Agust D Fanfiction - Tumblr Posts
Shadow’s Birthright | MYG
Chapter 00: Prologue
Plot: Riding in on thunder and lightning, two princes are born. But a crown cannot be shared. It can only be worn by one and one alone. The hands of man have separated the brothers, allowing one to live in wealth and comfort inside the palace while the other grows up among commoners. But Fate cannot be destroyed by the hands of man. A shared destiny reunites the brothers; one to become a king who descends into madness and the other will rise as a dragon whose journey has only just begun in order to claim a crown he does not desire to have.
Rating: NC-17 // NSFW
Genre: series | historical!au | fantasy!au | angst | romance | drama | tragedy
Pairing: Min Yoongi (Lee Yoon) x Female OC (Kalina Shuri)
Warnings: Historical setting, caste system, magic/sorcery, graphic violence, disturbing graphic images, religious tones, angst, slow burn, smut
Links: FAQ || BTS Masterlist || Admin E’s AO3 || [ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ]
Word Count: 2,128
Tag List: @luxekook, @pinkpjmin, @btsaudge, @flowerwrites06, @stillcopingxx, @taevkimchi, @aroseforyoongi
AN: I’ve teased you all enough with this. I’ve been doing it since Yoongi dropped that damn MV (you all know it by now, don’t act like you don’t). And now here we are. Me. Again. Teasing you with a prologue. But it will be worth the wait, my loves. It will be worth the torture that I am about to put you all through. Because it’s a story I think needs to be told. I know I’ve seen some one-shots out there, and while that’s great, I want to put my Korean History knowledge through the ringer and really put you guys on a roller coaster. If you love this story, show it love. I’m writing this because it’s a story featuring a subject I’m passionate about and one that I will put all of my heart and soul into. Just like with Make It Right. So I present to you the start of this journey, this trilogy series (yes, I said it) full of heartbreak, magic and love.
P.S. Please bear in mind that while the historical accuracy will be mostly correct, I am setting this in a time period in Joseon history where there was no such thing as a king who had a twin brother. Obviously that’s where the fiction/creative freedom is going to come in. Everything else will be period accurate, trust and believe.
© thebiasrekkers (Admin E). All rights reserved. Reposting/modifying our work is prohibited. Translations are not allowed. Plagiarism/stealing is not tolerated by any means. Legal action will be taken in instances of theft.
“The more a thing is perfect, the more it feels pleasure and pain.” - Dante Alighieri - The Divine Comedy
Thunder rumbled across the skies as a pained scream tore through the night.
Hurried footsteps echoed through the palace halls as maid servants and eunuchs piddled about. Some carried brass basins full of water, others had armfuls of fresh linens. Royal physicians moved in and out of the White Lily Pavilion, urgency in their steps, and everyone was talking at once.
“The water isn’t hot enough!”
“Are those fresh linens?”
“The tonic is almost ready!”
“She’s sweating far too much!”
“We need another pillow!”
“Her legs are swollen. We need cold compresses!”
“Elevate them for now!”
“Her Majesty needs some water!”
Suddenly, there was a sharp gasp from one of the maidservants as an approaching eunuch appeared, followed by a small entourage of soldiers, eunuchs and handmaidens. She stumbled forward when another servant ran into her back, nearly knocking the fresh basin of water from her hands.
“His Majesty, The King, has arrived!”
Those who were able to, prostrated themselves before the king immediately. He wore deep crimson robes with golden dragons embroidered on the sleeves and chest. The topknot was held together with a golden ornament that resembled flames - a dragon pin pushed through to hold the item in place. His eyes were wide, full of concern, and burned a rich umber that was reflected from the crack of lightning that lit up the sky.
“How is she?” he asked as the royal physician approached, wringing his hands clean of blood. “It’s been hours!”
The Royal Physician sighed, sweat beading out over his forehead and nose. “It is a difficult labor, Your Majesty. Truthfully, I’m worried about Her Majesty’s safety.”
The King glared at him, causing the doctor to flinch slightly. “If she dies, I will have your head. Do you understand?”
The physician bowed deeply, as did his assistants. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I will do everything in my power to ensure that the Queen has a healthy delivery.”
Suddenly, one of the maid servants appeared, a smile on her face. “The baby is breaching, Sir!”
The Royal Physician made haste, following after the servant and back into the pavilion. The King watched, his hands locked together as he began to silently pray for the safety of both his Queen and his child. His eunuch and bodyguard sidled up on either side of him, whispering encouraging words to help ease his anxieties.
After what felt like hours of listening to the doctors and servants yelling encouraging words to the Queen, a shrill yell of agony broke through the night. On the tail end of the scream, a baby’s cry could be heard. The King felt his legs give way and he was held up by his attendants as he laughed in relief. But just before he was allowed to enter his Queen’s chamber, he heard something concerning.
“My Lord! Another one! Another child is pushing through!”
“What?!” the physician yelled, confused. This concerned the King, but since the Queen was still in labor, he was not granted entrance into her chambers. “Bring more linens and fetch Her Majesty’s tonic! Hurry!”
More urging words were given to the Queen as she continued her labor. The tension was so thick in the air that it could be sliced completely in half with a sword. Every so often, an attendant would tap at the sweat collecting on the King’s brow and temple. The storm that threatened to rain down on them continued to make itself known until another young voice pierced through the sky.
The King didn’t bother halting his steps as he all but ran toward the entrance of the Lily Pavilion. He kicked off his boots and his sock-clad feet thundered against the polished wood flooring. Two servants quickly slid the doors open to allow the King to enter the Queen’s chambers. His haggard breathing escalated when he saw his Queen’s complexion was even paler than when he’d last seen her. The servants and physicians quickly moved aside to allow the King to situate himself at her bedside.
“Choon-jung,” he whispered, his hands immediately moving to grasp her own as she reached out to him, “you did very well.”
Tears leaked from her eyes as she smiled weakly up at him. “Cheon-ha,” she managed to croak out, her dark bangs clinging to the sweat on her forehead and cheeks, “forgive your servant for her lack of grace.”
“Nonsense.” He stroked her cheek with as much affection as he could without allowing his emotions to overcome him. “You must rest now, my Queen. It has been a long night.”
“Your grace is immeasurable.” Again, she smiled. For a moment, all they did was look at each other. Finally, she huffed out a breath and craned her neck in different directions. “The Royal Physician?”
“I believe he went to go fetch your tonic, my Queen.” The King watched her nod again. Just as he was about to speak, two maidservants appeared. Each of them were holding thick silk blankets; one gold and the other emerald green. The King’s happy mood slowly grew dour. “Are they princes or princesses?”
The two servants seemed to sense the tone shift in The King’s expression and voice. They both looked at one another before lowering their heads solemnly. When he slammed his hand on the floor, they immediately fell to their knees while cradling the children and prostrating themselves at the Queen’s bedside.
“Forgive us, Your Majesty!”
“My King,” called his Queen, attempting to soothe his ire, “please, you must remain calm.”
“Are they princes or princesses?” He asked the question again through clenched teeth. He would not ask a third time.
One servant lifted her head to meet the King’s harsh gaze, gasping and then dipping it back down again. “F-Forgive your servant’s insolence, Your Majesty,” she stammered, clinging to the emerald blanket for what he could only assume was out of comfort, “they are both healthy princes.”
“Dojin-ah,” the King called, his hand already extended out in waiting. His bodyguard approached and placed a small dagger in the King’s palm. The two servants huddled even closer together as the King stood. “Which of the princes was born first?”
