Seokjin's pov:
When we arrived at the mansion, Jimin looked at Jungkook with a surprise.
"My lord, how did you come back with...?"
Perhaps it was because he knew Jungkook was my father's disciple, but Jimin was unable to continue.
'If I'm going to tell everyone anyway, I should make it clear at the start.' I thought to myself.
"He's my guest." I said.
I couldn't tell what Jimin was thinking when I said that, but he let out a sigh.
"Ah, I see. Then I'll take him to the drawing room - "
I interrupted him. "He's also my boyfriend."
Clang!
At the sound of something falling to the ground, I turned around and saw my father looking at us with a shocked expression.
"Seokjin, what did you just..." My father trailed off.
On one hand, I felt nervous that the very situation I had been planning for finally arrived. On the other hand, I felt hopeful because I could finally get rid of the problem that had been bothering me. I wore a satisfied smile and opened my mouth.
"Jungkook, say hello. This is my father."
"Seokjin, what did you just say?" My father's expression hardened.
I had never seen his eyes look so ferocious before. He almost looked barbaric, which was unlike someone who was usually indifferent about everything.
'Wow, a person who was indifferent even when I caused so many trouble before can become upset like that.' I thought to myself. A small urge to rebel rose inside me. 'He's probably upset that I refuse to become his puppet and comply with the arrange marriage, tempting his disciple instead.'
I proudly locked my arm around Jungkook's and said, "As I just said, we're officially starting a relationship."
My father glared at me in response and quietly said, "First come inside, then we'll talk."
The lies I told Taehyung and the knights worked because they were rather naive. However, I was bound to get caught by my father if I told him the same lies. For this reason, I decided to mix some truth in my story.
'Will I be able to pull it off?' I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but I didn't want to have doubts at this moment. 'It'll be okay. I can do it.' I silently encouraged myself.
At that moment, the arm that was locked around mine loosened. Jungkook had unfastened his hold from me. 'Didn't I ask for cooperation?' I gave him a look, trying to convey this, but became surprised upon realizing that he had removed his arm so he could hold my hand.
"Let's go...my lord." He said.
Although his words sounded awkward, I didn't mind because he had addressed me formally. For some reason, I wasn't frightened at the thought of being scolded today.
☆☆☆☆☆
Namjoon's pov:
'How did it end up like this?'
I clenched my fists, realizing that I should've been more watchful in order to keep my sly disciple away from my son. 'What on earth are you scheming, Jungkook?'
I was certain that Jungkook had planned this situation with wicked intentions, as I knew best about my disciple's inhumane and evil personality. 'Does he want to get me involved in the rebellion by using Jin?' As my certain guesses became more clear, a smug smile appeared on my face.
"Master, you need to let go of your pawns at the right time. It's common sense to make some sacrifices during a revolution." Jungkook had once said.
Jungkook was clearly someone who saw people as pieces on a chessboard, so it was possible he harbored even more wicked intentions than I had predicted. 'How dare he consider my son a pawn.' Although his intentions weren't confirmed, I couldn't help but feel enraged. My disciple had already made a move on my son, after all.
'You scoundrel, how could you pay me back by becoming my enemy?' Although my relationship with Jungkook hadn't started with pure intentions, I never hesitated to give him advice because I valued him at heart. I had even protected him from the assassins sent by the empress when he was young, but it seems like all my efforts and support had gone to waste.
'I can't let a monster like you take my son away from me.' I clenched my teeth in disgust. Although I really wanted to punish my ungrateful disciple, I knew that Seokjin would be unhappy if I did so, considering his nature to cherish the people and things he liked.
'How irritating.' I thought. I felt as if my head was going to burst, but I carefully tried to hide my feelings and offered my son and disciple a seat.
"Sit down." I said.
When Seokjin was about to sit, Jungkook pulled a chair out for him. "Here."
Seokjin smiled. "Thank you."
If it was the disciple that I knew, he wouldn't have been affected by Seokjin's words at all. Nonetheless, my despicable disciple in front of me meekly replied, "Sure."
'That spiteful rascal. He tricked my son by putting on an act.' I clenched my fists. Having observed Jungkook for a long time, I knew that he was rarely affected by things.
Jungkook had even once said, "You want me to show compassion to the weak? That will only get me beheaded."
I had tried to fix my disciple's personality multiple times, he only became more difficult. 'There's no way a guy like him would suddenly change.' I thought to myself.
"How did you two meet?" I asked coldly as if interrogating them with an aura of aggression emanating from my eyes.
