#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.

[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

[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

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)

[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.

[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 :] )

Divider by @bunnysrph | Moodboard photos from Pinterest/Google, edit is mine :]

[sweetestofchaos]

Blackthorn Ch 12 | M.YG

Pairing: Crown Prince Dragon!Yoongi x Crown Princess Impundulu!Keena  Genre: Soulmate AU | Arranged Marriage AU | Fantasy AU | Fluff | Angst  Word Count: 7.9K  Warnings: Magic | Shifting | Mention of Dead Bodies | Blood | Hints to Murder | Mentions Main Character Death | Depictions of Greif | Talks of Reincarnation | Kissing | Teasing | Cliffhanger Rating: PG16

Ginkgo Spirit - The Prince returns to the palace with Namjoon safely but he is missing one person.

a/n: As always thanks to @sailoryooons for being my beta and making the banner. Character asks and the taglist for Blackthorn are always open! Minors do NOT interact with my work, please and thank you.

a/n 2: Shout out to @colormepurplex2 for the wonderful Namjoon edit!! Also, the taglist is still open as well.

Taglist: @thickemadame ​​

Series Masterlist | Masterlist

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Tears had long since stopped rolling down Namjoon’s face as he sat on the forest floor surrounded by dead bodies and blood. His robes were soaked, stained so badly he knew he wouldn’t be able to wash the blood out. Koya flew down from the trees and landed on Namjoon’s shoulders. The bird chirped and nudged at Namjoon’s temple before Namjoon sighed and looked down at the tiny sleeping ginkgo tiger in his lap.

“I’ll be okay, Koya. We’re fated after all. I’ll meet him again in another lifetime.”

The wind picked up and the air around Namjoon vibrated with power. He glanced upwards at the treetops and Koya flew off his shoulder. The bird went up above, high in the air and circled around until the black dragon in the distance roared. 

It was enormous, all back with two large matte black horns that sat atop its head, just above its long curved ears. Small, black spiked horns framed large golden eyes and ran down the sides of its jawline. Its nose was long and had two large, slitted nostrils and there were black crystal-like growths on its chin. Rows of sharp teeth poked out from the side of its mouth and showed a glimpse of the terror hiding inside.

Agust’s golden eyes locked onto the familiar bird that belonged to Namjoon and went off in that direction. On his back, doctor Hyungwon clung onto one of the black spikes that ran down the length of the dragon’s body, starting from the base of his long neck. The man’s face was slightly green and he kept his eyes squeezed shut tightly to keep from seeing the world so high above the ground. 

Hoseok was perched on Agust’s back as well. His eyes were rolling flames, orange and red that shifted in the light while his skin glowed with a blue-yellow tint. His black hair whipped around his face and steam rose from the very stands. As Agust got closer to Koya, Hoseok stood up and rolled his shoulders. He looked at Hyungwon and called out to the doctor.

“Let’s go. He’s going to shift!” Hoseok picked the man up by his armpits and wrapped his arms around Hyungwon’s chest. “Hold on.” 

Agust’s body rippled with a golden glow before it started to shrink and morph into a more human form. Hyungwon shouted as the solid body under his feet disappeared and he hung in the air. Hoseok would have laughed if he wasn’t so worried about Namjoon and Jungkook. Heat surrounded his body and smokey, mist-like wings carried him in the air as he descended towards the ground. 

Agust’s giant leathery wings were angular, the inside almost entirely see-through, especially when viewed from a distance. Curved talons grew from each wing, ending like giant scythes. They shrunk in size, but did not disappear as the treetops below got closer and closer. There was nowhere to land and as Agust opened his mouth to burn the trees, they started to sway and shift. Agust and Hoseok hovered in the air, the latter confused as they watched the trees move out of their way. Koya chirped from down below and Hoseok clicked his tongue.

“The God of the forest must be here…”

Agust grunted and continued his descent to the ground with Hoseok and Hyungwon right behind him. As his feet touched the forest floor, Agust felt a powerful presence. It was all around, in the air, under the ground, and protected every single organism in sight. Hyungwon’s legs gave out as he touched the ground and Agust huffed out a thick plume of black smoke.

“Where did the bird go?” Agust scanned the area and found no trace of Koya. A power not his own swirled in the back of his mind like a distant memory and Agust found his feet moving east. He did not care for his lack of clothing nor the eyes of any creatures lurking in the distance.

“You feel it too?” Hoseok questioned as he lifted the doctor up by his armpits once again. He kept an arm around the man’s waist and helped him walk. “There is a very old and very powerful presence here with us.”

Agust inhaled and licked his lips.  His forked tongue flicked out quickly before he hummed, “Blood has been split.”

“We need to hurry.” Hoseok tugged on Hyungwon and the doctor picked up his pace. He knew that lives were on the line and he was there to save them.

As they walked farther in the forest, the scent of blood and flowers mingled together thickly. The green grass started to darken, and as Agust took another step forward, the squish of mud under his bare feet made him pause. His eyes zoned in on a gathering of red spider lilies and he growled lowly.

