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𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏 - 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐧𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭.

"𝐁𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝, 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠."

“You look grossed hyung!”

Namjoon gives his brother, Jungkook a deadly stare before he took the towel given by Yoongi. The mud now started to dry out, sticking all over his body and face – it did gross as Jungkook said!

“Ughh, I need a warm bath with herbs and flowers to get rid of this smell…” he groaned in annoyance that the sticky dried mud couldn’t be wiped away by the towel.  

Jungkook giggles at the complaint and Namjoon gives him another sharp glare for his childish demeanor. Sometimes his brother really makes him annoyed. 

“You did a good job my son!” the King says the word of compliment with pride – feeling proud how Namjoon had able to show Yugyeom how strong he is as an omega; that no one should underestimate him. 

Namjoon let out a soft chortle at the praise. “I hope I didn’t overdo it, Your Majesty. After all, Prince Yugyeom is our royal guest. I’m afraid he thought we are trying to belittle him…” he brood. Concern was evidently shown in his voice.

The King shook his head at an instance “No, it’s a good lesson for the prince to learn respect and virtue. You did the right thing, my prince,” maintain the King.

Namjoon bows his head at his father before he walked to his golden chair. Yoongi was trying to put the cloak over his shoulder when Namjoon beckons not to. He feels uncomfortable and didn't want to make the cloak gets dirty with all the mud over his body. 

“Your outfit was dirty and sticky, Your Highness. All the princes have been putting their eyes over your silhouette discourteously…” says Yoongi, unpleasant with the lack of manners by the six princes. 

Namjoon was about to protest before he looks down at his current appearance. The white satin blouse was no longer white. It’d turned into a new color – the brownish mud. It's stick to his body, wrapped into his skin that basically had shown his honey-tanned skin behind the saline soaked blouse. Namjoon gasped knowing how salacious his looks right now. 

“I told you so.” Yoongi note. 

Namjoon's face turns to crimson red, feeling abashed at the situation before his royal guard secured the cloak around his body. Namjoon glanced over towards the six princes seated on the other gazebo. They were looking at him with wide eyes and a little bit drooling? 

Namjoon wants to hide his face on Yoongi's shoulder right now but he knows he can't do that in front of everyone. It's an unroyal act between the prince and the guard. It’s a sin. 

Namjoon immediately took his seat, pull the hem of the cloak to his face – hiding his embarrassment underneath. He can hear how Yoongi was chuckling at his reaction. Namjoon huffing in irritation at the teasing. 

As the fight continues; Jaehwan, Sehyoon, and Seokjin have no difficulties to defeat their rival at all. They took only a few minutes to do so. Maybe because they were trained as a good soldier. Jaehwan and Sehyoon might never be in a war field but their fighting skill is amazing. The King had to applaud their courage and strength. 

However, it was a little bit worrisome for Kihyun. He was the smallest among the six princes. He had a petite body and never in his life going to the battlefield. The Kingdom of Crahan had maintained the peace for centuries, never had any foe with the nearby kingdom. 

So when Prince Kihyun entered the mud pool, it causes a nerve-racking and Namjoon was quite concerned at his well-being. He had grown fond over the Prince of Crahan since the ball. His cheerful personality was really endearing and adorable. Namjoon couldn't stop smiling when he reminisced the good memory of the ball while dancing with Kihyun. 

Kihyun scrunched his nose when he can smell the mud all over his nostril. Disgusting! He didn’t like how the mud now had to stick into his outfit and how the water had filled in his boots. But the tall and big muscle of the male in front of him right now is his biggest concerned at the moment. 

He can see the smirk on the face of the male. Kihyun rolled his eyes at the mockery expression. He realized that the said male was underestimating him by judging his physical. Kihyun always gets the looks whenever he goes and meets with another alpha. They say he looks like more an omega than an alpha. What an insult!

Kihyun screamed out loud in shock when the said male suddenly bolted towards him, tackled him down to the pool of mud – water splashed all over the two, and Kihyun swallowed some of the muddy water out of the impact. 

He spits out the disgusting mud, grits his teeth in anger, hissing in rage before he clenched his fist and used all the energy to push the big muscular warrior to the side. 

“Yah!” he shouted while he shot up from the ground. “This is a silk satin embroidery, imported from China, you peasant!” 

The warrior was surprised at the outburst, couldn’t properly rose from his lying position before Kihyun suddenly slumps on his torso and hits the nose of the male. He then used both of his hand to strangle the neck of the warrior with all the strength he had. 

