"BLOODY PEARLS" ~TK

13

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During the two days spent in captivity, the merman king endured a severe and brutal treatment at the hands of the vampires.

The absence of water made it particularly challenging for him to adapt to the surroundings, and his thoughts were consumed with concern for his late father, the former king, and the well-being of their kingdom.

Meanwhile, the vampire king didn't show up after the encounter with the merman he had two day ago.

Today was the day when the merman was set to be escorted into the throne room, where the vampire king and the other members would convene to determine his ultimate fate.

~

In Taehyung's Chamber~

Namjoon and Seokjin stood quietly in the vampire king's chamber, their eyes fixed on him as he sat in a grand armchair, immersed in deep contemplation.

Curiously, they observed the king, silently wondering what was running through his mind as he sat there, lost in thought.

So, Namjoon broke the silence, addressing the pensive king with his soft yet assertive tone. "Taehyung, what's on your mind?"

Seokjin also joined in, his gaze filled with both concern and curiosity.

"Taehyung, since that encounter with the merman in the dungeon two days ago, you've seemed so contemplative. Is something troubling you?"

Seokjin's voice carried hints of intrigue as he posed a question,
"Actually, there's something I've been wondering about. When you went to the Serene Sea, was there any chance you encountered that merman before or had some previous connection to him?"

Namjoon chimed in, his gaze fixating on his brother as well.

"I share the same thoughts, Taehyung. Could it be that your journey to the Serene Sea had some prior encounter or connection to the merman?"

That's when, Taehyung, snapping out of his thoughts, responded with a firm tone, denying any prior knowledge or encounter with the merman.

"No," he said, "I don't know him, and I've never met him before that day in the dungeon."

Seokjin's forehead creased with a mixture of mild frustration and genuine concern.

"Then why this mysterious behavior, Taehyung?" he inquired, his voice betraying a hint of curiosity.

"Ever since your return from the Serene Sea, there has been an air of secrecy surrounding your experience. We not only discovered you unconscious when you came back, but your condition was not so fine as well, we can't let it go so easily."

Namjoon nodded in agreement, acknowledging Seokjin's concerns and directing his gaze back at his brother.

"Indeed," he concurred, "Seokjin has a point, and we cannot simply brush this matter aside. The mark on your neck, in particular, raises serious questions. I can assure you it's not some random mark, Taehyung."

Frustration crept into Taehyung's voice as he finally broke his silence, his words tinged with a hint of irritation.

"Why are you both so fixated on this mark?" he hissed.

"I've told you countless times it's a random mark. Can't you just let it go? It's been days, and yet you continue to dwell on what I did in the Serene Sea and what occurred during that time."

Namjoon's voice turned authoritative as he sternly interjected, "Enough, Taehyung," he spoke.

"You may be the king, but I am still your elder brother, and it's my duty to be concerned for you, no matter how powerful you are. You can't just dismiss something as insignificant by calling it a 'random' occurrence."