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Chapter Text

Chapter Text

"I still don't trust the eastern empire. Their faces always scream power and wealth." Seokjin says, entering his brother's working room and closing the door behind him.

"I know, hyung. I still find it hard how easily they agreed to make peace by arranging their son with me." Namjoon agrees, still shocked by the turn of events.

Kim Namjoon, the emperor of Western empire, present yielder of wind magic, the most powerful one that people believe that it is blessed by the goddess herself to one.

So, even though Kim Seokjin is the first born and first in line to the throne, their parents and the court officials decided to make Namjoon as the emperor which Seokjin has no qualms on. As he has healing magic and mostly interested in becoming a healer.

And after their parents, the previous emperor and empress died last year which the siblings still think is the northern empire's plan, they finally decided to confront them about the issue and were shocked to see how calm they were to solve the issue and proposed the idea of becoming close by giving their youngest son to the western emperor.

"Yeah. Better to keep an eye on that omega prince until marriage. We can't know their motives behind this arrangement." Seokjin says, all serious.

"Any message from Taehyung?" Namjoon asks.

Kim Taehyung, their cousin, with the magic of water, is the one who took the work on himself to guide the omega prince from eastern empire to western empire.

"Ah, yes. They are starting their journey tomorrow. He didn't mention anything but said there are few things to discuss directly."

They discuss few more things before a knock interrupts them, Yoongi and Hoseok enter bowing to the emperor before sitting in the chairs.

Jung Hoseok, the commander of the western empire, with metal magic, perfect for any type of combat.
Min Yoongi, the adviser of the emperor, with a magic never heard of before. He could see the future through his visions which mostly helps the empire from the difficult situations before they could become much bigger and disturb the empire.

"He had a vision." Hoseok says, making Namjoon and Seokjin look at Yoongi eagerly.

"They will be arriving safely in a week. I could sense only two new core energies from the returned group."
Yoongi fills in about his vision.

"Which means, the prince is bringing only one person with him." Seokjin concludes, though he looks to be in deep thought.

"That is what I am confused of. I thought he would atleast bring a bunch of workers with him. But looks like he is a bit different from what we expected him to be." Yoongi says.

"Any more information about the trespassing at the northern border?" Namjoon asks, related to the new issues arising on their northern border which started a few weeks ago.

"No clues. I am preparing a troop to send there instead of relying on the border's knights. Who knows what is actually happening there." Hoseok says, listing of the candidates he is thinking of sending.

______

"Sir Taehyung, Prince Jungkook is here." the knight says, bowing, making way for Taehyung to go outside.

Taehyung is excited to meet this omega prince whom he never once saw before during his visits to the eastern empire.
As being the aid to the emperor, Taehyung took it as his duty to present in the gatherings and meeting whenever Namjoon couldn't make it to them. So, Taehyung visited the eastern empire at least a handful times in the last three years itself and never once saw or heard about the omega prince.

Now he is curious to meet him.

And when he finally sees the omega prince, the first thought his mind supplies to him is beauty. The omega prince looks so pretty that Taehyung is sure that the prince would leave his cousin speechless upon seeing him.

"Greetings, Prince Jungkook. I am Kim Taehyung; I will safely take you to the western empire." He introduces.

"I appreciate it. Thank you, Sir Taehyung." Jungkook says, and even his voice is so soft to hear.

"We are currently loading your belonging into the ship. We can start by the noon. I hope the sea route is not an inconvenience for you."

Since Taehyung has water magic, he always prefers to travel through water way which is also a fastest way to reach the empire.

"Not at all." Jungkook answers, realizing that his parents are actually sending somethings which will be his belongings.

"May I know how many servants are you bringing with you? I need to make the required arrangements for them." Taehyung asks.

"Oh." Jungkook thinks a minute before replying as he is sure there is no one from the palace is coming with him.

"I am only bringing only one person with me. He is my personal guard." he answers making Taehyung stun for a moment.

"Well, alright."

________

"Wow! The noble clothes suit you."

Are the first words that comes out of Jimin's mouth as he enters the room and looks at Jungkook who is sitting in a chair looking outside through the window.

"The empress sent some maids to my room this morning and had me get ready to look like a prince. Sir Taehyung also mentioned about loading my belongings to the ship." Jungkook answers, looking at his appearance which he also believes, suits him.

"Looks like they donot want the others to know about your past. Idiots." Jimin says, making a soft bush to sit on.

"Why did it take you this long?" Jungkook asks.

They started their journey a few hours back as Jungkook mind linked Jimin to meet him at the port as he already talked about Jimin to Taehyung and let him in after he arrives.

"Since I am your personal guard, which I don't understand why you said since I am nowhere near your strength, I took it as my duty to check the ship before meeting you. I am yet to meet this Sir Taehyung that all workers were talking about." Jimin says.
"Should I say you are my personal maid then? I could erase his memory if I try hard." Jungkook says making Jimin laugh.

"NO! Being a guard is better. I know nothing about palace etiquettes to be a maid." he huffs.

____

The first morning in to the journey, Jimin marches in to Jungkook's room where the prince is enjoying a book with some tea.

"This is ridiculous!"
"What is?"

"Your parents. The emperor didn't propose the marriage offer. They came to talk about the issues between the two empires and your parents just gave you as a peace offering." Jimin says, going into the story of how he heard a few maids in the kitchens gossiping about the arrangement between them.

"Well, atleast now I know the reason for this marriage."

Jungkook says calmly, going back to sipping his tea while Jimin mumbles about nobles and their no freedom to choose their own partner.

___

The second morning in to the journey, Jimin again marches into Jungkook's room, waking the still sleeping prince.

"Jimin, please. We have the whole day to talk so, let me sleep." Jungkook says even before Jimin could make a sound.

Not getting any response, Jungkook opens his eyes, looking for his best friend and finds him still leaning back on the closed door, a dazed look on his face and from the little light spread in the room, he could see the deep blush covering his whole cheeks.

Immediately, he lights the room with his magic, goes to take his best friend's hand, makes him sit on the bed and he too settles beside him.

"Hey, Jimin. What happened?" he asks, shaking his shoulders all while Jimin just stares into a void.

"Jungkookie..."

'What's with his voice?' Jungkook thinks as Jimin usually high-pitched sound is nowhere as Jimin called his name with a small voice.

"Yes?"

"I just met my love of life."

"Oh! God. You scared me, Jimin! I thought something seriously happened."

"Hey! This is serious. I just met the most handsome person who has very beautiful voice. Moreover, he has water magic. How cool is that?" Jimin says as like he doesn't have earth magic himself.

"Jimin, you are being ridiculous."

"No. I am not. Thanks to you, I met him. Else I don't know how I would have meet him." Jimin says, with a bright smile, all trace of shock (or lovesickness) gone.

"So, what is his name?" Jungkook asks, utterly done with his best friend’s craziness.

"Kim Taehyung! Do you know? He is the emperor's cousin too." Jimin says, again starting about how handsome he is.

"What? Sir Taehyung? This is really ridiculous." Jungkook says, though Jimin looks like he is not listening to anything he says as he is back to daydreaming.

"I will first get to know him and then I will court him. Oh! What an idea. I should ask him what his favourite flowers are so that I could give him them."

"Lord, give me patience." Jungkook prays, as it was just his second day into the journey.

"Do you know how we met?" Jimin says, describing his first meet with his love.

______

Jimin was just peacefully enjoying the early morning wind at the top platform of the mast when he hears someone shout from below.

"Hey! Get down here! It is not safe there."
Jimin hears clearly and realizes that the other is shouting at him.
"Ridiculous."
Huffing at the disturbance, he creates a vine's swing and easily gets down and finally lands on his feet beside the shouting one.

"You cannot just go there." the person says, a little ruder than necessary, irking Jimin.

"And why can't I? It that your emperor's throne?" Jimin retorts, hands on his hips.

"How dare you say that? You foreigner!"

"Huh? Foreigner? Do you know that a foreigner is going to be your Empress? And this foreigner is the personal guard of that future empress?"

"Don't think high of yourself, you little-"
"That's enough, Hiyong."

Another voice orders, instantly stopping this Hiyong’s actions as he turns and bows to the person.

When Jimin looks at the person, his breathe gets stuck in his throat at the sight of the other who must be the most handsome person he saw in his whole life.
And that voice, he thinks he could sleep peacefully just by listening to his speak just as this Hiyong bows once again.
"Sir Taehyung! I apologize for my words."

So, this is the Taehyung everyone talks about, Jimin thinks.

"You should be apologizing to him."
"But."
"Now."
Without any choice, Hiyong turns back to Jimin and bows to apologize and walks after giving another bow to Taehyung.

"I apologize for his behaviour...?" Taehyung says, looking at Jimin
"Park Jimin."

"Sorry on his behalf, Jimin. I am Kim Taehyung. The captain of this ship." Taehyung says.
"Nice to meet you, Sir Taehyung. I am Prince Jungkook's personal guard." Jimin says, reminding his character Jungkook gave him.

"Call me, Taehyung. No formalities, please." Taehyung says, smiling.
"O-okay! Taehyung." Jimin says, hoping his face doesn't betray him but from the little smile Taehyung tries to hold, he knows he did something.

"Your magic." Taehyung says, seeing the confusion in Jimin's face, and points at his behind.

Jimin gasps, looking at the vines he created to get down, now blooming little flowers all while they move slowly like waves.

"My god!" Jimin says, releasing his magic, making them disappear.

"Hey, no worries. That happens to me all the time." Taehyung tries to lighten up.
Jimin takes it as his chance to learn more about him.

"Really? What happened?" he asks, ready to know about his magic.

"I have water magic. Whenever I get excited, I used to burst all my surroundings with water. One time, my cousin, the emperor, gifted me with something I like, and I couldn't control my happiness and magic burst out wetting him." Taehyung says, making Jimin laugh.

"Sir Taehyung!" Someone shouts from far behind.

"I need to leave. Until next time, Jimin." Taehyung says, walking back.

Chapter Text

Sixth day in to the journey, the last day of the journey as Taehyung informed Jungkook that they will be reaching their destination by the next morning, Jungkook was enjoying his breakfast in peace when once again it is broken by his best friend who rushed in the room with a bang.

"Jimin. Please, I know more about sir Taehyung than my own betrothed at this point. Let me just eat my breakfast in peace." Jungkook pleads.

"Jungkook."
By Jimin's tone, Jungkook knowns it is serious. So, he puts his plates on the table before giving all his attention to him who sits on the other chair rather that making a bush for himself like other times.

"I am listening."

"There is something happening here. We need to know about it."
"About what, Jimin?"

"That day when I met Taehyung for the first time, do you remember about the worker that shouted on me?"
"Yes, I remember. Hiyong?"
"Yeah. When I thought about his words, I realized he doesn't like me and he addressed me as a foreigner."

Jungkook thought Jimin was exaggerating when he explained it to him that day. But looks like he didn't.

"So, I interacted with few others and believe me Jungkook, they hate us. The first thing they think of me is 'he is a foreigner'. When I further tried to find anything more, I heard the maids in the kitchen gossiping."

"Why do you always hear to them gossiping?"
"Because that is where you can know about everything you want to know."
"Okay. So, what did you hear?"

"The western empire lost their previous emperor and empress last year. It was an assassination. They believe the eastern empire rulers are the main reason for it."
"What? My parents?"

"Yes, Jungkook. That was the reason why Emperor Namjoon met with your parents and see what? They denied everything and offered you as an alliance saying they only intend to be on good terms with the western empire. Their precious youngest omega son."

"This is really serious, Jimin."
"Yeah. They are planning something. Like why would suddenly ask for you out of nowhere when they never tried to contact you in the past years. And why not offer your sister if it is really for the alliance?"

"They are planning on using me as a pawn to overrule western empire. Do you think these people know that?" Jungkook says, realisation hitting hard.

So, even now his parents are only thinking about their own wishes and greed than about his life. How could someone be so cruel and heartless?

"Atleast now you know the reason. A proper one." Jimin says, sensing his mood dropping.

"What should I do, Jimin?"
"If it was me, I would say, Nothing. Just see how things go and follow your heart at the necessary time. I am sure they will plan to do something by using your name."
"Sir Taehyung said there will be a ball hosted by them in a month announcing our alliance to everyone. And I am sure my parents will attend it."

"Good. You have a month time to decide."

They sit in silence, Jimin giving time for Jungkook to take all of this in.

Suddenly, Jungkook sits straight with a gasp, making Jimin alert too.
"What if the emperor thinks I have a hand in this too?" Jungkook asks,

"In what exactly?"

"Like what if he thinks the marriage is a plan and I am coming as a spy? If he thinks same as us about my parents, then he will think of me as such too, Jimin. After all I am the youngest and cared prince of eastern empire for all they know."

"Don't over think now. Like I said, we have time in our hands. We will know about their opinions when we reach there. And you could use your magic to sense their lies."

"And that too. I need to cover my magic all the time. Maybe there is a person with sensing magic in there." Jungkook adds.

"Yeah. Be care-"

Jimin cut his sentence in middle as they heard a loud blast before they ship gave a big jerk, making them both lose their balance and fall on the floor, thankfully, Jimin created a soft bush for them, avoiding the hard floor.

"What was that?!" Saying that, Jimin rushed out of the room, Jungkook following behind immediately.

And the workers are all running around, no one paying attention to them as Jungkook sensed the new strong magic and ran that way, Jimin following behind.

Jimin gasped just as they reached the area where Taehyung, his hands tied back, is surrounded by a group of people, all having their faces covered. He was about run when Jungkook's hand holds his and stops him from doing that.
"What now?!" Jimin whispers.
"I can't sense Taehyung's magic." Jungkook whispers back.
"How is that possible?!"

"Surrender if you want to live the next day." Taehyung warns, which the group laughs on.

"And what are you gonna do if we don't?" one of them asks,

"I have binding magic. And I bound yours. You can't use magic for some time even if you try." Another says, giving answer to Jimin's question and the reason for his hands being tied.

And when another person lifted his hand, holding a knife, Jungkook and Jimin ran to the sight.

Jungkook too used earth magic, to make it look like Jimin who did it as they both created thick vines around the throats of all those people who surrounded Taehyung.

While all of them are suffered to free from the vines, the one holding the knife, cut them easily, escaping before Jimin could create wolf's bane flower to make them unconscious.

"What did you do to them?" he shouted as they all started falling down, as he came forward to attack Jimin.

Jimin tried to create a vine, this time aiming for his leg to trip him which was unsuccessful as another vine, one with no life just a dried one, blocked it and caged it.

"Your lively little plant trick won't work on me, you fool. The first one took me by surprise." he shouts, blocking all the attacks Jimin aimed at him with his magic, as he created more brown branches, stronger that the green vines Jimin creates.

Moreover, he created one more vine, which Jimin didn't notice until it tied him and made him fall.

Jungkook looked up from where he was helping Taehyung from his ropes to the sight of his best friend falling down.

"JIMIN!" Jungkook shouted, springing up.

The masked man laughed seeing Jimin struggle within his hold as he created a few sharp twigs and sent them towards Jimin.

The twigs never reached Jimin as they burned to ash in the middle, as Jungkook used fire magic and burnt them before they could reach Jimin.

"WHAT!?" The masked man shouted, surprised at the turn of events as Jimin took his chance to create a vine and a wolf's bane flower instantly which made his unconscious.

"Taehyung, are you alright?" Jimin asks, after making sure all of them are tied and cannot be escaped.
"Yes, Jimin. Thank you." Taehyung replies, he too looked shocked at the turn of the events as he turns to Jungkook before bowing.
"Thank you, Prince Jungkook." he says.

"Your magic is really powerful. Both of yours. I never asked about your magic type before but wow. Prince Jungkook, fire magic is really great." Taehyung says, leaving the part, 'It goes well with my cousin's wind magic'.

"Ah. Yes. Thank you." Jungkook says, a little lost and surprised that now he has to looks like a fire magic yielder.

"Please rest assured. I will take this from here." Taehyung says, as water flows into his hands, his magic coming back.

"Okay." Jungkook says, looking at Jimin who gives a little wave to Taehyung before walking away with Jungkook.

________

"Greeting, Sir Taehyung!" The knights say as Taehyung gets down from the ship.

"Status?" Taehyung asks.
"All clear, sir. We can start anytime you wish." the knight answers.
"Alright. The load?"
"The workers on it, sir."

Taehyung makes his way back to the ship after that, to the prince's room.

"Prince Jungkook, please follow me." Taehyung says, when Jungkook opens the door, all ready to start his journey in western empire.

The walk back to the stairs, Jimin nowhere to be seen as he said something about supervising the luggage to not let anyone peek into it.

The knights bow at once at the sight of Jungkook who looks back at Taehyung, surprised at the respect given to him.
"Welcome to the western empire, Prince Jungkook. Hope you like it here." Taehyung says, a welcoming smile easing the little jitters Jungkook has.

"Thank you." Jungkook says, following Taehyung.

"Your belongings will reach by the evening as it takes few hours by land transport to reach the palace." Taehyung says.
"Jimin?" Jungkook asks.
"Jimin will be coming with them too. He told me to inform you." Taehyung says.
"Okay."

"This way, sir." one of the knights says, pointing at a large tree.

"One of the knights in our empire has teleporting magic. He could teleport atleast three people at a time to anywhere in our empire. We will use that way if you are comfortable with using magic to transport." Taehyung says.

Jungkook feels excited at the mention of teleporting magic as he only heard about it but never once saw it with his own eyes in his life. And he really wants to try that magic too.

"I am. We can use it, sir Taehyung." Jungkook answers as he sees Taehyung waiting patiently for his reply.
"Very well." Taehyung says and the knight moves to lead them to the place where the person with teleportation magic is waiting.

"Greetings, Sir Taehyung." the person says and bows to Jungkook, this time the prince giving a nod instead being surprised.

"Please prepare the portal." Taehyung says which the man nods to before closing his eyes and extends his hands into air and chants few things in an unknown language.

"Those are spells for a safe teleporting. Not many use them as they are very old." Taehyung fills in.

Spells are a little rare in now a day to be used which shocks Jungkook to know that western empire still uses them as the other empires think the spells are ineffective. His parents being in the list of people who scoffs at the idea of using spells to improve magic power.

Jungkook mouth opens a little automatically when he sees a black screen forming close to the hand chanting the spells and expanding little by little until it is in the size enough for a person to enter.

"Please." Taehyung says, extending his arm for Jungkook to take which the prince takes and enters into the black screen.

The knight too enters as the black screen closes, darkness filling around them just as another hole forms, light filling in.

The first things Jungkook sees is someone eyes, kind and scary at the same time, making his nervous once again, at the knowledge of being with people he doesn't know of. Though he prefers this than to be with his parents.

And then he feels it. The strong power of magic, the strongest of all time just as the portal opens completely, Taehyung slowly going out and stretching his hand for him to take which actually helped Jungkook as he feels a little lightheaded after stepping out.

"Don't move for a moment. The feeling will pass." A new voice says, one that feels soothing and scary at the same time.

And he opens his eyes, which he doesn’t know when he closed in the first place to look into those say eyes.
"Better?" the person asks, who might be his betrothed.
And Jungkook thinks the voice matches his eyes. Kind and scary.

"Yes, thank you." Jungkook says.

"Prince Jungkook, let me introduce you to my cousins." Taehyung says, stepping between them with a big smile which looks mischievous.

"This is my big cousin, Kim Seokjin, the great healer of our empire." He says just as Seokjin bows, Jungkook does the same.

"Please don't mind him. It is my honour to serve the need." Seokjin says.

"And this, is my second cousin, Kim Namjoon, the emperor of our lands."

"Welcome to the western empire, Prince Jungkook." Namjoon says, in the same voice.
"Thank you for having me, Emperor." Jungkook says back, though he feels fine, he voices wavers a bit that the others notice.

"Please take rest for now. We can meet for the dinner if you are alright." Namjoon offers, which Jungkook doesn't oppose to as he too has a lot to process.
___

"We prepared your chambers. Please tell us if you have any changes to be made for your liking." Taehyung says, opening the door to his chambers allowing Jungkook to enter, never stepping in.

