Chapter Text
It was a busy day in the royal palace of Silla. The corridors were buzzing with frantic energy as everyone dashed about, attending to the myriad tasks required for the upcoming celebration of the crown prince's birthday.
From the grand halls to the humblest chambers, each corner was alive with hubbub of excitement. Courtiers were striving to ensure that every detail was perfected for the three-day festivity while the servants scurried around, meticulously preparing the southern wing to welcome the esteemed royal guests and noble attendees.
Even, the central kitchen was overflowing with savoury aromas of various zesty dishes, their essence dancing through the corridors and enticing all who were fortunate enough to catch a whiff. The entire palace was decorated to the nines by the lavish adornment of white and gold embellishments.
Yet amidst all the bustle, Jeongguk remained peacefully ensconced in his chamber, seated beside the window. He was busy drowning under a sea of scrolls and books, in an attempt to keep himself occupied. Despite the excitement surrounding his twenty-fourth birthday, he remained indifferent to it. Having lost his mother at a tender age of five and growing up without her love, he developed a deep-seated aversion to his own birthday, a day that served as a stark reminder of her absence.
It eventually led him to retreat into his shell, becoming increasingly guarded with his emotions. Throughout his adolescence and into adulthood, he somewhat struggled to form meaningful connections, always mindful of the fragility of relationships and the pain of potential loss; rarely allowing others to glimpse the vulnerability hidden beneath the surface.
Even in the grandeur of the palace, he preferred the serene solitude of the high arched cinder-block hallways, the tranquillity of his cherished pavilion, and the ethereal beauty of the courtyards adorned with vibrant tiger lilies in full bloom. So, it was nothing different for him to be sitting nonchalantly in his chambers, away from all the fuss.
He was lost in his own thoughts while watching the setting sun paint the sky with orange lilac hues when Hoseok broke his state of trance.
"Gguk-ah," he interjected gently, "you are expected to speak to the public tomorrow. It might be wise to retire early this evening.”
As Jeongguk's royal knight, Hoseok stood as a steadfast companion and trustworthy friend who had remained faithfully by his side since childhood. It was his infectious cheerfulness that initially thawed younger's reserved demeanour, forging a deep brotherly bond between them over time. So, it became natural for Jeongguk to seek solace in the alpha whenever he felt alone as the familiar balsamic scent of pine intertwined with a delicate hint of lavender always enveloped him like a warm embrace.
"Don't worry hyung, I'll be ready for it." Jeongguk replied with a weary sigh, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle upon him after a day filled with taxing meetings.
"Truth be told, that's not what's bothering me.. It's the mere thought of indulging in festivity with a fake smile that's draining me. I'd rather stay here all day." He confessed with a little whine, allowing himself a moment of vulnerability in front of the older.
“Maybe this time will be different.." Hoseok offered optimistically with his trademark heart-shaped smile, "You should consider engaging more with the others. You never know, you might just forge new connections.”
"Ugh no thank you.. I simply don't have any energy for it. You, Yoongi hyung and Seokjin hyung are all I need."
"Ohoo, Is that so? Then perhaps you should try admitting that in front of Seokjin hyung at least once.”
At that, the younger's eyes widened in mock horror as he exclaimed, “Absolutely not! If I ever said that, he'd never let me live it down."
His silly, dramatic antics managing to elicit a hearty laughter in the room in response.
"Well, at least his arrival tomorrow might lift your spirits. I heard that hyung is bringing arrak with him this time.”
“Be honest hyung, are you truly excited because of him, or is it perhaps a certain brunet alpha that's got you all giddy, huh?" Jeongguk couldn't resist teasing Hoseok, who promptly blushed a bright shade of pink at the remark.
"Yah! It's not like that." The older stammered, flustered by the mention of Yoongi, the son of a noble from the Baekje kingdom, who had begun courting him last month. Their newfound relationship had already been subjected to several pranks and josh, courtesy of notorious mischief makers- Seokjin and Jeongguk.
So, before the younger could further jest with him, Hoseok scrambled to his feet as he clumsily gathered his belongings.
"I think it's time for you to get some rest now. I'll see you tomorrow for the ceremony." He hastily suggested and left the prince's chamber, eager to conceal the blooming warmth on his cheeks that betrayed his embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Jeongguk couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at the sight of older's flushed face. Despite the teasing, he harbored a deep gratitude for his unwavering support throughout the day's tumultuous proceedings. Hoseok had been his steadfast anchor amidst the chaos, offering both necessary help and light-hearted banter in equal measure.
