Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

When both princes continue to dance in the middle of the hall, capturing the eyes of the people - mesmerized at how they look good together. Both eyes are on each other, staring with fondness, and their lips smile tenderly; sparks jealousy of other princes that Prince Namjoon obviously shows his interest over the Prince of Kaen.

“But you know that I have to be fair in this match right?”

Taehyung pouted at the statement, slowly nods his head in defeat. He hates the fact that now he needs to compete with other five princes to win Namjoon's heart. He averted his eyes towards Hoseok that seems enjoying himself shoving all the meat into his mouth. He then squints his eyes in anger at the royal guard – making Hoseok cower from afar, choking his meat for the third time that night.

“I blame all these on my stupid and slow wits, royal guard!” Taehyung said begrudgingly, totally furious at Hoseok failure to carry on his duty.

Namjoon chuckles at Taehyung childish rant. “Please don’t, Your Highness. Such a poor soul shall not bear the misfit of our fates. Destiny eventually had brought you here to me and it’s worth something than nothing. Aren’t you agree with me?” said Namjoon in an advisory tone. Eyes gently stare at the alpha in front of him.

Taehyung flashed a squarish in shape smile, hearing Namjoon's words of wisdom – showing his white teeth and healthy gum. “I couldn't agree more, my omega…”

Namjoon blushed at the name, hearts pounding so fast that he can feel his face flush in embarrassment. His heart always flattering whenever the alpha called him as 'my omega'. He smiles shyly at Taehyung sweet talks, contended that the said alpha is really good at his speech. He had fallen for the alpha's charm once again.

“Do you think I’m able to win this match?” asked Taehyung. The expression change to sullen as his face darken and his voice become sour at the hits of reality. Dejected that Namjoon couldn't be his yet.

Namjoon takes a deep breath at the sudden query. “I can't answer that Your Highness. You are the one that needs to show to me. I’m – I'm going to root for you… pray for your victory...secretly…” said Namjoon, whispering. His face becomes crimson red, eyes on the dance floor - embarrassed.

Taehyung perked up hearing Namjoon's words. "I beg your pardon?"

Namjoon bits his lips as he tries to repeat his words. "I'll pray for your...victory."

“Really? You will do that for me??” asked Taehyung gleefully, feeling happy at Namjoon's words.

Namjoon tilted his head to the side, not wanting to see the alpha, feeling shy as he speaks his own heart openly like that. But seeing the alpha's glowing face and how his rosemary scent disseminates around them – Namjoon flashed his gorgeous smile at the alpha, entrance the prince.

“I’ll show you, my love and you will be proud of me…”

Namjoon and Taehyung curved a beautiful smile towards each other as their heart been sipped by the spark of love – feeling overwhelmed that now they had found each other. Being together like this makes their bond stronger and the desire to be each other mates becomes more intense on each second.

Their erratic heart was beating the same melody, playing the love song and sinking down the instrument played by the minstrel. Together they were in their own world, ignoring all the eyes that been fixated at them - green with envy.

“Only love….”

“Begets love… my precious omega…”

“What a pretty omega…”

Jimin flinched at the sudden remarks and when he turned his head he saw the young and handsome prince of Erauri – gawking at Jimin with his round eyes. Jimin smirked at the flirtatious word, knowing that an alpha like Jungkook always preys over small and weak-like omega like Jimin.

“I’ll consider it as a compliment, Your Highness. Park Jimin, the Prince of Sharon…” said Jimin politely as he introduce himself to the young alpha prince.

Jungkook grinned sheepishly, kind of like Jimin's personality. “Ah, you are Prince Seokjin's brother. No wonder you have the same intimidating aura like him. A willful and strong prince…” he said subtly.

Jimin smile at the prince. “Do you indicate that I’m not a typical omega, Prince Jungkook?” he asked with an accusatory tone.

Jungkook raised one of his brows at the allegation before he shook his head as an early answer. He then explained himself towards the beautiful omega prince.

“You read me wrong Prince Jimin. I’ve grown up with my strong omega brother, Prince Namjoon. Nothing in me had been thought to underestimate the ability of an omega. Here in Erauri, everyone is equal and been treated fairly. No alpha is superior to omega. You were only be adjudged for your intelligent and capability. Not because of your sub-gender…”

To say that Jimin wasn’t fascinated with such speech – will be a total lie. He did amazed with the young prince and he thinks Jungkook is not the typical arrogant and self-centered alpha like his half brother, Seokjin.

