Laurel Prince

It had been an hour since Taehyung stormed out of the planning room, furious with Jungkook for suggesting that the Stone Prince should command his army. The idea was undoubtedly crazy, extremely distasteful, and Taehyung felt personally attacked when Jungkook mentioned that Taehyung's battle skill lacked behind Jimin's. As if!!

Jungkook didn't even know him. Jungkook couldn't make assumptions like that. 

And now, thanks to Jimin's idea to duel, Taehyung had to fight a colleague in order to gain the right to control his own troops. It gave him a headache. Why do I have to jump through all these hoops just to command my own fucking army?

Taehyung felt pretty confident in his fighting skills and didn't think that the duel would end up being too difficult for him to win. Jimin, both slimmer and shorter than the Laurel Prince, gave Taehyung the size advantage. 

And although Taehyung knew that Jimin was good with a sword, he wasn't so sure about Park's hand-to-hand combat skills. Taehyung was skillfully trained in both areas, however, so he felt reassurance wash over him as he sat on the bed in his room. The oaken clock in the room ticked away the minutes until the duel later that night. 

Only time could tell what would happen.

The Laurel Prince glanced over to the mirror on his vanity. His reflection gave him a bit of a start. His features were weary already, and the fight hadn't even started yet. His eyes slightly drooped, his mouth creased with the irritation vibrating throughout his body, and his messy blonde hair made him look as if he had been riding horseback through a wind-tunnel. I sure look rough around the edges.

The Laurel Prince averted his eyes from the sight of himself. He slowly reclined onto his back, facing the high ceiling of his bedchamber. He reflected upon what Jungkook had said earlier. 

'I think Jimin is the better candidate for this Taehyung...you have to understand...' Jungkook's voice rang inside of his skull. Painfully.

Did Jungkook think of Taehyung as weak? Was Jungkook still angry at him because of the drugs in the wine? Was this some kind of payback, some kind of punishment? Did Jungkook believe that Taehyung was incapable of fighting? Or...am I not good enough for him? Does he think I'm worthless?

Taehyung's heart suddenly squeezed tight at this last thought. It brought him back in time to his troubled adolescence. He had the same thought then, laying on a bed exactly as he was now...after being taken advantage of by his father. Taehyung would be torn, exhausted, and wonder what he had done to deserve the treatment he received from his father.  

'Did I do something wrong? Why am I put through this? Am I not good enough? Do I deserve this?'  Taehyung's thoughts went in a dark direction after each occasion, after his father had left the room satisfied with whatever Taehyung's young body had to offer to him that normal women at parties couldn't. 

Tears began to fall down Taehyung's cheeks as he recalled those times that were so far away yet so disgustingly close to him. He would never forget those awful nights; he could still feel his father whispering down the back of his neck that his Tae Tae was beautiful, his little Tae was a prince, that Tae belonged to him and him only. 

The Laurel Prince shivered and flipped around on the bed so that his face was buried into a pile of pillows. He let the tears flow freely down his red cheeks, leaking out as the bad memories surfaced. After several minutes of bawling from the dirty feeling covering his skin, he laid on his side, softly whimpering and sniffling. For Taehyung, these fits of memory were a normal occasion, and he had become so used to crying on a regular basis that he brought a load of handkerchiefs with him wherever he traveled. 

After he was done wiping his face off with a black lace handkerchief, his tired eyes closed. He released one last painful sob before his breathing finally steadied. Curled in a ball on top of a pile of disheveled pillows, the Laurel Prince lay in his locked room...defeated mentally by the trauma that plagued his past.

And for him, the day wasn't even close to being done yet. 

In only a few hours, he would be dueling against the Stone Prince of Noirwood to determine who would command the Laurel Army. The army that would stop Jihoon from taking of the northern castle away from the Stone Prince. 

But for now, the Laurel Prince would sleep...temporarily forgetting about the horrible things done to him as a child and the horrible circumstances of the present.

Oak Prince

After Taehyung stormed out of the planning room, Jungkook walked with Jimin up to the library. He figured there they might get away from the negative energy floating around the huge map of Noirwood on the planning room table. 

During the meeting, Jungkook found himself surprised that Jimin backed his plans more than Taehyung did. Jimin nodded his head along to most of what Jungkook offered and was polite and respectful among the quietness of his disposition. For that, Jungkook felt himself being more drawn to Jimin and he rethought over the previous prejudices he had when meeting the gray-haired prince for the first time. I thought for sure he would side with Taehyung...maybe I don't know everything about Park Jimin.

