Taehyung hesitantly walked near the steaming water. He could feel Jungkook's piercing gaze on his back, making him gulp.

Why the hell did he ask his knight to watch him bathe?

Kim fucking Taehyung!

He wanted to groan but held it all in as he dipped his foot a little on the water, wanting to divert his attention by focusing on the water's temperature and to know if it is to his liking.

"Hmm.." He hummed, satisfied.

Taehyung stood by the edge, back still facing the ravenette as he contemplated whether to remove his clothes or not.

His fingers fumbled through the knot of his hanbok, still hesitating.

"What's stopping you, Kim?"

He heard Jungkook's deep voice, low and challenging which made him bite his lower lip.

"I thought you want me to guard you while you bathe?" Jungkook added, making Taehyung turn to look at him.

He readied his rebuttal but was soon halted when he saw the ravenette slowly advancing toward him.

"Or do you want me to remove that for you?" Jungkook suggested, eyeing the knot on his hanbok.

Taehyung could feel his cheeks burn from embarrassment, but his determination not to be humored by the ravenette took over all reasons.

"Go ahead and undress me."

Taehyung ordered, dropping his hand on his sides as he stared at the ravenette who now has an amused look on his face.

"What? Changed your mind?" It's Taehyung's time to challenge the ravenette who just stared at him with a stoic face.

In anticipation, Taehyung clenched his fists, seeing Jungkook reach out his hands for his clothes.

He stiffened when Jungkook slowly untied the knot, eyes not leaving his own.

In a slow manner, Taehyung felt the soft material gliding down his shoulders, revealing his defined collar bones.

He was too lost in the pool of darkness he could see in the ravenette's eyes when he was forcefully turned around, back now almost pressed to the other.

"You really enjoy endangering me, Kim." Jungkook whispered as he finally undressed Taehyung, careful not to touch his skin even a little as he let the material drop on the floor.

Taehyung held his breath, body hot all over as he stood naked for Jungkook's eyes to see.

He couldn't move, feeling the ravenette slowly stepping away.

Is he looking at him?

Taehyung couldn't tell.

He badly wanted to turn around and see the expression on the ravenette's face but his body won't cooperate.

"Go ahead and bathe, Kim."

Taehyung shivered upon hearing his raspy voice, too dangerous and full of authority that he almost wanted to drown himself in a pool of ecstasy named Jeon Jungkook.

As Taehyung began dipping down the steaming water, he finally heard the door opening and closing in an instant.

And when he turned to look, Jungkook was no longer around.

---------

Taehyung felt suffocated as he silently sat inside a palanquin.

He doesn't feel good to be carried by four servants just for him to arrive at his destination.

He wished he could roam around town by his own feet, just like what he did with Jungkook before.

When scholar Kim Namjoon passed by earlier to his house, he was reminded of his schedule with the renowned painter Yi Jeong for his supposed to be art class with few of the nobilities.

"We're almost there young master."

Taehyung heard Yeonjun's voice from the outside which made him sigh.

Finally he could go out and stop being a burden to these people who are serving him.

He discreetly peeped on the small aperture of the window, catching sight of Jungkook riding on a horse.

He looked so divine and mighty that Taehyung wanted to drool at the sight.

Damn. He's so fucking sexy.

And to think he was brave enough to be naked in front of such a perfect man.

Taehyung felt his cheeks grow hot, remembering what he did yesterday.

He's too reckless for someone who's just borrowing another person's body.

Sorry Vante.

Taehyung thought to himself as he felt the litter coming to a stop.

As soon as the door opened, he immediately went out of the palanquin and was met by the cool breeze as he inhaled the calming scent coming from the inside of a huge house.

Taehyung made his way to the front door which immediately opened. He was greeted by a young servant who bowed down in respect.

"Welcome young master Kim. Lord Yi Jeong is waiting for you in the hall." the young man greeted as he politely guided Taehyung inside with Yeonjun and Jungkook following behind.

The interior caught Taehyung's attention as it was decorated with minimalistic paintings and abstract ones that he couldn't really discern.

