➼ Not your flaws ➼

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- Spies and sarcasm -

Taehyung's POV

The rest of the day went smoothly, to say the least. Hobi, Jungkook, and I stayed in the woods until sundown. We talked, telling stories, and getting to know one another. Well, it was more of Hobi and I telling about ourselves to Jungkook while he listened. At sunset, Hobi and I bid our goodbyes and headed back to Arewen.

The walk was shorter than I thought it would have been, much to my dislike, meaning we arrived back into the kingdom in no time. A part of me hated leaving the forest, not because I loved the scenery but because of Jungkook. For once in my life, another human being actually interested me.

My whole life has revolved around being within the castle, treated like royalty, and never giving a thought to love. Yet for some reason, the minute I encountered Jungkook, it all seemed to change. Needless to say, I wasn't truly thinking about love right now, but I was definitely considering the possibility of it.

"What are you thinking about, Tae?" I blinked, looking at my best friend who was smiling brightly at me. "Oh, it's nothing." He shook his head, laughing while patting my back. "You're meaning to tell me that zoning out for five minutes and staring blankly at the ground is thinking about nothing?"

I blushed, shrugging a bit and looking away. "You'll have to try harder than that to convince me, Tae." I sighed, running a hand through my hair quickly and glancing at him. "Okay, you got me. I was thinking." He hummed, nodding, and continuing to walk down the gravel road in the kingdom.

"So, what were you thinking so hard about?" I sighed once more, waving at a merchant who bowed while I passed by. "I'm pretty sure you can figure it out, Hobi." He laughed, his arm swinging around my shoulder. "I have no clue what you're talking about."

I laughed, glancing at him while I shook my head. "You know exactly what I'm talking about- Hey Nayeon! It's been a while!" I shouted, watching as she turned around and ran towards me. "Taehyung!" I laughed, feeling her arms wrap around me in a tight hug. "I haven't seen you in ages!"

Hobi watched us hug, a smile on his face. "What are you doing in Arewen?" She pulled away, giggling a bit before turning to Hobi. "Oh- I'm not sure if I've met you! Hi, I'm Nayeon, a friend of Taehyung's!" Hobi smiled brightly, waving a bit and greeting her. "We haven't met, actually. I'm Hoseok, a childhood best friend of Taehyung's and personal guard."

She gasped, looking at me with shock while I nodded shyly. "Personal guard? Look at you! The Prince of Arewen!" I was about to protest, stating that I was not actually a Prince nor was I royalty, but she kept going. "Well, nice to meet you Hoseok! Oh, about your question, I'm actually heading up to Etiathiel soon." I tilt my head, cocking an eyebrow.

"Why Etiathiel?" She laughed, a hand on the back of her neck. "I might be moving there, actually. I've been talking to King Yoongi, he's really nice and all, and he's willing to let me check out the kingdom." I hummed, glancing at Hobi who was trying to keep the smile on his face. He knew how much Arewen hated Acedus and Etiathiel.

"So, how long will you be in Arewen?" She shrugged, a smile on her face. "I'm not sure, actually. Baekhyun is letting me stay in the castle for a few days, so maybe about four." I nodded, grabbing Hoseok's wrist before he could get any angrier than he already was. "Well, hopefully, I'll see you around! I have to head back. Hoseok and I have something to do."

She nodded, waving goodbye and turning away from us. Quickly guiding Hoseok through the crowd, I felt his grip tighten around my arm, signaling he was pissed. "Calm down. We'll talk about things once we reach the castle." He nodded, walking faster, seeing the castle come into view.

Reaching the castle, we walked inside, immediately greeted by the maids. I said a quick hello, running up the grand staircase and heading for my suite. When we arrived, I pushed Hoseok inside and shut the door. His face held anger, his fists clenched. "Shh, it's okay. Listen, calm down, I'm here." His eyes seemed darker than usual, making me gulp.

I grabbed his hand in my own, squeezing it a bit, hoping it could calm him down. "I hate that kingdom," He said between gritted teeth, his voice deep and laced with venom. I nodded slowly, hugging him tightly. "I know you do. I didn't know she was moving there, if I did then I wouldn't have called her over."