“When did the gardener become a God?”

“What?” Hoseok stood by Agust’s side and looked at the red spider lilies. There was a haze that surrounded the area, something hidden in plain sight with old magic. “Namjoon isn’t a Go-” Hoseok’s word died on his tongue as the haze started to clear and there in the center of red spider lilies sat Namjoon, only his appearance had changed. 

His standard robes were replaced with flowing white that had green and blue flowers stitched into the fabric. The white was now soaked a deep red, his hands were tinted from the blood that he wiped off on his chest and his face was flawless. His subtle imperfections were gone, replaced with smooth skin that glowed from within, a soft green color. 

“N-Namjoon?” Hoseok’s voice was just above a whisper and carried on the wind.

Namjoon’s head turned and they could see the dried tears on his face, his brown eyes now completely green and Hoseok felt the sorrow seep into his bones.

“I-I couldn’t save him…I was too late,” Namjoon spoke and smiled sadly. “Jungkook had such a beautiful and pure soul. He tried to save a tiger that was being hunted.”

Agust watched as Hoseok and Hyungwon walked over to Namjoon. Hyungwon crouched down and carefully checked Namjoon’s face to make sure he wasn’t hurt.

“Were you injured at all, Namjoon?” Hyungwon stared at the man in front of him, knowing that it wasn’t the Namjoon that he knew. “May I see your hands?”

Namjoon looked down at his blood-tinted hands and swallowed thickly. “Do you know what a ginkgo spirit is, Hyungwon?”

“A ginkgo spirit?” Hyungwon thought over the question and a lesson from his childhood came to the forefront of his mind. “It is when an animal is wrongfully killed and its spirit is led to a ginkgo tree by the wind, correct?”

Namjoon nodded his head and smiled but it was anything but happy. “You are partly correct. The spirit of the animal is led to the tree of rebirth, a ginkgo tree, by the guardian of the forest. Power from the leaves grants the spirit the chance at a new life with the tree’s blessing.”

“I never heard that version before,” Hyungwon admitted and Namjoon looked at him. His green eyes were dark and murky, like the seaweed that washed up on shore. “Namjoon…where is Jungkook?”

“Jungkook?” Namjoon looked down at his lap and carefully unfolded his arms before he placed them at his side. There in Namjoon’s lap, a tiny gingko tiger cub slept peacefully. 

Hyungwon stared down at the tiger cub and Hoseok dropped to the ground beside him. Namjoon’s lower lip quivered and Hoseok’s eyes started to burn. Namjoon didn’t have to speak anymore, everyone understood that Jungkook had given his life to protect the tiger and in the end, he was granted rebirth through Namjoon.

“Is-” Hyungwon cleared his throat and took a deep breath before he spoke again. “Is there anyone still alive?” 

Namjoon scoffed and shook his head. “Those who clung to life, I snuffed out. Souls with such malice are not given any mercy.”

Hoseok’s hair no longer smoked, his skin no longer glowed, and his eyes were a sparkling amber once more. The adrenaline in his blood no longer ran red-hot, and as he stared at the sleeping tiger cub, he frowned.

“What are you going to do with the cub?” 

“I was unsure of what to do with him,” Namjoon sighed and he looked behind Hoseok to Agust, who had watched them silently. “I think the Princess would accept him as my engagement gift, don’t you agree, Agust?”

Agust narrowed his eyes and clicked his tongue. “If you wish to grant the Princess such a little beast as a gift…” Agust glanced at the sleeping cub and crossed his arms over his chest. “I suppose it’s as good a gift as any.”

“You would really have the Princess raise him? Why not keep him yourself?” Hyungwon wondered and Namjoon shook his head.

“Our time together in this world has passed. Jungkook will do well to keep the Princess safe.”

“I fear that the Princess will not accept the cub once she learns that it was born from Jungkook’s soul,” Hoseok voiced and Namjoon picked himself up from the ground.

“No one is to tell the Princess the truth…well the whole truth.”

“You wish to lie?” Hoseok stared at Namjoon with wide eyes.

“Not lie. We will tell a half-truth.”

Hyungwon and Hoseok glanced at the sleeping cub and sighed. “Do you think that is wise?”

“For the sake of the cub and to spare the Princess from any feelings of guilt, yes. It is our best option.” 

“Agust?” Agust narrowed his eyes as Namjoon called his name and stared unblinking. “I need to speak to the Prince.”

As gold shifted to black, scales melted away and the wings that sprouted from Agust’s back flattened once more into their correct space like they were never there. Prince Yoongi stood in place of Agust, bare as the day he was born and stared at his friend with watery eyes. He knew Jungkook well. The young man was extremely talented and funny. However, he could not ignore the question that Agust didn’t ask.

“Namjoon.”

“Your Highness.”

“I think we need to have a nice conversation with drinks? Don’t you agree, Hoseok?” 

Hoseok wiped at his damp eyes and cleared his throat. “Drinks sound wonderful, Your Highness. Doctor?”

