Ecstacy of Love (vsoo)

12. It was trap.

Somewhere in Kingdom

The dimly lit room reeked of tension and schemes as the tall man paced back and forth, his shadow stretching across the walls like a menacing specter. His clenched fists trembled, veins bulging in his forearms as his frustration threatened to erupt. The wooden table in front of him bore the marks of his wrath—deep dents from his repeated slams.

His right-hand man, face obscured by an intricate black mask, stood silently, his posture calm yet alert. The flickering candlelight illuminated the golden emblem on the mask, a symbol that only their inner circle would recognize.

"Seokjin and Jungkook," the tall man growled, venom dripping from each word. "They’re proving to be more of a nuisance than I anticipated. How dare they intercept my plans? How did they even know where to strike?"

The masked man, unshaken by the outburst, replied in a measured tone. "One of our men was careless. He was captured en route to Baek Post with the ordnance. They found the map on him."

The tall man’s fists slammed onto the table again, causing the nearby candle to flicker violently. "Fools! Every step we take is met with resistance because of that cursed Gunju and his loyal dogs." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "This ends tonight."

The masked man inclined his head slightly. "At the Crown Prince’s engagement banquet, there will be no room for mistakes. Tonight, we silence Gunju Taehyung and the Crown Prince once and for all. With them gone, the throne will be yours to claim."

A slow, sinister chuckle rumbled from the tall man’s chest. He leaned forward, his dark eyes gleaming with malice. "And when that weak old king breathes his last, no one will stand in my way. The kingdom will bow to me."

The masked man didn’t respond immediately, but his silence spoke volumes. He was as much a part of this scheme as the tall man, though his allegiance wasn’t as transparent. Finally, he spoke, his voice calm but carrying a hint of warning. "Ensure that no one traces this back to us. If my identity is exposed, it won’t be long before they uncover you as well. We must remain shadows in their world."

The tall man smirked, leaning back into his chair with an air of confidence. "No one will know. By the time they realize what’s happening, it will be too late. Tonight, the banquet hall will be their grave."

The masked man nodded silently, his gaze lingering on the flickering candle. Shadows danced on the walls, their movements almost alive, mirroring the chaos that was about to unfold. As he turned to leave, the tall man called out.

"Remember, no mistakes. Gunju Taehyung and the Crown Prince must not see another sunrise."

The masked man didn’t look back, disappearing into the shadows as silently as he came. The tall man leaned forward, gripping the edge of the table, his lips curling into a sinister smile.

Tonight would mark the beginning of a new era—his era.

---

Royal Palace

Jisoo’s POV

I walked into the grand hall, eyes wide with wonder. The sheer beauty of the place was overwhelming, from the sparkling chandeliers made of diamonds to the vibrant flowers that adorned every surface. The palace was alive with elegance—everything was gilded in gold, and the air smelled of sweet perfumes. I had never seen anything like it before.