"This is beautiful." Jungkook says, which is true as the room he is in might be the most beautiful room he has ever been in.

"I am glad. I will bring Jimin to you once he arrives." Taehyung says, and takes his leave, leaving Jungkook to his own.

"Wow..."
Jungkook looks around, the ceiling to covered in beautiful arts as round the room, which is waiting room that has a lot of couches and tables. A small dining table in one corner, covered with fruits, snacks and drinks which all look fresh. The other corner having two big shelfs of books.

He then goes in to the next room, his bed chambers, with a big sized bed that can fit five people at once, two doors connected on two sides.

He opens the first door near to him, which opens to a balcony, giving a full view of the gardens and mountains that were covered with snow.
Now thinking about it, he doesn't feel cold at all and then guesses that it might be due to the magic of someone who keeps the palace warm all the time.

He then opens the second door that leads to a big empty room with a lot of cupboards and shelfs that he thinks where his belonging will be set. Another door fills his view that is there on the father corner of the room which he opens to view of a large bathing area.

The bathing area, with a small door to the corner which might be where the servants will enter from. The middle of the room filled with a pool of water, clean and ready for Jungkook to dive in if he wants. As the shelf close to it is filled with scents and oils, towels, and other necessities.

He comes back to his bedroom and falls on the bed that make him giggle as he bounces twice before finally settles, feeling like on clouds.

He doesn't clearly remember when he dozed off but got awaken with the knocks on the door, Jimin voices shouting for him open the door which he locked earlier.

Chapter Text

"Wow..."

Jimin has the same reaction seeing Jungkook's chambers when he entered making Jungkook smile.

"You didn't even see the whole area, Jimin." Jungkook reminds, as Jimin just circles around the waiting room, checking everything.

"Show me!" Jimin shouts, little flowers blooming around the book shelf, clearly showing how happy he is.

"You look very happy." Jungkook states, opening the door to his bedroom.

"Jungkook, the western empire is so calm and beautiful. Makes me feel like I am back in the forest. And to add more, you know how much I love snow." Jimin says, skipping his way into the room making loud sounds showing how amazing everything is.

"Oh! Your belongings are here. The knight said to open the back door so the maids could set everything. What is this back door?"

So, Jungkook shows Jimin way to the empty room and then they make their way to the bathroom room where Jimin opens the said back door.

"Greetings, Prince Jungkook." the knight says, who comes running from his position when he notices the door open.

"I will call the maids to set your belongings."

"Please do."

____

"They really prepared everything to send with you. Atleast everything looks good." Jimin says, plopping on the bush he created though there are a lot of chairs to sit on.

The maids just left after arranging all his things in the other room which took almost two hours and preparing a bath for him, requesting to call them through the back door when he needs assistance.

"Well, they are playing the role of the caring parents who are sending their precious son to a new place forever." Jungkook says, a little pang in his heart, though he knows they don't deserve it.

"No time to be sad about that, Prince. You have even more important task in your hands now." Jimin says, a spark in his eyes, laughing when he sees the face his best friend made when he addressed him as prince.

"I need to address you as such when we are with some company. Get used to it with me."

"Still. It feels weird to get called as prince." Jungkook says, checking through his new clothes for a proper attire to wear for the dinner.

He picks two sets, showing them to the other omega to select for him.

"We need to make a good impression first. We don't know what they are thinking about you. So, maybe the simple one?" Jimin says which Jungkook agrees to and picks the plain purple set and goes to the bathing hall, Jimin just behind him.

"Wait for me. Donot get out. And I mean it. Just enjoy the bath until I get back." Jimin says, running off, not answering Jungkook's questions on where he is going.

And so, Jungkook relaxed in the pool. Heating the water, a bit as it became cold with all the time he wasted on chatting.

Closing his eyes, he leans back. Resting his head on the perfectly set towels for the purpose.

But he opens his eyes in an instant, gasping, his cheeks heating up.

'Why are you thinking about him, Jungkook? You just met him for like five minutes most!'

He scolds himself in his mind, as he taps the hot water on his cheeks to get rid of the image of a certain emperor with him in the pool, enjoying a relaxed bath.

Then his thoughts go to the interaction he had this morning. Though it was only for a minute, the way the emperor held him, looked at him, and mostly. His voice, which Jungkook could sleep listening to.

He then remembers the words Jimin said about Taehyung on the first day he met the water yielder.

'I just met the most handsome person who has very beautiful voice.'

He never understood what a beautiful voice means but listening to the emperor, now he understands.

"Oh! Lord. Jimin is not going to leave me in peace." He groans, sinking his head into the pool, thinking how his best friend would react if he says that he loves the emperor's voice.

He cleans himself, humming a tune of the song that the forest people sang all the time during bonfires.

______

Jimin comes back, with his new attire, looking like a royal knight, with his leather clothes and his personal sword attached to his hip which he prepared himself.

"Oh! Trying to impress your handsome crush, huh?" Jungkook teases, finally coming out of the pool.

"Need to keep his eyes on me all the time." Jimin agrees shamelessly, making Jungkook huff at his best friend’s confidence.

They both spend the next hour in the closet, Jungkook sitting in front of the mirror as Jimin opens all the accessories and cosmetics to pick the perfect one for the prince.

"You said to go for being simple, Jimin." Jungkook sighs, looking at the chocker and matching earrings he put on which are not even close to simple, as Jimin waves through his hair, pinning few lavender flowers here and there to make it look good.

"You are a prince, Kook. They will get doubts if you go too simple. So, this will do. And see! They suit perfectly with your clothes and hair." Jimin says, clapping at his work looking at the mirror.

"I can't even argue with you." Jungkook says, his eyes never leaving his frame in the mirror, looking like a prince for the first time his life.

______

The door opens as Taehyung steps back after knocking three times, making him stumble at the sight of Jimin standing there.

Gone the innocent and shy Jimin he knows from the journey, the one standing here before Taehyung looks so lethal and sharp.

Taehyung blinks twice before greeting the other who smiles, greeting back.

The thing is, Jimin is also starstruck, opening the door to find Taehyung instead of a knight who he thought knocked the door.

"Is prince Jungkook ready? I was hoping to show you two the castle before we meet others."

"Oh! Yes, he is. Let me ask him." Jimin says, sprinting back to Jungkook so he could scream at his best friend of his sudden heart attack at seeing Taehyung, so handsome and shining.

____

"This is the way to our training grounds. If you are interested, I could show them in the morning."

They were walking through the corridor in the first floor looking at the vast grounds in the night view, no snow in sight as Taehyung showed them everything in the first floor of the castle.

Like Jungkook expected, there are always a group of fire wielder in the castle and surrounding the castle walls, keeping the whole place warm.

"Western empire is always blessed with a lot of fire wielder." Taehyung has said when Jungkook asked about it.

"You could meet them since you are a fire yielder too, Prince Jungkook. Maybe show them few tricks of eastern empire magic." Taehyung added with an excited smile, really meaning it.

Just as they were going to take a turn, Taehyung stopped, lifting his hand where the water started twirling, forming a small water tornado.

Jungkook and Jimin stopped walking at that as they saw it happening.

"Namjoon hyung has arrived. Shall we go back? Or do you want me to show you some more places?" Taehyung asked as the twirling stopped with the water disappearing from his hand.

"Let's go back. I donot wish to make the emperor wait." Jungkook says still awed at the little thing happened before but couldn't ask it directly.

But luckily, Jungkook has a best friend who could never keep his mouth shut and always eager to know more about the water wielder.

"What was that, Taehyung?"

"Oh? You mean this?" Taehyung laughs, showing his empty hand where there was a small tornado a few seconds ago and starts explaining to them.

"I left a bowl of water near the dining area so when hyung arrived, he used his wind magic to make a tornado on the water. Since I left my magic in that water, I could sense when he did that."

"That is amazing. Wow." Jimin says and Jungkook silently agrees with it. Though he has different magic in him, he never tried mixing two of his magic at once. He always used one magic after other but not two at once.

"Right? Yoongi, our advisor asked us once to try it. He always has a lot of crazy ideas that most of us think absurd but he is always right. So since then, this became our way of calling for other."

_____

Reaching the dining hall, Jungkook sees the emperor, his brother and two other people waiting for them.

Just like that morning, Taehyung starts the conversation, this time introducing Jimin and the two new people.

"Hyungs, this is Park Jimin, Prince Jungkook's personal guard. And Jimin, this is my eldest cousin Seokjin hyung."

Jimin greets him, saying how much he likes the western empire already.

"You will love the spring even more, Jimin. I promise." Seokjin adds.

"I will be looking forward to it then, Prince Seokjin."

"And this is my second cousin, Namjoon hyung, our emperor."

Jimin greets him too before adding his own sweet warning.

"I might be under your rule but my loyalty lies with Prince Jungkook, your highness."

Jungkook is so ready to open the mind link to shout at him for saying that to the emperor but two things stop him from doing.

First, the presence of strong magic core around him and he doesn’t want to reveal his core.

And second, Emperor Namjoon just gives a small chuckle before nodding in an easy agreement.

"I expect nothing less from you, Jimin. Hope you keep him safe like always." Namjoon says, shocking Jimin and Jungkook.

Isn't the emperor supposed to be more arrogant and prideful? Then why is he so calm?

The thought runs in their mind but Jungkook remembers his interaction from morning and then too, the emperor is nothing but patient and calm with him.

Taehyung without knowing about their thoughts, introduces the two others.

"Prince Jungkook, this is Jung Hoseok, our commander and that is Min Yoongi, our advisor."

They both greet the prince as Jungkook greets back before they do the same with Jimin.

"Please sit, I hope you will like our dishes." Seokjin says, calling the maids to start serving.

Jungkook and Jimin sit on one side of the table together with Taehyung as Seokjin, Yoongi and Hoseok sit on the other side with Namjoon at the head of the table.

"If it is anything like the food I ate on the journey here, I am sure I would love it." Jungkook says.

"What was your favourite in those? I could ask the cook to make that for you." Taehyung says this time.

"Oh! No, Sir Taehyung. I would like to try new dishes too."

Like Jungkook said, he loved every dish served to him and from the looks of it, Jimin too likes them as much.

_________

Dismissing the maids after the dinner is finished and ordering the knights to leave the room and guard from outside, Namjoon looks at Jungkook.

When Jungkook entered the dining hall, Namjoon's mind went blank for a moment at the sight of the prince walking between the other two.

"Isn't that your favourite colour, Namjoon?" Seokjin asks, more like teases.

"Hush, hyung."

His words made them chuckle as he just looks at the walking prince.

This is not what he was expecting when he thought of the eastern prince. He was expecting a spoiled and self-centric person who thinks about no one else and shouts at everyone at every given chance.

But what he felt is a soft and calm presence of the prince stepping out of the portal. Who looked guarded like any person would when they meet strangers but other than that, he gave no reason for Namjoon to doubt him.

And now too, walking and intently listening to everything Taehyung is saying, the prince presence didn't make his core magic to feel threatened or uneasy like it happened past few times whenever he met his supposed to be intended.

That was the sole reason why Namjoon never married or settled, his core magic always making his feel unease at the close proximity of someone other than his trusted people.

And now, he was even more shocked when he didn't feel that even with the prince’s guard though he directly said he only serves for the prince.

"We will say it directly to you, Prince Jungkook. I hope you will listen to us first." Yoongi says, looking between a calm Jungkook and a serious Jimin who looked ready to shout if not for the prince's hand placed on his stopping him. 

"The emperor actually met your parents for a very different motive but at the end, we were back at our land with a marriage arrangement in our hands." Yoongi continues, without adding any more details.

He was about to say something when Jimin scoffs loudly gaining everyone's attention.

Jungkook squeezed his hand, asking him to be silent but Jimin did the opposite of what he asks.

"If we are having this talk, atleast tell us everything. We will only let confused with your half-truths." Jimin says,

"And what might we be hiding according to you, Jimin?"

"The very different motive. Are you not going to tell us what it is?" Jimin answers Yoongi, his head held high.

"So, you know the reason." Yoongi says, easily.

"We might have a very wrong idea. So, please say everything." This time Jungkook says, before Jimin can say something.

Sighing, Yoongi looks at the emperor who nods at him, giving permission, more like saying do what you feel is best.

"Our previous emperor and empress, they were assassinated a few years ago. From the lead we got, it was someone from the eastern empire. And after their death, many things started going wrong between our borders. With the emperor still new to the throne and looking over the main things in the capital, we didn't realise how bad the trading has gone between our empires. When we noticed, we started sending our messengers to your parents who never came back with any good solution. Then few months ago, we got one more lead, which said that the assassins were related to a clan who works for the ruler in eastern empire. So, our emperor went to have a talk with them personally and they denied everything and said they would give their youngest child to our emperor as of treaty and for the good relation between our empires."

Yoongi finishes, the hall complete silent after his talk.

"And we want to know if there is anything you want to say to us if you are planning to live here forever." Seokjin says this time.

Jungkook thinks about it before looking at Jimin who just blinks at him, leaving the decision to him.

"I donot know anything about what you said. I was sent to the border of our empire in my young age and I have been living there till few weeks ago. I am not, never been a prince. My parents never recognised me as their son and it was same with my siblings. So, even if anything happens here to me, they would never care."

Saying it loud making him somewhat sad and relieved at the same time.

"Why? If I may ask?" Hoseok asks, all of them confused at his revelation.

"I was born with no magic. I couldn't do anything even when I presented. So, they discarded me. I am mostly a tool to them in this arrangement."

"So, this arrangement is a plan for them." Yoongi concludes.

"They most certainly are the ones who ordered the assassination. I am sorry for your loss." Jungkook says.

They all nod at him, deep in thought at this new information.

"But you do have magic." Taehyung says, confused and lost.

"Yeah, I got to know about my magic after a few months living in the forest. My master trained me very hard and I never once said about this to my parents. So, they still think I have no magic within me." Jungkook explains.

"What I think is, they expected me to stay silent and since I know nothing about their motives, even if you doubt me, you will not know anything about them from me." Jungkook adds.

"This is a lot to take." Taehyung says just as Yoongi speaks.

"You believe it? What if they are making it up?" Yoongi asks, never the one to easily convinced.

"I am from Northern empire. If you have doubts, send your men to the forest located between eastern and northern empire borders. The northeast to the highest mountain is where we came from. And Jungkook is also from there. You could ask anyone there. It's not like I have any means to send them information about you." Jimin says this time, revealing one more truth just as he tears the cloth covering his right shoulder to show them his tribal tattoo.

"This mark is given to the ones who are born there. You could check it too." he adds as Jungkook reaches for his hand again.

"Very well." Yoongi says, half convinced and already planning to send someone to check about it.

"This is a lot to take." Taehyung says again, staring at Jimin's tattoo.

_________

After their talk, they all decided to call it a night and talk more tomorrow which led to Jungkook and Jimin here, thinking about it and discussing.

"I didn't expect this. At all." Jungkook says, laying on his bed, wearing his sleepwear.

"But it went well." Jimin says, laying beside him.

"What if they talk about my magic?" Jungkook asks, looking at his best friend who has his eyes closed.

"You could just mind link master and tell him this." Jimin says.

Jungkook gasps, suddenly remembering that there is an option.

"I am such an idiot." he groans.

"Don't worry. You just have a lot in your mind so, it slipped." Jimin mumbles, very close to sleeping.

"I will link him tomorrow first thing in the morning." Jungkook says, his words slurring as sleep engulfs him.

"Sleep well, Jungkookie." Jimin mumbles, he too drifting into his sleep.

"Hmmm."

This is really not how they expected their first day in western empire to go but still, this made Jungkook's heart feel light and happy. Atleast one less thing to worry about. That, if the emperor actually believed what he said.

He needs to wait for tomorrow to know about that. So, he just welcomed the sleep, which he needs most.

Chapter Text

"How do you feel about all of this?" Seokjin asks.

Just after escorting Jungkook and Jimin to the prince's chambers, they all settled in Namjoon's office room.

"Honestly, I didnot expect them to reveal anything on the first day itself." Hoseok says.

"It means they trust us." Taehyung says.

"Or that was what they were told to say to us." Yoongi, ever the sceptical adds.

"Ask someone to go to the forest to check on it." Namjoon finally says, and Hoseok leaves the room to do the work.

"I can't trust them yet." Yoongi says.

"But we can't doubt them too. Did they not pass your little test already, Yoongi?" Taehyung adds.

"What test?" Namjoon asks, Seokjin too looks confused at his cousin and the advisor who are having a staring contest.

"He sent men to the ship to attack the prince. A day before we reached the land." Taehyung says.

"Why would you do such thing, Yoongi?" Seokjin asks as his brother just remains silent.

"As Taehyung said, it was to test them. And yes, they passed it, without any difficulty, much to my surprise." Yoongi says.

"Who did you send?" Namjoon asks.

"No one from our capital, your majesty. And I gave them instructions to cover their faces so, no one can recognize them."

"And yet I found out."

"That was because I instructed them to tell you if they are in a problem."

"The prince and Jimin are very good fighters. If not for me, they would have died. Prince Jungkook's magic is strong, stronger than any fire wielder of our empire. I could sense it even though it is suppressed most of the time."

Taehyung's words echo through the silence.

"I sent Jinwoo. He would be back by three days." Hoseok informs, as he arrives.

"It takes three days to go there, Hoseok. And not to add he needs to find the location and come back. Even for a shifter." Seokjin says.

"Don’t worry, Prince. Jinwoo is the best in my unit. He will finish his task in the given time." Hoseok says, proud at his men.

"Good. Don't speak about this until we confirm everything." Namjoon orders as he dismiss everyone for the night.

__________

"Your highness!"

Jungkook looked at the person who runs at his sight from his spot to greet him.

"I am Renwa. His majesty appointed me to be your attendant." She says as she bows.

"Can you bring breakfast for two people, Renwa? Nothing sweet." Jungkook says.
"Of course, Your highness." she bows one more time before taking off to bring the food making Jungkook chuckle at her high spirits.

Jimin is still sleeping soundly inside as Jungkook went to get ready for the day, asking the knight to send Renwa in with the food.

"Morning, Prince." Jimin mumbles, as Jungkook comes back with a similar outfit like yesterday, a simple light blue set.

"You just said to them that we grew up in a forest yesterday. Stop with that prince thing." Jungkook huffs, as it weirds his get called as a prince from his best friend.

"Hahaha, okay." Jimin says but suddenly sits straight at the sound of something from the waiting room.

"That must be our food. Get up and come to eat." Jungkook says, going out of the room.

__________

"Did you talk with master?" Jimin whispers, aware of the woman standing in the room as he leans into the chair after eating full.

"No. I will but I need an isolated place for it. I don't want someone to find if I open my core completely." Jungkook whispers back as he too finishes his food.

"Do you know a place where I can meditate, Renwa? Where no one can disturb me." Jungkook asks, as the attendant silently keeps all the dishes in a tray.

"The terrace, Your highness. No one goes there except for the gardeners in the evening." she answers.

He nods when the woman excuses herself with the tray.

"You go to the terrace then. I will check the training grounds and maybe try my sword." Jimin says, getting up.
____

Jungkook releases a relieved breathe after talking with his master, explaining him about their situation without giving him all details as he donot want to make him burden with all his life matters.

He then takes a good look at the place which is mostly filled with different plants and when he takes a walk to explore the whole area, he finds a bench in the near corner, covered between all the plants.

Sitting there, Jungkook looks at the clear sky.
And Jungkook decides on one thing. He needs to speak with the emperor. He needs to know about their future. If he really wants to have this arrangement or should he go back to his life in forest.

Going back to the forest would be nice. But at the same time, he really has no family there waiting for him in the forest.
Jimin, whom he considers as his brother is already with him and by the looks of it, he is really developing a strong feeling for Taehyung. If Taehyung too feels the same, Jimin will wants live here. There is no doubt in that.

"I really need to have a talk with him." Jungkook says, getting up from the bench.

He takes the stairs he saw near to the bench, the ones different from one he used to come up, and ends up in an empty corridor.

Which is a bit weird considering there are always knights guarding the whole castle.