Hyungwon nodded his head with a sigh and looked around at the blood soaked ground. “A drink would be much appreciated.”

“Let’s head to the nearest river to wash. Namjoon I packed new robes for you.” Hoseok motioned to the bag that Hyungwon carried and Namjoon nodded his head in thanks. "Yours are in here as well, Yoongi."

It was early the next morning when Byulyi woke the Princess and hurried her into a thick spearmint green robe and slippers. Wheein quickly wrapped her hair into a neat high bun before they led her to Aga and Mingi, who waited outside of the Prince’s chambers. The Princess was confused but the look on Mingi’s face let her know that something had happened. Their footsteps were quick. Silver started to spill into the Princess’ eyes, and before she could start to worry about what was wrong, she saw Prince Yoongi, Hoseok and Namjoon all standing out in the courtyard. The palace gates had slammed shut behind them and the Princess’ ears rang.

She chirped loudly and all three men’s heads snapped in her direction. Her eyes flooded with tears and she sprinted across the stone pathway. As she slammed into the Prince’s chest, she cried and he held her tightly in his arms. The Prince whispered soft words and squeezed her body tightly to his. Their hearts beat together frantically, and when the Prince pulled away, he smiled.

“Sorry, we kept you waiting.”

The Princess shook her head as the Princes wiped at her tears with his thumbs. Their faces grew closer and closer until their lips touched. Namjoon quickly turned his back while Hoseok sighed and rolled his eyes.

“We weren’t gone that long, Princess.” Hoseok’s voice was teasing with the warmth of understanding laced in. He had felt the same way when he thought Namjoon was hurt.

"Sa ase," Aga spoke up and the Princess pulled away. She bit her lip as heat warmed her face while the Prince simply licked his lips and smiled.

“I believe Namjoon has something to tell you.” He stepped out of the way and Namjoon stood before the Princess with his hands and arms tucked away in his sleeves.

“Are you well, Namjoon?” The Princess searched his eyes and then slowly counted the men in front of her, there were only three. “Where is Jungkook?”

Namjoon frowned and shook his head. “You will have to forgive him, Princess. Jungkook is a free spirit. Good, warm and pure…”

The Princess saw the way Namjoon’s brows pulled together, the way his eyes misted and his face flushed. She reached out and placed a gentle hand on his bicep. 

“Jungkook will not be joining us. He um-” Namjoon cleared his throat and blinked his eyes quickly. “He stumbled upon a group of poachers that were hunting a tiger. He fought well but there were too many of them.”

“Oh, Joon…”

Namjoon slowly pulled his arms from his sleeves and held a tiny tiger cub in his hands. “This is a ginkgo tiger. He is what came of Jungkook’s sacrifice and I wish for you to have him.”

The Princess stared at the tiny cub. The cub had green and yellow ombre fur, starting from the head and going all the way down to its tail. It had pale yellow whiskers and its tail fanned out at the end like a large ginkgo leaf. The Princess found herself smiling sadly. She knew how ginkgo spirits were created and she sent a silent prayer to Jungkook for his valiant sacrifice. 

“I-I think you should keep him..her?”

Namjoon smiled and stretched out his arms. “Jungkook would have wanted you to have him. He knows I’m not the best with animals.” 

As the Princess started to disagree, the tiger cub opened its eyes and stared right at her. She was surprised to see that the cub had heterochromia; one eye was pale yellow and the other was a deep brown. The cub whined as it wiggled in Namjoon’s arms and before it could fall to the ground, it leaped into the Princess’ arms.

“Oh!” She hugged the cub to her chest and giggled as it licked at her chin. "Ki jan ou dous, ti bebe a." She cooed at the cub and nuzzled into the fur at the top of its head. Prince Yoongi stepped beside Namjoon and patted his shoulder before he walked over to the Princess’ side.

“I will talk with the head builder and have an outdoor-”

“You will do no such thing!” The Princess hugged the cub closer to her chest and glared at the Prince. “He will stay in my room. There is ample space for him.”

“My gem.” The Prince placed a hand on the Princess’ lower back and kissed her temple. The Princess stared up at him through her lashes and he sighed. “As you wish, Princess.”

She turned her attention to Namjoon who watched them with a fond smile on his face. Princess Keena stepped up to him and rested her forehead against his chest. Namjoon chuckled and wrapped his arms around her lightly.

"Si ou se yon bon moun menm apre lanmò ou renmen tonm."

“What does that mean?” Namjoon questioned as the Princess pulled away and stared up at him. The cub started to purr as she stroked the top of its head and Namjoon watched.

"If you're a good person, even after death your grave is loved."

Namjoon closed his eyes and tears silently streamed down his face. “He was one of the best people…he is very loved, even now.” Namjoon whispered as he thought about the rock and flower grave he made in Jungkook’s honor in the middle of the red spider lilies where his and the tiger’s body were reborn. Namjoon scratched under the cub’s chin and sniffled before he opened his eyes. “What will you name him?”

“I’m sure he will tell me in due time.”