"During the few days you were gone, he came to visit you. Since you weren't here and there was no place for him to go. I let him stay in my room for a while." Seokjin said.
Unable to suppress my anger, I twisted my expression. 'So this is why that vile snake lured me to the imperial palace.'
Although my son was mostly expressionless, he had a soft heart from a young age.
"I don't want these birds anymore, so don't catch them again, okay?" Seokjin once said to Jimin when his pet bird died. He had only been seven years old.
'What's more, he's someone who couldn't ignore the abandoned dogs and cats he saw in the streets.' I knew that my son was benevolent towards weak and pitiable existences, so I couldn't help but become even more infuriated at my disciple. 'I will never forgive you for taking advantage of my son's kindness.'
"Why didn't you ask Jimin? He could've taken you to a guest room." I said, looking at Jungkook with a murderous gaze.
"It was very late at night, so I felt awkward to tell anyone since the knights had already come by. I also thought he wouldn't harm me since he's your disciple, Father." Seokjin response instead of Jungkook.
I sighed softly in response. 'Actually, He's the most dangerous one...' Jungkook used whatever means as necessary to fulfill his own purposes. In my eyes, he was no different from an outrageous tyrant. And judging by his barbaric personality, he wasn't going to think twice about inflicting danger on my son once he decided Seokjin was useless or became displeased by him. 'That child probably doesn't even know that his life is at risk.'
Nevertheless I couldn't blame my son because he had a valid reason for letting Jungkook into his room, which was his identity as his father's disciple. 'Yes, it's probably my fault from the start. I shouldn't have accepted him as my disciple.' I thought as I sipped my well-brewed tea. It gave a pleasant and mellow scent, but I could only taste bitterness in my mouth.
I soon spoke coldly, criticizing Jungkook for not showing any consideration for my son. "That was inappropriate of you, considering Seokjin's reputation."
But the person who responded again was my son.
"You probably know this already, Father, but I don't care that much about my reputation."
Although my heart ached at the exaggerated rumors about my son, I didn't care much about them either. No matter what other people said, I knew that my son was a lovely and kind person.
At that moment, Seokjin straightened up and looked straight at me. "Still, I was extremely careful because I was afraid of causing you any trouble. And nothing actually happened between us."
I became taken aback by my son's eyes, which became filled with sparkle.
"I'm embarrassed to say this, but I've only been in an one-sided relationship until now. I think it's a miracle for someone I like to like me back." Seokjin let out a sigh, then said quitely. "Father, you might not trust me because I've caused all sorts of problems until now, but I will never disgrace our family's prestigious name. So please allow us to date."
I had originally planned to say that this was absolutely impossible but I began to develop a soft spot for my son when I heard his desperate pleas. 'How do you manage...to make me so weak like this?' Seokjin was the apple of my eye. I truly wanted to do everything I could for him.
I gathered myself and said, "I can't allow you guys to date. End the relationship."
☆☆☆☆☆
Seokjin's pov:
'I see. He has already made up his mind to marry me off to the crown prince.' I sighed.
An arranged marriage between the crazy, tyrannical crown prince and the duke's only son. Other nobles might have also considered having the prince as their son-in-law, but they would never go as far to make it a reality. However, my father was a transcendent being, so he looked far younger than his actual age. If he wanted to, he could probably get married again and bear a successor in the near future. He could start over anytime he wanted to, so it made sense that he wanted to trade with the royal family rather than give his foolish son a fresh start. It was simply a more advantageous choice for him. 'What do I do now?' If I opposed my father, he would certainly force me to get married. I sighed in frustration, hanging my head low when someone grasped my hand tightly.
"I don't want to." Jungkook said in a firm voice.
'Huh?' I looked at Jungkook with a surprise. He looked back at me before staring angrily at my father.
"Do you remember that time you lectured me, Master?" He asked my father.
At that moment, I was lifted off of my chair. More accurately, Jungkook made me stand up. 'What is this guy trying to do?'
"I think I've found it. My weakness." Jungkook said with a cold expression.
My father's expression became even more bitter. "You do a good job of babbling about something that's not even true."
"Then what about you, Master? You're being overbearing with your grown son."
I frankly hadn't expected much for his acting, but he spoke in such a convincingly icy voice as if he had become infatuated with his own performance.
Jungkook continued, "If you meddle with my weakness again, I will not stand by even if you're my master."
I inhaled sharply at his words. 'No, that was too much.' I carefully watched the master and disciple who had become spiteful toward each other, unable to stop them.
At that moment, my father showed a strange cold smile and said, "Alright, if you say so. I will also not consider you as my disciple anymore."