Jimin stares at the alpha. He is handsome, with chiseled good look and hypnotic dark brown eyes that makes other alpha he ever known pale in comparison. And he looks younger than him too.

“I can’t deny myself that you are good with your words Prince Jungkook. Young and wise…” said Jimin, giving some credit towards the younger prince.

Jungkook huffed at the mentioned of his young age. “I’m reliable too Prince Jimin. Age just a number and maybe I can be a good alpha for you too…” he said as a self-pride. Eyes boring into Jimin's beautiful brown orbs that fixated at his face.

Jimin let out a boisterous laugh at the high confidence owned by the Erauri's prince. Jungkook surely has a gut to even presented himself as the rightful alpha for him. Isn’t that too oblivious for a prince like Jungkook?

“What’s so funny Prince Jimin?” asked Jungkook with a cold and deep voice – growling a little bit at Jimin's unexpected reaction. As if the beautiful omega didn’t take seriously his words. He might be seventeen but he had matured enough.

Jimin tone down his laughter clears his throat as it feels dries after the long talk with Jungkook. As he speaks he smiles fondly at the alpha and slowly releasing his jasmine scent to calm the alpha. Which he believes he succeeded in doing so when Jungkook's stiff shoulders slowly slumped down.

“My sincere apology, Your Highness. But you are really a tenacious alpha. I’m quite impressed that a young alpha like you already possessed a good quality as an outstanding prince…” said Jimin with a delicate voice, purposely making it sounded like melodious to captivate the heart of the agitate alpha.

Jungkook devours his saliva at the flattering remark – heart thumping out of beat as his nostril been struck by the jasmine scent emitted by the gorgeous omega. What a nice smell.

Jimin then chugged the wine that he had been holding before, peeking through the glass to look at the darker the shade of red painted on the alpha's perfect physiognomy – mesmerized how he looks deadly handsome.

“You know what?” said Jimin, halted for a second as he put the cooper glass onto the near table at the corner of the hall. He glanced at Jungkook that had raised one of his brows – waiting for him to continue his talk. Jimin curved a smile.

“You can be a good King of Erauri…” said Jimin.

Jungkook eyes widen at the statement, eyes quickly hovered around to see if someone overheard Jimin. “Prince Jimin! That’s such a dangerous statement! You shouldn’t say that at a place like this. You will be punished with death!” whisper-yelled Jungkook as he leaned forward to Jimin to make their distance closer – afraid someone will eavesdrop their conversation.

Jimin chuckles at the reaction, feeling amused how Jungkook easily agitates at his statement. “Calm down, Your Highness. You’re exaggerating. I have no mala fide in giving my thought. It’s just a mere word, doesn’t carry any weight in it and you have no reason to consider it seriously….Well do you?”

Jungkook grits his teeth, feeling wrath at the omega audacity to test his loyalty towards Erauri. He can see the smirk on Jimin's white face as he is enjoying himself to tease the young alpha. Jungkook exhaled a deep breath, trying not to show his anger.

“I have no reason to agree with the talk, Prince Jimin. And I hope you know your boundaries when you speak your mind about this matter. I can charge you with treason and you will be thrown away to the underground prison right away…” said Jungkook, using his alpha tone to show how serious his speech is. Eyes boring directly at the omega.

Jimin breathe hitched at the change of the mood, shudder at the stern voice belong to the young prince. As his eyes dilated with how strong the alpha pheromones been released, Jimin couldn’t help himself from submitting to the authority of the alpha.

“My – my apology Your Highness…” said Jimin, stammering in his words. Feeling regret that he ever try to tease the alpha. He never thought that Jungkook will react in such a way. He should be more careful when he speaks to the prince.

Jungkook huffed in frustration. Frustrated that he had let himself to get angry at the omega and also frustrated that Jimin had said such a thing to him. He strokes his dark hair with his slender finger and let out a sigh before darted again his eyes towards the omega in front of him.

“I think I should give you my answer Prince Jimin. Not that I’m trying to clarify your allegation just now but more to justify the misunderstanding. Prince Namjoon, despite being an omega had possessed all the traits as the alpha. Maybe better than any alpha princes present here tonight. He is the Crown Prince of Erauri and no one can deny that!”

