House of Cards || Taejinkook

⚜40⚜ Forever and ever (End 1)

♥Jin♥

It's been six months since we were last at the castle. As we drive in through the gate I almost want to laugh. Who would've thought we would return to this grand place in an old house van. After staying at hotels for about a month, Jungkook came up with the idea that we should get our own place. I was surprised when I found out this was what he had in mind, but I'm not complaining. With this we're free to go wherever we want and can easily bring our stuff with us.

The van stops in front of the stairs and Jungkook puts his hand on my knee with a smile.

"We're here," he says. "Things are finally going our way."

"You don't know that for sure."

"Of course I know! They called us here to apologize, dear. After all this time they've finally realized what's best for all of us."

"Hmm, I guess."

He gives me a reassuring squeeze and we exit the van. He offers his hand and I take it as we enter the castle together. The king and queen are already waiting for us in the hall. Upon seeing us they both smile warmly and it looks like they're about to cry.

"My son... it's been so long," the king says and he opens up his arms for a hug that Jungkook happily runs into. The queen takes me by surprise as she wraps her strong arms around me without warning.

"Thank you for taking care of him," she whispers to me.

"It was my pleasure."

She lets go of me and the king comes at me with teary eyes. He's a big man, but somehow I think the queen's hug was stronger.

"I'm so happy you decided to listen to us and come here," the king says. "I was too harsh on you and I haven't been able to sleep properly at night. We've been so incredibly worried about you. Sorry for scaring you away. I should've tried to be more understanding."

The hugging party is over and they bring us out to the garden for some coffee. I take a quick glance at Jungkook and he seems very pleased. Of course he is. His parents are finally on his side again. I'm pleased too. I've been feeling a bit guilty for breaking up their family, but everything seems to have settled now. I don't think they blame me for anything that's happened. They're good people after all, just like Jungkook.

"So tell us, what have you been up to?" the queen asks while sipping on some tea. "We haven't heard anything in months so we were honestly surprised you answered our text."

Jungkook laughs.

"We've been traveling around the country without any particular goal in mind. It's been like a long vacation of sorts. We haven't been on the internet at all aside from looking for nice places to visit. We bought ourselves a van to drive around in and it's just been pretty great."

His parents smile at him.

"That's good to hear. What's the plan from now on? Still want to get married?"

"Of course!" Jungkook happily responds. "Do we have your permission this time?"

The king laughs.

"You have our permission. Not that what I say will change your mind anyway. I didn't know you could be this stubborn about something. I guess Jin has brought out some new sides of you, my son."

"He sure has, and uh... about that... I want to abdicate from the throne. I don't want to be a prince anymore. I've done a lot of thinking and I've never been happy with my title. I know I wouldn't do a good job as king in the future, so it's best to leave that role to someone more fitting. I'd rather just be free."

They're surprised for sure, but not quite as shocked as I was expecting. Jungkook told me quite early on that he's terrified of being king and he'd do anything to get out of it. This whole time he's wanted nothing more than to be seen as his own person and therefore I respect his decision to do this.

"I see," the king eventually says. "Is this some kind of trend you princes are trying to start?"

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I think it was about two months ago that Taehyung came here and said that he didn't want to be royalty any longer."

Now that's surprising. Taehyung not wanting to have his title? Unfathomable.

"For what reason?" Jungkook asks and both the king and queen laugh a little.

"Apparently his partner would rather die than marry a prince so he figured that if he's not a prince then he might have a chance. A couple days later we got news that they'd gotten engaged, so I think it worked out for him."

Both Jungkook and I are stunned. Taehyung is engaged? Even more surprising is that he did it before we did. I'm a bit sad I haven't heard about this, but if I congratulate him now I might get invited to their wedding. Taehyung getting married is something I thought would never happen, but if he's found someone he's willing to risk so much for, then good for him.

Jungkook takes out his phone and for the first time in months I see him open up a social media app. He searches for Jimin's name and the last picture is from about a month ago. It's of his hand where he has a golden ring with a brown diamond in it on the ring finger. The caption reads:

He said it was the same color as my eyes and it matches my necklace from before, so I couldn't say no. I suppose I have to marry this idiot now.

Jungkook chuckles as he reads it and he turns to me with a smile.

"Guess we figured out who Taehyung's partner is then."

"I never thought those two would get along."

"Me neither. I don't think anyone did, but they seem like a good fit for each other. If Taehyung really has stepped up his game then I'm happy for them. Anything would be a nice change compared to the idiot Jimin dated before."

"But the question still remains: Who'll take over after me?" the king asks.

"There's only been one logical solution from the start," Jungkook says. "Let cousin Namjoon do it. He was practically made for the role and I'm sure he'll enjoy every second of it. He'll do good in the world."

Taehyung's brother is a good choice indeed and everyone seems to agree on that. Namjoon will do great as king while the other two princes live their lives quietly as commoners. If it's what makes them happy then that's all that matters. An unexpected ending, but a welcome one for sure. I wouldn't have it any other way.