They stopped in front of a door which slowly opened, revealing a wide hall with few men sitting in front of a blank canvas.

"Welcome, young master Kim." A man on his 50's or so greeted him, voice booming inside the hall.

Taehyung awkwardly smiled and greeted back, just the way scholar Namjoon taught him.

"It's my honor, Lord Yi Jeong." He slightly lowered his head.

"Come and join us." Yi Jeong gestured the empty seat in the front, clearly reserved for him.

From his peripheral vision, he saw Jungkook walking to his right, stopping by the wall a few steps away from his seat.

He shrugged, wanting to focus on something else rather than the dangerous ravenette.

As Taehyung made his way, he could feel the eyes of the people around him, following his every movement.

One particular man caught his attention, the one with auburn hair who's smiling warmly at him.

Taehyung just offered a small bow as a greeting before sitting in front of his own empty canvas.

The class finally started as everyone lent their ears to the man who demonstrated his mastered skills.

Taehyung was a bit awed by the simplicity of his work made from the available oils suspended from pigments and minerals.

It's simple and lacks color compared to the ones he had seen in modern time.

When it was their turn, Taehyung was skeptical as he held the brush on his hand.

He used to draw before to pass some time, so it wouldn't be too hard.

However, he's not accustomed with the kind of brush he's holding right now.

It doesn't even look like a brush for starters and doesn't feel like one.

As he studied the vase placed on the table, the one they're supposed to paint, he suddenly heard someone clearing his throat behind him.

Taehyung turned to see the man with auburn hair.

"You don't look so well, Kim." the man uttered, smiling at him.

Taehyung doesn't know what to say. He turned to look at Yeonjun with questioning eyes.

"I'm Park Jimin."

The man intervened even before Yeonjun could speak.

Oh..

The name rings a bell which made Taehyung nod.

"Sorry if I didn't recognize you beforehand, Master Park." Taehyung said, sounding polite.

However the man suddenly laughed, catching him off guard.

"You don't have to be polite with me, Kim. Call me Park just like before." Jimin uttered, abruptly pulling a chair to sit next to him.

"How's your condition?" Jimin asked.

"I'm doing great now." Taehyung answered, still trying to get along with the man.

"I wanted to visit you but my father has been against it. He said Lord Baekhyun won't be pleased." Jimin pouted which Taehyung found to be rather cute.

He could tell that his personality differs from the people he had met so far. He's not reserved like the others and Taehyung didn't expect it at all.

"You can visit me anytime you want." He said, now smiling.

Jimin stared at him for a long while with amusement in his eyes.

"You're smiling.." He commented in a surprised voice that confused Taehyung.

"This is the first time you smiled at me." Jimin said, still in a surprised tone.

He turned his attention to Yeonjun who has his head low, but a small smile adorned his lips.

"He must have really hurt his head?" Jimin said, almost making Yeonjun giggle but held it all in.

"You're making it sound as if it's too unbelievable." Taehyung said.

"It really is." Jimin said, humor laced in his voice.

Taehyung doesn't respond, thinking of how lonely Vante's life must have been, and he suddenly felt sorry for him.

He silently went back to his painting, stroking the brush in a funny way just to get it over with.

Jimin didn't leave his side as he focused on his canvas as well.

He was halfway through when Jimin called out once more.

"Kim.."

"Hm?"

"Will you be attending the banquet at the palace tomorrow?"

"What banquet? Haven't heard of it. Maybe I'm not invited." He answered, adding little touches to his painting.

"Don't be silly. It wouldn't make sense if you're not invited." Jimin uttered, wiping his hand with a damp cloth.

Taehyung just shrugged and wanted to drop the topic.

But what Jimin said next made Taehyung stop from what he's doing as he looked at the other with wide eyes.

"After all, you were chosen to be a concubine of the king."

--------

So I've decided to use the word concubine instead of catamite because it just doesn't appeal to me. Lol.

Let's just use the word concubine regardless of the gender. According to my brother google, there are male concubines, so I guess it's fine 😂

Love you 💜

P.S I'll try my best to update more often. 💜