#crown prince! namjoon

[bratzkoo]

doré | minjoon | part two

Author: bratzkoo  | Credits to: @jintherapper​​ for the banner Pairing: crown prince! namjoon x pirate! jimin Genre: fluff, angst, more angst Rating: 18+ Word count: 2.1k Warnings/note: cursing, mentions of death and killing, revenge, no proper pov TT, homophobic piece of shit king, bisexual jimin x bisexual namjoon... just saying, idiots to lovers?, jin being the best brother out there, jungkook is an impulsive boy and stupidly brilliant, yoongi had enough haha, it’s my first time writing a pirate! au and i do not know what i’m doing. to @written-in-flowers for @thebtswritersclub​ . part one here.

summary: jimin’s quest on clearing his name after he was framed for murder consists of making the crown prince fall in love with him. 

taglist: TT i can’t find my taglist, pls hit me up if you wanna be added.

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The gentle rocking of the ship lulled Namjoon into a false sense of security. He found himself surprisingly at ease, considering his current predicament. The Crown Prince of the Empire, kidnapped by pirates and now willingly agreeing to help clear the name of their leader—it was absurd, really. Yet here he was, sitting across from Park Jimin in the captain's quarters, discussing their plan as if they were old friends conspiring over tea.

"So, let me get this straight," Namjoon said, leaning back in his chair. "You want me to vouch for your innocence when we return to the palace, but you're leaving the details entirely up to me?"

Jimin's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "I have faith in your creativity, Your Highness. Surely the Crown Prince can concoct a believable tale?"

Namjoon couldn't help but chuckle. "You're putting an awful lot of trust in someone you've kidnapped."

"Technically, Jungkook kidnapped you," Jimin corrected, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'm merely... benefiting from the situation."

"Ah, yes. How could I forget?" Namjoon rolled his eyes, but there was no real annoyance behind the gesture. Despite himself, he was finding Jimin's company oddly enjoyable. "And speaking of Jungkook, where is your impulsive first mate?"

Jimin waved a hand dismissively. "Probably trying to figure out how to sail the ship he stole. Don't worry, I've made it clear that you're not to be harmed."

"How reassuring," Namjoon deadpanned. He stood up, stretching his long limbs. "Well, if I'm to be your guest for the next three days, I might as well get acquainted with my temporary home. Care to give me a tour, Captain?"

Jimin raised an eyebrow. "You're taking this remarkably well, Your Highness. I half expected you to be demanding your immediate return."

Namjoon shrugged. "What would be the point? We're already at sea, and I've given my word to help you. Besides," he added with a wry smile, "this is the most excitement I've had in years. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts."

Jimin laughed, a sound that was surprisingly melodic. "Very well, then. Allow me to show you around our humble vessel."

As they made their way out of the captain's quarters and onto the main deck, Namjoon was struck by the organized chaos of ship life. Crew members scurried about, adjusting sails and checking ropes. The salty sea air whipped around them, carrying with it the cries of seagulls and the distant rumble of waves against the hull.

"It's... not what I expected," Namjoon admitted, taking in the sight.

Jimin glanced at him curiously. "And what did you expect, Your Highness? Bloodthirsty pirates swinging from the rigging with knives between their teeth?"

Namjoon had the grace to look sheepish. "Well, when you put it like that..."

Their tour took them from bow to stern, with Jimin pointing out various parts of the ship and introducing Namjoon to key crew members. The prince was surprised by the camaraderie he witnessed, the easy banter and shared laughter among the pirates. It was a far cry from the stuffy formality of palace life.

As they reached the ship's galley, a boisterous voice called out, "Oi, Cap'n! Who's the fancy gentleman?"

Namjoon turned to see a burly man with a wild beard and an even wilder grin. Jimin chuckled, clapping the man on the shoulder.

"Namjoon, meet our cook, Seokjin. Seokjin, this is... well, I suppose you could call him our guest of honor."

Seokjin's eyes widened comically. "Blimey, it's true then? We've got the Crown Prince aboard?"

Namjoon nodded, offering a polite smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Seokjin."

The cook let out a bark of laughter. "Well, I'll be damned. Never thought I'd be cookin' for royalty. You got any fancy tastes, Your Highness? 'Fraid we're a bit short on caviar and champagne."

"Whatever you normally serve will be fine," Namjoon assured him. "I'm not one for extravagance, despite what you might think."

Seokjin nodded approvingly. "A man after me own heart. Well, don't you worry, Your Highness. I'll whip up a feast fit for a king—or a prince, in this case."

As they continued their tour, Namjoon found himself genuinely enjoying the experience. The crew, while initially wary, seemed to warm up to him quickly. He listened intently as Jimin explained the intricacies of sailing, asked questions about life at sea, and even tried his hand at tying a few knots under the guidance of a patient deckhand.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow across the waves, Jimin led Namjoon to the ship's bow. They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the sky turn from gold to pink to deep purple.

"It's beautiful," Namjoon murmured, almost to himself.

Jimin nodded, his expression softening. "It is. No matter how many times I see it, the sunset at sea never fails to take my breath away."

Namjoon turned to study Jimin's profile, illuminated by the fading light. "How did you end up here, Jimin? Last I heard, you were the Archduke's son, set for a life of luxury and political influence. What happened?"

Jimin's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "It's... a long story, Your Highness. One I'm not sure you're ready to hear."

"We have three days," Namjoon pointed out gently. "And if I'm to help clear your name, don't you think I should know the truth?"

Jimin sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're right, of course. But perhaps we should save that conversation for tomorrow. It's not exactly a pleasant bedtime story."

Namjoon nodded, respecting Jimin's reluctance. "Very well. But I hope you'll trust me enough to share it soon."

As if on cue, Seokjin's voice boomed across the deck. "Dinner's ready, you landlubbers! Come and get it while it's hot!"

The galley was a cramped but cozy space, filled with the mouthwatering aroma of Seokjin's cooking. Namjoon found himself seated between Jimin and Jungkook, the latter eyeing him warily.

"So, Your Highness," Jungkook began, his tone cautious. "No hard feelings about the whole kidnapping thing, right?"

Namjoon couldn't help but laugh. "Well, considering I'm enjoying a delicious meal instead of languishing in some dank cell, I suppose I can find it in my heart to forgive you."

Jungkook visibly relaxed, a grin spreading across his face. "See, Cap? I told you he was a good sport."

Dinner was a lively affair, with conversation and laughter flowing as freely as the rum. Namjoon found himself regaling the crew with tales from the palace, carefully omitting any sensitive information. In return, he was treated to outrageous stories of their adventures at sea, each tale more unbelievable than the last.

As the night wore on and the crew began to disperse, Jimin led Namjoon back to the captain's quarters. "You'll be staying here," he explained. "I'll bunk with Jungkook for the duration of your stay."

Namjoon raised an eyebrow. "That's very generous of you, but I don't want to put you out. I'm perfectly capable of sharing a room."

Jimin shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Nonsense. You're our guest, after all. Besides, I doubt you'd enjoy Jungkook's snoring."

"Fair enough," Namjoon conceded. He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Thank you, Jimin. For everything. This isn't at all how I imagined a kidnapping would go."

Jimin's smile widened. "Well, we aim to exceed expectations, Your Highness. Sleep well. We have a lot to discuss tomorrow."

As Namjoon settled into the surprisingly comfortable bed, his mind raced with the events of the day. He knew he should be more concerned about his situation, about the potential consequences of his absence from the palace. Yet he couldn't shake the feeling that this unexpected adventure might be exactly what he needed.

With the gentle rocking of the ship lulling him to sleep, Namjoon's last thought before drifting off was of Jimin's enigmatic smile and the mysteries that lay behind it.

The next morning dawned bright and clear, the sun's rays filtering through the porthole to rouse Namjoon from his slumber. For a moment, he was disoriented, the unfamiliar surroundings causing a brief panic. Then the events of the previous day came rushing back, and he let out a small chuckle at the absurdity of it all.

A knock at the door interrupted his musings. "Your Highness? Are you awake?" Jimin's voice called from the other side.

"Come in," Namjoon replied, sitting up and running a hand through his disheveled hair.

Jimin entered, carrying a tray laden with what appeared to be breakfast. "I thought you might appreciate a private meal this morning," he explained, setting the tray on the small table by the window. "We have much to discuss."

Namjoon nodded, climbing out of bed and joining Jimin at the table. The spread was simple but appetizing—fresh bread, cheese, some fruit, and a steaming mug of what smelled like coffee. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "I admit, I'm curious to hear your story."

Jimin took a deep breath, his fingers idly tracing patterns on the wooden tabletop. "It's not a tale I enjoy telling, Your Highness. But you're right—if you're to help me, you need to know the truth."

And so, as they shared their breakfast, Jimin began to recount the events that had led him to this life of piracy. He spoke of his father, the Archduke, a man consumed by ambition and greed. Of the pressure to be the perfect heir, to follow in his father's corrupt footsteps. Of the moment he discovered just how deep that corruption ran.

"I found documents," Jimin said, his voice low and intense. "Proof that my father had been embezzling funds meant for the people, collaborating with foreign powers to undermine the Empire's stability. I... I couldn't stand by and let it happen."

Namjoon listened intently, his breakfast forgotten. "What did you do?"

"I tried to expose him," Jimin replied, a bitter smile twisting his lips. "I thought if I brought the evidence to the proper authorities, justice would be served. But I underestimated my father's influence. Somehow, he managed to turn it all around on me. Suddenly, I was the traitor, the corrupt son trying to frame his innocent father."

"That's why you were exiled," Namjoon realized, the pieces falling into place.

Jimin nodded. "Exile was a kindness, really. My father wanted me executed for treason. It was only through the intervention of... a friend at court that I was allowed to leave with my life."

"And you turned to piracy?"

"Not immediately," Jimin admitted. "At first, I just wandered, trying to figure out what to do with my life. But then I met Jungkook, and well... the rest, as they say, is history."

Namjoon sat back, processing everything he'd heard. It was a lot to take in, and it painted a very different picture of the man before him than the one he'd previously held. "Jimin, I... I'm so sorry. What was done to you was unjust."

Jimin shrugged, though Namjoon could see the tension in his shoulders. "It is what it is, Your Highness. I've made peace with my lot in life. But now, with your help, perhaps I can finally clear my name and return home."

"Of course," Namjoon said without hesitation. "I'll do everything in my power to help you. But Jimin... why didn't you come to me before? As Crown Prince, I could have—"

"With all due respect, Your Highness," Jimin interrupted gently, "you were barely more than a boy when this happened. And my father's influence runs deep. I couldn't risk involving you then."

Namjoon nodded, understanding but not liking it. "And now?"

Jimin's lips quirked into a small smile. "Now, you're the Crown Prince in more than just title. You have real power, real influence. And, if I may be so bold, I believe you to be a man of integrity. Someone who will listen to the truth and act on it, regardless of the consequences."

Namjoon felt a warmth spread through his chest at Jimin's words. It was a heavy responsibility, but one he was determined to live up to. "I won't let you down, Jimin. We'll find a way to clear your name and bring your father to justice."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Jimin said softly, his eyes shining with gratitude and something else Namjoon couldn't quite identify.

As they finished their breakfast and began to plan their next steps, Namjoon found himself studying Jimin more closely. The man before him was not the carefree pirate captain he'd first appeared to be, nor was he the traitorous son Namjoon had once believed him to be. He was complex, layered, a man shaped by hardship and injustice but not broken by it.

And as the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting its warm light over the two men deep in conversation, Namjoon realized that his adventure at sea was becoming something far more significant than he could have ever imagined.

[gguk-n]

All of this is fiction. All rights are reserved

This is my masterlist, I do not allow any transfer, translation or reposting on any other platform. This is the only place I post fanfiction and if you see someone reposting with a name other than gguk-n please let me know! thank you.☺️ P.S. I use Y/N and the reader uses she/her in my stories.

Masterlist

Requests are open

500 followers celebration series

Formula 1

Requests

Soulmate AU

Lando Norris

SMAU

Please, Please, Please Stranger in the sun

Imagine

Hate you Last Straw

Fading Shadow

Laps of deceit

Max Verstappen

Imagine

The Exception Unravelling Max's Mystery In another life

SMAU

Medicine & Motors Short n Sweet Tracks & Beats

Logan Sargeant

Imagine

Mission- Cheer up Logan Unforseen Affection

Oscar Piastri

Imagine

The illusion of destiny

Tragic Circumstance Growth & Realisation

Grand Prix morning Accelerating Emotions Your brother's Oscar Piastri? Daddy dearest

SMAU

From Pitches to Podium Notes and Nitrous (Jeon Jungkook's labelmate!Reader)

Charles Leclerc

Imagine

The Sky Between Us Replaced

Transition

SMAU

Rewritten Headline

Arthur Leclerc

Imagine

Luxury in Love’s Blind Spot

Eternal Luxury

Lewis Hamilton

Imagine

Renewed Passion

Falling for You Again

SMAU

Racing Smiles

Carlos Sainz Jr

SMAU

Harmonies on the fast lane Destined for Carlos Jokes in the cloud

Imagine

Safe Haven Pivotal Choice Arranged for Love

Lance Stroll

SMAU

Lights, Camera, Stroll

Fernando Alonso

Imagine

Fernando's protege Wheels of Desire

Yuki Tsunodo

SMAU

Fri(end)s

Zhou Guanyu

SMAU

High Speed Hearts

Daniel Riccardo

Imagine

Alternate Universe Balancing Act (Jung Hoseok's Manager!Reader)

Franco Colapinto

SMAU

Turned Page (Park Jimin's ex!Reader)

BTS

Kim Seokjin

Hybrid!Seokjin x reader Overtaking Hearts (Lando Norris's Race Engineer!Reader)

Jeon Jungkook

Royal Heart (Crown Prince!Jungkook x Maid!Reader) Yes or No

Kim Namjoon

Cinematic sparks (Lewis Hamilton’s sister!Reader)

Min Yoongi

Heart on the grid (Sebastian Vettel's God-daughter!Reader)

Kim Taehyung

Canvas of Memories (Charles Leclerc's ex!Reader)

[spookyserenades]

not trying to rush or anything! i was just wondering when we’ll get a taste of sanctity 👀

hehe! I'm working on the first chapter already, it's up to 4k words. I've made a banner (not a swanky one LOL my strengths are not with graphic design) but I'll copy paste my notes about the boys that I've come up with so far. And give you the banner 💕

Seokjin 

Born 1145 - Turned 1176 (Goryeo) 879 years old, physically 31

Manipulative type yandere 

Taeja (crown prince) of a monarch, third-born son; focused on studies, arts, humanities, and would assist in conversations surrounding war and foreign relations

Speaks Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, Arabic (most ancient languages as well)

Power: Compulsion, he can influence minds, wipe memories, make suggestions to control someone

Yoongi

Born 1476 - Turned 1507 (Renaissance Period) 548 years old, physically 31

Obsessive type yandere

Apprentice of Leonardo Da Vinci, created some of his art then went on to have his own famous career, patron of arts 

Speaks Latin, Greek, and all other Romance languages

Power: Paralysis, he can paralyze someone using his mind, rendering them unable to move

Hoseok

Born 1607 - Turned 1637 (Early Modern Period, Piracy’s Golden Age) 417 years old, physically 30

Possessive type yandere

Buccaneer, captain of a ship that would sail around the Caribbean. Plundered and burned cities, owns many fine things, well-traveled

Speaks all Romance languages, Dutch, Haitian Creole

Power: Tracking, he can find anyone with his senses without fail, can predict target’s moves in advance

Namjoon

Born 1630 - Turned 1659 (Joseon) 394 years old, physically 29

Sadistic type yandere

Ruthless military general that led men during the Qing invasion of Joseon. Later became an assassin (sword for hire, essentially) 

Speaks Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, and most other Asian languages

Power: Pain Illusion, when focused on target he can create the illusion that the target is being burned alive

Jimin

Born 1796 - Turned 1824 (Regency Era, 20 years post America’s Independence) 228 years old, physically 28

Clingy type yandere

Famous playwright of romantic tragedies, owner of a theater in England that was extremely popular

Speaks all Romance languages

Power: Hypnosis, he can convince targets that they’re in love with him/can’t live without him

Taehyung

Born 1841 - Turned 1869 (Victorian Era, 20ish years before Industrial revolution) 183 years old, physically 28

Stalker type yandere

Basically Vanderbilt vibes. The coven lives in the Breakers mansion, Taehyung built it. Owned railroads, reclusive business tycoon

Speaks English and French

Power: Glamoring, he can disguise his appearance and his presence itself

Jeongguk

Born 1900 - Turned 1926 (Roaring 20’s, Prohibition Act, Al Capone mafia) 124 years old, physically 26

Overprotective type yandere

Ran with Al Capone crime family, mostly as a booze smuggler and bodyguard. Was turned when the North Siders targeted Capone at the Hawthorne inn

Speaks English

Power: Telepathy, can read minds

[wnderkoo]

boy's a liar

summary: you've been at odds with the crown prince ever since you were children, but feelings change and the light you see him in changes too. how long can you keep up this pretense of hatred? word count: 3.7k warnings: cherry!koo bc that deserves a warning, kind of some emotional constipation?, explicit smut– b**bie fondling, or*l f receiving, f-ngering, missionary, hitting it from the back, unprotected s*x (you better not), dw theres aftercare :)

what's the point of crying? it was never even love did you ever want me? was i ever good enough?

You hate how good he looks right now, simply leaning against the wall, an aloof smile on his pretty face as he holds court with his infuriating charm and ever bright personality. The dukes and duchesses eat up his every admission and hang onto every word of his sentences, making you roll your eyes as you watch them from across the room.

He holds a fluke of champagne in his hand, half full despite your knowing of his dislike of the liquor.

As if feeling your gaze on him, his eyes lift and wander curiously across the room before meeting yours. Expecting you to back down and look away, a look of pleasant surprise comes across his face when you hold his stare.

Your heart skips under his watchful gaze, his eyes caressing your skin from the tips of your fingers to your covered shoulders and leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

His eyes flick back up to yours, and you realise that not once throughout his assessment of you did he pause his conversation with his company. His mouth continues to move and the men and women crowded around him take no notice that his attention is elsewhere- on you.

A manicured hand slides up his chest, pretentious and outright trying to state its claim on him.

You'd seen her pin straight blonde hair before, at balls and other social events, but she never deserved more than a polite smile from you- she was just another social climber wrapped in faux elegance.

His face betrays no emotion, but his eyes hold yours from across the room as if gauging your reaction. He watches you lazily with an air of arrogance, and your hands buzz with the desire to slap him across his irritating face.

As if you could care less who he had on his arm.

You regard each other, waiting to see who will look away first.

It won't be you.

His mouth tugs up in a smile, as if sensing the fire burning within you, which burns infinitely hotter seeing his amused face.

Damn him.

"This looks like the most intense staring contest I've ever seen."

Dark eyes move away first, his attention fixing back on his company and you smile as you turn to the deep voice.

"Namjoon," you nod up at the tall duke.

His dimple peeks out as he smiles down at you, making a comment about how comfortable you look perched on the couch before joining you.

"So what's with you and the prince? I can feel the sexual tension rolling off of you."

Ever the playful instigator, you roll your eyes at his blatant need to gossip.

You've known Namjoon since you were both children, before you had to wear the burden of responsibility that came with your nobilities. When you could play around in the courtyard or sneak into the kitchen and steal from the cookie jar.

Growing up together, you knew you could always depend on him to run away with you from the over-the-top galas or the boring dinners.

While the socialites interacted amongst themselves, the two of you would be in the corner of the room judging anyone and everyone.

There was a small circle of people you considered acquaintances, and an even smaller circle of people you could call friends.

But you'd take a handful of genuine people over dozens of superficial friendships anyway.

"Nothing's up with us, you know how much I hate him."

Namjoon regards you with a skeptical look that you ignore, waving down one of the catering staff and plucking an hors d'oeuvres off the tray.

"I'm not buying it," he hums, taking one for himself.

"I see the way you've been looking at each other lately- it definitely doesn't look like hate."

You narrow your eyes at him, despite wondering yourself how much truth his words carry.

Perhaps it was because he knew you so well, knew of the mutual dislike you and the prince held for each other ever since you were children.

In all honesty, you're not sure where exactly your indifference came from but for as long as you can remember, the crown prince has always been the one you find yourself bantering with.

Although you don't carry any real enmity towards him, you found it easier to annoy each other with jabs and jests than to not.

He was the crown prince, and while you held a title of nobility yourself, he was always just one level above you, he always would be.

Perhaps it was the fact that he knew how important he was, or at least carried himself that way. He was expected to act a certain way, and while he did most of the time, he also liked to rebel in the smallest of ways, pushing boundaries until someone was bound to break.

But he was a royal, very few people could touch him, and he knew that. He knew he was untouchable.

He liked to play games, finding the most amusement in playing them with you. So casually cruel in the name of being honest, his favourite pastime was riling you up until you'd snap at him, enjoying your fire when it was directed at him.

As children, it was all fairly innocent- he'd pull on your braids and you'd steal his extra piece of panna cotta when he wasn't looking. As you got older, more avenues opened up for you to mess with each other.

Every courtier or suitor would be driven away by the prince's incessant meddling, spewing lies about how you grew horns and turned into a beast at night or that your farts smelled like mouldy bread. While no one actually believed him, you never heard back from them after the night.

It's almost comical how palace staff are warned when the two of you are under the same roof, made to be weary of the ultimate prank war that you've been in your whole lives.

Endless teasing and outright arrogance made his face ever so punchable.

While you ran in the same tight-knit circle and saw each other more often than not, you weren't as close as you were with the others.

Now that you were older, more responsibility weighed you down, and you were both expected to play your parts.

The ever obedient daughter, you played yours while Jungkook got to mess around and spew nonsense about his duties that everyone ate up because they weren't exactly listening, too busy fawning over his charming looks and playboy personality.

It didn't help that he was actually good looking.

Thinking back to Namjoon's words, you wonder how that could ever be true. If anything, after the events that had perspired a few weeks ago, he should only be able to see the absolute bitterness in your eyes when you see the crown prince.

"Trust me, Joon, we're definitely not in love."

The buzz of the ballroom was finally beginning to dwindle, dukes and marquesses alike starting to call it a night, bidding their goodbyes to the royal family before making their way out.

You'd spent most of the night with Namjoon, snickering as you watched people bend over backwards trying to force some semblance of elegance.

The corridors were empty now, save for the staff passing through packing up the event.

After using the washroom, you wander down the hallways, the lighting dim enough to confuse your tired and faintly tipsy brain.

Turning one of the corners, you stop short upon seeing a certain head of dark hair leaning against the opposite wall.

"Your highness," you bow, miscalculating the action and fumbling slightly before you right yourself, giggling quietly to yourself.

Was it your imagination or did the prince's arms flinch forward as if ready to catch you?

"So formal," the prince murmurs, standing upright and stalking forwards to where you were stood.

He offers his arm and for some reason you hesitate, wondering whether touching him was a particularly good idea. But then he gazes down at you with those soft eyes, no malice hidden behind them, and you find yourself taking his arm anyway.

"I'll escort you to your room."

"How noble of you."

"You know me, always saving pretty damsels and slaying dragons."

You snicker. He laughs.

The endless walk through the corridors is silent, neither of you having anything of real importance to say to each other.

The question of why the prince had been in the corridor in the first place lingers in your mind, but you've come to know better than to expect him to answer your questions.

When you reach the landing of the third floor, the prince's steps slow until you've reached just outside your door.

You open it without a word, strolling inside, ready to be done with the night and sleep all the way through to brunch.

The prince lingers in the doorway and you see him thinking over something in his head through the reflection of your vanity mirror.

