Chapter Text
- I don't think it's a good idea to keep looking at these catalogs - Namjoon said, exhausted, throwing himself into the armchairs in the room - My eyes are bleeding.
- Don't be weak - Jungkook scoffed reviewing the books again seeing the photos of the suitors, when he realized that Namjoon didn't move he threw a little paper ball at the man - Namjoon!
- ARGH! - growled Namjoon frustrated leaving the chair and walking to the table where Jungkook was - we can't ...
- No! - cut Jungkook, and Namjoon deflated - Joon, take this seriously, it's important!
- You are exaggerating...
- If we don't do this before ...
- I know Kookie, but this is a very impersonal way of finding a husband - pointed out Namjoon, and Jungkook snorted nonchalantly.
- What do you want to do? A gala? - mocked turning his attention to the books - keep thinking like that, and hope someone leaves the shoe on the stairs.
- What if I prefer it that way? - Namjoon asked slightly offended by the tone used by Jungkook - I mean, dancing with someone is much better than spending hours in front of record books in search of a suitor.
- And run the risk of falling in love with a commoner? No thank you!
- Jungkook!
- Or rather, we will all go out to the villages, go into a tavern, we will take a prostitute and make her your wife.
- Jungkook! - snarled Namjoon, and Jungkook fell silent. He tapped the ledger on the table and stood up - I will not allow you to talk to me like that.
- And I will not allow you to ruin this! - snarled the boy in reply. And before Namjoon managed to stop him, Jungkook got up and left the room, leaving the boy behind.
And all of Namjoon's anger is gone. He hated fighting with Jungkook, how he hated it! In the midst of all good and bad times in Namjoon, Jungkook was there. He understood the boy's position, his despair, but everything seemed so confused in those days.
Namjoon. Kim Namjoon.
Namjoon was a simple man, who loved nature, who loved the little things in life, but that side of Namjoon was hidden under lock and key. Namjoon couldn’t be like that, simply because Namjoon was a king.
Ilsan was a strong kingdom, the greatest of kingdoms, had a strong army, a strong culture, and a firm policy and loyal allies, all of which was achieved with diplomacy and a few liters of blood. Namjoon was proud of Ilsan, his parents gave him the kingdom early and moved to a retreat away from the court, leaving everything in the hands of their only son.
Namjoon felt the weight of responsibility early, and thought he couldn't take it, but again, there was Jungkook to help him, and Namjoon was grateful. That was why it hurt so much when the two fell out.
- Hey - a voice said at the door, and Namjoon turned to Yoongi standing at the door watching him - Jungkook passed for me.
- He's nervous - said Namjoon standing up improving his posture - if he did anything ...
- No, he just passed - informed Yoongi approaching Namjoon, but keeping his eyes on the catalogs on the table - still looking at suitors?
- Jungkook insists - said Namjoon not wanting to stick to the subject, but Yoongi held his gaze making the man give in - I don't understand why he wants it to be so fast, we have all the time in the world. You and Jimin are in no hurry ...
- Jimin and I waited for years, it never hurts to wait a few more months - said Yoongi trying to reassure his friend, he hesitated for a few seconds until finally continuing - Taehyung is desperate, but ...
- Argh! - moaned Namjoon rolling his eyes - the more I think about this house of cards, the more I despair. If Jungkook wasn't so nervous ...
- He has all the reasons in the world - defended Yoongi, and Namjoon seemed so frustrated, that he relented sitting back in his chair. Yoongi just gave him an understanding smile - talk to me, my friend.
- I don't want to meet someone like that - said Namjoon decisively, earning a gentle smile to his friend - I want to have a date ... a ... I don't know .... I need something ... something that will make my heart race.
- We are royalty, it doesn't happen to us ... - Yoongi started.
- I know - Namjoon said - but it happened to you and Jimin, it happened to Taehyung and Hoseok ... why can't I have this experience?
- First of all - started Yoongi - Taehyung and Hoseok met on a battlefield, the fact that they fall in love while trying to take each other's head off is a huge exception to the rule.
- But even under these circumstances it was a magical encounter!
- Hoseok lost 20% of his hearing, what is magical about it? - laughed Yoongi, Namjoon's indifferent expression - and Jimin ... let's say that if it weren't for Jungkook I would never have been enchanted by him.
- And believe me, he still regrets that today - agreed Namjoon, and Yoongi had to laugh at the situation.
Everything was a cruel card game.
It started years ago, Jimin and Jungkook were the princes of Busan. Brother who loved and respected each other above all. When Jimin was declared the favorite of the king and queen of Busan, and future king. Jungkook's fate was uncertain. So his parents decided to arrange a wedding for the boy.
To the despair of all kingdoms, little Jungkook was promised as a political alliance currency for the king of Songpa. Too young to decide for himself, or understand what was going on, Jungkook married the King of Songpa.
And then they went for years without seeing Jungkook. One day Jimin received a letter, denouncing the behavior of Songpa's ruler. Intrigued, the prince tried to find his brother, using all the diplomatic means he could, but the borders had been closed, and he could not see Jungkook.
Outraged, Jimin summoned all of his allies, and overriding the king's will, they invaded Songpa. Ilsan, Daegu and Busan invaded the country, only to find little Jungkook in pieces.