“I – I understand Your Highness. I seek your forgiveness for my ruthless action just now…”

Jungkook groaned in frustration before he nods slightly. He didn’t expect for them to end up like this, but he has every reason to feel mad at the omega. He can tolerate everything but not when someone talks lowly about his brother.

Jungkook then left the omega alone as the mood between him and Jimin had suddenly turned to sour. He doesn't even turn for once to see the guilt-ridden omega and had missed seeing the tears on Jimin's eyes.

Taehyung and Namjoon joined the other princes at the dining table after their dance ended – together with the King and Queen. The King had a toss, welcoming the six princes and their entourage before proceed to finish the dinner feast.

“My sons, you will have a good rest for tonight after the long journey. And tomorrow we will have a meeting at the banquet – for you to be briefed about the first match on the next day…”

All the princes at the dining table have their sole focus on the King when he had made the announcement. Raised the cooper glass up to their head as the tossed speech ends - an act of respect.

“Is this going to involve a physical match, Your Majesty?” asked Kihyun with curiosity.

The King smile at the Crahan's prince. “What do you think about that Prince Kihyun?”

Kihyun was flabbergasted when the King directed the question to him – immediately regret that he had brazenly asked the King first. He then clears his throat before he answered. “Well, as much as I didn’t like any physical activity, I think this match has no exception to that…”

The King laughed at the answer and he nods in agreement with Kihyun. “Indeed. You can’t be a good King if you didn’t prove yourself to be a good fighter. And for you to be the alpha for Prince Namjoon, you have to be equipped with a good skill in the battlefield…”

A few groaned erupted at the dining table and the King smile for the small protest by the princes. He knew it won’t be easy for some of the princes but this has to be done. Namjoon needs a strong alpha to help him to rule Erauri. An alpha that he can rely on when his omega instinct goes against him – especially on the battlefield.

“Since you need a good and strong fighter, isn't that mean Prince Namjoon is lacking in it?"

Everyone gasped at the brave remarks, now looking at the said prince; Yugyeom. He had a smug expression, ignoring the sharp stares from other princes. Yugyeom bats his eyes on the King and once a while glanced over Namjoon who sit beside his father. He smirks when he saw the shocked face of the crown prince.

The King was stunned at the audacity but nonetheless, he already knew Prince Yugyeom demeanor. He averts his eyes to his omega son who flashed an assuring smile before the King had his eyes once again forward – facing the princes.

“As all of you know, the Crown Prince himself had been raised as equal as an alpha. Having said that, he will participate with all of you. And you can decide whether he is worth your time or not…” said the King in a calm voice.

He looks at the princes one by one, giving them a stern look – to show his confidence against his own son. It’s a lie if he didn’t been hurt by the belittling remarks made by Yugyeom or any alpha who always look down at Namjoon. He is a father before a king. He is proud of Namjoon, being a strong omega – breaking the stigma of the troupe that always thought low about his sub gender.

The King definitely have faith that Namjoon will become a great King for Erauri – even without an alpha. But he couldn’t deny the fact that Namjoon needs his alpha for his heat. He didn’t want to jeopardize Namjoon's life just because of his desire for him to solely reign the kingdom. It’s a selfish act of a King.

“Why are you crying, my son?”

Namjoon quickly wipes his remaining tears as his father steps into his chamber but he knew that his father already sees his crying. He suddenly feels ashamed of himself for letting his emotion engulfing him.

Namjoon fidgeting on his bed when his father flumps at his side – eyes gawking at him with concern. Namjoon feels his throat dry at the presence of the King, his finger plays with his own shirt. Nervous.

The King sighed at the sight of his omega son. He took Namjoon's hand and pats on the back of it – trying to drag his attention to him and at the same time to soothe his anxiety. “Tell me Namjoon…”

Namjoon holds up his breath for a second at the stern voice of his father – using his alpha order to dig out the secret from Namjoon. “Father…” he couldn’t talk further as he almost choke his tears and the same agony hits him once again. He can’t hide his sadness in front of his father anymore.

The King try his best not to be distracted at the breakdown of the young prince. He knew Namjoon needs his calm approach so that he can lean on him to be able to tell about his problems. He was sixteen, still young and vulnerable after being presented as an omega.

