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kissmetae · 2 years

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The Zodiac Prince

❧ AU: x Taehyung || Prince!Taehyung

In this world there are twelve kingdoms each ruled by one of the zodiac signs.

For the royals in each kingdom there is a strict rule to keep the astrological charts aligned and pure. A royal may only marry one of its own zodiac sign and must time the conceiving of their children to be born in their own sign. If failing to do so, the royal has committed treason towards their kingdom.

Crown prince Taehyung is the only child of the King and Queen of the Capricorn kingdom and has yet to find a spouse. But Taehyung has better things to do than listen to the Queen’s many suggestions of suitable spouses. Despite being a professional pianist Taehyung ends up taking piano classes at the small music shop in town, posing as an amateur only to come closer to the piano teacher he’s become smitten by.

However, there are many kept secrets in the palace, some even closer than Taehyung ever expected. Will Taehyung have to accept his duties as Prince or fight against the royal rule? What happened to the royals who were charged with treason? And who is his beloved piano teacher?

|| ANGST ft. smut | 30k | x reader | masterlist in bio ||

❧ Disclaimer: This is fiction. Actions and events in these stories are often exaggerated and to a certain degree unrealistic. Please have this in consideration when reading fiction, especially if it includes sexual content.

❧ Rating: EXPLICIT || sexual content, unprotected sex, violence || Warnings: Reader's parents are deseased, "treason/traitor", mention of arranged marriage

❧ Smut features: Vanilla, semi-public, privacy, rushed, slow-paced, oral, foreplay, top/bottom/switch, he wants you so bad, and a lot more... and many times.

In this world there are 12 kingdoms.

Each Kingdom is ruled by a royal family, all aligned with their realm.

The Libra Kingdom, ruled by two queens who are both solar Libras.

The Scorpio Kingdom, ruled by a royal highness and king, solar Scorpios with twin princesses, also solar Scorpios, of course.

In this world, the royal's astrological alignments would be a different world's version of the clean and pure bloodline.

Creating an heir is specifically timed to the movements within the solar system, all to ensure “the alignment” stays pure.

The non-royals on the other hand, are free to move, work and travel in any kingdom and love as they wish.

But it is key that the royals as rulers “keep it pure.”

A Pisces could live and work in the Aquarius Kingdom but never rule.

A Taurus could love and be loved by a Virgo, even have a child of a third sign, but as a royal... this act would lead to consequences nobody wants to face…

Crown prince Taehyung, first decan Capricorn and only son of the King and Queen of the Capricorn Kingdom, is of course one of the royals expected to find a partner of the same solar sign.

Gender, class or anything along those lines doesn't matter in this world.

The only condition is that you must be born a Capricorn.

The Capricorn crown prince isn't unheard of... not in the slightest.

He's tall and handsome, kind-hearted and caring. With his dark long hair parted at the centre, combed back and with a golden crown featuring multiple garnets and rubies on his head... he is someone admired by many. But regardless of how easy everyone around him thinks it should be for him to find a partner... this burden is bothering him more and more every year.

Ever since he turned 18 there has been a large ball held for his birthday, Capricorn exclusive, all with the intention for him to find a suitable lover.

But with little success and an unamused prince... worry had begun to spread throughout the palace.

Alone in his room, Taehyung stood in front of his full-length mirror, eyeing his reflection.

It was early morning, early November and his reflection meet his gaze, dressed only in pyjama bottoms and his garnet necklace.

It was a dainty chain with a garnet pendant passed down from his great grandmother, a former queen.

He turned to the door right beside the mirror, leading into his closet and entered. The prince quickly dressed up in an as casual outfit he could possibly co-ordinate with a wardrobe full of luxury designs and grabbed his pre-packed bag.

Why so early you ask?

Well, if you timed it right before the night shift guards would be swapped off with the morning guards, they'd be too tired to spot the difference between a prince and a mere early worker there to prepare breakfast.

In other words, he was sneaking out.

Now it wasn't like Taehyung wasn’t free to come and go as he pleased, only that he constantly needed to be escorted by security and guards.

These early mornings were his chance to roam around free, without his whereabouts being known or documented.

When he could talk to whoever he wanted.

Taehyung's best friend, a Libra, recently moved to the Virgo Kingdom which meant Taehyung spent most of his sneak outs by himself these days.

As per his usual route, he snuck out through the delivery door in the kitchen, wrapped in a red knitted scarf and a long black coat draped over his shoulders.

The sun had yet to rise, a bright darkness cast over the kingdom drowned in a dewy mist.

Taehyung pushed his glasses up gently, looking around cautiously before sneaking through the tight opening between the tall bushes and ending up on the cobbled street leading from the palace to the town centre.

As he walked past the plaza, a huge fountain in its centre, he saw a few street vendors setting up their market stalls in the cold. Sneaking out always gave him a mix of a rush and anxiety. A rush of being free to explore and see, and anxiety of getting caught or being recognized.

To his disappointment, the bakery where he'd usually buy a bun in the morning had yet to open. But this wasn't unexpected. On average Taehyung wouldn't sneak out this early, he'd be out later, when the market was set up and the bakery was open.

The scent of freshly baked bread and the sunrise warm against the skin, was one of the little joys Taehyung loved to experience outside of the palace walls.

But today he had a mission, like many mornings before.

Just a street down from the plaza was a music shop. A shop that also offered lessons in various instruments. A familiar heat spread across the prince's cheeks as he saw the familiar figure approach him in the opposite direction outside of the shop. His heartbeat increased, he felt unnatural, self-conscious- was he standing weird? Was he breathing weird? Was he blinking in an unnatural manner?

"Oh, you're already here."

The sound of your voice tickled his ears, it was like hearing the voice of an angel.

"Y-yeah." He stuttered shyly and cleared his throat awkwardly.

It all began a few months ago.

Taehyung and the Libra had snuck out one night, ending up at a random bar which would be the place where he first laid eyes on the pianist.

He returned, again and again, mesmerized, infatuated...

Shortly thereafter he learnt that you held piano lessons at the music shop.

This was his chance.

Now of course, he could easily request piano lessons at the palace, even request you as his tutor... but he didn't want to meet you as a prince, with eyes watching and ears listening... With all the courage he had, he asked for piano lessons and of course you agreed at first, until he requested the lessons to be held at 5am in the morning. But you didn't have time to express your shock before he offered a pay you couldn't deny, and the deal was on.

Taehyung followed you into the shop, removing his coat and scarf and hanging it over his arm.

"What was your name again?" You asked, walking towards the stairs in the back.

Taehyung panicked.

He couldn't say Prince Taehyung, first decan Capricorn of The Kingdom of Capricornus...

"Uhm.. Vante!"

"Vante."

"Yeah"

"Ok nice, so Vante the classes are always held here upstairs so you can make yourself comfortable and I'll just check if the piano is tuned, and we'll get started."

Taehyung swallowed.

He wasn't one to be nervous around people, but you...

"Have you ever played piano before?" You asked, tapping your fingers along the keys.

"I took classes as a kid, but I don't remember much." He lied.

"Have a seat, it's tuned." you smiled.

Taehyung carefully sat down on the wooden bench in front of the piano.

"Do you remember the notes?"

"I think so"

Not only was Taehyung in fact already skilled and taught in piano as a child but also the violin and the trumpet. Purposely making mistakes at the piano felt awful, but wouldn't it be considered odd if he at his first lesson suddenly played a full set fluently without notes? Would his initial motive not become obvious then?

The lesson came to an end as the sun began to rise.

"With some practice I think you'll get the hang of it again soon!" You smiled reassuringly. "Don't forget to practice at home, and if you don't have a piano, you can come practice here in the afternoon, if I'm not here just tell Hans, he’s the owner, that you're my student and he'll let you upstairs."

"Sounds good." Taehyung smiled, feeling a bit more comfortable in your presence now.

Was it too soon to ask for your sign?

He knew he had to hurry back, but at the same time he didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay, listen to you talk about piano keys and notes all day only to fall asleep and wake up in a dream where he could freely touch you, move your hair behind your ear and lean in to place a gentle, passionate- "Vante?"

"Huh?" Taehyung shook his head to wake up from his mind. "Sorry I.. I spaced out."

"It's early, you should go take a nap... by the way I hope you don't mind me asking but how come you requested class this early in the day?"

"I... I have work. Yeah."

"How about class after work?"

"I work veeeeery long days."

"Ok, I see." You nodded, trying to come across as understanding.

The bell above the shop door dinged as Taehyung stepped back out into the cold.

His heart felt heavy...

What was he doing?

What was he hoping for?

The sound of a horse caught Taehyung's attention outside of the shop and to his surprise it was royal guards.

Panic spread throughout his body and a curse left his lips.

With nowhere else to go he quickly went back into the shop.

"I... uh..."

You looked at him with a confused expression from the guitar section as a horse carriage passed by outside.

"I think I forgot something." Taehyung said, patting down the pockets of his coat.

"No, never mind! I had it!" He claimed and quickly turned back around to leave the shop again.

"Yes, you forgot your notes." You smiled and pointed towards the book on the till.

Taehyung turned back around yet again, this time with a red face.

You reached for it before he had the chance and handed it to him.

When he reached out to take it you couldn't help but notice his eyes on your wrist.

There was a tattoo.

Taehyung's heart sank in his chest.

Never had he ever experienced pain like this before.

Embarrassment was quickly replaced with sorrow, his heart feeling like it had just shattered within him. There was an arrow... No amount of wishful thinking or manifesting had worked in his favour assumingly…

"You're a Sagittarius?" He asked, trying to sound calm and collected.

"Mhm!" You nodded and smiled.

"What about you?"

"Capricorn."

"Oh! You're native then?"

".. yeah."

Why? Why?! Why!!

Taehyung pulled his hands through his hair, walking back and forth across his room. Why?!

He slumped down on the edge of his bed, wiping a tear from his cheek.

What was he going to do now?

Just quit after one lesson without an explanation? "Hey, I found out you're a Sagittarian and it doesn't matter except it does for me because I'm a royal and I'm in love with you and you don't even know my real name or that I've been able to play Bach without notes since I was six? Fuck!"

Taehyung groaned and fell back on the bed with his hand over his forehead.

It's not like you can just go peace out! I'm giving up my royal title to go live my life... you can't give it up. If you do, you get imprisoned for treason, if you fuck up the alignment... you get imprisoned for treason. Everything is treason!

However, there had been one time.

Taehyung was too young to remember, he was only one years old when it happened.

But once, the alignment got messed up… It was in the Aries Kingdom...

The king and queen made love out of season... the queen fell pregnant and gave birth outside of the Aries decans. They tried to get away with it, hiding the baby and announce the birth in April but word quickly spread... the child was taken away, the king and queen charged with treason, leading to an uproar in the Aries kingdom. People protesting both for and against. “The child has rights! You can't time birth!” “Only Ariesians may rule the Kingdom of Aries!” But nothing changed, they’re still apparently imprisoned and who knows what happened with the baby...

Was there a way to have someone pose as a sign they’re not? He sighed. What was he thinking? Maybe you didn't have feelings like he did... or worse, maybe you were already with another.

The thought of you with another sparked a feeling of anger within him but he shook his head to get rid of the thought and took a deep breathe.

For now... he wasn't a prince in your eyes. He was free, free to love whoever... free to be loved... something he didn't want to give up on despite knowing it wasn't allowed... but maybe, just maybe it could just be a fun thing, nothing serious, messing around, hooking up with people… he knew he was lying to himself. He wasn't the type.

Taehyung let out a deep sigh and slipped his hand into his boxers and began stroking himself.

It didn't take long before he was sprawled out naked on his bed, lost in his thoughts of you as he jerked off.

"Who said it was ok for people to have hips like that? I- mnn- I should've known"

Sagittarians were known warriors... a concept that shamefully excited him even more. He grunted, scrunching his face and bit his lip as he came, letting out a deep sigh.

A gentle knock came from the door of his bedroom.

“Your highness, have thee awakened?” A staff member asked.

“Yeah, I’m up.”

“The queen wishes to have a word with you at breakfast.”

Taehyung got up, cleaned off quickly and got dressed to head down to the dining hall.

In the hall, at a large, long table set up for two, the queen was seated, sipping from a porcelain cup.

“Good morning mother.”

“Good morning my son, your father had duties to tend in the Sagittarian kingdom this morning and could not attend.”

Taehyung’s heart throbbed at the mention of the sign…

It wasn’t common for the three of them to have breakfast together unless it was a special day or…

“I have a proposal.” The queen said, setting her porcelain cup down and gesturing for Taehyung to take a seat.

“We’ve been trying for years, and you still haven’t found a lover… so I thought we’d try something different this year.”

A spark of hope lit up within him.

“We could invite everyone to the ball? Not just Capricorns?” He suggested eagerly, pulling his chair out.

The queen chuckled.

“Oh Taehyung, of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.”

The hope evaporated.

“My proposal is that we use a matchmaker to make it easier for you, she’ll be able to find your ideal match and you won’t have to worry about finding anyone.”

“I’m not worried.”

The queen ignored his words.

“She is available this evening, it won’t hurt my child. It’s all for a good cause.”

“Does she possibly know every Capricorn there is?” Taehyung asked.

“No, but if she examined your full chart, we could narrow down the guests at the ball for your ideal matches and it would be easier for you to come across the right one.”

Taehyung sighed.

“I appreciate the help mother but I really don’t-“

“Oh, this isn’t optional my dear, this is how we shall do it hereby onwards and your father agreed.”

“But mother I’ve meet everyone there is and I still haven’t found the one and last year you even invited the elder Capricorns! The one isn’t 62 years old mother!”

“Taehyung!” The Queen cut off. “The matchmaker will see us this evening, that is final. Now eat.”

Taehyung sighed.

Maybe it would be for the better… but convincing himself of that felt impossible.

He knew what it felt like to see the one… to fall in love at first sight.

Not only had he heard countless of stories about it, but he knew what he felt when he first saw you at the piano.

He poked at his food.

There was a shine, an aura, his body was overwhelmed by the storm of butterflies you caused every time he saw you.

“My dear, there is no need to pout, there are many out there who would do anything to be your lover. You’ll find someone.” The queen tried to console.

Taehyung knew she wasn’t consoling him, more so herself with those words.

The carriage travelled down the cobbled streets, accompanied with guards on each side of it, making it loud and clear who was inside.

The queen sat across him, next to her was her assistant and Taehyung sat alone on his side, gazing down at his hands in his lap.

How long would it take for him to be found if he ran away? If he ran away, could he live undercover for the rest of his life, never to be discovered? Maybe even proclaimed dead?

“Your highness seems troubled.” The assistant pointed out.

“He’s just nervous.” The queen played off.

Taehyung remained silent with his thoughts.

The carriage came to a halt outside of the matchmaker’s shop and they all stepped out.

The entire appointment passed by with the absence of Taehyung’s attention. After all, it was merely about him, not for him. Now and then he’d hear words of planets, Saturn this, Venus that, Lilith, Eros and at one point his palm was inspected, for what he didn’t know.

It felt like they were speaking in a different language and Taehyung felt dazed, distracted by his own mind when suddenly the matchmaker asked for a word with him alone.

The queen was reluctant at first.

“Just a word of advice for the prince, but for his ears only.” The matchmaker reassured.

The queen stepped out and Taehyung was left alone in the room with the matchmaker.

She was an elderly woman, draped in red silk and covered in tattoos.

She leaned forwards slightly, only a low tea table between them with various crystals, charts and cards spread out across it.

“Some come only to hear what they want. But thou shall always follow the heart.” She said in a low voice.

“What do you mean?” Taehyung asked, confused.

“What you want it to mean... Why are you here Prince Taehyung? Why have you come to see me?”

“My mother-“

“I do not ask for why your mother came, but for why you are here.”

Taehyung swallowed.

Her gaze made him increasingly more uncomfortable.

Of course he wouldn’t tell her he came in hope that his match was not one of his own. He trusted no one, especially not someone who his mother was familiar with, it was too risky. Maybe a lump of gold would be enough for her to share anyone’s secrets, including his own.

“You’re not the first, your highness. There are many unspoken vows you do not know of.”

Taehyung stood up without a word.

“I don’t know what you are talking about, but I thank you for your time.” He said and stepped out of the room.

Unspoken vows? What did she mean?

At least his mother seemed content…

She ordered the assistant to immediately narrow down the guest list after the ideal chart and to look up anyone and everyone that matched the chart. Eventually the queen herself would likely end up picking his partner for him, was what Taehyung feared. But he couldn’t let it happen.

If it did… maybe his final choice would be to run away in the end after all.

5:26

Taehyung was playing away at the piano, distracted by his emotions and the thoughts from the day before, too distracted to recall that he had to make mistakes…

“Oh, you must’ve practiced at home!” You encouraged, sat next to him on the piano bench.

Taehyung stopped playing abruptly.

“Sorry I… I spaced out, I guess the muscle memory in my fingers took over.”

“Do you often space out Vante?”

“Sometimes, but recently I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

“Does it anger you? I do not intend to snoop, but you were playing rather aggressively.”

Taehyung stayed quiet briefly.

The wind outside echoed through the silence.

“It is frustrating me, yes… maybe I play better when I’m upset.”

“May I ask what is causing you such distress? I could find a song that could help you vent it out through playing.”

Your words made him crack a smile.

Music had always been his emotional escape from it all.

After his 20th birthday ball he played the violin with so much aggression one of the strings snapped from the friction of the bow.

“My family… are worried about me finding a significant other.”

“There’s no rush to, I’ve heard of many who thrive without a romantic partner.”

“Well, my family is different. For them it’s important, so important that they even took me to a matchmaker against my will.”

