Liability (VSOO)[18+]

•Epilogue• Part 1

"MOMMY!"

"DADDYYYY!"

"MOMMMMA!!"

"DAD!" the kids shouted happily as they burst into the room unannounced. Taehyung's eyes widened in surprise as they all clamored to climb on the bed.

"Wow.... boys....easy.... easy.... don't jump around your mother!" he voiced worriedly as he saw them excitedly jumping and crawling on top of the bed. They quickly overwhelmed him, pinning him down on the mattress with their hugs and tugs.

"My babies.... did you sleep well....?" Jisoo asked, quickly kissing the children gathered around her.

"So energetic already!" Taehyung exclaimed, smiling but slightly terrified by their hyperactive actions. The kids returned their parents' smiles as they continued to play on the bed.

"We were waiting for you at breakfast..... I tried to hold them off!"

"But I couldn't hold them back for long!" Youngdon confessed to his parents. Taehyung shifted his gaze to his eldest son, who was celebrating his 20th birthday.

"Youngdon, my son!"

"Come here!" Taehyung said eagerly as he stepped out of bed. Youngdon beamed and embraced his father tightly.

"Happy birthday, my son..... you have been such a blessing to me and your mother!"

"Our first born..... our pride!" He spoke with deep affection, gazing steadily into his son's eyes after pulling back from the hug. Taehyung gently held Youngdon's face, a smile on his lips as he took in the brightness and liveliness of his son's expressions.

"I'm so grateful to have witnessed your growth this time around," Taehyung said, his eyes becoming misty. Youngdon furrowed his brow slightly at his father's emotional words.

"What do you mean?"

"This time around???..... you said that as if you have failed to do so once before?" Youngdon asked, filled with curiosity. Taehyung cleared his throat, shaking his head slightly in response.

"Don't mind me.... I'm not fully awake yet....!" Taehyung said with feigned conviction, knowing full well what he was saying. Youngdon chuckled and gave him a small nod, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of his mother struggling to make her way over to them.

"Mother!"

"Careful!" Youngdon exclaimed, rushing to his mother's side as Taehyung followed suit.

"Oh... I'm fine... fine.... I just wanted to hug my big baby!" Jisoo said with a warm smile.

"My Youngdon!" She exclaimed, embracing him despite the difficulty caused by her large belly. Youngdon smiled, his eyes squinting with joy at the warmth of the hug from his mother.

"Happy belated birthday, my baby!"

"You have been such a good boy throughout the years, but now I really have to face the reality that you aren't a boy anymore....." Jisoo said with a mix of pride and nostalgia in her voice.

"You're now such a wise and kind young man!"

"I'm so proud of you!" Jisoo expressed to her son. Youngdon beamed at his mother, sensing the emotions behind her words as she fought back tears.

"Mom!"

"Please.... don't cry!"

"Besides, you still have my little brothers to keep you company...." Youngdon reassured his mother, trying to lighten the mood.

"Eleven to be exact!" Youngdon said with a slight smirk, knowing his mother was reluctant to see him embark on his journey. Taehyung had envisioned this voyage for all his sons as a way for them to learn about their heritage and the lands beyond the horizon. It was meant to be an educational experience by the time they reached 18 years old.

"Yes, honey.... please.... don't make this hard on him!"

"Even though he doesn't say it..... he is also struggling to leave you behind!" Taehyung added, understanding the emotional weight of the impending journey on both his son and his wife.

"Please don't make him more sad!" Taehyung said, offering comfort to his wife. Jisoo wiped away her tears and nodded in agreement.

"Well... yes.... I'm sorry!"

"It's just that.... I feel like I'm letting a part of me go!" Jisoo uttered, struggling to contain her emotions as tears streamed down her face. Their children looked on, bewildered by their mother's sudden outburst. Taehyung sighed and glanced at Youngdon, who swiftly comprehended his father's silent message.

"Kids.... let's leave mom and dad alone for a moment!" Youngdon instructed his younger brothers, who promptly followed their elder brother's lead. Once they had all departed, Taehyung gently guided Jisoo to sit down on the bed.

"Taehyung, can't you postpone the voyage for another year?"

"I just feel like he should stay!" Jisoo expressed with sorrowful, tear-filled eyes. Taehyung ran a hand through his hair as he gazed at her intently.

"Look.... I can't postpone this voyage!"

"This journey is crucial for his development as the future king of the High Kingdom of the Relic!" Taehyung explained firmly to Jisoo, emphasizing the importance of the voyage for their son's future role.

"This is the second time we've considered postponing it, but I believe it's only hindering his learning about everything that's crucial for his future," Taehyung responded, recognizing the significance of the voyage for their son's growth and education.

"Your father will take good care of him...... our men will take good care of him!"

"Our son is not weak. He is a man now, Jisoo!" Taehyung reassured his wife, emphasizing their son's strength and readiness for the upcoming journey.

"You have to learn to let go of our children!" Taehyung urged gently.

"Jihoon will be the next one to embark on this voyage next year when he turns 18... and so will Soonjin, Yoonsoo, Taeyon, Jinhee, Wooshik, Jinyoung, Jongin, Minhyun, Jungwoo, and Soobin in the future," he continued, listing the names of their other children who would also partake in the journey as part of their growth and heritage.

"All our boys are capable.... they are smart and tough!"

"They are our kids, but they are also the future of this kingdom," Taehyung stated firmly, meeting Jisoo's gaze with unwavering eyes. Jisoo's gaze softened as she tilted her head slightly downward, understanding the weight of their children's roles in the kingdom's future.

"You're right.... I'm sorry!"

"I shouldn't worry because I know that they are our sons! Brave and strong just like you and me," Jisoo acknowledged, finding reassurance in their children's resilience. And so, the day of the farewell had begun.

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