“Am I, am I useless to you?” asked Namjoon as the droplet of his tears soaking wet his protruding cheeks. Eyes boring into his father's hazel orbs, asking for an answer from the King.

The King was taken aback at the question, brows furrowed and almost meet at the end. “From where did you hear this absurd thing Prince Namjoon?” he asked with voice rising an octave. He was mad to hear that from the omega prince.

Namjoon breathe hitched at the harsh tone, shuddered in fear when he looks at his father's angry expression. A face that he not used to show to his sons. The King is well-known for his calmness and subtle personality. Namjoon realized he had made his father heartbroken with his words just now.

“Tell me Prince Namjoon, ” The King had alpha ordered the omega, knowing that the prince won’t open his mouth if he didn’t do so.

Namjoon trembling in fear as his head dangled down looking at his hand laid down on his lap. “Fr – from the boys at the missionary. They – they said that I’m… I’m a useless prince for you, that – that I can’t be the King because I’m an om – omega…” tells Namjoon, stuttering in his speech as he sobs in sorrow. Eyes still on his hand, scared to see his father's expression.

The King growled in anger and he immediately rose up from Namjoon's bed. Namjoon was shocked to see the wrath of the King and his body shivers profusely.

“How dare! Who's that imbecile peasant? Who had the gut to say such words to my prince? To the Crown Prince of Erauri? I'll sever their tongue so that they won’t speak such nonsense again!”

Namjoon who was shaking terribly seeing the King's anger, immediately kneeled down on the floor as he cries for forgiveness.

“Your – your Majesty… I seek for your mercy… please don’t – don’t punish them for such trivial matter… I’m not that sad… I’m just… I’m just…”

Namjoon couldn’t continue his pleas as he was sobbing and he flinched when the King grips on his shoulder, forcing him to stand up and face the King. However, Namjoon couldn’t meet with the eyes of the father, scared to see the pain in his father’s eyes.

“Namjoon, you are my son… my precious son. I might be the King of this Kingdom where people depend on me. Besides that, I’m your father. It’s my duty to protect you from any danger. I can’t let those people talk to you like that. You’re the Crown Prince, the future King of Erauri – omega or not you are their King.”

Namjoon gasped when his body now in the arms of his father where he can feel how the big hand of the King caressed gently his back – up and down. Namjoon lips quiver in sorrow as he wrapped his arms to his father's waist and hide his face on the crook of King's neck.

“I’m sorry father…I’m sorry for making you sad…” he mumbles as he continues to cry.

The King pats on his head, humming at his son's non-stop apologies. “It's okay, it's okay son. Just…just don’t think such thing again about yourself. You are my pride Kim Namjoon…”

“Yes, father!”

“It will be something I will look for in this match, Your Majesty…”

The King’s trance had been interrupted by Yugyeom cynical voice. The King look at the young prince, almost burst out his anger if Namjoon didn’t grab a hold of his hand underneath the table. The King tilted his head towards his son where he can see how beautiful he is smiling – serene and calm.

Namjoon leaned forward towards his father, lips closer to the ears and whispered to the King. “Let me handle this on the field, Your Majesty…”

The King eyes batting over his omega son before he twitched into a small smile – knowing that his son had his own way to tackle the arrogant alpha. “As you wish, Prince Namjoon.”

Yugyeom used his almost non-existent energy to shove the arms under his chin, strangling his neck. His eyes widened as he stares in shock at the figure in front of him.  He shuddered in fear when the knife on the right hand of the said male was so close to his face. Yugyeom realizes that if he moves an inch, the end of the knife will grave his cheek. But the knee that been pressed on his chest makes him impossible to even move.

"Learn your respect Prince Yugyeom. Omega is not always as weak as you thought. You will encounter one, as strong as me. You should be glad that this is not a battlefield. If not I'll not spare your life and I won't hesitate to slit your throat..."

Yugyeom gulped at the warning, looking at the omega prince bewildering. The scent of dianthus emits by the prince was intimidating and delirious. Despite the fact that his whole body was covered in mud, it can't hide how gorgeous Namjoon is - shining under the bright sun.

And Yugyeom won't be lying when he said that Namjoon had captivated his heart at that spur of moment. And he swears in the name of Shizia, he will make Namjoon as his omega.