Royal hearts AU - Part 1

Hi, lovelies!

I'm finally done with the first part. It's not big, but I'll work harder on the next pages now that I'll be jobless. I'm sorry it's not good enough, it's my first attempt. I hope you don't hate it. 

I'll also share a little narration with some details that aren't in the comic. Thank you for supporting me 💜

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Kim Taehyung had never seen the Royal Castle so bright before. He had already had the opportunity to participate in other events there, glorious balls and so ostentatious that would leave any 15 years old lord completely dazzled. But he was no longer 15 and also not easily impressionable. Soon he would be eighteen and he knew very well what that meant. He was eight months away from his birthday and he thought he had enough time to orchestrate his get away plan.

He wouldn't have to go far. He wouldn't really have to give up his life or give up the privileges he had. Park Bogum wasn’t essentially what his parents were looking for in a husband for their eldest son, but Taehyung was the youngest of three boys. He was also irresistibly seductive and won everyone over with his sweet smiles and captivating eyes. It was impossible to say no to him. In all his life, nothing had ever been denied him. So, he assumed, it would be easy to convince his parents, the Duke and Duchess, that a marriage to Lord Bogum – whom he had been secretly dating for nearly a year – would not be a bad deal. The scandals surrounding the Park house were still fresh, but he knew it wouldn't be long before the next big scandal happened. And when it happened, Taehyung would be ready.

When the doors to the main hall open, his eyes dart around the guests in order to find him, but the only Park he sees is his best friend, the Prince. He makes a move to meet Jimin, but is prevented from leaving by the Duchess, who waves from a distance.

“Mother,” he says, politely.

“Son, you’re finally here,” she is smiling, which isn’t something that happens very often. “Do you remember Lady Jeon?”

“Yes, of course. Lady Jeon, what a pleasure to see you again.”

“Lord Kim, dear. It’s always a joy to see you. You look as handsome as ever.”

Lady Jeon has loving eyes and, just like his mother, she looks too young to have a child his age.

“We were just talking about Lord Jeon’s return from Switzerland. You studied together when you were kids, do you remember?” Lady Kim asks.

“Of course I do, but we weren’t really that close at the time.”

And how could he? Little Lord Jeon didn’t care about anything other than his stupid dinossaurs.

“Mother, Lady Jeon, if you excuse me, I must go now. Jimin is waiting,” Taehyung says. It’s not a permission he wants, but that’s what he needs.

His mother’s expression changes suddenly. She’s not smiling anymore and now there’s a subtle angry frown on her eyebrows.

“I’m sure the Prince can wait,” Lady Kim says. It sounds like an order, so all Taehyung can do is to obey. She’s the only one who’s got this power over him. “As I was saying, Lord Jeon is back from Switzerland, and you must be dying to know all about it, right?”

“Yes, of course. It must have been an amazing experience.”

Lady Jeon touches Taehyung’s arm, fondly, getting his attention.

“You’ll be pleased to know Jungkook is also very excited to see you. You can meet him in the garden, Lord Kim. He’s expecting you.”

“Oh, really?”

The smile remains on his face, but the expression that takes over his eyes is completely different now. Taehyung knows how much his mother values ​​Lady Jeon's friendship, but that's none of his business. Whatever the Duchess' plans are, he isn’t interested. He already has enough friends and social commitments to babysit or be tour guide. Besides, what would he gain from it? Jeon Jungkook was a complete weirdo who didn't care to be the least sociable. Never smiled, never spoke to anyone at school, never bothered to make friends of his own.

He brushes the smile off of his face when he turns his back to the women in the ballroom and takes a deep breath, cursing the world until he enters the garden. He spots Jungkook as soon as he gets there. Well, he’s pretty much the only one in the private garden.

“Lord Jeon? Hi, I’m–” he starts, but suddenly loses his voice when the boy turns around.

This isn’t the same Jungkook Taehyung remembers. There still is a resemblance, of course. His big black dove eyes, the pouty mouth, the dot mole under his lips. But now he’s tall, elegant and, well, Taehyung has to admit, he looks fine. Maybe way too fine.

“I’m Kim Taehyung,” he coughs, trying to make his voice steady. “Your mother said you were expecting me?”

“Are you asking me?” he asks, a grin on his face. Taehyung blinks, unresponsive. What the fuck? “Would you like to join me?”

He nods. That he can do.

“Yes, of course,” Taehyung says, getting closer. Jungkook leans on the balcony behind them. “I heard you just came back. Are you here for good now?”

“Yes.”

“Switzerland, right? Did you have a good time?” he asks, trying to sound excited about it.

“Sure.”

Jungkook couldn’t look more bored. He’s not looking at Taehyung, not even a single sight. Maybe he hasn’t changed so much after all. He’s still awful at making conversation.

Lord Kim takes another deep breath and smiles. He was used to that, smiling and pretending. That was his whole life.

“You family must be really happy to have you ba-”

“Okay, how about we cut the bullshit and go straight to the point?” Jungkook snorts, leaving Taehyung confused.

“Excuse me?” he says, feeling his heart race with anger. How dare Jungkook talk to him that way? “I’m here only because my mother insisted we should be friends, you don’t need to be so rude.”

“Friends? Is that what you think this is?” Jungkook laughs. An actual laugh. “Are you this clueless? Your reputation doesn’t precede you, Lord Kim.”

“What are you talking about?” Taehyung asks.

“You really don’t know?” there’s a mix of amusement and disappointment in Jungkook’s expression and Taehyung’s heart sinks deep, because he knows what’s coming next. “I’m your future husband, Lord Kim.”