“oh my- It sounds like a lot of pressure is being put on you.”

Taehyung nodded.

If only you knew how healing it was for him to speak to you…

“My auntie is actually a matchmaker, but she refuses to study my chart, she says she’s afraid she’ll make a biased judgement.”

“Your auntie?”

“Yes, she isn’t my biological aunt, but she raised me. It doesn’t happen to be her who you saw?” You smiled.

“I never caught her name, but many tattoos, raspy voice, it was in the area.”

“Sounds like her! What a small world.” You chuckled.

“What do your parents say about finding a lover?” Taehyung asked carefully.

“Not much, I don’t remember them.”

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to-“

“Don’t worry, I grew up well with my auntie, we align well.”

Taehyung watched you from the piano as you stood up to fetch a different music book.

/She’s so beautiful…/

“This song might be a bit advanced, but when I’m in a really bad mood, this is what I play.” You said, handing him the open music book.

Taehyung rolled his wrist playfully, making a pained expression.

“My wrists hurt just seeing the notes.”

/I made her laugh…/

If humans had a melting point, he was at it.

When ice reaches a temperature above 0, it melts into a puddle.

Taehyung was, metaphorically, a melted puddle.

“Your laugh is above 0 degrees Celsius.”

“Huh?”

“It’s making me melt.” He said, and began to play at the piano again, making an intentional mistake at every D major.

“Here.” You smiled shyly, adjusting his finger to correct the note. “This is D major.”

Touch…

He was touched.

Who knew fingers could feel so intimate, such a feather light touch… shy but eager all at once?

Taehyung hadn’t realized he’d stopped playing again.

His heart was pounding, all while the sun was rising through the window.

“Will you play it for me?... The angry song?” He asked.

You took a seat at the bench and placed your fingers against the keys.

He studied you as you began to play, the force of your fingers increasing as the drama within the notes intensified, angrier and angrier�� pain, frustration and sorrow all spilling out to fade into a naïve gentle tune, almost mocking the aggression of the composer as it faded out.

“You’re incredible.”

“And you’re a liar.” You smiled, turning towards him.

Taehyung was taken aback.

“You hold your hands like a professional pianist, don’t think I can’t see the difference between a beginner and a professional player. No beginner would ever make such an intentional complex mistake in a D major, I’ve witnessed all the common mistakes a thousand times over. Now play for me, for real.”

Taehyung blinked once, twice… completely caught off guard.

“I guess I’ve been busted…” he confessed shamefully, placing his hands against the keys and began to play.

He played a gentle song, a song that always comforted him…

Taehyung looked up at you next to him, still playing.

“Some would say this song is a Christmas song, but I disagree.”

“You’re not even looking.”

Taehyung smirked.

“Vante, why are you actually here…?” You asked with a gentle curious tone, mesmerized by his gaze.

He leaned in closer, still moving his fingers on the keys.

You leaned in closer, and he even closer and closer…

Loud footsteps were suddenly heard coming up the stairs and Taehyung pulled back, unintentionally making a mistake this time.

A round man with a grey beard came up the stairs.

“Oh, hi Hans.”

“You’re here early. Is this the new student you mentioned?” Hans asked, nodding towards Taehyung.

“Yes, it is.”

“Well then, nice to meet you, I’m Hans, I own the shop.”

“Nice to meet you sir.” Taehyung greeted shyly.

“Sounded like you were given a performance by your tutor as I came in.” He chuckled softly.

The two of you exchanged looks.

“I just wanted to hear how it sounds when a professional plays before my class was over… I actually need to go now.” Taehyung said, excusing himself and standing up from the bench.

“Work?” You asked.

“Uhm… yes, work.”

Taehyung stood alone in the palace library, his violin resting against his shoulder as he watched the sunset through the tall windows, seemingly serenading it. But in reality playing for something… or someone else.

He was in love, more so than ever before and it was bringing him such joy.

“My son, you play with such passion.”

The familiar voice cut off the serenade and Taehyung turned towards the sound of the king.

“Father.”

“It’s been so long since I heard you play something so cheerful.” The King looked relieved.

Taehyung put his violin down in its casing and approached him.

“How was your trip?”

“Different, to say the least.” The king said, sitting down on one of the desks.

“In what sense?”

“A sense I can’t explain, not yet at least.”

“oh.”

“You can come along if you wish, I’m going back in two days.”

“I’ll consider it.”

Two days later, the carriage pulled up to the Royal Palace of the Sagittarius Kingdom.

The Kingdom was all decorated and being set up for the season to come.

Taehyung would stay with the royal family as his father served his duty.

He was introduced to his personal royal concierge for his stay, a man his own age, promising to show him all and more of what the kingdom had to offer during Taehyung’s short stay.

“What would you like to see first, your highness?” He asked eagerly. “The royal archery club? The orchard? The stables, oh we do have the finest stabled, not to brag, but your highness will be thoroughly impressed.”

“Take me to your finest jeweller.”

“oh.. ok! Of course your highness!”

The concierge seemed to have had a few cups too many of his morning coffee…

The shop was full of rings, necklaces and all one could imagine in terms of jewellery.

Large crowns, watches, earrings… you name it, all with bright blue topazes and turquoise gems. It was like stepping into an exclusive art museum for gems and handcraftsmanship. Complete with a security guard at the door, glass box displays and classical music playing.

A dainty chain, similar in style to his own caught his attention. A thin silver chain and a turquoise pendant… the perfect gift for a Sagittarian…

It was quite the norm for people to carry jewellery of their zodiac sign on their body, something Taehyung had noticed you didn’t. Aside from the tattoo.

The shop keeper packed the necklace into a velvet box and handed it to Taehyung in a paper bag, tied with a blue ribbon.

/It’s going to look stunning around her neck…/

Taehyung’s stay would not be as long as his father’s and he returned back to the Capricorn kingdom the following morning after staying the night at the palace.

The day after his return, he headed out in the early morning again, the velvet box safely tucked away in the inner pocket of his coat.

The music shop was unlocked when he arrived and Taehyung headed inside and up the stairs, finding you seated at the piano.

“You’re here early.” Taehyung pointed out as a greeting.

“I had trouble sleeping.” You explained with a half-hearted smile.

“oh, how come?”

You shrugged. “I always feel weird this time of year.”

The words confused Taehyung… today of all days should be when a Sagittarian is happy and excited, no?

“But it’s November 23rd…”

“I know.” You said softly, giving him a bittersweet smile. “It just makes me think a lot… my parents.”

“Were they Sagittarians?”

You shook your head gently. “No, but it was the last season I saw them.”

Taehyung pulled out the box from his coat.

“I was with my fa- my father on a business trip to the Sagittarius Kingdom this weekend and I got you a gift while I was there… Maybe it won’t help heal, but hopefully it will cheer you up.”

You looked at him surprised and flustered.

“A gift?”

Taehyung handed you the box and removed his coat before taking a seat on the bench aside you.

You opened the velvet box, revealing the necklace with the turquoise pendant.

“I noticed you have no jewellery.”

You carefully picked it out of the box, admiring its shine.

“Oh, it’s beautiful Vante. I don’t know what to say.”

Taehyung reached out his hand and you handed him the chain. You held up your hair with both hands as he helped put it on you.

“It’s looks even more beautiful on you than I imagined.” He smiled.

“Thank you so much.”

You let your hair back down, feeling a tingly heat across your cheeks.

Taehyung began to play at the piano.

It was the same song he had been playing on his violin a few days ago, not that you’d know.

A careful hand reached for the pendant hanging around his own neck, admiring it.

“My great grandmother passed it down to me.” Taehyung explained as he played.

“Was she a Capricorn too?”

Taehyung nodded.

“And your parents?”

“Capricorns.”

“Oh wow.”

“What about yours?”

“Auntie never told me her sign, but my parents were both Aries.”

“Oh, how come she never told you?”

“I’ve asked her so many times, but she claims she is made up of not one sign but multiple, neither or all.”

“Sometimes I wish I could be neither or all.” Taehyung admitted.

“Does it get overwhelming with so many Capricorns in the same house?” You asked, intending it as a joke.

Taehyung nodded.

“I’m grateful I’m not a royal at least… imagine having no freedom.” You said.

Taehyung pressed the keys harder, corner of his lip twitching.

“I can’t imagine the pressure of having to be so select and how they manage to time the birth of an heirs, it’s both impressive and sad at the same time…” You continued. “But I’ve heard stories.”

Taehyung stopped playing.

“What stories?” He asked.

You took over the song where Taehyung left off.

“Auntie once told me that long ago, in the Gemini Kingdom, the Queen was simply married to the king as a formality and had an affair with her lover regularly, a Pisces. Apparently, the king even knew about it, but he didn’t care and had affairs of his own too… I don’t see why it’s not enough for one to be aligned, can’t the heir marry who they please? The child, if they have any, could still be timed, or they could adopt orphaned children of said sign? But still love who they please?”

“They’re crazy about keeping it clean… anything unclean is treason to them.” Taehyung added.

“Treason? Isn’t that a bit harsh… if the public were forced to love only their own there would be an uprising. How could we possibly expect the royals to uphold this?”

Taehyung swallowed back his tears.

“I don’t know…” he looked down at his lap.

“At least it’s lucky for us.” You reassured.

Taehyung looked up.

“Lucky for us?” he asked, confused. But before the words could make it out you reached for his face, cupping his cheeks, and pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

Time froze.

The supressed tear managed to escape down Taehyung’s cheek anyway and he slipped his hand around the back of your neck, pulling you closer for him to kiss you deeper.

Was it possible for a kiss to taste like magic? Obviously so.

He refused to pull away, so did you.

Hands were tugging and pulling at each other, more and more need growing between you.

Taehyung wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you up on his lap. His hand slipped into your hair, scratching your scalp as his lips desperately claimed your mouth. His tongue exploring and taking over control of the kiss.

A soft moan escaped you, your hands moving over his shoulders, exciting him even more…

Taehyung reached behind you, closing the lid of the piano over the keys before lifting you up to sit on top of it.

“I want you so bad.” He groaned by your ear, hands slipping up your thighs.

“Is that why you’re here?” You teased.

Taehyung nodded.

He dragged the tip of his nose up the side of your neck, inhaling your scent and planting gentle kisses all the way up to your jaw all while his hands travelled up over your hips to your waist.

He was hard.

Nothing mattered anymore to him in this moment, only you.

He pressed himself closer, his bulge rubbing up against you. By surprise, he suddenly hooked his arms under your knees, pushing them up and forcing you to grip onto the piano ledge to hold your balance. His eyes were dark, lips swollen and parted, his mind screaming for what he couldn’t have… but doesn’t restriction trigger desire to grow even stronger? The heart wants what it can’t have?

Taehyung groaned, grinding up against you, the friction driving you both insane.

You wanted him just as bad.

But the moment was short lived when you heard the bell go off downstairs.

“Fuck.” Taehyung muttered, quickly but carefully releasing his hold of you.

“It’s probably Hans.” You whispered.

Taehyung grabbed his coat, folding it in his lap to conceal his hard-on in case he’d come up and say hi.

You swallowed, your heart still racing within.

Taehyung opened the lid of the piano again and began to play an easy melody.

“We can find somewhere else to practice…” You whispered into his ear.

“Do you live nearby?”

“I live with Auntie…”

A clear no.

“I live with my family…”

You sighed, followed by an awkward chuckle.

“I’m playing at the bar tonight… When my gig ends, meet me behind the stage.”

Sneaking out at night was a lot harder than sneaking out in the early morning, staff were everywhere, guards walking all over the place, but with luck Taehyung managed to sneak out regardless and headed out to the bar.

He wanted to come watch you play, but he knew he couldn’t stay out too long…

Once he arrived, the gig was just about over, and the small crowd were happily drinking and dancing to the beats.

Was he too late?

He hurried up the stage stairs and in behind the curtain and to his relief he saw you assembling your things together.

Taehyung called your name and you turned to face him.

“I was worried you wouldn’t come.”

“I managed to sneak away from work.” He smirked.

You reached for his hand, looking around before pulling you with him into the small backstage room.

“This is the only place I could think of where we could be alone for a while.”

Inside the small room was some various stage equipment, a small sofa and a makeup table with a mirror and chair.

“I have no complaints.” Taehyung smiled, pushing you back against the nearest wall gently, moving your hair behind your ear. A fantasy becoming reality.

He leaned in, tilting his head slightly before his lips crashed against yours, kissing you with even more hunger than before.

His hand travelled down your leg, locating the back of your knee and pulling it up towards his hip as his grinded up against you. Your hands tangled into his hair, eager to finally get your craving for him fulfilled.

Carefully, Taehyung lifted you up, setting you down on the sofa before climbing on top of you.

The room was dimly lit, the only source of light being the bulbs around the makeup mirror in the corner.

His breathing was already heavy as his hands travelled up your body, pushing your dress up to your waist.

“I want to see you naked.” He confessed, dazed and horny.

“One day you will, we don’t have that much time before the next band arrives.”

Taehyung leaned back, unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants, quickly pulling them down.

“It’ll be quick.”

“Unfortunately…”

“That’s not what I meant.” He pulled his boxers down, freeing his hard dick. “What I meant is that I’m not going to be able to hold it.”

You smirked, biting you lip.

“You’re probably going to make me cum right away.” He shamelessly confessed.

His hands grabbed the hem of your panties, pulling them down and slipping them off your legs, tossing them to the floor and got comfortable on top of you.

“Tell me if anything feels wrong.”

You nodded.

He reached between you, grabbing his dick and sliding the tip of it between your lower lips.

“I wish I had more time… I’d treat you so good.” He positioned himself by your entrance and pushed.

He spread you gently, slowly pushing into you, making you stretch from his size.

“You’re so tight…” He groaned, smiling.

He slipped in the entire way, taking extra care to be gentle, making you moan.

“You feel so good.”

After letting you get used to his size a while, he began to move his hips at a gentle pace. You held him close, hands pressing against his toned back.

“I want to see you naked too.” You confessed.

“One day.” He smirked and leaned in to kiss you.

He picked up the pace with his hips, thrusting deeply with each move, humming, and moaning against the kiss… passionate was an understatement.

He fucked like you were his drug, desperate and fully addicted to your body.

“Faster.” You pleaded, half-whispering to him.

“As you wish miss.” He smirked, speeding up his movement.

Your breathing grew heavier, the wet sounds becoming louder between you and climax coming closer and closer.

Taehyung snaked his arms in under you, around your waist, squeezing you tighter as he moved his hips harder.

“You’re killing me.” You groaned.

“Close?”

“Mhm” You nodded, whimpering.

“Good.”

He buried his face into your neck, fucking you even harder, sending you even closer. You could feel yourself leaking around him, more and more…

“Fuck... you like going hard.”

“Is it too much? Does it feel uncomfortable?” he asked between heavy breathes.

“It feels like I’m going to cum.” You moaned.

Taehyung smiled greedily, kissing you deeply and chasing after his nearing release. You grabbed him tighter, your muscles tensing tighter and tighter with each thrust when suddenly, unable to supress the loud moan, you squirted as you came all over him.

Taehyung pulled away from the kiss with a gasp, panting heavily.

“I’ve wanted this so bad.” He groaned, pushing in deeply as he came hard.

Taehyung fell back on his large bed with a wide smile across his face. High on life, the thrill of sneaking out undiscovered, having hard intense sex with his lover… this was the dream. A dream he thought he’d never get to fulfil, but here he was. Having to say goodbye was less fun… but the thoughts and rush couldn’t stop him from shyly smiling and giggling at each replay of every memory.

The thought of how tight you felt… how his cum was probably leaking from your pussy on your way home… Forbidden thoughts. He needed a shower. Sweaty and drenched in your wetness… but he needed to calm down from his high first. Was this what pure happiness felt like? You wanting him just as bad as he wanted you? Oh, to be able to see you completely nude someday… Your bare skin, your breasts, your shoulders… Every dot, freckle, and crease.

He let out a dreamy sigh. Were you thinking the same as him right now? Lying on your bed, thinking about his lean bare abdomen and his strong arms? Taehyung blushed. He didn’t care anymore, not for treason not for what he had to do and couldn’t do, all he knew was that he was in love.

The next morning, he woke up with a slight soreness in this thigh muscles, but not too bad… and morning wood. In his bathroom he taped up a bath and lowered himself into the warm water to soothe and bathe himself, with one hand wrapped around his dick, jerking himself off.

It didn’t feel the same after you, nothing would ever beat what he experienced last night… but it was good enough for now. After his bath he dressed up formally, slacks, his shirt, his crown, and a waist coat and headed down for breakfast.

The queen, seated in her normal spot at the long table, informed him that the musicians for the ball would come to the palace shortly to start the rehearsals for the big event later that month. This was routine every year and as a musician himself Taehyung enjoyed seeing them rehearse.

After practicing his violin all morning, he set it aside and headed off to the grand hall in hopes of seeing the musicians arriving. Rightfully so, the small ensemble were all gathering in the hall, setting up and tuning their instruments. Violins, Clarinets, even a harp… If not for the awful mingling at the ball, Taehyung could at least enjoy the music.

“Oh, your highness!” The ensemble director called out. “Are you here to watch the rehearsals?” He asked with a wide smile.

The director, Claude, was a familiar face to Taehyung, he was his piano tutor up until he turned 11 and had directed the music at almost every event for the royal family ever since he could remember.

Taehyung greeted him warmly.

As the musicians all set up, he couldn’t help but notice the empty bench at the piano.

“No pianist?” Taehyung asked Claude and gestured towards the piano.

“She’ll be here any moment now, she informed me earlier that she might be late.” Claude reassured. “If she doesn’t show up, maybe you can fill in for her your highness?” Claude suggested jokingly, making Taehyung chuckle.