"I did not expect Taehyung to act that way..." Jungkook exclaimed as they walked over to a set of lounge chair. The two chairs edged near a large window overlooking the sea on the back side of the Oak Castle. 

Jimin climbed into the chair and made himself comfortable. He crossed his legs delicately and lifted his gaze to the younger. "I find Taehyung to be very strange. One minute he's happy, then he's serious, then he's angry, then he's flirty..." Jimin paused, realizing what he had just said. "I, um, I mean-"

"No, no, I totally get what you mean." Jungkook chuckled at Jimin's embarrassed wince. Thoughtfully, he watched some birds flying outside the window. "Taehyung really is something isn't he...just as unpredictable as everyone paints him to be. As everyone gossips about him as...speaking of, I just overheard something in the garden from some of his court members. They were speaking about his dad, saying that his father was..."

Jungkook paused, glancing down at his fingernails.

"Was...what?" Jimin asked after a few seconds had passed and Jungkook still hadn't finished the statement.

"Well, that's the thing...I don't really know. The servants in the garden never said anything definitive. His father was probably very strict or something, because the two court members said it was...beneficial for Taehyung's sake that he died." 

Jimin rubbed his chin in thought. His gray eyes shifted over the table between them. "Hmm..."

"I guess I'll just have to ask him about it later, after the duel." Jungkook looked off to the side, sighing. He was not very happy that his two counterparts were going to fight each other because they were too stubborn to let the best fighter thing go. It was more a duel of pride than purpose, and to Jungkook that meant it wasn't worth the fight. But for fairness, they needed to get it out of the way so that the Laurel Army's commander could be determined. "The duel where you could get hurt...where he could get hurt..."

Jimin gave him a small reassuring smile. "It'll be okay, I'll try not to hurt Taehyung too badly."

Jungkook clicked his tongue, the air surrounding the Stone Prince egotistical. "You seem very confident that you're going to win, Jimin. I wouldn't underestimate Taehyung's fighting skills either. Like he said, he's been around the kingdom a few times. His army hasn't lost a battle before."

Jimin nodded carefully, tongue dancing over his lips. "I understand, totally--and I don't doubt that he's probably pretty good...but from a tactical viewpoint, I think Taehyung will give his weak points away early into the duel. If you haven't been paying attention, Taehyung's not that difficult to read...he has little habits he does when he's upset or angry...I haven't caught all of them yet, but I've been picking up on his body language. He's the kind of person that can't hide his emotions very well."

Jungkook watched Jimin, his mouth slightly opening. "Really, observational tactics? You sure like to observe people, don't you? From an intellectual viewpoint, advantageous for understanding the enemy." Jungkook paused, with a small grin on his face. Then, a thought came to him. "So...I'm curious...what do you observe about me, Prince Park?"

Jimin squinted his eyes, looking Jungkook's seated figure up and down. After a few seconds of close scrutiny, the gray-haired male raised his head to look back at Jungkook's face. "Well, from what I've gathered...and this is simply inferential, so don't be offended...your smiles aren't genuine unless you show your front teeth. You tend to fidget a lot when you get nervous or stressed out...you bite your lips when you are thinking or when worried, but a blind man could probably tell that about you. You speak loudly when explaining your ideas so that others will listen to you better, but you don't need to since most people respect you. Generally, you maintain eye contact pretty well, unless you are flustered, which denotes high assurance in the self...hmmm...what else...?"

Jungkook, at this point, was gaping. He fixated on the gray-haired male, who showed Jungkook new sides of himself every other minute. Jungkook wasn't complaining though, he was pretty impressed. He has a lot hidden under that stone face.  

"...also, you say it as it is and you aren't very good at lying. Your voice takes on a higher key and you won't make eye contact--like before when you said you were okay at breakfast. Although you probably like to think of yourself as a pacifist and maintain your calm on a regular basis, I can tell when you are mad, want to fight, or just want to move. You bounce your foot up and down repeatedly...that's all I've gathered so far." Jimin titled his head, blinking calmly at the table. His eyes flicked back to Jungkook's wide ones. "Am I correct in my theories?"

Jimin's eyes scoured his. He knew in his own irises there was probably streaks of admiration, and perhaps...

A bit of fear. 

"How have you noticed...all of that already? I mean, you've been here for less than 24 hours...I just don't get it." Jungkook trailed off, shaking his in disbelief. Black locks sifted slightly against his forehead. He's crazy.

Jimin's lips spread out with feline grace. "I've always been good at reading others. My father was too, and that's how he made people like him. I, on the other hand, just keep my observations to myself. Don't really care for others..." Jimin casually stretched his arms out in front of him. "...but you're okay."