“Tell you?” Namjoon raised an eyebrow and the Princess grinned.

“As the guardian of the forest, you should know that everything in the world has its proper name. Animals are no different and this cub will tell me his, in time.”

Namjoon looked at the cub and he saw that teasing fire behind the multicolored eyes. Namjoon laughed- he knew that look anywhere. “Take good care of him, Princess.”

“You can visit him whenever you would like, Namjoon.”

“We should head inside, Princess,” Aga cut into the conversation as attendants started to mill around the outside. The Princess wasn’t dressed properly and he refused to have anyone stare at her. The Prince removed his outer robe and placed it on top of the Princess, even though she wore a robe already. 

She bowed her head as the Prince tucked her underneath his arm and they headed back to his chambers. Hoseok crossed his arms over his chest as he watched the young royals leave and he sighed.

“Do you get the feeling that she knows?”

Namjoon looked after the Princess and shrugged his shoulders. “The impundulu is old and holds a lot of power. She may only understand birds but animals talk to each other regardless of species. Jungkook’s spirit is a part of the tiger, so I wouldn’t put it past him to show his true self every now and again.”

“What are you going to do about the butterfly house?” Hoseok dared to ask and Namjoon tugged at his ear lobe in thought. 

“Hyunjin is a skilled painter.”

“The carpenter’s son?”

“Mmmhmm. He hides it from his father but I’ve seen his work. I had planned on having him help Jungkook…but I’m sure Hyunjin will be fine on his own.”

“Very well. I support your decision. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help out.”

In the Prince’s chambers, Princess Keena sat on a plush rug while the cub scampered around, sniffing at everything. The Prince disappeared into the bathing water to wash the grime from his body and Aga sat on the settee with his elbows resting on his knees as he watched the cub.

“When will you leave His Highness’ chambers? You cannot stay here forever.”

“I am aware of that Aga, thank you.” The Princess giggled as the cub found the tie of her robe and started to swat at it. She waved it around for him to play with and glanced over her shoulder at Aga who sat with a frown on his face. “I will speak with the builder today and inquire about a bed and playpen for the cub. I would think that such a project would not take too long. I will resume my lessons tomorrow, now that Yoongi is back.”

Aga stared at the Princess as she played with the cub. He had not missed the way she called the Prince by his first name. “And the cub?” Aga inquired, choosing not to comment on the Princess’ familiarity with the Prince.

The Princess thought about what to do with the cub and she grinned. “He will join me!”

Aga grunted and rubbed a hand down his face. "Poukisa ou teste m konsa?"

The Princess’ laughter filled the air and Aga fought the smile that wanted to settle on his lips, “All the best guards are tested daily.”

As the day went on, the Princess spent her hours with the head builder to discuss a proper living habitat for the cub. While the Prince had the time, he sent Hoseok away under the guise of needing something from the Emperor and the stable hands. He had not forgotten what he had worked on before he left to help Namjoon and he wanted to bring his focus back to his surprise. While Hoseok was away, the Prince left a message for him with the guards at his door. He found his way to the butterfly house with no issues. Kai and Wonho bowed low at the sight of him. 

“Where is the kitsune?” Prince Yoongi questioned and Kai informed him that San was stationed at the main entrance of the butterfly house inside. The Prince turned his attention to Wonho, who had yet to speak. “If anyone asks, this one went to relieve himself.” Before Wonho could respond, the Prince grabbed Kai’s arm and pulled him inside of the main gate. He walked briskly to the main entrance of the home and San bowed low.

“The both of you will come with myself and the Princess at sundown in a fortnight.”

“Your Highness-”

“Tell no one and make sure you both fall ill.” Prince Yoongi looked between the two guards. “Do I make myself clear?” His eyes flashed golden and they both nodded. “Splendid. Now, here is a list of items that you need to get before then.” The Prince shoved a folded paper into Kai's hand and took a step back. He smoothed out his robes and looked around.

The green haired guard unfolded the paper and read over it quietly with the kitsune beside him. Kai’s eyes widened and he looked at the Prince. “Y-Your Highness-”

“We’re going over the wall?” San was excited and a little worried. How did the Prince know that they often snuck out before they became the Princess’ guards?

“If there is anything that I missed, do not hesitate to acquire it.” Prince Yoongi pulled a blue, black and gold duru-jumeoni from his robes and handed it to San.

The two guards shared a look before the kitsune spoke up, “Your Highness…if I may?” The Prince nodded his head and San continued. “I may know how to pass through unnoticed but I know nothing of the town.”

“Likewise, Your Highness.”

Prince Yoongi frowned. “Where do you go when you leave the palace walls?” Both San and Kai’s faces heated up at the question and the Prince sighed. “The Vine…” Prince Yoongi was at a loss, he should have known. He remembered visiting the town when he was younger but quite some time had passed since then. He didn’t want to take the Princess out and risk getting lost. If Kai and San could not help him in town then who could?

“I have seen Minho in town,” Kai spoke up and the kitsune nodded his head in agreement.