“I’d love to, but mother would never approve of me playing at my own event, unfortunately.”

Claude gave Taehyung a gentle pat at the shoulder and went to take his place in front of the small group again. The door to the hall suddenly opened and the sound of heels echoed across the marble floors combined with the tuning of the instruments. Taehyung turned around, assuming it might be the pianist or a member of palace staff… but his heart throbbed.

It was you.

The pianist… was you?

What happened to the previous pianist? What were you doing here!?

The echo of the heels stopped.

Your eyes went wide.

“Ah! You’re here!” Claude joyfully called out and ran up to you, putting his arm around your frozen figure. “His royal highness has come to watch our rehearsal.”

You bowed hesitantly, unable to find words.

Taehyung’s heart was racing. What was he going to do? Run? Hide? Find the nearest time machine and go back 5 minutes to drag himself out of the room before you came in?

Memories of the night before played in his head, the two of you kissing, moaning about how good it felt, how good HE felt, how amazing he was… The music began but all Taehyung could hear was the loud thumping of his own heart. He had to explain! He had to get you alone with him! What if you hated him now? What if you never wanted to see him again? What if this ruined everything!? The anxiety was consuming him like a massive wave just washed over him and he couldn’t escape the water. This morning he felt as if he had everything only for it to be stripped away from him a few hours later.

Two songs were all he could handle take before he had to step out.

Outside he exhaled deeply, removed his crown to pull a hand through his hair and put it back on again. The door to the hall opened and you carefully stepped out, excusing yourself for the restroom for the others. Luckily no guards were patrolling this section of the corridor right now, but Taehyung was stood right outside, a panicked expression on his face.

He quickly looked around and grabbed a hold of your wrist, gently and quickly pulling you along with him to the nearest room, that so happened to be a guest office. Taehyung let go of your wrist and closed and locked the door behind him.

“I can explain.” He panicked.

“You’re not Vante.”

He shook his head shamefully.

“I… I’m Prince Taehyung… first decan Capricorn… of the Capricorn Kingdom.” He smiled awkwardly.

“This explains your odd working hours… and your family pressure…” You spoke slowly.

“I’m sorry, please forgive me for lying to you.”

“Va- Taehyung.”

Hearing you call him by his true name sent a thrill through his body.

“Taehyung I… I’m just surprised… You don’t need to ask for forgiveness, I understand why you had to use a different name… I’m just… I didn’t expect this. At all… Ever.”

Taehyung took a step forward, reaching for your hands with his. His strong lean fingers caressing over yours. The movement was unnatural, hesitant, and anxious.

“Does this change what you feel for me?” He asked, worried.

You shook your head. “I think I have something to tell you too…” You confessed. “But not now… can we meet up after rehearsals?”

“Of course.” He reached up and caressed your cheek.

“At the music shop?”

“You’re in my palace, you can meet me in my room.”

Taehyung leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, trying to reassure you but more so himself. Testing if you’d still let him be physical and affectionate with you. With each touch he felt a bit more at ease.

“Just stay behind after rehearsals and I’ll come get you.” He squeezed your hand reassuringly.

Taehyung checked the corridor before letting you out to go back to the hall and entered himself a while later to watch. He knew he had to leave shortly for other duties while they rehearsed, but he had a few more minutes left to spare.

Claude suddenly waved you towards him after a while.

You stood up from the piano and walked over to him and Prince Taehyung.

“Did you know that Prince Taehyung is a musician himself? He too plays the piano and even the violin.”

“And trumpet.” Taehyung added with a grin, hands behind his back.

Trying not to look too taken off guard you nodded and simply said “It’s nice seeing a fellow pianist.”

Taehyung tried to supress a chuckle and nodded politely towards you.

Taehyung’s duties came to an end and so did the rehearsals for the day.

Trying your best to pack away your notes as slowly as possible to remain last felt very forced and unnatural… and Claude was still there, insisting to see you out, since finding your way around the palace was tricky and it was easy to get confused and end up lost.

“Oh, the times I’ve ended up places I did not belong in this place.” Claude chuckled.

Taehyung finally stepped into the hall much to your relief.

“Rehearsal go well, Claude?” Taehyung asked.

“Splendid.” Claude ensured. “Just waiting to see our new one out.”

“I can see her out Claude, leave if you must.”

“You’ll be honoured by being seen out by Claude another day I guess; I actually do need to get going. I thank you your highness.” Claude bowed.

Taehyung winked at you.

The doors gently shut as Claude left and you let out a sigh of relief.

“I tried to be-“

Taehyung held his fingers up to his lips, interrupting you. He pointed his head towards the windows, where a palace guard was currently keeping watch.

“Take your things and come with me.” Taehyung said calmly. “If anyone asks, I’m escorting you out because you got lost.”

You nodded, holding your bag pressed to your chest with both your hands. You followed him out into the same corridor as before, passing by two guards in discreet silence, both bowing to Taehyung as he passed. You had many questions by now… mostly out of curiosity but also of concern.

Taehyung walked up a flight of stairs, his steps speeding up as no guards were around and raced down another hallway until he reached the door to his room. You stepped inside and Taehyung closed and locked the door behind him.

His room was huge.

“Wow…” You expressed looking around at large room. It was like a massive apartment in itself with wooden floors, satin curtain, expensive looking furniture and lavish carpets.

“Make yourself comfortable. Are you hungry?”

“A little bit.”

“Wait here.” Taehyung said and quickly stepped back out.

You placed your bag down at his study and looked around. There was a huge bed with a violin case placed on it, a bookshelf, a lounge area, a study corner, a walk-in closet and a huge bathroom… His room was almost as big as Auntie’s apartment above the shop.

The door opened after a while and Taehyung came back inside, locking the door after him again while holding a silver tray.

“Sandwiches and some fruit.” He said, placing the tray down on the table in the lounge area.

“And a chocolate muffin, just in case.”

Taehyung stood up tall, readjusting his waistcoat nervously and removed his crown.

“You wanted to tell me something.” He said, placing his crown on the table next to the tray.

“… Can I see you naked first?”

He was taken aback by the sudden suggestion, his cheeks turning red but a smirk forming on his lips.

“Can I take my time?”

You nodded. Carefully, you reached for the violin case and put it down on the floor by the bed for you to sit on the edge.

Taehyung walked up to you, not leaving much space between you as he unbuttoned his waist coat. His fingers reached for the top button of his shirt, buttoning it all the way down, pulling it out from the hem of his slacks and pulling it off his broad shoulders along with his waist coat. Then he kneeled, removing his shoes and his socks quickly. Next, he reached for his belt, unbuckling it, unbuttoning and unzipping his pants and pushing them down, stepping out of them and kicking them to the growing pile of clothes. Lastly, he pulled down his underwear, leaving him in nothing other than the necklace around his neck, the pendant hanging in height with his lean chest.

He swallowed, confident yet still nervous.

“Need help?” He asked, brushing a hand back through his hair. You nodded, eager, leaning back on your hands. You were dressed formally, a high waisted pencil skirt and a tucked in white blouse, the unofficial uniform for ensemble rehearsals. Taehyung reached forward, unbuttoning the small buttons of your blouse, starting from the neckline and working down to the waist band of the skirt, slowly revealing more and more of your cleavage. With a strong grip he pulled the blouse up and out of the tight skirt, hurrying to unbutton the rest and push it off your beautifully sculpted shoulders and exposing the numerous tattoos on your arm.

He took a moment to take in the view.

“There’s more.” He said curiously and surprised. “I know I’ve only removed your blouse, but I’m already feeling overwhelmed.” He confessed, earning a giggle from you.

Your skirt was pulled down your legs and off, followed by your panties, leaving you only in your bra and the necklace, the pendant resting in the cleavage between your breasts. Taehyung climbed up on the bed and you scooted further up. His arms reached around you, unhooked your bra and carefully, slowly removed it, slipping the straps over your shoulders and his fingers tickling your skin as they travelled down your arms.

The final piece of clothing was finally tossed to the floor.

His hands were pressed against the bed on either side of you, leaning slightly over you, taking in his view and you taking in yours. “Little did I know I had a thing for tattoos.” He said, caressing his fingers over the art on your arm gently.

You blushed.

“I’ll guide you through them one day.”

“Why not now?” He asked, pouting, and tilting his head to the side.

“There are many stories to each… but right now I just want to focus on you.”

With a careful hand he helped you to lay down on your back and began to explore. His hands moved down from your shoulders over your breasts, fingers gracing over your nipples and making your skin tingle before he cupped your breasts in his hands and squeezed them.

His hands were firm, feeling and massaging, taking his time. He leaned in, lips slightly puckered as he pressed a kiss to your nipple and repeating the gesture on the other before latching onto the left completely, gracing it with his tongue and causing you to squeeze your thighs together as the need for him increased. Your heart was pounding in your chest, but for multiple reasons. One being from the warm touch of his hands at your hips, his lips exploring and tasting you and the fact that you were in bed with the prince. Vante… no, Taehyung. Prince Taehyung.

His lips released your hardened nipple with a gentle pop and latched on to the other. Your blood was rushing, heat intensifying, and you could feel yourself getting increasingly wet.

You’d never been much of a thrill seeker but there was something about Taehyung that spoke to you, a connection, a glow about him, something irresistible… Everything felt so natural and easy. Like you could safely melt into his arms and he would carry you to safety through the roughest terrains.

Taehyung’s hands felt up your thighs as he released your other nipple, nuzzling his face between your breasts with a deep longing sigh.

“You smell nice.” He said in a high-sounding voice.

He sat back up, exposing himself for your viewing pleasure again, only this time harder, throbbing and precum leaking from the tip.

If there was anything better than hearing him vocalize his want for you, it was seeing it.

Almost on impulse, you reached for his dick, wrapping your hand around it as he whimpered.

Taehyung’s plans came to an abrupt halt. He was on edge and he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold it for long but there were places he still wanted to explore, taste, touch and feel but your hand stroking his dick was unbearable and overwhelming, if not also thrilling.

He groaned, clenching his hands into fists and momentarily you became aware of the power you had over him in the moment. Distracted by his expression and the sweet deep sounds of his voice, you couldn’t stop when suddenly, with a loud moan and his head leaning back you felt something hot and sticky in your hand.

Taehyung was breathing heavily, gaze darkened.

“It’s my turn again.” He declared and pushed your thighs apart.

You wiped your hand clean on the expensive silk sheets as he leaned in and pressed a firm kiss directly to your clit, triggering a wave of tingly sensations.

His tongue wasn’t shy. He licked, traced, flicked, explored everything in reach, bringing you to a leaking point, beyond desperate for more. Gently, he slipped a long finger in, curling it gently, with the same exploring attitude. It was hard to tell if he knew what he was doing or if he was just guided by his own curiosity, but it didn’t matter.

He slipped in a second finger, thrusting with a gentle motion as his thumb circled over your clit, finding your edge immediately.

“Do you like it?” He asked with a shy smirk.

You could merely respond with a nod.

“You don’t need to answer, your body already did.” He let out a soft chuckle.

He pulled away, placed his hands on either side of you and got on top. His hand wrapped around his dick, guiding the tip between your lower lips, up and down a few times before pushing against your entrance. Despite remembering extremely well how he felt the first time, it still caught you off guard when he pushed himself in, his size causing a stretch but not painful. His breathe was shaky as he pushed in deeper, your core squeezing him tight.

As he pushed in all the way he repositioned himself slightly, so his face was right above yours and stole a kiss. Your arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him in for more and your lips didn’t separate for once beyond that point.

His hands squeezed and caressed your waist as his hips moved against you, making love to you with a deep passionate rhythm. You felt high.

He moaned against your lips, consumed by pleasure. His movements did not stall, instead they increased, by time it grew deeper, faster… up to a point where your lips had to part to release sweet sounds and heavy breaths as you got closer and closer. He called out your name like a prayer when your orgasm took over, squeezing, tensing and releasing deeply as he came again.

Little gems of sweat decorated his skin and yours, chests moving rapidly to regain breathe and shy flustered giggles here…

Taehyung’s weight on top of you felt comforting as he recollected himself and your hands caressed his flexed back. After a while he carefully pulled out and fell onto the bed on his back next to you with a deep sigh, immediately turning his head to be able to look at you.

From the large windows in his room the moonlight shone in, lighting up the dark sky.

You had no idea how long you’d been here, how long you’d been going or what time it was… but to judge by the sky… it was clearly late and a feeling of panic began to rise.

“What I want the most right now is to sleep with you in my arms the entire night.” Taehyung said and stretched his arms over his head with a groan and placed his hands under his head.

“I do too… but I fear if I don’t go back soon, auntie will be worried.”

“Every moment away from you becomes tougher the more I get to be with you.” He confessed.

You felt the same but were reluctant to confess.

“If I express how I feel, I’m afraid I’ll never be able to leave.”

“Then tell me and don’t go.” He pleaded and caressed your cheek.

You swallowed.

“There is something else I need to tell you first…”

Taehyung rolled onto his side, wrapping an arm around you and pulled you close to his soft warm body.

“I’m all ears.” He said and caressed your back.

“I… I know I’m not a Capricorn but…” “I refuse to wed anyone who is not you.” Taehyung said sternly, cutting you off.

“I- that- that’s not what I meant..” You stuttered, flustered. “I..”

It was hard to get the words out, maybe it would be easier to just show him…

“I’ll show you tomorrow instead, after ensemble rehearsals.”

“I have duties tomorrow. I’m assisting my father for a mission. But I can come by the music shop in the morning before I must go.”

“Where must you go?”

“Hmm, father hasn’t told me yet, only that he needed my assistance. We will meet by the stables so maybe it’s just hunting practice. In which case we usually don’t return until late at night.”

“Then come by the shop at 5.”

The following morning Taehyung woke up to the sound of heavy rain tapping against his window.

His bed felt abnormally large for just him and the scent of you in the sheets made his heart feel heavy with longing.

Last night after a longer time of cuddling he bid you a reluctant farewell by the escape crack in the bush, cautious to not be discovered.

He wanted to walk you home, but he knew it was too risky. So far he’d gone undiscovered and it would be awful if tonight was the one time he’d be caught and who knew what would happen if he were… especially with you. Maybe his mother, the queen would go crazy and lock him up like Rapunzel and arrange his marriage.

Taehyung rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and stretched his arms before getting up and getting dressed. In this weather the trip with father would likely be postponed.

The only light to be seen were the dim vague garden lights aimed to the sculpture cut bushes in the palace garden and the lights next to the guard posts. Taehyung was quick, sneaking over the grass and quickly squeezing through the bush. Once through, he readjusted the hood of his cape to shield himself from the pouring rain and hurried towards the town.

As he reached the music shop he saw a light from the window upstairs and was filled with anticipation. He stepped inside, removed his hood from his head and headed towards the stairs.

You were sat by the window with a lit candle shining a warm soft light on the sill.

“You’re always here first.” He smiled, removing his cape to hang it to dry.

“I left early when I saw the rain so you wouldn’t have to wait outside in it.”

Taehyung’s rosy cheeks from the cold got flushed deeper. He took a step closer, cupped his hand to your jaw and leaned in to place a warm kiss to your lips.

“Only auntie knows what I’m about to say…” You began as Taehyung took a seat on the piano bench.

“She told me never to tell anyone… but I feel a need to let you know and maybe… maybe you could help me… even though I don’t have much hope.” You said, looking out at the rain.

Taehyung tilted his head to the side in slight confusion before taking your hands in his.

“You can tell me anything.” He reassured.

“The other day at the bar, we were having drinks, the ensemble… and they were talking about a rumour… that the Ariesian king and queen were still alive.”

Taehyung nodded as he listened.

“People are talking and it’s painful and I’m scared.”

“Scared? Of what? My dearest? Of us?”

You swallowed.

“… They’re my parents.”

Taehyung paused for a while, thinking.

“You mean… you’re the missing princess?”

“Please don’t call me that.” You pleaded, emotions taking over as you squeezed his hands tight.

“I’m sorry I… I’m sorry.” He let go of your hands and pulled you close to his chest, hugging you firmly.

You stayed silent, letting Taehyung hold you till you calmed down.

“I’m going to protect you, I promise.” Taehyung whispered gently. “Don’t worry, ok?”

“What if they’ve been alive this entire time… I thought they were…”

“I understand it’s tough for you to hear about all the theories… If I knew anything I would let you know, but I wasn’t even aware of these rumours…” He said, with a voice that was gentle and soft spoken.

“I’m scared they’re going to find me and kill me Taehyung…” You sniffled.

“Never will I let that happen. If anyone dares to harm you, I will not hesitate to take actions that could cause a civil war. If I must start a revolution, I will.”

You shook your head against his chest.

“No, please don’t do anything like that. I don’t want to risk losing you too… and if they find me, they’ll take auntie too… without you I’ll restlessly roam this realm, haunting empty houses, weeping for an eternity.”

“I’ll roam with you in that case.” He said, caressing the back of your head.

“No… I want to see you live.”

“We’ll both live, I promised I’d protect you and as the prince I can give you my royal word… I wish I could bring you to the palace and keep you safe there, but…”

“It wouldn’t work out.” You filled in.

Taehyung nodded.

“Does auntie know about your worries?” He asked, still soft-spoken.

You shook your head in response. You knew you had to tell her, and you were going to as well, only that you hadn’t come around to it yet. But once you went back home after the rehearsals with the ensemble you would… maybe.

By the time Taehyung reached the palace the lights were on in the kitchen and the scent of fresh baked bread that would’ve normally made him feel comforted inside gave him a sense of panic.

He had forgotten… usually they’d arrive later but since he and father were heading off on a mission… of course they’d come and prepare breakfast earlier!

