Florian

The young Oak Soldier, soon-to-be Stone Prince, watched as Jimin's casket was carried down the long aisle of the funeral. Solemn and downcast were the faces of the many people who attended the ceremony, including Florian's. It took everything in him not to break down and cry in front of everybody there, but he needed to keep his cool. 

He was going to be the next Stone Prince, after all. His induction would occur later that day.

He needed to stay strong.  

Florian pinched his hand, willing away the tears that were threatening to spill out of his eyes. When he caught sight of the Oak Prince, and the Laurel Prince, who was going to hand over the Laurel title to his sister at the double induction ceremony, he just about fell to his knees. 

The Oak Prince and Laurel Prince were at the end of the aisle, not bothering to hide their crying. The Laurel Prince was sitting bandaged up in a wheeling chair with several servants by his side, probably to help him move around. The Oak Prince was holding tightly to the blonde's hand, sniffling as he quietly watched the casket move towards them. Florian didn't want to assume anything, but it was pretty obvious to him that those princes were more than just colleagues. 

Florian would meet them officially during the induction ceremony later...at the funeral they didn't bother to try and find him. The tall boy would also meet the next Laurel Princess Eonjin at that ceremony, which he was curious about. 

Would he get along with her? Would the Oak Prince like those two as his counterparts to rule over Noirwood?

Florian didn't know, and it made him quite nervous.  After looking up to the royalty for so long, he was now going to be a part of it. He knew he wasn't ready nor prepared to suddenly accept such a position so high up in Noirwood, but since Jimin recommended him for it...

Florian would accept it. The boy vowed to train hard, rule fairly, and show the world that the Stone Banner was worthy of admiration. Deep within the boy's bones, he needed to prove his value and worth to the world to avenge Jimin's sacrifice in the war. 

But for now, all he could do was watch as the two original princes lost their third wheel. How a darkness covered their features as the open casket was set in front of them. How their eyes stuck to the neatly dressed person in the casket, getting a last look at the gray-haired male's features before they never could again.

Jimin was dressed in an all-gray suit, a deep maroon-colored rose peeking out of his breast pocket. Jimin's face was calm; he even looked a bit happy, his lips curled up slightly. Florian bowed his head at seeing his commander so still, laying there. Such a powerful swordsman...putting down hundreds of enemies in his lifetime, creating a long-lasting legacy that Florian would have to live up to as the Stone Prince. 

He would do his best. 

Close to his spot on the side of the aisle, a girl was sobbing quite loudly. She was around his age, reaching out towards the casket and calling out Jimin by his first name. 

Jimin must've been close with her...he was a really nice person who probably helped her out. 

Some rose petals flitted past Florian's serious face, blowing gently towards Jimin's casket as if they were supporting him even in death. The petals dusted the floor by the casket, creating a beautiful red carpet of maroon that stood out against the glimmering silver of the coffin. 

"Jimin," Florian whispered to himself as the cover was set gently on top of the old Stone Prince, covering his body up once and for all, "I will do my best as the new Stone Prince...I promise."

Suddenly, the Oak Prince got everyone's attention, raising his hand as if he was about to make a speech. Florian waited as the Laurel Prince signed something to Prince Jeon while speaking, who nodded and stepped up to the edge of the small platform the royalty belonged on. 

The ravenette cleared his throat a few times, wiping at his eyes with a handkerchief while he worked up the energy to speak in front of the large crowd. The blonde watched him intently the entire time, hands wiping at his face as well. 

"Excuse me, everyone," Florian thought that the Oak Prince's voice sounded quite strong, despite the fact that he had just lost such an important person to him. He was definitely a born leader. Florian would have a lot to learn from him. 

"Everyone here... you all had probably heard about the Stone Prince at one point or another. Whether it was from stories, gossip, or because you saw his unmatched swords skills, you formed your own image of him in your minds..." the ravenette paused, glancing down at the casket before his head tilted up to the clouds in the sky, "Many thought of the Stone Prince as a cold prince...perhaps even incapable of feeling..."

Florian furrowed his brow. He never thought about Jimin like that...who could? The gray-haired male was so nice to him...

Where was the Oak Prince going with this?

"Many thought that he was stone-faced...he was even frequently equated to a killing machine. And perhaps that side of him truly was like that...but I'm not here to talk specifically about the "Stone Prince" and his position as a leader of Noirwood. I'm here to speak about Park Jimin, one of the most caring, loving, and supportive people I have ever known. Contrary to popular belief, he was completely selfless, putting others before himself...not wanting to burden others with his problems. But we are all human. We all face problems."

The ravenette turned to look at the Laurel Prince, who wasn't paying attention to the Oak Prince much. His face was still tilted down, gazing emptily at the closed casket. When the Laurel Prince noticed the movement in front of him, however, he nodded at the ravenette, watery eyes blinking quickly. 

