The Crown and the Sword

Those eyes

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the kingdom of Tannenbaum. Birds sang their melodic songs from the branches of towering trees, their wings rustling through the leaves like invisible dancers. A gentle breeze swept through the lush greenery, carrying with it the sweet scent of flowers and freshly cut grass. It was a peaceful, idyllic scene, untroubled by the cares of the world.

Except for one place: the throne room of the castle. There, a sense of unease hung heavy in the air as King Taehyung presided over a meeting with his most trusted advisors. His brow was furrowed, his eyes darting back and forth between them, searching for answers.

"My liege," said one advisor, clearing his throat, "perhaps we should consider increasing trade with our neighbors. The merchants of Violetvale are always seeking new markets for their wares."

"A wise suggestion," the king replied, nodding thoughtfully. "But what of the rumors of unrest in Violetvale? I fear that getting too closely involved with them may prove dangerous for our own kingdom."

The advisors exchanged glances, uncertain how to respond. Finally, one of them spoke up, "Perhaps we could strike a delicate balance, Your Majesty. We could maintain diplomatic relations while also diversifying our trade partnerships. We could seek out other potential allies, such as the island kingdom of Lumina or the powerful city-state of Amethysta."

King Taehyung considered this suggestion, his mind racing with possibilities. He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers beneath his chin. "That might be wise," he said at last. "But we must tread carefully. Any misstep could have grave consequences for our kingdom."

A sense of urgency filled the room as they continued to discuss the various strategies they could employ. Taehyung listened intently, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the massive throne behind him. Its ornate carvings depicted scenes of past victories and heroic deeds, but they served as a constant reminder of the weight of responsibility that rested upon his shoulders.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, the meeting came to an end. Weary advisors filed out of the throne room, exchanging whispered comments and anxious glances. Taehyung rose from his throne, stretching his stiff legs and letting out a deep sigh.

He turned to face the object of his affections: the doe-eyed commander who had been watching him intently throughout the meeting. Despite the gravity of the situation, Taehyung couldn't help but feel a stirring in his heart whenever he looked into those beautiful eyes. He forced himself to remain composed, lest he reveal too much.

Their eyes met, and Taehyung could feel his heart leap in his chest. The commander's gaze was intense, and Taehyung found himself unable to look away. A soft gasp escaped his lips, followed by a nervous laugh that bubbled up from deep within him.

Jungkook stop looking at me with those eyes, Taehyung said softly.

Which eyes , my King?, Jungkook asked with a confused face

"I meant the ones you're using now," Taehyung replied coolly, his voice barely above a whisper. "The ones that seem to be fixated on me."

Jungkook's expression grew even more puzzled. "Fixated, my King?" He took a step closer, his eyes searching Taehyung's.

Taehyung couldn't help but smile at Jungkook's innocence. "The way you look at me, Jungkook," he clarified, his voice still low and warm. "It's... distracting."

Jungkook's cheeks flushed a soft shade of pink, his eyes dropping to the floor. "My apologies, Your Highness," he murmured, his gaze flicking back up to meet Taehyung's. "I didn't mean to..."

"Don't apologize," Taehyung said, his smile growing wider. "It's quite endearing, really." He stepped closer to Jungkook, his hand reaching out to lightly brush a strand of hair from Jungkook's face. "But you must understand, I have a kingdom to rule. I can't have you distracting me with your... charms."

Jungkook's eyes widened, and he took a step back, his cheeks now a full-blown red. "I-I'll try to be more professional, Your Highness, I will never do this mistake again," he stuttered, his voice a mix of embarrassment and determination.

Taehyung lounged comfortably on his throne, his gaze fixed on Jungkook who stood before him, an unreadable expression on his face. "You are gonna be the death of me, Jungkook," Taehyung teased, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Jungkook, ever the loyal protector, straightened his posture and met Taehyung's gaze with unwavering determination. "God forbid, my King. I won't let any harm befall you. I will always protect you," Jungkook vowed, his voice steady and resolute.
Taehyung burst into laughter, his rich melodious laughter filling the grand hall. Jungkook remained stoic, the perfect picture of a devoted commander. 

The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky painted with hues of orange and pink. Jimin and Taehyung perched themselves on the edge of the castle's highest roof, their legs swinging freely in the cool evening air. The tiles beneath them were still warm from the day's embrace, offering a gentle reminder of the hours that had slipped by unnoticed. The city sprawled out before them, a patchwork quilt of rooftops and cobblestone streets, bustling with life as the inhabitants of the kingdom prepared for the night ahead.

Taehyung took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the scent of the city—a peculiar blend of baking bread, metal from the blacksmith's forge, and the faint hint of blooming flowers from the distant gardens. He leaned back on his elbows, his eyes fixed on a point in the distance. "So, what's the deal?" Jimin nudged him playfully, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Without looking away from the horizon, Taehyung spoke, his voice a soft murmur that barely carried over the distant chatter of the city. "What do you mean?"

Jimin rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on. The way you look at him, the way you hang on his every word. It's like you're under a spell, and I've got to know—are you in love with our fearless commander?"

Taehyung's cheeks flushed a shade darker than the setting sun. He picked at a loose thread on his sleeve, avoiding Jimin's gaze. "Love? I don't know about that," he said, his voice quivering slightly. "But there's something about him, something I can't ignore."

A sudden commotion from the training grounds below snapped their attention to the world at their feet. They watched as a figure emerged from the shadows, moving with the grace of a panther and the power of a storm. It was Jungkook, the youngest and most skilled of the kingdom's commanders, fending off an attacker with swift, precise movements. The intruder, a burly man clad in tattered black garb, stumbled backward, only to be met with Jungkook's fist, which connected with a satisfying crack.

"Well, look at your commander there," Jimin said, his voice a mix of awe and mischief. "He's quite the sight, isn't he?"

Taehyung couldn't help but smile as he took in the scene. Jungkook's eyes, blazing with determination, locked onto the attacker's. The man looked up, fear etched into his features, and for a moment, "Yeah," he murmured. "He's got me wrapped around his fingers, and those eyes... oh, those eyes."

Jimin chuckled. "Looks like someone's got it bad," he teased.

Taehyung elbowed him gently. "Shut up," he said, his smile growing wider. "But yeah, I guess you could say he's my... baby."

The two friends watched as Jungkook dispatched the last of the invaders with a swift kick, the sound echoing through the now-silent streets. They shared a look, and Jimin nodded knowingly. "Well, if he's got you like that, he must be something special," he said, his voice sincere.

Taehyung's heart fluttered in his chest. "Yeah," he replied, still unable to peel his gaze away from the spectacle below. "I think he just might be."

Their moment of camaraderie was short-lived, however, as the castle's alarm bells began to toll. The air grew tense, and the distant clang of swords and shouts grew louder. The peaceful evening had been shattered, and the two friends realized that their quiet rooftop refuge was about to become a battleground. They leaped to their feet, the gravity of the situation setting in.

"Looks like the party's just getting started," Jimin said, his voice strained. "We'd better get down there."

Taehyung nodded, his eyes still on Jungkook. "After you," he said