"It's not your fault," He said, a sigh emitting from him while his arms wrapped around me. "Still, it made you angry at the mention of the kingdom." I frowned, feeling his chest rise and fall quickly against mine. He was livid, I could easily tell that. "I despise that kingdom. I despise the King."

"I know, it's okay." His arms tightened around me, pulling me even closer to him. "I want King Yoongi dead." I gulped, pulling away and cupping his cheeks in my hand. "Listen, Hobi, I know you want revenge but I need you to calm down, okay?" He scoffed, pulling my hands away from his face.

"Calm down?" I backed up, watching him stand up and tower over me. "You want me to calm down?" I nodded, staring him in the eyes. I knew that if I looked away, it would make him angrier. "How can you expect me to calm down when-" He clenched his fists, his body shaking a bit.

"When your friend is moving to one of Arewen's enemy kingdoms. Do you not understand what this means?" I shook my head slowly, continuing to stare into his eyes. "Really, you don't?" I sighed, closing my eyes for a second then reopening them. "No, Hobi, I don't."

He laughed bitterly, turning away from me then looking back. "It means that Arewen could be in danger." I cocked an eyebrow, my arms crossed over my chest. "How?" He stalked closer to me, a sigh emitting from him and his hand gently grabbing my chin. "Because she could be working for Yoongi as a spy. I'm an assassin, Tae, I know how those things work. They act nice, like they're your best friend, then they try to get information out of you."

I shook my head, beginning to protest. "She wouldn't do that. She loves Arewen." He scoffed, his gaze still locked with mine. "If she loves the kingdom then why doesn't she live here?" I gulped, feeling myself grow smaller under his gaze. I couldn't answer his question, because I didn't even know why she couldn't live here.

"I get she's your friend, Tae, but be careful." I sighed, nodding slowly. "For all we know, she could be working as a spy. Etiathiel and Acedus are allied Kingdoms, they work together. If Etiathiel finds out information about us, then they'll ally with Acedus to take us down."

"I know Hobi. I know they're our enemies, I won't tell anyone information." He nodded, pulling me into a hug. "They can't be trusted, alright? You know how Acedus and Etiathiel are." I sighed again, nodding while I hugged him back. "But we shouldn't rush into conclusions as to why she's moving there, Hobi. Maybe they're just trying to locate the missing prince."

He sighed again, pulling away and sitting on the edge of my bed. "Considering how they haven't found him, and it's been three years, might as well consider him dead." I shrugged, frowning slightly. "I get that they're our enemy Kingdom, but I can't help but feel bad for King Namjoon and King Seokjin."

His fists clenched again, teeth-gritting. "Why would you feel bad for them?" He spat, staring at me. "Enemy or not they're still humans, Hoseok." I barked back. "And they lost their son. I don't care that they're our enemy right now. Sure, they've done bad things to Arewen, but they have feelings too. They lost their child, do you not understand how hard that is?"

He sighed again, slumping a bit. "You're too kind, Tae. It might get you into trouble one of these days." I smiled a bit, seeing him glance my way. "All in all, be careful around her. I-" He started, a hand running through his hair. "I don't trust her." I nodded slowly, sitting next to him.

"I understand. I trust you more than I trust her, you know that. I trust your judgment and opinions." He smiled, wrapping an arm around me. "Thanks, Taehyung." I smiled back, moving closer to him. "I'll be careful, alright? You can trust me." He nodded. "I know I can."

"I should go," He said making me frown. "You know you can stay here." He shook his head, laughing. "It's alright, Tae. Thanks, but I need to head back home." I nodded, sitting up and hugging him one last time. "I'll walk you down to the door." He smiled, standing up and opening my door to my suite. We walked out, both of us heading to the grand entrance.

"Be careful on your way back, okay?" He smiled, laughing shortly. "Always am, Taebear." I giggled, feeling him ruffle my hair as he used to when we were kids. "I'll see you tomorrow, Hobi!" He nodded, waving goodbye and walking outside. The door shut behind him, the sound echoing through the room.

