Ecstacy of Love (vsoo)

38. Life was no longer about survival -it was about living,

Edited

Author's POV

The moon hung high in the night sky, its pale light casting a ghostly glow over the hilly expanse of Baek Post. The terrain was eerily serene, a deceptive calm blanketing the chaos that was about to unfold.

Bangtan, along with Jisoo, had already arrived, hidden in the shadows, while the kingdom's soldiers flanked Crown Prince Jiyong and Second Prince Junmyeon as they ventured into dangerous territory.

Jisoo and Taehyung crouched behind a pile of hefty wooden logs, their breaths quiet and steady as they surveyed the scene.

Their sharp eyes scanned the area, piecing together the intricate puzzle of what Chanyeol and Junmyeon were plotting.

Meanwhile, the rest of Bangtan had followed the Crown Prince and Second Prince, trusting in the risky plan Jiyong had laid out.

It was a precarious situation. If Chanyeol or the Second Prince discovered Bangtan's presence, there would be no hesitation- they would kill the Crown Prince without a second thought.

The faint flicker of lantern flames illuminated the figures of six men, their towering forms cutting imposing silhouettes amidst the trees. Chanyeol, his grin wide and smug, stepped forward as he spotted Junmyeon and Jiyong approaching.

His demeanor was easygoing, too convincing to dismiss, as if he had nothing to hide.

"Welcome, Your Highness," Chanyeol greeted, his voice smooth, his words dripping with feigned hospitality. "Let me arrange for your comfort. You must be tired after such a long journey."

Jiyong, despite his composed exterior, remained wary. He had anticipated this trap, thanks to Junmyeon's stubborn insistence to involve himself. Chanyeol's so-called negotiation of ordnance was a ruse, a flimsy excuse to lure the Crown Prince to this secluded spot.

"Let's get inside," Chanyeol continued, gesturing to a makeshift shelter, his movements calculated and deliberate.

"We've prepared everything for your arrival."

While Jiyong, Junmyeon, and the main group moved ahead, Taehyung and Jisoo remained behind, blending seamlessly into the shadows. Taehyung's sharp instincts kept him alert as he analyzed the layout. Something felt off-far too off.

"This is too clean," Taehyung murmured under his breath, his hand brushing the hilt of his blade. His eyes darted to Jisoo, who nodded in agreement.

"Chanyeol isn't someone to let his guard down," she whispered. "There's something we're missing."

The eerie quiet of the night was interrupted only by the occasional rustle of leaves and distant animal calls. But then, a different sound-a faint shuffle, followed by muffled grunts-caught their attention.

Exchanging a glance, Taehyung and Jisoo moved cautiously toward the noise, weaving through the dense undergrowth. What they found made their blood run cold.

Bangtan.

Their comrades-Seokjin, Jungkook, Jimin, Hoseok, Yoongi, and Namjoon-were restrained, their wrists and ankles bound tightly. Cloth gags muffled their voices, their expressions a mix of fury and disbelief. Daggers gleamed against their throats, the guards keeping them immobile.

Seokjin and Jungkook struggled against their bindings, their muscles straining, but the guards' hold was unyielding. Jimin, Hoseok, Yoongi, and Namjoon exchanged silent glances, their eyes flashing with the determination to fight back, but they couldn't risk a wrong move.

Taehyung's jaw clenched as he gripped his blade, readying himself. Beside him, Jisoo's hand hovered over the hilt of her weapon, her movements measured but tense.