Forced Vows,true Love ||top Tae

14

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The night was quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves under a cold breeze. Jungkook sat on the edge of the palace terrace, looking out over the moonlit garden. His heart felt heavy, weighed down by unspoken words and unmet glances. The festival had ended hours ago, yet he remained there, lost in thought. The festivities, usually a time of joy, had been nothing but a reminder of his loneliness.

Just as he was about to return to his quarters, footsteps echoed in the silence. Taehyung emerged from the shadows, his expression as unreadable as always, his gaze cool and distant. Seeing Jungkook there, his presence seemed to harden.

"Why are you here?" Taehyung’s voice was calm but laced with a hint of frustration. " You should be resting."

Jungkook forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "I couldn’t sleep," he replied softly, his voice barely audible over the night breeze. He gathered his courage, taking a small step toward Taehyung, his eyes pleading. "Is it so wrong that I… that I wanted to spend time with you?"

Taehyung's expression remained unmoved, but his eyes flickered, just for a moment. "You wanted to spend time with me?" he scoffed, crossing his arms. "And what would that achieve, Jungkook? You know why this marriage happened. It was a matter of duty, nothing more. There’s no room for whatever it is you're hoping for."

The words hit Jungkook like a blow. He had always known that Taehyung's heart was guarded, surrounded by walls built from past scars. But hearing the cold dismissal stung deeper than he’d expected. His voice trembled as he spoke. "Do I really mean so little to you?"

Taehyung clenched his jaw, turning his gaze away. "You’re overthinking things. This is just… an arrangement. Nothing more."

Jungkook felt his heart break at Taehyung's harsh words. He had tried, endlessly, to reach out, to build something real between them. But every attempt had been met with cold indifference. Fighting back tears, he turned away, his voice barely a whisper. "I understand now."

With one last glance at Taehyung, Jungkook walked away, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. Taehyung watched him leave, his hands clenched into fists, his jaw set. Only when Jungkook was out of sight did he let his shoulders fall, the faintest hint of regret flickering in his eyes.

Alone in the darkness, Taehyung whispered, a confession meant only for the silence. "It's not that I don’t care, Jungkook. It’s that… I don’t know how"

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The very next day the arrival of someone is unexpected. Word had spread through the palace like wildfire—a dignitary from a neighboring kingdom laan had come to Utopia, requesting an audience with the royal family. When he finally appeared in the grand hall, murmurs filled the room, for he was not just any diplomat but a young nobleman from the ancient kingdom of Yan.

Tall and striking, the man radiated a quiet confidence, his gaze piercing and assured. Dressed in deep emerald robes lined with silver embroidery, he carried himself with a regal air that commanded attention. His hair was dark, pulled back into a neat, high ponytail, revealing sharp, angular features. Beneath his poised demeanor lay a barely concealed intensity, one that made even the guards shift uncomfortably under his gaze.

The nobleman bowed respectfully, introducing himself as Li Wei. His voice was calm, composed, but each word held an underlying strength. "It is an honor to be in the presence of the esteemed royals of Utopia," he said, his eyes briefly glancing over Taehyung and Jungkook, lingering just a bit longer on Jungkook than propriety might allow.

Jungkook felt a shiver run down his spine under Li Wei’s gaze. There was something about this man—something both alluring and dangerous. He couldn’t quite put a name to it, but it made him feel… seen. For the first time in weeks, someone looked at him as if he was not just the consort of a prince, but as someone who mattered on his own.

Taehyung, observing this interaction, felt a surge of unfamiliar jealousy rise within him. Though he kept his expression impassive, he noted the way Jungkook seemed both drawn and unsettled by this newcomer. And, from the slight smirk Li Wei gave, it was clear he noticed too.

Li Wei continued, his voice steady, "I look forward to our kingdoms forging stronger ties. And perhaps… strengthening bonds that go beyond mere diplomacy." His words were pointed, almost challenging, and for a brief second, his gaze met Taehyung’s—a silent battle of wills.