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Months have passed since Hoseok died, and the kingdom has changed a lot. The once busy streets are now much quieter. The people of the kingdom were getting quieter than usual.

People still go out for work but there's a noticeable tension between them. Conversations are short and the usual laughter in the market is hard to find.

Hoseok's death shook the whole royal palace. The guards were more watchful and the servants quieter.

The palace which seemed warm and welcoming now seems so cold and empty. The usual hustle and bustle of the palace was long gone.

Outside the palace, the security is now even tighter. There are more night patrols and the borders of the kingdom are heavily guarded.

The people of the kingdom had gotten used to seeing the guards everywhere, but still, there was a sense of fear in their hearts. The fear of vampires.

In the royal palace, all the servants were quietly doing their work. Their usual chatter was replaced by the silent work. The guards were firmly standing at their places. The soft footsteps of the servants are only heard in the palace.

Taehyung was in his room. He was staring out of the window. The room was dimly lit with the faint light of the sky filtering through the curtains.

It's been months since Hoseok died but for Taehyung, all the memories were still fresh. He was still unable to agree with the fact that Hoseok, who meant everything to him, was no more.

"Why did you leave me alone?" he muttered.

Taehyung still remembers their last talk. He wasn't like before anymore. His cheerful personality was long gone.

"Will I have to live with the pain that I couldn't save you?" He again talked to himself.

Taehyung and Hoseok have been together since childhood. Hoseok saved him from all the troubles and gave him the freedom that he would not have had as a prince.

The thought of never meeting with Hoseok again was killing him inside. For Taehyung, Hoseok meant everything. There was not a single day when he didn't talk with him.

After Hoseok's death, Taehyung never showed his emotions in front of others. He always hides his pain behind his faint smile. The pain was killing him inside.

He was lost in his thoughts when a servant knocked on the door.

"Your Highness, you should get ready for the official's meeting," the servants said bowing down.

Taehyung nodded his head. The servant quietly left from there. Taehyung sighed and started getting ready for the meeting.

After an hour, Taehyung stepped out of his room. The corridors were mostly empty, with only a few servants, each bowing slightly as they saw him but Taehyung paid no attention to them.

He walked down the long hallways, his footsteps echoing in the quiet palace.

When he reached the doors of his father's chambers, the guard stationed outside gave him a respectful nod before opening the doors. With slow steps, Taehyung stepped in the room.

He found his father sitting at a large wooden table, many documents spread on it. The king looked up at Taehyung and nodded in acknowledgement. Taehyung took a seat across from his.

The king began telling Taehyung about the points that would be discussed in the meeting. There were matters concerning trade routes, the allocation of resources and the rising tension with the neighbouring kingdoms.

The king expected Taehyung to be present in the meeting. He wanted to show that the royal families were still strong and capable of leading the kingdom through the difficult times.

As the king spoke, Taehyung remained silent, his mind elsewhere. When the king finished, he looked at Taehyung, expecting him to give his views but Taehyung's expressions remained the same.

Taehyung leaned back on the chair, his eyes narrowing. "All these plans and discussions are..." he spoke slowly, his voice cold, "are meaningless if we can't protect our people. Hoseok Hyung died and you did nothing then what's the point in doing all these meetings?"

"How can you sit here and talk about trade routes when the vampires who killed Hyung are roaming freely? You expect me to care about all these matters when you didn't care about Hyung," Taehyung shouted.

"Taehyung, we've already discussed this!" the king replied, his voice firm. "We can't expect to act like this. The safety of our kingdom is more important."

"The safety of our kingdom," Tarhyung spoke, a bitter smile forming on his lips, "You're just too concerned about maintaining the peace."

"Hoseok's death was a tragedy. We can't risk our kingdom in the name of revenge," the king said, firmly.

Taehyung clenched his fists, " You're not fit to be king," he added, "A king protects his people, and his family but you did nothing."

The king sighed and looked at Taehyung. "The conversation is over," the king said, his voice cold, "You may leave."

The king started looking through the document. Taehyung didn't argue further and stomped out of the room. His heart was heavy with anger and disappointment.

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Jungkook's morning always starts before the sun rises. He wasn't very fond of sunlight; it only reminded him of the world he despised. His room was dimly lit, the black curtains blocking the sunlight.

His presence was commanding. Everything about him meant power and authority, from the way he carried himself to the way he was always dressed.

He chose his usual black attire, a combination of elegance and intimidation. As he finished dressing up, a knock was heard on the door.

"Come in," he said, his voice low and commanding.

Yoongi entered the room. His eyes fixed on Jungkook, "Are you ready for the meeting?" he asked.

"Of course," Jungkook replied firmly.

Yoongi nodded, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. "Namjoon and Seokjin are waiting downstairs. They wanted to talk with you before you head for the meeting,"

"Fine, let's go," Jungkook said and walked outside with Yoongi following him behind.

