Laurel Prince

Jungkook sat across from Taehyung, obviously desperate to hear the story that Taehyung was about to tell. Jungkook's knee bounced viciously with anticipation and he hardly blinked. One of his ringless hands tapped the cap of his knee, jittering with subtle nerves. Taehyung noticed all of these things about the younger prince who wasn't even trying to hide his long stares at Taehyung any longer. It was only a matter of time before he started looking at me like how he was doing at the party. 

Taehyung couldn't believe that this man, this prince--was the same person as that special party guest. The same guest who caught his eye off the bat...the same guest who gladly followed Taehyung to his chamber later that same night.

"Taehyung." 

The Laurel Prince blinked a few times, knocking the memory from his head. "I'm sorry, I just don't really know how to explain this all...it's kind of...complicated. It would be much easier if you recalled the night."

"Well, I don't remember. Now go on with the story." Jungkook demanded as he sat back and watched the older prince closely. Taehyung could feel the younger prince's eyes burning into his skin, demanding answers he was hesitant to give. Jungkook lifted an accusational brow, leaning forward in impatience. For once in his life, Taehyung felt very uncomfortable with the act of talking to another person. 

"Well...a few weeks ago, I held a party like I do a couple of times a week--you know, you've probably heard of my parties...and...I saw you there." Taehyung licked his lips, stretching his neck out. Jungkook did not blink. "Only...I did not know who you were at first. In fact, I didn't know you were the Oak Prince until right now. But I guess, with the attitude you displayed at my party--it makes a lot of sense."

Jungkook brushed this comment off with a wave of the hand. "Okay, I get that much. What I really want to know is...what was I doing--where did I go, and how did you see me? What did you mean before when you said you caused me to forget?" Jungkook forced out several questions into Taehyung's face, not even pausing for air. His eyes held an anxiety that made Taehyung a bit squirmish in his seat. Why is the Oak Prince so worried about that night and not remembering?

"Okay...okay. I'll tell you the whole story." Putting aside any embarrassment he felt at telling Jungkook the story about their first real meeting,  Taehyung opened his soft pink lips and eloquently told the story of the night of June 24th. 

~

It was around 6:00 P.M. on the warm summer night of June 24th when Taehyung began ordering the servants around to prepare for one of his elaborate parties. Taehyung stood watching from the balcony overlooking the massive main hall as his servants prepared various cuisines and set them atop a long table against the side wall. Hundreds of wine glasses were being filled with the richest wine in the entire kingdom, the deeply rustic Laurel wine that was so prized. Furniture was given spritzes with dainty fragrance oils, and many paid entertainers were busy organizing their instruments in the corner to prepare for the songs they were going to play later that night. Servants milled about in haste, dusting off every decoration in sight, polishing and repolishing the shining marble floors. Candles were lined and lit, illuminating the grand hallway that led into the main hall. Servants rushed to make sure the chandeliers were brilliant with jewels and radiating brightly before they were hoisted up. Delectable smells wafted throughout Taehyung's many rooms and music rang brightly in the summer air, audible from the outside of the castle doors.

Beautiful. Taehyung thought as he stood there, watching over the proceedings. He never failed to admire the process that went into each one of his parties, and it never grew old to watch his servants sweat their asses off to beautify the large castle. So marvelous. 

The guests were to come at seven o'clock, like always, and then the festivities would commence. Taehyung was already half-drunk on Laurel wine, which was commonplace for him before a party. The alcohol improved his attitude and allowed him to make friends more easily. The buzz in his head also dulled the feeling of emptiness that he felt whenever the parties ended. They were a cushion for the low following the scheduled festivities--a protection against the inevitable lonesome cloud that would hang over his head as he retreated into his bedroom with his chosen special guests.

"Sir, the guests will be here in five minutes." One of the servants announced up to him from the first floor. 

Taehyung nodded curtly in approval. Tonight he was dressed in a more simplistic outfit than normal, fitted with a black diamond-studded coat over a cream white undershirt and black pants. Red ruby earrings kissed his tan earlobes and he held a matching ruby-studded cane in his dominant right hand. Taehyung tapped the cane patiently at his side while the soft melody of a fiddle wormed into his ears. He slowly descended the polished spiral white staircase until he was in the main hall, surrounded by the swirl of anticipation right before a party starts. Usually, his parties would kick off with dancing in the ballroom, then the first come first served guests might have a bite to eat off of his vast feasting table, and then-

Then it was time for the real party to begin. For Taehyung, that meant searching for candidates...socializing and dancing with those who he saw potential in, before asking them formally to spend time with him later. 