"What is it Jungkook?"

The use of his name so casually has him turning his head up at you, a grin forming on his face.

"Did you enjoy yourself tonight?" he asks, leaning against the doorframe.

His eyes follow you as you toe off your shoes, throwing them rather carelessly to the foot of your dresser. Sitting down at your vanity, you grab a wipe, swiping at your eyes to remove your makeup as you contemplate your answer.

"You know how I feel about those social events," you say.

He did.

On the off chance you felt like getting along, the two of you would sneak away in the middle of galas or dinners, running off to the gardens under the cover of darkness and hiding where no one could find you.

Just for a few hours, you could leave behind all the ass kissing and artificiality and pretend that you weren't who you were.

You'd skip rocks across the pond, mock nobility, or listen to Jungkook and his endless knowledge about constellations and argue over where they were in the sky.

Stolen moments like those- you'd never tell him- but you saved them for the bad days.

Movement in the mirror has your eyes meeting his in the reflection, watching as he approaches from behind.

He reaches a tentative hand up to unclasp the necklace you had been fumbling with, his warm touch leaving tingles when his fingers brush against the skin of your neck.

"Thanks."

Was your voice always this breathy?

"What about yourself? That pretty blonde make it worth your while?"

You hate the unfamiliar feeling the thought of him spending time with another girl brings, but you'd sooner take it to the grave than acknowledge it.

"She can't seem to take the hint that I'm not interested," he shrugs, silently removing the pins from your hair.

"But you're always interested," you tease.

As the crown prince, he obviously couldn't sleep around. But the rules never said anything about casual flings where he could woo girls with his flirty words and kick them to the curb when he was bored.

Growing up, people rarely saw him for more than being their next ruler. Girls saw him as something they could conquer, dig their claws into and hang on his arm and pray they became relevant.

Sure he was arrogant and cocky, but people seemed to forget he was a human being.

While you wouldn't hesitate to push him in the pool or leave him locked out in the snow, a part of you felt for him. He had never found a meaningful connection with anyone, and even if he kept up the pre-tense of the heartbreaker prince there was a secret romantic hidden in his playboy persona.

"Feelings change."

Oddly cryptic and vague.

"Did you want something, Jungkook? I'm rather tired."

Coming to a stand, you reach behind your back for the strings of your dress. You had a lady in waiting who would have been helping you, but you'd all but threatened Marie to retire early for the night, knowing how hard she worked to making you look presentable earlier.

Jungkook's hands beat you to it, tugging lightly on the ribbon to free you.

"Just wanted to see you."

Again, oddly cryptic and vague.

As he unlaces your corset, you can't help the heavy breath that escapes you once your lungs aren't being constantly squeezed by the garment.

Your eyes clash in the mirror, not a word leaving either of you as the straps of your dress are pushed down your shoulders, the fabric pooling by your waist.

You're quite aware that your front is bared, your nipples hardening in the cool air. Your breath becomes laboured as you anticipate his next move. Though, his eyes never stray from yours, holding your gaze as the tension in the room builds.

"Jungkook-"

The word comes out in a breathy whimper before he tilts your head and crashes his mouth to yours. You feel the groan in his throat as he claims your mouth with his, your tongues clashing for dominance.

A large palm comes up and cups your breast, squeezing the flesh and drawing a moan from you. He twists a hardened bud between his thumb and finger before giving the same attention to the other.

In a blur, the rest of your dress is on the ground and Jungkook has you pinned on the bed as his mouth explores your neck.

He nips and kisses at your skin- sometimes you wonder if he leaves marks because he knows you'll have to cover them up.

"Should've known you only came here for this," you grit out just as he reaches your breasts. Taking a breast into his mouth, his wet and warm tongue circles around your hardened bud before sucking hard.

He comes away with a lewd pop, and the image of him with saliva glistening on his mouth makes you just that much more aroused.

"Didn't seem to be a problem last week when you were coming around my cock," he shoots back, moving down your body until he's kneeling between your spread thighs.

Despite his image of poise and virtue, his mouth could be equally as filthy.

"Tell me to stop and it stops."

You don't.

He smiles.

Leaning down, he places open mouth kisses against the inside of your thighs, always inching closer and never reaching exactly where you want him.

You slide your hands into his hair, palming the soft cherry coloured strands- another one of his acts of rebellion.

You open your mouth to protest, the words stolen out of your mouth by Jungkook finally dragging his tongue up your centre, the groan he lets out vibrating against you and making you shudder.

He eats you like a man starved, neither of you caring how sloppy it is, not when it feels so good and you taste so sweet. Hiking your thighs up over his shoulders, Jungkook devours you, showing no mercy as he slides two fingers into you with ease.

They stretch you out deliciously, and when he curls them just right he hits that spot that has you seeing stars.

The feeling of him pumping into you along with the way he abuses your swollen nub with his mouth brings you to an orgasm embarrassingly quick.

Waves of pleasure wash over you, eyes squeezing closed as Jungkook helps you ride out your orgasm.

The crown prince emerges from between your legs, wide grin on his mouth as your arousal coats his chin and all around his lips.

"You good?" he asks, kissing the inside of your knee before sitting up.

"Mhm."

He leans forward, capturing your mouth in his once more. You sit up, unbuttoning his dress shirt impatiently while he chuckles into the kiss at your eagerness.

The shirt falls away, revealing smooth skin upon smooth skin. The prince can't help but smirk against your lips at how you all but spill drool onto his stomach. His toned, chiseled stomach.

You push a hand against his chest and throw a leg around his waist to turn the prince until he's laying against your pillows and you're above him straddling his hips.

The sudden confidence has his face lighting up in surprise, a complaint nowhere to be found as he places his palms on your waist, his touch searing against your skin.

But oh so gentle.

With hooded eyes, the crown prince watches the way your head tips back and your lips part in a soft sigh when you roll your hips against him, definitely feeling the growing bulge beneath you.

He takes the opportunity to lean forward and take a breast in his mouth, his other hand snaking up to the back of your neck and holding you to him.

You don't know exactly how you found yourselves in this unlikely predicament. The first time it'd happened was the prince's birthday. You'd gotten so angry at him for crashing yet another date with one of your suitors earlier in the week, and his only response was to kiss you right then and there.

One thing led to another until you were both laying spent against the bed, chests heaving as you came to terms with what exactly had just happened.

You spent the week avoiding each other as much as you could, until you found yourself in bed with the prince again.

And so begun the sneaking around and the late night shenanigans. Though, where anyone else was concerned, you still couldn't stand each other.

You both knew it shouldn't have gone on for this long, but somehow you couldn't find it in yourselves to care.

Finding yourself on your back again, you look up at the crown prince as he kneels between your spread thighs. His pants are off now, lying somewhere forgotten with the rest of your clothes.

He stares down at you with hooded eyes mirroring that of your own before reaching into his boxers and pulling out his thick, hard length.

The sight of it alone has you whining, wanting it in you. You bite your lip when Jungkook when he rubs the swollen head against your folds, spreading his pre-cum and your own arousal around.

"We still good, pretty?"

You all but scream yes, nodding desperately.

Jungkook finally gives you what you want, positioning himself at your entrance and slowly pushing in. A hand on you hip rubs soothingly as he moves in inch by glorious inch. He hisses about how tight you are, eyes squeezing shut.

Despite the number of times he's taken you, you can never quite get used to just how big he is. The stretch borders on pleasure and pain, leaving you breathless as Jungkook bottoms out.

He waits patiently for you to get used to him, hands holding your waist and squeezing gently.

When you give him the go-ahead Jungkook starts to move, drawing his hips back just to push in again. The breathy moans that leave your mouth only spur him on as he thrusts into you.

It feels so good, he feels so good. The way he moves in you, just the right amount of rough and carefulness, makes him one of the most enjoyable partners you've had in- well ever.

By the time you're nearing your second orgasm of the night, Jungkook is nowhere near done with you.

Flipping you onto your stomach, he draws your hips up until you're on your knees, ass in the air, before Jungkook enters you again.

In this position, his thrusts hit deeper, reaching places no one else has reached and making you almost lightheaded.

You crash headfirst into Nirvana, body twitching as pleasure floods your senses. Your legs threaten to give out but Jungkook holds you up, continuing his to move behind you.

The overstimulation is just bearable, and when he slaps your ass you have to stop yourself from screaming. 

"Fuck baby, I'm close-"

The whimper in his voice makes you move your ass back on him, meeting his thrusts and grinding against him.

His hips stutter before he stills completely, spilling himself deep inside you with a guttural moan.

The two of you have always been safe when it comes to sex, despite never wearing condoms. You have measures in place to make sure you don't end up in the papers with the next royal scandal.

You whine when he pulls out, feeling empty without his presence. You collapse on the bed, sighing as you come down from the high.

You hear him walk to your bathroom and then you feel his warmth behind you again.

Despite all his cruelty, he cleans you up with a warm cloth, his movements gentle.

You thank him awkwardly, your words ending in a yawn that has him chuckling from somewhere in the room.

He flicks the light switch off, submerging the room in darkness before coming down to lay beside you in bed.

Turning your head, you peer up at him, the light from the moon hitting his face perfectly and making him look like your worst mistake personified.

You don't exchange a single word as you cuddle up to his chest, his arm snaking around you and holding you closer. You relish in his warmth, pressing your cheek against his bare skin, closing your eyes and listening to his breathing even out.

For some reason, he makes you feel safe.

In this afterglow, where all your swords and armour are left on the ground, and you only see each other as you are- you wish you could stay like this always.

You take in his presence, knowing that you'll wake up in the morning and he won't be beside you.

He never is.

But what's the point of crying? It was never even love.

You knew that.

unedited :) hope you liked it

[dreamescapeswriting]

Smutober Day 1 ~ Formal Wear Namjoon [M]

WORD COUNT: 1.1K

PAIRING: Namjoon x Fem!Reader

GENRE: established relationships, minors DNI, formal wear, pauper x prince, cunnilingus (female receiving) slight public play, almost caught

⤜Copyright: © DreamEscapesWriting - Smutober 2023

⤜MASTERLIST

"Put it on," Namjoon chuckled as he watched you closely from across the other side of the room and you giggled a little shaking your head at your boyfriend. There was no way you were about to put on a crown that probably cost more than your house ever would. The two of you were currently being held inside of the throne room while you waited for him to be announced to the rest of his party, You weren't supposed to touch anything inside of here and he knew that.

"No. It's too expensive, besides, we have to be downstairs for your party," You reminded him but he rolled his eyes at you, kicking himself away from the wall he had been leaning on and making his way over to you. He'd been watching you ever since you walked into the room and you'd been looking at the crown that would - eventually - go to you once the two of you were married and he wanted nothing more than for you to try it on.

"I'm the prince and what I say goes," He teased, wiggling his brows at you as he took the crown off the pedestal and held it in his hands. The thing sparkled as he held it, it was a silver crown made up of diamond roses and diamond leaves, It was fit for the most perfect of Queens and you could never imagine yourself wearing it. No matter how much Namjoon reminded you that one day it would be yours, you'd never feel right wearing it. It just didn't seem like your kind of thing...None of it did. Not even dating a prince and yet here you were, engaged to be married to one. 

You rolled your eyes at him as you did a curtsey, holding the edges of your dress as you did so and bowing down your head to him dramatically.

"I'm sorry Your Royal Highness but I simply can't put on that crown, for we can't be late to the ball." Namjoon chuckled once again before placing the crown on top of your head, a gasp escaping his voice as he saw how you looked in it. He'd always imagined you in the crown, or maybe another if you ever wanted to redesign it but this was perfect for you, you were perfect for it. 

You were stunning, beautiful...You were all of those things before of course but there was just something about seeing you in a formal gown and a crown that was sending him wild. He let out a small cough when he felt his dick growing harder inside of his pants, god, he felt like he was suddenly 14 again and couldn't control himself.

"Oh Joonie," You cooed stepping closer to him and placing your hand over his crotch smirking a little as he closed his eyes,

"Does seeing me look like a princess turn you on?" You whispered seductively, softly massaging your hand over his dick and smirking as he bucked toward your hand. Namjoon let out a small growl as you slowly sank down onto your knees,

"A real princess would never kneel before someone else," He stated before standing up and walking you toward the throne where he would be sitting in less than a week as the King of his country.

"Joonie, I'm not a princess..." You trailed off as he sat you down on the edge of the throne and sank down onto his knees, he lifted your gown up a little chuckling to himself.

"What if someone walks in?!" You asked in a slightly panicked tone, though the thought of it was turning you on all the more.

"Your dress will cover me." He shrugged it off as though it was the most casual thing in the world for you to be sitting here when in fact, you could have been imprisoned or worse if the wrong kind of people came to find you here.

"And if they ask why I'm sat on your throne?" You arched a brow at him but he simply met your look with a smirk,

"Hmm, maybe you should tell them I'm sucking your clit and they'll leave us to it." He winked before disappearing under the confines of your dress making you squeal out a little and cover your mouth. The last thing you needed was for his bodyguard to walk into the room right now and ask what all of the noise was about. Before you could say anything else your legs were hung over his shoulders as he dipped his head between your thighs,

"F-Fuck, Joonie," You whined out as he began to devour you like a man starved, sucking on your clit as he thrust his tongue deep inside of you, you could have sworn your vision was going to blur as you whimpered out his name. Your hands found the armrests of the thrown and you dug your nails into the cushioned grip. Your head rolled back against the headrest as you slowly ran your hand down to where his head rested under your dress and you pushed him closer to you, trying to get him deeper.

Something that was so wrong should never feel so right, you thought as you continued to rock your hips toward his mouth, moans slipping from your lips as you forgot just where you were sitting and who could walk in.

"Don't stop," You veered as he continued to fuck you with his tongue, your hips rocking a little against his face as you moaned out loudly. There was a slight tapping on the door and your whole body burnt as you stared over at the door, almost panicked about whoever it was walking inside.

"Prince Namjoon?! Is everything okay?! His guard asked from the other side of the room, Namjoon pulled his head free from under your dress while thrusting two fingers into you and curling them at your g-spot.

"Perfect! Thank you Carlos." He called out before going back to work, sucking hard on your clit as you wriggled against the chair trying to move away from him until your body spasmed and your orgasm erupted inside of you causing you to cry out in intense pleasure.

"Who knew my Princess would have a thing for almost getting caught?" He moaned out, pulling himself free from under your dress and straightening his outfit out.

"M-My turn," You whined standing up on shaky legs and pushing him down onto the throne but before you could return the favour for your earth-shattering orgasm the doors opened.

"Prince Namjoon, Princess Yn, they're waiting for you," Carlos called out making you glare down at Namjoon who simply chuckled, letting his guard know the two of you would be right behind him.

Tagline: @chiisaiblog @sw33tnight @kaitieskidmore97 @stayconnecteed @saymyspringrain @laylasbunbunny @tinyoonsblog @whitefoxgirl @katnisspeetaprim @acciocriativity @just-aelia @minhosify @choisoorin @straykids5star @heyjiminnie @beccaskz @scarletemeterio @btsiguess-kpop @halesandy

[demonshauntingthedoves]

𝒐𝒕7

Bring The Fire : YanderePrinces!ot7 x female reader [series] (@bangfantanfic)

The Royal Scandal : YandereKings!ot7 x maid female reader [scenarios] (@angellgguk)

Unmei : ot7 x princess reader [series] (@peachywritess )

𝒌𝒊𝒎 𝒔𝒆𝒐𝒌𝒋𝒊𝒏

Mercy : YandereKing!seokjin x female reader [oneshot] (@raggaraddy)

𝒌𝒊𝒎 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒋𝒐𝒐𝒏

Tastes Like Royalty : YandereServant!namjoon x princess reader [ part I ] (@sluttyandere )

Torn Emerald Stockings : YandereKing!namjoon x female reader [ part II ] (@sluttyandere)

𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒊

Beloved : YandereKing!yoongi x fem reader [oneshot] (@bang-tan-bitches)

𝒌𝒊𝒎 𝒕𝒂𝒆𝒉𝒚𝒖𝒏𝒈

Potrait Of A Prince : DrugaddictPrince!taehyung x female reader [oneshot] (@flowerwrites06)

𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒋𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒏

Tainted : YanderePrince!jimin x female reader [oneshot] (@girl8890)

𝒋𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒌𝒐𝒐𝒌

Bloody Love : YandereKing!jungkook x femreader [series] (@hongjoongscafe )

Love Is A Game : YanderePrince!jungkook x fem reader [series] (@lleldey)

Silver Blades : YanderePrince!jungkook x fem reader [oneshot] (@jooniyah)

The Dark Prince : YanderePrince!jungkook x fem reader [series] (@jkeuphoriadreamland)

To Obtain The Flower : YandereKing!jungkook x fem reader [ part I ] (@mingshits )

Primrose : YandereKing!jungkook x fem reader [ part II ] (@mingshits )

Slave 19990319 : YandereAlienprince!jungkook x human! reader [ part I ] (@explicit-tae)

Concubine 19990319 : YandereAlienprince!jungkook x human! reader [ part II ] (@explicit-tae)

You Are My Crown : YanderePrince!jungkook x fem reader [oneshot] (@redsaurrce )

A Prince With A Ugly Heart : Prince!jungkook x fem reader [series] (@daydreamindollie)

Bow To You : King!jungkook x Queen reader [series] (@flowerwrites06 )

Love Letters : Prince!jungkook x maid reader [oneshot] (@bonny-kookoo )

[staytinyville]

Stay Alive (36)

BTS poly!ot7 x Reader

Magical Creatures AU

Series Masterlist

Warnings: none

A/N NOT BETA. This was supposed to be a smut but I struggled to do the last ones so no it did not turn into a smut. But just know that in my head they did do the do.

Getting to the mountains was not that hard. It was an easy and quick drive seeing as a lot of people were flying about as well. All the boys decided to tag along, Namjoon explaining to you that tomorrow you would go to visit his own family that were also waiting in Seoul. 

Some of the boys had called their own families, explaining that you were with them and they would be taking turns a day to spend time with you. You could hear their families crying and sobbing over the fact that their boys were home. They explained that after seeing Jin’s family they would be going back home and you would meet them later on. 

They wouldn’t tell you why it was that Jin’s family seemed to be important, but coming up to a large wall that had a palace hidden behind it made you wonder just how important he truly was. You stopped behind the man, moving around to look at his face. 

He swallowed thickly, tears pooling in his eyes as he looked up at the gates of the wall. His hands balled into fist to keep from crying out loud. You moved to grab one, slowly pulling his fingers out to fit them through yours.  

“Are you okay, Jin?” You asked him quietly. 

“It's been so long since I've been home.” He choked. “I don't know what to expect.”

“I'm sure you'll find your parents and siblings all waiting for you on the other side of the door.” Namjoon patted his older comrade on the back, giving him a reassuring smile. 

“I'm right here.” You told him, squeezing his hand just a bit. 

“We all are.” Jungkook spoke up from Jin’s other side, giving the older boy a large grin.

Jin nodded his head once, taking a step forward to reach the gate once more. As you all began to move forward, the guards stationed at the front were the first to take notice of you all. They waited for a moment as you reached them, about to ask what business you had with the family but suddenly did a double take as Jin in the front. 

They were large people with pig-like noses. Large teeth protruded from the bottom of their lips as they looked to be sabertooth like. There were many creatures you could think of at the moment but you couldn’t be too sure. You watched as their noses wiggled, taking a whiff of all of you just in case. 

“Your majesty?” One called, letting go of his stiff posture as disbelief painted his features. “Is it—Is it really you?” 

“It is him!” The other shouted, weapon falling to the floor as he began to hyperventilate. 

“By gods!” The first guard yelled, turning to the gates. “The crowned prince has returned!”

As the gates began to open up and a large palace in the mountain came into view, your eyes went wide as the guard shouted about Jin being the crowned prince. You quickly turned to the boy, looking at him incredulously. 

“What?” You spoke out loud. 

“Our Jinnie here is the elven prince of Korea.” Jimin gushed, poking the older man in the cheek as he hung off his shoulder. 

“You didn't tell me!?” You yelled, as all of you began to make your way into the palace too stunned to take notice of everything around you. 

“It's not like it was important in your world.” Jin shrugged, looking at you as if it was no big deal. 

“Jin!” You gasped about to scold him when you were stopped by four women walking up you. 

Your eyes went wide once more at how beautiful they all looked. Even dressed in large steel armor that clearly protected them while in battle made them look ethereal. 

“Your grace.” One began giving Jin a large smile. “It's such a great relief to have you back home.”

“Thank you, Solar.” Jin bowed his head, laughing a little at how happy he was to be home. 

The rest of the women smiled gratefully, giving Jin and the boys a pat on the back. They each introduced themselves to you; Solar, Moonbyul, Hwasa, and Wheein–their nicknames according to Jin. When they bowed onto their knees when they learned it was you who helped them get back home. 

You blushed of course, quickly telling them to get it. When all things were done, they began to lead you towards what you assumed to be the throne room. 

“Wow.” You quietly told yourself, following the girls. 

“They're Valkyries. Most royal families have them as personal guards.” Yoongi explained from the other side of you. 

“They've been here for as long as I can remember. They are a lot like me when it comes to their aging process.” Jin began to explain.

“How old are you really then?” You playfully asked, giggling as you saw the look on his face. 

“The oldest!” Taehyung giggled. 

“Ya! Don't be rude. I'm not that old.” Jin scolded the boy. 

Before they could continue to bicker more, Solar and Wheein opened up the large doors. You saw the thrones sitting directly in front on a stage. However, what you assumed to be the king and queen, were pacing in front of it. They immediately stopped when the doors opened, shoulders falling as they took you all in. 

“Seokjin?” The woman began to have tears fall from her eyes, slowly getting closer to Jin.

She slowly reached a hand out as she began to touch Jin’s pointed ears. Her lips trembled as she searched his face. A sob wracked through her body, pulling the tall boy in for a hug.

“Hi.” Jin sobbed out.

“My son has returned!” She cried out, fingers clenching onto Jin’s shirt tightly. “The gods have answered our prayers!” She turned to her husband, allowing him to hug Jin as well. 

“Boys!” Jin’s mother smiled even more when she saw the 6 other men behind Jin. “I'm so happy to see you all in good health.” She hugged each one, patting their cheeks and checking over for any injuries as she did with Jin.

“Thank you, your majesty.” Namjoon politely spoke up.

“Hello.” She stopped at you, wiping at her tears as she tried to keep her composure in front of you. “Who might you be?” She asked, eyes bright.

Jin pulled back from his father, turning to you. You smiled at him, reaching up to wipe at his tears out of instinct with your sleeve. Jin’s parents watched the interaction with a smile, his mother holding her hands together at her chest as she cooed quietly at you. 

“Mother. Father.” Jin pulled you to his side, holding your hand tightly with his. “This is our mate, (Y/N). She's the one who saved us.”

Jin’s mother reached out to hold your face between her smaller hands. You gave her a kind smile, bowing your head in respect. 

“Thank you for bringing my son back.” She told you, lip trembling as she rubbed at your cheek.

“Of course, your grace.” You answered. 

“Call me, mom.” She giggled, teasing you as she took a glance at Jin. 

You laughed at the blush that settled over the older man’s face, but you could tell that he didn’t want things to be different. You had just learned that Jin had lived a long life before being kidnapped so he must have known what it was like to be with your parents for a while. You didn’t know what things would be like for the younger boys but if Jin had spent so much time with his family things must have been hard for him. 

“We will have the cooks prepare a fantastic meal for you!” Jin’s father gushed, patting Jin’s back. “Oh, your brother will be so happy to see you again! He should be on his way! We shall celebrate this tremendous occasion that the crowned prince and his coven have returned.” He gave the boys all grateful smiles before turning to you. 

