Bound by Fate

Chapter 7: The Lines of Battle Drawn

The tension in the palace lingered like a heavy cloud, thickening with every passing moment. The aftermath of the violent confrontation between Namjoon and Yoongi left a scar not only in the walls of the palace but also in the hearts of everyone involved. Although the physical wounds had healed, the emotional damage was far more complicated. Yoongi, once one of Namjoon's closest friends and trusted allies, now looked at him with an expression that had shifted from respect to something far colder—betrayal.

Yoongi remained in the palace after the fight, but not out of loyalty to Namjoon. He was there for Seokjin. His silent promise to protect his brother from Namjoon, who he now saw as a threat, weighed heavily on his mind. Every day, Yoongi's gaze followed Namjoon with quiet suspicion, his presence a constant reminder of the fractured trust between them.

One evening, Namjoon was sitting alone in his chambers, his thoughts a storm of emotions. He had never wanted any of this, least of all hurting Seokjin. Yet the circumstances kept pulling him deeper into the heart of a conflict he couldn't control.

As Namjoon brooded, a loud knock sounded at his door. He stood up, surprised when his grandmother, the queen, entered without waiting for permission. Her presence filled the room with authority.

"You need to start living together as a married couple," she said flatly, not wasting a moment. "Seokjin and you. From tonight onward, you will share a room."

Namjoon stared at her, stunned by the command. "Grandmother, you can't force him into this. He—"

"You forget who you are," she interrupted, her eyes narrowing with impatience. "He is your husband now, bound to you by the law of this kingdom. He will stay with you, and that is final."

"But—"

"You are the future king. This is not up for debate, Namjoon." Her voice was like stone, leaving no room for argument.

Down the hall, the reaction to this news was swift and severe. Seokjin's father, Hyunjin, stormed into the palace's meeting hall, his face twisted with anger. "You can't do this!" he shouted at the queen grandmother when he confronted her later. "Seokjin is not just some pawn you can move around to suit your whims. He's powerless. Living with Namjoon would destroy him!"

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice in the matter," the queen replied, her tone dismissive. "He is part of this family now, whether you like it or not."

Hyunjin's eyes burned with rage, but he knew that arguing with her was like shouting at a wall. Nothing could sway the queen grandmother once she had made up her mind. "He's my son!" he shouted, his voice breaking slightly. "I won't let you tear him apart for your own games!"

"Then you will watch," she said icily. "As powerless as your son is. If you want to protect him, you should have raised him to be stronger."

Hyunjin's heart clenched, but before he could respond, Tae, who had been standing nearby, erupted into the room. His normally calm expression was a mask of fury as he stormed toward Namjoon's chamber.

When he reached Namjoon, Tae's voice broke the tense air, filled with raw emotion. "If you touch my brother, I swear I'll kill you!" Tae's fists were clenched tightly, his eyes blazing with fury as he stood face-to-face with Namjoon. "You've already ruined his life. If you so much as lay a hand on him, I will never forgive you."

Namjoon didn't react right away, simply watching Tae with a strange, detached curiosity. Tae was so different from his brother. While Seokjin was all grace and fragility, Tae was fire and steel, willing to throw himself into battle if it meant protecting those he loved.