Taehyung's life was always unpredictable. He wanted to be an alpha, but fate had another plan, and he was presented as an omega. His family was happy, and finally, they could ask the king for an alliance.

In a quick turn, he found himself as the consort of the newly crowned king. He saw Jungkook for the first time at their wedding. So calm and elegant, as a king should.

Taehyung knew love at first sight didn't exist, but he swears that if it did, then he had fallen in love with Jungkook at that moment.

Soon, like any other arranged marriage with much awkwardness, they began to know about each other, about each other's likes and dislikes.

Taehyung started to use light fragrances because he knew how sensitive was Jungkook to smell. Jungkook, who hated being out of monochrome outfits, began to use other tones because Taehyung once said so.

No, it wasn't love Taehyung would debate on that with anyone. It was just mutual respect and admiration for each other, that's what Taehyung said.

Though Taehyung could still remember how Jungkook promised him, it would always be Taehyung and Taehyung alone.

Promises were meant to be broken after all, but why does it hurt? Taehyung knew that even if he was upset he couldn't do anything because Jungkook was a king and the King was for the people, not only for him.

Taehyung and Jungkook were married for two years and until yesterday whenever Jungkook comes back from a long journey, he first meets Taehyung.

But now it's a day past and Jungkook doesn't come to meet him or call him. It hurts, Taehyung doesn't want to agree with this, but it does.

Soon, his servant announced the King's arrival in his chamber, yes his own chamber because when the King was no longer only his, he was not entitled to be in the King's chamber.

Taehyung soon bowed to the king, his eyes already red. “Welcome back your majesty, this soul is happy to see you again” Taehyung mumbled, his eyes still refusing to look at the King.

“Taehyung” just Taehyung, no honorifics.

“How have you been, my prince?” Jungkook addressed softly, my Prince, only Jungkook was allowed to call him that.

Taehyung wanted to answer ‘missed you’ but not now, not when Jungkook broke his only promise “I am good, thank you for your inquiry” Taehyung still hadn't looked at Jungkook.

“My prince, please look at me, I want to talk to you” Jungkook's tone was reluctant. Taehyung's eyes slowly gazed at Jungkook.

Jungkook spoke, "I know you are aware of the marriage and I hope you are fine with it”

A short chuckle left from Taehyung's mouth without his permission, “Your majesty, this subordinate well well-being shouldn't be your concern”

“You are my concern Taehyung”

Taehyung smiled again “I will be grateful for that, his majesty”

“Taehyung, look at me, why are you being so dejected?” Jungkook asked impatiently.

Taehyung's lips curled upwards, “Why wouldn't I be when my husband marries someone else,” Taehyung asked.

Jungkook looked into Taehyung's eye, “You should have prepared yourself for today when you agreed to marry a king” Jungkook sounded nonchalant though his eyes wandered.

“I should have done that, but what can I do when the king himself promised me that it will always be me” Taehyung asked daringly.

Jungkook looked offended, “This king will always stand by his promise”

“And what is this his majesty?” Taehyung asked.

“Tae, I have my duties, which I am obliged to do as a king,” Jungkook explained, hoping Taehyung could understand him.

“Let the great king reign long,” Taehyung said, “If you allow me, let this soul leave”

“My prince, don't do this, I want you to understand me” Jungkook ordered.

“Jungkook” Taehyung called him by name “Imagine you seeing me with someone” The air in the chamber darkened. Taehyung continued “If you don't mind that, I won't either"

Jungkook was furious “How dare you say that in front of a king, you are my consort, my belonging don't forget that”

“That's the matter Your Majesty, I am just a consort, and I am obliged to obey you regardless” Taehyung's eyes shed tears “My well-wishes for your marriage Your Majesty”

~

“Your grace, you are instructed to accompany the princess to the court hall,” Taehyung’s guard said carefully.

“I can't, inform them about it” Taehyung spoke in a monotonous tone.

“But lord, his majesty instructed it”

Jungkook really wanted his demise right? Taehyung nodded to the instruction, after all who was he to decline the king’s instruction.

Taehyung walked out of his chamber, only to see Jungkook standing there. Jungkook looked tense. Jungkook took Taehyung’s hand and kissed his knuckles. Taehyung flinched and Jungkook’s face flattened.

“I thought you wouldn’t come, my prince,” Jungkook said.