The Queen sat up fully, arms flying outward to cling to the lower half of the King’s robes. “Cheon-ha! I beg you to show mercy!” She tightened her grip on the silk fabric and he could only flash a pained expression as he stared into her fearful eyes. “They are your sons, My King!”
“You know that I cannot do that, Choon-jung,” he replied softly, his brows furrowing, “twin sons will only create turmoil in the Royal court. I do not want my sons fighting over the throne in the future. Nor will I have them be used as tools by any of the noble factions to obtain more power for themselves.”
Tears spilled from the Queen’s eyes and her hands slowly slid from his robes. He knew that she couldn’t argue with him. It wasn’t her place, and even if it were, she had no counterargument to dissuade him with. Reaching down to stroke her cheek, he gave her a silent apology with a mere look. He slowly unsheathed the dagger, his gaze hardening as he looked back at the two maidservants.
“Which of the princes was born first?” he asked again, pointing the tip of the dagger in their direction. “Do not lie to me or I will take your lives from you. Do you understand?”
The girl holding the golden blanket shuffled forward on her knees, holding the child swaddled inside out to the King. “This is the first-born prince, Your Majesty.”
He hummed, turning to face the servant holding the emerald blanket. “Give me the child.” Her head shot up and she turned a frightful gaze to the Queen. For a while, all the Queen could do was avert her gaze. “NOW!” The King’s booming voice shook the young servant girl from her frozen state and she slowly stood to approach the King.
When the child was placed into his arms, the King looked down at the young prince. His hair was jet black and his complexion was a bit red from having been brought into the world finally. The child fought sleep for a few seconds before he blinked up a set of dark, curious eyes at him. The King’s heart skipped a beat when the child sputtered a tiny giggle and smiled at him.
For a moment, the King of Joseon believed he would not be able to do this.
Before he could stop her, the Queen was up on her feet and wrenched the child from his grasp. She stumbled backwards, landing hard on her bedding. Her hair and robes were completely disheveled and her servants were immediately at her side as they began to straighten her appearance as best they could. Clinging to the child, she glared harshly up at the King.
He sighed. “Choon-jung,” he said slowly, his eyes narrowing, “do not do this.”
“I cannot let you kill him!” She pulled the baby up to her cheek and buried her face into the blanket, sobbing openly into it. “I will not let you do it!”
The King hated seeing his beloved Queen in this state. For as long as they’d been married, before he’d even been crowned King of Joseon, he simply wanted to live a fulfilling life with his wife. They’d tried many times over the years to bear children, but to no avail. And now, when they were finally granted a miracle from the Heavens, they were instead cursed with two sons.
He’d never wished for the twins to have been princesses more than in that very moment.
Again, the Queen reached out to cling at his robes. He knew that she was desperate and he wanted nothing more than to grant her every wish she desired. But bloodshed often ran rampant in the palace. It took place when he was a child many years ago. He didn’t want that life for his sons.
“Please, My King! If you must deny this child’s existence, then send him away!” Seeing her tear-stained cheeks upset him and he slowly lowered himself down to her. “Please don’t kill our son. I’m begging you!”
For a long moment, no one said anything. The only sounds that could be heard were the tiny coughs and sleepy sneezes of his sons. Finally, he sighed and lowered the dagger at his side. He could not win against her.
“Very well,” he said, causing her to release another sob; this time from relief.
His bodyguard, Dojin, was about to retrieve the dagger. But before he could get his hands on it, the King shot his arm out to snatch his son out of the Queen’s arms. Before she could stop him, the King brought the dagger’s blade down on the child’s face. Blood wept from the right cheek and the infant screamed in pain. The Queen’s own screams intermingled with the noise and while it hurt his heart to do this, he knew that it had to be done.
He rose to his feet, handing both the dagger and the child to Dojin. “Take him, Dojin-ah. Take him and leave the Capital at once.” His bodyguard blinked, holding the child close to his chest. “You are not allowed to return unless summoned. Do you understand?”
Dojin’s lips parted slightly. “B-But Your Majesty…”
“He is your son now, Dojin-ah.” Reaching into the sleeve of his robe, he pulled out hiding inside of his palm and shoved it into the silk belt wrapped around Dojin’s waist. “When the time comes, give this to him. You will know when.”
He watched his bodyguard and dearest friend frown. “Your Majesty…”
“This is my decree.” The King placed his hands on Dojin’s shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Go. Go now!”
He watched Dojin lower his head sharply and then hastily made his retreat just as the Royal Physician returned. He looked over his shoulder curiously and the King quickly swept his arm out across his body. “The Queen only gave birth to one son. That is what the entire Kingdom will know from this day forward.” His eyes narrowed as the servants and physicians all looked between each other. “If I so much as hear a whisper of anything else within these palace halls, I will bathe the royal gardens with your blood.”
Sharp gasps and hushed whispers were thrown between everyone. The King stomped his foot, commanding for silence. “Am I making myself clear?!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” All the servants lowered themselves, their heads bowed deeply to hide their faces. “Your grace is immeasurable!”
Shadow’s Birthright | MYG
Chapter 02: World Change
Plot: Riding in on thunder and lightning, two princes are born. But a crown cannot be shared. It can only be worn by one and one alone. The hands of man have separated the brothers, allowing one to live in wealth and comfort inside the palace while the other grows up among commoners. But Fate cannot be destroyed by the hands of man. A shared destiny reunites the brothers; one to become a king who descends into madness and the other will rise as a dragon whose journey has only just begun in order to claim a crown he does not desire to have.
Rating: NC-17 // NSFW
Genre: series | historical!au | fantasy!au | angst | romance | drama | tragedy
Pairing: Min Yoongi (Lee Yoon) x Female OC (Kalina Shuri)
Warnings: Historical setting, caste system, magic/sorcery, graphic violence, disturbing graphic images, religious tones, angst, slow burn, eventual smut
Previous Chapters: Prologue 01
Links: FAQ || BTS Masterlist || Admin E’s AO3 || [ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ]
Word Count: 2,297
Tag List: @luxekook, @pinkpjmin, @btsaudge, @flowerwrites06, @stillcopingxx, @taevkimchi, @aroseforyoongi, @vivpurple7, @happilystrongthroughthedark, @sw33tnight, @nikkitane,
AN: I hope everyone is enjoying the series so far. I know I’m getting these chapters out slowly, but I am also updating multiple fics at a time (as I’m sure you’re all aware). Please be patient with me. It will be worth the wait, I promise! If you would like to be added to the tag list, feel free to drop me a line!
P.S. Please bear in mind that while the historical accuracy will be mostly correct, I am setting this in a time period in Joseon history where there was no such thing as a king who had a twin brother. Obviously that’s where the fiction/creative freedom is going to come in. Everything else will be period accurate, trust and believe.
© thebiasrekkers (Admin E). All rights reserved. Reposting/modifying our work is prohibited. Translations are not allowed. Plagiarism/stealing is not tolerated by any means. Legal action will be taken in instances of theft.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi
Yoon glanced over his shoulder, giving both Namgil and Bidam a look for them to remain in the hall with the other servants. They bowed their heads low as two attendants slid open the door to the King’s study, allowing the Crown Prince to enter. Once he crossed the threshold, the door slid closed and his eyes quickly adjusted to the various beams of light that slipped into the room. His father was seated at his dark oak wood desk, multi-colored scrolls and other documents stacked off to one side. He was in deep discussion with a man kneeling at his side. They didn’t appear to notice Yoon - at least not outwardly. But from all his training, the Crown Prince could sense how alert the stranger was despite his relaxed posture.