Jungkook smiled back...feeling much better about Jimin. He stood up from the table, holding his hand out for Jimin's ringed hand to take. Jimin took his hand without delay, hoisting himself up gracefully off of the chair. "Thank you, Jimin. I think you're okay too. Now why don't you go rest before your duel, I remembered I have something to take care of in my study that's rather pressing. I appreciated the talk, see you later."

Jungkook then released Jimin's hand and tried not to show off his pinkish cheeks as he walked out of the door of the library. Jungkook was definitely flustered by Jimin's words.

How does he know that much about me? Has he been staring at me this entire time?

He felt strange being in Jimin's presence but didn't fully understand why. As he left the library, the image of Jimin's wide smile burned in his mind. Jungkook tried to shake it off but found couldn't. There was something about Jimin that Jungkook really found interesting, but...what was it?

His politeness? His princely respect? His ability to speak well? The fact that he agreed with Jungkook on most topics? Or was it...

His eye smile? 

His beautiful jawline...the way he carried himself with so much grace...his pink, luscious lips-

"Good day to you, Oak Prince."

A servant's sudden greeting made Jungkook jump as he descended the stairs to his study. The nasal voice snapped him out of his confusing thoughts.

"G-good day to you." When the servant passed, Jungkook rubbed at his eyes fiercely, trying to push Jimin's face out of his mind. 

But he couldn't. 

What is wrong with me?

After minutes of traveling in a daze, Jungkook's feet finally carried him to his study to take care of menial trade transactions and write the orders for troops to be sent out from the Laurel Castle. More boring office work.

He pondered whether he should check up on Taehyung one last time before the duel, but figured that Taehyung would probably strangle him the moment he saw the ravenette's face. Jungkook did feel a little bad about setting Taehyung off earlier, but what choice did he have? How did Taehyung expect that they win the battle unless every little thing was considered?

Jungkook truly did consider the idea of Taehyung commanding the army in the north, but it was clear to him that Taehyung wasn't in the right frame of mind to handle his men at the moment. Even if he did calm down and get into war mode, he was too similar a firecracker, ready to explode at a moment's notice. 

And that scared Jungkook. 

It scared him even more that Taehyung was going to fight Jimin in only a few hours with actual swords. Jungkook knew that Jimin could hold his own (and was actually betting on Jimin to win the fight anyway) but somewhere deep down he felt bad that Taehyung had to lose the fight for the greater good. 

The duel was to take place at 7 P.M, right before the sun set. Because the three princes didn't want the entire kingdom showing up to watch their royals duel, it would be held in a private clearing in the woods about a mile from the castle. Only a few select guards would attend, but not to watch. Simply to guard the carriage. Jungkook would make sure that nobody but the three princes would witness what was to come of that night.

He wanted no witnesses to see any of their weak sides, wanted no information of the duel to leak out. It would be dangerous if other people knew. Word might travel to Jihoon that we aren't getting along well, and he'd use that to his advantage.

Jungkook was antsy as he placed the Oak signet on several handwritten orders to the Laurel Castle for troops. His handwriting was messy in his haste; he hoped that the officer in charge would be able to understand it. 

By the time he had processed all of the orders and gave them to messengers to be sent out, it was already 6 P.M. on Jungkook's pocket watch. 

He sighed, stretching his long legs across his desk. He got up to exit the study, walking towards the section of the castle with bedchambers. Jimin and Taehyung would probably be prepping themselves for the duel, and Jungkook needed to make sure the Oak Armory was able to supply each fighter's needs. 

Jungkook hurriedly walked towards Jimin's room first, not wanting to see Taehyung just yet. Once he reached the door, he lightly rapped his knuckles against the door three times. 

"Who is it?" Jimin's voice trailed out from behind the door, making Jungkook half-smile. 

"Jimin? It's Jungkook, I was just wondering if you needed any help choosing armor or if my servants have supplied you well."

Some clanking could be heard from inside the room, metallic in tone. "No no, I'm okay. Just put-" A strained lifting sound could be heard from inside the door. "-putting on my armor now. I'll see you at the duel, Oak Prince!"

Jungkook smiled to himself and glanced down the hall, making sure no one was eavesdropping their little exchange. "Okay, Jimin. See you soon!" Jungkook yelled a bit too loudly.

Now that Jimin is okay...

Jungkook groaned.

He would have to pay Taehyung a pre-duel visit whether he wanted to or not. 

Prince Jeon's legs carried him down a flight of stairs and after a minute or so of dragging his feet along the carpet of the hallway, he was at the Laurel Prince's door. Jungkook lifted his fist up to the door and hesitated. 