Jungkook looks at the whole long empty corridor before walking towards the left as he can see a single door after the far end.

By the looks of it, the open door leads to a very vast library, which looks well maintained as he steps inside and sees the books arranged neatly in the shelfs the looks like goes way back. He takes a good look of the place from where he stands.

Three big benches with few chairs surrounding them, one small couch enough for two people with a small table, and then starts the shelfs, flowing with books, rows of them, to the very end of the room.

He starts walking, as his eyes move from one shelf to other, looking at the books that he never got a chance to read in his growing years.

His legs take a stop at a shelf, far from the door that even if someone enters the room, he couldn’t see them.
His hands touch a book which looks worn out, he mouths the words written on the cover.

"That is one of my favourites."

Jungkook jumps at the sudden voice, jerking back and swings his hand in response which the person catches before he could hit them.

"Woah." Namjoon says, his hand holding Jungkook's as he swings back and loses his balance, sending both of them tumbling back as Namjoon hits the shelf behind him and Jungkook falls on him.

They stare into each other for what felt like an eternity but the shelf Namjoon leaning on creaks, breaking their staring as Jungkook stands straight and pulls his hand from the emperor's hold.

"I am sorry, Your majesty! I didnot notice you coming." Jungkook says, his other hand going to touch the place where the emperor held.

"No, I was at fault for startling you. I apologize." Namjoon says, waving his hands.

And they go back to staring silently.

"Should I leave the room?" Namjoon asks, eventually as he couldn't take the silence anymore.
"What? No, Your Majesty. This is yours. I just found this corridor and came to see what was inside." Jungkook answers.
"Ah...Please feel free to take any book you want. I don't mind." Namjoon says.

"Actually, Your majesty." Jungkook says when he sees Namjoon walking back to leave who stops at his words.
"Can I talk with you for a minute? If you have time."
"Yes?"

So, they both stand in that space, between two shelves as Namjoon waits for Jungkook to talk.

"Since this arrangement is not something you want, and you know about my parent’s intentions, do you still want to continue with this?" Jungkook blurts out all at once before he could feel nervous and not say it out.

Namjoon takes his time before speaking as Jungkook just creates more theories in his mind.

"Prine Jungkook, it is true that I was not expecting this arrangement but I am not opposed to this too. I actually can say that we both could get along well. And if you are alright with this, we can see where this goes? And if you ever feel like this is not going well, you can tell me and we can decide the next step. What do you say?"

And Jungkook is actually happy hearing this. He is feeling relieved for the first time since he came to know about his arrangement with the western emperor.

"I would like that." Jungkook answers, small smile playing on his lips which he tries hard to stop from getting big.
"Good." Namjoon says and he smiles, showing his dimples, adding one more reason in Jungkook's list to swoon over him.

"Namjoon!" Seokjin's voice breaks their silence who stands at the entrance of the room.
They both emerge out of the shelves and walk towards the healer who looks surprised to see Jungkook too there.
"Oh! Prince Jungkook." Seokjin greets.

"What happened hyung?" Namjoon asks.
"Park Jimin happened." Seokjin says, now having Jungkook's attention.
"Did something happen?" Jungkook asks, high on alert.

"No. Nothing bad. Actually, just come with me. You will see for yourselves." Seokjin beckons them to follow him which they both do and they all arrive at the training grounds which Jungkook didn't had a chance to look at last night.

"I was called to the training grounds at Hoseok's call and when I arrived, there are seven men from Hoseok's team laying unconscious, Namjoon." Seokjin says, all hurried as they take big steps towards what must be the biggest tent Jungkook could see.

The people who are training all bows at the sight of their emperor though they start murmuring while they see Jungkook.

But he has no time to pay mind to them as they walk fast towards the big tent.

That is when Jungkook remembers Jimin's words from the morning.
"I will check the training grounds and maybe try my sword."

But he silently follows the healer into the tent.

"Hello there, Prince." Jimin greets, skipping to stand beside him, his face sporting an amused smile.

"Your Majesty." he then greets the emperor.

"What happened?" Namjoon asks, looking at the knights who are sitting on the ground, glaring at Jimin who ignores their glare and whispers something to Jungkook.

"Your Majesty, this guy barged in here and started attacking us. He used some black magic and knocked us out before we could defend ourselves." one-night shouts, pointing at Jimin.

"Commander?" Namjoon calls.
"I was not present when this happened, Your majesty. I ran here when I came to know but by then he already knocked five of them. And then did the same to two of my men in front of me." Hoseok replies.
"He used wolf's bane. So, got knocked out in an instant." Seokjin says.

"Your Majesty, I request you to punish him. He is an enemy." the same knight shouts.

"Do you have anything to say, Jimin?" Namjoon asks who looks unfazed by all the accuses throwing at him.

"I could make them say the truth this instant, Your majesty." Jimin answers, stepping closer to the knight who was glaring at him before.

He then raises his hand, a beautiful yellow flower which Namjoon never saw before blooms between his fingers.

"Prince." Jimin says.
Jungkook steps beside him and uses his magic, making the flower glow as it heats and eventually becomes a powder which he gives the knight to swallow.

"What if it is poison?" the knights argues,
"The royal healer is here. Do you not believe in him?" Jimin asks, immediately shutting him up as he swallows the powder silently.

The whole crowd in the tent watch in silence as Jimin snaps his fingers loudly once before opening his mouth to speak.
"What did actually happen here?" Jimin asks.
"You attacked us." just as the knight answers, he starts shouting, cluthching his head.

"Until he speaks truth, the pain won't go away." Jimin says.
"What happened here, Rowan?" Hoseok asks this time, his voice gone cold, already knowing his men were at fault.

_____

After breakfast, Jimin goes to his room to get ready for the day and goes to the training grounds Taehyung showed them last night.

No one pays him attention as he too looks like one of the maids with his clothes which he brought from his home. His swords, safe in his room as he first wants to talk with the commander before using it. He stops at one small tent and asks for the commander who asks him to go for the biggest tent.

So, he goes to the biggest tent he could see in middle of the grounds.

Entering, he sees the knights exercising and sparring but no Jung Hoseok in sight.

So, he asks them about the commander.

"Who are you?" they question back instead of answering.
"I am a guest." he replies, not giving any specific answer.
"The only guest present in the castle is Eastern Prince." they say.
"I came here with the prince. Now, would you tell me the whereabouts of the commander?" Jimin's patience is thinning, he can see the way their expression changes, from somewhat respectful to carelessness.

"What will I get in return for that?" one of them asks, eyeing him up.
And Jimin knows what that look is. Lust.
"I don't have time for this nonsense." Jimin mumbles, turning around to leave the tent.

"Hey, don't be such a fun killer. Just send an hour with us in this tent and we will do whatever you want." the same one says, stopping him by holding his arm.
"Let go." Jimin says calm, keeping in mind that he shouldn't be creating ruckus just after a day in the western empire.
"No. What are you going to do?"
"You are going to regret this." Jimin warns.
But none of them take it seriously as they all laugh at his words.
"And what could a servant like you could do?" he says, pulling his arm making him stumble.

And before anyone could blink, Jimin creates the vines aiming at their necks, and the men struggle to free from his grip which gives him time to create the wolf's bane flowers and they all fall unconscious within seconds.

"Hey! What are you doing?"
Jimin looks at the entrance and sees two men as one of them enters the tent and one runs, probably to the commander, he hopes.
"Surrender!" the man shouts but before he could make a move, he trips the man with his vines and knocks him with the wolf's bane.

______

"That happened, Cheif." The knight answers, his pain instantly decreasing, as he takes deep breathes.

"Shame on you." Hoseok growls before turning to Jimin.
"I sincerely apologize for the way they behaved Jimin. I will surely punish them for their actions." Hoseok says.
"I look forward to see their punishments, Commander." Jimin answers cooly.

They all disperse then, Seokjin taking Jimin with him, saying he wants to know more about the flower he created, while Hoseok goes to find Yoongi to talk about what happened.

And Jungkook tells the emperor his intention of going back to the library to take a book to his chambers and Namjoon accompanies him, saying
"I know few good books which you might like. Let me show you."

So, the prince and Emperor are on their way to the library, this time making a small talk, mostly Namjoon talking about his favourite books while Jungkook listens.

Chapter Text

"You called, hyung?" Taehyung says, entering the office where Seokjin and Namjoon are already there.

"Yeah. Hoseok asked for a meeting." Seokjin answers.
"Oh, Is Jinwoo back?" Taehyung asks, about the person who Hoseok sent to the northern forest.
"He arrived last night. Yoong had a vision of it." Namjoon says.

"Your Majesty." Yoongi and Hoseok greets before taking their seats in the room.

"Straight to the matter, Hoseok." Namjoon orders.
"Jimin spoke truth, Your majesty. Jungkook arrived at their village when he was fourteen and stayed their till last month. Never once left the forest or had any communication with his parents." Hoseok lists.

"That is a relief." Taehyung says.
"Do you trust them now, Yoongi?" Namjoon asks.
"I don't doubt them anymore, Your majesty. But trust should be earned."

"They earned mine already." Hoseok says.
"Oh! Mine too." Seokjin says.
"What made you trust them?" Yoongi asks.

"Ah, yes. You both didnot know about this." Seokjin says and explains to them about what happened in the training grounds few days ago.

Taehyung looks proud when he says his words.
"I trusted them from the start. And like I said, they are good fighters. Wait until you see Prince Jungkook's magic."

"Well, it is good to know they are powerful and have no connections with the eastern empire.” Yoongi concludes.

"Any idea about the trespassing in northern border, Hoseok?" Namjoon asks as Taehyung and Seokjin take their leave to go back to their duties.

_________

"Your Highness!" Renwa greets, bowing as she enters his chambers.

The thing is, Jungkook is bored. Jimin took it as his job to go to Seokjin's work place every morning, learning about new plants and flowers he never knew about. So, Jungkook is mostly left alone for the half day before Jimin comes back for lunch and they both go to the training grounds for some sparring.

Hoseok especially gave them a separate tent for their sparring adding that he would sometimes join them if he has time which didn't happen in the past three days.

And then by evening he would take a bath before joining the others in the dining hall for the dinner which he came to know that they all eat together every day.

"I need some more books from the library. Can you help with these?" Jungkook asks, pointing at the big stack of books, recommended by the emperor himself, he already read all of them in the past days which he brought to his chambers with the help of the emperor.

Renwa goes to take as many books she can and waits for him to collect the remaining before she follows him out of his chambers.

"Your Highness, the library is in the west wing." She announces when he takes a right turn mostly to the east wing, which he knows is the way to the library.

"Huh? But I remember it being this way." he says.

"Could you tell me which floor it is?" Renwa asks.
"Top floor."

Renwa looks surprised before she answers.
"That is his majesty's personal library. He doesn't even allow guards to be present at the area. The royal library is in the first floor, your highness. I though you are referring to that." she says.

"Oh. But his majesty didn't say anything to me that day." Jungkook doesn’t know what to say.

So, he actually stumbled through the emperor's personal place and he was not sent out immediately but the emperor gave him his favourite books to read.

He knows he is blushing and it gets confirmed when Renwa giggles, most probably thinking the same.

"If his majesty knows, then let me lead you there. But I couldn't help you from the hallway as we are ordered to not step in that area, your highness." she says.

So, they both silently walk towards the library hallway where he goes first to keep the pile in his hands on the table before going back to take the remaining books from the attendant, who leaves after immediately.

He goes to keep the books from where he took them from, silently humming a tune.

"You have a nice voice. Really soothing."

Jungkook jumps once again, by the sudden presence of the emperor who looks a bit guilty at his sudden jump.

"Forgive me, I tend to forget that I am floating sometimes." Namjoon says and that is when Jungkook clearly notices that the emperor is floating. He is floating, Jungkook says in his mind.

"Wow." is all what he could say as Namjoon lands perfect on the land.

"Yeah, magic works." Namjoon says, giving a small smile.
"Like magic?" Jungkook says, laughing at his own words as the other to joins.

"Did you read all of them? Already?" Namjoon asks, noticing the book pile in his hands.
"Ah...yes. I have a lot of free time."

Namjoon frowns at his answer before he takes half of the books and starts helping him silently.

"I have no meeting this evening. So, would you like to come to the town with me? I could show you some good places." Namjoon asks as he places the last book before turning to look at the prince.
"Oh…I would love that, your majesty." Jungkook answers, his heart fluttering at the proposal.

The emperor making time to be with him is more than what he expected but he is not disappointed.

"One more thing." Namjoon says, showing his index finger, face all serious that makes Jungkook nervous of what he is going to say.

"We will be going as normal people. With no knights. So, please refrain from referring to the title."

And that is a relief to hear since he thought the emperor is going to ask him to stop visiting the library.

"Well, what will you call me as then?" he asks, before he could think.

"Since you are younger than me, call me hyung. Will you? And could I call you by your name? I don't think you will like if I call you with a sweet name this early." Namjoon teases, his smile showing his dimples that Jungkook doesn't know if he should cover his face and shout or just look at them.

"Okay, hyung." Jungkook tests and gets an even deeper dimple as answer.
"Good."
And that increases his heartbeat so much that he wonders if the other could hear it.

"Do you have any interests? Like arts, accounts or anything." Namjoon asks, walking along the way between the shelves deeper into the library.

"I actually liked doing accounting in my childhood. My instructor in the palace always praised me for my knowledge but I don't know if I am good at it anymore." Jungkook says, his voice going low at the end.

"Yoongi is good at it. Maybe you could learn from him if you like." Namjoon comments as the reach the last shelf and Jungkook is surprised to find a mattress on the floor, one which looks very clean and good.

"I spend my leisure hours here with a book. And sometimes fall asleep that the advisor or Taehyung has to come for me and wake me up." Namjoon chuckles.

"Oh." Jungkook doesn't know what to say.

It means this library is very much same as the emperor’s personal chambers and he doesn't know if he could come here again next time.

"I am showing you this so that you could do the same next time you feel like reading here instead of your chambers. Don't feel bad for using it." Namjoon says.

"But this is your personal space."

"Jungkook." that makes him stop from whatever he could say.

"I insist." Namjoon adds and Jungkook could do nothing but nods his head.

"I enjoy reading about the history. So, the ending shelfs are totally filled with history books. If you like it too, read them." Namjoon says, waving his hands in the general way of shelves.

"And you take book you need for accounting from the royal library. I am sorry, I don't have anything related to that in here." Namjoon adds.

"I will check the royal library then." Jungkook answers.

And this time, they get interrupted by Hoseok who knocks hardly at the door until they both go to the entrance.

And Jungkook notices one more thing. Not even the commander or the healer stepped into the library. They just stood outside and called the emperor.

"We got a lead of the trespassing in the northern border, Your majesty." Hoseok answers.

"Very well.” Namjoon says turning to look at Jungkook.

"I look forward to our outing today, Jungkook." Namjoon says and leaves with the commander, they both start discussing about the issue just as they start walking, leaving Jungkook in the library alone with even more thoughts and feelings.

Chapter Text

Jungkook enters his chambers with few more books in his hands to see Jimin, already there in the waiting room, munching on some fruits.

He puts the books on the table before joining his best friend and telling him about his outing plan with the emperor.

"Ooh! A date it is then." Jimin sing songs, making kissing sounds and gestures with his hands.

"Stop it." Jungkook scolds, though he is sure his face is blushing.

"Nope. My dear Jungkookie is going on his first date with his future husband. Now, let's find you some nice clothes to wear and impress the emperor." Jimin says, standing up and pulling the other with him to the dining table to eat their lunch.

By evening, after a lot of teasing and useless advises from Jimin, Jungkook goes to bath.

"Jimin." Jungkook sighs, coming out if the bath to the dressing room and looks at the clothes Jimin selected for him.
"Yes?" Jimin asks innocently, titling his head with a smile like he didnot just laid the corset god knows where he got that from on the table with the ornaments.

He takes one more looks at the plain white inner shirt and the light blue corset, matching with a blue pants that fits perfectly on his legs. On top of the shirt are the pearl chain and earrings with a matching ring and bracelet.

"His majesty said we are going as normal people. I need some normal clothes. These would make all the market's attention to be on me." Jungkook says, going to the shelf to pick his clothes which makes him mingle with the crowd easily.

"No fun." Jimin grumbles but goes to help his friend to get ready with the clothes he selected.

__________

"Is he going somewhere?" Taehyung asks, munching on the grapes as he looks at his cousin who rushed out of the meeting room.

Namjoon, Yoongi, Hoseok, and Taehyung were stuck in the meeting room for hours discussing about the issue that they only took a break when Jin came in with the servants bringing lunch. And they went back to their plans until Namjoon looked out of the window to see the sun very close to set.

Yoongi hands the water wielder a glass of water which he takes with confusion just as Hoseok opens his mouth to answer.

"Apparently, his majesty has a date with the prince." Hoseok answers, who heard the emperor saying it to the prince.

Taehyung chokes on his grape, immediately taking a gulp of the water as Hoseok laughs, complimenting Yoongi on his right timing.

"You knew?!" Taehyung shouts, pointing a finger at the advisor who just smirks at the younger.

"I had a vision of this particular scene yesterday but looking at it directly is very much fun." Yoongi says.

"This is unfair! What else are you two hiding from me of the two?" Taehyung demands, the one who is most eager about the blooming relation between his cousin and Jungkook.

"Hmmm...Seokjin said something to me a few days ago." Yoongi says, always using a chance to tease the youngest Kim, who pulls pranks on him since he was younger.

"Please tell me, Yoongi hyung." Taehyung asks, making his eyes big and leaning very close to the advisor's space.

"Move, you goof! I will tell you." Yoongi groans, leaning back.
"He might not tell you anything if he gets irritated, Taehyung." Hoseok adds, finally making Taehyung back down and plop in his chair again.

"Seokjin went to search for Namjoon and guess where he is?" Yoongi asks.
"Obviously in his library." Taehyung replies.

"Yeah. But he is not alone this time. Prince Jungkook is with him." Yoongi says, observing the information taken in by the youngest, but Hoseok remains unfazed.

"Inside the library? Did he see it with his own eyes?" Taehyung gasps, covering his opened mouth with a hand.
"I can confirm. I saw them this morning too, together inside the library." Hoseok says.

Yoongi and Hoseok has to stifle their laughs, looking at Taehyung who just sits still, no words coming out of his mouth or any expression on his face.

"Taehyung?"
"Wow. I can't believe it. Hyung never allowed me to step inside the room. Me. His favourite cousin. But he is fine with the prince who he knows for less than a week." Taehyung says, but still smiles. Albeit a weird one.

Which the other two are a bit scared of since they know that it means the youngest is planning something.

"What are you planning?" Hoseok asks, looking between a clueless Yoongi and the smiling Taehyung.

Taehyung stares at them for few seconds before jumping out of his chair, going out.
"It is useless to tell you both. I need to find Jimin. He is the only one who would understand my ideas." He says.

"So... about that." Hoseok says as Yoongi hums, prompting him to continue.

"Jimin and Taehyung. Got any visions?" he asks.

And this time, it is Hoseok's time to look confused at the other's smile.
"Well, there is something going to happen. And it is better to not tell you if you want to enjoy the moment when it happens." Yoongi says.

"Wow. A lot is going to happen in these next months then." Hoseok laughs.
"You can't even imagine it." Yoongi adds, as they both make their way out of the room to go back for their duties.

_______________

Jungkook is anxious. Jimin left an hour ago saying something about the garden and some flowers that bloom at a particular evening time, leaving him waiting alone for the emperor.

He almost though that the emperor has forgotten about their outing as the sun is nearly set with the room flowing with the light orange hue.

But then comes the sharp knock, which Jungkook knows by heart that it is emperor. Even his knocking feels confident unlike him who was anxious until now.

He runs to the door, takes a deep breath, and pulls the door open to be greeted by the emperor’s tall frame. How did he never notice this? Now thinking, Jungkook always had to crane his neck up to look at the other.

"Jungkook." The name alone send chills, making him come out of his thoughts.