Turning back to the crowd, Prince Jeon continued, "Eventually, that level of selflessness was what got Park Jimin in the end...he stepped in front of a sword to save my life, knowing the consequences of his action. Knowing that he was giving up everything. Yet, he...h-he didn't hesitate..." the ravenette's voice began to shake as he spoke, "He never hesitated...I admired him for that. I admired him for infinitely many more things that I won't be able to fit into this speech...but I'll try my best." 

The Oak Prince took a deep breath, smiling a bit as he seemed to recall Jimin's amazing traits. It made Florian glad to see that despite the loss, the princes were focusing on the good side of the entire situation. 

"Park Jimin was a born fighter and leader...although he was quiet, he always thought carefully about his actions. He was organized, never demanded too much. In fact, he preferred less...when his Stone Castle was still standing, his personal quarters were the size of a servant's...can you believe that?" the ravenette shook his head at the crowd in disbelief while chuckling, a tear slipping from his eye. 

"Jimin was never a burden. He was hardworking, prompt, and never gave up what he put his mind to. He was willing to fill in the spaces where others lacked; in many instances when Prince Kim or I couldn't do something, Jimin took care of it for us."

The girl on Florian's side was crying hard by then, clutching tightly to the lace at the edge of her black dress. In her tan hands she held a bouquet of roses, probably meant for the gravestone once it was placed into the ground. 

"But in the end, Jimin's...condition...made it so that he couldn't take care of himself. Jimin tried to hide his sickened state...and he covered it up pretty well. I knew something was wrong with him...but I didn't know he was suffering that badly since he put on such a pleasant front," the ravenette looked upset with himself, biting his lower lip in thought, "Before he passed, he told me that he was very sick, already dying from the inside...and after receiving the information about his sickness after his death from one of his closest soldiers, I've thought a lot and decided to tell you everything I know. As citizens of Noirwood, you deserve to know how one of your princes was doing, even if it isn't the best thing to hear."

The ravenette took a deep breath. A few people in the crowd coughed. The vibe of those who listened wasn't completely hopeless; the ravenette had an oratorical ability that made people want to listen, the inflections in his words keeping people interested in his speech. Florian was captured by it as well. 

"Jimin had a strange condition that I don't fully understand yet, but it had something to do with the expression of his emotions..." the ravenette paused, watching as the audience made confused noises, "I know it may sound weird, or exotic...but as Jimin came to find himself and love others, he was actually hurting himself."

Florian lifted an eyebrow. When he had spoke with the Oak Prince days prior about Jimin's condition, the ravenette had not told him that portion of his thoughts. 

"His symptoms began with head pain...uncontrollable attacks that rendered his body useless...it was terrifying for me to watch such a strong fighter become prisoner to his own body," The Oak Prince wiped under his nose, "It was really heartbreaking...later as he began to express himself more he experienced alarming symptoms...he began coughing up blood, losing hair, and still experiencing a lot of unfortunate head pain. The Oak Soldier told me that he witnessed only some of these symptoms up close...but there could've been many more that we don't know about. I can't even fathom the extent of his suffering..."

The Oak Prince bowed slightly  then, rubbing at his eyes as a soft breeze tousled his hair. More rose petals floated onto the platform by the ravenette's feet.

Roses must've been Jimin's favorite. 

Florian noticed how the man on the platform turned to the blonde sitting there and swung his arms around slightly to get the other's attention before smiling at him and saying something. 

Why...the Laurel Prince-

"I don't want to make this a sad ceremony, everyone, so I'll..." the Oak Prince hesitated for a second before deciding to say something, "I'll introduce you to my partner here, whom you know as the Laurel Prince. Just so you all know, by partner...I mean that we're together and I love him...so much," the ravenette smiled brightly at the blonde who looked a bit confused at him but smiled nonetheless. Prince Jeon turned back out to the crowd, eyes passionate, "This amazing man, this Laurel Prince, risked his life to kill Jihoon once and for all, saving Noirwood from that evil man's grasp. However, his brave action left him badly injured...as you can all see..."

The crowd focused their attention on Prince Kim, who visibly squirmed a bit under their gazes. Florian had heard stories that the Laurel Prince was a bit vain, only accustomed to the most grand of things. The man in front of him seemed a bit small, however, seated upon that chair all bandaged up...the person his fellow soldiers had described to him surely could not be the man in front of him now. 

Either that or the Laurel Prince has changed a lot...

The ravenette nodded solemnly, mouth opening to explain more, "This man is now relearning how to walk and how to write again. And with his stubbornness, I'm proud to say that he's making quite a bit of progress...however, his ability to hear has suffered greatly. Despite his attentiveness, he cannot hear what I'm saying right now, other than perhaps catching a muffled word here or there if he's lucky..." the ravenette turned to the blonde sadly, the Laurel Prince seeming to catch the gist of what was being said, "The medics say that his deafness is permanent."