“And that he has finally found his mate.” He bowed his head towards you.

“We will announce it to the people soon.” Moonbyul spoke up,

“Tomorrow.” The king smiled at his guards. “For now, we wish to have our son. There is a lot we have to catch up on.”

And catch up you all did. You met Jin’s older brother, another tear-fest as the two brothers hugged. You learned about his time spent as the prince. You also learned why he was the crowned prince and not his older brother. Compared to his brother, Jin was the one more suited to be king because of the time he spent learning about it. His brother wanted to do other things while Jin understood that someone needed to be King and he was more than happy to take the spot. 

The other boys all took their leave to make it home before it got too dark. You would be staying the night with Jin and Namjoon would come to get you in the morning to take you to meet his family. 

The queen had sent some clothing for you to sleep in–silk pajamas that matched Jin’s–to the man’s bedroom. You had finished dressing only to come out and find Jin looking at pictures and trinkets he had around his room. You smiled at the calming aura Jin had. He was so relaxed compared to how you knew him back in the facility. 

All the boys were like that. On edge and ready to fight anything that seemed to harm them or others. For once they could rest. And you were so happy to see them that way. In such a short amount of time you never realized how much they would end up meaning to you. Much less all of them. You didn’t know if it had to do with the fact that it was something part of their magic, or if it was just you but you wanted to see them happy all the time. 

“Your family is amazing.” You spoke up, pulling the blankets back to lay down comfy in bed. 

Jin turned around and grinned at you, moving to get comfy on his side of the bed. This mattress had nothing on the beds in the facility that was for sure. Jin could finally have a good night's sleep. 

“Thank you for spending the night with me.” Jin whispered, giving you lips a peck. 

“Of course, Jinnie.” You grinned, forehead touching his. 

“You mean so much to us.” Jin spoke up softly, moving a hand to touch your cheek. “You have no idea how much we are grateful for you. We will never be able to find a way to repay you back.”

“Being with all of you is enough for me.” You nudged his nose with yours, smiling softly.

“I love you.” Jin quietly said, breathing it against your lips. 

You felt your heart stop for a moment, a huffed out laugh spilling from your lips. You moved to give him a kiss, hand on his cheek.

“I love you too, Seokjin.”

Series Masterlist

@h3arteyes4mingi , @fangirling-all-the-way-tbh , @rinkud, @rln-byg , @singukieee ,  @hoshi-is-ult-bbg , @ldysmfrst , @k-p0p-4ever , @shadowyjellyfishfest , @forestsquirrel , @juju-227592 , @alienchickenpoop , @dreamerwasfound , @afangirl91 , @psiphidragon , @puppyminnnie , @girl-nahh-two , @shyloh-the-cornsnake , @oemmi2005 , @ollyoxenfrees , @whynotlarene , @beeltsumu , @cryingpages , @milopenne , @belikejk , @thatonedemigodfromseoul , @woozixo, @serveruslovebot , @vintageoldfashion ,

[bangtanwritershq]

BangtanWritersHQ Presents: “Sweet Tricks & Wicked Treats” Masterlist

This year, for our fourth quarter fic exchange, we were ready to get a little spooky with sweet, fluffy tricks and wicked, smutty treats!

Some of our wonderful and talented members have come together to create a beautiful collection of stories exchanged as trick-or-treating goodies. Each participant was given a prompt from another participant and had to create a minimum of 1.5k word story using that prompt.

We hope you enjoy these as much as we did 🎃

*Not all stories are Halloween related*

KEY:

🔞 - nsfw (mature themes) ✅ - sfw (no warnings) 💖 - smut ⚠️ - other warnings

SET UP - emojis: Title (if link is to another platform) | Author [parts] pairings, genre/aus, rating, word count

✅ Journey Back To You | @moonleeai [1/1] Pairing: Fashion Photographer!Jin x Fashion Model!Reader AU/Genre: Fluff, Childhood friends Rating: PG WC: 5,461

🔞💖⚠️ Beneath The Boughs | @colormepurplex2 [2/2] Pairing: Namjoon x f.Reader AU/Genre: Robin Hood Retelling, Soulmates, Ruined Arranged Marriage AU Rating: MA WC: 15,548

🔞💖⚠️ Eternal Reign | @hisunshiine [1/1] Pairing: Vampire King!Namjoon x Concubine!f.NamedReader AU/Genre: Arranged Marriage, Vampires, Joseon Era AU Rating: MA WC: 7,748

🔞💖⚠️ Of Crowns and Daggers | @mrsparkjimin18 [3/3] Pairing: Prince!Jimin x Princess!Reader AU/Genre: Arranged Marriage, Royalty/Historic "Three Kingdoms" AU Rating: MA WC: 12,502

🔞💖⚠️ Be as it must | @lo1k-diamonds [6/6] Pairing: Alpha!Jungkook x Omega!(f)reader AU/Genre: A/B/O, fated lovers, smut Rating: MA WC: 28,914

✅⚠️ Take Two (Ao3) | @heathfritillary-blog [1/1] Pairing: Hoseok x f.Reader AU/Genre: Romance, Exes to Lovers, Halloween Haunted House Rating: PG WC: 3,416

🔞💖⚠️ Bound By Magic | @downbad4yoongi [3/3] Pairing: Wizard!Namjoon x Witch!f.Reader AU/Genre: E2L, Magical AU, smut Rating: MA WC: 11,698

🔞💖⚠️ Woven by Moonlight, Stitched by Sunshine | @joonslfttiddie [1/1] Pairing: Yoongi x OFC (Park Yujin) AU/Genre: Fantasy, Strangers to Lovers/Fated Lovers | very mild smut, angst Rating: MA WC: 7,574

All stories copywritten of the specified author. The authors provided consent for their stories to the network to be shared by submitting their stories. Stories posted in the order of submission to the event.

[justbelievinginmagic]

the dragon-blood chronicles ⎯ part 1: the spark.

pairing: namjoon x reader series summary: There are tales about dragon-blood men ruling over the kingdom of Bangtan for centuries; old myths that Crown-Prince Seokjin and second-born Prince Namjoon heard while growing up. Stories about bullet-proof, fire-breathing serpetine creatures with the ability to shift into human form and dominate the land with an iron fist. It was a fable of power, but just that - a fable. Dragon-blood folk have been gone for centuries. But when Prince Namjoon get sent away from the Palace at a young age for unruly behavior, things being to change in the kingdom as a war beings to brew, causing eight magical fates to intertwine. glimpse: Namjoon was the second born. The useless prince. The back-up. Forgotten and locked in a tower of a far-off castle, he brewed in his uncontrollable frustration at his fate... until a spark ignites that changes the path of the kingdom. warnings/tags: This is a repost of an older oneshot inspired by the song, we are bulletproof pt. 2 i wrote! i've updated it a bit to loop into the larger story and just to follow the way i write now! ive added about 2.5k new content so if you liked the og give this one a look! PG-13, Romance, Fantasy/Royalty AU, bad family dynamics, possessive & protective Namjoon, dragons, unspoken love, illness. word count: 7.1 k -> next chapter series masterlist

Heavy was the crown on the head of a king.

Namjoon wouldn’t know about that though – even if he wanted to know what the hefty load of a kingdom on his shoulders felt like, he would never have it. He was, after all, the second born. A spare prince. A back-up king. Second to the throne, third in life of the royal family.

The king, naturally, was first. First to enter a room, first to eat their meals (after a servant tested it for poison, of course.) But after him, it was Seokjin.

From birth, Seokjin was first for everything. First to be taught, first to eat, first to be tended to, first to be trained at swordsmanship. Namjoon was quick to learn that as he hobbled around the halls of the palace as a youngster. He was ignored among the royal family – seemingly weaker, smaller than his older brother when born. He made the queen quite sick during her pregnancy. When born, Namjoon was prone to illness as a child. An annoyance, a drain on the kingdom’s resources.

He still tried to follow after his older brother.  Seokjin, eldest by three years, tried when he could to be a good bother. He loved the idea of a younger brother, wanting to be the best of friends. He wanted to play Knights and Fiends with him; he wanted to teach him how to read and write; he wanted them to go on fishing trips like he read about in his fairytale books. The older brother played with his little brother only to have the sounds of his nanny calling to him distract him.

“Come along, Prince Seokjin. You have your classes. Leave him alone.”

He hated it, but complied with a frown towards Namjoon and a sad wave.

Namjoon, at the mere age of seven, couldn’t help but begin to try to gain attention. He wanted attention. He wanted to have all the attention that his brother had. He began to do what a child does when upset. Tantruming. Pleading for attention through misaction or disobedience. He’d throw his food to the ground at dinners, arms crossing over his little chest. He’d interrupt classes with cries of ‘this isn’t fair’. He’d fight as his nanny dragged him away from Seokjin, screaming. It grew to such a state – even with Seokjin’s quiet scold of pleadings - “Namjoonie, you’re going to get into trouble; please stop” – that the royal family acted.

That was when he learned he wasn’t loved.

Not like Seokjin. Never like Seokjin.

Namjoon was cast aside. Thrown into a tower at another castle. He was stole in the night – taken in a carriage and awoke in this new place. Alone.

His family didn’t love him. No, they didn’t. The little boy cried and cried.  

Namjoon was utterly alone now; all in the name that he couldn’t “distract the crown prince from his duties.” He was cared for enough to know that he was still a prince. Given the finest of things – silver, gold, and silken treasures to keep him content. A collection of maids and servants were there to feed and care for him and a table of knights were there to protect him. He was carefully watched over from a distance. Sadness ate a child and few cared. Few knew what to do when the little boy slammed his door and hid in the tower. The prince fell into a lonely state.

The knights protecting him looked at him as a stranger – an isolated boy, a spare – even if he strived to learn to study weaponry. He tried to join them on their practice range once; he was turned away.

“Your Highness!” there was a cry from a nanny. “You have no need to learn such a skill.”

No, he didn’t he sulked. He didn’t need to learn anything apparently. After all, the second prince had no need to learn of knightly duties, nor fighting, nor war, nor kingly duties. His brother had learned though; at the old castle, Seokjin beamed and preened about his lessons with swordmastery. But Namjoon didn’t need to know it. Because, in the end, Namjoon wasn’t the prince headed to the crown.

The Second.

He was the second.

What did that even mean? If he wasn’t a King, if he wasn’t a Knight, if he wasn’t seen as a worthy Prince either… what was he?

Namjoon learned – like most things in his life – he would have to adapt. He would watch things from afar, learning from high up in his windowed tower. Mimicking the motions the knights made, the strikes of the blade against his bedpost (instead of a training dummy) left deep grooves into the fine wood.

The servants gossiped about his anger issues and how he destroyed things. A monster of a prince.

Namjoon’s focus grew on things he could do without the roadblocks put up by the servants and the royal family. He couldn’t study metalsmith with the knights. But he could study wordsmiths.

Besides his tall tower room, he was granted access to the library. He threw himself into his studies – he learned charts for sailing, war strategy, language, public speaking, trade, and folklore. He’d learn to be king – even if he wouldn’t be one.

When a nanny asked what he was reading, he’d learn to lie a white lie. Just a fantasy book.

After all, wasn’t all of this a fantasy? What was a Prince to do when he wasn’t a Prince?

At first, he envied his brother. He used to think he hated him. Hated him for everything Namjoon couldn’t be. Namjoon fueled himself on that hate in the early years of his isolation – studying with spite on his tongue. Writing curses towards his brother in the sidelines of books. He knew his brother had all the highest advisors and scholars telling him this… and he knew Seokjin didn’t listen. Seokjin wasn’t a good student, in a traditional sense. He liked stories, and most of the history and war tactics the youngest Prince read about was not a good story.

Until he received a letter from his brother.

I don’t know where to turn. I’ve missed you, brother. I feel so lost. I don’t think I’m meant for this. I don’t think I’m meant to be King.

The words were scratched out over and over, as if even writing what was beneath was forbidden.

Father expects so much – expects me to talk with a booming voice. He wants me to be like our ancestors.

Namjoon knew what Seokjin was referring to – even if it had been years since he’d been by his older brother’s side or heard the tales of their family line. Everyone knew the stories of the dragon bloods. How they were creatures that could shapeshift into reptilian beasts that flew. Powerful myths. How they took the throne with ease and led with wisdom beyond this realm. How their royal bloodline supposedly came from them.

It was a story, a folklore. But it was still used to rally the people. The kingdom was strong, strong like a dragon.

Seokjin wrote to Namjoon for advice. And though he thought he despised the crown prince, he replied. At first because Namjoon’s nanny urged him to – “it’d be rude to not reply to the future King, my prince” – but soon he wrote to ease his brother’s worries. He was an aid in running the kingdom even at his young age.

He liked that.

He’d write advice for his brother, sending flocks of pigeons with letters. Books were his escape. And soon, so were you.

He was sixteen when he found you when he was looking for a novel in the library. It was early in the morning; the dew had barely settled on the grasslands. Namjoon stumbled down the stone steps into the grand library, sleepy eyed and still in his fine-tailored pajamas. It took him far too long to notice you. It was only when you let out the smallest giggle. His head snapped to the sound, and he saw you for the first time. A servant’s daughter dressed in worn dark browns and creams; an apron sat dirtied around your waist; it was clear you weren’t where you were supposed to be. Engrossed in a book, your eyes taking in gulps of words even if you stumbled over the larger ones – a finger resting over the word that seemed too complicated to pronounce let alone understand.

And instead of anger, instead of a tantrum, perhaps due to his isolation, he felt… kinship.

You liked to read like he did. You were like him. Alone in the place. He hadn’t seen someone his age before this, he was so used to the older figures rushing around. But you… you were like him. Even if you were dressed poorly.

“Excuse me?” His voice was now a rumbling deep thing with the brink of teenagerhood, deeper even more when dusted with the throes of sleep.

It startled you, slamming the book shut with a puff of dust from the old thing. Your gaze settled on the fine clothes – finer than you had ever seen – and a fear clung to your bones.

The worst-case scenarios tumbled through your head. You would be sent away. You’d be beheaded. Your family would suffer. Your eyes would be plucked out. He was an angry boy – you had heard the rumors and here you were trespassing. In the royal library. His royal library.

“My prince,” you stumbled to your feet, bowing your head. “I’m sorry – please forgive me.”

No, no, no he didn’t want this. He didn’t want fear or babbling or… to lose a possible friend. He had never seen someone in the library. It was his private library, too grand for a single soul to occupy. It wouldn’t hurt… to share. It felt like nails down a chalkboard, like someone was taking his to from him. Why was that so hard to concede to that? Sharing.

Still, he bit down on his tongue.

“No, please. It’s okay,” he tried to soothe.

His hands outstretched to touch your shoulder as if to urge you out of your bow. You shuddered under his touch as if he’d strike you. “It’s okay. Really.”

His voice, deep and warm, lacked the fire of anger. It was more like a hearth, bumbling with embers.

“What… what are you reading?”

“What… what am I reading?” you repeated, incredulous. Baffled.

He offered a small smile, cheeks red as he nodded slowly. He was so unused to this. So used to the nannies who were frightened of him or the tired old maids who didn’t want to put in the effort to care for him truly.

He tried to make himself look smaller, that’d help right? You were so much smaller than him already he noticed. He nodded again.

“It’s… it’s a fairytale, you probably wouldn’t like it,” she insisted.

“I like reading,” he said simply. “Tell me about it? Please.”

You licked your lips, eying him up and down before nodding softly. It wasn’t a beheading. It wasn’t a violent tantrum. In fact, he looked kind of sweet, bashful, as his sleepy face broke into a grin and he settled down next to the spot you were previously sitting.

Day by day, you’d meet in the early morning light of the majestic library. In that time, he’d hear what you were reading; even insisting on you reading the words aloud. He’d correct you where he could. Never did his corrections make you feel ashamed or stupid. He was surprisingly gentle with his words you noticed.

Your mornings – when you were meant to be preparing his breakfast - were spent reading beside the young prince. Eventually, when you got scolded so much, it made you cry and you were trembling in your shoes to miss a shift – he changed your schedule. While in the early morn you’d share your books, by mid-morning, he shared with you the books he loved – philosophy, folklore, science - while you rushed to make his breakfast in the grand kitchen. He’d lean against the cutting counter and stare as you whisked eggs and kneaded dough.  

It was sometimes difficult to be around him. The Prince was a handsome man. His hair was long for his age, curling up at the nape of his neck. You wondered if he cut it himself. Most servants were warned of his unruly temper and childish tantrums; they avoided him the best they could and it was easy with how much he stayed in his tower. He was violent… That was why he was sent away – at least, the rumors spoke of that.

The prince you grew to know wasn’t an angry person. No, he smiled with a softness, his cheeks squishing to reveal dimples. He listened as you spoke about things in your life– from the novels you had read and loved to the flowers you liked in the gardens to the work you loathed to do. (He had laughed when you mentioned you disliked when he requested bacon for the splatters of oil always burned your arms; he promised he’d request bacon less for your sake. He hadn’t requested it since.)

Namjoon enjoyed your company. You were his friend. His only friend.

He hadn’t had a friend before.

He cared for you, watched, and aided you when he could. He didn’t want you to suffer or feel alone. You were the only other teenager so far outside the kingdom’s town. It must’ve been lonely. He couldn’t imagine you hurting or else his heart felt like it’d burn up.

Even as he felt stirrings of things within him as the years went by, he focused on what you needed. A love that was selfless wasn’t second-nature to him. It was an effort. He didn’t want to be greedy and lose you. He grew fond of you beside him. His fingers intertwined with yours as you walked through the gardens, shyly at first, before it happened every time afterwards. Your hand in his was cool to the touch; he hoped you weren’t cold. He gifted you a pretty cloak a few weeks later, one that was the same shade as your favorite flower.

You leaned towards him when you read together. Sometimes your cheek was so close he could feel their warm. His lips would tingle and he couldn’t read the manuscript in his hands. All he could focus on was how pretty your skin was… how your cheeks were a reddish pink and your lips… oh your lips were so tantalizingly close for him to press a kiss to them. He swallowed down this love, keeping you close to him but guarded from himself.

Perhaps it was anxiety – the consequence of being friendless for so long. He was bashful, fearful. Him – fearful it made him want to shake his head at his foolishness. He ached to wrap you into his embrace, to shower you in kisses, to allow you to lay in his bed. But he settled for now, the softness of your friendship was a comfort. Your hand against his was still enough to get his heart racing. His love festered in his chest with the inability to grow further – if only he could speak of his fondness.

He claimed he’d try again tomorrow – and the next day – and the next.

However, as his love grew into a mess of tangled vines, an illness began to fester and choke him as well.

It had occurred when he turned twenty. At the stroke of midnight, you had knocked onto his bedroom door.

“Joonie!” Your voice chimed as he opened the door. Dressed in his pajamas, it should be improper but you had seen him in them many times before – you met him in them. His face lit up at the sight of the cake – his birthday cake. It was decorated with edible flowers from the garden and a gentle blue frosting.

“Happy Birthday!”

“Y/N,” he exclaimed. “This is beautiful – all for me?”

You giggled and he smiled wide enough his dimples peeked at you.

“Yes, your Highness,” you chuckled. “Don’t eat it all or you’ll get a stomach ache.”

“I won’t… aren’t you tired?” he asked watching you blink slow and steady like a cat.

“A bit; I wish I could stay awake longer but I wanted to be the first person to see you and wish you a happy birthday.” You claimed.

He wanted to press kisses all over your face; he wish you knew that you were sweeter than this cake. That you’d be the only one to wish him a true happy birthday. Instead, he simply place the cake aside on a desk and hugged you close.

“Thank you. I love it.” You.

You hummed happily. “I’m happy. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Not too early,” he promised. “I’ll take breakfast later, okay? Prince’s orders. Sleep in a bit.”

It was sweet. Even on his birthday he was treating you. You smiled up at him, squeezing his hand fondly.

“As you command it, oh mighty prince. But other than that, we will spend the whole day together.”

That sounded like a dream. With the door shutting behind you, he felt a giddy rush course through him. His skin warmed and his stomach filled with butterflies. Looking over at the cake, he took his finger and swiped at the frosting, tasting it. But the mere taste of the sugar felt like curdled milk in his stomach. Namjoon frowned. That didn’t make sense. Your treats were always so good. He loved this cake recipe in particular – you made it every birthday since you became friends.

Perhaps it was his excitement. His face already felt clammy. His hand shaky. Sleep claimed him quick, his cake left untouched.

He awoke in the morning to a fever, his skin burning hot.

“Stay away, Y/N,” he had called out when you insisted on helping him. A cool rag to his forehead, sweat trickled down his temple.

“You’re burning up, Joonie” you had murmured, swiping his hair aside. Once, you’d shake in your boots imagining touching the prince like this, but after your friendship grew through the years. You had stopped referring to him as your prince and simply as Namjoon, and later even Joonie – something he had smiled warmly at.

“Don’t want you to get sick,” he continued as you lifted a goblet of water to his lips.

“Shh.” You hushed as you let him sip the fresh water. It didn’t ease the fire in his veins. “You’re the one sick on your birthday.”

Namjoon’s fever didn’t break for days. It felt like his muscles were combusting, aching, and burning. No doctor had the answer. The royal family even came to visit – fearing the worse for the bedridden prince.

“Namjoonie, you better get well.” It was a light threat from Seokjin as he sat on the bedside of his younger brother. It wasn’t much of a threat when Seokjin sniffled and raised a handkerchief to his eyes.  “What would I do without your aid if you left? I’d be waiting for your letters daily.”

You worked on with a watchful eye. Wringing cool rose-water from a rag to place on Namjoon’s forehead as the crown prince held onto his brother’s hand. You couldn’t decide if the first-born prince was being genuine. You noticed other things though. The way the plump lips of Seokjin were bitten raw. The trembling broad shoulders. There was a quiet to Seokjin, a timidness even if he was built and grown as a Prince; he wasn’t built to be a King. Even a servant girl could see that.

It was as interesting as it was fearful.

There was a night when he refused to let you into his bed chamber. The large clanking of a goblet hitting the tiled floors echoed, and you had rushed to the door with his name on your tongue.

“Don’t enter,” his voice was pained.

“Namjoon, what’s wrong?” you asked.

“I’m fine, I’m fine!” he sounded pained, his voice coming through gritted teeth.

Clanking and shattering objects came from within the room. You did not cease your calling. Servants whispered and gossiped about the prince having a temper tantrum in his weakened state. Some things never change.

The next morning, Namjoon’s fever broke finally. And you nearly cried of relief.

“You scared me so much,” you scolded the prince as you clung to his hand. His arms wrapped around you tight, pulling you closer and closer until you were in the bed with him. Surprised by not frightened, you remained in his arms. They trembled with a weakness, from the sickness you assumed, but they didn’t let you shift in his embrace. He held you close and breathed you in. You smelled of home. Of everything he cared for. The smell of food cooking on a hearth, of indigo flowers planted in the garden, of the vanilla hidden in old books. He trembled under your hug, but he pressed his lips to your hair, something you don’t miss. Fondness bloom in your chest like a flower.

“What happened yesterday?” you murmured, curiously.

You knew it wasn’t a temper tantrum. He didn’t do that. It wasn’t Namjoon.

He breathed out shakily. He felt… different. His skin felt tight to his bones; his muscles remained tense like a suit of armor forged into his own flesh – but he didn’t feel unwell. The fire that had burned through him had settled into a steady flow of embers through his veins. A comforting warmth, a harness-able power.

“I-I don’t know,” he lied as he held you closer.