"Your- Namjoon hyung." Jungkook corrects, at the raised eyebrow. And is awarded by the taller's beautiful smile.
"Please wear this. The market is near to the snow mountains. But I hope you are comfortable with cold temperatures." Namjoon says, handing him a white lynx fur coat, that looks long enough and sure when Jungkook puts it on, it comes upto his knees.

"Thank you. The coat looks pretty. I have never been anywhere near to snow." Jungkook says, caressing the fur and misses the pleased expression on the emperor's face.

"I am glad. Let's find out about your opinion on snow then. Shall we?" Namjoon asks, holding a hand for Jungkook to take which he takes hoping for his face remain still and not embarrass him by flushing red.

_______
A carriage waits for them at the main gates as they step out of the castle. And immediately, Jungkook feels the drop in temperature. He feels grateful for the fur coat as he brings it more close to cover his neck as the wind blows on his face with the carriage moving.

"Western empire's winter is always strong. As the snow mountains are closer to our land." Namjoon starts explaining and points at some places and starts talking about an incident related to it. Jungkook listens intently to everything the emperor is speaking.

And one more time, he is stuck with the fact that he is indeed, has fallen for his voice.

'Is it only his voice?' a voice asks in his mind which sounds very similar to his best friend.

"And hence the night market has started. A lot of travellers and traders prefer visiting in summer so, there is no hustle at this time of the year with only locals mainly visiting. And more reason for us to hide our identity." Namjoon says as the carriage comes to a stop and the driver opens the door for them.

"I will be waiting here, your majesty." he says, bowing at them.
Namjoon dismisses him with a nod.

"Shall we?" Namjoon asks, once again, holding out a hand for Jungkook to take which he takes, this time with an excited smile as he hears the sounds of people from a street.

_____

In the first hour, they both walk aimlessly as Namjoon tells him about the things in the stall as Jungkook tries to look at all the things as he never had a chance to visit any markets with living in the forest.

And then they enter the street where all stalls are filled with food.

"Wow." Jungkook says, his mouth salivating at the tempting aromas.

"Do you want to try some? I know a stall which sells the best sweets I have ever tasted." Namjoon says and starts leading the way when Jungkook nods eagerly.

Namjoon bites back an amused smile behind his masked face as he observes his fiancé shocked expression as he takes one more bite from the sweet which is only available in their empire.

Jungkook looks at him with his wide eyes as he finishes the whole plate, only a single piece left in the plate. He looks at the last piece and back at Namjoon.

"You can finish it, Jungkook." Namjoon laughs at that, when he sees Jungkook struggling to decide on offering the last piece to him or to pop it in his mouth.

"Thank you." Jungkook mumbles, with a shy smile as he eagerly takes the sweet to his mouth.
"They taste so good. I have never tasted anything like that in my life." Jungkook says, as they move to another stall.

'Food it is.' Namjoon thinks as he sees the younger giving a happy hum as he tastes the pie.

The emperor has been in a lot of thoughts in the past few days to know about the prince's interests. And today, from the minute they started walking in the market, he saw the glow in the prince's face which he never saw from the first day as he ate to his heart content.

They never had a chance to eat together, only two of them till now. Sure, the seven of them always eat dinners together. But he plans to eat atleast once a day with the prince, only both of them. As he can see the real excitement and happiness in his fiancé’s face.

____

They go back to the castle in the same carrier, this time it is Jungkook who talks, as he expresses his happiness while Namjoon listens to him.

The emperor realises that it is the first time, he is hearing to the prince talk to him for this long. And he likes it.

"And I didnot understand when Jimin said how much he likes the snow but now I know. Can we go again sometime, Namjoon hyung? I would love to look at the snow in the daylight."

Namjoon is delighted to hear it since he was already thinking of an idea to be with prince alone like this.

"Sure, Jungkook."

Chapter Text

Yoongi sits straight with a gasp, looking around his chambers. How many visions he might get, he never gets used to the feeling of coming out of it.

He takes a deep breathe, trying to control his heartbeat as he chants the slogan, he learnt to control his magic that was flying all around him making him sense all kinds of magic core near to him.

He never understood why that is happening but as he chants the same words again and again, until he feels normal, not sensing anything anymore.

And that is when it settles in his mind. The vision he had. A long one if he can guess though it felt like he spent just a minute in the vision, it is already morning as he looks out from his window.

He gets out of the bed hastily as he makes his way to the bathing area to get ready for the day and talk with the commander about his vision.

"This is not good." he mumbles.

_________

"Wake up, my prince." Jimin says as he opens the door and looks at the bed only to find it empty.

Which is odd since Jungkook is never one to wake early. Not before Jimin atleast. So, he is confused to see an empty room.

And he gets ever more restless when he realises that the whole chambers are empty. Even Renwa, the attendant who is waiting outside patiently doesn't know about his whereabouts.

"Are you sure?" Jimin asks the guard again.
"Yes, Sir Jimin. Prince Jungkook didnot step outside since my shift started." he answers.
"When did your shift start?"
"At four in the morning, sir."

Jimin should have waited for him to return back yesterday from his outing. But he was occupied talking with Taehyung that he didnot visit his best friend last night.

"Contact the person who guarded here before you and ask him." Jimin says as one of the guard bows and rushes to do the task.

_______

Seokjin frowns when he gets out of his bath to hear the constant knocking on his door. He opens it instantly as he knows only few people would do such thing and the reason is never a good one.

He finds Taehyung, still in his sleeping robes, his face troubled.
He lets the younger in and closes the door, not to let anyone listen to their talk though no one dares to enter his chambers.

"Hyung, Namjoon hyung is not here." Taehyung whisper-shouts.

Jin looks at his cousin with confusion before he answers.
"Yes, Taehyung. This is my chamber. Why would he be here?"

"That is not what I mean!" Taehyung facepalms with a groan.

"So, actually I was waiting for hyung in his chambers yesterday for him to return back so I could talk with him but I fell asleep while waiting. And when I woke up it was already morning. I went to his bedroom but it was empty. So, I went out and the guard outside said the emperor never returned since last night."

"What? Did you check properly?" Seokjin asks.

Taehyung nods frantically just as there is another consistent knocking on his door and this time when the healer opens the door, it is to find a very frantic Jimin just in the same state as Taehyung.

“Jungkook is missing. He didnot return back to his chambers since yesterday night." He says almost immediately upon seeing them.

"Namjoon hyung too. He too didnot return back to his chambers last night." Taehyung says as he goes to stand beside Jimin.

Just then Seokjin notices another weird thing happening in his room. The plants he have on his windows, all of them on verge of dying.

"Goodness! What is happening?!" Seokjin shouts, rushing to the plants and carefully caressing the wilted leaves.

"Oh! No! I am really sorry, Your highness! I will fix them right now." Jimin shouts, rushing to the plants and making the become healthy again.

"Jimin cannot control his magic in some emotional moments." Taehyung says as an answer for the sudden disaster of his plants.

"No, It's alright. Accidents happen." Seokjin says, trying to calm the nature-wielder.

_________

“Your Highness!” Hoseok shouts just as he sees Seokjin, Taehyung and Jimin rushing to the tent.

“They look troubled.” Yoongi comments, who came to meet the commander.

“Namjoon hyung and Prince Jungkook are missing. They did not return to their chambers last night.” Taehyung speaks, before they could ask about the issue.

“What? Let me check with the castle gaurds first.” Hoseok says as he rushes out.

“Did you search properly?” Yoong asks in the meantime.
“Yes, Yoongi hyung. I asked the guards too, they said hyung never returned.”
“Same with Jungkook.”

“Did they mention anything about staying out for the night?” Yoongi asks.

“No. His majesty asked Jungkook to dress as a commoner. And they would go to the night market.” Jimin answers, looking around to see if he wilting any plants near him.

"Well, I did not have any visions related to this issue." Yoongi mumbles, trying to remember if he had any in his naps.

But what are you doing here in this hour?" Seokjin asks.

"Ah…yes. There is an issue we will be facing in the near future. Nothing serious!" Yoongi adds, when the prince's face become more serious.

Before Seokjin could ask more questions, Hoseok enters the tent with a frown.
"They both came back by midnight. I even talked with the driver." Hoseok says and looks at Taehyung.

"Did you check the whole place?" He asks carefully, looking at the two.

"I looked at all places Jungkook would usually go." Jimin answers.
"Me too. I even asked the maids to search. They reported back but no use." Taehyung answers.

"So, not the places the maids can go. Not the usual places. Where else - "
"The library!" Yoongi shouts just as Seokjin shouts the same and they all take off to the castle to reach the library.

"What library?!" Jimin asks, though he walks as fast as them.
"Namjoon hyung's personal library. He never allows anyone to enter in. Not even us. Maids and gaurds are also prohibited to enter that area's corridors." Taehyung answers.
"Maybe that is why no one saw them." Hoseok concludes.

Reaching the library, they all stop at the entrance, which makes the clueless Jimin stop too. He looks at them to take the lead.

"Why…are you all standing here?" Jimin asks, looking at them.
"Uhm…we never entered without hyung's permission." Taehyung answers.

"So…are we just going to stand here then?"
"Maybe one of us could go in. We just need to check if they are inside." Seokjin says to which all of them nod in agreement.

"Well, I cannot go since I am still an outsider." Jimin says.
"Don't say that!" Taehyung reacts before he could even finish the sentence, making Jimin shock at his outburst.
"Oh...okay."

"Yes, Jimin. Don't think like that." Seokjin smiles at him as he says that making Jimin feel something he didn't feel in the past few years. The same feeling, he felt the first time Jungkook declared him as his best friend.

"Since you think like that, I suggest you go in to check." Hoseok says, leaving Jimin stunned.
"Hmm...a good idea. If his majesty is inside and not happy with someone entering, atleast prince Jungkook would be there to protect you." Yoongi says, in a very teasing manner that Jimin came to realise as his way of making the situation comfortable in the past days from the conversations he had with Taehyung.

"Well, if you are too scared to go." Jimin huffs, making them all laugh at his words.

So, Jimin makes his way to the library, checking every row and corner until he is at the very back of the room that he sees them, well their legs to be presice.

He takes slow steps to not make any noise, inches closer and closer until he is at the last shelf and can have a full view of the two who are sleeping peacefully on the mattress without any care of the world.

He peeks at them once more before he flies out of the room to the outside where the others are waiting anxiously for him.

"What did you see?!" Taehyung asks, clearly seeing his excitement on his face.
"They are cuddling!!" Jimin squeals, extending his arms for Taehyung to hold as they both jump in happieness while the others release a relieved breathe.

"Hear that hyung? Namjoon hyung sleeping in someone's presence." Taehyung says, his eyes shining with something more than excitement.
"Yeah. This is really good." Seokjin says as they both share a look.

"Uh...It could go wrong if we don't do something." Yoongi speaks, breaking their happy bubble.
"Yes. Let's talk about it somewhere else." Hoseok says but Yoongi stops him.

"This is the safest place to talk if we don't want anyone to hear." Yoongi says, making the other three curious of the reason.

"Well, then let me make something." Hoseok mumbles, using his magic to prepare two benches for them to sit on.

"Oh! Metal magic. This is so fascinating. Let me add something too." Jimin says as he uses his magic to make bushes on the bench as of cushion for them to sit on.

"You are so cool." Taehyung gushes as he eagerly sits and taps at the bush beside him for Jimin to sit on.

"What is it, Yoongi?" Seokjin asks after they all settle on the bench.

"I had a vision this morning. Of something that is going happen in future." Yoongi answers.
"Is it related to the empire?" Seokjin asks.
'No, your highness. But it is for the emperor." Hoseok answers, signalling Yoongi to continue.

"Princess Hayun is going to visit us. And by the visual I had, it is, I suppose that for a long stay." Yoongi says.

"What!? This is not a good time for this." Taehyung exclaims while Seokjin looks shocked and Jimin looks clueless as to who the princess is.

"Um...who is she?" Jimin asks when he realises that it is really something troubling issue.

"She is the daughter of the Leneva kingdom's King. They are our strongest allies in this empire." Hoseok says, glancing at Seokjin.

"She is the spoiled princess of the kingdom. And she likes Namjoon hyung." Taehyung adds.

"The main thing is, when our parents are alive, they thought to take her as their daughter-in-law. Basically, an unofficial promise to wed her with my brother. And she still thinks that Namjoon will marry her." Seokjin says.

"Well, since it was not official, there is no reason to worry. Right?" Jimin asks.

"There is the problem. Their kingdom is our strong ally and her words are what the king listens to. When Namjoon said he will never wed her, he actually tried to cut the relation with our empire but she calmed him to not do such thing. We thought everything is good but looks like not." Yoongi explains.

"What else did you remember?" Seokjin asks so, Yoongi explains his vision.

"She brought her lady in waiting, three maids and her personal guard with her. And there is no snow on their carriage so, it will be mostly summer which is in two months. And there are four more carts behind her. Even one is for the people, two more carts full of things for her to stay. And I think for atleast a month." Yoongi explains.

"Jungkook said there will be a ball to announce about the alliance in a month." Jimin says, remembering it.
"Yes, it was planned that way. But Namjoon though it would be best to give some time for them to get along well before announcing it." Seokjin says.

"So, Princess would visit after knowing about the alliance." Taehyung concludes.
"She still doesn’t know anything about this. I just hope their bond will be strong by the ball we host." Seokjin sighs.

"Even if she plans something, nothing will happen with me here. I am not going just watch my only family get hurt." Jimin swears.

"Yeah. I tolerated her in the past but now hyung has someone in his life. I won't sit silent this time." Taehyung says, determined.

"One more thing. Don't tell about this to the two. Let them have their peace. When times comes, I will tell them personally." Yoongi says.

They all agree and go back to their tasks, deciding to not disturb the sleeping couple.

Chapter Text

There is someone beside him. And it is not Jimin. Someone who likes holding while sleeping if the way the person holding him is anything to say.

He tries to open his eyes, slowly with how heavy they feel but shuts them immediately at how bright it is around him. He is not in his room.

He takes few more moments to clear the sleepiness in his mind before opening his eyes, slowly this time and stares at the white wall ahead of him.

He then looks down to the arm holding him, with very big hand cluthching his comparatively smaller one.

Then comes the memories of last night. Meeting the emperor, going out to the night market, eating delicious food, coming back and...

Though it is probably midnight, Jungkook doesn't feel sleepy and he very much likes to be in the presence of the emperor and he doesn't know when the opportunity to be together comes again so takes the chance to spend how much time possible and asks the emperor if he interested to go to the library.

And Namjoon agrees easily, smiling.
"Actually, I was planning to head there to spend some time. Please join me, Jungkook."
Like always, there is no one in the corridor leading to the library as they make their way.

"What do you want to read? I just got few new books yesterday and one of them is about a tale of werewolves and their lifestyle." Namjoon says, leading him to the back of the library and pointing at the four books placed beside the mattress.

"Aren't we werewolves ourselves?" Jungkook asks, carefully sitting on the mattress.

"We are. But a lot evolved that a male omega getting pregnant has become a miracle. Alot of youngsters doesn't even know that we used to have mating cycles." Namjoon says, taking the book he was talking about.

"Mating cycles?"
And Jungkook happens to be one of those youngsters who never heard about such mating cycles. When he was in eastern empire, it is always talking lessons about accounting and etiquette and trying to hide from his family if he could call them as such. When in northern empire, he never cared about those things as he was always interested in hunting and practicing his magic and having fun with Jimin.

"Hmm...looks like you will learn a lot today." Namjoon comments, laying on the mattress and patting the space beside him for Jungkook to lay on.

Jungkook looks at the space and at the emperor before carefully laying down. He gasps as he sees the book floating in the air making the emperor chuckle at his reaction.

"Long ago, before the magic has become a common part in our life -"

And so Jungkook listened, about werewolves, living in packs, having mates and mating cycles, about their traditions such as having mating runs and courting.

When he heard the word courting, he remembers Jimin using it a lot. Which means Jimin knows about it. He needs to ask his best friend about it later. And maybe he could do something like that for the emperor too.

And when he listens about the male omega having pups like any female, he is shocked at the least cause nowadays, no one ever consider that as a possibility.

He doesn't remember at what time he drifted to sleep but he had a very good sleep since he didn't even wake to the strong sunlight hitting his face.

And he can say the same with the emperor who is still sleeping. Maybe he stayed up late to finish the book before sleeping.

He carefully turns around, still having his hand linked with the emperor and takes a good look at his face as he never had a chance to look at.

It is as if the emperor could feel his stare, he too opens his eyes, directly staring at the round shocked eyes of Jungkook.

Unlike the prince, Namjoon looks calm as if he expected to wake up to this sight.

"Morning, Jungkook."
"Morning, hyung."

"That was the best sleep I had these days. How about you?" Namjoon asks as he gets up, Jungkook too follows him, both sitting straight.

"Uhm... I don't even remember when I fell asleep." Jungkook laughs.
"Just as I started reading about the extinction of betas. You looked very adorable that I couldn't find myself to wake you up."

Jungkook knows his cheeks are hot even without touching them as he feels the same with his whole being.

"And I donot want to leave you here alone so, I gave you some company." Namjoon adds, not knowing about the effect his words are having on the prince.
"That was very kind of you. I am sorry about falling asleep."
"No worries. It is to be expected with all the sweets you had yesterday that you will have a very good sleep." Namjoon teases before looking out through the window.
"The sun is up high. Could be near to noon. We slept through the whole morning." Namjoon informs.

"Is that alright? What about your work and council?" Jungkook asks worriedly, feeling a bit guilty for the present situation.
"If it is important, I am sure either Yoongi or Taehyung would have woken me up." Namjoon assures.

________

"Not a word." Jungkook orders when Jimin enters his chambers as he came out of the bath.

"You scared me! I was panicking so much that I went knocking on prince Seokjin's chambers not knowing what to do."

As always, Jimin starts complaining, not listening to what Jungkook said. So, Jungkook sits silently and listens to everything his best friend says.

"It was unintentional. We were just reading a book and I fell asleep. Namjoon hyung didnot want me to be alone so he stayed." Jungkook explains.

"Namjoon hyung?" and that is all Jimin took from his words making Jungkook roll his eyes knowing about the teasing coming his way.

"You don't even call me hyung though I am older than you and very much closer to you that his majesty."

"Uhhh! Not that again. Listen, I have something to ask." Jungkook says, his voice serious which Jimin observes so he sits beside his best friend, waiting for him to talk.

"Do you know what courting means? Not the literal meaning. But the courting rituals." Jungkook asks.

"Yeah. My parents used to talk a lot about our ancestors and their cultures. Though some of those are very dangerous, I always likes the idea of finding a mate and courting them."
"Oh."

"Yeah. But after arriving here, I totally forgot about pursuing Taehyung with getting used to living here. Now as I am well adapted to the western empire life, I will start my courting." Jimin says with a determination.

"So, what do you consider as a courting gift?" Jungkook asks as he only heard about how a courting ritual is done yesterday.

"Hm... food, flowers and clothes are most basic and first gifts one would give. Then you can start giving personal gifts like something they like." Jimin answers and goes on about how one would go to such lengths by hunting and making it by themself.

Jungkook blinks twice before he turns his head to look at the white coat hanging on the hook that the emperor gave him yesterday. He tried to give it back earlier but the wind wielder waved off saying it is for him.

Then his brain flashes him the scenes of him eating sweets in the night market, all the emperor bought for him.

"-ook?"

He looks up when Jimin shakes him, bringing out of his thoughts.
"Hm?"

"I was asking if you want to go to commander's tent and spar with him for today? I will go check the garden and see what kind of flowers they have. I need to prepare something for Taehyung." Jimin says.

"Alright. I kind of need to practice with someone other than you too sometimes to know how good I am." Jungkook agrees.

"Perfect. Let me ask Renwa to bring your lunch. You already missed your breakfast." Jimin says, skipping to the main door to tell the attendant to bring their lunch.

And they eat lunch as Jimin narrates the whole story of how they found Jungkook and emperor and then Jungkook narrates his experience of night market and the snow.

Jimin leaves the chambers saying he will visit the commander's tent if his work is done.

_______

And Jungkook goes, searching for the commander's tent where no other knights can enter except the royal Kims and the advisor. Last week the commander told Jungkook and Jimin to enter whenever they wish.

