Destiny - Vmin

10. Ballroom

That morning, the castle was especially bustling. The queen was hosting important guests, and Jimin was engaged in meetings and duties throughout the day. This left Taehyung visibly upset, as he was used to spending much of his time by Jimin's side. With nothing to do and seeking to avoid loneliness, he decided to help Miguel with his tasks around the castle.

Although communication between them was somewhat limited, Taehyung and Miguel found ways to interact. Using gestures and miming, along with Taehyung nodding or shaking his head, they managed to understand each other on a basic level. Miguel inwardly chuckled at Taehyung's annoyance over not being the center of Jimin's attention that day. Even without many words exchanged, the situation became amusing to him, and seeing the frustrated young man brightened his otherwise mundane tasks. With every task they completed together, Miguel subtly teased him, making sly jokes or exaggerating his gestures to playfully irritate Taehyung.

As evening approached, it was time for the ball, and Taehyung felt torn between nervousness and excitement. It was a new experience, after all, and he wanted to savor everything the land had to offer in the short time he would be there. Upon entering the grand hall, he was captivated by the setting. The sparkling lights, music, and conversations filled the space with vibrant energy, and every novelty of the occasion left him enchanted.

It was reminiscent of the underwater celebrations Taehyung knew, but there was a significant difference: here, he felt more included. Almost all the young nobles were fluent in sign language, which allowed him to communicate with others besides Jimin. Despite being surrounded by strangers, the looks he received carried no judgment, only friendly curiosity. This welcoming atmosphere was new to him, unlike the underwater kingdom's gatherings where, despite being a prince, he always felt distant, as if something was always missing.

From across the hall, Jimin watched Taehyung. As a prince, he had to remain by his mother, the queen, during important events like this. Yet his eyes followed Taehyung, and he couldn't help but notice how easily the young man adapted to the noble youth. This, which should have been a source of pride, brought about an unexpected feeling—a twinge of jealousy. Jimin saw a young viscount introducing his sister to Taehyung. The young woman, elegant and charming, offered to teach him to dance, and Taehyung, smiling, accepted. Within minutes, he mastered the steps with impressive ease, moving gracefully across the hall.

However, his enjoyment was interrupted when a nobleman, amid laughter, made a snide remark, pointing at Taehyung not-so-subtly.

"Charming and popular, those Mangjeol clan lads, aren't they? Must be why they always get special attention!" he said, and all eyes turned to Taehyung, followed by muffled chuckles. The queen visibly tensed at the mention of the Mangjeol clan.

"[Mangjeol clan? What does that have to do with me?]" Taehyung signed a question while the nobleman who made the remark approached.

"You can't ignore the resemblance. Maybe you're not a legitimate member, but you're clearly of the Mangjeol clan. Seeking the prince's help to gain legitimacy?" the nobleman taunted.

The situation seemed absurd to Taehyung. As a merman, he couldn't belong to any human clan. However, to avoid being exposed, he maintained his disguise. Sensing the tension, Jimin intervened swiftly.

"He's not taking advantage of me in any way! He's my guest and will soon be integrated into the royal court!" Jimin defended Taehyung, stepping closer to the pair.

The nobleman gave Taehyung a disdainful look and retorted, "I know the Mangjeol clan well, and he's definitely not part of the family tree. Maybe he's a bastard trying to secure a position here."

Before the situation could escalate, the queen intervened with an authority that silenced everyone.

"I will not tolerate this kind of rudeness in the hall. Regardless of your family's influence, maintain respect and decorum."

With this reprimand, the laughter ceased, and the provocative nobleman was quickly ignored by everyone. The queen, highly respected among both the nobility and the common folk, knew how to handle tense situations, and angering her was practically a one-way ticket to social ostracism.

As the tension dissipated, Taehyung felt a bit more at ease, although he remained aware of the curious glances and murmurs around him.

Jimin, on the other hand, began to reflect on the nobleman's words. He had forgotten about the Mangjeol clan, but now, observing Taehyung, everything seemed to make sense. The Mangjeol clan was known for its influence and distinctive features, such as fiery red hair and a predominance of male offspring. Jimin began planning a trip to the clan's lands to learn more about Taehyung's past. If he were an illegitimate member, it wouldn't be an issue; with his position as prince, Jimin could easily ensure his legitimacy and integrate him into the royal court.

Taehyung, however, was mentally calculating how to maintain his disguise for longer. The idea of a trip to the Mangjeol clan's lands worried him, as he had no idea where they were, nor could he continue lying much longer. Even so, he pretended to be excited about the prospect as Jimin shared his plans. The rest of the night was filled with conversations about the trip while Taehyung tried to figure out a way to shorten his stay before his true identity was revealed.