Eventually feeling the weariness seep into his bones, Jeongguk fought against the urge to push himself further. So, he stretched with a soft groan, hoping sleep would come soon and offer relief from the relentless worries weighing on his mind.
~
Next day, the morning sun shone gently with its shimmering rays dancing across the blue sky, stirring the city. It looked as if everyone woke up with great spirits, ready to celebrate their prince's birthday.
Well.. except the prince himself.
Dressed in an azure robe made of gold patterns and embellished with crystal white gems, Jeongguk's aura was rivalling with the sun itself. His long black hair was elegantly curled back, imparting even more maturity to his appearance. Though his attire appeared weighty to the eye, it paled in comparison to the burden he bore- the weight of the crown upon his head.
Crafted from pure gold and adorned with intricate ornamentation resembling intertwining tree branches, the crown was more than just a regal accessory; it was a symbol of Jeongguk's sovereignty, representing the weight of responsibility he would one day inherit.
He was raised from a young age to bear the weight of the throne after his father, having spent his formative years confined within the palace walls. Amidst all the splendor, he had undergone rigorous training and education, preparing for the day when he would ascend to the throne and lead his kingdom forward.
Despite the royal grandeur, Jeongguk often felt suffocated by the weight of the expectations placed upon him. The loss of his mother, the queen, had left a profound void in the king's heart, leading him to withdraw emotionally and focus solely on the affairs of the kingdom. Instead of offering comfort or guidance, he burdened his son with the relentless demands of royal duties and the pressure of public scrutiny.
But now, Jeongguk often felt trapped in a life dictated by tradition and duty. He wanted to serve his people with utmost sincerity but beneath the façade of regal composure, he longed for a taste of normalcy.
Even a little bit would suffice..
Growing up, he used to secretly read the novels he could salvage from his late mother's collection. There were tons of fiction, mythology, literature books but his favorite were the stories of soulmates and their historic love for one another - beautiful and pure..
And that made him harbor a longing for a love that would transcend the confines of royal protocol. Both his heart and inner wolf yearned for the warmth of companionship and the opportunity to share his life with someone who saw him not as a prince, but as a man with hopes and dreams of his own. Just once, he wanted to experience a love that was genuine, a love he sought all his life.
Just once..
With a resigned sigh, Jeongguk pushed aside the overwhelming tide of thoughts that threatened to engulf him before taking a moment to straighten his robes with practised precision, when he heard shuffling outside his chamber.
"Your highness, the people await you." the royal advisor announced, accompanied by a group of royal guards who had come to escort him.
"Very well then." Jeongguk replied, masking his solemn expression with a small, forced smile as he followed them through the grand hallways.
As they reached the main gates, the prince was greeted by a throng of eagerly awaiting citizens. Despite his inner turmoil, his heart swelled with gratitude at the overwhelming support shown by the public, like always. His people stood by his side since the beginning and showered him with endless love, in hopes of filling the gaps of maternal affection.
Touched by the genuine joy radiating from the crowd, Jeongguk greeted them with a warm smile and enthusiastic waves. The little children were cheering for him as he gracefully mounted his stallion, leading the procession through the city.
As the parade wound its way further with the vibrant colors of banners and flags fluttering in the breeze, Jeongguk greeted everyone with humble nods and grateful smiles. He could see the meticulous efforts put into adorning the streets as cherry blossom lanterns bedecked every corner with pastel hues painted across the blocks.
The atmosphere there, was one of serenity and joy as all the residents had come out in droves to welcome the procession. Jeongguk couldn't help but feel a sense of pride swell within him as he witnessed the sight before him. It was moments like these that reminded him of the profound connection he shared with his kingdom, a bond forged through shared triumphs and challenges alike.
Soon, upon completing a round through the city, he rode back to the main grounds where everyone was gathered for the celebration. Positioned prominently at the forefront was a throne-like seating arrangement, where he joined Prince Seokjin and Yoongi, sitting right next to them.
Soon enough, the king took to the stage to address the public which gave Jeongguk's gaze a chance to wander idly across the sea of faces, observing the varying degrees of interest in the speech. Some faces lit up with enthusiasm, while others wore expressions of polite indifference. Lost in his thoughts, he was silently contemplating things when Seokjin's voice broke through his reverie, pulling him back to the present.
"I know you're not thrilled to be here, but at least try to appear a bit less indifferent. I hear they've arranged some exceptional performances for this occasion." Seokjin whispered, leaning in towards Jeongguk.