"Commander Hoseok?" Jungkook says as he lifts the veil and enters. And stops at the entrance when he is greeted by the advisor instead of the commander.

"Your highness." Yoongi greets, pausing his sparring that he was doing looking at the large mirror covering one side of the tent.
"Sir Yoongi." Jungkook greets back.

It is not like they are in bad terms. It is just awkward to be alone with the person who didn't believe him in the beginning.

"Hoseok is out of the castle at the moment. Do you need something...?" Yoongi asks though he can clearly understand what Jungkook is here for with the attire he is in and the sword.

"I wish to spar. I need to spar with someone other than Jimin once in a while." Jungkook answers.

They stand in silence for few moments before Yoongi lifts his sword.
"Do you like to spar with me? I might not be on same level with commander but he praises me for my skills."

So, they start their sparring.

"Not bad. If you actually work together with his majesty, your magic would go well with his." Yoongi says, as they are taking a break.
"Namjoon hyung and me?"

Jungkook doesn't notice the slip up as he got used to call the emperor as hyung in the past twelve hours. But the advisor notices it.
"Yeah. Sparring and adding your magic to it."
"Oh."
"I could show but my magic not an elemental one. It is more of a mental one so you can try with the others. But with Taehyung and Hoseok their magic might overcome yours. But in his majesty's case it would be a different outcome." Yoongi explains.
"But for that, you need to have more practice. And not with the squeaking human." he adds.

"Squeaking human?" Jungkook laughs knowing exacting who the advisor is referring to. Who else other than his best friend has a high-pitched voice.
"Gods! An hour beside him and my ears are ringing so loud." Yoongi grumbles though there is no heat in it.

They spar and spar until someone enters the tent and laughs loudly at the sight of them.

"What is happening here?" Hoseok questions with a laught as Yoongi lets the sword fall on the ground as if he is not the one trying to balance the sword on his little finger while Jungkook silently watched from the side.

"What? Nothing. We were just sparring." Yoongi answers as Jungkook controls his laugh by placing his fist on his lips.

"I came here searching for you but instead found Yoongi hyung, commander. So, he asked me join him in sparring. Though I am tired for today. I would like to do this another time so, please inform me when you wish for me to join you." Jungkook says, saving Yoongi from anymore embarrassment and laves the tent after wishing them a good day.

Hoseok keeps silent until he is sure the prince is not going hear his words then turns to looks at the advisor who silently cleans his sword and places it on its stand.

"Since when did you start sparring with others, Yoongi hyung?" Hoseok asks, pitching his voice at the last to imply the word ' hyung'.

"I spar with you and others." Yoongi replies, turning to look at the commander with an arching brow.
"Except with us four."
"Now add another person to it."

"Seriously, hyung. There must be a reason if you are being this casual with someone who you only knew for less than a month." Hoseok asks.

Yoongi takes his time as Hoseok waits for him to talk.

"Well... I think I can trust him now. And donot ask me further, I donot know the answer myself." Yoongi brushes off.

"And it's not only me. He calls his majesty as hyung so why can't he call me as one too?" he adds.
"What?!"

And this time, Yoongi leaves the tent without answering further even when the commander shouts at his to explain.

Chapter Text

"Ridiculous!"Jimin says just as he enters the sleeping chambers where Jungkook is still lazing on the bed with a book in his hands.

"What is?" Jungkook asks, not removing his eyes from the book.

"Taehyung is being weird."

"How so?" Jungkook asks, keeping the book aside.

"He took the flowers I gave him but he didnot comment about them like he did for past five times. He just took them and left. And then I met him in Seokjin hyung's cabin earlier but he didnot even smile at me, just dashed out without a single word." Jimin lists.

"I put a lot of effort in those flowers today. They are really hard to grow. I had to sit at the plant and look at it for the whole week to get them." Jimin says.

It's been a month since Jimin decided to start giving courting gifts to Taehyung and two weeks since he started giving them. He started with the simple one. Growing the flowers in the garden which are not grown in the western empire normally. And making a small bouquet of the flowers or a simple ornament that the royal could pin to his clothes or a pretty flower crown that compliments his hairstyle.

And in this month time, few more things happened in the castle.

The emperor and the prince went on few more dates and started having lunches together in the Emperor’s dining room while Jimin happily goes to eat with Taehyung.

On their second outing, Jungkook felt brave and linked his fingers with the emperor whose only response is to give a dimple smile to him. Though he doesn't know if the red cheeks are due to snow or the action.

And on their third outing, the emperor acted first and hugged him before parting to his chambers. Leaving Jungkook shocked and burning so much that he had to jump in the water pool immediately.

And on the fourth outing, which happened two days ago, the emperor stated that he likes him and left with a kiss on his cheek. This time, Jungkook didnot do nothing. He grabbed the emperor’s arm and tugged him, asking if he wanted to visit the library.

They went to the library but instead of reading a book, they took a seat on the futon and started talking about their lives. And Jungkook too admitted that he likes the idea of having a future with the emperor with a peck on his cheek and ran out of the library before the wind wielder could respond.

And that was the last time he saw the emperor who had to leave the next morning to the northern border with the advisor. But the emperor left with a promise of returning back in a week. Still five more days to go.

"Maybe he is having a bad day, Jimin. Why don't you wait a day and see?" Jungkook says, trying calm his agitated friend.

"I can do that." Jimin mumbles, though he doesn't look happy with waiting.

"I need to meet with Seokjin hyung now. Do you want to come?" Jungkook asks, getting out of the bed and goes to fix his hair.

"Nope. I am not interested in learning about the politics of the castle. I can enjoy that time with helping Hoseok hyung in his work." Jimin answers.

Another change in this one month is that Jungkook starting taking lessons from the eldest prince about the royal duties that are expected by him to do if he is to become the spouse of the emperor. He also started taking accounting classes from advisor who patiently teaches him everything he needs to know.

And on the other hand, Jimin started taking his role as a personal guard serious and started training under the commander who agreed immediately saying he would be the cheif knight once Jungkook marries the emperor.

"Well, one day you will be involved in those politics too if you are to become an official royal knight." Jungkook says as they both go out of the chambers, Renwa bowing to him before following him to the study room where he takes his daily classes.

"Boooring." Jimin says, waving to him as he turns and goes to the training grounds.

_____

"Jungkook!"

Jungkook jumps at the sudden bang of the door, opening to reveal Taehyung standing there, looking more stressed than he ever has seen the water wielder.

"Manners, Tae." Seokjin chides though there is no heat in his words at his cousin.

Taehyung frowns at them before moving back and closing the door.

Jungkook looks the elder who goes back packing the books and letters he brought with him to show Jungkook.

But before he could ask anything, there is knock and the door opens, this time slowly revealing Taehyung.

"Such a kid." Seokjin says, shaking his head at the look Taehyung sends to him which feels like 'Happy with my manners?'.

Seokjin leaves them, asking Jungkook to write a letter if he is to write one for the royal court ministry of other land.

"Jungkook! I need your help. Only you could help me else I will be doomed!" Taehyung says, taking long strides and plops on the chair Seokjin was sitting earlier. 

Before Jungkook could ask what, the matter is, the royal sits straight and moves closer and looks directly into his eyes.

"I am developing feeling for Jimin." he says in a very serious tone.

"Okay?" Jungkook says, not knowing what to say.

"No. You don't understand. He is such a sweet soul and he sees me as his close friend and gifts me flowers everyday but my mind just thinks of them as courting gifts. And I know he is not giving me them with such intention because Namjoon hyung said you have no idea about those rituals. And today he gave me my favourite flowers and I couldn't even open my mouth because all I could think of doing at that time is kissing him." Taehyung rambles, and takes a deep breathe at the end.

"I wanted to ask Yoongi hyung about this but he is not here when I need him. So, please! Prince. I need your help." he adds.

"What his majesty said to you is true about my knowledge on courting rituals. But why do you think the same about Jimin?" Jungkook asks, really controlling to not shout at the royal about his best friend’s true intentions.

"Because you said you two grew up together. So, I just guessed he would be in the same situation as you." Taehyung answers.

"I met him when I was in my teens, Taehyung hyung. And I can say this for sure that those are not just normal gifts. Do you know how he makes them?" Jungkook asks.

"His magic?"

"Not totally. He grows them himself."

"But they are not western land flowers."

"That is where he uses his magic."

"Huh? But why would he do that instead of making them in an instant with his magic?"

Jungkook just wants to shout about the reason. But it is not his place to say anything.

"All I could say is to be honest and ask him directly about it. And I am giving you my word. You will never regret it." Jungkook says and leaves the room.

"He just made me more confused than before." Taehyung huffs but plans to talk with the other first thing in the morning as he too wants to gift something in return.

______

He tosses and turns, trying to find a perfect position so that he could sleep. He stares at the painting of the sky on the ceiling above which again reminds him of the person he is missing. There is nothing in common about the sky with the emperor but still whatever he looks at just reminds Jungkook of him.

"If only I could mind link him." Jungkook sighs, and his thoughts go on to how long has it been since he used his whole magic. That was before he reached the eastern empire nearly two months ago.

Two months. The longest time he went without using his magic since he started using it. Jimin couldn't even connect his magic to him since they came here as they don't want anyone with sensory magic to know about his core.

And there is Yoongi. The person with an unpredictable magic. One which makes him see future. When Jimin said that o him, he couldn't believe it as he never heard of it before but when he asked about it directly to the advisor on their accounting classes, he came to know that indeed Jimin is saying truth.

So, both Jungkook and Jimin were careful as to not use another magic form even for a second to not let the advisor see it. But there is no need to hide it anymore since he trust all of them now.

"Maybe I should tell them." Jungkook says out loud in the silent room.

"I will talk with Jimin tomorrow and see what he says." He decides and closes his eyes, once again trying to sleep which comes easily this time.

________

Jimin wakes up to the sunrays hitting his face which never happened before. He sits up and looks out of window and gasps.

"It looks nearly noon!" he shouts as he sees the sun high up in the sky and scrambles to get out of the bed.

"Ridiculous! How did I sleep till late?! This is all his fault! Dumb royal! Can't even realise that I am courting him." Jimin rants as he runs to get ready for the day.

He opens the door just to close it immediately as he sees the person on the other side who gapes silently with a raised fist, ready to knock on the door.

"The vines are growing, Jimin." Taehyung voice snaps him out of his shock as he looks at the door and sees the vines growing and growing.

With a huff, he takes a deep breath and places his hand on one of the vines and they all disappear in the next moment.

"Um...I am still here." Taehyung voice comes again when Jimin just stands there and looks at the blank door without moving.

"Why are you here? Go back to ignoring me!" Jimin snaps.

He hears a laugh coming from the outside which confuses him. He didnot say anything funny.

'Why is the clueless idiot laughing for?' he thinks not knowing about the red roses blooming on the door facing the royal.

"I am sorry for ignoring you, Jimin. But I am here to talk to you and clarify about something." Taehyung says.

"And from the roses blooming here, I can say that you are not mad at me." he adds, caressing the petal.

"Ugh!!!"

Jimin opens the door after calming himself and surely, there is a rose in the other's hand where he can sense his magic coming from.

"I missed my breakfast. I need to eat before we talk." Jimin says as he walks out of the room, Taehyung following closely behind.

"Sure. I can wait and give you some company since Jungkook is practicing with Hoseok hyung."

So, they both go to the dining room where Jimin eats his brunch while Taehyung sits silently, twirling the flower in his hand as his other hand continuously touch his pant pocket where a small box lies.

______

"You have a very good memory, your highness." Hoseok praises, placing the sword back at its place while Jungkook does the same with his sword.

"Ah...hyung, please don't call me with such titles." Jungkook says, a little embarrassed.

"You need to get used to the title, Jungkook. The people will address you with the same title as his majesty in future." Hoseok says, though his tone seemed a little teasing.

"Still! I don't feel happy when it comes from you or the other hyungs."

"As you wish, Your highness."

"Hyung!"

Laughing at the whine, Hoseok lifts his hands, surrendering himself just as they hear footsteps near the tent they are in.

And in the next second, there is a person at the entrance asking for the commander to come with him.

Jungkook too follows the commander as the person takes them to the back of the castle where Jungkook never visited.

"Where does this path take us?" Jungkook asks, falling beside Hoseok.

"To the dungeons, Your highness." Hoseok answers, gone the playing smile replaced with serious frown as he can understand the situation.

Chapter Text

Reaching the door which leads to the dungeons, Jungkook notices Taehyung and Jimin running to them with another knight who probably called them.

"Hyung." Taehyung greets Hoseok and turns to bows to Jungkook who bows back in return. And Jimin silently moves to stand beside Jungkook.

"Open it." Hoseok orders the knight guarding the door and they four make their way in, Hoseok and Taehyung walking with Jungkook and Jimin following them closely.

"Did they say anything? I ran right after he said there is an intruder." Taehyung asks.
"I did not ask him about the details." Hoseok answers and they take three turns before they could see light coming from the far end.

Reaching the last cell, which mostly looks like a cave with the rods holding the people in, they look inside to find a woman sitting on the far corner.

"Captain." the knights present there greet the commander as they bow at Taehyung and Jungkook.
"Details?"
"None till now, captain. We called Sangmin. He will be here shortly." the knight answers.
"Where did you find her?" Taehyung asks this time.
"The guards found her lurking near the back of the castle border, Sir Taehyung. When enquired, someone said they saw her few times in the same places in the past week. When we confronted her, she injured our guard and tried to run. So, we caught her and took her here."

"Her face looks like she is from eastern empire. Fair tan on her skin and the clothing style too." Hoseok analyzes, surprising the intruder who looks up at those words and stares directly at Jungkook.

"What are your intentions in travelling here, woman?" Hoseok asks.
"Are you from eastern empire?"
"Did you try to break in to the castle?"
"Who sent you here?"

Hoseok asked few questions but there is no reply from the woman. Jungkook and Jimin observed silently since it is the first time, they are seeing something like this.

"Captain." another knight walks towards the group as he bows to the people present before staring at the intruder.

"Sungmin." Hoseok says after a moment of staring between the knight and intruder.
"Low core, captain." he answers, giving a nod.

Jungkook and Jimin are observing silently as Sungmin closed his eyes, causing a sudden chill in the place they are at.

"Where are you from?" Hoseok asks again and without waiting for a reply, he starts questioning her about everything they need to know.

By the end of it, the woman looks drained, barely sitting with the help of the wall behind her as Jungkook and Jimin just look with surprise as the knight, Sungmin opens his eyes and nods at te commander, all the sudden tense atmosphere gone from the air.

"Let's go, your highness." Hoseok says, allowing Jungkook to walk first and the others follow him to the outside.

______

"His majesty will not be back for four more days. And Yoongi didnot have any vision about this." Seokjin says.

After getting out of the dungeons, Sungmin and Hoseok left to his tent and asked the three to wait for him in the meeting hall with prince Seokjin.

"Maybe because it is not really a threat." Taehyung says though he knows nothing and they have to wait for the commander to get the answers.

"What actually happened there earlier?" Jimin asks, always the curious one.

"Sungmin? He has sensory magic. Can read minds. But it only works on people with low magic core. But it drains a lot of energy from both people all same." Taehyung answers.

Jungkook and Jimin share a look, conveying the same thing.

There is a person with sensory magic here. But luckily, he couldn't use it on them as they both have pretty high magic core.

They donot need to wait much as the commander enters the room and he starts explaining.

"A spy from eastern empire. Sent by the eldest prince himself. She was ordered to check on prince Jungkook and report back. Has been in the capital for three weeks now. Her plan is to enter the castle as a servant but foreigner are not allowed into the castle easily so she decided to check for a place near to the castle and planned to seduce a knight to enter into the guard quarters but her plan failed just as she started searching for a place."

Jungkook is shocked at the information the commander said. From the day he entered the western empire, they had no communication with his family. He never thought about his family trying to spy on him instead of sending a messenger and doing things formally.

"They donot know about my magic. Either about Jimin. My parents never cared enough to learn about it. Same with my siblings. I cannot think of a reason to spy on me." Jungkook voices his thoughts.

"One main order she got is to check if you have any magic and if you have, to inform about it to him instantly."
"What magic do they have? One of them might have sensory and sensed your core." Taehyung muses.

"No. I remember perfectly. Jungkook said he had covered his magic completely that day."

SILENCE.

Eerie silence as the three of them process what Jimin said and the said person to widen his eyes when he realizes what he said and looks at Jungkook who looks back at him with a hand covering half of his face.

"What?" Seokjin asks, calmly looking between the two.

"One can cover their magic only if they have a sensory magic. A fire magic user can never do that. And I know you are a fire magic user. I saw it with my own eyes." Taehyung says, confused.

"Hahaha."
"Stop it." Jungkook hisses at Jimin who starts laughing at present situation, not knowing what to do.

"I have fire magic." Jungkook says, creating fire on his fingers, certainly calming the three.
"Okay." Seokjin says, clearly knowing that there is more judging by Jimin's reaction.

"My actual magic type is not fire." Jungkook starts, vanishing the fire from his fingers.

The three wait silently for him to continue.

"I have" Saying that, Jungkook creates water in his hand, not like how Taehyung makes it float on his hand but just filling his hand, making the three jumps at it.

"WHAT?!" Taehyung shouts, looking at the water and dips his finger in the small amount to check if it is real or not and jerks back when he confirms it as real.

"Oh God! What is happening?" Seokjin whispers while Hoseok frowns and comes closer.

"Create fire now." He asks and he too this time takes a sudden step back when there is fire on his fingers again and no water in sight.

"This is unbelievable. You have two types of magic." Taehyung says, amazed.
"No, Taehyung. He has something more. He said he covered his magic." Seokjin reminds, taking a seat again, the other two follows him.

"My actual magic type is adaptive. My magic depends on the magic of the people around me. When they let their magic run through me, my magic absorbs it and I can use it. Since my family never tried to connect with me through their magic, they didn't notice it." Jungkook explains, this time creating a small vine around his wrist using Jimin's magic type which the other three stare at with no answer.

"Unbelievable."
"I never heard of such magic type."
"He has more than one magic running in his body."

They all talk to themselves as they process what Jungkook said while Jungkook and Jimin sit silently and wait for the three to calm down.

"Wait. He was using magic to talk to me until his brothers came near to his room. Then he covered it." Jimin says which momentarily stops the three from talking about Jungkook's magic and focus back on the current situation.

"Not even near. Completely into my room. I was using mind link at that time so I couldn’t cover my magic. But I covered it immediately they came in." Jungkook says, once more shocking the three at the mention of his other magic type.

"Wait. Did any of your siblings have sensory magic, Jungkook?" Hoseok asks as it is the only way he could think of.

"No, hyung. My elder brother has strength magic. My sister has floating magic. She could make an object float in air. My third sibling has a transformation magic. He can turn into a few animals. He turned into an elk the last time I saw him using his magic." Jungkook answers.

Taehyung frowns at the information which doesn't match with what he had seen in the eastern empire himself.
"No. I clearly remember your sister having different magic type. She created an image of herself. That is a light magic user's doing."

"What?"
Jungkook is shocked as he hears Taehyung since he never knew about this. He clearly remembers her magic type cause she was the one who hurt her the most with her magic. Always sending things to his way and dropping them to hurt him physically.

A person with magic types in not uncommon but rare. The only person with two magic types Jungkook knows is from the forest.

"And I saw the youngest prince using his magic too. It is not transforming magic. He used metal magic. Remember hoseok hyung, last year I talked about it with you." Taehyung continues.

"Ah, yes. You said he only manipulates iron." Hoseok says, once more shocking Jungkook.

What happened in the past ten years? Jungkook cannot even think anymore. All he grew up seeing is his sibling's magic and now they have a very different magic types than what he remember.

"What about the eldest prince?" Jimin asks, as he places his hand on Jungkook's, trying to calm him.

"I don't know. He never used it in front of others."

"We need more answers. And the only way is through that woman." Hoseok says.
"But Sungmin needs rest." Taehyung says to which Hoseok nods.
"We can use Jimin's magic. The truth telling flower." Seokjin says.