“It’s a present from my father you uncanny bastard!!” Kihyun continues to rave, tighten his grip over the neck, making the latter’s face becoming a bright red due to the short of breath. 

The male was trying to loosen up the grip but failed to do so as he let out a choking sound. He didn’t expect for the small alpha to have such incredible strength. 

When the male was almost lost his consciousness, Kihyun loosens up his grips – looking warily at the male now gasping for breath. He scoffs at the view and gets up from the male's torso before he pressed his left boot over the chest. The male writhe in pain at the contact.

“I won’t tolerate anyone who dares to ruin my favorite thing. Especially for someone low and like you… You are lucky that I didn’t have the mood to kill anyone today. If not I will strangle you to death…” he says mercilessly.  

Everyone who had been watching attentively over the fight was astonished at Kihyun's new personality. They never thought for someone small and cute like him was able to defeat the muscular male. What’s shocking the most was how his adorable face turns to be really scary and emotionless. Kihyun is an alpha that they cannot underestimate mindlessly. 

“I admit that I had a wrong impression over the little alpha…” mentioned Jaehwan that still in shocked after he saw how Kihyun had defeated the Erauri's warrior. 

Seokjin scoffs at the statement. “I don’t think he is the major threat to me. I think it’s just a coincident that he had lost his mind for something trivial like that…”

Not only Jaehwan, but the other three princes were annoyed at Seokjin derogatory remarks over Kihyun. Everyone knows how he always proud of himself, bragging about everything – making the others to displease at his self – centered attitude.  

“He’s not even my best contender in this competition…” continues Seokjin as his eyes staring at Kihyun now grinned sheepishly after successfully won the fight – one of his hand on the air, celebrating his victory. 

“I couldn’t agree with you on that Prince Seokjin…”

Seokjin cocked his head to look at Sehyoon, now boring his eyes at the Sharon's Prince with obvious irritation. Seokjin huffed at the look given. 

“Kihyun might be the youngest among us, never once join the battle but he is an alpha. He had gone through the same military training and he was well-equipped with the necessary fighting skill. We can see it through the fight just now.” Sehyoon clarifies his disagreement with Seokjin. 

Seokjin derided the assertion by Sehyoon, be at variance with his view about Kihyun. “Don’t say to me that all of you thought Kihyun is a strong contender in this match?” he mentioned while eyes on the other princes one by one. 

Seokjin snickers when he saw the expression of the other princes but Sehyoon. They were in agreement with Seokjin more than Sehyoon. They just didn’t voice it out, out of courtesy. But at the same time, they couldn’t deny the truth that they never see Kihyun as their ultimate rival. 

However, it can be said that their point of view had slightly changed after they saw how Kihyun successfully fought the male. He is surely a good fighter and they shouldn’t let their guard down from now on. Everyone here had the advantages and special skill – the reason why they were chosen to participate in this competition. 

“You can argue about that prince here, I’m going to win the fight in a second…”

Everyone attention drifted to the raspy and deep tone belong to Taehyung. All eyes were staring at the Kaen’s prince – astonished at his appearance that looks so subtle and charismatic; with a little bit narcissist. A very intimidating prince. 

Taehyung ignores all the glares, rolling his eyes when he meets with Seokjin's orb. The Sharon's Prince then had the same reaction, chided at the attitude – always antagonize at whatever Taehyung did. 

Namjoon was thrilled to see Taehyung walking down from the gazebo heading to the mud pond for a fight. He always anticipated to see the capability of the alpha, wanted to know how good the alpha in fighting skill. Eyes were glistening as he stares at the handsome prince – a little bit excited actually. 

“You were being obvious, Your Highness…”

Namjoon flinched when Yoongi's suddenly whispering to his ears such words. Namjoon bits his lips, a little bit farouche that his royal guard can see through him easily. 

Taehyung glanced over Namjoon who had been looking at him with a smile, rose one of his brows playfully teasing the crown prince. Namjoon let out a soft chuckle, not too obvious before he mouthed ‘good luck' towards the Kaen's Prince. 

“It's still visible, Your Highness…”

“Hyung!”

Taehyung’s flip the muscular body to his shoulder before he slumps the male onto the mud, after a fierce fight for almost ten minutes. He was panting and feels lethargic that the male had put a good fight. 

Namjoon gasped in horror, almost rose from his seat if Yoongi didn’t prevent him from doing so. The firm hand of the guard been pressed over Namjoon's left shoulder. 

“Stay still Namjoon. You will cause some problem if you ever move an inch.” 

