Chapter Text
The little prince had strolled all along his home, the castle too big for a person to cover in a day, long hallways and so many rooms, but he had done it. Prince Seokjin was more of an explorer unless called to his father's hand. He'd gone through that castle so many times already.
Seokjin grew a bit curious of the city outside, never being able to step foot out there for those 'safety reasons'. But maybe it was time for him to see it, he's been wanting to, but guards always made it hard to go. Seokjin made it his mission to see the rest of the kingdom.
He made sure to dress in something that didn't exactly show royalty, not being able to take anyone with him he had to be as careful as he could. Seokjin knew he was going alone, he couldn't have his father hearing about this.
Once it turned morning, the prince was off, managing to slip past his guard a bit too easily he began wondering why he took so long to do this. The fresh air pushed against him, the sun had barely risen and he had heard the crowds get louder the closer he got to the city gates.
Seokjin had tried to picture what he'd see, but he couldn't never picture the right thing. He expected a beautiful city, shops all along the roads, the townspeople walking amongst each other.
The prince could've sworn this place felt like a nightmare. It was crowded, dirt roads, he overheard fights and people trying to make deals with shop owners. He was given a few glares as well, hoping no one could recognize him.
He continued to walk, a small dog following him around, he found that to be the one good thing. Had his father known this was the town? The kingdom was supplying the town with money, food, and homes. Was this it?
Seokjin had kneeled down to pet the dog, the small creature taking a liking to him. Something had hit his back, causing Seokjin to almost fall over. He had looked up almost in shock, just to see shock on the other person's face.
"You," The boy spoke, "What are you doing out here?"
"Me? I'm from here." Seokjin replied, hoping the boy hadn't recognized him, but that was clearly the case.
"You don't fool me, prince, why are you in the town? Does the king know you're here?" He asked, his eyes still to Seokjin, murmurs from people around them who were watching the scene.
"No, and I would prefer to keep it as such." Seokjin speaks, and that's when he realizes everyone had heard him. The prince was alone, and everyone that was listening in had looked angry.
"And what brings you down here, prince?" The boy asked him, almost stunned he had even seen the prince up close.
"I wanted to see the town, but the town isn't what I thought it would be." Seokjin replies, his eyes low.
"What you thought it would be? Haven't you heard that the king dropped our supply? We're low on food, material, everything." Another man chimed in.
"Are you really the prince? Wouldn't you know this?" This time a woman spoke.
The crowd had wondered about Seokjin, assuming anyone could act as the prince. Not even the king is seen down here in the city. But his features were true.
"Please know I mean well, but my father had never mentioned the town to me, I came here to my own curiosity." Seokjin told them, the crowd listening, "But it seems I've only gone by what my father says about the town."
Seokjin grew angry, why would the king let his townspeople suffer? Dropping supply? Why would he do such a thing? Why couldn't the castle give more to the town? They had more than enough.
"It's been like this for years, if you do mean well, then you will speak to your father and help us." The boy spoke up again, eyes on Seokjin.
He was silent for a moment, trying to think of a way to approach this. But it was obvious his father wouldn't listen to him, the cold man didn't listen to anyone.
"I'll do what I can, I can't promise things will change but I will fight and stand with you." Seokjin assures them, a small smile as he hopes he can do something.
With that, Seokjin returns home, a horrid argument with his father as he expected, the man saying the town was fine and Seokjin arguing that it wasn't. Once it had slipped that Seokjin went past the castle walls, he was met with a slap. His father demanded he never steps a foot out of the castle ever again.
But that same night, Seokjin had left the kingdom in secrecy, him and his horse riding off to the closest kingdom, though he wasn't sure what would happen once he arrived. If he'd be turned away or let in, warned with arrows or worse.
He rode for hours, the sun coming out as a tall castle came into view, a sigh of relief coming by him as he had his horse hurry to it.
Seokjin had reached the doors, guards standing around as they noticed a lone rider coming towards them. The horse came to a stop, guards looking to Seokjin.
"Prince Seokjin? What brings you here alone?" A guard spoke, no weapons in sight, thankfully.
"I need to speak to the king, please. My father doesn't know I'm here." Seokjin replies, the guards taking a moment before they stepped aside, the doors opening.
"I'll lead the way." The same guard offers, stepping past the gates as Seokjin follows them.
They made their way into the town, and as Seokjin looks around, the town is as he's always pictured his own. He hoped there was a chance for it. He would rule over those people one day, but he couldn't let them suffer any longer.
Seokjin is led down a hallway of the castle, assuming it leads down to the king's hall. But he simply followed the guard, and hoped it didn't look like he had bad intentions.
"Your secrecy will be kept while you're here, prince." The guard spoke up, coming across a door, pushing it open to unveil a room so big and empty, a chair at the end of the hall where the king sat.
"Thank you." Seokjin smiled warmly, stepping into the room and making his way towards the king.
"You know, when I heard my guards say there's someone riding to us I would have never expected you, prince Seokjin." The king spoke, leaned back against his seat with a leg over the other, eyes like daggers stuck to the boy.
"I hope I'm not intruding, Park Jimin, King." Seokjin speaks softly, small bow to greet the king.
"What brings you to my kingdom, little prince?" Jimin motions for him to come closer, admiring the prince, his delicate features, eyes, lips, hands, everything.
"I am here to ask for help, my townspeople are suffering." Seokjin speaks, eyes stuck to the king. The two are merely five feet apart, by this point one of them is so struck by the other's beauty.
"Wouldn't you be able to go to your father, the king?" Jimin asks, seemingly more interested in the conversation.
Seokjin shakes his head, "I can't, he's the one making them suffer. It's unfair to them, we've always been able to provide, but now I've realized my father stopped some of the supply."
"Such a good prince looking out for his people, but, prince, what does it have to do with me?" Jimin asked, now leaned forward, his eyes steady.
"I want you to help me take my father down, and save my people." Seokjin speaks, certain of the choice.
Jimin is so stunned, a prince wanting to overthrow his own father, unheard of, surely. The two fall silent, the king thinking and the prince scared to be turned away.
"What will I receive for doing so? If we took him down as well?"
"Anything, the kingdom even, I just want my people safe and living in better conditions, with better supply." Seokjin answers him.
Jimin nods, licking his lip, "I want… you."
"Me, your highness?" Seokjin almost chokes on his words, the king nodding and reaching a hand out to the other.
"Yes, you. I want you at my side, rule the kingdom your father once ruled, but at my side, as a king." Jimin smiles, eyes shining towards Seokjin, "Rule that kingdom with me, little prince."
Seokjin takes the kings hand, stepping right in front of him, "As a king?"
Jimin nods, "You'll be my king, as I'm yours aswell. You'll run the kingdom as you please."
The two fall into silence, their eyes locked as Seokjin fits his hand into the kings, trusting him, almost as if it were destiny.
"As you wish." Seokjin simply replies, knowing this king must have felt that sudden shift too.
"I knew you wouldn't deny it, little prince."