After the illness, Namjoon held himself differently. He was taller, broader. He almost reminded you of Seokjin’s naturally wide shoulders – except Namjoon’s frame was different. More muscular, beefier.

He could lift you now, carrying you to your quarters ( which had moved to the castle, per his request ) when you fell asleep reading beside the prince. He was eating more – but maybe you simply forgot his appetite after suffering under the illness for so long. He’s moved into training again – now outside the tower he called his living quarters – something you knew he had liked to do after years of friendship.

He was different but the same. He almost seemed more at peace as he greeted you in the kitchens with a friendly kiss to your cheek.

He was bolder. Happier.

Different but good.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” he wrapped his arms around you.

It was a welcome change; Namjoon had begun to hug you closer, wrap his arms around you more and more now. Your hand moved to rest against his intertwined arms.

“Good morning, Joon.” His chin rested on your shoulder, watching as you made his plate (and yours at his request – he loved eating breakfast with you.)

“You’re in a good mood,” you commented.

“I received a letter from my brother.” he didn’t speak of Seokjin with ill-will; he had spoken of the king with a tone of discontent – detested affection - before.

“He wants me to be his Advisor.” He revealed. He sounded excited, happy. “Officially.” He turned to rest his cheek fully on your shoulder, rubbing his cheek against your servant garb. “Father is preparing to shift things around, giving Seokjin more power in decision-making.”

Which Namjoon knew Seokjin hated.

“You have worked hard. You’ll finally be able to show off that big brain of yours in front of the court,” you added as you continued to slice the apple for your individual porridges.

“Finally,” he sighed against you. Things were looking up.

He dragged his cheek against your shoulder once more before hugging you close. As he pulled away, his fingers swiped an apple slice from the tray.

“Your Highness,” you scolded, making him chuckle out as he pressed another fond kiss to your cheek.

It left tingling warmth in its wake.

You couldn’t seem to rest despite yawns tumbling from your lips. Restlessness clung to your bones, making you stand from your bed. Your gaze peered out the high window to look into the night sky.  The tower room that Namjoon insisted on you having as you tended to him while he was ill was grand. It was larger than your homestead, draped in finery that you had been fearful to use. There was even a balcony to look out into the night sky – which you used now. Namjoon hadn’t asked for anything in return, simply saying he adored your company. He wanted you here. He had been kind to you; sweeter than ever.

The very thought of the prince made your heart race. Letting out a girlish giggle, your eyes continued to stargaze. Arms draping over the baluster, you pressed your cheek to the cool stonework. There were many stars you could name; Namjoon particularly enjoyed astronomy. You were naming each one you could.

There was the Chamaeleon, Corona Borealis, Lepus, Lupus, and the Dragon.  Your eyes drooped sleepily when something caught your gaze. There was flicker against the midnight skies like a shadow dancing across the stars. The shape made you shudder, your eyes widening like saucers.

It looked like a dragon flying high in the sky.

You blink, blink, blinked.

It was gone. No, you know what you saw. You saw the impossible.

“What are you reading, Y/N?” Namjoon asked after catching you in the halls of the palace, curled in an alcove he knew you favored.

“Folklore,” you commented.

He noted your sleepy eyes; lavender painted your under-eye area. His brows pursed – even if you continued reading with interest.

“What’s caught your attention, sweet one?” he chuckled softly before his fingers tucked stray hairs away from your face. Fingers grazed your skin fondly. You looked up at the gentility. He lips pursed into a frown. “You look like you’ve been up all night; were you reading by candlelight again?”

Your face didn’t lighten up like he loved. It made his stomach churn a bit. His brows pursed. He was far too easy to read like your favorite book.

You tried to comfort him, shaking your head. Your cheek pressed into his large, hot hand reassuringly.

“No, no; I just – Namjoon –, “ you started a sentence, pausing in your words.

Licking your lips, your tired mind caught up to your train of thought and you had to pause.

Everyone knew the tale of the dragon bloods. Creatures who could transform at will – fire breathed into their souls, powerful and greedy but wise. They took over the throne from an evil ruler; then they ruled with wisdom for decades. It was a tall-tale you were told since childhood. But… it was just a story. How could you have seen one? And why did it strike such fear in your heart for Namjoon and the royal family? Was it an omen? Was he in danger?

Your breathing shuddered.

You couldn’t tell him. He’d find you crazy.

Your gaze shifted from his kind umber eyes to the book beneath her fingertips.

“I’ve just been engrossed in this story,” you said quietly.

It wasn’t quite a lie.

He frowned, but brushed a thumb over your cheek soft. He didn’t like you keep things from him. But he’d let you for now.

“Seokjin-hyung truly doesn’t know how to rule; what did he do during all those lessons? He knows nothing!” Namjoon lamented, flopping down beside you in the grassy riverside. It was a heavy thud of his body against the vegetation.  

“Be careful,” you commented at his violent action yet he didn’t even grunt from the action.

“I would’ve loved lessons on trade routes,” he sighed out, frustratedly. His hands trailed over the wild indigo tousling in the wind.  He watched the petals pass through his fingers before huffing again.

“I know, Joonie, but you learned regardless. That’s resilience.”

He hummed out an agreement. His gaze shifted from the weeds beside his head to focus on you. You were reading again. A sight he loved. He loved when you were focused, immersed in something more. It was like he could see your brain working, see the imagination flickering behind your beautiful eyes.

The leather-covered book bore the same “History of Fae & Other Creatures” title. You’ve been reading it for more than a week now. It made his curiosity spike.

“What are you so intrigued about, sweetheart?” He leaned up on his forearms, gazing up at you with flower petals and leaves clinging to his long hair.

You let out a soft chuckle at the sight, reaching out to pluck the remnants away. Why were you nervous to tell him? Would he laugh at you? He hadn’t before. You knew your fears were foolish – a Dragon wasn’t coming to destroy his family line – and him. That was… not set in reality. Its been something you’ve ruminated on night after night as you laid in your cushy bed. You could’ve seen something totally real that night – a strange bird or a kite or a very solid looking cloud that moved really fast. Right?

Fiddling with the corner of the worn page, you hemmed and hawed. Namjoon waited patiently. Smiling up at you. He’s never been cruel or mean. Surely, he’d just tell you saw nothing. That it was the sleepiness. Reassure you. He fiddled with the fabric of your dress – a new one he had made for you of indigo blue.

“I just – I’ve been thinking of dragons recently,” you finally said, turning the page.

Namjoon paused, his smile freezing. His dimples weren’t showing as the smile faded into a confused frown.

“Dragons?” he asked again. Namjoon’s blood felt hot.

“I—you’ll think I’m silly,” you said, shaking your head – your gaze hadn’t left the page. “I thought I saw one the other night. I was tired though. Maybe I just was – I don’t know, day-dreaming.”

“Maybe,” Namjoon supplied.

He felt hot.

He’d tell them soon. He promised.

Namjoon’s face was grim as he sat in the rocky carriage. Stuck in the royal attire he often disregard around the palace, his limbs felt tight and itchy; his fine silver crown atop perfectly styled locks. His hair had been cut, by your hand at the insistence of the maids and caretakers. He was a Prince not some long-haired pirate! He felt wrong. Everything felt wrong. He was stuck in a carriage far away from you and only taking him further and further away by the second. It left him worrying. A pit growing in his stomach as the carriage shuttered against the rocky path.

Even if he hadn’t spoken his love to you, you hadn’t rejected his affections. His soft kisses to your cheek, his embraces where his hands remained respectfully at your waist, or his affectionate nicknames. It was more than friendship, surely you knew that. You weren’t dumb. You were the smartest woman he’d met. It was one of the many things he loved about you.

He felt anxiety creep up at the thought of the castle unprotected by him. You were unprotected. It made the fire splutter and splatter like lava within his soul.

But he had a duty – not to his father, but Seokjin.

It’ll be okay. You’ll be okay.

The castle was a day’s journey, one that he handled as gracefully as one could. Soon enough, he was back in his childhood home – yet it felt unlike the true home he left behind. Bereft figures, dull colors of dark blacks decorated the halls. Sobs filled the streets.

After all, the King was dead.

Seokjin was going to be crowned – and soon.

It was the night after the funeral. Seokjin had barged his way into Namjoon’s quarters – a forgotten childhood bedroom. Everything had been left where Namjoon had place it. His dragon stuffed animal sat on the window’s ledge, looking out.

At least it has been, before Seokjin had picked it up and fiddled with it. Squeezing it, tossing it between his large palms, hugging it.

“I can’t do this, Joonie,” Seokjin hyperventilated.

“What are you talking about, hyung?” Namjoon tried to understand.

“The crown,” he blurted out. “The ceremonies. The ruling. The laws. The court. I’m not—I can’t. I’m not – built for this.”

Seokjin was trembling; his fingers digging into the stuffed animal harshly. His lips were bitten red, bleeding.

“You’ve grown up learning for this,” Namjoon countered, disbelievingly. “Its your-“

“I don’t care!” Seokjin cried out. “I—I never wanted the crown. I never—I can’t handle the pressures; Father, before he passed, he knew – he knew. He said if the crown failed in my hands that I’d go to hell. That I’d be cursed to be outcasted. History rewritten. He called me weak – he called me-“ Seokjin was sobbing. Namjoon had never seen his brother cry before.

“I don’t know what to do. You do.”

You know how to rule.

“Help me, Joonie. Please. Please I revoke my crown. I revoke it. I revoke it to you.”

There was a jostling outside your balcony, waking you with a start.  A grand wind pounded on the glass panels ferociously, rattling and creaking them violently. Your eyes flashed open and you looked about bewildered.

There had been no wind when you fell asleep. Especially not so violent.

“What is going on?” Your fear made you jump, holding the covers to your form as if that could protect you.

You saw no clouds nor tells of rain or wind last night. But now, it was almost like your window frame was trembling from the force outside.

Standing to look, what you saw nearly made you faint. There, outside your window – perched awkwardly on your stone balcony’s balusters – was a dragon. Larger than you by an incredible amount. Its form wasn’t even at its grandest; you could see its body was curling inwards; its large clawed paws were shifting underneath it as it balanced, almost similar to a cat. Its wings were outstretched wide, the width of them taking up the length of many men. It didn’t look threatening; there was no fire or brimstone. Instead, it almost looked clumsy. It was far too large for the foundation beneath itself. The stonework gave a horrible groan, loud and bellowing from the creature’s weight.  

A scream was on your lips, aching to tear out of your throat – but before you could, you saw before your very eyes the dragon begin to tremble and shrink until… there was no dragon there anymore. No, it was just Namjoon.

Namjoon was on your balcony.

Rippling muscles shuddering as he stumbled off of the stone baluster and towards you a wild look in his eyes.

“Y/N,” you could hear him even with your balcony window shut – however, not for long, as you promptly fainted.

He was a dragon.

“Darling,” you could hear a soft croon. “Oh, my sweet girl.”

Your head ached, but you could still recognize that voice anywhere. It was the same voice that had read you countless novels in the field of flowers by the gardens.

“Joon?” you queried in your drowsiness.

Blinking your eyes, you look up to see him, clad in his royal attire – the very attire he had left in – sitting beside you in your quarters.

“I’m so sorry,” he pleaded, rushing to press kisses to your knuckles. His crowned head bowing towards you in regret.

He hadn’t thought about how it could startle you – all he could think was he had to return home. Had to discuss things with you – his only friend, his love, his confidant.

“I—I, did—I had the strangest dream,” you murmur out. “You were a—” Your gaze traveled to the window, now open to where you had seen the creature perched in your dreams. Only to see the shattered stonework. The broken balusters laid messily in front of the gargoyles.

“A dragon,” Namjoon supplied, quietly. Almost bashfully like that morning you met.

Your eyes drifted back to him. His umber eyes were fiery, even if they were glancing away almost boyishly shy.

“What?” you asked quiet. “Namjoon, what?”

He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing a bit. His head tilted downwards. All the fire of a dragon he had – but its courage he still lacked, he scolded himself.

He lacked when it came to you; selfishly afraid and yearning to protect and shield you away from him.

“I’m a dragon blood. I-I learned about it a few months ago,” he said. “After my illness, I had these abilities. These powers…”

You stared at him; partial awe, partial fear, partial confusion, and partial betrayal painted your features.

Before you slapped at his shoulder, angrily.

“You—” You nearly curse at him, anger peaking.

His hands went to capture yours before you could slap at him again. Firm but not painful, his grasp was one of desperation as his brows crinkled in despair.

“I know; I know. I didn’t tell you. How would you have reacted?” he rambled on. “You would’ve thought me mad; you would’ve left me alone. You would’ve never spoken to me.”

His fear was laid out in a rush– you leaving him.

“I couldn’t bear that.” he whispered ardently.

“So, you lied!” you bitterly exclaimed. Your hands – now curled into childish fists – couldn’t shift in his grasp. He was strong.

“You never asked!” Namjoon countered smiling awkwardly. Your glare shut him up, his mouth opening and closing as his eyes shut. “That doesn’t matter I know. You can be angry later, please. I have news from the kingdom. I need you!”

A Dragon never needed anyone. But he needed her. He always would.

“Seokjin is going to revoke the crown – and I’ll be crowned king.” He said out in a flurry.

Once again, as if a bomb was dropped on you, your mouth dropped open.

“He’s revoking the crown?”

Namjoon nodded, almost excitedly. You could see flames dance in his eyes – had that always happened?

“This is horrible!” you murmured out, fear written in your face.

Nightmares of disasters flickered through your mind. Namjoon and Seokjin being killed in an uprising. Namjoon being prevented taking the throne. Seokjin lying to cause Namjoon’s death. So many worst-case scenarios flickered through your mind. Your mind was an expert at plotting the worse. Even if the dragon you saw was him – it could be a warning. He could be a warning of worse things to come.

“Darling?” Namjoon asked, his voice gentle as he saw your outburst – your fear and disapproval were the opposite of what he predicted.

“Seokjin doesn’t want the crown,” Namjoon reassured, hands leaving your wrists to cup your face. Tilting it his way to watch your mind rush faster and faster. He licked his lips as he saw your mouth shuddered.

“If you do this, Namjoon, the kingdom will be in uproar; they will fight against a shift in power – even if it’s as peaceful as your brother granting you the throne.” You countered. “It’s signing a war declaration.”

He let out a huff of a growl, smoke tumbling from his nose. His impatience bubbled up. He didn’t like being told that he couldn’t do something; he never had.

The smoke shocked you, but somehow not enough to scare you. It was just… new.

“I don’t want a war,” you said looking at him with a look he hadn’t seen before. Desperation and yearning. Longing. It was complex and somber and… soulful. He felt like he saw your soul for a moment. And it was scared for him. You didn’t want him harmed or put into harm’s way in any way. “And I don’t want you fighting in it.”

Want. Want. Want.

Namjoon wanted too. He wanted so much over the years. He had wanted his family’s love. He didn’t receive it. He wanted to learn. He was given road block after road block. He wanted you, all of you. And he forbade himself.

He wanted the throne. He wanted what he deserved. He wanted respect. Your breath left in a soft huff of a sigh. You pushed yourself up to sit higher on your bed, closer in his embrace, his hands sliding to your jaw to accommodate.

“I don’t want you getting hurt, Joonie.”

His fiery gaze eased a bit at your words. You were precious. Kind-hearted, gentle. His only true friend. His. And as a dragon blood, he was greedy. You were a treasure he didn’t know he hoarded. Until now.

“I don’t fear anything anymore. At least nothing like that.” he commented softly. “Not after the change.” He shifted from the floor to your bed, his tall form towered over you, but you didn’t feel discomfort as he embraced you. His thumb caressed over the soft supple skin of your cheeks, lovingly. “Why should a monster fear anything he can devour?”

You think if someone else had said those words a shiver would go down your spine. But it was Kim Namjoon. The very Namjoon who you’ve known for so many years. Namjoon – the prince who didn’t tattle on you – a servant girl – when you were avoiding work. Namjoon – who learned botany because you said you loved the wild indigos you found on the path between the castle and your homestead. Namjoon – who would sit beside you and point at the words you couldn’t decipher from old folklore scripts and ramble on and on about the history of them. Namjoon – the man who would grab your hand and sneak down to the river’s shores to skip stones with you. Namjoon - who had pressed soft kisses to your forehead when you fell asleep beside him in the grand library. Namjoon – who gently took your hand in between his as he confessed how much you meant to him beside the hearth of the fireplace.

Namjoon – the son of the Dragon, the inheritor of the flame – the rightful heir of the kingdom as a dragon blood.

It felt like two separate people – but even now, when his hand slid to your jaw – you could see both sides of him. The powerful being and the gentle giant. He would fight to protect you. And you knew deep down you would fight to protect him.

“Don’t be afraid,” he murmured lowly. “Of me, of a war.” He clarified. “What I am now – what awoke within me - is bulletproof, darling; I will not fail us. I will protect you and my kingdom.” And with that, he leant down, cupping your cheeks, and kissed your lips for the first time.  

You swore you could taste fire-smoke and ash on his lips.

[sweetestofchaos]

Blackthorn Ch 17 | M.YG

Pairing: Crown Prince Dragon!Yoongi x Crown Princess Impundulu!Keena  Genre: Soulmate AU | Arranged Marriage AU | Fantasy AU | Fluff | Angst  Word Count: 6.1K  Warnings: Crying | Kissing | Mentions of Injury and Blood | Mentions of Punishment | Depictions of Greif | Magic | Semi-Shifting Rating: NC-18

Come What May - an investigation takes place within the palace and everyone is under suspicion.

a/n: Hello everyone. I know it has been a while…I want to take this time to thank you for reading Blackthorn and showing such support even with the breaks in between. I've been all over the place while trying to get back into writing. It is my first love and has helped me a lot in the past. I hope you enjoy this chapter and look forward to more. The next chapter is in the works and I'm excited to get back into the world of Blackthorn. It's a magical world that just makes me want to do better, ya know?

Huge shout out to @theharrowing and @sailoryooons for being my betas throughout this whole series. They are such wonderful people and push me to make this story the best it can be. I love them both dearly!

a/n 2: Minors do NOT interact with my work, please and thank you. Also, this is cross posted on ao3, under the same username sweetestofchaos. As always, Namjoon edit by the wonderful @colormepurplex2

taglist: @thickemadame @loisje123

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“Forgive me. I-It was foolish of me to take you outside of the walls. I-I…”

The Prince didn’t know what to say as his own eyes burned with tears. Everyone would be hurt because of him and here he was holding the one person he never meant to hurt the most. Prince Yoongi vaguely recalled a conversation he had with Hoseok, Namjoon, and Seokjin about the possibility of a spy within the walls but it was one he dismissed. Now as he held the Princess, he wondered if he should have taken the conversation more seriously. His ignorance and pride had cost him the Princess’ happiness and the blood of those closest to them both. The Prince would spend the rest of his life making up for his wrongdoings, to the ancient dragons who came before and watched over them, he swore it.

The Prince woke to a shift on his bed. The warmth and weight of the Princess was no longer on his chest. He opened his eyes and saw that the Princess’ back now faced him. He rolled to his side, turned her around and pulled the Princess into his arm, tucking her face into his chest as she cried. The Prince’s heart ached with each tear that struck his skin; he caused this pain. 

The sound of birds chirping floated from outside the window. Specks of dust fluttered in the rays of the morning light with heavy and cold dread pressed into the Prince’s soul. A loud hiss followed by a small growl caught the Princess’ attention, and when she heard shouting from outside the window, she pushed away from the Prince, scrambling out of bed. She rushed to the window, nearly tripping over her own two feet and threw her upper body out the opening to get a better look at where the sound had come from. In the distance, unfamiliar guards were chasing after a small tiger cub.

“Cookie!” 

The Princess’ voice was shrill, sharp with a protective warning that made the guards freeze in place. The small green and yellow tiger cub yowled loudly before it started to sprint in the Princess’ direction. Cookie’s nails dug into the rough stone work as he scaled the side of the wall and Princess Keena grunted as she pulled him up into her arms. Cookie licked at her cheek and she frowned as the cub’s body shook in her arms. 

Prince Yoongi rose from his bed and walked over to the window, standing behind the Princess. His hand found the small of her back without a second thought, second nature now as he offered silent comfort to his heart personified. The guards outside stood before the window and waited for the young royals commands. The Prince narrowed his unobscured eye and curled his upper lip, his fangs gleamed in the early light.

“You have caused great distress to her Highness, explain yourselves.” 

The Prince’s words were to the point, his voice weighed down by sleep but sharp nonetheless. The white gauze around his right eye added a severe reminder of the Prince’s deeds the night before. The guards trembled before the Prince and bowed low, their torsos bent into a ninety degree angle. 

“Speak!” 

The guards jumped at the Prince’s sudden command, while the Princess leaned into the Prince’s chest. The warmth that radiated from her body was soothing and as the Prince inhaled, zesty tangerine stung his tongue and fizzled at the back of his throat while sun-sweet honey dripped over his mind. Easy, relax, one step at a time. Prince Yoongi’s thumb stroked over the fabric of the Princess’ robes as he reined in his rage. The guards were the wrong people to direct his anger to.

One of the guards straightened to his full height but refused to look any higher than the window’s ledge and as he spoke, his voice wobbled.

“A-Apologies, Your Majesty. We were in the middle of a changing of the guard when Her H-Highness’...pet escaped from its pen.”

“Who authorized your entry to Her Highness’ chambers? It was made clear the night prior that she was to stay by my side.”

The guard’s shoulders tensed and Yoongi licked over his fangs as his nails started to sharpen. Thin gold rings circled the Prince’s iris and the Princess shifted against the Prince. Now, Princess Keena stood beside him, tucked into his side with Cookie secured in one arm while the other rested against his chest.

“Easy, my Prince. It was a misunderstanding-” Princess Keena turned her attention to the guards before them and raised an eyebrow, “surely you learned your lesson? There is no reason to enter my chambers whether I am present or not. Understand?” 

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The Prince’s face twisted into a deep set scowl. A verbal warning would not be enough but before he could speak up, Princess Keena dismissed the guards and pushed him away from the window. Prince Yoongi allowed for the Princess to guide him until the back of his knees hit the edge of the bed. He sat down and pulled the Princess in between his legs, wrapping his arms around her waist as he held her in his tight embrace. Princess Keena released Cookie and the cub crawled about on the bed, before the tiny creature made itself at home on one of the Prince’s pillows. 

“You must control yourself, my Prince. Tension is high and it will only increase as the news of His Royal Majesty's sickness spreads.”

Prince Yoongi lifted his face upwards to the Princess and stared at her silently for a moment. The golden ring around his eye was gone and his nails were once again blunt as they dug into the fabric of the Princess’ robes. He clung to her and sighed, unsure of where his mind was. His father was dying and there was nothing the Prince could do to stop it. He and Agust had all the power in the world but neither one could cure the emperor and extend his life.

Princess Keena watched as the Prince’s brow furrowed and his lips turned downward, whatever smile there could be hidden under the weight of current events. The earthy sage and spicy ginger was rotten, left out to spoil in the scorching chill of despair. Slowly, the Princess raised her hands, her fingertips grazed the Prince’s jaw, his cheeks, the apple of his eyes and his temples as she traced a map of his face, careful of the bandages. The Prince’s eye fluttered closed and his head fell forward, pressing into the soft fabric that covered the Princess’ stomach.

“My Father will take his sickness to the grave. He will pass on without any others knowing the truth.” Princess Keena’s fingers carefully worked their way through the small tangles in the Prince’s messy hair as he spoke and he melted into the tender touch. “A peaceful and sudden death, something only he knew of and prepared for ahead of time.”

Prince Yoongi tilted his face upward once more, his chin now rested against the Princess stomach and he blinked slowly, his blurred vision grew sharper with each movement. The Princess’ eyes were a little puffy from her crying earlier.

