when jungkook wakes up in the middle of his favorite kind of story, he's not the hero. nope, he's the villain-the scheming prince doomed to lose his engagement to the ruthless rmperor taehyung when the beautiful heroine shows up.
villain or not, he'...
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The palace garden was stunning, almost like something out of a dream. Flowers bloomed in every color, fountains trickled softly, and birds filled the warm air with gentle melodies. Taehyung stood at the center of it all, perfectly composed as always, but his thoughts were far from calm. He'd sent a letter to Jungkook earlier in the day, and now, as the hours stretched on, the wait was getting under his skin in a way he wasn't used to.
"Your Majesty," a smooth, deliberate voice broke through his thoughts. Taehyung turned to see Count Lee and his wife approaching, their smiles warm but their eyes sharp.
"Your Majesty, what an honor it is to have a moment of your time," the countess said with a bow that felt more rehearsed than sincere. Her voice was sugary sweet, but there was no mistaking the sharp edge beneath it. "We've been hoping to introduce you to my niece, Lee Hwayoung."
At her gesture, a young woman stepped forward. She looked like she'd walked straight out of a fairytale-long, glossy dark hair, a dress that shimmered like moonlight, and a face that could stop anyone in their tracks. Hwayoung curtsied gracefully, her movements measured and deliberate.
"It's an honor to meet you, Your Majesty," she said, her voice soft and steady.
Taehyung nodded politely, his face giving away nothing. "The pleasure is mine," he said, though there wasn't much weight to the words.
The countess smiled, clearly encouraged. "Hwayoung has been so looking forward to this meeting. She's a devoted admirer of the empire's history-and of your incredible leadership, of course."
Hwayoung's cheeks turned the kind of delicate pink that seemed more calculated than genuine. "Your strength and wisdom inspire us all, Your Majesty," she said, her voice bordering on reverent.
Taehyung managed a faint smile, polite but impersonal, the kind that came out automatically in situations like this. His eyes, though, were already wandering past her, scanning the garden as if searching for something-or someone.
The countess pressed on, determined. "Perhaps His Majesty would enjoy speaking with Hwayoung further? She's well-versed in diplomacy and has quite the mind for political strategy."