I giggled a bit, running up the stairs and back towards my suite. I was hoping to see him walk down the roads. "You're in a rush," A voice said, causing me to jump. "Nayeon! When did you get here?" She laughed holding a big smile on her face. "I just got here a few minutes ago. What's the rush?" I shrugged, continuing to walk back to my suite while she followed.

My breath hitched a bit, noticing that she wasn't going to stop following me. "Just watching Hoseok head back home." She hummed, her smile remaining. "Are you two dating?" I shook my head, laughing shortly. "Hoseok and I? No. You heard him, he's my best friend and guard." I saw her tense a bit but hum again.

"Do you like anyone?" She asked, a smile on my face. Remember, don't disclose information. "Me? No. I'm not interested in love," I lied, stopping right outside my door. "You're not?" She gasped, her eyes widening in shock for a second. "But won't you need to marry someone when Chanyeol hands the throne over to you?"

I cocked an eyebrow, arms folding over my chest. "Why would I receive the throne?" Her jaw dropped a bit, eyebrows furrowed. "You're the prince! Of course you'd get the throne!" She shouted, a few maids turning their heads to look at her. Faces of concern were seen, making me gulp a bit. Were they suspicious of her?

"Right, well, ask Chanyeol I guess," I replied, shrugging a bit. Her eyebrows remained furrowed, her eyes scanning over me. "Is there something you're not telling me, Tae?" I scoffed a bit, shaking my head. "Tae?" She nodded, another smile on her face. "Yeah! Don't you like it?"

I shook my head. "No, I don't." I saw her frown, a pout on her lips. "Don't lie to me." I stared at her, growing annoyed by the second. "I'm not. Look, I need to go. Have a good night," I said, walking down the hall and passing my room. "Well, where are you going?"

I sighed, stopping again and looking at her. "I have things to do. As the Prince, I need to check on some things. Now, if you'll excuse me," I stated, turning away and walking down the hall. She stopped for a bit before following me again. "I can help!"

My fists clenched, anger growing because of her. "Nayeon! I'm busy so please, let me be." She pouted, a glint of excitement flashing through her eyes which made me frown. "Come on, please! I can give you a hand!" I grit my teeth, stopping in the middle of the hall.

"This is my kingdom, so listen to me. I said no, and as the guest in Arewen, you'll listen to me. If you choose to disobey me then you can kiss your stay in Arewen goodbye. No means no. I have things to do, so leave me alone," I spat, watching her eyes widen.

"You can't kick me out!" She shouted, heads turning our way again. I growled a bit, turning around and walking up to her, my eyes seeming to darken a bit with anger. "You're testing my patience. I am the Prince of this kingdom, meaning whatever I decide to do will go through to the guards. If I decide that your stay is over then it's over, got it?"

She gulped, shaking her head. "Only the King and Queen can do that," She said lowly, another pout on her lips. I stopped, staring her straight in the eyes. "Really? You think so?" She nodded, a smile on her face. I nodded a bit, smiling wide.

"Okay." She smiled more, following me while I walked down the hallway. I reached a guard, seeing her stop a few feet away from me. Whispering into his ear, I saw him look at her and nod, a smile on his face. "Yes, your highness!" He said, walking away and heading down the hall.

"What did you tell him?" I smiled, staring at her and flashing my signature boxy smile. "Oh, nothing! I just said that from tomorrow on your stay in Arewen is over." Her jaw dropped, eyes wide and frozen in shock. I giggled, looking at her. "You can't do that! I have three more days left here!" I shrugged, walking closer to her and grabbing her chin harshly.

"Not anymore." She hit my hand away, fists clenched in anger. "You can't do that, Taehyung! You can't just kick me out of Arewen!" I laughed, turning away and walking down the hall. Glancing back a bit, I spoke again.

"I just did, sweetheart."

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Don't mess with Taehyung haha. He's not a prince, but to convince Nayeon that he had the power to kick her out, he had to say he was. Truth be told Taehyung does have the power to make decisions on who stays in Arewen and who doesn't, but it's more believable if he's called a prince.

Why do you think Arewen is enemies with Etiathiel and Acedus?

I purple you 💜

~Pisanthrophobia.