"The Second Ruler"

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The moment jungkooks words left his mouth, thunder roared outside the palace, mirroring the sound of the slap that echoed inside the chamber.

Ji-woo's hand had struck Jungkook's cheek right after his accusation.

Taehyung's world seemed to cease; he couldn't believe his ears. What he had just heard—Jimin was not Jeon's biological family member.

The room fell into a stunned silence, the only sound being the relentless rain outside.

Jungkook's cheek burned from the slap, but the pain in his heart was far greater.

He had never intended to reveal this secret, but desperation had driven him to it.

Ji-woo's face was a mask of fury and hurt. "How dare you, Jungkook," he hissed, his voice trembling with emotion.

"Jimin is as much my son as you are. I have never treated him any differently." His voice expanded with each word.

Younger's eyes filled with tears, his voice breaking. "Then why, Father? Why are you forcing him into a loveless marriage? Why can't he be happy with Yoongi Hyung-nim, just as I am with His Emperor?"

Ji-woo's anger seemed to rise. He had sworn Jungkook to secrecy about Jimin's true parentage, but today the prince had broken that vow.

He had crossed a line that Ji-woo couldn't forgive, the king had loved and cherished both of them equally, never once letting it show that Jimin was not his blood.

This secret was known only to Jungkook, Ji-woo, and the Queen of Elsiye.

Ji-woo wonder how could Jungkook question his love for Jimin? Just how?

The king stepped forward, his voice cold and resolute. "Then be ready to sacrifice your love."

The pitter-patter of the rain matched the turmoil in the hearts of all three.

Taehyung was aware this might happen, and his heart finally broke.

Yet, he stood firm, as an emperor must be prepared to handle multiple things, including hiding his emotions.

Jungkook's heart shattered at his father's words. He had hoped for understanding, for compassion, but instead, he was met with an ultimatum.

The storm outside seemed to rage even harder, the thunder echoing the chaos within the chamber.

"Father," Jungkook pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Don't make us choose between love and duty. There must be another way."

Ji-woo's eyes softened for a moment, but then he steeled himself. "The kingdom's stability comes first, Jungkook. You must understand that."

Taehyung stepped forward, his voice steady.

"Your Majesty, do one of us really need to sacrifice our love?" he queried, tilting his head slightly.

Ji-woo stared at both of them, then turned his back, unable to look into their hopeful eyes.

"You may leave." The three words from Ji-woo shattered all the hopes they had.

As Prince Jungkook fled from his father's chamber, the king's ominous words, "Then be ready to sacrifice your love,"

reverberated in his mind like the thunder that roared outside the palace walls.

Determined to sacrifice everything for his brother at any cost, Jungkook's resolve was unshakable, even as the weight of his decision threatened to crush him.

He raced through the dimly lit hallway on the first floor of the palace, his long ebony hair flowing wildly in the breeze.

Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision. His hanfu tangled around his feet, causing him to stumble.