There are 3 things that Taehyung hates. One, people following him everywhere. Two, staying indoors all day doing paperwork. Three, spicy food.

It has been 2 months after his father's funeral and Taehyung's life has gone to hell. He hated the palace life and hated the lack of freedom it brought. He now can't go anywhere without his guards and most of the time he's stuck at a office anyway.

Don't get him wrong, Taehyung loves his country and its people, but governing them has never had much appeal to him. He could be a leader when he wants to, he too has that charisma and qualities but it's not what his heart desired. He would rather stay in a camping tent near a lake or do a painting of a sunset, sitting in the garden.

Stiff work of a crown prince is the least thing he could rather do. But that's what Taehyung has been doing for the past 2 months because that's what he is now.

They had the coronation of king Namjoon after 3 days of the former kings funeral and Taehyung was officially crowned as the prince of the nation. Namjoon has been teaching him his duties little by little and now Taehyung is able to manage by himself.

It doesn't matter that he absolutely dislike his work, he will do them with utmost care and effort. He will not let his people or his brother down.

So for the past 2 months, Taehyung has been struggling with 2 out of 3 of his most hated thing but that's not why his life felt like hell. Because now  he has one more thing to add to that list. Jungkook.. or rather, Jungkook's judging eyes.

Taehyung has always been intuitive about people's feelings and motives, a trait that has been passed down from his father. There was no way he would miss the dislike shown in his obnoxious guard's eyes. While Jungkook is very loyal and obedient as a crown prince's guard, his eyes screamed of contempt.

And Taehyung absolutely hated it. More than that, it made him angry. So all and all, prince Taehyung was not in a good mood.

On the other hand, Jungkook has been in a same sort of a hell too. He used to love his job, protecting prince Namjoon has been the best thing he had done in his life.

Prince Namjoon was the kind of a man, for whom you would lay down your life in a heartbeat. Jungkook was always very proud to call himself as a guard of a such man.

But now, he can hardly find the motivation for his job. Prince Taehyung maybe doing all that was expected of him as a crown prince but it's very clear to the younger that he has no pleasure in doing so.

Working for the betterment of the people was something that prince Namjoon evidently liked so even with working himself till he's exhausted, Namjoon would always have a smile on his face. Prince Taehyung on the other hand, would scowl and grunt when he thinks no one is watching.

But today he seemed even more edgy and bad tempered. Prince Taehyung had been in a really bad mood all morning and by midday, he blew up. He stomped out of the office chamber and made his way to the grounds, yelling at Hoseok and others, when they started to follow.

"Stop following me everywhere!! Leave me alone." Taehyung thundered at the guards before storming out to the garden.

With much difficulty, Jungkook managed not to roll his eyes. He put a hand on Hoseok's shoulder in comfort and Hoseok gave him a smile.

"Well, it looks like you lads are off for the day. Go on, you can go have a rest. I'll let you know if it's required to come back." Hoseok said with a cheery voice and the others left after giving their captain a nod.

"You too Kook, have a break today." Hoseok said affectionately.

"What about you hyung?" Jungkook asked from the elder.

"Ahh.. I'm gonna head out to the garden, keep an eye on the prince from some distance." Hoseok replied and walked towards the garden and to his surprise, Jungkook followed him.

"I'll keep you company." Jungkook said and Hoseok gave a nod at that.

Once they both went to the garden, they could see prince Taehyung pacing with quick movement. But his speed gradually reduced to a slow walk and he seems to be deep in thoughts.

"What's wrong with him?" Jungkook asked before he could stop himself and Hoseok gave him a stern look.

"You shouldn't speak about the prince like that Kook." Hoseok said with a shake of his head.

"I know, I know. But he's being real difficult right? Do you think something is wrong?" Jungkook asked but this time it was genuine curiosity.

Hoseok gave a deep sigh. He has been with prince Namjoon for a long time so he kind of knows that prince Taehyung doesn't like the palace life.

"Prince Taehyung is what you call a free spirit, Kook. Such a man is not meant to be stuck inside a palace like this. But we don't get to choose the things we want to do most of the time, life chooses them for us."

"Prince Taehyung is trying his best to fulfil his responsibilities as the crown prince, even though it's the opposite of what his heart wants. I admire him for that. I just wish he would let us help him. We may not be able to share his burden but we might me able to ease up his path."

Hoseok explained to the younger and Jungkook was actually suprised to hear that. He has never thought about it like that but he can't help but agree with Hoseok.

Jungkook is not familiar with the feelings of not being able to do what he wants because he was always fortunate enough to have the chance to choose for himself. But he can imagine what would it be like if he wasn't.

He still hates the prince, but now, it's seems like there a bit of pity mixed with it too.

The two guards watched as king Namjoon walked towards prince Taehyung, the royal guard standing a little behind. Two brothers seems to be talking about something when king Namjoon suddenly pulled Taehyung in to a tight embrace. Jungkook couldn't be sure since they were bit far but it seemed like the king was comforting his brother.

Namjoon was indeed comforting his brother. Because, as he learned few seconds ago, today was an important day for Taehyung. Today was the day that Taehyung was supposed to have another one of his art exhibitions.

Ofcause the university was aware about it when he left so they would have picked the next person, but Taehyung couldn't help feel upset and  disappointed.

It is another indication that clearly told Taehyung that he doesn't belong to that world. Taehyung understand that and he fully except that. But that doesn't mean he's not sad about it.

He managed to hold himself back from crying as his brother rubbed his back in a comforting manner. Because he doesn't want to break down in front of the royal guard. He doesn't want to seem weak to the world.

But the truth is, he was devastated.