The rain was still heavy and the sun had just began its journey over the horizon at this time.

“Your highness!” A voice called, just as Taehyung considered sneaking in through the kitchen and hoping for the best to remain undiscovered.

One of the guards were running towards him, the sounds of his armour rustling as he hurried over.

“Your highness why are you out here? You’ll fall ill if you stand out in the rain, this isn’t weather to walk in. Let me escort you inside.”

“Nature showers… I heard they could be good for the soul.” Taehyung explained in a formal voice.

“Oh, it wasn’t my intention to interrupt anything your highness, I beg your pardon.” The guard said and bowed.

“You’re probably right however, escort me inside.”

Flustered, the guard straightened and walked Taehyung towards the back garden stairs leading into the main hall.

“I’ll ask the maids to arrange a warm bath and warm clothes for you your highness.” The guard said and disappeared before Taehyung could thank him.

He pulled his coat off, tossing it over his arm and walked towards the stairs to head to his room, but already standing at the very top was his mother.

She let out a soft gasp at the sight of Taehyung.

“My son, you are absolutely soaked! Are you out of your mind? Why would you go out in the rain at this hour?” She questioned, taking his coat from him.

“I just… needed some air and I wanted to feel the rain.”

“You’ll feel sick if anything! Now off you go, bathe and drink tea! Father wishes to eat breakfast together before the two of you leave.”

“In this weather still? Why no wait to hunt in better conditions?”

“Hunting in the rain? Dear no, you’re not going out hunting.” The queen said and let out a little chuckle at her unintended pun. “Off now!”

Taehyung leaned back in the tub, steam evaporating into the air from the hot water surrounding him.

Not only did this defrost him but also soothe his sore muscles from the previous night.

Secretly he had hoped for the mission to be postponed so he could stay and watch the rehearsals but whatever father was bringing him along on seemed important based on mother’s tone.

Once out of the tub the maids had left warm clothes folded neatly on his bed, but to his surprise it was his formal uniform…

Suspicion began to arise within. The mission was official business? Why did he have to come?

Taehyung took a deep breathe, got dressed in the figure fitted uniform and headed down to the dining hall.

The king, also dressed in a formal uniform and the queen were already seated when he entered.

“How long will we be away for?” Taehyung asked cautiously as he took a seat.

“For as long as we need, but no longer than till the end of the day. But this mission will continue for some significant time son.” The king answered.

“How long? What for? Where are we going?”

The king chuckled. “So many questions. I’ll give you the briefing when we’re on our way.”

“… do I have to attend? The preparations for the ball and all-“

“I have all of that under control.” The queen cut in.

“And yes Taehyung, you were specifically asked to participate. I need your assistance.”

Specifically?

“Why would I be requested, how could I possibly aid?”

“Taehyung! You are a prince. This matter is of high importance to us and as a member of the royal family you will be asked to help regardless.”

The rain was still falling heavy over the kingdom.

Taehyung and the king were sat across from each other in the embellished carriage and the rain was tapping loudly at the shielded windows. The seats were sewn with gold thread and imported satin and everything following a golden theme. But what else would one expect the inside of the king’s carriage to be like?

“I couldn’t tell you this earlier out of safety.” The king began, breaking the silence between them.

“This mission is… sensitive, so it is important that you don’t talk about this to anyone.”

Taehyung nodded.

“We are on our way to the Sagittarius kingdom again.”

“Again?”

“Again. But this time, we are officially starting. When I was invited last, they told me about their … secret, one could say. And today we will start the mission for said secret.”

“What is the secret?” Taehyung asked, serious.

The king leaned forward slightly.

“You are familiar with the tale of the out of season birth in the Aries kingdom, right?”

“Yes, I’ve heard a few rumours.” He swallowed.

“For years now, the royal family of the Sagittarius kingdom have tried to track down the child.”

Taehyung’s heart began to race.

“Why? Wasn’t the child killed?”

“No. The Sagittarian and Aries kingdom have a long close history. When the truth was exposed, the family were fleeing to hand over the child to the Sagittarian kingdom, knowing the child would be kept safe there but they never made it. But when they were caught, the child was already missing and the fallen king and queen refused to reveal where the child was hidden.”

“Fallen? What happened?”

“Nobody knows. Most of us assume they’re no longer with us, but some theorize that the current rulers are still keeping them imprisoned.”

“Father… do you agree?”

“Agree with what son?”

“Do you agree that the child being born out of season, was treason?”

After a while of silence the king shook his head softly.

“That’s why we’re helping the Sagittarian royals to find the child.”

“What will they do if they locate the child?”

“They’ll adopt into the royal family. The child is of royal blood.”

“And then?”

“Then?”

“Will it have to keep the Sagittarian succession in season too? Marry a Sagittarian?”

“I can’t answer that son. All they ask from us is to help locate it.”

“Why us? Why not the Scorpio kingdom?”

“Because the child… the woman. Is rumoured to be hidden in our kingdom and we want to keep this as quiet as possible.”

Taehyung leaned back against the back rest. His lips felt dry, and his mind was overthinking.

You would meet the same fate as him… He’d lose you… Had the thought of having you as his secret lover like the other royals occurred to him? Yes, but even that would be impossible if you were going to become princess of a different kingdom. Would the public even be ok with an adopted princess? What would the Aries rulers say? What would you say? Would you even want it? And what would happen to auntie?

“Father.” Taehyung looked up from his lap. “What would the Aries rulers do if it leaked out?”

“In a worst-case scenario, they’d capture her and imprison her. We don’t know where they stand, we don’t want to awake suspicion either.”

“Are they searching?”

“We’re not sure. But the resistance is.”

“The resistance?”

“Those in the Aries kingdom who are against the event that occurred and not only them, all of those in the kingdoms who oppose of the season succession. If they had her, they would have a strong front figure to start a revolution and could likely even make the kingdom of Aries collapse.”

The carriage came to a stop.

From this point everything Taehyung experienced and heard flew past like a movie he wasn’t paying attention to. He was physically present but mentally absent all while trying hard to hide his anxiety from his father and the Sagittarian royals.

His hands were trembling, legs unable to be still, he had to move, he had to leave, he had to go to you! All he could think of were the various scenarios his anxious mind was inventing. Captured, imprisoned, un-free… despite agreeing with the intentions of the resistance he didn’t like the idea of you being used as a sort of propaganda and the risks and publicity it would involve. But most of all and maybe selfishly enough… he feared a scenario where he would be forced apart from you.

His mind was cruel to him at this point.

He envisioned seeing the news of your engagement to another of your sign, his heart reacting to it as if the imagination was reality. He swallowed.

Another vision where he was forced to marry, betraying you, breaking your heart. Weddings, heirs, never being able to see you again only hearing. Hearing about your life without him… If ever he would see you only for formal state matters once he was king and you’d become queen…

A queen…

If you were to be queen, it should be his queen. Why couldn’t it be that way? If you were to become queen in the Sagittarian Kingdom and his heart would overpower his actions, who knew how people would react? Would it be treason if he confessed his love for a royal member of a different sign? Would it be a scandal? Would headlines have the words “The Prince of the Capricorn kingdom confesses to forbidden attraction with the Princess of Sagittarius”?

“Prince Taehyung?” A gentle female voice called out and a hand was placed on his right shoulder.

He hadn’t realized he was breathing heavily.

“Are you alright dear?” The queen asked, caressing his shoulder softly.

“I… I just need some fresh air.” Taehyung stuttered and stood up from his chair, causing it to creek against the marble floors.

One of the palace guards escorted him onto a balcony and Taehyung filled his lungs with the cold winter air, his exhale creating a cloud. He didn’t care for the cold. He couldn’t feel a thing and his body was on fire. His uniform felt tight around the neck and the fabric was too stiff. The air helped ease his physical symptoms, but his mind just wouldn’t calm down. He felt helpless… desperate.

The glass doors to the balcony opened and the Queen stepped out. She was wrapped in a fur poncho, with a black figure fitted uniform beneath and a blue glistening crown on her head.

The guard closed the doors behind her as she approached Taehyung.

“I hope you don’t mind me intruding, but I can’t help but worry. Please forgive me.”

“I am the one who should ask for forgiveness, I haven’t been paying attention.” Taehyung said politely.

“Prince Taehyung… this might be the first time we meet, surely not the last. You might benefit from knowing that before I married the king, I was studying my master’s in psychology.”

Taehyung remained silent.

“What I’m trying to say is that I know a panic attack when I see one.” She explained gently and took a step closer.

Taehyung sighed and looked down at the stone flooring.

“Why was I requested to be a part of this mission?” Taehyung asked boldly, clenching his fists.

“Because you’re the prince of a kingdom which we highly trust Prince Taehyung, please take this request as the honour it’s intended as.”

Taehyung took another deep, but rather shaky breath. He began to feel cold.

“May I ask what’s troubling you Prince Taehyung?” The queen asked softly.

“I… it’s just this whole season succession thing… I think it’s … it makes me upset! I think it’s nonsense!” Taehyung confessed, the frustration clear in his voice.

“I completely agree.” She said, caressing his back gently.

Her mannerism was very motherly and nurturing…

“When I married the king.” She began, lowering her voice slightly. “He told me the evening he proposed that he didn’t care about my sign. Now I happened to be of the same sign as my husband but he insisted he hadn’t paid a thought to it. All he wanted was me and he was lucky. But if I had been of another sign, he would’ve still proposed the same day, with the same ring, with the same speech, with the same feelings.”

“Would you have said yes to him if it were different, knowing the risks he’d take?”

“Yes, but also because he would’ve never accepted my rejection if so was the case.”

“What do you mean?”

“He would never let such a thing stand in the way for us and our love, neither would I.”

“But he’d be held accountable for treason!”

“Prince Taehyung… are you involved with another sign than you own?” The queen suddenly asked.

Taehyung suddenly felt extremely defensive.

“What? No! … I just… This topic has become a sensitive matter to me.”

“I assume you know about your parents already then”

Taehyung froze.

“Know what?”

The queen quickly realized she made a false assumption about his knowledge and stiffened.

“I. I’m sorry it’s not my place to tell you.” She said, bowed gently and quickly hurried inside.

/Know what about my parents? What is she talking about?/

“I’m so sorry if I caused an issue, based on his thought I made the assumption that he knew.” The queen said as Taehyung re-entered the meeting room.

“We had the intention of telling him soon… maybe now is the right time. Please don’t feel like you’ve caused any trouble your highness.” Taehyung’s father said.

“Told me what?” Taehyung asked.

“We’ll give you two some privacy.” The Sagittarian king said politely and left the room with the regretful looking queen.

“What is it?” Taehyung asked informally.

“Your mother isn’t a Capricorn.” He confessed.

The rehearsals were coming to an end and Claud seemed more than pleased with the practice today. Around you a few members of the palace staff were setting up tables and cleaning the tall windows of the hall in preparation for the celebration.

Across the room the queen was talking to one of the head of staff about something, gesturing towards the windows as she spoke. You assumed it was something about decorations or curtains. The mood in the room seemed anticipating and exciting.

There was a feeling of excitement for you too. Despite the complicated “details” you were pleased that you had a “free pass” to your… if you were allowed to call him that… boyfriend’s birthday celebration (free in the sense of: as long as you stayed put at the piano).

During the short break as the violinist re-tuned their violin you began to feel a sense of longing for Taehyung… To put it simply, you missed him. Time was ticking and he still hadn’t come back and you obviously couldn’t casually linger around the palace after rehearsals. The only way you’d get to see him today would probably be if he visited you tonight… Maybe you should work late at the music shop and sort through the inventory or something just in case he’d come by looking for you… You smiled softly at your own thoughts, blushing.

Suddenly a door to the hall swung open violently.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Taehyung asked, facing the queen with a serious expression.

His hair was wet from the heavy rain outside, and his chest was moving in rhythm with his heavy breathing.

What had happened?

The king entered behind him, pulling him back out of the room, followed by the queen.

It was hard to focus the rest of rehearsals… Taehyung looked upset… angry… bothered. You felt worried. Something was wrong. Would he come get you after rehearsals? Would he not? Maybe he needs time to sort this out and you should leave him alone… but this was bothering you too.

Claud dismissed the ensemble for the day, and you quickly acted on your impulse. Luckily the piano would stay put so you had nothing to pack up aside your notes and quickly headed out, appearing to be leaving.

You looked around and behind you as you passed the staircase, hoping that nobody with a sharp sword would be waiting for you upstairs questioning why you were "exploring" on your own.

With light steps and your musical notes hugged to your chest you rushed up the large staircase, cautious of your surroundings. The coast seemed cleared and luckily the carpet muted the sounds of your steps. You reached the door to Taehyung's bedroom and carefully peaked through the crack of the door. It was empty so you quickly snuck in and shut the door behind you, letting out a sigh of relief.

You placed your notes on the table and readjusted your necklace carefully. It annoyed you when the lock wasn't centred to your nape.

The rain was still heavy outside and the winter darkness had already consumed the sky. This amount of rain would surely cause the river to flood…

Several minutes had past when you finally heard what appeared to be footsteps outside the door.

Cautious, you kneeled behind the bed in case you needed to hide. But to your relief a familiar head of dark messy hair appeared through the door, closing it behind him.

“Taehyung…” You spoke softly, standing up.

At the sound of your voice, he sharply turned his head around, startled at first to then appear relieved. But something was still off about his gaze… he seemed concerned, worried, or maybe just stressed… Without a word he walked up to you and wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you tight against him with a gentle sigh.

His hold felt cold and damp but warm and comforting at the same time.

“I like your uniform, but I think it would be for the best if you took it off and got dressed in something dry and warm, so you don’t get sick.” You said, sounding muffled against his chest.

He hummed a response, still clinging onto you.

The water level raised slightly as Taehyung carefully lowered himself into the tub. His uniform was tossed onto the floor next to the pile of your own clothes. He reached for your hand and began to caress it gently.

“Do your fingers feel sore from rehearsals?” He asked in a soft tone.

“Just a little bit, I’m sure it’ll fade out with a night’s rest.”

“Sleep here, it’s too late in the night for you to head home.” He insisted, eyes pleading.

He appeared extra vulnerable… You were seated across of him in the opposite end of the tub in his bathroom, embraced by the warm water.

“I hope you don’t mind me asking, but you seemed troubled earlier my dear… does it have to do with what happened before?”

He paused to think, ears becoming a subtle hue of red from the endearing addressing.

“I’m just a bit overwhelmed from everything I experienced today…” and he needed more time to think.

A warm hand came up to caress his cheek and he leaned into your touch, still caressing your other hand.

“However, I feel so much better with you here right now.” He continued and rubbed his cheek against your hand. Maybe it wasn’t so bad. Maybe he just needed some comforting and to relax, you thought.

After the bath, he dressed you up in a shirt of his and got into his sleep wear and ordered for some food to be delivered to his room. It didn’t take long for it to arrive, so you hid in the bathroom as the server came in with the food.

“He has left now, you can come out.” Taehyung spoke through the door.

Outside a tray of fresh fruit, bread buns and a large bowl of soup was presented on the table.

“Told them I was so hungry that I’d want to eat with one spoon in each hand.” He smirked and handed you one of them.

The bread was warm and soft, like it was just taken out of the oven before being placed on the tray. And the soup, it was everything, warm, soothing, rich… well, what would you expect from a royal kitchen? But Taehyung wasn’t eating much…

“Are you not hungry?” You asked, reaching for another piece of bread.

“My appetite isn’t great tonight.”

You reached out to touch his forehead, feeling for a temperature. “Do you feel sick? You’ve been out in the rain all day. You should really eat a little more at least.”

Taehyung looked down with a shy smile.

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing I just… feel special.”

“You are special.”

He chuckled softly.

“I mean, you. You make me feel special… You care.”

You were asleep in Taehyung’s bed, lying on your side with him pressed up firmly against your back. His arm was wrapped tight around your waist and his face gently nuzzling against your nape.

He couldn’t sleep.

But at least, he was comfy.

He was tired, exhausted even, but his mind just wouldn’t settle. Thoughts and scenarios were running crazy inside his head. What if this? What if that? Should he tell you? Should he not? How would he possibly appear to help with the mission but not help in reality? They’d already told him everything so he couldn’t back out now… and then there was the other thing. He swallowed, hugging you a little tighter.

His mother wasn’t a Capricorn.

The queen of the Kingdom of Capricorn was not a Capricorn.

The queen who had tried so hard for him to marry and to marry “purely” all while being…

He shook his head.

She had explained to him. Explained how they met, fell in love and the sacrifice, and risks they both took in committing to each other and Taehyung understood, if anything he was glad. However, when he impulsively asked why he couldn’t marry as he pleased, the energy in the room shifted.

Claims that it was in his best interest, that it was to protect him, that it was the law and he shouldn’t commit treason just because they did… absurd words that only made him angrier and more upset.

It shouldn’t be deemed treason. It should be allowed. The rule is out-dated and only serves misery and meaningless status! Was what he had said before he stormed out.

He didn’t wish to be in a feud with his mother, but he felt deeply hurt and most of all it felt so unfair. Shouldn’t her own story make her more open to his freedom of choice? Freedom of love!? He could hide it just like they’ve done all these years!... until they’d find her…

He sighed.

“Taehyung?” You asked in a sleepy voice, turning to look over your shoulder.

“Oh no, go back to sleep. Ssshh.” He caressed.

“Why are you still awake?”

“My mind won’t let me rest tonight… but it’s ok.”

“No, it’s not ok.” You stated, turning around to face him.

He shifted slightly and pressed you close to his chest.

“No more thinking now. Think tomorrow, sleep now.”

“I wish I could.”

“What are you thinking about then Taehyung?”