"Hyung, I'm just exhausted. Right now, all I want is to retreat and sleep for the whole day." Jeongguk admitted quietly.
"Well, wait until you're both indulging in the feast later, stuffing your mouth full!" Yoongi interjected with a smirk, joining the conversation from behind Seokjin.
“I don't know about us but you will surely be stuffing your mouth later tonight with something..” Jeongguk quipped back with a playful glint in his eye.
Though before Yoongi could offer a retort, his words were interrupted by the blow of a horn.
AUMMM..
Positioned at the centre of the stage, a musician expertly played a massive nagak, its deep tones reverberating through the air.
As the music filled the space, a sudden burst of color and movement ensued, capturing the attention of all who were gathered. Dancers adorned in vibrant traditional attire emerged onto the stage, their movements synchronized to the rhythmic beat of the music. They swiftly formed a circle from which, a sole figure suddenly emerged out.
He was dressed in fluttery black robes that billowed around him like whispers of silk, revealing glimpses of his petite frame hidden beneath the sheer voile.
With the air thick with anticipation, the dancer glided to the front of the stage with a fluidity that seemed almost supernatural.. almost like the serene flow of a river before it cascades down into waterfall.
While his long blonde hair swayed softly, each lock having its own flow and grace, a jeweled mask concealed half of his face, leaving his expression shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Yet, it was his piercing gaze that enraptured everyone while hinting at secrets waiting to be unveiled..
As the melody of the music gradually swelled, he swiftly brought out a large flame-shaped orange fan whose vibrant hues were a striking contrast against the darkness of his attire. Astonishingly, it seemed to come alive with an enchanting glow as the dancer further twirled and danced across the stage.
WAH! What a sight to behold!
The crowd was utterly captivated by his performance, each mesmerising motion drawing them further in.
And Jeongguk.. well, he was no different.
Transfixed and speechless, he couldn't tear his gaze away from the dancer. His eyes seemed to follow the ethereal figure like a moth drawn to flame, trailing every pirouette and spin unblinkingly. As he continued to weave his magic, lithe body flowing with the music, Jeongguk felt a sense of longing stir within him. A desire to lose himself in a world where passion and beauty converged in perfect harmony; just like the one he was witnessing at present.
During the performance, there was a fleeting moment when the dancer's gaze briefly met his own.
And suddenly, it felt as though the world around them slowed down. Caught in the intensity of that glance, Jeongguk's breath hitched and he was momentarily overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the moment.
There was an undeniable magnetic pull in those beautiful almond-shaped eyes that held him in its thrall. It stirred his heart in a way that made him yearn for something he couldn't decipher, something he couldn't quite grasp but desperately wished to reach out for.
He was so immersed in the beauty of the moment that he completely lost track of time, thoughts drifting into a reverie. It was only when he heard the thundering applause that he snapped back to reality.
The performance was over.
What?
He blinked in disbelief, realising that he had been so captivated by that dancer's presence that he hadn't even registered the departing performers.
Just as soon as he heard Seokjin coughing beside him, Jeongguk knew all too well the smug smile that awaited him, a teasing reminder of his momentary lapse in attention. He couldn't help but wish for the ground to swallow him whole at that.
"Well, I suppose that was quite an intriguing performance, wasn't it Jeongguk-ah?"
He felt a searing warmth creep up his cheeks as he brushed off the raillery from his friends. What was he supposed to say when he himself was equally bewildered by his own unexpected reaction.. something that had never happened to him before.
~
Later as the feast progressed, everyone got busy drinking and devouring the delicious dishes, filling the air with the clinking of glasses and hearty laughter. Tables were lined up according to the hierarchy, with the royal entourage seated at a vast dais. Jeongguk was sitting with his hyungs, slightly away from the stiff crowd of nobles and ministers who were busy discussing matters of state.
Surrounded by the lively chatter of his friends and the gentle hum of music, Jeongguk found himself finally unwinding. It was the vibrant energy of the gathering that granted him the much-needed respite from his monotonous routine.
In the midst of it, people of all ranks kept approaching him with gifts and congratulations as tokens of their blessings.
Moon jars, finest silks, blue pottery, persian daggers and what not.. but it was their affection that truly warmed his heart in joy.
Currently, he was busy engaging in a lighthearted banter with Seokjin who challenged him to gobble down ten mandu in one-go.
