you're ready to be with me now.

"If I have kept my promise then give me a reward by promising that you will not miss a single meal from now. If you don't feel like eating, remember how I fed you today and feed yourself just like that."

"A-are..." Taehyung took a deep breath to calm his raging heart. "When you asked me that you need something, did you just want to ask things for me, from me?"

"Yes," Jungkook stated without hesitation. "I won't stop you from going, but I need the assurance that you will do well away from here too even if I can't see whether you're eating and sleeping well there."

Jungkook didn't mind the silence that was born after the sound of his own voice died down. He patted Taehyung's back, feeding him a little more before giving him water.

Taehyung just ignored his sweetness. He couldn't cry any more with the pounding headache and tired eyes, but Jungkook was making things difficult by being like this.

He was overwhelmed that he was going to leave soon.

He was leaving Jungkook and taking their baby with him, not giving this selfless angel his rights of being with his child.

For a moment, he just wanted to forget about what should be done and just stay.

He found himself the million reasons he had to leave and the one reason he had to stay. Somehow, the one reason to stay was more powerful than the others for staying.

"You don't need to rethink over anything," Jungkook said, holding his chin. Looking deep into Jungkook's eyes, Taehyung could tell that Jungkook was determined in sending him away too.

"You think it is fine for me to leave?" Taehyung asks with a heavy heart, trying to get confirmation from him.

"Yes." I cannot let you stay near Mira knowing that she has the power to destruct you. And after what happened to you, asking you to stay will be the last thing I would do. Jungkook thought

"Then I will go," Taehyung made up his mind. A glint of possessiveness flashed in the omega's eyes as he harshly grabbed Jungkook's nape and pulled him down to crash their lips together in a rather fierce kiss.

They didn't know if they will get a chance to kiss like this in the near future.

And Jungkook seemed more desperate than Taehyung as he cupped his cheeks and hovered over him, pushing him down to lay down on the bed. 

Taehyung whimpered as his strong arms wrapped around him strong and tight.

"You will promise me everything I ask?" Jungkook asks, smirking when Taehyung nods as he wasn't in the state to reply in proper words.

"Promise me that you will still smile and laugh as freely as you did before this imprinting bond was formed. You will take one servant along with you so you don't have to struggle, Miss Chohee maybe as she seems close to you. I won't force you to keep that servant with you, but they will be with you unless the house you're going to live in is completely clean and made right again."

"But--"

Taehyung arched his back when Jungkook didn't let him speak and connected their lips again.

"Wait!" Taehyung whined, breathing ragged, pulling away forcefully. "I won't disagree to what you're saying!"

"Then you can proceed to say whatever you want to." Jungkook busted out a wide smile, and Taehyung felt himself melt, close to even forgetting what he wanted to say because of his alpha's cute little smile.

Taehyung hesitated to speak his next words, wishing to not come off too desperate, but he just went ahead and said it,

"Will you come to meet me?"

There was no point in hiding his feelings anymore. He wasn't planning to keep it to himself for any longer anyway.

If he was leaving, he will leave Jungkook in a confident state by promising him one more thing, of giving himself to Jungkook, not as a thing but because his heart was already given to him without either of them knowing.

So there wasn't a chance of him surviving for long if his heart stayed away from him, right?

That's why Jungkook had to come see him. If he did, then Taehyung could safely let him know of the pregnancy too

But by seeing how sullen Jungkook suddenly looked, it was no doubt that his wishes were hard to fulfil.

"I-I'm not sure," Jungkook mumbled. "I would rather not give any promises because I don't know if my kingship will let me come to you."

Taehyung let out a deep sigh, biting his lower lip, knowing that a king wouldn't be expected to go around and fulfil reckless wishes and will be questioned if people find him just going inside the house of some commoner.

It was too much to ask for.

"It's alright," Taehyung managed to not let his voice crack. He gave a small smile to the alpha who too dejected to even look at him.

Taehyung slowly got out of the bed and walked to the mess of clothes and other items that still lay on the floor. He tied the ends of the huge cloth after stuffing the things to the center of the cloth.

They couldn't take it. It was just too much pain for them to face each other, but none dared to run away from this farewell because they knew it was of no point.

"Write letters to me," Taehyung almost begged, not liking the thought of having no news from him at all. "If you can... someday... please come to me. I will wait for that day."

Taehyung readily accepted Jungkook's warm embrace, snuggling into him deeply as he tried to savor the soft feeling of his warmth enveloping him and the arms around him. No one could able to give him this comfort.

"I love you," Jungkook said, breathing out in a ragged, seemingly close to just break down at this point. Like always, Taehyung wasn't supposed to answer, but he did, and Jungkook nearly lost his mind.

"Me too." He didn't say the exact words, but his meaning was clear.

"What?" Jungkook asked, shocked. "what are you trying to say?"

"I like you a lot too, Kookie," Taehyung said, not blushing like he would do if he admitted this at some other time, in some other situation. He was afraid that this might be the last time he will even be talking to Jungkook.

Nothing could happen, right?

He was leaving behind the dangerous people in this place, so what could happen to him?

Also, Jungkook would surely take care of himself and him from here, so he shouldn't worry about anything to his family.

He had to come back here as a queen.

Before Jungkook could say a word more, break down completely and beg him to not leave, he picked up his load and left the room, sneaking through the corridors to leave without being noticed.

That's all was needed for Jungkook to fall on his kneels, curl into a ball and let out heart wrenching sobs.

He rushed to the window to wait for Taehyung to make his way out of the castle and out of the gates, and when he did spot the tiny figure of his speaking to the guards at the gate before getting out, he cried harder.

When would he be able to see him again?

God, all of those who caused him pain are going to suffer, he will make sure of it.

Most of all, Mira will suffer for her actions, and he knew he didn't really have to do anything more than acting like a stranger to her to make her suffer.

He wasn't going to be any better to Mira, maybe worse but not better.

The child in her could be his, so he will love it and it would remain innocent irrespective of its mom's deeds, but she will never have any worth to him.

Taehyung...

he left.

This would be the last day he would cry. after this, he will show people what it looks like to be a dominant alpha they all wish him to be.

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