Path Of Thorns| Vmin Historical AU

T w e n t y F o u r

The cat took almost twenty minutes to finish the tea, yet still looked entirely fine. The governors now loosened their patience, each of them scoffed or glared at Jimin venomously.

"Your majesty! Nothing happened to the cat." The same anxious older man spoke, "This cunning hybrid manipulating you." He added.

The other governors expressed their agreement, the courtyard once again echoed with the slow murmurs and cursed words for Jimin.

Namjoon stepped ahead, "It would be great if we prison him for waisting your precious time, Your majesty!" He said.

"I'm not manipulating you, Taehyung." Jimin defended himself. "It's a poison from a flower name Nightspire, it's only blooms during the full moon night but they produce the deadliest poison, that could lead anyone to be paralyzed or even died agonizingly, and the person who did this had a burning mark on his right hand." Jimin said.

The chaos increased even further, the anxious governor began to shout at Jimin, claiming him a liar who came to seek revenge.

Suddenly a maiden shouted in a loud voice, "The cat, it's dying."

Everyone stared at the cat, their eyes wide with shock. The small creature lay trembling on the floor, blood dripping from its mouth, a chilling silence settling over the room.

Taehyung clutched his fist against the edge of the carved wooden chair, his knuckles turned white and jaw muscles twisted. In his heart, Taehyung felt grateful for having Jimin by his side as only the thought of Jimin being late for a moment petrified him.

"Look, I wasn't lying at all." Jimin exclaimed, his gaze wandered through the courtyard, glaring at each person who stood in the large room.

Namjoon also looked petrified, he never intended to kill Taehyung, and if anyone had already dared to do such a sinister act, then it could bring a great harm to him.

"Shut the door closed." Taehyung screamed, he stood up in a fit of anger and glared the governors, "Every governor stand up and step ahead." He commanded.

The old men hesitated, fear evident in their eyes, but one by one, they followed Taehyung's command. The air in the courtyard grew thick with tension as the weight of the moment settled on everyone. It felt like the world held its breath, waiting for what would come next.

Taehyung's anger surged, reaching a boiling point. His fists clenched at his sides, and his jaw tightened as he struggled to contain the fury burning inside him. He had warned them, given them the chance to act on their own, but now there was no room for patience or second chances.

Each passing second fueled the storm of emotions brewing within him, and those around him could feel the intensity of his rage, knowing that something inevitable was about to happen.

"Check their hands." Taehyung commanded to Namjoon.

Each moment felt heavier for Namjoon, he stepped ahead and bowed before Taehyung, and then he began to check each older man's hand.

"How can you believe on this cunning hybrid, your majesty." The anxious old man continued his shouting.

Taehyung diverted his attention on the old man, "Watch your words before speak." He restricted.

"I apologize for my behavior, but I can't endure this insult, I shall prefer to leave this courtyard." The older man said and turned back to leave.

"Head governor Kim Namjoon, check his hand." Taehyung commanded.

Namjoon approached the older man, he clenched his jaw, "Let me check your hand." He said.

"No, I won't tolerate this insult anymore." The governor denied.

"Why? Because you're the one with burned hand." Jimin interrupted.

The governor glared at Jimin, eyes spilling fire against him.
Taehyung in the meantime, pulled the sword from it's scabbard and pointed towards the old man.

"Show me your hand." Taehyung demanded. "Everyone saw the cat died after drinking that poisoned tea, so we all know that Jimin is not lying." Taehyung said.

The old governor hesitated, his feet frozen to the ground as Taehyung’s sword glinted under the courtyard's dim light. Every eye in the room was fixed on him, waiting for his next move. The once loud murmurs had turned into an eerie silence, with only the occasional sound of the wind rustling through the open windows.

Namjoon stepped closer, his eyes locked on the older man’s hands. The tension was unbearable. The governor took a slow step and turned back to Taehyung, his face twisted with fear and defiance. His mouth opened, but no words came out. The sweat dripping down his brow made his discomfort even more obvious, and Taehyung’s patience was running thin.

“I will not ask you again,” Taehyung said, his voice dangerously low. He tightened his gripped against the hilt of his sword. “Show\... Me...Your...Hand.”

For a moment, the old governor glanced around, looking for support from his peers, but none dared meet his eyes. They were too terrified of Taehyung’s wrath, too afraid of the consequences if they aligned with the wrong side. The silence stretched on, each second heavier than the last.

Finally, with a reluctant sigh, the governor raised his hand slowly. As his sleeve slipped back, the room gasped in unison. The old man, clear had a dark burned mark etched into his flesh, glowing faintly under the light. It was undeniable.