“.. and here they go again.” Yoongi remarked as he watched the amusing sight with others.
“HYUNG!! That's so ridiculous!” Jeongguk exclaimed, seemingly offended by the proposition. “What do you take me for!? I can easily eat more than twenty at a time.”
“Pfft.. all talk and no action, Gguk-ah. You need to prove it.”
Goaded by Seokjin's taunt, Jeongguk agreed to prove his claim as he pulled the dumplings plate towards himself with a boisterous huff.
“Watch me make you eat your words hyung.”
And with that, he popped the first mandu into his mouth. (easy..)
Second. (so easy..)
Third. (child's play..)
Fou-
WAIT! IS THAT HI-
Just as he was about to devour the next one, a flash of blonde hair caught his eye, completely distracting him.
It was the same blonde-haired dancer who was approaching him with a few more people through the crowd.
So, with a lightning speed, Jeongguk hastily swallowed the dumplings before pushing the plate away. Both him and his wolf couldn't afford to present themselves in such an unseemly state- mouth stuffed like an overfilled mandu himself.
Subtly fixing his robe, he straightened up with his alpha already posturing on instinct as they readied themselves to greet the approaching company.
With a graceful bow, the dancer stepped forward and addressed the prince courtly, “Congratulations on your birthday, your highness.”
Oh.. so that's what a linnet sounds like.
The soft timbre, honeyed and tinged with a subtle rasp, seemed to stir something within Jeongguk's alpha.
"We are truly honoured to join in the celebration. So, our people brought these gifts as a blessing from the spirits of the mountains for you."
Momentarily transfixed, Jeongguk saw him step closer to present a pair of gifts wrapped delicately in dark mauve silk. As the silk fell away, it revealed a stunning set of ivory quills, each adorned with white peacock feathers, accompanied by an exquisite Minhwa painting depicting the folk tales of Sansin, their revered mountain deity.
They were truly a divine blessing!
His gaze then drifted to an embellishment nestled within the folds of silk atop the box. It was a beautiful dragon norigae carved out of coral jade, woven together by silver knots and deep ruby tassels- a fine example of delicate craftsmanship.
But Jeongguk was caught in a quandary, as he found himself stuck as to whether to call the gifts more beautiful or the man unravelling them..
This upclose, unobscured by any mask or veil, he could finally see the mystique face of the omega. No words could do justice to his ethereal beauty.
Those caramel round eyes turned into beautiful crescents as they sparkled with a tender warmth; their radiance complimented by that captivating smile, so bright that it seemed to illuminate the entire room. And if that wasn't enough, God even took his time to carve those soft pink lips that curved shyly, reminiscent of delicate rose petals unfurling in the gentle breeze, seemingly adding colour atop those soft cheeks.
Oh.. then there was his scent..
The omega smelled like sweet jasmine blooming in the early spring, mingled with the faint undertone of cool mountain forest air. It was so intoxicatingly fresh and alluring that Jeongguk felt himself drawn to it like a river to the sea, the desire to immerse himself in its essence overwhelming his senses.
It was Seokjin's subtle cough that broke Jeongguk's trance, prompting him to hastily gather his thoughts. "H-Huh, yes! Thank you for everything," he managed to stammer out, his words slightly faltering. "Your performance was wonderful.”
"Thank you, your grace," Jimin replied, his voice carrying a subtle lilt that only added to his allure. "I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed it."
Jeongguk couldn't blame himself because even his alpha was enraptured. It kept pushing him to prolong the conversation, keen to hear more from the omega but he couldn't trust his fumbling voice anymore.
So, wary of embarrassing himself further, he hesitantly remained silent. However, Seokjin, ever perceptive, thankfully stepped in to bridge the gap. "May I ask your name?" he inquired politely.
"Your Grace, my name is Park Jimin."
"Well, Jimin-shi, we'll certainly look forward to more of your performances," Seokjin said while casting a knowing glance in Jeongguk's direction. "I'm sure the prince shares my sentiment, don't you?"
"YES! i mean yes, indeed, good luck, Jimin-shi." Jeongguk again stumbled over his words, feeling increasingly flustered under the omega's gaze, unable to maintain eye contact, courtesy of Seokjin's ribbing.
“Thank you, your highness. Please enjoy the rest of your day and take care."
Jimin bid his farewell with a respectful bow, unaware of the bemused alpha who loved the way his name rolled off his tongue, craving to taste it again.
That night Jeongguk didn't have to turn to his books for a peaceful sleep.
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