Bound by Fate

Chapter 3: The Forced Union

The days following the incident in the Virginity Chamber passed in a blur for Seokjin. Weak and disoriented, he struggled to move, his body still aching from the overwhelming power surge that had wracked him and Namjoon. His mind spun with confusion, and despite Jimin's gentle care, Seokjin's heart felt heavy with dread. Jimin had stayed by his side for nearly every waking moment, offering small comforts—meals, water, soft conversation—but nothing could soothe Seokjin's soul.

Seokjin couldn't forget the terror of the ritual, nor could he shake his growing resentment toward Namjoon, the man he believed was behind it all.

"He's the reason I'm here," Seokjin whispered bitterly one night as Jimin sat by his bedside, adjusting the blanket around his trembling shoulders.

Jimin hesitated, looking pained. "It's not like that, Seokjin," he began, voice soft with sympathy. "Namjoon isn't... he wouldn't want this for you."

"He's part of this," Seokjin interrupted, his voice trembling with emotion. "He's why all of this is happening. His family took everything from me."

Jimin sighed, unsure of what to say. He understood Seokjin's anger but also knew how deeply Namjoon was conflicted. There was no easy way to explain the situation, no words that would make it better.

Meanwhile, Seokjin's family was in complete disarray. His father, King Hyunjin, had long abandoned the kingdom and royal duties to escape the pressure of his ruthless mother. Fifteen years earlier, he had left everything behind, taking his beloved wife and sons with him. He'd chosen a peaceful life, far away from the palace, where they lived quietly and out of the queen mother's reach. But now, that peace had been shattered.

Hyunjin paced the floor of their small home, his heart pounding as he tried to think of a way to save his son. His wife, Queen Hyejin, sat by the window, her face pale and tear-streaked.

"We should never have left," she whispered, her voice trembling. "We should never have let her control us like this."

Hyunjin clenched his fists, his heart heavy with guilt. He had thought they were safe. He had believed that by leaving the palace and cutting ties with his mother, he could protect his family. But his mother's influence had reached them even here, and now, their eldest son was paying the price.

"I'll find him," Hyunjin said, his voice filled with determination. "I don't care what it takes. I won't let her have him."

Queen Hyejin sobbed quietly, clutching a handkerchief as her younger son, Taehyung, stood by her side, his face dark with anger.

"We have to do something, Father," Taehyung urged. "We can't let her win."

"I know," Hyunjin muttered, pacing again. "I'm going to find a way. I'll use whatever power I have left."

Taehyung nodded, though inside, he felt powerless. He had no magic of his own—no strength to offer. All he could do was support his parents as they struggled to bring Seokjin back.

The news of Seokjin's impending marriage soon reached the ears of Yoongi's mother. Having long been estranged from the royal family, she had hoped to avoid being dragged into the queen mother's schemes. But now, with her nephew in danger, she couldn't sit idly by.

"This can't be happening," she muttered to herself as she paced the halls of her home. "Not to Seokjin."

Though she tried to intervene, using her connections and power to stop the forced union, the queen mother's grip on the situation was too strong. No matter how hard she pushed, nothing changed.

Frustrated and running out of options, she sent word to her son, Yoongi, who was away on a mission for the kingdom. Yoongi had always cared deeply for Seokjin, viewing him as an older brother, and she knew he would want to help. But getting a message to him would take time, and even once he received it, returning to the palace would take days. All they could do was wait and hope that Yoongi would arrive before it was too late.