The 7 Princes [BTS x Reader]

Chapter 40 - The Truth

His arm reached out for you, but you recoiled. "Everything you've said has been a lie. Everything."

"No, not everything. Please..."

You ran out of the room before he could finish.

Jin yelled something behind you, but you couldn't hear it, completely focused on the door. Before you could get to it, a guard wrapped his arm around your waist and pulled you back.

"Let me go!" you screamed, trying not to cry. "Let go!"

"What are you doing?" a voice said. "Unhand her now!"

You turned to see Taehyung, nostrils flaring. The guard let go, just as Jin was approaching you.

"Taehyung!"

You hid behind him, grasping onto his coat.

"What the – Your Majesty, why is she acting like this?"

You could hear Jin trying to catch his breath, but he didn't say anything.

The air shifted.

"What did you do?" Taehyung growled.

You had never heard Taehyung use that tone of voice with anyone. You never expected him to use it with the king himself.

"Taehyung," Jin said. "Step aside so I can speak with [Y/N]."

Your fingers gripped harder into Taehyung's coat.

Please, Taehyung...

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but my job is to protect [Y/N.]" Taehyung replied. "Regardless of who she wants protecting from."

There was a tense moment before Jin spoke again.

"[Y/N]... I don't want to leave this here. Please let me talk to you... if nothing else but to beg your forgiveness."

You didn't reply. You shuddered while holding onto Taehyung. You heard footsteps move away from you both, and you peered over Taehyung's shoulders.

Jin was gone.

Taehyung turned to you. "[Y/N] what happened?"

You gripped back onto his coat. "Get me out of here. Please, Taehyung, I'm begging you."

His hands cupped your face as he searched your eyes. After a long moment, he nodded.

"If that's what you want, I'll do it. Let's go."

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Taehyung took you to a garden rooftop in the middle of town. It was late and the rooftop was supposed to be closed, but he had a few connections and got you both in. You sat amid flowers and herbs, looking over the city lights and up at the stars.

He went silent as you told him everything.

"He faked the poison." you said. "He's a really good actor. I really fell for it."

Taehyung sighed. "He didn't have to act very hard. He's been poisoned before."

You looked up at him. "He has?"

"Yes," Taehyung said, frowning. "By his mother."

You couldn't even respond.

"He wasn't kidding about her," Taehyung continued. "She was cruel. She was the cruelest to Jin since he was the crowned prince. Something about him taking the throne away from her set her off. He always had bruises. Sometimes lashes. If she tried to punish his brothers, he stepped in and took the beating. My uncle was his parents' assistant. I've heard stories I don't dare repeat."

You held a hand to your chest. You couldn't imagine Jin growing up with that much pain. No wonder he was scared.

"Why didn't he tell me any of this?"

"How could he?" Taehyung replied. "He had become so paranoid that you would be just like her. But now that idiot has caused a bigger mess. Now he's doomed his own country by his own hands."

"What do you mean?"

"You think your father is going to let him off the hook when he finds out what happened?" Taehyung asked. "I wouldn't be surprised if it started a war between your countries."

Your heart sunk. Jin being punished was one thing. Innocent people getting punished because of it was another. Taehyung was right. Once your father found out about this, he was going to kill Jin himself.

Then you remembered.

Your father was on his way.