Namjoon shuddered at the strained voice of his royal guard. His body stiffens as he knows when Yoongi starts calling him by name, that’s mean Yoongi is damn serious. He averted his eyes on the middle of the field where Taehyung stand in glory after he manages to defeat the warrior. 

However, injuries no longer can be avoided. He had few cuts on the corner of his lips and at the end of his left brows – being punched by the male when his attention been drifted away for a second. As a result, Taehyung kicked the male on his torso, throw his first on the face before he flipped the body out of anger. He hates when someone touches his handsome face!

Despite that, he was proud of himself that he was able to win the fight. He averted his eyes towards the King's gazebo before he smugly climbs out from the pool of mud and bows towards the Erauri's royal family. And when he met with Namjoon's eyes, Taehyung can see his concerned face and how he was frowning. 

I’m okay. Taehyung said silently. But it didn’t make the omega's feel relieved at all. 

“I am happy that all of you were able to show the great skill of fighting. You had proven yourself your worth as the alpha and the reason why you had been chosen to be here. Take a good rest and we'll meet during dinner…”

Everyone rose and bows towards the King and Queen before they watched the departure of the King and Queen to the palace. After making sure that the King was no longer in sight, everyone groaned and hissing in pain – the after effect of the mud fight.

“My favorite shirt had been ruined!” whined Kihyun for the umpteenth time while looking at his expensive garment – full of dirt and had been torn in few places. 

“Better than he tears your limbs Prince Kihyun!” teased Jaehwan while the other laughing at the jokes. 

Kihyun pouted childishly. “My father will be pissed off. This is the gift from China's delegation, a custom made for my 18th birthday. Uff!”

Yugyeom's jaw almost drops to the floor when he saw his new chamber situated at the palace's foyer. His new chamber was at the end of the floor, isolated from the other chambers – worse than the previous one. 

Yugyeom growled in anger when he entered the room. It was dark and the air was hot and humid – making the room to be a little bit smelly. And there’s only one small window in the room, near the bed. 

Yugyeom approached the closed window, slowly pushed to the back and he was stunned to see the view behind it. His body tense and he grunts in irritation.

“He’s trying to humiliate you, Your Highness…”

Yugyeom glanced at his guard for a second before he looks back at the view, gritting his teeth in wrath. 

“This room is far more worst than the earlier one. And what was that? It’s a pigsty, Your Highness! This is a ruthless act of his. He shouldn’t treat a royal like this!”

Yugyeom let out a small groan at the rants of his guard, slowly moves from the window as the smell was kind of disturbing. He slumps on the mattress before he gasped on how hard the bed was. He wonders whether this chamber especially for royal guest or the servant. It’s hideous!

“I should protest and make a formal complaint about this to the King!”

“Jinyoung!”

The guard closed his mouth when he saw the furious face of the prince. He knew he hates the room and he hates the crown prince's audacity to humiliate him like this.

“We’ll stay here…”

Jinyoung eyes widen at the words, incredulously stares at the prince. “Bu – but Your Highness, this chamber… it’s more likely a servant room rather than a…”

Yugyeom makes a growling sound at his guard, making the male to silence at instances. “We’ll stay. I know the heart of the Crown Prince. This is the price I shall pay for acting snobbish and rude…”

“Your Highness, even so, this shouldn’t happen for a Prince like you. He tried to trample on your pride…” rebut Jinyoung, obviously didn’t satisfied with the poor treatment received by his prince. 

Yugyeom chuckles in amusement at his guard's words. “As far as I agree with you, I couldn’t deny that Prince Namjoon differs from any omega I've ever met. He had captured my heart at the mud fight, Jinyoung…”

Jinyoung furrowed at the sudden confession, gawking at the prince with a questioning look – clearly couldn’t grasp as what is Yugyeom trying to prove by saying that now. 

How could someone fall in love after having the humiliating fight like that? Yugyeom should hate him more than he already has. How did the omega prince be able to mesmerized Prince Yugyeom in such situation? 

“I want him as my omega, Jinyoung, ” notes Yugyeom with an assertive tone to indicates that he is serious with his words. 

Jinyoung mouth gaped at the statement couldn’t believe his own ears hearing those words uttered by the arrogant alpha. Why there’s a sudden change in Yugyeom plan? 

Yugyeom had come to the Erauri with a clear mission. Not to be the winner and avoid at all cost to marry the omega prince. He detested the proposal made by the King of Shizia, clearly opposed even though the King was adamant that his son shall marry Prince Namjoon.