“I should be comforting you, my gem.”

“And you are.”

“Am I?” 

Princess Keena nodded her head and used her nails to lightly scratch against the Prince’s scalp.

"Plis pase ou konnen, Prince mwen.” 

Her words were comforting in their own right and Prince Yoongi felt his heart lighten from her reassurance.

"Ou fè byen."

Princess Keena laughed at the Prince’s words and nodded her head.

“As do you, my Prince.”

A sudden purr caught the young royal’s attention and when they looked to their right, Cookie was sound asleep, on his back and curled into a half moon while his tail hung off the pillow. The Princess giggled while the Prince cracked a smile and clicked his tongue.

“I do not recall ever sleeping that well in my own bed.”

“Cookie can sleep anywhere but his love for pillows is a weakness.”

On the other side of the palace, a wooden structure stood alone on an isolated island covered in green leafy vines. A pale grey path made from different sized stones led from the rear of the palace to the rarely used structure connected by a single wooden bridge. The building was in the shape of a crescent moon, open in the center for all to see. The island housed criminals from petty theft to murder and even treason. Currently, the cells held members of the Princess’ guard and handmaids. Hoseok and Aga were celled together and sat in silence while they waited for judgment to be passed. 

Aga worried for the Princess; he did not know who stood in place of the guards that were locked away with him nor of the maids that were looking after her. Hoseok had known Agust in the past a lifetime ago. He remembered how fierce and loyal the dragon was. Both the Prince and the Princess were safe with him lurking in the depths of the Prince’s soul but he couldn’t stop the bobbing of his leg as he waited. The attack and attempted abduction of the young royals was planned. It was no mere coincidence and Hoseok silently vowed to himself to kill whomever targeted his friends. 

The maids were locked away together, their faces puffy and tear-stained. The rest of the guards were thrown into individual cells; all were silent and tense. The cells weren’t luxurious, made of wood and stone, unforgiving and cold. Hay was thrown onto the ground and did little to offer comfort. In the center of the prison a beautiful stone mosaic in shades of greys, tans, and blues added some color to the gloomy atmosphere. Four wooden posts, spaced out evenly in a straight line, sat in the center of the prison, and stood eight feet tall. The wood was marred, stained with blood, and indented from being struck many times over. 

The sound of pebbles crunching underneath heavy footfalls caught everyone’s attention. Daehyun, the general of the royal guard, was flanked by four guards on either side. They filled the center of the prison and stood tall. Daehyun’s dark eyes were emotionless as he looked around at the full cells. A guard on his right pulled a scroll from his waist and handed it to Daehyun without a word. Hoseok took notice of the hanboks worn by the guards outside of the cells. The colors were a silent and bold warning. The hanbok that Daehyun wore was simple, a plain black robe with white gladiolus flowers stitched along the cuffs and collar with a red changui on top, and the same white gladiolus stitched on the collar, down the center and the hem. A wide black belt with matching gladiolus was tied around his waist and a jumeoni sat at his right hip, opposite his sword. The other guards were dressed in the same manner with the red and black colors switched.

Daehyun held the scroll in his hands and opened it slowly before he held it up to read out loud. Hoseok held his breath as Daehyun started to read what would be their punishment if any of them were found guilty of treason or otherwise. Last night, as everyone was arrested, Hoseok had known that everyone needed to be interrogated and that it would take time, at least two days before the final punishment was ordered. The charges that were read out loud were attempted assassination of the royal family, attempted kidnapping, attempted sexual assault, and espionage. The charges were severe and if found guilty, those involved would be executed by beheading. 

Daehyun explained how the investigation would be carried out and he offered a small word of reassurance that those who were not found guilty would maintain their respective positions once the investigation was wrapped up. The guards left all together and Hoseok’s lungs wouldn’t expand. His chest was tight and his mouth dry as he processed the charges, leaning back against his cell wall. Aga folded his arms over his chest and clicked his tongue as he fingers squeezed into tightly wound fists. He vowed to kill everyone who chose to target the Princess with his bare hands. He understood the need to interrogate everyone, but holding him in a cell put the Princess at risk.

Aga’s gaze fixated on a small ant that struggled to carry what looked to be a crumb across the cell. He thought about everyone locked in the cells and glowered. Everyone was close to the Princess, they laughed with her and made her feel safe. Could any of them truly be traders? Aga cursed and threw his head back against the cell wall with a heavy thunk.

Daehyun was on a mission of justice. He had watched the Crown Prince grow from a hatchling to a young fledgling. He had taught the Prince how to notch an arrow, how to ride a horse, and swing his first sword. The attack on the Prince was an attack on the palace and all of those who swore loyalty to the crown. Daehyun would find out who harmed the Crown Prince and when he did he swore to the great dragon above, there would be nowhere in the greatest depths of Hell that would keep them safe. 

Daehyun walked the halls with his hands fisted at his sides, his eyes were narrowed and he glared at everyone that dared to make eye contact. As a human, Daehyun was known for his fierce swordsmanship and his overthinking mind. He connected the farthest of dots and had sent many lives to the Hells below. Daehyun was a force to be reckoned with, and as he stood outside of the Prince’s chambers, the guards before him bowed low. He stood proud, his back ramrod straight as he stared down the length of his nose at the men before him.

“I have come to speak with His Royal Highness.”

“Hyungwon is seeing to His-”

“He will see me.”

The guards looked at each other and Daehyun crossed his arms over his chest. He stood in silence as the guards debated the outcome of turning him away but before they were able to speak their peace, a loud and boisterous voice called out to Daehyun from farther down the hall.

“General Daehyun! What brings you to His Highness’ chambers?” 

Daehyun knew the owner of the voice before he turned his head and offered a polite smile. 

“Strategist Kim, it would do you good to-”

Daehyun bit off his words as he turned. Seokjin was dressed in a handsome hanfu of all white with bamboo leaves of monochrome green embroidered on the collar and hem of the robes. A green outer robe was worn over top and left open, with wide butterfly sleeves that hung low to the ground. Beside him, Namjoon, the royal gardener, dressed in a dark green hanbok with even darker green leaves embossed on the sleeves of the jeogori. A white joggi with green and black clematis was worn over top to break up the colors. 

In Namjoon’s arms, he carried a large basket full of different flowers and plants that Daehyun couldn’t recall the names of. Namjoon looked powerful, more self-assured as he kept in step with Seokjin and looked Daehyun right in his eyes. Daehyun looked from Namjoon to Seokjin and noticed a stack of books neatly tied together in his right arm. 

“I see you brought offerings for His Highness.”

“Nothing of the sort,” Seokjin laughed and pointed to the basket in Namjoon’s hand, “Hyungwon requested medical herbs and Her Highness is at his bedside. I thought a few written words from worlds away could help pass the time.”

Daehyun frowned. He heard of the Prince’s injury but had yet to see it. A few brave souls whispered but none out right spoke of what (if anything) they saw.

“You are requesting an audience with His Highness?” Namjoon finally spoke up when he noticed the way Daehyun eyed the basket in his hand. When the older man nodded, Namjoon extended his arm and the guards before them opened the doors.

“After you, General.” 

The three men entered the Prince’s chambers together. The sitting room was empty with only a handful of maids scattered around cleaning. The shortest of the group hurried up to the trio and bowed, “I will inform His Highness that you have arrived.”

“Give this to Hyungwon. There is no need for him to wait while the General speaks to His Highness. We will wait out here, out of the way.”

Namjoon handed over the basket and Seokjin rolled his eyes but said nothing more as Daehyun followed behind the small maid.

“You are far too kind to that man, Namjoon.”

Namjoon shrugged his shoulders and lowered himself onto the settee before him. He leaned back and crossed his ankles before he looked up to Seokjin, who refused to sit.

“Elders, no matter their disposition, are shown respect.”

Seokjin shot Namjoon a deeply unimpressed look at his choice of words. “Elders? You disrespect me with every breath you take,” Seokjin gripped and Namjoon raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“He put Hoseok behind bars!” Seokjin squawked, indigent; his face was red as he glared at Namjoon and the stack of books shook in his hold.

Namjoon shrugged his shoulders, unbothered by Seokjin’s misplaced rage. He understood the others' emotions and reasoning behind said emotions, but he couldn’t agree. Hoseok was next in line to defend the Empire. He was to put his life on the line for Yoongi and yet, under his very watch, the Prince as well as the Princess were taken and harmed. Hoseok would be the biggest suspect, right next to Aga, in the investigation. 

“He followed his orders.”

Shouting, though distorted and muffled, creeped from a crack in the door of the Prince’s bedroom and Seokjin swallowed thickly. The walls were shaken by a threatening growl, the door thrown open in haste and shortly after, and General Daehyun rushed out. His face was ashen, all color gone, and Namjoon rose to his feet in concern while Seokjin stepped back in alarm. Daehyun fled from the room without a single glance in their direction and the same short maid from before appeared with a gentle twist to her lips that reassured Namjoon the Prince’s anger was of no consequence to them.

Namjoon led the way to the Prince’s inner chamber and he bowed deeply to Hyungwon who stood behind a wooden work bench that hadn’t been in the Prince’s chambers before. The coiling scent of feverfew, ginger, white willow and chamomile sunk into the fabric of Namjoon’s robes as he stepped farther into the room. The heavy smoke of charred danbannite stung Namjoon’s nose and his vision honed in on a wooden rack of white cloth that was placed at the Prince’s bedside. The lavender and yarrow that the bandages were steeped in made Namjoon’s throat itch.

The Princess was perched on the edge of the bed, her knees bent and tucked underneath the skirt of her iro. The pale ice blue that she wore was soothing to the eye and stood out against the Prince’s crisp bedding. The buba was creamy grey brocade fabric, smooth and cool to the touch. Namjoon noticed that the Princess’ hair was twisted into a simple updo with a matching blue brocaded head scarf wrapped loosely enough that two single braids hung down on either side of her face. 

A silver hairstick peeked out from the side, three blue aster flowers, their petals made of blue grey spinel jewels that twinkled in the light. A silver phoenix clutched the aster flowers in its claws and from its beak a golden lantern rested with thin gold tassels hanging from the bottom as small dumortierite beads glittered and clinked together. A little to the right of the Princess, Cookie rested with his large wet eyes locked on Seokjin and Namjoon.

In the center of the bed, Prince Yoongi was nude down to his waist, his hips and below covered by thick bedding. He sat upright with his back supported by a stack of pillows. Right away Seokjin rushed to the empty side of the bed and stared wide-eyed at the Prince. 

“Your hair!!”

The Prince sighed and ran a hand through the short blonde strands that rested unevenly against his jaw in some places, “It’s short. I know.”

“B-But-”

“It will grow back in time, do not worry. Hyungwon has sent for the groomer, he will fix it.” 

Seokjin opened his mouth to protest and closed it after a short moment. His dark eyes darted over the rest of the Prince’s face and a frown appeared on his lips as he took in the white bandage that covered the Prince’s right eye.

“Did you need anything of me?” Prince Yoongi questioned, his tone slightly fatigued. 

Seokjin sighed and shook his head, “We came as soon as we could. You may be the Prince but you are still our friend.”

Prince Yoongi nodded his head and sighed when Hyungwon walked over to the bed with a bowl of ointment in his hands. The Prince looked between the bowl and his friends who watched him in concern. Princess Keena cleared her throat and all attention shifted to her as she smiled softly.

“Thank you for the herbs and books. As you can see, His Highness is in need of rest.”

Seokjin rose to his feet, his ears flushed as he stumbled over his words.

“O-Of course! We’ve overstayed, forgive us. Namjoon, let’s go!” 

Seokjin bowed to the young royals and Namjoon shook his head, “Before we go…Yoongi, I must ask. Do you recall our time in the forest?”

The Prince stared at Namjoon and thought back to when they had found the gardener surrounded by the blood of the men who killed Jungkook.

“I do.”

The two men regarded each other with a knowing look and the Prince licked his lips quickly before he cleared his throat.

“I grant you permission to do your own investigation-”

“What-”

The Prince held his hand up, silencing Seokjin’s protest and continued on, not once taking his eye off Namjoon. 

“There is a traitor amongst us. Stay vigilant and return unharmed with your findings at the day’s end.”

Namjoon’s eyes, a deep brown, had a bright green ring around the irises and he bowed low. 

“As you command, Your Highness.”

Seokjin stood beside Namjoon confused as to what he had witnessed. He had questions and he knew they would not be answered in the current environment. Clearing his throat, Seokjin bowed once more.

“Do not hesitate to call on me if you require more books. Rest well, Your Highness.”

Namjoon and Seokjin left the room with their heads held high and the Prince’s whole body sunk into the pillows as the door clicked shut behind them. Princess Keena took hold of the Prince’s hand and laced their fingers together, a silent comfort while Hyungwon started to unwrap the gauze from around the Prince’s eye. The eye itself was intact, from the way the blade sliced the Prince’s face, but the eyelid and surface of the eye was damaged. Hyungwon created a concreted medicine that needed to be dripped into the Prince’s eye twice a day to heal the surface.

Hyungwon flipped through many books and read over scroll after scroll from sunrise to sunset in order to find a cure for the Prince’s vision but he found none. The Prince was now blind in his right eye and Hyungwon intended to speak with the Empress about how best to accommodate the Prince after he was done with today’s visit. The skin around the eye was tender and inflamed, an angry reddish pink where thin black threads of stitching held the skin together to help heal the wound on the highest part of the Prince’s cheek, which refused to heal on its own. 

The herbal mixture in Hyungwon’s hand would sting a little and burn the inside of the Prince’s nose, but with the Princess by his side, he could ignore the harsh smells and focus on the soothing scent of honey-dipped tangerines. The Prince’s face pinched into a deep-set frown as Hyungwon carefully spread the ointment onto the damaged skin and the Princess started to hum a song from her childhood.

“The wound is healing quickly. In two days, I can remove the stitches.”

“And my sight?” 

There was a pregnant pause at the Prince’s question and Hyungwon struggled to meet his eyes. Princess Keena rested her cheek on the Prince’s shoulder and pressed the tip of her nose into his neck, nuzzling against the warm skin. Bitter ginger softened slightly and Prince Yoongi licked his lips with a wince as the corner split.

“Finish with this and leave.”

“As you command.”

In the conference room, Empress Eunkyung sat at the head of the table among the many counselors and tutors in attendance with the young otter hybrid, Youngjae, at her side as a scribe. Empress Eunkyung knew of the Prince’s upcoming coronation and with that would come the royal wedding to Princess Keena. Today, those in attendance were to discuss the Princess’ merits and where they felt she needed to improve before the wedding.

Emperor Chyungho was working closely with Seokjin’s mentor and current advisor, Lee Dongwook, a highly respected kitsune, to create a guide of sorts for Prince Yoongi to reference when he felt unsure of himself while still learning his new role. The Emperor had great faith in his son and those that he surrounded himself with, however, words from the previous ruler wouldn’t hinder the future. 

Dongwook was an intelligent scholar, filled with great wisdom and ever greater wit. Some would say that he passed on his humor to Seokjin, as well. He was a tall man with auburn hair that hung just above his shoulders in loose natural curls. His brown eyes were tinged with red and glowered in the firelight, a trait that all kitsune’s shared as great foxes. Dongwook often let three of his tails be seen at all times and it was only during war that all nine white puffs were fanned out behind him. Unlike the Princess’ guard, San, who only had four tails and never showed them to anyone outside of his sleeping chambers. 

As the Emperor and Empress worked separately to create a brighter future for the young royals, Namjoon sat with Seokjin in the fifth garden. The area was secluded, encased by thick bushes that acted as walls. In the center a decent-sized pavilion rested against the soft backdrop of winter hazel trees, the yellow petals scattered on the plush green grass. Forsythia bushes with their bright yellow flowers sat in clusters around the entrance of the garden with red and orange marigolds planted along the stone walkway that leads to the pavilion. 

 It was here in the garden that Namjoon decided to share his secret with his lifelong friend and explain how he intended to help find the traitor amongst their ranks. Seokjin sat beside Namjoon and listened, keeping silent as Namjoon recounted the grief of losing their favorite tree Moni and how he had come into the powers of Esrym the hamadryad.

“What have I told you about experimenting with Jimsonweed?”

Seokjin's face was pinched into a doubtful scowl and Namjoon shook his head. He looked around the garden and inhaled deeply before he turned his attention back to Seokjin. Namjoon closed his eyes and when he opened them again, the familiar brown was now a stunning green that gleamed like the grass after a light misting of rain. Seokjin inhaled sharply; he knew better than to question what he was looking at. Namjoon had no time to play any tricks and Seokjin noticed a faint glow that came from the younger man’s skin.

“What does this make you? You are no longer human?” 

Namjoon blinked. His eyes were no longer green and the soft light that came from inside his body faded. He crossed his arms over his chest and rubbed at his chin in thought. He never really considered himself anything other than human. To Namjoon, he was still the same person he used to be, only now he could do more for the land that he cared for.

“I am still myself. I bleed just like you.”

Seokjin hummed at Namjoon’s words, “Are you mortal?” 

Namjoon’s arms fell from his chest and he looked at his friend. The silence between the two lasted for only a moment before Seokjin shook his head.

“What do I care? Your newfound status doesn’t change a thing between us. You are still you and I am still me, correct?”

Namjoon nodded his head in agreement and Seokjin gave a single nod in acceptance. 

“Can you converse with the wildlife?”

“Not all of them. Insects are the only ones that I can fully understand, the others just give me a…feeling?” 

“A feeling?”

“I find myself having trouble explaining it well. Take Cookie, for example. I cannot understand him at all but I know when he is feeling happy or if he is upset by something.”

“Joon…I can look at the cub and tell if something is off.”

Namjoon shot Seokjin an unimpressed glare to which Seokjin waved him off.

“How do you plan on helping Yoongi figure out who has betrayed us?”

Namjoon rose to his feet and Seokjin followed after him a few steps behind. They exited the pavilion and followed the path to where Namjoon knew a colony of ants lived. He squatted down upon seeing a few, and Seokjin watched as Namjoon pressed the point of his index finger into the grass. Two ants crawled up and stood on Namjoon’s knuckle as he brought his finger to eye level. 

Two sets of antennae wiggled in front of Namjoon as he spoke softly, “May I ask a question? I would like some help if you have the time?”

Seokjin watched as the same dim green light from before seeped from Namjoon’s exposed skin and he pretended to admire the flowers in order to trick anyone that might come by.

“Friends of mine could be hurt for something they had no involvement in. By chance have you seen anyone strange come into this garden? Have you heard any guards or anyone at all talk about hurting the Empire?” 

The ants on Namjoon’s finger crawled around, their antennae moved wildly, and Seokjin kept an ear out for any footsteps while Namjoon conducted his integration. After a few moments, Namjoon lowered his finger to the ground and the ants crawled off him. Seokjin shivered in disgust but kept his mouth closed as Namjoon rose to his full height. 

“We need to find the beehive.” 

“What did they tell you?” 

“Two people come here to exchange letters in the early hours of the morning. The notes are left between false bark on the tree. The bees should know more.”

Seokjin seemed skeptical but followed after Namjoon to find a beehive. If he could save Hoseok and stop other innocent people from being hurt, Seokjin would do what was asked of him, logic be damned. Together the two men searched the garden for the beehive and Seokjin found it within the branches of one of the winter hazel trees. Namjoon called to the bees and four came out of the hive. They flew around Seokjin and greeted Namjoon with a happy dance around his head. The dimples on Namjoon’s face sunk deeply into his cheeks as he bowed his head at his flying friends, and Seokjin couldn’t believe his eyes. Namjoon had not fabricated his story; the young man before Seokjin was indeed blessed with the magic from a hamadryad.

“Thank you for giving me your time. I am in need of your help.”

The bees sat in Namjoon’s upturned palm, their tiny bodies swirling as they answered his questions. 

“There were two people, I believe them to be men, that come into the garden often. Have you seen them? Do you recall their appearance?”

“Ask them if they can remember anything strange that might have been said,” Seokjin chimed in and Namjoon smiled. It was a good inquiry. At Seokjin’s question the bees had an answer and it made Namjoon frown.

“They say that there are three men and a woman that visit frequently at night. Two of the men speak another language that they have not heard before.”

“A different language?” 

Seokjin’s mind jumped to Aga and the Princess but he quickly dismissed the thought. He saw just how much the Prince cared for the Princess and vice versa, there was no way that she would betray him. Seokjin didn’t know much about Aga but he doubted the guard would ever put the Princess at risk. Seokjin mentally smacked himself for a hidden bias that he didn’t know he harbored within. 

If Namjoon had the same thought, Seokjin was none the wiser. The two were confused and tried to understand what the bees’ words meant. The palace grounds were filled with many races, most still spoke in their mother tongue when alone or with their families and friends. Hearing another language outside of Laibic wasn’t uncommon. Sirens, Oni, Elves, Unicorns, and even humans from other lands all had their own mother tongue. If the traitors spoke another language, it wasn’t a fact that would bring them closer to being found out.

“Can they remember any of the words?” 

As the next royal advisor, Seokjin was well-versed in many languages, and he was still learning. Maybe the traitors spoke a language that was uncommon within the palace. While the grounds were diverse, the ratios weren’t even, and often only a handful or two of one race lived within the palace walls. The bees jumped around in Namjoon’s hand and Namjoon nodded his head in understanding.

“There is one word that they men kept saying vaxikauxa. Does that mean anything to you?” 

Seokjin spoke the word slowly in his mind. He let the sound and syllables roll around on his tongue before he spoke it out loud three times. It was a language he wasn't as familiar with but he had heard of it before; at least he thought he had. The sound was smooth with a roughness that sat heavy in the vowels. Vaxikauxa? Seokjin repeated the word once more and shook his head.

“I will scour the records for any mention of this word. I will come to you myself with my findings.”

“Do you have any clue? Any at all?” 

Seokjin dissected the word in his mind, pulling apart the sound and breaking down the basic lettering in the Laibic language. After a few moments of silence and being unable to translate the word, he knew most of the letters were pronounced differently in another language. That made things harder to understand. If the word was in Eippiliya, the Oni’s mother tongue, the vowels would have a completely different pronunciation than if it was a Lazin word in the Elven language. There were too many factors at play and Seokjin wasn’t sure, so he shook his head.

“I am unsure of the spelling and depending on which land this language comes from, the meaning could be any number of things.”

“I understand. Forgive me for not walking you back. I must continue on with my own investigation.”

Seokjin rolled his eyes and waved off Namjoon’s words, “I don’t need you to accompany me, Namjoon. I will find the answer and come to you. Hoseok’s life is on the line, I will not fail.”

The sun was sinking below the horizon. The blue and white sky, warmed in soft tones that resembled a fresh peach before the temperature cooled and night slowly teased along the outer edge. Daehyun collected his intel and conducted his investigation swiftly, all members of the guard were questioned and their statements were cross-checked. There were still a few loose ends that Daehyun had to wrap up but that would be finished within a day’s time. 

Locked away in his office, Daehyun wrote up a report for the day's finding. He planned to report back to His Majesty and His Highness tomorrow after he continued with the end of the investigation. Having their blessing to punish those who wished to harm the Min Empire and failed at their sworn duties was all Daehyun needed. 

A knock at Daehyun’s door caught the commander’s attention and he called out for whomever to enter his chambers. A messenger from the prison stepped into the room and bowed before he offered Daehyun a letter. The commander took the paper and read over it silently. It was a request for his presence by Minho. It seemed that the guard had something to confess. 

