Fateful Alliance ∞

Ⅰ

JUNGKOOK

The door creaks open behind me. I don't need to turn around to know it's my mother, but I do anyway; she's impossible to ignore. She sweeps in like she owns the place, lavender dress flowing behind her, chin tilted up as though she's walking a runway instead of barging into her son's dressing room.

She stops in front of me, her lips curling into that familiar look of disappointment.
"You haven't done your makeup yet," she says, shaking her head. "Your eyes look puffy. Just wearing a suit isn't enough. Why don't you ever listen to me?"

Before I can even answer, she's already picking up a brush, leaning in to dab powder under my eyes. The smell of her perfume wraps around me, sharp and suffocating.

I sit there quietly and let her work. Fighting her is pointless. Today of all days, it would be useless.

Today is my wedding day.

I should feel nervous in a good way, right? Excited? Maybe even happy. Instead, my chest feels like it's caving in. My parents arranged this marriage for business reasons, pairing me off with Kim Taehyung, a man everyone describes with the same two words: cold and ruthless. My future is basically a trade agreement dressed up as a love story.

Still, I tell myself it might not be the worst thing. At least it gets me away from this house. At least it gets me away from them.

Mother's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. "Listen to me carefully, Jungkook. From now on, you're Kim Taehyung's husband. That means you do as he says, no questions. If he tells you to clean, you clean. If he tells you to cook, you cook. If he-" she pauses only to press harder with the brush, "-wants you in his bed, you follow his wishes. Do you understand?"

Her words land like stones in my stomach. She's not talking to me like I'm her son. I'm an asset, a bargaining chip. "Your only job is to keep him happy," she adds. "This deal means everything to our company. Don't expect him to treat you like a prince. Be responsible, and don't embarrass us."

Satisfied, she clicks away in her high heels, leaving behind the faint trail of her perfume and the weight of her expectations.

I tilt my head back, blinking at the ceiling to keep tears from ruining the makeup. Crying here isn't allowed. Crying is a weakness.

Then the door opens again, and this time it's Aera. My sister. The only person in this family who actually feels like family.

She kneels in front of me, takes my hands, and studies my face. "Are you okay, Kookie?" she whispers.

Something inside me breaks, but in a good way, in relief. She's here. She still cares.

"I know this marriage is forced. And I know you hate Mom and Dad right now. Honestly, I do too." She squeezes my hands tighter. "But listen, you still have me. No matter what. If Taehyung ever mistreats you, call me. I'll help you run away. And... maybe he won't be like they say. Maybe he'll surprise you. Try to give him a chance, okay?"

Tears sting my eyes again, and this time I let them fall, quickly wiping them before they can smudge. I pull her into a hug, holding on like she's the only thing keeping me from drowning. Because she is.

Aera has always been my anchor. When I dreamed of writing instead of inheriting the company, she was the only one who cheered me on. She came to every book signing, every tiny milestone. Without her, I'd have given up on myself a long time ago.

The moment shatters when our father storms in. He scowls at us like we're children caught misbehaving. "Crying? Now? Do you want to look ugly in front of the groom?" His voice cuts sharper than Mother's makeup brush ever could.

Aera lowers her head and slips out quietly, like she always does when he's angry. He grips my arm, pulling me up to my feet. "Come on. Don't embarrass me out there."

And just like that, I'm at the start of the aisle, his hand tight around mine. The hall is buzzing with whispers and stares, but all I see is the man waiting at the other end.

Kim Taehyung.

Black suit, white shirt, hair slicked back. His gaze is sharp, unreadable. It pins me in place, and for a terrifying second, I forget how to breathe. Then, barely there, the corners of his lips lift. Not much, just enough to make my chest flutter in confusion.

I take a step forward. Then another. My father passes my hand to his, and now it's Taehyung's grip that grounds me. Strong. Steady.

The priest's words blur together until I catch my own name. I repeat the vows with a shaky voice, every syllable tasting like surrender.

And then: "You may kiss the groom."

My heart stops. A kiss. I hadn't let myself think this far ahead. My chest tightens as Taehyung leans closer. His eyes are still on me, unwavering, as if he's looking for something.

I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing myself. For the kiss. For the night. For whatever comes after.