His eyes narrowed sharply at the man. He looks like a mountain brigand, but clearly he isn’t. Yoon pursed his lips together into a thin line. There is not a single vulnerable opening circling his entire person.
“Seja,” cut his father’s voice through his thoughts. Looking up, he saw the serious expression vacant from the King’s face as he motioned for Yoon to come forward. “Come, Crown Prince. There is someone I want you to meet.”
Bowing his head, he approached his father’s desk. He swiped the front of his robes to the side so he could sit properly. The other man shifted his position so that he was now facing Yoon, though still kneeling on the ground. Yoon trained his eyes on the stranger, denoting the scars on his arms and one near the jaw by his left ear.
“This is my former bodyguard, Min Dojin,” explained the King as he rounded the desk to stand before Yoon, “and also a dear friend of mine. Dojin-ah, this is my son, Crown Prince Injong.”
Raising his brows, Yoon took another look at the man and everything made sense as to why his demeanor seemingly held no weaknesses. He’d heard stories about Dojin from his parents and even the Queen Dowager. There were servants that lived in the palace halls before his birth that also knew his name. The reasons circling his departure from the palace were surrounded in mystery. Bidam whispered tales of Dojin’s accomplishments, swearing that he would become as strong and well-known as the warrior upon his installment to becoming Yoon’s bodyguard.
There were dozens of questions that flooded the Crown Prince’s mind, but he abstained from giving them a voice. Instead, he waited for Dojin to bow his head low to him and, out of general respect, Yoon gave a half bow to the warrior.
“It is an honor, Crown Prince Injong. I was there on the night of your birth and I’m pleased to see how well you have grown up.” Dojin’s voice was deep, rich, and full of sincerity.
Yoon was immediately suspicious. “And I have heard many stories of your heroic exploits, Sir Min.” He smiled. “You will have to take a moment to share them with me while you are in the Capital.”
Dojin’s head remained lowered. “Of course, Your Highness.”
“Abba Mama,” Yoon lifted his face up to peer into the King’s eyes, “you have never summoned me to your study. I can only surmise that the reason is urgent?”
The King chuckled, leaning down to place a hand on his shoulder. “Not so much urgent as it is personal.”
I guessed as much, Yoon thought, mentally restraining his smirk from forming into a sneer. He waited for his father to visually motion toward him before standing. “Is everything alright, Father?”
“Everything is fine, Seja. Fret not.” He unfurled one of the silk scrolls, his eyes roving the parchment, before handing it to Yoon. “It’s time for you to involve yourself with public relations. Are you alright with this, Crown Prince?”
Taking the scroll, he quickly read over the decree before lifting his gaze to meet his father’s eyes. “But Father, this is--”
“Indeed, my Prince, it is.” There was something dancing behind the King’s eyes and Yoon was unsure of what that something was. “You are to depart as soon as a caravan has been formed. I assume you will only need a couple of days to prepare?”
Yoon’s eyes lingered on the scroll for a moment longer before he rolled it up and held it at his side. He bowed his head low. “That is more than enough time, Your Majesty.”
“I’m glad to hear it, Seja,” his father responded. When Yoon lifted his head again, he saw a warm smile decorating his father’s visage. “I am counting on you to do well with this.”
This time, Yoon bowed deeply at the waist, his arm pressed gently against his stomach. “Your Majesty’s grace is immeasurable.”
He waited to be dismissed before pivoting on his heels just as the servants slid the doors open to allow him to enter the hall. Casting a sidelong glance to both his attendant and bodyguard, they lowered their heads. “Let’s go. We have much to prepare.”
They strode through the halls, exiting the main palace and traveling the stone path toward his own palace. Yoon pulled out the scroll and looked over it again, shifting only slightly as he felt Namgil and Bidam pressing against him on both sides. He grunted, speeding up his pace so they didn’t overcrowd him. It took them less than five seconds to do it all over again. Yoon gave up eventually.
“What is your assignment, Crown Prince?” Bidam peered over his shoulder. “And when do we leave?”
“We leave in two days and start preparations immediately.” Yoon rolled the scroll closed and stuffed it back into the confines of his sleeve. “We will depart between the hours of the Tiger and the Rabbit.”
Namgil grimaced. “Heavens above, that early?!”
Yoon was already mentally preparing himself for the journey. “The sooner we begin our journey, the sooner we can handle any obstacles that may impede our path.”
Bidam clutched the sheath of his sword. “Do you anticipate trouble, my Prince?”
A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. “I always anticipate a problem to arise, Bidam-ah.”
While his bodyguard smirked with the idea of traveling and potential excitement being thrown their way, it was Namgil who issued a whine that caused Yoon to loft a brow. “What troubles you, Namgil-ah?”
“Nothing, Your Highness,” he murmured, rubbing at the back of his neck; his dark green robes fluttering as they walked, “I simply worry of what an arduous journey this will be. I have never traveled this far from home.”
“Well, we shall have our fortunes read before we depart,” Yoon replied, pressing a hand to his attendant’s shoulder, “she’s never steered us wrong before.”
“A foreign sorceress only breeds unrest, Your Highness.” The eunuch frowned. “I worry that she will one day take advantage of your trust and kindness.”
Scoffing, Bidam shrugged as he folded his arms across his chest. “It’s almost harrowing how accurate she is.” He looked to Yoon as they entered the archway of the Crown Prince’s palace. “Foresight aside, is she as powerful as the rumors say she is?”
“My father has always followed her guidance and has never been wrong. She’s been sincere with me and her affections are genuine.” Yoon paused, staring into the lake where the koi fish swam beneath the lotus blossoms. His eyes narrowed a fraction. “Kalina would never betray me.”
There was a distinct tension in the air that placed all of his entourage into silence. Some of the servants in the back were afraid to even breathe. After what felt like a handful of minutes, Yoon moved toward the entrance of his palace, stepping out of his shoes as two servant girls slid open the doors for him immediately. Crossing the room, he flung his robes back before falling into a seated position on the silk cushion situated behind his desk.
“Have a messenger fetch Kalina immediately.” Yoon rested his hands on his knees. “I believe she is due back from her travels any day now.”
“Yes, Crown Prince. Right away!” Namgil motioned to another young eunuch who immediately departed to do as he was told.
Yoon placed the scroll on his desk, unfurling it so that he could see the assignment given to him by his father. He would be traveling to Ming to speak with the Emperor himself. As he surmised, tensions between Ming and Japan were escalating. His duty was to play the liaison, creating a compromise that would benefit Joseon in the midst of an impending crisis.
A dark smirk played on his lips. He would give him no quarter.
Pulling out one of the drawers in his desk, he picked up the handcrafted pearl hairpin that he commissioned to have made from one of the palace’s royal artisans. The end was carved to look like a lotus blossom, the iridescent shine to the ornament granting it an otherworldly glow.
Kalina, he thought, curling his fingers over the rod of the hairpin, how I long to have you in my arms again…
“I wish you would cease your squirming, Young Master. You are only making this ordeal take longer than it should.”
Yoongi frowned as he felt Kali’s slender fingers combing through his hair. He waited for her to finish taking measurements, then watched her remove a set of shears from her bag. He glared back at his reflection in the mirror as she began cutting his hair.
“I have to be the only man in all of Joseon whose hair is this short.” He saw Kali toss him a pointed look into the mirror as he gazed into it. “You know it to be true.”