Minho? The Prince didn’t recall ever hearing that the older man left the palace. 

“I have never seen him in-” San cleared his throat and Prince Yoongi rolled his eyes. “The Vine, but it seems like he knows his way around the town.”

“Three is more than I would like to have,” Prince Yoongi muttered to himself and Kai handed the paper to San.

“I will stay back and make sure that no one suspects a thing while San and Minho act as escorts.”

“Very well.” The Prince nodded his head in agreement. “Have Minho enter the fifth garden, there will be instructions for him to follow. He will know what to look for once he is there.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” The guards both bowed and Prince Yoongi walked away with his head held high. Kai followed behind him, five steps back and the Prince bit his tongue. He was excited for his engagement announcement now, since some time together at the night market would be his gift to the Princess.

As the Prince entered his chambers, he found the Princess on the settee fast asleep with the cub curled into her side. He smiled and dragged the back of his knuckles down the Princess’ cheek before he leaned down and kissed her temple. As he pulled away he noticed that the cub had woken up and watched his every move. Not wanting to have the Princess wake up from her nap, he scooped the cub into his arm and walked over to his desk. He placed the small fur ball on the desk and sat down. “What will she call you, hmm?”

A knock at the door made the Prince frown and the door opened shortly after. A maid entered with a covered tray. When they noticed the Prince, they bowed low and he motioned for them to place the tray on his desk. The maid bowed once more as they set the tray down and hurried out of the room. Prince Yoongi glanced at the Princess’ sleeping form and sighed. It seemed she always requested snacks. He lifted the lid and small butter cookies were stacked neatly on a plate along with two dragon fruit jelly mooncakes and a nice selection of flavored croissants. 

Beside him, the cub whined as it looked at the food and the Prince scratched his nose between his thumb and index finger. He picked up a butter cookie and held it out for the cub. The cub sniffed at the sweet treat and nibbled at it quickly.

“Slow down, little one. You will give yourself a stomach ache,” he warned with a fond smile on his face. The cub gobbled down three more cookies before the Prince covered them back up. “If you eat anymore, you will turn into a cookie and my gem will be very irate with me.”

The cub looked at the Prince with wide, wet eyes and nuzzled into his hand. “Hummm…cookie? That’s not a bad name. What do you think?” The cub was a nice shade of green that reminded the Prince of matcha cookies and it just so happened to be one of Jungkook’s favorite snacks. He picked the cub up and held it up to his face. “Cookie?” The Prince tried the name on the cub and it looked right at him. He smiled and nodded his head. “Very well, from here on out you will be called Cookie.”

When the Princess woke up, it was to voices whispering and when she sat up, the Prince was sitting with a woman that she had never seen before. The woman was older, with a wrinkled face framed in thick, grey ringlet curls. She wore a simple pleated grey skirt with a bright green ruffle blouse tucked in at the waist. The Prince caught the Princess’ eyes and he smiled before he motioned for the woman to pause the conversation.

“My gem, come. Join us.” 

Princess Keena stood from the settee and smoothed down the skirt of her cognac colored boubou before she walked over to the desk. The woman bowed low in her seat and the Princess bowed her head.

“This is Duttu. She has worked with the royal family for generations.”

“It is an honor to work on your request, Your Highness.” 

The Princess was confused. What request had she made? The Prince rested his hand on the back of Princess’ upper thighs as she stood by his side and she noticed that the cub was sound asleep in the Prince’s lap.

“I called for Duttu to design a collar and name plate for your little one.”

“Oh, thank you, Duttu.” Princess Keena bowed her head once more and Duttu smiled as she nodded her head. “But, I have not figured out a name-”

“Ah,” the Prince chimed in as he pointed to the tray on his desk. “It would seem that the cub is quite fond of cookies. He nearly ate them all and would have left only crumbs had I not stopped him.”

The Princess giggled and noticed that the cub had tiny cookie crumbs on his mouth and some had fallen into the Prince’s lap.

“I thought it was only right to name him, Cookie.”

“Cookie?” The Princess repeated the name and the cub in the Prince’s lap peeked its eyes open. “I think that is a very handsome name for such a grand being.”

“Would you like to see the design?” Duttu asked and the Princess shook her head.

“I will leave this matter in your hands, Duttu. I trust His Highness’ judgment.” Princess Keena picked Cookie up from the Prince’s lap  and brushed off the crumbs from his snout. She bit her lip when the Prince squeezed the back of her upper thigh. “I will take Cookie outside for some air. Please, excuse me.” She walked away from the Prince quickly and once outside of the chambers, she smiled at Chan and Jooheon.

“You seem happy, Princess,” Chan raised an eyebrow at the cub in her arms.

“He has a name! Would you like to guess?”

“Matcha?” Jooheon offered and Chan stared at him confused. “What? It’s a ginkgo tiger, he’s green!”

“No, but you are close.”

“Jade?”

The Princess laughed and shook her head. “He wasn’t named for his color.” Chan and Jooheon shrugged their shoulders and the Princess smiled. “Cookie! His name is Cookie.”

