The Prince's Shadow (Taekook)
01
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Hi dear readers 🐱
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This is a experiment special story.
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I think you guys will like it eventually.
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Then let's start 🫣
[Royal Council Hall, Morning]
Golden sunlight streams through tall windows. Nobles debate. The king sits high on his throne.
Minister Daejin
Your Majesty, the shapeshifter attacks grow bolder.
Minister Daejin
We must tighten the laws before more innocents suffer.
King Hyun Jin
*voice cold* The law is already too soft.
King Hyun Jin
They are parasites, thieves of human faces. Eradication is the only answer.
Queen Soojin
But, my king, not all are guilty...
King Hyun Jin
*snarling* Silence, woman. You forget your place.
At the council table, Prince Taehyung watches quietly. His fingers tighten against the polished wood.
Prince Taehyung
*thoughts*
Always the same words. Hatred. Fear.
Prince Taehyung
Is there truly no other way?
Behind him, a figure in black armor stands motionless—Jeon Jungkook, his bodyguard. Sharp eyes, unreadable face.
Taehyung walks swiftly, Jungkook a step behind.
Prince Taehyung
You heard them. Again, the same venom.
Jeon Jungkook
*quietly* It is not my place to speak of the council, Your Highness.
Prince Taehyung
You never speak. Always stone, always silent.
Taehyung stops, turning. Jungkook lowers his gaze.
Prince Taehyung
Do you agree with them, Jungkook? That shapeshifters are monsters?
Jeon Jungkook
*tense pause* …It is not my place to judge.
Prince Taehyung
*tired laugh* Then whose place is it? My father’s?
Prince Taehyung
The same man who sees the world only in blood and power?
Jungkook’s jaw tightens. For the briefest second, his dark eyes burn with something more than loyalty.
[Training Yard, Afternoon]
Swords clash. Soldiers drill. Taehyung watches from the balcony, Jungkook at his side.
General Seokmin
*to the soldiers* Again! Strike as though your enemy wears another man’s skin!
Taehyung flinches. Jungkook’s hand curls into a fist at his side. The prince notices but says nothing.
Prince Taehyung
*to Jungkook, low voice* Do you ever tire of this?
Prince Taehyung
Of hearing the same hatred drilled into every blade?
Jeon Jungkook
*quiet, restrained* A soldier obeys orders.
Prince Taehyung
And what of a man?
Their eyes meet. Tension hums. Jungkook breaks away first.
Kim Taehyung
Age : 22
Crown Prince of Solaria. Charismatic and empathetic, but torn between duty to the throne and his desire to bring justice. Loves art, music, and secretly dreams of freedom.
Jeon Jungkook
Age : 21
Royal bodyguard. Stoic, loyal, and skilled with the sword. Hides his shapeshifter identity out of fear of persecution. Struggles between his people and his love for Taehyung.
Hyun Jin
Age : 48
The king. Cruel, power-hungry, and deeply prejudiced against shapeshifters. Values control above all.
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I will introduce other characters in next chapter.
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02
[Night, Prince’s Chambers]
Candlelight flickers. Taehyung sketches quietly, drawing a bird in flight. Jungkook stands near the door, ever watchful.
Prince Taehyung
Do you ever wish to be free, Jungkook? To go where no orders follow?
Jeon Jungkook
Freedom… is a dangerous thing, Your Highness.
Prince Taehyung
*smiles faintly* You speak as though you know it.
Jungkook doesn’t reply. His shadow flickers strangely in the candlelight. Taehyung notices.
Prince Taehyung
…What was that?
Jeon Jungkook
*startled, stiffens* Nothing.
Prince Taehyung
It moved. Not like you. Like...
Suddenly, a crash outside. Alarmed shouts.
[Palace Courtyard, Moments Later]
Flames flicker. A beastly figure snarls in the moonlight—a shapeshifter caught by guards.
Soldier
Monster! Don’t let it escape!
The shapeshifter shifts—skin rippling, bones twisting into a soldier’s form, then a maid’s, then back again. The crowd gasps in horror.
King Hyun Jin
*arriving*
Kill it. Now.
Arrows fly. The shapeshifter falls, writhing, until finally still. Silence. Taehyung stares, shaken. Jungkook’s eyes flicker with hidden grief.
Prince Taehyung
*whispers*
Why must every solution be blood?
King Hyun Jin
Because mercy births rebellion. And rebellion burns kingdoms.
His gaze pierces Taehyung, as though warning him.
Taehyung paces under moonlight. Jungkook stands near the shadows.
Prince Taehyung
That shapeshifter… they executed it like an animal. Without trial. Without voice.
Jeon Jungkook
That is the law, Your Highness.
Prince Taehyung
And do you believe in it?
Jungkook hesitates. His lips part, then close. His hands tremble faintly.
Prince Taehyung
*steps closer* Tell me, Jungkook. What do you see when you look at them?