She sighed and shook her head, part of her raven hair falling about her shoulders in waves while the rest remained pinned up to the side. “I am simply doing what I have been told, Young Master. You are only delaying the inevitable.”
Groaning, he could only watch as his hair fell in small clumps around his knees. Before Kali entered their lives, his own father would cut his hair - ensuring that it was short, around his ears, and never long enough to be pulled into any kind of braid or top knot. As if the scar on Yoongi’s face wasn’t jarring enough, his own hairstyle stood out among the crowds in even their small village.
“I wish you would stop calling me that.” Kali paused her motions, her malachite eyes gazing back at Yoongi’s reflection. “I am no noble. There’s no need to call me Young Master, Kali-ssi.”
For a moment, all she did was stare at him through the mirror’s reflection. Her green eyes were a stark contrast to his own darker brown tones, but that wasn’t the only thing entrancing about her. Kali’s skin was brown, like fresh earth kissed by the rays of morning, and her heart-shaped face was perfectly symmetrical. Yoongi studied face reading for a time and he knew that everything from the arch of her brows to the cupid’s bow lips needled at perfection. Kali was a foreigner from the West, her homeland spanning deserts and forests and wild animals. Nestled beneath her exotic perfection was a wealth of power that Yoongi could never hope to begin to understand.
Kali was a foreigner. She was also a sorceress.
Yoongi loved every single square inch of her and beyond.
The troubling part was how he never had the heart to voice his feelings aloud. To himself or to her. Because he was a nobody and while Kali rarely spoke of her own personal affairs, he knew that he was far beneath her.
Suddenly, he felt Kali’s cheek press against his temple, her nails gently gliding along the back of his head and down the column of his neck. His heart thundered in his chest immediately.
“K-Kali-ssi,” he stammered, her hands gliding through his cropped hair to rid it of loose tendrils, “what’s wrong?” She was only ever this hands on when she felt she had to tell him something.
“Sweet Yoongi,” she gently framed his face with her hands, “sometimes I think you are too good for this world.”
Yoongi blinked into her green eyes, entranced by them. “What do you mean?”
“When I think about the road you will travel, it hurts my heart so terribly.” Kali’s brows furrowed and a soft sheen appeared in her eyes. “You are the shadow that deserves the light. It is your destiny and I wish that I could take you far away from it.”
He felt confusion swirling inside of his chest. Kali often spoke like this from time to time. But in all the years he’d known her, he could not remember a time when it sounded so ominous. Yoongi learned, however, never to press her too hard in her cryptic words. The response was almost always damaging, both to her and the area around her.
Feeling his body moving, he gasped when his cheek was pressed against her chest. Kali’s arms wrapped themselves around him, as if protecting him from some unknown force. He felt her chin fall atop the crown of his head and all he could do was cradle her elbow as the sound of her heartbeat reverberated in his ears.
Something is troubling her greatly, he thought, his fingers pressing into the silk sleeves of her robe, and there is nothing I can do to ease her mind.
Her arms pulled him just a little bit closer to her and Yoongi reminded himself to breathe.
“The tiger walks proudly in the sunlight. His ambition and arrogance will harm those whom he is meant to protect. But his unquenchable thirst will place him on the path to madness.” Kali’s voice sounded so far away. “When the tiger loses itself to madness is when you will step out from the shadows.”
Yoongi swallowed the lump in his throat. She was in that place she often went to. That place he didn’t understand. The Veil was what she called it.
Her voice made his ears ring and he closed his eyes tightly. “Kali-ssi, I don’t understand what--”
“This tiger is you, but not you. You will face him and be forced to make a choice. Whichever choice you make will cause you great pain. You cannot avoid it.” She pulled back, once again framing his face in her palms and forcing him to look into her hypnotic eyes. “But you, Young Master, the one raised in the ditch, will soar from the earth as a grand dragon.”
His eyes widened as all moisture vacated his mouth. What she was insinuating was madness by itself. The tiger’s insanity was a minor thing compared to the heresy spilling from Kali’s lips. She may have been a foreigner and a sorceress, but if anyone else heard her utter such prophecies, she would be killed immediately.
“You mustn’t say such things,” desperation seeped from Yoongi’s throat. His hands trembled as he gripped onto her wrists. “Your words are outrageous and will get you beheaded!”
Kali’s eyes narrowed and she peered deep into his own umber tones. “I speak only the truth, Young Master. Those who fear the truth merely delude themselves into believing they can escape it. The paths of destiny were forged long before you or I were born into this world.”
Yoongi shook his head roughly back and forth. Tears leaked from his eyes as he all but threw himself into Kali’s arms. If what she spoke was, indeed, the truth, then he wanted to live a lie. He wanted to find a way to escape that truth and bask in the greatest lie that could ever be told.
Again, the sorceress placed comforting arms around his shoulders, rubbing soothing circles on his back. She hummed softly, a tune he was unfamiliar with but one that calmed his rattling nerves. He felt like a child being comforted by a mother, but also like a man who was receiving a lover’s caress to chase the darkness away.
“Have no fear, my gentle Young Master.” Kali smiled and petted the back of his head. “You will not have to face this mad tiger. Not yet. When the people cry tears of blood, when they wail to the heavens for salvation? That will be the time when you must face this tiger.”
He was confused. He didn’t understand why it had to be him. He was nothing. He was nobody. All Yoongi could do was pray that Kali was seeing a possible future. One that would never come to pass.
“I will protect you. I, Shuri Kalina, will protect you with everything that I am.” She pressed a kiss to his temple and he breathed in her scent of nutmeg and jasmines. “I promise you, sweet dragon.”
Yoongi sobbed. It was a sob that he could no longer suppress. Because he understood the weight of her words; the true meaning behind them. Kali, the woman who seemingly never aged in all the years he’d known her, was making a declaration to him. A bold one, at that. One that he could not even pray to have been a lie. There was so much truth in her words that it hurt to listen to them. But he had no choice but to hear her proclamation to him.
Not as a woman to a man. But as a servant to their master.
AN: For those who are curious, a couple of things to note. Crown Princes have the name they are born with and a "rank/title" name. This is considered a "disciple" name that is acknowledged and referenced by others in historical records. In this case, Lee Yoon's Crown Prince "name" is Injong. Also, it was also common for "time" to be labeled using the Zodiac Calendar or the Chinese Calendar. So each zodiac animal is used for the twelve hour marks - 2 hours for every hour.
Shadow’s Birthright | MYG
Chapter 07: Oblivion
Plot: Riding in on thunder and lightning, two princes are born. But a crown cannot be shared. It can only be worn by one and one alone. The hands of man have separated the brothers, allowing one to live in wealth and comfort inside the palace while the other grows up among commoners. But Fate cannot be destroyed by the hands of man. A shared destiny reunites the brothers; one to become a king who descends into madness and the other will rise as a dragon whose journey has only just begun in order to claim a crown he does not desire to have.
Rating: NC-17 // NSFW
Genre: series | historical!au | fantasy!au | angst | romance | drama | tragedy
Pairing: Min Yoongi (Lee Yoon) x Female OC (Kalina Shuri)
Warnings: Historical setting, caste system, magic/sorcery, graphic violence, disturbing graphic images, religious tones, angst, slow burn, smut
Previous Chapters: Prologue 01 02 03 04 05 06
Links: FAQ || BTS Masterlist || Admin E’s AO3 || [ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ]
Word Count: 2,414
Tag List: @luxekook, @pinkpjmin, @btsaudge, @flowerwrites06, @stillcopingxx, @taevkimchi, @aroseforyoongi, @vivpurple7, @happilystrongthroughthedark, @sw33tnight, @nikkitane, @mini-coop25, @shrimpmsg, @ggukkieland @hobigif-ficrecs
AN: Hmmm...the plot thickens... Yeah, I have nothing else haha. Enjoy? Love me? All of the above?