“Cookie?”

Jooheon reached out and scratched under Cookie’s chin making the small cub purr in delight.

“It’s a fine name, Princess.”

“Are you going out?” Chan wondered and the Princess nodded her head. “We will escort you.”

She nodded her head and started to walk off. Two guards that the Princess didn’t know took up the post in front of the Prince’s doors and she wondered where they had been before. Once outside, she placed Cookie on the ground and the little cub ran and leaped from place to place as he chased butterflies and got lost in the tall flowers. 

“Chan?”

“Yes, Princess?”

“Where is Aga?”

“He is with Lieutenant Jung at another war council.” 

“And my maids?”

“At the butterfly house preparing for Hyunjin to paint.”

“Hyunjin?”

“Yes, Princess. He is the royal carpenter’s eldest son.” 

Princess Keena nodded her head and squatted down as Cookie ran back to her. The little cub climbed into her arms and she stood up right with a smile on her face. 

“I want to show Cookie my garden. I think he will like the flowers.”

Chan and Jooheon followed the Princess to the seventh garden and they stood guard while the Princess sat underneath one of the blackthorn trees and Cookie ran around. It was a peaceful lull in their busy day of training and standing guard. It was a break that they always enjoyed when in charge of the Princess’ wellbeing, and with Cookie now by her side, the two of them were sure that their days as the Princess’ guards would become filled with a lot more excitement.  

In the morning, it was announced that Lady Zarrin was out for the time being due to a sudden emergency that needed to be handled. With that news, the Princess’ lessons were put on hold for the day. The lessons were to be taken over by another tutor and the Princess was curious as to who would stand in Lady Zarrin’s place. 

The lesson schedule was altered since the new instructor was a teacher for younger noble women and the school was unable to find a suitable replacement. The Empress understood and the other tutors were flexible with their time. The schedule for the following month was to be followed in order: species studies with Kenigo, language arts with Wen and civics with Saina before the Princess had her lunch with the Prince. Afterwards, the lessons would resume with history taught by Tempus, etiquette with the new tutor and the day would end with Kwangseon and Ellarian who taught music and dance.

The morning of the lessons, the Princess was dressed in a kaba for the day, which was made of an orange blouse with a carmen neckline that hung slightly off the shoulders. The blouse was patterned with pale yellow and green diamond shapes with two-inch white lace that hung from the bottom of the blouse. A matching mermaid skirt that had four inch slits up the side with white lace stitched inside completed the outfit. The Princess didn’t want her hair styled much today, so Hyejin kept it simple as she pulled the Princess’ braids back into a large bun that sat at the base of her neck and attached diamond encrusted gold clips to the braids that were spaced out neatly and evenly.

The lesson room was filled with fresh flowers from the garden and Cookie napped on a blue cushion in the warmth of a sun spot on the floor. The Princess waited for Kenigo, the naga, to enter the room. Kenigo was from a smaller tribe that sat on the border of two neighboring towns and he was a proud creature. The naga were known for their strength and quick reflexes as well as their ever present snake bodies.

Kenigo was not like most of his kind from what he had told the Princess. He was soft spoken and had the kindest yellow eyes with rounded pupils instead of slits with thick black and blocky eyebrows. Red scales under his eyes and on his cheek bones framed his face along with his short wavy black hair that always seemed to be in his eyes. 

Kenigo had four black antennae with teal tips at the back of his head, that laid down but rose when angered or threatened. He was over six feet in length. From the top of his head to the tip of his tail, he was ten feet long. He had wide upper shoulders, four muscular arms (two came out on either side of his ribs) and a red underbelly that complemented his black and teal tail that had red scales going down its length in large circles. Kenigo’s lower body was beautiful in the Princess’ eyes. She liked that when Kenigo wore his open kimono, she could see the black and teal scales that went along the side of his ribs; plus his abs were hard to ignore. 

The Princess had thought that Kenigo would be strict and stern but he was easy going and answered all her questions without any trace of judgment. The door of the room slid open and Kenigo slithered into the room with a smile on his face. He bowed and Princess Keena bowed her head in greeting.

“Good morning, Princess.”

“Good morning, Kenigo.”

“I have spoken with Wen and we would like to have our lesson together today, outside.” 

Kenigo’s black and grey kimono swished around as he motioned to the door and the Princess rose to her feet. The weather was inviting enough and she had been itching to spend the day outdoors. “Since Wen is an Oni and we are discussing the demon species, he offered to give a more personal insist on the topic.”

“That is very kind of him. I wish not to keep Wen waiting much longer…will you both be okay if Cookie joins us?” The Princess motioned towards the sleeping tiger cub and Kenigo’s laugh was soft as he nodded his head. She lifted the cub carefully into her arms and kissed the top of his head before she followed Jooheon out the room with Kenigo behind her.