He had been forced to be at Erauri. Yugyeom absolutely thought that he will be going back to Shizia after the first match. He thought after he had defeated Namjoon in the fight, he had a good reason to refuse the marriage. 

But no one knows, a simple move by Namjoon had made Yugyeom fascinate at his charm and beauty. It is odd to say that Yugyeom had fallen in love with Namjoon in the pool full of mud. But it's just happened and Yugyeom now wants to compete to win the crown prince's heart. 

“I’ll do anything to make sure that Namjoon will be mine,” Yugyeom says as he curved into a meaningful smile towards his guard. 

Jinyoung devours in anxiousness at the determination – knowing that now no one can stop Yugyeom from getting what he wants. That’s also mean he needs to help the Prince in his mission. Ironically. 

“I had two names in my mind, my Queen…”

The queen immediately turned her head at her husband, now leaning comfortably at the headboard – with a book in his hand. A common habit that, he needs to read at least one page before going to sleep. Namjoon had the same habit as his father too. Like father like son. 

“Who is it?” she asked as the words of King had sparked curiosity in her. 

The King smiles tenderly at the question. “I’d seen the potential of the two princes that really suit with our son. Maybe it’s too early to decide it but I have my eyes on the two…” he says briefly. 

The queen frowned before she approached the bed and sits at the edge of it. “Who is it?” she asked the same question again, a little bit edgy – impatient to hear the names. Didn't like for her husband to tease her like that. 

The King let out a soft laugh at his wife attitude, took the queen's white soft hand and squeezed it lightly. “It’s Prince Jaehwan from Rosea and Prince Taehyung from Kaen…”

The Queen's lips twitched into a wide smile at the mentioned of the two names, visibly pleased that her husband had chosen wisely. “That’s a wise decision, my King…”

The King rose one of his brows, smiles in proud at his wife appraisal. “And I also had chosen one as my favorite that I'm going to help to win the match…”

The Queen was shocked to hear it, didn’t expected that the King had planned such a thing. “But Your Majesty, isn’t that will be considered as cheating?” She says in concern. 

The King shook his head denying the allegation. “No my queen. I have to do it so the right person wins the competition. We can’t let someone like Seokjin and Yugyeom become our son's mate right? I don’t think there’s a problem if I'm giving my hand to make sure that Namjoon gets the right alpha for him and for Erauri. 

The queen sighed at the explanation. Despite feeling wrong about it, she couldn’t deny that it is also the truth. She didn’t want Namjoon to choose the wrong person that will jeopardize him in the future. 

“Don’t you worry my queen. I’ll have a talk with the prince tonight and we were going to make a plan on how to win…”

“Someone wants to meet me? Who? And why in the middle of the night? This is so suspicious!”

The guard ignores the bunch of question before he bows on his knees and left the alpha prince astonished. The prince huffed in irritation that now he couldn’t back to his sleep. His whole body was aching due to the horrendous fight that day. He just wants a decent sleep and a good rest. 

And why that the person wants to meet him in secret? Isn’t that oblivious that someone unknown wants to see him in the middle of the night? And he even asked him to come alone and didn’t let anyone see him? What kind of conspiracy is this?

Taehyung looks at the piece of paper handed by the guard just now. The beautiful writing on it, with neat handwriting, indicates how subtle the person is. 

Midnight? Royal Garden? What’s this all about?

Later when the moon was shining through his chamber and everyone were sleeping, he took his cloak and wear it carefully to hide his face underneath. He walked on the corridor and feels weird when he realized that there are no guards at all. As if that person had arranged for him to be able to walk around the palace with no worries. 

Taehyung had to make sure that no one was following him, including his royal guard. Of course, he had been asking why Taehyung had ordered him to go to bed early but Taehyung dismissed his suspicion by saying he wanted to rest after the tiresome day. Which been obliged by the royal guard. 

Taehyung pushed the metal gate slowly before he entered the royal garden. His eyes hovering around and were mesmerized at the beauty of the flowers in the garden. The bright moon had shone the garden where Taehyung can see the color of the various type of flowers. 

“I’m glad that you come, Prince Taehyung...”

Taehyung turned his head when he heard the deep voice resonated behind him. His eyes widen when he saw the familiar silhouette in front of him. Mouth gaped with disbelief as his eyelashes bats rapidly.

“Nam – Namjoon?”

“I'm glad you came here…”

“Your Majesty, I am pleased that you want to meet me personally. But may I know the reason behind this secret meeting?”

“I'm going to help you win the competition, Prince Jaehwan…”

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...𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖊 𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖚𝖊𝖉