Downstairs, Namjoon and Seokjin were seated at a large table. As soon as they saw Jungkook, they both stood up at their place.

"You're leaving for the meeting?" Namjoon questioned.

Jungkook nodded his head and sat on the chair across from them. "I know what I'm doing."

"Jungkook, you've been around humans before but now you will be in their territory. They all will be watching you closely," Jin said, being concerned.

"That's what I want," Jungkook replied, a smirk forming on his lips.

Namjoon sighed, "Jungkook, be careful. You are going to the royal palace. The place where all officials gather and now you're going to be one of them," Namjoon said, calmly.

Jungkook leaned back in his chair, "I know how to handle them." he replied confidently.

Jungkook is going to the royal palace for today's officials meeting. He hates humans with all his heart but now, he was going to join them. But why?

Jungkook stood up from his place. His mind filled with thoughts. He looked at others for the last time before heading out from there. He left with a smirk.

He was walking towards the entrance when he heard a sharp, rhythmic heels clicking sound.

He looked up and saw a young woman walking towards him. The woman's personality was commanding. She was dressed in a sleek, black dress that showed her bold and confident personality. Her walk was confident.

Jungkook's eyes caught Felix who was accompanying her. Felix gave him an assuring nod. Jungkook stopped, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Felix, who is she?" Jungkook asked, his eyes following the girl's every move.

"She is Jury, She was escorted from the northern regions where vampire's were hunted and she lived in the neighboring kingdom for the time being but now she decided to move here," Felix replied.

Jungkook nodded, his eyes never leaving Jury. Jury reached near Jungkook and stopped a few steps away. Her eyes locked with Jungkook's.

"Jungkook," Jury said, her voice smooth and confident, "I've heard alot about you."

Jungkook chuckled, "Really? I hope it was all good."

Jury smiled, "Most of it. I've heard that you don't like humans." she said, her eyes narrowing.

"You've heard right." Jungkook chuckled.

"Well, it's the same here. I think we might get along," Jury said, her eyes fixed on Jungkook.

"Yes, we will," he said, a smirk forming on his lips. "But why did you come here?"

Jury chuckled, impressed by Jungkook, "The north was too limiting for someone like me. I prefer the environment that challenges me," she said, scanning Jungkook from up to down.

Jungkook smirked, clearly appreciating her audacity, "It's rare to see someone so fearless. I like it..."

"Do you like me?" Jury said with a smirk.

Jungkook chuckled, his eyes still fixed on the young woman, "You're interesting."

Jury smirked, "I hope we will talk later,"

"Yes, we will," Jungkook said, a smirk forming on his lips. He looked at her for the last time and walked away.

As Jungkook walked away, he glanced back, meeting Jury's intense gaze. He chuckled and started walking out from there. He could hear Jury's heels clicking against the stone floor.

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The Grand Hall of the palace was filled with the officials, advisors and key members of the kingdom. The atmosphere was serious as they all were gathered for an important meeting.

Taehyung was seated on the very first chair, beside the king. The rest of the people were seated a little far from them.

In the same hall, Jungkook was sitting with the other officials. His posture was straight and his face calm.

The king began the meeting, his voice breaking the silence of the hall, "We have gathered here to discuss some matters about our state," he said and looked at his advisor, who stood up from his place with some documents in his hands.

As the advisor spoke, all the officials seemed to focus on his every word. The room was filled with their voices, some giving advice while the others opposing them but in all this discussion, one person's attention was elsewhere.

Taehyung seemed not to focus on the meeting. His eyes were not on the king nor on the other officials but were locked onto Jungkook.

His stare was intense as if the only thing present there was Jungkook. Taehyung's eyes were fixed on Jungkook and he didn't care about the meeting.

As the meeting continued, his gaze remained fixed on Jungkook. There was something about Jungkook that attracted Taehyung and was making it impossible for him to look away.

For a moment, Jungkook and Taehyung's eyes locked with each other. Jungkook's calm gaze met with Taehyung's burning one but Jungkook again looked away.

The king continued to speak but Taehyung was barely listening. His whole mind was filled with Jungkook's thoughts.

He didn't know what had suddenly happened to him. He always had control over his emotions but it was different this time.

As the meeting concluded, Taehyung and the king stood up to leave. Taehyung again glacked at Jungkook and a smile came on his face. The smile, that was gone after Hoseok's death.

Taehyung walked out from there. His mind flooded with thoughts. He saw his father's advisor and immediately went near him.

"I would like to know about something," Taehyung said in a commanding tone.

"Yes, Your Highness," the advisor said, bowing down.

"Who was that new person in the meeting?" Taehyung asked.

"Your Highness, He is Jeon Jungkook. He comes from a noble family and he recently joined as a member of the official council," The advisor said.

Taehyung narrowed his eyes. "Jungkook?" he nodded his head and left from there.

"Jungkook... Interesting," Taehyung whispered to himself as he walked towards his chambers.

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