[glimmervoi]

A SEALED FATE: EMERALDS AND BLOOD - VII The End of the Winter Ball

masterlist

e&b masterlist

notes: i tried to push the second part out quickly since it took me so long to get the first part out 🥲 i hope that it's good! enjoy <33

Your mind raced as you stared at the crown. It was strikingly beautiful, encrusted with emeralds and diamonds that glittered in the candlelight. Regardless of how much a stableboy saved, he would never be able to afford it.

Nothing that expensive could belong to anyone other than a member of the royal family. Even if a Duke could afford it, it would be a direct slap in the face to someone who represented the royal lineage.

As your eyes remained fixated on the glittering crown, the realization sank in. This man was a prince. You vividly recalled the informal conversation that you had had with him just a few days before. He had helped you with your duties. You must have seemed so incompetent…

Now, once again in his presence, you found yourself unable to move. Had you even bowed? You felt a jolt go down your spine as you realized that no, you hadn’t. Just another insult to him, no doubt.

You quickly bent your body into a deep bow, your breathing uneven. “I apologize, Sir.” You stammered, avoiding his gaze and fixing your eyes on his chest. The deep green suit he wore, made from the smoothest velvet material and embroidered with brilliant golden thread…its value alone could have rivaled that of his crown.

“Don’t you remember me?” He asked in a smooth voice tinged with amusement. You didn’t find it very funny though, your stomach only filling with unease. As you recalled your first meeting with him, an alarming thought shot through you.

Had he been testing you? Was this a game to him? You had heard the rumors about one of the princes, Taehyung. How he liked to play cruel games with the maids. Was this him? He had never told you his name…

You had mistaken his previous interaction as flirting, but what if it was just a ploy to assess you? Or maybe he had known and was looking for an excuse to humiliate you or hurt you. You had been focused on Namjoon, but what if it was Taehyung who wanted to punish you all along?

You nodded nervously, your fingers trembling. You spoke quickly. “I apologize for failing to recognize you at first.” You said, fear causing your heart to beat so quickly, you were sure it would burst from your chest. “I swear it wasn’t intentional. I’m still new, and I…”

He took your hand, and the familiar tingling feeling that you had once craved was gone, replaced with a painful burning that seemed to pulse through your veins. You winced. You wanted to pull your hand away, your eyes growing wet as the burning in your skin seemed to spread.

“It’s alright, my love.” He murmured, his eyes soft and tender. As his hand moved to touch your cheek, you shook your head and glanced around anxiously. What if the other guests were watching? What if they saw the prince touching you like this?

You couldn't risk the consequences, especially after your conversation with Iseul. You tried to pull away, desperate for some space. The burning sensation was more than uncomfortable, and so was the thought of Iseul and her wooden weapon. 

Thankfully, no one seemed to be watching. Heart pounding, you tried to pull away again, desperate to put some distance between you and the handsome prince. “I-I’m sorry, Sir.” You stammered, voice barely above a whisper. “I must return to my duties. Please accept my apologies for any offense I may have caused with my actions, both current and old.”

The prince’s smile broadened, revealing pearly white teeth, and he placed a large warm hand on your shoulder. “Sweetheart…” He cooed softly, as he leaned in. Instinctively, you tried to back away again. Something about him sent your alarm bells ringing, as though he was a hunter and you were his prey.

“If I choose to speak with you, then it becomes your duty to listen.” He said, straightening himself. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. He was right. He was royalty. Whatever he wanted, it was your responsibility to handle…

“I will ask you only once, stop treating me with such coldness and formality.” His voice was stern, but the smile on his lips was kind. The contradiction sent a confused swirl of emotions through you, and you once again felt a shudder run down your spine. You were in dangerous territory now.

“Come wi-” He said, his words cut off mid-sentence by a younger, blond man who casually draped his arm over the dark-haired prince’s broad shoulders. 

“Hoseok!” The younger man chimed, his plump lips curling into a playful smile. “The key event will be over soon, so father wants us to leave so we can make our grand entrance….again.”

With a roll of his eyes, Hoseok attempted to shrug off the younger man’s hold. Confusion and realization struck you at the same time. Father…Us….The pieces started falling into place in your mind as you spotted the golden glint atop the younger man’s head. A golden crown encrusted with rubies. 

You were now face to face with a second prince.

Your legs wobbled underneath you, and you tried to fight off the deep frown that threatened to show on your lips. As the two princes had a quiet argument, you stood there, too scared to leave without being dismissed. You were slightly relieved though, as you realized that it wasn’t Taehyung that stood before you.

“Not now, Jimin.” Hoseok grumbled, his attention shifting back to you. Jimin huffed before reluctantly turning his own gaze towards you. He didn’t bother to conceal the irritation that crossed his features as he scanned you from head to toe.

“It’s just a maid, it can wait.” Jimin remarked flatly, as he approached you. He examined your face closely, before lifting his fingers to gently brush against your cheek. “Although, she is rather lovely for such a plain girl.”

A peculiar sensation rippled down your spine the moment his fingers made contact with your skin, eliciting a soft gasp from you. It was as if an icy bucket of water had been poured down your back, causing you to arch slightly as if it could ease the sensation.

Before you could make another attempt to excuse yourself, Jimin cleared his throat and retreated a step, a peculiar expression flickering across his features. “We should go, Hoseok.” He said, gesturing towards the large doors of the ballroom. “Everyone else is waiting for us.”

Hoseok cast one final glance in your direction before nodding towards his brother and turning away. You watched as the brothers strode towards the door, then swiftly made your way to the now empty kitchen area.

You burst through the doors and immediately dropped to your knees, the tray clattering to the ground. Your behavior from a few days prior, although not intentional, could get you in a large amount of trouble. You were certain now that it was Hoseok that had summoned you tonight.

His behavior had made you uncomfortable and had only confused you even more about his intentions. You had intended on avoiding the royal family as much as possible, yet tonight you had encountered and spoken to two princes. You knew you needed to shape up before facing severe consequences, possibly even imprisonment in the dungeons below the castle. 

You remained on the ground for a few more moments, attempting to regain your composure, before you slowly rose to your feet. As you bent over to pick up your tray, Iseul stormed into the kitchen.

“I knew it!” She exclaimed before you could even utter a greeting. Your brow furrowed in confusion, a sinking feeling settling in your stomach before you realized that she had no doubt witnessed your interaction with Hoseok. Your conversation from earlier in the night flashed through your mind and suddenly it all clicked.

In Iseul’s mind, it was confirmed that you were involved with Hoseok.

“You misunderstand - “ You tried to say, but you faltered as Sanria appeared in the doorway, her expression full of disgust and anger. Iseul shook her head and sneered as you dropped to your knees again.

“Please, it’s not what you think!” You pleaded desperately. But both maids had already made up their minds. Sanria folded her arms tightly across her chest, frowning down at you as Iseul slowly pulled the rod from her apron. 

“You foolish girl.” Sanria said lowly, her sharp eyes glinting. 

You barely had a moment to brace yourself before Iseul brought the rod up, and then harshly down against your shoulder. You squealed in pain and brought a hand up to your shoulder. 

You didn’t have a chance to recover before she swung the rod down again, this time against your side. You yelped, tears spilling down your cheeks as you felt pain bloom through your skin. The sickening sound of wood hitting your body, even through cloth, was loud in the small room.

Over and over, Iseul brought the rod down onto your body as Sanria stood against the wall with a stoic look on her face. Your yelps and cries eventually turned into whimpering and huffs of pain, accompanied by the sound of the rod whooshing through the air and hitting your body, until Iseul finally relented.

The dark haired woman was panting, her face beet red. She straightened, took a few deep breaths, and then nodded curtly to Sanria. Sanria nodded back, before staring down at you again.

You were shaking from the pain, your tears wetting the floor underneath you. “Let this be a lesson,” She said to you, clutching the handle of her own rod. “To not get involved with royalty. You are a maid. Nothing more.”

“If you are caught interacting with that prince again, then you will find the fate that waits for you is far more unpleasant than Iseul’s rod.” She finished, before turning on her heel and leaving.

Iseul allowed you a few moments to lay on the ground, your whimpers the only sound in the room, before forcefully pulling you up. “Your duties are not finished for the night.” She spat, her voice thick with disdain. “Wipe your tears and return to the ballroom. Isabella is waiting for you. Dinner will begin shortly.”

She observed you for a brief moment, frowning when you were unable to compose yourself. Without hesitation, she thrust a clean rag at your face, aggressively wiping away your tears. “Do not anger me further.” She growled. With a hard shove towards the door, she pointed. “Get out there, now.”

You stumbled back into the warm glow of the ballroom, your vision blurred by tears. As you blinked away the haze, you noticed the tables had been rearranged. Through your teary eyes, you spotted a long table positioned at the front of the room, along with nine chairs - no doubt for the royal family.

The smaller tables were arranged in a way that faced the large table, as if the guests were to observe the royal family as they ate. You didn’t care too much about that though, as your body was throbbing with pain. All you longed for now was your bed and the comforting presence of Rae and Alice.

Isabella stood by the door, and she gently grasped your arm. Her eyes were sympathetic. “Come with me.” She murmured softly, guiding you to the back of the room. There, you noticed other maids beginning to line up as the guests took their seats.

“I saw everything.” Isabella whispered quietly as you both stood with your arms behind your back in a formal stance. “From your interaction with Prince Hoseok to the beating from Iseul.”

“I’m not flirting with him.” You said shakily, your gaze fixed to the ground. “I swear, I don't even know what just happened with him…I’m not trying to break the rules.”

“I believe you.” Isabella said, gently nudging your aching shoulder with her own. You looked up at her, your lower lip trembling. She offered a kind smile. “I know that Iseul and Sanria can be quite volatile. Don’t worry, I’m on your side.”

She fell silent as the chatter in the room gradually subsided. Moments later, a burly man strode into the room, his presence commanding attention. A crown, grander than Hoseoks, rested atop his messy black hair. It was adorned with a rainbow of jewels. It looked uncomfortably heavy, and for a moment you wondered if that was why he looked so cranky. He settled into a seat at the middle of the table. Without a word, he absently scratched at his unruly dark beard and waved his hand dismissively at the guests who bowed for him.

There was no mistaking him - he was the king.

His unkempt appearance caught you off guard. For someone of such importance, you would have anticipated a more…polished presentation. Despite not knowing the Queen, you couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her. The thought of being married to a man who couldn't be bothered to groom himself made you want to wrinkle your nose. 

Moments later, an elegant woman approached the table. Her long, sleek brown hair cascaded down her back like silk, shimmering in the light. She wore a simple yet stunning emerald gown, embroidered in gold just as Hoseok’s suit had been. Despite how simple her dress was compared to the other guests, it was still no doubt quite expensive. 

She too wore a crown, this one almost as heavy as the King’s. As she took her place at the table beside the bored King, it was clear that she was the Queen.

Trailing behind her were two maids, clad in pristine white dresses with matching aprons. Lace veils covered their faces. They stood straight, their posture more firm than stone. They looked as though they were two ghosts, and the sight of them made your blood chill. 

The Queen’s maids took their place behind her, their hands clasped in front of them with an eerie stillness. Their total lack of movement was almost unsettling, drawing your attention away from your own pain as you watched them carefully.

The Queen nodded her head to the guests in thanks as they bowed for her, her smile radiating kindness. Yet, beneath the surface, you sensed a certain venom akin to a viper. You didn’t know her well, but you had a feeling that you wouldn’t want to encounter her in the halls.

One by one, seven other men joined the King and Queen at the table, their striking beauty taking your breath away. Adorned in vibrant attire and regal crowns, it was no wonder the women in the room swooned at them.

Among them, you noted Hoseok, who took a seat beside Jimin. His gaze swept over the crowd before settling on you. You tensed and quickly averted your eyes, wary of inciting anymore of Iseul’s wrath.

The ache in your body served as a painful reminder of the punishment that you had endured. When you dared to glance back, Hoseok was speaking with his mother.

As the guests settled into their seats, the Queen rose again. A hush fell over the crowd. With a kind smile, she surveyed the room before addressing the guests.

“My friends, welcome.” She began, her voice smooth and gentle like a lullaby. Despite your unease towards her, you found your shoulders relaxing. “I am grateful to spend yet another winter ball with you all.”

She continued, emphasizing her words with a graceful gesture. “As you know, my son Seokjin will soon be wed.” The crowd murmured their approval, and you wondered which prince was Seokjin as you observed their handsome but indifferent faces.

“He and Lady Woong will make a lovely couple.” The Queen said, raising a golden chalice in a toast. The guests followed suit, but her sons and husband remained impassive. It seemed the rest of the royal family weren’t too excited about the news.

The Queen went on, discussing matters of trade and the status of neighboring cities like Shivermaw and Rosespire. You were surprised when she delved into relations with neighboring kingdoms such as Caidal and Nightfall, a topic you expected to be discussed by the King instead.

Finally, she concluded her speech and the crowd erupted into applause as she returned to her seat. Then, the kitchen maids, dressed in uniforms similar to yours, began to bring out platters of food. Guests began their conversations again, no doubt in excitement at the amazing spread in front of them.

“We will remain here while they work.” Isabella said, nodding towards the bustling kitchen staff. “This is the part where we simply stand here and look pretty. Once dinner is served, you may return to your chambers.”

You nodded at Isabella, silently hoping that the guests would finish eating quickly. Your legs trembled with fatigue, and you wanted nothing more than a warm bath to ease the ache in your body.

Isabella remained quiet for a moment before speaking again, her voice soft. “I arrived here three years ago and started in your position. Same tasks, same head maid. Oh, and of course not knowing who was who in the royal family. Coming from a poor village, we didn’t have the luxury of seeing paintings of them.”

You nodded again in agreement, feeling a sense of comfort from her. She seemed genuinely kind, like someone you could trust - a stark contrast to Iseul and Sanria.

“I try to reach new maids before Iseul and Sanria can.” Isabella continued, a frown on her lips. “I’ve experienced their wrath one too many times myself. I like to offer some advice and basic information before new maids have a chance to get themselves in trouble. I may have been a bit late with you. I apologize.”

“It’s alright.” You said softly, offering her a weak smile. “I appreciate the sentiment. I would definitely welcome any advice though. I’d rather avoid another beating if possible.” 

Isabella returned your smile warmly. “Of course.” She said thoughtfully, tilting her head slightly. Let’s see…Ah, I know! I’m sure you’ve already noticed, but Sanria isn’t very fond of her staff.”

You stifled a bitter laugh. “Not very fond?” You echoed, remembering the blonde woman who was beaten on your first day. “More like, she hates all of us with every fiber of her being.”

Isabella nodded sympathetically. “Well, there is a way to get on her good side.” She said, her voice lowering. “Mind you, her good side isn't much nicer than her regular side. But, it is better than constantly being threatened with beatings or the dungeons.”

“She won't compliment you or spare you from punishment, but she will assign you easier tasks and let you rise in the ranks. She may even let you sleep in for a few extra minutes or increase your pay slightly if you’re one of her favorites. Maybe, she’ll let you leave the castle for a night out more often than the other girls. All you have to do is spoil her with gifts.”

“As for Iseul…” Isabella sighed softly. “She’s a bit more straightforward. Just treat her like royalty herself, and she will suddenly become the nicest person you know. Of course, she’ll only be like that when it is the two of you, but it's better than her being mean all the time, right?”

You hummed in agreement, though the thought of attempting to become friends with Iseul and Sanria after what had just happened made you wrinkle your nose. “Some other tips for you are common sense, really.” Isabella said. “Always try to be on time and behave yourself. If a prince or distinguished guest wishes to talk to you, you are obligated to unless someone of a higher rank tells you otherwise.”

You winced as you remembered your awkward conversation with Hoseok less than an hour earlier. Your gaze drifted back to the royal family again. A dark haired woman in a golden gown stood in front of the table, her head tilted back as she conversed with the Queen and one of the princes who wore a suit of pure yellow. Though her face remained hidden, the longing glances she received from the men at the lower tables suggested she was quite attractive.

Isabella leaned in toward you again, her voice still quiet. “That woman you’re staring at is Lady Woong.” She murmured. Your brows rose. That was Seokjin’s fiance, according to the Queen. “The Queen is supposedly very fond of her, but Seokjin doesn’t feel the same way.”

“So that must mean….” You began, examining the prince in yellow. His suit was practically glittering and was nearly as bright as the metal atop his head. “The Prince she is speaking with is Seokjin?”

Isabella nodded, and you glanced at Prince Seokjin once more. He sat with his chin propped on his fist, a slight frown tugging at his plump lips. His gaze was fixed downward at the elegant Lady before him, one eyebrow raised in a manner that seemed to silently ask, “Are you finished?”

“Prince Seokjin likes to roam the castle, entertaining himself with whichever Lady he finds most appealing that day.” Isabella remarked, her cheeks tinting pink slightly. “Thankfully, he tends to spare the servants, but it doesn’t mean that we’re entirely safe from stumbling upon him when he is engaged in…less-than-proper activities.

“With women other than Lady Woong?” You asked, surprised. If he had a fiance, then it was very improper for him to be involved with others. Then again, he was royalty. He could get away with breaking as many rules as he wanted.

“Yes, almost every young woman in this room has been in his bed at least once.” Isabella confirmed, her tone tinged with disapproval. “And there are plenty more who are not here tonight.”

She shook her head before continuing. “Anyways, Prince Seokjin is the eldest of the brothers. He’s supposed to inherit the throne when the King either passes away or retires from the throne, but apparently Seokjin has no interest in such matters.”

Isabella gestured towards Namjoon, who was seated on the other side of Jimin. His midnight blue suit seemed to absorb the surrounding light, yet the glimmer of gems that encrusted the fabric sparkled like stars. He seemed impossibly regal, just as he did on the day that you had met him, yet there was also an air of relaxed authority as if he carried the weight of his status with ease.

“That’s Prince Namjoon. Rumor has it, he’ll be the next in line for the throne.” Isabella said, her gaze briefly meeting yours. “The Queen wants Seokjin to take the throne, but everyone else expects Namjoon to take over. He’s considered the most intelligent of the seven brothers, and the King favors him for his natural leadership abilities. Although, I’ve heard whispers from some of the other maids that Namjoon has no love for his father…”

You observed the grumpy figure seated at the center of the table, and it wasn't difficult to understand why Namjoon might not like his father. The King exuded an aura of unpleasantness, both in personality and hygiene. Then again, you admitted to yourself, you knew little about the older man - you could be misjudging him entirely.

“Many believe Namjoon aspires to become King himself. He respects his brothers greatly, so many believe he won't challenge any of them for the throne if they truly want it.” Isabella explained, before turning to Hoseok.

The handsome prince was now engaged in a conversation with Jimin once more. He was gesturing lively, his expressions animated. It was a stark contrast to the demeanor of most of his brothers.

"You've already met Hoseok. He's the third oldest brother, and probably one of the more amiable ones you'll encounter during your time here at the castle. He has a habit of dressing up as a servant and mingling while incognito rather than partaking in his royal duties. The Queen dotes on him, but... It's said that the King has reprimanded her on several occasions for indulging him in his behavior.”

Ah, so he was kinder than some of his other siblings. Perhaps that meant he harbored no ill intentions toward you after your earlier encounter? It was hard to say for certain; you hardly knew him, even with Isabella’s short description. Still, it provided a glimmer of reassurance to soothe your worries.

"Despite his kind demeanor, remember that he is a prince. Treating him like a fellow servant isn't advisable. He has his limits, as Chef Anton learned... the hard way. But Hoseok isn't the only relatively kind-hearted Prince around here," Isabella cautioned, gesturing toward one of the younger-looking Princes.

Clad in a dark red suit, his honey-brown hair impeccably styled like Seokjin’s, he had doe-like eyes that exuded innocence and a kindness that only made him seem younger. Undoubtedly the youngest of the seven, he seemed to be in a different world in his mind.

"Prince Jungkook is the kindest among his brothers. It's rare to see him agitated. While he may not venture into antics like his brother, Hoseok, he's always been respectful and considerate to us servants. Word has it, he's deeply devoted to his mother, fulfilling every duty with care," Isabella remarked, her gaze softening as she observed the younger prince. It was evident she held a fondness for him.

"Of course, I mentioned that 'It takes a lot to get him riled up.' That implies he's not immune to anger, much like his brothers. Fortunately, I've yet to witness Prince Jungkook's wrath, and I intend to keep it that way. You'd be wise to do the same. While his triggers remain unknown to me, it's best to approach him with caution, despite his gentle demeanor," Isabella advised, her tone carrying a note of seriousness.

"That's actually more unsettling than the other warnings I've received," you admitted, your brows furrowing. "It's somewhat easier when you understand what triggers someone's anger. But when you're in the dark about it, it feels like walking on eggshells, especially if that person happens to be a prince."

Isabella nodded in agreement. "It's definitely intimidating to think about. But, in my experience, if you actually get to know him, you'll find that he's not as intimidating as some of the others... like Prince Taehyung, for instance." She gestured towards the imposing figure of a black-haired prince, clad in a pristine white suit.

You couldn't shake the feeling that he would look better in a deep red or even black suit. The white ensemble made him appear too ethereal, almost like a harmless angel. He seemed to practically glow in the light. Yet, you knew better than to be deceived by appearances alone. Despite his angelic facade, he was reputed to be the cruelest of the seven. The tales you'd heard, coupled with the sinister glint behind his black eyes…he was a wolf. A very, very dangerous one.

"Steer clear of Prince Taehyung, no matter what," Isabella cautioned, her voice firm but hushed. "He's highly unpredictable... You never know what might set him off. Many maids learn that the hard way, and it's rather unfortunate. Usually, he avoids areas designated for servants as he holds disdain for us. But every now and then, he ventures into those spaces and releases his anger on whoever happens to be nearby."

You felt the urge to scoff at that. His behavior was senselessly malicious, and he could indulge in it without consequence simply because of his royal status. It infuriated you that someone could act so disdainfully just because they were born into a supposedly "superior" lineage. However, you wisely kept these thoughts to yourself. Your life was far too precious to risk by voicing such opinions. If the wrong person caught wind of what you were saying, then your head could end up on the chopping block.

"If by any chance you do find yourself in the presence of Prince Taehyung, remember to show the utmost respect. Keep your head down, bow deeply, and make every effort to appear submissive. Any hint of defiance may provoke his wrath. The consequences could range from a barrage of chilling threats to outright violence."

"I can practically see the alarm creeping onto your face," Isabella murmured, offering you a sympathetic smile. "Let's change the subject, shall we? You've already encountered Prince Jimin, haven't you?" She inquired, to which you nodded.

She shifted her attention to the blonde Prince, who, while brushing something off the shoulder of his lilac-colored suit, remained fixated on his own reflection in his silver spoon. You observed him carefully. He appeared rather self-absorbed, evident from his behavior and posture.

Abruptly his gaze shifted from the spoon to you, causing you to flinch instinctively. You lowered your head immediately, a rush of shock flooding your mind. Sensing your discomfort, Isabella shuffled an inch closer to you, her arm brushing against yours in a comforting gesture. After a few tense moments of silence, she let out a slow breath.

"He's not looking anymore," Isabella said softly, her voice a reassuring whisper. You hesitantly lifted your gaze, drawing in a deep breath when you saw that his attention was now focused on one of his brothers. Though you didn't know the name of the prince he was conversing with, his mere presence across the room was already intimidating. The thought of facing him up close sent a shiver down your spine.

"Prince Jimin is relatively harmless to the servants," Isabella began to explain again, her arm still offering a comforting presence against yours. "He doesn’t seem to care much for us, but he doesn’t go out of his way to bother us either. His wrath is more focused on actual members of the court."