Songpa's prince did not wait for Jungkook to grow up to demand his obligations as a husband, and the little one was not ready for what happened to him.
That day, they burned Songpa. And Jimin took Jungkook back to Busan.
Songpa's allies demanded that the boy be returned, and this created a terrible diplomatic crisis. And then the first stupid idea came up.
Ilsan was the supreme realm, and Namjoon was a longtime friend of Jimin's, so when the boy asked him to marry Jungkook to shut up Songpa's allies, Namjoon didn't hesitate.
And so it happened. Namjoon married little Jungkook, who had no voice at all, submitted to his second marriage, and he was not even 14 years old.
By Ilsan's law when the heir to the throne gets married, he proves to be able to take the crown, so that day Namjoon became king, and everything seemed to fit together.
Until Jimin meets Yoongi. Yoongi who was Taehyung's cousin, the current king of Daegu. Taehyung was known for being serious, strategic and very intimidating, after all that seemed to be the profile of Daegu's men.
So, when Jungkook introduced Jimin and Yoongi, he didn't expect Daegu's harshness to enchant Busan's smiles and sweetness. And so, Jimin and Yoongi began a romance full of comments between the kingdoms. And everything seemed fine, Jimin and Yoongi would get married and reign in Busan.
Unfortunately, they did not have Hoseok.
Hoseok was the current king Gwangju. One of the richest, and most prosperous kingdoms. Everyone knew Gwangju's extravagance. And then when an outcome between Gwangju and Daegu occurred, Hoseok and Taehyung found themselves face to face on a battlefield. And that was all Hoseok needed to get cold Taehyung.
The smiling and overwhelming Hoseok devastated the ice king, and soon ensnared him with a promise of marriage. Everything seemed right, but there was only one problem.
Gwangju had no line of succession, Hoseok was the last member of his household alive, so he had to remain in the kingdom. And when everyone thought that nothing could save their romance, Taehyung announced that he would resign his position as king to stay with Hoseok.
Which forced Yoongi to assume the post of king of Daegu.
Which made Jimin desperate, because he wanted to be with Yoongi. And when Yoongi was satisfied that his happiness was going to slip through his fingers, a telegram was sent to Ilsan. And the world of Namjoon fell.
It was a desperate request from Jimin to release Jungkook from his marriage to Namjoon so that the boy could take over Busan, and he could stay with Yoongi.
Namjoon was short, he couldn't release Jungkook. Ilsan's tradition said that the crown cannot be worn by a single king. So to free Jungkook, Namjoon would have to get married.
And that was what they were doing now, choosing someone for Namjoon to fall in love with.
- I don't know if Jungkook understands how it works - said Yoongi carefully - all chances of falling in love that he may have in life have been denied, he ... he's just seeing the whole thing in a very practical way.
- Who knew I would see Taehyung fall in love before Jungkook - snorted Namjoon.
- Nobody would win this bet, don't worry - pointed Yoongi taking one of the catalogs - you didn't like anyone?
- They're all good guys, but ... that's not what I'm looking for.
- And what do you want?
- I don't know - laughed Namjoon - I want you to stop falling in love and screw with my life.
- It wasn't our intention - said Yoongi laughing at Namjoon's expression - Jimin said something to me once, said that everything that happened in our lives is Jungkook's fault.
- An interesting theory.
- Think - began Yoongi - I would not have met Jimin if it weren't for his birthday party, nor would Hoseok and Taehyung have a disagreement that resulted in their future marriage if it weren't for the unfortunate comment at that meeting of leaders ...
- He didn't do it on purpose ...
- And maybe it is Jungkook's urgency that brings you great love Namjoon - Yoongi pointed out, and Namjoon just pondered.
- You put a lot of faith in the kid who is afraid of the dark - Namjoon joked, feeling the bitter taste of that innocent joke.
- Maybe, but I think it would be a good alternative.
Namjoon wanted to open his mouth to protest, when Jungkook's elegantly dressed figure entered the room again. He seemed very frustrated with what he was going to do, and Yoongi and Namjoon waited for him to speak.
Jungkook was not very expressive, he was restrained and extremely polite, polite and very diplomatic, but it was the sweet hugs, the big eyes and the shy rabbit smile that he would miss.
- I pondered - said the boy politely looking at Namjoon, who expected him to continue - maybe this is not the right way to find a mate, maybe I was a little ... insensitive.
- Oh really? - questioned Namjoon surprised.
- Yes - said Jungkook simply - and as I know you value these romantic things ...
- Romantic things? - muttered Yoongi incredulously.
- ... we will do it your way - cut Jungkook - we will have a gala, call all possible suitors and ... and I hope ... that something happens.
- Kookie, doesn't have to do this ... - Namjoon started, but Jungkook shook his head.
- I'm not discussing this - said the boy, moving across the room and picking up the catalogs under the eyes of Namjoon and Yoongi.
- Are you going to throw them away? - Yoongi asked seeing the boy.
- No, this is the guest list - said Jungkook leaving the room. Leaving the two alone behind. Namjoon and Yoongi were silent for a few seconds, until Yoongi murmured.
- Look! Everything that happens is Jungkook's fault.