Throne of thorns

" The Reluctant Pact "

Taehyung walked back to the main hall, each step heavy with the weight of his decision. The torches lining the stone walls cast flickering shadows, mirroring the turmoil in his heart. As he entered, the room fell silent, all eyes turning to him.

Jungkook stood at the far end, his posture rigid, eyes cold and calculating. Jimin stood nearby, a silent plea etched across his features. Taehyung took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of resolve he had left.

"Jungkook," Taehyung began, his voice steady but laced with tension. "I will meet your condition."

A murmur rippled through the gathered courtiers and soldiers. Jungkook's expression softened, just slightly, his eyes narrowing with interest. "You will marry me, then?" he asked, his tone measured, as if testing Taehyung's resolve.

Taehyung met his gaze head-on. "Yes," he said firmly. "For the sake of my people and to end this senseless war, I will marry you."

Jungkook's lips curled into a satisfied smirk. "Very well," he said. "Let it be known that the prince of Daegu and the king of Busan are to be wed. This union shall bring an end to our conflict."

The room erupted into a mixture of shock, relief, and cautious optimism. Jimin stepped forward, his expression a mixture of pride and concern. "Thank you, Taehyung," he said softly. "You've made a difficult choice, but it's the right one."

Taehyung nodded, though his heart felt heavy. "I hope so, Jimin," he replied. "For all our sakes."

As the room began to disperse, Taehyung found himself alone with Jungkook. The vampire king's piercing gaze never wavered, and Taehyung felt a shiver run down his spine.

"You hate this, don't you?" Jungkook said quietly, stepping closer. "The very idea of standing beside me repulses you."

Taehyung's jaw tightened. "I won't deny it," he admitted. "But I won't let my personal feelings destroy my kingdom. I will fulfill my duty."

Jungkook regarded him with a mix of curiosity and something that almost resembled respect. "Duty," he mused. "It's a powerful motivator."

Before Taehyung could respond, a commotion outside the hall drew their attention. The doors burst open, and Park Jimin, along with several of Daegu's advisors, rushed in.

"Taehyung," Jimin said urgently. "We have a situation. There's been a blockade set up by Busan forces near our main water source. They're threatening to cut off our supply if we don't comply with their demands."

Jungkook's eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger crossing his face. "This was not part of our agreement," he growled. "I will deal with this personally."

Taehyung stepped forward, his expression resolute. "No," he said firmly. "We will deal with this together. If we are to be allies, we must face our challenges as one."

Jungkook studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Very well," he said. "Let's resolve this before it escalates further."

Together, they strode out of the hall, a united front against the chaos that threatened to tear their world apart. And though the road ahead was uncertain, Taehyung felt a glimmer of hope. For the first time, he saw a path to peace—one that required them to stand together, no matter the cost.

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**Author's Note:**

Thank you for joining me on this journey through a world fraught with conflict and unexpected alliances. Your support means everything to me! Please continue to vote and leave your comments—your feedback is invaluable and keeps the story alive. Stay tuned, because the story is only getting started! 🌟