𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮 | 𝑱𝑱𝑲 ✓

♡ Chapter 18 ♡

Chapter Eighteen: The Outsider

The Kingdom of Melantha

The halls of Melantha's palace stretched endlessly, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight spilling through towering windows. The stone walls, once cold and unfeeling, now seemed alive with whispers, echoes of a prince whose heart had begun to beat with something other than darkness.

Jungkook's footsteps were steady, his body moving with quiet purpose, yet his mind was elsewhere. He had spent hours in his art room, pouring every unspoken word, every unexpressed feeling into his brushstrokes. And now, with his gift nearly complete, there was only one thought occupying his mind: her.

Y/N.

Tomorrow is her 21st Birthday, and he will go see her.

Her name was a melody in his head, a lullaby that soothed the raging storm within him. Ever since their fateful encounter, something had changed, something that was new, yet comforting. A pull, an unbreakable thread binding them together.

Fate.

Their soulmate bond

Ever since his crimson eyes had met hers, the weight of centuries had lifted from his shoulders. And now, with each passing day, his soul longed for her more than the last.

His hands clenched into fists as he reached the training grounds. The others were already gathered, their weapons drawn, waiting for him.

After all, the heir of Melantha needed to be strong, more than he already was.

"You're late," Yoongi remarked, twirling a dagger between his fingers. His sharp eyes studied Jungkook, and he smirked. "Let me guess... in your art room again, pouring your love for her in your paintings?"

Jungkook rolled his eyes but did not deny it.

Taehyung grinned. "You might as well carve her name into your sword at this point."

Jimin chuckled, crossing his arms. "We're getting used to this side of you, you know. We are happy for you" His voice was lighter, teasing, but beneath it was something genuine, something akin to relief.

Jungkook scoffed, grabbing a sword from the rack. "Shut up and fight me."

Hoseok laughed, stepping forward. "With pleasure."
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The air was thick with tension, the scent of steel and sweat mingling under the moonlight. The training grounds of Melantha were vast, an open courtyard lined with towering black stone walls, torches flickering along their edges. This was not a place for gentle practice. It was a battlefield, a forge where warriors were shaped through pain and precision.

Jungkook stood at the center, gripping his sword with ease, though his mind was anything but calm. His dark eyes flickered with an intensity that had long been his trademark, yet something in them was different tonight.

He needed a distraction.

"Again," he ordered, his voice sharp.

Hoseok lunged first, his speed blinding, but Jungkook sidestepped effortlessly, twisting his blade to deflect the strike. The force sent sparks flying as metal scraped against metal.

From the side, Taehyung whistled. "Still sharp as ever."

Yoongi, leaning casually against a stone pillar, crossed his arms. "He's not even trying."

Jimin smirked. "Maybe he needs a real challenge."

At that, Jungkook scoffed. "You think you can take me, hyung?"