"He indulges in…inappropriate affairs and revels in extravagant gatherings, much like Prince Seokjin. However, when a Lady displeases him, Prince Seokjin often lets it slide and moves on. Prince Jimin on the other hand, wields his wrath differently. He tarnishes her social standing, stripping her of titles and isolating her from society. She becomes an outcast, devoid of friends, invitations, and sometimes even financial security if matters escalate. Fortunately, as servants, we are spared from such concerns."

"The Prince conversing with Jimin is Prince Yoongi, the second eldest. He's openly expressed his disinterest in the throne and royal responsibilities. Yoongi exudes a chilly demeanor towards everyone but fortunately, he doesn't direct his ire towards the servants... as long as they steer clear of the east wing."

"What's in the east wing?" you asked, curiosity piqued. You studied the darkly dressed Prince, speculating about the secrets he might be concealing. Was he engaged in suspicious activities? No, there had been no rumors of anyone going missing. Perhaps he had a secret wife? No, that seemed implausible. Why would a wealthy prince confine a secret partner to the castle instead of housing her in a separate residence?

"Nobody really knows," Isabella replied with a nonchalant shrug. "We're not allowed in there, so we steer clear. Some speculate that it's just an empty space, and Prince Yoongi prefers solitude. Others entertain darker theories. Regardless, it's best to ignore the rumors and suppress your curiosity. If Prince Yoongi catches you snooping around that wing, I dread thinking about his reaction."

"I hope this helps," Isabella said, her posture straightening as she turned her gaze forward once more. "If you need anything, know that you can always come to me. Well, if you can find me, that is. But enough of that. Let's talk more about Greenriver. Perhaps some reminiscing about home will lift our spirits while the guests finish their dinner."

You mirrored Isabella's posture, standing tall with your eyes fixed on the floor to avoid eye contact with a guest or one of the princes. The remainder of the feast passed slowly as you remained by Isabella's side. In hushed tones, you recounted tales of your upbringing in the small village, sharing stories about your family and neighbors. Your life story unfolded quietly amidst the chatter and noises of the guests enjoying their meal.

The conversation with the compassionate maid offered a brief distraction from the growing ache in your body. As dinner concluded and you finished assisting in clearing the tables, Iseul's dismissal came with a sneer and a sting of sharp words. The shattering of the fragile peace you had found in your conversation with Isabella left you feeling cold.

Limping back to your chambers after bidding Isabella farewell, you found Rae sitting on her bed with Alice by her side. There was no need for words as they noticed your distress, rushing to your side with concern etched on their faces. In their comforting embrace, you allowed the tears to flow softly, the other maids nearby stirring from your quiet sobs as you recounted the ordeal of Iseul's punishment.

As the others drifted back into sleep, you confided in your friends about your unsettling encounter with Hoseok. With gentle hands, they wiped away your tears and assured you that they would find a solution in the coming days. Then, they tucked you into your creaking bed, laying on either side to provide comfort as you drifted into a restless slumber.

[kangmoon27]

Love Potion | Jungkook oneshot pt2

Pairing: Witch villager Jungkook x Queen Y/n

Summary: You didn't actually fell for him. He's a witch and it's just a love potion.

First part.

You're sitting on the couch while looking at the window. Closing your eyes as you let out a heavy sigh.

As soon as you close your eyes his image immediately appears in your mind. Damn he's totally driving you insane.

The knock on the door was heard by you catching your attention, opening your eyes as you walk towards the door, opening it and let the man entered.

"What brings you here Namjoon" you asked as you watches the man made himself comfortable on the couch, walking towards him and stood up Infront of him, you cross your hands on your chest while waiting for him to speak.

"I think you've already heard the news about yours and prince Yoongi's engagement right?" The older asked leaving you sighing.

"Do I really need to marry someone like him? I can rule my kingdom on my own." You sat next to him while rubbing your forehead.

"You're woman, no matter how strong and intelligent you are, in people's perspective mans are stronger princess." You sigh after hearing your cousin's words he's right the world is unfair for the equality of man and woman.

"I don't know Namjoon, but one thing for sure. I need time to think about it." You said while looking at the window thinking when will you be able to see him again.

It's been a month since you left the palace and everything changes, you wanted to see the world but you couldn't. You're locked up here for the rest of your life and you don't know when will you ever see him again.

You took a deep breath. You close your eyes trying to fight with your inner self. You wanted to see him but it's forbidden but what's the point of being the next queen and the crown princess if they would just order you around. You have the power to order them but they don't have the power to order you around so you're using your power of your position right now. No one can stop you.

"Namjoon, I need you to cover me up" you said while the man looked at you in confused.

The man was getting ready to go to bed when someone knocked on his door. It's unusual as he lives far from the other villagers so who could it be?.

As he made his way to the door and open it his eye widened when the person Infront of his door kissed him.

You dropped your lamp and wrapped your arms around his neck. Deeping the kiss while waiting for him to kiss you back.

Soon after the man replayed to the kiss while pulling you more closer. You pushed him inside without breaking the kiss and close the door behind you using your feet.

You both pulled away. Staring at each other's eyes as the man though he would never see you again, the news of you and yoongi is already spreading all over the kingdom.

He heard the news when he went to the market to buy food and at that moment he was sure that the first time you meet will also be the last time but now you're in his arms again, wrapped your hands around his neck and didn't dare to let go.

"I missed you" you spoke while looking right in his eyes.

"Y-your highness you shouldn't be here" your expression changes, the smile on your lips fell off hearing his responsed.

"You didn't missed me?" You asked while taking step forward.

"Of course I did it's just that-." You didn't let him finish as you pulled him into a deep passionate kiss again and with no time he immediately respond.

Soon both of you and Jungkook are laying on the bed kîssing each other and didn't dare to let go of one another.

Pulling away as you lay your head on his chest, closing your eyes and begin to listen to his heartbeat, it so calm and you love it.

Right now all you wanted was to be with this man. Listen to his heartbeat while he's embracing you in his arms.

"I just love this feeling" you looked up only to see him already looking at you. Sitting up on the bed and looked at him, you gave him a peak on his lips and caresses his burned cheek.

Sitting on his lap as you made his both arms wrapped around your waist. Kissing every part of his burned face and pulled away.

"Aren't you feeling disgusted?" The man asked. You look at him in confused, why would you feel disgust? It part of him and as much as I love him I also need to love every part of him.

"If you can't embrace your flaws then I'll do it for you. I love you and when I said I love you that means I love every part of you." Caressing his burned cheek and kissed it again, you pulled away as you smiled. The man did the same.

He never expected this to happen in his life, having someone like this girl in his life is one of the biggest achievement in his life as a normal villager.

"Come with me to the palace. Marry me, I wanna be yours" You said making him shocked.

As expected, everyone is against your engagement with Jungkook. They wanted to beheaded him.

The people outside are protesting, calling him witch and different name. They said it's a black magic, a love potion that made you fall for him but it wasn't.

You love him, with or without magic you love him and no one can change your mind. Everyone is against your engagement even your relatives and the council.

Right now you're standing Infront of the oldest, the council as they are discussing about your announcement of your engagement with a villager, not just a simple villager but the man who they called monster.

You had enough of it, You shouted as they all looked at you. Staring at them in burning eyes, they got startled and terrified, they have never saw you mad and they're not wishing to.

"If you don't wanna agree then find your new queen cause I'll never agree to be one if he isn't my king. Now if someone object then I'll wanted to be bèheaded, no one can tell me what to do, I'll marry him that's an order and if you don't agree then be ready to see the death chasing after you within a minute."

You strom off the room and headed to another room where you saw your man looking at the window.

He was staring at the people who wanted him to bèheaded. Wrapping your arms around his waist as you lay your head on his shoulder.

"This isn't a good idea, I shouldn't have come here. No one will go on our side it's a terrible idea that we came here wanting to get married when he already knew everyone is against it." The man said while turning around and look at you.

You grabbed his hand tightly, hoping that he would give up on you, you never wanted him to give up on you, you love him and all you wish is for him to stay by your side.

"Don't say that, you sounded like you regret meeting me" The man caress your cheek as you both connected your forehead together.

Pulling his hand as you went to the balcony, everyone stoped shouting once they saw their queen standing Infront of them with the man they hated.

"Listen up!!, Everyone who will go against my wedding with this man named Jeon Jungkook will face a consequence and that consequence is to be bèheaded not only that person but also every part of his family!!. I'm challenging you all!! Try to lay a finger on my man and all of you will disappeared till it's only us who will be left breathing!!." You shouted as the crowd was pin in silence.

They are terrified, they know the power that you hold that they didn't even dare to speak a word you wouldn't like if they wanted to live a long life.

As the silent satisfied you, you pull him inside and kissed him. He was amazed by how much you you actually did everything just to keep him with you.

Now he's sure that the black herbs works perfectly.

The man left as he went inside the bathroom leaving you alone. As soon as he was inside the bathroom, he stared at the mirror as a bright smirk appeared on his lips.

as a bright smirk appeared on his lips.

The burned on his face disappear. It's true that it was a love potion he used on you, and it's true that he's a witch.

He actually made you fall under his magic. He saw how your future will be as he uses his magic to know what will happened in the present.

After finding out you're meant to be with his twin brother Jungguk who has a burned face, he immediately kîlled him and replace his identity with his.

He also tricked the destiny. He's living his twin brother's life just so he can have you. He was so stunned with your beautiful that he could do anything just to keep you with him even tho that means he needs to end his beloved brother just to have you.

[thedoctorsthings]

Power to the King teaser

summary: in the capital city of a small Nordic kingdom in the 10th century the king is slowly descending into madness. His wife recently died and he remarries. His sons Yoongi and Jungkook desperately try to keep his destructive tendencies in control while dealing with their own destructive romances.

featuring: crown prince Yoongi, second born prince Jungkook, royal guards Hoseok and Namjoon, druids Taehyung and Seokjin and farmer boy Jimin.

this series will be 7 parts divided into chapters. One part for each member. We'll follow them into their journey of meeting the love of their lives in a 10th century viking settlement. beneath you'll find the trope of each story

Jungkook: Prince x chambermaid (forbidden romance)

Taehyung: Druid x forest nymph (friends to lovers)

Jimin: farmer boy x princess (forbidden romance)

Namjoon: royal guard x barmaid (no idea what trope this is except for king being a destructive dick)

Hoseok: royals guard x druid's apprentice (promised to another)

Yoongi: Crown prince x noble girl (forced marriage/enemies to lovers)

Seokjin: Druid x king's wife (forbidden love, my personal favourite)

disclaimers: angst, smut but only implied never explicitly described, historical inaccuracies (i'm not an expert and i don't have time to do excessive research), lot's of dramatic typical period drama stuff, people getting wounded, war, yearning etc

coming somewhere in february probably cuz i got exams now

[rhonnie23]

Bite Me Introduction!

Bite Me M.List

Chapter One~ Run!

❗🔞MDNI🔞❗

Summary: When 3 girls who don't know their family's past, a terrifying lycan King, a 750 year old sweet & handsome vampire king & a 75 year old newly crowned vampire king, who doesn't give a fuck about no one all meet, what's the worst that could happen ?

‼️ SERIES WARNING~ Will have mentioning of rape abuse violence & death. Nothing too detailed though. I wouldn't know how to even explain situations like that. Mature language as in mentioning of private parts & swearing.‼️

Each Chapter will have its own warnings⚠️ will be updated every or every other Saturday or Sunday❤️

Everyone is very tall but for lycans 7'3 is considered kind of short. Werewolves are tall too but nothing compared to the lycans. Yes these some big mother fuckers😅

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Characters~ Lycans/Wolves:

*  Bang Chan aka Chris- Pack Alpha & King for all wolves & lycans, Acts cold but really is a big puppy (7'4)

*  Minho aka Lee Know- Beta & second in command to the King, wouldn't trust you as far as he can throw you.(7'5)

*  Changbin- second beta can & will not hesitate to beat you black & blue or completely to death. Can find everything about you within 24 to 48 hours. From the things that happened before you were thought of to the moment you both met. Has alpha tendencies (7'2.5)

*  Hyunjin - third beta has a sick things for knives & torture. Most likely is a sadist not like he's hiding but that don't stop the woman from wanting his crazy ass, the tallest of Stray Kids (7'7.5)

*  Jisung aka Han- the ace & fourth beta. Good in the field with or without a weapon, very sneak. Usually the person set as a spy (7'3.5)

* Felix aka Prince of death- second alpha who's very good at hand & hand combat & loves guns. Also is Minho's half younger brother (different mom's, their will be a chapter about this & how min & lix met).(7'4)

*  Seungmin aka Doc/tec- fifth & finally beta much like Changbin who has alpha tendencies but doesn't likes guns & prefers to be not in the field with others but is a very skilled fighter (7'7)

*  Jeongin aka I.N- the youngest of the group & alpha, Is in charge of the hand & hand advance combat team & basic gun handling, Amazing sniper (7'5)

* Rhonda- she's a victim of trafficking but wasn't been used for it before she ran away. Has had training from an ex professional fighter. Doesn't know that wolves/Lycans/vampires are real. Also doesn't know she a one herself at first (6'0)

* Ryan aka Buttercup- one of Rhonda's younger fraternal twin sisters. Ryan is a beta werewolf. She is the youngest of the 3 sisters, does bite her tongue for no one & dares you to try her. This bitch bites! hints why her nickname is buttercup, has unique abilities thanks to their grandmother, They are 19 (5'10)

* Mrs Kang...- full blooded werewolf. She was an omega.(5'10)

Characters~ Vampires:

*  Kim Taehyung- the vampire king of South Korean. He's old as dirt 750 years old but looks like he's in his mid or late 20's. Full blooded vampire. Owns a large portion of land in Thailand. Sweet as candy but dangerous as Lucifer himself. (5'10)

* Kim Namjoon- Taehyung second elder brother. Rapper doesn't really care of his family bullshit but loves his little brother a lot some may say he's obsessed. Looks like his in his late 20's but is 751 (5'11)

* Kim Seojin aka Jin WWH- the oldest Kim brother, models, sings, dance, & love his video game. Some say he's more terrifying than his baby brother. It's like look at the world's more beautiful demon. Look like he's in his late 20's early 30's but is 753 (5'10)

*  Nishimura Riki aka Ni-Ki - the newly crown king of Japan. Also a full blooded vampire. Niki is 75 but looks about 18 or 19. So he is young reckless & ruthless. Like most humans in their teens. Youngest king in years of Japanese vampires (6'1)

Characters~ Human

* Riley- the oldest of the twins & second oldest. Much like Rhonda the twins are victims of trafficking. Riley is honestly the nice one of all three of the sisters. Very shy but very protective of her twin, often mistaken for being dumb & naive but is the complete opposite. (5'10)

* Mr. Kang Jay- underground mafia leader, many enemies, feared be more, was the CEO of a very successful cellphone company. (6'1)

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Taglist Open

@whoreforchanin @namjoonandchanswife @itzzyyyyyyydaaaa

©rhonnie23ownallcopyrights

[jjungkookislife]

fake title game: "the look of love"

The Look of Love

pairing: Prince!Taehyung x knight!reader

warnings: none?

“And just what do you think you’re doing?” You ask as you grip the handle of your sword after putting it away.

Taehyung sighs heavily, your name escaping his lips as he looks at you over your shoulder.

He’s not surprised you’re the one who found him this time. It’s always you that finds him. Isn’t that funny?

“I just needed some air,” he shrugs as he reaches out to touch the tree, where your initials and his sit inside a sloppily carved heart. When things were easier, when his life wasn’t always in your hands, when he could love you openly and with no regard to his status or his family.

The two of you grew up together. Your father was the King’s knight and you cared for the youngest prince when you turned of age. Jungkook took care of Seokjin, the eldest Kim Prince and heir to the throne. Hoseok minded Namjoon, the second eldest and you were rewarded with the love of your life, who you could not marry.

Not until King Kim stepped down and Seokjin took his place. It is with him that your hopes and Taehyung’s laid. He would be the one to change the law to allow you to marry Tae.

However, Taehyung grew restless. When he wasn’t off learning beside his brothers, he was training with you to fight, or pretending to romance princesses and princes from across the land. It did not matter who was set in front of him, it was you that he wanted.

“I’ll stay with you,” you assure him as you sit beside him in the grass. Your armor is uncomfortable but you must always be aware of your surroundings and his. Yoongi and Jimin keep watch to allow you a moment of privacy, even if it’s just a few minutes.

“As my friend or my guard?” Taehyung huffs as he plucks a blade of grass and twines it over his finger.

The past few weeks have been rough for the two of you. His father has been pushing for marriage for any of his sons but only Namjoon has shown any interest. The lineage won’t survive if there isn’t an heir soon. King Kim would like to step down with some assurance that his line will live on.

“Taehyung, that’s not fair,” you sigh. You had made the mistake of asking him to find a bride. A princess that could be an alliance and Taehyung had been anything but happy. He thought you wanted to move on to someone else. That perhaps your love had run its course. You had assured him that night in his chambers that it wasn’t the case at all but until Seokjin could take the crown, your secret love affair was all it could be.

“I’m sorry,” he sighs as he looks at you. He’s careful as he removes your helmet, your hair slicked back as he sets it aside. His hands are soft as he cups your face. His gaze makes you feel like you’re burning from the inside out, drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

Gently, Taehyung presses his lips to yours. Another secret kiss shared in your secret spot where only the grass and the trees know of your love.

[star-my]

born as a tiger

Pairing: Min Yoongi (Mad King) x OFC (Lee Hoyeon)

Rating: T | WC: 5.8k | Ao3 | My Fics Masterlist | Masterlist |

AU: Daechwita AU, Arranged Marriage AU, Historical AU, Royal AU

CW: implied unhealthy/abusive parental relationship, OFC has Trust Issues & implied C-PTSD, Yoongi & Yoonji star in this fic, Namjoon cameo, Jackson Wang shows up (does not throw a party but is cause for one), Jackson goes by Gayi, empty threats of violence but as a love language, sword fighting but friendly, I think that's it, lmk if I should update this

Summary:

Lee Hoyeon trembled at all the thoughts flashing through her head as her carriage pulled up in front of the infamous Changdeokgung palace. Peering out through the window, she was unsettled to see how clean the stone courtyard was, the cool taupe a far cry from the dripping red she’d half-expected after tormenting herself with thoughts of her fiance’s atrocities. All the gossip she’d heard from the maids and guards back home in Dongjak Kingdom was now front and centre in her mind.  The carriage slowed to a gentle stop and the door opened, courtesy of the footman. Hoyeon took his hand, hoping hers wasn’t trembling too noticeably, and took her first step on the grounds she would be empress of in three weeks.

A/N: - this idea lay dormant for a year and a half and suddenly resurrected in the middle of reading a webtoon at 10 pm so here I am answering the author’s call of nature 😭 (*spongebob voice* fOuR mOnThS lAtEr: bless the ATZ hyperfixation for me wanting to get something out of my brain to make more room for the ot8 brainrot and this WIP was the sacrifice it chose)

I did some research for this fic, such as the Changdeokgung palace truly existing (of which I used in my moodboard), the chrysanthemum tea vs plum tea debate, and Yoongi’s sword apparently being called a hwando, etc. Any inaccuracies are mine and I apologize. Please feel free to point them out :)

There was supposed to be some smut but the muses refused. I may add it in the future or post it in a second chapter.

Thanks to the lovely @lunarelles for betaing! Any remaining mistakes are my own <3 Enjoy! 

D-22

Emperor Min Yoongi of the Dalseogu Empire was a force to be reckoned with. His subjects trembled in fear when he was whispered about–even his fellow rulers kept a wide berth around him when they met at diplomatic events. He’s a monster, they said. His reign was written with the blood of his subjects. He was nicknamed the Mad King for a reason–not that anyone would say his unofficial title to his face.

The day after the seventh emperor of the Dalseogu empire was crowned, he killed half of his court. Only a select few officials remained unscathed from the Mad King’s bloodbath. Even the families of the officials he killed were not all exempt – wives, concubines, and children being wiped out by his sword. The Dowager Empress and the Second, Third, and Fourth Prince had all died that day, making it the second most bloody day the Empire had seen since its inception.

Lee Hoyeon trembled at all the thoughts flashing through her head as her carriage pulled up in front of the infamous Changdeokgung palace. Peering out through the window, she was unsettled to see how clean the stone courtyard was, the cool taupe a far cry from the dripping red she’d half-expected after tormenting herself with thoughts of her fiance’s atrocities.

All the gossip she’d heard from the maids and guards back home in Dongjak Kingdom was now front and centre in her mind. 

The carriage slowed to a gentle stop and the door opened, courtesy of the footman. Hoyeon took his hand, hoping hers wasn’t trembling too noticeably, and took her first step on the grounds she would be empress of in three weeks. 

A contingency of guards marched out from the front gates of Changdeokgung, a swish of brightly-coloured silk in their midst. Bowing to Hoyeon, they stepped aside, revealing the silk as the crown princess, the Mad King’s twin sister, Min Yoonji.

“I’m glad you made it here safely, Princess Hoyeon,” greeted Crown Princess Yoonji familiarly, as if this was their hundredth meeting and not their first. “The emperor was out often the past couple weeks ensuring the bandits would not attack the carriages. I imagine you’re rather thirsty and tired. Would you like some tea?”

“Tea would be lovely, thank you, Crown Princess.”

“Please, call me unnie, we are to be sisters in a few weeks.”

“As you wish, Crown Princess.” Hoyeon followed the princess to the quarters prepared for her stay before she wed the emperor. 

This whole situation was most bizarre. The crown princess had been rumoured to be a fierce warrior–much like her brother, the maids had gasped as Hoyeon eavesdropped. Yet here she was, dressed in silks like any other respectable lady of the court and pouring the fragrant tea with a natural elegance Hoyeon had practiced for days to attain.

“So, are you excited for the wedding?” asked Yoonji, refilling their cups with the most delicious blend of tea Hoyeon had ever drunk.

Hoyeon nibbled on her lip, debating how much would be prudent to tell the crown princess. She was lovely and welcoming, but she was also the emperor’s sister. How was she supposed to say she was scared out of her wits and had been for the past several days, since her father had announced her engagement to the Mad King at a state dinner with no warning whatsoever. That she’d tried to learn what she could about her new empire and husband-to-be, but all she had gleaned was that she would be lucky to survive six months as the empress? What could she say, I almost looked forward to this when my father first announced this, so that I had a chance to finally be free from his tyranny, but now I wish I was back with the devil I know?

Deciding the last train of thought had the most truth she could pluck from and spin into a plausible half-truth, she replied, “I was surprised when my father mentioned the alliance to me, but I am pleased to be able to support my kingdom in this way. I will do my best to be a good empress to Dalseogu. I noticed the absolutely beautiful scenery as I made my way here, and it is a lovely empire.” Just ruled by not-so-lovely people, she thought, then ignored the stab of guilt at the mental insult to Yoonji, who’d been rather good so far at calming her nerves.

Yoonji smiled at the compliment to her empire. “I’m so glad you think so! I know it can be a bit…sparse, to some, but I think there’s a wild beauty to the land.”

One of her maids stepped forward to whisper in her ear. Yoonji looked at Hoyeon apologetically. 

“Duty calls, I’m afraid. I’ll leave you to rest now. I know my brother was looking forward to greeting you, but something came up that he couldn’t ignore. He’d like you to join him for tea tomorrow afternoon.”

“Of course, I will be there. Thank you, Crown Princess…unnie.”

Yoonji’s glare softened at the casual honorific. “Lovely! Rest well, Princess Hoyeon.”

The crown princess and her entourage left, leaving only Hoyeon and her maid, Jina. 

“That seemed to go well, Miss,” offered Jina as she began to unpack and brush out Hoyeon’s nightclothes.

