Magic is feared. You have spent your life hiding because of it.
But when the magic across the land begins to fade, and the forests start to die, you are forced into an uneasy alliance with the very kingdom that once cast your kind out.
Working along...
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Growing up, you were told stories from before the Great War. Tales of beautiful girls - mortal or Arcane - arriving at the Castle in flowing gowns, ready to meet handsome princes who would sweep them off their feet. The floors were said to be lined with soft red carpets, the walls adorned with gold motifs that shimmered beneath candlelight.
Like many little girls, you once dreamed of that story being yours.
That was most definitely not happening to you. Jungkook did not strike you as the type to sweep anyone off their feet. And the castle was nothing like you imagined.
The walls were cold, grey and bare with only a couple of candles lighting up the path in front of you every couple of metres.
The heels of your boots echo through the empty hallways as Jungkook leads you down the corridor, his pace measured and unyielding. He did not need to look back to know you were glaring holes into the back of his head.
"This is unnecessary," you muttered before holding up your hands, which were interlocked with metal cuffs.
"Is it?" he replied calmly. His calm demeanour made your blood boil. You had just willingly agreed to be a part of his so-called alliance and this is the thanks you get?
Considering the last time Jungkook had spoken to you, you had nearly set yourself to an early death out the window, he thought it was very necessary.
The door came into view - the same room you had woken in hours earlier. Jungkook stopped just short of it and gestured with his head. Two guards immediately stepped forward, positioning themselves on either side of the entrance.
Your jaw clenched. "So this is how the royal family treats their guests?"
"You are not a guest," Jungkook said flatly.
You turned sharply, eyes flashing. "Then what am I?"
For the first time, he turned around and looked at you properly.
His gaze lingered. He was not assessing your magic, not scanning for a threat, but searching. As if you unsettled him more than you should have.
"A risk," he said after a moment. "And a necessity." The words stung more than you expected.
Jungkook reached for the door and pushed it open. "You will remain here. You will be guarded at all times."
"And if I refuse?" His lips twitched like he was going to smile. Almost.
"I don't think you'd like to find out."
You stepped closer, closing the gap between the two of you. "I am not afraid of you. Captain." You say almost mockingly.
His expression shifted then - something softer breaking through the restraint. "I do not wish to harm you, (Y/n)."
"Rest," he said. "Tomorrow, we speak properly." He says before closing the door on you.
.
"Father... I do not know what is expected of me, nor whether I possess the strength to overcome this. You have entrusted me with a crown heavy beyond measure. Why did you leave me to bear it alone?" Looking down from the large family portrait of the Kim family sitting in Seokjin's private quarters of the castle. He lets out an aspirated breath. "I am not ready."
Who is he fooling? He doesn't have the slightest clue what he is saying, let alone doing.
It had only been a couple of days after his father's passing, but it seemed like months ago. So many things have happened so quickly in such a short period of tim,e Seokjin hasn't had any time to properly process the passing of his father.
"Your majesty, you are not alone." Finally revealing himself to his older brother, Jungkook steps out from beneath the door's shadows. "You have Taehyung by your side."
Caught off guard, Seokjin turns, surprise softening into a fond smile. "And you brother." He always considered Jungkook a brother - although against many council members' wishes. "Now, how long have you been standing there?"
Jungkook shakes his head. "Long enough." Even before he entered the room, he could tell during the meeting that Seokjin was finding it difficult to maintain his composure. He couldn't blame him though, his father had just passed.
"Why is it you've come all the way to my quarters to see me? It's unlike you to visit me, younger brother." And there he goes again, Seokjin always finds a way to cover up his emotions with humour.
"On the contrary, believe it or not, I just came to check up on how my older brother is doing." Jungkook's confession causes Seokjin to raise an eyebrow in amusement.
"That is quite unlike you Kook." Standing up from his chair, Seokjin shoves Jungkook's shoulder playfully. "You've come to check up on little old me?"
"Yes, and just in time it seems." Jungkook was never one to mess around; he was always straight to business.
"I do not know what you mean." This time, it was Jungkook's turn to raise his eyebrow in amusement.
"Jin, we grew up together. Your jokes do not work on me."
"Sorry Kook, it's hard to be serious when I suddenly have to be serious constantly." Seokjin gestures forJungkook to take a seat in front of him.
"How have you been holding up since your father's passing?" Opting to crouch over in front of Seokjin, Jungkook places a hand on his shoulder and squeezes it gently.
Seokjin huffs softly. "I am the older brother; I am supposed to be asking you that." His smile fades. "He was your father too."
Seokjin's words catch Jungkook by surprise. He was right, the king had also been his father, but he never allowed himself to think it that way. It wasn't that he didn't love him. He did. Deeply. But that love had always felt...distant, separated by bloodlines. No matter how kindly Seokjin and Taehyung treated him, Jungkook had never stopped feeling like an outsider looking in.
His father's death had affected him more than he cared to admit, but he couldn't allow himself to dwell on it for too long. So he kept himself busy - too busy to think, too busy to feel. "You don't need to concern yourself with me," Jungkook says quietly. "You're the one carrying a kingdom on your shoulders."
"You don't need to remind me." Seokjin's voice is laced with doubt.
"I cannot begin to imagine how you are feeling, brother, but you held yourself well in the meeting. If I were in your place, I'd have already ripped a few heads off." Jungkook tries to lighten the mood with a joke, and it seems to work as Seokjin laughs.
"Thank you, little brother." Seokjin looks up, and for a moment it falls silent between the two; all that can be heard is the light crackling of the fireplace. Nothing more needed to be said to each other, they both knew what the other was trying to say to each other.
"I do in fact come bearing good news," Jungkook announces, breaking the silence.
"I knew you had come with purpose." Jungkook rolls his eyes and stands up again.
"The Arcane has agreed on a temporary alliance. They wish to discuss terms tomorrow morning." Triumphedly Seokjin rises from his chair, resolving returning to his posture.
"Tomorrow it shall be."
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Hellooo! I find the meetings with the council members a bit hard to write haha let me know how it went.