"We can. Let's do it immediately. Leaving her alone for long time is not good." Hoseok says as they all go to the dungeons on more time.

_______

Silence.

They are sitting in the same room for the past fifteen minutes with no one speaking as they all process the information they got from the woman who luckily has answers for their questions.

But of all, Jungkook is the one who is more shocked. To learn that the magic types of his siblings being completely different than what he saw them when he was a kid.

Sensory magic. The eldest prince has sensory magic. And could create pain, a severe one to the person he touches. He became the person the whole castle fears of as he used it on a lot of people for simple mistakes.

But they couldn't get the answers on how their magic changed as she said the whole staff of the castle was changes a few years ago. And the whereabout of the old staff is not knows to anyone. No one even know if they are alive or dead.

What happened in the past few years? Jungkook doesn't know. He don't even understand how it's possible. But one thing he is sure of. They all are.

Is that the eldest prince knows that Jungkook has magic core and he used it to cover their three magic cores so that Jungkook couldn't identify them. Or maybe they keep it covered all the time.

This is a lot worse than what they expected.

So, Hoseok immediately sent knight from his immediate group to rely his letter saying the emperor and the advisor to return back immediately. As they have a lot to uncover and face in the future.

Since, they are planning to announce about the upcoming marriage between their emperor and the eastern prince.

Chapter Text

Next morning, Jungkook wakes up to Jimin gently calling him to get ready as the emperor and advisor returned back a few minutes ago and wants to have a meeting immediately.

That was fast. He didn't think they would be back by the next morning as they were pretty far away from the castle. The commander said it would take at least twelve hours for the knight to reach them. But then he remembers the other person who went with the emperor and advisor. The same knight who has teleportation magic. And his thoughts are proven right when Jimin says much.

"Jinwoo, a transformation magic user travelled and relayed the letter and they teleported right away. I never saw any teleportation magic users in my life. They are so cool." Jimin says as they both walk to the meeting room, all ready for the day.

Then it comes crashing to him. They all know. About his magic. Or maybe not. He doesn't know if Hoseok mentioned it in his letter or not.

"Don't worry, Jungkookie. Nothing bad will happen. Believe in them." Jimin says, easing his worries a little just as they reach the meeting room and see the emperor standing outside.

Jimin bows at him and enters the room leaving the two outside.

It takes a second for Jungkook to fall into Namjoon's arms after the door closes. The emperor returns the hug in the same way. Jungkook didn't expect to feel so relieved just at the sight of the elder.

"Missed you, sweet prince." Namjoon mumbles, pecking his cheek, making him smile at the gesture.

"Me too, hyung." Jungkook says back as he too tips his head up to peck Namjoon receiving a smile in return.

"Hoseok explained what happened. But he said you have something to tell me. What is it, sweet prince?" Namjoon asks, a bit concerned but still calm.

Jungkook looks at the meeting room but Namjoon just tugs him back into his arms and they both start moving, making Jungkook yelp as he starts floating.

The first time Namjoon used his magic to float them both, on their third date was when they were back on the snowy mountain, far away from people's view. Jungkook just held onto the other tightly as he never experienced this kind of flying in his life. For the first few moments, all he could do was take deep breaths and look at their interlocked fingers so that he would not unintentionally look down and get anxious again.

But soon, the anxiety was gone, replaced by the thrill of being in the air, floating. He slowly separated his hands from the emperor who gave him a worried look but did nothing and spread his arms wide, welcoming the cool wind with an excitement he never felt.

Even now, though he doesn't feel anxious anymore, the sudden movement of being not on ground anymore still makes him shocked for a second.

"A warning could have been helped, your majesty." Jungkook huffs.

Laughing at his remark, Namjoon just leaves another feather kiss on his hair as he takes them to the library entrance.

_____

“I didn’t mean to deceive or lie to you. But…” Jungkook starts, after they settle in the chairs at the entrance.

Namjoon just stares at him silently, waiting for him to continue as he doesn’t want to interrupt whatever the younger wants to tell him.

“I still hid the main thing about me from you.”

Jungkook doesn’t know how to say it. It was not this hard to tell the others the previous day but now, even looking directly into the emperor’s eyes is getting difficult.

“Jungkook. Calm down, sweet prince. Take your time. Just breathe.” Namjoon says, observing the younger’s sudden panic and how his breathing got shallow.

“I don’t have fire magic! The magic I have is a different one-” 

“Wow.” Is all the emperor says after Jungkook explained everything about his magic type to him.

“Jungkook, that’s- I am surprised but what is there to be scared of? Come here.” Namjoon says, opening his arms for a hug which Jungkook immediately takes.

“I was so scared thinking that you will get the wrong idea.” Jungkook says, sniffling.

“I am not upset, sweet prince. Sure, you hid it but I can understand your reasons. We are complete strangers and your parents are our enemies. You are being careful. I will never be angry about that. But I would be if you say no to what I want to ask now.”

“No, hyung. I would do everything you ask for.” Jungkook eagerly agrees even before knowing what the older one is talking about.

“Really? Hmm…how about first showing me what you can do?” he asks, wiping the wetness from Jungkook’s cheeks, replacing them with a shade of pink at the soft touch.

So, Jungkook shows him all the elemental magic he could do. Creating water, flowers, fire.

“I also have sensory type magic. And telepathy too.” he finishes.

“That is wonderful, Jungkook. You are a miracle.” Namjoon praises.

“I am not.” Jungkook huffs, looking anywhere but at the person on whom he is still sitting.

“Now about what I want.” Namjoon says, taking Jungkook’s face into his hands, making him look into his eyes as he asks.

“The first thing I wanted to do after coming back was to connect my magic with you. It felt so alone, with my heart and mind filled about you but there is nothing I could do. Will you let me flow my magic with you, Jungkook? Now I know what it means but still. I want to.”

________

"You knew!!" Taehyung shouts, pointing his index finger at a silent Yoongi who even after Jimin explained about Jungkook's magic.

"I didn't know exactly what it was, but now I can finally believe that my vision is going to be real." Yoongi answers.

"And what did you see? Tell me!" Taehyung asks, ever eager.

Yoongi looks around the room, finding three more eager faces, waiting to know about his said vision.

"I had this vision a few days ago. Right after their third date. I saw Jungkook using wind magic. He created a very large whirlwind." Yoongi explains.

"Why did you not inform anyone about this, Yoongi?" Seokjin asks.

"Because I saw his majesty in the vision, your highness. He was the one teaching the prince," Yoongi says.

"I also had this vision of Taehyung dividing the sea into two and searching for-"

Taehyung leaps straight away to clamp his hands around Yoongi's mouth to stop him from finishing his sentence.

"Fishes! Nothing else." Taehyung exclaims, laughing loudly, throwing a look at Yoongi as if daring him to continue his words.

"Yup. Fish. Big shiny pink fish." Yoongi confirms, smirking at the water welder who is half way into panic mode at the mention of pink and shiny.

"Okay. If there is nothing more to talk about, I am going back to my duty. Let's talk about the other details and information we got after his majesty comes back." Hoseok says and leaves the room.

"I won't be in the castle today. So, do the meeting without me." Seokjin too takes his leave as he has to visit the capital's medical camp where they teach everything about healing to the young healing magic users.

"I will be in my office. I have a lot to write in the records now." Yoongi says, leaving the two in the room.

_____

Jimin leans back in his chair, crossing his arms to front and stares at the other person in the room, who is yet to turn and look at him.

He internally huffs, as he once again realises that Taehyung is avoiding him.

"If you really are intending to ignore me, then just say that to me. I will feel much better than that to be here, not knowing the reason why you are ignoring me. Do you dislike me?" Jimin says, when Taehyung does nothing but to stand facing his back to him.

But he turns sharply listening to the last sentence with a frown.

"That's not true, Jimin. I would never dislike you." He states, staring at him for the first time since the morning.

"Really? But it looks like that to me."

Taehyung's hand goes to his pants pocket where the small box is, he pats it twice, thrice before taking it out with a sigh.

Jimin sits straight, at the sight of the small box and then looks at the person who holds it, and tries his damn best to not ask any questions and listen as he sees the other trying to talk.

"I- i don't know if you know this or not but the flowers and all you gave me always makes my day better. They are so beautiful and I can feel your magic in it. But my mind always thinks of them as a courting gift and I know those are not because I know you see me as your good friend. The flowers you gave me the day before yesterday are my favourite and they are not very easy to grow so, when I saw you gifting me those all I wanted was to kiss you senselessly. And the thought made me feel bad because those are not the-"

"They are! Oh my god! What a clueless idiot! They are courting gifts. Why would I just randomly give flowers which you cannot even find in your garden. I can't believe it. I missed a senseless kiss and instead got ignored for it. All of it is your fault." Jimin says, interrupting Taehyung, he couldn't believe what he was hearing as his mind stops working when Taehyung mentions a kiss.

"Oh. OH! Oh my god!" Taehyung says, processing what he heard while Jimin tries to stop his smile but fails.

"Wait. Wait. Let me." Taehyung says, squatting before the chair where Jimin is sitting and places the small box between them.

"This is for you. My courting gift. I searched for it and made it myself, ehm...a goldsmith helped me but it is my gift to you." Taehyung says, opening the box where a gold chain lies with a big pink pearl in the middle.

"Wow." It is the first time Jimin actually is actually seeing a pearl this big and of a colour he never had any idea the pearls would be in.

"The colour reminds me of the day I first saw you, shouting at my crew with this furious look and when I saw you from up close, your cheeks were the same colour as this one." Taehyung says, fondly, while Jimin's cheeks become the same colour as the pearl.

"Shut up! That's because of you!  You were so handsome and sweet and took my heart. I should have kissed you that day itself. I missed a senseless kiss." Jimin sighs, while Taehyung laughs, loudly.

"You can have it now." Taehyung says, cheekily.

"I will. Once you put this on me."

So, Taehyung takes the chain out of the box, puts it on Jimin and wastes no time to lean in and kiss him senselessly.

__________

"Will you let me flow my magic with you, Jungkook? Now I know what it means but still. I want to."

Namjoon stares at the prince, to catch his reaction but he didn’t expect to get his answer in form of a kiss but he gladly takes it as he lets his hands fall from Jungkook’s face to his waist, adjusting him to sit comfortably as he deepens the  kiss.

“That is a bit unexpected. I thought my prince was a shy one.” Namjoon comments, as they depart from the kiss.

“I- i love you. And I am shy!” Jungkook says, diving to his face to hide in the emperor’s shoulder.

"I love you, Jungkook. I apologise for such a bland proposal but marry me?" Namjoon drops the question, casually, while Jungkook leans back to look at him in shock.

Though it is known that they are going to be married, they both didn't expect it to be like this. Happy and exciting. To get married.

Namjooon leans in for another kiss when Jungkook mumbles a yes, still in shock as Jungkook too, never expected to get a proposal in his life.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

"Woah!!" The crowd gasps as Jungkook releases his fire to burn the vines that were attacking them.

"Catch him!" Taehyung shouts, pointing at the masked Jimin who tries to run away but stops as Jungkook creates a circle with fire surrounding him so he can't escape which makes the people watching shout even more.  

"Surrender!" Taehyung shouts as he makes his way to the circle of fire, pointing his sword in Jimin's direction.

Jungkook discreetly looks at the crowd and finds the woman already looking in his direction.

Plan successful.

"Your highness, thank you for your help." Taehyung says, almost too loud and Jungkook understands why when the crowd start thanking him and shout his name.  

So, he waves his hand with a smile at them making them shout even louder than before.

Taehyung then orders the guards to take the attacker to the commander and turns to Jungkook.  

"Let's go back. Our work is done." he mumbles as he too looks at the direction the woman was a few moments ago now nowhere in sight.

"Did she leave?" Jungkook asks, as he settles in the cart.

"Yeah. She is leaving for the port. A knight is ordered to follow her till she departs." Taehyung answers.

So, they make their way back to the cart and return to the castle.

________

After reaching the castle, Jungkook and Taehyung realise that the others are already waiting in the room they all usually meet to talk together with Jimin narrating every small bit to them.

“Of course they would. You have the fire magic type.” Seokjin says when Jungkook says how surprised but happy the people were.

“Our lands reside between snowy mountains. So, fire magic is considered to be a blessing by us. Though there are a lot of fire magic users, none of them are this powerful. You alone could heat up the whole castle but we use at least twenty users for it. Same goes to the places all around the empire. Fire magic is the most useful in our lands.” Namjoon explains when he sees the confusion in Jungkook’s face.

"Oh..."

"And now you became the fire prince to the people!" Jimin pipes in, continuing his narration of how people reacted to Jungkook magic.

Jungkook didn't even have time to react before he was being pulled out of the room by the emperor. He looks back just to see all the others totally focusing on Jimin's narration except Yoongi gives a small wave to him before turning to look at Jimin.  

Jungkook looks confused when instead of taking the stairs to the library like he expected, the emperor takes a turn and they both walk to the far end where the guards bow at the sight of them before opening the large door.  

And then he understands. The design on the door, the western empire's royal crest. The same one he saw on the commander's vest.  

The emperor's chambers.  

Jungkook has never been to the emperor's chambers. It was always either the library or the private dinning room where they met and spent time.  

The emperor had never once stepped into Jungkook's chambers either.

"Come in, my prince." Namjoon says, pulling Jungkook out of his thoughts.

  The emperor is on him right after the door closed, making him gasp at the sudden closeness. But he likes it. Likes having the emperor's arms around him. Making him feel safe and weak at the same time.  

He looks up to meet the emperor's eyes which are already on him, making him feel all giddy and shy that he couldn't even stop himself from smiling, which in return brings a smile on the emperor's face.

  "Look at you. Brightening the whole chamber with your smile alone." Namjoon whispers, leaning in, touching their foreheads.

Jungkook can feel his cheeks getting hot. So, he tries to hide them by leaning in, tucking his head in the emperor's neck which doesn't work as the emperor places his hand on the red cheek, holding him.  

"Getting shy? What about the promise you made earlier?" Namjoon asks, caressing the red cheek, still leaning their foreheads together, that whenever Namjoon lips form words, they touch Jungkook's still ones.

"I will, hyung. Then maybe we can do what you wished for."

Jungkook looks anywhere but the person in front of him asking for his attention. He knows he is responsible for the present situation. He is the one who said those words this morning before leaving. 

The wish for the emperor to flow his magic through Jungkook.

"I still stand on what I said." Jungkook says, looking at the eyes of the other.

"Good."

Namjoon says as he sweeps Jungkook up from the ground, who gasps at the sudden movement of being lifted into the emperor's arms.

"I- i can walk fine, hyung" Jungkook says which the emperor hums at but doesn't put him down till they reach Namjoon's bed which looks bigger than the bed in Jungkook's chambers.

Jungkook giggles as Namjoon stumbles a bit and makes them both fall on the bed with no ounce of grace.

"I might have miscalculated the distance." Namjoon explains though he makes no effort to move from his position of being caging Jungkook under him.

They make no move as they stare at each other and Jungkook doesn't even know himself when their lips meet. All he knows is that he likes it. Likes the feeling of Namjoon caging him and kissing him like it would be their last kiss. Likes the tingling sensation on his lips after they part from the kiss, reminding of the sharp bite he got from the emperor.

"I could just kiss you all day and be happy." Namjoon sighs, falling on the bed beside Jungkook.

"But the empire needs you, your majesty." Jungkook teases, supporting himself on his elbowed hand to look at the emperor who just pulls him to lean on him.

Jungkook goes willingly, knowing how much the other likes having him close and in his arms.

"And I need you." Namjoon whispers, his hands going up and down on Jungkook's back.

Before Jungkook can say anything, he feels it. The emperor's magic core seeps slowly from his fingers and touches his arm.

Jungkook too lets his core flow slowly into his one hand and touches Namjoon's dimple which makes an appearance when he feels Jungkook's core.

It feels so electrifying and different than when Jungkook did it with Jimin or with the people from the forest.

Sighing, Jungkook leans to rest his head on the emperor's chest, still keeping his hand on the dimple.  

No words exchange as they enjoy the moment while flowing their magic into each other.

When Jungkook comes back from the cloudy feeling he never experienced before, he looks up to find the emperor sleeping peacefully.

He blinks and slowly gets up, freeing himself from the other's hold and goes to the window to look outside.

"How long did we sleep?" Jungkook gasps, asking himself as he sees the moon shining brightly in the sky.

They went out after their lunch and came back in two hours which means he and the emperor have been in the chambers since mid evening. Almost for six hours if he can guess.

He leaves the sleeping chamber and goes to the living chamber which he didn't have time to take a look at earlier. And takes a tour of the whole chamber which looks the same as his but larger. Almost double of his chamber's size.

He makes his way back to the bed, settling into his previous position as he waits for the emperor to wake up.

____

"Umm...where is Jungkook?" Jimin asks, stopping in the middle of his story of  his and Jungkook one of many adventures they had in the northern forest.

"Namjoon hyung too." Taehyung says as he too looks around for his cousin.

"They left a long time ago. You guys are so focused in Jimin's story to observe." Yoongi answers, stretching and gets up.

"Now, excuse me. I have a meeting with the royal accountant." the advisor says and leaves the room.

Seokjin and Hoseok too leave after Yoongi as they too remember their works leaving the new couple.

Creating a flower, Jimin places it in Taehyung's hair.

"Not just a friendly gift." He adds, always teasing the other about the misunderstanding, making Taehyung whine.

"I know." Taehyung huffs, but still leans to kiss the smiling one.

_____

Namjoon feels Jungkook laying beside him even before he could open his eyes. And then remembers the reason why he can sense the prince which makes him smile. He didn't think Jungkook would also return the gesture as he knows how personal and intimate it is to flow magic both of them at once.  

He hums at the fingers cradling through his hair and raises his hand to hold it, brings it to his lips to leave a kiss there eliciting giggles from the prince.

He then opens his eyes to face the prince already staring at him. It is not the first time but it still makes him skip a beat whenever he looks at the prince. The words he wants to say gets stuck in his throat as Jungkook leans to kiss him.

Jungkook giggles at the expression the emperor makes when he informs him on how long they slept.  

"Now I can't sleep for the whole night. Do you want to take a ride through the shore with me?"  Namjoon asks.

Jungkook eagerly accepts as he never had a chance to actually enjoy a horse ride. The last time he rode a horse was when he was in the eastern empire as he had to learn it but it was more of a lesson than an activity he enjoyed.

So, they get ready in their own chambers and meet the others in the dining room who look questioningly at their attire until Namjoon informs them the reason.

"Be careful. Don't get close to the shore at any cost." Yoongi says as they get ready to leave.

Namjoon knows not to question and to just follow so, he nods and takes Jungkook's hands into him and goes to the stable.

"Here. Step on it and jump. Then swing your leg that way. Or if you want, you can sit one way." Namjoon offers, sitting on his horse, giving his hand for the prince to take.

Jungkook takes the emperor's hand, thinks for a second before doing what Namjoon said and swings his leg to sit just like the emperor.

"Wow." Jungkook says, as they reach the shore but not near as Yoongi suggested.

T hey get off the horse and take a walk through the shore while the horse obediently follows them.

It still feels unreal to Jungkook. He thought his life was going to be in the northern forest till the end, with Jimin. But here he is. With someone he is going to spend his whole life with, who loves him and makes him feel cherished and important.

Namjoon makes a confused sound when he stops walking but Jungkook has nothing to say but that he loves him and is very happy to meet him.

Chapter Text

“This looks marvellous." Jungkook comments as he looks around the grand hall where the ball is going to take place. Which is in a week.

Two days ago, they sent the invitations to the people that are in Taehyung's guest list and they were already receiving replies back from them confirming their arrival.

"As it should be." Taehyung’s face breaks into a proud smile at Jungkook’s response as he is the one responsible for it.

"What is this for?" Jimin asks, pointing at the royal blue carpet that the workers are setting.

"To the thrones. Hyung and Jungkook will enter through the main gates after the hall is filled with the guests and will walk on this carpet directly to the thrones." Taehyung explains, pointing at the main gate and the direction where the thrones would be placed.

