Beauty & War: A Crown of Thorns

𝔱𝔥𝔯𝔢𝔢

"You called for me, Jeonha?" Taehyung murmured, his voice quiet as he bowed deeply before the king, his forehead perfectly parallel to the ground in a gesture of absolute reverence.

His every movement echoed the years of discipline and refinement ingrained in him throughout his life spent at the palace. Duty and decorum were as much a part of him as the air he breathed and the blood coursing through his vein. A royal blood. Taehyung belonged to a noble lineage, with his family holding a distant claim to the royal bloodline, five times removed from the throne. Though far from the seat of power, this connection granted them both status and privilege, ensuring Taehyung a place in the court.

His upbringing was marked by careful instruction and silent observation, always mindful that his future within the palace required nothing short of perfection, loyalty, grace, and composure. From a young age, he had been immersed in the intricate world of court life, serving as a maiden-in-waiting to Prince Jimin. It was during this time that he began to comprehend the bias of palace politics and the weight of royal expectations.

The years he spent in close proximity to the royal family had fostered deep connections with the princes, particularly Jimin. Taehyung had long served faithfully at his side, learning not just the duties expected of him but also the quiet burdens that came with royal life.

Yet everything changed when the Second Great War reached the heart of the kingdom. As the court was under siege, and with the King and Crown Prince away at battle, Prince Jimin had taken command of his entourage. In an act of selflessness, he ordered the cooks, scholars, and even his closest attendants, including Taehyung, to flee to safety. He alone stayed behind with the royal guards to defend the palace.

That was the last time Taehyung had seen Jimin—nearly six years ago. The memory of their parting haunted him still, a bittersweet mixture of loyalty, fear, and unspoken farewells. Jimin's absence had left a void in the palace, and though life continued, Taehyung often found himself wondering what had become of the prince who had once been so central to his world.

Though their relationship had begun in the formal confines of court roles, over time, Taehyung and Jimin had grown into true confidants. The hours spent together—whether in silent companionship or exchanging their deepest thoughts—had fostered a quiet but profound bond.

To Taehyung, Jimin wasn't just the prince he served, but his closest friend, someone with whom he could share his burdens and joys. So when Jimin disappeared from his life without a trace, the loss hit Taehyung deeply, leaving an emptiness that felt almost insurmountable. Losing not just his role as Jimin's maiden-in-waiting, but also his closest companion left Taehyung adrift, heartbroken and purposeless within the court.

In the wake of the war and Jimin's absence, Taehyung's place within the palace underwent a profound transformation. Stripped of his role as the prince's attendant, his formal duties dissipated. Yet, under King Seokjin's decree—issued both as Jimin's brother and the newly crowned monarch—Taehyung was ordered to remain at court, either until he married or until Jimin's return. The directive left his future in limbo, but Taehyung obeyed, lingering within the palace as an honorary guest, caught between past loyalties and an uncertain destiny.

Feeling adrift in the grandeur of the palace without his former purpose, Taehyung sought a new sense of belonging beyond its walls. He moved in with his omega cousin, Hyungsik, and Hyungsik's alpha husband, Park Seojoon, who welcomed him warmly into their home. Though he no longer resided at the palace, Taehyung remained closely connected to the royal family's affairs. Each day, he returned to the palace to tend to the younger pups in the royal nursery, working alongside the governesses. This routine provided him with a quiet solace—a way to occupy his days while holding onto the fragile hope that Jimin might one day come back.