Taehyung chuckled “People here doesn’t have luxury of choice, when it’s come to your instruction, Your majesty”

Jungkook looked offended, “You always had the choice Taehyung, you will always have them too”

“Can I not go then?’ Taehyung pleaded, swallowing his pride. He don’t want to be part of this.

“Prince, please don’t make this harder for me, Please go” Jungkook said.

“Yet you said I had a choice?” Taehyung’s voice broke as he continued, “His majesty, I know, I am nothing but a plaything to you but I have a request”

“What are you talking about my prince?” Jungkook’s eyes flashed with hurt hearing Taehyung’s words.

“Please don’t call me that his majesty, I am not a prince, I am just a mere consort, so please” Taehyung doesn’t want to hear that word from this Jungkook again.

Jungkook’s eyes looked defeated, as if those eyes were trying to communicate his feelings and failing miserably. Jungkook was about to reply but he was interrupted by a sudden intrusion. It was the princess, Jungkook’s supposed future queen.

Dana, the only princess of the kingdom of iris, a young lady in her early twenties. She bowed at the king.

“Great to see you, your majesty,” Dana said.

“Likewise princess Dana,” Jungkook replied.

Dana looked at Taehyung and spoke “Consort Taehyung, I wanted to see you for so long” She bowed, Taehyung bowed back.

“I am glad I met you princess,” Taehyung replied. She smiled.

“I would love to be your friend, Consort Taehyung,” Dana said. Taehyung was numb, he wasn't prepared to have friendly conversations with his husband's future bride.

Taehyung gulped, he had to reply regardless. He was about to speak but he was interrupted by Jungkook.

“Princess, Mind your position” Jungkook said coldly. “I believe you are obliged to maintain your position as a princess rather than making new friends.”

Princess Dana looked down in respect before responding “I was just trying to talk friendly with consort Taehyung, since we have to see each other a lot in future, your majesty.”

“And I am asking you to not do that, let the consort be that, and princess be princess” Jungkook spoke firmly.

Taehyung hasn't uttered a word yet. He listened to everything carefully. He felt numb. He felt like a puppet in the middle of that conversation. And this is going to be his position in King's life from now on.

~

Just like Jungkook's instructions, all were present in the court hall. Jungkook was on his throne, while Dana sat down beside his throne and Taehyung stood behind all of them.

The announcements were made for the wedding. Jungkook invited Dana towards him. They stood together, while Taehyung witnessed everything from the side.

The crowd gossiped about their King and future queen. They complimented their good looks. Everything happened while Taehyung stood alone in the crowd.

Taehyung was invisible there. But he was used to it, but what he was not used to was being invisible to Jungkook. Taehyung knew it was meant to happen. Still it hurts.

Taehyung slowly ran away from the crowd, From Jungkook, from everything. He sat near the pond of the palace.

He can't let himself cry. He did enough of that. He wanted to be strong for himself.

“My prince” Taehyung flinched. Jungkook was standing there. Jungkook called him that again.

“Why are you here alone?” Jungkook asked. Taehyung didn't reply. He was tired. He just needs some rest.

“What happened Taehyung? Please tell me” Jungkook asked with concern, lacing in his voice.

Is this a mockery? Taehyung wanted to ask. He stood up. Taehyung bowed. Jungkook quickly engulfed Taehyung.

“Why are you sad?” Jungkook asked again.

“I am not sad, in fact I am really delighted by your wedding announcement, your majesty” Taehyung spoke, refusing to shed tears.

Jungkook’s eye widened “Taehyung, please don’t be like this, I know this is hard for you but I have no control over it”

“But aren't you the king?” Taehyung dared to ask.

“Indeed I am and I am doing this for my kingdom” Jungkook gently patted Taehyung's hand.

“If this king had control over this, I wouldn't dare to do it, my prince.” Jungkook said.

Taehyung laughed “It seems like you enjoy it too much though” Taehyung replied remembering about the incidences in the court room.

“What are you talking about?”Jungkook asked clueless.

“Nothing, your majesty. I am glad you are enjoying princess Dana's company” unlike mine, Taehyung thought.

“I don't Taehyung, I only enjoy your company willingly” Jungkook quickly defended himself.

Taehyung just smiled. “Yet people are celebrating her” Taehyung spoke without his control.

“People can, I would never.” Jungkook replied quick.

Taehyung smiled, lies over lies. Taehyung bowed “If you allow me, Can I please go to chamber?” Taehyung asked.

Taehyung doesn't want to continue this conversation. He was tired. Jungkook sighed. He nodded at Taehyung's request and let him go, again unwillingly.

~