The three stepped outside and Kenigo kept to the Princess’ side as they made their way to where Wen was waiting in the bamboo rock garden that was a mid way point between the butterfly house and the palace. Wen was dressed in his usually flamboyant and colorful hanfu. Bright greens, red and pinks made the Princess smile because Wen resembled a rose bush. Kenigo lowered himself closer to the ground which made his normally eight foot height drop to seven and again the Princess smiled.

She watched how Wen’s hazy orange-red eyes brightened at the sight of Kenigo and he tucked his hair behind his ear before he took a step closer. Kenigo was no better in the Princess’ eyes as the half serpent inched his way in front of Wen and lowered himself to the ground even farther so that he was only about half a foot taller. 

“These colors suit you, Wen.”

Wen’s eyes darted to the Princess and he was quick to bow before he offered a smile. “Princess, Good morning. Oh! We have a new guest with us today?”

“Good morning, Wen, this is Cookie!” The Princess handed the sleeping cub to Jooheon and turned her attention back to the Oni. “I didn’t know you and Kenigo were close.”

Kenigo crossed his lower arms across his chest while one of his upper arms scratched the back of his neck, “We’re not t-that close,” Kenigo stumbled over his words and Wen just smiled.

“Shall we get started on today's lesson, Princess?” Wen moved the conversation to a more important topic and the Princess let it go.

The Princess’ lessons moved quickly one by one and soon it was time for lunch. Jooheon led the Princess to the seventh garden with Cookie, where she had started to have lunch with the Prince daily. Today was no different, however. The Prince was dressed in a black cross collared robe that had gold beadwork stitched along the thick collar. A black leather belt was wrapped around his waist with gold buckles and he wore a black silk robe over top with wide sleeves that had a gold dragon on the ends of the sleeves with red ink clouds. His hair was pulled away from his face in a half updo that had the top half twisted into a single neat braid with a golden clip attached to the end.

He stood upon the Princess’ arrival and watched as Jooheon pulled the seat closest to him away from the table. Once the Princess was seated, Prince Yoongi dismissed Jooheon along with ordering him to take Cookie away and sat in his seat with a smile on his face. 

The table was filled with seafood today, since at their last meal the Princess had expressed how she missed the fresh fish from her homeland. Garlic lemon shrimp with broccoli, blackened salmon with avocado salsa and a spinach salad topped with fresh strawberries, raspberries and  blueberries, feta cheese crumbles and a sweet poppy seed dressing acted as the main course. To round out the meal, medium rare steak bites with roasted potatoes and baby carrots were on the side in case the Prince wasn’t satisfied with the seafood. 

“I hope you enjoy today’s meal. I spoke with Aga to find out a few of your favorite dishes.”

The smile on the Princess’ face was worth it. Before she could decide what to start with, the Prince grabbed her empty plate and put an equal amount of the salmon and shrimp in the center before he filled the sides with broccoli and salad. The plate was set before her and she watched as the Prince zoned in on the steak and potatoes. Other dishes such as rice, enoki mushrooms with garlic and scallion sauce, beef noodle soup and jukkumi bokkeum were within the Princess’ sight and her eyes flashed silver. The Princess wanted the stir fried octopus more than anything on a bed of rice with the enoki mushrooms on the side.

The plate before her was removed and replaced with the jukkumi bokkeum. She looked over and saw that the Prince had her original plate in front of him and he was already digging into the salmon. Princess Keena picked up her chopsticks and carefully pinched a piece of steak between them before she held her hand out to the blonde beside her. The Prince said nothing as his face heated and he took the offered food. He chewed slowly, savoring the flavor of the meat that was suddenly doused in deep affection from the Princess. As he swallowed, he licked his lips and smiled as the warmth in his stomach slowly spread towards his heart.

“Gamsahabnida.”

“Cheonman-eyo." 

The Princess responded, knowing that the Prince had thanked her in old Laibic language. Prince Yoongi’s eyes widened slightly. He knew that the Princess was learning proper Laibic, but he hadn’t thought Wen would teach her the old language as well. He was impressed and proud of her.

“Are you enjoying your lessons today?”

“I always enjoy my lessons.”

The Prince rolled his eyes and the Princess narrowed hers as she popped an octopus into her mouth.

“Mother tells me you will have a new tutor for etiquette. Are you excited?”

Princess Keena shook her head softly. “I fear that Lady Zarrin went easy on me. I have heard that the new tutor is older.”

Prince Yoongi huffed, “I doubt Lady Zarrin went easy on you. She points out mistakes and works with you to correct them. There is no need to berate or belittle someone if they make a mistake. As a royal, it is our duty to move with grace and show no flaws before the people that we lead.” The Prince took a sip of his wine and cleared his throat lightly. “However, the only thing that separates us from the masses is the title our blood grants us. Outside of that, we are the same and we make mistakes.”

“You are full of wisdom today, my Prince.”

A smile tugged at the Prince’s lips and his gaze dropped down to the plate in front of him. He picked at the shrimp and lifted one to his mouth before he glanced at the Princess beside him. “I do share the soul of a very, very old dragon.”