Prince Taehyung
Monsters? Or people?
A long silence. Jungkook’s eyes lift, full of conflict. He wants to speak—but footsteps approach.
Princess Yeona
*entering, playful tone* Brother! You hide away again?
She curtsies lightly, eyes flicking curiously to Jungkook.
Princess Yeona
Father grows restless. He doesn’t trust you.
Prince Taehyung
When has he ever?
Princess Yeona
*smiles thinly* True. Still, be careful. Spies watch more than you think.
She departs. Taehyung exhales heavily.
[Prince’s Chambers, Late Night]
The candles burn low. Taehyung lies awake, staring at the ceiling. Jungkook stands guard, rigid as ever.
Jeon Jungkook
Yes, Your Highness.
Prince Taehyung
You saved me once, remember? When the carriage horses bolted.
Prince Taehyung
No soldier could have moved so fast. No man.
Jungkook stiffens. His eyes darken.
Prince Taehyung
*softly*
Who are you, really?
Jungkook’s hand brushes the hilt of his sword—then drops. His breath trembles. He says nothing.
Prince Taehyung
*thoughts*
He’s hiding something. And if it is what I think… then the greatest danger in this palace isn’t my enemies.
It’s my shadow.
Soo Jin
Age : 44
The queen. Gentle and wise, but politically sidelined. Secretly supports equality and quietly aids Taehyung.
Dae Jin
Age: 50
Corrupt noble. Spreads anti-shapeshifter propaganda to protect his wealth and influence.
Yeo Na
Age : 18
Taehyung’s younger sister. Sharp, witty, and rebellious. Secretly spies for Taehyung under the king’s nose.
Seok Min
Age: 40
General of the royal army. Stern and disciplined, but torn between loyalty to the king and his conscience.
03
[Early Morning – Prince’s Chambers]
The first light of dawn filters through silk curtains. Taehyung sits at the window, sketchbook open, charcoal smudging his fingers. Behind him, Jungkook stands silently, as always.
Prince Taehyung
You’ve been standing there all night. Don’t you tire?
Jeon Jungkook
A bodyguard does not rest until his duty rests.
Prince Taehyung
*half-smiles* Duty, duty, always duty. Tell me… what of desire?
Jungkook’s gaze flickers, then steadies. He doesn’t answer.
Prince Taehyung
You’re impossible.
Taehyung strolls with Princess Yeona. Jungkook follows a step behind.
Princess Yeona
Brother, you’ve been restless. I see the shadows in your eyes.
Princess Yeona
*lowers voice* Is it because of him?
Her gaze drifts toward Jungkook. Taehyung stiffens.
Prince Taehyung
He’s my guard. Nothing more.
Princess Yeona
*smiles knowingly* Guards don’t usually keep the prince awake at night.
Taehyung glares. Yeona giggles and twirls away, her laughter echoing.
Prince Taehyung
*thoughts* Nothing more… and yet.
The clang of steel rings. Soldiers practice, watched by General Seokmin.
General Seokmin
*to Jungkook* Spar with me. Show the prince the strength of his shadow.
They fight. Jungkook’s movements are precise, graceful—too fast. Too inhuman. Taehyung notices every detail.
Prince Taehyung
*to himself* He moves like water. No soldier fights like that.
The match ends. Seokmin raises an eyebrow.
General Seokmin
You’re sharper than most. Where were you trained?
Jeon Jungkook
*dips his head* I only follow orders, sir.
Taehyung catches the flicker of evasion in his eyes.
[Palace Library – Afternoon]
Taehyung sits among scrolls. Jungkook stands by the door.
Prince Taehyung
Tell me, Jungkook. Do you read?
Jeon Jungkook
*quietly* Enough to follow orders.
Prince Taehyung
But do you want to read?
Jeon Jungkook
*looks away* Desire is dangerous.
Prince Taehyung
Dangerous… or human?
Their eyes meet. The silence stretches. Taehyung leans forward, testing.
Prince Taehyung
What are you hiding from me?
Jeon Jungkook
*stiffens* Nothing, Your Highness.
Prince Taehyung
Then why do your shadows move when you don’t?
Jungkook freezes. His hand grips his sword, then releases. A heavy silence.
Servants whisper as the prince passes. A soldier sneers.
Soldier
*whispering, but loud enough* The prince’s guard—too quiet, too strange. Not to be trusted.
Jungkook ignores it, but Taehyung stops.
Prince Taehyung
*to soldier, coldly* Say it again.
Soldier
*stammers* Y-Your Highness, I meant nothing...
Prince Taehyung
If you question him, you question me. Remember your place.
The soldier bows, retreating. Jungkook’s eyes widen slightly, surprised at Taehyung’s defense.
Jeon Jungkook
*low voice* You didn’t need to do that.
Prince Taehyung
I wanted to.
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