Would visiting Taehyung before the duel make him more pissed off than he already was? Or would it fuel him for the battle he was about to fight in?

Jungkook closed his eyes tightly and cringed as his fist came down several times on the oak door.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

No answer from inside.

Jungkook tried knocking again, but there was no reply from inside. Instinctively, he tried the door handle...and it was open. 

"Taehyung? Are you in here?" Jungkook called out once he crossed the threshold of the door. 

Again, no answer. Is he even in here? Where did he go-

As Jungkook rounded the corner of the wall that led into the large bedroom, he was shocked at what he saw. 

The Laurel Prince, if he could even be called a prince in this situation, was curled up on his side on the bed, eyes-closed, handkerchiefs strewn about his body left and right. He had no bed sheets on him; all were violently strewn about on the floor. Taehyung was red-faced, his eyes puffy, laying atop a mountain of pillows. His sleeping face smashed into the side of one of them, crushing the soft fabric. His blonde hair stuck up in several places, giving him the look of someone who failed to groom their hair after horse-riding. The sheer navy shirt that Taehyung wore was bunched up to his ribs, showing off a tan, smooth waist and chiseled stomach. Taehyung's legs balled around him and his arms lazily hung off the edge of the bed, as if they were reaching for something. Soft snores emitted from Taehyung's pink lips and his eyebrows were drawn together in a look of distress, probably from whatever he was dreaming about, Jungkook figured. Taehyung's chest rose and fell steadily.

Steadily was not the right word for Jungkook's heartbeat, however.

After seeing the prince in such a wild state only hours before, Jungkook was shocked to see Taehyung in such an intimate and vulnerable state. Jungkook couldn't tear his eyes away from Taehyung's beautiful sleeping figure.

He's so handsome...even when asleep.

Although Jungkook knew that he should probably wake the Laurel Prince up from his slumber so that he could get ready for the duel, Jungkook wanted to watch the prince...just for a little bit. 

Jungkook tiptoed over to the side of the king-sized bed. He quietly kneeled down so he could be closer to Taehyung's sleeping face. He watched the serene blonde, entirely entranced.

Before Jungkook knew what he was doing, his hand moved up to brush Taehyung's messy blonde hair out of his face. Taehyung didn't shift or come close to waking up as Jungkook's hand slid the locks away from Taehyung's warm forehead to reveal the smooth skin underneath. 

He must be a heavy sleeper. 

Jungkook's hand stayed near Taehyung's face a bit longer, softly caressing Taehyung's soft, tan cheek. 

"Shh-stto-stop." Taehyung lazily groaned in his sleep and grimaced deeply. Jungkook quickly removed his hand from Taehyung's face and ducked down, in case the prince decided to wake up in the spur of the moment like he did during the crown incident. 

However, Taehyung didn't even shift or open his eyes. He's still asleep.

Jungkook slowly leaned back and gazed at the sleeping prince with so many questions in his mind.

Why did Taehyung change moods so quickly? Why was Taehyung so angry earlier? And what role did Taehyung's father play in it?

As he thought of these questions, he watched Taehyung's face suddenly contort, as if in pain. 

"No, nnn...ssttoopp!" Taehyung clenched the sheets in his sleep, which made Jungkook feel a stronge urge to wake the prince up from whatever nightmare he was having. 

Right as Jungkook was about to pretend to re-enter the room yelling to wake the Laurel Prince up, Taehyung shot up to a seated position and gasped as he woke up from the hell of his nightmare. 

Jungkook froze in place, eyes wide. He was still sitting on the floor next to the bed. At first, Taehyung didn't see Jungkook, as his head was hanging defeated in his hands while he panted heavily. As Taehyung gradually came back to reality, he rubbed his eyes and slowly turned to take in his surroundings. 

Then, his eyes found Jungkook. Fuck!

Jungkook, the prince guilty of watching his counterpart as he slept. Jungkook, who was kneeling on one of the white bedsheets that was thrown off sometime earlier in the day. Jungkook, whom Taehyung was irate with earlier that day, whom Taehyung could've hit earlier that day. 

But when the next words came out of Taehyung's mouth, Jungkook was more confused than ever. 

"Hi Jungkook." Taehyung mumbled in a gravelly morning voice. A soft smile touched his lips, and he blinked at Jungkook as if nothing was wrong, 

"How are you doing?"

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

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey y'all

How are you doing? Hahaha

So....who do you relate to the most out of the three princes so far?

Personally, I can relate to all of them, but at the moment the Oak Prince is where I'm at. 

:) Thanks for reading!!!