⛔️

The passionate kiss they shared became the catalyst to days filled with kisses and caresses in secrecy.

The walls became their witness as Taehyung melted in Jungkook's embrace every chance they get.

In the eyes of everyone, they were merely a master and a knight.

Nobody knows that behind closed doors, Taehyung was a slave for Jungkook's touch, his warmth, and his everything.

"Young master, may I come in?" a familiar voice called out, making Taehyung stop from brushing his long raven hair in front of the mirror.

"Yeonjun?" Taehyung felt his heart beam in delight when the door opened and in came the servant whom he had missed so much.

"Yeonjun! Thank fuck!" Taehyung blurted out, running towards the servant and welcoming him with a hug even before the other could stop him.

"Young master.." There was tenderness on the servant's voice as he felt his heart swell from the kind of affection he's receiving from his master.

"I'm happy you're back and fully healed!" Taehyung cheered, taking the servant's hand and guiding him towards the wooden chairs.

The two of them sat opposite to each other with Taehyung still holding Yeonjun's hand.

"Sir Jungkook had someone take care of me while I recover, young master." Yeonjun smiled, making Taehyung smile as well.

"You don't know how much I've missed you, Yeonjun. You're the only friend I have in this household." Taehyung sincerely uttered, bringing a tender smile on the servant's lips once more.

"Thank you for waiting, young master.. and my apologies for the difficulties I have brought upon you." Yeonjun bowed his head apologetically.

"You didn't cause me any problem, Yeonjun. If there's someone who needs to say sorry, it's me." Taehyung whispered, looking down on their clasped hands.

"Do not say that, young master. You never did anything wrong." Yeonjun assured, smiling at him with those fond eyes of his.

The two of them had a lot of things to talk about, and for a moment, Taehyung felt like he had reunited with a long time friend.

It felt nice, having someone to confide with and just talk about things, even those little ones.

"You'll be my attendant again from now on?" Taehyung asked to which Yeonjun gladly nodded.

"Thank fuck!" Taehyung beamed, making Yeonjun giggle.

"I do not understand what you said, young master, but the look on your face made me think it's a good thing." Yeonjun said, earning a chuckle from Taehyung.

He couldn't say 'fuck' is not really a good word, so he just laughed it off.

"It's a good thing that father still allowed you to be my attendant." Taehyung said.

"All the gratitude should be given to sir Jungkook, young master." Yeonjun informed, making Taehyung stop.

"He talked to Lord Baekyun and explained my side of the argument." The servant added with a thankful smile.

Taehyung couldn't help but smile as he thought of the ravenette. He should reward him from going out of his way.

A playful smile crept out of Taehyung's lips as he thought of a good reward.

All the while, Yeonjun was just staring at him with a knowing look on his face.

"Pardon my questioning young master, but did something splendid happen?" Yeonjun asked, making Taehyung blush.

"Nothing. Just the usual." He was quick to look away just in time for a knock by the door, followed by the voice of his knight.

"Young master, Physician Seo is here." Jungkook informed before opening the door.

Yeonjun was already up on his feet, head hanging low as he moved by the corner.

"Greetings, young master." Physician Seo said with enthusiasm that Taehyung couldn't return.

He had dreaded every session with his physician, knowing fully well that one word from him will have Taehyung leaving for the palace, but he couldn't do anything about it.

This is Vante's fate.

The fact that he agreed to this kind of setup only means that his love for Jungkook is the kind of love he'll be okay to see go.

A love that doesn't worth the fight.

Taehyung wasn't still sure if Vante really did love Jungkook, but he's not dumb not to know that Jungkook did.

He loves Vante, and though it pierced Taehyung's heart, he has to acknowledge that.

Jungkook loves Vante and not him.

Because in the first place, this is Vante's body and his life. Taehyung is just a mere stranger who happened to be in his place for some unknown reasons.

It's still his life, and Taehyung doesn't have any right to intervene.

Though if it's Taehyung and if only this is his life, he'll do anything to fight for Jungkook.

Because for the short time he has lived as Vante, Taehyung is sure to himself that the kind of love he has for Jungkook is not something he could let go.

It's something he's willing to fight for.

If only this is his life and he had met Jungkook, there's no way he'd let him go.

As Taehyung silently waited for the physician to check him, his eyes didn't leave Jungkook's own.