"It's very beautiful in here! The music is lovely...doo...doo...hmm...mmm...mmm..." Taehyung glided in his sparkling black outfit to the entrance of the ballroom, humming with the gaiety of youth. He sat himself on a tall-backed polished wooden chair in the corner of the massive space, waiting for his guests to enter.

After a few minutes, the bell atop the Laurel Castle's bell tower rang, which signified the start of the party. As each gong of the bell chimed delicately, Taehyung's heart beat with a sullenness that made him pick up his wine glass and drink the rest the maroon liquid inside. Maybe tonight will be different. Maybe I'll realize that-

"Hahahah! It's wonderful in here! Beautiful! Where is the Laur--there he is!"

Finally, the guests entered the ballroom, flowing in like an endless river of the finest people in the kingdom. They were all dressed to the bedazzled nines, hoping to leave a lasting impression on the 'Greek God' that hosted every party. When Taehyung was spotted in the corner, the party guests instantly flocked over to him, bowing deeply. Some tried to kiss the floor that his chair sat on in some fit of passionate loyalty--another man even tried to kiss his shined boots--and he was not even drunk. Taehyung waved his cane at them impatiently. He licked his lips before speaking. 

"Let me be now, I'll meet you all later." The guests continued to pour into the large ballroom, like wine in the glasses that were surely being refilled again and again. The noise level instantly raised, a din turning into low, ecstatic thunder. The guests stared at him with admiration and hung on to his every word as if it were his last. "Go now! Leave me be. Enjoy the music! And have lots of wine, if you so please."

The guests complied at once with the mention of the rich wine that the Laurel Castle was famous for. They hurried off to the table on the opposite side of the room which was donned with hundreds of glasses carrying expensive wine. Taehyung sighed and began walking towards the window that faced the front courtyard of his glowing castle. He felt lots of eyes on him as he moved; most people there drank his figure up just as pleasurably as the wine they now held in their hands. 

Taehyung stopped at the window and gazed at the dusk that was approaching, saw hundreds of people walking arm in arm towards his castle with excitement plastered on their features. Although he always made sure to invite nobles and countrymen to his parties, it wasn't unusual for strangers to come wandering past the golden laurels that decorated the outer gates of his castle. 

After gazing out for a few minutes and finding nothing of interest, Taehyung allowed himself to be pulled along by the growing crowd in his ballroom, dancing with strangers that were pleasing to the eye. He danced with both men and women, weaving in and out of the couples that flew along the polished wooden floor. Laurel Guards stood at standby, in case any guests got too touchy or dangerous with their beloved prince. The music swayed, people swooped--the guards stood still, always watching.

Ballroom gowns puffed and flowed as ladies took to the floor with their genteel dates. The sound of laughter filled the air and the purple stain of wine grew darker on the lips of the guests as the night wore on. When Taehyung became tired from dancing, he sat back down in his chair by the corner, simply watching his guests enjoy themselves.

People watched him back. Many stopped dancing along with him just to stare at his utter handsomeness and splendor, tripping over their own feet to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous Laurel Prince.  

Taehyung paid the drunken guests no mind and instead searched for the prized few that he would personally invite to his chamber for the after party. As he leaned back in his chair scanning over young lords and ladies, he spotted an unfamiliar face that caught his attention instantly. The young man had a face that screamed authority, Taehyung thought, as he sat there brooding over the guests like Taehyung. Similar to himself, the young man was lounged in a chair on the opposite side of the room, looking bored as he watched the dancing party guests with slight disgust. The man was wearing a plain black coat, a black mask that covered his mouth and nose, and the man did not sport any fancy jewelry except for a golden pocket watch. 

The mysterious man must have felt Taehyung's eyes on him, because he instantly turned towards the blonde, blinking at him in semi-interest. He then reverted his eyes back to the dancers for a moment, adjusted the mask to cover more of his face, and stood up. 

