Inked

1-

In the bustling heart of Seoul, hidden beneath the neon glow of a small tattoo parlor, Jungkook wielded his needle with precision. Known for his minimalist artistry, he transformed skin into canvases of subtle elegance. But behind his calm demeanor lay a history tangled with a secret — one that bound him to a royal princess, Jasmine, whom he had known since she was 18.

Jasmine was anything but ordinary. She was a princess, yet her life was anything but regal. Neglected by her family and suffocated by the weight of her title, she craved freedom. Every night, under the guise of darkness, she would sneak out of the palace to find Jungkook. Their meetings became her escape, her rebellion against the life that constrained her.

"Just one more," she'd plead, revealing yet another hidden spot on her body for Jungkook to ink. He understood the significance behind each tattoo — a flower for resilience, a bird for freedom, a crescent moon for her hidden self. The art was small, discreet, and perfect for her clandestine existence.

Their bond deepened as they shared stolen moments in dimly lit corners of the bar they frequented, laughing and confiding in one another. But their secret rendezvous were under constant threat. Wonwoo, Jasmine's ever-watchful bodyguard, was as dedicated as he was oblivious. No matter how sneaky Jasmine became, his presence loomed like a shadow, always a step behind.

One fateful night, as Jasmine entered the parlor, a chill ran down her spine. She could feel the tension in the air; something was off. Jungkook sensed it too, his instincts sharpening. "You okay?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Just... a little anxious," she replied, trying to hide her fear. But before they could dive into another tattoo session, the doors burst open. Royal guards flooded in, led by none other than Wonwoo, who had finally caught wind of Jasmine's escapades.

"Princess Jasmine!" Wonwoo called, panic etched across his face. "You can't keep doing this! You need to come back!"

With no choice but to comply, Jasmine shot Jungkook a desperate look. "I'll be back," she whispered, a promise laced with longing. As the guards escorted her away, Jungkook felt a pang of loss. He had been her escape, and now he was just another part of her confinement.

Back in the palace, Jasmine's defiance began to fade under the weight of her responsibilities. But as days turned into weeks, the memory of Jungkook and her tattoos lingered. She could feel them beneath her skin, a reminder of her true self, hidden but not forgotten.

Wonwoo, while trying to protect her, was unaware of the emotional toll the palace walls took on Jasmine. One evening, as he checked in on her, he noticed her absent gaze and the slight smile that played on her lips — a smile meant for someone else. "You're not happy here, are you?" he asked gently.

Jasmine sighed, her heart heavy. "No, I'm not. I need to be free... to be me."

Determined to reclaim her freedom, she devised a plan. With the help of a few trusted servants, she organized a daring escape back to Jungkook's tattoo parlor, the only place that felt like home. When the moon rose high, she slipped away, heart racing with anticipation.

Jungkook was waiting, the glow of the neon sign illuminating his figure. "You came back," he breathed, relief flooding his features.

"I need to finish what we started," she said, revealing yet another spot on her body.

As Jungkook worked his magic, the ink transformed not just her skin but her very spirit. Each tattoo was a declaration of her independence, a testament to her unyielding will. This time, she wasn't just a princess; she was Jasmine — a woman embracing her truth.

As dawn broke, Jasmine knew that her journey wasn't over. With Jungkook by her side, she could finally take control of her destiny. And together, they would forge a path that defied expectations, breaking free from the confines of royalty, one tattoo at a time.