The Princess giggled and nodded in agreement. “Should I give thanks to him?” 

The Princess’ words were teasing but Agust stirred deep within the Prince’s being. His eyes melted into golden orbs and Yoongi clicked his tongue.

“Be careful Treasure…”

The words were low and rumbled like a storm at sea, it made goosebumps cover the Princess’ skin and hair rise on her arms. A warning within such a jest was a warning still and the Princess took a slow sip of water from her cup. 

“My thanks would have you-”

“The food is going to waste,” the Princess had interrupted Agust’s words and the blond beside her narrowed his eyes. “Have some, steak. You seemed to like that just fine.” Again, she pinched a piece with her chopsticks and held her hand outward towards the man who had started to lose the battle with his dragon inside. “Come now my Prince, it’s getting cold.”

Golden eyes glanced down at the meat and when he licked his lips, the Princess noticed that the tip of his tongue had become a deep indigo color. The man before her wasn’t just the Prince but Agust and she knew to take the warnings that surrounded him seriously even if he acted softer in her presence. 

“Ahhhh.” She smiled and twisted her wrist around, the steak at the end of her chopsticks moved this way and that.

A plume of smoke fell from Agust’s nose as he huffed and he was quick to snap his teeth around the end of the chopsticks and close his lips. Golden eyes locked with brown and as he pulled back, his tongue flicked the ends of the chopsticks. He sat back in his seat, crossed his arms over his chest and chewed silently. Slowly, gold gave way to inky black and the Prince was once again before the Princess.

“Did he cause distress?”

The Princess shook her head and smiled once again. “It seems he was more interested in me than the meal.” 

The rest of the lunch went by without further incident and the two royals walked back to the butterfly house, arm in arm while Cookie darted around their feet. At the gate, Chan and Minho both bowed before the royals and opened the doors. Cookie scampered off ahead and as the Princess had started to walk away, the blond reached out and grabbed her wrist. His hand fell to her palm and their fingers laced together. The Princess turned to face him and smiled as she squeezed his hand lightly.

“Don’t fret, Princess. Have faith in your abilities and everything will go smoothly.”

“Was that your dragon or-”

Prince Yoongi growled and pulled the Princess into his arms, their entwined fingers pressed between their chests. “You enjoy stoking the flames, Princess?”

She stared at the man before her, wide eyed and quiet before she tilted her face upwards and pressed her lips to the underside of his jaw. Black scales, firm and slightly cool, caught the warmth that seeped from her lips. Before the Prince could respond, the Princess pulled away, slipping through his fingers like sand and disappeared behind her gates like smoke in the wind. He stood outside of the butterfly house, frozen. Jooheon cleared his throat from behind the Prince and that pulled him back to Earth.

“K-Keep up the good work,” Prince Yoongi grumbled and walked off in the direction of the palace. He had a meeting with Duttu about Cookie’s collar and he planned to surprise the Princess with the finished product.

In the late night when the moon was at its highest and smothered by clouds, two figures cloaked in darkness sat in the farthest corner of the Marmota tavern. It was a hole in the wall, filled with unknown patrons that made deals with devils and sold their souls for a moment of happiness at the expense of someone else’s life. Smoke hung in the air like a veil while drinks slushed and spilled onto the floors from careless cheers and fists slammed against table tops.

A barmaid carried over to pints of eastern blaze mead and set them on the table as she smiled at the two cloaked figures. The taller of the two nodded his head and the barmaid dashed off to deal with another table.

“W-Why did you ask me to come here?”

“You chose to come here.”

“There was a note folded in with my belongings with no signature…”

The man grabbed his cup and raised it to his mouth before he took a long sip and set it down. “You were wrongfully dismissed. Banished from the palace for what? Trying to save that woman’s reputation.”

The woman across the table pulled the hood of her cloak down. Brown eyes were bloodshot, dark bags sat under eyes and a deep frown rested on her face. Thick white bandages were wrapped around her throat and tightened as she talked. “I did everything Her Majesty asked of me and she threw me aside like common waste!”

“You served Her Majesty well.”

“It’s the Prince’s fault! He…he’s a monster!” The woman touched her neck tenderly and flinched as she remembered the way the Prince’s nails dug into her skin.

“And that is the future ruler of the Empire, how horrid.” 

The man pulled a small scroll of paper from his robes and slid it to the middle of the table. The woman looked at the scroll and reached out, her fingers touched the man’s and she gulped. As the man pulled his hand away, the woman wrapped her fingers around the scroll and tucked it into her own robes. 

“What is this?”

“The young Prince wishes to sneak out of the palace to the night market���do what you will with that information.” He downed the rest of his drink and stood. “The future of the empire is in your hands…Yongsun.”

Before the man could walk away, Yongsun grabbed his robes. “Who are you? Why are you helping me?” She tried to see under the hood of the man’s cloak but all she saw was the start of a mask that covered the man’s nose and upper face.

“I am no one. Just following orders.” As he spoke, the man pushed Yongsun’s hands off his robes and disappeared from sight.