“A lot…”

“Stress?”

He nodded, biting the inside of his cheek to keep his emotions under control.

“I could distract you.” You said, sleep groggy.

“That would be nice.” He admitted.

“This might sound a bit… a bit unconventional. But when I stay up at night, tired but unable to stop thinking there is one thing that helps.”

“What is that?” He asked and brushed your hair back.

You paused a second before speaking.

“I touch myself.”

Taehyung looked at you with an expression that looked both surprised and intrigued.

“It’s very distracting and you feel more tired, and the body relaxes.” You explained. “It usually helps me a little bit. Not always, but sometimes… just to get my mind off things.”

“So, what do you think about instead then?”

“Nothing particular, just the feeling.”

“I’ll pretend like you didn’t just make my heart shatter into a million pieces.” Taehyung said, making you laugh.

“Were you hoping I’d say I was thinking about you?”

“Maybe.” He pouted playfully.

“Do you think about me?”

“Every time.” He confessed confidently.

Your heart began to beat a little harder.

“Well, if I’m honest I did think about you the other day.”

“What about me?” He smirked, caressing the back of your head.

“Stop, I’m getting embarrassed now.” You whined.

“I think about your breasts.”

“Taehyung!” You giggled, hitting his chest playfully.

“They’re nice! I can’t help it… it’s your fault.”

“My fault? How could it possibly be?”

“It’s your fault you have nice tits, they’re yours thus it is your fault.”

“Then it’s your fault that you have such a thick dick.”

“Yes. It is.” He smirked, moved onto his back, and put a hand behind his head, his triceps naturally flexing in the pose. It was first now that you realized he had taken off his pyjama shirt.

“May I ask you a question?”

Taehyung nodded. “Go ahead baby.”

You blushed and swallowed.

“How does it feel to be a prince?”

“hmm… normal, since it’s all I’ve ever known. Restricting, since it’s all I’ll ever know and frustrating because I can’t ever know anything else.” He said, followed by a sigh.

Maybe now wasn’t the time to tell you that the queen was arranging his marriage… But he felt an urge to say it. However, the urge urgently died as he felt your hand slide in under the hem of his pants. As he felt your hand caress down over his dick he inhaled sharply, instantly feeling the familiar tingle, may it be from your touch or the surprise itself, but it felt good.

His mind was swept away by the sensation almost immediately and a few caresses later he was rock hard. He leaned his head back further against the pillow and let out a soft exhale and a “yes”.

You pulled the hem down a bit further and slipped your hand in under and around him, beginning to jerk him off at a gentle pace.

“Does it feel good?” You whispered.

He answered with a few nods, eyes semi-open.

Each time your hand reached the base you gave an ever so gentle squeeze, making him release a soft whimper each time.

“Mmmng, baby…”

His breathing was becoming heavier, body squirming slightly, muscles tensing in various places…

The inhales were shaky and the exhales heavy and short.

“Fuck… I feel like a-“

“A king?” You suggested.

“A king, but a king that’s submissive to his queen.” He chuckled shyly and bit his lip.

“Submissive?” You questioned.

“Just take me.” He urged.

“Take you?”

“Take me! Have me! Sit on me! Fuck me! I’m going insane! Every time I close my eyes, I imagine your thighs pressing against my hips while you ride me and your breasts bouncing… please. I want that so bad. Your hand feels amazing, but I want to feel your wetness.”

A burning sensation spread over your cheeks and a tightening twist in your core.

“Does his highness always become this bold in the moonlight?”

He chuckled.

“I’d say you’re quite bold to have your hand in my pants right now.” He teased.

“Touché”

“I can confess every detail of my needs right now if you so wish, but please… let me be inside you.”

His begging was turning you on. You removed your hand and unbuttoned his shirt that you were wearing, slipping it off your shoulders and exposing your bare chest to him. Taehyung, without taking his eyes off you, kicked off his pants and reached for your hips. You straddled him, ready to take him when he stopped you.

“Do you feel ready? Do you need me to finger you a bit first?” He asked, causing another tight twist within you. Before you could answer his long fingers caressed their way up your inner thigh and felt you.

“You’re wet… but you know best… and you said I’m big and I know you’re tight.”

“I’m good.” You swallowed, suddenly feeling like the submissive one.

“I promised to be bold but now I feel nervous.” Taehyung confessed with a shy chuckle.

“Would you still feel nervous if I confessed how much your boldness is turning me on right now?”

Taehyung raised a brow and a made a considering face.

“Just a little.” He said, still feeling you with his fingers.

You shifted into position, and he pulled his hand away, reaching for his dick instead to guide himself in. His tip pushed up against your lips, parting them gently. You lowered yourself down slightly, causing his tip to directly push up against your entrance and making you leak. His hands rested on your hips, pushing you down gently without force. Maybe letting his fingers play around a bit first was a good idea but at the same time the stretch he caused felt so intense and good.

“Your hands feel amazing, but your tight wet pussy feels a thousand times better.” He confessed. “And I get a spectacular view.” He added, moving one hand from your hip to caress your breast.

“You ok?” He asked, concerned.

You nodded, biting your lip to supress a scream of pleasure as you pushed down all the way… touching him maybe wasn’t the best idea either, he was all swollen from the stimulation.

“One day I want to have sex in front a mirror just so I can see what it looks like with your pussy all stretched and stuffed by my dick.”

You whimpered.

“Too bold?” He chuckled.

“I want to see that too, but my mind visualized it for me instead.”

You set a gentle pace to begin with. Fast, but short and deep movements, Taehyung’s hands giving you that extra push each time you went down, to get extra deep, the way he liked it.

The sounds were wet and developed into a quicker rhythm as you picked up the pace, riding him deep and hard. You knew you’d feel sore tomorrow, but it was worth it. It was worth how good it felt and how quickly you began to reach your climax on top of him.

It felt powerful.

Your hands were pressed firmly against his chest for support, his hands gentle and active on your hips and his thighs trembling. The tremble they’d usually do, almost like a little habit whenever he was close.

“M-may I take over?” He asked suddenly.

“Yeah.” You answered, out of breath and not sure what he meant.

He sat up slightly, abdomen flexing as he did and wrapped his arms around you, pulling you down on his chest. His legs had been straight, but he now bent his knees and had his feet flat against the mattress as he began to thrust up into you, one arm up along your back and the other across your lower back with a hand on your butt. A moan escaped you by his ear as his movement drove you even closer to your climax. You’d like to call him crazy right now, but crazy in the best way.

He groaned loudly, gripping your butt tighter as his thrusts broke the rhythm and became deeply penetrating with long pulsing pushes. A deep sigh of relief left him as you felt something warm within, but your sensations were quickly consumed by your own orgasm and the tight pulsations of your own release. He kissed you, it was sloppy but filled with overwhelming love and gratitude.

It didn’t take much longer until you both knocked out into deep sleep once he had pulled out. You, still on his chest and your legs spread over his hips with his arms still around you.

The rain had stopped by the morning, but the clouds were remaining.

Taehyung’s chest was moving in a gentle rhythm with his breathing. Your head was comfortably resting on it, body feeling a bit sore, but not too bad. Taehyung was sleeping heavily and his hair was a cute fluffy mess on the pillow.

The realisation that you hadn’t returned home last night suddenly hit you and you realized that auntie had no way of knowing where you were. Hopefully she wasn’t too worried, but you should hurry home once Taehyung woke up to ensure her that you were alright. And maybe it was about time that you told her about Taehyung… Not that he happens to be the prince and only son of the king and queen and that you’re technically helping him commit treason… but that you’re seeing someone. If auntie knew you were involved with the royals she would freak out. Just convincing her to let you play in the ensemble at the palace was a challenge enough.

Auntie obviously knows about where you’re from and who you are, she likely knows more than you do too. Ever since you were a baby auntie had taken care of you and raised you like her own, taught you how to read cards and chart but she also taught you her morals. Auntie believes in things that would have people call her crazy… She believes in a unification of the kingdoms, freedom and liberation and the justice for those who were labelled traitors.

Today, normal citizens are allowed to love whoever. However back in the day this used to be a norm. It was never a law, but the rulers of each kingdom fought to eliminate the norm. The law only applied to royals and the norm practice among the public caused birth rates to become dangerously low and an issue of loneliness and misery arose.

Maybe Auntie was thinking a bit too big, but the freedom and justice was something you wished for too.

You lifted your head up slightly and looked up at Taehyung.

It really wasn’t fair.

Why was the love between you so forbidden? What harm could it possibly do? You could just pretend to be a Capricorn and do the rest “right”. If it was for Taehyung, you would even get your tattoo covered up. You didn’t want anybody else than him. Then if he chose to fulfil his royal duties, so be it… “break my heart then I guess.” You thought of yourself in his situation… forced to marry a Sagittarius or Aries or whatever it would be in your case and how you just wanted Taehyung. His sign didn’t matter to you… HE did. You could get away as a Capricorn, right? Maybe make a move at the ball and introduce yourself as a Capricorn for the king and queen and hope for the best? Or would Taehyung be furious?

He shifted slightly and stretched with a soft groan, waking up. But at the same time a knock was heard from the door and his eyes shot wide open.

“Taehyung? I’d like to talk to you, can I come in?” The voice behind the door spoke.

“Shit… Can we talk later!?” Taehyung called out, voice raspy.

“We don’t have time later, I’d like to talk to you right now.”

“Just.. just wait a minute!” Taehyung called out and pushed himself up on his elbows with a frustrated groan. “It’s my mother.”

Panic.

Taehyung was naked, you were naked AND ON TOP OF HIM. With the sheets semi fallen off.

You quickly got off the bed and crawled in under it while Taehyung got up and pulled on a pair of pyjama shorts and the nearest sweater he could find.

Taehyung let his mother in. The air felt tense.

“About yesterday.” She began and took a seat on the sofa.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Taehyung cut off, brushing his hair back and avoiding eyecontact.

“Taehyung, just let me explain.” She pleaded.

“Explain what? That you and father can do what you want but I can’t?” Taehyung said, trying not to be specific so you’d find out.

“Taehyung, you are our only child… our only son. We just don’t want you to get into any trouble.”

“Then what if I find someone and they’re willing to do what you did?”

“That won’t happen.”

“But what if it does?”

“No, because tomorrow at the ball is your last chance.”

There was a silent moment.

“What do you mean?” Taehyung asked.

“I’ve already arranged someone for you Taehyung, it’s for the best.” She said and stood up from her seat.

Arranged what? You thought.

“I refuse.” He said determined.

“Everything is already settled… the wedding will be in 3 months from now.” She said, sounding regretful.

“I. Am. Not. Going. To.” Taehyung stated, arms crossed over his chest.

“Why are you so opposed to this Taehyung? It’s been years upon years of attempts for you to find someone, why don’t you want to? What’s wrong? Is there somebody else? Somebody we don’t know about?”

“What if there was?”

“Don’t make things up.” She sighed. “Get ready, your father needs you to join him later.”

There was a sound of the door shutting and Taehyung sat on the edge of the bed, his face buried in his hands.

You got out carefully from under the bed, not sure what to say.

“… you’re getting married?” You asked, voice weak.

Taehyung didn’t say anything, he didn’t even look up from his hands.

He sniffled followed by a shaky inhale.

You crawled over the bed and caressed your hand over his back, worried.

“Taehyung?” You asked gently.

He pulled his hands away. Silent tears were streaming down his cheeks as he bit down hard on his lip.

You wrapped your arms around his neck from behind and leaned on him, hugging him.

It didn’t take long before Taehyung turned and reached around for you to bury his face against your bare chest as he cried.

You could feel his pain and frustration.

“I’m not going to leave you.” You whispered, trying to comfort him. “I’ll stay until you tell me to leave… just know that I love you, Taehyung.”

“and I love you.” He sniffled. “I don’t want this… I want you.” He said between tears.

“I… I could pretend… I can introduce myself tomorrow, they’d never know.”

“I might have a better idea.” Taehyung said suddenly, reaching a hand up to wipe his eye.

“What would that be?”

“I can’t tell you, just wait for me.” He said and leaned back slightly. He caressed your cheek, moving your hair behind your ear and leaned in, kissing you softly. “Just wait till I come back.” He said and stood up.

“Wait, now? Where are you going?”

“I’ll help you sneak back out, I need to hurry.”

Confused but trusting, you got off the bed and went to fetch your clothes from yesterday.

When Taehyung arrived on his horse the Sagittarian kingdom was covered in its first snow.

With determined steps he entered the palace and was brought to the King and Queen.

“You arrived earlier than we expected Prince Taehyung. Where is your father?”

“I left on my own before him so I could have a word with you in privacy.”

The King and Queen exchanged a look between each other and looked back at Taehyung.

“What is on your mind Prince Taehyung?” The king asked.

“I know where the princess is.”

They looked stunned.

“You already found her?” The queen asked.

Taehyung shook his head.

“I’ve known where she is for a while now, my father isn’t aware of this and should not be informed about it either.” Taehyung said in a strict tone.

“Did you bring her?” The king asked.

“No. But I’ll tell you where she is in exchange for a promise.”

“Yes, of course Prince Taehyung we’ll promise you anything, we’re just so relieved that you’ve located her!” The Queen said, sounding both thrilled and pleased.

“Then promise me that I get to marry her.”

Desperate situations required desperate measures.

He wasn’t going to marry whoever his mother had arranged.

This entire idea was a huge risk but if anyone would be on his side, it would be the king and queen of Sagittarius. But Taehyung was still cautious about saying too much, not sure if he could truly trust them just yet. He didn’t explain the relationship you had, that you were lovers or how he came to know you. To them, he simply knew you by a shared friend, not close, just merely acquittanced. The reason he wanted to marry you? Rebellion. His mother had already arranged his marriage and he was willing to sacrifice himself for the cause.

They appeared to believe him, but they were reluctant towards the promise. Concerned that his parents would see it as using Taehyung as a token in their quest and disregarding his status and reputation.

Taehyung arrived back at the palace not long after, but a few hours had passed since he initially left. Not really in hiding, he headed in through the kitchen entrance without being discovered. He expected to see lots of staff preparing for the upcoming festivities already but to his surprise it was empty… Something felt off.

Cautious, Taehyung took a different route up the stair in the kitchen that led up to the smaller serving kitchen in the grand hall. No music… but voices.

He pressed his ear to the door, a hand securing the lock just in case.

“It’s my fault!” She cried out… Mother’s voice.

“Stop that! How could it possibly be? They’re looking for him, we’ll find him.” Father…

“I didn’t know he would take it this hard… I didn’t know.”

“There, there my beloved. Let’s not catastrophize, maybe he just needed to clear his mind.”

“You keep telling me that, but I don’t believe it anymore.” She cried.

“I’m just trying to calm you down…”

“How could you say that? Our son is missing!”

Missing?

Sure, he left without telling anyone, but it had only been a few hours… he had expected to see father there but supposedly he’d never left on his own since they couldn’t find him…

Maybe being missing was a good thing… but where were they searching? He hadn’t even tried to hide or known he was looked for on his way back.

Taehyung quickly rushed back down the stairs and out through the back entrance, running as fast as he could towards the hole in the hedge. He ran down the street towards the town and pulled up his scarf to cover the lower half of his face to try and conceal his identity.

Guards were scattered through the entire town, patrolling.

“Fuck.”

He wasn’t running away… but maybe giving them a fright would work in his favour. He’d return… soon.

You were anxiously pacing back and forth in auntie’s kitchen.

“My child! Keep pacing around like that and you’re going to start a whirlwind of anxious energy in here!” Auntie called out, frantically waving a smoking piece of Palo Santo around the room. “You’ve been rehearsing for days, missing one session won’t hurt.” She tried to reassure.

The ensemble practice had been cancelled… Because Taehyung was missing.

You knew you’d just seen him this morning… he told you he had an idea… but what if something had happened? What if he had gotten himself into trouble or worse? What if- Your thoughts were interrupted by a line of smoke in front of your face, making you cough.

“You’re overthinking, but it’s about something else.” Auntie said, waving the stick in a formation you recognized. You sighed.

“He’s going to be ok dear.”

“Who?”

“The prince... Or are you worried about somebody else perhaps?” She squinted.

Maybe it was time to tell her… So far she knew you’d met someone, knew about your early morning student… and teased you for being “flustered and happy” whenever you returned from spending time with him. Auntie had a way of telling… sometimes it was convenient because it made it easier to talk to her about stuff that was hard and sometimes it was just scary how she could know.

“Yes and no…” You began.

“You know, he and his mother came around here a while back. I gave his mother a chart match she wanted, but I kept his original just in case he’d want it.” Auntie suddenly said and headed towards her office space.

“I’m worried about the guy I met… I haven’t heard from him in a while…”

“Knock it off.” Auntie called from her office. She returned with a chart card in her hand and handed it to you.

It was your chart. Why was she showing you this?

“This is my chart.”

“No. It’s the prince’s match chart, actually.” Auntie said and retrieved the card with a dramatic hand. “Now when are you going to tell me the truth, I’m tired of pretending like I don’t know anything. A part of me wants to curse at you for even going near a royal knowing the risks it involves but the other half of me is delighted seeing you found someone that makes you happy but… how can you be so reckless! I am so happy for you! Are you out of your mind?” She gave you a gentle slap on the shoulder with the card.

“I didn’t know he was a royal at first…”

Auntie sighed and rolled her eyes.

“Maybe I should’ve told you when I first saw his chart… but it’s against my policies.” She said, trying more to reassure herself of her own choices. “It was inevitable! Now we just need to make sure he never finds out that you-“

A loud bang at the door downstairs cut auntie off.

It was frantic and whoever was banging seemed to be in distress.