While Jungkook listens and nods, Jimin tilts his head and asks one more question.

"Will they not greet the people first? Well, there will be people around them when they enter." he asks. As he has never been to any royal events in his life unlike Jungkook who has seen them in his childhood.

"We should announce the reason for the ball first. We did not inform them about it in the invitations. So, Yoongi hyung will make the announcement and Jin hyung will do the engagement ceremony and after that, the new couple will have their first dance. After that comes the part of greeting our guests by talking, dancing, entertaining, drinking or eating with them." Taehyung further explains.

The three take a walk around the hall, with Taehyung explaining every tiny detail to the other two about the decorations, food, drinks, and events that will take place before the couple would enter to keep the guests entertained.

Jungkook stops walking suddenly and lifts his hand where a small tornado is there just like Taehyung's magic. 

"When did you start doing this?!” Taehyung gasps, observing the tornado, smaller than his, disappearing back to normal water before completely vanishing from his hand.

"When we went on a walk at the seashore. It is the first time his majesty actually used it." Jungkook says.

"Well, then you should go. Your future husband is calling you." Jimin teases, clearly seeing the light blush already present on the prince's cheeks.

Taehyung chuckles and says the same.

"We don't have to do anything here. We can leave."

So, they make their way out. Jungkook makes his way to the emperor's chambers, where they placed the water container since there are containers all around the palace with Taehyung's magic. While Taehyung and Jimin go back to one of their chambers for their privacy.

_____

The knock on his door brings Seokjin out of his reading. He keeps his scroll aside and goes to open the door to his cabin in the healing centre.

The royal ball is in three days and he knows that guests will start arriving at any moment. As the first prince, it is his duty to welcome them and make their stay comfortable. After the marriage, all of this would be Jungkook's duty as he will be the empress.

Unlike he expected it to be a maid or knight, Jungkook stands there, dressed in nines, very different from his usual dresses.

"Renwa said the guest would arrive any moment from today and helped me to get dressed." Jungkook answers when he asks for the reason for his attire.

Yes, that too. He should appoint two more people to tend to Jungkook. 

He allows the prince to enter and asks him about the reason for showing up at his cabin as they meet in the dining hall every evening for dinner.

“I heard Jimin and Taehyung talking about a princess named Hayun. They were trying to be secretive about it so I didn’t ask them but it seemed like a serious issue.” Jungkook says.

Right. They never had a chance to explain to the two about the vision Yoongi had. He thought the advisor had already informed them about it.

The main reason for not informing the two about it at that time is to give them time to get close to each other which they are right now as he just saw the prince using wind magic that implies his brother flowing his magic to the prince, the previous day on Yoongi who surprisingly became his sparring partner.

“She is the daughter of the Leneva kingdom's King. They are one of our strongest allies in this empire. In the past, our parents thought of asking her as their daughter-in-law but they never made it official or talked about it openly. In the noble society, it became a big talk at that time as she openly displayed her affection towards Namjoon.” Seokjin explains, keeping an eye on the prince’s face to observe his reaction.

Shockingly, the prince just nods his head making him continue with his explanation.

“When our parents died, she asked Namjoon to marry her as it was one of our parent’s last wishes. But Namjoon rejected the idea right away as he was never fond of her. Eventually that topic was never discussed but her father, the King, took it very personally and tried to cut-off the treaty between our lands but she calmed him to not do such a thing. Although since then, the relationship between us has been a bit rocky.”

“But a few weeks ago, Yoongi had a vision about her. Of her visiting our palace with a lot of luggage and we think that-”

“That she might be coming now. Not only for the purpose of the ball but for a long stay.” Jungkook concludes as Seokjin hums in answer.

They fall in silence as Jungkook thinks about what Seokjin said.

“Should I know more about her? What kind of woman is she?” Jungkook asks.

“A bit spoiled by her father but other than that her magic type is fire too. One of the reasons why our parents thought it was a good idea to get her into the family.” Jin answers as he remembers his father's words from the past.

‘A girl with fire magic is a blessing, Jin. No one in our family has been blessed with fire magic for generations now.’

And now, like his father wished, there stands a fire magic user in front of him, along with his brother’s heart. Seokjin always thinks their parents would be so happy to have Jungkook in their family.

“Okay. I will keep an eye on her then.” Jungkook says, lost in thought.

Seokjin gets up as someone knocks on his door to find a knight standing there, who bows before stating.

“Second prince and princess of the eastern empire have arrived, your highness. They are requesting to see their brother before retiring to their rooms, Your highness.” the knight announces.

Seokjin looks back to see Jungkook standing up, after listening to the knight and smoothens the imaginary wrinkles out of his dress.

“Lead the way.” Seokjin says and they both follow the knight to the direction of the palace main hall.

“It’s just the two of them. Use your sensory magic if needed, Jungkook. Better to have Jimin with you. Call him.” he says, though the younger one walks and looks confident, having Jimin beside him will be a great support.

“He is coming.” Jungkook says after a few minutes, and it always amazes him how strong Jungkook’s core magic is to use a mind link and not feel even a bit weaker or falter in his steps.

_____

“You said one kiss.” Jimin says but leans into the kiss with a hum, addicted to feeling them on his all the time.

“Did I?” Taehyung whispers, not breaking the kiss.

“Wait!” Jimin pushes the other when he feels the familiar tugging in his mind and closes his eyes.

‘Jungkook?’

‘Hey, Minnie. My siblings are here and they want to meet me, so I am on my way to the grand hall. Can you meet me there?’

‘I am very near to the hall. I will be there in a minute!’

He opens his eyes, locking them directly to the curious eyes of Taehyung.

“It’s Jungkook. His siblings are here, In the grand hall. He is on his way to greet them.” he says.

“Oh! Let’s go. I don’t feel good with him meeting them alone.” Taehyung says.

Jimin smiles as he gets pulled even before he could say anything and they both make their way to the grand hall.

____

Seokjin and Jungkook enter the grand hall and see the two figures sitting who immediately perk up at his presence.

“Look! Here he is! My sweet brother.” Jungkook’s sister, Junhi exclaims as she comes to hug him, for the first time in his life, which surprises him.

“Are you living well, my brother?” his brother, Daejung asks, patting him on his shoulder.

Jungkook looks at his siblings, who are smiling and checking on him as if they didn’t bully him on a daily basis in the past.

And before he could speak, Seokjin steps in, keeping a hand on his shoulder, giving him much needed comfort in the present situation.

“Welcome to the western empire, Prince Daejung and Princess Junhi. I hope your journey went well.” Seokjin greets them with a polite smile as Taehyung and Jimin join them.

“Yes, Your highness. We are a bit tired from our journey but we are more eager to see our brother than to take a rest.” Junhi answers.

“This is the first time he was away from home and we missed him dearly.” Daejung adds with a smile.

‘What are they talking about?’ Jimin speaks in the mind link that Jungkook kept open.

‘They greeted me as if they were really caring about me.’ Jungkook says back.

“Since you met him and said you were tired from your journey, I could take you two to your rooms.” Taehyung jumps in.

“Oh! Sure, Sir Taehyung. I will be very happy with your help.” Junhi says, her voice going a bit higher and her face splitting into a big smile at the presence of Taehyung.

‘Did she really make those eyes at my man?’ Jimin scoffs, still in the mindlink.

“Let’s meet at dinner then Jungkook. We have a lot of stories to tell you.” Daejung says and the two with Taehyung make their way to the guest rooms where they will be staying.

“Why did they behave like that?” Jimin questions, when the three disappeared from their view.

“I don’t understand.” Jungkook says, shocked at their behaviour.

“This is a bit concerning.” Seokjin states.

_______

“Greetings, your majesty!” The eastern prince and princess greet Namjoon as he sits at his usual spot at the dining table with Seokjin on one side and Jungkook on other side with Taehyung and Jimin sitting beside Seokjin while the siblings sit on the other side with Jungkook.

“Welcome to western empire, Prince Daejung and Princess Junhi.” Namjoon greets them back.

“Thank you, Your majesty.”

They eat while making small talk with mostly the siblings saying how dearly they missed their little brother; how happy they are to meet him again and how eager they are for his engagement.

Namjoon looks as confused as the other four were earlier and looks at his brother who quietly shakes his head to convey that he too has no idea on what is happening.

_____

“What was that?” Namjoon asks as he sees the retreating figures of the two.

“I don’t know either, Namjoon. But that is how they treated Jungkook this afternoon.” Seokjin answers, clueless of what is happening.

“Jungkook?” Namjoon calls, bringing the younger back from his spiraling thoughts as he holds his hands.

“Why are they being so nice to me? I need to know the reason.” Jungkook says.

“Did Yoongi say anything about this?” Seokjin asks the others as the advisor and the commander went for a two-day trip to secure the whole capital for the ball and will come back tomorrow evening.

“No. He just stated who will be coming.” Taehyung answers.

Jimin stands from his spot gaining attention from the other four.

“I have a plan but it should stay between us.” Jimin says seriously, no ounce of smile on his face.

“What is it?”

By the time Jimin finishes speaking, all of them look at Taehyung who just sighs and nods his  head as he is the main part of the plan.

“Okay. Prepare it. We need to know the answers.” Namjoon agrees after Jimin explains his plan.

“What if they find that it is us?” Jungkook questions, still holding Namjoon’s hand tightly in worry.

“There is no way of them knowing it is us. Remember Jungkook, they have a lot of enemies. It would take them an eternity to find out.” Jimin calms him.

_____

The next morning, Taehyung knocks on Princess Junhi’s door with a letter printed with the eastern empire crest on it.

He smiles as the door opens and greets her.

“Good morning, Princess Junhi. I hope you had a good rest.” he gives his best charming smile and shouts in his mind when he sees the woman just standing there with a gaping mouth in shock.

“O-oh! Good morning sir Taehyung. Thank you for your concern and yes, I had a good rest thanks to you, I mean your hospitality.” Junhi stammers out, tucking a small fragment of her hair behind her ear with a giggle.

“That’s good to hear.” Taehyung says with fake enthusiasm, hoping nothing but to be away from this extremely giggly woman.

“OH! Is that a letter?” she asks, pointing at the letter in his hands which he raises with a nod.

“Yeah. I am here to deliver it to you. A messenger of yours came this morning and I took it as my job to give it to you directly. Here.” he says and hands it to her.

“Wow. How kind of you.” She coos and takes the letter with fluttering lashes.

“Yes. Since it’s my responsibility now, I wish you to hand your reply letter to me so that I could ask my messenger to deliver it back.” Taehyung adds to which the woman nods eagerly.

“Of course, it would be my pleasure, sir Taehyung.” she says.

As the door closes, Taehyung turns back to go to their usual meeting to inform the others about it but he is being pulled as he took the first corner by a frowning Jimin who pushes him to the wall, crowding him with both hands on each side of his head.

“What got you frowning, my love?” Taehyung asks, pulling Jimin into him who leans in willing.

“Nothing. You seemed to be very happy and excited to talk with her.” Jimin huffs, tangling his fingers into Taehyung’s hair.

“Hmm…I was thinking about the prettiest person I know when I looked at her which made me happy.” Taehyung teases, pecking Jimin’s nose and sees him scrunching it right after so he pecks it again.

“You are lucky that you are handsome.” Jimin huffs, the frown from his face now replaced with a small smile that is threatening to get big.

“And what else?” Taehyung asks.

“Charming.” Jimin answers, looking directly into the other's eyes that they both miss the approaching figure.

“An-”

“And a lot more but we have been waiting for you two for a good time now.” Seokjin says, startling them both, successfully breaking their moment.

“Hyung!” Taehyung whines but they both make their way to the meeting room silently with Seokjin.

Chapter Text

“I gave the letter. Hopefully we will get our answers by the end of the day.” Taehyung answers to Jungkook who is sitting with worry on his face.

“Did she ask anything? About the letter or who delivered it?” Namjoon asks, standing behind Jungkook, his hand caressing Jungkook’s shoulder to give some comfort.

“Oh! Not at all. Give her poison with Taehyung’s hands, she would gladly drink it with a giggle.” Jimin huffs, making the other three chuckle at his annoyance while Taehyung looks at him with mischief.

“You are the one who gave us the idea, sweetheart.” he teases.

“And it is clearly working.” Jimin says.

Though he is being irritated by the woman, Jimin knows his plan is a good one. With the way she is behaving around Taehyung, there is no way she is going to think before doing things when it is somewhat related to Taehyung.

The plan is simple. To create a fake letter written from the first prince of the eastern empire to the princess asking about their journey and about Jungkook. And when they get a return letter from the princess they can find some answers in it.

With the princess showing her interest in Taehyung, it is then decided that he will be the one who would give the letter to the princess.

And hopefully, Hoseok and Yoongi will be returning by then so that they all can learn about their plan all together.

“What if she tries to talk with Daejung before writing a letter back?” Jungkook asks.

“I put two men from Hoseok’s direct team as their guards. If she tries to go to his room, the guard will tell her that he went out to have a good time at the seashore.” Jimin answers, which calms the prince a bit.

“Everything will be fine, sweet prince. Don’t worry much about it. We will have our answers by the end of the day.” Namjoon soothes.

Agreeing to meet later, they all go back to their work. Jimin going to his and Hoseok’s workplace, Seokjin getting busy with greeting the arriving guests and looking through their accommodations, Namjoon to the courtroom, beginning his weekly meeting with the ministers, a long one he knows as he has to do it without Yoongi by his side, Taehyung to the ballroom, finishing the last works related to the event with Jungkook accompanying him.

____

Just as Hoseok and Yoongi arrive from the trip, Seokjin finds them in the hallway on their way to meet the emperor while Seokjin is going to their meeting room and explains the things that happened in their absence and about Jimin's plan.

“I had no vision of them other than their arrival.” Yoongi speaks as the three make their way to the meeting room.

“Taehyung asked us to meet now. Might have received the letter.” Seokjin mumbles as they close the door to the meeting room after entering.

“How is it humanly possible?” Hoseok questions, taking a seat.

“To act so differently as if Jungkook doesn’t remember the things they did to him in the past,” he adds.

They don’t need to wait long as the others arrive, Taehyung being the last one to enter with a letter in his hands.

“She really wrote a letter back.” Jimin scoffs at her stupidity.

"Didn't even realize that the crest printed on the letter is not actually real." Taehyung says.

“Do you want to read it yourself?” Taehyung asks, handing the letter to Jungkook.

“No, Please read it.” Jungkook shakes his head.

And Taehyung reads it. Reads the letter first by himself, a frown taking over on his face by the end of the letter and looks up at Jungkook.

“What is your mother’s magic?”

“Telekinesis. She could move the whole bed when I was a child.” Jungkook answers though he is just as confused as others in the room.

“But.” Taehyung starts, “Let me read this first.”

“Everything is going well according to the plan, brother. No one in the castle looked wary of us. They greeted us just as they would for the groom's family. The puny brother of us looked a bit silent but it looked like mother’s magic worked well. He didn’t protest like he did on the day he met us a few months ago. Mother’s magic took a while to work on him since she had to trick his whole past into making him forget the fear we instilled in him and think of us as his lovely family. And don't worry about our plan, we will be talking with the person you asked right after they arrive and be very discreet about it.” 

“My mother’s magic is telekinesis. H-how is this even possible? Did she really do something with my memory? All of them have a different magic than what I know of.” Jungkook speaks.

“Calm down, Jungkook. She might have tried but that didn’t work. Look, you still remember me. And you remember your past perfectly fine.” Jimin calms him as Yoongi takes the letter to read it again.

“They must be plotting this for a long time. Is it really possible to change one’s magic core totally?” Hoseok questions.

“I never read anything about it ever. But the answer is right in front of us. It happened. Their magic changed and all we can do is to be prepared.” Namjoon says, 

“In conclusion, they think you don’t remember the past of them tormenting you and sending you to the forest. And they are planning to join forces with some other guests.” Yoongi says, reading the letter thoroughly.

“This explains their way of acting towards you.” Seokjin comments.

“Why did your mother’s magic not work on you? It is as if there is something protecting you from her  magic.” Taehyung asks, hoping any one of them would have any idea.

Jungkook too wants to know the reason. He didn’t even feel anything in that courtroom all those months ago, the only time he met her. Though he is confused about their change in magic core, he is also curious of the reason his mother’s magic is not working on him.

“Oh! Old woman Wang’s power!” Jimin exclaims loudly, staying silent all this time.

Jungkook gasps, realising the reason. 

“Do you think it is immunity to magic?” he asks Jimin.

“She is the oldest in our place. Before she died, she wanted to connect her magic to Jungkook. And in her last moments, she did that. The High Priest informed us later that her magic is immunity. Meaning we cannot control it, so we never tried to use it or control it.” Jimin explains.

“All this time, we thought immunity means being immune to the illness cause I never saw her getting sick in my life.” Jimin continues.

“But it is immunity to the other’s magic. Could be materialistic or psychic.” Namjoon concludes and looks at Hoseok.

“Create a ball and throw it on him. A small one.” he says and the commander obeys it, creating a small metal ball and throws it at Jungkook.

As they all observe, the ball retracts just as it is about to touch Jungkook as if there is an imaginary shield protecting him. Hoseok makes the ball disappear and creates a bigger one and throws it at Jungkook once more which gets the same reaction as before, bouncing back before it could touch Jungkook who looks more shocked than others in the room.

He takes the apple from the tray of fruits on the table and throws it, this time hitting Jungkook’s arm who jerks at the sudden impact, getting him out of his shock who also just realised what kind of the ‘immunity’ magic it is.

“He is immune to any kind of magic attacks. Oh lord!” Seokjin mumbles, recovering first from the shock.

“This is, I don’t even know what to say. This could be the most useful magic one could have as a warrior.” Hoseok says, thinking of how powerful one will be with this kind of magic in a war.

“But he is not immune to my magic. We always take a ride on my wind. And we do something spar using our magic.” Namjoon says.

“Maybe because you both connected your magic. So, his magic knows he doesn’t need immunity from your magic. Same goes with Jimin’s magic. I assume.” Yoongi, ever the smart one says.

“Yeah. We spar a lot using earth magic and had our fair wounds from it. The woman never would have gotten a chance to use her magic with her being in the forest all her life. So, no one knew any information about it.” Jimin concludes.

“So, If I throw water made from my magic, it won’t touch you. But if I throw normal water from the sea, it will hit you.” Taehyung says, looking amazed.

“I didn’t even realise it was possible. So, my mother’s magic didn’t work on me and it will never work.” Jungkook says, relieved at the turn of events though he is still surprised at knowing about the power of old woman Wang.

“Now that we know the reason for their behaviour, and know that none of their magic will work on Jungkook, I think there is no reason to worry ourselves more about it.” Namjoon states, giving a smile to his fiancé.

“I agree. All we need to do is keep an eye on the people they are going to interact with at the ball. And Jungkook has to be close with them. To make it look like your mother’s magic worked on you.” Yoongi says, to which they all nod agreeing with his idea.

“Now I understand how your brother had realised about you having a magic core.” Taehyung says.

“You said you can only use one type of magic at a time. So, when your mother used her magic on you, the immunity magic in you was working and your sensory magic vanished. And this made your brother sense your magic core.” he explains.

Which makes sense as Jungkook thinks about it. 

“Is it actually possible to use two different magic types at the same time?” Jimin asks, which makes the others give their own theories and divert the topic completely from the reason to their meeting.

____

Namjoon wakes up and looks out of the window to find the sky dark. He gets out of the bed when he no longer feels like sleeping and makes his way to his library.

The hallways are silent except for the guards standing at every corner who greets him as he walks to the library.

As he makes his way to the library entrance, he hears it. The humming from inside the library. The very one he heard all those days ago and asked the hummer to give a chance to their future.

He smiles, thinking how easy it is to fall in love with him. Sweet, sharp, calm, beautiful, smart, funny, shy, talented - 

“Namjoon hyung?” Jungkook calls, interrupting his chain of thoughts about the very person.

He realizes that lost in his thoughts about Jungkook, he has already made his way to him, now standing a few feet away from him.

He takes his time, observing every little feature on Jungkook’s face, from his soft hair to small moles on his face.

