A Crowned Heart

{20}

Y/N felt as though her heart would break with each step she took down the grand hallway, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble. The weight of the decision she had made sat heavily on her chest, but a newfound strength surged through her veins. Her fingers brushed the hidden necklace beneath her dress, the one Taehyung had gifted her, grounding her in a love that transcended the walls of this palace and the chains that bound her.

She reached the ornate doors leading to the ceremonial hall. Inside, guests had gathered, filling the air with murmured anticipation. Davin stood at the end of the aisle, a look of satisfaction on his face as he awaited her arrival. But she didn't focus on him. Her mind was filled with the memory of Taehyung's voice, his fierce declaration that he would do anything to protect her.

As she stepped into the room, all eyes turned to her, admiring her beauty and grace. But inside, her heart was raging, fueled by a silent, desperate courage.

Beside her, Draupadi leaned in, her voice barely a whisper. "Y/N, whatever you choose... I'll be with you. I'll support you."

Y/N squeezed her friend's hand, grateful for her presence. "Thank you," she whispered, giving Draupadi a small, resolute smile.

She made her way down the aisle, each step feeling like a lifetime. As she approached Davin, his face twisted into a smirk. He leaned forward slightly, whispering, "Finally, you're learning your place."

Y/N's jaw clenched, her heart thundering with anger and defiance. For too long, she had been made to feel powerless, forced into a life she hadn't chosen. But now, a single thought echoed in her mind: No more.

Davin reached for her hand, but she took a step back, her eyes blazing. The crowd gasped as a hush fell over the room.

"Y/N," he hissed, his voice low and menacing. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I think..." She paused, gathering every bit of strength she could muster, her voice unwavering. "I think I'm done with this charade."

The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, disbelief mingling with curiosity. Davin's face darkened, his hand tightening into a fist. "You're making a fool of yourself. Come here. Now."

She shook her head, her voice clear and strong. "No, Davin. I've endured your cruelty, your control. But I refuse to live another day in a life I don't want."

Davin's expression twisted with fury as he took a step toward her. "You think you can just walk away from this? From me?" he spat.

"I do." She held his gaze, undaunted. "Because for the first time in my life, I'm choosing what I want."

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the hall, the guests gasping as they parted to let her through. She didn't look back. Her heart raced with every step as she made her way down the long corridors of the castle, her resolve growing with each breath.

Just outside, Taehyung waited, hidden by the shadows of the courtyard, his face taut with worry. He'd been prepared to storm in and fight for her, but seeing her emerge, her face fierce and determined, filled him with a mix of pride and relief.

"Taehyung," she whispered as she reached him, her voice breaking as she looked up at him. "I couldn't go through with it."

He pulled her into his arms, holding her close as the weight of the moment settled over them. "I knew you couldn't," he murmured, his voice filled with warmth. "You're stronger than any of them ever believed."

She looked up, her eyes brimming with emotion. "I don't know what's going to happen now... but I know I can't go back to that life."

Taehyung brushed a strand of hair from her face, his gaze filled with tenderness. "Then let's leave it behind. We'll find a way to be together, somewhere no one can touch us."

A voice rang out from the hallway behind them, and they both turned to see Davin, his face twisted with rage as he stormed toward them. "Y/N!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the courtyard. "You think you can humiliate me like this and just run off with him?"

Y/N took a steady breath, stepping in front of Taehyung as she met Davin's furious gaze. "This is my life," she said firmly. "And I will live it on my own terms."

Davin scoffed, his mouth twisting into a cruel sneer. "You think he can protect you? You think you're safe with him?"

Taehyung's hand came to rest gently on her shoulder as he took a step forward, meeting Davin's glare head-on. "She's safer with me than she ever was with you," he said coldly, his voice laced with an unspoken warning.

Davin's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching as he measured Taehyung. "You'll pay for this," he spat. "Both of you."

Without another word, he stormed back into the castle, the door slamming behind him.

Y/N took a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she turned back to Taehyung. "He won't stop," she murmured, fear creeping into her voice.

Taehyung wrapped his arms around her, his embrace solid and reassuring. "Let him try. We'll face whatever comes—together."

She nodded, feeling the strength of his words, the promise in his touch. In that moment, she knew that no matter the challenges ahead, no matter how many times they'd have to look over their shoulders, she was exactly where she belonged.

"Let's leave," she whispered, looking up at him with a mixture of hope and determination. "Let's find a place where we can start over."

With one last look at the castle behind them, they turned and disappeared into the night, leaving the life they once knew far behind.