“Coming! Coming!” Auntie called out as she headed downstairs with you behind her.

She unlocked the door and it practically swung open as Taehyung dashed inside, out of breath.

He approached you, wrapping his arms around your waist and pressing his face into your neck, his heavy exhales tickling your skin.

“I’ll make us some lavender tea.” Auntie said and headed back towards the stairs, seemingly unimpressed by his sudden appearance.

“I was starting to worry…” You said gently, caressing your hands up his back.

“I didn’t know they’d think I’d run away… I wasn’t, I was going to come back but with mother’s talk this morning she must’ve thought-“

“Where did you go?”

“To the Sagittarius kingdom…” He cried out, squeezing you tighter. “I begged them for help… I couldn’t take it anymore, I’m sorry.”

“What do you mean? Did… did you tell them?”

“No, they don’t know anything. But they’re looking for you… they want to help you. I told them I know who you are, but I didn’t say more than that I swear.” Taehyung sniffled. “I don’t know what the Aries kingdom have planned… but I’m scared.”

You swallowed.

“Help me how?”

“Yes, help her how?” Auntie asked, coming down the stairs with a deep frown.

“They want to crown you princess of the Sagittarius kingdom.” Taehyung explained, still desperately clinging in his embrace.

You exchanged a look with auntie, but her expression was hard to read.

Your heart felt heavy.

“I told them that the only way I’d let them know who or where you were, would be if they promised me that I could marry you.”

Suddenly your heart felt a thousand times lighter, so light it had ascended into your throat, beating hard.

Auntie nodded approvingly.

“Although I am highly critical of your awareness of this information in the first place… I think you delivered a good ultimatum.”

Taehyung pulled away from the hug and straightened, quickly whipping his tears from his face.

“I’m sorry.” He bowed. “It was never my intention for her to become a piece in all of this.”

“It’s always been inevitable.” You reassured.

Taehyung stood back up again.

“I wanted it to be your choice… but I had to do something. I know it’s selfish but I couldn’t stand the thought of you having to live like me… marrying someone else.”

“I can’t stand knowing you have an arranged marriage waiting for you in the palace either.” You confessed. “We had to do something sooner or later, the time for it has simply come.”

Auntie placed a cup of lavender tea in front of Taehyung and he thanked her shyly.

“When you mother, her highness contacted me… I had my suspicions.” She began.

“That she wanted me to marry one of our own?”

“No, that she is a Pisces.”

You began to violently cough as you accidently gasped mid-sip, inhaling your tea.

“A- A what?”

Taehyung stared down into his mug, cupping it with both hands.

“I sensed it as soon as she entered.” Auntie stated, unhumbly bragging.

“I only found out the other day…” Taehyung said quietly.

“Then why is she arranging a marriage for you!?” You yelled.

Auntie gave you a stern look, calling your name.

“It’s unfair!” You said.

“I don’t disagree.” Auntie shipped in. “But you know the rules.”

“Stupid rules… When I become king, I’m letting my kids marry whoever they want. I don’t care what kingdoms oppose.” Taehyung said, still gazing down.

“However, you should care which kingdoms would follow. They might be more than you think.” Auntie pointed out.

“What do you mean?” Taehyung looked up.

“You’re not the only one young prince, for crying out loud just look at your parents!”

“Too soon.” You whispered under your breath.

“But mother is still trying to reinforce it on me.”

“And your father?”

“He’s against it. But when mum says jump, he jumps.”

“It seems like the dilemma here is your mother’s fear and over-cautiousness.” Auntie expressed. “Or else she wouldn’t have married your father. We all know of the royal rule.”

Taehyung shrugged his shoulders and sipped some of his tea. He explained what The King and Queen of the Sagittarian kingdom had said. But you felt reluctant… their intentions seemed pure but… you didn’t know them. Royal blood or not, you weren’t raised like that, nor did it speak to you. At least not in a scenario where you’d be separated from Auntie and Taehyung, forced into a new family, and forced to marry within your sign.

“You can’t adopt someone who is already adopted, it doesn’t work like that.” Auntie said.

“I’m not up for adoption either, I’m an adult.”

Taehyung looked slightly confused.

“I legally adopted her when she was a baby.” Auntie explained.

“May I ask what the true story is?” Taehyung asked.

“Well, there isn’t much to add to what you already know I’m afraid.” You said.

“I knew the Ariesians, when they fled, they hid her with me and I’ve taken care of her since then.” Auntie paused briefly. “They’re here with us.”

“So they-“

“With us can be both in thought and in spirit, I can sense their presence but it’s hard to tell if it’s in spirit or thought. In thought, it would mean that they’re alive. However the presence is warm and strong, as always.”

“Which usually means it’s in spirit.” You explained. “and why those rumours hurt...”

Taehyung reached over and caressed your knee. He understood. The idea of the rumour being true must be very overwhelming and frightening. Especially when you’ve already been accustomed to the initial “truth”. Finding out it was a false reality this many years later would be traumatic, especially with all the grief experienced already. All he hoped for was to one day help you set up a final resting place for them.

Unintentionally, there was a moment of silence.

“So, what is the plan?” Auntie asked after a while.

“I guess I’ll head back to the palace… soon. Then I honestly don’t know what to do. The celebration will be held and I’ll be introduced to whoever mother arranged.”

“Maybe it’s a good idea if I pretend after all… I just need to conceal my tattoo.” You suggested. “It might not solve the big issue, but it would at least solve the arrangement.”

“It might be easier to solve the big issue that way too…” Taehyung pointed out. “If you’re by my side, you’ll get a first hand insight and I can be there with you and I can protect you.”

“While the Sagittarians try solving the issue by looking for you, the two of you could actually work to solve it.” Auntie said. “No offence to their efforts for the cause, but how in the world would finding you magically solve this issue? They obviously want to use you as symbol and feel guilty. Thus they try to justify their actions by claiming that they’re ‘saving you’ or ‘giving you redemption’ or that it’s for justice for the true rulers*. And to be honest, the Sagittarians had nothing to do with this event, it’s a bit too late to act now, if they wanted to help the should’ve done so when you were a baby. If anyone here has earned the mommy title, it’s me.”

*(The former king and queen of the Aries kingdom are often referred to as the true rulers by those who oppose of the royal rule.)

Auntie always had a way to ease tension with her humour, even in serious moments.

“I like your confidence.” Taehyung said.

“Now that’s Mommy in law to you.” She said, making both of you chuckle shyly.

“I could tell them that I lied, that I don’t know who it is, and I just said that in desperation to get away from the arrangement. It will be embarrassing, but I’ll take the hit.” Taehyung said.

“Will you introduce me to the queen at the ball? We could say we’d spoken at rehearsals since we both play piano; it would make sense for us to strike conversation. And then I so happen to be of your sign, maybe that will be enough? If you find someone by yourself, she can’t be heartless enough to still have you go with who she arranged, right?”

“I’ve already refused to go with her arrangement so she shouldn’t be surprised if I refuse again, but if I have something to come with, in form of a different suiter, then I think she’ll settle.”

Taehyung felt more at ease now, more at east than in a long while. He felt reassured, he felt hope that it would go his and not only his, but your way. That you’d get to be together regardless but still work for change and to be open and free. Taehyung decided to return to the palace the next morning and stay the night so he could clear his mind and calm down. And maybe to serve as a gentle wake up call for his parents.

“Now where is my smudge stick? After all this talking I need to re-cleanse and deep cleanse the space again, the energy has been contaminated with stress and anxiety and all a bunch of negative mess!” Auntie said and stood up from her chair.

Later in the evening you and auntie set up a mattress for Taehyung to sleep on in auntie’s office. Now of course, he could (and should) sleep in your room at least, despite your bed only being big enough for one person he could’ve slept on the mattress on the floor in there instead… but of course auntie insisted on the office, since then he would have a room of privacy. Objecting or suggesting something else would only feel weird. She didn’t need to know how far you’d already gone with each other. Taehyung was having similar thoughts. Suggesting that he could sleep in your room felt like an indirect confession along the lines of “Hey mommy in law, I’ve already had sex with your daughter… multiple times.” And she didn’t need to know that!

He turned the lights off in the office, leaving the small desk lamp on and got undressed down to his underwear and slipped in under the sheets on the mattress. Around him were multiple bookshelves, shoved so full with books that it looked like the shelves would give way sideways, unless a book exploded or got ejected out of the shelf and into his head first. They were all about various studies of astrology, some of palm reading, tea leaf reading and tarot card deck instruction books. Books on each and every sign, health in astrology, love in astrology, relationships, career, future… sex?

Curious, he sat up and reached for the book. It was shoved in so tight that he had to hold the shelf back with his other hand in order to get it out.

He placed the book in his lap and began to flip through the pages.

Massage techniques, erogenous zones, positions, turn ons and turn offs… There was so much information and theoretical studies. He flipped forward to the chapters about Sagittarius.

“How to please a Sagittarius in bed”

The chapter title was so bold it made Taehyung feel shy and he felt heat across his cheeks. But his eyes kept reading.

After a while the door to the office suddenly opened and Taehyung panic closed the book on his lap.

It was you, with a pillow in your arms.

You shut the door behind you, hugging the pillow and looking own at Taehyung with a sweet smile.

“What are you reading?”

“Nothing.”

You kneeled and crawled onto the mattress, placing your pillow next to his and then dramatically placing a hand on each of his knees.

Taehyung looked at you with wide eyes.

“Does this turn you on?” You asked, caressing his knees.

“it feels nice, but I wouldn’t say it’s making me hard.” He chuckled awkwardly.

“Apparently it’s the erogenous zone of Capricorns.” You said and tapped on the book.

“I just got curious.” Taehyung explained with a shy smile.

“Well at least you have an advantage or disadvantage depending on how you look at it because apparently my zones are hips and thighs. And I feel like those are erogenous zones for people in general. I feel like I’d be turned on if your caressed my thighs regardless of my sign.” You smiled, getting comfy.

You moved up to sit next to him and he opened the book again. He flipped to the chapter of his own side.

“Why is the corner of this page folded?” He asked, arching a brow.

“Maybe auntie was researching something.”

Taehyung squinted at you.

“What?” You asked, looking down and laughing.

“Oh really?”

“yeah.”

“Oh reeeaallyyy?” He teased, leaning in slightly.

“Yes!”

“Oh really?” He repeated, leaning in more and nuzzled into your neck playfully.

“I needed to know.” You confessed, earning a kiss on the cheek.

Taehyung placed the book down on the floor and lied down on his back, placing an arm out below your pillow for you. His body was so comfortable to hold onto and hug, despite the space being limited, being squeezed together like this you didn’t need that much space anyway.

Ones hand was rubbing up and down your back, the other holding your head secure against his bare chest. Aside being free, kissing and loving him, getting to sleep in his arms every night was probably what you were looking forward to the most. His warm soft skin, his gentle reassuring embrace, the soothing sounds of his breath and the movements of his chest, his scent, his hands on your body, curled up under the same sheets… what a dream.

The next morning, Taehyung headed back to the palace. After kissing you farewell you wrapped his scarf around him snuggly and he disappeared in the cold morning fog.

Guards were still patrolling up and down the cobbled streets and Taehyung considered just walking up to one of them to request escort back to the palace, but he hesitated and refrained.

He snuck up the narrow side streets as much as he could until he reached the hill up to the palace. But at this point it was impossible to go undiscovered.

Once spotted around 3 guards ran up to him and he dismissed them with a firm hand.

"Let me walk alone." He said in a strict tone.

They semi-obeyed him.

Giving him his space but following him a few meters behind to ensure he couldn't run back.

The large wooden doors were held open for him as he walked up the stone steps to the palace. The energy felt different here than when he left. Auntie would need to come here and wave those sticks around for sure, it'd take hours to cleanse this place perhaps.

It didn't take more than a minute before the king and queen were stood in front of him. He had planned to just go into his room, have a shower and act like nothing out of the ordinary had happened but..

"Where have you been?" The king asked, trying to look stern but the relief was obvious. The king didn't have a history of ever being strict or harsh with him. He was the opposite, understanding, listened, cared. But he was completely submissive to mother.

"Out."

"Out where?!" His mother immediately took over.

"Just out! I needed a breather!" Taehyung said and pulled his scarf off.

"The entire night, Taehyung?" The king questioned.

"Yes. It doesn't matter. I'm here now. I haven't done anything stupid either so relax." He said, supressed emotions finding their way out through anger in his words. Taehyung removed his coat and headed towards the stairs to go to his room.

"Taehyung!" His mother called but she was stopped by his father, surprisingly.

"He's here and he's safe. We'll talk to him later. Let him rest now." The king said, laying an arm around his wife carefully.

Taehyung headed up the stairs, down the hall and into the safe space of his room.

He flopped onto his bed and let out a deep sigh.

In a while, the final rehearsals would begin, and Taehyung knew he’d have to accompany his mother to check that all the preparations were set for tomorrow’s festivities. But he felt tension and resentment towards her still. His only comfort was the plan… but it also made him feel anxious…

Heading into the palace for rehearsals felt different this time.

There was a bigger presence of guards in and around the palace and the outside was being decorated with purple and red flowers and fabrics. The big hall was seemingly fully decorated, even the grand piano had a little floral centre piece placed on it. How cute. But Taehyung was not around… Maybe he’d come by and watch later? You hoped and took a seat at the piano.

Claud immediately began to direct the ensemble and thus rehearsals commenced.

Meanwhile upstairs, after a long deep-thinking shower, Taehyung was seated on his bed, dressed formally and neatly, accompanied by his mother who had just entered his room.

“Your father had to attend business in the Sagittarian kingdom… he intended to go yesterday, but…” She sighed. “Nevermind that now.”

“Nevermind what?” Taehyung asked.

“You needed some space and I overreacted and thought you ran away.” She said, swallowing some of her pride.

Taehyung scoffed.

“When am I meeting her?” Taehyung asked.

“Who?” The queen looked confused.

“The one you arranged me with.”

“Oh, they’ll all be attending tomorrow.”

“They?”

“Yes, they. It’s about 13-15 women.”

“Mother, I am not into polygamy but-“

“No, no! You’ll select one of them. I can’t select for you my love… that’s just not right. You must pick.”

“But you said everything was arranged. That I’d marry in 3 months.”

“Yes, to the one you chose. I’ve booked everything in terms of a wedding celebration in 3 months’ time. You must’ve misunderstood me.” She smiled as if it was a funny joke.

Now this if anything would make the plan even easier…

“Ok.” He said.

“Taehyung, you didn’t really think I’d arrange someone for you... did you?” The queen asked.

“Technically you are. Only that you’re letting me pick 1 of the 15 you picked.”

“But they match your chart’s ideal match…” She defended.

“You know I don’t want to do this. What do I get from this? An unhappy life, unhappy marriage, making someone equally as miserable as myself? Why can’t I have what you and father have? Why can’t I marry someone else? Did it ever occur to you that maybe I haven’t found a Capricorn because I’m not meant to be with one?” Taehyung imagined himself saying this but remained silent on the outside.

“Fair enough I guess…” He sighed.

“Please try to be optimistic Taehyung.” The queen pleaded, her face showing more and more guilt by the minute.

“How?”

“Just… just give them a chance, ok?”

The decorators were all over the palace, rushing to finish on schedule.

As Taehyung walked down the big staircase, they were busy tying red and purple ribbons around each arch while another group were busy rolling out a huge, long burgundy carpet over the marble floors of the entry. When Taehyung walked past, they’d all give him a gentle bow and he’d bow back deeper. After all they were working on an even tighter schedule now because of him since nobody was allowed inside the palace yesterday.

Approaching the big doors to the grand hall, his ears were treated with the sound of the classical music echoing in the empty room. Usually he’d just walk straight in, confident with his back straight. But this time, he felt shy. He peaked in, trying to be quiet not to interrupt or distract, even though the entire ensemble were likely used to him watching by now.

But it was easier said than done with Claude in the room. Upon sight of Taehyung, he called for a 5 minute break and turned towards Taehyung.

“Your highness, you’re ok.” He stated.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Taehyung questioned.

“I heard news that you’d gone missing yesterday… I think I likely wasn’t the only one who got confused yet shocked by the news. How very unlike him! Was my first thought.”

“Mm… Mother and I had a disagreement yesterday, so to say… and I needed some time to myself and she overreacted- her words not mine- and thought I’d run away and thus-“ He gestured with his hands to describe a mess.

Claude leaned in. “So, you’re saying it’s the queen’s fault we couldn’t have rehearsal yesterday?” He whispered.

“Yes.” Taehyung stated, making them both chuckle and earning a gentle pat on the shoulder from Claude.

“If you ever feel the need to escape, just come around my place. You know where I live, we could drink some wine and just chat, man to man you know?”

Claude’s words were unexpectedly heart-warming to Taehyung.

“You know I’m here for you.” Claude ensured and patted his shoulder again.

“Thank you, it means a lot.”

“Aye, but in my house, I am the king, remember that.” He said playfully and chuckled.

“From pianist, to pianist… may I interrupt with an enquiry?”

The sound of your voice immediately filled Taehyung’s core with butterflies.

For every time it was harder and harder to supress the urge to make physical contact with you. Either by a gentle caress, adjusting your necklace or hair or just touching you in general. It was as if his hands were made of metal, and you were a magnet.

“Yes?” Taehyung said, straightening his back.

“Since it’s your highness birthday, I was wondering if he’d want to hear his favourite piece tomorrow and if so, if he happens to have the notes for the piece.”

“I’m delighted that you asked. I’d love to. Claude I shall borrow your pianist to accompany me to the library, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.”

“In that case, please come with me... fellow pianist.”

You followed Taehyung out, walking behind him into the now ready decorated entry and down the hall towards the library. Taehyung pushed open the door and held it up for you to enter.