P.S. Please bear in mind that while the historical accuracy will be mostly correct, I am setting this in a time period in Joseon history where there was no such thing as a king who had a twin brother. Obviously that’s where the fiction/creative freedom is going to come in. Everything else will be period accurate, trust and believe.
© thebiasrekkers (Admin E). All rights reserved. Reposting/modifying our work is prohibited. Translations are not allowed. Plagiarism/stealing is not tolerated by any means. Legal action will be taken in instances of theft.
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” - Oscar Wilde
“Cheers!”
Everyone knocked their wooden bowls together, causing some of the rice wine to spill from the brim. Hearty laughter and the overall bustle of the market served as the ambient backdrop to celebration. Yoongi waited for the other troupe members to drink before pressing his own lips against his bowl. The wine was sweet and went down smoothe, filling his chest and stomach with a warm feeling.
Bowls of food were passed around and chatter quickly filled the absence of words in the middle of slurping down alcohol. A small measure of pride filled Yoongi’s heart as he watched his friends wrap their arms around each other, singing songs as they continued to fill their empty bowls. It was the first time he’d felt a sense of true accomplishment in his life. In terms of work, he contributed little. But the success was shared by all; the true feeling permeating throughout the group.
When morning came, he hoped this feeling would remain with him.
But even amid all the celebration, Yoongi couldn’t shake the confusion that nestled itself deep within his heart. He hadn’t made any mistakes, but he almost did. That very moment when he faced the Royal Banquet table. The image shocked him to his core and he could only stand there frozen. How could he not?
Who would be able to think properly after seeing their own face staring back at them?
Yoongi wasn’t mistaken. Except for the lack of a scar on his face, the Crown Prince looked identical to him! But how was that possible? His father never mentioned that he had a brother. He assumed that he was the only child of his mother after she passed away. He’d heard tales of doppelgangers existing in the world, but those were just myths. None of it was real.
Unless there was something his father failed to mention to him, he had no other choice but to believe in said myths. Yet an even more disturbing question plagued the back of Yoongi’s mind. One he didn’t want to give voice to. But it was the only query that made sense.
After all, it was impossible for a doppelganger to be attached to the Royal Family.
He narrowed his eyes as he stared down into the empty bowl in his hand. ...does that make me the imposter?
He felt his body tip over slightly as Jungkook all but threw himself against Yoongi. He blinked, watching as his friend grabbed the wine jug to pour him another drink. “Hyung-nim, let me pour you a drink in your honor!”
Yoongi scoffed as his bowl was taken from him. Jungkook nearly reeked of wine. It was a miracle he could hold the wine jug and bowl in his hands as steady as he was. “The honor isn’t mine alone, you know?”
“Nonsense!” Hoseok sputtered a laugh, waving a cooked chicken leg in his hand. “We would’ve been in real trouble if you hadn’t stepped in for us when you did, Hyung-nim!”
Jimin drained his bowl of wine as the tavern owner reappeared with another jug of wine. “He’s right. The performance went as well as it did because you practiced so hard.”
A slight warmth touched Yoongi’s cheeks and he scratched at the back of his neck, feeling a little embarrassed. He didn’t think what he did was all that great. He just rehearsed the lines given to him and practiced the choreography that Hoseok taught him. All the credit belonged to the troupe. He was just happy to be able to fulfil his end of the skit to the best of his ability.
“Though I must admit…” Taehyung lifted his wine bowl up to his face. “...something’s been bothering me.”
Everyone turned to look at Taehyung. He took a sip of wine, his eyes zeroing in on Yoongi’s face. The straw hat Jimin gave him was draped along his back, the string beads pressing against his throat. Yoongi shifted his gaze between each of his friends. Clearly there was something weighing on their minds. Only a blind man wouldn’t have been curious.
Namjoon spoke first.
“Hyung-nim?” He scratched at the hair beneath his headband. “Did you see it too?”
Yoongi remained silent. There were a lot of things he’d seen. That didn’t mean they all saw the same thing. He refused to speak on the matter that was currently plaguing his mind.
Suddenly, Seokjin was in his line of sight - practically touching nose to nose with him. Yoongi leaned back as far as he could, feeling uncomfortable at how abrupt his friend’s actions were. But instead of giving him space, Seokjin leaned closer - clasping his cheeks between his palms. Blinking wildly, Yoongi sputtered and tried to break free of Seokjin’s hold.
“W-What do you think you’re doing?”
“You both have the same face.” His friend’s eyes narrowed. “Except for the lack of a scar, your faces are exactly the same.”
It was like ice cold water from a well was dropped on top of him. Yoongi’s lips parted and, again, he tried to break away from Seokjin. Feeling his friend’s fingers digging into his cheeks, he knew there was no chance of escape. Instead, he lifted his gaze to the others and saw they were all thinking the same thing. Peering at him curiously, Yoongi felt a sense of dismay circulating inside of his chest. He was hoping that he was only imagining things. He prayed that it was just a trick of the light, or the last dregs of wine in his system from their pre-performance celebrations.
After what felt like a small lifetime, Seokjin let Yoongi go and the table was unusually quiet. Normally this was the time for Jungkook to chime in with some stupid joke. Or he’d perform some silly act to get everyone to laugh. But as he stared into his friends’ eyes, Yoongi realized just how heavy the atmosphere was.
Pressing his fingers into his forehead, he sighed. “I...I know.” It was the only answer Yoongi could give.
Taehyung reached across the table to grasp his wrist. “Hey, we know you might be feeling a bit strange.” He chuckled. “It’s a little weird for us and it’s not even our problem.”
Hoseok hummed to himself, folding his arms across his chest. “I would say it’s a wonder that you went this long without realizing it. But considering where you live and whose face you share, I’m not all that surprised.”
“What do you mean?” Jimin asked the question before Yoongi could.
Everyone peered at Hoseok, waiting for his reply. Had he managed to put one of the pieces of the puzzle down?
“Think about it.” He clasped his hand against the side of his neck. “Hyung-nim spent most of his life in the mountains. Away from the Crown City.” They all nodded. “And commoners don’t really get a chance to see the Royal family’s faces all that often. Even if they did, they wouldn’t know it.”
“Hoseok’s right,” chimed Namjoon, his brows furrowing, “and Yoongi Hyung-nim was just as surprised as the rest of us were.” He met Yoongi’s eyes. “Your father never mentioned anything to you? Not once?”
Yoongi’s immediate urge was to scoff, but even that action was lodged in his throat. He shook his head. “No. Nothing.”
He recalled Kali’s words and everything was horrifyingly clear. And now he understood why his father kept him from venturing out to the Crown City. Feeling a cold sweat form on his brow, Yoongi reached for the wine jug and began pouring more into his bowl. In that moment, he felt like the only thing he could do to chase this knowledge from his mind was to drown it completely in alcohol. Trembling hands lifted the bowl to his face and he swallowed the wine in three gulps.
Jimin grasped for his hands, pulling the bowl and jug away from him. “Slow down, Hyung-nim!” He frowned. “You’ll make yourself sick!”
