A Crowned Heart

{10}

The night was still young, but Y/N found herself restless in her chambers. After her unsettling confrontation with Davin, her thoughts were consumed by a whirlwind of confusion and frustration. She paced the small room, the confines feeling even more oppressive after the harsh exchange. Her mind kept drifting back to Taehyung—his words, his presence, and the undeniable connection they shared.

Suddenly, the silence of the night was pierced by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching her door. Y/N froze, her heart leaping into her throat as she recognized the urgency in the footsteps. Her thoughts raced—had Davin come back? But then she heard something else, something that made her breath catch: the sound of metal scraping against the lock.

The door began to rattle, and Y/N's heart pounded harder. She rushed to it, her hope surging as she saw a shadowy figure outside through the small gap. "Hello?" she called out, her voice trembling. "Who's there?"

The rattling stopped for a moment, and then a voice she recognized—Taehyung's voice—cut through the night air, filled with frustration and determination. "Y/N! Are you in there? Answer me!"

"Taehyung?" Y/N's voice was filled with relief and surprise. "Yes, I'm here! I'm locked in!"

"I'm getting you out," Taehyung said firmly, his voice steady despite the urgency. The sound of him working at the lock continued, his movements swift and determined.

Y/N rushed to the door, her heart racing with anticipation. "Taehyung, be careful! The lock is difficult."

"I know," Taehyung replied, his voice strained but resolute. "Just hold on."

The seconds felt like hours as Taehyung struggled with the lock. Y/N could hear the frustration in his breaths and the clinking of metal. She pressed her ear against the door, her heart aching with both worry and hope.

Finally, with a decisive click, the lock released, and the door swung open. Taehyung stood there, his face flushed with exertion and anger. His eyes locked onto Y/N's, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to disappear.

"Taehyung!" Y/N exclaimed, rushing forward and throwing her arms around him. "You came for me!"

Taehyung wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. "Of course, I did. I couldn't stand the thought of you being locked up like that."

He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers with a mix of concern and frustration. "What happened? Why were you locked in?"

Y/N sighed, her emotions spilling out. "Davin... he found us together and got angry. He accused me of having feelings for you and locked me in here to 'reflect.'"

Taehyung's jaw tightened, his expression darkening with anger. "That's unacceptable. He has no right to do that."

"I know," Y/N said, her voice softening. "But there's more. He's trying to control me, and I don't know how to break free."

Taehyung's gaze softened, and he reached out, cupping her face gently. "Y/N, you don't have to go through this alone. I'm here for you. We'll find a way to deal with Davin and this situation."

Y/N looked into Taehyung's eyes, feeling a deep sense of relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Taehyung. I don't know what I would do without you."

Taehyung's expression was intense, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and something deeper. "You won't have to find out. I won't let him control you. We'll figure this out together."

Just then, a loud knock echoed through the corridor, followed by Davin's voice, demanding from the other side. "Y/N! Open the door this instant!"

Taehyung's face hardened, and he glanced at Y/N. "We need to be careful. If Davin finds out I'm here, things will only get worse."

Y/N nodded, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and resolve. "What should we do?"

Taehyung thought for a moment, then took a deep breath. "We need to stay calm and think this through. We'll have to get out of here quietly and avoid confrontation for now. I'll handle this."

With that, Taehyung carefully closed the door, locking it back in place. He turned to Y/N, his expression serious but reassuring. "We'll find another way out, but we need to be quick and discreet."

Y/N followed him as he moved to a hidden panel on the wall, which he opened to reveal a narrow passage. "This should lead to a service corridor," Taehyung explained. "It's not used often, so it's less likely to be guarded."

Y/N nodded, feeling a mixture of anxiety and hope. "Let's go."

As they made their way through the dimly lit passage, Taehyung kept close to Y/N, his presence a comforting shield against the uncertainty of their situation. They moved silently, the only sounds their quiet footsteps and the occasional rustle of clothing.

Eventually, they emerged into a less-frequented part of the palace, the cool night air a welcome change from the stifling atmosphere of the room. Taehyung led Y/N through a series of corridors, ensuring they remained hidden from view.

Finally, they reached a secluded garden, far from the main palace areas. Taehyung turned to Y/N, his expression softening as he took her hand in his. "We're safe here for now. We can talk and figure out our next move."

Y/N looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and a hint of worry. "Thank you, Taehyung. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Taehyung's gaze was filled with determination and tenderness. "You won't have to find out. I'm here for you, no matter what."

They stood there for a moment, the cool night air and the quiet surroundings providing a brief respite from the chaos. Y/N felt a profound sense of connection with Taehyung, the bond between them strengthened by their shared struggle.

As they talked quietly about their next steps and how to confront Davin, Y/N realized that no matter the challenges they faced, they would face them together. And in that moment, despite the uncertainty of their future, she felt a glimmer of hope and strength that she hadn't felt before.

The night was far from over, and the road ahead was uncertain, but Y/N knew that with Taehyung by her side, she could face whatever came next.