Before you could say anything, he held a finger up to his lips, gesturing for you to stay quiet. He headed down between the shelves, quickly making sure that nobody else was there.

“We’re alone.” He stated and walked back towards you with a wide smile.

His hands reached for your cheeks and his lips pressed against yours. The kiss was hungry and passionate. The ideal break from rehearsals some would say.

“This was a great idea.” He smiled between the kiss, hands finding your hips instead and travelling up your sides to your waist.

“I’m glad you think so. But my request was actually serious.” You added, blushing.

Taehyung pulled back slightly.

“Oh, really?” The confidence he had was replaced by shyness.

You nodded.

“It is your birthday after all, I want to do something special for you.”

Taehyung smiled excitedly and licked his lip out of habit.

“Wait here.” He said and headed back down between the shelves.

You decided to follow instead, since you were curious to explore the big library room as well. Taehyung stopped about 4 shelves down and bent over, dragging his long finger along the backs of the books, searching.

“Hmmm…”

The library was in an old style, kind of like a university library but significantly smaller. The shelves were full of various books, mainly old. But the shelf Taehyung was currently searching was like a musician’s heaven. It was full of notes and studies for anything and everything in terms of music. Your eyes got caught on a piano keys for kids book however. It looked worn so you carefully withdrew it from the shelf to see Taehyung’s name written on the front in a scribbly manner.

“Is this from when you first started learning?” You asked, opening the book and flipping through the pages. Twinkle little star… Mary had a little lamp…

“Oh my… yes.” Taehyung said and chuckled.

“How cute… but why does it say this song sucks on twinkle little star?”

“I struggled with it and I threw a fit and took out my supressed toddler anger by writing harmful comments in my piano book.” He explained, making you both chuckle.

“Ah! Here it is!” Taehyung smiled, pulling a thin blue book from the shelf and handed it to you.

You took the book and placed your hand to his chest, giving him a gentle push back to the shelf, which immediately excited him. You slipped your hand up his chest further, gently grabbing a hold of his collar. Taehyung inhaled shakily. You leaned up and placed a teasing innocent peck at his lips.

“Thank you.” You smiled and headed back out from the shelves to return to the hall, leaving Taehyung leaned back against the shelf, watching you from behind.

He smiled to himself, looking down at the floor and pulled a hand through his hair.

Just as you reached for the door Taehyung called out for you. “Hey.” He said, walking out from between the shelved.

“You know… you don’t have to go home tonight. You could stay the night, here. With me.”

“Tempting, but risky. I’ll be back in the afternoon tomorrow for your celebration. Plus, won’t you be celebrating your birthday with your parents in the morning?”

“Yes, but I want to celebrate it with you too. I don’t care if we get caught at this point.” He walked closer to you slowly. “I don’t care if anyone walks in on us, right here, right now.” He moved a strand of hair behind your ear. “Or tonight, overhearing us…”

“I have to go back now Taehyung…” You giggled nervously.

“I’ll wait for you.” He whispered against your neck.

Was this his counterattack for your cheeky tease?

You reached for the door handle and pressed it down, but it bumped against something outside. You quickly turned around as Taehyung stood up straight with a face of panic.

“Mother.”

“I’m sorry.” You bowed and quickly snuck out the door, past the queen and rushed down the hall as fast as you could.

She appeared unbothered.

“Do you have errands in the library mother?”

“Do you?” She asked, looking back towards you rushing away.

“She asked for the notes for my favourite song. A birthday gesture.”

“How considerate of her.”

Taehyung swallowed. Why did the air feel so tense?

“She recently moved here… She’s a Capricorn too. Claud told me.”

The queen raised her brows, looking back again despite you already having returned to the grand hall.

“Your errand?” Taehyung asked again.

“Oh, I was just looking for you. The chefs want to know what cake you want.”

Finally something interesting!

“Right, let’s go.” Taehyung said and walked with his mother towards the kitchen.

Strawberry cake of course, what else?

Taehyung sat at one of the tables in the grand hall. The table had a centre piece made out of flowers and outside the moon had taken over for the sun and small flakes of snow was falling lightly from the sky.

Rehearsals were wrapping up and Claud was going through (yet again) last minute reminders for dress codes and corrections for the clarinet players. But all you could focus on was Taehyung’s eyes across the room. He was sat on one of the chairs, one leg over the other, elbow leaning on the table. Eye on you.

“Whenever Prince Taehyung is here to watch I get nervous.” One of the violinists whispered to another member of the ensemble. You agreed, not because you felt judged but because you felt like he would launch at you any moment now and devour you in front of everyone… or maybe you were afraid that you’d be the one launching at him.

“Just remember that for tomorrow! And great job today everyone! Now go home and rest up well! Stretch your fingers, stretch your arms, warm up your wrists!” Claud said with a clap of his hands.

You gathered your notes and your bag and headed towards Taehyung.

You were simply going to ask for his preferences when it came to the song you were going to play of his choice…

Taehyung’s eyes were burning on you as you approached him. He lifted his leg off the other, sitting wide on the chair.

“Your highness.”

Never had he ever thought that title would turn him on.

“For the song of your choice, do you have any preference in the way it’s played? I saw some notes scribbled on the page.”

“I’d like to hear your own version of it. Don’t worry too much about the notes, I wrote them long ago. As a matter of fact, I don’t even remember what I have written.” He smiled and stood up.

He lowered his voice. “The only preference I have as of now is if the violinist currently staring at us could leave like the rest.” Taehyung cleared his throat gently. “I’ll walk you out.” He said, loud enough for the violinist to hear and gestured for you to come with him. “So, for the start of the song I prefer it in minor, however I think any piece sounds the best when it’s played in one’s own style. He held the door open for you and you exited, followed by him. As soon as the door shut behind him Taehyung let out a gentle sigh of relief.

“Who was that?”

“I haven’t spoken to them a lot, so I actually don’t know. Maybe they’re interested in the Prince?”

“Well the prince already has his eyes on something else.”

You reached the safety of his room but to Taehyung’s surprise a gift was waiting for him on his bed.

He walked up to his bed, pulling his blazer off and tossing it on it.

“A day early, Happy Birthday my son. - Father”

Taehyung pulled the ribbon off the box and opened it carefully. You walked up to the bed, curious.

Inside was a folded note and a… a bag of dog treats and a leash?

Taehyung was reading the note with a wide grin.

“What does it say?” You asked curiously.

“You’ve asked since you were 5, I think it’s about time. Tomorrow after lunch we’ll go to the shelter.” He read. “They’re finally letting me get a dog.” Taehyung smiled widely. “I’ve been waiting years for this day!” He cheered.

“Aaaw!”

Taehyung carefully put the things back in the box and moved it to the sofa table.

“Now take a seat, I want to give your hands a massage.” Taehyung said.

With some lotion he gentle caressed and rubbed one hand at a time.

“You’ve been playing so much, your hands need some TLC.”

“TLC?”

“Taehyung, love and care.”

“In that case I need a lot of TLC, especially T.”

He chuckled softly, rubbing your left wrist.

“I can give you that.. But I want some WLC in return.”

“WLC? Waffles, love and care?”

“Wife, love and care. But now also waffles.”

You snorted.

“Too soon? GFLC? LILC?”

“LILC?” You laughed.

“Love interest, Love and care?” He set your hand down gently and touched his fingers to your chin. “I am going to make you my wife, however.” He smiled, the intense glare of his eyes from before returning.

“My. Wife.” He repeated, emphasizing “my”.

“And I’ll husband you up real good and hard.”

“Oh, is that so?” He grinned. “May I have a sample?”

“No.” You teased, leaning in closer.

Taehyung leaned in too and placed a gentle peck to your lips, causing you both to giggle.

“Playfulness aside, I’m a bit nervous about tomorrow.” He admitted.

“It’s going to fine, we have the plan remember?”

“I actually already told my mother at the library before, that you’re a Capricorn.”

“You’ve already begun to set us up for success then! It’s all going to fine, you’ll see.” You reassured, caressing his cheek. “Have I ever told you how nice your cheekbones are?”

Taehyung smiled, making them stand out more.

“Absolutely beautiful.” You leaned in and placed a soft kiss to his right cheek. “It’s going to be ok my love.” You whispered.

Taehyung wrapped his arms around your waist and squeezed you.

“Thank you.” He whispered.

You woke up the next morning, Taehyung asleep next to you, naked and sprawled with one arm around you. You, also naked, with one leg over him. It was still dark out, so it was likely still very early. Luckily. You could do with some more sleep, especially after how rough Taehyung had been last night. You felt pretty tired still. Yes, three orgasms were amazing, but also very exhausting. Taehyung was clearly even more exhausted… especially since he insisted on being on top, the entire night. You moved some strand of hair out of his eyes and caressed his cheek gently. Letting him have his way with you was incredible but next time he wouldn’t have a choice but to bottom. Something that you had decided independently.

You were both equal in bed, there was no dom/sub line drawn but next time, maybe in the morning, you’d ensure he had his “sub experience” of a lifetime. After all it was his birthday and double after all, you saw how much your little stunt in the library excited him. You were sure there was a part of him within that wanted to let go of all control, let somebody else decide, be in the care of somebody else, in somebody’s hands. But for Taehyung, being on top wasn’t about being in control or in power. For him, it was being able to give himself to you, fully. To be able to show you how much he wanted you and to make you feel good. Good because of him. Not anything or anyone else.

For someone who just a few hours ago was sucking at your neck, growling in your ear and praising every part of you, it felt odd seeing him appear so innocent in his sleep. Maybe it was the way his cheeks became softer or the way he always wanted to cuddle.

However, things ended up not going according to plan.

Not even in the slightest.

The day properly began a few hours later, you’d fallen back asleep and woke up along with Taehyung from the knocks at his bedroom door.

In a messy manoeuvre causing you to almost fall out of his bed you hid beneath it. It was like the other day all over again. But this time it was the king at his door.

There was a change of plans. They’d have breakfast together and head to the shelter now. With anxiety in his voice Taehyung questioned why to which the king responded it was to let the staff fix the final arrangements undisturbed in time for the big event this evening. But the king wouldn’t leave. Taehyung tried to urge him the best he could. “I’ll be right down, just let me get dressed.” He was still in bed… it was awkward.

“Am I interrupting something?” The king asked suddenly.

“No… I’m just naked and I need to get some clothes on.”

“My son, it’s December. It’s freezing cold out, why would you sleep bare?”

Taehyung didn’t say anything so you assumed he shrugged.

“Is the heating on too high?” The king took a few steps towards the window.

“No! It’s fine… I just. I wanted to air out my skin?”

The king let out a confused chuckle.

“You’re an odd one my son. Come down when you’re ready, your mother and I will wait.”

He finally left.

Taehyung fell back against the bed with a deep sigh as you crawled out.

The next dilemma now was to get you out of the palace unseen, this time with everyone already awake and running around. You couldn’t stay in his room until the evening! Your clothes were back at home, you needed to head back and change and get ready for the evening!

“I have an idea.” Taehyung said.

A few minutes later you were dressed in one of his expensive feeling suits.

“If you hurry they’ll think you’re staff!”

“But Taehyung this doesn’t look like a staff uniform in the slightest.”

“I don’t know what else to do, if they don’t look properly, you at least look like you have business here.”

He was right. You couldn’t jump out the window either.

The only option was to hurry and hope nobody would notice.

So much for a birthday wakeup…

You managed to get out unseen but the walk down the streets did give you a few odd looks from people. Not only did the suit, that was tailored after Taehyung’s exact measurements not fit very well, but it was loud and expensive looking. Too expensive to not be fitted for the one wearing it. That, or the anxiety was making it feel like everyone was looking.

The thoughts and possible outcomes were running through your head. All you had to do was play it cool, introduce yourself as a Capricorn and … but what if they still ended up not approving you? Maybe you weren’t rich enough, noble enough… Don’t royals care about association and rank? Would you need to lie and say you were from a rich business family in the virgo kingdom? That you were an heiress of your great great gemini grandfathers massive fortune? Taehyung would take care or it… he promised. But still.

You stepped inside of auntie’s shop and headed upstairs to the apartment where she was waiting. The kitchen table was scattered with tools and supplies and dust was covering the floor. She was cutting and tumbling crystals.

“Night as the palace?” She asked without looking up.

You gave her an honest reply with an unintended sigh.

“My child I’ve told you do not exhale that negative energy while I’m crystal cutting. What’s wrong?” She looked up and paused. “What on earth are you wearing?”

The carriage felt like it was moving through town in slow motion. The small spring in the shielded window didn’t give him much of a view but he could roughly assume how far away the were from the palace. In Taehyung’s lap a small fluffy creature was resting peacefully in a towel, soothed by the gentle strokes of his thumb against the pup’s back.

One half of him was eager and excited, the future felt bright and hopeful, and he couldn’t wait to introduce you to his little pup. The other half was just anxiety. Heart consuming, brain-fogging anxiety.

After what felt like hours the carriage finally pulled up in front of the palace.

With the little pup secured in his arms, Taehyung stepped out and made his way through the clutter of staff towards his room.

For a significant amount of time he was pampered, groomed, styled, and dressed. The suit was brand new, embellished with the gems and stones symbolizing the Capricorn kingdom. In the time, hours had passed. Form the time running in slow motion the time suddenly was moving at a so rapid pace Taehyung was feeling light-headed.

The little pup was left to rest in his room and be temporarily cared for by one of the staff.

At the lower level of the palace guests had already begun to arrive and Taehyung was stood aside the King and Queen, greeting them all as they arrived.

The music was already playing and spilling from the grand hall out into the main room and entrance. Taehyung could hear piano keys among the other instruments, a sign of your presence. It calmed him down slightly. But the calm didn’t last long.

Two figures who had just ascended the stone stairs and were handing their thick coats to the staff sent a shockwave down Taehyung’s spine.

The king and queen of the Aries Kingdom approached them.

Taehyung looked towards his father for a hint of anything in his expression. But he looked as calm and welcoming as he had to any other guests. What were they doing here? Who invited them and why? Sure, the other royals had a standing invitation to attend any royal’s birthday, but the king and queen of Aries had never, EVER attended a single birthday of Taehyung’s.

Something was wrong.

Supressing his emotions, he greeted them politely and threw a glance towards his father again. Still nothing.

The final guests arrived, the princess of the Scorpio kingdom and one of the potential women for Taehyung to wed. He knew this merely because each time one of them arrived his mother would gently slap the back of her hand against his hip as a “signal”.

A third of them appeared to have been Taehyung’s current age at the time Taehyung was born. One arrived with their husband, and another was so pregnant her baby could possibly end up sharing Taehyung’s birthday with him.

Fortunately… one of them ended up not showing up.

As his mother walked him and his father towards the grand hall she tried to come up with an explanation.

“Maybe she fell ill and couldn’t make it.”

Taehyung saw his chance.

“Or she’s already here.”

“We greeted all guests, Taehyung.”

“I mean the pianist. Maybe she was the remaining one? In that case we didn’t greet her.”

The expression on his mother’s face implied that she believed it could be case.

“In that case you have something in common.”

You received the signal from Claude to pause playing as the king, queen and Prince Taehyung entered.

The king, on Taehyung’s behalf thanked everyone yet again for attending the celebration of his son’s birth and thus the music resorted to playing.

The uniform for the ensemble consisted out of either a deep burgundy dress or dress pants-shirt combination paired with a ruby embellished brooch of the Capricorn symbol. The staff walking around with silver trays of drinks and bite size pieces of food were dressed in your average white shirt black waist coat combination but paired with a burgundy tie as well as the brooch.

Every now and then you glanced towards the scattered crowd (Taehyung, within said crowd). His hair was brushed back, allowing for his entire face to be on display. His customized suit curved and embraced his natural silhouette, and a burgundy ribbon was draped across his torso, on it was the brooch as well as his royal emblem and on top of his head was of course, his crown.

After a while you were given a break as the violinists played a solo piece. You rolled your wrists and had a sip of water as you more thoroughly studied the crowd. There were crowns on unknown heads, massive gowns, simple gowns, boring tuxedos, lavish suits, max effort, minimal effort… was that a pyjama or a contemporary suit of sorts? Who knows?

Taehyung’s eyes meet yours, but his face read concern.

Not the expression you wanted to see once you’d manage to calm down. (Thanks piano.)

His head nodded to the side of the hall discreetly.

Oh.

At once it felt like your entire body shut down as your heart sunk in your chest.

The Aries King and Queen were here… watching the ensemble while drinking what appeared to be pink champagne. You hoped it was poisoned.

You’d seen them in photos, portrayed in art, on postcards and stamps but never been this close to them at least not since you “meet” last time. You’d always expected your body to go into an extreme case of flight mode if you ever came across them again, but your nails were painfully digging into your tight fists in the very moment. You wanted to fight. You wanted to stand up and rip that stupid crown off the queen’s head and rub that disgusting smile off her face with the sole of your shoe as you stepped on her face, no, jumped on her face. Crushing her skull against the marble floors. Your breathing was going rapid. And the king… you hoped the crown was glued to his hair so you could rip it off with the crown, he’d end up balding sooner or later so why not have the pleasure yourself to cause it? You could poke him in the eye sockets, your nails had grown longer recently, it would blind him for the few minutes he had left before you’d grab the nearest knife and-

“Miss?”

You snapped out of your revenge plotting to the sound of a woman’s voice.

It was the queen, Taehyung’s mother.

“Are you Crystal?” She asked.

You spotted Taehyung approaching behind her, nodding aggressively.

“Y…yeah. But Crystal is my middle name, I prefer being called by my first name.” You smiled gently, presenting your name with your heart still beating so fast it just felt like a long vibration. If you were to become her daughter in law, she could at least call you by your real name.