Hoyeon groaned, collapsing onto her bed with her hand flung over her eyes. “Appearances can be deceiving, Jina. I can’t afford to trust anyone here, no matter how nice they are–especially the emperor’s sister!”

“I hope she can be a true friend to you here, Miss.”

“Thank you, Jina.”

D-21

“It’s a pleasure to serve you, Princess Hoyeon,” bowed the maid provided by the palace, named Sora. 

“Thank you. I’m sure Jina will appreciate your help in navigating the palace until she becomes accustomed to our new accommodations.”

“I’ll do my best, Princess.”

Sora and Jina chattered away, becoming fast friends, as Hoyeon chewed anxiously on her thumbnail in the corner. 

She learned that Sora had a younger sister, Soha, whom she was very proud of for having recently become a full-fledged palace maid. The head maid was tough but caring once a maid proved herself, and Sora was sure Jina would win her over in no time. There were a couple guards who were insufferable flirts, but they were still respectful. Jina’s best course of action would be to ignore any flirtations and not respond to the provocations. 

Hoyeon finally jumped up from her seat, startling the maids from their conversation. “What time should I be prepared to go for tea with the emperor?”

“If we start now, you should arrive just after the emperor’s meeting finishes, Princess,” replied Sora. 

The maids did their best to dress Hoyeon up in her favourite hanbok, pinning her hair with a gold hairpin the emperor had gifted her via her father, and using cosmetics to accentuate her features.

“You’re a little pale,” commented Jina as she patted some pink onto Hoyeon’s cheeks. 

“Do you blame me?” she retorted. “Sora, is there anything I need to be aware of when I greet the emperor?”

Sora paused from folding a discarded robe. “I don’t think so. Emperor Min doesn’t insist on many formalities if it’s not a formal event. I believe Soha will be serving the tea, so if you need anything, you can ask her to find me, Princess.”

“Thank you, Sora.”

Jina and Sora fell in behind her, Sora quietly directing her through the maze of corridors to the room the emperor was waiting in for her.

She smiled at the guards outside the doors. “Is the emperor available?”

“Unnie!”

Hoyeon turned to see a girl bearing a tea tray. She bowed to her before turning to Sora.

“Unnie, the emperor is still occupied.”

“Do you think he will be long?”

“I don’t think you will wait long,” reported the girl, who Hoyeon assumed was Soha. “Princess,” she bowed again before entering the room.

A loud voice escaped the open door, followed by the distinctive sound of a slap.

A minute later she ran out, tears flowing down her face as she passed Hoyeon and her maids.

Hoyeon stared in trepidation at the girl. What had happened to make the emperor slap her? She’d barely had time to do anything. This didn’t bode well for her.

“Show Princess Lee in,” called a voice. The guards opened the door.

Hoyeon took a deep breath and stepped forward, keeping her eyes on the next step she was taking.

She paused when she reached a low tea table, droplets of tea scattered across its surface. She could see the emperor’s robes across from her and a tea set shattered on the floor to her right.

So that was why Soha had run out. Why was it broken?

“Your Majesty,” she bowed, hoping it was low enough.

“Your Highness,” he greeted in response. “You may stand.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Her eyes flicked up to his face quickly, then back down to hide her surprise.

He had a scar across his right eye, from his eyebrow to his cheek. She’d thought the rumours were just that–rumours. Who had ever heard of a king with a scar?

She supposed with a reputation like his, he didn’t have to worry about naysayers attempting to depose him.

She’d been so surprised at the scar and hadn’t wanted to be caught staring that she barely remembered his other features.

She chanced another glance and found him staring at her.

“You can look at me, Princess Hoyeon.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” She peeked up under her lashes.

Was it possible for a scar to heighten his appeal? He had shockingly blond hair pulled back into the typical sangtu, thick brows, a nose that she couldn’t believe the first adjective she thought of was ‘cute’, and pouty lips. Overall, he was rather attractive. 

The benefit to marrying a young emperor was that he was surprisingly handsome, but it also meant he was less likely to die soon. In all honesty, Hoyeon expected him to outlive her.  

She hadn’t met his eyes–his look had been far too calculating. If there was one thing she knew about court politics, it was to never show your fear when someone was around. 

“You arrived much quicker than I expected, Princess Hoyeon. I hope your travels were smooth.”

“Yes, thank you. We had no trouble at all. My father said it was better to arrive sooner lest we be waylaid and made late.” He was just thrilled he could finally get some use out of his useless only child.

“Crown Princess Yoonji said that you were an interesting companion at her tea yesterday.”

I knew she’d tell him about me.

“As was she, Your Majesty. I look forward to getting to know her–and you–better.”

“Good,” said the emperor, clearly pleased. “The crown princess is pleased to be able to help you become accustomed to the Dalseogu Empire. I will be busy with all the things that must be finished before the wedding, so I imagine you will be seeing her often.”

“I’m pleased to hear that, Your Majesty. May I ask you a question?” Better to find out now how lenient he will be towards my impertinence.

“Go ahead.”

“Why did you approach the Dongjak kingdom for an alliance?” Why me?

“It is advantageous for both our lands to have the trade deals this alliance will forge. Dongjak and Dalseogu have not always been at peace, so this was a good way to cement it.”

Slightly surprised that the emperor had actually given her an answer, she nodded. She hadn’t had the slightest shred of hope that he would give her some secretly romantic explanation, such as he’d seen her at some event and been so taken by her that he had to have her. All she was good for was strengthening her kingdom’s ties as one of its most important representatives. 

The guards opened the door and let in Sora, carrying the replacement tea set.

She poured the tea quietly and served their cups to them, then retreated to the side, assuming an at-ease position.

“Please sit,” directed the emperor, settling himself on his cushion. Hoyeon followed his example, making herself as comfortable as she could sitting opposite an unknown volatile man no one could rebuke.

The tea was delicious, stronger than what she was used to back in Dongjak, but she found its tart flavour pleasant. 

“This is exquisite tea, Your Majesty.”

He inclined his head. “It is plum tea. I believe Dongjak more commonly uses the chrysanthemum flowers for their tea.”

“You are correct, Your Majesty.”

Tea with the emperor went fairly well, although Hoyeon caught his considering gaze upon her several times. It unnerved her, wondering why he was taking so much interest in his political bride. 

She didn’t like it.

D-20

Hoyeon giggled, finally somewhat relaxed around the crown princess as the older girl spilled stories about her maids’ and guards’ dramatic dynamics and relationships. 

“Don’t tell the head maid I told you this,” Yoonji leaned forward, finger to her lips. 

Hoyeon’s eyes widened as she bit her lower lip, nodding quickly in agreement. She knew that the maids were one of the biggest and best ally teams she could have on her side in the palace, and she wouldn’t dare do anything to harm her chances of gaining connections.

“So, what do you think of my brother, after your tea with him yesterday?” Yoonji relaxed onto her cushion, pouring herself another cup of what Hoyeon wasn’t completely convinced was just plum tea. 

Her teeth dug further into her lip as she considered how to answer. The siblings appeared fairly close for being possible throne rivals–especially considering that Yoonji had survived the Mad King’s bloody beginning–and she couldn’t speak freely. The princess was a skilled politician, however, and would surely catch on if she lied and began praising the man.

“I find His Majesty…intimidating,” she said slowly, gauging how Yoonji took that ambivalent opening.

Yoonji nodded, motioning to continue with her finger. “He certainly knows how to make himself understood.”

Understatement of the dynasty, thought Hoyeon. 

“He’s…rather good looking. I was surprised,” she mused. Realising Yoonji had raised her eyebrow at her, she went on hastily. “Just that I hadn’t heard anyone speak about that when they discussed the emperor! I had very little information on His Majesty to go off of. I suppose the men that met the emperor were more focused on his character than his countenance,” she snorted, a little self-deprecatingly, glancing up to see if Yoonji would take the bait and either consider her a little simple and romantically-minded or expound upon her open-ended question to know more about her fiance’s personality. 

“Well, I suppose I agree that my brother is rather good-looking,” Yoonji mused, sipping her tea. “I’ve been told often that we appear quite similar.”

“Indeed, that was one of the first things I noticed. You’re both attractive and there’s certainly a family resemblance between you two. By the way, is there anyone you think is good-looking, unnie?” she asked curiously, hoping she wasn’t overstepping.

Yoonji shook her head. “There are several tolerably handsome ministers and princes around, but their personalit-”

A knock sounded at the door to the crown princess’s tea room. Yoonji nodded at Hoyeon in apology, excusing herself to speak quietly with the maid waiting at the door, bringing a message from the emperor. 

Yoonji’s brow furrowed slightly, then smoothed as she turned back to Hoyeon. “The emperor has requested an audience with me, and he wishes to see you after my visit. Would you like to come with me now?”

Hoyeon nodded, setting her tea down and getting to her feet. She still wasn’t entirely sure she had the palace layout memorised, and Jina was currently being interviewed by the head maid, leaving Hoyeon friendless and ally-less if Yoonji also left her behind. 

“I’d be honoured to join you, Your Highness.”

The two young women headed as briskly as nobles could to the emperor’s throne room, where he remained after a meeting with his ministers earlier. 

The guards saw the duo’s approach and opened the tall doors in anticipation of Yoonji’s entrance. Hoyeon chose to remain outside, though the doors remained open, giving the siblings privacy and taking advantage of the moment to prepare her nerves to see her fiance again. She’d relaxed in Yoonji’s quiet company, but reverted to her stiff princess behaviour on their walk here. 

Shaking her head at her rapid closeness with the princess, she straightened her skirts anxiously. For all she knew, the siblings were in there right now discussing her pathetic surface-level attraction to the Mad King and how quickly she’d come to confide in the princess.

Shifting on her feet, she cursed her father once again for removing anyone who’d appeared close to her, making her a prime target for spilling her innermost thoughts when she met someone who appeared to listen. Reminding herself it had only been two days and Yoonji had not yet proved if it was safe to trust her, Hoyeon twisted the jade ring on her finger as she waited.

A loud cry came from Yoonji, giving her deja vu. With an inner sigh, she inched forward, straining her ear to make out what the siblings were arguing about. 

Silently, she watched Yoonji, who appeared unafraid to talk back to the emperor. Was it because she was his sister? He wouldn’t retaliate? Something else? She needed to know everything she could.

“I’m getting married?!” cried Yoonji, clearly. “In two weeks?! Without you telling me first?!”

Hoyeon froze. Her newest ally and possible future friend would be leaving the palace? Was it because they were becoming close? Had Yoonji done something warranting being sent away? No, it was probably just another business transaction, like her marriage was to be. 

Calming her anxious thoughts, Hoyeon shuffled a little closer, wondering who the groom was.

“No, you are leaving Dalseogu in two weeks. You are getting married in a week to Emperor Wang Gayi.”

“You arranged a marriage for me? With the Wang Emperor?!”

“Yes, I did, and you will marry him. That’s an emperor’s order, Min Yoonji.”

“You gave me no choice? I’m so mad that you interfered with my relationships,” Yoonji said flatly, turning and exiting via the hall behind the throne area. 

“Your groom will be here by tomorrow morning,” the emperor informed her, barely raising his voice. Facing forward once again, he motioned Hoyeon to approach him. 

“Good afternoon, Princess.”

She bowed. “Good afternoon, Your Majesty.”

“Good afternoon, Your Highness. Would you like some tea?”

“No, thank you. I just came from having some with the crown princess. I suppose she will be busy now with her wedding preparations, so I am grateful that I could have these past few days to get to know my sister-in-law.”

“I apologize if you feel that my sister’s wedding takes precedence over ours,” the emperor said, surprising Hoyeon. “I wished her to wed soon and thought that now would be best since most of the preparations for ours are already complete and can transfer to theirs. Emperor Wang has to return to Kowloon soon and I wanted him to take Yoonji with him.”

“I am not slighted at all, Your Majesty. I wish the royal couple all happiness and longevity. May I ask why you requested to see me after the crown princess, Your Majesty?”

He stretched languidly, rising to his feet and sauntering down the steps to his throne. “Am I not allowed to wish to see my fiancee?” he asked, approaching Hoyeon. 

“Y-you are, Your Majesty.” Biting her lip, she forced herself to remain standing tall and not move back.

He paused two arm lengths away from her. “I would like to see you every day before our wedding, if you are available.”

“I believe I will be, if that is what you wish.”

He tilted his head, scanning her head to toe. She lowered her gaze to his feet, hoping she hadn’t mussed her clothing since Jina left her at Yoonji’s tea room. 

“You seem rather nervous.”

Who wouldn’t be, being the focus of one of the continent’s most dangerous men?! Hoyeon shrieked internally. Well, it appeared the emperor was more perceptive than her father, so lying was off the table. “I suppose I am. We have only met once, and I am unchaperoned. I do not wish to cause any damage to either of your kingdoms if there were negative repercussions from this event, Your Majesty.”

He hummed, taking a step back so that his black-clad feet were no longer in her vision. “The doors are open and there are plenty of guards and other staff around, Princess. But, if it would make you feel better–Chief Advisor Kim!”

Barely repressing the flinch at his sudden shout, Hoyeon turned to see who the emperor had just summoned. A tall, handsome man rushed in, arms full of scrolls and books, a pair of spectacles sliding down his nose. He pushed them up, a scroll fluttering from its precarious spot under his elbow. 

Hoyeon stooped without thinking, catching the runaway parchment and handing it back to the man, who flashed a thankful smile at her, dimples appearing in his cheeks. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Princess Hoyeon, this is my most trusted advisor, Kim Namjoon. He will be our chaperone,” the emperor said shortly. 

“I’m honoured to meet you, Princess. Congratulations on the wedding.”

“Thank you,” she nodded at him and turned back to her fiance, not wanting to spend his patience with her over another man. Still, his behaviour was unlike anything she was used to. The Mad King was her enigma, and she only hoped it wouldn’t take too long to figure him out. 

D-17

The sound of metal hitting metal drew Hoyeon’s attention from the flowery bushes she was admiring, turning towards the walled courtyard ahead of her.

Jina stopped by her side, both somewhat behind one of the pillars by the entrance, watching the two men in front of them slash at each other, silver swords glinting in the sunlight.

The emperor’s distinctive blond hair gave his identity away, and Hoyeon watched his graceful power with an open mouth, seeing first-hand her fiance’s prowess with a blade.

The other man was about the same height, with short brown hair and a slimmer sword than Yoongi’s. He held it with a careless ease that belied years of training, evenly matched with his opponent. 

Their blades clashed, sun rays reflecting off their entwined blades and blinding Hoyeon. She sneezed unexpectedly, interrupting the men’s moment. They bowed to each other, sheathing their blades and walking in different directions–Yoongi towards her and the other man towards Yoonji, whom Hoyeon just noticed was standing at the other side. 

Hoyeon bowed, greeting the emperor. He nodded back at her, taking the damp cloth his attendant held out to him and wiping his face and neck down. The neckline of his black robe gaped a little, affording Hoyeon a glimpse of smooth pale skin and subtly defined musculature. She blushed red, glancing away quickly to watch Yoonji, who had attained her own sword. 

The emperor followed her gaze, leaning his hand carelessly on his hwando pommel. “That’s Emperor Wang,” he confirmed her suspicion carelessly. “Would you like to make a bet with me?”

“A bet, Your Majesty?” Hoyeon flicked her gaze to him in confusion.

He nodded towards the couple. “On who will win their spar, Yoonji or Gayi.”

“They will spar?” Crown princess versus emperor, fiancee versus fiance?

The two moved towards the now-open sparring area in the middle of the yard, raising their blades to the opening position. 

“They have both trained for years. I’m curious myself about the outcome. So, what do you say, Princess?” The emperor leaned towards her, breath brushing her cheek. “Will you bet with me?”

“Very well, Your Majesty. What are your terms?”

He leaned back, studying her in mild surprise. “Hm…you must answer three questions I ask of you fully and truthfully, when I wish.”

That’s all? Like I could lie to you anyways. “Alright. I will hold the same terms, for the sake of fairness. I bet that the emperor will win.”

Hoyeon felt the weight of his gaze on her. “Not my sister?”

She shook her head. “I saw some of the emperor’s prowess when you two were fighting. I have not seen the princess fight, and the emperor surely has more experience, being on the battlefield.”

“But he will be tired since we were fighting before this,” Yoongi pointed out. “And I have fought with the princess. So, our bet. We each bet three complete, truthful answers about any topic we are asked about by the other if they win–you if Emperor Gayi wins, myself if Crown Princess Yoonji wins.”

“I agree to your terms.” Hoyeon shook the emperor’s hand, feeling his long fingers and calloused palms against her bare skin for the first time. He was warmer than she had expected; somehow she’d anticipated a cold-blooded, rigid man. 

He let go of her hand and she swiftly tucked her hands into her sleeves, feeling the ghost of his palm against hers. Focusing on the duo facing off in front of her, she did her best to ignore the warm presence brushing against her side. 

Yoonji was better than Hoyeon had expected, never having seen a female warrior before. Some of her moves looked similar to the emperor’s, but some were distinctively hers. She seemed to be having fun, however, a large gummy smile forming on her face as she parried the emperor’s strikes and danced into his space, making it more difficult for him to evade her attacks. 

Her opponent also seemed to be having fun, a smile growing on his face as they sparred. 

Hoyeon was glad the two were getting along, albeit in a more violent way than she was used to. Given what she knew of the crown princess’s personality, she was curious how the couple’s relationship would progress.

“The princess is quite good,” she said without thinking.

The emperor hummed in agreement. “I trained with her often. She is one of my best generals.”

Hoyeon whipped around in surprise. “The crown princess is your general?”

He nodded, dragging his eyes from the fight to her face. 

“Then why–” Hoyeon bit her lip, realizing her curiosity could be taken as insolence.

“Continue,” the emperor prompted her curiously. 

“Then why are you marrying your general off to the Kowloon Empire?” she asked quietly. He still appeared to have heard her, as he replied.

“The emperor and my sister have been in love for a while now. I will be saddened by my best general, advisor, and companion’s absence, but it is beyond time for her to have her happiness.”

Hoyeon blinked. Was the emperor…sentimental? And what was that about the marriage argument the other day?

“But…I understood the princess was against the marriage?”

“Not at all, she was being sarcastic. ‘How dare you marry me to the love of my life? Alas, I am ordered to spend time with the only man who makes me happy.’ Like that.”

“Oh.”

“Are you slandering me behind my back, Your Majesty?” Yoonji approached the two, her fiance behind her, carrying their swords.

“Is it slander if it’s true?” he retorted. “It seems my bride has not yet grown accustomed to your strange sense of humour. Now tell me, who won? I have a bet on the line, here.”

Realizing she’d been too distracted by the emperor to see who won, Hoyeon looked to Yoonji, who had what she now realised was a faux-betrayed look on her face. 

“You had better have bet on me, brother.”

“Of course I did,” he replied smugly. “So, I won the bet?”

Yoonji’s fiance spoke up. “No, your lovely fiancee did. Congratulations, Princess.”

“Damn, I should have bet on Gayi.”

Yoonji smacked her brother’s arm for his comment. “You are lucky I’m leaving the palace, Your Majesty.”

Hoyeon watched the siblings banter with wide eyes. The emperor was so relaxed and unlike his Mad King persona today. Which was the real one?

“It’s okay, Princess,” commiserated Emperor Gayi. “No one understands these two’s strange relationship, either.”

“I can behead you, you know,” threatened Yoongi. 

“You better give me his empire if you do,” Yoonji poked his stomach.

“Not if you keep touching me, I won’t!”

“OR,” interrupted Gayi, “you can not behead me and Yoonji can begin her reign over my empire peacefully as my empress!”

“But then I’d still have to hear you talk about my sister,” pointed out Yoongi. “It would be a lot quieter if your head was removed from your shoulders.”

“Say something!” Gayi looked at Yoonji, who sighed.

“Yoongi, don’t kill my fiance. It wouldn’t be a lot quieter because you’d then have to hear your sister talk about how much she missed her dead fiance instead…and your fiancee wouldn’t like you to kill her new ally, I guess.”

Yoongi looked at the bewildered Hoyeon. “Hm. It’s better to remove two nuisances at once, I suppose. I shall endure this next week for the princess’s sake, I suppose, since she won our bet.”

“How generous, Your Majesty,” Gayi and Yoonji bowed formally after the emperor, who left with an eye roll at their antics. 

Yoonji straightened once he was gone and turned to Hoyeon with a smile. “Do you want me to show you to the archery range?”

D-13

The wedding of the Emperor of Kowloon and the Crown Princess of Dalseogu went off without a hitch, which relieved some of Hoyeon’s worries. It was exactly the same as it would be for her and Yoongi, so she had a chance to mentally prepare. There wasn’t too much that could go wrong, thankfully, so as long as she didn’t faint next week, she should be in the clear.

Spending time with her fiance the past week and a half, as well as with his sister and her fiance, helped relax Hoyeon. He was courteous, surprisingly soft-spoken in private, and less menacing than she had been prepared for. Slowly, she began to wonder if the rumours had been exaggerated, as royal rumours tended to be, and if she might in fact be safe in the Dalseogu empire. 

Then came the day of her wedding, and all Hoyeon’s nerves returned full-force. Yoonji had left for Kowloon with Gayi, unable to stay for the wedding, and only Jina was there as someone she could rely on.

Her father had sent a witness to his only child’s wedding, too concerned over possible attacks to come himself. Hoyeon snorted as she read the letter his delegate had handed to her, dropping the paper to the table carelessly.

So he could send his daughter to live in the empire, but couldn’t come in person to celebrate her nuptials, the entire reason he would be safe visiting? Well, it wasn’t like she’d expected anything from him, but it still pinched in her heart. 

Jina brushed her robes out smoothly, stepping back and giving her a reassuring nod. “It’s time, Your Highness.”

D-Day

The entire ceremony was a blur, Hoyeon too focused on not making a mistake to take in anything else. She had the vague sense that the atmosphere was overcast, but nothing more than that.

The celebration feast was similarly unfocused, for slightly differing reasons. Yoongi, her new husband (what a strange thought), was right beside her at the head table, paying rather unnerving attention to her. 

Small bites were all she could choke down under his scrutiny, though he did his best to keep her dishes full. Hoyeon was a little confused when he kept adding delicious-smelling dishes to her immediate reach. Any other day, she’d be happy to try the new and intriguing dishes, but with the nerves in her stomach and the eyes on her chopsticks, she couldn’t choke down more than a few bites, something she bemoaned.

Toasts and cheers were continually offered by the celebrating ministers and nobles filling the hall, gallons of alcohol flowing freely. 

Hoyeon grabbed her goblet, draining the dregs in a couple gulps, coughing a little at the afterburn. Yoongi’s scrutiny became heavier, his warmth overwhelming her as he leaned even closer to whisper in her ear. “Are you alright, Your Majesty?”

Hoyeon hiccuped. “I’m perfectly fine, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Just thirsty.”

His expression told her he didn’t fully believe her, but he leaned back, letting her breathe easily again. She turned away, patting her burning cheeks with the back of her hand. 

It really should be illegal for someone to look that handsome up close. She considered her previous fears that he would behead her within six months and revised it to worry that she’d be overcome by his beauty within six months instead. 

A sudden weight on her hand made her look down from picking up individual grains of rice with her chopsticks.

Yoongi’s hand rested on hers, his thumb caressing her pulse point. Her heart skipped a beat at the simple touch. He didn’t look at her anymore, thankfully, but his hand stayed on hers the rest of the feast.

Her eyes darted between his profile and her chopsticks several times. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad being his empress. 

General taglist (open): @bangtanwritershq @kayleefriedchicken @otome-wandering + (@moni-logues you seemed intrigued when we sprinted so I hope this is okay :] )

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