“Leave me alone! Let me get drunk, would you?!” Yoongi slammed his fists down on the table, forcing all the clayware to bounce up. Wooden spoons and chopsticks clattered to the ground, causing a few of the patrons to hush their conversations to determine where the ruckus was coming from. “I don’t know what the hell is going on! If I did, don’t you think I’d tell you guys?” He buried his face into his hands, feeling his fringe tickling the backs of his knuckles. “I don’t know how I’d even begin asking my father about this.”
Getting caned over traveling to the Crown City was the least of his concerns.
“Then why don’t we get the answers ourselves?”
All eyes were on Taehyung as he flashed his boxy smile at them. Yoongi sputtered a laugh and he wasn’t sure if he was drunk or not. There was no way he heard him right.
“Come again?” Hoseok settled his hands onto his hips. “You want to do what?”
Scoffing, Taehyung canted his head slightly. “We’re actors, guys. Getting into the palace is a simple thing.”
“Simple in what way, Taehyung-ah?” Jimin gave an erratic gesture. “Don’t you know how heavy security is at the palace?”
“We don’t even have our passes anymore.” Namjoon tossed a bit of mackerel into his mouth. “We can’t just come and go as we please.”
The sly look that painted Taehyung’s features gave everyone pause. He reached into his tunic, fished around, and pulled out the item within. Dangling from a silk cord was a rectangular block carved from jade. Etched and inked on one side were characters in a language Yoongi knew most at the table couldn’t read. But he could. He recognized it for what it was. Yoongi nearly jumped from his seat, the table stopping him as his knees crashed into it. Everyone slapped their hands on the surface to keep it from toppling over.
“Have you gone insane, Taehyung-ah?!” Yoongi hissed as he rubbed his knees. “Where did you even get that?!”
Taehyung twirled the jade pass on his index finger, catching the block in his palm as he leaned forward. “Would you believe me if I told you I found it?”
“Yeah, right.” Seokjin smirked. “And I’m King Jumong of Goguryeo's reincarnated spirit.”
“Well, I did,” Taehyung said, ignoring Seokjin’s sarcasm, “and since I know we have a replica of a similar pass in our props, it won’t be difficult to get back into the palace.” He smirked. “But we’ll only have one chance to do this. Whatever information we can get, we have to do it all tonight.”
Yoongi’s chest hurt with how hard his heart was thundering against it. This was crazy. If any of them got caught, they’d be thrown in prison. Or worse: executed. But it would be a lie if he didn’t yearn for answers to the hundreds of thousands of questions circulating inside of his head. Why did the Crown Prince look exactly like him? Had his father known the reason behind it? And if so, who was the Crown Prince to him? Was Yoongi living the life he was always meant to, or was the Crown Prince?
Where, exactly, was Yoongi supposed to be?
“I’m going.”
Namjoon shook his head roughly. “No. That’s out of the question, Hyung-nim.”
He cut his eyes at him. “Why not?”
Hoseok hung his head. “Come on, Hyung-nim. Isn’t it obvious?” He gave a small smile. “Your face kinda sticks out a bit, don’t you think?”
Yoongi was aggravated. He didn’t want to be stuck depending on his friends to find the answers for him. They were going to willingly throw themselves into the flames just to sate his curiosities? He couldn’t very well ask them to do that. Not for him.
Jimn must have read his expression because he placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “It’s alright, Hyung-nim. We’re happy to do it.” He smiled, closing his eyes as he laughed. “We’re friends, right?”
Biting down on his lower lip, Yoongi felt his shoulders sag a bit. “Of course we are, but that doesn’t mean I’m comfortable with putting you all in danger.”
“Look, I know we’re all a little drunk, but let’s go ahead and map this out.” Namjoon reached into his satchel and pulled out a bit of paper and a small ink brush. He spread the paper out across the table so everyone could look at it. “Nobody ask me how I got my hands on this. I’m taking it to my grave.”
“How much did this even cost you?” Hoseok looked down at the map and then back up at Namjoon. Yoongi was just as curious.
Namjoon dipped the brush into a small ink block. “You don’t want to know. Every time I think about it, my eyes get watery.”
“Leave it to you to have this, Hyung-nim.” Jungkook’s expression was mischievous. “Don’t tell me you were planning on doing something criminal, hm?”
“Just having it is a crime!” Seokjin laughed as he covered his eyes. “I cannot believe this is happening.”
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Taehyung leaned forward, the excitement clear in his eyes. “So who’s going with me?”
“I am.” Jimin narrowed his eyes. “Mostly because I don’t trust you to stay out of trouble.”
He puffed one side of his cheek out and Yoongi smiled. “That’s harsh, even for you.”
Closing his eyes, Jimin turned his face away in defiance. “And because it was your idea to indulge in this madness, you’re wearing the dress.”
Taehyung balked, his jaw nearly hitting the table. “W-What?! That’s nonsense!” He pointed at Jimin. “I’ve already worn a dress once today! I’m not doing it again.” He put on a devilish smile. “Besides, you look more girly than I do. You should wear the dress!”
Jimin grabbed him by the wrist and twisted his arm behind his back. Yoongi reached out to stop him, but Namjoon prevented him from doing so. When he looked back at him, he smiled and shook his head while Taehyung continued to whine and gripe about the pain he was in. Once Taehyung gave in to Jimin’s “methods of persuasion”, everyone quickly crowded around the map. The hardest thing wasn’t getting into the palace. That would be easy.
Yoongi was more worried about how they were going to manage to get out. And do so in one piece.
Shadow’s Birthright | MYG
Chapter 8: Another Today
Plot: Riding in on thunder and lightning, two princes are born. But a crown cannot be shared. It can only be worn by one and one alone. The hands of man have separated the brothers, allowing one to live in wealth and comfort inside the palace while the other grows up among commoners. But Fate cannot be destroyed by the hands of man. A shared destiny reunites the brothers; one to become a king who descends into madness and the other will rise as a dragon whose journey has only just begun in order to claim a crown he does not desire to have.
Rating: NC-17 // NSFW
Genre: series | historical!au | fantasy!au | angst | romance | drama | tragedy
Pairing: Min Yoongi (Lee Yoon) x Female OC (Kalina Shuri)
Warnings: Historical setting, caste system, magic/sorcery, graphic violence, disturbing graphic images, religious tones, angst, slow burn, smut
Previous Chapters: Prologue 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
Links: FAQ || BTS Masterlist || Admin E’s AO3 || [ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ]
Word Count: 3.271
Tag List: @luxekook, @pinkpjmin, @btsaudge, @flowerwrites06, @stillcopingxx, @taevkimchi, @aroseforyoongi, @vivpurple7, @happilystrongthroughthedark, @sw33tnight, @nikkitane, @mini-coop25, @shrimpmsg, @ggukkieland @hobigif-ficrecs
AN: I really don’t know what else to say in these notes anymore lol. So just enjoy the ride!
P.S. Please bear in mind that while the historical accuracy will be mostly correct, I am setting this in a time period in Joseon history where there was no such thing as a king who had a twin brother. Obviously that’s where the fiction/creative freedom is going to come in. Everything else will be period accurate, trust and believe.
© thebiasrekkers (Admin E). All rights reserved. Reposting/modifying our work is prohibited. Translations are not allowed. Plagiarism/stealing is not tolerated by any means. Legal action will be taken in instances of theft.
