Shortly after Taehyung helped Jungkook into his bed, a faint knock sounded on the front door.

"Who could that be?" Taehyung asked.

Jungkook shrugged. Hopefully, it was Hwiyeon. He hadn't the chance to apologize to him for not only the scolding but for having injured his thigh.

Taehyung excused himself with the promise of returning immediately afterwards. His voice bled through the walls. "What is the meaning of this, Prince?"

Jungkook's eagerness deflated.

"And who is this?"

"I believe a check-up of your friend is in proper order," came the distinctly calm voice of Prince Hoseok. Jungkook could picture him standing before Taehyung with the wave of authority Taehyung needed in a future partner. Taehyung was groundless. He needed someone who could anchor him.

"Are you doubting my abilities as a healer?"

"You misunderstand me. I'm here to see that a citizen of my kingdom is with good health."

Taehyung scoffed. "Right. Because you do this with every citizen."

Silence on the Prince's side.

Taehyung must have slammed the door wide open because a loud thwack reverberated through the air. "I won't say no this time. But, I'd like it if you keep those leeches away from my friend's chest." Taehyung said something else but Jungkook couldn't make out the words.

Shortly thereafter, the door to the bedroom crept open. Taehyung popped his head around the crudely painted door frame. "Jungkook. Are you awake?"

Jungkook sat up in response. Taehyung hurried over. "No, no. Stay down."

Jungkook touched Taehyung's forearm. Their eyes met. Jungkook refused to relent despite the rampant beating of his heart. Taehyung sighed. "Okay." He fluffed the pillows as he told Jungkook that a physician was here to see him. "Is that alright? He's from the castle. I can tell him-"

Jungkook shook his head. He motioned for the person to come in.

Taehyung turned for the door with a frown. "If you need something, anything, don't hesitate to cause a ruckus. I'll leave the door to the hallway open in case. Okay?"

"Okay."

Taehyung turned to look at Jungkook with astonishment. His lips turned up to reveal the boxy smile Jungkook only had to recall to keep himself from dwelling on thoughts of what would become of him if he didn't break the curse.

"You know you're a very handsome boy, Jungkook. Smile some more. Your energy is amazing."

Jungkook felt his lips part open. He didn't understand. Did Taehyung say that out of likeness or kindness? As much as he wished for the former, Jungkook realized it may as well have been the latter. Surely, Taehyung knew about Pledge IV, Clause I. But did it matter to him as little as it mattered to him?

As Jungkook waited for the physician to complete his check-up, a loud clatter cascaded into the room. Jungkook struggled to free himself from the physician's workings.

"Please. Won't be much longer."

Taehyung's disgruntled voice cut through the air. "What is the meaning of this?"

Jungkook's eyes darted to and from the physician and entryway. He could see beads of sweat forming on the physician's small forehead. He discreetly swiped the side of his hand over his own brow.

"Please. Take it. A gift."

"Why? So you can accuse me of having stolen something from you only after you unjustly raid my home?"

The sound of a chair scraping against the floorboards ripped through the air. Jungkook urged the physician to hurry up. He had to make things right between Taehyung and Prince Hoseok. Things couldn't end like this. He couldn't let the path to earning Taehyung's heart open up like this, no matter how amazing it felt to know that he would have the advantage.

"I have no interest in accusing the innocent of wrongdoings."

The physician interrupted Jungkook's concentration by saying: "Take the herbs I'll have prescribed to you." He started to pull away. "And