“In fact, we’ve already met.” Taehyung, said reaching out his hand to you.

He lifted your hand slightly as he leaned down to place a gentle kiss against it.

“Despite it I want to formally introduce myself. I’m Crown Prince Taehyung, first decan Capricorn.”

You introduced yourself back, more so indirectly to his mother, the queen with “Crystal” wedged between. “- third decan Capricorn.” You panicked. What if there was a preference for decans.

“Ah, just like your father.” The queen smiled and clapped her hands together seemingly delighted.

Bullet dodged.

“I happen to know that she teaches classes at the music shop in town.” Taehyung told his mother.

She seemed even more thrilled by this.

“Oh, That’s wonderful! Is it not my son?”

Taehyung nodded.

“You don’t happen to be betrothed already?”

“Mother!”

Heat spread across your cheeks, and you let out an awkward chuckle.

“No, I am not betrothed… yet. Your highness.”

Her hand gently bumped Taehyung’s hip twice.

“Pleasure meeting you, you play wonderfully.” The queen said and disappeared back into the crowd.

“You, ok?” He asked silently.

“Ok with a lust for bloodshed.”

“I didn’t know they’d be here. I’m so sorry.”

“I don’t blame you.”

Taehyung took your hands in his.

“I am now asking you if you’d like to go on a date with me as a formality. But if you want, I can try to have them escorted out.”

You nodded and spotted the queen watching the two of you with a wide smile.

Despite her weird obsession with her son’s relationship… she seemed nice and warm.

“I would appreciate it.”

Taehyung smiled reassuringly.

“Don’t leave my sight tonight, please.” He pleaded, still whispering.

He stepped back, bowed towards you, and walked back towards his mother who was stood next to the king.

The queen asked him something and reacted to Taehyung’s answer with the widest smile you’d seen on her face yet. From birthday plans to wedding plans.

“Father, can we talk?” Taehyung asked.

The king lowered his voice as he spoke. “Taehyung I think I know what you’re going to ask and I think it’s better if you just play it cool this evening.”

“I want them escorted out. Now. They’re not welcome here.”

“We don’t want to cause a scene, not here, not now. Not on my son’s birthday.”

“It doesn’t need to be a scene just silently escort them out, nobody will notice.”

The king let out a reluctant sigh. “They’ll know that something is wrong if we escort them out without any explanation Taehyung.”

Taehyung tightened his fist out of frustration. His father had a point. If they thought everything was cool, they’d keep cool. But he knew he wouldn’t keep his eyes off you for the rest of the evening. For as long as he could hear the piano, he had a reason to remain calm… somewhat calm.

The fact that they kept glancing towards him bothered him. They must’ve arrived late since he hadn’t got to greet them. Maybe he should? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer was a saying after all. But his father’s hand on his shoulder stopped him before he even made a move.

Without notice, Taehyung’s mother had wondered off into the crowd again to mingle.

“They’re watching her.” The king said in a low whisper. Taehyung glanced towards them and noticed how they were watching the queen.

“Ever since they got here, they haven’t taken their eyes off her.”

“You sound concerned.” Taehyung pointed out, meaning it as a question.

Maybe his father had caught the same weird vibe as Taehyung? It took a moment for his father’s concern to click to him. He’d already forgotten what he only recently found out about…

They weren’t here for you.

They were here for his mother.

Taehyung shrugged off his dad’s hand and hurried towards his mother as they did the same. Standing closer, they reached her first while Taehyung struggled to get through the crowd, followed by the king. She greeted them politely and the conversation appeared normal from afar until his mother’s face suddenly went pale.

“Mother.” Taehyung called out.

The king stepped in to greet them.

The queen took a careful but frail hold of Taehyung’s arm.

“I was just greeting them son.” She didn’t sound convincing, and her smile was filled with unease.

The piano was still playing.

“We don’t greet traitors.” The Aries king said, a little too loud.

“What are you talking about?” Taehyung snapped and earned a tug at the arm from his mother.

The people in proximity began to turn their heads towards them.

“We were told the queen isn’t a Capricorn.” The king clarified, holding his queen’s arm tightly. The queen’s face had an expression of false superiority, making it appear like she had just eaten the most sour of lemons.

“Who told you such an absurd untruth!?” Taehyung’s father called out.

“We have people looking into this stuff.”

“And you decide to show up at my son’s birthday to make these STUFF claims? This is an official event.”

“It is not. You’re traitors. All of you!” He declared, pointing back and forth between Taehyung, the queen, and his father.

The piano music stopped.

Taehyung quickly looked towards the small stage, seeing the faces of the ensemble facing the sudden commotion.

“The Queen is unpur-!” The Aries king was cut off mid-sentence and gasps spread through the crowd.

There was a loud thud and more commotion. Out of nowhere someone had swung at the Aries king, knocking him to the ground. Taehyung recognized her as the Scorpio princess. She was on top of him now, holding him by the hair shoving his head repeatedly against the floor while the Aries queen desperately tried to push her back.

“It’s all your fault!” The princess cried out, bashing his head against the floor again. “Nobody follows that stupid rule!” Bash. “Nobody cares about that stupid rule!” Bash. “But you, because of you, nobody dares speak up.” Bash. “Because you! Murderers!” Bash.

The guards stormed the hall and pulled the princess off the now semi-unconscious king.

“Let me go!” She squirmed and screamed.

So much was happening it was hard to keep up with it all. The queen was escorted out, the princess was forced out, the guests were told to leave, and two staff members helped get the Aries King up on a makeshift stretcher and suddenly the main hall was empty.

Taehyung’s father escorted his mother out to safety and Taehyung just stayed as everything unfolded in front of him, frozen.

A hand touched his shoulder, startling him.

“Taehyung… are you ok?” You asked softly.

He turned, some relief washing over him at the sight of you. He didn’t say anything, just wrapped his arms tightly around your waist and buried his face to your shoulder and wept.

Seeing him like this was heart breaking, seeing all of this was! He was shaking, squeezing you tight as his tears soaked through your sleeve. You caressed your hand up and down his back to soothe him wordlessly.

There were no words to be said, not that you knew what to say to all of this…

After a while Taehyung’s cries slowly faded into soft sniffles.

“It’s going to be ok honey…” You tried to reassure. “We’re all going to be ok.”

Taehyung leaned away from your shoulder with glossy cheeks. With a gentle touch you wiped your hand against his soft cheekbone to clean away some of his tears. With a tilt he leaned in and kissed your lips softly, moving a strand of your hair behind your ears. He took a hold of your wrist and let out a soft chuckle followed by a sniffle.

Taehyung’s thumb inspected the gauze wrapped around your wrist.

“I didn’t want to risk it.” You explained with an equal chuckle. His hands untied the gauze carefully, unwrapping it to reveal the Sagittarius symbol.

“Don’t cover your tattoos. They’re beautiful.” He pleaded.

“Taehyung”

Both of your looked towards the entrance.

The king and queen.

How long had they’ve been standing there?

“I- I can explain.” Taehyung stuttered.

“You appear… close.” The king pointed out.

The queen’s eyes were aimed at the tattoo on your wrist… but she didn’t appear surprised.

“Crystal is 73.”

You gave an odd look to Taehyung who shook his head.

He inhaled deeply and turned to his parents.

“Long story short. I love her. She’s a Sagittarius. I’m going to marry her. You can’t stop me.” He stated with confidence and slipped his hand into yours.

His mother let out sigh, she appeared exhausted.

“I won’t stop you.” The queen said. “Everything seems to be inevitable at this point.” She admitted with a guilt-ridden expression. Her body language made her appear vulnerable and she was still clearly shaken up.

“This is why you wanted them escorted out… wasn’t it?” The king asked.

Taehyung tilted his head with confusion.

“She’s the child, isn’t she? How else would you know?” The king continued.

Taehyung cursed under his breathe and gripped your hand tighter.

“They told you?”

He nodded. “We signed a deal, Taehyung. They had no choice.”

“I can’t trust anyone anymore!?”

“Who?” You asked.

“The Sagittarian queen, when I begged her for help.”

“I would’ve done the same for your mother.” The king said, his voice suddenly a lot gentler. The king reached for your free hand with his both. It was clear where Taehyung got his big hands from.

“The secret you carry is yours and only you get to decide what to do with it. I just want you to know that I’ve protected my wife’s secret all these years, even from my own son and I will protect my daughter in law’s secret with the same dedication.”

The queen nodded in agreement and reached to caress your shoulder.

They… they were accepting you. As you.

“The law will inevitably change… until then, we will protect you.” She assured.

Taehyung was moved. His teeth were biting into his lower lip to hinder another wave of weeping to escape him. This time more from relief than anguish. But resisting was hard and a tear escaped down his cheek.

His mother reached to wipe it away for him with the sleeve of her gown. “I’m so sorry Taehyungie.”

It stung deep in his chest and the flood gates flew open.

His hand slipped out of yours as he covered his face, pressing his palms against his eyes.

“Why did it have to be so hard?” He stuttered between tears.

“It’ll be easier now, my son. I promise. I’ll make sure of it. It’s the least I can do for causing you this hurt.”

“I know you just wanted to protect me...” He cried.

“I did… but protecting you came with a cost that was too high to pay for me… as your mother.”

“I think seeing the Scorpio Princess break down was the final straw.” The king explained to you.

The queen embraced her son and you could feel the tears build up in your eyes at the sight.

This was everything he wanted… the only thing he wanted.

“Apparently the Princess had been tailing them for weeks and this is when she snapped.” The king said and wiped a tear off your cheek. “Her girlfriend was an Aries… it didn’t end well unfortunately. The king and queen were approving as long as they hid it, but her parents were against it.”

“The girlfriend’s?”

The king nodded. “They thought what happened to the true rulers would happen to their daughter and the princess. The girlfriend turned down the princess’ proposal and it broke her heart.”

“What happened to her?” you asked.

“We had her taken back to the Scorpio palace, she was in a lot of distress.”

“… and the Aries…?”

“Call me cruel, but we sent them home. Nobody who threatens my wife will get treated in my kingdom. If you ask me I think he can gladly bleed to death in the carriage on their way ba-“ The king paused and looked over your shoulder.

Taehyung caught his gaze, haven separated from his mother’s embrace a moment prior. Taehyung was the one to act. He walked over to where the king had previously been (rightfully) beaten, a few meters away there was a crown… the king’s crown. It must’ve slipped off his head and rolled off without notice… He kneeled and picked it up, inspecting it slightly in his hand on his way back towards you.

The crown consisted almost entirely out of diamonds in a clean simple design with some silver. But the silver’s only purpose appeared to be to hold the multiple tiny diamonds in place.

Taehyung’s smile was wide.

“I have a strong urge to smash this into a million pieces but… I know this is an heirloom.” He said and handed it to you.

You carefully took the crown.

“What do you mean?”

“It once belonged to your father.” Taehyung explained.

You felt your stomach drop.

“W-won’t they want it back?” You swallowed.

“Of course they will, but they won’t. It’s yours. They don’t need to know. Finders’ keepers and I gave it to you. It’s your crown now.” Taehyung smirked.

From having nothing from your parents to now having something that was once your father’s… it felt healing.

The news had spread fast.

Luckily Taehyung’s mother came away un-defamed… the headlines were all about the Scorpio Princess and her attack. It had triggered a revolt. The Aries palace was stormed, many people were harmed and injured but not in vain…

You were sat at the long table in the palace drinking some tea that a staff member had nicely offered you.

It was early morning, the sun had a long time left until it would rise and snow was falling heavily outside. But this was the time the paper would arrive to the palace, and you wanted to read it immediately.

The headline was promising.

The palace had been successfully stormed and the king, queen and their two princes had been detained… The headline read: The Aries Kingdom is no more, The Republic of Aries rises from its ashes. – First republic in history!

A kiss was placed against your temple.

You hadn’t noticed Taehyung enter in his robe.

Yesterday he had begged for you to come back to bed, today he simply lifted you up bridal style and carried you back to his room, knowing it would be impossible to get you to part from the paper before you’d read it all.

The monarch had come to an end in the Aries kingdom and a governing group would be elected to lead in its place. But the best new was that they’d found the resting place of the true royals… and it would become a memorial. There had been nothing marking the spot aside a circle of small stones, one of the princes was co-operative enough to reveal it.

The memorial would mean you finally had the chance to visit them, and they had a place to finally rest in peace.

Taehyung had already insisted on getting a hold of your mother’s crown for you, even if it meant he had to potentially rob a museum, he would make sure it would be yours, no matter the cost.

The law would inevitably change.

For now, you still had to pretend… but nobody was asking about your sign.

Maybe it was more common than you thought for the royals to break the rule and cover it up with lies and secrets… The word “inevitably” gave you a lot of comfort when thoughts on the topic arose.

For you, you didn’t want your secret to be out. You didn’t want your trauma to become you, to be what people would associate with you, what you’d symbolize. All you wanted was to play music, teach music and be with Taehyung.

The day the memorial was completed, there was a huge event, with all royal’s (and governing ministers) invited to the Aries Republic.

They were no longer labelled as traitors. They were simple the true rulers.

Taehyung stayed close to your side, holding your hand protectively in his. Security was tight since all royals from all kingdoms were attending. You spotted the Scorpio princess dressed in a long black dress holding a woman’s hand. You hoped it was her girlfriend.

Taehyung’s father would be holding a speech next. The queen placed the floral wreath from the Capricorn kingdom at the base of the monument and took a seat next to you and Taehyung in the VVIP audience.

At the king’s side the King and Queen of the Sagittarian kingdom stood, (Taehyung would ever so often lean over to inform you who was who.) The speech began with condolences and paying their respects and the King threw a quick glance towards you.

“As you all know, the queen and king welcomed a baby princess, right here in this very palace. We’ve tried to locate her, but we have concluded that she doesn’t want to be located, but that she is safe and loved.” Gasps were heard around you and the journalists in the press section were rapidly writing down the king’s words.

“As King of the Capricorn kingdom, our kingdom will be the first to grant the Princess of Aries … Diplomatic immunity.” He paused briefly. “This means that the princess if her identity was ever revealed, can’t be punished for treason. Her birth was never treason and will never be treason. But for this to be a nationwide immunity at least two kingdoms need to grant immunity individually. Which is why I will now give over the word to the Queen of Sagittarius.”

Taehyung’s attempt to remain calm was a struggle. He turned to you and smiled widely. Your heart was beating so fast and hard it felt like an eternal buzzing.

“Thank you, your highness.” The queen said. “As the Queen of the Sagittarian kingdom, it is with great honour that I today grant the Princess of Aries diplomatic immunity in the Kingdom of Sagittarius. The princess will always be welcome to the kingdom of her zodiac and it is an honour for us to be giving her this immunity today and even bigger honour to be able to do it here at her parents memorial. To honour the Princess is to honour the true rulers. With this we will also be enabling the nationwide diplomatic immunity for the Princess. Thus, she can never, ever, in any kingdom… or republic, ever be punished for merely being born. For merely existing.”

A few days later Auntie was invited to the palace to receive diplomatic immunity by the King too, but in a private setting. As she arrived, before even greeting the queen, she handed her a piece of paper.

“Your son’s actual chart match.” She said and patted her shoulder. “Darling!” She called out and cupped your cheeks. Her touch was always healing.

Taehyung earned a ruffle, for which she had to ask him to kneel so she could reach. Then she proceeded to properly greet the King and Queen.

They appeared to be getting along well, so well that auntie even offered to smoke cleanse the entire palace to which they politely declined. But knowing Auntie she’d probably be walking around the halls the next day with Palo Santo in both hands waving them in front of every guard.

Taehyung’s little pup seemed to be the one who became the most attached to Auntie during her visit. Once he crawled up into her lap he stayed, refused to leave and whimpered sadly when she made a move to head back home.

A little less than a year later the trees had turned into a mix of red, yellow, and brown. The plaza was preparing for an upcoming harvest festival and children were playing in the piles of leaves. A street down, Taehyung was holding his beloved’s hand walking towards the place where their love first blossomed. The then music shop had been sold by Hans and Taehyung didn’t hesitate to purchase it off him. It was renovated, new instruments had been purchased and multiple musicians from the ensemble had been hired to teach at the then small cramped upstairs school that now had become the Royal Music Academy. The grand opening would be held tomorrow, but Taehyung was eager to let the two of you experience it first.

The old character of the place had been preserved but the use of the space has improved, the floors were changed, and the walls freshened up and a cosy lounge area for the students had replaced the previous cashier desk. Upstairs was an even bigger space with new instruments yet to be unboxed and bookshelves full of notes. But the old piano by the window was left untouched.

You let out an excited gasp and ran over to the piano bench. Your hands caressed the smooth wood of the lid before lifting it up. You played a short little melody and cracked up in a laugh. It was completely out of tune.

“She needs some care and fine tuning for sure.” You said and heard Taehyung chuckle from behind you. This piano brought back so many nice memories, memories of how Taehyung would purposely try to play badly… your first kiss.

“You can come here as often as you please.” He said and handed you the keys. “I signed you as my co-owner when I purchased it.”

You didn’t know this until now.

“What…why?” You said and took the keys.

“Because this is our space.” He said, wrapping his arms around your shoulders from behind. “And I wanted it to be listed as ours.”

You reached up to caress his forearm. “Oh Taehyung, I don’t know what to say.” You confessed, smiling.

“Just say yes.” He whispered and slipped his arms off.

“Yes?” You echoed, slightly confused, and turned to look back at him.

You expected to be looking up behind you but quickly noticed Taehyung was a lot further down than expected. He was kneeling… on one knee… with a ring.

“Will you marry me?”

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