“Hey, darling.” 

That brings a blush on Jungkook’s face that he reminds himself to use the word more.

“Why are you awake at this hour?” Jungkook asks, looking at something behind him, mostly still shy to look at him directly.

“I could ask you the same, sweet prince.” he replies, taking a step closer to him.

He feels happy when Jungkook doesn’t take a step back or looks nervous, instead he looks eager to have him closer. So, he closes the gap between them, circling his arms around the prince.

“Did you sleep at all?” he asks, creating a small tornado under their foot to move them to the back of the library.

“I did. Just came here a few minutes ago. I was searching for a book, and you came.” Jungkook answers.

Namjoon hums as he takes them both to the cot and falls on it, pulling Jungkook with him. He lays with his back leaning on the big pillows and Jungkook follows him, sitting beside him.

“You have such a beautiful voice. Is that another magic you have? To make people fall in love with your singing?” Namjoon asks, making Jungkook laugh.

“That would be really a sight to see. But no.” Jungkook answers.

“Good. I really don’t want to fight with people who love you while I just started loving you. Going to keep you all for myself.” Namjoon says.

Jungkook squirms a bit before leaning into him, he pulls him some more with his arm around his waist. Jungkook looks up at him with those wide eyes, as if he can’t believe what he just heard.

“It is the truth. I am very possessive of what I love.” Namjoon adds.

“What are you going to do then? If someone takes me away from you?” Jungkook asks, though it feels like a silly question, Namjoon can sense that small fear present in Jungkook’s question.

So, he leans down, capturing the lips that asked the question.

“Then I will make them regret it. Even for looking at you.” he swears.

Because even thinking about it, someone taking Jungkook away from him, making him feel scared, is making Namjoon’s blood boil. Thinking of ways he could make the person suffer.

Jungkook gets up, before he can complain about leaving him alone, he has a lap full of him, sitting with his legs on either side of him and hands on his cheeks, pulling him into another kiss. 

Chapter Text

Jungkook leans back, gasping for air but he still feels breathless as Namjoon’s hands move from his waist to his thighs and again back to his waist as if trying to calm him which does anything but calm him.

“Open your eyes, darling.” Namjoon asks, hands gripping the tiny waist bringing another gasp from him as he shakes his head with his eyes closed, leaning to hide his face on Namjoon’s shoulder. He shouldn’t be feeling this shy when he was the one who initiated the kiss but here he is.

Namjoon chuckles, but says nothing to give him time to calm down. He looks up finally, when he feels his heart beating normally again and finds Namjoon staring at him with a dimpled smile that brings a smile on his face while his hand moves to touch the dimple.

Namjoon’s hand leaves his waist, and captures his both wrists and he is flipped on his back with Namjoon hovering over him, his hands now pinned above his head. His heartbeat picks up again as he looks at the other above him with wide eyes and red cheeks.

His eyes close as Namjoon leans in placing open mouth kisses along his jaw. He cranes his head up when the lips dip lower, to latch on his neck, sucking the skin softly that makes him moan in pleasure which he never felt in his whole life.

“Making such a pretty sound. Makes me go insane.” Namjoon whispers, latching at the soft skin near his ear, his hands still pinned that he struggles to move.

Namjoon releases his hands when he notices the struggling and he immediately circles them around Namjoon's broad shoulders, fingers tangling in his hair, guiding Namjoon’s head to kiss him.

Jungkook gasps into the kiss as one of Namjoon’s hand trails from his face to his collarbones to his clothed waist to his hips. Unlike before, the hand doesn’t move to his thighs, instead the hand drifts closer to his hard cock.

His hips buck at the first touch, again and again though he is clothed, it still feels overwhelming in a good way that makes him break the kiss, clutch Namjoon in a vice grip and moan his name out loud.

“Namjoon!” 

“Too much? Should I stop?” Namjoon asks, pausing his movement.

“No! Don’t stop. Feel’s good.” He gasps each word.

Jungkook opens his eyes after what feels like an eternity, the post orgasm bliss making his heart beat loud and his ears ring. He winces at the feel of wet pants as he tries to remove them completely and hears a chuckle.

He looks up and finds Namjoon carrying a vessel of water and a set of pants in his hands. 

“How are you so fast? You just left!” Jungkook asks, also a bit embarrassed at being half naked though it is still dark to see clearly.

“Can’t leave my darling alone for long, so I flew straight to my chamber.” Namjoon says, placing the water vessel and handing him the pants which he takes mumbling a ‘thank you’.

He takes the glass of water Namjoon hands him and chugs it all, feeling thirsty all of sudden. 

They settle back on the mattress, though he is sure they won’t get to sleep more than three hours till the sunrise. But he curls up next to Namjoon and closes his eyes as the tiredness consumes him. He falls asleep to the feeling of Namjoon’s hands holding him close and safe. 

______________

Staring at himself in the mirror does nothing but make him blush more as he looks at the marks the emperor left on him last night. He pats his cheeks as he feels them heating up while he remembers last night's events.

“No time for daydreaming. You have work to do, Jungkook.” he chides himself looking at the mirror.

The ball is in a day and the guests started arriving in the morning keeping Taehyung and Seokjin busy with welcoming them. Hoseok and Jimin too are busy with the plans for tomorrow's ball security and appointing guards at the guest chambers. Namjoon and Yoongi have been in the courtroom since early morning, which worries Jungkook as the emperor couldn’t get much sleep last night.

And he will be introduced to all of them during the ball so Seokjin advised him to stay away from roaming outwards as the guests could be anywhere. And he took it on himself to meet his siblings and get any information he could from them in the meantime.

He looks at himself once more, and walks to the hall where Renwa is waiting for him.

“Where to, Your highness?” she asks, always attentive. In these few months, Jungkook kind of became close with her. As she is the only one, he spends time with if not with the other six people.

“To my sibling’s room.” he says.

“I will mostly spend the whole afternoon with them. Don’t wait here till then.” he orders her as it happened before where she stood for hours for him.

“Yes, Your highness.” She bows and leaves as he knocks on his sister’s room.

Junhi opens the door, looks shocked to see him. He gives an innocent smile, tucking his hair behind his ear for a good measure.

“Hello, sister. Can I come in?” he asks, blinking at her. He is trying to use the tactics he saw some girls do at the night market to get a big discount on the things.

“Of course! How rude of me?! Come in, come in. Daejung is here too and we were just thinking about meeting you for lunch.” She laughs, just like she did whenever she has seen him.

“Hello, brother.” he greets Daejung who comes close to pat his shoulder in greeting.

“I missed you all. And I am really glad you came.” Jungkook says, sipping the tea, sitting opposite to his two siblings so he can observe them both at the same time.

“How can we miss an opportunity like this?” Daejung scoffs and goes back to sipping his tea while Junhi elbows him and starts talking.

“He means the opportunity of meeting you. Your big brother was supposed to come with us but due to some issues he couldn’t.  But don’t worry, they will all be here for your marriage.” She speaks.

“I am excited for that day to come.” Jungkook says, thinking about his marriage.

“I heard you are popular in this empire for your magic, Jungkook. How does that feel?” She asks as casually as she can not to seem eager but Jungkook knows she is itching to know more about his magic.

“Yes. I was so surprised at their reaction but Sir Taehyung explained the reason for it. Fire magic is believed to be a blessing here and they were happy that I am a fire magic user.” Jungkook says and just to see their reaction, he creates flames on all of his fingers. He hides the satisfied smirk with his other hand as Daejung jumps at the sudden flames.

“Oh… I see. I am glad to hear it. Father and mother were worried that they would think of it as weak magic.” Junhi says.

For someone who got tricked so easily into thinking the forged letter was from the first prince, she is keeping the act quite better than his brother. Jungkook is impressed with her acting.

Since they are on the topic of magic, he too wants to know more about their magic. So, he makes a sudden choice.

“Actually, I want to ask you both a favour.” He says.

“It’s been a long time since someone did this to me. Can you flow your magic with me? I want to feel like how I felt back in our palace.” he adds.

Jungkook really doesn’t know how they think his memory is but he wants to take a chance. 

And with the way they both easily agree, he thinks his mother might have not put new memories but rather just altered them. He needs to know more about that too but for now, he has to know about his two siblings' magic types.

“Alright, let’s have lunch first and then we can flow our magic with you.” Daejung suggests.

______

Jungkook quickly locks the door and goes into his bedroom and changes into more comfortable clothes and settles on his bed.

He moves his fingers and concentrates on the book on his desk and takes a deep breath and tries to do what his sister used to do in the past, which is mostly focusing on the object, imagining it floating and slowly moving his hand.

After a long minute, the book starts floating in the air, he sighs at it realising that in fact his sister has floating magic. He next focuses on the far corner of his room where it is dark and tries to do the same as before. 

Deep breath.

Focus.

Imagine a beam of light.

A beam of light starts in the middle of the room, directing mostly at the corner. Which means his sister has two types of magic in her. But how? He doesn’t remember his sister having light magic. 

Jungkook jumps at the sudden pain he feels on his palms from where he imagined the beam to create. Which is weird since it never happened to him before when use the other magic types.

But he doesn’t want to try again. Not when he is alone. So, he stops himself from doing anything and flops back on the bed. 

______

Jungkook wakes up to the loud knocks coming from the main door. He gets up and runs to the door when he realises that he actually fell asleep right after falling back on the mattress.

Jimin looks impatient as he opens the door. Before he can ask the reason, Jimin tugs him inside and locks the door again.

“She is here!!” Jimin whispers as he sits in the waiting room.

“Who?” Jungkook asks, he is still sleepy and his brain doesn’t catch the urgency in Jimin’s voice. 

“The spoiled princess! Prince Seokjin said he told you about her.” Jimin huffs.

“Oh.” Jungkook totally forgot about her in the middle of his siblings and their behaviour.

“Yeah. Arrived just a few minutes ago and already irked me.” Jimin scoffs.

“She arrived just as Yoongi told us, with a whole carriage filled with her belongings as if she was intending to stay here for a month rather than for a ball. Hoseok hyung and I were talking with the entrance guards, we noticed her entering the main gate and followed her. Prince Seokjin and Taehyung were already waiting at the entrance for her so we joined them. She didn’t even acknowledge any of us! She gave a nod to the prince and asked about his majesty. As if she was expecting the emperor would welcome her. Then she had the audacity to demand for the main chamber when Seokjin said he would escort her to her guest room.” 

“Main chamber?” Jungkook asks as the only main chambers he knows of are Seokjin’s, Taehyung’s and Namjoon’s.

“Yes. This chamber. Apparently, when his Majesty’s parents were alive, they used to let her stay here since they had other intentions in mind.” Jimin says.

“Where is she now?” Jungkook asks.

“In the guest room of course! As if we will bend to her demands. She was ready to argue but another carriage arrived and she became silent and left.”

Now he has to be aware of her. If she is behaving like this even after Namjoon rejected her then she must be planning something.

“Renwa said you went to meet your siblings. What happened?” Jimin asks.

“They were curious about my magic.” He answers, gets up and fetches the basket of fruits. He places them on the seat between him and Jimin then concentrates on the apple, successfully startling Jimin when he notices the fruit floating.

“I am right. She has floating magic. But she also has light magic.” Jungkook says, floating the oranges Jimin pointed at.

“Show me the light magic now.” Jimin asks, taking the floating orange and peeling it while making himself comfortable in his seat.

“I can’t.” He doesn't want to feel that intense pain he felt again.

“You can’t? Why?” Jimin stops peeling and looks at him with worry because he never had a problem with using the magic he adapted. Never.

“It hurts. It actually knocked me out cold. I used it for a second and I felt this intense pain in my palm and then I fell asleep. It feels wrong to use it.” He says, looking at his fingers.

“That is new. Is that even possible? How can it hurt you?” Jimin questions, the orange falling beside him as he turns to look at Jungkook properly.

“I have no idea but it didn’t feel right. But it confirmed one thing. Something happened in the past years when I was away from the eastern empire. They acquired a different type of magic on top of their original magic type.” Jungkook concludes.

“But how?” Jimin mumbles.

“Anyways, let’s think about all of it later. You just focus on tomorrow’s ball. Did you try the clothes on? Jewellery? The shoes too! Most important of all, can’t walk if they don’t fit properly. And-”

“Calm down.” Jungkook chuckles, stopping his best friend from making the whole room a flower garden.

It is always Jimin who gets worked up for every small thing  and his duty to calm him down.

“I tried the clothes on, they fit perfectly. The jewellery too and I didn’t think much about my shoes. You can help me now.” Jungkook adds as he sees the look Jimin gave him.

“Let’s do it now. Then go and check the ballroom. Taehyung said he will be there.” Jimin says, standing up and walking into the chambers and to the closet where his outfit for tomorrow is placed.

Chapter Text

Jungkook is amazed. The hall looks very different from a few days ago with all the decorations finished. He has nothing but praises for the water wielder.

“Wait until you see the floral arrangement. It will look magnificent, Your highness.” Taehyung says with pride.

“Now, let’s practise your walk to the throne.” Taehyung adds with excited claps, Jimin joining him.

“Now? By myself?” he asks, pointing at himself as he stares back at Taehyung and Jimin.

“Yes. Now. But not alone.” Taehyung says, pointing at something behind him. He turns around to find Namjoon entering, probably coming directly from the courtroom.

“Yoongi told me to come here.” Namjoon announces as he reaches them, and takes a look at the ballroom.

“Perfect timing! We were just asking the prince to practise his walk to the throne. Now you both can do it together.” Taehyung says with excited claps.

He looks at Namjoon and finds him staring at him already. He can feel his cheeks heating as he looks at the emperor, images of last night surfaces in his mind, of Namjoon hovering above him.

“May I?” Namjoon asks, presenting his arm that Jungkook holds.

“Just follow the carpet to your seats and give some welcoming smiles to our guests. No need to stop and talk with any of them. That would come after the announcement of your betrothal.” Taehyung adds.

They make it to their seats which almost look like the thrones in the courtroom that Jungkook had a chance to see in the past.

“You look tired, darling. Did something happen?” Namjoon asks, as they both start walking towards their thrones.

Jungkook looks at his hand where he felt a zap of shock this morning in his chamber and tells Namjoon everything as there is no one else in the hall other than four of them. 

They sit on their thrones that are set on a level higher than the floor which makes it easier for Namjoon and Jungkook to look at the whole hall.

“That is odd. I never heard of someone having two kinds of magic. And other than you, no one else has actually seen her using the float magic. ” Namjoon comments, after listening to the whole story.

“It is very confusing to me. I really need to know what happened in all those years that I was away from that place.” Jungkook mutters, observing Taehyung and Jimin who are making their way towards them. As Jimin talks, Taehyung’s face keeps getting more concerned.

“How is that possible?” Jungkook hears Taehyung’s question as they near them.

“Well, that is a question for which we need an answer.” Jimin says as they both step on to the stage and look at the whole hall.

“What is it?” Namjoon asks before Jungkook could.

“I was informing him about what Jungkook told me. About Junhi’s magic.” Jimin answers.

“We may get some of our doubts cleared tomorrow at the ball if we keep an eye on them both since they are planning to meet someone here.” Namjoon says which makes Jungkook feel better and stressed at the same time.

“We will. But you two should be focusing on each other. Leave the two siblings to us. We will keep an eye on them. All you both need to do tomorrow is enjoy your first night as an engaged couple and smile at the guests who will congratulate you.” Taehyung says, with a serious tone which Jungkook understands. He would be too if he was the one who planned the whole ball.

“Now, let’s practice the next part. Your first dance!” Taehyung announces, all the seriousness replaced with excitement that matches with Jimin who makes an excited sound.

“Shall we, darling?” Namjoon says, standing up and offering his hand for Jungkook. So, they made their way to the centre, a bit closer to the grand chandelier but not right under it and did their dance that they were practicing for the past few days already with the help of a dance teacher.

“Wonderful! Now to the next segment…” 

They spent the next hour following Taehyung orders and practicing what to be done tomorrow in front of nearly hundreds of guests that are coming to watch them.

___________________

“You don’t believe what I just heard.” Daejung exclaims as he enters his sister’s room.

“What is it now? Did our dumb brother make a fool out of himself in front of the other guests?” Junhi asks.

“I wish. But no. Something better than that. The emperor is actually supposed to wed princess Hayun. But he rejected her after his parent’s death.” 

“Really? Well, better that it never happened then or else we wouldn’t be here.”

“But how do our parents and brother know this? Isn’t that whom…”

“Yes. That is whom we have to talk with and tell her what our brother asked us to. I didn’t understand why he asked us to but I am realizing his plan now.”

Daejung laughs, holding his fisted hands up “Finally! We are going to conquer this empire.”

“We are.” Junhi says, raises her wine glass and takes a sip.

______

“Nothing suspicious, Commander. They had their dinner in their rooms and didn’t leave their rooms till now.” 

“Keep guarding the room the whole night. If you observe any small movement from any one of them, inform me immediately.” Hoseok says, dismissing the guard to go back to work as he notices Jimin entering the grounds.

“Jungkook found something.” Jimin says, reaching him. “Taehyung said he will inform his highness and Yoongi hyung so here I am, to inform you.”

“What is it?” Hoseok asks as they enter his tent, to get some privacy from the few guests walking around observing the training grounds.

“How is it possible?” Hoseok wonders after listening to Jimin.

“No idea. But we may get some answers tomorrow. If we keep an eye on them.” Jimin answers.

“We will. I will make sure of that.” Hoseok declares.

They both go to their works, preparing for the main event and keeping everything in check for the big day.

______

“This is very confusing. Yoongi?” Seokjin says after listening to Taehyung about Junghi’s magic.

“No visions, your highness.” Yoongi answers with a frown.

“Does Hoseok know?” Seokjin asks.

“Jimin went to inform him.” Taehyung answers.

“We need to keep an eye on them the whole time tomorrow. There is something they are planning to do.” Seokjin says to which the other two agree.

“Well, get some rest for now. I, for one, am tired from greeting every guest and dealing with princess Hayun on top of that.” Seokjin adds.

“Jimin was fuming this afternoon. What did she do?” Taehyung asks, curious to know the reason for his lover’s anger.

“She was ordering to get the main chambers ready for her as if she owns it. She almost threw a tantrum if not for the other guest that entered just then.” Seokjin recalls.

“Well, she should get it that she isn’t the future empress of this empire and is just another guest to welcome the actual empress.” Yoongi says.

“She will. If not, Jimin is ready to make her realise with his actions.” Taehyung says with a chuckle.

“He looked like he wanted to do that this afternoon itself. Let’s hope the princess won’t bring it to that extent.” Seokjin adds. They depart to ther chambers after that since they have a big day coming up.

_______

“Your highness, please calm down.” the attendant Jiwon, tries to say, hoping the princess will stop destroying the room she is staying in. 

Princess Hayun was anything but calm as she got escorted to the room she will be staying in for the next few days. Jiwon saw it in her face and the clenched fist as they entered the room. It is not the first time nor will be the last time she is seeing the princess throwing a fit at something that didn’t go according to her but this is the first time things actually didn’t go according to her wishes even after throwing a fit.

“Are you telling me what to do? Know your place, servant!” 

Jiwon expected this. She has been serving the princess for nearly seven years now and it never ends well when things don't go according to the princess. She saw it the time the emperor of western empire rejected her. And she knows it won’t end well this time either. But she keeps her mouth shut and just stands there, waiting for the princess to calm down.

“Prepare a bath.”

Jiwon bows and rushes to the bathing room to prepare a bath before the princess can shout some more. In the seven years of attending to the princess, the one thing Jiwon clearly knows is to stay away from the princess when she is angry. If she has chance of serving someone who is kinder and more responsible than the princess, she will take it in a heartbeat with no regrets.

With a sigh, she prepares the bath, helps the princess to change into her sleeping robes after the bath, brings the dinner to her room, sets the bed for her to sleep and finally exits the room and goes to the quarters allotted for the workers who came with the guests.

Jiwon places her luggage on the desk and looks at the room she was allotted to which is bigger than the room she has back in the kingdom. She smiles as she lays down on the cot that feels so soft under her and prays for better days in the future.