“On today’s long road, even if I fall, I will walk again.” - Jung Jaeil
Few words were spoken between the Crown Princess and himself. Yoon didn’t mind. He preferred the quiet. It gave him time to mull over thoughts that circulated inside of his head. The expedition to Ming would not be a short one. He anticipated that he would be gone for a month. Maybe longer, depending on how things panned out as he fulfilled his duties as Joseon’s liaison. He wasn’t expecting anything problematic, but he wasn’t planning for everything to go smoothly either. Anyone could make an attempt on his life at any time. Worse, he could wind up as a hostage in Ming in order to twist his father’s arm to obtain whatever they wished and on their terms.
Yoon certainly wasn’t about to let that transpire. Not while he was still breathing.
“I’m happy you enjoyed the banquet, Cheo-ha.” The Crown Princess’s voice interrupted his thoughts and he turned to look at her, seeing the gentle smile on her face.
He reached out to take her hand in his and he watched a soft flush crown her cheeks. “I think it’s more important that you enjoyed yourself, Ping-goon.”
She nodded, making sure to match his pace as they walked through the palace. Their attendants followed closely, but were far enough away to give them some semblance of privacy. They continued to walk in companionable silence until they reached a bridge. Pausing for a moment, they peered over the edge to view the lake as it showcased the moon’s pale reflection.
Thoughts of Kalina lingered in the back of Yoon’s mind. He wanted to be able to see her before he made his long journey. There was a greedy and gluttonous part of him that yearned to be able to feel her soft skin beneath his palms once more. But he knew what kind of person the sorceress was. She’d indulged him once and wished him a safe journey. That would be all she would spare; even for him.
He hated that he couldn’t tether her to his person at all times.
“Forgive me for asking...” Chae-Ok lifted her face as he looked at her. “...will Your Highness stay with me in Magnolia Pavilion tonight?”
There was an unmistakable look of pining etched on her features. Yoon’s brows furrowed and he felt the Crown Princess’s hand gripping his own just a little harder. He didn’t pull away. Instead, he waited for her to continue.
She averted her gaze. “Please allow me to serve you.”
Again, silence. Yoon heard his heart slightly thumping in his ears. It was rare for Chae-Ok to be so forward. But there was also the duty that she had as a Crown Princess. She had to produce an heir in order to bring security to the royal household. As many times as they tried, they were unsuccessful. The royal physicians said she was healthy so there was no issue with her being able to bear children. The problem was most likely due to stress and timing.
Yoon’s own heart was an issue as well. It wasn’t that his wife lacked the ability to satisfy him. Basic male urges were something that could easily be sated. It wasn’t like with women who, more often than not, needed to have an emotional connection with the person they shared a bed with. But even Yoon secretly held himself back when he laid with his wife.
Was it because he wasn’t ready to be a father yet? Or to have the responsibilities that came with being a parent? He still felt so out of touch with the world and there was much that he needed to learn. He felt so inferior to his father and while the ministers in the court respected Yoon, he knew it was simply because of his title. That type of loyalty had a weak foundation and would crumble under his feet if he wasn’t careful.
Smiling, he reached out to pull Chae-Ok into his arms. She gasped, pressing her palms against his chest. Yoon rested his cheek along the side of her temple, breathing in the fragrant scent of rose petals.
“Of course, Ping-goon,” he whispered, feeling her fingers curling into the front of his robes. Yoon chuckled when he thought he heard her smothering a sob. Patting her back, he pulled her even closer to him. “Forgive me, Crown Princess. I haven’t been very attentive to you, have I?”
She rapidly shook her head back and forth and he chuckled. “That’s not true, Crown Prince! I know how busy you have been with your studies and duties within the palace. What right do I have to complain?”
Pulling back, he cupped her cheeks in his palms and lifted her face up so he could see the pink tinting her cheeks. When two tears leaked from her eyes, Yoon used his thumbs to sweep them away. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, sighing softly against her skin.
“You have every right to complain. And you should.” He clasped the back of her neck, tilting her face upward again. “Tell me your worries and share your burdens with me.”
Yoon felt her trembling beneath his hands. “C-Cheo-ha…”
He smiled again, his shoulders relaxing a measure. “And when I return, you can continue to do so.”
Chae-Ok smiled, her lower lip quivering slightly as she nodded. They grasped hands once more, their destination within the palace set. While he knew that he could not give her his entire heart, he wanted to be fair. Yoon wouldn’t deny her what little of himself he could give.
He owed her that much at least.
Jimin pressed his body against the wall, his spine tense as his muscles seemed to coil - ready to spring into action should the need arise. Internally, he was hating every second of this. If one thing went wrong, they were going to be thrown into the palace jail immediately. And that was if they were lucky. If fortune decided not to favor the brave this evening, they would be tortured and killed before the rooster crowed.
But as much as he hated to admit it, Taehyung’s little ruse seemed to have worked.
Much to his chagrin, Taehyung opted to dress as one of the palace maidservants. Jimin donned the robes and role of a palace eunuch. As long as they didn’t draw too much attention to themselves, they would be able to move in and out of the palace without much constraint. The number of servants within the palace walls was almost too much for any person to truly fathom. Hence why passes and records were kept. But at night, there were fewer servants wandering since most hated the night watch schedule.
That didn’t make Jimin’s anxieties any less, however.
The sudden sound of hurried footsteps brought Jimin to full alert. His eyes narrowed when he saw Taehyung running with his skirts hiked up all the way to his waist. They both huddled down behind the bushes where they wouldn’t be seen.
“I’m glad you were smart enough not to run around with a lamp.”
Taehyung rolled his eyes as he bunched up the skirts around his thighs so he could squat more comfortably. “I’m not an idiot, Hyung-nim.” He smirked, then pointed at the sky. “Besides, the moon is really bright tonight. I don’t need one. The gods are blessing our little excursion.”
“Or cursing it.” Jimin frowned as he pulled the map Namjoon gave him out from the confines of his robes. “Were you able to find out anything?”
“No, not too much.” He leaned forward a bit. “Though there’s a rumor going around that the king’s special guest is here.”
“Special guest?” Jimin lofted a brow. “What kind of special guest?”
Taehyung folded his arms across his chest. “Apparently he’s an old friend of the king.” He shifted his gaze down at the map, but Jimin knew he wasn’t actually looking at it. “I also heard that he was His Majesty’s former bodyguard.”
“How far up in rank was he?”
“He wasn’t just a bodyguard.” Taehyung met Jimin’s gaze. “He was the bodyguard. Like, his former Commander.”
Jimin hummed to himself as he rested his elbows on his knees. “Any reason why he would be here?”
Taehyung shook his head. “No. But I heard from some of the servants that he comes to visit every few years. He doesn’t stay for very long, but their chats are usually pretty private.” He frowned. “The king even dismisses most of his staff when he comes by. That’s pretty suspicious, don’t you agree?”
Nodding, Jimin quickly glanced over the map to gauge their current surroundings. He pointed to one spot. “Well, we’re not too far from the King’s palace. The problem is blending in well enough to not get noticed by the other servants.”
“I figured you would want to get closer.” He saw the triumphant smirk spreading over Taehyung’s features. “I already paid off a eunuch and maidservant to let us take their shift for a few hours. They also serve at the king’s palace.”
Narrowing his eyes, he sucked in air through his teeth. “...I’m not even going to ask you how you managed to get away with that.” Jimin cuffed the side of his head. “We’re not going to be staying around that long, you fool!”
Taehyung whined as he rubbed his scalp. “C’mon, it’s all I could manage, alright?” He quickly craned his neck back and forth. “But we need to go now. I told them we’d relieve them in the next half hour.”
“Dammit, Taehyung-ah! We’re not that close to the King’s palace right now!”