A surprised gasp rushed through the crowd, many people's frowns deepening at the news of another prince experiencing hardship. Florian opened his mouth in shock. 

He knew that Laurel had been hurt badly, but...

Unable to walk, write, or hear? How awful...

"For that reason and many others, the Laurel Prince is officially stepping down as ruler of Noirwood, instead passing his title onto his half-sister. The induction ceremony for the new Stone and Laurel rulers will take place later today. This man will become a part of my court and will still advise me, but he will hold no official power. He knows this because he made the decision himself..." the Oak Prince motioned for the servants to push the blonde's wheeled chair to the center of the platform, stepping to the side so that the crowd could see the blonde clearly. Walking over to the crippled man that he loved, the Oak Prince took a hold of the man's hand and kissed it shamelessly in front of everyone. 

The crowd smiled at the affection, paying careful attention to what happened next. 

"Although we are here to remember and rejoice in the life of Park Jimin, I can't help but feel like he wanted me to do this...so I will, please don't be angry with me," the ravenette spoke to the crowd, with a small smile on his face. Then, he knelt next to the blonde's chair. The Laurel Prince gazed at his boyfriend questioningly, not understanding what the other had said to the crowd. 

"Kim Taehyung, such a brave person...a person that Park Jimin trusted dearly and someone that I want by my side for the rest of my life, crippled or not..." the ravenette pulled out a small box from his black suit, holding it out to the man sitting on the chair in front of him with tears falling from his eyes. 

Although the blonde couldn't hear the other man, his eyes lit up at the sight of the box in front of him. Recognition of the situation passed through the Laurel Prince's eyes. Florian felt a surge of hope course through his guts. 

Jimin would've loved to see this. Perhaps he was watching...somewhere close by. 

The box popped open, revealing a small, sparkly object that Florian could see clearly from his spot, but only because the diamond on it was so large. The blonde gasped in surprise, his own lips turning into a large smile. The crowd watched, some people holding their hands close to their heart at the bittersweet irony of the day. Funeral...and engagement. 

Death...and unity. 

The ravenette laughed nervously, shaking his head back and forth as he uttered the next words slowly and loudly, hoping that the other would read his lips. 

"Kim...Taehyung...will...

you...

marry...

me?"

The blonde was nodding after the third word, yelling out yes loudly for the entire crowd to hear. His voice was course and sounded a bit strange, but it was probably because the man couldn't hear himself speaking. The crowd cheered, happy at the sight before them. It was so odd, a proposal at a funeral, but for some reason it didn't feel wrong or off. 

Florian smiled as the Oak Prince leaned down to kiss the blonde fully on the lips in front of everyone there. A few hollers and whoops could be heard from the Laurel Staff who enjoyed seeing their prince happy after the horrible things that had happened to him. 

As the pair kissed, Florian noticed that the blonde girl next to him was cheering very loudly and jumping up and down with excitement. 

"CONGRATULATIONS!! OH MY...MY GOD! MY BROTHER'S GETTING MARRIED! HE'S GETTING MARRIED...OH THANK GOD THANK GOD JIMIN THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THESE TWO TOGETHER AHHHH! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOUUUUU!"

Florian glanced at the girl's lit up face with amusement. Did he hear that correctly?

Her brother? 

Could it be?

Was this the new Laurel Princess...in the flesh?

"Excuse me," Florian tapped on the girl's shoulder, moving backwards as her blonde ponytail swung into his face when she turned to greet him. He giggled as she apologized repeatedly, blush painting her tan cheeks. That's when he knew that the girl was related to Prince Kim, their features strikingly similar. 

Florian bowed, trying his best to keep his voice stable and calm despite the excitement and sadness in the air. 

"Are you...Kim Eonjin?"

The girl gave him a surprised look before nodding, her lips puffed out with a question. 

"Yes...and you are?" the girl looked a bit embarrassed that she didn't know his name. 

Florian grinned, extending his hand out for her to shake, "My name is Florian."

Recognition passed through the girl's eyes as she took his hand firmly. 

"I'm the next Stone Prince..." Florian winked at her, "And you must be the next Laurel Princess...?"

Eonjin nodded shyly, releasing Florian's hand from her grip. 

"Yes, that's me. Pleasure to meet you, Stone Prince."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR'S NOTE

:( 

:)

I'm really making this a bittersweet mess of a piece aren't I?

Well, it cannot be helped. 

I hope you enjoyed the chapter-

You can expect an induction ceremony in the next one.

Thanks for reading! :) 

But still, RIP JIMIN :(