His troubled heart immediately found calmness in those raven orbs, stilling the storm in him.

If he couldn't have this love in this life, Taehyung would just bury it in his memories for when the time comes that he's back in his own life, he'll have something to remember.

That once in his life, he had found a love like this.

A love like Jungkook.

—————

Taehyung roamed around the house, trying to lift his mood. He didn't want to stay in his room, only seeing his servants pack his things make him feel like crying.

The inevitable happened, and there's nothing he could do.

His physician finally told his father that he's fully healed which is as clear as saying he's free to be the King's bitch.

It left a bitter taste in his mouth that his father didn't even wait for at least a week before sending him off.

He wanted him out as soon as he heard the 'wonderful' news.

Taehyung sighed, appreciating the night sky as he walked outside going to the pavilion. He wanted to appreciate this place for the last time.

In the crack of dawn, he'll be leaving for the palace and who knows if he'll be able to step out even once.

The silence of the night didn't do any justice to his crying heart.

He wanted to see Jungkook, but he's nowhere to be found.

Taehyung sighed, consoling himself that this is for the better. Seeing Jungkook would only make him hold on to something he couldn't have in the first place.

As Taehyung stared at the night sky, he finally was able to accept everything by repeating to himself that this is Vante's life and he should honor his decisions.

With this in mind, Taehyung wandered back in the house, remembering all the details and storing them in his memories.

He was about to turn right going to his room when he saw Yeonjun rushing to the servant's quarter.

Curious, Taehyung followed, wanting to check if everything is alright with him. As he neared, he heard Yeonjun's voice in a hush, seemingly afraid to let anyone hear.

"Will it be alright to send off young master like this?" Yeonjun asked, sounding so sad and uncertain.

"Do not concern yourself with matters unrelated to you if you don't want another whipping from Lord Baekhyun." Warned the other.

Taehyung was unsure but the voice sounded like that of the head servant.

"I feel so sorry for young master." Yeonjun whispered as quiet sobs broke out of his lips.

"Do not be. He will become the King's concubine, and he will be treated well." The head servant said, but Yeonjun kept on crying.

"But he does not want that. We both know he does not want that." Yeonjun argued, still in a hushed voice.

Taehyung felt his heart clench at the other's words. He's crying for him and it melted his heart.

"It does not matter what he wanted. This is for the best." answered the other with a firm conviction.

Taehyung heard Yeonjun's soft cries which brought tears in his own eyes.

"I'm afraid.. what if.. what if he tried to kill himself again? Poison himself again?" Yeonjun said, voice trembling in fear.

Taehyung gasped but was quick to cover his mouth upon hearing these words. He felt his body tremble as he didn't let any voice come out of his mouth, afraid to be found out.

"That is if he remembers." The head servant meaningfully said.

"You must never let young master remember. Not a word about this, Yeonjun. This is the last time we're talking about this." He added to which Yeonjun could just answer with cries.

Taehyung doesn't know how he was able to run to his room in the kind of state he's in. He's thankful that the room is finally empty and the servants were already done packing.

Taehyung felt his knees turn to jelly as he slumped on the floor. His heart was beating in erratic rhythm, hands trembling in panic.

Vante.. poisoned himself.

He...

Everyone lied about what truly happened to Vante. He didn't just merely pass out in the library before Taehyung took over his body.

He...

"Oh my fucking..." He couldn't find his voice as he thought of the possibilities.

Could it be that Vante was supposed to be dead?

But Taehyung took over his body and now...

Taehyung covered his mouth as tears began trickling his sad eyes. His heart ached at the thought of Vante and the kind of life he had to go through for him to end his miseries this way.

How could Taehyung even think of Vante's love for Jungkook to be so little?

"I'm sorry." Taehyung whispered, feeling his heart ache.

He needs to know what really happened. He needs to find out who the real Vante is.

The real Vante that he tried to hide to everyone else, just so he could protect his love.

The real Vante that's estranged to everyone.

———

Disclaimer: I am in no way encouraging self harm, which explains the warning. This is part of the plot, so I hope everyone understands. I couldn't place this in the beginning of the chapter to avoid being spoiled. (We don't want that here.)

Let's love ourselves, but if it's still not enough, then have my love.
Love you 💜