Jimin quickly folded the map and stuffed it back into his robes. They both stood up, making haste across the stone pathways. They had to be swift and careful. If any palace guards thought they looked suspicious, they would have to make a hasty exit and run for their very lives.
Dojin smirked as he watched the King puzzle over what move to make next in their game of Go. There were times when he would let the King win, simply in the name of their old friendship. Other times, he would opt to wipe the board with his pieces - trapping his friend and giving him no room to escape. The King claimed he was a ruthless strategist, to which Dojin often took it as a compliment. He was able to keep the King safe within the palace walls thanks to his strategies. He was offered the position of Grand General once, but Dojin promptly turned it down. If there ever came a time for war, he wanted to be at the King’s side - not on the battlefield.
As much as he missed his duties, Dojin enjoyed the quiet mountain life he currently lived. He did hard manual labor at the docks to help bring in a decent income and to keep his body hardened. The King and Queen both sent him monthly stipends to get by, enabling him to amass a small fortune. It was something he wasn’t really used to having and, personally, he could do without it.
But the hard truth was that raising an infant wasn’t easy. Raising an infant without a wet nurse or any motherly figure in the picture was an absolutely daunting task. The first few years were, of course, difficult. When he knew weaning Yoongi on rice water wasn’t going to cut it, he had a woman in a small village help him since she’d just given birth and had milk to spare. He spun some story about his wife dying in childbirth.
That was when Dojin discovered that the village was remote, but self-sustainable. The mountain was his to claim and he built his current house at the highest he would dare without hurting the infant’s lungs from the high altitude. It was the beginning of a very long but fruitful relationship between himself and the young prince.
“You are terrible, Dojin-ah.”
The King’s voice cut through his inner musings. He smirked as he watched him mulling over which move to make next. Dojin knew if he was able to predict his strategy, he would be able to get out of the pit he was currently in. But if he didn’t, then it was game over. Again.
Dojin chuckled as he folded his arms across his chest. “Didn’t you always tell me to be relentless in these sorts of games, Your Majesty?”
“Yes, but this is unnecessary.” He watched the King snort, scratching at his beard. “I should be thankful that we’re friends. I shudder to think what would happen if we were enemies.”
“If we were enemies, Your Majesty, I would never have left your side.”
The King’s eyes lifted from the board to meet his own. “Why do you say that?”
Reaching for the teacup, he took a small sip. “Because the smartest strategy is to keep one’s enemies closer, is it not?”
“You jest far too much, my old friend.” The King lifted up one of the white pieces, slapping it down onto the board as he flashed a victorious smile. “Take that!”
Dojin hummed as he surveyed the board, approving the King’s move. He managed to wiggle out of his pincer hold. But it wouldn’t last. Sadly, he’d managed to leave his flank unprotected.
Instead of attacking mercilessly, Dojin continued to drink his tea. It was getting later into the evening and he needed to set off for home at first light. Well, after acquiring a few provisions. He’d left Yoongi alone and while he knew the young prince could more than take care of himself, the parent in him wanted to be able to provide a decent meal and some new clothes. Kali would take care of keeping his hair trimmed short and if he needed entertainment, his friends in the village would amply provide.
“Are you faring well financially, Dojin-ah?”
Humming, he set his cup down. “Of course, Your Majesty.”
“And Yoongi? Does the prince need anything?”
A lump formed in his throat. He wasn’t sure how to answer that question. Did he need anything? There were plenty of things he knew Yoongi needed. He needed to be able to live a life where he could walk freely in the streets of Joseon without worrying about someone noticing him. He needed to take comfort in knowing that he had a family, one outside of Dojin, that loved him and missed him greatly. He needed a mother’s comforting embrace.
There were plenty of things that Yoongi needed and wanted. But that didn’t mean that he would be able to receive these said needs. It all stemmed from his birth, his origins, and the curse that currently branded his face.
The very scar that his own father, the King, gave him.
Dojin lowered his head respectfully. “There are many things he needs, Your Majesty. Things that I cannot provide him.” He sighed, lifting his head. “I may have raised him and I do consider him my own son. But the truth, Your Majesty, is that I cannot give him everything he needs. That is out of my hands.”
He saw the pained expression forming on the King’s face. He hadn’t meant to reopen a wound that he knew wasn’t properly healed. Dojin knew that throwing Yoongi aside was the most torturous thing the King could have done. Anyone could see it. But for the sake of maintaining peace in the royal household, the King did what he felt he must to secure the hearts and minds of those inside the palace. Twin births equated to possible bloodshed. It would not be the princes’ faults. Blame would be placed at the Noble Factions who attempted to control the princes - pulling one in a direction and dragging the other into another.
“You know that I would want nothing more than to bring him back into the palace.” The King pressed his fingers into his temple. “He is my son. Nothing will change that. But I can’t have the Royal Court in an uproar over it.” He sighed, a tired look painting over his features. “His very existence is problematic. I have faith in the Crown Prince’s abilities and I admire his ambition. But the minute any of the other Noble Factions discover there is another prince with the right to the throne…” The King’s brows furrowed as he curled his hand into a fist at his knee. “Dojin-ah, you’ve seen it for yourself. You’ve seen what this palace looks like when there is turmoil in the Royal Household. I don’t wish that for my children.”
Dojin sighed, giving a solemn nod. “I know, Your Majesty. I know. I just hope that he’ll learn the truth one day...and figure out a way to cope with it.” His lips formed into what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “You know, you could always come and see him yourself. It wouldn’t be your first time traveling incognito.”
The King chuckled. “I dare not without the Queen.”
“Bring her along, Your Majesty.” Dojin saw the surprise reflected in the King’s eyes. “I think he at least deserves to see the woman who brought him into this world, don’t you?”
It was hard to gauge the King’s thoughts at that moment. And there wasn’t a lot of time for him to process it. Because there was a slight disturbance in the hall. Nothing noticeable by any normal person’s ears. But for Dojin, a man who trained in martial arts since he was a child, who spent years honing his senses to peak conditions, could sense the air shifting behind the sliding doors of the King’s chambers.
They were supposed to be alone. It was the only way for these sorts of conversations to even take place without prying ears. It was the safest way for His Majesty to indulge in the conversations he longed to have with an old friend.
Having that safety net tainted in any way angered Dojin.
Reaching into his robes, he gripped a pair of throwing knives between his fingers. He pressed a finger to his lips as he silently signaled to the King. The King nodded, sticking his hand into the bowl where his white Go pieces were. It would mask Dojin’s next move.
With a whip of his arm, he threw the knives out toward the hallway. They tore through the rice paper on the door - embedding into the floorboards. One set of feet shuffled away and another all but disappeared from hearing range. Dojin’s eyes narrowed as he quickly raced to the door, flinging the doors open and glaring into a now empty hallway. His gaze shifted to the floor where the knives were. There were a few droplets of blood on the polished wood.
He heard the King rise from his seat. “Assassins?”
“No. I didn’t sense any bloodlust from them. Probably a pair of curious servants.” Dojin slid the door closed. “Though it is getting late, Your Majesty. I need to be heading back home.”
“Should I notify the Palace Guards?”
He knew the King was decent with a sword. Causing a panic in the middle of the night over non-combatants would be pointless. But loose lips would sink the fleet. Dojin couldn’t let that happen. It seemed his old ways of thinking were starting to breach the surface.
Pivoting on his heel, Dojin moved to pick up his sword and satchel. “That isn’t necessary.” He smirked. “In about two hours, it won’t matter.”