Taehyung watched as the mysterious man ambled on wobbly legs towards his chair, a bit drunk by the looks of it. Still, he looked handsome to Taehyung--the deep, observational eyes spoke something of high intelligence--and something about the man's fearlessness when approaching him turned him on. 

"Hey there." The raven-haired man spoke casually while approaching Taehyung. "You look a bit lonely sitting there, care for a dance?"

What...? Just like that? 

Taehyung stared in mild shock. Usually, the people who approached him fell to their knees pleading and pouting for a chance to dance with him, or in their drunken state they sloppily planted kisses on the ground by his feet. More commonly, people were too afraid to ask a man of such domineering countenance and instead lingered in the vicinity of his chair, hoping he would notice the desperation in their body language and dance with him. 

Someone who simply walked up with unbroken confidence and directly asked the Laurel Prince to dance was something new for Taehyung, who had his mouth slightly agape. He could feel dozens of eyes watching this stranger who had half of his face hidden. The jealousy and resentment in their stares was noticed by everybody in the room except for the young man who garnered them.

"May I ask why you have that mask on?" Taehyung spoke so only the man in front of him could hear. The man looked behind him at the people staring, then back at Taehyung.

"No reason. I'm just trying to remain incognito at Prince Kim's party." The man's eyes crinkled, letting Taehyung know he was smiling. "Wherever that drunk is anyway."

Does this man know who he is speaking to? He doesn't, does he?

Taehyung chose to ignore the last statement and stood up abruptly. "Oh, I see...Well then, I accept your invitation. Let's dance."

The two made their way to the packed dance floor. A path instantly cleared so that the prince could shuffle along to the fast-paced music with his partner. Taehyung grabbed the mystery man's large biceps and let himself be carried by the circling steps of the masked man who was surprisingly good at dancing. Every once in a while, the masked man would hum along to the song, hitting the pitches pretty spot on.

"Where did you learn to dance so well?" Taehyung brought his lips close to the man's ear so that he could be heard. As Taehyung did so, he could almost taste the wine on the man's breath. How does he dance so well when he's this drunk?

"Where did you get your good looks from?" The man asked boldly in response, making Taehyung's face brighten in a boxy smile. 

"Why, you are a very bold countryman, aren't you?" Taehyung stepped to the side to avoid another swinging couple. The other man pulled him in closer so they could fit between two swirling ballroom dresses. Their chests were only inches apart, and Taehyung felt the heat radiating off of this mystery individual.  "What is your name?"

"You can just call me...um, Jay." The man whispered, clutching harder onto Taehyung's glistening black overcoat. The minutes seemed to flow by like water cascading down a waterfall; Taehyung was enjoying himself magnificently with this man who only had revealed to him his coffee colored eyes and false name. I know that's not your name, but I'll let it go, masked man.

"Alright...Jay." Taehyung purred when the song had ended and they were walking off of the ballroom floor. "What do you say you join me later after the party is over so we can get to know each other better, hm?"

The man looked hesitant, but only for a second. Then a harshness came over his chocolate irises. "I'm sorry, but no. I can't stay too late...I have somewhere to...be."

Taehyung frowned at the man's straightforward rejection. Taehyung was not used to being rejected, especially by his own party guests. With a harsher tone, Taehyung said- "Okay then, Jay. Come join me in the other room and we'll drink together until you have to leave, how about that?"

Nodding his approval of the suggestion (whether it was for the wine or for the chance to talk to Taehyung, the Laurel Prince knew not) the man followed Taehyung through the large ballroom doors and up the white winding staircase to a more private room. 

Eyes followed the pair as they exited the room. Some super wasted guests fell to their knees and let their tears fly loosely from drooping eyes at the sight of Prince Kim leaving personally with a stranger that wasn't themselves. 

What the party guests didn't know was that this masked stranger would endanger all of their lives with his actions later that very night. 

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

AUTHOR'S NOTE

wheeew woohoo. Who is this Jay guy? Anybody have any ideas?

I think it might be Bang PD. Just a hunch. 

Oh wait, no...yeah, it's probably Jungkook.

Oh? It is Jungkook? Thanks for telling me, reader.

thx for reading, and have a beautiful day! Go dance with a stranger, would you?

:)))